South Africa: President Ramaphosa to lead delegation to Russia-Africa Summit

Monday, July 24, 2023

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead the South African delegation to the second Russia-Africa Summit to be held at St Petersburg in the Eastern European country on Thursday and Friday.

According to a statement by The Presidency, he will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

This second summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration. These submissions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Russia and African States in politics, security, trade, science, IT, humanitarian support, education, culture, sports, youth and the environment.

The declarations also seek to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and in information security, the President's office said in a statement.

The Presidency said talks about the upcoming BRICS summit will also be held.

The summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with President Putin on the confidence-building measures that will create conducive conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine.

South Africa will use the summit backdrop to further engage Russia at a bilateral level to finalise the contents and substance of the upcoming BRICS summit, the Presidency said.

Side events, including an exhibition to showcase investment opportunities in Russia and Africa, an innovation space to demonstrate new technologies, and a Business Development and Social Partnership Zone for networking will also be held.  SAnews.gov.za

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This story has been published on: 2023-07-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
In pics: wild Asian elephants in Jiangcheng County, SW China

Xinhua) 08:41, July 24, 2023

This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows wild Asian elephants in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Thanks to uncompromising environmental and wildlife protection efforts, the population of wild Asian elephants in Yunnan has been growing in recent years. Feeling much safer than before, some of these elephants have become increasingly "rampant," and a daring "group tour" of an elephant family in the province even made a great scene in the global cyberspace back in 2021.

Jiangcheng County, which boasts a noticeable number of wild elephants, has inaugurated a special squad to monitor their movements. Once an elephant is found near a village, members of the squad would rush in, and deter it in a non-voilent manner. But if they fail to do so, cordon signs would be placed on site and warning messages would be sent to the villagers.

While staying indoor to avoid confrontation with these naughty giants, villagers do not have to worry about their crops in the field. An insurance plan is in place to cover possible damages, and generous compensations would be made in accordance to the amount of crops consumed or affected by the unaware invaders.

The Asian elephant, the continent's largest land animal, is under top-level protection in China. The species is mainly scattered in Yunnan's Xishuangbanna, Pu'er and Lincang.

Diao Faxing, member of an elephant monitoring squad, launches a drone to track the movement of wild Asian elephants in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province on July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a wild Asian elephant in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Cui Wen)

This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a wild Asian elephant at a tea yard in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

This aerial photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows two members of an elephant monitoring squad in operation in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A wild Asian elephant feeds itself on a mango tree in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Lyv Shuai)

This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows wild Asian elephants in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Lyv Shuai)

This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows wild Asian elephants in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Cui Wen)

This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows wild Asian elephants foraging at a paddy rice field in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A staff member places a cordon sign on a road where wild Asian elephants are found in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Li Jiangwei, member of an elephant monitoring squad, checks the infrared image of wild Asian elephants in Jiangcheng County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo: The Canadian Press Bill Black, left, and Eung Bum Choi are shown in this combined image. Black still gets letters and cards thanking him and other Canadian veterans for their service in the Korean War. Choi, is a retired South Korean colonel who now lives in Canada.

Bill Black still gets letters and cards thanking him and other Canadian veterans for their service in the Korean War.

Quite a few of those notes from South Koreans have arrived lately at the Korea Veterans Association, where Black is president of an Ottawa chapter, as the 70th anniversary of the armistice in that conflict approaches.

More than 26,000 Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to assist South Korea after it was invaded by North Korea in 1950 and 7,000 more followed to help with peacekeeping after the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

Black was part of the peacekeeping contingent. He worked on a navy destroyer assigned to patrol South Korean waters and says it remains an honour to have served.

"We take pride in what we accomplished there, all of our Canadian veterans who served in Korea take pride," the 89-year-old Canadian veteran says.

"We sort of slap ourselves on the back that we were there to contribute, to aid them."

Canada lost 516 soldiers in the Korean War, according to figures from the federal government, making it the third deadliest conflict fought by the country.

Black was deployed to South Korea in 1954, about six months after the armistice was signed. The war  which is still technically ongoing  had devastated the country, he recalls.

"It was appalling," he says, recalling seeing "starving" residents and many whose lives had been completely upended by the conflict.

"We saw the orphans in the streets ... I felt very sad."

Black says he hoped the contribution of U.S.-led troops, including himself, could bring relief to the war-weary country. Decades later, and after making two visits back to the country, he says he's proud of how far South Korea has come.

The war began after the North Korean army conducted a large-scale offensive operation to gain control of South Korea on the morning of June 25, 1950.

Three days after crossing the 38th parallel  which divided the Korean Peninsula into two countries after the Second World War  the invading army seized control of the South Korean capital of Seoul.

South Korean forces then regrouped and built a defensive line south of the Han River, waiting for the U.S. military and other forces to come to their aid.

In response to the invasion, the United Nations founded a military command, led by the U.S., which included the forces of 15 other countries, including Canada. Five additional countries provided military medical assistance. The command aimed to push the North Koreans, who were backed by the Soviet Union and China, out of the south.

The bloody conflict, which lasted for three years, reduced Korean cities to rubble and took millions of lives, according to some estimates.

Eung Bum Choi, a retired South Korean colonel who now lives in Canada, remembers waking up to loud calls on the streets asking South Korea military personnel, many of whom were on weekend leave, to go back to their units when North Korean forces crossed the border into the south early on a Sunday.

"(North Koreans) secretly prepared for invasion into the south for quite some time, Choi, now 92, says in an interview at his residence in Mississauga, Ont., where he and his wife live.

"South Korea was very poorly equipped and not prepared for any such all-out war."

The war entirely altered the course of Choi's life, he says. He was training to become a teacher, but was enlisted in the army after the invasion  he stayed on in the military even after the fighting ended.

While in the military, Choi says he heard stories of the Kapyong Valley battle during the war when Canadian forces, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, averted a massive attack by thousands of enemy soldiers.

The battle, which took place in April 1951, saw 10 Canadian soldiers killed and 23 wounded, while casualties on the opposing side were far higher, according to the Canadian government.

"Korean people remember how bravely Canadian troops fought against North Korea, Choi says.

Claude Charland, who was a lieutenant when he was deployed to South Korea from Canada in 1951, says the sacrifices made by the Canadian forces were worth it.

South Korea's postwar reconstruction efforts transformed the country intoan economic and military power in east Asia and around the world, he says.

"They were one of the few countries who have received a lot of support to reconstruct their country and have not misused the funds," Charland, a retired colonel, says.

Charland, who has returned to Korea three times as part of a South Korean government program inviting foreign veterans to visit, says he volunteered to go to Korea as a young officer despite his mother's initial opposition.

His platoon was ambushed in his first mission, he says, and five of his fellow soldiers were wounded. But the time served in the country was invaluable, he says.

My experience in Korea, made me grow from a young man to a much wiser man."
Next generation airlift family of systems

The U.S. Air Forces plans for its next-generation airlift capabilities are starting to take shape, with Air Mobility Command (AMC) saying it favors a series of aircraft, rather than one single solution. With this, we may be one step closer to answering the question of how the service will go about replacing its fleet of modernized but Cold War-vintage C-5 Galaxy and more recent, but also out-of-production C-17 Globemaster III airlifters  and potentially other transport types, as well.

I think theres an absolute, mandatory need to look at the problem in terms of a system as opposed to just one thing that has to do everything, Gen. Mike Minihan, the boss of AMC, told Aviation Week in a recent interview. Minihans vision of a future airlift fleet will not just focus on replacing the vital C-5 and C-17, and ultimately also the C-130 Hercules, which remains in production. It is also about fulfilling a wider spectrum of aerial transport requirements, including using smaller aircraft.

Airmen load an Army helicopter training simulator onto a C-5 Galaxy. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Wilkinson



Gen. Minihan also said that AMC is looking at future solutions that go well beyond the conventional fixed-wing crewed transport aircraft operated by the command today. Both crewed and uncrewed platforms are under consideration, but so are more radical solutions, such as vertical takeoff and landing capable aircraft, Ekranoplan-Like designs, and airships.

The idea of an uncrewed transport is something that has gotten more leverage of late. In March last year, Pacific Air Forces commander Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach suggested that an uncrewed airlifter, smaller than the C-130 and closer in size to the World War II-era C-47 Skytrain, could play an important role in the Pacific theater.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers board a C-130J assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 9, 2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding

There were  thousands, maybe, of C-47s, and they were all over the Pacific, Wilsback remarked. They werent fast, but they can carry a lot, and they tackled the logistics problem of the Pacific by having a lot of tails to  move equipment. Although it got there at 120, maybe 150 knots  it worked. We could have something like that for ACE, where you dont have to have it going 500 knots, but the logistics effort wouldnt eat a lot of tail numbers to be able to get the small bits of equipment and pieces to the various spots that we intend to deploy from.

Story continues

More generally, the ability to deal with contingencies in the Pacific theater is something that the AMC is now concentrating on, including in the two-week Mobility Guardian exercise that concluded last Friday. You can read more about those maneuvers here. Some of the particular elements put to the test included extended-duration tanker missions, with these aircraft serving as forward nodes for the distribution of fuel but also data; emergency dispersal of aircraft by flushing airfields; and dealing with aircraft battle damage capability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW73RRGsj6k

Another key question, Gen. Minihan told Aviation Week, is Can I get cargo forward into a high-threat environment? but also: Can I get cargo forward to a maneuvering unit that doesnt have a runway from which I can operate?

He continued: Does it have to be manned? Can it be unmanned? Does it have to be 10,000 pounds or 5,000 pounds [payload capacity-wise]? Can I do vertical lift? Can I do it on an airship [or] a slow-moving low-altitude blimp? Theres a lot of opportunity when it comes to how you approach that.

As far as the payload capacity of existing AMC transports, the C-130J can lift 42,000 pounds, the C-17A 170,900 pounds, and the C-5M 281,001 pounds. This, as well as Minihan's comments on the C-47, suggests that the kind of transport suitable for more limited airlift missions in higher-threat environments that he has in mind would be significantly smaller than the C-130J. Often times, just a single part that keeps another aircraft grounded or weapon or communication system from working is all that is needed. Using smaller aircraft, even unmanned ones, could make sense for fulfilling those on-demand logistics requirements.

It just so happens that China has developed just such an unmanned aircraft, the Scorpion D. You can read about it here. It also has short-takeoff and landing capabilities, a range of multiple thousands of miles, and appears to be exactly what the General is describing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yyfOGvDMcw

Even the Navy has said in the past that when ships encounter problems as a result of logistics-related issues that leave them partially mission capable or non-mission capable, 90 percent of the time this can be resolved by the delivery of a component weighing 50 pounds or less.

The unmanned option is also interesting as AMC is already exploring single pilot operations for some of its tankers, even just to use in contingencies. Sustained conflict in the Pacific could certainly necessitate such operations, including for airlifters, as well. Going unmanned, even for the lowliest of small cargo duties, solves some of this problem.

A varied fleet of next-generation airlifters is still some way off in the future, especially with the Air Force currently prioritizing the Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS). This will field new aerial refueling aircraft from the 2030s, following on from the in-production KC-46s and finally replacing the veteran KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.

A model of a Lockheed Martin blended wing-body aerial refueling aircraft the company has shown in the past, possibly to meet future Air Force tanker requirements. Lockheed Martin

In fact, the program to field new airlift capabilities is at such an early stage that its unclear if it will be pursued under the Next-Generation Airlift (NGAL) name, or if it will be reconfigured under the name Next-Generation Airlift System, to better represent that fact that it will involve a family of different platforms and capabilities. The Air Force is taking the family of systems approach to both its future Long-Range Strike (LRS) and Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) portfolios, so it wouldn't be surprising if airlift follows this trend.

Gen. Minihan indicated this, saying that Next-Generation Airlift or Next-Generation Airlift System will draw upon technologies from the B-21 Raider stealth bomber as well as Next Generation Air Dominance, the Air Forces sixth-generation air superiority initiative, which also involves a system of systems approach.

I want to develop a headquarters that thinks about the next generation of systems, not just when the current generation is failing, Gen. Minihan said of the future airlift program. We need to create a muscle memory and a capability that survives the actual acquisition of the airplane.

In the meantime, the Air Force is conducting an analysis of alternatives, to better understand the requirements and how they could be met.

Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Boyer

In its favor is the fact that already the Air Force and industry are studying a range of different airlift concepts and technologies, some of which Gen. Minihan confirmed that AMC is examining with a view to harnessing them to meet future aerial transport requirements.

Among those programs named by Gen. Minihan are the blended wing-body (BWB) demonstrator being run by the Pentagons Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) and Liberty Lifter demonstrators from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Of these, the SPRINT focuses on an aerial platform that can cruise at over 400 knots, hovering into and out of austere areas that lack runways. Liberty Lifter, meanwhile, aims to design, build, float, and fly an affordable, innovative, and disruptive seaplane that operates efficiently in ground effect, according to DARPA.

Interestingly, the DIU is known to have put out a request for information last year looking for companies that might be able to provide digital concepts of design for an advanced BWB aircraft that provides at least 30 percent more aerodynamic efficiency than the Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 families of commercial and military aircraft. The announcement also noted a desire to potentially have a flying demonstrator ready by 2026.

Further to that, earlier this month the DIU confirmed it is considering two bids for a full-scale BWB multi-role demonstrator for evaluation as a potential future U.S. Air Force tanker and airlifter. One of those bidders is known to be the California-based startup JetZero, working with Northrop Grumman on an all-new BWB concept.

The JetZero Z-5 concept for a large-scale advanced tanker-transport demonstrator. JetZero

The AMC boss also said that the command is in talks with the Air Force Research Laboratory about various other designs that have not yet been publicly disclosed.

BWB designs have seen increasing interest in recent years, specifically where cargo aircraft are concerned. Earlier this year, for example, Boeing unveiled a concept for a stealthy tactical cargo aircraft with a blended wing-body design.

A model of Boeings stealth BWB design concept unveiled earlier this year. Boeing

As we have highlighted in the past, BWB designs incorporate flying-wing-like planforms and often evoke the general look of very stealthy designs, but their general configuration is not necessarily low-observable. Still, the design concept makes lends itself to these qualities and makes integrating some degree of low observability easier.

The Boeing BWB concept unveiled earlier this year does have additional stealthy design features, including a fuselage with at least some chined edges and a more beak-like nose, as well as a pair of fully internal jet engines. Its splayed tail is also a notable feature that almost certainly has low-observable benefits, including top-mounted exhausts that help with both IR and radar signatures. These are just notional though and should be taken as such.

A rear view of a smaller model of Boeings recent stealthy BWB design concept, showing the engine exhaust arrangement. Boeing

Beyond any stealth technology discussions, BWB designs offer several main benefits that would be of considerable interest to AMC, including enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, leading to increased fuel economy and overall range. Expanded internal volume and lifting might is also a plus.

Even more radical than BWB designs is a proposal mentioned by the Wall Street Journal this week, referring to space rockets to blast cargo anywhere in the world within minutes. While unclear to what degree this is built into current thinking on next-generation airlift, there is little doubt that the idea has generated interest in the Pentagon in the past. This is something that The War Zone has looked at previously.

While there are still many unknowns about the kinds of capabilities and platforms that the future airlift program may address, one thing that seems to be central, at least at this stage, is the requirement for a much greater degree of survivability compared to legacy airlift platforms.

On more than one occasion, the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has highlighted the need for more survivable airlifters and aerial refueling tankers, which the Air Force says will be critical in future high-end conflicts against near-peer adversaries, especially China.

Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Frank Kendall. U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich

As regards future transport aircraft specifically, speaking last September, the Air Force Secretary explained: These future mobility concepts may be very different than our traditional ones. We need capabilities that can survive the threat of long-range air-to-air missiles. You must be able to bring mobility assets into a contested environment.

This kind of thinking is something that has become increasingly important not only to the development of new fighters and bombers, which are expected to operate in contested environments, but also to future support assets  including tankers and transports. These aircraft will increasingly be at risk from both long-range ground-based air defenses but also from air-launched missiles with steadily greater range and capabilities.

While the exact levels of survivability that will be required from the different elements of the future airlift fleet are not yet clear, Gen. Minihan did provide an interesting survivability concept for the future tanker fleet.

According to the AMC chief, the first tier of survivability, for tankers, will cover operations in very permissive environments, including refueling aircraft in peacetime, for daily operations in the United States, for example, or during exercises. For these kinds of missions, aircraft like the legacy KC-135 and KC-46 would be suitable.

The second tier covers tankers that would be required to operate on the margins of combat operations in the Pacific theater. Here, aerial refuelers would require a greater degree of survivability as well as enhanced situational awareness and connectivity to communicate with the combat assets that would also be on hand to protect them.

Such a level of survivability could be achieved through upgrades of legacy types. It might well include, for example, loyal wingman-type drones that could escort the tankers and launch air-to-air missiles, as well as technologies such as the podded Real-Time Information in the Cockpit (RTIC) initiative, which allows the KC-135 to serve as a communications node for other platforms. Its also now being adapted for transports, too, including the C-130 and C-17. Laser-based defenses and electronic warfare pods could also help defend these lumbering aircraft so close to the fighting.

The first KC-135 in the Air Force inventory received Link 16 as part of its RTIC upgrade in July 2020. Master Sgt. John Winn/151st Air Refueling Wing

Finally, the third tier of tanker survivability calls for refueling assets that are survivable enough to operate in or very close to the same high-end combat environments as fighters. For these, more exotic solutions would be required, including low-observable or stealth technologies.

That can be a small fleet of very capable aircraft that can be a bucket brigade  that can be the exquisite gas that needs to be [sent] forward so the kinetic team can be successful, Gen. Minihan outlined. He also pointed to the example of the Navys MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based refueling drone as the kind of platform that could fulfill such missions, provided it was able to not only dispense fuel but also receive it.

An MQ-25 during refueling tests with an F/A-18F Super Hornet. U.S. Navy

Its not inconceivable that a future airlift fleet could be tiered in a similar way, with different platforms incorporating different levels of survivability based on their operational requirements. Certainly, the Air Force is mindful that at least some of its future aerial transport platforms will be expected to deliver cargoes and even troops into environments that would simply be too hazardous for aircraft like todays C-130 and C-17. And using very low-level flying may buy back some survivability in certain scenarios, but it does not provide the level of protection it once did.

As well as the aforementioned Boeing BWB transport study with low-observable features, the same company previously also ran the stealthy Speed Agile program, which was focused on developing a concept for a next-generation tactical mobility aircraft for the Air Force. Speed Agile was conceived more than a decade ago and was not a fully BWB design, but such concepts clearly still have relevance for current thinking about future airlift options.

A wind tunnel model of a large blend wing-body aircraft concept from Boeing that was tested as part of an Air Force-led project called Speed Agile in the early 2010s. NASA

The idea of stealthy tactical transports is also something that the U.S. special operations community, in particular, has been looking at for some time now. This has produced some novel concepts, which you can read more about in this past two-part War Zone feature.

Concept artwork for the Lockheed Special Operations Forces Transport (SOFA), dating from the 1980s. Lockheed via eBay

Another major requirement for the future airlift fleet involves the aforementioned improved connectivity. This should give these platforms the situational awareness they require to better survive as well as ensure seamless, real-time communication with other platforms, including fighters and command and control assets. As well as the aforementioned RTIC initiative, the Air Force is also exploring other networking tools for transports and tankers. These include the Airlift and Tanker Open Missions System, from Sierra Nevada Corp., which provides aircraft with multiple datalinks and other secure communications, via a fairly straightforward modification.

Theres also the Tanker Intelligent Gateway (TIG) system, also being tested on the KC-135, which provides capabilities similar to those in the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, or BACN. It also provides the fusion and rebroadcasting of multiple datalink waveforms, allowing data to be sent and received across platforms with disparate data link architectures. In doing do, it creates an 'active net' over the battlefield and can maintain connectivity even with lower-flying platforms in high terrain, at least in some circumstances.

Ultimately, its envisaged that TIG could take on some of the roles now provided by airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. This suggests that future transport aircraft could also have a command-and-control function, something that would fit broadly with the Air Forces aspiration to have AEW&C capabilities, in the future, handled by a more resilient network of distributed systems, including in space.

Future airlifters are also likely to make use of developments in the realm of cutting-edge positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and artificial intelligence. The MagNav system, for example, which was developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Lincoln Lab, derives navigational cues from the Earths magnetic field, with AI being used to remove the effects of the C-17s interference. In a contested environment, where enemy forces would be expected to disable or at least downgrade GPS signals, a system like MagNav could ensure a transport got to its destination.

MagNav equipment is loaded on the back of a C-17A, ready for the first real-time demonstration on a U.S. military aircraft, during Exercise Golden Phoenix, May 11-15, 2023. U.S. Air Force

Performance-wise, it seems highly likely that at least some of the Air Forces future transport aircraft will need to operate over much greater ranges, with payload, compared to current airlifters.

With the U.S. military gearing up for a potential major fight with the Chinese military across the broad expanses of the Pacific region, the requirement for increased range, for all types of aircraft that would be involved in such a scenario, becomes paramount. The problem is exacerbated by the limited basing options for American forces in the Pacific, coupled with the fact that available airbases could well be very vulnerable to enemy stand-off strikes.

At this point, its far from clear when AMC might start to introduce new airlifters, let alone what kinds of novel technologies they might embody. As regards to the Boeing BWB concept from earlier this year, the company said a vehicle of this type could be developed in the next 10 to 15 years as a subsonic transport, with a focus on military transport. All this will also cost money  a lot of money. Where those funds will come from to build an entire new family of airlift assets remains to be disclosed.

What is clear is that there is a growing realization that the next generation of airlift assets that will be needed to replace the C-5 and C-17, and potentially other types, will have to be more survivable and that they will otherwise need to cater to a diverse set of requirements, driven to a significant degree by the potential for a conflict with China in the Pacific theater.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Cole Wagner in a photo from his LinkedIn page.

Cole Wagner in a photo from his LinkedIn page.

The former chair of an anti-abortion committee in Alabama was arrested last week on charges of sexual abuse of a child younger than 12, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.

Marty Decole Cole Wagner, 32, was the chair of the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama, as well as an Alabama Department of Education employee in government relations. He has since been fired from the DOE position.

The allegations against Mr. Wagner are serious, tragic and shocking, the state education department said in a statement, according to the APR. While he was employed by our department for only a few months, Mr. Wagner has been terminated effective immediately. No further information is available at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

The Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama announced in 2018 that it would campaign for the passage of a constitutional amendment against abortion rights on that years November state ballot. Abortion is now illegal in Alabama following the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade last year. Its not clear whether APLA is still an active group.

Passage of Amendment Two on the statewide ballot will allow Alabama to begin protecting unborn life as soon as Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, Wagner said in 2018, according to the APR. The Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama is tasked with educating voters about the constitutional amendment and providing them with accurate and truthful information while, at the same time, refuting falsehoods and misinformation that may be disseminated by pro-abortion forces within the state.

Wagner was released on $60,000 bond and could face up to 20 years in prison.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
Photo: Montgomery County Detention Facility

The former chair of the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama, who more recently served as an official in the Alabama State Department of Education, was ousted from the education department last week after being indicted on child sexual abuse charges, the Alabama Political Reporter first reported on Friday. Marty Decole Cole Wagner is accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 12 and was indicted by a grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, on June 30. An unnamed source familiar with Wagners case told the outlet that the child victim in question is actually under 10 years of age.



Per the outlet, Wagner became the chair of the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama in 2018 to mobilize voters to vote for a constitutional amendment to recognize fetal personhood and clarify that theres no right to an abortion in the state. In his capacity as chair, Wagner told the Alabama Political Reporter in 2018 that his role was to [refute] falsehoods and misinformation that may be disseminated by pro-abortion forces within the state. The anti-abortion ballot measure was successful, and four years later, shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion is now banned in the state.

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Wagner was released from jail on $60,000 bond. He now faces up to 20 years in prison, as sexual abuse of a child under 12 is a Class B felony in Alabama.

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HOOVER, Ala.  Authorities in Alabama said Monday that a woman has confessed to fabricating a story that she was kidnapped after stopping to check on a toddler she saw walking on the side of the interstate.

Hoover Police Department Chief Nicholas Derzis said Carlee Russell's attorney, Emory Anthony, provided a statement on Monday saying there was no kidnapping.

More: Watch Carlee Russell press conference's live: Police give update on missing Alabama woman

"There was no kidnapping on Thursday July 13. My client did not see a baby on the side on the road," the statement read, according to Derzis, who read it at a news conference. She did not leave the city, and acted alone, the statement added.

Hoover police provide photos of Carlee Russell.

My client apologizes for her actions to this community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies as well, as to her friends and family," Anthony said in a statement. "We ask for your prayers for Carlee, as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward, understanding that she made a mistake in this matter. Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.

The Hoover Police Department announced the development five days after casting doubt on Russells story. Derzis said it is possible that Russell could face charges. He said they are trying to determine where she was in the two days she was gone.

This was an elaborate deal. When you talk about calling 911, the chief said.

Russell, 25, disappeared after calling 911 on July 13 to report a toddler wandering beside a stretch of interstate. She returned home two days later and told police she had been abducted and forced into a vehicle.

Her disappearance became a national news story. Images of the missing 25-year-old were shared broadly on social media.

Russell told detectives she was taken by a man who came out of the trees when she stopped to check on the child, put her in a car and an 18-wheel truck, blindfolded her and held her at a home where a woman fed her cheese crackers, authorities said at a news conference last week. At some point, Carlee Russell said she was put in a vehicle again but managed to escape and run through the woods to her neighborhood.

Story continues

Investigators cast doubt on her story in a news conference last week. They said in the days before her disappearance, she searched for information on her cellphone about Amber Alerts, a movie about a womans abduction and a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham, Alabama, to Nashville, Tennessee, departing the day she disappeared. Her phone also showed she traveled about 600 yards while telling a 911 operator she was following a 3- or 4-year-old child in a diaper on the side of the highway.

Hoover is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Birmingham.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Carlee Russell confesses to fabricating kidnapping in Alabama
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Allegiant Air plans to absorb jobs that were earlier expected to be eliminated at Orlando Sanford International Airport, representative said on July 22.

Read: U.S. Coast Guard searching for man reported overboard from Carnival ship

The airport, specifically an operations partner, filed a Florida Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter indicating plans to permanently lay off 93 workers starting on Sept. 25. The WARN letter was signed by Elizabeth S. Brown, president of TBI US Inc., a subsidiary of France-based airport terminal operations and aircraft services provider Vinci Airport.

A number of OSI employees will experience layoffs as a result of unforeseeable business circumstances that have resulted in a partial permanent reduction within OSIs ground handling operation, said Browns letter. No other specific details of the reason were included.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

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.




Chief meteorologist Kris Allred is leaving WSAV, the Savannah television station is expected to announce on its 6 p.m. news broadcast Monday.

Allred has been on a leave of absence for the last six weeks helping a family member.

It was supposed to be short term and now is long term, she told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

On Monday morning, she was packing up her Savannah home for the move back to the Cullman, Alabama, area where she was raised.

She said she wont be working for a television station after the move, at least not right away.

I dont know what Im going to do, she said. Im going to help family and then figure it out.

Allred has been chief meteorologist at WSAV for nearly 16 years and said she has appreciated viewers in Beaufort County and those who invited her to speak to community groups.

I have been welcomed since day one, she said. I have made some good friends over there.
Almost 25,000 people who live in the Canadian province of Alberta have been evacuated as wildfires rage across the region, which is seeing abnormally hot weather and high winds, emergency officials said Saturday.

There are at least 103 wildfires burning across the western province, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said at a news briefing.

Much of Alberta has been experiencing a hot, dry spring and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires, Smith said. These conditions mean it is very easy for a wildfire to both start and spread quickly.

The result is the unprecedented situation our province is facing today, she said.

The fires have burned 121,909 hectares  roughly more than 301,000 acres  and since Friday, at least 45 new wildfires have started and 14 local states of emergency issued, according to Smith.

I want to assure everyone that our province has the right tools, the right technology and the resources in place to tackle this challenge she said.

Some residents in the community of Fox Lake, where the fires are severe, had to be evacuated by helicopters, according to Christie Tucker, Alberta Wildfires information unit manager. On Friday morning, dozens of firefighters in Fox Lake were battling the blazes, which burned nearly 11,000 acres, officials said.

In Drayton Valley, firefighters, helicopters and air tankers battled an out-of-control fire that torched over 3,700 acres, according to Tucker.

Authorities in the municipality of Yellowhead County and the town of Edson have also ordered an immediate evacuation due to wildfires burning in Alberta, Edson officials tweeted. The town of Edson has a population of just under 9,000 residents, according to the communitys website.

On Friday night, Alberta officials expanded the mandatory evacuation order in Lac Ste. Anne County, which is about 50 miles northwest of Edmonton. Officials told residents evacuations could last up to three days.

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Portions of Big Lakes County  home to about 5,600 residents  were also ordered to evacuate, including residents east of the West Prairie River and Highway 749 and south of Township Road 724. Its unclear how many people are affected by the evacuations.

Officials asked Banana Belt residents to prepare their properties by removing log piles, deadfall, and plowing around properties if possible.

There is the potential for danger to life and health, Big Lakes County officials said in a post.

Temperatures have been 10 to 15 degrees above normal for a little while now, Tucker said. We still dont have green grass and leaves all over the province, which means that the ground is very dry.

The northern province has been experiencing extremely warm conditions and high winds, Tucker said, and residents are not allowed to have open woodfires on public or private lands while the fires are burning.

There have been 348 wildfires in Alberta since January, burning more than 61,776 acres, Tucker said.

Thats significantly more wildfire activity this time of year than weve certainly seen any time in the recent past, Tucker said.

Evacuations ordered in British Columbia

In northeastern British Columbia, the Peace River Regional District expanded its evacuation order for the Boundary Lake wildfire early Saturday.

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Boundary Lake wildfire located at the BC/Alberta border, east of #FortStJohn, the agency tweeted, adding that the wildfire was estimated to cover 4,695 acres.

The area is being impacted by heavy smoke and visibility is poor. Aviation resources are currently being challenged by the poor visibility. Drivers are advised to avoid Highway 64 due to the poor visibility, the BC Wildfire Service said.

The initial evacuation order was expanded as a result of aggressive fire behavior and the risk to life safety, according to Peace River officials.

The order includes areas on the east to the Alberta border and on the south to the south side of Imperial Avenue, district officials said.

In southeastern British Columbia, a state of local emergency and evacuation orders were issued this week by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary due to the imminent danger of flooding to the life and property of persons resident or present.

The #BCWildfire Service is prepared to support flood response across the province this weekend, the agency tweeted Friday, adding that 20 personnel have deployed to the #CacheCreekBC area, 33 personnel are stationed in the #GrandForksBC region, and an additional 20 personnel are on standby to assist if needed.

CNNs Melissa Alonso contributed to this report.

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There have been no new communications between the United Nations and North Korea since Pvt. Travis King first bolted across the border to the secretive state, U.S. officials said Monday, contradicting an earlier statement by the U.N.

"I saw reports about contact between the UN Command and North Korea, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters on Monday. It is my understanding that there has been no new communication since last week, communications that happened in the early days. I think the reports may have resulted from a misinterpretation of the UN commands original statement."

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, 23, was about to fly back to the United States from South Korea for possible disciplinary action after refusing to pay a fine for allegedly damaging public property. He slipped away from the airport in Seoul last Tuesday and managed to join a guided tour to the joint security area, a piece of land between the North and the South thats managed by the U.N. From there, he sprinted across the border and appeared to be detained by North Korean guards.

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King. (via Carl Gates)

Though there was no public word from the North Koreans about King, the U.N. force that manages negotiations between the two Koreas appeared to suggest it was in talks with the North about the runaway soldier.

"The primary concern for us is Pvt. King's welfare," said Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, a British army officer serving as deputy commander of United Nations Command, known as UNC.

Speaking at a media briefing in Seoul, he said the dialogue was happening through a mechanism set up following the armistice between the North and the South signed in 1953 to stop the fighting in the Korean War. Under the Korean War armistice, the U.N. multinational command and the North Korean military have a communication channel between the two forces.

"I can't say anything that could prejudice that process," Harrison said. "Much of this remains unknown."

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Harrison's statements were interpreted by news organizations across the globe as meaning that the UN had started a larger dialogue about King's status in North Korea. As new stories continued to publish, U.S. officials began to rebut the claim.

Miller said after the U.S. soldier ran into the North, there was an initial message from the U.N. command about King crossing over, and North Korea acknowledged receiving that message. But there has been no new communication about the soldier from the North Korean regime.

Three other U.S. officials earlier told NBC News there had been no new conversation about Kings status with the North.

One U.S. official said that there is no dialogue. Theres no back and forth.

Last week, Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the U.S. had not received a response when asking about King's whereabouts and well-being. The U.S. does not have embassy-level relations with North Korea but sent the message through Swedish officials, its regular workaround.

The incident provides another point of tension between the West and North Korea, a repressive, nuclear-armed state that shares a complicated alliance and trading relationship with China.

North Korea says it fears Western-backed regime change and has threatened on several occasions to launch a nuclear strike to prevent this. The U.S. and its allies say the world cannot live with this threat and have vowed to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

On Saturday, the North fired several rounds of cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea, an apparent protest against the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to the South.

At an April meeting between President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Biden warned a nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable, and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Reuters) -An ammunition depot was hit during a Ukrainian drone attack on Dzhankoi in Crimea early on Monday, with Russian air defence forces shooting down or electronically jamming 11 drones over the area, a Russian-installed official said.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, also said that a residential building was damaged in the area.

He said there was no indication of any casualties, but people within a 5 km (3 mile) radius of the incident were being evacuated.

It was not immediately clear whether the ammunition depot was directly hit by a drone or if it was damaged by falling drone debris.

Russia has a military air base near Dzhankoi. Ukrainian officials have long said the city and surrounding areas have been turned into Moscow's largest military base in Crimea.

Aksyonov also said on the Telegram messaging app that "for safety reasons" railway and road traffic in the area was suspended.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports of the attacks. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the alleged attack.

Ukraine rarely publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia's military infrastructure helps Kyiv's counteroffensive.

It was the second such attack in three days in Crimea. On Saturday, Aksyonov said a drone caused an explosion at an ammunition depot in central Crimea, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby people and briefly suspend road traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia.

Ukraine did claim that incident, saying its army had destroyed an oil depot and Russian army warehouses.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Mark Trevelyan in London; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Toxic chemicals called PFAS have been found in drinking water throughout the U.S. in the past 20 years, raising major health concerns for the people with the greatest exposure, ABC News reports.

What are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of chemicals that are popular with manufacturers because they can be used to create water-resistant, fire-resistant, and nonstick surfaces. Theyre used in clothes, cosmetics, cookware, packaging, and many other products.

However, PFAS are a worrisome pollutant because they dont break down in nature. Many harmful chemicals break apart on their own over time, and others can be eaten by microbes. But PFAS stay in the environment without breaking down, earning them the nickname forever chemicals.

ABC News analyzed water testing data from the past 20 years to see where PFAS have appeared. The news outlet found that out of all the zip codes in the U.S.  41,704, according to the United States Postal Service  43% have been found to have at least one source of water contaminated with PFAS.

(Contamination) is sprinkled in every single state in the country. Its sprinkled in communities small, large, rural, urban, suburban, Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told ABC News. Its all over the place.

The outlet also reported that the areas most likely to experience PFAS contamination were low-income and racially diverse areas.

Why do PFAS matter?

PFAS are linked to a wide range of health problems. They raise the risk of cancer, cause fertility problems, and even contribute to surprising issues, like high cholesterol and reduced response to vaccines in children.

Most people in the U.S. have some exposure to PFAS. They may encounter these chemicals anywhere, even in raindrops. But the chance of poor health outcomes increases with more exposure. Those who are drinking contaminated water regularly are severely at risk.

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What is being done about PFAS?

This year, the EPA announced a proposal for new limits on some PFAS in drinking water, the first limits of this kind, ABC News reported. While only six of the thousands of PFAS are covered, its a step toward curbing the pollution.

Researchers are also hard at work on methods to destroy PFAS and nonpolluting ways to get rid of these chemicals.

In the meantime, there are a few ways to reduce your exposure to these chemicals. Steer clear of nonstick cookware and prioritize manufacturers that avoid PFAS: This list contains a plethora of brands that sell PFAS-free goods, ranging from textiles, carpets and rugs, home maintenance products, to foodware, cosmetics, clothing, and personal care products.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Photo: The Canadian Press A police officer speaks with a gay rights activist standing with a rainbow flag, in front of journalists, during a protesting picket at Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed new legislation Monday which marked the final step in outlawing gender-affirming procedures, a crippling blow to Russias already embattled LGBTQ+ community.

The bill, which was approved unanimously by both houses of parliament, bans any medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person, as well as changing ones gender in official documents and public records. The only exception will be medical intervention to treat congenital anomalies.

It also annuls marriages in which one person has changed gender and bars transgender people from becoming foster or adoptive parents.

The ban is said to stem from the Kremlins crusade to protect what it views as the countrys traditional values. Lawmakers say the legislation is to safeguard Russia against Western anti-family ideology, with some describing gender transitioning as pure satanism.

Russias crackdown on LGBTQ+ people started a decade ago when Putin first proclaimed a focus on traditional family values, supported by the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 2013, the Kremlin adopted legislation that banned any public endorsement of nontraditional sexual relations among minors. In 2020, Putin pushed through constitutional reform that outlawed same-sex marriage, and last year signed a law banning propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among adults as well.
Actress Angelica Ross is speaking up about the importance of the ongoing SAG strike and the effects of Hollywoods constricting policies. On Sunday afternoon, the Pose actor took to Twitter to share her experience with a limiting contract,

I was under a 7 year contract with FX in what they call first position, she began her tweet. As a series regular, I could not work anywhere else without getting network approval.

Ross continued to explain that while working on American Horror Story season 10, she was told she would be returning to Season 11 and was put on hold for several months. The 42-year-old actor went on to share that the contract restricted her from accessing certain opportunities.

During this time, she wrote, Marvel called a few times asking about my availability. By the time FX released me, Marvel stopped calling. Now its been years since I have had an acting job. This is also why we are striking.

I was under a 7 year contract with FX in what they call first position. As a series regular, I could not work anywhere else without getting network approval. While working on AHS season 10 I was told I would be returning to Season 11 and was put on hold for several months.  A N G E L I C A (@angelicaross) July 23, 2023

A Reckoning

On July 14, members of SAG-AFTRA began a strike against Hollywood players. The union joined the Writers Guild of America who have been on strike for close to 90 days now.

Rosss story echoes the many concerns and challenges Hollywood creatives, from writers to working actors of various popularity, are facing today. Other Black women, including recent Emmy Nominee Dominique Fishback and Yvette Nicole Brown have also chimed in on the situation.

Fishback, while speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, shared that, I think that all artists deserve to be fairly compensated and respected for the hard work that they do. We go do projects and leave our family and friends, sometimes for months at a time. You spend hours on set, and it affects your personal life. I wouldnt trade it at all; I love what I do, and there are other ways to make artists feel respected and appreciated.

Actresses like Lupita Nyongo have also been seen marching on the frontline and standing in solidarity behind their colleagues.

The post Angelica Ross Shares How FX Contract May Have Cost Her Marvel Job appeared first on 21Ninety.
Forty years after his 12-year-old daughter disappeared from Bashford Manor Mall, presumably abducted and never to be seen again, Anatoly Gotlib died Saturday, according to a death notice issued by The Temple. He ws 84.

His daughter vanished on her first day of summer vacation in 1983. Her bicycle was found leaning against a wall of the Bacons department store.

Her body was never found, and no one was ever charged with her abduction. The case became known as Louisvilles greatest mystery.

Her disappearance was one of the first to put a national spotlight on missing children. FBI and the old Jefferson County Police Department checked sightings and reports from Oregon to Florida. The case in part prompted Congress to pass the Missing Children's Assistance Act, which helped establish the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a national clearinghouse for information.

Facing increasing repression in the Soviet Union, Anatoly, an engineer, his wife Ludmilla, and Ann, who were Jewish, emigrated to the United States in 1980 and settled in Louisville.

Ludmilla, his wife of 53 years survives him, as does a son Jacob, who was born the year after Ann vanished.

Born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1938, Anatoly and his family fled to Siberia for several months in 1941 when the Nazis invaded. He studied engineering at Kiev Polytechnic and married Ludmilla in 1970. Ann was born the next year.

Anatoly was working in the U.S. for Bechtel Petroleum, a subsidiary of the Bechtel Group, the giant construction and engineering company that was reported to have ties with the CIA, prompting speculation that the Soviets might be behind her disappearance.

The Gotlibs scoffed at that explanation, saying if Anatoly knew any Soviet secrets the family would never had been allowed to emigrate.

In another twist, Ann was reading a novel about a boys disappearance, "Still Missing," when she disappeared, prompting suggestions she may have run away. But her parents said she had never run away before and detectives said it was implausible that a 12-year-old girl could have covered her tracks so long.

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In 1993, when Ann had been missing 10 years, police opened their file to The Courier Journal and it showed that at first investigator had focused on the wrong man, a 42-year-old Nicholasville resident who had been treated for a sexual-impulse disorder five years earlier and was charged with abducting and molesting a 15-year-old girl the same day Ann disappeared. But he turned out to have an airtight alibi.

In a published story about the investigation, The Courier Journal pointed to another man, Gregory Oakley, as the most likely suspect.

Oakley, 41, lived a block north of the Gotlibs' apartment. He had lost his veterinarian's license in Alabama when he was convicted of assaulting two girls, 12 and 14, and injecting them with powerful narcotics. One of the girls nearly died. Unaware of his record, the U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Louisville had hired Oakley in 1982 to inspect meat and poultry.

From the archives: A look at Ann Gotlib's case 10 years after she went missing in Louisville

And as a USDA inspector, he carried a badge and had access to slaughterhouses, where a body could be disposed of. Bank records showed that a couple of hours before Ann disappeared, Oakley was at the Liberty National Bank branch in Bashford Manor Mall. A polygraph examiner concluded that Oakley was lying when he denied responsibility for Ann's disappearance.

Oakley was convicted of attacking a 13-year-old girl  a police officers daughter - during which the girl was stabbed. He was convicted of attempted rape and burglary and sentenced to 50 years in prison. Police questioned Oakley about Ann's disappearance but couldnt amass enough evidence to charge him.

Ann Gotlib vanished in 1983. Her bicycle was found leaning against a wall of the Bacons department store at Bashford Manor Mall.

In a letter to a Courier Journal reporter, Oakley insisted he was innocent in Anns disappearance. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANN GOTLIB IN MY LIFE, he wrote. He added that he had "no reason to lie about this matter because I am dealing with terminal lung cancer which has already metastasized.

Oakley died in October 2002, three months after he was released from prison on a medical parole.

But in 2008, 25 years after Ann disappeared, the Louisville Metro Police Department, into which the county department had been merged, announced that Oakley was their man. Officials cited new evidence including a statement from a former cellmate who said he had confessed. A polygraph showed the ex-cellmate was being truthful.

Commonwealths Attorney Dave Stengel said he thought police had gotten it right and closed the case. But he denied Anatoly and Ludmilla Gotlibs request to charge Oakley posthumously because he couldnt defend himself.

After Bechtel, Anatoly Gotlib worked in a variety of engineering roles, including as an environmental engineer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1985 until his retirement in 2005. He was a member of the Jewish Community Center and The Temple.

A family friend said Gotlib and his wife didnt talk about Ann anymore, and Rabbi David Ariel-Joel declined to discuss how they dealt with their daughters loss, saying they were very private.

They moved from their apartment after Ann disappeared, but In an interview in 1993, they said they kept the same phone number, just in case Ann tried to call.

They also said they didnt do anything special to mark her birthdays each May 5, other than to count the years.

Reporter Andrew Wolfson can be reached at (502) 396-5853 or awolfson@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Anatoly Gotlib, whose daughter Ann disappeared in Louisville, dies
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Thirty-seven-year-old Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has made his strident opposition to affirmative action a main part of his campaign pitch. (His other major policy pillar is fighting wokeness.)

Since announcing his presidential run in February, Ramaswamy has railed against what he refers to as preferencesrace, gender, legacy status, etc.in college admissions and in hiring, saying entrance into both areas should be based on pure merit.

He has called race-based admissions a cancer on our national soul, promised that as president he would end race-conscious college admissions on Day One without apology, and identified the defeat of affirmative action as the tip of the spear of my policy agenda.

Vivek Ramaswamy Runs Straight Into the Trump/DeSantis GOP Civil War

Ramaswamy cheered the Supreme Courts decision to end race-conscious admissions at Harvard, his undergraduate alma mater, despite the school noting that no students are admitted on the basis of race alone.

But as he made his way through two Ivy League universities, Ramawamy himself benefitted from a generous fellowship intended to provide opportunity and equity to groups who have historically often faced systemic barriers to success.

Moreover, that fellowship came by way of the Soros family. (Yes, that would be the family of George Sorosthe right wings all-purpose boogeyman.)

THE SOROS FELLOW

Few names stir up a fit of pique among the anti-woke like Soros. This might be why Ramaswamy doesnt want his name appearing anywhere near Soros.

But thats proven difficult, because in 2011 Ramaswamy was part of the tiny pool of graduate students who had applied for, and received, the Soros Fellowship for New Americans.

The fellowshipwhich offers up to $90,000 over two years to students pursuing graduate degrees in multiple disciplines at elite U.S. universities (like Yale Law School, which Ramaswamy attended)is underwritten by Daisy and Paul Soros, the latter being the late brother of George Soros. It is earmarked solely for immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Put simply, its to help level the playing field for children in identity groups that have historically been left behind.

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So embarrassing to the candidate is this significant chapter of his origin story that, according to reporting by Mediate in May, Ramaswamy paid to have information about the fellowship scrubbed from his Wikipedia page.

Whats so bad about the fellowship that helped Ramaswamy make his way through elite higher educationand quickly into multi-millionairedom?

As stated on the fellowships site: The program seeks to create a level playing field for the consideration of applicants from different backgrounds, in different fields, at different stages in their educational development, and of different ages. Because New Americans and their families have had very different immigration experiences, we take those differences into account in assessing applicants success in meeting the selection criteria

[The] program looks at applicants holistically and has never had a preferred GPA or test score range. The program is interested in applicants who do the most with what they have, challenge themselves, and work hard to overcome obstacles.

So, it seems that in addition to being highly selective, the Soros Fellowship that Ramaswamy received takes affirmative action to ensure equity for an often marginalized group. Its the exact sort of program that Ramaswamys entire political campaign seems laser-focused on ending.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy addresses The Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2023. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

MERITOCRACY?

No one gets a Soros scholarship merely by virtue of being from an immigrant family. The prestigious fund values academic rigor, and eligible applicantswho must be either green card holders, naturalized citizens, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, grad students born elsewhere who graduated from both a U.S. high school and college, or first generation kids of immigrant parentsare highly qualified students who deserve access to opportunities.

RFK Jr.s Legacy of Inflicting Severe Damage on Black Communities

Like many elite programs and institutions (including the Soros Fellowship), Harvard also evaluates students holistically, meaning that while it always demands academic excellence, as the university states in court papers, it does not define excellence through a narrow focus on grades [GPA] and test scores. (In a post-SCOTUS decision column for the New York Post, Ramaswamy wrote that meritocracy would be restored and that GPAs and SAT scores might even make a comeback!)

Instead, like the Soros Fellowship, it considers myriad other factors. That includes where the student grew up, socioeconomic status, various intangible aspects of their character and, yes, race. As Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissent, affirmative action helps level the playing fieldthe same goal explicitly expressed by the Soros Fellowshipfor students from historically marginalized groups.

When Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tweeted in favor of affirmative action after the Supreme Court decision, Ramaswamy hopped on Twitter to counter himspecifically citing the number of immigrants it benefits as proof that it should be destroyed.

The majority of black students at Harvard are not descendants of slaves but descendants of immigrants, he wrote. Giving special preferences to someone who *looks like* a person who once suffered is not justice. We should finally embrace colorblind meritocracy in America rather than to repeat our past mistakes.

Does Ramaswamy see any incongruity in his opposition to the use of preferences such as race, gender or even legacy/ALDC (athletes, legacies, donor offspring, children of faculty and staff) and his acceptance of a fellowship solely given to grad students from immigrant families? In particular, does he not grasp that the fellowship also selects its fellows based on holistic review, which, while requiring stand-out academics, deemphasizes grades/GPA as the sole determinant of merit, with the shared intent to create a level playing field?

Does he truly believe that race-conscious admissions at elite colleges such as Harvard, which has a tiny 4 percent acceptance rate, are actually permitting students to coast on the basis of race? (The Soros Fellowship has a 1.2 percent acceptance rate.)

Students walk through the Yard at Harvard University. Brian Snyder/Reuters

Does he genuinely believe, as he told ABC News just after the Supreme Court decision came down, that programs that consider things such as race, gender, andone would have to assumeimmigration background, are putting people into positions that theyre actually not qualified to have?

Ramasway told NPR in May, I dont believe in a backwards-looking, distributive justice-based framework for distributing social goods or services on axes related to identitywhich seems to blow up the idea of any aid that benefits any struggling group, including the Soros Fellowship.

Ramaswamy claims race-conscious policies teach black kids, You dont have what it takes to be able to succeed on your own, that they lead to a new form of psychological slavery that keeps you in shackles and that they cause bigotry, creating a new wave of anti-black racism. Does he believe fellowships for children from immigrant families, like the one he got, is to blame for and justifies xenophobia? Does he secretly carry a burden of knowing he couldnt succeed without identity-based help?

Contrarian Defenses of RFK Jr. Are Not BraveTheyre Boring

I asked Tricia McLaughlin, a senior adviser to Ramaswamys campaign, about the conflict between her candidates stance on preferences and his acceptance of a fellowship Soros based on what he would surely otherwise label an identity-based category, that literally and explicitly uses the same determinants he maligned as the death of merit when applied in race-conscious admissions?

I disagree with the premise of your question, McLaughlin told me, via email. Vivek is against race-based preferences in hiring and admissions. Immigrants are not defined by a certain skin color or melanin content.

So, by this logic, when the Black and Hispanic children of immigrants receive the Soros Fellowship, its bad and counts as affirmative action and is an example of how the policy is, to again quote Ramaswamy, putting people into positions that the candidate, for some reason assumes, they're actually not qualified to have. But when Ramaswamy got it, it was cool and a testament to his merit?

Its an interesting admission from a campaign that claims its actually the left who tells Black and Hispanic folks that race govern[s] who you are and what you can achieve. But its Ramaswamy and his ilk who stand in the way of the colorblind meritocracy they falsely purport to want, because its actually those same folks who think everythingeven the meaning of a fellowshipchanges based on the race of the person receiving it.

Ramaswamy apparently opposes preferences for all protected classes (in his own words, hes against programs that focus on race or gender or sexual orientation to distribute benefits)except for the one that includes him. Cool, cool.

HELP IS A GOOD THING

If anything, Ramaswamy should tout his selection by the Soros Fellowship, because its evidence of how important programs that help remove hurdles for underrepresented groups truly are. Like those accepted by Harvard, Soros Fellows have already proved their mettle in plenty of waysand, in fact, Ramaswamy had already been his high schools class valedictorian, graduated Harvard College summa cum laude with a degree in biology, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa before he was selected.

Did having perhaps as much as $90,000 in scholarship funds to attend pricey Yale Law likely widen his field of options?

Did it help so much that during his years in law school, his time working at a biotech investment firm ended up being some of my most successful years as an investor, as he said on the Harvard podcast?

Did it allow him to earn capital that, upon graduating, then further allowed him to found the biotech company Roivant Sciences in 2014, which catapulted his career into the stratosphere?

This Juneteenth, Remember the GOP Is the Neo-Confederate Party

Ramaswamy has emphasized that he didnt grow up with money. I think any logical person would say yes, the moneyin tandem with Ramaswamys drive, pluck, and smartslikely had some beneficial impact.

And thats a good thing.

Ramaswamy and other opponents of affirmative action and various programs aimed at expanding opportunities for certain groups often present the world as a zero-sum game, in which someone elses gain must be your lossby theft. (A benefit provided to some applicants but not to others necessarily advantages the former group at the expense of the latter, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the SCOTUS decision killing affirmative action.)

Its a disingenuous argument from someone who should (and very likely secretly does) know better, firsthand.

Participants at a rally protesting the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action on Harvard University Campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 1, 2023. Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua via Getty Images

REWRITING HISTORY

According to Mediates reporting, Ramaswamy paid to have information about the fellowship scrubbed from his Wikipedia page. The report pointed to the public-facing page of an editor screen-named Jhofferman, who indicated they had been paid by Vivek Ramaswamy for their contributions to Wikipedia.

A page detailing edits Jhofferman made to Ramaswamys biography indicates the editor Deleted extraneous material re fellowship on Feb. 9, 2023. Wiki users and editors debated the ethics of the deletions (with one writing that the removal of the fellowship information calls into question the reliability of the entire article) and reinserted a sentence about it.

McLaughlin, the Ramaswamy campaign adviser, told me there was no intentional scrubbing of the information, and that the campaign just wanted to clear up several factual errors and misspellings that were previously present.

All of this information is Googleable, McLaughlin told me via email. Its standard fare to ensure a presidential candidates bio has accurate information. Any disingenuous assertion of scrubbing is being pushed by insecure campaigns threatened by Viveks momentum.

The fellowship information is not listed on Ramaswamys LinkedIn biography nor his Yale bio page, and went unmentioned during a 2021 Harvard podcast in which the candidate otherwise detailed his education and entrepreneurial careers.

But in a hilarious case of the Streisand effect, under the definition of scrub off in Websters online dictionary, for some reason, usage examples include a quote from a New Republic article: The editor scrubbed off information related to Ramaswamys recipience of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans in 2011, during his time as a Yale law student.

Vivek Ramaswamy Is the Spoiler Candidate Trump Loves

Coverage of Ramaswamys accolade seems to focus on the possibility that he has a relationship with George Soros, the rights avatar for sinister left-wing political financing, and the stand-in name for globalists. Hes waved those charges off, noting that the scholarship is from Paul Soros, who is now dead, and that it allowed him to pay for law school.

But hes said nothing about the goals of the scholarship or what he would normally refer to as its preference-based eligibility requirements tied to immigration.

During the same NPR appearance in which Ramaswamy ragged on affirmative action, he also emphasized another point.

I believe in practicing what I preach, he told the outlet. Transparency is the way.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukrainians have already taken back about 50% of the territory Russia seized since the invasion as the embattled country continues its counteroffensive.

Asked to weigh into reports that Ukraine was facing a tough time in its stepped-up fight to oust Russian invaders, Blinken told CNNs Fareed Zakaria that the Kremlin has failed in its goal.

Theyve already lost, Blinken said in an interview that aired on Sunday. The objective was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, its sovereignty, to subsume it into Russia.

While Blinken acknowledged the fight is tough for Ukrainians, he also pointed to the strength of their resistance.

Its already taken back about 50% of what was initially seized, he said. Now theyre in a very hard fight to take back, to take back more. These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking alongside his ally Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, on Sunday said Ukraines counteroffensive has failed.

International help for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys forces has been helpful, Blinken said, but the most crucial factor in the counteroffensive may be the Ukrainians resolve.

Unlike the Russians, Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their future, for their country, for their freedom, he said. I think that is the decisive element, and thats going to play out. But it will not play out over the next week or two. Were still looking I think at several months.

How does Ukraines counteroffensive look from Washington? And could the US have given more weapons sooner?



From todays GPS: part 1 of my conversation with @SecBlinkenpic.twitter.com/8SnqWHE9bN  Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) July 23, 2023

In a separate interview, Zelenskyy told Zakaria he would have preferred to begin the counteroffensive earlier, but his forces didnt have the necessary weapons.

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We did have plans to start it in spring, he said. But we didnt, because, frankly, we had not enough munitions and armaments, and not enough brigades properly trained in these weapons. Still more, that the training missions were held outside Ukraine.

Asked about why the U.S. hasnt delivered on Zelenskyys request for U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, Blinken said the authorization process is ongoing. The most important thing is for Ukraine to use the fighters in a smart way, he said.

Its not just the equipment itself, he said. Its the training, its the maintenance, its the ability to use it in combined arms operations. All of that takes time. If a decision were made to actually move forward on the F-16s tomorrow, it would be months and months before they were actually operational.

The U.S. has previously said F-16s should arrive in Ukraine by the end of 2023, but National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby noted the fighter jets alone wouldnt be enough to turn the tide here.

Meanwhile, Russia on Monday blamed Ukraine for a drone attack near the Defense Ministrys main headquarters in Moscow, according to The Associated Press. Ukraine accused Russia of attacking port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, injuring seven people and destroying a grain hangar, AP reported.

Related...
Francisco Duran

The superintendent of Arlington Public Schools in Northern Virginia is refusing to follow updated model policies from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkins Education Department on how to treat transgender students.

LGBTQ+ activists and parents across the state criticized the governors updated policies last week. Arlington is a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Arlington superintendent Francisco Duran rejected the revised guidance in a statement to community families on Thursday. Duran recently received a multi-year contract extension.

I reaffirm our unwavering support for our LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and community. I want our transgender, non-binary, and gender fluid students to hear loud and clear that you belong here, you are valued, and we stand with and support you, Duran wrote. We have reviewed the model policies and determined that our current policies and policy implementation procedures that protect the rights of our transgender students will stay as is.

The school system serves about 30,000 students.

During a conversation with The Advocate, Duran stressed the need to create a welcoming and safe environment for all students.

He said that families considering Arlington for their childrens education and those already living there can rest assured that the school system is committed to non-discrimination and inclusivity.

Duran said that all students, regardless of background or identity, need a supportive and inclusive community, including LGBTQ+ students broadly and transgender students in particular. He said a positive learning environment requires policies that protect all students rights and safety, regardless of their background.

He invites parents who dont have trans kids or dont understand why their rights should matter to consider a particular attribute of their child and how school officials protect their rights to get a quality education.

Last week, the Youngkin Department of Education released its Model Policies to Ensure Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginias Public Schools, severely limiting transgender students rights. Teachers and other school personnel are prohibited from using preferred pronouns or referring to students by a different name without parental consent. As part of the new school rules, students must use the school facilities that correspond to their official records sex.

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In a moment like this or any other, where a group of students is targeted or made to feel excluded in some kind of way, then its a call to action for us to remind ourselves to go back to the core and the heart of what it means to be an educator, and that is to support everyone, he told The Advocate.

Educators must advocate for inclusivity, he added.

As an educational leader, Duran said he needed to stand firm against what he sees as Youngkins discriminatory policies.

Its very important for me to make the statement because when the model policies came out, many of our families, our staff, and our students were very concerned with what they meant for them, he said. As the superintendent of all students, regardless of their background, its my responsibility to ensure we provide a welcoming, safe environment for them.

He continued, So any issue ... where I feel that a student or family or staff member may feel that theyre not welcome in our schools, I need to be able to be loud and clear that they are welcome.

Duran stressed the need for support and inclusion for transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid students. He clarified that those model policies are not laws and stressed the need to follow the actual code.

Rather than being mandates, Duran emphasized that these policies are guidance for school districts to choose from. Virginia law governs how transgender students are treated in schools.

When we look at what the model policies that were recently shared with us, compared to our policies that we have in place, we are in compliance with the code because we are following evidence-based practices, Duran said.

We are protecting student privacy and confidentiality. So we are, in my opinion, not going against the code itself, he said. At the very end of the code, it very clearly states that each school board shall adopt policies consistent with those tenants.



He added, "We are following the code.
A mail carrier walks to a truck at a United States Postal Service (USPS) processing and distribution center in Washington, DC, on 8 October 2020 (EPA-EFE/Michael Reynolds)

An armed bystander chased off a criminal who was attempting to rob a mailman in the suburbs of Chicago, police said.

Authorities in River Grove, Illinois, said the suspect had held a US Postal Service (USPS) worker at gunpoint and demanded his keys at around 9.30am on 18 July.

The mailman complied, but before the robber could escape, a neighbour with a handgun intervened. Words and gunshots were exchanged, police said, and the suspect was forced to flee to a waiting car.

No mail van was stolen, but it is not clear whether the robber was able to make off with anything else. The USPS worker was not injured.

He was just very distressed, very scared, another neighbour, one of two sisters, told NBC Chicago.

You could tell he was very nervous from what had just happened.

The other sister said their mother had let the mailman inside the house to check if he was all right because she knows him from his rounds and talks to him regularly.

Police have offered up to $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the robbers. Postal inspectors believe there were four people involved.

One suspect was described as a Black man with a thin build, 5 foot 6 tall, wearing a light-grey hooded sweatshirt and a mask. The group fled in a silver Hyundai sedan.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the US Postal Inspection Service on (877) 876-2455, quoting case number 3681116.

The USPS is also offering $50,000 for information on another case that occurred days later, on Sunday at approximately 2.15pm, near the intersection of S Seely Avenue and W 99th Street, Chicago.

The suspect in this case was described as a Black male wearing dark clothing and a face covering by authorities. The USPS said the suspect fled on foot westbound on W 99th Street.

Authorities asked for information on this incident by quoting case number 4062292.
NEW BEDFORD  A 20-year-old New Bedford man was arrested this afternoon in connection with the shooting of a New Bedford police detective Lavar Gilbert last Monday.

New Bedford Police, with support from State Police detectives assigned to the DA's office, members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and ATF agents, arrested Cheybane Vasconcelos-Furtado this afternoon at a home on Worcester Street in New Bedford Sunday afternoon.

Suspect in New Bedford police shooting faces multiple counts

He is currently charged with two counts of Armed Assault with Intent to Murder, two counts of Assault and Battery by Discharge of a Firearm, two counts of Wanton Destruction of Property Over $1,200, and one count each of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon-Serious Bodily Injury, Carrying an Illegal Firearm and Carrying a Loaded Illegal Firearm.

I'm pleased with this arrest and the progress that was made today. This arrives following a very long week for all the New Bedford, State, and ATF investigators who have put a great deal of time and effort into this case. Although today is a well-earned win, there is more work to be done as this investigation continues and we continue to follow up on leads," New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira said in the press release. "We will not rest until each person connected with this shooting has taken a seat in our booking room. Until that time, I remain grateful for the collaborative effort and encourage everyone to keep Det. Gilbert in their thoughts as he continues to heal. Id also like to acknowledge all of the resources provided by District Attorney Tom Quinn and the A.T.F.

An arrest has been made in connection to the shooting incident with a New Bedford police detective. In this file photo from Tuesday, July 18, officials discuss the ongoing investigation into Detective Lavar Gilbert's shooting with the media Tuesday. Front row, from left, Chief Paul Oliveira, Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn, Lt. Scott Carola, and Mayor Jon Mitchell. (Credit: Frank Mulligan/Standard-Time

What happened with the shooting of the New Bedford police detective?

Detective Gilbert drove himself to St. Luke's Hospital in "miraculous" fashion after getting shot in the face Monday night while working undercover, Oliveira said at a press conference last week.

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Gilbert, who is assigned to the Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau, was conducting surveillance while working undercover in the south end Monday night. At 8:45 p.m., he was in an unmarked vehicle in the area of the Rivet St./Orchard St. intersection when shots were suddenly fired.

When is the suspect being arraigned?

The defendant will be arraigned in New Bedford District Court Monday morning. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Guilderson.

The investigation into the shooting incident on Monday, July 17, remains extremely active and ongoing. No further information about the facts of the case against the defendant can be disseminated prior to his arraignment in open court tomorrow.

"I am very pleased that an arrest has been made in another senseless act of violence that could have cost the detective his life," District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in the press release. "The cooperation between all the agencies involved in this investigation has been outstanding."

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: New Bedford police detective shooting suspect due in court Monday
Military personnel attend a special naturalization ceremony in New York on June 30, 2023. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

As the U.S. military struggles through the worst recruitment crisis in 25 years, it has redoubled efforts to recruit from immigrant communities. Immigrants who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible to join the armed forces  and have done so since the beginning of U.S. history.

Service in the military means an expedited path to U.S. citizenship, and many assume that the desire to get U.S. citizenship is what pushes immigrants to enlist. I interviewed 72 noncitizens from 28 countries who enlisted in the U.S. military for my book, Green Card Soldier: Between Model Immigrant and Security Threat.

I learned that the fast track to citizenship is not as important in explaining immigrant enlistments as economic factors like poverty and debt, and cultural factors, such as valuing warrior masculinity and legitimization of war.

The immigrant twist on the poverty draft

The U.S. military has not had a draft since 1973 and instead has relied on marketing and recruiters to attract people into its ranks.

Lack of a high school diploma or GED, low scores on military entrance tests and failure to meet physical and medical requirements disqualify most youths in the U.S. from enlistment. Along with college aspirations and living in an area with military presence, lower socioeconomic status is positively associated with enlistment. That youths from poorer backgrounds are more likely to join the military has been termed the poverty draft by critics of military recruitment.

Young Americans who want to go to college are attracted to the educational benefits of military service. Those with no plans to attend college see the military as a steady, nonstigmatized job with benefits.

Immigrants, too, are subject to this poverty draft.

This is not surprising given that earnings of immigrants are on average lower than those of the U.S.-born workers.

The criminalization of immigrants can also play a role. For example, I interviewed a veteran who had enlisted in large part for the US$10,000 signing bonus after her family was financially devastated by a legal fight to stop the deportation of her brother.

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Joining to be a real man

The military is highly valued in American society.

This is evident in U.S. movies like Top Gun: Maverick, video games and even sporting events. A crucial element of this culture of militarism is militarized masculinity, the idea that military labor is a way of embodying a superior and unassailable type of masculinity.

In my research, I found that many immigrants reported that warrior masculinity was a key element in attracting them to the U.S. military. Whether or not they grew up in the United States, immigrants were drawn to the U.S. military as children because of American movies and video games.

The enlistment of women has done little to disturb the hierarchical culture of masculinity in the U.S. military, as womens and gender studies scholar Cynthia Enloe has shown.

Originally from the Philippines, Josephine Rebeta Castellano smiles upon becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

While some immigrant women I interviewed remembered worrying about coping with male-dominated cultures, others enlisted to get an opportunity to prove themselves alongside men.

Not just citizenship papers

Immigrants who serve in the U.S. military go through the same naturalization process as civilians but are eligible to apply sooner. But I found that naturalization was rarely a major reason they gave for enlisting, and many immigrants said that they did not think much about citizenship when they joined the military.

The exception was immigrants who enlisted through a special and now-discontinued program for temporary visa holders, who otherwise faced decades of waiting for a chance to become citizens.

But citizenship mattered in the broader sense.

A marine recruiting poster in East New York. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

For some immigrants, military service could be a tool for gaining a sense of belonging unavailable through citizenship papers alone. This is how the military gave Michael, a Kenyan immigrant, access to belonging:

If I go to a store in uniform, people dont see that Im a Black man or Im from Africa. Or I have an accent. People see a U.S. Army soldier and then you get treated differently. People just see you as a human being. And my thing is like, Why dont people just see me as that without the uniform? With the uniform I feel like, Wow. I belong.

Immigrants can and do feel love for country even though they were born elsewhere.

Some of the immigrants I interviewed said they enlisted out of patriotism. Others said they felt that military service was a way of paying back the United States. I also spoke to immigrants who expressed reservations about becoming U.S. citizens because they were reluctant to give up their other citizenship.

In the end, fast-tracked citizenship will continue to play a role in immigrant enlistment.

But my research indicates that this special incentive overshadows the commonalities between immigrants and U.S.-born people: They enlist because of economic insecurity and cultural norms that value masculinity grounded in war and violence.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Sofya Aptekar, City University of New York.

Read more:



Sofya Aptekar received funding from the Russell Sage Foundation and W.T. Grant Foundation.
If the US provided Ukraine with the ATACMS long-range missile systems, the Ukrainian forces would be able to destroy Russian coastal missile systems and ships in the ports of occupied Crimea.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson of the Air Forces of Ukraine, in a 24/7 newscast on 24 July

Details: Ihnat added that Russia will continue to produce missiles and drones, so Ukraine must aim to destroy the armament of the Russians from afar, directly in the areas they are being launched from.

Quote: "Lets say, Crimea. Any location in Crimea is already reachable for our defence forces; we only need means and instruments for destroying the Bastion coastal missile systems, ships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet  this is what is constantly attacking us.

It is important to shoot down missiles, of course, but it would be much more effective to destroy the missile carrier, the source. For this we need long-range weapons, the ATACMS high-precision operative-tactical complex, [and] the F-16 fighter jets  it will be quite another piece of cake."

Details: Ihnat remarked that the Ukrainian tactical missile system Sapsan (also known as Hrim-2), which could reach targets from a 300-500 km distance, is not being manufactured now; this project has not been implemented despite numerous presentations. If Ukraine had enough of such systems in service, it could significantly help the defence forces.

Ihnat remarked that the ATACMS system is able to destroy mainly land targets. If Ukraine did receive ATACMS from the US, the Defence Forces would be able to destroy Russian coastal missile systems, as it has access to the intelligence data about their location.

Not all ships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet are at sea, some of them are docked in the ports, which makes them "reachable targets" as well.

Background: The White House is not ready to supply Ukraine neither with the ATACMS systems, nor with the F-16 fighter jets so far.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Looking for the perfect melt-your-mouth Philly cheesesteak in Charlotte? Well, a Philly-inspired, Atlanta-based cheesesteak chain from Philadelphia native Derrick Hayes is headed to Charlotte this winter.

The restaurant  Big Daves Cheesesteaks  features beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks topped with things like onions, banana peppers, mushrooms and sweet peppers, stuffed in Amorosos rolls.

The cheesesteak spot, which will be Big Daves fifth location, plans to move to a 2,100-square-foot space at 8548 University City Blvd.

While the new Charlotte eatery will be available for lunch and dinner, you will have the options of indoor or patio dining and takeout.

Big Daves Cheesesteaks also offers salads, eggrolls, wings and fries in addition to its specialty cheesesteak sandwiches.

Although, business was slow upon first opening in a 700-square-foot space in Dunwoody, Georgia, Hayes was given the opportunity of a lifetime when rapper and actress, Eve posted about her food on social media. Now, with locations in downtown Atlanta, Doraville and Forest Park, Georgia, the cheesesteak chain also plans to host food truck pop-ups in the Charlotte area before the store opens.

Its a really big step for us to expand outside of Georgia for the first time, Hayes said. Charlotte is booming right now, and were excited and honored that Big Daves gets to be a part of the community. Queen City  get ready to have your mind blown!

Big Daves Cheesesteaks founder and CEO Derrick Hayes hometown is Philadelphia, the inspiration for his Georgia-based restaurant chain.

Location: 8548 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213

Menu

Cuisine: American, sandwiches

Instagram: @bigdavescheesesteaks
Alan Crotty holds a sign while demonstrating with boxes and luggage outside his apartment building in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. Residents of the apartment building, managed by Levav Properties, have been told they have until the end of September to move out of their units. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

When Gordon Dymowski moved into his mothers apartment in Beverly in 2016 to tend to her kidney and heart issues, he found solace in her close-knit community alongside the daily trials of caregiving.

After she died in April 2022, Dymowski hoped to stay in Beverly indefinitely, mourning with his neighbors.

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Its a very beautiful area, Dymowski, 55, told the Chicago Tribune. As Ive lived here, even though I was rather isolated in caring for Mom, I got to meet my neighbors going around. And theyre wonderful people. So until the notices came, I had no immediate plans to move.

Instead, he opened his door on May 25 to find a lease nonrenewal notice taped outside. Levav Properties  a Chicago-based property management company which recently acquired the building  planned to oust Dymowski by the 30th of September.

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The same notice was taped to his neighbors door. And to every door in the building.

Dymowski is one of more than 120 renters across seven South Side buildings, including his six-building apartment complex in Beverly, who received word in May that their leases would not be up for renewal after the buildings were purchased by Levav Properties.

Gordon Dymowski, center, talks with his neighbors outside their apartment building in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. Residents of the apartment building, managed by Levav Properties, have been told they have until the end of September to move out of their units. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Im still grieving my mom, after a year and a month, Dymowski said. Im in a better place for it, and in other circumstances I might be thinking about if its better to stay here or move on. The fact that that choice has been taken away from me is devastating.

New challenges for Beverly renters

Beverly, a close-knit neighborhood off the Metra line on Chicagos Far South Side, hasnt always been at the center of Chicago eviction discourse.

In 2021, only 17% of households in the neighborhood were renter-occupied, according to the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University. Citywide, just over half of residents are renters.

Were on the front lines of gentrification, Dymowski said.

On the morning of July 19, Levav employees posted a new letter on residents doors, pledging to slow the timeline of mass eviction set in motion in May.

NO [sic] evictions have been started and new ownership is dedicated to working with ALL [sic] tenants, read the letter obtained by the Chicago Tribune.  ... The Alderman [Matt OShea (19th)] has reached out with his concerns, and we are currently working on case-by-case plan [sic] for all tenants.

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Levav did not provide a further description or timeline of these plans, nor did they clarify how long current residents evictions will be delayed while individual evaluations take place.

OShea told the Tribune that Levav has recently become responsive to meeting with himself and city officials.

Ald. Matt O'Shea, 19th, greets a resident after a rally and protest in the courtyard of an apartment building in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

This is new to me, OShea said. I havent had one of these situations before. Im sure were going to see more and more of it moving forward.

Levav Properties understands and has apologized for the frustrating miscommunications that have occurred, including those between the buildings previous and current owners, and its current tenants, a representative for Levav wrote in a statement to the Tribune. We are currently gathering all necessary information to help resolve residence concerns.

Levav Properties declined to comment further for this story.

Tenants seek collective bargaining

Levavs new tenants, however, have moved past the need for individual solutions.

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Some came together to form an informal coalition named after Ald. OShea. Backed by the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, OShea Neighbors United is demanding more time for displaced residents to find new housing before eviction, as well as relocation assistance and rent forgiveness for the period before moving out.

Residents and housing advocates gather for a rally and protest in the courtyard of an apartment building in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

OShea Neighbors United is also demanding good-faith negotiations  carried out in a group  between Levav and those tenants who want to stay. This includes assurance of reasonable rent hikes.

One in four Beverly renters are considered cost-burdened, or responsible for rent priced higher than a third of their monthly income, according to the Institute for Housing Studies.

Dymowski currently pays $600 per month for his apartment on South Walden Parkway. Last week, another unit in his complex was listed by Levav Properties for $1,400 monthly.

Gordon Dymowski talks about the eviction notice in the apartment where he has lived for the past six years as his cat, Frankie, sits nearby in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

You cant charge North Shore and Lincoln Park rent costs for Beverly, Dymowski said.

The coalition organized a protest on Wednesday afternoon, drawing a crowd of about 75 to the sunny Beverly complex. As Metra trains rumbled by just across the street, some tenants and organizers held signs featuring Levav COO Milliners face, above the slogan Negotiate with us.

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[ Cook County program touted as one of the top eviction prevention innovations has drawn praise, pushback ]

Sharonda Whitehead, who spoke Wednesday, has lived in Beverly for 18 years. She fell in love with Beverly when her mother worked there as a hairstylist, choosing to raise her own daughter on South Walden Parkway.

Whitehead was among a handful of residents who Levav had planned to evict on August 1. She said she doesnt want her daughter, now a college graduate, to be forced to look elsewhere for safe harbor.

Residents and housing advocates, including Claudette Boisseau, center, gather for a rally and protest in the courtyard of an apartment building in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. Residents of the building and nearby apartments, managed by Levav Properties, have been told they have until the end of September to move out of their units. Boisseau said she has lived in her space for 20 years. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

What word comes to mind is displacement, Whitehead said. They think that we are disposable  we are veterans here. We are working-class people. We are taxpayers. We are voters. We have rights.

A citywide issue

Tenants rights policies could become more of a priority under Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration, said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), who currently chairs the citys Committee on Housing and Real Estate.

We understand housing in the city of Chicago as a human right, and we challenge the notion of continuing to treat housing as a commodity, Sigcho-Lopez said.

Allowing property developers to legally evict and displace hundreds of people without public outcry  or city pushback  sets a dangerous precedent for unjust treatment of renters, Sigcho-Lopez said.

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Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, addresses residents and housing advocates during a rally and protest in the courtyard of an apartment building in the 10300 block of South Walden Parkway on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Its a narrative thats played out many times in other Chicago neighborhoods.

Displacement of renters has created similar tensions in areas including Pilsen, Little Village and Uptown, Sigcho-Lopez said.

[Landlords] profit from our communities but they do not care or invest in our communities, he said.

[ Dominic Voz: Chicago should follow other cities and protect tenants from unjust evictions ]

Currently, Chicago landlords like Levav can legally move to evict without having to provide a reason.

One in four evictions in Chicago are carried out without stated reason, or just cause, according to Just Cause Chicago, a Chicago Housing Justice League initiative.

In some cities, including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, just cause eviction policies require landlords to either demonstrate tenant fault or pay for relocation assistance.

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A piece of similar legislation, the Just Cause Ordinance, was introduced to the Chicago City Council in 2020. The proposal saw some support from former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, but stalled out in favor of a limited set of protections under the citys Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance.

The Chicago Housing Justice League and other organizations backing OShea Neighbors United are still calling for just cause eviction, said CHJL organizer Seven DeAssis-Collins, who spoke at Wednesdays protest.

South Walden residents, who now face a multitude of disruptions from financial burdens to emotional distress, are a prime example of why Chicago fair housing advocates are still working to bring back just cause legislation, DeAssis-Collins said.

Levav would not be running rampant in Beverly if they had to pay out thousands of dollars to these tenants, said Arieh Vernick, a Metropolitan Tenants Organization organizer who has been working closely with OShea Neighbors United.

Preparing to leave

As the members of OShea Neighbors United began to organize their demands in recent weeks, some experienced additional communication issues with Levav.

After paying his June rent on the first of the month, Dymowski received a text from a Levav property manager saying his rent had not been received, and threatening legal action. Another building in Dymowskis complex was without hot water for more than two weeks, he said.

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Though these maintenance issues were eventually resolved, Levav representatives refused to meet with members of OShea Neighbors United when several tenants made a trip to Milliners office in Beverly in late June.

Theres been no willingness to talk with us as a group, Dymowski said. Its always been a very hands-off approach. And its a very disrespectful approach.

Gordon Dymowski opens the front entrance to his apartment building where he has lived for the past six years on July 19, 2023, in Chicago. Were on the front lines of gentrification, Dymowski said. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Dymowski, a freelance copywriter, says he feels like hes facing a ticking clock, as he cant currently afford to move. However, he says he feels lucky to be comparatively young and mobile. He can relocate without physical help and apply for full-time office jobs.

This isnt the case for Dymowskis neighbors, many of whom are elderly and have been in their apartments for decades.

The fact is, I dont know where all this is going to go, Dymowski said. But I also am young enough that its going to be hard, but I can move forward and rationalize it as getting on with my life after Mom. For a lot of these people, their lives are here.
Members of the Atlanta stunt community joined together Monday to show support for the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike.

Dozens of stunt performers gathered at Covert Camera Vehicles, an Atlanta-based tracking company for film and television.

Mike Sassa, a stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and board member of labor organization Stunts Unlimited set himself on fire as part of the ongoing Writers and Actors guild strikes during an Atlanta area rally.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Among his more recent contributions to film, Sassa was a stunt double for Harrison Ford in the newest Indiana Jones film, as well as a co-coordinator for the films stunt sequences.

Multiple stunt persons spoke at the event in support of the strike and it concluded with performers staging a stunt, which included Sassas fiery demonstration.

87% of the 160,000 SAG Actor Members make less than $26,000 a year. Which means they do not qualify for health insurance, stunt performer/actor Elena Sanchez said at the event.

Film and movie actors and writers are on strike.

The Writers Guild of America, representing 11,500 screenwriters, began their strike on May 2 over an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

On July 13, actors with SAG-AFTRA went on strike against film and tv studios.

Many actors say they have been shortchanged by their work appearing on various streaming platforms.

The union proposed that a third-party company evaluate the success of streaming shows and that residual payments be based on how well they perform.

But AMPTP companies disagreed with that proposal, arguing that many streaming platforms are not yet profitable.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Artificial intelligence was also a major issue in negotiations.

Many performers are concerned about how their voice and likeness could be manipulated in the future by AI programs.

Many major film and television productions are filmed in Georgia.

Productions spent nearly $4.5 billion dollars in Georgia during the fiscal year 2022.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia said on Monday it would spend A$9.8 billion ($6.60 billion) to buy 20 new Super Hercules military transport aircraft, ahead of a visit later this week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The U.S. State Department in November approved the potential sale of the aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and related equipment to Australia.

The deal comes amid the largest ever Australia-U.S. joint military exercise, involving more than 30,000 troops and participants from 11 other countries, in a show of force and unity at a time when China has emerged as an increasingly assertive power in the Indo-Pacific.

The biennial Talisman Sabre war games began on Friday and will take place in various locations across Australia for two weeks.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Austin will travel to north Queensland to watch the military exercise following the annual meeting of U.S. and Australian defence and foreign ministers, known as AUSMIN, in Brisbane on July 28-29.

The new C-130J Hercules aircraft will replace and expand upon the aging fleet of a dozen planes currently operated by the Royal Australian Air Force, with delivery of the first expected from 2027, Marles said in a statement.

"From bushfire and flood emergencies across the country, the delivery of crucial supplies to the region during the COVID-19 pandemic and more than two decades supporting peacekeeping operations, this has and will continue to be a crucial asset," Marles said.

($1 = 1.4854 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
BILLINGS, Montana (AP)  Wildlife workers put out bear traps for a third night Monday as they try to capture a grizzly bear that killed a woman who was traveling alone on a forest trail near Yellowstone National Park.

Amie Adamson, 48, Derby, Kansas, died in Saturday's fatal mauling near the Montana-Idaho border, the Gallatin County Coroner's Office said. The victim was a marathon runner, and officials said she was likely running or walking at the time of the attack.

Officials ruled out a rare predatory attack, which suggests Adamson instead died following a chance bear encounter as she traveled by herself in a wooded area frequented by grizzly and black bears.

She was killed a few hundred yards (meters) from a trailhead and a private campground and RV park, said Morgan Jacobsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The bear was travelling with one or more cubs, and there were no indications that it tried to eat the victim.

Authorities have not decided whether they would kill the adult bear if its captured or whether they would relocate it, Jacobsen said.

Adamson is a former English teacher who left the classroom in 2015 to backpack across much of the U.S. and later wrote a book, Walking Out, about her career and experiences.

The victim's mother described her as a hiker, marathon runner and just a beautiful free spirit." KWCH-TV in Wichita reported.

She lived for experiences, Janet Adamson said, adding that her daughter did not care about material possessions and died doing what she loved."

A hiker found her body around 8 a.m. Saturday. The cause of death was excessive blood loss caused by a bear mauling, the coroners office said.

Adamson was wearing running shoes and did not have bear spray, a deterrent that wildlife experts recommend people carry in areas frequented by bears, Jacobsen said.

She had been working nearby and often ran or walked on the trail in the early morning, according to officials and local residents.

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This person was likely out for a morning jog along the trail, and that's when this happened, said Jacobsen.

Tracks of a grizzly bear and at least one cub were found at the scene of the attack, which occurred near the Buttermilk Trailhead 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of West Yellowstone, a busy summer tourist town and gateway to the national park.

The trail is used by hikers, horseback riders and people in off-road vehicles.

Rangers issued an emergency closure for areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It did not include Yellowstone National Park.

Local resident Bill Youngwirth said people in the area were aware of the mauling and the forest closure, but they weren't panicked over the attack because the bear could have struck out defensively after being surprised when the victim came around a corner.

The attack happened about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from several vacation homes that Youngwirth rents adjacent to the forest.

I tell everybody, Better take bear spray and know how to use it," he said. And the big thing is, don't go alone."

A trail camera captured an image of a grizzly bear with two cubs in the area on Saturday night. There have been no sightings since, Jacobsen said. Traps set for the bears on Saturday and Sunday nights came up empty, and attempts to locate the bears from an aircraft were unsuccessful.

As time goes by, he added, trapping becomes less effective as chances increase of catching a bear that wasnt involved in the attack.

Laura Skinner, who co-owns West Yellowstone Rodeo and Creek Side Trail Rides, said the attack did not interrupt its horseback rides on private property or its nightly rodeos.

We have bears all the time. The only precaution were taking is were checking trails. We send a rider out first to check to make sure theres nothing there, she said.

Im pretty sure with all the activity with them tracking it and trying to hunt it down, its probably nowhere near here, she added.

Grizzly bear populations in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains grew significantly over the past several and the animals in recent years have been showing up in places they hadn't been seen for generations. Since 2010, grizzlies in and around Yellowstone have killed at least nine people. Attacks remain relatively rare in the region, which draws several million tourists each summer.

A backcountry guide was killed near West Yellowstone two years ago when he was mauled by a large grizzly bear that wildlife officials said was probably defending a nearby moose carcass. And a hiker was killed north of Yellowstone park last year in a suspected grizzly encounter in a remote area of the Absaroka Mountains south of Livingston, Montana.

Encounters with humans can prove deadly for bears, too: A five-year-old female grizzly in Glacier National Park was euthanized last week after officials said it got used to eating food from campgrounds and was becoming increasingly aggressive.

Grizzlies are protected under federal law outside of Alaska. Elected officials in the Yellowstone region are pushing to lift protections and allow grizzly hunting.

State officials last week warned visitors and residents of grizzly bear sightings throughout the state, particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystems.

They implored those camping and visiting parks to carry bear spray, store their food while outside and tend to their garbage.

___

For more AP coverage of bears: https://apnews.com/hub/bears
Even though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently honored the victims of a 1943 massacre of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists, some Poles still think their country is owed an apology. Worse, such demands are symptomatic of a broader embrace of messianic victimhood that has taken hold in recent years.

WARSAW  July 11 marked the 80th anniversary of the Volhynia massacre, when Ukrainian nationalists fighting for their own state slaughtered nearly 100,000 Poles in a matter of days. People were killed with axes, their entrails and eyes gouged out. Children were thrown against walls, and pregnant women were pierced with bayonets. In response, Poles then killed 10,000-15,000 Ukrainians.

Read also: David Kirichenko: Russias historical atrocities echo in its ongoing war

Whereas Polish historians speak of the slaughter as a genocide, Ukrainians recall a war between two underground armies that were both being savaged by the Nazis and the Soviets. To this day, the lack of a Ukrainian apology remains one of the biggest obstacles to a Polish-Ukrainian alliance. Even though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky honored the victims of the massacre at a recent meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, some in Poland still complained, arguing that Duda should have demanded more.

But this is rather ironic, considering that Poland has a robust tradition of refusing to admit guilt for its own historical wrongs. In Poland, one never speaks about how their forebears brutalized and exploited Ukrainian peasants over the centuries. If you read historian Daniel Beauvois account of Ukraines treatment during the First Polish Republic and under the partitions of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, your hair will stand on end. Yet, beyond a small circle of historians and bookworms, few people in Poland know anything about these matters. All they know is that they are owed an apology from the Ukrainians.

Commemorating the victims of the Volyn Massacre in Lutsk, Ukraine, on July 9, 2023 (Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Consider the debate over whether the massacre qualifies as genocide, as opposed to ethnic cleansing. As Polish sociologist Lech Nijakowski of Warsaw University explains, Ethnic cleansing  is not genocide, although it may consist of a number of massacres and pogroms, viewed by legal scholars as acts of genocide. They are distinguished from genocide primarily by the intention of the perpetrators  they want to gain full control over the disputed territory and chase the hostile national group out of it.

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This was the Ukrainian nationalists goal, and achieving it was the motive for their horrific acts. With ethnic cleansings, Nijakowski writes, Spectacular torture, rape, and other atrocities have a rational purpose  they cause panic, which accelerates the exodus of the population.

Most Poles want to ignore this context. But if they read scholars like Nijakowski, they might come to appreciate the importance of wartime demoralization, the Nazis murder of 98.5% of Volhynias Jews, and the extermination of Volhynian and Eastern Galician elites by both the Nazis and the Soviets. They also might be more sensitive to the deep resentments Ukrainians harbor for the centuries when Poland treated Ukraine like a colony.

Read also: Richard Cashman: Understanding Russias imperial conceits

Of course, Ukraine will tolerate a lot from Poland; it has bigger problems to attend to. Most of the aid that it is receiving in its war of self-defense against Russia comes through Poland, which has rallied to its side not so much from fellow-feeling as from fear. Before the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki had not even been to Ukraine. Polands populist government had effectively frozen relations with its neighbor.

Worse, Polands de facto ruler, Law and Justice (PiS) chairman Jarosaw Kaczynski, still consistently puts historical grievances above Polands interests  for example, by conflating todays Germany with the Germany of Hitler. It was not so long ago that Kaczynskis late twin brother, Polish President Lech Kaczynski, refused to provide resources to conferences on Volhynia if the organizers used the term genocide in the title. Since then, PiS has tried to criminalize historical scholarship examining past Polish atrocities against Jews and Ukrainians. (Fortunately, owing to pressure from the United States, that law has since been neutralized.)

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda after commemorating the victims of the Volyn Massacre in Lutsk, Ukraine, on July 9, 2023 (Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Faced with such behavior, Duda and his chancellery deserve credit for engaging sincerely with Ukrainian affairs, and for not demanding apologies from Zelensky for age-old offenses. Ukraine needs arms to defend itself, and it needs time to come into its own politically. It did not have the same opportunities that Poland did after 1989. The legacies of anti-Semitism, participation in the Holocaust, and the Volhynia massacre are topics that Ukrainians can address once they have finally secured their independence and democracy.

Poles should remember their own relationship with history. When Jan Gross published his pathbreaking 2022 book, Neighbors, about the burning of 400 Jews in a barn in 1941, he was savagely denounced in Poland. Too many of the countrys leaders have embraced victimhood and the idea of Polish messianism (with its slogan Poland, the Christ of Nations), an attitude nurtured by Polands partitions.

Read also: Stolen generation. Russia systematically abducts children from Ukraine, gives them to Russian families

The time for dealing with historical grievances will come when the conditions are right. Pressing Ukrainians on such issues now, while they are fighting for their survival, will only deepen such grievances. Permitting historians to uncover and contextualize what happened on both sides will have a greater long-term effect on Polish-Ukrainian relations than any political grandstanding ever will.

Editors Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate. The following article was published by Project Syndicate on July 20, 2023, and has been republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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While welcoming a group of bachelor gorillas, a zoo in Ohio warned that its not going to be all roses among the apes.

Instead, thorny relations are expected.

The all male trio  named Chip, Pende and Kongo  came to the Cincinnati Zoo by way of Detroit, according to a July 24 news release from the zoo.

We are excited to house this bachelor troop, as it is the first time the Cincinnati Zoo has housed this type of troop structure in its long history of caring for gorillas, Victoria McGee, zoological manager of primates, said in the release.

Bachelor troops have a social dynamic that is distinct from family groups, officials said. Relationships in the all-male communities are largely based on aggression.

Sometimes (aggression) looks like displacement between two individuals, vocal conflict, or a physical altercation. While these events may look concerning to people, they serve an important purpose in gorilla society, officials said.

Aggressive behavior is useful because it creates and perpetuates a hierarchy, which helps the apes place themselves in and navigate throughout the community social structure.

In the wild, bachelor troops are typically groups of males who find themselves without mates, according to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

A typical family has only one mature male and many females with offspring, so there will be quite a few males who find themselves without any lady friends, according to the zoo.

Fewer than 175,000 western lowland gorillas remain in the wild, officials said. While about 765 of the critically endangered animals live in zoos worldwide.

Illegal hunting and disease have decimated the subspecies population over the past decades, according to the World Wildlife Foundation.

Visitors can view the new bachelor troop at the zoos Gorilla World daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., officials said.

Ancient Roman baths  frequented by gladiator spectators  uncovered in Spain. See them

Tiny leaf-dwelling creature with see-through throat is a new species in Brazil. See it

Having long COVID could age your brain function an equivalent of 10 years, study says
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/Warner Bros.

No one can beat Greta Gerwig at the tricky game of writing a memorable monologue.

Barbie only proves this further. Gerwig has already given us great speeches with Saoirse Ronan, who was responsible for both Lady Birds Did you feel emotional the first time you drove in Sacramento speech and Women, they have minds and they have souls as well as hearts line from Little Women. In Barbie, Gerwig trades her mainstay for America Ferrera. Starring as Gloria, a tired Mattel assistant and an even more exhausted mom, Ferrera delivers an emphatic, inspirational monologue heading into the third act of the film. Its the films most powerful moment, but not every viewer understands why the speech is so poignant.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Barbie.

After a visit to the real world, a disgruntled Ken (Ryan Gosling) brings back all of Los Angeles misguided values to Barbieland: Men should rule the world under a patriarchy. (Second to men in the world-ruling category are horses.) Women should be mens servants, not Pulitzer Prize winners, let alone presidents. Seeing Barbieland destroyed by the patriarchy and the Barbies brainwashed into thinking theyre objects for the Kens, Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) falls into a funk. Shes not beautiful, she cant do anything, shes worthless; the poor girl cant escape this existential crisis.

Luckily, Barbie has some pals from the real world visiting Barbieland. Gloria and her teen daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) make the trek to the fantastical destination after an encounter with Barbie in Los AngelesGloria is Barbies real-world owner, and shes the reason why Barbie has started glitching (her feet are flat and she *gasp* thinks about death). Gloria, too, has been thinking existentiallyand is also sad because she misses spending quality time with her now-teenage daughter.

Barbie Review: Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling Made an Instantly Timeless Masterpiece

Even though Gloria is having her own personal crises about death, motherhood, and cellulite, that doesnt stop the wannabe Mattel exec from smacking some sense into Barbie. Though Barbie may feel down, unloved, and uglycan Margot Robbie ever be ugly?thats just a side effect of being a woman.

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Somehow were always doing it wrong, Gloria begins. She continues: You have to want to be thin, but not too thin. And you cant say you want to be thinyou have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin.

Gloria then launches into a powerful rant about how all of the qualifications for womanhood are paradoxical and so, so unattainable: Women must dedicate themselves to motherhood, but motherhood mustnt be their entire life. They should work hard to earn leadership positions, but not be too aggressive at work.

(l-r) Margot Robbie, Alexandra Shipp, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt and America Ferrera. Warner Bros. Pictures

Then, Gloria concludes, Im just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so people will like us. If all of that is also true for a doll just representing a woman, then I dont even know.

Its a speech that probably (and sadly) will resonate with most women who watch Barbie. It certainly did with me, a young professional who has faced her fair share of sexism in the workplace. Fans of the film have already rallied around the brilliance of Gerwigs writingshe co-wrote the film with her own Ken, Noah Baumbachwho have praised the moving monologue, along with Ferreras reading of the speech.

greta gerwig really knows how to pull off that big third act monologue about being a woman that makes you cry and hits you right in the feelings because she's somehow speaking to very common experiences we rarely utter out loud  and i love her for that #barbie pic.twitter.com/S7pLrM5Ufb  Nora Dominick (@noradominick) July 21, 2023

Theyre gonna teach America Ferreras #Barbie monologue in schools like that was for the history books https://t.co/cgurSJN4Zp  Zoe Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) July 20, 2023

Woke up thinking about America Ferreras monologue in Barbie. Will go down as one of the best scenes of the year! pic.twitter.com/4ny6Kwm5d7  Brian Rowe (@mrbrianrowe) July 21, 2023

Other viewers, however, say they arent sold on the monologue. While there arent too many naysayers pushing back against the wave of overwhelmingly positive reactions, the pushback is still noteworthy: The feminism is basic, some argue, and its has already been said before. While others have compared it to the cool girl monologue from Gone Girl, I find this comparison unfair too. The cool girl speech is another original, woman-penned monologue that is specifically about fitting into the image men have created. Barbies monologue, on the other hand, is about simply existing as a woman in a patriarchal society. Just because both speeches are from female characters talking about the struggles women face does not mean they are connected. Plus, the audience is entirely different for each speech; Gone Girl is an R-rated thriller, while Barbie is a PG-13 romp.

Actually that monologue couldve been cut because it was truly grating. Like its clear the entire film were watching a superficial white feminist narrative, but that monologue makes you question what exactly they think feminism is. https://t.co/enbS1Jb1jz  jo thee stallion  (@itsJODONNA) July 21, 2023

my barbie thots

*disclaimer i am not a film person

*there may be spoilers here



-america ferreras monologue with its basic feminist platitudes made me roll my eyes. complete lack of nuance, just spelled it out right there in the font of white liberal feminism  hootie (@hootietheeowl) July 21, 2023

Is the monologue an example of basic feminism, as some critics suggest? Is it a simplistic view of the problems women face? Is it original enough to be noteworthy? No, no, and yes.

Consider the context of who Gloria is giving this speech to in the film. Her explanation of the difficulties of womanhood isnt spoken to a room full of women who, lets be honest, already know all of this to be true. Gloria is teaching this to both the Barbies, who have no idea about the pressures of the real world, and her daughter, Sashawho applauds her mother as soon as shes done speaking. Seeing as Sasha is nothing other than bratty up to this point in the film, the support she shows her mother might be more touching than the speech itself.

But lets not diminish the power of this monologue itself, which is not just about womanhood in general. Rather, Gloria is unpacking the struggles in between childhood, adolescence, and adulthood for girls. Girls grow up with Barbies, who have perfect figures and whatever job title they want, and do it all with a smile plastered on their face. In the real world, though, keeping that perfect figure, that smile, and those jobs can be way harder than what the Barbies are used to.

Mothers (and any women role models, for that matter) have to juggle inspiring their girls to be their truest selves while also being honest about the way the world is set up to be sexist. Life isnt always Barbie-style perfectand yet, without Barbies to help show girls that they can be astronauts, writers, teachers, they may grow up believing in societys insistence that they cant be independent. How do you tell a girl that, yes, she can be presidentbut also that there has never been a woman president?

How Boundary-Pushing and Feminist Will Barbie Actually Be?

Glorias monologue isnt just for women who are struggling with the day-to-day of their jobs and personal lives. Its for girls migrating from being free-willed youngsters into the tricky days of junior high, where boys will harangue them, hormones will rage inside of their sweet little bodies, school will demand more attention, and they will become unsure of themselves. Every girl faces this as shes growing up.

Consider, too, the fact that Gerwig has stated the arc of Barbie is partially based on Reviving Ophelia, a 1994 non-fiction bestseller written by psychologist Mary Pipher. The bookwhich, having read it before watching the film, definitely added to my Barbie experienceis about the struggles (like body issues, arguments with their mothers, sexual violence, drugs and alcohol) girls face in their teenage years.

Theyre funny and brash and confident, and then they juststop, Gerwig told Vogue ahead of the Barbie release. The arc that Barbie has in the movie is an awful lot like the transition a young woman undergoes between childhood and adulthood. How is this journey the same thing that a teenage girl feels? All of a sudden, she thinks, Oh, Im not good enough.

Theres just one fair critique to be made about this monologue: It takes place in a PG-13 movie, which means younger girls may not have the opportunity to watch it before they enter some of the most important, frightening, yet exciting years of their lives. I needed this monologue when I was an 11-year-old girl, terrified to enter junior high and nervous about getting bad grades (but also anxious that my grades would be too good, and Id be bullied for being a brainiac).

Although it might feel like a one-note rant about feminism to some, Barbies big monologue is an amazingly complex ode to growing up, motherhood, and becoming an adult woman. Its tough out thereeven for Barbie.

Read more of our Barbie coverage HERE.

Ken Has Always Been Barbies Gay Best FriendNot Her Boyfriend

The Barbie Soundtrack Is a Pop Playhouse That Shouldve Kicked a Few Dolls Out

The MyScene Barbies That Tried to Make Barbie Cool Again

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Another jewel has been added to Bardstowns crown as Bourbon Capital of the World.

On June 17, after a year devoted to getting ready for the big event, the Brindiamo Penthouse officially opened on the third floor of Bardstowns Spalding Hall.

The luxurious penthouse space will serve multiple functions: As headquarters for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival; a venue for tastings and other events for members of the Bourbon Capital Guild; and beginning in August, as a purpose-built classroom for the Bourbon Capital Academy.

The latter will offer an immersive, multi-sensory bourbon education experience. Sam Lacy , executive director of the Bourbon Capital Alliance, says the Academy was conceived as a customized ongoing Bardstown-centric bourbon immersion.

The concept seemed a natural fit for the community, but first a fitting location had to be found  one that had the necessary brio for a bourbon experience.

The Bourbon Capital Academy classroom at the Penthouse

It came in the form of 184-year-old Spalding Hall. Built in 1839 to replace an earlier structure that burned down, it served as the main building of St. Josephs College, the first Catholic college in Kentucky. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is home to both the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Rickhouse Restaurant.

Rolls Royce of bourbon facilities

It proved a natural fit and in June 2022, the Brindiamo Group, a Nashville-based alcohol industry consulting firm and one of the largest suppliers of whiskey products in the world, donated $150,000 to create the penthouse space which the companys founder Jeff Hopmayer describes as the Rolls Royce of bourbon facilities.

Jeff Hopmayer, left, and Sam Lacy, right, viewing 12 partner lockers in the Brindiamo Penthouse

As academy classrooms go, Hopmayer has a point. The space features black leather couches, wrought iron chandeliers and a circular bar for serving the penthouses signature cocktail, the Assaggio Di Brindiamo (translation  A Taste of Brindiamo.) For those who dont speak Italian, brindiamo means lets toast.

Signature cocktail available

And what a taste. Crafted especially for the penthouse by Leslie Bryan, a member of the bar team at Toogies Table in the Bardstown Motor Lodge, the cocktail features Kentucky bourbon, lemon juice, Cappelletti aperitif and Velvet Falernum, a sweet liqueur from Barbados.

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The Assaggio di Brindiamo cocktail translates to A Taste of Brindiamo

At the bar end of the room 45 lockers are available for members of the bourbon guild to store their favorite bottles. Membership in the Society is limited to 150 members and there is currently a waiting list.

How to visit the bourbon penthouse

Dont be discouraged if you have to wait for a spot to open up. You can still visit the penthouse by signing up for one of the two-hour Academy experiences.

The space at the opposite end of the room from the bar is given over to tables for bourbon lovers who want to start (or continue) their education in Americas only native spirit.

If you fall into the newbie category, Lacy suggests the Academys Fundamentals Course  a sensory experience where participants first nose the grains, and then taste the product of those grains from the nine distilleries which are sustaining partners in the project: Old Still House; Lux Row Distillers; Preservation Distillery; Heaven Hill Distillery; Bardstown Bourbon Company; Makers Mark Distillery; James B. Beam Distilling Co.; Log Still Distillery, and Bartons 1792 Distillery.

Sam Lacy signied a Brindiamo Penthouse grand opening barrel head to commemorate the day

The distilleries will offer their bourbons on a rotating basis, with five at a time in the bi-weekly classes which can accommodate 24 people.

Classes at Kentucky distilleries too

After Academy students have mastered the fundamentals of Bourbon 101, they are ready to continue their education.

The coolest part of the Academy is working with our partner distilleries to provide continuing bourbon education opportunities onsite at the distilleries, says Lacy .

There are different courses, he explains, each focusing on a unique aspect of the distilling process.

Four are already set up at Makers Mark, Lux Row, Heaven Hill and Bardstown Bourbon Company, and they are currently building courses with the other five partners which they hope to have finalized by late summer.

Lacy says that the bourbon academy is not meant to compete with any of the distilleries, but rather to be an enhancement to what they already offer.

We see the bourbon academy as a reason for those visiting our distilleries to come to Bardstown early or to stay late, he says.
Some King County Council members are worried about the hazards of battery farms.

According to Siemens Energy, battery energy storage systems, or BESS, are rechargeable batteries that can store energy from different sources and discharge it when needed. BESS consist of one or more batteries and can be used to balance the electric grid, provide backup power and improve grid stability.

To help protect against hazards, King County Councilmember Sarah Perry on Wednesday introduced a proposal that would establish regulations around zoning, safety, and insurance requirements for BESS.

This ordinance builds on our recent work on financial responsibility around fossil fuel facilities by ensuring [BESS] also address potential public safety and environmental protection concerns, Perry said. As renewable energy sources, such as battery storage sites, become increasingly common, we have the same responsibility to ensure the safety of our residents and the protection of our soil, water tables, and surrounding areas, as we do with our current fossil fuel facilities. We will continue to ensure these protections as we strive to meet King Countys Strategic Climate Action Plan goals.

Battery energy storage systems help mitigate the often-intermittent supply from renewable energy sources like solar and wind. These systems store excess energy when demand is low, and then feed that back into the system when demand is high or production is low.

The systems can pose risks of explosion from overheating, or of environmental contamination during decommissioning.

This ordinance holds businesses accountable who pose a potential risk to our climate and people located near their facilities, said King County Councilmember and co-sponsor, Dave Upthegrove. King County has long been a national leader in the area of climate and these regulations take a modest but important step in addressing public health concerns related to these facilities.

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The proposal follows on the heels of a new Washington state law also meant to minimize the risks from these systems. That law takes effect in October. The state law also sets up fire safety requirements, limits on indoor systems, construction standards, and more.

Perrys proposal will be referred to the Local Services and Land Use Committee and is expected to be heard Aug. 22.

This story was originally published by MyNorthwest.
A Saturday morning shooting in northern Beaufort County sent one teenager to the hospital with a non-fatal gunshot wound, according to the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies arrived to a home on Burtons Stanley Road just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, finding an 18-year-old resident with a single gunshot injury on the back porch. He was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital and later transferred to the Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, according to the Sunday afternoon alert.

Saturday mornings shooting comes during an apparent surge in gun violence in communities north of the Broad River. One home on St. Helenas Shiney Road was struck by bullets twice in the same day last week, with the second incident sending a 15-year-old girl to the hospital. A July 9 drive-by shootout on Possum Hill Road in Burton left a 29-year-old man dead and another shot in the arm. At the end of June, police found the body of a St. Helena man who was shot to death in his car on Harbor Breeze Drive.

A spokesperson from the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office could not immediately be reached for additional information Monday morning.

Anyone with information about Saturdays shooting is encouraged to contact Staff Sgt. Todd Duncan at 843-255-3418 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry tip line at 843-554-1111.
Several people gathered on the front lawn of Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Sunday afternoon for a prayer service to remember the lives cut short from the recent gun violence.

One by one, the names of those killed by guns were read out loud and printed on T-shirts along Route 65 in Baden.

The stunning and sobering display called, Memorial to the Lost, represents each of the 56 lives lost to gun violence throughout Western Pennsylvania within the first six months of the year. The memorial along the busy stretch of road is meant to get everyones attention.

This does open your eyes, said Paul Leone of Baden. It gets down to flesh and blood here.

Community members from across Beaver County and neighboring counties came together in prayer and song to honor those 56 lives. Each victim was killed by gunfire from Jan. 1 to June 30.

When you look at the names and ages, the wide range; there was a 71-year-old woman and then a seven-year-old child. It touches everyone, said Terri Leone of Baden.

Terri Leones husband Paul agreed.

Its heartbreak and God weeps over this, Paul Leone said.

There are two names that are not in the memorial - Dahvea Sparrow and Asaun Moreland, because the two 15-year-old boys were gunned down earlier this month after the T-shirts were made.

Sparrow was shot and killed in Aliquippa on July 8. Less than a day later, Moreland was murdered in nearby Ambridge.

Their names will soon be added to the memorial.

Their lives, snuffed out before they even have a chance to graduate from high school, said Terri Leone.

Sister Sarah Crotty, the community outreach coordinator for Sisters of St. Joseph, partnered with anti-gun violence organizations to bring the memorial to Beaver County.

An average of 120 Americans die every day from gun violence, Crotty said. It is something that can be controlled.

Theyre frustrated over the senseless shootings and say its time for action.

When you see the T-shirts with the names, their age, the date that they died, it becomes real, said Marilyn Mulvihill, the Western Pennsylvania representative for Heeding Gods Call to End Gun Violence. If we just do this and do nothing else, it doesnt do any good.

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Many are hoping the powerful message leaves a lasting impression.

You have to ask yourself, is this nothing to you? Paul Leone said.

The memorial will be along Route 65 until August 10. Itll then move to My Champion Life Church in Chippewa, and eventually to Mosaic Community Church in New Brighton and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Beaver County.

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U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), left, speaks during a confirmation hearing for Air Force General Charles Brown in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 11, 2023 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Recent Republican moves to limit diversity training and transgender rights and other hot-button controversies stemming from the annual defense authorization bill remind me of my own days in uniform back when some of those diversity policies were being created.

Lucky me, I was drafted in 1969, a dark time that some military officials called the time of troubles in the late 1960s and early 70s. It was a time when the armed forces were facing military defeat in Vietnam and racial strife, poor morale and reports of urban riots back home, where the war had grown increasingly unpopular  and not just among radical activists.

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In just two years, 1969 and 1971, the Defense Department recorded more than 300 racial incidents, including race riots and other unrest on military bases and other outposts, including two Navy aircraft carriers, according to military reports

Among other problems, one study found, Black service members were more likely to be assigned to combat than technical operations and were promoted more slowly  even controlling for test score differences.

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The Defense Department, facing transition to an all-volunteer force, took aggressive steps to improve communications, including establishing equal opportunity councils in major units and goals and timetables for affirmative action, military-style.

By the first Gulf War in 1991, led by a black general, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell, the era of such racial incidents appeared to have passed as the military faced newer challenges, such as the Tailhook scandal, sparked by shocking allegations of sexual harassment.

A foremost study by the late Charles Moskos, a Northwestern University sociology professor, and then-sociology professor John Sibley Butler of the University of Texas  All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way  described a new military that, as Moskos put it in an interview with me, became the nations most integrated institution. The only place in America where Blacks routinely boss whites around, he called it.

As a formerly enlisted African American from a family with lots of cousins in the Army and Air Force, I could not disagree with his assessment.

Now, as I see todays generation of congressional Republicans wage their seemingly endless war against the woke, I cannot help but wonder: Do these folks have any idea of how turbulent the issue of military diversity used to be?

The House Armed Services Committee last week debated the possible blocking of DEI, a shorthand for programs to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion, and the purging of critical race theory, an academic field of study whose title increasingly seems to be used by conservatives to mean whatever they want it to mean in order to gain the most leverage.

[ Clarence Page: The defense bill is no longer a no-brainer as Speaker McCarthy gives in to far-right faction ]

Meanwhile, over on the Senate side, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a first-term Alabama Republican, continued his monthslong blockade of military promotions, all to protest the Biden administrations decision to provide military personnel with access to abortion care after the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights.

Whatever you may feel about abortion rights, it is a violation of simple fairness to hold military promotions hostage to politics, especially when youre violating a promise to support our troops and their families in their service to our country.

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Butler has his own criticism of some DEI policies, especially when they go too far. He has a point when policies to improve race or gender relations go overboard and actually discourage the free discussion and debate necessary to honest debate. But the best answer is not to put a blackout on such sensitive topics, declaring them off-limits through a conservative version of political correctness.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, urged the body to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for the next fiscal year.

Besides authorizing nearly $886 billion for the nations defense and a 5% pay raise for our troops and the Pentagons civilian workforce, the bill also would expand employment opportunities for military spouses, funding for child care and improved military housing.

Times have changed. We have become accustomed to Democrats stereotypically calling for cuts in defense spending while Republicans seem to throw open the doors to the Treasury.

But, after all the political hoopla between the two sides, there comes a time for good Americans to put partisan divisions aside  in service to our country.

cpage@chicagotribune.com

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Hello again, this is Robin Epley with The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board, bringing you the best of the states opinion journalism for the last week.

I went to an interesting meeting where Sacramento County supervisors Rich Desmond and Pat Hume were discussing and answering the communitys questions about transportation and road repairs in the unincorporated county.

Sacramento Countys Pavement Condition Index  measuring the health of local roads  is 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.

Caltrans workers fill a pothole on the Capital City Freeway. If you see a pothole developing within Sacramento County or city limits, call 311 to request a repair.

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, Sam Rice told me. 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.

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.

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.

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Ho on Homelessness

Hos crusade stands no chance of actually improving our homelessness crisis and, instead, threatens to make it worse. It needlessly complicates a tenuous partnership between the city and county to make tangible progress in the coming months by expanding both shelter and treatment services.

The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board took umbrage with Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Hos announcement last week that he is seeking to investigate officials at the city of Sacramento for potentially violating civil or criminal laws.

Thien Ho, who helped convict the Golden State Killer as a prosecutor in the Sacramento County District Attorneys office, talks about the case in his office on Monday, April 10, 2023, as the five-year anniversary of the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. nears. Ho was elected District Attorney in 2022.

Ho is fanning dangerous political flames, the board wrote, there is widespread and understandable public frustration at the lack of progress in reducing the number of local residents who end up on the streets, which has been proven to be mainly caused by the lack of affordable housing.

We fear a political trend in Sacramento that seeks to tap into public anger by suggesting that our regions leaders have not sufficiently criminalized homelessness. A war on homelessness will fail just as locking away the user in yesteryears war on drugs did.

Ho believes the city is misinterpreting the Boise v. Martin federal court decision that limits local intervention if the community cannot provide shelter to homeless people living in an encampment. He contends that the court decision does not prevent Sacramento from enforcing a state public nuisance statute if a local encampment fits that definition.

We think that if Ho wants to truly help, he could support the construction of many more Safe Ground sites as an important step toward improving overall public safety.

What a waste of time and an unfortunate distraction. It perfectly reflects the degrading state of Sacramento politics. Elevating friction among governments is no way to make progress when solving the regions homelessness demands tremendous partnership.

State of Abortion

Since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, more than a dozen U.S. states have put bans on abortion.

Recently, Iowas state legislature banned most abortions in the state as early as six weeks into pregnancy, a time frame that happens before many people even know theyre pregnant. Just three weeks ago, a federal judge allowed a 12-week abortion ban in North Carolina, and last week, testimony began in a class action suit by 13 women against the state of Texas, where they say new abortion laws made it impossible for them to receive proper care while pregnant, according to Dallas Magazine.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Capitol swing space in Sacramento on actions the state is taking to protect womens reproductive rights. Over his shoulder, from left, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom stand after giving their own remarks  along with reproductive rights stakeholders  at the news conference held the day before an anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion medication.

Two legislative bills this year, both from Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, seek to continue Californias efforts to protect and enhance reproductive health care access and fight back against continued attacks at the national level, wrote the Bees editorial board last week.

Now, those bills only wait for approval by the Appropriations Committee and then the full Senate, before passing under Gov. Gavin Newsoms pen.

Theyre also part of a 2023 priority bill package from the California Legislative Womens Caucus  12 bills by caucus members and an additional 17 bills championing reproductive justice, supported by the partnership between the caucus and Californias Future of Abortion Council.

I am astounded that we are where we are, said Atkins. Even during those decades of protection, there was always an effort to try to undo the ability of women to access abortion. It seems as though we have gone back in time, and that is so horrible to think about given how long we fought.

Opinion of the Week

We dont want Disneyland to train our military.  House Speaker and Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy on honestly I dont understand this one. He was talking about a pay raise for the military, but also somehow about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training? Thankfully, the Fresno Bee Editorial Board has a much firmer grasp on McCarthys delusions than I do.

Got thoughts? What would you like to see in this newsletter every week? Got a story tip or an opinion to tell the world? Let us know what you think about this email and our work in general by emailing us at any time via opinion@sacbee.com.

See ya later alligators,

Robin
(Reuters) - The Belarusian ministry of emergency situations is completing the arming and military training of its personnel to be ready to aid the defence and internal ministries in the event of an armed conflict, the head of the emergency ministry said on Monday.

Emergency Minister Vadim Sinyavsky told state Belarus 1 television that employees will be ready to assist the ministries "in the event of an armed conflict or some kind of riots in which a significant number of personnel must be involved."

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this year he wants "every man - and not only a man" to be able to at least handle weapons to respond to an act of aggression.

While not sending his own troops to Ukraine, Lukashenko allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory to launch its full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022.

Belarus and Russia have since held multiple joint military training exercises, and in June Lukashenko allowed his country to be used as a base for Moscow's nuclear weapons, a move broadly condemned by the West.

Lukashenko has also frequently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the latest two-day trip of the Belarusian president to Moscow ending on Monday, where the two leaders talked about "strategic partnership."

Russia and Belarus are linked in a partnership called the "union state" in which Moscow is by far the dominant player.

The perception that Lukashenko, a pariah in the West, depends on Putin for his survival had fanned fears in Kyiv that Putin would pressure him to join a fresh ground offensive and open a new front in Russia's faltering invasion of Ukraine.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Chris Reese)
Sweeping support for a proposed Ohio constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights spotlights the potential power of the issue to drive voter turnout and affect races up and down the ballot, even in Republican-leaning states.

A new USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University survey of Ohio showed the amendment guaranteeing access to reproductive services backed by a double-digit margin, 58%-32%. Significant support crossed partisan lines, including a third of Republicans and a stunning 85% of independent women, a key group of persuadable voters.

The poll of 500 likely voters in Ohio, conducted by landline and cellphone from July 9 to 12, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points for the full sample.

The battle in Ohio, the only state likely to have an abortion measure on the ballot in November's off-year election, is being watched by activists nationwide who are considering a push for state-based initiatives in the next election cycle to codify or restore abortion rights. That could include swing states such as Arizona and reliably red ones like Florida, Missouri and South Dakota.

Ohio stands as a test case.

Activists mark the first anniversary of the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, by displaying neon signage in support of abortion access in front of the Supreme Court on June 23.

The first hurdle: How many votes needed to pass it?

"For sure, I think folks are really paying attention," said Heather Shumaker, director of state abortion access for the National Women's Law Center, which supports the amendment. That's especially true in states where Republican-controlled state governments have imposed strict limits on abortions in the year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. "We know that ballot measures have emerged as one of the most promising strategies to preserve abortion access."

Opponents of abortion are also watching Ohio for lessons on how to combat the initiatives. "I certainly anticipate other states to be looking at us and the model we used," said Amy Natoce of Protect Women Ohio, a coalition opposing the proposal. They describe the measure as "anti-parent," arguing it undermines the authority of parents to make decisions about abortion and gender assignment issues for their minor children.

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A special election on Aug. 8 could change the prospects for passage.

Now, ballot measures in Ohio need a simple majority, 50% plus one, to amend the state constitution. Under the proposal being voted on next month, the bar would be raised to 60%. Support in the new survey for the abortion-rights measure, at 58%, would fall just short of that level.

In the poll, Ohioans opposed raising the threshold by more than 2-1, 57%-26%.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose faces a deadline Tuesday to announce if proponents gathered enough valid signatures to put the abortion rights measure on the November ballot as well as a proposal to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults.

Who supports the abortion amendment in Ohio?

Demonstrators hold signs during the Women's March in Washington on June 24. Abortion rights and anti-abortion activists held rallies Saturday in Washington marking the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision.

The proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution states that "every individual has a right to make and carry out one's own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on contraception, fertility treatment, continuing one's own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion." Abortion could be banned after viability when a fetus could survive outside the womb.

After being read the ballot measure's language, women surveyed supported the measure by more than 2-1, 64%-28%. Men backed it by 50%-37%.

White respondents backed it by 57%-34% and minority respondents by 66%-24%.

A majority of those at all levels of education expressed support, from those with no more than a high school diploma (52%-39%) to those with post-graduate degrees (65%-26%).

Support also spanned all age groups. It was strongest among young voters; those 18 to 34 years old backed it by close to 3-1, 69%-25%. Seniors 65 and older comprised the age group who supported it by the smallest margin, 48%-40%.

The breadth of backing across demographic divisions is notable. So are the views across party lines. The measure was endorsed not only by the overwhelming majority of Democrats, 81%-14%, but also among independents by 3-1, 68%-22%. Support among independent women was 85%-12%, a bit higher than even among Democratic women, 81%-14%.

Women who aren't firmly aligned with either party have emerged as one of the most decisive groups of voters in recent elections, including in the GOP's disappointing performance in last year's midterm elections. Abortion access was one of the main issues Democratic candidates hammered.

"The general public in Ohio still likes their local Republican lawmakers, but when it comes to extreme positions against abortion rights, they are reeling them in," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "Even Republican voters have daughters, nieces, and granddaughters who may be facing decisions right now on abortion, contraception, or fertility treatment. So for some of these voters, it's not politics, it's personal."

In the USA TODAY survey, 32% of Republicans supported the amendment, 57% opposed it. There was no meaningful statistical difference between Republican women (31%-58%) and Republican men (33%-56%).

Ballot measures can generate turnout, affecting the outcome of other elections. The proposals in Ohio on both abortion rights and marijuana legalization could encourage younger and more liberal voters to go to the polls.

In 2004, strategists for President George W. Bush encouraged Ohio Republicans to put a proposal banning same-sex marriage on the ballot, a tactic they calculated would energize conservative evangelicals to vote. It passed easily, and Bush's victory in Ohio  so close it wasn't clear until the morning after the election  was decisive in his defeat of Democrat John Kerry.

For Republican presidential contenders, a potential conundrum

More than a third of voters who backed former President Donald Trump over President Joe Biden in a hypothetical 2024 matchup (34%) and those who backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (36%) also supported the abortion amendment, the USA TODAY/Suffolk poll found.

DeSantis now claims the lion's share of Republican primary voters who support the amendment  32% of them, compared with 15% who support Trump and 21% who are undecided. That's the case even though DeSantis in April signed a ban on abortions in Florida after six weeks of pregnancy; the law is now blocked as a court challenge continues.

DeSantis' strength among voters who back the amendment seems to indicate either that they aren't aware of his action on abortion or that the issue is not enough to sway their support for him.

In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in 2019 signed a "Heartbeat Bill" that effectively criminalizes abortion at six weeks, when cardiac activity can be detected in the embryo. The Ohio Supreme Court is now considering whether to allow the law to go into effect.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohioans back abortion rights amendment, a test case for other states
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Benjamin Netanyahu began his best-selling autobiography with the story of a daring Special Forces raid he took part in to free Israeli passengers from a hijacked airliner in 1972, an event that helped shape his hawkish image during more than three decades in politics.

It is one of the ironies surrounding Israel's longest-serving prime minister that within weeks of beginning his record sixth term in office, one of his signature policies - an overhaul of the judiciary - caused such tensions in the army that his defence chief warned national security was at risk.

Along with an escalating wave of violence across the West Bank, the battle over judicial reform has dominated the agenda of what is widely considered the most right-wing government in Israel's history.

On Monday, newly fitted with a pacemaker, Netanyahu was in parliament as lawmakers voted on a key element of the package, a bill that would curtail the Supreme Court's power to rein in decisions by the executive, as hundreds of thousands of protesters demonstrated outside.

Huge crowds have taken to the streets every week since the start of the year in a battle that has split Israeli society down the middle, pitting liberal and secular Jews against religious parties and settler groups.

Netanyahu, under indictment on corruption charges he has always denied, says the proposed changes are needed to rein in activist judges who he and his allies see as encroaching on politics.

However, critics note that the proposals could potentially help save him from conviction and imprisonment over the charges, which allege that he unlawfully received gifts and granted regulatory favours in return for positive news coverage.

Opposition to the plans has come from almost all of Israel's business sector, including prized hi-tech, lawyers, academics and a striking number of military reservists, notably fighter pilots and members of the elite Special Forces like Netanyahu's old Sayeret Matkal unit.

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Although many of the reservists protesting have said they would serve in the event of a real security emergency, in a country in a constant state of military alert the revolt has been one of the most striking aspects of the battle over the overhaul.

Israel's top general, Herzi Halevi, has warned that the divisions risk creating "dangerous cracks" in the military.

POLARIZING

Perhaps the most polarizing of Israel's leaders, but a supreme pragmatist, Netanyahu had always been seen as a recognizable conservative - pro-business and tough on security.

A stocky, imposing figure, his poise and flawless American English have underlined his outsized role on the world stage.

But he has been equally at ease in the rough-and-tumble world of Israeli politics, appealing to the gut instincts of his core voter base in gritty towns and settlements far from the bright lights of fashionable Tel Aviv.

However, before his last election win in 2022, boxed in by the corruption trial that he cast as a partisan witch-hunt, he was forced to seek alliances outside the traditional political mainstream. That meant closing ranks with religious and ultra-nationalist parties untroubled about upsetting Israel's allies with their openly expansionist agenda.

A lifelong security hardliner and a scourge of liberal opinion, Netanyahu described himself in his autobiography - "Bibi My Story" - as "conservative but decidedly not extreme".

But he found himself well to the left of coalition partners including Itamar Ben-Gvir, convicted in 2007 of racist incitement against Arabs, and Bezalel Smotrich, who, soon after gaining office, called in March 2022 for a Palestinian village to be "wiped out".

U.S. President Joe Biden, a lifelong supporter of Israel, has made no secret of his alarm, calling for consensus on the judicial reforms and describing Netanyahu's cabinet as one of the most extreme he had seen in more than 50 years of dealing with Israeli governments.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; editing by Christina Fincher)
Margot Robbie in "Barbie" Warner Bros. Pictures

Leave it to Greta Gerwig to craft a Barbie movie that references everything from the history of Mattel to Stanley Kubrick films, Disney Channel originals and Michelangelo. From the in-jokes to the story behind those discontinued Barbies and Kens, let's break down all the best references stuffed into Gerwig's life in plastic.

Stanley Kubrick nods

As teased in the trailer, the opening sequence spoofs the scene in Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey," in which apes discover the monolith, and the "2001" music returns when Ken learns about the patriarchy. The table where Mattel executives sit also makes their headquarters reminiscent of the war room in Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove," and Sasha asks her mom if she's "shining" with Barbie, referring to the psychic ability from Kubrick's "The Shining."

Allan

Michael Cera's character, Allan, is based on a real doll Mattel introduced as Ken's friend in 1964 and was named after Barbie inventor Ruth Handler's son-in-law. Allan's box declared "all of Ken's clothes fit him," a line Allan gets in the film. The doll was discontinued by 1966, so there aren't multiple versions of him, though he returned in the 1990s.

Midge

Midge was also a real doll introduced in 1963 as Barbie's best friend. In 1991, Mattel had Midge marry her boyfriend Allan and sold her as Wedding Day Midge. But as referenced in the film, in 2002, a pregnant version of Midge, sold as part of a "Happy Family" set with Allan and their son, caused so much controversy that the doll was pulled from Walmart's shelves. "Customers had a concern about having a pregnant doll," Walmart said at the time.

"The Matrix"

Weird Barbie giving Barbie the choice of high heels or Birkenstocks, the latter of which reveals the truth about the universe, is a parody of taking the red or blue pill in "The Matrix."

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"The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"

Gerwig told Letterboxd that one of Barbie's hairstyles, which she's wearing when first visiting Weird Barbie, is a nod to Catherine Deneuve's in the 1964 musical "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg."

Tanner

Weird Barbie's dog is a reference to Tanner, who was introduced as Barbie's pet in 2006. Weird Barbie also apologizes for poop on the floor, a nod to the fact that the Tanner dog toy could poop plastic. In 2007, Mattel recalled Barbie and Tanner sets "containing a small powerful magnet in the blue pooper scooper" that could fall out and be swallowed by children.

Lots of real Barbie outfits

The film features too many outfits from real Barbies to count, but one of the most notable is that in the opening scene, Barbie is wearing the black-and-white swimsuit from her very first doll in 1959.

The woman on the bench

The old woman Barbie encounters at a bus stop is played by costume designer Ann Roth, who has won two Oscars, most recently for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

"Playtime"

The Mattel office's design is heavily reminiscent of the 1967 French film "Playtime," which Gerwig cited as an influence.

Proust Barbie

One of the only Barbies referenced that doesn't exist is Proust Barbie, a gag about a hypothetical doll based on French author Marcel Proust that comes after Barbie has a Proustian memory. "In 'Remembrance of Things Past,' in 'Swann's Way,' he is thrown back into his childhood through the taste of the madeleine," Gerwig told The Associated Press. "I thought, well, that'll be a nice Easter egg for one person."

The Creation of Adam

Margot Robbie identified her favorite Easter egg as the moment when Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, hands her a cup of tea and their hands touch like in Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam." "It's on the same trajectory and angle as the Sistine Chapel," Gerwig told Time. "Nobody is going to notice that so I have to say it."

Barbie Video Girl

The film gives cameos to numerous discontinued Barbies, including Barbie Video Girl, a doll introduced in 2010 with a video screen in her back and a functioning camera in her necklace. The FBI issued an alert at the time warning that it could be used to create child pornography, and it was discontinued two years later.

Growing Up Skipper

The film also pokes fun at Growing Up Skipper, a controversial doll of Barbie's sister, Skipper, introduced in 1975 who would develop breasts when her arm was rotated. "When you turn her arm, you can make her change instantly from a little girl to a tall, slender teenage doll," the commercial promised. Mattel discontinued it in 1977. Skipper is also referenced as a doll that previously escaped into the real world.

Teen Talk Barbie

Another Barbie who appears in the film is 1992's Teen Talk Barbie, who controversially said phrases like "math class is tough." Women's groups criticized the doll at the time, leading Mattel to admit this phrase "should not have been included."

Palm Beach Sugar Daddy Ken

Discontinued Kens also appear, including Palm Beach Sugar Daddy Ken. This doll was introduced in 2009, and the toy's name was supposedly because of his dog. "The little dog's name is actually Sugar," Mattel told the New York Post. "That's where the name comes from. He's Sugar's daddy, as a reference to the dog."

Earring Magic Ken

Earring Magic Ken is another real Ken doll introduced in 1993. He has been referred to as Gay Ken, and author Dan Savage suggested at the time, in an article titled "Ken Comes Out," that his necklace was actually "what 10 out of 10 people in the know will tell you at a glance is a cock ring." Mattel denied this, stating, "We're not in the business of putting cock rings into the hands of little girls." The doll was discontinued after six months.

"Top Gun"

The scene of Kens playing volleyball on the beach is likely a nod to the famous, and slightly homoerotic, volleyball scene in "Top Gun."

The Snyder Cut

One of the film's funniest gags is a Barbie remarking that while she was brainwashed, she was inexplicably invested in the Zack Snyder cut of "Justice League." Passionate  some would say toxic  fans relentlessly demanded Warner Bros. release a director's cut of Snyder's DC film "Justice League" before the studio finally did so in 2021. For years, virtually any Warner Bros. social media post was met with dozens of replies demanding they release the "Snyder Cut," making it especially hilarious for the gag to appear in a Warner Bros. film.

Si se puede

Gloria's husband says "si se puede" near the end, which may be a nod to one of America Ferrera's earliest movies, "Gotta Kick It Up," a 2002 Disney Channel original film in which a school dance team chants this phrase. It's also the motto of the United Farm Workers of America.

Ruth Handler and her legal issues

Rhea Perlman plays Barbie inventor Ruth Handler, who also served as the president of Mattel from 1945 into the 1970s. But the film alludes to some legal issues she had, as in 1978, when the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Handler and others from Mattel with making false financial statements. She was sentenced to 2,500 hours of community service and received a $57,000 fine. Handler died in 2002 at age 85.

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Bethenny Frankel has criticised TJ Maxx for allegedly selling fake designer shoes, with the reality TV star condemning the retailer over the scam.

The former Real Housewives of New York City star, 52, reflected on her purchase of what turned out to be fake Manolo Blahnik heels in a series of videos uploaded to her TikTok and Instagram accounts.

In the first video, uploaded last week, Frankel was shopping in TJ Maxx along with her fiance Paul when she came across a pair of pink heels, which were labelled Manolo Blahnik. In the video, the reality star-turned-influencer could be seen trying on the $869 shoes in the store, before telling viewers: These are coming home with me.

However, Frankel realised that the shoes were likely fake after a TikToker named Jack Savoie stitched her TikTok and informed her that the heels were knockoffs.

In Savoies clip, he began: Wait, Bethenny babe, those are fake Manolos. I swear these Manolos are fake and theyre at TJ Maxx.

In the TikTok, Savoie acknowledged that TJ Maxx sells designer goods, before claiming that the shoes purchased specifically by Frankel are fake Manolos. He then shared his reasoning behind the claim, with the TikToker pointing out the off-centre stitching of the shoes label, the difference in font from authentic Manolo heels, and the difference in material used for the sole of the shoe.

Trust me, I sold shoes. I used to sell Manolos. I know this, the TikToker continued, before concluding: Bethenny, I think you need to go return those shoes. These are fake. As soon as I saw this, I immediately knew that they were fake.

The video prompted a response from Frankel, who described the realisation as a scandal.

This is SUCH a scandal. First, they are only $1,000 retail. Thats a scam to begin with. Second! I JUST ordered the real ones online and will compare, she wrote in the comments under the video.

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In the comments, the reality star also noted that it was weird that the size 40 fit her perfectly when she is typically a size 39.

On Bergdorf Goodmans website, the Manolo Blahnik Hangisimu Satin Crystal Buckle Mules retail for $1,095.

Over the weekend, Frankel addressed the situation in a follow-up video, where she described it as the most effed-up thing yet.

This is the most effed-up thing yet. Okay, follow Jack Savoie. He did a video after I posted  my 70th video about TJ Maxx, promoting them to the tunes of millions of dollars and followers, Frankel began.

The TV personality then held up the shoes shed purchased from the retailer, while describing all of the issues Savoie had pointed out with the heels.

Frankel then expressed her anger as she noted that shes bought tonnes of sh** from TJ Maxx and that the prices arent great.

Ive said that before. There will be an $1,800 bag retail and theyll have it for $1,500. Sometimes I like the item, Im in there. The psychology is to feel like its a treasure hunt, so youre finding something. And I love the store, she continued, before noting that never did [she] think that there could be a fake product.

In the video, Frankel then revealed that she reached out to TJ Maxx and showed the retailer Savoies video, and that, in response, the company told her that it did not purchase this particular shoe.

Its something that rarely happens, with a counterfeit return, Frankel continued, while noting that Savoie is amazing for pointing out the flaws with the fake version of the heels.

According to Frankel, the store asked her to provide her receipt, which she said she didnt have because she doesnt return things to TJ Maxx for the most part, and that the company said it would refund her the money shed paid.

By the way, the shoes are $1,000 at Bergdorfs and it was weird that a 40 did fit me, she said.

As for her response to the companys response, she told viewers: I effectively, without cursing, said to them: Eff that. No. A, I dont have the receipt and next, youre going to send me a larger check.

After reiterating that shes already purchased an authentic pair of the heels from Bergdorf Goodman for $1,000, Frankel revealed that she would be keeping the counterfeit shoes.

Im going to wear these fake counterfeit shoes with pride because I own them now, but do not buy luxury goods at TJ Maxx, she concluded, before noting that the original retailer is the safest.

In the comments under her video, Frankels followers shared their appreciation for her clarification, and for candidly calling out the retailer.

Thats wild, I would never even think to check stuff from there is real, one person commented, while another said: Thank you for always sharing and your honesty in calling someone out when needed!

In a statement to Insider, a spokesperson for TJ Maxx said the company stands behind the merchandise it sells before noting that it sincerely regrets Frankels recent experience.

We believe that this may have been an instance of return fraud, in which an individual returned an item to our store that was not purchased at one of our stores. This unfortunately happens in retail from time to time, the company said, adding that it has reached out to Frankel directly to work to resolve her concerns.

The Independent has contacted TJ Maxx for comment.
A Bureau of Prisons employee who works as a correctional counselor at the Federal Medical Center Devens has been charged with accepting payments from an inmate under his care, in violation of his duties as a public official, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Monday.

William S. Tidwell, 49, of Keene, N.H., is also charged with lying to a bank about a loan he received from the inmates business associate and forging the associates signature to support this false claim, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement.

Tidwell allegedly received over $90,000 in benefits and a $50,000 property loan, officials said. He was charged in federal court in Boston with receipt of payments by a public official in violation of his official duties, making false statements to a bank and identity theft. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

Tidwell has been employed by the Bureau of Prisons since 2000 and has been working at the medical center in Devens since 2008, according to the charging documents.

According to prison rules and policies, employees may not receive any payments, gifts, or personal favors from inmates, give preferential treatment to any inmate in the performance of their duties, or engage in outside employment that conflicts with their duties.

Around 2014, Tidwell began working as a correctional counselor at the Devens site, in a position that gave him significant levels of contact with, and authority over, inmates, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Among other duties, Tidwell was responsible for monitoring inmate work assignments, assigning inmate housing assignments, arranging inmate legal calls and coordinating prison visits for inmates, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. One of the inmates for whom Tidwell served as a correctional counselor was Individual 1  an ultra-high net worth individual who had been convicted on federal charges in another jurisdiction.

Prosecutors allege that starting in 2018, the inmate, identified as Individual 1, directed a stream of benefits to be paid to Tidwell.

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In November 2018, Tidwell supervised Individual 1, who allegedly directed a close friend and business associate (identified as Individual 2) to wire $25,000 to Tidwells close family member.

Thereafter, starting in 2019, Tidwell and Individual 1 allegedly entered into an agreement pursuant to which Individual 1 would direct thousands of dollars to Tidwell as part of a property management agreement, which used Individual 2 as the conduit through which payments were made to Tidwell, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

In total, between 2019 and 2020, Tidwell allegedly received over $65,000 in benefits as part of this property management agreement with Individuals 1 and 2, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Tidwells alleged receipt of payments and his employment relationship with an inmate or a close associate of an inmate violated his official duties as a BOP employee, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

In 2020, it is alleged that Tidwell, who was trying to buy a home, received a $50,000 loan from Individual 2 while seeking financing for the home purchase. Tidwell is accused of making multiple false statements to the bank in connection with his loan application, by falsely telling the bank that the $50,000 was a gift from his employer, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

It is further, alleged that when the bank asked for written proof of this purported gift, Tidwell forged documents to support his earlier claim, including by unlawfully using Individual 2s name and address, and forging Individual 2s signature, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

In a statement Monday, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy called the case a serious violation of trust.

Corrections officers are placed in a position of public trust. The vast majority of corrections officers carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism. They know that accepting payments from an inmate  as is alleged against Mr. Tidwell here  is a serious violation of that trust and a betrayal of the BOPs mission to care FOR federal inmates in a safe and impartial manner, Levy said. This office is committed to holding public officials accountable when they exploit their power or official position to enrich themselves and compromise the public interest.

In a statement, Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division, said the agency will continue to root out corruption in government.

William Tidwell is alleged to have abused his authority and abandoned his duty after he befriended an inmate in his care and accepted tens of thousands of dollars from him, said DiMenna. Todays arrest underscores the importance the criminal justice system places on policing its own. Make no mistake, the FBI will continue to work with our partners to root out public corruption wherever it may lie because it not only undermines the integrity of our government but is a violation of the publics trust.

Ryan Geach, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General New York Field Office, said in a statement, The safety and security of federal prisons depends on the integrity of Correctional Officers. By allegedly accepting tens of thousands of dollars from an inmate, Tidwell compromised his integrity and jeopardized the safety and security of the institution.

A person convicted of receiving payments in violation of official duties faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

A person convicted of making false statements to a bank faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million.

A person convicted of identity theft faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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President Biden called on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not advance a vote on the countrys controversial judicial reform bill, according to a statement from the president given to Axios.

Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus, Biden said.

Biden added that it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less, according to Axios. The statement comes on the heels of Biden inviting Netanyahu  who has been in the role for seven months  to the U.S. for the first time, after the two leaders talked on the phone last week.

The delay in offering Netanyahu an invitation from the White House was viewed as a major snub from Biden, who has criticized far-right members of the prime ministers governing coalition as extreme.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Biden reiterated his concerns about Israels judicial reform bill to Netanyahu while on the phone last week. He said Biden pushed for the need for the broadest possible consensus, and that shared democratic values have always been and must remain a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, when discussing judicial reforms.

Israelis took part in massive protests over the bills, which are expected to be voted on by the Knesset this week.

The Netanyahu-backed judicial reform bill sparked controversy and protests across the country as critics labeled the move as a threat to democratic values. The reforms would allow the government to overrule Supreme Court decisions and give the executive branch more power to appoint justices.

The United States has pushed back on these reforms in the past, with lawmakers and the Biden administration expressing concerns over them. Biden said earlier this year that he hopes Netanyahu walks away from the pursued reforms.

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Like many strong supporters of Israel, Im very concerned, and Im concerned that they get this straight. They cannot continue down this road, Biden told reporters in March.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

Updated 7/24 12:42 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Emmett Till had been visiting family in Mississippi when he was brutally killed

President Joe Biden will establish a national monument to honour Emmett Till, a black teenager who was lynched in 1955 in Mississippi, as well as his mother, a White House official said.

Till's lynching and the activism of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley helped galvanise the civil rights movement.

Mr Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday which is Till's birthday, 25 July.

It comes a year after he signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law.

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument will include three separate sites in two states - Illinois and Mississippi.

One site is the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, a historically black neighbourhood on Chicago's South Side where thousands of people gathered to mourn and bear witness to Emmett Till's death in September 1955.

In Mississippi, the monument will include Graball Landing, which is believed to be the site where Emmett Till's brutalised body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River. The third site is the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Emmett Till's murderers were tried by an all-white jury and acquitted.

The new monument would "protect places that tell the story of Emmett Till's too-short life and racially-motivated murder, the unjust acquittal of his murderers, and the activism of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley", the White House said in a statement.

Emmett Till, a 14-year-old from Chicago, was visiting family in Mississippi when he was brutally beaten and killed after a white woman claimed he harassed her at a store.

Carolyn Bryant Donham accused Till of harassing her while she was working alone as a clerk in the family grocery store on the evening of 24 August 1955 in Money, Mississippi.

Three days later, her husband and his half-brother kidnapped the boy at gunpoint, tortured him and threw his battered body into a river.

The two white men, Roy Bryant and JW Milam, were tried on murder charges a month later, but an all-white Mississippi jury acquitted them.

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Till's mother insisted on an open coffin at the funeral so the public could bear witness to what he endured, and photos of the boy's brutalised remains shocked the nation.

Last year, a grand jury in Mississippi declined to prosecute Donham for her role in Till's death, and she died in April 2023 at the age of 88.

Tuesday would have marked Emmett Till's 82nd birthday.

In the US, presidents can establish historic landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic interest as national monuments to protect the sites, similar to a national park.

The national monument comes a year after Mr Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law, which makes lynching a federal hate crime offence.

In 2022, the US Congress also passed legislation to posthumously award Till and his mother the Congressional Gold Medal, which Congress says is the "highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions".
President Joe Biden on Monday named longtime Hill aide Shuwanza Goff as his director of legislative affairs, just in time for the coming high-stakes spending negotiations with Republicans.

Goff, the first Black woman named to the role, will succeed Louisa Terrell, whos held the position since the start of the Biden administration and steered the White House's multitrillion-dollar agenda through narrow congressional majorities. Goff's new role will be particularly critical in the coming weeks, given her amicable relationships with House Republicans, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as she takes on the task of navigating a divided government and a looming government shutdown threat.

Shuwanza is a proven leader and trusted voice on both sides of the aisle. She returns to the White House with strong relationships across both Chambers, forged over more than a decade on Capitol Hill, Biden said in a statement.

The administrations appointment has satisfied Hill allies who had pushed the administration to consider diverse candidates for the coveted spot. Some congressional Democrats had privately grumbled about about the rumored shortlist, worried the candidate list lacked diversity.

Goff is a veteran of Capitol Hill and is widely respected on both sides of the aisle  and one of the few Democratic aides to have longstanding relationships with Republicans like McCarthy. She started her Hill career in the office of Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) in 2008, eventually rising to become his floor director when he was in Democratic leadership.

She rose through the ranks in former Majority Leader Hoyers office but also built strong ties to progressive Democrats, who were privately cheering her return to the White House on Monday.

She previously served as the deputy director of the White House Legislative Affairs Office and its House Liaison for the first two years of the Biden administration before departing earlier this year for the private sector. Goff had been part of the White Houses legislative brawls over the infrastructure bill and the party-line social spending packages, among other issues.

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Democrats immediately cheered the announcement, with Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) tweeting: "Shuwanza is the best of the best."

The Associated Press first reported Goffs appointment.

Sarah Ferris contributed to this report.
The best dish I tried at Calli wasnt on the regular menu. Available as a special the first time I visited, it started with a tlacoyo, an oval-shaped piece of griddled masa, steamy and smelling of toasted corn. Inside hid creamy pinto beans. A pile of shredded goat birria sat on top, brick-red in color and fiendishly complex, thanks to a marinade containing multiple kinds of toasted red chiles, charred tomatoes and lots of spices.

The dish was everything I was hoping for from chef Jonathan Zaragozas new project. The dish was informed by his own familys background while reaching deep into regional and contemporary Mexican cuisine.

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The birria itself will taste familiar to anyone who has visited his familys Archer Heights restaurant, Birrieria Zaragoza. Started by his dad, Juan Zaragoza, in 2007, the shop serves a fascinating regional variation of birria popular in the patriarchs hometown of La Barca, Jalisco. Instead of served in a bowl, its presented on a plate with some of Chicagos finest corn tortillas. There are few restaurants in Chicago Ive recommended more.

[ The 31 best tacos in Chicago, from Antique to Zaragoza ]

While Jonathan Zaragoza basically grew up working at the restaurant, he also spent time in kitchens all over the city, before traveling extensively. Follow him online, and hes often eating around Mexico or maybe helping out a restaurant in Dubai or London. Last year, he consulted on the menu at a short-lived Logan Square restaurant called Con Todo.

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The dining room at Calli inside Soho House in Chicago's West Loop is seen July 12, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

For years, Ive longed for Zaragoza to settle down and show us what hes got. I thought Calli, located in the swanky Soho House in the West Loop, would be the spot, especially since the restaurants name means house in the pre-Hispanic central Mexican language of Nahuatl. Talking to Zaragoza ahead of the opening, he said he was inspired by places in Mexico that made me feel at home. Its a great image.

But instead of a comfortable refuge hidden in the West Loop, Calli comes off as overly professional and reserved. Instead of a warm hug, Zaragoza wants to keep us at arms-length.

This still means there are good things to find, though youll need to be strategic.

The menu is tiny. Besides two desserts, there are just 11 dishes. While Im all for short, focused concepts, I flipped the menu over on my first visit wondering if there was more on the back.

What is there is also surprising. Most of the menu is dedicated to seafood and, especially, vegetables. There are no chicken dishes or meaty mains, though you should always ask about the nightly specials.

Calli shows best in the snacks and starters sections. The sikil pak, a specialty from the Yucatan Peninsula, is a creamy pumpkin seed dip that might look pale brown but thanks to a hit of citrus, tomato and habanero, each bite is nutty, fruity and deliriously spicy. Its paired with extra-crisp tortillas along with a bevy of bright and crunchy vegetables.

Garnacha made with crispy masa, pork belly carnitas, guacachile and fermented tomatillo is seen July 12 at Calli inside Soho House in the West Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The meatiest dish is oddly in the snack section. The garnacha, a lightly fried circle of masa, arrives topped with plenty of slowly fried carnitas. Zaragoza uses pork belly, which contains copious amounts of fat, and the result is absurdly tender. Its paired with a shockingly green and acidic fermented tomatillo salsa, which rings through the fat.

The starters section includes a very good leche de tigre, the Peruvian classic Zaragoza loved enough to put on the menu. But what you really want is the Caesar salad. I know few people more enamored with the dish than Zaragoza. Ive eaten it at the restaurant it was invented at in Tijuana, Zaragoza said. If its on a menu, Ill order it every time.

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His version at Calli, titled ensalada cesar, takes loads of liberties with the original, adding charred serranos, toasted pumpkin seeds and Korean red chile flakes. Yet, it still manages to keep the essence of the original. Instead of blending anchovies into the dressing, gorgeous whole filets sit on top.

The ensalada cesar, seen on July 12, is made with baby romaine, charred serrano dressing, pepita crunch and boquerones at Calli in Chicago's West Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Results are more mixed in the mains section. The chochoyotes, small dumpling-like balls made of masa with the center indented, are tender, but the guajillo sauce isnt abundant enough for a soup or concentrated enough for a sauce.

The pescado zarandeado is a carefully grilled piece of fish (usually red snapper, though it changes with whats available) thats also very expensive for the size ($37). The flour tortillas served on the side are disappointingly chalky and brittle.

The enmoladas at Calli inside Soho House is made with handmade corn tortillas, mole poblano, mushroom guisado and queso fresco and is shown on July 12. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Much better are the enmoladas, where multiple kinds of mushrooms, including some that pick up smoke from the grill, are wrapped up in handmade corn tortillas. Its then ladled with dark black mole poblano, the complex specialty from Puebla that combines dozens of components like chiles, dried fruit, chocolate and nuts to create a savory, spicy and ever-so-slightly sweet sauce. Since the Soho House is completely nut-free, Zaragoza had to experiment with the traditional components, adding puffed amaranth and pepitas to get the right texture. Comforting yet complex, its the highlight of the small menu.

But its also at this point in the meal where Calli starts to feel disjointed. Id already sampled dishes traditional to Baja California, central Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula, yet it was difficult to see why the restaurant served them together.

Its hard not to compare Calli to Suenos from chef Stephen Sandoval, which used to occupy the same Soho space. Even though Suenos was technically a pop-up, Sandoval zeroed in on the cuisine of Baja California, giving the restaurant a sense of identity and purpose. When you walked in, ambition and drive practically emanated from the kitchen. I got the sense they couldnt wait to show me what they could do. (A permanent location for Suenos is opening soon.)

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Zaragoza wasnt in the kitchen on either of my visits, as he was out of town. While hes back at present, he has other projects planned that will soon take him away, including a fast-casual concept hes launching in Washington, D.C.

Calli is a good restaurant, featuring well-tested recipes from an obviously talented chef. But as it stands, it kind of feels like no one is home.

nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

Calli

Inside Soho House, 113-125 N. Green St.

312-521-8000

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

sohohouse.com/en-us/restaurants/calli

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Tribune rating: Between very good and good, 1  stars

Open: Wednesday, 5-10 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prices: Starters, $10-$24; mains, $22-$37

Noise: Conversation friendly

Accessibility: An elevator is available to the second floor. Bathrooms are on the same floor.

Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.
President Joe Biden on Sunday counseled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel against rushing legislation on a judicial overhaul package that has led to massive protests in his country.

From the perspective of Israels friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less, Biden told Netanyahu, according to Axios. Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus.

A State Department official echoed the president's call for consensus. "We believe that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of support," the official said in a statement Sunday.

Netanyahu and his allies have resurrected the legislation after shelving it in the spring amid similarly intense protests.



A vote on part of the package is expected Monday even though Netanyahu remains hospitalized in Tel Aviv, having had a pacemaker implanted Sunday during an emergency procedure. Tens of thousands of Israelis were seen massing for protests against the legislation.

Biden had counseled Netanyahu along similar lines in a conversation on March 19.

The President also underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, the White House said at the time, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles.

Later that month, Biden said Israel had gotten itself into a difficult spot and that he hoped Netanyahu walks away from it.



Netanyahus package of judicial changes would essentially strip his nations top court of its independence and defang the nations courts by making it possible for the government to pass legislation that cant be reviewed by judges. Netanyahu and his backers say the legislation is necessary to curb the power of renegade judges.

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Opponents of the overhaul say the legislation could undermine the democratic nature of the country by eliminating safeguards.

Its an attack on the very soul and nature of our democracy, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said in February as he urged civil disobedience if the legislation were to be approved.

Israel has no written constitution, so the relative powers of the branches of government are somewhat fluid.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment on what type of outreach aides to Biden are engaged in with Israel during these final hours before the vote.

Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images

The Education Department finalized a rule to allow state oversight into federal student-loan servicers.

It reverses efforts from Trump's administration to prevent states from stepping in.

The rule is intended to protect borrowers from misleading behavior or inaccurate payment counts.

President Joe Biden's Education Department just finalized a rule allowing states to step it when student-loan companies engage in bad behavior.

On Monday, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona issued the final rule of a policy he first announced in 2021 that would allow states to regulate student-loan companies that manage federal loans. In 2018, former President Donald Trump's Education Secretary Betsy DeVos released a notice that only the federal government  not states  had the power to oversee federal loan servicers after some states had enacted rules that would allow them to regulate servicers.

"The Department issues this notice to clarify its view that State regulation of the servicing of Direct Loans impedes uniquely Federal interests," DeVos' department said at the time.

However, Cardona's notice in the Federal Register does the opposite of what DeVos intended. It "revises and clarifies the Department's position on the legality of State laws and regulations that govern various aspects of the servicing of Federal student loans, such as preventing unfair or deceptive practices, correcting misapplied payments, or addressing refusals to communicate with borrowers," it said.

The department concluded that the Higher Education Act of 1965 allows states to play a role in regulating federal loan servicers to better protect borrowers from misleading behavior.

"States may consider and adopt additional measures which protect borrowers and can be harmonized with Federal law," it said. "These measures can be enforced by the States, and the Department can and will work with State officials to root out all forms of fraud, falsehood, improper conduct, and other harms to borrowers that may occur in the Federal student aid programs."

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In 2021, Cardona's opinion on the rule said that "the Department believes that there is significant space for State laws and regulations relating to student loan servicing, to the extent that these laws and regulations are not preempted by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and other applicable Federal laws."

The notice does have some limits on what states can do, like ruling a federal loan servicer in a state cannot continue operations. The Education Department recently signed contracts with five student-loan companies to service over 37 million borrowers with federal student loans, and those contracts included enhanced consumer-protection rules to protect borrowers from predatory behavior and allow states to intervene.

And it comes at a critical time for millions of borrowers who will resume repayment in October after over three-years on pause. After the Supreme Court struck down Biden's broad plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers, the Education Department confirmed payments are still resuming in October, with interest beginning to accrue again in September  and it said it would work with servicers to ensure a smooth transition back into repayment.

"We understand that your life may have changed since the last time you made a student loan payment, or this may be your very first time making a payment," the department said in an email to borrowers on Sunday. "We are here to provide support and resources to you as you prepare for payments to resume, so you can identify the needs of your unique financial situation."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Biloxi man pleaded guilty Monday to killing his father, who went missing two years ago but days later was found dead in a shallow grave in a Bay St. Louis marsh.

Noble V. Marske, 43, will spend at least 20 years in prison and five on post-release supervision after he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence. Harrison County Circuit Judge Lawrence P. Bourgeois Jr. lowered the charge from first-degree to second-degree murder but called Marskes actions despicable and said if he could, he would sentence him for longer.

You killed him, Bourgeois said of Marskes father, Van L. Marske. You did more than that. You killed an entire family.

Marske stood in shackles with his head down in the courtroom as Bourgeois made his ruling. He grew emotional throughout his plea, and at times, struggled to speak.

Marsha Schmitt, Van Marskes sister, and her daughter appeared in court to watch the plea. In a statement to the court, Schmitt said her nephew does not deserve to be called Noble because what he did was far from it.

You have severed that bond in the most horrific and selfish way, she said. You destroyed a family.

Noble V. Marske, 43, was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in the 2021 death of his father. Harrison County Jail/Harrison County Jail

Marske was arrested in September 2021 after his 66-year-old father went missing for nearly a week. Assistant District Attorney George Huffman said in court that after Van Marske went missing, authorities were called to a home in Biloxi in response to an argument outside. There, they found a man employed by Van Marske arguing with Noble Marske about his fathers disappearance.

They searched the home and found Van Marskes wallet, phone and dentures, Huffman said.

Noble Marske said in court on Monday he killed his father when an argument between them turned violent. Noble Marske had a history of domestic abuse toward his father, according to Schmitt and Marske himself.

An autopsy showed Van Marske died from blunt force trauma.

Authorities questioned Noble Marske when they were called to the home. He denied any involvement in his fathers disappearance but outlined an area where he said his father had gone fishing in Bay St. Louis, Huffman said. Authorities searched that area  which is in marshland near Mississippi 603  and found a path that led to a shallow grave where they found Van Marskes body.

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Authorities also searched the shed at the Biloxi home where Noble Marske said the argument occurred and found zip ties covered in blood, Huffman said. Investigators concluded that after Noble Marske killed his father, he drove his body to Bay St. Louis and buried him in the marsh.

Van Marske was a longtime Biloxi resident, a self-employed carpenter, custom cabinet maker and woodworker, his obituary said. He was also a U.S. Coast Guard boat captain, a fisherman and enjoyed motorcycle racing.

Schmitt said she hopes people will remember her brother for who he was, not how he died.

He was always helping people, she said. And he was happy. He was doing what he loved.

Bourgeois ordered Marske to pay $3,500 in fees to compensate for the cost of his fathers burial. Marskes attorney, Angela Broun, said there is no excuse or reason for Marskes actions and that he has suffered from serious drug addiction for much of his life.

Bourgeois said drug use was not an excuse.

He has an incredible amount of remorse, Broun said.

Near the end of his plea, Marske teared up again. His family dried their eyes with tissues.

Before he dismissed him into custody, Bourgeois condemned Marske for the last time.

You will forever be entombed in a prison of your own mind, he said.
Body camera footage shows an Ohio state trooper with his gun pointed at the truck Jadarrius Rose was driving on July 4.. Ohio State Highway Patrol

The Black man who was mauled by a police dog in Ohio said he thought the police were "trying to kill" him.

Jadarrius Rose called 911 as state troopers pursued him on a highway on July 4.

When Rose finally surrendered, Ohio police unleashed a K9 dog on him.

Minutes before an unarmed Black truck driver was mauled by an Ohio police dog, the man called 911 as authorities were chasing him on a highway and said he was scared the police were "trying to kill" him.

In the recordings of the 911 call obtained by Insider through the Ross County Sheriff's Office, Jadarrius Rose told dispatchers that he was "about to comply" with state troopers who were pursuing him along an Ohio highway on July 4, but didn't because they had their guns drawn.

"I was trying to pull over for the police and when I pulled over, I parked the truck and I was about to comply with them, but they all had they guns drawn out for whatever reason," Rose, 23, can be heard telling a dispatcher, according to audio of the call.

Rose added that authorities "tried to throw spikes down" at his truck and that he did not know why police were trying to stop him.

"I feel like they trying to kill me," Rose told the dispatcher, who told him to "comply" and pull over his vehicle.

The dispatcher continued: "You need to pull over. You're going to get yourself in more trouble than what you already are in. You just need to pull over."

"I don't know why they're trying to kill me," Rose told the dispatcher who responded: "They're not trying to kill you."

"Yes they are, obviously, they're throwing stuff on the ground trying to explode the tires," Rose said. The dispatcher replied, "Right, so you'll stop."

Rose later told the dispatcher that he did not "feel safe with stopping."

"Right now I have police officers following me for a long time and I was trying to figure out why they have their guns pulled out at me. I'm just a truck driver," Rose said on the 911 call.

Story continues

"And it's all really white people. They got their guns out and I'm in the truck. I'm going to deliver my load and I don't know why they have their guns pulled out like I'm a threat or something," said Rose, explaining, "I don't feel safe."

Body camera footage shows authorities rendering aid to Jadarrius Rose after he was attacked by a police dog. Ohio State Highway Patrol

Body camera footage recently released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows police pursuing the semi-tractor trailer Rose was driving for more than 25 minutes before he ultimately surrendered to authorities.

Rose eventually surrendered with his hands raised in the air on the shoulder of US 23.

But when he did, Ohio's Circleville Police Department unleashed a dog on him, mauling him even as a state trooper repeatedly warned, "Do not release the dog with his hands up."

State troopers are investigating Rose's arrest.

Rose was hospitalized for his injuries and was ultimately booked into the Ross County Jail on a charge of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, records show. He's since been released from jail.

Read the original article on Insider
Go on the ground or youre gonna get bit, a police officer is heard saying before releasing one of their K-9 units (Screengrab: YouTube/ ABC7 news)

Newly released disturbing body camera footage captured a police dog mauling an unarmed Black man who had his hands up after a long chase in Ohio.

Jadarrius Rose, 23, was driving a semi-tractor vehicle westbound on US route 35 on 4 July. He did not respond to multiple calls by a motor carrier enforcement inspector and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to stop after authorities spotted his trailer was missing a left rear mud flap, the incident report said, according to NBC News.

The officials also deployed stop sticks twice before Mr Rose stopped his trailer on US route 23, ending a lengthy pursuit by authorities.

But a police dog was unleashed on the suspect shortly after he was given orders to exit the vehicle and get down on the ground.

The bodycam footage showed the man with his hands in the air, kneeling in front of the troopers.

One of the troopers is heard giving repeated warnings: Do not release the dog with his hands up.

One Circleville police officer, ignoring the troopers warnings, is heard shouting Get on the ground or youre gonna get bit after which he sics the dog on the man.

Mr Rose is heard screaming for help and asking the police officers to get the K-9 off him.

The dog is seen biting and pulling the arm of the man, who is on his knees and screaming in agony.

Get it off! he is heard saying as one trooper asks for the dog to be removed from the suspect.

Another officer is heard calling for a first aid kit. The footage also showed one of the police officers covering her mouth with her hands and walking away from the spot.

Officials said the 23-year-old Mr Rose was eventually taken into custody and given first aid-treatment.

The highway patrol said the case is still being investigated.

It is not immediately clear if the officer who unleashed the canine to attack the unarmed man has faced any disciplinary action so far.
Boston police are investigating a double shooting that happened across the street from a local school.

Investigators were called to the area of Walnut Avenue near Humboldt Avenue, close to Higginson-Lewis K-8 School, around 10:14 p.m.

According to Boston police, two shooting victims were rushed to the hospital.

Police said both victims injuries are not life-threatening, and they are expected to survive.

Our crews spotted more than two dozen evidence markers scattered on the ground, including around a car parked at the scene and around an electric bike lying on its side.

Investigators were also spotted inside a home photographing a shattered window that was pierced by a bullet.

Police have not made any arrests.

BREAKING OVERNIGHT: Two people were rushed to the hospital after an apparent double-shooting in Roxbury.



A bullet pierced a window, and dozens of evidence markers scattered the ground at intersection of Walnut & Humboldt Avenues.



Live reports all morning on @boston25 pic.twitter.com/iPNlOpyDx7  Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) July 24, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
During the last weekend of June, Aiden Debusk, 6, and his brother, Anakin Debusk, 3, took a hike with their father, Steven Debusk. When they returned, mom Laiken Debusk examined them closely.

(My husband said), There were a lot of ticks, Laiken Debusk, 25, of Russellville, Arkansas, recalls to TODAY.com. I start checking the boys, and I pull one from the nape of Aidens neck and then one off his underwear line, and then I pulled six or seven off Anakin.

Aiden had a serious reaction to having ehrlichiosis and experienced several seizures with one lasting more than six hours. (Courtesy Laiken Debusk)

When Aiden complained of headache that wouldnt go away and stopped eating, his parents knew something was wrong and took him to the local hospital. He was soon transferred to Arkansas Childrens Hospital, where they learned what happened: Aiden had the tick-borne illness ehrlichiosis and experienced a rare reaction to it, leading to hourslong seizures and a medically induced coma. His mom hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of ticks.

Make sure you do check if there are ticks, Laiken Debusk says. Im not telling everybody to keep (their) kids in and never let them out anymore. But make sure youre using the bug spray. Make sure theyre wearing pants. Make sure you change their clothes.

A headache that would not go away

A few days after the hike, Aiden experienced a headache. His mom thought his allergies might be bothering him, so she gave him allergy medication. But it did little to ease his pain. Then he developed a low-grade fever.

The fever was not bad enough to take him (into the hospital) yet, but bad enough for some at-home, over-the-counter medications, Laiken Debusk recalls.

Aiden didnt seem interested in eating or playing and went to bed early. When his dad woke him in the morning, he noticed Aiden had wet the bed and was lying in it without seeming to notice. His parents felt worried because Aiden was potty-trained and didnt often have accidents.

When his mom tried to comfort him, he began yelping.

He was just crying, hollering and screaming out in pain. There was nothing that was touching him, Laiken Debusk says. I didnt really understand.

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She knew her son was struggling, so her husband took him to the local emergency room on July 2 while she stayed home with their other children. An hour later, she received a phone call from her husband asking for help.

Hes like, Hey, I need you to come up here. Aidens becoming really combative and just not being himself, Laiken Debusk recalls. (I thought) thats another red flag.

By the time she arrived, doctors still felt unsure what Aiden was experiencing, even after running tests. Doctors noticed his white blood cell count was low, and he needed blood and platelet transfusion.

At first, we thought he had cancer, Laiken Debusk says.

Steven Debusk had mentioned the ticks, and doctors tested Aiden for tick-borne illnesses, but the results of those tests can take time. And Aidens tick bites had healed by the time he got sick, whereas his Anakin's had swelled up and had some discharge  but he was doing fine other wise. There was no bad reaction to the actual site (on Aiden), Laiken Debusk says.

Doctors at the local hospital transferred Aiden to Arkansas Childrens Hospital, where Aiden could get specialized care. He needed it as he began deteriorating quickly.

When we first got here, he was going to the bathroom on himself, Laiken Debusk says. He couldnt walk and didnt really know his name.

Aiden went into early-stage organ failure. Then he began experiencing neurological symptoms.

(It) turned into a two-and-a-half hour seizure that they could only (stop) by intubating him and putting him a medically induced coma, his mom says. They waited two days, and they were trying to pull him out of the (coma) again, and when they did, he started having another seizure that actually ended up lasting six and a half hours.

The family eventually learned that a tick bite caused Aidens illness. He had ehrlichiosis, an infection caused by certain bacteria carried by blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks.

Doctors started Aiden on the antibiotic doxycycline, which treats illnesses caused by ticks. But the infection also led him to develop a condition called central nervous system hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a type of overreaction of the immune system, which caused the seizures.

Its like your whole brain gets really angry and goes haywire, Laiken Debusk says.

Its unclear if Aiden will have permanent damage from the seizures. Hes finally out of the medically induced coma but has not spoken much.

I heard him say, I need, today but thats all I could make out, Laiken Debusk says. Hell start off kind of strong but then he peters out a bit.

An MRI image of his brain shows his brain has shrunk, but its too soon to know what that means.

The Debusk family is sharing son Aiden's experience with ehrlichiosis to raise awareness of the tick-borne disease, which can be deadly if left untreated. (Courtesy Laiken Debusk)

Aiden is awake, but he still has a long recovery ahead of him. From being in bed so long, hes lost a lot of muscle and will need physical therapy, as well as speech and occupational therapy.

Ehrlichiosis

The lone star tick and blacklegged tick can carry the bacteria E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii or E. muris eauclairensis and transmit them through a bite, causing ehrlichiosis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lone star ticks live in the south, central and eastern part of the United States, and blacklegged ticks live in the eastern half of the U.S., from Maine to east Texas.

Typically, ehrlichiosis only causes severe illness if antibiotic treatment is delayed, which can lead to organ failure and death. The immune system condition that caused Aiden's seizures and other neurological issues is rare, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Normal ehrlichiosis symptoms usually begin five to 14 days after a tick bite, Dr. Sanjeev Swami, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics and pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who did not treat Aiden, tells TODAY.com.

Symptoms include:

Fever

Persistent headache

Muscle aches

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Vomiting

Confusion

A rash more commonly seen in children

In pediatrics, about two-thirds of patients with ehrlichiosis will develop a rash, Swami says. The rash is fairly nonspecific.  Its sort of a red rash that might be a little bit lumpy. Typically it should not blister.

Doctors treat ehrlichiosis with the antibiotic doxycycline, which comes as either pills or IV fluids, and both "are very effective," Swami says. About half of his patients are unaware if they have been bitten by a tick. That's why he recommends that parents mention kids' lifestyles  such as frequent camping or hiking, spending a lot of times outdoors or having recently traveled to a state that has more tick activity  to doctors to help with diagnosis.

Most of the time kids have no idea they had a tick bite, Swami says. Ive honestly stopped asking, and I really ask more, What have you been doing in the last few weeks? rather than Did you ever see a tick on you?

Preventing tick bites is important, and experts recommend people use bug spray and clothing to protect against ticks. Its also good practice to complete a tick check of the entire body following a day outside. Pets can also carry ticks into the house, so also consider checking any furry residents of your home to reduce exposure.

While Aiden's parents knew about Lyme disease and the dangers of ticks, they had never heard of ehrlichiosis. (Courtesy Laiken Debusk)

Prevention is much better than treatment after the fact, Swami says. I always point to the CDC website on tick-bite prevention.

Really surprising them

While Aiden has been through a lot, he seems to be recovering.

Hes really surprising them because technically he wasnt even supposed to be talking or moving or waking up, Laiken Debusk says. They were actually telling me just a few days ago that if they couldnt get his seizures to stop, we would have an end-of-life conversation.

For the foreseeable future, Aiden will be in the hospital. Recently, his family feels encouraged.

He definitely recognizes me. He definitely recognizes his daddy, Laiken Debusk says. He squeezed my hands a couple of times.  Hell nod or shake his head a little bit. Hes definitely responding in his own way. (It's) just not like Im used to.

Now that her adrenaline has lessened a bit, Laiken Debusk says shes exhausted. Shes grateful for the help and support shes received from family and friends. When doctors told her family that Aiden had ehrlichiosis, they felt shocked  they had not heard about it. Thats why they shared their story.

I had no idea, she says. I will say whatever I have to just so that parents will know (about ehrlichiosis) and will be looking out for it.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
By Steven Grattan

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian police on Monday arrested another suspect in connection with the 2018 murder of popular Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver, acting on a plea bargain confession by an arrested suspect.

A preventive arrest warrant and seven search and seizure warrants were served, Justice Minister Flavio Dino confirmed in a press conference in the capital Brasilia.

The man arrested was named as former firefighter Maxwell Simoes Correia, and he is suspected of hiding the weapons used by the ex-police suspects who are on trial over the shooting, according to Dino.

In March 2019, two former police officers, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz, were indicted on charges of shooting Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. They remain in federal prison custody.

The minister said that Queiroz, who is accused of driving the car used in the crime, made a plea bargain with police and prosecutors and said he was an accessory to the crime and confirmed that Lessa was involved in the murder.

"We are close to solving this horrendous crime," Dino said, adding that information provided by Queiroz will help identify others involved in the crime and more police operations can be expected in the coming weeks.

Franco, 38, was a black, openly gay and progressive councilwoman born in a poor Rio de Janeiro neighborhood. Investigators believe her killing to be a political assassination carried out by paid hit men.

A rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), Franco was an outspoken critic of police killings of poor Rio residents and her death sparked nationwide protests by Brazilians fed up with endemic violence.

(Reporting by Steven Grattan; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Nick Macfie)
Bryan Kohberger has claimed that the DNA evidence tying him to the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students may have been planted at the crime scene  as the deadline for him to give an alibi for the slaying looms.

In a recent court filing in Latah County Court, the 28-year-old criminology student suggested that police officers could have somehow placed his DNA on the knife sheath which was left behind by the killer at the college rental home in Moscow, Idaho.

The States argument asks this Court and Mr Kohberger to assume  is that the DNA on the sheath was placed there by Mr Kohberger, and not someone else during an investigation that spans hundreds of members of law enforcement and apparently at least one lab the State refuses to name, Mr Kohbergers attorneys wrote.

Prosecutors fired back at the suggestion that the evidence was rigged, writing in a filing that the State is at a loss as to how that theory supports a claim that the lGG information is material to the preparation of his defense.

Mr Kohberger was tied to the 13 November murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin through a knife sheath left at the scene.

The sheath  for a military or Ka-Bar style knife  was found partly under Mogens body after she and Goncalves were found stabbed multiple times on Mogens bed on the third floor of the home.

DNA on the button clasp of the sheath was then found to match that of the 28-year-old accused killer.

Mr Kohbergers attorneys have sought to cast doubts on the strength of this DNA evidence, in particular the use of genetic genealogy.

According to the affidavit in the case, the FBI used genetic genealogy databases to try to identify the DNA source.

Trash was then collected from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains and a familial match  from Mr Kohbergers father  was made to the sheath, according to the criminal affidavit.

Following Mr Kohbergers arrest on 30 December, DNA samples were then taken directly from the suspect and came back as a statistical match, say prosecutors.

Story continues

Mr Kohbergers attempts to cast doubts on the evidence come ahead of a looming deadline for the accused mass killer to offer an alibi for the night of the murders.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse on June 27 (Getty)

Under Idaho law, defendants have 10 days to provide a written statement about where they claim to have been at the time of the alleged crime and offering information about any witnesses who can support their claim.

On 23 May  one day after he was arraigned on four murder charges  Latah County Prosecutors Office put in a demand for Mr Kohbergers notice of alibi.

Back then, Mr Kohbergers legal team asked Judge John Judge for an extension to this deadline, saying that they needed more time due to the wealth of evidence in the high-profile case.

The judge extended the deadline through to 24 July.

As of Monday morning, the Idaho cases of interest website  where the latest filings in the case are shared  had gone down.

Mr Kohberger is facing the death penalty if convicted of the murders of Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Chapin, 20.

He is scheduled to stand trial on 2 October after being indicted by a grand jury on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge.

Mr Kohberger is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road in the early hours of 13 November and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife.

Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived.

One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named.

The student home in Moscow, Idaho, where the murders took place (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders.

The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students  if any  prior to the murders.

However, the affidavit, released in January, revealed that Mr Kohberger was tied to the killings through his DNA on the knife sheath, surveillance footage showing his white Hyundai Elantra close to the crime scene and cellphone activity.

The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  has still never been found.

As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman.

He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest.

Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University  first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022.

While there, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.

He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.
(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.

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.

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

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.
Variously resembling a judge, a turtle and King Charles III, Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry commands center stage in the theaters new production of Harold Pinters famously confounding mid-1970s play No Mans Land.

Such is the determined intensity, and textual near-perfection, of Perrys performance, far from the genial characters in which he long has specialized, it suggests this great actor has long been waiting for this play, a richly verbose and metaphoric dance between two London acquaintances, maybe longtime acquaintances, maybe not. Hirst is a guarded and successful writer, Spooner a poet or a fraud or both.

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No Mans Land is no King Lear, but as Hirst, Perry certainly rushes headlong into each and every one of its existential complications. Perchance we are watching two closeted men who met each other cruising on Hampstead Heath; the text references a pub known in the 1970s for its gay clientele. Perhaps we are not watching two characters at all, but merely different sides of the same man. Maybe theyre both already dead or figments of one anothers imaginations or desires.

Perry hardly is the first actor to lust after this challenge. The work is from a phase in the late, great playwrights career when he explored the contours of memory and the presence of the past in the present. All of Pinters works, of course, are enigmatic and tend to take place in a seemingly innocuous setting, in this case a North London home with a very busy drinks cabinet. Pinters characters often seem to sense that they are trapped in a play, and thats true here, as the men refer to blackouts, hoary devices, and things they have done and seen before.

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And there is usually a menacing presence. Here its two younger men, seemingly factotums or henchmen there to serve Hirst, but also virile watchers who seem to be mocking their aging charges. They have the air of spies, or state security officers, which made me remember how much the National Theatre of Belarus, a constant thorn in its repressive governments side, loved and understood Pinter, a champion of freedom.

Les Waters, the deeply experienced director in this production, understands Pinter, too, as does Andrew Boyce, who designed a room that uses Steppenwolfs famously soaring vertical to excellent effect; the room containing this quartet seems to float in the ether.

This production was billed as a vehicle both for Perry and fellow ensemble member Austin Pendleton, a beloved octogenarian actor and director who left this incredibly difficult role deep into the rehearsal process; he was replaced by Mark Ulrich, his understudy.

Ive been watching Ulrich for years and have enormous respect for his talent and craft. But at the weekend performance I saw, he still had a ways to go, not so much to match Pinter, which he already was doing, but to match Perry, who was simply at another level. I suspect that will change, possibly quite significantly, as the new casting gels, the power structure recalibrates and Ulrich taps into the characters mercurial power. Spooner has a good time in this Pinter play and once Ulrich has enough security, hell be able to entertain himself there, too.

Ulrich is facing a daunting crew up there: Jon Hudson Odom, playing Briggs, had enough of that Pinteresque menace to evoke one of this writers main lifelong themes, the uneasy distribution of power in the world and the manifestation of such inequality being thinly veiled hate. Along with the British actor Samuel Roukin, who plays his colleague Foster, Odoms precisely calibrated glares and gazes remind us that even the once-successful risk falling into a deep pit, only partly of their own creation and not necessarily of their deserving.

Jeff Perry and Mark Ulrich in "No Man's Land" at Steppenwolf Theatre. (Michael Brosilow/HANDOUT)

Pinter classics were once frequently produced in Chicago; these days they have become rarities. Its been a decade since Pendleton memorably directed The Birthday Party at Steppenwolf. But the mature audience members at my performance leaned in, all right, clearly well aware they were back at a great Chicago theater, listening to the words of one of the greatest playwrights ever born, a Nobel Laureate working in what was his prime, post youthful comedic verbosity and pre any hint of repetition or calcification.

No Mans Land is a poem, or one long monologue, really, and a self-protected piece that locks itself tight against you trying to fully figure it out. Thats not the aim or the reward with this particular writer.

In this production, though, you sure can clock Perry attempting something that feels personally cumulative, if you know what I mean, and doing it with a slow burn followed by a big, sad bang.

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Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

Review: No Mans Land (3 stars)

When: Through Aug. 20

Where: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Running time: 2 hours

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Tickets: $15-$98 at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org
A California man who admitted sending methamphetamine hidden in childrens toys to East St. Louis was sentenced in a southern Illinois federal court.

Jewelion Yarbrough, 34, of Long Beach, California, pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of the drug. He was ordered to serve 100 months in federal prison with an additional three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, confidential sources working with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified Yarbrough as a meth distributor in 2019. Undercover agents arranged three controlled drug purchases from Yarbrough, totaling more than 100 grams of meth.

The first two packages arrived in the metro-east hidden in toys intended for children. The third came in a kitchen appliance box, the court records state.

Law enforcement officials were able to further connect Yarbrough to the shipments through fingerprints both on the drugs and the packaging.

The defendant tried to elude detection by mailing methamphetamine inside of childrens toys and a small appliance box, which could have easily landed in the wrong hands if mistakenly delivered to an incorrect address, said Rachelle Aud Crowe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Im grateful to the agents who worked this case and apprehended this criminal.

The investigation was conducted by ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi prosecuted the case.
Officer tackling trans man

A newly released surveillance video has called into question the violent arrest of a transgender man in California by a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy earlier this year.

Brock Emmett, a 23-year-old school teacher, was arrested and initially charged with three felonies for the incident that took place on February 10, but a new video provided to the LA Times appears to disprove the official version of events.

Even though the three felonies were later reduced to two misdemeanors, Emmett still lost his job as a teacher. Now hes fighting back saying the video proves he was the victim of police abuse and misconduct.

The arresting officer, Sheriffs Deputy Joseph Benza, claimed he pulled over Emmett because of an illegal air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror and that he only punched Emmett repeatedly and bashed his head into the pavement because Emmett bit him and because he feared for his own safety. However, a medical expert determined the only injury of note suffered by Benza during the assault was a fractured hand described as a punching injury by Emmetts attorney.

Emmett told the LA Times was driving home from work when he saw a deputy by the side of the road engaged in a heated discussion with a woman. Still upset about a fellow coworker who had harassed him because of his sexual identity earlier that day, Emmet said he flipped his middle finger at the deputy, doubting the officer would see it. Within moments, though, he was being followed by a sheriffs cruiser.

Emmett said he called 911 to confirm the cruiser was following him, but the dispatcher questioned the reason for his call as Emmett had not been stopped. When Emmett pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store, the sheriff followed him and used his vehicle to block him into the parking space. Surveillance video from the convenience store synched with the deputys own recordings showed Emmett calmly asking what is happening when the deputy confronted him and then attacked.

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Youre going to kill me, Emmett can be heard screaming in the video as Benza body slams him into the ground and pounds his head into the asphalt. Youre going to f*ck*ng kill me. Help! Help! Help!

He just kept saying, Stop resisting, stop resisting, Emmett told the LA Times. I didnt understand why he was shouting that because I wasnt resisting.

In his 11-page report of the arrest  which made no mention of Emmetts use of the middle finger  Benza wrote he was concerned about safety issues and that didnt know if Emmett had any contraband items hidden in his car during the confrontation.

He claimed he only grew violent when Emmett cocked his right hand back into a fist, indicative of someone about to throw a punch. He also claimed Emmett continuously tried to bite him throughout the arrest, but that he was able to subdue after punching Emmett in quick succession.

My punches had their intended effect, Benza concluded.

Emmett also claims he underwent a humiliating genital exam to prove he was a trans man, but was still housed with female prisoners.

The video does not appear to support Benzas main accusations, but instead appears to show he was the aggressor and attacked Emmett without provocation or warning.

The video speaks for itself. He was pounding at the kids head, Brocks attorney Thomas Beck told the Los Angeles Blade. He was diagnosed with a concussion later after he was released. This guy committed multiple felonies against my client, and hes gotten away with it so far.

Editor's note: The below video may be difficult to watch for some viewers.
By Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren

OTTAWA -Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to reshuffle his cabinet this week, likely replacing ministers deemed to have struggled in their posts or who are not planning on running again in the next election, two government sources said.

Trudeau has periodically reshuffled his cabinet since taking power in 2015. The shakeup - which the Canadian Broadcasting Corp said was likely to take place on Wednesday - could be his last opportunity to change his team before the next election.

Three ministers canceled appointments set for Monday. It is common for cabinet members to clear their schedules and be called to Ottawa ahead of a reshuffle.

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett, who has been a Liberal member of parliament since 1997 and a constant member of Trudeau's government since 2015, said on Wednesday she would not be running for re-election.

Speaking to reporters in Toronto, the 72-year-old minister did not say whether she would stay in government in the meantime, adding only that she would do "whatever the prime minister wants me to do".

One of the those who scrapped their events on Monday was Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who looks set to be moved, according to both sources.

Opposition parties have accused him of mishandling sensitive files such as alleged Chinese interference in Canadian elections, efforts to reform gun control laws and the transfer of a notorious murderer to a less secure jail.

Trudeau is in Ottawa holding private meetings on Monday, his schedule shows. His office did not immediately comment when asked about a possible reshuffle.

The most influential ministers including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson are expected to keep their jobs.

Trudeau only has a minority government and relies on the support of the smaller, left-of-center New Democrats, who have agreed to keep him in power until 2025. That deal, however, is not binding and an election could be triggered if the New Democrats withdraw their support on key legislation.

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Trudeau won a parliamentary majority in 2015 but was reduced to leading a minority government after elections in 2019 and 2021.

Opinion polls show the Liberals lagging the opposition Conservatives, who have lost the last three federal elections to Trudeau.

A Mainstreet Research poll released on July 7 showed public support for the Conservatives stood at 37%, with the Liberals behind at 30% and the New Democrats at 17%. Such a result on election day could be enough to give the Conservatives a minority government.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren; Editing by Deepa Babington and David Holmes)
With summer classes and the school year starting just weeks after the legalization of recreational cannabis in Maryland, the State Department of Education is starting to take action on how they want the new legislation to impact schools, students and their caregivers. At the departments June 27 meeting, the State Board of Education passed an emergency regulation pertaining to cannabis usage at child care facilities.

Heres how the recreational cannabis industry will affect the states education system, health curriculum and more.

What does the emergency regulation say?

The state education department amended its child care regulations last month to incorporate cannabis in light of recreational cannabis legally making its way to Maryland. The emergency regulation went into effect immediately.

The regulation states that child care centers and providers must notify caregivers of any usage of smoking, vaping or cannabis on the premises. The provider or any other individual cannot legally consume alcohol, smoke or vape during the centers hours of operation. They also cannot be under the influence of cannabis or an illegal or nonprescribed controlled dangerous substance.

Child care providers must keep all alcohol, tobacco, smoking and cannabis materials out of the reach of children. One MSDE staff member expressed their biggest concern is edibles because they look like gummies to children.

How will health curricula be impacted by the new legislation?

Cannabis is already a part of Marylands Comprehensive Health Education Framework, state education department spokesperson Jena Frick said in an email. The subject is addressed at multiple grade levels, and lessons vary depending on the ages of the students.

Health educators are required to talk about the short- and long-term effects of marijuana products. The framework has students identify the benefits of abstinence, for example. Individual school systems will use the framework to decide how they want to implement such lessons.

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MSDE will continue to monitor data on youth cannabis use and collaborate to identify additional resources for teachers and students and will make adjustments as needed, Frick said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marijuana can negatively impact teenagers, whose brains are still developing until age 25, by causing difficulty in thinking, memory problems and attention span issues.

Will disciplinary practices change for students who use or possess cannabis in schools?

Students are still not allowed to use or have cannabis in schools, the spokesperson said. Disciplinary practices are not set to change.

In Baltimore City Public Schools, the student code of conduct states that if a student is found under the influence of drugs or controlled substances, a teacher and/or administrator will intervene and respond to the situation. Related service providers, such as social workers, psychologists and counselors, would also be informed of the incident.

If a student is using or possessing drugs or controlled substances at school, discipline can include anything from administrator intervention to suspension to expulsion. School police and related service providers would be notified about the situation.

Those distributing or selling drugs at school can be suspended long-term or expelled. School police and related service providers would be alerted.

For the 2021-22 school year, the state reported more than 4,000 out-of-school suspensions and expulsions related to dangerous substances. Black students made up most of that number with 1,813 suspensions and expulsions related to substances. White students came second to that at 1,251 suspensions and expulsions.

How prevalent is student cannabis use already?

More than one-quarter of Marylands high school students have tried cannabis, according to a presentation by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission to the PTA Council of Baltimore County. The research, which used findings from the 2021-22 school year, found that 15% of high schoolers in Maryland currently use cannabis. Most Maryland high schoolers use smoking as their cannabis consumption method.

However, the presentation also shared that 75% of Maryland students overall have never tried marijuana. Users must be 21 years or older to partake in recreational cannabis in Maryland.

What do Maryland universities say about cannabis use?

Though people who are 21 and older are legally allowed to partake in recreational cannabis, Maryland universities are still prohibiting cannabis use on school grounds or at university functions.

Higher education institutions are required to comply with the Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act (Edgar Part 86) to remain in good standing for federal funding. This act asks colleges to prohibit marijuana possession and use as the substance remains illegal under federal law.

Cannabis still qualifies as a controlled substance, defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration as substances that were regulated under existing federal law. It is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse. Other Schedule I substances include heroin and LSD.
Carlee Russell. (Family handout)

Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who went missing earlier this month after she reported seeing a toddler walking along the interstate, admitted to police Monday that she was not kidnapped and there was no child on the side of the road walking alone before she vanished for two days.

Russells admission, which ends a near two-week saga filled with more questions than answers, came in a statement through her attorney, Emory Anthony, and was sent to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis early Monday.

In a brief press conference Monday afternoon, Derzis read the statement in which Russell asked for forgiveness.

My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family,' Anthony wrote. We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues.

Derzis added that based on the facts announced last week, the department knew it was a hoax and said possible charges would be discussed with the local district attorneys office on Tuesday.

'First case that went viral'

As doubt grew around the Russell case, many critics have highlighted the twisted irony in the widespread coverage and resources devoted to Russells safe return that have been nonexistent for thousands of other missing Black women.

This was really the first case that went viral of a missing Black woman or young girl, Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, told Yahoo News.

Russells safe return after she vanished for 49 hours was initially celebrated as a rare victory. But as more evidence was made public last week  including a number of revealing Google searches she made on her cellphone in the days and hours leading up to her disappearance about an abduction movie and the cost of Amber Alerts  many questioned whether a crime took place at all.

Now that the new details reveal Russell was never abducted, advocates want to keep the momentum on finding other missing Black women and girls.

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We just have to keep moving, Wilson said.

1 in 5 people missing in the U.S. are Black women

In the U.S., Black women and girls are missing at an alarming rate.

In 2022, Black women and girls accounted for approximately 18% of all missing persons cases in the U.S. despite making up just 7% of the population, according to data from the National Crime Information Center and the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the more than 546,000 people reported missing last year, Black women and girls accounted for nearly 98,000 of those cases.

And, according to experts, most of the missing cases receive little to no attention at all.

In a 2016 study titled Missing White Women Syndrome, attorney and legal scholar Zach Sommers found that when Black people are missing, their disappearance is covered with far fewer stories than that of people in other demographics.

At any given time, there are tens of thousands of Americans categorized as missing by law enforcement, Sommers wrote. However, only a fraction of those individuals receive news coverage, leading some commentators to hypothesize that missing persons with certain characteristics are more likely to garner media attention than others: namely, white women and girls.

Carlee Russell. (Hoover Police Dept.)

Thats why critics say the growing holes in Russells story only make it harder for others.

I think people are always looking for an excuse not to care about these types of stories involving Black women, Amara Cofer, the creator and host of "Black Girl Gone," a podcast that highlights missing Black women and girls, told Yahoo News. It's sad that after so much time of wanting stories of missing Black women to get this type of attention, the story that does end up getting it is essentially a hoax.

Eric Guster, a Birmingham, Ala.-based former criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator, called the unraveling of Russells story a setback.

In the criminal justice system, whenever you have [kidnapping] stories like this, it makes convictions harder to achieve because the juror will remember this fake one, he said. And that would be in that person's mind.

'They cannot turn a blind eye'

For decades, advocates have aimed to put the overwhelming number of missing Black women and girls in the forefront, and they say one possible bluff will not derail that progress.

I know people are angry, they're disappointed, they're frustrated, but they cannot turn a blind eye to the families that are desperately searching for their missing loved ones, Wilson said, noting that many of these disappearances stem from a wide range of causes, from human trafficking to domestic violence to mental health incidents.

"Even if this case is, in fact, not a legitimate case of someone missing, this is still a very important issue, and Black women still need the type of attention that this young woman got," Cheryl Neely, a sociology professor at Oakland Community College in Michigan, told USA Today.

'We still dont know about those 49 hours'

Since Russell returned home, her boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, has asked the public to consider her mental health.

I know what it seems like she did. Just stop bullying on social media, Simmons told the New York Post. Think about her mental health. She doesnt deserve that. She doesnt. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.

From left: Russell with her boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons; another photo of Russell. (via Instagram, Hoover Police Dept.)

However, for many, more questions remain.

Derzis says authorities are still uncertain about Russell's motive, "I wish I could tell you, but I think only Carlee knows, and maybe now her attorney, he said during the press conference on Monday. "We still dont know about those 49 hours, where she was, did she have any help, we have no idea.

More than $63,000 that was donated to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama to aid in Russells search will not be returned to donors, the organization announced Monday.

This investigation is still ongoing, and accordingly, there is no basis to refund any contributions at this time, the company said in a statement to Al.com. Furthermore, the Hoover Police Department has not requested for any donor contributions to be released or refunded.

But advocates for missing Black women say the public deserves an explanation.

This has the potential to retraumatize those families [of missing Black women], and the crying-wolf syndrome may lead many to not believe the very next occurrence, Chad Dion Lassiter, a social worker and executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, told Yahoo News.

While the public still has a slew of unanswered questions, advocates say they are prioritizing Black women and girls who are actually missing.

Im glad that Carlee has admitted that the kidnapping was a hoax. I know a lot of people still want to know why she did it, but now that we know it was a lie, hopefully we can all move on and begin to put the energy people had for Carlee into the Black women and girls that are really missing, Cofer said.
Hoover Police Department

Carlee Russells eerie disappearance earlier this month turned out to be, as police implied last week, her own doing. The 25-year-old admitted Monday that there was no abduction and no toddler walking alone down the side of Interstate 459.

Her lawyer sent an apology letter to Hoover, Alabama police chief Nick Derzis, who read it out at a Monday press conference.

Dear Chief Derzis, my client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf: There was no kidnapping on July 13, 2023, Emory Anthony, Russells attorney, wrote in the letter. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself.

My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family, Anthony added, requesting forgiveness and prayers for Russell.

Its unclear how much forgiveness the Hoover Police Department is willing to offer Russell; authorities are considering possible criminal charges, Derzis said.

Russell mysteriously vanished off an Alabama highway on July 13 after she called 911 to report a toddler walking alone down the road. After two days of frantic searching and widespread community concern that quickly turned national, she turned up on foot at her home just two days later.

Following her return, Russell told police that she had been abducted by a man while following the toddler down the highway. Police said she claimed to escape her kidnappers vehicle the next day.

At some point, she was put back in a vehicle that she claims [she] was able to escape from while it was [in the] west Hoover area. She told detectives that she ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence, Derzis said at a news conference last week, recounting the specific details that Russell fed detectives.

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Her parents echoed a similar story during their appearance on the Today show last week, when her mother said she absolutely believed Russells abductor was still out there.

There were definitely moments where she fought for her life, she said in the interview. There were moments she had to physically fight for her life and there were moments she had to mentally fight for her life.

But police had their doubts. In last weeks news conference, Derzis revealed a number of questionable Google searches that Russell had made in the days leading up to her disappearance, including, You have to pay for an Amber alert and the movie Taken.

Police also said that, despite heavy traffic in the area and surveillance footage, they couldnt verify Russells report of a toddler walking down the interstate. Security footage taken from her neighborhood just before she arrived home showed her walking down the sidewalk alone. Some snacks Russell was seen buying from a Target shortly before her disappearance were gone from her car, which was found abandoned near the site of the apparent abduction, still running with her belongings inside.

It is what it is Derzis said Monday. The facts last Wednesday pretty much showed that we knew that it was a hoax.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Carlee Russell Fired From Job At Spa As Investigation Continues To Play Out, Boyfriend Asks Public To Stop Bullying Her | Getty Images

Carlee Russell, the woman who is suspected of faking her own kidnapping, is now fired from her job. Stuart Rome, owner of the Woodhouse spa in Birmingham, Alabama, confirmed to the New York Post that he has terminated Russell. Rome said many of Russells colleagues were furious when they heard that she may have made up her story.

It was really devastating for them thinking a co-worker was abducted, the owner told The Post. The following day, Saturday, it was the busiest day of the week, and they had to plug along and work and in the off times pass out flyers and other things.

As Blavity previously reported, Russell became a national story after she called 911 on July 13, saying she saw a toddler walking alone on the highway. When police responded to the scene, they didnt find Russell or the child. Officers said they only found the womans found her car, cellphone and wig at the scene.

Russells mysterious disappearance caused concern among her family, friends, community and people around the country. But the 25-year-old returned home two days later and said she managed to escape after being abducted.

Hoover Police Department Chief Nick Derzis said investigators looked into Russells recent internet history and found inquiries about Amber Alerts and bus tickets, as well as search results for Liam Neesons movie Taken.

There were other searches on Carlees phone that appeared to shed some light on her mindset, Derzis told reporters, according to ABC News. I do think its highly, highly unusual to the day that someone gets kidnapped that several  seven hours or eight hours before that  that theyre searching the internet, googling the movie Taken about an abduction. I find that very, very strange.

Rome said people have been sending insulting messages to his companys social media pages as they continue to express their outrage at Russell.

Ive had to shut down my comment section on Instagram and Facebook page which hurts us because we do a lot of marketing there. Were just trying to keep the doors open, Rome said.

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Like many people around the world, Russells colleagues also feel that they may have wasted their time and resources when they organized search effort after she disappeared.

As the information came out that there were some questionable things, weve been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search, Rome said.

Meanwhile, Russells boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, is asking the public stop bullying her.

The only thing I can say is, I want everyone to stop bullying her. I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media, he said to the New York Post. Think about her mental health. She doesnt deserve that. She doesnt. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.
The Gadsden City Board of Education will meet on Wednesday to begin the process of replacing District 2 member Nathan Carter, who resigned on Monday after his guilty plea last week to federal drug and tax charges.

Board President Allen Millican announced Carters resignation in a statement. Millican said Wednesdays meeting would be in executive session because the good name and character of possible candidates will be discussed.

Nathan Carter

Under the law that created Gadsdens elected school board, vacancies are filled, for the balance of an unexpired term, by a vote of the remaining members.

Carter, 41, pleaded guilty on July 18 to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and three counts of filing false federal income tax returns.

In a plea agreement with prosecutors, he admitted his role in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including hydrocodone and oxycodone, over a six-year period between 2015 and 2021, according to the release.

According to a news release from the U.S. attorney for Alabamas Northern District, while Carter was the pharmacist in charge at Gadsdens Midtown Pharmacy from 2018 to this year, the store ordered up to 80,000 more doses of 30 mg oxycodone than it dispensed to customers.

Carter in his plea agreement admitted to taking opioid pills from the pharmacy and selling them to other drug distributors, repackaging them from distributor bottles to plastic bags. He earned about $150,000 a year from those activities, which he didnt report on his 2019-21 federal tax returns. Authorities in a warrant search of his home found more than $110,000 in cash.

Carter faces 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances charge, and three years in prison for each count of filing false tax returns.

He won his school board seat in 2019, the first time board members were elected, and didnt face any opposition in last years election.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Carter out as Gadsden school board member
Cheri Pies was a professor emerita at the University of California, Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley)

The writer of one of America's first ever parenting books for lesbians has died of cancer at age 73.

Cheri Pies, a professor emerita of public health at the University of California, Berkeley, broke new ground for gay mothers when she published Considering Parenthood: A Workbook for Lesbians in 1985.

The university announced earlier this month that Pies had died on 4 July at her home in Berkeley, describing her as a trailblazer and a national leader in women's health.

She was absolutely a pioneer, and those of us who came later built on her work, said G Dorsey Green, a psychologist who co-authored 2003's The Lesbian Parenting Book, according to the university.

I would recommend her book to clients. That was when lesbian couples were just starting to think about having children as out lesbians. Cheri started that conversation.

Pies, whose first name is pronounced Sherry, had worked as a health educator for Planned Parenthood during the 1970s, counselling straight women who were considering having children.

At the time, openly gay parents were exceedingly rare and most US states did not permit gay couples to adopt, while gay marriage was half a century away.

In 1978, though, Pies female partner adopted a child. Pies struggled to find any information or support for gay couples raising children, so she began holding workshops at her home in Oakland, just across the bridge from San Francisco.

The workshops became wildly popular, and so in the Eighties she compiled the material into her pioneering book, which gave practical advice on issues such as finding a sperm donor, navigating adoption law and building a network of supportive friends and relatives.

Because of Cheris work there was a critical mass of people saying yes, we can have the family we want, said Berkeley health professor Lori Dorfman. There are people walking the earth because of Cheri Pies.

One woman who attended Pies workshops, Jill Rose, said she and her partner would have struggled to adopt without her help and that they consider her their childrens honorary godmother.

Pies went on to earn a doctorate in health education in 1993, working as the director of family and child health programmes for nearby Contra Costa County and later also becoming a lecturer at Berkeley.

She is survived by her wife Melinda Linder and her sisters Lois Goldberg and Stacy Pies.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Russia on Sunday wrapped up an air and naval exercise in the Sea of Japan aimed at "safeguarding" the security of waterways, the Chinese defence ministry said.

The show of solidarity between the militaries comes at a time when the United States is beefing up ties with Japan and South Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is looking to deepen its presence in the region, to the anger of China and Russia.

More than 10 warships and over 30 warplanes from both sides took part in the four-day "Northern/Interaction-2023" exercise as Chinese and Russian navies and air forces jointly planned and commanded naval and aerial escorts, deterrence and repelling exercises.

Chinese director of the drills Qiu Wensheng described the exercise as "a major move" in safeguarding the security of strategic waterways, while Rear Admiral Calery Kazkov of Russia, deputy director of the drill, said it had strengthened the ability of both sides to handle military threats, according to the Chinese statement.

The exercise is the latest of gesture of enhanced military cooperation between China and Russia that has seen more frequent top military official interactions, as well as more military drills between the two.

It comes at a time of heightened military and security activity between the U.S. and its major Asian allies.

Last month, the White House said National security advisers for the United States, Japan and South Korea discussed maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and coordination over the East China and South China Seas.

Earlier this month, Japan and NATO agreed on new partnership programme, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg expressing concern about China's military buildup. China on Monday warned Japan of NATO's expansion into the Asia-Pacific.

Against that backdrop are escalating tensions with North Korea, a longtime ally of China.

On Thursday, Pyongyang said deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers, bombers or missile submarines in South Korea could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

For the first time since the 1980s, a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) visited South Korea last week.

(Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Halle Quezada, center, along with other activists, call for better support for migrants and asylum seekers in Chicago at a press conference outside the 16th annual National Homeland Security Conference hosted by Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) on July 24, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

A small group of protesters gathered Monday outside the Hyatt Regency hotel downtown, where the citys Office for Emergency Management and Communications was hosting the 18th annual National Homeland Security Conference, to demand that the agency improve its emergency response plan in caring for the thousands of recently arrived migrants in Chicago.

We come to the steps of the OEMC conference, frustrated and ashamed that one of the institutions that is supposedly tasked with ensuring the well-being of people in an emergency, today is taunting their budget and nonexistent support, said Organized Community Against Deportations organizer Xanat Sobrevilla at a news conference, which included about 20 volunteers who care for migrants sheltering in police stations.

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Almost a year after the first buses of migrants arrived in Chicago from Texas in late August 2022, volunteers say the city has struggled to efficiently deploy resources in order to feed and house over 10,000 asylum-seekers. Currently, over 6,000 asylum-seekers are staying at temporary shelters and sleeping on the floors of police stations, in some of which staff members and police officers have been accused of mistreatment and sexual misconduct against migrants.

[ COPA unable to find victims in probe of Chicago officers allegedly having sex with migrants housed at stations ]

Since March, the Police Station Response Team  which is not affiliated with the Police Department  has been one of countless volunteer groups in the Chicagoland addressing what they call the survival needs of newcomers living in provisional shelters.

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Xanat Sobrevilla, of Organized Communities Against Deportations, and other activists call for better support for migrants and asylum-seekers in Chicago at a news conference outside the 16th annual National Homeland Security Conference hosted by Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications on July 24, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

If volunteers dont show up at police stations with food and bedding when the next bus comes, then people will go hungry and they will sleep on cold hardwood floors, said Halle Quezada, volunteer with PSRT.

Community organizations and volunteers are claiming that OEMC is neglecting its duties  which the citys website says include public safety planning and coordination for large-scale events, emergencies and disasters  and demanding that the agency assume responsibility to regularly deliver food, provide clothing and secure housing for migrants.

The OEMC was meeting Monday with government agencies, nonprofits, business owners, universities, and other officials on the topic of homeland security, public safety and emergency management.

This is an ever-growing humanitarian crisis that Chicago has not experienced before, and that poses significant infrastructure challenges to an already overwhelmed shelter system, Chicago police districts, our city agencies, mutual aid partners, volunteers, and community residents, said Mary May, OEMC spokeswoman. Our commitment continues to be to decompress the police stations and move people into shelters, putting them on a path to resettlement and self-sufficiency. We continue to identify potential shelter locations on city-owned property as well as other options in order to open new shelters.

Quezadas own children, 8 and 6, held up signs behind her as she spoke. Her kids are uniquely familiar with the migrant crisis, Quezada told the Tribune, because she has been hosting migrants and their families in her own home as they transition into more permanent housing.

In the absence of that preparedness and coordination by OEMC, individual Chicagoans are providing front-line care to people arriving here. We have been, for months, and we are tired, Quezada said. We are here today because Chicago deserves a government that can see us through crisis. Public safety in our communities means that people have their basic survival needs met. Public safety means that the children who go to school with my kids have a bed to sleep on at night.

[ What to know about Chicagos migrant crisis ]

Sobrevilla also highlighted the critical role that neighbors, volunteers and local collectives have played in caring for migrants, from navigating check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinner deliveries to shelters and police stations.

The arrival of tens of thousands of people forced to leave their homes and communities to just barely survive, to find food, safety and hope, has exposed an inadequate system of care in Chicago  one we have had to patch on the fly, she said. We shall continue to demonstrate our capacity of care as human beings, independent of the state.

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Other demands: Local staff and legal services

Volunteers are also asking the city to end its contract with Favorite HealthCare, a Kansas-based agency that staffs and runs city migrant shelters. This month, the citys Department of Family and Support Services awarded Favorite a contract worth up to $30 million to continue to staff the citys 12 shelters.

Referencing reports they have received of alleged mistreatment at shelters run by Favorite staffers, volunteers say that hiring local Chicagoans to run these operations would increase community trust and build a sustainable support network for migrants. Favorite HealthCare was not immediately reachable for comment.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 84 Migrants look out the window as they ride a CTA bus leaving the High Ridge YMCA shelter to be transferred to Daley College on June 13, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

PSRT volunteer Leah Rogers and other critics also say the legal process of applying for asylum is unnecessarily drawn out and creates dependence on staff instead of increasing the self-sufficiency of these new Chicago residents who are ready and willing to work and care for themselves.

Sobrevilla, herself an immigrant and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program recipient, has lived in the Chicago area for 27 years and has organized against what she calls the deportation apparatus for over a decade.

Even after enduring months of pain, starvation and danger on their way to the U.S., Sobrevilla said, migrants have to stand a fighting chance against a deportation machine while they try to adapt to living in Chicago.

To make matters worse, asylum-seekers have no (viable) way of leaving the shelter system because it takes over five months for the government to grant them a work permit once they have applied for asylum, Rogers added. Why isnt this city allocating money to help people access legal services when they apply for asylum and work permits? The city of Chicago has chosen to waste taxpayer dollars on a system of dependency with no regard for human dignity, public safety or sustainability.

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Quezada said that, while volunteers are tired and desperate for help from the city, the people arriving in Chicago to seek asylum are not a burden.

The utter lack of coordination and preparation from our city departments  that is the burden, Quezada said. These predatory contracts that are absconding with our tax dollars and exponentiate the suffering  that is the burden. And a government that, in the absence of systems of care, will not allow people to care for themselves  that is the burden.

Chicago Tribunes A.D. Quig contributed.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
Eleven people have died after the roof of a school gymnasium in north-east China collapsed while it was being used by a girls' volleyball team, state media reports.

Many of the victims are children, eyewitnesses told local media, although this is yet to be officially confirmed.

Anguished parents have thronged a nearby hospital seeking updates.

Only eight of the 19 people who were inside the gym in the industrial province of Heilongjiang survived.

Police have detained the bosses at a local construction company, according to local media.

They have been accused of dumping perlite, a form of volcanic glass, on the roof of the gym while working on an adjacent building project.

The mineral had soaked up rain water following heavy downpours, which sent the roof into a collapse at 15:00 local time (07:00 GMT).

The coach of the middle school's girls' volleyball team was heard calling out the students' names as rescue teams clawed through the rubble in Qiqihar city, China National Radio reported.

Parents have criticised school officials, saying there had been a lack of proper communication on the rescue effort, which stretched until Monday morning.

"They tell me my daughter is gone but we never got to see the child. All the children had their faces covered with mud and blood when they were sent to the hospital. I pleaded, please let me identify the child. What if, that wasn't my child?" one man said in a video that has been widely-shared on social media.

"What have [the authorities] been doing four, five, or even six hours after the children were sent to hospital? ... Doctors are not communicating with us about how the rescue is going.

"We have elderly people at home, we need to [help them] be mentally prepared. There are doctors, police officers and other government officials here. But we have not heard anything from you," he said.

Many users on social media in the country echoed concerns from the father in the video, questioning the treatment of worried parents by the police and officials at the scene.

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"Do people mean nothing to them?" wrote one angry user.

Others questioned why perlite was present on the roof of the gym in the first place. "The cost for breaking the law is too low in this country, people don't have any respect for the law, that's the key reason," another user wrote.

Lax safety standards and poor enforcement have made industrial accidents common in China

Construction accidents are common in China and have been blamed on lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

In June, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in north-west China killed at least 31 people. A preliminary investigation found that a restaurant employee was replacing a broken valve on a liquefied gas tank when the blast occurred.

In April, a fire at a Beijing hospital killed 29 and led some desperate survivors flee by jumping out of the windows.
The city of Phoenix has approved a water conservation policy that will safeguard the Southwests water supplies and pave the way for responsible growth.

As supplies dwindle due to overuse, prolonged droughts, and increasing temperatures, water security has become a hot topic in the West. Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the Sustainable Desert Development Policy this summer to address water supply concerns.

The Phoenix area  home to 4.6 million people and one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country  has created proactive regulations to ensure responsible water usage and continued development.

The policy requires developers to enact major water efficiency measures before buildings are constructed. It also restricts prospective users from excessive water usage and halts the expansion of water services beyond city limits while supplies are low.

These actions follow the state governments announcement to restrict new home construction in Phoenix during a groundwater shortage. However, under the citys new regulations, developers will be allowed to surpass these restrictions if they adhere to the new water-efficiency measures.

The water conservation policy also creates outdoor irrigation standards, promotes planting drought-tolerant and native plants, and regulates non-functional turf, which requires lots of water.

These policies are expected to reduce the strain on water sources like the Colorado River and ensure that millions of people continue to have access to water for years to come.

It is part of a larger movement in the West to preserve water supplies. Most notably, Arizona, California, and Nevada have agreed to reduce their water usage from the Colorado River by 13% over the next three years.

In recent years, the Colorado River  which provides hydropower and drinking water to 40 million people in seven states and parts of Mexico  has dropped by one-third compared to historical averages.

State officials and Phoenix authorities have taken steps to protect residents and water supplies in a region severely impacted by rising temperatures.

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Together with our suite of conservation programs, these strategies will safeguard our precious water supply for decades to come, Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release.

Its a reality check, Sharon Megdal, the director of the University of Arizonas Water Resources Research Center, told Reuters. We need to have the water supplies in order to grow.

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The city of Gainesville has filed a lawsuit against the state for its takeover of Gainesville Regional Utilities.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB-1645, dubbed the GRU Takeover bill, on June 8, which takes away the City Commission's century-long control of GRU and gives ultimate authority to an unpaid five-member board appointed by the governor.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, marks the first time that the state has taken control of a municipal utility. Legislators said the move was necessary due to GRU's debt levels and high utility rates, though other utilities around the state surpass Gainesville.

City leaders have argued against the change in power since its initial proposal, saying the bill is unworkable and unconstitutional. DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Secretary of State Cord Byrd are listed as defendants in their official capacity.

Im disappointed we ended up in this position, said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward. I asked the original sponsor of the legislation to work with us before the legislation was passed, but he was unwilling to do so, ultimately leading our community to this regrettable position.

Gainesville City Hall at 200 E. University Ave. in Gainesville, Fla.

More: Pushing back: Community group sues state lawmakers over GRU Takeover bill

More: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs controversial state takeover of Gainesville utilities

About the lawsuit

The city filed the lawsuit officially on July 21 in the circuit court of Florida's Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County, court records show. The city is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief.

The lawsuit claims the bill is unconstitutional, problematic and has multiple counts. For one, it argues the board has the power to borrow money and acquire property, responsibilities typically left to elected officials rather than appointed ones. It also argues the board could damage the city's credit rating and make it difficult or impossible for the city to borrow.

Another complaint calls the bill "so unconstitutionally vague" that it is unclear how elected officials and the city can go about business without unintentionally violating the statute.

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"In short, severing the control over revenues and the Utility System generating those revenues, and leaving the City and its lenders without the rights bargained for and agreed upon, requires the City, under the terms of its Bond Ordinance, to challenge HB-1645 in good faith, which it clearly is doing," the lawsuit reads.

Community lawsuit

It's not the first lawsuit the state is fighting over the bill.

Earlier this month, a local nonprofit run by citizens, Gainesville Residents United Inc., filed a federal lawsuit against state lawmakers over the GRU bill.

The groups president, Robert Hutchinson, said the bill violates constitutional rights and state statutes and doesnt allow for due process.

I worked for GRU through almost the entire 1980s and really, truly believe in locally controlled utility operations. I think they're important for health, safety, welfare, reliability, and accountability and transparency, said Hutchinson, who served 12 years on the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. There's lots of pressure on local utilities, and this is just part of the battle.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward speaks to the Alachua County legislative delegation Friday, March 17, 2023, to ask them not to support a bill that would take control of Gainesville Regional Utilities away from the City Commission.

Preparing to challenge

The city has been preparing for this step for a while.

The commission voted in March to begin the search for outside legal counsel in hopes the counsel would provide legal advice in connection with analyzing and potentially litigating the bill's impact on the city.

In June, the commission voted unanimously to authorize the spending of $250,000 from the GRU utility system reserves fund for the outside counsel of Ackerman, LLP, led by Cindy Laquidara, the attorney on the lawsuit.

I do believe, as the lawsuit makes clear, that the legislation, as passed along party lines this past legislative session, contains inconsistencies with the Florida Constitution and general law, Ward said. For that reason, I believe the only responsible next step in any sort of smooth transition had to be asking the courts to weigh in on these issues.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: City of Gainesville sues state, DeSantis over 'GRU Takeover' bill
An apartment complex in New York City will be quite unique once its built, as its energy source will come from directly beneath the soil.

As of June, the site was merely a large mud pit in Brooklyn, but machines were busy making holes in the ground with the goal of harvesting the energy below, as reported by Canary Media.

The old industrial area at 1 Java Street is being turned into a mixed-use project, which wont rely on dirty energy sources for its energy needs, unlike most buildings in New York City.

Instead, all 834 rental units will extract heat from or transfer heat into the ground to fulfill their heating, cooling, and hot water requirements. The project is being carried out by Lendlease, an international construction and real estate company, along with its partner Aware Super.

The $700 million development was initiated in April. It involves constructing two apartment towers, three smaller interconnected buildings, and a public park with a view of the Manhattan skyline.

This is big news for the environment since electricity and heat production create the most pollution. Burning coal, oil, and gas still accounts for more than 80% of global energy production.

The good news is that renewable energy is now the cheapest power option in most parts of the world, and it could provide 65% of the worlds total electricity supply by 2030. However, today only around 50,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed in the U.S.  a small percentage of the countrys millions of buildings.

Geothermal resources are literally beneath our feet and hidden in the ground, Alexis McKittrick, a program manager at the U.S. Department of Energys Geothermal Technologies Office, told Canary Media. The public is generally unaware that geothermal resources exist and could be used for a wide array of applications.

Upon completion in 2025, the project is expected to be the largest residential endeavor in New York State to utilize a geothermal heat-pump system.

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Medgar Evers grave, Arlington National Cemetery, 2007.

For some of us, Medgar Evers sounds like just another name. But for students of Civil Rights history, the Black Mississippian evokes feelings of awe, respect and victory. Evers led an attempt by Black veterans to vote in 1946. He helped push the integration of a public law school after Brown v. Board of Education. And he conducted investigations of violence against Black Americans, and organized voter registration drives.

Of course, that all sounds like pretty dangerous work for a Black man in Mississippi during the 1940s to 1960s. Tragically, Evers was martyred by an assassin on June 12, 1963, 19 years after he landed in France in World War II.

Medgar Evers joins the Army

Evers grew up in segregated Mississippi and ran into overtly racist acts on a regular basis. He witnessed the lynching of a family friend and saw the bloody clothes left behind on a nearby fence as a threat for a year. The young man had to pass them every day on his way to and from school.

He attended an underfunded, segregated school where violence and threats preventing interracial dating were common.

Still, in 1943, he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps to serve America in World War II. The Army allowed few Black men to serve in combat units, and so Evers deployed with the 325th Port Company.

He came ashore in France soon after D-Day and served in three transportation companies as part of the Red Ball Express. Black soldiers manned and operated the Red Ball Express, keeping supplies flowing to the frontline units.

As Black soldiers saw how France largely welcomed their assistance and presence, especially as compared to how they were treated back home, many Black soldiers decided to stay in France after the fighting was over. But Evers focused on making it back to the American South, telling his brother Charles, another Black soldier, "When we get out of the Army, were going to straighten this thing out!"

Evers pushed forward with the Allied advance, eventually serving in Germany as the Nazis collapsed.

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After Victory in Europe, Evers was true to his word. He left the Army in 1946 with an honorable discharge and returned to Mississippi.

After the War, a Civil rights legend

In Mississippi, Evers quickly earned his high school diploma and then enrolled at Alcorn College in Mississippi. But the racial fight at home immediately found him. When Evers and his brother, Charles, attempted to vote in 1946.

White voters yelled racial slurs at the pair and polling officials refused to take their vote. The following July, the brothers tried again with four other Black veterans. Local men threatened the six veterans with shotguns to prevent them from voting.

After earning a business administration degree, he moved to another town and started selling insurance.

On his business trips, he saw the high poverty of Black communities in the area and decided to join the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

By this point, Evers was married and starting a family. He was well aware of the dangers of resisting white supremacy.

But after the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, he applied to the University of Mississippi law school as part of a larger attempt to see if the university would follow the court decision. The college refused to admit the well-qualified man.

He became the NAACP Mississippi Field Secretary. In this role, he kept pushing for the university to accept Black students, organized voter registration drives and investigated violent crimes against Black people. He led a boycott of gas stations that didn't allow Black customers to use the restroom.

Despite a severe backlash against his work, including many threats of violence, Medgar loved his work and home. He wrote in 1958:

It may sound funny, but I love the South. I don't choose to live anywhere else. ... There is room here for my children to play and grow and become good citizens if the white man will let them. Medgar Evers, as quoted in NPR

And in 1962, the University of Mississippi accepted its first Black student, James Meredith.

Statue behind the Medgar Evers Boulevard Library in Jackson, Mississippi. (Public domain)

The threats coming hard and fast against Medgar Evers

As Evers became more and more successful, the enemies of racial equality pushed back harder and harder. Medgar's wife, Myrlie, was also a Civil Rights activist and remembered the death threats against Medgar and the fear.

"Medgar became No. 1 on the Mississippi to-kill list," his widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, told NPR in 2013. "And we never knew from one day to the next what would happen. I lived in fear of losing him. He lived constantly aware that he could be killed at any time."

On June 11, 1963, Medgar Evers attended a meeting of the NAACP as President John F. Kennedy gave an influential speech on the need to secure civil rights for all Americans. When he returned home just after midnight on June 12, a fellow veteran lined up his rifle sights on the 37-year-old Black leader.

Byron De La Beckwith, a Marine veteran, fired a single shot from an Enfield Rifle. He held the rifle too loosely and the scope too close to his eye, resulting in the recoil bruising his eye. He dropped his weapon and fled the scene.

But his shot pierced Evers through his back. The Evers Family rushed outside to see their husband and father dying on the steps.

Even in death, Medgar Evers's spirit continues

The Black community mourned Evers's death, and 3,000 members of the public attended his funeral. His brother Charles took over his role in the NAACP and continued his work.

In death, Medgar Evers became an even more important symbol of the Civil Rights Movement.

Beckwith dodged justice twice in the 1960s as all-white juries failed to reach a verdict in two trials, despite fingerprints, the murder weapon, his clear motivation as an overt white supremacist, and multiple witnesses who heard him ask where Evers lived.

In 1990, a new grand jury issued a new indictment against Beckwith and a petit jury convicted him in 1994. A key new piece of evidence helped return the verdict: Witnesses recounted him bragging about the killing of Medgar Evers. He was sentenced to life in prison and died behind bars in 2001.
S Club will release their first single in 20 years in tribute to their late bandmate Paul Cattermole.

The British pop group, responsible for hits such as Dont Stop Movin and Never Had a Dream Come True, originally performed together from 1998 to 2003.

They briefly reunited from 2014 to 2015 and, in February, announced plans for all seven members to get back together for a reunion tour to mark their 25th anniversary.

However, following the death of band member Paul Cattermole in April, singer Hannah Spearritt  who previously dated Cattermole  announced that she would not be continuing with the tour.

In May, it was announced that Cattermole had died of natural causes.

The band announced that they would be continuing under the name S Club and, on Monday (24 July), shared that they would be releasing new music this week.

S Clubs new single, titled These Are The Days, will be released on Wednesday (26 July). Performed by band members Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo OMeara and Rachel Stevens, the track pays tribute to their former friend and beloved bandmate Cattermole.

It will be accompanied by a moving film story that ends with S Club revealed as the five piece pop act that they are today.

S Club will release new music before heading out on tour in the autumn (Leigh Kelly)

These Are The Days was written by the bands original No 1 hit songwriting team of Cathy Dennis, Simon Ellis, Johanne Ellis and producer John Nathaniel.

The Brit Award-winning band head out on their sold out 15-date UK arena, which has been renamed S Club: The Good Times Tour in tribute to Cattermole and the song on which he sang lead vocals, in October.

The news comes weeks after it was announced that Spearritt will release her own memoir this autumn.

The 42-year-old will tell her story in Face The Music, which will focus on Spearritts life and career, from finding fame as a teenager to her transition into an acting career. It is scheduled for release on 5 October.

S Club 7 rose to fame on the CBBC show Miami 7. They went on to have four chart-topping singles in the UK and won three Brit Awards, before splitting in 2003.
Former Vice President Mike Pence stunned CNNs Dana Bash over the weekend when he said he was unconcerned by Donald Trumps veiled threat about what his supporters might do should he be sentenced to jail.

The twice-indicted former president had told an Iowa radio station last week that the possibility of jail time was a very dangerous thing to even talk about, because we do have a tremendously passionate group of voters.

Pence  whose security detail reportedly called family members to say goodbye during the U.S. Capitol riot carried out by some of those voters  told CNN over the weekend that Trumps rhetoric doesnt worry me because I have more confidence in the American people and in the people in our movement.

Virtually everyone in our movement are the kind of Americans who love this country, are patriotic, are law-and-order people, who would never have done anything like that, he said, referring to the violent insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

I hear my former running mates frustration in his voice, but Im sure the American people will respond in our movement in a way that will express  as they have every right to under the First Amendment  to express concerns that they have about what they perceive to be unequal treatment of the law, Pence continued.

Bash seemed shocked by the answer.

Thats pretty remarkable that youre not concerned about it, given the fact that they wanted to hang you on Jan. 6, she replied.

Dana Bash to Pence after he claims he's not worried about Trump's rhetoric: "That's pretty remarkable that you're not concerned about it given the fact that they wanted to hang you on January 6." pic.twitter.com/PTuI664FjP  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 23, 2023

Pence pushed back, arguing it was unfair to take those that perpetrated violence on Jan. 6 and use a broad brush to describe everyone in our movement.

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After rioters stormed the Capitol in 2021, Secret Service rushed Pence to a secure area near the Senate floor. The intruders came within 40 feet of him before he was evacuated.

A gallows was erected outside the building, where some rioters chanted Hang Mike Pence because he had been presiding over the certification of the 2020 electoral results that Trump didnt like.

Trump has since been indicted twice: first, in March, in a state-level case in New York over an alleged hush money scheme that may have influenced the 2016 election, and again in June in a federal investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving office.

He is also a target of a federal probe into Jan. 6, 2021, and could potentially be indicted a third time as part of that investigation.

Related...
The US Coast Guard has ended its search for a man who jumped from the deck of a Carnival cruise ship.

Surveillance video reportedly captured 30-year-old Jaylen Hill leaping over the railing of the Carnival Elation on Sunday afternoon off the coast of Melbourne, Florida.

On Monday night, Coast Guard officials announced the search had been called off pending any further developments.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Hill family. Our crews take our life saving mission very seriously. Any time we cant bring a loved one home to their family is a pain we all feel, Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rescue crews scoured more than 1,374 miles in their search using the 87-foot cutter Tarpon from St Petersburg, a Hercules aircraft from Clearwater, and an Ocean Sentry plane from Miami.

Carnival previously said the Elation crew was informed by Mr Hills travelling companion late on Sunday afternoon that he had not been seen all day.

Jaylen Hill, 30, was allegedly filmed jumping off of a Carnival cruise ship near Florida on 23 July (US Coast Guard via Twitter)

Sadly, after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video it was determined that he jumped, the company said in a statement to The New York Post.

Carnival added that it alerted officials to the incident and was advised to continue to Jacksonville, Florida, on Monday, the final stop on the cruises four-day route through the Bahamas.

The 855-foot Elation weighs nearly 72,000 tons and can carry nearly 2,200 guests, as well as 900 crew members, according to Fox 35 Orlando.

The Carnival Elation cruise ship is pictured (right) in a file photo (AFP via Getty Images)

In May, a Carnival passenger named Ronnie Peale went overboard the ship Magic and fell into the waters off Florida.

The Coast Guard was unable to locate the man after searching more than 5,171 miles over 60 hours and called off the search.
A 30-year-old man who jumped off the Carnival Elation (pictured) on Sunday is the subject of a search in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. File Photo by Guillaume huger/Wikimedia Commons

July 24 (UPI) -- The Coast Guard says it is searching for a man who went overboard from a Carnival Cruise Line ship in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast during the weekend.

The USCG Seventh District Southeast command based in Miami said the 30-year-old man went overboard from the Carnival Elation early on Sunday while it was positioned about 95 nautical miles east of Melbourne, Fla.

Coast Guard officials said in a tweet issued Monday an active search-and-rescue mission is underway in the area with crews from air stations in Miami and Clearwater, Fla., participating, as well as the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon.

The cruise line said it has become apparent the missing man deliberately jumped off the ship as it was returning to its base in Jacksonville, Fla.

"The crew was notified by his traveling companion late in the afternoon about his missing status after he had not been seen all day," Carnival Cruise Line Senior Manager of Public Relations Matt Lupoli said in a statement issued to media outlets.

"Sadly, after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video it was determined that he jumped."

The apparent suicide comes two months after another man also went overboard from a Carnival ship off the coast of Florida.

Ronnie Peale, 35, of Crimora, Va., went missing from the Carnival Magic over the Memorial Day weekend as the ship sailed back to its home port of Norfolk, Va., from the Bahamas. After searching more than 5,000 square miles east of Jacksonville, the Coast Guard's Seventh District ultimately suspended the effort.

Security footage showed Peale leaning over the railing of his room's balcony and before falling into the water.

A 2020 research paper published in the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health found that between 2000 and 2019 there were 623 reported deaths of passengers and crew abord cruise ships. Some 19% of the passenger deaths during that period were caused by suicide, murder or terrorist attacks, the authors found.

The most passenger deaths occurred on Carnival Cruise Line (29%), Royal Caribbean Cruises (12%) and Norwegian Cruise Line (10%).

If you or someone you know is suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
A Columbus woman who told the Ledger-Enquirer she was without air conditioning in her Ashley Station apartment for 88 days finally has A/C.

Sharon Ila Smith, 74, said she put up with the heat from April 15 to July 17, except for a four-day stretch in early July. After months of back-and-forth with the apartment buildings management company, Smiths air conditioning was fixed about an hour-and-a-half after she was interviewed in the buildings lobby by an L-E reporter.

A retired pastor, Smith worked with the Pentecostal mission taking her around the world to places like Greece, Germany and Egypt.

My apartment reminds me of Egypts heat, Smith said. I wake up at night in a sweat.

She worked as a social studies teacher and a horticulture teacher in Georgia and Virginia, and before retiring she worked in hospice.

Smith has mostly enjoyed Ashley Station over the five years shes lived there, until recent events.

Sharon Ila Smith, 74, in the lobby of the Veranda. Shes holding two tomatoes her neighbor gave her just before she sat down to speak with the L-E. Kala Hunter

Ashley Station has about 370 units split into nearly a dozen buildings that vary in residency income and demographics tucked between 24th and 27th streets before Talbottom and Hamilton Road meet.

Some buildings at Ashley Station are dedicated to senior citizens, and some are government-subsidized housing.

In January, the complex changed hands to a new property manager, CAHEC. During that same time, Smith was in the hospital from a fall that led to a broken wrist, followed by an unlucky second injury weeks later to her shoulder.

Smith stayed with her sister, Paula Smith, in north Columbus for a few months while she recovered.

The thermostat in the Veranda lobby showing 82 degrees. It shares the same air and temperature as Sharon Smiths hallway. Taken at 11:30 am, July 17, 2023. Kala Hunter

In April, shortly after returning, Smith wanted to turn on her A/C to start to cool before the sweltering summer heat would arrive. It produced a humming sound, but no cool air.

She called the local leasing office but did not reach anyone. She tried email, sending 13 notes over three months. She always received automated, work-order pending responses. Its unclear who at CAHEC monitors work order emails and why they were never addressed.

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CAHEC management did not respond to multiple requests for comment by publication time.

Smith relied on her ceiling fan and a 12-inch personal-sized fan she placed on her kitchen table.

That didnt change the temperature, she said. The apartment hovered at about 85-88 degrees most days.

When we got this new [property management], everything went haywire, Smith said.

Before, we called the office and they would call you back and come take care of it.

Despite Georgias oppressive summer heat where highs float in the upper 90s around the state and for seven months the average temperature is above 70 degrees, landlords are not required by law to provide air conditioning. But, according to Georgia Legal Aid, if a unit comes with air conditioning, it must be repaired if its broken.

Sharon Smiths email to Ashley Station/CAHEC management on June 27, 2023.

Temperatures rise, patience falls

In June, with a much shorter patience fuse than her sister, Paula Smith sent an email to the Ledger-Enquirer pleading help.

Days later, Sharon Smith discovered a number she hadnt tried before, at the bottom of the CAHEC management website with an 803 area code (belonging to Columbia, South Carolina). On June 29 she called the number and a representative who answered was in shock to hear about her living conditions. Maintenance at Ashley Station arrived within 30 minutes after the call and repaired her A/C.

CAHEC manages 350 buildings throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Rocket and Sherlock, Smiths cats, were just as thrilled about the cooler temperatures as she was.

My cats were sitting on my lap again, Smith recalled. Without A/C they were miserable.

Smiths A/C only worked for the following four days, until July 3. This time she knew who to call when the A/C broke again.

Well page maintenance, the representative of the 803 line said.

Maintenance never came, she said.

The thermostat in the Veranda lobby showing 82 degrees. It shares the same air and temperature as Sharon Smiths hallway. Taken at 11:30 am, July 17, 2023. Kala Hunter

She called the CAHEC representative number again, five times over the course of 11 days.

Maintenance never showed up.

The brutal heat in her apartment meant cooking was no longer an option.

If I cooked something, then, my Lord, did that place get hot, Smith said.

She resorted to snacks and junk food that didnt require a stove or oven. Smith is at risk of heat exhaustion especially at her age, complicated by her diabetes.

It would get so hot that I would feel sick, Smith said.

Smith kept ice packs around her neck and took cool showers.

I can barely move around, or I will start to get hot, Smith said.

Remaining sedentary was one of Smiths strategies to keep cool when her small apartment reached 89 degrees.

I guess maintenance is busy

On July 10, Smith was told the same line by a CAHEC representative on the phone, Ill give a note to maintenance, after she went a full week without A/C.

I dont want anyone to get in trouble, I just want my A/C to work, Smith said.

From July 3-17, during Smiths second round of a broken A/C, the temperature in Columbus never dropped below 72 degrees. Temperature highs between April 15 and July 17 in Columbus were between 76-96 degrees.

One week later, Smith met with the Ledger-Enquirer in the lobby of her building, The Veranda, dedicated to seniors. It was 82 degrees in the lobby at 11 am. The lobby shared the same space as her hallways.

My apartment is hotter than out here, Smith said.

The maintenance manager at Ashley Station, Quincy Miles, was busy when the Ledger-Enquirer spoke with him. He had lists of to-dos, but reassured her that broken A/C would be critical.

The Veranda is a senior area, I will not let someone wait that long, Miles said. Theres no way [Smith] doesnt have A/C.

Miles explained he is mainly working just himself, with the help of a few tech aides, but because they lack certain certification requirements they arent able to help with HVAC.

One hour and 30 minutes after the Ledger-Enquirer spoke with Miles, Smith had working A/C.

Columbus government can help

The City has a Property Maintenance Code that all landlords must follow.

If a tenant has reported maintenance issues to a landlord and no action has taken place, the tenant can contact Inspections and Code at 706-653-4126 to request an inspection, Ryan Pruett, Director of Building Inspections and Code Enforcement with the City of Columbus said.

After calling that number, an enforcement officer will come out and inspect the rental unit. If there are violations, the landlord will be notified with a reasonable amount of time to correct the issue or they can be fined. The minimum penalty for a Proper Maintenance Code violation is $500.00 for a first offense and $1,000.00 for any subsequent offenses at the same location, Pruett said.






RIP, blue bird. Long live X. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ok, Twitter people. Admit it. The X logo is pretty nice.

Musk and Yaccarino projected the new logo onto the side of the company's San Francisco office building.

Mourn the blue bird for now, but get used to the new X. It isn't that bad.

Ok, Twitter people. I know we miss the blue bird, but come on, the new X logo isn't that bad.

Elon Musk, the owner of the now-rebranded bird app, has rolled out the company's new logo and in the process, completed one step of realizing his long-held vision of building a tech empire named "X." It's the culmination of a dream that blossomed in his PayPal Mafia days, and after which he may or may not have named his son with Grimes.

Lots of people were nervous that the demise of the bird logo and its renaming to "X" would come with another ugly or incomprehensible logo. After all, we live in a world where Gabby the Gab frog exists. As does the gigantic F that's functioned as the bat signal for MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell's Frank Social.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino unveiled the new X logo at around 2 a.m. EST on Monday morning, an incomprehensible time to push a mega-rebranding of one of the world's biggest social media platforms.

That said  the logo is nice. It has clean lines and millennial simplicity, the core tenets of regular tech world branding. It doesn't break new ground, but honestly, do you care?

Yaccarino and Musk sure don't. They liked it enough to project it onto the side of the company's headquarters.

Over on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, some people are mourning the death of the blue bird. Other people took a more neutral stance, saying they'd miss the bird but would get used to it.

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Fans of the new look said it gave "minimalist art deco" vibes. And others hate the rebranding so much, they say it's making them want to leave the platform.

Either way, it could've been a lot worse. Goodbye, Twitter bird. We'll miss you. Hello, X. Whatever you are.

Read the original article on Business Insider
mom, daughter, child abuse

A disturbing incident involving a mother and daughter in Georgia was caught on tape by concerned neighbors, and now the community is rallying to come to a child's defense. As a nine-year-old girl was playing with her friends, her mother suddenly emerged, angry with her, and subjected her to shocking abuse.

The mother was filmed dragging her daughter by her hair and smacking her repeatedly.

In the unsettling footage that was uploaded to Facebook by Gwen-Harris Mackenzie, a neighbor of the mother and daughter, the mother is seen tightly gripping her daughters hair as she sits in the grass and screams. Get up! the mother is heard hollering at the little girl, as she wrenches her to her feet and shouts several expletive words at her.

In one clip, the womans daughters limp body is seen being dragged through the grass by her hair as the mother pulls her away. The girl continued to cry in agony and distress.

RELATED: Mom Shares Video Of Her Son Begging To Not Get Spanked For Being 'Curious'

According to Gwen-Harris, the footage was originally captured by her niece. Dont know if any neighbors had witnessed this part but some did see her chasing her, she wrote in her Facebook post. While she was at work during the time of the incident, Gwen-Harris and several others alerted police of the mothers actions.

According to the neighbor, this was not the first time the mothers abuse was witnessed, however, it was the first time it was captured on video.

I dont know her or her name, her kids just play outside with mine and they have said this isnt the worst she has done that they have seen, they just finally caught it on camera, Gwen-Harris wrote. Prayers for those babies.

RELATED: 11 Signs You Were Raised By A Bad Mother Or Father (And It's Affecting You Now)

After concerned neighbors shared the footage with other members of the community, police were thankfully able to identify and arrest the mother.

The woman was identified as 27-year-old Samarria White. According to another neighbor, a group of neighborhood children had been playing at Whites pool when the mother suddenly became angry and sent the children home, per WGXA. The neighbor then said she spotted White chasing her daughter down the road before dragging the girl by her hair.

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Deputies from Bibbs County Sheriffs Office were able to identify White after seeing the video. In the shocking video, which was also posted to social media, the woman is seen striking the child in the face several times, the Sheriffs Office shared via Facebook.

RELATED: Waitress Takes A Secret Photo Of Man With Black & Blue Baby  She Looked At Me With A Face That Said Help

When they arrived at the mothers doorstep she allegedly denied abusing her daughter. Although after officers informed her that the incident was videoed, she confessed and was taken into custody.

She is currently being held on a $20,000 bond and is being charged with cruelty in the first degree.

Whites daughter was transported to a local hospital by authorities, where she was treated for bruising and redness on her chest. DCFS has been notified of the incident.

It is unknown who is watching over Whites daughter and two other children at this time.

RELATED: Stepdad Found Guilty Of Abuse After Heroic Server Rescues 11-Year-Old Boy Using Handwritten Note

People on the Internet were horrified and appalled by the mothers treatment of her daughter.

I dont care what that child did beforehand, theres no excuse for dragging them by their hair, one person shared.

Justice for this child, one Facebook user commented. Praying for the children, praying the momma gets the help she needs. Very sad situation, another user wrote.

Other users praised the womans neighbors for spreading awareness about the abuse and potentially saving her childrens lives.

Their actions are a reminder that if you see something, say something. This story could have had a very different ending had the community remained silent.

If you suspect that a child you know is being abused, please call the NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) where Crisis Counselors are available 24/7.

RELATED: Woman Searches For Family Of Little Girl She Saw Being Hurt By A Nanny At The Nashville Zoo

Megan Quinn is a writer at YourTango who covers entertainment and news, self, love, and relationships.

This article originally appeared on YourTango
Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray speaks in front of a video display of a UAP during a hearing on Capitol Hill of the House Intelligence, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee hearing on "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena." (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

If the truth is out there, Congress would like to know.

The House and Senate are taking significant steps to increase the federal governments ability to monitor and identify UFOs and to force the military to release more information to the general public.

Three former military officers who claim theyve had encounters with unidentified flying objects will testify to the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. In the Senate, lawmakers have added a bipartisan amendment to a must-pass defense bill that would compel the military to gather and declassify UFO-related information.

The parallel efforts are part of a growing bipartisan push to investigate the phenomenon. True believers and skeptics agree that they want to know what these objects are  and whether they pose a national security risk.

Congress held its first public UFO-related hearing in decades last year, hosting Pentagon officials. But Wednesdays hearing will feature the first public, unclassified testimony from servicemembers whose interest is in exposing what they believe they witnessed.

Read more: NASA's experts talk UAPs ahead of final report on unidentified flying objects

I just want some transparency. I think everybody should be asking for that, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), the driving force behind the hearing, told The Times last week. If there aren't any UFOs, then why's the federal government spending so much time and effort to stop any kind of hearings, and why don't they release these files that they have? Every file Ive seen is so redacted it looks like a piece of Swiss cheese.

This isnt the opening scene of Independence Day. But like in sci-fi movies where former foes band together to fight the aliens, an unusually wide coalition, from progressive Democrats to far-right Republicans, is teaming up to force the Pentagon to release more information to Congress.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), the ranking Democrat on the oversight subcommittee that is hosting the hearing, said he was working with members of both parties to ensure that we have a serious and responsible hearing that focuses on national security.

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Theres a lot of information we dont know, and so I think that its really important that we have this hearing publicly, he said.

When Burchett was asked with whom he was working the most closely on the hearing as he walked onto the House floor last week, he waved over Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), a fellow Oversight Committee member.

This is not a partisan issue. Thats why I asked Jared. Hes incredibly intelligent, he has a legal mind, and I trust him. Hes my guy, Burchett said, putting a hand on Moskowitzs shoulder.

I think it's really simple for us. If the government knows things about these UAPs, what do they know and why arent they telling us? Moskowitz said.

Read more: Mysterious flying objects are turning up daily. Why experts dont think aliens sent them

As Moskowitzs remarks indicate, the phenomenon has gone through a recent rebranding: UFO has been replaced by UAP. Scientists and government officials are using the new acronym in an attempt to get away from the stigma and assumptions of little green men that persist when people think of UFOs. Until recently, UAP stood for unidentified aerial phenomena, but last years National Defense Authorization Act tweaked the term to stand for unidentified anomalous phenomena, a broader catch-all category.

The Pentagon and other national security agencies are investigating a rise in reports of UAPs, which they stress are unidentified  they could be Chinese spy aircraft, drones, technology glitches or extraterrestrial crafts, and cover such diverse items as odd videos and this years Chinese spy balloon. But not everyone has bought into the renaming.

I prefer to call them UFOs, Burchett said at a press conference.

Senators have shown similar bipartisan eagerness to look into UAPs: Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have teamed up with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to add an amendment to this years must-pass National Defense Authorization Act to force the Pentagon to release more information.

That amendment would require federal agencies to give UAP-related documents to a new review board that would review whether to declassify them  and make it compulsory for federal agencies to turn over the information to the board within 300 days of receiving it. The program will be modeled on the 1992 law that aimed to declassify information surrounding President John F. Kennedys assassination.

That's a huge breakthrough, Gillibrand said. There'll be more transparency, more accountability and more public disclosure.

Like the Kennedy program, the UAP investigation has support from lawmakers who are suspicious about a government cover-up and skeptics who think that more information will help dispel conspiracy theories. The U in UAP is unexplained, after all, and many of those in Congress backing these efforts simply want explanations.

Last years defense funding bill established a new body, the All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, to monitor, track and investigate mysterious objects in the air, water and space. The office is now investigating more than 800 reports of UAPs that date back decades. Of the 300 reports the office has so far reviewed, it was unable to identify or explain 171 of them. Gillibrand said that she had ensured that the office would get full funding in this years defense bill as well.

Ryan Graves is one of the three witnesses scheduled to testify at the House Oversight Committees Wednesday hearing.

Graves, a former Navy pilot, said that after his squadron updated its planes dated radar technology in 2014, he and numerous pilots with whom he served near Virginia Beach, Va., began to get regular readings of flying objects that didnt behave like anything theyd seen before. Those objects began showing up on other systems readings. Then the pilots began to see them. Not long afterward, pilots started having near midair collisions with these objects, he said.

Read more: Op-Ed: NASA studying UFOs wont prove alien life exists. They should do it anyway

According to Graves, those objects displayed a wide plethora of behaviors that are really unexplainable, such as remaining completely stationary at high altitudes in hurricane-force winds while the fighter planes he and his crew flew had to fight the gusts just to stay in the general area. Those objects would then accelerate and move at supersonic speeds while performing instantaneous changes in direction. Some of the encounters were captured on video.

Graves is the first to admit that what he saw could be anything, including advanced spying instruments from a rival country. But whatever they are, he thinks its important to study and identify UAPs.

I think people have a right to know that this is something that their pilots, both military and commercial, are seeing on a regular basis, he said. We don't know what they are. We're not trying to draw conclusions when we bring that attention to the general public but we have to acknowledge that uncertainty and unknown objects operating in our sovereign airspace is a massive national security issue.

Retired Navy pilot David Fravor, also set to testify Wednesday, has said he encountered UAPs while flying out of the USS Nimitz off the coast of San Diego.

But the most striking testimony the committee will hear Wednesday is likely to come from David Grusch, a former Air Force officer and intelligence official who last month said the programs he worked on recovered intact and partially intact vehicles that testing showed was designed by non-human intelligence.

The Pentagon has pushed back against Gruschs claims, telling multiple news outlets that it has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently.

Some members of Congress rolled their eyes at Gruschs claims.

If we had found a UFO I think the Department of Defense would tell us, because theyd probably want to request more money, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) quipped during his weekly press conference last week. So I'd love to see whatever facts and information we have. I'm very supportive of letting the American people see what we have.

Burchett, who has led the charge for the House Oversight hearing, can sound like a conspiracy enthusiast  hes pushed conspiracy theories about financier Jeffrey Epsteins death and created an annual Bigfoot Day as Knox County mayor  and hes worked the most closely with firebrand Florida GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna on the issue. The three claim they were stonewalled when they visited Eglin Air Force Base in Florida earlier this year seeking information about UAPs, leading to a verbal altercation with the bases commanding officer.

There are a lot of people who dont want this to come to light, Burchett declared Thursday at a press conference previewing the hearing. Were going to get to the bottom of it, daggum it, whatever the truth may be. Were done with the cover-up.

Other members on both sides of the aisle made clear that they want the hearing to avoid conspiratorial tones and focus on exposing facts.

He has a perspective on this, which is fine, Garcia said of Burchett. My job as the ranking member on the Democratic side is to ensure that we have a hearing that is responsible, that is serious, and that centers national security, and I will make sure working with my subcommittee chair that that's the type of hearing that we hold.

Some members of Congress are more than a little skeptical about UFOs  and their colleagues enthusiasm for investigating them.

I dont believe in them. Ive never seen one. If I did, Id have shot it down, said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a former Air Force pilot and retired brigadier general, with a laugh.

But while the issue can generate snickers from some in Congress, serious lawmakers in both parties think its crucial for national security to figure out what these phenomena are  and where theyre coming from.

So does Gillibrand think that these UAPs could be extraterrestrial? I have no idea, she said. And having no idea is not an acceptable answer for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. They have to know what is knowable.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A conservative PAC is pledging $20 million to back representatives who voted against Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker.

A memo from the group published by Politico explains how the PAC plans to spend its money.

It says the PAC will defend its members from "moderate donors and candidates" in the primary.

A GOP political action committee is committing $20 million to back representatives in Congress who voted against fellow Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House, according to a memo from the group published by Politico.

The Club for Growth, the PAC that's pledging to support what it calls the "Patriot 20," describes itself as the "leading free-enterprise advocacy group in the nation" and operates by "pinpointing key bills up for debate in Congress and exerting maximum pressure on lawmakers to vote like free-market, limited government conservatives."

The memo, written by the Club for Growth's president, David McIntosh, says that the group's priority in the primary elections is to support any of its members against challenges from moderate Republicans looking to primary anyone from the "Patriot 20."

"Moderate donors and candidates seeking to settle scores should save their money," McIntosh wrote, "because we are prepared to win at all costs."

Once the general election comes around, McIntosh promised to financially support any of the "Patriot 20" whose seats have been targeted as vulnerable by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. These representatives include Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, and Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado.

Support from the Club for Growth will be especially helpful for Boebert, who narrowly defeated Democrat Adam Frisch in the 2022 election by less than 600 total votes. According to recent filings with the Federal Elections Commission, Frisch's 2024 campaign reported having $2.5 million in cash on hand while Boebert's had just $1.4 million.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Many Americans are struggling with medical debt nationwide and it can lead to some major consequences like foreclosures. This kind of debt can also impact your health if you put off necessary treatment because you cant afford it.

Thats why the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) is releasing this new report with factsheets to help you navigate the medical billing process.

Healthcare prices are so high, we shouldnt just accept the prices, said Patricia Kelmar, senior director of health campaigns at U.S. PIRG.

Patricia Kelmar said its important to know what is and isnt covered under the federal No Surprises Act. The law protects you from most surprise out-of-network medical bills.

Like the emergency room - you just get taken to emergency rooms, said Kelmar. You dont have to pay those out-of-network charges anymore, you pay as if youre in-network.

But she said that same protection doesnt apply to urgent care centers. That means if you go to a facility that isnt in your network then you may get a hefty bill.

If youre uninsured and need medical care, Kelmar said you can request whats known as a good faith estimate. This form includes the providers name, the procedure, and the estimated costs.

If your final bill comes out over $400 than the good faith estimate, you have the ability to use the patient-provider dispute resolution system which will help you hold that provide accountable for the good faith estimate, said Kelmar.

When you get a medical bill, she said to read it carefully because there may be some mistakes.

You should feel that you have the power to question and to ask and to ask for what you need to be able to pay your debt, said Kelmar.

Researchers say many hospitals especially non-profit ones provide financial assistance programs for medical bills.

You can find all the various factsheets here: https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/medical-bills-everything-you-need-to-know-about-your-rights/
Robert Haddens sentencing was adjourned Monday after a lengthy day of arguments in which a judge indicated he was planning to sentence the disgraced ex-Columbia University gynecologist to 20 years.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman pushed back the proceeding due to outstanding objections from both sides, making Haddens sentencing a three-day affair. It started on June 28 when Berman invited victims to address the court.

The nature and circumstances factor overwhelmingly in my opinion supporting an upward variance of 20 years, the judge said Monday, noting Hadden hadnt remotely addressed his problems.

Hadden continues to prove a clear danger to others, especially women.

Hadden, 64, of Englewood, N.J., was convicted by a Manhattan federal court jury in January on charges alleging he enticed four women from out of state and abused them at facilities affiliated with Columbias medical practice and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Describing Hadden as a career sexual predator who has been able to avoid detection for decades, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim said he should face a minimum of 25 years.

In their case, prosecutors included evidence from 79 of his former patients  including nine who testified  and said they had counted at least 245 women across all of his cases who say they were assaulted, abused and molested during medical exams. Scores more have come forward in other matters.

The scope is staggering, Kim said.

A lawyer whos represented scores of Haddens victims in various civil cases, Anthony DiPietro, is pushing the New York Department of Health to enforce a 2016 order requiring all the patients he treated from the late 1980s to 2012 be notified that he lost his license.

According to evidence in his case, a patient reported Hadden to Columbia administrators early into his tenure in 1994. He remained employed for another 18 years.

In a statement, Columbia University Irving Medical Center said Hadden purposely worked to evade our oversight and engineer situations to abuse his patients.

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CUIMC is profoundly sorry for the pain that Robert Haddens patients suffered and his exploitation of their trust, the spokesperson said.

In civil court settlements, at least 200 of Haddens former patients have been paid about $236 million by Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Haddens federal public defender, Deirdre von Dornum, asked the judge to impose a three-year sentence, noting that he cares for his heavily disabled son and wife, who uses a wheelchair. She argued that Hadden hadnt been accused of committing a crime since his 2012 arrest for licking a patients vagina during an exam.

He was arrested and taken out of the context. He resigned his position and went out on medical leave, von Dornum said. Theres 11 more years of no conduct at all. And I understand that youre faulting him for not having stopped sooner, and thats why he was convicted in the state [case].

Two years after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorney brought state charges against Hadden, alleging he abused six of his former patients, including by fondling and licking them during medical appointments. In 2016, the DA offered Hadden a plea deal allowing him to admit to harming just two women without serving jail time. The feds brought their case in 2020.

Hadden is due back in court Tuesday. Bermans comments in court did not represent an official ruling.
Robert Alexander/Getty Images

The Memphis Police Departments onetime Officer of the Year was offered a position with the Nashville PD, which then rescinded the job once the acclaimed cops HIV+ status came to light, a new federal lawsuit obtained by The Daily Beast reveals.

He helped catch a killer, has been decorated for heroism, and volunteered for one of Memphis most challenging assignments. His doctor describes his health as great, and says he does not pose any threat to co-workers or members of the community. Still, Nashville city officials claimamid an acute staffing shortagethat the officer is a danger to the public.

However, his viral load is all but undetectableand, as such, untransmissiblethanks to a strict medication regimen, the officer argues in the potentially pivotal suit, which was filed July 21 in Nashville. Barring him from the force due to his HIV status, it says, even though he posed no significant risk to others and was otherwise qualified for the job for which he had applied, is discriminatory, and a violation of his civil rights. The Nashville PD unabashedly indicated that if a person is living with HIV, then [it] will not employ that person as a police officer. And this is the end of the inquiry, the complaint states. This policy, it asserts, runs counter to federal law and must be undone.

Policies that categorically deny people jobs because of HIV status are just so out of date with science, Jose Abrigo of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is representing the officer, told The Daily Beast. In this case, our client has been undetectable. He is HIV positive, [but] hes perfectly healthy. Its the old HIV stigma, operating under this concept [that] if youre standing next to someone with HIV, you could potentially catch it.

In an email, attorney Allison Bussell of Nashvilles Metropolitan Department of Law said, We have not been served with the lawsuit yet and respectfully decline to comment on the pending litigation.

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DOJ Skewers Minneapolis CopsExposing Years of Racism and Excessive Force

The officer, who is Black, filed the suit under the pseudonym John Doe. He first learned in 2015 that he had HIV, according to the complaint. Doe began his law enforcement career more than a decade ago, enrolling in the Memphis police academy in 2011. Early on in his career, he identified, chased, and apprehended multiple suspects that were wanted for their alleged involvement in the murder of a University of Memphis professor, according to the complaint, which notes Doe received multiple awards for his heroism including Officer of the Year for Memphis PD and his local precinct. He was also interviewed and appeared on the local news to discuss his courageous acts, it states.

After two years as a patrol officer, Doe volunteered for the Memphis PDs Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The specialized squad responds to difficult calls involving people suffering from mental illness, according to the complaint, which says Doe was subsequently promoted.

As part of this promotion, [Doe] received a raise, which he used to help pay for his masters degree, the complaint states. By any measure, [Doe] has been a model officer and a credit to each police department and community he has served.

When Does wife took a new job in Nashville, and the family relocated to the Nashville suburbs, Doe kept his job on the Memphis PD, but applied to the Nashville force so he could stop making the three-hour-plus drive each way and spend more time with his wife and daughter, the complaint says.

On Feb. 25, 2020, Doe received an offer from the Nashville PD, conditioned on his passing a medical exam. The departments doctor took blood from Doe, but didnt explain why, according to the complaint. When the bloodwork analysis was later completed, a nurse called Doe to inform him he was HIV positive, the complaint continues. It says Doe replied that he was well aware of his HIV status, and said he had been undetectable for more than five years. (Undetectable means a viral load of less than 30 parts per milliliter of blood, Abrigo explained. And while such minute amounts cannot be picked up by standard viral load tests, HIV antibodies will still be detected on an antibody test.)

The following month, the Nashville PD sent Doe a rejection letter, reading, The Civil Service Medical Officers report states you are not recommended to attend the Police Academy. All applications for the position of Police Officer Trainee must meet or exceed the medical standards set forth in the United States Army Induction Standards, 40-501.

The Armys requirements are used by Nashvilles Metropolitan Charter, the city said in response to a previous Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint Doe filed. In addition to leprosy, tuberculosis, and elephantiasis, HIV is listed as a potentially disqualifying condition under 40-501. Although people living with HIV are a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Does disability still precluded him from becoming a Nashville cop, the city argued in its EEOC response. Inducting him into the department would violate the citys charter, it claimed.

However, according to Abrigo, the Armys HIV proscription no longer applies.

Lambda also challenged the military code, so that now, as of April 2022, folks living with HIV can enlist in the military, he said on Monday. So, that doesnt hold up anymore.

Doe appealed the decision, to no avail. He then submitted a request for a medical waiver to override the regulation, explaining that his diagnosis does not affect his ability to act as a police officer, as he is currently an active police officer in Tennessee. It was accompanied by a letter from Does primary care doctor, emphasizing that Does viral load was indeed undetectable, that he would not imperil others, and that the virus will not and has not ever effected [sic] his job performance or job duties. Regardless, Does appeal was denied.

Doe cannot perform all the safety sensitive functions of the job without placing [others] at increased risk, the city doctor who rejected Doe wrote in his decision, which Does complaint says lacked any objective scientific or medical evidence or individualized findings about Does specific situation.

At a stalemate, Doe accepted a position with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to the complaint. In the meantime, it says he experienced emotional pain and suffering, stress, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, and other monetary and dignitary harms.

Abrigo told The Daily Beast that Lambda took the case specifically because the HIV-positive community in Tennessee has been under attack in general. In one example he provided, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, whose 2022 reelection effort was endorsed by Donald Trump, earlier this year rejected $9 million in federal funding for HIV prevention and monitoring.

Weve been doing these cases throughout the country, just updating the laws to make sure that theyre current with the most up-to-date science, Abrigo said. Its also important to challenge these sorts of cases, because they have a racially disproportionate impact In Nashville, if youre a Black male, youre three times more likely to have HIV than a white male.

Thats why, even though the policy appears neutral on its surface, it has a disproportionate impact on people of color, Abrigo added.

In a 2012 case, also brought by Lambda, an aspiring police officer in Atlanta rejected over his HIV-positive status received a $250,000 settlement from the city. In 2017, following a federal lawsuit, a New York City man with HIV received $85,000 and the 911 operator job he had been denied. Last year, a volunteer reserve police officer in Clarksville, Indiana was awarded $150,000 after the town revoked a full-time job offer based on his HIV-positive status.

HIV is now a chronic, long-term health issue, and is not a death sentence anymore, noted Abrigo.

Everyone has the right to be able to support their families and get a job, no matter their disability status, he said. ... Unfortunately, stuff like this still exists throughout the country. But were challenging [these policies] one-by-one.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has said that the Ukrainian offensive is behind schedule, but is going according to plan.

Source: Reznikov in an interview with CNN

Details: As CNN reported, Reznikov admitted that the offensive was behind schedule, but pointed out that he was "not worried" because it was going according to plan. Reznikov believes that it is a mistake to think that "every counteroffensive should be quick".

He listed several reasons why the counteroffensive might be slower than expected: ammunition, artillery shells and artillery systems.

Quote: "It's a question of air defence. It's a question that we have a very long battlefield line also. And we have against us a big quantity of enemies. So its war, its not a computer game."

More details: Ukrainian generals and commanders see the real situation on the battlefield, Reznikov stressed, adding that "the main value for us is the life ofour soldiers".

Reznikov said the situation on the southern front in Ukraine had been slowed down to a large extent by minefields set up by Russian troops. Ukrainian troops were forced to manually clear paths through the fields.

Quote: "We need to use our soldiers, sappers and deminers very slowly, and very slowly preparing the corridors for the real offensive movement."

More details: Reznikov added that such activity in different locations will confuse the Russians about the main direction Ukraine will take.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






The westside dormitory at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater. A lawyer was charged Thursday with trying to smuggle drugs into the prison.

LANSING  An attorney is accused of taking part in "an elaborate scheme" to smuggle drugs into Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, according to charging documents obtained Monday by the Free Press.

Eric H. Clark, 69, who has a Livonia office and lives in Bloomfield Township, was arraigned Friday on charges of bringing contraband into a prison, which is a five-year felony; and possessing less than 25 grams of a controlled substance, which is a four-year felony, records show.

Clark was caught trying to smuggle 5-Fluoro ADB, a potent synthetic cannabinoid, according to the complaint filed in district court in Coldwater. The lawyer was paid $1,500 to make two drug deliveries, the complaint alleges.

Clark did not respond to telephone and email messages Monday. The complaint says he confirmed he was paid for the deliveries but "denied having specific intent or knowledge that a crime was afoot."

More: Prisoners, officers detail retaliation after outing staff for smuggling drugs

Clark was arrested Thursday, but the investigation began June 1 after a suspicious incident involving Clark, according to the complaint.

On that day, Clark arrived at the prison in Branch County with papers he said he wanted delivered to his client, the complaint says.

Prison officials examined the papers and "found indicators of possible illegal drug activity." They turned the papers over to the Michigan State Police and testing showed the papers were coated with a controlled substance, the complaint alleges.

"Examination of MDOC recorded prisoners phone calls found an elaborate scheme to smuggle controlled substances into the prison through attorney-client visits," the complaint alleges. "Further examination of the calls showed the prisoner was aware and involved in this plot along with others."

When Clark set up another meeting with the prisoner for Thursday, police were waiting. He showed up "with papers in hand showing nearly identical indicators of drug activity and confirmed those papers were intended for his client."

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The complaint does not explicitly identify the prisoner who was Clark's client but lists prisoner Quentin Bogya as a witness in the case. Bogya, 23, who is serving time for a criminal sexual conduct charge out of Livingston County, was transferred Thursday from Lakeland to a Jackson-area prison, records show.

Kyle Kaminski, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, confirmed that Bogya was the prisoner with whom Clark was scheduled to meet at the prison.

"The department is continuing its investigation into this situation and is hopeful that everyone involved will ultimately be held accountable with criminal charges," Kaminski said.

"The use of legal mail to introduce contraband into the MDOC is a significant concern, which is why it is something the department takes so seriously and maintains a focus on within our operations. We are appreciative of the work of our staff and partners in uncovering this effort at the Lakeland Correctional Facility."

The charges were filed by the office of Branch County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Stempien.

Clark was admitted to the state bar in 1980 and has a clean disciplinary record, according to websites of the State Bar of Michigan and the Attorney Discipline Board. He was released on bond and is next scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Aug. 24.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Livonia lawyer accused in 'elaborate' prison drug smuggling scheme
An 8-year-old boy asleep in his fathers car parked along the shoulder of a road in a New Jersey shore town was killed in a collision, a prosecutor said.

The child was on a fishing trip with his father before the crash, which police responded to in the town of Absecon around 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, July 23, according to a news release from the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

An investigation revealed a man, 25, of Egg Harbor City, was driving westbound in Absecon when he swerved off the road and slammed into the car the boy was sleeping in, officials said.

The boy, who wasnt identified in the news release, was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries, according to the prosecutors office.

The 25-year-old driver was issued multiple motor vehicle summonses in connection with the crash, which is under investigation, the release said.

Although officials have publicly named the driver, McClatchy News isnt doing so because he hasnt been charged with causing the boys death as of July 24.

Officials said more charges could be filed.

The father and son had been fishing in a creek near the road where the crash occurred prior to the collision, the Press of Atlantic City reported.

Absecon is about 5 miles northwest of Atlantic City.

Hockey coach loved by everyone dies while taking a nap from migraine, NHL star says

Motorcyclist last seen riding in mountains found dead down embankment, Georgia cops say

School bus monitor charged in 6-year-olds death after bus ride, New Jersey officials say
ASHEVILLE - More service industry labor unions may be on the horizon in Asheville, following trends witnessed across the U.S.

Jacob Levinsohn, a bartender at The Crow & Quill, cites issues within the city and in individual businesses as reasons that more local workers are considering unionizing.

Its desperately needed, and I think we will see more of it  I hope we will see more of it, Levinsohn said. Asheville has  theres so much tourism. Theres so much business and it attracts a lot of money and a lot of jobs, but a lot of them are very poor jobs. They dont pay people well, they dont treat people well, and they rely on burning through people. With the increase in the cost of living in Asheville, we need something for workers, and I think unions can provide a lot of that.

Crow and Quill bartender Jacob Levinsohn makes a Fall Fashioned cocktail June 22, 2023 in Asheville.

Corporate companies like Starbucks have seen an uptick in staff voting in favor of unions at locations across the country.

Independent Restaurant Coalition, a trade association, acts to support and provide representation on a national level for independent restaurants and bars and their business owner, staff and communities across the U.S.

Some of their campaigns have included creating sustainable practices, sharing educational resources, and advocating for policy changes in Washington, D.C., for independent restaurants and bars.

Out of our more than 200,000 coalition members, not a single one has shared any plans or opposition to unions. Its not a hot topic for us right now, said IRC Executive Director Erika Polmar. We see unionization efforts impacting more of the larger franchises like Starbucks than we do our members right now.

Polmar said its common for a restaurant or bar inside of hotel property to be unionized.

I wouldnt be surprised if we see more unionization specifically in those larger corporate entities. I dont expect that we will in independents, but I could just as easily be proven wrong.

However, in Asheville, theres been more movement, though its been slow as the groundwork is being laid to make a smoother path for other area food and beverage workers.

Story continues

Levinsohn was among the staff to vote in favor to unionize at The Crow & Quill in 2018.

In 2022, employees at a Starbucks on Charlotte Street in Asheville attempted to unionize but didnt garner enough votes.

Less than a year later, employees of Green Sage Cafes Hendersonville Road location in South Asheville voiced their desire for a collective bargaining agreement but were met with opposition when their employer initially opposed their labor union efforts. The staff responded with a public rally and filed formal complaints against the employer to the National Labor Relations Board.

Labor union opposition

At Green Sage South, the local leader told the Citizen Times that the collective bargaining agreement was to address issues like fair scheduling, wage transparency and access to benefits and a human resources representative and accountant to assist with questions and concerns.

In February, Green Sage owner Randy Talley rejected the staffs efforts to unionize with a letter denying recognition. However, the staff won with a 7-0 vote for union representation through the National Labor Relations Board, which was certified on April 7.

Green Sage workers and supporters rallied in Pack Square to support unionizing February 14, 2023.

In May, formal complaints were filed against the Green Sage Cafe employer to the NLRB for unfair labor practices according to the National Labor Relations Act. The basis of the charge included:

Discharged an employee(s) because the employee(s) joined or supported a labor organization and in order to discourage union activities and/or membership.

Disciplined an employee because they supported a labor organization and in order in order to discourage union activities and/or membership.

Interrogated employees about union activities.

Interfered with the formation of a labor organization.

Interfered with refrained, and coerced employees in exercise of their rights under Section 7 by making coercive statements and for participating in protected concerted activity.

On June 28, Talley made his first response to the Citizen Times regarding the labor union via email:

"Green Sage's employees petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold an election to determine if a majority of Green Sage's employees wished to be represented by Teamsters Local 61. An election was conducted by the NLRB on March 30, 2023, and based on the results of that election Local 61 was certified by the NLRB as the representative of Green Sage's employees on April 7, 2023.

"Green Sage and Teamster officials have had several fruitful discussions since the certification. The parties have scheduled dates in late July to begin formal negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement.

"Green Sage respects the rights and wishes of its employees in this matter. The company looks forward to productive and meaningful bargaining with the Teamsters."

Green Sage has two additional locations, in downtown and in North Asheville. The staff is nonunion.

In a unique case, The Crow & Quills owner, Casey Campfield, not only supported his staff unionizing but presented the idea to them.

I encouraged the staff to consider filing their union paperwork, Campfield said. I thought it was important to reflect our ideas of a pro-union labor establishment and protect them in case something happened to me and there was new ownership. I wanted to make sure they had some safeguards in place.

Campfield said he aimed to set an example for other business owners and encourage workers to consider the benefits of a union.

It allows you to take control of your conditions, and thats really worthwhile, Levinsohn said.

Labor union support

Asheville Food & Beverage United, an advocacy group, has supported local hospitality workforce causes from paid parking for downtown workers to rallying alongside Green Sage workers.

Jen Hampton, co-chair for Asheville Food and Beverage United, has been in communication with other local service workers interested in and meeting with their colleagues to discuss unionizing at their corresponding places of employment. However, some have voiced reluctance and fear over possible negative responses and retaliation from their employers. Also, people are worried that future employers may not want to hire a person whos been in a union previously, Hampton said.

Christine Caldemeyer adds dark chocolate shavings to a Jackie Treehorn cocktail made with lavender-vanilla infused vodka, house made coffee liqueur and cream, at Crow and Quill in Asheville June 22, 2023.

The decision to unionize was without conflict, Campfield said, but there have still been delays and difficulties along the way.

The Crow & Quills collective bargaining agreement is still in its draft form and unsigned by either party due to reasons like the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the business to temporary close.

Some staff members have left for various reasons, like moving away or moving on to other jobs or pandemic-related life changes.

The remaining employees have picked up creating the contract from scratch.

To my knowledge, Crow was the first unionized bar in North Carolina in many decades and possibly ever and thats one of the reasons why the contract has taken a while, in addition to the bar being shut down during the pandemic, was that its kind of uncharted territory, said David Forbes, a maintenance worker at The Crow & Quill. Theres not a template contract that we can just plug in and adjust specifics for our workplace concerns. Were kind of making the template right here.

Now, there are seven employees on the payroll. Three of the employees of the original union vote are still active with the bar.

The collective bargaining agreement would formalize much of whats already been improved, like pay increases in response to the rising cost of living and paid time off. Having a contract would be beneficial if there were a change of ownership so the employees wouldnt be reliant on the new owner upholding the prior set standards, he said.

Forbes said forming the union opened a line of communication and creates a space for issues to be addressed directly.

Casey Campfield, owner of Crow and Quill, June 21, 2023.

The bar has had good working conditions in place, Forbes said. And since 2018, there have been verbally agreed-upon changes and improvements put into effect.

We get regular pay raises now and we have paid time off, Levinsohn said. Those are kind of the biggest changes, and weve got some other things were looking into, but were a very small union right now so its not happening quickly.

Even without the final contract, theres a feeling of solidarity among the staff, Forbes said.

We address our needs informally here and add benefits and things like that without having to go through the union, but the union is there in case they ever want to push for something, if something comes up or if theres a different ownership, Campfield said.

Campfield has not been a part of the drafting process of the collective bargaining agreement but said he will voluntarily sign once a deal is met.

In 2018, Forbes wasnt an employee of The Crow and Quill but offered consultation as someone well-versed with the union process.

Casey Campfield, owner of Crow and Quill, June 21, 2023.

Forbes plans for the contract to be completed soon, and that the template will show other service workers in Asheville what they deserve to be paid and how they deserve to be treated and raise questions as to why better treatment isnt more common.

The Crow is a rarity in that the employer was willing to be like, I think unions are generally good. You present the paperwork and Ill sign it, basically, Forbes said. I dont think youre going to have that with more businesses in Asheville.

Food and beverage-specific unions

Service Workers In Solidarity labor union was established out of The Crow & Quill to provide Asheville-area employees with a local, industry-specific organization.

There hasnt been that many service worker-specific unions, especially for food service, so it was kind of uncharted territory in some way, said Forbes, who stated it wasnt possible to join an existing union and many are focused on industrial or office professional-related industries.

Food service, beverage service, they have their own specific challenges, specific issues and workplace things people face, Forbes said. We were trying to chart our own way and what that might look like.

Christine Caldemeyer pours a Jackie Treehorn cocktail with lavender-vanilla infused vodka, house made coffee liqueur, cream and chocolate shavings, at Crow and Quill in Asheville June 22, 2023.

Forbes has noticed an increase in local unions in other industries and expects to see more in the service industry.

At the end of the month, Hampton said AFBU will become a 501(c)(5) trade union, in affiliation with the national restaurant union Restaurant Workers United, so that local workers may unionize under AFBU instead of seeking teamsters outside of the area.

Established unions, theyve had decades to organize for food service and theyve just kind of ignored us, Hampton said. In working with the teamsters, they were super happy and willing to take on Green Sage, but they admitted they didnt have a lot of information and knowledge about the specific ins and outs of restaurant work. It just makes a lot of sense to us to do our own thing and form our own union and this other group, they have already successfully organized restaurants in Washington state, Austin, Texas and Kentucky.  It feels like its a perfect fit for us to have that union grow and to grow ourselves.

The fight for workers rights

AFBUs campaign is asking for living wages, paid sick days and fair scheduling with advance notice, Hampton said.

As of 2023, the living wage rate in Buncombe County is $20.10 per hour, which is the base for a full-time employee to qualify for a one-bedroom apartment in the county, according to Just Economics, a membership organization that works toward building a sustainable economy across Western North Carolina.

In one year, the living wage rate increased from $17.70 an hour.

Front-of-the-house employees make $2.13 an hour and are reliant on customers tips, and many dont have paid sick days, Hampton said, which is unsafe for the worker and customers.

The fact that we are one of the least affordable cities, people pay attention  and they should  to the housing costs and the cost of living, and that is a huge problem; its also the wages being so low here in a lot of areas, Forbes said. The food service sector has become one of the beating hearts of Ashevilles tourism industry, but its also one with a lot of exploitation (and) with a lot of low wages.

Financial burden shouldnt be a factor in a businesss decision to support workers, Levinsohn said.

There are costs associated with it but there are quality of life issues that I dont think you should be in business if you cant meet, Levinsohn said. You need to pay people a living wage and youre retaining employees longer. You have people who care about their job, so ultimately you do better. But if people cant pay people a living wage, you shouldnt be in business.

Casey Campfield, owner of Crow and Quill, June 21, 2023.

At The Crow & Quill, the starting wage for a barback is $20 an hour plus tips that may average to an additional $10 an hour, depending on the shift.

Im not trying to come down on any small businesses that are struggling to make means meet," Campfield said. "But I do think, as a whole, particularly with the larger and more profitable businesses in town, that the wages are just not adding up to the cost of living in a town as expensive as Asheville. And its our obligation to make sure everyone or every skill level is able to live comfortably in the town they live in.

Benefits of a union include setting standards for workers rights and employees having a say about pay and hours, Levinsohn said.

Thats the kind of power that should be in the hands of the workers, Levinsohn said. It also leads to employment being a conversation between employer and workers and thats way more beneficial for everyone.

Campfield said business owners may also find benefits in staff retention and morale.

Business owners, let your employees vote to unionize, Campfield said. Do not try to interfere with that process. Theres nothing to fear. It is not going to be harmful to your business. If anything, youre going to have a group of people who feel more empowered, and you will probably have a longer retention of employees because they work somewhere where they feel heard and safe.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Crow & Quill, Green Sage unionized. Labor union movement on the rise?
Spanish-language theater, produced locally and by companies outside Miami-Dade County, is not rare in an area where only 27 percent of residents are English-only speakers.

While productions in Spanish have always been part of Miami-Dades theater scene  Mario Ernesto Sanchezs Teatro Avante and the yearly International Hispanic Theatre Festival have long led the way, for example  Alexa Kuve, the executive and producing artistic director of Arca Images, agrees there are barriers for non-Spanish speaking theatergoers who might want to attend a performance in its original language.

Many companies now offer supertitles, much like opera, with the English translation appearing in text  but even that creates a barrier. Theater creates and requires an intimacy between actors and audiences, and that can become a battle for attention if the theatergoer is watching whats going on onstage and following the words in captions.

Kuve says that especially for its upcoming production of Hierro (Iron), by Cuban-Spanish playwright Carlos Celdran, it is important to draw in English and Spanish speakers.

Carlos tells a very different story about Jose Marti who is a near mythological figure for Latin Americans. This play is an eloquent re-examination of his life, says Kuve.

Hierro will open on Thursday, July 27, and run through Sunday, Aug. 6 at the Miami Dade County Auditorium in its original Spanish but with a simultaneous English translation. A translator, in another room of the theater, watches what is happening on stage through a video connection and translates in real time, she explains. Audiences can listen to the English version through wireless headphones that are provided. Although not the first time Arca has offered the simultaneous translation, Kuve is hoping the word gets out about Hierro.

Claudia Valdes, left, in rehearsal with writer-director Carlos Celdran for his play Hierro (Iron) at the Miami- Dade County Auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Arca Images)

This is a play that has only been performed live before in Cuba, says Kuve. Celdran, who lives in Madrid, is directing the play and is in Miami working with actors, many of whom now live here but performed in the original production in Havana.

Story continues

The play had its world premiere in November 2019 at Celdrans company, Argos Teatro.

It had a good run there just before the pandemic hit, he says. It caused an impact.

He says his work demystifies the image of the National Hero of Cuba and of the man who became a symbol of Cubas bid for independence from Spain in the 19th century; many view Marti as the apostle of Cuban independence.

This is not an official version of him, Celdran says in Spanish, with Kuve translating to English. His image has been manipulated to the Cuban people. He calls it Martianism, which has detracted from Cubans learning about his human side.

Marti was an epic figure, but he was also human, says the playwright. Kuve adds: Through his research, Carlos discovered this person that was not in any history books.

Celdran says his purpose in writing the play was a mix of his own fascination with the Cuban nationalist, poet, and essayist, which began when Celdran was a boy in Cuba and a desire to start a dialogue about this figure that is so important for Cubans in and out of Cuba.

The playwright says his story is a reinterpretation that returns to the beginning of Martis story.

I wanted to unfold his personal life, his private life, says Celdran, who has included material centered on Martis exile in New York City, where he lived for 15 years after the Spanish deported him from Cuba for his radical ideas.

Caleb Casas as Jose Marti and Claudia Valdes as Carmen Zayas Bazan in Hierro (Iron), by Cuban-Spanish playwright Carlos Celdran. (Photo courtesy of Arca Images)

Celdrans approach was revered by many in his homeland of Cuba although he confides that people who had officially worked with research and history about Marti found some of the subjects the playwright chose to tackle problematic.

One sticking point: his infidelity. Some of them do not accept that he was unfaithful to his wife and that he had an illegitimate daughter with the wife of a friend. They find that inappropriate.

He says that there was only a small faction of naysayers when the play opened in Cuba. It didnt bubble up. It didnt escalate.

Rachel Pastor as Carmen Miyares soothes Caleb Casas as Jose Marti in Hierro (Iron), by Cuban-Spanish playwright Carlos Celdran. (Photo courtesy of Sonia Almaguer)

It was through Martis poetry that the playwright was able to feel the character he created, a man who had a personal life filled with contradictions, agonies, problems, and suffering.

Kuve says Celdran brings out, too, his sensitivity. Her eyes well up as she talks about a part of Celdrans play that she says brings her to tears every time.

Theres my favorite scene where Marti confronts the man who tried to poison and kill him. He tells him, I need to forgive you. I need to understand you because I need to forgive you not for you but for myself,  she says.

For Celdran, the scene is the pinnacle. It is a small passage of his life that is almost forgotten but it is a metaphor for the entire show. That we all need to overcome our hatreds.

WHAT: U.S. premiere of Carlos Celdrans Hierro in Spanish with simultaneous English translation.

WHEN: Opens 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 6.

WHERE: Miami Dade County Auditorium On.Stage Black Box Theater, 2901 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL

COST: $30, general admission, $25 seniors and students with valid ID.

INFO: Call Miami-Dade Auditorium at 305.547.5414 or arcaimages.org

ArtburstMiami.com is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Dont miss a story at www.artburstmiami.com.
Pararescueman Lt. Clancy Hatleberg closes the Apollo 11 spacecraft hatch as astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, Jr. await a helicopter pickup from their life raft after they splashed down 900 miles southwest of Hawaii on July 24, 1969. File Photo courtesy NASA

July 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1679, New Hampshire became a royal colony of the British crown.

In 1847, after 17 months and many miles of travel, Brigham Young led 148 Mormon pioneers into Utah's Valley of the Great Salt Lake.

In 1956, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis performed together for the last time on stage at the Copacabana in New York City. In his 2005 memoir, Lewis described his former partner as one of the greatest comedic talents of all time.

In 1969, Apollo 11 returned to Earth, ending its historic moon-landing mission. After the spacecraft's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were flown by helicopter to the recovery ship USS Hornet.

On July 24, 2009, 1998, a gunman opened fire at the Capitol in Washington, killing two police officers and wounding a tourist. Police shot the gunman, Russell Eugene Weston Jr., who survived. He was later charged with murder and has been confined to a psychiatric institution. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Richard Nixon should surrender White House tapes for the criminal trials of his former associates.

In 1983, George Brett of the Kansas City Royals had a home run nullified in the "Pine Tar Incident" after New York Yankees Manager Billy Martin had Brett's bat examined by umpires. The Royals filed a protest and the home run was later reinstated.

Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, speaks to a House Ethics subcommittee July 18, 2002, after the panel found him guilty of violating congressional ethics rules by taking kickbacks and bribes and evading taxes. On July 24, 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives expelled Traficant by a vote of 420-1. File Photo by Chris Corder/UPI

Newly elected Baseball Hall of Fame inductees pitcher Nolan Ryan and outfielder George Brett pose with their respective baseball cards January 6, 1999. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

In 1998, a gunman opened fire at the Capitol in Washington, killing two police officers and wounding a tourist. Police shot the gunman, Russell Eugene Weston Jr., who survived. He was later charged with murder and has been confined to a psychiatric institution.

Phyllis Siegel, 76, (R) kisses her wife Connie Kopelov, 84, after exchanging vows at the Manhattan City Clerk's office on the first day New York State's Marriage Equality Act went into effect July 24, 2011. File Photo by Michael Appleton/Pool

In 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives expelled Rep. James Traficant, an Ohio Democrat, by a vote of 420-1. Traficant, who had been convicted of racketeering, bribery and corruption, served seven years in prison.

In 2005, Lance Armstrong won a record seventh consecutive Tour de France. All seven wins were voided in 2012 after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency concluded he had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.

On July 24, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Richard Nixon should surrender White House tapes for the criminal trials of his former associates. File Photo by Darryl Heikes/UPI

File Photo by David Silpa/UPI

In 2009, an increase in the federal minimum wage, from $6.55 to $7.25 an hour, went into effect. Representatives of small businesses said the increase would threaten their survival.

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In 2011, hundreds of gay couples in formal suits and gowns, and T-shirts recited vows after New York became the sixth and largest state to recognize same-sex weddings.

In 2014, an Air Algerie plane carrying 118 people dropped from radar en route to Algiers from Ouagadougou, the capital of the West African country of Burkina Faso, and crashed in Mali. There were no survivors.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission charged Facebook a record-breaking $5 billion penalty for violating a 2012 order related to fooling users about their ability to control the privacy of their personal information.
The FBI is warning about a deadly delivery that could be as close as your neighbors mailbox. Illegal drugs are being sent through the post office in Jacksonville including cocaine, meth, and fentanyl.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

24 million packages pass through the U.S. mail every day. The vast majority filled with illegal drugs go undetected. A joint task force consisting of multiple law enforcement agencies is helping postal inspectors stop the contraband from being shipped in the mail.

We do see a lot of activity in Florida. And for that reason, its probably where we have the most task force officers, Daniel Adame with the USPS Inspection Service said. We have gotten very good at using intelligence and analytics. To try to put us in the right place at the right time.

Action News Jax Investigates dug into the numbers and found from 2020-2022, the postal service stopped 19,979 illegal packages in Florida alone. Florida was top in the country to receive cocaine, number one for meth, and number five for fentanyl.

Its a pain Keyla Morgan knows all too well. Her daughter, Megan Whitaker, had her bright future cut short by illegal drugs at just 29 years old.

For three days, everything was kind of a blur, Morgan told Action News Jaxs Robert Grant. I kept thinking, its a bad dream, Im going to wake up, this hasnt really happened.

The night Megan died, she smoked marijuana to help her fall asleep. Unbeknownst to her, it was laced with fentanyl, and she died from an overdose.

I mean, its putting thousands and thousands of people in danger that arent even choosing to buy illicit drugs, Morgan said.

Some of the drugs are stopped in Miami by U.S. Customs and Border Protection long before they get to Jacksonville.

Our job is to actually find it, and then we route all that information through the authorities, Alain Rodriguez, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said.

They found most of the cocaine coming to Jacksonville is from Puerto Rico.

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[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Action News Jax Investigates spent months sorting through the data and zeroed in on the neighborhoods where large shipments of drugs were seized.

Mayport in the 32233-zip code has the largest seized shipment of cocaine in Northeast Florida. Law enforcement seized a shipment of meth in the 32224-zip code, which includes the University of North Florida. Large amounts of all three drugs were caught coming into the 32210-zip code on the Westside.

I think drug cartels now have sprouted in a lot of areas that you would traditionally not see them, Adame said. Its not only the major metropolitan areas where the drugs are coming in to.

Action News Jax reported last year on a major drug bust in Orange Park which included narcotics being shipped through the mail.

READ: Clay County Sheriffs Office takes down drug operation linked to California, Mexican Cartel

Its the result of several agencies working together, including the FBI, DEA, Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement agencies. The crackdown brings slight relief to Morgan.

The grief comes in waves. But it does help to know that Im speaking out to try and make a difference.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

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.
Extreme heat fuelled by the climate crisis is believed to have killed at least five people in Americas national parks since 1 June, according to figures from the National Park Service.

The fatalities exceed the average number of heat-related deaths over an entire summer in a typical year, and August, the deadliest month for parks is still to come, mortality data provided to CNN revealed.

The deaths occurred in temperatures exceeding 100F (38C) across three national parks  Death Valley in California, Texas Big Bend, and the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

On Saturday 22 July, two female hikers were found dead in Nevadas Valley of Fire State Park after they were reported missing in 114F (45C) temperatures, officials said.

On 18 July, avid hiker Steve Curry, 71, was pronounced dead after collapsing outside of a restroom on the Golden Canyon trailhead in Death Valley.

Curry had been asked by a Los Angeles Times reporter hours before his death why he was hiking in the blistering 121F (49C) heat. Why do I do it? Why not, he replied.

A 14-year-old Orlando boy died in Big Bend after hiking in 119F (48C) conditions on 23 June, while his stepfather died in a car crash while seeking help.

A 65-year-old man died in the same park on 1 June.

On 2 July, a 57-year-old female hiker was pronounced in Grand Canyon after rangers received reports that a distressed hiker was lost in 114F (46C) heat.

And a 65-year-old man was found dead in his vehicle on the side of the road in Death Valley National Park on 5 July.

A National Park Service spokesperson told CNN that heat-related deaths were difficult to track, and that the true death toll in recent years could be revised upwards once they had corroborated death reports with local and state agencies.

A sign warns hikers of the dangers of heading out in Death Valley (Associated Press)

There have been 68 reported heat-related deaths in parks since 2007, but statistics from recent years could be revised significantly higher, the spokesperson said.

Across the planet, heatwaves stoked by the climate crisis, combined with a warming El Nino pattern, have set thousands of new temperature records this summer.

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This been especially apparent in the southwestern US. Phoenix, Arizonas largest city, shattered its record for the most consecutive days of 110F-plus temperatures.

A recent report from Climate Central found that the climate crisis, caused by humans burning fossil fuels, was making persistent, dangerous heat five times more likely.

Temperatures in Americas 417 national parks have increased at twice the rate of the rest of the country in the past century, due to the climate crisis, according to a 2018 study.

This weekend, temperatures are expected to climb past 130F in Death Valley. Signs warned hikers not to venture out after 10am but many still choose to head out to experience the iconic desert landscape in sweltering conditions.

According to the The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the most serious heat-related illness is heat stroke, which can occur within 20-30 minutes when the body is unable to control its temperature. The bodys temperature can rise to 106F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, causing its sweating mechanism to fail.

The National Park Service recommends hikers pack plenty of water, salty snacks, sun protection and lightweight, light-coloured before heading out. Hikers should start their walks before 10am or after 4pm.

If experiencing heat-related illness, the NPS recommends moving to cool or shaded areas, calling 911 or flagging down a ranger, soaking yourself in water and fanning yourself vigorously.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  A half-century ago, the nation's top health experts urged the federal agency in charge of mine safety to adopt strict rules protecting miners from poisonous rock dust.

The inaction since  fueled by denials and lobbying from coal and other industries  has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of miners from pneumoconiosis, more commonly known as black lung." The problem has only grown in recent years as miners dig through more layers of rock to get to less accessible coal, generating deadly silica dust in the process.

One former regulator called the lack of protection from silica-related illnesses stunning and one of the most catastrophic occupational health failures in U.S. history.

Now the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has proposed a rule that would cut the current limit for silica exposure in half  a major victory for safety advocates. But there is skepticism and concern about the government following through after years of broken promises and delays.

James Bounds, a retired coal miner from Oak Hill, West Virginia, said nothing can be done to reverse the debilitating illness he was diagnosed with at 37 in 1984. But he doesn't want others to suffer the same fate.

Its not going to help me  Im through mining, said Bounds, 75, who now uses supplemental oxygen to breathe. But we dont want these young kids breathing like we do.

The rule, published in the Federal Register this month, cuts the permissible exposure limit for silica dust from 100 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for an 8-hour shift in coal, metal and nonmetal mines such as sand and gravel.

The proposal is in line with exposure levels imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on construction and other non-mining industries. And its the standard The Centers for Disease Control was recommending as far back as 1974.

Silicosis is an occupational pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust present in minerals like sandstone. The U.S. Department of Labor began studying silica and its impact on workers health in the 1930s, but the focus on stopping exposure in the workplace largely bypassed coal miners.

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Instead, regulations centered on coal dust, a separate hazard created by crushing or pulverizing coal rock that also contributes to black lung.

In the decades since, silica dust has become a major problem as Appalachian miners cut through layers of sandstone to reach less accessible coal seams in mountaintop mines where coal closer to the surface has long been tapped. Silica dust is 20 times more toxic than coal dust and causes severe forms of black lung disease even after a few years of exposure.

An estimated one in five tenured miners in Central Appalachia has black lung disease; one in 20 has the most disabling form of black lung.

Miners are also being diagnosed at younger ages  some in their 30s and others with the advanced kind in their 40s. "Thats just nuts, said Dr. Carl Werntz, a West Virginia physician who conducts black lung examinations and described cases as skyrocketing."

United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts said there's no reason a 35-year-old miner should be diagnosed with a disease "that's going to cost him his life.

"Nobody should be dying because of a job they have," Roberts said.

MSHAs existing silica standards were developed in the 1970s, around the time of the U.S. Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

West Virginia University law professor Pat McGinley, who was part of a state team investigating the 2010 Upper Big Branch mining disaster that killed 29 miners, called the resurgence of black lung unparalleled when it comes to occupational health failures. In the Upper Big Branch mine, 71% of the 24 miners who received autopsies were found to have black lung.

I cant think of any occupation where there has been such devastation thats been ignored" by corporations and the government, he said. It's stunning.

The new rule is supported by Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Bob Casey and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia, who pushed for the change and released a joint statement saying protecting miners from "dangerous levels of silica cannot wait.

MSHA will be collecting comments on the proposal through Aug. 28, with three hearings scheduled in Arlington, Virginia, Beckley, West Virginia, and Denver.

One issue expected to come up: the use of respiratory protection equipment.

The National Mining Association, which represents mine operators, wants workers to be permitted to use respirators as a method of compliance with the rule.

These are recognized industrial hygiene practices utilized by federal regulators in other industries, but not in mining, spokesman Conor Bernstein said, adding that better ventilation controls, safety awareness and regulations on coal dust have all contributed to exponentially lower dust levels inside U.S. mines in recent years.

The mine workers' union and others, however, say respirators are ineffective while performing heavy labor in hot, confined spaces common in mines. The proposed rule allows for the use of respirators on a temporary basis while operators are implementing engineering controls. But advocates say inspectors aren't present often enough to ensure they don't become a permanent solution.

The history of miner safety and health enforcement teaches us that exceptions become the rule, said Sam Petsonk, a West Virginia attorney who represented miners who were diagnosed with black lung after operators knowingly violated regulations.

The proposed rule also includes a provision that allows companies to self-report silica levels. Federal inspectors conduct spot checks to ensure accuracy, but mine operators still have leeway to manipulate reporting data, said Willie Dodson, Central Appalachian field coordinator for Appalachian Voices, an advocacy group.

Ideally, MSHA inspectors would take samples day after day after day in a given mine to determine compliance, he said.

A coal dust examiner who worked for a Kentucky mining company was sentenced to six months in prison last month for falsifying dust samples and lying to federal officials.

In rural Nickelsville, Virginia, near the Tennessee border, Vonda Robinson says miners and their families are owed more accountability from the federal government and mine operators. Her husband John was diagnosed with black lung about a decade ago at 47. Now, his doctors say he will need a lung transplant.

Vonda Robinson said her husband doesn't know what to say when his 5-year-old granddaughter asks why he can't run and play with her, why even walking down the end of the driveway leaves him physically spent.

"Hell tell her Honey, papaw can't do that,' " she said.

During his 28 years mining, John Robinson would come home with his face covered with dust. But she tried not to worry. Everyone in the community mined coal.

He was one of those that wanted to go in the mines to give his family the American dream  the nice house, vehicles, put our kids through college, she said. "And this is what he got."

___

Daly reported from Washington.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee are poking holes in GOP arguments that President Biden is corrupt, claims that are founded on unverified allegations from an FBI form released in controversial fashion last week.

The uncorroborated allegations of Biden corruption and bribery are related to his son Hunters business relationship with Ukrainian energy company Burisma and were part of an FBI form released by by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) last week.

The form documents information that a confidential human source relayed to an FBI agent, but does not assess that information.

While the GOP sees the document as key to its investigation of the Biden familys business dealings, Democrats view the release as a stunning move that jeopardizes the FBIs ability to work with confidential sources while offering no proof of any wrongdoing.

The FBI last week admonished Comer and Grassley for releasing the form.

Chairman Comers and Senator Grassleys decision to publicly release the form is in brazen disregard of the safety of FBI human sources and the integrity of its investigations, House Oversight Committee Democratic staff wrote to Democratic lawmakers in a memo obtained by The Hill.

Contrary to Republican messaging, the form provides no new or additional support for their corruption allegations against the President or Hunter Biden. Instead, its release merely seeks to breathe new life into years-old conspiracy theories, initially peddled by Rudy Giuliani, that have been thoroughly debunked.

Republicans pushed back on the Democratic memo.

The Democrats latest memo is another piece of garbage that should be thrown in the trash. Senator Grassley acquired the unclassified FD-1023 form through legally protected disclosures by Justice Department whistleblowers, a GOP Oversight Committee spokesperson said in a statement. The record is based on a trusted confidential human sources conversations with a Burisma executive, and it has nothing to do with Rudy Guiliani.

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The tipster, dubbed CHS as short for confidential human source, relayed conversations he had with Mykola Zlochevsky, the CEO of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Zlochevsky thought that having Hunter Biden on the board could help insulate the company from its problems with being investigated by Ukrainian authorities.

The crux of the unproven bribery allegation has been pushed by allies of former President Trump for years: that then-Vice President Bidens threat to withhold funding to Ukraine unless Prosecutor Viktor Shokin was removed was intended to benefit Burisma, which was paying his son.

But Democrats point to numerous facts and comments  including from the FBI source, from congressional Republicans and from a man who was involved in pushing these theories  that severely undercut that theory.

Some reports say that the investigation into Burisma was, in fact, dormant by the time Biden called for Shokins ouster. Shokin was also criticized for failure to prosecute corruption, and his ouster was supported by numerous U.S. officials as well as other European allies far beyond Biden.

The Democratic memo also quoted numerous Republicans  including Grassley  casting doubt on the veracity of the claims in the memo.

Last month, Senator Johnson, who led Senate Republicans 2020 investigation into the allegations involving Burisma, conceded the issues with the Form FD-1023: Thats what this person says, but again, take that with a grain of salt. This could be coming from a very corrupt oligarch who could be making this stuff up, the Democratic memo said, citing a June podcast.

Senator Grassley also tacitly questioned the truthfulness of the allegations in the Form FD-1023 when he admitted he was not interested in whether the accusations in the form are accurate or not, the memo continued, pointing to a Fox News interview in June.

Grassley has argued that his interest in the FBI form rests more with whether the FBI and Department of Justice adequately investigated the tip rather than in the bribery allegations themselves.

What did the Justice Department and FBI do with the detailed information in the document? And why have they tried to conceal it from Congress and the American people for so long? Grassley said in a statement alongside the memos release last week.

But Democrats push back on that reasoning.

Under U.S. Attorney Brady, the DOJ and FBI thoroughly investigated the allegations as part of an eight-month formal assessment, which included interviewing Mr. Giuliani and the CHS, and reviewing suspicious activity reports (SARs) from banks, the memo said. The FBI also confirmed to Chairman Comer and Ranking Member Raskin during the June 5, 2023, briefing that Mr. Bradys assessment was closed in August 2020 because his team found insufficient evidence to warrant escalating the probe from an assessment to a preliminary or full investigation.

A GOP committee spokesperson, though, pointed to public comments from Attorney General Bill Barr refuting a previous claim from Raskin that an investigation into the claims had ended. Barr told the conservative website The Federalist in June that it was sent to Delaware for further investigation.

The memo also notes that the FBI source could verify the veracity of Zlochevskys claims, explaining that it is extremely common for businessmen in post-Soviet countries to brag or show off and to make bribe payments to government officials.

Democrats focus heavily on a recent letter to Comer from Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian who was later convicted of making illegal campaign contributions to Trump, and whom Guiliani relied on to dig up dirt about the Bidens in Ukraine ahead of the 2020 election. Parnas urged Comer to abandon efforts to uncover wrongdoing by the Biden family in Ukraine.

Never, during any of my communications with Ukrainian officials or connections to Burisma, did any of them confirm or provide concrete facts linking the Bidens to illegal activities. In fact, they asked me multiple times why our team was so concerned with this idea, Parnas wrote in the letter to Comer last week. The truth is that everyone [involved in this effort to discredit the Bidens] knew that these allegations against the Bidens were false. There has never been any actual evidence, only conspiracy theories spread by people who knew exactly what they were doing.

The memo also points to information collected during the first impeachment effort, including a conversation purported to be with Zlochevsky that contradicts the FD-1023 claims of communications with President Biden.

No one from Burisma ever had any contacts with VP Biden or people working for him during Hunter Bidens engagement, Zlochevsky says in the exchange, which appears to be with Vitaly Pruss, whom the letter describes as another long-time associate of Mr. [Rudy] Giuliani, who was a close friend of Mr. Zlochevsky.

Democrats also take the Republicans to task for sharing information the FBI expressly asked them not to release publicly.

Raskin (D-Md.) says the publicly released form does not include all the same redactions as the version first shared with lawmakers, disclosing names of individuals in Ukraine as well as some specific locations referenced during the conversation.

Chairman Comer and Senator Grassley chose to expose those additional details despite repeated cautioning from the FBI about the critical need to protect the safety of its human sources and its ability to conduct investigations effectively, Raskin wrote.

Indeed, a June 9 letter obtained by The Hill shows the FBI warned Comer about GOP members handling of the record just the day after offering a briefing to the full committee.

The Committee and its Members were specifically told that wider distribution could pose a risk of physical harm to FBI sources or others. The full text of this admonishment is included below for your reference. We are concerned that Members disregarded the Committees agreement that information from the document should not be further disclosed. Several Committee Members publicized specific details regarding their recollection of confidential source reporting purportedly referenced in the document, the bureau wrote in the letter.

But Republicans defend the release of the FBI form and refuted claims of it endangering a source.

Before publicly releasing the document, redactions were made to protect the identity of the confidential human source. The FD-1023 is also unclassified and is not marked law enforcement sensitive, a GOP Oversight Committee spokesperson said, pointing to statements from Democrats and information shared with the press that linked the document to Ukraine before it became public. Those early public statements, based on apparent FBI or DOJ leaks, exposed the source well before the document became public.

Despite the Democratic pushback, Republicans signal that the FBI form will fuel its investigations; Comer said in a statement last week that the form backs up his committees investigation of the Biden familys business dealings.

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, Comer said.

A GOP Oversight Committee spokesperson also defended release of the FBI form by linking it to another aspect of the committees probe into the Biden family business dealings.

When asked about the FBI form, IRS whistleblowers who looked into Hunter Biden said they had never heard of it. The GOP spokesperson said the form was was kept from them even though the whistleblowers had potentially had corroborating evidence

This story was updated at 6:13 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Loren Elliott/Reuters

America has been hit with record heat wave after record heat wave, creating sweltering conditions for labor. Democrats warn climate change will only make it worse.

So theyre trying to get ahead of it.

A new group of Democratic members from the House and Senate are banding together to push the Biden administration to create new federal rules to protect workers from heat-related injuries on the job.

In a letter slated to be sent by the group on Monday, Democrats are asking for better regulations to ensure workers have adequate water breaks, rests, shaded areas or air conditioning, medical services, and a plan for acclimatization to high-heat work conditions.

The letter is led by Rep. Greg Casar (TX) and co-led by Reps. Judy Chu (CA), Sylvia Garcia (TX), Raul Grijalva (AZ) and Bobby Scott (VA), along with Sens. Sherrod Brown (OH), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Alex Padilla (CA) and Bernie Sanders (VT).

Climate Change Is Literally Changing the Oceans Color

As of Sunday evening, the letter had 112 signatures and is addressed to acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and OSHA Assistant Secretary Douglas Parker, according to a copy shared with The Daily Beast. (OSHA is part of the Department of Labor.)

This very common sense proposal to make sure that workers have the water breaks they needthis is the kind of thing that it shouldnt be a left-or-right issue, Casar said.

Casar said hes met with the head of OSHA a handful of times. They were committed to working on this, but of course they're going to face opposition from big business interests that try to slow down worker protections, he said.

And it became clear to me after that conversation that Congress needed to be heavily advocating for this if we wanted to get it done, Casar added.

Labor regulations remain one of the trickier subject areas for Congress to enact bipartisan policy on. Just last term, Democrats alone were forced to nix a provision on universal paid leave from their Build Back Better Act because they couldnt secure votes from moderate Democrats in the Senate.

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This Congress hasnt made much progress on labor issues either between the Republican House and Democratic Senateeven amid a surge of labor organizing or strikes.

Organizers on the letter said that leaves them counting on the Biden administration to take action.

Ohioans shouldnt have to risk their health in extreme heat to provide for their families, Sen. Brown said in a statement. OSHA must create national standards and protections to keep workers safe on the job, as the risks of heat stress increase.

Sen. Sanders had a similar sentiment.

These heat waves are dangerous, they are life-threatening, andwith the devastating effects of climate changethey are only getting worse, he said in a statement. I urge the Administration to move quickly to create this national heat standard to protect workers on the job.

Julie Su to Stay as Acting Labor Secretary Indefinitely: Report

Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions including heat stroke, dehydration and exhaustion. A May report from the nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen found up to 2,000 workers a year die in the United States due to heat exposure.

At the federal level, there are currently a few specific guidelines employers must follow for extreme heat. A Washington Post report also noted that enforcement is spottyand often reserved for extreme cases of death or injury.

Casar said part of his urgency around the issue comes from a recently signed bill in Texas that will rollback municipal laws in Dallas and Austin, requiring rest breaks for construction workers. With action by Congress likely out of the question, he said hes counting on the administration to issue executive action.

OSHA can unilaterally enact some safety regulations around labor. Although Casar noted that hes hoping the Biden administration will act quickly on the issue, any rule handed down needs to be one the Supreme Court wont undo.

Casar on Friday said the list of signatories came together within a matter of days. The congressman added that hes been focusing on inviting members of the Democratic Caucus for the time being, but said if any Republican members want to sign on, that would be great and very welcome.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Deputies with the Avery County Sheriffs Office are asking for the public to be on the lookout for two missing residents believed to be in the same car.

According to a silver alert, 83-year-old Allen Hayden Vance and 79-year-old Rosalie Febuary Vance were both last seen on Jay Vance Road in Crossnore, North Carolina, on Sunday evening.

The sheriffs office says Allen Vance is a 511 white man with short, straight hair and blue eyes. Rosalie Vance is a 55 White woman with white shoulder-length hair and blue eyes.

ALSO READ: Police ask for publics help to find missing 81-year-old in southeast Charlotte

Deputies believe they are both traveling in a 2016 gray Nissan Rogue with North Carolina plates that read ZWF8248 and a bumper sticker that says Moms Taxi in the lower left corner of the back windshield.

According to the sheriffs office, both Allen and Rosalie Vance are believed to be suffering from Alzheimers or dementia.

Law enforcement does not know what outfit either person was wearing before they went missing.

Anyone with information about the location of Allen and Rosalie Vance is asked to call the Avery County Sheriffs Office.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Silver Alert issued for missing Charlotte man possibly in a red 1965 Mustang)




Top officials on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign acknowledged to donors on Sunday that theyd spent too much money and that further changes would be made as they look to recover from a disappointing start, according to three people who were present for the discussion.

Appearing before around 70 of the campaigns top contributors at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, DeSantis campaign manager Generra Peck said money had been spent on operations that had turned out to be ineffective and that the campaign would move to a leaner, insurgent posture going forward. Among the changes being made were to expose voters to DeSantis more, said Nick Iarossi, a Florida-based lobbyist and fundraiser who was at the event.

Let Ron be Ron, added Iarossi. Thats what got him here. Thats what made him the leader that he is in Florida. Were going back to our basics on all of this.

The retreat comes as DeSantis has slipped in national and early state polling, with recent surveys showing him trailing former President Donald Trump by large margins. There have also been growing concerns about the campaigns financial position. The campaign recently cut fewer than 10 staffers who were involved in event planning. Two senior DeSantis political aides, Dave Abrams and Tucker Obenshain, also recently departed the campaign to work on an outside pro-DeSantis effort.

Peck did not specify what the changes would be, according to a person who was present, though she indicated that everything would be on the table. Peck noted that the campaign had put too much money into event planning, the three people present said.

One attendee said the campaign officials indicated that they would spend less on fundraising, directing money saved there into operations in early nominating states. The aides expressed confidence in their early state efforts, and outlined the infrastructure they had developed.

DeSantis has been criticized for running a campaign that has shunned the mainstream media and relied on a bloated team of 90-plus staffers, which has drained the campaigns coffers. Attendees said Peck told the group that the governor planned to run more as an outsider, doing more media and smaller events.

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Last week, DeSantis had an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper  his first extensive sit-down with a mainstream media outlet. Aides say they expect the governor to do further interviews with mainstream organizations. He has also teased further policy rollouts.



Peck was joined on the roughly hourlong panel by three other top campaign officials  Sam Cooper, Ryan Tyson and Ethan Eilon. The weekend retreat also featured a Saturday evening Investor Appreciation Dinner, a Campaign Brainstorm and Strategy Session and a Sunday night barbeque dinner.

Despite the campaigns early stumbles and the slimming of staff, Iarossi stressed that Pecks position atop the operation was not in danger.

The important thing that everyone realized here is the first family has complete faith in Generra and the team, he said. The team is going to continue to evaluate the direction, be nimble, make changes as necessary. But the team is solidly behind her, the donors are solidly behind her. And this insurgent campaign thats being run is going to allow us to be more efficient going forward.
Gov. Ron DeSantis had a difficult weekend on the culture war front, re-doubling his defense of the states controversial new Black history standards as a new report revealed a now-infamous anti-LGBTQ ad was actually made within the campaign itself.

A pro-DeSantis account also tweeted a video that included alleged imagery of a Nazi symbol. Though reports that it had been retweeted by a DeSantis campaign staffer before it was deleted were unconfirmed, Florida Democrats pounced.

DeSantis continuing cultural battles come amid reports that his presidential bid is planning a reboot following worsening poll numbers and a major shedding of cash.

Fox News polls released Sunday showed DeSantis trailing former President Donald Trump by 40 points in the Iowa GOP presidential caucus and coming in third in the South Carolina primary behind former Gov. Nikki Haley.

Whats happened is what might be expected, and I did expect, said Mac Stipanovich, a former Tallahassee Republican consultant who has been a frequent critic of DeSantis. The campaign is proving to be a clown car. Malevolent clowns, but clowns just the same.

On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the standards, approved in a state Board of Education meeting in Orlando on Wednesday, which for the first time will spell out what students should learn about Black history in each grade from kindergarten through high school.

The instructions include teaching how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

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 at an event in Jacksonville.

The DeSantis campaign initially responded with a statement from the governor that Democrats were obsessed with Florida and were lying about the standards.

At a campaign event in Utah later that evening, however, DeSantis initially appeared to distance himself from the standards in responding to a question from CNN.

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You should talk to them about it, DeSantis said of the state Department of Education. I didnt do it. I wasnt involved in it.  These were scholars who put that together. It was not anything that was done politically.

But at the same time, he added, Theyre probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life.

Two members of the workgroup that put together the standards, William Allen and Frances Presley Rice, released a statement listing blacksmiths, shoemakers and shipping industry workers as examples of slaves benefiting from developing skills.

But some of the examples they listed, James Forten, Paul Cuffe, John Chavis and Henry Blair, were all likely born free, according to the Tampa Bay Times, and others such as Booker T. Washington were children when slavery ended.

Also over the weekend, the New York Times reported that the much-maligned anti-gay ad retweeted by the DeSantis War Room account in June, which had initially been posted by an outside account, was actually created by a campaign staffer.

The staffer, the Times wrote, produced the video internally, passing it off to an outside supporter to post it first and making it appear as if it was generated independently.

The video used footage of then-candidate Trump saying he would protect LGBTQ people in the wake of the 2016 Pulse gay nightclub shooting in Orlando that killed 49.

The video also included references to DeSantis signing extreme and draconian anti-transgender bills, a Pride event canceled in St. Cloud, images of bodybuilders and movie clips.

The video was condemned by both Democrats and gay conservative groups such as the Log Cabin Republicans.

The latest video to cause controversy, tweeted by the account DeSantisCams, closed with an image of soldiers in front of what appeared to be the circular Aryan sonnenrad symbol used by the SS in Nazi Germany and neo-nazi groups today.

Despite reports, there was no confirmed proof that the since-deleted video was retweeted by a DeSantis campaign staffer. The DeSantisCams account had previously been retweeted often by members of Team DeSantis.

The Florida Democratic Party still seized on the issue, with chair Nikki Fried stating that DeSantis has been given every chance to denounce neo-Nazis and what they stand for, and he refuses to do it. U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando, also tweeted, Calling DeSantis a fascist isnt hyperbole, its defining what he is.

The Times story cited sources saying the DeSantis campaign was planning a leaner-meaner operation. Politico also reported that the campaign will portray DeSantis as an outsider, doing more media and smaller events.

The shift comes after NBC News revealed earlier this month that the DeSantis campaign spent nearly $8 million in its first six weeks.

The DeSantis campaign did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.
Five people are challenging Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood in the Aug. 1 primary election, where the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

Voters will find four of Fleetwoods opponents on the ballot and a fifth is running an official write-in campaign, so votes for community activist Joel Johnson will be included in the final election tally.

City and county races are nonpartisan, and all voting is by mail in Washington state.

Nevertheless, Fleetwood, Kim Lund, Kristina Michele Martens and Mike McAuley are listed as certified Democrats on the Whatcom Democrats web page for endorsements and recommendations. The Whatcom Republicans made no endorsement in the Bellingham mayors race.

Ballots must be postmarked  not simply placed in the mail  by 8 p.m. Aug. 1 to be counted. Ballots can also be placed in official ballot drop boxes that will be locked when polling closes.

In Bellingham, the mayor is the highest elected official and is essentially the citys CEO, managing the various city departments and executing public policy as set by the City Council.

Its a four-year term and the job pays $221,000 annually.

Heres how the candidates responded to a Bellingham Herald questionnaire that asked them to list their qualifications, the top three issues facing the city, and how they would solve one of those priorities. (Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot):

Christopher J. McCoy, founder of Kombucha Town, talks with other candidates for Bellingham mayor at a forum hosted by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership at the Whatcom Museums Old City Hall galleries on Tuesday.

Christopher J. McCoy

Christopher McCoy is founder and CEO of Kombucha Town, which makes fermented teas, and the Culture Cafe restaurant in downtown Bellingham.

A Sunnyland resident, McCoy listed the homelessness crisis, mitigating crime and drug use downtown as his top three issues.

He also said living wages/housing affordability and restoration and protection of the environment and our native culture are among his priorities.

I would partner with and expand local organizations that are working diligently to address and improve the lives of the homeless, addicted and mentally Ill, said McCoy, who has a BA in environmental studies and economics from Western Washington University and is a certified sustainable building advisor.

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He cited HomesNOW! as an example of how he believes tiny home villages could shelter people currently living on the street.

By building 20 of these sites around Bellingham over the next two to three years, we would be able to reduce homelessness by over 50% and save millions on otherwise expensive ineffective programs that in many cases actually make homelessness worse and even more fatal. By creating safe healthy environment for these individuals the crime and drug use rates will reduce significantly taking pressure off the police and other public services members to focus on quality control, education, prevention and community building.

He raised $8,044 for his campaign through Thursday, according to the sate Public Disclosure Commission.

Kim Lund, a candidate for Bellingham mayor, marches with supporters at the Pride in Bellingham parade on July 9.

Kim Lund

Kim Lund told The Herald that she has a vision for a safe, stable and thriving city.

If elected, I will bring my track record as an effective executive and critical thinker to lead city government, she said.

First, the community health and safety crisis that is concentrated in our downtown core requires compassion alongside accountability. As mayor, I will work with urgency, listening to stakeholders, to create actionable plans for local businesses and residents experiencing increased disruption and crime, as well as for the people who are unhoused and overdosing on our streets. Lets take pragmatic steps to do better in this moment, measuring the impact of our actions and adapting as needed, she said.

Lund attended Bellingham schools and has a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of Washington. She completed the Oxford Leading Sustainable Corporations Programme from Said School of Business at the University of Oxford.

Most recently, Lund, who lives in the South neighborhood, served eight years as the executive director for the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, a nonprofit that supports district schools.

There is no one single answer to fixing affordable housing, but working toward this goal is of great public benefit and one of my top priorities. We have dedicated, talented people working in city planning so lets keep investing in our planning department to add additional resources  increased staffing leads to decreased permitting times which means less building expenses, more incentive to build and adds housing supply across the entire continuum, Lund said.

Shes is also a member of the Whatcom County Planning Commission and the Bellingham Public Schools Sustainability Advisory Group, and serves on the board of Brigid Collins Family Support Center and the Whatcom Million Trees Project.

Lund is endorsed by the Riveters Collective, the Sierra Club, the National Womens Political Caucus and

She raised $53,676 for her campaign through Thursday, according to the sate Public Disclosure Commission.

Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood talks with other candidates for mayor at a forum hosted by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership at the Whatcom Museums Old City Hall galleries on Tuesday.

Seth Fleetwood

Seth Fleetwood, a lawyer and lifelong Bellingham resident, has more than 25 years of experience in community and government service, including two terms on the Bellingham City Council and two terms on the Whatcom County Council before his election as mayor in 2019.

A South Hill resident, he graduated from Bellingham schools, the University of Washington and the Willamette University College of Law.

Fleetwood, whose first term was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the racial justice movement, rising rents, soaring homelessness and the fentanyl epidemic, addressed those issues in his response to The Herald.

The pandemic increased an array of social problems in our city that were felt in a very pronounced way in our downtown. Finding solutions that addressed the needs requested by the many disparate voices in our community required listening, learning and then directing action on effective implementation plans, he told The Herald.

For a second term, his top three issues are implementing effective ways to address housing affordability and homelessness, ensuring public health and safety, and addressing the climate crisis.

Under my direction we increased downtown security, worked to create a new alternative response team for people in mental health crisis, created a new sanitation division, started a graffiti abatement program, began a new presence of downtown police officers, initiated creation of a new therapeutic drug court, banned open public use of illegal drugs, created a mayors downtown solutions working group and took other steps to foster a safe, welcoming downtown. These efforts are ongoing but we are making steady progress and things are getting better, Fleetwood said.

Fleetwood was also an early supporter and activist for the citys Greenways tax to fund parks, trails and outdoor recreation.

He raised $17,781 for his campaign through Thursday, according to the sate Public Disclosure Commission.

Mike McAuley talks with other candidates for mayor at a forum hosted by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership at the Whatcom Museums Old City Hall galleries on Tuesday.

Mike McAuley

Mike McAuley, a former Port of Bellingham commissioner and owner of McAuley Design Works, told The Herald that he will focus on solutions to housing and homelessness, address pubic transit and help Bellingham neighborhoods keep their unique character if he is elected.

(I would) house the unhoused in safe, healthy, stable interim micro-homes (and) build permanently affordable, not-for-profit workforce rental housing using municipal bonds, he said in an email.

McAuley, who lives in the Roosevelt neighborhood, said he would create micro-mobility transportation corridors and reassign (city) staff to focus on climate change resiliency rather than just trying to stop it.

He has a bachelor of science degree in urban studies with a focus on environmental and public policy from The Evergreen State College and a master of science degree from Western Washington University, focusing on land-use policy.

As we work to fulfill new state law and add housing or work opportunities for a growing population, every neighborhood will feel the effects of traffic, more people in the parks, generally more crowded shopping, and so on. One way to help the neighborhoods remain unique is using Placemaking, where we will work with each neighborhood to create small, affordable and widespread works like more benches, a small corner parklets, trail connectors, maybe a small food truck court or pop-up retail plazas; neighborhoods will get to work with city staff to define a series of what they think will help them keep a sense of identity, he said.

In addition to serving two terms on the Port Commission, McAuley is a current member of the Bellingham Planning Commission and has served on a wide range of public and private boards and commissions, including Recreation Northwest, Sustainable Connections and the Working Waterfront Coalition.

He raised $8,885 for his campaign through Thursday, according to the sate Public Disclosure Commission. He iss endorsed by the Bellingham Tenants Union.

Bellingham City Councilwoman Kristina Michele Martens addresses supporters at a rally for the Whatcom County Racial Equity Commission, which she helped form, on Oct. 11, 2022, outside the Bellingham Public Library.

Kristina M. Martens

Kristina Michele Martens is the first Black woman elected to the City Council and a key figure in the local racial justice movement that kindled after the murder of George Floyd.

She holds the at-large council post and lives in the Cornwall Park neighborhood.

Martens, who was a co-founder of the new Whatcom County Racial Equity Commission, has an associates degree in psychology from Grossmont Community College near San Diego.

Her priorities are renter protections, increasing support for people experiencing homelessness, and building affordable housing.

Instead of solely focusing on supporting individuals once they have already entered into homelessness, the community is in dire need of a robust Office of Tenant Protections, Martens told The Herald.

This entity could be financially sustained by rigorously enforcing fines for code violations, thereby addressing the issue at its root and stemming the flow of people entering homelessness. By prioritizing tenant protections and taking proactive measures, Bellingham city can work toward preventing homelessness and creating a more stable and inclusive community for all residents, she said.

She raised $4,464 for her campaign through Thursday, according to the sate Public Disclosure Commission. Shes endorsed by the Riveters Collective, the Young Democrats of Western Washington University, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and the United Food and Commercial Workers local 3000.

Joel Johnson, a write-in candidate for Bellingham mayor, attends a rally against a sales tax measure to fund a new jail outside the Whatcom County Courthouse on July 11.

Joel Johnson

Joel Johnson is mounting a grass-roots write-in campaign after he lost a court challenge to be included on the ballot. He registered as a candidate with the Auditors Office, so votes for him will count.

Johnson, who lives in the Lettered Streets neighborhood, earned an associates degree in arts and sciences with honors from Whatcom Community College.

Hes a certified trainer with the National Coalition Building Institute and has a certificate in Managing to Change the World from The Management Center.

Johnson was a founding board member and former president of ReUse Works and former board president of the Whatcom Family and Community Network. Hes been a community organizer for several years, working with the social justice group ACORN and the AFSCME union of state, federal and municipal employees.

Homelessness, crime, and self-destructive substance abuse are the top three issues facing Bellingham this election season, he said.

The only promise I am making is that on day one I will take executive action by proclaiming a local public health emergency related to homelessness, Johnson old The Herald.

He said he will designate safe space for RVs and secure a strong public safety presence downtown.

We will also make immediate investments with expedited grant funding to existing service providers in housing and mental and behavioral health services and begin investments in shelter, housing and community service infrastructure needed to help us address the root causes of these issues, he said.

He raised $560 for his campaign through Thursday, according to the sate Public Disclosure Commission.
The multimillion dollar contracts to offer foster care, adoption and other services will likely continue to be held by familiar faces.

Four of the five bidders seeking to be a foster care case management provider, the most prominent and high-profile firms used in the state's mostly privatized child welfare system, already serve as contractors.

That means at least some of those firms will likely once again have significant control over the foster care system, despite years of criticism, negative headlines and complaints from foster families, advocacy groups and even state lawmakers.

The identity of the bidders was confirmed by the Kansas Department of Administration in response to a records request submitted by The Topeka Capital-Journal.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families is weighing which contractors to use in offering foster care services in Kansas.

Kansas and Florida are the only states in the country to largely privatize their foster care system. The Sunflower State was the first in the nation to make such a move in 1997, a response to lawsuits alleging poor outcomes for children in the state-run system.

Even awarding the contracts, however, has not always been smooth.

In 2018, the Department for Children and Families opted to split up who does what in the sprawling child welfare system. One tranche of contracts would be to manage family preservation, or services designed to keep families together. The other would handle foster care and adoption services.

In that same year, the agency shifted away from bidding out the deals via the Department of Administration  the typical process used to dole out contracts  in favor of awarding grants to run the various aspects of the foster care system.

The move was intended to give DCF more oversight of the firms it works with. But shortly after Gov. Laura Kelly took office, her administration opted to re-bid grants issued by her predecessor, Gov. Jeff Colyer, owing to "flaws" in how the process was conducted.

The result was four contractors to handle the foster care system in certain geographical regions of the state: KVC of Kansas, Saint Francis Ministries, TFI Family Services and Cornerstones of Care. FTI, Cornerstones of Care and a third group, DCCCA, handle family preservation services.

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In doing so, the Kelly administration once again handled the bidding process via the Department of Administration, a process they appear to be using in 2023 as well.

A DCF spokesperson said the agency was unable to comment, citing the ongoing bidding process.

Contracts for foster care come amid frustrations with Kansas system

Currently, DCF is in the process of soliciting bids for groups to offer family preservation services.

But the agency is currently reviewing the proposals from the four current foster care providers, with a decision expected in December as to which firms will ultimately be selected to continue offering services, starting on July 1, 2024.

Also bidding is EmberHope Youthville, which handles foster parent recruitment and licensure and has a qualified residential treatment program in Newton. It is unclear which element of the contract or geographical area the group is bidding on; a request for comment from the group was not returned.

Some of the existing contractors have come under scrutiny for their performance, drawing the ire of some lawmakers who have sought to end their work with the state.

KVC Kansas, whose Topeka office is pictured here, is one of four current foster care contractors seeking to maintain their role as a major player in the state's child welfare system.

Saint Francis, for instance, saw two former leaders indicted in November on alleged financial crimes related to their time with the organization. Nebraska opted to end its contract with Saint Francis to manage child welfare cases in the Omaha area in December 2021 after not meeting the state's legal requirements on caseloads and other metrics.

Another firm, Cornerstones of Care, has been under fire for its handling of a number of high-profile cases, including a runaway who was discovered dead in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2022.

All of the contractors have had persistent lingering with children continuing to sleep in offices, hotel rooms and other settings for night-to-night placements, despite DCF pledging in a lawsuit settlement that they would end the practice.

And foster parents claim they have been victims of retaliation by the contractors, a concern echoed by state lawmakers charged with overseeing the child welfare system.

But Rep. Susan Concannon, R-Beloit, chair of the House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee, noted that even if the state could find new contractors, they would tend to hire the same personnel, such as social workers, meaning problems would persist.

It was her hope, she said, that the new contracts could give DCF a chance to require policies that could cause a culture change in the groups.

"It does start from the top down," she said.

The state and contractors have pointed to areas of improvement. The contractors, for instance, have seen year-over-year improvement in finding a permanent family for foster youth, though the 91.8% permanency rate falls short of the state's goal of 96.8%.

The Kelly administration has also pointed to declines in the total number of children in foster care, which peaked at over 7,500 in 2019 shortly after Kelly took office and has dropped to 6,217.

"There's no doubt  and I know what you're alluding to  that there have been issues with our contractors," Kelly said in an interview with The Capital-Journal late last year. "I was on the child welfare taskforce for two years before I left the Senate and became governor. I was fully aware of many of the issues that we had with our contractors.

"But the other reality that we had is that the state wasn't doing their fair share. And so, I told the contractors back then  you know, what was that, 2017, 2018?  that before I could hold their feet to the fire, I needed to hold our own state agency's feet to the fire. And that's what we have done since we've come into office."

But there are still those who believe the model of relying on private contractors is unwise.

Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam, noted that relatively few states have embraced privatization to the degree Kansas has  a sign, in his mind, that the state would be better served by moving services back in house, though such an option remains unlikely anytime soon.

"I've not seen a successful stick for the carrot (of the contracts) that keeps the quality of care up for the kids," Ousley said of holding the firms accountable.

In a statement, KVC Kansas said the group could not comment on specific changes proposed as part of the bidding process, but that they "hold steadfast in our dedication to Kansas children and families."

"As an innovator alongside the Kansas Department for Children and Families, we build meaningful relationships and share our expertise to ensure Kansas' child and family wellbeing system thrives," the group said.

A spokesperson for TFI declined a request for comment for this story. Two of the other groups did not respond to emails seeking comment on their plans for improvement if awarded a new contract.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Familiar foster care contractors seek Kansas child welfare deals
Six-year-old Fajr Atiya Williams had a beautiful smile, loving nature and big, bright brown eyes. She was nonverbal but could express herself with that smile, her laugh and those eyes.

Fajr means dawn" in Arabic. She was the middle sister of three girls, the daughter of Najmah Nash and Wali Williams.

Fajr had Emanuel syndrome, a chromosomal disorder characterized by learning challenges and stunted growth and development. Considered rare, Emanuel syndrome can impact individuals with additional health conditions such as epilepsy like Fajr experienced, her mother said.

Fajr's life tragically was cut short last week when she was strangled by her wheelchairs harness on the way to an extended year program at Claremont Elementary in the Franklin school district.

The latest: Court documents detail final minutes of Fajr Williams life as she died on school bus

Amanda Davila, a 27-year-old New Brunswick woman who works as a school bus aide for Montauk Transit Service, was charged Thursday with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child in Fajr's death. She is expected to appear in court Tuesday.

Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said Fajr, who was secured in her wheelchair at the back of the bus by Davila, slumped in her seat during the bumpy ride, causing the four-point harness which secured her to the chair to become tight around her neck and blocked her airway. Meanwhile, Davila was seated toward the front of the bus, using a cellphone with ear buds in both ears during the ride, the prosecutor said.

Six-year-old Fajr Atiya Williams' life was tragically cut short on the way to school.

According to her mother, in a post on social media, Fajr was put on the bus at 8:23 a.m. Monday "alive, healthy and well" headed to school, a 15-minute ride from their township home. By 9:10 a.m., Nash said she had received a phone call from Franklin schools saying Fajr was "unresponsive and CPR was being performed" as they waited for emergency services to arrive at the school.

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Fajr was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, but had no brain activity, her mother said. Fajr died at the hospital.

"Something went very wrong today with transportation and someone needs to be held responsible," Nash said Monday.

Faji's father, Wali Williams, told NBC New York his daughter's brain was deprived of oxygen for 40 minutes.

In her post, Nash asked for prayers and "#JusticeforFajr." The family is "barely holding on," she said.

Nash told News 12 New Jersey there is video of the incident on the bus, but she had not viewed it.

"This doesn't need to happen to anyone else. We need to love on our kids and make sure they are being taken care of when we put them in the hands of the hands of any board of education," she said.

In a letter Thursday to the school community announcing Fajrs death, Franklin Superintendent of Schools John Ravally said, "our thoughts and prayers continue to be with this student's family and friends" and added the matter is part of an ongoing investigation.

And in a statement Friday to CBS New York, the bus company said all employees know the safety of the children transported is the top priority. The bus company added it is "fully engaged" in the law enforcement investigation and supports any punishment that the justice system determines appropriate for the bus monitor who has been arrested."

Nash launched GoFundMe page Friday to help raise $10,000 for her daughter's funeral and medical expenses. It features a photo of Fajr sitting on a carpeted stairway in a red and black outfit with a red bow in her hair. More than $8,800 had been raised by Sunday evening.

"I lost my 6 year old sweet daughter Fajr due to negligence abruptly. I am asking anyone that is able to donate whatever they can to help our family with funeral (janaza) arrangements as well [as] any outstanding medical expenses that have accrued for my Fajr," Nash wrote on the page. "My family and I are truly devastated by this and would appreciate anyone that can help."

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation remains active as authorities await the findings from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiners Office.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ family mourns child who died on school bus
The Department of Justice sued the state of Texas and Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday for building a floating barrier at the southern border that the state says will deter migrants but that the Biden administration calls a threat to public safety.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Austin, alleges that Abbott violated the law by building structures in the Rio Grande River without authorization, creating an obstruction in U.S. waters.

The Justice Department is seeking to require Texas officials to remove the barrier at the states expense. The suit claims that structures placed in the Rio Grande require approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and that Texas never sought or received such a permit.

This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement. Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy.

The lawsuit was expected after the Justice Department sent a letter to Abbott last week disclosing its plans to sue the state if Abbott didnt remove the barricade, which consists of large buoys to deter migrants coming from Mexico. In its letter, the department cited the unlawful construction of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River and asserted that it might impede the federal governments official duties.

Abbott said in a letter early Monday that he would not comply with the Justice Departments request to take down the barricade. The department had given the state until Monday to comply. Earlier this month, Texas set up miles of barriers using barbed wire and buoys in the river near Eagle Pass.

To end the risk that migrants will be harmed crossing the border illegally, you must fully enforce the laws of the United States that prohibit illegal immigration between ports of entry, Abbott said in the letter, which department lawyers attached to the complaint in the suit. They also included photos of the floating barrier taken by a Border Patrol drone.

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In an interview with Fox News Bret Baier on Monday evening, Abbott asserted that devices like the floating barrier had repelled tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of people trying to cross the border.

Abbott said that he was willing to litigate the suit up to the Supreme Court in an effort to defend his states sovereignty and its constitutional right to secure the border of our state and our country. He called on President Joe Biden to enforce border control policies more stringently, adding that until he did, Texas would be stepping up to do so.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday afternoon that by not complying with the Justice Department request, Abbott was not acting in good faith.

Instead of coming to the table and trying to figure out a way to work together, [Abbott] continues to do this really cruel, unjust, inhumane ways of moving forward with a system that has been broken for decades, Jean-Pierre said.

Vice President Kamala Harris also slammed Abbott on Monday, calling the border tactics inhumane, outrageous and un-American during a speech in Chicago.

The lawsuit, which names both Abbott and the state of Texas as defendants, was filed by the Justice Departments Environmental and Natural Resources Division in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas.

The Rio Grande is a significant stretch of the southern border of our country, Jaime Esparza, U.S. Attorney of the Western District of Texas, said in a statement. We must all recognize that there are laws and policies in place  both domestic and international  to ensure the safety and security of everyone working, living and traveling along the river. These laws cannot be ignored, and my office will take and support the appropriate legal action to uphold them.

While the suit is aimed at the floating barrier, a Justice Department spokesperson said last week that officials were also examining complaints that Texas state troopers were ordered to push migrants back into the water even though some members of the group were children.

Kelly Garrity and Lucy Hodgman contributed to this report.
A military spouse has won a key battle in her court fight to force Texas education officials to accept her out-of-state school counseling license.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman granted Air Force wife Hannah Magee Portees request for a preliminary injunction on July 21, after Texas refused to recognize Portees licenses from Missouri and Ohio, despite a new federal law that provides professional licensing portability for service members and their spouses.

She has also had some extra firepower in her fight, as the Justice Department filed a statement of interest supporting her request, calling Texass actions a violation of a new provision of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act that took effect Jan. 5.

The six-month-old law broke new ground in the effort to help military spouses who face onerous and often expensive processes each time they move to get certified to continue their chosen career in a new location. Defense officials have calculated there are more than 132,000 active-duty spouses in occupations like nursing and realty that require licensing, representing about 39% of military spouses in the workforce.

Following the Justice Departments statement of interest filed in federal court, Hannah Portee said she was surprised by their action, and grateful. For the Justice Department to step in and be willing to make a statement on my behalf shows they really do care about their military spouses, and that theyre actually willing to take the step to advocate for us, she said in an interview with Military Times.

I hope this case helps all states, and not just Texas, understand the significance of these new rights under the SCRA for both service members and their spouses, said Portee, who filed the case in May.

The judges preliminary injunction in essence says Texas cannot reject Portees certifications based on education officials argument that she hadnt worked for two years as a counselor, wrote Pitman, in his order issued in the Western District of Texas in Austin.

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This case could also be setting precedent. Pitman noted that no court has yet interpreted the SCRAs license portability provision.

The judges order granting the preliminary injunction is significant to military spouses everywhere because there is now a court order that can be used for support in other disputes that construes the SCRA in a manner favorable to military spouses as Congress intended, said Portees attorney, Brandon J. Grable.

But the matter is not settled yet, said Grable. While the court granting a preliminary injunction is a substantial win as it allows Hannah to continue her career as a licensed counselor in Texas without interference, this matter is still in litigation, Grable said. We have not heard from the Texas defendants, so until we do, we intend to drive ahead until a final judgment is reached in Hannahs favor.

Texas Education Agency officials cant comment on ongoing legal matters, said spokesman Jake Kobersky, in response to Military Times request for information about their next steps in response to the court order.

DOJ steps in

Justice officials reminded all state licensing authorities of the new provision on July 13, the same day DoJ filed a statement of interest in federal court in Austin, weighing in on Portees case.

Service members and their families should not face unnecessary barriers to employment because of the sacrifices they make in service to our country, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, in a statement about the notification to state licensing authorities.

Military advocates said they welcome the clarity provided by the Justice Department, and the effort to inform states. We hope this will help military families, and spouses in particular, have a more seamless experience in transferring their licenses, said Meredith M. Smith, government relations deputy director for the National Military Family Association.

It's official: Military spouses to get employment relief after moving

The effects of lack of license reciprocity

Hannah Portee married Capt. David Portee a year ago when he was stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and she worked as an elementary school guidance counselor in Missouri. He was transferred to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, with a report date of Jan. 9, only a few days after the new license-portability provision took effect.

For now her nascent career is stalled. While she has been interviewed for some of the four school counseling positions open in the local school district, shes been told that the sooner she gets her Texas license, the better. They cant hold a position for me with the expectation that I may or may not get my license, she said.

If Texas doesnt agree to accept her counseling licenses from Missouri or Ohio, it could take two to four years to satisfy Texas requirements. She could seek a job as a school counselor at a private school or charter school that would accept her credentials, but there arent any current openings at the few such schools in her area.

Meanwhile, her husbands tour of duty at Laughlin Air Force Base could be anywhere from one to four years, and theres the possibility they could land at another base in Texas next.

She also needs to rack up continuing education credits to keep her current licenses up to date. Without a job and without a supporting school district, its going to be difficult to get those continuing education credits, Portee said.

This has long-range ramifications for her career, she said. Even though theres a national shortage of school counselors, the shortage varies from state to state, Portee said. Depending on where were stationed next, school counseling jobs can be very competitive. And it typically comes down to who has the most experience, so being denied the opportunity to work this school year denies me the experience that I might need to secure future employment.

Portees lawsuit names as defendants the Texas Commissioner of Education, the Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certification. In June, Portees attorney filed a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the court to prevent the state from enforcing Texas regulations that are preempted by the relief act, and from enforcing regulations that prohibit Texas schools from employing her as a licensed school counselor.

Texas Education Agency officials declined to comment on ongoing legal matters, said spokesman Jake Kobersky.

The Texas Education Agency was not able to immediately provide numbers of military spouses who work as educators, but the agency website states that officials have waived certain educator certification fees for eligible service members, veterans and military spouses since 2015.

The Texas argument

Texas education officials, in their response to the request for a preliminary injunction, contend that Texas law and the relief act dont conflict. Rather, Texas law requires an individual with a non-Texas license to verify two years of experience to receive an exemption from an assessment exam, just as the SCRA requires two years of experience for a license to be deemed covered and, thus, portable between jurisdictions, Texas officials stated in court documents.

The relief act requirement that the service member or spouse has actively used [the professional license] during the two years immediately preceding the relocation is a central point of the Texas officials argument filed on July 7. They contend that Portee doesnt qualify for relief act protection because she had been licensed as a school counselor for less than two years, and employed as a school counselor for only one year prior to the move.

Justice officials responded that Texas misunderstands Congresss intent. By requiring that the license have been actively used, Congress undoubtedly intended to grant portability to spouses and service members who had actually used their license at some point in the past two years and not throughout the entire time period.

In his order, Judge Pitman agreed that Portees interpretation is consistent with the laws purpose. The Texas interpretation would seem to undermine Congress intent, he stated, by imposing narrow and seemingly arbitrary restrictions on the ability of service members and their spouses to port their professional licenses. It could effectively ban newly licensed individuals from porting their credentials across state lines, he stated, and could disqualify experienced people who work part-time or who happened to take work leave recently for medical or personal reasons.

Given the unpredictable timing and frequency of military-ordered moves, this approach would make license portability impossible for many service members and spouses, Judge Pitman stated.

Pitmans order states that Texas is prevented from enforcing its law with respect to Hannah Magee Portees application for a Texas educator certificate to the extent it requires verification of two creditable years of service in the specific student services or administrative area sought.

And while Texas undoubtedly has a strong interest in regulating the qualifications and licensure of its educators, Pitman noted, given the national importance of the policy objectives underlying the SCRA, coupled with the relatively limited encroachment to Defendants regulatory authority, the Court finds that, on balance, a preliminary injunction will serve the public interest.

He also addressed the issue of whether irreparable harm would likely be suffered without preliminary injunction, which must be shown in these requests, and whether Portee would likely succeed in her lawsuit. He determined that she has shown shell likely succeed on the merits of her lawsuit.

And, he stated, the loss of opportunity to pursue ones chosen profession or to find comparable employment can constitute irreparable harm.

What the law does

According to the new relief act provisions, to qualify for professional license portability, service members and spouses must have moved, because of military orders, to a new location outside the jurisdiction of the authority that issued the license; provide a copy of those military orders to the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction; and have actively used the license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the move.

In addition, they must remain in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the covered license or certificate, and every other licensing authority that issued a license or certificate valid for a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied for in the new location. They must also submit to the authority of the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, discipline and fulfillment of any continued education requirements.

The relief act specifically excludes licenses to practice law under this new provision.

Some states have adopted interstate licensure compacts, allowing licensed practitioners to work in other states that are compact members without requiring a new license. The relief act doesnt apply if the professional license is covered by the same interstate compact for both the state that issued the license and the state where the service member or spouse is relocating. In these cases, the interstate compact determines the requirements.

Department of Justice officials advise service members and spouses who have questions about their rights under this SCRA provision should contact their military legal assistance office for help. Office locations can be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil, which includes offices on any military installation.

To report a violation of the SCRA license portability provision to the Justice Department Civil Rights Division, visit https://civilrights.justice.gov/link/4025A.

Biden looks to boost military spouse employment with new order

Fighting for the next spouse

Portees attorney, Brandon Grable, is an Army veteran who has experienced this frustration firsthand.

Early on in my marriage, when I was on active duty and my wife was a teacher, and we relocated to Alabama, it took her a couple of years to get the proper certification, he said.

With the Department of Justice weighing in, theyre sending a message across the country to other licensing agencies to say, Hey, pay attention here. This isnt how we do things.

For Hannah Portee, the bottom line is that Texas has been keeping her from time spent doing her job, something she doesnt want happening to anyone else. Guaranteed time at one location is not something military spouses tend to have a lot of, she said.

If spouses are able to continue working in their career field, having more stable careers, getting higher levels of income this would improve quality of life, she said.
The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Offices review into an alleged physical altercation involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill last month continues, even as a report on Monday said the individuals at the center of the incident have reached a resolution.

The parties to the incident which occurred on June 18th, 2023 at the Haulover Marina involving Tyreek Hill have resolved their differences, ESPN reported, citing a joint statement from Julius Collins, the attorney for Hill, and Evan Feldman, the attorney for the Employee of the Kelly Fleet, Inc.

Ed Griffith, a spokesperson for the state attorneys office, later told the Herald in an email that the review into the matter is ongoing.

The Herald previously reported that Hill was deep sea fishing with friends and his agent on Fathers Day when he exchanged words with at least two men who told him fishing from the Haulover Park Marina dock was off-limits and one accused Hill of slapping him on the back of the head.

A police report did not name Hill but said that when the employee approached the group, a man thought to be the Dolphins star began arguing with him, slapping him in the neck area with an open hand before being restrained by a few people.

According to people who work on the dock, Hill noticed the large tarpon in the relatively shallow water near the dock, which are attracted by fish scraps from the docked boats. Fishing from the dock is not allowed at the marina but Hill may have been given some conflicting information. Sources said he asked the captain if he could fish and was told it wasnt permitted from the dock, but that he could jump aboard an adjacent vessel and fish from there.

The report, which also does not name the victim, said the incident was recorded early evening on June 18 via surveillance cameras and that the man who was struck had no visible injuries. The manager of the Kelley Fishing Fleet located at the marina interacted with the group before the altercation about renting a boat, but they passed because it was too expensive, according to the report.

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Police were never called to the dock and the man accusing Hill of slapping him reported the incident the following day. The Miami-Dade Police later forwarded the information to the state attorneys office for further review.

The NFL, which reportedly requested footage from the alleged altercation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Miami Herald reporter Chuck Rabin contributed to this report.
Despite leading the race to be the Republican Partys next presidential candidate, Donald Trumps legal woes continue to mount.

Last week, Mr Trump was informed by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith that he is the target of a grand jury investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his role in the deadly Capitol riot of 6 January 2021.

This comes after he has already been indicted twice this year  once over hush money payments allegedly made during his 2016 election campaign and second over his alleged mishandling of classified documents since leaving the White House.

Whats more, he is also under investigation by Fani Willis, district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, over his apparent attempt to influence state officials in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 presidential election while the vote count was ongoing in that crucial swing state.

For his part, Mr Trump has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly insisted  without any evidence  that he is the victim of a costly witch hunt by the Joe Biden administration, which he claims has weaponised the US justice system against him in order to thwart his proposed political comeback at taxpayers expense.

With potential charges now looming in both the Georgia case and the Justice Departments January 6 case, when can we expect Mr Trump to next be indicted?

Heres where the two ongoing cases currently stand:

Justice Departments probe into January 6

The events of 6 January 2021 are well known: a mob composed of thousands of Trump supporters and members of notorious far-right groups laid siege to the US Capitol Building in Washington DC in an attempt to stop a joint session of Congress formally certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election in Mr Bidens favour.

The riot came after Mr Trump and his entourage insisted the vote had been stolen by a vast nationwide Democratic conspiracy  a claim that was debunked in numerous courts.

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When Mr Trumps call for his Vice President Mike Pence to stop the certification went unanswered, the enraged crowd  whipped up by a rally speech from their champion, who urged them to fight like hell  crashed through security barriers and stormed the legislative complex in scenes of carnage that shocked the world.

Five people died as a result of the chaos and more than 150 law enforcement officers were injured in violent clashes over the course of several hours before the situation could be brought under control.

Jack Smith is leading the federal investigation (AP)

Mr Pence and other lawmakers targeted the Trump movement  including Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Mitt Romney  came uncomfortably close to being confronted by the insurrectionists, some of whom had made overt threats against them.

Mr Trump was subsequently impeached for a second time, hundreds of people were charged over their actions that day and the matter was extensively investigated by a House select committee which staged a series of televised hearings between June and October 2022 before publishing a lengthy report in December that recommended Mr Trump to the Justice Department for potential charges.

Special counsel Smith has been investigating Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and has informed the former president that he was the target of a grand jury investigation.

The former president was invited to appear to testify before the grand jury  an invitation he declined.

Now, he is widely expected to be criminally charged, with Mr Trump himself predicting his own imminent arrest in a message to his social media followers.

An indictment could come as soon as this week but it is unclear what criminal charges he might face.

The House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack concluded in its final report that there was evidence on which to charge Mr Trump with inciting or aiding an insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to make a false statement.

Donald Trump speaks during a rally on 7 July 2023 in Council Bluffs, Iowa (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

However, the letter sent to Mr Trump about the grand jury probe reportedly only listed three federal statutes that could constitute charges against him.

The statutes mentioned in the letter, according to several reports, are conspiracy to commit offence or to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

Georgia election interference

Between Election Day 2020 and the events of 6 January 2021, an increasingly desperate Mr Trump was caught on tape exerting pressure on Georgias Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to help him find the additional 11,760 ballots he needed to win the election in the state.

The affair recalled the episode for which he was first impeached  recorded attempting to blackmail Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky into launching a bogus anti-corruption investigation into Mr Biden in exchange for US military aid  and prompted legendary The Washington Post journalist Carl Bernstein to call the incriminating audio worse than Watergate.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County DA, has been investigating the affair and is also understood to be looking at a plot to appoint an alternate slate of electors in Georgia in the hope of swinging more votes towards Mr Trump before their certification by Congress in Washington DC.

DA Willis is a Democrat with a reputation for being a pitbull in the courtroom who is more accustomed to prosecuting violent crime in Atlanta than political allegations against a president of the United States.

She has set about her task tenaciously, however, subpoenaing Mr Trump allies like Mark Meadows and Lindsey Graham as she builds her case.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County DA, is leading the Georgia probe (AP)

DA Willis has been disinclined to discuss her approach in detail with the media so far but has suggested that Mr Trump could face charges by mid-August. Exactly what those charges might be is not yet known, although The Guardian has said they could be framed around racketeering activity.

The DA made her feelings about justice crystal clear during an interview with CNN last year in which she said: It doesnt matter if youre rich, poor, Black, white, Democrat or Republican. If you violated the law, youre going to be charged.

Mr Trump, inevitably, has attempted to tarnish her credibility by calling her a Radical Left Prosecutor implying she is another part of the conspiracy operating against him that also includes the likes of Mr Smith and Alvin Bragg and Letitia James in New York.

His attorneys have meanwhile attempted to have DA Willis disqualified from pursuing the case, claiming a conflict of interest in a 650-page filing in the Superior Court of Fulton County last week.

Kristy Greenberg, assistant US attorney for the Southern District of New York, told MSNBC on Sunday she believes that Mr Smith and Ms Willis are likely to be coordinating their investigations into Mr Trump.

There has to be some sort of coordination, she said. Its a delicate situation but they must be communicating, they must be sharing information where they are looking at the same kinds of witnesses and documents as they get to the final stages.
Map of DR Congo

The recent history of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has been one of civil war and corruption.

It is rich in natural resources but has suffered from political instability, a lack of infrastructure, centuries of both commercial and colonial exploitation, and little widespread development since independence.

During the two Congo wars, from 1996-2003 the country was at the centre of what some observers call "Africa's world war", with widespread civilian suffering. The war claimed an up to six million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition.

Since the late-2000s, there has been continuing fighting in the east where a United Nations force is struggling to keep the peace.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: FACTS

Capital: Kinshasa

Area: 2,345,409 sq km

Population: 108.4 million

Languages: French, Kituba, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba

Life expectancy: 59 years (men) 62 years (women)

LEADER

President: Felix Tshisekedi

DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi

Opposition leader candidate Felix Tshisekedi became president in January 2019 after protracted political wrangling in the wake of a controversial election the previous month.

Rival opposition candidate Martin Fayulu accused him of cutting a deal with the government, whose own candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary finished third. Mr Tshisekedi succeeded Joseph Kabila, who had become president when his own father Laurent was assassinated in 2001.

The new president also came from a political dynasty, as his father Etienne was opposition leader and later prime minister under the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in the 1980s and 1990s.

Informal mining operations form a large part of DR Congo's minerals industry

The Congolese media operate against a backdrop of political power struggles and unrest.

Reporters Without Borders says journalists face arrest, threats and violence.

The press carries criticism of the government, and some publications reflect opposition party views.

Radio is the leading medium. Radio Okapi, partly run by the local UN mission, is an influential outlet.

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TIMELINE

Mobutu Sese Seko ruled between 1965 and 1997, gaining notoriety for monopolising power and amassing a vast personal fortune

Some key dates in DR Congo's history:

1200s - Rise of Kongo Empire, centred in modern northern Angola and including extreme western Congo and territories round lakes Kisale and Upemba in central Katanga (now Shaba).

16th-17th Centuries - British, Dutch, Portuguese and French merchants engage in slave trade through Kongo intermediaries.

1870s - Belgian King Leopold II sets up a private venture to colonise Kongo.

1884-85 - European powers at the Conference of Berlin recognise Leopold's claim to the Congo basin. Leopold announces the establishment of the Congo Free State, headed by himself.

1908 - Belgian state annexes Congo amid protests over killings and atrocities carried out on a mass scale by Leopold's agents. Millions of Congolese are said to have been killed or worked to death during Leopold's control of the territory.

1959 - Belgium begins to lose control over events in the Congo following serious nationalist riots in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa).

1960 - Congo becomes independent with Patrice Lumumba as prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu as president.

1960 July - Congolese army mutinies; Moise Tshombe declares Katanga independent; Belgian troops sent in ostensibly to protect Belgian citizens and mining interests; UN Security Council votes to send in troops to help establish order, but the troops are not allowed to intervene in internal affairs.

1961 - Patrice Lumumba murdered, reportedly with US and Belgian complicity.

1963 - Moise Tshombe agrees to end Katanga's secession.

1965 - Mobutu Sese Seko seizes power.

1977 - French, Belgian and Moroccan troops help repulse attack on Katanga by Angolan-based rebels.

1997 - Rebels oust Mobutu. Laurent Kabila becomes president.

1997-2003 - Civil war, drawing in several neighbouring countries. Dozens of armed groups fight on in the east, requiring a large United Nations military force to try to maintain order.

2006 - First free elections in four decades. Joseph Kabila wins the run-off vote.

2013 - 3,000-member UN Intervention Brigade deployed to fight and disarm rebels in the east.

2016 - President Kabila remains in power in violation of the constitution.

2019 - Officials declare opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi the winner of December's presidential election.

2022 - DR Congo, UN, US and others accuse Rwanda of sending its soldiers to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, who face accusations of carrying out war crimes against civilians. Rwanda denies this.
WHITEFORD TOWNSHIP  A Toledo man suffered critical injuries when he was ejected from a car during a single-vehicle crash Sunday night.

The Monroe County Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Cory L. Jaques, 31, of Toledo. He was listed in critical condition in ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

Deputies reported the crash occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on Section Road, west of Whiteford Road, in Whiteford Township.

Jaques was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier westbound on Section Road when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of the car. It traveled left of center and rotated in a counterclockwise motion. The car then struck a culvert and a tree on the south side of the roadway, causing the Chevrolet to rotate a second time.

Jaques was ejected from the vehicle and ended up in the westbound lane of travel. The car came to rest partially in the eastbound lane and shoulder.

At the time of the crash, Jaques was not wearing a seat belt. Deputies also report speed and alcohol are factors in the crash.

Members of the Whiteford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Monroe Community Ambulance and Michigan State Police assisted at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by Sgt. Brian Quinn and Deputies Alec Preadmore and Jon Cregar of the Traffic Services Division.

Anyone with information is asked to call 734-240-7756. Anonymous tips can be called to Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP (800-773-2587) or can be submitted on their website, www.1800speakup.org.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Driver ejected in crash Sunday night in Whiteford Township
Wildfires still raging on Greece's Rhodes island

Xinhua) 08:52, July 24, 2023

This photo taken on July 22, 2023 shows smoke caused by a massive wildfire in the Rhodes island in Greece. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

Greece is experiencing its worst heatwave in decades with temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius. Extremely high temperatures, combined with humidity levels, are increasing the risk of the outbreak and spread of fires.

ATHENS, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires continued to rage on Greece's Rhodes Island on Sunday, forcing more evacuations as the firefighting front was reinforced by ground and air.

As a precautionary measure, a total of 19,000 people were evacuated from the fire-stricken areas, making it the largest evacuation operation ever carried out during a fire in Greece, according to the police.

Authorities and volunteers on the ground provided safe shelters to evacuees in gym facilities, conference centers, schools, and public places, along with food, water and medical assistance.

This photo taken on July 22, 2023 shows a massive wildfire raging the Rhodes island in Greece. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

At the same time, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated the Crisis Management Unit to facilitate the evacuation of foreign citizens in Greece due to the ongoing forest fires and a Help Desk was set up in the island's airport to assist along with the relevant embassies.

Greek authorities placed the southern part of the island in a state of emergency, as firefighters were battling the wildfires on three fronts in the south, center, and northern part of the island for the sixth consecutive day.

The forest fire started Tuesday afternoon. A total of 266 firefighters with 49 water trucks and 16 ground teams were operating against the blaze, assisted by five water-dousing helicopters and 10 aircraft, the Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Volunteers run to battle a wildfire in Agia Sotira, a western suburb of Athens, Greece, on July 20, 2023. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

Greece is experiencing its worst heatwave in decades with temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius. Extremely high temperatures, combined with humidity levels, are increasing the risk of the outbreak and spread of fires.

According to the Fire Forecast Map issued by the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, there is a very high risk of fire (risk category 5 and 4) for many places across the country next Monday including Attica, Evia, islands of the northern and southern Aegean, and Crete.

People wait to evacuate after a wildfire hit the Rhodes island in Greece, July 22, 2023. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Search crews in New York have found more than 200 guns "from a vault in the basement" of Gilgo Beach cold case murder suspect's Rex Heuermann home in Massapequa Park, New York on their quest for further evidence, according to Suffolk County police.

The New York architect is expected in court in early August to face charges in the decade-old killings of three women.

The discoveries come after Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said last week that police officers were searching areas between his home and storage containers nearby following his arrest after obtaining a warrant. Drone footage from the Associated Press over the weekend shows a yellow excavator digging into dirt and authorities in hazmat suits with shovels in Heuermann's yard.

"We'rehoping to prosecute this individual," Toulon said in an interview with USA TODAY.

Police arrested and charged Heuermann on July 14 with the more murders of three women  Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27  who were sex workers before they were killed, and found wrapped in burlap near each other on Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach on Long Island in 2010. Heuermann is also a "prime suspect" in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes 25, who was also found in burlap at the time and complete the "Gilgo 4," as the woman are commonly identified. Police had found at least 10 sets of human remains during their investigation into the string of killings.

Heuermann pled not guilty to the charges the day of his arrest. He is currently being held without bail at the Riverhead Correctional Facility in Riverhead, New York.

Crime laboratory officers prepare to search the home of Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann in Massapequa Park, New York, on July 18, 2023.

What have police found?

Since Heuermann's arrest, search crews have been looking into the items in his home and nearby areas, and police had interviewed at least two women he was recently in contact with, Toulon said.

Upon the discovery of more than 200 firearms at his home, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told Fox News that "anytime somebody has that type of arsenal, we have some concerns." Harrison told the news outlet that police are still looking into the guns were registered and legal.

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Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told reporters during a news conference that the search of the property should be completed within the next two days, CBS news reported. He also denied claims circling the internet that they discovered a soundproof room.

Authorities also discovered that Heuermann had contacted two sex workers up to a week before his arrest, said Toulon last week. He said officers are "going to continue to seek out any particular victims engaged with this individual."

Authorities arrested a suspect accused in the Gilgo Beach murders.

How did police pin down Heuermann in the cold case?

Following a resurrected investigation into the case, police identified Heuermann as a person who could be a suspect in the case, tracked him down and found an abandoned pizza crust that he threw out in a Manhattan trash to obtain his DNA. The DNA on the food matched the DNA to a male hair found in the burlap that wrapped Waterman.

This use of "surreptitious DNA collection" is becoming more common among detectives on the hunt for serial killers, particularly in cold cases, yet has spurred controversy among criminal justice activists who say it violates Americans' fourth amendment rights.

"It's really incredible when you think about it viciousness of the crimes," said Toulon. "Clearly he has a double life between his Massapequa Park and his business in Manhattan, and the person he really is."

Gilgo Beach cold case NY architect charged in Long Island murders that sparked documentary

Discarded DNA The controversial clue in the trash that's bringing serial killers to justice

Contributing: Associated Press

Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kaylajjimenez.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's next in the Gilgo Beach murders case? Here's what we know
The Washington state Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for part of Benton County as the water supply in the lower Yakima River watershed has dropped.

All or parts of 12 counties of Washington state are in new drought emergency areas, the agency said Monday. The remainder of the state is a drought advisory area.

Counties affected by the drought emergency declaration in addition to Benton are Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima.

Early snowmelt, a lack of spring rain and low stream flows prompted the declaration.

In June, Washington state received only 49% of its usual rainfall, depriving soil of a final shot of moisture before the summer heat arrived.

Streamflows and reservoir levels in some areas are far below normal, with forecasts indicating little likelihood that conditions will improve this summer, according to the Department of Ecology. These conditions are leading to undue hardship for water users, including small community water systems and farmers.

The U.S. Drought Monitor also has issued an increased drought ranking for the Tri-Cities since its spring ranking, declaring most of Franklin County and part of Benton County, including the Tri-Cities, as in moderate drought.

Thats still better than two years ago when Franklin County and part of Benton County were rated as being in exceptional drought, the worst rating possible.

The state Department of Ecology declares a drought emergency when less than 75% of water supply is forecast and other factors, such as precipitation and soil moisture are a concern.

The Washington state Department of Ecology declared an emergency drought in 12 counties July 24, 2023. Department of Ecology

The Bureau of Reclamation forecast earlier this month that holders of senior water rights for the Yakima Basin would receive 100% of their water but that junior water rights owners could likely only use 72% of their entitlements for June to September.

Kennewick Irrigation District says it has no restriction on water use now and does not anticipate any shortages.

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It will continue to monitor conditions as the summer progresses, said Matthew Berglund, KID spokesman.

It encourages users to train their lawns for times of drought by watering less often for longer periods to cultivate a deeper root system.

The Kennewick Irrigation District is grouped with junior water right holders, but it gets the irrigation water that returns to the Yakima River between the Parker Gauge downriver from Union Gap and Prosser Dam.

Historically, it has gotten somewhat more water than the percentage available for holders of junior water rights.

The Roza Irrigation District in Yakima County is restricting water to 72% of water rights.

Parts of Benton and Franklin counties are in moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. U.S. Drought Monitor

This drought is already harming Washington communities, businesses and farms, and its another sign of the damage that climate change is causing to our state, said Laura Watson, Ecologys director.

Todays drought declaration will help to rapidly deliver relief to these areas, but we need to also be taking steps to manage water wisely and prepare for a drier future, she said.

New legislation passed this spring makes $3 million in emergency drought funds available as grants to support communities, irrigation districts, tribes and other public entities facing hardships.

Declaring a drought emergency also allows Ecology to process emergency water right permits and transfers.
A federal magistrate on Monday gave a lawyer for Cecil Brooks, charged with running a sex trafficking operation in the 1990s with the alleged protection of a then-Kansas City, Kansas, police detective, more time to come up with a potential pre-trial release plan.

Brooks lawyer, Jonathan Truesdale, had filed a motion seeking his release ahead of the high-profile trial, but ultimately withdrew the request during a hearing Monday at the federal courthouse in Topeka. He asked for, and was granted, additional time to create a thorough pre-trial release plan before Magistrate Judge Rachel Schwartz decides whether to detain Brooks.

Brooks, 61, is accused of conspiring to sex traffic underage girls between 1996 and 1998 with three other men, including disgraced detective Roger Golubski, at an apartment complex Brooks operated in Kansas City, Kansas.

The girls, some of whom were recruited after they were released from a juvenile correctional center, were held in a condition of involuntary sexual servitude and used like chattel, prosecutors say. As a detective, Golubski allegedly protected Brooks and the others from police investigation as they trafficked and raped the girls at the apartments at Delavan Avenue and 26th Street.

When he was indicted alongside Golubski in November, Brooks was serving a federal prison sentence for trafficking cocaine. He finished that sentence in June and was moved to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski walks to a hearing with his attorney Chris Joseph at the federal courthouse on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Topeka. Golubski is asking a federal judge to remove his house arrest requirement before his trial in which he faces six charges of deprivation of civil rights. Nick Wagner/nwagner@kcstar.com

Cecil Brooks seeks release

Truesdale, Brooks Kansas City-based lawyer, then filed the motion seeking his release, noting his co-defendants, including Golubski, have been granted pre-trial home detention. Truesdale also said Brooks was a model prisoner with no record of any incident reports.

Based on the considerable age of the allegations in this matter and amount discovery involved in this case, it is not likely to proceed to trial soon, Truesdale noted.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Kansas aggressively opposed Brooks request, calling him violent and ruthless and arguing that there was no way to ensure the safety of the community if he were released.

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Alleged victims and many of the governments witnesses live in fear of Brooks, who lorded over the dangerous drug and sex trafficking operation, federal prosecutors say. They argued Brooks would not hesitate to hurt or attempt to kill anyone who might stand in his way and pointed to a time when he allegedly paid for the silence of a man he kidnapped and tortured.

In that case, Brooks was charged in 1995 in Wyandotte County with aggravated kidnapping and battery. The victim, referred to in court records as D.M., set up a deal to buy a half a kilo of cocaine, with Brooks allegedly fronting the money. But D.M. was sold baking soda and could not pay Brooks back. D.M. was then lured into a basement and tortured for hours by Brooks and others, prosecutors said.

D.M.s arms and legs were bound, he was held at gunpoint, beaten over the head with a metal pan and possibly a gun, acid was poured on parts of his body, and pliers were used to snip his skin away from his body, the U.S. Attorneys Office wrote.

The victim was told Brooks would kill him if he reported the kidnapping, according to federal prosecutors.

But the victim apparently identified his assailants and charges were filed. While that case was pending, D.M. was shot three times outside a residence. He does not know who attacked him, but he believes it had something to do with Brooks.

State prosecutors dropped the kidnapping case against Brooks. Federal prosecutors now say that was because D.M., fearing for his life, agreed to a $5,000 payment through a third party from Brooks to not testify.

Additionally, prosecutors pointed Monday to Brooks long history of sex crimes. They noted that when Brooks was in his 20s, he got diversion in 1985 for a child sex crime. Brooks lawyer told the judge that Brooks was 18, while the victim was 15.

Prosecutors contend Brooks criminal history is much worse than what is represented on paper.

It only reads this way because his enormous reputation for violence quelled those who would dare oppose him and his police protection made him nearly untouchable, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting wrote in court filings.

Additional allegations revealed

More recently, prosecutors allege Brooks could not even remain law-abiding while on federal home confinement for a time during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is believed to have been granted release then because he is asthmatic.

The FBI learned of possible drug sales at the home where he stayed in the 1100 block of North 32nd Street in Kansas City, Kansas. Agents set up a pole camera, which prosecutors say revealed Brooks in what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug transactions.

In October 2021, agents executed a search warrant at the home, where they found a loaded handgun and a silencer in the bedroom where they were told Brooks stayed. His DNA was not on the gun; testing results on the silencer were not conclusive.

Brooks was sent back to federal prison after his GPS monitor betrayed him, Hunting said. Brooks was not charged, but the FBI, which also executed a search warrant on his phone, came to believe he was involved in selling cocaine while on house arrest.

Hunting revealed additional allegations against Brooks at Mondays hearing.

One of Brooks enforcers told the FBI, for example, that Brooks once tried to smash someones hands with an iron, but the victim kept moving them, Hunting said. So Brooks allegedly shoved a gun up the persons anus and warned him to stop moving his hands.

Im gonna blow your a out, Hunting quoted Brooks as saying.

Connection to Roger Golubski

Hunting also disclosed small pieces of information about the FBIs investigation.

Evidence uncovered during the extensive probe, he said, showed that police were once called to the Delavan Apartments, where the alleged sex trafficking occurred. There, a woman in crisis pointed to Brooks office and expressed concern about violence against young girls. The cop who responded to the scene was told by someone there to call Roger Golubski, Hunting said.

He knows all about it, Hunting quoted the person as saying.

Golubski responded to the apartments, which cops and residents called New Jack City, a reference to a 1991 crime movie, because of the widespread criminal activity throughout the complex. Golubski told his fellow officer that it was all a misunderstanding, that the woman who spoke of abuse there was crazy, Hunting told the judge.

The Delavan Townhomes, where prosecutors say sex trafficking occurred in the 1990s, can be seen in this April 2019 Google Street View image. Google Street View

The judge wanted to know why Brooks should be detained while his co-defendants were released.

Hunting said the two co-defendants other than Golubski, men named LeMark Roberson and Richard Bone Robinson, were Brooks lackeys. Brooks, he said, was the head of the criminal enterprise and remains dangerous.

In a separate case, Golubski, now 70, also faces charges for allegedly sexually assaulting and kidnapping a woman and a teenage girl from 1998 to 2002. He was a veteran cop then, having worked at the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department from 1975 to 2010.

Seated in the courtroom benches Monday was Kate Brubacher, who was sworn in as the U.S. attorney for the District of Kansas in March, signifying the importance of the case to the U.S Department of Justice.

Before the hearing, Brooks lawyer had come up with a potential seven-day pre-trial release plan for Brooks, but it was unclear where he would be living by day eight. That concerned the judge, who said she will take up the issue if Truesdale re-files the motion.

In court filings, Truesdale said Brooks planned to reside in Shawnee and work at a business owned by a relative if he were released. Another plan mentioned included Brooks staying with a nephew who has felony convictions.

After the hearing Truesdale said he will vigorously defend Brooks.

Brooks drug case

Brooks was sentenced to prison in 2009 for conspiring to distribute crack out of the apartment near Topeka High School, just blocks from the Kansas State Capitol and the federal courthouse where he appeared in a jail uniform Monday.

In that case, Brooks and his crew  which prosecutors called the Brooks Drug Trafficking Organization  were also alleged to have used a home in the 1900 block of North 24th Street in Kansas City, Kansas, to convert powder cocaine into crack.

During that investigation, a Brooks associate said the drug dealer hit him in the head with a beer bottle, knocking him to the floor, and burned his back with a hot iron because he thought he had lost or stolen $1,000 worth of crack.

Other community members have attested to Brooks violence, including one woman who has said she was with Brooks when he tortured a man by sodomizing him with a broom handle.

Some residents long believed Brooks paid off Golubski because the dealer could run with immunity, despite being a kingpin whose drugs also flowed into Johnson County, a retired Lenexa detective previously told The Star.

In their latest court filing, prosecutors alleged Golubski provided Brooks and the other men with protection from law enforcement investigation and intervention into criminal offenses.

No trial date has been set in the sex trafficking case. The men face life in prison if convicted.
Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19, marking the third time he has contracted the virus in the past year.

The diagnosis means Durbin will miss votes in the Senate this week before Congress is expected to break for the month of August.

Unfortunately, I tested positive for COVID-19 today, he tweeted. Im disappointed to have to miss critical work on the Senates NDAA this week in Washington. Consistent with (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, Ill quarantine at home and follow the advice of my doctor while I work remotely.

The Senate is slated this week to consider the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House earlier this month along largely partisan lines. The legislation was met with sharp criticism from Democrats after GOP-sponsored amendments about abortion, transgender rights and diversity and inclusion initiatives were attached to the bill.

The Democrat-led Senate is likely going to reject the GOP-backed amendments to the bill, which was typically passed with bipartisan support in previous years.

Durbin also tested positive for the virus at the end of July 2022 and in March of this year. In recent months, COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths have remained low compared to the peak of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While individuals can have immunity once contracting the virus, reinfections can be considered to occur as soon as 90 days after the first positive test.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BB-12 was captured and collared in the western Santa Monica Mountains on April 23. (Santa Monica Mountains / National Park Service)

The young male black bear known as BB-12 was quite the adventurous traveler during the three months he was tracked by the National Park Service before he was found dead last Thursday.

Where didnt he go? He crossed the 101 and 118 freeways and once audaciously traversed Highway 23 north of the Tierra Rejada Road exit in broad daylight. He made at least two late-night jaunts to beaches near Malibu. He wandered the sand near Leo Carillo Beach and hit Pt. Mugu on another outing. Each time, he left telltale paw tracks that were discovered by early-morning beachgoers. (And his GPS collar confirmed he was near Pacific Coast Highway.)

He ventured into two counties (L.A. and Ventura) and through three mountain ranges  the Santa Monicas, the Simi Hills and the Santa Susanas. He was an adept crosser of high-traffic freeways  until he wasnt. He was attempting to cross the 101 Freeway at the top of the Conejo Grade between Newbury Park and Camarillo, apparently on his way back to the Santa Monica Mountains, when he was struck by a vehicle.

Read more: Editorial: We can give mountain lion kittens an easier life than P-22 had

Scientists are pretty sure the first time they ever glimpsed him, he was strolling down a street in Newbury Park. Two years later, they would track him to the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains and collar him. Estimated to be 3 or 4 years old, he was thought by park service officials to be the only black bear living in the Santa Monica Mountains. A female, BB-11, is being tracked in the Santa Susanas, where there is a breeding population of black bears.

BB-12's short life could have a long legacy. His excursions gave scientists more data on how animals are moving in search of habitat. Later this year, the National Park Service and several other local and state agencies will begin a study on how animals travel (or attempt to travel) in the area of the Conejo Grade  where this young male bear was killed.

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Read more: Commentary: The sad plight of P-22, Los Angeles' mountain lion

Tracking the many crossings of BB-12 in the last three months will help scientists find the points of connectivity from one habitat to another. These are the places where various wild animals risk their lives crossing busy roads.

For bears, mountain lions and all manner of wildlife, highways and roads with high-speed traffic are treacherous dividers between swaths of habitat necessary for mating and territory. Years of observing how animals repeatedly crossed the 101 at Liberty Canyon  or approached the freeway, thought better of it and turned away  led to the state-of-the-art wildlife corridor under construction there. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

There are more safe-crossing efforts afoot. A law passed last year will create a list of areas crucial for wildlife movement and require that any new state transportation projects in those areas mitigate their impact on wild animals.

The more scientists can offer wild animals a safe passageway from one habitat to another, the more they can avoid our vehicles. That's something we want so they can thrive and we can marvel at their coexistence with us.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Los Angeles Times illustration, photo by Getty Images)

After a man was shot dead outside a bank in Paramount in 2019, Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives turned to Google for help identifying suspects.

Through a search warrant, detectives directed the tech giant to provide cellphone location data for people who were near places the man visited on the day he was killed. The data Google provided eventually led detectives to two suspects who are now in prison for the murder.

But law enforcements demand for Google location data using whats known as geofence warrants also sparked concerns that the requests violated the suspects constitutional rights. This year, a California Court of Appeal upheld the murder conviction but ruled the warrant violated the 4th Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, because it was too broad and could have potentially swept up thousands of people.

The case, People vs. Meza, highlights the central tension over the exploding use of geofence warrants: Law enforcement leaders see Google location data as essential for solving crimes, but civil rights groups fear such warrants will infringe on the privacy of innocent bystanders. The number of geofence warrants Google reports receiving from U.S. law enforcement increased from 982 in 2018 to 11,554 in 2020, the most recent data released show.

Concerns about the controversial law enforcement tool were heightened after the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion last year. As states banned or restricted abortions, civil rights groups feared that law enforcers could use Google data to figure out whether a woman planned to illegally end her pregnancy. Even though abortion remains legal in California, advocates worried that officials in states that prohibit abortion could use geofence warrants to track down people who come here for the procedure.

These privacy concerns caught the attention of Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who introduced legislation to ban warrants that compel tech companies to reveal the identities of people who may have been at a certain place at a particular time or looked up keywords online. The original version of the bill would have banned all geofence warrants, but it was introduced as part of a package of bills that aim to bolster California as a sanctuary for abortion seekers.

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Read more: Democrats keep pushing to bolster California's role as an abortion sanctuary

Quite frankly, it is a terrifying moment for us in terms of the amount of information that can be made accessible to a third party, Bonta said in an interview.

The legislation, AB 793, garnered support from privacy advocates, reproductive rights groups, Google and the trade association TechNet. But strong pushback from law enforcement tanked the effort this year as lawmakers struggled to figure out how to craft a bill that would shield people seeking abortions while allowing police to use geofence warrants to investigate crimes.

It became pretty apparent that there could be unintended consequences based on how that language was laid out, said Bonta, who pledged to focus the bill on gender-affirming care and abortion access and try to pass it next year. We wanted to make sure to get this absolutely right.

The bill faces a high bar to pass because it could change a law passed by voters in 1982, which requires support from two-thirds of the state Legislature.

Opponents said the bill was too broad and would hinder the ability of law enforcement to investigate crimes.

Michelle Contois, a Ventura County prosecutor speaking on behalf of the California District Attorneys Assn., said law enforcement officials arent opposed to protecting patients who are coming to the state for abortions or gender-affirming care. But banning all geofence warrants, she said, is a real overreach.

There are some crimes I think might not be solved at all, she said. When we are using these, it's because we think this is the best way to get what we need in this case.

Privacy advocates and abortion activists question whether the data requests are really necessary because geofence warrants could include information about people who arent potential suspects. The Electronic Frontier Foundation called on Google in 2021 to resist complying with these controversial warrants. Google says it collects data about a users location history for advertising and to improve the companys services.

The debate in Sacramento forged an unusual alliance between tech giants and privacy advocates. In May, Google sent lawmakers a letter stating it supported AB 793. The company added that it would work with law enforcement to narrow the warrants if it is asked for too much data.

Most law enforcement demands target one or more specific accounts. Geofence warrants, by contrast, request information about users who may have been in a particular place at a particular time. As such, these warrants raise heightened concerns about whether they impermissibly sweep in innocent users, Rebecca Prozan, Googles director of the West Coast Region for Government Affairs and Public Policy, wrote in the letter.

Last year, a coalition of tech giants that includes Google also supported a bill in New York that would bar the search of geolocation and keyword data, though it did not pass the Legislature.

Read more: How data from period-tracking and pregnancy apps could be used to prosecute pregnant people

Data reported to the California Department of Justice show geofence warrants have been used this year in various criminal investigations, including a felony hit-and-run in San Diego and a homicide in Riverside. California authorities have also used geofence warrants to investigate a Mexican mafia killing and other crimes. The FBI turned to Google data to figure out who was inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Geofence warrants were also used to identify people protesting the police killings of George Floyd in Minnesota and Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Sometimes, people swept up by them just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. In one case, an innocent man in Florida became a burglary suspect after he rode his bike past a burglarized home in 2019.

District attorneys say that California's laws are sufficient to protect people's digital privacy. A geofence warrant typically involves three steps. In the first, Google gives law enforcement anonymized information based on the geographic area and time frame thats provided in the warrant. Using the larger data set, law enforcement narrows down the devices authorities want to investigate before requesting that Google provide identification information such as phone numbers, emails and names, according to the bills analysis.

It's not just willy-nilly us asking Google and Google giving us everybody's information, said Contois, of the district attorneys association. It's not until we've gone through several steps, and convinced the judge at each step of probable cause, that we can maybe get identifying information and names.

The California Police Chiefs Assn. didnt respond to a request for comment. It was among numerous law enforcement agencies that opposed the bill, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Hayley Tsukayama, senior legislative activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which pushed for the bill, said AB 793 proposed banning all geofence warrants because there were concerns more targeted legislation would have loopholes that could still result in law enforcement identifying abortion seekers. Narrowing the bill, she said, is difficult for some of those reasons.

I'm not saying that we can't do it, she said. We just needed more time to do it than was left in this session.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Update: Things are looking even worse for Elon Musk, with it turning out that there are already hundreds of trademarks for the letter X.

X Wife

Elon Musk's Twitter rebrand just got way more complicated.

To recap: over the weekend, the billionaire Twitter owner  who, notably, has wanted to own a website called X.com for a really, really, really long time  announced that, after paying $44 billion for the social media app, firing almost everyone who worked there, and rolling out a series of site infrastructure-destroying product changes while subjecting employees to stinky, janitor-less office buildings, Twitter was to be rebranded as simply "X." While Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino claims that X will be an AI-powered everything app, the site currently looks more or less the same, with a simple logo switch and a very confused DNS looking like the only major changes.

And now, to add another layer of confusion to the seemingly shortsighted move, it appears that fellow Silicon Valley behemoth Microsoft actually owns the trademark to the letter  meaning that Musk could well face a serious legal struggle in the months or years ahead.

"Microsoft owns a trademark for X," tweeted Andres Guadamuz, a faculty member in intellectual property law at the Unversity of Sussex. "So Musk has destroyed a loved and strong brand, for potential years of litigation, and potentially no brand."

https://twitter.com/technollama/status/1683519264676880393

Billionaire Battles

It's also worth noting that Microsoft and Musk don't have a particularly friendly history. After all, the company was founded by fellow billionaire and rival Bill Gates, with whom Musk maintains a meme-driven feud. Microsoft has also invested mind-boggling amounts of money into OpenAI, the Sam Altman-helmed AI company that Musk helped found back in 2015, only to exit the firm in 2018 on what are rumored to have been not-so-amicable terms.

Oh, and Musk also recently threatened to sue Microsoft, arguing that OpenAI's AI training practices utilized unlawfully-acquired Twitter data.

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It does seem to be true that Musk owns "X.com," claiming a few years back that he had purchased the domain from PayPal for nostalgia's sake.

"Thanks PayPal for allowing me to buy back x.com!" Musk tweeted at the time. "No plans right now, but it has great sentimental value to me."

And honestly, Musk's apparent affection for the title in mind, we wouldn't be at all terribly surprised to know that the billionaire is aware of Microsoft's patent and more than willing to take the title to court. Besides, if he's made anything clear in the past few weeks, it's that he loves to challenge his deep-pocketed rivals. Who knows, maybe he'll just ask Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to meet him at the Vegas Octagon to settle any future dispute.

More on Twitter's rebrand: X.Com Is Telling People That It's "Parked by Godaddy"
Peter Thiel, left, and Elon Musk, right, hold VISA credit cards branded with the X.com company logo on October 20, 2000. Paul Sakuma/AP

Elon Musk announced Saturday that he plans to rebrand Twitter and change the bird logo to 'X.'

The rebrand is part of Musk's long-touted vision to create an 'everything app.'

Musk previously wanted X to be the name of a banking services site now known as PayPal.

Elon Musk announced plans on Saturday to ditch Twitter's bird logo for an "X"  a reference to the CEO's vision to create an all-encompassing "everything app" that may incorporate shopping and banking services, among other features.

The domain X.com now redirects users to Twitter. Musk said a new "interim" X logo will go live Sunday. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Twitter's potential new logo recalls Musk's earlier tech entrepreneur days when he was a 28-year-old in Silicon Valley with ambitions to start an online banking company in 1999.

By that point, Musk launched and sold Zip2  a company that provided city travel guide software to newspapers  for about $341 million. Musk earned $22 million out of the deal.

Using that cash, his next venture focused on banking services. The idea was to create an online tool for mutual fund management, according to a 1999 Marketwatch article.

Elon Musk in Palo Alto, California, on August 7, 2000. Pauline Lubens/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

What would this online service be called? According to Julie Anderson Ankenbrandt, a former PayPal executive, the name was born in a classic Silicon Valley setting: a cafe.

"There was a night early on where Elon, the other founders of the company ... and I sat around a backroom table at a long-defunct bar called the Blue Chalk (Cafe) in Palo Alto, trying (to) decide what the name of the company should be," Ankenbrandt wrote in a 2016 Quora post. "At that point, early 1999, the intent was still to build a revolutionary full-service financial platform (credit card, mutual fund, and standard banking data all in one place - just imagine! :) ) and the question at hand was whether to be q, x, or z dot com."

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According to Ankenbrandt, a waitress at the cafe would have the final say.

"Elon asked her what she thought, and she said she liked x.com," Ankenbrandt wrote. "Elon pounded the table and said, 'That's it then!'"

The former PayPal executive noted the founders felt branding would be an issue because of the "pornographic associations of the letter X." Although, nowadays, Musk arguably might welcome the crude association.

"But it never really came to that in the end given the trajectory of the company," she wrote.

Ankenbrandt could not be reached for comment.

X.com launched in late 1999. In 2000, the company merged with its competitor Confinity, which was co-founded by Peter Thiel and Max Levchin.

The name never stuck: Disagreements within the company, including around the x.com name, would soon be followed by Musk's ousting in late 2000. Thiel was named the new CEO.

While issues with the name didn't lead to Musk's firing  one of the internal arguments revolved around where to move the company's servers  most employees didn't favor the name as much as Musk.

According to Ashlee Vance's biography "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future," almost everyone in the company preferred the name PayPal. In 2001, x.com was rebranded accordingly.

Musk soon moved on to other ventures, including founding SpaceX and investing in Tesla. But after more than a decade, Musk never let the name go.

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend.

In 2017, Musk purchased the domain X.com from PayPal for an undisclosed sum.

"No plans right now, but it has great sentimental value to me," Musk tweeted at the time.

Eight years later, after he purchased Twitter for $44 billion, Musk formally merged his newly-purchased social media company into a Nevada-incorporated entity called X Corp.

"Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app," Musk said in October 2022.

The Twitter CEO said in a live forum that he envisions a service that "does everything  sort of like Twitter, plus PayPal, plus a whole bunch of things, and all rolled into one, with a great interface."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Emmett Louis Till, 14, with his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, at home in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune/TNS/Alamy)

Twenty days after Emmett Tills body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, Mamie Till-Mobley sat before a crowded courtroom in Sumner, Mississippi to testify in the trial of the two white men who were accused of killing him.

Her 14-year-old son was tortured, lynched and tied to a cotton gin fan and bound in barbed wire before he was thrown into the river in August 1955.

She identified the body and the ring he was wearing as her sons, anticipating an argument from the defence that sought to cast doubt on the identity of the body, and hoping that the all-white jury would listen to the testimony of a grieving Black mother. Days earlier, before Tills funeral in Chicago, she ordered that the casket remain open to let the world see what they did to my boy.

On 23 September, the jury acquitted Roy Bryant and JW Milam for Tills murder and kidnapping. Months later, the men confessed to the crimes in an interview with Look magazine. Carolyn Bryant Donhom, whose accusations against Till led to his killing, died earlier this year.

No one was ever convicted for the Black teenagers killing, which magnified Jim Crow-era violence that galvanised the Civil Rights movement, but his mother spent decades fighting injustice until she died in 2003.

On 25 July 2023, on what would be Tills 82nd birthday, President Joe Biden will sign a proclamation dedicating a national monument to honor both Till and his mother.

Our community has shown what reckoning and remembrance can look like, according to a statement from the Emmett Till Interpretive Center. This national monument designation affirms and shares this work on a national level. Racial reconciliation begins by telling the truth.

The whole nation had to bear witness to this

On 20 August 1955, Till-Mobley sent her teenage son on a southbound train from Chicago for a two-week stay in the small town of Money, Mississippi, where he would stay with relatives and spend late summer days with his cousins.

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I told him when he was coming down here that he would have to adapt himself to a new way of life, she said during the trial. And I told him to be very careful about how he spoke and to whom he spoke, and to always remember to say Yes, sir and No, maam at all times.

Four days later, Till was milling around Bryants Grocery & Meat Market after his relatives and friends left the store. It was then that Carolyn Bryant Donhom would later claim Till had grabbed her by the waist and then whistled at her as she walked to her car.

Days later, at 2.20am, Roy Bryant and Milam pulled up to the home of Tills great uncle Moses Wright. Milam was armed. They searched the home for Till, made him dress, and put him in their truck. Wright later recalled hearing a womans voice tell the men that they found the right boy. That was the last time Tills family saw him alive.

Emmett Till, pictured on his grave (Getty)

According to Bryant and Milam, the men shot Till in the head, tied a fan to his neck with barbed wire, and tossed him into the river. His body was found three days later beaten beyond recognition.

Till-Mobley asserted that the whole nation had to bear witness to this when she ordered that her sons coffin remain open for his funeral.

I wanted the world to see and I knew I could not tell anybody what I had seen. It was just too horrible, she said in 1988.

When Emmett became the personification of race hatred  it was too hard to look at. People could not look at it and come away as if nothing had happened. It had to leave an indelible impression upon whoever viewed him, she said in 2003. Race hatred is something weve got to get rid of. We cannot afford to live in a world that is torn with race hatred.

I will take that hurt to my grave

More than 6,500 people, mostly African Americans, were killed in racist attacks between 1865 and 1950, in the aftermath of the US Civil War and emancipation, through white militia terror during Reconstruction and in the years surrounding the Civil Rights movement, according to the Equal Justice Initiative.

An estimated 250,000 mourners attended public viewings for Tills funeral over four days, according to The Chicago Defender. Photographs of Tills body were published in Jet magazine and shared widely, fuelling widespread outrage and demands for justice.

A grand jury in Tallahatchie County indicted Roy Bryant and JW Milam on 7 September.

They were going to turn the murder of my son into a case of self-defense, the self-defense of the Mississippi way of life, she later wrote in her 2003 memoir Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America.

American civil rights activist Mamie Till (1921-2003), the mother of Emmett Till, sitting with a copy of the Clarion-Ledger newspaper on her lap, in Sumner, Mississippi, 22nd September 1955. (Bettmann Archive/Getty)

Following her sons killing, she embarked on a nationwide speaking tour and worked with Chicago public schools for more than two decades.

She also created The Emmett Till Players youth theatre troupe in 1973 to perform speeches from civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr to spread a message of hope, unity, and determination to thousands.

So far as the healing is concerned, I will never get over that. I will take that hurt to my grave. That influenced everything Ive done, she said in a 2002 interview included in the 2022 ABC documentary series Let the World See.

Tills name is among the first inscribed on the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. Till-Mobley placed her hand on the monument for its dedication in 1989.

Its almost as if I were touching him, she said at the time. Its almost as if Im reliving the funeral, and yet my heart is full of joy that not only my son but all these other people who gave their lives for the cause are getting the recognition they are due.

Till-Mobley died in a Chicago hospital on 6 January 2003. She was 81.

She was a teacher, and she thought methodically and scientifically, the Rev Jesse Jackson said following her death. She had a sharp mind and a compassionate heart. And she really sensed the place of her son in American history and her responsibility to keep that legacy alive.

President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act at the White House in March 2022. (EPA)

In 2008, eight signs outlining Tills story were placed across north Mississippi. One year later, a sign alongside the Tallahatchie River where Tills body was discovered was stolen and thrown into the water. A replacement sign was later shot up with bullet holes. That signs replacement also was riddled with bullet holes. A bulletproof sign was installed in 2019.

Last year, President Biden signed a bill to make lynching a federal hate crime more than a century after such legislation was first introduced.

Despite more than 200 legislative attempts to codify antilynching rules  beginning with a bill introduced in 1900 by US Rep George Henry White, then the only Black member of Congress  no measure prevailed. A federal hate crime statute was eventually signed into law in the 1990s.

In a White House ceremony to sign the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, the president condemned the pure terror to enforce the lie that not everyone belongs in America, not everyone is created equal.

From the bullets in the back of Ahmaud Arbery, to countless acts of violence, countless victims both known and unknown  racial hate is not an old problem, its a persistent problem, he said. Hate never goes away. It only hides, it hides under the rocks. Given just a little bit of oxygen it comes roaring back out, screaming. What stops it is all of us, not a few.

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument will include three federally protected sites spanning Illinois and Mississippi central to the familys story.

One site includes Roberts Temple Church of God in Chicagos South Side, where Tills funeral was held. Another is Graball Landing along the Tallahatchie River, where Tills body was discovered. A final site includes the county courthouse where an all-white jury acquitted his killers.

By recognising those sites, we will have an opportunity to acknowledge and reckon with our past  and an opportunity to tell the full American story, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty

Americas special relationship with Israel has, for the foreseeable future, come to an end.

Many will deny this. Many will hope it is not so. But the damage that has been done cannot be easily undone. A relationship built on shared values cannot be easily restored once it is clear those values are no longer shared.

For years, Israel made the case that it was Americas essential ally in the Middle East because it was the only state in the region that was a democracynot a theocracy or an autocracy like all its neighbors.

Why Pramila Jayapal Was Right to Call Israel a Racist State

That is no longer the case.

While most of the blame for this turn of events must go to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extreme right-wing coalition of Jewish nationalists, some falls on Americas leaders who, to varying degrees, for years refused to acknowledge Israels drift toward authoritarianism or, for that matter, its serial abuses of millions of the people who lived within the borders it controlled.

As recently as a week ago, only nine people in the U.S. Congress dared stand up to the lie that Israel was not a racist state. This despite decades of denying fundamental human rights to Palestinians in territories over which it asserted power simply because they were Palestinian.

The chorus of American leaders who regularly promised Israels leaders we would be with them (no matter what they did) invited Netanyahu and the thugocracy he assembled around him to do their worst. The Israeli leaders knew there was no price to pay. They knew that American aid would keep on coming. They knew American leaders would apologize for or cover up their crimes, block the U.N. from taking action against them, and maintain the myth that they were democratic when becoming less and less so.

A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a sit-in to block the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023. Menahem Kahana / Getty

It is, of course, galling and revealing that it took the most baldfaced assault on the democratic rights of Jewish Israelis ever to get awareness of the decay within the Israeli polity to the level it is today.

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Part of that is due to the natural and warranted support that has long existed for Israel due to its origins as a refuge for Jews escaping the horrors of the Holocaust, and seeking a homeland from which they could control their own destiny. Part of this is due to the fact that Israel was created to be a democracy, built around ideals much like those on which the U.S. was founded. Part of this is due to the fact that Israel was a valued ally during the Cold War, a potent counterforce to Soviet friends in a vital region of the world.

I Was Canceled for Criticizing Israel

We must also acknowledge that part of the support for Israel was due to the political influence of its supporters among the American electorate, from Zionist Jews to evangelical Christians. Some among these supporters have been particularly effective in making any wavering of support by political leaders seem toxic. This was accomplished via multiple means, but among these were the establishment of bright red lines, such as the argument that failing to support the government of Israels ethno-nationalist policies was tantamount to antisemitism.

Politicians in both U.S. parties therefore failed to offer sufficient criticism to Netanyahu as he bulldozed Palestinian settlements or changed Israels laws to shift the country in a more theocratic direction.

Even when Netanyahu, frustrated that his support from Democrats was not enthusiastic enough, became overtly partisanembracing the GOP and, in particular, the MAGA GOPthis continued. Those who criticized Israel were ostracized and condemned. Trump offered Bibi a blank check and in exchange was offered a train station and a settlement named after him.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kobi Gideon / Getty

In recent months, as Netanyahu sought to change Israels laws to eviscerate the power and independence of its Supreme Court, while the Biden administration offered stronger and stronger words to warn the Israeli government away from such action, no major changes were made in U.S. plans to continue to provide billions of dollars of military and other forms of aid to Israel. Promises from Netanyahu that (to Israeli observers) were clearly lies were accepted.

Meet Israels Version of Marjorie Taylor Greene

More recently, this tolerance of outrageous behavior was seen to fray further whenin the wake of outright lies by Netanyahu about the nature of Bidens support for himthe U.S. president took the extraordinary step of reaching out to New York Times columnist Tom Friedman to help him communicate the truth of what he had said to the Israeli prime minister, so that Bibi could no longer continue to twist Bidens words as he had been doing.

But with the passage of the first part of Netanyahus plan to strip away the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court, it must be clear that the lies were lies, that the intent is undeniably anti-democratic, that we no longer share the values we once celebrated with Israel, and that the relationship must be reassessed.

Strikingly, some stalwart supporters of the traditional U.S.-Israel relationship, like former U.S. ambassadors to Israel Martin Indyk and Daniel Kurtzer, have said what was previously unthinkable: That the U.S. must consider stopping the provision of military aid to Israel.

They are right. We must consider it. We must, as Tom Friedman has argued in The Times, must use our special history with Israel in support of democracy in that country.

But we need to recognize that Israeli politics have changed, and that while hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest the actions of the Netanyahu coalition, the damage that has already been done is likely to be compounded. More aggressive actions to settle the occupied territories using force are likely to follow. More blows against Israeli democracy are likely to follow. Even if the protests gain further momentum, divisions within Israeli politics are likely to remain for a long time to come.

Americas leaders must recognize that the policy of biting their tongues when Israels government brutalizes Palestinians or when it has telegraphed its coming attacks on its own democracyhas been a failure.

Stronger steps were called for earlier. Stronger steps are called for now.

Aid to Israel cannot be a blank check. It must be driven by U.S. interests. And currently, the Netanyahu government (which also sat on the fence when the U.S. called for support in Ukraine) is not acting in those interests.

Shockingly, one senior U.S. government official said to me recently that as the U.S. pursued normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, it was the Israeli government rather than that of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (also known as MBSa leader with whom they have had bad blood), that was proving the more difficult with which to deal.

U.S. political leaders must finally tune out the specious argument that opposing the actions of a racist Israeli government contemptuous of international law and fundamental human rights is somehow antisemitic. No one is doing more damage to the legitimacy of the state of Israel than the current Israeli government. No one is a greater threat to the state of Israel than Netanyahu and his coalition.

The only way to revive the special relationship is to establish that the U.S. and Israel are actually bound together by genuinely shared values. We must be clear about what that means and about the concrete costs of failing to re-establish those values as guiding principles of the Israeli government.

We must also recognize that it means protecting the rights not only of Israeli Jews but of Palestinians, as well, of making democracy and the transparent rule of law available to all who live within the bordersnot just of the state of Israel but of the territories over which it exerts its authority. Because giving the Israeli government license to abuse the rights of Palestinians is part of what sent the message that we would tolerate the other abuses they have subsequently committed.

Israels Got Major Problems, but Its Not an Apartheid State

We must also recognize that Netanyahu hopes (and perhaps believes) that he can restore the special relationship by waiting for Donald Trump to be reelected. He knows that a Trump administration would not only be as contemptuous of democracy as he is, but it would be seeking to implement similar policies, in part because Trump (like Netanyahu) shares the desire to use power as a way of avoiding jail time for past crimes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion on January 23, 2023. Abir Sultan / Getty

Of course, the consequence of a restoration of ties based on the further debasement of the principles on which both governments were once founded would mean something much worse than the end of an international relationship. It would mean a devastating blow to democracy and the rule of law worldwide. It would be a catastrophe for both nations and the planet.

We have come to this dangerous moment by failing to acknowledge and actively work to stop the enemies of our values, our standing, and our security. Given the stakes and the precariousness of the current situation in both countries, we must use every legal lever available at our disposal to undo the damage that has already been done and to stop further erosion at the foundations of our societies.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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[Source]

A group of enraged Indian women from the Meitei community set fire to the homes of two men accused of sexually abusing tribal women.

About the sexual assault: The incident was reportedly triggered by the disturbing viral video showing two Kuki women being forced to strip naked and subjected to harassment by Meitei men on May 4.

According to a complaint filed to the authorities some 15 days after the incident, a mob of around 800 to 1,000 people had earlier vandalized and burnt down several houses in a village in Kangpokpi district before targeting members of the Kuki tribe.

*All out effort to arrest culprits as regard to the viral video of 02 (two) women paraded naked :* More from NextShark: Houston Mom Tries to Reunite With Her Baby Stranded in Wuhan As regard to the viral video of 02 (two) women paraded naked by unknown armed miscreants on 4th May, 2023, a case of abduction, gangrape and murder etc 1/2  Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 19, 2023 More from NextShark: People Are Making Over $4,500 to Get Infected With Coronavirus

The police have arrested four suspects as of Thursday, including the man who allegedly instigated an armed mob to rape and parade the two women, aged 21 and 19, naked on the streets in Manipur.

Vigilante justice: The "Meira Paibis" or "Mothers of Manipur," a group of Meitei women engaged in activism, have condemned the assault and sought capital punishment for the accused.

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The Meira Paibis broke down the walls of the suspects' homes and stuffed bales of hay inside before setting them ablaze.

"We condemn what happened to the women," said Sumati, a member of the Meira Paibis who participated in the incident. "The accused and their family will not be able to live in their village. That is why we destroyed the house."

Thangjam Lata Devi, the mother of one of the accused, also had her home torched by the women.

National outrage: The video of the assault went viral on social media this week, leading to unrest in the northeastern Indian state and nationwide protests led by various rights groups.

Protesters demanding justice for the victims have questioned the authorities' failure to act promptly when they were informed about the sexual assault and abuse suffered by the women in Manipur.

Two months after the violence, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence and promised tough action against the culprits.

"I assure the nation, the law will take its course with all its might," said Modi. "What happened with the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven."

Local authorities arrested the four suspects after Modi's statement and are currently in pursuit of at least 30 other individuals involved in the crime.

Ethnic conflict: The violence in Manipur has been exacerbated by months of ethnic conflict between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki, resulting in the deaths of at least 120 people and the displacement of tens of thousands.

The Meitei community has been advocating for reserved public job quotas and college admissions, sparking tensions with the Kuki community.
Two 18-year-old men walked into UPMC Hamot about 17 hours apart on Sunday seeking treatment for gunshot wounds to their arms, according to the Erie Bureau of Police.

Investigators said neither gave police much information about what happened to them. But an investigation launched after the first victim went to the hospital led police to a bullet-damaged van with blood inside.

Police are now working to determine whether the van is connected to at least one of the shootings, and if the two wounded men are connected to the same incident.

The first victim walked into UPMC Hamot shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday after he was dropped off by a driver who then left the area, Erie police Deputy Chief Rick Lorah said Monday. The man, who had a gunshot wound to his arm, told police he was driving his friend's aunt's van with his friend in the passenger seat and was traveling along East Fifth Street when he heard glass break and was shot, Lorah said.

More: Homicides jump, but reported shootings in Erie down so far in 2023, police chief says

The man would not give officers his friend's name and said he did not know the name of his friend's aunt. He also said he did not have a phone and did not know his address, Lorah said.

Police later found a van in a driveway in the 800 block of East 10th Street. The van had damage from gunfire and there was blood inside the vehicle, Lorah said.

At about 6 p.m. Sunday, another 18-year-old man walked into UPMC Hamot for treatment of a gunshot wound to his upper left arm he had reportedly suffered the prior evening, Lorah said. When police asked the man what had happened, he told officers he didn't want to talk about it and didn't know what happened because he was drunk, according to Lorah.

Erie police detectives are investigating both incidents and are looking into whether both are possibly connected, Lorah said.

At least 30 people have been shot in Erie so far this year.

Detectives are also investigating a shots-fired incident in the 200 block of East 22nd Street that was reported on Monday at about 6:40 a.m.

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According to police, officers were sent to the area after being alerted to possible gunfire and found six shell casings. Two houses on the block were struck by gunfire, Lorah said.

There were no reported injuries in Monday morning's shooting.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie police seek more details after two 18-year-olds suffer gunshots
A 10-foot-long adult python that escaped its terrarium in White Lake has been returned to its owner after it was captured by Waterford police.

According to its owner, Jack Lauderback, the bright yellow python must've noticed its terrarium door wasn't completely latched and slid it open, slithering out of the familys home and over busy roads, eventually making its way to neighboring Waterford where it was spotted in a wood pile.

Waterford police captured the snake July 16 during the midnight shift using a catchpole  the long metal rod with a looped cable at its end normally used for catching stray dogs  and took it to Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center, where Lauderback quickly came to pick it up.

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In Waterford, it is illegal to own or possess poisonous or exotic animals. The snake, named Jerry by the Waterford police and "Mr. Squiggles" by his owner, fell onto this list as a constrictor snake.

While no one was injured or killed, the python was large enough to be dangerous to small children and pets. According to Waterfords ordinances, if the python had injured a police officer or a resident, it wouldve been killed.

According to The Oakland Press, Lauderback was ticketed and told to return the snake back to White Lake, where there are no specific township ordinances banning the possession of large snakes, and fix his terrarium door.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Waterford police rescue escaped python
Donald Trump MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump added a new attorney ahead of a possible federal indictment over his role in the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riots and efforts to overturn the 2020 election after receiving a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith.

Trump last week added attorney John Lauro, who previously represented Trump attorneys Christina Bobb and Alina Habba.

CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen, who served as Democratic counsel during Trump's first impeachment, told CNN that Lauro is a "very skilled" and "very brilliant defense lawyer" but predicted that he was taking on a losing case.

"It's not going to work because I believe the evidence is so overwhelming here. When this case gets to a jury, Donald Trump is going to be in a lot of trouble. But he does have a good defense lawyer on his side now in John," Eisen said on Sunday.

Though Lauro has claimed that Trump did nothing illegal, Eisen listed off several potential offenses he may be charged with, particularly in connection with the fake elector scheme.

"Those phony false, fraudulent counterfeit certificates!" he said. "These were pieces of paper that said the undersigned were the electors for the winner, Donald Trump. And they signed these false electors signed that. That's a counterfeit. 18 USC 1871. That was led from the Oval Office, conspiracy to defraud."

Former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi argued that Smith's election probe is decidedly different from Trump's other charges. During a Sunday sit-down on MSNBC, Figliuzzi was asked if, "the 2020 election is different since it involves a former president who tried to interfere with the peaceful transition of power."

"Of all the cases and charges that Trump is facing so far, and I in no way mean to denigrate them. In fact, I am incensed about the documents case, I dealt with classified information for the bulk of my career and that's serious. But this one, this one is different because it goes to the heart of our democratic process a free and fair election and having our vote count," Figliuzzi said.

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"This is a civil rights charge," he added. "While it's going to be uniquely applied in this set of circumstances, this charge was enacted, way back when, to enable agents and prosecutors to go into the deep south [and] work against the Ku Klux Klan, who was preventing minorities from voting."

"This charge is right and it goes to the heart of whether we are going to continue as a democracy to have our votes count. This one's different. It counts, it means everything moving forward as a democracy," Figliuzzi continued.

Former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal told MSNBC that the target letter offers a "pretty good clue" that Trump will be indicted imminently.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"A target letter is not something that is required to be sent to every potential target, and you certainly don't need to list every conceivable charge that you're thinking about as a prosecutor when you send someone a target letter. But it's a pretty good clue," Katyal said.

"We're talking here about federal charges," he added. "We're talking about what Jack Smith, the special counsel, is going to bring on behalf of the United States Justice Department. There's also a separate set of investigations going on in Georgia and perhaps other states about Trump's fraud around January 6th, the fake electors' plot, and stuff like that. So you could see Trump facing, for the same basic conduct, trials going on in Georgia at the state level and with Jack Smith at the federal level, conceivably in Washington, DC. I think the bottom line here is I think it's quite clear that Donald Trump is going to double his current number of indictments in the near future."

"I think it's quite clear that Donald Trump is going to double his current number of indictments in the near future." @neal_katyal explains how Trump could face both federal and state charges for the same conduct related to the 2020 election. pic.twitter.com/TZqzOjyGco  MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 22, 2023

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about Trump's legal woes
(Bloomberg) -- It was at a November 2012 meeting at the University Club on Fifth Avenue that David A. Handler claims he was promised one of Wall Streets shiniest brass rings: a senior partnership with equity in top merger advisory boutique Centerview Partners.

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But a decade later, Centerview founders Blair Effron and Robert Pruzan contend Handler was never a true partner of theirs as they fight to deny him access to the firms financial records. Handler, who left Centerview last year to found Tidal Partners, claims those documents will show hes entitled to a stake in the boutique investment bank worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The records dispute, which goes on trial Tuesday in Delaware Chancery Court, could end up opening the books on an elite firm that has worked on deals worth $3 trillion since its 2006 launch. Centerview, which advised Credit Suisse on its takeover by UBS Group AG, does not release financial results, but a person familiar with the matter said its revenue last year was around $1.5 billion.

That would be of huge interest, said Steven Eckhaus, a lawyer who specializes in compensation. People on Wall Street look to companies like Centerview to determine how much they should be making.

The case could also shine a light on one of the most prestigious but ill-defined titles on Wall Street: partner. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. famously maintains the position at the top of its ranks even though the bank hasnt been an actual partnership since 1999. Centerview has 70 partners among its 600 staff. But only a handful hold significant equity, and Effron and Pruzan claim they are the only two who have all the rights traditionally associated with the title.

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Centerview in a statement called Handlers claims baseless. Handler declined to comment on the case.

Handler and Pruzan are expected to testify at Tuesdays hearing, which will take place at the Court of Chancery in Georgetown. Both men have already given depositions in the matter. On Wednesday, Handlers legal team, led by Michael Bowe of Brown Rudnick LLP, will face off against Centerviews lawyers, led by Michael Carlinsky of Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP.

Charles Elson, a corporate governance expert at the University of Delaware, said the case is a longshot. To the outside world, if they call you a partner, it carries some authority, Elson said. In actuality, youre in the partnership agreement or youre not. You know what they say: an oral agreement is worth the paper its written on.

The agreement Handler alleges was reached at the University Club was never put in writing, and Centerview has said in court filings that subsequent emails show that there never a final deal. The firm says other documents show Handler held equity only in a secondary corporate structure, not in the overall company.

But the documents cited by Centerview arent exactly clearcut. At a hearing in the case last November, Delaware Chancery Court Judge Samuel Glasscock raised that issue with the founders lawyers. I assume that theres a list of equity-holders, partners, and Mr. Handler is or isnt on it, right? the judge asked.

Centerview lawyers said there was but later backtracked and said the banks primary method for tracking its equity-holders was its issuance of K-1 forms for top staffers to report their compensation to the Internal Revenue Service. But they also said that K-1s didnt signify partnership, as Effron and Pruzan were the only true partners at Centerview.

Handler, who never received K-1s, is asking the court to give him those forms for Effron, Pruzan and two other Centerview bankers as part of his records request.

There is a 2013 limited partnership agreement that Handler didnt sign, but he contends Centerview is inflating its importance. He notes that the company had not treated it like the foundational document Effron and Pruzan claim that it is. In deposition questioning, Pruzan acknowledged that the document had been thrown in a drawer and never taken out.

Handler also argues that the circumstances surrounding the University Club meeting show Effron and Pruzan intended to make him a senior partner with equity. Recruited from UBS in 2008, Handler was tasked with building a technology group for Centerview. According to him, his team proved so successful, with a roster of clients led by Motorola Inc., that Effron and Pruzan began looking for ways to restructure his compensation, which was mostly a business-origination percentage at the time.

The founders happily agreed that his annual pay would be lowered in exchange for a stake in Centerview, Handler claims. We hugged at the end of the meeting, he said in a deposition.

Hugging definitely seems off the table now. In court filings, Handler has accused Effron and Pruzan of misleading most Centerview bankers about the profit pool from which they are paid and making secret adjustments for their own benefit. He raised that argument in pushing back against Centerviews request to seal many of the Delaware court filings as proprietary company information.

A fraudulent ruse on your employees and partners is not proprietary, Handlers lawyers said, and maintaining that ruse is not a bona fide commercial purpose for redaction.

Centerview denied the allegation in a statement. Centerviews partners have full transparency into the firms performance and compensation practices, the firm said. Any suggestion to the contrary is patently false.

Handler has also said in court filings that he was pushed out of Centerview as retaliation for complaining to Effron in 2020 and 2021 that Pruzan had created a hostile work environment for bank employees. Centerview, which denies the claim, has called Handler a disgruntled employee who plotted to launch a rival firm.

Even if the court decides he is a partner, Centerview said the issue is moot because departing partners are required to sell back their stake to the firm for a nominal price.

Glasscock could rule quickly on whether to grant Handler access to Centerviews records after the end of arguments on Wednesday. Though giving them to Handler wont make them publicly available, such records are typically sought as ammunition for further litigation.

Read More: Goldman Sachs Loses Top M&A Ranking for First Time in Five Years

A lengthy dispute could be embarrassing for Centerview and its founders. The firm has emerged as an M&A powerhouse since its launch  it ranked fifth in Bloombergs league table of mergers and acquisitions advisers for the first half of 2023, beating Citigroup Inc. and trailing only JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.

In addition to the Credit Suisse deal, Centerviews been advising Seagen Inc. on its proposed $43 billion acquisition by Pfizer Inc. and Syneos Health Inc. on its announced buyout by a private equity consortium including Elliott Management and Veritas Capital. The boutique banks recent recruits include former Goldman managing director Olga Lewis and ex-Barclays Plc French investment banking co-head Yann Krychowski

Effron began his Wall Street career at Dillon, Read & Co. and eventually became vice chairman at UBS, which took over the US bank in 1998. He has become a significant player in political and cultural circles. A major donor to the Democratic Party, hes a member of President Joe Bidens intelligence advisory board. Hes also on the board of the Council of Foreign Relations, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Princeton University, his alma mater.

Pruzan, who keeps a lower profile, started off as a McKinsey & Co. consultant before moving to Wasserstein Perella & Co. Prior to co-founding Centerview, Pruzan was North America head for Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein. Hes chairman of the board of New Yorks Jewish Museum and is also on the board of Wesleyan University, from which he graduated in 1985.

(updates with details of hearing and law firms in graph seven)

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Michael Reaves via Getty Images

An ex-Gitmo detainee said Ron DeSantis smiled at him as he was being force-fed, per The Daily Beast.

The remarks come from an unaired documentary transcript detailing DeSantis' time as a Navy lawyer.

"I cannot forget when he was there watching us with the force-feeding," the ex-detainee said.

An ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee says he remembers, to this day, how Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis smiled at him from behind a fence while watching him get force-fed, per the Daily Beast.

The Daily Beast reported on Saturday that they obtained a verified transcript of an unaired VICE documentary titled "The Guantanamo Candidate." This included an interview with a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Mansoor Adayfi, who was suspected of being an al Qaeda operative before his release in 2016. Adayfi now lives in Serbia.

Adayfi said he first met DeSantis in 2006 when the Florida Republican went to Guantanamo along with several groups who'd "arrived to bring the camp under control." At the time, Adayfi and the other detainees were on a hunger strike to protest against their imprisonment, per Adayfi's account. DeSantis, who was then a US Navy lawyer, was providing legal advice to the detention center.

"As I'm looking at you now, I could see them standing behind the fence, watching and looking at us," Adayfi said, per the transcript, adding that DeSantis was "smiling."

"While being you, screaming and shouting and bleeding and like, throwing up and shitting on yourself, and someone is smiling at you? You cannot forget that," Adayfi continued.

Adayfi added in the documentary interview that he came across DeSantis' photo years later, and saw his name.

"I cannot forget when he was there watching us with the force-feeding," he said. "You cannot forget that because those people left really bad scars in your soul."

Showtime pulled the documentary before it was slated to air on May 28, per The Hollywood Reporter. A Showtime representative told The Hollywood Reporter that they "don't comment on scheduling decisions." The television network also did not explain why the episode was dropped.

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DeSantis has denied participating in or authorizing the force feeding of people imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay.

This stands in stark contrast to a 2018 CBS interview, during which DeSantis told a reporter that JAG legal advisers told Guantanamo Bay commanders that people "can force-feed" and laid out the "kind of the rules for that." The Washington Post separately reported in March that DeSantis had a close look at disturbing incidents that happened at the camp, citing two former detainees, base officials, and defense lawyers.

And in April, the governor lost his cool with a reporter while being questioned about Adayfi's claims at a press conference.

"Do you honestly believe that's credible?" DeSantis said in April. "I'm a junior officer, do you honestly think that they would've remembered me?"

The DeSantis campaign referred Insider to a video link of the press conference in April when asked for comment.

DeSantis' denial came after Adayfi wrote in an Al Jazeera op-ed in April that DeSantis witnessed him being strapped to a chair and force-fed through a feeding tube.

"As I tried to break free, I noticed DeSantis's handsome face among the crowd at the other side of the chain link. He was watching me struggle. He was smiling and laughing with other officers as I screamed in pain," Adayfi wrote.

In the Al Jazeera piece, Adayfi said DeSantis wasn't the person who ordered that the hunger strike be broken violently  he just watched.

"He was just a guy who claimed he was there to help us and then just watched while we were being tortured," wrote Adayfi.

"He did not torture me, but he sure seemed to take joy from it," Adayfi added.

Editor's note: July 24, 2023  This story has been updated with responses from the DeSantis campaign.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Bernie Kerik, the former NYPD commissioner who collected evidence of supposed election fraud for the Trump campaign in 2020, has cut a deal to turn over records to Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of the investigation into Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Smith previously sought the documents, which are related to Keriks role as the former presidents on-the-ground investigator looking into eventually disproven conspiracy theories about ballot stuffing and fake voters. However, Keriks legal team had refused to turn those documents over, citing attorney-client privilege stemming from the fact that Kerik was working on behalf of Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

But on Friday, Trump himself waived that privilege and agreed to have the documents turned over, according to Keriks defense lawyer, Timothy Parlatore.

Smith is expected to now receive nearly 2,000 pages of material describing how Kerik looked into bogus fraud allegations. The records could prove pivotal for federal prosecutors, who are seeking evidence of Trumps decision-making process as he relentlessly voiced baseless accusations that the 2020 election was rigged, even though top advisers had told him otherwise.

Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik in Talks With Jack Smiths Team, Lawyer Says

For months, the DOJ special counsel has been investigating Trumps multifaceted scheme to stay in the White House after losing that election, which culminated in his MAGA loyalists violently attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Just last week, Trump revealed that investigators had sent him a so-called target letter indicating he may soon be indicted.

While the former president has spent considerable time in recent weeks posting screeds directed at Smithcalling him deranged for seeking a possible indictmentlawyers thus far have battled with prosecutors over evidence behind closed doors.

Trumps decision to greenlight handing over these records represents something of a gamble. But Parlatore said the evidence could actually prove exculpatory, as it shows the Trump campaign actually did hear allegations of fraudand engaged in what could be argued was a good faith attempt to investigate the claims by interviewing witnesses.

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Notably, none of these efforts resulted in any actual proof, which is why Trumps lawsuits contesting the election results ultimately went nowhere. Federal judges across the country tossed them out and even reprimanded lawyers for filing empty claims. Giuliani and his privately run investigation played a key role in spreading conspiracy theories, and his involvement could land him in trouble in Georgia.

The House Jan. 6 Committee, which spent more than a year investigating Trumps attempted coup and produced an extensive final report documenting how close the country came to putting at risk its functioning democracy, interviewed Kerik during its probe. However, congressional investigators only received a portion of the documents in question, because that attorney-client privilege was still in place.

From the time he received a subpoena from the January 6 Committee, Mr. Kerik has believed that full disclosure is the best policy so that the public can understand how extensive the legal teams efforts to investigate election fraud were, Parlatore told The Daily Beast on Monday.

Trump Loses It Over Letter Saying Hes a Target of Jack Smiths Jan. 6 Probe

The formal agreement to waive privilege on the documents in question was hinted at in a court filing made Monday afternoon in a case involving Georgia poll workers who say their lives were ruined when Giuliani falsely accused them of mishandling ballots. Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, sued Giuliani for defamation in 2021 and demanded similar records as part of their lawsuit. But Giuliani and his hired investigator, Kerik, refused to turn them over for the same reason they held them back from Smith, citing the Trump campaigns attorney-client privilege.

U.S. District Beryl A. Howell already punished Giuliani, ordering him to pay $89,172 in lawyers fees for wasting time. And she was poised to do the same to Kerik. But Kerik defense lawyer Parlatore cut a last-minute deal with the Trump legal team to make those documents available to Freeman and Moss. That deal, in turn, makes them available for Smiths investigators as well.

On Monday, the womens lawyers alerted the judge that they reached an agreement and started receiving a batch of documents on Sunday. Kerik has additionally agreed to sit down and answer those lawyers questions sometime in the next month, which could also benefit Smiths investigation.

The sudden turn also means that Kerik has agreed to sit down with the feds for a formal interview sometime in mid-August, Kerik said.

That timing could indicate that Smith isnt as close to indicting Trump as the former president has recently suggested, but Smith could also conduct the Kerik interview after an indictment. Investigators typically wrap up interviews and collect a full picture of evidence before asking a grand jury to vote on criminal charges, but Smith could always make an exception if hes actually intent on indicting Trump imminently over his efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election.

Parlatore was uniquely positioned to make the deal to turn over these documents. He was on Trumps legal defense team handling various special counsel investigations until he left in May.

Kerik also has his own connection with Trump. Following the United States invasion of Iraq, the ex-NYPD boss briefly served as a top minister in Iraqs transitional government. His nomination to lead the newly established Department of Homeland Security fell apart, when investigators began discovering a long history of corruption. He received a four-year prison sentence for tax fraud and lying to White House officials. But years later, he became a conservative Fox News commentator and in 2020 was granted clemency by then-President Trump.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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HAMPTON  A prominent local doctor and former police officer is scheduled to plead guilty in a domestic assault case, though the charges are still being negotiated by prosecutors and the defense.

Harry Wallus, a former Portsmouth Regional Hospital physician and Greenland police officer, is facing two felony second-degree assault charges and seven misdemeanors after police say he strangled his girlfriend and broke two of her ribs in 2022. He pleaded not guilty earlier this year, but Thursday, July 20, his attorney Tom Reid told a Rockingham Superior Court judge that a plea deal was in the works.

Harry Wallus was arrested Feb. 6, 2022, following an alleged assault of his girlfriend in Greenland.

Reid told Judge Daniel St. Hilaire he and prosecutors were close to a deal a few weeks ago, and that they are confident they will finalize one in time for a capped plea and sentencing. He and prosecutor John Goodlander agreed to put the sentencing on the calendar for Sept. 13.

We are going to be able to resolve it as discussed, Reid said. He declined to comment further after the hearing.

Previous story: Woman shares story of assault by Portsmouth ER doctor charged with domestic violence

Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway said after the hearing prosecutors and the defense are still negotiating the charges to which Wallus will plead guilty. She declined to comment further on the negotiations.

Wallus was scheduled to go to trial this summer, and Thursdays hearing was a pre-trial conference. A capped plea and sentencing is when a judge hears arguments from prosecutors and the defenses attorney to determine a sentence that falls within their proposed minimum and maximum.

Greg's Bistro crash in Hampton: Man pleads guilty to DWI, apologizes to victims

Conviction could impact Wallus medical license

Under state law, the New Hampshire Board of Medicine may take disciplinary action against licensed physicians convicted of a felony pending a hearing. Wallus currently has an active medical license with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, issued in 2013 and set to expire on June 30, 2025.

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The victim in the case, Ashley Gardner, said she hopes Wallus pleads guilty to all of the charges and that the deal does not exclude the two felonies.

Hes guilty for everything that he is being charged with, Gardner said.

Ashley Gardner, left, said she is a survivor of abuse from prominent local doctor Harry Wallus.

However, Gardner said a plea deal demonstrates accountability. She also said it rules out the potential for Wallus to appeal his conviction if it went to trial.

Accepting the plea deal forces him to admit and take responsibility for his actions, Gardner said. It also protects me from him trying to appeal so that I am able to fully move on and never look in the rearview mirror.

More crime: Ex-Massachusetts cop charged with sexual assault in Hampton

Charges allege violent assault at Wallus Greenland home

Walluss charges, coupled with testimony by Gardner in a police affidavit, allege he strangled her with her sweatshirt by pinning her on the ground and kicking and punching her side to break her ribs. Gardner told police Wallus attacked her because of text messages on her phone the morning of Feb. 6, 2022.

Police say the assault occurred at a Brackett Point Road home in Greenland, where police say Wallus was living at the time. Greenland officers responded at 10:27 a.m. and met Gardner, who was bleeding from her nose and had blood running down to her mouth, according to the police affidavit.

Gardner told police Wallus attacked her because of texts she sent to a friend. She said he grabbed her by the hair, threw her on the floor, held her down, punched her in the left side of the rib cage and slammed her hand on the floor before taking her phone.

She said Wallus then remained on top of her and caused her sweatshirt to pull on her neck to the point of being choked. She said she told him she could not breathe, and he allegedly replied, "Good I hope you die you rotten (expletive)." She said she got one arm free, unzipped the sweatshirt, and got him off her.

Wallus was a decorated physician, police officer

Wallus won awards for his work at Portsmouth Regional Hospital as a physician in their emergency department, including one in 2016 for excellent patient care and outstanding professional relationships with EMS.

He has also been a member of the law enforcement community, first as a civilian affiliate of the Seacoast Emergency Response Team as an emergency physician, according to the SERT teams current commander, Exeter police Deputy Chief Josh McCain. He also briefly served as a part-time police officer at the Greenland Police Department, starting Sept. 16, 2016, according to the departments records.

Wallus is no longer employed by Greenland police nor Portsmouth Regional Hospital, according to the organizations. Wallus employment ended in Greenland Nov. 13, 2018, following an OUI arrest in York, Maine. Ellen Miller, spokesperson for Portsmouth Regional Hospital, confirmed in February he was no longer employed by the hospital.

If you need help

As a community service, the following information is published with stories in which domestic and/or sexual violence is alleged, while making no judgment on the guilt or innocence of the accused:

If you need support Haven has trained confidential advocates available. The 24-hour hotline is (603) 994-SAFE (7233). Its confidential online chat service is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at havennh.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ex-Portsmouth ER doctor set to plead guilty in domestic assault case
Hunter Biden sold art to Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a Democratic donor appointed to a prestigious federal commission, three people directly familiar with Biden's account said. Andrew Harnik/AP; Insider

Insider has learned the identities of two Hunter Biden "friends" who were also buyers of his art.

Internal gallery documents show that sales of Biden's art brought in $1.3 million.

One buyer, whose identity is unknown, spent $875,000 on 11 Biden artworks.

On the campaign trail, President Joe Biden pledged that there would be an "absolute wall" between his official duties and his family's private business interests. The Biden White House repeatedly made reference to that wall when responding to questions about the fledgling art career of Hunter Biden, the president's son. In 2021, when a New York art gallery debuted Hunter Biden's paintings with asking prices as high as $500,000, the White House said that his team had a process for carefully vetting buyers, and that their identities were known only to the gallery, and not to Hunter Biden himself. The messaging seemed to suggest that his art patrons came from a rarified universe of collectors who had nothing to do with the hurly-burly of politics.

Neither of those things has turned out to be the case. Hunter Biden did, in fact, learn the identity of two buyers, according to three people directly familiar with his own account of his art career. And one of those buyers is indeed someone who got a favor from the Biden White House. The timing of their purchase, however, is unknown.

That buyer, Insider can reveal, is Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a Los Angeles real-estate investor and philanthropist. Hirsh Naftali is influential in California Democratic circles and a significant Democratic donor who has given $13,414 to the Biden campaign and $29,700 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this year. In 2022, she hosted a fundraiser headlined by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Insider also obtained internal documents from Hunter Biden's gallery showing that a single buyer purchased $875,000 worth of his art. The documents do not indicate the buyer's identity, which is also unknown to Insider at this time.

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In July 2022, eight months after Hunter Biden's first art opening, Joe Biden announced Hirsh Naftali's appointment to the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. It is unclear whether Hirsh Naftali's purchase of Hunter Biden's artwork occurred before or after that appointment. Membership on the commission is an unpaid position often filled by campaign donors, family members, and political allies  the same crowd that often winds up with US ambassadorial appointments. Hirsh Naftali's fundraising activities mark her as the kind of well-connected donor who often wins such appointments, regardless of any relationship they might have with the president's family. But they do not address the possibility that Hunter Biden might have voiced his support for her appointment.

Well, did that happen or not? Did Hunter Biden weigh in with his father about the appointment of Hirsh Naftali?

And did Hirsh Naftali buy Hunter Biden's art before or after she was appointed?

Insider asked these questions.

Neither the White House nor Hunter Biden's counsel could offer an answer.

This story will be updated should that change.

Hirsh Naftali did not respond to requests for comment.

An administration official told Insider that her appointment had been recommended to Joe Biden by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. They said there was no connection between her art purchases and her appointment. They said that Hirsh Naftali was deeply involved with Jewish causes in Los Angeles and Israel  valuable background for a commission that works to preserve many historic Jewish sites across Europe. They noted her service on a policy board at the RAND Corp., a prominent think tank.

They did not offer a timeline.

"Hunter Biden is a private citizen who is entitled to have his own career as an artist," Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said. "We are not involved in his art sales, and any buyers of his art are not disclosed to the White House."

Bruce Weinstein, a professional ethicist and ethics trainer, told Insider that the timing of Hirsh Naftali's purchase was significant. "If it was done after her appointment, and she likes the painting, it's less of an issue," he said. "It's more of an issue if she's deciding to buy it beforehand. Then it might be perceived as a quid pro quo."

Regardless of the timing, Weinstein said, "if you really wanted to choose the most ethically appropriate course of action that would not involve any conflict of interest, real or perceived, then you don't buy the painting."

The Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad is a public agency charged with preserving European historical sites. In the past, Hunter Biden has privately suggested that he could arrange to have friends seated on the commission. Eric Schwerin, Hunter Biden's longtime business associate, was appointed to the same post by President Barack Obama in 2015. An email apparently from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop written that year suggests that he had sway over Schwerin's appointment. "Eric asked me for one of these the day after the election in 2008," he wrote to a cousin who had written inquiring about the possibility of a similar appointment for her mother.

Neither Hunter Biden nor Schwerin responded to a request for comment on the email's contents.

In an emailed statement, Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden's counsel, said that his client learned the identities of Hirsh Naftali and a second buyer after they had purchased his art through his gallery because they were his friends. "The gallery sets the pricing and handles all sales based on the highest ethical standards of the industry, and does not disclose the names of any purchasers to Mr. Biden," Lowell wrote.

"Names of buyers are strictly confidential," Georges Berges, Hunter Biden's gallerist, wrote in an email. "Any attempt to get them is illegal and will be reported to the proper authorities."

Hunter Biden deplanes from Air Force One in Syracuse, New York, on February 4. Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS

Document points to $875,000 mystery buyer

Internal Georges Berges Gallery documents obtained by Insider, a selection of which are published below, show that a single buyer purchased 11 Hunter Biden artworks for a total of $875,000. A gallery contract with Hunter Biden's handwritten edits shows him excluding the sales of nonfungible tokens from the gallery's 40% commission.

The identity of the $875,000 buyer is unclear. That one buyer represents the majority of the $1,379,000 in receipts that Hunter Biden's gallery received for his work, the documents show, with the gallery receiving a 40% to 45% commission. The $875,000 art buyer resides outside New York and purchased some of Hunter Biden's largest-format works, including a 12-foot-long red-white-and-blue piece painted on sheet metal and entitled "Pandemonium."

The only other art buyer known to Hunter Biden, according to the three people directly familiar with his own account, is Kevin Morris, a wealthy Los Angeles attorney who has become Biden's confidant and financial backer. Morris' ownership of Biden's art was previously reported by The New York Times, though a person close to Morris suggested to the Times that the art may have been a gift, not a purchase. In fact, according to a person familiar with Hunter Biden's account, Morris purchased the art through his gallery. In addition to collecting his work, Morris has lent Hunter Biden upward of $2 million, the Times reported, helping him pay off back taxes and avoid felony penalties under a June settlement with the Department of Justice. Instead, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges.

Morris did not respond to a request for comment.

The asking prices for Hunter Biden's artwork may appear staggering, but they are not unreasonable given the vagaries of the art market, according to Charlie Horne, the president of Gurr Johns, an art-advisory and -appraisal company. "There are a ton of terrible artists who get a lot more money," he said. "If you told me that each of his paintings was a million dollars and that he'd never had a museum show, that would be one thing. But anything under $100,000  at those prices, it's very subjective."

Kedric Payne, vice president and general counsel at Campaign Legal Center, said that the question of whether the Hirsh Naftali appointment was an ethics violation depended on both the timing of her purchase and whether the art was purchased at fair market prices, or for substantially more, in which case it could be considered a gift.

"Legally, you might not have a problem," he said. "But with the appearance, it's a lot to try and explain."

Mattathias Schwartz is Insider's chief national security correspondent. He can be reached by email at schwartz79@protonmail.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fast-fashion e-commerce giant Shein has attempted to rebrand as an empowerment company in the wake of criticism from customers and environmental and social advocates.

What happened?

Shein, which is currently facing a lawsuit for allegedly violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, announced earlier this year that to support its Supplier Community Empowerment Program (SCEP), it will invest U.S. $70 million over the next 5 years to empower its ecosystem of third-party manufacturing suppliers, and the workers within.

Executive chairman of Shein, Donald Tang, claimed that the companys supply streamlining is in the interest of the environment in a recent webinar hosted by managing consulting firm APCO Worldwide, per Sourcing Journal.

If theres no waste, you can compete if you pass all of those savings to the customers and you can grow  At the end of the day the consumer wins  and then add in no overproduction, so the planet wins, he claimed.

The creation of this program comes after backlash over Sheins association with suppliers that are accused of unethical working conditions, as well as the companys devastating impact on our planet.

U.S. representatives John Rose of Tennessee and Jennifer Wexton of Virginia stated in a letter addressing Sheins labor practices that there are credible allegations [of the companys use of] underpaid and forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Experts in the field claim the SCEP initiative is greenwashing.

Most of the report is greenwashing, including mentions of sustainability initiatives that are voluntary or highlighting one-off or charity projects that serve as a red herring for the core business model, Elizabeth L. Cline, an author and professor of fashion policy at Columbia University, told Sourcing Journal.

Why are these claims of empowerment concerning?

Shein is an ultra-fast-fashion company with a business model that relies on the cheap and quick production of low-quality clothing.

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According to the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, the fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for [2% to 8%] of global carbon [pollution].

Valued in 2022 at $100 billion, Sheins model of manufacturing clothes and consumer demand results in the production of up to an estimated 10,000 new products a day.

In response to Sheins business practices, senior fashion lecturer at the University of Lincoln Victoria Bellandini told the BBC, You cannot get clothes that cheap that are made in good working conditions.

These greenwashing claims are an issue because a company can say it is taking positive action while continuing to contribute to environmental and social issues, thereby fooling customers into spending money with companies that do not align with their values.

Whats being done?

The sustainable and ethical fashion movement has gained monumental support in the past decade.

NGOs like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition are dedicated to reducing the impacts of the fashion industry through policy, research, and funding exciting innovations.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
This article was originally published in The Conversation.

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

The COVID-19 pandemic had a stark negative impact on students math scores, new data from Michigan shows. Math achievement growth over the three-year period from spring 2019 through spring 2022 was substantially lower  approximately 7 national percentiles  than among comparable students the three years prior.

There were even larger decreases among students who are Black or Latino, low income or who attended the majority of schools that taught remotely for at least part of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Effects on scores for English language arts, which include reading and writing, were small and generally not statistically significant.

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To arrive at these findings, we looked at individual test scores and other data from Michigan.

First we looked at how math and English language arts test scores on Michigans annual statewide M-STEP exam grew between 2019 and 2022 for a group of students in third grade through fifth grade in spring 2019.

We compared these students test score growth with growth achieved by similar students who were in those same grades three years earlier, before the pandemic began. This provides us with a broad view of the impact of the pandemic on school learning as measured through test scores.

We also looked at scores from a series of benchmark tests taken between fall 2020 and spring 2022 to measure how achievement growth changed within each school year leading up to and following the height of the pandemic.

While other studies also show how the pandemic set back student achievement, our research looks at how achievement was affected over the course of the pandemic rather than just the end result. And the picture is pretty clear: Using a set of exams given at the beginning and end of each school year, we found a large drop in achievement between fall 2020 and spring 2021.

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While student achievement began to improve in spring 2021, that recovery has been too slow to enable students to reach pre-pandemic expectations for test scores.

And, just as Black, Latino and low-income students suffered the largest drops in test scores during the pandemic, their math recovery has also slightly lagged behind white students and students who were more affluent.

Why it matters

This study adds to the research on how the pandemic appears to have exacerbated racial and economic achievement gaps. These gaps are important because lower achievement among disadvantaged groups could lead to lower college enrollment rates and, in turn, lower earnings.

What still isnt known

Research is starting to show how quickly students are recovering and whether students are catching up at a rate fast enough to overcome pandemic learning disruptions. Some interventions, such as tutoring and after-school programming, are in place to attempt to speed up the recovery, but we do not yet know how effective they are.

We also dont know for sure why there were disproportionate learning delays in math relative to English language arts. One possibility is that families found it easier to supplement reading instruction at home compared to math.

Whats next

Our next study looks at how the pandemic affected how students were identified for special education services. We are assessing how the inability to have in-person contact between teachers, school professionals and students made it harder to assess and serve students who might benefit from special education. Delays in access to these services could have substantially affected their academic, developmental and behavioral progress.

The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


Jack Smith; Donald Trump Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images

The Trump-appointed judge overseeing his Mar-a-Lago documents case set a trial date for May 2024 but legal experts are skeptical that it will stick.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is facing added scrutiny after issuing a series of pro-Trump rulings earlier in the documents probe that was overturned on appeal, scheduled the former president's trial for May 20, rejecting his lawyers' request to delay the trial indefinitely while setting the date well after the December start sought by special counsel Jack Smith.

Though the schedule denied Trump's bid to push the trial until after the election, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance warned that the date could still be pushed back due to delays.

"If Judge Cannon were to decide that... a delay in the trial date was necessary, it's unlikely that would mean the trial would get pushed back a few days, or a week. That's because federal judges don't usually have big open blocks of time on their calendar," Vance explained in a Substack post.

"Setting a new date would mean looking for open space on the Judge's calendar. Trump's lawyers said the trial would take months, but even if we go with the government's more reasonable suggestion of weeks, a delay could easily move the trial back until after the election," Vance wrote.

"While Judge Cannon may have deemed it unnecessary to consider the 2024 election at 'this juncture,' that doesn't mean she won't revisit her decision down the road and permit Trump to campaign instead of appear in court," she added. "But even mundane delays could derail the speedy trial the special counsel has worked so hard to obtain here."

But Smith last week sent a letter to Trump informing him that he is the target of the Justice Department's Jan. 6 probe, signaling another likely indictment in D.C., where judges are less likely to cede to his delay tactics.

"Jack Smith is a master chess player," Norm Eisen, who served as Democratic counsel during Trump's first impeachment, told CNN. "He's been doing this for a very long time. So now with the target letter in the 2020 election interference case, in case that trial slips, what does Jack Smith do? He's going to file in D.C., a very favorable bench, great jury pool for him. Says, fine, Judge Cannon, you want to move that trial, we'll just slide in the 2020 election interference trial and we'll do that before the election."

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Smith's letter to Trump reportedly indicated that he may be charged with violating a civil rights statute that makes it a crime to "conspire 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."

Former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade called it a "really brilliant move" by Smith because "they can make out this case without proving that Donald Trump knew he had lost the election and for conspiracy to defraud the United States."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"As long as you can show that he was trying to do an end run around the process, you can show a violation of this statute. For example, asking [Georgia Secretary of State Brad] Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes. He may have genuinely believed that he somehow earned them because some had been stolen, etc., but he knew that process wasn't the way you do it," McQuade explained, adding that it "could be a really good statute because if a jury does not find that the government has proved that Donald Trump knew he had lost the election, they can still win under the statute."

Trump is already facing a Manhattan trial in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case and is widely expected to be indicted in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state.

"There's a lot going on. I would say that I actually think this is a very difficult challenge for Trump's legal team," former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti told CNN. "To use Fani Willis as an example, she can be focused like a laser on how to prove their case in Fulton County. But Trump's lawyers, when they're defending that case, have to consider whether their actions or statements are going to trouble the other cases. They're trying to fight a war on multiple fronts. It's always challenging for the defense. I think their job is getting harder and harder."

Read more

about Trump's legal woes
America is a hot and smoky place this summer. East Coast residents from New York City through swaths of Appalachia have been living in a sea of smoke wafting south from Canadas ongoing wildfires.

Meanwhile, another weather emergency arrived in Texas and parts of the Southeast. A severe heat wave is having dire repercussions, including deaths.

Climate experts interviewed by USA Today said that air pollution is connected to this heat-up. Studies show that extreme heat in parts of the country is now five times more likely to happen.

Human-caused climate change made the extreme and extremely unusual temperatures in Mexico and the southern U.S. much more likely, Andrew Pershing, Climate Central vice president for science, told USA Today.

How hot is it?

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Texas highs were above 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of June. The rising mercury was in part thanks to a heat dome.

A heat dome is an apt way to describe the areas of high pressure that trap hot ocean air over land. The high-pressure region acts like a cap, trapping the heat and preventing it from escaping.

Experts say that El Nino and heat-trapping air pollution are also parts of the cause of the scorching temperatures.

Why does it matter now?

The high heat has already been linked to 13 deaths in Texas as of the final days of June. The victims were mostly older adults with health problems, the AP reported. Places with high poverty are also at higher risk.

The vast majority do not have air conditioning in their homes. They either have the fans off, or they have fans on but not proper ventilation, Dr. Corinne Stern, a medical examiner for the states Webb County, said in the AP report.

There has been at least one or two that have air conditioning but dont want to run it due to the bill, Stern told the AP.

Why will it matter in the future?

Dave Inder Comar is the executive director of Just Atonement, a nonprofit that is, in part, trying to tackle problems related to the overheating planet.

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He posted a warning on TikTok about how increasing temperatures could worsen in the coming decades with the formation of a heat belt that the First Street Foundation predicted will impact 107 million Americans by 2053. The heat index (including humidity and other factors) could be 125 degrees.

Associated with a heat wave are powerful storms that in turn are knocking out power, meaning that people are suffering through this heat wave without any power in some places, Comar said in the clip.

How can we cool down?

For immediate relief, some easy, inexpensive hacks can help you deal with heat. Dunking your feet in water is an effective way to cool down, as well as drinking more water, even if you dont feel thirsty. Freezing water bottles or ice packs and placing them under your knees, elbows, or armpits can help.

Another hack for hot nights is to put your pillowcase in a plastic bag and freeze it for a few minutes before bed. A cool pillow and open windows to let in the cooler evening air can provide for a more comfortable rest.

As for the big picture, Comar said in the TikTok clip that it will take a civilizational level of effort and energy to see cooler results.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Telegram channels publish videos of explosions from Krasnohvardiyske

In an apparent attack on an ammunition depot near Dzhankoy, explosions were recorded near the airfield in the village of Krasnohvardiyske in Crimea on the morning of July 24, local Telegram channels reported, publishing a video

The explosions are said to have come from the village of Vesele, where there is a military airfield that is not officially operational.

An ammunition depot in the Dzhankoy district was hit in a drone attack, reported Moscow-apponted puppet governor Sergey Aksyonov. He claims 11 drones were "neutralized" and the debris allegedly damaged a private house in the Kirovskyi district.

Occupation authorities have suspended railroad traffic in the Dzhankoy district and on the Dzhankoy-Simferopol highway "for safety reasons". Aksyonov also announced the "evacuation" of residents of villages within a five-kilometer radius of the explosion site.

Read also: Explosions in Crimea: Residents of Oktiabrske being evacuated due to ammo dump detonation

A series of explosions were heard in occupied Crimea on July 22, resulting in a fire near the village of Oktyabrske, about 43 km from Simferopol. Occupation "administration" reported a drone attack. Aksyonov later admitted that the UAV strike "caused a detonation at an ammunition dump."

A fire broke out at a training ground in Crimeas Kirovskyi (Islamteretskyi) district on July 19, causing a Russian army ammunition depot near Staryi Krym to burn and explode for more than a day.

Ukrainian authorities did not comment on the explosions. Defense Intelligence said that the "comment" attributed to spy chief Kyrylo Budanov about the involvement of Ukraines SBU and the HUR was fake.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the European Union on Monday to ensure that an "unacceptable and clearly non-European" ban on Ukrainian grain imports to five countries is lifted by a Sept. 15 deadline.

The five central European countries want the EU ban extended at least until the end of the year. The ban is set to expire on Sept. 15.

In his nightly video address, delivered after a meeting with government officials, Zelenskiy said there could be no question of extending the restrictions beyond the deadline.

"We believe that the European side will fulfill its obligations regarding this date, when the temporary restrictions will cease to apply," Zelenskiy said.

"Any extension of these restrictions is entirely unacceptable and clearly un-European. Europe has the institutional capacity to act more rationally than closing this or that border to this or that type of good."

Ukraine, he said, was "actively working with everyone to find a solution that is in line with the spirit of our Europe".

The president had earlier written on the Telegram messaging app that any extension was "unacceptable in any form".

The EU in May allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while permitting transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere.

The countries include some of Kyiv's staunchest diplomatic supporters in its war against Moscow, but they say inflows of Ukrainian grain have hurt their farming sectors.

Poland will not lift the ban on Sept. 15 even if the EU does not agree on its extension, its prime minister said last week.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and Cynthia Osterman)
Thousands of scaffolding that are both ubiquitous and widely regarded as eyesores in New York City may come down quicker under a plan unveiled Monday by Mayor Adams.

Under current regulations, building owners are required to erect scaffolding when conditions exist that could result in debris falling from a structures facade. But the rules also grant owners wide latitude around how long those protective structures can remain up  with some becoming part of the cityscape for longer than a decade.

For many landlords, its less expensive to erect the sheds and delay repairs than it is to do the repairs in a timely manner.

But Adams is hoping to turn that incentive structure on its head. On Monday he laid out a roadmap on how to accomplish that goal  including proposed fines that would be tied to how long a sidewalk shed remains up and new aesthetic requirements for the temporary structures.

City rules are incentivizing property owners to leave sheds up and put off critical work, Adams said at a press conference in Chelsea. Most sheds stay up for longer than a year, and some have darkened our streets for more than a decade. We have normalized the sheds all over our city, and that is unacceptable.

Adams held his announcement outside a Seventh Ave. building that had scaffolding up for about 20 months prior to the press conference. According to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, the scaffolding came down after the property owner got wind of Adams announcement.

Right now, there are about 9,000 permitted sheds in use throughout the city, according to city data. Those sheds, on average, have been up for 497 days and span nearly 400 miles, or about 3% of the citys sidewalk space. Last year, the citys Independent Budget Office revealed that the use of scaffolding on city streets has tripled over the past 20 years.

To get them down faster, Adams and Levine are planning to push for new legislation that would create a fine structure to be applied to sheds erected for building repairs.

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Under the plan, fines would start kicking in 90 days after a shed is first permitted and could run from between $6,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on the buildings location. Landlords with sheds covering buildings in Midtown Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, Long Island City and on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx would be subject to $10,000 penalties under the plan.

Once a sidewalk shed goes up, the clock starts ticking. At 90 days, the first penalties are issued. So you have to act, Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said. Every month thereafter, until repairs are complete, well issue another penalty.

Buildings Department Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said the city doesnt intend to be inflexible when issuing fines, though, noting that when repair work begins, well have conversations about the fines that have been issued.

The penalties outlined by Joshi and Oddo would require City Council approval. While the mayors relationship with the Council has been frosty lately, Adams has at least two supporters on the lawmaking body, Council members Gale Brewer and Keith Powers who were both on hand to back Adams in his announcement Monday.

Brewer suggested that some negotiations over the finer points of the plan could be in the offing, though. After Adams and several other top city officials spoke Monday, she noted that while some landlords have the means to make their repairs more quickly, others  like church and synagogue owners  might delay in doing so due to a lack of cash.

Brewer said she was heartened that the administration included in its plan a low-interest loan program to provide aid for struggling small property owners that might not have the financial wherewithal to work within the citys new shed-removal timeframe.

The specific contours of that loan program, however, are not yet entirely clear.

Other measures laid out by Adams include replacing sheds with netting in cases were its safe to do so. Safety netting for facade work is currently permitted, but rarely used due to a lack of standardized netting designs, according to city officials. To encourage the use of netting, the Buildings Department plans to issue a new bulletin with specific rules pertaining to its use.

That agency is also planning to request new proposals for more aesthetically pleasing shed designs to replace the pipe-and-plywood structures most New Yorkers have become inured to over the years. The updated designs will require better lighting and allow for art to be placed on shed panels, according to city officials.

Adams would not say definitively whether or not such aesthetic standards might be extended to other parts of the city landscape  like store awnings, for example  but hinted that policies along similar lines might be in the works.

Everything is on the table, the mayor said. As we reach a point of announcement, we will do something like this.
Xinhua News Agency - Getty Images

Laurent Rossi has been moved aside as CEO of the Alpine Formula 1 team.

Rossi, who joined the company in 2021, had overseen Alpines F1 organization but he has now been reassigned onto special projects within the company.

Clive Mason - Getty Images

Rossi has been replaced in the F1 CEO role by Philippe Krief. It comes in the wake of Bruno Famin taking on the position of vice president of Alpine Motorsports. Krief is set to take a wider role at Alpine than Rossi and is not expected to have direct involvement on the Formula 1 project.

Bruno's been with us for over a year in Viry and also in endurance racing and Dakar and this just adds Formula 1although he was part of Formula 1 already, so, it's not really that big of a change, said Alpines Formula 1 tyeam principal Otmar Szafnauer. And then on the corporate side, the there's a new CEO of Alpine Cars, whose focus will be Alpine Cars and not Formula 1.

Hungary Gets a Five-Year Extension

Formula 1s Hungarian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar through at least 2032 after a five-year extension was agreed.

Formula 1 has raced in Hungary since 1986 at the Hungaroring, located around 12 miles outside of capital Budapest, and only Italys Monza has a longer unbroken streak on the calendar. The circuit is set to shortly embark on major renovation works to its main paddock building, main grandstand and spectator zones, with the project expected to be completed in time for the 2026 Grand Prix.

The main paddock building at the Hungaroring is charmingly old-school and has not had significant changes in its near-four-decade existence.

To see the commitment from the promoter in Hungary to develop the facilities and further enhance the experience for fans is another important step and something we want to see all our events doing in order to continue to improve and make our races even better, said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The weekend attendance in 2023 was 303,000, up from 290,000 in 2022.

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Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Latifi Goes Back to School

Nicholas Latifi has kept a quiet profile since his three-year Formula 1 stint with Williams came to an end last November. He has now revealed that he has put his racing career on hold in order to study for an MBA at the London Business School.

Growing up I always had a keen interest in the world of business, and I always said it was something I would have studied at university had I not gone the racing route, said Latifi, 28. An MBA was always something that I had contemplated doing post-racing life, even if that had been into my late 30s and early 40s. I began devoting my time to researching business schools and seeing which ones would be a good fit, preparing an application for them, and studying for the GMATa test required by most business schools to go along with your application. This was not an easy process and took many months! Anyone who has experienced the journey of applying to a business school knows how difficult it can be.

Latifi is set to begin his course next month in London, the city he has called home since leaving Canada in his teens to pursue racing.

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

FIA Downplays Budget Cap Breach Rumors

Rumors abounded in Hungary that a few teams may be in breach of the 2022 financial regulations. This, the FIA says, is so far unfounded.

Last year the 2021 results  the first season in which there were such regulations  were issued in mid-October, and the FIA has been keen to make the process swifter year-on-year. This has included expanding its team working on the financial regulations from four to 10. The FIAs auditing team has been visiting factories for several months and undertaking the necessary processes.

Wed like to reiterate the ongoing process preceding financial regulation certification for the teamsnone of which have been informed of the certification status, said a statement from the FIA on Sunday. The auditing fieldwork is still ongoing and is scheduled to conclude in the upcoming weeks, after which there will be a period required for the finalization of the review.

The governing body went on to emphasize that there is not, and has never been, a specific deadline for certification, and any suggestions of delays to this process or potential breaches are completely unfounded.

NurPhoto - Getty Images

Upcoming F1 Commission Has Full Plate

Several key aspects are set to be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the Formula 1 Commission this week.

On the agenda:

 Whether to ban tire blankets for the 2024 season.

 The formation and number of F1 Sprint races next year.

 Whether to amend the cost cap rules.

The latter is being pushed by several teamsmost notably Williams, Alpine and AlphaTauriwho want a greater allowance to spend on upgrading infrastructure and facilities, which will help close performance deficits in the longer run. There are also set to be talks on engine equalization to allow certain changes under the engine freeze rules, in place through 2025, with the Renault-powered Alpine squad understood to be lagging behind its competitors.
HONG KONG  Six months ago, Jia Zhang was still running her own small business in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang. But it was hit hard by the pandemic, generating meager profits compared with her efforts.

After thorough consideration, Im out, said Zhang, a mother of two who was struggling to balance work with caring for her parents and children.

Now she has a new job: working for her parents full time, just being their daughter. In exchange, they pay her 8,000 yuan ($1,115) a month, which is about the average salary in China.

My job is to spend time with my parents  for example, taking them to grocery stores  and do some household chores, Zhang said. Also, if my parents want to go out, I would make plans in advance, taking them to various stores.

In recent months, the hashtags #FullTimeDaughter and #FullTimeSon have been trending on Chinese social media platforms, attracting millions of views. They refer to adult children who, due to unemployment, are hired by their parents mainly to do housework and be on hand whenever needed.

Youth unemployment has become a serious challenge for China, the worlds second-largest economy, especially after three years of zero-Covid restrictions weighed heavily on growth. The jobless rate among people ages 16 to 24 was a record 21.3% in June, the National Bureau of Statistics reported on Monday.

Similar figures have been reported in countries such as Italy and Sweden, while in Spain and Greece they are even higher. In the U.S., the youth unemployment rate was 7.5% in June, according to the Federal Reserve.

Zhang said her job is to do housework and spend time with her parents. (Courtesy of Jia Zhang)

Many full-time children, including Zhang, have posted about their experiences online. More than 4,000 have gathered on Douban, an IMDb-like site that allows people to form communities akin to Facebook groups, to discuss being full-time children.

I like cooking, and I cook lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday for my family, one 37-year-old full-time daughter wrote in their group. My parents give me money without interfering with my life. I am extremely happy every day.

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Some full-time children fall into it inadvertently as they stall while trying to find jobs or pursue advanced degrees. Cici Gong, 24, jokingly calls herself a full-time daughter after living three years rent-free at her parents home in the northeastern city of Dalian and failing each year to pass Chinas intensely competitive postgraduate entrance exam, which was taken by a record 4.7 million people this year.

I went through a horrible mental breakdown when I failed my first attempt as well as a romantic relationship at the same time, said Gong, whose parents cover her expenses but dont pay her a salary. The time I spent at home served as a mental buffering for me.

Is it a profession?

As more people declare themselves full-time children, a debate has emerged about whether it is really a profession.

Compared to previous years, young people who are now unemployed and stayed at home to study for exams have less confidence that they will succeed in their exam preparation and job hunting, Lu Xi, an assistant professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, told NBC News via email.

Psychologically, the term full-time children allows room for denial and self-deprecation, which make it more acceptable to many.

Lu said some Chinese state media organizations are trying to rationalize and glorify the emergence of full-time children as filial piety.

No matter the beautifications, he said, the underlying essence is still unemployment, and nothing else.

Employment Market in Qingzhou, China (CFOTO / Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Involuntary decision

Neither Zhang nor Gong would consider being a full-time daughter their first choice. Their lives have been greatly affected by Chinas highly competitive society and an economy that is recovering from the pandemic slower than expected.

If my business had been very successful, I probably wouldnt have become a full-time daughter, Zhang said. It is an involuntary decision, but it is an option.

They both said they had received unfriendly comments from acquaintances and online commenters, who accused them of chewing the old, a Chinese slang term for young people who depend solely on their parents to make a living.

Gong said her relatives would even criticize her in person for being lazy and mooching off her parents money.

It may not sound decent to those outsiders at first, especially to those who like labeling others negatively, she said, but I think we should allow such moments to exist. Experiencing ups and downs  its just life.

Victor Gong, Cici Gongs father, said he was not very supportive either at first. But he soon changed his mind after talking to his daughter as well as his wife, Cicis mother.

I mean, theres news about how hard it is for college graduates to pass exams and get jobs everywhere, he said. Full-time daughter or chewing the old, whichever you call it, it cant be a permanent thing. We know it is only a phase for her, [but] we wanted to give her some support when she needs it.

Cici is our only daughter, and we are glad to have her around, even just for a while, he added.

Lasting challenges

Mao Xuxin, principal economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in Britain, said it was a worrying sign for young people if they are choosing to become full-time children as it is very hard for them to get out of it and return to society.

In recent years, Mao said, young people in China have started looking for less demanding, more short-term jobs. Then came the rise of the lying flat movement, which embraces doing the bare minimum to get by rather than working relentlessly. Now, he said, some have taken the next step by asking their parents for help.

Since Zhang became a full-time daughter, she said, everyone in her family is so much happier than before. (Courtesy of Jia Zhang)

Lu, the professor from the National University of Singapore, said the wave of unemployment in China may have just begun.

In the absence of additional job creation, the phenomenon of full-time children will be exacerbated, creating a vicious cycle, he said. The average disposable income of households will be reduced, resulting in a decline in overall social consumption, which in turn limits the social capacity to create new jobs, creating more unemployment, and thus, more full-time children.

A blessing

Some full-time children consider it a short-term option rather than a career path, including Gong, who recently received an offer to become a full-time English teacher.

Zhang said she might remain a full-time child for a while because both she and her parents are happy with how its working out, though she is open to new opportunities.

But she rejected the idea that she is chewing the old, saying that she actually worked for her parents and contributed to the family.

Since I became a full-time daughter, everyone, including my parents, is so much happier than before, she said. I didnt have enough time to accompany my parents, but now I do.

I cherish every moment with them. It is a blessing for all of us.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As a helicopter swirled above, Carolyn Hernandez-Taylor went about her business at her brother's house, hauling garbage bags from a back door to her car.

The bags were filled with fake Xanax, a dangerous, so-called "designer benzo" known as clonazolam, a research drug that's illegal and unfit for human consumption, yet alarmingly popular, the government says.

Busting those who sell it can be difficult because it's typically peddled on the dark web, not street corners. That's what Taylor and her brother did, court records show, though they weren't as elusive as they thought.

The helicopter caught them in action.

In U.S. District Court this month, Taylor, 29, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to running a clandestine drug lab out of her brother's Detroit house, where Homeland Security agents last year seized thousands of counterfeit Xanax pills, 600 grams of cocaine, guns, $1 million in cryptocurrency, $340,000 in cash, and an industrial size drug mixer and pill press. The machines could make up to 20,000 pills per hour, court records show.

This is counterfeit Xanax. According to the DEA, 40% of counterfeit pills are laced with enough fentanyl to be deadly.

How the dark web operation worked

The house was on Florida Street, and served as a distribution hub for a cocaine and counterfeit pill operation that for years went by the name "opiateconnect" on the dark web marketplace, authorities said. According to federal investigators, opiateconnect had been a dark web drug vendor since at least 2016, though it wasn't until 2018 that Detroit's Dark Web Task Force with Homeland Security Investigations identified Taylor's brother as being the operator of the website.

At her guilty plea hearing on Wednesday, Taylor admitted that from 2019-2022 she helped run this drug trafficking operation, which involved her picking up drugs from her brother's house, delivering them to an associate, who would then mail them to customers across the United States from the Lincoln Park post office.

"Investigative findings have identified Taylor as one of the most active members of the opiateconnect organization," a Homeland Security agent wrote in an affidavit. "Taylor has been routinely observed spending considerable amounts of time, multiple days per week, at the suspected drug processing/packaging location used by opiateconnect."

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Taylor admitted to this in her plea agreement, which states: "Taylor was responsible for recruiting individuals to deliver packages/parcels of drugs to the post office."

More: How 2 Wayne County workers pulled off $1.7 million inside job

Unbeknownst to Taylor, however, investigators were on her tail, and watched her leave the drug house with the garbage bags in her Ford Fusion, and load them into her associate's Jeep Patriot  sometimes in alleys, other times at her associate's house in Lincoln Park.

Surveillance was also conducted on the associate, who was seen mailing the packages at the post office, where federal investigators retrieved the packages and tested the contents, "all of which contained drugs sold by opiateconnect, including cocaine and pressed Xanax," the affidavit states.

Taylor and her brother were charged with multiple drug crimes in a January indictment, which said the operation ran from 2019-2022. The associate who delivered the pills was not named in the indictment. Attorneys for Taylor and her brother could not be reached for comment.

Counterfeit pills pose a unique danger to this community, especially ones that have the appearance of a drug that is so regularly prescribed," U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison stated in announcing Taylor's guilty plea. We will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute instances where those counterfeit pills are manufactured illegally and distributed in our district to keep our community safe.

Brother still jailed

Taylor is out on bond as she awaits sentencing for her crime in October. She faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years.

Her brother, Victor Hernandez, remains jailed pending the outcome of his case. At the request of the prosecution, a judge ordered Hernandez be detained, concluding he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.

While jailed, Hernandez asked to be temporarily released on a tether to attend his brother's funeral  though the prosecution objected on numerous fronts, arguing:

"Hernandez was the leader and organizer of a substantial drug trafficking conspiracy. A search of his residence revealed industrial size pill press machines and mixers," Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert White wrote in a May court filing, adding: "Hernandez is a felon, with a prior conviction for drug trafficking, and had loaded firearms throughout the home, including a rifle with a bump stock modification."

Moreover, the prosecutor argued, Hernandez "had access to large sums of illegitimate proceeds, and not all of it was recovered." And given that he was dealing with cryptocurrency  which is difficult to trace  it would be "nearly impossible to say for certain the amount of the outstanding funds" he has available, he wrote.

The judge denied Hernandez's request to attend his brother's funeral.

"The Court sincerely empathizes with Mr. Hernandez over the loss of his brother," U.S. District Judge Linda Parker wrote in her order. "However, due to the seriousness of the pending charges against Mr. Hernandez ... the Court finds that a tether is not a viable option and no condition or combination of conditions of release are available ... that would reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community."

Feds go undercover on dark web

According to court documents, federal agents made multiple undercover buys from opiatenet to help bust the operation. For example, on Feb. 18, 2022, investigators initiated an undercover purchase of cocaine from opiateconnect. The purchase was for 3.5 grams of cocaine for $275, plus $10 shipping. The purchase was made with bitcoin.

That same day, the task force initiated surveillance near the Florida Street drug lab, and the home of the associate who delivered the organization's drugs to the post office. They would eventually see Taylor meet her associate in an alley. Trunks opened and closed. The two then drove to the Lincoln Park post office, where the associate exited her Jeep and retrieved two large, full trash bags from the rear hatch area.

She entered the post office, mailed dozens of parcels and left.

More: Michigan couple, 'poster children' for normalizing marijuana use, win $40K weed wedding

Immediately after, a federal agent entered the post office and reviewed dozens of packages, including one addressed to the undercover officer who had bought cocaine with bitcoin.

In the package was cocaine.

The task force would conduct numerous more undercover buys, and inspect the packages as they showed up at the Lincoln Park post office, where they would find parcels containing cocaine and green pills, which turned out to be clonazolam. Continuous surveillance of Taylor's Ford Fusion, the Florida Street house and the post office would trigger an eventual raid of the house.

On Aug. 23, 2022, the Detroit Dark Web Task Force entered the home with a search warrant, and found what they suspected was there: cocaine, counterfeit Xanax, pill press machines, mixers and cryptocurrency.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the many dangers of clonazolam its resistance to drugs used to reverse overdoses. For example, naloxone will reverse opioid overdose symptoms, but not clonazolam, leading to risk for respiratory failure or death.

Still, the demand for this designer drug is high, though officials believe they're making some headway in catching and prosecuting those who are selling it online.

In Florida, a Cape Coral man pleaded guilty on June 22 to running a counterfeit drug operation out of his home, where federal agents found a five-gallon bucket filled with 30 pounds of counterfeit Xanax pills  which actually contained clonazolam  a bucket containing 20 pounds of a pill binding agent and pill dyes. They also found a large commercial-grade pill press in the garage, and hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills on a nearby shelf containing fentanyl.

In Virginia, a Virginia Beach man pleaded guilty in 2021, to dealing counterfeit Xanax pills on the dark web following a federal raid of his home, where investigators found 2,400 grams of white pills, two glass containers with white powder and packing material. The pills were clonazolam. The white powder contained cocaine.

In 2020, a California man pleaded guilty to smuggling illegal drugs into the U.S.  including clonazolam  pressing them into pills and then selling them to customers across the country through his online business Domestic RCS. He admitted knowing the pills carried risks of dependency, toxicity, and fatal overdose.

The difficulty of busting dealers on the dark web

Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow, who led the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Detroit, says the dark web has become an increasingly popular venue for illegal drug transactions.

"Its perceived as less risky than dealing drugs hand-to-hand or in open-air drug markets," Chutkow explained. "In the old days, law enforcement officers tracked down drug dealers through informants, phone usage, surveillance and undercover buys."

But that's a lot harder to do on the dark web, Chutkow said, because the participants identities and locations are obscured through use of cryptocurrency and encryption technologies that anonymize servers and IP addresses.

"Its easy to get ripped off on these online marketplaces, but drug dealers see it as an acceptable cost of doing business, preferable to getting caught by law enforcement or killed by rival drug gangs," said Chutkow, who joined the Dykema law firm last year after serving 24 years as a federal prosecutor.

Chutkow said these cases require a new breed of tech-savvy investigators and prosecutors, noting, "You cant just cultivate or flip the local drug courier or surveil the street corner known for drug buys.

"It requires totally different informants and surveillance techniques, and sophisticated forensic software to track down hidden marketplaces and transactions," Chutkow said.

On the flip side, Chutkow added, if investigators can identify the drug dealers and how they do business, they can conduct drug transactions through informants or undercover agents, creating an electronic paper trail thats hard to dispute at trial.

That's what happened in the Detroit case.

"The federal government is getting better at stopping this type of crime," Chutkow said, adding sophisticated forensics software and closer ties with foreign law enforcement officials who can help track down the source of drugs and money is helping fight this problem.

"But successful drug traffickers constantly adapt their tactics to evade law enforcement. Its the age-old game of cat and mouse, Chutkow said. "As long as theres money to made in selling illegal drugs, there will be people who invest the time and resources in inventing new ways to do it and ambitious law enforcement officials who will chase them down and try to hold them accountable."

Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Feds bust dark web drug ring in Detroit: They were selling fake Xanax
A Scottish family have told of their relief after being carried to safety in a dinghy from the Rhodes wildfires.

Emma and Bruce Farquhar from Inverurie were on holiday with their teenage daughters at the resort of Lardos.

Evacuations have been taking place after searing heat saw wildfires break out on Rhodes and other Greek islands.

The blazes remain "out of control" according to the island's deputy mayor - and the fires have forced 19,000 people to leave their homes.

After pushing their hotel to take action, Emma, Bruce, Brodie, 17, and Eilidh, 15, were eventually taken to safety to Pefkos along the coast.

Emma said: "It was quickly spreading right across the front of the hill right beside where our hotel was.

"That's when it was like - this is quite frightening, this is quite scary we want to get away from here now."

The dinghies could only take six people at a time. The family waited on the beach as their luggage was taken first.

At Pefkos, locals helped the family to their taxi which took them to the airport through heavy traffic and road blockades.

Emma said: "It was chaos, there were buses everywhere, people with cases and bags obviously desperate to find a way to the airport."

The family is now back home safely in Aberdeenshire.

Emma said the hotel and holiday providers should have done more sooner, especially for their own staff.

She added: "Many are locals and they where there serving when they needed to be at home with their families

"It felt pretty awful when the waitress was talking about her father, mum, daughter and husband - where she hoped they were safe but had no way of knowing.

"You feel selfish, because really we should be helping them because they are losing their homes and livelihoods, but they were helping us get to the airport."

Brodie and mum Emma arrived back in Scotland early on Sunday morning

Corfu and Evia have become the latest islands to issue evacuation orders as the Greek government said it had launched the biggest rescue of its kind in response to the emergency.

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No injuries have been reported yet as rescue flights begin to take holidaymakers back home.

Some Scottish tourists have told BBC Scotland they had to sleep on the streets after leaving their hotels.

And a couple from Glasgow on their honeymoon described their experience of being stuck on the island to "being thrown into a disaster film".

Daniel and Luna Rolfe from Glasgow are among up to 10,000 UK nationals thought to be on Rhodes.

Climate change

They were assured by their flight organiser TUI that it was safe to travel, but once they landed they were taken to an evacuation centre in a school and given mattresses to sleep on the floor.

Mr Rolfe said: "It's been quite sad and seeing my wife upset has been really difficult, but were getting through it."

Some airlines have organised rescue flights to take stranded tourists back but TUI said that their customers would have to wait to return on their original intended flights home.

A TUI spokesperson said: "We're now working hard to get everybody home safely with our first passengers returning to the UK on three dedicated flights overnight and plans in place to get everyone affected back as soon as possible."

A European heatwave has helped create dry conditions that let the fires take hold in Greece - and heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more frequent because of climate change.
The internet is roasting Ben Shapiro after he watched the Barbie movie wearing an outfit that was almost identical to the one Ryan Gosling wears as Ken.

On 21 July, the conservative commentator tweeted a photo of himself inside a movie theatre where he attended a screening of the new Barbie film, which stars Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie doll and Ryan Gosling as her paramour, Ken.

My producers dragged me to see Barbie and it was one of the most woke movies I have ever seen, Shapiro wrote on Twitter, alongside a photo of himself wearing a black T-shirt tucked into a pair of black pants with a matching black belt. My full review of this flaming garbage heap of a film will be out on my YouTube channel tomorrow at 10am ET.

Unsurprisingly, it didnt take long for many Barbie fans to point out that Shapiro was seemingly wearing the exact outfit that Gosling wears as Ken during the films musical performance of Im Just Ken.

You hated it so much you cosplayed as a Ken, replied one user on Twitter.

My brother in Christ, you are wearing a Ken cosplay, another person joked.

I hated it so much I had to dress like ken and get a cute outfit photo with the movie poster, a third person said, while someone else wrote: Ken Shapiro out here pretending he was dragged to this movie while giving full Kenergy.

You hated it so much you cosplayed as a Ken pic.twitter.com/GsgSPnhEvY  Keely Valentine (@keelyvalentine) July 21, 2023

My brother in Christ.



You are wearing a Ken cosplay. https://t.co/YiqUwomdHJ pic.twitter.com/ttI6SuxHof  Disney Dan Becker (@DisneyDan) July 22, 2023

I hated it so much I had to dress like ken and get a cute outfit photo with the movie poster https://t.co/lJSnjMJXNE  sam  (@spacefetus666) July 21, 2023

Ken Shapiro out here pretending he was "dragged" to this movie while giving full Kenergy https://t.co/FEBbLSA9pt  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 22, 2023

Despite his accidental Ken fashion moment, Ben Shapiro proceeded to post a 43-minute scathing review about the woke Warner Bros film. Well, folks, wasting two hours of my precious time, two hours I will never get back, two hours around my deathbed I will wish that I had not spent that time doing. It makes me viscerally angry, he said, waving a notepad at the viewers and setting fire to a Barbie doll in the clip.

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Shapiro condemned Goslings portrayal of Ken as annoying and ridiculous and criticised the film for including a transgender Barbie character, played by actor Hari Nef. The conservative commentator argued that many parts of the film are too mature for a younger audience, as he claimed that his theatre was full of youngish and middle-aged moms with their six, seven and eight-year-old girls.

He also refuted that the real world in the film has a patriarchal system, and pointed to the women-centric cast and crew of Barbie. I mean, Greta Gerwig is a lady. Shes making a good living off of this, Shapiro said. Margot Robbie is playing the lead. In fact, the entire cast aside from basically Ryan Gosling is women, so it seems like women are doing okay.

Ben Shapiro isnt the only conservative to share their Barbie hot takes. Last week, Republican congressman Matt Gaetz and his wife Ginger Gaetz attended the red carpet premiere of Barbie at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. After the Barbie screening, his wife took to Twitter to share her list of critiques, including that the film neglects to address any notion of faith or family and that it contained disappointingly low T from Ken.

Thinking about watching the Barbie movie? Id recommend sticking to getting outfit inspiration and skipping the theater, she tweeted. Heres why: The Barbie I grew up with was a representation of limitless possibilities, embracing diverse careers and feminine empowerment. The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith or family, and tries to normalize the idea that men and women cant collaborate positively (yuck).

Ginger Gaetz concluded her Barbie review by listing what she felt were the pros and cons of the movie. Pros: Margot Robbies performance, Stunning costume design, Amazing soundtrack, she wrote. Cons: Unfortunate portrayal of big dreams causing anxiety instead of inspiration, Disappointingly low T from Ken, Unfair treatment of pregnant Barbie Midge.

Despite Barbies negative reviews from conservative commentators calling the newly-released film woke, the live-action movie is estimated to amass more than $300m (233m) internationally, making it the most successful opening of an original non-superhero film ever.
The News

Spains right-wing coalition underperformed in the elections on Sunday, despite winning the largest share of the votes, leaving small, separatist parties holding the balance of power.

Against predictions and polls, the conservative Peoples Party did not win the majority of votes required to push out the ruling Socialist Party coalition led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The election results  where neither the center right or center left had enough support to form a government  has left Spain in political limbo.

Weve curated insights and reporting on what the elections results mean for Spanish democracy.

Insights
In an inspiring story of the power of organ donation, three Connecticut sisters were able to hear their father's heartbeat four years after his death and meet the man whose live he saved.

When Kisandra Santiago's father died in 2019 and she decided to donate his heart, she hoped she and her three siblings would be able to hear his heart beat again someday, NBC News Connecticut reported.

Since then, she has made it her mission to find the recipient of her father's donated heart  and over four years later, it happened.

This is something that my dad would be so happy to see, Santiago, a 22-year-old from Meriden, Connecticut, told NBC Connecticut.

In June 2019, her father, 39-year-old Esteban Santiago, suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to the hospital, where he fell into a coma. Kisandra Santiago, his oldest daughter and next of kin, made the difficult decision with her family to take her father off life support. Following Esteban Santiago's wishes, the family donated his organs, including his heart.

Heart Transplant (Courtesy Santiago family)

It was one the family's hardest days, Kianna Santiago, Kisandras younger sister, told NBC Connecticut.

However, it was a decision that ultimately saved the life of Peter Turzer. I wouldnt be here if it wasnt for him, Turzer told NBC Connecticut.

Turzer's health issues began in 2016, when he was in a car accident and suffered multiple cardiac arrests during surgery for his injuries. After undergoing open heart surgery and falling into a weeklong coma, where his life support was nearly terminated, Turzer miraculously woke up and recovered.

However, Turzer later suffered from additional health problems, eventually needing a leg amputation and becoming a candidate for a heart transplant. In July 2019, Turzer received Esteban Santiago's donated heart. The transplant surgery was a success.

Every day I wake up, and my hero is up above, Turzer told NBC Connecticut. Its such a loving, blessing thing that God has given us, and I dont take it for granted by any means.

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Heart Transplant (NBC Connecticut)

Four years later, Turzer got to meet in person the family of the man whom he calls his hero.

Turzer and Kisandra Santiago first connected through organ donation services about a year and a half ago, she told NBC Connecticut.

The two families went on to text and call each other over the phone and even video chat, but they were not able to meet in person. Turzer, who is originally from Connecticut, had relocated with his wife to South Carolina.

This July, close to the fourth anniversary of Esteban Santiago's death and Turzer's heart transplant surgery, that changed.

Turzer made a special trip back to Connecticut, and Esteban Santiagos three daughters were able to hear their fathers heartbeat again. It was an emotional but joyful reunion full of hugs and plenty of tears.

To hear his heart, it is like he is here. Just to hug Peter, it felt so natural. It felt like I was hugging dad, Kianna Santiago told NBC Connecticut. It just felt like home.

Heart Transplant (NBC Connecticut)

Turzer reminded the Santiago sisters that their father is still with them. He is still part of us, and you can count on it. Im not going anywhere," said Turzer.

According to Kisandra Santiago, her father used to talk about being an organ donor and wanting his heart to be donated to someone who is caring and kind.

Clearly ... we met Peter, and he is exactly what my dad would have wanted, Kisandra Santiago told NBC Connecticut. I bet he is so happy to be saving someones life. I just know. I get that feeling.

Turzer said he's forever grateful to the Santiago family and that he will always be there for Esteban Santiagos three daughters. I have another family in my life now, he added.

The families hope to inspire others by sharing their story.

The survival rates after heart transplantation vary depending on a number of factors, but globally, for adults the overall survival rate is about 90% after one year and about 80% after five years, according to the Mayo Clinic.

In the United States, there are currently 104,234 people on the national transplant waiting list, and 17 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 or more people, per estimates from organdonor.gov.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma have stepped up enforcement of gun laws as a way to curb violent crime, using the charges to secure lengthy sentences for people who may have been involved in other illegal activity.

Partnering with local law enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. attorneys in the states three federal districts have focused on people who were prohibited from possessing firearms and others who made straw purchases of guns.

In the Western District, which includes Oklahoma City and most of western Oklahoma, U.S. Attorney Robert Troester created two initiatives, one targeting domestic abusers and another for anyone firing a gun illegally. His office filed gun charges in 187 cases in the last fiscal year, up from 46 cases five years earlier.

The Shots Fired initiative, created in 2021 to focus on people who discharge weapons and are tracked down  sometimes just using shell casings found at the scenes of shootings  has resulted in 73 cases, prison sentences averaging 80 months and nearly 100 guns and more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition seized.

Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma are stepping up enforcement of gun laws.

Jacquelyn M. Hutzell, deputy criminal chief of the violent crime section in the Western District, said police, the ATF and prosecutors were being aggressive about the cases that matter to people.

Were not picking low-hanging fruit, she said. Were picking people who are really dangerous.

In the Eastern District, based in Muskogee, U.S. Attorney Christopher Wilson said gun charges are on track to rise 76% in the current fiscal year. Some of the rise has to do with the expansion of the federal criminal justice system after the McGirt v. Oklahoma case in 2020 led to the affirmation of tribal reservations.

Also, Wilson said, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has renewed the emphasis on the long-running Project Safe Neighborhoods, while Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year, which included gun provisions.

It continues to be a priority for the (Justice) Department  for federal law enforcement  to cooperate with state, local and tribal (entities) to focus on individuals who are the primary drivers of violence, trying to get those firearms out of the hands of those who have a history of being violent offenders," Wilson said.

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More: Oklahoma bill aids those who killed their abusers, but not those already behind bars

In the Northern District, based in Tulsa, six of the 10 cases returned by a grand jury this month included gun charges.

Gun charges can add years to a sentence, and those years are tacked on to be served consecutively. Possessing a firearm during the commission of a federal drug or violent crime can add five years, brandishing the weapon can add seven and discharging it can add 10.

If the facts are present, then we will attempt to indict those additional charges for additional deterrence, again to keep firearms out of the hands of violent felons, Wilson said.

Criminal defense attorneys decried the practice of stacking multiple gun charges onto other charges, and a 2018 law made that more difficult for prosecutors to do.

A focus on domestic abuse

Jeff Boshek, special agent in charge of the ATF Dallas Field Division, said, Our Oklahoma offices outperform the majority of ATF offices across the country. They are the best of the best.

The bureau is planning to add up to 10 new agents in Oklahoma City, he said, which could double the amount of firearms cases, which in turn will make the community that much safer.

Boshek credited the cooperation among authorities and the aggressiveness by prosecutors for the dramatic rise in gun cases. The ATF launched the first mobile NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) unit in the nation in Oklahoma City, allowing for quicker identification and tracing of firearms and ammunition.

Troester, who served in various leadership positions before his appointment as U.S. attorney in 2021, said prosecutors were given some discretion in how they pursued violent crime and firearms offenses.

More: Second Amendment: Supreme Court to decide whether domestic abusers are entitled to guns

Though some target areas with high crime rates, he decided to target specific offenders  domestic abusers and people who had discharged weapons.

The U.S. attorneys office works with the Oklahoma City Police Department and Palomar, Oklahoma Citys family justice center, on domestic abuse cases. Police officers who find a gun during a domestic abuse call check to see whether the owner has a felony conviction or anything else that would make possession illegal.

If there is a violation, they can take the case to the U.S. attorneys office, which will file the gun charges immediately. That can give the district attorney time to prepare a state domestic abuse case. Or, if the victim is reluctant to cooperate in a state case, the alleged abuser can be prosecuted solely on the federal gun charges.

We know from statistics that (when) that abuser has interjected a firearm into the equation, if we dont intervene at that point and charge it federally, the likelihood is the next time someones going to be dead, the victim or the police officer that walks through the door, Troester said.

We truly believe that initiative is saving lives.

Master Sgt. Gary Knight, spokesman for the Oklahoma City Police Department, said, The men and women of the Oklahoma City Police Department are proud of the results weve achieved through our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorneys Office and our fellow law enforcement agencies. We are committed to getting guns out of the hands of criminals, which ensures safer neighborhoods for our community.

Since early 2018, Western District prosecutors have filed firearms charges against 296 defendants from 24 counties related to domestic violence. Of those, 212 have been sentenced to an average of six years in prison. Because of those cases, 423 firearms and 8,654 rounds of ammunition have been seized. Nearly one-third of the defendants charged under the domestic abuse initiative were gang members.

Hutzell said the program targeting people who had discharged a firearm had not only taken violent offenders off the street but also had an effect on gang activity. Because a wave of gang shootings leads to police and federal agents tracking guns and ammunition, the shootings sometimes stop, she said.

In those instances, weve been able to see how this does work by us jumping in, she said.

Troester said prosecutors were enforcing the laws approved by Congress to keep firearms out of the hands of people who shouldn't possess them.

"We're not anti-gun, at all," he said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma pursuing more gun charges
Galician-born Alberto Nunez Feijoo is hoping to become the first prime minister to come from rural Spain (Thomas COEX)

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, whose right-wing Popular Party won Spain's snap election but without support to form a government, has built his reputation on being a moderate but struggled to square the circle of an alliance with the far right.

A native of Galicia in the rural northwest, the 61-year-old had hoped his moderate stance and dull-but-dependable brand would win over the electorate during Spain's snap election.

And almost all the polls concurred, while indicating Feijoo's right-wing party would most certainly need support from the far-right Vox to govern.

So Feijoo turned his sights on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez with a campaign focused on "overthrowing Sanchismo" which would upend many of the Socialist leader's policies, while promising he would be a steady hand on the tiller.

Sanchez, by contrast, staked everything on warning about the dangers of a PP-Vox government.

And the strategy appeared to work: although Feijoo's PP won, it fell far short of the numbers expected and was unable to form a majority, even with the support of Vox.

- A bitter pill -

It was a bitter pill for a politician who until last year spent all his political career in Galicia where he was first elected regional leader in 2009 with an absolute majority -- a feat he would go on to repeat three more times.

When he took over as head of the PP in April 2022, he was hailed as a pragmatic moderate and a safe pair of hands to lead a party recovering from one of the worst internal crises in its history.

"Feijoo is very predictable, he likes to show off his transparency and present himself as a reliable, trustworthy politician," said Fran Balado, a Galician journalist and author of the book "Feijoo's Journey" (2021).

"He's a moderate because he manages to attract progressive voters and he's a pragmatist whom people trust," he told AFP.

In the weeks leading up to the vote, questions resurfaced about Feijoo's ties with Marcial Dorado, a notorious tobacco smuggler involved in extensive money laundering who was later convicted for drug trafficking.

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The issue first came up in 2013 after El Pais published photos of them in the mid-90s on Dorado's boat and on holiday in Ibiza and the Canary Islands when Feijoo headed Galicia's health service.

At the time, Feijoo said he "knew nothing about (Dorado's) activities", insisting they didn't have "a close friendship".

But fellow Galician Yolanda Diaz, head of the radical-left Sumar, challenged his assertion of innocence just before the vote, saying: "Tell us what you were doing with Marcial Dorado when all of Spain knew who he was."

- From law student to civil servant -

Born on September 10, 1961, in the village of Os Peares, Feijoo grew up in a working-class family to a father who worked in construction and a mother who ran a grocery shop.

A studious child, he read law in Santiago de Compostela, hoping to become a judge. But when his father was left jobless, he pitched in to help, becoming a civil servant in 1985.

It was in 1991 that he first got his foot on the political ladder, taking a job at Galicia's agriculture ministry with a politician who later became Spain's health minister and took Feijoo with him to Madrid in 1996.

There, Feijoo ran Insalud, Spain's national health service at the time. In 2000, he took over as head of the Correos postal service. Three years later, he returned to Galicia and in 2006, became the PP's regional head there, later leading it to victory in 2009.

Despite saying his "highest political ambition" was to be Galicia's leader, the village boy from Os Peares packed his bags and moved to Madrid last year, hoping to become "the first prime minister from rural Spain".

- Austere neat-freak -

Despite his years in politics, Feijoo has no experience of international diplomacy and like most Spanish premiers -- Sanchez being the exception -- he does not speak English, raising eyebrows earlier this year after referring to US rock legend Bruce Springsteen as "Bruce Sprinter".

Normally very guarded about his private life, he spoke to El Mundo's

Yo Dona woman's magazine in March about becoming a father in his mid-50s with his partner Eva Cardenas, saying it was the "best gift life has given me".

"I didn't want children before.. (but) I'm very happy to have had a son just before the final whistle," said Feijoo, who can be seen walking through Madrid's Chamartin district with his son Alberto, 6, and their schnauzer Cata.

Diplomatically described as "rather austere", Feijoo told the magazine he was a "neat-freak and perfectionist" who will ring his mum Sira if he's had "a bad day".

hmw/mtp
A convicted felon was arrested on suspicion of being armed when he broke into a sleeping womans home in Oak Hills, according to sheriff's deputies.

On May 26, deputies responded to a residential robbery in the 10600 block of Fargo Street in Oak Hills, west of Interstate 15. According to the victim, the suspect entered her home while she slept and was armed with a handgun.

He then stole valuables, including electronics, her purse, and her 2018 Infiniti QX60, sheriffs officials said.

Evidence was collected at the scene and deputies identified a possible suspect as 36-year-old convicted felon Shane David Andrade of Hesperia, authorities said.

A search warrant was served at a home in the 16500 block of Fir Street in Hesperia.

Nearly a month passed before Andrade was arrested.

On July 18, a warrant was served at a home, where deputies say they found stolen property they believed belonged to the victim. Also, marijuana, ammunition, fake law enforcement attire, and extraction equipment consistent with manufacturing butane honey (hash) oil, sheriffs officials said.

Andrade was arrested on suspicion of residential robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and manufacturing of a controlled substance, the sheriffs department reported. He was booked into the High Desert Detention Center, with bail set at $700,000, sheriffs booking records show.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Victor Valley Sheriffs Station at 760-552-6800. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Felon suspected of entering womans home to steal valuables, vehicle
Seventy years after a great flood hit the coast of eastern England, a new climate adaptation scheme is launching.

Fens 2100+ is designed to protect the low-lying area that is home to over 50% of England's top agricultural land.

The Environment Agency says it will enable the Fens to "adapt to the challenges of climate change both now and into the future".

Extreme weather and rising sea levels are threatening the region's residents and its capacity to produce food.

The project will scope out what investment is needed to manage "flood and coastal risk" over the next 20 years.

It will then develop adaptation plans "to balance the needs of people, the environment and agriculture for the next 100 years".

Stafford Proctor farms land across the Fens in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire

Farmer Stafford Proctor welcomed the project, saying "this kind of far-reaching planning" is "really good news."

He farms land in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, growing crops such as wheat, sugar beet, peas and oilseed rape.

He has already seen climate change affecting his crops and said it has been "very, very difficult" to make a profit from selling potatoes recently.

"We don't have irrigation, so that's counted against us in these dry years," he said.

The Fens is susceptible to flooding as it is low-lying

Amy Shaw, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said The Fens is "an entirely unnatural landscape" only made habitable thanks to careful management.

She said the focus of Fens 2100+ was to "develop investment plans" and drum up capital funding for "flood and coastal risk management".

It is thought about 1.6bn in investment is needed to protect the Fens.

Mr Proctor says one area that needs more funding is the flood defence banks.

"We haven't put any new banks up now since 1980," he said, "and at some point in the future, the sea is going to come over our existing banks."

Pub landlady Georgina Birch agrees investment is needed

Georgina Birch is landlady at the Lamb and Flag pub in Welney, Norfolk.

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She is sceptical about whether future investment will make a difference to residents.

"A lot of money has been invested by the Environment Agency to protect farmland, which is completely understandable," she said.

"What we haven't seen is anything done for local communities regarding transport links."

She says money was spent last year putting up barriers to protect the village, but questions whether the area needs a complete overhaul.

"Is the answer to keep putting sticking plasters on the banks, or is the answer to reconsider proper management of the actual water ways?" she asked.

Mr Proctor said Fens 2100+ is a great way to "raise awareness" about climate change after having his own "wake up call" during a flood on the River Nene in 2013.

"We all need to be aware of the risks we are under and be doing something to make sure that it is not a problem for the future generations," he said.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk
A firefighter was arrested after confessing to setting multiple fires across two Arizona counties, according to a sheriffs office.

The 18-year-old Ash Fork firefighter is accused of starting eight fires in Yavapai County and Coconino County, four of which were structure fires and four that were wildfires, since mid-June, the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said in a July 21 Facebook post.

Deputies said they had been searching for the arsonist behind fires over the last few months when they linked the firefighter to a small fire on Thursday, July 20, and then tied him to the recent fires.

An Ash Fork firefighter is accused of starting eight fires in Yavapai County and Coconino County since mid-June, deputies said.

The Ash Fork Volunteer Fire Department did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

During initial interviews, deputies said they believed the Ash Fork man provided deceptive and misleading information, which furthered their suspicion that the man was their suspected arsonist.

Deputies said they again interviewed the man, who went on to say he was involved in seven of the eight fires.

The firefighter told deputies his motives in setting these fires ranged from boredom, retaliation against a former employer, chasing a thrill, and setting fires to some abandoned homes for being ugly, the sheriffs office said.

He was arrested and booked into jail on multiple counts, including arson of a structure or property, aggravated criminal damage and false reporting to law enforcement, according to the sheriffs office.

The Coconino County Sheriffs Office is expected to file additional charges against the man, deputies said.

Ash Fork is about 145 miles northwest of Phoenix.

Arson suspect arrested in Sacramento fire is the focus of five other investigations

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Man sets fire to more than a dozen US flags hanging outside homes, California cops say
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In May, Reason wrote about the trend of "First Amendment auditors," activists who film in government buildings in order to test the limits of what is and is not allowed. One in particular, SeanPaul Reyes, films with a GoPro and posts the videos on his YouTube account. Reyes has been arrested multiple times for filming in public places, including inside New York City police stations.

Today, Reyes filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD in conjunction with LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a New Yorkbased legal defense fund that focuses on police abuse. LatinoJustice attorney Andrew Case announced the suit at a press conference Monday afternoon.

The NYPD Patrol Guide states that while recording the police is generally allowed, "Members of the public are not allowed to photograph and/or record police activity within Department facilities," and officers are authorized to ask the person to stop filming and to arrest them if they don't. A department spokesperson told Gothamist that recording inside a police station "undermines the privacy of people who interact with the criminal justice system and compromises the integrity of ongoing investigations."

Case says the NYPD is correctup to a point. He tells Reason that while parts of the police station are certainly off limits, "publicly accessible lobbies" are a different story. "The NYPD says it needs this policy to protect the identity of those waiting in line in a precinct's public lobby," Case noted in the Monday press conference. "But precincts have plenty of private space. Sensitive witnesses do not come in through the front door and wait for a detective before a crowd of strangers."

"The First Amendment is obviously not absolute," Case tells Reason. "There are some placesfor example, courtroomswhere there are rules about when you can and cannot record. And these have been developed, and these have been tailored, and these have been examined under the First Amendment."

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"Our contention is [the NYPD's] rule, and the way this rule was written, and the way this rule is implemented, since it's an absolute ban, is not narrowly tailored and, therefore, will violate the First Amendment."

In addition to court costs and attorney fees, Reyes seeks an injunction against the NYPD preventing officers from arresting anyone for simply filming in publicly accessible areas.

Reyes has run afoul of government officials across the country through his activism: Earlier this year, he was found guilty of simple trespass in Danbury, Connecticut, for filming inside City Hall. In May 2021, Reyes was arrested for obstruction after filming a traffic stop conducted by a sheriff's deputy in Harford County, Maryland; he later agreed to community service and a written apology to the deputy in exchange for prosecutors dropping the charge.

But Reyes's activism has also born results: Police in Rahway, New Jersey, launched an internal investigation over officers' treatment of Reyes. Reyes' trespassing arrest in Danbury prompted neighboring towns to reevaluate and reassess their own public filming policies, and a Danbury officer was docked five days' pay for using an anti-gay slur during the arrest.

Case charges that the NYPD forbids recording in precincts "so that it can control what video comes out of the precincts." Ideally, the presence of police-worn body cameras would obviate much of the need for citizens to do their own filming. But New York City has dragged its feet in recent years on complying with requests for body camera footage. A 2019 Gotham Gazette report noted that the city had provided 140,000 body camera videos to the Brooklyn district attorney during the previous year, even as it was "delayed or completely delinquent" in filling about one-third of citizen requests for footage.

Citizen recording offers an extra layer of accountability that cities may be unwilling, or hesitant, to provide.

Nationally, the legal climate for allowing citizens to film police is growing more tolerant as well. Arizona passed a law last summer that would ban filming within 8 feet of police. On Friday, Judge John Tuchi of the U.S. District Court of Arizona ruled the law unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement. Citing other state laws that protect police from interference, Tuchi wrote that the law "prohibits or chills a substantial amount of First Amendment protected activity and is unnecessary to prevent interference with police officers."

The post 'First Amendment Auditor' Sues NYPD Over Right To Record in Police Stations appeared first on Reason.com.
First Lady Jill Biden will deliver an address at UNESCO headquarters Monday as the United States was preparing to rejoin the international cultural organization after a six-year hiatus. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI

July 24 (UPI) -- First lady Jill Biden arrived Monday in Paris where she will deliver an address at UNESCO headquarters as the United States was preparing to rejoin the international cultural organization after a six-year hiatus.

The first lady, accompanied by her daughter Ashley Biden, landed at Orly airport shortly before 10 a.m. Monday, and was greeted by a crowd on the tarmac.

Jill Biden's motorcade departed the runway and traveled to the French capital, where she met with staff of the U.S. embassy, including U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer, and several other public officials and dignitaries.

Later in the day, the first lady planned to meet with family members of the embassy staff.

After Donald Trump took office in 2017, the United States withdrew from UNESCO, which aimed to promote peace and worldwide cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication after the end of WWII.

The Obama administration also cut off funding to UNESCO in 2011 to protest its decision to grant full membership to Palestine.

More than a decade later, Congress reauthorized contributions to UNESCO in December 2022, setting the stage for U.S. re-entry more than two years into President Joe Biden's term.

In June, the U.S. State Department sent a letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoula announcing its intention to rejoin the body.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization celebrates diversity while promoting an ongoing intellectual exchange between nearly 200 member nations. After its creation in 1945, UNESCO rebuilt libraries, schools and museums that had been destroyed by Nazi bombs.
It looks all but inevitable that former President Trump will soon be criminally charged in relation to the events that culminated in the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump declined to meet with the grand jury investigating the matter late last week. An invitation for a target such as Trump to give grand jury testimony is often a precursor to the person being charged.

The former president has himself predicted his imminent arrest over the riot, in which almost 150 law enforcement officers were injured.

Trump said in a Truth Social post last Tuesday morning that the combination of the target notification and the offer to speak to the grand jury almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

Here are the biggest questions if that indictment does come in the next few days.

What will the charges be?

The biggest question of all  and the one that will be answered the moment an indictment is issued.

Among the most intriguing possibilities is that Trump could be charged under a law that was enacted in part to try to curb the activities of the Ku Klux Klan during the Reconstruction era.

The offense is conspiracy against rights  Section 241 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

Under the statute, it is a crime for two or more people to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate anyone with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege the person enjoys under the U.S. Constitution.

The theory is that alleged election meddling by Trump and his allies could be held to have oppressed those voters who cast ballots with every expectation that the legitimate result of the election would be upheld.

But even the wording of the law shows its anachronistic nature. It in part sanctions those who would go in disguise on the highway to oppress others, for example.

If prosecutors do bring charges but demur on conspiracy against rights, a more conventional template is offered by the four alleged offenses for which the House Select Committee that investigated Jan. 6 referred Trump to the Justice Department.

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The committee contended there was evidence of inciting or aiding an insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to make a false statement.

Some legal experts also think it is possible Trump could be charged with witness tampering.

Two points bear emphasis. First, it is still possible Trump will not be charged at all. Second, he himself expects that he will be.

If Trump is charged, is it a speaking indictment?

Trump has already been indicted in two separate cases: in April, by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) on charges of falsifying business records, and in June, by special counsel Jack Smith in relation to the sensitive documents found at Mar-a-Lago.

Smith is also leading the probe into Jan. 6. Trump has attacked him repeatedly in online posts and campaign speeches.

The indictments in Manhattan and relating to Mar-a-Lago were stylistically very different.

Braggs indictment was a dry recitation of exactly what he alleged the offenses were, with little other context beyond a separate Statement of Facts, most of which were already known.

The Mar-a-Lago document was what is known in legal parlance as a speaking indictment, telling a vivid story about Trumps alleged recklessness in storing documents from his time in the presidency in a ballroom and, later, a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago.

It also included details that, if proven, look like blatant obstruction of justice. Trump allegedly plotted to keep documents out of the grasp of authorities, even though he had been subpoenaed to produce them.

If a Jan. 6 indictment is issued, it can be expected to follow the Mar-a-Lago approach.

One key point will be whether Smith and his team have unearthed any potent details that are not yet public knowledge.

How does the timing of a trial fit in with the 2024 campaign?

The indictments of Trump are unprecedented for many reasons  not least that they are landing during a campaign by the former president to regain his previous office.

Friday brought important news on the Mar-a-Lago case: Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, named May 20 next year as the start date for the trial.

It seems reasonable to assume that any trial on a Jan. 6 case would be later.

The scenario that unfolds from there is politically breathtaking.

More from The Hill

Trump could have the GOP nomination in effect wrapped up at the same time he is facing multiple trials for serious criminal offenses.

Nothing remotely like that has ever been seen in American politics.

Its also worth noting that a hypothetical trial and conviction would not be the end of the matter. Trump, like anyone, could appeal. What if he won the presidency back in the interim? He could then instruct the Department of Justice not to contest the appeal.

Notably, a president cannot take the same action in state cases as in federal ones.

Thats why some people believe the single greatest threat to Trump is still the probe into election interference in Georgia, spearheaded by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D).

Willis has indicated she will likely make a charging decision by mid-August.

Will Biden and the Democrats gloat if Trump is indicted?

Privately, perhaps. Publicly, almost certainly not.

Democrats, and the White House in particular, are leery of doing or saying anything that would fuel GOP accusations regarding the politicization of the justice system.

The White House has reacted to the other Trump indictments mostly with rather formulaic statements about letting the process play out. Democrats in Congress have typically followed the same path.

Theres no reason to suppose that will change now.

What will the impact be on the 2024 election?

There are two very different answers here, one relating to the Republican primary, the other to a possible general election.

Trump remains the strong favorite to win the GOP primary.

There is no compelling evidence at all to suggest that his previous indictments have hurt him with Republican voters. In fact, he may have benefitted from a rallying-around effect, especially after the Bragg indictment.

Trump currently leads his closest challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), by about 30 points in national polling averages.

But its a very different story when it comes to an effort to win a general election.

Trump lost the popular vote in 2020 by more than seven million votes. He was unpopular for much of his presidency and remains so.

In the weighted polling average maintained by data site FiveThirtyEight, Trumps unfavorable numbers have ticked up recently. As of Sunday evening, he was viewed unfavorably by roughly 58 percent of Americans and favorably by just 39 percent.

Its tough to see how a third indictment, relating to a dark day in American history, could possibly help Trump win over even a sliver of the voters he would need to return to the Oval Office come Inauguration Day 2025.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A kakapo chick. The birds are are large flightless parrots from New Zealand who are masters of camouflage and known for a booming call.

For the first time in almost 40 years, New Zealands quirky and critically endangered kakapo will return to the countrys mainland. Kakapo are large flightless parrots that used to be widespread across New Zealand, before being hunted to near extinction. The birds last lived on mainland New Zealand in the 1980s. The last time they were present on the North Island was in the 1960s when five of the birds were living in captivity, according to New Zealands Department of Conservation.

[Related: Researchers release more than 5,000 snails in the Pacific.]

Currently, kakapo only live on five offshore islands: Pukenui (Anchor Island) and Te Kakahu o Tamatea (Chalky island) in Fiordland, Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) and Pearl Island near Rakiura Stewart Island and Hauturu-o-Toi (Little Barrier Island).

The Department of Conservation in partnership with the South Islands Ngai Tahu tribe is moving four male kakapo from Whenua Hou near Rakiura Stewart Island to Maungatautari (Sanctuary Mountain) in Waikato. The four kakapo are not intended to breed at Maungatautari. The main focus of the project is learning what types of new habitat, outside of the established offshore islands, that the kakapo can live in.

This translocation follows decades of conservation work through the Kakapo Recovery Programme. The effort utilized modern science and Maori matauranga (knowledge) to help bring the iconic species back from extinction. The population doubled to reach a high of 252 birds between 2016 and 2022.

Returning this critically endangered nocturnal ground-dwelling parrot back to the mainland is significant for the whole country and a shared success story for all partners involved, according to the team.

Kakapo are one of Aotearoas [New Zealands] most iconic and rare species, recovering from a population low of 51 birds in 1995, Department of Conservation Manager for Kakapo Deidre Vercoe said in a statement. Until now, kakapo have been contained to a few predator-free offshore islands, so to have them now returning to the mainland is a major achievement for all involved.

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A kakapo booms in his bowl

Image: Don Merton | Department of Conservation (NZ)

Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu Deputy Kaiwhakahaere (manager) Matapura Ellison added that this is a key aspect of the translocation is the iwi to iwi (people to people) transfer of the four birds from Ngai Tahu to Ngati Koroki Kahukura, Raukawa, Ngati Haua, and Waikato.

This is a milestone translocation, and we are thankful for our iwi partners who will keep our taonga (treasured) kakapo safe at their new habitat on Maungatautari, Ellison said in a statement. The whanaungatanga [forming relationships] between our iwi is strengthened further through the shared kaitiakitanga of these precious manu.

[Related: This three-foot-tall parrot proves New Zealand is the mecca of giant weird birds.]

This translocation is a new phase in the recovery of this marks a new phase for the recovery of this taonga (treasured) species. Returning them to their natural range on the mainland in unmanaged populations has long been a goal, but they need a habitat that is free of introduced mammalian predators such as rats from escaped ships.

The translocation will be marked with a Maori welcoming ceremony called powhiri and celebration at Pohara Marae followed by the release at Maungatautari. The ceremony is set to acknowledge the many people and groups that played a part in kakapo conservation and the work to make the mountain a kakapo-proof and predator-free inland sanctuary. It will also mark the transfer of care of these four founding birds between peoples.

Kakapo are experts at camouflage, and the team believes it is unlikely that visitors to the sanctuary will come across them. Visitors could, however, hear their distinctive booming calls for the first time in several years.

Sanctuary Mountain is a large space, with plenty of good habitat for kakapo, but its still unknown whether they will successfully establish here long-term, said Vercoe. The main focus of this translocation is to learn if kakapo can thrive in a fenced sanctuary, while taking pressure off the islands ahead of future breeding seasons.
Florida monuments, including those to the Confederacy, taken down by local governments could have to be put back up.

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Its a provision Action News Jax has learned will likely be part of a bill expected to be filed for the upcoming state legislative session.

Last session Florida lawmakers considered a bill that would have prevented local governments from removing historical monuments, including those to the Confederacy.

It didnt pass, but State Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) told Action News Jax he intends to refile the bill in the 2024 session, but this time with more teeth.

Anything thats going to protect American history is on the table, said Martin.

Martin said the new bill will likely include some degree of retroactivity to prevent local governments from hastily removing monuments ahead of the bills effective date.

That would mean monuments removed within a certain timeframe, would have to be put back up.

So, we want everybody to know that if theyre going to be removing American history thinking that were a loophole between now and the time any bill is signed that they may still be held accountable, said Martin.

Martin didnt offer specific dates for the timeframe the bill would impact, but in conversations with House sponsor State Representative Dean Black (R-Yulee), it was conveyed to Action News Jax that the bill would likely impact the Confederate obelisk removed from James Weldon Johnson Park in May.

Its very disrespectful, said State Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville).

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Nixon argued the monument bill is intended to stoke division and distract from pocketbook issues.

They want to push bills that drive wedges and create friction amongst different community groups, said Nixon.

Senator Martin, on the other hand, contended he wants to ensure American history is preserved and accessible to the public.

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And not relegating our history, our monuments, our memorials, our symbols to brick and mortar museums that require people to pay an admission, said Martin.

Action News Jax reached out to Mayor Donna Deegan for comment on the proposal, but was told the administration wants to wait until the bill is formally filed.

That will likely be this fall when state lawmakers begin their pre-session committee meetings.

The 2024 Florida Legislative Session officially begins in January.

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(Bloomberg) -- Will Hurd said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his rival for the Republican presidential nomination, should take responsibility for a new state curriculum that calls for teaching that slavery gave enslaved people valuable skills.

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Implying that there is an upside to slavery is absolutely wrong, said Hurd, a former US representative running a long-shot bid for the GOP nomination, in an interview Monday with Bloomberg Televisions Balance of Power.

DeSantis criticized Vice President Kamala Harris last week for going to Florida to condemn the recently adopted social studies curriculum. The Florida governor said he wasnt involved in drafting the document but defended the standards.

Theyre probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life, DeSantis said Friday.

He shouldnt have doubled down on this, said Hurd, who has a Black father and White mother, and for a time was the only Black Republican in the US House.

This could have been handled very, very easily by saying were going to tweak that language to make clear that slavery was a bad thing for our society, it was our original sin, he said. Thats what Ron DeSantis should do, and not pass the buck and say it wasnt his responsibility.

Hurd, 45, served three terms as a congressman from Texas after a career as a CIA spy and cybersecurity consultant.

He faces near-insurmountable obstacles to passing the first major test of the 2024 campaign: qualifying for the Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee.

To participate, candidates need 40,000 unique donors and at least 1% support in at least three polls. Hurd hasnt said how many donors he has and is polling at 0%. More importantly, hes refused to sign a required pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.

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Im not going to sign the pledge  not because I dont want to support the eventual nominee. Im not going to support Donald Trump, Hurd said during the interview. And I cant lie in order to get access to a microphone.

Hurd has been a longtime critic of Trump, the Republican frontrunner, calling him a lawless, selfish, failed politician who would ensure a second term for President Joe Biden if hes the nominee.

Hurd also criticized the Biden administrations border policies, saying Mondays lawsuit against Texas for putting a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River is another example of how Joe Biden is getting border security wrong.

Read more: Biden Administration Sues Texas Over Floating Border Barriers

He said Biden should seek a state and federal solution to the border crossings while working toward a more comprehensive overhaul of the immigration system.

Hurd, whose former congressional district ran 820 miles along the border, also opposed Trumps border wall, calling it expensive and ineffective.

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What was the former buffet space at Harrahs Gulf Coast now is a smoke-free area with new restaurants, a new layout of the casino floor and a new poker room.

Caesars Entertainment, parent company of Harrahs Casino Biloxi, did away with all the buffets in its casino resorts during Covid-19 and adopted the policy not to bring them back.

That left a large space to play with at the Biloxi casino and the opportunity to add amenities.

Management chose to go smoke-free in this area, replacing the carpeting through the casino, rearranging the games for better flow and relocating the poker room to this area.

A new-style food court was created, offering the flavors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a taste of New Orleans, a new Asian restaurant and an ice cream spot to top it off.

The new smoking free area at Harrahs in Biloxi on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Many of the people who stay at Harrahs Gulf Coast fly in on one of 15 to 20 charters each month. They come from Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin  and other areas that dont already have direct flights to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, said Nicolas Breaux-Fujiita, the casinos vice president of marketing.

These visitors along with local customers were asking for more food options and the food court concept gives them the seafood they crave, he said, along with cajun food without the trip to New Orleans.

The former buffet space is now home to two new restaurants and an ice cream shop at Harrahs Gulf Coast in Biloxi.

The new food court incorporates the existing Steak n Shake into the mix of flavors.

The new restaurants are:

 Port 17  The menu is divided into starters like crispy calamari or firecracker shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy salad, salads served in a large shell bowl and topped with grilled salmon or shrimp, plus a variety of entrees like snow crab legs or boiled shrimp.

Wings come in traditional or boneless, glazed with a choice of six sauces and mild to spicy hot  Like a wing outlet, Breaux-Fujiita says.

Seafood is on display at Port 17, a new restaurant in the former buffet space at Harrahs Gulf Coast Casino Biloxi.

For a taste of cajun, customers can order shrimp etouffee or go a step up with a pair of crab cakes topped with etouffee.

Portion sizes are very generous, Breaux-Fujiita said. Emerging as the favorite at the new restaurant is the Port Platter that combines fried catfish strips, oysters and shrimp. Its the highest priced item on the menu at $22.99.

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Port 17 is open weekdays from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.

 Scoops - hand-dipped ice cream shop is just a step away and mini-donuts made on site will be added soon to sweeten the offerings

The former buffet space is now home to two new restaurants and an ice cream shop at Harrahs Gulf Coast Casino in Biloxi.

 Beach Wok is an Asian restaurant, open weekends starting Friday. Its wow dish is surf and turf fried rice with Gulf shrimp, prime beer and local vegetables. Customers can order favorites like sweet and sour chicken or lo mein. Or they can try Vietnamese coffee or roasted coconut juice for something different.

This restaurant also has a sweet taste of New Orleans for dessert or a snack of fresh beignets topped with a caramel drizzle. Its open from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday.

Beach Wok is an Asian inspired restaurant in the former buffet space at Harrahs Gulf Coast.
WASHINGTON  The lawyer who represents former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik has turned over thousands of pages of documents to special counsel Jack Smith's office as part of the federal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The attorney, Tim Parlatore, said Monday that he submitted the records to Smith's office on Sunday.

"I have shared all of these documents, approximately 600MB, mostly pdfs, with the Special Counsel and look forward to sitting down with them in about 2 weeks to discuss," Parlatore said in a statement to CNN that he later confirmed to NBC News.

The Daily Beast first reported that Kerik had handed over the documents, following a privilege review by former President Donald Trump's campaign.

Kerik, who had worked with former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani in an effort to uncover voter fraud following President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election, tweeted Monday night he was subpoenaed several months ago and that his lawyer had recently obtained the appropriate waivers from Trump to allow the documents to be handed over to the special counsel's office.

No one has flipped, no one is selling out Trump or Giuliani, Kerik wrote. This is about giving the Special Counsel the evidence that the legal team collected under the supervision of @RudyGiuliani, and was reviewing in the aftermath of the 2020 election relating to voter/election fraud, and improprieties in that election.

A Trump campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. NBC News has also reached out to the special counsels office for comment.

NBC News previously reported that Kerik is expected to meet with the special counsel's office in mid-August on a voluntary basis to answer questions about efforts to reverse the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 riot.

The federal grand jury hearing evidence in the special counsel's investigation is expected to soon decide whether to indict Trump in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Last week, the grand jury heard testimony from William Russell, a former White House aide who was with Trump for much of the day on Jan. 6, 2021, and now works for Trump's presidential campaign.

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Kerik was appointed as New York City police commissioner by Giuliani. He served in that role from August 2000 through December 2001 while Giuliani was mayor. Kerik rose to national fame following the 9/11 terrorist attacks but was later sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to felony charges, including tax fraud and lying to White House officials.

Kerik was released from federal prison in 2013 after serving three years. Trump granted a full pardon to Kerik in 2020.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A former gynecologist accused in lawsuits of sexually abusing more than 200 patients over the course of decades was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison on federal charges related to four women.

Judge Richard Berman described the behavior of Robert Hadden, the convicted former Columbia University doctor, as "lewd, serious, out of control, depraved, extraordinary," and the case as "horrific" and "like no other." Berman also ordered the 66-year-old Hadden to face a lifetime of supervision after his release.

Hadden was indicted on charges related to cases in which patients traveled between states for their appointments with him and were sexually abused during what was supposed to be gynecological examinations. Prosecutors alleged in the 2020 indictment that Hadden also assaulted "dozens of female patients, including multiple minors" between 1993 and 2012.

During his trial, in addition to the four victims who traveled to New York City for appointments from as far away as Nevada, jurors heard from another five women who said they were abused by Hadden, as well as a nurse and former medical assistant who said they witnessed more assaults.

In total, Berman said Monday, the trial included "credible" evidence relating to 40 victims. He also noted that a U.S. probation office pre-sentence report estimated the total number of potential victims as "at least approximately 245."

Robert Hadden is seen in a New York courtroom in this 2016 file photo. / Credit: Alec Tabak/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Berman cited Hadden's "prolific" history of abuse, which he described as likely dating back to the 1980s, and the vulnerability of his patients  most of whom were pregnant, some of whom experiencing serious medical issues  in recommending significantly more incarceration than a roughly five-year sentence the sentencing guidelines suggested.

Hadden, wearing a beige jail uniform, sat leaning forward with his face resting in his palm for much of the lengthy sentencing hearing. An overflow audience that included many of his former patients  some moved to tears as Berman recounted Hadden's abuses  watched in two separate courtrooms.

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Prosecutors had asked for 25 years in court filings, while defense attorneys argued for three years.

During the trial, jurors heard from women who had been Hadden's patients for years. They described trusting him as he helped them navigate pregnancy complications and other issues, but also the moments when that trust was irrevocably broken.

Several said Hadden would often seem as if he was concluding exams, only to turn around just after a nurse had left the room, saying he needed to check something else.

It was in these moments, the former patients said, that he would insert his tongue or ungloved fingers into their vaginas, or fondle their breasts for several minutes under the guise of performing an exam.

One recalled the fear she felt just after a nurse left the room when Hadden said, "one minute, stay there." She feared he was examining a medical issue, and said she thought, "Oh my, something must be wrong."

"I listened, I trusted him. I trusted him," she said, before describing the doctor removing his gloves and assaulting her with his hands and tongue.

"All I could think was 'How the hell do I get out of here? I have to get out of here," she said.

Anthony DiPietro, an attorney who represented dozens of Hadden's former patients in lawsuits against Columbia University, lauded the survivors for coming forward.

"You've literally done for that institution something that they have proven over, and over again, that they were incapable of doing themselves: get rid of this serial sexual predator," DiPietro said.

"While I hope that today marks the end of a chapter for all of you who been exposed to this predatorif it hasn't happened alreadyI hope that today can be used to start the transition from surviving, to healing, and growth."

Defense attorneys did not claim Hadden was innocent of assaulting the women, saying during opening statements that "the harm they suffered is real and in some cases very raw." Instead, Hadden's attorneys contested that prosecutors could prove that Hadden lured the women across state lines.

Hadden's attorney, Deirdre von Dornum, argued that the women at the center of the case chose to make appointments with Hadden.

"Cancel him, condemn him, do not convict him of a crime he did not commit," she said during the January trial.

On Monday, she objected to the length of the sentence Berman indicated, saying the judge was relying on just two witness accounts in totaling the dozens of victims he factored into his decision.

Hadden previously entered a guilty plea in 2016 to two New York State charges of criminal sex act in the third degree and forcible touching. More than 200 of his former patients have settled lawsuits against Columbia University, reaching agreements totalling more than $230 million. The accusations against him were central to a campaign for the New York Adult Survivors Act, which in November opened a one-year window for survivors of sexual abuse to file lawsuits that would otherwise be barred by statutes of limitations.

In a statement to CBS News, a spokesperson for Columbia University's Irving Medical Center said the hospital "is profoundly sorry for the pain that Robert Hadden's patients suffered and his exploitation of their trust."

"The prosecution of Hadden that led to his conviction of federal crimes showed how he purposely worked to evade our oversight and engineer situations to abuse his patients," the spokesperson said. "We commend all the women who have come forward, especially those who shared their experiences so publicly during these judicial proceedings."

Hadden has denied all allegations and charges beyond the two for which he entered the 2016 guilty plea. That deal included no jail time and allowed Hadden to be classified as the lowest level of sex-offender status  meaning he is not listed in New York State's online sex offender registry.

Manhattan D.A. closes subsequent investigations into Hadden and Columbia University

In January 2020, Evelyn Yang, whose husband Andrew was running for president, brought a new spotlight to the case when she said in an interview that she was abused by Hadden.

Weeks later, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced it had assigned prosecutors to investigate new allegations against Hadden.

CBS News reported in September 2020 that the office was also investigating Columbia University's handling of incidents involving Hadden, an investigation that was active as recently as October of last year.

Both investigations are now closed, a spokesperson for the office said Monday.

"After a rigorous investigation conducted under the supervision of senior leadership of our Major Economic Crimes Bureau and Sex Crimes Unit, the office determined that any possible criminal charges were time barred by the statute of limitations," the spokesperson said.

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Former Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte says she's running for New Hampshire governor to "protect our Live Free or Die way of life."

The former state attorney general, who later represented the key New England battleground state in the U.S. Senate for a term, on Monday officially launched a 2024 campaign for governor, in the race to succeed GOP Gov. Chris Sununu.

"Governor Sununu is an excellent leader who has worked hard to defend our Live Free or Die values and improve New Hampshires quality of life," Ayotte wrote in a statement. "The battle to protect our Live Free or Die way of life must continue."

Ayotte also announced her bid in an appearance on Fox News' "Fox and Friends."

THIS POPULAR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HE WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte speaks at the Center for a New American Security's annual conference in Washington, D.C., in 2017.

The popular Sununu announced last week that he wouldn't see an unprecedented fifth two-year term as governor in 2024.

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"Im running for Governor because New Hampshire is one election away from becoming Massachusetts  from becoming something we are not," Ayotte wrote as she took aim at the Granite State's more progressive neighbor to the south.

MEET THE GOVERNOR IN DEMAND WITH THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu sits for a Fox News Digital interview, at the Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire, on June 26, 2023.

"I was born here and raised here. I raised my kids here, and you know what? I am going to die here because this state and its people are different. What we have here is worth fighting for," Ayotte emphasized. "Together, we will ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous and free."

Ayotte made history as New Hampshire's first and only woman to serve as state attorney general, from 2004-09.

She won election to the U.S. Senate in 2010, but narrowly lost re-election in 2016 to Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, by a margin of just 1,017 votes.

Ayotte becomes the second Republican to launch a gubernatorial campaign. Former longtime state Senate President Chuck Morse declared his candidacy minutes after Sununu announced he wouldn't seek re-election.

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WHY CHRIS SUNUNU PASSED ON RUNNING FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

"I think I take what I did in the Senate presidency and take it to the governor's job," Morse told Fox News last week as he pointed to the conservative agenda he and Sununu helped pass over the past seven years.

Former state Senate President Chuck Morse is interviewed by Fox News Digital hours after he launches a 2024 Republican gubernatorial campaign, on July 19, 2023, in Hudson, New Hampshire.

Frank Edelblut, Sununu's education commissioner who came close to defeating Sununu in the 2016 GOP gubernatorial primary, is seriously considering a gubernatorial run.

Two Democrats have already launched campaigns for governor: Cinde Warmington, the only Democrat on New Hampshire's five-member elected Executive Council, and three-term Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.

As she announced her campaign, Ayotte unveiled an extensive list of endorsements from different wings of the GOP, including former senator and governor Judd Gregg, New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, and Bruce Breton, a co-chair of former President Trump's 2024 White House campaign in New Hampshire.

Ayotte had a strained relationship with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.

In October of that year, after lewd sexual comments Trump made in a decade old video went viral, Ayotte said that as a mother and a former prosecutor who had worked with victims, she could no longer vote for Trump in the general election, and instead wrote in Mike Pence's name.

But in 2017, she helped guide Trump's first Supreme Court nominee  now-Justice Neil Gorsuch  through his Capitol Hill confirmation process, serving as a so-called "sherpa."

Democratic Governors Association communications director Izzy Levy took aim at Ayotte and the burgeoning GOP gubernatorial field.

"With her announcement today, Ayotte joins a field of losing candidates that is all but assured to grow louder, messier, and more extreme, before Granite Staters reject her once more for a candidate who will actually work to defend reproductive freedom and fix the problems they face," Levy charged.
A former New York Police Department (NYPD) commissioner who helped the Trump campaign investigate false claims of election fraud in 2020 will turn over documents to two Georgia election workers suing former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani for defamation.

Bernard Kerik turned over the records to counsel representing Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, Fulton County poll workers during the 2020 election who sued Giuliani in December 2021 for falsely claiming they played a role in fixing the election.

Kerik has also turned over his records to the special counsel investigating former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

He had claimed Trump and his 2020 election campaign held privilege over documents he was withholding from the election workers attorneys. But at the former NYPD commissioners request, the Trump campaign withdrew its assertions of work product privilege on a number of documents, according to a new court filing. The Trump campaign is still asserting attorney-client privilege over some emails, the filing says.

Kerik agreed to sit for another deposition before Aug. 25 that will address the new documents and topics objected to in his first deposition, according to the filing.

He also agreed to defer any objections over the documents to attorneys for the campaign. His team wont object on the basis of privilege or refuse to answer any questions from the election workers attorneys.

The parties believe at this time that Mr. Keriks production may resolve most of the remaining issues before this Court, the filing reads.

Giuliani played a central role in Trumps push to undermine the 2020 election results.

Freeman and Moss, a mother-daughter duo who testified before the Houses Jan. 6 committee last summer, have faced backlash in the years since. Investigations involving three law enforcement agencies  Georgias Secretary of States office and special agents with the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation  found that allegations against the poll workers were false and unsubstantiated.

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Earlier this month, the election workers claimed Giuliani failed to turn over evidence despite repeated reminders from the court and urged the court to impose severe sanctions on him.

Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani, told The Hill at the time the request is part of a larger effort to smear and silence Mayor Giuliani for daring to ask questions, and for challenging the accepted narrative.

The D.C. Bar Association has recommended Giuliani be disbarred for having seriously undermined the administration of justice in his efforts to stop the certification of the 2020 election results.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
For almost three decades, women who sought gynecological services from Robert Hadden in New York Citys most prestigious medical institutions were subjected to serial sexual abuse disguised as health care.

Ahead of his Monday sentencing at Manhattan federal court, Haddens former patients mourned the generations of trauma inflicted by the former obstetrician-gynecologist at Columbia Universitys medical practice  and the countless opportunities those in power had to stop him.

Robyn Bass Lavender told the Daily News that Haddens day of reckoning was one more step in a process that never should have taken this long to get to justice.

And Im not talking about the federal case taking too long, Im talking about when this was first reported. Columbia has known for decades that they had a problem, and they swept it under the rug, Lavender said.

They could have done things that would have avoided so much of the trauma that he caused, she added.

Haddens depravity flew under the radar of many patients he abused who had little experience with OB/GYNs, but it wasnt invisible to everyone. Hospital administrators learned of allegations long before the feds brought charges in 2020.

Evidence in his case showed that a patient reported him to Columbia administrators in 1994, early into Haddens 25-year tenure, after at least two nurses had witnessed his abuse.

In a detailed three-page letter to the then-acting chairman of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Centers obstetrics and gynecology department, Harold Fox, Dian Saderup Monson reported that Hadden had pulled on her nipples, conducted a prolonged and physically forceful pap smear and lubricated her in a sexual manner when she visited him about pregnancy concerns.

Fox told Monson he would have a discussion with Dr. Hadden and immediately follow up. She never heard from him again, and Hadden remained employed for another 18 years.

Incidents of abuse detailed in his various criminal and civil cases by hundreds of women varying in age include Hadden surreptitiously licking his patients genitals, tasting their breast milk and performing painful and medically unnecessary vaginal and anal exams with tools.

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As Haddens brazen abuse increased, his position did, too.

He became an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian shortly after his 1990 promotion to Columbia Universitys chief obstetrics and gynecology resident, where he began his residency around 1987.

Inside the hospitals delivery unit, Hadden sexually abused as many as 144 women admitted in labor, Rosalina Lozada testified during his trial.

The midwife said every woman she witnessed Hadden examine from mid-1993 to 1999 was subjected to fake cervical exams resembling scenes from pornographic films.

What the hell . . . What is he doing? Lozada recalled thinking when she first saw Hadden examine a patient in labor, according to her testimony.

Lozada said she feared she would be retaliated against if she reported the senior physician.

Amy Yoney, a former cardiology research nurse at Columbia and a 12-year patient of Haddens, said she still felt guilt over referring friends to her doctor. Like many of Haddens victims, he was her first OB/GYN, and she was unaware his uncomfortable exams were acts of abuse.

I didnt realize until I actually had another physician, Yoney said. I realized that his exams were not medically necessary, and came to the hard realization that what I always believed was actually true.

Yoney, who now lives and works outside New York at a small biotech company, doesnt believe Haddens actions went unnoticed.

He saw many, many patients and as we know now, the first letter came out back in the early nineties, and he actually wasnt arrested, she said. And even after he was arrested the first time, when the police were called, they let him back in.

I think that he was untouchable because he hid behind the institution.

Haddens eventual arrest came in 2012 when Laurie Kanyok called 911, reporting that he sexually assaulted her during an exam.

A memo documenting Kanyoks statements to Columbia administrators details how she called his assistant hysterically crying and unable to speak after the exam, requesting the name of the nurse who was in the room before it happened.

At the first stage of Haddens sentencing in June, when U.S. District Judge Richard Berman invited victims to address the court, Kanyok realized it marked almost 11 years to the day she called the cops.

There was no choice. It was not an (option) not to call 911 because clearly there was a crime committed, Kanyok said.

As we know, we can go back and look at all the records, hes been let off, hes been set free, hes been living at home ... The system needs to honor us with the justice of the maximum sentence.

According to allegations in his federal case, Hadden would be back at work within a week of his arrest for assaulting Kanyok and go on to abuse at least one more patient. His eventual 2013 firing came after he filed multiple requests for extended leave.

Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., who launched an investigation after the arrest, brought charges in 2014 alleging Hadden sexually abused six of his patients, including through fondling and licking their vaginas.

As the probe progressed and Hadden faced allegations in civil proceedings, Vances prosecutors indicated they were in touch with more women.

But in 2016, the DA did a 180 and offered Hadden the chance to plead guilty to assaulting just two women without serving jail time. As part of the deal, he was required to surrender his medical license and register as a low-level sex offender. The DA agreed not to bring further criminal action for anything uncovered in the years-long investigation.

In 2020, the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office brought the case Haddens victims had sought from Vance, leading to his arrest on charges carrying significant prison time and release on a $1 million bond. The jury swiftly convicted him in January on charges alleging he enticed patients from out of state to commit abuse under the guise of medical care.

In recent filings, Manhattan Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim said Hadden, 64, of Englewood, N.J., should serve at least 25 years in prison. His federal public defender Deirdre von Dornum has implored the judge to impose three, arguing that he paid for his crimes in 2016 and shouldnt have to continue defending himself because of opinions that his punishment was unsatisfactory.

Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital have collectively paid about $236 million to at least 200 of Haddens former patients over the last two years. Still, they have never directly admitted wrongdoing.

CUIMC is profoundly sorry for the pain that Robert Haddens patients suffered and his exploitation of their trust. The prosecution of Hadden that led to his conviction of federal crimes showed how he purposely worked to evade our oversight and engineer situations to abuse his patients, a spokesperson for Columbia University Medical Center said in a statement Monday.

We commend all the women who have come forward, especially those who shared their experiences so publicly during these judicial proceedings. CUIMC is committed to the safety and dignity of every one of our patients and has adopted policies and practices over the past decade to ensure that patients are protected and empowered while in our care.

Anthony T. DiPietro, a lawyer whos represented scores of Haddens victims in various cases over the last 11 years, is pushing the New York Department of Health to enforce a 2016 order requiring all of Haddens former patients at Columbia Universitys affiliated medical facilities be notified that he lost his license. The order also required that NewYork-Presbyterian patients Hadden treated be contacted. NewYork-Presbyterian did not respond to a request seeking comment.

DiPietro believes the victims who have come forward represent the tip of the iceberg.

Theyre trying to claim that the order is directed at Robert Hadden but not them. I mean, what are they trying to say, that if Robert Hadden shows up at the medical records office and says, Oh, hey, I have to send out a letter to these women, give me their names and home addresses, that Columbia would actually turn that info over to Hadden? DiPietro said.

The burden, the duty, the obligation is on Columbia to inform their patients.

Between the state and federal charges, when it looked like authorities had let Hadden off the hook, Marissa Hoechstetter, Evelyn Yang and several more women he abused took matters into their own hands. They successfully lobbied state lawmakers to pass the Adult Survivors Act, historic legislation empowering sexual assault victims to seek civil recourse after the statute of limitations had expired.

Women have continued to come forward with allegations since the one-year law passed in November, with the total number to levy accusations in all of Haddens cases and in legislative proceedings now numbering at least 350.

Somewhere between six to eight thousand women and girls were exposed to him during his tenure, DiPietro said.

Those women deserve to know what happened. They deserve to know what they were exposed to.
Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte launched her campaign for governor of New Hampshire on Monday, aiming to succeed Chris Sununu in a highly competitive race.

Im running for Governor because New Hampshire is one election away from becoming Massachusetts  from becoming something we are not," Ayotte said in a statement. We will ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous, and free.

Ayotte is diving into the already crowded gubernatorial race after losing her last Senate reelection bid in 2016 by fewer than a thousand votes statewide. After Sununu last week announced his decision not to run for a fifth term in 2024, candidates from both parties wasted no time joining the fray. In the GOP primary, Ayotte faces competition from former state Senate President Chuck Morse.

Sununu, a moderate Republican and frequent critic of former President Donald Trump, won reelection by large margins in 2020 and 2022, while Democrats have consistently won the state in presidential elections since 2004. Despite past struggles to defeat Sununu, next years race could be a promising chance for Democrats to regain control of the governorship. Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington and outgoing Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig are vying for the party nomination, which has already split its establishment.

Ayotte has a long history in New Hampshire Republican politics, serving as state attorney general from 2004 to 2009 and first winning her Senate seat in 2010. She faced a tough reelection in 2016, defending her conservative voting record in a state known for its independent streak.

The 2016 race became even more challenging when the Democratic then-Gov. Maggie Hassan launched her Senate bid. Ayotte struggled to navigate her position on Trump's candidacy, attempting to support him without fully endorsing him and eventually reversing after the Access Hollywood tape emerged.

Her announcement Monday came with strong backing from Republican leaders. Among her slate of endorsers are former Sen. Judd Gregg, New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne and a former colleague of Morse, state Sen. Bill Gannon.
The former chief of staff to the New Jersey Senate president avoided any prison time on tax evasion and wire fraud charges during his sentencing Monday afternoon in federal court in Newark, and could have faced up to 25 years in prison.

Tony Teixeira, 44, of Elizabeth, must serve eight months of house arrest and three years of probation, after pleading guilty last November to one charge of tax evasion and one charge of wire fraud. The court was packed with two dozen of his friends and family members, who started cheering when U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez issued the sentence.

Vazquez said one of the reasons he imposed a lesser sentence is because Teixeira's "presence is critical to his special needs child."

Tony Teixeira is shown outside U.S. Federal Court, in Newark after being receiving 3 years probation. Monday, July, 24, 2023

In June 2017, Teixeira's wife, Marlenes, died at 35 of a brain hemorrhage, months after her cesarean-section delivery of twin boys, one of whom is autistic and nonverbal. Dozens of family members and friends wrote letters to the court recounting the loss and urging the judge not to give Teixeira prison time.

Teixeira confirmed in court during his November guilty plea that he conspired with political operative and federal cooperator Sean Caddle to overcharge campaigns, political action committees and nonprofits for work done by Caddle's consulting firms and split the proceeds.

Teixeira and Caddle inflated invoices by adding services they didnt perform and defrauded the groups out of an estimated $107,800 between 2014 and 2018, according to the charges by the U.S. Attorneys Office. The two men concealed the kickbacks to Teixeira through cash and checks made out to Teixeiras relatives, court filings show.

Senate President Nick Scutari (right) is shown with his chief of staff Tony Teixeira in the Assembly Chamber at the State House in Trenton Tuesday, March 8, 2022, before Governor Phil Murphy delivered his Budget Address.

Teixeira did not report to the IRS the roughly $100,000 he collected, underpaying taxes by more than $47,000, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Teixeira, wearing a black suit and dress shirt, told Vazquez he would take full responsibility for his actions.

"There are those who want me to blame Sean Caddle for these misdeeds ... and shift my responsibility," Teixeira said. "Thats not what led us here today. I can't justify my actions with excuses. I consciously engaged in actions that were not only foolish but undeniably wrong."

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As part of his sentence, Teixeira must repay the victims $98,000 and pay the IRS $47,000.

He will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device, and over a period of eight months he can leave his home only to go to work, school, his children's activities, the doctor, substance abuse programs, religious services, or court-ordered or probation activities.

Teixeira faced up to 25 years in prison, six years of supervised release and $500,000 in fines, as well as restitution payments to the victims, according to the plea agreement he signed in August 2022. Prosecutors recommended that Teixeira receive 12 to 18 months in prison and pay $47,000 to the IRS and $107,800 to the "victims of his fraud."

More: Why are NJ investigators looking at checks from man at center of murder-for-hire to Dem aide?

More: Former top aide to NJ Senate leader pleads guilty to tax evasion and wire fraud conspiracy

He must pay roughly $30,000 to campaign accounts of former state Sen. Ray Lesniak, whom Teixeira served as chief of staff.

Lesniak, a powerful Union County Democrat, hired Caddle to create PACs and nonprofits to "raise and spend money to advocate on a variety of issues" and support candidates in local races, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Teixeira had influence over the consultants that the groups hired and the budgets they received.

Teixeira was also ordered to pay $37,000 to the Committee for Economic Growth and Social Justice, $9,000 to Infinite Possibilities, $5,000 to LEADS, $5,000 to New Jersey Workers Voices, $7,000 to the Union County Democratic Committee and $5,000 to the National Progressive Organization.

"I'm just relieved for him," said John Lynch, Teixeira's attorney. "I thought the judge's sentence was very fair. He basically recognized that he's got a lifetime sentence having to raise a child with severe disabilities."

Baffling murder-for-hire plot

Caddle was sentenced to 24 years in prison for his role in a baffling murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the death of his former friend nearly a decade ago.

Caddle awaited his sentencing at home with an ankle monitor for a year and a half, and had been cooperating with federal authorities on a separate investigation into a scheme implored by multiple high level political agents to defraud political campaigns, committees and the IRS, in which he recorded targets over the phone and at in-person meetings, according to a court filing by Caddles attorney.

Newark, NJ June 29, 2023 -- Sean Caddle walking to the Federal Courthouse in Newark where he is to be sentenced.

The Teixeira case appears to be the only charges linked to Caddle since his attorney first announced the arrangement in January 2022.

"Without an insider like Caddle, it is unlikely that Teixeiras crimes would have been prosecuted," prosecutors wrote in Teixeira's sentencing memo. "The government had the benefit of a cooperating witness who was able to narrate the scheme, provide documentary evidence of it, and offer inculpatory recordings of his co-conspirator."

Prosecutor Sean Farrell said in court, "The world of campaign finance is pretty opaque. Thats an understatement. We generally have little visibility. This was a unique case because we had an insider.

"When you factor in [that Teixeira] was the chief of staff to a state senator ... there is an abuse of trust here. He was afforded a lot of discretion for how to spend that money, and he abused that."

Groups linked to Caddle spent money on Elizabeth Board of Education races; Newark, Bayonne and Little Ferry mayoral runs; a gubernatorial election, and more, according to federal and state campaign finance filings and incorporation filings.

More: Complete coverage, timeline for murder-for-hire case that has NJ political world abuzz

More: Top aide to NJ Senate president to plead guilty to federal tax charges

Federal agents raided Caddle's home three years ago seeking records for more than 50 such groups, as well as information related to the murder of Caddles friend and colleague, Michael Galdieri. Caddle later admitted in court to hiring two men to kill Galdieri.

On May 22, 2014, Michael Galdieri was stabbed to death, his body left in his burning Jersey City apartment.

After Teixeira pleaded guilty, Lynch, his attorney, told reporters that his client had made a mistake getting involved with Sean Caddle.

Teixeira was listed in a September 2021 state subpoena seeking details on payments from Caddle. The state demanded information on nearly $50,000 in payments from Caddle and his consulting firm Arkady to Teixeira and his wife between 2015 and 2017.

Caddle told NorthJersey.com in a phone call earlier this year that Teixeira did not work for Arkady, but confirmed he had paid Teixeira.

Teixeira had gone deep into debt

Late last year, after news leaked that Teixeira planned to plead guilty to federal charges, he resigned from his posts as chief of staff to Sen. President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union; chair of the Elizabeth Democratic Party; and a member of the Union County Board of Elections.

Tony Teixeira is shown outside U.S. Federal Court, in Newark after being receiving 3 years probation. Monday, July, 24, 2023

His former employers remained supportive.

Tony was a good staffer and he was a friend, and Im looking forward to him  as Im sure he is  putting this behind him, Scutari told NorthJersey.com.

Lesniak urged Vazquez on Monday to require Teixeira to complete community service instead of jail time.

"He did a great job as my chief of staff," Lesniak said. "He served the public well. Somewhere he went astray. He needs to go back to that public service. Serving the public in community service would do the job."

In a filing to the court, Teixeira's attorney submitted 38 pages of letters of support from 25 friends and politically connected individuals, including former Gov. Jim McGreevey; state Sen. Brian Stack, D-Hudson; Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, D-Hudson; New Jersey Labor Commissioner Rob Asaro-Angelo; Kevin Drennan, former executive director of the state Senate; Newark Board of Education member Vereliz Santana; Kelly Martins, the director of public information for Union County; and Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

Teixeira had gone deep into debt before he became a top aide to Lesniak. A firm he created, Magellan Marketing, defaulted on a $245,000 mortgage loan from the Elizabeth Development Company in 2010, according to court records. Three years later, in 2013, a judge garnished the wages Teixeira had earned working for Lesniak and Re/Max Realty in connection with the loan default.

Tony has unquestionably endured his share of hardships, and while he has served the public in many admirable capacities and is a friend, nonetheless he erred and I acknowledge that, Scutari said in a statement in October. I am glad Tony is accepting responsibility for his personal financial actions.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Senate leader's former top aide avoids prison time for fraud
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte announced her candidacy for governor of New Hampshire on Monday, days after fellow Republican Chris Sununu declined to seek a fifth term.

Gov. Sununu did a great job, but theres going to be a vacuum there, Ayotte said on Fox & Friends.

Ayotte, who became New Hampshires first female attorney general in 2004, would be the states third female elected governor, following Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan.

Ayotte was elected to the Senate in 2010 but lost six years later to Hassan by just over 1,000 votes in one of the nations most closely watched contests. Since leaving Washington, she has served on several corporate and nonprofit boards. Ayotte said Monday she is returning to politics to make sure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous and free.

We are one election away from becoming Massachusetts in New Hampshire, and Im not going to let that happen, she said. We have something very special in New Hampshire  no income (tax), no sales tax, education freedom is so important in our state.

Ayotte is the second Republican candidate to announce. Chuck Morse, former Republican president of the New Hampshire Senate and a former U.S. Senate candidate, announced his campaign for governor shortly after Sununu announced his decision in an email to supporters on Wednesday.

Two Democrats have already announced their campaigns, Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington. Both women have emphasized protecting abortion rights, and the issue likely will play a major role in the general election campaign regardless of who wins the nominations.

Ayotte told WMUR-TV Monday she is not looking to change the current ban on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy that Sununu signed into state law in 2021. But a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association criticized Ayotte for calling for a national ban on abortion after 20 weeks of preganancy in 2014, for supporting the overturning of Roe v. Wade and opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

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With her announcement today, Ayotte joins a field of losing candidates that is all but assured to grow louder, messier, and more extreme, before Granite Staters reject her once more for a candidate who will actually work to defend reproductive freedom and fix the problems they face, the association's deputy communications director Izzi Levy said in a statement.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat who has endorsed Craig's campaign, dismissed Ayotte's criticism of her state Monday.

Ill let the Republican primary opponents duke it out, she said. The Republican primary doesnt interest me. Im focused on whats happening here in Massachusetts -- getting a budget, getting a tax package that makes sense and working to make life better for residents in our state.

The New Hampshire race for governor is taking shape in tandem with the 2024 presidential contest, with Republican candidates making frequent trips to the early primary state. Asked Monday which Republican will prevail in the primary, Ayotte said, "I look forward to supporting our Republican nominee. She did not mention the current frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, with whom she has a tortuous history.

During her 2016 Senate campaign, Ayotte spent months supporting Trump without endorsing him. She called him a role model for children during one debate but took it back the next day. And when old recordings of Trump bragging about forcing himself on women surfaced, she rescinded her support altogether  and said shed write in Mike Pence for president instead.

But after she lost and Trump won, his administration tapped her to help Neil Gorsuch navigate his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. And a prominent member of Trumps inner circle in New Hampshire, Bruce Breton, is backing her gubernatorial campaign.

____

Associated Press Writer Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed to this report.
Right now, an excellent deal for Teamsters union members is at risk. I fear that Teamsters everywhere will suffer, losing years of job security and a chance at the American dream.

While I understand negotiating for better wages and benefits, the fact is, UPS is different. They care about their employees and for years have paid their Teamsters-represented employees the highest wages and provided them with the best benefits in the industry. There are very few companies that can provide the wide range of opportunities that UPS offers.

Unfortunately, in the final weeks of their current contract negotiations for the 340,000 current Teamsters UPS employees, there is threat of a strike. Most recently, the union has pointed to the treatment of part-time employees as part of the justification.

For any Teamsters who worked or currently works as a part-time employee at UPS, however, we know that makes little sense, especially when you look at our counterparts at other companies in our industry.

Governor Andy Beshear gives a thumbs up as UPS delivery driver Byron Bishop backs into the loading dock at UofL Hospital on Monday, December 14, 2020. The truck carried the first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be administered in the state of Kentucky.

I worked for UPS for 38 years

I know because I worked for UPS for 38 years, including time as both a part-time package handler and a delivery driver.

I first joined the company in 1984 as a part-time employee to earn money while I finished school. What started as a seasonal and part-time job quickly sparked my interest in pursuing other positions at UPS, and ultimately led to my 38 years of service. My time at UPS was marked by numerous career opportunities and leadership positions with increasing responsibilities across the U.S. and around the world. On a personal note, our company was an incredible blessing that allowed me to provide for my family, purchase a home, and put my kids through college, just to name a few things. And all these moments started with the type of part-time job at UPS that a strike could threaten to take away from future employees.

UPS part-time employees are eligible for the exact same industry-leading health and medical benefits as full-time employees. That includes healthcare coverage with no premium contribution from the employee, a pension, tuition reimbursement and other benefits that simply do not exist for a majority of American workers today. All these benefits are offered to part-time employees who, on average, choose to work 15-20 hours a week. Part-time union employees at UPS currently make an average of $20 an hour after their first 30 days of employment. Its already a generous package, with proposals in these negotiations that build on the companys industry-leading pay.

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Have something to say about today's news? Submit a letter to the editor here

For me personally, I know a number of former and current part-time UPS Teamsters that are doing well for themselves and who want the flexibility that comes with working part-time. Others like me use it as a platform toward a full-time career.

Mr. OBrien (International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean OBrien) of course needs to negotiate for the Teamsters, and negotiate hard, but the experience hes described for part-timers just isnt accurate.

Id ask that the union take a step back before plunging UPS Teamsters and millions of UPS customers into uncertainty. Industry-leading pay and benefits dont warrant them walking off the job and a strike for what seems to be only political gain would totally miss the point of what part-time employment means to UPS employees.

Stefond Harris was vice president of Human Resources for UPS before retiring in 2022.

Stefond Harris was vice president of Human Resources for UPS before retiring in 2022.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Part-time UPS workers have it good. Teamsters has it wrong. No Strike
Gary Sinise delivers welcome remarks during the Patriot Awards Gala hosted by the Medal of Honor Convention at the Knoxville Conventional Center on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

The Gary Sinise Foundation National Tour is bringing, "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret" to Sioux Falls this week.

The play, featuring Afghan veterans and their families, will be presented at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance Theater at three performances: 7 p.m. Friday, and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. The production is free for the veterans.

More: Rounds makes third attempt at congressional charter for Native American veterans

Sinise, featured in Forrest Gump and The Green Mile and the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, founded the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2011 in support of the nations veterans, first responders and their families.

Sinise said he did that because some of his family members from his wifes side served in Vietnam. While Sinise was getting to know them, in the 1970s and 1980s, he felt compassion for what happened to the veterans at the time.

They went off to war, and then they came home, and our nation was not supportive, Sinise said.

He said from his experience, those veterans felt underappreciated, and some of them ended up being spit on. That was why he started supporting them. Sinise reasoned that if an individual signs up to serve their country, they should be supported for that.

And then it's just, it's just been a snowball effect, the actor said.

From there, Sinise created his nonprofit, and one of the avenues for exercising support was staging a play written by a group of Vietnam veterans at his Steppenwolf Theater.

It was a very emotional and moving production, Sinise said. It was very powerful, very healing.

More: Newly-built skatepark in Mission hopes to make a difference on Rosebud Reservation

That gave Sinise an idea for how powerful an instrument in dealing with war traumas theater could be. And when he came across Lt. Col Scott Mann's play performed by a cast of combat veterans and military-family members, he thought they were doing something similar to what his foundation was working on.

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He wrote his own play about his experiences in Afghanistan, and I thought, the synergy between what had happened back in the '80s, and what Scott was doing with his play today was very powerful, said Sinise. It was too great to pass up.

Sinise decided he wanted to support Mann, and the GSF is now sponsoring the tour of the play.

The play is based on Scott's personal experiences. Mann served in Afghanistan, and after the withdrawal of the American troops, he became involved in the Operation Pineapple Express, engaged in evacuating Americans and their allies who were left behind from Afghanistan after it was seized by Taliban.

The play deals with the problems the American military and the members of their families face, including witnessing the death of their friends, experiencing mental health issues and being away from the families back home.

More: Sioux Falls American Legion honors 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War

We feel that it's got a lot of the same healing components, as did the play that I did back in the '80s for Vietnam veterans, Sinise said. We've seen the power that storytelling has, for veterans who are actually sitting in the audience and watching a play that really speaks to their experiences, and it's very powerful.

Even though the play was filmed, and it is available online, Sinise said watching it in person creates a totally different experience. The play has already performed in Tampa, Florida; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Illinois and other communities across the country.

Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret," which has been performed across the country since 2018, including most recently in San Diego and Phoenix, has reached thousands of audiences by pulling from the experiences of the longest war in American history, "a war fought mostly in the shadows, reads the press release of the event.

Col. Mann, who spent 23 years in the military, including 18 of those years as a green beret, believes in the impact of storytelling as a way to help veterans returning to civilian life heal through the arts," the release states.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Play 'Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret' coming to Sioux Falls
Fort Monroe will look a bit different within the next few years, with a revamped marina, new restaurants, additional parking and a hotel planned for the historic site.

Pack Brothers Hospitality  run by principals Brian and Randy Pack  plans to transform the Old Point Comfort Marina on McNair Drive into a $50 million development called 37 North at Fort Monroe.

The Fort Monroe Authority approved a long-term ground lease for the development in 2021. Randy Pack recently discussed details of the project and provided an overview of its timeline. He said design work is underway and construction on the first two phases of the project should begin in 2025.

You dont get the opportunity to build on a national monument every day, Randy Pack said. And we take that responsibility seriously.

The first two phases include the replacement of the existing marina and the creation of two restaurants. One will be a seafood eatery with 150-200 seats, replacing the Deadrise restaurant. The other restaurant  part of a newly constructed building  will have 500 seats, including indoor and outdoor seating, with an outdoor bar. The project has to go through an approval process by the Fort Monroe Authority.

The new marina will contain all new docks and accommodate about 300 vessels. However, it will allow for larger vessels, such as superyachts. The redesign will ditch large metal gates that obscure the water view and will be more resistant to damage from waves and storms as it will replace failing wave walls.

The first two phases will be developed concurrently, while the third phase entails the hotel and conference area and will only be built after new parking is available. While Pack Brothers Hospitality is funding the developments, the Fort Monroe Authority will request state funds for the parking additions.

The Pack brothers also hope to build a new marina office, showers, and ship store, a dedicated new facility for the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club and a floating pool for boater and hotel guest use.

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Pack said the marina will not shut down during the next three years. Right now, it is at about 70% capacity. The plan is to build the new docks in segments, with construction on unused segments of the marina. The vessels will be moved as needed to accommodate construction.

In talking to the Pack brothers, one of the things that impressed us about them is they wanted to create the best marina on the East Coast, said Fort Monroe Authority Deputy Executive Director John Hutcheson.

The authority has sought to lease out sections of the 561-acre property for redevelopment since 2011, when it was designated a national monument. After the Army pulled out in 2011, the property was carved into various parcels, mostly with shared ownership with the commonwealth and the National Park Service.

A hotel containing 90 rooms and a conference center will be built as part of a third phase.

Phase three is dependent upon working out parking, Pack said. That whole area has a shortage of parking and we need to be able to find 90 spaces we can dedicate to the hotel before we even begin phase three.

Fort Monroe Authority Executive Director Glenn Oder said parking is an issue for much of Fort Monroe. The authority wants more spaces to accommodate the visitors center, and adding new restaurants, a conference center and hotel would only increase the need. He said the authority estimates needing about 500 new spaces.

Soon, the authority hopes to build a surface lot near non-historic buildings at 19 and 23 Tidball Road  96 spaces based on conceptual design plans. The authority also hopes to build a parking structure at the corner of McNair Drive and Fenwick Road with 270 spots.

Collectively, the parking projects would cost about $11 million. The authority is seeking funding from the Virginia General Assembly as part of a budget request. Oder said the authority wouldnt receive funding until July 2024 if approved. The time it would take to design and construct the new parking would mean the lot and garage wouldnt be available until late 2025 or early 2026 at the earliest. The authority hopes to find solutions for additional parking beyond the new lot and parking structure.

Parking in our society  its just a challenge, Oder said. So were looking at it comprehensively across the entire property; there is no silver bullet, no one place is going to fix all of the parking at Fort Monroe.

The marinas redevelopment isnt the only major project coming to Fort Monroe.

Richmond-based Echelon Resources plans to transform two historic Ingalls Road sites into one and two-bedroom apartments. One 39,000-square-foot building served as a dormitory for enlisted soldiers. The other offers nearly 26,000 square feet of space. Both are vacant.

Edwin Gaskin, owner of Echelon, said plans call for 78 new apartments between the two sites, though design work is in progress. He said he hopes construction will be underway by spring 2024 and the apartments open for lease in spring 2025. Echelon already is receiving leasing inquiries and has created a waiting list for interested would-be tenants, he said.

Oder told the Daily Press that the 37 North and Echelon projects are examples of the mission of the Fort Monroe Authority  to find reuses for buildings and properties and find ways to bring a stream of commerce while maintaining the areas historical integrity.
North Texas is in for a scorcher this week with temperatures expected to be over triple digits every day.

A cold front broke up the heat wave over the weekend, lowering the temperature to the mid 90s. But the heat is roaring back into North Texas this week with no relief in sight, said Monique Sellers, meteorologist at the National Weather Services Fort Worth office.

The high for Monday and Tuesday is expected to be 102 degrees, followed by 103 on Wednesday, 102 degrees Thursday and 101 degrees on Friday.

No real big changes in sight, unfortunately, Sellers said.

A heat advisory is in effect for several counties west of the Metroplex until 8 p.m. Tuesday. As the week progresses, another advisory announcement for North Texas is likely to happen, Sellers said.

As of Monday, North Texas has recorded 15 days over triple digits. The hottest day of the year was on July 18 with a sweltering temperature of 108 degrees.
Fruit flies are more prevalent in warmer seasons, and the Illinois Department of Public health advises residents to regularly inspect their homes for the pests.

The insects are gnat-sized as adults and usually have red eyes and tan bodies, according to the state health department. Fruit flies are also known as vinegar flies, and theyre attracted to ripening or rotting fruit and vegetables, as well as liquor, syrup, vinegar and soda.

Fruit flies are known for their ability to rapidly reproduce, Jim Fredericks, board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association, wrote in an email to the News-Democrat.

Heres what to know about protecting your home from fruit fly infestations and how to get rid of them once they come inside.

How can you avoid fruit flies?

There are several steps you can take to try to minimize the chances of fruit flies plaguing your home, including taking the trash out regularly and cleaning the can as needed.

Fruit flies are also attracted to and sometimes breed in dark, moist, and unsanitary environments like drains, garbage disposals, and trash bins where rotting produce materials may collect, Fredericks said. The flies are attracted to the odor of fermenting items caused by yeast cells, which fruit fly larvae consume.

If youve noticed tiny flies around your houseplants, theyre probably not fruit flies. Fungus gnats, which are tiny, dark-colored flies, are more likely to be attracted to houseplants, Fredericks said.

To block off potential entry points for fruit flies, check the seals for your doors and windows to make sure theres not space for them to squeeze through.

Another best practice is to regularly wipe down your counters so residue doesnt accumulate. Its also important to clean drain lines, garbage disposals and any other locations where food waste may accumulate, Fredericks continued.

Storing produce in the refrigerator may protect it from fruit flies, and disposing of any rotting food before the flies get to it can also be helpful. You might consider composting the waste.

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How to get rid of fruit flies

The first thing Fredericks recommends to get rid of fruit flies is to eliminate their breeding grounds by throwing out any decaying produce (or use any overripe bananas to make banana bread).

Because fruit flies reproduce so quickly, controlling an infestation may be difficult, Fredericks said. Female fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs, which can hatch in a single day, he continued. If it proves to be too much to manage yourself, Fredericks advised people to consider contacting a pest management professional.

Another option to remove the pests is to set traps, which are often sold at grocery stores. You can also try home remedies, the website for insurance company State Farm says. A small jar with apple cider vinegar covered in thick plastic wrap with a small hole in the middle might do the trick.
By Mrinmay Dey

(Reuters) -Lawyers for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried rejected prosecutors' claims that his discussions with a New York Times reporter amounted to witness tampering but agreed to accept a gag order, they said in a letter to the judge in the criminal fraud case.

The letter, released on Sunday, came after prosecutors sought to bar Bankman-Fried and allies from making public statements that could interfere with the case. The defense asked that the order also apply to prosecutors and potential witnesses, namely FTX Chief Executive Officer John Ray.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan is set to consider the possible order during a Wednesday hearing in federal court in Manhattan.

Cryptocurrency exchange FTX, once valued at $32 billion, filed for bankruptcy in November. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to charges he stole customer funds, and is set to go on trial on Oct. 2.

In the letter, Bankman-Fried's lawyer Mark Cohen confirmed his client had spoken with a New York Times reporter and provided documents written by a former colleague, Caroline Ellison, who has cooperated with prosecutors.

The July 20 Times article reported excerpts from Ellison's personal Google documents from before the collapse of FTX in which she spoke about being "pretty unhappy and overwhelmed" with her job and feeling "hurt/rejected" from her breakup with Bankman-Fried.

Ellison led Bankman-Fried's Alameda Research hedge fund and has pleaded guilty to defrauding investors. In December, Bankman-Fried said he and Ellison had been in a relationship but gave no further details.

Cohen said Bankman-Fried's conduct "did not violate the protective order in this case, nor did he violate his bail conditions, nor did he violate any law or rule."

In arguing the order should also apply to Ray, Cohen said bankrupt FTX's current leader has "attacked and vilified" Bankman-Fried, pointing to his comment that the "villains" in the FTX case were being pursued by authorities and his statement that Bankman-Fried lied to keep up a "digital con game."

A spokesperson for the FTX debtors declined to comment. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, which is prosecuting the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey; Additional reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Jonathan Oatis)
IWAKI, Japan (AP)  Beach season has started across Japan, which means seafood for holiday makers and good times for business owners. But in Fukushima, that may end soon.

Within weeks, the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is expected to start releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a highly contested plan still facing fierce protests in and outside Japan.

Residents worry that the water discharge, 12 years after the nuclear disaster, could deal another setback to Fukushimas image and hurt their businesses and livelihoods.

"Without a healthy ocean, I cannot make a living. said Yukinaga Suzuki, a 70-year-old innkeeper at Usuiso beach in Iwaki about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the plant. And the government has yet to announce when the water release will begin.

While officials say the possible impact would be limited to rumors, it's not yet clear if it will be damaging to the local economy. Residents say they feel "shikataganai  meaning helpless.

Suzuki has requested officials hold the plan at least until the swimming season ends in mid-August.

If you ask me what I think about the water release, Im against it. But there is nothing I can do to stop it as the government has one-sidedly crafted the plan and will release it anyway, he said. Releasing the water just as people are swimming at sea is totally out of line, even if there is no harm.

The beach, he said, will be in the path of treated water traveling south on the Oyashio current from off the coast of Fukushima Daiichi. That's where the cold Oyashio current meets the warm, northbound Kuroshio, making it a rich fishing ground.

The government and the operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO, have struggled to manage the massive amount of contaminated water accumulating since the 2011 nuclear disaster, and announced plans to release it to the ocean during the summer.

They say the plan is to treat the water, dilute it with more than a hundred times the seawater and then release it into the Pacific Ocean through an undersea tunnel. Doing so, they said, is safer than national and international standards require.

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Suzuki is among those who are not fully convinced by the governments awareness campaign that critics say only highlights safety. We dont know if it's safe yet, Suzuki said. We just cant tell until much later.

The Usuiso area used to have more than a dozen family-run inns before the disaster. Now, Suzukis half-century old Suzukame, which he inherited from his parents 30 years ago, is the only one still in business after surviving the tsunami. He heads a safety committee for the area and operates its only beach house.

Suzuki says his inn guests wont mention the water issue if they cancel their reservations and he would only have to guess. I serve fresh local fish to my guests, and the beach house is for visitors to rest and chill out. The ocean is the source of my livelihood."

The March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and contaminating their cooling water, which has since leaked continuously. The water is collected, filtered and stored in some 1,000 tanks, which will reach their capacity in early 2024.

The government and TEPCO say the water must be removed to make room for the plants decommissioning, and to prevent accidental leaks from the tanks because much of the water is still contaminated and needs retreatment.

Katsumasa Okawa, who runs a seafood business in Iwaki, says those tanks containing contaminated water bother him more than the treated water release. He wants to have them removed as soon as possible, especially after seeing immense tanks occupying much of the plant complex during his visit few years ago.

An accidental leak would be an ultimate strikeout ... It will cause actual damage, not reputation, Okawa says. I think the treated water release is unavoidable. Its eerie, he adds, to have to live near the damaged plant for decades.

Fukushimas badly hit fisheries community, tourism and the economy are still recovering. The government has allocated 80 billion yen ($573 million) to support still-feeble fisheries and seafood processing and combat potential reputation damage from the water release.

His wife evacuated to her parents home in Yokohama, near Tokyo with their four children, but Okawa stayed in Iwaki to work on reopening the store. In July, 2011, Okawa resumed sale of fresh fish but none from Fukushima.

Local fishing was returning to normal operation in 2021 when the government announced the water release plan.

Fukushimas local catch today is still about one-fifth of its pre-disaster levels due to a decline in the fishing population and smaller catch sizes.

Japanese fishing organizations strongly opposed Fukushima's water release, as they worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it a political and diplomatic issue. Hong Kong has vowed to ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea.

China plans to step up import restrictions and Hong Kong restaurants began switching menus to exclude Japanese seafood. Agricultural Minister Tetsuro Nomura acknowledged some fishery exports from Japan have been suspended at Chinese customs, and that Japan was urging Beijing to honor science.

Our plan is scientific and safe, and it is most important to firmly convey that and gain understanding, TEPCO official Tomohiko Mayuzumi told The Associated Press during its plant visit. Still, people have concerns and so a final decision on the timing of the release will be a a political decision by the government, he said.

Japan sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency for transparency and credibility. IAEAs final report, released this month and handed directly to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, concluded that the method meets international standards and its environmental and health impacts would be negligible. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said radioactivity in the water would be almost undetectable and there is no cross-border impact.

Scientists generally agree that environmental impact from the treated water would be negligible, but some call for more attention on dozens of low-dose radionuclides that remain in the water, saying data on their long-term effect on the environment and marine life is insufficient.

Radioactivity of the treated water is so low that once it hits the ocean it will quickly disperse and become almost undetectable, which makes pre-release sampling of the water important for data analysis, said University of Tokyo environmental chemistry professor Katsumi Shozugawa.

He said the release can be safely carried out and trusted only if TEPCO strictly follows the procedures as planned. Diligent sampling of the water, transparency and broader cross-checks  not just limited to IAEA and two labs commissioned by TEPCO and the government  is key to gaining trust, Shozugawa said.

Japanese officials characterize the treated water as a tritium issue, but it also contains dozens of other radionuclides that leaked from the damaged fuel. Though they are filtered to legally releasable levels and their environmental impact deemed minimal, they still require close scrutiny, experts say.

TEPCO and government officials say tritium is the only radionuclide inseparable from water and is being diluted to contain only a fraction of the national discharge cap, while experts say heavy dilution is needed to also sufficiently lower concentration of other radionuclides.

If you ask their impact on the environment, honestly, we can only say we dont know, Shozugawa, referring to dozens of radionuclides whose leakage is not anticipated at normal reactors, he says. But it is true that the lower the concentration, the smaller the environmental impact, and the plan is presumably safe, he said.

The treated water is a less challenging task at the plant compared to the deadly radioactive melted debris that remain in the reactors, or the continuous, tiny leaks of radioactivity to the outside.

Shozugawa, who has been regularly measuring radioactivity of groundwater samples, fish and plants near Fukushima Daiichi plant since the disaster, says his 12 years of sampling work shows small amounts of radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi has continuously leaked into groundwater and the port at the plant. He says its potential impact on the ecosystem also requires closer attention than the controlled release of the treated water.

TEPCO denies new leaks from the reactors and attributes high cesium in fish sometimes caught inside the port to sediment contamination from initial leaks and a rainwater drainage.

A local fisheries cooperative executive Takayuki Yanai told a recent online event that forcing the water release without public support only triggers reputational damage and hurts Fukushima fisheries. "We don't need additional burden to our recovery.

Public understanding is lacking because of distrust to the government and TEPCO, he said. The sense of safety only comes from trust."
It's time to get down with the "Barbie Boys."

Just in time for the release of Barbie, Garrett Clayton released a new music video paying homage to the pink-drenched blockbuster  as well as other moments from pop culture tied to Southern California.

In the video, the gay star of King Cobra and Hairspray Live! is seen steering a pink convertible  and also dancing in white on a pier in a nod to the iconic "Sometimes" by Britney Spears, which was filmed at Paradise Cove in Malibu.

Additionally, sequences with '80s workout attire are modeled after Olivia Newton-John's "Physical," portions of which were also recorded in Malibu.

Clayton's "Barbie Boys," which dropped Friday evening, celebrates the cultural influence of the California beach city as well as the male fanbase of Barbie. The film, inspired by the popular Mattel doll, celebrated a record-setting $155 million opening weekend. And the fan base isn't just women; men accounted for around one-third of the audience, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Out's new cover story is also dedicated to Barbie and its queer fanbase. It showcases the LGBTQ+ talent represented onscreen, among them Alexandra Shipp, Hari Nef, and Scott Evans.

Watch "Barbie Boys" below.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  California is on the cusp of a borrowing bonanza as Democratic lawmakers line up tens of billions of dollars in bond proposals to pay for mental health treatment, schools and adapting to climate change.

But voters would need to sign off on the new debt. And everyone is looking to Gov. Gavin Newsom to settle how much to ask for and where to spend it  acknowledging that asking an economically anxious electorate for too much could mean inundating voters in 2024 and ending up empty-handed.

A number of legislative leaders have come to me  Hey, support this, support my bond, this bond, Newsom said at a recent press conference. We have to work together on what the priorities are going to look like for November.

The governor and others are weighing a complex set of political calculations as proposals advance in the Legislature, including whether to target the March primary ballot, when turnout will be lower and skew more conservative, or a crowded November ballot where a cluster of initiatives will compete for voters attention.

Then there are the practical constraints: The state generally avoids taking on excessive debt as a matter of fiscal caution and Wall Street financings capacity, with Newsom estimating the prudent limit at around $26 billion.

Democrats bond bills  added together  would tally more than $100 billion, though some overlap and would almost certainly be combined.

Newsom would have to sign off on any bond measure the Legislature approves with a two-thirds vote. He has signaled hed like his proposal  to fund thousands of new mental health and substance use treatment slots  to sit alone on the March ballot, which would push other bonds to a November election teeming with high-stakes initiatives. Lawmakers have until October to place something before primary voters.

Here are the major proposals and players:

Behavioral health treatment

This is Newsoms baby. The governor wants to ameliorate homelessness by channeling money into treatment for substance abuse and serious mental health disorders with a $4.68 billion bond that would fund up to 10,000 placements and housing for veterans. A companion policy bill changes how an existing, voter-passed mental health initiative allocates money.

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Lawmakers have rallied behind the governors proposal, along with the California Professional Firefighters, who respond to addiction and mental health crises. Both measures are exceedingly likely to pass  and Newsom has emphasized he wants to focus on this before moving on to the other bond proposals.

Climate change

Flood prevention, water supplies, clean energy generation: Theres no shortage of ideas to help California adapt to a changing climate. Newsom backed a bond measure this year to offset his deficit-driven cuts to environmental programs.

Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and state Sen. Ben Allen, Southern California Democrats, have proposed measures worth more than $15 billion. The parallel bills are parked in committee, at leaderships request, as the players negotiate. There are also multiple flood-focused bond bills.

The Nature Conservancy has been heavily involved in negotiations, conducting polling on the ideal size and timing, along with an array of environmental and local government groups. Water politics will influence the outcome, with the Association of California Water Agencies and its members pushing for funding.

Education

Voters in 2020 decisively rejected the last statewide school construction bond despite Newsom backing the measure. Supporters say the need for school facility improvements has only increased since then, with the state estimating last year that needed upgrades would cost more than $7 billion.

But the bonds failure has informed current negotiations as players look to avoid another rejection. One point of contention: whether to fund university facility projects. A $15 billion bond from state Sen. Steve Glazer would cover four-year colleges, while a $14 billion proposal from Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi would fund only K-12 schools and community colleges.

Glazers proposal has support from the University of California and California State University. Muratsuchis has marshaled a larger coalition that includes administrators, school boards, construction groups like the California Building Industry Association and the Coalition for Adequate School Housing, a group that spent heavily for the 2020 measure.

Housing

California faces a massive housing shortfall. Assembly Housing Chair Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Democrat, wants to make a dent with a $10 billion bond, much of which would flow to the states Multifamily Housing Program to construct and renovate housing for low-income Californians. State Sen. Anthony Portantino is pursuing a separate mortgage and construction bond that, at its current $25 billion, would swallow up the entire bond budget.

Wicks has some powerful allies in supporters like the California Apartment Association, which represents landlords, and the California Housing Consortium. The State Building and Construction Trades Council union group supports Portantinos measure.

Wicks acknowledged in an interview that there are limits to what voters would accept and said shes working with Newsom on a coordinated housing response. The governor has called a potential housing measure a big part of negotiations.

What I want to avoid is housing fatigue on the ballot, Wicks said. I dont want five housing bonds on the ballot and voters go uhhh, I dont know.
Police Extract Two More DNA Samples in I-70 Strangler Case

Indiana State Police have extracted two DNA profiles from human remains found on the property of the late suspected gay serial killer Herbert Baumeister. Baumeister, a wealthy Republican businessman who was married with three children, was suspected of killing over 20 boys and young men he met at or around gay bars during the 1980s and 90s. Baumeister died by suicide in 1996 at a public park in Canada after police searched his 18-acre Fox Hollow Farm estate in Westfield outside of Indianapolis and issued a search warrant for his arrest.

Theyre now doing the comparison samples and fast-tracking that process now that we have modern DNA, Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison told local Fox affiliate WXIN.

Jellison said investigators believe the over 10,000 charred bones and fragments could be the remains of at least 25 people. During the original investigation in the 1990s, forensics extracted 11 human DNA samples, of which eight, all young men, were identified and matched. The two new DNA profiles will be compared against existing DNA samples provided by the family of young men who went missing in the area from the mid-1980s to 1996.

According to investigators, Baumeister was leading a deadly double life. While he appeared to be a loving husband and father and a successful businessman, hes also suspected of cruising local gay bars for young men hed lure back to his estate and strangle to death.

Police also believe Baumeister was the I-70 strangler, a serial killer who killed 11 young men and boys and dumped their bodies throughout Indiana and Ohio between June 1980 and October 1991. Investigators noted the discovery of bodies from the I-70 Strangler stopped when Baumeister bought his estate in Fox Hollow Farm, leading them to believe he continued killing but used the estate as his new dumping ground.

In 1994, Baumeisters 13-year-old son Erich found a human skull and a collection of bones while playing on the familys Fox Hollow Farms estate. According to a 1996 interview with People, Baumeisters wife Julia said her husband explained the bones were from an old medical skeleton used by his late father, an anesthesiologist. She also revealed the couple had engaged in sexual intercourse only three times in their marriage and that she had never seen him fully naked. The couple ran the successful Sav-A-Lot chain of stores, allowing them to move into the exclusive Fox Hollow Farms.

Julie said she forgot about the incident until November of the following year when police asked for permission to search the property as part of their investigation into a string of killings targeting young gay men in the area. Police said a young man had identified Baumeister as the man who had suffocated him to the brink of death during a sexual tryst at the estate. The Baumeisters refused the request, but Julie later consented while Herbert was out of town in June 1996. His body was found with a single gunshot wound to the head on July 3, 1996, at a public park in Ontario, Canada.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 is for people of all ages and identities. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.
(Bloomberg Law) -- The US Supreme Court has Taylor Porter questioning her career path, where she wants to live, and even the relationships around her as she enters her final year at the University of Texas.

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Porter, 20, wonders if shell be able to pursue plans to be a physicians assistant and whether she should leave Texas, a red state, after the rulings all aligned with the courts 6-3 conservative majority striking affirmative action, student loan forgiveness, and abortion rights.

It feels like weve taken one step forward, three steps back, said Porter.

Interviews with dozens of people in their late teens and early 20s around Washington and across the country in July suggest many members of Generation Z are struggling to decipher what the momentous decisions issued by the court in the past year mean for their life choices. This was particularly evident among women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ community members who spoke with, emailed, and texted with Bloomberg Law.

At more than 70 million strong, Gen Z is the most racially diverse generation yet, and people of color are most likely to bear the brunt of the rulings. Research says they face disproportionate challenges in accessing higher education and reproductive health care, and shoulder the most student loan debt.

These programs were supposed to provide people opportunities that now they no longer have, said Porter, who is Black and facing high five-figure student debt.

By The Numbers

Trust in the Supreme Court among Gen Z has dropped 10 percentage points since the spring of 2018, a Harvard University youth poll found in March, nine months after the abortion decision but before the student loan and affirmative action rulings.

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The survey of 2,069 people between 18-29 found that 47% of respondents reported feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. The survey accounted for diversity in race, ethnicity, education, income, and geography.

Young Americans feel like their rights are under attack, said Ethan Jasny, the student chair of the Harvard Youth Poll and rising junior at the college.

Dobbs Decision

For Taylor Brown, 23, the courts overturning of the constitutional right to abortion under Roe v. Wade was top of mind as she considered her plans to move to Atlanta and pursue a career in the citys film industry.

The June 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Whole Womens Health has cleared the way for Georgias six-week abortion ban to take effect. A number of states led by conservatives have pushed sharply restrictive anti-abortion measures since Dobbs, prompting legal challenges.

Brown, who is Black, has always taken precautions to protect herself in her sex life, but limits to abortion access in Georgia have added another layer of fear to how she hopes to navigate dating there. She plans to be even more selective when it comes to sexual partners, in case she does become pregnant. Its just something thats gonna stay in the back of my mind as I just live my life as a human being with desires, she said.

Sophie Sikowski, 20, a junior at Central Michigan University majoring in human resources management, believes healthcare should be a right.

After the abortion ruling came out, I kept thinking Whats next? Sikowski said. At this point I am scared for our generation.

Media Impact

This isnt the first time the Supreme Court has issued a series of decisions that particularly affected younger people, said Christopher Schmidt, a professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

In the late 1960s, for instance, the liberal Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren handed down two landmark rulings on Vietnam War protests. One allowed students to wear black armbands at school, in a victory for free speech. The other upheld a law criminalizing the burning of draft cards.

One big difference today is that social media has saturated younger generations with content, making hot-button issues more immediate. Nearly 60 years ago, the pace and volume of news and information was delivered via print, TV, and radio. Headlines were impactful but Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram didnt exist to magnify the moment.

Social media and podcasts offer a great deal of commentary on the court, much aimed to not just inform but to also entertain and energize, Schmidt said. This is all quite new.

Dobbs, which generated youth-led protests across the country, and the student loan and affirmative action decisions back-to-back in this terms final two days, demonstrated to members of Gen Z for the first time the courts powers and influence over their lives.

Education Access

The affirmative action and student debt forgiveness policies are a double blow for low-income Hispanic and Black students, who face some of the greatest barriers to quality K-12 education. Theyd seen their college enrollment among 18- to 24-year-olds grow from 22% to 26% and 31% to 37%, respectively, between 2000 and 2018, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

I hope that people understand the scope of these decisions, said Jin Hee Lee, director of the Strategic Initiatives department for the Legal Defense and Education Fund. Gen-Z is the future of our country, so it is imperative that colleges form pipelines and open opportunities to all talent across the country.

Authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court on June 30 ruled in Biden v. Nebraska that President Joe Bidens plan to forgive $400 billion in student debt for 40 million borrowers was unconstitutional.

While members of Gen Z take out more student loans on average than Millennials, decades-long racial wealth gaps mean Black students take out $10,000 more in loans than their White counterparts on average, according to LDF data. Theyre also more likely to struggle with paying back loans and subsequently default, the Brookings Institution found.

Black student borrowers were slated to receive 2.5 times as much cancellation under Bidens plan than the average White household, according to JP Morgan research.

Loan forgiveness would have wiped out Kaira Smiths $9,000 in debt as she prepared to apply to law school.

Smith, who works as a budget analyst in Washington and is Black, has given up on working outside of government for now. She said she hopes to qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which requires 10 years of qualifying monthly payments for public sector employees.

It is a sacrifice in some ways, Smith, 23, said, as I feel that Im stuck in the role that Im in.

Other Viewpoints

Gen Z is on track to be the most educated generation, surpassing Millennials and Generation X, while typically being more progressive politically, according to Pew Research. But Gen Z isnt a monolith, and some students of color hold nuanced views about the Supreme Courts rulings and the potential impact on themselves or their families.

Rohun Barot, an incoming freshman at the University of Puget Sound, said he disagreed with the student loan and abortion decisions but thinks curbing affirmative action will bring a better future for Asian Americans.

In a ruling authored by Roberts, the conservative majority said June 29 in Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard that affirmative action programs are in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Asian-American plaintiffs had argued the universitys admissions practices discriminated against them.

With affirmative action, there was too much precedence given to other minorities, said Barot, 18, who is Gujarati Indian. Although it wont affect me, it will affect where my younger brothers will be able to get an education.

While upset about the abortion and student loans rulings as well, Aubriana Hills, 18, who will start her first year at Howard University this fall, also said the court made the right decision striking down affirmative action.

Its a hard double-sided coin, but I dont think it should have been a thing to begin with, Hills said. At the end of the day going to college and getting a job should be about who is more qualified.

Activism, Resiliency

The impact of Supreme Court decisions follow other defining events occurring in Gen Zs formative years. Jasny of Harvard says the proliferation of school and other mass shootings, social unrest, and the pandemic have contributed to generation-wide anxiety.

But Jasny added Gen Z also is trying to affect change, mobilizing politically, and voting at high rates.

Research at Tufts University shows youth vote choices vary widely. But Gen Z is engaged in efforts to fight gun violence and racial injustice, especially backing Democrats. Young voters identifying as LGBTQ+, for instance, gave Democrats extraordinary support in 2022 midterms.

Porter, too, shows resilience as she weighs her next move influenced heavily by her looming debt burden. I feel like Im a realist, she said. But Im not ready to fathom having to give up on being a physicians assistant.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tiana Headley at theadley@bloombergindustry.com; Olivia Cohen at ocohen@bloombergindustry.com

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Seth Stern at sstern@bloomberglaw.com; John Crawley at jcrawley@bloomberglaw.com

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Angela Williams, a Black writer in her 40s, remembers getting her first Black Barbie doll like it was yesterday.

My first Black Barbie came as a hand me down from one of my sisters. I have three older sisters and I think I was probably six or seven years old when I got it, she tells TODAY.com.

Although the doll was missing some accessories due to her sisters lack of consideration for the toy, Angela Williams said she still loved the doll like no other.

I think by the time she was passed on to me, her shoes were gone. But I didnt care that she didnt have shoes or she didnt have anything special. She was just special because of the way she looked.

The doll mirrored some of Angela Williams features, sporting preppy dark hair, a simple blue dress and dark skin. But, the best part about the toy was how the doll could come to life by simply using your imagination.

You know how theres one person in the group of friends that always tends to lead the pack and they have the ideas and everybody wants to be with them because theyre so cool. That was my Barbie, she said.

She was almost like the queen of the core because she stood out and she was different, the journalist adds.

Having only played with white dolls before, a young Angela Williams knew exactly what she wanted to do with her new friend.

First, she built a home for her Barbie using boxes that were found around the house, and when her doll would take a walk through her made-up town, she said, Everybody would be happy to see her because of the way she strutted her stuff.

Everybody kind of looked up to her. So I guess for me, I made my Barbie like the very special person that I thought I should be, she said.

Shes black! Shes beautiful! Shes dynamite!

The type of inspiration that Angela Williams received from playing with her doll was unlikely unheard of for Black girls in 1959. That year, Barbie made her debut at toy stores and the fashionista came equipped with platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. While it seemed little white girls could imagine their future with the countrys first mass-marketed adult-looking doll for girls, according to The New York Times, it was hard for children of color to do the same.

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It wasnt until 1967 that Mattel, the company that manufactures Barbie, made its first dark-skinned doll.

Her name was Francie and she came with a cool twist-and-turn feature in her waist that made her even more fun to play with. But while she seemed to promote inclusivity in the toy industry, along with Christie, a more popular Black doll that came out a year after her, none of them were actually seen as Black Barbie dolls.

According to the Independent, Francie and Christie were part of several Black dolls that Mattel released as Barbies friends. Though they lived in the icons plastic world, they were just a shadow of existence compared to Barbie.

Black girls would have to wait at least 10 more years before the first official Black Barbie doll would hit the market.

However, when she arrived, she didnt disappoint. In 1980, the first Black doll named Barbie made her debut wearing a fabulous red jumpsuit with a wrap-and-snap disco skirt. Her striking attire was created by Kitty Black Perkins, a Black fashion designer who eventually became Mattels Chief Designer of Fashions and Coll Concepts and was credited for creating more than 100 designs.

According to the National Museum of Play, the Barbie was sold in a box that read, Shes black! Shes beautiful! Shes dynamite!

While her release appeared to be a moment of progress in the toy industry, professor Patricia A. Turner, who teaches African American studies at University of California, Los Angeles, said that people should not be so quick to think that the Black Barbie was solely created to address issues with representation.

Black Barbie emerged when Black Americans began to experience upward mobility

Turner, a senior dean at UCLA, said society was rapidly changing in the years leading up to Black Barbies release, which was in part due to the civil rights movement that happened in the 50s and 60s.

Its probably not a coincidence that the first Black Barbie emerged when she did, she tells TODAY.com. The 80s gets us out of the formal years of the civil rights movement.

During that time, she continues, there were justice boycotts and civil unrest from the African American community.

Because of the movement, Turner said, Black people started to progress in society and made their way into the middle class, upper middle class and more affluent ranks that were available to them. As Black people started to experience upward mobility, she said it only made sense for companies to start marketing toward them.

Companies that are interested in securing a profit understand that they need to market to that community, she said.

I know it was not uncommon in that era for African Americans to be invisible, she adds. One of the reasons that girls and their mothers wanted the Black Barbie was to correct that invisibility.

As more and more Black Barbies were getting sold, Mattel decided to give the burgeoning dolls a little bit of a refurbish by selling them as career-driven women who kids could look up to.

In 1989, the company made a Black Barbie who was a pilot, and in 1993, there was another Black Barbie, who served as a medical sergeant. In the years following, Mattel released other Black Barbies including a medical sergeant, a firefighter and in 2004, a Black Barbie president.

Barbie becomes the most diverse doll line on the market

By the time 2015 came around, Mattel found more ways to be inclusive  this time introducing Barbies with different body types and characteristics to help people feel more seen in the toy industry. In 2019, the company came out with its first Barbie doll in a wheelchair and another that has a prosthetic leg, thus helping to solidify Barbies place as the most diverse doll line on the market, said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel, in a statement.

Some of this inclusivity can be seen in Greta Gerwigs new Barbie movie, which has been hailed for its diverse cast.

I thought it was really cool, Angela Williams 14-year-old daughter, Nyla Smith, told TODAY.com of the film. I liked the references they used to Barbie dolls and their style and I thought it was really cool how they made it more inclusive for everyone.

Angela Williams takes her daughter, Nyla, to see the highly anticipated

In the film, Issa Rae, a Black actor who is known for her entrepreneurial endeavors, plays President Barbie, a role that has yet to be occupied by a woman in the real world.

When asked how she feels about a Black woman playing president, Angela Williams older sister Elizabeth, who is also an avid Black Barbie collector, told TODAY.com, Its about time!

I think its fabulous and I think Issa Rae is a fabulous person, said Elizabeth Wilson, the executive director of Georgia Micro Enterprise Network.

It just makes sense that Barbie should always be leading the way and showing us whats next, she adds.

Though the audience reviews of Barbie are still coming in, rivaling the release of another critically-acclaimed blockbuster, director Christopher Nolans film Oppenheimer, Elizabeth Wilson said shes hopeful that little girls of color will leave with something positive after seeing the film.

Im hoping that theyll see themselves as a future Barbie, she said. Maybe theyll say to themselves, Oh, I can do that too. I can be that.

Like her sister Angela, Elizabeth Wilson found a lot of joy from playing with Black Barbies as a child. Currently, she has eight Black Barbie dolls in her possession, and she said she wont be selling any of them anytime soon.

Aside from collecting, Elizabeth Wilson also buys her niece Nyla a Black Barbie every now and then. When she was younger, the teen used to have an impressive Barbie collection that included an airplane, jeep and cruise ship.

Elizabeth Wilson shows off her impressive Black Barbie doll collection. (Courtesy Elizabeth Wilson)

I didnt have a lot of that in my childhood. So I wanted to make certain that most of the dolls in our home reflected the world that she lives in and I wanted her to see that her dolls were just as beautiful as any white doll you can get, Angela Williams said.

But once Nyla became a certain age, she donated most of her collection to a friend at her moms local church. Now, she just has a few dolls at home.

While thinking about the important role that her Black Barbies played in her life, Nyla said she was so excited to have dolls that looked like me. And if the toy came with straight hair, her mom would help her wash the dolls locks so it would have the same big fluffy curly hair that Nyla donned herself.

Helping her kid feel more represented in society is just one way Angela Williams is teaching her daughter that Black is beautiful.

In an attempt to give her daughter a more robust childhood, Angela Williams is making sure Nyla doesnt repeat the same mistakes she did.

I honestly didnt realize the value of having a doll that looked like me until I was older, she said. Until it was time for me to stop playing with them.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died of cancer at the age of 67, his agent has said (Fiona Hanson/PA) (PA Archive)

BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died at the age of 67, his agent has said.

A statement from Mary Greenham to the PA news agency said: I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

Greenham continued: George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family.

The Sri Lanka-born journalist and face of BBC Ones News At Six since 2007 was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, in April 2014.

He underwent two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

In October 2015, he announced that his treatment was over and returned to BBC News At Six the following month. His cancer returned numerous times in the years since.

BBC newsreader George Alagiah (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) (PA Media)

In December 2017, Alagiah underwent further treatment before again returning to work.

He took another hiatus in October 2021 and returned in April 2022.

That same year, Alagiah appeared in a campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support. He spoke about his experience of living with stage four bowel cancer.

People always ask me how I cope and its the hardest question... he said in the campaign.

The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head  despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.

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(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government plans to dole out 20 billion ($22 billion) to bolster semiconductor manufacturing in Germany in a push to shore up the countrys tech sector and secure supplies of critical components amid growing geopolitical tension.

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The money is to be distributed to German and international companies by 2027 and will be drawn from the Climate and Transformation Fund, according to people involved in the negotiations.

The off-budget pot, known as the KTF, was originally set up to invest in the decarbonization of the economy, but its scope has been expanded as Germany seeks to rein in regular government spending. The allocation of as much as 180 billion is currently being negotiated within the government and will be published in the coming weeks, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

The draft for the economic plan 2024 and the financial plan until 2027 for the Climate and Transformation Fund are currently being prepared, the finance ministry said in response to Bloomberg. This process has not yet been completed. The economy ministry didnt respond to a request for comment.

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European countries have been under pressure to attract investments amid economic uncertainty, stubborn inflation and the impact of the USs Inflation Reduction Act. The German government has already agreed 10 billion in aid for a new Intel Corp. plant and is in the process of agreeing to about 7 billion more in subsidies to companies including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Germanys Infineon Technologies AG.

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The plan for chip support means at least 3 billion is available for additional projects. That could benefit other companies active in Germany. GlobalFoundries Inc. has a sizable presence in Dresden, while German supplier Robert Bosch GmbH also runs a chip plant in the city.

The subsidy offensive comes amid greater awareness of the European economys dependence on supplies from Asia after disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic and tensions stoked by the war in Ukraine. The German government has pledged in its China strategy earlier this month that it will strive to reduce dependences by diversifying and attracting future technologies such as semiconductors.

Germanys carmakers and other manufacturers struggled to secure chip supplies at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, sparking a renewed push to expand local semiconductor production. Trade spats between the US and China have also highlighted the risks of being too reliant on overseas supply chains. Still, the bulk of the money will go to non-European companies.

US chipmaker Intel has secured half of the funding, with 10 billion in aid slated for its production site in Magdeburg in eastern Germany. That amounts to about a third of the total investment in the facility.

The government is in the final phase of negotiations with TSMC, the worlds biggest contract chipmaker, to invest in a plant in Dresden in eastern Germany. As much as 5 billion in subsidies, or about half of the total investment, has already been budgeted, the people said.

Scholzs administration has earmarked around 1 billion for Infineon, about 20% of the investment in a new semiconductor fab in Dresden. German automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG and US chipmaker Wolfspeed Inc. will also get state money to build a factory for the production of silicon carbide chips in the state of Saarland near the French border. The joint venture is seeking subsidies for around 25% of the costs, which would amount to roughly 750 million.

Other funding is planned under the European Unions program to invest in the blocs green and digital transition as well as other key technologies, known as IPCEI projects, the people said.

In June, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu told reporters that following the war in Ukraine, the EU has become more keen on setting up new chip plants to secure supplies.

Germany is subsidizing companies despite a return to fiscal constraint. The government plans billions in cuts to next years budget, including social benefits. After the high spending in the pandemic and the energy crisis related to Russias moves to squeeze supplies, Finance Minister Christian Lindner has insisted on returning to constitutional debt limits.

While it doesnt match the $50 billion the US is providing with the Chips and Science Act, Germanys subsidy package is still higher than what other major governments have promised to boost their local chip manufacturing. Japan is prepared to commit more than $14 billion, while India is offering $10 billion to attract investment.

--With assistance from Debby Wu.

(Adds comment from finance ministry in fourth paragraph)

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will set up a new body, the Federal Bureau of Financial Intelligence, under planned legislation to combat money laundering, according to a draft of the law seen by Reuters.

The new office, to be set up next year, will centralize monitoring and analysis of money laundering and sanctions enforcement. The target is to have 1,700 employees, with offices in Dresden and Cologne, a finance ministry spokesperson said.

Germany was criticised last year by the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for failing to do enough to tackle money laundering despite being one of the world's biggest cash centres.

The assessment highlighted a series of failings, including a lack of control over those who handle large sums of money, such as estate agents, adding that while Germany understood the risks, it had not done enough to tackle them.

In response, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said Germany would centralise control, install additional staff and modernise the authorities' technology.

Currently two separate bodies are responsible for monitoring potential money laundering and meting out sanctions, the Central Office for Sanctions Enforcement and the Central Office for Financial Transaction Investigations.

Germany's finance ministry, which is drawing up the legislation, will put more than 700 million euros ($775.60 million) towards its implementation between 2024 and 2027, according to the draft legislation.

The legislation will include a new procedure for investigations to clarify the origin of funds spent for the acquisition of suspicious assets of high value, government sources said.

The Federal Bureau of Financial Intelligence will also offer training courses to develop specific expertise in combating money laundering.

($1 = 0.9025 euros)

(Reporting by Maria Martinez and Christian Kraemer; Editing by Friederike Heine and Susan Fenton)
BERLIN (Reuters) - The leader of Germany's main opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) Friedrich Merz on Monday rowed back from comments that he was open to working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at a local level following a backlash from within his own ranks.

Founded a decade ago, the nationalist, anti-immigrant AfD recently reached a new high in a national opinion poll but the idea of cooperating with the party has been taboo for Germany's mainstream politicians.

In a weekend interview with broadcaster ZDF, Merz said if a candidate from the AfD came to office as a district administrator or mayor, "it's natural to look for ways to then continue to work in that city."

Although Merz ruled out working with the AfD at the level of federal states or in the European parliament, his comments were enough to trigger a reaction from within the CDU and its partner, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

"To make it clear once again, and I have never said otherwise: the decision of the @CDU still stands. There will also be no cooperation between #CDU and the AfD at the municipal level," Merz wrote on Twitter.

The AfD's rise in popularity means it is polling at 22% nationally, behind Merz's CDU, which dropped one point to 26% in a recent survey, but ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats as well as the two junior partners in his coalition.

An AfD candidate last month won a vote to become a district leader in Europe's biggest economy for the first time, a breakthrough for the party that taps into voter fears about recession, migration and the green transition, say analysts.

The party opposes economic sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war and disputes that human activity is a cause of climate change. Its rise has prompted scrutiny from Germany's domestic intelligence agency, which said this month that far-right extremism posed the biggest threat to democracy in Germany and warned voters about backing the AfD.

"The AfD only knows opposition and division," said the CDU mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner on Twitter. "Where should there be COLLABORATION? The CDU cannot, does not want to and will not work with a party whose business model is hatred, division and exclusion."

(Reporting by Reinhard Becker; Writing by Miranda Murray and Matthias Williams; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Tomasz Janowski)
Medicare is no longer giving away home COVID-19 test kits like these from iHealth. Instead, fraudsters are sending multiple test kits to Medicare enrollees that they didn't order. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

2:16 p.m. July 24, 2023: An earlier version of this report said Judy received five test kits this year that she didnt order. She received two last year and was billed for five this year. The story also said fraudulent test kit orders have cost Medicare more than $203 million in 2023. That total is for a range of fraudulent Medicare claims related to COVID-19.



If 2022 was the year of free COVID-19 test kits for many California seniors, 2023 is shaping up to be the year of fraudulent COVID-19 test kits.

Consider what happened to Judy, an 85-year-old Medicare recipient in Southern California (we're withholding her last name because she's concerned about being victimized further). One day last year, two COVID-19 test kits showed up at her home without her ever requesting them.

I didnt pay any attention to the unsolicited COVID tests, so I threw them out," Judy said. "It wasnt until some months later that I received my Medicare summary bill and I saw charges for over-the-counter COVID tests I didnt order." In fact, she was billed for five kits.

Each kit cost $120 to $150  and she was responsible for a portion of the bill.

Judy is just one of hundreds of people who have fallen victim to a new scam involving COVID-19 test kits, part of the rising trend of fraudulent activity since the start of the pandemic.

Here's how it works: Scammers buy stolen Medicare numbers online or extract them directly from Medicare patients. They use these ID numbers to bill Medicare for over-the-counter test kits, collecting a tidy profit on each one and causing enrollees to receive kits they did not order.

Read more: COVID is still out there. Here's what to do if you get it now

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General has received numerous complaints from around the country about this scam, said Scott Lampert, assistant inspector general for investigations at the Department of Human Services.

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"We're doing what we can to investigate them thoroughly and hold the criminals that are pursuing these schemes accountable," Lampert said.

Lampert declined to reveal how many complaints the Office of Inspector General has received, the details of the investigations and how the office is holding criminals accountable.

The Justice Department in April accused a Florida physician and a marketer of illegally buying Medicare ID numbers and sending tests to seniors who did not request them. The scheme led to $8.4 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, the Justice Department said.

Some seniors were sent unsolicited tests only once, but others have been receiving them on a monthly basis, said Amy Nofziger, director of victim support for AARP's Fraud Watch Network. Nofziger pointed out that certain states with higher populations of older adults, such as Florida, Arizona and New York, have become targets for criminals to exploit.

What happened to free COVID-19 home tests?

In January 2022, the Biden administration offered all households a limited number of rapid COVID tests for free, increasing access to testing as part of its effort to combat COVID-19. A few months later, in April 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services decided to pay for eight tests per month for those with Medicare Part B coverage.

Both offers ended on May 11, 2023, but Medicare still covers the cost of coronavirus lab tests ordered by a healthcare provider.

Read more: Low-income LADWP customers' bills are about to rise. What help is available?

What tips should be kept in mind to help prevent fraud?

Be cautious about unsolicited requests for your personal, medical and financial information. Medicare will not call enrollees to offer products, services or benefit reviews in exchange for your Medicare number.

Be skeptical about any COVID-19 testing site or testing-related solicitation that demands your financial or medical information in order to receive a free test.

Regularly check your quarterly Medicare Summary Notices, which list what Medicare is being billed for, to ensure that you recognize all of the charges to your account.

Beware of anyone offering to sell you at-home COVID-19 test kits in exchange for your personal or medical information. Ensure your safety by purchasing FDA-approved COVID-19 test kits only from legitimate providers.

What do I do if an unsolicited test kit is sent to my home?

Dispose of test kits to avoid any potential risks, but make sure to jot down any information on the package, such as the lot number, sender address and expiration date.

Contact either Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or your Medicare provider to request a new Medicare beneficiary card with a new member number. The card will be mailed within two weeks. If possible, don't use your old member number until you receive the new card.

Submit a complaint about the fraud to the Office of Inspector General hotline or by calling (800) HHS-TIPS ([800] 447-8477).

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. This helps authorities investigate and prevent further fraudulent actions.

If you have concerns about COVID-19 testing or your health, consult with healthcare professionals, such as your primary care physician or local health department, who can provide accurate information and guidance.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The former New York City Police Department commissioner who collected spurious evidence of alleged voter fraud and manipulation for Donald Trumps campaign has agreed to turn over hundreds of documents, according to court filings.

US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith had sought those documents as part of a sweeping investigation into the former presidents efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

But attorneys for Bernie Kerik had refused to share them, citing attorney-client privilege, as Mr Kerik was working for Trump-connected lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

The former presidents campaign has now withdrawn that claim of privilege, and Mr Keriks legal team has handed over thousands of documents to prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps mindset and decision making as he baselessly stated that the 2020 election was stolen and rigged against him despite a lack of evidence.

Mr Keriks attorney Timothy Parlatore had indicated he will meet with the special counsel team in the coming days.

A bogus narrative of widespread voter fraud fuelled a wave of failed lawsuits, attempts to swap electoral votes in states that Mr Trump lost, and a riot at the US Capitol to overturn the outcome.

Mr Trump  who has stated that he received a target letter indicating that he is under investigation and could be charged with a crime  has meanwhile continued to lash out at the multiple investigations against him as a politically motivated hoax and an attempt to rig or interfere with the 2024 election as he seeks the Republican nomination for president.

The agreement to turn over documents appeared first in a separate case involving Mr Kerik and Mr Giuliani: the ongoing defamation lawsuit from two Georgia election workers who were the subject of relentless attacks after false claims that they manipulated votes.

Attorneys for Mr Kerik and Mr Giuliani had refused to turn over documents, citing attorney-client privilege with the Trump campaign. US District Just Beryl A Howell already ordered Mr Giuliani to pay nearly $90,000 in the workers legal fees over his obstruction.

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On 13 July, Mr Kerik was directed to provide a document-by-document privilege log of any withheld record that provides sufficient information to enable other parties to assess the claim that the information is privileged or subject to protection as trial preparation material.

He also was ordered to show why those records and other statements should be withheld.

But a joint filing on 24 July from attorneys for Mr Kerik and the two election workers reveals that the parties have reached an agreement to receive those documents.

Mr Kerik also agreed to sit for another deposition. That deposition will be no later than 24 August, according to the filing.

The Independent has requested comment from Mr Parlatore.

Documents that Mr Kerik provided to the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack included an outline of a strategy to overturn election results and the so-called war room at a nearby hotel. He also presented a strategic communications plan for the GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL LEGAL DEFENSE TEAM to persuade elected officials to object to 2020 results and promote a bogus narrative of fraud.

He also was in possession of documents and messages from Giuliani-linked associates, including threads on 4chan messages boards and a forwarded plan from QAnon conspiracy theorist Ron Watkins involving Dominion Voting Systems, which later settled a historic lawsuit with Fox News over similar false claims about the company.

Mr Kerik  who pleaded guilty to multiple ethics violations and tax fraud charges before he worked for the Trump campaign  served as NYPD commissioner under then-Mayor Giuliani in 2000 and 2001. In 2003, he briefly served as a minister in Iraqs transition government following the US-led invasion.

In 2010, he was sentenced to four years in federal prison with three years supervised release after he pleaded guilty to eight felony charges, including tax fraud and lying to White House officials.

Mr Trump granted him a presidential pardon in 2020.
International shipping accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Richard Ross/The Image Book via Getty Images

The worlds largest shipping companies are starting to update their fleets for a greener future. Maersk received the worlds first dual-fuel methanol container ship in July 2023, and dozens more container ships that can run on alternative fuels are currently on order.

The industry  responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than Canada and Ireland combined  has reasons to act and to have some confidence in its multimillion-dollar investments.

On July 7, the 175 member countries of the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency that regulates global shipping, agreed to a new climate strategy that includes reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around, i.e., close to, 2050.

The strategys language is vague, obscure and almost noncommittal. But it points the industry toward a cleaner future. New European Union rules will also soon go into effect that will significantly raise costs for ships burning highly polluting sulfur fuel oil.

I spent several years working in the shipping industry and follow it as a researcher and analyst. Heres what I see changing.

Setting their own direction

The new IMO strategy does not explicitly set a new fuel standard, but it seems to indicate that less reliance on cheap, environmentally harmful, heavy-sulfur fuel oil is the best direction, and possibly less use of low-sulfur fuel oil.

What the strategy does is set goals to reduce international shippings greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2030, compared with 2008 levels; by at least 70% by 2040; and to reach net-zero emissions around 2050. The IMO also commits to implement a greenhouse gas emissions-pricing mechanism  a carbon levy or tax  by 2027, and to develop a goal-based marine fuel standard. At this time, thats the only direction the IMO has provided regarding the emissions-pricing mechanism.

While the new strategy may not have been as clear or restrictive as many people hoped, the IMO may be providing the maritime industry an opportunity to set the direction itself.

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Most of the big shippers fleets are less than 20 years old. AP Photo/Jorge Saenz

A number of large ship owners and operators have already built and placed orders for container ships with some sort of alternative fuel use, primarily methanol or liquefied natural gas, and there is some interest in hydrogen. LNG is still a fossil fuel, though its less polluting than traditional sulfur fuel oil. Methanol, however, can be made from either natural gas or renewable sources.

Maersks new dual-fuel vessel  to be powered in part by green methanol  is small and plans to operate in the Baltic Sea, but Maersk may be using this vessel as a prototype for larger alternative-fuel containerships expected to be delivered next year. Evergreen, also among the worlds larger shipping companies, has ordered 24 dual-fueled methanol ships.

Purchases like Maersks and Evergreens are an indication that the maritime industry will be moving in the direction of greener fuels. They also indicate that the industry is willing to follow the IMOs focus on well-to-wake emissions, meaning not just emissions from ship operations but also from fuel production.

Building a supply chain

The other significant challenge faced by the maritime industry is having a sufficient supply chain available to support dual-fueled vessels, which can operate on alternative fuels.

There are currently a limited number of ports worldwide with the necessary infrastructure to provide alternative fuels. But, here again, simple economics suggests that if there is enough demand, supply should follow.

With Maersk, Evergreen and others preparing to operate more dual-fuel containerships, the industry is demonstrating demand so the green-methanol supply chain can develop, and hopefully soon. Japan recently launched its first dual-fueled LNG bunkering ship  essentially a floating gas station  to develop the supply of LNG fuel.

Not mandatory, but many countries will try

The new IMO strategy has some big caveats: The goals are nonbinding, and the strategy explicitly encourages compliance when national circumstances allow. In other words, no nation-state will be under any legal obligation to comply.

The statement seems to have been included as a means to appear focused on achieving goals while placating some countries that may not be able or willing to meet the goals by 2030 or beyond.

Its also unclear whether the national circumstance pertains to a physical nation-state, to flag registry  meaning where the ship is registered  or both. Many ships are registered in countries with weaker regulations. Adding such language appears to say that the IMO is serious about emissions and understands that some countries may have significant challenges to meet the standards. It also gets around opposition to a carbon levy, or tax on emissions, which some delegates  China for example  adamantly opposed.

Press the play button or zoom out and use the filters to see where different ship types travel. Created by London-based data visualization studio Kiln and the UCL Energy Institute





Many countries, such as the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia and those in the European Union, will work to meet the strategy, I believe. The EU is already launching its own carbon levy on shipping beginning in 2024.

Who pays for the higher costs?

One factor that the IMO, most analysts and environmentalists rarely discuss is the additional cost of using an alternative fuel.

By some estimates, green methanol costs three times as much as low-sulfur fuel oil. And low-sulfur fuel oil is more expensive than high-sulfur fuel oil. The maritime research company Drewry estimated that switching to methanol on a well-to-wake basis would increase fuel costs by 350%, or equal to approximately an additional $1,000 for each 40-foot-long shipping container aboard.

Shipping lines will soon also face higher costs from the European Union if they dont clean up their emissions. Starting in 2024, the EU Emissions Trading System will cover all cargo and passenger ship voyages in EU waters and ports involving over 5,000 gross tons, regardless of where the ship is registered. The costs to those with high emissions are expected to significantly increase the operating costs for the global shipping fleet.

Hecla Emissions Management, a consulting arm set up by Wilhelmsen Ship Management and Affinity Shipping, analyzed the three-year phase-in period for just the EU change and expects it to cost the shipping industry nearly $19 billion.

Whether we like it or not, these additional costs will be born by the cargo owners, who will pass the costs along to their customers  and, ultimately, the consumer, meaning you and me.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Don Maier, University of Tennessee.

Read more:



Don Maier is affiliated with The International Association of Maritime Port Executives, the Containerization & Intermodal Institute, and the Intermodal Association of North America.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

GOP donors are eyeing Tim Scott's 2024 candidacy after campaign stumbles by both Trump and DeSantis.

Scott, who announced his bid in May, is lesser-known but has significant room in grow in the race.

The South Carolina senator has already seen his standing improve in several statewide polls.

In the minds of some Republican voters, presidential candidate Tim Scott in recent weeks has become an increasingly attractive alternative to the current front-runners, former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida.

Scott, who's represented South Carolina in the US Senate since 2013, jumped into the 2024 presidential race in May and remains largely unknown to a substantial swath of Republican primary voters across the country.

But Scott's current position has a clear upside, as potential supporters and prospective GOP donors are giving his campaign a closer look after stumbles by both Trump and DeSantis.

While a sizable bloc of the GOP primary electorate remains behind Trump, the former president over the past year has been indicted by both the Manhattan District Attorney's office and a federal grand jury, and he faces a potential indictment connected to an election interference investigation in Fulton County, Georgia. And DeSantis, who was long seen as the candidate who could essentially go toe-to-toe with Trump in the GOP primaries, has so far remained in a distant second place in most national surveys  and has recently had to shake up his campaign operation.

So Scott's nascent campaign has become a potential alternative to a DeSantis candidacy among some Republicans, according to The New York Times.

Andy Sabin, the chairman of the Sabin Metal Corporation, told The Times that he's shifted his support from DeSantis to Scott and indicated he hoped that more GOP donors would take his lead.

Sabin, who's hosting a fundraiser for affluent donors in the Hamptons in August, expressed frustration with both Trump and DeSantis. The businessman said that prospective donors were eyeing Scott's candidacy and "all want to see what he's about."

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"They're disenchanted with Trump and DeSantis," Sabin told The Times. "And the others, I've seen very little momentum."

In the FiveThirtyEight average of national Republican presidential polls, Trump currently sits at 51%, well ahead of the second- and third-place contenders  DeSantis (averaging 18.9% support) and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (averaging 6.4% of GOP primary support).

Scott is currently in seventh place nationally, with 3.2% support.

In a recent Economist/YouGov poll, Scott (3%) was well behind Trump (49%) and DeSantis (20%), despite being the second-place choice for a sizable number of Trump and DeSantis backers.

But he's rising in several statewide polls, a key indicator of momentum in some of the early-voting states.

In a recent University of New Hampshire survey, Trump led with 37%, followed by DeSantis at 23% and Scott at 8%, with Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey each earning 6% support.

And a recent Fox Business poll among likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers had Trump at 46% and DeSantis at 16%, with Scott in third place at 11%.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A pair of GOP lawmakers are blocking the State Department from providing $75 million in food assistance for Palestinian refugees, as civil society groups raise alarm over a worsening humanitarian crisis compounded by grain shortages from Russias war in Ukraine.

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican lawmakers on the Senate and House foreign affairs panels, are holding back the State Department from providing funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The U.N. agency supports about 6 million Palestinians across the Middle East  the families and descendants of some 750,000 people made refugees in 1948 from Israels war of independence.

UNRWA has long been a target of criticism from Republicans, in particular, and some Israeli officials who say its work is compromised by links to Hamas, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip.

In 2021, the Biden administration restored $235 million in assistance for the Palestinians that was cut by the Trump administration, including aid for UNRWA.

While Democrats acknowledge criticisms against UNRWA, they appropriated the $75 million in food aid for the organization in the 2023 budget for the State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

But Risch and McCaul are frustrating the State Departments ability to distribute those funds. The State Department has until Sept. 30 to use the money or will likely be forced to redistribute it elsewhere.

Rischs criticism is centered on wanting the State Department to ensure that the agency is not employing Hamas-affiliated individuals, that its schools are not used as weapons storage for the military group, and that Palestinian Authority education materials used by the U.N. group are revised to address antisemitism and hatred towards Israel.

A congressional aide said the State Department has offered briefings to staff on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but has not been able to adequately address these concerns.

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McCauls office did not provide comment for this article.

UNRWA is warning that if the funds are not provided by Sept. 1, they will not be able to refill their warehouses with foodstuffs which are distributed among 1.2 million Palestinian refugees, including 500,000 children.

A food basket from UNRWA typically contains wheat flour, rice, sunflower oil, sugar, whole milk, lentils and chickpeas.

More than two dozen civil society groups supporting UNRWA wrote a letter to Risch and McCaul earlier this month urging them to release the funds.

The generosity of the American people toward those in need has always been commendable and this critical assistance can alleviate further suffering, the letter read.

Absent these funds, a devastating humanitarian crisis looms with more than 1.2 million people potentially left without food as early as mid-September, including hundreds of thousands of innocent children who will be left hungry, it adds.

Denying food assistance will strip away the last vestiges of hope for people in Gaza who simply yearn for a dignified existence. The repercussions of such a situation could also be catastrophic for regional stability, negatively impacting both Palestinians and Israelis alike.

About 3 in 4 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip rely on food assistance for between 50 and 60 percent of their caloric needs, which is provided by U.N. agencies like UNRWA and the World Food Program, according to these organizations.

But overall donor fatigue and rising costs of food due to Russias war in Ukraine are cutting into these groups operating budgets.

Earlier this month, Russia rejected renewing the Black Sea Grain Initiative that allowed the export of grains from Ukraine and has started targeting attacks on port and agricultural infrastructure, further compromising food supplies for millions around the globe.

In June, the WFP said it was forced to suspend food assistance for 200,000 Palestinians due to funding shortfalls.

UNRWAs supporters say the organizations strategy of providing food commodities helps supplement the WFPs operations, which distribute vouchers for needy families to purchase available groceries.

UNRWA officials are concerned that Congress terminating food assistance to Gaza will trigger a potential humanitarian disaster and contribute to regional instability.

William Deere, director of UNRWAs Washington office, said UNRWA officials traveled to Washington in late June to discuss the urgency of sending the $75 million in food assistance for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Agency Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini recently warned its donors that UNRWA is facing a severe financial challenge and unless it receives additional funds will not be able to continue providing its primary health care, education, and social services to Palestine refugees from September onwards, Deere said.

Senate Democrats are working to preempt Republican opposition to UNRWA funding for 2024.

The Democrat-led Senate Appropriations Committee last week approved text for the 2024 State Department operations bill that put the $75 million UNRWA funding under the banner of the Migration and Refugee Assistance category, writing that they are concerned with declining donor funding for the agency.

The MRA category is an attempt to safeguard the funding from being open to congressional holds.

Updated at 6:27 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans increasingly find themselves on a collision course over efforts to expunge the impeachments of former President Trump, a battle that pits hard-line conservatives  who are pressing for a vote  against moderates already warning GOP leaders theyll reject it.

The promised opposition from centrist Republicans all but ensures the resolutions would fail if they hit the floor. And it puts Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a no-win situation.

If he doesnt stage the vote, he risks the ire of Trump and his allies. If he does, the measures would be shot down, validating Trumps impeachments just as his legal troubles are piling up.

The issue is just the latest in a long string of debates challenging McCarthys ability to keep his conference united while Trump  the GOPs presidential front-runner whos also facing two criminal indictments  hovers in the background.

The expungement concept is hardly new. A group of House Republicans  including Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (N.Y.)  introduced legislation last month designed to erase Trumps impeachments from the historical record.

But the debate reached new heights last week when Politico reported that McCarthy  after suggesting publicly that Trump is not the strongest contender for the GOP presidential nomination  raced to make amends, in part by promising to vote on expungement before the end of September.

McCarthy has denied he ever made such a promise. But the denial only magnified the issue in the public eye  and amplified the conservative calls for the Speaker to bring the measure for a vote.

It should definitely come to the floor and be expunged, said Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a member of the Freedom Caucus and vocal Trump ally.

Im hoping to see it get done before August recess, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a lead sponsor of one of the resolutions, told reporters, later adding that these are impeachments that shouldve never happened, and so we would like to expunge them.

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The expungement push is anathema to many moderate Republicans, particularly those facing tough reelections in competitive districts, who are treading carefully not to link themselves too closely with Trump.

Some of those lawmakers are already vowing to vote against the measure if it hits the floor  all but guaranteeing its failure given the Republicans narrow House majority  and some of them are proactively reaching out to GOP leaders to warn them against staging such a vote.

I have every expectation Ill vote against expungement, and I have every expectation that I will work to bring others with me, said one moderate Republican who requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic, noting I think my views represent a fair number of principled conservatives.

We cant change history. I mean, that impeachment vote happened. And I just dont think we should be engaged in the kind of cancel culture that tries to whitewash history.

The lawmaker added: Ive communicated that with leadership.

A majority-Democrat House impeached Trump twice during his four-year reign in the White House.

The first instance, in late 2019, stemmed from Trumps threat to withhold U.S. military aid to Ukraine unless that countrys leaders launched a corruption investigation into Trumps chief political rival, Joe Biden. The second, in early 2021, targeted Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which was conducted by Trump supporters trying to overturn his election defeat.

The votes made Trump just the third U.S. president to be impeached and the first to have it happen twice. His Republican allies have long accused Democrats of abusing their authority for the sole purpose of damaging a political foe.

Expunging an impeachment has never been attempted. And opponents of the move in both parties are quick to point out that it has no practical significance because the impeachments happened and cant be reversed.

More from The Hill

Theres no procedure for expunging an impeachment, said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a former constitutional law professor who led Trumps second impeachment. Its completely meaningless.

Others pointed out that Trump has already been exonerated by the Senate, which failed to convict him after both impeachments, making any new process pointless.

Theyre silly, centrist Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said in a text message. When do we expunge a not guilty verdict?

The pushback hasnt discouraged Trumps allies from pressing ahead for expungement, if only as a symbolic show of solidarity with the embattled former president.

McCarthy, who relied on Trumps backing to win the Speakers gavel this year, threw his support behind expungement in late June, telling reporters the first punishment was not based on true facts, and the second was on the basis of no due process.

I think it is appropriate, just as I thought before, that you should expunge it because it never should have gone through, he said.

After fading from prominence for about a month, the conversation over expungement cropped back up following Politicos report, which came days after the former president said he received a target letter from the Justice Department informing him he is the subject of their investigation into his efforts to remain in power following the 2020 election  which includes the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

The receipt of a target letter is often a sign that charges will soon be filed, which would mark Trumps third indictment in recent months  and his second on the federal level. That prospect has only amped up Trumps fiercest defenders on Capitol Hill and could fuel efforts to expunge the two rebukes he received while in office.

Every time you pile something on Trump, his numbers go up, said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). Im surprised the Democrats arent just wanting to ignore him.

The discourse over expungement, however, is dividing House Republicans at a precarious moment for McCarthy as Congress stares down a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown.

The appropriations process is already causing controversy within the House GOP conference, as hard-line conservatives  many of them close Trump allies  push leadership to enact aggressive cuts, which includes setting spending at levels lower than the agreement McCarthy struck with President Biden in May.

Trump has thus far stayed out of that debate, as hed done earlier in the year during the debt-ceiling battle. But he remains a wildcard in the weeks leading up to the shutdown deadline, especially if his legal problems worsen and the pressure on his congressional allies to provide some form of exoneration  even if symbolic  grows more pronounced.

Democrats, meanwhile, are not sympathetic.

The Republicans face a serious political problem, Raskin said, because they have wrapped their party around the fortunes and the ambitions of Donald Trump.

Emily Brooks contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, now running for US Senate, at CPAC on March 4, 2023. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, oversaw his state's elections in 2020.

At the time, he defended the integrity of the vote and called baseless stolen claims "irresponsible."

But now he's running for Senate, and in a possible bid for Trump's support, he's endorsing his 2024 bid.

In the days after the 2020 election, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose suggested that former President Donald Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud were irresponsible.

But that was when LaRose was tasked with overseeing the state's election. Now, as LaRose is seeking his next job as US Senator from Ohio, he's backing Trump's 2024 comeback bid just days after launching his Senate campaign.

In a statement on the endorsement, LaRose cited Trump's ability to strike "so much fear in the opposition" and said that he "won't back down from a fight, even at his own peril."

"His enemies, foreign and domestic, will stop at nothing in their attempt to keep him from winning this race," said LaRose.

Just three years ago, LaRose struck a far different tone on Trump.

Speaking with reporters shortly after the 2020 election  when the former president was making claims of widespread fraud and laying the groundwork for an attempt to reverse the election results that culminated in the January 6 assault on the Capitol  LaRose defended his state's election results.

"I certainly have faith in Ohio's elections, and I believe that other states almost all, I think all the other states do it very well also," LaRose said at the time. "All I'm saying is there's a reason why there's an opportunity to present evidence in a courtroom, and if you have that evidence you have to bring it forward and vet it out."

He also said it was "irresponsible" to make baseless claims of a stolen election, even referencing Stacey Abrams' refusal to concede her loss in the 2018 gubernatorial election in Georgia.

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"We've gone down the path of constantly challenging the elections when we don't like the results," said LaRose. "I think it was irresponsible when members of the Democratic Party claimed the Georgia election was stolen and didn't have evidence, and I think it's irresponsible when Republicans say an election was stolen and don't have evidence. If anyone has evidence they need to show it."

Over time, LaRose's position vis-a-vis Trump has shifted. Last year, as he sought re-election against a conservative primary challenger, he welcomed an endorsement from the former president.

LaRose is currently running in what's expected to be a hotly-contested GOP primary to take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who's considered vulnerable.

He's facing off against Bernie Moreno, a businessman who's won the backing of Sen. JD Vance, as well as former state Sen. Matt Dolan.

An endorsement from Trump in the primary could prove pivotal to determining the outcome  though LaRose may have to answer for his thoughts on that as well.

In a leaked audio recording obtained by POLITICO in May, LaRose suggested that Trump's endorsement wasn't all that it's often thought to be, arguing that there's a 60% of GOP voters that "doesn't care who he endorses."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Special counsel Jack Smith has reached out to Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp as he continues his wide-ranging probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to multiple news reports.

Our office has been contacted by Jack Smiths office, but we will decline to comment further at this time, Kemp spokesperson Andrew Isenhour said in a statement shared with CNNand The Washington Post.

The Post was first to report the outreach, which CNN said took place last week.

Kemp is one of the latest subjects Smiths team has reached out to following a target letter he sent to Donald Trump last Sunday.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The letter reportedly cited three statutes that could 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.

Trump had repeatedly pressured Kemp to undo Joe Bidens win in Georgia in the 2020 presidential election. In the aftermath of the contest, the then-president called on Kemp to call a special session of the Georgia legislature to throw out the results and appoint electors who would back Trump instead, and pressed the governor to order an audit of absentee ballot signatures in the state. Kemp refused both requests.

In a now-infamous call, Trump also called on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes, baselessly claiming he had won the state.

Smiths team reportedly heard from Raffensperger earlier this summer.

Both Kemp and Raffensperger resisted Trumps efforts, angering Trump, who ended up endorsing two other Republicans in their races for Novembers midterm elections.

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Both Kemp and Raffensperger wonreelection.

Kemp is not the only governor to hear from Smiths team in recent weeks. Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) was also contacted by the special counsel, his spokesperson confirmed earlier this month.

Hes been responsive, and just as hes done since the election, he will do the right thing, Daniel Scarpinato told CNN.

This comes as expectation for yet another Trump indictment is building.

I think its likely that something will happen this week, former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal said Sunday of a potential third Trump indictment.

Trump has already been indicted over his mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House in another investigation overseen by Smith, and in New York for his role in a hush money payment scheme involving porn star Stormy Daniels.

He could also face charges stemming from the Georgia special grand jurys probe into efforts to undo Bidens win there. Kemp testified before that body in November.

Related...
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in Greece over the past week as uncontrollable wildfires ravage the country.

Constantia Dimoglidou, a spokeswoman for the Greek police, said that 30,000 people had been rescued from areas beset by wildfires, describing it as the biggest fire evacuation ever in Greece.

Smoke rises from a wildfire on the Greek island of Rhodes, July 22. (Argiris Mantikos/Eurokinissi via Reuters)

In the past week, firefighters have been struggling to contain up to 80 wildfires on multiple islands, including popular tourist destinations. We are at war  completely focused on the fires, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a Parliament debate on Monday. Over the coming days and weeks, we must remain on constant alert.

Croatia, Turkey and Egypt have sent help to assist Greece in battling its wildfires.

What is happening in Greece?

Wreckage from a wildfire smolders in Mandra, Greece. (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Wildfires at multiple locations in Greece over the past seven days have caused tens of thousands of people to be evacuated from their homes and hotels. Strong winds caused small fires to spread fast last week, forcing tourists and residents to flee for safety.

Over the weekend, some 19,000 people on the island of Rhodes were evacuated and brought to nearby shelters and schools, Greek fire officials said. Of those evacuated, 16,000 were transported to safety by land and at least 3,000 by sea. After firefighters spent days containing wildfires at seaside towns southeast of Athens last week, the flames were reignited by strong winds on Thursday.

A firefighting helicopter dumps water on houses in Kalamaki, about 60 kilometers west of Athens. (Petros Giannakouris/AP)

The islands of Corfu and Evia are also experiencing wildfires, while the island of Crete was reported to have an extreme risk of wildfires by local authorities. On Crete, 2,500 people have already been evacuated.

Footage on social media shows hundreds of people evacuating from hotels by foot, carrying small amounts of personal items in their hands. It was a real ordeal for us and the kids, Dan Jones, a father of four who was evacuated from a hotel in Rhodes, told Yahoo News. It happened on day one of our holiday. We noticed the fire approaching our hotel. We grabbed what we could with our children and walked towards the beach. Jones described having to wade through neck-deep water with his young children to reach a boat for safety.

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Burned sunbeds and umbrellas at a beach on the island of Rhodes. (Petros Giannakouris/AP)

Meanwhile, countless animals have died after wildfires scorched miles of land, incinerating everything in sight. In one shelter, dozens of animals that were receiving care burned after fires consumed the shelter and its nearby buildings.

What caused these fires?

While it wasnt immediately unclear what started the wildfires, extremely high temperatures and dry conditions have been blamed. In Corfu, however, local officials are claiming that wildfires on the island were caused by an arsonist. Giorgos Mahimaris, the mayor of North Corfu, said he made the assessment after visiting three locations where fires had broken out.

Is this related to climate change?

A man evacuates a horse from a stable with smoke from a fire in the background at Pournari village near Athens, on July 18. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)

Greece has been experiencing hot and dry conditions  this dries out the vegetation creating a fuel source, when an ignition and heat source, like lightening [sic] strike, people using disposable BBQs or discarded cigarettes starts a fire it will spread this is exacerbated by strong winds which fan the flames and cause it to spread further, Emma Hill, associate head of the School of Energy, Civil Engineering and the Environment at Coventry University, England, told Yahoo News via email.

The strong winds are also making it difficult for firefighters to get the blaze under control as they keep needing to retreat. Or the fire blows into an area where fire breaks have not yet been put in place, Hill added.

Will we continue to see this problem every year?

A police officer is silhouetted as a wildfire burns on Rhodes. (Nicolas Economou/Reuters)

This isnt the first year Greece has experienced wildfires. In 2021, the country had its worst heat wave in 30 years. Mitsotakis described it as a nightmarish summer as 1,000 firefighters were deployed to control fires.

The climate change projections show we are highly likely to get hotter, drier summers, punctuated by extremes of temperature, heat waves and drought, which will likely be more frequently experienced, longer, and more severe when they do occur, Hill said. This will create conditions that increase the risk of wildfires.

More images from the wildfires in Greece

A burned house near Mandra, west of Athens. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images)

Fire trucks in a field near Athens. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)

A forest burning in Dervenochoria, northwest of Athens. (Petros Giannakouris/AP)

A firefighting helicopter at a fire in Mandra. (Petros Giannakouris/AP)

Smoke rises from a wildfire on the island of Rhodes. (Argiris Mantikos/Eurokinissi via Reuters)

Fighting a wildfire outside the village Vlyhada, near Athens. (Stelios Misinas/Reuters)
Holidaymakers queue at airport after being evacuated from Rhodes

Wildfires have swept across the Greek island of Rhodes, leading some holidaymakers to abandon their belongings and move to makeshift shelters.

Airlines and holiday companies are scrambling to bring some of those affected home, while some flights to the island from the UK have been cancelled.

Up to 10,000 British tourists are there, with many more booked to travel in the coming weeks. So what are their rights?

Can I still travel to Rhodes?

A number of airlines are continuing flights as normal, but some have cancelled flights or package holidays scheduled for the coming days.

Crucially, the official advice from the UK Foreign Office has stopped short of advising against travel to Rhodes. Instead, it is advising people to follow guidance from the Greek emergency services. Anyone planning to travel should first check with their operator, airline or hotel.

That guidance can change so people should keep checking, wherever they are planning to travel to.

What about Corfu?

Around 2,400 visitors and locals have been evacuated from Corfu and there are also wildfires on Evia.

Greek officials say the fires in Corfu are coming under control and are urging travellers to go ahead with their holiday plans.

Travellers should still check their flights and accommodation are not affected.

Does travel insurance cover wildfires?

There is unlikely to be a specific clause - which is why the Foreign Office advice is so crucial.

Were there to be official advice not to travel, then claims would usually become valid. At present, that is not the case.

James Daley, founder of consumer group Fairer Finance, says that higher quality travel insurance deals will cover the cost of flying people home or moving them to other accommodation if a holiday is affected by wildfires - although this often only comes if customers bought an add-on to cover natural disasters.

Many of these will also cover the cost of cancellation, if airlines or accommodation providers do not pay out.

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So, for now, it depends on your specific policy. For some people who have stated particular medical conditions, or if they have become ill as a result of the wildfires, then there might be limited opportunities to claim.

Which companies specifically have cancelled flights?

Different companies have varying policies at present, and varying degrees of flexibility on rebooking:

Jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes in the next seven days, but aircraft with no customers on board will be flown there in order to bring people back

Tui has cancelled all its flights to the island up to and including Friday, 28 July. It has also cancelled all outbound flights to affected hotels up to and including Sunday, 30 July. All customers will receive a refund. Customers currently in Rhodes may return on their intended flights or repatriation flights. Passengers due to travel to areas not affected by fires on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July can change their travel dates or receive a refund.

Easyjet has cancelled package holidays until Saturday, 29 July and is contacting customers due to travel to the affected resorts up to and including 10 August "to discuss their options". It is running flights as normal, but allowing customers to change their travel dates, and is sending repatriation flights

Ryanair says it is running flights as normal

Online travel agent Thomas Cook said it had cancelled some holidays to affected areas, with full refunds offered. It added some customers booked to travel to other parts on Monday and Tuesday were being contacted with the option to cancel and be refunded if they wished

British Airways said its flights to Rhodes and Corfu were running as normal, but customers needing to return early could change their flight for free, and those not wishing to travel there in the next week from the UK could postpone their flight

Why are companies running flights but cancelling holidays?

There is no Foreign Office advice against travel to Rhodes or Corfu, so there's nothing to stop airlines selling standalone flights, nor do they have to cancel those already scheduled.

However, package holidays are more complex. They may include accommodation that has been affected by fire, and the duty of care lasts for longer, so operators may decide to cancel.

Will I be refunded if I come home early?

Someone who travelled on a package deal and is forced to come home early may receive a partial refund.

However, if you were booked for two weeks, and came back after one, that does not mean you get half your money back, because, for example, you would still have travelled on an outbound and inbound flight.

The best option is to keep in close contact, where possible, with your holiday company.

If you travelled independently, then accommodation costs will depend on the individual hotel.

I just want to get home, what are my rights?

Anyone who shortens their holiday because it is not a very pleasant experience or are concerned about being trapped is unlikely to be able to claim refunds, according to travel expert Simon Calder.

That is because it is their choice, rather than necessity. Not all of the island is at risk from the fires.

Can I cancel my upcoming holiday?

Not all of the island is affected by the fires, so it is a mixed picture. Some holidays are cancelled, while individual flights may still leave.

If you have a package deal, then there is a chance your whole holiday has been cancelled. If that is the case, then there would be a full refund or the chance to rebook elsewhere.

If you simply don't want to go, then it is more dependant on your specific travel company - there is no automatic right to get your money back, according to the Association of British Travel Agents.

Anyone who has booked flights and accommodation separately would receive a refund for the flights element if they are cancelled, but would need to contact their hotel for other elements.

Again, refunds if you chose not to travel is a decision for specific airlines and hotels.

What are the wider heatwave implications for holidays?

If people do not want to travel owing to the heat, many of the same cancellation rules apply.

We have an explanation of those issues here.
Texas governor Greg Abbott says he will continue deploying floating border barriers in the Rio Grande River, despite a warning from the Justice Department last week it might sue the state for overstepping its jurisdiction.

Texas will see you in court, Mr President, the Republican governor wrote in a letter Monday to President Biden, claiming the Democrats border policies left him no other choice but for Texas to build military-style defences along the US-Mexico border.

All of this is happening because you have violated your constitutional obligation to defend the States against invasion through faithful execution of federal laws, Mr Abbott added.

In mid-July, the state neared completion of a $1m, 1,000-foot wall of buoys and netting across the Rio Grande, claiming it would deter illegal immigration outside of ports of entry.

The effort has proved extremely controversial. In addition to warnings from the federal government, Mexico said it is investigating whether the wall violates international treaties surrounding the border.

The governor has also been sued by a local man named Jessie Fuentes, who argues the state has deprived him of his livelihood as a kayak guide and is acting outside of its authority over an international boundary line.

Youve taken a beautiful waterway and youve converted it into a war zone, Mr Fuentes recently told The Independent.

Migrant advocates and even some Texas troopers working on the governors mission at the border warn that the barriers are increasing unnecessary danger to human life.

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.

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.

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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 state has denied the orders took place.

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.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
By Johan Ahlander and Tom Little

MALMO (Reuters) -Climate activist Greta Thunberg was forcibly removed by police from a protest in the southern Swedish city of Malmo on Monday just hours after a local court fined her for disobeying a police order during a similar protest last month.

Thunberg, 20, who became the face of young climate activists worldwide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament, admitted during the court proceedings that she had disobeyed the police order but pleaded not guilty and said that she was acting out of necessity.

"It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it," she told reporters in the Malmo district court.

Thunberg and other activists from the group Reclaim the Future blocked the road for oil trucks in Malmo harbour on June 19. She was charged for failing to leave when ordered to do so by police.

After Monday's sentencing Thunberg and other activists headed back to Malmo harbour only to be carried away by police again for blocking traffic.

Thunberg had earlier told the court that her actions were justifiable. "I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term," she said.

The court ordered Thunberg to pay 1,500 Swedish crowns ($144) and an additional 1,000 crowns to Sweden's fund for crime victims. The fine was applied in proportion to her reported income. Failure to obey a police order carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

($1 = 10.4088 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Tom Little; Editing by Simon Johnson, Tomasz Janowski and Susan Fenton)
A Swedish court fined climate activist Greta Thunberg Monday for disobeying police at an environmental protest at an oil terminal last month, according to The Associated Press.

Thunberg, 20, appeared in court Monday on a charge of disobeying after she and other activists in the Reclaim the Future movement refused to disperse and blocked the road to an oil facility in the southern Swedish city of Malmo June 19, according to prosecutors.

Thunberg admitted to the facts but denied guilt, arguing the fight against the fossil fuel industry is a form of self-defense in light of the existential and global threat of the climate crisis.

Right now, we dont have any laws that holds the carbon in the ground, Thunberg told reporters after the hearing. We dont have any laws that long-term protect us against the self-destructing greed that we have let in full control over the world.

The court rejected her argument and Thunberg was fined 2,500 kronor, or around $240. She told journalists she was disappointed at the system.

The laws have to be changed, Thunberg said. We know that we cannot save the world by playing by the rules because the rules have to be changed.

Pledging not to back down, Thunberg and other activists from the Reclaim the Future movement returned to the port just hours later Monday to stage another roadblock.

Police forcibly removed Thunberg from the protest, according to Reuters.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Greta Thunberg speaks during a press conference in Malmo, Sweden

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been fined for disobeying a police order to leave a climate protest in the Swedish port of Malmo last month.

Thunberg, 20, denied the charge, but was found guilty and ordered to pay 2,500 Swedish krona ($240; 187).

Hours later, she took part in another protest and was carried away by police along with five others.

On both occasions, she was part of a group of protesters that blocked the road for oil trucks in Malmo harbour.

She was charged in June for failing to leave when ordered to do so by police.

"I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property," she told the court in Malmo on Monday, adding that "countless people" were at risk.

"It's correct that I was at that place on that day, and it's correct that I received an order that I didn't listen to, but I want to deny the crime," she said.

Police removed Thunberg during the protest in Malmo in June

The rally in June, organised by environmental activist group Ta tillbaka framtiden (Reclaim the Future), tried to block the entrance and exit to the Malmo harbour to protest against the use of fossil fuels.

"We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future," Thunberg said in an Instagram post at the time.

Reclaim the Future says that it remains determined to stand up to the industry.

"If the court chooses to see our action as a crime it may do so, but we know we have the right to live and the fossil fuels industry stands in the way of that," group spokesperson Irma Kjellstrom told AFP news agency.

Greenhouse gases have been pumped into the atmosphere by activities such as burning fossil fuels. The world has warmed by about 1.1C than it was in the late 19th century.

Climate activists have targeted the fossil fuels industry. Much of the oil and gas industry says that continued production is necessary in order to meet global energy demands.
Littering is a major problem in most cities  and recently, a group of do-gooders decided to clean up their streets in New York.

As detailed in a recent post on the r/DeTrashed subreddit, the Pick Up Pigeons are a group of volunteers who gather to scoop up the garbage and waste that litters areas of the Brooklyn neighborhoods they call home.

The post of impressive before-and-after photos shows the groups impact on green spaces and city streets alike.

Photo Credit: u/detrashbrooklyn / Reddit

Photo Credit: u/detrashbrooklyn / Reddit

Photo Credit: u/detrashbrooklyn / Reddit

Photo Credit: u/detrashbrooklyn / Reddit

Photo Credit: u/detrashbrooklyn / Reddit

We continue to detrash weekly all over Brooklyn! We have cool shirts now :), the poster wrote in a follow-up comment, which also invited local users to join the group in their next detrashing meetup.

On the groups Instagram page, posts show off the progress that members have made in Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Greenpoint, Brownsville, Bushwick, and other neighborhoods in New York. The account also shows off the oddities that the group finds as it cleans up, including a massive pile of carrots, a Dunkin hat and foreign DVDs. The group also enjoys spending time together after each detrashing outing, going to bars, karaoke, and even Coney Island together.

According to a comment in another thread, the Pick Up Pigeons was founded in early 2023 after a few Brooklynites were inspired by the posts they saw on the r/DeTrashed subreddit. The group meets every Tuesday night and frequently welcomes new members.

Users shared their approval in the comment section of the most recent Reddit post.

Always impressed with how much you accomplish! Love the group photo and tshirts! one user wrote.

Thank you!! Yall are inspiring and doing a great service :), another user said.

I love the shirts and group organizing!! Thats so much better than just doing it individually. So inspiring, another commented.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she would support former President Trump if he becomes the Republican nominee for president in 2024.

But she also said she doesnt believe the former president can win a general election.

Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina, said in an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box Monday that the country needs a new generational leader but added she would back Trump if he wins the primary.

I would support him because I am not going to have a President Kamala Harris. We cant afford that. That is not going to happen, she said.

Haley has previously sharply criticized President Bidens age, arguing that he would not live to be 86 years old, which would be his age at the end of a second term. She has said reelecting Biden could lead to Harris becoming president.

Yet Haley also noted that Trump appears to be headed for additional indictments and is doomed in a general election.

We cant have, as Republicans, him as the nominee. He cant win a general election. Thats the problem. Weve got to go and have someone who can actually win, she said.

Haley said she expects to be the GOP nominee and her numbers in the polls will rise following the first Republican primary debate next month.

Haley has generally polled among the higher echelon of the GOP field but still in the mid to low single digits, with Trump far ahead of the field.

She has met the Republican National Committees polling and fundraising requirements to qualify for participation in the debate, and her campaign has said she will sign the loyalty pledge to support the eventual nominee.

Haley said other candidates in the race have spent millions of dollars already, but she has not so far because no ones paying attention right now. She said that will change after the debate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photograph: David Santiago/AP

The head of Floridas largest police department was in critical condition at one of the states hospitals on Monday after shooting himself on a busy interstate following a domestic dispute.

Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, director of the Miami-Dade police department, and his wife, Jody, had earlier been asked to leave the JW Marriott hotel in Tampas downtown, where he was attending a sheriffs association conference.

Related: LA sheriffs office under scrutiny after deputy punches mother holding baby

According to the Tampa police department, officers were called to the hotel to investigate a report of a couple arguing and a man pointing a gun at himself. A statement provided to the Guardian said officers identified the man as Ramirez, but after talking to him and a woman with him, determined there was no evidence of a crime or immediate danger and left.

However, after leaving the hotel, the 52-year-old Ramirez pulled over on the side of interstate 75 and shot himself in the head. Chad Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough county, which includes Tampa, told reporters that Ramirezs wife was with him in their car and called 911.

From what we can tell processing the evidence [and] interviews that were conducted  it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Chronister said, adding that Ramirez was expected to survive.

The sheriffs office stands united with a profound sense of compassion and concern for our colleague who has experienced such a traumatic event. Mental health knows no boundaries and I hope that director Ramirez and anyone in crisis receives the help they deserve.

The Florida highway patrol, in a statement, separately said that its troopers joined officers from the state department of law enforcement to conduct an investigation into the shooting.

Director Ramirez suffered serious injuries and is hospitalized. No one else was injured. There is no threat to the community. Our investigation is active, the statement said.

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Ramirez underwent surgery early on Monday and was described as being in critical but stable condition, according to the mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava.

All that matters right now is Chief Ramirezs wellbeing, and I join his family, his loved ones, and all his Miami-Dade police department and Miami-Dade county family in praying for his swift recovery, she said in a tweet.

Cavas office said she was traveling to Tampa to support Ramirez and his family. The Miami Herald reported that Ramirez called Cava on Sunday night after the episode at the hotel. A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed the call had taken place but did not divulge what they discussed.

The Herald saw an internal email from the Miami-Dade police department that urged officers not to make the 275-mile journey to show their own support. Please continue to pray for his comfort and healing during these upcoming days, the email said.

The shooting under investigation happened on the first day of the Florida Sheriffs Associations four-day summer conference at Tampas JW Marriott hotel, which attracts more than 500 law enforcement leaders from around the country.

Ramirez was appointed to direct the Miami-Dade police department in January 2020, and he also acts as the countys safety and emergency response chief. He has worked for the agency for 27 years.

He has filed paperwork to run for sheriff when the county shakes up its law enforcement system next year to comply with new legislation.

Miami-Dade has had no sheriff since a 1966 grand jury report found gross corruption and voters made the countys top police job an appointed position rather than an elected one.

 In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
Antiwar protesters demonstrate against US involvement in the Ukraine War outside of the US Capitol. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

To end the war, some argue that Ukraine must make difficult territorial concessions to Russia.

But making the victim give up land would reward the aggressor, showing that invasions work.

Forcing Russia to pay for its destruction would give Ukraine more leverage to achieve lasting peace.

The desire for peace in Ukraine is perfectly understandable and, at least among those with any decency, universal.

But among a subset of those who identify as "antiwar," a reasonable skepticism of official claims from Washington has warped into something that resembles imperialism: An insistence that the United States quit fulfilling Kyiv's demands for weapons and, as a great power, effectively impose peace through American betrayal.

"I would sit down with the Ukrainian leaders and say, we must stop this war, stop these war crimes," Cornel West, a former professor at Harvard and Princeton, recently told CNN. West, who has launched a third-party bid for the White House, has acknowledged Russian responsibility for launching the invasion, even as he has blamed NATO for provoking it. But his terms for peace, which would require "some serious concessions across the board," were framed primarily in terms of what Ukraine would need to lose.

"Russian troops have to leave," he said, although from where, exactly, was left unclear. "There's going to be debates over territory. There's going to be some kind of concessions over the territory, but stop the killing."

With Ukraine, we see that the demands are rather clear: Land will have to be handed over in exchange for peace. With Russia, there is lip service to the criminality of its invasion but ambiguity with respect to the consequences for it.

Instead of advocating a policy of surrender, and lamenting that the real world may require an unjust outcome, such antiwar realists should consider a new proposal  reparations for Ukraine through the seizure of Russian state assets  that advocates say would increase the cost of war to Russia and help bring it to an end.

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The pitfalls of concessions for peace

West is not alone in framing peace as something that can be achieved by Ukraine giving up.

Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for the Republican nomination, has likewise said Ukraine must make "major concessions," imposed by the United States if necessary, including ceding territory now occupied by Russia. Former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have all variously questioned US support for Ukraine, portraying it as an obstacle to peace.

It is logical, as an American, to focus on what can or should not be done by America and its allies. People in the United States, after all, do not vote for the president of Russia. And there's always the argument that an imperfect peace is better than a state of total war.

The problem is that so many of these calls for an immediately imposed peace, be they from the left or right (or somewhere in the middle), are put forward as sensible realpolitik when they are actually steeped in naivete.

Ceding territory to an imperial aggressor with maximalist demands  that Ukraine abandon not just claims to its own land, but its independence and desire for a future free of Russian state influence imparts a lesson: that war works and that the invader just has to wait for the allies of its victims to grow impatient. Instead of lasting peace, critics of such proposals maintain that they will effectively serve as a temporary freeze, allowing a battered Russian military to regroup and try for more in the near future.

In this, West, a former surrogate for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders who marched against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and others who advocate for an immediate, US-imposed peace, is closer in spirit to advocates of imperialism than the antiwar movement of 2003. Sanders himself rejected some progressives' call earlier this year for a "diplomatic push" by the United States for a "cease-fire," telling reporters that the Russian invasion "has to be resisted" and pushing back against claims that support for arming Ukraine makes one an unabashed militarist.

"Democrats, warmongers?" Sanders said. "When you have Putin breaking all kinds of international laws, unleashing an incredibly disgusting and horrific level of destruction against the people of Ukraine?"

Reparations: Another path to peace

Those uncomfortable with US military aid do have options available to them other than old-fashioned appeasement.

In a recent report for the New Lines Institute, a think tank based in Washington, DC, legal experts argued that Western governments should immediately begin using frozen Russian state assets to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine's oft-targeted civilian infrastructure.

Its argument is that Russia committed the supreme war crime of an unprovoked invasion, which in turn justifies countermeasures by states that would otherwise be illegal.

The aim is not just to make the perpetrator pay for the harm already inflicted, a demand endorsed by the UN General Assembly last year, but to end the conflict altogether.

"Consolidating control over Russian assets accomplishes an immediate goal  maximizing leverage, which can influence the outcome of the war," the authors write.

The logic is simple: The more money Russia loses, the more interest it may have in withdrawing from Ukraine without first demanding 20% of the country's landmass. And by agreeing to return what's left of the reserves after Russia leaves, another financial incentive is provided for the Kremlin to end its "special military operation."

"It also serves a policy of deterrence," the report stated. Instead of showing that crime pays, as would a territorial concession, "Any state considering a future war of aggression will see that Russia's egregious violation of international order carries a cost."

It's not a fringe proposal. In June, former US Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, former World Bank President Robert Zoellick, and former US diplomat Philip Zelikow co-authored an endorsement of the reparations proposal, describing it as a "nonviolent" counteroffensive that might also please a domestic audience worried about US taxpayers footing the bill for Russian crimes.

"Transferring frozen Russian reserves to Ukraine would be morally right, strategically wise, and politically expedient," they wrote. Legislation expressly instructing the administration to do so has been introduced in Congress with bipartisan support.

The Biden administration has already authorized millions of dollars worth of assets from Russian oligarchs to be transferred to Ukraine. But it has refrained from touching Russia's Central Bank foreign currency reserves, which are estimated to be about $38 billion in the United States alone (and $215 billion in the European Union).

The White House did not respond to requests for comment on whether it is considering the proposal.

As Financial Times economic commentator Martin Sandbu wrote last month, seizing state assets for reparations is an unproven legal strategy. "Even so, politicians ostensibly determined to make Russia pay for its damages should, at least, be eager to explore it," he wrote. "But there is zero public sign that anyone is doing so."

That should be an opportunity for self-styled advocates of peace and tellers of hard truths. If the United States and others are actually serious about using all means at their disposal to bring a swift end to this war, why aren't they at least considering  as far as we know  this more palatable alternative to cluster munitions?

But we don't hear that. When given a microphone, those who imagine themselves the true heirs of the 2003 antiwar movement instead demand that the victim of an unprovoked invasion first be disarmed and then forced to cede large swaths of their country to the government that butchered their compatriots in Mariupol and Bucha. It may be a clue as to where their sympathies lie.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The new leader of Lexingtons Henry Clay High School, hired from an Indiana school district, was investigated for potential district policy violations in his previous position but the charges were ultimately dismissed, reports say.

Fayette district spokeswoman Dia Davidson-Smith confirmed that Corye Franklin has been hired to lead Henry Clay. He replaces Paul Little, who will work district-wide next year, providing administrative support where needed.

WRTV in Indianapolis has reported that Franklin, a principal at Arsenel Tech High School in Indianapolis Public Schools, was placed on administrative leave on August 30, 2022, pending an investigation into potential policy violations.

Franklin was eventually reinstated to his position and received a strong recommendation from the IPS superintendent. Fayette County officials are confident he will be a strong leader for Henry Clay, Davidson told the Herald-Leader Monday.

Indianapolis Public Schools General Counsel Ken Pack said Franklin wasnt disciplined and that the allegations were dismissed after an investigation, WRTV reported. Franklin resigned in December.

Pack did not return messages from the Herald-Leader Monday.

Little spent 18 years at Henry Clay: 11 years as an associate principal, and seven as the head principal.

In a letter to families Wednesday, Liggins said Arsenal Technical High School was the largest high school in Indianapolis Public Schools.

He did not mention the investigation in Indianapolis involving Franklin.

Liggins said Franklin is an accomplished and highly passionate educator with nearly two decades of experience in public education. He has served as a teacher, assistant principal, adjunct instructor and a mentor for teachers and new leaders.

What most impressed me about Dr. Franklin throughout the principal selection process was his knowledge and focus on student achievement and improving the outcomes for all students, said Liggins.

Franklin earned a bachelors degree in elementary education with a minor in Spanish from Indiana University, a masters degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from Marian University.

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With a focus on data, instruction and student achievement, Franklin supports a climate conducive to increased academic performance and he is dedicated to creating equitable spaces, opportunities and possibilities for all students, the letter said.

Franklins work as a K-12 classroom teacher and leader of diverse educational institutions, like a Spanish Immersion School, has prepared him to lead Henry Clay, Liggins said.

His unwavering commitment to empowering the HCHS staff and students with the necessary tools for success, all while honoring the schools rich history and cherished traditions, sets the stage for a promising future, said the letter.
The News

Israel has passed a part of the controversial judicial reform bill which will overhaul the countrys Supreme Court. Israelis have protested against the bill for days, and as of Monday had moved demonstrations to the front steps of the Knesset.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has long pushed for this legislation, which will strip the top court of the power to challenge government decisions. Weve collected insights and analysis about the vote.

Insights

Critics fear that without judicial oversight, Netanyahus government could pass laws targeting Palestinian people, LGBTQ+ people, women, and secular groups. Some members of the government have bragged about their plans. Once the Supreme Court is out of the way, nothing will remain to stop them, notes Yuval Noah Harari, the Israeli historian and philosopher. We are standing in the streets, because we cannot do otherwise if we are to save Israeli democracy, Harari writes.

It might be time to cut off annual U.S. aid to Israel, columnist Nicholas Kristof argues. Each year, the country receives $3.8 billion in assistance, 10 times what is allocated to Niger. That money  which typically goes to military assistance  could be better allocated elsewhere, Kristof writes, especially considering the strength of Israels economy. Wed all benefit by finding the maturity to discuss the unmentionable, he concludes.

There is a divide in how the average American views Israel compared to the policies enacted by the U.S. government. Recent polling found that a growing number of people in the U.S. sympathize with Palestinians, and many dont view Israel as the vibrant democracy U.S. officials describe it to be. Noura Erakat, an associate professor at Rutgers University, said despite their slowness in adapting to the views of Americans, lawmakers would have to have their heads buried in the sand not to see a world changing around them.

Know More

Some businesses have organized a general strike against the government Monday, with gas stations and some shops closing their doors in protest of the governments moves.

Meanwhile, hundreds of military reservists have said they will refuse to report for service if the law passes.

Netanyahu was admitted to the hospital over the weekend following an emergency heart procedure, but has since been released.
A highway traffic stop led to the seizure of $10.5 million in narcotics Friday in Merced County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A CHP K-9 officer conducted an enforcement stop on a 2014 Kia Soul for a traffic violation about 1 p.m. near the Santa Nella scales on I-5 in Merced County, according to a Facebook post by the CHP.

After the officer suspected illegal activity by the driver and passenger, the officer deployed his canine partner. The dog gave a positive alert to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle, the CHP news release stated.

As officers were preparing to search the vehicle, they said, the driver fled on foot into an orchard. Despite an extensive search he was not located, but was identified by evidence in the car.

During the search of the vehicle, officers said, they found 735,000 fentanyl-laced pills, weighing 161 pounds, as well as 133 pounds of methamphetamine and 37 pounds of cocaine. The street value of the narcotics is estimated at $10.5 million and the incident represents the largest narcotics seizure in Merced County history, according to the CHP.

The Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team assisted with the investigation.

The passenger, Ponce Rosales 23, of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was arrested and taken to the Los Banos City Jail on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale, transportation of methamphetamine across noncontiguous counties, possession of cocaine/fentanyl for sale, and transportation of cocaine/fentanyl across noncontiguous counties.

Rosales bond was set at $16.2 million according to jail records.
Dangerous Levels

A 71-year-old hiker died in Death Valley, California just hours after giving an interview to the Los Angeles Times about his voyage.

As the LA Times reported in a followup, its recent interviewee Steven Curry died last week after collapsing from what officials believe were heat-related causes in the hottest place on Earth. Death Valley, like the rest of the country, been experiencing a blistering heat wave this summer as climate change continues to wreak its havoc.

Early on the morning of his passing last week, the LAT conducted a brief interview with Curry for a piece about the increasing heat in the famously-scorching Southern California desert while he crouched beneath a metal sign that provided, as the paper noted in its follow-up, the only shade nearby.

"Its a dry heat, the hiker said while sitting atop the desert's Zabriskie Point summit. "Everything is hot here."

That was far from an understatement: the high during the week the hiker died got up to nearly 126 degrees, which even for Death Valley is tremendously hot.

https://twitter.com/US_Stormwatch/status/1680999145224704000

Left Behind

As Curry's widow Rima tells the newspaper, this kind of dangerous hike was par for the course in their 29-year marriage.

"He had talked about Death Valley for at least a week or more," the hiker's 76-year-old widow said. Though she'd voiced concerns about the temperatures recorded there in recent weeks, Curry insisted on going  and did so without telling his wife, who had been expecting him home that night.

"I thought, That rascal. He just took off because he knows its hard for me to let him go,'" she added.

Curry apparently got the outdoors bug after marrying Rima in 1994, and would set up a tent in his own backyard or hike up Mt. Lukens, a San Gabriel mountains peak near his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Sunland-Tujunga.

"He was always happiest when he could be out there sleeping under the stars," she told the LAT. "That was his joy."

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That Curry completed his round-trip hike from Death Valley's Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point is some comfort to his widow, she's still devastated.

"We were supposed to grow old together, sit on our rocking chairs on the porch," she said.

More on extreme heat: Brutal Heat Wave Is Literally Putting People Into Comas
Scientists have long known that people living with HIV face a higher risk of heart disease. The statin drug pitavastatin, however, might offer a solution.

In a phase 3 clinical trial, individuals with an HIV infection who took pitavastatin  a medication used to lower high cholesterol  were 35% less likely to suffer major heart complications, including heart attacks, heart failure or strokes. The findings were published on Sunday in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a meeting of the International AIDS Society in Brisbane, Australia.

The report offers a promising new way for individuals with HIV to better manage their heart health.

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, attacks and weakens the bodys immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to other  often fatal  diseases. While there is no cure, treatment with antiretroviral medications can help individuals manage the disease and lead near-normal lives.

People with HIV, however, face up to double the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular complications compared to the general population, said Dr. Patrice Desvigne-Nickens, a physician at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, who worked on the trial. Heart complications happen much earlier  and are deadlier  for people with HIV.

While scientists arent sure exactly why, experts believe it could be a consequence of high, persistent inflammation and chronic immune activation from HIV.

This is becoming a major issue for the HIV community, said Dr. Steven Grinspoon, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the studys lead author. Theyre still having heart attacks and strokes, despite being on good, effective antiretroviral therapies. Theyre not having HIV-specific comorbidities; theyre having heart disease.

Named the REPRIEVE trial, the study recruited more than 7,700 participants worldwide between the ages of 40 and 75, all of whom had HIV, were currently taking antiretroviral medication, and were rated to have a low-to-moderate risk of heart disease.

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Each participant was randomly assigned to take a daily dose of pitavastatin or a placebo tablet. In this double-blind setup, neither the patients nor their treating physicans knew which one they were getting.

Pitavastatin belongs to a class of pharmaceuticals called statins that reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and help the liver break down cholesterol in the blood. As a result, the drug lowers the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol  or bad cholesterol, as Desvigne-Nickens described it  that can build up inside blood vessels and cause heart problems.

It was specifically chosen for the HIV trial because it doesnt interact with antiretroviral drugs, making it amazingly perfect, according to Desvigne-Nickens. The medication is also widely available at relatively cheap prices, Grinspoon noted.

Pitavastatin, however, isnt typically given to patients with a low-to-moderate risk of heart disease, like people with HIV might be. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiologys standard risk-assessment, which includes criteria such as age, sex and ethnicity, dont include HIV-related cardiovascular risk factors, either.

That omission creates a blind spot for patients with HIV who score lower on the risk assessment and arent prescribed pitavastatin, but still have a disproportionately high rate of heart conditions.

They wouldnt typically be recommended a primary prevention drug strategy because the risk is in the low to moderate range because theres been no data, said Grinspoon. This is where REPRIEVE fits in very nicely.

In the trial, the researchers found that HIV-positive patients taking pitavastatin were about 35% less likely to experience an adverse cardiovascular event, like a heart attack, than the control group. They also observed 21% fewer events of cardiovascular events and death in patients, said Desvigne-Nickens.

If pitavastatin was just lowering LDL cholesterol levels, though, there should only have been a 17% decrease in cardiovascular risk, Grinspoon calculated  less than half of the risk reduction in the trial.

As a result, the report suggests that statin therapy does more than reduce LDL levels; it also reduces the immune activation and inflammation that puts HIV-positive people at risk for heart disease in the first place.

And among different subgroups, including women and international populations, the researchers found that the therapeutic benefit was the same. Across the board, the researchers found a consistent reduction in cardiovascular risk.

For Desvigne-Nickens, it was a slam dunk.

This is unbelievably positive, Desvigne-Nickens said. It was almost too good to believe that the drug exceeded expectations.

So much so, in fact, that the study was stopped early, after about five years per participant. After looking at the data  of the way through the REPRIEVE trial, she explained, an independent safety board had enough data to know that the drug was very effective more so than was expected beforehand.

This 35% reduction was so compelling that they could stop the trial, Desvigne-Nickens said. They knew the answer. They knew this drug was very effective in reducing these adverse cardiac events.

Thats typically only done when the results are very robust, Grinspoon added.

Participants taking pitavastatin also developed diabetes, a known side effect of the statin drugs, at a slightly higher rate: 5% vs. 4% in the control group. Pitavastatin was also equally efficacious at reducing cardiovascular risk for patients with diabetes, Grinspoon noted.

He suspects that many physicians will begin incorporating the findings into their clinical practice. And hes hopeful that the findings will prompt regulatory bodies to consider incorporating pitavastatin into standard care for people living with HIV.

Its extremely generalizable and rigorous in terms of its randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design, he said. And I think based on the large group it covers, it will be considered important enough to incorporate into guidelines. I think the community will agree that these guidelines will be incorporated.

The researchers optimism stems from the diverse scope of the trial. The study was conducted across twelve countries, including several in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, with a high burden of HIV.

Thirty percent of the studys participants were women, and 65% were not White  a striking comparison, Grinspoon explained, to research that has historically neglected those populations.

We thought it was important to get even more global and diverse in our trial, he added. Its really a global trial. Now we can say this is a great trial for all these other groups into as well.

For individuals taking antiretroviral medication, the researchers also hope that pitavastatin doesnt add too much of a burden. As a daily medication thats accessible and affordable, it could be an easier addition to the medication routine of someone with HIV, who might already have complicated drug medical regimens, according to Desvigne-Nickens.

Were showing that the addition of a single pill a day on top of antiretroviral therapy will prevent heart disease, Grinspoon said. Now we have evidence for those people who would typically not be recommended anything: that something does work.

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Kansas City police are investigating a shooting Sunday evening that left one person dead and another injured.

Gunshots were reported just before 6:30 p.m. in the 3700 block of East 8th Street, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez, with the Kansas City Police Department.

There, police found a male on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. The victim, whose name and age have not yet been released, was declared dead at the scene.

Officers were dispatched to area of 3700 block of E. 8th street on a shooting just before 6:30pm.



Male pronounced deceased at the scene. A second shooting victim transported to hospital, and listed in critical condition. @KansasCity @JacksonCountyMO @kcpolice @JCSheriffOffice pic.twitter.com/8E18bsC8vZ  Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) July 24, 2023

A second surviving victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds, Gonzalez said.

No person of interest had been identified as of Sunday evening, she said.

The killing marks the 114th homicide in Kansas City this year, according to data maintained by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. The city had seen 91 homicides by this time last year, the second deadliest year in recorded history.

KCPD is working with Partners for Peace, a community resource for victims, in all homicide investigations to provide social services and monitor risk for retaliation.

Anyone with information can contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043. Anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers at 816-474-8477. There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Several people were shot shortly after the Juneteenth festival ended this year. The shooting occurred along North King Drive near Locust Street.

Homicides in Milwaukee have dropped by nearly a third so far this year, bringing a small measure of relief to a city hit hard by killings since the start of the pandemic.

But officials readily admit there's little else to celebrate in the city's violent crime trends.

Homicides may be down, but they are not close to pre-pandemic levels. Nonfatal shootings are tracking the same pace as the previous two years. And a growing number of shooting victims are younger children.

I dont want to celebrate, said Capt. Timothy Gauerke, the head of the Milwaukee Police Departments homicide unit. "A lot of nonfatal shootings could have been a homicide.

The latest numbers put Milwaukee in line with national trends, where the latest available data suggests homicides and shootings across the country have slowed, despite remaining at elevated levels since a historic rise at the outset of the pandemic.

But the local decline in homicides has been overshadowed by the rising number of young victims and mass shootings that, while still rare, are happening more often in the city.

Officials have blamed the trends on easy access to semi- or automatic firearms, among other factors ranging from social media to the long-term fallout from the pandemics social service disruptions.

The stubborn level of violence is "frustrating" for those who try to address and prevent it.

The types of shootings and the frequency of the nonfatal shootings remind us of how much work still needs to be done, said Reggie Moore, the director of community safety policy and engagement at the Medical College of Wisconsin's Comprehensive Injury Center.

'Nobody's celebrating': Nonfatal shootings up 6% compared to last year

Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention Director Ashanti Hamilton, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman speak at a press conference about Milwaukee's mid-year crime numbers Thursday. The figures were mixed, showing an 18% drop in property crime and reduced, but still elevated, levels of homicide and nonfatal shootings.

Nobody has an answer as to why theres a significant drop in homicides even as shootings continue to rise.

There are many variables when it comes to who survives and who does not: response times, success of surgeons, and location of the gunshot wound, for example.

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Milwaukee has seen killings fall 30% as of Wednesday, compared to the same time last year. The city has recorded 87 homicides  about 87% of the citys 2019 total.

But nonfatal shootings are up 6% over the same time period. The nearly 500 shooting victims this year is more than what the city totaled in all of 2019.

Nobodys celebrating, Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at a press conference last week. I think I can speak for all of us that there remains work to do.

Homicides in more than 100 cities dropped 12% from last year, continuing a steady decline since 2021, according to AH Datalytics, a data analysis research firm.

Another recent report from the Council on Criminal Justice, a national academic research group, found that gun assaults in 10 U.S. cities dropped 5.6% since last year.

Rising trend of child victims and mass shootings

Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Seeing the impact of that locally with the amount of young people being shot has been gut-wrenching, Moore said.

No more than 10 children had died by homicide in Milwaukee from 2016 through 2019. But in each of the three years since, 20 or more have been killed, according to the Homicide Review Commission.

Children under 18 make up 16% of homicide and nonfatal shooting victims, compared to 7% in 2019, according to Constance Kostelac, the commission's director. There was not a similar increase among those ages 19 to 24.

Meanwhile, 20% of potential perpetrators are children. More than 40% are under the age of 25, Kostelac said, representing a younger age shift.

In Milwaukee, children and teens have been caught in the crossfire as unintended victims. They've picked up a gun left out by a parent with disastrous results. And other times, they have carried guns themselves, participating in petty feuds fueled by social media that lead to real-life gunfire.

The teens involved often come from backgrounds of poverty and trauma, and they form bonds around honoring past victims of violence. The feuds formed early in the pandemic when young people were forced to live a more virtual life and social service outreach for at-risk youth fell apart, officials have said.

Young people also have been hurt in mass shootings in Milwaukee, including one that left six teens wounded shortly after the citys Juneteenth festival.

In all, the city has seen four mass shootings this year and 26 since 2020, according to the Gun Violence Archive. A mass shooting is defined as four or more people injured or killed, not including a shooter.

In the three years before the pandemic, the city saw a total of five mass shootings.

Officials have linked both trends to a flood of high-capacity firearms.

Gun sales have more than doubled in Wisconsin over the last 20 years, according to SafeHome.Org, and gun thefts in Milwaukee have doubled since 2019, according to police data. Untraceable ghost guns also are becoming more prevalent, as are modified "switches," which can easily convert a handgun into a fully automatic weapon.

All of that is feeling too normalized, Kostelac said.

Read more: This Milwaukee activist is making butterfly memorials for homicide victims

How police and public health officials are trying to stop the violence

Shanel Vrontez, a 414Life outreach worker, leads a prayer before a news conference Jan. 3 in the 3200 block of West Villard Avenue, two days after a teenager was shot and killed at the site.

This summer, police have recommitted to a form of hot-spot policing, where dedicated officers respond to shooting calls in areas of concentrated gun violence.

Early data suggested a similar effort last year had a strong short-term impact. Technology did not record any gunshots during 88% of the deployments, and police reported fewer homicides and nonfatal shootings in those areas overall.

But an ongoing analysis of last year has not produced statistically significant long-term results, Kostelac told city officials in July.

Officials also are trying to intervene in ongoing feuds among young people.

Earlier this year, law enforcement announced 61 people involved in a significant feud had been arrested and were making their way through court. Gauerke, the homicide unit captain, said the conflict appears to have slowed down this year, with two homicides and 10 shootings attributed to it.

A collective of emergency responders, law enforcement, public health officials and community members known as the Milwaukee Violence Response Public Health and Safety Team, or VR-PHAST also is trying other approaches.

One is hiring young adults part-time to gather information about nonprofits and other local services in their neighborhoods, creating a guide for where people can get help, and distributing it widely in those areas, Moore said.

The second initiative, and one that poses a bigger challenge, is establishing a better violence interruption presence on social media.

Officials are trying to work with social media companies to create a system where keywords could result in a targeted ad for a violence prevention group or even notify a violence interrupter who could de-escalate the situation, Moore said.

You do have situations where another flare-up or an argument or a fight that has nothing to do with the original conflict leads to a shooting," Moore said. "(It) is really difficult to stay in front of."

Where to find help

Milwaukee's Office of Violence Prevention also recommends these resources for free support:414Life outreach and conflict mediation support: 414-439-5525.

Milwaukee County's 24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 414-257-7222.

Milwaukee's Child Mobile Crisis and Trauma Response Team: 414-257-7621.

National crisis text line: Text HOPELINE to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Homicides are down in Milwaukee, but there no solid answers why
Hong Kong announced July that eight overseas pro-democracy activists were wanted for national security crimes, offering up rewards of HK$1 million for each of them (Bertha WANG)

Hong Kong national security police on Monday took in family members of businessman-turned-activist Elmer Yuen for questioning, one of the eight fugitives with bounties on their heads for allegedly breaching national security.

The city announced this month that eight pro-democracy activists, all of whom now live overseas, are wanted for national security crimes, and offered rewards of HK$1 million ($128,000) for each of them.

Since then, police have targeted at least seven family members of three of those wanted -- lawmakers Nathan Law and Dennis Kwok, as well as unionist Mung Siu-tat -- taking them in for questioning before releasing them.

On Monday, the relatives of 74-year-old Elmer Yuen were also taken in. The US-based businessman became a vocal activist for foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials during the city's huge, and sometimes violent, democracy movement in 2019.

His daughter-in-law Eunice Yung, a pro-Beijing legislator in Hong Kong who has publicly severed ties with Yuen, told reporters that national security police arrived at her home early Monday with a search warrant.

They took her and her husband, Derek -- Yuen's son -- to two separate police stations for hours of questioning.

"For questions (they asked that) I do not know -- such as some inside stories, his current whereabouts, his residential address and phone number -- I plainly said I don't know," Yung said, reiterating her support for the investigation.

"I believe the police are determined to look for strong evidence from family members of the eight fugitives and to locate the eight people," she told reporters.

Yung openly severed her ties with Elmer Yuen in 2022 by making declarations disavowing him in newspapers.

She has also staunchly supported the enactment of Beijing's sweeping national security law, imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 to quell the democracy protests that kicked off the year before.

Still married to Yuen's son, the pro-Beijing legislator said being brought in on Monday "has not yet affected my relationship with Derek Yuen".

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He was released Monday afternoon and escorted out by police to waiting reporters, according to a live TV broadcast.

Local media reported that one of Yuen's two daughters was also taken in for questioning, though AFP has not confirmed that.

Hong Kong's leader John Lee said during his visit to Singapore on Monday that the national security police would "meticulously follow up on every possible lead" to investigate the wanted activists and "the forces behind them".

"It's possible that our actual rivals are some with great powers, and even some backed by state powers, so we must investigate like spinning silk from cocoons," he said.

Lee stressed that the national security law "targets only a very small number of people in order to protect the vast majority of law-abiding people".

Since Hong Kong issued the bounties, five of Law's former colleagues have been arrested over allegations of providing support to the fugitives. They have since been released on bail.

So far, police have arrested 260 people under the national security law, with 79 of them convicted or awaiting sentencing in Hong Kong.

su/dhc/dhw
Dr. Concetta Manker stands alongside a photo gallery of her predecessors as Hopewell city manager Thursday, July 20, 2023.

HOPEWELL  Lost in the shuffle of last week's politically charged discussion on hiring a city manager was the fact that the person who was selected made Hopewell history on two fronts.

Not only is Dr. Concetta Manker the first woman to be the city government's chief executive officer, but also she is the first Black person, man or woman, to hold that job. Given the atmosphere in which she had the interim label removed, Manker said she had not had the opportunity to celebrate that yet.

Its historical in two ways. First, the first woman  theres never been a female before, Manker said in an interview in her office two days after she was given the job. Im a woman first before my race. But the fact that I am also an African American is significant.

Even before she was officially named the city manager, Manker already had made history when she took on the job as an interim 11 months ago. When she came to Hopewell six years ago as the citys first-ever information technology director, she admitted she never thought she would wind up as city manager.

She did, though. The interim label may be off, but Manker said the first day as permanent city manager did not feel any differently than the last day as interim.

I was still doing the job, she said.

Manker, who holds degrees from Savannah (Georgia) State University and American InterContinental University in Schaumburg, Illinois, and a doctorate from Walden University in Minneapolis, was named interim city manager last August when March Altman left to take the same job in Petersburg.

The transition came at a time when Hopewell was dealing with blowback from not submitting state-required audits on time since 2014. Some City Council members such as Vice Mayor Jasmine Gore and Ward 7 representative Dominic Holloway laid much of the blame for the audit problems at the feet of Altman, noting that under Mankers stewardship, a conscious effort to get the audits caught up had been done and that those backed-up audits had been caught up to 2019.

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The Youngkin administration, which paid a Washington, D.C. accounting firm $350,000 to recommend best practices for Hopewell to get its ledgers up to date, offered the city another $200,000 to hire what they called experienced interims to sit in both the city managers and finance directors chairs for six months to dig Hopewell out of the financial trench. Manker would act as deputy city manager, and the city would be able to focus on hiring a permanent replacement.

During a contentious City Council meeting July 18, councilors voted 4-3 to shoot down Ward 1 Councilor Rita Joyners motion to accept the state money. By that same 4-3 vote, councilors gave Manker the job permanently.

Holloway, who had asked for council to act on Manker but was not the sponsor of the motion  that was Ward 2 Councilor Michael Harris, referred to the states offer as bribery. The choice was obvious to him that Manker was the one to lead the city, not an outsider.

Shes already working on some of the things that [the state suggested for her to do, Holloway said following the meeting. We are on a route to recovery.

He said Manker has done a phenomenal job.

Joyner, one of the three votes against hiring Manker, said absolutely not was her vote an affront to Manker, and she will never try to stand in the way of Manker doing her job.

She is a very, very bright woman and I personally like her very much, Joyner said.

Instead, Joyner said, her vote was for the process because she believed Hopewell could have benefitted from having an experienced government official come in and mentor Manker for the next six months.

Despite what others on council may say, we are in a serious situation, Joyner said. We havent had a clean audit since 2014, and we dont have any credit to build anything because we dont have a bond rating.

For her part, Manker said she does not take personally the three votes against giving her the job permanently because those councilors  Joyner, Mayor Johnny Partin Jr. and Ward 6 Councilor Brenda Pelham  felt they were doing what was best for the city.

Thereve been various city managers who have not had that [unanimous vote], she said. So, Im no exception to the rule.

I think every councilor is looking for the best options for this city. Theyre looking to provide the best services they can for their citizens. The paths that we take, we all have different ways of getting there.

As for the concern about experience, Manker notes that her two immediate predecessors, Altman and Mark Haley, did not bring city-manager track records with them to Hopewell.

Dr. Concetta Manker stands alongside a photo gallery of her predecessors as Hopewell city manager Thursday, July 20, 2023.

'Taken aback' by state demands

Manker does admit to being taken aback by the Youngkin administrations recommendation, especially about hiring an interim to take the place of current Finance Director Michael Terry, who joined the city government around the same time she did. Some councilors have painted Terry as a key fall guy in the fiasco because he was hindered in doing his job by the previous administration.

My role as the IT director, Ive been a colleague of Mr. Terry, Manker said. Ive only worked for a year in a role where I actually am directing Mr. Terry. What has occurred prior to me, I was not involved, and so others may be looking at it from a different point of view.

Speaking of the previous administration, Manker said she is uncomfortable with some of the accolades put on her at the expense of Altman. Especially because in her role, she must work with the top administrators in the rest of the Tri-City area, including Altman in Petersburg.

The city manager group is a very tight-knitted group, she said. Throughout the Tri-City area, there are events that we all attend, there are commissions and boards that we all are a part of, and I get to see the previous city manager a lot. We have good conversations, and we talk about things, and I want to be able to reach back to him for some historical data and historical knowledge.

All she can do, Manker said, is do the job for which she was hired, unanimously or not. One of her short-range goals is to hire a deputy city manager, a position vacant since Charles Dane left shortly before Altman.

She said she feels like she has a good rapport with city staff because she has firsthand knowledge of what department directors must deal with daily. With more than two decades of experience in IT, Manker said she brings an ability to analyze issues from every angle because that is the core of what an IT director does.

She said she feels like she is approachable by anyone, citizens or city staff, who has ideas or concerns to share. She said she is a real person who at times can be blunt.

Of the bluntness, Manker laughed and said, But Im trying to work on that.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: New Hopewell city manager talks about her hiring
Mad Maxxinista

Tired: bikinis. Wired: facekinis.

As climate change continues to send global temperatures skyrocketing, apocalypse-friendly fashion accessories are apparently becoming increasingly commonplace. Case in point, according to new reporting from The Guardian, residents and visitors of the blistering city of Beijing, China have taken particularly fondly to a little something called the "facekini"  a summertime ski-mask-meets-swimming-cap of sorts made from UV-resistant fabrics and designed to cover a wearer's entire head and face.

The skintight coverings have openings only for a wearer's eyes, nostrils, and mouths. Yes, they're terrifying. But with Beijing air and ground surface temps reportedly reaching highs upwards of 95 and even roughly 176 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, you can't say it isn't practical.

https://twitter.com/globalnews/status/1682467342087749635

Hot Couture

Per the report, wide-brimmed hats  0ften equipped with built-in fans  along with lightweight jackets and even UV-resistant arm sleeves have exploded in popularity as well, as city-goers look to keep their skin out of the harsh, hot Sun.

"Compared to before the pandemic, two or three years ago, this year is much, much better than previous years," a hat shop salesperson told the Guardian. "Sales volume is definitely up a lot this year."

Health and regional beauty standards can play a role as well, per the Guardian.

"The main concern I have is potential skin diseases," Li Xuyan, a 17-year-old student visiting Beijing with her mother  both of whom, per the Guardian, were wearing masks that covered most of their faces  told the newspaper, adding that "developing sunspots" is of concern as well.

"We're concerned about getting sunburned and tanned," a 34-year-old shopowner, who went only by her surname Hong, told Reuters back in June, "so we're fully prepared."

Are facekinis dystopian? Undoubtably. But with temperatures rising all around the scorching  as in, literally-on-fire  planet we call home, we might expect to see any number of similarly Mad Max-ish heat wear fly off shelves in the coming years. In the meantime, you might want to snag a facekini for yourself. You know, just in case.

More on this very hot summer: Climate Change Is Getting so Bad That the Ocean Is Changing Color
Four conservation and fishing groups plan a lawsuit over high water temperatures in the Snake River, calling for actions that could include removing the four lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington.

Columbia Riverkeeper, Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Conservation League and the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association formally notified the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday that it could file the lawsuit in 60 days.

Hot water in the lower Snake River is killing and injuring sockeye salmon, which are at high risk of extinction, said the notice to the Corps.

It said the four lower Snake River hydroelectric dams from Ice Harbor Dam near the Tri-Cities upriver to Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston, Idaho, are primarily responsible for the high water temperatures.

Without the four dams, the lower Snake River would remain cool enough to allow most sockeye salmon to migrate safely, even in very hot years, the legal notice said.

Four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River in Eastern Washington are proposed to be removed or breached to improve salmon runs.

Hot water in the lower Snake River has been a year-in, year-out problem for endangered salmon, said Nic Nelson, executive director of Idaho Rivers United.

Despite above-average snowpacks and a colder spring, we still have significant hot water pollution threatening these endangered fish, he said. The only way to save these runs are substantive changes to the system of operations on the Columbia-Snake River systems.

River water that is too warm encourages the growth of disease-causing bacteria and fungi, delays migration and depletes the energy reserves of migrating fish, according to a Columbia Riverkeeper report on the dams and water temperatures, particularly in the hot summer of 2015.

Adult salmon have difficulty migrating upstream when water temperatures approach 68 degrees, and they stop heading upstream when water temperatures reach 72 to 73 degrees, the report said.

The lower Snake River water in the summer of 2015 was hotter than 68 degrees for two months. The Environmental Protection Agency concluded that roughly 250,000 adult sockeye salmon returning to the Snake or to upper Columbia tributaries died because of warm water, the report said.

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The legal notice to the Corps put the 2015 adult Snake River survival rates at 4%, by far the worst in the decade.

Last year the estimated survival rate was 66%, which met the survival rate of 65% that year as mandated under the Endangered Species Act, according to information in the legal notice to the Corps.

Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River in Walla Walla County.

Its ironic that anti-dam groups are announcing this lawsuit in the name of sockeye salmon when this year has had one of the best sockeye returns to the Snake River in recent memory, said Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners, which represents Northwest electric utilities, plus river transportation and agriculture interests.

Hot air temperatures cause hot river temperatures and heat-related salmon die-offs are being seen in the undammed Fraser River in Canada and rivers as far north as Alaska, Miller said.

Removing the hydroelectric dams will make climate change worse and river temperatures more dangerous to salmon, he said.

He also pointed out that a 2020 study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the undammed Salmon River was more at risk for extreme river temperatures than the lower Snake River.

The Corps has long said that the courts lack the authority to order Snake River dam removal.

But the groups planning the lawsuit based on the Endangered Species Act argue that the U.S. Supreme Court has said that congressional authorizations for federal dams do not create exemptions to the act and cannot prevent them from being prohibited.

They told the Corps that unless the Biden administration took action on a solution to save salmon in the Columbia River and its tributaries as he pledged in March, it would file the lawsuit as soon as Sept. 18.

The Army Corps said it was reviewing the notice to sue with the Department of Justice.

The Corps and the rest of the U.S. government has made an overarching commitment to supporting development of a durable long-term strategy to restore salmon and other native fish populations to healthy and abundant levels, said the Corps in a statement.

At the same time it is honoring federal commitments to tribal nations, delivering affordable and reliable clean power, it said.

The federal government, along with other participants that include Columbia Riverkeeper, currently are in the mediation in the long-standing Columbia River System litigation to develop a long-term strategy to restore salmon and other native fish populations to abundant levels, the Corps said.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee issued a memo saying that Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Sen Chuck Grassleys (R-IA) release of an unclassified document related to their probe of Hunter Biden jeopardises national security.

Mr Grassley released what is called an FD-1023 form, which includes claims that a confidential informant made about President Joe Bidens son Hunters work with Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

The informant claimed that they were told by officials at Burisma about their relationships with then-vice president Biden and his son Hunter. But top Republicans admit they cannot verify the claims in the form.

But a memo from the Democratic members of the committee characterised the claims, which were memorialised second-hand from Ukrainian Oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky, the owner of Burisma, to the FBI by a confidential source, as coming years after the fact.

Democrats on the committee, led by ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), said that disclosing the document publicly could eliminate or chill important collection, undermine the FBIs confidential human source program, jeopardize investigations, and result in significant risk of physical harm to sources based on their historic and ongoing collection.

Chairman Comers and Senator Grassleys decision to release this document further amplifies conspiracy theories at the cost of endangering the safety of FBI sources, Democrats wrote in the memo, which was obtained by The Independent. Furthermore, the allegations in the form have been debunked repeatedly, including by Donald Trumps own Justice Department and Rudy Giulianis failed campaign to collect dirt on President Biden in Ukraine.

The memo notes that Lev Parnas, the former associate of Mr Giuliani, Mr Trumps attorney, said in a 10-page letter to Mr Comer that the form repeated false allegations as part of a campaign orchestrated by Giuliani and Trump to dig up dirt on the Bidens, and to spread misinformation about them through various networks including government officials, journalists, and FOX News personnel.

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Mr Parnas wrote in his letter about his role in Mr Giulianis efforts to pressure Ukrainian officials to provide false information about Mr Bidens call to oust Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin and say how it was part of a corrupt deal.

This campaign included offers to exchange political or legal support from the Trump Administration for false statements regarding President Biden, the letter said.

Mr Parnas also described an effort to pressure Mr. Zlochevsky to make false allegations about President Biden by telling him he could be an enemy or a friend of Trump, the letter said. Mr. Zlochevskys written responses explicitly contradicted the Republicans theory and the statements attributed to him in the Form FD-1023.

Specifically, Democrats noted how Mr Zlochevsky denied that anyone contacted the then-former vice president.

The Democratic memo also noted that, along with the confidential human source, senior Republican figures and members of the Justice Department during Mr Trumps presidency debunked the claims.

It noted how then-attorney general William Barr warned we cant take anything we receive from the Ukraine at face value. The memo also noted how Mr Grassley questioned the truthfulness of the allegations, but added he was not interested in the accuracy of the claims in the FD-1023.

The memo also excoriated Mr Grassley and Mr Comer for their release of the form, saying it revealed the names of several individuals in Ukraine whose identities the FBI wanted to keep secret. But the form released Mr Comer and Mr Grassley disclosed the names of officials the human source contacted.

Chairman Comers and Senator Grassleys decision to publicly release the form is in brazen disregard of the safety of FBI human sources and the integrity of its investigations, the memo said. Contrary to Republican messaging, the form provides no new or additional support for their corruption allegations against the President or Hunter Biden. Instead, its release merely seeks to breathe new life into years-old conspiracy theories, initially peddled by Rudy Giuliani, that have been thoroughly debunked.
HOWELL  Joshua Warren was in middle school when Magic: The Gathering, a popular trading card game, was released. It remains popular decades later.

Warren, 40, has grown a small business out of his love for the game, and his knack for buying and selling collectible game cards.

Last fall, he opened a brick-and-mortar store called Mom's Basement Games at 1129 E. Grand River Ave. in the Promenade Shopping Center in Howell, after first launching the store online. He also sells Pokemon cards, board games and action figures, among other items.

Mom's Basement Games offers gaming tables where groups can learn and play games. The store hosts regular events, including single sessions of Dungeons & Dragons, different formats of Magic: The Gathering, and Pokemon.

"I started playing with my buddy in sixth grade," Warren said. "I used to have my mom drop me off at Gibraltar Trade Center, and we would play Magic, buy elephant ears, and just be idiots. We would talk to the vendors. I would haggle with them, even as a kid. My dad would ask me, 'How did you get that guy to sell you that cheaper?'"

Mom's Basement Games owner Joshua Warren stands behind a counter filled with game cards in Howell on Monday, July 17.

He would later serve in the military and attend Eastern Michigan University for teaching.

"During the summers, I was buying and selling cards and made money," he said. "I sold some of the decks to get through the summer, so I didn't need a minimum wage job."

Buying and selling cards became a side gig, when Warren wasn't working for a nonprofit and helping homeless veterans find jobs. The gig transitioned into a full-time business.

"I traveled to shows. I would buy and resell things," he said. "I did that from home for five years. When COVID was done, I said, 'I don't just want to have a set amount of money I can make,' because there's  when you travel, it's different when you get to interact with the public and not just from the basement. I enjoy people."

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Running tournaments in the shop, Warren said, has gone well.

"When you first open a store, it's kind of scary, because you don't know if they'll show up," he said.

An MTG tournament held at the store a few weeks ago saw 36 participants, and the store awarded $2,000 in prizes.

"It gets people to come from two, three hours away, like Ohio and Grand Rapids," Warren said.

His next plan, Warren said, is to add used, classic video games.

"We'll put TV stations along the wall for people to play (video games) here and have tournaments," he said.

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"Id love to get more kids in here," he added. "Id like to have a kids night. I've been going to the clubs for the schools in the local area, speaking with the people who run the clubs. Wed like to run something for you because we have a space here."

 Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell card, game store draws in Magic, D&D fans and more
Cambodia's 7th general election kicks off

Xinhua) 08:54, July 24, 2023

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (C) shows his ink-stained finger after casting his ballot at a polling station in Kandal province, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

KANDAL, Cambodia, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said.

More than 9.7 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in the election, which is held once every five years to elect the members of parliament for the 125-seat National Assembly.

"Polling began at 7:00 a.m. local time at all 23,789 polling stations across the country and is due to close at 3:00 p.m.," NEC member and spokesman Dim Sovannarom told Xinhua.

The preliminary results are expected to be announced on Sunday evening and Monday morning, as the official ones will be released on Aug. 9.

Active parties in the race are the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and the Funcinpec Party, headed by Prince Norodom Chakravuth.

Hun Sen voted at a polling station near his mansion in Kandal province, roughly 15 km south of capital Phnom Penh, whilst Prince Chakravuth cast his ballot in Phnom Penh.

In the last general election held in 2018, the CPP won all 125 seats in the National Assembly.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen shows his ballot at a polling station in Kandal province, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Kandal province, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

A man casts his ballot at a polling station in Kandal province, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

People wait for their turns to vote at a polling station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

People wait for their turns to vote at a polling station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. The seventh general election kicked off in Cambodia on Sunday with a total of 18 political parties taking part in the race, a National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman said. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Last week, Indiana U.S. Reps. Jim Banks and Erin Houchin joined 68 fellow Republicans in voting to end U.S. military aid to Ukraine during debate on the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act.

Notwithstanding any provision of this or any other Act, no federal funds may be made available to provide security assistance to Ukraine, read the one-sentence amendment. It was defeated by a 358-70 margin, with all Democrats and a majority of Republicans (including U.S. Reps. Jim Baird, Larry Bucshon, Greg Pence, Victoria Spartz and Rudy Yakym) opposing the measure.

My amendment is going to lose overwhelmingly when it is put up for a vote, said U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican who authored the amendment. But the American people will see who wants to represent them, and who wants to represent Crimea.

It sets up a divide within the ranks of the Indiana Republican Party, where major figures are still advocating support for Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

Banks and Houchin say that they are motivated by fiscal concerns rather than the slaughter of Ukrainian civilians.

Banks, the probable Republican U.S. Senate nominee in 2024 from Columbia City, said in a statement to Howey Politics/State Affairs Indiana, President Biden, the weakest commander-in-chief ever, embarrassed our country in Afghanistan and has since reduced our critical munition stockpiles to dangerously low levels. We cannot lead abroad while we are so weak at home.

Houchin, a freshman from Salem, said, We cannot continue down this path of tens of billions of dollars being spent in Ukraine with no accounting of where the money is going and no plan for a resolution. I heard resoundingly from my district prior to the vote, and I share my constituents concerns. My votes on these amendments to the NDAA reflect the views of the majority of 9th District Hoosiers.

Banks voted against a $40 billion Ukraine aid package in May 2022. He told WOWOs Pat Miller after that vote, Ive heard from our listeners from northeast Indiana loud and clear. Theyre saying, Enough is enough. We cant give a blank check to Ukraine without solving problems at home first. Ive always said America cant lead around the world when were so weak at home.

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U.S. Sen. Mike Braun said in May 2022, Ukrainians are amazing. We were slow to help them out of the gate. But Im going to always ask a question: How are we paying for it? And when I found out were borrowing every penny of it, and were not offsetting anything, that turned it into a no vote for me.

Other Hoosier Republicans are backing Kyiv.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has insisted from the beginning of the war that the United States must back Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is attacking the democratic, rules-based order that has benefitted countless Americans and millions around the globe since World War II, Young said on Feb. 24, 2022. The stakes extend beyond Europe, as China is watching us and clearly has the same ambitions for Taiwan. It is essential that America sends an unequivocal message: invading sovereign, democratic nations will never be tolerated.

Former vice president Mike Pence has also consistently advocated for supporting Ukraine. He told Fox59 last weekend, The war in Ukraine is not a territorial dispute. It was a Russian invasion by Vladimir Putin. As the leader of the free world, its absolutely essential to provide the Ukrainian military what they need to repel the Russian invasion for this reason. Im someone who believes in that old Reagan doctrine that if youre willing to fight our enemies on your soil well give you what you need to fight them there so men and women in uniform arent going to have to face them someday defending our interests and our allies."

Other congressional Republicans are supporting Ukraine. On Feb. 24, 2022, Rep. Bucshon said, Russias actions are a savage violation of international law that have put countless innocent lives at risk. The United States and our allies must stand firm and protect the freedom and sovereignty of Ukraine, and Putins actions must be met with swift and severe consequences.

Rep. Yakym told Ink Free News last October, We cannot allow nations to bulldoze other nations.

Rep. Pence said in a Feb. 24, 2022 statement, Ukraine is an ally of the United States and I believe it is our duty to stand with our allies.

And then there is Rep. Spartz, who began the period after the Russian invasion to rally Republicans to the cause of her native land. She then shocked both Republicans and Democrats with "intense criticisms" of President Zelensky a year ago. In July 2022, Politico reported: Inside the House GOP Conference, theres a widespread fear that her posture is damaging U.S.-Ukraine relations at the worst possible time  and that shes being played by forces that aim to weaken the Western alliance.

Since then, Spartz flirted with a U.S. Senate candidacy, then announced she would not seek reelection. She has issued relatively few statements on Ukraine since then, as more and more Republicans peel away their support for the war effort.

Brian Howey is senior writer and columnist for Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs. Find Howey on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana Republicans divided over military aid to Ukraine
Police have recovered the body of a 52-year-old man whose vehicle was submerged after devastating floods in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

Unidentified remains were also found as police continue to search for three others missing, including two children.

The weekend flooding was caused by the heaviest torrential rains to hit the Atlantic Canada region in 50 years.

Hundreds have been displaced and several highways, local roads and properties have been damaged.

Officials said 25 bridges have been affected, and six were completely destroyed in the floods.

About 500 to 600 people were displaced across Nova Scotia because they cannot reach their homes, though many have been able to return on Monday as some evacuation orders were lifted, the province said.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said that it continues to search for the missing, who are from the town of West Hants, north of Halifax.

The 52-year-old man and the three others went missing after their cars became submerged in flood waters.

Police had located a pickup that the two missing children were travelling in, but found no sign of them. Three other people in that car had managed to escape.

They also located a second vehicle, in which the 52-year-old man and a youth were believed to be travelling in. Two others were rescued from the vehicle.

The name of the man, as well as the name and ages of the three others have not been released by police.

Authorities are working with the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner's office to identify the remains that were found.

At a news conference on Sunday, the mayor of West Hants appeared visibly emotional as he discussed the search efforts.

"We've dedicated a lot of resources today to help find those families," said Abraham Zebian, holding back tears. "We're doing everything we can."

Both Mr Zebian and the RCMP have advised locals not to join the search and rescue efforts due to dangerous conditions.

Nova Scotia suffered extensive flooding over the weekend after it was hit with its heaviest rain in more than 50 years

Nova Scotia was hit by 250 millilitres of rain in a 24-hour period - equivalent to what the province would usually see over a three-month period, said premier Tim Houston.

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Mike Savage, the mayor of Halifax, described it as a torrential pour of "biblical proportions".

Nova Scotia declared a province-wide state of emergency on Saturday that will remain in effect until 5 August, and the federal government said it will be sending assistance to help those impacted.

Mail delivery was halted in the province on Monday, said Canada Post, as it evaluates the safety of its employees and operations.

Halifax's Pride Parade on Sunday was also postponed due to the severe flooding.

The flooding is the latest extreme weather event to hit northeast Canada - recent wildfires have burnt a record area, sending clouds of smoke south into the US and destroying dozens of homes in Nova Scotia.
Devon Archer, a former best friend and business associate of Hunter Biden in Ukraine, is expected to testify under oath to Congress this week that President Biden met with dozens of Hunters business associates while he was serving as vice president between 2009 and 2017.

Fox News Digital has confirmed that Archer has been subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee and could testify as early as Thursday, July 27. The expected testimony could cast further doubt on President Bidens repeated claims that he had no knowledge of his sons foreign business dealings or of having any influence on them.

Miranda Devine, a New York Post columnist and Fox News contributor, reported Monday that Archer, 48, is expected to tell the House Oversight Committee about meetings he witnessed attended by both Bidens  Hunter and Joe  either in person or via telephone. During the meetings, Hunter would specifically introduce his father to foreign business partners or prospective investors, Archer is expected to testify.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Archer to speak as House Republicans continue to investigate whether the Bidens used the influence then-Vice President Biden had in the White House to elicit these deals and other alleged Biden family corruption. The committee told Fox News it believes the president communicated in some form with Hunter Biden's business associates.

TIMELINE OF BIDEN ADVISER'S COMMUNICATIONS WITH HUNTER, MEETINGS WITH VP ABOUT BURISMA RAISES QUESTIONS

"We are looking forward very much to hearing from Devon Archer about all the times he has witnessed Joe Biden meeting with Hunter Bidens overseas business partners when he was vice president, including on speakerphone," the committee said in a statement.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The committee invited Archer to testify as he was sentenced last year to one year in prison for his role in a $60 million bond fraud involving various clients. At least three previously planned dispositions were canceled by Archer for personal reasons.

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"Joe Biden lied to the American people when he said he knew nothing about his sons business dealings," committee chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement on Monday. "Evidence continues to be revealed that Joe Biden was very much involved in his familys corrupt influence peddling schemes and he likely benefited financially. This includes deals with a corrupt Ukrainian oligarch and a CCP-linked energy company that generated millions for the Bidens and undermined American interests."

Comer added, "It certainly appears that Joe Biden and his family put themselves first and Americans last, but corporate media and the Justice Department continue to cover up for the Bidens. The Oversight Committee will continue to follow the facts to provide the transparency and accountability that the American people demand and deserve. We look forward to speaking soon with Devon Archer about Joe Bidens involvement in his familys business affairs."

Devine, also the author of "Laptop from Hell," reported Archer is expected to testify on specific examples of the elder Biden getting involved in his sons business deals, including an evening meeting in Dubai on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, which ultimately saw Hunter Biden meeting with Ukrainian energy company Burisma owner Mykola Zlochevsky and calling his dad during their conversation.

At the time, Burisma was paying Hunter $83,000 a month to serve as a director, Devine reported.

GOP RIPS HUNTER'S SWEETHEART PLEA DEAL ON TAX AND GUN CRIMES, ZERO IN ON JOE BIDEN

According to Devine, Archer, who was also a director, is expected to testify that the call between Joe, Hunter and Hunters business partners came after he and Hunter had dinner with the Burisma board at the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Archer and Hunter reportedly left the meeting and traveled to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach when Vadym Pozharskyi, a senior Burisma executive, called them and said Zlochevsky needed to urgently speak with Hunter.

The two Ukrainians then reportedly joined Hunter and Archer at the Four Seasons, where Pozharskyi specifically asked Hunter, "Can you ring your dad?"

According to Devine, Archer is expected to testify that Hunter called his father, who was in Washington, D.C., at the time, and introduced the Ukrainians by their first names. Then the younger Biden emphasized that the Burisma executives "need our support."

Then-Vice President Biden acknowledged the Ukrainians, as he did in other calls with Hunters business partners, but kept the conversation brief, Archer is expected to testify.

President Biden gives remarks on AI in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on July 21, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Devine reported that committee members are likely to ask Archer about the context surrounding that meeting as three days after that conversation, on Dec. 9, 2015, then-Vice President Biden, who was former President Obamas point man for Ukrainian issues, flew to Kyiv to address the Ukrainian parliament.

At the time, Zlochevsky was being investigated by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin for corruption and, just two months later, Shokin seized four of Zlochevskys houses in Kyiv, two plots of land and a Rolls-Royce, Devine reported.

A month after the seizure, then-Vice President Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. aid to Ukraine unless Shokin was fired. Then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko promptly fired Shokin.

OBAMA-ERA EMAILS REVEAL HUNTER'S EXTENSIVE TIES TO NEARLY A DOZEN SENIOR-LEVEL BIDEN ADMIN AIDES

Biden later bragged to the Council on Foreign Relations during an event in January 2018, saying, "I looked at them and said, Im leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, youre not getting the money.' Well, he got fired."

Members of the House Oversight Committee are expected to ask Archer about the timing of the firing as Shokin was also investigating Burisma at the time.

The New York Post previously reported an email sent on Nov. 2, 2015 that shows Pozharskyi was ratcheting up pressure on Hunter and Archer to use their influence to "close down" Shokins investigation into Burisma.

President Biden has repeatedly defended the firing as pointing back to Poroshenko, who said Shokin was corrupt and was slow walking efforts to clear corruption in the prosecutors office. Biden and the U.S. were also not the only entities advocating for Shokin to be removed.

According to a Congressional Research Service report published in Jan. 2017, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde threatened to withhold $40 billion unless Ukraine undertook "a substantial new effort" to clear corruption in the government.

The CRS report said Shokin submitted his resignation in February 2016 and was subsequently removed.

Ukrainian prosecutor general Viktor Shokin was investigating Burisma before he resigned in Feb. 2016.

However, Just last week, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, released an FBI document describing an allegation that Zlochevsky told an FBI informant he paid a $10 million bribe to Joe and Hunter Biden in 2016 "to ensure Ukraine Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin was fired."

The FBI document, known as an FD-1023, shows Zlochevsky calling Joe Biden "the big guy."

Archer is expected to testify the "big guy" was a title other people in Bidens circle used to refer to the elder Biden.

According to Devine, Hunter Bidens former business partner in Los Angeles, Tony Bobulinski, also met with Hunter and Joe. In an email sent to Hunter, Bobulinski refers to then-Vice President Biden as "the big guy."

Archer also is expected to tell the committee about other instances  as many as two dozen times in Archers presence  where Hunter called his father and put him on speaker to impress prospective investors, Devine reported.

REPUBLICAN CALLS TO IMPEACH BIDEN GROW FOLLOWING RELEASE OF FBI DOCUMENT DETAILING BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS

His testimony is expected to include information about dinners Hunter organized, so his father could meet his foreign business partners, Devine wrote.

A Fox News Digital review found that Biden personally met with several of Hunters business associates from the U.S., Mexico, Ukraine, China and Kazakhstan over the course of his vice presidency.

Joe Biden met with two of Hunters since-dissolved investment fund partners, former Colombia President Andres Pastrana Arango and Eric Schwerin, at the Naval Observatory  the official residence of the vice president  on March 2, 2012, the New York Post reported.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, right, hosted then-Vice President Joe Biden for official talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 16, 2017.

According to emails reviewed by Fox News Digital, the elder Biden also met with two of Hunters Mexican business associates, Miguel Aleman Velasco and Miguel Aleman Magnani, when they visited the West Wing on Feb. 26, 2014. Joe and Hunter Biden also gave Velasco and Magnani a tour of the White House Brady Press Briefing room.

Emails reviewed by Fox News Digital, also showed Hunter arranged a video conference with his father and Carlos Slim, a Mexican billionaire with whom Hunter was seeking to do business with at the time, on Oct. 30, 2015.

Joe, Hunter, and Hunters business partner Jeff Cooper hosted another meeting at the Naval Observatory, located at Number One Observatory Circle in Washington D.C., for Slim, Velasco and Magnani on Nov. 19, 2015.

At the time, Hunter and Cooper were interested in investing in a Mexican energy company with the business executives, the Daily Mail reported.

SEAN HANNITY: THIS IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST ABUSE OF POWER SCANDAL IN MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY

In February 2016, Hunter and Cooper flew on Air Force 2 to Mexico City, where Hunter wrote an email to Magnani that he would be personally attending a meeting between Joe and then-Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

In the same email, Hunter said Magnani had not spoken to him "for months" despite Hunter delivering "on every single thing youve ever asked," which included bringing guests to meet his father.

"I have brought every single person you have ever asked me to bring to the F'ing White House and the Vice President's house and the inauguration and then you go completely silent," Hunter wrote in the email. "I don't know what it is that I did but I'd like to know why I've delivered on every single thing you've ever asked - and you make me feel like I've done something to offend you."

Hunter Biden's business associates thanked him for introducing them to his father Vice President Joe Biden in emails found on the younger Biden's laptop.

Joe Biden also attended a dinner with Hunters business associates from Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia at the Georgetown restaurant Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2015, emails from Hunter Bidens abandoned laptop show.

One such email from Hunter to Archer shared a guest list for the dinner, which included Burismas Pozharskyi, late Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov and his wife, Russian billionaire Yelena Baturina, who was in business with Hunters Rosemont firm. It is not clear if these individuals ultimately attended the dinner.

The day after the 2015 meeting, Pozharskyi emailed Hunter thanking him for introducing him to his father.

Devine reported that Archer is expected to answer questions from the committee about these Cafe Milano meetings.

A close associate of Archer's said he believes it is his "civic duty" to testify before the committee, Devine reported.

According to Devine, the associate said Archer has "nothing to hide, no revenge to enact nor anyone to protect other than his family and he feels he has been handcuffed by the absurdly bogus [fraud] case into remaining silent. In a forum where he has immunity he can at least start to speak truth."

Fox News' Gillian Turner, Chad Pergram and Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.
The author in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I'm an American living in New York City, and I visited Iceland for the first time in June.

I was surprised by the high cost of food and by how light the sky remained at night.

I discovered that Iceland uses decimal points instead of commas to write out prices.

After years of Iceland sitting at the top of my travel bucket list, I finally had the chance to visit in June.

I largely found it easy to navigate the country as an American tourist, but there were still a few unexpected discoveries during my trip.

Here are nine things that surprised me about Iceland.

I expected the Blue Lagoon to be a disappointing tourist trap, but it lived up to the hype.

At the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

The Blue Lagoon is located about a 20-minute drive from Keflavik Airport. Friends of mine who had recently visited Iceland recommended going straight to the lagoon when I landed, and I'm glad I did.

My $93 ticket included a locker, a towel, a mineral face mask, and a drink from the bar inside the lagoon. The showers in the locker rooms were also stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel.

I visited two other lagoons during my trip, but the Blue Lagoon was my favorite. With over 700,00 visitors every year according to US News and World Report, I thought the site might be overpriced, overcrowded with people taking selfies, or not as blue in person. I was pleasantly surprised to find that none of those things were true.

While the bar and face-mask stations at the lagoon featured long lines, I still felt I had plenty of space to spread out. Swimming in the milky blue water with steam rising around me was even cooler in real life, and I also appreciated how all-inclusive even the lowest-cost admission was. Sipping a smoothie and applying a face mask in the warm pool was the perfect pick-me-up after my red-eye flight.

Food was more expensive than I thought it would be.

Avocado toast at the Blue Lagoon. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I spent a total of $218.42 on food during my five-day solo trip to Iceland, which comes out to about $44 a day.

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Living in New York City, I'm used to expensive meals, but I was surprised by how quickly the cost of food in Iceland added up. A piece of avocado toast at the Blue Lagoon cost 2,690 ISK, or about $20, and a single carton of yogurt cost 499 ISK, or about $3.59.

I found that it was worth booking hotels that included breakfast both for the convenience and in order to save some money.

According to Iceland Review magazine, food prices are higher in Iceland since it relies heavily on imports and has high import taxes.

I noticed that some Icelandic grocery stores give out free fruit for kids.

Kronan in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

When I visited the Icelandic grocery store Kronan, I saw a barrel of fruit in the produce section with a sign that read "Biti fyir bornin a mean pu verslar," which translates to "A bite for the kids while shopping." I loved how family-friendly the offering was for busy parents running errands.

Iceland uses decimal points instead of commas to write out prices in Icelandic Krona, which took some getting used to.

Hagkaup in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I was initially confused when I saw signs in grocery stores with prices like 1.999 ISK per kilogram until I realized that it actually meant 1,999 ISK. It turns out it's not unique to Iceland  many other countries in Europe and around the world use decimal points to separate thousands, according to Cornell University's Office of the Treasurer.

This was my first time driving outside the US, and I was surprised by several aspects of driving abroad.

Behind the wheel in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

While booking my rental car, I was surprised to find that most of the available cars had manual transmissions. While the vast majority of cars sold in Europe have manual transmissions, I don't know how to drive stick, so I made sure to double check that I was booking a car with automatic transmission.

I'm also not used to driving around traffic circles, but I learned quickly since they're everywhere in Iceland. It took me a few days to feel confident in navigating these two-lane roundabouts, which often replace traffic lights at intersections, but I got the hang of it by the end of my trip.

Compared to New York City, I found that drivers in Iceland were much less aggressive and impatient. I don't think I heard a single person honk their horn.

You can read more about my experience driving in Iceland here.

I also found that many roads in Iceland were unpaved.

A gravel road in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

According to Frommer's, only about one third of all roads in Iceland are paved.

While all of the main streets and highways were paved, I found that roads leading to many tourist sites such as waterfalls or rural hotels were made of gravel. Because gravel roads can kick up rocks and damage the body or windshield of a car, my rental company recommended gravel protection insurance as part of its platinum insurance package, which cost 31 (about $34) per day.

I couldn't believe how bright the sky was at night during Iceland's summer months.

The view from my hotel bed at 10:30 p.m. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited Iceland at the beginning of June, when there are 24 hours of daylight.

The midnight sun in Iceland, and other countries north of the Arctic Circle such as Sweden, Finland, and Norway, is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. Because the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun during the summer months, these places are continuously exposed to the light of the sun.

It means the sun doesn't fully set in Iceland between May and August, with June being peak midnight sun season, according to Guide to Iceland.

Even with blackout curtains at hotels, I was surprised by how much sunlight still remained as I went to sleep.

I was shocked by how similar the Icelandic Costco was to US stores.

Inside Costco in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited Iceland's only Costco store in Garabr, about 6 miles south of Reykjavik.

When I walked inside, I felt transported right back to my local New York City Costco warehouse. The layout was exactly the same. The only indication that I was in Iceland were the Icelandic signs for different sections of the store.

There were a few items unique to Iceland, such as Icelandic butter, hot dogs, soda, and dried fish fillets. I also noticed a surprising amount of British products like Marmite and Victoria sandwiches.

The Icelandic landscapes were beautiful, but I noticed that there weren't very many trees.

A waterfall in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I saw lots of beautiful mountainous landscapes and waterfalls as I drove through Iceland. Some were covered in green moss or dotted with small shrubs, but I was struck by the lack of trees.

In fact, the only forest I encountered was when I stayed at Buubble by Airmango, a bubble hotel along the Golden Circle where the transparent lodgings were surrounded by trees for privacy.

Brynjolfur Jonsson told The Reykjavik Grapevine in 2018 that Iceland's landscape is mostly bare due to deforestation by early settlers.

"Forests used to cover around 35% of Iceland's land area, but due to deforestation, we ended up with less than one percent," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
The Mormon Battalion walks in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Horses clomped through the streets, accompanied by marching bands, bagpipes and upbeat music. Vintage cars from the early 1900s, decorated floats and dancers dressed in traditional pioneer clothing rewarded the many spectators Monday who watched one of the nation's oldest parades.

Since July 24, 1849, Salt Lake City has hosted a parade on Pioneer Day to honor those who trekked across the plains and made Utah home. In 2023  174 years later  Utah participants and spectators gathered again to celebrate the age-old tradition.

I think it's a very important part of Utah's culture because you have to just remember the people that came here came because they were forced out of their homes  so they were running, looking for somewhere that they could, you know, be the people that they wanted to be, said Marilee Schneider, a member of the Days of 47 Parade committee. They got us here, and it makes it wonderful for us, so I'm grateful.

Eight-year-old Melanie Silva agreed, noting that the parade was so fun and that she especially loved the Days of 47 Parade's reenactment of pioneers dancing.

I think it's important because we get to see our ancestors, Silva said.

Parade participants with the float Pioneer Stories dance on the parade route during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Emma Stucki, left, and Chloe Kennard dance in the streets during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Members of the Mormon Battalion march during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer Cox and first lady Abby Cox ride horseback during the annual Days of 47 parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints, with his wife Sister Kathy Christofferson wave during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Sister missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cheer on the parade participants during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Kayla Willey, laundress in the Mormon Battalion, ties her bonnet during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Elizabeth Buell waves at parade participants during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Days of 47 royalty wave to parade attendees during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A clown makes balloon animals before the start of the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Evie Page watches the annual Days of 47 Parade from her father Curtis Pages lap in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Davis High School marching band performs during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Sivalu, left, and Winna Fonua blow bubbles from their bubble guns during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and her husband Kyle LaMalfa wave to the crowd at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Parade participants with the Butterfield Canyon Stake walk the parade route during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A clown blows up a balloon before the start of the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Jacob, right, Emma, and their mom Rachelle Stucki draw chalk art on the parade route before the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A parade participant with the Sandy Crescent Stake float, winner of the Pioneers Choice award, at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The reflection of the crowd is seen in a member of the Mountain Ridge High School marching bands tuba during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Parade participants wave at the crowd along the parade route during the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The West Valley City parade float passes at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Bagpipers from the Utah Pipe Band perform at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A Miss Tooele City attendant blows a kiss at the audience at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Murray South Stake float at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Castle Valley marching band performs at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Davis High School marching band performs at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float from Westernstampede.com at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The winner of the Sweepstakes award, Peoples Choice award, and Childrens Choice award at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The winner of this years Spirt of Faith award at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Parade participants from the Cobble Creek Stake sit on their float at the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float made by the Stone Creek Stake at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Riverview Stake float rides down the street at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Winner of this years Theme award, a float goes down the street at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float made by the Murray South Stake at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The BYU float at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Children jump up to pop bubbles being blown from American Heritage Schools float at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Parade participants walk by with their float at the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float made by stakes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float made by stakes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Parade participants sit in their pioneer-themed float at the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float made by the Canyon View Stake at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A float made by the Grant Stake at the annual Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The parade had 37 floats and 120 entries, according to Schneider. Some of those entries included vintage cars, handcarts and rides featuring the Salt Lake City Council.

Many other entries featured musical bands and performers, including the Utah Pipe Band and several marching bands from high schools across Utah.

And playing music  while difficult in the hot weather  especially honors Utah's ancestors, according to Amme Swasey, the Copper Hills High School marching band woodwind technician.

"Music got them through walking over here to Utah; they would sing songs and celebrate together, and so I think it's just cool to see how music has carried itself through here to our traditions, especially in Utah," Swasey said.

Along with the marching bands, several parade entries and decorated floats  many sponsored by stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  continued to celebrate Utah's pioneer heritage, including the Mormon Battalion Association and the Sons of Utah Pioneers.

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Not all the floats and entries honored just the pioneers who had trekked west; in fact, one particular float celebrated the sacrifices of Tongan pioneers and won the People's Choice Award, the Children's Choice Award and the Days of 47 Sweepstakes Award.

With its outrigger canoe, native Tongan flowers, dancers dressed in traditional Tongan clothing, and a large model of the Nukualofa Tonga Temple, the Salt Lake Utah Tongan West Stake's float garnered cheers and excited waves of the Tongan flag from various participants as the float made its way across Salt Lake Citys streets.

I think it's really special for us as pioneers here in Salt Lake, because a lot of times you think of pioneers coming from the east with hand wagons, going through bad weather  so it's nice to recognize our ancestors coming across the ocean, said Olfa Halaufia, a contributor to the float.

Carl Makaafi, right, shakes hands with a member of the Salt Lake Utah (Tongan) West Stake during the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Tesia Fakatou, a spectator in the parade with a Tongan flag wrapped around her shoulders, smiled as she noted how excited the float had made her.

I don't feel like we really get a lot of representation, but here in Utah, we're such a big percentage of the people here, and it's awesome to see people come out, Fakatou said.

Fakatou added that seeing Polynesian and Mexican representation helped her recognize that the Days of 47 Parade doesn't just honor the pioneer ancestors who crossed the plains, but all pioneers who immigrated to the U.S. for better lives.

These people have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, have come from so many miles from home  and they traveled here, Fakatou said. I think the parade is a really great celebration of that and honoring of that.

In fact, for the Fernandez family, recent immigrants from Argentina having attended a U.S. parade for the first time, the Days of 47 Parade exemplified that very concept.

This is a good reminder of all those people that suffered, that had really hard times in the past, and what they had gone through to get here  and I think that's a good reminder. I think Pioneer Day helps remember that, said Shamira Fernandez.

Fakatou agreed, noting that it's important to know where we came from.

I think forgetting history leads to forgetting who we are, Fakatou said. And so I think that it's important to look back on our ancestors, and look back on the people who suffered to put us where we are, to make us grateful.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, ride in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Members of the Salt Lake Utah (Tongan) West Stake walk in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. The float won three awards: Childrens Choice award, Peoples Choice award and the Days 47 Sweepstakes award. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

A traditional Mexican horseman with the United Charros of Utah rides in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Salt Lake City Council members ride a fire truck in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Herrimans Butterfield Canyon Stakes float is pictured at the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Carl Makaafi, right, shakes hands with a member of the Salt Lake Utah (Tongan) West Stake during the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Gov. Spencer J. Cox and first lady Abby Cox ride in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Runners enjoy getting watered down while competing in the Deseret News Marathon races in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Salt Lake City Police officer Rory Carlisle sports a mustache during the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Members of the Salt Lake County Farm Bureau drives their equipment in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The Viewmont High School marching band participates in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

People watch the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

People watch the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Raymond Tongolei of the Salt Lake Utah (Tongan) West Stake high-fives Moli Makaafi during the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. The float won three awards: Childrens Choice award, Peoples Choice award and the Days 47 Sweepstakes award. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Construction workers watch as the Utah Pipe Band passes by during the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The Days of 47 Parade moves down State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Construction workers watch as a Utah miniature horse and buggy passes by during the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Members of the Sons of Utah Pioneers walk in the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 24, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Turning Point Action conference in West Palm Beach, Fla., July 15, 2023. (Saul Martinez/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON  Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump, employs 40 to 60 career prosecutors, paralegals and support staff, augmented by a rotating cast of FBI agents and technical specialists, according to people familiar with the situation.

In his first four months on the job, starting in November, Smiths investigation incurred expenses of $9.2 million. That included $1.9 million to pay the U.S. Marshals Service to protect Smith, his family and other investigators who have faced threats after the former president and his allies singled them out on social media.

At this rate, the special counsel is on track to spend about $25 million a year.

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The main driver of all these efforts and their concurrent expenses is Trumps own behavior  his unwillingness to accept the results of an election as every one of his predecessors has done, his refusal to heed his own lawyers advice and a grand jurys order to return government documents and his lashing out at prosecutors in personal terms.

Even the $25 million figure only begins to capture the full scale of the resources dedicated by federal, state and local officials to address Trumps behavior before, during and after his presidency. While no comprehensive statistics are available, Justice Department officials have long said that the effort alone to prosecute the members of the pro-Trump mob who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is the largest investigation in its history. That line of inquiry is only one of many criminal and civil efforts being brought to hold Trump and his allies to account.

As the department and prosecutors in New York and Georgia move forward, the scope of their work, in terms of quantifiable costs, is gradually becoming clear.

These efforts, taken as a whole, do not appear to be siphoning resources that would otherwise be used to combat crime or undertake other investigations. But the agencies are paying what one official called a Trump tax  forcing leaders to expend disproportionate time and energy on the former president, and defending themselves against his unfounded claims that they are persecuting him at the expense of public safety.

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In a political environment growing more polarized as the 2024 presidential race takes shape, Republicans have made the scale of the federal investigation of Trump and his associates an issue in itself. Earlier this month, Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee grilled FBI Director Christopher Wray on the scale of the investigations, and suggested they might block the reauthorization of a warrantless surveillance program used to investigate several people suspected of involvement in the Jan. 6 breach or oppose funding for the bureaus new headquarters.

What Jack Smith is doing is actually pretty cheap considering the momentous nature of the charges, said Timothy J. Heaphy, the former U.S. attorney who served as lead investigator for the House committee that investigated the Capitol assault.

The greater cost is likely to be the damage inflicted by relentless attacks on the department, which could be incalculable, he added.

At the peak of the Justice Departments efforts to hunt down and charge the Jan. 6 rioters, many U.S. attorneys offices and all 56 FBI field offices had officials pursuing leads. At one point, more than 600 agents and support personnel from the bureau were assigned to the riot cases, officials said.

In Fulton County, Georgia, the district attorney, Fani Willis, a Democrat, has spent about two years conducting a wide-ranging investigation into election interference. The office has assigned about 10 of its 370 employees to the elections case, including prosecutors, investigators and legal assistants, according to officials.

Authorities in Michigan and Arizona are scrutinizing Republicans who sought to pass themselves off as Electoral College electors in states won by Joe Biden in 2020.

For all their complexity and historical importance, the Trump-related prosecutions have not significantly constrained the ability of prosecutors to carry out their regular duties or forced them to abandon other types of cases, officials in all of those jurisdictions have repeatedly said.

In Manhattan, New York, where Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with his alleged attempts to suppress reports of an affair with a pornographic actress, the number of assistant district attorneys assigned to the case is in the single digits, according to officials.

That has not stopped Trump from accusing the district attorney, Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, of diverting resources that might have gone to fight street crime. In fact, the division responsible for bringing the case was the financial crimes unit, and the office has about 500 other prosecutors who have no part in the investigation.

Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime wave taking over New York City, hes doing Joe Bidens dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on, Trump wrote on the day in March that he was indicted. This is how Bragg spends his time!

Trump pursued a similar line of attack against the New York attorney general, Letitia James, who sued the former president and his family business and accused them of fraud. (Local prosecutors, not the state, are responsible for bringing charges against most violent criminals.)

The Justice Department, which includes the FBI and the U.S. Marshals, is a sprawling organization with an annual budget of around $40 billion, and it has more than enough staff to absorb the diversion of key prosecutors, including the chief of its counterintelligence division, Jay Bratt, to the special counsels investigations, officials said.

A vast majority of Smiths staff members were already assigned to those cases before he was appointed, simply moving their offices across town to work under him. Department officials have emphasized that about half of the special counsels expenses would have been paid out, in the form of staff salaries, had the department never investigated Trump.

That is not to say the department has not been under enormous pressure in the aftermath of the 2020 election and attack on the Capitol.

The U.S. attorneys office in Washington, which has brought more than 1,000 cases against Jan. 6 rioters, initially struggled to manage the mountain of evidence, including thousands of hours of video, tens of thousands of tips from private citizens and hundreds of thousands of pages of investigative documents. But the office created an internal information management system, at a cost of millions of dollars, to organize one of the largest collections of discovery evidence ever gathered by federal investigators.

Prosecutors from U.S. attorneys offices across the country have been called in to assist their colleagues in Washington. Federal defenders offices in other cities have also pitched in, helping the overwhelmed Washington office to represent defendants charged in connection with Jan. 6.

If you combine the Trump investigation with the Jan. 6 prosecutions, you can say it really has had an impact on the internal machinations of the department, said Anthony D. Coley, who served as the chief spokesperson for Attorney General Merrick Garland until earlier this year. It didnt impede the departments capacity to conduct its business, but you definitely had a situation where prosecutors were rushed in from around the country to help out.

While the Washington field office of the FBI is in charge of the investigation of the Capitol attack, defendants have been arrested in all 50 states. Putting together those cases and taking suspects into custody has required the help of countless agents in field offices across the country.

The bureau has not publicly disclosed the number of agents specifically assigned to the investigations into Trump, but people familiar with the situation have said the number is substantial but comparatively much smaller. They include agents who oversaw the search of the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate and worked on various aspects of the Jan. 6 case; and bureau lawyers who often play a critical, under-the-radar role in investigations.

A substantial percentage of those working on both cases are FBI agents. In a letter to House Republicans in June, Carlos Uriarte, the departments legislative affairs director, disclosed that Smith employed around 26 special agents, with additional agents being brought on from time to time for specific tasks related to the investigations.

In terms of expense, Smiths work greatly exceeds that of the other special counsel appointed by Garland, Robert K. Hur, who is investigating President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents after he left the vice presidency. Hur has spent about $1.2 million from his appointment in January through March, on pace for $5.6 million in annual expenditures.

An analysis of salary data in the report suggests Hur is operating with a considerably smaller staff than Smith, perhaps 10 to 20 people, some newly hired, others transferred from the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago, which initiated the investigation.

For now, the two cases do not appear to be comparable in scope or seriousness. Unlike Trump, Biden returned all the government documents in his possession shortly after finding them, and Hurs staff is not tasked with any other lines of inquiry.

A more apt comparison is to the nearly two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into the 2016 Trump campaigns connections to Russia, which resulted in a decision not to indict Trump.

The semiannual reports filed by Muellers office are roughly in line, if somewhat less, than Smiths first report, tallying about $8.5 million in expenses.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
null Alex Wong/Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/Insider

Insider obtained a guest list for a 2017 event on "Billionaire Mountain" that featured top judges.

Law firms paid $10,000 a year for access to such exclusive gatherings  and their clients came, too.

Meryl Chertoff introduced Kagan that night. Her husband, Michael Chertoff, later worked for SCOTUS.

Champagne flowed at a 2017 Aspen Institute event, held at a mansion on " Billionaire Mountain ," where $10,000-year donors and their guests rubbed shoulders with some of the nation's most powerful judges.

The Aspen Institute promises "exclusive access to high-level gatherings" for donors in its Justice Circle , and the 2017 "speakers dinner" featuring Justice Elena Kagan was as exclusive as they get.

Roughly 50 attendees RSVP'd, according to two guest lists obtained by Insider. Corporate execs and lawyers with business before the Supreme Court mingled with some of the country's most influential jurists. While Kagan was a guest of honor, Brett Kavanaugh, at the time a judge on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, was also present. The following year, President Trump nominated Kavanaugh to join Kagan on the nation's highest court.

The hospitality provided to the judges wasn't anywhere near the scale of the decadeslong relationship between Justice Clarence Thomas and the billionaire real-estate developer Harlan Crow. Kagan's visit to Aspen had a public component, and both she and Kavanaugh documented that the Aspen Institue provided free travel and lodging for the event on their annual disclosure forms.

What the guest lists do show is the economy of access and influence that has sprung up around the Supreme Court. Revelations about Thomas and Crow's relationship have prompted calls in Congress for the Supreme Court to adopt its first-ever binding code of ethics. Kagan's appearance as an apparent guest of honor could violate the Code of Conduct for federal judges , which bars judges from being a "speaker, a guest of honor, or featured on the program" of fundraising events. But as a Supreme Court justice, Kagan is not currently bound by those rules.

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The Supreme Court bans justices from attending fundraising events, but it defines them to include only events that raise more money than they spend or where there is a specific solicitation for funds, Kathleen Clark, an expert in government ethics at Washington University in St. Louis, said.

"It may not violate those rules as the rules have been narrowly interpreted, but nonetheless, there still is a problem with it," Clark said. "How can you call this event anything but a reward for having given money to the organization? A bonus awarded to those who have already generously contributed?"

But more than a hypothetical ethics violation, what the guest list reveals is the perfectly legal way in which the power of the nation's highest court is marketed by third parties as a chance to pay for face-to-face access.

Everybody got something: Kagan and Kavanaugh got a free trip to a luxurious destination, Aspen got money from donors, and those donors got privileged access to Kagan and Kavanaugh  an intimate dinner setting where the two jurists, no longer ensconced by their chambers, clerks, and robes, were more approachable than they would be in any official setting.

The benefits of face time with a justice

Kagan's admirers like to recall the time she turned down a proposed gift of lox and bagels from a group of her high-school friends as evidence of her stringent approach to ethics. But the evening at the Aspen Institute demonstrates a willingness to mingle with VIPs who were only there because they'd shelled out five figures.

Eleven of the 50 names listed as attendees at the dinner were guests of law firms. They included in-house lawyers for the coal giant Peabody Energy and the convenience-store chain Speedway, both guests of the law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon. Tristan Duncan, the chair of the Aspen Institute's Justice Circle and a partner at Shook, who was also at the dinner, represented Peabody before the Supreme Court in 2016 and Speedway in 2018 .

"Tristan Duncan may be supplying names for 2-3 additional guests," one of the lists said.

The Aspen Institute, Duncan, Peabody, and Speedway did not respond to requests for comment from Insider.

When contacted by Insider, some attendees said that they didn't remember much of the event, and that nothing inappropriate had happened. Christina Sullivan, who worked for a company that runs apartment complexes called Gables Residential, said that her interaction with Kagan was limited to a handshake and a greeting."shak[ing] her hand and say[ing] hello."

"People are all up in arms  the court, privilege, whatever  but I think you're barking up the wrong tree," said Brian O'Connor, a real-estate businessman whose mother, the former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, was being honored at the Aspen event.

But hobnobbing with judges can give lawyers and litigants flashes of insight into their values and personalities with a candor and clarity unavailable to the general public.

Muslim Lakhani, a Washington businessman, told Insider that he chatted with Kagan about judges and "judicial activism" in his native Pakistan. At one point, he said, Kagan seemed to invoke a higher power.

"Once a judgment is made, after that, there's only one court. That's up there," Kagan said, according to Lakhani's recollection. Kagan, Lakhani continued, "keeps that front and center in her mind, something like 'I must pass laws that are correct, because I have to answer for the judgments that I give.'"

While Kagan has also spoken about her faith in public settings, it's hard to imagine a Supreme Court litigator who wouldn't jump at the chance to have an informal back-and-forth with her away from the cameras, as Lakhani did.

Kagan and Kavanaugh did not immediately respond to requests for comment made with the court's public-information officer.

The uneasy intersection of friendship and self-interest

Hours before the Aspen dinner, Meryl Chertoff introduced Kagan before a public conversation. At that time, Chertoff, a law professor, headed the Aspen Institute's Justice and Society Program. In 2010, she spoke favorably about Kagan's nomination to the highest court. As the head of the Aspen Institute's Justice and Society Program at the time, which was hosting Kagan, she likely would have had a hand in shaping the VIP guest list for the dinner.

Michael Chertoff, a former appeals judge who was the secretary of Homeland Security under George W. Bush, accompanied his wife to that dinner. In 2018, the year after the Aspen dinner, Michael Chertoff's consulting company, Chertoff Group, started working directly with the Supreme Court. That relationship wasn't made public until this year. CNN reported that the Chertoff Group billed upward of $1 million, money that ultimately came from taxpayers.

In response to questions from Congress, Michael Chertoff explained that he'd advised the court on security and on a pandemic-response plan. When asked if he maintained "personal relationships" with any justices, Chertoff wrote that he did not have "ongoing or regular social relationships," though he said there had been "occasional social exchanges," "mostly at widely attended events."

It's unclear whether Michael Chertoff interacted with either justice at the dinner, or whether there is any connection between the event and his later work for the court, which was handled not by Kagan or Kavanaugh, but by Chief Justice John Roberts.

But the presence of so many wealthy and influential people who might want something from the court is itself a problem, Gabe Roth, who runs the advocacy group Fix the Court, said. Roth told Insider that the access economy can create the appearance of conflicts of interests, and said that judges should recuse themselves from cases involving firms or clients who pay large sums of money to meet with them.

"I get that Washington is a chummy town and more resources for Court security is likely warranted," Roth said in an email. "But by the same token, given the ties between Chertoff and the justices, the notoriously opaque institution should open up its books to reassure the public that Chertoff's work was above board."

Access to Supreme Court justices is used to reward donors

While ProPublica's reporting on the undisclosed gifts and financial ties between Thomas and Crow has captured headlines, increasing attention is turning to other ways the rich and powerful gain access to Supreme Court justices.

The Aspen Institute isn't alone in dangling Supreme Court access to lure deep-pocketed donors. Reporting by The New York Times revealed that Rob Schenck used the Supreme Court Historical Society as a springboard to build relationships with conservative justices.

An Insider analysis of Historical Society donor and event records found that a suite of archconservative activists  including the anti-abortion philanthropist and Domino's founder Tom Monaghan, the former Trump attorney Jay Sekulow, and the QAnon proponent and election denier Sidney Powell  had used the society as a vehicle to gain face time with the justices.

The Associated Press exposed how officials at University of Colorado Law School pushed for a larger "donor-to-staff ratio" at a 2019 dinner with Kagan, and how Justice Sonia Sotomayor's taxpayer-funded staff prodded the schools hosting her to buy copies of her book.

All of these events entailed the same kind of exchange. Financial support for a public mission flowed one way, and scheduled private time with Supreme Court justices was dispensed in return.

"Obviously, the justices should have friends," Roth said. But if they started becoming friendly with a businessperson or lawyer after joining the Supreme Court, he said, that's more of a red flag.

"To me, it's almost like: Who are your new friends?" Roth said.

Have a tip? Know more? Reach Mattathias Schwartz by email at (schwartz79@protonmail.com) or Signal (+1-202-684-9255). Reach Jack Newsham via email (jnewsham@insider.com) via Signal ( +1-314-971-1627). Reach Katherine Long via email (klong@businessinsider.com or Signal (+1-206-375-9280). Do not use a work device.

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Daytona Beach Shores police Sgt. Jessica Long and Lt. Michael Schoenbrod appear in Volusia Circuit Court on July 17 in support of their petition to keep confidential investigative records related to their jailing of their son for potty-training lessons on Oct. 5 and 6, 2022.

Two Daytona Beach Shores police officers who brought their 3-year-old son to jail twice last October for potty-training lessons were found to have violated a city code of conduct policy for their actions, newly unsealed court records show.

Lt. Michael Schoenbrod and Sgt. Jessica Long violated a rule that states that no employee shall "engage in conduct, on or off-duty, which has the tendency to destroy public respect for the employee and/or the department and/or confidence in the operation of the municipal service."

The internal affairs investigation that concluded March 25, also found that they had not committed a felony offense, "whether chargeable or not."

They each received a 40-hour suspension without pay.

While the Florida Department of Children & Families concluded that the child was safe and unharmed by the incident, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent found probable cause to charge Schoenbrod and Long with aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony.

The 7th Circuit State Attorney's Office, in a memo, declined to prosecute, citing the DCF conclusions and adding: "Evidence shows no physical or mental injury to the child."

Michael Fowler, the city's director of public safety, in a 103-page investigative report, cited DCF's conclusions in determining the officers did not engage in criminal conduct. He discounted the FDLE recommendation of child-abuse charges.

"The sole independent eyewitness to the event (a law-enforcement supervisor) contradicted this finding, stating it was tantamount to putting a child in their room and the child was not in distress during the incident," Fowler wrote.

The result of the investigation initially came to light in a court filing by the couple's attorney, Michael Lambert, that was made public by the State Attorney's Office and Volusia County Clerk of the Circuit Court on Friday. Then late Monday, the city of Daytona Beach Shores reconsidered its position that the full professional standards investigation should be withheld and released it.

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Becky Vose, the city attorney, said in an email the judge's order on whether or not a temporary restraining order was in force was "ambiguous." She added: "In light of the release by the State Attorney's Office of documents, and in light of the City of Daytona Beach Shores' continued desire to fully comply with the Florida public records laws when not restrained by a clearly applicable court injunction, the city is supplying you with the documents you have requested."

Schoenbrod is facing two additional professional standards cases.

On April 13, he was notified of an investigation into allegations he violated six city policies. Among them, avoiding "conduct on or off-duty which adversely affects the morale" of the department, and avoiding conflicts of interest, particularly for superior officers who must "be objective, fair and above all, devoid of any personal favoritism."

Schoenbrod was placed on paid leave on July 3, when he was informed he would be investigated for three additional violations: committing a felony, whether charged or not; stealing, altering, forging or tampering with a public safety record; and editing, altering, erasing, copying or distributing a digital recording without prior authorization.

State Attorney Declines Prosecution: FDLE investigator recommended charge of aggravated child abuse against Shores officers

Paid Leave: Daytona Beach Shores places lieutenant who jailed 3-year-old son on administrative leave

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Shores finds officers who used jail for potty training violated rule
Investigators are following a new lead as they search for a toddler who went missing from Steele Creek.

Police have been searching for 3-year-old Samalea Daniels and her mother, Tianna Daniels, for almost a month now. They asked the public to look out for an SUV, but now, police in Virginia Beach say they found it abandoned.

Investigative reporter Madison Carter has been following the case closely and spoke to Samaleas father on Monday. Jalen Davis was on his way to talk to investigators after hearing they found the car over the weekend. Carter learned it was found Saturday in Virginia Beach.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

At this point, detectives arent sharing details about what clues it might offer. But now that theyve found the SUV, not only are they unsure about where Samalea and her mother are, they now have no idea what they might be traveling in.

Police told Carter they dont have any information that suggests Tianna Daniels is getting help on the run. Carter learned she fled to Virginia Beach after taking Samalea last month.

Since then, Jalen Davis has been going from court to court between North Carolina and Virginia while trying to establish custody. An agreement wasnt in place before Daniels took their daughter.

Police needed a judge to say Samalea should be with her father before they could get involved. Records show that Samaleas mother took off with her the same day her father legally established custody.

Right now, police only have a missing persons alert out for Samalea, but Carter learned criminal charges against the mother could be on the way.

(WATCH PREVIOUS: Search continues for endangered toddler from Mecklenburg County)
Women stand under an Iranian flag during a rally in support of the hijab on July 12, 2023. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Iranian judges diagnosed three female actors with mental illnesses after they refused to wear hijabs, per reports.

They must attend psychiatric centers for treatment as part of their court sentencing, per RFE/RL.

The ruling caused outrage among psychiatrists, who wrote an open letter criticizing the move.

Judges in Iran have handed down diagnoses of mental illnesses to three famous Iranian female actors for refusing to wear hijabs, RadioFranceEurope/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported.

Azadeh Samadi, Leila Bolukat, and Afsaneh Bayegan recently appeared in public without headscarves, a violation of Iran's strict rules on modesty.

Women who refuse to wear a hijab in public in Iran can face up to two years in prison, though repeat offenders can expect to spend more time behind bars if proposed legislation passes.

Bayegan, a veteran actor who wore a hat instead of a hijab to a film ceremony, was handed a two-year prison sentence, as well as a ban on travel and using the Internet, on July 19.

She was also ordered to undergo mandatory psychological treatment for what was described by judges as an "anti-family personality disorder"  a condition that is not recognized by any major Western medical bodies, per RFE/RL.

Samadi, 44, was given a similar medical order.

Tehran's Criminal Court ordered on July 18 that she must visit psychiatric centers every two weeks to be treated for an "anti-social disease," RFE/RL reported, citing Iranian media.

Samadi was detained after wearing a hat instead of a hijab at a funeral. Though she was not given prison time, she was denied access to her phone for six months and had all of her social media accounts shut down.

Bolukat, 42, who was previously handed a sentence of six months in prison, with a further ban on professional activities for two years, was also diagnosed by judges with a mental illness, per RFE/RL.

Her punishment comes after she posted images of herself without a hijab on social media, the news outlet reported.

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Iran's strict hijab laws have inspired major protests over the past year, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last September.

Iran's major psychiatric bodies pushed back on this latest move, with the heads of four psychiatry boards going public with their criticism in an open letter to Iran's judiciary chief, RFE/RL reported.

"The diagnosis of mental disorders is within the competence of a psychiatrist, not a judge," the letter said, per the news outlet. "Just as the diagnosis of other diseases is in the competence of doctors, not judges."

Calling the diagnoses "unscientific and strange," the open letter demanded that authorities amend the sentences against the three women, according to RFE/RL.

Read the original article on Insider
Rod Lamkey/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

I'd say I'm shocked, shocked! to see an administration that pledged to hose its predecessor's corruption out the White House embroiled in its own scandal, but let's be real. It's 2023 and politicians everywhere are working hard to disappoint those few people still clinging to the illusion that governing is noble work. For the federal government under President Joe Biden, this means, according to two IRS whistleblowers, political interference in the investigation of Hunter Biden in a case that has implications regarding suspicions of sleaze that have long dogged his father.

No Normal Investigation

"I am here to tell you that the Delaware [United States Attorney's Office] and Department of Justice (DOJ) handling of the Hunter Biden tax investigation was very different from any other case in my 14 years at the IRS," Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley told the House Oversight Committee on July 19. "There should not be a two-track justice system based on who you are and who you're connected to. Yet, in this case there was."

"I believe that I have a duty to bring to the public  and their elected representatives  and provide full transparency of the facts as I know them regarding the criminal investigation of Robert Hunter Biden," agreed IRS Special Agent Joseph Ziegler, who reported to Shapley during the course of the investigation and was known only as "Whistleblower X" prior to the day's testimony. "I have witnessed the corrosion of ethical standards and the abuse of power that threaten our nation."

"At every stage decisions were made that benefited the subject of the investigation," Shapley added. With regard to information found on the Hunter Biden laptop, "Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf told us prosecutors had decided to conceal some evidence from the investigators."

In their appearance, following similar earlier testimony, Ziegler and Shapley described a search warrant for President Biden's Delaware house quashed over "optics" despite expectations of finding valuable evidence. They alleged prosecutors "slow walked" the investigation and raised barriers to pursuing leads. That meant not only blocking efforts to get a search warrant for a storage unit containing potential evidence, but also tipping off Hunter Biden's team that the unit was on the IRS's radar. Political appointees, they say, rejected recommended felony tax charges in favor of misdemeanors carrying relatively light penalties and a felony gun charge expected to be resolved without prison time.

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A U.S. Attorney With "Full Authority"or Not

They also claim that David Weiss, the U.S. Attorney in Delaware who headed the investigation and brought the charges, had his hands tied.

"While the impression was that the U.S. Attorney in Delaware has essentially the powers of special counsel in this case, free rein to do as needed, as is clearly shown, this was not the case," Ziegler testified. "The U.S. Attorney in Delaware in our investigation was constantly hamstrung, limited, and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other U.S. Attorneys."

Asked last year by Sen. Bill Hagerty (RTenn.) why the American people should feel confident in the integrity of a federal investigation of the president's own son, Attorney General Merrick Garland answered: "Because we put the investigation in the hands of a Trump appointee from the previous administration."

But Shapley and Ziegler say Weiss admitted to investigators he was "not the deciding person on whether charges are filed." And while Garland publicly claims Weiss has "full authority," in a letter Weiss told House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan "my charging authority is geographically limited to my home district" which constrained the scope of crimes he could pursue. He added that he needed sign-off from offices elsewhere or Garland to reach beyond his jurisdiction.

In what has become a common pattern for government whistleblowers, Shapley and Ziegler both say they face retaliation from IRS superiors for coming forward with their concerns.

The House Oversight Committee hearing degenerated into the usual partisan circus of sniping between Republicans and Democrats. The most bipartisan part of the event was in the form of the witnesses, since Gary Shapley is a Republican and Joseph Ziegler described himself in his testimony as "a gay Democrat married to a man." Both witnesses came off as true believers in the tax system who were offended by political interference.

Awkward Interference Allegations

All of this is something of an embarrassment for an administration that entered office on promises to reverse course from the controversial Trump administration. Former President Donald Trump openly embraced sleazehe once boasted he could buy a U.S. senator for $200,000. Joe Biden promised he would be different if only he could win the big political prize.

"All this talk from the president about corruption comes from the most corrupt president we've had in modern history. He is the definition of corruption," Biden told reporters in 2019. That remained a major theme through the 2020 campaign, which culminated in Biden's victory. He even implemented a "U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption" after taking office. But suspicion lingered that Biden was remarkably dirty himself.

"It looks like 'Middle Class' Joe has perfected the art of taking big contributions, then representing his corporate donors at the cost of middle- and working-class Americans," Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham law professor and progressive Democrat warned in January 2020. "Converting campaign contributions into legislative favors and policy positions isn't being 'moderate'. It is the kind of transactional politics Americans have come to loathe."

The year before, NBC News reported on the Biden family's dealings with Gabriel Popoviciu, a crooked Romanian tycoon (it's a small worldRudy Giuliani also had dealings with him).

"We don't know what [Hunter Biden] was paid or what he was paid for but it does raise questions of whether this Romanian individual facing criminal charges was actually paying for a connection to the American vice president," Kathleen Clark, a Washington University law professor, told reporters.

Last week, Sen. Charles Grassley (RIowa) released an FBI document in which a confidential informant claimed that Hunter and Joe Biden squeezed Mykola Zlochevsky, the chief executive of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy firm, for $5 million each in bribes (Hunter served on the company's board while his father was vice president). The charge is uncorroborated, but it's worth noting that Burisma features in the whistleblowers' testimony.

"Hunter Biden did not report any of the money he earned from Burisma for the 2014 tax year, which would have been a tax loss to the U.S. Treasury of $124,845," Ziegler told the committee.

The White House may have motivations beyond paternal love for interfering in a criminal investigation.

The post IRS Whistleblowers Claim Political Interference in Hunter Biden Investigation appeared first on Reason.com.
The Israeli parliaments vote to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus divisive plan to reshape the countrys justice system is unfortunate, the White House said in a statement Monday, calling on leaders to build a broader consensus through political dialogue.

As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible. It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement following the highly anticipated vote. We understand talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset in recess. The United States will continue to support the efforts of President Herzog and other Israeli leaders as they seek to build a broader consensus through political dialogue.

Netanyahus plan calls for sweeping changes that would stifle the power of Israels judiciary, limiting the Supreme Courts ability to challenge parliamentary decisions. The overhaul has drawn backlash both at home and abroad, spurring fierce protests and drawing concern from key allies, including the U.S.

On Sunday, Biden cautioned Netanyahu against moving forward with the plan.

From the perspective of Israels friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less, Biden told Netanyahu, according to Axios. Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus.

The Israeli prime minister, who is facing charges of corruption, shelved the overhaul earlier this year, saying he wanted to give time to seek a compromise over the contentious package. The vote Monday came after a tense session, during which lawmakers chanted shame and then stormed out of the chamber, according to the Associated Press.
The saga over Israel's judicial overhaul is showing the limits of President Joe Biden's yearslong approach to swaying that country's government.

On Monday, Israel's parliament passed controversial reforms to curb the powers of its Supreme Court, making it harder for the justices to rule on policies passed by the legislative body. That came after a long, mostly quiet campaign by both Biden and U.S. officials to convince Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his unusually right-leaning government to drop the proposals, arguing that they were too divisive to push through  especially as the nation convulses in protest.

But that monthslong, behind-the-scenes diplomacy broke out into open tensions in March when Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, denounced the pressures from the White House.

After the measure passed on Monday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement: As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible. It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority.

While the judicial overhaul is first and foremost an Israeli domestic matter, its passage  even with a narrow margin  signals a shift in how Bidens pressure is seen in Israel.



In 2021, as yet another war between Israel and Hamas-led Gaza broke out, the president privately urged Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire, even though he at first defended the prime minister in public. When a moment to stop the fighting presented itself, Biden openly demanded that Bibi end the strikes in response to rocket attacks.

The Biden administration boasted that the end of hostilities after 11 days was in large part due to the private tough love that Biden prefers during tricky diplomatic moments.

Biden, who considers the bond between Washington and Jerusalem bone deep, tried the same play this time around. The messages of disapproval were first delivered in closed-door meetings and phone calls. The public pressure campaign only spiked in recent days, with Biden and his senior-most officials encouraging Israel not to rush the legal changes.

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As democracies, we know that when youre making or trying to make major changes that are going to have a big societal impact, the best way to do it is by trying to build consensus, by trying to build the most support possible, if you want those changes to be durable. So thats really what hes sharing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Aspen Security Forum last week.

The circumstances surrounding the judicial reforms greatly differ from the violence that killed at least 10 Israelis and 260 Palestinians. But the push by Netanyahus government to neuter the Supreme Court has roiled the nation, leading to weeks of protest by Israelis who fear their democracy is in danger and 10,000 Israeli Defense Forces reservists to suspend their volunteer duties.

Israels Netanyahu-led parliaments decision to pass the reforms anyway dealt a blow to its opponents and the playbook Biden likes to use.



There have been far larger disagreements between Israel and the United States. Still, Biden and his team have rarely gone beyond rhetoric to pressure Israel, avoiding the use of other potential leverage.

The president has ruled out linking the billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Israel to changes in its behavior. He also has kept many, perhaps most, of the pro-Israel policies imposed by then-President Donald Trump.

The Biden team recently named a point person to help Israel bring more Arab partners into the Abraham Accords. It has not tried in any meaningful way to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Days ago, Biden gave Israel a long-sought prize: A shot at getting into a program that would let Israelis travel visa free to the United States.

When asked at the Aspen Security Forum last week if it was becoming harder for the United States to defend Israel at the United Nations, the U.S. ambassador to the world body, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, didnt directly answer, instead stressing the closeness of the U.S.-Israeli relationship.

But some suggest that even the strongest American disapproval wouldve failed to change the Israeli prime ministers mind.

Im confident that Netanyahu has been fully aware of the dangerous implications of the judicial overhaul legislation all along, but losing his coalition was just not a price he was willing to pay, said Guy Ziv, an American University professor who lectures on the U.S.-Israel relationship. He is driven by his political and personal needs, which trump national security, economic considerations and relations with the United States.

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, said on the sidelines in Aspen that the Biden-led pressure wasnt about dictating or lecturing, but rather taking a principled position on this that is judicious, but straightforward  and that's how we deal with our best friends.
A demonstrator waves a colored Israeli flag during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to overhaul the judicial system, outside the Knesset, Israels parliament, in Jerusalem, Monday, July 24, 2023. | Ariel Schalit, Associated Press

Israels parliament approved a law that will reportedly limit the Supreme Courts power in the judiciary system on Monday.

NPR reported that the new law supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignited protests within the country, with critics of the law saying the country is being pushed toward authoritarianism.

Related

What does the new Israeli law say?

CNN reported that Israels government passed a law that is set to limit the Supreme Courts power by taking away the power of blocking government decisions.

Waves of protests in Tel Aviv and other parts of the country were demonstrating against Netanyahus plans to reform the judicial system starting back in February, according to the Deseret News.

The New York Times reported that Netanyahu was hospitalized to receive a pacemaker over the weekend, and had tried to soothe the tensions in the country by addressing the Israeli people on Monday.

Speaking from his office, he suggested that he would table until late November a broader judicial overhaul plan being undertaken by his government, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in Israeli history, the Times reported.

Related

What does this mean?

Critics of the law reportedly say that this vote will weaken the judiciary system within the country.

NPR reported that the measure passed uncontested after opposition lawmakers shouted Shame! at their colleagues before walking out in protest.

Supporters of the law reportedly say that it is meant to rebalance powers between the branches of government.

The Associated Press reported that the changes in the judiciary system strengthen democracy by limiting the authority of unelected judges and giving elected officials more powers over decision-making.

Israelis on both sides say this is an existential moment, CBC Jerusalem reported.

Related

Story continues

Reactions to the law

I24 News reported that prior to the passing of the law that it is a vote that has sent hundreds of thousands of Israelis to the streets yesterday in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem both in favor and against the legislation.

Following the passing of the law, three people were lightly injured after a car drove through a group of people protesting in Tel Aviv, according to Euro News.

Fox News reported that the head of the opposition, Yair Lapid, said in a speech following the passing of the bill, Its a sad day. A day of house destruction. I look at the coalition celebrating and ask, what are you celebrating? That you are dismantling the Jewish state we have?

This is the meaning of the law passed today, Lapid continued in his speech. The abolition of checks and balances, the abolition of the separation of authorities, the abolition of the gatekeepers, the abolition of the entire immune mechanism of Israeli democracy. This is not a victory for the coalition  this is the defeat of Israeli democracy. We will not give up on them. We will not surrender. We will not let them turn Israel into a flawed, undemocratic country that is run by hatred and extremism.

Those in favor of the new law reportedly say the current reasonability standard gives un-elected judges excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials.

NPRs International Correspondent in Jerusalem Daniel Estrin said that Netanyahu says this law is the essence of democracy. It will allow the elected government, he says, to carry out its agenda. And he says he is still in favor of dialogue with the opposition. Hes willing to hold a dialogue with them for even the next four months on any future judicial changes.
(Bloomberg) -- Israels parliament on Monday approved a law that will curb the oversight powers of the courts, a measure that has divided the nation, prompted mass protests and drawn rare US criticism.

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The shekel fell  recording the biggest daily loss among a basket of major currencies tracked by Bloomberg  while tens of thousands of protesters converged on the Knesset building. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the session, allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ruling coalition to pass the bill with 64 votes to 0.

Advocates of the measure, which curtails the ability of the courts to overrule government decisions and appointments on the grounds of reasonableness, argue that the judiciary has grown too powerful and is controlled by the left.

But the plan has drawn fierce opposition from a broad swath of Israels establishment, from tech entrepreneurs to CEOs and military reservists. They say itll undermine the countrys democratic checks, the rule of law and the economy.

On Monday reports of a potential compromise strengthened the shekel, but those gains reversed after the vote. The currency fell 1.1% to 3.67 per dollar as of 5:50 p.m. local time.

Israeli Shekel Goes to Worst From Best on Judicial Overhaul Bill

Think tanks have warned that the governments approach risks damaging Israels ties with US President Joe Bidens administration, which had urged it to take time and build consensus.

It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority, said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, adding that the administration supports efforts to reach a broader consensus through dialogue.

Story continues

The unprecedented standoff over a single piece of legislation has come to represent a broader battle over Israels identity and what it means to be a Jewish democracy. Opponents fear the law is the first step toward a religious autocracy, while supporters see it as permitting their once-marginalized voices to be heard.

Why Israel Is Bitterly Split by a Judiciary Overhaul: QuickTake

There was little sign that Mondays vote would end the crisis. The government, the most right-wing in Israeli history, has indicated it will push ahead with a broader package of changes that have alarmed foreign investors and secular Israelis.

This is the first step in a historical process, said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the judicial overhaul.

Netanyahu addressed the nation afterward, promising to reach out to the opposition to start a dialog.

We are ready to discuss everything, he said. If needed, we will add more time till the end of November.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said he planned to appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn the law. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a watchdog, tweeted that it had already filed a petition. More appeals are expected in the coming days.

The battle isnt over, it is only beginning, Lapid said. This is greatest and most dangerous national crisis that we have ever had to deal with.

Supreme Court Appeal

How the Supreme Court will respond is unclear but most scholars believe it is likely to accept an appeal and hold hearings with an expanded panel of 11 justices, instead of the usual three.

Yuval Shany, a professor of law at Jerusalems Hebrew University, said he would be surprised if the court struck down the law, since it is what is known as a basic law, meaning one with quasi-constitutional authority. Instead, he expects the judges to weigh in on how the law should function.

The Supreme Court has never struck down a basic law although it says it has the power to do so, he said. It would probably have to do so based on incompatibility with basic democratic principles. To me, it would be a stretch.

Israel has no formal constitution and its basic laws serve as one.

The prospect of a prolonged battle is already making businesses nervous.

Over two-thirds of tech companies have taken financial and legal steps to safeguard their assets since the reform plans were unveiled in January. A report by Startup Nation Central, which tracks the sector, said 22% of 500 companies surveyed moved funds abroad and 8% moved their headquarters.

More than 10,000 reservists joined 1,200 pilots from the air force threatening to suspend service if the bill goes through without wide public consensus. Theyve been supported by dozens of top former security officials, alarming the military leadership as it grapples with growing tensions with Iran and its proxies on Israels borders.

--With assistance from Marissa Newman and Alisa Odenheimer.

(Updates throughout. Adds White House comment in 7th paragraph. Adds Netanyahu in 11th.)

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The Knesset, Israels parliament, on Monday approved a key part of the controversial judicial reforms backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The vote came after a tumultuous session, where opposition lawmakers chanted shame and walked out ahead of the vote. Without the opposition, legislators voted 64-0 to approve the measure, which will prevent judges from overturning government decisions on the basis that they are unreasonable.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who orchestrated the reforms, said lawmakers had taken the first step in an important historic process.

The judicial reform bill has sparked controversy and protests across the country as critics labeled the move as a threat to democratic values. The changes would allow the government to overrule Supreme Court decisions and give the executive branch more power to appoint justices.

With the Knesset stamp of approval, more protests are expected in the country in the coming days and weeks. Movement for Quality Government, a nonprofit organization, already announced it would challenge the law in the Supreme Court.

The group said in a statement that the measure is unconstitutional because it fundamentally changes the basic structure of Israeli parliamentary democracy and the nature of the regime, while de facto abolishing the judiciary and seriously damaging the delicate fabric of the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances in the State of Israel.

The vote came just hours after Netanyahu was released from the hospital after being fitted for a pacemaker over the weekend.

The Biden administration and U.S. lawmakers have denounced the proposed reforms, with President Biden saying earlier this year that he hopes Netanyahu walks away from pursuing them. In a statement to Axios on Sunday, Biden called on the prime minister to not advance the bill.

Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus, he said.

Story continues

The vote also follows Biden extending an invitation to Netanyahu to the U.S. after the two leaders talked on the phone together last week.

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated 12:53 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Israels shekel swung to the worlds biggest loss from the biggest gain on Monday as investors weighed whether rising political tension in the country will do long-term damage to the appeal of a currency still supported by real returns.

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The shekel weakened for a third day, dropping 0.7% to 3.6566 per the dollar, after a wild day when it initially strengthened more than 1% before dropping as much as 1.5%. Israels dollar bonds rose, with the yield on notes due in 2028 falling to 4.87%.

Read More: Israel Passes Divisive Law Limiting Judges Power

When the dust settles we still expect the shekel stronger, said Geoffrey Yu, a currency and macro strategist at BNY Mellon in London. Real yields are favorable and that is providing support while the carry trade is unwinding and the shekel as a funding currency should benefit.

The carry trade is a popular emerging-market transaction in which investors borrow money in a low interest-rate country to invest it in higher-yielding currencies.

Despite criticism from opposition parties and huge demonstrations across the country, Israels parliament on Monday approved a bill reducing the power of judges to overrule government decisions.

The shekels risk premium is substantial said Deustche Bank analysts, who have a recommendation to go long the currency. Further FX weakness could also be met by Bank of Israel intervention, they said, referring to the central bank.

Jerome Leibovici, FX and rates strategist at BNP Paribas, said positioning data suggests that offshore investors have been short the shekel. Over the longer term, he said he expects the currency to appreciate as its risk premium declines, something that could revive its correlation with US technology stocks, rather than domestic political developments.

Story continues

(Updated with market figures in second paragraph.)

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A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a sit-in at the entrance to Israel's parliament, just before a vote on the judicial overhaul plans (Menahem KAHANA)

Israel's hard-right government was planning Monday to push through parliament a key element of its controversial judicial revamp.

The "reasonability clause" would remove the power of the Supreme Court to overrule government decisions that its judges deem unreasonable.

The wider reform plans have sparked protests, often drawing tens of thousands, since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government proposed them in January.

Critics charge they threaten liberal democracy itself by removing important checks and balances on executive power in a country that has no formal constitution.

Netanyahu's government, which includes far-right parties, argues they are needed to curb overreach by unelected judges, many of whom it accuses of a liberal bias.

Opponents have accused Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption charges in court, of trying to weaken the judiciary in a personal conflict of interest, a charge he denies.

Here are the major elements of the legislation presented by Justice Minister Yariv Levin:

- 'Reasonability' clause -

The 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset, was expected to give final approval to the "reasonability" clause in a vote scheduled for Monday.

Critics of Israel's Supreme Court, notably on the political right, point to this clause as among the gravest examples of judges exercising too much power.

The Supreme Court in a recent high-profile ruling barred a Netanyahu ally, Aryeh Deri, from serving in the cabinet because of Deri's previous tax evasion conviction.

Netanyahu was forced to fire Deri, even though there was no law that directly barred him from serving in government.

- Naming judges -

Netanyahu's government also wants greater powers in the system to appoint judges, including to the highest court, the Supreme Court.

It has demanded greater representation on the panel which appoints them -- a body now overseen by the justice minister and including judges, lawmakers and lawyers representing the Israeli Bar Association.

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Under the government's plan and other proposals, the Bar Association members would be removed from the process.

An amended version of Levin's proposal, endorsed by lawmakers in late March, would put more lawmakers and members of the judiciary on the panel, while still granting greater powers to the government.

That proposal awaits final votes by the full chamber.

A separate piece of legislation would change the way the Supreme Court's president is selected, also giving the government a greater say.

- Legal advisers -

Levin's proposal also envisages curbing the authority of legal advisers attached to government ministries.

Currently, their guidance has quasi-legal force, as Supreme Court judges cite it when ruling on the propriety of government actions.

The proposal would change that and make their advice non-binding.

While lawmakers have yet to vote on the bill, they adopted legislation in March that critics condemned as another move to diminish the authority of civil servants.

Parliament also voted to strictly limit the grounds for declaring a premier unfit for office, which the opposition called a "personal law" to protect Netanyahu.

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said in March that Netanyahu's actions on the judicial reform may place him in conflict of interests due to his ongoing trial.

- 'Override' clause -

Critics of Israel's Supreme Court also argue its judges have exceeded their authority by claiming the right to strike down laws passed by the Knesset.

In response, the Netanyahu government proposed a so-called "override clause" which would allow parliament to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority.

It passed a first vote in parliament on March 14, but has not completed the process to become law.

Netanyahu last month told The Wall Street Journal that he had scrapped the override clause from the reform package.

Other proposed measures would bar the court from striking down any amendments to the Basic Laws, Israel's quasi-constitution, and require a unanimous decision by all judges to invalidate other pieces of legislation.

Opponents have warned these measures would give the legislative branch nearly unchecked authority.

jjm/ami/rsc/jjm/fz/it
Bibi Netanyahu Illustrated / Getty Images / Shutterstock

Israel stands at a precipice after lawmakers from right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling parliamentary coalition on Monday passed a contentious law that radically limits the Supreme Court's legislative oversight in what's been called "the most significant shakeup" to Israel's judiciary since the nation's founding in 1948. With tens of thousands of protesters massed outside Israel's Knesset building, lawmakers voted 64-0 in favor of the controversial measure that sits at the heart of Netanyahu's broad judicial overhaul effort, after members of the opposition coalition left the parliamentary chambers in protest. Monday's vote followed months of nationwide protests largely  although not exclusively  against the bill, including an unprecedented stand by more than 1,000 of the country's air force reservists, who pledged to suspend their military service over the measure.

While Netanyahu and his allies have trumpeted the effort as a crucial step forward for the country's democratic future and a necessary recalibration of governmental authority, critics warn that it is a naked conservative grab for unchecked power that places Israel on a path toward a constitutional crisis  and perhaps even civil war.

So where could this all lead for Israel, and is it too late to do anything about it?

What are the commentators saying?

"They want to dismantle the state," Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid told reporters on Monday, adding that the Netanyahu coalition is "the most irresponsible government in the history of Israel" after negotiations to slow the judicial overhaul process broke down. Lapid's pessimism echoed that of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who in March warned that "75 years into Israel's existence, the abyss is at our fingertips" in light of the civic strife Netanyahu's proposed reforms had prompted.

"The push for more control widely is seen as a preemptive step toward enacting a controversial legislative agenda," NPR reported, highlighting the conservative government's push for laws "prioritizing religion and nationalism"  laws which, prior to Monday's vote, would likely have been struck down for "infring[ing] on basic rights." Speaking after Monday's vote, however, Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin hailed the new legislation as "an extraordinary moment" that would begin to fix the judicial system by restoring powers "taken from the government and the Knesset over many years." Far right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was similarly laudatory, calling the vote "only the beginning" while predicting "Israel will be a little more democratic, a little more Jewish."

President Biden, meanwhile, had urged Israeli officials to slow their rush toward Monday's vote, reportedly telling Netanyahu one day earlier that "from the perspective of Israel's friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less." Longtime New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman concurred, writing in an open letter to Biden that "this Israeli government needs another dose of your tough love  not just from your heart but from the heart of U.S. strategic interests as well."

"It should be obvious to every U.S. policymaker by now that Netanyahu's cabinet, one that you described as one of the most 'extreme' you've ever encountered, has its mind set on two dismantling projects," Friedman said, citing the judicial overhaul as merely the first step toward Israel's annexation of the West Bank  and the destruction of any hope for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian territory it occupies.

Highlighting the degree to which his ministers lead the charge on the judicial overhaul effort, Haaretz columnist Anshel Pfeffer concluded on Monday that, despite his authoritarian bent, Netanyahu has paradoxically proven himself the most ineffective prime minister in Israel's history. "In the weeks leading to the vote, Netanyahu lost any real capability to affect the outcome of the most fateful internal crisis in Israel's history," Pfeffer wrote. "He is now the weakest prime minister Israel has ever had. Benjamin Netanyahu has become irrelevant."

Where could this lead?

Whether weak or newly emboldened, Netanyahu now presides over a country bracing once more for seismic protests and the prospect of violent civil unrest. "If the situation develops into a constitutional crisis, I will be on the correct side," David Barnea, director of Israel's famed Mossad national intelligence service reportedly said, adding that "that's not the case yet." Nadav Argaman, former chief of Israel's internal Shin Bet security service, told Israel's Channel 12 that Monday's vote marked the end of the Netanyahu regime, saying "Bibi has a coalition, but he doesn't have the people. He's lost the people."

"It's really a feeling of looting, as if the country is their spoils and everything is theirs for the taking," one woman protesting against the judicial reforms told The New York Times ahead of Monday's vote. A supporter of the new law countered that "it should really be called a coup, not a protest movement anymore."

The crisis, although newly acute, is part of a "far deeper rift among competing sections of Israeli society about what it means to be a Jewish state," the Times explained.

With protesters filling the streets after Monday's vote, some have begun a push to have the country's supreme court weigh in on its newly restrictive legislation  an impasse that could touch off the equivalent of a constitutional crisis (Israel has no official constitution) even as the country's bar association has threatened a work stoppage in opposition to the bill, calling it "an act of protest against the anti-democratic legislative process."

While the social unrest that has marked the past several months in Israel has not yet spilled over into widespread violence, Monday's vote has raised the stakes to a point heretofore unseen across Israeli society. As President Herzog warned earlier this spring: "Those who think that a real civil war, with lives lost, is a line we will not cross, have no idea."

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MILAN (Reuters) - An Italian court on Monday dropped a case against the president of the northern region of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and 11 other people over their initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a court document showed.

On June 7, another court dropped the same case against former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and former Health Minister Roberto Speranza.

Prosecutors in the northern city of Bergamo, the epicentre of the 2020 outbreak of COVID in Italy, had placed Conte, Speranza and 17 others under investigation for manslaughter and mishandling the epidemic.

On Monday, the three judges of the court in the city of Brescia also referred the case back to the public prosecutor's office for the remaining five persons charged with refusing to carry out official acts.

The court wrote in its ruling that the accusations brought against Fontana and the others were "unfounded" because governments all over the world, including in Lombardy, were dealing with a new and exceptional epidemiological situation.

Fontana's lawyers, Jacopo Pensa and Federico Papa, welcomed the ruling. "He has always acted according to law and to conscience, he did not facilitate the pandemic and did not cause the deaths attributed to him", they said in a statement.

The association of COVID victims' relatives said they were baffled. "No one will have to answer to the families of the victims ... why all the preventive measures required by Italian and European laws were not taken", they said in an emailed statement.

(Reporting by Emilio Parodi Editing by Mark Potter)
As a restaurant critic, I have a few dishes I almost always order at a new place. Jeff R Clow/Getty Images

I've been a restaurant critic for 15 years and there are some things I always order at new spots.

I can get the best picture of a restaurant by trying its ambitious items  even if they sound bad.

I also have a habit of ordering personal favorites like duck confit and chocolate desserts.

I started writing restaurant reviews at a newspaper in Vermont in 2008. Since then, my work has taken me to publications in Houston and the DC metro area. Over the past 15 years, restaurants have changed a lot, but how I choose a winning dish hasn't.

This article should serve as crib notes for any restaurant diner looking to order the way one professional restaurant critic does.

The most ambitious item is the most important thing to order

Pork loin with strawberry gochujang and tangy yuzu kosho? Scallops flavored with chermoula, cashews, and coconut served on dry ice? For some diners, it might sound like overkill, but to me, these dishes were a gateway to discovering the chef's vision even before I interviewed them.

Though those particular examples were scores, I even order flavor combinations or unlikely preparations that are almost bound to be bad. I still remember an eel-and-banana roll at a sushi restaurant in Vermont more than a decade ago. The combination didn't work, but I absolutely gave it the benefit of the doubt.

Pepperoni pizza is the standard-bearer

tavern style pizza round cut in squares thin crust

The way a pepperoni is cooked on a pizza can be make or break.Getty/ tadphoto

I know that some pizza purists espouse that it's all about dough, sauce, and cheese. But I would argue that when tasting a pizza, the quality of the pepperoni and how it's crisped tells its own very illustrative story.

That's why, when I order pizza, it's always a pepperoni pie. From there, it's OK to try something with more creative toppings but to get a baseline, I want to eat pizza in its most basic, and arguably also most compelling, form.

Ribs are unforgiving

For years, I've said that if I were ever to open a restaurant, it would specialize in the ribs of many different animals. I love the fatty, tender flesh that much, but I also order it with a critic's eye.

Story continues

I have no tolerance for falling off the bone. Thanks to having reviewed some of Texas' best 'cue, I know that meat should adhere just until a diner tears it from the bone. This rule applies whether I'm at a barbecue stand or an upscale restaurant.

Duck confit is one of my go-to orders

There are few things that speak to my soul quite like a salty duck leg slow-cooked in its own fat. Any application will do, whether it's served with sweet saba or aromatic pistachio dukkah.

That said, if the skin's a little flaccid, I'll note it for work purposes, but happily push it aside and keep eating.

I've made it myself before, but for the most part, it falls squarely in the category of things I would rather someone else cook for me.

Get the cream sauce

pasta with cream sauce in bowl with slice of bread and green herb garnishing edge of plate

You can tell a lot about a restaurant through its creamy sauces.Simon McGill/Getty Images

Cream sauces can break, so a chef always wins points in my book when they turn out right. The same applies to buttery but creamless Bearnaise sauce  it's one of my most beloved things, but matters can go south quickly, so it's always worth my appraisal.

Game meats are always welcome

For years, I kept a list on Facebook of every type of animal I'd eaten, slowly growing as I cooked camel from a Somali grocery or traveled to Peru for guinea pig.

The list has long since disappeared, but I believe that I'm well into the 30s or 40s. My favorite so far is bear. I've found that if it's braised properly it can take on some qualities reminiscent of wagyu beef.

I can't resist a chocolate dessert

I've often joked that if I were to run for president, it would be on the platform of making it law that restaurants must have at least one chocolate dessert on the menu at all times.

I opt for a chocolate dessert unless there is something far more creative or interesting. I love tasting the breadth of what pastry chefs can do with the most crave-able of ingredients.

I always check if the charcuterie is made in house

Charcuterie board on wooding board with folded salami and other meats and a few pieces of cheese

I won't be ordering a charcuterie board if the ingredients are nothing special.Fani Kurti/Getty Images

Charcuterie boards have taken over menus, but I have to be careful when ordering them. I don't want packaged meats that chefs throw together with an upcharge when I could just as easily buy good prosciutto to eat at home.

Though there are exceptions to this rule (perhaps a few slices of beautiful jamon iberico de bellota off a whole leg), I'm usually only interested in ordering charcuterie if the chef has crafted it themselves. But when they do, I'm sure to taste my way through their pates de campagne and hot coppas.

This Connecticut native is exacting about casual Italian fare

I order chicken Parmigiana everywhere I can. Like a pepperoni pizza, it tells me practically everything I need to know about a place in a single dish.

How thinly pounded is the chicken? How brown and blistered is the cheese? Is the pasta al dente? This is one of the dishes I judge most harshly, but when a chicken Parm hits right, it can make my year.

Turkey sandwiches are my diner favorite

I didn't realize until I left New England for Houston that hot turkey sandwiches were such a regional treasure. But they are, as are Northeastern-style diners themselves.

In my opinion, the best open-faced turkey sandwiches are bathed in yellow gravy and accompanied by crispy fries, but I'm not too picky. As long as the sandwich doesn't have deli-sliced turkey (which has, sadly, happened to me), I'm likely to be thrilled.

Read the original article on Insider
BBC

For more than three decades after its independence from France, Cote D'Ivoire or Ivory Coast was known for its religious and ethnic harmony, as well as its well-developed economy.

The Western African country was hailed as a model of stability. But an armed rebellion in 2002 split the nation in two. Peace deals alternated with renewed violence as the country slowly edged its way towards a political resolution of the conflict.

Despite the instability, Ivory Coast is the world's largest exporter of cocoa beans, and its citizens enjoy a relatively high level of income compared to other countries in the region.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

REPUBLIC OF COTE D'IVOIRE: FACTS

Capital: Yamoussoukro (political) Abidjan (economic)

Area: 322,463 sq km

Population: 29.3 million

Languages: French, plus Bete, Jula, Baule, Abron, Anyin, Cebaara Senufo and others

Life expectancy: 62 years (men) 65 years (women)

LEADERS

President : Alassane Ouattara

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara

Alassane Ouattara has been in power since his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, was forcibly removed from office after refusing to accept Mr Ouattara's internationally recognised victory in the November 2010 presidential election.

In 2015, Mr Ouattara won a second five-year term with nearly 84% of the vote, in an election described as credible by US observers.

His re-election in 2020 was more controversial, with the opposition boycotting the poll in protest at what they called an unconstitutional third term.

A US-educated economist from the Muslim north, Mr Ouattara served as President Felix Houphouet-Boigny's last prime minister after a long career at the International Monetary Fund.

MEDIA

Ivory Coast public television studio

The government operates the outlets with the widest reach, including TV and radio networks and the main daily newspaper.

The first privately-owned terrestrial TV stations were licensed in 2018.

Press freedom "depends closely on the political context", says Reporters Without Borders.

Story continues

Read full media profile

TIMELINE

Ivory Coast was relatively stable and prospered economically under Felix Houphouet-Boigny's three decades at the helm

Some key dates in the history of Ivory Coast:

A number of important states flourished in Ivory Coast during the pre-European early modern period.

17th Century - Abron kingdom of Gyaaman established by an Akan group fleeing the developing Ashanti confederation of in present-day Ghana. The kingdom's Quranic scholars attract students from all parts of West Africa.

Mid-17th Century - Other Akan groups fleeing the Asante establish a Baoule kingdom at Sakasso and two Agni kingdoms, Indenie and Sanwi

18th Century - Muslim Kong Empire established by the Dyula in the north-central region inhabited by the Senoufo, who had fled Islamization under the Mali Empire.

1843-44 - France imposes protectorate over coastal zone and begins a gradual colonisation of Ivory Coast.

1871 - After defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, France abandon some of its colonial ambitions and withdraw military garrisons from its West African trading posts.

1886 - To support its claims of effective occupation, France again assumes direct control of its West African coastal trading posts and embarked on an accelerated programme of exploring the interior.

1878-1898 - Wassoulou Empire or Mandinka Empire spanning southwestern Mali, upper Guinea, northern Ghana and Ivory Coast at its peak. Its ruler Samori Ture leads resistance to French colonial rule. French military campaigns in the 1890s against Ture are met with significant resistance. He is captured in 1898 and his empire dissolved.

1893 - Ivory Coast becomes a French colony.

1904-1958 - Ivory Coast is part of the Federation of French West Africa.

1944 - Felix Houphouet-Boigny, later to become Ivory Coast's first president, founds a union of African farmers, which develops into the inter-territorial African Democratic Rally and its Ivorian section, the Ivory Coast Democratic Party.

1958 - Ivory Coast becomes a republic within the French Community.

1960 - France grants independence under President Felix Houphouet-Boigny. He holds power until he dies in 1993.

1999 - President Henri Konan Bedie, in power since 1993, is overthrown in a military coup.

2000 - Laurent Gbagbo becomes president after a controversial election.

2002-2007 - First Ivorian Civil War: effectively splits country into Muslim rebel-held north and government-controlled Christian south after renegade soldiers try to oust Mr Gbagbo. Up to 1,700 people are killed and 750,000 people displaced.

2007 - Gbagbo and rebel chief Guillaume Soro of the New Forces sign an agreement to end the crisis.

2010 - Long-delayed presidential elections. Election commission declares Alassane Ouattara the winner of the run-off. Mr Gbagbo refuses to quit.

2010-2011 - Second Ivorian Civil War: post-election violence leaves 3,000 people dead and 500,000 displaced.

2016 - Al-Qaeda jihadists attack the beach resort of Grand Bassam, near Abidjan, killing 18 people.

2019 - The International Criminal Court acquits Ivory Coast ex-president Laurent Gbagbo of charges of crimes against humanity over violence following the 2010 election.

2022 - Ivory Coast announces plans to triple its forest cover by 2030. It has lost nearly all of its forests since 1970, primarily because of cocoa plantations. The project aims to cover 20% of Ivory Coast.
People read the headlines of newspapers in Abidjan on 7 January 2023, after the release of 46 Ivorian soldiers who had been arrested in July 2022 in Mali

Cote d'Ivoire's long-running political divisions continue to be reflected in its media landscape. Most outlets are partisan in their political coverage.

The media were accused of inflaming violence following a coup in 1999 and during civil wars in 2002-2007 and 2010-2011.

In 2020, many journalists were detained while covering protests and violence during and after the presidential election in October of that year.

Cote d'Ivoire was among the last countries in West Africa to liberalise its broadcast media. As a result, the Ivorian state remains a major media player. The opposition has limited access to official outlets, even during election campaigns when it is entitled by law to "equitable media access".

Most of the main commercial TV channels have owners with links to the ruling coalition. Radio has traditionally been the main medium, but online news sources are increasingly popular.

BBC World Service in French is available on FM, including in Abidjan (94.3). There are also FM relays of Radio France Internationale and Voice of America.

Around 46% of the population have internet access. There are no formal restrictions on internet use. Facebook is the most popular social network.

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Television

Radio

News agency/online
Mothers of unsolved murder case victims Sabrina Parker and Stephanie James console each other after the end of the Jackson Police Department Press Conference in Jackson, Tennessee on Wednesday, Jul. 19, 2023.

As families grieve over their losses, the Jackson Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying suspects or providing any information in three murder cases with no leads.

During a press conference held on Wednesday, Police Chief Thom Corley urged the community to help identify those involved and allow justice to be brought to the families.

"Sadly, as everyone is aware, gun violence occurs across the nation," Corley said. "Locally, law enforcement and its partners, several who are here with us today, are diligently working now says to break the cycle of illegal gun possession, gang membership, and other issues that are at the root cause of this issue. But more help is needed."

Yasmine Humphrey

At approximately 6pm on Nov. 8, 2021, a car traveling on the intersection of Westwood Ave. and Lambuth Ave. was struck by gunfire. Inside the car were four individuals, including 18-year-old Yasmine Humphrey, who was the only individual who died as a result of the gunfire.

Stephanie James holds a portrait of her daughter Jasmine Humphrey as her granddaughter Armoni plays in the background during the Jackson Police Department Press Conference in Jackson, Tennessee on Wednesday, Jul. 19, 2023.

A suspect has yet to be identified.

Humphrey's mother, Stephanie James, along with Humphrey's now three-year-old daughter Armoni, were in attendance of the press conference and pleaded with the public to come forward with any information they may have.

"We moved from New York, and a year later, my daughter's gone," James said.

James explained that justice to her is being able to give her grandaughter closure by saying that the person responsible for her mother's death is behind bars.

Tyler Guy

On May 20, 2022 at 5pm, 19-year-old Tyler Guy was struck by gunfire while driving his vehicle northbound on the 800 block of Highland Ave.

Sabrina Parker hugs City Councilman Johnny Dodd after the end of the Jackson Police Department Press Conference in Jackson, Tennessee on Wednesday, Jul. 19, 2023.

The only lead the department has was a possible suspect vehicle, described as being a "dark-colored, four door vehicle."

Guy's mother, Sabrina Parker, took to the podium and explained that the family is offering a reward of $5,000 for the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for her son's death

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"He had all of his hopes and dreams right in front of him and they were all taken away," she said. "We need your help. We just need justice for my son."

Tyson Banks

Around midnight on May 3, 2022, in what Chief Corley described as a "shooting incident" on the 200th block of Lincoln Circle, Tyson Banks was shot and died as a result of his injuries.

In the Banks case, Corley noted that though there were a number of witnesses present at the time of the shooting, they were "very uncooperative" and refused to provide information to officers or investigators.

Jackson Police Chief Them Corley pleads with the community to help with unsolved murder cases during a Jackson Police Department Press Conference on Wednesday, Jul. 19, 2023.

"This makes this extra frustrating," he said. "There were people on the scene."

How the community can help

Anyone who has any information pertaining to the above cases is urged to call the Jackson Police Department at (731)425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at (731) 424-8477.

"I do want to stress again, that for each one of these cases, someone saw something, someone has heard something, and someone knows something," Corley said.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: JPD is asking the public's help in solving three cases with no leads.
Editor's Note: The Kyiv Independent is exclusively re-publishing an interview with Yuliya Kovaliv prepared by Forum for Ukrainian Studies, a research publication for experts, practitioners, and academics. This platform is run by the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) of the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada).

Jade McGlynn is a Leverhulme EC Researcher in the War Studies department at Kings College London.

CIUS: Your book is titled Russias War  not Putins War, as many frame it in the West. You examine the role of ordinary Russians in the aggression against Ukraine. What is the main message you are trying to convey in your book by exploring this dimension?

Jade McGlynn: I would like to emphasize two points when answering this question. One is that the aggression against Ukraine is not Putins venture only. And if wewe being the Westbelieve that the catastrophic genocidal war will be easily solved if we get rid of one person, then we are going to fall victim to misconceptions and design wrong policies. The second point is that we need to understand what kind of war the Russians are watching; we need to look at the propaganda. I do not like the argument that people back the war because they are zombified. It does not make any sense. There are 60 million daily users of Telegram [social media] who have access to all forms of channels, including oppositional, and yet of the top 30 political channels an overwhelming majority of 24 are very pro-war.

In my book I wanted to make the argument that the Kremlins propaganda functions not only because it has a platform. Of course the situation in the media is rigged, to put it mildly, in favour of advocating the war effort, but such narratives also need resonance. Above all, the narratives are about meaning-making. They need to make sense and resonate with how people view their lives, the world, themselves as Russians, Russias history, Russias international role, and, of course, Ukraine and the West. And that is why the propaganda works.

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CIUS: You write about Russias liberal opposition and the reaction of some of its representatives to the aggression. What are your main conclusions about their stance on Russias war against Ukraine?

McGlynn: One of the first things to say is that typifying the Russian liberal opposition is a difficult task because they are really incoherent. There is, for example, the feminist anti-war resistance, who I think are incredible. The work they do is incredible. They seem to get the calamity behind the war, to put it bluntly. But othersin particular, certain members of the Alexei Navalny teamare less supportive. They remove Ukraine from the narrative almost entirely. That was something else that came out of my research.

If you look for references to Ukraine on the Navalny Telegram channel there were very few, much less than is the average for other Russian Telegram channels, during the first three months of the invasion. They removed Ukraine from communication or tried to insert themselves into the war.

In March 2022 there was a moment when the opposition used the negotiations around Ukraine to try to ask Western governments to include releasing Navalny from prison as one of the Kremlins concessions. As much as I would like to see him releasedsomeone who should have not been imprisoned in the first placeNavalnys case cannot be inserted into such discussions on Ukraine.

Such actions by some of the Russian democratic opposition replicates the Kremlins denial of Ukrainian agency, demonstrating Ukrainophobia, solipsism, and a kind of self-obsession. They invariably present themselves as friends of Ukraine but that isnt always the case. Moreover, it is incredibly offensive to see some aggressively rejecting criticism from Ukrainians using arguments like Oh, well, you must be Putin bots, because you are fighting us and we are anti-Putin. But Ukrainians are literally fighting.

Having said all that, I do not want to condemn the Russian opposition. They are not a monolith and many have made incredible sacrifices to undermine Putins regime. I do not think I would have the bravery to protest in Putins Russia. I would not also have a smidgen of the bravery that Ukrainians have shown. This is more about some of the Russian opposition getting a sense of perspective. Their strugglesas awful as they may beare not comparable to the struggles that Ukrainians are enduring.

CIUS: You have been following Russias media narratives about Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Is it true that the media outlets outside the capital are practically silent about the war? How can you explain this?

McGlynn: The relative silence of the regional media about the war is not really my finding. I have mostly looked at the federal broadcast channels and Telegram. The regional media is something that Paul Goode at Carleton University examined. And what he found was that the warobviously, they call it a special military operationdid not come up very much in the local news; they obviously tried to avoid it.

I just finished a small research project, looking at what media and news outlets wrote about and what kind of information Russians consume from television. I have observedand it is very interestingthat since October 2022 a major shift has happened from political discussion programs to a variety of series [serialy] and films. I have observed a lot of escapism on the television, but news and real-time events are no longer in the focus.

I think that the war has not gone how the Russians wanted it to. Clearly, there is an awful lot of cognitive dissonance about the fact that the Ukrainians did not meet the Russians as liberators, to put it mildly. There also seems to be a large element of avoidance. Because if you have to start facing questions about the poor progress of the invasion in Ukraine, you need then to find the answers to why. And to be fair, for the majority of ordinary Russians there is not really any benefit in facing those questions. They would have to do something with that information afterwards. Finding answers and accepting them are not pleasant prospects for Russians.

Read the rest of the interview here.
People in Tokyo protest in April against the government's immigration controls, demanding rights for refugees. (David Mareuil / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Iranian asylum seeker Afshin had hoped he'd be spending the final decades of his career contributing to a Japanese economy desperate for workers.

Instead, the former construction worker has been sidelined from Japan's shrinking labor force while battling immigration officials. He has endured years of detention.

At one point, he said, he was saved from deportation only because a scuffle with officials had left his clothes so bloody that when he arrived at the airport, the airline refused to allow him to board.

When he hasn't been in detention in recent years, he has been banned from seeking work or government support.

"It makes no sense," said Afshin, 57, who was a political activist in Iran and spoke on condition that he be identified by only his childhood nickname to protect family there. "They won't let you work, so you can't make money, but they also won't let you sign up for unemployment."

Japan, which has the world's third-largest economy, is struggling to repair a labor force cratered by rapid aging. Fertility rates are stubbornly low, and forecasts show the already shrinking population could drop from 124 million to 104 million by midcentury as the share of people 65 and older approaches 40%, deepening crises in the labor market, pensions and healthcare.

Mask-wearing commuters make their way through Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. To boost the waning labor force, Japan's government is expanding a foreign skilled-worker system and loosening visa rules for ethnic Japanese born abroad. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

Read more: One sign of South Korea's population crisis: Rural elementary schools are running out of children

But Japan has been slow to open to foreign labor, stymied by a historical skittishness about foreigners and fears that significant immigration would lead to crime and instability. The number of foreign-born residents in Japan  mostly from Asia  hit a record high last year of 3 million, or 2.4% of the population, well short of the 13.6% in the United States.

To boost the waning labor force, the government is expanding a foreign skilled-worker system and loosening visa rules for ethnic Japanese born abroad. Last year, Tokyo launched an overhaul of a foreign trainee program that brings hundreds of thousands of people to Japan temporarily to work in agriculture, factories and elsewhere. Now the government is pushing a plan to improve childcare benefits, hoping to increase birthrates.

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But Japan refuses to make it easier for some of the world's millions of refugees to settle here and join the workforce. Instead, the parliament passed legislation in June that could fast-track thousands of asylum seekers to deportation.

Jobless and homeless Vietnamese migrant workers prepare to sleep at a Buddhist temple in Honjo, Japan. (Carl Court / Getty Images)

Refugees pose specific challenges to Japans foreign worker ambitions. They can show up without any particular skills and sometimes with political baggage at odds with Japans foreign policy positions. And Japan is loath to grant residency to foreigners who could require government support or benefits.

Read more: Bused from Texas to L.A.: Little food, sketchy bathroom facilities for 20 hours on the road

"Refugees for Japan mean difficult people, said Gracia Liu-Farrer, a sociologist at Tokyos Waseda University who studies the plight of the country's immigrants. So refugee does not have a good reputation  it has a social stigma to it.

Japan grants asylum to only a few dozen of the thousands of applicants it gets each year.

Amid protests in Tokyo and tumult in parliament, lawmakers voted last month for new rules that say anyone who has applied more than twice for asylum  such as Afshin  can be sent home.

Critics say the crackdown on refugees is pointless when Japan needs to import labor.

"Nobody's looking at the big picture," said Koichi Kodama, a leading immigration and foreigners' rights attorney. "Instead, it's just a patchwork. Now they're trying to deport a bunch of people, but at the same time they want people to come. There's no balance at all."

Japanese officials say the new rules are aimed at protecting those directly threatened by persecution in their home countries  and quickly deporting those who are not. The measure also closed a loophole that officials said encouraged unsuccessful applicants to keep applying repeatedly just to stay in Japan.

Justice Minister Ken Saito recently asserted in parliament that a third of rejected asylum seekers who had resisted deportation were guilty of crimes unrelated to immigration, including violent offenses.

Japanese opposition lawmaker Taro Yamamoto, top left, tries to jump toward Hisatake Sugi, seated, as ruling coalition lawmakers push a controversial immigration bill to a vote in June. (Jiji Press / AFP via Getty Images)

Read more: Afghan refugees in U.S. face uncertainty as legislation stalls

"Deportation refusal and long-term detention are urgent problems that need to be dealt with quickly," Saito said earlier this year. "Unfortunately, there are those who misuse or abuse refugee recognition applications as a means of avoiding deportation."

The Justice Ministry says that more than 4,000 rejected asylum seekers are still in Japan after defying deportation orders, and that an additional 1,400 on provisional release from detention have gone missing.

The sometimes raucous parliamentary debate over the measure shed further light on a system widely criticized by human rights groups, which cite tactics  such as banning many asylum applicants from lawful work  that seem to be aimed at encouraging asylum seekers to give up or never come to Japan in the first place.

"The system makes it so difficult to live in Japan that people just want to go home," said Atsuko Nishiyama, an immigration lawyer.

The harshest criticism has been directed at Japan's feared immigration detention centers, where inmates can be held indefinitely while their cases are adjudicated. Former detainees say at best they are treated like criminals; at worst, they can be denied critical medical care and are subject to physical and emotional abuse. Since 2007, 17 detainees have died in custody, including several by suicide. Hunger strikes are not uncommon.

Recent protesters have rallied around the case of a 33-year-old Sri Lankan woman, Wishma Sandamali, who died in 2021 after officials dismissed her repeated requests to be sent to a hospital. A criminal case against officials has stalled, but her family is pursuing a civil lawsuit.

People protest against Japanese immigration policies in April. (David Mareuil / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Once asylum seekers make their applications, their chances of approval are razor-thin. Japan joined the U.N. Refugee Convention in 1982 but has historically rejected about 99% of applications.

Read more: Migrant fathers celebrate their day at a family shelter in Mexico with gifts and prayers

Attention has focused on what critics say is Japan's overly strict interpretation of the definition of refugee in international law: somebody with "a well-founded fear" of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political beliefs or membership in a particular social group.

Saito has repeatedly defended Japan's selection system, pointing out that from 2018 until 2022, the government's rejection of refugee applicants had been upheld by courts in 104 of 109 lawsuits.

"I believe that we must always put our hands on our hearts to ensure that there are no mistakes in our own judgments and the judgments of government offices," he told reporters in June. "But I don't think that means we have to change our system now."

The total of 202 people granted asylum last year was a record high spurred by an influx of former Japanese Embassy employees who fled Afghanistan amid the Taliban takeover. But most applicants were from Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turkey or Myanmar.

By comparison, both Germany and the United States recognized some 45,000 refugees each in 2022, the United Nations reported. Even the tiny Netherlands recognized more than 14,000 asylum seekers that year.

Japan has responded to allies' demands for help in handling global crises by accepting outsiders who aren't legally classified as refugees. The country, for instance, had taken in 121 Syrians fleeing war by the end of last year, but as international students. A couple thousand Ukrainians have been welcomed at least temporarily as "evacuees" and given work permits and government support.

The refugee recognition system operates largely out of public view, and activists and human rights lawyers regularly refer to it as a "black box," arguing that immigration officials issue verdicts without explanation, make unreasonable demands for evidence of applicants' persecution, and hand out recognition and work permissions  or prohibitions  arbitrarily and with scant oversight.

"In most countries, the question is who is eligible to be accepted," Afshin said on the sidelines of a protest outside parliament in June. "But in Japan, the question is who is eligible to be rejected."

Afshin has witnessed the vagaries of the system firsthand over the last three decades.

He arrived in Tokyo on a short-term visa in 1990 after fleeing death threats as a member of a group opposed to Iran's Islamic government, he said, joining a stream of Iranians taking advantage of Japan's then-relaxed attitude toward visitors from the oil-rich nation.

Afshin said he, like many other Iranians at the time, worked illegally with no problem for about 10 years, until he was arrested in a crackdown on people who had overstayed their visas. He applied for asylum in 2002.

In an interview with immigration officials, he said he had been threatened at gunpoint in Iran. An official, he said, asked for a photo of the incident. "I laughed," Afshin said. "Who is going to take a photo at that moment?"

Since then, he has been detained a total of four years as appeal after appeal was turned down.

He was paroled from detention but banned from work and national health insurance, though he worked on the sly until about eight years ago, when the government started to tighten controls over parolees.

Afshin's fourth application for asylum was rejected this year, and he was given a one-year visa on humanitarian grounds. But the visa bans him from working or applying for unemployment benefits.

The stress has taken a toll on Afshin. He downs handfuls of prescription pills for a heart condition and for PTSD that he blames on attempts to deport him. Over the last year, he had to raise thousands of dollars through an aid organization to pay the full price for angioplasty to remove plaque from his arteries. He said his doctor had advised that another round of treatment may be necessary.

Afshin said he fears he could be deported at any time.

"I first went into immigration detention 22 years ago, and I haven't gotten anything from them," he said. "Why do I have to be grateful for this residence card? Maybe 20% of what I feel is appreciation, but the other 80% is resentment."

Not all asylum seekers are denied work visas. Myo Kyaw Kyaw, 38, a member of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, arrived in Japan in 2006 with a visa. He said hed been targeted for his pro-democracy activism.

But his applications for asylum have been rejected three times, and he has been detained for about 2 years. His third application was rejected in February, but instead of being deported, Japanese officials issued him a six-month visa that allowed him to work 28 hours a week. The visa, which is good until mid-August, has let him work for the first time since 2013. He is appealing the February decision.

Now he's employed by the Anti-Poverty Network, a nonprofit that supports asylum seekers, and is a regular at pro-refugee rallies in Tokyo. But he is tormented by uncertainty.

"I don't know how long I can do this," he said, adding that he'd prefer death in Japan to being sent home, where his presence could endanger his family. "I'm going to die here. I don't want to die in Myanmar."

Many asylum seekers privately concede that they work on the side despite the ban, particularly in construction and demolition work, though they say that employers fearful of prosecution are reluctant to offer steady gigs, and that pay is lower than for those with official work authorization.

Nishiyama, the attorney, said some employers come to rely on such workers to do punishing labor most Japanese are unwilling to perform.

Read more: Anger, tears, a birthday serenade. What happened after a deadly fire in Mexico migrant lockup

"It would be much better for Japan to give those people special permission to stay here," she said. "Immigration makes them out to be criminals, but from my experience, most of those people would live stable lives here if they had visas."

Meanwhile, many of Japan's would-be refugees are dependent on handouts like the bags of food and other necessities distributed every Sunday at St. Alban's Anglican-Episcopal Church in Tokyo.

The volunteer operation is run by American filmmaker Thomas Ash, director of "Ushiku," a 2021 documentary about detainees at a center north of Tokyo. The film, which Ash shot with hidden cameras to get around the center's photography ban, features the anguished stories of several refugees  including a hunger striker  as they grapple with physical and emotional abuse in detention.

Ash said the idea to document the refugees' plight came when he became disturbed by detainees' condition while visiting the center a few years ago as part of a volunteer church group.

"I prayed about what I could do, and I felt that I should preserve evidence in case someone died," he said.

On a recent Sunday, Ash and other volunteers hosted a coffee and pastry hour for refugees and handed out bags of rice, coffee, soy milk, curry, candy and other foods.

One of the men gathered there, Julius Nde, 53, said he came to Japan in 2018 because of fighting in his native Cameroon. He'd lived in Japan previously for three years, but had been forced to leave in 2007 after overstaying his visa.

He said he was frustrated by immigration officials' refusal to give him refugee status or permission to work legally.

"Sometimes I visit my friends where they work and ask for money," he said. "They give me an allowance. That's how I live my life in Japan."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
MELBOURNE, Australia  Japan and South Korea conducted missile and rocket launches on Australian soil over the weekend for the first time during a multinational military exercise also involving the United States.

Japan fired a Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, or Chu-SAM, during a demonstration at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, while South Korea launched rockets from a K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system at the same event.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force also fired an inert Type 12 truck-launched anti-ship missile from the Beecroft Weapons Range near Jervis Bay, south of Sydney, in a separate event on Friday.

Australian Army Brig. Damian Hill, who directed the Talisman Sabre exercise, said the drills serve as an opportunity to train alongside allies and regional partners.

This is Japans largest-ever participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre, and further strengthens interoperability between our military forces, Hill said.

Soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force launch a Type 12 surface-to-ship missile at Australia's Beecroft Weapons Range during exercise Talisman Sabre. (POIS Peter Thompson/Australian Defence Department)

Maj. Shinchiro Senzaki of the Japanese ground force touted the successful firing of a Type 12 missile, adding that the countrys participation at Talisman Sabre enhances the trust and the relationship between Australia and Japan.

Japans contingent at the exercise also included more than 1,500 personnel and three Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships, including the JS Izumo. That helicopter destroyer was recently converted to operate fixed-wing fighter jets, although it only carried helicopters for this exercise.

Other weapons involved in the firepower demonstration at Shoalwater Bay included U.S Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Australian M777A2 towed howitzers and South Korean K9 Thunder tracked artillery systems.

Australia had selected the K9 to meet its self-propelled howitzer requirements, with plans to acquire 45, plus the associated AS10 ammunition carrier vehicles.

This years exercise will see 30,000 personnel from 13 nations take part in the two-week biennial event, which runs until Aug. 4. A wide range of capabilities  from an aircraft carrier to special forces  are to take part.

According to the Australian Defence Department, other participants include Fiji, France, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany, with the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand attending as observers.
Billed as a secret mission during World War II, the U.S. military used Japanese-American soldiers as bait in a failed attempt to train attack dogs on a Mississippi Gulf Coast island.

At the onset of the war, the U.S. military faced a pressing need to defend the vast coastline from Axis spies and saboteurs. To bolster their efforts, several civilians created Dogs for Defense, calling on Americans to donate large purebred canines to help patrol the coastline.

While over 40,000 dogs were donated by citizens, nearly half were deemed unfit for service. Of the 17,000 that attended an two-to-three month boot camp, about 12,000 ultimately became official military working dogs to be used overseas and at home.

Swiss-born dog trainer William A. Prestre simultaneously proposed a misguided experiment based on the false idea that Japanese soldiers, due to their racial background, had a distinct odor that could be detected by trained dogs. Though lacking evidence, the government authorized the experiment, selecting Cat Island in Mississippi as the testing site due to its remote location and resemblance to Pacific islands.

Cat Island was home to a secret dog-training facility operated by the Army in World War II.

Unable to use Japanese prisoners of war or civilians, 26 Japanese-American, or Nisei (second-generation) soldiers from Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), were chosen as bait. Stationed on Ship Island under the guise of a secret mission, they were ferried to Cat Island each day to conduct the experiment.

The men were released into the swampy interior of the island and hid from the dogs and their handlers. Soldiers, including Raymond Nosaka, would hide in the shrubbery and climb trees in an effort to avoid both dogs and alligators.

Whenever the dogs found an enemy, the soldiers would play dead and drop a piece of meat next to their neck for the dog to chew on. Some of the soldiers expressed their love for the animals and stated the dogs would quickly eat the meat before turning back to lick their faces.

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With the dogs failing to become as aggressive as he was hoping, Prestre ordered the Nisei soldiers to whip or shock them, despite protests from the soldiers.

According to Nosaka, The trainers didnt say, Go get them, they say kill. While the soldiers wore protective gear and padding, most of the men would later leave the island with scars and stitches.

Further issues began to arise as the dogs proved unable to differentiate between the Nisei and other American soldiers.

Arthur Lang works with a pack of Irish and Russian wolfhounds at a secret dog-training facility at Cat Island operated by the Army in World War II.

It was not always bad for the soldiers, as they only worked three-and-a-half hours each day. They also enjoyed swimming, fishing, exploring Fort Massachusetts and even drank a three-month supply of beer in just a few weeks.

After several months of repeated failures, military dog trainer Master Sergeant John Pierce arrived on the island to assist with the experiment. He disagreed with Prestres methods, instead arguing that dog and handler teams could be better trained individually to cooperate in detecting enemy infiltrators before ordering the dogs to attack on command.

With Pierces methods proving more successful at detecting the Nisei, as well as a disastrous demonstration of his experiment to Army leadership, Prestre was fired. He would go on to blame the dogs, exclaiming that he was sent the wrong breeds for the task.

After only four months, the Cat Island Training Center and the experiment were abandoned. A more successful experiment was later conducted on the island which paired dogs and pigeons to be used as messenger teams.

Military working dogs continued to play an important role as sentries, messengers and even attack dogs throughout the rest of the war. Many of the dogs trained on Cat Island, as well as the soldiers used as bait, would travel to Africa and Italy with the fabled 442nd Regimental Combat Team to fight the Axis.

However, the mission of the Nisei on Cat Island remained classified and unknown to the world for decades. Not until 2010 did President Barack Obama award the entire 442nd, including the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion and those at Cat Island, the Congressional Gold Medal for their service.
Jason Aldean defended his controversial song, "Try That In a Small Town," at a Cincinnati concert July 21 to the support of fans who chanted "U.S.A" from the crowd.

Before he performed the single, he gave a speech about the track.

He opened with, "It's been a long-ass week," in clips shared on social media. While "Try That In a Small Town" was first released in May, the music video, which dropped July 14, stirred backlash, with critics saying the song encourages violence.

"Ive seen a lot of stuff suggesting Im this, suggesting Im that, Aldean said. I feel everybodys entitled to their opinion. You can think something all you want to, it doesnt mean its true."

CMA Fest - Day 3 (Variety / Variety via Getty Images)

"What I am, is a proud American. I'm proud to be from here. I love our country," he continued. "I want to see it restored to what it once was before all this bulls---started happening to us. I love my country. I love my family. And I will do anything to protect that."

The crowd then began to shout "U.S.A" as he continued his introduction of the song, attributing the online backlash to "cancel culture."

"If people dont like what you say, they try to make sure they can cancel you, which means try to ruin your life. Ruin everything," Aldean said in the speech, before thanking fans for sticking behind him.

"One thing I saw this week was a bunch of country music fans that can see through a lot of the bulls---. I saw country music fans rally like Ive never seen before and it was pretty bada-- to watch, I gotta say. Thank you guys so much," he said.

Grover Collins, who attended the concert, posted a video of the speech on TikTok.

Last week, CMT pulled the music video for "Try That In A Small Town" from its rotation. The video includes footage of protests at a courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, the same site where an 18-year-old Black man named Henry Choate was lynched in 1927.

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Interest in the track increased, with the song reaching No. 1 on iTunes July 18, per Billboard. The song was written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace and Neil Thrasher.

Supporters of Aldean, including many people who commented on the TikTok post, describe the song as patriotic and representative of how people feel in rural communities.

"Jason once again you never disappoint! ... gave me goosebumps because I lived my whole life in a small town," one person commented.

"I love this song and what it stands for; supporting your community and kids from outsiders," another wrote.

However, its lyrics about gun ownership and a threatening undertone, including the chorus, "Try that in a small town / See how far you make it down the road / Around here we take care of our own," has led many to say it promotes violence.

Sheryl Crow denounced the song, writing in a tweet, 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.

Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones also voiced his disapproval of the song on Twitter.

As Tennessee lawmakers, we have an obligation to condemn Jason Aldeans heinous song calling for racist violence, he said. 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.

Aldean previously defended the song on social media July 18, saying the track "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."

"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. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isnt a single video clip that isnt real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far," Aldean said in the statement.

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

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
When the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions said he would boycott the event, he quickly had company.

Thank you for taking this stand. If you are out, I am out, Ben Chan, the tournaments No. 3 seed, replied to Ray Lalonde.

Others followed, and now several of the top entries in the Tournament of Champions say they will not compete.

Why? According to Lalonde, the show is preparing to film the next Jeopardy! season with recycled material while the Writers Guild of America strike continues.

Writers have been on strike since early May, and the stoppage does not appear to be ending anytime soon. Their demands include higher pay and better residuals.

Lalonde called the opportunity to compete in the champions tournament a dream come true, but said he will not take part as long as the writers are striking.

I believe that the shows writers are a vital part of the show and they are justified in taking their job action to secure a fair contract for themselves and their fellow WGA members, Lalonde, who won 13 Jeopardy! matches, said in a Reddit post.

As a supporter of the trade union movement, a union members son and a proud union member myself I have informed the shows producers that if the strike remains unresolved I will not cross a picket line to play in the tournament of champions, he continued.

Jeopardy! has not confirmed it would be using recycled material for its next season.

Cris Pannullo, the No. 1 seed in the tournament after winning 21 straight episodes, joined Lalonde in the boycott.

I fully agree with his stance and will not participate in any games comprised of recycled clues while the WGA strike is in effect, Pannullo said in the Reddit post.

Others boycotting include Hannah Wilson and Troy Meyer. The five who said they will not compete are among the tournaments top six seeds.

Jeopardy! writers Michelle Loud, Jim Rhine and Billy Wisse joined the WGA pickets in May, Variety reported. Wisse told the outlet its their wish to be fairly compensated.

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Our words are on the screen every night, Loud told Variety. There is no Jeopardy! without writers. Without us its just an empty blue screen.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Jeopardy! will return Sept. 11, but its unclear if it will have new episodes. Amy Schneider won last years Tournament of Champions, which aired in November.

Ryan Seacrest to replace Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune. What to know about Idol star

Can you solve this Wheel of Fortune puzzle? Georgia college student did in 10 seconds
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) endorsed former President Trump for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 on Monday.

The leadership and success exhibited by President Trump could not be more different than what we see today under Joe Biden. I support President Trump and firmly believe he will be our nominee and be re-elected as our next President, he tweeted.

Justice is a two-term governor and a candidate for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Early polling has shown him with a large lead over Manchin in a hypothetical match-up between the two.

West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney (R) is also running for the GOP Senate nomination in the state.

Mooneys campaign noted in a release on Monday that Mooney endorsed Trump in November because the states residents need a true conservative leader who will support President Trumps America First Agenda.

Alex Mooney understands that President Trumps leadership is crucial for the success of our nation, which is why he was one of the first to endorse his 2024 presidential run. Jim Justices decision today is further proof that Justice is running scared and concerned about losing support from conservatives across West Virginia, said John Findlay, Mooneys campaign manager.

Justice is the latest among many Republican officials who have thrown their support behind Trump for the GOP presidential nomination. The former president has received endorsements from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, nearly a dozen senators and more than 60 representatives.

He also received an endorsement from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) on Monday. LaRose is running for Senate in Ohio, trying to unseat Sen. Sherrod Brown (D).

Im proud to be the only Secretary of State in the nation endorsed by President Trump last year. Im giving my full endorsement and support to his campaign for President of the United States, and I look forward to working with him as a United States Senator to make America great again, LaRose said.

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Trump has maintained a significant lead in polls of the Republican field over his many challengers.

 Updated at 7:17 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
John Amos Daughter Shannon Breaks Silence On Brothers Arrest Amid Their Fathers Health Concerns | John Sciulli via Getty Images

Shannon Amos, the daughter of actor John Amos, is speaking up after her brother K.C. was arrested for allegedly sending threatening text messages to her.

Speaking to People, Shannon said her brothers actions are affecting their fathers health.

My family and I continue to advocate and fight for the proper care of my father, Shannon said in a statement to the outlet. I am pleased that Kelly is being held accountable for his actions which have put my fathers health at risk, and look forward to resolving this matter in private with the proper authorities.

As Blavity previously reported, Shannon reported her brother to police at West Orange, New Jersey, saying he sent photos of a handgun and a rifle, as well as videos of him shooting a handgun in an open field.

Gonna sleep much better tonight big sis, K.C. allegedly wrote.

John, however, made allegations against Shannon in June. In a video shared by K.C. on social media, the 83-year-old actor said Shannon has been taking advantage of him.

She would be the primary suspect  if you would, John said. I dont know if thats the right term to use or not. But shes the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to. Its definitely a case of elderly abuse.

Shannon continues to defend herself against the allegations.

Despite false accusations and defamatory statements being made against me, I remain committed to ensuring that he receives the best medical care, she told People. John Amos may be known as Americas Dad, but for me, he is my father.

In an Instagram post in June, Shannon said her father called her and told her that he is in the ICU, dealing with immense pain. The 57-year-old daughter also said in another statement that John is the victim of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, and he was working with investigators to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Additionally, Shannon started a GoFundMe page after saying that her fathers home was robbed. After learning about his daughters effort, John said no one was abusing him and hes not sure why she started the fundraiser.
A proposal to reopen the citys mental health clinics and expand non-police responses to 911 calls received a symbolic boost Monday during a long-awaited hearing on the signature plank of Mayor Brandon Johnsons progressive platform that faced roadblocks under previous administrations.

The Health and Human Relations Committee hosted hours of presentations from city officials and advocates from the Treatment Not Trauma coalition whose clamors for expanding mental health services without law enforcement were embraced by Johnson as a central campaign theme and inaugural pledge. The resolution is nonbinding; an analysis and future vote on its implementation is the movements next objective.

Over the weekend, Johnson gave his latest endorsement of the Treatment Not Trauma movement since assuming office.

Thats the goal of this administration. Treatment Not Trauma is the way in which we truly create a better, stronger, safer Chicago, Johnson said at a Saturday summit organized by the activist coalition in Woodlawn. My administration is going to reopen the mental health clinics that are publicly funded and publicly run.

Progressive leaders and community members have long mobilized against former Mayor Rahm Emanuels decision to close half of the citys 12 public mental health clinics in 2012. Johnsons predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, vowed to reopen those clinics in her 2019 mayoral campaign but dropped the plan after taking office.

Lightfoot argued that the public health department had better expanded its reach by funding third-party providers, serving more than 60,000 patients throughout the behavioral health ecosystem in 2022  a point contested by critics who say nonprofits and other contractors offer less transparency than government clinics. Her stance was rejected by rivals in this years mayoral race, who said they would reopen the clinics.

Johnson ally Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, has been one of City Councils most vocal champions of Treatment Not Trauma, first introducing an ordinance calling for restoring the mental health clinics and funding a non-law-enforcement 911 response in 2020. Her efforts languished in the health committee under the Lightfoot administration, until now.

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On Monday, Rodriguez Sanchez presided as Johnsons new hand-picked chair of the committee and held a one-minute moment of silence for those killed by Chicago police during high-profile mental health crises such as Laquan McDonald, Quintonio LeGrier and Bettie Jones.

We all know that its been a long time for us to be able to come to this moment, Rodriguez Sanchez said. ... We know that we can save precious lives by caring for people instead of criminalizing them, and thats what todays hearing is about.

Those who testified Monday included Chicago Department of Public Health Deputy Commissioner Matt Richards, a holdover from Lightfoot who has defended keeping the clinics closed, and Dr. Eric Reinhart, a progressive-minded physician who is a potential candidate to replace Arwady and an outspoken critic of the way public health systems operate.

Richards remarks signaled the department is angling to pivot with the new administration after years of public health commissioner and Lightfoot appointee Dr. Allison Arwady clashing with advocates on reopening the clinics and other matters.

We commit very sincerely to be a partner with this new mayor, with the chairwoman, folks in this room to get this done. To get Treatment Not Trauma done, Richards said. ... You have our commitment that we are going to be a practical partner to help make this happen.

But as Arwady  whose 2019 confirmation was briefly held up over her refusal to bring back the shuttered mental health clinics  continues to lobby for keeping her job, it was Reinhart who kicked off Mondays testimony. He spoke of the devastating consequences of historic public disinvestment in mental health care.

The consequence of that is that mental health has been criminalized. Poverty has been criminalized for decades in this country, Reinhart said. (CDPH) today is one of the most defunded large public health systems in the country.  This should not be an oppositional matter for the police. This is an essential investment in the people of Chicago.

Also chiming in were health and safety officials from Denver, New York City, Portland and other cities that have piloted crisis response teams without cops, though they each also have co-responder models similar to Chicagos where cops and clinicians go out together. Chicago, meanwhile, has run the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement  or CARE  since 2021, following the worldwide social justice movement against police brutality sparked by George Floyds murder in Minneapolis.

Progressives and mental health advocates have complained of CAREs rollout being too slow and too limited, with the alternate response teams that do not summon Chicago police to the scene only debuting in the city last summer on the Southwest Side.

Mondays resolution sponsored by Rodriguez Sanchez calls for four specific planks: to reopen City-run mental health centers, including 24-hour walk-in clinics; hire needed staff; establish mobile crisis response and prevention dispatch infrastructure; and provide sustained funding for Treatment Not Trauma. It is less direct than her earlier legislation that explicitly called for repurposing salaries of vacant police positions toward the cost of sending social workers and other specialists to nonviolent mental health calls.

Since being sworn in as mayor in May, Johnson has taken a middle ground in numerous Chicago political issues, appointing some longtime government operatives to staff his administration and even turning to a decadeslong City Hall veteran to serve as his chief of staff. But on the subject of the mental health clinics, he has remained unapologetically enthusiastic about his intention to reopen the clinics.

Reviving the clinics and implementing the Treatment Not Trauma reforms, which aim to expand Chicagos non-police response to individuals in distress, was a key plank of the Johnson campaign. To follow through, the mayor will likely need to overcome resistance from a skeptical City Hall bureaucracy as well as potential hurdles to staffing the clinics.

One of the Lightfoot administrations rebuttals to proponents of reopening the clinics was that patient visits were largely dwindling even before the six clinics closed as part of Emanuels budget cuts.

City records provided in January show utilization had dropped from about 6,400 clients in 2010 to 5,400 the next year before dipping below 4,200 in 2012. That number continued to ebb and flow under Emanuel and Lightfoot, but by 2022, just under 1,800 patients used the publicly run clinics that year.

Some remarks from council members and public speakers on Monday grew emotional, such as when Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th, spoke of a stressful interaction she once had with police during her friends mental health crisis.

What am I supposed to do? Manaa-Hoppenworth said, after choking back tears, about her encounter with the responding cop. He said, Call your alderman. So Im here in support of Treatment Not Trauma.

She then confronted Mondays CDPH representatives for preserving CAREs co-responder model with Chicago police, to which Richards said the agency was merely following the mayors marching orders: Its really a policy decision, and the health department does not make policy decisions.

But any effort to change how mental health services are delivered will take time and presumably taxpayer money. Rodriguez Sanchez said the next step will be to assemble a working group to look at implementation, indicating it may not be possible to fund the reopening of all the clinics in the 2024 city budget.

During Johnsons remarks Saturday, he also touched on his personal stake in creating an alternative care system for those with mental illnesses.

I want people like my brother Leon, who died addicted and unhoused, to have true supportive services that they deserve and need, Johnson said before asserting: We cant lose anyone else. We cant afford it, Chicago.
Michael Toomin, a former Cook County judge who presided over some of the countys highest-profile cases and helmed the juvenile justice division for a decade, died on Friday.

Toomin, 85, succumbed to cancer a little more than six months after he retired in December following a decadeslong career that began with work as a lawyer at the county courthouse at 26th Street and California Avenue. He was first elected as a judge in 1980.

As a judge, he cultivated a reputation as a conscientious decision-maker and earned the affectionate nickname of the Toominator. By his own estimation, he oversaw some 600 murder cases and 400 or more jury trials, he told the Tribune in an interview shortly before he retired, presiding over heater cases like the second trial for mob hit man Harry The Hook Aleman and that of Black P Stones and El Rukn leader Jeff Fort.

He also served as chair of the Illinois Supreme Courts special committee on capital cases.

Michael Toomin was a man of both great intellect and great compassion. He was a judges judge and a dedicated public servant, who knew the law and had a deep and abiding respect for our community and our system of justice, Timothy Evans, chief judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, said in a statement.

As the juvenile courts presiding judge, Toomin attracted criticism by some criminal justice reform advocates who viewed his stance on juvenile justice as too heavy-handed, more focused on punishment than rehabilitation. He barely survived a retention vote in 2020 after the countys Democratic Party declined to support him, with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle writing in an op-ed: We want a leader who understands that children need to be treated differently than adults.

But speaking to the Tribune in December, Toomin said the cases in juvenile court often presented no easy choices.

They do weigh on you, Toomin said, speaking particularly about a decision to detain two 12-year-old boys facing gun charges despite a Cook County ordinance that said children that young shouldnt be locked up, but somebody has to make those decisions.

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In that case, which generated controversy, Toomin said the juvenile judges presiding over the case had exhausted other options, and feared for the boys safety on the streets.

He pretty much let us be the captain of the ship, recognizing we are operating within the bounds of the law and doing what was in the best interest of the kids who came through our courtrooms, former Juvenile Court Judge Marianne Jackson told the Tribune in December ahead of Toomins retirement.

Most recently, Toomin played a significant role in the Jussie Smollett case, appointing a special prosecutor to investigate after the Cook County states attorneys office drew scrutiny after suddenly dismissing the charges against Smollett.

In 2019, Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct for staging a hoax hate crime. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx had said she was recusing herself from the case and handed it to a deputy. The following month, the office dropped all charges against Smollett.

Toomin appointed Dan Webb to act as a special prosecutor, ruling that Foxx improperly recused herself and overstepped her authority when she delegated the matter to a top deputy.

There was no master on the bridge to guide the ship as it floundered through uncharted waters, and it ultimately lost its bearings, Toomin wrote in the 21-page opinion.  The unprecedented irregularities identified in this case warrants the appointment of independent counsel to restore the publics confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system.

Webb secured a conviction in the case, which Smollett is currently appealing.

As his judicial career wound down, Toomin looked back fondly on his time as a judge, recalling the frenzy of the high-profile cases, including having to go to court with personal security during the trial of Jeff Fort, the notorious Chicago gang leader.

Forty-two years is a long time, Toomin said in December. I felt that Ive made some contributions to the system, to the court and to society.

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com
By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) - The jury in U.S. actor Kevin Spacey's sexual assault trial in London retired to consider their verdicts on Monday.

Spacey, 63, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on nine charges of sexual offences against four men between 2004 and 2013 in Britain, where he worked from 2003 as artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre.

Three of the four accusers have said Spacey aggressively groped them. The fourth says Spacey sexually assaulted him and then performed oral sex on him while he was passed out in Spacey's flat.

Spacey has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and suggested in evidence that his accusers were either lying or reimagining consensual sexual encounters.

Judge Mark Wall sent the jury of nine men and three women out to begin their deliberations at 1145 GMT on Monday, after giving them final directions about the evidence they had heard over the course of the trial.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Michael Holden)
The Justice Department on Monday sued the state of Texas in a suit seeking to compel Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to remove a barrier in the Rio Grande River designed to block migrants from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement announcing the suit.

This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns, she said, adding that the barrier has prompted protests and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy.

The barrier, roughly 1,000 feet of buoys ranging from four to six feet in diameter, is the latest escalation from Texas, which also installed razor wire near the border and is among several states that have bussed migrants to left-leaning cities.

In anticipation of the suit, Abbott, who received a letter from the Justice Department Friday asking for the removal of the buoys, said in a Monday letter Texas will see you in court.

The suit argues the buoys are a violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which prohibits unauthorized barriers in any navigable waters.

Abbott, in his earlier Monday letter, said that as commander in chief of Texas, he must defend sovereign interest in protecting [her] borders, the basis for a series of action taken under Operation Lone Star.

DOJs action comes after the request of nearly 100 House Democrats, who on Friday urged Biden 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.

The buoys, put in place around July 10, were installed just days after four migrants, including an infant, drowned trying to cross the river.

At the heart of the dispute is the potential danger the buoys post to migrants.

Abbott claimed the buoys help deter a potentially dangerous effort to cross the river.

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While I share the humanitarian concerns noted in your lawyers letter, Mr. President, your finger points in the wrong direction. Neither of us wants to see another death in the Rio Grande River. Yet your open-border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives by crossing illegally through the water, instead of safely and legally at a port of entry, he wrote.

That claim ignores a dramatic expansion of legal pathways to arrive in the U.S., including an expansion of appointments through an app that allows migrants to arrive at ports of entry  a policy that has been heavily criticized by Republicans.

President Bidens border enforcement plan has led to the lowest levels of unlawful border crossings in over two years. Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining that effective plan, making it hard for the men and women of Border Patrol to do their jobs of securing the border, and putting migrants and border agents in danger, the White House said in statement after the filing of the suit.

Abbotts comments also stand in contrast to a Texas Department of Public Safety troopers concerns about the humanity of Operation Lone Star that were made public last week.

In an internal email detailing a string of preventable deaths and injuries related mainly to razor wire and the 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.

This story was updated at 5:28 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration has sued Texas over a floating barrier installed by the state in the Rio Grande river to deter migrants on the US-Mexico border.

The barrier, made partly of orange buoys attached by webbings, was announced by state's Republican governor Greg Abbott in early June.

Federal authorities say the barriers in the river flout federal law and present "humanitarian concerns".

Ahead of the lawsuit, Mr Abbott vowed to "see" the government in court.

First announced in June, the barriers cover about 305 metres (1,000ft) of the Rio Grande. The buoys are connected with webbing and anchored to the bottom of the river.

State officials have argued it will help secure the border. Immigrant advocates have said it may be ineffective and potentially dangerous to migrants.

The barriers are already the subject of another lawsuit from a local kayak company.

In a nine-page lawsuit filed to a federal court in Austin, the Justice Department argued that state officials were required to seek federal permission to put the barriers in place.

By not doing so, federal officials argue, Texas violated federal laws governing navigable waterways.

"We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization," associate attorney general Vanita Gupta said in a statement.

"This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns," the statement added. "Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging US foreign policy."

The Biden administration had previously warned Texas authorities that they could avoid a legal battle by removing the obstacles from the river.

The barrier has been installed in the Rio Grande near the town of Eagle Pass

On Monday, Mr Abbott struck a defiant tone and blamed President Joe Biden for a "record-breaking level of illegal immigration" that made the barrier necessary.

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"Texas will see you in court, Mr President," Abbott said in a statement.

In response, a White House spokesman said the buoys are "making it hard for the men and women of Border Patrol to do their jobs of securing the border, and putting migrants and border agents in danger".

State officials have repeatedly defended the barriers as part of a wider effort - known as Operation Lone Star - that has seen Texas authorities take increasingly aggressive steps to secure the state's border with Mexico.

Since the operation was first launched in March 2021, Texas claims that over 394,200 illegal immigrants have been apprehended and 31,300 criminal arrests made.

Operation Lone Star has come under renewed public scrutiny following a report in the Houston Chronicle that officers assigned to the initiative expressed concern over "inhumane" behaviour towards migrants in the Eagle Pass area, including withholding water despite intense heat and pushing migrants back into the river towards Mexico.

Immigration advocates have said that the floating barriers near Eagle Pass are unlikely to have a substantial impact on the flow of migrants crossing the border and may actually make the crossing more dangerous.

The barriers are the subject of a separate lawsuit filed on behalf of a local kayak tour operator who has argued that the buoys damage his business and destroy local flora and fauna.
dwightsghost/Flickr

A cop pulls you over for a minor traffic violation. After giving you a warning or a ticket, he says, "Drive safe!" and starts walking away. But he immediately turns around and walks toward your car again, saying, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

That maneuver, known as the "Kansas Two-Step," is aimed at evading the Fourth Amendment's constraints on searches and seizures. Police are not supposed to continue detaining you after the ostensible purpose of the stop has been accomplished unless they reasonably suspect you are involved in criminal activity. The two-step is designed to extend the encounter by making it notionally voluntary, giving the officer a chance to elicit incriminating information, ask for permission to search your car, and/or walk a drug-sniffing dog around the vehicle.

That trick, which Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) troopers commonly use based on training that recommends it, is undeniably convenient for cops who hope to find contraband or seizable cash. According to a federal judge in Kansas, it is also unconstitutional.

"Troopers occupy a position of power and authority during a traffic stop," U.S. District Kathryn Vratil observes in a decision published on Friday, "and when a trooper quickly reapproaches a driver after a traffic stop and continues to ask questions, the authority that a trooper wieldscombined with the fact that most motorists do not know that they are free to leave and KHP troopers deliberately decline to tell them that they are free to leavecommunicates a strong message that the driver is not free to leave."

KHP troopers often reinforce that message by standing so close to a car, sometimes touching it or placing their arms inside, that driving off is not a realistic option. "In such circumstances," Vratil says, "the theory that a driver who remains on the scene gives knowing and voluntary consent to further questioning is nothing but a convenient fiction; in the circumstances present in this case, troopers unlawfully detained drivers, without reasonable suspicion, for further questioning."

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The case, Shaw v. Jones, involves several drivers represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas who objected to stops that they argued were illegally extended after they had received warnings or citations. In addition to agreeing with the plaintiffs on that point, Vratil found that KHP troopers improperly considered drivers' destinations or starting points as a significant reason to detain or search them. Her strongly worded rebuke pulls back the veil on pretextual traffic stops, which police routinely use to harass, detain, and search innocent motorists in the name of enforcing drug prohibition.

"This is a huge winfor our clients and for anyone else who travels on Kansas highways," said Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas. "Today's 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."

The KHP "has waged war on motoristsespecially out-of-state residents traveling between Colorado and Missouri on federal highway I-70 in Kansas," Vratil, a George H.W. Bush appointee, writes. "As wars go, this one is relatively easy; it's simple and cheap, and for motorists, it's not a fair fight. 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?"

Kansas, like other states, enforces myriad rules regarding the maintenance and operation of motor vehicles. Police therefore can always find an excuse to stop a car they deem suspicious. "Kansas has hundreds or thousands of traffic laws on the books," Vratil observes. "These traffic laws give KHP troopers innumerable reasons to stop motorists for violations which may involve public safety, but the stops [are] actually intended to investigate drug crimes for which they have little or no evidence."

Vratil underlines how vulnerable all drivers are to pretextual traffic stops, which the U.S. Supreme Court blessed in the 1996 case Whren v. United States, by quoting University of Pittsburgh law professor David Harris. In addition to moving violations such as speeding, failing to properly signal a lane change, and driving in the left lane except when passing another car, Harris noted in a 1997 law review article, "traffic codes regulate many other aspects of driving-related activity, including some that seem almost wildly hypertechnical."

Some of those offenses"equipment violations" such as broken tail lights, worn tires, windshield cracks, and excessively tinted windows"have nothing to do with driving at all," Harris wrote. He added that traffic codes also include "catch-all provisions: rules that allow police to stop drivers for conduct that complies with all rules on the books, but that officers consider 'imprudent' or 'unreasonable' under the circumstances, or that describe the offense in language so broad as to make a violation virtually coextensive with the officer's unreviewable personal judgment."

Because of all this regulation, Harris noted in another law review article, "even the most cautious driver would find it virtually impossible to drive for even a short distance without violating some traffic law. A police officer willing to follow any driver for a few blocks would therefore always have probable cause to make a stop."

How do police officers exercise this vast discretion? In Kansas, Vratil found, they use it to stop and detain drivers they deem suspicious for "absurd" reasons.

Interstate 70 connects Colorado and Missouri, where marijuana is legal, through Kansas, where it is not. As KHP troopers see it, traveling that stretch of highway with out-of-state plates is inherently suspicious.

"Now that both states have legalized recreational marijuana," Vratil notes, "any traveler on I-70 between Colorado and Missourithat is, anywhere on I-70 in Kansas, traveling in either directionis by definition traveling both to and from a 'drug source' state. And it doesn't stop there: according to KHP troopers, all major cities are also drug sources. As a result, all drivers on I-70 have moving targets on their backs."

That observation is supported by data on KHP traffic stops. "From January of 2018 to November of 2020," Vratil notes, "KHP troopers stopped 70 per cent more out-of-state drivers than would be expected if KHP troopers stopped in-state and out-of state drivers at the same rate. The 70 per cent discrepancy represents roughly 50,000 traffic stops. This disparity is statistically significant, with a roughly one per cent likelihood that these results would arise under circumstances with no actual disparity in stop rates. For this disparity to be explained by out-of-state drivers being more likely to speed, roughly 88 per cent of out-of-state drivers would have to speed at places and times where only 29 per cent of in-state drivers speed. No evidence supports the existence of such a disparity in driving habits."

In the 2016 case Vasquez v. Lewis, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, which includes Kansas, ruled that a KHP trooper had "impermissibly relied" on a driver's "status as a resident of Colorado" to justify a search of his car. The fact that a driver is "traveling from a drug source city" or a "drug source state," it noted, quoting an earlier case, "does little to add to the overall calculus of suspicion" and is "so broad as to be indicative of almost nothing."

Based on the training received by KHP troopers and the details of the traffic stops experienced by the plaintiffs, Vratil concludes that the KHP has flouted Vasquez by placing undue weight on this omnipresent factor in forming suspicions that troopers wrongly deemed "reasonable." In some of those stops, she notes, troopers relied on "an absurd and tenuous combination of factors," such as driving on Interstate 70, driving a rental car, driving a car with out-of-state plates, "seeming nervous while interacting with law enforcement," "going on a trip with one's nephew," "having fingerprints on the trunk lid," and "having a bag in the passenger seat."

In one case, a trooper deemed it "extremely suspicious" that a woman with an autoimmune disorder "chose to drive instead of fly during the COVID-19 pandemic." He also thought it was suspicious that she was driving a Mercedes she had rented, although she explained that she had requested a less expensive car but it was not available. Vratil notes that "an expensive rental vehicle" is "not even remotely suspicious." The idea that "a drug trafficker is especially likely to drive an unusually expensive (and more noticeable) rental vehicle is untested and illogical," she says. In fact, another trooper "testified that drivers who are engaged in criminal activity are more likely to drive less expensive vehicles."

In several cases, troopers who suspected drivers for such tenuous reasons used drug-detecting dogs to justify fruitless vehicle searches. The Supreme Court has approved the use of such dogs during routine traffic stops, provided it does not "unreasonably" prolong the driver's detention. And the Court has said an alert by a properly trained dog is enough to provide probable cause for a search, notwithstanding substantial evidence that such alerts are often erroneous, imagined, invented, or triggered by the handler's subconscious cues.

Vratil mentions some of the problems with using dogs to justify vehicle searches. "The record contains no evidence about the training, accuracy or track record of any canine involved in this case, or whether that training complied with established industry standards of dog training and utilization," she notes. "A dog's 'alert' or 'indication' only establishes probable cause if the dog is reliable, and since troopers discovered no contraband in any canine sniff in this case, the reliability of these particular canines is open to question."

Assuming a dog was properly trained, how do we know it actually alerted to a car? A trooper "testified that an 'alert' is untrained behavior that a dog [displays] when

he is smelling a trained odor, but the 'handler is typically the only one who would notice the alerting behavior,'" Vratil writes. "In other words, an alert may not be apparent from objectively observable facts. The KHP asks the Court to rely on the ipse dixit of the handler, whose credentials and expertise are themselves unaddressed by the evidence, and cross its fingers that the handler did not cue the allegedly alerting behavior."

When a purported alert results in a search that does not discover contraband, police dog handlers typically argue, that does not necessarily mean the dog made a mistake. Perhaps it was reacting to an odor left by a previous driver of the car. But that excuse casts further doubt on the assumption that an alert provides probable cause to believe that drugs are currently present in a vehicle.

"The record contains little information about whether and to what extent canines alert or indicate to drug odors which are remote in time," Vratil writes. "Such information is critical in this case because all plaintiffs were driving rental cars, cars which belonged to other people or second-hand vehicles which they recently purchased."

One trooper, Vratil notes, "explained that canines are trained to alert on drug odors, not drugs," and "a dog can alert to a 'very minimal' residual odor of marijuana; even where no drugs are present, the odor 'could have been there at one time' (for example, 'somebody could have drug odor on their hands and touch a door handle'). Therefore, when Nico [one of the dogs] reacted as he did in [one of the traffic stops], it only meant that 'there was drug odor present at one time.' On these facts, canine behavior contributes little to nothing in the reasonable suspicion calculus."

Although Vratil does not draw the connection, that observation casts serious doubt on the Supreme Court's conclusion that a dog's alert indicates a "fair probability" that a car contains illegal drugs. Based on the KHP's account of what an alert actually signifies, that assumption seems unjustified, even when a dog is properly trained, actually reacts to a car, and is not responding to the handler's cues.

For the plaintiffs in Shaw v. Jones, this confluence of factorsbroad police power to stop cars, the fiction that interrogation during those stops is consensual, frivolous rationales for "reasonable suspicion," and excessive faith in canine narcsturned alleged traffic violations that could have been addressed in 10 minutes or so into ordeals lasting 40 minutes or more. Those encounters included unjustified grilling, baseless accusations of wrongdoing, and humiliating searches that turned up nothing incriminating. They left a lasting impression on the plaintiffs, who report that they are now wary of the police, highly anxious about being pulled over, and disinclined to report crimes or otherwise seek police assistance.

Because the KHP does not collect the relevant data, it is not clear how often this sort of thing happens. But Vratil questions the cost-effectiveness of KHP tactics that can so easily victimize innocent people. "From 2016 to 2021," she notes, "the KHP conducted between 124,387 and 211,531 traffic stops per year, and only recovered contraband in 0.16 per cent to 0.28 per cent of them. Further, the KHP presented no evidence on the volume of innocent people who have been subjected to pretextual traffic stops or unlawful searches, or the percentage of traffic stops that were too pretextual to warrant a traffic warning, let alone a traffic citation."

Vratil has not yet issued an injunction based on her findings. But she outlines a proposed order that would, among other things, require better and more extensive documentation of KHP traffic stops; a supervisor's approval for purportedly consensual searches; explicit notice to drivers that they have a right to refuse or revoke permission for a search; consent forms signed by the trooper and driver; and a similar procedure "when a trooper seeks to re-engage with a driver or occupant of the vehicle" after "a traffic stop has concluded."

The abuses documented in this case are by no means limited to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Based on the leeway that the Supreme Court has given them, police officers across the country routinely use alleged traffic violations as an excuse to conduct criminal investigations that otherwise would not be permitted. Assuming that the Court is not prepared to revisit the precedents that created this situation, the best remedy may be public education about Fourth Amendment rights and the importance of asserting them even when it is psychologically difficult.

"Pretextual policing only worksif drivers are ignorant of their rights or fail to assert them," Vratil notes. "KHP training materials acknowledge that pretextual policing strategies depend on ignorant, timid drivers, and joke that more informed and assertive drivers might identify themselves with bumper stickers that say, 'WARNING! OCCUPANT KNOWS THEIR 4TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS.'"

The post Kansas Cops Have 'Waged War on Motorists' by Subjecting Them to Pretextual Traffic Stops, a Federal Judge Says appeared first on Reason.com.
A Winfield dog trainer asked the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals to resuscitate a lawsuit challenging Kansas law imposing a $200 fine when a representative of a kennel facility failed to be present within 30 minutes of a state regulators arrival for unannounced inspections.

Harlene Hoyt and Scott Johnson, who own and operate the state-licensed Covey Find Kennel adjacent to their Cowley County residence, initiated the federal lawsuit in October alleging state inspections under the 2018 Kansas Pet Animal Act violated constitutional rights to travel freely away from the home and to not be subjected to warrantless searches of property.

The suit against Justin Smith, the states animal health commissioner within the Kansas Department of Agriculture, was thrown out in May by U.S. District Court senior Judge Kathryn Vratil. The Kansas attorney generals office, in defense of state law, requested the case be dismissed.

Vratil determined Kansas law on inspection of boarding and training kennels adhered to standards applied to businesses subjected to extensive regulation. The judge ruled state oversight of these confined animal facilities diverged from heightened privacy expectations tied to private residences. She affirmed the state established unannounced inspections to be a reasonable method of verifying whether kennels complied with the law.

Kansas Justice Institute attorney Sam MacRoberts, who represents plaintiffs in the bird-dog case, filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals. He argued one interpretation of Vratils ruling meant state inspectors could search homesteads without a warrant as long as the property owner trained hunting dogs. In this case, his clients operate a business specializing in training of Brittany dogs relied on to hunt wild game.

This is a civil rights lawsuit seeking relief from an onerous, unreasonable and unconstitutional licensing and warrantless search regime that empowers Kansas government officials to enter, access and search homes, private property, private land, buildings, records and other effects of law-abiding Kansans without prior notice, without a warrant, without probable cause, without reasonable suspicion and without proper consent, MacRoberts said in a court filing.

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Kansas Justice Institute is a subsidiary of the Wichita-based Kansas Policy Institute, which lobbies for libertarian or free-market policy at the Capitol.

Lawsuit is absurd

Sheila Martinsen, general counsel of the Kansas Pet Protection Coalition, said state regulations guiding inspection of kennel facilities for dog breeders and trainers werent an impediment to an individuals right to travel. She said plaintiffs arguments didnt make sense because state law didnt set a cap on the number of designated representatives a kennel could appoint to deal with periodic inspections by the Department of Agriculture.

That element of this lawsuit is absurd, Martinsen said. This flies in the face of long-standing precedent.

She said frequency of no-contact visits by state inspectors had fallen since implementation of the $200 penalty fee in 2018. In the fiscal year ending in September 2017, 10.7% of visits by Kansas inspectors were derailed when facility operators failed to show up. In the most recent fiscal year ending in September 2022, the rate of no-contact infractions had declined to 4.8%.

Fifty-four percent of no-contact inspections in the 2022 fiscal year occurred at facilities that had at least one other no-contact inspection between 2018 and 2022, Martinsen said.

Under Kansas law, routine inspections by the Department of Agriculture could occur weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Licensees have the option of notifying animal facility inspectors by telephone, text or email when they would be away from their facility and unavailable to cooperate with inspectors. In addition, holders of state licenses for kennels may identify preferred hours of inspection when filing a license application.

Bipartisan statute

The lawsuit was predicated on a 2020 inspection of Covey Find Kennel by state regulators that occurred while Johnson was away from the dog-training complex. Hoyt, as Johnsons designated representative, left work to be present with the inspector to avoid a $200 no-contact assessment.

The plaintiffs narrowly-framed lawsuit didnt challenge state law related to breeders, pounds, shelters, animal rescues, animal foster homes, pet shops, research facilities or distributors.

The inspection statute at heart of the lawsuit was adopted by the Republican-led Kansas Legislature by margins of 116-4 in the House and 34-6 in the Senate. Gov. Jeff Colyer, a Republican, signed the bill that took effect in April 2018. State law set the $200 annual cost of operating a licensed kennel. Those documents include a provision granting a licensees consent to inspection by the Department of Agriculture.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a Washington, D.C., organization created in 2017 to tame administrative powers of state and federal government, submitted a brief Tuesday to the U.S. Court of Appeals in support of Johnson and Hoyt.

In that document, NCLA sought reversal of the district court in Kansas based on an argument the animal inspection law infringed on 4th Amendment rights against unreasonable searches.

Mark Chenoweth, president and general counsel at NCLA, said the Department of Agricultures use of licensing and inspection law amounted to trespass on private property because state officials had no requirement to first demonstrate probable cause to a judge. He echoed the plaintiffs notion the inspection law inhibited the right of people to free travel or movement.

Im not sure which is worse here, the Kansas state Legislature going overboard when it expanded this law several years back to authorize truly unreasonable searches, or the district court in this case, which bizarrely concluded that dog training and handling is a closely regulated industry that receives lesser 4th Amendment protection, Chenoweth said.

This story was produced by the Kansas Reflector , a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy.
The Los Angeles Angels shelled Mitch Keller for six runs, claiming the series against the Pirates with a 7-3 win.

That marks 14 runs allowed and an 11.45 ERA for the purported staff ace in Kellers two starts since the All-Star Break.

Bryan Reynolds and Shohei Ohtani hit dueling solo shots in the first inning.

Angels first baseman Eduardo Escobar plated a run when he doubled with runners at the corners and no outs in the second, but Keller managed to strand two runners in scoring position from there.

The wheels fell off in the fifth inning, when Keller allowed home runs on back to back pitches, part of a four-run frame that put the Angels up 6-2.

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Themed on "Dreams of Dance, Harmony of Silk Road," the 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival kicked off on Thursday in Urumqi, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and will last through Aug. 5.

The 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival kicks off on July 20, 2023, in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hu Heping, minister of culture and tourism, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative, the 6th Xinjiang International Dance Festival aims to promote the Global Civilization Initiative and carry on the Silk Road spirit featuring "peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit," said Hu, adding that the festival provides an effective platform for promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning among different civilizations.

This festival also provides an opportunity to demonstrate Xinjiang's charm, Hu said.

This 17-day art gala has gathered over 1,000 artists from 11 countries including Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea to present 60 performances varying from ballet, folk dance, to musical drama to the audiences.

Kuat Idriskaliyev, a member of the State Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Kazakhstan, speaks at the Xinjiang People's Theater in Urumqi, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on July 20, 2023. (Photo by Qin Qi/China.org.cn)

Kuat Idriskaliyev, a member of the State Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said it was his second time to participate in the international dance festival, adding that the event offers a good opportunity for his dance troupe to display the unique culture of Kazakhstan to the rest of the world.

Compared to his last visit to Xinjiang in 2016, Idriskaliyev said he was very excited to see the rapid development achieved by the region over the past few years. However, the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people remain unchanged, making his every visit to Xinjiang feel like home, he said.

To enrich the audiences' viewing experience, their song and dance performance is composed of diverse cultural elements, covering Czech dance, Russian dance, Bulgarian dance, and so on, Idriskaliyev added.

Nadezhda Makeeva, a dancer from an art troupe of Russia, said she hopes this festival can be a platform for her group to showcase traditional Russian culture to the rest of the world.

Despite the differences among various kinds of dances, the dancers' passion for the stage is the same, Makeeva said.

In addition, many side-events highlighting the cultural elements of the countries along the Belt and Road will be held during the dance festival.

Themed with "Brilliant Silk Road, Harmonious Coexistence," a two-day fashion show centering on modified traditional clothing was held in Urumqi on Saturday, allowing audiences to have a further understanding of the cultures and customs of different ethnic groups along the Belt and Road.

Dancers perform a street dance during the 6th Xinjiang International Dance Festival in Urumqi, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on July 21, 2023. (Photo by Xinhua)

Notably, this year's dance festival has added street dance performances for the first time. The event has gathered nearly 300 dancers from different ethnic groups, including Uygur, Tajik, and Hui, to further integrate pop culture elements such as popping and break dancing with the traditional culture.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press on May 26. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Hours before the Texas House overwhelmingly voted to impeach Ken Paxton in May, a well-funded supporter of the attorney general issued a threat to his fellow Republicans.

A vote to impeach Paxton, Jonathan Stickland wrote on Twitter, is a decision to have a primary.

Wait till you see my PAC budget, he later added.

Stickland is the leader of Defend Texas Liberty, a political action committee that has donated millions of dollars to far-right candidates in the state. It is a key part of the constellation of political campaigns, institutions and dark-money groups that a trio of West Texas oil tycoons  Tim Dunn and brothers Farris and Dan Wilks  have pumped small fortunes into as part of a long-term crusade to push Texas to the extreme right.

And, until last month, no state politician had received more money from those groups than Paxton, who has in turn used his office to push ultraconservative priorities while declining to defend state agencies in numerous lawsuits filed by groups connected to Dunn and the Wilks brothers, including those seeking to undermine the states campaign finance laws.

Now, with the clock ticking toward Paxtons September impeachment trial before the Texas Senate, Stickland and his far-right friends are fighting hard and spending big to protect their most important ally  and to stave off a major loss amid their ongoing fight for control of the Texas GOP.

Tim Dunn speaks with Evan Smith, former CEO of The Texas Tribune, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016. Credit: Brett Buchanan for The Texas Tribune

Former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the House floor on May 21, 2019. Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune

The Paxton drama comes at a crucial time for the states ultraconservative wing, which has been increasingly criticized by moderate Republicans who have grown weary of their purity tests and attacks even as the state drifts further to the right. The Wilks and Dunn orbit also has been hobbled by a series of divisive, costly  and largely unsuccessful  primary races and the removal of former Rep. Bryan Slaton, whose political life was subsidized by Defend Texas Liberty until he was expelled from the House in May for having sex with a 19-year-old aide he got drunk.

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Those losses, coupled with intraparty animus, have raised the groups stakes in the Paxton trial.

The Paxton impeachment could be the most high-profile stumble for the far right of the Texas GOP, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor. Paxton was their shining star but now looks more like a shooting star.

The Wilks brothers could not be reached for comment. Dunn did not respond to multiple interview requests or a detailed list of questions emailed to him. Stickland declined an interview and did not respond to questions via text.

An old relationship

Over the past 20 years, Dunn and the Wilks brothers have sunk nearly $100 million into a sprawling mix of nonprofits, political campaigns, think tanks, fundraising committees and websites to advance their far-right religious, economic and anti-LGBTQ+ views.

But their groups were not always so laser focused on the red-meat social issues that theyve helped thrust into the mainstream of todays GOP. In the mid to late 2000s, their primary influence came from Dunn through a handful of groups  the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and Empower Texans  that pushed libertarian, small-government economic and tax policies.

As with now, the strategy was simple: Pull the partys middle further to the right by labeling other Republicans  particularly Joe Straus, the GOP speaker of the House from 2009-19  as ineffective moderates in bed with liberals to suppress conservative priorities. Those attacks were disseminated through a well-funded media ecosystem to a grassroots base motivated by the election of President Barack Obama, the Tea Party movement, the proliferation of social media and an influx of dark money unleashed by the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

Since the beginning, the groups have aimed to force retirements or defeat moderate incumbents in primaries, really almost to the exclusion of any other strategic goal, said Matt Mackowiak, chair of the Travis County GOP and a longtime Republican political consultant.

Its about convincing incumbents that if they dont vote as conservatives, then theyll be put at political risk, he said.

And the billionaire-backed groups have always liked Paxton.

In 2009, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility gave Paxton, who was then a state representative, the Taxpayer Champion Award. A year later, the group hailed him for his bill rejecting Obamas signature Affordable Care Act. And, ahead of the 2011 legislative session, Empower Texans wrote glowingly of Paxton as he challenged Straus for House speaker, framing the McKinney Republican as a man-of-the-people conservative who was unafraid to confront the Houses effete RINOs  Republicans in Name Only  and their supposed liberal allies.

This is the first time in modern history when Texans can express their preference on the speakers race and involve themselves in it, Empower Texans wrote in November 2010. Some in the Austin power elite  including the media  dont like it.

Then-state Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, made an unsuccessful bid for House speaker in January 2011. Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

Paxton dropped out of the speakers race shortly before the vote but a year later was elected to the Texas Senate, where he spent two years before launching his 2014 bid for attorney general. Despite initially trailing in the polls, Paxton defeated the better-funded, establishment candidate Dan Branch in the GOP primary runoff  with help from his West Texas friends.

In what The Dallas Morning News described at the time as an unusual arrangement, Dunn and Empower Texans backed a $1 million loan to Paxton that helped narrow Branchs financial edge and pay for a late TV advertising campaign. Paxton also received a boost from freshmen U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Tea Party darling whose unexpected rise was aided by a super PAC that received $15 million from the Wilks brothers.

One year later, as news broke of Paxtons indictment for securities fraud, those allies again came to his defense. Previewing the claims theyd make after his 2023 impeachment, Empower Texans insinuated conspiracy theories that framed Paxton as the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by House Republicans and left-wing activists.

Time will tell how long it will take for Paxton to clear his name and rebut the politically-charged attacks against him, Tony McDonald, a longtime attorney for Dunn- and Wilks-connected groups, wrote at the time for Empower Texans. But will we ever know the true role Republican House leadership played in launching the probe?

The 2015 securities fraud charges, related to Paxtons work soliciting investors in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that the McKinney tech company was paying him for the work, have yet to go to trial amid a series of appeals by prosecutors and defense lawyers.

In the years since, a mutually beneficial relationship has continued, with Paxton pushing policies favored by the far right as the billionaires filled his campaign coffers with millions of dollars.

Campaign finance records show that since 2002, Dunn, the Wilks family and their affiliated groups have collectively given more than $2.85 million to Paxton  6.8% of his total fundraising, and nearly double what hes received from his second-biggest donor, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC. Add in the two loans that theyve backed or given  including one that remains outstanding for $750,000  and their support tops $4.65 million.

That money has helped keep Paxton afloat in recent years as his legal troubles mounted, approval ratings dipped and some key donors invested elsewhere.

After Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC gave $626,000 to Paxtons 2022 primary challenger Eva Guzman, Defend Texas Liberty helped lift his campaign, giving him more money than ever and floating him a $750,000 loan. And last month, as Paxton and his high-profile defense team continued to spar with House impeachment managers, Dunn donated another $150,000 to the suspended attorney generals campaign. Neither Paxton nor his attorneys have disclosed who is paying for his impeachment defense.

Recent financial disclosures also show that in June, Defend Texas Liberty gave $3 million in loans and donations to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who will preside over Paxtons impeachment trial in the Texas Senate.

Hours after the donations were made public, Stickland again took to Twitter. This is just the beginning, he wrote. Wait till you see the next report. We will never stop. Ever.

Texas is among a handful of states with no limits on individual political contributions in state races. Since Defend Texas Liberty PAC was created in 2020, Dunn and Farris Wilks have given at least $14.5 million to the organization. They also helped bankroll Sticklands career in the Legislature before he took over the group.

The Texas Tribune sent interview requests and lists of questions to Paxtons lead impeachment attorney, his campaign and two communications firms working on his behalf. None responded. Patricks campaign and office did not return requests for comment.

So too has Ken Paxton

Millie Black, a political science professor at Collin Colleges Wylie campus, said its often difficult to gauge the extent to which high-dollar donors impact politicians once theyre in office, particularly on social issues.

But its clear, she said, that Paxtons public evolution from a small-government budget hawk into a red-meat social conservative has corresponded with the Texas GOPs move to the right, a shift that was influenced heavily by Dunn and the Wilks brothers.

Publicly, he has not always been so far to the right, Black said of Paxton, whose legislative career mostly emphasized conservative economic policy. But as the Republican Party has grown in its conservatism, so too has Ken Paxton.

Since his election as attorney general, Paxton has used his office to rally behind the ultraconservative social issues and anti-LGBTQ positions favored by his biggest donors and their allies.

In 2017, Paxton pitched business leaders on the controversial bathroom bill that would have cracked down on transgender-friendly restroom and locker room policies. And he has routinely issued legal opinions that bolstered priority issues for groups connected to Dunn and Wilks, including school choice programs, challenges to Texas prohibitions on giving public money to religious institutions and bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

Paxton has wielded power in other ways as well.

Policymaking is not just what you do, but also what you dont, Rottinghaus said. By ignoring some things and emphasizing others, politicians are effectively reshaping policy. The attorney general  has a lot of ability to shape policy at the margins as the states top lawyer.

A handful of times, Paxton has declined to perform a core function of his office: defend state agencies from lawsuits  including those directly connected to his biggest donors.

In one instance, Paxton declined to defend the Texas Ethics Commission against a lawsuit, filed by Empower Texans, that sought to strip the agency of its core oversight of campaign finance. As a result of Paxtons decision  which watchdog groups called rare at the time  the ethics commission made an emergency, $600,000 budget request in 2018 to lawmakers to pay for private lawyers in the matter.

In a separate lawsuit, Paxtons office again did not represent the ethics commission after Empower Texans head Michael Quinn Sullivan challenged his $10,000 fine for failing to register as a lobbyist while leading the group in 2010 and 2011. In that case, Empower Texans lawyers argued that Sullivan was the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by Straus cronies, and that he and his group should have been exempt from registering as lobbyists because they were acting as journalists.

Michael Quinn Sullivan, then head of now-disbanded Empower Texans, speaks at a conservative grassroots rally for property tax relief and reform at the Texas Capitol on April 16, 2019. Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune

Those two lawsuits and their subsequent appeals have collectively cost the ethics commission more than $1 million in outside legal expenses, general counsel Jim Tinley said last week. That total is likely to climb if Sullivan successfully petitions for the case to be heard by the Texas Supreme Court. Tinley declined to comment on other questions about Empower Texans, citing pending litigation.

The attorney generals office did not respond to a request for comment, but officials have previously said the decisions aligned with the offices first obligation to defend the Constitution and the basic rights it guarantees to each and every Texan.

The commissions former chair still disagrees.

In an interview this month, Chase Untermeyer said Paxtons hands-off approach in the Empower Texans lawsuits was upsetting, if somewhat expected given his ties to the group. But even if Paxton disagreed with the agencys mission, Untermeyer said, he still had a duty to protect it as it carried out its obligations under the state constitution to pursue violations.

At one point, Untermeyer said, Paxtons office stopped enforcing subpoenas issued by the agency  a particularly appalling decision that Untermeyer said undercut an investigation into Empower Texans.

The only thing worse than not being represented by Ken Paxton would have been to be represented by Ken Paxton  because we did not have full faith that he was on our side, Untermeyer said. We can understand how the attorney general, for some reason of his own choosing, might not want to represent the ethics commission in a district or appellate court. But to not even support the principle of a state agency, a constitutional agency, issuing subpoenas, was a particular aggravation.

Paxton has had his own issues with the ethics commission: He has repeatedly been criticized for failing to timely disclose significant campaign donors or the addresses of some properties owned by him and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton.

In 2016, the agency ruled that Paxton could not accept out-of-state donations to a legal defense fund in his securities fraud case. And last year, the Houston Chronicle found that Paxton had declined to sue hundreds of political candidates and lawmakers to collect more than $700,000 in fines for campaign disclosure violations assessed by the agency.

Rules for thee, not for me

For six years, Zachary Maxwell saw firsthand how West Texas oil money slowly reshaped the states political landscape  including through the numerous conservative campaigns he helped lead and, later, as chief of staff for former Rep. Mike Lang, the leader of the Houses ultraconservative Freedom Caucus. He also briefly worked for the Empower Texans-affiliated Texas Scorecard as a staff writer.

Maxwell ultimately left that world because of what he said was hypocrisy from the Dunn and Wilks cohort, who he said were almost singularly focused on conservative chest beating as a means of pulling the partys mainstream views to the right and accumulating political power.

It is rules for thee, not for me, he said of Empower Texans and its affiliated groups, including Defend Texas Liberty. They do not care about how Austin is run  they care about running Austin. They care about who can scream the loudest, and usually that ends up being people with the least amount of integrity. And the entire Legislature is sick and tired of it. Nothing is good enough. And the second you get off course, youre going to get hammered.

Its just exhausting, added Maxwell, who still works in conservative politics. But its the cost of doing business.

Maxwell is not the only Texas Republican to express such frustrations. In recent years, prominent conservatives have complained about the groups frequent attacks from the right, and the perpetual purity tests that they worry may ultimately push the Texas GOP too far to the extremes.

The backlash was evident during the 2018 primaries, when conservative business leaders, worried about the effects of Empower Texans social policies on the states business climate, spent more than $3 million to defeat the groups slate of far-right candidates. Bemoaning the races vitriol at the time, one prominent conservative commentator compared the West Texas billionaires to an oligarchy, hellbent on destroying anyone who didnt get on their knees and kiss the ring.

They romanticize the rural Texan, Brandon Darby, editor of Breitbart Texas, a right-wing news site that had previously employed Sullivan, said at the time. They wear the hat, the boots and the Wrangler jeans, but their policies actually strangle rural Texas communities.

Meanwhile, Empower Texans continued its attacks on House leaders, accusing them of being RINOs and sparring over legislation and media credentials that would have given the group better access to representatives during floor debates. The latter conflict came to a dramatic head in 2019, when Sullivan released secret recordings with then-House Speaker Dennis Bonnen that prompted the Republican leader not to seek reelection.

In 2020, Empower Texans officially disbanded after its news blog, Texas Scorecard, was spun off into a new nonprofit thats led by Sullivan. The website has remained one of the most vocal supporters of anti-LGBTQ and other far-right legislation, as well as candidates bankrolled by Defend Texas Liberty.

Chief among them: Slaton, the former Royse City representative who was removed from office.

Since running for office in 2020, Slaton received roughly $680,000 from Defend Texas Liberty  among the most of any other officeholder besides Paxton and Patrick  and was in turn a reliable bomb thrower and annoyance to House leadership, needling his fellow Republicans even as they passed a litany of conservative bills.

The Texas GOPs campaign finance records show that in the first week of April  as rumors about Slatons inappropriate sexual relationship swirled around the Texas Capitol  the party received a $100,000 donation from Defend Texas Liberty PAC and another $35,000 from Dunn.

Former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, at his desk on the House floor in Austin on April 18, 2023. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

Leaders of the party were later criticized for what some said was a muted and delayed response to the allegations against Slaton, a family values conservative who often touted his career as a Southern Baptist youth pastor.

The Texas GOP and its chair, Matt Rinaldi, declined interview requests and did not respond to a list of questions last week. In an email, Rinaldi condemned what he said was an attempt to frame Phelan and other House Republicans as the mainstream in the Party and Paxton, Cruz, Trump, Patrick, and all others in the actual mainstream as a fringe group.

A party spokesperson disputed the timing of the $100,000 donation from Defend Texas Liberty, saying it arrived March 30  two days before Slaton allegedly had sex with his aide  but wasnt posted until April 4 due to processing times. Asked twice to provide documents backing that claim, Rinaldi responded that we can but dont feel the need to.

Republican Party of Texas Chair Matt Rinaldi speaks at a news conference at the Capitol on Aug. 30, 2021. Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune

Members of the House General Investigating Committee  which also launched the inquiry into Paxton this year  later said their investigation of Slaton was hampered by obfuscation from him and members of his staff who refused to meet with an investigator. The staff members were represented by McDonald, the longtime Empower Texans lawyer who, in 2015, wrote that Paxtons securities fraud charges were the result of a conspiracy orchestrated by House leadership.

McDonald declined an interview request but has previously said the House committees statement that Slatons staff refused to cooperate is completely false, and that any condemnation of them is unfair, spurious and based on false information.

New scandal, old tactics

Two weeks after Slatons ouster, the chance of also losing Paxton suddenly became real for the far right. As news of the Houses investigation into Paxton broke, Stickland, Sullivan and their allies went on the offensive.

They again blamed the attorney generals mounting troubles on a shadowy cabal of liberals and House Republicans, and said his strong opposition to President Joe Biden made him a target of the deep state. (The inquiry began after Paxton asked lawmakers to cover a $3.3 million lawsuit settlement with whistleblowers fired from the attorney generals office after they reported Paxton to law enforcement for allegedly misusing his authority to help a friend, real estate investor Nate Paul.)

Supporters posted about the coming political war and made overt threats to anyone who might support Paxtons impeachment and the witch hunt that Sullivan said was orchestrated by Phelans cult. Occasionally, Paxton responded on social media with a simple thank you.

The day of the impeachment vote, Sticklands PAC sent mass text messages comparing Paxton to twice-impeached former President Donald Trump and urging supporters to inundate their representatives with complaints.

And, in the wake of the 121-23 vote for impeachment, they excoriated the 60 Republicans who voted to advance the 20 articles of impeachment to the Texas Senate, calling it an attack on grassroots conservatives by the crony establishment that had been after Paxton since 2015.

A screenshot of a text message supporting Ken Paxton sent by Defend Texas Liberty the day before the Texas House impeachment vote. Credit: Phone screenshot

Particular attention was given to longtime Paxton allies and deep-red conservatives who voted for impeachment. After Rep. Briscoe Cain, one of the most conservative lawmakers in the state, said he voted for impeachment out of a duty to due diligence, Sullivan compared Cain to Pontius Pilate, the enabler of Christs crucifixion.

Since then, Dunn and Wilks-backed groups and individuals have continued to attack virtually every aspect of the Paxton impeachment process  and fellow conservatives who supported it. In June, Defend Texas Liberty paid for billboards accusing Rep. Glenn Rogers, R-Graford, of having joined 61 democrats to impeach Ken Paxton.

Rogers, who fended off a well-financed 2020 primary challenge by Farris Wilks son-in-law, responded forcefully, noting the deep-pockets relationship between Dunn, Farris Wilks and Stickland, the big puppeteer who does their dirty work.

They hide behind their money and a pious front in order to create chaos and division in the Republican party, Rogers wrote on Facebook. Get ready for a barrage of misrepresentations, deceit, and outright lies financed by these fine Christian gentlemen.

Longtime political observers expect the acrimony to worsen in the coming months as Stickland promises expensive primary challenges to more-moderate incumbents next year, and Defend Texas Liberty continues to receive heavy backing from West Texas  including a new, $3.5 million infusion from Dunn and Farris Wilks in June.

The Texas GOP, chaired by Rinaldi, a former representative who was bankrolled by Dunn and Wilks, has gone all-in on attacking House leadership, accusing Phelan and others of subverting the will of voters by impeaching Paxton, and claiming that it is part of a broader plot against grassroots conservatives.

That schism is likely to deepen ahead of an expected October special legislative session on contentious school choice legislation and the 2024 primary elections, said Mackowiak, the Travis County GOP chair. He said it would be extremely difficult for Defend Texas Liberty and its allies to mount serious challenges to every Republican who approved Paxtons impeachment. Mackowiak also said he doubts the Paxton impeachment vote will be the primary, animating issue for voters next year.

But he said Defend Texas Liberty could attack incumbents from the right by packaging together their votes on school voucher-like programs, Paxton and bills on social issues that did not make it out of the House during the last legislative session. And while losing Paxton would be a blow to that ultraconservative wing of the Texas GOP, Mackowiak does not believe that it would change the factions tactics, which he said have been proven successful by the states gradual turn to the far right over the past decade.

Its a proxy battle, he said. And, in a way, their movement is bigger than its ever been.

Disclosure: Collin College, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas Public Policy Foundation and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
After Seminole Countys tax collector Joel Greenberg finished having sex with an underage girl in a high-rise hotel room, he called his friend Joe Ellicott and invited him upstairs to also engage in illicit activity with the teenager, a defense attorney alleged in federal court Monday.

Greenberg then paid the girl on behalf of Ellicott, and Ellicott offered the teen illegal drugs, including Ecstasy, before also having sex with her, said attorney Warren Lindsey at the start of the criminal trial for his client, Michael Christopher Shirley.

Now Ellicott  a former radio host known as Big Joe  is one of the main witnesses for federal prosecutors in their case against Shirley. He was sentenced last October to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to taking part in a bribery scheme with Shirley.

But Lindsey questioned whether Ellicott can be a credible witness as attorneys and U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell prepared to select a jury in the federal case against Shirley. The resident of Austin, Texas, faces charges that he paid bribes and received kickbacks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in return for getting favorable treatment from Greenberg as tax collector.

As part of his plea agreement, Ellicott is required to provide evidence and testify on behalf of federal prosecutors in regard to criminal cases. Greenberg  who is currently serving an 11-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to using taxpayer funds to have sex with a minor  also is required to cooperate with federal prosecutors as part of his plea deal.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Daniels said that she doesnt anticipate calling Joel Greenberg to testify in Shirleys trial.

But she added that Ellicott may plead the Fifth Amendment when questioned by defense attorneys, referring to the Constitutional amendment that gives someone the right to remain silent and not incriminate themselves.

Lindsey shot back, telling Presnell that the jury should be made aware of Ellicotts alleged illegal conduct in that hotel and the fact that he was never charged with sex trafficking of a minor.

Story continues

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That is a huge, huge area for the jury to consider, Lindsey said. He [Ellicott] was given a good deal.  And he has extreme motivation to please the government.

An angry Presnell then asked Daniels why he wasnt informed of the allegations and that Ellicott may invoke the Fifth on the witness stand. He called it the elephant in the courtroom.

Here is the sex with the minor, Presnell said. This is news to me.  Im dealing with a problem here; a potential problem.  Why is this happening on the morning of the trial?

But Daniels said she wasnt made aware that Ellicott may plead the Fifth until last Friday when called by one of his attorneys.

This is a case about corruption, she said, in saying the accusations of sex with a minor are unrelated to the Shirley case.

Presnell then ordered U.S. Marshals Service to bring Ellicott  who is currently imprisoned at the Seminole County jail in preparation for the Shirley trial  to appear in his courtroom at 8 a.m. Tuesday with his attorney.

Presnell would then likely decide whether federal prosecutors can call Ellicott as a witness if he is going to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Its also unclear why Ellicott was never charged by federal prosecutors for sex trafficking of a minor. Or whether he can be charged at a later date.

Ellicotts attorneys did not return calls for comment.

Shirley is a former Republican campaign consultant whose company, Praetorian Integrated Services, was hired by the Seminole Tax Collectors Office under Greenberg for consulting services on its budget, strategic planning and providing advice on new technology.

Federal prosecutors charged Shirley received as much as $466,625 from his scheme with Greenbergs office. According to court records and a grand jury indictment, Shirley and his company submitted fake invoices for goods and services at inflated prices.

As part of the scheme, according to the indictment, Shirley withdrew cash from a Central Florida bank, then gave the money to a co-conspirator described as Ellicott, who would then turn it over to Greenberg.

In all, Greenberg doled out nearly $678,000 to Praetorian for various services.

After the morning discussion, as many as 56 potential jurors were ushered into the courtroom and answered questions from Presnell and attorneys regarding whether they can make an impartial decision on the case.

Several said they had read in the newspaper or seen on television news coverage of the cases surrounding Greenberg and his associates. One woman who works as a tattoo artist said she has already formed an opinion regarding Greenberg and his associates.

Anything related to any of those people is pretty shady, she said. Presnell, defense attorneys and prosecutors later agreed to eliminate her from the jury pool.

One man said he was retired and listed relaxing as one of his pastimes.

Well, thats good. Because this is going to take a while, Presnell said to the man regarding the trial, expected to last about a week.

Court testimony continues Tuesday at the federal criminal courthouse in downtown Orlando.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com
The owner of a business kiosk at Fashion Fair Mall in Fresno was assaulted Sunday afternoon during a confrontation with a teenager, police said.

The incident took place inside the mall around 5:30 p.m.

Fresno police Lt. Zeb Price said a group of juveniles entered the mall causing problems and were being fairly disruptive.

One of them walked up to the kiosk owner and slapped him on the back of the head, Price said.

The owner ignored the teenager before he was slapped again on the back of the head. Price said the victim chased after the teenager and grabbed him near the Apple Store before the teen swung a skateboard, striking the man, Price said.

He fell to the ground and was allegedly kicked before the teenagers fled.

Officers arrived and located the suspect, a 16-year-old, and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim was taken to the hospital and was expected to be OK.

Price said surveillance cameras picked up the altercation and identified the teen.

Price also said the incident caused enough of a commotion that some shoppers thought the loud bangs inside the mall were gunshots; some panicked and ran out the mall.

None of that was true, Price said.
(Reuters) - The Kremlin on Monday accused Kyiv of carrying out a "deliberate attack on journalists" in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, in which a reporter for the Russian state news agency RIA was killed.

Russia has launched a criminal probe into Rostislav Zhuravlev's death.

Separately, French news agency Agence France-Presse said one of its video correspondents had been injured in a drone attack while reporting at a Ukrainian artillery position.

The agency identified the reporter as Dylan Collins, a U.S. national who has reported extensively on the Ukraine conflict.

It said he sustained multiple shrapnel injuries near the eastern city of Bakhmut, captured by Russian forces in May after months of battles. He was being treated in a nearby hospital.

The United Nations cultural arm UNESCO says that as of July 20, 12 journalists have died in Ukraine since the start of the conflict in February 2022.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Ron Popeski)
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Landslides triggered by torrential rains have blocked several key roads in northern Pakistan, stranding tourists and disrupting traffic, officials said Monday, as the death toll from weather-related incidents in the past month rose to at least 133.

Thousands of tourists have thronged scenic tourist destinations in the north in recent days, ignoring warnings from the disaster management agency, which asked people last week to avoid unnecessary trips as ongoing monsoon rains can cause landslides and flash floods.

Landslides caused by rain hit several roads in the northern districts of Chitral, Dir and Battagram in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. Authorities were trying to clear roads to restore traffic in the mountainous areas, said Taimur Khan, a spokesperson for the provincial disaster management authority.

At least 133 people have died in weather-related incidents across Pakistan since June 24 when monsoon rains began.

Heavy rains have swollen three main rivers  the Jhelum, Sutlej and Chenab in eastern Punjab province  prompting the disaster management agency to be on high alert for more flash floods, which have already affected at least 15,000 people in the past three weeks.

Monsoon rains have returned to Pakistan a year after devastating floods killed 1,739 people across the country. The monsoon season, which officially began on July 1, will continue until September in the South Asian country.
Heres a look at how Pennsylvanias members of Congress voted over the previous week.

In addition to the weeks roll call votes, the House also passed, by voice vote, the Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments (HR 1418), to reauthorize user fee programs relating to new animal drugs and generic new animal drugs.

HOUSE

MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2670), to bar the use of funds to utilize race and ethnically based criteria for evaluating admission applications for the Military Academy (West Point), Naval Academy and three other military service academies. Banks said: We need the best and the brightest, the most fit cadets and midshipmen, regardless of their skin color and ethnicity. To consider immutable characteristics like race and ethnicity is blatantly discriminatory. An opponent, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash., said: This amendment attempts to weaken a concept foundational to our current and future military supremacy, that diversity translates into capability and lethality. The vote, on July 14, was 218 yeas to 210 nays.

YEAS: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Bucks; Scott Perry, R-York; Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster; John Joyce, R-Blair; Guy Reschenthaler, R-Washington; Glenn Thompson, R-Howard; Dan Meuser, R-Luzerne

NAYS: Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Chester; Madeleine Dean, D-Montgomery; Brendan Boyle, D-Philadelphia; Matt Cartwright, D-Lackawanna; Susan Wild, D-Lehigh; Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Delaware; Summer Lee, D-Allegheny; Chris Deluzio, D-Allegheny

NOT VOTING: Reps. Mike Kelly, R-Butler; Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2670), that would bar funding for the Defense Department to implement policies pursuant to a variety of Biden administration executive orders on climate change and energy. Roy said the ban was needed to keep the military focused on its core mission rather than pursuing the political agenda of climate change to the detriment of the national security of the United States. An opponent, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., said: Lets not let ideology and the fact that we want to get into a fight over climate change get in the way of good public policy. The vote, on July 14, was 217 yeas to 216 nays.

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YEAS: Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser

NAYS: Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Evans

MILITARY SPENDING: The House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2670), sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize fiscal 2024 Defense Department spending, and spending on military construction programs and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said it will help build the ready, capable and lethal fighting force we need to deter the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries. A bill opponent, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Chester, said Republicans had added scores of extreme GOP culture war priorities to it, including, least of all, a clear-as-day backdoor policy to a national abortion ban. The vote, on July 14, was 219 yeas to 210 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser

NAYS: Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Evans

COMMUNICATING ABOUT REGULATIONS: The House has passed the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act (S 111), sponsored by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., to require government agencies to include brief plain language summaries of proposed rules with their published notices for the rules. A supporter, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., said: Giving Americans  and especially small businesses  a 100-word, plain language summary for an otherwise convoluted government rulemaking provides much needed streamlining and transparency. The vote, on July 17, was unanimous with 400 yeas.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Perry, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Wild

INVESTMENT IN UNITED STATES: The House has passed the Global Investment in American Jobs Act (HR 813), sponsored by Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind. The bill would require the Commerce Department and Government Accountability Office to collaborate on an interagency review of Americas ability to attract direct investment from foreign businesses and ways to improve that ability. Pence said increasing foreign investment could create many thousands of manufacturing jobs, and the review could also improve resistance to efforts by China to use anticompetitive practices to undermine innovation and gain footholds in next-generation technologies that the U.S. seeks to lead. The vote, on July 17, was 386 yeas to 22 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Perry, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Wild

LIBYA EMERGENCY: The House has rejected a resolution (HJ Res 70), sponsored by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., that would have terminated the national emergency with regard to Libya that President Barack Obama declared in February 2011. Gosar said Congress has disobeyed its legal obligation by failing to ever review the declared emergency in the past 12 years, and preserving the executive authorities asserted by the declaration was recklessly endangering our republic, checks and balances, and the civil liberties of our constituents. A resolution opponent, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said that it, by lifting sanctions on the worst actors in Libya, the individuals who have perpetuated violence and instability, would send the exact wrong message to those pursuing economic reform. The vote, on July 18, was 30 yeas to 388 nays.

YEAS: Perry

NAYS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon, Lee

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Deluzio

SYRIA EMERGENCY: The House has rejected a resolution (HJ Res 79), sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that would have terminated a national emergency related to Syria that was declared by President George W. Bush in May 2004 and has been used to apply various sanctions against officials in Syrias Bashar Assad regime. Gaetz said Congress has failed to oversee the prolonged emergency, which he said has failed to weaken Assad and allowed multiple presidents to spend untold sums of money with no transparency as to how much is going into the Syrian emergency. A resolution opponent, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., said in the past five years, sanctions applied under the emergency have prevented over $100 million from reaching more than 100 dangerous entities and individuals affiliated with the Assad regime and its backers. The vote, on July 18, was 24 yeas to 394 nays.

YEAS: Perry

NAYS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon, Lee

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Deluzio

ISRAEL RESOLUTION: The House has passed a resolution (H Con Res 57), sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, declaring U.S. support and partnership with Israel, rejecting the claim that Israel is a racist or apartheid state, and rejecting antisemitism and xenophobia. Pfluger said the resolution would signal U.S. opposition to those that would denounce or use words that are hateful in their rhetoric, that undermine the very essence of the nation of Israel, and that undermine the freedoms that this country stands for. A resolution opponent, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said: Israel is an apartheid state. The Israeli government is deeply problematic in the way that they are proceeding in the structure of oppression. The vote, on July 18, was 412 yeas to 9 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Perry, Boyle, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Scanlon

NAYS: Lee

NOT VOTING: Kelly, Deluzio

SCHOOLS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: The House has passed the Schools Not Shelters Act (HR 3941), sponsored by Rep. Marcus Molinaro, R-N.Y., to bar public schools and colleges that receive federal funding from using their facilities to house immigrants who are not legally in the U.S. Molinaro said: Schools are for a single purpose, centers of community, education and opportunity for our neighbors. They are not shelters. An opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said the bill discriminates against and scapegoats vulnerable people based on their identity. The vote, on July 19, was 222 yeas to 201 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser

NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

TRAINING PILOTS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (HR 3935). The amendment would eliminate a bill provision that changes training requirements for pilots seeking to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, and thereby maintain the current 1,500-hour in-flight training requirement. Langworthy called the amendment necessary to maintain high-quality training standards for our commercial pilots. An opponent, Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it was appropriate to substitute simulator training hours for in-flight training hours because simulators can create a more versatile set of flight scenarios than are available in an airplane. The vote, on July 19, was 243 yeas to 191 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Houlahan, Boyle, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NAYS: Kelly, Dean, Perry, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Meuser

FLIGHT DELAY INFORMATION: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (HR 3935), that would require the Transportation Department to make public available a variety of details about the cause of the cancellation and delay of commercial airplane flights. Kean said without good data reflecting the causes of cancellations and delays, it is impossible to identify the root causes of those disruptions. An amendment opponent, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said it would restrict airline service quality performance reporting by removing a host of critical reporting elements, including vendor computer outages and crew availability shortfalls. The vote, on July 19, was 240 yeas to 195 nays.

YEAS: Kelly, Houlahan, Dean, Perry, Cartwright, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild

NAYS: Fitzpatrick, Evans, Boyle, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

AIRPLANE FUEL SUPPLIES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (HR 3935). The amendment would allow airports to sell high-octane unleaded aviation gasoline in lieu of low-lead aviation gasoline. Obernolte said authorizing airports to switch away from leaded fuel would improve both environmental quality and human health. An opponent, Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said that by narrowing the types of unleaded fuels an airport can supply, it would reduce airports flexibility to meet the FAAs requirements for fuel availability. The vote, on July 19, was 229 yeas to 205 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Wild

NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio

NOT VOTING: Meuser

AVIATION POLICY: The House has passed the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (HR 3935), sponsored by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo. The bill would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board through fiscal 2028, and set out an array of policy directives for the FAA and the Transportation Department, including raising the retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67. Graves said: This bill not only improves FAAs efficiency through reasonable organizational changes but makes the agency more agile while simultaneously prioritizing safety each step of the way. An opponent, Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., criticized the changes to the pilot retirement age. The vote, on July 20, was 351 yeas to 69 nays.

YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Evans, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild, Deluzio

NAYS: Perry, Cartwright, Lee

NOT VOTING: Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Scanlon

SENATE

APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Rachel Bloomekatz to be a judge on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Most of Bloomekatzs career, spanning the past decade, has been as a private practice lawyer, for the past four years at her own law firm. A supporter, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said: Bloomekatz brings with her not only impressive legal credentials but the empathy, the intellect, and the deep commitment to justice required to serve the people of the Sixth Circuit. The vote, on July 18, was 50 yeas to 48 nays.

YEAS: Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; John Fetterman, D-Pa.

NATO MEMBERSHIP: The Senate has passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S 2226), that would require approval from Congress for the U.S. to suspend or withdraw its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Kaine said the amendment sends a powerful message that Congress, after these decades, still believes in the power of NATO. An opponent, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said: Passing this amendment is tantamount to altering the Constitution, because the amendment would authorize the Senate to infringe upon the executive powers of the president. The vote, on July 19, was 65 yeas to 28 nays.

YEAS: Casey; NOT VOTING: Fetterman

MILITARY ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES: The Senate has rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to the National Defense Authorization Act (S 2226), that would have required the Defense Department to change its methods of accounting for the drawdown of military supplies, including weapons systems being sent to Ukraine. Vance said a recent $6 billion accounting error by the military showed the need to more adequately count and account for the resources we are giving to Ukraine and other nations as well. An opponent, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said: If we adopt this amendment, we will lower the amount of equipment we can provide to Ukraine, which is critically in need of such equipment. The vote, on July 19, was 39 yeas to 60 nays.

NAYS: Casey, Fetterman

ENFORCING EPA RULES: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of David Uhlmann to be the Environmental Protection Agencys assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance. Uhlmann, a law professor at the University of Michigan, was a federal prosecutor, specializing in environmental crimes, for 17 years. A supporter, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., cited Uhlmanns bipartisan support from five former EPA administrators, and said the Senate needed to confirm the nomination because in recent years environmental enforcement and compliance actions had fallen to half of what they had been during the Bush and the Obama administrations. The vote, on July 20, was 53 yeas to 46 nays.

YEAS: Casey, Fetterman

PETROLEUM RESERVE SALES: The Senate has passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to the National Defense Authorization Act (S 2226), that would bar the sale of petroleum products from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Russia, China, Iran or North Korea. Cruz cited the desirability of not assisting U.S. adversaries by supplying them with oil. An opponent, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said this amendment claims to solve a problem while mainly having the result of padding and protecting oil industry profits by shifting exports to China from the reserve to private industry. The vote, on July 20, was 85 yeas to 14 nays.

YEAS: Casey, Fetterman
Lesotho's parliament building in the capital, Maseru

Radio is the most-popular medium. As well as domestic outlets, South African radio and TV stations can be received.

Commercial and private radios are on the air alongside state-run Radio Lesotho - the only national station. The sole TV station is state-run. BBC World Service broadcasts on 90.2 FM.

The government generally respects media freedom and the private press carries opposition views. But the threat of defamation suits has led to self-censorship, says US-based Freedom House.

Several journalists have over the past few years either been shot, assaulted or fled Lesotho over threats because of their work.

The long-postponed trial of four soldiers allegedly behind the 2016 attempted murder of former Lesotho Times and Sunday Express editor, Lloyd Mutungamiri, was further delayed in 2022.

Many media outlets rely heavily on government advertising.

There were 682,000 internet users by December 2021, about 31% of the population (Internetworldstats.com). Internet access is limited by the lack of infrastructure as well as economic constraints, says Reporters Without Borders.

Press

Television

Radio

Radio Lesotho - national, state-run

People's Choice FM - private

Joy FM - private

Catholic Radio FM - private

News agency
Lewis Strauss arrives at London Airport for a tour of British atomic energy plants, April 21, 1955. J. Wilds / Stringer

Lewis Strauss oversaw J. Robert Oppenheimer as chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

They often disagreed on subjects, namely whether or not the US should construct the hydrogen bomb.

Strauss used Oppenheimer's communist sympathies to begin stripping his security clearances.

In Christoper Nolan's "Oppenheimer," Robert Downey Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, the man who wanted to topple J.Robert Oppenheimer from glory for good.

Strauss was Oppenheimer's real-life nemesis and eventually helped end Oppenheimer's government career. The pair's most significant disagreement? Whether or not to construct the most powerful weapon known to man  the hydrogen bomb.

Strauss was born in 1896 in West Virginia to Jewish emigrant parents, according to reporting from Esquire. Despite his dreams of studying physics, he became a shoe salesman to support his father's business and later worked as an assistant to Herbert Hoover during WWI. After the war, he became an extremely successful investment banker and worked to get financing for famous projects like the Polaroid camera, and served as a naval officer during WWII.

Strauss' humble beginnings are referenced by Cillian Murphy in "Oppenheimer" when Murphy pokes at the fictional Strauss by asking if he is a "lowly shoe salesman."

In 1946, after Strauss worked in weapon production with the US Navy, then-president Harry Truman appointed him to the Atomic Energy Commission, where he strongly advocated for developing thermonuclear weapons like hydrogen bombs. Thermodynamic bombs can be as many as hundreds or even thousands of times as strong as an atomic bomb, according to Brittanica.

The debate over the construction of thermodynamic weapons put Oppenheimer at odds with Strauss. While Oppenheimer wanted to stop development at atomic weapons and share data about US weapons with the general public, Strauss wanted an even more powerful bomb and thought the US should keep its weapon developments private.

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Following his appointment by President Eisenhower as the chair of the AEC in 1953, Strauss continued to advocate for the development and testing of the H-bomb. He also began his campaign against Oppenheimer, who he accused of being a communist.

Strauss was not the only one who raised concerns about Oppenheimer's communist affiliations  during the Manhattan Project, staff and leaders also questioned Oppenheimer's loyalties over the years, as the famed scientist had a long history of associating with communists, including an affair with psychiatrist Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh in Nolan's film.

Some believed that Strauss' motivation to take down Oppenheimer was related to long-held resentment after Oppenheimer publicly humiliated him during a 1949 hearing on selling radioisotopes to foreign nations. However, Strauss was the first to take serious action about Oppenheimer's Communist accusations.

The film reenacts another instance when Strauss feels Oppenheimer slighted him  as Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein, played by Tom Conti, speak by a pond after Strauss offers Oppenheimer a prestigious job at the Institute for Advanced Study. Einstein ignores Strauss (it is later revealed why), but this further angers Strauss, who believes Oppenheimer is turning the scientific community against him.

In 1953, the AEC chairman asked then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to begin surveilling Oppenheimer. The FBI built a case against him by illegally wiretapping Oppenheimer's phone. Strauss also began a separate security proceeding with the AEC over Oppenheimer's alleged Communist ties, which resulted in his security clearances being suspended.

Strauss' requests  as well as a letter sent to Hoover by the former Executive Director of Congress's Joint Atomic Energy Committee William Liscum Borden, who said he had compiled evidence that Oppenheimer was "an agent of the Soviet Union"  resulted in Oppenheimer's high-level government security clearance being suspended. For Borden's role, Nolan tapped regular David Dastmalchian to play the character.

The physicist faced a Red Scare-era Senate panel that decided although he was loyal to the US, he was involved with too many communist activities. His security clearance was permanently revoked.

As for Strauss, the chairman's term at the AEC ran its course, and his campaign against Oppenheimer eventually came to bite him in the back  during his appointment as Secretary of Commerce under Eisenhower, Strauss became so unpopular among Senate Democrats that his confirmation did not go through, and his time in government ended.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Downey said director Christopher Nolan wanted him to "transform" into someone "subtle and plotting, who doesn't have any punchlines, who's only charming when he's trying to manipulate or undermine" to play Strauss.

"Nolan had said he was likening it a bit to 'Amadeus,' where there's a Mozart and that's not you. 'Sometimes you're Mozart, usually you're Mozart, this time you're Salieri,'" Downey said to Vanity Fair. "And so I really took that to heart as him kind of challenging the entirety of my career trajectory and saying, 'Don't use any of those things that have served you well. Find new resources.'"

"Oppenheimer" opened this week to rave reviews, scoring a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $80.5 million in the US and Canada on its opening weekend against its estimated $100 million cost, according to reporting from The New York Times.

Inspired by the 2005 book, "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," the film stars Cillian Murphy as its titular character and Emily Blunt as his wife, Kitty.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A North Carolina lottery player won a prize so big, it left her in tears, officials said.

I think I cried all the way home, Cynthia Neely said after learning she won $723,755.

But Neely didnt realize she was getting richer at first. She originally thought someone else had scored the six-figure jackpot prize, the N.C. Education Lottery wrote in a July 24 news release.

When I got in the truck and saw my first ticket said the jackpot was back to $20,000, I thought, Oh darn, somebody already won the jackpot, Neely said.

Thats when Neely looked at her tickets again and realized she was mistaken.

I had to convince myself that I had the winning ticket, Neely told lottery officials. It is a life-changing amount of money.

Neely celebrated her emotional win after she went to a Kangaroo Express convenience store in Rockwell, roughly 40 miles northeast of Charlotte. While there, officials said she spent $10 on her lucky ticket of the Jackpot 7s Fast Play game.

Neely, who is from the Gold Hill area of Rowan County, kept $515,678 after taxes. She reportedly plans to give some money to her church, invest, and possibly take a trip with her husband.

Im going to try to talk my husband into retiring soon, Neely said.

Its not the first time a North Carolina lottery player has burst into tears. Recently, two emotional winners planned to share their prize money with their family members, McClatchy News reported.

Married couple will finally get their honeymoon after wife hits NC lottery jackpot

Lottery winner thought she got $20 from NC ticket  then she put on her glasses
French police clash with protesters after 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk was killed by an officer during a traffic stop in Paris - GONZALO FUENTES/REUTERS

Emmanuel Macron has thrown his support behind the French police, saying his emphasis is on restoring order after riots broke out in parts of the country.

In his first public address since clashes over the police shooting of a black teenager at the end of June, Mr Macron thanked Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, for his handling of the outbreaks and expressed sympathy for police and gendarmes who faced unspeakable and unprecedented waves of violence for days.

He emphasised the importance of restoring law and order.

The first lesson I draw from this is order, order, order, the French president told journalists at TF1 and France 2 in a taped interview from New Caledonia where he is on a diplomatic tour of the South Pacific.

The second is that our country needs a return of authority at every level and beginning first with the family.

After France faced days of violent unrest, the president said: 'The first lesson I draw from this is order, order, order.' - RAPHAEL LAFARGUE-POOL/SIPA/Shutterstock

The speech was watched closely by police forces and unions in Marseille where the detention of an officer in the anti-crime brigade accused of beating a 22-year-old bystander into a coma has provoked outrage within the ranks.

Police unions condemned the decision to keep the officer in custody rather than release them under judicial supervision. In protest, officers have been calling in sick and unions have called on forces to implement a work to rule in a gesture of solidarity.

On Monday, Frederic Veaux, head of the national police force, fanned the flames by telling Le Parisien that a police officer has no place in prison.

Though he declined to react directly to Mr Veauxs comments, Mr Macron said that while he understands their frustration, police are subject to the same rule of law as everyone else.

No one in the Republic was above the law, Mr Macron said.

People walk past a burning trash bin after a clash between protesters and police in Marseille on July 1 - CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP

In response to the order, order, order command, first secretary of the Socialist Party Olivier Faure tweeted: Lets stick to Liberty Equality Fraternity. Thanks.

On the Right, Republican deputy Aurelien Pradie called the interview ridiculous and empty.

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Presidential speech reaches heights of banality and vacuity. Political impotence is no longer possible. The challenges are too great. Too urgent. Far from small adjustments and haggling, everything must be rebuilt.

During the interview, the president also reiterated the need for parents to establish authority in the home in order to prevent future riots, while also acknowledging the role of the state, particularly for children from unstable, low-income or single-parent households.

We must empower certain families, we must also support families who are in distress, and we must reinvest massively in our youth to give them structure.

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 group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities concluded their nine-day visit to Taiwan Sunday.

The visit of the group, led by the Party chief of Peking University Hao Ping, marked the first one made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges over more than three years.

At the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, the mainland visitors met their peers from local universities, including Taiwan University and Chengchi University, and toured several counties and cities on the island.

They had received a warm welcome in Taiwan.

"Taiwan compatriots were so friendly and hospitable that I was deeply touched," said Chen Shihua, a student from Peking University, recalling that "elder brothers and sisters" from local colleges kindly recommended to her where to dine and have fun.

When mainland students visited the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan Tuesday, students from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait gave a well-received traditional Chinese music performance.

"When the music rose, I truly felt that the two sides of the Strait shared the same cultural root," said Chen Kaidi, who played Chinese zither in the performance.

If young people across the Strait learn from each other and work together, they surely will revitalize the traditional Chinese arts, Chen said.

Sun Lin from Wuhan University was otherwise impressed by the campus of the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan.

"The campus looked like my university. They both kept a lot of traditional cultural elements and paid great attention to carrying forward our cultural legacy," Sun said.

Chan Yu-hsiang from Taiwan University said he found no difficulties or barriers in talking with mainland peers since they were largely on the same page, and he expected more chances to meet them in the future.

Calling the visit a constructive try, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said that young people from the two sides of the Strait should have such regular exchanges every year.
PARIS (AP)  The French president is pressing his country's interests in the South Pacific this week and trying to make Frances voice heard in a region shaping up as a prime geopolitical battleground for China and the U.S.

President Emmanuel Macrons trip to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and New Caledonia starting Monday comes as French forces take part in massive U.S.-Australian-led military exercises in the region. With troops, citizens and resources spread across its Pacific territories, France wants to protect its interests and project its power alongside like-minded democracies worried about Chinas growing assertiveness.

The most strategically important stop is Thursday in Papua New Guinea, which has seen growing Chinese influence and signed a new security cooperation pact with the U.S. in May. The most populous Pacific Island nation is also negotiating a security treaty with Australia.

Macrons office insists the trip is not aimed at pressing an 'anti-China policy, but at encouraging regional powers to diversify their partnerships beyond Beijing and Washington. He felt the trip was needed because of new, more intense threats to security, institutions and the environment in the region, according to an official in Macron's office who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

His chief diplomatic adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum last week, said China is a global challenge. It is a challenge for the U.S. as well as for the EU," adding that there is kind of a strategic awakening in Europe today of the need for tougher policy toward China.

But he insisted that Europe shouldn't delegate its global security needs to the U.S. and should craft its own strategic policies. If we want to remain relevant in todays world and to tomorrows world as France, as Europeans, we need to be much more robust, he said.

Macrons office says he plans to visit a French patrol ship in the area, and offer infrastructure projects and a partnership to save forests and mangroves while ensuring jobs in Papua New Guinea, where Frances TotalEnergies is leading a liquefied natural gas project.

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The French tour is coinciding with trips by some top U.S. officials to the region, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Tonga, New Zealand and Australia this week after a visit to Papua New Guinea in May.

Macron began Monday in the French archipelago of New Caledonia, trying to rebuild trust after voters rejected a string of independence referendums that exposed entrenched frustrations of native Kanaks and inequalities with the mainland, and divisions over management of the regions rich nickel reserves. Negotiations are underway for a new status for the territory and its institutions.

I am at our compatriots side to define the basis of this new path, Macron said in a televised interview after arriving.

Coastal erosion and other impacts of climate change top the agenda at each stop on Macrons trip, in a region replete with islands that see periodic tsunamis and risk disappearing to rising seas, according to his advisers.

France has been an uninterrupted presence in the region since the 19th century, thanks to its colonial history and continued control over territories that are home to 1.5 million citizens and some 7,000 troops across the Indo-Pacific.

___

Nick Perry in Wellington, New Zealand contributed.
Marceno said the suspect, 45-year-old Yohani Gonzalez de Lazaro, arrived at the residence wearing a ski mask and started an altercation with a woman inside the home and opened fire. Jail records indicate he was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on June 17, 2023, three days after the slayings.

A man accused of killing a mother and one of her adult children during a rampage at the family's home hours before a court hearing pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

Yohani Gonzalez de Lazaro, 45, of Fort Myers, claimed his innocence Monday before Lee Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle.

Gonzalez de Lazaro remains in custody at the Lee County Jail without bond on two second-degree murder charges, in addition to $250,000 for each of two attempted second-degree murder counts. He was first held in Miami-Dade County.

According to the civil complaint, Gonzalez De Lazaro attempted to claim ownership of the parcel registered to Danae Velazquez Alvarez, who was shot in the face and survived.

Authorities said they believe the civil case may have prompted the June 14 shooting, hours before they were due in court on the dispute.

A GoFundMe identified the dead as mother Eugenia Veronica Alvarez and son, Josue Vega Alvarez. As of Monday, the fundraiser had collected more than $17,400 toward its $50,000 target.

Gonzalez de Lazaro arrived at the residence June 14 wearing a ski mask and started an altercation with a woman inside the home, later opening fire.

A man in the house then contained Gonzalez De Lazaro while another woman called authorities.

A mother of three and one of her children, remembered as caring and loving, were identified as the victims in a June 14, 2023, Lehigh Acres shooting. The GoFundMe has identified the victims as mother Eugenia Veronica Alvarez and son Josue Vega Alvarez.

At the time, the Lee County Sheriff's Office called the shooting a "domestic incident" and said Gonzalez De Lazaro's significant other lived at the residence.

In the criminal case, Gonzalez de Lazaro is next due Sept. 12 for a case management conference. A Monday afternoon motions hearing in the civil case has been pushed back to Aug. 14.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fort Myers man claims innocence in Lehigh Acres double homicide
A man in Berea was shot Monday morning during an incident involving police, according to Kentucky State Police.

The incident happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. KSP said a man was sent to a hospital for treatment. WKYT, the Herald-Leaders reporting partner, said the man was shot by police during a domestic situation. The man will be placed under police custody after hes released from the hospital, WKYT reported.

KSP said the shooting was being investigated Monday afternoon. KSPs Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene. The team has statewide jurisdiction when it comes to investigating shootings committed by police.

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

This is a developing story and will be updated.
A man previously charged with second-degree manslaughter for his involvement in a deadly car crash has received three years of probation after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Axel Ndagijimana, 24, of Lexington, was arrested and charged in June 2021 after a passenger in his car died from injuries in a crash on West High Street. Ndagijimanas was driving at a high rate of speed west on High Street before Oliver Lewis Way when he lost control and the vehicle ran off the right shoulder into a utility pole, police said. The crash killed 20-year-old Ralph Hirwa.

Ndagijimana was accused of driving more than 80 mph in a 25 mph zone at the time of the crash, and a blood test taken after the crash showed he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.159, a detective testified previously. The legal limit in Kentucky is 0.08.

His attorney, Bradley Clark, said his client made a monumental error in judgment by deciding to drive after drinking. Clark wrote that the death of Hirwa was a tragedy, and Ndagijimana had made amends to the victims family.

Clark asked that Ndagijimana get probation. He said Ndagijimana had a low risk for reoffending and was in the United States on a student visa. If he were imprisoned, hed be deported back to Rwanda, which he fled a decade ago amid civil war, Clark said in court documents.

On Friday, Fayette Circuit Judge Kimberly Bunnell sentenced Ndagijimana to two and a half years in prison for an amended charge of reckless homicide, but probated the sentence for three years. He will be out of custody, but could be forced to serve the prison sentence if he violates his probation terms.

Ndagijimana was also convicted of driving under the influence, and was ordered to pay fines, according to the Fayette Commonwealth Attorneys Office.

It is essential to emphasize that Axel has not shied away from his responsibility for the incident, Clark wrote in a sentencing memorandum. He stands before this court, acknowledging his error, not seeking to absolve himself of guilt, but pleading guilty to his charge. His acceptance of culpability is a testament to his remorse and personal integrity, even amidst the profound grief and regret that weigh heavily upon him.
For the last 30 years, Bill Palas has run the same path behind his home and never had any problems.

A couple of weeks ago, that all changed.

Palas lives near Asheville, North Carolina, and his backyard butts up to the Pisgah National Forest. He described his backyard as being like a nature center to WLOS-TV.

On July 7, Palas took off on his normal path, came around a corner, and saw a bear cub sitting in the middle of the trail.

Palas told the TV station that the cub took off, so he was going to keep going when he got an unexpected surprise.

When you see a cub like that, theres usually a mom around, Palas told WLOS. So, I go and I turn around real quick, and all of a sudden, there I see the momma bear.

Thats when he said the bear started to charge at him. Palas said he started waving his hands and just before it was only a few feet away, he said the mother bear changed course and went down a hill.

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Palas said he thought he avoided danger, when he realized he was standing between the mother bear and her cub.

Thats when the bear attacked.

She stands up on her back legs, Palas said. She takes her claw, and she rakes it across my face and chest.

He told the TV station that he put his arm up to try and defend himself, but it ended up in the bears mouth. He was knocked to the ground and Palas said he just waited for more to happen, but the bear took off.

Palas said he reacted quickly and ran as fast as he could to get away.

I was running on adrenaline and shock, he told WLOS. I got 20 yards or so down the steep hill and I surveyed myself. You know, how bad am I? All I know is blood is just gushing out everywhere.

When he got back home, Palas said his wife rushed him to a nearby hospital.

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They brought in a special facial plastic surgeon, you know, cause they saw I was all tore up on the face, Palas said. He spent three hours sewing on me.

Palas said, looking back at what happened to him, his message for others is to give bears their space if you come across one.

I just feel so lucky that Im together. I mean, seeing these three-inch razor claws, I could see them this close to my face, he said. Man, its just surreal.

Despite a bunch of stitches, Palas said hes thankful there was no permanent damage done.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A man who was kicked out of a bar in Mexico returned and set it ablaze, killing 11 people and injuring six others over the weekend, police said.

Authorities arrested a suspect Saturday afternoon in the attack at Beer House in San Luis Rio Colorado, less than 300 feet from the U.S. border. He has not been publicly identified.

The attacker visited the bar early Saturday morning and within an hour became very drunk, according to the local prosecutors office in the state of Sonora. He was removed from the establishment for harassing women, investigators said.

The suspect got in his pickup truck, backed up to the front of the bar and began pouring gasoline on the door, state attorney general Gustavo Romulo Salas Chavez told reporters.

He then used some instrument, perhaps a blowtorch, he used it as an igniting agent, Salas Chavez said in Spanish. Thats when the fire began.

Seven men and four women were killed in the fire. Ten of the 11 victims were adults, and the 11th was 17 years old, according to police. At least one of the victims was a U.S. citizen.

The six injured people were taken to hospitals on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, the Washington Post reported.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security told the paper it was looking into the arson attack. Mexican authorities did not suggest the suspected killer had any ties to drug cartels.

San Luis Rio Colorado is a border city of about 200,000 people. It shares a metropolitan area with San Luis, Ariz., which sits in the far southwestern corner of the state, about 15 miles south of Yuma.
A boat crash that left eight people injured Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks was the latest incident this summer to serve as a reminder of safety concerns at the popular vacation destination.

Since Memorial Day, at least three people, including one child, have died while at the lake. All three of them drowned, including a 6-year-old who died earlier this month after trying to jump onto a floating lily pad without a life jacket on.

There have also been at least 13 people who were seriously hurt on the lake since April, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Most were hurt in boat collisions and one was seriously injured when a boat exploded and sank on the lake in June. Another person was less seriously hurt in the explosion.

Its really important, just to be safe, common sense is very important, Douglas Beck, a spokesperson for the Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council, a nonprofit that promotes boating and water safety. Its up to the individual to take responsibility for and be accountable for their actions.

The Lake of the Ozarks is often listed as one of the most dangerous lakes in the country for boating and drowning accidents. U.S. Coast Guard statistics recorded 61 boating accidents on the lake last year.

The lake, a recreational hub on a reservoir about 146 miles southeast of Kansas City, averages up to 12 million visitors each year. Many of them are new to water and boater safety, which can be a dangerous combination leading to severe boating and drowning accidents. according to The Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Councils blog.

In the past two years, there has been a slight decrease in the number of boating and drowning deaths on the lake. In 2021, there were 15 boating and drowning fatalities. In 2022, 11 were reported.

What causes these accidents?

A statewide report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol found that in 2021, failure to keep a proper lookout was the lead cause of crashes on the water. When on the water, boaters can designate a lookout to alert them of any dangers coming from any direction.

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Rough water conditions and impaired operators were also two major causes of boat crashes in Missouri in 2021, according to the report. More than half of the 234 crashes in 2021, involved inexperienced operators with no boater education.

Inattentiveness to boaters, that is one of the main causes [for crashes]. They may be busy observing other things, talking with people, and then an incident [can] occur, Beck said.

How to avoid boat crashes and drownings?

In general, Beck said that people on the water should be just as attentive when operating a boat as they are when driving.

Beck said that boat operators should consider taking a boating course before hitting the water and have a designated driver if their group plans to drink. If people do drink while operating a boat, they could get a ticket for boating while intoxicated.

Most importantly, people should also wear a life jacket for added safety. Missouri law requires each person onboard a water vessel to wear a life jacket approved by the United States Coast Guard. Beck suggests that people avoid standing up in boats as they do not have seat belts so one major bump could throw someone overboard.

We encourage everyone to wear a life jacket. Thats the biggest thing, Beck said. Wear your life jackets. Set a good example, just like you wear a seat belt in the carit should be just common practice.

The water safety council hosts seminars and other events for people who are interested in learning more about operating a boat and other boating rules and regulations. If you do come into trouble while on the water call the Missouri State Highway Patrols water patrol by dialing *55 or call 1-800-525-5555.

I cant overemphasize that it is important to become familiar with the boat that youre in, he said.
Photograph: Silvia Izquierdo/AP

Brazilian police have arrested a new suspect over the killing of the Rio de Janeiro city councillor Marielle Franco, the first major development for some years in a murder case that shocked Brazil and prompted international outcry.

Franco, an outspoken defender of marginalised populations, was killed with her driver Anderson Gomes in a drive-by shooting in March 2018. Two former police officers accused of carrying out the murders were arrested a year later  but they are yet to stand trial by jury and an investigation into who ordered the assassination has dragged on slowly ever since.

Related: Fear cant paralyse us: sister of murdered Brazilian activist vows to continue her mission as minister

The former firefighter Maxwell Simoes Correa, known as Suel, was arrested at his home in western Rio on Monday.

Federal police also executed seven search and seizure warrants at addresses around Rio as part of the operation, named Elpis after the spirit of hope in Greek mythology.

Simoes Correa was already under house arrest for obstruction of justice, but new evidence pointing to his deeper involvement in the murders led officers to detain him, the federal police chief, Andrei Rodrigues told reporters.

According to investigators, Simoes Correa gave logistical support to Ronnie Lessa and Elcio Vieira de Queiroz, the ex-police officers accused of firing the shots and driving the car used for the killings.

The new suspect is alleged to have helped plan Francos murder, as well as provided and disposed of the vehicle used for the crime. He has also given financial support to Queirozs family since the ex-police officer was put behind bars, the prosecutor Eduardo Morais Martins said in a press conference in Rio.

Mondays operation was carried out by the federal police, who in February launched their own investigation into Francos murder and its motives, to assist a parallel state-led inquiry riddled with criticisms of inefficiency.

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This produced new evidence and a plea deal with Queiroz, the justice minister, Flavio Dino, said at the Brasilia press conference. Queiroz not only confessed to his role as the driver in the murders, but also implicated Lessa as the man who pulled the trigger and gave new details leading to Simoes Correas arrest.

Related: Lesser evil: how Brazils militias wield terror to seize power from gangs

Remaining questions around the crimes execution have been cleared up and an important phase of the investigation has been closed, said Dino, adding that the focus would now shift to finding out who ordered the murders. The minister confirmed speculation that paramilitary gangs known as militias  mafias that control large swathes of Rio state and are often made up of current or former state police officers  are implicated in the crime.

I want to assure the victims families and civil society that the investigation is moving forward and will produce new results, Dino said, adding that the latest developments are a sign of a state commitment to solving all crimes and fighting impunity.

Dino had pledged to solve Francos murder as a matter of state honour when the Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva government took office in January, in sharp contrast with the previous Jair Bolsonaro administration, which came under fierce criticism for its lack of commitment to resolving the case.

Francos sister Anielle, the current minister for racial equality, welcomed the news of the arrest. I reaffirm my trust in the federal police running the investigation and repeat the question I have been asking for the last five years: who ordered Marielles killing and why? Anielle Franco wrote on Twitter.
The legalization of marijuana in Minnesota marked the end of an era for the canine officers of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.

Jango, a 9-year-old German shepherd, and Cobra, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, are set to retire soon after the legislation takes effect Aug. 1, Capt. Ryan Mangan said. They are the department's last K-9s trained to detect cannabis, a skill the department stopped teaching new dogs years ago and probably never will again.

Mangan said Jango and Cobra, who were already reaching the end of their careers, will be relegated to patrol work before their retirement in September because they probably can't be trained to stop detecting marijuana, which could compromise narcotics searches.

Replacing them will be expensive. A dog trained to do both patrol work and drug detection will cost the department nearly $12,000, Mangan said. And the death of another dog on the team dealt an unexpected blow to the unit.

"Now we're kind of scrambling to come up with a plan to be able to get a new dog purchased and get the K-9 team up and running again," he said. "Something like that is a big-budget item."

Jango, a 9-year-old German Shepherd, is set to retire shortly after the Minnesota's new marijuana law goes into effect August 1.

Although a foundation helps pay for new equipment and the monthslong training for dogs and handlers, Mangan said, the department was unable to secure one of the highly in-demand grants from the American Kennel Club and will have to cover the cost of the dogs on its own.

Departments nationwide, including Mangan's, have been preparing for the possibility of marijuana becoming legal and can offset the costs of new police dogs through grants and donations. Lawmakers and some smaller departments have expressed concern about the time and money it will take to replace what they consider vital assets, despite studies that suggest searches prompted by the dogs often don't result in drug seizures.

Cobra, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, poses for a photo.

Training K-9s can be expensive and time-consuming

To offset the cost of police dogs, AKC Reunite, a nonprofit affiliate of the American Kennel Club, doles out grants to departments around the country, according to CEO Tom Sharp.

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Last year, the nonprofit gave out 200 $7,500 grants by October to communities that were able to raise an initial $2,500, Sharp said. The nonprofit plans to hand out 250 grants this year and is closing in on that goal, Sharp said.

"A lot of the grants go to smaller police and sheriff's departments who, many of them, either have never had a K-9 program, or maybe they had one but they haven't had it for the last few years," he said.

Unlike the sheriff's office in Olmsted, the St. Cloud Police Department in Minnesota secured a grant to cover the bulk of the cost of a dog to replace Parker, their last K-9 officer trained to detect marijuana, according to Sgt. Brian Cameron.

While Parker, a German shepherd, spends his days being spoiled by Cameron and his fiancee, the department is preparing for the arrival of his replacement, probably another shepherd who comes with a $10,000 price tag.

But money is just one factor. Cameron said there's concern about staffing while the new dog takes a 12-week course with its handler to learn how to apprehend suspects and detect drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and potentially fentanyl.

Sgt. Brian Cameron poses for a photo with his partner, Parker.

"By the time you spend $14,000 for a dog, then you have to spend $6,500 for a handler's course, smaller agencies can't afford that," said Sgt. William Brown, head K-9 trainer for the Kansas City Police Department in Missouri. "Bigger agencies can't afford that."

Brown said some small law enforcement agencies in Missouri, where voters approved recreational marijuana in November, send their K-9 teams to train with him.

"Fortunately, for me and them, I'm able to train their dogs for them along with the handler, because my agency allows me to do it when I'm working," he said.

In Maryland, Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble put the estimate even higher, saying the cost of a new dog, training, equipment and a handler could be nearly $50,000. When the dogs retire, typically to the homes of their handlers, the department is still on the hook for up to $10,000 in veterinarian costs over the course of their lives, Gamble said.

But Gamble noted all seven of the canines his department has had were purchased for the department by people or nonprofit organizations in the community on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

"When I tell the other sheriffs that, they can't believe that like people actually do that," he said. "But it's very wealthy county, too."

Marijuana training could compromise searches

Though Gamble is less concerned about the cost of the dogs, he said he is worried about how Maryland's new marijuana law will affect police work going forward and called the way it was written "nothing short of horrendous."

A 2005 Supreme Court decision means an alert from a drug-detecting dog during a traffic stop gives an officer probable cause to search a vehicle without a warrant, Gamble said. He said that in his jurisdiction, searches initiated after the smell of marijuana often net other drugs like heroin or illegal firearms.

"That will drop dramatically in Maryland  the amount of illegal handguns that are seized on our highways  because that's one less way to be able to search a car," he said, adding that the department is planning to track the data.

But he said that if a dog trained to detect marijuana was used during such a search, it could be challenged in court, which led his department to retire one dog, a Labrador retriever named Raven, on July 1 when recreational marijuana became legal in Maryland. He said another dog, Kato, was reassigned to patrol work and eventually may be retired or sold to a department in another state with stricter marijuana laws.

"We just don't need the headache of defense attorneys," he said.

Raven, a drug-detecting Labrador, retired from the Talbot County Sheriff's Office on July 1 when recreational marijuana became legal in Maryland.

Don Slavik, executive director of the United States Police Canine Association, also said retirement or reassignment are the easiest options because the dogs probably can't be retrained to stop detecting marijuana or used for another scent-related job like explosive detection.

"It's just a shame that the dogs are being deactivated because of the one odor, but then again, you can't absolutely for sure untrain or distinguish the odor of marijuana in a dog or any odor for that matter," Slavik said.

Donald Johnson poses for a photo with Kato, a drug detection dog who was recently reassigned to patrol work and may eventually either retire or be sold to a department in another state with stricter marijuana laws.

But some departments may be willing to take the risk. Though the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will stop imprinting new dogs on marijuana, there are no plans to retire any of the its K-9s, public information officer Evita Caldwell said.

"They'll still be participating in searches involving other illegal narcotics not involving marijuana, which they have training on and are still useful for," Caldwell said.

"However, again, and speaking on marijuana specifically, we won't be utilizing our K-9s to detect that," she said.

Are drug-detecting dogs reliable?

Though the dogs are a "great tool," they, like human officers, are susceptible to bias, according to Lawrence Myers, a retired Auburn University professor who has studied detection dogs.

A 2019 investigation by the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, found that in nearly half of the 139 traffic stops since 2017 in which drug dogs indicated the presence of narcotics inside a vehicle, none were found. A 2011 Chicago Tribune analysis of three years of suburban police department data similarly found less than half of alerts by dogs led to the discovery of drugs or paraphernalia during vehicle searches.

"I've been an expert witness on I have no idea how many cases involving all sorts of things including drugs," Myers said. "And in some cases, I'm afraid certain officers have viewed the dog as a search warrant on a leash."

Police departments and the Supreme Court have argued that even when no narcotics are found during a search prompted by a dog's alert, it doesn't mean they were wrong.

"The dog may have detected substances that were too well hidden or present in quantities too small for the officer to locate. Or the dog may have smelled the residual odor of drugs previously in the vehicle or on the drivers person," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a unanimous 2013 decision, which determined a dogs performance in the field is irrelevant as long as it is "certified" once a year by a reputable canine organization.

Myers said better training and a better understanding of the ways a handler may cue a dog to alert, unintentionally or otherwise, could help address the question.

Police dogs "are quite valuable," he said. "But there is room for improvement. And there is unfortunately sometimes room for abuse."

Contributing: Andrew Wolfson, Louisville Courier Journal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why legalized marijuana is sending some police dogs into retirement
Marilyn Flynn, second from left, entering court in September 2022. On Monday, Flynn was sentenced to 18 months of home confinement after admitting to bribing former L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Marilyn Flynn, the former dean of USC's social work program who admitted to bribing Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in exchange for his help securing the renewal of a county contract, was sentenced Monday to 18 months of home confinement.

Flynn, 84, was placed on three years of probation and ordered to pay $150,000 at her sentencing hearing in downtown Los Angeles.

Lawyers for Flynn had sought a probation term without any home confinement, but U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer balked at the proposal, citing the "rot of public corruption," the severity of Flynn's offenses and the objective of deterring similar crimes.

Under home confinement, Flynn can leave her residence only for medical, legal or court-approved appointments. Her attorneys asked for a less restrictive curfew  in which she could leave her home during the day  but the judge sternly rejected the request.

"I seriously considered imprisonment," Fischer said. "I take it she prefers not to go to prison."

"That's correct," defense attorney Vicki Podberesky replied.

Before the sentence was handed down, Flynn offered brief remarks. "I'm really greatly embarrassed, obviously, to be here today," Flynn said. "I hope you understand that I deeply regret the consequences of my actions, my lapse in care.

"I think I would never imagine that in a career of 50 years, the culmination point would be a judgment of wrongdoing," she said, later lamenting "the distress this caused to the university and ... the constituents in the School of Social Work.

Flynn pleaded guilty to one count of bribery in September, admitting that she agreed in the spring of 2018 to send $100,000 from USC to the United Ways of California, which was sponsoring a new nonprofit led by Ridley-Thomas' son, Sebastian. The outgoing money from USC coincided with the donation of $100,000 to USC's social work program from a political campaign associated with Mark Ridley-Thomas.

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At the time, the elder Ridley-Thomas was chair of L.A. County's Board of Supervisors, the five-member body that oversees a $30-billion budget and administers social services, public works, healthcare and public safety across the county.

In a hearing last year, Flynn acknowledged that the circuitous flow of money  from Ridley-Thomas' campaign to USC to the United Ways of California  was done to prevent it from being publicly known that the money came from him.

Flynn said she agreed to route the money for Ridley-Thomas because implicitly I understood that he would help set up a key meeting between her and a county official who could facilitate the renewal of the contract to USC.

Unlike Flynn, Ridley-Thomas contested the charges against him and was ultimately convicted of bribery, conspiracy, and mail and honest services wire fraud. He faces the prospect of years in federal prison. And although he was not present in court Monday for his co-defendant's sentencing, he cast a shadow over the proceedings.

Federal prosecutors have said that Flynn took responsibility "in a fulsome and extraordinary manner," noting that she pleaded guilty without filing "frivolous" litigation and averting a trial, and that she even offered up evidence that incriminated herself, according to court papers. Flynn, through her attorneys, told prosecutors how she improperly used a vendor account at USC to expedite the flow of money to Ridley-Thomas' son's nonprofit.

"She didn't point the finger at other people and play the victim," Assistant U.S. Atty. Lindsey Greer Dotson said Monday in court.

"This is not a case in which she was looking to line her pockets and make money," said Brian Hennigan, one of Flynn's defense attorneys. "The one who pushed the idea was Mark Ridley-Thomas."

Federal prosecutors have agreed that greater culpability lies in one of the region's foremost power brokers. In court papers, prosecutors said Flynn "did not conjure up a scheme to funnel Ridley-Thomas' campaign funds through USC on her own."

"[Flynn] acted, time and again, at the direction and request of Ridley-Thomas," prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors vowed to seek a prison sentence against Ridley-Thomas but have not yet specified a term of months or years. Their sentencing papers are due early next month.

Although Flynn avoided time behind bars, her guilty plea and home confinement term mark a shameful denouement to decades spent in public service and academia.

"She made a mistake," Hennigan said. He noted that friends vanished and "people stopped talking to her," a stigma of such a public scandal trailing Flynn in her final years.

"This is a career of 40-plus years. ... Now that's tarnished and the record is blemished," he said.

Judge Fischer recognized the tragedy before her.

"It is unfortunate that such an illustrious career has come to an end this way," the judge said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has taken to social media to address one of many absolutely stupid conspiracy theories linking her to the January 6 pipe bomber.

Back on 6 January 2021, authorities identified two pipe bombs in the Washington DC area  one each outside of the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill.

The devices were discovered just minutes before Donald Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, prompting concerns that they were planted as a distraction ahead of the chaos.

Based on the FBI surveillance footage, the bomber was wearing a grey hoodie, black gloves, light grey Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, glasses, and a Covid-19 face mask.

The suspect was also carrying a backpack to transport the bombs. However, despite numerous arrests beng made over the riots, no culprit for the pipe bombs has ever been located.

The lack of progress made in the case has fuelled wild conspiracy theories about the perpetrator, one of which includes the suggestion that the MAGA Republican congresswoman was responsible.

On Monday, Ms Taylor Greene  who herself loves a conspiracy theory  posted a video that featured her walking with the caption Marge Greene doing what has been commonly referred to as the Pipe Bomber Strut.

Here is a perfect example of one of many absolutely stupid conspiracy theories about me. You have to be a completely delusional moron to believe this, she said of the theory.

Laughable and pathetic. The FBI never followed up on the video footage of the pipe bomber, even though they have the license plate and car identified.

However, rather than simply addressing the conspiracy theory about herself, she also used her post to take a dig at President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden.

Here is a perfect example of one of many absolutely stupid conspiracy theories about me.



You have to be a completely delusional moron to believe this. Laughable and pathetic.



The FBI never followed up on the video footage of the pipe bomber, even though they have the license https://t.co/hHynjKIZKI  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) July 24, 2023

Just like the idiots that are angry at me for exposing Hunter Bidens self made porn and human sex trafficking, these same idiots actually think Im the pipe bomber instead of demanding the FBI tell the truth about what they know about the fake pipe bomber, she ranted.

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Her comments came after the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into her bizarre decision to hold up nude photos of Hunter Biden during a House hearing.

Committee members slammed her actions, describing her as having lowered herself, and by extension the entire House of Representatives, to a new level of abhorrent behavior.

While Ms Taylor Greene seems to take issue with conspiracy theories when she is the subject of them, she is known to have pushed a number of wild conspiracy theories herself.

The congresswoman has repeatedly posted QAnon conspiracy theories online and also previously peddled the debunked Pizzagate conspiracy, claiming that the Clintons and other Democrats are running a human-trafficking and paedophile ring out of a pizza restaurant in Washington DC.

She has also pushed 9/11 trutherism conspiracies, was temporarily banned from Twitter for claiming the Covid-19 vaccine was deadly and recently sparked controversy by selling T-shirts claiming the monkeypox virus is a hoax.
The first minister has defended plans to tie farm subsidies to tree planting

Many people would find the idea farmers cannot grow trees a "puzzle", Mark Drakeford has said.

The first minister has defended plans to tie farm subsidies to tree planting after senior figures in a farming union promised a boycott.

NFU Cymru said the proposals "did not make business sense".

But Mr Drakeford said tree planting was an "inescapable" part of tackling climate change.

The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) is set to take effect in 2025, replacing EU-era payments that had been worth over 300m a year to Welsh farms.

Among other things, the new scheme aims to reward farmers for actions that help soak up carbon emissions, provide habitats for wildlife and enhance water quality.

To qualify, farms will have to sign up to a checklist of universal actions - including ensuring 10% of their land is planted with trees and a further 10% managed as wildlife habitat.

"I think it will be a puzzle to many people, the idea that farmers can't grow trees," Mr Drakeford told BBC Wales.

"There will people around Wales scratching their heads at that proposition".

He said people in Wales were "willing to go on investing in the future of farming".

"But they also expect that farmers will produce those public goods that the public is willing to pay for," he added.

Mark Drakeford defended the controversial plans to require trees to be planted in return for subsidies

Mr Drakeford said that the 10% figure "will vary from farm to farm".

"It's a broad brush figure for what we need across the whole of Wales," he added.

"Many, many farms have 10% and more already in tree cover."

But he said it was recognised "that not every land in every part of Wales will be suitable".

'Toxic'

A body that represents the forestry sector expressed sympathy for farmers.

Anthony Geddes, National Manager for Confor, said: "Obviously planting trees is a very positive thing.

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"However the 10% figure that's been stipulated by the Welsh government in the SFS is quite a blunt instrument and without a necessarily large amount of evidence to help farmers and the farming unions understand what that means.

"We are in a climate change emergency and maintaining the status quo - simply from a farming and an animal welfare point of view isn't healthy.

"But the way it's being enforced, I believe that we can be more intelligent about supporting farmers.

"But that requires communication and at the moment certainly, the 10% is turning tree planting into a toxic debate between the farmers and the Welsh government."

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz, said it was "abundantly clear" that the Welsh government "continues to ignore the views of Wales' farming unions".

"There is a real risk that the Labour government's 10% tree planting target could turn away farmers in achieving the wider aims of the Sustainable Farming Scheme," Mr Kurtz said.

Plaid Cymru's farming spokesman, Llyr Gruffydd, called for the government to to "reconsider this arbitrary 10% tree planting target".

"It has now become clear that the requirement would be unworkable for many tenant farmers and setting so much productive land aside for tree planting will add pressure to the many farm businesses who exist on a very tight margin," he said.
Deputies are searching for two men they say held up a middle Georgia Waffle House early Monday morning.

It happened around 3 a.m. at the Waffle House along Gray Highway in Bibb County.

Investigators told WGXA-TV, that two masked men went into the restaurant, pointed guns at the cashier and demanded money.

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The thieves got away with an undisclosed amount of money and ran away as soon as they grabbed the cash, WMAZ-TV reported.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Bibb County Sheriffs Office at 478-751-7500 or Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

IN OTHER NEWS:
DAYTONA BEACH  When news broke Monday that Daytona Beach police were investigating a quadruple shooting this past weekend outside a club on Seabreeze Boulevard, Weegie Kuendig, a resident of the neighborhood for more than 20 years, pronounced it pure dumb luck that no one was killed.

Crowds stroll along busy Seabreeze Boulevard on a Friday night in early June. After a quadruple-shooting this past weekend near Razzle's nightclub, neighborhood residents are calling for more to be done to curb late-night crime on the landmark thoroughfare in Daytona Beach.

For neighborhood residents and owners of businesses along Seabreeze from Atlantic Avenue to the bridge over the Halifax River, such incidents of late-night crime and violence remain an unwelcome part of the weekend routine.

The shooting occurred just before midnight on Saturday near Razzles nightclub at 611 Seabreeze Blvd., on the streets eastern end near Atlantic Avenue. Daytona Beach police arrested 29-year-old Karla Bermudez and charged her with attempted murder. All four victims are expected to recover.

'A matter of feeling safe'

Two years after tourism leaders, elected officials, city and county government staff members, merchants, residents and others gathered for a well-attended brainstorming session to improve Seabreeze at the Plaza Resort & Spa, nothing much has changed, according to many participants.

Nor has the landmark thoroughfares longtime reputation as a source of noise, late-night crime and rowdiness. The shooting this past weekend has renewed residents frustration.

More: Police arrest woman and charge her with attempted murder in Daytona Beach shooting

What's it like on Seabreeze at night? Seabreeze after dark: A Friday night party on the Daytona Beach street can turn into mayhem

It's a matter of feeling safe in your neighborhood," said Kuendig, who also serves as chair of the City of Daytona Beachs code enforcement board. What has been done to change things? It has been at least 10 years that my neighborhood has been begging the city to do something about Seabreeze.

To me, that means its not a priority. If it were a priority, it would be done. Ten years is a long time.

One thing that has changed is the closing time for bars in Daytona Beach, which is now an hour earlier  at 2 a.m.  after the previous 3 a.m. closing time was changed by a measure approved by the Daytona Beach City Commission that went into effect on June 1, 2022.

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Crowds cross busy Seabreeze Boulevard at Grandview Avenue earlier this summer. After a quadruple-shooting near that intersection this past weekend, neighborhood residents are calling for more to be done to curb late-night crime on the landmark Daytona Beach thoroughfare.

Late-night noise, fights, trash, and mayhem on Seabreeze were the main factors behind the push for the earlier bar hours. A little over a year later, long-suffering residents applaud that change, but add that more needs to be done.

Some are calling for the installation of metal detectors at entrances to the street that is flooded with pedestrians and vehicles on weekend nights. Others recommend pulling late-night operating permits for establishments that cant control patrons inside as well as in parking lots and other outside areas.

There needs to be security inside and outside the facilities, including the parking lots, said Anita Gallentine, a neighborhood resident for 29 years who lives two blocks away from Seabreeze on Grandview Avenue.

Until you hit the business owners in the pocketbooks, it going to continue to happen, she said. People will continue to be stabbed and shot and beat up like it happens every weekend.

New Seabreeze police substation to open by September

Gallentine also is among those encouraged by the ongoing construction of a new Seabreeze neighborhood police substation at 654 N. Grandview Avenue. The substation is expected to be operational no later than Sept. 1, said Daytona Beach police Capt. Jeremy Nikolow, who works in the departments beachside patrol district.

According to crime map statistics compiled by the Daytona Beach Police Department, there have been 108 reports of crime incidents in the past six months within a half mile of the intersection of Seabreeze and Grandview Avenue. That compares with 228 reports for a similar six-month period in 2021, when discussions about improving Seabreeze were unfolding.

The list of incidents includes vandalism, narcotics, larceny, armed robbery and drunk drivers.

Crime has gone down in that area over the past couple of years, said Nikolow, who credits the earlier bar closing hours as well as additional police patrols, code compliance checks for businesses, and a measure approved by the City Commission that now requires hookah bars to close at 2 a.m., two hours earlier than previously allowed.

Rick Kitt, owner of a row of businesses on the boulevards west end that include Daytona Tap Room, the Axe & Grog Pub, and Evolved Vegan Kitchen, said that he has noticed an increased police presence.

Aside from the earlier bar closing time, which he thinks has little impact on noise and crime issues, Kitt hasnt seen any other results of the push two years ago to improve Seabreeze. At that time, he had proposed creating a mural project to decorate buildings on the street and attract potential visitors.

They never approached me again about it, Kitt said. Its just talk. I just think they forgot all about it.

Daytona Beach Commissioner Ken Strickland, whose zone includes the north side of Seabreeze Boulevard, said that the neighborhood would be part of the focus of a plan to spend more than $3.5 million over the next few years to buy and install cameras and lighting to improve public safety.

Weve got to continue to try to improve that situation, Strickland said of Seabreeze crime issues. Im committed as commissioner to doing whatever I can, and I think the other commissioners are, too. We showed that by lowering the closing time of the bars. Residents need to feel safe in that area and tourists that come to that area need to feel safe.

There was no response on Monday to multiple phone and text messages to Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry. Likewise, Jonathan Abraham Eid, CEO of Vienna Capital, the Los Angeles-based owner of the Plaza Resort & Spa, couldnt be reached.

A forum for ideas: Improvement ideas run fast, furious at Daytona Seabreeze Blvd. meeting

Eid had spearheaded the push two years ago to revitalize Seabreeze Boulevard, but this year has been dealing with major repairs of damage from tropical storms Ian and Nicole that have forced the Plaza Resort to close at least through the end of this year.

Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County, also was involved in bringing together community business leaders to focus on Seabreeze two years ago.

This week, he downplayed the impact of Saturdays shooting on tourism.

This is very mild compared with whats happening all over, Davis said. Were experiencing what the nation is experiencing. Its not driving anybody away.

Seabreeze crime 'splashes mud on all of us'

At the same time, attorney Paul Rice, of the Rice Law Firm in Daytona Beach, said that he hears often from prospective clients, especially older residents, that are nervous about traveling to the office that the firm has owned for 23 years at 222 Seabreeze Blvd.

Rice sent an email expressing his concern to city officials, imploring that enough is enough when it comes to violence on Seabreeze.

Im disappointed that this criminal activity continues to occur, Rice said in a phone interview. It splashes mud on all of us. We have older people, clients of ours, who dont want to cross the bridge to do their estate planning and wills because they think its dangerous.

Negative publicity from the late-night club scene hurts property values for business owners, drives away customers and inaccurately reflects the daytime reality of a street that is safe and active, he said.

We are fed up with the nightclub scene and the crime it engenders, Rice said. Seabreeze is perfectly safe seven days a week from sun-up to sundown. We need the city to take some action about what happens after sundown.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: After shooting, Seabreeze residents want action on late-night crime
By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) -The mayor of the Ecuadorian Pacific port city of Manta, Agustin Intriago, was shot dead on Sunday, authorities said, in a brazen attack that stunned the political establishment.

Police said the 38-year-old Intriago, who was re-elected as mayor of Manta in February, had been inspecting public works in the city at the time of the attack.

Regional police commander Edwin Noguera told reporters a gunman got out of a stolen truck and opened fire on Intriago, hitting him and a woman described as a "collateral victim." Both died of their injuries.

Security officials with the mayor returned fire and wounded the driver of the vehicle, who is now in police custody while receiving medical attention in hospital. Noguera said the man was a Venezuelan national without a prior criminal record.

The suspected shooter escaped, Noguera said.

Police said officers had found a grenade in the truck and a gun which was likely used in the attack.

It was not immediately clear why the mayor had been attacked, though police said that he had reported receiving threats to authorities, without providing more details.

Ecuador has faced an increase in violent crime that the government says is driven by power struggles between criminal gangs over the drug trafficking trade.

Manta, a city of well over 200,000 people, has been prey to such gangs, while widespread common crime fed by economic and social problems is adding to the country's security woes.

President Guillermo Lasso expressed his sorrow over Intriago's "assassination" in a statement on Twitter and said he had ordered authorities to bring the killers to justice.

Former President Rafael Correa expressed his shock, saying on Twitter: "I can't believe this has happened."

In May, gunmen targeted the mayor of the city of Duran. He emerged unscathed from the attack but a policeman was killed and several other people were wounded, media reported.

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Intriago belonged to a local political party in Manta.

Earlier, authorities said six people were killed at the weekend and 11 more injured in the latest outbreak of gang-fueled violence roiling Ecuador's prisons.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; editing by Diane Craft, Sonali Paul, Chris Reese and Michael Perry)
Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales





Discover the real actors playing Aristotle & Dante!

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - Official Trailer (2023) Eugenio Derbez

Written and directed by Aitch Alberto, the film adaptation of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is set for a premiere date of September 8, 2023. The movie, which is based on the 2012 coming-of-age novel by Benjamin Alire Saenz, had its world premiere at the 2022 International Toronto Film Festival.

In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, two Mexican-American teenagers end up meeting in El Paso, Texas and find an immediate connection between them. The story is set in 1987. The title characters are played by up-and-coming actors Max Pelayo (Aristotle a.k.a. Ari) and Reese Gonzales (Dante).

Pelayo (@maxpelayo__ on Instagram) was previously seen in the 2021 Amazon Prime Video original series Panic, where he played a student. In turn, Gonzales (@reese.gonzales on Instagram) has been seen in projects such as Young Sheldon, The Terminal List, Kidding, The Birthday Boys, and White Shoe.

Scroll through to see pictures of Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales  and make sure to watch Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe when it opens September 8 in theaters.

Max Pelayo

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Reese Gonzales

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Max Pelayo

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Reese Gonzales

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Max Pelayo

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Reese Gonzales

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Two months of sweating is what Nafetera Johnson- Mangham says she and her three children have been dealing with.

The air is on but its hot, she said.

Mangham showed Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln, her dining room where she now sleeps on a mattress to cool off from the heat.

Nothing is repaired, nothing is done, nothing is completed, its just a nightmare, she said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Mangham says the problem started in May. She sent Channel 2 several pictures in June showing her climbing thermostat.

Lincoln asked Mangham whats the hottest her thermostat registered, and she responded, 86 degrees.

Mangham says she rents the home as a part of a least to own program through the owner Home Partners of America.

However, we learned a subsidiary of Home Partners of America called Pathlight Property Management is responsible for maintenance request.

I want to sleep in my car at night its so hot in here, she said.

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Before reaching out to Channel 2, Mangham says a repair man did stop by at the beginning of June. He indicated the issue was with the thermostat. But since that acknowledgement, Mangham no permanent fix has been made.

A spokesperson for Home Partners of America told Channel 2 they are investigating why repairs have been delayed.

In a statement they said; There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of the people who live in our homes. Our resident service teams and vendor partners are working around the clock to address the impact of an historic heat wave that is currently affecting a large portion of the southern US. In this case, we will continue working to complete repairs to this homes HVAC system as soon as possible and have installed temporary cooling units in the home at our expense to keep the home comfortable in the meantime.

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A spokesperson also noted that the residents phone number changed and they didnt have the new number. They said their team and vendors could not get in touch with the resident until they were able to get her new number via the county inspector. Home Partners of America says their vendors are reporting massive backlogs due to heatwave. Theyre hoping to fix Manghams AC within a few days. Temporary cooling units have been placed in the home.

DeKalb County Code Compliance issued the company a citation for the broken AC and other issues associated with the electricity.




A police watchdog has been called in to review the treatment of a woman who was arrested in front of her young son in Croydon

Sadiq Khan has requested an urgent explanation from the Metropolitan Police after a young mother was wrongfully arrested in front of her tearful young son for failing to pay a bus fare.

Video footage shows the woman shouting and struggling as two male officers hold her arms and handcuff her in Croydon, south London, on Jul 21.

She repeatedly asks one of the officers to let go and says I havent done anything wrong, while a member of the public films what is happening and asks why she is being arrested.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the incident was clearly distressing for the woman and her young child and confirmed it was now being reviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

He said the boy had been comforted by a Police Community Support Officer throughout the ordeal, but he regretted any impact [the arrest] may have on him.

Posting on Twitter, Mr Khan, the Mayor of London, described the video as distressing.

He added: Ive requested an urgent explanation of what took place, and welcome todays referral of this incident to the IOPC.

Wrongly accused

The woman was arrested after wrongly being accused of failing to pay a bus fare, with police saying she had refused to show her pass to a Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspector.

The woman was later de-arrested when it was confirmed that she had paid the fare.

MrTwist said: It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child.

We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.

Police in Croydon arresting the woman

Onlookers video the incident

A Police Community Support Officer comforts the distressed son of the woman

Police were working with TfL ticket inspectors in Windmill Road, Croydon, and only became involved when customers without a valid ticket refused to provide personal details for a fine to be issued.

Mr Twist added: [The woman] was spoken to by a TfL inspector, then by a police community support officer (PCSO) and finally by a police officer. She continued to try to walk away and did not provide her ticket for inspection.

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She was arrested on suspicion of fare evasion and was handcuffed.

When officers were able to take her ticket from her so that the TfL inspectors could check it, they were able to confirm it was valid. She was immediately de-arrested and her handcuffs were removed.

Throughout the incident, the child was comforted by a PCSO who immediately recognised his distress. Anyone seeing how upset he was would be moved by this, and we regret any impact it may have on him.

Investigation

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has now been called in to review what happened.

Mr Twist continued: Ticket inspection operations of this nature are difficult. They place police officers in direct confrontation with frustrated members of the public and could escalate what would otherwise be civil matters to a different level.

This incident raises questions about the extent to which officers are having to intervene in this way when supporting TfL in their operations.

Mr Twist said an initial review of the officers actions had not identified any potential misconduct issues.

Florence Eshalomi, the Labour MP for Vauxhall, said she has contacted Mr Khan about the incident.

Claudia Webbe, a fellow MP, said: The most disrespected person is the black woman. The most unprotected person is the black woman. The most neglected person is the black woman.

The Met Police is the boot of the state; they do not care about black people, and black women in particular.

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.
Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez shot himself in the head on a Florida highway after an argument with his wife, authorities said Monday.

Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez. (The Florida Department of Law Enforcement)

He had surgery Monday afternoon and was in stable condition, Miami-Dade police officials said Monday evening.

He probably has a long road ahead, a lot of surgeries, but he is going to survive, Hillsborough Country Sheriff Chad Chronister told reporters in Tampa.

Officers responded Sunday evening to the Florida Sheriffs Associations Summer Conference in Tampa where "a male had pointed a gun at himself," police said in a statement.

When officers arrived to the 12th floor of the Marriott Westside, Ramirez, 52, told them he was no danger to himself or others, and was then "released at the scene," Tampa police said.

The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office described that encounter as a domestic dispute between Ramirez and his wife.

But shortly after that incident, Ramirez drove off and shot himself in the head, the sheriff said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the incident happened on I-75, south of Tampa.

Our hearts are with Chief of Public Safety Freddy Ramirez and his family during this difficult time, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement. All that matters right now is his well-being and we continue to pray for his speedy recovery.

Ramirez had announced his candidacy for sheriff of Miami-Dade County in 2024.

The law enforcement leader grew up in Hialeah and was raised by his grandparents who fled Cuba and the Castro regime, according to his campaign biography.

He graduated from the University of Miami, married his high school sweetheart and joined the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1995, his campaign said.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who is also attending the law enforcement conference in Tampa, praised Ramirez.

"You couldn't ask for a more respectful person, somebody that cares about others and wants to do a good job," said Scott, a former governor.

Story continues

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle called Sunday night's shooting "deeply saddening."

"An incident such as this is so deeply saddening, and I am praying and hoping for Chief Freddy Ramirez full recovery," she said. "We all know that we need many, many more individuals with the strength, courage and commitment he has exemplified throughout his career."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Miami-Dade Countys police director was in stable condition after shooting himself in the head on the side of a Florida highway Sunday night following an apparent domestic dispute that forced his departure from a Tampa hotel where he and his wife were attending a law enforcement convention, according to multiple police sources and reports.

Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, a Democratic candidate for sheriff in the 2024 election, was recovering after surgery at a Tampa hospital, according to an internal Miami-Dade Police email and multiple law enforcement sources.

READ MORE: Things to know about Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, Miami-Dade police and candidate for sheriff

Ramirez, 52, suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head off I-75 south of Tampa, according to accounts by law enforcement agencies, including the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, Tampa police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The gunshot happened not long after Ramirez had been involved in what was described as a heated argument with his wife Jody at a Tampa hotel and was asked to leave by hotel staff, the sheriffs office and other sources said.

Tampa Police, in a statement, said officers had been called to the JW Marriott Water Street because of a report about a man pointing a gun at himself outside the hotel, where a Florida Sheriffs Association conference was being held. They said by the time officers arrived, Ramirez and his wife were back in their 12th floor room and denied he had displayed a weapon or that he intended to harm himself or anyone else.

Just hours later, multiple sources told The Herald, Ramirez pulled over on the drive back to Miami and shot himself  a turn of events that shocked people who knew and worked with a highly regarded commander who rose through the ranks during a three-decade career.

Its stunning. Ive had a lot of interactions with him the last few weeks because hes been on the campaign trail, said Miami-Dades elected public defender Carlos Martinez. Hes always been a happy-go-lucky professional guy. Its stunning when you see something that doesnt fit with what you see on a daily basis.

Story continues

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who last year made Ramirez a senior deputy overseeing both the police and fire rescue departments as chief of safety and emergency response, flew to Tampa overnight. So did Oliver Gilbert, the chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle called Ramirez her friend and the incident, deeply saddening.

What happened before Ramirez shot himself?

Multiple sources said after the incident at the hotel but before the shooting, Ramirez had contacted Levine Cava to discuss what happened. The director also reached out to Christian Ulvert, the campaign manager he shares with Levine Cava in the 2024 election cycle. Sources familiar with the conversations said Ramirez discussed how he would address what was likely to be an embarrassing situation as he embarked on a quest to become an elected senior member of the Levine Cava administration.

A spokesperson for Levine Cava confirmed that a conversation took place Sunday but declined to provide details or information on the timing of the phone call. Ulvert was not available for comment.

All that matters right now is Chief Ramirezs well-being, and I join his family, his loved ones and all his Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami-Dade family in praying for his swift recovery, Levine Cava said in a Twitter post.

On Monday afternoon, Levine Cava named an interim director for the county police department, Stephanie Daniels, who was a senior administrator under Ramirez. J.D. Patterson, a former police director, will resume his role as chief safety officer under Levine Cava, a post Ramirez assumed in 2022 along with the full-time position of police director under a reorganization by the mayor.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade mayor names interim top cops a day after police director shot himself near Tampa

Miami-Dade Police released a brief statement late Monday that said Ramirez had undergone surgery and was in stable condition. An earlier internal MDPD email obtained by the Miami Herald said the Ramirez family thanked officers for calls, messages and prayers. The department also declined to answer questions, issuing a statement on social media, Out of respect for his close friends and family, we ask for privacy at this difficult time.

According to a number of attendees of the Florida Sheriffs Associations Summer Conference in Tampa, the largest yearly gathering of its kind in the state, Ramirez and his wife got into a heated exchange inside the Marriott some time around 6 p.m. Sunday, where the convention was taking place.

At least three attendees said they were told Ramirez had his wife against a wall and his hands around his wifes throat before the couple went outside. Police did not verify that and Ramirezs wife could not be reached for comment.

Once the couple were outside, Tampa Police said, someone called saying there was a man pointing a gun at himself. But police said by the time they arrived, Freddy and Jody Ramirez were upstairs in their 12th floor room. Police said Freddy Ramirez admitted arguing, but denied displaying a firearm.

There were no first-hand witnesses or security camera footage capturing the alleged incident, Tampa Police said in a statement. And Jody Ramirez, they said, told them she had no concerns about her safety.

Michael Lewis, an elected sheriff from Maryland who attended the Florida event, said Monday he had heard that a heated discussion between Ramirez and his wife outside the hotel had drawn Tampa police to the event during a Sunday evening reception for attendees. Lewis did not witness any altercation. But, Lewis said, hotel staff at the Marriott asked the couple to leave.

He also said there were reports going around at the conference that Ramirez might have placed his gun inside his own mouth at some point, which a senior law enforcement source also told CBS4, the Heralds news partner. Tampa police did not comment on those reports.

Were completely shocked. Ive been in law enforcement 39 years and Ive never heard of anything like this remotely occurring, said Lewis, the sheriff of Wicomico County.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he spoke with Ramirez and his wife on Sunday night and everything seemed fine.

Its a tragic situation, the sheriff said. Im very concerned about him and his wife and I wish them the best in this tragic situation.

Not long after Ramirez and his wife left the Marriott and headed back to Miami, Ramirez stopped the car and used a gun he had on his possession, on himself, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said in a statement released Monday morning. Multiple law enforcement sources said Ramirez fired the weapon at his head and the bullet exited through an eye. His wife Jody, multiple sources said, was in the car but it wasnt clear Ramirez had shot himself in or out of the vehicle.

The Florida Highway Patrol, which is investigating the incident along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said in a statement Monday that Director Ramirez suffered serious injuries and is hospitalized. No one else was injured. There is no threat to the community.

At an afternoon press conference, Mark Glass, director of Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the incident occurred at Mile Marker 244 on I-75, a place known as the Big Bend, which is near Apollo Beach. He said the sequence of events began when Tampa police went to the convention hotel for a possible domestic dispute involving Director Ramirez.

Today is a tragic day in Florida, Glass said.

Though police were asked to hold off from visiting the director because the hospital feared overflowing crowds, some close family friends drove to Tampa.

Our prayers are with his family right now, said Steadman Stahl, president of South Florida Police Benevolent Association told the Miami Herald early Monday morning. We dont know exactly what happened.

Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, right.

Ramirez, a former Republican who joined Democratic Party earlier this year, announced in May he was running in the Democratic primary for sheriff in 2024 to try to retain his role as the countys top law enforcement official. He was named police director in 2020 under then-Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

He joined Miami-Dade police in 1995 and worked his way up from patrol duty to deputy director after working at the side of former Director Juan Perez, before he was named to the top post. He was raised by grandparents who fled the Fidel Castro regime and his parents in Hialeah, according to his biography in sheriffs campaign literature.

In 2015, one of Ramirezs predecessors, Robert Parker, had killed himself behind his North Miami-Dade home, six years after he retired. Parker, who also rose through the ranks, was the countys first Black police director.

Bradenton Herald Staff Writer Ryan Ballogg reported from Tampa.
Miami-Dade Countys police director is in stable condition after shooting himself on the side of a Florida highway Sunday night following a dispute that forced his departure from a Tampa hotel where he was attending a law enforcement convention with his wife, according to multiple police sources and reports.

Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, a Democratic candidate for sheriff in the 2024 election, was recovering from surgery at a Tampa hospital after the gunshot wound, according to an internal Miami-Dade Police email and multiple law enforcement sources.

Ramirez, 52, suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on I-75 just south of Tampa, according to a Monday afternoon statement by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. The gunshot wound came after Ramirez had been involved in a domestic dispute at a Tampa hotel with his wife Jody and was asked to leave by hotel staff, the sheriffs office and other sources said.

Tampa Police said Ramirez was injured not long after they were called to the hotel where the couple were staying because a man had been pointing a gun at himself outside downtowns JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Hotel. They said by the time they arrived, Ramirez and his wife were back in their 12th floor room and denied here had been a weapon.

Its stunning. Ive had a lot of interactions with him the last few weeks because hes been on the campaign trail, said Miami-Dades elected public defender Carlos Martinez. Hes always been a happy-go-lucky professional guy. Its stunning when you see something that doesnt fit with what you see on a daily basis.

News of the incident shocked people who know and work with Ramirez, 52, a highly regarded commander who rose through Miami-Dade Police Department during his nearly three-decade career. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who last year made Ramirez a senior deputy overseeing both the police and fire rescue departments as chief of safety and emergency response, flew to Tampa overnight. So did Oliver Gilbert, the chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle called Ramirez her friend and the incident, deeply saddening.

Story continues

Multiple sources said after the incident at the hotel with his wife and before the shooting, Ramirez contacted Levine Cava to discuss what happened. The director also reached out to Christian Ulvert, the campaign manager he shares with Levine Cava in the 2024 election cycle. Sources familiar with the conversations said Ramirez discussed how he would address what was likely to be an embarrassing situation as he embarked in his quest to become an elected senior member of the Levine Cava administration.

A spokesperson for Levine Cava confirmed that a conversation took place Sunday but declined to provide details or information on the timing of the phone call. Ulvert was not available for comment.

All that matters right now is Chief Ramirezs well-being, and I join his family, his loved ones and all his Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami-Dade family in praying for his swift recovery, Levin Cava said in a Twitter post.

In a brief statement released late Monday, Miami-Dade Police said Ramirez was out of surgery and was in stable condition. An earlier internal MDPD email obtained by the Miami Herald said the Ramirez family thanked officers for calls, messages and prayers.

Through accounts from police, sources from several law enforcement agencies and family friends, It appears something as simple as a brief getaway for the couple to a sheriffs convention that could help propel Ramirez to elected office, turned tragic and almost deadly on the side of a highway after a heated domestic incident.

According to a number of attendees of the Sheriffs Summer Conference in Tampa, the largest yearly gathering of its kind in the state, Ramirez and his wife got into a heated exchange inside the Marriott some time around 6 p.m. Sunday, where the convention was taking place. At least three attendees said they were told Ramirez had his wife against a wall and his hands around his wifes throat before the couple went outside.

Once the couple were outside, Tampa Police said, someone called saying there was a man pointing a gun at himself. But police said by the time they arrived, Freddy and Jody Ramirez were upstairs in their 12th floor. Police questioning them when they left the room said Freddy Ramirez admitted arguing, but denied displaying a firearm.

There were no first-hand witnesses or security camera footage capturing the alleged incident, Tampa Police said in a statement. And Jody Ramirez, they said, told them she had no concerns about her safety.

Michael Lewis, an elected sheriff from Maryland who attended the Florida event, said Monday he had heard that a heated discussion between Ramirez and his wife outside the hotel had drawn Tampa police to the event during a Sunday evening reception for attendees. Lewis did not witness any altercation. But, Lewis said, hotel staff at the Marriott asked the couple to leave.

Were completely shocked. Ive been in law enforcement 39 years and Ive never heard of anything like this remotely occurring, said Lewis, the Wicomico County sheriff.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he spoke with Ramirez and his wife on Sunday night and everything seemed fine.

Its a tragic situation, the sheriff said. Im very concerned about him and his wife and I wish them the best in this tragic situation.

Read More: Things to know about Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, Miami-Dade police and candidate for sheriff

Then, sometime after Ramirez and his wife left the Marriott and were headed back to Miami along I-75 south, they apparently got into another argument and Ramirez stopped the car and used a gun he had on his possession, on himself, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said in a statement released Monday morning.

Multiple law enforcement sources said Ramirez fired the weapon in his head area and the bullet exited through an eye. His wife Jody, they said, was in the car. It wasnt clear if Ramirez shot himself in or out of the vehicle.

The Florida Highway Patrol, which is investigating the incident along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said in a statement Monday that Director Ramirez suffered serious injuries and is hospitalized. No one else was injured. There is no threat to the community. The FHP said the shooting took place along I-75 near the Big Bend near Apollo Beach.

Though police were asked to hold off from visiting the director because the hospital feared overflowing crowds, some close family friends drove to Tampa.

Our prayers are with his family right now, said Steadman Stahl, president of South Florida Police Benevolent Association told the Miami Herald early Monday morning. We dont know exactly what happened.

Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, right.

Ramirez, a Democrat, announced in May he was running for sheriff in 2024 to try to retain his role as the countys top law enforcement official. He was named police director in 2020 under then-Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

He joined Miami-Dade police in 1995 and worked his way up from patrol duty to deputy director after working at the side of former Director Juan Perez, before he was named to the top post. He was raised by grandparents who fled the Fidel Castro regime and his parents in Hialeah, according to his biography in sheriffs campaign literature.

In 2015, one of Ramirezs predecessors, Robert Parker, had killed himself behind his North Miami-Dade home, six years after he retired. Parker, who also rose through the ranks, was the countys first Black police director.
An air-raid warning has been issued in the southern oblasts of Ukraine and Sumy Oblast. There is a threat of missile attacks. As of 13:00, an-all clear was given in the South.

Source: Ukraines Air Force; an air-raid alert map

Quote: "Attention! There is a missile attack threat in the south [of Ukraine]. Do not ignore an air-raid siren!"

Details: There is also a missile attack threat in Sumy Oblast.

An air-raid warning indicates a danger of missile strikes; citizens are strongly advised to go to shelter or follow the two-wall rule [safety rule whereby a person keeps two walls without windows between them and the street during attacks  ed.].

At 12:35 (Kyiv time), the missile threat was over in the southern oblasts, and the all clear was given.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Ada County Sheriffs Office provided new information Monday about a reported drowning at Lucky Peak Lake on Sunday afternoon.

Marine deputies received a call at about 5 p.m. Sunday that a man went into the water and did not resurface.

Witnesses told deputies that the man, who is 35 years old, was on a ski boat with several other people about 300 to 400 yards from Turner Gulch, according to the sheriffs office. The boat was towing children on tubes, and all of them were wearing life jackets.

When the tubes flipped, the man jumped into the lake to try to help the kids; he was not wearing a life jacket. He was not able to get back to the boat before he went underwater and did not re-emerge, sheriffs officials said.

The Ada County sheriffs dive team and the Boise Fire Departments dive team arrived soon after and made multiple dives in the area he was last seen. Patrick Orr, Ada County sheriffs spokesperson, said the man had not been found as of Monday morning.

The water in the area he was last seen is very deep  over 100 feet down and as deep as 150 feet, Orr told the Idaho Statesman in an email.

The sheriffs dive team plans to resume recovery efforts Tuesday with help from Gene Ralston, of Kuna, who has had success finding bodies in Lucky Peak before.

Ralston, 78, is considered one of the countrys leading experts in recovering bodies from water and owns advanced equipment. He will use his expertise in sonar to help locate the man, Orr said.

Lucky Peak Lake, which is part of Lucky Peak State Park and is located just southeast of Boise, was the scene of several drownings last summer.
Qin Gang was appoined foreign minister in December 2022 (LEAH MILLIS)

China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang has not been seen in public for almost a month, sparking a flurry of questions over his whereabouts.

Here's what we know so far about the disappearance of one of China's most senior diplomats:

- Who is Qin Gang? -

Qin, considered a confidant of President Xi Jinping, was appointed foreign minister in December 2022.

The 57-year-old spent several years at the Chinese embassy in London and is a fluent English speaker.

Qin earned a reputation as a "Wolf Warrior", a nickname given to a new generation of Chinese diplomats who push back with often inflammatory rhetoric against Western criticism of Beijing.

He said in 2020 the image of China in the West had deteriorated because Europeans and Americans -- in particular the media -- had never accepted the Chinese political system or its economic rise.

While serving as ambassador to the United States, Qin stepped up his visibility through public and media appearances in Washington in which he explained the Chinese position.

He kept up a busy schedule after his appointment as minister, visiting Africa, Europe and Central Asia as well as hosting foreign dignitaries in Beijing.

- What do we know about his whereabouts? -

Qin has not been seen in public since June 25, when he met Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing.

But it was his absence from a high-level ASEAN summit in Indonesia two weeks later that first raised eyebrows.

China's foreign ministry said "health reasons" were to blame for Qin's absence.

But that has done little to stem an explosion of rumours online.

"Everyone is concerned about something but cannot discuss it publicly," Hu Xijin, a prominent commentator with the state tabloid Global Times, said in a post on Weibo.

"A balance needs to be struck between maintaining the situation and respecting the public's right to know," he said.

The foreign ministry has since deflected further questions about Qin's absence.

Story continues

- Who is representing China in his stead? -

Qin's absence has left a vacuum at the top of China's foreign ministry.

A visit by the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to Beijing was abruptly called off this month.

And Bloomberg reported on Friday that a visit by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was postponed due to Qin's absence.

Top foreign policy official Wang Yi -- who outranks Qin in China's political hierarchy -- has taken on some of his responsibilities in the meantime, travelling to Africa this week to attend a BRICS meeting on security affairs in Johannesburg.

Beijing insisted Monday that "China's diplomatic activities are moving forward steadily".

Asked about Qin's now almost month-long absence, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told journalists: "I have no information to offer."

But as the foreign ministry reaches a month without a visible boss, doubts will start to mount over how much it's business as usual.

"When the top dog is disappeared by the state, everyone in the organization freezes," tweeted Desmond Shum, a former Chinese business and political insider and author of "Red Roulette".

"Who's going to sign on the dotted line of the minister?"

pfc-oho/pbt
Dead penguin near shore of beach in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Rudimencial / Getty Images

Over 2,000 dead penguins have washed up on the shores of Uruguay.

The birds have tested negative for the avian flu, leaving experts guessing at causes of death.

Environmental experts suggested overfishing practices could be to blame.

A mysterious and alarming scene has greeted beachgoers of eastern Uruguay for the last ten days, as about 2,000 penguins have washed up dead for no discernible reason.

According to reporting from The Science Times, the birds, which are Magellanic penguins, have all tested negative for the avian flu, ruling out a common cause of mass death in bird species.

According to the Times, Magellanic penguins can be found across the Pacific and the Atlantic, with concentrations in the Falkland Islands, Chile, and Argentina. The Times added that they move north in colder temperatures to find warmer water and food.

The birds grow to about 24 inches and weigh between six and 14 pounds.

Ninety percent of the dead birds are young and have empty stomachs and no fat reserves, according to comments to the Times from Head of the Department of Fauna at Uruguay's Environment Ministry, Carmen Leizagoyen.

Leizagoyen added that such large numbers of the birds dying is unexpected and abnormal and said the deaths occurred in the water before the birds washed up on the shore. She also cited another "die-off" incident that occurred in 2022 in Brazil, in which the cause of deaths of the penguins were also unable to be determined.

According to reporting from NDTV, some environmental advocates, like SOS Marine Wildlife Rescue's Richard Tesore, speculate that the deaths could be caused by overfishing and various illegal fishing practices.

Tesore also told NDTV that a subtropical cyclone hit southeastern Brazil in mid-July, which may have already caused weaker animals to die off. Tesore added that he found other dead animals on the beach, like seagulls and sea turtles.

The tragic incident is just one in a string of bizarre marine events over the summer, with the most notable being a string of incidents involving killer whales that have bumped into and, in some cases, sank sailboats off the Iberian coast.

Uruguay's Ministry of Environment did not respond immediately to Insider's request for comment, sent outside of working hours on the weekend.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Close to 100 wildfires raging across the Alberta region of Canada have forced more than 29,000 people to flee in what officials have called an unprecedented situation for the province.

In the past 24 hours alone, 16 new fires have ignited in Alberta, Wildfire Information Unit Lead Christie Tucker said during a Sunday evening news conference.

Fighters across the province are still battling 98 wildfires, 27 of which were burning out of control, according to Alberta officials.

In a news conference Monday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith asked residents with firefighting experience who can lend a helping hand to contact emergency services.

This type of ferocious wildfire activity isnt typical this early in the year, and firefighters dont usually see such a large area burned, Tucker said Sunday morning.

But bone-dry conditions, abnormally hot weather and high winds have converged to fuel this really extreme wildfire activity, Tucker said.

We could be sort of settling in for a long fight here, she said.

Wildfires have burned a total of 390,000 hectares in Alberta so far this year, and recent blazes have burned a huge amount of ground over the last few days, Tucker said.

Approximately 1,000 firefighters from other regions have been requested to assist in controlling the fires, and they will be arriving over the next week, according to Tucker.

Some gains were made Sunday as scattered showers across the province helped firefighters access areas they couldnt before due to extreme wildfire behavior.

This is giving firefighters a helping hand, causing less active wildfire, allowing them to work on parts of fires they hadnt been able to access before. Its a much needed chance to make progress on some of these powerful, challenging wildfires, Tucker said.

Firefighters now hope that cooler temperatures and higher humidity will help them battle the flames in the south and central part of the province  but challenging conditions remain in the northern part of the province, Tucker said.

Story continues

Up north, its still very dry. Were still seeing winds and we are expecting a continuation of those kinds of conditions that can lead to extreme wildfire behavior, she said in the Sunday evening news conference.

Communities in Alberta have seen some extremely hot temperatures in the past week, with the capital city of Edmonton hitting 31 degrees Celsius, about 88 degrees Fahrenheit, on Wednesday and Thursday  more than 10 degrees above average, according to the Canada Centre for Climate Services.

The region has also seen a lack of precipitation which may have contributed to the extreme fire conditions in Alberta, drying out land and making fires more difficult to contain, CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford said.

Tucker said crews faced with rapidly changing wildfires across the province will continue to focus their efforts on fires that are threatening communities.

Meanwhile, multiple hospitals have been fully evacuated and many roads are closed in north and central Alberta, according to province officials.

So far, about 5,000 people have sought refuge at evacuation centers, Alberta Emergency Management chief Colin Blair said in the Sunday news conference.

As of Monday, 54 schools have been forced to close, affecting 10,500 students, and contingency plans are being developed, Mike Ellis, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, said in the briefing.

Additionally, 300 patients from long-care facilities have been safely evacuated from various locations across Alberta.

A burned section of forest smolders in the area near Edson, Alberta, on Saturday. - Government of Alberta Fire Service/AP

The extent of the damage has yet to be seen

As thousands of Albertans flee their homes and head to evacuation centers, they leave not knowing whether theyll have a home to return to when the evacuation orders are lifted.

Rick Laboucan, who grew up in the community of Fox Lake, told CNN affiliate CTV that his family home wont be there when the community returns.

My whole familys side over there, our little village side there on the north Fox Lake is all wiped out, Laboucan said. Family and friends homes are gone.

An out-of-control wildfire has burned more than 16,300 hectares of land, about 40,200 acres, as of Sunday in the community of Fox Lake, authorities said.

It remains unclear just how much damage the fires have left as the thick smoke and heavy fire conditions keep crews from fully assessing property loss, Blair said.

We know structures have been lost, but our first priority is protecting lives and dealing with the emergency response first and foremost, Blair said.

Officials do know that dozens of structures have been damaged, including in the Fox Lake area, where 56 firefighters with heavy equipment and aircraft are battling the flames, authorities said.

Many have also been ordered to flee in Yellowhead County, where immediate evacuations were ordered for 8,000 people. Another 3,600 were ordered to evacuate from Little Red River Cree Nation.

Another out-of-control wildfire dubbed EWF-031 has burned about 77,920 hectares of land, about 192,500 acres, as it rages southeast of the town of Edson in Yellowhead County, according to Alberta fire officials.

Smith has said its an unprecedented situation our province is facing.

On Monday, Smith announced that financial assistance would be available to evacuees.

Every adult who has been evacuated and displaced for seven consecutive days will receive a $1,250 along with an additional $500 for each dependent ending child under age 18, the premier said.

Smith said the application process will move swiftly so that people can receive evacuation payments as soon as possible. She added that the government is working to ensure that qualifying residents who live in remote locations and indigenous reserves will also receive payments.

CNNs Zoe Sottile contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Victoria Beckham has fuelled rumours that a Spice Girls reunion could be imminent with her latest TikTok post.

Beckham, 49, performed with the Wannabe band from 1994 to 2000. She rejoined her bandmates for a special performance at the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony in London, but did not join them on their UK arena stadium tour in 2019.

Since then, a reunion has been repeatedly hinted at, with both Melanie Chisholm (Mel C) and Melanie Brown (Mel B) suggesting one is on the horizon.

Beckham was the latest former band member to feed the rumours as she shared a video to TikTok from a karaoke session in Miami, the home of her husband Davids football team Inter Miami.

In the clip, the fashion designer performed a rendition of the Spice Girls 1996 hit Say Youll Be There.

Dancing along with her husband to the No 1 song, Beckham even whipped out some peace signs, a staple of the girl power group.

However, it was the posts caption that left fans convinced a reunion was on its way, with Beckham writing: Warming up the vocals in Miami! More to come [finger on lips emoji] !! [microphone emoji].

The post was reshared by the official Spice Girls Instagram account, which wrote: Once a Spice Girl always a Spice Girl.

The Independent has contacted Beckhams representatives for comment.

In May, Scary Spice Brown hinted once again at a potential Spice Girls reunion, saying that my theory is that if I say it enough, it will happen.

While she said that Beckham didnt need convincing, Brown did concede that the designer  who has a successful fashion and make-up line in her own name  was the hardest to pin down.

Its not like none of us are speaking together, weve all got a group WhatsApp, but its just about timing, she said.

She was really busy doing her fashion line and supporting David with his moves and his career and obviously shes got a bunch of kids so its just about finding the right time. Weve managed to do that so there should be an announcement pretty soon.

Story continues

From L-R: Melanie Brown, Heri Horner, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm at the 2019 tour (PA)

Beckham last performed with the pop group in 2012, when all five Spice Girls sung Wannabe and Spice Up Your Life atop London black cabs during the Olympics closing ceremony.

When the other members of the band (Brown, Chisholm, Geri Horner, and Emma Bunton) got back together to tour in 2019 without Beckham, the mother-of-four admitted that shed had no desire to join and didnt think she would perform with the Spice Girls again.

There wasnt one part of me that wanted to, Beckham said in an interview at the time. Each one of those girls still performs in their own right. I dont.

There was never a scenario when I closed my eyes and could see myself performing on stage with them again. There wasnt one part of me that wanted to.
On July 24, Moscow was attacked by UAVs

Adrone attacked buildings opposite the central office of the GRUs cyber warfareunit in Moscow, said Bellingcats investigative journalist Christo Grozev.

Russian media report that a drone attacked buildings near Komsomolsky prospect 17 in Moscow; traffic down this avenue has been closed, Grozev tweeted on July 24.

Read also: Moscow court arrest in absentia leading Bellingcat investigator Christo Grozev

This address is directly opposite the office of the GRUs cyber warfare unit, specifically FancyBear, he said.

The address also houses the Defense Ministrys Military University and several highly secretive GRU facilities, including the leadership of their illegal program.

If Ukraine hit that building complex, the symbolic damage to MoD/GRU will be very significant, he wrote.

Drones struck Moscow in the early hours of July 24, causing shattered windows and partial damage to building roofs. One UAV fell close to the Russian Defense Ministry, and another struck a business center.

This is not the first drone attack on Moscow. On May 30, drones crashed in five settlements in Moscow Oblast, resulting in damage to at least three high-rise buildings.

Read also: Explosions at Russian ammo depot in Crimea causing evacuations

Notable figures, including Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Valery Zorkin chair , and Federation Council speaker Valentina Matvienko, reside in those areas.

The press service of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed on May 3 that Ukraine attempted to strike the Kremlin. According to Russian propaganda, a drone attack caused a fire on the dome of the Kremlins palace, which houses the working offices of Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin apartment.

Putin was allegedly working at his suburban residence in Novo-Ogaryovo at the time, said his press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

In response to the accusations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any involvement by Ukraine in the attack on Russian territory.

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
An Athens man was killed Saturday evening after his motorcycle collided with a pickup on North Avenue, according to Athens-Clarke police.

The wreck occurred at about 8:45 p.m. at the Northside Drive intersection, police said.

The motorcyclist was identified as 29-year-old Kody James Kuckuck. He died at the scene, police said. Kuckuck, a native of Ohio, was working in Athens as a real estate agent for Keller Williams, according to his obituary.

Police said a 2001 Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by a 22-year-old man from Monticello made a left turn off Northside Drive and collided with the Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle that was southbound on North Avenue.

The truck driver told police he had stopped at the intersection and and did not see any traffic. He told the officer he pulled onto North Avenue in an effort to get into the center turn lane to wait for northbound traffic to clear and while negotiating the turn, he pulled into the path of the motorcycle.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Senior Police Office Joey Lewis at 762-400-7169.

Oconee Blotter: New Yorker sends Watkinsville woman wrong kitten

Body found: Police investigate death of man found near transformer station in Athens

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Motorcyclist killed in Athens in collision with pickujp
A missing motorcyclist was found dead days after crashing in the north Georgia mountains, deputies say.

Authorities were called Friday, July 21, about a missing person last seen on a motorcycle in the area of Highway 75 in the Unicoi Mountains, according to the Towns County Sheriffs Office.

The driver was heading to Towns County from Helen when he vanished, deputies said in a news release. They arrived to find the driver and his motorcycle down an embankment around the top of a mountain.

The driver, Michael Patrick Brock, 53, of Winder, died at the scene, deputies said.

Investigators believe Brock was approaching a curve on State Route 17 when he lost control of his Ducati motorcycle, veered off the road and down the embankment, according to a preliminary report from Georgia State Patrol.

The Unicoi Mountains stretch across the Tennessee-North Carolina border and are a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains, according to PeakVisor.com.

The 37-mile range has 84 named peaks, the highest being Huckleberry Knob at 5,564 feet.

Investigators didnt say which mountain Brocks body was found on, but they believe he crashed two days earlier, according to troopers. They tracked him by an ankle monitor.

Authorities didnt release additional details but said the crash is under investigation.

Towns County is about 110 miles northeast of Atlanta, near the Georgia-North Carolina line.

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As trial dates are set and plea agreements are made with several other University of Missouri hazing defendants, a judge on Monday granted Blake Morsovillo and his attorney more time to work out a deal with the prosecution.

Morsovillo, of Springfield, was in court with attorney Richard Hicks. Hicks consulted with an assistant prosecutor before the hearing.

He is charged with felony hazing related to the Oct. 19, 2021, hazing of MU freshman Danny Santulli. Santulli was a pledge to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. With other pledges, he was required to drink large quantities of alcohol.

A surveillance video of the night shows Santulli collapsing after drinking beer from a tube connected to a funnel, into which someone poured beer, known commonly as a beer bong.

An unresponsive Santulli was taken by a private car to MU Hospital, where personnel resuscitated him. The alcohol poisoning caused brain damage and he is unable to see, speak or walk. He's being cared for by his parents at their home in Minnesota.

Settlements from civil lawsuits with the fraternity and its members are paying for Santulli's long-term care.

Morsovillo is one of 10 initially charged with felony hazing, with one other charged with misdemeanor hazing.

"Well, judge, this is another request for continuance," Hicks said to Judge Hasbrouck Jacobs, explaining that he was trying to work toward an agreement with the prosecution.

"It sounds like the state is working on things," Jacobs said.

Jacobs set the next hearing for 9 a.m. Aug. 28, telling Morsovillo to be in court in person again.

In other cases, trial dates have been set for Samuel Morrison, Sept. 26; Ryan Delanty, Dec. 5; Samuel Lane, Dec. 19; Benjamin Parres, Jan. 23, 2024; and John O'Neill, Jan. 30, 2024.

Benjamin Karl is scheduled for a three-day trial in Boone county in January 2024, with a jury brought in from Warren County. The dates have not yet been specified.

Thomas Shultz, Harrison Reichman, Samuel Gandhi and Alec Wetzler so for have pleaded guilty, with the pleas of Schultz and Reichman resulting from plea agreements. Wetzler will be sentenced Aug. 3.

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Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at MU closed after university officials removed its recognition of the fraternity.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Six MU hazing cases now set for trial, with pleas so far in four
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed her successor Kevin McCarthy for plans to expunge former president Donald Trumps two impeachments, in an interview with CNN on Sunday.

Ms Pelosi presided over both impeachments of Mr Trump, first in 2019 for when Mr Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelensky to investigate Joe Bidens son Hunter in exchange for military aid to the country, and the second in 2021 for the January 6 riot.

The president was impeached because we had no choice, she said on CNNs State of the Union. He had undermined our national security, jeopardised our wellbeing of our country.

Ms Pelosi said she was very cautious about bringing forward the two impeachments.

Kevin, you know, is playing politics. It is not even clear if he constitutionally can expunge those things, she told host Dana Bash. If he wants to put his members on the spot, his members in difficult races on the spot, that is a decision he has to make. But this is not responsible. This is not about the flag still being there.

The former House speaker, who stepped aside from congressional leadership earlier this year after Democrats lost the majority in the 2022 midterm election, said that Mr McCarthy proposed the idea because he does not want to face the wrath of Mr Trump.

This is about being afraid. As Ive said before, Donald Trump is the puppeteer and what does he do all of the time but shine the light on the strings. These people look pathetic.

Politico reported last week that after Mr McCarthy had said on CNBC that he did not know whether Mr Trump would be the strongest nominee in the general election, he pledged privately to the former president would vote to expunge the two impeachments. But many moderate Republicans are opposed to voting for the expungement, particularly related to January 6, Politico reported.
Every day is National Something Day, and Monday, July 24 is National Tequila Day.

In honor of the holiday, website Casinos.com is sharing information from a study it conducted that shows which tequila brand is the most popular in each state.

Kansas, it turns out, is a crowd follower and is listed as one of 19 states whose tequila drinkers prefer Jose Cuervo. Among the neighboring states that also did were Oklahoma, Colorado and Arkansas, and some of the countrys largest states are also Cuervo drinkers, including California and Texas.

Jose Cuervo is the preferred tequila brand in 19 state, including Kansas, a study says.

Missouri and Nebraska, however, were among 12 states whose residents preferred Don Julio, and if youre going to Florida, Washington or six other states for vacation, prepare to encounter Patron.

The other twelve states  including Alaska, Hawaii and New York were reported by the study to be inhabited by Casamigos drinkers.

Casinos.com said it put the data together by studying Google Trends and The Spirits Business magazines list of biggest selling tequila brands. The study analyzed which brands people were searching for the most in each state over 90 days. The top four brands emerged, and the study then ranked each brand by search volume.

Tequila consumption has increased significantly in recent years, reports say, especially as a growing number of celebrities  including Kendall Jenner, Lebron James and Kevin Hart  have launched their own tequila brands. Casamigos, in fact, is co-owned by George Clooney.

Many local restaurants and bars have also begun expanding their tequila lines and are making the drink a central focus. Wichita is still waiting on the opening of a new bar and restaurant dedicated to tequila: Itzcali Tapas & Tequila, which has been under construction for two years, should open this fall, its owner says.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

For years, Heather Rae Bybee was considered to be one of Hollywoods most prominent Native American directors. She described her mother as Cherokee, sported a tattoo of a Cherokee goddess, told the stories of Native characters in her award-winning films, and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Indigenous Alliance.

But the film industry was left in shock earlier this year when Rae was accused of being just 1/2048th Cherokee at most, prompting her to publicly acknowledge that she is not, in fact, Indigenous.

Im still in that process [of looking into my family history], she admitted to The Hollywood Reporter, so for several years I have identified as an ally.

Behind that bombshell accusation was a little-known group of loose acquaintances who have teamed up to create a whistleblower organization dedicated to outing what they call redface posers who are actively contributing to [Indigenous] erasure/genocide.

The Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) has only been around a year, but its made waves addressing alleged race-fakers who the organization say co-opt Native American cultures and stereotypes for monetary and professional gain.

This is the last nail in the coffin of our genocide because these pretendians areliterallyerasing us by replacing us, TAAFs director, Lianna Costantino, said in an interview with The Daily Beast.

Costantino, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, said she and a few others formed an unofficial hub for Native Americans when they noticed they had hundreds or thousands of mutual friends on social media. For years, they provided tribal resources for Native Americans, educational tools for Native history and genealogy, and promoted Native Americans making headway within their professional endeavors. However, in May 2022, the group took it a step further and founded TAAF to address posers within their communities.

We were immediately inundated with people telling us their stories, sending us impact statements, asking for help in real-life situations where they were actively being harmed by pretendians and suffering consequences of the bad behaviors of these pretendians, Costantino, a chaplain and educator, said, referring in particular to race-fakers who claim to be spiritual doctors and medicine people who can ended up committing serious harm.

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Heather Rae Bybee. Arturo Holmes/Getty

According to TAAFs website, the groupmade up of American Indian and ally researchers, law enforcement officers, scholars, and over 50 members from across the nationexposes ethnic frauds pretending to be American Indian people or tribes when they are not.

TAAF says it isnt concerned with people who believe they have American Indian ancestry based on unfounded family lore but, rather, individuals, groups, and [corporations] who falsely represent American Indian cultures, histories, and spiritual practices and/or falsely claim American Indian identity as individuals for profit or fame.

The group maintains a healthy list of alleged pretendians along with genealogical reports compiled by their members, as well as organizations that allegedly support Native race-fakers.

Representation matters because it shapes how the wider public views the world, says the TAAF website. American Indians have long been under-represented in American culture, and much of what Americans know about American Indians is based on monolithic stereotypes and lies. Allowing non-American Indians to market themselves as having an American Indian identity continues that harm by perpetuating stereotypes and silencing actual American Indian voices.

The work of proving someone is a race-faker is intensive. TAAFs investigations include compiling full fan charts of the alleged perpetrators genealogy, which pinpoint the persons ancestry back to the country origin or far enough back to discredit their claim of a specific tribe. They also seek letters from tribal offices noting that the person, or a family member the person claims has American Indian ancestry, is not listed in their database.

The Frantic Push to Save a Native American Skull From the Auction Block

For the sake of other members safety, Costantino acts as the sole face of TAAF.

Theres really nothing anybody can do to hurt me, said Costantino, who said she felt a moral responsibility to expose race-fakers, especially since Native populations have waned. The trolls just want to doxx all of us and harass all of us and bully us and give us a hard time. Theyre irrelevant. Theyre mosquitoes buzzing in our ears. We dont care. We swat them and move on.

TAAF founder Lianna Costantino. Courtesy Lianna Costantino

A professional genealogist who works with TAAF, and who wished to remain anonymous due to security concerns and fears of being doxxed, told The Daily Beast that the process of looking into a pretendian requires an all-hands-on-board group effort.

The genealogist, who has knowledge in First Nations history and is a member of several historical societies, said that when the group starts an ancestral tree, they structure the research to determine if the person has Native American ancestry beyond reasonable doubt.

If we find a conflict or contradictory information we discuss as a group, define the conflict, analyze the conflict and resolve the issue, the genealogist explained. We will then consult directly the respective Sovereign Nations the person has claimed, providing them with [the] name or names of the person/people to check for Being Sovereign Nations, they have the final word of who is or who is not an associate, Citizen or descendant of their People. They have the final word. Their word is the ultimate proof.

The genealogist began their own ancestral digging about 13 years ago before starting on a volunteer basis with TAAF. I found I had an aptitude for sleuthing, identifying and resolving genealogical questions, and general tree development, they said. Genealogy is my passion.

They said a TAAF report on one person often takes anywhere from 30 to 50 hours, sometimes longer.

Drew Hayden Taylor, a First Nation Canadian writer who has worked with Costantino on The Pretendians documentary, called the groups work admirable.

An organization that has the research capabilities to look into those who are accused of being pretendians is necessary in these times, Taylor told The Daily Beast.

UC-Berkeley Academic Admits She Incorrectly Identified as Native American

The group has already made some eye-opening discoveries. In their most recent investigation, they alleged that James Russell Owl Goingback Heidbrink, a celebrated author, is an ethnic fraudof European ancestry for allegedly claiming to be half Cherokee and half Choctaw.

According to Goingbacks website, he has been a professional writer of novels and childrens books for over 30 years, with many of his books framed around Native American culture. Hes won multiple literary awards, including being a Lifetime Achievement winner at the Bram Stoker Awards, been featured as a Powerful Voice in Fantasy and Horror at the World Fantasy Convention, and had his works lauded on notorious literary podcast Book Riot. In June, he was featured as a guest of honor at StokerCon in Pittsburgh.

After noticing Goingbacks rising popularity, Costantino said TAAF contacted him to offer support and a chance to prove his identity. But when he ignored multiple requests, TAAF members decided to do some digging.

(Goingback told The Daily Beast that he did not respond to TAAFs questions because the organization has no actual authority to make such demands, and it is foolish to argue with internet trolls.)

According to TAAF, Goingback legally changed his name from James Russell Heidbrink. The Daily Beast confirmed through online Seminole County court documents that it took place in 2000. TAAF also compiled a family tree that the group says showed the majority of his fathers family traces back to Europe, and his mothers side were always labeled as white on U.S. census reports.

TAAF also included letters from both the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes that said neither Heidbrink nor his ancestors were descendants of enrolled members. Goingback maintained to The Daily Beast that his family is not currently enrolled because they do not want to be considered wards of the federal government, despite Indigenous nations being sovereign from the government.

Erika T. Wurth, a celebrated writer who describes herself as an urban Native of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent also continues to fake a Native identity for personal gain, TAAF has claimed.

Costantino told The Daily Beast that initial conversations with Wurth on social media were pleasant, but the chatter took a negative tone as soon as she wanted to cut to the chase and verify Wurths ancestry.

In reality, Wurths family were white settlers from the Eastern United States, who settled into Texas in the 19th century. NONE were American Indians, TAAFs report alleged.

In a request for comment, Wurths literary agent did not address TAAFs claims but said the group engaged in tools of manipulation and unwarranted persecution of Native Americans.

In its investigation on Rae, the film director, TAAF found that her ancestors married and lived on Indian Territory, but were not tribal members.

Even though Rae later acknowledged that she is not Indigenous and has been trying to reframe who she is, TAAF says she has yet to acknowledge the privileges that claiming Native American ancestry provided her.

Simply erasing Cherokee...is not enough, because her brand is that of a Cherokee woman, TAAFs report claimed, built on years of work on American Indian related films.

Besides writers, TAAF has conducted investigations on self-proclaimed tribal elders and educators, among others, and the group has plans to release more reports in the near future.

The goal, Costantino said, is to end pretendian fraud and all of its forms.

The fact that we cant turn in any direction without running into them making a mockery of us, taking up spaces meant for us, silencing us, replacing us, distorting our histories, languages, ceremonies, we are sick of it, she said, taking the mission personally as an act of injustice. At first they wanted to exterminate us. Now, they all want to be us. Its a very odd turn of events.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The US Navy has achieved initial operational capability with its new Dry Combat Submersible.

The U.S. Navy's newest special operations mini-submarine has now officially entered service. Unlike earlier SEAL Delivery Vehicles, the new Dry Combat Submersible allows the occupants to travel to and from their destination submerged, but without being immersed in often frigid water the whole time. This is a capability the Navy has been working to acquire for decades now.

The Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) reached initial operational capability (IOC) with the Navy sometime in June, its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, announced earlier today. Back in May, John Conway, the program manager for Undersea Systems within U.S. Special Operations Command's (SOCOM) Program Executive Office-Maritime (PEO-M), had said the initial DCSs would be operational by the end of that month. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered two DCSs to the Navy and is finishing work on a third example.

A picture of one of the Navy's Dry Combat Submersibles (DCS) out of the water. DOD

"The Lockheed Martin team is proud of the work that has gone into the development and delivery of DCS and supporting USSOCOM to this IOC milestone," Jason Crawford, senior program manager for Manned Combat Submersibles, said in a statement in the press release. "We look forward to delivering the third DCS and supporting DCS into Full Operating Capacity."

The DCS is derived from a mini-submarine design called the S351 Nemesis from MSubs in the United Kingdom. MSubs has been part of the Lockheed Martin-led team designing and building the DCS since the American defense giant began work on the project in 2016.

An S351 Nemesis. MSubs

Though details about the DCS's dimensions and capabilities are limited, the 30-ton displacement and 39-foot-long S351 has an all-electric propulsion system that gives it a maximum range of 66 nautical miles when traveling at a speed of around five knots, according to MSubs. It can dive to depths of around 330 feet (100 meters). Nemesis required a crew of two to operate and has space for up to eight other individuals or suitably sized cargo weight up to approximately one metric ton.

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By comparison, from what has been reported in the past, the Navy's newest SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV), the Mk 11, is just under 22 and a half feet long and can carry only six passengers along with its crew of two. Also known as the Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS), it is unpressurized and therefore is not as capable in terms of its maximum depth as the DCS.

More importantly, for the Navy and its elite SEALs, who will be the primary users of the DCS, it has a self-contained lock-in/lock-out chamber on top of the hull. As seen in the video below, the service's existing SDVs are so-called "wet" submersibles where their occupants ride fully exposed to the water around them on the way to their destination. This can make for a very cold ride, even in regions where average temperatures might trend on the warmer side. This, in turn, increases operator fatigue and can present potentially serious health risks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiQBUN5yeME

Lockheed Martin's press release also highlights how current SDVs do not allow their occupants to hydrate, since they have to wear wet suits and scuba gear the entire time. This is another potentially significant issue for longer transits.

"The Dry Combat Submersible has the potential to transform undersea warfare for special operators, Gregg Bauer, C6ISR vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin, said in a statement today. DCS provides safe, clandestine delivery for occupants over long distances in a completely dry environment and features a lock-in and lock-out chamber. Occupants arrive at the mission warm, rested, hydrated and ready."

This also means operators can return to their recovery point in the same way after a mission, which may have been conducted entirely underwater. The SEALs, in particular, are trained to conduct a variety of missions below the waves, including sabotage and demolition. DCSs could also be used to help insert SEALs and other special operations forces ashore or extract them.

The Navy has been publicly trying to acquire a DCS-like capability for decades now. The service had begun to lay out requirements for what became known as the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) in the 1980s. ASDS was canceled in 2009 after the prototype  a design roughly twice the size of the DSC  was destroyed in a fire the year before. Technical issues had already led to significant cost growth. A follow-on Joint Multi-Mission Submersible program was also axed in 2010.

The prototype Advanced SEAL Delivery System submersible seen here on top of the rear deck of the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Greenville. USN

DCS has seen its own delays, as well. In June 2020, SOCOM said it expected the mini-submarine to reach IOC within about a year.

The DCS does have limitations, largely due to its size. Unlike the Navy's SDVs, the new mini-submarine is too big to be launched from submerged submarines via currently available Dry Deck Shelters (DDS), as well as larger DDSs the service is working to acquire now. The Navy's Virginia class attack submarines and Ohio class guided missile submarines are also the only ones that can be configured to carry DDSs at present.

A briefing slide SOCOM released last year with details about work on an improved DDS design. SOCOM

Currently, the DCS will have to be deployed via a mothership on the surface, such as an amphibious warfare vessel. The Navy has also been looking at ways to more rapidly deploy the first-generation DCSs using U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft to deliver them first to forward locations.

With this in mind, the Navy is already eyeing a follow-on DCS Next and wants that improved design to be deployable from a Virginia class attack submarine. Concept art that has been released so far shows what appears to be a mini-submarine with the ability to dock externally on the hull of its mothership submarine. This is how the Navy had expected to employ the abortive ASDS. It's not clear whether the service plans to subsequently modify its initial DCSs to that future configuration, or how feasible that might be.

An artist's conception of the follow-on DCS Next. SOCOM

Regardless, after the better part of a decade of work on DCS, and decades more before that on designs intended to provide similar capabilities, the Navy now has a way to transport SEALs and other special operations forces to and from their destinations in an all-new level of comfort.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
North Carolinas Democratic party chairwoman is urging President Bidens reelection campaign to address its showing up problem in the state in the run-up to the 2024 election.

Anderson Clayton, who at 25 is the youngest state party leader, told Washington Post Live on Monday that Democrats were taking the wrong lesson from recent losses in the state.

I think that the idea right now is that the Democratic Party has a messaging problem, and I really dont believe that. I believe we have a showing up problem, she told The Posts Marianna Sotomayor.

Former President Trump won North Carolina by 74,481 votes in 2020, and Republicans retained control of an open Senate seat in 2022. However, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) has shown that Democrats can win in the state.

Clayton urged Biden and Vice President Harris to invest time in the state  which carries 15 electoral college votes  in the months ahead.

I want Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to come to North Carolina and run strong on their record, Clayton said. And also, drum up that energy and excitement that we didnt have in 2020 and 2022 here on the ground.

Clayton pointed to efforts to expand internet connectivity and reduce the cost of insulin as important successes that need to be trumpeted by Bidens campaign.

Leading up to the 2020 election, the Biden-Harris campaign hit North Carolina about 9 times, whereas the Trump-Pence campaign visited approximately 18 times, according to a Washington Post analysis.

A number of Democratic activists told Vox after the 2020 election that the partys Trump or else strategy was a failure in the state, suggesting Democrats should focus on solutions to the challenges facing voters.

Though North Carolina is often considered a swing state, Bidens loss was not unusual. Barack Obama was the only Democrat to win a presidential election in the state since 1980.

But Clayton pointed out that if more Democrats had voted in 2020 and 2022, when Cheri Beasley lost the Senate race, the results could have been flipped.

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Democrats could be facing an even steeper climb if the GOP-led state Legislature is able to pass voting reforms that limit same-day voter registration and voting by mail. Cooper has vetoed previous versions of the bill, but Republicans now have veto-proof majorities in both chambers.

That bill is part of nationwide GOP efforts to restrict voting on college campuses and among other groups that have historically favored Democrats in North Carolina and elsewhere.

Clayton said mobilizing college campuses would be key to boosting the Democratic vote, however those efforts could be significantly curbed by the GOP legislation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Lawmakers in Israel voted on Monday to pass an extremely controversial bill to limit the powers of the countrys Supreme Court despite mass demonstrations against the move which rank among the biggest protests in Israeli history.

The new law means that the Supreme Court will no longer be able to overturn decisions made by the government on the grounds of reasonableness. It represents the first major victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ultranationalist government in a hotly contested, monthslong battle over the role of the judiciary and its powers in Israels future.

New Anti-Israel Axis Pushes Netanyahu to Brink of War

Opponents have denounced the changes as a threat to Israeli democracy, curbing vital checks and balances on governmental decisions. The government, in contrast, has painted the overhaul as a means of improving democracy by affording elected officials more autonomy over unelected judges, and a necessary measure given the courts increasing interventions in political decisions over recent years.

The seismic vote Monday comes after the Israeli government was forced in March to shelve plans to allow lawmakers to overrule the courts decisions and have a greater influence in who can become a Supreme Court justice. The climbdown came as huge street-level demonstrations against the proposals plunged Israel into crisisscenes which have once again played out around the country in the run-up to the new vote.

Authorities arrested protesters and fired water cannons at people who had assembled outside the Knesset before the final vote took place on Monday. President Isaac Herzog acknowledged that the country was in a state of national emergency as last-minute preparations for the vote unfolded.

Netanyahu was himself present in the chamber as lawmakers voted, the day after he was rushed to the hospital early Sunday to have a pacemaker fitted for his heart. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of being a puppet on the strings of extremists and messianists in the minutes after the judicial overhaul bill passed.

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This is a sad day, a day of our homes destruction, of needless hatred, and look at the coalition celebrating, Lapid added, according to The Times of Israel. The Movement for Quality Government, an Israeli rights watchdog, similarly slammed the decision. The government of destruction has raised its malicious hand against the State of Israel; now its the Supreme Courts turn to step up and prevent this legislation, the groups leader, Eliad Shraga, said in a statement.

Protesters also swiftly denounced the decision in gatherings outside the Supreme Court, reportedly chanting shame and democracy or rebellion. One activist encouraged those present to call on others to join them. Anyone who isnt here right now is not present at the most important battle in the history of the country, the Times quoted them as saying.

Police dragged demonstrators away as a group demonstrating against the judicial reforms by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist-religious coalition staged a sit-down protest, blocking a road in Jerusalem https://t.co/DeAEng2XV4 pic.twitter.com/pAKLsfdPuI  Reuters (@Reuters) July 24, 2023

Coalition members had earlier denounced the siege on parliament which saw violent clashes between police and protesters on Monday morning. At least 15 people were arrested in Jerusalem as authorities attempted to disperse the crowds, with the majority being detained for public order violations and roadblocksthough one person was reportedly taken into custody for biting an officer.

The unrest looks likely to continue. In the wake of the vote, the head of Israel's main public sector union vowed to meet with other officials to talk about declaring a general strike. Arnon Bar-David, the chairman of the Histadrut labor federation, said a general labor dispute in the economy would be activated if necessary until a complete shutdown is achieved.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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[Source]

Netflix released the highly anticipated official trailer for its upcoming live-action adaptation of One Piece on Saturday.

About the trailer: The three-minute video features several fight scenes, dangerous rivals and the Straw Hat Pirates in action.

It was notably released on One Piece Day, which annually commemorates the launch of Eiichiro Odas One Piece manga series.

Key people: The upcoming series was developed by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda and directed by Marc Jobst. Owens, Maeda, Oda, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements serve as executive producers, while Nicole Hirsch Whitaker serves as its cinematographer.

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Cast members include Inaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Emily Rudd as Nami, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Taz Skyler as Sanji, Jacob Gibson as Usopp and Peter Gadiot as Shanks, among many others.

The series' Japanese dub will notably feature the original Japanese voice actors reprising their roles from the "One Piece" anime.

About One Piece: Odas popular manga series, which debuted in 1997, follows a teenager named Monkey D. Luffy who dreams of becoming a pirate captain. With his trusty crew called the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy embarks on a perilous journey to find a mysterious treasure known as One Piece.

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Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA

For Asa Hutchinson, former governor of Arkansas, there were boos and chants of Trump! Trump!. For Francis Suarez, mayor of Miami, there were jeers and cries of Traitor! And perhaps most tellingly, there was no Florida governor Ron DeSantis at all.

The recent Turning Point USA conference brought thousands of young conservatives to Florida and there was no doubting the main attraction: former president Donald Trump, who made a glitzy entrance accompanied by giant stage sparklers. In a less than rigorous poll, 86% of attendees gave Trump as their first choice for president; DeSantis, who polled 19% last year, was down to 4%.

Related: Donald Trumps legal problems: where does each case stand?

Events and numbers like this are cause for sleepless nights among those Republican leaders and donors desperate to believe it would be different this time. The Never Trump forces bet heavily on DeSantis as the coming man and the premise that Trumps campaign would collapse under the weight of myriad legal problems.

But six months away from the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, none of it seems to be working. DeSantiss campaign is flailing and leaving some with buyers remorse. Hutchinson and Chris Christie, outspoken Trump critics, are polling in single digits, sowing doubts about voters appetite for change. Never Trumpers have reason to fear that his march to the Republican nomination may already be unstoppable.

Theyre experiencing a brutal wake-up call that the party is not interested in hearing critiques of Trump, said Tim Miller, who was communications director for Jeb Bushs 2016 campaign. The Trump challengers candidacies have been astonishingly poor and learned nothing from 2016. When the leading candidate gets indicted and all of his opponents besides Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson just echo his fake persecution complex talking points, its going to be hard to beat him.

The Never Trump movement is almost as old as the celebrity businessmans hostile takeover of the Republican party. In 2016, 50 senior Republican national security officials from past administrations signed a letter saying they would not vote for him, even though Trump was the nominee. Republicans including Colin Powell, a former secretary of state, openly backed his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, albeit in vain.

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Hopes that Trump would grow into the presidency were soon dashed. In 2018, the White House whistleblower Miles Taylor wrote an anonymous column in the New York Times under the headline I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration, describing the president as unfit for office. Taylor went on to build a network of former government officials and advisers aiming to deny Trump a second term.

Former Republican operatives in groups such as the Lincoln Project and Republican Accountability Project welcomed Trumps defeat in the 2020 election and hoped his part in a subsequent insurrection at the US Capitol would finally break the fever. But Senate Republicans squandered a chance to end his political career by failing to convict him in an impeachment trial.

Since then certain members of Congress have proved willing to criticise Trump on certain issues and a few, such as Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, are implacably opposed to him. But many others, such as Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming, have either retired or been purged.

People listen as Trump speaks at the Turning Point Action conference on 15 July. Photograph: Lynne Sladky/AP

As the 2024 election looms, there is no coordinated plan on how to derail the Trump train or alter the trajectory of a race that is still his to lose. Even critics admit that the external events many were counting on to thwart his candidacy have not hurt his standing.

Indeed, criminal indictments in New York and Florida have led some voters who were entertaining an alternative to return to Trumps fold while handing him another fundraising bonanza. His campaign announced that he raised more than $35m during the second fundraising quarter, nearly double what he raised during the first three months of the year and well ahead of his competitors.

Trumps opponents within the party are running out of time and ideas. Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman, said: They were all hoping that Trumps legal troubles would kick him to the side of the road but every indictment or potential indictment just strengthens him among the base, eats up all the oxygen in the room and makes him the likely nominee. Theyre probably as frustrated as can be.

Many Never Trump hopes were pinned on DeSantis but the governor is already cutting staff and experiencing fundraising setbacks. Donors ignored the warnings of longtime political operatives who said DeSantis was undercooked, had a glass jaw and lacked the personal warmth and charisma required for retail politics. These appear to be have been borne out by a stagnant campaign in which the more exposure he receives, the less popular he becomes.

They put all their chips on DeSantis before they knew who he was Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman

Walsh, who challenged Trump in the 2020 Republican primary, said: They all bet on DeSantis without knowing who the fuck he was, without understanding that hes really bad and weird with people and also mean and cruel, even more so than Trump. They put all their chips on DeSantis before they knew who he was. That was a mistake because they dont have an alternative.

Theres only one lane in this Republican party. Thats the Trumpy lane and DeSantis is in that lane with Trump. His problem is he cant get past Trump but the base wants somebody like that and so theres no other alternative. Theyre really kind of screwed.

Ominously for DeSantis, the Fox News owner, Rupert Murdoch, who had previously given the governor copious airtime and favourable coverage, has reportedly gone cold on him and resigned himself to the prospect of another Trump nomination. Fox News this week unveiled a lineup of prime-time hosts who have lauded the former president.

Republicans are doing little to dispel an air of inevitability around the former president securing the nomination again. When it emerged this week that he faces a third indictment, this time over his attempt to subvert democracy, rivals including DeSantis again parroted his claim that the cases are politically motivated.

Kevin McCarthy, speaker of the House of Representatives, where Trump had notched far more endorsements than his rivals, told reporters: If you noticed recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for re-election. So what do they do now? Weaponize government to go after their number one opponent.

Just as in 2016, Trump is also benefiting from a divided opposition. Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, suggests that Never Trumpers coalesced around DeSantis too soon. The strategy shouldnt have been necessarily backing that horse but sitting out a little bit to see how the field settled, to see if someone would emerge. Then you come in.

Individual ambition has prevented Republicans from uniting around a strategy to stop Trump. Steele observed: The party was unwilling in the first instance to have a come to Jesus meeting with all the candidates other than Trump and say, OK, I get it, yall want to be president but none of you is going to get there if you all stand so I need one of you to do that duty. So that means the rest of you get behind that one.

Is it Nikki? [Haley] Were all behind Nikki. Is it Christie? Were all behind Christie. But one of you. And so thats the word we send out to the party faithful  At the end of the day, this game is about winning general elections, not winning primaries and the Republican party is stuck on winning primaries to prove a point. And whats that point? Oh, we lose general elections.

The election is still more than 470 days away and the race is far from done. During the 2008 election campaign, for example, Hillary Clinton appeared to have a decisive lead for the Democratic nomination over Barack Obama while the eventual Republican nominee, John McCain, did not emerge as the frontrunner until January 2008.

In theory, Trump should be vulnerable. He comes with excess personal baggage including legal troubles that appeared to converge this week with fresh momentum. On Tuesday Trump revealed that he had been named as a target in special counsel Jack Smiths investigation of interference in the 2020 election.

On the same day Dana Nessel, the attorney general of Michigan, announced criminal charges against 16 people who signed paperwork falsely claiming Trump won the election in that battleground state. Meanwhile Fani Willis, district attorney for Fulton county, Georgia, is preparing to present a case to a grand jury over Trumps election subversion efforts there.

Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution thinktank in Washington and former policy adviser to Bill Clinton, said: Theres still a chance that the steady drip, drip, drip of indictments and other problems will open up a larger portion of the party to an alternative because they see him as increasingly risky, as someone who might well not only be indicted but convicted of a major crime, or more than one, during the presidential campaign.

Will a lot of Republicans quietly come to the conclusion thats not a risk worth taking? I dont know. I find it very difficult to understand my own party and impossible to understand the other side.

Christie and other critics have also made the case that Trump is an electoral liability, pointing out that, after his narrow win in 2016, Republicans lost the White House, House and Senate. They did regain the House in last years midterms but underperformed expectations. Trumps campaigns are always risky and haphazard: he recently criticised Iowas popular governor, Kim Reynolds, for her seemingly cosy relationship with DeSantis while she purports to be neutral.

Related: Struggling DeSantis and Pence attack criminal justice law they championed

Several groups that oppose Trumps candidacy have begun spending big money on efforts to undermine his support. Win It Back Pac, an independent Super Pac with ties to the conservative Club for Growth Action, recently spent $3.6m on an advert that features a purported Trump supporter who has grown tired of the former presidents antics. Americans for Prosperity Action, part of a network founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, has also sought to weaken Trump through door knocking and phone calls.

But for now, Trump is still the 800lb gorilla of the Republican party. He is dominating polls, drawing huge crowds and shaping the narratives by which other candidates define themselves. Just as in past recent elections, that leaves Never Trump Republicans with few palatable options except to put country before party.

Walsh, the former congressman, said: If you really believe Trump is unfit then you have to do what me and Liz Cheney and so many others have done and thats just say were going to throw our support behind the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, even though it goes against our policy interests, because Trump has to be stopped. Clearly he cant be stopped in the primary so he has to be stopped in the general.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doubled down Monday in a letter to the Biden administration that Texas wont comply with the Department of Justices plans to sue the state for deploying a floating barricade at the southern border.

To end the risk that migrants will be harmed crossing the border illegally, you must fully enforce the laws of the United States that prohibit illegal immigration between ports of entry, Abbott said in the letter. In the meantime, Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused. Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.

The DOJ sent a letter to Abbott on Thursday disclosing its plans to sue Texas for deploying a floating barricade at the southern border, giving until Monday for Texas to comply and take down the barricade. Earlier this month, Texas set up miles of barriers using barbed wire and buoys in the river near Eagle Pass.

In their 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 governments official duties.

Abbott argued against claims that Texas marine barriers violate Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.

If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws, Abbott said in the letter. By doing so, you can help me stop migrants from wagering their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande River.
Students walk to and from classes on the Harvard University campus on June 29, 2023. [Photo/VCG]

U.S. President Joe Biden announced his third attempt to cancel student debt on July 15, following his previous failed attempt to convince Congress to pass a bill eliminating student debt. Then when that didn't work, he used executive actions to eliminate student debt for many.



Now the Supreme Court has ruled that Biden's debt-eliminating executive actions were unconstitutional, so Biden is trying a different avenue. He is relying on a 1965 law governing higher education to write off up to $20,000 of debt per student.

Student debt is bad in the United States. Over 45 million Americans  close to 14% of the population  have college debt, and the average debt load is $30,000 (215,400 yuan). The value of all outstanding student loans in the country has skyrocketed from $500 billion in 2006 to well over $1,750 billion in 2021. It has grown so rapidly that student loan debt has eclipsed auto loans and credit cards as the second-largest source of borrowers' debt in the United States, behind only mortgage debt.

Debt is crippling students' economic futures, according to Biden's argument. It is preventing them from buying homes, saving for retirement, and starting businesses. According to the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Council on Education, it is also disproportionately impacting different racial groups: 86% of Black students borrowed to attend college compared with 70% of white students. However, the percentage of Hispanic and Asian students who borrowed to attend college is actually lower than the percentage of white students who did so.

But Biden's plan only addresses the symptoms, not the underlying problem: Students have to borrow so much money to pay for college because college is so expensive.

The average four-year cost of a public university increased from $8,000 in 1980 to $24,000 in 2019. At the same time, many universities and schools have cut funding for students in need. Pell Grants, a federal program to subsidize tuition for the neediest of students, are capped at $6,000 a year, the same amount they were at in 1980.

Biden's White House wrote in a statement: "Pell Grants once covered nearly 80% of the cost of a four-year public college degree for students from working families, but now only cover a third."

So why doesn't Biden increase the cap on Pell Grant funding? Why doesn't he do something to limit the cost of college tuition in the first place?

In 2003, tuition for students attending state colleges in their home states cost $4,202 a year. By 2023, it cost $11,541 a year. Of course, it's worse for students attending universities in a different state, and it's much worse for private schools. The cost of private university education rose from $19,009 to $44,433 over that same time frame.

Tuition costs are so high that some students have to refrain from attending university or attend a less prestigious university than they would have preferred in order to avoid taking on debt.

Conservatives call it unfair; they say Biden's plan only rewards people who took on debt and doesn't help financially responsible taxpaying citizens. Even if their gripe rings true to some, it is also hypocritical of them to advocate for cutting funding to students at the state and federal levels. Their complaining won't help those deprived students afford college either.

Republican attorney generals and activist groups may also file lawsuits against the new debt cancellation plan, and it will be back in court. Biden won't be president forever, and he can't justify temporary programs indefinitely and continue to fight lawsuits.

If President Biden cuts the debt of those recently-graduated students who still haven't repaid their debt, it will help some, but it won't solve the problem. An estimated 15 to 20 million more Americans will enroll in college next year, and they will still need to pay these sky-high tuition.

Mitchell Blatt is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/MitchellBlatt.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
(Reuters) -An electric truck which was previously damaged reignited at Nikola's Phoenix, Arizona headquarters on Sunday afternoon but there were no injuries, the company said, sending shares down about 4% on Monday.

Nikola had reported a fire last month around its headquarters and said it suspects foul play behind the incident that affected multiple trucks.

"At approximately 2 pm today at Nikola HQ, one of the trucks that was previously damaged reignited. No one was injured and the fire was quickly contained," the company said.

The damaged trucks were kept at the company's Phoenix site for "safety monitoring and the ongoing investigations."

Earlier this month, Nikola said it will liquidate the assets of Romeo Power, an EV battery maker it acquired less than a year ago for $144 million. It had warned the move was in the offing in May.

The company reported in early July that retail sales of its trucks doubled to 66 in the second quarter, while the wholesale figure rose to 45 from 31.

(Reporting by Juby Babu and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
The claim: Putin invaded Ukraine to take out the main hub for bioweapons labs, child trafficking and money laundering

A July 17 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows an illustration of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a claim that he invaded Ukraine to take down crime.

I dont always invade Ukraine. But when I do, its to take out the NWOs bio weapons labs, child trafficking & money laundering main hub the text in the illustration reads. And oh, liberate the Ukrainian people!

The post was shared by Dr. Christiane Northrup, a retired celebrity physician who has regularly spread anti-vaccine misinformation. Northrups post gained more than 1,400 likes in two days.

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Our rating: False

This post misstates the reasons Putin put forth as justification for the Ukraine invasion, though Putin's real reasons have also been based on false claims. Statistics also show that Ukraine is far from the world's capital of money laundering or child trafficking. And the claim about bioweapons labs has been disproven as a conspiracy theory.

Putin's real reasons for the invasion

On the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched its invasion into Ukraine, with Putin dubbing it a special military operation.

Putin did not make any statement that Ukraine was the main hub for money laundering, child trafficking or bioweapons labs. But his stated reasons for invading were also false.

The purpose of this operation is to protect people who, for eight years now, have been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kyiv regime. To this end, we will seek to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine, as well as bring to trial those who perpetrated numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including against citizens of the Russian Federation, he said in a televised speech that day.

At that point, there was no evidence of genocide in Ukraine. United Nations statistics showed that the number of civilian deaths in Eastern Ukraine had fallen sharply from 2,084 in 2014 to 18 deaths in 2021. After the war began, however, the United Nations recorded 8,490 deaths from the start of the invasion up to April 2023.

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Putin also claimed in his speech that Ukraine is led by a neo-Nazi government. But experts have previously confirmed with USA TODAY that Ukraine is not under Nazi regime, and hasnt been since World War II. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish and has family members that were killed in the Holocaust.

So whats the real reason behind the invasion? Evidence shows its a land grab. Putin does not consider Ukraine to be its own country, even though it became an independent nation from the Soviet Union in 1991.

I want the authorities in Kyiv and their real overlords in the West to hear me: The residents of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson are becoming our citizens, NPR reported Putin as saying after he illegally annexed those territories. Forever.

Fact check: Putin's claims justifying war in Ukraine are baseless, experts say

Bioweapons claim is still wrong

Bioweapons and biolabs are two words tied to a conspiracy theory spread by Russia, China and right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, among others, who have all said the United States government funded bioweapons labs and research in Ukraine.

That's a stark misrepresentation of a 2005 treaty between the U.S. and Ukraine. The treaty aimed to prevent biological threats, not create them.

The labs referenced in the treaty are funded and operated by the Ukrainian government. The United States agreed to provide assistance to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine at no cost. The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine denounced the bioweapon disinformation in an April 2020 statement.

The post references the "NWO's bio weapons labs." NWO stands for "new world order," which references a long-debunked conspiracy theory that a group of global elites plan to take over and establish a one-world government.

Ukraine far from being world capital of money laundering

It's difficult to track and rank countries in relation to money laundering, because it takes place under the radar, said Tom Cardamone, president and CEO of Global Financial Integrity, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that focuses on corruption and money laundering.

So educated guesses can be made, but definitely saying country X is the money laundering capital of the world would not be accurate, Cardamone said.

The Basel Institute on Governance, a nonprofit research organization in Switzerland, monitors the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing across the world based on a jurisdictions vulnerability to these financial crimes and its ability to counter it. In 2022, Basel gave Ukraine a risk score of 5.09 out of 10, placing it in the middle of the 128 ranked countries. The highest score went to The Democratic Republic of the Congo, at 8.3 out of 10.

Ukraine wasnt 'main hub' for child trafficking

The U.S. State Department ranked Ukraine as a Tier 2 country in its 2023 Trafficking in Persons global report. Tier 2 countries don't fully meet minimum requirements to eliminate human trafficking as required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance."

And the war is making this worse, not better. The State Department wrote that the Russian governments ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine creates significant vulnerabilities to trafficking for the millions of refugees who have fled Ukraine and for the internally displaced persons and others in need of humanitarian aid and protection assistance within Ukraine.

Kristen Leanderson Abrams, senior director of combatting human trafficking at the Washington, D.C.-based McCain Institute, said she has no reason to believe that Russia invaded Ukraine because it was the "main hub" for child sex trafficking.

In reality, Russias invasion has created additional vulnerability among Ukrainian children  particularly those who might have been displaced, she said.

USA TODAY reached out to Northrup, who shared the post, for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Viral post misstates reasons for Ukraine invasion | Fact check
The adas polo dish at Noosh Afghan Cuisine on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Lansing.

DELTA TWP.  Khalid Mahmood was nine years old when his family moved from Kabul, Afghanistan, to mid-Michigan in 2001. He spent his middle school years learning to speak English and adjusting to a new culture.

But Afghan cuisine was always a constant at home. His mother, Nafessa, served lamb and beef kabobs and "chaplee," a spicy beef patty with qabli plow, rice served with sauteed carrots and raisins.

Authentic Afghan cuisine "is very unique and very different from all Middle Eastern Mediterranean food," because of the techniques and spices used to make the dishes, Mahmood, 32, said.

"I grew up eating this food and I love it," he added.

Mahmood, who graduated from East Lansing High School and lives in Okemos, thinks Greater Lansing will, too. Noosh Afghan Cuisine, his family's new restaurant in Delta Township, opened Saturday, offering authentic Afghan dishes.

The right location

Khalid Mahmood, right, helps a customer at his family's new restaurant, Noosh Afghan Cuisine, on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Lansing.

The approximately 2,000-square-foot storefront Noosh occupies at 603 N. Waverly Road was previously home to Nola Bistro, which closed in April.

Mahmood had been looking for the right space for a restaurant since early this year. Setting up the eatery on the west side of the Lansing area is perfect, he said.

"The location is really great," he said, and it offers enough space for 75 seats inside and a few tables for outdoor seating.

A kabob plate at Noosh Afghan Cuisine on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Lansing.

At the heart of the menu are traditional Afghan rice, beef, chicken and lamb dishes. Many of them are made with coriander, cardamom or dried mint, Mahmood said.

"These are family recipes but also traditional Afghan recipes," he said, including firni, a pudding or custard. "It's sweet and has pistachios on top with cardamom."

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'Mom's cooking'

A sign in the window at Noosh Afghan Cuisine on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Lansing.

When Mark Mazurkiewicz of Lansing visited Noosh Afghan Cuisine on Saturday he wanted to try a few dishes he couldn't get anywhere else. That included the qabli plow and burani, fried eggplant with garlic yogurt sauce. Neither disappointed him.

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"The eggplant one was definitely on the shortlist for when we go back," he said. "I'm definitely going to be heading back there again. It's nice having that variety and new places to try out new cuisines in the area that you just don't see everywhere."

When Mahmood was a teenager he preferred eating at home.

"You know, most kids would want to go out and eat and stuff but I just love my mom's cooking because I love our culture and our tastes," he said. "Just the way we cook our food, it's something I wanted to bring to the community."

Nafessa and Mahmood's two sisters, Mina and Sahar, are also involved in the business, he said.

The dining area at the new restaurant Noosh Afghan Cuisine on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Lansing.

He hopes Noosh is the first in a line of locations throughout the area and Michigan.

"I'm hoping for people to enjoy the food and learn more about our culture and Afghanistan," Mahmood said. "As we grow at the restaurant, I'm looking forward to more locations."

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Noosh Afghan Cuisine opens in Delta Township
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast Monday, following the arrival of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea earlier in the day.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. The submarine that arrived Monday is the second major U.S. vessel deployed to South Korea, following one docked last week that is capable of firing nuclear ballistic missiles.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the latest missiles were fired consecutively just before midnight from near North Koreas capital. Both missiles, according to the joint chiefs, traveled about 248 miles before landing in the waters off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula.

South Koreas military condemned the launches as a grave provocation threatening regional peace and stability. It said U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials were analyzing the launches and were working together to tighten monitoring of North Korean military moves.

North Koreas apparent act of retaliation is the third round of weapons testing since last week. Pyongyang responded to the arrival of the nuclear-capable U.S. submarine in South Korea last week  the first such docking in decades  by firing test ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

The North Korean defense minister also issued a threat saying the docking of the nuclear-capable submarine could be grounds for North Korea to use nuclear weapons.

Earlier Monday, the U.N. Command said it has begun conversations with North Korea about U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border into North Korea last week and was subsequently detained. U.S. officials have expressed concern for his well-being, but U.N. officials have declined to say what they know about his condition.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast late on Monday, South Korea's military said, hours after a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in a naval base in the South.

Japan's defence ministry also reported the launch of what it said were two ballistic missiles by North Korea, both of which fell outside its exclusive economic zone.

The launches come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula as South Korea and the United States take steps to increase their military readiness against North Korea's weapons programme with the deployment of U.S. strategic military assets.

North Korea has reacted angrily, saying such a deployment could meet the criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

The United States said it was consulting closely with its allies about the North Korean missile launches, which it described as being destabilising.

In a statement on Monday, the U.S. military added the launches posed no immediate threat to U.S. personnel and territory or to U.S. allies.

Earlier on Monday, a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine entered a naval base in South Korea's southern island of Jeju to load military supplies while on an unspecified operational mission, the South Korean navy said.

Over the weekend, the North fired a barrage of cruise missiles into the sea off its west coast.

Last week, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests after a nuclear-armed U.S. submarine arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980s.

(Reporting by Jack Kim in Seoul, Chang-Ran Kim in Tokyo and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Alison Williams, Andrew Heavens and Chris Reese)
North Korea has test-fired multiple missiles including ICBMs, according to South Korean and Japanese military officials, in the weeks leading up to the 70th anniversary of the end of fighting in the Korean War (Sazali Ahmad)

Pyongyang conducted twin missile launches late Monday, ahead of Korean War anniversary celebrations that will be attended by Chinese dignitaries in the first foreign delegation visit to the country since its 2020 pandemic border closure.

South Korea's defence ministry described the two projectiles as ballistic missiles that flew about 400 kilometers (248 miles) before falling into the sea, according to reports by news agency Yonhap of South Korea and Japan's Kyodo.

"Our military detected two ballistic missiles North Korea fired from areas near Pyongyang into the East Sea at 11:55 pm on the 24th and at midnight of the 25th," Yonhap quoted South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying.

The launches were the latest in a series of weapons tests in recent weeks by Pyongyang, and come as Seoul and Washington ramp up defence cooperation in the face of soaring tensions with the North.

Last week South Korea hosted a visit by a US nuclear-capable submarine, the first deployment there by such a nuclear-armed American vessel in decades.

And in a move that likely further provoked the North, a second US submarine, the nuclear-powered USS Annapolis, arrived at a South Korean naval base around the time of Monday's missile launches, according to Yonhap.

The reclusive North Korean regime routinely conducts weapons tests, and the launches come days after leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the latest firing of the country's newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the solid-fuel Hwasong-18.

Relations between the two Koreas are currently at one of their lowest historical points, as diplomacy between Pyongyang and Seoul has stalled and Kim has called for ramping up weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In efforts to bolster deterrence, Seoul and Washington have staged joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets.

The White House took issue with Pyongyang's latest action, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying "we certainly condemn the DPRK's ballistic missile launches," referring to North Korea by the acronym of its formal name.

Story continues

The missile tests "pose a threat to the DPRK's neighbors and the international community," Jean-Pierre said, adding: "Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad."

- Significant visit -

Monday's launches come ahead of celebrations in North Korea this week marking the 70th anniversary of the end of fighting in the Korean War.

A Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong will travel to the North for the event, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported, in what is the first known visit by a foreign delegation since the start of the pandemic.

North Korea has been under a rigid self-imposed coronavirus blockade since early 2020 to protect itself from Covid-19, only resuming some trade with China last year.

An armistice agreement ending Korean War hostilities was signed on July 27, 1953 but the two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice and not a peace treaty.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula also have ratcheted up recently due to the disappearance of a US soldier, Travis King, who was on a tour of the demilitarized zone last week when he ran across the border into North Korea.

The UN Command, a US-led multinational force that oversees the Korean War truce, said Monday it has begun discussions with Pyongyang over the missing American serviceman.

bur-dhw-mlm/nro
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Monday, according to South Korea's military. The launch appears to be a reaction to a US nuclear-powered submarine's recent arrival at a South Korean military base.

The reports were corroborated by Japan's defence ministry, which also detected a launch of what it said could be a ballistic missile by North Korea. Japanese media reports citing a government source claimed that the nation may have launched multiple missiles.

The missile launch is the latest incident during a period of high tension on the Korean peninsula. The US and South Korea are increasing their military readiness against North Korea's weapons programmes, which includes an increase in US military assets in the region, according to Reuters.

Pyongyang reacted to the ramp-up by claiming that the US and South Koreas actions may meet its standards to justify the use of nuclear weapons.

US officials said they were in close contact with allies concerning the missile launches. On Monday US military officials said the launches posed no immediate threats to US personnel and territory or to US allies, though they did say the launches were a destabilising force in the region.

The US sub arrived at a South Korea naval base on the southern island of Jeju on Monday, where it was scheduled to collect military supplies on an unspecified operational mission, according to a statement from the South Korean navy.

This is the second time in the last seven days that North Korea has fired off missiles. It shot another barrage of missiles into the sea off its west coast over the weekend. The nation also conducted ballistic missile tests last week after a US nuclear-armed sub arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980's.

The launches come as US officials are attempting to negotiate the release of Travis King from North Korean custody. Mr King is a US Army private who fled across the border after spending 47 days in detainment in South Korea for alleged assault and destruction of property.
A destination community on the North Shore of Massachusetts has been recognized in a big way.

CNN recently published a list highlighting 15 of Americas best small towns and cities, and a bustling seaport on Cape Ann made the cut.

Gloucester was the lone New England city to land among CNNs top diminutive destinations.

The Essex County city is famed as the base for National Geographics Wicked Tuna, the setting for many films including The Perfect Storm, and the iconic greasy pole at St. Peters festival, among many other things.

Every visit to Gloucester should include fresh-off-the-boat seafood, a stop to explore the Rocky Neck art colony, and a promenade along the Western Harbor all the way out to Stage Fort Park, CNN wrote. Between whale watching and schooner tours, there are plenty of ways to get out on the water.

CNN recommended that visitors stay at the Beauport Hotel and the Harborview Inn when in the city.

Boston 25 will be visiting Gloucester for a Zip Trip on Friday, Aug. 4.

Other destinations that made the list are as follows:

Saranac Lake, New York

New Bern, North Carolina

Beaufort, South Carolina

Metropolis, Illinois

Mackinac Island Village, Michigan

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Marfa, Texas

Taos, New Mexico

Whitefish, Montana

Moab, Utah

Friday Harbor, Washington

Julian, California

Volcano, Hawaii

McCarthy, Alaska

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New allegations of hazing at Northwestern University. Wildfires in Greece at the height of tourist season. And Twitter waves bye-bye to the bird logo.

 Hey! Laura Davis here. Lets get you caught up on Mondays news.

 But first: It's a ruff job. And with marijuana being legalized in more states, many K-9 cops are headed for retirement.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

New lawsuit filed in Northwestern hazing scandal

A fourth former Northwestern football player filed a lawsuit against the school Monday, accusing it of negligence while providing the most detailed account yet of alleged hazing within the football program. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of former Wildcats player Lloyd Yates includes claims that members of the coaching staff were aware of hazing acts  and, in some instances, subjected to them as well. Monday's lawsuit is the fourth known complaint filed against Northwestern over the hazing scandal, but the first with a named plaintiff. Here's what we know.

Northwestern hazing was a horror show. If it's happening elsewhere, players must speak up. | Opinion

Standing with other former Northwestern University athletes, Lloyd Yates, right, speaks during a press conference addressing widespread hazing accusations at the school.

Bye-bye, birdie

Elon Musk has officially changed Twitters logo from the iconic blue bird to a black-and-white X  the latest big change since he bought the company for $44 billion last year. On Monday, Musk posted a photo of the X projected on Twitters San Francisco headquarters as the new logo appeared on the desktop version of Twitter. Musk announced his plan to change the logo in a series of tweets over the weekend and asked users to design a different logo that, if "good enough," would go live worldwide. The bird is still prominent on the mobile app, but according to Musk, not for long. So, what is X? Here's what to expect from the rebrand.

The new Twitter logo rebranded as X.

What everyone's talking about

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Israel passes controversial reforms despite mass protests

Israel's parliament approved divisive legislation Monday that remakes part of the countrys justice system. The law weakens Supreme Court oversight of the government, a move that critics claim will erode Israel's democracy and threatens the secular character of its state institutions. It was approved despite months of protests, the biggest in Israel's history, that have engulfed the nation's military, business and legal communities. The divisive judicial overhaul is being driven by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties. Here's what we know.

A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a sit-in to block the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Monday in Jerusalem.

Thousands flee historic Greek blazes

Scores of wildfires on three Greek islands have consumed homes, hotels and businesses in the peak tourism season, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee to safety Monday. An estimated that 32,000 "precautionary evacuations" were carried out over the weekend on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia. The fires, some of which may have been started by arson, are being fueled by high winds and an unrelenting pattern of brutal heat waves. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of "more difficult days" ahead because of soaring temperatures. "We are at war against the fires," Mitsotakis said. Follow our live coverage.

A resident tries to extinguish the flames at the yard of a house on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. She loves new Twitter pals and emails from readers: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Northwestern hazing, Twitter rebrand, Greece wildfires: Monday's news
[Source]

Volleyball players from all over North America competed in this years New York Mini (NYMini) nine-man volleyball tournament over the weekend.

Key details: The two-day event, which ran from Saturday to Sunday, was held at four different locations across New York Citys Chinatown.

According to the events organizers, 100 teams registered for the tournament. Toronto Connex A won overall in the men's division, while Toronto Storm X won overall in the women's division.

The 35th NYMini Volleyball Tournament reportedly served as a tune-up for this year's North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament (NACIVT). The event will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, from Sept. 3 to Sept. 4.

More from NextShark: 'The Shonited States of America': Shohei Ohtani is the US' favorite baseball player

A different set of rules: As its name implies, nine-man volleyball consists of nine players on each side of the court. Typical volleyball games consist of six players on each side.

In addition, nine-man volleyball also does not have a rotation system. Each player typically specializes in two to three positions on the court.

Teams interested in participating in the NYMini nine-man volleyball tournament must have at least six players who are of "100 percent" Chinese descent, while the remaining players must be of Asian descent, according to NACIVT rules.

More from NextShark: Video: Tokyo Disneyland cast members tackle parade crasher

History of the sport: The sport reportedly originated in Taishan, a coastal city in Guangdong province, years after volleyball was introduced to China by American missionaries in the early 20th century. Some of the city residents who would go on to immigrate to the United States brought the new sport with them.

Chinese immigrants in the U.S. purportedly used the sport to blow off steam after work and to form connections with other immigrants.

Sports journalist Ursula Liang, who directed the award-winning 2014 documentary 9-Man, told Latitude News that Chinese immigrants would use towels wrapped with string as their balls.

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More from NextShark: Japanese snowboarder Ayumu Hirano grabs gold with sensational runs that saw Olympics' first triple corks

By the 1930s, some teams from Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, would reportedly gather in parking lots or their local YMCA during Labor Day to play nine-man volleyball. It was not until 1944 that the groups started their own national tournament.

More from NextShark: 'Made the country proud': Elton John, Vera Wang, Donovan Mitchell congratulate Nathan Chen on Olympic gold
China, Kenya agree to deepen Belt and Road cooperation

Xinhua) 09:10, July 24, 2023

Kenyan President William Ruto meets with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, in Nairobi, Kenya, July 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

NAIROBI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday met here with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, with both sides pledging to deepen Belt and Road cooperation.

Ruto asked Wang, also director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, to convey his cordial greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Noting that Kenya-China relations have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, Ruto said strengthening friendly cooperation with China has become a consensus shared by all sectors in the country.

Ruto highly praised China's efforts in growing relations with Kenya based on the principle of mutual respect. Kenya is firmly committed to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, and is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges, deepen cooperation in such fields as railway, highway, water conservancy, aviation and renewable energy under the frameworks of Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in order to promote connectivity and regional integration in Africa and achieve win-win results, Ruto said.

The Kenya president said that his country supports and will actively participate in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China.

For his part, Wang conveyed Xi's sincere regards to Ruto. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, China and Kenya have treated each other as equals, supported each other and jointly strived for revitalization, Wang said, noting that the two countries have become good friends sharing political mutual trust and good partners engaged in win-win cooperation.

China approaches relations with Kenya from a strategic perspective, and is willing to work with Kenya to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point to align their strategies for revitalization with a focus on development and cooperation, and push their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level in the new era, Wang said.

The two sides should strengthen the strategic guidance of their leaders, enhance political mutual trust and increase exchanges between governments and political parties in various fields, Wang said.

China firmly supports Kenya in safeguarding its sovereign independence and national dignity, fighting terrorism and taking a development path in line with its own national conditions, he added.

China is willing to actively promote cooperation with Kenya in railway, highway, aviation, information and other fields while jointly advancing Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative and the "nine programs" of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, so as to help Kenya advance its economic and social development and promote regional integration in Africa, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Kenya to practice multilateralism, preserve the central role of the United Nations in international affairs and the common interests of developing countries, promote the implementation of the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa and safeguard regional peace and development, Wang said.

On the same day, Wang also met with Alfred Mutua, cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
 Flash

A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Madagascar from Thursday to Saturday.

During the visit, Liu met with President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, President of the Senate Herimanana Razafimahefa, President of the National Assembly Christine Razanamahasoa, Foreign Minister Yvette Sylla, and Pierre Holder Ramaholimasy, national coordinator of the IRD. He also held talks with representatives of local Chinese companies and Chinese communities.

The two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between political parties and legislatures, enhance people-to-people exchanges, increase mutual learning on state governance, closely synergize development strategies and promote Belt and Road cooperation, so as to jointly step forward toward modernization and bring China-Madagascar relations to a new level.
Dozens convened Saturday at West Side Missionary Baptist Church to rally and strategize against the Port of Oakland becoming a coal transport hub.

A coal port proposal in Oakland is the target of a renewed campaign by area activists, who have been fighting against it for 10 years due to environmental concerns.

Several dozen residents convened Saturday at West Side Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland to rally and hear strategies to stop the city from turning into the East Bay coal transportation center. According to The Mercury News, theyre concerned that the presence of coal dust will worsen the regions already severe pollution problems brought on by the Port of Oaklands high ship and truck traffic.

The No Coal in Oakland protest comes a few weeks after the start of a trial to decide whether or not a plan to construct a sizable coal port close to the base of the Bay Bridge may proceed.

Residents are fighting against a coal hub in West Oakland, citing concerns about the areas already severe pollution brought on by the high truck and ship traffic surrounding the Port of Oakland. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/KPIX | CBS News Bay Area)

No longer can communities be used as toxic waste dumps so people can make a whole lot of money and not care about our health, said the Rev. Ken Chambers, pastor of West Side Missionary Baptist Church and founder and president of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County.

The situation began in 2013 when the city permitted West Oakland developer Phil Tagami to construct a sizable marine terminal for bulk cargo. The Oakland City Council learned about Tagamis plans to use the facility to ship coal mined in Utah two years later. In 2016, the City Council decided to outlaw the handling and storage of coal inside the city limits, partly because of community objections.

Following the ban, Tagami successfully sued the city, claiming that the transportation of coal did not represent a significant health risk.

In 2018, Oakland filed a lawsuit claiming that by not meeting the construction milestones, Tagami and his business partner, Insight Terminal Solutions, violated their lease terms.

The pending trial will have a county judge decide if  and how  the project may proceed.

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Margaret Rossoff, an activist for No Coal in Oakland, said Saturdays rally was meant to enlist new supporters and highlight residents continued opposition to coal. Health professionals and local community leaders discussed coals effects on humans and its role in climate change.

Heavys industry presence has long impacted West Oakland, a neighborhood with more particulate matter in the air than other county areas due to the proximity of an interstate highway, rail lines and the port.

If Oakland loses in court, developers may build a massive coal terminal instead of coal phasing out nationwide, as is trending. The city of Richmond has recently successfully banned the handling and shipping of coal within its city boundaries, with California planning to stop all coal imports there by 2027.

The West Oakland community has made it clear that it will not support the use of its vicinity for coal-related activities, regardless of the outcome of the legal proceedings. Even if the present case is unsuccessful, the protest organizers said they regard Saturdays gathering as the beginning of a new age of opposition.

For Chambers  who has battled cancer four times, has children who grew up with asthma and a granddaughter on dialysis  a coal terminal in West Oakland is simply out of the question.

The court can rule however they want, but its the community thats going to make the difference, said Chambers, The Mercury News reported. Its the community thats going to stop this.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is taking part in what shes dubbed hot labor summer, appearing on the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America (WGA) picket line Monday outside of Netflixs Manhattan offices.

We have workers all across the country  either currently on strike or gearing up to be on strike  because at the end of the day we are all facing the same challenge, which is an unacceptable, unprecedented concentration of wealth and corporate greed in America, Ocasio-Cortez said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

But we know that the way that we bust that up is by standing together in solidarity, Ocasio-Cortez said.

Noting another potential strike after talks between shipping giant UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters fell apart earlier this month, Ocasio-Cortez exclaimed, Your fight right here is whats gonna bust this thing wide open.

Direct action gets the goods, now and always, she told the crowd to cheers.

The only way that we can do this is by showing them that we are stronger  that our solidarity is stronger than their greed, that our care for one another will overcome their endless desire for more, the 33-year-old lawmaker said.

The WGA strike began in May, while SAG-AFTRA, the actors guild, started its own in mid-July. Both of Hollywoods two striking unions are attempting to gain wage increases and better working conditions for their members.

Ocasio-Cortez, a then-political newcomer, was the focus of a 2019 documentary that aired on Netflix, called Knock Down the House.

Outside Netflixs offices Monday, she condemned greedy CEOs and other corporate executives.

Frankly, while this is a fight against AI, Ocasio-Cortez said, referring to artificial intelligence, which the unions have said is a potential threat to its members livelihoods, more than AI, this is a fight against greed.

This is a fight against the endless pursuit of more wealth.

Updated at 3:33 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Video from the highway patrol shows Rose screaming as the dog appears to bite and yank him by his arm. Get it off! he shouts repeatedly.

An Ohio police canine attacked a Black man who had his hands raised during a July 4 traffic stop after he surrendered.

Jadarrius Rose, 23, was operating a semi-tractor trailer on U.S. Route 35 when an Ohio State Highway Patrol inspector for motor carrier enforcement attempted to pull him over because of a missing left rear mud flap, according to NBC News.

Law enforcement deployed stop sticks twice before Roses vehicle came to a halt on Route 23.

Jadarrius Rose, 23, who was operating a semi-tractor trailer on U.S. Route 35, is shown being detained by Ohio State Highway Patrol after a Circleville officer sicced a police dog on him. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/WKYC Channel 3)

After several times of being ordered to exit the vehicle, the suspect exited the vehicle from the drivers side door, the incident report said, NBC reported. The driver was given orders to get down on the ground, and the suspect would not comply.

Video made public by the highway patrol shows Rose standing in front of officers with his hands raised.

A Circleville Police Department officer identified as R. Speakman orders Rose to go on the ground or youre gonna get bit, while a highway patrol officer instructs the 23-year-old to come to me.

A trooper repeatedly warns Speakman not to let the dog loose while Roses hands are raised. However, Speakman proceeds to release his K9.

As Speakman releases the dog, the footage shows, it races toward Rose, who drops to his knees.

The video shows Rose screaming as the dog appears to bite and yank him by his arm. Get it off! he shouts repeatedly.

Get the dog off of him! a trooper yells as other police officers call for a first aid kit.

The highway patrol stated that troopers immediately started administering first aid and calling for EMS help. After being treated at a medical center, Rose was charged with failure to comply with police orders but is no longer in custody, according to NBC, which also said Rose and his attorney declined to comment.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan E. Purpura said the case is under investigation. Its unclear whether the Circleville officer responsible for directing the dog to attack Rose faces disciplinary action.

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Fees and rates paid by oil and gas companies that use public lands in New Mexico and across the U.S. to drill for fossil fuels could be raised by the federal government via a rule proposed Thursday.

The proposal by the Bureau of Land Management sought to codify higher royalty and rental rates operators pay to drill on federal land, drawing a mixed reaction from environmental groups in New Mexico where most fossil fuel development occurs on public land.

The Bureau of Land Management proposed Thursday to revise its oil and gas leasing system, raising royalty rates for federal land leases to 16.67 percent from the previous rate of 12.5 percent, and establishing the new rate as the minimum after Aug. 16, 2032.

The BLM also sought to raise bonding requirements to $150,000 for single leases and $500,000 for leases statewide, money paid by operators and used by the government to clean up wells should they be abandoned.

More: New Mexico to investigate PFAS 'forever chemicals' in oil and gas drilling after petition

The agency argued the current minimum bonding rate of $10,000 was no longer adequate to cover the costs, read a BLM announcement of the proposal.

Minimum bids in federal land lease auctions would be raised under the proposal, and expressions of interest filed by oil companies to add tracts of lands to auction would incur a fee of $5 per acre.

This came as the BLM planned to offer more public lands in New Mexico for lease to oil companies, with an auction scheduled for November to offer about 433 acres for oil production in Eddy and Lea counties.

More: Oil company's mineral rights in Eddy County upheld by New Mexico Supreme Court

Page Knight, senior research and policy analyst at New Mexico Voices for Children said during a Friday press conference that the increased bonding and royalty rates were needed action to hold the industry accountable.

Higher royalty and rental rates, she said, would provide American taxpayers with fair returns for access to publicly owned natural resources.

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We were all taught at a young age then we make a mess, we need to take responsibility and clean up after ourselves. These reforms are especially important because we know orphaned wells and infrastructure threaten the help of our families and communities, Knight said.

We know that updating the federal royalty and rental rates is an important step to making sure the oil and gas industry pays its fair share.

More: Natural gas production set to rise, oil production declines in Permian Basin region

Melissa Hornbein, senior attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center questioned the proposal as lacking any directive to phase out oil and gas production she said was driving a climate crisis.

Following months of consecutive climate disasters, the Bureau of Land Managements determination to rearrange deck chairs instead of deploying lifeboats is deeply disturbing, she said.

Coming from an administration that kicked off its tenure with some of the loftiest climate rhetoric of any government on the global stage, Interiors obdurate reaffirmation of the status quo is staggering.

More: New Mexico could get another $25 million in federal funds to clean up abandoned oil wells

Jamie Williams at the Wilderness Society said the rule would help move the federal government toward a priority for conservation, rather than economic benefits brought by fossil fuel markets.

The BLMs proposal did contain language intended to shift oil and gas operations away from sensitive, unused areas and consolidate operations in locations already being used.

For far too long, federal public land policies have prioritized fossil fuel companies profits at the expense of communities wellbeing and public lands themselves, Williams said.

The proposed Oil and Gas Rule is an important step towards the BLM taking a more holistic conservation, climate and community-centric approach to managing public lands.

More: $300 million Permian Basin oil and gas sale closes as company exits Eagle Ford

In a statement, BLM Directory Tracy Stone-Manning said the updated rules would provide a better return for taxpayers from oil and gas operations on federal land, and a pathway to shift the U.S. toward lower-pollution.

This proposal to update BLMs oil and gas program aims to ensure fairness to the taxpayer and balanced, responsible development as we continue to transition to a clean energy economy, Stone-Manning said. It includes common sense and needed fiscal revisions to BLMs program, many directed by Congress.

The American Petroleum Institute (API), a national oil and gas trade group, opposed the reforms and described them as a barrier to U.S. energy development.

More: About half of New Mexico's budget is reliant on the oil and gas industry, report says

Amidst a global energy crisis, this action from the Department of the Interior is yet another attempt to add even more barriers to future energy production, increases uncertainty for producers and may further discourage oil and natural gas investment, read a statement from the API.

This is a concerning approach from an administration that has repeatedly acted to restrict essential energy development.

In a poll released Wednesday by the API and conducted by Morning Consult of 2,003 registered voter nationwide showed 90 percent of respondents believed oil and gas production was important to the U.S. economy.

More: Oil and gas industry opposes federal conservation proposal, New Mexico voices support

Another 85 percent of those polled believed oil and gas produced in the U.S. makes the nation more secure against adversaries like China and Russia.

API CEO Mike Sommers said the poll indicated Americans largely supported the domestic fossil fuel industry and policy that would support its growth.

American voters understand and support the critical role the natural gas and oil industry plays in powering our nations economy, he said. Its time for Congress and the administration to build on recent momentum and continue to drive improvements to our permitting process that enable American energy to serve as a foundation for long-term economic growth and energy security.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Oil and gas industry in New Mexico could see higher land rates
George Alagiah was a popular and reassuring presence behind a BBC News desk for more than 20 years, his unflappable demeanour making him a hit with viewers.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and was one of the broadcasters leading foreign correspondents, filing dispatches on subjects ranging from the Rwandan genocide to civil wars across Africa.

Alagiah was born in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo in 1955 when the city was still considered part of the former British territory of Ceylon.

BBC newsreader George Alagiah has passed away (PA Media)

During the BBCs coverage of the 2004 Asian tsunami, he returned to the country to find that his grandfathers former home had been destroyed in the natural disaster.

Alagiah was forced to take a break from television following his bowel cancer diagnosis in 2014 and shared updates as he battled the disease, including in June 2020 when he revealed it had spread to his lungs.

Alagiah spent part his of childhood in Ghana in west Africa where he moved with his engineer father Donald and mother Therese.

He moved to the UK to attend secondary school in Portsmouth after which he read politics at Durham University.

During his studies at Durham he was the editor of the student paper and a sabbatical officer of the students union.

It was there that he met his wife Frances Robathan. The couple married in 1984 and share two sons Adam and Matthew.

Before starting with the BBC, Alagiah was based in Johannesburg as developing world correspondent for South Magazine.

He was part of the BBC team that won a Bafta Award in 2000 for its reporting of the conflict in Kosovo, one of several prizes he received during his broadcasting career.

After first presenting BBC Four News in 2002 he went on to co-anchor the corporations 6pm news bulletin, first alongside Sophie Raworth and then Natasha Kaplinsky.

Alagiah was one the BBCs longest-serving newsreaders (Press Association Images)

From 2007 he was the programmes sole presenter while he was also a relief presenter for News at Ten.

He interviewed several world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

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In 2008, he was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

The following year he was asked by the BBCs management to step down from his role as a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation.

The corporation explained that based on its principles of impartiality his role with the group represented a professional conflict of interest.

It was first announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It was later revealed the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

After undergoing treatment he revealed on social media in October 2015 that he would return to work, subsequently appearing on-screen in November.

Posing with his OBE in 2008 (PA Archive)

An ever-popular presenter, his return was welcomed by viewers and his fellow journalists, including presenters of competing news programmes.

In 2016, Alagiah said he was a richer person for his cancer diagnosis, which saw him undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations, one of which included the removal of most of his liver.

Alagiahs health was back in the headlines in March 2020, when amid a global pandemic he tested positive for Covid-19.

He credited his experience of fighting cancer with helping him deal with the mild case of coronavirus.

In June 2020, Alagiah revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs but delivered a typically philosophical judgment.

He told the Times newspaper: My doctors have never used the word chronic or cure about my cancer.

Theyve never used the word terminal either. Ive always said to my oncologist, Tell me when I need to sort my affairs out, and hes not told me that, but what he did tell me is that the cancer is now in a third organ. It is in my lungs.

Alagiah said he had kept the development a secret, only telling his editor.

He said: I said to my doctor, Youre going to have to do the worrying for me. I dont want to fill my mind with worry. I just know that hes a clever guy, doing everything he can.

The presenter fought a long battle against cancer (BBC)

In October 2021, a representative for Alagiah announced that he would be taking a step back from his presenting and journalism duties as he deals with a further spread of cancer.

During an interview in January 2022, Alagiah spoke candidly about his long battle with cancer, saying it will get me in the end, before adding Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.

Despite his matter of fact approach to the disease, Alagiah remained positive when reflecting on his career and family life.

I had to stop and say, Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?, he said.

He added: And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances Robathan), whos now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up it didnt feel like a failure.

Alagiah temporarily returned to BBC News At Six in April 2022.

However, in October he once again announced that he had been forced to take time away from his work after scans showed that the cancer had spread further.

While sharing the news, Alagiah said: A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so its back to some tough stuff.

Im missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

I look forward to being back in that studio as soon as I can.

Away from journalism, Alagiah was a published author and his debut novel was shortlisted for a Society Of Authors award.

His thriller The Burning Land, about corruption and homicide in South Africa, was in the running for the Paul Torday memorial prize, which is awarded to a first novel by a writer over 60.

Paying tribute to his colleague on Monday, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.
A child carries bags with bread as he walks in a street in Khartoum on June 20, 2023 (-)

One Sudanese child has been killed or wounded every hour on average during the country's brutal war that has now raged for 100 days, the UN children's agency said Monday.

The army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary forces of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo have been locked into a battle to "win or die" since April 15.

UNICEF said it had documented "2,500 severe violations of children's rights -- an average of at least one an hour" since the fighting began.

The agency said at least 435 children had been killed and 2,025 injured, but added that the true figure was likely far higher.

Another 14 million children are in need of humanitarian support, according to the agency.

"Every day children are being killed, injured, abducted and seeing the schools, hospitals and the vital infrastructure and life-saving supplies they rely on damaged, destroyed or looted," said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations.

"Parents and grandparents who lived through previous cycles of violence are now having to watch their children and grandchildren experience similar horrific experiences."

- 'Brink of collapse' -

At least 3,900 people of all ages have been killed across Sudan in the conflict, according to a conservative estimate.

More than 3.3 million have fled their homes, 700,000 of them to foreign countries. Millions more have been plunged into hunger.

Now, over half of Sudan's 48 million people need humanitarian aid to survive, but the UN and aid groups are struggling to help due to a lack of permits from the authorities and of funding from international donors.

According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, Sudan is "on the brink of collapse, grappling with an unprecedented series of crises".

"Sudan was already facing an overwhelming and vastly neglected humanitarian crisis before the war broke out. The first 100 days of fighting have brought it to catastrophic levels."

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The situation is expected to worsen during the rainy season which heightens the risk of flood, famine and the spread of diseases including malaria and cholera.

- 'None will return' -

Sudan's war has sparked fears it will destabilise the wider region.

One of the top army commanders, Yasser Atta, fiercely criticized Kenya on Sunday over a proposal to consider sending African peacekeepers to Sudan.

"Let Kenya send its army and the armies of the countries that support it, along with all other mercenaries. None of their men will return," he declared to his forces.

Some of the fiercest fighting has raged in the capital Khartoum, where the army has launched air strikes to try to dislodge the paramilitary RSF.

The army has also tried to cut off supplies to the RSF from the southern region of Darfur, a major stronghold of the paramilitaries and of Daglo.

On Monday, the army announced the closure of the highway linking Khartoum and Darfur because "it is used by rebels to transport looted goods to civilians and to bring mercenaries to Sudan".

"Any vehicle using that route will be a military target," the army added.

The conflict has been complicated as some of the country's myriad rebel groups have joined the fray.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, on Monday besieged Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, residents said.

bur/ysm/fz
Protestors draped in the Israeli flags stand together during

Protestors draped in the Israeli flags stand together during a rally. Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities to voice their opposition to the judicial overhaul plans proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Credit - Eyal WarshavskySOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Thousands of Israeli protesters descended on the streets of Jerusalem for a third consecutive day on Monday as the country braced for a crucial vote on legislation that would significantly weaken the authority of its Supreme Court. The legislation, which passed 64-0 after the opposition lawmakers left the Knesset in protest, marks the governments first victory in its seven-month effort to enact the controversial legislation, which critics say could bring Israel to the brink of autocracy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus efforts to curb the power of the judiciaryand, in turn, remove the sole administrative check on his far-right governments powerhas been the subject of 29 consecutive weeks of mass protest. As many as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators converged on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv over the weekend to voice their opposition to the upcoming vote. Their calls for Netanyahu to halt his judicial overhaul plans were echoed by military reservists, businesses, and even U.S. President Joe Biden. Netanyahu, who spent the weekend in the hospital following a pacemaker operation, refused to back down.

Alon-Lee Green, the national co-director of the Arab-Jewish grassroots movement Standing Together, has been among the demonstrators ever since he helped launch the inaugural protest on Jan. 7. He spoke with TIME on Friday about how the protest movement came to life and why Mondays vote is a decisive moment for Israeli democracy. His account of the last 29 weeks has been edited for length and clarity.

The movement I am part of is called Standing Together, which is a Jewish and Arab movement in Israel fighting for democracy and equality and peace and social justice. Its very much on the left side of the political spectrum.

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And weve been very much involved in different struggles in the last few years, mainly for equality inside Israel, a deeper democracy also for the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel, and all around the question of the occupation and peace and settlements.

During the five cycles of elections that we witnessed and participated in these last three years, we took the role of encouraging the Arab Palestinian minority to get out and vote. And we also pushed the political system to be more inclusive.

Then we came to this last election in November, and we couldnt expect results this bad. Its like the right wingnot even the right wing, but the extreme right wing in Israelwon the lottery. They managed to get out so many of their base to vote and to really increase their voting percentage Meanwhile, the left-wing Jewish parties, Meretz, did not pass the electoral threshold. The Arab national movement, Balad, also did not pass.

So eight full seats of the left-wing side of Parliament have been erased and that gave more proportional representation to the right. It led to the result that some people like Zvi Sukkot, a new MP who is one of the most extreme settlers in Israel, got into Parliament. The party of Itamar Ben-Gvir got five seats and the most extreme fascist settlers have 14 seats together in the Parliament. That was scary.

We saw that negotiations in December between Netanyahus ruling Likud and the far right over forming a new coalition, a new government, involved more and more scary demands like annexing part of the West Bank, like putting secret supervision on Arab teachers in Israel, and attacking the rights of the Palestinians living in Israel, the rights of women, the rights of the LGBTQ community. When the government reached a coalition agreement, we said this is scary, we need to resist the new settler government, and we called a demonstration on the seventh of January.

That was the first demonstration. We cooperated with a lot of different organizations. It started to gain speed and we were going out on the streets to show that we are still here even though the main discussion at this moment was that people are going to leave Israel from the liberal and left camp. The main discussion was of fear.

Two days before the first demonstration, the Minister of Justice Yariv Levin held a press conference and he declared the new judicial reform and then a lot more forces from the political center joined this movement. And thats how the first demonstration exploded, with 30,000 people on the street. But honestly, it also had a lot of tension because the main organizer of it was a movement that also addressed the occupation. Many who decided to join the protests after Levins press conference announcing the judicial reform said, Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Dont mix the reform and the settlers. We dont want to talk about the occupation now. Still, the first protest had four Palestinians on the main stage during that night of demonstration. It also had a woman from the strictly Orthodox Haredi community on the stage, and it was very clear about anti-racism, anti-occupation. And then, starting from the second protest, those messages were no longer the mainstream messages of the protest.

Read More: Why Israels Democratic Reckoning Has Barely Begun

This is one of the biggest protests in Israels history. It has people in the tens of thousands and sometimes more than 150,000 people week after week after week. At some moments of the protestslike the night of the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant because he demanded Netanyahu to stop with the judicial overhaulpeople started flooding the streets, shouting, Go out of your houses, there is a demonstration, go to the Kaplan Street, go to Kaplan! And you saw that from every building on the street. I was one of those people. I left my house, I saw from the next building people leaving and then from the other building and the other. And it started to be like literal rivers of people that were connecting in the bigger streets to a bigger river and then we got to Kaplan and we were tens of thousands of people in a spontaneous moment that felt electrifying. We blocked one of the main highways of Israel and we stood there the entire night. It will be remembered as a historic moment in Israel.

The government has a lot to lose if they will not take advantage of their lottery win, the election results. It does feel for the government, for a lot of MPs and the parties of the coalition, that its not something to waste; its not something to let go of. I think that is driving them very strongly forward and its very scary to see.

Things have come to a head in the last four days in Israel. Last Monday, the government voted on a law that bans students in Israel that are coming from the Palestinian minority in Israel to wave a Palestinian flag. If you are a student and you wave a Palestinian flag, youre not entitled to study in any academic institute in Israel. You are not entitled to receive an academic degree in Israel. And if you studied abroad, your degree from abroad will not be acknowledged by the Israeli state. And that was voted on on Monday and it passed two days ago in Parliament with the support of the government. Thats the preliminary votingtheres still two more votes to go, but they actually pushed it forward.

Then, the other day, it was declared by the government that Arab teachers are going to get the supervision of the secret service and also theyre going to extend this program now so that every person who wants to become a teacher in Israel will have to undergo supervision of the secret service of Israel.

Another thing they did this week is to say that any request for child support from a woman to a man has to go through the rabbinical court, which means that if you want to get divorced, the man has the power to tell you to drop the request for child support. You cannot divorce without it in Israel; you need to get the support of the man. Its a very bad law.

This is just one week in Israel. So if the government will see that they have the power to push through this judicial reform, despite hundreds of thousands of people on the street, the economic and financial elite fighting against them, they will feel that they have a lot of power to push the other things that they want to do. Its a very scary moment.

It feels as though Israel stands at a historic crossroads. It feels like the very basic agreement between the state and its citizens has been broken. On Friday, we saw that 1,200 pilots from the Air Force of Israel declared that they refuse to continue their service. And what they described is that the very basic agreement; the very basic feeling that what they give and what they get in return has been broken.

The general feeling is that there is a very big thing that has been broken and cannot be restored.
Business center in Moscow

Moscow residents were awoken to the sights of shattered windows and damaged building roofs after an early morning drone attack on the Russian capital on July 24. One UAV fell close to the Russian Defense Ministry building, while another struck a building in a business center.

Today, around 4 a.m., drone strikes were recorded on two non-residential buildings, confirmed Moscow Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, in a Telegram post. He reassured the public that there were no serious damages or casualties.

Debris from one of the drones was found around 17 Komsomolsky Prospekt, near the Russian Defense Ministry building, Gorky Park, and the Moscow River embankment, reported Russian propagandist news agency TASS.

Shattered glass and partial damage to surrounding building roofs at the drone crash site, reported Interfax.

As a safety measure, authorities have blocked traffic in the affected areas of Moscow.

Russias Defense Ministry has accused Ukraine of attempting the drone strikes on objects within the territory of Moscow.

Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack, with Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak stating that the drones merely wanted to return to their creators. He emphasized that Ukraine had nothing to do with the attack.

This is not the first drone attack on Moscow. Drones crashed into five settlements in Moscow Oblast on May 30, resulting in damage to at least three high-rise buildings.

Read also: Moscow may have been attacked by Ukrainian drones, military expert suggests

Notable figures, including Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Constitutional Court chair Valery Zorkin, and Federation Council speaker Valentina Matvienko, reside in those areas.

The press service of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed on May 3 that Ukraine attempted to strike the Kremlin. According to Russian propaganda, a drone attack caused a fire on the dome of the Kremlins palace, which houses the working offices of Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin apartment.

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Putin was allegedly working at his suburban residence in Novo-Ogaryovo at the time, said his press secretary, Dmitry Peskov.

In response to the accusations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any involvement by Ukraine in the attack on Russian territory.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Editors note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radios daily program The Dean Obeidallah Show. Follow him on Threads at www.threads.net/@deanobeidallah. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Voices on the right have been calling for a boycott of the new Barbie film because to them its everything from being woke to somehow brainwashing young girls with Chinese propaganda, as GOP Sen. Ted Cruz put it. But they just learned they are no match for the Mattel doll. Barbie  metaphorically speaking  drove her pink Dreamcamper right over these critics, breaking box-office records.

Dean Obeidallah - CNN

Director Greta Gerwigs movie  starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling  saw a stunning $155 million opening weekend. Barbie raked in the biggest opening weekend for 2023 so far, beating out the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Barbie also marked the biggest opening for a movie based on a toy, eclipsing Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($115.9 million), the publication noted.

Given these results, movie studios might want to beg GOP members of Congress, Fox News and others on the right to call for a boycott of their new films.

So, what triggered the right about Barbie? We saw a multipronged attack weeks before the films opening.

In early July, some Republican lawmakers declared a war on  Barbie  as Politico put it  over a childlike drawing of a world map they claimed was designed to appease China. Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, who leads a select House panel focused on countering Chinas influence, asserted the map  which he described as cartoonish, crayon-scribbled  appeared to support Beijings territorial claims to a contested portion of the South China Sea. Cruz also weighed in with the comments about Chinese propaganda.

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In response, Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, denied any political message. Warner Bros., which like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, explained, The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement.

Fox News has repeated attacks on the film over everything from wokeness to inclusivity. One such segment amplified the call against Barbie coming from Movieguide, a Christian movie review site, that read, Warning: Dont take your daughter to Barbie. The segment criticized the film for the inclusion of a transgender performer (actor Hari Nef) and for presenting LGBTQ stories.

Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy  with a chyron that read Barbie gets woke makeover  complained that the left has given Barbie a complete feminist makeover, dubbing the film as just another indoctrination vehicle. In another attack on the film, guests claimed the depiction of Ken somehow emasculated men.

But the right-wing Barbie outrage was not close to being done. Charlie Kirk, founder of conservative group Turning Point USA, called the film trans propaganda and the most disgusting thing Ive ever seen on his June 30 radio show before floating the idea of a boycott.

Not to be outdone, conservative pundit Ben Shapiro not only repeatedly slammed the film as woke  along with many expletives  but he also burned a Barbie doll in effigy. Im not kidding  he literally lit a doll on fire.

Could there be something else angering these voices on the right beyond what they are telling us?

Well, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York believes so, explaining in a Friday post on Metas Threads: Love how Republican Congressmen are just now hating on Barbie because shes too woke like hello this was a doll made for little girls who was a DOCTOR and an ASTRONAUT before women in the US were even allowed to have credit cards without their husbands permission. She added, Of course theyre mad! They want the old days back.

The rights call for a boycott and its onslaught of criticism obviously have failed to deter moviegoers, given the Barbie box-office bonanza. It appears these people have an inflated sense of their importance following their apparent success in targeting Bud Light a few months ago.

That controversy was sparked after Anheuser-Busch, the beers maker, sponsored two Instagram posts by Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer. Right-wing commentators and celebrities soon began to protest the beer. Since then, Bud Light sales have plummeted. (Of course, some of the sales loss could be tracked to those on the left upset about Bud Lights attempt to back away so quickly from the controversy.)

As recently as two weeks ago Fox was touting How Barbie the movie got the Bud Light treatment.  However, Barbie didnt get that treatment, and the movie blockbuster has made its right-wing critics look foolish.

True, conservatives call for a boycott could see some success with certain products, but generally only if the consumer base of such products skews right. Barbie obviously is not one of them. The right shouldnt be surprised though. After all, were living in a Barbie world.

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Attorney Taylor Meehan presents an argument for the state for a case challenging the states congressional districts before the Utah Supreme Court in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. | Leah Hogsten

On July 11, Utahs Supreme Court heard arguments in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature. Mormon Women for Ethical Government is also a named plaintiff in this case, as well as a bipartisan group of seven individual voters. At the hearing, the Utah Legislature repeatedly argued that the motivations behind this case are purely political. This is a grave misrepresentation of our motivation and goals.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government is a strictly nonpartisan organization and the individual plaintiffs in this lawsuit include those who belong to both major political parties. All plaintiffs are committed to constitutional government and are determined to advocate for a democracy in which every voter can meaningfully participate. For our group, this commitment is further grounded in our determination to preserve individual agency and acknowledge the equal worth of every soul.

Because legislatures dominated by one party are driven to keep themselves in power, they assume that the only motivation to fight for fair, representative districts must be a similar desire among members of the minority party. But political gerrymandering in any state causes significant harm to all Americans, and to our democracy as a whole.

As plaintiffs in the lawsuit, our immediate purpose is to protect the expressed will of Utahns as enacted through Proposition 4, the 2018 ballot initiative that prohibited partisan gerrymandering and established an independent redistricting commission charged with creating fair maps. More broadly, we are working to promote systems to honor the democratic principles that should supersede party politics.

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Regardless of who is doing it, political gerrymandering harms democracy by disincentivizing political participation. Voters in distorted districts can feel that their vote counts unequally and matters less. Those in the majority anticipate that their partys candidate will certainly win, while those in the minority know their votes cannot affect election outcomes. Both groups are therefore less likely to engage in learning about candidates, issues and platforms. Fewer citizens participate in the political process because of the accurate perception that election results are pre-determined by the district maps.

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Partisan gerrymandering also harms democracy by increasing polarization. Gerrymandering enables politicians to draw districts where voters are certain to elect them, and they no longer need to do the hard work of persuading us of the merits of their positions. Over time, the fact that these districts overwhelmingly favor candidates from one party means policy positions move toward the extremes.

Because of this, unfair districts dont only affect staunch partisans  moderates from both sides can also be ignored. Soon the policy enacted by representatives serves the interest of an ever-narrowing segment of the population, and tax dollars are spent on the priorities of the few. Those who aspire to be public servants should not insulate themselves from the will of the people, they should create a government that represents the broadest number of voters.

Finally, partisan gerrymandering harms democracy because it violates norms of ethical procedure and transparency. Ethical government requires ethical processes. Its the means, as well as the ends, that demonstrate whether voters can trust and respect elected officials policy decisions even when the outcome is not what they prefer.

Utahs recent redistricting process exemplifies how the pursuit of power can affect procedure and transparency. In 2018, when faced with the possibility of a continued partisan redistricting process, Utahns exercised their inherent political power to solve this problem directly. They voted in favor of Proposition 4 to put an end to the closed-door, hyperpartisan gerrymandering that skewed elections.

The process of creating maps through an independent commission requires deliberation by design. It reduces polarization and increases compromise. The Legislature, however, repealed the initiative so it could keep its ability to distort district lines. When it came time to redistrict the state, the legislature discarded the independent commissions proposals and created its own maps in secret to benefit the political party in power.

The independent commission followed ethical government practices, inviting voter participation, conducting research and seeking compromises that would create truly representative district maps. The Legislatures partisan maps, in contrast, harm democracy by disincentivizing voter participation, deepening political polarization and ignoring norms of ethical and transparent procedure.

Gerrymandering has long been a scourge of our democracy, inflicted on citizens by politicians from both parties seeking to retain partisan power. There are various ways voters can effectively address the problem of unfair districts, but when legislators have insulated themselves from consequential elections, voting them out is rarely one of them. This is why we have committed to this nonpartisan litigation. We seek to preserve fair elections, equal representation, and the balance of political power. We believe that Utah and all of its citizens, regardless of their party affiliation, will benefit from fair districts.

Jennifer Walker Thomas and Emma Petty Addams are the co-executive directors of Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
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Three individuals were injured on Sunday during a stabbing incident on a train in Japan's western prefecture of Osaka, according to local authorities.

Local police quickly arrested the male perpetrator on the spot on suspicion of attempted murder, who later confessed to the stabbing.

According to the police, the stabbing was reported by a staff member at Rinku-Town Station at around 10:25 a.m. local time. It is believed that the attack happened while the train was in motion.

The injured were a male passenger in his 20s, another in his 70s, and a male train conductor in his 20s.

All three were taken to the hospital, their injuries not life-threatening, according to authorities.

Kazuya Shimizu, the 37-year-old perpetrator, was found carrying three knives when taken into custody on the station platform.

The station where the incident took place is situated near a large shopping mall and a hospital in Izumisano, Osaka prefecture.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have protested efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weaken judicial oversight. (Maya Alleruzzo / Associated Press)

Many Israelis, particularly among the Jewish majority, feel a sense of apocalyptic doom today. It is not only a few days before Tisha BAv, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the destruction of the two holy temples in Jerusalem. It is also a time of immense political uncertainty in Israel.

The passage of the bill in the Knesset on Monday that prohibits the use of the standard of extreme unreasonableness in assessing government decisions is but the first of a series of proposed legislative acts that would strip away any meaningful form of judicial review.

Read more: Opinion: The fall of Benjamin Netanyahu

The effect  and for some politicians, real intent  is to liberate the extreme right-wing government that has gained control of the legislative and executive branches in Israel from any constraint that the judiciary might seek to exercise.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition has already caused grievous damage to Israels democratic institutions. In response, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest for an unprecedented 29 consecutive weeks under the slogan Dem-o-krat-yah!

At the same time, foreign investors, high-tech executives and, in recent days, leading corporations and banks have joined the protest movement, labeling the governments actions as dangerous to the well-being of the Israeli polity and economy. Most critically, thousands of reserve soldiers  including more than 1,000 reserve air force personnel , who are among the most prestigious of Israeli military personnel  have indicated that they will refuse to show up for duty if the government continues with its proposals.

Read more: Nicholas Goldberg: Israel on its 75th anniversary  still unsettled, divided and at war with itself

Never in the history of the state of Israel has there been an internal protest of this scale or duration. Nor has there ever been such a grave threat to the rule of law. And yet, it is also the case that there has never been as serious an opportunity to confront the deep structures of Israels democracy crisis. This requires accepting a version of Vladimir Lenins infamous adage: the worse, the better.

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Had Netanyahu pulled back at the last moment and put a pause on his governments attempted judicial revolution, it might well have served to dissipate the remarkable people power that has upended business as usual in Israel. The passage of the judicial law on Monday can give new energy to the protest movement and make clear that Netanyahu is fully prepared to disable democratic institutions in his country, if only to preserve his coalition and, above all, his own political life.

Read more: Nicholas Goldberg: Why Israel is losing me

Of course, the democracy crisis did not begin in November, when Netanyahu was elected yet again, after having been replaced as prime minister in the previous government. In fact, he had already begun to undermine democracy when he served as prime minister from 2009 to 2020; during that long decade, he took aim at human rights groups, political opponents, artists and writers through a series of legislative and executive acts, as well as through his formidable social media machine. He agitated for and celebrated the enshrinement of the principle of Jewish supremacy in the Nation-State Law of 2018, a quasi-constitutional Basic Law that asserted the paramount rights of Jews without mentioning democracy or equality for others.

And, in truth, the roots of the democracy crisis extend even further back to 1948, to the establishment of the state. Israels founding Declaration of Independence does not mention the word democracy. To be sure, the new state imported and implemented democratic principles and practices from different sources, but from that time there was a lack of clarity about how Israel could be both a Jewish state and one that adhered to the values of democracy, including a system of checks of balance among government authorities, an iron-clad commitment to the rule of law, rights for minorities, and equality for all citizens. The Declaration of Independence exemplifies the tension by narrating at great length the story of the Jewish peoples triumphant return to their homeland, while including a single paragraph that speaks of equal rights for all citizens.

Read more: Opinion: What Netanyahu and Israelis learned from the Trump playbook

Netanyahu has pushed the pendulum to the side of an ethnocratic Jewish state, leaving behind any real fealty to democracy. As such, he has opened the gates to a powerful movement of protest, one that operates in the spirit of peaceful, civil disobedience.

This movement in the last several months can become a force of genuine change for years to come by demanding the restoration of the rule of law in Israel and the removal from office of Netanyahu, who is currently being tried on bribery and fraud charges.

But it should not rest content in these actions. It should push further by demanding that Israeli democracy be rooted in the principle of equality for all  no better than by passing a new Basic Law on Equality. Such a law can provide a foundation on which all who dwell in Israel  Jew and Arab alike  can claim to live in a democracy that rests on mutual respect rather than bitter hatred, constant strife and ethnic supremacy.

David N. Myers teaches Jewish history at UCLA, where he serves as director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy and the Initiative to Study Hate.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A border patrol agent leads asylum seekers to a van for transport to a processing center along the Mexico-U.S. border, next to Cocopah Reservation land in Somerton, Ariz. (Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times en Espanol)

While the end of Title 42 did not lead to the border surges some anticipated, America still faces an immigration crisis, with a backlog of nearly 1.6 million asylum cases. Officials apprehended migrants crossing the border more than 5 million times from February 2021 to March this year, the highest number of arrests in decades.

Border stress and asylum backlogs are not new. Yet instead of learning from the policies of previous generations, politicians are pursuing gimmicks such as busing migrants to the home of Vice President Kamala Harris or pushing base-pleasing immigration bills that stand no chance of passing.

To form a functional legal immigration system, one place both parties may want to look is history.

Read more: Guerrero: For Republicans, 'Bomb the Mexicans' is the new 'Build the Wall'

A major immigration spike in the U.S. came after the end of World War II as we confronted a labor shortage similar to todays. More than 1 million people were apprehended at the border in 1954. In response, immigration authorities increased and expedited legal pathways for migrants through a guest worker system known as the bracero program.

Under the program, immigration authorities interviewed migrants at the border and admitted them as guest workers. Rather than placing a hard numerical cap on migration, the program admitted people based on the needs of the U.S. economy, with California receiving the most workers among the 24 participating states.

Joseph Swing, the head of the Immigration and Naturalization Service at that time, said that if there is any employer who cannot get legal labor all he has to do is let either the Department of Labor or Immigration know, and we will see that he gets it. The program brought in more than 4 million braceros (so named for a Spanish term to describe laborers who work mostly with their arms). Border apprehensions fell by 96% from 1953 to 1959.

But by the end of 1964, after issues with its implementation, Congress let the bracero program expire. Some participating employers discriminated against and abused the workers. Though the program promised workers wage protections and basic housing, employers frequently paid late or not at all and provided only substandard housing.

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The end of the bracero program largely signaled the collapse of a functioning immigration system. Border Patrol apprehensions increased once again from 35,000 to nearly 617,000 by 1974. We never replaced the program with a system to create feasible legal pathways for immigration that could begin to meet the needs of people arriving at the border, or the needs of our labor market. And ending the program did not improve wages for U.S.-born workers.

We did try other reforms. A bipartisan coalition pushed through the 1986 comprehensive immigration bill. Most critically, the act provided a path to legal residency and opportunities for nearly 3 million migrants who entered the country before 1982. But this one-off legislation did not fully tackle our demand for labor, and we hit another crisis by the 1990s. As is the case today, applying for asylum was the most accessible legal mechanism for migrants at the border to remain in the country. A surge of asylum cases overwhelmed the system, creating a huge backlog of cases.

Read more: L.A. Latinos welcome 42 migrants bused from Texas as 'brothers and sisters'

To handle this, immigration authorities under the Clinton administration dramatically increased funding for immigration courts, doubling immigration judges and adding more asylum officers. The changes enabled the courts to meet a six-month deadline for asylum cases and allowed the system as a whole to separate work authorization from asylum applications. These factors decreased asylum cases from more than 147,000 in 1995 to 46,000 by 2003. This, in turn, decreased border crossings.

None of these past solutions was perfect. The bracero program remains controversial largely because of the work conditions it fostered. The 1986 immigration reform bill, while significant, was a one-time legalization that underestimated the labor and familial demands that continually draw migrants to cross our borders. The reforms in the 1990s were criticized for being too strict on some legitimate asylum seekers and leaning too much on deportation.

But some principles driving each approach still apply. Right now we have a system that ridiculously allows only 140,000 employment-based visas per year in a nation with millions of job openings.

We should look at our current temporary work visas  which are essentially smaller scale bracero programs  and stop using hard quotas, instead tying admissions to current economic conditions as we did before. We can also improve upon that approach with stronger protections for migrants by allowing them to change employers more easily and self-petition for permanent residency after several years of work. This would provide migrants with the kind of leverage with their employers that the original bracero participants never had.

As for our asylum system, we need to build back up the immigration courts to meet the current caseload while creating more legal pathways to work authorization beyond applying for asylum and waiting at least 150 days for a resolution (after which point you are allowed to apply for a work permit).

We could implement these changes with the same bipartisan approach that created the 1986 bill, but centered on providing recurring rather than one-time legal pathways for permanent residency.

The policy challenges of immigration won't be solved overnight. But the past shows us that the system is not intractable.

Christopher M. Richardson is an immigration lawyer, former U.S. diplomat and executive at BDV Solutions, an immigration consulting company.

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.
Florida is set to receive an estimated $3.2 billion in settlement money from opioid manufacturers and distributors.

This year begins the rollout of most of that money, which comes after yearslong, nationwide lawsuits. All across the country, states are getting money they can use to try to curb the opioid crisis.

Now, states and municipalities are deciding exactly how to spend their money and how to weigh the different needs of a community when it comes to fixing the opioid crisis.

Floridas payout is budgeted to last about 18 years. Heres what you need to know about the money headed toward the state and what it will be used for.

READ MORE: What fueled opioid crisis in Florida? Billions of pills, millions in campaign cash.

Why is this money available?

Governments across the nation took companies that made, sold and distributed opioids to court, a massive undertaking that will force the companies to pay more than $50 billion combined.

Floridas estimated $3.2 billion comes from eight different settlement agreements. The money is divided into different pots for state and local use. The state is also receiving $84 million worth of Naloxone, which reverses opioid overdose, from Teva Pharmaceuticals.

A collection of drug distributors including including Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, have the highest settlement payment at about $1.3 billion, according to a presentation given by the state attorney generals office.

Florida also struck deals with Johnson & Johnson, Endo Health Solutions Inc., Allergan, Teva Pharmaceuticals, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.

In Florida, some money has already been dispensed to large counties and municipalities. For state dollars, because the fiscal year began July 1, a large portion of the money is only being rolled out now.

How is the money divided?

Different states are all taking slightly different approaches to how the opioid settlement money is controlled and distributed.

Unlike in some other states, no money in Florida will be controlled by the attorney generals office, which litigated the claim.

Story continues

Instead, there are three main arms of disbursement: a state-controlled fund, a regional fund to be spread among counties and a third fund given directly to cities and counties that joined onto settlements.

The state also created the Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement which will help monitor the spending across the state and advise governments on what to do with their dollars.

Money does not go directly to family members of people who died from opioid overdoses.

What is the state fund?

The state fund is getting the largest amount of money from the settlement over the 18-year payout.

The state money will be appropriated by the Legislature in its budget, which is then signed or vetoed by the governor.

This first year, the Legislature had about $205 million available, and appropriated more than $173 million. The rest can go back into an investment fund, with profits also available to the state.

About $27 million of the money will go toward expanding the Coordinated Opioid Recovery program, or CORE, to 17 new counties. The program was established last year and focuses on three ideas: immediate life-saving care, addiction-focused specialists to help patients stabilize and then recovery aided by a variety of social services. Twelve counties currently have the program.

About $20 million will go toward expanding treatment and recovery services, including residential treatment programs, and $8.7 million will go toward expanding recovery housing.

The funds will also be used to expand medication-assisted treatment, with $6 million to create a mobile program for people with limited access to standing clinics, like homeless people or rural communities, and $2 million to allow people to continue their treatment in jail.

About $4 million will also help establish the Office of Opioid Recovery, which will monitor how the settlement funds are spent.

What is the regional fund?

The regional fund has the next highest amount of money from the settlement, and is intended to spread funds to all of Floridas 67 counties.

The 20 counties with populations of 300,000 or more  including Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas  get money directly from this fund, and county commissioners decide how to spend it.

For Floridas smaller counties, money will go to the Department of Children and Families, which will pay it out to area managing entities. Managing entities oversee state and federal substance abuse and mental health systems throughout Florida.

In this first year, the regional fund is getting about $169 million total, between money spent directly to each large county and money spent through managing entities.

Counties with higher populations do not automatically get more money. For example, Miami-Dade, Floridas most populous county, will get only 5.2% of the regional funds settlement dollars.

Counties and cities worked out the metrics they would use to determine the settlement breakdown themselves.

What is the city/county fund?

Counties will get money through the regional fund  but a third fund also gives them even more.

Per the settlement agreement, 15% of Floridas total payout will be given directly to cities and counties that signed onto the settlement. That money will be sent to the individual municipalities, and their governments decide how to spend it.

Cities and counties can choose to pool their money with another county or city if they create a written agreement and present it to the state.

Who decides how to spend the money?

The Legislature decides how to disburse the state fund. Cities and counties will decide for themselves how to spend the money they receive using their own commissions and councils.

But the newly created Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement will advise governments on how they could and should spend the money. The council will consist of 10 people, chaired by the attorney general, who each will serve unpaid two-year terms.

Not all members of the council have been appointed. According to state statute, the council must have its first meeting by Aug. 31.

Along with the attorney general, the council will include the Department of Children and Families secretary; one person appointed by the governor; one person appointed by the Senate president; one appointed by the House speaker; two mayors or commissioners appointed by the Florida League of Cities, including one from a municipality of fewer than 50,000 people; two who are county commissioners or mayors appointed by the Florida Association of Counties; and one appointed in an alternating cycle between the city league and the association of counties.

The council will meet quarterly and will work with the existing Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council to review recommendations on curbing the opioid crisis and review data on how the settlement money is being spent.

All counties, cities, managing entities or state agencies that receive money from the opioid settlement need to report to the council how they intend to spend it and how they ultimately spend it.

If money is not being spent in line with the opioid settlement guidelines, or is being misused, the state could challenge cities or counties, or cities and counties could challenge the state, in court to determine whether the money should be clawed back or repaid.

How should the money be spent?

The settlement agreement requires that money should only be used to try to curb the opioid crisis.

Approved spending options reflect the multifaceted nature of the crisis and the various communities that have been affected  including the uninsured, the low-income, people without affordable housing access and more.

It also reflects different groups who may have interest in receiving funding  including law enforcement and emergency medical technicians, behavioral health groups struggling with workforce shortages and medical researchers.

The U.S. government prioritizes a group of core strategies for local and state spending, including expanding naloxone access to the uninsured; expanding recovery treatments for pregnant women and providing services including housing, transportation and job training; expanding treatment for babies suffering from conditions caused by being exposed to opioids in the womb; and treating incarcerated people suffering from addiction.

To see the detailed list of core strategies, read the segment of the agreement here.

Other options for treatment are also eligible for funding. The settlement divides those approved uses into treatment, prevention and other strategies, like expanding research on how to treat chronic pain.

A full list of appropriate available uses is here.
A sex scene from Christopher Nolans blockbuster Oppenheimer has come under fierce criticism in India after a clip from the movie went viral and sparked the ire of Hindu nationalists.

In the scene, Cillian Murphys character reads from a sacred Hindu text  the Bhagavad Gita  alongside Florence Pugh, who plays psychiatrist and physician Jean Tatlock.

According to Variety, Pugh stops during intercourse, gets up and goes over to the bookshelf, picks out a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and asks Murphy to read from it.

Murphy then reads out the quote I am become Death, destroyer of worlds  a now famous phrase J. Robert Oppenheimer later said popped into his consciousness after the first atom bomb was detonated.

Indias Information Minister Uday Mahurkar took to Twitter to express his outrage about the creative license Nolan took with the scene.

In an open letter to Nolan, Mahurkar called the scene a direct assault on religious beliefs of a billion tolerant Hindus, referring to the sacred text using the spelling Bhagwad Geeta.

It has come to our notice that the movie Oppenheimer contains a scene [which makes] a scathing attack on Hinduism. As per social media reports, a scene in the movie shows a woman making a man read Bhagwad Geeta aloud while getting over him and doing sexual intercourse. She is holding Bhagwad Geeta in one hand, and the other hand seems to be adjusting the position of their reproductive organs, the letter added.

We do not know the motivation and logic behind this unnecessary scene [in the life] of a scientist. But this is a direct assault on religious beliefs of a billion tolerant Hindus, rather it amounts to waging a war on the Hindu community and almost appears to be part of a larger conspiracy by anti-Hindu forces.

Oppenheimer was drawn to the Hindu text in real life.

In a 1965 NBC News documentary called The Decision to Drop the Bomb, he said that a few people laughed; a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the prince that he should do his duty, and to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.

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In an interview with Indian film journalist Sucharita Tyagi, Murphy shared that hed even read the Bhagavad Gita to prepare for his role.

Indias Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has also come under fire for allowing the scene past its censor board.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An eagle-eyed viewer has spotted an apparent blunder in the background of Christopher Nolans new film Oppenheimer.

Released in cinemas on Friday (21 July), Oppenheimer stars Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist often referred to as the Father of the Atomic Bomb.

The film is told using three timelines, with scenes of Oppenheimers early life and work on the A-bomb being intermixed with scenes set during his 1954 security hearing, and the US Senate confirmation hearing of Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr) in 1959.

While Oppenheimer has been praised for its meticulous recreation of its mid-20th century setting, one fan seemingly spotted an error in a scene set in 1945.

The moment in question comes after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, when Oppenheimer is called upon to deliver a speech to a cheering crowd, many of whom are waving US flags.

It was good and all, but Ill be that guy and complain they used 50-star flags in a scene set in 1945, wrote Twitter user @AndrewRCraig, alongside a still of the relevant scene.

Period-accurate flags were used elsewhere in the film, such as the moment Oppenheimer stands beneath the 48-star flag at Trinity base camp.

Some fans even argued that the mistake was in fact deliberate, and had been intended to subtly convey Oppenheimers subjective recollections.

It was good and all, but Ill be that guy and complain they used 50-star flags in a scene set in 1945. pic.twitter.com/nvcwpGFkzh  Andy Craig (@AndrewRCraig) July 21, 2023

Personally i think it was done intentionally, they wrote, because coloured scenes were from Oppenheimers perspective which is his present days memory that was after the 50-star flag was established.

Oppenheimer was released on the same day as Greta Gerwigs record-breaking toy adaptation Barbie, with both films combining for the years biggest box office weekend.

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In a four-star review of Oppenheimer for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolans best and most revealing work. Its a profoundly unnerving story told with a traditionalists eye towards craftsmanship and muscular, cinematic imagination.

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer' (Warner Bros)

Here, Nolan treats one of the most contested legacies of the 20th century  that of J Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb  as a mathematical puzzle to be solved.

The film, which also stars Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Emily Blunt, has provoked a backlash among right-wing Hindu groups in India, thanks to a scene featuring the Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduisms holiest scriptures.

Oppenheimer is out in cinemas now.
No Shelter

With the release of Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated "Oppenheimer" film, a look back at the history of the titular character and the destruction wrought by the Manhattan Project's atom bomb is worthwhile  and apparently, its fallout went far beyond what anyone knew.

In a not-yet-peer-reviewed study, Princeton researchers found via sophisticated modeling software and newly-uncovered weather data that radioactive fallout from the A-bomb test, code-named "Trinity," spread across 46 American states, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.

While most of the emphasis on Oppenheimer's atomic weapon justifiably falls with the victims of the atomic blast in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the United States detonated the weapon in 1945, this new research sheds a light on the dramatic scale at which the A-bomb harmed the world.

As the New York Times reports, Oppenheimer and the scientists he worked with on the Manhattan Project had no clue how powerful the blast from Trinity would be.

"They were aware that there were radioactive hazards, but they were thinking about acute risk in the areas around the immediate detonation site," Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian who did not work on the study, told the NYT. "They were not really thinking about effects of low doses on large populations, which is exactly what the fallout problem is."

Winding Road

This updated look at the widespread fallout from the atomic tests could, as the NYT notes, help Trinity "downwinders," or those live "downwind" of nuclear sites. In the case of these tests, downwinders have for generations experienced severe health problems ranging from heart disease to leukemia in the aftermath of Trinity and the government's subsequent nuclear testing that lasted until 1962  most of whom never got any government compensation or even recognition.

"Despite the Trinity test taking place in New Mexico, many New Mexicans were left out of the original [nuclear fallout] legislation and nobody has ever been able to explain why," Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico told the Times.

While those who lived within the 150-mile radius of the Trinity site were at greatest risk for health problems, this study shows just how far the fallout from the world-changing test spread  and could, as the paper's authors suggest, possibly even demarcate July 16, 1945, the date of the test, as the beginning of Anthropocene epoch in which humans began having significant detrimental effects on the planet.

More on destroyers of worlds: Warren Buffett Compares AI to the Atom Bomb
All Orange County Public Schools students will receive free meals this upcoming school year, the district announced Monday.

We believe every student deserves access to healthy and nutritious meals regardless of socioeconomic status, the district said in a statement.

The district said all existing OCPS schools will implement the Community Eligibility Provision, which means all students will receive all their school meals at no charge.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas.

Read: Orlando leaders, Hertz and OCPS collaborate to expand electric vehicles in the community

The USDA says CEP allows the nations highest-poverty schools and districts to provide meals without collecting household applications.

The district said parents and guardians will still be able to add funds to their students accounts for them to purchase a la carte Smart Snacks.

Read: A local district looks to ban students using cellphones entirely during school hours

BIG NEWS!

Starting this school year, ALL students at OCPS schools will receive ALL school meals at NO CHARGE!



Get more info at https://t.co/FKJjtqwiDp! @OCPS_FNS #ocps #nokidhungry pic.twitter.com/RO1zowTTpH  ocpsnews (@OCPSnews) July 24, 2023

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.
This photo shows four children gardening with an adult outdoors.

This article was originally published in Oregon Capital Chronicle.

School districts hoping to use the summer months to catch students up before fall have been left by the state Legislature to do less with less, officials said.

For the past two years, Oregon school districts and community-based organizations such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club have received millions in public funding for summer learning programs from the Legislature: a record high of $240 million in 2021 and $150 million in 2022.

This summer lawmakers gave them no additional funding. As a result, both small and large districts have pared back their offerings this summer, according to interviews with the Capital Chronicle. Some community groups have cut field trips and the number of hours of classes each day. Some groups have cut their programs entirely.

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The lack of options has affected thousands of students across the state, according to a survey from the nonprofit Oregon Afterschool & Summer for Kids Network. Its especially detrimental to students whove suffered setbacks and are still catching up from lost class time during the pandemic. Its also deprived students of much-needed social and emotional resources.

Administrators and community group leaders say that legislators must think students only needed two summers to catch up from the pandemic.

This idea of unfinished learning that is a result of the pandemic is not a one and done thing, said Suzanne West, who leads Salem-Keizer school districts summer programming. The young people, especially our youngest students, theyll be in our system matriculating for the next 10 to 11 years. Im not suggesting that its going to take that long to get them caught up, but it isnt something that you can resolve in a summer or two for many of these young people.

Salem-Keizer is on track to serve several thousand more students this summer than in years prior, but will not be able to offer popular robotics and science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, courses that they had in the past two years.

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I think our legislators need to have more of a long-term viewpoint on what its going to take for the state in particular, but also locally, just to really address the unfinished learning that resulted from the pandemic, West said.

During the recent Legislative session, Sens. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, and Sara Gelser-Blouin, D-Corvallis, attempted to get funds for summer programs passed for this year through Senate Bill 531, which moved to the Senate Ways & Means Committee in late February and never left. By early May, then-director of the Oregon Department of Education, Colt Gill, sent a letter to district leaders telling them summer learning money was unlikely to come. State leaders were concerned about a tight state budget, with little idea that by May 17, theyd learn the state revenue forecast was nearly $2 billion higher than anticipated. Despite Democratic leaders in the House and Senate backing record funding for schools via the state school fund in June, it was too late by then to direct such funds to summer school. Most smaller districts need to finish their planning by April, and most larger districts start planning as early as October.

Six-week walkout

District administrators and community group leaders who talked with the Capital Chronicle said the six-week walkout by Senate Republicans over bills to protect reproductive rights and access to gender-affirming care played a role in losing summer learning funds.

I think it was just the disruption in the session that caused this and other bills to fail, said Marisa Fink, executive director of the Oregon Alliance of YMCAs.

Brent Barry, superintendent in the Phoenix-Talent School District said he and other school leaders watched the session tick down to a point of no return when it came to funding summer school programs.

Obviously, the legislative session was crazy, he said.

In a text message, Dembrow, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said lawmakers were not able to get more funding. He said he hoped that this summer, districts would use any remaining COVID-relief funds they had from the U.S. Department of Education on summer classes, as well as Student Success Act money from the state for programs that serve traditionally underserved students, as well as providing counselors and emotional support staff.

Sen. Suzanne Weber, R-Tillamook, vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee, was adamant that it was not the Senate Republicans walking out of the Legislative session that tanked summer school funding. But Weber, who joined the walkout, declined to address why the lawmakers could not get summer programs funded.

She said that as a retired teacher, she didnt harbor illusions about recovering from pandemic learning losses in two years.

I know that it takes longer to catch up after something as catastrophic as COVID was to our kids, she said.

State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, who heads the House Committee on Education, said she shares the disappointment that district officials feel about the funding.

We know these programs work. We need to provide our schools with stable, strategic investments, Neron said via text message.

Double whammy

In Portland Public Schools, Oregons largest school district, the number of hub sites offering summer programming across the city has shrunk from 25 last year to 17 this year. The district is serving about 400 fewer students this summer than the last one,, according to Darcy Soto, who oversees the summer learning programs. Soto said the district is using its temporary federal COVID-relief dollars to fund summer learning this year. That money must be used by September 2024, and is the last of the federal funding districts will receive to help with pandemic recovery.

Weve created a bridge, she said, but the road on the other side of the canyon is not yet built, and we are really hoping that the Legislature will come in on that.

She and other school district leaders said they need the Legislature to commit to consistent funding.

It needs to be decades-long support, said Barry of Phoenix-Talent. Especially with us, still dealing with the fire. We have a double whammy, he said, referring to the 2020 Alameda Fire that displaced hundreds of students and their families in the district in southern Oregon.

Last year, more than 400 kids participated in summer programs in the Phoenix-Talent School District. This summer, 180 students are participating, Barry said.

In the 12 districts served by the Malheur Education Service District in eastern Oregon, summer programming has reverted to more spare, pre-pandemic options, said Superintendent Mark Redmond. Programs are mostly geared at students who qualify for support under the federal Migrant Education Program, which aims to ensure that kids in highly mobile families that move seasonally for work earn a high school diploma.

Some summer school programs that used to be a month long are now a week long.

Its clearly not as robust as it was the last few years from those that additional funding, he said.

In Roseburg in southwest Oregon, Superintendent Jared Condon said the lack of summer school funding was not only a loss for students but for their families as well.

Families in our rural community struggle to find child care and activities for their children over the summer, and I know many were disappointed not to have this additional resource, he said.

Community groups

For community groups, some of which have received six-figure grants from the state to offer programming during the last two summers, the cuts have been deeper. Some werent able to offer anything this summer.

The nonprofit Oregon Afterschool & Summer for Kids Network recently surveyed leaders from community groups that received state funding for summer learning last year.

About 20% of respondents said theyd be unable to offer any programming this summer due to the loss of state funds. Three-quarters said they anticipated offering fewer programs than last year and more than half said theyd be unable to maintain current staffing levels. All-in-all, they anticipated serving about half as many of the 120,000 youth as they had the summer prior.

Summer learning programs provided by the YMCA in Milton Freewater, Albany and Tillamook County all scaled back some options for students, even if they were serving larger numbers of students. According to correspondence among local directors and Fink, the head of the Oregon Alliance of YMCAs, some cut back on field trips and resource-intensive projects.

In Tillamook, each week of summer programming has always had a special theme, according to Emily Critelli, operations director for the Tillamook County Family YMCA. The lack of state funding has stretched the limits of their budget and imaginations.

Staff have really had to get creative, she said.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.
Ecuadors government has declared a state of emergency in two provinces after its security crisis escalated over the weekend with the killing of a mayor and uprisings in several penitentiaries across the country.

More than 90 prison security agents are currently being held by inmates across five different prisons in Ecuador, according to the countrys penitentiary service SNAI.

Hundreds of inmates have been killed in recent years in Ecuador as members of competing criminal organizations square off with each other inside the prisons, which are often self-ruled by the criminal organizations. In recent days, prison clashes have left at least six dead.

This comes after the mayor of Ecuadors sixth-largest city Manta, Agustin Intriago, was killed in a targeted attack on Sunday, according to a statement from Interior Minister Juan Zapata.

A woman cries outside outside the Guayas 1 prison a day after a fight between rival gangs left six inmates dead in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on July 24, 2023. - Marcos Pin/AFP/Getty Images

Another person, Ariana Chancay, also died in the attack, according to authorities. Four people were injured, including two alleged participants in the targeted murder, who are now in police custody.

Manta is a key port in the Ecuadorian Pacific coast and one of the largest tuna ports in the world. In recent years, the port has become a notorious hotspot for drug trafficking as Ecuador has struggled to contain the presence of international criminal organizations including Mexican cartels.

Manta is located in Manabi province, now under a 60-day state of emergency and curfew. The province of Los Rios is under the same orders, as is the municipality of Duran.

Ecuadors President Guillermo Lasso condemned the Manta attack on Twitter, saying he had ordered the general commander to activate the necessary resources so that the people responsible for this crime are found and brought to justice. Our thoughts are with the family of the mayor and that of the other victim.

Intriago was elected for a second term as Mantas mayor in February.

The attack targeting such a high-profile public officer has shocked the country, which is holding elections next month amid a growing escalation of violence at the hands of criminal organization.

Story continues

Ecuador, a relatively peaceful nation until a decade ago, has become a key transit point of cocaine trafficking routes from South America towards the United States, Canada, and Asia, in part as a consequence of the peace process in neighboring Colombia since 2016.

In May, as he faced an impeachment vote, Lasso dissolved the opposition-led congress and paved the way for a snap general election on August 20.

The three main candidates running for president, left wing candidate Luisa Gonzalez, right wing candidate Otto Sonnenholzner, and indigenous candidate Yaku Perez, all condemned the attack against Intriago and vowed to tackle the security crisis in the country.

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A wildlife conservation charity said it needs a second animal ambulance as demand for its 24-hour rescue service was "soaring".

The Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue (OWR) has launched a fundraiser for a second vehicle so it can reach injured animals "as fast as possible to give them the best chance of survival".

The charity said it takes in about 4,000 wild animals a year, from frogs and foxes to owls and deer.

It is funded only by public donations.

Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured or orphaned British wildlife, OWR covers Oxfordshire and much of Berkshire.

Founder Luke Waclawek said demand for its 24-hour rescue service was growing "so quickly" that its one ambulance was in "almost constant use", adding that wildlife "deserve our respect and our compassion".

"The demand is indeed soaring, and we must help and protect our wildlife," he urged.

Mr Waclawek said the charity was called for help, on average, every 25 minutes.

"Some animals are brought in to us by members of the public but many patients require the immediate dispatch of our wildlife ambulance," he said, adding: "We rescue all species of native wildlife, ranging from tiny mice through to large adult fallow deer."

With OWR being the only resource in 1,500sq miles equipped to deal with large mammals, the rescuers attend anywhere between 7 to 15 deer road traffic casualties a day, he said.

The charity founder said rescuing thousands of animals a year had put "some serious strain" on its ambulance service.

"This is why we require an additional vehicle, and to broaden our service even further making our rescue more readily available to many others who need our help," he said.

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 Flash

People protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Fukushima, Japan, June 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The International Atomic Energy Agency's report on Japan's planned discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean is wrong, a Pakistani nuclear scientist says.

"I think it's a very favorable treatment to Japan by the IAEA," Zafar Koreshi, dean of graduate studies at Air University Pakistan, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

"It ignored the interests of the local people who are affected by this and of the regional countries who are going to be affected by this."

So it is legitimate for China, South Korea and other regional countries to demand a joint mechanism to have their concerns addressed, he said.

The Fukushima disaster, like the one in Chernobyl in 1986, was a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.

Japan's plan to dump nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is extremely dangerous and harmful to fish, because it contains cesium, strontium, iodine and tritium, carbon-14 and cobalt 60, with some of them being radioactive, Koreshi said.

The Chernobyl accident caused a very high level of radiation damage to the fish, he said, and if people eat this kind of contaminated food, it would affect the health of millions of people for many years.

"It goes deep into the human DNA and affects medical structure inside our body, and is transmitted through generations," he said.

The biggest loser from Japan's nuclear-contaminated water discharge will be Japanese fishers, Japanese people and the entire country itself, Koreshi said.

The Pacific is a big ocean, in which the dumping of nuclear-contaminated water would potentially affect all the regional countries heavily dependent on the fish and plants that grow beneath the water, he said.

Koreshi urged Japan to immediately cease its dumping plan and work with its neighbors to conduct scientific research and simulations to study the potential effects on marine life.
(Edgartown Great Pond Foundation)

Authorities have recovered the body of a paddle boarder who went missing in a Marthas Vineyard pond near President Barack Obamas residence.

Police in Edgartown, Massachusetts, confirmed on Monday that the search for an unidentified 43-year-old African American man has been called off, the Marthas Vineyards Times reports.

Massachusetts State Police said in a statement that authorities responded around 7.40pm on Sunday to the emergency at the towns Great Pond, located in the vicinity of a 30-acre waterfront Turkeyland Cove estate that the Obamas bought in 2019.

Another paddleboarder who was with the victim on the pond told authorities that he saw the man struggle to stay on the surface and then go underwater.

His paddle board and hat were found later that day. Several agencies from neighbouring areas and the US Coast Guard aided in the search and rescue before efforts were paused on Monday morning.

After several hours of searching last night, efforts to locate the missing paddle boarder were unsuccessful and the operation was paused to allow dive teams, flight crews, and other responders to re-equip and assess next steps. Search assets are currently resuming operations at this time, MSP said in a statement.

This is a developing story ... check again for updates.
When the Pasco Aquatic Center opens in 2025, it could be the crown jewel in a parks and services center.

Thats the vision being discussed by the board guiding construction of the center, as they look toward building a campus that could house the water park, a library branch, community center, transit hub and more.

Housing along the north side of the west Pascos 700-acre Broadmoor development in already in the works, with plans for retail, medical and parks. New roadways in the development are also starting to take shape.

The campus being discussed is the first announced major project, and the first look at how the city of Pasco and other regional municipal bodies hope to stake their claim in one of the fastest growing areas in the Tri-Cities.

After months of planning and looking at various properties, the facility board has settled on Broadmoor because of the potential it brings for growth centered around the aquatic facility.

In addition to shopping and businesses, 14,000 new rooftops are expected to go into the development, between the Columbia River and Interstate 82 bordered by Burns Road to the north, and fast growing area north of it.

Most of the construction in the Broadmoor development is expected to be complete by the end of the decade.

The public facilities district board expects to have a decision on which lot theyll be buying at their September meeting.

Currently theyre discussing options with the property owner and potential partners such as the city of Pasco, Mid-Columbia Libraries and Ben Franklin Transit.

There is also discussion of building their own hotel, which would be leased out, Project Manager Matt Watkins told the Herald.

If the vision does come to fruition, with buy-in from all of the potential partners the water park could be neighbored by a park-and-ride transit hub, a city of Pasco community center, a Mid-Columbia Libraries branch, a hotel and maybe even pickle ball courts.

Watkins said there is nothing like their proposed vision in Eastern Washington.

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The lots being favored are along the future Road 108 which will intersect with the Sandifur Parkway extension. Building around this intersection would put the campus at the heart of the development. The board is looking for 6 to 10 acres, at a price of $2 million to $3 million for the land, Watkins said.

The Broadmoor development also has plans for future parks in the area, which could potentially connect to the shared municipal campus.

What comes next?

Members of the Public Facilities Board are currently preparing for a meeting with state officials to seek approval for a progressive design-build process.

That process is used by publicly funded projects, such as the future regional mental health facility, to allow construction and planning work to take place simultaneously.

Watkins said this structure would allow for the project to hire a team that will do both the design and the building, and let them begin ordering materials they know will be needed while the design process is in the works.

It would also let them build the pool facility while planning continues on meeting spaces, locker rooms and other secondary portions of the facility.

Watkins said the key difference between the regular design-build and the progressive option is that there is a halfway point in the progressive option, where the board will get a guaranteed maximum price.

Were still aiming for 2025 to have this completed and weve got our foot on the gas to make it happen, Watkins said. Weve got a lot to do to get there and I think the public will start seeing things really moving forward.

Once the board has approval for the design-build process, theyll select a contractor. After locking in a contractor and property, Watkins plans to begin hosting a variety of outreach initiatives this fall.

He hopes to get community input to ensure their vision matches what the public wants from the facility.

Theyll be working to make sure they can loop in residents of all ages to get their perspectives.

About the facility

While the aquatic facility will be in Pasco, its not technically under the citys umbrella. The public facilities board operates independently, but has partnered with the city for certain legal and technical services.

The Pasco Aquatic Facility is the culmination of a decade-long effort to bring an aquatic facility to the Tri-Cities. The first effort for a regional facility failed in 2013, but the desire never waned.

Pasco eventually created its own PFD board, which brought the $40 million proposal to voters in April 2022.

The effort was approved by voters with a 10% margin.

It saw a 0.2% sales tax increase in Pasco to pay for the new facility. That amounts to 2 cents being collected on a $10 purchase, and is expected to raise $40 million to build and operate the facility. Watkins said that their first rounds of collection are meeting the expected target.

As proposed, the first phase would be nearly 47,000 square feet and the second just over 13,000 square feet.

The first phase includes an 8,000-square-foot indoor leisure pool, a 20,000-square-foot outdoor activity pool, a party room, classroom, outdoor concessions and locker rooms.

The next phase would see an 8-lane, 25-yard indoor competition pool added  paid for with the cash balance of the bond.

The plans could see some changes, though, as they enter the design and public input phases. It could eventually offer a competitive space for swim clubs.

The board considered other properties for the facility, including 5-acre parcels next to LifeQuest near the HAPO Center and a parcel off of Chapel Hill Boulevard. They ultimately settled on Broadmoor in hopes of creating the municipal campus.
The passenger of a pickup truck was killed when the vehicle rolled over in Sanbornton Sunday afternoon.

New Hampshire state troopers responded to the crash near mile marker 62.4 on I-93 South around 1:13 p.m.

An initial investigation revealed the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado left the left side of the roadway going southbound and into the soft shoulder. The truck then rolled over as it tried to reenter the highway. The passenger was ejected, suffering fatal injuries.

The driver was transported to Franklin Hospital.

The circumstances of the crash are being investigated by New Hampshire State Police.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to contact New Hampshire State Police at (603) 227-0089.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A pending U.S. Supreme Court case could help decide the fate of a Florida law that prevents sales of rifles and other long guns to people under age 21.

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The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday told attorneys for the National Rifle Association and the state that they should wait to file briefs about the constitutionality of the Florida law until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a Texas gun case.

At a minimum, that means the Atlanta-based appeals court likely will not rule on the Florida law until at least some time in 2024  more than six years after the age restriction was passed following the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The underlying details of the Florida and Texas cases are different: The Texas case involves a challenge to the constitutionality of a federal law that has barred gun possession by people under domestic violence restraining orders. The U.S. Department of Justice took the case to the Supreme Court in March after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law violated Second Amendment rights.

But the Texas and Florida cases share key questions about how to carry out a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court opinion in a case known as New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which said gun laws must be consistent with this nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The Supreme Court on June 30 agreed to hear the Texas case, though it has not scheduled arguments. The full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on July 14 it would hear the Florida case after a three-judge panel had earlier upheld the age restriction.

Florida lawmakers passed the restriction after Nikolas Cruz, who was 19 at the time, used an AR-15 rifle to kill 17 students and staff members and injure 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Federal law already prohibited the sale of handguns to people under 21.

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The NRA quickly challenged the Florida law, arguing it violated the Second Amendment. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker rejected the challenge in 2021, ruling that previous court opinions have given states leeway to impose Second Amendment restrictions in some instances.

The case then went to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the three-judge panel on March 9 upheld the law and said it is consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation. In part, the panel pointed to age restrictions since the Reconstruction era. It also said the law allows people under 21 to possess or use guns, such as guns they receive as gifts.

To begin with, the act is no more restrictive than its forebearers: While the act burdens 18-to-20-year-olds rights to buy firearms, unlike its Reconstruction era analogs, it still leaves 18-to-20-year-olds free to acquire any type of firearm  including the quintessential self-defense weapon, the handgun  in legal ways, as long as they dont buy the weapons, Judge Robin Rosenbaum wrote in an opinion joined fully by Judge Anne Conway. Judge Charles Wilson wrote a short concurring opinion.

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The full appeals court this month did not explain its decision to take up the case  a move known as hearing the case en banc. But in doing so, it vacated the panel ruling.

The one-page document issued to attorneys Friday indicated the appeals court wants to see how the Supreme Court rules in the Texas case. The document said the NRAs brief for en banc consideration is due 40 days after the Supreme Court rules, with the state then given 30 days to file its brief.

In the Texas case, Zackey Rahimi challenged a 1994 federal law that prevented gun possession by people under domestic violence restraining orders. Pointing to the Supreme Courts New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law was unconstitutional.

The government fails to demonstrate that (the laws) restriction of the Second Amendment right fits within our nations historical tradition of firearm regulation, the ruling said.

In a brief asking the Supreme Court to take up the case, Justice Department attorneys pointed to what they called the 5th Circuits misinterpretation of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision.

The Fifth Circuit treated even minor and immaterial distinctions between historical laws and their modern counterparts as a sufficient reason to find the modern laws unconstitutional, the brief said. If that approach were applied across the board, few modern statutes would survive judicial review; most modern gun regulations, after all, differ from their historical forbears in at least some ways.

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One person is dead and two others were injured in a car-motorcycle head-on collision Saturday southeast of Athens in Bradford County.

Pennsylvania State Police at Towanda identified the victim as Charles E. Gross, 43, of Athens.

The crash took place shortly after 1 p.m. on North Rome Road in Sheshequin Township, according to state police.

Daryl A. Moore, 46, also of Athens, was northbound on North Rome Road in a 2010 Honda Accord when his vehicle crossed the solid double center line into the oncoming lane of traffic, and struck Gross's southbound Harley Davidson motorcycle head-on, state police said.

Moore's car ended up on its roof at the bottom of an embankment west of the roadway, while the motorcycle also went off the west side and ended up in a tree, troopers said.

Gross was dead at the scene, while a passenger, 32-year-old Sammi Green, of Athens, was seriously injured, troopers said. She was transported by ambulance to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, where she is in critical condition.

Politics NY headed for budget deficit? Warnings swirl as NY spending outpaces taxes

Moore sustained minor injuries but declined transport. Troopers charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.

State police were assisted at the scene by the Ulster and Rome volunteer fire departments, Guthrie EMS and Sutton's Towing, which removed both vehicles from the scene.

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: Bradford County Pa. head-on crash kills one, injures two
Nancy Pelosi Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tore into House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for reportedly pledging to hold a House vote in an effort to see former President Donald Trump's two impeachments expunged. "Kevin is playing politics, it's not even clear if he constitutionally can expunge those things," she said. "If he wants to put his members on the spot, his members in difficult races on the spot, that's a decision he has to make but this is not responsible."

"This is about being afraid," she added. "As I've said before, Donald Trump is the puppeteer and what does he do all the time? Shine a light on the strings. These people look pathetic."

HuffPost reported that McCarthy's alleged efforts come as a result of his wavering support of Trump in recent years  specifically after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack  as well as his failure to endorse a Republican presidential candidate for 2024. In January, McCarthy said that he would consider expunging one or both of Trump's impeachments, saying, "I would understand why members would want to bring that forward. I understand why individuals want to do it, and we'd look at it."
Outside of a few exceptions, youll need to apply for a permit if you want to conduct open burning anywhere in Fayette County.

The two main exceptions are grilling and fire pits, but you may also be wondering if its OK to burn brush or debris you want cleared from your property. The answer depends on where you are in the county, whether theres a burn ban in effect, what you plan to burn and how.

Heres what to know about the rules around burning in Lexington and Fayette County.

Is there a burn ban in effect for Fayette County?

As of Monday, there is no burn ban in place for Fayette County.

According to Kentuckys Energy and Environment Cabinet, county burn bans are issued at the local level by the countys judge-executive. They are enforced by local law enforcement, and violating a burn ban is a misdemeanor offense.

Burn bans generally prohibit the following activities:

Campfires, bonfires and warming fires

Burning leaves or debris

Open pit cooking and charcoal grilling

Burning grass, forest, crops, woodlands, marshes or similar areas

The use of fireworks and welding may also be prohibited or regulated

Burning is permitted in Fayette Countys outlying areas, but in most cases (the exceptions being grills and fire pits), you will still need to apply for a burn permit.

When a burn ban is issued, all open burn permits are suspended during the ban. Low amounts of rainfall, coupled with high winds and low humidity can trigger such measures.

Outside of those special burn bans, Kentucky law prohibits outdoor burning between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during two fire seasons. Kentuckys spring forest fire season runs from Feb. 15 to April 30 and its fall fire season begins Oct. 1 and runs to Dec. 15.

Can you legally burn brush within Lexington city limits?

According to Susan Straub, the communications director for the Lexington mayors office, the fire department does not issue burn permits within city limits, essentially inside Man O War Boulevard, Straub said.

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It is illegal to burn brush or any other type of debris within city limits, Straub told the Herald-Leader in an emailed response. However, if you have a burn pit that meets the requirements  spark arrester, chimney, etc.  you can burn brush or vegetation. No trash.

What are the rules for burn pits in Fayette County?

First, its worth noting bonfires are not considered fire pits in Fayette County.

Guidance from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Governments Division of Fire Emergency Services states burn or fire pits are recreational fires purchased at retailers. A proper fire pit for residential use is small in size and has a chimney or spark arrestor screen to halt burning embers from escaping, the guidance states.

When a fire pit is built, as opposed to one manufactured, the size of the pit should be considered. A large fire pit can create a lot of fire and smoke and generate complaints from neighbors. These complaints are handled by fire companies coming to your home and extinguishing the fire, the guidance states.

State fire code also has rules for bonfires, which should be no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, according to the guidance.

Even at this size a large amount of fire and smoke can be created. A spark arrestor screen on top should be utilized like the fire pits sold at area stores to minimize the release of burning embers. When building a pit, choose a location that does not have overhead wires, trees or combustible buildings or structures within 25 feet, the guidance document says.

Where can I apply for an open burning permit in Fayette County?

First, review the rules and procedure online at lexington.gov/open-burn-permits to get an idea of how the process works.

Then, you can fill out the form available online. For questions about the process, contact Lexington Fire Department Investigations by calling 859-231-5672 or visiting 219 East. 3rd St. in Lexington.

Do you have a question about Lexington for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday underscored his administrations resolve to defend the countrys territory through diplomacy in a key speech but did not mention China, with which it has had an escalating series of conflicts in the disputed South China Sea.

Marcos also announced in his state-of-the-nation speech to Congress that he would offer an amnesty to armed insurgents and would crack down on smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products, whom he blamed for steep spikes in food prices.

Despite an array of problems and uncertainties sparked in part by the war in Ukraine, Marcos said the dedication and patriotism he had seen among Filipino workers in and out of government have kept him optimistic.

"With this in my heart, I know that the state of the nation is sound, and is improving, Marcos said to applause from lawmakers and top government officials in the heavily secured House of Representatives.

Marcos outlined reforms pursued by his administration to boost the economy following the coronavirus pandemic. He cited last year's 7.6% economic growth rate, which he said was the countrys highest in 46 years despite weak prospects worldwide.

"We are still considered to be among the fastest-growing economies in the Asian region and in the world, he said.

Critics, however, hit Marcos for not mentioning human rights issues, including his refusal to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its investigation of large numbers of killings under his predecessor Rodrigo Dutertes brutal campaign against illegal drugs.

More than 6,000 mostly poor suspects died in Dutertes police-enforced crackdown based on police pronouncements, but human rights groups say the real death toll was much larger. Police have acknowledged that dozens of suspects have been killed in the campaign since Marcos took office in June last year but said they had violently fought law enforcers.

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Marcos has refused to bring the Philippines back into the ICC, in a decision that favored Duterte but was attacked by human rights activists.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from The Hague-based court in 2019 in a move rights activists said was an attempt to evade accountability and prevent an international probe into the killings in the drug crackdown. The ICC, however, continues to have jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed when the Philippines was still a member state of the court.

Marcos, 65, took power in June last year in a landslide victory that was among the most dramatic political comebacks in recent history. His father was ousted as a dictator accused of widespread human rights violations and plunder in a 1986 pro-democracy uprising that became a harbinger of change at the time in authoritarian regimes worldwide. He has refused to apologize and has steadfastly defended his fathers legacy.

In February, Marcos approved an expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines to add four new bases from five existing sites under a 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the longtime treaty allies. The move, which Marcos said would boost the Philippines coastal defense, dovetails with the Biden administrations efforts to strengthen an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China.

China warned the move will drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife and damage its economic development at the end of the day. But Philippine officials said the move was not aimed at China.

Our journey to progress requires not only unity and social cohesion amongst our people. It is also imperative that our nation remains intact and inviolable, Marcos said in a clear reference to Manilas long-simmering territorial disputes with Beijing. We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity, in defense of a rules-based international order.

"With our national interest paramount, we will always pursue constant dialogue and diplomatic approaches to the resolution of any issue that may arise, he said.

Marcos's moves to reaffirm ties with Washington was a key turnaround from the often-hostile approach Duterte took toward the United States.

On government efforts to deal with decades-long insurgencies, Marcos said without elaborating that he would grant amnesty to rebels who have decided to return to normal life.

That may apply to armed fighters of the largest Muslim rebel group in the countrys south, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a 2014 autonomy deal with the government. An unspecified number of rebels in the group still have not been amnestied. Separate peace talks with communist rebels broke down in Dutertes time.

Since assuming the presidency, Marcos has taken more than a dozen foreign trips, including to the United States and China, to seek investments and boost trade. He is scheduled to leave for Malaysia on Tuesday for a three-day visit.

The government said the foreign trips are crucial to back up economic reforms and initiatives, including a bill that Marcos signed into law last week creating the countrys first sovereign wealth fund, which aims to pool money for infrastructure and other projects. But opponents said the trips, including one that took him to Singapore to watch Formula One races in October, reflected misplaced priorities given problems at home, including soaring food prices early in his presidency.

Marcos vowed Monday to crack down on smuggling and hoarding, which he blamed for soaring food prices.

"We will not allow this. The days of those smugglers and hoarders are numbered, he said to applause.

___

Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila contributed to this report.
By Diana Mandia

(Reuters) -Health technology group Philips posted a fourth straight drop in order intake on Monday and warned that it expects global market conditions to remain highly uncertain, sending its shares down 5% from a recent 12-month high.

The Amsterdam-based group, a former industrial conglomerate that now focuses on medical technology, said order intake had decreased 8% in the April-June period, the fourth quarterly fall in a row.

The maker of electric toothbrushes and CT scanners said it had a "particular concern" on the development of relationships between the United States, China and the European Union, as well as China's drive to become self-sufficient in critical technologies, including in health-related areas.

Chief Executive Roy Jakobs, who recently met company and government officials in China, said however current demand in the country was robust.

The group reported a 15% sales increase in its so-called "growth geographies region" for the quarter and said China, the Middle East, Turkey and Latin America had strongly contributed to this rise.

Philips generates 15% of group sales in the People's Republic.

New licensing requirements for its healthcare products in Russia were responsible for half the quarterly order decline, Jakobs said.

Philips still delivers hospital equipment such as large medical scanners to Russia despite Western sanctions following the country's war on Ukraine, but no personal healthcare products.

The group is confident of seeing orders increase in the second half, boosted by strong demand for its diagnostic imaging and ultrasound devices, and its data analyses tools, finance chief Abhijit Bhattacharya told an investor call.

The group slightly updated its full-year targets and now expects comparable sales growth of "mid-single digits" versus previous guidance of low-single-digit growth.

The adjusted EBITA margin is now seen at the upper end of the previously forecast "high single-digit" range.

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Analysts at ING, who maintained their "hold" rating on the stock, said the new guidance was not too challenging given the strong first-half figures.

The Amsterdam-listed shares, which rose as high as 20.845 euros earlier this week, their highest since July 2022, fell as much as 7.7% and traded 5.6% lower at 19.67 euros by 1103 GMT.

($1 = 0.8992 euros)

(Reporting by Diana Mandia; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and David Holmes)
Universal Pictures via YouTube

Near the beginning of Christopher Nolans biopic Oppenheimer, J. Robert Oppenheimer examines a Picasso painting. Femme assise aux bras croises, painted in 1937, depicts a woman with teal skin as she sits in a chair with her arms crossed. Cillian Murphys blue eyes nearly pierce the screen as we observe him staring at itbut what, exactly, is he thinking?

In the film, Oppenheimerknown as the Father of the Atomic Bombencounters the painting at an inflection point in his studies. One of his idols, the Danish physicist and Nobel Prize winner Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branagh), has encouraged him to leave Cambridge, where hes been struggling with his lab work, to focus on his real passion: theoretical physics. Newly energized, Oppenheimer begins throwing crystal glasses onto the floor of his apartment to watch them break. By day hes wandering through museums, and after the sun sets, hes reading T.S. Eliots The Waste Land.

Oppenheimer Review: Christopher Nolans Devastating, Explosive Magnum Opus

In a particularly striking moment that lingers just long enough to feel significant, the physicist spends some time face-to-face with Picassos blue woman and her crossed arms. Murphy stares into the painting as though in a trance, as the camera zooms ever closer on her face.

Decades before World War II and the atomic bomb, Picasso and French painter Georges Braque first introduced the world to cubism. The style defied the accepted norms of perspective, depicting its subjects from multiple angles and with no single source of light. In the context of Oppenheimer, the Picasso Oppenheimer observes accentuates the physicists journey away from convention and into the unknown. It also foreshadows a bone-chilling sequence later on, in which he addresses a roomful of his peers while hallucinating their faces as appearing distorted.

Perhaps more importantly, Picassos perspective-shattering style mirrors Oppenheimers contention that the world as we see it is a mirage. One night at a party, he explains to his future wife that according to quantum mechanics, the world we observe is mostly empty spacegroupings of tiny energy waves bound together [by] forces of attraction strong enough to convince us that matter is solid.

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Why tie yourself to realism, if you know that the world around you is merely an illusion?

Barefoot Gen: The Horrifying, Must-Watch Atomic Bomb Film from the Japanese POV

As one might imagine, the artistic references in Oppenheimer are far from random. In American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the book upon which the film is based, co-authors Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin note that his parents amassed a considerable art collection, which included a Picassoalbeit one from his blue period, Mother and Child. When Oppenheimer moved into his apartment at Berkeley in 1934, the authors note, his father gifted him a small Picasso lithograph that he displayed on his wall.

The modernist art and writing in which Oppenheimer immersed himself speaks to his documented desire to transcend the physical world, even as he recognized that, as a scientist, he couldnt sever himself completely from it. Upon reading Eliots famous poem, Bird and Sherwin wrote, he instantly identified with the poets sparse existentialism. His own poetry dwelt with themes of sadness and loneliness.

During his late twenties, the authors added later, Oppenheimer already seemed to be searching for an earthly detachment; he wished, in other words, to be engaged as a scientist with the physical world, and yet detached from it. He was not seeking to escape to a purely spiritual realm. He was not seeking religion. What he sought was peace of mind.

Maybe Oppenheimer found a little inner stillness while looking at Picassos work, or perhaps it reflected the chaos that Nolan implies filled the scientists mind much of the time. For the audience, however, the painting is a poignant reminder of the rapidly changing world that his devastating creation was ostensibly meant to rescue.

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China congratulated Cambodia on holding the seventh general election smoothly, and congratulated Cambodian People's Party (CPP) on winning the election under the leadership of its President Samdech Hun Sen, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the CPP's victory in the seventh national election of Cambodia.

"As a good neighbor and good friend, we extend warm congratulations on the smoothly held seventh general election in Cambodia. We congratulate the Cambodian People's Party on winning the election under the leadership of its President Samdech Hun Sen and wish Cambodia success in forming a new National Assembly and government," said Mao, adding that China believes Cambodia will make even greater achievements in its national development and bring more benefits to its people.

Mao said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of Chinese and Cambodian leaders, China-Cambodia relations have enjoyed strong momentum. The bilateral ties are marked by a high degree of mutual trust, close cooperation and mutual support. The two countries contribute to regional cooperation and international equity and justice.

"We are a fine example of friendship and mutual benefit between countries," she said, noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Cambodia diplomatic ties and the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship.

"We will work with Cambodia to carry forward our long-standing friendship and accelerate efforts to build a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future for the new era to deliver more benefits to both peoples," said Mao.
Ellen Jeppson, Pioneer Memorial Museum president, talks about the original eagle gate sculpture exhibited at the museum in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 14, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Its been 176 years since the first permanent settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley by foot, wagon, handcart and horse, and 154 years since the transcontinental railroad was completed, transforming a journey that took months to one that took days.

The estimated 70,000 people who came the hard way between 1847 and 1869 are regarded as genuine pioneers.

All of them are gone now, of course, their wagon tracks replaced by asphalt, their homesteads by high-rises, their mules by F-150s, their storehouses by Costco.

But theyre not gone without a trace. Evidence of their existence abounds to a remarkable degree, thanks to the women who are their descendants.

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers, or DUP, organization has taken upon itself the privilege and responsibility of collecting and preserving every bit of the physical pioneer past it can possibly get its hand on.

The artifacts are on display at the Pioneer Memorial Museum located at 300 S. Main Street in Salt Lake City, directly west of the state capitol.

How many items are we talking about? Nearly 50,000 at last count. Everything from photographs to paintings to pottery to plowshares, from swords to guns to wagons to quilts to hymnals, from tables to chairs to desks to Indian jewelry to fire engines to military uniforms.

Theres the actual wooden leg James Moyle walked on to get to the temple construction site, theres the wagon Brigham Young rode in when he entered the Salt Lake Valley, theres the original carved eagle that spanned Eagles Gate, theres the sign from the Central Pacific Railroad commemorating the laying of 10 miles of track in a single day on April 28, 1869, theres the piano Abraham Hunsaker wrapped in buffalo robes to get to Utah, theres a first edition Book of Mormon that was carried across the plains  several of them, actually.

Also stored away for safekeeping are no less than 50,000 histories written and recorded by the pioneers.

Making sure all this history is dusted, cared for, protected, preserved, annotated and properly displayed are a handful of museum volunteers, starting with the DUPs current president, Ellen Jeppson.

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The museums roots, Jeppson explains, date back well over a century, to the year 1901.

At that time, being a pioneer was hardly a novelty. Utah had only been settled for a little over 50 years. But already, there was concern that the old days and old ways would be forgotten as the pioneer past began to fade away.

To counteract that, a woman named Annie Taylor, the daughter of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President John Taylor, invited 46 women to her home to form the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Their mission: To perpetuate the names and achievements of the men, women and children who were the pioneers in founding this commonwealth, by preserving old landmarks  collecting artifacts and histories  and securing manuscripts, photographs, maps and all such data as shall aid in perfecting a record of the Utah pioneers.

They began collecting artifacts before they qualified as artifacts.

At first, there was no central clearinghouse for pioneer material. Some of it was stored in the basements of the Beehive House and the Lion House, some of it in the basement of the state Capitol. But as the pioneer centennial approached in 1947, a campaign was launched to build a proper museum.

Thanks to their persistent lobbying and fundraising, the state of Utah gave the DUP a prime location west of the capitol to build the edifice. The daughters missed their 1947 deadline, but by 1950 they finally had a place to hold all their treasures.

For the past 83 years, the collection has continued to grow, as more and more pioneer descendants, now in their fifth and six generations, clean out their basements and donate their artifacts.

The museum is not uncrowded. Artifacts are piled everywhere, but nothing goes into storage. Somehow we still manage to find a way to tuck things in here, says Kari Main, the museum curator. When you give it to us, we say it will be on display, your descendants will be able to come and see it.

The ladies wont even hazard a guess as to what is the most valuable item in their possession. Partly thats because they dont want to publicize dollar values, and partly because they dont know. Weve never appraised anything, says Main. Nor have they ever bought an object or sold an object.

And neither have they ever charged admission. Part of the deal when the state bequeathed the property to the DUP was that the museum would always be free to all.

For nearly 100 years, the museum has carried on without fuss or controversy, dedicated to its mission to make sure the present pays homage to the past.

The women who keep the doors open are convinced theyre getting help from their benefactors, aka the real pioneers.

I can feel their presence, says Jeppson, theyre watching over their things and theyre benevolently helping us.

Harriet Rasmussen, the DUPs international registrar who is a direct descendant of Latter-day Saint leader Willard Richards, one of the earliest pioneers who arrived in 1847, enjoys saying hi to her late great ancestor every day when she arrives for her museum shift and passes by his life-sized picture. A couple of years ago my husband died and Id come here to do office work, often alone, Rasmussen says. But I never felt alone. Its such a peaceful, pleasant place.

Adds Jeppson, There are so many things here you stand in front of and cant believe it  very, very amazing things that were given to us because they knew we would care for them.

A 1902 steam fire engine on display at the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 14, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A two-headed lamb is exhibited at the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 14, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Ellen Jeppson, Pioneer Memorial Museum president, plays a 1870 pump organ on display at the museum in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 14, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Old Folks Day ribbons are displayed at the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 14, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The original Brigham Young wagon from 1847 is exhibited at the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 14, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The Pittsburgh Pirates (43-56) were defeated by the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 on Sunday evening in Anaheim, dropping the three-game series.

The Pirates West Coast road trip now heads south down the state as the Bucs will be in San Diego for a three-game series with the Padres (48-52) beginning on Monday night.

Quinn Priester will be on the mound for the Pirates in what will be the second start in his big league career.

Read more from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh.

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A small plane crashed into the roof of a vacant two-story home in Texas, authorities said.

The Georgetown Fire Department responded to the scene just before noon Sunday, July 23, according to a Facebook post. Photos from the department show the wrecked plane on top of the house.

Three people inside the plane were taken to a hospital with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries, the Georgetown Police Department said.

Fire officials said the occupants of the plane were coming back from a breakfast in Kerrville, about 100 miles away, when the planes engine began to fail, according to KXAN.

(The pilot) just veered away from the apartment complex behind you, and I believe he just had to make that split second decision and ditched it into a single home instead, City of Georgetown Battalion Chief Scott Gibson told KXAN.

Neighbor Shannon Hayes told KSAT the plane was heard making a noise that didnt sound good before the crash.

Once it crashed, she said neighbors ran over to help.

Two people climbed out of the airplane onto the roof and were asking for ladders while I was on the phone with 911, she told KSAT.

Dylan King was one of the neighbors who also ran to give aid, according to KXAN.

They were scared, they didnt know what was going on, he said of those onboard. They looked really confused. We had helped them down off the balcony and they were trying to jump through a hole in the roof. We opened the attic stairs and they got down that way.

The three people onboard were released from the hospital the same day, KXAN reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, according to statements obtained by McClatchy News.

The FAA said the plane was a single-engine Beechcraft BE35.

Georgetown is about 30 miles north of downtown Austin.

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Police said Monday they made an arrest in the brutal stabbing death of an unhoused woman in Fresno.

The woman was reported to be bleeding about 7 p.m. Sunday near the U.S. Post Office on Griffith Avenue west of Blackstone Avenue, police said.

She was identified Monday as Patricia Roper, 58, by police.

Roper knew the man who allegedly stabbed her  he also was identified Monday by police as 36-year-old Steven Raymundo. He also lived on the street.

The two knew each other but police said the motive for the stabbing was not clear, adding Raymundo denied his involvement.

Raymundo can be seen stabbing Roper repeatedly in the upper body on surveillance video from the scene, police said.

Patricia Roper, 58, was stabbed to death on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in Fresno, police said.

Roper was taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Multiple witnesses in the area spoke with police.

Raymundo remained in custody without bail at Fresno County Jail on Monday on suspicion of murder, according to police.

The killing was the 22nd intentional homicide so far this year. There were 36 at the same time last year.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 559-621-7000. Valley Crime Stoppers also takes tips anonymously at 559-498-7687.

A woman was stabbed and killed near a Fresno, California post office on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
An 81-year-old man who had been reported missing has been reunited with his family, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Police said John Allen Gibson was last seen around 7 p.m. driving a gray or blue Dodge 2006 Caravan into west Charlotte on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Officers ask for public help to find missing, endangered Mecklenburg County toddler

Monday morning, police announced that Gibson had been located and reunited with his family.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD asks for publics help to find 2 missing girls in east Charlotte)




Austin police said Monday that its investigation into a break-in at the Austin NAACP office over the weekend hasn't turned up evidence pointing to a hate crime, instead the case is being investigated as a burglary.

"Based on preliminary information and the current status of the investigation, there is no evidence to suggest this is a hate crime," police said in a statement. "Our investigators always take a holistic approach to investigate any incident within APD jurisdiction, including whether the incident involves a bias-motivated element."

Police received a report Sunday at 8:02 a.m. about a possible break-in that was no longer in progress at 1050 E 11th St. Officers responded at 8:50 a.m., took an initial report of the scene and tried multiple times to contact the business owner but were unsuccessful, police said.

NAACP Chapter President Nelson Linder said on Sunday that he tried calling 911 but didn't get a response, adding that the office regularly gets hate calls.

On Monday, Austin police came by around 10:30 a.m. to collect fingerprints, Linder said. He believes 24 hours was too long of a wait for a case like this.

More: Austin's NAACP office broken into, items stolen overnight.

Police received a second call Sunday at 10:43 a.m. regarding a break-in at the same location, police said, however, officers had already taken the report and had been at the scene, and therefore didn't respond a second time.

The break-in remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 512 974-6941.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin NAACP break-in wasn't hate crime, police said
The county labor federation building in Los Angeles, where the organization's top official and three City Council members were recorded during a private meeting in 2021 that included racist comments. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles police officers recently searched the Eagle Rock home of two people who have worked at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, as part of their investigation into a secret audio recording that dramatically upended City Hall politics last year.

A search warrant was served earlier this month at the home of Santos Leon and Karla Vasquez, who are married and were employed by the federation when the recording was made, according to a source familiar with the probe, who has knowledge of the warrant but is not authorized to speak publicly. Leon's computers were taken by police, the person said.

Recording conversations without a persons consent is illegal in California, with rare exceptions, and can be pursued as a felony. The warrant cited the penal codes for eavesdropping and destroying or concealing evidence , the source said.

Leon, 43, was first named last week in connection with the investigation by Los Angeles Magazine, which reported that he had been questioned by police officers assigned to the case.

Three neighbors said Monday they saw police go into the Eagle Rock home early on the morning of July 13, with officers entering from both the street and from the alley behind the house. Police were on the property for about two hours and appeared to have searched both the main house and a back house, two of those neighbors said.

A fourth neighbor, Hilary Maxwell, said she saw a police van parked on the street and about eight officers in and around the house. She said the officers told her they were executing a search warrant.

Read more: Inside the room: The entire L.A. City Council racist audio leak, annotated by our experts

Leon, who has been working for the federation as an accountant, declined to comment through his lawyer. Vasquez, his wife, had no comment on the inquiry when reached at her home. Her lawyer also declined to comment.

Neither Leon nor Vasquez has been publicly identified as suspects in the case.

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The recordings sparked widespread denunciation and led to the resignation of two major political figures  then-City Council President Nury Martinez and Ron Herrera, who was in charge of the labor federation at that time.

Vasquez, 46, left the federation in March, according to her LinkedIn page, and had been serving as Herrera's executive assistant.

Last Tuesday, the federation called an emergency meeting to update its executive board on the findings of the organization's internal investigation into the recording, according to a person familiar with that inquiry.

Yvonne Wheeler, the federation's president, told the executive board about the work of the group's forensic investigator, who interviewed federation staff and examined each staffer's laptop computer in the wake of the audio leak, said the source, who declined to be named because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the federation's internal investigation.

During that inquiry, the forensic investigator found sound-editing software on Leons computer and turned its findings over to the LAPD, the source said. Leon was placed on leave and remains a federation employee, according to the source.

Federation leaders had previously dismissed the idea that one of its staffers could be responsible for the secret recording, saying last fall that the group has "the best staff in the nation."

We reject any accusation that a member of our staff would be responsible for these recordings as absolutely false and completely outrageous, the federation said on Twitter last year.

Wheeler declined through a spokesperson to comment on the internal inquiry, saying the investigation is still ongoing. The LAPD declined to comment on the investigation.

The leaked conversation was recorded during an October 2021 meeting between Herrera, Martinez and two other City Council members  Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon  at the federation's Westlake headquarters .

The conversation included racist and derogatory comments and spurred widespread calls for the resignation of all four participants. Cedillo, who had lost his reelection prior to the release of the recording, left office in December. De Leon remains on the council and has not yet disclosed whether he will seek reelection.

The four participants in the conversation spent much of the meeting discussing redistricting  the city's process of creating new political maps for each of the council's 15 districts  and efforts to draw those boundaries in ways that would consolidate their political power.

The LAPD announced in mid-October that it had opened a criminal investigation into the making of the recording, with the department's Major Crimes Division taking the lead. At the time, Police Chief Michel Moore said the investigation was initiated at the request of people who had been in that recorded meeting.

Times staff writers James Queally and Laura J. Nelson 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.
Metro Nashville Homicide Unit detectives have charged a man following a fatal shooting in South Nashville Monday morning.

Josue Emanuel Cruz, 18, was charged with criminal homicide after fatally shooting Yoel Lopez, 21, inside a car near the intersection of Sterling Boone Drive and Jay Street.

Lopez, his cousin, and Cruz were in a parked Nissan Altima at 1 a.m. listening to music. Lopez was in the drivers seat, his cousin was in the front passenger seat and Cruz was in the backseat. Cruz was playing with an A-R style pistol when it went off, striking Lopez.

Cruz ran from the car. Lopez was placed into the back seat by his cousin, who then drove to a nearby convenience market at 2802 Nolensville Pike from where police were called.

Specialized Investigations Division detectives located him late Monday morning outside a Nolensville Pike business.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com

Diana Leyva covers breaking and trending news for The Tennessean. Connect with her by email at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Police located and charged suspect in fatal South Nashville shooting
An arrest has been made following a deadly stabbing in Dorchester on Monday.

Eduardo Bonilla, 43, of Dorchester, is charged with murder.

Officers responding to a report of a stabbing in the area of 6 Hartford Street, a transitional house for veterans, found a victim who was in need of emergency medical treatment, according to the Boston Police Department.

The victim, a man in his 50s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His name has not been released.

In a statement, the Pine Street Inn said, Were aware of an incident at 6 Hartford Street in Dorchester, which serves as transitional housing for Veterans. As it is currently an ongoing police investigation, we do not have any further information to provide at this time.

Bonilla will be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on Tuesday.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is urged to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at (617) 343-4470.

There were no additional details available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Body camera footage shows a police officer in Ohio releasing a K-9 dog on a truck driver despite commands to stop the dog from at least one state trooper. The dog was released as the man, who is Black, appeared to be surrendering after a chase earlier this month.

The incident, captured on the morning of July 4, is now being investigated by U.S., state and local police in Ohio.

The officer who released the dog was identified Monday as Ofc. Ryan Speakman of the Circleville Police Department, the department's chief of police said in a statement.

Speakman has been placed on paid administrative leave as the incident is investigated by the department's Use of Force Review Board, Circleville police chief G. Shawn Baer said in a statement.

"We take all such incidents and the actions of our officers very seriously. When the Review Board's investigation is completed, we will release the results and any further action taken," Baer said.

State troopers say they were attempting to inspect a semi-truck on U.S. Route 23 in Ohio, noticing a missing rear mud flap. The truck's driver, 23-year-old Jadarrius Rose, didn't pull over, leading to a pursuit with multiple police cruisers.

Eventually, Rose did stop, but when officers exited their vehicles with guns drawn, he pulled away, tearing his left tire by speeding through a spike strip, effectively ending the chase.

Body cam footage shows Rose then exiting the vehicle and seemingly complying with officers' instructions, with his hands up. A state trooper can be heard telling the local Circleville police not to release their K-9 onto Rose, saying, "Do not release the dog with his hands up! Do not release the dog with his hands up!"

Despite at least one warning, an officer released the dog and it bit Rose, holding its grip for over 30 seconds while Rose screamed for officers to intervene.

An officer can be heard yelling, "Get the dog off of him!" The dog was eventually pulled away from Rose, who was then handcuffed before officers called for first aid. He was bleeding heavily and taken to a local hospital.

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Rose was later jailed for three days before being released.

He was seemingly unarmed. There is no mention of any weapon in the police report about the incident.

Brian Higgins, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said part of the problem appeared to be miscommunication between state and local police.

"When you have other agencies ... that then descend on the incident, they have to be in some sort of agreement as to what the use of force practices will be," said Higgins.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the incident occurred on I-35.

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State and local Police are searching for a missing paddleboarder on Marthas Vineyard Sunday night.

Police and fire agencies on Marthas Vineyard responded to Edgartown Great Pond near Turkeyland Cove around 7:46 p.m. for the missing 43-year-old man, Massachusetts State Police say.

Another paddleboarder saw the man go under the water, briefly struggle to stay on the surface and then dip below the water, police say.

Numerous agencies are assisting in the search operation, including Edgartown Fire and all other island fire departments; local police; State Police patrols, Air Wing, and detectives, the Dukes County Sheriffs Department, and the Coast Guard. Local fire department divers and marine assets are currently in the pond, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.

People are being asked to avoid the area while crews search.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Two of the four people missing after floods ripped through the Canadian Atlantic province of Nova Scotia over the weekend are dead, Premier Tim Houston said on Monday.

Police earlier confirmed the death of a 52-year-old man who was reported missing after his car became submerged and said they had found a second body most likely to be one of the four people who disappeared as waters rose.

"I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two people who passed away following floods," Houston said in a statement confirming the second body was one of the four people who went missing in the region of Halifax, the province's largest city.

The storm, which started on Friday, in some places dumped more than 25 cm (10 inches) in just 24 hours - as much as normally falls in three months.

The floods washed away roads, swamped buildings and damaged bridges and a Canadian National Railway track connecting with Halifax, Canada's fourth-largest port.

Canadian National has already restored much of the damaged infrastructure, but some repairs will be delayed until the flood waters recede, company spokesman Scott Brown said.

Vessel service has not yet been hit by the track closure and the port is working to manage storing cargoes strategically, said port authority communications director Lane Farguson.

"With supply chains the reality is the longer the disruption lasts, the more severe the impact is," he said by phone.

Farguson said 60% of the cargoes that move through the port are rail based, and many contain consumer goods manufactured in Europe or southeast Asia that are on their way to large population centers in eastern Canada and the U.S. Midwest.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Grant McCool)
Jury selection began Monday in Carlos Reales Dominguezs competency trial in Woodland, the first step toward determining whether he is fit to stand trial in the rampage killings of two Davis men and the wounding of a third woman in April and May.

Attorneys did not expect a jury to be chosen Monday, but they had plenty to discuss in morning arguments before Yolo Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam.

Prosecutors argued to admit Reales Dominguezs statement in open court expressing remorse for the crimes at a June hearing before criminal proceedings were suspended to evaluate his fitness to stand trial. Also contended, the 21-year-olds current mental state, nearly two months after the knife attacks that left a stunned Davis on edge for days in late April and early May.

Reales Dominguez was expelled from UC Davis days before the rampage. He stands accused of multiple murders in the knife killings of 50-year-old David Henry Breaux and 20-year-old UC Davis senior Karim Abou Najm and the attempted murder of 64-year-old Kimberlee Guillory.

A disheveled Dominguez, clad and shackled again in a protective vest in court Monday, was taken Friday from Yolo County custody to a hospital for a mental health hold, his attorney Yolo County deputy public defender Daniel Hutchinson said. Reales Dominguez was returned to custody Saturday.

Contrary to criminal trials, it will be public defender Hutchinsons burden to prove Reales Dominguez is mentally unfit to stand trial and assist in his own defense.

Jurors in the days of testimony to come will only weigh Dominguezs mental competence, not his guilt or innocence, in the proceedings. The trial is expected to take at least two weeks. Hutchinson will only need a preponderance of evidence to prove doubt, a lesser burden than the more steep criminal trial standard of reasonable doubt, McAdam said.

If Reales Dominguez is found to be mentally fit for trial, criminal proceedings will resume.

Yolo prosecutors Matthew DeMoura and Chris Van Der Hoek argued that Dominguezs in-court statements and alleged statements in custody show he is aware of the crimes  points of data, Van Der Hoek said, relevant as jurors determine whether criminal hearings can proceed.

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He doesnt want to continue in the process because hes aware of his guilt, Van Der Hoek said. Hes admitted to his guilt multiple times.

But an admission in court serves no purpose, at a competency hearing, Hutchinson said, adding that jurors will be instructed not to consider guilt or innocence in the hearing. McAdam had initially denied the statements admission. He later said he had softened his position considerably, but had not rendered a final decision.

McAdam had stricken Reales Dominguezs statement from the record in June before suspending proceedings to allow doctors to evaluate him.

Hutchinson also cited a defense experts evaluation of Dominguezs initial 7-hour interview with law enforcement. That doctor is expected to testify that Reales Dominguez displayed multiple symptoms of mental illness in the hours of questioning with officers.
The governor of Guam urged residents to continue staying home for their protection and safety a day after the strongest storm to impact the US territory in decades slammed into the island.

The eye of Typhoon Mawar passed just north of Guam, but the eyewall  the most powerful part of the storm  pelted the island with hurricane-force winds and heavy rain.

On Wednesday, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero implored residents to stay at home until conditions are declared safe for travel in a Facebook address. In a video address on Thursday morning local time (Wednesday night Eastern Time), the governor said the worst has gone by but continued to advise residents to stay home for your protection and your safety as the island experiences 40 to 50 mph tropical winds.

The governor said roads are passable, but urged residents to stay off the roads until conditions improve.

The governor said the strongest winds from the storm were being felt throughout the island, particularly in the north.

No storm-related deaths had been reported as of Thursday morning local time, the governors press secretary, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, said.

The Guam International Airport recorded sustained winds of 71 mph with a gust of 105 mph Wednesday evening. As the storm passed north of the island, Marwar gained super typhoon status with 150 mph winds, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Mawar is now moving away from Guam, the National Weather Service in Guam said.

As of Thursday evening local time, the storm was packing sustained winds of 165 mph and gusts up to 200 mph, the JTWC said, making it the equivalent of a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane.

Mawar will continue to move west-northwest, away from Guam, toward the northern Philippines and Taiwan, but is not expected to threaten land in the next several days. Additional strengthening is possible over the next 12 to 24 hours and then slow weakening is expected.

Even though the center of the storms eye narrowly missed the island, most of its residents have lost power.

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Nearly all of Guam Power Authoritys circuits have been impacted by the storm and only about 1,000 of its 52,000 customers still had electricity, the authority said in a statement on Facebook at around 6 p.m.

Guam Memorial Hospital is currently operating on power from a standby generator, it added. We are working hard to maintain the last remaining customers through the storm, the power authority said. Our GPA team is prepared to immediately begin restoration as soon as winds decrease to safe levels, it said.

The weather service issued a typhoon warning for the island for Wednesday, and flash flood and coastal flood warnings until Thursday morning.

In anticipation of high storm surge and potentially catastrophic coastal flooding, Guerrero issued an executive order Tuesday mandating the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas.

When sea levels rise, residents will have merely minutes to evacuate and respond. Thus, we must prepare now and anticipate the worst, the governors office said in a release.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the island on Tuesday.

The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is headed toward Guam to potentially support recovery efforts following the typhoon, two US defense officials tell CNN.

So far there has not been an official request for assistance from FEMA, but the agency announced it has more than 50 emergency relief personnel and dozens of other federal partners ready to provide emergency assistance on the ground.

Life-threatening floods from rain and storm surge possible

Mawar threatens torrential rains that may result in landslides and flash flooding, catastrophic wind, and life-threatening storm surge, the weather service said Wednesday morning.

Mawars slow forward pace of about 8 mph could exacerbate the impacts of wind and bring greater amounts of rainfall to the island than a faster-moving storm.

The storm could bring between 15 to 20 inches of rain with even higher local amounts possible, the weather service said. The downpour will likely trigger landslides, overflow rivers and streams and bring flooding to areas that dont normally see such events.

While the storm surge is expected to be lower than initially feared, as the center of the storm passed just north and kept the worst of the surge north of the island, ocean levels 4 to 6 feet above normal high tides are still possible, the weather service warned.

Maximum observed wave heights over the ocean were a towering 40 feet high.

Storm surge deaths are historically the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities within the United States, according to the weather service.

cnnweather

Officials have warned the storm will bring devastating impacts to the islands residents, infrastructure and landscape.

Extensive roof and structure damage is possible due to pummeling winds, especially for buildings that are not reinforced with concrete.

Electricity and water may be unavailable for days and perhaps weeks after the storm passes and most trees will be snapped or uprooted, the local weather service warned.

Between 50-70% of Guams vegetation could experience defoliation  the unnatural removal of much of a plants leaves and foliage, the weather service said.

Strong winds from Typhoon Mawar bend trees in the parking lot of the Guam Plaza Resort and Spa in Tamuning on Wednesday. - Jun Manalac/Reuters

Human-caused climate change is contributing to an upward trend intense storms like Typhoon Mawar. Not only are these systems generating more rainfall and larger storm surge  they are also more likely to be stronger and are intensifying faster, CNN has reported.

Mawar rapidly intensified from Monday into Tuesday, with top wind speeds increasing by 50 mph in just 18 hours. Scientists have warned that the rapid intensification of tropical cyclones  like typhoons and hurricanes  is more likely as ocean temperatures climb and lay the groundwork for cyclones to explode at breakneck pace into deadly storms.

Strongest storm in decades

The storm is one that will be remembered for decades, said Landon Aydlett, the warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service in Guam.

Mawar is the strongest storm to impact Guam  home to about 150,000 people, as well as several US military installations  in decades. Super Typhoon Pongsona hit Guam in 2002 with sustained winds of 144 miles per hour and gusts to 173 mph, according to the weather service.

Super Typhoon Karen, widely regarded as the worst storm to ever hit the island, struck in 1962 with sustained winds of 172 mph.

Though Guam sits in the West Pacific Ocean  an area prone to the worlds strongest tropical cyclones  it is extremely rare for the island to be struck directly by a storm of this strength. Hitting the small island amid the expansive Pacific Ocean is like threading a tiny needle. Only eight storms of this strength have passed directly over it in the last 75 years.

CNNs Taylor Ward, Derek Van Dam, Brandon Miller, Paradise Afshar, Amanda Jackson, Rachel Ramirez, Hamdi Alkhshali, Oren Liebermann and Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A 21-year-old trans man who was eight months pregnant was killed by his fiance, who then fatally shot himself in what authorities in Florida are investigating as a murder-suicide.

While the Polk County Sheriffs Office misgendered the victim in an initial press release, social media profiles show Camdyn Rider used he/they pronouns.

According to authorities, Riley John Groover, 26, shot Rider multiple times around 7 p.m. on Friday, outside their home in Winter Haven in front of witnesses.

According to family members, the couple have argued in the past, and it has turned physical. None of those incidents were reported to law enforcement, the sheriffs office said.

Facebook posts show Rider proposed to Groover in April 2022 and multiple posts express his love for his fiance.

From the second I laid eyes on you I knew that I wanted you in my life. I didnt know as what yet, but I knew I wanted you there, Rider wrote in one. You showed me who I can be and you showed me what love is supposed to feel like.

Riley Groover and Camdyn Rider.

Riley Groover and Camdyn Rider.

Rider also posted an image of an ultrasound in March, announcing he was pregnant with their child. In June, he shared photos of a gender reveal and that they planned to name their baby boy Oliver John Lee.

Its crazy to imagine that Im now gonna be a father, especially to a little boy, Rider wrote. But man Im so excited and couldnt be happier, I couldnt be happier to be doing it with you Riley Groover.

On Friday, authorities said Groover became enraged and family members were unable to get Rider away from him.

Despite all efforts from first responders at the scene and medical staff at the hospital, the unborn baby was unable to be saved, the sheriffs office said.

According to police records obtained by HuffPost, Groover was arrested multiple times over the last several years, including for an incident of domestic violence involving a female family member.

In 2014, Groover was accused of repeatedly stalking and harassing a victim over the phone, then shooting them with a BB gun. When Groover was arrested, he allegedly kicked a police officer while they were reaching for their handcuffs.

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Groover was again arrested in 2016 on domestic violence charges after he got into a verbal argument with a female family member, which led to him breaking a bottle on the kitchen floor and continued to break several doors inside the home with a hatchet, authorities said.

In 2018, Groover allegedly became angry and aggressive during an altercation with a female family member following an argument over household chores and the Wi-Fi being shut off. Shortly after, he drove his car through the front yard, stopping just feet from the victim, then got out and chased her inside the house, where he stabbed her with a pocket knife, authorities said.

More than half of transgender individuals have experienced intimate partner violence, according to a national survey. Abuse can intensify when someone is pregnant, and homicide is a leading cause of death among pregnant people.

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

Related...
With the 82nd anniversary of Emmett Tills birthday landing this week, President Biden has decided to commemorate the event. Biden will designate a national monument across three sites in honor of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.

On Tuesday, the same day as Tills birthday, President Biden is expected to sign a proclamation to establish a national monument honoring the mother-son pair. The new monument will live across three locations in Illinois and Mississippi. Each spot represents and protects places that tell Tills story and his mothers role in telling his story. Till-Mobley was an instrumental factor in keeping Tills story alive. After her sons death, she became a leader in the civil rights movement for decades. She fought tirelessly for the equality of Black Americans.

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument

The three sites of the monument include Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, Graball Landing in Mississippi and Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse, also in Mississippi. Each site tells a bit of Tills story which is fundamental in keeping his legacy alive.

His funeral was held at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ. Just about 1,700 people attended the service, filling the church to capacity. About 10,000 more stood outside and listened to the service over loudspeakers. The funeral was also monumental due to Till-Mobleys brave decision to keep the casket open so that the public could see how her sons body was mutilated.

Graball Landing is the spot where locals believe Tills body was recovered from the Tallahatchie River. A memorial sign was installed at the site in 2008, however, the sign has been vandalized on several occasions. Now, on its fourth rendition, the sign is bulletproof and details the history of vandalisms.

Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse is where Tills killers were acquitted by an all-white jury. In 2007, Tills family was invited to the courthouse to receive an apology from the towns leaders, decades after the incident.

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The new monument will protect places that tell the story of Emmett Tills too-short life and racially-motivated murder, the unjust acquittal of his murderers, and the activism of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who courageously brought the worlds attention to the brutal injustices and racism of the time, catalyzing the civil rights movement, a White House official said in a statement.

Last December, Congress voted to award the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Till and his mother.

The post President Biden to Designate Monument Honoring Emmett Till And His Mother appeared first on 21Ninety.
Six Republican presidential candidates have met the Republican National Committees (RNC) new criteria to participate in the first GOP debate on 23 August.

Former president Donald Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina senator Tim Scott have all qualified.

All six candidates have had at least 40,000 unique donors from 20+ states and/or territories contribute to their campaigns and maintained at least one per cent in two national polls and two early state polls.

This past year, the RNC added a list of criteria that candidates must meet to qualify for the first debate, as the pool of GOP hopefuls grows larger each passing month.

In addition to the 40,000 unique donors and one per cent polling, candidates also must commit to supporting the RNCs eventual nominee and not participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debates for the remainder of the election cycle.

The first debate is set to occur at the end of August in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As of now, Mr Trump is leading in most national polls but the ex-president said he is unsure if he will attend the first RNC debate.

In an interview with Fox News, Mr Trump said: Ronald Reagan didnt do it, and a lot of other people didnt do it. When you have a big lead, you dont do it.

Trailing behind Mr Trump is Mr DeSantis, who said he plans to show up to the debate regardless of Mr Trumps decision.

Mr DeSantis was thought to be the leading rival against Mr Trump, however, recent polling shows other candidates catching up to the Florida governor like Mr Ramaswamy and Ms Haley.

Mr Ramaswamy is experiencing a polling boom as voters in New Hampshire indicated theres an 18 per cent chance theyd consider him as a second choice. Nationally, hes polling at 10 per cent, according to RealClearPolitics.

On Saturday, Mr Ramaswamys campaign said he had met the criteria, which he called stringent but fair.

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I am a first-time candidate who started with very low name ID, no political donors and no pre-existing fundraising lists, Mr Ramaswamy said in a statement. If an outsider can clear the bar, politically experienced candidates should be able to as well.

Ms Haley is slightly behind Mr Ramaswamy, polling at 14 per cent in South Carolina, according to a Fox Business poll, and four per cent nationally, according to RealClearPolitics.

Mr Scott and Mr Christie both announced last week they had met the 40,000 unique donors threshold. Polling shows both candidates maintaining approximately two per cent favorability in national polls and six to eight per cent in New Hampshire.

While the six have qualified as of 24 July, other candidates may join the debate stage as they have until 21 August to meet the criteria.

Former vice president Mike Pence is expected to join the group. He told CNNs State of the Union on Sunday that while he has met the polling criteria, he had not yet garnered 40,000 unique donors. He said his campaign was working around the clock to get there.

Im confident well be there, Mr Pence said.

North Dakota governor Doug Burgum told Twitter followers he met the 40,000 unique donor threshold last week but it is unclear if has secured his spot on the debate stage due to his polling numbers.

Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson told Good Morning America last week that he had not met the 40,000 donor threshold yet. National polling shows Mr Hutchinson hovering around the one per cent mark.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been accused of subbing their elderly neighbour after they moved to Montecito, California.

Frank McGinity, an 88-year-old US Navy veteran, said that he has been neighbours with the Sussexes since they first moved into the area in 2020 and that he tried to welcome them to the community with a gift.

But the gesture did not go as planned, he said.

In a chapter of his memoir, Get Off Your Street, Mr McGinity said that he approached the couples home to give them some films he has made about the history of the local area.

I have a big house next to Harry and Meghans property and I live in the guest house while renting the main house out on Airbnb, he said, according to The Montecito Journal.

Harry and Meghan live on old McCormick property and I went up to their gate with the films on a CD, but they werent interested, he added.

Mr McGinity said that the couples security guard on the gate turned him away.

The gate guy turned me away and wouldnt take the film, just saying theyre not interested. I was trying to be neighbourly, he said.

He added: We dont see them very much around here. Its surprising they came here. People are typically older. Its where the elephants come to die.

Mr McGinity said that he lives a tiaras toss or two from the Sussexs property in the wealthy enclave of Montecito.

Meghan and Harry settled into the California home there back in July 2020, in a property that is said to be worth $14.7m (11.2m), according to TMZ.

The Duke and Duchess moved to the US in 2020 (Getty Images)

At the time, a spokesperson for the couple told The Independent: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their family home in July of this year.

They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbours, as well as for them as a family.

Since moving to the US, Harry has visited the UK on a number of occasions including the late Queens funeral, the Kings Coronation and to appear in court during his legal battle against The Daily Mirror.
A Chinese marketing firm likely organized and promoted protests in Washington last year as part of a wide-ranging pro-Beijing influence campaign, according to new research.

The Chinese firm also used a network of over 70 fake news websites to promote pro-China content in an example of the more aggressive efforts by pro-China operatives to influence US political debate in recent years, according to security firm Mandiant, which analyzed the activity.

One of the protests was against a US government ban on goods produced in Chinas Xinjiang region, where US officials have accused the Chinese government of systematic repression of the Uyghurs. The other protest was on the sidelines of a June conference on international religious freedom, Mandiant said.

One of the protests only attracted roughly a dozen people but it showed the scope and ambition of the pro-China efforts.

The hired protesters, who included self-proclaimed musicians and actors in the Washington, DC, area, apparently had no idea they were being enlisted in a pro-China influence campaign, the Mandiant researchers said.

The campaign backed by the Chinese firm, Shanghai Haixun Technology Co., Ltd., is intended to sow discord in US society, Ryan Serabian, a senior analyst at Mandiant, told CNN.

In both cases, protesters carry placards and chant slogans about racial discrimination and abortion in the US. Haixun, the Chinese firm, distributed videos of the protesters online to further the influence campaign, according to Mandiant.

Shanghai Haixun Technology did not respond to a request for comment.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said he was unaware of the details of the research. China has always adhered to non-interference in other countries internal affairs, Liu said in an email to CNN.

The Washington Post first reported on the Mandiant research.

In the runup to the 2016 US presidential elections, Russian operatives used social media to organize protests on American soil as part of Moscows election interference, according to US intelligence officials. Such divisive tactics are no longer confined to the Russians, according to election security experts.

During the 2022 US midterm elections, pro-China propagandists showed signs of engaging in Russia-style influence activities that stoke American divisions, FBI officials told reporters last year. The FBI pointed to Facebooks shutdown of accounts originating in China that posted memes mocking President Joe Biden and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

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A new public lands rule, the Conservation and Landscape Health draft rule, proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will bring balance to the agencys management of federal land across Idaho and the West.

As the nations largest land manager  nearly 12 million acres in Idaho  BLM has a significant impact on the way we Idahoans use, access, and enjoy our public lands. Twelve million acres amounts to nearly one-quarter of Idahos total land area. This proposed rulemaking is extremely important to our current and future way of life here in Idaho.

Whether you just moved here, or you and your family have been here for a long time, we all care about our land, water and wildlife. Under this proposed rule, BLM would shift their management to include the conservation of resources on an equal footing with other uses such as mining, timber harvest, livestock grazing, and oil and gas extraction.

The Federal Land Management and Policy Act of 1976 (FLPMA) directed BLM to operate under a multiple-use mandate, providing for management of non-consumptive uses and resources on public lands like recreation, wildlife habitat, and water resources to be at the same level of management consideration as other uses. Big idea in 1976, but this is not whats currently happening in 2023.

Conservation includes outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation is a significant and growing sector of Idahos economy and BLM lands play a foundational role in our access to those unforgettable outdoor experiences. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation accounts for 32,478 direct jobs here in Idaho and $2.8 billion in revenue.

In fact, Westerners overwhelmingly support and want strong conservation policies and management of public lands and waters that we see as being in our back yard. Retired agency leaders, businesses, hunting and angling groups, local elected officials and many others across the West have come out in support of the proposed BLM rule. The 2023 Conservation in The West poll found that 78% of Idahoans support creating new national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, protecting historic sites and establishing tribal protected areas. The poll also found that the national goal of conserving 30% of Americas lands and waters by the year 2030 is supported by 75% of Idahoans.

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Conservation includes protecting wildlife habitat. Increasing awareness of the value of intact ecosystems and the importance of habitat connectedness is a key component of this rule. Today, some of the most vulnerable remaining natural landscapes for wildlife are at risk. For example, it is well documented that sage grouse, pronghorn, elk and mule deer all make extensive seasonal, interstate migrations across and along the Continental Divide and extending into the valleys and mountain ranges of central Idaho and southwestern Montana.

Every day we bear witness to a changing climate through news of increasingly extreme storm events, drought, fire, and dwindling water supplies. Given the increasingly dire specter of a changing climate, it is critical that management of public lands by the BLM make some comparatively drastic management changes to ensure our natural and cultural resources endure for many generations of Idahoans.

Our public lands offer some of the most readily available, fiscally responsible solutions to address the rapidly changing conditions we see in the West. Enacting this rule will modernize the agencys approach to managing public lands by allowing new public/private partnerships for restoration work, conservation leasing and mitigation tools to address the effects of past landscape damage.

What is left up to us Idahoans  that cant be fixed by any rules  is that we recreate responsibly, respect private property and behave like public lands are our front yard  because they truly are.

Jim Roscoe is a life-long hunter, fisherman, and wildlife enthusiast who explores east central Idaho and southwest Montana. He is a retired BLM wildlife biologist who spent his career working for sensitive species conservation and riparian habitat improvement. He lives in Salmon.
EVANSVILLE  The man accused of killing 57-year-old Patrick White saw his charges dismissed Monday after a key witness could not be located and a judge denied prosecutors' motion to further delay his trial.

According to court records, Vanderburgh County prosecutors dismissed the charges against 33-year-old Michael Logan Thomas without prejudice. Thomas' jury trial, which had already been delayed once, was scheduled to begin Monday morning.

Evansville police arrested Thomas on Aug. 12, 2022, after detectives accused him of fatally shooting White and leaving White's remains to decompose in a twine-wrapped blanket.

The Evansville Police Department said investigators identified Thomas as a suspect in White's killing after multiple witnesses came forward to report they had overheard Thomas discussing the need to move White's body.

But as Thomas' July trial date approached, prosecutors noted in filings that they had failed to locate a key witness. Just days before his scheduled trial, Thomas rejected a plea agreement offered by Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers' office.

According to the proposed agreement, the state would have dismissed the felony murder charge if Thomas agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony, and accepted a 15-year prison sentence.

Moers told the Courier & Press, she "can't comment on cases dismissed without prejudice," though the county's top prosecutor has done so in the past. Moers' office could refile charges against Thomas at a later date.

White was initially thought to be missing

Evansville police began investigating White's apparent disappearance on July 7, 2022. According to police records, officers were dispatched to White's apartment after a property manager reported that White had not been seen since April 2022.

"Officers entered the apartment and noticed a foul odor that did not appear to come from expired food," an affidavit states. "The smell was most strong in the bathroom where hundreds of flies were located. No signs of a struggle were visible."

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Officers did not initially locate White at his apartment. But one month later, when detectives returned with a search warrant and crime scene investigators, they reported finding White "wrapped in a blanket with twine."

"At this time, the search of the residence was stopped so a new search warrant could be completed to include the body," detectives wrote.

After officers' initial July visit to White's apartment, the EPD compiled tips and witness testimony. On July 8, for example, a woman reportedly told the police she had overheard a "heated conversation" between Thomas and a second person "about moving a body."

Other witnesses reportedly corroborated overhearing this conversation, and on Aug. 12, 2022, the police detained and interviewed Thomas and his then-girlfriend.

According to a sworn affidavit, Thomas claimed his girlfriend shot and killed White during a struggle. Detectives said Thomas' story was inconsistent with witness testimony and other evidence, which included extensive blood spatter at the scene of the shooting and signs of an attempted cleanup.

While Thomas was arrested and charged with murder, his former romantic partner became a key witness in the case against him, records state.

In a motion filed on Friday, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office wrote that "multiple agencies have spent numerous days attempting to locate [Thomas' former romantic partner] to secure her appearance at trial."

Moers' office unsuccessfully petitioned the court to continue Thomas' case as it sought to track down the witness. Monday morning, after prosecutors dismissed Thomas' charges, Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge Celia Pauli ordered Thomas released from jail "in this case only."

According to court records, Thomas has additional pending criminal charges in Vanderburgh County and other Indiana jurisdictions.

Houston can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Charges dropped against Evansville man implicated in Southside killing
A small group of protesters gathered Monday outside the Hyatt Regency hotel downtown, where the citys Office for Emergency Management and Communications was hosting the 18th annual National Homeland Security Conference, to demand that the agency improve its emergency response plan in caring for the thousands of recently arrived migrants in Chicago.

We come to the steps of the OEMC conference, frustrated and ashamed that one of the institutions that is supposedly tasked with ensuring the well-being of people in an emergency, today is taunting their budget and nonexistent support, said Organized Community Against Deportations organizer Xanat Sobrevilla at a news conference, which included about 20 volunteers who care for migrants sheltering in police stations.

Almost a year after the first buses of migrants arrived in Chicago from Texas in late August 2022, volunteers say the city has struggled to efficiently deploy resources in order to feed and house over 10,000 asylum-seekers. Currently, over 6,000 asylum-seekers are staying at temporary shelters and sleeping on the floors of police stations, in some of which staff members and police officers have been accused of mistreatment and sexual misconduct against migrants.

Since March, the Police Station Response Team  which is not affiliated with the Police Department  has been one of countless volunteer groups in the Chicagoland addressing what they call the survival needs of newcomers living in provisional shelters.

If volunteers dont show up at police stations with food and bedding when the next bus comes, then people will go hungry and they will sleep on cold hardwood floors, said Halle Quezada, volunteer with PSRT.

Community organizations and volunteers are claiming that OEMC is neglecting its duties  which the citys website says include public safety planning and coordination for large-scale events, emergencies and disasters  and demanding that the agency assume responsibility to regularly deliver food, provide clothing and secure housing for migrants.

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The OEMC was meeting Monday with government agencies, nonprofits, business owners, universities, and other officials on the topic of homeland security, public safety and emergency management.

This is an ever-growing humanitarian crisis that Chicago has not experienced before, and that poses significant infrastructure challenges to an already overwhelmed shelter system, Chicago police districts, our city agencies, mutual aid partners, volunteers, and community residents, said Mary May, OEMC spokeswoman. Our commitment continues to be to decompress the police stations and move people into shelters, putting them on a path to resettlement and self-sufficiency. We continue to identify potential shelter locations on city-owned property as well as other options in order to open new shelters.

Quezadas own children, 8 and 6, held up signs behind her as she spoke. Her kids are uniquely familiar with the migrant crisis, Quezada told the Tribune, because she has been hosting migrants and their families in her own home as they transition into more permanent housing.

In the absence of that preparedness and coordination by OEMC, individual Chicagoans are providing front-line care to people arriving here. We have been, for months, and we are tired, Quezada said. We are here today because Chicago deserves a government that can see us through crisis. Public safety in our communities means that people have their basic survival needs met. Public safety means that the children who go to school with my kids have a bed to sleep on at night.

Sobrevilla also highlighted the critical role that neighbors, volunteers and local collectives have played in caring for migrants, from navigating check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinner deliveries to shelters and police stations.

The arrival of tens of thousands of people forced to leave their homes and communities to just barely survive, to find food, safety and hope, has exposed an inadequate system of care in Chicago  one we have had to patch on the fly, she said. We shall continue to demonstrate our capacity of care as human beings, independent of the state.

Other demands: Local staff and legal services

Volunteers are also asking the city to end its contract with Favorite HealthCare, a Kansas-based agency that staffs and runs city migrant shelters. This month, the citys Department of Family and Support Services awarded Favorite a contract worth up to $30 million to continue to staff the citys 12 shelters.

Referencing reports they have received of alleged mistreatment at shelters run by Favorite staffers, volunteers say that hiring local Chicagoans to run these operations would increase community trust and build a sustainable support network for migrants. Favorite HealthCare was not immediately reachable for comment.

PSRT volunteer Leah Rogers and other critics also say the legal process of applying for asylum is unnecessarily drawn out and creates dependence on staff instead of increasing the self-sufficiency of these new Chicago residents who are ready and willing to work and care for themselves.

Sobrevilla, herself an immigrant and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program recipient, has lived in the Chicago area for 27 years and has organized against what she calls the deportation apparatus for over a decade.

Even after enduring months of pain, starvation and danger on their way to the U.S., Sobrevilla said, migrants have to stand a fighting chance against a deportation machine while they try to adapt to living in Chicago.

To make matters worse, asylum-seekers have no (viable) way of leaving the shelter system because it takes over five months for the government to grant them a work permit once they have applied for asylum, Rogers added. Why isnt this city allocating money to help people access legal services when they apply for asylum and work permits? The city of Chicago has chosen to waste taxpayer dollars on a system of dependency with no regard for human dignity, public safety or sustainability.

Quezada said that, while volunteers are tired and desperate for help from the city, the people arriving in Chicago to seek asylum are not a burden.

The utter lack of coordination and preparation from our city departments  that is the burden, Quezada said. These predatory contracts that are absconding with our tax dollars and exponentiate the suffering  that is the burden. And a government that, in the absence of systems of care, will not allow people to care for themselves  that is the burden.

Chicago Tribunes A.D. Quig contributed.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
The Providence police lost "a magnificent ambassador" with the death of a horse that served in its mounted command bureau.

Salute, a Clydesdale, patrolled the city with his partner, Patrolman Jose Mendez, for six years, the police said in a Facebook post announcing the horse's death.

"Salute had a striking presence and stood at an incredible 21 hands tall and weighed 2,200 pounds," the police said. "His gentle presence and friendly demeanor was endearing to our handlers and police officers and, most importantly, to the countless citizens who met Salute on his daily patrols throughout the City of Providence."

Salute, shown greeting Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez, served for six years with Patrolman Jose Mendez.

Along with patrolling, Salute and Mendez, "who shared an unbreakable bond," marched in parades and funerals and met children and adults during public during tours of the department's mounted command stables and during community events, according to the post.

"Salute was a remarkable animal and worker and he especially enjoyed interacting with children throughout his many assignments within the Patrol Bureau at various events and at city parks and playgrounds. His favorite treat was apples and carrots," the police said.

The mounted command is located at Roger Williams Park, where four police officers and six civilians provide care for the horses, according to the department's website. It's under the command of Sgt. Steven E. Courville.

The facility is open to group tours by appointment Monday through Friday. It regularly hosts students from schools throughout Rhode Island, as well as Scout Troops and 4-H clubs, according to the website. The unit can be reached at (401) 243-6042.

The unit is funded through the city's budget, but the horses are acquired through donations, accepted into the command after being vetted for their temperament and bravery, according to the website.

Salute was born at Grant's Farm in St. Louis on Memorial Day 2013 and donated to the Providence Police Department by McLaughlin & Moran, Inc., according to the Facebook post.

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The horse is survived by four stablemates, Charlie, Reilly, Thunder and Prince, who are also Clydesdales, according to the Facebook post.

"Salute will be forever missed," the post says. "May he rest in peace."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Ambassador' Clydesdale horse for Providence Police Department dies
EDITORS NOTE: This reporting is part of ongoing Charlotte Observer coverage about gun violence, its impact on families and communities, and relevant public policy.

The numbers are bleak.

Homicides and gun-related assaults in Mecklenburg County nearly doubled from 2015 to 2020  jumping from 64 to 126 and 2,279 to 4,405, respectively. About half that violence happened within five zip codes. The people targeted most often were young Black men.

Last year, county commissioners agreed to try something new here and in North Carolina, to treat the toll as a public health issue.

Dubbed The Way Forward, the plan seeks to cut the homicide and gun-related assault rates in Mecklenburg County 10% by 2028. The effort is organized by the Mecklenburg County Office of Violence Prevention, which has only two full-time and one part-time employees.

The numbers can be misleading.

The people really deciding The Way Forwards priorities are community members. A long list of local groups are helping with implementation.

Thats a new approach, says Tracie Campbell, the violence prevention office director.

The Charlotte Observer recently spoke with Campbell about The Way Forward plan, what it means for Mecklenburg County and what it could mean for North Carolina. The conversation was edited for clarity and brevity.

Tracie Campbell, the senior program manager leading the countys Office of Violence Prevention.

CO: Why was the Office of Violence Prevention created three years ago?

TC: We had a lot of regular citizens that were asking local leaders, What are you doing about all this violence thats happening in Mecklenburg County?

The response from Public Health was to develop this Office of Violence Prevention. At the time, our deputy health director, who is currently the health director, Dr. Raynard Washington, came from Philadelphia, where he was doing some work with their Office of Violence Prevention.

It was the response of public outcry to, What are we going to do as a government entity?

CO: Is The Way Forward unique with its community-centered response to violence?

TC: We didnt want it to be a typical government type of plan, which is usually top-down. Government typically looks and says, This is what the problem is, and this is how were going to address it. Were going to develop a plan, and then well show it to the people and implement this plan.

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Oftentimes when you do that, it is not addressing the needs of the people that you intend to serve.

We used a bottom-up approach where we went directly to communities to get their perception of violence and what they felt like we were doing well, what they felt like we could improve on are areas that were most salient to them. We engaged more than 400 residents in Mecklenburg County through online survey, focus groups and interviews, and really evaluated what they said, and came up with five areas of focus, which you see in the plan.

CO: You mentioned the solutions might look very different from whats expected. What surprising things did you learn through that process?

TC: We had an opportunity to partner with the Sheriffs Office and do some engagement with three pods within the Mecklenburg County Detention Facility. There were many people in those conversations who wanted to share their stories, share some of their pitfalls and talk about their successes and how they turned the leaf over from the life they used to live.

They want to share those experiences with young people. And one of the things that we heard from young folks is that they wanted to hear from people with lived experience.

So, one of the things well look at: existing programs and policies and things that are happening in this space. Theres not a lot of opportunities for those two groups to get together. People with lived experience, if they have prior criminal justice involvement, they might not be able to mentor or volunteer with CMS, which is where we see most of our young people, in school.

Well create opportunities for those groups to share and hear and learn from one another. Thats a missed opportunity.

The parents of 3-year-old Asiah Figueroa are comforted by family and community members during a memorial gathering for their son on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Asiah was shot to death Sept. 7, 2021 during a drive-by shooting. Shooters fired a barrage of 150 bullets into the familys Charlotte home.

CO: The Way Forward is years long and not expected to be completed until 2028. Whats the work thats being done right now and whats next?

TC: Some of the things that weve already been doing is launching an awareness campaign about violence prevention. We have worked with the City of Charlotte and some other partners to expand our Alternatives to Violence Program. Were working to support expansion of our hospital-based violence intervention programs.

Handle With Care is an initiative that will be launched through Pats Place (Child Advocacy Center), CMPD, CMS, the county and city. Theres some other partners in there. Well be looking at making sure that we are addressing the needs, the mental health and trauma of young people that have been exposed to a traumatic incident, whether it is violence, or it could have been a house fire.

100 Youth Advisory Council is about youth voices. A lot of times we dont hear directly from youth about whats happening, how they feel in terms of safety at school and in their neighborhoods. Were looking to do a branch of middle school students, a branch of high school students and then a branch of 18- to 24-year-olds.

Peacekeepers Academy is an interactive learning series. Its going to be specifically designed to help build capacity for our community-based organizations that are working in this space to reduce violence. A lot of these community-based organizations started out of personal tragedy. We know a lot of them have been doing great work and are still doing great work, but we want to help them build up the capacity to access funding.

CO: All of these ideas require a lot of collaboration. What its been like collaborating with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Sheriffs Office, the school system and building those connections to make all this happen?

TC: Its violence prevention, but really its relationship building.

Were helping people understand that we are here to support them, that our offices role is not to reduce violence ourselves. If we could do it on our own, we wouldnt need those partnerships. So, letting people know that we are not here to step on toes, that we are here to support and uplift whatever is going on currently in this space and to help them expand so that they can expand their reach.

Frank Byers, former head of the Greater Enderly Park Neighborhood Association, holds out bullet casings found outside of his apartment in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, October 18, 2021.

CO: A lot of this violence happens in only a few zip codes, and it happens to a lot of young Black men. How does that affect intervention and programming?

TC: That goes back to intentionality.

A lot of communities are experiencing the highest rates of violence in Mecklenburg County, but those are also the same communities that are experiencing food deserts, and are experiencing the highest rates of COVID and there might be issues with access to affordable housing.

The disparities that some of these communities face are overwhelming and theyre disproportionate.Thats because there has been a lack of historical investment. When you tie all of these other issues on top of violence, these communities are really struggling.

Our data does say that the majority of people that are disproportionately impacted happen to be young Black males. How do we get to people before they get into a place where theyre struggling or theyre in trouble? So, were working very much upstream with younger people, which, again, is why we have decided that we needed to do this 100 Youth Advisory Council.

We spend a lot of money and a lot of time and a lot of resources having to help people who are already in a traumatic situation, or have already been exposed or had some type of life-threatening or life-changing incident as it relates to violence. Well, we could have poured into them much earlier, and perhaps prevented them from getting to the space that theyre currently in.

CO: This line in your North Carolina Medical Journal article that mentioned this is not something to replace law enforcement or defund the police. Why is that important?

TC: Not just in Mecklenburg County but across the country, were having to do a lot of education to say law enforcement are our partners in this work.

They cant do it all, and for us to think that were putting the onus solely on law enforcement to do all this work, that just doesnt make sense. Luckily we have law enforcement here in Mecklenburg County that supports the work that were doing, that supports this plan.

From left to right: Raynard Washington, Tracie Campbell and Kimberly Scott. The three, who work in public health for the county, recently co-authored an article in the North Carolina Medical Journal outlining problems and potential solutions.

CO: Do you think a plan like this  because its fairly new, at least in North Carolina  is relevant to other cities across the state?

TC: I dont think its unique to Mecklenburg County. It may have to be scaled down.

We think about Mecklenburg County, a large, urban area that has a lot of resources and a lot of things already in place. Some smaller communities dont have as many resources or access to things as they need, but it is absolutely something that they can achieve.

You have to just, I think, leverage the partnerships that you have, make sure you know what is currently happening. And figure out ways you can support and expand the work thats already happening, and look for those gaps in services where you can make inroads in other places.

It may not be that theyre doing what they think is specifically violence prevention work. But if they are doing things that are more upstream, and they are increasing the number of mentors that they have for youth, and more opportunities for youth, that will eventually move the needle.

Tracie Campbells North Carolina Medical Journal article on gun violence and public health, Gun Violence is a Public Health Crisis in North Carolina: What Now? can be found here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia withdrew from the grain initiative because it allegedly did not justify the humanitarian purpose of reducing the famine risk in the poorest countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Source: Putin's article "Russia and Africa: Joining Forces for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future", published by the Kremlin

Details: Putin wrote that Russia allegedly pledged to contribute to the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last year, because from the very beginning it was aimed at ensuring global food security, reducing the famine threat and helping the poorest countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

However, the Russian president said the grain initiative was "shamelessly used exclusively for the enrichment of large American and European businesses that exported and resold grain from Ukraine".

Putin claimed that over 70% of goods exported from Ukraine for almost a year following the agreement allegedly went to countries with high and above-average income levels, including the EU, while less than 3% went to countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan.

The Russian president also complained that "none of the agreement conditions related to the removal of sanctions on Russian grain exports and fertilisers to world markets have been fulfilled."

"Taking into account all these facts, the extension of the grain initiative, which has not lived up to its humanitarian purpose, has lost its meaning. We objected to the further extension of the agreement and its implementation ended on 18 July," Putin wrote in the article.

At the same time, the head of the Kremlin said that the Russian Federation is capable of "replacing Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis".

Previously, Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said Russia's withdrawal from the grain initiative "potentially threatens hunger and worse for millions of people".

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"Some will go hungry, some will starve and many may die as a result of these decisions," Griffiths said.

Background:

On 17 July, the Russian presidents press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

On 17 July, the President of Ukraine discussed the restoration of food security and food supplies via the Black Sea with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

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LONDON (Reuters) - British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with three terrorism offences after being arrested in London last week, police said on Monday.

Choudary, 56, has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing a terrorist organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, police said. He will appear in court in London on Monday.

Once Britain's most high profile Islamist preacher, Choudary was imprisoned in Britain in 2016 for encouraging support for Islamic State before being released in 2018 after serving half of his five-and-a-half year sentence.

Choudary, former head of the now banned organization al-Muhajiroun, drew attention for praising the men responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States and saying he wanted to convert Buckingham Palace into a mosque.

His followers have been linked to numerous plots across the world.

A 28-year-old Canadian man, Khaled Hussein, has also been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation after being arrested on the same day as Choudary when he arrived on a flight at Heathrow Airport, police said.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Kate Holton and Angus MacSwan)
Reese Witherspoon and her daughter, Ava Phillippe, spent the weekend getting ready for the perfect summer night together.

On July 23, the 47-year-old actor and producer shared a few sweet snaps of her and Ava Phillippe, 23, preparing for an event hosted by Oceana, an ocean conservation nonprofit.

In the first Instagram picture, the mother-daughter pair looked like twins as they wore Waldorf Astoria robes and posed for a selfie.

The final photo showed the Sweet Home Alabama star and her daughter striking the same pose as they attended the Oceana party together.

Perfect Summer night with my girl @avaphillippe learning all about @oceana incredible conservation work, the proud mom wrote in the caption.

Fans playfully debated in the comments if the 23-year-old looked more like her mom or her dad, actor Ryan Phillippe, in the pictures.

Literally twins, one person said.

Another gushed, Omg you look like twin sisters.

Meanwhile, plenty of fans said they thought she resembled the I Know What You Did Last Summer actor instead.

One comment said, Naaa she is the female version of her father.

Another agreed and wrote, Why do yall always say TWINS? Theyre both very beautiful women, but Ava is the twin of her father. Deacon looks just like Reese. Witherspoon and her ex-husband also share 19-year-old son Deacon.

Some fans fell somewhere in the middle.

You look like sisters but I can see her daddy in that face too! Perfect combo, one person commented.

Ava Phillippe also posted about their girls night out. She uploaded two adorable photos of them on her Instagram story and wrote, Had a lovely night with my favorite mama & @biossance.

She added, Celebrating all the amazing work @oceana does to protect our oceans.

Ava Phillippe frequently makes appearances on her moms Instagram page, causing fans to rehash their opinions on which one of her parents has the stronger genes.

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The discussion was momentarily paused in December when Ava Phillippe debuted fiery orange locks at a runway event for Celine in Los Angeles. She walked the red carpet solo as she showed off her new look.

After switching things up, she returned to her blond roots, just like her mom.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Globe showing Indian Ocean. eclipse_images / Getty Images

A so-called "gravity hole" in the Indian Ocean, where the gravitational pull is weaker than other places on Earth, could be the result of magma plumes from deep within the planet, scientists recently discovered, according to findings published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Researchers were previously unsure as to why the phenomenon existed.

"The Earth is basically a lumpy potato" and not a sphere, study coauthor Attreyee Ghosh told CNN. Therefore, gravity is distributed unevenly around the planet. "If you pour water on the surface of the Earth, the level that the water takes is called a geoid," determined by density differences under the surface of the Earth. The "gravity hole" in the Indian Ocean is the "biggest low" in the geoid, Ghosh continued.

In order to explain the anomaly, researchers used computer models to study plate tectonics and determine how the region formed historically. They found that the gravity discrepancy goes back to the "separation of Gondwana, the supercontinent at the origin of Africa, Australia and India," Insider explained. "As India separated from Africa and smashed into the European plate, the ocean that used to be there, called Tethys, was split apart and squished between the continental plates." The shifting of the continents over time eliminated the Tethys Ocean, and the oceanic plate began to sink deeper into the Earth, causing lower gravity. The movement has also slowly melted the Earth's mantle, releasing plumes of magma, similar to how volcanoes form.

As of now, researchers are not certain whether the gravity hole will remain or whether it will disappear in the future. Further research is also required to confirm the existence of the plumes, Himangshu Paul, a scientist at the National Geophysical Research Institute in India, told New Scientist.

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Remote work became possible long before the pandemic. Many employers resisted it on a hunch that employees working from home might spend too much of their workday watching Oprah and shopping on eBay.

Then came COVID-19, which launched a vast, forced experiment in telework. The results are in: As it turns out, most remote workers are not incurable slackers.

Several studies suggest remote and hybrid employees actually work slightly longer hours than their office-bound colleagues, findings echoed by an avalanche of anecdotal evidence gathered from millions of teleworkers in the past three years.

One of the most celebrated studies, which tracked more than 60,000 Microsoft employees over the first half of 2020, found that remote work triggered a 10 percent boost in weekly hours.

Remote employees are working more, in part, because they are commuting less. Another landmark study, based on data from 27 countries, found that remote workers saved 72 minutes in daily commuting time. On average, employees spent about half an hour of that extra time engaged in daily work: more than two hours a week.

Not only do remote workers log longer hours, but they also seem to get work done at a faster clip. An oft-cited, pre-pandemic study of workers in a Chinese travel agency found a 13 percent boost in performance for home workers. They worked more hours per shift, and each hour was a bit more productive.

The success of Americas remote work experiment may have been a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In the early pandemic months, some remote workers felt imprisoned in their homes. In hindsight, however, that ennui was probably more about the pandemic itself than remote work, which has proven wildly popular.

Gallup polling shows a dramatic rise in the share of Americans who prefer to work at home at least part of the time, from 40 percent in 2019 to a near-unanimous 94 percent in 2022.

Some workplace experts theorize remote workers have an incentive to work harder: They dont want to lose the privilege of working at home.

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I think its because people are motivated to keep the arrangement, and so that motivation drives the productivity. They want it to work, said Tammy Allen, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of South Florida who studies work and family.

Whatever their motivation, remote workers have proven Americas employees are capable of working from home without succumbing to the temptations of channel-surfing and shopping.

Most of them, anyway.

I think 80 [percent], 90 percent of employees are very responsible and work well whether theyre at the home or the office, said Matthew Bidwell, an associate professor of management at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

And the other 10 percent to 20 percent? Some of them will do too little work if allowed to work from home. Some will do too much.

Bidwell speaks regularly to groups of executives, and he has heard scattered reports of a new phenomenon: remote work moonlighting.

There are these employees who have two or three full-time jobs, he said. Because they work remotely, some moonlighters are able to trick two (or even three) employers into thinking they are giving each job their full attention.

More from The Hill

It is a concern, he said. I cant believe many people are doing it. I think the experience has been widespread enough that companies are really worried about it.

Other remote workers hold only one job but dont put in much effort. They manifest the fears that hindered the remote-work revolution in the years before the pandemic set it off.

That is the number one thing, pre-COVID, that managers would always bring up, said Barbara Larson, executive professor of management at Northeastern Universitys DAmore-McKim School of Business. If I let people work from home, theyre just going to be shopping on eBay all day. And my answer to that is, Guess what? Those employees were already shopping on eBay all day. They were just able to hide it.

Remote work has reshaped the American workplace. Nearly 30 percent of all work happened at home in the first half of this year, compared to 5 percent before the pandemic, according to WFH Research, a data-collection project.

In New York, Chicago and other large urban centers, the share of remote work is closer to half.

Although workplaces have shifted, broader data on the American workforce suggest that most of us are working about the same hours now as before the remote work wave.

Full-time workers logged 42 hours a week in 2022, compared to 42.5 hours in pre-pandemic 2019, according to Census data gathered from American households.

Another data set, collected from employers, shows the average workweek is about the same now as before the pandemic, about 34.5 hours.

Productivity, a measure of goods and services produced per hour of work, is higher now than before the pandemic. Productivity declined from 2022 to 2023, setting off a few alarm bells, but remote work seems to be only one of several factors.

Just as some remote workers adapt better than others, some types of work seem better suited to telework.

Individual work, in general, is a whole lot easier when we work remotely, as compared to teamwork and collaborative work, said Anat Lechner, a clinical associate professor of management and organizations at New York Universitys Stern School of Business. If we have to work together, thats a mess. Thats complicated.

The Microsoft study found collaborative work became more static and siloed with remote work. Remote workers collaborated less. Real-time communication dropped, while asynchronous talk via email and instant messaging rose apace.

Remote work recast the working day. Microsoft research spawned talk of the triple-peak workday replacing the old 9-to-5 routine. Work peaks in the morning, tapers off at lunchtime, peaks again in the afternoon and declines steadily into the evening, only to peak again at night.

You may have folks who are tending to family issues on weekday afternoons, Allen said. But then, after they put the kids to bed, they can return to work.

Answering emails at 10 p.m. may not sound ideal. Just as remote work blurs the old work-home divide, it may throw an employees work-life balance out of whack.

Yet, most remote workers seem to have no problem finding balance. Since 2020, remote work has emerged as arguably the ultimate employment perk. In the aforementioned Gallup poll, only 6 percent of workers said they would prefer to work on-site every day.

Youre always going to have that 5 percent that crave social interaction and really want to be in the office full time, Allen said.

Researchers may never really know whether employees log more or fewer hours at home, for the simple reason that work is hard to measure.

When an office worker chats with colleagues, drinks coffee, checks email and toggles among two dozen websites in an hour, does all of that count as work? Some employees chalk up the commute as work time, even if their employers do not.

How do I measure the hours that I work? Bidwell said. I could come up with some really large numbers or some really small numbers, depending on how stringent Im being.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023, Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act and with it a bipartisan amendment from New Mexico State Rep. Gabe Vasquez to bring attention to the loss and lack of air services in rural communities such as Alamogordo.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023, a bipartisan piece of legislation, was first introduced in June and reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation and infrastructure program over the next five years.

Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport

The Department of Transportation and National Academies must conduct a study exploring the reduction of air service, evaluate economic losses, identify causes for the reduction, assess the impact of changing aircraft economic and provide actionable recommendations to support the restoration of commercial air service, a news release from Vasquezs office read.

One of these case studies will be done at Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport.

Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport was closed April 1, 2012. The airport lost eligibility for Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidies causing it to lose services with New Mexico Airlines, the airline that had the EAS. The purpose of the EAS subsidies was to ensure services continued to rural communities such as Alamogordo.

The airport lost the services when it did not meet the required number of passengers  2,500 per year  to obtain EAS subsidies.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 414 passenger boardings (enplanements) in 2008, 505 enplanements in 2009, and 369 in 2010.

One of the important things in this bill for rural communities like Alamogordo is that we have this amendment included to take these first steps to restore commercial air services at places like Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport that have not seen commercial flight in the last 10 years, Vasquez said.

The amendments will increase jobs in the field and foot traffic in the small communities according to Austin Yaeger, legislative director for Vasquez.

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When youre bringing more people that means there are going to be more small businesses downtown, more people out going shopping, Yaeger said. Especially with the air force base so close folks that would be flying into Alamogordo are more likely to stop there and spend some time rather than flying into El Paso and immediately driving to where they have to go.

In recent years, the small airport has been used to house Holloman Air Force base aircraft. In 2018 the airport housed 21 jets. At the time it was the most aircrafts the airport had ever seen.

More: Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport looks up to the skies

Yaeger said the airport would see increased activity given the bills amendment.

The Alamogordo Daily News reached out to Airport Manager Jim Talbert but did not receive a comment by the time of this publication.

"With a small community like Alamogordo we'd just want everyone to know how hard Rep. Vasquez is working to try and get commercial air services back," Yaeger said. "It's going to take some years, but this is the first step."

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Gabe Vasquez eager to bring commercial air service to rural communities
Customers line up outside All People's Fresh Market on June 8, 2022. The South Side market provides free, fresh produce to households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

A new poverty report from the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) indicates that Ohios poverty rate has increased for the first time in years.

Produced with the Columbus-based Strategic Research Group and released on July 10, the study found that the states poverty rate jumped to 13.4% in 2021 from 12.7% in 2020  marking the first time these poverty numbers have increased year-to-year in over a decade.

Franklin County hovers above statewide figures, with a 2021 overall poverty rate of 14.3%. The rates, pulled from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, indicate the number of residents living under federal poverty levels.

The information has come out amid existing concerns surrounding rising levels of homelessness and food insecurity, specifically in the Columbus area. But the report highlights challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic across the state and identifies common themes among those living in poverty in order to offer wide-reaching solutions.

"As we emerge from this pandemic, things are going to get better," said Philip Cole, executive director of OACAA, a Columbus-based organization supporting nearly 50 Community Action Agencies addressing needs of low-income families throughout Ohio. "But we still need to make up for the problems that were caused by it."

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

The rise in statewide poverty rates can be explained by both the job loss during the pandemic, as well as the ending of several safety nets the state put in place, Cole said. For example, Ohio ended additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, amounting to a projected loss of $10 million in food benefits in Franklin County alone. Additionally, Ohio officials estimate as many as 280,000 of the 3.55 million Ohioans enrolled in Medicaid may lose the insurance following the end of federally mandated automatic re-enrollment.

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Cole also cited the impact of eliminating some pandemic-era rent assistance initiatives.

"People lost their jobs, but then we were able to keep them in their homes with the rent assistance," he said.

"And during that time, what we saw around the state was landlords just jacking up the rent. Ive seen no evidence of it coming back down.  We havent had time or money to get a handle on exactly how bad this has been, but all our indications  and its all anecdotal  is that its pretty bad. When you have to make choices between rent and food, you pay the rent. Or if its rent and health care, you pay the rent. Housing always comes first."

To better help struggling residents, Cole proposed streamlining the numerous eligibility requirements for public assistance programs. And to ease the "benefits cliff," which occurs when workers lose benefits after a small pay increase, Cole suggested that assistance be tapered off rather than taken away all at once.

"We just need to get a little creative on some of these things," he said. "Were making it harder than it is. The goal is, how do we help people move from being poor into being in the middle class? Instead, the tendency is to punish them."

Resources for families in need: 12 rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs available to Columbus-area residents

Learning loss, mental health and transportation are areas of focus

The report identifies three areas of focus essential to tackling increased rates of poverty: pandemic learning loss, a lack of available mental health services and barriers to private and public transportation.

State support and access to education, mental health and transportation are significantly below the national average. Reduced access impacts our neighbors ability to secure higher-paying jobs and reach their fullest potential, Cole wrote in a news release.

Transportation: As Columbus booms, is region ready for transportation demands? A lot needs to happen

Moreover, analysis of struggles related to learning loss and lack of mental health care due to the pandemic shows that those from low-income households were disproportionately impacted in both areas.

For example, as indicated in the report, the average student experienced a 6.4% decline in test scores from 2019 to 2020, while economically disadvantaged students experienced a 10.2% decline in test scores during the same period.

"We have to make up for the loss of a year, especially (for) kids in lower-income areas," Cole told The Dispatch. "We should use funds to pay for kids to go to school in the evenings and pick up time on the weekends, and for stronger summer programs to make up for this lost time. But I hear no talk about that."

The report also makes reference to a well established link between poverty and mental health given that, according to the Ohio Department of Medicaid, 22 of Ohios 88 counties have no mental health providers registered for Medicaid.

This lack of services available for low-income Ohioans, the report stated, can lead to loss of employment or underemployment. Thus, the cycle of poverty and poor mental health continues.

"I was surprised by the number of counties that dont have Medicaid-registered mental health care providers," said Cole, who proposed incentives such as providing scholarships for college students going into the field or paying off student loans for those willing to work in mental health care deserts.

"The pandemic was such a time of great stress on people. The government needs to start working on meeting some of these longer-term needs that were especially exposed by the pandemic."

Mental health, bullying: Mental health issues, suicides, bullying among Ohio youth remains a challenge, experts say

The report also reveals how barriers to transportation can also play a part in a cycle of poverty, prohibiting low-income individuals from being able to meet basic needs such as buying groceries.

Of Ohio's 88 counties, only 63 have a public transit system, according to the study. And though Ohio is the seventh most-populated state in the country, it spends just $6 per capita on public transit funding well below the nationwide average of $60 per capita.

Cole said improving both access to transportation and education is going to be vital as Intel, Honda and other companies bring jobs to central Ohio.

"We need to make sure that theres equal opportunity and equal access to opportunity for everyone in the area," he said.

'A lot of poverty is birth'

Cole also encouraged Ohio residents to volunteer to help those less fortunate.

"We tend to speak in numbers a lot," he said. "We need to remember that these are human beings and, most of the time, it just means they were born someplace else. A lot of poverty is birth. Get to know and interact with the people who youre helping out. Get involved in the community."

gtucker@dispatch.com

@tucker0527

ethompson@dispatch.com

@miss_ethompson

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Learning loss, mental health tied to new high in Ohio poverty rate
This story was published in partnership with the Center for Public Integrity, a newsroom that investigates inequality in America.

In 2018, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution included a right to abortion, finding that nothing could be more fundamental to the notion of liberty.

Just four years later, the court reversed itself. Iowas constitution does not, the justices decided, guarantee a right to abortion after all. That 2018 ruling? It had a one-sided quality to it, the new majority found. Iowans could no longer rely on a constitutional protection that existed just hours before.

The day the ruling was issued, staff at a Planned Parenthood clinic on Des Moines south side were preparing to perform surgical procedures. But their work ground to a halt. Staff had to inform patients already at the clinic that they couldnt operate, as they scrambled to understand the decision. It's devastating, said Jordawn Williams, the clinic manager. It's hard to tell patients that, it's hard to see their reaction, it's hard to go through that over and over and over again.

The state constitution hadnt changed in the four years between the state Supreme Courts two rulings. But the justices on the bench had  and so had the role state politicians play in putting them there.

One month after the ruling, Chuck Hurley, the chief counsel of influential Iowa conservative group the Family Leader, took the stage before a sold-out convention center crowd. The gathering, which was attended by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, was just over the Des Moines River from the Supreme Court. Hurley told the room that Iowa is on the verge of limiting the barbaric practice of abortion after the courts decision. He added, Governor Reynolds and our legislators played a huge role in that win  by changing the way we select judges in Iowa.

Governor Kim Reynolds takes the stage during the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Friday, July 14, 2023.

Iowa is not alone. In less than a decade, Republican politicians in eight states have transformed their state supreme courts  altering the process by which justices reach the bench, or the size of the court. The moves have pushed the courts to the right or solidified conservative control.

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The changes take different forms. North Carolina and Ohio made their judicial elections partisan contests. Arizona and Georgia expanded the number of justices. And Iowa, Idaho, Montana and Utah granted Republican governors greater control over the process of picking justices.

This paved the way for rulings in Iowa and North Carolina that overturned precedents and rulings from just a few years, or months, before.

But while individual rulings have attracted public scrutiny, the changes to the courts have flown under the radar. Thats despite the key role that state courts, which hear 95% of all cases in the U.S., play in American democracy.

It's hard to flip a whole state legislature. It's really expensive to win a governor's race. But it's not as hard, frankly, to turn over a state supreme court, said Michael Kang of Northwestern University.

Other Republican-led states have taken notice. In 2023, 15 legislatures considered bills to increase partisan influence in judicial selection, according to a tally by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.

The shifts on state supreme courts resonate far beyond the ornate chambers where justices confer and issue rulings. State constitutions often grant rights that arent guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, and state supreme court justices have the final say on what those are.

Civil rights, taxes, LGBTQ+ rights, labor law, policing and more  all of it hangs on which justices take the bench. This year alone, five recently reconstituted state supreme courts have heard or are due to hear cases about abortion restrictions.

The Rev. Michael Shover of Christ the Redeemer Church in Pella, Iowa, left, argues with Ryan Maher, of Des Moines, as anti-abortion and pro-choice protesters clash in the Iowa Capitol rotunda while the state legislature convenes for a special session to pass a 'fetal heartbeat' ban on July 11, 2023.

Whats underway now is part of a long-term project by conservatives to transform state courts, dating back to the 1980s and efforts such as Republican strategist Karl Roves campaign to unseat liberals in Texas. It was supercharged by an Iowa campaign in 2010 to remove three justices who overturned a ban on same-sex marriage.

That election changed the dynamic. It opened the court up as a site for political gain, said Rachel Paine Caufield, a professor at Drake University. In Iowa, they've really done a good job of pinpointing specific changes that very few people would pay attention to, but will be very effective.

After the changes to the states nominating commission, there's no question that the direction of the court has shifted. It's a much more conservative court, Caufield added.

Thats true nationwide, too. In 1980, just 30% of state high court justices in the U.S. were Republican, according to data compiled by Stanford researcher Brett Oliver Parker and shared with the Center for Public Integrity. (The analysis excludes justices whose party could not be determined, but keeps those who are independents.) The same data shows that by 2013, that figure crossed 50%.

This year, data from the progressive legal organization Alliance for Justice shows, over 60% of state high court justices are Republican.

Thats sharply out of step with the countrys political leanings. Roughly 30% of Americans told pollsters this year that they consider themselves Republican, with independents and Democrats accounting for the rest.

All the energy on this issue is on the right, said law professor Brian Fitzpatrick of Vanderbilt University. He points to data that indicates attorneys lean left; lawyers play a key role in many states where commissions nominate judicial candidates. Its the Republicans that are not happy with the status quo, he said.

In the states examined by Public Integrity where there has been turnover on the bench, the courts added conservatives  or replaced Republican moderates with more right-wing justices.

Politicians have come to regard courts less as a check on power than a part of the states governing coalition, academics and activists say. In two states, more than ideology binds judges to politicians: Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine is the son of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, and North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. is the son of the states most powerful Republican politician, state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger.

The decisions made by justices shape the lives of residents in direct, dramatic fashion.

In Arizona, the high court stripped in-state tuition from more than 2,000 students in DACA, the program that protects people brought to the country as children from deportation.

Community group Aliento rallied outside the Arizona Capitol on April 9, 2018, the day that the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that DACA recipients were not eligible for in-state tuition.

In Iowa, the court ruled that pretext stops by police  including those based partly on race  were legal in some circumstances, and that the justices lacked the authority to order regulation of the harmful nitrates flowing into Iowa rivers and fouling drinking water.

And this spring in North Carolina, a fresh Republican majority took the highly unusual step of rehearing two politically charged cases decided the previous term. The states Supreme Court also overturned a lower court ruling that had restored the voting rights of tens of thousands of people with felonies.

For those who registered and voted after the lower courts ruling, the thought of losing the franchise was painful. It's like they give us a taste, and then they snatch it back, said Anton Sluder, 31, who lives in western North Carolina.

Around the nation, the stakes are high. State supreme court justices, said Jake Faleschini of Alliance for Justice, are the most important political actors in this country that no one's ever heard of.

The Republican Party has wised up

States have four basic methods of selecting judges: appointment by a governor or legislature, partisan elections, non-partisan elections and nominating commissions that recommend a slate of candidates elected officials must pick from (often dubbed merit selection).

The patchwork emerged out of different moments in American history. At the countrys founding, politicians appointed many judges. In the early 1800s, states adopted elections to empower independent judiciaries. In the mid-20th century, nonpartisan elections swept across the country, an attempt to sever the connection between political machines and judges. In later decades, nominating commissions became a popular method of injecting the process with transparency and legal expertise.

Herbert Kritzer, an emeritus professor at the University of Minnesota, has studied states that changed their method of judicial selection. In the roughly 20 years before 2000, the dominant motivation was more good government, legal professionalism, etc. Post-2000 it was very, very heavily policy, political, he said.

Academic research has demolished the perception that judges stand apart from politics. Legal scholars Michael Kang and Joanna Shepherd have consistently found that judges voting in cases tends to favor the interests of their campaign contributors in a predictable and statistically meaningful way, as they wrote in one paper.

Their work has documented that judges favor their own parties when ruling on election cases, and that campaign contributions from the Republican Party and its allies are associated with an increased likelihood Republican elected judges will vote in favor of their partys interests. Their research also found that judges who receive contributions from business groups are more likely to favor business interests on the bench.

Judges respond to incentives, and a lot of those incentives are financial ones, Kang said in an interview. The money does matter.

Or, as former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Richard Neely said in 2006, Its very hard not to dance with the one who brung you.

Thats not to say the details of individual cases dont matter: Justices frequently vote unanimously  including in the many cases that dont touch on hot-button social or political issues. Kang and Shepherd also found that judges were more likely to rule against their own party in election cases when the other party brought a strong case.

Notably, they found that justices rule in a less partisan manner when theyre not running for reelection.

The Supreme Court on July 4, 2023.

The fact that the U.S. Supreme Court hears fewer cases, and has left issues like abortion up to states, has empowered state high courts. That has not been lost on legislators and governors.

These institutions are too damn powerful for politicians to let them be independent and run amok, said James Gibson of Washington University in St. Louis. They'll do anything to try to control them.

State elected officials who altered how judges reach the bench are often reacting to shifting political landscapes and controversial rulings. Conservative groups have actively pushed for these changes, Public Integrity found. The result is that courts have gradually trended to the right.

Democrats have rallied to support candidates in elections, like the Wisconsin Supreme Court race this spring, but have not been active in altering the methods of selecting justices. (The exception is Illinois, where a Democratic-led effort in 2021 to address population imbalances in court districts also gave the party a leg up in judicial elections.)

National political organizations like the Republican State Leadership Committee have been key to the long-term project. The group unveiled an effort in 2014, dubbed the Judicial Fairness Initiative, declaring that Republicans have had a significant amount of success at the state level.  Unfortunately, thats running into a hard stop with judges who arent in touch with the public.

The organizations website says it has spent more than $29 million in judicial races across the country, in Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin and elsewhere.

The group credited a "clean sweep" in the 2022 elections in North Carolina and Ohio to its spending, saying that it was working to "ensure that the redistricting fights ahead in those states are ruled on by strong conservatives. The RSLC did not respond to requests for comment.

The RSLC spent over $1 million in 2012 to boost North Carolina Supreme Court justice Paul Newby; in 2023, Newby penned a ruling that hands legislative Republicans near-unlimited power to gerrymander political districts.

Conservative megadonors have been paying attention, too. In an invitation to a secret 2010 meeting convened by billionaire Charles Koch, the agenda included a discussion of state judicial elections as an opportunity for advocates of free enterprise to have their voices heard." In Iowa in 2019, a Koch-aligned group backed changes to the states nominating commission, running Facebook ads that said, Iowa's judicial branch is controlled by an oligarchy of attorneys. Dont you deserve a voice?"

The Federalist Society, which helped elevate conservatives to the U.S. Supreme Court, also has ties to dozens of state supreme court justices. A 2019 review by Billy Corriher of the Peoples Parity Project linked a majority of state supreme court justices in eight states to the group. The Federalist Society is very influential at the state level, Corriher said.

Guests in the audience await the arrival of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during the Federalist Society's Executive Branch Review Conference at The Mayflower Hotel April 25, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Vanderbilts Fitzpatrick has done research showing that nominating commissions and nonpartisan elections produce more liberal judges, that partisan elections produce more moderate judges, and that appointments result in more conservative judges.

Fitzpatrick, who clerked for former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, favors appointments, the most reliable path to conservative justices. He said a switch Tennessee made in 2014 to an appointment system was in light of this emerging research, and the legislator who pushed for changes in Iowa cited Fitzpatricks work.

The Republican Party has wised up to the fact that some of these selection methods are producing courts that are out of step with their states, Fitzpatrick said.

Backlash in the heartland

Iowas Supreme Court has been notably progressive dating back to its first ruling, in 1839. That case established that a Black man who had escaped slavery in Missouri was a free man in Iowa.

But progressive rulings have provoked furious conservative backlash twice in the state in recent decades.

In 2009, the court unanimously ruled that gay couples have a right to marry, making Iowa one of only three states in the country where same-sex marriage was legal. After the ruling, legislators kicked around proposals to expand the size of the court, set term limits and change the nominating system, though none passed.

Conservatives won a different sort of victory: Iowans voted out three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were on the ballot in retention elections in 2010. Before that, no Iowa high court justice had ever lost such an election.

Justices again angered conservatives with their 2018 decision finding that the Iowa Constitution contained a fundamental right to abortion, and striking down a 72-hour waiting period for the procedure.

The next year, Iowa Rep. Steven Holt, a Republican, introduced a bill overhauling the states nominating commission. The group recommends a slate of candidates that the governor is required to select a justice from. Its membership was balanced: eight people chosen by the governor and eight by the state bar association, with a member of the state Supreme Court serving as the chair.

The nominating commission was a product of the states 1962 constitution. Typically, it would require a constitutional amendment to alter the commission. But an obscure provision stated that, after 1973, the bar for changing the nominating commission would be lowered so a bill would be enough.

The language had no practical impact for decades  until Republicans seized on it in 2019. Holt called the provision a very strange escape clause.

His original idea was to completely remove members of the state bar from the commission. That met the approval of Vanderbilts Fitzpatrick, who wrote an op-ed in support. The Koch-aligned Americans for Prosperity pushed legislators to support Holt's bill, and the Judicial Crisis Network, the conservative legal organization tied to the Federalist Society, launched a website that told Iowans that our courts are soft on crime, big on abortion, and a gold-mine for trial lawyers.

But the bill drew significant opposition from former justices, a former Republican state chairman and a host of advocacy groups  from the Sierra Club to legal organizations to the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Lets face it, that's what this is about: They want to get conservative judges on the Supreme Court so they hopefully will overturn some of the rulings that our majority party doesn't like," Democratic Rep. Mary Wolfe said in a TV debate.

During the 2019 session, Holts proposal appeared to lose momentum. But on the second-to-last day of the session, it reemerged  this time attached to an appropriations bill securing funding for flood recovery.

The new version no longer completely cut out the state bar from the nominating commission, but it still handed majority power to the governor. It mimics a change Florida made in 2001 that has reshaped that states high court.

This is not a power grab, this is a majority party in this chamber exercising our authority, Holt said on the floor of the statehouse. "A little more voice to the governor is important because that means a little more voice for the people."

The bill passed, and Gov. Kim Reynolds signed it.

They wanted to empower a Republican governor. And this was one way to do it, said Drake Universitys Caufield.

Two months after signing the bill, Reynolds boasted that "the tide is turning in Iowas Supreme Court. In just two short years, weve moved the needle from left to right." Reynolds has since put her imprint on the court, selecting three new justices.

A law firm that tracks the court's rulings said that it seems to have less appetite, after the addition of Reynolds appointees, for finding the Iowa Constitution grants rights beyond the U.S. Constitution. In surveys conducted by the state bar, Iowa lawyers have given the courts justices declining marks for whether they decide cases on basis of applicable law and fact, not affected by outside influence.

The bench is now fully made up of Republican appointees. Four of the five justices who were in the majority in finding a constitutional right to abortion in 2018 were no longer on the bench four years later, when the court removed that right.

The 2022 cases conclusion also allowed implementation of a 24-hour waiting period for abortions, which was passed by the legislature after the court struck down the 72-hour waiting period.

It was certainly a surprise to many to see such a reversal of rights in such a short period of time, said Mazie Stilwell, the public affairs director for Planned Parenthood in Iowa, which was a party in both cases. She said the change in the nominating commission gave tremendous leeway to Governor Reynolds to be able to really create the courts that she wanted to see.

Stilwell said the decision would be felt most acutely by rural residents, Iowans of color and poor residents. It forced many to delay care. Second trimester abortions at Planned Parenthood locations in the upper Midwest rose by 40%, Stilwell said, due to new restrictions.

The court heard another abortion case in 2023, which sought a ban on abortions after six weeks. Justices deadlocked in a 3-3 ruling in June.

This lack of action disregards the will of Iowa voters and lawmakers who will not rest until the unborn are protected by law, Reynolds said after the ruling. The president of the Family Leader said that the three justices who ruled against the abortion restrictions should resign, be impeached or be ousted.

In July, Reynolds called a special session of the legislature. Since the legal case concerned procedural issues, Iowa Republicans passed a nearly identical six-week ban, which Reynolds signed into law on July 14. Its likely the high court will have the final say on the restrictions.

In another 2023 decision, justices ruled that Iowans could only seek monetary damages from the government in situations where the legislature had explicitly allowed it. That overturned a precedent set by the court in 2017, removing another constitutional right.

Two years after Iowa made its changes, state politicians in Montana went after their own nominating commission. There, Republican legislators completely abolished it. The state has nonpartisan elections, but now the governor  himself a Republican  has nearly unchecked power to appoint judges to open seats, though the state Senate still plays a role in confirming certain appointments.

As in Iowa, some Republicans came out against the changes. Former Montana attorney general and governor Marc Racicot wrote an editorial stating that the bill would consolidate power solely in the hands of one person  the governor  who could appoint any lawyer with zero regard for his or her qualifications, experience, integrity, record or judicial disposition. Proponents of the bill argued that the status quo was already partisan.

It felt like there was either tacit or explicit permission to really hyperpartisan-ize the courts in ways that previously had been taboo, said Alex Rate of the ACLU of Montana.

The high court has continued to frustrate Republicans by striking down laws making it harder to vote and limiting abortion. Thats because there have been no vacancies for the governor to fill. Yet.

Where the court fits into the political evolution of Montana is an open question, the University of Montanas Lee Banville said.

Controlling the third branch

In two states, Republican politicians eyed their state supreme courts and decided the solution was to expand them.

While adding justices to the U.S. Supreme Court has been political kryptonite for nearly a century, Arizona and Georgia did just that at the state level in 2016. The two states are separated by different climates, political cultures and 1,300 miles, but both have been trending purple in recent years and have undergone significant demographic change.

Adding justices gave Republicans a chance to entrench a majority in Arizona that will persist long after they ceded the governors mansion to a Democrat in 2022. In Georgia, it created an opportunity to end a then-current majority of Democratic appointees.

At the state level, conservatives have been packing their courts for years, said the Brennan Centers Douglas Keith.

J.D. Mesnard, the Arizona representative who sponsored the legislation to expand that court from five to seven seats, admitted the party affiliation of the governor was on his mind when he spoke at a committee hearing in 2016. Ill just candidly say if there were [a] different person appointing, I might feel less comfortable, he said.

All five of the states justices opposed the change, but Mesnards bill passed without Democratic support.

By 2019, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey had appointed a majority of the Supreme Court, partly thanks to the two new seats on the bench he was able to fill. In 2020, he set the record for judicial appointments by an Arizona governor.

Not everything came easy: Ducey had to maneuver in 2019 to push through a candidate for the high court that the states nominating commission initially rejected, replacing four members of the commission with enough sympathetic votes to recommend conservative attorney Bill Montgomery.

Ducey was explicit about the role conservatives should play in the courts. At a Federalist Society event in 2019, Ducey said he had recently spoken with co-chairman Leonard Leo and told him the Federalist Society has now fixed the judicial branch.

Arizonas court already had a majority of Republicans, but the expansion bolstered it and gave the bench a libertarian bent. It's not just that we've expanded the court, but very intentionally, I think, put much more conservative, ideological people on the court, said David Lujan, a former Democratic state senator who commented while president of the Childrens Action Alliance. He now heads an agency in Gov. Katie Hobbs' administration.

Hobbs will have a chance to put her imprint on the courts, but its unlikely the high court will be made up of a majority of Democratic appointees anytime soon.

Mesnard, now a state senator, said he wanted to spread out power among a greater number of justices. I was just forthright with the fact that you really can't separate the political implications from a decision like that, he said. There was just no way to. Mesnard sponsored other bills to add supervisors to populous counties, create a lieutenant governor and add seats to the legislature.

Since Arizona expanded its bench, the Supreme Court has ruled that voters cant repeal tax cuts enacted by the legislature and blocked a ballot measure passed by Arizona voters to bolster funding for K-12 schools. Our public schools have a billion dollars less in revenue each year without that funding, said Lujan, who helped write the measure.

A third ruling denied in-state tuition to students receiving DACA, substantially increasing the cost of attending the state's public colleges and universities for 2,000 students.

I know for a fact that people had to drop out, said Karina Ruiz of the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition. I don't know that the Supreme Court in the state of Arizona realized the real harm that they caused, with this decision, in people's lives.

The impact was deeply felt at the Maricopa County Community College District, the defendant in the case. The district counted 574 DACA recipients in its student body in spring 2018, the semester that the Supreme Courts ruling came out. By fall of 2019, that number had fallen to just 115, a drop of four-fifths.

Four years after the ruling, Arizonans passed a ballot measure that will allow many non-citizen high school graduates to receive in-state tuition going forward.

In 2016, the year Arizona added two members to its Supreme Court, Georgia did the same, expanding its bench from seven to nine justices. Advocates for the change argued that the states growing population and economy necessitated additional justices to help bring down the workload.

The courts growth meant that then-Gov. Nathan Deal would have the opportunity to appoint a majority of the bench during his term. (Georgia has judicial elections, but in practice most judges are initially appointed by the governor.) The bench flipped from a majority of Democratic appointees to a majority of Republican ones.

If you look at Georgia in 2016, there was a Republican supermajority in the legislature. There was a Republican in the governor's mansion, said Georgia State Universitys Michael Fix. This was their way to control the third branch of government.

Georgias Supreme Court heard a case on a six-week abortion ban in March. A ruling is expected later this year.

In another Republican-controlled state, Ohio, legislators were dissatisfied with nonpartisan general elections chipping away at a Republican majority on the high court, which had shrunk from 7-0 to 4-3 in recent years. So they proposed in 2021 to make elections partisan.

In debates over the bill, Republican state Sen. Theresa Gavarone called nonpartisan judicial elections a ruse. Sitting Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine, the son of the governor, penned an op-ed supporting the change. Echoing arguments made in North Carolina, DeWine wrote that rather than hiding party affiliation from the voters, we are far better served by trusting voters with the information and allowing them to make their own decisions.

While Republicans had maintained a majority on the Ohio Supreme Court, it was close enough that a single vote could swing a case. Indeed, in a series of 2022 rulings, Republican Chief Justice Maureen OConnor sided with Democrats on gerrymandered political maps.

OConnor was forced to retire due to age limits. Republicans swept the 2022 races, the first with a partisan label on the ballot. Observers expect the courts new members will not share OConnors independent streak.

Adding partisan labels encourages the candidates and voters to think about these justices as partisan actors, said Common Cause Ohios Catherine Turcer. And that's a real problem when it comes to wanting an independent, impartial judiciary.

Lawrence Baum, a political science professor at the Ohio State University, said its unclear precisely how the new justices will vote. But there's every reason to think that they will be reliable on ideological issues, as well as partisan issues. We'll just have to wait and see just how reliable they are.

The wait may not be long. The justices will hear a case concerning a six-week abortion ban this term.

And in June, the four Republican justices sided with Republican legislators seeking to schedule a ballot initiative in August. The measure would increase the threshold for passing future initiatives to 60 percent  and would make it significantly harder for voters to add a right to abortion to the Ohio Constitution with a measure on the ballot in November.

More states lining up to change their courts

Utah and Idaho are the latest states to the party, with each changing how justices reach the bench in 2023.

Utahs move followed major losses for conservatives at the high court, which had blocked laws banning nearly all abortions and stopping transgender girls from playing high school sports.

The states new law reshapes Utahs nominating commission, handing the governor greater power and stripping the state bar of any input. The bill was sponsored by a state senator whose father runs the largest eviction law firm in Utah, and who had previously introduced legislation that would allow such firms, among others, to avoid unfriendly judges.

There's no longer any attempt to at least have different voices heard on the nominating commission, said Erik A. Christiansen, president of the Utah State Bar. The bill also removed a requirement that Democrats play a role on the commission. That's a pretty strong indicator that they're going to appoint more people who are strictly Republicans, Christiansen said.

Idaho Supreme Court building in Boise, Idaho.

In neighboring Idaho, Republican legislators were seething after the state Supreme Court struck down a law in 2021 that made it more difficult for citizens to place an initiative on the ballot.

This year, legislators passed a bill to transform the states nominating commission. As in Iowa and Utah, they granted more power to the governor and weakened the bars influence. Under the new structure, the governor will have a role in choosing eight of the commissions nine members.

State Sen. Abby Lee, who introduced the bill, said during debate, This is a change to wrest a little bit of influence from the state bar. I admit that. I am not against the bar, but I do think they have had an outsized influence."

Former Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones could hardly believe that line of reasoning. Well, shes dead wrong, he told Public Integrity.

Jones is concerned about the future of the state's high court. He said political affiliation had only rarely factored into court rulings when he was a judge, but recent changes in Idaho could lead to it resembling some other states where they have judiciaries that are essentially arms of one or the other parties, he said, citing North Carolina. Jones, a former Republican attorney general, deemed recent proposals to reshape courts in Idaho "thinly-veiled payback" for the Supreme Court's ruling on initiatives.

In many states, plans to tilt courts to the right percolate for years before becoming law. This year, legislators in over ten states introduced ultimately unsuccessful bills that sought to make judicial selection more partisan, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center  proposals that could come back in future sessions.

Moving to partisan elections has been especially popular, with Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Montana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and West Virginia all considering legislation to do that. State legislators are taking lessons from what's happened in Ohio and North Carolina, said Brennans Keith.

Other states looked at increasing partisan influence over nominating commissions or in judicial appointments. Nearly all states that considered changes are run by Republicans.

But its not only the states making changes where ripple effects could be felt.

State supreme court justices are poised to play a decisive role in the 2024 election. Legal scholars point out that such courts have unique authority over voting.

Most law when it comes to elections is state law, said Rebecca Green of William & Mary Law School. In 2022, Wisconsins Supreme Court banned drop boxes, and Pennsylvanias high court ruled that undated mail ballots could not be counted.

After the 2020 presidential election, attorneys tied to the Trump campaign and its allies filed 76 legal cases, the overwhelming number of them in state courts, and many challenging the outcome. Trump and his allies lost nearly every case. But not every ruling was unanimous.

With different circumstances and justices, state supreme courts could deliver different decisions.

These courts are going to decide the next presidential election, Washington Universitys Gibson predicted. I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever about that. And so everybody knows that, and everybodys gearing up.

Public Integrity journalist Ileana Garnand contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republicans flipped state supreme courts, impacting voting, abortion
Establishment Republicans are looking to play a more assertive role in ensuring their preferred candidates win in competitive Senate primaries as they work to flip the upper chamber next year.

Theres broad consensus that candidate quality factored in to the partys failure to take back the Senate in last years midterms, with a number of controversial candidates endorsed by former President Trump losing in key states like Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Georgia.

Now, GOP Senate leaders are doing whatever they can to prevent that from happening again in 2024. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the current head of the partys campaign arm, has said he plans to be more active in recruiting candidates and selective in where the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) sends its support  a departure from his predecessor, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who argued it wasnt his job to interfere in primaries.

In West Virginia, for example, Daines is backing Gov. Jim Justice (R) as he runs against fellow Republican Rep. Alex Mooney in the Senate primary. Theyre both vying for the seat held by Democrat incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin, who hasnt said whether hes running for reelection.

In Montana, Daines has been supportive of businessman Tim Sheehy, who is challenging incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Tester, and said hed prefer to avoid a contentious primary as Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) weighs a bid that could potentially tee up an eventual Tester-Rosendale rematch of their 2018 Senate race.

Senate Republicans have seen the majority slip through their fingers in previous cycles. And theyre so close to regaining the majority, they can taste it. Republicans in 2024 have an opportunity to be on offense, and theyre going to be looking for candidates who can prevail in a general election, said Jeff Grappone, who led communications for the Senate GOP Conference under Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), adding that candidate quality has been an issue for the party.

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Its understandable after the last cycle, that there would be a desire to have a different approach, a winning approach, to go on offense and to not leave any opportunities on the table, Grappone said.

Given the narrow Senate margin, and given how high the stakes are, I think its the right decision for the NRSC to get involved in primaries, said GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak, although he added that the decision is not without some risks.

A 50-50 Senate could be decisive one way or the other. If you just look at Montana, Ohio and West Virginia, those three  the GOP should be favored in all three of those states if we dont blow it, Mackowiak said, noting that states like Arizona and Wisconsin could also be pickup opportunities this time around.

Theres a pathway to Republicans gaining three or more seats this election cycle, and that would be significant. Its the most advantageous map, Senate map, in my lifetime for Republicans, Mackowiak said.

The election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the Senate races for Manchins seat in West Virginia, Democrat Sherrod Browns seat in Ohio and Independent Kyrsten Sinemas seat in Arizona as toss up states, while Testers seat in Montana and Democrat Bob Casey Jr.s seat in Pennsylvania are among five posts rated lean Democrat.

Daines told CBS News last week that the NRSC plans to stay neutral in the Ohio Senate race, where three Republican candidates are now jostling for their partys nomination in a competitive primary. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) became the latest Republican to announce his candidacy, joining businessman Bernie Moreno and state Sen. Matt Dolan (R).

When you have three candidates [where] anyone could win the general election, we dont stay up late at night worrying about that, the Senate campaign arms chair said of Ohio in an interview with CBS News.

But if we have a situation where a candidate may not be able to appeal across a broader spectrum, thats where well be more intentional to try to get candidates that can, Daines said.

But Brian Darling, a GOP strategist and former Senate aide, said establishment Republicans may be setting themselves up for failure by getting involved in primary battles.

I think its a mistake for the party to get involved in primaries, Darling said. The party has a mixed record on picking preferred candidates and it doesnt always work out for them

Darling added that the partys involvement in primaries causes rifts between conservatives and the more establishment-wing candidates, creating problems for the eventual general election.

You end up having these primaries that are pretty, pretty rough-and-tumble, that end up dividing the party and giving ammunition to the Democrats to go after the conservative if the conservative ends up winning, Darling said.

Darling also raised concerns that the NRSC risks trying to defeat somebody who may eventually win, which could then create a lot of distrust with leadership before these members potentially get elected.

Other strategists shrugged off that concern, saying those candidates would have to win a general election first in order for that distrust to become a factor.

After a disappointing midterm cycle in which Republicans barely etched out a majority in the House and lost a chance to lead the Senate, many pointed to controversial Trump-backed candidates as at least partially responsible for the failed red wave.

Now, some Republicans are saying Trump should stay out of the primaries.

Daines told CBS News that hes getting on the same page with the former president about endorsements and has endorsed Trump in his 2024 bid to get back to the Oval Office.

Darling said endorsements from the former president are huge for congressional hopefuls.

Thats a much more important endorsement than the Senatorial Committee or anybody sitting in the U.S. Senate today, he said.

CNN reported this week that Trump has told both Mooney in Montana and Rosendale, if he runs in West Virginia, that theyre unlikely to secure his endorsement.

Certainly, Trump hurt us in states like Pennsylvania and Arizona last year, Mackowiak said, but its good news that the former president now seems not to be getting behind less electable candidates in places like Montana and West Virginia.

It appears as though, at least as of now, hes not going to be the problem hes been in the past, the GOP consultant said of Trump.

The party has also appeared to breathe a sigh of relief that some controversial candidates from last years midterms are foregoing getting into next years races for both the House and Senate.

Pennsylvanias state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R), who questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election during his 2022 gubernatorial bid, decided against a 2024 run for Sen. Bob Caseys (D-Pa.) seat. Endorsed by Trump, Mastriano lost his race last year by 15 points.

Others, though, could still jump into Senate races and complicate things for the establishment, like failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake (R), who is considering an upper chamber bid for Sinemas seat.

The Hill has reached out to the NRSC for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian intelligence officer Ivan Dziuba spent 13 days in Russian captivity, from where he returned with amputated legs and without a finger on his hand.

The story of the 32-year-old defender was told at the National Rehabilitation Center Nezlamni (Unbreakable in Ukrainian  ed.), where he is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Ivan comes from Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Before the full-scale war, he worked in Kyiv at a business that serviced cars.

After Ivan was drafted into the army, he became a scout. First, his group served in Bakhmut, and then they were transferred to the vicinities of Soledar.

Intelligence officer Ivan Dziuba spent 13 days in Russian captivity

Intelligence officer Ivan Dziuba spent 13 days in Russian captivity

During his first combat mission in the new location, Ivan and his two comrades came under fire. Russian forces cut off all possible ways for them to retreat.

During the week, the soldiers were hiding from the Russians in the forest belt. Supplies of water and food ran out quickly, so Ivan and his comrades had to eat snow.

On the eighth day, the soldiers ventured out of hiding. Almost immediately they came across mercenaries of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC). Russian militants shot one of the three Ukrainian intelligence officers on the spot. Two others, Ivan being one of them, were taken prisoner and transported to an unknown location in Luhansk Oblast.

Thanks to daily classes with a physical therapist, Ivan can already walk without crutches

Thanks to daily classes with a physical therapist, Ivan can already walk without crutches

Ivan was brutally tortured. Due to electrocution, the little finger on his right hand burned out. He was also mercilessly beaten on the legs and kept in the cold.

Ivans limbs were struck by necrosis and the tissues began to die rapidly. At a local hospital, Ivan's legs were cut off. He was cared for and bandaged by another prisoner, a Ukrainian military medic.

After 13 days, Ivan was handed over to the Ukrainian side. The scout was treated in Dnipro and Kyiv.

Ivan came to the Nezlamni centre for rehabilitation

Ivan came to the Nezlamni centre for rehabilitation

He came to the Nezlamni centre for rehabilitation. Ivan received prostheses and now learns to walk again.

"Thanks to daily classes with a physical therapist, Ivan already walks without crutches. Whats more, he even helps other indestructible guys who are still in the wheelchair to move. After rehabilitation, Ivan wants to return to [military  ed.] duty," the representative of the Nezlamni centre says.

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Cathy Holloway said tourists on other parts of the island have been largely unaffected

A woman who was evacuated from her house during the Rhodes fires said she does not know if she still has a home.

Cathy Holloway, originally from Bristol, works with tourists on Rhodes after moving there in 2020.

She said: "Everybody's on edge. You're watching the smoke filling the sky and wondering if it's coming for you."

She said she received a government emergency message on Sunday afternoon telling her to evacuate which essentially said "get out now".

An easyjet flight took holidaymakers from Bristol to Rhodes earlier despite the fires affecting the south-eastern and central part of the island.

An easyjet spokesperson said: "If you are booked to travel to or from Rhodes before the 29th of July, our flights are still operating."

However, they have offered a change of flight or voucher to anyone wishing to change travel plans.

Easyjet and Jet2 are operating repatriation flights from Rhodes in addition to their scheduled flights.

Wind coupled with very dry conditions and high temperatures meant wildfires spread across Rhodes

Ms Holloway told BBC Radio Bristol: "We've had some small fires [before] but nothing on this scale."

She said her balcony at home was facing towards the fires so she could see the smoke in the distance.

"On the day everything really kicked off, when Kiotari went up in flames, we could see the smoke heading down in that direction quite strongly.

"Then yesterday the smoke was coming back towards us and I wasn't surprised when I was told to get out because the smoke was all around.

"You could smell it, you knew it was close and you just grabbed what you could and off you went."

She said she ended up in Rhodes town "on a hotel conference room floor, which was less than comfortable", but is now staying with Greek friends.

She said she thinks it could take a week before the authorities have it properly under control because the conditions have been so dry and so hot for so long.

Story continues

"It's a tinder box because the centre of the island is all forest, so it's like a nice big bonfire that someone put a match to."

One of the sports halls in Rhodes was cleared to accommodate stranded holidaymakers on Saturday

She said the firefighters and locals have been "fabulous".

"I live on the main road and I watched bus after bus after bus going down empty to pick the [tourists] up.

"I know it could have been done better but I've got to say the Greeks are working tirelessly to help everyone and to fight the fire at the same time.

"The locals here have really really rallied around and I'm seeing wonderful stories of them bringing food to people, taking them in and giving them a bed for the night and doing their best to help people who are stranded here."

Ms Holloway said the sky was now clear and she may return home but it was a case of being ready to "wait and see" and she does not know if her home has survived.

"I'm very pragmatic, I've got my passport, I've got my credit card, I've got my phone and my son said mum, if you need a flight, tell me and I'll look for you and I'll meet you at the airport."

Simon Wheatley said some hotel residents were waiting for buses in 38C heat

Simon Wheatley, from Cheltenham, had to flee his hotel, alongside his pregnant fiancee and three-year-old son, and was searching for alternative accommodation for the next few nights.

Mr Wheatley said his family was "one of the lucky ones" because they had a hire car, while others at the hotel had to wait for shuttle buses or taxis.

"People were there with wet t-shirts over their mouth trying to breathe more effectively because the air by then was unbearable.

"It was like a bad bonfire night in November, you could not handle the smoke at all."

Corfu has also been affected by wildfires with nearly 2,500 people evacuated.

Roz Stewart-Hall, 56, from Bristol, is in Corfu with her wife and child and was staying at the Mareblue Beach Resort on a TUI holiday.

They have three days left of their holiday but said after seeing wildfires approaching they felt uncomfortable with staying.

Ms Stewart-Hall said: "My wife spoke to the TUI representative and they said advice was to stay put as luckily the wind is blowing in the opposite direction. We didn't feel reassured".

Photos uploaded to social media showed flames moving across ridgelines in Corfu

The hotel also informed them that if there were any issues an alarm would sound in the night.

Ms Stewart-Hall said she was worried there would then be "mass panic if that happened" and was concerned about being crushed.

Her wife's brother and his family are staying on the island in a villa just under two hours away and he picked them up during the night so they could feel safer.

Ms Stewart-Hall said as they were driving away she "could see the fires on the horizon and that was chilling as you could see the full size of the fires".

Theofanis Skembris, deputy mayor of North Corfu, told the BBC most of the fires are now under control and he believes "everything will be over soon".

'Why did they let us fly?'

Stephen Lancaster, from Salisbury, said he flew from Bournemouth to Rhodes on Sunday.

"There was an hour delay because of the fire over here. And then after the hour, we took off. Then when we landed here last night, all the hotels were evacuated.

"So they must have known our hotel or anybody else's hotel, that we will not [be able to] go back into it.

"I don't understand why they still flew us over - why didn't they say it's the wildfires, you can't come over?"

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Almost 20,000 people have fled their homes on the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires remain "out of control"

Hundreds of holidaymakers have landed back in the UK following wildfires on Rhodes, with more repatriation flights set to take place.

As many as 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on the Greek island - part of which has been ravaged by fierce fires.

It has forced many holidaymakers to sleep in schools and sports centres.

Rishi Sunak has urged people to remain in touch with tour operators, some of which have begun sending flights to bring people back to the UK.

Throughout Monday, swathes of passengers arrived on flights from Rhodes into airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol.

But, thousands of Brits remain stuck waiting for flights home - including two newly-weds from Glasgow who described being on Rhodes as "being thrown into a disaster film".

Six Foreign Office staff members and four British Red Cross responders have been sent to Rhodes International Airport to help liaise with Greek authorities and travel operators.

The Foreign Office has not advised against going to Rhodes, although it does say if you are planning to travel to any areas affected by wildfires, to check with your travel operator or hotel first - a decision Downing Street has defended.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The current situation is impacting on a limited area in Rhodes and whilst it's right to keep it under review, and it's possible that the advice may change, we do not want to act out of proportion to the situation on the ground."

EasyJet and Tui have cancelled outbound package holidays to Rhodes until Saturday and Friday respectively.

Some tourists have been forced to flee hotels, abandon their belongings and sleep outside as fires which have already destroyed homes spread from the centre of the island towards resorts on its eastern coast.

What are holiday companies doing to help?

Tui operated three "dedicated flights" back from Rhodes overnight; a fourth is due to arrive on Monday night and a fifth is scheduled for Tuesday morning. All Tui flights to the island have been cancelled up to Friday, but customers currently in Rhodes can return on their intended flights home. All outbound flights for customers travelling to impacted hotels up to and including on Sunday have also been cancelled. All customers due to travel on cancelled flights will receive full refunds. Tui said 300 members of staff were on the affected part of the island.

EasyJet said it would operate two rescue flights with a total of 421 seats on Monday, and a third on Tuesday, in addition to its nine scheduled flights between Rhodes and the UK. The airline has cancelled package holidays to affected resorts in Rhodes up to and including Saturday. It is also "also contacting customers due to travel to the impacted resorts in Rhodes up to 10 August to discuss their options".

Jet2 is running four repatriation flights - all due to leave on Monday night. One left for Leeds-Bradford at 23:00 local time and three others are bound for Manchester, Stansted and Birmingham and scheduled to leave after midnight. All Jet2 flights and holidays to Rhodes have been cancelled up to and including Sunday. But aircraft with no customers on board will be flown there in order to bring people back.

British Airways said its flights to Rhodes were running as normal, but customers needing to return early could change their flight for free, and those not wishing to travel there in the next week from the UK could postpone their flight. BA has put a larger aircraft on the next flight from the island to accommodate those who need to return earlier.

Thomas Cook said it had cancelled some holidays to affected areas, with full refunds offered. It added some customers booked to travel to other parts on Monday and Tuesday were being contacted with the option to cancel and be refunded if they wished.

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Daniel and Luna Rolfe arrived on Rhodes for their honeymoon over the weekend, but said they were taken straight from the airport to an evacuation centre despite being reassured by Tui it was safe to travel.

Mr Rolfe, 25, told BBC News they later found out their accommodation in the Lindos area of Rhodes had been evacuated twice due to thick smoke.

The Glaswegian couple, who paid nearly 4,000 for their trip, ended up sleeping on a school floor with other UK families.

He said: "It was packed. I couldn't tell you how many people were there. We walked past quite a few rooms and they were all packed."

Daniel and Luna Rolfe are among thousands displaced on Rhodes

The couple eventually managed to find an Airbnb for the night on Sunday, but they will have to leave it on Monday as it fully booked.

The graphic designer said: "We've been in the dark and we're just figuring out what's best for ourselves, because nothing is really being done."

He added: "We've kind of been thrown into a disaster film. It's been quite sad and seeing my wife upset has been really difficult, but we're getting through it."

Greece has seen searing heat in recent weeks, with temperatures exceeding 40C (104F) across the country, and fires have blazed for nearly a week in some areas.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament on Monday more than 80 wildfires have broken out across the country. The European Union has sent extra firefighters to help.

"We are at war and are exclusively geared towards the fire front," Mr Mitsotakis said as he warned Greece faces "another three difficult days ahead" before high temperatures are forecast to ease.

Rhodes has been battling fires fanned by strong winds since Tuesday and roughly 19,000 people have been evacuated so far, in what Greek authorities say is the largest operation of its kind they have carried out.

Wind coupled with very dry conditions and high temperatures meant wildfires spread across the island on Saturday

Helen Rendell, 66, and her husband, Ray, 72, had to evacuate their home in Lardos and head to Rhodes Town.

The couple, originally from Chelmsford, told the BBC their home has survived the fierce fires but other locals were not so lucky.

"The impact on the people here is terrible," Mrs Rendell said. "It's awful."

Around 2,500 people have been evacuated from Corfu, some 1,027km (670 miles) miles away, a fire department spokesman told the AFP news agency.

Boats were used to rescue people from beaches but officials have told the BBC the situation is less serious than on Rhodes.

Tourists have sheltered in stadiums and schools after being evacuated from the path of wildfires

Emergency services are also tackling fires on Evia, the second largest of the Greek islands, and some areas are being evacuated, the state news agency ANA-MPA reports.

It is unclear what started the fires but extreme temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds across Greece have aided their spread.

Chariton Koutscouris, North Corfu's head of tourism, said arson was suspected and the fire department had been warned someone was planning on deliberately starting a fire.

He said the blazes were down to a "group of people" who "get pleasure out of this with the pain of the other people".

Emma Brennan, a spokesperson for ABTA - the travel association trade body whose members are travel agents and tour operators - said people in the resorts of Lindos, Pefkos and Kalathos in Rhodes have had their evacuation order removed and can safely return.

She told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "Travel companies will be liaising with their accommodation providers to ensure that they are ready to receive customers, and customers will be notified accordingly."

Airspace remains open and, while firms are cancelling package holidays, most flights are still running in order to allow people to travel to safe parts of the islands, or return home.
29-year-old Ridgeland man Albert Heyward was killed in a shooting at a popular Jasper County nightclub early Sunday morning, according to the Jasper County Sheriffs Office. Two suspected accomplices were arrested while the shooter remains at large.

Police say one person fired over a dozen shots inside Tap Ultra Lounge, located along S. Jacob Smart Blvd in Ridgeland, just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Heyward was shot multiple times and died later that morning at Coastal Carolina Hospital, according to the Jasper County Coroners Office.

Jasper County deputies arrested 22-year-old Yemassee man Herbert Dashawn Ford later Sunday morning, charging him as an accessory to the murder. The man was identified in connection with the shooting because he and Heyward were in a fistfight inside Tap Ultra Lounge just before the shooting took place, Crosby said. He was released Sunday from the Jasper County Detention Center on a $30,000 cash bond, judicial records show.

Another 22-year-old Yemassee man, Kevin Jamol Young, was also charged as an accessory, the Sheriffs Office announced Monday afternoon. His bond hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Investigators have identified the shooter and obtained an arrest warrant for murder but cannot release a name, Crosby said. Police believe the incident stems from a years-old dispute between the shooter and Heyward, dating back to high school.

Police do not know whether the Tap Ultra Lounge building was significantly damaged.

Sundays murder comes a few months after a grisly dispute in a Hardeeville parking lot, which investigators said stemmed from a dispute at the Ridgeland nightclub.

The SC Law Enforcement Divison helped process the scene Sunday morning. The Jasper County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident.

This report will be updated as more information becomes available. Anyone with information regarding Sunday nights shooting can call the Jasper County Detectives Office at 843-726-7779 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry tip line at 843-554-1111, referencing case number 23S19301.
A local teacher was arrested Monday on allegations he solicited a student for sexual activity, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Micah Branch, 34, of Madisonville, is charged with importuning, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and sexual imposition. He was a physical education teacher at Riverside Academy in Cincinnati's Riverside neighborhood.

An investigation into Branch in early July indicated he had solicited a student, identified as being 15 years old, to engage in sexual activity, according to the sheriff's office.

During an incident in March, Branch inappropriately touched the student, according to a criminal complaint. He's also accused of sharing a photo of his genitals with a minor, though it's unclear from the documents if that incident involves the same victim.

Accel Schools officials said in a statement that Branch has been fired. Accel Schools is a for-profit organization that manages 54 charter schools nationally, including Riverside.

"Upon learning of the alleged conduct, Riverside Academy immediately informed law enforcement and ODE and has fully cooperated with the police during their investigation," the statement reads. "The moment we became aware of the inappropriate conduct, we initiated a thorough investigation and took immediate action to terminate the teacher's employment."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Micah Branch, Cincinnati teacher accused of soliciting student
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a hearing with the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, on Capitol Hill, July 20, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Fox News that the media is treating him more harshly than it did Donald Trump.

He said that he thinks he is being "slammed" by mainstream outlets in a way that is "unprecedented."

Kennedy's own family has distanced themselves from him and his beliefs about COVID-19 and vaccines.

Longshot Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that the mainstream media has been giving him a tougher time than it gave former President Donald Trump.

During an appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy was asked if he was being heard by potential voters.

Kennedy, who has recently stirred controversy by baselessly claiming that COVID-19 was "ethnically targeted" to spare Jews and Chinese people, told Fox News that his message seems to be getting across despite what he perceives as media bias.

But he didn't hold back in expressing his frustration with how the press is covering him, stating, "I've been really slammed in a way that I think is unprecedented."

He added: "Even more than President Trump was slammed by the mainstream, corporate media."

Kennedy went on to refer to a July 19-20 Harvard/Harris poll of 2,068 registered voters, which showed that he has a favorability rating of 47%, before erroneously claiming that it showed he had a 20-point lead over any other candidate.

Several candidates, including Trump, have favorability rates within single digits of him.

Nonetheless, he pointed to the numbers as proof that his message is resonating.

"Listen, if I believe the stuff that's written about me in the papers and reported about me on the mainstream news sites, I would not have anything," Kennedy told Fox News. "I would definitely not vote for me, and I would think that I was a very despicable person."

Kennedy's own family members have publicly distanced themselves from him, saying they oppose his candidacy and what he stands for.

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Kerry Kennedy, one of his sisters, told Insider in April that she loves her brother but doesn't endorse his opinions on various issues, including COVID-19 and vaccinations.

And after he made the comment about COVID-19 being ethnically targeted earlier this month, she strongly condemned his comments as "deplorable."

Kennedy built a reputation as a prominent anti-vaxxer long before the pandemic, previously proliferating a widely debunked claim that vaccines are linked to autism.

Last year he likened government efforts to contain COVID-19 to Hitler's Germany.

His niece, Kerry Meltzer, told Insider in April that she could not support his presidential bid as a practicing physician because his "vaccine skepticism is unfounded and potentially dangerous."

In 2019, two of his siblings and another niece penned an op-ed for Politico in which they denounced Kennedy's views on vaccines and their "heartbreaking consequences."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Robin Williams children have remembered the late actor on what would have been his 72nd birthday.

Over the weekend, the actors son, Zak, 40, and daughter Zelda, 33 paid tribute to their father on social media.

Williams died by suicide in Northern California in 2014. He was 63 years old.

Happy 72nd Dad! Was remembering how much I used to love that look youd give, wrote Zak on Instagram. That look with a mischievous, loving grin that your friends and loved ones knew so well. Joyous and curious and wondrous. Miss you and love you forever.

The actor would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on Friday 22 July 2023.

Zaks caption accompanied a photograph of his father wearing headphones and smiling in his 1987 war comedy Good Morning, Vietnam.

Set in Saigon in 1965, the much-loved film starred Williams as a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio Service.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, Zelda shared a post suggesting she believed that her actor father would have supported the ongoing writers and actors strike.

She shared a photograph of Williams joining the New York picket line in the 2007 strike.

In it, Williams can be seen holding a sign that reads SGA WGA ON STRIKE alongside fellow protestors.

Happy birthday to Poppo, who definitely wouldve been out there fighting the good fight for art and artists today and always, Zelda wrote in her caption.

Happy birthday to Poppo, who definitely wouldve been out there fighting the good fight for art and artists today and always. pic.twitter.com/CNiirB3Qb9  Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) July 21, 2023

The Mrs Doubtfire star had been a vocal advocate for writers rights during the strike in 2007. That year, the WGA took industrial action with a key issue in the negotiations being royalties from DVD sales.

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The 2007/08 season strike lasted for 100 days and nearly 25 per cent of primetime scripted programming over that period was lost completely.

This is not about millionaire screenwriters. They dont need to be on strike. This is not about me, Im fine, Robbins told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. This is about a large amount of people who are simply trying to get their fair share.

You want to resolve it for their sake and get everybody back working and find a way to share it.

Zak is the eldest son of Robin and his first wife Valerie Velardie, who married in 1978 and divorced in 1988.

Zelda and her brother Cody, 31, are children from his second marriage to Marsha Garces Williams whom he married in 1989 and divorced in 2010.

In 2011, Williams married Susan Schneider whom he stayed with until his death in 2014.

In 2021, Schneider  a graphic designer  worked on a documentary titled Robins Wish: A Genius Mind, The Untold Story, which focused on the final years of Williams life and his experience with lewy body dementia (LBD), a form of dementia he had been diagnosed with after his death following an autopsy on his brain.

Williams birthday comes ahead of the ninth anniversary of his death in August.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Sir Rod Stewart is greatly enjoying one of his many titles these days: "granddad."

The 78-year-old rock legend, who was knighted at Buckingham Palace by Prince William in 2016, posted a sweet photo of his two newest grandchildren to his Instagram Story on July 23.

In the photo, Stewart is flanked by the most junior members of his expansive family, Otis and Louie, who seemed perfectly content to sit on their grandfather's knees as they posed for the camera.

"Louie on the right wing  Otis on the left wing  granddad down the middle," Stewart wrote on the picture.

Rod Stewart (@sirrodstewart via Instagram)

Stewart's daughter Ruby shares Otis with her fiance, Jake Kalic. The pair welcomed their son, who is their first child, on May 9.

"This love  unlike any other love Ive ever known," Ruby captioned an Instagram photo of her newborn son, announcing his arrival. "I am only a mirror of what I feel from you. I cant remember what life was like before you. But nothing else matters now that youre here. Your arrival into the world marks the beginning of our family."

Stewart's son Liam and his fiancee, Nicole Artukovich, welcomed Louie, also their first, three days after Otis was born on May 12.

"Welcome lad, you American, British, Croatian, Kiwi," Liam Stewart captioned an Instagram photo, announcing his new addition. "Louie Mark Roderick Stewart 5.12.23."

Stewart is also grandfather of Delilah Genoveva Stewart, Kimberly Stewart and actor Benicio Del Toro's daughter, who was born in 2011.

Kimberly Stewart recently shared a photo of Rod Stewart's growing family on her Instagram account, showing the musician posing with seven of his eight children and two of his three grandchildren during a family vacation in Spain.

"La familia," Kimberly Stewart captioned the photo.

In it, Rod Stewart poses with his wife, model Penny Lancaster, and their sons, Alastair, 17, and Aiden, 12. His daughter Kimberly, 43, and son Sean, 42, whom he shares with his ex-wife Alana Stewart, are also part of the crew. His daughter Renee, 31, and son Liam, 28, whom he shares with Rachel Hunter, join the entourage alongside his daughter Ruby, 36, who he shares with his former partner Kelly Emberg.

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Rod Stewart's eldest daughter, Sarah Streeter, 59, was not pictured in the photo. Rod Stewart had Streeter when he was 17 and she was raised by adoptive parents, but later reconnected with her biological father.

In a 2021 interview with People, Rod Stewart shared that being the father of eight children has meant that he has had to adapt his parenting style to meet the unique needs of each one of his children and at various points throughout their  and his  lives.

I have to be several different fathers because of the different age groups of my kids, Stewart told the publication at the time. You really have to treat all of them as individuals with individual problems."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah.) called on Republican donors to urge noncompetitive GOP presidential candidates to drop out of the race by February so former President Trump cannot run against a crowded field.

Opponents of Trump have consistently worried a crowded primary field could hand the contest to Trump, who has a big lead in GOP opinion polls in the primary today.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Monday, Romney suggests party donors should urge candidates whose paths to the nomination are effectively closed to drop out of the race by February 2024.

There are incentives for no-hope candidates to overstay their prospects. Coming in behind first place may grease another run in four years or have market value of its own: Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum got paying gigs, Romney wrote, referring to two rivals of his in the 2012 GOP presidential primary.

And as former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu has observed, It is fun running for president if you know you cannot win, he continued.

Left to their own inclinations, expect several of the contenders to stay in the race for a long time, Romney added. They will split the non-Trump vote, giving him the prize. A plurality is all that is needed for winner-take-all primaries.

Romney, who ran for president in 2008 and 2012, has been highly critical of Trump.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

He warned donors not to think that GOP leaders will narrow the field of presidential contenders.

Donors may think that party leaders can narrow the field. Not so. Candidates dont listen to party officials, because voters dont listen to them either, he wrote. And the last people who would ever encourage a candidate to withdraw are the campaign staff and consultants who want to keep their jobs for as long as possible.

A group of contenders are trying to challenge Trump, including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis is clinging to the Bud Light controversy as he continues to try to play on conservative bigotry to win political favor across the United States.

The Florida governor went so far as to launch an inquiry into the beers parent company, AB InBev, questioning whether their partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney resulted in a failure to follow its fiduciary duty to shareholders.

AB InBevs performance has plummeted since its decision to associate its Bud Light brand with radical social ideologies, he wrote in a letter to the State Board of Administration, shared to his Twitter last week. It appears to me that AB InBev may have breached legal duties owed to its shareholders, and that shareholder action may be both appropriate and necessary.

He added in his tweet that All options are on the table and woke corporations that put ideology ahead of returns should be on notice.

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The idea that bigots can use fearmongering tactics to create a widespread boycott of a product because a single person belonging to a group they dont like was asked to advertise it to her audience, lower stock prices, and then use that outcome to turn around and investigate the company itself is disturbing. It also feels like something in opposition to the claim that Republicans stand for minimal government interference, but that hypocrisy is nothing new, and certainly not to DeSantis.

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This particular investigation comes as he remains embroiled in a lawsuit filed by Disney after the company accused his administration of political retaliation following criticism of his Dont Say Gay law. A lawsuit also appears to be on the table here, as the presidential candidate told Fox News theres got to penalties when you put business aside to focus on your social agenda at the expense of hardworking people.
The News

For months, Ron DeSantis pitch to Republicans was simple: He was the only serious alternative to Donald Trump. Others might run, but he was coming off a blowout re-election, putting up record-shattering fundraising numbers, and leading a post-Trump conservative movement in Florida  nobodys resume (or polling) could compare.

You have basically three people at this point that are credible in this whole thing: Biden, Trump and me, he told donors in May.

But as DeSantis campaign struggles mount, that narrative  to use one of DeSantis favorite words  is showing some major cracks. And polling over the weekend threatened to crumble it entirely.

On Sunday, two Fox News surveys presented worrying data for the Florida governor (and good news for some of his opponents): In Iowa, Tim Scott sat in third place within 5 percentage points of DeSantis, and in South Carolina, the poll found the states former governor Nikki Haley in second at 14%, just ahead of DeSantis 13%,with Scott again closing in. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy is trending upward and sits a for-now distant third behind DeSantis in averages of national polls: A new Harvard/Harris survey found him at 10%, barely behind DeSantis at 12%.

No matter how much the media and D.C. elites try to destroy Ron DeSantis, they cant change the fact that this is a two-man race for the nomination, Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for the DeSantis campaign, said in a statement to Semafor. Ron DeSantis is ready to prove the doubters wrong yet again and our campaign is prepared to execute on his vision for the Great American Comeback as we transition into the next phase of winning this primary and beating Joe Biden.

Shelbys view

The problem for all of the candidates is still Trump, of course, who held massive leads in each of these polls ranging from 30 to 40 points. But DeSantis no longer looks like the dominant challenger  setting up what could become a free-for-all to take the second slot and try to consolidate opposition to Trump.

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Campaigns are so far dismissive of Ramaswamys rise in the polls, and Haley is still widely seen as a niche candidate. But the same cant be said of Scott, who is increasingly looking like a concern for DeSantis  and, worse for the governor, a well-financed one. The Super PAC backing the South Carolina senator recently announced it was purchasing a whopping $40 million ad buy in key early states and on cable TV.

Those problems could get worse still: Donors turned off by DeSantis hard right emphasis on social issues The New York Times reported on Sunday that his own staff produced a strange anti-LGBT video and tried to pass it off as a supporters on Twitter  might find Scott a more natural fit if he looks viable.

Scott seems well-poised for a breakout, but with it will also come more attention from his opponents and deeper dives into his record from the press.

In recent weeks, the DeSantis camp has started to quietly lay the groundwork to go after Scott: An internal memo from earlier in July to donors honed in on Scott, suggesting he could be an incoming threat, NBC News reported at the time, while also pointing to potential vulnerabilities.

While Tim Scott has earned a serious look at this stage, his bio is lacking the fight that our electorate is looking for in the next President, the memo said. We expect Tim Scott to receive appropriate scrutiny in the weeks ahead.

A pro-Haley Super PAC last week attacked Scotts wasteful spending approach and Chris Christie on Sunday denounced his recent remarks defending Trump from accusations he instigated the Jan. 6 riot.

One person whos unlikely to attack Scott? Trump himself, who has so far spent the bulk of his time going after DeSantis with occasional flicks at anti-Trump candidates like Christie.

The former president is now relishing the crowded field, and fully understands it benefits him at this point. And although he recently suggested hed go after whoever was in second place, theres no indication from the campaign that Trump would start going after Scott (or Ramaswamy, for that matter) should he overtake DeSantis. Aides have noted that the two dont directly attack Trump, and the former president has in fact explicitly told them not to criticize Scott.

Room for Disagreement

DeSantis deserves some credit for recognizing things are not where they need to be. In a memo to donors last week, the campaign detailed their plans to move past its messaging issues and money problems and get DeSantis an insurgent outsider  into fighting shape. Ideas included addressing the campaigns high burn rate by cutting travel costs, focusing more on smaller intimate events with the candidate, and accepting more invitations from outside organizations. DeSantis, his team told donors, will also aim to be more media accessible, building off his CNN interview last week.
STAUNTON  The Frontier Culture Museum's American Roots Concert Series is back for the 2023 season. Every Sunday in August, enjoy live music and dinner from 5-7 p.m. The first concert features local Staunton band, The Judy Chops.

Roots Concert Series

5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6  The Judy Chops

5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13  Stoney Creek Bluegrass

5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20  Lonesome Heart

5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27  Virginia Rain Bluegrass Band

Tickets are $12 per person, or reserve a table for $60. Tickets for Roots are included in museum admission. Ricks BBQ & Catering will be on site during the Roots Concert for dinner.

Frontier Culture Museum is located on 1290 Richmond Road in Staunton. For more information, call 540-332-7850 or visit www.frontiermuseum.org.

Taste of Cuba grand opening set

Sarahi Morales, along with her husband Juan Bermudez, will be opening A Taste of Cuba restaurant in Waynesboro's Coyner Park Shopping Center on Lucy Lane.

WAYNESBORO  A new restaurant will finally open in the Coyner Park Shopping Center on Lucy Lane Tuesday, July 25. Owners of A Taste of Cuba had hoped to open this past spring but delays pushed the opening to this summer.

Juan Bermudez, who is opening the restaurant with his wife, Sarahi Morales, has been sharing photos on his Facebook page, including one of the outdoor signage, one of the outdoor patio, one of the inside dining room and another of the kitchen.

Morales shared a menu for A Taste of Cuba with The News Leader. Entrees will include charcoal whole, half and quarter chicken; charcoal roasted pork ribs; fried chicken; ropa vieja (braised shredded beef in creole sauce), and shrimp in creole sauce.

The restaurant will also serve sandwiches, including rotisserie chicken, tuna, Cuban (ham, roast pork and Swiss cheese on Cuban bread with mustard and pickles), steak (with grilled onions, shoestring potatoes, lettuce and tomato), grilled chicken breast and hot dogs

Sides include yuca con mojo, fried plantains, tostones, french fries, white rice, yellow rice, congri rice, homemade mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, black beans, red beans and yuca fries. A Taste of Cuba will also offer appetizers, salads, burgers, chicken soup and chicken riggies pasta.

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There will be a kids menu with chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese; desserts including guava pastries, flan and mini fruit tarts; and a variety of coffee and drinks.

Deaf Culture Exhibit

WAYNESBORO  The Waynesboro Public Library is hosting Lantz Mills Deaf Culture, a six-panel traveling exhibit which delves into the history of Lantz Mills, a shared signing community in Shenandoah County between 1740 and 1970.

The exhibit is based on a booklet written by deaf historian and Lantz Mills Deaf Village descendent Kathleen Brockway. The panels discuss prominent families and businesses crucial to Lantz Mills. Each panel comes complete with a QR code to view the ASL interpretation, as well as historical photos, maps, and landmarks.

This exhibit is brought to you by the generosity of the Library of Virginia with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Sorenson Foundation. To learn more about deaf culture in Virginia, visit Virginia Deaf Culture Digital Library at www.deaflibva.org. The exhibit will be on display through Aug. 26.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Cuban food, roots music festival and the history of a deaf village: THE DIGEST
Consequences of the Russian attack on Odesa on the night of July 21

Russia again attacked Odesa overnight on July 24 with Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones, targetting port infrastructure and causing multiple injuries, a spokesman of Odesa OVA, Serhiy Bratchuk, said on Monday morning.

The air alert in the city of Odesa lasted almost 4 hours. According to Bratchuk, the air defense forces shot down several enemy targets.

"Unfortunately, there were several hits to the citys infrastructure," Bratchuk said.

"A terminal with grain was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged, and a fire broke out in production premises, which was promptly extinguished."

Six people were injured in the attack, said Odesa OVA head Oleh Kiper. Four were hospitalized, with one individuals condition being described as "closer to serious," but stable. The remaining three received light shrapnel wounds and contusions and did not require hospitalization.

Read also: World reacts to Russias devastating missile attack on Odesas historic city center

Russia launched its largest attack on Odesa on July 23 since the full-scale war began, using 19 Onyx, Caliber, X-22, Iskander-M, and Iskander-K cruise and ballistic missiles. Air defense forces destroyed nine aerial targets.

As a result of the July 23 attack, one man diedand 21 others were injured, including four children.

Odesas historic center suffered significant damage. Russian missiles destroyed the Transfiguration Cathedral, and a total of 25 objects of historical importance were damaged.

Over the past week, the Russians have regularly bombarded southern Ukraine with missiles and drones, in particular the cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv, targetting port infrastructure and grain terminals.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Wagner mercenaries

Russia may embark on a hybrid aggression against NATO, employing mercenaries from PMC Wagner Group, Presidential Office advisor Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted on July 22.

He specifically pointed to the border regions of Poland and the Baltic countries as being under threat.

Read also: Ukrainian border service tracking Wagner mercenary redeployment to Belarus

Podolyaks tweet highlighted that such actions would align with Russias strategy of raising the stakes to exert pressure on NATO allies. The aim of this aggression would be to influence the support extended to Ukraine by member countries of the Alliance.

Podolyak emphasized that PMC Wagner fighters would likely target specific border territories of Poland and the Baltic countries, as they are unlikely to remain idle in their tent camps in Belarus.

Read also: Zelenskyy holds major staff meeting amid Wagner activity in Belarus

He stressed that the mercenaries require regular involvement in combat operations and seek lucrative financial streams.

Infiltrating Ukrainian borders with reconnaissance and sabotage groups presents challenges since they are securely fortified.

Podolyak particularly pointed out the Suwalki Gap, a 100-kilometer stretch of border between Poland and Lithuania, as a tempting territory for potential Russian occupiers.

He expressed doubts about NATOs ability to effectively counter the PMC Wagner mercenaries.

The willingness of NATO countries to counter an armed group is currently unclear, and this uncertainty is perceived by Russia as a weakness, fueling provocations, he stressed.

Podolyak believes that peace in Europe could be achieved by providing weapons to Ukraine to eliminate the Russian occupiers.

Read also: Lukashenko comes to Russia for talks with Putin

While Eastern Europe already understands this well, it becomes necessary to remind other capitals farther from Russia more often, he added.

PMC Wagner in Belarus: What is Known

Founder and leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ended his one-day insurrection against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on June 24 after negotiations with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Putin presented the Wagner troops with three options as a result of the negotiations  one of which involved their deployment to Belarus.

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Shortly after, reports emerged of camp constructions in Belarus intended to accommodate the Wagner mercenaries. Satellite images of a potential field camp were subsequently released. While Lukashenko denied the existence of any camps specifically for Wagner units, he mentioned that they would be provided with accommodation, if necessary.

Read also: Military initiative on the front shifts in Ukraines favor, says Defense Ministry

Belarus has the capacity to host approximately 8,000 Wagner mercenaries, says State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. However, Ukrainian intelligence cautioned against premature conclusions regarding their deployment to that country.

Later, information surfaced suggesting that the Wagner mercenaries in Belarus would be involved in training Belarusian nationals for combat. This statement was supported by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and on July 12, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus confirmed negotiations regarding the training of Belarusian special forces.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine announced on July 14 that Russia had withdrawn nearly all its military personnel from Belarus.

The Defense Ministry of Belarus declared on July 20 the joint training with Wagner militants near the border with Poland.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak stated on the same day that his country had deployed a portion of its troops to the eastern border due to the arrival of PMC Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Read also:

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reassured Poland that Germany would support them in the event of an attack by PMC Wagner from Belarus.

The Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported the arrival of the 10th column of Wagner PMC to Belarus on July 23.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian military equipment

The Russian military has been observed relocating equipment to the temporarily occupied Crimea in response to a recent successful operation by the Ukrainian Defense Forces against the occupiers in Melitopol, the Atesh partisan movement reported on Telegram on July 24.

Atesh agents reported the movement of military trucks, tractors, and other equipment from Melitopol to Crimea. The Russians are continuing to supply their troops on the frontlines. However, the partisans noted that this level of support may not be sustainable for long.

Read also: Russian units in Kherson Oblast and Crimea, stricken in cholera outbreak, losing combat effectiveness

On July 9, the Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, reported a powerful explosion in the northern part of the occupied city, indicating that a Russian military base was likely targeted.

Later, Fedorov mentioned that the aggressor country, Russia, is increasing its military presence in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhya Oblast to maintain a land corridor to Ukrainian Crimea.

Read also: Mobile radiation laboratories spotted in occupied Enerhodar and Mariupol  resistance report

On July 13, he announced that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had successfully carried out operations against the enemy positions of Russian occupiers in the temporarily occupied Tokmak in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, along the path to Melitopol.

Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, Hanna Maliar, emphasized on July 24 that since the beginning of the counteroffensive, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have liberated nearly 230 square kilometers of territory from Russian occupation forces, including over 192 square kilometers in the southern part of the country.

Read also: Wagner allegedly aims to seize nuke storage in Voronezh Oblast  partisan movement

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Sputnik/Alexander Demyanchuk/Pool

Wagner mercenaries who recently relocated to Belarus and have been training with the countrys armed forces want to infiltrate neighboring Poland, Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko warned Sunday.

The Wagner guys have started to stress us. They want to go west. Lets go on a trip to Warsaw and Rzeszow, Lukashenko said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, according to the Polish Press Agency.

After conducting a failed mutiny in Russia late last month, Wagner mercenaries relocated to Belarus as part of a deal with Putin and Lukashenko to end the revolt. Since relocating, the Wagner fighters have been conducting training sessions with Belarusian troops just six miles from the border with Poland, raising concerns about the Wagner Groups potential to lash out against Warsaw.

Officials in Poland have been ringing alarm bells about potential aggression from Wagner mercenaries ever since the deal was reached, placing Wagner fighters in Polands backyard.

European officials have also raised concerns about Wagner fighters new staging ground as a potential threat to the European Union as a whole, according to a report from the European Parliament released last week.

Wagner Bosses Vow New Beginning in Belarus: Welcome to Hell

Poland has responded to the possible threat by moving troops and police towards the border with Belarus as a defensive mechanism.

Zbigniew Hoffmann, the secretary of Poland's National Security Committee, said the movement of troops is warranted to respond to the recent exercises in Belarus, which he characterized as a provocation.

The weekend meeting was likely aimed at provoking Poland, according to Polands deputy foreign minister, Pawel Jablonski.

We are basically sure today that in a situation of particularly high political tension the number of provocations is increasing, Jablonski said.

Putin has seized the moment to accuse Poland of plotting to take Belarusian territory. Putin warned Poland against dreaming of Belarusian lands, claiming that an attack on Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia proper as well.

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Unleashing aggression against Belarus would mean aggression against the Russian Federation, Putin said Friday.

Belarus and Russia form what is known as a union state, in which both governments work to draw their economies, militaries, and cultures closer and closer together. The U.S. State Department has assessed in recent months that the line between where Putins power ends and where Lukashenkos power begins has grown thinner and thinner.

For over a year now, Lukashenko has allowed Russian troops to use Belarus as a staging ground for conducting war in Ukraine. Belarusian opposition politicians believe that Russias use of Belarusian territory for the war constitutes a hybrid occupation of Belarus itself, as previously reported by The Daily Beast.

In an apparent threat against Warsaw, Putin recently said that some western territories of Poland were a gift from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin at the close of World War II.

Wagner Revolt Could Leave Putin Pal on Shaky Ground

The comments have raised questions about whether Russia is working to create an excuse to attack Poland.

Polands deputy foreign minister characterized Putins remarks as confirmation that Russia has hostile intentions towards not just Ukraine, but all of Europe.

Tensions between Russia and Poland have gone south in recent days: Putin has warned the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) about a potential plan by Warsaw to allegedly occupy Western Ukraine and take a good chunk out of the country.

Polands leaders likely seek to set up a coalition under the NATO umbrella and directly join the conflict in Ukraine and tear off a wider piece for themselves, restore their, as they believe, historical territorytodays western Ukraine, he said.

Following Putins comments, Polands Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to Poland, according to Jablonski. The meeting was very brief, Jablonski said, according to the Polish Press Agency.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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(Reuters) - The head of Russia's space agency on Monday suggested Moscow's partners in the BRICS group - Brazil, India, China and South Africa - could build a module for its planned orbital station, the Interfax news agency reported.

Reporting from a BRICS meeting on space cooperation in Hermanus, South Africa, Interfax said it was "assumed" that the first module of the Russian Orbital Station (ROS) would be launched in 2027, with construction completed by 2032.

By then, the International Space Station - one of the last forums of cooperation between Washington and Moscow as Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent relations to a post-Cold War low - is likely to have been decommissioned.

"I would like to invite BRICS partners to ... create a fully-fledged module that, being part of the ROS, would allow the BRICS countries to use the possibilities of low-Earth orbit to implement their national space programmes," Interfax quoted Roscosmos Director-General Yuri Borisov as telling the meeting.

Roskosmos said last August that its new space station would consist of six modules and a service platform, to accommodate up to four cosmonauts, and be built in two phases. It gave no dates.

In September, Borisov said the station would orbit Earth around the poles, enabling it to look down on far more of Russia's vast territory and gather new data on cosmic radiation.

(Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Police secure an area outside a damaged non-residential building on Moscow's Komsomolsky Prospekt after a reported drone attack on July 24, 2023 (Alexander NEMENOV)

Russia said it had neutralised two Ukrainian drones over Moscow in the early hours of Monday, with one crashing close to the defence ministry in the city centre.

Officials said the drones struck non-residential buildings in the capital and there were no casualties.

The attack came a day after Kyiv vowed to "retaliate" for a Russian missile attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa.

"A Kyiv regime attempt to carry out a terrorist act using two drones on objects on the territory of the city of Moscow was stopped," Russia's defence ministry said.

"Two Ukrainian drones were suppressed and crashed. There are no casualties."

The TASS news agency reported one drone crashed in Komsomolsky Prospekt, near the defence ministry, while another hit a business centre on Likhacheva Street by one of Moscow's main ring roads.

AFP reporters at the scene saw a building with a damaged roof on Komsomolsky Prospekt, where police had cordoned off the area.

Several police cars and fire engines and an ambulance could be seen and an AFP reporter was instructed by a police officer to stop filming or face detention.

"I wasn't asleep. It was 3:39am. The house really shook," Vladimir, a 70-year-old local resident, told AFP about the moment of impact.

"It is scandalous that a Ukrainian drone almost flew into the defence ministry," said Vladimir, who declined to give his last name, as he took pictures at the scene.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone strikes occurred at around 4:00 am local time (0100 GMT).

He said emergency services were working at the scene and also reported no casualties.

The RIA Novosti news agency posted a video of the business centre, with some damage visible to the top of the tall building.

The road around it was closed.

Moscow and its environs lie around 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border but have been hit by several drone attacks this year, with one even hitting the Kremlin in May.

Story continues

Earlier this month, Russia said it had downed five Ukrainian drones that disrupted the functioning of Moscow's Vnukovo international airport.

- 'Will definitely feel this' -

Russian forces have pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa since Moscow quit a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Black Sea last week.

The latest strike on the city on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic cathedral.

Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged Transfiguration Cathedral, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".

President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation: "They will definitely feel this," he said.

"We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks," Zelensky added in his evening speech late on Sunday.

"The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture."

bur/dt/rma
Odessa's regional governor said Monday that Russia damaged port infrastructure on the Danube River as Kyiv and Moscow traded drone strikes. Photo by Operational Command 'South'/EPA-EFE

July 24 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Russia's termination of its grain deal with Ukraine will send the global food supply and price stability into a spiral as the two sides exchanged attacks Monday.

Speaking at the U.N. Food Systems Summit Monday, Guterres noted that the Black Sea Initiative allowed for the export of more than 32 million metric tons of food from Ukrainian ports. He attributed the deal to lowering food prices by 23% and creating a lifeline for countries where food is the most scarce.

"With the termination of the Black Sea Initiative, the most vulnerable will pay the highest price. When food prices rise, everybody pays for it," he said. " We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone."

Guterres' comments came as Russia continued to target Ukraine's grain infrastructure, deploying drone strikes on Ukraine's ports on the Danube River on Monday, injuring seven people and destroying a hangar where grain was stored. One person is in critical condition, according to Odessa's regional governor, Oleg Kiper.

Kiper said the attacks lasted four hours and were carried out by Iranian drones. The attack is just the latest against Ukraine's Black Sea ports. Officials estimated 66,000 tons of grain have been destroyed in the last week.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Russia's termination of its grain deal with Ukraine will send the global food supply and price stability into a spiral. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Russia officials said that Ukraine launched its own drone strikes early Monday, hitting two non-residential buildings in Moscow and an ammunition depot in annexed Crimea.

Both of the attacks were announced by Russian officials on Telegram.

Russian officials on Monday said Ukraine conducted drone strikes overnight targeting Moscow and the illegally Kremlin-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry/Twitter

In Moscow, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said the two buildings were struck at about 4 a.m., causing little damage and zero casualties.

"All emergency services are on site," he said in the brief statement.

Russian state-run news agency TASS reported that fragments from one drone were found at 17th Komsomolsky Avenue while the second aerial vehicle hit a business center towner on Likhachev Avenue, shattering the windows of its 17th and 18th floors.

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Russia's Ministry of Defense blamed the "terrorist attack" on Ukraine in a statement published to Telegram while saying it was able to foil the two unnamed aerial vehicles "by means of electronic warfare," which caused the drones to crash.

Kyiv also launched 17 drones targeting facilities in Crimea, the Ministry of Defense for Russia, which illegally annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, said, adding that all were destroyed, either by electronic warfare or the Kremlin's air defense capabilities.

Eleven of the drones crashed into the Black Sea and three landed on the peninsula, it said, with the other three presumably being destroyed by Russia's air defense.

Sergei Aksyonov, Russia's installed governor of the peninsula, confirmed 11 drones were brought down, but said an ammunition depot in the Dzhankoy region of northeast Crimea was hit in the attack.

Debris from the aerials also damaged a private residence, he said.

Railway traffic on the Dzhankoy-Simferopol highway was temporarily suspended because of the attack, and residents within a roughly 3-mile radius of the Dzhankoy strike were evacuated.

No casualties were reported.

"For my part, I remain committed to facilitating the unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and to deliver the food security that every person deserves," Guterres said. "I call on the Russian Federation to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, in line with my latest proposal."

Earlier this month, Russian officials said Ukraine launched five drones at Moscow, which caused flights to be diverted from Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  As Russia seeks more allies during its invasion of Ukraine, longtime U.S. security partner Kenya might not be an obvious choice. But hours after Russia terminated a deal to keep grain flowing from Ukraine, Moscows ambassador saw an opening to appeal to one of the African countries that would feel the effects the most.

In an opinion piece for two of Kenya's largest newspapers, Ambassador Dmitry Maksimychev blamed the United States and the European Union for the deal's collapse, asserting they had used every trick to keep Russian grain and fertilizer from the global markets.

Now, my dear Kenyan friends, you know the whole truth about who is weaponizing food, he wrote.

It's the kind of brash outreach expected this week at the second Russia-Africa Summit. Grain supplies are in question. The future of the Wagner military group is, too. Its a notable time for Russia to host nearly 50 African countries that rely heavily on Moscow for agricultural products and security. Its not clear how many heads of state will attend.

President Vladimir Putin's government is under new pressure to show its commitment to a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Africa's 54 nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other region on General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russia's invasion.

If they leave the two-day summit, which starts Thursday, feeling unheeded, they might distance themselves from Russia, said analyst Cameron Hudson with the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

I think you could see Africans beginning to vote with their feet, he said. This is a decisive moment for both Africa and Putin in their relationship.

Putin has repeatedly said that Russia would offer free grain to low-income African countries now that the grain deal has been terminated. I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing the Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, Putin said in a statement Monday, asserting that Russia shipped almost 10 million tons of grain to Africa in the first half of this year.

Story continues

The Russian military company Wagner, after its brief rebellion against Moscow, will be an urgent issue for countries like Sudan, Mali and others who contract with the mercenary group in exchange for natural resources like gold. Russias foreign minister has said Wagners work in Africa will continue.

As for a peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to pursue, that could be discussed at the summit, Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Ozerov told the Kommersant newspaper.

Putin himself is a question. He has visited sub-Saharan Africa only once in more than two decades in power. Last week, after considerable diplomatic pressure, South Africa announced that Putin had agreed not to attend an economic summit there in August because of an arrest warrant for him by the International Criminal Court over Ukraine.

South Africas debate over whether to arrest him was another sign of the ambivalence toward Moscow by a once-steady U.S. ally. But President Cyril Ramaphosa's office on Friday made clear that African leaders are working for an end to the destabilizing Ukraine-Russia war, saying it would be in the continent's economic interests.

The U.S.-backed Africa Center for Strategic Studies has predicted that Russia will try to pull other influential countries including Ethiopia, Congo, Nigeria and Senegal into its orbit. Africa is the most welcoming region for Russia of any other region in the world," the center's Joseph Siegle said.

Like China, Russia tries to appeal to African nations distaste at feeling dictated to by global powers.

A busy tweeter, Russia's ambassador to Kenya drew the praise of that country's foreign minister last week when he objected to a statement by the U.S. and allies expressing concern about live bullets used against Kenyan protests over the rising cost of living. If it is not interference in internal affairs, what is it? Maksimychev asked.

Thank you @russembkenya for this principled position, Kenyas foreign minister, Korir SingOei, replied  just a day after he called Russias decision to end the grain deal a stab on the back."

Despite its high profile in Africa, Russia invests relatively little in it. At the first Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, Putin vowed to double Russias trade with the continent within five years. Instead, it has stalled at around $18 billion a year. Moscow offers less than 1% of what goes to Africa in foreign direct investment, with almost no humanitarian aid.

But Russia can connect with African nations in ways that the West cannot, said Tim Kalyegira, a Ugandan analyst and writer. Russia is one of the few European countries allied with Africa in views about homosexual relations: We are a traditional Christian country. Every time you have an anti-gay bill, were with you, he said.

That could play to U.S. allies like Nigeria and Ghana as well, Kalyegira said.

Uganda faced Washingtons criticism this year for a new law that prescribed the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. President Joe Biden threatened sanctions amid democratic backsliding by a longtime partner.

Now Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is listed as a panelist at the Russia-Africa Summit for a discussion on What forms of new colonialism are being imposed on the global majority by the West today?

Uganda also has been one of the largest buyers of weapons from Russia, Africas top arms supplier, along with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Angola and Burkina Faso.

Kalyegira said Russia now could broker grain supply deals with individual African nations, weakening any continental stance on the war.

The U.S. hosted its own Africa summit last year as part of a growing number of such Africa gatherings by powers including China, France, Turkey, Japan and Britain.

Its worth asking why Americans should care about competing in Africa or investing in its stability. The answer is clear: Africa is poised to shape the 21st century as the worlds fastest-growing demographic and economic power, Joseph Sany with the U.S. Institute of Peace told a U.S. House subcommittee this month.

By 2050, Africans will make up a quarter of the global population," he said.

The delegations heading to Russia are being urged to use that to their advantage.

African states would no doubt rather be kingmakers than be caught in another proxy war, a consultant with the Africa-based Institute for Security Studies, Ronak Gopaldas, wrote earlier this year. A smart approach is to straddle these powers for maximum benefit.

___

Associated Press writers Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia; Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow; and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed to this report.
Drones are at the front of Russia's invasion in Ukraine, and now Russia seems to think it's the future of warfare. SERGEY VENYAVSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Russia is teaching schoolchildren to operate combat drones, according to UK defense intelligence.

It's a sign of how Russia has identified UAVs as a major aspect of contemporary warfare.

Drones have been invaluable for both Ukraine and Russia, completing attacks and conducting reconnaissance.

This fall, Russian children will return to the classroom for lessons in the usual subjects like math and science, as well as a few unusual ones, such as how to operate combat drones.

Lessons in drone warfare will join others on hand grenade skills and assault rifle training as part of a "Basics of Life Safety" syllabus for year 10 and 11 students, the UK Ministry of Defense said Monday. The drone lessons will be focused heavily on "how to conduct terrain reconnaissance and ways to counter enemy uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)," according to the report.

Elementary school kids aren't going to become proficient in combat drone operations though. These classes are not really about that. It's likely less of an effort to "develop genuine capability" in students than it is to "cultivate a culture of militarized patriotism," the ministry said.

That said, the addition of combat drone training to the course indicates that Russia has identified UAV operations "as an enduring component of contemporary war." These assets, which come in all shapes and sizes, will have uses in the ongoing war against Ukraine and in future conflicts.

Unmanned aerial vehicles have been used extensively by both sides in the war in Ukraine, giving Moscow and Kyiv reconnaissance and attack options that have been applied to everything from artillery spotting to strikes on civilian infrastructure.

This DJI Mavic model drone is souped up with a small explosive device that it can drop on an unsuspecting target. Narciso Contreras/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

For Kyiv, versatile drones have helped even the odds against Moscow's military might.

Off-the-shelf drones have been used heavily in the artillery fight for spotting and fire correction, as well as for other forms of surveillance. They've also been used to grenades on troops, vehicles, and even mines and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices for remote detonation.

Story continues

Hobby-style first-person-view drones equipped with explosive weaponry and military-grade loitering munitions have also been effective along the front lines.

Unmanned systems have been used for strikes far behind the lines, too, sometimes even in Russia.

Russia previously accused Ukraine of using long-range drones to strike bases deep inside Russian territory. Earlier this year, there was also a drone incident at the Kremlin attributed to Ukraine.

The makeshift drones are small in size but cheap, easy to make, and deadly. Scott Peterson/Getty Images

And on Monday, a Ukrainian official acknowledged responsibility for a drone strike against two non-residential buildings in Moscow, CNN said. This incident follows another reported attack in May that damaged two buildings and injured two people.

And not all drones are airborne. Ukraine has operated ground robots that Russia has sought to steal, and drone boats, unmanned surface vessels, or USVs, that are cheap but effective, have seen use in damaging attacks on the Russian navy and the Kerch Bridge in Russian-occupied Crimea. The latter attack allowed Ukraine to severely damage Moscow's military and civilian access to the peninsula.

Meanwhile, Russia has used drones for similar purposes, such as battlefield reconnaissance. But it has also used them to bombard Ukraine's cities, typically civilian infrastructure, often in nighttime attacks. Kyiv and other cities have repeatedly been battered by one-way explosive drones, like the Iranian-made Shaheds.

On Monday, Moscow launched drones against Ukraine's port infrastructure on the Danube river, injuring six people. The drones were targeting grain stocks, which have become a contested resource as Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal  which ensured Ukraine could safely export grain even as the war continued on  earlier this month.

Drones on display in an exhibition in the PMC Wagner Centre, associated with the founder of the Wagner private military group (PMC) Yevgeny Prigozhin in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on November 4, 2022. Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images

There are a variety of drones in play in this war. On the battlefield, drones such as Ukrainian-made R18 octocopters and DJI Mavics are designed to drop bomblets or anti-personnel grenades on unsuspecting targets. In order to maximize their bomb payload, the drones are typically stripped of everything except the bare minimum needed to fly and operate, according to Radio Free Radio Liberty.

The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 has been used by Ukraine for years but gained prominence shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion. Its laser-guided armor-piercing bombs and high-resolution cameras made it a legend in Ukraine's arsenal, taking down Russian tanks, armor, and patrol boats.

Their popularity  which has waned significantly as Russia's adapted its electronic warfare to jam the TB2  actually inspired a Ukrainian folk song.

Meanwhile, assets like the Orlan-10 and Lancet give Russia the ability to conduct reconnaissance and scan for enemy positions before striking, though with different functions.

Iranian-made Shahed-136 loitering munitions  which are more appropriately referred to as one-way attack drones but have been called suicide or kamikaze drones  boast an operational range of around 1,250 miles and are packed with explosives. As Russian precision guided missile stockpiles dwindled, these cheaper alternatives became a weapon of choice for the Russians in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Russia was first documented using loitering munitions  which are designed to linger in the air before locating a target and crashing into it  in March 2022, just weeks after the start of the war.

Ukraine's been using cheaper drones  in some cases, makeshift, single-use UAVs that carry bombs with zip ties and tape  to decimate larger, more expensive Russian tanks and assets. While they are effective, they can at times be dangerous to work with and rather risky to handle.

But drones aren't a catch-all answer, as they can be rendered useless by bad weather or counter-drone technology such as signal jammers. Ukrainian forces ran into that problem last month outside of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian soldiers are hoping to outmaneuver the Russians on the outskirts of the ruined city but have had issues launching drones effectively for air power and surveillance.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russian television channels have been forbidden from reporting about the UAV attack on the city of Moscow.

Source: The Insider media outlet with reference to several sources from Russian television

Details: The employees of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (ARSTRBC) from the Russia-24 and Moscow-24 channels, as well as the RBK channel and a few regional channels, have received a message which prohibited reporting of this topic, 15 minutes prior to the 11:00 newscast. At the same time, the 10 oclock newscast still reported about the UAVs attack.

"We had to urgently change the layout 15 minutes before the broadcast, remove all footage with eyewitnesses and aftermath, even joint street views. We then tried to fill the airtime with whatever we had: some international stories that we wouldnt even have taken otherwise," one of the sources revealed.

The news story by RBK was the most detailed with a lot of footage, interviews of bystanders, correspondents presenting on site; but everything was eventually removed from the broadcast.

The topic of the UAVs attack was reported only in brief commentary by the Russian Defence Ministry, and Sergey Sobyanin, mayor of Moscow, who promised to help the residents. Regional TV-channels were ordered not to highlight this topic in their newscasts but the detailed reports of the attack remain on the Internet.

However, the channels were allowed to show news pieces about the drone attack on occupied Crimea and demonstrate corresponding footage, which is why a lot of TV-channels began their newscasts with the reports about the attack on Crimea.

Background:

On the night of 24 July, Russian media and Telegram channels reported that drones attacked the Russian capital, damaging a building next to the Russian Defence Ministry. Another drone hit the Leroy Merlin business centre in Moscow.

A source of Ukrainska Pravda from the security and defence sector of Ukraine reported that the overnight drone attack on the capital of Russia was a special operation by the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed puppet leader of Crimea, reported about a strike on a Russian ammunition storage point in the Dzhankoi district in occupied Crimea.

Two days earlier, another ammunition storage point was struck in the Krasnohvardiiske district in Crimea, which resulted in detonation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has threatened Ukraine with "harsh measures" in response to recent attacks on Moscow and Russian-occupied Crimea.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Ukrainian military killed Russian Colonel Yevgeny Vashunin, who commanded the Leningrad Regiment.

Source: Fontanka, a local media outlet of Saint Petersburg, referring to Alexander Belsky, Head of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg

Details: Belsky said Vashunin was fatally wounded on 14 July when he and his unit tried to help the occupiers of the Storm unit, who had been encircled.

He claimed that Vashunin and his support group moved to meet the unit. Their movement was spotted by the Ukrainian military and a combat clash ensued. During the clash, Colonel Vashunin was "cut off" from his brothers-in-arms and seriously wounded. He died.

Fontanka reported that the Leningrad Regiment was formed mainly of conscripts from Saint Petersburg.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






The Ministry of Defence of Russia has confirmed that drones attacked Moscow on the morning of 24 July. At the same time, the ministry claims to have repelled the UAV attack.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Russia on Telegram

Details: The Russian Ministry of Defence said that on the morning of 24 July, it had "stopped an attempt" by two Ukrainian drones to attack targets in Moscow.

"Two Ukrainian UAVs were downed by means of electronic warfare and crashed," the Russian Defence Ministry said.

The ministry also reported that no one was injured in the drone attack.

Background:

Russian media and Telegram channels reported a drone attack on the Russian capital, damaging a building near the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Another drone hit the Leroy Merlin business centre in Moscow.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russian occupation authorities have closed the Crimean Bridge for traffic for the second time today, saying this is a temporary measure.

Source: a Russian Telegram channel covering the Crimean Bridge

Quote: "Traffic on the bridge has been temporarily suspended."

Details: People who were on the bridge or at the inspection area at the time of the announcement were asked to stay calm and follow the instructions coming from transport security officers.

Background:

Russian occupation authorities have already suspended the bridge traffic once, at 07:00 on 24 July.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Crimean Bridge is a legitimate target for Ukraine because Russia uses it to transport weapons; the bridge therefore "has to be neutralised".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
On July 24, Moscow was attacked by drones

Russian television channels have been banned from reporting on the recent drone attack on Moscow, Russian independent news outlet The Insider reported on July 24, citing unnamed sources within the industry.

The report claims that the ban was issued 15 minutes before the 11 a.m. news broadcast, although the 10 a.m. broadcasts did cover the attack.

Regional channels were "asked not to focus" on the topic of the drone strike during their broadcasts, but "detailed information was left on their web resources," sources added. At the same time, there were no restrictions regarding Ukrainian drone strikes on Crimea.

Read also: Moscow drone attack  Buildings opposite GRU Cyber Warfare Unit targeted  Bellingcat

Drones struck Moscow in the early hours of July 24, causing shattered windows and partial damage to building roofs. One UAV fell close to the Russian Defense Ministry, and another struck a business center.

Citing sources in Ukraines national security forces, Ukrainska Pravda reported the operation was carried out by Ukraines Military Intelligence.

Read also: Ukrainian intel to credit for Moscow drone strike, though Podolyak offers denial

This was not the first drone attack on Moscow. On May 30, drones crashed in five settlements in Moscow Oblast, resulting in damage to at least three high-rise buildings.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Reuters) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday that it had found traces of explosives on a ship travelling from Turkey to the port of Rostov-on-Don in Russia to pick up grain.

The FSB said the ship had been docked in the Ukrainian port of Kiliia in May, and that it may have been used to deliver explosives to Ukraine.

It said the ship had changed its name while in the Turkish port of Tuzla earlier this month and replaced its crew, which had consisted of 12 Ukrainian nationals.

"These circumstances may indicate the possibility of using the foreign civilian ship to deliver explosives to the territory of Ukraine," it said.

The vessel, which it did not name, had been inspected in the Kerch Strait and was banned from continuing its journey, after which it left Russian waters, the FSB said.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the details of the FSB statement. It came one week after Russia pulled out of an agreement that had enabled Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports, with ships undergoing security inspections.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
When Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, it received nearly universal condemnation for its aggression. Yet, while most Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia, most African states were mute.

Many African countries chose to remain silent on the war  and became a major destination for Russian diplomats who would not be welcome elsewhere.

With a rise in high-profile meetings between Russian and African officials, the Kremlin's promises of new business deals, and the Wagner Group's activities across the continent, Russia has been trying to frame its presence in Africa as a diplomatic win amid growing isolation from the West.

However, apart from a few rogue states, Russia's grip on Africa is far from strong  and it's becoming weaker as the Kremlin struggles with its war against Ukraine.

"Russia is not very popular across most African populations," says Joseph Siegle, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies' research and strategic communications program director. "Recent polls show that Russia rarely generates positive ratings among more than a third of Africans."

"Russia's 'popularity' is largely among the elites who may stand to benefit from Russian engagements. The vast majority of African citizens remain skeptical of (Vladimir) Putin and Russia," he adds.

While the Kremlin's concentrated anti-West and pro-Russia disinformation campaigns have led to some shifts in these beliefs, experts highlight that they achieve modest results, mostly in dictatorships.

"African regimes may benefit from Russian disinformation, electoral interference, or opaque contracts surrounding natural resource extraction," Siegle continues, "African citizens, in contrast, see such Russian engagements as predatory and undercutting African self-determination."

Read also: As Ukraine looks West, Russia wins over Africa

Self-serving partnerships

Africa is important for Russia.

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Fifty-four African countries are voting members of the UN and represent the largest regional group there. While African states don't always vote in the same manner, getting the support  or at least neutrality  of the majority of these countries can make a difference when important UN resolutions are passed.

The continent is also a big market, with some of the regional economies being the fastest growing in the world.

Africa is also resource-rich  a feature that made it attractive for the Russian government hoping to exploit the region's natural wealth.

Russia has declared its interest in investing in South Africa, Mozambique, and other countries, mainly in natural gas and diamonds' production. It also hopes to use Africa as an alternative to Western markets, which have been closed due to sanctions.

For instance, Russia is a major arms seller across the region.

Yet, despite its Africa-focused rhetoric, Russia invests very little in the continent, being around $14 billion in 2022.

Its trade with African countries pales in comparison to the EU, China, or the U.S., and most of this trade is concentrated on only four countries  most notably, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, Russia's BRICS partner.

"Russia provides less than 1% of the foreign direct investment into Africa. Trade between Africa and Russia has declined since the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit," Siegle says, "Russia's growing influence in Africa in recent years has primarily been through irregular (and extralegal means)  such as (the) deployment of Wagner forces, election interference, disinformation, and arms for resources deals rather than through official channels like trade or diplomacy."

Russia also has a limited presence in cultural and educational spheres  something that was a big part of the Soviet involvement in Africa. During the Cold War, the Kremlin invested heavily in scholarships and exchanges between Moscow and socialist African countries. Most of that is gone now.

"Russian engagement in Africa is much more opportunistic and much more cost-effective," says Guido Lanfranchi, a research fellow at the Dutch think tank Clingendael Institute, "Russia often manages to strengthen partnerships with countries that have troubled relations with the West. In the long run, it may not be that effective, but in the short term, they invest little and exploit opportunities."

For example, Russia's been able to build a strong partnership with the leadership of the Central African Republic  a fragile state that's lived through decades of civil wars and where armed groups still control large parts of the country. Wagner mercenaries provide security for the president in exchange for access to mining, logging, and other profitable industries.

Read also: South African president: Missiles do not work well to establish peace

Similarly, Russia strengthened its partnership with Sudan when its president struggled to get external support or in Mali after two consecutive military coups that soured ties with Western partners. In all these cases, the deployment of Wagner was part of Russia's footprint in the region, with mercenaries being deployed in exchange for money and access to business opportunities.

"Russia's engagement in Africa is very context-specific," Lanfranchi says.

"They seize opportunities and try to get what they want, and their presence can take very different forms," he says. "For example, in countries like Sudan and Mali, which have a very weak state, Russia deploys Wagner mercenaries. In countries with a stronger (government apparatus), like Ethiopia, Russia's cooperation runs exclusively through government channels."

"The effectiveness of Russia's approach also varies across contexts. In some cases, like in the CAR, Russia has been effective in establishing a longer-term foothold. In other countries like Mozambique, the deployment of Wagner mercenaries failed, and they were replaced by troops from other African countries," says Lanfranchi.

"Many African governments have an interest in partnership with Russia," Lanfranchi adds, "It is a smart partnership from their point of view, which provides them with additional leverage in their relationship with the West. So, for example, whenever they cannot get something from the West, they may get it from Russia, and so on. Governments are very smart at playing different partners against each other to squeeze out the best deal for them."

By actively courting Russia  or simply exploiting its interest in their countries  various African leaders are trying to get better bargaining options with their other partners, most notably the EU or the U.S. Thus, pragmatism and personal gains often shape relations between Russia and different African states  limiting the Kremlin's ability to reach its objectives across different countries.

Dangerous narratives

Russia's main success in influencing local people and power brokers comes from its ability to hit where it hurts  food shipments.

About a third of Africa's wheat exports come from Russia, and another 12% from Ukraine. The interruption of these shipments has hit Africa hard in some areas.

"Russia is aware of this and has tried hard to spin a narrative that blames the interruption of these shipments on Ukraine or the West," says Christopher Williams, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Ukraine's inability to meet contracts due to the Russian blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports is successfully blamed on Kyiv, with the help of an extensive network of Russian government-controlled propaganda outlets active in the region, such as Russia Today and Sputnik.

Russian propaganda tried to frame the Russo-Ukrainian war as the "us against the West conflict," presenting Russia as a challenger to Western hegemony. This struck a chord in Africa, where the Europeans colonized many countries.

"This framing, along with recurring anti-West, anti-democracy, anti-UN, and pro-Russia themes, has had some effect in defining African perceptions of the invasion," Siegle explains, "It has also attempted to shift the attention from Russia's war of aggression to focus on the geostrategic ideological battle  in which most African countries don't want to get in the middle."

An increased propaganda effort has been the major addition to the Russian policy in Africa  and it did bear some fruit in different countries. In the March 2022 UN vote condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, only about half of African states voted against Russia. This is much lower than the global average.

Various experts highlight that Africa has been a success for Russia's information warfare  given the UN voting, lack of sanctions, and increased diplomatic visits and partnerships between different countries and Moscow.

The Kremlin also targeted African newsrooms, inviting journalists to cover Africa-Russia relations in a favorable light and investing in pro-Russia social media campaigns across the region.

However, contrary to popular belief, Russia did not manage to convince most of the population.

Troubled successes

Even in countries where Russia did manage to secure its goals, it is facing an unexpected challenge.

"The presence of the Wagner group is important to Russia's Africa policy," says Williams. "That's why the recent conflict between Wagner and the Russian military has the potential to significantly impact Russia's Africa policy."

"Using Wagner as a foreign policy tool is dangerous," he adds, "Though it might create close ties between Russia and the African elites that find Wagner's services helpful, the excesses of these private military contractors don't endear Russia to the African people."

Russian war problems distract the Kremlin from an engaged foreign policy in Africa. They also weaken its image among African dictators, Williams adds.

"Authoritarian leaders in Africa look to Putin's Russia as an alternative to democracy," Williams continues, "Recent events in Russia don't testify to the effectiveness of that authoritarian model."

The people on the ground have also have a hard time cozying up to Russia's imperial policies.

"Some African states and people see Russia as an imperial power pushing around a smaller neighbor," Williams explains, "African states have felt the brunt of imperialism, and they appreciate the importance of a state having the ability to determine its own destiny," Williams says.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbuly, President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of the Union of Comoros Azali Assoumani, President Volodymyr Zelensky, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema walk to attend a joint press conference following their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine on 16 June, 2023. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"So, support for Ukraine in Africa stems less from the diplomacy Kyiv has conducted and more from what its struggle against Moscow represents," he adds.

Across Africa, activists and artists have been organizing events in solidarity with Ukraine  and condemning Russia's war.

In addition, opposition leaders in countries with strong ties with Russia have also voiced their criticisms of the Kremlin and support for Kyiv  most notably in South Africa, where the government has been accused of supplying Russia with arms.

Furthermore, when African leaders  including the presidents of South Africa, Senegal, Comoros, and Zambia  traveled to Ukraine and Russia in mid-June, their attempts at peace missions were heavily criticized back home for being too lenient on Russia  and for failing to speak up against Russian imperialism.

"Ukraine's support from African civil society reveals the solidarity that many ordinary Africans share with ordinary Ukrainians," says Siegle, "It also highlights the huge gap in perceptions that often exists between African regimes and African citizens toward Russia."

Read also: South African authorities agree to issue a warrant for Putins arrest
Map of Rwanda

Rwanda, a small landlocked country in east-central Africa, is trying to recover from the ethnic strife that culminated in government-sponsored genocide in the mid-1990s.

An estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by dominant Hutu forces in 100 days.

Rwanda has striven to rebuild its economy, with coffee and tea production among its main exports, and economic development has helped reduce poverty and inequality.

Paul Kagame became president in 2000 and has effectively run Rwanda since 1994. While his government has maintained stability and economic growth, the US-based NGO Freedom House says it has also suppressed political dissent through intimidation, torture and suspected assassinations of exiled dissidents.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

REPUBLIC OF RWANDA: FACTS

Capital: Kigali

Area: 26,338 sq km

Population: 13.8 million

Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili

Life expectancy: 64 years (men) 69 years (women)

LEADER

President: Paul Kagame

Rwanda President Paul Kagame

Paul Kagame has run Rwanda since his rebel army ended the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people in 1994.

He was sworn in as vice-president and defence minister in the post-genocide government in July 1994, but was widely seen as the real power in Rwanda.

In 2000 parliament elected him president. He has won elections ever since, the last was in 2017 where official figures showed he won 99% of the vote, which many outside the country dismissed as a sham. He has said he will stand again in 2024.

To his admirers he is a visionary leader, but to his critics he is an authoritarian despot who tolerates no opposition.

MEDIA

Radio soap operas have been used to foster peace and reconciliation and to help heal the wounds left by the genocide

State TV and radio reach the largest audiences and operate alongside privately-owned outlets.

Self-censorship is commonplace, says Reporters Without Borders. Exile journalists operate online, prompting website blocking, says Freedom House.

TIMELINE

Rwanda is home to an estimated one-third of the worldwide mountain gorilla population

Some key dates in the history of Rwanda:

15th-19th Centuries - Clans in the area begin to merge into kingdoms. One of these, the Kingdom of Rwanda becomes increasingly dominant from the mid-18th Century, reaching its greatest extent in the 19th Century.

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1884 - Berlin Conference sees partition of much of Africa by European colonial powers, following which Rwanda becomes part of German East Africa.

1914-1918 - World War One.

1914-18 - World War One: East African campaign see German forces defeated by British, Belgian and allied troops. Belgian army occupies both Burundi and Rwanda in 1916.

1922 - Ruanda-Urundi becomes a Belgian League of Nations mandate.

Both the Germans and the Belgians promote Tutsi supremacy, considering the Hutu and Tutsi different races.

1935 - Belgium introduces an identity card system, labelling people as either Tutsi, Hutu, Twa or naturalised.

1959-62 - The Rwandan Revolution: ethnic violence in Rwanda between Hutus and Tutsis. Tutsi King Kigeri V and thousands of Tutsis go into exile in Uganda following the violence.

1962 - Rwanda and Burundi become independent as separate nations. Rwanda, which had been a Tutsi monarchy under Belgian colonial authority is now an independent Hutu-dominated republic.

1963 - About 20,000 Tutsis are killed following an incursion by Tutsi rebels based in Burundi. Fighting between the two ethnic groups continues intermittently over the next three decades.

1973 - Juvenal Habyarimana seizes power in a military coup.

1990-1994 - Rwandan civil war. The rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) composed of nearly 500,000 Tutsi refugees, invades northern Rwanda from Uganda. The RPF condemns the Hutu-dominated government for failing to democratize.

1993 - Peace treaty signed.

1994 - Ceasefire ends when Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana and Burundi's President Cyprien Ntaryamira are killed in a rocket attack on their aircraft. Most theories say the aircraft was shot down either by the RPF or government-aligned Hutu followers opposed to talks with the RPF.

Mr Habyarimana's death triggers the Rwandan genocide, perpetrated mainly by Hutus against Tutsis and moderate Hutus. About 800,000 people are killed.

1996-2003 - Rwanda's invasion of DR Congo marks the beginning of its lengthy involvement in the neighbouring country's two civil wars.

2003 - Voters back a draft constitution which bans the incitement of ethnic hatred. Paul Kagame wins the first presidential elections since the 1994 genocide.

2005 - Government begins the mass release of thousands who confessed to involvement in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda's 12 provinces are replaced by a smaller number of regions with the aim of creating ethnically-diverse administrative areas.

2015 - The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda holds its last hearings, 10 years after opening, and having convicted 93 individuals in connection with the 1994 genocide.

2017 - President Kagame re-elected with 99% of the vote in polls denounced as unfair by independent observers.

2022 - DR Congo, UN, US and others accuse Rwanda of sending its soldiers to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, who face accusations of carrying war crimes against civilians. Rwanda denies this.
The Scoop

The Worldcoin token, a cryptocurrency created in part by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is set to launch Monday, according to people familiar with the matter.

The token has been controversial in Silicon Valley for its ambitious and unorthodox approach to trying to solve two vexing problems: Online identity authentication and income inequality.

But in recent conversations with investors, Altman has played his ace card, using advances in AI to entice people to put money into Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, according to people briefed on the matter. If the value of the coin increases, it could be a massive windfall for Altman and other investors.

The token economics  a breakdown of how the tokens will be distributed  will be made public Monday, the people said.

Tools for Humanity has offered people around the world free Worldcoin tokens, called WLD, in exchange for scanning their irises with a device called The Orb. The iris scans ensure that each person can have only one Worldcoin ID.

That unique ID could be used to tell real people apart from bots  an increasingly urgent problem in the age of large language models like ChatGPT. And it could help reduce or eliminate fraud if and when governments decide to distribute universal basic income to their citizens.

Altman has long been a proponent of universal basic income as a way to combat income inequality. Hes told investors in the Worldcoin project that artificial intelligence could exacerbate the issue.

A spokeswoman for Tools for Humanity declined to comment. Early Sunday, the company tweeted Its happening, which a person familiar with the matter said is a veiled reference to the launch of the coin.

According to the companys web site, Worldcoin will not be distributed to people in the U.S. because of regulatory uncertainty as the Securities and Exchange Commission cracks down on the crypto industry.

Its unclear whether co-founders and investors  many of whom live in the U.S.  would be allowed to receive the coins outside the States.

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Know More

The tech industry is known for unorthodox ideas, some of which turn into billion-dollar companies. But even in Silicon Valley, Tools for Humanity and the iris-scanning Orb stand out.

The Orb is up against growing hostility to the collection of personally identifiable data. And Worldcoin will launch at a time when skepticism of cryptocurrency is high.

Last year, BuzzFeed reported that people were upset that their iris had been scanned with the Orb and they had not received the coins. People scanned by the Orb have received grants, and will not receive the tokens until Monday.

And CoinDesk reported that users of the orb had sold their unique IDs on the black market.

But it could turn out to be a smart investment for Altman. Semafor previously reported that he took no equity in OpenAI, but he could still profit from the company in other ways and Worldcoin is one of them.
Imagine this scenario: A police officer approaches a homeless encampment. Dispatch informs the officer that there are 15 to 20 available shelter beds nearby. The officer encourages the encampment occupant to take the shelter opportunity. After three visits and three rejected invitations, the homeless person gets booked into jail and then released.

In a situation where an individual is held in jail for a brief period of time and ultimately released, at the very least, that will create a disruption in the pattern that an individual in many cases got comfortable with, said Stephen Whitburn, a San Diego City Councilman who has advanced this enforcement idea.

This scenario is impossible right now in Sacramento.

Opinion

We do not have enough shelters. We do not have a comprehensive real-time system to identify empty shelter space. And we do not have an ordinance that uses the threat of law enforcement to motivate the occupants of troublesome encampments to move to a safer environment.

This is possible with enough resources. Starting July 30, this will be the new homeless reality in the city of San Diego.

As the homelessness proliferates across California, some of the larger cities in the state are trying different responses to the crisis. The Sacramento City Council, for example, will debate August 1 whether to increase shelter capacity short-term by assigning City Manager Howard Chan the authority to establish outdoor Safe Ground managed encampments.

San Diego is perhaps only a handful of months ahead of Sacramento on creating new Safe sites if our City Council says yes and Chan gets to work. San Diegos approach to homelessness also reveals the incredibly tough policy decisions and tradeoffs when a city has more shelter space and management tools:

Should available shelter space on any given day go to those who need it the most or the most troublesome on the streets?

Should a city send a homeless person with an intrusive encampment briefly to jail for repeatedly refusing shelter space?

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And absent adequate state help such as todays reality, should more money in a city like Sacramento be redirected to homeless resources to build the shelters and communications infrastructure to respond real time?

Sacramento should be watching what is about to happen in San Diego very closely. We are all about to learn something.

Coincidentally, San Diego and Sacramento counties have roughly the same homeless population - about 10,000 according to the most recent annual census efforts. Roughly a quarter of them are in shelters here in Sacramento. A full half of them are in San Diego. Why? San Diego County, with 3.3 million residents, has double the population and essentially double the available government resources.

Basically, San Diego has about half the homeless problem and twice the resources than Sacramento to deal with it. Our shared problem is the lack of affordable housing, according to the largest study ever of its kind, the higher price of housing driving former renters to the streets. Safety nets and law enforcement are dealing with the symptoms and not the causes.

But the civic symptoms of homelessness are devastating. Consider these statistics from Sacramento Assistant City Manager Mario Lara: City staff so far this year have removed 27,000 cubic yards of waste from homeless sites in Sacramento and 24,500 hypodermic needles.

Sacramentos shelter system is hamstrung by both an inadequate number of beds and a lack of comprehensive real-time information. At present, 35 percent of Sacramento shelters are currently participating in a coordinated access system that shares shelter vacancy information, the Sacramento City Council learned at its June 27 homeless workshop. It takes emails and phone calls to learn the status of the rest.

It is a matter of training the providers and getting them ready, said Lisa Bates, the chief executive officer of Sacramento Steps Forward, the non-profit organization charged with managing the shelter system on behalf of the city. She hopes 80 percent will be inputting information into a shared information system by the end of the year.

We need this system done tomorrow, Sacramento City Councilwoman Karina Talamantes said at the councils June 27 homeless workshop.

What real-time information would reveal, said Bates, is that there is limited to no availability in your shelter system right now. You are at capacity even without (shelters) being in coordinated access.

Meanwhile in San Diego, every shelter by 7 a.m. inputs into a shared information platform how many beds are available along with other important information, such as whether the bed is on a first floor and more suitable for someone who is old or infirm. By 8:30, the information is collated and sent to 24 different nonprofits and government agencies for potential referrals, said Jonathan Herrera, director of the Homeless Housing Innovations division of the San Diego Housing Commission. The city typically has 15 to 20 available shelter beds each day.

Both the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff receive this daily information. With this kind of real-time information, it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to identify whether there is a shelter bed available that meets the needs of a particular encampment occupant on a street.

More Safe Ground capacity is coming to San Diego (it is called Safe Sleeping there). The city is in the process of occupying a new 136-tent site in a city operations yard on the edge of Balboa Park, which includes the famous San Diego Zoo. Another in development will house another 400 tents approximately. These two sites alone represent about half of Sacramentos existing shelter capacity, which reflects the potential of how managed encampments can make a big difference.

San Diegos expanded capacity, combined with real-time information on vacancies, enabled the City Council to consider a new and controversial policy choice. Should it use the threat of law enforcement action to motivate encampment occupants to seek shelter? By a 5-4 vote after eight hours of conflicting public testimony, the San Diego City Council on June 13 barely said yes.

The ordinance takes effect July 30.

It became really clear to me that the encampments posed public health and safety hazards to those living in them and the surrounding neighborhoods, said Whitburn, the San Diego City Councilman who was a lead drafter of the ordinance. The goal of the ordinance is to nudge people into a safer and healthier place.

The ordinance takes a three-strikes approach. A first visit to an encampment by an officer begins with a warning along with the invitation to migrate to available shelter. The second visit comes with the same invitation and a citation (the ordinance allows any fee to be waived). The third visit, invitation rejected, would result in transport to jail.

A federal court ruling prohibits law enforcement from relocating the unhoused unless there is shelter space available to do so.

In a situation where an individual is held in jail for a brief period of time and ultimately released, at the very least, that will create a disruption in the pattern that an individual in many cases got comfortable with, Whitburn said.

What begins to unfold on the streets in San Diego come August is anyones guess. Whitburn is hoping for fewer encampments. If their occupants refuse shelter, a homeless cycle through the jail is about to commence. For Whitburn and the council majority, the status quo was simply no longer tolerable and it was time to try this experimental combination of incentives and sanctions.

I am keeping an eye on what Sacramento and other cities on the West Coast are doing, Whitburn said. We all need to learn from each other.

In Sacramento, Mayor Darrell Steinberg has said he thinks the citys $44 million homeless services budget (mostly state funds) is sufficient to create more Safe Ground sites this fiscal year if the City Manager identifies them. More shelters and better information would open up some management choices we simply do not have right now. By then, there should be solid data on whether the San Diego ordinance experiment is succeeding or not.

Then it is just a matter of courage to do what looks to be right.
A bankruptcy filing last week by Ampersand Publishing LLC, a company controlled by Wendy McCaw, above, appears to sound a death knell for the Santa Barbara News-Press. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

The Santa Barbara News-Press is no more. After more than 150 years of news gathering, the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper on Friday posted its last online edition, a month after the News-Press ceased publication of its print newspaper and went all digital.

The apparent death knell for the venerable News-Press came in the form of a bankruptcy filing last week by Ampersand Publishing, a company controlled by Wendy McCaw, a wealthy environmentalist and animal rights activist who frequently feuded with her newsroom employees, media critics and local readers.

In an email one newsroom employee shared with The Times, Managing Editor Dave Mason wrote that McCaw had filed for bankruptcy Friday. "All of our jobs are eliminated, and the News-Press has stopped publishing," the email read. They ran out of money to pay us. They will issue final paychecks when the bankruptcy is approved in court.

Mason did not respond to a request for comment.

The legal action, which says the outlet has virtually no assets to pay creditors, appears to bring an ignominious end to the local publishing career of McCaw, once heralded by Santa Barbarans as a savior for a local news operation founded not long after the California Gold Rush.

The shutdown leaves Santa Barbara with several online news sources and a solid alternative weekly, the Independent. But those outlets collectively do not appear to employ the number of journalists  nearly 50  who once powered the News-Press. That means less scrutiny of public agencies, less coverage of breaking news and fewer enlightening features on local people and issues.

The slow decline of the paper after McCaw bought it in 2000 from New York Times Co., is a sad variation on a broader downward spiral for the newspaper industry. Revenue for legacy newspapers plummeted 52% nationally from 2002 to 2020, with much of the income once generated by advertising shifting to internet giants such as Google and Facebook.

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In the dozen years after 2008, newsroom employment at print newspapers fell 57%. In one California example, the Salinas Californian has remained open as an online and print product  with almost no local stories  even after losing its last newsroom employee late in 2022.

Read more: The California newspaper that has no reporters left

Ampersands Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing was authorized during a meeting "on or about" May 1, nearly three months before it was filed Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Californias Central District, according to federal court records. The move came about three months after the newspaper relocated its operations and staff from the landmark building on Santa Barbaras De la Guerra Plaza  where it had been housed for 101 years  to its printing plant in Goleta, the Independent reported.

As of Monday afternoon, the News-Press website carried no mention of the bankruptcy or cessation of operation. Fridays is the most recent online edition of the publication posted on the website, which features a red-lettered banner stating that The News-Press is entirely digital and directing readers to its online edition.

Neither Jerry Namba, the bankruptcy trustee, nor Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik, the law firm identified in the bankruptcy filing as representing Ampersand, responded to requests for comment via telephone or email. A voicemail left on the News-Press main office line also went unreturned.

The bankruptcy filing paints a bleak financial picture of the News-Press. A meeting of the companys creditors  of which there are from 200 to 999, per the Friday filing  is scheduled for Sept. 1. But no property appears to be available to pay creditors, according to the document, meaning its unlikely the company, which claims to have less than $50,000 of assets, will make good on its $1 million to $10 million of liabilities.

Among the liabilities that could go unpaid are the newspaper's former employees. In 2007, employees lodged a series of unfair labor practice allegations against the publisher. The National Labor Relations Board and a federal appellate court upheld several of the accusations.

The labor agency ordered the McCaw company to pay more than $2 million in back wages and other monetary remedies, but the money had not been paid at the time of the bankruptcy filing, according to Ira Gottlieb, a lawyer who represented the workers and their union, a unit of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Gottlieb said that, when interest is added, the back payments have climbed to nearly $3 million.

"This is one of the challenges of our deeply flawed justice system," Gottlieb said. "It's one in which the very wealthy can escape the consequences of their violations while they impose harm and struggles on dozens of victims. And my impression of her financial status is that she could personally afford to pay these obligations."

Joshua Molina of Noozhawk, a Santa Barbara-based online news outlet, was the first to report on the newspaper's shutdown. Noozhawk is one of the most prominent outlets that has tried to fill the void as the News Press declined.

Santa Barbarans have turned to other sources as the newspaper's staff withered to just a handful of journalists. Along with the Independent and Noozhawk, some locals said they turn to KEYT television and to Edhat, a website that relies heavily on "citizen journalists" to report on local events.

Melinda Burns, one of many reporters who left the paper after feuding with management, now provides freelance stories to many of the alternative news organizations. Burns, who has spent decades in the news business, including a stint at the Los Angeles Times, said she has seen gaps in coverage in recent years, particularly in the areas of water policy and the changes wrought by legalized cannabis. She continues to report on those topics and said she gives away her in-depth stories free to reach as many people as possible.

"It keeps me engaged with the community and, God, do we need the coverage," she said. "The local news outlets are valiant but overworked. It's just a constant scramble for them to try to keep up."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rev. Jesse Jackson may have announced he is stepping down as president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

However, friends and colleagues of the Greenville native are confident his work will continue. They believe the legacy of the two-time presidential candidate, who announced his battle with Parkinson's disease in 2017, will have an impact for generations.

"He's not stepping down, he's pivoting," said Davida Mathis, lawyer and director of Rainbow/PUSH in Greenville.

Mathis attended the 57th annual Rainbow/PUSH coalition conference in Chicago in mid-July. Jackson founded the civil rights organization in 1984. She remains confident in Jackson's ability to lead and perform as a civil rights advocate.

"His ideas are still innovative," Mathis said. "We laughed (at his retirement) because we know him and this work. He'll be doing this until he absolutely can't do anything else, and he's not at that point yet."

Jesse Jackson's grassroots in Greenville

Born in Greenville in 1941, Jackson attended segregated Sterling High School, where he was elected class president and earned letters in baseball, football and basketball.

During his freshman year at the University of Illinois, Jackson was part of "The Greenville Eight," a group of Black students who protested segregation at libraries throughout Greenville County.

He enrolled at the predominantly white, University of Illinois on a football scholarship. He later transferred to the historically Black, North Carolina A&T State University and graduated in 1964.

He then started his theological studies at Chicago Theological Seminary but deferred his studies when he began working full-time in the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a full-time organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Later, he was ordained in 1968 and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2000.

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His activism started in the early 1960s while a student at North Carolina A&T when he joined local protests against segregated libraries, theaters and restaurants.

Claussen bakery strike of 1967

Former Greenville NAACP president, Rev. J.M. Flemming, was a young activist in February 1967, when 22 African-American employees went on strike to protest discrimination in hiring and promotion practices at Claussen baked goods in Greenville.

Jackson helped bring King to Greenville, where King marched in support of the strikers and preached about economic justice. A historical marker was erected at the site at 400 Augusta St., in 2016.

"Jesse is an inspiration to us and our community," Flemming said. "He would always come back home. He got us to come together as one group. We were fighting the same battles then that we need to fight today  racism, bigotry, white supremacy, poverty and education."

South Carolina's Confederate flag battle

Jackson was instrumental in a bipartisan effort to remove the Confederate flag from the Capitol in Columbia in 2015.

Jackson called the June 17, 2015, shootings in Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church the "most-traumatic killings" since the assassination of King,

Rev. Jesse Jackson with former state Rep. Harold Mitchell of Spartanburg.

"This is the moment for a great awakening," Jackson said at a press conference called by a collection of Black elected leaders at the Allen Temple AME Church in Greenville's West End.

Former state Rep. Harold Mitchell of Spartanburg recalled Jackson's lobbying for the flag removal not being supported by everyone.

"Some Black Caucus members thought Rev. Jackson was trying to come and jump on the bandwagon in taking down the flag, but he turned the conversation to housing, Voter ID suppression, denying Medicaid expansion in South Carolina," Mitchell said. "He said the cloth was a symbol, and after it is down, what are you going to do about the agenda that is still up?"

MLK Day for Greenville County, voter outreach

Through the assistance of councilmembers Lottie G. Gibson, Xanthene Norris, and Ennis Fant, Jackson spent a year returning to Greenville County council meetings to advocate for the countywide holiday.

Finally, in 2005, County Council approved it. Greenville County celebrated the holiday for the first time in 2006.

Rev. Jesse Jackson with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tenn., shortly before King was assassinated in April 1968.

During a get-out-the-vote tour In 2020, Jackson stopped at The United House of Prayer for All People in Spartanburg, where he met with Spartanburg leaders, including former state Rep. Brenda Lee Pryce, Mitchell and former County Councilman Michael Brown.

"As a shining black prince of community empowerment, he used the national political platform that spoke directly to the hearts and minds of working-class Black men and women," said Brown, current president of the Spartanburg NAACP chapter.

Brown said Jackson's 'I Am Somebody' speech from 1963 will always stick with him.

'I Am Somebody' is the motivational refrain that I remember as a youth that has stuck with me from that moment to now," he said.

Rev. Jesse Jackson helped 'pave the way for President Obama'

Pryce, who worked with Jackson on his South Carolina presidential campaigns, said his greatest strength was his ability to instill pride.

"He made us all stand tall and proud that I am somebody," she said. "That would always resonate with me. He was fortunate to be one of Martin Luther King's soldiers. He was a true activist, he believed in what he believed. I think he paved the way for President Obama."

Mitchell, who founded ReGenesis, a nonprofit in Spartanburg to fight environmental and health care injustices, said Jackson and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young are his inspirations.

"He left an impression on me about advocating for those who didn't have a voice and those who were afraid to speak out against injustices because of the real fear of retaliation," Mitchell said. "The influence and impact he had was given a bad rap because you saw him everywhere, but he was always being called."

Brown said Jackson's impact will be felt for many generations.

"He has fought the good fight, he has run the race and now he must pass the torch," Brown said. "Rev. Jackson has stood the tallest as a stalwart of more than 50 years for civil rights. His advocacy also helped elect a number of Blacks to public offices throughout this country who otherwise may have never had the opportunity to serve."

 A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

 Bob Montgomery covers Spartanburg County politics and growth and development. Reach him via email at bob.montgomery@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Rev. Jesse Jackson impact in Greenville, SC as Civil Rights leader
Donald Trump PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump's Truth Social rants may be an indication of his anxieties around his ever-expanding legal woes, according to MSNBC political commentator Molly Jong-Fast. Speaking with host Ayman Mohyeldin, Jong-Fast said that Trump may be "scared" about another indictment and ballooning legal fees. "He needs to raise a lot of money because these lawyers are very expensive," she said. "We've seen the reporting, especially those Florida lawyers with the security clearance are really holding him up for money."

"I would also say, remember, Trump's thing as he is trying to kick the can as much as possible with all of these cases, right?" she continued. "This will be his second set of federal indictments. And may not be in Florida, so he may not be able to kick the can the way that he would with Judge [Aileen] Cannon, so I think that is something to think about. But I do think he is ultimately quite scared. You are seeing him tweet out a lot of really violent and scary stuff. He's truthing it, he's not tweeting it, and he's trying to scare, he's trying to distract, and get his supporters engaged. And he, again, needs to raise a lot of money."
As bipartisan lawmakers look for a compromise on provisions to speed up the build-out of the nations infrastructure, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is hoping that a federal agency may be able to carry out some of the changes his party supports.

Schumer, in a letter that was publicly released Monday, asked a panel of energy regulators to take up rules that aim to bolster the nations power lines.

He specifically pushed for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to finalize a strong rule concerning planning and cost allocation for power lines and also to give the federal government more authority to approve new power lines.

In a written statement accompanying the letter, he said, I see an opportunity to build on our progress and deliver cleaner energy with lower costs for American families. The success or failure of this commission will be defined by how they address these critical transmission rules.

His comments come as improving electricity transmission infrastructure has been a key goal for Democrats in bipartisan permitting reform negotiations.

In these talks, Democrats have been pushing for more and better-connected power lines, which are necessary to get more renewable energy onto the grid.

Meanwhile, Republicans are looking to make it more difficult for opponents to challenge projects once they have been approved, preventing states from blocking projects that run through their waters and generally bolstering fossil fuels.

While a few GOP-favored reforms passed in a bill that raised the debt ceiling, its not clear whether or when a larger package may come together, although both sides have insisted that they want to do more through a compromise package.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this week is slated to hold a hearing on the potential for changes to bolster electric infrastructure, pipelines and energy production on federal lands.

Currently, FERC is made up of two Democratic commissioners and two Republicans; there is one vacancy as another Democrats term has ended and he has yet to be replaced.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Scotland man, who pleaded guilty but mentally ill to killing three people and injuring two others in 2021, was sentenced Mondy to three life terms in prison.

Francis Lange, 43, admitted to murdering his former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, her father Librado Monclova and her mother Diane Akins, on Nov. 9, 2021 in Scotland, a town of 767 people located 75 miles west of Sioux Falls. During the incident, a 5-year-old girl and Vicki Monclova, Librado's wife, were shot and injured.

More: South Dakota man pleads guilty but mentally ill in Scotland triple homicide

During Lange's plea hearing on May 31, Josette Lindahl, a psychiatrist at Avera Medical Behavioral Health in Sioux Falls, testified she had performed Lange's mental health competency test and found he was competent to stand trial and able to understand the charges he was facing. She said she had diagnosed Lange with schizoaffective disorder and that his alcohol and substance abuse made his symptoms worse.

A guilty but mentally ill plea is the same as a guilty plea, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley explained after the May hearing. However, the guilty but mentally ill plea allows for further evaluation and treatment.

Francis Lange pleaded guilty but mentally ill on Wednesday to three counts of murder stemming from a triple homicide in Scotland, South Dakota.

Along with the three life sentences for three counts of murder, Lange will also serve two consecutive 15-year sentences for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Lange will serve his sentences at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

The sentencing today brings some resolution to this tragic case and justice for the victims family, Jackley wrote in a press release Monday. This was a cooperative effort between state and local law enforcement and prosecutors.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Francis Lange sentenced to life in prison for 2021 triple homicide
Here is more news involving Scott Air Force Base.

U.S. Air Force Col. John Poole, right, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, assumes command of the 375th AMW after receiving the Wings guidon from Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, on Scott Air Force Base. The change of command ceremony represents a time-honored military tradition providing an opportunity for Airmen to witness the transfer of power to their newly appointed commanding officer. Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams/U.S. Air Force/375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Team Scott welcomes Col. Poole as new 375th Air Mobility Wing and installation commander

By Karen Petitt

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Team Scott welcomed the newest 375th Air Mobility Wing and Installation commander, Col. John Poole, after Col. Chris Robinson relinquished command.

The Robinsons are headed to Washington, D.C., where he will oversee executing the Air Forces budget. Poole and his wife, Shellye, and children Britton, Everlye and Griffin, arrived here from Dyess AFB, Texas, where he served as the 317th Operations Group commander.

While at Dyess, Poole commanded 400 personnel and 28 C-130J aircraft engaged in combat airlift operations worldwide. He is a command pilot with over 2,700 flying hours in the C-130 and C-21A, with more than 1,100 combat hours and 22 combat missions spanning eight deployments to include Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

He earned his commission from the ROTC program at Texas A&M and currently holds a PhD in Military Strategy. He has served in staff positions at the Joint Staff, Air Staff, Combatant Command, Major Command and Numbered Air Force.

This is a return home for Poole, having lived and served here twice before. After giving thanks to friends, family and leaders who have helped shape his path to this season, he addressed the Airmen of the wing.

Its exciting to be back in a home where our oldest started kindergarten and is now going to finish high school and where our youngest took his first steps over in the house in Shiloh West. Im looking forward to getting to know you and all the organizations ... Thank you for what you do every single day.

Poole said he watched from afar as the wing transformed into a culture of combat ready warriors who deliver victory on the worlds stage ... preparing and innovating to fight and win in future conflicts.

Im grateful to serve alongside you, Im honored to work for you and your families, and I hope to prove myself showcase worthy as I lead. Lets go!

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The 375th AMW and Installation commander leads more than 3,100 personnel who provide aeromedical evacuation, operational support airlift for high priority passengers, and ensures the nations global reach through air refueling.

The 375th AMW also provides showcase support to 36 mission partners including United States Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, and the 18th Air Force, totaling more than 13,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, Department of Defense civilians, and contract personnel.

Robinsons bid farewell to Showcase Wing

By Senior Airman Mark Sulaica

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

After two years of organizing the 375th Air Mobility Wing into a Combat Ready, Showcase Worthy machine, Col. Chris Robinson and his wife, Stephanie, bid a heartfelt farewell as they head to Washington, D.C., for their next assignment.

A change of command ceremony was held July 14 where he relinquished command to Col. John Poole, who arrived from his previous assignment at Dyess AFB, Texas, currently serving as commander of the 317th Operation Group.

That would be the one word that very few people get to say. We have amazing Airmen, and we have a tremendous mission set ... and theres nothing that has happened globally in the last two years where this wing hasnt had some type of role, Robinson said.

The wings involvement in significant events such as Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome, as well as providing critical assistance to Ukraine during the Russian invasion are just a few. He emphasized the unique capabilities of Air Mobility Command to project power worldwide and sustain it: No one else can do what we do.

Additionally, the wings innovation efforts such as the Scott Pass and a drone flying program gives time back to Airmen and offers an additional layer of safety by assessing situations before putting personnel at risk. For example, drones were used during the airshow to assess crowd counts, acquire footage, and look for security concerns. While having these devices is interesting, Robinson said its how the Airmen will harness their potential that is truly exciting.

Stephanie said she is grateful for being part of the Airmens lives, celebrating their promotions, accomplishments, challenges, and moments of happiness.

Looking at what some of our Airmen and their families accomplish is so impressive, and Im just so thankful for the chance to be associated with that. It really has been a special experience.

Chris said Airmen are also the key to recruiting in order to grow the next generation of leaders and that anytime someone meets his high-performing and motivated Airmen, future recruits are inspired. Its important they share their stories and continue to serve in their communities and make connections outside the gates.

This has been a great place to live and raise a family. Our ultimate purpose is to project combat power for the United States of America, and we must excel at it, he said. While there are many nice-to-have things, we must prioritize the essential tasks first. I encourage everyone to continuously remind themselves of our organizations purpose and function.

As long as we stay committed to that and take care of one another, there is no enemy in the world that can match us. We will remain far ahead of them, leaving them unable to catch up. Lets ensure that gap never closes.

Flood victims are being taken to safe ground after their homes flooded out during the great 1993 Midwest Flood on July 7, 1993. U.S. Coast Guard

This time in history: Remembering the Great Flood of 1993

By Kris C. Matthews

375th Air Mobility Wing Historian

Responding to flood disasters is nothing new for the Air Force and the Mobility Air Forces in particular. With rescue and relief operations to aid numerous people, foreign and domestic, the mobility community is well-versed in such missions.

Scott AFB and the surrounding community is not immune to floods, and evidence of assistance to the local community exists all the way back to at least World War II. However, 30 years ago this summer, the Illinois and Missouri region suffered one of the most devastating flood events in history: The Great Flood of 1993.

From May through September that year, the flood covered nine states and 400,000 square miles. Three decades later, it remains the worst river flooding the U.S. has ever seen, with hundreds of levees failing and $15 billion in damages incurred.

While the impacts held off on the local area throughout May and June (which saw Scotts air show bring in 85,000 members of the local community), by early July the waters were rising. Over 800 Team Scott volunteers jumped to the aid of neighbors in Illinois and Missouri.

Working 12-to-15-hour days in temperatures over 90 degrees, these volunteers filled tens of thousands of sandbags and built thousands of feet of walls, keeping the floodwaters from causing even more damage to homes and businesses.

The Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis was particularly vulnerable. Today known as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, DMAs mission was to consolidate all U.S. military mapping activities. With its sensitive equipment, and of course thousands of paper maps, DMA saw water rise more than 30 feet above normal levels in July 1993.

Over 60 Scott volunteers helped fortify the area, resulting in 47-foot-high concrete and sandbag walls around the facility. They moved out what they could and sandbagged around the heavy printing equipment they couldnt; DMA estimated this prevented four feet of water from entering the building. Unfortunately, the focus on building up the wall was the wrong decision: water would eventually penetrate the wall and enter the building, resulting in the loss of over 30,000 maps.

The attitude has been great through this whole ordeal, said Col. Rich Glorioso, commander of the 375th Logistics Group and leader of the Scott volunteers at the time. Everyone has been rushing to get things done.

Mission success for experiments in Mobility Guardian 23

By Rachel Sansano

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii

Mobility Guardian 23 is giving U.S. and coalition forces an opportunity to experiment in the theater that matters.

Experimenting in the Pacific is important because weve spent the last 20 plus years focused elsewhere in the world, said Lt. Col. Matthew Novotney, MG23 Exercise Control Group Experiment Lead. Testing new technology and ideas in this theater is what MG23 is all about.

Two of these experiments, Agile Communication Systems and Magnetic Navigation, also known as MagNav, were proven to be effective during MG23 and ready for future operations.ACS combines Wi-Fi routers, solar panels batteries and an internet connection into a portable Wi-Fi mesh network that can be used anywhere on the globe.

Many things that we take for granted stateside, like good cell phone service and nearly universal access to a Wi-Fi connection point, go away in austere, underdeveloped environments, said Lt. Col. Ryan Szmajda, MG23 ACS Experiment Lead. ACS virtually eliminates those shortfalls as a standalone intranet or as a complete internet gateway.

This generator-free device is a consolidated, ruggedly packaged, deployable Wi-Fi kit with National Security Agency level encryption, allowing it to be used for secret and unclassified communications without being a DoD network.

Setting up ACS is just as simple as setting up the Wi-Fi router in your house. By reducing the requirements necessary to build and maintain our communications, we are enabling our Airmen to develop cross-functional skill sets, said Novotney. With this capability, more Airmen are capable of setting up their communication needs, leading to a faster operations tempo.

For more Scott Air Force Base news, visit www.scott.af.mil/.
Heavy rains, floods hit multiple places as China enters peak rainy season

09:10, July 24, 2023 By Du Qiongfang ( Global Times

Heavy rains and floods lashed multiple places in China over the weekend and wild temperature swings are expected to continue in the following days, as the country enters its peak rainy season, which is expected to last till early August.

Flash floods caused by the rainstorm have led to landslides and mudslides in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province over the weekend, and five people had died and three had gone missing in multiple places due to multiple causes.

China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued on Sunday morning a blue warning for rainstorms in multiple places, including parts of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, between Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon.

The NMC warned that rainstorms of 100-140 millimeters are expected to hit the southwestern part of the Sichuan Basin during this period of time. Other places such as parts of Northwest China's Gansu Province and East China's Jiangxi and Fujian provinces can also expect maximum hourly rainfall of 30 millimeters to 50 millimeters, with some places exceeding 60 millimeters.

This year has seen more rainstorms than usual which could be the result of climate change, Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

According to Lin, the extreme climate and global warming caused by El Nino and carbon emissions have resulted in instability of the entire ecosystem, which has become more intense and unpredictable in recent years.

According to the NMC, heavy rainfall was mainly distributed in the northern and southern parts of the country on Saturday. Rainstorms hit provinces including Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia. Down south, heavy rainfall was mainly distributed in the middle and eastern parts of the region immediately south of the Yangtze River.

In particular, cities such as Huludao and Jinzhou in Liaoning and Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province suffered from rainstorms bringing rainfall between 180 millimeters and 209 millimeters. The maximum hourly rainfall ranged from 80 millimeters to 100 millimeters.

Multiple places in Liaoning were gripped by the first widespread downpours of the year starting on Friday and more than 2,400 personnel had been relocated as of Saturday afternoon. Additionally, 11 cities and 78 counties have launched emergency responses, with no disasters reported.

In Hangzhou, rainstorms have swept through the city since Saturday noon with some areas including Fuyang, Jiande and Xiaoshan suffering from heavy downpours. A village in Dayuan town in Fuyang saw a maximum accumulated rainfall of 202.5 millimeters between noon and 7 pm on Saturday.

Flash floods caused by the rainstorm led to landslides and mudslides in Fuyang during the period between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday. As of 2 pm on Sunday, five people had died and three had gone missing in multiple places due to multiple causes.

It was estimated that the rainstorm had caused 32 flash floods, 144 geological disasters, the damage or collapse of 26 houses and leaving 1,619 households with no power, 42 vehicles submerged and 21 roads cut off by floodwater.

A viral video clip shows muddy water gushing through the streets in a village in Dayuan township, pouring into houses and carrying away vehicles. Officials from the township government told the media that relocation of the residents impacted by the disaster is still ongoing as more rainstorms are expected in the following days.

The NMC forecast on Sunday a medium risk of rainstorms in places including Jilin, Heilongjiang, Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province and the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, warning of the possible occurrence of floods in small and medium-sized rivers, mountain floods, geological disasters, urban and rural waterlogging and other hazards caused by the wild weather swings.

China's Ministry of Natural Resources and the NMC issued on Sunday evening a joint meteorological risk warning for geological disasters between 8 pm on Sunday and 8 pm on Monday, while parts of western Jiangxi, the middle and eastern parts of Central China's Hunan Province and the middle part of Sichuan were issued a yellow warning for geological disasters.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Are you Googling how to get more sleep? Youre not alone.

Massachusetts ranks fourth in the nation among the most sleep-deprived states, according to a study by sleep experts at Amerisleep, an online mattress store.

The company says it used Google Keyword Planner to compile a list of 96 terms relating to sleep disorders and how to get to sleep, then analyzed them and calculated the average monthly search volume per 100,000 residents in each state over the last year.

California residents top the list of sleep-deprived states with an average of 805 average monthly searches per 100,000 residents for terms relating to sleep and problems sleeping, including sleep apnea and insomnia treatment, the study found.

Maryland and New York ranked second and third on the list, followed by Massachusetts, with an average of 754 monthly searches for sleep-related terms per 100,000 residents. The most searched terms by Bay State residents were insomnia, with an average of 10,131 searches per month, and sleep apnea symptoms, with 1,798 average monthly searches.

In Maryland, which ranked second on the list, the most searched terms were sleep deprivation symptoms and sleep aids, with an average of 863 searches per month.

In New York, a state housing Manhattan, known informally as the city that never sleeps, one of the most searched terms was sleep music with 5,098 average searches per month, closely followed by sleep meditation with an average of 4,645 monthly searches.

In Georgia, which ranked sixth, the most searched term was sleep paralysis with an average of 10,227 monthly searches.

In Texas, which ranked ninth with an average of 725 monthly searches per 100,000 residents, two of the most searched terms were sleep deprivation with 7,902 average searches per month, and sleep apnea symptoms with 7,185 average monthly searches.

Around 9% to 17% of American adults dont get enough sleep, according to research from the National Institutes of Health.

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A good nights sleep is vital for our bodies to repair and maintain themselves. Sleep disorders have become more common in modern times due to lifestyle changes such as work schedules, technology, and even overall health, Amerisleep said in a statement Monday.

According to the CDC, around a third of adults in the U.S. reported that they get less than the recommended amount of sleep  between seven to nine hours per night, the company said. The study illustrates that people are searching for causes or symptoms of various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, and insomnia, all of which have lifestyle changes as root causes.

If you want to get some shuteye, the company recommends putting away your phone and also cutting back on coffee.

Cell phones, caffeine consumption, and other stimulants and depressants can all affect the quality and amount of sleep we get, so it is important to ensure that these factors are eliminated or reduced late at night, Amerisleep said in its statement.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The U.S. docked a second nuclear submarine at an island in South Korea on Monday after a first arrived last week and provoked the anger of North Korea.

South Koreas military said a nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Annapolis, arrived at the island of Jeju to resupply while on a broader operations mission, according to the South Korean military.

The Annapolis may also conduct joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, Seoul officials told the Yonhap local news agency.

The arrival comes about a week after another nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Kentucky, docked at Port Busan in the first visit by a U.S. nuclear submarine to South Korea since 1981.

President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed in April on the nuclear submarines arrival, part of a new commitment better deter North Koreas nuclear aggression, which has been building up for years.

Last week, North Korea responded to what it has perceived as Washingtons nuclear aggression by issuing a stern warning of the possibility of a nuclear response from Pyongyang.

North Korea also conducted at least two missile tests following the docking of the Kentucky.

Also on Monday, the U.N. Command said it had initiated conversations with North Korean officials on the whereabouts of Pvt. Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korean territory last month just before he was expected to face disciplinary measures back in the U.S.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Frequent TV watching during ages 5 through 15 was the most significant contributor to metabolic syndrome, according to a recent study. Photo by mojzagrebinfo/Pixabay

Here's another reason to get your kids up and moving: Excessive TV watching in childhood leads to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome at age 45, a new long-term study finds.

"What's really important about this is that even if these sedentary kids decided somewhere along the line, like in their 20s, that they wanted to get active, they still had increased metabolic risk at age 45. So the conclusion is that kids who were sedentary are at risk of health problems later on in life," said Dr. Colleen Kraft, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and professor at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that increase your risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These symptoms include high blood sugar, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Frequent TV watching during ages 5 through 15 was the most significant contributor to metabolic syndrome, according to the study. Notably, the findings were independent of adult TV watching habits.

Experts say it's also important to consider the evolution in technology since the study began.

"The alarming thing about this is that what do we see happening now versus 45 years ago? Kids on phones, on tablets, on computers, on screens for a lot of the day who are really not active," said Kraft, who was not part of the study. "So we're looking at an avalanche of health problems going forward if we don't focus on kids and give them opportunities to be active."

The recent COVID-19 pandemic only compounded sedentary lifestyles, said Dr. Scott Krakower, a child psychiatrist at Northwell Health in New York, who was also not part of the study.

"During COVID, obviously people were in lockdown, they weren't able to do things, but there was also a digital transformation where things we could never do before we were doing on the screen," he said. "I do have concerns that people aren't getting out of the house enough, that they're not putting themselves out there, that in some ways they've become more reclusive with their creature comforts at home."

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The study looked at more than 1,000 participants born in 1972 or 1973 in New Zealand. Their weekday television viewing times were recorded at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 32. More childhood TV watching was associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness and higher body mass index (BMI) at age 45, and higher odds for metabolic syndrome.

The study can't prove that too much screen time causes metabolic syndrome, said the authors, led by Dr. Robert Hancox, of the University of Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine. But the link is plausible, the researchers say, noting that hours of screen time take time away from physical activity, which is tied to better health. At the same time, couch-potato kids are likely to be consuming sugary drinks and high-fat snacks.

Excessive screen time isn't just bad for kids' long term physical health. Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory warning that social media, a preferred activity of young people, can negatively impact their mental health and brain development.

"I'm seeing more kids on some of these social media platforms. They can't get off the screen and it's really impacting their overall self-esteem, especially with the gaming and social media devices," said Krakower.

"In some ways, it keeps them social; it keeps them connected. You don't want to limit your child completely from this because it is so important for their own emotional growth and maturation," he said. "But on the other hand, what I would say is that it can have a lot of negative impacts on their self-esteem and their growth. Because they're sitting at home, they're not getting out there."

So what can parents do to ensure their kids lead long and healthy lives independent of their devices?

"The most important thing about keeping kids active for parents is that you have to find places where they can play and you often have to be active with them," Kraft advised.

"So it means taking them to a park. It means dancing with them. It means being outside and riding bikes with them or taking walks with them. Kids are going to model what parents do. So if a parent is active, that child will be active. And really limit the screen time," Kraft said.

The study was published online Monday in Pediatrics.

More information

For more on screen time guidelines, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Sen. Maria Cantwell visited Seattle Monday to discuss King Countys fentanyl problems.

Her stop is the fourth on her fentanyl listening tour across Washington. She has held other roundtable discussions in Pierce and Snohomish counties and in the Tri-Cities.

Washington has one of the fastest-growing drug overdose death rates in the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cantwell was joined by Seattles Mayor Bruce Harrell, Police Chief Adrian Diaz, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and other leaders. Healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, addiction experts, and community members also participated.

Currently, King County is on pace to have 1,000 fentanyl overdose deaths this year.

During the discussion, Harrell stressed that his team is working on finding a balancing act when it comes to solving the issue.

I have zero appetite, no appetite to arrest people that are sick and unhealthy. That is not the direction we will head as long as Im mayor. We will treat, said Harrell.

Cantwell said that on the federal level, shes working to try to increase federal funding for treatment and addressing housing capacity.

The discussion comes as a new law is now in effect that lawmakers hope will combat the fentanyl crisis.

The Tyler Lee Yates Act makes buying, selling, and owning pill presses a felony in Washington.

In 2022, Yates bought a pain pill from a dealer, but it was counterfeit and contained fentanyl.

He died the same day.

Pill presses are used to make counterfeit drugs.

Violating the pill press ban is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said he would not be present when the Senate takes up the National Defense Authorization Act this week. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

July 24 (UPI) -- Sen. Richard Durbin said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for the third time in 12 months, which will force him to miss a pivotal vote on defense funding before Congress takes a monthlong break in August.

The Illinois Democrat, who serves as the majority whip, planned to isolate and work from home this week, saying Sunday he would not be present when the Senate takes up the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill passed the House with a series of GOP amendments on abortion, climate change and race and transgender rights.

"Unfortunately, I tested positive for COVID-19 today," Durbin announced Sunday on Twitter. "I'm disappointed to have to miss critical work on the Senate's NDAA this week in Washington. Consistent with CDC guidelines, I'll quarantine at home and follow the advice of my doctor while I work remotely."

Majority Democrats were poised to scrap the culture-war amendments in the $886 billion military spending bill and send it back to the Republican-led House for a potential compromise.

While Durbin is away, the Senate will continue to hash out its own version of the funding bill and take a vote before lawmakers head home on Aug. 1.

Durbin previously tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2022 and the following March.

In May, President Joe Biden declared an end to the national health emergency. Virus-related hospitalizations and deaths were still occurring, but at a much lower rate than during the height of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sister Marina Carver, of Riverton, Utah, passed away Saturday from injuries suffered Friday in a head-on vehicle collision on the Pacific island of Vanuatu. | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A senior missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has died from injuries suffered in a head-on vehicle collision on the island of Santo, Vanuatu.

Sister Marina Carver and her husband Elder Richard Carver of Riverton, Utah were involved in a collision Friday when another vehicle reportedly veered into their lane of traffic.

Sister Marina Carver and her husband Elder Richard Carver, of Riverton, Utah, were assigned as member and leader support missionaries in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Both Elder Carver and Sister Carver were taken to a local hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Port Vila, according to Sam Penrod, spokesperson for the church.

Sister Carver passed away due to internal injuries on Saturday evening. Elder Carver was expected to recover from his injuries, Penrod said.

We send our deepest condolences to Elder Carver, their children and extended family members,. We pray they will be comforted with their understanding of Sister Carvers faith in Heavenly Fathers plan for families to be together forever, Penrod said.

Elder and Sister Carver began serving their mission in October 2022 and were assigned as member and leader support missionaries in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission.
By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A top U.S. Treasury official will highlight Washington's efforts to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports during a visit to Kenya and Somalia and stress that Moscow's exit from the Black Sea grain deal will hurt African states, a spokesperson said on Monday.

This week's visit by Brian Nelson, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday and promises them free Russian grain "to replace Ukrainian grain."

"He will highlight the exemptions in U.S. sanctions that have always allowed the continued flow of food and agriculture transactions," the Treasury spokesperson added of Nelson's trip, first reported by Reuters.

Nelson's second trip to Africa as undersecretary and his first to East Africa follows visits by several senior Biden administration officials to the continent this year after President Joe Biden pledged in December that the U.S. was "all in" on Africa's future.

While in Nairobi and Somalia's capital Mogadishu from Monday to Saturday, Nelson will discuss strengthening anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism frameworks as Treasury looks to strengthen capacity across the continent.

Enhancing partnerships to address regional security, including to combat the Islamic State and al Shabaab militant groups, will also be a focus, the spokesperson said.

Nelson will discuss ways to work with governments on combating illicit financial flows associated with crises in the region such as in Sudan, according to the spokesperson, where over 1,100 people have been killed and more than 3 million uprooted since fighting broke out in April.

BLACK SEA GRAIN DEAL

Russia quit the deal allowing Black Sea exports of Ukrainian grain last week, saying that demands to improve its own food and fertilizer exports had not been met, and that not enough Ukraine grain had reached the poorest countries under the Black Sea deal.

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Since Russia quit the deal and began attacking Ukrainian food-exporting ports on the Black Sea and Danube river, global wheat and corn futures prices have risen sharply.

The Black Sea grain deal was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey a year ago to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters.

Somalia received 84,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine in 2022, up from 31,000 tonnes in 2021, according to U.N. trade data, as donors stepped up assistance to fend off a looming famine in certain areas.

Famine in parts of the Horn of Africa was averted this year as the rainy season, projected to fail for a fifth consecutive year, beat expectations. But aid officials say some 60 million people are still food insecure in seven east African countries and worry about the impact of a further blow.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to sharp Western sanctions, Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

African nations have largely remained neutral on the Ukraine war.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman and Sonali Paul)
This is about much more than money.

Granted, a staggering sum of money  $15 million  is involved.

Thats the settlement announced last week in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a beautiful, 19-year-old child of the South Carolina Lowcountry who was killed in a boat crash on an inky night in Archers Creek four years ago.

After all the days and nights of agony, perhaps the family of Mallory Beach can find some rest with this measure of accountability.

Their lawyer, Mark Tinsley of Allendale, reached that settlement with insurers for the Parkers Kitchen convenience store chain that sold beer to the late Paul Murdaugh hours before he slammed a speeding boat into a bridge piling at Parris Island.

But Mallorys life and death cannot be confined by dollars.

Not even to the tune of $500,000 per beer that was sold to the 19-year-old Murdaugh boy using his older brothers ID.

And neither does this one settlement close the Lowcountry Pandoras box that spilled secrets out for all to see, beginning with the Murdaugh boat crash.

First, not everyone has settled in the wrongful death suit. Prominently missing is Paul Murdaughs father and the boat owner, Alex Murdaugh.

He represents the fourth generation of a family that ran the Lowcountrys system of justice as 14th Judicial Circuit solicitors for 86 years. Alex was a badge-brandishing volunteer in that office on the night of the boat crash  as well as the night two years later when his son Paul and wife, Maggie, were killed at his own hands.

And during his years of pilfering millions of dollars from clients of his familys bigger-than-life law firm in Hampton, according to scores of charges he has yet to face as he sits in jail on two life sentences.

But larger questions still need answers, or more public airing.

What happened to the investigation of obstruction of justice regarding Alex and his late father on the night of the boat crash?

What happened to the investigation into irregularities in the initial investigations?

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Attorney Joe McCulloch of Columbia, who represents a boat passenger the Murdaughs tried to blame for the crash, said at the time the state attorney generals office needed to further explore the inexplicable disappearance of important evidence and other lapses by the initial investigating authorities.

You get to the root of all that, by exposing it, and youll get to the root of the Lowcountrys deadly Murdaugh Syndrome.

Who has put a clearer definition on conflicts of interest?

Duffie Stone, todays 14th Circuit solicitor, recused his office in the boat crash case because of its ties to the Murdaughs, but was slow to do that two years later when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were murdered.

It was the same for Circuit Court Judge Carmen Mullen. She recused herself in the boat crash case, but did not do so in signing off on a huge settlement at Alex Murdaughs request  involving millions of dollars that it was later discovered went to Murdaugh, not the victims it was intended for

That picking and choosing gives a bad look to the judicial system, unnecessarily.

And it led attorney Eric Bland of Columbia, who blew the cover off Alex Murdaughs widespread financial theft as he represented the victims bilked in this case, and First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe to file complaints against Mullen.

They told the states Office of Disciplinary Counsel and Commission on Judicial Conduct that she enabled Alex Murdaugh to hide his insurance coverage and details about his finances at a time he was being sued in the boat crash case.

What has the state court system done with those complaints?

Pascoe wrote: When wealthy and politically connected individuals are treated as a privileged class by members of the judiciary, it erodes public trust in government and the fair administration of law.

That has been the issue larger than money in the Murdaugh cases since the night Mallory Beach was killed.

The state attorney generals office has been aggressive in pursuing justice for all.

But the job is not finished.

David Lauderdale may be reached at LauderdaleColumn@gmail.com
Residents in parts of Arizona were ordered to evacuate Sunday as firefighters battled several wildfires across the state amid extreme temperatures that have persisted for weeks.

About 160 residents were ordered to evacuate from the Sunflower area in Arizonas Maricopa County Sunday as a wildfire burned in the Tonto National Forest, authorities said.

Deputies were evacuating residents and advising them to head to the town of Fountain Hills, where an evacuation center was set up, Maricopa County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez told CNN Sunday evening.

At this point, the fire is burning in place and crews will monitor and continue some firefighting overnight, Maricopa County Emergency Management spokesperson Ron Coleman said. Additional firefighting will continue in the morning.

Sunflower is about 58 miles northeast of Phoenix, which hit 24 straight days of temperatures at or above 110 degrees, according to a tweet from the National Weather Service. The city saw a high of 114 degrees Sunday.

Over 100 miles away in Yavapai County, where six active wildfires were burning, residents of the community of Cherry were also ordered to flee Sunday.

The RACETRACK Fire is threatening your area. Please evacuate now, the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said in a go message to residents Sunday night.

A special weather statement was in effect for parts of Yavapai County for wind gusts up to 50 mph Sunday, and the National Weather Service had warned residents to Expect wind shifts for the Grapevine and Race Track fires.

The fires come amid Arizonas weeks-long battle with extreme heat, with excessive heat warnings in place across much of central and southern parts of the state Sunday.

There have been at least 18 confirmed heat-related deaths recorded in Maricopa County so far this year as of the second week of July, with another 69 cases under investigation, according to data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

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The dangerously hot temperatures are also taxing hospitals in the county as people suffering from heat-related illnesses seek treatment, CNN previously reported.

Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, is the nations fourth largest county in terms of population size, according to the countys website.

At least 44 million people were under heat advisories and excessive heat warnings Sunday across much of the desert Southwest, Intermountain West, South Texas and South Florida, according to the National Weather Service.

Over two dozen records were either set or tied Saturday across cities in Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Puerto Rico and Texas.

CNN Meteorologist Gene Norman contributed to this report.

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A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect Monday morning throughout the Kansas City metro area, with strong winds and hail possible during rush hour, according to the National Weather Service.

The watch was issued around 5 a.m. Monday and will last until noon, impacting parts of Kansas, Missouri and Iowa, including the Kansas City metro area.

Storms are expected to hit the metro area between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Strong winds up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail are possible along with moderate to heavy rainfall.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued around 7:30 a.m. that includes Kansas City, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. The warning will last until 8:15 a.m.

Drivers should slow down and turn on their headlights and wipers during heavy rain. Traveling at high speeds during heavy rain, meteorologists warned, can increase chances of hydroplaning.
A member of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau carries an overheated search-and-rescue dog at Clamshell Peak, where they were looking for a missing hiker in the Angeles National Forest. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department search-and-rescue dog was airlifted this weekend after overheating during efforts to find a missing hiker last seen in Monrovia.

The dog was taken by helicopter out of the Angeles National Forest on Saturday as dangerous heat broiled the region's mountains and valleys.

The Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau was searching near Clamshell Peak in the national forest for Colin Brian Walker, 53, according to social media posts from the bureau.

Read more: A week of searching yields no sign of hiker who vanished on slopes below Mt. Wilson

Sheriff's officials did not immediately respond Monday to questions about the dog's condition or where the animal was taken. The initial statement said the special unit would airlift the dog "to safety and provide cooling measures."

Rescue of overheated search and rescue canine, Clamshell Peak, Angeles Forest. #LASD Air Rescue 5 inserted SEB Tactical Medics to airlift the canine to safety and provide cooling measures. See attached missing person bulletin. pic.twitter.com/3lRlgeN9CD  SEB (@SEBLASD) July 23, 2023

The Special Enforcement Bureau was using unmanned aircrafts to assist in the search this weekend.

Last week, South Pasadena police issued a missing person alert about Walker, who has not been seen or heard from since July 15, when officials believe he left on a hike near a trailhead in Monrovia.

Read more: He lived to be outdoors, even in extremes like Death Valley. He died doing what he loved

Walker was last seen wearing a gray shirt, dark colored shorts, brown boots, a brown hat and carrying a large green backpack and hiking sticks, according to the South Pasadena Police Department.

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Officials have repeatedly warned for days about the dangers of strenuous activity in extreme heat.

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.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The Justice Department on Monday sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over a newly installed floating barrier on the Rio Grande that is the Republican's latest aggressive tactic to try to stop migrants from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico.

The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Austin to force Texas to remove a roughly 1,000-foot (305-meter) line of bright orange, wrecking ball-sized buoys that the Biden administration says raises humanitarian and environmental concerns. The suit claims that Texas unlawfully installed the barrier without permission between the border cities of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Mexico.

The buoys are the latest escalation of Texas border security operation that also includes razor-wire fencing, arresting migrants on trespassing charges and sending busloads of asylum-seekers to Democratic-led cities in other states. Critics have long questioned the effectiveness of the two-year operation, known as Operation Lone Star. A state trooper's account this month that some of the measures injured migrants has put the mission under intensifying new scrutiny.

In anticipation of the lawsuit, Abbott sent President Joe Biden a letter earlier Monday that defended Texas right to install the barrier. He accused Biden of putting migrants at risk by not doing more to deter them from making the journey to the U.S.

Texas will see you in court, Mr. President, Abbott wrote.

The Biden administration has said illegal border crossings have declined significantly since new immigration restrictions took effect in May. In June, the first full month since the new polices took effect, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said migrant encounters were down 30% from the month prior and were at the lowest levels since Biden's first full month in office.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Abbott's policies as a whole have made it difficult for U.S. Border Patrol agents to access Rio Grande.

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Those are unlawful actions that are not helpful and is undermining what the president has put forward and is trying to do," she said.

In a letter last week, the Justice Department gave Texas until Monday to commit to removing the barrier or face a lawsuit. The letter said the buoy wall poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River, and it presents humanitarian concerns.

The state deployed the buoys without notifying the International Boundary and Water Commission or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mexico's secretary of state asked the federal government to intervene, saying the barrier violates international treaties.

The lawsuit is not the first time the Biden administration has sued Texas overs it actions on the border.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021 accused the state of usurping and even interfering with the federal governments responsibility to enforce immigration laws after Abbott empowered state troopers orders to stop vehicles carrying migrants on the basis that they could increase the spread of COVID-19.

___

Gonzalez reported from McAllen, Texas.
UPDATE 11:20 a.m.- JSO reported Johnny Dove has been found.

UPDATE - Thank you for all your assistance. Mr. Dove has been located. https://t.co/14NFi2u1Kz  Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) July 24, 2023

Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is asking for the communitys help locating Johnny Ray Dove.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Police are currently searching the Tullulah and Norwood areas. Dove was last seen driving a gold 2005 Buick Terraza minivan bearing the Florida tag 976 3TE around 9:30 a.m. on July 23. His family Dove has cancer and is showing signs of dementia.

Johnny Ray Dove is a 68-year-old man of African American descent with brown eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. He stands 5 feet, 6 inches and weighs 225 pounds. Police believe he is wearing a T-shirt with an Air Force emblem on the front with black pants and black slides.

Anyone with information about Doves whereabouts is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or call 911.

Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold.

Read: Barbies blackout bash: Lights out, but fans shine on due to outage at Durbin Park Cinemark

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Schoolchildren walk on a road submerged by sea water at Timbulsloko village in Indonesia (BAY ISMOYO)

Indonesian teacher Sulkan leafs through pictures at his small sea-surrounded mosque, remembering a marching band and smiling children who graduated from his kindergarten, standing on a road now submerged by murky, green water.

That is just one of many landmarks in the Javan coastal village of Timbulsloko swallowed by rising tides, which have forced residents to adapt to a new life on the water.

More than 200 people have stayed in one of Indonesia's fastest sinking areas, which has turned from a landscape of lush rice paddies into a network of boardwalks and canoes in an alarming sign of how climate change could upend coastal communities everywhere.

"It's only memories now... there are no such activities any more," said 49-year-old Sulkan, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

"Why? Because the place is already flooded by the tide."

Timbulsloko residents' lives have been drastically altered by rising sea levels, coastal erosion and excessive groundwater extraction making the land sink.

The coastline has also been left vulnerable to floods after locals cut down mangroves for fishing ponds in the 1990s.

Water has since reached five kilometres (three miles) inland around Timbulsloko and the surrounding Demak region, according to Denny Nugroho Sugianto, professor at Diponegoro University.

He called it a "slow disaster" happening before the world's eyes, with data showing some areas around Timbulsloko sinking up to 20 centimetres annually, double the rate recorded in 2010.

"This is the largest rate of land subsidence" ever recorded in the area, he said.

- 'No future' -

Large parts of megalopolis capital Jakarta are expected to be submerged by 2050 for the same reasons, researchers say, but villagers along the Javan coast are on the front lines of the emergency.

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Sulkan was forced to move his kindergarten from an old wooden building next to his house to another structure on higher land to prevent it from being lost.

Residents have elevated the floors of their homes by adding soil and then installing wooden decks to keep themselves dry as the floods become more severe.

This has left them with shrinking space, forcing anyone entering to stoop low to avoid bumping their heads.

Sularso, 54, said he had raised his floor three times since 2018, by a total of 1.5 metres, spending around 22 million rupiah ($1,460).

"For me, there is no future," the fisherman told AFP.

"This village... will be gone in less than five years. We can't build, we can't do anything."

He says his floor can still be submerged in water during high tides, leaving him worried high waves could collapse his home.

Housewife Khoiriyah, 42, said she has had difficulty buying groceries or taking her three children to school because of flooded roads.

"Life is harder now. Whenever the water comes inside my house, I always wish I could move out," she said.

Yet the problem is due to become even worse as climate change grinds on.

The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says an increase of two degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times could raise sea levels by 43 centimetres by the next century.

- Raising the dead -

It is not only the living being protected from the rising seas.

The village's cemetery has been raised to prevent it from sinking, with villagers installing a wood fence, nets and tyres to keep the waters at bay.

Residents have also crowdfunded a boardwalk to connect their houses and give them access to their loved ones' graves.

Timbulsloko's younger generation often spend their time outside their home, escaping the floods that haunt their everyday lives.

"Life is monotonous here. The youths often go out as they hate being in their house," 24-year-old Choirul Tamimi said.

Before the use of boats in the village, Tamimi said, he would walk through the flood on his way to work with a change of clothes.

"When I came back from work, it's annoying because I'm not only tired, but I also got wet," he said.

Sugianto called on the government to expand piped water access to residents to reduce groundwater use, and look to sand filling to replace what has been eroded.

"Without restoring the original coastline, we cannot solve this problem sustainably," the professor said.

Yet those who remain in Timbulsloko refuse to surrender to the elements.

Sulkan insists that he will stay to keep his kindergarten open and teach children like the ones who once stood on the now-engulfed road.

"As long as there are still neighbours, there are still houses, I'm staying here," he said.

mrc/jfx/leg/sco
A small plane crashed into a two-story home in Georgetown, Texas, injuring three (Georgetown Texas Fire Department)

Three people aboard a small plane were injured after it crashed into the roof of a two-story Texas home.

Georgetown Texas Fire Department said that the plane crashed shortly after noon on Sunday. The fire department added that the three people on the plane were transported to a hospital.

Georgetown Police Department said that victims were experiencing what appears to be non-life threatening injuries and that the residence that the plane crashed into was unoccupied.

The Federal Aviation Administration told KXAN that the plane was a single-engine Beech BE35, adding that The National Transportation Safety Board was leading the investigation into the incident.

Officials told the outlet that those onboard were returning from eating breakfast in Kerrville, Texas and planned on landing at Georgetown Executive Airport but the plane started experiencing engine failure.

City of Georgetown Battalion Chief Scott Gibson explained to the outlet that the pilot just veered away from a nearby apartment complex. He said, I believe he just had to make that split second decision and ditched it into a single home instead.

Chief Gibson added that the house was fairly minimally impacted. Probably the biggest concern is gonna be the fuel that has dripped from the attic to the first to the second floor,

He continued, Weve eliminated most of ignition sources that are around. Weve cut the power to the house.
When state lawmakers were considering a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, they often described it as allowing Minnesotans to use the drug at home, on private property or at events licensed for on-site consumption.

But earlier this month, after the legislation was signed into law, one of the Democratic legislators who sponsored the bill told news website MinnPost that smoking will also be allowed anywhere that isn't prohibited by the state's Clean Indoor Air Act. That means starting Aug. 1, Minnesotans can smoke in a park, on a sidewalk or outside a restaurant or bar, unless their city passes an ordinance prohibiting it.

That revelation wasn't spelled out in the more than 300-page marijuana legalization law, which lists only the three locations where cannabis products can be used  home, private property, licensed events  and several where they are prohibited.

"We wanted to put as few restrictions on it as we could, understanding that cities could do more," Democratic Sen. Lindsey Port, the legalization bill's Senate sponsor, said of public marijuana use.

Cannabis use is explicitly prohibited under the new law for those who are under the age of 21, in a motor vehicle, in a public school, in a state correctional facility or in the presence of minors who could inhale secondhand smoke. Beyond that, the law doesn't specifically allow or restrict the use of marijuana in public spaces. One provision states that marijuana use is prohibited anywhere that smoking tobacco is banned under the Clean Indoor Air Act, while another states that cities may adopt ordinances banning residents from using the drug in public spaces.

"It was just not a specific thing we wanted 100% protected or 100% banned, so we left it up to the municipalities," Port, DFL-Burnsville, said in an interview Monday. "I don't feel in any way that it was hidden or was something that we tried to obfuscate."

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The League of Minnesota Cities issued a memo Monday advising cities that they will need to pass an ordinance if they want to have an enforcement mechanism to prevent public cannabis use.

"The law is silent on whether cannabis can be smoked in public places other than public places governed by the [Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act]," the League's memo states. "While the law does not specifically authorize the use of cannabis in public places, it does not create any penalty for use in a public place other than those governed by the MCIAA."

Port noted that many cities ban tobacco smoking in their parks and on their property. And some cities are already considering taking a similar approach to marijuana use.

The Duluth City Council will vote next month on whether to ban marijuana smoking in all city parks and in other public outdoor places where tobacco smoking is already banned, such as the Lakewalk.

Alexandria and Detroit Lakes are also working on ordinances, while Lakeville and West St. Paul are considering it, said Alex Hassel, a lobbyist for the League of Minnesota Cities.

"This is probably top priority for many cities, looking at their public-use ordinances for smoking," Hassel said.

Leili Fatehi, campaign manager for the pro-legalization MN is Ready Coalition, worked with lawmakers throughout the year on the recreational marijuana bill. She said cities should think carefully about how their public-use ordinances could affect renters.

Starting in March 2025, Minnesota's recreational marijuana law will ban smoking and vaping of cannabis in multifamily housing building units, including on apartment balconies and patios, except for registered medical cannabis patients. Until then, the law lets property managers decide whether to allow or prohibit smoking in units.

"What we're really monitoring to make sure is that local governments are not prohibiting public use in a way that makes it so that only homeowners are able to smoke and vape and those who are renters end up in a situation where there's literally nowhere where legally they can consume these products," Fatehi said.

Chris Tholkes, director of Minnesota's Office of Medical Cannabis, said that allowing marijuana use in public could have mixed health impacts. On one hand, she said it's likely beneficial to give people an alternative to smoking indoors. But it also could expose more minors to the drug, she said.

"It impacts social norms for sure," Tholkes said.

In allowing public marijuana use, Port and Fatehi said legislators were trying to treat the drug like tobacco. But marijuana is intoxicating, like alcohol, while cigarettes are not. So, is public marijuana use more like cigarette smoking or having an open alcohol container?

Port said it's a "fair question," and that legislators did their best to "thread that needle."

"You can't smoke in your car. You can't have an open container of cannabis even in your car. We put that much more on the alcohol side of it because driving a vehicle while intoxicated is a concern," Port said. "In places where it was about the smoking and the secondhand smoke, the carcinogens and things like that, we tried to put it more in line with cigarette smoking."

Staff writer Jana Hollingsworth contributed to this report.
Sophia Duleep Singh was born in 1876

Sophia Duleep Singh, a princess who fought for women's voting rights in the UK, remains a little-known figure in India, the country of her ancestry.

In 1910, she was part of a delegation of 300 suffragettes who marched towards the parliament in London, seeking an audience with then Prime Minister HH Asquith.

But Asquith refused to meet the women and the demonstration turned violent as policemen and men in the crowd outside the building beat them. Many of the demonstrators were seriously injured and the day came to be called Black Friday in the UK.

Sophia was among the 119 women who were arrested.

She was the daughter of Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh - the last Sikh emperor of Punjab - and a goddaughter of Queen Victoria.

"Sophia Duleep Singh was as close to a celebrity as you could get in November 1910 when she took part in Black Friday," her biographer Anita Anand said in an interview.

Much of what is now known of her comes from Anand's in-depth 2015 biography, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary, pieced together from detailed archival research, police and intelligence records and first-hand accounts from people who knew her.

Born in 1876, Sophia was the fifth of the six children Duleep Singh had with his first wife Bamba Muller.

As a boy, Duleep Singh had been exiled to England from India after his kingdom was annexed by the British in 1849, with the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond handed to them under the terms of a punitive treaty.

Duleep Singh was the last Sikh emperor of Punjab before it was annexed by the British

Sophia grew up in the family's home in Suffolk but had a tumultuous childhood, Anand writes. Duleep Singh was exiled to France in 1886 after failed attempts to reclaim his throne, and abandoned his family to debt.

But the family's close relationship with Queen Victoria helped them secure a home and yearly allowance from the India Office, a department of the British government.

When Sophia grew up, she was given a grace-and-favour apartment by the queen in the Hampton Court Palace, outside which she would later go on to protest for the right to vote.

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"From an early age, [Sophia] learned to negotiate between the easy existence granted to her as a member of Britain's elite and her ambiguous position as an Indian woman living in Britain during the heyday of the British Empire," historian Elizabeth Baker writes in a chapter in the book The British Women's Suffrage Campaign.

Over her lifetime, Sophia made about four visits to India, each of them closely monitored by British officials who feared that the presence of Duleep Singh's family would foment dissent.

In 1906-07, Sophia met freedom fighters Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai in Lahore (now in Pakistan) and was moved by their speeches and political conviction.

"By April 1907, Sophia had spent six months in India and had witnessed firsthand the growing political turbulence in India. The push for Indian self-determination had seduced her," Anand writes in her book.

In 1908, a few months after returning to the UK, Sophia joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), a suffrage group led by British political activist Emmeline Pankhurst.

She later also joined the Women's Tax Resistance League, whose slogan was "No Vote, No Tax".

Sophia participated in these movements with great vigour. In 1911, she threw herself at the prime minister's car as it was leaving Downing Street, holding a banner that said "Give women the vote!". The same year, she left her census form blank and refused to pay taxes.

A photo from 1913 shows the princess standing outside the Hampton Court Palace where she lived, selling copies of The Suffragette newspaper next to a board that read "Revolution!".

The photograph made her "the face of 'Suffragette Week', an initiative concocted by the WSPU to recruit more members and inundate Britain", Baker writes.

A 1913 photo showed the princess selling copies of The Suffragette newspaper

Newspapers reported on how authorities seized and auctioned her jewels for failing to pay certain taxes. Sophia was arrested several times but unlike other suffragettes, charges against her were always dropped.

In the book South Asian Resistances in Britain, 1858 - 1947, historian Sumita Mukherjee pointed to Sophia's involvement to highlight the contradictions in the suffragette movement - that they could capitalise on her title for their cause without interrogating or challenging class hierarchies.

Her presence also drew more scrutiny.

"India Office bureaucrats collected press clippings and swapped memoranda regarding her personal and financial affairs in an effort to control Duleep Singh's actions as a politicised member of the Indian diaspora in Britain," Baker writes.

She calls Sophia "an important bridge between Indian activists and white British activists for female suffrage".

In 1918, the British Parliament passed a reform that allowed women over the age of 30 to vote if they met certain qualifications regarding property. Equal franchise would come 10 years later.

In 1919, Sophia accompanied political activists Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant to the India Office in London. Naidu and Besant led a delegation of Indian women to lay out their arguments for the right to vote before the Secretary of State. He heard them out but made no promises (Indians got universal franchise after the country became independent).

The spotlight on Sophia particularly annoyed King George V who was "anti-suffrage", Anand writes in her book. But there was little he could do as "Parliament held ultimate control" over her finances.

Sophia was involved in other causes too - during World War I, she helped tend to wounded Indian soldiers in Britain and raised money for them.

During World War I, Sophia (second from left in the front row) was involved in raising funds for wounded Indian soldiers

According to Anand's book, the princess returned to India for another visit in 1924, determined to travel across Punjab.

As she traversed the old Sikh kingdom with her sister Bamba, crowds thronged to see them, with some crying, "Our princesses are here!"

Among the places they visited was the site of the 1919 Jallianwala massacre where hundreds of Indians were shot by British troops.

During World War Two, she left London for Buckinghamshire along with her sister Catherine and three evacuees from London.

Her last years were spent with her companion and housekeeper Janet Ivy Bowden, whose daughter Drovna was Sophia's goddaughter.

Drovna told Anand that the princess would talk to her often about the importance of voting.

"She would say '...When you are allowed to vote you are never, ever to fail to do so. You don't realise how far we've come,'" Drovna recounts.

Sophia died in her sleep on 22 August 1948 at the age of 71.

As per the princess's wishes, her ashes were brought to Lahore by her sister Bamba but it is not clear where they were scattered.

But she is still fondly remembered by many, especially in the UK - a plaque honouring her was unveiled at her former home earlier this year and a film about her is expected to be released next year.

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Deep, guttural calls echoes through the air, greeting visitors as they get out of their cars in the Piedras Blancas elephant seal viewpoint parking lot off Highway 1.

The bulls are back on the beach in San Luis Obispo County.

Male elephant seals are surfing up onto the sand north of San Simeon for a month of rest while they molt their skin.

They look ratty, but thats normal. These seals are healthy and dont have any vanity about their appearance.

They are fewer in numbers, but much bigger than the females.

Summer is the time to view them as non-combatants. The massive marine mammals spar with each other occasionally, but mostly lie next to each other without threat so visitors can get a good look at them.

Younger elephant seals spar at the Piedras Blancas rookery north of San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County.

Elephant seal bulls are back from migration

When the bulls left the beach in March, they were at their annual low point.

After three months living off their blubber to compete with other bulls for breeding rights, they were at their thinnest.

Its feast or famine for elephant seal bulls. They dont eat while they are traveling to and from

their feeding areas, along the continental shelf, from Oregon to the Aleutian Islands.

Thats a journey of about 5,000 miles, round trip.

The bulls have to pack a lot of feeding into the five or so weeks before its time to return to shore.

They dive to the bottom there, and feed on bottom-dwelling fish such as skates, rays, hagfish and any other fish that come across their path. One was seen swallowing a 3-foot-long dogfish shark whole, and headfirst.

The pattern is to bulk up the blubber layer quickly twice a year and then feed off of it while fasting the rest of the year, elephant seal research leader Bernie Le Boeuf said in his book Elephant Seal: Pushing the limits on land and at sea. They are record-setting, physiological curiosities!

Their tattered skin peeling off, these bull elephant seals enjoy resting on the sand.

Molting season for male seals

All elephant seals molt their skin once a year.

Female seals and juveniles were at the Piedras Blancas rookery in May and June. They have since returned to the ocean.

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The juveniles come back to shore in the fall but females will stay at sea until January, when they return to give birth to their pups.

Last years brown and tan skin and hair, made of keratin, peels off in chunks.

Beneath it is a new layer of skin, which looks pearly gray or silver. The new brown hair is just starting to appear on the surface.

Ask a blue-jacketed Friends of the Elephant Seal docent to see and touch a sample of elephant seal fur. Its rough, not soft and silky, like otter or fur seal fur.

Elephant seals rely on their blubber for warmth, not their coats.

Piedras Blancas lighthouse hosts Open House

Piedras Blancas Light Station will be open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 16.

Hike in from the Boucher Trail trailhead at the north parking lot of the elephant seal viewpoint or from the Boucher Trail trailhead a mile north of the lighthouse.

You can observe the elephant seals from several other vantage points along the trail.

For more information, check the Piedras Blancas Light Station website or email PiedrasBlancasTours@gmail.com.
Along with other Southern California hotel workers Karla Alcala, a pastry chef at the Waldorf Astoria, walks out and strikes at the hotel in Beverly Hills on Monday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

An ongoing strike by Southern California hotel workers enveloped the Beverly Hilton, longtime host of the annual Golden Globe Awards, and the upscale Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills early Monday morning.

It marks the latest escalation of a heated labor dispute between thousands of cooks, housekeepers, dishwashers, servers, bellmen, and front desk agents represented by Unite Here Local 11 and some 60 hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Workers at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, Hyatt Regency LAX, and Laguna Cliffs Marriott Hotel Resort & Spa in Dana Point also went on strike Monday, extending the footprint of the "third wave" of work stoppages that began July 20.

Hotel workers have been walking off the job in intermittent few-day spurts ever since the long Fourth of July holiday weekend. That weekend protest came as contracts covering some 15,000 local hotel workers expired.

Workers at 43 hotels have participated in the strike so far, the union said.

Read more: Hotel workers kick off third wave of strikes in Hollywood, Pasadena

It's been a hectic few weeks in the Los Angeles tourism industry and with constantly shifting strike action it can be hard to keep track of what's going on. Here's what you need to know now.

What do the hotel workers want?

The picketing hotel workers have said their pay hasnt kept pace with soaring housing costs, and as a result, many have been displaced from neighborhoods near their workplaces and forced into long commutes.

To remedy that, they are asking for higher wages and better benefits and working conditions. A $5 immediate hourly wage increase, and a $3 boost each subsequent year of the three-year contract, for a total raise of $11, is Unite Here Local 11's key demand.

The union also has made proposals related to healthcare, pensions, workload and a policy against hotels using E-Verify, a federal system used to check work eligibility, to protect immigrant workers.

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Read more: A hot labor summer heats up with hotel workers' strike

What is the position of the hotels?

Hotel operators have said Unite Here Local 11's demands are unreasonable and an overreach.

The loudest voice representing the hotels' position in the dispute is a newly formed Coordinated Bargaining Group that represents 44 hotels in Southern California.

The group formed after Unite Here Local 11 on April 20 presented sweeping proposals on issues including wages and housing initiatives aiding tourism workers.

Rosa Aleman, left, Oscar Galdamez, Yesenia Juarez, and Daniel Garcia are on strike at the Beverly Hilton on Monday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

The group has accused the union of striking over policy proposals that have nothing to do with the employees it represents, filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board.

In the unfair labor practice charge, the group takes issue with the union proposal for hotels to publicly endorse a measure set for the 2024 ballot that would require them to rent vacant rooms in Los Angeles to unhoused people. The union also has urged hotels to agree to impose a 7% fee on all guest room sales to create a fund that would assist hospitality workers in obtaining affordable housing.

Read more: Visiting L.A. during the hotel workers' strike? Here's what you need to know

How far apart are the two sides?

The sides appear diametrically opposed and bargaining sessions  when they take place  are tense.

The union has been resolute in its demand that hotels agree to sweeping wage increases given how deeply the housing crisis affects workers. The hotel coalition has indicated that the union's ask is too big.

After two waves of strikes, hotel operators and hotel workers returned to the bargaining table July 18. During those talks, the union rejected a new pay proposal by a group of Southern California hotel owners and operators. A third wave of strikes kicked off two days later.

Keith Grossman, an attorney representing the group, said in an email that the additional work stoppages announced Monday represented "Local 11s continued counterproductive conduct."

Union officials were similarly disgruntled. A room attendant at the Waldorf Astoria must work 60 hours to earn enough to pay for one night at this ritzy hotel, Petersen said in an emailed statement Monday. Yet the hotels last offer did not add one more penny for wages."

Read more: Column: Three's not a crowd. Meet the co-presidents of the union behind the hotel workers' strike

The hotel group first proposed an initial raise of $1.75 per hour, with $0.75 bumps every six months through January 2027, amounting to a $6.25 per hour raise in total, according to documents obtained by the Times.

The hotel group had said housekeepers at unionized hotels in Beverly Hills and downtown Los Angeles currently earn $25 per hour and with the proposed pay would receive 10% wage increases in 2024 and make more than $31 per hour by January 2027.

In its most recent proposal  which the union rejected  the hotel group offered a bigger initial hourly pay raise of $2 that would go into effect sooner, following ratification of a new contract, instead of in January 2024. It offered fewer subsequent raises, however, amounting to a $5.50 per hour total increase by January 2027.

Maria Solis, left, a housekeeper, and Aminta chang, a uniform attendant, both employees at the Waldorf Astoria, strike outside of the hotel in Beverly Hills on Monday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

The Westin Bonaventure is the only hotel site so far to have reached a deal, averting a strike just as contracts were set to expire June 30.

The union has said the Westin Bonaventure deal fulfills most of the union's demands, though it has declined to reveal specifics on wage increases.

Under the tentative deal with Westin Bonaventure, workers will receive higher wages, affordable health insurance at less than $20 per month and increases in pension contributions, the union said.

The agreement also guarantees a restoration of staffing to pre-pandemic levels so that daily room cleanings can become routine again and introduces measures to reduce barriers to hiring for formerly incarcerated people and undocumented immigrants.

What effect is the strike having?

No party involved is unscathed.

Early morning picket lines have provoked noise complaints from guests and there have been reports of passersby throwing eggs and pouring cups of pee on picketing workers.

Some hotels involved in the dispute have lost business, as major conferences have canceled and moved to union-approved locations.

The Japanese American Citizens League National Convention, held July 19-23, moved to the Westin Bonaventure from DoubleTree by Hilton, which is among the hotels involved in negotiations.

The Democratic Governors Assn. is also planning to move a conference to the Westin Bonaventure from the Beverly Hilton, according to Unite Here Local 11.

The union has asked the American Political Science Assn. to cancel its 2023 annual meeting from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live.

The union has accused hotels of strike-breaking by bringing in "scab" workers using third party gig-work apps in an unfair labor practice complaint filed with the federal labor board.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott in particular has been at the center of criticism by the union and pro-labor lawmakers. In a July 6 letter, several California lawmakers called out the hotel for hiring temporary workers to break the strike and for racial disparities in hiring.

It is lamentable that the Laguna Cliffs Marriott has employed few to any Black union permanent staff, and yet when in need of strike-breakers you are somehow able to find and hire Black temporary workers through an agency," they wrote.

Assembly members Tina McKinnor (D-Hawthorne), Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) and state Sens. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) and Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) signed the letter.

In the wake of that allegation, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and 20 other members of the House of Representatives sent a letter July 19 to the University of California Board of Regents, the operator of Laguna Cliffs, requesting more information by July 31 on the hotels approach to complying with federal statutes and regulations regarding fair employment.





The strike has also affected operational details. According to one front desk worker at The W in West Hollywood, the hotel has changed its food offerings, shifting from a full-service breakfast to a buffet.

What's up with this rolling strike strategy and what happens next?

Workers at more than 60 hotel sites authorized a strike, but they aren't striking all at once. Instead, they are engaged in rolling work stoppages where workers at a cluster of hotels walk out for a few days at a time.

That's a "strategic decision," said Kurt Petersen, Unite Here Local 11 co-president. We want to keep the hotels on their toes and guessing. Every hotel has agency strikebreakers in their properties, waiting to be deployed, Petersen told the Times earlier this month. When people are working and not striking, theyre paying two workforces inside the hotel.

And it goes without saying that a prolonged strike would starve workers of wages; scheduling strike actions that last at most a few days helps to make the wage losses more predictable and manageable for workers.

As no further bargaining sessions have been scheduled since the bumpy session last week, there doesn't appear to be any clear end in sight to the strike action.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Cillian Murphy as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in 'Oppenheimer.' Universal Pictures, CC BY-ND

Oppenheimer, the epic new movie directed by Christopher Nolan, takes audiences into the mind and moral decisions of J. Robert Oppenheimer, leader of the team of brilliant scientists in Los Alamos, New Mexico, who built the worlds first atomic bomb. Its not a documentary, but it gets the big historical moments and subjects right.

The issues that Nolan depicts are not relics of a distant past. The new world that Oppenheimer helped to create, and the nuclear nightmare he feared, still exists today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to use nuclear weapons in his war in Ukraine. Iran is doing everything it can to develop nuclear weapons. China is expanding its nuclear arsenal. Hostile governments like China are stealing U.S. defense technologies, including from Los Alamos.

Charges that Oppenheimer was a Soviet spy and a security risk  a major focus of the movie  have been disproved. In December 2022, the Biden administration posthumously voided the U.S. Atomic Energy Commissions 1954 decision to revoke Oppenheimers security clearance, calling that process biased and unfair. Declassified records reveal that Soviet spying on the U.S. atomic bomb effort advanced Moscows bomb program, but Oppenheimer was no spy.

A mushroom cloud forms seconds after detonation of the first atomic bomb at the Trinity test site in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. U.S. Department of Energy/Wikimedia

Oppenheimers perspective

Oppenheimer joined the Manhattan Project, a nationwide effort to build an atomic bomb before the Nazis developed one, in 1942. The scientists he led at the Los Alamos site were probably the most talented group of minds ever assembled in a single laboratory, including 12 eventual Nobel laureates.

In 1954, at the height of the McCarthy era, Oppenheimer was accused of being a communist and even a Soviet spy. Whats the truth?

We know that in the 1930s, and until 1943, Oppenheimer was a Communist sympathizer. His brother Frank and his girlfriend Jean Tatlock belonged to the Communist Party of the United States, and Oppenheimers wife Katherine was a former member.

For Oppy, as his students called him, Marxism was intellectually interesting, but it was also practical. Oppenheimer saw communism as the best defense against the rise of fascism in Europe, which, being of Jewish heritage, was personal for him.

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By 1943, however, Oppenheimers support for Communist Party causes shifted  evidently, as he realized the enormity of his mission to produce an atomic bomb. That year, Oppenheimer helped U.S. Army security officers identify scientists he believed were communists.

Russian overtures

Oppenehimer was a top target for Soviet intelligence, which assigned him the code names CHESTER and CHEMIST. He was also being cultivated by Soviet intelligence officers. But being targeted and cultivated for recruitment is not the same as being a recruited spy.

As the movie shows, in 1943, Oppenheimers academic colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, Haakon Chevalier, told Oppenheimer that a British scientist working in San Francisco could relay information to the Soviets. Oppenheimer rejected the approach, but for reasons that remain unclear, he did not inform authorities for several months.

Over the ensuing years, Oppenheimer provided at least three versions of the story, sometimes involving his brother Frank. It seems likely that Robert was trying to protect his brother from Army security.

Archives made available after the Soviet Unions collapse now establish beyond doubt that Oppenheimer was not a Soviet agent. In fact, Soviet intelligence reports about the Manhattan Project reveal that at key points, Stalins spy chiefs were frustrated that their operatives had not recruited Oppenheimer. But the Russians did penetrate the Manhattan Project  the greatest security breach in U.S. history.

An excerpt from British security agency MI5s dossier on J. Robert Oppenheimer describes efforts to persuade Oppenheimer and other scientists to share information about their atomic bomb research with the Soviet Union. Calder Walton

All the Kremlins men

Multiple scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project provided critical information about U.S. atomic bomb research to the Soviet Union.

Oppenheimer focuses on Klaus Fuchs, a brilliant theoretical physicist who fled from Nazi Germany to Britain and became a British naturalized subject. From the time he started to work on Britains wartime atom bomb project, Fuchs was in what he later described as continuous contact with Soviet intelligence, providing theoretical calculations that were necessary to build the atom bomb.

General Leslie Groves, the military commander of the Manhattan Project, later blamed the British for failing to identify Fuchs as a Soviet spy. Thats correct. But the declassified dossier on Fuchs from Britains security service, MI5, shows that at the time, the agency did not have any positive, reliable evidence of Fuchss communism. MI5 knew that Fuchs was anti-Nazi, but not that he was pro-Soviet.

Los Alamos worker identification photo of theoretical physicist Klaus Fuchs, who passed information to the Soviet Union about the construction of nuclear weapons. Corbis via Getty Images

As I discuss in my new book, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, other spies at Los Alamos included a prodigious scientist, Theodore Ted Hall (code name MLAD, or Young); Julius Rosenberg (code name ANTENNA, later LIBERAL); David Greenglass (BUMBLEBEE, CALIBER). Other Soviet spies, like the British scientist Alan Nunn May, worked in other parts of the Manhattan Project.

These men had multiple motives for betraying U.S. atomic secrets. They were communist true believers and thought atomic weapons were too powerful to be held by one country alone. Moreover, they had a (misguided) defense  that the Soviet Union was Americas wartime ally, so they were only delivering secrets to an allied government. But as Nolan correctly shows in the movie, when Chevalier approached Oppenheimer with the same argument, Oppenheimer retorted that it was still treason.

Soviet espionage inside the Manhattan Project would change history. By the end of World War II, Stalins spies had delivered the secrets of the atomic bomb to the Kremlin. This accelerated Moscows bomb project. When the Soviets detonated their first atomic weapon in August 1949, it was a replica of the weapon built at Los Alamos and dropped by the Americans on Nagasaki.

Even now, nearly 80 years later, secrets about Soviet nuclear espionage are still emerging. One Soviet agent whose espionage has only recently been revealed is George Koval (code name DEVAL), an American engineer who was drafted into the Manhattan Project, where he worked on polonium bomb initiators at a facility in Dayton, Ohio.

After Koval died in 2006, at the age of 93, Russias ministry of defense disclosed that the initiator for the first Soviet atomic bomb was prepared to specifications provided by Koval. Putin posthumously honored Koval as a Hero of Russia, offering a champagne toast in his honor.

Today, Los Alamos National Laboratory is one of three federal labs that maintain the U.S. nuclear arsenal. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

New targets

If Nolans film inspires audiences to read the deeply researched biography of Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, which inspired Nolan to make this movie, or other accounts of the Manhattan Project or the Cold War, they will find that the underlying tissues of science and espionage remain alive.

Today, the world stands at the edge of technological revolutions that will transform societies in the 21st century, much as nuclear weapons did in the 20th century: artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biological engineering. Watching Oppenheimer makes me wonder whether hostile foreign governments may already have stolen keys to unlocking these new technologies, in the same way the Soviets did with the atom bomb.

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: Calder Walton, Harvard Kennedy School.

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Calder Walton 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.
By Joan Faus and Belen Carreno

BARCELONA/MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) has started talks with other parties to seek their support to lead a new government while the ruling Socialist (PSOE) party said it wanted to avoid a repeat ballot after Sunday's election produced a hung parliament.

PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo hailed an "indisputable" victory in Sunday's election even though the right failed to clinch a predicted outright majority.

The PP and the far-right Vox, who were touted as potential coalition partners, earned a combined 169 seats in the 350-seat lower house, falling short of the 176 lawmakers needed to secure a parliamentary majority. It can only form a government with the support of other smaller parties.

"I have initiated the talks taking into account that Spaniards have decided not to give anyone an absolute majority," Feijoo said, adding: "We will not be held hostage by anyone."

The ruling Socialists and far-left Sumar won 153 seats - a better-than-expected performance.

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has more options to form a government and is expected to seek support from small Basque and Catalan separatist parties, as he did following 2019's election.

Among these are left-wing separatist party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), which has seven seats. Sanchez would also likely need the backing of the more hardline Junts, which has not supported him in the past four years and also holds seven seats.

The PP will be given the first stab at trying to cobble together enough votes in parliament to form a government. But a deal with Vox and its tough stance on separatism will make it difficult to gain support from any other faction.

The People's Union of Navarre (UPN) - which has one seat - is the only other centre-right party expected to support Feijoo's bid for the premiership, leaving him six votes short.

The regionalist Canary Coalition, which also has one lawmaker, governs in the Canary Islands together with the PP but has publicly rejected Vox's discourse.

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The remaining parties have signalled their opposition to any coalition that includes the far right.

'PLAYING HARDBALL'

Sanchez's chances of success could be decided by former Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium since leading a failed push to split Catalonia from Spain in 2017.

If Sanchez can secure the five seats from the Basque Nationalist Party, six seats from Bildu and seven seats from ERC, as he did in 2020, an abstention from Junts would still be enough for his PSOE-Sumar coalition to win an investiture vote.

Junts Secretary General Jordi Turull said on Monday he would use the "window of opportunity" created by the election impasse to achieve Catalan independence.

Turull was among the nine Catalan jailed separatist leaders pardoned by Sanchez in 2021 for their role in the 2017 independence bid. However, many more are still facing trial, chief amongst them Puigdemont.

Puigdemont, who still wields considerable influence within Junts, said in mid-July the party would not support Sanchez. Early on Monday he tweeted that Junts is a party that keeps its word.

Puigdemont was stripped of the immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament earlier this month, paving the way for his extradition. Spain's prosecutor on Monday reissued a capture order against Puigdemont. He could face between six to 12 years in prison for embezzlement, the prosecutor's office said.

A PSOE source said the party was confident of reaching an agreement but that negotiations would take time.

"We are sure about that, and that there will be no repetition (of the election)," the source said.

Sumar lawmaker Jaume Asens has already begun talks with Junts on the platform's behalf, a source in the party said.

IN LIMBO

Going into the election, the PP looked set to forge a winning alliance with Vox - an outcome that would have brought hardline nationalists into government for the first time since the end of the Franco dictatorship and Spain's return to democracy in the 1970s.

The deadlock leaves the country in limbo. If neither bloc is able to garner enough parliamentary support to form a government, a second election around Christmas-time is probable, Eurointelligence said in a note.

Another PSOE source said the party would leave the PP to make the first attempt to form a government.

"There's no rush, let Feijoo do what he wants to do," the source said. "The next step is to go on holiday."

(Reporting by Joan Faus in Barcelona and Belen Carreno and Emma Pinedo in Madrid; additional reporting by Inti Landauro; writing by Charlie Devereux; editing by Angus MacSwan, Aislinn Laing and Christina Fincher)
The Spanish Ministry of Defence reported on sending Ukraine a batch of humanitarian and military assistance, which includes the last batch of Leopard 2A4 tanks.

Source: message of the Spanish Ministry of Defence, referenced by European Pravda

Details: The Spanish Ministry of Defence reported that a ship with said cargo departed from the port of Santander in the direction of Ukraine, and is expected to be fully delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in early August.

Quote: "The cargo sent by Spain consists of four Leopard 2A4 tanks in addition to six Leopard 2s with the same characteristics that have been transferred to the Ukrainian government."

In addition, Spain sent ten TOA M-113 armoured vehicles (three of them for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine), ten heavy trucks (five for border guards, the rest for the Armed Forces of Ukraine), and an armoured multi-purpose vehicle (for border guards).

The cargo also includes three civilian ambulances and an armoured ambulance, as well as an armoured civilian ambulance (for border guards).

Earlier:

Last week, Spain also reported on sending a field hospital to Ukraine, which arrived in Poland on Sunday, 23 July.

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Leopard 2A4 tanks

Ukraine will soon receive another installment of security assistance from Spain, which includes four Leopard-2A4 main battle tanks and a dozen of armored vehicles, Spanish Defense Ministry said on July 24.

The cargo was shipped from the port of Santander, and, according to the message, will arrive in Ukraine in early August.

Read also: Russians pretend they destroyed Ukrainian Leopards but showcase own losses

"The cargo sent by Spain consists of four Leopard-2A4 tanks in addition to the six Leopard-2 tanks of the same kind that have already been transferred to the Ukrainian side," the ministry said in a message on its website.

Spain's assistance also includes 10 M113 armored personnel carriers, trucks, and five battlefield ambulances.

Read also: Ukraines top diplomat calls out Russian spin about F-16s being nuclear threat

Earlier, Denmark and the Netherlands announced a purchase of 14 Leopard-2 tanks for Ukraine, to be delivered in 2024.

Read also: Germany transfers first batch of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine

Copenhagen also announced the provision of 100 Leopard-1 tanks to Ukraine, with deliveries starting this summer. According to Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, Copenhagen aims to transfer at least 80 of these tanks by the end of 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Four were shot, and one woman has died after an illegal street racing erupted in gun violence early Sunday morning in Seattles Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Police said the initial call for the racing came in around 1:30 a.m. A video of the gathering posted to social media shows a series of cars doing donuts in the East Pike Street and Broadway intersection. The Seattle Police Department said they tried to break up the crowd, but the large group refused. Police instead had to stay nearby, watch, and respond if something happened.

Its like every time theres a big event that happens in the area somethings almost bound to happen because things happen when nothing is going on, said Natasha Pegram, who works near the intersection.

Officers monitoring the crowd heard gunshots around 4 a.m. Police said found two victims needed life-saving measures.

Police said one of them, a 20-year-old woman, died on Tuesday from her injuries. Two more people were also hit. They both took themselves to Harborview.

This shooting happened just weeks after a man was stabbed to death, on the same corner.

That was a little rough. I wasnt here the day after it happened but I know my staff had a lot to deal with. I know Seattle PD came and talked to my manager. They asked for camera footage. It was a little rough, said Natasha.

Right before the shooting, the music festival Capitol Hill Block Party was happening in the same area. We reached out to organizers who sent us this statement:

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families who have been affected by this incident. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time, and we stand in solidarity with our community in denouncing any form of violence.

While we are fully cooperating with the authorities to assist in any way possible with their investigation, it is important to clarify that the incident that took place early Sunday morning was in no way associated with Capitol Hill Block Party, nor any festival-goers or personnel.

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Our festival organizers prioritize the safety and security of all attendees, staff and artists, and take extensive measures in collaboration with local law enforcement and security teams to ensure a secure and peaceful environment throughout the event. The festival site itself remains unaffected, and all performances and activities will continue as scheduled without interruption.

Once again, our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support from our festival community. - Daydream State

In April, an intersection away at Broadway and East Pine Street, activist Elijah Lewis was shot and killed while his 9-year-old nephew was in the car with him. The car came to a stop at Harvard and East Pike Street.

Harvard and Pike, thats where I live, and they blocked the streets, said a neighbor. It was a shooting, people died and its just sad and Im thinking actually to move out from this area because its not safe anymore.

Seattle PD said while investigators looked into Sunday mornings shooting, they heard more gunshots. Those happened near Harvard Avenue and East Union Street. A man told officers someone shot at him. Police say they also found bullet shell casings in that area. There is no suspect information, police ask anyone with information to call the violent crime tip line at 206-233-5000.
MADRID (AP)  Spain may be facing political gridlock and possibly a new election, but a national ballot produced one result that will be welcomed across the capitals of Europe: a far-right party aiming to get its hands on the levers of power was thwarted.

Spains Vox party, with its ultranationalist bent, lost support among voters in Sunday's election, dashing its hopes to be a kingmaker and enter a governing coalition that would have given the far right its first share of power in Spain since Francisco Francos 20th century dictatorship.

The mainstream conservative Popular Party won the election, but performed well below polling data that had forecast it could oust Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez if it formed a government with Vox as a junior partner.

Even though Sanchezs Socialists finished second, they and their allied parties celebrated the outcome as a victory since their combined forces gained slightly more seats than the Popular Party and Vox. The bloc that would likely support Sanchez totaled 172 seats, while parties on the right had 170.

This is a major victory for the left, Dr. Jason Xidias, a lecturer in Political Science at New York Universitys Madrid campus, said Monday.

Political horse-trading in coming weeks, when smaller regional parties could offer their support for a government in return for concessions, will be very complicated, Xidias said.

The closer-than-expected outcome placed a question mark over Spains future leadership. But the Popular Party insisted it could not be denied its shot at forming a government.

Nobody would understand it now if (other parties) all came together to prevent the party that won the elections from becoming the government, the PPs deputy secretary Miguel Tellado told public broadcaster RTVE on Monday.

Sanchez put together Spains first ever coalition government, which took power in Jan. 2020. Sanchez has been Spains prime minister since 2018.

Socialist voter Delphine Fernandez said she hopes Sanchez can stay in power. She is crossing her fingers that she and the 37 million Spaniards called to vote dont have to do it all over again like in 2019, when Sanchez had to score back-to-back election victories before he was able to forge a coalition government.

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It was always going to be difficult. Now we are (practically) tied, but lets see if we can still govern, said Fernandez, a lawyer. I don't want to vote again in a few weeks. It's now or never.

But the chances of Sanchez picking up the support of the 176 lawmakers needed to have an absolute majority in the Madrid-based Lower House of Parliament are not great.

The divided results have made the Catalan separatist party Junts (Together) key to Sanchez forming a government. But if Junts asked for a referendum on independence for northeast Catalonia, that would likely be far too costly a price for Sanchez to pay.

We wont make Pedro Sanchez PM in exchange for nothing, Miriam Nogueras of Junts said.

With all votes counted, the Popular Party collected 136 seats of the 350 up for grabs. Even with the 33 seats that the far-right Vox got and the one seat going to an allied party, the PP was still seven seats short of a majority.

The Socialists gathered 122 seats, two more than they previously held. Sanchez could likely call on the 31 seats of its junior coalition partner Sumar (Joining Forces) and several smaller parties to at least total more than the sum of the right-wing parties, but also would fall four short of a majority unless Junts joined them.

Spain and all the citizens who have voted have made themselves clear. The backward-looking bloc that wanted to undo all that we have done has failed, Sanchez told a jubilant crowd gathered at Socialists headquarters in Madrid.

After his party took a beating in regional and local elections in May, Sanchez could have waited until December to face a national vote. Instead, he stunned his rivals by moving up the vote in hopes of gaining a bigger boost from his supporters.

Sanchez can add this election night to yet another comeback in his career that has been built around beating the odds. The 51-year-old had to mount a mutiny among rank-and-file Socialists to return to heading his party before he won Spains only no-confidence vote to oust his Popular Party predecessor in 2018.

PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo seemed even more unlikely to put together a majority.

Feijoo focused the PPs campaign on what he called the lack of trustworthiness of Sanchez. The Socialists and other leftist parties, meanwhile, drummed on the fear of having Vox in power as a junior partner in a PP-led coalition.

A PP-Vox government would have meant another EU member moved firmly to the right, a trend seen recently in Sweden, Finland and Italy. Countries such as Germany and France are concerned about what such a shift would portend for EU immigration and climate policies.

Vox, however, lost 19 seats from four years earlier. The election took place during Spains six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, and a strong Vox showing would have sent shockwaves through EU politics.

Feijoo sought to distance the PP from Vox during the campaign. But Sanchez, in moving up the election, made the campaign coincide with the PP and Vox striking deals to govern together in town halls and regional governments following the May ballots.

Vox campaigned on rolling back gender violence laws. And both the PP and Vox agreed on wanting to repeal a new transgender rights law and a democratic memory law that seeks to help families wanting to unearth the thousands of victims of Francos regime still missing in mass graves.

PP has been a victim of its expectations, and the Socialists have been able to capitalize on the fear of the arrival of Vox. Bringing forward the elections has turned out to be the right decision for Pedro Sanchez, said Manuel Mostaza, director of Public Policy at the Spanish consulting firm Atrevia.

Spains new Parliament will meet in a month. King Felipe VI then appoints one of the party leaders to submit him or herself to a parliamentary vote to form a new government. Lawmakers have a maximum period of three months to reach an agreement. Otherwise, new elections would be triggered.

___

Wilson reported from Barcelona. AP journalists Aritz Parra, Renata Brito, David Brunat, Iain Sullivan, Maria Gestoso, Alicia Leon and Jose Maria Garcia contributed to this report.
Over four years after a man was shot and killed during a reported robbery in Springfield, police have arrested the woman they believe is responsible for the crimes.

Brooke Jacks, 33, was arrested last week, according to an arrest report. Springfield Police Sergeant James Byron said she was arrested through the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Task Force.

>> Dayton man dead after motorcycle crash in Butler Township

Jacks was indicted by a Clark County grand jury on three counts of murder and one count each of aggravated murder, felonious assault, and aggravated robbery.

Shes accused of shooting and killing Jose Hermilo Lopez Guiterrez, 50, in May 2019. Guiterrez was shot in the area of Clifton and East Grand avenues.

Guiterrez, who was originally from California, was living in Springfield on a work permit.

In the days following the shooting, News Center 7 obtained surveillance video of the suspect in the shooting walking to the home where the shooting happened. Moments later, the individual could be seen limping away with their hood up. Digital evidence like that and information from the public helped police identify Jacks as the suspect.

>> Dayton Air Show: Organizers look ahead to 50th anniversary show as 2023 show brings in record crowd

We would like to thank the publics input, for the public for giving their input. Without their help, this would have been a much more difficult case on our stand, Byron said.

Jacks remained in jail. Court records do not indicate when she will appear in court next. If convicted, she could face life in prison.
A phone surveillance app called Spyhide is stealthily collecting private phone data from tens of thousands of Android devices around the world, new data shows.

Spyhide is a widely used stalkerware (or spouseware) app that is planted on a victim's phone, often by someone with knowledge of their passcode. The app is designed to stay hidden on a victim's phone's home screen, making it difficult to detect and remove. Once planted, Spyhide silently and continually uploads the phone's contacts, messages, photos, call logs and recordings, and granular location in real time.

Despite their stealth and broad access to a victim's phone data, stalkerware apps are notoriously buggy and are known to spill, leak or otherwise put victims' stolen private data at further risk of exposure, underlying the risks that phone surveillance apps pose.

Now, Spyhide is the latest spyware operation added to that growing list.

Switzerland-based hacker maia arson crimew said in a blog post that the spyware maker exposed a portion of its development environment, allowing access to the source code of the web-based dashboard that abusers use to view the stolen phone data of their victims. By exploiting a vulnerability in the dashboard's shoddy code, crimew gained access to the back-end databases, exposing the inner workings of the secretive spyware operation and its suspected administrators.

Crimew provided TechCrunch with a copy of Spyhide's text-only database for verification and analysis.

Years of stolen phone data

Spyhide's database contained detailed records of about 60,000 compromised Android devices, dating back to 2016 up to the date of exfiltration in mid-July. These records included call logs, text messages and precise location history dating back years, as well as information about each file, such as when a photo or video was taken and uploaded, and when calls were recorded and for how long.

TechCrunch fed close to two million location data points into an offline geospatial and mapping software, allowing us to visualize and understand the spyware's global reach.

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Our analysis shows Spyhide's surveillance network spans every continent, with clusters of thousands of victims in Europe and Brazil. The U.S. has more than 3,100 compromised devices, a fraction of the total number worldwide, yet these U.S. victims are still some of the most surveilled victims on the network by the quantity of location data alone. One U.S. device compromised by Spyhide had quietly uploaded more than 100,000 location data points.

Millions of location data points visualized on a blue map of the United States

Hundreds of thousands of location data points collected by Spyhide stalkerware on a map of the United States. Image Credits: TechCrunch

Spyhide's database also contained records on 750,000 users who signed up to Spyhide with the intention of planting the spyware app on a victims device.

Although the high number of users suggests an unhealthy appetite for using surveillance apps, most users who signed up did not go on to compromise a phone or pay for the spyware, the records show.

That said, while most of the compromised Android devices were controlled by a single user, our analysis showed that more than 4,000 users were in control of more than one compromised device. A smaller number of user accounts were in control of dozens of compromised devices.

The data also included 3.29 million text messages containing highly personal information, such as two-factor codes and password reset links; more than 1.2 million call logs containing the phone numbers of the receiver and the length of the call, plus about 312,000 call recording files; more than 925,000 contact lists containing names and phone numbers; and records for 382,000 photos and images. The data also had details on close to 6,000 ambient recordings stealthily recorded from the microphone from the victim's phone.

Made in Iran, hosted in Germany

On its website, Spyhide makes no reference to who runs the operation or where it was developed. Given the legal and reputational risks associated with selling spyware and facilitating the surveillance of others, it's not uncommon for spyware administrators to try to keep their identities hidden.

But while Spyhide tried to conceal the administrator's involvement, the source code contained the name of two Iranian developers who profit from the operation. One of the developers, Mostafa M., whose LinkedIn profile says he is currently located in Dubai, previously lived in the same northeastern Iranian city as the other Spyhide developer, Mohammad A., according to registration records associated with Spyhide's domains.

The developers did not respond to several emails requesting comment.

Stalkerware apps like Spyhide, which explicitly advertise and encourage secret spousal surveillance, are banned from Google's app store. Instead, users have to download the spyware app from Spyhide's website.

TechCrunch installed the spyware app on a virtual device and used a network traffic analysis tool to understand what data was flowing in and out of the device. This virtual device meant we could run the app in a protective sandbox without giving it any real data, including our location. The traffic analysis showed that the app was sending our virtual device's data to a server hosted by German web hosting giant Hetzner.

When reached for comment, Hetzner spokesperson Christian Fitz told TechCrunch that the web host does not allow the hosting of spyware. In the days after the publication of this story, Spyhide's domain became inaccessible.

What you can do

Android spyware apps are often disguised as a normal-looking Android app or process, so finding these apps can be tricky. Spyhide masquerades as a Google-themed app called "Google Settings" featuring a cog icon, or a ringtone app called "T.Ringtone" with a musical note icon. Both apps request permission to access a device's data, and immediately begin sending private data to its servers.

You can check your installed apps through the apps menu in the Settings, even if the app is hidden on the home screen.

A screenshot showing the Spyhide app as "Google Settings" and "T.Ringtone"

Image Credits: TechCrunch

We have a general guide that can help you remove Android spyware, if its safe to do so. Remember that switching off spyware will likely alert the person who planted it.

Switching on Google Play Protect is a helpful safeguard that protects against malicious Android apps, like spyware. You can enable it from the settings menu in Google Play.

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) provides 24/7 free, confidential support to victims of domestic abuse and violence. If you are in an emergency situation, call 911. The Coalition Against Stalkerware also has resources if you think your phone has been compromised by spyware.
The legendary stamp "Russian warship, go...!" has received the highest award at the Italian International Prize of Philatelic Art City of Asiago.

Source: Ukrposhta, Ukrainian national postal operator, reported that the organisers themselves call the award a "philatelic Oscar".

Ukrposhta won the award for the best stamp among 35 participating countries.



The legendary stamp

The solemn ceremony and award presentation took place on 23 July 2023 in Piazza Asiago, Vicenza. Andrii Kartysh, Consul General of Ukraine in Milan, received the award for Ukrposhta.

This year, the Asiago international philatelic award celebrated its 53rd anniversary. The international jury of the competition includes specialists in philatelic literature, artists, philatelists, parliamentarians and government officials.

Previously, Ukrainian postage stamps were also recognised by the global philatelic community.

In 2021, the Cry of the Carpathians postage stamp was awarded bronze in the EUROPA National Nature on the Verge of Extinction programme in the competition for the Best European Postage Stamp 2021.

In 2019, the postage stamp Glory to Ukraine! received gold at the prestigious international competition Nexofil Award 2020 (Spain) in the category The Most Original Stamp Format in the World.

In 2018, the Insects of Ukraine stamp won three international awards at once: the WIPA Grand Prix (Austria), the Nexofil Award (Spain) and the Asiago Award (Italy).

Background: The words of the Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island about the Russian warship were recognised as the phrase of 2022 in Lithuania, and the stamp Russian Warship, Go... was recognised as the best in the world in 2022.

Ukrposhta launched the stamp with the phrase, a response from the defenders of Zmiinyi Island to the Russian warship, on 12 April. The stamp has gained immense popularity both in Ukraine and abroad.

However, despite numerous requests, Ukrposhta refused to print more popular stamps. Ihor Smilianskyi explained that stamps are "not toilet paper, and they cannot be printed in larger quantities than the rules stipulate".

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UPDATE: State police tell Channel 11 Sarah Hopkins was found. They say she was located with a stolen car in Ohio.

State police say a warrant for her is forthcoming.

ORIGINAL STORY: Pennsylvania authorities are searching for a missing woman out of Ohio who they say may be driving a stolen car.

State police say they were searching Ridgeview Road and Moorehead Road in Winfield Township, Butler County, for 20-year-old Sarah Hopkins Monday morning. That search is no longer ongoing.

Hopkins is considered missing and endangered by the Cambridge, Ohio, police department.

Hopkins is 54 and weighs 150-160 lbs. She has blue hair. She was last seen wearing brown boots, black leggings, a black long-sleeve shirt and wearing a red handkerchief on her head. Her car was found near the search location.

State police say a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado with PA registration ZPT-8039 was stolen from a garage near where the search was taking place. Hopkins is believed to be driving that car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Butler.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

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Search launched after man jumps from Carnival cruise ship, officials say Woman in labor taken from Picklesburgh to hospital 4 people injured in Ligonier Township crash involving several motorcycles VIDEO: New Kensington Bridge to colose until September for construction work DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The body of a missing Massachusetts farm worker was recovered from a pickup truck that was found submerged in a pond on Monday morning, officials said.

Divers and a helicopter crew found the body of a 21-year-old Mexican national in a truck that was submerged in eight feet of water in a retention pond at Pine Island Farm in Sheffield just before 12 p.m., according to Massachusetts State Police.

The victim, whose name hasnt been released, was last seen Sunday night in the cab of the truck. He was employed at the farm as a harvester and also lived on the property.

State police said troopers in a helicopter spotted the truck and divers contended with near-zero visibility in the retention pond to make the recovery.

There were no immediate signs indicating the mans death was suspicious, according to investigators.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and state police detectives assigned to Berkshire County will determine the mans cause and manner of death.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Donald Trump Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump reposted an ominous video on his Truth Social platform last week in which he can be heard making a threat against someone.

"If you f**k around with us, if you do something bad to us, we are going to do things to you that have never been done before," Trump said in the audio clip.

The original audio is from a 2020 interview in which the former president discusses Iran with conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh. However in the reposted clip, the audio omits mention of Iran and instead plays over a black-and-white image of Trump's face and his 2024 campaign logo. MAGA.com, which produced the video, captioned its post "We aren't afraid of them."

"President Trump has made similar remarks on social media and during rallies, so this may be part of a strategy to rile up his political base and have others put pressure on the special counsel and other legal teams investigating his past conduct," Javed Ali, an associate professor of practice at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, told Salon.

Trump promoted the video on Truth Social ahead of a possible third indictment, this time in special Jack Smith's investigation into Jan. 6 and efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.

For Trump, who frequently publicizes his legal troubles and rages over ongoing investigations, the threats aren't anything new. He has a history of ranting on social media following any legal scrutiny he faces.

"To be prosecutable, a communication must amount to a 'true threat,' that is, a threat to commit a specific harm against a particular individual or group," former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade, a University of Michigan law professor, told Salon. "Although Trump's rhetoric is dangerous, it likely does not yet cross that legal line."

Last summer, after the FBI conducted a search of Mar-a-Lago, Trump took to Truth Social saying: "Prosecutorial misconduct and Weaponization, the likes of which [have] never been seen before, is taking place at many different Radical left Democrat levels. I don't know how much more our Country will be willing to withstand?"

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Then in December, he employed similar rhetoric, threatening that "THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY AREN'T GOING TO TAKE IT MUCH LONGER."

Some of his threats have gone as far as warning of "potential death and destruction" while Trump was being investigated by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for making hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Following his repeated threats against Bragg, in which the former president called him a "Soros backed animal" and encouraged his supporters to "protest" his widely anticipated arrest, the DA's office received a death threat letter with suspicious powder, which was later determined non-hazardous.

While similar behavior hasn't taken place in the grand jury investigation yet, the judge overseeing the case could have other issues with the former president's conduct.

"The judge is likely to have a big problem with Trump if he starts saying publicly that the evidence being presented in court is not the whole story, because that would taint the jury pool and allow potential jurors to question the integrity of the trial itself," former Los Angeles County prosecutor and criminal defense attorney with El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, Joshua Ritter, told Salon.

As a result, the judge assigned the case could issue a gag order in the case, which would prevent Trump from commenting about evidence or parties, he added.

"The judge would have to show a reason for the gag order, because it involves infringing on a person's constitutional rights and judges don't take that lightly," Ritter said. "Even with all Trump's bravado and bloviation, I don't think we've gotten there yet where a gag order is necessary."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Trump has already been indicted in New York on charges related to allegedly falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment scheme as well as in the classified documents case.

But this hasn't deterred him from running for the Republican nomination for president. His legal team has even attempted to delay many of his legal proceedings until after next year's election.

"If the prosecution of Donald Trump in the documents case or any other case against him becomes centered on his character and how he tries to use his speech to inflame others, then I think his latest statements may become another example of that," Ritter said. "Especially in the Jan. 6 investigation, which seems to be centered on Trump's rhetoric, if he continues to double down on that rhetoric it could backfire on him in court. His statements could be used against him."

Read more

about the Trump investigations
Stellantis announced plans Monday to build a second EV battery plant in the United States. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI

July 24 (UPI) -- Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep, said on Monday it was partnering with Samsung to build a second electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in the United States.

The company said the site for the second plant was "currently under review" but anticipated it would be online in 2027.

"This new facility will contribute to reaching our aggressive target to offer at least 25 new battery electric vehicles for the North American market by the end of the decade," Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a statement.

"We are continuing to add more capacity in the United States together with our great partner Samsung SDI and laying the next steps to reaching our carbon neutrality commitment by 2038."

Stellantis is the world's fourth-largest automaker, comprised of the merger of Fiat Chrysler and French PSA Group. Stellantis also builds Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Maserati.

"By establishing the joint venture with Stellantis last year, we laid a solid groundwork for marking our presence in North America," Samsung SDI President and CEO Yoon-ho Choi said in a statement.

"The second plant will accelerate our market penetration into the U.S. and help Stellantis push forward the U.S. transition to an era of electric vehicles by supplying products featuring the highest levels of safety and quality."

Stellantis in May announced plans to build its first battery plant in Kokomo, Ind., north of Indianapolis, which is scheduled to open in 2025.

The Kokomo plant will have an annual production of 33 gigawatts per hour, or GWh, an increase from the target of 23 GWh.

Stellantis said the Kokomo plant would create 1,400 new jobs in north central Indiana.

Stellantis is targeting battery-electric vehicle sales of five million a year worldwide by 2030 and has announced plans for five battery plants in Europe and North America, including a $4.1 billion joint venture with LG Energy Solutions for a plant in Canada.
A high-speed pursuit of a stolen Hyundai Tuscon in Washington ended with the vehicle bursting into flames in Surrey, British Columbia, on Saturday night.

Emil Abdullah Tunsel, 21, from Irvine, California, allegedly stole the vehicle out of Seattle. Washington State Patrol was alerted to the vehicle after someone called 911 to let them know there was a person driving erratically in Skagit County.

When troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled and continued north at a high speed close to 115 mph. WSP had to terminate their pursuit of the vehicle after Tunsel crossed the Nexus Lane border, said Washington State Patrol District 7 Public Information Officer Kelsey Harding. They informed the border patrol about the pursuit when they were nearing the Canadian border.

According to reports from Hardings Twitter on Sunday, Tunsel allegedly continued driving erratically and did not stop after he entered Canada. A mile onto Highway 99 in Surrey, the vehicle collided with another vehicle. The Hyundai burst into flames becoming fully engulfed. Tunsel was able to get out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but Royal Canadian Mounted Police attempted to restrain him. He was tased and tackled by RCMP after Tunsel allegedly tried to fight them off.

Tunsel was treated for his injuries in British Columbia and arrested by WSP on suspicion of operating without a license, attempting to elude the police and second-degree theft of a motor vehicle.

Tunsel was booked and taken into custody in the Whatcom County Jail at 10:35 a.m. Sunday.
Odesa City Council has clarified the number of buildings in the city damaged as a result of the Russian missile attack on 23 July. Now it is not up to 50, as previously believed, but more than 60, including 28 architectural landmarks.

Source: Odesa City Council on Telegram

Details: As per the information available at the moment, 61 buildings and 146 apartments were damaged in the attack on Odesa on 23 July.

City utility workers are currently clearing the rubble and the roads.

Quote: "The damage to 28 landmarks, which are considered cultural heritage, is being recorded.

Utility services are also registering damage in the apartments of Odesa residents to ensure that they receive financial assistance from the city budget.

Odesa residents can also apply for state aid through the E-Reconstruction feature in the Diia application." [Diia is a Ukrainian e-governance web portal and mobile app  ed.]

Background:

On the night of 22-23 July, the Russians fired 19 missiles of various types at Odesa Oblast, including five Oniks missiles. Air defence forces shot down nine missiles.

Earlier, it was reported that the strike damaged nearly 50 buildings, including 25 architectural landmarks in the historic centre of Odesa, which is under UNESCO protection.

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(Bloomberg) -- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to meet his 2019 election manifesto commitment of building 1 million new homes over the course of this Parliament, as he tried to restore support in his Conservative party following a drubbing in two special elections last week.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Sunaks renewed pledge on Sunday night came ahead of a speech by Housing and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove on Monday, in which he is expected to set out new measures to streamline the UKs planning system in an effort to build more homes.

His reforms could make it easier to convert premises such as takeaways and betting shops into new houses, at a time when a shortage of properties is driving up rents and keeping housing costs high  worsening the UKs cost-of-living crunch ahead of a general election expected next year.

I can confirm that we will meet our manifesto commitment to build 1 million homes over this Parliament, Sunak said in a statement. We wont do that by concreting over the countryside  our plan is to build the right homes where there is the most need and where there is local support, in the heart of Britains great cities.

It came as the ruling Conservative party suffered two defeats in by-elections last week, losing seats in the North Yorkshire constituency of Selby and Ainsty to Labour and the West Country constituency of Somerton and Frome to the centrist Liberal Democrats.

Read more: Tories Urge New Sunak Strategy, Cabinet After Election Losses

The Tories narrowly held on in the London suburb of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, previously the constituency of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but at a national level the party is still trailing the Labour opposition by about 20 points in recent polls.

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The planning changes would be focused on regenerating disused brownfield land, streamlining planning process and helping homeowners to renovate and extend their houses outwards and upwards, Sunak added.

However they were met with scepticism by Labours Shadow Levelling Up secretary Lisa Nandy, who said they were a drop in the ocean compared to what was needed.

The Local Government Association, which represents local authorities in England and Wales, also warned the proposals could lead to substandard developments.

It comes after Sunak was criticized for watering down a previous target to build 300,000 homes every year, after a number of Tory MPs raised objections.

But housing is now set to be a key battleground for the UKs major political parties ahead of a general election which must be held by early 2025 at the latest. Rising mortgage costs and a shortage of stock are pushing up rents to record levels and suppressing an expected dip in house prices, adding to the UKs cost-of-living crisis.

Read more: UK Property Rental Prices Rise at Fastest Pace Since 2016

In an interview with the Telegraph published on Sunday, Gove also suggested that the Conservative party may ease pressure on landlords by delaying its own plans to force private rented housing to meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2028.

My own strong view is that were asking too much too quickly, Gove told the newspaper. We do want to move towards greater energy efficiency, but just at this point, when landlords face so much, I think that we should relax the pace thats been set for people in the private rented sector.

Goves comments, which also cautioned against the UKs sustainability efforts becoming a religious crusade, followed a series of suggestions from figures in both major political parties that so-called green targets may be dialed back in an effort to appeal to a broader base of voters.

Undersecretary for housing Lee Rowley told Times Radio that Labours unexpected defeat in Uxbridge last week  which was blamed on the partys plans to extend the capitals ultra-low emission zone or Ulez, in which motorists must pay a fee to drive polluting vehicles  showed that green ambitions must be pursued in a careful manner.

Speaking at Labours National Policy Forum in Nottingham on Saturday, the opposition leader Keir Starmer said Labour must face up to the consequences of its push to expand Ulez and that it was doing something wrong if its policies were being used by its political opponents to further their own campaigns.

Read more: UK Borrowing Undershoot Raises Hopes for Tax Cuts Next Year

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Residents of Guam are dealing with damage, water supply issues and widespread power outages after the small US territory was walloped by hurricane-force winds and overwhelming rainfall from powerful Typhoon Mawar.

A typhoon warning for the island was lifted at 5 p.m. on Thursday, but strong winds persist and residents should stay at home until conditions improve, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said.

Guam weathered the worst of the storms direct impact when Mawars eye passed just north of the island Wednesday night local time, battering the island with powerful winds and torrential rains.

No deaths have been reported and there were no significant injuries, Guerrero told CNN on Thursday, adding that the typhoon did leave a lot of damage and flooding, but the situation was not as bad as authorities feared.

Water supply has also been disrupted in parts of the island, journalist Gina Reilly told CNN from Barrigada in central Guam on Thursday.

Ive been here for twenty years. This is the strongest one that I have experienced, Reilly said.

Guam Power Authority is now working to restore power, it said in a statement Thursday. It reported on Wednesday that only 1,000 out of its approximately 52,000 customers still had power supply and Guam Memorial Hospital was operating on a standby generator.

The Hagatna River overflows it's banks and spills into the Bank of Guam parking lot in Hagatna, Guam, Thursday. - Rick Cruz/AP

The storm  the strongest to impact the island in decades  was still sweeping the island early Thursday with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and gusts of up to 165 mph, the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said.

As the storm continues to move away from Guam, it has strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane, with winds of 175 mph and gusts up to 205 mph. Its not expected to threaten land for the next several days, the warning center said.

The island was inundated with rain, with some areas receiving more than 20 inches over 24 hours. The northern village of Dededo saw 24.5 inches while the central west coast village of Piti had more than 22 inches. Though conditions are beginning to improve, the threat isnt over. Heavy rainfall, whipping winds and strong storm surge are still possible.

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We have weathered this storm. The worst has gone by, but we are going to continue experiencing tropical storm winds up to about 40 to 50 mph, so I ask you again to please stay home for your protection and your safety, Guerrero said in a video address.

Before the storms arrival, officials warned it could bring life-threatening storm surge and dangerous coastal flooding. Residents in low-lying coastal areas were ordered by Guerrero to evacuate as it approached.

Downed tree branches litter a neighborhood in Yona, Guam, on Thursday. - Adam Brown/AP

After President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Guam ahead of the typhoon, FEMA said it has more than 130 staff deployed or prepared to respond if disaster relief is needed.

The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is also headed toward Guam to potentially support recovery efforts following the typhoon, two US defense officials told CNN.

Mawar will continue to move west-northwest, away from Guam, toward the northern Philippines and Taiwan. The storm is forecast to strengthen over the next 12 to 24 hours, before slowly weakening.

Mawar is the fifth storm so far this year to reach this intensity, according to hurricane researcher Jeff Masters. Only five Category 5 strength storms develop each year on average, meaning 2023 has already had a years worth of these powerful storms, with nearly all of the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane/typhoon seasons still to come.

Guam is home to about 150,000 people and several US military installations. Super Typhoon Pongsona hit the island in 2002 with sustained winds of 144 miles per hour and gusts to 173 mph, according to the weather service.

CNNs Rob Shackelford, Monica Garrett, Oren Liebermann, Hamdi Alkhshali, Kristie Lu Stout, Alex Stambaugh, and Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report.

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Local residents take shelter during an air raid drill in Taipei (Jameson WU)

Taiwan held air raid drills simulating its response to Chinese missile attacks in several cities on Monday, the same day the island's military kicked off its annual war games.

Self-ruled Taiwan holds frequent defence drills in the face of increasing military and political pressures from China, which regards the island as its territory.

Preparation efforts also extend to its civilian population, with authorities stepping up drills in cities, citing lessons learned from Russia's invasion of Ukraine where the street-to-street warfare appears to be part of the defence strategy playbook.

"Because of the ongoing Ukraine-Russian war, the importance of the drill is for our residents to know how to evacuate," said Tsai Yin-fong, who organised Monday's evacuation in Taipei's Neihu district.

Residents in seven counties across northern Taiwan were subjected to emergency scenarios as part of Taiwan's "Wan An" air defence exercises, which translates to "everlasting peace".

As the sirens sounded in Neihu to signal an incoming missile attack, volunteers guided residents to nearby underground evacuation shelters, where they crouched to the ground and covered their eyes and ears.

In Taipei's southeastern Nangang district, firefighters simulated putting out a blaze caused by a missile attack on a train station, aiming their hoses at the building, and then rescuing a civilian from it.

Government employee Wu Kai-te, who had hidden in an underground parking lot as part of the drill, said these exercises were necessary because of China's military threats.

"Taiwan's international situation is more special because of the China factor," the 37-year-old told AFP.

"It's very practical for the public and it teaches us the right poses to take to avoid more damage during a missile attack."

The air raid drills will continue across Taiwan until Thursday.

Taiwan is also currently holding its largest annual military drills, known as "Han Kuang" (Han Glory), to simulate how it would fend off an attack from Beijing's army.

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Fighter jets and transport planes took off Monday from bases across the island, with Taiwan's defence ministry saying that the exercises "showcased the formidable capabilities of our air force".

But drills scheduled for Tuesday in the southern Taitung airport were cancelled as Typhoon Doksuri in Southeast Asia edges closer to Taiwan.

Beijing's sabre-rattling against Taiwan has intensified in recent years, with near-daily incursions by warplanes into the island's air defence zone.

The Chinese military has also held two massive drills in waters around Taiwan, simulating targeted strikes and a blockade of the island.

aw/dhc/dhw
The News

Taiwan began its annual Han Kuang live-fire exercises and air-raid drills Monday, in a show of strength against increasing aggression from China.

In recent weeks, Beijing has sent a record number of warships to waters surrounding the self-governed island, Taiwans Defense Ministry reported.

Weve curated reporting and expert analysis on this years war games and what it means for the residents of Taiwan.

Insights
GREEN BAY - The trial of a Green Bay woman charged with killing and dismembering her friend in February 2022 started Monday in Brown County Circuit Court.

Taylor Schabusiness, 25, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the killing. She also is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and mutilating a corpse.

Authorities say Shad Thyrion, 24, of Green Bay had been strangled with a metal chain and was decapitated on Feb. 23, 2022, in the basement of the west-side home he shared with his mother.

Schabusiness has been held in the Brown County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Here is a timeline of events in the case. The trial is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday before Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh. The prosecutor is Brown County Assistant District Attorney Caleb Saunders, and the defense attorney is Christopher Froelich. He joined the case after Schabusiness' defense lawyer, Quinn Jolly, was allowed to withdraw in February after she attacked him in court.

Green Bay police respond to a call at 3:25 a.m. to a home in the 800 block of Stony Brook Lane. They report a 24-year-old man was dead and a person was in custody in what was called a suspicious death. Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis holds a 10-minute press conference and wouldn't say how the man was killed except that his death "does not appear firearm-related." A person is arrested in the 2300 block of Eastman Avenue, on the city's east side.

Taylor Schabusiness

Taylor Schabusiness, who was 24 at the time, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, third-degree sexual assault, and mutilating a corpse. She had been taken into custody on Feb. 23. The criminal complaint outlines the grisly details of the victim's death  that he had been strangled, decapitated and dismembered.

County Court Commissioner Chad Resar sets bail at $2 million.

The victim in the case is identified Shad Thyrion, 24, of Green Bay. He and Schabusiness had been friends and involved in a sexual relationship, Schabusiness told investigators.

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Thyrion had been a Howard-Suamico School District and Bay Port High School student from 2010 to 2015, according to district officials. His obituary listed his parents as Tara Pakanich and Michael Thyrion and said he had worked with his father and grandfather at their family businesses. "Shad enjoyed camping, games, and spending time with his family," the obituary says. "He was a very kind and compassionate person who often thought of others before himself. A talented artist, he also enjoyed wood carving."

Judge Walsh orders Schabusiness to undergo a mental-health exam within 15 days of her arrival at a mental-health facility. It's the first of several discussions of her mental health.

Taylor Schabusiness, 24, of Green Bay appears on Zoom with Brown County Circuit Judge Thomas Walsh on April 13, at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. Schabusiness was arrested Feb. 23 and faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge. She is being held in the Brown County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Walsh says a court-appointed expert evaluated Schabusiness' mental health and found she was capable of assisting in her own defense. Defense attorney Jolly asks Walsh to appoint an expert to conduct a second evaluation, saying his client had been diagnosed with a mental disorder as early as seventh grade. Walsh rules that the defense must hire its own expert, saying that if Jolly wants to use an argument that "don't believe the first person picked, believe another," it won't fly in court.

After a four-hour hearing, Walsh rules Schabusiness is mentally competent to assist in her own defense.

Deborah Collins, testifying for the prosecution, finds Schabusiness cooperative and their 75-minute conversation "quite productive," though the defendant seemed distracted by hallucinations related to her methamphetamine use. Tracy Luchetta, testifying for the defense, says Schabusiness seemed "moderately impaired" and recommended she be treated at a psychiatric hospital in Oshkosh or Madison.

In a preliminary hearing for Schabusiness, Brown County Court Commissioner Paul Burke finds probable cause that a felony had been committed, and schedules Schabusiness to be arraigned on July 5, 2022.

Schabusiness appears in court but does not speak during a brief arraignment. Walsh enters not-guilty pleas on her behalf to the homicide charge and two other charges stemming from the killing.

Schabusiness' attorney, Jolly, enters a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on her behalf.

Walsh grants a request to give an expert more time to complete a competency report on Schabusiness.

The expected discussion of a mental health evaluation is delayed as Schabusiness' attorney says he needs more time to review the findings. Walsh schedules the trial to begin March 6, a couple weeks after the anniversary of the killing.

Walsh rules that Schabusiness is competent to assist in her own defense, after he hears testimony from experts for the prosecution and the defense. The prosecution psychologist says Schabusiness is competent to aid in her defense. A psychologist called by the defense is unable to say if Schabusiness is qualified to do so.

Taylor Schabusiness attacks her attorney, Quinn Jolly, in Brown County court Tuesday in Green Bay. Schabusiness is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in the killing of Shad Thyrion, 25, in February 2022.

Schabusiness attacks her attorney, Jolly, appearing to strike him with an elbow to the head. The lone Brown County sheriff's deputy working court security pounces on Schabusiness and stops the attack.

After the attack, Jolly tells Walsh that he plans to file a motion to be removed from the case.

Christopher Froelich, a veteran of the defense bar, becomes Schabusiness' new lawyer. In the first court appearance since his appointment, Froelich asks Walsh to remove himself from the case since he'd seen the attack. Walsh declines, saying he could still provide Schabusiness with a fair hearing.

Walsh rules Schabusiness is competent to stand trial, despite objections from Froelich. The defense lawyer says Milwaukee psychologist Matthew Seipel had been relying on a November evaluation of Schabusiness, and that Seipel has not taken into consideration Schabusiness' attack on her former attorney.

Froelich then argues in support of a motion he filed days earlier asking Walsh to allow a new or supplemental competency evaluation of Schabusiness, saying Siepel's initial evaluation of the woman was months old. Walsh denies that request, then sets the trial to begin July 24.

Froelich seeks a change of venue; He says few potential jurors in Brown County have not read about the gruesome circumstances surrounding the killing.

Walsh denies request to move the trial outside of Brown County. He says lawyers could find 12 Brown County residents who hadn't formed an opinion on Schabusiness's guilt or innocence.

Froelich asks for another evaluation of Schabusiness, saying the one done last year is no longer current. He also wants to view records from a weekslong stay she had at the Brown County Community Treatment Center in spring 2021.

Walsh sets an evidentiary hearing for June 13 to determine whether statements made in custody will be able to be brough up as evidence during a trial. He also denies a motion to reduce Schabusiness' $2 million bail.

Walsh rules that photos police took of the homicide scene had to remain under seal at least until June 13. On that day, attorneys are slated to argue if crime-scene photos can be used in the case or whether any are too explicit and disturbing.

Froelich also seeks to prohibit prosecutor Caleb Saunders from using evidence collected from a buccal swab from Schabusiness. Froelich writes that police should have given her a second Miranda warning before taking the sample, but did not.

Walsh rules on a number of motions. The judge:

Allows most photos police had but not all of those they took at the crime scene.

Denies request to supress statements Schabusiness gave to police.

Denies request to suppress evidence seized from an Eastman Avenue apartment where Schabusiness was living and from a minivan she was driving the night of the homicide.

Denies request for another psychological evaluation.

Walsh grants permission for Schabusiness to have a new competency exam, but he says he will not delay the trial past its scheduled July 24 start date.

Diane Lytton, a forensic psychlogist, testifies that Schabusiness is not fit to stand trial. Sometime during an evaluation earlier this summer, Lytton says, Schabusiness would appear "coherent and lucid." Other times, she would "stand up and scream."

Walsh rules again that Schabusiness is fit to assist in her own defense. Sixteen jurors  nine women, seven men  are selected for the trial slated to begin July 24.

The trial of Taylor Schabusiness begins with opening statements from the DA's office and her attorney. The victim's mother testifies about how she discovered her son's severed head in a bucket in the basement of her house. Law enforcement officials who were at the crime scene testify about their investigation.

Medical examiner testifies that Thyrion died by strangulation and that his body was than mutilated and dismembered for several hours afterward.

After 50 minutes, the jury returns guilty verdicts on all counts. Earlier in the day, Green Bay Police Detective testifies about his interview with Schabusiness hours after Thyrion's death was discovered, and the prosecution and defense present their closing arguments.

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: Timeline of events in the Taylor Schabusiness homicide case
Teamsters from Yellow Corporation announced Monday that The Central States Health and Welfare fund will extend health care benefits for workers at the trucking company, at least temporarily averting a strike, according to a press release from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Union members had planned to strike starting midnight on Sunday due to the companies plans to end health care and retirement benefits for workers and their families.

On Friday, The Star reported a federal judge in Kansas ruled in favor of the Teamsters, saying they had a right to strike as part of their labor dispute.

The Central States fund had previously planned to end healthcare benefits starting July 23. However, after discussions with Teamster leadership, they agreed to give Yellow 30 days to pay the obligated benefit payments of $50 million.

Yellow has agreed to those terms and plans to make those payments within the next two weeks, according to the press release.

However, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien wants to meet with Yellow representatives to review the current contracts and ensure the health care benefits will be paid for the workers at the company.

Teamsters at Yellow simply work too hard and have already given so much, OBrien said, indicating in the press release that the reversal by Central States will keep health care benefits paid and hardworking Teamsters on the job for the time being.

The company previously operated from Overland Park, prior to moving 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.

Last year, federal officials were asked to investigate if the company broke federal law by securing a $700 million loan through a federal pandemic aid program. The New York Times recently reported that Yellow has more than $1.5 billion in outstanding debt, including the government loan.

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We are seeking a real resolution, but let this solution today serve as a profound reminder that our members can only endure so many sacrifices, OBrien said in the press release issued Monday.

OBrien plans to meet with Yellow in Washington, D.C. Sunday evening.

The Stars Luke Nozicka contributed to this reporting.
A teenager abducted from Texas was found over 1,000 miles away in a locked building, North Carolina officials said.

Now, the man accused of kidnapping the 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to prison, according to The Dispatch newspaper and details Davidson County prosecutors shared with McClatchy News in a July 21 email.

Jorge Ivan Santos Camacho, 35, was ordered to serve up to 29 years behind bars for child sex crimes and first-degree kidnapping. The case reportedly involved an Alford plea, when a defendant maintains his innocence but admits that the state has sufficient evidence to convict him and agrees to be treated as guilty, according to the UNC School of Government.

Deputies in a past news release didnt share attorney information for Camacho, who was accused of taking indecent liberties with the girl and intending to hold her in sexual servitude, McClatchy News and WGHP reported.

The case dates to March 10, when Davidson County deputies said they learned police in Dallas, Texas, were investigating a teens disappearance.

They were able to discover that the juvenile had been communicating with an adult male through social media chat platforms, Sheriff Richie Simmons said during a March news conference. The content of the chat was consistent with grooming and enticement.

After the girl was lured from her home, officials discovered she had been taken to a property in Lexington, North Carolina. Thats where the teen was found in an outbuilding locked from the outside, according to deputies.

I thank God that we were able to find this young girl, Simmons said..

Camacho  whose first name was spelled Jarge during the news conference and whose last name was spelled Comacho in a sheriffs office email to McClatchy News  pleaded guilty to combined charges of statutory rape, statutory sex offense and kidnapping.

He was given a 20 to 29 year prison sentence, according to Garry Frank, district attorney for Prosecutorial District 33.

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Lexington is roughly 25 miles south of Winston-Salem.

Girl was missing for 6 years  until worker 600 miles away in NC spotted her, cops say

Deputy spots familiar face at grocery store  a wanted murder suspect, NC cops say
Tesla owners shared unexpected headaches of owning an EV in conversations with Insider. Getty Images

Over a dozen Tesla owners told Insider about some of the headaches of switching to the EV.

Issues they described included dealing with slow Tesla service centers and quality-control fixes.

Take a look at some of the issues and surprise expenses of owning a Tesla.

It's sometimes not easy being an early adopter  especially when it comes to electric cars.

More than a dozen Tesla owners detailed some of the biggest headaches, or surprise expenses they faced, when switching to owning the electric car.

They shared their thoughts in a series of conversations with Insider  including adapting to range anxiety, higher insurance rates, and dealing with issues at Tesla service centers. While many of the issues could apply to any electric car, some of them point to potential challenges with Tesla's business model.

Here are some of the issues Tesla owners say they've faced when they ditched their gas-powered vehicle for an electric one:

The tires on electric cars wear out faster.

Some Tesla owners say their tires wear out a lot faster than previous gas-powered cars. Getty stock

Some Tesla owners said they were surprised when they had to replace their tires much sooner than with previous cars.

EVs go through tires about 30% faster than traditional combustion-engine vehicles because they're heavier due to their massive lithium-ion battery, according to Bridgestone.

Typically electric car tires wear out between 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Though, Auto Trader editor Brian Moody told Insider speeding and heavy braking accelerate the issue.

EV owners can also face higher insurance rates.

Auto insurance for Teslas can be more expensive. Getty stock

Some Tesla owners said they were surprised when their insurance rates climbed after they bought their electric car.

Insider's Alexa St. John previously reported that EV owners typically face higher insurance bills in part because many electric cars are generally more expensive than gas-powered vehicles.

Insurance companies also must weight the higher costs of potential damages to the vehicle's pricey lithium-ion battery, as well as the lack of repair shops that are certified to work on the cars.

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Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that a Rivian owner was hit with a $42,000 repair bill after a fender bender.

Eventually, the cost of insuring an EV is expected to drop as more people and companies transition to all-electric cars.

Some Tesla owners have horror stories about the company's service centers.

Over the years, some Tesla owners have complained about issues with the carmaker's service centers, including long wait times, poor repairs, and exorbitant prices. Tesla

Over the years, some Tesla owners have complained about issues with the carmaker's service centers, including long wait times, poor repairs, and exorbitant prices.

Last year, Vox reported that Tesla owners had filed thousands of complaints about the company's service centers. The complaints varied from concerns about available parts and unresponsive service centers to detailed complaints about Teslas that were returned in worse condition than when they went into the shops for repairs.

More recently, a Model S owner filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Tesla over the issue, claiming she'd suffered from Tesla's "monopolization" of the repair market for its vehicles. She said Tesla had caused her to "suffer lengthy delays in repairing or maintaining" their electric vehicles, "only to pay supracompetitive prices for those parts and repairs once they are finally provided," according to the complaint.

A spokesperson for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from Insider regarding concerns about its service centers. Last year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company is working on improving its service in North America. To date, Tesla has less than 200 service centers in the US. For comparison, GM or Ford owners can choose from thousands of independent repair and maintenance shops.

"That's one of my biggest complaints with Tesla," Steve Almassy, a Model S owner since 2014, said, adding he still loves the car. "They're getting better, but they still haven't gotten their service model down to a good process. Unfortunately, they have a long way to go on that."

Tesla door handles can be finicky.

Tesla door handles can be finicky and prone to breaking, owners say. Getty stock

Tesla's signature sleek door handles can be a hassle at times, several owners told Insider.

From issues with getting the doors to open in freezing temperatures to door handles breaking off  some Tesla owners said the sleek door handles on the EVs can be a source of frustration.

Multiple Tesla owners said the handles broke off in their hands on a few occasions. Robbie Mack, a former Tesla salesman and owner of a Model S said it was a common issue with earlier models of the company's higher-end Model S vehicle that has since been resolved with the Model 3 and Model Y.

Other owners said they've had trouble getting their phone to connect and open the doors using keyless entry.

"It'd be raining, or you're carrying groceries and you're having to fiddle with your phone to get it to connect and unlock," tech YouTuber Austin Evans previously told Insider regarding the keyless entry on his Model Y. "It's a great feature when it works, but you never know when it's going to fail you."

Steven Elek, a Senior Automotive Data Analyst at Consumer Reports, said the publication has received multiple reports from owners regarding phone pairing issues with Teslas.

At-home chargers can add to the initial cost of buying an EV.

Depending on the electrical setup at the house, setting up a fast-charging home charger can cost anywhere from $250 to thousands of dollars. ChargePoint

Depending on the electrical setup at the house, setting up a fast-charging home charger can cost anywhere from $250 to thousands of dollars  and some Tesla owners said they were surprised by the extra cost of setting up the system.

Most cars come with a Level 1 charging cord which can plug into a 110-volt household outlet and slowly trickles electricity into a car's battery, but it only adds a few miles an hour to the car's battery life. Many drivers prefer faster methods.

Setting up faster Level 2 charging requires a certified electrician, as well as a home electrical assessment. Ken Sapp, senior vice president at Qmerit, previously told Insider's Tim Levin that most of his jobs cost about $1,600.

Some Tesla owners say they've noticed quality-control issues over the years.

For Tesla owners, it's apparently not uncommon for new vehicles to be returned to local service centers for small fixes. Quinn Nelson

For Tesla owners, it's apparently not uncommon for new vehicles to be returned to local service centers for small fixes upon delivery and Tesla owners have reported minor build issues with the EVs over the years, including poor paint jobs and panel alignment.

John Brusniak said when he received his Model S in 2020, one of the doors wouldn't close properly.

"They're just minor things and they fixed it all for free, but it just shows a lack of attention to detail that you wouldn't expect for the money you've spent on the car," he said.

Chris Harto, a senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said the publication's reliability survey for Tesla owners found that "paint and trim," "noises and leaks,"and "body hardware" are "common trouble spots for Teslas."

Tesla has long been known to have some issues with quality control, especially when new models are launched. In 2018, engineering consultant Sandy Munro said Tesla's Model 3 had serious production flaws.

"I can't imagine how they released this," Munro said at the time.

In response, Musk admitted that the electric carmaker has had issues with quality control. In an interview with Munro, the Tesla CEO warned it might not be a good idea to buy a Tesla during a new model's ramp-up period.

A spokesperson for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on the issue ahead of publication.

Tesla owners say they're disappointed with the company's Full Self-Driving software.

Some Tesla owners who shelled out about $15,000, or $199 per month, for the Autopilot add-on say they wish they hadn't. Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Some Tesla owners who shelled out about $15,000, or $199 per month, for the Autopilot add-on say they wish they hadn't.

"FSD is kind of why I bought the car to begin with," Brusniak told Insider. "I paid extra for it, but I'm too scared to use it now because it has its own way of doing things. It'll stop 50 yards from a red light or sometimes it'll even seem to stop at random."

Tesla first released FSD in 2020 to select drivers, and since then, the software has been added to over 100,000 cars in the US. The feature enables Teslas to automatically change lanes, enter and exit highways, recognize stop signs and traffic lights, and park. The software is still in a beta testing and requires a licensed driver to monitor it at all times.

Tesla drivers have posted YouTube videos of the buggy software in the past  from turning into oncoming traffic to apparently confusing Burger King signs and even the moon with stop signs and stop lights. Still, some beta testers say the software has improved over the years.

Spokespeople for the company have not commented directly on concerns about FSD. Though, Musk has said feedback on the software is "welcome" and has encouraged users to report bugs in the program.

Teslas have been known to have apparent issues with phantom braking.

The Tesla Model X is one of the longest-range electric cars on the market. Tesla

Some Tesla owners said their car has braked at random.

Kala Taylor, a former Model S owner, said there were multiple instances when her vehicle would stop, seemingly at random  and it once tried to stop in the middle of a freeway while she was using Autopilot.

"It was very scary and I never felt quite safe again driving it after that," Taylor said.

Last year, over 750 Tesla drivers reported instances of phantom braking and many of them said the issued typically occurred while using Tesla's Autopilot driver assist feature, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On the other hand, some FSD enthusiasts say they wish the carmaker would allow FSD transfers.

Some Tesla owners don't understand why the carmaker won't allow them to transfer the software to another Tesla. Mark Matousek / Business Insider

"Tesla gives you zero credit for FSD on a trade-in and doesn't even let you transfer it over to you next Tesla," said Nelson Jackson, a Model S owner and FSD user. "That's a major flaw and huge deterrent when it comes to trading in the vehicle."

Musk temporarily addressed the gripe during the company's earnings call on Wednesday. The billionaire said he would allow FSD users to transfer the software over for a limited time in next three months.

"This is a one-time amnesty, so you need to take advantage of it in Q3," he said.

When you buy a Tesla, you might actually want to read the instruction manual, owners say.

There's a learning curve when it comes to owning a Tesla. Business Insider

There's a learning curve when it comes to owning a Tesla, especially when it comes to the high-tech features in the car, several owners told Insider.

"Most people with an ICE vehicle don't look at a manual because everything is pretty much the same across the board," Almassy said, referring to a gas-powered car. "With a Tesla, you basically have a computer on wheels that you have to figure out. So you need to take the time to sit down and go through all the things on the infotainment system and read up on all the new features or you'll be missing out."

Range anxiety can be an issue for Tesla owners  though it's the best EV when it comes to charging.

Even Tesla owners can experience a bit of range anxiety every now and then. Thomson Reuters

Even Tesla owners can experience a bit of range anxiety every now and then.

"There's been times when I've gotten home with only about 2 or 3% to spare," Nick Caraciolo, a Model 3 owner, said regarding his battery life. "300 miles of range can quickly become 100 miles of range if you're speeding or it's hot outside or too cold. It can be very deceptive and gas-powered car can seem more accurate in that way."

Though, many owners say range anxiety was a short-lived concern.

"People who are new to the experience can get super-anxious about the battery just because it's different from driving a gas-powered car," Jackson said. "But Tesla always gives you warnings so the only time I really think about it is when I'm going on a long trip."

Tesla has an internal navigation system that will alert drivers to which charging sites will be most efficient and which ones are busy  and it's a favorite feature with owners. Tesla drivers also have a major advantage when it comes to using the company's network of Superchargers, which is larger and viewed as more reliable than other charging systems.

All hiccups aside, many Tesla owners love their cars in spite  or in some cases even because  of the vehicle's quirks.

Elon Musk in front of a Tesla Getty

Many Tesla owners told Insider that  while they know the car can have its issues  many of the perks of owning the EV outweigh some of the head aches.

"If you want to be an early adopter you've got to put up with some stuff and people are spoiled if they don't realize that," Mack told Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took to Twitter on Sunday to taunt the Biden administration in a pair of tweets as he faces a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over the states effort to secure its international border with Mexico.

In one tweet, Abbott praised his border security for seizing more than 422 million deadly doses of fentanyl, which he claimed were able to cross the U.S.-Mexico border because of the president's poor performance.

"Texas Has Seized More Than 422 Million Lethal Doses of Fentanyl Since 2021. More than enough to kill all Americans," the Texas governor wrote. "We have also made 394,200 illegal-immigrant apprehensions and 31,300 criminal arrests. All because Biden is not doing his job."

In another tweet, Abbott said Biden would "face the consequences" should the Department of Justice take the state of Texas to court. The DOJ previously said in a letter to Abbott that it intends to sue him over the use of a floating buoy border barrier to stop illegal immigration into the state.

DOJ TO SUE TEXAS OVER FLOATING BORDER BARRIER; ABBOTT SAYS 'SEE YOU IN COURT'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference at the Texas State Capitol on June 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Abbott, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard, released a statement on Friday highlighting the efforts of Operation Lone Star, a coordinated effort by border personnel to "secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry."

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"Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 394,200 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 31,300 criminal arrests, with more than 29,100 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, Texas law enforcement has seized over 422 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission," the joint statement read.

The statement also highlighted the states efforts to send migrants who crossed the southern border to Democratic cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles.

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In total, over 27,000 migrants have been sent to those cities.

"Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration's refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Joe Biden's open border policies," the statement added.

OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY BORDER IS IN CRISIS OR MAJOR PROBLEM: POLL

Texas is also staring down a legal bout with the Biden administration over its use of barriers erected at the border, which administration officials claim have created a dangerous path for potential migrants. Some border officials have recalled migrants suffering from cuts and lacerations as they crawled through barbed fencing.

Migrants walk by a string of buoys placed on the water along the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 16, 2023.

A spokesperson for the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division confirmed 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."

The letter sets a July 24 deadline for a response from Abbott.

Abbott initially responded to the letter in a series of tweets on Friday, when he again blamed President Bidens handling of the border crisis and unashamedly said Texas was "stepping up to address this crisis."

"Texas has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution," he wrote. "We have sent the Biden Administration numerous letters detailing our authority, including the one I hand-delivered to President Biden earlier this year."

ABBOTT MOVES AHEAD WITH FLOATING BORDER BARRIERS ON RIO GRANDE DESPITE LIBERAL OUTRAGE

"Texas is stepping up to address this crisis," Gov. Abbott continued. "We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans  and the migrants risking their lives. We will see you in court, Mr. President."

On Sunday, Abbott doubled down, adding, "Under Biden's policies the UN declared the U.S.-Mexico border the deadliest border crossing in [the] world. Biden must now face the consequences."

The White House responded Friday, saying that Abbott is endangering the lives of migrants and agents with his actions, and accused him of undermining President Biden's border plan.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw joined bill authors, sponsors, legislators and law enforcement members in the signing of bills designated toward enhancing border security along the southern border.

"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.

Hasan also pointed to a drop in border encounters in June to levels not seen since February 2021.

"Unlawful border crossings are down to the lowest levels in over two years," he said. "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.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has also criticized Abbott over the new security measures.

Fox News' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
Texas postcard from 1940 Pierce Archive LLC / Buyenlarge via Getty Images

"Politicians in Texas love to talk about how business-friendly the state is," Michael Marks wrote at Texas Standard. "And for years, the data has backed that up." Ever since CNBC started ranking America's top states for business, Texas has been in the top five, placing first or second every year from 2008 to 2019.

But like a bowl of queso or a float down a lazy river on a hot day, all good things come to an end. When CNBC released its 2023 rankings, Texas came in at No. 6, behind North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Minnesota.

The new business-friendly rankings were greeted with cheers up in St. Paul. Down in Austin, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) suggested there had been some kind of mistake. "Texas remains No. 1 because people and businesses are choosing our state over any other for the unmatched competitive advantages we offer: no corporate or personal income taxes, a predictable regulatory climate, and a young, skilled, diverse and growing workforce," an Abbott spokesman told CNBC.

CNBC said the numbers don't lie. Its rankings are "not an opinion survey" but rather a data-driven study of 86 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Furthermore, "each category is weighted based on how frequently states use them as a selling point in economic development marketing materials," CNBC said. "That way, our study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves." What's happening to the Lone Star State's vaunted pro-business mojo?

Why did Texas drop out of the top five?

Texas has been losing ground every year since CNBC last ranked it No. 1 in 2018, The Dallas Morning News noted. "It placed second in 2019, fourth in 2021 and fifth last year." (The rankings were suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)

What finally pushed Texas out of the top tier, Erica Greider wrote at the Houston Chronicle, were "concerns about its power grid, its aging water utilities, skimpy per-pupil school spending, rising housing costs and controversial social policies, including one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation and what CNBC called an ongoing 'crackdown' on LGBTQ+ rights."

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Infrastructure was the second-most important category in this year's methodology, and Texas fell to 24th place from 14th last year, Scott Cohn explained at CNBC. The massive power outage during 2021's big freeze "exposed serious weaknesses" in the Texas power grid, and "at a time when advanced manufacturing companies are prioritizing reliable power, Texans are enduring nearly 20 hours without electricity per year," third worst in the U.S.

In education, Texas dropped to No. 35 from No. 21, and it's now 22nd in cost of living, from 14th in 2022. The state earned a C in business friendliness.

But "Texas' biggest weakness in 2023 is also its most controversial," Cohn wrote. "The state finishes dead last in Life, Health and Inclusion, dropping from No. 49 last year." Texas got just 53 points out of 350 in that category, giving it an F grade, the Austin American-Statesman noted. That means Texas did earn top ranking in one category, even if it's "on a not-so-pleasant list: the top 10 worst places in America to live and work in 2023."

So Texas dropped to No. 6 because of social policy?

Yes, "CNBC built its explanation of Texas' ranking on the idea that the state's culture war stances, including on transgender issues, was hurting its business climate," Ryan J. Rusak argued in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "On the margins, that's probably true," but using a decline in lifestyle and inclusion to boot Texas from the top five "has all the trappings of red state/blue state politics, Lone Star envy, and propping up sagging midsummer ratings and online readership."

How can Texas be below Minnesota when it "leads the rankings in access to capital and is second among workforces and overall state economies"? Rusak added. Texas is the "undisputed champion of job creation and business relocation," but CNBC "needed a new storyline. Words like 'still,' 'again' or 'unchanged' don't make for great headlines."

CNBC did ding Texas for its "attacks on inclusiveness, reproductive rights and voters rights," but it "also noted the state's weak worker protections and poor access to health care, as well as its '13th-highest violent crime rate' in the nation" and efforts to limit cities' self-governance, the San Antonio Express-News said in an editorial. Texas has "landed in the bottom half of the quality-of-life rankings for a decade while maintaining its spot in the top five for business, but this year's rankings are a sign that Texas' politics are bogging down the state's economic engine."

"We're not here to fight Mickey Mouse," quipped North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D), referring to restrictive social policies and anti-business culture war fights in Florida (No. 8) and Texas. "We're here to fight for jobs in North Carolina."

North Carolina and the other states in the top five have "adopted a lot of what Texas had been doing in the 2000s, 2010s" in terms of economic development and job creation, the Chronicle's Grieder told Texas Standard. When CNBC started its rankings in 2007, Texas was run by business-first Republicans, but since then "there's been a bit of shift in priorities," and "we're hearing a bit more about things like culture war issues," and "I would say business in Texas has less clout than it once did."

How does Texas stack up in other rankings?

Abbott noted in April that Texas has been ranked the best state for business by Chief Executive magazine for 19 straight years and has been awarded the Governor's Cup for 11 straight years by Site Selection, a magazine that covers corporate real estate and expansion. But Site Selection awards multiple Governor's Cups every year, and it's hardly the only credible source for business rankings, Politifact said. For example, "the Tax Foundation ranked Texas No. 13 in its most recent State Business Tax Climate Index and has consistently ranked Texas outside the top 10."

"There's no one measure that can capture everything about a state's business climate, but there's no denying that Texas is highly competitive, with low taxes, low regulatory burdens, and a strong economy that attracts many businesses and individuals," the Tax Foundation's Jared Walczak told Politifact. "Unsurprisingly, governors across the country tend to highlight the rankings on which their states do the best."

Texas is slipping in other surveys, too, the American-Statesmen said. The Austin area was named the "best place in the country to start a career" in one poll this year, but it has also dropped to "40th place on U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live in 2023-2024 list," from No. 1 in 2017 to 2019. That survey considered desirability, value, job market, quality of life and net migration, and while Austin continued to drop positions, it was still the highest-ranked city in Texas.

Can Texas learn something from CNBC's demotion?

"Informal rankings such as this one from CNBC are subjective, but they also raise concerns that shouldn't be ignored  is Texas still a place where entrepreneurialism can thrive?" the Express-News editorial board said. "What entities and people will the state lose as it continues to pursue an agenda of regressive policies?"

Dropping out of the top five is embarrassing for Texas politicians, but it could also be "a wake-up call to say, 'Hey, you know, why don't we focus as a state on what we have done well in the past'" and then "maybe head more back in that direction"? Grieder suggested at Texas Standard.

"Where CNBC gets it right, sort of, is the long-term effects of decades of relentless growth," Rusak wrote in the Star-Telegram. Texas needs more doctors, more housing, upgraded infrastructure, a reliable power grid and better schools. "In other words, CNBC could have written that Texas has been so strong for so long that its problems are actually symptoms of its wild success," he added. "But then, that's not much of a headline, is it?"

The CNBC rankings are useful as a "Rorschach test" for Texans, Chris Tomlinson wrote at the Chronicle. "Describe your politics, and I'll tell you what you think about the economy and the purpose of government." Abbott and other conservatives "celebrated the state's A+ grade for the economy," while liberals "found confirmation of their critique in the F given to Texas for life, health and inclusion."

But after 20 years of studying the low-tax, low-regulation "Texas miracle" of business-friendly success, "we know there is nothing miraculous about Texas' economy," Tomlinson added. It is and long has been "driven more by high oil prices and geography than its blustery politics." And that's not much of a headline either.

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Four years ago, Texas lawmakers began offering schools extra money to support programs for non-native English speakers. Districts across the state immediately took them up on their offer, creating new programs where none existed or expanding ones that were already in place.

But now, as school leaders and policymakers nationwide grapple with a shortage of teachers, officials in Tarrant County districts say theyre struggling to find enough educators who are qualified to teach their newly expanded bilingual classes.

A slate of proposals during this years regular legislative session would have streamlined the certification process for bilingual teachers with the aim of breaking down roadblocks keeping teaching candidates out of dual language classrooms. Although those proposals got little traction during the regular session, bilingual education advocates hope they might see more progress during a possible special session later this year.

We know what we need to do to expand programs and to serve more students equitably, said Chloe Latham Sikes, deputy director of policy for the San Antonio-based Intercultural Development Research Association.

House Bill 3 boosted funding for bilingual classes

In 2019, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 3, a massive overhaul of the states education funding system. Included in the bill was a provision that increased state funding for students enrolled in dual language immersion programs, meaning districts got a boost in the amount of money they receive for each of those students.

Dual language programs differ from ESL programs in that, where ESL programs focus exclusively on helping the student learn English, dual language programs are designed to help them become fully bilingual. Students typically come into dual language programs in pre-K or kindergarten and get instruction in all subjects in English and another language at the same time, meaning they learn reading, writing and vocabulary in both languages at once. Such programs have been offered in Texas public schools since 1973.

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A month after Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill, districts across the state added dual language programs or expanded ones they already had. The Dallas Independent School District announced plans to add programs at seven additional schools, and the Houston Independent School District expanded its program into middle schools.

In Tarrant County, several school districts, including the Fort Worth, Northwest and Keller independent school districts, used that money to create new programs at campuses that didnt have them or add grade levels to programs that were already in place, allowing students to stay in those programs for longer.

Keller ISD expands Spanish, Vietnamese language programs

In Keller ISD, officials added fifth- and sixth-grade Spanish dual language programs at Parkwood Hill Intermediate School and a sixth-grade Spanish program at Fossil Hill Middle School. The district also expanded a Vietnamese dual language program offered at Parkview Elementary School and Fossil Hill Middle School and piloted a two-way dual language Spanish program at Freedom Elementary School.

In two-way dual language classes, half the students are enrolled because they arent proficient English speakers, and the other halfs parents opt them into the program. Students who opt into the program may come from families who speak a language other than English at home, or they may be native English speakers whose parents are interested in a bilingual education.

Maria Betancourt Coker, Keller ISDs director of language acquisition, said the district used the House Bill 3 money to pay for classroom materials like books printed in both English and Spanish. Before, the district could only afford to buy those materials a few at a time, she said.

But Betancourt Coker said finding enough educators to teach those classes has been a struggle. Part of the challenge is finding people who are proficient enough in two languages not only to be able to carry on a conversation, but also to explain concepts like long division and photosynthesis in both languages, she said. Those teachers also need to be able to teach grammar rules in both languages, she said, something that even the most proficient speakers could find difficult.

Over the years, the district has found excellent teachers who went to college in Spanish-speaking countries, Betancourt Coker said, so district leaders could be confident that their language skills would be up to the task. It also found teachers who spoke Spanish as a second language, but were able to cultivate their skills enough that they could do well leading dual language classes, she said.

But since the beginning of the pandemic, teachers of all kinds have reported higher levels of job stress and burnout. Betancourt Coker said that pressure has made it harder to retain the teachers schools need to make those programs successful. When those teachers leave, the district has a hard time recruiting new educators to replace them, she said. Colleges of education in North Texas arent producing enough certified bilingual teachers to keep up with demand, she said.

Fort Worth ISD looks overseas for bilingual teachers

During the 2022-23 school year, 28,829 emergent bilingual students were enrolled in the Fort Worth Independent School District, about 40% of the districts enrollment. While the district didnt add dual language programs at any schools that didnt already have one after the bill passed, it expanded programs in schools that already offered them, allowing students who enroll in the program in pre-K or kindergarten to have access to it through fifth grade.

Although the bill wasnt the thing that prompted those expansions, it still smoothed the process, said Cloris Rangel, the districts director of bilingual and ESL programs. The district used the extra money to buy more instructional materials that support students who are learning to read in two languages, she said. Schools also got a bump in the amount of money they receive for each bilingual and ESL student enrolled, she said, so much of that money went directly into the classroom.

Like many districts across the state, Fort Worth ISD has struggled since the beginning of the pandemic to find enough teachers of any kind to fill its classrooms. Bilingual programs have presented an even greater staffing challenge, because teachers must have a special certification to teach bilingual classes. Over the past two years, the district has used federal pandemic relief money to get nearly 400 of its own teachers certified to teach bilingual or ESL classes, said Gracie Guerrero, the districts associate superintendent of leading and learning. That includes training, test reimbursements and a one-time $3,000 stipend for teachers who get certified, she said.

The district has also looked overseas for educators to fill high-need areas, including bilingual education, said Raul Pena, the districts chief talent officer. The district started recruiting international teachers for hard-to-fill jobs, also including math, science and special education, in the spring of 2022, and stepped up those efforts this year. The district hires those teachers on H-1B visas, which allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers who are credentialed to work in a number of specialized fields, including education. More than 20 international candidates are in process for jobs in the district for the upcoming school year, Pena said.

The district has also expanded a program designed to help bilingual students become teachers, he said. The bilingual teacher assistant program pairs college students who are studying to be bilingual teachers with current educators, who can act as mentors while the students work as teacher assistants in their classrooms. The program has grown from five participants in the spring to 24 last month, Pena said.

Bilingual teacher shortage predates pandemic workforce strain

Latham Sikes, the bilingual education advocate, said the shortage of bilingual- and ESL-certified teachers has been a stumbling block for efforts to expand access to dual language programs across the state. That shortage dates back decades, Latham Sikes said, and it touches all parts of Texas. Some of the reasons for the shortage are connected to the larger shortage of teachers overall, she said, but there are other factors that make it especially challenging to recruit and retain enough bilingual teachers.

The exams that teachers are required to pass to get certified to teach bilingual classes are a major barrier for some candidates, she said. In addition to the tests that candidates have to pass to get their teaching certificates, bilingual teachers have to pass another round of exams demonstrating not only their fluency in another language, but also their ability to teach in that language. Each round of tests comes with a fee. Many candidates hoping to get certified to teach dual language classes are first-generation college students, Latham Sikes said, so coming up with the money to cover those fees can be a challenge for some.

Aside from being costly, those exams are lengthy and require extensive study. They also arent always set up in a way that makes sense for native speakers of another language, Latham Sikes said. For example, the Spanish-language version of the exam uses a highly academic version of the language that doesnt account for the countless differences in vocabulary and word usage that exist across the Spanish-speaking world, she said.

In January, the Texas Education Agency released a plan outlining strategies for improving high school graduation rates among bilingual students. Increasing the number of certified bilingual education teachers in the state was the first goal listed in the plan. In order to do so, the agency recommended that lawmakers take a number of steps to streamline the process for teachers to get certified in bilingual education, including allowing students who dont pass the bilingual certification exam to retake only the sections that they failed, rather than the entire test.

The plan also included recommendations that the state offer higher pay for dual language teachers and set up dual language programs that can help prepare candidates for careers as bilingual teachers.

During the regular legislative session, Rep. Bobby Guerra, D-McAllen, authored 10 bills that would have amended state law based on those recommendations. One of those bills would have created a career and technical education program designed to help high school students prepare for a career teaching bilingual education, English as a second language or Spanish.

But none of those bills made it to the governors desk. Latham Sikes said the fact that none of those proposals became law is disappointing, although she noted theres still time for them to be taken up in a special session. Dual language programs are a valuable resource for the students who have access to them, she said. But if the state cant produce enough teachers to staff those programs, bringing those services to students who need them will always be a challenge, she said.

We know exactly what needs to be put forward. The work has been done, she said. ...But its a matter of really (having) the willpower to say, Were going to really sink some resources into this, because its valuable.
An ATM heist in Florida came unraveled when the masterminds apparently forgot the hefty machine would leave drag marks in the pavement, officials say.

The result was a trail of bread crumbs the led police to a bucket truck conspicuously dragging an ATM on a North Florida highway, the Lake City Police Department said in a news release.

It happened at 4:52 a.m. on Friday, July 21, at the Ameris Bank on West U.S. Highway 90. Lake City is about 60 miles west of Jacksonville.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the ATM to be missing from its foundation near the drive-through. Drag marks could be seen on the asphalt leading through the Lake City Mall parking lot heading in a northeasterly direction, police said.

On-scene officers relayed the information to other responding officers. An officer observed a white utility truck traveling north, dragging an ATM on NW Bascom Norris Drive.

ATMs can weigh as much as 1,800 pounds, so the suspects decided not to attempt a high-speed escape. Instead, they jumped out and ran as patrol cars closed in, officials said.

A photo shared by police shows the truck was left on the shoulder of the road, doors open and a heavily damaged ATM at its rear. Northwest Bascomb Norris Drive is about a half-mile from the bank.

Both occupants fled on foot into a wooded area, police said. The Florida Highway Patrols Drone Unit and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Offices Air Unit provided additional support in an attempt to locate the individuals in the heavily wooded area. The suspects have not been located.

Investigators say the vehicle was stolen from Madison County, about 60 miles northwest of Lake City.

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The author was surprised to realize how intensely she felt about the choice to have optional reconstruction surgery

The author was surprised to realize how intensely she felt about the choice to have optional reconstruction surgery

At 25 years old, I found out that my breasts could be a ticking time bomb.

One of my family members tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation, which is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. They sounded the alarm for all of the women in our family to get tested as soon as possible. I took the test and a month later got the confirmation: I was positive, too, meaning I had up to a 72% chance of developing breast cancer at some point in my lifetime.

Up until then, I still thought of illness and death as something other people had to deal with. I was young and blessedly healthy. The BRCA1 diagnosis shoved my mortality into the present and meant that I would have painful decisions to make.

I could choose to do nothing and hope for the best, but the odds were clearly against me. I could opt to get frequent mammograms, sonograms and breast MRIs to try to catch the cancer early if it emerged. But for the best possible protection, Id need to have prophylactic surgery.

For a long time, I couldnt bring myself to do anything at all. Even as more family members got tested and found out they were carriers, I avoided the topic at family gatherings. It wasnt until two years after my diagnosis that I felt strong enough to reach out to a genetic counselor, who referred me to a surgical oncologist.

Minutes into my first meeting with the surgeon, she told me matter-of-factly that the safest course of action would be to have a double mastectomy, ideally by the age of 35. I was stunned by the short timeline, and everything in me rejected the idea of surgery. In the first months after that appointment, I remember thinking more than once that Id rather die than lose my breasts.

But at 33, I welcomed my son into the world, and I found that the transformations of pregnancy and breastfeeding made the prospect of further physical change seem less daunting. Above all, becoming a mother made staying alive a crystal clear priority. By opting to have the surgery, Id bring my breast cancer risk to less than 1%. In my surgical oncologists career, she had never seen a case of breast cancer in any of the hundreds of patients for whom shed performed the same surgery.

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After one more clear mammogram in April, I decided I didnt want to continue living under the threat of breast cancer and I consulted a plastic surgeon.

The first thing the plastic surgeon asked me wasnt, What do you want to do? It was, How are you feeling?

He opened the door for me to talk about everything Id been carrying for so long: the fear, sadness, anxiety and the anticipation of grief and loss post-surgery. He and his nurse practitioner addressed my emotions before they spoke a word about my body or how they might operate on it. In an era of harried 15-minute medical encounters, that unrushed hourlong conversation  with time left open for silence, tears and questions  felt like a little miracle.

When the conversation did shift to my surgical options, we discussed whether I wanted to elect to have breast reconstruction surgery, or forego implants and go flat, as they call it. I was surprised to discover how intensely I felt.

Breasts are not required to be a woman, but my breasts are an integral part of how I understand and experience my own gender identity. Not only did I associate them with beauty, but they were the most embodied manifestation of my early motherhood, as I bonded with my son through breastfeeding. I couldnt imagine feeling truly comfortable and confident in my body without them.

I am privileged to have always felt at home in the gender I was assigned at birth, but I didnt know how viscerally attached I was to my gender identity, and how deeply uncomfortable I would feel if my body didnt align with my perception of that identity. Thats how it dawned on me that the term gender-affirming care applied to me as a cis woman.

Gender-affirming care usually refers to health care services that affirm a persons gender identity when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth. But cis people also routinely benefit from medical interventions to affirm their gender identity.

The number of annual breast augmentations in America alone tops 300,000. And thats just one of the countless aesthetic surgeries and procedures designed to help cis women enhance or create feminine attributes. Some cis men get hair transplants, take steroids to help them become more muscular, or take Viagra to maintain their masculine virility. Trans people arent alone in seeking medical care that affirms their gender, but they are treated differently when it comes to obtaining it.

Implants do nothing to reduce cancer risk, and in fact carry potential dangers of their own in the form of infections and other complications. Yet breast reconstruction for cis women is considered a medical necessity, allowing insurance companies to cover a procedure worth tens of thousands of dollars. If the litmus test of medical necessity was only the prevention of illness and death, then implants wouldnt qualify. But of course, living isnt just about not dying.

When my surgeries were submitted for pre-authorization, they sailed through. Approval letters simply arrived at my house  I never had a single conversation where I was expected to justify my decision, and I certainly never had to face the trauma of being denied.

Trans people seeking gender-affirming surgeries can face huge institutional hurdles in accessing care. Some insurance companies have accepted the clear science that shows the health benefits of gender-affirming surgeries, but not all. Even when insurers do ostensibly cover gender-affirming care, there can be byzantine red tape or denials that have to be appealed. Sometimes third parties like psychologists have to validate that a trans person is of sound mind and should be given the care they want.

All of this is happening under the cloud of antagonism towards gender-affirming health care for trans Americans. Across the country, state legislators are actively stripping people of their rights to make their own medical decisions, callously putting lives at risk out of their own fear, ignorance and bigotry. At the federal level, the House of Representatives just passed a military spending bill that included provisions to explicitly deny service members and their families gender-affirmingsurgeries. Just last week, Louisianas legislature voted to keep anyone under the age of 18 from receiving gender-affirming surgeries, puberty-blocking medications or hormone treatments.

These inequities can have profound consequences for trans peoples health. Research consistently shows that rates of depression, anxiety and suicidality are higher among trans people, and that gender-affirming surgeries show remarkable success in improving the health outcomes of those who get them. The notion that my mastectomy and elective breast implants are lauded as brave while trans people seeking gender-affirming care are questioned, shamed and even criminalized is not only illogical, its immoral.

Im not happy about undergoing surgery. Im scared of the pain and discomfort, and Im sad to say goodbye to a version of my body that I have loved and been loved in. But I know that my community is going to show up for me and help me get through it, something that should be true for everyone.

Back in April, when I told my oncologist I was ready to move ahead after almost 10 years in her care, she broke out in a huge, beaming smile. A little confused, I asked her what she was so happy about.

Now I wont have to worry about you! she responded. She truly valued my life and was joyful shed have a part in preserving it. All patients, of all gender identities, deserve to know what that feels like.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch.

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Sure its obscenely hot in North Texas right now, but be careful what you wish for, because Texas has other weather changes to worry about.

The flipside to hot and dry weather is cool and wet weather, which is exactly what Texas weather has in store for the rest of 2023.

When will the hot weather be over?

Though Dallas-Fort Worth saw a two day reprieve from the heat, with max temperatures of 93 degrees on Saturday, and 98 degrees on Sunday, the hot weather is nowhere near over with, according to meteorologist Victor Murphy at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

This weekends temperatures are near the long-term normal of 96 degrees for this time of year. However, summer still has a long way to go.

Per the 30 year normal average temperatures from 1991 to 2020, the hottest week of the year in DFW is August 1 to 7, with average daily maximum temperatures of 97.2 degrees. In keeping up with this, starting Monday, DFW will likely have a string of eight straight days (July 24-July 31) with maximum temperatures greater than 100 degrees.

Its likely that well see a continued uptick in the number of calendar days with record warm minimum temperatures and the number of calendar days with record warm maximum temperatures. So far in 2023, DFW has seen five calendar days with record warm maximum temperatures, but no days with record low maximum temps. DFW has seen 10 calendar days with record warm minimum temps so far this year, but no days with record low minimum temperatures. So, weve seen 15 calendar days so far this year with record warm high or low temperatures, versus zero days with record cold high or low temperatures.

Whats next for North Texas weather?

The biggest weather event that will transpire through the rest of 2023 will be the existence of an El Nino pattern in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, Murphy said. Going forward, from October through December, this should lead to above normal precipitation amounts and likely below normal temperatures. Both of these may be welcome by Texans after the drought and heat this summer.

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After a string of 100-degree days last summer, relief came from an August deluge that made the month the wettest since record keeping began in 1899. More than 10.38 inches of rain was recorded surpassing the previous record set in 1915.

Average rainfall from Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 is 14.64 inches, with October being by far the wettest of the remaining five months of the year. Due to El Nino, Murphy expects a tilt towards wetter than normal weather through the end of the year.

In general, the entire U.S. is seeing an increase in extreme rain events, which Murphy says is due to climate change and the fact that the warming atmosphere can hold more water vapor. Under the right circumstances (i.e. a tropical cyclone, a stalled cold front or an area of upper level low pressure), these are more likely to occur for the rest of 2023.

For this reason, the most likely extreme weather conditions that we can expect would be a heavy rain event. But it is impossible to predict exactly when they will occur, and whether one will affect DFW, Murphy added.
The Tallahassee Police Department is investigating an early Saturday morning shooting outside of Pockets Pool & Pub that injured three men.

When officers arrived at the pool hall on 2810 Sharer Road, one man was laying in the parking lot with a wounded leg, according to a TPD incident alert emailed out on Monday afternoon. He was taken to the hospital, and while detectives were at the scene, the other two men arrived at the hospital.

Two have non-life-threatening injuries, and one suffered serious injuries. It is unclear at this time if the attack was targeted and if a crowd was present, TPD spokesperson Alicia Hill said.

No arrests have been made as of Monday afternoon, and this is an active investigation.

The shooting is at least the 49th serious shooting to hit the capital city and county this year. So far, 11 people have been killed and 39 injured, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. Eight of the 11 dead were killed in the last two months.

This is the eighth shooting this month and the third instance of gun violence this weekend. On Friday at 11:45 p.m., a shooting at Florida A&M University's Rattler Pointe apartments was first reported by a FAMU alert sent out by the university at 5:31 a.m. The alert stated there were no injuries and the "scene is clear."

The third shooting killed two women early Sunday evening at Mission Hill Apartments in northwest Tallahassee. A suspect was identified, and he led law enforcement in a multi-county car chase before taking his own life in Alachua County, which was captured on a Facebook live stream that he started during his attempt to flee.

Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on Twitter @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Shooting at Tallahassee pool hall under investigation; 3 injured
As a result of the rocket attack in Odessa, museums were damaged

Russian invasion forces carried out another massive missile attack on the southern regions of Ukraine in the early hours of July 20, hitting Odesa and Mykolaiv once again. The center of Odesa, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is now under threat.

As a result of the missile attack on July 20, two museums in Odesa sustained damage: the Odesa Literary Museum, the Odesa Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Western and Eastern Art. The first museums building suffered structural damage, while the second museum had its windows and doors partially affected.

Read also: UNESCO to send mission to Odesa for damage assessment

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy has emphasized that these museums are situated within Odesas historical center, including the vulnerable port area. This area of the city has endured continuous attacks and destruction for the past three days and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ministry is currently preparing a letter to UNESCO to outline the extent of the damage, as announced in their official statement.

The extent of the destruction at Odesas museums was also revealed by Oleksandra Kovalchuk, the Deputy Director for Development at the Odesa Art Museum.

During todays shelling, explosions damaged windows and partially affected the ceilings in three of Odesas museums, she wrote, noting that the situation is further complicated by heavy rainfall.

Read also: Five kindergartens among 40 buildings damaged in devastating Russian missile attack on Odesa

In a separate missile attack in Mykolaiv, a significant architectural monument was completely destroyed. The monument previously housed the Mykolaiv Regional Center for Folk Art and Cultural Education.

The terrorist countrys agony and its ability to continue producing weaponry despite sanctions enable Russia to believe it will act with impunity, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policys statement reads.

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Read also: Wake up and finally stop serving evil  OCUs Metropolitan Epiphanius to worshippers of Russian Orthodox Church

The situation in Odesa had already attracted international attention. In January 2023, UNESCO took action by including Odesas historic port city center on its list of endangered World Heritage Sites. This listing highlights the urgency of protecting the citys unique cultural and historical significance amid the ongoing conflict.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Officials released a reconstructed image of what the victimwhose remains were discovered in three suitcasesmay have looked like (Delray Beach Police Department)

Police investigating the mysterious death of an unidentified adult female whose remains were found in three suitcases in Floridas Delray Beach released photos of two pieces of luggage in an effort to identify the victim.

Delray Beach Police on Wednesday released one image of a purple Palm Springs Ricardo Beverly Hills bag, and another image of a green and black polka dot Charlie Sport bag. Officials said that they are investigating the death as a homicide, which they think occurred between 17 July and 20 July.

Part of the victims body was found in a purple Palm Springs Ricardo Beverly Hills (Delray Beach Police Department)

The officials also said that Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office Forensic Imaging Unit created a reconstructed image of what our victim may have looked like. They also released a full body sketch depicting what the victim is thought to have looked like with similar clothing to what the victim was found wearing.

Police previously said they believe the victim was a white or Hispanic middle-aged woman with brown hair, and roughly 5ft 4in tall. She may have had tattooed eyebrows and was wearing a floral tank top with a black undershirt and black mid-thigh shorts, police added.

Part of the victims body was also found in a green and black polka dot Charlie Sport bag (Delray Beach Police Department)

Earlier this week officials shared a photo of what they believe to have been the victims shirt, which featured a multicolored floral pattern. On Sunday they said, The brand for the floral top is Betzabe which from what we can tell is a Brazilian company.

The Delray Beach Police Department said it received a 911 call just after 4pm on 21 July with a report of a suspicious item in the water.

The officers said they discovered one suitcase with human remains inside; shortly after, they found two other suitcases, which also contained human remains. Police said the victims remains were taken to the medical examiners office.

My first instinct was its an endangered sea turtle or something like that was floating by, Marine dockhand Keenan Johnson told WPTV . I was in shock really for all this to happen.

He told the outlet that he had never seen anything like this happen in his career. Mr Johnson continued, Im definitely not going to sleep well tonight just knowing this is going on in my backyard but its a crazy sad world we live in today.
A fire in Crimea as a result of a drone attack

A military warehouse containing three tons of artillery shells exploded during a drone attack on temporarily occupied Crimea on July 22, Russian media outlet ASTRA reported on Telegram.

Sources told the publication that the warehouse, which was set ablaze in the village of Oktyabrske, Krasnohvardiyskyi district, stored three tons of artillery ammunition.

Read also: Explosions in Crimea: Residents of Oktiabrske being evacuated due to ammo dump detonation

On July 22, a series of explosions were heard in Crimea, which resulted in a fire near the village of Oktyabrske, located about 43 km from Simferopol. The occupation "authorities" of Crimea announced that a drone attack had taken place.

The Moscow-appointed puppet "governor," Sergey Aksyonov, first reported a drone attack "on infrastructure facilities" in the Krasnohvardiyskyi district of occupied Crimea, where the village of Oktyabrske is located.

Read also: Ukraine confirms successful destruction of Russian oil depot and warehouses in occupied Crimea

Later, Aksyonov admitted that the UAV strike "caused a detonation at an ammunition depot." He said a decision was then made to evacuate the population located within a 5-kilometer radius of the explosions, and "to minimize risks," the Crimean railway was suspended.

According to a Crimean railway official, there were no victims as a result of the explosions.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces, in turn, confirmed the destruction of the Russian army's oil depot and warehouses in Oktyabrske.

The head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, said that residents of the village of Biyuk-Onlar (Oktyabrske) in Crimea, where the ammunition dump was hit and detonated, are being resettled 10-13 km away.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A woman walks past pro-abortion graffiti painted by feminist organizations in Caracas, Venezuela (Magda Gibelli)

Maria drank a concoction of ground avocado seed, "bad mother" and other plants to try and terminate her pregnancy in Venezuela, where abortion is illegal. It did not work.

Only people with money can access illegal, private abortions in the country, and Maria is not one of them.

Aged just 26, she lives with two of her five children in extreme poverty in Caracas in a house shared with other people.

The child she tried to abort is now three years old. She had another since then, 10 months ago.

"One wastes one's life giving birth, giving birth, giving birth," said Maria, who asked to use a pseudonym for the story.

Abortion is punishable by up to six years in jail in the fervently Catholic and conservative country. Using contraception, meanwhile, is widely viewed as sinful.

The procedure may be performed legally to save the life of the woman, and penalties can be reduced under Venezuelan law if a termination was intended to save the "honor" of the woman or her family.

"I didn't want to have more children. I had too many children too quickly," Maria said of her failed abortion attempt.

"I tried to get it (the fetus) out... but it didn't work," she told AFP.

The recipe of avocado seed and spider plant -- called "mala madre" or "bad mother" in Venezuela -- was given to her by a friend who had used it successfully before.

To get a professional, albeit illegal, abortion from a private doctor in Venezuela can cost as much as $1,000.

- 'Not a priority' -

Almost half of all pregnancies in the world are unplanned, of which about 60 percent end in abortion -- 45 percent of them unsafe, according to the World Health Organization.

Venezuela has no official statistics on terminations, but the country of nearly 30 million people is far from riding the pro-abortion "green tide" that has swept over Latin America in recent years.

In Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Uruguay the practice is legal. But it has never been a political priority in Venezuela's 24 years of successive leftist, populist, socially conservative, "Chavista" governments.

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Parliament in 2021 promised new abortion legislation, but nothing has been announced to date.

"It is not a priority (in Venezuela) that women are dying from unsafe abortions," said Belmar Franceschi, executive director of the NGO Plafam which provides sexual and reproductive guidance.

In 2021, a teacher was arrested for helping a 13-year-old girl get an abortion after she was raped. The girl's assailant was never arrested, but the teacher spent nine months in custody.

In May this year, police dismantled a feminist activist group that authorities described as "a gang dedicated to promoting illegal abortion."

Many activists have ceased their activities since then, and a number of privately run hotlines have disappeared.

While demonstrations calling for safe, legal abortion in Venezuela have multiplied in recent years, the anti-abortion movement has grown as well.

A recent march against abortion organized by Evangelicals gathered hundreds of people in Caracas.

- 'No scolding' -

Zarina, a 35-year-old musician who declined to give her real name so as "not to go to jail," became pregnant despite being on birth control.

She wanted an abortion, but did not know how to get one.

After being shown away by a clinic, she bought pills which she collected in a dangerous slum area, in secret. They didn't work.

Her despair grew as the weeks passed and doctor after doctor turned her away for not having the money -- between $400 and $1,000 to be paid upfront.

Finally she found a gynecologist who performed the procedure and charged her $500, paid in installments.

"I felt safe," Zarina told AFP of the treatment she is grateful to have finally received.

"Respect, human warmth, no pain, no psycho terror, no scolding" -- a luxury very few in Venezuela have access to.

jt/mbj/mlr/bfm/tjj
The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation has said it will take "tough retaliation measures" in light of the recent attacks on Moscow and Russian-occupied Crimea.

Source: statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation

Quote: "The Russian side retains the right to undertake tough retaliation measures."

Details: The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that the attack on Moscow on the morning of 24 July was only an "attempted attack" carried out by "two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles" (UAVs). It also claimed that Russian electronic warfare systems prevented the attack, causing the UAVs to crash. The Foreign Ministry said the drones caused no serious damage, adding that the two buildings that did sustain damage were non-residential.

The Foreign Ministry also said a "helicopter-type drone without an explosive device" crashed at a cemetery in Moscows Zelenogradsky district on 24 July.

The Russian ministry also claimed it "prevented the Kyiv regimes attempt to attack facilities in Crimea with 17 drones" on 24 July; according to the statement it issued, Russian air defence and electronic warfare systems destroyed all of those drones, though an "ammunition depot in the Dzhankoi district was struck".

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine was responsible for the drone attack on Crimea.

Background:

Early on 24 July, Russian media and Telegram channels reported that drones have attacked the Russian capital, damaging a building next to the Russian Defence Ministry. Another drone hit the Leroy Merlin business centre in Moscow.

A source in the security and defence sector told Ukrainska Pravda that the Moscow drone attack was a special operation by the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

Also on 24 July, Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed puppet leader of Crimea, reported a strike on a Russian ammunition storage point in the Dzhankoi district, claiming that 11 drones were shot down over Crimea.

Another ammunition depot in Crimea was struck on 22 July in the Krasnohvardiiske district, causing ammunition to detonate.

On 19 July, an explosion caused a fire at an ammunition depot in Crimeas Kirovske district, with ammunition detonating over the course of the next several days.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Toyota USA Foundation on Monday announced grants of up to $5.7 million to prepare students in Scott County, Fayette County and Northern Kentucky for science, technology, engineering and math careers.

The program, Driving Possibilities, focuses on PreK-12 education to ensure students have better access to careers, including opportunities in the auto industry.

It brings together educators, local and national nonprofits, and communities. The new education program is cited as the largest and most comprehensive in Toyotas history, according to the company.

Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our Toyota team members live and work, said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation for Toyota.

The initiatives phased approach, which offers programming in specific schools such as the middle schools that feed into Lexingtons Bryan Station High School, aims to close educational gaps through hands-on STEM programming while addressing the needs of students and families.

The feeder schools are Mary Todd, Arlington, Russell Cave, Northern elementary schools; Winburn Middle and Bryan Station High, said Fayette district spokeswoman Dia Davidson-Smith.

There will be connections with business and industry partners, a focus on Career Technical Education curriculum, field trips, job shadowing, apprenticeships and mentorships.

Programs will be providing additional resources through equipment, staffing, and support for English learner students and families.

With $1.2 million in its first year and more to come in the years ahead, we are excited to expand Driving Possibilities here in Kentucky, home to our largest manufacturing plant in the world, said Bethel.

Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman said the investment will eliminate barriers to success, increase opportunities for students and help achieve the goal of a quality education for every Kentuckian.

Story continues

Driving Possibilities is designed to expand literacy and language resources, build education and industry partnerships, and address transportation barriers.

With Toyotas leadership and partnering with amazing organizations such as NCFL and Fayette Education Foundation, we are embarking on a grassroots initiative to dismantle economic and educational barriers facing many FCPS students, families and communities, Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said.

Billy Parker, Superintendent of Scott County Schools, said Driving Possibilities is another example of partnership with Toyota.

We live in a community dedicated to education and continuous improvement. Working together, we will strengthen the Scott County Schools career and technical education pathways and remove barriers to education. We are excited about this initiative and the opportunities it provides our students, said Parker.

Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky, said the corporation is focusing resources inside and outside the classroom to help students overcome barriers.

Kentucky is the second site to launch programming; the first was in West Dallas, Texas.

Funding partners include the Community Transportation Association of America, Prichard Committee, National Center for Families Learning, Fayette Education Foundation and the Scott County School District.

At the Ignite Institute in Erlanger, there will be a comprehensive analysis of the transportation needs in the region for students and families through a multi-year research and mapping effort.
Two Eastern Kentucky high school students were killed in a crash early Sunday morning, according to Kentucky State Police and a local school district.

The crash happened on Kentucky Route 680 in the Branham Creek community of Floyd County, according to KSP. A 20-year-old man was driving a pickup truck when it left the road and overturned.

Six people were in the truck when it crashed. Two were minors who were declared dead on scene by the Floyd County Coroners Office, according to KSP. The four others were sent to a hospital.

The victims were later identified as Kendra Moreno and MaKenna Barnett, according to the Floyd County Public School District. They were students at Prestonsburg High School.

Anna Shepherd, Floyd County Public Schools superintendent, confirmed the students deaths in a Facebook post and said counselors will be available for those needing assistance. Shepherd called the deaths a tragic loss.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family, friends and classmates during this difficult time, Shepherd said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to all those involved in the accident and their families as well.

A funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Prestonsburg High School Gymnasium.

A KSP detective was still investigating the crash Monday afternoon.
Even if former President Donald Trump is indicted for a third time, his dominance of the Republican White House race is unlikely to be shaken because of his years of shattering its voters trust in institutions that challenge his power.

The Republican frontrunner has maneuvered his major rivals into an impossible position: a tortured balancing act of trying to take advantage of Trumps liabilities without alienating his devoted supporters in the primary.

If they fail to criticize his multiple misadventures, they ignore a factor that could undermine their partys possible general election candidate. But so far theres no sign that two and possibly more trials looming over Trump will convince most GOP primary voters hes too much of a risk to nominate.

The ex-presidents skill in turning the GOP primary battle into a political Catch-22 helps explain why no one in the partys bloated field of presidential hopefuls has yet reached critical momentum in a bid to deprive him of a third successive Republican nomination.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in all cases. But the failure of rivals like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence to exploit the possibility of potential Trump convictions also raises a perilous question for their party. Does the GOP risk nominating a candidate beloved by millions of its partisans but who could again scare moderate, swing states voters and hand victory to Democrats?

The dilemma of GOP candidates over how to treat Trump will be highlighted Friday evening when most of the field is expected at a Republican Party dinner in Iowa, the first state to vote in the nominating race early next year. With Trump threatening to boycott the first GOP debate next month, the gathering could be a rare chance to compare the front-runner and his foes at the same event.

The GOP nominating race has effectively been frozen since last week as Trump and his adversaries wait to see whether special counsel Jack Smith will indict the former president in his criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump announced on his social media platform he had received a target letter, which usually leads to charges.

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Any conventional political candidate in such a position would have seen their hopes of the White House extinguished years ago. Yet the twice-impeached, already twice-indicted Trump, the first president to challenge the US tradition of peaceful transfers of power, appears as robustly popular as ever among Republicans.

In a CNN/SSRS poll last month, he had the support of 47% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters. DeSantis was at 26% and no other candidate cracked double figures. Trump also benefited from fundraising spikes after previous indictments, according to a CNN analysis of itemized donations larger than $200.

Trump the puppeteer

While Trumps campaign is pushing a narrative that his legal problems are all a result of politicized investigations designed to keep him from power, his current strength is not simply a short-term reaction to adverse events. It is rooted in his years of undermining legal, political and media institutions that tell a fact-based version of events that conflict with his own falsehoods.

Ever since he jumped into the 2016 presidential race, Trump has constructed an alternative reality for his supporters that remains the key to his political shield in the GOP now. The former property tycoon and reality star shot to power by serving as an avatar for resentment against perceived elites and Washington institutions.

His work to undermine elections, meanwhile, goes back years. He, for example, claimed massive fraud that robbed him of a popular vote victory over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 despite winning the presidency. In his first hours in the White House, Trump accused the media of falsely underestimating the size of his inaugural crowd. In hindsight, this was a first bid to use the power of the presidency to tarnish the Washington media and poison the very notion of truth among his supporters.

This campaign peaked with his admonition to supporters in 2018 to ignore facts-based journalism with the words: What youre seeing and what youre reading is not whats happening.

Trump also constantly discredited government centers of power that sought to hold him in check, clashing frequently with the Justice Department and the FBI during the Russia investigation. Now, the bureau  one of the most historically conservative agencies in the US government  is viewed with contempt by GOP voters, meaning that its investigations into Trump, over his hoarding of classified documents at his Florida resort and his behavior in the run-up to the Capitol insurrection, are immediately seen as biased by his supporters.

Most GOP candidates have now vowed to sack FBI Director Christopher Wray despite the fact hes a Republican serving a 10-year term meant to insulate him from political interference. Smith has meanwhile become the latest law enforcement figure, following previous special counsel Robert Mueller, fired FBI Director James Comey and Wray to feel the lash of Trumps tongue. These are evil people. Deranged, I call them deranged, the ex-president said last week of the special counsel and his team.

As president, Trump built his bond with voters by behaving like an insurgent inside his own administration, never forgetting that his appeal relied on not becoming the kind of establishment figure that they disdained. He hounded conservatives who spoke out against his assaults on the Constitution and the law  like ex-Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney.

Pro-Trump House Republicans now hold hearings designed to prove his claims that the government is politically weaponized against him. And in a sign of his enduring power, Trump secured agreement from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to consider legislative moves to expunge his two impeachments  even though such votes would be constitutionally meaningless. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mocked McCarthy in an appearance on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, saying Donald Trump is the puppeteer. And what does he do all the time but shine the light on the strings? She added: These people look pathetic.

A long-term strategy on legal and judicial institutions

While Trump promises hes running to save America, his campaign increasingly looks like one to save himself as he is the first former president in US history to be indicted. It happened initially in a case arising from an alleged hush money payment made to an adult film actress and then over alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office.

His legal strategy has become indistinguishable from his political one as he and his lawyers argue that every case against him is an example of political persecution designed to keep him from reclaiming the White House.

He also has doubled down on the appeal that swept him to power in the first place  the idea that hes taking the heat to protect his supporters from a deep state, swampy government they despise while promising retribution if he wins a second term.

Every time the radical left Democrats Marxist Communists and Fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of courage, Trump said at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington last month. Im being indicted for you, and I believe the you is more than 200 million people who love our country.

Despite the danger for rivals of openly criticizing Trump, there may be a small opening for them. Some polls, for example, show substantial numbers of GOP voters who liked his presidency are open to supporting someone else. But full-throated criticism doesnt play. The most outspoken critics in the race, like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have so far performed poorly in GOP primary polls

DeSantis tried to finesse this conundrum by implicitly criticizing Trump over his swirling scandals and by claiming hed be more effective in implementing Trump-style policies than the former president himself.

In an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN last week, he suggested Trumps obsession with the past left his party stuck there too. But DeSantis also assures Trump voters hes not piling on the ex-president. He told Russell Brand on his podcast last week that the January 6, 2021, mob attack on Congress by Trump supporters was not an insurrection or a plan to somehow overthrow the government of the United States.

Haley has been more explicit in declaring Trump a general election liability, saying last week, Thats why I am running  because we need a new generational leader. We cant keep dealing with this drama or dealing with the negativity. We cant keep dealing with all of this.

Pence has a near impossible task, seeking to claim credit for the Trump-Pence administration while rebutting Trumps claims that he had the power as vice president in 2021 to reverse the election result in Congress. Pence tried to thread this needle on State of the Union on Sunday by raising a feeling among Republicans that Trump isnt getting equal treatment under the law.

But he added: Let me be very clear: President Trump was wrong on that day. And hes still wrong in asserting that I had the right to overturn the election.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Donald Trump has gone on the attack over the grand jury investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election  as he could be indicted on criminal charges as soon as this week.

In a Truth Social rant on Sunday night, the former president lashed out at special counsel Jack Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland claiming that the investigations are a coordinated Hoax and a ploy to STEAL ANOTHER ELECTION through PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT at levels never seen before in the U.S..

This comes as former vice president Mike Pence downplayed Mr Trumps actions leading up to the Capitol riot, claiming that he is not sure if they were criminal or not.

While his words were reckless, based on what I know, I am not yet convinced that they were criminal, Mr Pence, who is also a Republican presidential contender, told CNNs State of the Union.

In one of the clearest signs that Mr Trump could face federal charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the former president said last week that he had received a letter saying he is a target of a grand jury investigation.

Key points

Jack Smith has contacted Georgia Governor over Trumps effort to overturn 2020 election

12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has given insight into the possible scope of special counsel Jack Smiths investigation of Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The Republican governor - who survived a Trump-backed attempt to oust him from office last year - told USA Today on Sunday that Mr Smiths office had contacted him.

Story continues

However it is unclear what stage Mr Smiths investigation has reached or whether Mr Kemps office had provided, or agreed to provide, evidence or testimony.

Read more here:

Jack Smith has contacted Brian Kemp over Trumps effort to overturn 2020 election

Trump classified documents trial set for May 2024

11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Judge sets May 2024 date for Trump classified documents trial

Trump lashes out at deranged Jack Smith in Sunday night rant at legal woes

11:00 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has gone on the attack over the grand jury investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election  as he could be indicted on criminal charges as soon as this week.

In a Truth Social rant on Sunday night, the former president lashed out at special counsel Jack Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland claiming that the investigations are a coordinated Hoax and a ploy to STEAL ANOTHER ELECTION through PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT at levels never seen before in the U.S..

Just think of it! Between Mueller, Deranged Jack Smith, and Congressional Committees, over 100 Million Dollars has been spent investigating me since I came down the escalator in Trump Tower, Trump fumed.

Biden is a criminal, and almost no money, by comparison, has been spent investigating him. Get smart, Republicans, they are trying to steal the Election from you!

How might prosecutors charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case?

10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

An indictment is expected within the first two weeks of August.

Alex Woodward reports.

How prosecutors could charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case

Explained: Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election

09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward explains how a sprawling Justice Department probe into Donald Trump and his allies could result in several criminal charges against the former president.

The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained

How Trump is gaining an advantage in the nitty-gritty battle for delegates

07:54 , Shweta Sharma

Set aside the polls, the fundraising numbers or Donald Trumps name recognition as metrics of his early dominance of the Republican presidential contest. He has what could prove to be the most important advantage in the race: a leg up in winning the delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination.

While the delegate count wont begin taking shape until voting begins next January, Trumps edge in the race to win their votes is years in the making.

Many state Republican parties made changes to their rules ahead of the 2020 election by adding more winner-take-all contests and requiring candidates to earn higher percentages of the vote to claim any delegates.

DeSantis says hed accept Trump being prosecuted for a traditional crime

07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Abe Asher reports on the governors comments.

DeSantis says hed accept prosecution of Trump for a traditional crime

Mike Pence says he is not convinced yet that Donald Trumps Jan 6 actions were criminal

05:53 , Shweta Sharma

Former vice president Mike Pence has said that he is not yet convinced that Donald Trumps actions leading up to the Capitol attacks on 6 January 2021 were criminal as his former boss is expected to face federal criminal charges.

While his words were reckless, based on what I know, I am not yet convinced that they were criminal, Mr Pence, who is also a Republican presidential contender, told CNNs State of the Union.

In one of the clearest signs that Mr Trump could face federal charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the former president said he had received a letter saying he is a target of a grand jury investigation.

I hope it does not come to that, Mr Pence said on a potential Mr Trump indictment over efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He said it should be left to the American public to determine whether Mr Trump was responsible.

His actions were reckless, Pence said. He added: I dont honestly know what his intention was on January 6 2021.

Jim Caviezel proclaims Trump the new Moses

05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Actor Jim Caviezel has proclaimed Donald Trump the new Moses after visiting him in New Jersey.

Caviezel, who played Jesus in Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ, made the biblical comparison to the twice-indicted and twice-impeached one-term president on Fox News.

The conservative actor appeared on Fox & Friends on Fox News on Thursday to promote his new anti-trafficking movie Sound of Freedom.

Graeme Massie reports.

Actor Jim Caviezel proclaims Trump the new Moses after visiting him at Bedminster

ICYMI: Trump shares sinister new video issuing apocalyptic threat

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump shared a menacing new video on his Truth Social account on Thursday in which he promises to do things that have never been done before to people who f*** around with us.

Abe Asher has the story.

Trump shares video issuing apocalyptic threat to anyone who f***s around with us

Trump suggest ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME to fix Fox News ratings

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Seeming to ignore that a federal trial date has been set for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case brought against him by Special Counsel Jack Smith  dismissing his request to postpone it until after the 2024 election  Donald Trump instead took to Truth Social to attack two of his favourite foes: Fox News and Ron DeSantis.

He posted:

Fox is down 58%, at least, all because they dont treat TRUMP and MAGA well. They are focused on someone who cant win, Ron DeSanctimonious, who will never be able to bring it home. The only reason DeSanctus won in Florida is because I Endorsed him, and Campaigned for himHe would have lost by 40 points. The sadder part is, he TOTALLY forgot! He also forgot he wanted to close down Social Security, Ethanol, and obliterate Medicare

He continued:

Fox is gone, just like in 2016, and the only way they come back is if they go ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME. Our people have had it! MAGA and America First are stronger than ever before, but we want and deserve support like the Radical Left Democrat Fascists get from so many sources, including the Fake News Media and Law Enforcement. Bring back Fox, before its too late!

The former president linked to a Breitbart article attacking both CNN and Fox News for suffering a brutal ratings collapse.

Journalist Aaron Rupar notes: Foxs coverage of Trump these days is overwhelmingly positive, and the entire primetime lineup of hosts are Trump supporters. Still not enough for him though.

Foxs coverage of Trump these days is overwhelmingly positive, and the entire primetime lineup of hosts are Trump supporters. Still not enough for him though. pic.twitter.com/PEK59ggDNP  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 21, 2023

ICYMI: Grassley releases full FBI memo with unverified claims about Hunter Biden

Sunday 23 July 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley released an unclassified document Thursday that Republicans claim is significant in their investigation of Hunter Biden as they probe the financial affairs of the presidents son and revive previously debunked claims of wrongdoing.

Grassley of Iowa has been working alongside House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., as Republicans deepen their probe of the President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, ahead of the 2024 election. Comer had issued a subpoena for the document from the FBI.

While lawmakers on the Oversight Committee have already been able to partly review the information, this is the first time the full form -- which contains raw, unverified information -- is being made public. Called an FD-1023 form, it involves claims a confidential informant made in 2020 about Hunter Bidens alleged business dealings when he served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Top Republicans have acknowledged they cannot confirm whether the information is true.

Read on...

Grassley releases full FBI memo with unverified claims about Hunter Biden's work in Ukraine

Trump isnt frightened by ack Smith Jan 6 indictment but warns it would be 'dangerous to jail him

Sunday 23 July 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Hours after former President Donald Trump announced that he was a  target  in Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Mr Trump told Sean Hannity that he was bothered by the news but it doesnt frighten him.

In a radio interview in Iowa though, the former president said he thought it would be very dangerous for Mr Smith to jail him prior to any trial because of his tremendously passionate group of voters.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Trump not frightened by Jan 6 indictment but it would be dangerous to jail him

Explained: Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election

Sunday 23 July 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward explains how a sprawling Justice Department probe into Donald Trump and his allies could result in several criminal charges against the former president.

The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained

Trump demands cameras in courtroom for potential federal trial

Sunday 23 July 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trumps new lawyer will ask a judge to allow cameras in a federal courtroom if the one-term president is indicted with January 6 election fraud charges by the Department of Justice.

Mr Trump has said that he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith who could be set to bring criminal charges against the GOP front-runner within days.

I would hope that the Department of Justice would join in that effort so that we can take the curtain away and all Americans can see whats happening, attorney John Lauro said in an appearance on Fox News.

As Graeme Smith reports, theres a slight obstacle in the way...

Trump demands cameras in courtroom for potential election fraud case

Trump leads new Fox polls in Iowa, South Carolina

Sunday 23 July 2023 16:15 , John Bowden

Donald Trump remains under the scrutiny of prosecutors across the country over a wide range of issues, and at the same time appears to be solidifying his dominance over the 2024 Republican primary field.

The former president led in two polls of crucial early primary-season states commissioned and released by Fox News on Sunday. Mr Trump has an impressive 30-point gap separating him from his nearest competitor, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who himself has been making an aggressive play for the state and seeking to align himself politically with Kim Reynolds, the states Republican governor.

Mr Trump has done so by sticking to his traditional style of insult first, ask questions later  even fuming openly at Ms Reynolds on his Truth Social platform for not endorsing his candidacy outright.

The twice indicted, twice impeached ex-president also leads the pack in South Carolina, where his closest rival is the states former governor, Nikki Haley; she trails him by 34 points in the Fox survey.

Trump calls for immediate death penalty for child traffickers

Sunday 23 July 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Trump calls for death penalty for child traffickers after watching QAnon-linked movie

Voices: What Donald Trumps trial date means for the 2024 election

Sunday 23 July 2023 13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

Another day, another wrench thrown into the Republican presidential primary. On Friday, US District Judge Aileen Cannon issued an order announcing Donald Trumps court date for his trial for charges related to the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice will take place on 20 May 2024.

On the surface, that might make Mr Trump wince because of the fact that it denies his request to delay the trial until after the 2024 presidential election. Still, it means that Mr Trumps legal troubles will make him the centre of attention within the GOP primary and his court case will entirely define that contest as well as the general election.

Read more...

What Donald Trumps trial date means for the 2024 election

ICYMI: Trump and Cohen reach settlement over $1.3m in unpaid legal bills

Sunday 23 July 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has reached a settlement with his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen over claims the former presidents company broke an agreement to pay the attorneys legal bills, leaving him owing an estimated $1.3m.

Josh Marcus reports.

Trump and Michael Cohen reach settlement over $1.3m in unpaid legal bills

What charges does Trump face in the classified documents case?

Sunday 23 July 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Heres how the Mar-a-Lago classified papers case against Donald Trump unfolded and what charges he now faces.

What charges does Donald Trump face in the classified documents case?

Who is Aileen Cannon, the judge with Trumps fate in her hands?

Sunday 23 July 2023 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A Florida district judge assigned to oversee Donald Trumps classified documents case is attracting criticism given that it was Mr Trump himself who elevated her to the bench three years ago.

Aileen Cannon, a federal judge with the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida overseeing the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice case against Mr Trump, has rejected the disgraced ex-presidents bid to delay his trial until after the 2024 election.

Judge Cannon issued an order on 21 July granting the governments request to set a speedy trial date and schedule for pretrial motions, with a start date of 20 May 2024.

Joe Sommerlad explains her involvement in the case.

Aileen Cannon: The judge with Trumps fate in her hands was appointed by him

Trump claims Clinton socks case gets him off the hook, but what is he talking about?

Sunday 23 July 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

For Americans who lived through the 1990s, the words Clinton and Socks may bring to mind a whimsical image of a certain famous feline, of the black-and-white tuxedo variety, who prowled the most prestigious halls of American power at a time when the US was emerging as the worlds sole unchallenged superpower.

But for former president Donald Trump, those two words represent the latest attempt to manifest a legal defence for his alleged unlawful retention of hundreds of documents with classification markings at levels up to top secret, long after his term.

Andrew Feinberg explains.

Trump says Clinton socks case gets him off the hook  what was it and is he right?

The question everyone wants an answer to...

Sunday 23 July 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Is Donald Trump going to prison?

Whats the story behind Trumps claim that George Bush Sr stashed documents in a bowling alley?

Sunday 23 July 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Maroosha Muzaffar has the story.

The story behind Trumps claim that Bush Sr stashed documents in a bowling alley

Timeline: How former president Trumps second criminal case unfolded

Saturday 22 July 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has now been arrested and formally charged with a string of federal charges relating to the storage of classified national defence documents dating from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.

The 45th president of the United States appeared in federal court in Miami on 13 June where he pleaded not guilty to all 37 counts. Should he ultimately be convicted, he could face a maximum combined sentence of 100 years in prison.

Joe Sommerlad takes us through a timeline of the case.

A timeline of the investigation into Trumps Mar-a-Lago documents

What do a trans whistleblower, a Soviet spy, and Donald Trump have in common?

Saturday 22 July 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

No, its not the start of a joke, as Io Dodds explains.

A trans whistleblower, a Soviet spy and Donald Trump all have one thing in common

What is the key difference between Biden and Trump having classified documents at home?

Saturday 22 July 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg explains.

The key difference between Biden and Trumps classified papers

Trump classified documents trial set for May 2024

Saturday 22 July 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Judge sets May 2024 date for Trump classified documents trial

How might prosecutors charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case?

Saturday 22 July 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

An indictment is expected within the first two weeks of August.

Alex Woodward reports.

How prosecutors could charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case

Trump issues apocalyptic threat to anyone who f***s around with us by sharing sinister video

Saturday 22 July 2023 13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump shared a menacing new video on his Truth Social account on Thursday in which he promises to do things that have never been done before to people who f*** around with us.

The video, produced by MAGA.com, features audio of the former presidents appearance on the late Rush Limbaughs radio show three years ago. During that appearance, Mr Trump was discussing Iran. Now, with Mr Trump set to face another federal indictment over his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election, the audio has been repurposed.

Abe Asher has the story.

Trump shares video issuing apocalyptic threat to anyone who f***s around with us

Jim Caviezel proclaims Trump the new Moses

Saturday 22 July 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Actor Jim Caviezel has proclaimed Donald Trump the new Moses after visiting him in New Jersey.

Caviezel, who played Jesus in Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ, made the biblical comparison to the twice-indicted and twice-impeached one-term president on Fox News.

The conservative actor appeared on Fox & Friends on Fox News on Thursday to promote his new anti-trafficking movie Sound of Freedom.

Graeme Massie reports from Los Angeles.

Actor Jim Caviezel proclaims Trump the new Moses after visiting him at Bedminster

Third-party bid wouldnt derail Bidens shot at re-election, poll says

Saturday 22 July 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

John Bowden reports.

Poll suggests third-party bid wouldnt derail Bidens shot at re-election

Judge says ex-president did rape columnist

Saturday 22 July 2023 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Read more...

Trump bid to toss E Jean Carroll ruling backfires as judge says he did rape her

SEC announces settlement with merger partner of Trumps Truth Social app

Saturday 22 July 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had settled fraud charges with the financial firm tied to former president Donald Trumps Truth Social platform, Street Insider reported.

The SEC had accused Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC), a special purpose acquisition company, of making material misrepresentations in forms it filed with the SEC as part of its initial public offering and its proposed merger with Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG), which Mr Trump founded.

DWAC had misled both the SEC and investors when it failed to disclose that it had formulated a plan to acquire and was pursuing the acquisition of TMTG.

Eric Garcia has the details.

SEC announces settlement with merger partner of Trumps Truth Social app

McCarthy denies he made any deal with Trump to try to expunge his impeachments

Saturday 22 July 2023 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insisted this week that he had not made a deal with former President Donald Trump over the issue of expunging the latters two impeachments.

The Speaker was asked about the issue by reporters in his daily press gaggle on Thursday, according to Politico, as the chamber considers bills brought by a coalition between Rep Elise Stefanik, a member of leadership, and Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene  a far-right bomb-thrower recently expelled from the House Freedom Caucus for cozying up to the Speakers team too aggressively.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Kevin McCarthy denies he made any deal with Trump to try to expunge his impeachments

Trump trashes 2024 rivals

Saturday 22 July 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Eric Garcia reports.

Trump trashes 2024 rivals and goes after Chris Christies weight

Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election

Saturday 22 July 2023 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward reports how a sprawling Justice Department probe into Donald Trump and his allies could result in several criminal charges against the former president.

The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained

Trump legal team tries again to block Georgia 2020 grand jury probe

Saturday 22 July 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trumps legal team has again made a last-minute effort to block the Fulton County, Georgia, investigation into whether the former president and his allies broke the law when they sought to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. A new motion will now be decided by a judge based outside Fulton County, The Washington Post reports.

In an order issued on Thursday but made public on Friday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville recused the entire judicial bench in Fulton County from hearing Mr Trumps motion to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office from further investigating the former president.

The motion also calls for throwing out evidence and a final report gathered by a special grand jury that investigated the case.

Mr Glanville, the chief judge in Fulton County Superior Court, reassigned the case to Georgias Seventh Judicial Administrative District for the appointment of a judge who is not a member of the district to preside over the case.

That court, based in Cartersville, Georgia, oversees 14 counties in the northwest of the state. Future hearings may still occur in Atlanta, the order suggests.

Mr Trumps attorneys have also filed an amended motion to disqualify Ms Willis and quash the special grand jury filings.

The 650-page filing accused the DA, in part, of fundraising for her reelection campaign on the back of this case.

Trump suggest fix for Fox News ratings is ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME

Saturday 22 July 2023 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Seeming to ignore that a federal trial date has been set for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case brought against him by Special Counsel Jack Smith  dismissing his request to postpone it until after the 2024 election  Donald Trump instead took to Truth Social to attack two of his favourite foes: Fox News and Ron DeSantis.

He posted:

Fox is down 58%, at least, all because they dont treat TRUMP and MAGA well. They are focused on someone who cant win, Ron DeSanctimonious, who will never be able to bring it home. The only reason DeSanctus won in Florida is because I Endorsed him, and Campaigned for himHe would have lost by 40 points. The sadder part is, he TOTALLY forgot! He also forgot he wanted to close down Social Security, Ethanol, and obliterate Medicare

He continued:

Fox is gone, just like in 2016, and the only way they come back is if they go ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME. Our people have had it! MAGA and America First are stronger than ever before, but we want and deserve support like the Radical Left Democrat Fascists get from so many sources, including the Fake News Media and Law Enforcement. Bring back Fox, before its too late!

The former president linked to a Breitbart article attacking both CNN and Fox News for suffering a brutal ratings collapse.

Journalist Aaron Rupar notes: Foxs coverage of Trump these days is overwhelmingly positive, and the entire primetime lineup of hosts are Trump supporters. Still not enough for him though.

Foxs coverage of Trump these days is overwhelmingly positive, and the entire primetime lineup of hosts are Trump supporters. Still not enough for him though. pic.twitter.com/PEK59ggDNP  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 21, 2023

Special counsel still interviewing witnesses in Trump probe as third indictment looms

Saturday 22 July 2023 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

As a potential third indictment of Donald Trump looms, the special counsel investigating his role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the build-up to January 6 is still scheduling witnesses.

CNN reports that additional witnesses are expected to appear before the grand jury over the next several weeks, including at least one former Trump attorney.

The former president was informed on Sunday that he is a target of the investigation giving Mr Trump the chance to testify or present evidence before a possible indictment is brought, which typically follows shortly after such letters are sent.

However, prosecutors are talking to at least two more witnesses about setting up interviews and those wont be completed for at least another month.

Sources tell CNN this includes former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik, a Trump ally, and a former Trump lawyer.

It is not clear if prosecutors would wait until after these interviews before filing an indictment.

The structure of the case is also unknown and there are different options  a more discrete first case could be filed and then superseding indictments could be added later, or multiple defendants could face separate cases.

To date, the former president is the only person known to have received a target letter.

ICYMI: Talking about obstructions of an official proceeding

Friday 21 July 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

There was a bizarre moment in court in Washington on Thursday when the work of the grand jury investigating Donald Trumps involvement in January 6th and overturning the 2020 election clashed with the trial of one of the rioters who stormed the US Capitol on that fateful day in 2021.

Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, was presiding over the verdict in the case of Freddie Klein, a former state department official who spent a long time in the Lower West Terrace tunnel during the attack on Congress, and Steven Cappuccio.

Kyle Cheney, senior legal affairs correspondent for Politico, was in court and reports that attorney Stanley Woodward, who represents a number of Trump associates in both the classified documents federal case and the 2020 election case, arrived 25 minutes late to court.

The visibly frustrated judge made Mr Woodward explain his delay to the open court, rejecting a request to huddle in private about the reason citing grand jury secrecy.

According to several reports from earlier today, Trump aide William Russell was expected to testify for the grand jury on Thursday and is likely represented by Mr Woodward.

Cheney reports that the defence attorney said prosecutors began grilling his client on matters that potentially involve executive privilege, and so he felt obligated to remain just outside the grand jury room until the questioning had ended.

Judge McFadden said he absolved the attorney of anything improper but was upset with prosecutors who had assured him they would not let the grand jury matter interfere with the other court business set for 2pm.

Talking about obstructions of official proceedings, Judge McFadden said sharply, playing on the charge against many January 6th defendants. The government has not acted as I required.

He then sent ent a court officer to summon special counsel prosecutors from the grand jury room to his court.

Cheney reports that Thomas Windom, a prosecutor on Jack Smiths team, and three others duly showed up and were made to wait in the front row of the court while Judge McFadden read the lengthy verdict.

He then called up Mr Windom for a sealed bench conference in which they both talked a lot, before the prosecutor and another grand jury official left the court.

Cheney notes that the fact questioning was in the realm of executive privilege likely means that prosecutors were pressing the witness for information directly relating to Mr Trumps conduct following the 2020 election and ahead of the Capitol riot.

Judge with Trumps fate in her hands was appointed by him

Friday 21 July 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A Florida district judge assigned to oversee Donald Trumps classified documents case is attracting criticism given that it was Mr Trump himself who elevated her to the bench three years ago.

Aileen Cannon, a federal judge with the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida overseeing the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice case against Mr Trump, has rejected the disgraced ex-presidents bid to delay his trial until after the 2024 election.

Joe Sommerlad profiles Judge Cannon and explains her role in the classified documents case to date.

Aileen Cannon: The judge with Trumps fate in her hands was appointed by him

What charges does Trump face in the classified documents case?

Friday 21 July 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad writes:

The most serious charges he now faces over his failure to cooperate are 31 counts brought under the Espionage Act, which criminalises the unauthorised possession of national defence information and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The First World War-era law predates the classification of government documents but makes it a crime to willfully retain sensitive information that could be of use to foreign adversaries.

Read more...

What charges does Donald Trump face in the classified documents case?

ICYMI: Grassley releases full FBI memo with unverified claims about Hunter Biden

Friday 21 July 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley released an unclassified document Thursday that Republicans claim is significant in their investigation of Hunter Biden as they probe the financial affairs of the presidents son and revive previously debunked claims of wrongdoing.

Grassley of Iowa has been working alongside House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., as Republicans deepen their probe of the President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, ahead of the 2024 election. Comer had issued a subpoena for the document from the FBI.

While lawmakers on the Oversight Committee have already been able to partly review the information, this is the first time the full form -- which contains raw, unverified information -- is being made public. Called an FD-1023 form, it involves claims a confidential informant made in 2020 about Hunter Bidens alleged business dealings when he served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Top Republicans have acknowledged they cannot confirm whether the information is true.

Read on...

Grassley releases full FBI memo with unverified claims about Hunter Biden's work in Ukraine

Trump claims George Bush Sr stashed documents in a bowling alley... is it true?

Friday 21 July 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Maroosha Muzaffar takes a look at his claims.

The story behind Trumps claim that Bush Sr stashed documents in a bowling alley

Biden 2024 campaign plans to not engage in talk of Trump legal woes

Friday 21 July 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The White House has for many months not commented on the myriad of legal woes swirling around former President Donald Trump in order to maintain its policy of non-interference with the work of the Justice Department.

Writing in Politico, Jonathan Lemire reports that this policy will most likely continue throughout the 2024 campaign.

Its 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, Bidens 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.

What do a trans whistleblower, a Soviet spy, and Donald Trump all have in common?

Friday 21 July 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

No, this isnt a joke.

Io Dodds explains what ties the three of them together:

A trans whistleblower, a Soviet spy and Donald Trump all have one thing in common

After watching QAnon-linked movie, Trump calls for immediate death penalty for child traffickers

Friday 21 July 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Trump calls for death penalty for child traffickers after watching QAnon-linked movie

Biden draws laughs after touting Marjorie Taylor Greene endorsement

Friday 21 July 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Days after President Joe Bidens re-election campaign turned a rant about him by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene into a massively viral online advertisement, Mr Biden is leaning into the GOP congresswomans description of him as continuing the work of Franklin Roosevelts New Deal and Lyndon Johnsons Great Society programmes.

Andrew Feinberg reports on the amusing moment in Philadelphia on Thursday.

Biden draws laughs after touting Marjorie Taylor Greene endorsement

Watch: DeSantis makes bizarre argument Jan 6 was not an insurrection"

Friday 21 July 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

I had to watch this video several times to make sure it was real for what DeSantis says here is so bat shit crazy, so unconnected from reality that raises all sorts of questions about his basic grasp of facts and the world around him. https://t.co/xgQqIZNWUB  Simon Rosenberg (@SimonWDC) July 21, 2023

Trump demands cameras in courtroom for expected federal case

Friday 21 July 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trumps new lawyer will ask a judge to allow cameras in a federal courtroom if the one-term president is indicted with January 6 election fraud charges by the Department of Justice.

Graeme Massie has the latest:

Trump demands cameras in courtroom for potential election fraud case

Voices: What Donald Trumps trial date means for the 2024 election

Friday 21 July 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

Another day, another wrench thrown into the Republican presidential primary. On Friday, US District Judge Aileen Cannon issued an order announcing Donald Trumps court date for his trial for charges related to the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice will take place on 20 May 2024.

On the surface, that might make Mr Trump wince because of the fact that it denies his request to delay the trial until after the 2024 presidential election. Still, it means that Mr Trumps legal troubles will make him the centre of attention within the GOP primary and his court case will entirely define that contest as well as the general election.

Read on...

What Donald Trumps trial date means for the 2024 election

Watch: New Trump lawyer says ex-president didnt appear before grand jury because he did nothing wrong

Friday 21 July 2023 19:34 , Oliver O'Connell

John Lauro, who we reported was just added to Trump's legal team, says Trump declined Smith's offer to appear before grand jury because "there's no need to appear in front of a grand jury right now. Because President Trump did nothing wrong. He's done nothing criminal." pic.twitter.com/mvpbEF6jvN  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 21, 2023

New Trump attorney John Lauro also says he will ask for cameras in the courtroom of the former presidents federal trial.

Trump's new attorney John Lauro says the first thing he will ask for are "cameras in the courtroom." "And I would hope that the Department of Justice would join in that effort, so that we can take the curtain away and all Americans can see what's happening."  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 21, 2023

ICYMI: Trump ignores announcement of trial date, instead lambasting Fox News and DeSanctus

Friday 21 July 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Seeming to ignore that a federal trial date has been set for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case brought against him by Special Counsel Jack Smith  dismissing his request to postpone it until after the 2024 election  Donald Trump instead took to Truth Social to attack two of his favourite foes: Fox News and Ron DeSantis.

He posted:

Fox is down 58%, at least, all because they dont treat TRUMP and MAGA well. They are focused on someone who cant win, Ron DeSanctimonious, who will never be able to bring it home. The only reason DeSanctus won in Florida is because I Endorsed him, and Campaigned for himHe would have lost by 40 points. The sadder part is, he TOTALLY forgot! He also forgot he wanted to close down Social Security, Ethanol, and obliterate Medicare

He continued:

Fox is gone, just like in 2016, and the only way they come back is if they go ALL TRUMP ALL THE TIME. Our people have had it! MAGA and America First are stronger than ever before, but we want and deserve support like the Radical Left Democrat Fascists get from so many sources, including the Fake News Media and Law Enforcement. Bring back Fox, before its too late!

The former president linked to a Breitbart article attacking both CNN and Fox News for suffering a brutal ratings collapse.

Journalist Aaron Rupar notes: Foxs coverage of Trump these days is overwhelmingly positive, and the entire primetime lineup of hosts are Trump supporters. Still not enough for him though.

Foxs coverage of Trump these days is overwhelmingly positive, and the entire primetime lineup of hosts are Trump supporters. Still not enough for him though. pic.twitter.com/PEK59ggDNP  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 21, 2023

Jan 6 grand jury heard testimony on Trumps state of mind, NBC News reports

Friday 21 July 2023 19:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Per NBC News:

Prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smiths office questioned former White House aide William Russell about then-President Donald Trumps state of mind during and after the 2020 election period, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.

Russell  who was with Trump for some of the day on Jan 6, 2021  testified for hours Thursday before the federal grand jury deciding whether to indict the former president over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The source said the questions to Russell were focused on Trump's state of mind around the 2020 election and Jan 6. Prosecutors did not focus on the planning of the Ellipse event on Jan. 6 or Russells own actions at the White House, the source said.

Russell served as a personal aide and trip director for Trump beginning in early 2020.

Full story: Trump and Michael Cohen reach settlement over $1.3m in unpaid legal bills

Friday 21 July 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has reached a settlement with his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen over claims the former presidents company failed to pay the attorneys estimated $1.3m in legal bills.

Josh Marcus has the details.

Trump and Michael Cohen reach settlement over $1.3m in unpaid legal bills

Even Ted Cruz questions claim Biden has been selling access to our enemies for decades

Friday 21 July 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

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?

Kelly Rissman reports on their conversation.

Even Cruz questions claim that Biden was selling access to our enemies

Some critics see Trump's behavior as un-Christian. His conservative Christian backers see a hero

Friday 21 July 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Read on...

Some critics see Trump's behavior as un-Christian. His conservative Christian backers see a hero

Trump documents trial could wrap a week or two before Republican convention

Friday 21 July 2023 18:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Should this date stick, the trial will wrap up a week or two before the Republican National Convention, where Trump could officially become the Republican Partys nominee. https://t.co/zglFackLBq  Gary Grumbach (@GaryGrumbach) July 21, 2023

As potential third indictment looms, special counsel still scheduling witnesses

Friday 21 July 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

As a potential third indictment of Donald Trump looms, the special counsel investigating his role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the build-up to January 6 is still scheduling witnesses.

CNN reports that additional witnesses are expected to appear before the grand jury over the next several weeks, including at least one former Trump attorney.

The former president was informed on Sunday that he is a target of the investigation giving Mr Trump the chance to testify or present evidence before a possible indictment is brought, which typically follows shortly after such letters are sent.

However, prosecutors are talking to at least two more witnesses about setting up interviews and those wont be completed for at least another month.

Sources tell CNN this includes former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik, a Trump ally, and a former Trump lawyer.

It is not clear if prosecutors would wait until after these interviews before filing an indictment.

The structure of the case is also unknown and there are different options  a more discrete first case could be filed and then superseding indictments could be added later, or multiple defendants could face separate cases.

To date, the former president is the only person known to have received a target letter.

Cohen to settle with Trump Organization for $1.3m

Friday 21 July 2023 17:17 , Oliver O'Connell

NBC News confirms: Michael Cohen is expected to settle with the Trump Organization in his fight for $1.3 million in legal fees. @NBCNews  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 21, 2023

Could Trump be charged with racketeering in Georgia?

Friday 21 July 2023 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

An indictment is expected within the first two weeks of August.

Alex Woodward explains how a racketeering charge could come about.

How prosecutors could charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case

Trump legal team tries again to block Georgia 2020 grand jury probe

Friday 21 July 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trumps legal team has again made a last-minute effort to block the Fulton County, Georgia, investigation into whether the former president and his allies broke the law when they sought to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. A new motion will now be decided by a judge based outside Fulton County, The Washington Post reports.

In an order issued on Thursday but made public on Friday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville recused the entire judicial bench in Fulton County from hearing Mr Trumps motion to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office from further investigating the former president.

The motion also calls for throwing out evidence and a final report gathered by a special grand jury that investigated the case.

Mr Glanville, the chief judge in Fulton County Superior Court, reassigned the case to Georgias Seventh Judicial Administrative District for the appointment of a judge who is not a member of the district to preside over the case.

That court, based in Cartersville, Georgia, oversees 14 counties in the northwest of the state. Future hearings may still occur in Atlanta, the order suggests.

Mr Trumps attorneys have also filed an amended motion to disqualify Ms Willis and quash the special grand jury filings.

The 650-page filing accused the DA, in part, of fundraising for her reelection campaign on the back of this case.

Trump trashes 2024 rivals and goes after Chris Christies weight

Friday 21 July 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

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.

Eric Garcia reports on the latest round of childish insults.

Trump trashes 2024 rivals and goes after Chris Christies weight
Donald Trump Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump spent much of his Sunday fuming at special counsel Jack Smith's investigation of election fraud and the Capitol insurrection after he was informed last week that he would be a target in the probe.

In a spate of impassioned Truth Social posts, Trump alleged that the prosecutors' efforts were a coordinated effort to "STEAL ANOTHER ELECTION," perpetuating illegitimate claims about election fraud from 2020.

"Every time you see these Radical Lunatics and their partners in the Fake News Media talking about the 'Trials and Tribulations' of President Donald J. Trump, please remember that it is all a coordinated HOAX, just like Russia, Russia, Russia, the 'No Collusion' Mueller Witch Hunt, the Fake Dossier, FISA Fraud, and all of the rest, in order to STEAL ANOTHER ELECTION through PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT at levels never seen before in the U.S. Deranged Jack Smith has already spent over $25,000,000!!!" Trump wrote.

The ex-president continued by citing the costs incurred by the investigation, which he claimed was over $100 million. "Just think of it! Between Mueller, Deranged Jack Smith, and Congressional Committees, over 100 Million Dollars has been spent investigating me since I came down the escalator in Trump Tower," Trump wrote.

"Biden is a criminal, and almost no money, by comparison, has been spent investigating him. Get smart, Republicans, they are trying to steal the Election from you!" he added.

Trump continued taking shots at Biden, who he proclaimed to be "the most corrupt and incompetent President in United States history," accusing Attorney General Merrick Garland, special counsel Smith, "and coordinating Democrat 'Prosecutors' in New York and Atlanta" of becoming Biden's "Campaign Managers."

"How many times can Crooked Joe Biden's DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR LOCAL DEMOCRAT D.A.'S & A.G.'S, INDICT HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT DURING THE COURSE OF THE CAMPAIGN?" Trump raged shortly before midnight.

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"DO THEY UNDERSTAND THE DAMAGE BEING DONE TO AMERICA? IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. WE MUST STOP THESE "MONSTERS" FROM FURTHER DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY!"

Trump concluded his rant by implying that the timing of his recent indictments and Smith's current probe are evidence of "PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT" and "ELECTION INTERFERENCE."

"Do you think that A.G. Garland, and Deranged Jack Smith, understand that we are in the middle of a major political campaign for President of the United States? Have they looked at recent poll numbers? Why didn't they bring these ridiculous charges years before - Why did they wait to bring them NOW - A virtually unheard of scenario? PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT! ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"

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After helping to create the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer was immediately declared a national hero, as his nuclear-fission weapons helped end World War II. But, as Christopher Nolans new film, Oppenheimer, explores, things quickly shifted for the famed scientist. When he spoke out, questioning the future use of these bombs, he was discredited and put through inquiries set up only to tarnish his name.

As we learn in the film, one of the men behind destroying Oppenheimers reputation was Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey Jr. in a career-best performance. But who was Lewis Strauss, and what part did he play in Oppenheimers downfall?

Who Was Lewis Strauss?

Strauss was born in 1896 in Charleston, West Virginia, and his parents were Jewish emigrants from Germany and Austria. As a boy, his plan was to study physics in college, but his fathers business suffered in a recession, so he was forced to become a shoe salesman instead.

When World War I broke out, he worked as an assistant to Herbert Hoover, who in 1917 became chief of the United States Food Administration. Strauss followed him as his personal assistant when Hoover became head of the post-war American Relief Administration.

After the war, he became a highly successful investment banker, and arranged financing for railroads, Kodachrome film, and Polaroid camera, among many projects.

What Was Lewis Strauss's Nuclear Background?

Both of Strausss parents died of cancer, and it is said that this fact, alongside his enthusiasm for physics, led him into the field to make contacts with academics who were working on using radiation to treat the illness.

After working in the Navys Department of Ordnance to work on weapon production, in 1946, he became a member of the newly created Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and was appointed this role by President Harry S. Truman. He later became its chief commissioner.

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After the Trinity nuclear bomb test in July 1945, the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb in 1949, and Strauss was vocal in how the U.S. should prioritize the advancements of nuclear weapons and how the information should be kept secret from other nations. Strauss argued vigorously for a crash program to build a hydrogen bomb and is quoted as saying: The time has now come for a quantum jump in our planning... We should now make an intensive effort to get ahead with the super.

What Was Lewis Strauss's Relationship With J. Robert Oppenheimer?

In 1947, Strauss and Oppenheimer had already crossed paths, when Oppenheimer was heading up the Los Alamos laboratory, and Strauss then offered him a job as director at Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University.

But the two men clashed on opinions. According to No Sacrifice Too Great: The Life of Lewis L. Strauss by Richard Pfau:

Oppenheimer subsequently was a leading opponent of moving ahead with the hydrogen bomb and proposed a national security strategy based on atomic weapons and continental defence; Strauss wanted the development of thermonuclear weapons and a doctrine of deterrenceOppenheimer supported a policy of openness regarding the numbers and capabilities of the atomic weapons in America's arsenal; Strauss believed that such unilateral frankness would benefit no one but Soviet military planners.

The same year, the General Advisory Committee (GAC) of senior atomic scientists questioned Strauss over whether exporting radioisotopes for medical purposes was risking U.S. security. When there was a hearing for this issue in 1949, the pair had a run in, when Oppenheimer appeared to be mocking Strauss on the stand, which was apparently a humiliation which Strauss would not forget.

How Did Lewis Strauss Get Revenge on Oppenheimer?

With a raging dislike for Oppenheimer and a paranoid notion that he might be a spy, Strauss pulled in a favor from FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, to put surveillance on Oppenheimer. The surveillance didnt reveal anything other than Oppenheimer had lied about meeting a journalist in Washington, rather than going to the White House.

Strauss then got word that Oppenheimer tried to dial back a long-range airborne detection system that Strauss had worked on, and Strauss doubled down on the tracking of his now rival. After speaking again with Hoover, Oppenheimer was tracked and his phone illegally bugged.

Pulling together enough information on Oppenheimer, Strauss was pivotal in a month-long AEC Personnel Security Board hearing in April 1954. The plan was to take down Oppenheimer; frame him as a communist (even though his wife and brother were no longer part of the communist party), and a potential spy; and to have him stripped of his access all areas security clearance.

Its been suggested by the historian Priscilla Johnson McMillan that Strauss was in collusion with William L. Borden, who wrote a letter flagging up Oppenheimer to the White House, and which triggered the following security hearing, adding that: Strauss was likely behind Eisenhower's blank wall directive to separate Oppenheimer from nuclear secrets.

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According to Dark Sun by Richard Rhodes: The hearings broke Oppenheimer's spirit and he was never the same person afterward.

In 1958, Strauss arranged with President Dwight D. Eisenhower to give him the position of Secretary of Commerce at the White House, however, there was an outcry from the U.S. Senate. In 1959, after two months of hearings, the Senate rejected his nomination to be Secretary of Commerce, a humiliating defeat for Strauss.

In later life he moved back into philanthropic ventures, and he died, aged 78, in 1974.

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Map of Tunisia

Tunisia was once an important player in the Mediterranean, thanks to its location in the centre of North Africa, close to vital shipping routes.

French colonial rule ended in 1956, and Tunisia was led for three decades by Habib Bourguiba, who advanced secular ideas, foremost of which was the emancipation of women.

Mass protests unseated President Ben Ali in 2011, in the first of a series of popular uprisings to sweep the region, but President Kais Saied has sought to re-impose aspects of authoritarian rule.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA: FACTS

Capital: Tunis

Area: 163,610 sq km

Population: 11.7 million

Language: Arabic

Life expectancy: 72 years (men) 79 years (women)

LEADER

President: Kais Saied

Tunisian President Kais Saied

Retired law professor Kais Saied won a landslide victory over media mogul Nabil Karoui in the October 2019 presidential election run-off. Saied, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, and appealed directly to young voters.

In 2021 he carried out a series of measures to enhance the power of the presidency at the expense of parliament and the judiciary.

Opposition parties boycotted the 2022 parliamentary elections, accusing the president of staging a coup after shutting parliament in 2021 and giving himself almost unlimited executive powers.

MEDIA

Social media played a key role in the mass protests which toppled the government in 2011

Since President Saied's seizure of extraordinary powers in 2021, journalists have faced increasing pressure and intimidation from government officials, says US-based NGO Freedom House.

This includes criminal penalties for defamation and other alleged offenses.

TIMELINE

Habib Bourguiba led Tunisia from independence in 1956 until he was sidelined in 1987

Some key dates in Tunisia's history:

600s - Arabs conquer the territory of present-day Tunisia.

1534-1574 - Ottomans wrestle for control of Tunis with Spanish forces, before finally reconquering Tunis in 1574. Tunisia becomes in effect an autonomous province of the Ottoman empire.

1881 - French troops occupy Tunis. France controls economic and foreign affairs; Tunisia is a French protectorate from 1883.

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1934 - Habib Bourguiba founds the pro-independence Neo-Dustour Party

1942 - World War Two: German troops arrive to resist allied forces in Algeria. Allied forces defeat German and Italian troops in May 1943.

1956 - Tunisia becomes independent with Habib Bourguiba as prime minister.

1957 - Tunisia becomes a republic.

1987 - Bourguiba declared unfit to rule and Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali assumed the presidency

2011 - Tunisian revolution. Mass protests drive President Ben Ali into exile, inspiring other Arab Spring uprisings.

2015 - Attacks aimed at foreign tourists killing 22 people at the Bardo National Museum, and later 38 people at the Sousse beachfront.

2021 - President Kais Saied imposes presidential rule, dismissing the prime minister and withdrew immunity of parliament members, undermining the authority of parliament.
Two divers vanished while exploring the waters off Hawaiis coast, officials told news outlets. Rescuers discovered their bodies.

On July 23, the two men ages 28 and 29 were free diving in the waters off Oahus North Shore, according to Hawaii News Now.

The Honolulu Fire Department received reports at 3:40 a.m. of two missing divers who hadnt been seen for hours off Velzyland Beach near Sunset Beach, according to the Star Advertiser.

Rescuers got to the scene 10 minutes later and eventually saw a dive light about 150 feet from the shore, according to KTLA. The light wasnt moving, so officials dove into the water and found one diver unresponsive, the news outlet reported

Rescuers found the other diver in the same area by using a helicopter and dropping rescuers with scuba-diving equipment into the water to search, according to Star Advertiser. He was unresponsive and brought to shore at 6:49 a.m..

McClatchy News reached out to the Honolulu Fire Department on July 24 for more information and is awaiting a response.

The men were pronounced dead at the scene, according to KTLA.

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Search crews recovered the bodies of two missing divers Sunday on Oahus North Shore, the Honolulu Fire Department reported.

The divers, age 28 and 32, were discovered at Velzyland Beach early Sunday, first responders said. Oahu is part of the Hawaiian island chain and home to the state capital, Honolulu.

Honolulu fire officials said they received a 911 call at 3:40 a.m. Sunday, reporting two free divers who had not been seen for several hours off Velzyland Beach near Sunset Beach.

Deep-sea surprise: Taiwanese divers encounter rare giant oarfish

Authorities said firefighters reported seeing a submerged dive light about 150 feet from the shore, so they dove underwater and found an unresponsive diver attached to the dive light. Crews brought him to shore just after 4:40 a.m. where he was pronounced dead, fire officials said.

Crews found the second unresponsive diver at 6:50 a.m. Sunday and brought him to shore. He was also pronounced dead at the scene, the outlet said.

On Monday, officials said the incident was being investigated by the Honolulu Police Department.

An autopsy will determine the cause and manner of death of the two divers.

In this March 31, 2020 file photo a surfer walks out of the ocean on Oahu's North Shore near Haleiwa, Hawaii. Two free divers were found dead near Oahu's North Shore on July 23, 2023.

Deadly Utah cliff dive Ohio man dies after reportedly jumping off 50-foot cliff at Lake Powell in Utah

'Sailed back to God'

Authorities have not released the victims' names but in a fundraising page created by loved ones, family identified them as Jun Tudela and Rubert (last name not provided).

"They were angels who sailed back to God on a sea-of-joy" Candriel Abadam wrote on the fundraising page. " Both were the most happy-go-lucky guys. They were always cracking jokes together & even having their bromance moments every chance they got! They were at the happiest point in their lives when they went on their fishing trip together. We know they are both smiling, chewing pugua, and lighting one up as we speak."

Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Free divers found dead in Oahu, recovered at Velzyland Beach in Hawaii
The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday it was searching for a man who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Central Florida.

Officials said the man, 30, had been sailing on Carnival Elation before he ended up in the ocean about 95 miles east of Melbourne, Florida.

The Coast Guard said it had deployed two aircraft and a cutter to search the sea where the incident was reported.

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Carnival Cruise Lines Elation sails between Jacksonville and the Bahamas.

Carnival released this statement to Channel 9 on Monday:

Carnival Cruise Line can confirm that a male guest jumped overboard from Carnival Elation while the ship was returning to Jacksonville, Fla. on Sunday.

The crew was notified by his traveling companion late in the afternoon about his missing status after he had not been seen all day.

Sadly, after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video it was determined that he jumped.

Shoreside authorities were notified, and the crew was advised to continue to Jacksonville.

The Carnival Care Team is providing support to the guests family and our thoughts are with them and the guest.

Carnival Elation was on a four-day Bahamas sailing and returned to its homeport of Jacksonville on Monday morning.

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Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this story.

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.
Fans of the late Celia Cruz, widely regarded as the Queen of Salsa, can now see what a U.S. coin bearing the singer's likeness will look like.

The Cuban megastar, who will be the first Afro Latina to be featured on a U.S. coin, will be depicted on the reverse side of the quarter wearing a rumba-style dress as she boasts a dazzling smile with her signature slogan AZUCAR! (which means sugar) inscribed along with her name.

The U.S. Mint unveiled the design for Cruz as well as four other notable American women who were selected as the 2024 honorees for the American Women Quarters Program.

Although salsa was a genre dominated by male artists, the Cuban American singer and musician became a celebrated star and helped increase the popularity of salsa and Latin music in general. Cruz died at the age of 77 on July 16, 2003, at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Celia Cruz performs in Antwerpen, Belgium, March 1999. (Gie Knaeps / Getty Images)

Cruz, who gained worldwide acclaim, recorded over 80 albums  and 23 of them went gold. She was a three-time Grammy winner and four-time Latin Grammy recipient.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Cruz the Presidents National Medal of Arts and she received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Grammys.

Online users took to social media to express their excitement after the design's announcement came out.

Azucar! The U.S. mint has released their 2024 American Women Quarters designs. Among the women represented is Cuban-American singer and icon Celia Cruz.



"Somebody that I was honored enough to be a friend of is now going to be on a quarter," @jdbalart says. "That's wonderful." pic.twitter.com/lHSjhTP429  Jose Diaz-Balart Reports (@JDBalartMSNBC) July 24, 2023

Ruben Garcia-Reyes said the coin was "beautiful," writing in a tweet in Spanish. Another user, Angela Greben, commented with Cruz's signature "Azucar!" slogan and The Latin Recording Academy shared the news on their feed.

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Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American singer, cultural icon, and one of the most popular #Latin artists of the 20th century. The reverse design of #HerQuarter depicts Cruz flashing her dazzling smile while performing in a rumba style dress. https://t.co/Tya9Ibxp1v pic.twitter.com/DkPEEVrRVC  United States Mint (@usmint) July 20, 2023

Celia Cruz was born in Havana in 1925 and began singing in the 1940s. After the 1959 Cuban revolution, she exiled in the U.S. after a performance tour in Mexico.

The other female honorees for the 2024 coins are Patsy Takemoto Mink of Hawaii, the first woman of color to serve in Congress; Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War-era surgeon, womens rights advocate and abolitionist; the Rev. Pauli Murray, a poet, writer, activist, lawyer and Episcopal priest; and Zitkala-Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, a writer, composer, educator and political activist for Native Americans right to U.S. citizenship and other civil rights.

These beautiful designs recognize the achievements of these extraordinary women, and add to the Mints rich history of telling our Nations story through enduring examples of numismatic art, Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson, said in a news release.

The women were chosen by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Smithsonian American Womens History Museum, the National Womens History Museum and the Congressional Bipartisan Womens Caucus.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Joe Biden, right, meets with President Isaac Herzog of Israel in the Oval Office on Oct. 26, 2022. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Long before moving into the White House, President Joe Biden compared the relationship between the United States and Israel to that of close friends. We love one another, he said, and we drive one another crazy.

The United States and Israel are currently in one of those driving-each-other-crazy phases of their usually tight but often turbulent 75-year partnership.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus quest to rein in the judiciary has become the latest point of contention as he pushed the first part of his package through the Israeli parliament Monday, defying widespread protests and repeated expressions of caution from Biden.

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What makes this moment different is that the rift has nothing to do with the foreign policy and national security matters that typically provoke disagreement, like arms sales, Irans nuclear program, territorial claims or the long-running push to forge peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Instead, it concerns a strictly domestic issue inside Israel, namely the balance of power and future of freedom in the one historical bastion of democracy in the Middle East.

The friction among friends has complicated cooperation in other areas where the two allies have common interests. For months, Biden refused to invite Netanyahu to Washington, which prevented at least some meetings between lower-level officials. The president relented last week and agreed to get together at some as-yet-unspecified time and place in the United States this year. But he then felt compelled to issue two public statements making clear that he had not changed his mind about Netanyahus drive to limit the power of the courts even as the prime minister is on trial for corruption.

The debate about the prime ministers plan, which drew hundreds of thousands of protesters into the streets of Israel over the weekend in the latest of months of demonstrations, has spread to the Jewish community in the United States as well, at a time when rising partisanship has threatened to undermine American support for Israel.

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People who are left of center are worried or more upset about it overall than people who are right of center, said Nathan Diament, executive director for public policy for the Orthodox Union, one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the country.

There are many people in the American Orthodox community whose view on the substance is sympathetic or supportive to the reforms, he added, noting that his community leans more politically conservative, but nonetheless are worried about the divisiveness that the process has caused.

Still, he and other longtime advocates and analysts said they remained confident that the relationship between the United States and Israel would endure. After a liberal Democratic congresswoman called Israel a racist state, the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution declaring the opposite was true. Only a handful of Democrats boycotted last weeks address to a joint meeting of Congress by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and most of the rest gave him a standing ovation.

Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the fight over the judicial plan was the clash of the century within Israel, but it did not really affect relations with the United States in a profound way. Its a bit of a controversy lite, he said. In historical terms, this doesnt begin to rank as a U.S.-Israel crisis. Instead, he said, this really is a fight within the family.

The United States and Israel have had one of the worlds most intimate partnerships since the Jewish state was founded in 1948 and recognized minutes later by President Harry Truman. But conflict has been in the DNA of the relationship from the start. Every president  even the most outspoken supporters of Israel  has quarreled with Israeli prime ministers at one point or another.

Despite recognizing Israel, Truman refused to sell the new state offensive arms, as did his two successors. Dwight Eisenhower forced Israeli forces to withdraw from Egypt after the Suez crisis of 1956. Ronald Reagan was incensed by Israeli lobbying against his high-tech aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia. George H.W. Bush was so opposed to Israeli settlement plans that he suspended $10 billion in housing loan guarantees.

Netanyahu has been at the heart of many disputes in the last few decades. When he was deputy foreign minister, his public criticism of the United States in 1990 prompted an angry Secretary of State James Baker to bar Netanyahu from the State Department. Once Netanyahu became prime minister, Bill Clinton was so turned off after their first meeting in 1996 that he asked aides afterward, Whos the superpower here? using an expletive for emphasis.

Barack Obama and Netanyahu, never warm, grew even more estranged when the Israeli leader delivered an address to a joint meeting of Congress to lash out at U.S. efforts to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Iran. Even Donald Trump, who bent over backward to give Israel virtually everything on its geopolitical shopping list, finally broke with Netanyahu, first over a disagreement about annexation and later over the Israelis congratulations to Biden for winning the 2020 election.

Bidens relationship with Netanyahu has been scratchy going back years. Biden once said that he had given a picture to Netanyahu with an inscription using his nickname: Bibi, I dont agree with a damn thing you say but I love you. As vice president, Biden was undercut during a visit to Israel by a settlement announcement. But Biden later insisted that he and Netanyahu were still buddies.

In some ways, Bidens approach to Israel has been different from those of his modern predecessors. While he has reaffirmed American support for a two-state solution to the Israeli conflict with the Palestinians, Biden is the first president in decades not to pursue peace talks, a recognition that there is no short-term prospect for success.

That by itself should have been a relief to Netanyahu, who has long resented American pressure to make concessions to the Palestinians. But Netanyahu has been outspoken in his criticism of Bidens effort to negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Iran, while Biden has called Netanyahus cabinet one of the most extreme he had ever seen.

The judicial changes have been the latest sore point. When Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a celebration of Israels 75th anniversary at the countrys embassy in Washington last month, just two words in her speech describing shared values  independent judiciary  prompted Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to snap that she had not even read the plan. Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, recently lamented that because of Netanyahu the United States is no longer our closest ally.

For all that, Satloff said he did not believe Biden was looking for a fight with the Israeli leader  leading to last weeks invitation. My sense is the administration came to the conclusion that this tactic of withholding a presidential meeting had run its course, he said.

Nonetheless, Biden does not think much of the judicial restructuring package, going so far as to summon Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist, to the Oval Office last week to say that Netanyahu should seek the broadest possible consensus here. He offered another statement to Axios on Sunday, saying that it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less.

Aides insist Biden is not trying to engineer a specific outcome in an allys internal politics. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the president was simply offering judicious but straightforward counsel.

Its not about us dictating or lecturing, Sullivan said in a brief interview after an appearance last week at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Its about us believing deeply that the bedrock of our relationship is our common democratic values.

Other Democrats likewise said it was appropriate to weigh in with a friend. The enormous street protests should be a cautionary note to elected leaders in Israel and I hope will give them pause, said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a close Biden ally.

But some Republicans faulted Biden for intervening in a domestic issue. Maybe he knows more about the judicial system and he feels comfortable about telling the Israeli people what they should do, said Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, the senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee. I dont think thats appropriate any more than they should be telling us how we should vote on the Supreme Court here.

In the American Jewish community, the issue has not generated the same passion seen on the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The people who were very engaged in the Jewish organizational world were certainly activated by the proposed judicial reform, but I dont think this gripped broadly the American Jewish community, said Diana Fersko, senior rabbi at the Village Temple, a Reform synagogue in Manhattan.

Fersko, the author of a book about antisemitism that will be released this summer, said the issue is complicated and noted deep differences between Israeli and American societies. I dont think the Jewish American community needs to be overly involved in this, she said. But I do think we need to have a deep belief that the state of Israel will find a path forward.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Workers in Eagle Pass deploy a string of buoys designed to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande on July 14. The U.S. government sued Gov. Greg Abbott and the state of Texas over the floating barrier on Monday. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday it is suing Texas and Gov. Greg Abbott after the state declined to remove the floating barrier deployed earlier this month on the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass.

The lawsuit, filed in an Austin federal court, alleges the barrier was installed without necessary authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Because Texas installed the Floating Barrier without seeking the Corps authorization, the Corps and other relevant federal agencies were deprived of the opportunity to evaluate risks the barrier poses to public safety and the environment, mitigate those risks as necessary through the permitting process, and otherwise evaluate whether the project is in the public interest, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also alleges that the floating barrier obstructs navigation on the river and demands that the state remove the barrier.

President Bidens border enforcement plan has led to the lowest levels of unlawful border crossings in over two years," White House spokesperson Abdullah Hasan said in a written statement. "Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining that effective plan, making it hard for the men and women of Border Patrol to do their jobs of securing the border, and putting migrants and border agents in danger.

Last week, the Justice Department sent a letter threatening legal action against the state if it did not respond with a commitment to remove the barrier by 1 p.m. Central time on Monday. Abbott responded with a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday morning committing to keep the barrier in place.

Abbott defended his decision to do so as the commander-in-chief of our States militia and blamed the Biden administrations immigration policy for the conditions at the border.

It has been under your watch that migrants have suffered an unprecedented crisis of inhumanity, Abbott said in the letter to Biden. If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws.

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Hours after the lawsuit was filed, Abbott took to Twitter saying, Texas will see the Biden Administration in court to aggressively defend our sovereign authority to secure the border. Bidens open border policies created this humanitarian disaster. Texas will continue to exercise our constitutional right to respond, accompanied by video of him on Fox News discussing the case.

Abbotts office didnt immediately respond to an email from The Texas Tribune seeking comment.

Texas elected officials took to Twitter with reactions to the news. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, tweeted: Pound sand, to express his displeasure with the Justice Department's lawsuit, while U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, tweeted: Glad to see the Department of Justice take legal action to get @GovAbbott's death traps out of the Rio Grande. Abbott's barbaric actions are a clear abuse of power that have put lives at risk, and @POTUS must directly condemn this political stunt.

The controversial barrier, accompanied by rows of razor wire, was deployed by the state earlier this month as part of Operation Lone Star, an aggressive state border security initiative launched in March 2021, shortly after Biden took office. Under the operation, Abbott has sent hundreds of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and the Texas National Guard to the border and has paid to bus thousands of migrants from Texas to Democrat-run cities around the U.S.

The Justice Department lawsuit was preceded by a diplomatic complaint about the barrier from the Mexican government and a lawsuit filed by an Eagle Pass kayaking business.

It also comes nearly a week after the Houston Chronicle reported a series of allegations from a state trooper who complained to a superior in an email that a DPS official in Eagle Pass ordered troopers to push migrants  including small children and mothers with nursing babies  back into the Rio Grande. DPS says it is investigating these claims.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
For the first time in its history, Uber has started to cooperate with a railway operator - Ukrzaliznytsia

Uber and Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia, or UZ) have launched a new service called Uber Travel in Ukraine, integrating Uber rides with UZ train journeys and offering passengers a 10% cashback on trips to or from railway stations in Kyiv.

This collaboration with a railway carrier is a first in Uber's history.

Currently, Uber allows for the pre-planning of trips to or from railway stations. All travel plans can then be accessed in the Travel tab of the app's main menu. Uber also proposes the option to pre-book a trip along a chosen route. In Kyiv, the inaugural city for this feature, users can also get a 10% cashback on journeys to and from railway stations booked via Uber Travel.

Read also: Founder of Russian IT group involved in user monitoring dies at 40

Travel within Ukraine has become more challenging due to safety issues and limited air travel since the onset of the war, said Ubers Country Manager for Ukraine and the Baltics, Kateryna Netymenko.

Read also: Circus tickets given as compensation to families of Russian occupiers killed in Ukraine, widows not welcome

So, we're thrilled to present a solution in partnership with Ukrzaliznytsia aimed at simplifying travel during these difficult times. We're also proud that Ukraine is the first country where we've initiated such an integration with a railway carrier.

To sync UZ tickets with Uber Travel, the tickets must be sent to the customer's email address. Users who purchase tickets via the UZ app need to provide their email address in the Profile tab to receive tickets by email.

Read also: SBU detains Ukrzaliznytsia employee for facilitating Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Since the Russian invasion, Uber has expanded its services to 18 cities across Ukraine. It has offered free rides to displaced families, healthcare professionals, teachers, and emergency workers, as well as distributing aid to the most impacted communities.

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 House this week will be flooded with talk about UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), as a House panel gets set to hold a hearing on the increased sightings of such objects.

Frustrated lawmakers are demanding more information on UFOs and UAPs, which grew as a topic of discussion after an Air Force veteran and former member of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency claimed that the government is holding back information about UFOs. That individual, David Grusch, is among the witnesses slated to testify.

Also this week, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will face some of his staunchest Republican critics when he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee, a hearing that could further fuel calls for his ouster.

The House is also scheduled to vote on the first two of 12 appropriations bills, as lawmakers race to approve government funding ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. And the chamber this week could also vote on a resolution to censure Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), after Democrats threatened to force a vote on penalizing the indicted congressman.

On the Senate side, lawmakers will continue consideration of the annual defense bill as the end-of-September deadline inches closer; the House already passed its own version of the measure and is expected to conference its legislation with the eventual Senate measure to come to a compromise bill.

In the background of legislative and investigative work this week, Congress will be bracing for another potential indictment of former President Trump  this time pertaining to his efforts to remain in power following the 2020 election, including the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump revealed last week that he was informed he is a target in the probe, which is often a sign of an incoming indictment.

House panel to hold hearing on UAPs

The House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs is scheduled to hold a hearing on UAPs this week, as more and more lawmakers seek information on sightings of the phenomena.

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The hearing  titled Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency  is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Lawmakers will hear from three witnesses: Grusch, the whistleblower who has accused the government of withholding information related to UFOs, Ryan Graves, the executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, and Rt. Commander David Fravor, the former commanding officer of the Navys Black Aces Squadron.

In an interview with NewsNation last month, Grusch  the former national reconnaissance officer representative for the Pentagons Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force  claimed that the U.S. government has for decades recovered nonhuman craft with nonhuman species inside. NewsNation confirmed Fruschs credentials but did not view or verify evidence that he said he gave to Congress and the Pentagons inspector general.

NewsNation and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar Media Group.

The panel said Wednesdays hearing will explore firsthand accounts of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and assess the federal governments transparency and accountability regarding UAPs possible threats to U.S. national security.

This hearing will also highlight legislative efforts to bring transparency to UAPs and require the federal government to provide the American people with information about potential risks to public safety and national security, the panel added in a statement.

Mayorkas to testify before House Judiciary Committee

Mayorkas is likely to find himself in the hot seat Wednesday when he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee as part of a hearing that will offer some of his most ardent opponents an opportunity to question  and criticize  the secretary regarding his handling of the situation at the southern border.

The hearing  set for 10 a.m.  is being billed as an oversight hearing that will examine the agencys operational failures, the unprecedented border crisis, and the abandonment of immigration enforcement under Secretary Mayorkas.

The presentation, however, comes as some House Republicans  including ones on the Judiciary Committee  are pushing to impeach the secretary.

The House Homeland Security Committee officially launched an investigation into Mayorkas last month, a probe that would serve as the basis for an impeachment inquiry. But the push to impeach Mayorkas has the House GOP conference divided, with some conservatives behind the effort while other moderates are opposed.

This weeks hearing, however, will put the spotlight on Mayorkas, and could ramp up calls for his impeachment  even as border crossings continue to decrease.

Asked about the threat of impeachment last week, Mayorkas told Politico in an interview, I am incredibly proud of my record in federal service, and I love serving our country.

I have a very good understanding of who I am and what I am trying to do for our country in leading 260,000 people in the Department of Homeland Security, he later added. False accusations do not dent that one bit.

House kicks off appropriations process on floor

The House is scheduled to kick off the appropriations process on the floor this week, bringing two of 12 bills before the entire chamber for a vote.

Lawmakers are set to vote on a bill pertaining to funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and another for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration.

More from The Hill

The votes come as Congress stares down a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown; this week is the last opportunity to chip away at the appropriations process before lawmakers leave for the long August recess.

But a number of battles are on the horizon as lawmakers look to pass all 12 appropriations bills ahead of the looming September deadline.

House conservatives, for starters, have voiced concerns about leadership using rescissions to hit target levels. Rescissions, which some conservatives have labeled a budgetary gimmick, essentially claw back spending that Congress has already appropriated for future programs, which allows lawmakers to claim they are funding the government at one level when it is actually at another.

Then, there is the House-Senate clash that is poised to play out. The House is marking up appropriations bill at fiscal 2022 levels  an effort to appease conservatives  while the Senate is moving forward at levels agreed to in President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) debt limit deal, putting the two chambers on a collision course.

The Senate is also planning to add $13.7 billion in additional emergency funding, which has already sparked opposition from Republicans in the House.

House could vote on resolution to censure Santos

The House this week could vote on a resolution to censure Santos, which a handful of Republicans have already said they would support.

Three House Democrats  Reps. Ritchie Torres (N.Y.), Robert Garcia (Calif.) and Dan Goldman (N.Y.)  introduced a privileged resolution last week that would censure Santos, citing a number of lies he has told pertaining to his educational background and employment history.

Because the resolution is privileged, the trio of Democrats can force a vote on the measure  once they call it up for a vote, leadership has to take action within two legislative days.

Torres, who is spearheading the effort, said last week that there was no final decision yet on a vote when asked when he would call up the resolution but said, The likely timeline is before the August recess, which begins Friday.

In the meantime, however, some House Republicans have said they would support the censure resolution if it comes to the floor, which appears to be enough for the measure to be adopted, assuming all Democrats vote yes. The resolution only requires a majority vote for approval.

I called for his resignation, I dont think he should be a member of Congress and I would vote to censure him, Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said last week. Other Republicans in the New York delegation have echoed that stance.

Santos, for his part, is brushing aside the censure effort, writing in a statement last week, Democrats on the other side of the aisle have completely lost focus on the work they should be doing.

Senate continues NDAA consideration

The Senate this week will continue consideration of the annual defense bill, formally called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The chamber is scheduled to vote on two amendments Tuesday  one led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and the other spearheaded by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). Both are set at 60-vote thresholds.

The Senate is working to approve its version of the NDAA after the House passed its own legislation earlier in the month. The House measure was loaded up with a handful of GOP-sponsored amendments on hot-button issues such as abortion and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which tanked Democratic support.

The Senate version of the bill is expected to be far less partisan, given the fact that it will need 60 votes to pass. The two chambers, however, are then expected to hash out their differences ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline.

Capitol Hill braces for third Trump indictment

Capitol Hill is bracing for a third indictment targeting Trump  but this time around, it will hit close to home for lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Trump revealed last week that he was informed he is a target of the Justice Departments investigation into his efforts to stay in power following the 2020 presidential election, which includes the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The receipt of a so-called target letter is often a sign that a formal indictment is coming. Trump last week declined to meet with the grand jury looking into the situation.

Trumps announcement last week fueled GOP claims that federal law enforcement is weaponized against Republicans, while Democrats, particularly ones who sat on the Jan. 6 select committee, said they were not surprised at the news.

Those dynamics will likely continue this week if Trump is formally charged by the Justice Department.

Also this week, Hunter Biden is scheduled to make his initial court appearance after entering a plea agreement with federal prosecutors last month. He agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay income tax, and to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm  an agreement that has sparked howls among Republicans, who have called it a sweetheart deal.

Hunter Biden is due at the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Del., on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Do you believe the government is hiding something?

What about if we asked if you think the government is hiding something about UFOs?

"I believe there is something else out there," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., at a recent press conference. "Dadgumit, whatever the truth may be, we're done with the cover-up."

Burchett leads the Houses second big hearing on UFOs in 15 months Wednesday.

GOVERNMENT 100% COVERING UP UFO INFORMATION: REP. TIM BURCHETT

Burchett certainly falls into the category of believing the government is hiding something. He says his constituents do, too.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Rep. Tim Burchett recently said he believes "there is something else out there."

"Im stopped every weekend back in Knoxville," said Burchett. "People will stop me and tell me about their experiences (with UFOs). Decorated veterans. Why would they risk their reputations and careers over something that theyre lying about?"

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is an Air Force veteran who aligns with Burchett when it comes to UFOs.

"If we continue to get stonewalled, if we smell that theyre giving us a bunch of BS, we are going to do the field hearings directly at those locations," said Luna of the military. "Full transparency really is what we need in this situation."

Toss Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., into the camp of those who are skeptical about what the government is saying about UFOs  or UAPs as theyre sometimes called. Thats short for unidentified aerial phenomena.

UFO HEARINGS IN CONGRESS NEXT WEEK WILL BE HISTORIC: JOURNALIST SAYS

"It is really about getting to greater government transparency," said Moskowitz. "If the answers are, No, there are no unidentified aerial phenomena, then say that. But thats not what the answers are. The answer are, We cant tell you. And so that leads to speculation."

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said the country needs "full transparency" in this situation.

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., characterized himself as a UFO skeptic. But he joined with Burchett, Luna and Moskowitz about getting to the truth on UAPs  and shutting off noise and conjecture.

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"I don't give into conspiracies," said Burlison. "But too often the federal government works outside of the public eye and in conspiracies. Rumors tend to flourish in places where the federal government is silent or not transparent."

The House Intelligence Committee held the first open hearing in five decades on UFOs last spring. It took some cajoling, but Burchett managed to schedule a House Oversight subcommittee to conduct its hearing on UFOs Wednesday.

Among the witnesses:

Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace. Graves was a Navy pilot who flew F/A-18F Super Hornets. He reported multiple sightings during training flights. Graves grew concerned that UAPs posed safety risks to American pilots.

Cmdr. David Fravor is a former Navy aviator. He spotted a UAP during a 2004 training mission. He shot what is known in UFO circles as the "Tic Tac" video. The UAP looked like a flying Tic Tac hard candy.

Rep. Tim Burchett, center, said, "We're done with the cover-ups," during a July 20, 2023, press conference about UFOs

Then, there is a whistleblower.

David Grusch is a former intelligence officer who saw action in Afghanistan. He led the UAP task force for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Grusch told lawmakers the government may have in its possession pieces of a non-human spacecraft and potentially, the remains of an extra-terrestrial pilot.

"Were going to have witnesses who can speak frankly to the public about their experiences. 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," said Burchett. "There are a lot of people who don't want this to come to light."

This comes back to the old Latin maxim, "falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus."

Lie once, perhaps youre lying all the time.

If the government is covering up UFOs, what else might it hide?

"If they can do it here, what else are they doing?" asked Moskowitz. "That's a scary thought that they don't trust us."

A potential UFO was seen flying over a U.S. Marine base in 2021. The photo was obtained by Jeremy Corbell, who shared it with Fox News Digital.

Bipartisan lawmakers accused the Pentagon of blocking attempts to talk to pilots and see UAP photos when they traveled to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

"We actually got into an argument with the general of that base," said Luna.

Burchett doubts the purported technology belongs to American adversaries like China or Russia.

"If Russia owned it, they wouldn't be battling in Ukraine. It'd be over," said Burchett.

UFOS ARE A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY: RYAN GRAVES

Many military personnel and civilians have described various UFOs as maneuvering and gyrating in ways that dont comport with contemporary science. They also accelerate and dash away at insane speeds  believed in one instance to be as fast as 13,000 mph.

"When you see the Tic Tac videos and listen to the pilots, it defies all of our laws of physics," said Burchett. "The human body would not be able to withstand the pressure from this thing."

After last years hearing, Congress tucked a provision into the annual defense policy bill to require the military document and review claims of UAPs. Lawmakers say the Pentagon sometimes ignored reports of UAPs  and viewed those who say they saw the unexplained as kooks.

The Department of Defense released images of an unidentified flying object.

Many lawmakers are pleased with the new reporting and documentation system. But Burchett is far from satisfied. Senior administration officials are coy when pressed about UAPs and the new reporting regime.

"We're not saying what they are," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby when asked about UAPs. "We're saying it has had an effect on some of our training operations."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wants to add a provision to this years defense bill to create a special agency dedicated to studying UFOs and de-classifying certain information.

LAWMAKERS CLAIM UFO COVER-UPS FROM PENTAGON, MILITARY AS WITNESSES HEAD TO CONGRESS



"It'll be very helpful for the American people to see exactly what's there," said Schumer. "Otherwise, there are all sorts of rumors flying around."

To say nothing of UAPs.

However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is unconvinced about the existence of UFOs.

"If we had found a UFO, I think the Department of Defense would tell us because they probably want to request more money," said McCarthy.

McCarthy is unconvinced about the existence of UFOs.

And if the spacecraft are evidence of aliens from another galaxy, cruising through the Milky Way, could humans accept the premise that we are not alone?

Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. He convened last years hearing on UAPs.

"We saw what happened with the (Orson Welles radio broadcast) War Of the Worlds. We saw what happened in 1947 (in Roswell, New Mexico). We saw what happened with radio programs in the 30s and folks were jumping out of buildings," said Carson.

Perhaps the best quotation about these circumstances doesnt come from movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" or "E.T. the Extraterrestrial." It may emanate from "A Few Good Men."

Can the public "handle the truth?"

"Are we OK with the federal government keeping information from the American people because theyre trying to prevent us from having anxiety on all sorts of issues?" asked Moskowitz. "What else are we going to give them authority to not tell the American people because theyre interested in controlling and keeping us in a bubble?"

Rep. Andre Carson is a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Yours truly asked Carson if he could deal with learning that the alleged aircraft are otherworldly.

Carson chuckled.

"I'm a Muslim. I'm a Black man. I'm from Indiana," said Carson. "I can deal with a lot."

But is everyone else ready for this?

Burchett gently chided the press corps.

"Every time you play this (news conference), you play the theme from the X-Files. I get it," said Burchett. "You better be careful about a government that doesnt trust its people because theres no telling what theyll pull on you."
UK Defence Intelligence believes that Russia is intensively conducting military training among children in order to develop a culture of paramilitary patriotism among them.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence report on Twitter on 24 July

Details: UK Defence Intelligence in its daily review recalled Russias plans to teach students the basics of controlling combat drones.

The intelligence service noted that Russian Senator Artyom Sheykin has announced that the lessons will include area reconnaissance and methods of countering enemy UAVs.

In addition to lessons on UAV control, Russia plans to teach students how to shoot a machine gun, how to handle hand grenades, and how to provide first aid.

All this will become mandatory from 1 September 2023 in the Basics of Life Safety programme for year 10 and 11 students.

Quote: "Russias renewed emphasis on military induction for children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarised patriotism rather than develop genuine capability. However, the addition of UAV skills does highlight how Russia has identified the use of tactical UAVs in Ukraine as an enduring component of contemporary war."

Background:

UK Defence Intelligence has suggested that the arrest of Igor "Strelkov" Girkin in Russia is likely to anger his supporters among military bloggers and the military.

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Ukrainian border guard

Russia does not have sufficient forces to re-attack Ukraine from the north, Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, said on Radio Liberty on July 24.

However, the adversary is trying to pin down the Ukrainian Armed Forces by escalating the situation on the border with Belarus, and on the border with the aggressor state in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts, Demchenko said.

Read also: Ukraine bolsters border with Belarus after Wagners arrival

"Demonstrating a certain presence to ensure that Ukraine maintains the necessary number of its forces and does not transfer them to more important areas where such full-scale hostilities are taking place [is the aim of the Russians]," Demchenko said.

He added that Ukraine's northern border with Belarus is constantly being reinforced, with fortifications being built and mines laid.

At the same time, Demchenko notes that it is very difficult to strengthen the border line of Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts with Russia as the area is under constant shelling.

Read also: Russia may use Wagner mercenaries to attack NATO through Poland, Baltics  Presidential advisor

Wagner units in Belarus: what is known

On June 24, the Wagner PMC, led by their financier Yevgeny Prigozhin, ended their one-day mutiny after Prigozhin's talks with self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin then gave the militants three options, including exile to Belarus.

Read also: Ukrainian border service tracking Wagner mercenary redeployment to Belarus

A few days after that, there were reports that camps were being built in Belarus to house the Wagner units, and soon satellite images of a suspected PMC field camp appeared. Lukashenko said that no camps were being built in Belarus for Wagner Group, but that the country would "help with accommodation if necessary."

Ukraines State Border Guard Service estimated that Belarus could accommodate about 8,000 Wagner mercenaries on its territory. However, Ukrainian intelligence stressed that it is too early to talk about the deployment of Wagner units to Belarus.

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Later, reports appeared that Wagner mercenaries in Belarus would teach Belarusians how to fight. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke about this, and on July 12, the Belarusian Interior Ministry confirmed the talks on training Belarusian special forces.

At the same time, on July 14, the State Border Guard Service claimed that Russia had withdrawn almost all of its military from Belarus.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian brand develops underwear for military women

The Ukrainian brand brabrabra has joined an initiative to design and create specialized underwear for women serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the company announced in a press release on July 24.

The initiative was launched because female service personnel are generally issued men's uniforms and underwear. Charitable foundations, Ukraines Defense Ministry, and businesses are working to solve the problem.

Trial samples are in production, and servicewomen should receive their first specially designed set of underwear, including a top and two sets of briefs, this fall.

Brabrabra drew inspiration from original designs by the US, Israeli, German, and Canadian militaries. The companys main goal is to ensure that servicewomen can feel comfortable in extreme conditions.

brabrabra press service

Conditions in a war zone can be harsh, with limited access to water and personal hygiene products. Being at the front, service personnel do not always have the opportunity to take a shower, and washing machines arent present. As such, servicewomen need specialized underwear that can be adapted to combat conditions.

"The comfort of underwear is, of course, important. Usually, the "working day" here is irregular, so it is impractical to serve while experiencing consistent discomfort. It has long been proven that uncomfortable underwear can negatively affect women's health," said Nastya, a servicewoman in a missile system company.

Servicewomen have clear criteria for the "ideal" set of tactical underwear: comfort, reliability, and quality. This includes bottoms made from high-quality materials that provide ventilation and moisture management, as well as comfortable cuts that do not restrict movement and are suitable for use with body armor.

brabrabra press service

As such, civilian women's underwear cannot meet these basic requirements. Servicewomen have also consistently emphasized that dark colors and synthetic materials are essential, as these factors allow underwear to be washed without complications, and drying time is significantly reduced.

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"The military should have comfortable, high-quality underwear according to size. Because sometimes it is not possible to wash, and you have to at least change your clothes so that it does not rub anywhere. After all, the pain from the rubbing and the discomfort distract from the work that you have to do quickly and with concentration," explained Makosha, a junior sergeant and combat medic.

At present, about 42,000 women are serving in the military, both at the rear and on the front lines.

At the beginning of July, the Ministry of Defense presented a new women's summer field uniform. During development, the anthropometric data of women was considered and constructive changes were made, in order to better adapt to the female body.

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Women make up 68% of refugees from Ukraine

The potential non-return of 2.8 million working-age women refugees to Ukraine could severely impact the country's economy, costing it 10% of pre-war GDP, Bloomberg reported on July 24.

Read also: Ukraines economy to grow by 3% in 2023, predicts Dragon Capital

Citing Russian economist Alexander Isakov, Bloomberg writes that the worst-case scenario could mean that the Ukrainian economy could lose up to $20 billion in annual output.

The mass exodus of women, who comprise 68% of Ukrainian refugees, is significant since men aged between 18 and 60 are barred from leaving the country during the war.

Despite the Ukrainian government's ambitious post-war recovery plans to double the economy by 2032, the Economy Ministry acknowledges a shortfall of 4.5 million workers and entrepreneurs necessary to achieve this target.

Bloomberg points out that although internally displaced individuals can still contribute to Ukraine's economy, refugees who have found employment abroad are paying taxes and bolstering economies elsewhere.

Read also: Russias FSB and Ministry of Defense locked in intensifying conflict  Ukrainian intelligence

While there's a likelihood of many refugees returning post-war, no guarantees exist regarding the successful repatriation of a specific number. The longer the conflict lasts, the more challenging it becomes to persuade refugees to return.

Read also: Netherlands to sign up to G7 declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine

Referencing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, it took nearly a decade post-war in Bosnia in the 1990s to repatriate half of the 2 million refugees and internally displaced persons.

Read also: Ukraine included in EUs economic forecasts for first time

Isakov's calculations suggest a similar scenario for Ukraine, with only half of all refugees returning, would result in an annual economic loss of $10 billion. This translates to 5% of GDP, considering the possibility of some men and families relocating to Europe, joining the women who have chosen to remain abroad.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Andriy Yusov

Ukrainian intelligence is convinced that a possible attack by Wagner PMC militants on Poland would be suicidial for the Russians as the Polish army could "quickly solve these problems", Defense Intelligence of Ukraine representative, Andriy Yusov, said on national television on July 24.

Read also: They stress me out  Lukashenko complains to Putin about Wagners wishes to march on Warsaw

Yusov dismissed the threats coming from the Wagner Group as banal and predictable. He believes Russia deployed militants to Belarus in part to constantly provoke neighboring NATO and EU countries.

"This grouping of Wagnerites does not have sufficient forces and means to really pose a threat to, say, Poland," Yusov explained.

He added that an attempt to attack Poland would be suicidal for the terrorists.

"I am convinced that the Polish army would only be happy about such cases and would quickly solve all these problems," he stressed.

Read also: Russia may use Wagner mercenaries to attack NATO through Poland, Baltics  Presidential advisor

Earlier, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, during a meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, revealed that Wagner mercenaries allegedly threatened to attack Poland.

On July 20, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that his country had moved some of its troops to the eastern border after the arrival of Wagner units in Belarus.

Read also: Poland to bolster border security after Wagner mercenaries arrival in Belarus

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that his country would support Poland in the event of an attack by the Wagner PMC from Belarus.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Ukraine needs its women refugees to come home, and soon.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Almost a year and a half into President Vladimir Putins faltering invasion, the cost of resistance for Russias neighbor has been devastating. Unless Ukraines six million-plus refugees return, some of that damage will be permanent.

Most men age 18-60 arent allowed to leave the country, which explains why 68% of Ukrainian refugees are women, with an even greater gender disparity among adults. Failure to persuade any of the 2.8 million working-age women to return would cost Ukraine 10% of its annual pre-war gross domestic product, according to Alexander Isakov of Bloomberg Economics.

Thats $20 billion a year in a worst-case scenario that would easily outweigh the European Unions proposed four-year aid package for Ukraine, worth an annual 12.5 billion ($13.9 billion).

For me personally, victory is when Ukrainian families unite in Ukraine, not abroad, Deputy Economy Minister Tetyana Berezhna said in an interview in her office in Kyiv, part of a government zone thats surrounded by checkpoints. So the most important task now for Ukraine, for the Ukrainian government, is to make everything possible so that women with children come back to their husbands and unite in Ukraine.

Even before the war, Ukraines weakest economic link was its demography, with a fertility rate of just 1.2, among the worst in Europe. Tens of thousands of killed soldiers and civilians, and even larger numbers too injured or traumatized for employment, further reduce the number of consumers and members of the workforce that are indispensable to recovery.

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The government has ambitious plans for post-war reconstruction that would double the economys size by 2032, but the economy ministry says Ukraine is 4.5 million short of the number of workers and entrepreneurs needed to achieve that goal. It aims to plug the gap with a mix of returning refugees  60% of whom have degrees  and foreign talent.

To that end, its working on incentives to bring women back into the work force, including a new labor law, attempts to narrow the gender pay gap, and grants to help the spouses of those fighting at the front start businesses.

Taken together, Ukraines refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) amount to almost a third of the 37.3 million population the government said was living on territory it controlled before Putin launched his all-out invasion. And while some of those displaced inside the country may still be able to contribute to Ukraines economy, those now living abroad are beginning to find work, pay tax and boost output elsewhere.

Only people make the GDP of an economy, Oleg Gorokhovsky, co-founder of Monobank, a mobile-only bank service provider, said at his office in Kyiv. Im afraid that a lot of intelligent and smart people, young people, especially women, leave Ukraine.

Women, he says, have a disproportionate impact on consumer demand because they tend to be the primary decision makers when it comes to household purchases. Without them it will be super hard, he added.

Yes, many refugees are likely to return over time. Yet there are few guarantees as to how many, and persuading them to come back becomes more difficult the longer the war goes on: It took almost a decade after the end of Europes last war, in Bosnia in the 1990s, for half the conflicts 2 million refugees and IDPs to return home, according to the UNHCR.

According to Isakovs calculations, a similar outcome for Ukraine in which half of all refugees return would cost the economy $10 billion per year. Thats 5% of GDP, after accounting for some husbands and families moving to join those women who decide to stay abroad.

At least as important as lost demand is the loss of labor. So much so, says Oleksandr Zholud, the central banks chief analyst for monetary and economic policy, that Ukraine is looking for ways of filling the coming deficit beyond returnees. Whereas questions of immigration are often problematic elsewhere, in Ukraine we already have a debate under way about the need for new foreign immigrants after the war, he said. Zholud was speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the central bank.

Before that point, however, the focus is on persuading refugees to return to places like Mykolaiv.

When Denmark agreed to lead a wartime reconstruction program in the port, Ambassador Ole Egberg Mikkelsen knew hed be helping to restore water and energy infrastructure to make the city livable again. He didnt expect to be building bomb shelters for kids.

The project was agreed on July 3 to restore as many as 16 damaged schools, adding shelters where appropriate, because families with children said they wouldnt come back to a city so close to the front lines without them, said Mikkelsen.

Many people have returned, reflecting the fact that numbers arent static but represent a snapshot of constant flows. The citys local government has done a lot to make the prospect more attractive: A fleet of new buses is replacing those destroyed in the war; bus stops now have concrete bunkers adjacent where people can shelter during alarms; theres heat and water in the pipes, even if it isnt potable.

That isnt yet enough to entice Daria Chestina to come back from Brazil with her nine-year-old daughter, Varvara.

Varvara had lost touch with her friends after fleeing the shelling and tanks rumbling through Mykolaiv. By the time they reached Curitiba, some 400 km (248 miles) south of Sao Paulo, shed become reclusive, angry and unwilling to eat.

Once there, Chestina, the commercial manager for a large grain terminal in Mykolaivs port before the war, quickly found work at a Brazil-based commodities consultancy. And Varvara is happy at her international school, being taught in Portuguese and English.

Chestinas mother has returned to Mykolaiv already, to reopen her bakery, and she herself visited in May. But school bomb shelters arent enough to remove the threat of barrages of cruise missiles for Chestina, who already had to flee once before, from the northeastern city of Luhansk in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and stoked an armed insurgency in Ukraines eastern Donbas region.

If I didnt have my daughter, I would be back in Ukraine already, said Chestina, 31, who worries that younger people like her who speak a foreign language and have globally employable skills will never return, hollowing out a critical resource for building a new Ukraine. If people dont return, she said, then why do we do this war?

Some younger residents are coming back to Mykolaiv, still just 70 km from the front lines, where the reconstruction projects create a sense of progress, according to Mykola Kapatsyna, who owns Roadstead Terminal Concord LLC, a shipping services company in the still shuttered port. Kapatsyna, who is working with the Danish government, says four kindergartens with bomb shelters recently opened their doors, and theyre packed.

Even so, a disproportionate number of returnees are older or retired, and its hard for the young to find decent work, according to Kapatsyna. He reckons itll take a good two years without interference from the Russians to get utilities and services back to normal, and that for now people will just have to decide for themselves if thats enough to return. We dont have any other solution, said Kapatsyna. Not even a huge budget can solve the problem.

Valeriya Lyulko was partner in a business with two others in Kyiv before last year, helping foreign companies including Paramount Global and Hasbro Inc. to license products in Ukraine. One business partner went to fight, one stayed in Ukraine to keep the company afloat, and Lyulko left to take her son, now 12, to safety. Paramount arranged a job for her in Germany.

While Germans have been very kind, the country is not Lyulkos dream destination. Shes still getting used to filling out paper forms and having to check her mailbox for post, after Ukraines hyper-digitalized government services. And shes not a fan of Germanys stratified school system. Even so, shes trying to convert her refugee document, which expires next year, into a more permanent work visa.

People who figured out the work situation in Germany, in the Netherlands, in the UK or, like, in any European country, they more or less are planning to stay where they are at this point, says Lyulko. Asked if she planned to go home, the 42-year-old said there still were too many open questions. I honestly dont know, Lyulko said, adding that most of those returning speak only Ukrainian or Russian, and are therefore struggling to find work and integrate.

An official survey of 7,000 Ukrainian refugees in Germany, published July 12, found that 44% intended to stay either for several years or for good, up 5 percentage points from last summer. Three quarters were taking German language classes or had completed one, an important precondition of work.

Germany hosts about 1 million refugees from Ukraine. The largest number are in Poland, where Alona Sirant arrived from Khmelnytskyi, in western Ukraine, speaking only a few rudimentary words of the language.

Though university educated, the 29-year-old, divorced single mother struggled at first, finding work at a small supermarket. But then she asked the principal at her sons new school if there was work available. There was, and she became a teaching assistant.

In Ukraine she had an uninspiring job as an office manager. But in Poland, she says, she has found herself: She loves teaching and the kids, her son has friends, and both are happy. Shes in no rush to go home.

Of course, I wish I could go to Ukraine and visit my parents, but Im fine here, she says. I see no sense in going to Ukraine now. Those sirens howling, explosions... No.

--With assistance from Andrew Langley and Aliaksandr Kudrytski.

(Corrects title of Monobanks Gorokhovskyin 10th paragraph of story that moved on July 24.)

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Ukraine will hand over a report to the United States this week on using cluster munitions provided by Washington in one of the latest military aid packages.

Source: Oleksii Reznikov, Ukrainian Minister of Defence, in an interview with CNN, as European Pravda reports

Details: The minister said he was waiting for the report, which he would hand over to the Pentagon "probably on Monday or Tuesday".

Quote: "We'll report about the consequences of this using [cluster munitions] so I think that next week I would have first report and I will share with my partners in Pentagon this reports. I hope that they [cluster shells.  ed.] will be more efficient than normal ammunition."

Details: Reznikov said the report is part of an agreement with the Pentagon on transferring cluster munitions.

Background: On 7 July, the US announced a US$800 million military assistance package for Ukraine, which included cluster munitions for the first time.

Washington's assistance has drawn criticism from NGOs and confused several European countries and Canada, as cluster munitions are considered more dangerous to civilians and there is a convention to which state parties refuse to use and store them.

US President Joe Biden admitted that it was a difficult decision to approve the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, and he believes it is the right thing to do in conditions of a shortage of artillery shells.

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(Bloomberg) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law Monday raising the age limit for troops in reserve units who can be mobilized, the latest sign of strain being felt by the military.

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Senior officers up to 65 years of age can now be mobilized, with the limit for junior officers moving up to 60. On Tuesday, the Duma will also consider a bill that would raise the age limit for the draft from 27 to 30.

Russia used a wider variety of weapons, including, Iranian-made Shahed drones, to attack Danube River port infrastructure, ruining a grain storage and damaging reservoirs for other cargo storage during the night, the military said. Seven people were injured in the overnight attack, Odesas regional governor said on Telegram.

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Wheat in Chicago rose as much as 6.9% on Monday, extending gains of more than 5% last week, in response to Russias fresh missile barrage against Odesa over the weekend. It was the largest in a string of almost daily strikes on the Black Sea port city after Moscow pulled out of an agreement allowing Ukrainian crop exports.

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By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) - The Ukrainian military has retaken over 12 square km (4.6 square miles) of territory in southern Ukraine in the past week in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday.

Maliar said the advances brought the territory recaptured since the counteroffensive began in early June to more than 192 square km in the southern sector.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday the counteroffensive had failed, but U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said these were still the "early days" of the Ukrainian counterattack.

In a video message distributed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, Maliar said Ukrainian forces were continuing to advance in several areas towards the southern city of Melitopol and the city of Berdiansk which is on the Azov Sea.

In the east, she said, the main focus of fighting was around the small city of Bakhmut captured by Russian forces in May after months of fierce combat. Kyiv's forces continued to advance on Bakhmut's southern flanks but to the north Russian forces were "clinging to every centimetre and meter," she said.

Maliar said that Ukrainian forces had retaken about 4 square km in this direction over the past week and the main battles were around the villages of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdyumivka southwest of Bakhmut.

The Ukrainian military said in its daily update there had been 35 combat clashes in the eastern direction over the past 24 hours.

Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, still holds swathes of territory in southern and eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said last week that Ukraine's military faced "extremely complex minefields, anti-tank barriers, and a system of fire destruction" but continued to advance.

Russia reported a drone strike on Moscow on Monday in which it said two buildings were struck but did not suffer major damage, and Ukrainian officials said Russia launched the latest in a series of attacks on the southern port of Odesa.

Reuters could not immediately verify the battlefield developments. Russia has not confirmed that Ukraine has made territorial gains, and said last week that its forces had advanced in the northeast.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a meeting on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products amid Poland's intentions to close the border for Ukrainian grain from 15 September, when restrictions established by the European Commission expire.

Source: Zelenskyy on his Telegram channel, reports European Pravda

Details: The president noted that Ukraine "believes in agreements with the European Commission," but is preparing for any development of events regarding the export of Ukrainian grain.

Quote: "Our position is clear: blocking exports by land after 15 September, when the relevant restrictions cease to operate, is in no way unacceptable. We are in touch with all stakeholders to find a solution that suits everyone."

Background:

Last week, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki threatened not to open the border with Ukraine for grain products after the relevant moratorium of the European Commission expires on 15 September.

In response, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called Poland's plans to block the export of Ukrainian grain an "unfriendly and populist" step.

Earlier, five Central European EU members  Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia  planned to jointly request the European Union to extend the ban on importing Ukrainian grain after 15 September.

Central European countries fear that Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative could lead to an increase in grain flows and the emergence of "bottlenecks" in these five countries.

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Russian office hit by drone

Russia has responded with predictable outrage after the latest Ukrainian drone strike on Moscow, with Kyiv promising more such attacks to come. As well as the Russian capital, Russian-occupied Crimea was the target of multiple drone strikes overnight. While Ukraine has prosecuted targets in Crimea and inside Russia before using drones, the latest wave of attacks is unusual in that President Volodymyr Zelensky had promised what he called a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa, after the Kremlins forces struck the Ukrainian port city repeatedly in recent days.

A member of the police secures an area outside a damaged non-residential building on Komsomolsky Prospekt after the drone attack in Moscow on July 24, 2023. Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images

Two Ukrainian drones struck central Moscow at around 4:00 am local time, causing damage to two non-residential buildings. One of those buildings was around 1.2 miles from the headquarters of the Russian Ministry of Defense, on Komsomolsky Avenue, although its unclear if that was the intended target. Hitting that building would have been a significant propaganda coup  after all, this is the heart of the Russian military and where Russian defense officials hold their regular briefings on the progress of the war in Ukraine. Other military-related buildings are also located nearby, including some affiliated with Russias GRU military intelligence service.

https://twitter.com/tassagency_en/status/1683313647987183617?s=20

The other building to be damaged was an office block, where the windows on the top two floors were left shattered and debris strewn across the ground below.

According to Russian reports, nobody was hurt in the attacks, while Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of an act of international terrorism.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1683472613828329478?s=20

As well as the damage to buildings, some roads in Moscow were temporarily closed.

https://twitter.com/LXSummer1/status/1683398944523444226?s=20

I was asleep and was woken up by a blast, everything started shaking, one woman who lives near the high-rise building told Reuters.

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According to the Kremlins account, both the drones involved in the Moscow strike were neutralized using radio-electronic equipment, which caused them to crash, but no further details were provided of the types of systems used.

That statement suggests its unlikely that the Pantsir-S1 air defense system placed on the roof of the Ministry of Defense headquarters, one of a number of these units that have been deployed around Moscow, was involved in bringing down either of the drones, and its unclear if the system was even activated on this occasion.

https://twitter.com/kromark/status/1683464387208552448?s=20

Despite the limited damage, and the fact that the defense ministrys HQ escaped unscathed, the ability of Ukraine to strike at the heart of the Russian capital is highly significant. Back on May 3, Moscow experienced another high-profile attack, when a pair of drones got as far as the Kremlin, in a strike that came in the run-up to Russias Victory Day celebrations. Following that, there was an attempted mass drone raid on the Russian capital on May 30, which Russian reports claimed involved more than 25 Ukrainian drones. On that occasion, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that eight of those drones were shot down or otherwise diverted from their intended targets.

As well as Moscow, Ukrainian drones were also launched against targets in Crimea. At least 17 drones were sent against the Russian-occupied peninsula overnight, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The same source said that these drones were brought down using a combination of ground-based air defenses and undisclosed anti-drone equipment. Its unclear how many others reached their targets or came down for other reasons, although at least one appears to have hit an ammunition warehouse in the vicinity of the Russian military airbase at Dzhankoi in the north of Crimea, another area that has come under previous bombardment.

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1683341601723105280?s=20

However, the Russian-installed head of Crimea admitted that an ammunition warehouse was struck and a residential building damaged. There are rumors that the warehouse in question may have been used to store missiles for the K-300P Bastion-P coastal defense missile system that Russia has been using in a land-attack role, including apparent launches from Crimea.

According to the Kremlin-connected Rybar Telegram channel, the drone strikes against Crimea were accompanied by four Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles. Rybar further reported that all four missiles hit their targets, which comprised of an ammunition warehouse (hit by three missiles) near Vilne and a repair base near Novostepove (one missile). Recently supplied by the United Kingdom, these far-flying weapons have already been connected with previous other attacks on high-profile targets in Crimea.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1683452675411660800?s=20 https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1683456358102839297?s=20

Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov took to the Telegram messaging app to issue the following statement:

Today at night drones attacked the capital of the orcs and Crimea. Electronic warfare and air defense are already less able to defend the skies of the occupiers.

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1683499872035454976?s=20

While this statement refrained from taking direct responsibility for the drone strikes, its unusual, in general, for Ukrainian officials to reference attacks on Russian and Russian-occupied territory in such a swift and direct manner.

Interestingly, Fedorov, added that No matter what happens there will be more of this, indicating plans for more drone strikes to come.

Fedorov is notable furthermore for his work to expand Ukraines drone army, as part of his role as heading up the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Earlier this summer, we reported on how this body was hosting what it calls The Drone Army FPV Super Bowl to help spur the domestic development of these weapons. In this context, FPV refers to first-person video drones, which have become a familiar feature on the Ukrainian battlefield. Although clearly, Kyivs ambitions for its strike drones go well beyond hitting tanks, trucks, and troops in trenches, extending all the way up to key military and government infrastructure, including far behind Russian lines.

As to the drones used in the latest attack on central Moscow, there has been speculation that they may have been of a locally developed type named Bober (meaning Beaver), based on their unusual canard configuration with the main wing set well back on the airframe. A similar-looking drone was also involved in an earlier attack on Moscow, at the end of May this year.

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1683293672983474176?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1683306381225361408?s=20

Little official information is available about the Bober, but unconfirmed reports suggest a wingspan of a little over 8 feet, a length also of around 8 feet, and a speed in the region of 90-120 miles per hour. The estimated weight is no more than 300 pounds, including a warhead of 22-44 pounds.

https://twitter.com/Roberto05246129/status/1683401822545870849?s=20

Once again, drone strikes launched against Russian territory are now an established feature of the conflict, and they have increasingly got closer to targets in and around Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian-occupied Crimea remains a prime target for Ukrainian attacks not only by drones but also by other kinds of weapons, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, as well as saboteurs.

Whats interesting about todays Ukrainian drone strikes is that they appear to have been claimed, albeit not directly, by authorities in Kyiv as payback for Russian strikes on Odesa.

The latest of those Russian strikes, carried out yesterday, saw missiles hit various targets in the port city. One person was killed and 14 were hospitalized, according to the regional governor, and one of the buildings that was damaged was the Transfiguration Cathedral, in the heart of Odesas UNESCO-listed historic center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6PE32NSno

Meanwhile, Moscow branded the attacks on Odesa as payback of its own, this time for the Ukrainian attack last week on the Kerch Bridge, the latest in a series of strikes intended to sever this vital artery between Crimea and the Russian mainland.

Since the latest Ukrainian drone strikes, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, has suggested that the Kremlin now hit back against different types of target sets, although he provided little in the way of detail. We also need to select non-standard targets for our strikes, not just storage sites, energy hubs, and oil bases, the state-run TASS news agency reported Medvedev as saying. There are other places where nobody would be expecting us and where strikes would have a widely felt impact, he added.

https://twitter.com/tassagency_en/status/1683444508875161603?s=20

All told it seems that these tat-for-tat strikes are becoming not only more common but also that Ukrainian officials are increasingly taking responsibility for attacks on Russian targets that were previously mainly conducted under a veil of secrecy.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
In the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces struck four command points, three air defence- and nine artillery systems in firing positions.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 24 July

Details: The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out eight strikes on the clusters of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment and four on Russian air defence systems. During the day, Ukraines air defence also destroyed three assault UAVs of the Shahed-136 type.

At the same time, units of Rocket Forces and Artillery hit four command points, three air defence systems, nine artillery systems in firing positions and four electronic warfare stations of the Russian forces.

During the day, the Russian troops carried out 1 missile- and 58 air strikes, as well as over 26 attacks from multiple-launch missile systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among children and civilians; the port infrastructure and grain storage points in the south of Ukraine, residential buildings and other infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

During the day, 23 combat clashes were recorded.

On the Volyn and Polissia fronts, the operational situation has not changed significantly. There were no signs of forming any offensive groups.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians maintain a military presence. They inflicted air strikes in the areas of the settlements of Huriv Kozachok and Pishchane, Kharkov Oblat. Over 15 settlements were bombarded from mortars and artillery, in particular: north-east of Leonivka in Chernihiv Oblast; east of Boiaro-Lezhachiv, Uhroidy, south-east of Popivka in Sumy Oblast, as well as Basov, Huriv Kozachok, Hraniv, Pishchane, Kozacha Lopan, Hatyshche in Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Kupiansk front, air strikes were recorded near Terny, Vilshane, Kyslivka in Kharkiv Oblast. Krasne Pershe, Fyholivka, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kupiansk, Odradne in Kharkiv Oblast were subjected to artillery and mortar attacks.

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On the Lyman front, the Russians launched air strikes in the areas of Bilohorivka, Luhansk Oblast, as well as Lyman, Yampol, Siversk, Spirne, Razdolivka in Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Nevske, Bilhorivka of Luhansk Oblast, as well as Torske, Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka of Donetsk Oblast were subjected to artillery shelling.

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian attacks in areas northwest of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, south of Ivanove and west of Klishchiivka, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians inflicted air strikes in the areas of Dyliivka and Predtechyne, Donetsk Oblast. More than 10 settlements were affected by artillery shelling, including Vasiukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka front, while under heavy fire of Russian aircraft and artillery, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled the attacks of Russian troops in the vicinity of Pervomaiske of Donetsk Oblast. The Russians launched air strikes near Novokalynove, Avdiivka, Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast. At the same time, they carried out artillery shelling of more than 10 settlements, in particular Avdiivka, Lastochkyne, Vodiane, Pervomaiske and Karlivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Marinka front, the Ukrainian forces continue to restrain the offensive of Russian troops in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Marinka, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians fired at more than 10 settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Pobieda, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka, Donetsk Oblast.

On the Shakhtarsk front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the area of Rivnopil, Donetsk Oblast. They carried out shelling of more than 10 settlements, in particular, Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Vuhledar, Blahodatne in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts, the Russians focused their main efforts on preventing further advancement of Ukrainian troops.

They inflicted air strikes in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, Lobkove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Over 30 settlements were shelled, including Huliaipole, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Stepnohrisk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, as well as Zolota Balka, Mykhailivka, Kachkarivka, Kozatske in Kherson Oblast and the city of Kherson.

At the same time, the Defence Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, gaining a foothold on the reclaimed territories, inflicting fire damage with artillery on detected Russian targets, and carrying out counter-battery warfare measures.

Russian forces continue to commit looting in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. In particular, in the village of Myronivskyi, Donetsk Oblast, the arrival of the Akmhat Russian Guard unit was established from 10 July; they forcibly evict local civilians from their houses to the street and arbitrarily move into civilian houses. Also, the aforementioned representatives of the Russian occupation forces engage in looting en masse, which causes a wave of discontent among civilians.

At the same time, the Russian invaders continue to use the civilian medical infrastructure of temporarily occupied settlements to provide medical assistance to their wounded servicemen. In the village of Radensk, Kherson Oblast, Russian forces equipped the territory of a local kindergarten to serve as a field hospital. Dozens of wounded invaders are being treated there.

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The Ukrainian Defence Forces have advanced 12 and four kilometres on the Southern and Bakhmut fronts respectively over the past week.

Source: Hanna Maliar, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister, in an interview with the Military Media Center

Quote from Maliar: "Ukrainian troops liberated more than 192 sq. km of territory on the southern front during offensive operations."

Details: Maliar said the Defence Forces had liberated more than 12 sq. km on this front during the past week alone.

"Ukrainian troops continue to conduct offensive operations on several front areas towards Melitopol and Berdiansk," Maliar reported.

In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated about 35 sq. km of territory on the Bakhmut front during offensive operations and around four sq. km during the past week. "Key battles continue in the areas of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdiumivka," Maliar said.

Background: The General Staff reports that about 35 combat clashes occurred between the Ukrainian Defence Forces and the Russian occupiers on five fronts on 23 July.

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The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) have detained Yevhen Borysov, former Chief of the Odesa Oblast Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support.

Source: Press service of the SBI

Details: Borysov was served with a notice of suspicion on Saturday, 22 July, for unlawful enrichment worth hundreds of millions of Ukrainian hryvnias and intentional evasion from service.

The former official tried to flee from the investigators, resorting to elements of disguise, i.e. changing his phone numbers, car number plates, and whereabouts.

Active searches lasted for two days, and eventually he was identified and detained in Kyiv through extensive operational and investigative measures, the SBI said.

Given the former military enlistment officers attempts to hide from justice, SBI officers will request that the court remand him in custody without the possibility of bail.

Borysov is suspected of:

acquisition of assets by a person authorised to perform state functions, the value of which is greater than the 6,500 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens, exceeding their legal income;

failure to report for service on time without valid reasons by a serviceman committed under martial law, which is a criminal offence;

evasion of military service duties by a serviceman using deception committed under martial law.

The sanctions of the articles provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years.

The investigation is ongoing.

Background: A journalistic investigation by Ukrainska Pravda revealed that the military enlistment officer's mother became the owner of a residential building in Spain worth over 4 million last year. In addition to luxury foreign real estate, she also purchased a Mercedes-Benz EQV worth almost UAH 3 million [roughly US$81,000] in 2023.

Borysov's mother-in-law has become the owner of an expensive fleet of vehicles in recent years, having no sufficient legitimate funds to do so. This includes a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG, and a Toyota Land Cruiser.

The former officials wife also purchased another foreign property  office space in Spain worth EUR 737,000, without having sufficient legally obtained assets or income.

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Russian authorities are blaming Ukraine for Monday morning drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram there were no casualties in the city as a result of the attack, adding there were strikes on two nonresidential buildings but no serious destruction reported.

Russian media reported the drones struck about 600 feet from the Russian Defense Ministry headquarters in Moscow, but it was not clear whether the building was the target of the attack.

Russian news media TASS reported Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the attack was an act of international terrorism. The outlet also reported the Russian Defense Ministry said Kyivs attempt to conduct a terrorist attack on facilities in Moscow, using two unmanned aerial vehicles, was thwarted.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the intensity of attempts to attack our regions with drones has grown.

So measures are being taken, a very intense daily 24-hour work is underway, Peskov said, but he did not offer details on what measures were being taken.

Russian authorities said a separate drone attack in northern Crimea struck an ammunition depot and disrupted highway and railway traffic. The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, claimed 11 attacking drones were brought down by the military, adding that residents were asked to evacuate who were in the three-mile radius of the drone attack.

Ukrainian authorities did not appear to immediately take responsibility for the attacks, but Ukraines digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov posted on Telegram that they signaled Russia was less and less able to protect the skies of the invaders, adding that there will be more of it.

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated at 11:59 a.m.

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Ukraine asks the EU to create green corridors for grain exports

The Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) has appealed to EUs Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, to optimize alternative routes for grain exports from Ukraine to European ports, from where they can be shipped to other countries.

Read also: 15 drones attack Reni grain depots, destroy 3 warehouses - local authorities

In a statement made on July 24, the UGA has proposed an increase in grain exports via the so-called "Solidarity Lanes" by 1-1.5 million tons per month. This measure, aimed at compensating some costs borne by European carriers and ports involved in Ukrainian grain transit, could significantly reduce transportation expenses. This would enable Ukrainian farmers to export surplus grain to countries in need and contribute to stabilizing global food security.

Ukraine harvested more than 73 million tons of grain and oilseed crops, and exports in the 2022/2023 season amounted to about 58 million tons, the message reads.

Read also: UN warns of lasting effects of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports

Over 29 million tons of grain and oilseeds were exported through Ukrainian Black Sea ports under the Grain Initiative, a little more than 15 million tons  through Danube ports, and about 14 million tons  by railway and trucks.

The proposal involves exports via the ports of Baltic countries (like Klaipeda), Germany (Rostock, Hamburg), the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Croatia (Rijeka), Italy (Trieste), and Slovenia (Koper). The European Commission actively supports the development of these routes. However, they are currently underutilized due to high logistical costs compared to alternative routes, with a price difference of roughly 30-40 euros per ton of grain delivered.

The UGA is, therefore, appealing to the EU to create green corridors for Ukrainian agricultural products to reach ports in the Baltic countries, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia. These corridors would involve:

1) Transferring sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary control from border checkpoints in Ukraine to the destination countries, which would significantly increase throughput.

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2) Instituting European Commission subsidies to offset additional logistical costs for transit shipments and partially compensating shipping costs of Ukrainian grain for European ports.

Read also: Stoltenberg schedules Ukraine-NATO Council meeting at Zelenskyy's urgent request

The UGA includes major producers, processors, and exporters of Ukrainian grain, representing nearly 90% of the market.

A Ukraine-NATO Council meeting scheduled for July 26 will discuss Ukrainian grain transportation across the Black Sea.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Crimean Bridge

In a significant blow to Russia, the Crimean Bridge  a vital asset to the enemy  has suffered extensive damage, said Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Defense Ministrys Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

In an interview with the We Are Ukraine TV channel on July 24, Skibitskyi emphasized the strategic importance of the bridge, which initially supported Russian military forces in Crimea and now aids all the southern military forces stationed in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts.

Read also: Fire at Crimea base, occupation authorities block highway & prepare evacuation

The construction of the illegal structure across the Kerch Strait began after the failure of the so-called Novorossiya plan, which aimed to create a land corridor from Russian territory to Crimea during the early years of the war.

The Crimean Bridge is a strategic facility that initially provided Russian military forces in Crimea and now supports all the southern military forces, Skibitskyi said.

The recent damage to the Crimean Bridge constitutes a significant blow to Russia as it disrupts the supply lines of Russian occupation forces.

While the bridge is a complex structure, the ability to strike at it and hinder the logistical military support of Russian forces on our territory remains feasible, the HUR representative remarked.

Latest updates on the Crimean Bridge damage

Explosions on the Crimean Bridge were heard during the night of July 17, causing a complete halt to traffic. Kremlin-backed Crimean governor Sergei Aksyonov referred to the incident as an extraordinary event, with Russian outlets reporting significant damage to at least one span. While rail traffic resumed following the incident, automotive passage remains paralyzed.

Read also: Explosions heard near oil depot and railway in central Crimea, traffic halted on Kerch Bridge

Sources from Ukrainian law enforcement agencies disclosed that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Navy were behind the nighttime explosions, using drones to target the bridge.

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Following the second Crimean Bridge attack, the automotive section of the Crimean Bridge cannot be repaired, reported Russias Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. The first Crimean Bridge attack occurred on Oct. 8, 2022, resulting in several spans collapsing due to a powerful explosion.

The Kremlin regime accused Kyrylo Budanov, the HUR chief, of orchestrating the sabotage, which was promptly denied by the HUR, dismissing the claims as mere fiction.

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A building in Moscow was damaged by a drone attack on July 24

The drone attack on Moscow in the early hours of July 24, was a special operation of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, several media outlets reported, including Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources in the security and defense sector.

All the drones launched reached the Russian capital, said the source without specifying exactly how many.

"The cooperation of volunteers and the [agency] gives good results, and more will follow," the source said.

Moscow residents awoke the sights of shattered windows and damaged building roofs after an early morning drone attack on the Russian capital on July 24. One UAV struck a business center, with another falling near the Russian Defense Ministry.

The GRUs cyber troops were in the Defense Ministry building, reported Bellingcat investigative journalist Christo Grozev.

Moscow was also attacked by unidentified drones on May 30. According to Russian propagandists, the UAVs hit at least three high-rise buildings.

Russian Telegram channel Baza wrote that more than 10 drones were shot down in Moscow Oblast, most of them in the Istra, Krasnogorsk and Odintsovo districts.

Commenting on the attack on Moscow by unidentified drones, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidents Office, said that the drones "want to return to their creators", adding that Ukraine had nothing to do with the attack.

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Volunteer Serhii Prytula has said that a map from the office of Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, with the Russian Federation divided into separate entities, was sold at auction for 14 million hryvnias [approximately US$377,700  ed.].

Source: Prytula on Facebook

Quote: "Sold! Budanov's Map of divided Russia went under the hammer for 14 million hryvnias".

Details: Prytula said that the funds received from the sale of the map were added to the Detecting  Destroying fundraising campaign and will be spent on the purchase of five EOS UAV systems for the Defence Intelligence assault units.

Background: Earlier, Serhii Prytula reported that an auction for the famous Budanov map would be held on 23 July.

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By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Russia on Monday to return to a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain in line with a proposal he made to President Vladimir Putin.

Russia quit the agreement a week ago, saying that demands to improve its own food and fertilizer exports had not been met, and that not enough Ukraine grain had reached the poorest countries under the Black Sea deal.

"With the termination of the Black Sea Initiative, the most vulnerable will pay the highest price," Guterres told the U.N. Food Systems summit in Rome on Monday. "When food prices rise, everybody pays for it."

Since Russia quit the deal and began attacking Ukrainian food-exporting ports on the Black Sea and Danube river, global wheat and corn futures have risen sharply.

"This is especially devastating for vulnerable countries struggling to feed their people," Guterres said.

Guterres had written to Putin on July 11 in a final effort to save the deal. He proposed Russia extend it - with a daily limit of four ships traveling to Ukraine and four ships leaving - in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russia's Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT global payments system.

A key demand by Moscow has been reconnecting Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT. The European Union cut it off in June 2022.

"I call on the Russian Federation to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, in line with my latest proposal," Guterres said. "I urge the global community to stand united for effective solutions in this essential effort."

The Black Sea grain deal was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey a year ago to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters.

Russia's grain exports have risen since the war, but its ammonia and potassium-based fertilizers have fallen sharply.

"I remain committed to facilitating the unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and to deliver the food security that every person deserves," Guterres said on Monday.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
This handout photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows US soldier Travis King (4th L, black shirt) attending a tour to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas (Handout)

The UN Command has started a conversation with Pyongyang over American soldier Travis King, who ran across the border into North Korea last week, its deputy commander said Monday.

"A conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanism of the armistice agreement," Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison said at a press briefing, referring to North Korea's military, the Korean People's Army.

The UN Command is a US-led multinational force that oversees the Korean War truce. The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice and not a peace treaty.

"The primary concern for us is for Private King's welfare," Harrison said, adding that the incident was "still subject to investigation".

Harrison said that, under the armistice agreement, there was a mechanism allowing the UN Command to communicate with the North's military in the Joint Security Area (JSA).

"That process has started" but due to the "very delicate nature of these negotiations" he said he would not go into further detail.

"Obviously there is someone's welfare at stake and clearly we are in a very difficult and complex situation which I don't want to risk by speculation or going into too much detail about the communications that have existed."

The United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with the North and, since North Korea closed its borders at the start of the pandemic, most embassies with a presence in Pyongyang have withdrawn their foreign diplomats.

North Korea has not commented publicly on King.

- JSA tour -

Private Second Class King was being escorted to Seoul's airport last week and was due to fly to Texas after a drunken bar brawl, an altercation with police and a stint in South Korean jail.

But instead of getting on the plane to face disciplinary hearings at Fort Bliss, King slipped away, joined a tourist tour of the Demilitarised Zone and fled across the border. He is now believed to be in North Korean custody.

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Most of the border between the two Koreas is heavily fortified. But at the JSA, the frontier is marked only by a low concrete divider and is relatively easy to cross, despite soldiers on both sides.

The JSA has been closed to tourists since King's border crossing, and it will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future, Harrison said.

But since the area has an educational value, the decision may be reviewed in future, he said, adding "it's a constant balance between that value and the risk to the individuals who are in the demilitarised zone".

"It can never simply be a tourist destination, primarily because of the huge amount of ordnance that still exists across the demilitarised zone since the end of the war," he said.

When asked whether King had been classified as a defector by either side, Harrison said the UN Command "haven't categorised Private King as anything but an American soldier", and added that he would never speak on behalf of North Korea.

- 'Bargaining chips' -

Pyongyang has a long history of detaining Americans and using them as bargaining chips in bilateral negotiations.

The incident comes as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points, with diplomacy stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nuclear warheads.

Seoul and Washington have ramped up defence cooperation in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets.

Washington sent a nuclear-capable submarine on a port call to South Korea last week, prompting heavy criticism from the North, which claimed it could meet the legal conditions under which Pyongyang would use its nuclear weapons.

sh/ceb/sco
The United Nations Command has begun conversations with Pyongyang about U.S. Army Pv.t Travis King, who crossed the border into North Korea last week and was detained.

British Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, who serves as the deputy commander for the U.N. Command, confirmed the development at a Monday news conference in Seoul, South Korea, but he declined to provide additional details about Kings condition or when the conversations began.

Harrison said the conversations were happening through mechanisms set up under the 1953 armistice, which halted the fighting during the Korean War and the U.N. Command supervised. This could refer to the telephone line set up at the border truce village of Panmunjom that connected the U.N. Command and the North Korean Peoples Army.

None of us know where this is going to end, Harrison added. I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic. But again, I will leave it at that.

Kings detainment came amid strained relations between the U.S. and North Korea. Pyongyang reportedly launched two short-range missiles last week in response to the U.S. docking a nuclear-armed sub in South Korea for the first time in decades.

North Korea has remained silent on Kings condition, but U.S. officials have expressed concern for his well-being.

Last Thursday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters the U.S. was unaware of Kings whereabouts or conditions.

Were still doing everything we can to try to find out his whereabouts, his well-being and condition and making it clear that we want to see him safely and quickly returned to the United States, Kirby said at the press conference.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed concern for Kings well-being at the Aspen Security Forum, saying, There are certainly concerns based on what weve seen in the past and the way that North Korea has treated those its detained.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- The US State Department said theres been no communication since last week with North Korea about the American soldier who bolted across its border and hasnt been heard from since.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Earlier reports of bilateral communications about Private Second Class Travis King may have resulted from a misinterpretation of a statement by the US-led United Nations Command, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters in Washington Monday.

Its been almost a week since King, 23, made the unauthorized crossing, with the regime in Pyongyang making no public mention so far about the fate of the man it whisked away in a van surrounded by North Korean military personnel.

The UN Command contacted North Korea on the day King crossed the border and my understanding is that the North Koreans acknowledged they received the message but havent responded to further communications, Miller said.

A different impression was left in a briefing a few hours earlier in Seoul by Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, the deputy commander for the UN Command.

The first primary concern is Private Kings welfare and the conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice Agreement, Harrison told reporters, using an abbreviation for the North Korean Peoples Army and referring to the cease-fire deal that ended fighting in the 1950-1953 Korean War.

But Miller, the State Department spokesman, suggested Harrison was referring only to the initial contact last week. The UN Command didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

King may be facing intensive interrogation by North Koreas security apparatus as it decides whether hes an asset worth keeping for a while, or someone with little information who may be sent back before he could become a burden on the state.

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The case is the first unauthorized border crossing by an American during the Biden administration, which is looking at ways to engage with Pyongyang at high levels after Kim Jong Uns regime has shunned repeated requests for talks.

Political Judgments

King has probably been transfered to Pyongyang for questioning by a joint investigation team, according to Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification based in Seoul.

Theyre making political judgments, said Cho. They havent had a face-to-face negotiation with the outer world since the pandemic, so its going to take time to sort out their internal positions.

It also comes amid continuing tensions, with North Korea conducting ballistic missile tests and the US dispatching a submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons to the region.

Pyongyang fired two, short-range ballistic missiles overnight that flew about 400 kilometers (250 miles) each and splashed down in waters east of the country, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. This was the third barrage Kims regime has fired in the past two weeks, which included a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to deliver a nuclear strike on the US mainland.

Read more: North Korea Fires Another Missile Ahead of Armistice Anniversary

Kings crossing is different from the approximately 20 other Americans detained by Pyongyang since the end of the 1950-1953 conflict. Those detained previously have included Christians who went there for what they saw as humanitarian reasons, university students on tours and a pair of reporters, most of whom crossed from China or were in the country for other reasons.

King, a cavalry scout in the Army since January 2021, probably wasnt privy to sensitive information that would be of high interest to North Korea. He was also facing expulsion from the US military after hed been jailed for nearly two months in South Korea for assault.

Those Americans who have been held custody by North Korea have said they faced relentless questioning, intimidation and violence that pushed them to their mental breaking points as they were held in isolation.

If King actually defected to North Korea, the state would probably try to find a way to use him for propaganda. In the Cold War, it cast a handful of American soldiers who crossed over as villains in movies, often overseen by Kim Jong Il, the cinephile former leader, father of Kim Jong Un and author of On the Art of the Cinema.

Kim Jong Il also arranged the kidnapping of a top South Korean actress and director to help his movie projects.

Its certainly possible that the DPRK will attempt to gain some propaganda value from his crossing, but what exactly will that propaganda be? said Martyn Williams, a senior fellow with the Stimson Center, referring to North Korea by its formal name. A low-ranking US soldier crossed the border to avoid punishment? Its hardly a ringing endorsement of North Korea.

--With assistance from Philip Glamann.

(Updates with missile launch and analyst comment.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The breakdown of a deal between Russia and Ukraine allowing the export of grain through the Black Sea is causing wheat prices to rise and putting more people at risk of hunger (STRINGER)

A three-day United Nations summit opened in Rome on Monday aimed at tackling a "broken" global food system where millions are starving, two billion are overweight or obese and the planet is suffering.

The food systems summit comes amid growing food insecurity around the world, with UN agencies warning of an increasing number of people suffering from chronic hunger.

"In a world of plenty, it is outrageous that people continue to suffer and die from hunger," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening of the meeting.

"Global food systems are broken -- and billions of people are paying the price."

More than 780 million people go hungry around the globe, even as nearly one-third of the world's food is wasted or lost, he said.

And while 462 million people are underweight, two billion are overweight or obese, he added.

The summit brings together representatives from the UN's three food agencies headquartered in Rome -- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) -- alongside heads of states, government representatives and delegates.

- Radical transformation -

Food systems include all activities related to producing, processing, transporting and consuming food, and making them more sustainable, efficient and equitable is a complex task.

Involving multiple sectors and actors, food systems are affected by varied trends such as urbanisation, climate change, technology and government policy.

Weather shocks, the Covid pandemic and conflicts including the war in Ukraine have helped push the number of people facing hunger up by 122 million since 2019, according to the WFP.

Between 691-783 million people faced hunger last year, with a mid-range of 735 million, WFP estimated in a report earlier this month.

Guterres reiterated his concern over Russia quitting the landmark grain deal that allowed cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain to depart Black Sea ports.

Story continues

"The most vulnerable will pay the highest price," of that move, he said, calling the previous agreement a "lifeline" for global food security.

The FAO has said that no less than a "radical transformation in how food is produced, processed, traded and consumed" is required to feed the world's growing population.

Guterres called for at least $500 billion per year to help needy countries scale up long-term financing to invest in higher performing food systems.

Doing nothing amounts to $12 trillion annually in social and economic costs, according to IFAD.

It compared the needed funds with the "$10 trillion in revenue generated by the global food industry or the $700 billion paid in agricultural subsidies by wealthy countries".

- 'Death sentence' -

Unsustainable practices in food production, packaging and consumption are also fueling climate change, Guterres said, "generating one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, using 70 percent of the world's freshwater, and driving biodiversity loss on an epic scale".

The conference comes two years after the UN's first-ever summit on food systems in 2021 and ahead of a summit on sustainable development goals in New York in September.

Over the three days, countries will review progress in meeting past commitments, while identifying bottlenecks to progress, IFAD said.

But more money is key, summit director Nadine Gbossa said.

"Without financing this transition, it's a death sentence for the planet," she told journalists last week, adding that the private sector also plays a major role.

"The public health cost of malnutrition is one of the highest in the world."

ams/ar/lth
An investigation has been launched in Ohio after video was released showing a police dog mauling a Black man with his hands up surrendering to the authorities.

Authorities say Circleville police officers ramped up a car chase after truck driver Jadarrius Rose, 23, failed to stop for an inspection on state highway 35 in Ohio on July 4. State troopers were later called in to help with the chase, according to authorities.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol incident report obtained by The Associated Press, Rose initially refused to get out of the truck and later refused to get on the ground. Rose, who appeared to be unarmed, later got on his knees and raised his hand in the air before the dog was released on him.

The incident report identified Officer Ryan Speakman of the Circleville Police Department as the K-9 officer, according to the AP. The body cam footage showed Speakman holding back the dog as a state trooper could be heard repeatedly yelling, Do not release the dog with his hands up!

Speakman let the dog loose, and the video shows it attacking Rose and dragging him to the ground. The trooper can be heard shouting, Get the dog off of him! while Rose is yelling, Get it off! Please! Please!

Once the dog stopped attacking him, an officer who was handcuffing Rose said to him, No one is trying to hurt you. Rose responded with, You just let a dog bite me, according to the footage, which shows his arm bleeding.

Rose later had to be treated at a hospital for dog bites and was charged with failure to comply.

Circleville Police told The Columbus Dispatch  an affiliate of USA Today  they are reviewing the conduct of Speakman. They have not said whether he is still on active duty, the outlet reported.

The Hill has reached out to the Circleville Police Department for comment.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Beverly Mills Butcher recently visited Bellefonte, where she was born 88 years ago. She talked to us about growing up in the thriving Black community with roots that go back to the American Revolution. Racine Amos, instruction and outreach archivist for the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State, arranged to interview Ms. Mills Butcher, matriarch of the Mills Brothers family, about the impact that people of color  particularly African Americans  have had in Happy Valley.

Many people escaping the brutal system of enslavement of African people came through this area on the underground railroad. Some settled. Many joined the nearly 200,000 African Americans in the Union army to fight for their liberation. Their names are inscribed on the Centre County Veterans Memorial in front of the county courthouse. After the Civil War hundreds settled in the area. They opened stores, barber shops, a masonic lodge, two churches and a school. During the Jim Crow era, they fought for equal opportunity. In fact, as reported by Sue Hannegan and Daniel Clemson in a 2008-09 information sheet titled Bellefonte Public Schools: Among Earliest To Turn from Separate, But Equal To Desegregated Facilities:

At the September 1885 board meeting, a committee of four black men appeared to plea the case of the 43 black students attending (the colored school on Jail Hill. The men) were Rev. J.J. Norris of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, William Mills, Rev. Charles Garner, and Jackson McDonald.

The board pointed out that Pennsylvania law stated, it shall be unlawful for any school director, superintendent or teacher to make any distinction whatever, on account of, or by reason of the race or color of any pupil or scholar who may be in attendance upon, or seek admission to, any public or common school, maintained wholly or in part under the school laws of this Commonwealth.

Black students were transferred to the public schools. Because of the communitys efforts, Bellefonte integrated schools 70 years before the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Brown v. Board. By 1886-67 the segregated colored school on Jail Hill was closed. In 1891 Charles Gilmore Garner, eldest son of the Rev. Charles and Mary Garner, was one of six graduates and the first African American to graduate from Bellefonte High School.

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Boalsburgs Duffys Tavern, one of the oldest inns of its type, was once managed by African Americans. In the early 1900s George Ferguson and his family moved from Philipsburg. He leased the Tavern building from Theodore Boal. George also attempted to buy the Hublersburg Inn. Unfortunately, while working in his chicken coop, George died of a heart attack. His wife continued to run the business, but raising three children while a tavern owner proved too heavy a burden so the family returned to Philipsburg.

Stories like these are being unearthed by the Black History in Centre County Project (BHCCP) a new volunteer-based collaboration dedicated to finding and sharing information about Black people, building on prior research of local historians and genealogists. They are actively seeking Black family history information from the public and local institutions. Inspired by the work of the late Rev. Dr. Donna King, former pastor of St. Paul AME Church, BHCCP is chaired by Racine Amos and Julia Spicher Kasdorf, professor of English at PSU. The research team also includes: Philip Ruth, senior historian; Nathan Piekielek, associate professor of geography at PSU; and Carmin Wong, PSU Ph.D. student in English and African-American Studies. We all benefit from their historical research that reveals the truth about our shared often hidden past.

Many young people of color who come to this community from Philly, Pittsburgh, NYC, DC and beyond often feel estranged when confronted with the cultural homogeneity of this community. It could comfort them to know that the blood and sweat of their ancestors also watered this hallowed ground.

Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Partys nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lions Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
An economy-class passenger reportedly disrupted a United Airlines flight to Taiwan (not pictured). Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

A United flight from San Francisco reportedly had to turn back because of a disruptive passenger.

Other passengers on the flight said the man refused to stay in his seat in the economy-class cabin.

The flight continued to Taiwan after the passenger was removed in San Francisco.

A United Airlines flight turned back to San Francisco International Airport because a passenger was said to be disruptive.

The flight took off Thursday and was bound for Taipei, Taiwan, according to the local television station Kron4, which first reported the story, citing data by Flight Aware. Some two hours into the flight, the plane returned to San Francisco, the data shows.

The disruptive passenger refused to remain in his seat in economy class and kept visiting the business-class cabin, according to Live and Let's Fly, a Los Angeles-based aviation blog that cited accounts posted on FlyerTalk by passengers who said they were on board the flight. The passenger has not been identified by United.

"He kept coming up to Polaris during the initial drink service. Flight attendant told him to return to his seat. He walked back but then a few moments later, he's back up in the Business cabin," the FlyerTalk user Live4Upgrades wrote, referring to Polaris, United's business-class service. The user added that the passenger "didn't comply" with the cabin crew's requests for him to return to his seat in economy class.

"United flight 871 returned to San Francisco due to a disruptive passenger. Law enforcement officials met the aircraft on arrival and removed the passenger. The flight departed for Taipei later Thursday evening," United told Insider in a statement. The airline did not confirm whether the passenger was removed because he refused to be seated.

Read the original article on Insider
Travis King, a US soldier, crossed into North Korea after joining a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area - REUTERS

The United Nations has said that delicate talks have begun with Pyongyang over the fate of US soldier Travis King, who unexpectedly bolted into North Korea last week.

Few details have emerged so far about the whereabouts or status of Private King, 23, who had joined a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) between the South and North, before wilfully crossing into the latter on July 18.

However, a conversation has begun between the Norths Korean Peoples Army and the multinational UN Command (UNC) that oversees the JSA, Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, the forces deputy commander, said at a briefing on Monday.

The primary concern for us is Private Kings welfare, he said.

Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of UN Command, said Private Kings situation was very difficult and complex - JUNG YEON-JE/AFP

Talks about the fate of Private King had begun under the rules of the armistice agreement that brought a truce to the 1950-53 Korean War, he confirmed, adding that he did not wish to reveal any details that could prejudice the process.

Obviously there is someones welfare at stake and clearly we are in a very difficult and complex situation which I dont want to risk by speculation or going into too much detail about the communications, Lt. Gen. Harrison said.

None of us knows where this is going to end. Im in life an optimist. I remain optimistic.

When asked whether Private King had been classified as a defector by either side, Harrison said the UNC had not categorised him as anything but an American soldier, and added that he would never speak on behalf of North Korea.

Private King had been serving with US forces in South Korea but was scheduled last week to return to his base in Texas where he faced pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction.

While in South Korea he had faced allegations of assault and a 3,097 fine for damaging a police car.

A Proud parent of a US Army soldier sticker adorns car outside home of Private Travis Kings mother in Racine, Wisconsin - ERIC COX/REUTERS

The soldier had just finished a stint in a detention facility for an unspecified infraction and was accompanied to the airport by a military escort, who could not join him beyond customs and immigration. Private King appears to have slipped out of the airport to join the tour.

Story continues

His disappearance into the reclusive North presents a diplomatic headache for Washington, which is experiencing a low point in relations with Pyongyang over Kim Jong Uns pursuit of a nuclear missile programme.

On Sunday, Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed concern over the price North Korea may demand for Private Travis release.

Running from his problems

Is he defecting? I think he was running from his problems, Mr McCaul said in an interview with ABC News.

That was the wrong place to go. But we see this with Russia, China, Iran  when they take an American, particularly a soldier, captive, they exact a price for that, McCaul said. And thats what I worry about.

Pyongyang has a long history of detaining Americans and using them as bargaining chips in bilateral negotiations.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with the North and, since North Korea closed its borders at the start of the pandemic, most embassies with a presence in Pyongyang have withdrawn their foreign diplomats.

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The United States has surpassed 400 mass shootings in 2023, setting the stage for a record-breaking year in gun violence without any significant federal firearm legislation on the horizon.

America reached the grim figure by Saturday  the earliest in a year 400 shootings have been recorded since at least 2013, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Like CNN, the GVA  a non-profit group formed in 2013 to track gun-related violence  defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.

With five months remaining in 2023, the US has already eclipsed the number of mass shootings recorded each year from 2013 through 2018. Should the current pace continue, 2023 will see more mass shootings than in 2019 through 2022. The Gun Violence Archive started tracking these numbers in 2013.

In 2019, it took 356 days  nearly the entire year  to hit 400 mass shootings. This year and in 2021, however, the United States reached that marker in just seven months.

The rate of mass shootings in 2023 has consistently outpaced that of past years, with an average of nearly two mass shootings a day.

Nearly 1 in 5 US adults has had a family member killed by a gun, including homicides and suicides, according to a 2023 survey from KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation). About the same proportion of adults have been personally threatened with a gun, and about 1 in 6 adults has witnessed an injury from a shooting, the survey found.

This is the only country in the world where men who are having breaks with reality exorcise their demons through mass slaughter, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who has made gun safety legislation central to his work following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, told CNN earlier this year.

Were not the only place in the world with mental illness. Were not the only place in the world where people are paranoid. But only in America are we so casual about access to weapons of mass destruction and only in America do we fetishize violence so much that we end up with all the mass shootings, he added.

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The US also reached 100, 200, and 300 mass shootings more quickly this year than any other year since 2013. One hundred shootings were recorded by March; 200 by May.

Behind the scenes, Biden administration officials have been developing ways in which the federal government can respond in the short- and long-term after a mass shooting, recognizing the physical, mental, and economic ramifications.

But following passage of last years bipartisan gun safety law theres been little political momentum for more gun safety legislation, even as the rate of mass shootings has picked up.

Shootings meet stubborn divide

Research published this year suggests that the effects of mass shootings on mental health may extend beyond the survivors and their communities to a much broader population.

In the days after a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in May 2022, a mental health crisis line received a spike in messages that referenced grief, guns and other firearm-related terms, according to a study funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study did not track callers locations, but the Crisis Text Line  a non-profit organization offering free confidential crisis intervention  serves people nationwide.

In remarks at the National Safer Communities Summit in Connecticut last month, President Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech arguing that he believes the movement has reached a tipping point.

Whether were Democrats or Republicans, we all want families to be safe. We all want to drop them off at the house of worship, a mall, a movie, the school door without worrying that its the last time were ever going to see them. We all want our kids to have the freedom to learn, to read and to write instead of learning how to duck and cover in a classroom, Biden said in remarks at the National Safer Communities Summit last month.

White House officials have been clear- eyed about the political realities Democrats face with the current makeup of Congress, where Republicans in control of the House of Representatives have rejected Bidens calls for an assault weapons ban.

Even during the first two years of Bidens term, when both chambers of Congress were controlled by Democrats, an assault weapons ban gained little traction, in part because of the 60-vote threshold needed to break a filibuster and advance bills through the Senate.

A uniquely American tragedy

tates with weaker gun laws have higher rates of gun deaths, including homicides, suicides and accidental killings, according to a study published in 2022 by Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-profit focused on gun violence prevention.

The political debate on gun control in America, though, is untethered from that data.

And gun violence is still rising. Per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the firearm homicide rate was 8.3% higher in 2021 than it was in 2020. Firearm suicide rates among people 10 years old and older also increased by 8.3% from 2020 to 2021. And the percentage of homicides attributed to firearm injuries rose from 79% in 2020 to 81%  the highest percentage in more than 50 years.

Countries that have introduced laws to reduce gun-related deaths have seen significant progress, a previous, in-depth CNN analysis found:

Australia. Less than two weeks after Australias worst mass shooting, the federal government implemented a new program, banning rapid-fire rifles and shotguns, and unifying gun owner licensing and registrations across the country. In the next 10 years gun deaths in Australia fell by more than 50%. A 2010 study found the governments 1997 buyback program  part of the overall reform  led to a drop in firearm suicide rates that averaged 74% over the five years that followed.

South Africa. Gun-related deaths dropped by almost half over a 10-year-period after new gun legislation, the Firearms Control Act, went into force in July 2004. The new laws made it much more difficult to obtain a firearm.

New Zealand. Gun laws were swiftly amended after the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. Just 24 hours after the attack, in which 51 people were killed, then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the countrys gun laws would change. New Zealands parliament voted almost unanimously to reform the countrys gun laws less than a month later, banning all military-style semi-automatic weapons.

Britain. [The country] tightened its gun laws and banned most private handgun ownership after a mass shooting in 1996, a move that saw gun deaths drop by almost a quarter over a decade.

But Americas relationship to guns is unique, and its gun culture is a global outlier. For now, the deadly cycle of violence seems unlikely to abate.

CNNs Curt Merrill and Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report.

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Residents in University City want to know what city leaders and the police are doing to keep them safe after a string of deadly shootings.

A 25-year-old man was shot and killed at a busy shopping center on University Pointe Boulevard Sunday afternoon. It was the fourth shooting that Channel 9 has covered in the past three weeks in that area.

READ MORE: 1 killed in shooting in shopping center parking lot, police say

I thought this is a good place where I could walk and go to the store very fast -- just convenience, really, said resident Ataya Shirer, who recently moved to the area. It looks like a pretty nice area. I didnt know that all of these things were happening.

Sundays crime was the fourth shooting and third homicide in three weeks in the University City area.

Its disheartening that this type of activity would take place in a very public area one thats filled with shoppers, said Maj. Zeru Chickoree, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Earlier this month, a woman was killed at the McCullough light rail stop, which was close to Sundays deadly shooting, police said.

Whats going to be done about that? Shirer said. Whats going to be done about my safety?

Channel 9 asked that question to the city and CMPD.

They declined to speak with Channel 9 on Monday.

The recent violence comes as UNC Charlotte students prepare to return to campus next month.

This is a university area so there are a lot of college students here, Shirer said. They should also feel safe in the area.

Shirer said shed like to see police patrols increased in the area.

She also wants to hear from city leaders and police on how they plan to make her neighborhood safer.

When will I feel safe again? When can I feel safe again? Shirer said.

Channel 9 reached out to City Councilwoman Renee Johnson who represents the area about those safety concerns.

We have not gotten a response.

There are no suspects in Sundays shooting.

VIDEO: 1 shot outside University City seafood restaurant
US in self-inflicted mental friction to smear China's EVs

09:10, July 24, 2023 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

Two US House of Representatives committees said on Friday that they are investigating Ford Motor's partnership with Chinese battery giant CATL to assess potential risks associated with foreign involvement in critical industries. In February, Ford announced it was spending $3.5 billion to build a battery plant in Michigan using technology from CATL, the world's leading electric vehicle (EV) battery maker. Since the announcement, American anti-China politicians have been acting like cats that have scented fish, demanding Ford to prove its innocence, putting on a stance that they will not stop until Chinese elements are eliminated.

Why do American companies like Ford choose to cooperate with Chinese firms? Reasons can be found in The New York Times' report - it is next to impossible for any other country, apart from China, to become self-reliant in the battery supply chain, and companies anywhere in the world will look to form partnerships with Chinese manufacturers to enter or expand in the industry. By 2030, China will make more than twice as many batteries as every other country combined.

Ford also admits that the US is not yet prepared to compete with China in the production of electric vehicles. Honestly speaking, cooperation benefits the development of the US' new-energy vehicle industry. But such an opportunity is being hunted down by Washington. Ultimately, it is a self-inflicted mental friction of the US.

It is not just in the EV sector. Nowadays, in almost every domain related to high-tech and cutting-edge industries, some politicians in the West harbor an extremely unhealthy and unfair zero-sum or even negative-sum competition mentality toward China. As Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng recently stated at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, it's like wearing the most advanced shark skin swimsuit in a swimming competition while others are only allowed to wear outdated swimsuits. "Where is the basic fairness?" Xie asked.

On the race track of EVs, they now see China taking a lead, and instead of trying to catch up, their first thought is to find a way to tie sandbags on the legs of Chinese industry. This is not merely a matter of fairness; It is serious damage to the global industrial chain established based on market rules.

Some people say that the degree of development of the automobile manufacturing industry is a barometer of a country's industrialization progress. China's current advantages in the field of EVs are a direct manifestation of China's industrial manufacturing capabilities and industrialization level. It is also the result of the Chinese government and enterprises attaching great importance to green environmental protection and low-carbon economy. It is a pity that some politicians in the US and the West are not clear about this basic logic. They always confuse causes and effects and try to curb China's development by destroying these leading industries in China. But they end up finding that these industries have not been defeated but are getting stronger, and new advantageous industries are emerging one after another.

Another obvious consequence of suppressing Chinese EV companies is to seriously damage global efforts to combat climate change.

Now some people in the US and the West still talk about the photovoltaic industry, saying that the "mistakes" made in photovoltaics must not be repeated in the new-energy vehicles market. In fact, they should really look back and take a good look at the lessons left by the photovoltaic industry's siege and containment of China. Since 2011, the US has launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against China. According to some analyses, the US and Europe jointly blocked more than 80 percent of the global market in the photovoltaic industry. Although China's photovoltaic industry was once severely affected, it has not been defeated, and now accounts for more than three quarters of the global photovoltaic module output. It has a complete photovoltaic industry chain and technology and the world's largest photovoltaic power generation scale.

In the final analysis, in the face of complex industries that require division of labor and cooperation, especially emerging industries, we should not treat them with zero-sum, negative-sum game thinking. The trend of new-energy vehicles was brought up by Tesla, and it is still a leader in the industry. China has never regarded Tesla as an "enemy," but welcomed Tesla into China. The end result is that Tesla's huge profits in the Chinese market support its further technology research and development, and competition with Tesla is an important reason for the rapid development of related companies and industries in China. A simple truth is that if you can't face up to the advantages of your competitors, you can't talk about surpassing them.

Many analysts believe there is a high probability the US may introduce restrictive measures. We have never had any illusions about the attitudes and cognition of those anti-China politicians in Congress toward China, and we believe that our related companies will also make adequate estimates and preparations for emerging political risks. At the same time, if Washington wants to "ensure its own advantages" by snuffing out every technological advancement in China, it will fall into endless self-torture. The arrogance of "beating China back to the Stone Age" and "China is only allowed to produce shirts and socks" is even more idiotic.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The Justice Department has sued Texas after its governor refused to remove a floating border barrier the Biden administration says was unlawfully put into place.

We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement. This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns. Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy.

The White House said Monday that Abbott's actions are "dangerous" and "unlawful" after the Republican governor defied the Justice Department's request and told the president he would see the Biden administration in court.

The Justice Department sent Abbott a letter Thursday ordering him to remove a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River or face legal action. Texas' actions "violate federal law" and "raise humanitarian concerns," it warned. It gave Texas until Monday to remove the barrier.

USA TODAY reported on Friday that migrant children and adults have been lacerated by razor wire installed by the state of Texas.

Migrants rest near Buoys on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas on July 20, 2023. The buoys were installed on orders by Texas Governor Greg Abbot to prevent migrants from reaching the north embankment of the Rio Grande on the international boundary between Mexico and the U.S. (Via OlyDrop)

Abbott responded on Monday, blaming President Joe Biden's immigration policies for migrant deaths and saying they encouraged migrants to cross "illegally through the water, instead of safely and legally at a port of entry."

In his letter, Abbott suggested the president is responsible.

"Nobody drowns on a bridge," Abbott replied. "It has been under your watch that migrants have suffered an unprecedented crisis of inhumanity."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Abbott's actions are making it difficult for federal officials to patrol the area and access the Rio Grande River, where four migrants have drowned.

"Instead of coming to the table and trying to figure out a way to work together, he continues to do this really cruel, unjust, inhumane ways of moving forward," she said.

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Jean-Pierre did not say whether the president, who met with Abbott in January, had called the Texas governor. She said the GOP governor is "sowing chaos" and "not operating in good faith here."

Pressed on why the Army Corps of Engineers don't just move the barriers, she declined to speak to what the Army Corps will be instructed to do. She said the White House is speaking to the Abbott's actions and how the Justice Department will move forward. She directed the question to the Department of Homeland Security.

Instead, the Biden administration pointed to expanding legal pathways for migration and proposed comprehensive immigration reforms. Abbott's actions, the White House said, are "undermining" the president's efforts to curb illegal border crossings and making it harder for border patrol officers to do their jobs.

"If Governor Abbott truly wanted to drive toward real solutions, hed be asking his Republican colleagues in Congress why they voted against President Bidens request to increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security and why theyre blocking the comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures that would finally fix our broken immigration system," White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said in a statement after the Justice Department filed its lawsuit.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden admin sues Texas over 'inhumane' floating border barrier
By Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Monday called it "unfortunate" that Israel's parliament ratified part of Benjamin Netanyahu's contested judicial overhaul, defying U.S. President Joe Biden, and again urged the prime minister to seek a broad political consensus.

Biden's administration reiterated its long-standing concerns after Israel's Knesset approved an initial bill aimed at curbing the Supreme Court's powers, despite months of street protests and appeals from the U.S. and other countries to hold off and negotiate with the opposition.

The vote, driven by Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition, showed the limits of Biden's ability to rein in the divisive judicial overhaul, even after bringing to bear pressure from Israel's closest ally.

"As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

"It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority," she added.

Opposition members of parliament boycotted the vote backed by Netanyahu's coalition, which is considered the most far-right in Israel's history.

Hours after the vote, Netanyahu said in a televised address the courts will remain independent and he hopes to reach agreement with the opposition on judicial changes by the end of November.

Biden, who has had frosty relations with Netanyahu compared with former President Donald Trump, finally invited the prime minister last week for an official visit later this year. But U.S. officials have yet to set a date or concur with Israeli statements that they would meet at the White House in September.

Biden had delayed extending the invitation out of concern over Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan and Jewish settlement construction in the occupied West Bank. The two leaders have occasionally clashed in public and in private.

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Biden, a Democrat, has said Netanyahu must maintain Israel's independent judiciary as crucial to democracy, but some Republican lawmakers have accused him of meddling in Israeli domestic affairs.

However, there have been no signs Biden's criticism has hurt other key areas such as U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation.

"We have a long-standing friendship with the government of Israel that really transcends any one issue," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

At a regular White House briefing, Jean-Pierre repeated Biden's pledge that the U.S. commitment to Israel remains "iron-clad" and gave no indication Washington was prepared to use billions of dollars in military aid to Israel as leverage.

"The United States will continue to support the efforts of President (Isaac) Herzog and other Israeli leaders as they seek to build a broader consensus through political dialogue," she said.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; additional reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Grant McCool)
The Carnival Elation cruise ship docked in Nassau, Bahamas. DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images

The US Coast Guard has stopped its search for a 30-year-old man who went overboard on a Carnival cruise ship.

A Carnival spokesperson told Insider that security footage showed the man jumping off the ship.

This is Carnival's sixth reported man-overboard incident since 2022, according to Ross A. Klein.

The US Coast Guard has stopped its search for a 30-year-old male passenger who went overboard from the Carnival Elation cruise ship on Sunday.

The cruise ship was on a four-day Bahamas sailing and on its way back to Jacksonville, Florida, at the time of the incident, Matt Lupoli, a Carnival spokesperson, said. The man was reported missing by his travel companion late Sunday afternoon after he was not seen all day.

"Sadly, after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video it was determined that he jumped," Lupoli said. "Shoreside authorities were notified, and the crew was advised to continue to Jacksonville. The Carnival Care Team is providing support to the guest's family and our thoughts are with them and the guest."

The US Coast Guard was alerted at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, and the search was initiated soon after, Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez told Insider. On Tuesday, the Coast Guard announced it had suspended the search for the man.

In a statement to Insider on Tuesday, a Carnival spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and sincere condolences continue to be with the loved ones of our guest, as the extensive search for him, carried out by the United States Coast Guard, has been suspended. Our Care Team continues to provide support to the guest's family."

Six passengers have gone overboard on Carnival Cruise Line ships since the beginning of 2022, according to news reports compiled by Ross A. Klein, a professor who is the associate dean for graduate programs and research at Memorial University of Newfoundland, on his blog, CruiseJunkie.com.

The FBI launched an investigation into a man-overboard incident on board a Carnival cruise ship in May when Ronnie Lee Peale Jr., a 35-year-old passenger, fell into the water after leaning over the railing of his stateroom balcony.

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Statistically, the odds of falling off a cruise ship are small. A total of 212 overboard incidents were reported on cruise ships from 2009 to 2019, according to a report commissioned by the industry-trade group Cruise Lines International Association. Out of those, 48 people  about 28%  were successfully rescued.

Under the 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety law, cruise ships must have 42-inch guard rails and man-overboard imaging or detection systems. However, not all cruise ships have implemented recently developed automatic man-overboard-detection technology, which uses thermal cameras and radars to immediately alert crew members when a person goes overboard.

Carnival did not respond to questions regarding which man overboard-detection technologies are in place on board the Carnival Elation ship.

The time between someone going overboard and the cruise ship initiating a search-and-rescue mission can be the difference between life and death, as highlighted by the experience of James Michael Grimes, a Carnival passenger who was stranded at sea for 20 hours after falling overboard last year.

Have a tip or story to share about man-overboard incidents on cruise ships? Email this reporter at htowey@insider.com

Read the original article on Insider
By Eric Beech and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department on Monday sued Texas over floating barriers installed by the state in the Rio Grande river to block migrants crossing from Mexico.

Texas authorities began installing the string of buoys in the middle of the river near Eagle Pass, Texas, last week, part of Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott's initiative dubbed Operation Lone Star to deter migrants.

"We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement. "This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns."

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Texas, seeks "to remove all structures and obstructions, including a floating barrier and all infrastructure related to the floating barrier, in the Rio Grande," according to the court filing.

The U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, Jaime Esparza, had threatened to take legal action in a letter sent to Abbott last week.

In response to the Justice Department's legal warning, Abbott sent a letter on Monday to Democratic President Joe Biden, accusing him of failing to enforce immigration laws and causing a "record-breaking level of illegal immigration."

Abbott, in an interview on Fox News, said the barriers have potentially prevented hundreds of thousands of people from entering the country illegally and argued the Biden administration's lawsuit is based on an obscure statute.

"We believe we have the right to do so, and we will take this lawsuit all the way to the United States Supreme Court," he said.

Mexico has also complained about the barrier, saying it violates a water treaty and may encroach on Mexican territory.

In addition to the border barrier, Abbott's Operation Lone Star also has included the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and a campaign to bus migrants to Democratic-led cities further north.

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In recent months, National Guard troops have strung up razor wire to block migrants from crossing the Rio Grande.

The number of migrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally has dropped since Biden implemented a restrictive new asylum policy in May. Even so, roughly 100,000 were apprehended in June.

(Reporting by Eric Beech, Kanishka Singh and Tyler Clifford; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Bill Berkrot and Sonali Paul)
SAND HARBOR, Nev.  Lake Tahoe tourism officials were surprised, and a bit miffed, when a respected international travel guide put the iconic alpine lake straddling the California-Nevada line on its list of places to stay away from this year because of the harmful ecological effects of overtourism.

But with an influx of visitors and new full-time residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic already forcing local leaders to revisit the decadesold conversation about overcrowding, Fodor's No List 2023 may have served as a wake-up call that some sort of change is necessary.

I cant go to my own beaches anymore, said Susan Daniels, 70, a lifelong resident of Kings Beach, California, whose parents met at a Tahoe-area ski resort in 1952. That includes her favorite, Sand Harbor, which lies just across the Nevada border and is known for its turquoise water and rock formations. I cannot go to Sand Harbor, where I grew up, unless I get in line at 7 in the morning.

Since Fodor's declared last November that Lake Tahoe has a people problem, some unlikely voices have expressed a new willingness to consider taxes or fees on motorists  a nonstarter not long ago.

Sand Harbor is packed with visitors at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Incline Village, Nevada on July 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, local business and tourism officials are lining up behind a new effort to persuade people to check out less trafficked parts of the lake and to visit outside of high season.

The idea is to preserve a $5 billion local economy built around the tourists who come to hike, camp, boat, bike, ski and gamble, while also easing their impact on the environment and communities. Roughly one-third the size of the Sierra Nevadas also-crowded Yosemite National Park, the Lake Tahoe Basin gets about three times as many visitors  around 15 million each year.

We know that we really need to get out of the tourism marketing business and get into the tourism management business, said Carol Chaplin, CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

And that has a lot to do with the Fodors article, really. How are we managing our tourism? she said. Not that it is overtourism  I think that was a little bit shocking. But we are not denying some of that.

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A man wets his feet in the cool water of Lake Tahoe at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Incline Village, Nevada on July 17, 2023.

This month saw the unveiling of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan, a 143-page document backed by a broad coalition of more than a dozen conservation, business, governmental and private entities that prioritizes sustainably preserving the goose that lays the golden egg  the twinkling cobalt waters that turn blue-green near the lakes 72 miles of shoreline.

Two years in the works and full of ideas but short on specifics, the document has as one emphasis easing traffic gridlock, which causes not only parking nightmares but increased air pollution and lake sedimentation.

The plan also considers measures adopted by other tourist destinations, such as requiring reservations, timed-entry permits and capacity limits.

But were not a national park, said Amy Berry, CEO of the nonprofit Tahoe Fund. We dont have gates. Were not going to ever shut the door on folks.

Visitors fill a section of Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Incline Village, Nevada on July 17, 2023.

The document does not carry the weight of law, and there is no enforcement mechanism to ensure the aspirations it lays out come to fruition.

Tahoe officials have talked this way before. But they insist this times different.

Congestion has reached such a critical point that its time to adopt user or roadway pricing to limit the vehicles in the basin and incentivize the use of public transit, said Washoe County Commission Chairwoman Alexis Hill in Reno, Nevada, the closest major city, about 20 miles northeast of the lake.

One of an increasing number of people to take that view, Hill knows the idea that would have been dismissed out of hand a decade ago by hotels, casinos, ski resorts and other business concerns opposed to anything that might discourage visitors.

And she acknowledged it wont be easy, especially because of the multiple jurisdictions involved, including five counties in two states, individual towns, regulators, the Coast Guard and the U.S. Forest Service.

But honestly, I think people may have recognized we may already be getting to the point of unsustainability, Hill said.

People wait to be seated at a restaurant at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, California on July 17, 2023.

When you have folks like Fodors say, `Dont go to Lake Tahoe, thats not good for us as a region. We need folks to visit here, but we need a system to manage them, she said.

Lake Tahoe isnt the only destination to grapple with how to more effectively manage visitors. Hawaii earlier this year debated a measure that would have required tourists to pay to visit state parks and trails, with revenue going to maintenance and protection. It did not pass.

Berry, Chaplin and others believe two key strategies for managing tourism are encouraging midweek and off-season visits and promoting hidden gems that many tourists have never seen  such as Spooner Lake, an underutilized site above the east shore where a new visitor's center and parking lot recently opened.

Theres a lot to explore in the Tahoe Basin, Berry said. "You know, its over 200,000 acres. Theres trails. Theres lakes. Lots of things to do.

There's skepticism, however, about how easily tourists can be nudged off the beaten path.

I dont think it will work, said Jason Kenneweg, 43, a longtime Reno-Sparks resident who has spent more than 25 years boating and snowmobiling at Tahoe. They don't want to get out of their cars.

Traffic moves along Tahoe Boulevard in Stateline, Nevada, on July 17, 2023.

Daniels is one of those convinced that some sort of user fee for motorists is inevitable.

"If you hit peoples pocketbook, it usually has an effect, Daniels said.

So far, few appear to have heeded the travel guides suggestion that one of the worlds deepest lakes, whose contents would be enough to cover the state of California with 14 inches of water, could use a break in order to heal and rejuvenate.

Hotel occupancy between December and April, the height of the ski season, was up 12% from last year, Chaplin said, and that included a stretch when visitation fell off or was flat as one of the wettest winters on record snowed in neighborhoods and businesses and buried roads and highways.

The stakes are high for Tahoe's ecosystem and way of life, with some longtime residents already having left, fed up with the traffic jams, packed supermarkets and soaring housing costs.

After years of joining Daniels at public meetings to advocate for the protection of the lake, Ellie Waller finally had enough and moved to the Carson Valley, south of Reno.

This was my husbands dream, to live and have this the rest of our lives, Waller said. And at some point, we begrudgingly left it.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lake Tahoe is busy: Officials work to manage huge tourist crowds
Generators will be delivered to Ukrainian stations already in August

The United States has handed over three backup generators for nuclear power plants to Ukraine, the state NPP operator NNEGC Energoatom reported on July 21, which will provide backup power in case of emergency outages.

"We are proud to deliver 3 new emergency generators to Energoatom to provide backup power to Ukrainian reactors in the event of an offsite power loss," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on Twitter.

Read also: Russian strikes could cause electricity deficit this summer in Ukraine  Ukrenergo

The U.S. Department of Energy is committed to the safety of Ukraines nuclear power plants in the face of Russias aggression.

Energoatom President Petro Kotin said that the three 2.2 MW diesel generators, which will be delivered in August, are crucial for the company.

Read also: New high-voltage power line connects Poland and Ukraine

"This equipment will be critically important for our NPPs in the event of a power outage," Kotin said.

These backup generators can also be used at the Zaporizhzhya NPP after its de-occupation, he added.

"With the help of our partners, we are preparing for the winter, which will be difficult," said Herman Halushchenko, Minister of Energy of Ukraine.

Read also: Without ZNPP, Ukraine to continue living with electricity deficit

Therefore, this support is very important for all Ukrainians who will be expecting electricity in their homes.

Earlier, NV reported that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to accumulate 1.8 million tons of coal and 14.7 billion cubic meters of gas by the beginning of the cold season. As of today, there are 1.5 million tons of coal and 10.4 billion cubic meters of gas in storage.

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 U.S. Postal Service employee is accused of using her universal key in a scheme to steal more than $40,000 in checks.

Jakia McMorris, 32, of Charlotte was indicted Monday.

McMorris was a city carrier from at least May 2021 for the U.S. Postal Service, working in Charlottes North Tryon Station. Around Sept. 13, 2021, McMorris reported she lost her USPS universal key while she was out delivering mail, the indictment alleges.

Channel 9 has reported several times on these keys. They attract thieves who use them to open mailboxes and steal mail, money, and identities.

9 FOCUS STORIES: Mail Theft Incidents

After reporting the lost key, the indictment alleges McMorris stopped going to work.

McMorris and her co-conspirators allegedly carried out a bank fraud scheme by stealing more than $40,000 in checks starting in 2021, the indictment reads. The others used stolen USPS universal keys to open outdoor mailboxes in Charlotte and steal mail that included business checks, the indictment alleges. They are accused of then depositing those checks in bank accounts that included some in McMorris name.

The indictment alleges the co-conspirators withdrew the money from the accounts before the banks picked up on the fraud.

McMorris is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering conspiracy. She was released on bond Monday.

The bank fraud conspiracy charge has a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a $1 million fine. The other charge has a statutory 20-year penalty and a $500,000 fine.

(WATCH BELOW: Thieves steal from at least 14 mailboxes in Union County; crimes tied to Charlotte area)
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (AP)  Vermont state and federal officials on Monday urged farmers to document and report damage from the catastrophic flooding that hit the state two weeks ago and inundated crops in the rural mountainous state known for its scenic farmland.

They toured Paul Mazza's Fruit and Vegetable farm, where fields were under 20 feet (6 meters) of water during the flooding, including row after row of blueberry bushes laden with berries and corn. The crops are now contaminated and unsellable. Mazza, who has seven farms in different locations, estimates he has about 25% of his produce left. Fields are covered with sediment and piles of sand from the river.

It's a killer. My head just spins, Mazza said. I lost my shirt, he added.

A 2021 state government report on Vermont agriculture credited maple producers, apple orchards, farms, cheese, and ice cream for having long defined the Vermont experience and said agriculture is a key engine of the state's economy. Small towns cannot thrive without economic opportunity or without the innovation that agricultural and food businesses bring to our rural landscapes, the authors wrote. And, unless Vermont farm families can earn a sustainable living from their open productive agricultural land, it becomes a target for development, is chiseled off and sold, or becomes overgrown and under-utilized.

The latest storms in Richmond flooded a couple hundred acres of corn and a couple hundred acres of hay at Conants dairy farm. The velocity of water that came through was tremendous, said Dave Conant.

The fields are so laden with silt that they dont even want to put their equipment through them, he said.

The beauty of Vermont has taken a hit, Conant said.

Vermont is the top dairy producing state in New England and has a strong local foods movement.

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat, urged Mazza, his daughter, and other farmers, to document the losses so he and the rest of the congressional delegation can make the case for funds when a disaster relief bill reaches the Senate floor, he said.

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Republican Gov. Phil Scott has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a federal disaster designation, which would make farms eligible financial assistance, including low-interest emergency loans.

After seeing what Mazza and his family have experienced, the governor said he recognizes the devastation and frustration as well.

You have berries still on the vine, and you have apples still up there on the trees but they can't be utilized," Scott said. This is going to be a long, long-term effort for them and for many parts of the state with different experiences.

Scott said he's confident the state will receive more federal help, but doesn't think it will enough.

We're going to have to dig deep. We're going to have to be creative and reach into every pot in order to get through this, he said.
On June 30, 18-year-old Jacob Williamson was supposed to go to Carowinds on his first ever date. Hed never been to the amusement park, but in the last month Williamson had done a lot of things for the first time.

He had moved out of his parents house, started a job at a Waffle House and became more comfortable in his identity as a publicly out, trans man in the conservative small town of Laurens, S.C.

Williamson had also met a man online and they talked incessantly. He offered sympathy and support to Williamson, who had left home with only the clothes he had on him and was sleeping on a couch belonging to a family friend, Promise Edwards.

When the man found out that Williamson had never been to the amusement park, which straddles the North and South Carolina border, he said hed drive them to the park for a date, according to Edwards.

I told Jacob Im not really comfortable with you going, Edwards said.

Her worst fears were realized when Williamson disappeared the night the man picked him up for a date.

On July 4, Williamsons body was found on the side of a road in Pageland, South Carolina, roughly eight miles from Monroe, N.C., where Edwards and police say 25-year-old Joshua Newton lived. Less than two days later, deputies from the Union County, N.C., Sheriffs Department arrested Newton and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Victoria Smith, in Williamsons death. Newton has been charged with first degree murder and obstruction of justice.

Law enforcement officials have said that the case is not being investigated as a hate crime.

This just appears to be a very evil individual or individuals that took the life of (Williamson), said Lt. James Maye, a Union County Sheriffs Department spokesperson.

The story of Williamsons life and death has taken on a life of its own nationally, with #JusticeforJacob trending on TikTok and coverage from national news outlets including CNN.

But in South Carolina, where lawmakers have introduced bills to ban gender affirming care, Williamsons death is a grim reminder of the precarious and often marginalized lives of LGBTQ+ teens. Many of them are forced to navigate the world with little to no support from their families or communities that might have ostracized them.

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When someone is rejected by family, by church, by community, there is a desire to seek out love and acceptance  we all have that innately within us. What is really scary when you think about transgender young people is that the quest for love and acceptance can put them in danger, said Jace Woodrum, the executive director of the ACLU in South Carolina.

Nationwide, the impact of marginalization can be seen in sobering statistics: Roughly 40% of teens experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, according to the National Network for Youth. One 2015 survey found that more than half of transgender and non-binary respondents experienced intimate partner violence in their lives.

He was a loving, caring soul that only wanted to be loved and accepted by everyone, Edwards said.

Who was Jacob Williamson?

When Williamson arrived at Edwards home at the end of May, he had nothing but the clothes on his back, Edwards said.

He called me and he just asked me, Hey can I come and stay with you? Please, I dont have anywhere to go, Edwards said.

In the month that followed, Edwards said that she helped Williamson get a job at the Waffle House where she worked. In his employee paperwork he filled out his name as Jacob. Hed taken the name from a popular character in the Twilight Saga and it represented a happy time in his life, Edwards said.

When reached, Williamsons mother, Brittney Patterson-Shealy, said she did not believe Williamson was transitioning and said she only knew her child by one name.

When speaking with reporters, Patterson-Shealy exclusively referred to Williamson with feminine pronouns. She said it was Williamsons decision to leave home.

She was 18 and done what she wants, Patterson-Shealy said.

But at 18, Williamson often seemed much younger. Both Edwards and Patterson-Shealy described him as having the mind of a 14-year-old.

He was the type of person who would get in a mud puddle with 5- and 6-year-olds rather than sit on the porch and have conversations with adults, Edwards said.

Williamson was Patterson-Shealys first-born child and helped me learn to be a mom, Patterson-Shealy said. We both grew up together.

Williamson was  innocent, said Patterson-Shealy, but that also made him real gullible.

Willamson slept with a stuffed miniature owl every night, was an anime fanatic, loved to draw, was an avid gamer, and would belt out Christmas carols in the dead of summer, Edwards said.

An employee manual filled out by Jacob Williamson for his job at a Waffle House in Laurens, South Carolina.

With one of his first paychecks, Williamson bought headphones, a fidget spinner and his first ever chest binder online. Edwards remembered that he spoke about it daily, ecstatic about when it would arrive. The package was delivered three days after his body was found.

He never met a stranger, and if he did, you wouldnt be a stranger for long, Edwards said. He was gonna make you laugh. He was gonna make you talk to him. He was gonna get your attention.

One of Edwards fondest memories of Williamson is from right before he died, she said.

She was using the restroom in her house, watching TikTok, when she saw a snake.

I just ran out of the bathroom, I didnt even pull my pants up, screaming its a snake, its a snake! and Jacob jumped up off the couch going Where? Where? Edwards said.

He ran into the bathroom to find the snake for her and spent an hour searching for it. He was determined to keep it as a pet, she said. He named it Mr. Slithers and told Edwards he was convinced if he formed a bond with it, it would come to him.

What happened?

The spiral of exclusion and marginalization that often begins when transgender teenagers feel that their identity is rejected by their family often leads them on a search for acceptance and validation elsewhere, said Chase Glenn, the former head of LGBTQ+ Health Services at MUSC Charleston and current executive director for the Alliance for Full Acceptance.

Its our human nature, were going to seek that out, Glenn said.

Williamson seemed to find that in Newton. The two began talking before Williamson left home, according to Patterson-Shealy, who said that she and Williamsons stepfather tried to put a stop to the relationship. The two had met online, according to investigators.

Edwards said the relationship developed over their phones, through text messages and apps like Snapchat, Discord and Twitch. They played video games together and talked about the rejection they had both faced.

After moving in with Edwards, Williamson resumed contact with Newton and the two spent up to ten hours a day on video calls, Edwards said.

In late June, after Williamson had been living with Edwards for three weeks, he said that he wanted to meet Newton in-person, go on a date to Carowinds, and stay with him overnight in North Carolina.

When Williamson insisted on visiting Newton, Edwards said she spoke with a woman who claimed to be Newtons mother who said that she would be right next door the entire time Williamson stayed with Newton, Edwards said.

At the time, this gave Edwards a sense of security. Now, she wonders if it was Smith on the phone with her.

Smith, who has been charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact, is featured prominently on Newtons social media accounts. The couple had been dating since June 2022 and started living together less than a month later, according to Facebook posts.

They live-streamed video games and posted about each other on Facebook and TikTok accounts, where Smith adopted the handle HisMaster_ and Newton used Her.demon.

They paired these gothic personas with heavily edited profile pictures (Smith described herself on Facebook as a graphic designer) featuring flames, skulls and glowing eyes.

Edwards knew none of this before Williamson left, but she still had her concerns. You dont just go with people you dont know, overnight, thats not safe, Edwards remembered telling Williamson.

I asked Jacob the obvious question: why would a straight man want to pick up a transgender female to male if hes straight, Edwards said. Thats a red flag for me as well. And I try to be respectful of the community but that I didnt understand.

Williamson assured her it was fine and said Newton is pansexual, telling Edwards: Its very sweet, hes been through a lot of the things Ive been through.

He felt like they were kindred spirits, Edwards said.

Before he left, Williamson downloaded Life360  an app that allows family members to track one-another  onto his and Edwards phones. This app ultimately helped police locate Williamsons body, Edwards said.

A detective sent Promise Edwards a picture of this trailer that Joshua Newton lived in in Monroe, North Carolina.

On June 30, when Newton arrived in a green Saturn at the Waffle House to pick up Williamson, Edwards said she had her 19-year-old daughter make Newton stand in front of one of the restaurants new cameras.

That night Edwards called Williamson to check on him. It was nearly 11:30 p.m., and Williamson sounded annoyed, she said.

She asked him where they were, and Williamson said Newton was showing him the woods behind Newtons house. I said red flag, red flag, Edwards remembered, and took a screenshot of his location.

At 12:13 a.m. Williamsons phone went offline. She never heard from him again.

Remembering Jacob

Starting the next day, Edwards searched desperately for Williamson, she said. She filed missing persons reports and for three days she didnt sleep or brush her teeth.

Law enforcement officers interviewed Newton twice at the trailer on Bethphage Lane in Monroe, North Carolina. In one video shared to social media, it appears that Newton live-streamed part of one of these conversations.

Edwards said she and Williamsons father stayed overnight in their cars in a Walmart parking lot in Monroe so they could search for him as long as possible without making the trek back to Laurens. She put out pleas on social media for help in the search and with gas money.

It was tragic for everybody, Patterson-Shealy said, saying that Williamson was taken too soon but that she drew comfort from the knowledge that Williamson was now in heaven.

Both Edwards and Patterson-Shealy agreed with law enforcement that they didnt believe Williamsons death was a hate crime. But without a clear motive, those who loved Williamson are left wondering why he was killed.

The only reason my child got in the car with that man is that he promised to take (Williamson) to Carowinds, Patterson-Shealy said.

Promise Edwards had Jacobs name tattooed on her arm several days after he was discovered dead in Pageland, South Carolina.

Along with several LGBTQ+ organizations, Edwards is arranging a vigil in Williamsons memory with help from city officials and the community of Laurens. The town, with just more than 9,000 residents, traces its history to the mid-1700s and was named after a prominent slave trader. For years, it was home to The Redneck Shop, which called itself the worlds only Klan museum. The shop closed in 2012 after a Black pastor won a lawsuit proving he owned the building.

The vigil is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. at The Ridge at Laurens, a local community center. Attendees are asked to wear purple, according to PFLAG in Spartanburg, which is helping to organize the vigil along with the Alliance for Full Acceptance and the Uplift Outreach Center in Spartanburg. Purple often symbolizes support for LGBTQ+ youth.

Jacob was a vibrant young soul who touched the lives of many and left us far too soon, PFLAG of Spartanburg said in a statement. We stand together as a community, devastated by the loss of this young man. Jacobs life was tragically cut short, reminding us of the urgent need for acceptance, understanding, and equality for all.

Jacob is getting the amount of love and support in his death that he deserved in his life, Edwards said.
May 7, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson holds her hand above her heart during the playing of the national anthem during Ohio State Spring Commencement ceremonies at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Dispatch journalists reported about the power struggle between Kristina Johnson and Les Wexner  Ohio's richest resident  that led to Johnson's decision to step down as president of this state's largest university.

Clues were dropped, but details about why Johnson resigned from her post as Ohio State University's president were never fully disclosed by the players intimately involved.

We now know why no one talked thanks to diligent young journalists from OSU's student-run newspaper and public records.

Johnson signed an agreement that she would lose $927,000 in compensation if she spoke ill about the university.

Members of Ohio State's Board of Trustees agreed not to disparage Johnson at the risk of lawsuit.

More: Kristina Johnson loses compensation if she speaks poorly of Ohio State, agreement says

How The Lantern and public records let in the light

More than seven months after Johnson announced her resignation, Jessica Langer  an Ohio State graduate and former editor-in-chief of The Lantern  successfully beat a legal challenge in which OSU cited attorney-client privilege in its denial of releasing public documents between Ohio State, its board of trustees and Johnson related to her departure.

Like many Columbus-area journalists, including those from the Dispatch, Langer sought and was at first denied "any contract, memorandum of understanding, non-disclosure agreement or other signed document."

But she persisted to shine the light.

"I felt like this was right for the public to know. As a public university, transparency should be at its core," Langer told Dispatch higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix.

The university's attempt to keep the agreement from the pubic is alarming, but not at all surprising.

It is yet another example of attempts  many of them slick and shameful  to keep the public's records from the public.

As the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, wrote in 1914, Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.

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That is as true now as it was in Brandeis' day, but there is always a fight to keep the light shining.

Two recent controversies show setbacks in the fight for transparency.

More: Opinion: Crime victims deserve same rights as accused. Law step in the right direction

$440 million in public opioid settlement money

Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors have finalized a nationwide settlement over their role in the opioid addiction crisis. (Feb. 25)

It is now far harder for the public to track how the money awarded to Ohio from three major drug distributors Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued for their part in the opioid crisis that has claimed far too many lives.

A provision in the newly passed state budget made OneOhio Recovery Foundation a private agency exempt from public records and meetings laws even though our attorney general will still represent it.

The change came on the heels of a unanimous Ohio Supreme Court ruling that said the then-public agency charged with distributing $440 million in public opioid settlement money must make its records available to the public.

Police officers shielded under law meant to protect crime victims

July 8, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA; A person has died after a shooting involving at least one Columbus police officer and one Franklin County Sheriff's deputy Saturday evening on the city's East Side. The shooting happened around 8 p.m. in the 3000 and 3100 blocks of East Livingston Avenue, near James Road.

Even more disturbing, the Columbus Division of Police and Columbus City Attorneys Office used the recently enacted Marsy's Law to justify why they will not disclose the names of eight police officers involved in a highway shootout that left one suspect dead and a Columbus police officer injured.

In a statement, the division claims the officers are victims and they have no other choice but to conceal the officers' identities under the law.

"We want to be clear: this was not a choice made by the Columbus Division of Police. It is a state law by which we (and all other agencies) are required to abide and uphold. In fact, this was a concern CPD raised with state lawmakers," the division says in a recent statement.

"A 'victim' is any person against whom a criminal offense is committed or who is directly and proximately harmed by the commission of the offense. 'Criminal offense' means an alleged act or omission committed by a person that is punishable by incarceration and is not eligible to be disposed of by the traffic violations bureau. There is nothing in the Ohio Constitution, or the ORC/Marsys Law, that excludes a police officer crime victim from the definition of 'victim.'"

Columbus is not the only municipality where this is playing out.

The Florida Supreme Court is considering an argument between Tallahassee and the union representing its police officers. The union argues that the identities of officers who killed suspects should be kept secret under that state's version of Marsy's Law.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston listens to arguments on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in a case concerning Marsy's Law.

The law is in honor of Marsalee Marsy Ann Nicholas, a Cincinnati-born, California college student who was stalked and murdered by her ex-boyfriend on Nov. 30, 1983.

The Ohio General Assembly could and should have clarified matters to protect the public's right to know.

Ohio's version of the law was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2017 as a constitutional amendment.

Marsy's Law aims to ensure crime victims be notified of important hearings and given certain privacy. The Ohio General Assembly passed, revised and codified the law that went into effect in April 2023. Before lawmakers changed the law in May, crime victims had to "opt in."

Despite what the General Assembly did or did not do, it is clear this law was meant to protect crime victims not conceal the names of police officers charged with the critical duty of upholding our laws.

The city's application of the law disregards the public's right to know.

By refusing to release the people's records, Columbus civil rights attorney Sean Walton Jr. says the city is undercutting transparency and police accountability.

"It is not quite logical how they are applying it," he told a member of this editorial board. "They are using it conveniently to shield information from the public."

Suspect names are still released.

Walton says it will be harder for journalists, lawyers and other members of the public to track officer behavior and spot bad actors.

Police officers do not have the same risks of exposure or have the anonymity a crime victim might.

They are re public servants whose identities are known to the public.

There are already laws on the books that rightly protect police officers' home addresses and other personal information.

The only protection the city stance adds is that officers be kept from public scrutiny.

These recent developments should concern all truth-seeking Ohioans who believe the sunshine of public scrutiny is our best disinfectant when it comes to corruption, misconduct and other abuses of power.

There is a reason dirty deeds are done in the dark and so many are so eager to turn out the lights.

This piece was written by the Dispatch Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson on behalf of The Dispatch Editorial Board. Editorials are our board's fact-based assessment of issues of importance to the communities we serve. These are not the opinions of our reporting staff members, who strive for neutrality in their reporting.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State, hidden name of Columbus police show disregard for public right to know| Editorial
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Chance Brannon, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Tibet Ergul of Irvine are accused of being the two masked individuals who threw a Molotov cocktail, igniting a blaze, at a Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood clinic last year. (Department of Justice)

A Florida man was arrested and identified as the third suspect involved in the 2022 firebombing of a Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood clinic along with a U.S. Marine and another accomplice, according to a federal indictment unsealed Monday.

Xavier Batten, 21, of Brooksville, Fla., was arrested by the FBI on Friday and accused of conspiring with Chance Brannon, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Tibet Ergul of Irvine to burn down the clinic in March 2022 using a Molotov cocktail.

All three are charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosion. Brannon and Ergul are both also charged with one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and one misdemeanor count of intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility.

Read more: Camp Pendleton Marine and accomplice charged with firebombing Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood

Brannon, 23, of San Juan Capistrano, and Ergul, 21, are accused of being the two masked and hooded individuals who were caught on security video tossing the Molotov cocktail on March 13, 2022, igniting a blaze. Both were taken into custody without incident last month and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Monday morning in Santa Ana.

Batten is accused of advising and directing Brannon on how to make the Molotov cocktail.

"The violent and reckless attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic alleged in the indictment is intolerable,'' U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada said. "This indictment shows that federal law enforcement will work diligently to uncover and hold accountable those who plan and carry out violent extremist acts against others."

Burn marks on an entrance and adjacent wall of the firebombed Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Threats and violence targeting reproductive healthcare facilities have become increasingly common, with the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuting more than two dozen such cases in the last four years, including a group that tried to physically block an entrance to a Washington, D.C., clinic last year and a man who in 2020 and 2021 shot a BB gun at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Pasadena.

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After the firebombing last year, Nichole Ramirez, vice president of communications and donor relations for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino counties, called such attacks unacceptable.

The safety of our staff, patients, and supporters is our highest priority, and we are working in collaboration with the FBI and local law enforcement to prosecute this attack to the fullest extent of the law, Ramirez said in a statement last year. [We] will continue to provide expert, compassionate care for the community as we have done for over 50 years.

Read more: Man accused of firing BB guns at Planned Parenthood in Pasadena faces federal charge

On the day of the attack, Brannon and Ergul left Ergul's Irvine home, went to Planned Parenthood and tossed the Molotov cocktail at the clinic entrance, prosecutors alleged. The resulting fire forced the facility to close the following morning and cancel about 30 appointments.

Images from the security videos in the affidavit show two men wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks approach the Planned Parenthood facility about 1 a.m. They ignite a device and throw it at the front door of the building.

The device landed against a southern wall next to the glass door and erupted into a fire, which spread up the wall and across the ceiling above the glass door, according to the original complaint filed in the case.

Costa Mesa firefighters knocked down the fire on Nutmeg Place, and a subsequent analysis of evidence showed that a glass container and other materials at the scene contained gasoline.

Read more: Man and woman found shot to death in car at ocean overlook in Rancho Palos Verdes

After authorities appealed to the public for help in identifying the attackers, a witness called the FBIs National Threat Operations Center saying that she knew the suspects from high school and could identify them.

The day after the fire, Ergul allegedly texted the witness, taking credit for the fire and noting that he wished he couldve recorded the combustion. According to the affidavit, Ergul sent the acquaintance a photograph of his gloved hand holding the Molotov cocktail from inside Brannon's car.

Federal agents also obtained phone records that showed Brannon was in the vicinity of Planned Parenthood at the time of the attack and again later, about 3 a.m., according to the affidavit. A Dodge vehicle driven by Brannon found by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service outside the barracks was also tied to the crime, according to the affidavit filed last month.

Brannon and Ergul are scheduled to face trial Sept. 5 before U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney. After his arrest, Batten made his initial court appearance Friday in Florida and was ordered held without bond pending trial.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Some Pasco officials are getting ready to pack their bags for a weeklong visit to their sister city in Mexico.

Dozens of community leaders will fly to the state of Colima, Mexico, this fall for a visit organized by the Pasco-Colima Cooperation and Friendship Agreement (COPA).

This is the first time in five years Pasco will send a delegation south of the border. But the federal government is warning against travel to the small, mountainous state.

Since December 2019, the State Departments Bureau of Consular Affairs has had a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory in place for Colima because of a high risk of crime and kidnapping.

Violent crime and gang activity are widespread, says the State Department. And while most homicides have targeted members of criminal organizations. U.S. citizens and green card holders have been victims of kidnapping.

Still, Gabriel Portugal, president of COPA and the trips organizer, believes the trip will be safe. Pasco officials will be tailed by Colima state police, he said.

I think that the security, Im not really worried about, Portugal said.

Their first trip in 2019 with former Mayor Matt Watkins was smooth and safe, Portugal said.

U.S. Department of State Mexico Travel Advisories

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Mayor Blanche Barajas said the COPA group is monitoring security changes and working to ensure all travel is safe.

Overall, this is an exciting event taking place in benefit of both cities and residents originating from Colima, she wrote in an email to the Tri-City Herald.

Pasco, WA-Colima partnership

Colima delegates have visited Pasco several times, but this will be just the second time Pasco officials pay a visit to the Mexican state.

Fifty-three delegates will fly out Oct. 30 and return Nov. 5.

A majority  about 30  are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Portugal said. Officials from the city of Pasco and Port of Pasco also will join the trip.

Pasco spokesman Jon Funfar said the city will be covering travel costs for three council members to attend.

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The goal of the trip to strengthen the relationship between the two regions and to engage in discussions around education, economic development, public safety and health, and arts and culture.

Its estimated about 20% of Pasco residents have ties to or are from the state of Colima.

Barajas said the trip also is a show of solidarity to the Coliman people. Last year, the country was ravaged by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that killed two people.

Its very much a cultural, educational exchange  an exchange of health resources, medical resources. Just an exchange of everything that both Pasco and Colima can offer each other, Barajas said at the July 17 city council meeting.

Barajas said she will be handed the key to the state of Colima during a ceremony with Gov. Indira Vizcaino Silva.

City Councilman David Milne also will showcase a grant and fundraiser he helped lead for rehabilitation equipment donated to the state.

Colville members will host three performances and will share cultural connections with other native tribes from Colima.

Port of Pasco officials will meet with Manzanillo port officials and other state economic leaders.

Pasco also will be representing the U.S. at a Colima state fair event that regularly turns out more than 10,000 people, Portugal said.

The Southeast Washington city first started discussions to establish a sister city-cooperative relationship with the state in 2018. The next year, officials from both countries flew internationally to learn more about each other and solidify the partnership.

COVID ceased travel for several months.

Most recently, a group of Colima musicians held two performances in downtown Pasco with the Mid-Columbia Symphony last September. The visit coincided with a deadly earthquake in Mexico.

Is Colima safe?

Colima is a small, mountainous state on the southwest coast of Mexico with a population of 731,000. The largest industries are agriculture, tourism, fishing, and food processing and packaging.

A port in the states largest city of Manzanillo drives more than two-thirds of the states $6 billion economy and connects the wider country to international imports.

But it also attracts activity from competing Mexican drug cartel members transporting synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to nonprofit news source InsightCrime.

Gang-on-gang violence regularly drives annual homicide rates, and last year the state reported a murder rate of 110 per 100,000 residents, according to Institute for Economics and Peace.

While Colima remains one of the least peaceful states in the country, according to the 2022 Mexico Peace Index report, its also experienced the largest year-over-year improvements due to reductions in homicides and gun crimes.

Despite the overall improvement in its peace score, Colima continues to be among the most violent states in Mexico, the report read.

But Portugal argues that the medias focus on crime doesnt reflect wholeheartedly the positive culture and economic development of the Mexican state. High-level crime is mostly concentrated in a small area of the state, and safety is mostly dependent on where you are and who youre with.

If youre not in those areas where those guys are fighting for control, I think youre OK. And I think thats the common understanding in Mexico, he said.

The State Department recommends U.S. travelers take precautions while traveling in the state, including enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov.

We take seriously our commitment to provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely and reliable information about every country in the world so that they can make informed travel decisions, said a State Department spokesperson.

We share information across a range of platforms and in many formats so that U.S. citizens have the information they need to travel smart, travel safe and travel well.

Colima is one of six states under a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory.

Half of Mexicos 32 states are currently under a Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution advisory.
Wagner PMC militants

Despite official announcements of the Wagner Group PMC getting disbanded, its fighters continue to be well-compensated, Russian media outlet Mozhem Obyasnit reported via Telegram on July 24.

Read also: Russia may use Wagner mercenaries to attack NATO through Poland, Baltics  Presidential advisor

According to the report, Wagner mercenaries now receive a reduced monthly salary  RUB 150,000 ($1,660), which is still almost three times the median Russian wage. This is the amount awarded to those who are willing to go to Belarus or African countries, where Wagner maintains a major presence.

Based on private chat groups of relatives of the fighters, after the unsuccessful mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the curtailing of the PMC's operation, Wagnerites have seen a 40% decrease in their salaries.

Moreover, there have been more complaints about payment delays in the PMC, which did not occur previously.

On June 24, the founder and leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ended his one-day insurrection against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin after negotiations with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Putin presented the Wagner troops with three options as a result of the negotiations  one of which involved their deployment to Belarus.

Read also: 14 Russian generals support Wagner chief Prigozhin in defiance of Putin, Ukraines top security official says

Shortly after, reports emerged of camp constructions in Belarus intended to accommodate the Wagner mercenaries. Satellite images of a potential field camp were subsequently released. While Lukashenko denied the existence of any camps specifically for Wagner units, he mentioned that they would be provided with accommodation if necessary.

Read also: Wagners second-in-command Troshev sided against Prigozhin during the coup  report

According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Belarus has the capacity to host approximately 8,000 Wagner mercenaries. However, Ukrainian intelligence cautioned against premature conclusions regarding their deployment to that country.

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Read also: Ukraine intel says Polish military would 'quickly' deal with any Wagner advance - intel agency

Later, information surfaced suggesting that the Wagner mercenaries in Belarus would be involved in training Belarusian nationals for combat. This statement was supported by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and on July 12, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus confirmed negotiations regarding the training of Belarusian special forces.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Oleksii Reznikov

The June mutiny of the Wagner Group PMC has exposed the weakness of Russias political system and launched the process of transit of power, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview with CNN on July 24.

This (attempted) coup detat is a real illustration that regime in the Kremlin became weaker, said Reznikov.

Read also: Reznikov on latest Ramstein meeting

It means they are not so strong as they were the year before. I think we will see the continuing of this so-called conflict.

Read also: They stress me out  Lukashenko complains to Putin about Wagners wishes to march on Warsaw

When asked if people from Vladimir Putins inner circle have started fighting for the position of the head of state, Reznikov said, "I think the conflict among them started."

Read also: Ukraines border agency updates risk on invasion from Belarus

On June 24, the founder and leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ended his one-day insurrection against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin after negotiations with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Putin presented the Wagner troops with three options as a result of the negotiations  one of which involved their deployment to Belarus.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
After the federal government approved New York Citys congestion pricing plan, seven members of New Jerseys congressional delegation called on New York to halt its implementation. Gov. Phil Murphy echoed this call  his administration took legal action against its cross-Hudson neighbor for enacting the charge.

Despite this pushback, there is no question that congestion pricing is unequivocally good for everyone. Residents of New Jersey and New York alike will benefit from less traffic, less air pollution and more funding for subways and buses that millions rely on to get to work every day.

Its surprising, therefore, that so many New Jersey lawmakers are fighting this proposal at the eleventh hour, claiming they are standing up for hardworking New Jerseyans. Studies show that an overwhelming majority of New Jersey commuters take public transit into the city and therefore would not pay the new toll  and less than 2 percent of commuters drive into downtown Manhattan during rush hour.

A NJ Transit light rail train travels to the Tonnelle avenue station in North Bergen on April 19, 2023.

So who is standing up for the vast majority of commuters who rely on mass transit?

The hypocrisy of asking New York to stop generating revenue for its mass transit agencies is appalling given New Jerseys reluctance to fund its own transit systems. NJ Transit, New Jerseys largest mass transit agency, faces a billion-dollar deficit over the next two years. Why this is happening is not a mystery: New Jersey lawmakers refuse to dedicate state funding to their own transit agency.

NJ Transit needs a dedicated funding source, and it needs it now.

While New Jersey lawmakers are considering service cuts and fare hikes instead of finding a dedicated funding source, our neighbors in New York are finding innovative ways to fund their transit agencies. New York has the right to charge commuters who drive in and out of Manhattan; congestion pricing is a proven way to reduce traffic, clean up air pollution and create equitable revenue streams to fund public transit. New Yorks congestion pricing program will join several other important dedicated funding streams that support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the largest public transit system in the United States.

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Fort Lee, NJ July 21, 2023 -- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill with the support of a delegation of politicians representing the Garden State, who came to Fort Lee to announce a lawsuit against the city of New York for imposing a congestion tax and its adverse impact on the citizens of NJ and its environmental impact.

NJ Transit remains one of the only transportation systems of its size with no dedicated funding to support its operations. Whats worse, the agency is forced to rob its own capital fund, set aside to pay for infrastructure improvements, to fund its day-to-day operations. And even with these raids, NJ Transit does not have enough funding to cover its looming budget shortfall, which will invariably result in fare hikes and diminished service.

Earlier: Murphy launches lawsuit against feds over NY congestion pricing, rebuking review process

'Punching back, Jersey-style': Murphy signs tax credit for NJ remote workers

The reality is that NJ Transit riders will suffer without a dedicated funding source. From the white-collar worker taking the light rail to get to the office to the nurse taking the bus to staff the night shift at the hospital, everyone needs reliable transportation to get to work and keep the state running. Aside from access to jobs, public transportation gives everyone a safe and affordable way to visit family, meet with a doctor, get to school and so much more.

New Jerseys density and proximity to major cities are big reasons why the state is a desirable place to live and put down roots, but those advantages are at risk if theres no way to get around. Mobility is a prerequisite to resilient communities and a strong economy, so its a shame that lawmakers will resort to a blame game instead of funding our own transit system.

Opposition to congestion pricing may be a good way to score political points, but it does nothing for everyday New Jerseyans who rely on a public transit agency desperate for funding.

As advocates for better transit and a greener climate, we can think of no better way for New Jersey lawmakers to stick it to New York and its new congestion pricing plan than to invest heavily into NJ Transit. Investing in NJ Transit will ensure that fewer New Jerseyans pay the congestion pricing charge  all while reducing our carbon footprint and increasing mobility across the state.

Subscriber exclusive: NJ Transit has had many fiscal crises. Here's why the one that's looming will be worse

Charlie Stile: As congestion pricing plans appear headed to court, can't NJ, NY find compromise?

When Murphy first took office, he understood the importance of fully funding NJ Transit, saying, If it kills me, well rebuild NJ Transit  There is no higher priority than fixing NJ Transit. Here we are, more than four years later, with no identified funding source, facing an unprecedented though not surprising fiscal cliff. This is a time for leadership in New Jersey, not for pointing fingers.

New Yorks congestion pricing plan sets a model for how states and cities across the country can reduce traffic and improve air quality while simultaneously dedicating funding for public transportation. New Jersey legislators and Governor Murphy should learn from this example and do the same.

Jaqi Cohen is the director of climate and equity policy for Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Alex Ambrose is the transportation and climate policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Transit must be fully funded. Who cares about congestion pricing?
Many Socialists still harbour a 'real hatred' for Catalonia's former leader Carles Puigdemont over the failed 2017 independence bid (Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD)

Most pollsters saw Spain's far-right Vox in the role, but none imagined it would be exiled Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont emerging as kingmaker from Sunday's inconclusive snap election.

Although the right-wing Popular Party (PP) is demanding the right to rule after winning the vote, it seems a remote possibility given that it didn't manage to secure an absolute majority, even with the support of Vox.

And that offers a chance for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to cling onto power if he wins the backing of several Basque and Catalan independence parties whose parliamentary support was key to propping up his outgoing minority government.

Even so, Sanchez would still need to secure the agreement of JxCat, the hardline separatist party headed by Puigdemont, whose seven lawmakers hold the key to the Socialist leader passing any parliamentary investiture vote.

And the irony of being kingmaker was not lost on the former Catalan leader who fled to Belgium to avoid prosecution over his role in the failed 2017 independence bid that sparked Spain's worst crisis in decades.

"One day you are decisive in order to form a Spanish government, the next day Spain orders your arrest," tweeted Puigdemont in English after Spain issued a fresh warrant for his arrest just hours after the election results became clear.

Founded by Puigdemont, JxCat has long pursued a strategy of confrontation with Madrid in contrast to the stance of its more moderate separatist rival, ERC which has regularly offered support to Sanchez's government.

Although JxCat had backed the no-confidence motion that propelled Sanchez into the premiership in June 2018, it voted against his investiture vote in January 2020.

- 'Completely unacceptable' -

On Sunday evening, as the results emerged, the JxCat leadership made clear it would not be party to Sanchez's return to power without something in return, prompting an immediate backlash from Alberto Nunez Feijoo's PP.

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"The only alternative to Feijoo is having Puigdemont run the Spanish government," retorted Juanma Moreno, the PP leader who heads the southern Andalusia region.

For years, JxCat has pushed for the right to stage an independence referendum and for an amnesty for the separatist leaders still wanted by the Spanish justice system, like Puigdemont.

"We won't help Pedro Sanchez become prime minister for anything, our priority is Catalonia and not the governability of Spain. We will not budge an inch," insisted JxCat's Miriam Nogueras.

Although Sanchez pardoned nine Catalan separatist leaders serving long jail terms over the botched secession bid in 2021, agreeing to JxCat's demands would be tantamount to crossing a red line for the Socialist leader.

"It would be completely unacceptable for any Spanish government to accept either of these two conditions.. and JxCat knows it," said Ana Sofia Cardenal, a political scientist at Catalonia's Open University.

- A delicate balancing act -

Everything now depends on the outcome of deliberations within the hardline separatist faction.

"If JxCat ends up being responsible for triggering a repeat election, how will that impact the party in the next vote? That's the question they are pondering now," said Oriol Bartomeus, a political scientist from Barcelona's Autonomous University.

"If the answer is yes" to a new election that could allow it to "bring down" its ERC rival, which saw its number of seats falling from 13 to 7 in Sunday's election, then JxCat won't do anything to help Sanchez, he said.

"It's very ironic," admitted Cardenal.

Many Socialists, she said, had "swung to the right" over the Catalan crisis with many angered by Sanchez's move to pardon those involved, who still harbour "a real hatred of Puigdemont".

"And now it turns out that Puigdemont holds the key to Spain's governability," she said.

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Thousands more residents and tourists on three Greek islands were fleeing to safety Monday as scores of wildfires fueled by high winds and an unrelenting pattern of brutal heat waves consumed homes, hotels and businesses in the peak tourism season.

Authorities said some of the fires may have been started by arson.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned that his country has "more difficult days" ahead because of soaring temperatures. He estimated that 32,000 "precautionary evacuations" were carried out over the weekend on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia.

"We are at war against the fires," Mitsotakis said.

On Rhodes, tourists are fleeing from the path of a weeklong fire that roared down from the mountains into several coastal areas. The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection called it the nation's largest wildfire evacuation in history. Evacuations spread to Corfu, where 2,000 were ordered out Monday as the fire raged in the northeast end of the island but had not reached residences, the local fire department reported.

Tourists were being crowded into emergency shelters in schools, airports and sports facilities. Many of the tourists are British, and Jet2 was among the U.K. airlines organizing repatriation flights to get them home.

The risk of fire will be extreme in several areas of Greece today, Fire Service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis warned Monday.

A resident tries to extinguish the flames at the yard of a house on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece on Monday.

Developments:

 Neighboring nations were aiding the effort to control the blazes. Turkey, Croatia and Egypt were providing planes and helicopters, Greek officials said.

 Temperatures on the southern Greek mainland soared as high as 113 degrees in recent days. An average of 50 new wildfires have ignited over the last 12 days, including 64 on Sunday, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said.

 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen contacted Mitsotakis late Sunday to offer assistance. She said climate change was partially to blame for the disaster.

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Arson may have sparked blazes

Yiannis Artopios, a fire service spokesperson on Rhodes, told Greek television network Skai TV that authorities are currently questioning suspected arsonists.

Fires are not sparked on their own, he told Skai TV. They are triggered by the human hand, be it intentionally or not. We currently have several people being questioned in connection with their probable involvement.

In Corfu, the region's deputy mayor for tourism and construction told the BBC the fires there were started by "a group of people." Chariton Koutscouris said officials had a "suspicion" fires would be started this weekend.

Officials are said to have been warned on Friday by the fire department chief that someone who started two fires last week would start another.

"He was right," Koutscouris said, adding that the apparent arsonists "get pleasure out of this with the pain of the other people."

Locals pitch in to help stranded tourists

Thousands of tourists who were forced to evacuate from the hotels on Rhodes were temporarily sheltered in gyms and schools on the island, while many had already left Monday. There has also been a "huge wave" of solidarity and support from the inhabitants of the island, the Athens-Macedonia News Agency reported.

Around 8,000 tourists were staying in shelters in the villages of Rhodes with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers providing food, fruit, juices, water and other staples. Some locals opened their businesses and sent as many necessities as they could; supermarkets and mini-markets also opened to serve the stranded. Some residents even offered their own homes to host those in need, the agency reported.

'Orange glow in the sky': Tourists flee amid chaos

Acts of kindness were interspersed with less altruistic moments amid the fear and chaos of trying to escape the fires.

Ian Murison, a businessman from London on vacation in southern Rhodes with his wife and 12-year-old son, said there was only one bus waiting to take guests away from the flames approaching their hotel, which had a capacity for 1,200. So Murison and his family walked about 2 miles under a cloud of ash to a beach where they waited with thousands of others to be evacuated by bus or boat.

You could see an orange glow in the sky ... big balls of fire going into the sky, Murison said, describing the jostling to jam into small boats arriving to take evacuees away. It didnt matter if you had children, adults were fighting to get on next. It was very, very stressful.

Opposition party lays blame on government

Mitsotakis pledged that whatever burns down will be rebuilt and those affected will be compensated. The leader of the Socialist opposition party, Nikos Androulakis, told the Athens-Macedonia News Agency the government must take responsibility for the "immeasurable" disaster the nation faces.

"From the 'all are under control,' we reached the point where properties are lost and thousands of tourists (are told to) leave from the hotels, and the locals to evacuate their houses," Androulakis said.

Wildfires and a dangerously hot airport tarmac in Italy

Wildfires have also been breaking out in southern Italy, where temperatures have hovered above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and past the 110 mark for weeks.

Firefighters tried Monday to control a wind-fed brush fire near Palermo in Sicily and also faced several other blazes on the Mediterranean island, including near the seaside tourist resort of Cefalu. Wildfires also ignited in Calabria, including in the Aspromonte mountains.

Another Italian island, Sardinia, was confronting a different set of weather-related issues. Flights from Milan, Paris and Amsterdam had to be diverted to other airports on the Mediterranean island Monday afternoon because the temperature on the tarmac at Olbia in the northeast was considered too dangerous at more than 116 degrees, RAI state TV reported.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Greece fires live updates: Thousands evacuate during tourist season
Editor's note: This story has been updated.

WARRICK COUNTY, Ind.  A handcuffed man who escaped custody over the weekend in Warrick County was arrested in Evansville Monday afternoon.

Sheriff Mike Wilder said members of the Warrick County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Task Force apprehended 32-year-old Keyvan S. Fellows just before 2:30 p.m. in the 700 block of South Governor Street in Evansville.

Fellows, a convicted sex offender, escaped Saturday near the Warrick Trails Apartments in Newburgh while Warrick deputies attempted to serve a state parole warrant through the Indianapolis Parole Board. He was still handcuffed at the time.

Authorities found him two days later near Downtown Evansville, about eight miles from where he slipped away. Fellows has a Governor Street address listed on his entry in the sex offender registry.

According to a Warrick County Sheriff's Facebook post Monday afternoon, Fellows will now be charged with escape as a Level 5 felony. He's being held without bond.

Earlier Monday, Wilder said theres probably a good chance at this point that he got picked up by a family member or friend in the area.

Detectives and patrol units from Warrick County, as well as U.S. Marshals, spent the weekend tracking Fellows, who has a lengthy criminal history. He most recently served time in Indiana Department of Corrections in 2021 after pleading guilty to domestic battery as a Level 5 felony, as well as a Level 6 felony charge of failure of a sex offender to possess identification.

In 2014, he accepted a deal to plead guilty to sexual battery after initially being charged with rape, court records state. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Warrick County officials arrest escaped fugitive in Evansville
Migrants walk between razor wire and a string of buoys placed on the the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas (SUZANNE CORDEIRO)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott defied the administration of President Joe Biden on Monday as the Justice Department sued his state for trying to block the US-Mexican border with a floating barrier and razor wire along the Rio Grande.

The department told the state late last week that the string of large orange buoys near Eagle Pass, Texas illegally obstruct river navigation and lack federal permissions.

"This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns," said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

But in a reply letter addressed to Biden on Monday, Abbott said that he had the power to protect the "sovereign" interests of Texas by installing the buoys.

He accused Biden of not fulfilling his own responsibilities to halt the flow of migrants over the southern border with Mexico.

"If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws," Abbott wrote.

"By doing so, you can help me stop migrants from wagering their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande River," he said.

"Texas will see you in court, Mr President," he added.

The string of buoys was installed in the river at the popular migrant crossing point this month, along with large razor-wire barriers on shore.

According to reports, some migrants have required rescue after being trapped in the razor wire.

A Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Republicans are "playing political games" with immigration.

Republican hardliners have spent years whipping up fear over what they frequently call an invasion of illegal immigrants. Donald Trump and his main rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have put what they claim to be out-of-control border crossings at the center of their campaigns.

However, the White House points out that the number of illegal crossings has plummeted in the wake of strict new asylum rules.

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"Republican officials dont want solutions. They want chaos," the administration official said.

- 'Laws cannot be ignored' -

Hours after Abbot's letter was released, the Justice Department filed suit in federal court in Austin, Texas.

It said the barrier violated the US Rivers and Harbors Act, which establishes protections for public waterways under the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers.

The suit said Texas needed permission from the Army Corps of Engineers to place any structure or barrier in the Rio Grande.

The Justice Department asked the court to order Abbott to remove the barrier.

"We must all recognize that there are laws and policies in place -- both domestic and international -- to ensure the safety and security of everyone working, living and traveling along the river. These laws cannot be ignored," said Jaime Esparza, the federal prosecutor in Austin.

In addition, a leaked US Customs and Border Protection memo said the razor wire placed by state agents interfered with its own border patrol operations.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he had held a "very productive" meeting with a US delegation led by top White House official Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.

Lopez Obrador said in a tweet late Monday evening that the talks with Biden's homeland security advisor covered "the immigration issue with a focus on respect for human rights" as well as the "fight against fentanyl and arms trafficking."

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Marc Andreessen made the comments on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

AI is shaping up to be a new Cold War with China, according to Marc Andreessen.

The Silicon Valley veteran discussed US policymakers' plans on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

It comes as regulators scramble to create rules to govern the technology.

Washington's leaders are determined that the US will beat China in a global race to dominate AI as a new Cold War takes shape, according to Marc Andreessen.

In a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the Silicon Valley investor and cofounder of VC firm a16z suggested his recent conversations with policymakers on AI have taken on a more competitive tone as soon as China is mentioned.

"The minute you open up the door and talk about China, and what China is going to do with AI, and what that's gonna mean in this new Cold War that we're in with China, it's a completely different conversation," he said.

Andreessen added that Washington's policymakers said not only do they need "American AI to succeed," but that they need to "beat the Chinese." The comments were first reported by Fortune.

The comments from Andreessen come as the ChatGPT-led rise of AI this year has left policymakers grappling with the potential harms posed by the technology and devising rules that govern its use.

Last week, tech leaders from a range of companies leading the AI charge, including OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, signed a voluntary pledge at the White House to deliver safeguards for the development of AI.

However, Andreessen's comments suggest Washington is also keen to aggressively accelerate the development of AI as a means of maintaining an edge over China at a time when geopolitical tensions between the world's two largest superpowers are simmering over.

Andreessen said Beijing's leaders "view AI as a way to achieve population control" because "they're authoritarians."

During a recent trip to China, Elon Musk said he told Chinese leaders that an AI-led superintelligence in the future could have the power to overthrow the government.

Representatives for Andreessen did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment outside regular working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Police in Alabama shared more information Monday afternoon about Carlee Russell, a 25-year-old woman who has returned home after being reported missing earlier this month.

At the press conference at 4 p.m. CT, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said Russell admitted that she was never abducted during the 49 hours she was missing and that she fabricated her 911 report of seeing a toddler alongside an interstate.

At the press briefing on Wednesday, Derzis said that the investigation into Russell's disappearance is not over and that investigators are still working to account for the 49 hours she was missing.

Police say: Carlee Russell admits disappearance, 'missing child' reported on Alabama highway, a hoax

Russell was reported missing off a highway in a Birmingham suburb on the night of July 13 after calling 911 to report a toddler walking along the interstate, according to the Hoover Police Department. She returned home on foot on July 15.

At last week's press briefing, Derzis played a recording of the 911 call during the conference that showed Russell reporting the sighting of the boy. However, Derzis said they did not receive reports of a missing child in that area and that Carlees 911 call remains the only timely report of a child on the interstate.

On July 18, Hoover police told USA TODAY that officers spoke to Russell but couldn't "publicly share the details" from the interview. Derzis said the briefing was held due to the public's concern surrounding the disappearance.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WATCH: Police give update on Carlee Russell's disappearance and return
HOWARD  Just outside the mouth of Duck Creek in the bay of Green Bay, Valerie Brady hovered over her waterproof datasheet  a must for a wetland scientist. Raindrops pooled on top, which she pushed away to record what kinds of fish her team caught in nets set out the night before.

Yellow perch. Brown bullhead. Common carp.

And as if the rain wasnt enough, smoke from the Canadian wildfires still clung to the air.

Are we having fun yet? Brady shouted louder than the rain and boat engines.

In late June, Brady, an aquatic ecosystem ecologist at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and her team of eight scientists were on their last day surveying wetlands near the bay of Green Bay.

The trip was one of more than two dozen Brady and her team will take this summer to survey wetlands across Lakes Michigan and Superior, working their way north from Green Bay up to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Valerie Brady (right), an Aquatic Ecologist and Interim Water Research Program Leader for the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) University of Minnesota Duluth Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Monitoring Program, takes a photo of a fish as fellow program member Paul Jeffrey holds the tank while sampling plants and invertebrates in the wetlands area near the bay of Green Bay . Every year scientists go out and sample hundreds of fish and bugs around the Great Lakes to assess quality of wetlands.

Bradys work is a part of a massive effort called the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring project, one of the most comprehensive, collaborative research projects in the country. Scientists across the U.S. and Canada survey nearly a thousand wetlands for bugs, fish, aquatic plants, birds, frogs and water quality.

It's is a great example of big science, said Bob Howe, a professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and founding member of the monitoring survey. The survey is in its 13th year, giving scientists a good sense of what is going on in Great Lakes wetlands.

And its through wetlands that the scientists will understand just how well the lakes are faring, Howe said.

But the reach goes much further. It's highlighting the need for wetland protections, helping efforts to restore the areas of concern  the most troubled areas in the Great Lakes  and training the next generation of scientists.

The field teams go to great lengths to do this work. They go out rain or shine, day and night. Some wetlands are in pristine areas, while others are in industrial centers. Many arent easily accessible, requiring that teams go out on boats or bushwhack their way in.

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And not even the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the massive sampling effort.

More: The Earth is healing: What a prairie restoration project on the Oneida Reservation can teach us about partnerships and the land

A male blue-winged teal takes flight from a marsh area off Sunset Beach Lane in the Sensiba State Wildlife Area in Suamico o June 8, 2023.

Wetlands protect the lakes, shoreline communities

Wetlands are one of the most important, yet imperiled ecosystems across the Great Lakes region.

The Great Lakes have lost more than 50 percent of their coastal wetlands, which is why Brady said scientists need to be keeping an eye on them.

Unfortunately wetlands are up against an underrated reputation, Brady said, the public often views them mucky, smelly and ridden with mosquitoes.

Wetlands protect both the lakes and the communities that live near them, she said.

They filter sediment and nutrient pollution before it can enter the lakes. And wetlands act like a sponge, soaking up water during heavy rainfall and flooding.

Wetlands are also full of biodiversity, including bugs and small fish that form the bottom of the food web, allowing birds and larger, prized fish to thrive.

And thats likely needed as protections for wetlands were recently rolled back.

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court erased federal protections for many wetlands, leaving it up to the states. While wetlands are well protected in Wisconsin, Great Lakes water is all connected. So, what happens in one lake will likely affect another.

But if you want to keep bird and fish populations going, you need to protect wetlands, Brady said.

More: Many wetlands will lose federal protections after U.S. Supreme Court ruling

Kari Pierce (upper) takes notes as (from left) Shelby Suhr, Robert Wessel, and Tyler Hey, all with the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) University of Minnesota Duluth Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Monitoring Program, collect insects while sampling plants and invertebrates in the wetlands area near the bay of Green Bay.

'We always get it done'

The wetland survey is the only long-term monitoring thats happening along the shoreline, according to Brady. And there are more than 75 scientists working on the project at all times.

It's funded by the Environmental Protection Agencys Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the landmark program that has funded projects that restore and protect the lakes since 2010.

Every year, the scientists survey a subset of the wetlands, rotating between them and covering about a thousand over the course of five years.

The real power of this is comparing all the wetlands in the region, Brady said.

But to compare all the wetlands, everything has to be done the exact same way at every site. The teams undergo rigorous training to make this happen.

It may seem monotonous that everything has to be done exactly the same, but every day is different out here, said Kari Pierce, a field crew leader on the project.

And Pierce has seen a lot.

While sampling at the Green Bay sites last year, a tornado came through, abruptly ending their sampling. When they went back the next day to collect their nets, multiple downed trees cut off their access to the water. They got hand saws from a home nearby and it took them two hours to cut their way back to their sites.

But no matter what, Pierce said we always get it done.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay biology students Haley Spargur (left), an anuran technician, and Sarah Baughman, a bird technician, look for birds off Sunset Beach Lane in the Sensiba State Wildlife Area in Suamico June 8, 2023.

A fantastic opportunity for students

While the bug and fish teams work throughout the summer months, the bird and frog teams survey from the end of May to mid-July.

To prepare for the upcoming field season, Sarah Baughman listened to bird calls on repeat during her 40-mile commute from Manitowoc to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She had four months to memorize 142 different calls.

The 29-year-old went back to school in 2021, transitioning from a career in art to science. A newfound calling in wetland restoration.

Baughman is a part of a team led by Erin Giese, the interim director of the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She has worked on the project since the beginning. Gieses team surveys birds and frogs from Chicago to Michigans Upper Peninsula.

Bird teams goes out twice a day around sunrise and sunset. Frogs, on the other hand, have a much more precise window when their calls can be heard.

Frogs only call for a couple of weeks after they first come out of hibernation, which happens when nighttime temperatures are warmer than 40 degrees for multiple nights in a row. After that, they wont call again until the following year.

The project is not for the faint of heart, Giese said. But that is the dream to train the next generation of scientists.

There are few changes for students to get on-the-job training before they enter careers in science, making this a fantastic opportunity, Giese said.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay biology students Haley Spargur (left), an anuran technician, uses a Kestrel thermometer to monitor the wind while Mabel Kirst, a bird technician, takes notes off Sunset Beach Lane in the Sensiba State Wildlife Area in Suamico June 8, 2023.

Wetland information critical to areas of concern

Information from the wetland monitoring project is critical to restoring the areas of concern throughout the Great Lakes, said Brianna Kupsky, the Lower Green Bay Area of Concern Coordinator at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The areas of concern were designated by the EPA as some of the most degraded sites throughout the Great Lakes basin.

More: Wisconsin has four of the most degraded waterways in the Great Lakes basin. Here's the status of these 'areas of concern.'

The information from the project is used for planning, Kupsky said, so they can figure out what species to prioritize and what sites need the most attention. The information also lets the agencies know what projects are on track and achieving their goals.

Information from the survey has even become an integral part of the State of the Great Lakes report, released every three years by the U.S. and Canadian governments.

There have been a lot of restoration projects in the wetlands in the Sensiba State Wildlife Area in Suamico where Giese and her team monitor birds and frogs.

If certain birds are present that tells scientists that the project is working, Howe said. But, if certain birds havent come back, they know that something different needs to be done.

Its ecology in action, he said.

More: What's the state of the Great Lakes? Successful cleanups tempered by new threats from climate change

American White pelicans fly across Green Bay off Sunset Beach Lane near the Sensiba State Wildlife Area in Suamico June 8, 2023.

Detecting change for better or worse

Over the past decade, Great Lakes water levels have seen both historic highs and lows, reflecting a dynamic that scientists say might become more dramatic with climate change.

There are marked differences in how birds use wetlands during these years, Howe said, which over time, they can put these changes into context, determining if they are natural or attributed to human impacts.

Its going to help us detect change for better or worse, he said.

Baughman finds meaning in being one piece of the puzzle in the large-scale effort. The fieldwork blends her love of art and science, she said, seeing that there is "healing" all around.

Of course there are times when she is tripping over branches or stomping through muck. But the most fulfilling moments are when she is kayaking before dawn, listening to the chorus of birds around her.

Its also for a bigger purpose than just my happiness, she said. I get to contribute to something that'll outlast me.

Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @caitlooby.

Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How a project is restoring Great Lakes wetlands in Wisconsin, beyond
A Weymouth man is facing criminal charges in connection with a crash on Interstate 93 in New Hampshire that left one person dead over the weekend, authorities announced Monday.

Casey W. Kirsch, 33, is slated to be arraigned Monday in Belknap Superior Court on charges including negligent homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated, according to New Hampshire State Police.

Troopers responding to a report of a crash on the southbound side of the highway in Sanbornton around 1:30 p.m. Sunday found a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado that had rolled over in the roadway, state police said.

A passenger in the pickup truck, 52-year-old John R. Hanna Jr., of Lancaster, New Hampshire, was ejected and killed in the crash. Kirsch was evaluated at Franklin Hospital.

A preliminary investigation at the scene of the wreck indicated that Kirsch left the left side of the road, veered into the soft shoulder, and then flipped over upon re-entering the highway.

Anyone with information on the crash is urged to contact Trooper Kyle Cotnoir at 603-227-0089.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Whatcom County is among a dozen areas of the state under a drought declaration issued Monday by the state Department of Ecology.

A drought advisory was issued July 5 and upgraded Monday because of continued dry weather, even as much of the state was seeing its first rain since late June  including a record downpour of .73 inches for Bellingham.

In the Nooksack River Basin, three water systems near Ferndale are operating on emergency status, Ecology said in an emailed statement.

Ecology spokesman Jimmy Norris told The Bellingham Herald that some wells have gone dry, some people are getting water from Ferndale, and another water system is hauling water by truck.

About 350 water customers are affected, Norris said in an email:

 Baker View Water System is dealing with dry wells and hauling water via truck.

 Aldergrove Water Association has wells that must go deeper. They are either currently drawing air or close to it, at which point hauling water via truck may be the only option, he said.

 Mountain View Water Association has opened an emergency intertie with Ferndale.

Drought concerns stem from warmer than normal temperatures and a lack of rainfall in May and June, Ecology said.

In June, Washington received only 49% of its usual rainfall. Those hot days led to early runoff of the snowpack that feeds many Washington rivers, and the dry weather deprived the soil of a final shot of moisture before the summer heat arrived, Ecology said.

July and August are Washington states driest months and the National Weather Services long-range forecast shows warmer than normal temperatures and below-average rainfall through October.

In addition, the U.S. Drought Monitor sees continued drought conditions in the Northwest.

Climate change is making warm, dry summers more frequent, and droughts more severe, said Ria Berns, manager of Ecologys Water Resources Program. What were seeing this year is likely a sign of things to come.
Around 75 million people in the United States are experiencing dangerous air conditions because of smoke from wildfires raging across Canada, with officials urging them to limit time outdoors and mask up for safety.

Forecasts show the dangerous air conditions could linger for days but are expected to slowly improve across the East heading into the weekend.

LIVE UPDATES: Millions in US under air quality alerts

It took several days for the dense smoke from the Quebec fires to reach US cities including New York, Philadelphia and Washington. In Quebec, smoke from wildfires across the region is now considerably reduced.

Without substantial new smoke entering the US, the dangerous air conditions are expected to improve. But current weather patterns suggest the smoke will be trapped in impacted areas until it can dissipate, meaning improvements will come slowly.

Heres the latest:

Most of the Washington, DC, metro area is now experiencing hazardous air conditions. Air quality in New York and Philadelphia is still unhealthy but improving slightly from hazardous levels on Wednesday. New York, Charlotte, Detroit, Indianapolis, Delaware and Rhode Island, as well as other areas, remain under air quality alerts.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has suspended several nonessential citywide services.

New York City could see significant improvement in visibility and air quality by Friday morning, Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Thursday morning.

Air quality remains poor across most of New York state, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday. Officials are still seeing unhealthy levels everywhere, except in the Adirondacks, Hochul said, calling the air quality a public health crisis.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday morning flights nationwide were delayed 34 minutes on average due to the conditions, with the maximum delay lasting an hour and 47 minutes. The agency issued ground stops for Philadelphia and New York airports earlier in the day.

In a sign of improving conditions in Canada, most of the Halifax residents who were evacuated because of the wildfires will be allowed to return home Friday, Mayor Mike Savage said. About 16,000 people left their homes during the height of the wildfire evacuations and about 4,100 remain evacuated.

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With the Washington Monument in the background under a thick layer of smoke, a Marine Corps honor color guard rehearses on Thursday. - Jose Luis Magana/AP

New York earned the distinction of having the most polluted air quality of any city in the world Wednesday. Conditions are improving, but air quality remains at unhealthy levels.

As of right now, the smoke models are not indicating another large plume over the city, so theres a chance for significant improvement by tomorrow morning and throughout the day tomorrow, Adams said Thursday. He urged residents to continue masking outdoors, preferably with an N95 mask, which city officials were providing on Wednesday.

Some schools are closing or taking precautions to limit exposure to poor air quality conditions.

Children in New York City have a planned day off Thursday. On Friday, some students that had been scheduled for in-school instruction in the city will go remote. Two school districts in New Jersey have closed due to poor air quality. Other districts are canceling after-school programs or outdoor activities and field trips. The School District of Philadelphia is encouraging students to wear masks on their way to school Thursday morning.

Smoke from the wildfires has delivered some of the poorest air quality measures in decades, said Mark Zondlo, an atmospheric chemist specializing in air quality monitoring and professor of civil and environmental engineering at Princeton University.

Whats making it really unique  aside from the fires being huge by themselves  is the air is staying really close to the ground. So, instead of being wafted up and dispersing throughout the atmosphere or being in the layer 10,000 feet above us, its basically hugging the ground, and therefore its not dispersing, Zondlo told CNN.

The weather pattern is such that its funneling that smoke plume, keeping it tight close to the ground, and its coming for a bullseye right for us.

Air quality in Canada has been on the decline as the ferocious blazes triggered evacuation orders, including for about 7,000 people in the Quebecois town of Chibougamau.

US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the wildfires impacts on air quality Wednesday, according to a statement from Trudeaus office.

Both leaders acknowledged the need to work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change, the statement read.

Biden has directed federal firefighting resources to aid in stopping the fires, the White House said, adding that more than 600 firefighters and support personnel have already been deployed.

Biden on Thursday said its very important that communities impacted by the air pollution heed local guidance and check on their neighbors.

Meanwhile, New York state is sending forest rangers to Canada to help fight the wildfires in Quebec, Hochul announced Thursday. The first responders will depart from the Saratoga fire department on Friday.

Wildfires that lead to such poor air quality have become more common and severe as the planet warms from the impacts of human-induced climate change, experts have said.

We typically see these impacts with wildfires in the Western US and in the Mountain West, said Dr. Peter DeCarlo, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

The East Coast is generally a little bit more insulated from this type of thing. Our forests tend to be wetter and dont burn as much, but looking forward with climate change, while this is kind of a unique experience that were seeing right now, it may become a lot less unique and a little bit more common in the future.

CNNs Ray Sanchez, Dave Hennen, Laura Ly, Robert Shackelford, Laura Ly, Rachel Ramirez, Meg Tirrell, Sara Smart, Mitchell McCluskey, DJ Judd, Jen Christensen, Paula Newton, Liam Reilly, Dugald McConnell and Brandon Miller contributed to this report.

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to mayors from across the country during an event at the East Room of the White House on January 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Biden hosted mayors who are attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting at the White House to discuss bipartisan achievements. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The White House expressed concern after Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition jammed through judicial reforms.

Biden has made it repeatedly clear that he wants Israel to reach a consensus on an issue that has led to an uproar.

The Netanyahu-backed reforms passed after a three-month pause failed to yield a compromise.

The White House on Monday condemned Israel parliament for passing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's preferred sweeping judicial reforms that sparked protests throughout the country, a further sign of how President Joe Biden is trying to exert his own influence from afar.

"It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Jean-Pierre stressed that Biden remains a "lifelong friend of Israel," but it made it clear that the White House is not backing down from its months of nudging Netanyahu to cool his push for reforms amid public outrage.

"As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible," she said in the statement.

The White House's newest statement won't come as a surprise. Biden reiterated his views to New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman ahead of the vote.

Netanyahu's coalition unanimously passed the reforms that would limit the Supreme Court's authority after the opposition parties walked out in protest. Protestors tried to block roads leading to parliament in a final vein attempt before the vote took place.

Israel's justice minister Yariv Levin and other right-wing leaders have viewed the proposal as a necessary way to rein in judges that they view as having asserted too much power. While critics have pointed out that Netanyahu is pursuing a way to weaken Israel's judiciary at the same time he faces an ongoing corruption trial.

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The fierce reaction to Netanyahu's plan has led to an increasingly tumultuous moment. According to The Times, more than 10,000 military reservists are threatening to resign. Israel's largest labor union is considering a call for a national strike.

Netanyahu previously paused his push for an overhaul for three months after an earlier public outcry. He and the opposition were unable to reach a deal, leading to Monday's vote.

The tensions between Biden and Netanyahu come at a time when progressive lawmakers are increasingly skeptical over Israel's rightward push. The disagreements over how to approach the US ally served as a backdrop to Israeli President Isaac Herzog's address to Congress, which a handful of Democratic lawmakers opted to boycott.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Washington  Top officials with the Biden administration are traveling to Mexico on a two-day swing for meetings with Mexican and Canadian officials on the opioid crisis and migration, the White House said early Monday.

Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, President Biden's homeland security adviser, is leading the delegation, and she is joined by senior officials from the Departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security, and the White House Office of National Drug Control.

The group will be in Mexico City on Monday and Tuesday for bilateral and trilateral meetings with officials from Mexico and Canada to discuss efforts to combat the opioid crisis and "cooperation to address our regional migration challenge," a White House official said.

Discussions focused on the opioid crisis come after Mr. Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gathered in January for the North American Leaders' Summit and ordered the creation of a Trilateral Fentanyl Committee, focused on addressing the threat to North American communities posed by illegal fentanyl. The group last met in April and will gather again this week.

During meetings focused on migration, Biden administration officials will "continue to sustain and strengthen the successful initiatives we have put in place to address the humanitarian situation caused by the migration flows at our shared border and in the region," the White House official said.

While May saw a peak in daily illegal border crossings before the end of the Title 42 pandemic-related policy that allowed U.S. officials to expel migrants on public health grounds, the number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally dropped in June to the lowest level since the start of Mr. Biden's presidency, according to unpublished government data obtained by CBS News earlier this month.

The decline follows the implementation of stricter asylum rules, under which migrants are disqualified from asylum if they enter the U.S. illegally without first requesting refugee status in another country.

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Police reopen investigation into Tupac Shakur's death

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How the Hollywood strikes of 1960 and 2023 compare
Screenshot: Facebook

A Black man was killed in a racially motivated stabbing outside a liquor store in Kansas City. And according to the Kansas City Star, the white suspect was handed charges but for disturbing the peace, not for taking someones life.

Jon Mike Rone Jr. got into an altercation with Sean Tonkin outside Liquor Land, located around the eastern border of Kansas City, Mo. Authorities say Tonkin used the N-word in a hateful and racially motivated tone toward Rone. Surveillance camera footage showed Rone armed with a club walking around the side of the store behind Tonkin, then stumbling back, uttering, he stabbed me, before collapsing on the floor.

Read more

Police said Tonkin was found with blood splatter on his clothes and carrying a folding knife with an American flag on the handle. Witnesses and Rones relatives say Tonkin was looking to kill a n***er. But when he was arrested by Independence officers, they only charged him with a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace.

Read more from Kansas City Star:

Jackson County prosecutors continue to weigh additional state charges as they examine who started the incident, what weapons were used by the people involved and Missouris law on self-defense, Mike Mansur, a spokesman for the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, said in a statement to The Star. These factors will direct whether further State charges regarding Mr. Rones homicide can be filed, Mansur said, adding that the community is rightfully angered by the disturbing racial comments of the defendant.

This is the second time recently that a racist got away with attacking a Black person. Keren Prescott was spat on by a white woman during a 2021 Black Lives Matter demonstration, per NBC News. Prescott and Yuliya Gilshteyn got into a all lives versus Black lives shouting match when the woman spat in her face and walked away. What was a hate crime charge (and couldve been plain assault and battery) was dismissed by a judge Friday.

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Gilshteyn entered a special probation program for first offenders requiring 100 hours of anti-hate instruction, per the report.

Every states hate crime unit may be just a few years old, but whats the purpose of having these agencies if white people arent prosecuted for targeting Black folks? In the courtroom, racism is still regarded as an attitude or opinion instead of the source of criminal intention.

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Raging wildfires that have burned through thousands of acres have forced more than 16,000 Canadians to evacuate their homes and triggered a burn ban in Nova Scotia, as the region experiences record-breaking heat.

Officials say the fires, which span a total of more than 25,000 acres and have been deemed out of control by officials, have destroyed multiple buildings and caused huge plumes of smoke to tower over the region. As of Monday, more than 16,000 people were forced to evacuate the area around Halifax, Nova Scotias largest city.

The number of people who have been forced from their homes is about 16,429, Erica Fleck, Division Chief of Emergency Management of the Halifax Regional Municipality, said in a news conference Monday.

Authorities also said about 400 people have been evacuated from Shelbourne County in southwest Nova Scotia.

The blazes have damaged at least 200 homes or structures, the Halifax municipality said in a Facebook post, citing first responders initial visual inspections.

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by these fires, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said. We know you are experiencing uncertainty and distress. We see that and want to try to ease a small portion of the financial stress.

Every household required to evacuate will receive $500 administered through the Canadian Red Cross, according to a Monday news release. The funds are intended to help with what Houston called urgent needs such as food and personal care items.

Officials in Nova Scotia also announced a province wide burn ban Monday due to the seriousness of the current fires.

The ban will remain in place until June 25 unless the Province determines it can be lifted sooner, officials said in a news release. Anyone who contravenes the ban can be subject to prosecution under the Forest Act.

Trudeau: Wildfire situation in Nova Scotia is incredibly serious

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the wildfires incredibly serious in a tweet Monday.

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We stand ready to provide any federal support and assistance needed, Trudeau said. Were keeping everyone affected in our thoughts, and were thanking those who are working hard to keep people safe.

A wildfire burning in Nova Scotias Westwood Hills and Tantallon areas is out of control, a Monday news release said. The blaze currently spans about 1,947 acres.

More than 200 crews from agencies across the province have been sent to help battle the blaze. Officials say there are 35 fire trucks, two helicopters and a water bomber being used as officials cautioned wind gusts of up to 40 mph could cause the fire to spread.

Another fire, which is burning in the Barrington Lake and Shelburne County areas in southwest Nova Scotia, continued to rapidly grow Monday. The blaze, which is officials say is also out of control, scorched nearly 24,000 acres as of Monday evening, a news release said. Officials in the release noted some structures have been destroyed and others are threatened, but there are no firm details on the numbers yet from the area.

Smoke from the Tantallon wildfire rises over homes in nearby Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. - Eric Martyn/Reuters

As Nova Scotia deals with the fires, the western province of Alberta has been battling wildfires for weeks, CNN previously reported. A Sunday release from its emergency management arm said about 3,501 people remain evacuated and more than 2,700 personnel continue to fight the blaze.

Fire danger in Alberta is still very high or extreme in the northern regions of the province, moderate to very high in the central and southern regions, and moderate to very high from the central region to the northern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the Sunday release said.

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Miami-Dade residents woke up Monday to shocking news: The countys top cop, Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, apparently shot himself, suffering a critical injury after being stopped by police outside Tampa.

As of this writing Monday afternoon, Ramirez is in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the temple. We wish Ramirez, his family and our law enforcement community, where Ramirez, 52, is well-known, the very best.

Ramirez and his wife had been attending the Sheriffs Summer Conference, the largest yearly event for the Florida Sheriffs Association.

Sources say that police in Tampa confronted Ramirez after some type of domestic dispute. The couple was asked to leave the hotel Sunday night. The shooting occurred on the side of the road on I-75 as the couple drove home, where those who know him best try to make sense of what led to shooting.

Ramirez started out as a street cop in 1995 and spent the past 28 years climbing up through the ranks. He was named to the top job in 2020. Today, his department has 1,100 members and a total of 4,500 employees.

South Florida knows Ramirez from his appearances at many televised crime-related news conferences, where he keeps the public calm and informed. Ramirez was front and center following the Surfside condo collapse in 2021.

In May, Ramirez announced that he would be running for the created post of Miami-Dade sheriff, which is now an elected position. He is known to be a fierce defender of his department and its officers and a trusted member of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cavas team. She rushed to Tampa early Monday.

Its been a busy time for Ramirez, who has been campaigning for the sheriffs post and is part of the mayors effort to keep the Miami-Dade police department under the auspices of county government. All that may be in peril now. Miami-Dade is the only county in the state without an elected sheriff after voters eliminated the position after a 1966 grand jury report revealed racketeering and bribery within the department. Statewide, voters re-established the post in 2018.

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Levine Cava last year made Ramirez a senior deputy overseeing both the police and fire-rescue departments as chief of safety and emergency response.

This tragic incident has strong personal and professional implications for Ramirez, but if he drops out of the sheriffs race, there is also potential political jockeying ahead, with the possibility of a wide-open field in the race.

Ramirez, a Democrat, declared early, likely to discourage other candidates from running. With his years of experience, he appeared to be the best qualified candidate.

His candidacy gives Levine Cava the chance to turn over the county police department to a top deputy in her administration and for the Democratic Party to have a high-profile law enforcement administrator.

Ramirez is the second person whose plans may be derailed. Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez had long expressed his interest in running for sheriff, but he has been indicted for allegedly accepting bribes, an allegation that he denies.

Ramirezs self-inflicted injuries are not the first time a current or former Miami-Dade police chief was involved in such a shooting. In 2015, Robert Parker, the first African American to lead the Miami-Dade police, died by suicide six years after his retirement.

There remains much that we dont know about this sad turn of events. No matter what eventually comes to light, however, we urge the entire community to wish Ramirez, a dedicated public servant, Godspeed.
A woman was found dead on a trail near the west of Yellowstone National Park after apparently coming in contact with a grizzly bear amid concerns over the rising population of the animal in the area.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the womans body was found on the trail on Saturday in the Montana town that is nestled in the Custer Gallatin national forest.

The cause of her death was not immediately confirmed and an investigation into her death is ongoing.

The department said the woman was found deceased following an apparent bear encounter, based on the discovery of grizzly bear tracks at the scene by investigators.

The area where the woman was found was immediately ordered closed by the rangers.

The area remains popular among hikers.

The attack comes as concerns are being raised about the rising grizzly bear population and increasing sightings of the animal in the area.

Last week, the department issued a news release to warn the visitors that staff had confirmed sightings of grizzly bears throughout the state, particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Great Yellowstone ecosystems.

They ordered hikers and tourists coming for camping or visits to the park to carry bear spray, tend to their garbage and store their food while outside to keep the animal away.

In July 2021, a grizzly attacked a person at a western Montana campground who died following fatal injuries.

In April same year, a guide was killed by a grizzly bear while he was fishing near Yellowstone national park border.

A grizzly bear was found dead near the area of the Yellowstone park that lies in Wyoming this year.

An investigation was launched by authorities from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department after the bear was found in May this year.

Grizzlies are under federal jurisdiction in Wyoming and the USFWS said at the time that it could not comment on the state of the investigation amid concerns that the 500-pound bear was deliberately shot and killed.
It's been more than eight years since 29-year-old Thomas Stephen "T.S." Thrasher Jr. was killed, and his parents finally have some solace.

His wife, Samantha A. Hendley, now 36, pleaded guilty July 20 to voluntary manslaughter for his 2014 death. She received an eight-year sentence from Judge Don Ash in Anderson County Criminal Court, and was credited with nearly 16 months already served in the county jail.

The conviction is bittersweet, according to Thrasher's mother, Ietta Messer.

T.S. Thrasher

"We rejoiced the day she was arrested and rejoiced the day she pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter," Messer said in a telephone interview.

Only Messer and T.S.'s father, Steve Thrasher, were allowed to give their statements verbally in court on how their son's killing had affected them. His two brothers and five sisters gave written statements, Messer said.

She told how only weeks before he was killed her son told her that if anything ever happened to him, his wife did it.

"She's smart mom," Messer said her son told her.

On Dec. 8, 2014, T.S. was found dead at the Oak Ridge apartment he shared with his wife and stepdaughter and daughter, ages 7 and 5. Messer said he was shot in the temple.

The gun was never found. Little information about the killing was released publicly by Oak Ridge police. Anderson County Assistant District Attorney General Dave Clark called the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in to investigate.

Steve Thrasher, joined by others, would picket at the Anderson County Courthouse, seeking information and action in response to his son's death. He offered a $5,000 reward for information. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee later issued a $10,000 reward.

It wasn't until February 2022 that Hendley was booked by TBI into the Anderson County jail on a charge of first-degree murder after being indicted by a grand jury. Bond was set at $1 million for the woman, who was then living in Harriman. A judge later denied a request to reduce the bond.

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Pleading guilty to the voluntary manslaughter charge was reportedly a plea deal between her attorney, Matthew Rogers, and the district attorney general's office.

Messer said that friends and relatives from other states came to the courtroom July 20 to show support for the family.

"The depth of grief," Messer said, "you don't ever realize."

Even though he was an adult, she said, he was still her child. T.S. spent his childhood and most of his adult life in Oak Ridge. As a boy, he delivered newspapers for The Oak Ridger, where Messer worked.

She said she recommends professional counseling for others dealing with grief.

And, she said, she and family will be at every probation hearing for Hendley, arguing that she shouldn't be released early.

Hendley's sentence came only a few weeks after what would have been T.S.'s 38th birthday on July 5. Messer said Butterfinger cake was her son's favorite and she hasn't been able to make it since his death. She said Grace, her daughter and T.S.'s sister, who has Down syndrome, asked her if she could now make the cake again.

Messer said she hasn't yet, but some friends are planning a party and she'll make it then.

The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed.

Support The Oak Ridger by subscribing. Offers available at https://subscribe.oakridger.com/offers.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Woman pleads guilty to killing husband in Oak Ridge in 2014
Workers Wanted A Union. Then The Mysterious Men Showed Up.

How a pair of union avoidance consultants using fake names turned a small Midwestern workplace upside down.

by Dave Jamieson July 24, 2023

Early last year, the president of a small manufacturing company in Missouri received a cold call from a man who went by the name of Jack Black. Workers at the company, called Motor Appliance Corp., or MAC, had just asked to hold a union election. Jack Black specialized in union avoidance. He wanted to offer his services.

Jack Blacks firm has brought in millions of dollars over the years by providing employers with persuaders, or, to use unions less charitable term, union busters  consultants who try to convince workers not to organize. Persuader work is big business these days. The number of union elections in the U.S. has surged amid an organizing wave over the last two years. Employers are now paying upwards of $3,000 a day, plus expenses, for each persuader. Amazon alone dished out more than $14 million to consultants last year.

But more often the employer is a little-known firm like MAC, which produces electric motors and battery chargers. The consulting work at MAC ultimately led to employee resignations and a hearing before the NLRB that shed new light on the opaque world of persuaders. This story is based primarily on testimony from that hearing, which was obtained through a public records request.

We are a small company, MACs Ballman said. I felt that we needed some help on something that we knew virtually nothing about. We needed to do things right.

A reformed persuader once memorably wrote that union busting is a field built on deceit. Jack Blacks real name was Jim Teague. He had once done some work for the United Steelworkers before becoming a consultant-for-hire against unions.

Teague testified before the labor board that he went by a different name in his work to protect himself and his family, suggesting he had once been assaulted. But an alias could also make it harder for workers to poke around on Teagues background. An anti-union firm that previously employed Teague had once sued him, alleging he embellished his resume and tried to poach the firms clients. (The case was settled.) The Teamsters had distributed flyers that accused Teague of being a union buster and exaggerating his union work.

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As Jack Black, Teague secured a contract to defeat the union campaign at MAC, which involved only around a dozen workers. The company agreed to pay $375 per hour, with a $5,000 retainer upfront, to have an anti-union consultant on site, according to a copy of the contract obtained by HuffPost.

The contract laid bare the real purpose of persuader work, in almost militaristic terms. One of the primary goals: Minimize the likelihood of future union encroachment.

When they speak to workers, many persuaders cast themselves as neutral parties who can provide unbiased information about the unionization process. But the contract between Teagues firm and MAC laid bare the real purpose of persuader work, in almost militaristic terms. One of the primary goals: Minimize the likelihood of future union encroachment.

The agreement assured consultants would carry out a thorough assessment to pinpoint what led to the organizing effort, and conduct role-playing scenarios with supervisors on how to interact with workers. It also promised a system of captive audience meetings  an industry term for speeches where consultants generally deliver anti-union talking points.

A systematic, organized counter-campaign will be implemented to secure an election win, the contract assured. Time is of the essence in commencing work on behalf of the company. Any delay is injurious to the companys chances.

Teague himself would not be going to Missouri. He subcontracted the work out to a man who would also work under a pseudonym  one that complemented the name Jack Black.

Looking For Opportunity

The workers at MAC had been meeting with a union organizer at a Super 8 motel a couple of miles from the facility. They were thinking about joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or the IAM, which has more than 500,000 members, many of them at manufacturing companies like Boeing and Harley-Davidson. Another group of workers in a separate division at MAC were already represented by the Teamsters.

One MAC worker later testified before the labor board that she supported the union effort because of harassment in the workplace. Every day it was something sexual, disgusting, she said of a male co-worker. She said she brought her concerns to supervisors, human resources and the president. I filed complaints with each one of them, and nothing [came] of it. (Unless otherwise noted, quotes attributed to workers and consultants in this story come from the labor board hearing transcripts.)

A mere 6% of private-sector workers in the U.S. belong to a union today, down from a high of around 33% in the 1950s. There are plenty of reasons for the long and steady decline: The loss of union-represented manufacturing jobs; weak labor laws that make unionizing more difficult; and increasing resistance to collective bargaining from American employers, to name just a few.

Persuaders help employers craft a playbook against the union. They figure out who supports the union, who opposes it and who sits on the fence. They hold group and one-on-one meetings that sow doubt about what a union can accomplish.

But persuaders play an undeniable role in suppressing union membership. They help employers craft a playbook against the union. They figure out who supports the union, who opposes it and who sits on the fence. They hold group and one-on-one meetings that sow doubt about what a union can accomplish. Some push the boundaries of whats legal and even step over them, according to labor board case files.

Teague had been in the union avoidance industry for more than a decade, according to Labor Department filings and court records. He had done some union organizing at one point, but his true resume was the subject of debate. A spokesperson for the Steelworkers said Teague had once worked for the union as a casual organizer but not a full-time staffer. Teague and the union mutually agreed to part ways in 2006, the spokesperson said. At some point, Teague began popping up on the other side of union campaigns.

He went to work for one of the countrys leading anti-union consulting firms, the Labor Relations Institute, or LRI, and became its vice president of sales, junior only to the firms founder and president, according to court files. But in 2013, LRI sued Teague for alleged fraud, breach of contract, copyright infringement and unjust enrichment.

LRI claimed Teague had inflated his past work by saying hed been the Steelworkers director of corporate campaigns and strategic projects. LRI also accused Teague of steering its clients to a separate firm he had created with an LRI consultant who the firm said had recently served jail time for tax evasion. In an ironic twist, LRI claimed it became aware of Teagues alleged resume distortions because of the Steelworkers, a union LRI had spent years undermining. Teague denied the central allegations and the case was settled.

The persuader world is an alphabet soup of similar-sounding limited liability companies. Teague created a firm called International Labor Relations Inc. The firms acronym, ILR, sounded a lot like LRI. Both were based out of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area. Teague formed a separate firm, Sparta, as a subsidiary of ILR. Despite this complicated corporate structure, ILR/Sparta was nothing but a one-man band, Teague testified before the labor board. He referred to himself as president, CEO, founder, janitor, and all in-between.

Teagues firm pulled in $2.8 million in 2014 alone, as he helped manufacturers, food distributors, retailers, car dealerships and other employers deal with unions, according to disclosures filed with the Labor Department, as required under the law. One of his most reliable clients was the powerful food multinational Sysco, which hired Teagues firm through more than a half-dozen of its subsidiaries to deal with the Teamsters.

By his own account, Teague was more of a salesman than a consultant, handing the work off to others and splitting the fees. I try to keep my focus on doing the cold calls, he later testified. That is what I do. Ninety-nine percent of my day is looking for more work, and looking for more opportunity out there.

Reached by phone, Teague told HuffPost he does not do interviews. He declined to discuss his work as a persuader, or his contract with MAC, before saying he had a plane to catch. He did not respond to follow-up texts or emails.

Im not the right person to talk to, he said of the MAC campaign. Ive never even been there.

Carte Blanche

Not long after signing the contract with Teague, MACs president, Ballman, picked up Teagues subcontractor at the St. Louis airport. The man said his name was Aleks Green. Green impressed Ballman with his backstory during the 45-minute ride to the facility.

He was a butcher, Ballman recounted before the labor board. He had rose in [the] union ranks, became, I believe, a president of the union. So he knew the union side. And then he had gone to the other side, so he knew both sides of the equation. And he said his goal was to educate the people on the pros and cons of a union. And what a qualified guy to do that.

When facing a union drive, employers often cede a surprising amount of authority to outside consultants. It sort of makes sense: Although they usually arent attorneys, the consultants are supposed to know labor law well enough to prevent managers from making illegal threats. Ballman would later say he gave Aleks Green carte blanche to handle the union campaign. He was putting a stranger in a position to run potentially combative meetings with his employees.

Greens real name was Eric Grumbrecht. Like Teague, he said he used a pseudonym for his own protection. Grumbrecht had once worked as a union butcher in Pennsylvania. In 2007, The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story about Grumbrechts plans to create a new union that would rival the United Food and Commercial Workers, which he accused of being the laziest organizers on the planet. Grumbrecht intended to organize a nonunion grocer where butchers earned less than union members at other stores.

After the Inquirer story ran, Grumbrecht was arrested for allegedly making terroristic threats against the president of the local UFCW union, a misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty and received four years of probation. (The Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas said the case file is not open to the public.) Grumbrecht told the Inquirer at the time that the two had merely been trading insults, but the union president, Wendell Young IV, said in an interview that the alleged threats were serious enough that his union hired a security firm. (After a series of discussions, HuffPost and Grumbrecht could not agree on terms for an interview for this story. He declined to answer a list of questions sent before publication.)

The UFCW encountered Grumbrecht again about a decade later. According to Young, the union was in a campaign at the tortilla maker Mission Foods when a staffer saw Grumbrecht walking out of the plant. Workers said Grumbrecht was holding meetings inside. Disclosure forms show Mission Foods parent company hired Teagues firm Sparta to deal with a union in 2016 and 2017. The company paid Sparta a total of $1.8 million, according to filings.

The unions lawyers put together a bilingual flier at Mission Foods that called Grumbrecht a union buster and detailed past criminal charges. Young said Mission Foods became more reasonable at the bargaining table. That helped the [workers] firm up with us, once they understood what was going on, he said.

Around the time of the Mission Foods campaign, Grumbrecht was charged with aggravated stalking and violating an injunction to protect against domestic violence in Brevard County, Florida. According to court files, he was not supposed to contact a woman with whom hed had a previous relationship but did so more than 300 times through texts and phone calls and instilled a legitimate fear in [her].

Grumbrecht was found guilty of a felony stalking charge. At the sentencing hearing, he acknowledged that some of the things he had said through phone calls and texts were terrible. I have to take responsibility for that, he said, according to court transcripts. But he added that those actions were only part of the man he was, saying he had helped homeless people and improved workers lives in Pennsylvania through his union activism.

Their standard of living went up and their insurance costs went down [because of] a movement I started there, he said.

Grumbrecht was released from prison in the summer of 2021, according to Florida records. About seven months later, he headed to MAC to deal with the union campaign.

An F-You Vote

The first thing Grumbrecht told workers was not to trust what he said  not because he would lie, but because they should do their own research. He maintained that he was not against unions, and that his only goal was to provide both sides of the situation, as he later testified. I know there are unions out there that are very good to their people and some that arent and its just that simple, he said.

One worker testified in the labor board hearing that Grumbrecht never said anything anti-union, but others testified that he did. One said the consultant told him the union was not going to keep up their end of the bargain. Another alleged he said they could lose their First Amendment rights if they organized, and that the union could mandate drug tests for everyone, alleged statements she found ridiculous. That worker claimed the consultant told her in a one-on-one meeting in an office that her vote for the union would be an F-you vote against the company.

She said the whole dynamic made her uncomfortable.

I was immediately intimidated, she testified, because this man whom I have never met, whose face is covered in a mask  he just closed the door behind me, and is now sitting between me and the only exit.

Grumbrecht said he never closed the door in these meetings and that people were free to leave without repercussions. But numerous workers testified that he said the talks were required because they were on company time.

Why is this mandatory? Why are these meetings mandatory when Im never, like, mandated to go to the union meeting? I had only been to one union meeting and I was there for, like, three minutes.  a MAC employee on the captive audience meetings

Why is this mandatory? one worker recalled asking one day. Why are these meetings mandatory when Im never, like, mandated to go to the union meeting? I had only been to one union meeting and I was there for, like, three minutes. [The organizer] told me a few things and I left.

The meetings underscored what unions argue is a fundamental imbalance in U.S. labor law. Employers have almost unfettered access to their own workers to make the case against organizing, often through involuntary gatherings. But no worker has to listen to anything union organizers have to say. The union is relegated to optional off-site meetups, phone calls and house visits. The inequity in messaging leaves employers with a strong advantage, said Gordon Lafer, co-director of the labor center at the University of Oregon.

This is the only source of information that some people get, Lafer said. He added that the stress of the talks can make a workplace feel like a political war zone.

Some of the confabs grew contentious. A worker recalled a female colleague storming out of one in tears, so flustered she hit herself with the door as she swung it open. She told them, If you want to fire me, fire me, but I cant do this, the worker testified before the labor board. She said, Im not voting for [the] union, Im not voting against [the] union. Im so stressed out I cant take this anymore.

A worker who opposed the union effort testified that she had never seen a company of people that turned on each other so fast once this union became available like these people did here. And you could tell the alliances.

One of the workers whom Grumbrecht spoke with one on one was Nick, whose last name HuffPost isnt including for health privacy reasons. Nick worked as a punch press operator. He was perhaps the most outspoken union supporter, wearing six vote yes buttons on his work shirt. During his testimony before the labor board, Nick said he didnt believe Green was who he claimed to be.

I know what youre doing here, Nick said, according to his own account. I know youre a union buster.

Two days later, Nick had a seizure at work and was taken to the emergency room. A company doctor later cleared him to return to work with no specific physical limitations but advised he not engage in safety-sensitive activities. His bosses told him they had to pull him off the punch press.

Nick loved working the machine and took the news hard. In fact, I ended up crying a little, he testified. They moved him over to the assembly department and agreed not to reduce his pay. What happened next would alter the union campaign.

The company fired Nick less than two weeks after hed had his seizure. His superiors would say Nick was loafing and pouting about his reassignment, unwilling to learn his new duties, even though hed had a solid work record over nearly four years, according to company officials testimony. They denied they fired him over his union activity.

Nick said he was blindsided and never received a reason for his termination. The company later acknowledged it gave him no warning.

The only thing I can come up with  is that I was pro-union, Nick testified. Thats a guess.

Any Takers?

Union organizers lose their jobs all the time. Researchers estimate that employers are charged with retaliatory firings in nearly one-fifth of unionization efforts. But even when a worker and their union can prove the firing was discriminatory, the remedies are notoriously weak. Usually the employer just has to offer the worker reinstatement, with back pay. The labor board does not have the power to issues fines for breaking the law.

At MAC, Nicks firing had immediate effects. The worker who had been training him in his new role was furious. I asked [a supervisor] why and he didnt give me a reason, the worker testified. I just, you know, kept asking, Why? Why? Why? The worker told his boss he was quitting over Nicks termination. His boss wished him well. He too had signed a union card.

That day, employees were called into another group meeting with the consultant, Grumbrecht. Two workers who opposed the union effort later testified that they asked Grumbrecht to call the meeting  one said she wanted him to address bullying; the other, who was Black, said he wanted him to address racism.

According to a video recording, Grumbrecht began the meeting with an ominous invitation: I know previously some people had said if they get pulled into any other meetings that they were going to quit. Well, feel free right now  your bosses are here  to tender your resignation. He then asked, Any takers?

This is insane, one worker said.

No takers? Grumbrecht asked.

If you want a fucking resignation, here it is, the worker said. She headed for the door and slammed it behind her.

Anybody else? Grumbrecht asked.

A second worker left her seat, too.

Im done, she said. Fuck all of you guys.

Anybody else? Grumbrecht asked again.

Another worker pleaded to know where the companys president was. Im not going to talk to you until Evan is out here.

Grumbrecht told someone to shut the door. He lectured the workers on bullying.

And youre starting a lot of it. You! one shot back.

She was furious that Grumbrecht had just goaded two people into quitting. Both of them were damn good workers!

At one point, Grumbrecht acknowledged that the meetings appeared to be making everyone miserable.

It seems to me that youre being dragged into these meetings and none of you want to be here, whether youre pro-union or pro-company, he said. Nobody wants to be in these meetings.

He told them there would be more.

After the workers left the room, Grumbrecht appeared to speak approvingly of the resignations. I could have cut that meeting short a half an hour ago because weve already won, he said to a manager, according to the video recording. Theyre gone.

One worker who resigned testified that she cried the whole drive home.

I just lost my insurance, she said. I lost one of my favorite jobs I ever had. I lost everything in that moment work-wise.

A majority of workers had signed union cards when the union filed for an election weeks earlier. But after the meetings with the consultant, Nicks firing and the resignations, the union lost the vote 3-6.

A Peculiar World

A majority of workers had signed union cards when the union filed for an election weeks earlier. But support frayed as the campaign wore on, and several workers asked to retract their cards. After the meetings with the consultant, Nicks firing and the resignations, the union lost the vote 3-6.

The union accused the company of a slew of labor law violations. Board officials found merit in the claims, and the labor boards general counsel pursued a case against MAC as well as Teagues firm, Sparta, accusing them both of unfair labor practices.

The trial was conducted over Zoom, and one of the challenges was keeping the parties straight due to the pseudonyms Teague and Grumbrecht had used. Witnesses knew the two as Black and Green, so their real names created confusion. When a witness mentioned an individual named Matt Brown, the parties had to clarify whether that was a real identity or another color-based alias.

The trial revealed some strange business practices at Sparta. Another persuader, Zachary Langren, testified that he often handled the firms billing. Langren said that when dealing with clients, he sometimes uses an alter ego named Gina, for which he maintains a separate email account. I found that most employers do not like answering to a guy as much when it comes to a billing discrepancy, so I use a female name, he explained.

Langren testified that he went to college and studied business and law but never earned a bachelors degree. He learned how to be a persuader from other persuaders. Teague testified that Langren had also done odd jobs for him, including mowing his lawn.

Langren said that captive audience meetings were generally mandatory, with certain exceptions.

If youre working a coffee shop, for instance, theyre not necessarily going to have a conference room. So if you have a 16- or 17-year-old employee and youre bringing them into a dark closet to do a meeting, of course theyre going to feel a little bit uncomfortable, he explained. So thats an instance that we would be, like, Hey, you go ahead, you can leave.

The labor boards attorney was able to prove not only that Nick was illegally fired, but that his two co-workers who resigned had no choice but to quit rather than subject themselves to another captive audience meeting. Under labor law, such constructive discharges are tantamount to firings.

In a stinging decision in favor of the union, the judge wrote that MAC and Sparta had committed a veritable smorgasbord of unfair labor practices, and ordered that MAC offer reinstatement and back pay to Nick and the two women who quit. According to the union, two of the three have opted to return to the company. In a rare move, the judge also recommended that MAC be required to bargain with the union due to the breadth of violations. The union is now trying to negotiate a contract.

MAC declined to appeal the judges decision. Reached by phone, MACs Ballman told HuffPost he had nothing to say about the consultants he hired. He said he did not want to revisit the case. I move on, he said in a brief conversation. I let it go.

Asked if he had ever considered recognizing the union rather than hiring consultants, Ballman politely declined to talk any further. I think weve had enough of a chat here, he said.

Teagues firm was ordered to cease and desist from threatening and interrogating workers. Three weeks after the ruling came down, Teagues firm got a contract to provide a persuader to Findhelp, a tech startup that seeks to modernize Americas social safety net, according to a Labor Department filing. The company, which couldnt be reached for comment, retained Teagues firm to educate employees about their rights, the filing states.

During the trial, the judge couldnt help but try to satisfy his own curiosity about the persuaders work. At one point, he asked Teague how he expected to enforce a contract on a client in court if he signed it with the name Jack Black. After all, such a stunt could potentially nullify the agreement.

It strikes me as, just, peculiar, the judge said of the practice.

Oh, Teague responded, this whole world were talking about is peculiar.
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Illustration by Joanne Imperio for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images

Whats happening

As some of his Republican rivals go to unprecedented lengths in hopes of qualifying for next months GOP presidential debate, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested he might choose to skip the event entirely.

When you have a big lead, you don't do it, Trump said during a recent interview with Fox News, citing his huge lead in primary polls. Its actually not fair. Why would you let somebody that's at zero or one or two or three [percent] be popping you with questions?

Trump and six other candidates have met the polling and donor thresholds set by the Republican National Committee to earn a place on the stage at the opening primary debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee.

Several of his challengers have publicly challenged him to participate. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on Trump to step up and make his case to voters, adding that nobody's entitled to this nomination. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley suggested failing to appear would signal that Trump is scared and Ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said bluntly If Trump doesnt want to debate then he doesnt want to be president.

Missing a debate would be nothing new for Trump. During the 2016 GOP primary, he skipped a Fox News debate shortly before the Iowa caucuses amid a public spat with the networks host Megyn Kelly, and a later debate was canceled after he said he would not attend. Four years later, Trumps refusal to debate remotely after testing positive for COVID-19 caused his second debate against Joe Biden to be canceled.

Why theres debate

Some political commentators think Trump would be making a mistake by skipping one or more of the upcoming debates. They argue that he has the chance to effectively seal the nomination by putting together a dominating performance against a group of rivals who are unlikely to be able hold their own in a verbal sparring match against him. Theres also risk, many add, that ceding the stage to his rivals could give one of them a rare chance to dominate the spotlight, potentially setting them up to cut into his polling lead.

Story continues

But others say avoiding the debates is the best strategy for Trump. For one, it spares him the potential danger of making a major mistake during heated exchanges with opponents whose only goal will be to try to take him down. Trump's absence could also significantly reduce the number of primary voters who watch the debate, denying his challengers the chance to make their case to a large audience  especially if he holds a competing event at the same time.

Whats next

Uncertainty about Trumps presence at debates appears likely to be a story throughout the GOP primaries and into the general election if he wins the nomination. Trump recently said he and President Biden have to definitely debate. But last year the RNC voted to boycott the Commission on Presidential Debates  which has organized every presidential debate since the late 1980s  over complaints that the commission was biased against Trump.

Perspectives

Trump's absence could give another candidate the chance to break through

I think hes making a mistake because somebody else could do something extraordinary.  When somebody breaks through, you can get a snowball going.  Van Jones, CNN

He has too many vulnerabilities his opponents could seize on

Its also difficult to see the political upside for Trump of participating in primary debates. They open him up to criticism from his fellow Republicans, including some who would stand to gain a lot of electoral visibility from taking a stand against him. He would have to defend his record in front of a large audience and respond in the moment to attacks targeting his potential weak spots.  Joe Perticone, Bulwark

Republican primary voters may think hes running from a fight

If Mr. Trump refuses to debate in the primaries, voters will be entitled to wonder what the former President is afraid of.  Editorial, Wall Street Journal

DeSantis needs to land a knockout punch; Trump shouldnt give him the chance

A debate where [DeSantis] shows substance and strength against Trump could be that elusive game-changer his campaign has been seeking.  Editorial, Miami Herald

He shouldnt pass up a chance to end the primary race for good

He is a prizefighter. He belongs in the ring defending his title. Conventional wisdom might suggest staying away to protect his lead, but he has never been a conventional candidate. A strong performance by Mr. Trump in the first few debates could shore up the nomination for him.  Scott Walker, former Wisconsin governor, Washington Times

Theres no better way to make his challengers seem irrelevant than by refusing to face them

As conventional wisdom strategy, it makes sense, unlikely to undermine his base of support while portraying the debate as a group discussion of also-rans.  Carl Golden, Portland Press Herald

His rivals are no threat to him on the debate stage

There is a fantasy that underlies the ever-growing 2024 Republican presidential field: Governor X or Senator Y or Outsider Entrepreneur Z gets into a televised debate and tears Donald Trump a new one, becoming an overnight sensation awash in new donors, volunteers for Iowa and New Hampshire, and adulation in the mainstream media. Its very unlikely to happen.  Ed Kilgore, New York

Trump would be a fool to voluntarily step into Christies crosshairs

Christies particular brand of bombast, and his take-no-shit persona, makes for the sort of force-field that Trump, who is used to dominating any environment he enters, may find particularly difficult to navigate. Thats likely the real reason that Trump would absent himself from Milwaukee.  Sasha Abramsky, Truthout

Whether he debates or not, Trump is still in position to cruise to the nomination

Welcome to the new age of Republican presidential primary debates. Without Trump, the big audience disappears. With Trump, the audience disappears for any other candidate to offer a vision for the future of the party.  Juan Williams, The Hill
Oniks missile

The Russian military has recently upgraded its arsenal by modernizing X-22 and Oniks missiles, as well as resuming the use of Bal and Bastion missile systems, Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Ukrainian militarys Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), said in an interview with the We Are Ukraine television channel on July 23.

Skibitskyi said that the Russian forces have initiated attacks on Ukraine using various weapons, including X-22, Kalibr, and Oniks missiles, due to a shortage of precision munitions.

Read also: UNESCO to send mission to Odesa for damage assessment

Last year, they could employ between 80 to 100-110 cruise missiles of a single type, such as the X-101. Currently, they lack such capability, he said.

Skibitskyi also pointed out that Russia has undertaken measures to modernize certain types of missiles, and that the X-22 missile has now effectively become the X-32.

Read also: Russias assault on Odesa continues, six injured and grain terminal destroyed in overnight air raid

Additionally, Skibitskyi noted that the HUR possesses information about the modernization of Oniks missiles, which were originally designed as anti-ship missiles.

In the fall, they frequently targeted Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson oblasts. During that time, there were numerous detonations, not just direct hits, he recalled.

In its biggest missile attack on the center of Odesa since the full-scale war began, Russian forces showered the city with at least five types of missiles in the early hours of July 23, including Kalibr, Oniks, Kh-22, Iskander-K, and ballistic Iskander-M missiles.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- China omitted President Xi Jinpings official slogan on curbing housing speculation at a key economic policy meeting, underscoring a deeper shift toward supporting the property market.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Xis mantra that housing is for living, not for speculation was left out of the meeting by the Communist Partys 24-member Politburo, its top decision-making body, which also vowed to optimize and adjust policies for the property sector. Policymakers said the tweak comes after demand and supply in the home market have seen fundamental changes.

Read more about the Politburo meeting

The shift in rhetoric is unusual because the phrase had consistently been used by officials since 2016, when it appeared in a post-meeting statement for the first time as part of efforts to cool an overheating market. Since 2019, every April and July Politburo review had mentioned the slogan.

It seems the government has recognized the importance of policy change in this sector to stabilize the economy, said Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Benjamin, a "bro pair," was a positive role model for the author's son. Jane Ridley

I used to think au pairs, paid house guests from abroad who look after your kids, were always women.

So I was surprised to hear that men could work as au pairs, too. They're known as "bro pairs."

I hired our first bro pair last year. He was great, and I can't wait for our next guy to start soon.

My son went on a playdate recently. I casually told the mom that neither my husband nor I were picking him up this time. "Don't worry," I said. "Our 'bro pair' knows your address."

"Huh?" she responded.

"His name is Benjamin," I replied, but she still looked confused. "He's from Chile and he's been staying with us since last year."

I often forget that many people outside the au-pair community haven't heard of "bro pairs." I certainly hadn't before we hired one. Typical au pairs are young women from abroad who provide childcare in exchange for room and board in the US and other countries. "Bro pair" is the affectionate term for the male equivalent.

We recruited our au pair's brother as our bro pair, and he became part of the family

We hired our first au pair  a 25-year-old woman named Bernardita  from Chile in 2020. Our teenager was independent and needed only the occasional ride to and from school or the home of a friend. Her main responsibility was watching our tween. Our son loved Bernardita and she really bonded with him.

She stayed for two years before heading home. It was heartbreaking to see her go. Luckily, her younger brother, Benjamin, had agreed to take her place. We'd met him before when he came to visit Bernardita. He'd helped watch our tween. We had some great photos of him riding on Benjamin's shoulders in New York's Central Park.

"At least Benjamin knows what he's letting himself in for," I thought.

Benjamin became part of the family during the year he was in the US. Jane Ridley

I didn't know whether Bernardita had told Benjamin that our son had occasionally taken advantage of her sweet nature. But the dynamic was a little different this time. He was just as much fun as his sister, but he made a point of laying down the law. Benjamin tactfully suggested we didn't let him get away with not doing much on the days he wasn't working. It would undermine his efforts to make our tween less dependent on adults, he said.

Story continues

He was more of a disciplinarian than me and my husband. He embraced our son's interests, such as trampolining, video games, and Marvel movies and became a big brother figure, just like Bernardita had been a big sister figure.

Less than 10% of au pairs in the US were male in 2021, research found

Unfortunately, Benjamin told me, there were times when he felt self-conscious. The stigma remained about men caring for other people's children, he said. He said that he got stared down a few times in the changing room at the pool with our son. Unlike most of the parents at our kid's school  whose faculty had gotten used to seeing Benjamin on campus  people looked at him suspiciously when he picked him up from summer camp, he added.

An employee from our au-pair agency said that some agencies wouldn't take applications from young men. She said they were in much less demand and harder to place. The careers website Zippia reported that less than 10% of US au pairs in 2021 were male.

Benjamin took a lot of selfies with the author's son when they were on vacation. Jane Ridley

Families who won't entertain the idea of having a bro pair  or a male babysitter in general  are missing out on a great opportunity. These men have a lot to offer.

Still, the meager demand for bro pairs worked in our favor. Benjamin returned to Chile a few weeks ago. I was determined to snag a second bro pair. Competition is high for experienced caregivers. Nearly all the male candidates checked the right boxes.

I read the profile of a bro pair from the Czech Republic. He's a classically trained pianist who'd taught dozens of kids how to play. Both my children wanted to learn how to play the piano. Most importantly, my son thought he was great. He arrives in the fall.

Read the original article on Insider
A York County man has been sentenced to life in a South Carolina prison after a jury found him guilty of sex crimes involving a child, according to prosecutors and court records.

Phillip Ryan Lawson, 57, was convicted of three sexual assault charges, said Jenny Desch, 16th Circuit assistant solicitor. The jury found Lawson guilty of first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, according to Desch and court records.

Lawson was a family friend at the time of the sex assaults, Desch said. He was arrested in 2020 after an investigation by York County Sheriffs Office detective Amy Smith.

The trial prosecuted by Desch and assistant solicitor Jessica Russo lasted through last week at the Moss Justice Center in York. The jury delivered guilty verdicts Friday night after a day of deliberation.

South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Bill McKinnon sentenced Lawson to life in prison after the guilty verdict.
Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting to discuss, among other things, the response to Russia's "barbaric attacks" on grain infrastructure and cultural heritage of Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Details: Zelenskyy said the attendees of the meeting had also discussed the current situation at the front and the planning of Ukraine's offensive and defensive actions.

In addition, the issue of unblocking the Black Sea and the grain corridor was raised.

Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commanders Oleksandr Syrskyi and Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Defence Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov and Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov reported during the meeting.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The results will be hard to miss."

Background:

On the night of 22-23 July, the Russians fired 19 missiles of various types at Odesa Oblast, including five Oniks missiles. Air defence forces shot down nine missiles.

Early reports show that the attack damaged 61 buildings in the city, including 28 architectural landmarks.

Air defence forces shot down three Shahed drones over Odesa Oblast on the night of 23-24 July. A grain warehouse was destroyed and four people reportedly injured as a result of the strikes.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






, Jul 24 ( devdiscourse.com ) - As part of US-led efforts to stop China from creating high-end semiconductors suitable for military applications, Japan's curbs on the export of advanced chip-making equipment went into effect on Sunday, Kyodo news reported.

Japan included 23 goods used in chip fabrication that need authorization for export with the modification of a trade ministry ordinance under the foreign currency law.

In apparent retaliation for US semiconductor export limits that target China, Beijing has declared that it will limit the exports of gallium and germanium, two rare earth metals essential for chip manufacture, starting next month, according to Kyodo news. In October last year, the US came up with a set of export controls on certain high-end chips that China could use to train artificial intelligence systems and modernize its military. The US also asked Japan and the Netherlands, which possess advanced chip-manufacturing technologies, to follow suit as well. ...continue reading
TAIPEI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities concluded their nine-day visit to Taiwan Sunday.

The visit of the group, led by the Party chief of Peking University Hao Ping, marked the first one made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges over more than three years.

At the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, the mainland visitors met their peers from local universities, including Taiwan University and Chengchi University, and toured several counties and cities on the island.

They had received a warm welcome in Taiwan.

"Taiwan compatriots were so friendly and hospitable that I was deeply touched," said Chen Shihua, a student from Peking University, recalling that "elder brothers and sisters" from local colleges kindly recommended to her where to dine and have fun.

When mainland students visited the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan Tuesday, students from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait gave a well-received traditional Chinese music performance.

"When the music rose, I truly felt that the two sides of the Strait shared the same cultural root," said Chen Kaidi, who played Chinese zither in the performance.

If young people across the Strait learn from each other and work together, they surely will revitalize the traditional Chinese arts, Chen said.

Sun Lin from Wuhan University was otherwise impressed by the campus of the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan.

"The campus looked like my university. They both kept a lot of traditional cultural elements and paid great attention to carrying forward our cultural legacy," Sun said.

Chan Yu-hsiang from Taiwan University said he found no difficulties or barriers in talking with mainland peers since they were largely on the same page, and he expected more chances to meet them in the future.

Calling the visit a constructive try, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said that young people from the two sides of the Strait should have such regular exchanges every year. 
, Jul 25 ( NHK ) - Japan's Defense Ministry says North Korea launched two ballistic missiles on Monday night, and that they appear to have fallen in the Sea of Japan, outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

Ministry officials said the two missiles were fired eastward from an inland area of North Korea, with the first launch at around 11:54 p.m. and the second at about 11:59 p.m.

The officials believe that the missiles flew some 350 to 400 kilometers and reached an altitude of roughly 100 kilometers.

They said there have been no reports of damage to Japanese vessels or aircraft from the missiles.

The Japanese government lodged a protest with North Korea, saying the country's actions violate UN Security Council resolutions and threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community.

North Korea said it test-fired a newly developed solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on July 12. This was followed by the launches of two ballistic missiles a week later.

The latest launches marked the 14th time this year for North Korea to fire ballistic missiles or projectiles that use ballistic-missile technology.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says Monday's missile-firings may have been in response to visits to the South by US submarines.

A US nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons made a port call in Busan for four days through July 21.

Another US nuclear-powered submarine arrived in Jeju Island on Monday.

North Korea is preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice on July 27.

Japan, South Korea and the United States are wary of possible further action by North Korea.

Jul 25 () - EEZ
By Fashola MC POSCABA Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was stranded at the RCC junction on Sapele Road, Benin, Edo State after heavy rain made the road flooded and unpassable. A video of the incident which occurred on Friday is trending online with a background voice urging viewers to share the video to show that it is payback time for leaders who fail to take needed action to help the people. The background (male) voice said, When we told the government to fix the road, they were busy filling the potholes with broken blocks. They think they are suffering the masses. Now it is payback time as the masses are not the only ones suffering the collapse of this road. The governor is the one inside the vehicle but it has stopped moving. This is his vehicle (pointing at it), he cannot come down as he is ashamed. Everyone (both the poor and the rich) is feeling the brunt of bad policies in the country, he added. After a while, the convoy was seen moving away from the flooded part of the road. Meanwhile, Governor Obaaseki in a statement released on Sunday confirmed he was stranded on Sapele road due to the flooding. He said: I was on Sapele Road recently. After the heavy downpour, the road was impassable. What is going on in Benin-Sapele Road is scandalous. I dont think that any region where the oil resources that sustain the country come from should be neglected. We have done everything possible. We dont know what to do again to draw the attention of the federal government to these roads. Obaseki also said the state government cannot intervene in fixing the Benin-Auchi and Benin-Sapele roads because the Federal Government has awarded contracts for its repair. The governor said that it is concerning that the major Federal road networks in the state, which connect several parts of the country are in bad condition. He noted that his administration has done everything in its power to appeal to the Federal Government to look into the repairs of the wide span of damaged Federal Roads in Edo State. Obaseki added that his administration has drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the failed portions of the Benin-Auchi Roads, Benin-Sapele Road, and the Benin-Lagos Road, particularly the Ovia River Bridge but nothing has been done yet. He said, Look at the incident that happened on Ovia River Bridge three weeks ago, in which we lost several lives following multiple accidents. Nothing has been done till now. This shows they dont care about us in the State. The issue on the Benin-Lagos Road, particularly the Ovia River Crossing is becoming catastrophic. We have lost a lot of lives and done everything to get the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Works to work with us and put in place a palliative measure to stop the carnage on that road. On Sapele Road, he said: I was on Sapele Road recently. After the heavy downpour, the road was impassable. What is going on in Benin-Sapele Road is scandalous. I dont think that any region where the oil resources that sustain the country come from should be neglected. We have done everything possible. We dont know what to do again to draw the attention of the federal government to these roads. The Auchi-Ibillo Road was so bad that some of our contractors couldnt go to their quarry site. We appealed to the Federal Government to do palliative work on that road but they refused, saying the road is under contract. If I want to do the same for Benin-Sapele Road, I am not allowed to do so. They claim the road has been given out to a contractor. Last year, the Benin-Auchi Road was locked for about two weeks as food, animals, and petroleum products could not reach their destination. We dont want such situations this year so they should help us. We are not here to criticize them but to appeal for help. The governor noted that the federal governments policy relating to these roads is very confusing, noting that in the past, states could rehabilitate Federal roads and give the Federal Government the bills, but that is no longer obtainable. At a point, they said we can apply and take over the repair of federal roads but I am yet to see a state they have given federal roads to fix, he noted. NIGERIAN EYE

NEWS SECTIONS
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed an attack on his Yola residence by suspected member of Boko Haram.

Naija News earlier reported that former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, claimed that a terrorist invaded Atikus residence on his Twitter handle on Monday.

According to Omokri, the attack, which happened on Sunday night, was a threat to the life of the former Vice President and called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to investigate the incident thoroughly.

In a statement by his media office on Monday, Atiku confirmed that the police have arrest four suspects in the plot to attack his residence.

The statement reads: We wish to alert the Nigerian public that at about 9:44 pm on Sunday, 23 July, 2023 a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.

The man who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar was later handed over to the police.
An unconfirmed number of students  around 700, sources say  at Palmer College of Chiropractic were hit with ethics violations for allegedly side-stepping mandatory yearly compliance training.

Palmer's Office of Compliance virtually notified students of their charges on Tuesday, July 10, the first day of classes this trimester.

The notice began:

"During Palmer College of Chiropractics 2023 Compliance Training cycle, our records indicate that you engaged in the following misconduct in the process of completing the mandatory annual student training:

Utilized multiple devices simultaneously to complete multiple courses concurrently; or

Failed to engage in the full content of the training course by substantially fast forwarding through the content; or

Participated in both behaviors listed above."

It proffered options on how students could respond  either an informal resolution or formal hearing.

In signing an informal resolution, Palmer students effectively admit to misconduct and must re-do all online training courses, "in the manner intended" by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4.

According to the notice, signed informal resolution agreements were due by 4:30 p.m. on July 14. If not, the charges default to Palmer's formal hearing process.

Palmer's compliance coordinators were to process and schedule formal hearing requests. They also appoint the Hearing Panel, whose decision dictates the sanctions or consequences imposed on students.

Sanctions range from written reprimands or fines to more serious outcomes, such as suspension or dismissal. Other possible repercussions include eligibility loss for financial aid and scholarships; certain clubs and organizations; immigrant status, awards, leadership positions and preceptorships.

Jordan Roberts, a 27-year-old third-trimester student from Dallas, Ga., will dispute his charge through a formal hearing.

As a veteran, he said he's accustomed to addressing "higher-ranking" bodies and said he's not worried about possible sanctions.

"If (Palmer) would have told us not to do it, we probably wouldn't have done it," Roberts said. "Or, if they would have just said, 'Hey, would you mind redoing these couple of trainings?' instead of giving out an ethics violation  because I think that's why people are so upset."

To him, the sheer number of accused students warrants reconsideration.

"I don't think 700 students, maliciously, were just trying to break the rules, you know?" he asked. "It just sounds like (Palmer) should have just sent out a warning for next year."

Student Jackson Schmits, 22, of Findlay, Ohio, also says he wasn't aware that fast-forwarding through content or watching multiple trainings concurrently would warrant an ethics violation.

He knows of at least 10 others who were notified of an ethics violation, and Roberts said the majority of his friends at the school also received letters. Palmer officials declined to say how many were cited.

Seven Palmer students spoke with a reporter, including five who received letters. Several spoke off the record, saying they feared retribution if they shared their surprise and frustration with the handling of the matter.

Since Palmer's classroom exam standards are clear, Roberts said, the same should apply to mandatory trainings.

"Plainly state the rules, like you do on one side," he said. "I don't understand why the school can't be straightforward."

Schmits also referenced technological disruptions: "The software the college uses is very glitchy, and the videos would freeze. When it did, I switched devices, and they flagged me because they were both running."

Scheduling was also a concern.

While Palmer officials did not confirm dates, the training was open from April through June.

"I got lucky, getting the (training) emails earlier than most.  but it was a load of training," Roberts said. "That's less time to study for national boards or exams. I feel like they're not really putting themselves in the students' shoes."

While Schmits thinks Palmer may have believed they did enough to direct students on the training, he said responsibility falls on himself for not reviewing the Student Code of Ethics beforehand.

"(Palmer) communicated very well, making sure we know what happened and how our consequences could be dealt with," he said. "My experience was that they simply are giving us a warning to do it right and dont mess up again."

For this reason, Schmits said he chose the informal route.

According to Article VII of Palmer's Student Code, those facing a misconduct charge are "presumed innocent until a Hearing Panel finds misconduct was proven subject to a timely appeal."

When contacted by the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus, Palmer responded with the following statement:

"In accordance with Palmer College Board of Trustees policy, federal mandates and industry best practices, Palmer employees and students are required to complete annual online compliance training. The performance of individuals on these education modules is confidential information that will not be shared nor discussed beyond a limited number of authorized personnel."

The college's response also linked to the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), a global nonprofit focused on combatting academic dishonesty in higher education. According to ICAI research, more than 60 percent of university students admit to cheating in some form.

Take a look at Van Duyne Hall, the newest student housing at Palmer College 110822-qc-nws-palmer-092 Kitchen of a two bedroom apartment at the new Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-094 Living room of a first floor two bedroom apartment at the new Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-031a.JPG The kitchen area of a studio apartment at the Van Duyne Hall residence hall. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-032a.JPG A one-bedroom apartment at Van Duyne Hall. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-029a.JPG Palmer College students Jordan Roberts, left, Alex Green and Peixiang Luo work on classwork in a first-floor study room at the new Van Duyne H 110822-qc-nws-palmer-073 A gathering area on the second floor over looking the main entrance of the new Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic 110822-qc-nws-palmer-025a.JPG An activity gathering room on the second floor of the new Van Duyne Hall. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-078 Over looking the main entrance from the second floor at the Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-065 Lounge area on the third floor at the new Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-061 Palmer College students Mallory Martini, left, Melanie Teper and Madeline Segall work in one of the study areas on the fourth floor of the Van 110822-qc-nws-palmer-068 A lounge-TV gaming and activity room on the third floor of the new Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-063 A study area on the third floor at the Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-004a.JPG Van Duyne Hall residence hall is at 1039 Perry St. in Davenport. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-046 The largest housing option Palmer offers, Van Duyne at Palmer College of Chiropractic at 1039 Perry St., in Davenport, has room for 139 studen 110822-qc-nws-palmer-014a.JPG An outdoor lounge on the fourth floor overlooks the main campus. 110822-qc-nws-palmer-055 An activity room on the fourth floor of the Van Duyne Hall residence hall at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport.
A little more than 80 miles south of Davenport, the town of Danville, Iowa, population 905, is becoming a hub of education about the Holocaust with its Anne Frank connection.

Later this summer, hopefully by around the middle of August, museum director Janet Hesler said a rail car of the era, type and kind used to transport Jews to the work and death camps, will arrive in Danville as part of its growing Holocaust education program.

Housed in Danville Station, Danville's Museum with its Anne Frank Connection display has roots back to 1939, when, according to the town library's website, Danville teacher Miss Birdie Mathews initiated a pen pal exchange for her class.

Juanita Wagner, who was 10, picked the name of a girl from the list who was her own age and lived in Amsterdam. That girl Wagner chose was Anne Frank.

Danville is only one of two places in the world where letters between Wagner and Frank can be viewed.

Additionally, the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities has helped the school system and the museum with education about the Holocaust, providing speakers and other artifacts, said Allan Ross, Executive Director of the federation.

They have a really good schools system and weve provided Holocaust education and have found survivors to speak at the school, Ross said.

The Quad-City Jewish Federation also donated 30 reproduction prints of the original paintings done in hiding by Erich Geiringer and his son Heinz. The two had begun painting to occupy their time and were able to hide the paintings before the family was discovered and sent to Auschwitz. The father and son died but Erichs wife, Fritzi and daughter, Eva, survived and retrieved the paintings.

Fritzi Geiringer married Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father, in the 1950s. Otto Frank was the only member of his family who survived the war.

The 30 original paintings are in the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities received permission by Eva Geiringer Schloss to have prints made. They first were displayed at Davenport's Putnam Museum to complement the 2012 exhibit Anne Frank: A History for Today.

Because of the donated print set, Ross said, They now have two major exhibits and other bits and pieces about the Holocaust.

Hesler said the idea for the rail car came when she and her husband were wondering how they were going to hold the 1.5 million postcards the Danville Museum is trying to collect from children all over the world in honor of Anne Frank. That project began in 2012.

We want to collect 1.5 million because thats the number of Jewish children who died in the Holocaust, Hesler said.

So far the museum has received 41,400 post cards.

It was on a trip to Whitwell, Tennessee, to see the Paper Clip Project at the Childrens Holocaust Memorial that museum staff saw that the paper clips, worn by Norwegians as a silent protest and a symbol of resistance to the Nazi occupation, were housed in a rail car.

Hesler said the goal of the Paper Clip Project was to collect 6 million paper clips for all those who died in the Holocaust, but the project eventually collected more than 30 million.

All of the post cards will not fit in our museum, she said.

But they could be housed in a rail car of the kind used to take Jews to the work and death camps. It was then in 2017 or 2018 that Hesler said she began thinking of a rail car exhibit.

Rail cars were found in Macedonia and Poland, but the deals for them fell through, Hesler said.

However, one was found in Moers, Germany, she said.

I want to say it was in November or December of 2021 that they found this car and we were wondering how we were going to pay for it, Hesler said.

In August of 2022, the museum received an economic development grant of $500,000 through Destination Iowa, a tourism grant from the state, she said. It took around $260,000 to purchase and refurbish the rail car.

In December of 2022, the car was moved from Moers to Duisburg, Germany, where it was refurbished by Die Schmiede, which also refurbished the rail car that is currently at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland.

Hopefully it will be on schedule and in Baltimore in early August, she said.

From there it will be put on a truck and brought to Bettendorf where the Quad City Jewish Federation will have it on display for a time before it goes on to Danville. Inside the car are refurbished railroad tracks on which it will sit.

The rest of the grant money will be used to build ramps to the rail car, as well as parking and making everything handicap accessible.

Our museum started in 2012, Hesler said. Its been open by appointment and each year wed get about 50 visitors and 48 of those were likely school children.

The current building that houses the museum was purchased in 2015 and at one time was the oldest building in Danville, being built in 1897 as a lumber yard.

Hesler said the museum will have a fundraiser to build a structure to house the rail car, but for now it can be open to the elements for a few years.

Ross said there is no way to know if any of the rail cars in Holocaust museums around the world were ever used to carry Jews to the ghettos and death camps. It is possible they were, but no one can say for certain.

What they try to do is make sure the cars are of the era and built before 1945, he said.

Hesler said the car coming to Danville was built between 1939 and 1943.

Still, Ross said, "the cars have a powerful effect" on people as they can envision the people packed into the cars.

With the news of the Anne Frank Connection exhibit, the Geiringer prints and now the rail car, Hesler said the museum is getting more attention.

We hope that people learn from this exhibit, Hesler said. We want the children to read and learn so something like the Holocaust will never happen again.
WASHINGTON (AP)  At least two people died, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power Monday as severe storms, including hail and lightning, moved through the eastern U.S.
Mediterranean and Middle East countries are meeting in Rome on Sunday (23 July) in an international conference organized by the Italian government to boost efforts to stem illegal migration flows.

The meeting is to discuss development projects in the Southern Mediterranean and North Africa and partnerships for projects in sectors including agriculture, infrastructure and health, an Italian government statement said on Friday (21 July).

Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, one of Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis closest allies, stated last month that human trafficking cannot be stopped with police officers on the beaches, but with a comprehensive strategy. Therefore, Italy says the aim of the conference is to find ways to help countries in Africa in order to reduce the impetus for migrants to reach Europe.

Italys migration conference brings together key stakeholders, policymakers, and experts from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, along with the European Union and the IMF, among others, to formulate a holistic strategy to address the underlying causes of migration from Africa to Europe.

However France, which clashed with Italy last year over immigration, is not expected to attend the event and its absence could dilute any outcome. But the organizers still hope the meeting will provide a platform for transcending traditional migration approaches by focusing on empowering African nations and enhancing cooperation between Africa and Europe.

The conference in Rome comes days after Human Rights Watch (HRW) slammed the EU for signing a partnership deal with Tunisia, calling on the bloc to suspend migration control funding to Tunisian security forces until a human rights impact assessment has been carried out. By funding security forces who commit abuses during migration control, the EU shares responsibility for the suffering of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia, the HRW said.
When African leaders meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg in late July for a summit, their discussions will likely be overshadowed by Russias pull-out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative that could badly damage Moscows relations with its African partners.

Billed as strengthening cooperation in peace, security, and development, the Russia-Africa Summit comes as Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to higher food and oil prices for many African nations  and prices could rise further after Putins decision last week to halt the UN-brokered deal that allowed Ukrainian food exports to reach international markets. This step could badly damage Moscows relations with many of its partners in Africa that have stayed neutral or even been supportive of the Kremlins invasion of its neighbor. When the UN General Assembly in February passed a resolution demanding that Russia end the war and leave Ukrainian territory, 141 countries voted in favor, while two African countries voted against it and 15 abstained.

But now they [Russia] are under a lot of pressure with whats happening in Ukraine and the ramifications of the conflict there in terms of commodity prices, particularly for Africans, says Mvemba Dizolele, Director of the Africa Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Putins declared goal in halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative was to win relief from Western sanctions on Russias agricultural exports. 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 straining Moscows relations with key partner Turkey and hurting its ties with African countries.
TEHRAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran opened on Sunday a court session investigating the complaints filed by the passengers of an Iranian plane that was allegedly attacked by U.S. fighter jets in 2020 when it was flying to Beirut, the Mizan news agency reported Monday.

On July 23, 2020, two U.S. F-15 fighter jets launched an attack against Iranian Mahan Air flight 1152 when it was passing through the determined air route in Syrian airspace, leading to the death of one passenger and injuring 15 on board, according to the Mizan news agency affiliated to the Iranian judiciary.

Describing the attack as "an act of terror," the complaints were filed by all passengers of the flight on July 23, 2022 against the U.S. government and 13 individuals and institutes involved in it, the Mizan report said.

In accordance with the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1999 Montreal Convention and other international regulations, any intentional military action against civil airplanes is prohibited, it added.

The plaintiffs have called for the payment of financial penalties and punitive damages by the U.S. Army.

According to the U.S. Army, a single F-15 came close to the Mahan plane for a visual inspection but "opened distance from the aircraft" once the pilot identified it as a passenger plane. 
Moroccos foreign minister highlighted at an international conference in Rome the Kings vision in favor of a solidarity-approach towards migration that breaks away with the all-security treatment of the issue.

Speaking at the International Conference on Development and Migration, chaired by the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, foreign minister Nasser Bourita recalled Moroccos role under the leadership of King Mohammed VI in campaigning for an orderly approach that views migration as a potential instead of a risk.

With a proven experience in managing migratory flows for over two decades, Morocco developed good practices in migrant integration, notably the two regularization operations, the introduction of responsible and humane border management, and the health protection of migrants during the COVID19 pandemic, he said.

Building on a human approach domestically, Moroccos King in his capacity as African Union migration leader submitted the African Agenda which treats migration as a development factor and a pillar of south-south cooperation as well as a lever of solidarity, Bourita said.

During the conference, Bourita deconstructed a number of myths surrounding the issue of migration citing for example that 80% of Africa migration is intra-continental.

He also recalled the relevance of the Marrakech Compact on migration under the auspices of the UN in 2019, noting that the Rome process should be part of that momentum, while calling for rethinking the reasons why previous processes on migration have failed.

In this respect, he highlighted the need to strike a balance between the different dimensions of migration, regular and irregular, through enshrining a positive narrative and the promotion of channels for legal migration.
British consulting firm RPS won a contract to undertake a study on the meteorological and oceanographic conditions for the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline.

The contract was awarded by Moroccos mines and hydrocarbons agency ONHYM and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, RPS said on its website.

The pipeline project is supported by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC with the cooperation of 13 countries in West Africa, it said.

Its aims are to facilitate increased prosperity in the region by enabling monetization of natural gas resources. It also aims to increase energy security, support the energy transition through access to less-polluting fuels, and offer a new, alternative export route to Europe, it added.

The pipeline will run along the West African coast from Nigeria through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote dIvoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania up to Morocco. It will be connected to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline and the European gas network. The infrastructure will also supply the landlocked states of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

King Mohammed VI had described, in a speech he delivered in November 2022, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project that will link Africa to Europe as a project for peace, for African economic integration and for co- development a project for the present and for future generations.

The King also commended the support of regional and international financing institutions, which have expressed their wish to participate in the implementation of the NMGP.

The project has the support of the ECOWAS west African economic grouping and is expected to help the region meet its energy security goals.
Egypt is set to send three Chinook helicopters to Greece to help in fighting forest fires, the Armed forces of the North African country announced Sunday July 23.

The helicopters are equipped with advanced equipment required to help put out the fires raging in a number of forests in Greece, Egyptian Armed Forces Spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez said in a statement.

Gharib Abdel-Hafez indicated that the assistance is a confirmation of the deep historic relations binding Egypt and Greece.

The European country has been grappling with wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes for the past five days, exacerbated by strong winds. Thousands of people, including tourists, have fled the affected villages and beaches close to the areas of Kiotari and Lardos in the southeastern part of the island.

More than 3,500 people have been evacuated by land and sea to safety from homes and hotels on Rhodes after wildfires engulfed large parts of the island.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: AP Images, Getty

Its been nearly a month since the Federal Highway Administration gave its final approval to New York Citys long-gestating congestion-pricing plan. But while the plan has strong support from Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and other key stakeholders, many other tristate politicians have come together in opposition.

One of the most vocal opponents is New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, who has loudly complained that residents of his state will be unfairly burdened by congestion pricing. On Friday, Murphy went a step further and mounted a legal challenge to the plan.

At a press conference announcing his lawsuit against what he called an ill-conceived policy, Murphy was joined by other prominent New Jersey politicians: Senator Bob Menendez and Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell Jr. Though criticisms of congestion pricing often focus on financial implications for drivers, Murphys suit takes a different tack. It claims that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FHWA failed to consider the environmental impacts of the policy and that New Jersey will have to contend with more traffic and pollution from cars attempting to avoid the toll while receiving no additional funds for its transit agencies. (The MTA, by contrast, is expecting a windfall, which will be split among the citys subway system, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North.) The governor is asking for the federal courts to intervene and force a more comprehensive study of congestion pricings environmental effects.

The Democratic governor is receiving support from a strange bedfellow: Vito Fossella, Staten Islands Republican borough president. Fossella, who said he hoped New Jersey would be successful in its efforts, has

indicated that he will file his own lawsuit, claiming the borough will be negatively affected by the plan due to its lack of transit options. Fossellas lawsuit will likely be directed against the MTA specifically, per ABC7.

To sit here and then say to the people of Staten Island that youre gonna pay more and your air qualitys gonna be worse, doesnt make any sense, Fossella said during a press conference Sunday.

The lawsuits are the latest wrinkle in a seemingly endless bureaucratic process. Congestion pricing, which had been under serious consideration since the 2000s, passed the New York State Legislature in 2019. But the arrival of the pandemic, plus a lack of movement from the Trump administration, kept its implementation in limbo until recently. After getting the green light from the federal government, the MTA conducted a thorough environmental assessment, which nonetheless required less time than the environmental impact statement the state of New Jersey requested.

With all of the major hurdles cleared, congestion pricing seems on track to be put into place as early as spring 2024, and it appears unlikely that Murphy and Fossellas Hail Mary lawsuits will do anything to stop it  though its possible they could slow down the process some more. The Traffic Mobility Review Board is now in the process of finalizing the rollout for the plan, including what will be charged for the toll and who could potentially be exempt from it.

The MTA seems unfazed by the legal challenges. A spokesman for the agency called the lawsuits baseless and expressed confidence that its environmental review will stand up to scrutiny. And when asked about New Jerseys pending lawsuit at an unrelated event Friday, Hochul said simply, Congesting pricing is going to happen.

It has gone through a long process of review at the federal level. The environmentals have already been studied. Thats why it was delayed another year last year. The State of New York is committed, she said, per Gothamist.
Trump still leads the pack, but DeSantis has company in the second tier. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty

With the 2024 Republican presidential primary revving up, public polling remains relatively sparse. But it definitely matters now. Were in the brief window when poll results are part of the Republican National Committees criteria for making the stage during the first candidate debate in Milwaukee August 23. Just as important, the polls are beginning to frame the dynamics of the race in the eyes of political media and the GOP opinion leaders, donors, and activists still mulling their preferences.

Two national polls (both from Morning Consult) and three early state polls (Fox Business polls of Iowa and South Carolina and a University of New Hampshire survey of the Granite State) have met the RNCs strict sampling requirements for debate qualification. Seven candidates (Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Chris Christie, and Mike Pence) have achieved the requisite one percent showing in two national polls and two early state polls. All but Pence have also met the RNCs required threshold for demonstrating a national donor base (40,000 donors with at least 200 of them from 20 states). The bigger question involving the debates is whether front-runner Trump will bother to show up at all.

Debates aside, polls are beginning to reinforce the widespread sense that Ron DeSantiss campaign is in trouble, though hardly terminal trouble. Hes in a squeeze between Trumps steady grip on about half the primary electorate and improved showings by a couple of the dark-horse candidates eager to replace him as the principal challenger to the 45th president.

The national polling averages from RealClearPolitics show Trump at 51 percent and DeSantis at 19.3 percent. Trump has now led the Florida governor by more than 30 points in the RCP averages since May 9. More significantly, DeSantis has lost more than a third of his support since the end of March, when he was at 30.1 percent in these averages. And while no other candidate is in immediate striking distance of DeSantis nationally, biotech entrepreneur and anti-woke agitator Vivek Ramaswamy is on the rise and is now third (just ahead of Mike Pence) with 5.9 percent in the RCP averages.

As recently as a couple of weeks ago, the DeSantis campaign was telling nervous donors and other supporters not to worry about national polls because it was totally focused on the early states that would actually shape the race. Thats why recent early-state polling should be particularly troubling to Team RDS. The new UNH survey mentioned above wasnt that bad: It showed DeSantis picking up one point since UNHs last New Hampshire poll in April, while Trump lost five points, leaving the former president up by 14 points (37 percent to 23 percent). But the rest of the field has gained ground significantly with Scott at 8 percent, Christie and Doug Burgum (who has been advertising heavily in New Hampshire) at 6 percent, and Ramaswamy and Haley at 5 percent. If, as one might expect, some of these candidates get culled by Iowa, the non-Trump, non-DeSantis vote might consolidate around a survivor or two.

But the bigger dose of bad news for DeSantis comes from those two Fox Business surveys in Iowa and South Carolina. Sparsely polled Iowa has been a source of much optimism for the Florida governors campaign. He started strong there in May with a ton of state-legislative endorsements and an unmatched dedication of resources to the kind of intensive field operation that often works well in caucus states. He has benefited from very good relations with popular and theoretically neutral Iowa governor Kim Reynolds (whom Trump criticized for not endorsing him) and with conservative Evangelical leader (and the backer of three straight caucus winners) Bob Vander Plaats. And most recently, he performed quite well at a July 14 candidate cattle call sponsored by Vander Plaatss Family Leader organization that Trump skipped and where moderator Tucker Carlson savaged some of his rivals (notably Mike Pence).

So it must have come as a double disappointment to DeSantis that the Fox Business poll showed him still trailing Trump in Iowa by 30 points (16 percent to the former presidents 46 percent) and only leading Tim Scott by five points. Scott is a particularly dangerous rival to DeSantis because his favorability ratings are typically the best in the field, and hes planning a $40 million media blitz in the early states this fall.

It was less surprising that Fox Business News showed DeSantis really slipping in South Carolina, the home base of both Scott and Nikki Haley. Hes in third place there with 13 percent (compared to 14 percent for Haley and 10 percent for Scott). All of them badly trail Trump, whos at 48 percent.

Its obviously early in this race; were still over five months away from voters voting (the Iowa caucuses are scheduled for January 14), and both the debates and Trumps legal problems create variables that are hard to predict with any great confidence. But not that long ago, DeSantis was a co-front-runner with the 45th president while the rest of the candidates had to hope for a stumble by one or both of them before they could even begin to espy viability somewhere on the horizon. At this point, Trump is the sole and dominant front-runner, and the rival hoping to displace him as the favorite Floridian of MAGA-land very clearly needs the reboot his backers have promised is on the way.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty, United States District Court Southern District of New York

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I have some questions about some group I found, Ethan Melzer wrote on Discord in February 2019. Deep into occult forums since he was a kid, Melzer was in a channel on the encrypted-messaging app looking for information on the Order of Nine Angles. Founded in the 1960s in England, the group takes an omnivorous approach to the occult and the far right, picking from the worst of Satanism, Nazism, and white nationalism. So let me get this straight, Melzer wrote to one O9A adherent. There [are] satanic nazi edgelords. O9As true size is unknown and its beliefs vary widely, but a common goal is to join a gang, terrorist plot, police force, or military unit, then stir as much chaos as possible to accelerate the fall of western civilization.

By the time he sent that message, Melzer had already signed up with the Army. To his loved ones, it looked as if the 20-year-old was finally on a path to a normal life. His baby face and pink cheeks did not tell the story of the years lost to abuse, meth addiction, and violence by his own hand. In a period he would call a total blur, he sold drugs to fund his habit and said he joined a Louisville chapter of the Bloods gang. Authorities later claimed that he shot a dealer in the arm after running off with an ounce of weed. But by late 2018, he had found stability at the federal career-training program Job Corps in rural Kentucky: early wake-up calls, cafeteria meals, a reliable dorm bed. A counselor there described him as a good kid, one that you wouldnt mind dating your daughter.

In June 2019, he reported for active duty at Fort Moore in Georgia, where he signed an enlistment statement disavowing any allegiance to extremist groups. Online, though, he was learning everything he could about O9A while vetting newcomers on Discord. Do you believe in survival of the fittest? he asked. What is fascism to you? Other extremists on Discord warned him he was playing with fire by staying in contact with O9A while in the military. Melzer didnt care. Shortly before he shipped out to a base in Italy that fall, he bought a copy of the Orders satanic bible. He smeared blood on his favorite passages and kept it throughout his deployment.

But life in active duty as a private wasnt quite what he hoped for. He socialized little and drank alone. In his second life online, he was frustrated by his lack of opportunities to act on behalf of O9A. In a conversation on how to start a race war, he wrote, Cant really do anything when Im in fucking Italy. For a while, he became too depressed to visit the extremist chats that had enticed him for the past year. Then COVID hit Northern Italy and Melzer was stuck in the barracks under lockdown, where he got sucked back into far-right chat rooms. While his platoon slept around him, he plotted its demise.

On April 21, 2020, Melzer accessed a new O9A group on the encrypted app Telegram. Its moderator was GvlagKvlt, a Canadian who said he had become radicalized after getting wounded as a paratrooper in Iraq. To join, Melzer had to prove that he was really a soldier. He sent GvlagKvlt a picture of his Army beret with his battalion insignia next to a knife, a 20-ounce can of Red Bull, a ski mask with a skull design, and his O9A manifesto.

Melzers initiation into O9A. Photo: United States District Court Southern District of New York

He was in, and over the next two weeks, Melzer downloaded snuff videos and neo-Nazi propaganda. (He was not the only active-duty member in the chat: The next month, an Ohio National Guardsman was discharged after he was found to be in the same Telegram room.) Melzer told GvlagKvlt that he hoped the chat would become an actual active nexion, their term for a group that turns talk of far-right violence into a reality. He was getting into more dangerous territory and tried to act normal on the base, knowing to be careful as fuck just because I feel like shit would be harsher considering my current circumstances.

Then on May 6, Melzer and GvlagKvlt realized they had an opportunity to pull off a surprise attack on his fellow soldiers. Melzers commanding officer informed the platoon that it would deploy in three weeks to guard a U.S. base in Turkey. The soldiers studied classified information on the bases choke points and how their unit, just under 40 men armed with M4 rifles, should respond to protests, head-on attacks, and threats from within. To game out the strategy, the soldiers practiced on a cardboard model of the terrain that Melzer helped build.

After signing a document informing him that disclosing this information would be a federal crime, Melzer passed on the details of his deployment to GvlagKvlt, who prodded him for more: Okay, how many people will be in the convoy, are you gonna be there? What will be carried  Whats the plans.

Melzer answered the questions and the plan gained traction. Are we literally organizing a jihadi attack, he asked Melzer in a direct message on May 24.

Yes probably, Melzer wrote.

Thats kinda baste, GvlagKvlt responded. He asked Melzer once more if their proposed attack on the base was real. He asked Melzer if he was ready to die.

Who gives a fuck, Melzer replied. The after effects of a convoy getting attacked would cover it  I wouldve died successfully. If they pulled it off, he saw the attack as a turning point in 21st-century history, one that would spark another 10-year war in the Middle East  one that would definitely leave a mark.

Taking on close to 40 U.S. Army soldiers trained to protect the base from internal and external threats was a tall order. At first, Melzer suggested an attack on his fellow soldiers on their way to the base but realized he would get wiped out immediately in that scenario. To get more time to prepare, Melzer floated attacking the replacement unit relieving his platoon of its duty in two-to-four months, a period during which he would look for weak points to target on the base. GvlagKvlt proposed an ambush from a nearby mountain, where their recruits to the plot could spread out and attack from high ground. Melzer believed that would leave every fire-team essentially crippled.

Now they just needed the guys to do it. GvlagKvlt gathered together four other users, including his girlfriend who went by the name Red Hourglass. Melzer hoped to boost their numbers to at least 20. Once he was in Turkey, Melzer promised to give more information via a burner cell, as their phones were taken during patrols. But the deployment scheduled for May 28 was mysteriously delayed. Melzer didnt seem worried to the other chat members. Red Hourglass asked him, What makes you think that you can actually get away with fucking with the US military.

Because I fly under the radar [and] act completely normal around other people outside and dont talk about my personal life or beliefs with anyone, he replied. Little did he know that Red Hourglass was an FBI informant.

When he was arrested on June 10, 2020, Melzer had his phone and O9A materials on him, under the impression that he was boarding a bus to deploy to Turkey. On the plane ride to Manhattan, where he was indicted, he agreed to speak to FBI agents without his attorney. At first, he denied that he was a member of O9A and dismissed the plot as the conversation of a bunch of jokers with a dark sense of humor. But he eventually admitted to sending the messages revealing security information about the base in Turkey in order to kill his fellow soldiers.

Federal prosecutors set out to frame him as the latest in a growing roll call of young soldiers whose tumble down the online hole of far-right extremism had threatened national security. They also placed Melzer within the context of past acts of violence from members of the Order of Nine Angles. Because of its cell structure and the ability for young men to radicalize themselves online, it is difficult to know who is for real and who is pretending. (For example, at various points in the plot on Telegram, Melzer claimed to have infiltrated the Bloods, an ISIS chat group, and an insufferable antifa cell in the U.S.) But in recent years, O9A materials have been found in the search history and homes of men in North America and Western Europe who were charged with terror offenses.

Melzers arrest was also representative of the FBIs heavy use of confidential sources after 9/11 to carry out sting operations against supposed terrorists. The informant, Red Hourglass, had already infiltrated the O9A group chat when Melzer entered to set up the attack on his fellow soldiers. Once the informant saw a threat emerging, she teased incriminating information out of Melzer. On May 23, Melzer sent a message to the group chat, writing that he wished to stir something up while stationed abroad. Stir something up with what? the informant replied. Melzer seemed frustrated. Ok let me be as direct as possible, he wrote. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE IN TURKEY TELL THEM THIS INFO there. The informant again pushed for more details. There is a convoy coming through Turkey soon and date and time will be given soon. Goddamn, Melzer replied.

The informant tried again days later by playing dumb. So for the sake of clarity (and because Im an idiot so I want to make sure Im not misunderstanding)  you currently stationed in Vicenza with U.S. army will be deployed to Turkey soon, she wrote. A convoy (your own convoy?) will be going through Turkey, and on Monday youll be receiving the date and time the convoy will be going through Turkey. And youre going to dm me said time and date so that I can pass it along to any jihadis in Turkey. Right? When Melzer confirmed the details, he broke the law against sharing classified information.

Mezler with O9A propaganda while serving in the Army. Photo: United States District Court Southern District of New York

Without any money for an attorney and facing a life sentence if convicted, Melzer turned to the Federal Defenders of New York, the public-defender office for people accused of federal crimes in the city. Unlike other extremist conspiracies in which FBI informants were essential to moving the plot forward, Melzers attorneys did not claim entrapment. But as his legal team was given the evidence of the chats, it saw a potential defense involving another chat member. The person who brought Melzer and others together for the suicide attack was not who he said he was either.

GvlagKvlt had never served in Iraq. In fact, he wasnt even old enough to remember the war. Documents disclosed by prosecutors showed that he was a 15-year-old living in Canada who, three months before vetting Melzer to join his Telegram channel, was arrested and hospitalized for psychiatric care.

In retrospect, there were clues to his juvenile mind-set. Throughout the chats, the teenager was frequently dropping in immature jokes about his penis and going off on immature rants:

PRAISE THE LORD OF PUSSY

ALL SEEING KING OF CUM

CUM IN YOUR MOUTH

CUM ON THE COUCH

CUM IN YOUR MOM

CUM IN YOUR BONG

HOW DO I SUMMON A CUM DEMON

With that bombshell in hand, Melzers defense strategy was clear: Raise the many flaws in the conspiracy showing that it would never have come to pass in the real world.

Aside from Melzer, the informant, and the teenager, there were three others interested in carrying out the attack. According to a source familiar with the case, one was a user named Gubaq who was involved in the later stages of planning the attack. But he was cut out from the plot after admitting that he too was a teenager. At home in South Carolina, he was pretending to be someone else.

Another was Kurt_Cobani, who was purportedly a member of a far-right Turkish nationalist group. According to boasts from the 15-year-old GvlagKvlt, he was also linked to Al Qaeda. But Melzers attorneys alleged that the prosecution provided no information to back up Kurt_Cobanis claim that he was a Turkish militant. They also noted that Kurt_Cobani refused to participate in the final conversations coordinating the attack.

The last man in the conspiracy was a user named Jaww who presented himself as a far-right agitator living in France. But he admitted to the group that he did not know anyone in Turkey aside from Kurt_Cobani. It is unclear if Kurt_Cobani and Jaww were actual threats  or even who they said they were  as that evidence is subject to a protective order.

Melzers attorneys also raised questions about his commitment to carrying out the strike. On May 29, when his platoon was sitting around waiting to go to Turkey  the deployment was delayed for the FBI to catch Melzer  he lied to his Telegram cell, saying that he left Italy and was en route to Turkey. On the flight home, Melzer told FBI agents that he had gotten scared and lied to say that the attack was in motion in an attempt to cut off contact with the cell. He was worried that the informant, the teenager, and the conspirator in Turkey were actually serious about pulling off the attack.

His attorneys pointed out other holes as well. Melzer told his co-conspirators that the unit they were attacking would only be armed with M4s, the standard-issue infantry assault rifle. Even with the surprise of an ambush, a handful of men would need to take out over three dozen soldiers trained to respond to exactly the kind of attack they were planning. And as the date of the attack drew closer, they had not convinced anyone else to join their suicide mission. Four days before Melzers arrest, the conspiracys teenage leader wrote, Other than a really basic plan of attack and a lot of info, we dont really have much else. And a plan of attack doesnt work without people to..you know, do the attack. The informant also doubted their potential, calling the team a confederacy of dunces.

Over two years of pretrial motions, Melzers attorneys tried to get documents on the informant, the teenager, and the juvenile nature of the full chats submitted as evidence. But the day after Melzers attorneys filed a motion to admit evidence revealing the young age of the mentally unstable conspiracy leader, the prosecution offered a deal. Melzer agreed to plead guilty to attempting to murder U.S. service members, providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists, and illegally transmitting national-defense information. In exchange, the maximum sentence would be reduced from life to 45 years.

It would be up to Judge Gregory Woods to decide how much time Melzer should serve behind bars. His lawyers pushed for 15 years of imprisonment followed by ten years of supervised release, arguing that Melzers age and the aspirational nature of the online plot were mitigating circumstances. They also cited his childhood of abuse and neglect, raised by a mother who was suffering from undiagnosed bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. To cope, she drank heavily  as did a number of boyfriends who abused Melzer. Things only got worse when, in middle school, he realized he was gay. The only thing I knew for sure was dont be gay, he later told a caseworker.

Melzer with his father at the job corps. Photo: United States District Court Southern District of New York

On March 3, 2023, Melzer appeared in Manhattan federal court to learn his fate. I wish I could fix what I did, he said, apologizing to his family and the men he once wanted to kill. But I cant. When it was his turn, Melzers attorney called the plot muddled and claimed that the proposed sentence was excessive, citing an eight-year sentence handed down by the same court for a man who plotted to shoot up a military recruiting station and join the Taliban.

Woods was unconvinced. Mr. Melzer now expresses remorse. I, frankly, do not believe him, he said. Melzers hands were shaking when he learned he would receive the maximum available sentence: 45 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

Melzer and his attorneys declined to speak for this story, as they intend to appeal the terms of the sentence. But Michael Sherwin, the former acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, described the sentencing as an overreach. Sherwin, who previously served in an intelligence role for U.S. Central Command, said he has doubts about just how sensitive the information was that Melzer had passed on. Ive served in Turkey. Most of these bases have thousands of foreign actors on these bases, he said. Nothing is secret. You could Google these locations.

Since he left the Justice Department two years ago, Sherwin has been a vocal critic of what he sees as overzealous prosecutors charging terror cases. As the lead prosecutor tracking Cesar Sayoc  the strip-club DJ who sent pipe bombs to Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton  he noticed some inconsistencies with that 20-year sentencing and Melzers. Melzer got 45 years in the same district in New York  the same offices where Cesar Sayoc pleaded guilty as an adult, he said. You need to step back and say to yourself, Is there equitable sentencing here? You have to look at these people; were they similarly situated? Were they treated properly and equally? That being said, no  absolutely not. The prosecution declined to comment on the case.

Earlier this year, Melzer was transferred to a medium-security facility in Indiana, where he will be until the day before Thanksgiving 2058. Those who know him say he has denounced the ideology that led him down a path of self-destruction. He has also come out of the closet to his parents. I spent my whole life as a fish out of water, and now I am comfortable in my skin, he told his caseworker. His family members, gutted by the revelation of his horrid plot, have finally accepted him. Whoever loves Ethan, I will love them too, his mother wrote to the judge. I just cant stand not having him here anymore.
The area where the murdered bodies of four young women were found in 2010 near Gilgo Beach on Long Island. Photo: John Paraskevas/Newsday via Getty Images

The Gilgo Beach serial-killer case that has haunted Long Island for more than a decade seems to have finally been solved. On July 14, a 59-year-old local architect, Rex Heuermann, was arrested and charged with murdering three women whose bodies were discovered in 2010 near Gilgo Beach along Long Islands South Shore. Heuermann, who lived in nearby Massapequa Park and ran his own firm in midtown Manhattan, is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman whose body was found near the other victims. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Below is what we know about the suspect, the case against him, and all the latest updates on this still-developing story.

Gilgo Beach investigators have identified Jane Doe No. 7

Police on Long Island have determined the identity of a woman whose partial remains were found both on Fire Island in 1996 and near Jones Beach in 2011. Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney announced on Friday that the woman who investigators had been calling Jane Doe No. 7 and Fire Island Jane Doe was Karen Vergata, who was 36 years old and is believed to have been working as an escort when she went missing in 1996.

Newsday reports police do not believe there is a link between Vergatas death and alleged Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann, according to source.

Vergata was identified using DNA evidence. No charges associated with her disappearance or death have been filed.

Infighting led to bungling of the Heuermann case

The Washington Post published an article on Tuesday detailing how years of conflict between various factions working on the Gilgo Beach killings led to a lengthy delay in solving the case:

Prosecutors believed the detectives refused to follow orders and clashed with federal partners, multiple high-level law enforcement officials familiar with the case said. Detectives, meanwhile, felt that the district attorney at the time, Tim Sini, was forcing them to investigate leads they had already ruled out while ratcheting up pressure to solve the case before his 2021 reelection bid. The tension grew so high that, at Sinis urging, the cases longtime lead detective was removed.

Somehow, as investigators fought with one another, a key piece of information in the case  a witnessess description of Heuermanns pickup truck  got lost in the shuffle, only to resurface recently.

Prosecutors say they have thousands of pages of evidence

In a 10-minute preliminary hearing on August 1, Suffolk County prosecutors stated they had amassed over 2,500 pages of documents, including autopsy reports and photos of the crime scene. They also have hundreds of hours of video recorded at Heuermanns house in Long Island and office in Manhattan.

Suffolk County district attorney Raymond Tierney and Heuermanns defense attorney, Michael Brown, agreed to a protective order that limits the release of evidence to attorneys, according to NBC News. Heuermann was in appearance for the hearing, but did not speak. The next preliminary hearing will take place on September 27.

Heuermanns wife asks for privacy

Asa Ellerup, the estranged wife of Rex Heuermann, issued a statement through her attorney on Friday asking the public for privacy in the wake of his arrest. People reported that Ellerup said she and her two adult children are enduring a profound and indescribable catastrophe. In an interview with the New York Post, Ellerup said her kids cry themselves to sleep since the arrest.

Ellerup described her family and elderly neighbors in their Massapequa Park neighborhood as having their daily lives turned upside down by the enormous police presence, in addition to the spectators, and news crews. The home itself has been torn apart by police, as shown by pictures obtained by the New York Post.

I am pleading with you all to give us space so that we may regain some normalcy in our neighborhood, the statement continued.

Many other murders of sex workers, including possible serial killings, remain unsolved

The Associated Press shines a light on the other cold cases around the country:

[T]he recent breakthrough, and the rekindling of public interest, only highlights a painful truth: Many similar cases  like the one in Atlantic City  remain open.

The FBI would not say how many killings of sex workers in the U.S. remain unsolved. Media accounts and statements from local authorities show a long trail of open cases, from nine women whose bodies were found along highways in Massachusetts, to 11 found dead in New Mexico, and eight more found amid the crawfish farms and swamps of southern Louisiana. The killings of other sex workers in Chicago, New Haven, Connecticut and Ohio, among other places, also remain mysteries.

The AP spoke to Phoenix Calida, a former sex worker who has become an advocate with the Sex Workers Outreach Project:

Police departments often refer to it as an NHI case: No humans involved, she said. You feel like the only way youll be remembered is when they catch the serial killer who killed you, and then theyll make five movies about him and no one will remember your name. 

Three of her friends who were also sex workers in Chicago also turned up dead.

You see someone, you become friends with them and then one day theyre suddenly just not there, she said. Wed all go out asking around and looking for them, and then a few days later a body would be found. Theres always this specific fear that its a serial killer. Sometimes we never even get a body back to bury. And we wonder: Will law enforcement take it seriously because its just another sex worker?

No link to Atlantic City cold case

The alleged Gilgo Beach killer is not a suspect in the 2006 Black Horse Pike murders, as some have speculated, according to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison. We dont believe that the sex workers killed in Atlantic City are connected to Rex Heuermann, Harrison told the New York Post on Friday.

The murderabilia market

News 12 reports that items associated with the alleged killer, like his 1977 junior-high-school yearbook, are already being listed for sale online. Ive been dealing with the murderabilia industry for over 20-some odd years and one thing Ive learned is that when who is attached or charged with serial killings, items will be put up for sale, explained Crime Stoppers director of victim services Andy Kahan, who works to stop the practice.

Former classmates of Rex Heuermann speak out

Several people who went to school with Rex Heuermann spoke to the New York Times about their memories of him. In their accounts, Heuermann is portrayed as a loner who was bullied at times.

When I heard they arrested him, I was not surprised at all, said Don Ophals, a healthcare executive who attended Berner High School with Heuermann from kindergarten through the end of high school. Heuermann attended Berner High School in the 1980s, which now serves as a middle school in the Massapequa school district.

Ophals continued, He was a recluse, very quiet. You just saw him as a guy by himself. He barely spoke.

Actor Billy Baldwin, who attended the school along with his three famous brothers, expressed surprise at Heuermanns arrest, saying he didnt think he was so weird, so creepy or so unusual that it would lead to something like this.

John Parisi told the Times that Heuermann was everybodys punching bag, but that as he grew taller in high school, he became more intimidating.

I was really scared of him. He was the type of guy if he snapped he could really hurt you, he said. He was disillusioned and he was misguided. You had to be very careful.

More women have come forward with stories about meeting Heuermann

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon told WCBS that additional women have come forward to the authorities with their own stories of alleged interactions with Rex Heuermann as they worked as sex workers. Their accounts will be investigated for any potential leads.

My staff is really going to vet these additional females to see if they actually did come in contact with him and then see what that contact was and see if that can lead us in any other possible direction, he said.

Suffolk County District Attorney will lead prosecution

In an unusual move, Ray Tierney, the Suffolk County district attorney, will lead the team that will prosecute Heuermann, his office said Wednesday.

Tierney will be the lead prosecutor in the case against Rex Heuermann. He intends to prosecute this case fully and bring justice to the victims of this alleged serial killer, spokeswoman Tania Lopez said in a statement.

Tierney previously served as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, but he has not personally prosecuted a case since he took office in January 2022. Newsday noted that hes already taken a hands-on role in the case by presenting evidence to the grand jury that indicted Heuermann and leading the prosecution at the defendants July 14 arraignment.

Town may buy Heuermanns home

With throngs of people descending on Heuermanns home, Massapequa Park Mayor Daniel Pearl said neighbors have a lot of concerns in terms of quality of life, their safety and their property, according to Newsday.

At a community meeting on Monday night, Pearl said Nassau County Police have committed to adding video surveillance and additional patrols to ease neighbors concerns. He said the town is also looking into the possibility of buying the property.

Legally were getting everything lined up so the village is prepared to move forward when the time comes, he said.

What it was like to work with Heuermann

In a piece written for New York, Mary Shell describes her experience working at the suspects architecture firm, RH Consultants:

He famously loved guns, and we all knew that he was a collector. He would frequently invite colleagues to go hunting or shooting at the range, including one of my attractive co-workers that he seemed to mention the idea to every time they spoke. She never accepted the offer, confiding in me it sounded dangerous and creepy. My former colleagues described how he gushed about his bear-hunting trips in particular: baiting an area and lying in wait. More than once, he gleefully described the process of dressing the game, seeming to delight in grossing his employees out. Once, at a job site, he spotted a client approaching and, speaking to my boss over the phone, said, Target in sight. Around this time, authorities say, he made another call  the first of several  to taunt the family of his latest alleged victim, Melissa Barthelemy.

Read the full piece here.

Police say gawkers outside Heuermanns home may be fined

Nassau County police are warning that anyone blocking traffic outside Heuermanns Massapequa Park home will be issued a $150 summons.

Basically you cant stop and impede traffic, a police spokesman told the New York Daily News on Tuesday. Youre supposed to know that when you get your learners permit. Theyre going be erecting signs all around the block [that say] no stopping, no standing, no parking.

He also warned journalists to stop taking photos of the home, though as the Daily News noted, its unclear what authority cops would have to block journalists First Amendment rights.

Suffolk County DA details findings from Heuermanns house

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney confirmed that a search of Rex Heuermanns home has been completed for all intents and purposes and that personnel will be leaving the property soon.

Tierney described the home as cluttered and said that investigators retrieved a massive amount of evidence that needs to be analyzed, a process that could take a significant amount of time. Among the items taken from the home are approximately 279 weapons.

We wont know exactly what we have for quite some time, just given the sheer volume of evidence that was taken, he said.

The search team made use of an excavator to dig through the houses backyard in search for evidence. Though a system sensed some objects underneath the dirt, Tierney said that nothing of note was discovered in the yard. The question of whether any of the killings took place in Heuermanns home remains unanswered.

Evidence does not point either one way or the other, Tierney said on that point.

Tierney also said that Heuermanns DNA hasnt been entered into any national crime database because he has yet to be convicted of a crime. Additional investigations are still ongoing into Heuermanns ties in other states including South Carolina and Nevada. When asked about the South Carolina inquiry, Tierney gave no comment, saying it wasnt his jurisdiction.

The district attorney also confirmed that Heuermann is due back in court on August 1, which he expects to be a typical court conference where discovery will be discussed.

Investigators wrapping up search of Heuermanns home

The search of Rex Heuermanns Massapequa Park home will likely be finished by the end of the week, WABC reports. It could end as early as Tuesday, which will mark the 12th day that investigators have combed the house. The overall investigation into Heuermann and any potential links he might have to other crimes is still ongoing.

Though examiners will be leaving the site, there will still be a law-enforcement presence in the area due to the homes new notoriety.

Were putting cameras on the block. Were going to have enforcement out there, vehicle and traffic enforcement, and were going to make sure that were not going to turn this into some kind of sideshow, Nassau County police commissioner Patrick Ryder told the media Monday.

CBS New York reports that county officials will be placing No Standing signs outside the Heuermann property and will issue $150 summons to drivers who loiter in the road to view the home.

Cops are digging up the backyard; new details emerge about room built in basement

Investigators began using police dogs, ground-penetrating radar, and an excavator at Heuermanns Massapequa Park home on Sunday. The Associated Press reports:

A yellow excavator that had been seen scooping dirt in the backyard Sunday was still at the house Monday morning. In Associated Press drone footage, a man could also be seen operating a piece of equipment that can be used to scan for buried objects.

Over the weekend, police dismantled a wooden deck at the house. They yelled lift and brought it up in one big piece, as if it was a cover, a neighbor, Barry Auslander told the AP. The porch has been replaced by a white tent, with a state medical examiners truck parked nearby. Investigators with shovels could be seen scraping through the freshly upturned earth in Heuermanns yard.

Suffolk police commissioner Rodney Harrison told News 12 Long Island that investigators did take several items from Heuermanns home over the course of their search of the premises.

Though there is speculation that some or all of the murders may have taken place in the home, Harrison said he could not confirm if any of the victims had ever visited. The search of Heuermanns home still continues.

We are doing a total investigation around the house to see if there is anything out there that we need to take a closer look at, he said.

The New York Post has reported that a room in Heuermanns basement may have been soundproof, but speculated that it may be the same vault that police have said the alleged killer kept his enormous collection of firearms in. Harrison supported this observation, saying that no soundproof room was found.

One of Heuermanns former co-workers told the Post that the architect took time off to install the concrete-lined room:

Its not just a hidden room  its a serious vault. It had a huge, heavy-duty safe door. He went and poured new concrete walls, massive amount of concrete to encase this room. It was maybe 2 or 3 feet thick.

I mean come on, why didnt they use that?

Dave Schaller, who was Amber Costellos roommate at the time of her 2010 disappearance  as well as the witness who provided police with a description of the suspected killer and his SUV  offered his side of the story to the Associated Press:

The man they were looking for was a towering, Frankenstein-like figure with an empty gaze who drove a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, Schaller recalled telling investigators. The mans size stuck out, as did his unusual pick-up truck, which hed used to flee the house Schaller shared with [Costello].

On that night, Schaller said he came home to find the stranger threatening Costello, an occasional sex worker, who had locked herself in the bathroom. The two men came to blows, with the hulking intruder eventually leaving in the truck. 

When they told me she was dead, he was the first person who jumped in my head, Schaller told The Associated Press. Ive been picturing his face for 13 years.

Schaller also shared his frustration over the fact that his testimony was somehow overlooked and filed away for years until a new task force reexamined the case  and stressed that he had met with investigators multiple times:

Speaking out for the first time since the arrest, he said he had met with homicide detectives on multiple occasions during the initial years of the investigation. During one of their final meetings, roughly two years after the women went missing, he said he picked the trucks model out of a line-up of photographs provided by the detectives.

I gave them the exact description of the truck and the dude, he said. I mean come on, why didnt they use that?

Gawkers are flocking to Heuermanns house

The New York Times reports on Long Islands new macabre tourist attraction:

Some bike over or walk the dog from nearby blocks; some trek from distant towns or other states. Once-near-empty streets are lined with cars from sunup to sundown, parked by true-crime addicts, serial killer aficionados and some people obsessed specifically with the Gilgo Beach murders.

Its part of history, said Lidia Feldman, 26, who lives several towns away. Her 2-year-old daughter cheerfully rode her plastic toy car into the yellow crime-scene tape. It sends chills down your spine, said Ms. Feldman.

Police reportedly believe at least one of the murders happened inside the home

News 12 Long Island reported Thursday that multiple sources had told the outlet that investigators believe one or more of the Gilgo Beach murders took place at the Massapequa Park home of suspect Rex Heuermann.

Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney quickly pushed back on that speculation:

At the time of the arrest, we indicated the causes of death were homicidal violence; the locations of the murders were never specified. At this juncture, if any law-enforcement officials are saying anything contrary to that, they do not know what they are talking about.

Investigation extends to four states

In addition to New York, authorities are looking into whether Heuermann might have committed crimes in at least three other states  though much of that work seems to be due diligence at this time. Suffolk County police said Thursday that departments across the country are reviewing their unsolved murder cases to see if any might be linked to the alleged killer, whose DNA has been added to a national law-enforcement database.

South Carolina

Authorities have conducted searches at South Carolina properties owned by Heuermann, according to WHNS, a local news affiliate. Fox News Digital captured video footage of a truck being towed from one. The vehicle is believed to be a Chevy Avalanche, the same model of truck that has been linked to the case. Heuermanns brother, Craig, reportedly also owns property nearby.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office, whose jurisdiction covers the properties, confirmed in a statement that it had been enlisted by the task force investigating the Gilgo Beach murders to assist in gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office has and will continue to work closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Suffolk County law enforcement authorities during this very important and arduous investigation, it read.

South Carolina police are also investigating whether Heuermann might have been involved in the disappearance of an 18-year-old woman who went missing some 20 miles from properties linked to him, but a local police official stressed to ABC News that so far, there is no indication that leads us to identify Heuermann as a suspect in this case.

Nevada

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Heuermann owned a time-share in Las Vegas. We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Tuesday.

New Jersey

Suffolk County police said Thursday that authorities in Atlantic City are among those reviewing their case files in the aftermath of Heuermanns arrest. In 2006, the bodies of four women who had been sex workers were discovered in a roadside ditch in Egg Harbor Township. The still-unsolved Black Horse Pike murders are believed to be the work of an as-yet-unidentified serial killer, but police have not indicated any link to the alleged Gilgo Beach killer.

There were some murders a couple years ago that were similar, or something where it had to do with sex workers; we had to take a closer look and see if it was similar to the Gilgo Beach murders, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison told ABC 7 on Thursday. What Im being told is its not a connection, but we want to revisit that investigation as well.

The Atlantic City prosecutors office said in a statement:

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.

Investigators originally overlooked key evidence

The New York Times has published an expanded account of how Suffolk County police, armed with new technology and new perspectives, finally identified the suspected killer, Rex Heuermann, more than a decade after the bodies of his alleged victims had been found. The report offers more details about how police overlooked a critical piece of evidence: a witnesss description of the vehicle driven by a would-be client of victim Amber Costello shortly before she disappeared.

The description of the vehicle in the driveway, a dark, first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, ended up tucked away in the case file, the authorities said. The fact apparently lay buried for years among hundreds of thousands of pages of interviews; telephone, travel and credit records; and endless tips as the Suffolk County police department and district attorneys office endured years of turmoil.

James Burke, the swaggering police chief who had been running the department since 2012, was arrested in 2015 and later convicted on federal civil rights and obstruction of justice charges. He had beaten a suspect who had been arrested after stealing cigars and a bag containing pornography and sex toys from Mr. Burkes sport utility vehicle. The subsequent cover-up ensnared the district attorney at the time, Thomas J. Spota, who also landed in prison. The federal investigation into Suffolk Countys top lawmen spanned years during the Gilgo Beach case, a period during which both Mr. Burke and Mr. Spota had spurned help from the F.B.I.

After Suffolk Countys next police chief, Tim Sini, redoubled the departments efforts to solve the case, it was able to use cell-phone data as well as more advanced technology and software to determine that many of the evening calls linked to the victims had come from somewhere inside an area of several hundred homes in Massapequa Park. Police called this area the polygon and surmised that it was likely where the killer lived. Daytime cell-phone data was used to identify a second key area in midtown Manhattan, which was likely where the killer worked.

Years later, when a new task force was formed to reexamine the case, in 2022, someone unearthed the description of the vehicle. Investigators then did a database search, which revealed that the same year the last victim went missing, a dark, first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche was linked to Heuermann  who, as it turned out, lived inside the polygon, worked in midtown Manhattan, and matched the physical description witnesses had given to police of the would-be client who parked an Avalanche outside Costellos home.

No one the Times spoke with who had worked on the case knew how the vehicle description was overlooked:

If they knew about it then, a major mistake was made in not tracking down this car earlier, said Rob Trotta, a former Suffolk County detective and a current county legislator, who said he expects to make an official inquiry into what happened.

Dominick Varrone, the former chief of detectives who oversaw the first year of the investigation, questioned whether the Avalanche clue had actually been in the case file, but added, I will feel very, very badly if our team missed something.

Ill tell you right now: No suspect vehicle was on our radar when I was still there, he added.

Suspects wife files for divorce

Asa Ellerup, the longtime wife of Rex Heuermann, has filed for divorce, according to court filings first reported by The Daily Beast. The divorce filing is listed as uncontested. Not much is known about Ellerup, beyond the fact that the 59-year-old seemed to lead a reclusive life with her two children and that she was reportedly out of town when her husband was alleged to have murdered his victims. Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison said on Wednesday that Ellerup was shocked and disgusted after learning about the allegations against her husband.

When we told the wife, she was shocked, she was embarrassed, Harrison told Fox 5 New York. But there was a point where we showed her certain pictures and she said, Okay, it is what it is.

Ellerups lawyers, Macedonio & Duncan, LLP, said in a statement on Friday that she and her family are going through a devastating time in their lives and that she is requesting privacy and will not be commenting on Heuermanns case.

The sensitive nature of her husbands arrest is taking an emotional toll on the immediate and extended family, especially their elderly family members, the firm said.

Heuermanns lawyer says his client is traumatized by arrest

Michael Brown, the attorney representing Rex Heuermann in the Gilgo Beach case, told ABC News that his client appeared traumatized at his arraignment hearing where he entered a not-guilty plea. Brown, who described Heuermann as soft-spoken, said the case will be difficult to try because of its high-profile nature, opining that his client has been convicted in the media already.

When you have a high-profile case like this, initially you have to be concerned about getting a jury that hasnt been biased, that hasnt convicted him just based on what theyve read in the newspapers and what theyve heard on social media. So thats going to be a challenge, he told the outlet.

Brown said he is building his legal team for the proceedings and awaiting the discovery process.

Woman details unsettling past date with alleged killer

Nicole Brass, 34, spoke to the New York Daily News about an encounter she says she had with Heuermann in her former life as an escort.

Brass recalls that Heuermann first wanted to meet her in a hotel room near Massapequa Park, where he lives, but she was uncomfortable with that idea. She asked to meet instead at a seafood restaurant called Steam Room in Port Jefferson. During their dinner, Brass remembered Heuermann seeming totally normal until he brought up the Gilgo Beach murders and his demeanor changed.

When he spoke, something about his body language changed, the look in his eyes changed, and it seemed like talking about the victims was enjoyable for him, Brass said.

She said his tone while discussing the murders made her think he was visualizing it in his head and getting off to what he was saying.

The way he talked about it was really weird, and it gave me the worst gut feeling. I was so scared at the end of it, Brass said. I didnt try to keep the dinner going long after that.

She told Francis Donoghue, a friend of her fiances, about the meeting years later. He also spoke to the News.

I remember a few years ago when I met her, she told me about that, Donoghue said. She was certain, and she even showed me a picture of him, he told the outlet.

Officials shed light on why Heuermann wasnt arrested outside his home

Authorities took Rex Heuermann into custody last week in Manhattan, a choice that took on new significance after the discovery of hundreds of firearms in his Long Island home. In an interview with ABC News, Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney said the weapons were the deciding factor in law enforcements decision to arrest him elsewhere.

We wanted to take him into custody somewhere outside the house because of access to those weapons, he said.

Heuermanns wife likely did not know about his crimes

Court documents suggest that Rex Heuermann likely kept his actions from his family. Analysis of phone records shows that Heuermanns wife, Asa Ellerup, was out of town during the periods in 2009 and 2010 when Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello went missing. Though Heuermann is also a suspect in the 2007 death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, phone records from that era are no longer accessible.

In an interview with CNN, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison said Heuermanns family was stunned when they were told of his alleged crimes.

They were disgusted. They were embarrassed, he said. So if you ask me, I dont believe they knew about this double life that Heuermann was living.

Heuermanns family was reclusive, per neighbors

Residents in Rex Heuermanns neighborhood are starting to paint a picture of the suspects life in Massapequa Park, where he lived with his wife, Asa Ellerup, and their two children. Heuermann had been married to another woman in the 1990s.

The New York Post reports that Heuermanns daughter, Victoria, is an employee at his architecture firm, though a page that included the companys staff has been scrubbed from its website. Not much is known about Heuermanns other child, a stepson whom a neighbor described to CBS News as having special needs.

Ellerup shopped at the IGA grocery store with the children every week for decades. Heuermann never joined them. Mery Salmeri, a store manager, told the New York Times that Ellerup generally looked depressed and that the family often paid with food stamps, which is uncommon for that area. The use of food stamps also seems at odds with Heuermanns career as an architect with a midtown Manhattan office.

The familys neighbors describe the family as solitary and rarely interacting with anyone on their block or having visitors to their home. The house they lived in was not well maintained, and one neighbor said Ellerup often looked like she just rolled out of bed.

Authorities load a copy machine into a New York State Police truck on July 15 outside 385 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, the building where Rex Heuermann, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, worked. Photo: Craig Schneider/Newsday via Getty Images

Investigators face a flood of evidence

Right now, we have a flood of information and a flood of evidence coming in, and its going to take us a while to sort of go through all of that, Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney told CNN on Monday.

On Sunday and Monday, police searched and removed items from storage units that Rex Heuermann apparently rented at two facilities in Amityville. They also removed evidence from Heuermanns architectural-firm offices in midtown Manhattan over the weekend and have continued to confiscate items from his Long Island home. CNN reports that, according to a source, the search of his house in Massapequa Park has largely been focused on forensics, but authorities are also looking for items that could be souvenirs from the killings  things that appear to be hidden or kept in such a way other family members would not have come across them.

Among the items recovered from Heuermanns residence, which Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison has described as a very cluttered house, were between 200 and 300 firearms  including pistols, revolvers, and semi-automatic rifles  that Heuermann kept in a vault in his basement. Though he was apparently an avid hunter, he had legal permits for only 92 of the firearms. Its concerning, regarding the guns being registered or legal or not, Harrison told Fox News on Monday. Thats something were still taking a look at. Anytime somebody has that type of arsenal, we have some concerns.

Police have also been seen removing what the New York Post describes as dozens of bizarre items from the home, including a child-sized, fair-haired doll kept in a large wooden and glass case  that was not found in Heuermanns childrens rooms.

After his arrest, alleged killer reportedly asked, Is it in the news?

CNN reports that, according to a source familiar with the case, Heuermann had only one question during intake at the jail after being arrested last week  which was Is it in the news?

The alleged serial killer, who is being held without bail, was put on suicide watch on the advice of medical staff after he was taken to jail.

Criminologists 2011 profile of then-unknown serial killer wasnt far off

The New York Times revisited what several experts and criminologists said in 2011 when the publication asked them to profile the person who had murdered the Gilgo Four:

[The women] were probably killed by a white man in his mid-20s to mid-40s, they said. He is married or has a girlfriend. He is well educated and well spoken. He is financially secure, has a job, owns an expensive car or truck, and lives or used to live near where the bodies were found.

On Friday, details began emerging about Rex Heuermann, who was arrested and charged with murder in the killings of three of the women. Prosecutors said he was the prime suspect in the death of the fourth woman. Mr. Heuermann, 59, is a married white man who works as an architect in Manhattan and lives in Massapequa Park, about 15 miles from Gilgo Beach. He owned a Chevrolet Avalanche truck at the time of the killings, prosecutors said.

Rex Heuermanns mugshot

A mugshot of the suspected killer was released by law enforcement following his Thursday arrest:

New mugshot of A demon charged with three murders and a prime suspect in a fourth in the notorious Gilgo Beach Murders. Rex Heuermann says he is innocent. pic.twitter.com/BXKRVjmAmf  Carolyn Gusoff (@GusoffTV) July 14, 2023

What Heuermanns lawyer has said

Defense attorney Michael Brown told reporters on Friday that, after he was arrested, Heuermann broke down in tears in front of his lawyers and said, I didnt do this. Brown has also released a statement to the media emphasizing his clients spotless record:

Rex Heuermann is 59 years old with no prior criminal history. He is a college graduate and is a hardworking licensed architect who has his own NYC firm. He is a loving husband to his wife of over 25 years and an involved and dedicated father to his daughter and stepson. He has entered a not-guilty plea and has insisted he did not commit these crimes. There is nothing about Mr. Heuermann that would suggest that he is involved in these incidents. And while the government has decided to focus on him despite more significant and stronger leads, we are looking forward to defending him in a court of law before a fair and impartial jury of his peers.

Among the gawkers outside suspects house: Rudy Giuliani

The former mayor swung by Rex Heuermanns residence in Massapequa Park on Saturday and reportedly asked one of the cops there how close he could get to the house. His spokesperson later told the New York Post that Giuliani was on scene to cover this heinous crime as part of his hit new livestream show.

What about the other bodies?

Although the cold cases of the so-called Gilgo Four now appear to have been solved, law-enforcement officials on Friday shared no additional details about the status of the investigations regarding the seven other people whose remains had been found around Gilgo Beach since 2010. There was also no indication that investigators believe Heuermann was involved in those deaths.

Instead, the officials who spoke at Fridays press conference indicated only that their investigations into the other cases are still ongoing. Even with this arrest, were not done. Theres more work to do in this investigation regarding the other victims, of the Gilgo Beach bodies that were discovered, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison said. He urged anyone with information to call 1-800-220-TIPS, the countys Crime Stoppers hotline.

Suffolk County DA: This case is not over

At a press conference regarding the arrest, Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney vowed that the case against Heuermann was only beginning and that were continuing to execute search warrants, and we anticipate getting more evidence.

Tierney also thanked the various law-enforcement partners in the task force that ultimately cracked the case, mentioning in particular how they continued to keep details of the investigation secret because they knew the suspected killer was himself closely following news about the case. We knew that this one person would be watching, and we didnt want to give him any insight into what we were doing, Tierney said. And we also didnt want him to know just how close we were getting.

In his comments on the arrest, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison emphasized that Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us. A predator that ruined families. If not for the members of this task force, he would still be out on the streets today.

Video exclusively obtained by NBC New York shows the moments before the man accused in the murders of three Gilgo Beach victims was taken into custody by law enforcement in New York Cityhttps://t.co/ESYjpFDxKd  NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) July 15, 2023

Cell-phone data  which proved critical to tracking Heuermann down  paints a chilling, detailed portrait

According to court documents made public on Friday, Rex Heuermann faces both first- and second-degree murder charges over the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, and Megan Waterman in 2009 and 2010. He is also the prime suspect in the 2007 murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women were described in the documents as sex workers who had contact shortly before their disappearances with a person using a burner cellphone and were found in close proximity to one another, similarly positioned and bound.

After a new push to review evidence from the case last year, investigators were able to zero in on Heuermann as the main suspect after finding a vehicle an eyewitness had seen at the home of one of the victims the day before her disappearance. The first-generation black Chevrolet Avalanche had been registered at the time of the murders to a Long Island resident who matched the physical description a witness had given of a man seen at that same victims home attempting to solicit her.

Investigators then subpoenaed cell-phone data allowing them to link the man to calls made to and from the victims phones near both Heuermanns home in Massapequa Park and his office in midtown Manhattan. The womens own phones provided ominous clues to their fate  a final cell-tower ping near Heuermanns residence, a voice-mail check by the expressway, and taunting calls to one victims family members using her own phone from near Heuermanns office. Heres how the bail application filed Friday by prosecutors details the cell-phone data related to victim Melissa Barthelemy:

On July 3, 2009, Ms. Barthelemy was contacted by a burner cellphone. Thereafter, the Barthelemy Cellphone was contacted by this burner cellphone on July 6, July 9, and July 10, 2009, which was the last day she was seen alive. On July 10, 2009, cell site records indicate the burner cellphone traveled from Massapequa Park to Midtown Manhattan. Later that evening, the Barthelemy Cellphone traveled from Midtown Manhattan to Massapequa with the last cell site location being in Massapequa on July 11, 2009, at approximately 1:43 a.m. On July 11, 2009, Ms. Barthelemys cellphone was used to make an outbound call checking her voicemail from a cell site location in Freeport. On July 11 and July 12, 2009, the Barthelemy Phone made two more outbound calls checking her voicemail from cell site locations in Babylon. On July 17, July 23, August 5, August 19, and August 26, 2009, the Barthelemy Phone made taunting phone calls to Ms. Barthelemys family members, some of which resulted in a conversation between the caller, who was a male, and a relative of Melissa Barthelemy, in which the male caller admitted killing and sexually assaulting Ms. Barthelemy  the cell site locations of the Barthelemy Phone during these taunting calls were all in Midtown Manhattan.

Do you think youll ever speak to her again? the caller asked Barthelemys teenage sister in a bland, calm voice during one of those calls in July 2009, according to the New York Times, and when she told the caller that she hoped to talk to her sister again, he replied that he had killed her after having sex with her, then hung up.

Investigators said in their court filing that Google data revealed Heuermann had repeatedly sought news about the case, such as searches for why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer? and articles including 8 Terrifying Active Serial Killers (We Cant Find). He allegedly sought out podcasts about the murders as well as photos of the victims families. Prosecutors have evidence that the alleged killer conducted thousands of searches related to sex workers; sadistic, torture-related pornography; and child pornography  including porn involving 10- to 13-year-old girls.

With Heuermann in their sights, investigators sought a DNA sample from his trash  eventually recovering the crust in a pizza box he threw away in Manhattan and then comparing the DNA found on it to the DNA from a piece of hair recovered on one of the victims bodies.

The Long Island serial killer suspect was in part identified "by DNA left on pizza crust he threw out in a Manhattan trash can," omghttps://t.co/D7uNO2Z7ia pic.twitter.com/bphBUZGDOV  sarah emerson (@SarahNEmerson) July 14, 2023

Who is the suspect, Rex Heuermann?

Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested in midtown Manhattan on Thursday night. He is a married father of two who lived with his family in Massapequa Park on Long Island.

First look at Gilgo Murders suspect Rex Heuermann as he is led to court from the Suffolk police 7th precinct. Charges to be made public shortly pic.twitter.com/BmysKoGzEy  GREG CERGOL4NY (@GREGCERGOL4NY) July 14, 2023

Heuermann, an architect, is the founder of RH Consultants & Associates, Inc., a Manhattan-based architectural firm that has worked with city agencies and other clients such as Catholic Charities and American Airlines. A 2022 interview with Heuermann about his life and experiences as an architect can be found on YouTube. In the clip, he describes himself as someone born and raised on Long Island who has been working as an architect in Manhattan since 1987.

PIX11 News spoke to Damien Richards, an employee of Heuermanns who was hired in 2020; he was taken aback by the news that his boss had been arrested in connection with the brutal crimes.

For decades, Long Islanders have lived in fear of the Gilgo Beach killer. Today, thanks to the hard work of @nyspolice & local law enforcement, a suspect is in custody.



This is a remarkable day for the victims' families & all New Yorkers who can sleep a little easier tonight.  Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 14, 2023

Shocked. Shocked. Total shock. At first, the shock of hearing of this, then obviously the next thing comes to my mind, what happens to my job and my family? Richards told the network. Of his bosss personal nature, he added, Ive never witnessed him be violent  but [he] gets aggravated. This industry is a roller-coaster ride.

Members of law enforcement search Oak Beach in 2011. Photo: Andrew Gombert/EPA/Shutterstock

How the case began

In 2010, authorities were searching for Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old New Jersey woman who had gone missing on Long Island, when they discovered the bodies of four women in burlap sacks 500 feet from one another near a parkway by Gilgo Beach on Jones Beach Island, a barrier island on the South Shore. All four of the women  Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Amber Lynn Costello, 27; and Megan Waterman, 22  were later determined to have been strangled to death.

Gilberts body was eventually found in 2011, as were the remains of another four people across the remote area between 2010 and 2011  including two more women, a man, and a female toddler. Its still not clear if or how some or all of those cases may be linked, but police have long believed that some were the work of a single serial killer.

Gilberts death, which was never ruled a homicide, was later deemed by law enforcement to be unconnected to the murders of the so-called Gilgo Four, though Gilberts family members continue to believe the cases are connected. At the time of their deaths, all five women were working as sex workers and advertised escort services on Craigslist.

In 2011, New York spoke with relatives of the five women about their quest to find justice for their loved ones:

[Maureen Brainard-Barness sister Melissa] Cann says the police have failed to take her sisters case seriously, beginning with the first officer she spoke to. Soon as I told him what she was doing up in Manhattan, it was like he didnt care. She speaks of the fruitless trips her husband and brother took to New York to try to find Maureen themselves, the two and a half years it took even to get Maureens name onto the national registry of missing persons. She tells me she got her sisters e-mails, texts, and phone records herself, trying to retrace Maureens steps. Ive been driving myself crazy for four years trying to figure out what happened to my sister, she says. I drove myself to the point where I didnt want to get up in the morning to brush my teeth. I didnt want to go to sleep. I just wanted to figure out where my sister was. I got fired from my job. I was like, I can find another job, but I cant find another sister. Going on with my life felt guilty.

This post has been updated.

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A suspect was arrested in Georgia Monday morning after an Opelika shooting on Young Street left a man dead Sunday night, authorities said.

Edward Andrew Crabb, 56, of Opelika, was arrested in Clayton County and charged with murder. He will be extradited back to Lee County to face charges, according to a news release from the Opelika Police Department.

Officers responded to the 1800 Block of Young Street around 7:25 p.m. Sunday to investigate a report of an assault.

On the scene, they found a man suffering from a single gunshot wound. First responders attempted to save him, but he died at the scene. The victims name has yet to be released.

After an initial investigation, officers identified Crabb as a suspect. He was arrested in Clayton County with some help from the Clayton County Sheriffs Office.

No additional details were immediately released. Opelika police continue to investigate the case.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.
TEHRAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Intelligence Ministry said on Monday that it has arrested members of an extensive Israeli-linked "terrorist" network planning "large-scale acts of sabotage and terror" in Iranian provinces.

The network's members, who were connected to and sponsored by the Israeli intelligence service Mossad through "terrorist centers" in Denmark and the Netherlands, planned to carry out "terror operations" in the provinces of Tehran, Kerman, Isfahan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Kurdestan, and Mazandaran, the ministry said in a statement published on its website.

The planned "terrorist" operations include launching bomb attacks on the grave of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and exploding electricity posts and gas compressor stations to disrupt domestic supply and exports, according to the statement.

The ministry said it also seized 43 highly destructive bombs, large amounts of ammunition, chemical and industrial materials used to make explosives, electronic kits, several M1911 pistols, hunting shotguns and numerous cold weapons.

The network's crime records show a series of "terrorist" operations such as throwing Molotov cocktails at state buildings, attacking bases belonging to Iran's Basij voluntary force and arson, it added. 
OSHA Determines Maersk Line Limited Violated Seamans Protection Act

The Virginia-based company retaliated against a seaman who reported safety concerns.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has found one of the worlds largest marine cargo services companies in violation of the Seamans Protection Act.

In a release dated July 20, OSHA revealed findings of a whistleblower investigation, which determined Maersk Line Limited had retaliated against an employee. The worker had reported several safety concerns regarding one of the companys vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). These included improperly working lifeboat gear, leaks, flooding and rusted and broken deck sockets. He was suspended in December 2020 shortly thereafter and terminated in March 2021.

Maersk Line claims the employee was terminated because he failed to notify the company prior to reporting the safety concerns to authorities. However, this action is protected at any time under the Seamans Protection Act. The law states a person may not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees who report potential violations of maritime safety law or other regulations to the Coast Guard or other appropriate Federal agency or department.

Following its investigation, OSHA directed Maersk Line to reinstate the employee and pay $457,759 in back wages, interest, compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages. The company must also amend its policy to specifically allow seamen to contact the USCG or other relevant authorities prior to informing the company itself of potential violations.

Federal law protects a seaman's right to report safety concerns to federal regulatory agencies, a fact every maritime industry employer and vessel owner must know, OSHA Regional Administrator Eric S. Harbin in Dallas said in a statement. Failure to recognize these rights can instill a culture of intimidation that could lead to disastrous or deadly consequences. The order underscores our commitment to enforcing whistleblower rights that protect seamen.
OSHA Discovered Multiple Safety Hazards at Sanimax USAs Wisconsin Plant

The company faces nearly $300,000 in proposed penalties.

Sanimax USA LLC faced OSHA violations in 2019 and 2022. Now OSHA has found similar issues during a 2023 inspection.

In a release dated July 20, OSHA announced its findings after a visit to the Sanimax rendering plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin, uncovered safety hazards. These included broken guardrails, electrical hazards, unguarded production equipment, unguarded or unlabeled hot steam and process pipes and explosion hazards such as the build-up of combustible dust.

The inspection followed an incident in January 2023 that left an employee with severe burns after a pump seal released steam and hot oil during an effort to clear blocked pumps and piping. OSHA expanded the inspection under its Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for food manufacturing in Wisconsin, effective April 2022. In the end, OSHA proposed $296,668 in penalty fines for the citations, which includes three repeat and 10 serious violations.

In the past five years, OSHA has cited Sanimax for violations like those found in this investigation. The company is well aware of the need to guard equipment and keep surfaces free of liquids that can create slip and fall hazards, Robert BonackOSHA Area Director in Appleton, Wisconsinsaid in a statement. Failing to heed previous OSHA citations and correct deficiencies puts employees at risk. Employers can prevent injuries by following required safety procedures and by training workers to recognize and mitigate hazards.

Sanimax specializes in transforming organic materials into industrial manufacturing ingredients. In addition to Green Bay, the company also has facilities in DeForest, Wisconsin and St. Paul, Minnesota. Sanimax has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest its findings.
China is investing record amounts of money into renewable energy sources, but it continues to rely heavily on coal to cope with rising power demand.

During the first half of this year, coal production, coal imports, and coal-fired electricity generation jumped and offset a significant decline in power output at Chinas massive hydropower capacity due to insufficient rainfall and drought.

China is the global leader in renewable energy spending, but its also one of just a few major economies still approving and building coal-fired capacity. Energy security and the need for stable power generation during peak demand to back the growing economy and supply stability precede concerns about emissions.

China has already reached its goal to have more non-fossil fuel installed electricity capacity than fossil fuels earlier than planned, with 50.9% of its power capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources. Back in 2021, the Chinese authorities said they would target renewables to outpace fossil fuel-installed capacity by 2025.

China is globally unmatched in renewable energy spending, investing in raising its solar and wind power capacity.

So far this year, renewables have helped to partially offset the crippled supply from hydropower generation, but coal has saved the day.

Chinas total power generation rose by 205 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), or by 5.2% on the year, between January and June 2023. But hydropower generation plunged by 23% to the lowest in eight years as the key hydropower provinces, Sichuan and Yunnan in the southwest, saw low rainfalls and water levels at reservoirs, according to data from Chinas National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) compiled by Reuters market analyst John Kemp. Related: UAE Says OPEC+ Cuts Are Enough To Support The Oil Market

Wind and solar power helped offset, to some extent, the slump in hydropower generation, but it was mostly coal-fired power output that compensated for the decreased hydropower output. The share of thermal power generation  mostly from coal  rose to 71% of Chinas electricity output in the first six months of 2023, up from 69% in the same period last year, according to Kemps estimates.

Nearly three-quarters of global hydropower capacity additions in 2022 happened in China, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its latest report on global hydropower. China added 24 gigawatts (GW) of hydropower capacity in 2022, as this energy source remains integral to Chinas 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy released in 2022. However, the global capacity utilization factor remained below historical levels due to persistent droughts in hydropower-rich countries such as Canada, China, Turkey, and the United States, as well as in western Europe, the IEA said.

Rainfall in the Yunnan province in China dropped by more than 60% yearly during the first four months of 2023, according to South China Morning Post.

At the same time, Chinas coal output has increased from last year, and coal imports have surged, while top officials are meeting with power firms and the state grid operator to stress the importance of keeping power on during the summer when China also hopes to see its economy rebounding from the lower-than-expected growth in the second quarter.

Chinas coal production rose by 4.4% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Coal imports into China have surged year to date, resulting in record-high levels of coal stocks at power plants.

This has made Chinese authorities more optimistic about going through the hot summer without power rationing or factory closures.

No new coal plants have started construction across the OECD and EU since 2019, while the second half of 2022 saw the largest-ever increase in new coal plant permitting in China, climate change think tank E3G said in a report earlier this year.

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Chinas hasty prioritisation of new coal is at odds with the significant global trend away from new coal, E3G said, adding that The significant scale of Chinas coal expansion plans directly threatens the 1.5c temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.

As China puts the security of energy supply ahead of any other consideration, and despite the massive expansion of solar and wind capacity, the worlds second-largest economy will rely on coal for years to come.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A University of Minnesota Twin Cities team has, for the first time, synthesized a thin film of a unique topological semimetal material. The material has the potential to generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy. The researchers were also able to closely study the material, leading to some important findings about the physics behind its unique properties.

The study paper has been published without a paywall at posting in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers the natural sciences and engineering.

A University of Minnesota Twin Cities team has, for the first time, synthesized a thin film of a unique topological semimetal material that has the potential to generate more power and memory storage in computer chips while using significantly less energy. Image Credit: University of Minnesota Twin Cities. For the largest image click the press release link.

As evidenced by the United States recent CHIPS and Science Act, there is a growing need to increase semiconductor manufacturing and support research that goes into developing the materials that power electronic devices everywhere. While traditional semiconductors are the technology behind most of todays computer chips, scientists and engineers are always looking for new materials that can generate more power with less energy to make electronics better, smaller, and more efficient.

One such candidate for these new and improved computer chips is a class of quantum materials called topological semimetals. The electrons in these materials behave in different ways, giving the materials unique properties that typical insulators and metals used in electronic devices do not have. For this reason, they are being explored for use in spintronic devices, an alternative to traditional semiconductor devices that leverage the spin of electrons rather than the electrical charge to store data and process information. Related: Saudi Aramco Buys $3.4 Billion Stake In Chinese Petrochemical Firm

In this new study, an interdisciplinary team of University of Minnesota researchers were able to successfully synthesize such a material as a thin film  and prove that it has the potential for high performance with low energy consumption.

Jian-Ping Wang, a senior author of the paper and a Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Robert F. Hartmann Chair in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering explained, This research shows for the first time that you can transition from a weak topological insulator to a topological semimetal using a magnetic doping strategy. Were looking for ways to extend the lifetimes for our electrical devices and at the same time lower the energy consumption, and were trying to do that in non-traditional, out-of-the-box ways.

Researchers have been working on topological materials for years, but the University of Minnesota team is the first to use a patented, industry-compatible sputtering process to create this semimetal in a thin film format. Because their process is industry compatible, Wang said, the technology can be more easily adopted and used for manufacturing real-world devices.

Andre Mkhoyan, a senior author of the paper and Ray D. and Mary T. Johnson Chair and Professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science deepened the explanation with, Every day in our lives, we use electronic devices, from our cell phones to dishwashers to microwaves. They all use chips. Everything consumes energy. The question is, how do we minimize that energy consumption? This research is a step in that direction. We are coming up with a new class of materials with similar or often better performance, but using much less energy.

Because the researchers fabricated such a high-quality material, they were also able to closely analyze its properties and what makes it so unique.

Tony Low, a senior author of the paper and the Paul Palmberg Associate Professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering added to the background with, One of the main contributions of this work from a physics point of view is that we were able to study some of this materials most fundamental properties. Normally, when you apply a magnetic field, the longitudinal resistance of a material will increase, but in this particular topological material, we have predicted that it would decrease. We were able to corroborate our theory to the measured transport data and confirm that there is indeed a negative resistance.

Low, Mkhoyan, and Wang have been working together for more than a decade on topological materials for next generation electronic devices and systems meaning this research wouldnt have been possible without combining their respective expertise in theory and computation, material growth and characterization, and device fabrication.

It not only takes an inspiring vision but also great patience across the four disciplines and a dedicated group of team members to work on such an important but challenging topic, which will potentially enable the transition of the technology from lab to industry, Wang said.

In addition to Low, Mkhoyan, and Wang, the research team included University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering researchers Delin Zhang, Wei Jiang, Onri Benally, Zach Cresswell, Yihong Fan, Yang Lv, and Przemyslaw Swatek; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science researcher Hwanhui Yun; Department of Physics and Astronomy researcher Thomas Peterson; and University of Minnesota Characterization Facility researchers Guichuan Yu and Javier Barriocanal.

***

Yes, this technology does look to augment and likely someday replace the silicon wafer technology of today. If youve read this far, then youre on the path of what might be one of the next great things in economic history.

What is so intriguing is this technology is working down into the quantum universe for actual goods to be used in the economy. The optimism is based on reduced power needs and ever more increasing in computing power and memory density.

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While the tech is not immediately headed for mass markets, the big leap into a producible material has been made. There is a lot of research to go, but this technology is now made the crossing from idea to early reality.

***

This research is supported by SMART, one of seven centers of nCORE, a Semiconductor Research Corporation program, sponsored by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). T.P. and D.Z. were partly supported by ASCENT, one of six centers of JUMP, a Semiconductor Research Corporation program that is sponsored by MARCO and DARPA. This work was partially supported by the University of Minnesotas Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) program under award number DMR-2011401 (Seed). Parts of this work were carried out in the Characterization Facility of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, which receives partial support from the National Science Foundation through the MRSEC (Award NumberDMR-2011401). Portions of this work were conducted in the Minnesota Nano Center, which is supported by the NSF Nano Coordinated Infrastructure Network (NNCI) under Award Number ECCS-2025124.

By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel

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The most salient fact about natural resources such as minerals and fertile soil is that they are unevenly distributed around the world. That means some countries have far more than they need and others are desperately dependent on imports.

Some writers think that trade between nations of resources and practically everything else leads to an interdependence that makes war much more costly and thus less likely. Others believe that the many causes of warfor example, a desire to dominate, fear of being attacked (leading to pre-emptive war), ethnic rivalries and grievances, and the desire for direct control of resourcesoften negate concerns that the cost of war will exceed its benefits.

After the relative quiet of the post-Cold War era during which the world's economies integrated into one global market, major powers and their leaders are again weighing the two arguments. Russia, of course, decided that its fear of being surrounded by NATO-allied countries outweighed the possible economic consequences of war (though it's not clear that the Russian government realized the far-reaching effects its war with Ukraine would have on its trade).

Earlier this year an American general predicted war with China by 2025. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) said that the general's views do not represent those of the DOD. Not surprisingly, the DOD stated that it prefers peace in Asia.

The Chinese government reacted with predictable furry in a publication run by the Chinese Communist Party. But the Chinese government continues to push its claims in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. And, of course, it continues to insist on incorporating Taiwan into China at some yet-to-be determined time in the future. It should come as no surprise that valuable oil and gas deposits await those who control one or both of the seas mentioned above.

Among the contradictions of an interdependent world facing increasing geopolitical tensions are the continuing commercial links between 1) those with ongoing disputes involving commercial and territorial claims and 2) those at war. (I think it is fair to say that NATO is at war with Russia through Ukraine as a proxy.)

Fearing China's growing power, the United States banned the sale of advanced microchips to the Chinese. The Chinese have retaliated by initiating steps that will reduce the export of germanium and gallium (important to the manufacture of advanced microchips) and products containing them in a direct attempt to stifle the United States' ability to produce the very chips the U.S. ban applies to. Those minerals are also important for solar panels. The Chinese control the lion's share of the market in these two metals.

In 2022 29 percent of U.S. electronic product imports came from China. In the past few years China has been alternating with Mexico as the top destination for U.S. electronic exports.

And, this is just one narrow area of U.S.-China trade.

Trade between the United States and Russia has become even more problematic than that with China in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. And yet, despite sweeping trade sanctions by the United States, the country continues to rely on Russia for uranium to fuel nuclear reactors. (Nuclear power provides 20 percent of America's electricity.) Some 14 percent of the U.S. uranium supply comes from Russia, and the United States relies on Russia for 28 percent of its enrichment services. Enrichment services take raw uranium and separate out and concentrate the uranium-235 which is the only naturally occurring fissile material. Uranium-235 makes up only about 0.72 percent of natural uranium. The Americans are essentially taking uranium they purchase elsewhere and having the Russians enrich it. The Russians control half of all the enrichment services capacity in the world.

Hence, the Russians could potentially cause shortages and chaos in the uranium market and deprive some reactors of adequate fuel. So far, the Russians have chosen not to do that as it would mean foregoing revenue and essentially engaging in something that could be interpreted as an act of war.

The Russians seem less concerned about grain exports compromised by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The Russians recently refused to renew an arrangement which allowed safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea. Ukraine is the world's fifth largest exporter of wheat. Russia in the world's top exporter. Loss of Ukrainian exports sent wheat prices upward and could spell hardship for countries counting on those exports if no overland route is arranged for them.

Russia seems less dependent on imports from the United States and Europe than Europe was on Russian exports, primarily of energy resources such as oil and natural gas, before the war. It's important to note that trade between Russia and China and many other countries has been far less affected by sanctions.

The result of all this turmoil has been an attempt to bring manufacturing back to the United States (see here and here) and to incentivize domestic mineral exploration. China and Russia, countries with a large production capacity for manufactured goods and large production of natural resources, respectively, have gone hunting for new customers for their products. This diversification is, of course, the flip side of U.S. and European trade sanctions and U.S. and European attempts to become more self-sufficient as a result of lost imports.

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It's hard to see how our complex, interdependent globalized economy can thrive when major economies are essentially slowly withdrawing from it. The belief that the world's economies would become more and more integrated and interdependent with each passing day has now been punctured. That has implications for the availability of cheap imported consumer goods and for access to crucial minerals and energy resources such as uranium. The costs are already showing up in the marketplace and there doesn't seem to be any force that will change our deglobalization trajectory anytime soon.

By Kurt Cobb via Resource Insights

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Chevron reported a net profit of $5.77 billion for the second quarter of the year, beating analyst expectations, although the figure was lower than both the firstquarter net profit of the company and the year-ago number.

At the same time, Chevron also reported a record-high production rate in the Permian, at 772,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily during the second quarter.

It also boasted it had distributed some $7.2 billion to shareholdersa record highin the form of dividends, to the tune of $2.8 billion, and share buybacks.

The macro price environment has softened a little bit versus the first quarter," chief executive Michael Wirth told Reuters in an interview. "We had high levels of operating performance (and) very, very little unplanned downtime across our portfolio.

Chevron will be reporting its detailed second-quarter results at the end of this week.

Meanwhile, despite its record production rate in the Permian, the company is looking to reduce its assets there. Last month, Reuters reported Chevron had put up some assets in the basin up for sale even as it also bought assets in the same area.

In May, Chevron signed a deal to buy shale firm PDC Energy for $6.3 billionpicking up assets next to its existing assets in the Denver-Julesburg and Permian Basins. It also had the highest bids for Gulf of Mexico drilling rights for seven of the ten blocks in oil lease sale number 259 back in March.

At the same time, however, Chevron listed more than two thousand net acres for sale via auction in New Mexico, and nearly 30,000 acres in New Mexico and Texas, with bids due July 27. The value of the acreage up for grabs via these auctions is estimated at $100 million, according to Reuters, which cited an unnamed source.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices are set to rise to $86 per barrel at year-end, from $80 now, as record-high oil demand and lowered supply will lead to a large market deficit.

We expect pretty sizable deficits in the second half with deficits of almost 2 million barrels per day in the third quarter as demand reaches an all-time high, Daan Struyven, head of oil research at Goldman Sachs, told CNBCs Squawk Box Asia program on Monday.

While demand is set for a record high this summer, supply is shrinking. The production and export cuts from OPEC+ and the slowdown in U.S. oil production growth will also play a part in large deficits in the third quarter this year.

According to Goldmans Struyven, We expect U.S. crude supply growth to slow down pretty significantly to a sequential pace of just 200 barrels per day from here.

The total rig U.S. count fell to 669 last week, according to Baker Hughes data on Friday. So far this year, Baker Hughes has estimated a loss of more than 100 active drilling rigs. Last weeks count is also 406 fewer rigs than the rig count at the beginning of 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Also last week, oilfield services giants Halliburton and Baker Hughes both signaled softer demand for drilling on the North American market.

At the same time, there is already evidence of lower supply from OPEC+.

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.

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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.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Iran state revenues from the sale of crude oil last year reached $42.6 billion, which was higher than what Iran made from oil sales in the first year of the nuclear deal.

The figure was reported by the Tasnim news agency, which also cited Kpler data showing that Iran exported crude at a rate of 1.4 million barrels daily at the end of 2022. It was this increase in daily export rates combined with higher prices that made for higher revenues.

The 2022 oil export figure is a significant improvement on export numbers for 2021: in that year, Irans revenues were just $25.5 billion, according to OPEC data, cited by Iranian media.

The nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, led to the lifting of Western sanctions imposed on Tehran for its nuclear power program. When Donald Trump became U.S. president, however, he reimposed U.S. sanctions, targeting specifically the countrys oil industry.

Despite these sanctionsand the continued failure of the two sides to negotiate a new dealIran has been exporting quite a lot of oil, most of it to China. Despite threats from Washington that there will be consequences, these have been slow in coming, allowing China to stock up on discount oil and Iran to find foreign markets for its crude.

Meanwhile, exports have continued to rise this year as well. In May, the daily average hit 1.5 million bpd. This was the highest since 2018, with Irans oil production also growing, topping 3 million barrels daily during the same month.

The average export rate for both May and June was even higher, at 1.6 million bpd, according to cargo-tracking data cited by the Wall Street Journal. That was a twofold increase on the same months of last year and another six-year high.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The Kurdistan Regional Government has been handing over 50,000-60,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil to Baghdad since the middle of June as part of the budget deal under which the federal government of Iraq will be responsible for exporting Kurdistans crude oil.

We have handed over 50,000-60,000 barrels of oil since mid-June, to the federal government of Iraq, Omed Sabah, President of the Diwan of Council of Ministers, told local news outlet Kurdistan 24 in an interview published on Monday.

According to the new budget deal between the federal government in Baghdad and the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, the Iraqi state oil marketing company SOMO is now in charge of marketing Kurdistans crude, after the region had sold the oil independently for years.

Despite the new budget deal, under which Kurdistan is entitled to a 12.67% share of the Iraqi budget, most of the oil from Kurdistan hasnt been exported since the end of March this year.

Iraq and Kurdistan have not exported crude oil from the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean since March 25, due to ongoing disputes about who is in charge of exports.

Iraq, OPECs second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia, is currently exporting oil only via its southern oil export terminals. Around 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) of exports from the northern fields and from Kurdistan continue to be shut in due to a dispute over who should authorize the Kurdish exports.

Kurdistans crude oil exportsaround 400,000 bpd shipped through an Iraqi-Turkey pipeline to Ceyhan and then on tankers to the international marketswere halted on March 25 by the federal government of Iraq.

The suspension of crude oil flows out of northern Iraq and Kurdistan via Ceyhan forced companies to either curtail or suspend production because of limited capacity at storage tanks.

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By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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This may not be the reality anyone wants to hear but despite important steps forward, the nations minerals problem  notably the mismatch between soaring demand, available supply, and our alarming overreliance on imports  is only getting worse. And while the Biden administration has done important work to elevate the challenge, it has yet to clearly embrace the most obvious solution: more domestic mining.

This doesnt mean the Biden administration hasnt worked to fill holes in the mineral supply chain. It has. The administration is working closely with allies and overseas mineral producers to ramp up supply and has backed incentives to encourage development of domestic supply chains with loans and grants going to processors, recyclers, and, in limited quantities, to miners. But for everything the administration has said about critical minerals, its what hasnt been said and done thats perhaps most notable: The Biden administration has yet to plainly say we need to ramp up domestic mining and, in fact, has yet to approve a single major mine.

How can the U.S. possibly hope to address the enormity of the minerals challenge if we dont place using our vast domestic resources front and center of any effort to do so? The short answer is, we cant. And if we dont solve  or get on track to solve  the minerals challenge, much of the Biden administration agenda will go down with it.

This is an administration that wants to build, reshore, modernize our industrial base, rebuild our middle class, and compete with Chinas industrial might and to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, wind farms, and tens of thousands of miles of transmission lines. Every piece of that agenda is incumbent on de-risking mineral supply chains and ensuring that the material inputs that make semi-conductors and lithium-ion batteries possible are both available and affordable.

As the administration is so fond of saying, time is not on our side. Deployment of these energy and transportation technologies must accelerate to reach decarbonization goals. Yet, the current rate of deployment  and build out of manufacturing capacity  is already eclipsing the material supply chains needed to support it.

Consider the scale of the investment going into EV and battery manufacturing and the speed at which new capacity is coming online. New battery megafactories are going from blueprints to production in two years. Comparatively, the mines needed to supply those factories often take decades to reach production.

We simply dont have the luxury not to energetically pursue domestic mining projects right now to build the massively expanded supply chains we need tomorrow. According to the International Energy Agency, global supply of key metals must expand many times over nearly overnight if were to keep up with mineral demand. For example, lithium demand is poised to jump 40-fold, and demand for nickel, cobalt, and graphite is set to soar 25 times by 2040. For copper, which provides the irreplaceable wiring for electrification, annual demand alone is projected by 2050 to reach a level equal to all the copper consumed in the world between 1900 and 2021.

The U.S. has the resources  from rare earths to lithium to copper  to meet much of the demand now at our doorstep. What is lacking is the policy commitment to make it happen. As mines wait for approvals, as delays accumulate or hundreds of thousands of acres of mineral-rich land are withdrawn from potential production, our competitors, namely China, are only tightening their chokehold on the supply chains we know we need.

Chinas mineral strength is now appallingly mirrored by our weakness. Were now import-reliant for more than 50 minerals, with China the leading supplier of 26. The White House has warned that mineral supply chains could be weaponized in the same way oil was in the 1970s and natural gas was in Europe in 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Its not a matter of if but when it happens. China is already using its dominance of mineral markets to exert geopolitical leverage, announcing restrictions of exports of two rare metals just days before trade negotiations with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Secure, reliable, and responsible mineral supply chains need domestic mineral production under the worlds highest labor and environmental standards. The era of outsourcing essential industries, supply chains, and essential American jobs must end. And doing so means that made in America must also increasingly mean mined in America. The Biden administrations minerals strategy cant possibly succeed until it embraces domestic mining and we begin approving mines.

On mining, our time to act is now.

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By Rich Nolan via Zerohedge.com

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JINAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Waving glowsticks, dazzling stage lights, and cheerful drum beats -- the Taierzhuang Ancient Town, located in east China's Shandong Province, was rocked by a fascinating live music show in mid-July.

"I never imagined such a trendy festival could take place in an ancient town," said Xu Lele, who visited the town with his family, adding that the experience was unique.

The live music show is just one part of a grand music festival held here and scheduled to last until Aug. 20. More exciting activities will take place here, aiming to attract travelers globally.

Located in Shandong's Zaozhuang City, the ancient town traces its origins back to the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-220 AD) and flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). During the Wanli Period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, one of the most important waterways in ancient China, was rerouted here. It significantly boosted the town's social and economic development.

However, the town was burnt to the ground during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945).

By 1938, the Chinese military had suffered huge losses to the Japanese invaders, following the fall of Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing. The Battle of Taierzhuang was the first major Japanese defeat since the beginning of the war, which broke the myth of the Japanese military's invincibility and resulted in an enormous benefit to Chinese morale.

Zaozhuang City announced a full-scale revitalization of the town in 2008, marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Taierzhuang. Historical sites such as the ancient city walls, docks, and dwellings have been renovated, and ancient canal sections, streets, and ponds have also been rebuilt, breathing life back into the town's historical heritage.

"When the night falls, boats on the river light up, with background music echoing through the town. The market has also become hustle and bustle. It feels like I was traveling back to the town's glorious ancient times," said Tian Yuchong, a tourist.

This summer, the ancient town has introduced a series of educational tours covering diverse themes from history and culture to patriotism education and traditional architecture. Those activities will help tourists of all ages grasp the town's unique charm.

Tourists can also explore 40 exhibition galleries and over 50 World War II sites in the town.

In addition, the ancient town has strived to foster its international reputation in recent years.

"We have been working hard to strengthen cooperation with overseas partners in France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. We wish to share the traditional Chinese culture and the beauty of Taierzhuang with more foreign friends," said Tan Zhi, an official from the Shandong Taierzhuang Ancient Town Tourism Group Co., Ltd. 
Jennie Edmundson Hospital is partnering with a Tennessee-based behavioral health care company to build a 96-bed, state-of-the-art behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs, officials announced Monday.

The hospital will include 24 beds for children and adolescents and also will provide outpatient behavioral health services. Jennie Edmundson is an affiliate of Omaha-based Methodist Health System. Acadia Healthcare, its partner in the joint venture, is the largest stand-alone behavioral health care company in the United States.

Together, the partners will invest more than $55 million in expanding behavioral health resources in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, describing the new facility as a center of excellence that will help address the growing, unmet need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services in the region. According to American Hospital Directory data, they said, Nebraska and Iowa have a shortfall of more than 300 inpatient behavioral health beds.

David Burd, Jennie Edmundsons president and chief executive officer, said patients of all ages in the region will have access to the specialized behavioral health care in a carefully designed environment.

This hospital will be a tremendous resource, and this partnership will help strengthen our level of expertise and implement proven best practices while enhancing the quality and number of behavioral health services available to patients throughout the area, he said in a statement.

Jennie Edmundson and Acadia are in the process of securing land for the hospital, which would open in 2026. The location, which will be a site separate from Jennie Edmundson, will be announced at a later date. Construction will begin once the partners obtain all required regulatory approvals, specifically a certificate of need from the State of Iowa.

According to a project website, the 29 licensed behavioral health inpatient beds in Jennie Edmundsons behavioral health unit would move to the new facility as part of the project.

Plans call for the new facility to include large treatment rooms for group therapy sessions, centralized nursing stations to provide open lines of sight to all common areas, high ceilings and large windows to capitalize on natural light, serene outdoor spaces and high-tech features.

Dr. Pat Ahrens, Jennie Edmundsons vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, said the hospital will provide a centralized, regional referral center, creating a single point of care for all mental health and substance use disorders.

Burd said the partners believe the facility will be the largest inpatient behavioral health facility in the area, outside of government facilities in Lincoln and Norfolk. However, he noted that dynamics in behavioral health are fluid.

The hospital would be the latest among several planned expansions in behavioral health care in the area.

Last fall, a nonprofit group called the Mental Health Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit group led by Omaha philanthropist Ken Stinson, and Childrens Hospital & Medical Center announced plans to build a 38-bed inpatient behavioral health facility for children on Childrens campus near 84th and Dodge Streets in Omaha.

At the time, the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Childrens Hospital was expected to measure 103,500 square feet and cost $89 million. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced in late June that the project had expanded to 107,250 square feet and had a new budget of $110 million.

Community Alliance is building a new 127,000-square-foot Center for Mental Health at 71st Street and Mercy Road that will house all of the nonprofit organizations nonresidential services, now spread across three locations, under the same roof. That project is backed by a $65 million campaign.

As of late March, Acadia Healthcare operated a network of 250 behavioral health care facilities with approximately 11,100 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. It provides behavioral health services in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, specialty treatment facilities, residential treatment centers and outpatient clinics.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
DYSART, Iowa  When Al Schafbuch cut back on plowing his Iowa fields decades ago and later began growing cover crops, he was out to save money on fertilizer and reduce erosion. He got those benefits and saw his soil change for the better, too: dark, chunky, richly organic matter that he said feels like "chocolate cake."

There's one more big payoff that benefits everyone: tilling the soil less, and growing more cover crops, can help farmers store more planet-warming carbon in fields. More plants take in more carbon dioxide, and soil microbes breathe out less carbon when undisturbed. That can mean money for participating farmers in the form of carbon offsets: payments that companies can make that support carbon storage in farms and, in theory, balance out their emissions elsewhere.

"The more carbon you store from the atmosphere with your crops, and the more crops grown throughout the year, you offset some of your waste, your wasted energy," said Shalamar Armstrong, an associate professor of agronomy at Purdue University. "Because you've stored carbon that would have been emitted (into) the atmosphere."

It's an area getting more attention from lawmakers, researchers and industry professionals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a $300 million investment to monitor agricultural emissions, including by creating a research network to monitor carbon in soil. U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Todd Young, R-Ind., introduced a bill that Smith said would support the research needed to "properly credit soil carbon storage."

The USDA announcement and legislation are aimed at the difficult question of how to quantify carbon stored in soil. It's an obstacle to overcome if the young and booming soil carbon market is to avoid the scrutiny  and skepticism  directed at carbon credit markets.

"The science piece (of carbon credits) has really lagged behind, particularly when it comes to things like monitoring, reporting and verification," said Cristel Zoebisch, deputy director of policy at climate organization Climate 180. "These are huge obstacles for not just soil carbon sequestration, but really any land-based carbon removal solution."

Armstrong has been trying to help fix that problem. He runs a lab where researchers are investigating how farming management affects the amount of carbon in soil across different landscapes. He and others at Purdue have been studying soil samples that date back more than 40 years, comparing different types of tilling and cover crops to determine their long-term effects on carbon storage. It can take years of fieldwork, careful chemistry in the lab and lots of expensive equipment to puzzle that out.

He hopes his precise calculations will help farmers make decisions that allow them to receive worthwhile incentives for sequestering carbon while maintaining their existing profits.

Other academics worry that even if farmers do get paid for storing soil carbon, it won't solve a bigger problem: that carbon markets often don't work.

For offsets to be legitimate, they have to meet four criteria. They have to store carbon that would otherwise be emitted; they have to be verifiable in data; they have to be immediate (planting a tree that might grow up in 20 years doesn't cut it); and they have to be long-lasting, said John Sterman, a professor of management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Better quantifying soil carbon storage through research might make the offsets more verifiable, but it doesn't address other factors. For example, many farmers rent the land they work and can't guarantee that carbon stored on the land will stay put over several decades.

Barbara Haya, director of the Berkeley Carbon Trading Project at University of California, Berkeley, has worked on research that she said shows that the effects of carbon offset projects are commonly overestimated, sometimes vastly so.

"Carbon trading is a mechanism that has failed miserably over the last 20 years that we really need to be moving away from," Haya said.

U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., last month introduced a bipartisan bill to support farmers in improving soil health, with incentives that don't necessarily involve the carbon market. He said farmers in his district also described the benefits of regenerative practices, and many would be interested in participating in carbon markets with "robust" accounting systems. He added that those hoping for serious climate action shouldn't rely only on offsets.

"In my opinion, it's really not the silver bullet," Huffman said. "I think offsets are inherently sketchy."

Some farmers are moving cautiously.

Brad Wetli, an Indiana farmer who collaborates with Armstrong, has been trying techniques that use less tilling and has been planting cover crops like rye for a few years now. He's happy with the way his current fields look but he's still weighing his options with possible carbon credit contracts, doing the math and waiting to see whether the price will be right, since many offset agreements can last for several years.

"I'm going to do maybe a field or two at a time," he said," and as I learn more, I'll hopefully incorporate the carbon or carbon credits more into the operation."

Participation is down 40% in this agricultural program that protects wildlife, water, and soil Participation is down 40% in this agricultural program that protects wildlife, water, and soil There is less land in the Conservation Reserve Program than there used to be Most counties have seen declines in participation over the past 10 years Grassland establishment and habitat expansion are among the most common programs New changes from the USDA seek to improve participation
NEW YORK  In the winter of 2010, shortly after police discovered the remains of his roommate and three other women buried on a remote stretch of Long Island shoreline, Dave Schaller provided detectives with a description of the person he believed to be the killer.

More crucially, Schaller told them about the man's truck.

The man they were looking for was a towering, Frankenstein-like figure with an "empty gaze" who drove a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, Schaller recalled telling investigators. The man's size stuck out, as did his unusual pickup truck, which he'd used to flee the house Schaller shared with Amber Costello.

On that night, Schaller said he came home to find the stranger threatening Costello, an occasional sex worker, who locked herself in the bathroom. The two men came to blows, and the hulking intruder eventually left in the truck.

Prosecutors say Costello was last seen alive Sept. 2, 2010, as she left her home to meet that same client. A witness saw a dark-colored truck drive by the house again shortly after she left.

"When they told me she was dead, he was the first person who jumped in my head," Schaller said. "I've been picturing his face for 13 years."

On July 14, police arrested Rex Heuermann on charges of killing Costello and two other women: Melissa Barthelemy and Megan Waterman. He is the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

Heuermann, an architect who worked in Manhattan, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The arrest marked a stunning breakthrough in the hunt for a serial killer who eluded investigators and whose crimes gripped Long Islanders since the bodies of four women  all of them sex workers  were found wrapped in burlap near Gilgo Beach.

Within months, the remains of six other bodies, including a toddler, were discovered elsewhere along the same beach highway. Heuermann has not been accused in those cases; police said the deaths may be the work of multiple killers.

The arrest brought a measure of relief to families of the victims at a moment when the trail appeared to have gone cold. However, as new details emerge about how police finally caught the alleged killer, they've also raised questions about whether investigators adequately pursued a key lead  Schaller's description of the stranger and his truck  that could have helped solve the case sooner.

"This was crucial information, and I don't know why they didn't share it," said Rob Trotta, a county legislator who worked as a Suffolk County Police detective until 2013. "They made some serious blunders here."

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, who inherited the investigation when he took office in 2022, said the key to unraveling the case was the description of the truck, discovered by a state investigator after the launch of a new task force formed to take a fresh look at the evidence.

When they ran it through a vehicle records database, one of the results turned up a hit: A man who owned a Chevy Avalanche lived in a neighborhood that investigators were zeroing in on as the suspect's likely location because of a sophisticated analysis of cellphone location data and call records. Heuermann fit the physical description provided by Schaller, too: He was 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed 240 pounds.

Those involved in the case pointed to fierce divisions between the various law enforcement agencies  as well as overlapping scandals that engulfed Suffolk County  as a potential explanation for a key clue slipping through the cracks.

Tierney said he did not know why police had not run a search earlier but suggested the piece of information may have been "lost within a sea of other tips and information."

He stressed there were other elements that ultimately helped investigators arrest Heuermann, including new technology that helped match samples of DNA to the suspect.

"What solved this case was a lot of dedicated investigators, analysts and attorneys from a bunch of agencies getting together and collaborating," he said.

For Schaller, any feelings of relief over the arrest were soon eclipsed by anger and confusion.

Speaking out for the first time since the arrest, he said he met with homicide detectives on multiple occasions during the initial years of the investigation.

During one of their final meetings, roughly two years after the women went missing, he said he picked the truck's model out of a line-up of photographs provided by the detectives.

"I gave them the exact description of the truck and the dude," he said. "I mean come on, why didn't they use that?"

The question vexed some law enforcement officials as well.

Two high-ranking officials who worked closely on the case and attended briefings between 2011 and 2013 said they never heard anything about a witness statement describing the suspect and his vehicle. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to a vehicle history report, Heuermann bought the pickup  a dark green, first-generation edition  at a Chevrolet dealer on Long Island in 2002 and transferred ownership to his brother, Craig, in South Carolina in 2012.

Authorities seized the vehicle this month. In a search warrant, they said they were looking for other clues in the vehicle or at property the brothers owned in Chester County, South Carolina, and what they described as possible "trophies"  items that may have belonged to the victims, such as clothing, jewelry or photos.

A look at some of the most notorious serial killers in the US since 1970 1970-2005: Samuel Little February-May 1971: Juan Corona 1972-1978: John Wayne Gacy 1974-1991: Dennis Rader 1975-1998: Robert L. Yates Jr. 1976-1977: David Berkowitz 1976-1986: Joseph James DeAngelo 1977-1978: Angelo Buono Jr. and Kenneth A. Bianchi 1977-1978: Ted Bundy 1978-1992: Jeffrey Dahmer 1978-1995: Theodore Kaczynski 1979-1981: Wayne B. Williams 1983: Henry Lee Lucas 1984-1985: Richard Ramirez 1984-1985: Charles Ng and Leonard Lake 1985-2007: Lonnie David Franklin Jr. 1989-1990: Aileen Wuornos 1989-1993: Joel Rifkin 1990-1993: Heriberto Seda 1997-1999: Angel Maturino Resendiz 2002: Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad 2005-2006: Mark Goudeau 2007-2009: Anthony Sowell 2014: Darren Deon Vann
LONDON  Johnny Depp painted the emotions of recent years into a self-portrait and is offering the result for sale as a time-limited edition.

The actor began working on the piece, titled "Five," around 2021 amid an explosive dispute with his ex-wife, Amber Heard, which played out in courtrooms on both sides of the Atlantic.

"I think this is the most personal piece he's ever done," said Ian Weatherby-Blythe, managing director of Castle Fine Art, which is handling the sale of "Five." The gallery also oversaw Depp's sold-out debut art collection, the series of portraits "Friends & Heroes."

"He revisited the eyes over and over and over again. And when you look at the piece, you know, it's a beautiful portrait. But when you look at the eyes there's something very meaningful behind the eyes, there's something, you know, quite sad."

"It was created at a time that was, let's say, a bit dark, a bit confusing," Depp said in a video released Thursday to promote the sale.

"Essentially, I just wrote 'Five' on there because I was just about to enter the fifth year of the madness," he said.

Priced from $1,950, signed editions of "Five" went on sale Thursday for 13 days.

Heard filed for divorce in May 2016, seeking a temporary restraining order against the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star.

In April 2022, Depp began a libel trial he brought against Heard, based on a 2018 Washington Post op-ed piece in which she referred to herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse." A Virginia jury eventually ruled that Heard defamed Depp on three counts and awarded him $15 million in damages. In a countersuit, Depp was found guilty of one charge of libel and Heard was awarded $2 million.

A British court ruled in 2020 that a tabloid article labeling Depp "a wife beater" was "substantially true." Soon after the ruling in the U.K., Hollywood largely cut ties with Depp, jettisoning him from both the "Fantastic Beasts" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchises.

Fashion house Dior, Depp notes, "as much as it was painful  stuck to their guns," and "Five" uses as a starting point the photograph that launched his Dior Sauvage campaign led by creative director Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

A few months ago, Depp went back to the artwork and, after making adjustments, decided to publicly share what he views as an act of creative healing.

Using archival pigment, in the style of his earlier series of portraits, "Five" marks the first time Depp sought to capture his own image. A smaller artwork, with a lower price tag, "Five" is described as deliberately intimate and shows the actor in a state of emotional exhaustion.

"It's not the most comfortable thing doing a self-portrait," Depp said, noting he would sit with a mirror and sketch himself in different lights, times and angles.

He intends to sign "each and every one," said Weatherby-Blythe. "He's made that commitment, he wants to give the opportunity to as many people as possible to buy his art and also he wants to try to raise as much money as he can for Mental Health America," he added. From the proceeds of each sale, $200 is to be donated to the nonprofit.

Depp may have won in court, but public opinion remains divided on the actor.

Weatherby-Blythe believes there will be interest from art collectors as well as the stars' supporters.

"I think Johnny still has many, many fans out there. But I'm also hoping that art buyers will see it as a one-off work of art," he said, noting the actor has "painted and drawn his entire life, and I think that art connoisseurs will see that.  And this piece is a very, very special, very personal piece."

Photos: Scenes from the Johnny Depp, Amber Heard defamation trial
Elon Musk has unveiled a new X logo to replace Twitters famous blue bird as he follows through with a major rebranding of the social media platform he bought for $44 billion last year. The X started appearing at the top of the desktop version of Twitter on Monday, but the bird was still dominant across the smartphone app. In response to questions about what tweets would be called when the rebranding is done, Musk said they would be called Xs. Its yet another change that Musk has made since acquiring Twitter that has alienated users and turned off advertisers, leaving the microblogging site vulnerable to new threats, including rival Metas new text-based app Threads.
Finding the right farm employees and keeping them doesnt seem to be getting any easier.

This reality isnt just something Rich Guebert works on when developing policy as the Illinois Farm Bureau president. He also lives it as a farmer.

Its not a new challenge for him and his son Kyle, who grow corn, soybeans and wheat in Randolph County in southwest Illinois. Kyle also has a small cow-calf herd.

Its been ongoing pre-COVID, Guebert says of labor challenges, but weve been fortunate to have an employee for 43 years.

Having one reliable employee worked well until the father-son team grew their operation by another 800 to 900 acres and needed more help. They hired a young man with a commercial drivers license and experience. That worked well until he was offered a job at a rock quarry earning more than $70,000 annually.

We just could not compete with that. We were happy for him but not for us. It put an extra strain on us, Guebert said.

They managed by working longer hours themselves. They hired a new employee in August 2022  this time without experience.

In May, in the middle of planting season, he told us the long hours didnt work for his family, Guebert said. Its hard to find labor. They want to work 40 hours a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Family makes a difference in filling the farm labor gaps.

Kyles wife and my wife fill in for us, he says.

Among other things, they drive combines at harvest. The family also hires individual truck drivers who assist with harvest, he said.

We didnt expect employees to do anything we didnt do, he said, but the latest employee just wanted to drive equipment and refused to scoop grain to clean the bin.

Foreign workers, other options

Finding labor is just as challenging in Canada, dairy farmers there told journalists attending the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress June 29.

VandenBroek Dairy near Olds, Alberta, in western Canada hires workers from Mexico  especially families, says Teun VandenBroek, who immigrated with his siblings and parents from the Netherlands in 2000.

Today the family milks 580 cows three times a day in a rotary dairy and has 1,700 acres of pasture.

We have 20 employees, he says.

They all come from the same northwest region near Mexico City. The men theyve hired work full time, and their wives often help. When their children are here, they are more likely to stay in the community, he says.

We hire people as a family, VandenBroek says.

First, they go through college courses here and get some work experience. Two families have been here for five or six years each, says Arie, Teuns father, who would like the families to stay.

Guebert knows pork and dairy farmers who are having tremendous challenges in finding employees. Some of them turn to the H-2A temporary workers program, which brings non-immigrant, foreign workers for jobs they cant fill locally.

Some farmers with 40,000 to 50,000 acres to crop are using the H-2A program, with employees coming to the U.S. from March through harvest, he says.

There is a tremendous amount of paperwork involved, and it is expensive to pay for employees to come and go from their country, pay good wages, and provide housing and transportation for them, but its the cost of doing business, Guebert says.

The H-2A option for hiring isnt a good match for what Guebert needs.

We have feelers out all over the place, he said. They have hired a part-time college student for the summer and are connected to programs for high school juniors and seniors as they build interest in careers.

Finding and maintaining labor is an integral part of specialty crop and agritourism operations as well, and every farm has a different way to cope with the labor challenges, says Raghela Scavuzzo, IFBs associate director of food systems development. Some use H-2A employees, adjust their farms to be pick-your-own operations, and/or use technologies that speed up the process and reduce labor, she says.

Labor is going to be the main problem affecting how the industry continues to grow, Scavuzzo says.

Some proposed legislation could make it even harder for farmers, says Guebert, including one proposal that would allow H-2A workers to file suit against a farmer two years after they left employment. This would increase farmers liability and stress, he says.

Another proposal would provide for employees to go back home between 30 and 45 days annually. For a dairy farmer with cows to milk, this time off could present challenges, Guebert says. The employers would be required to pay for the transportation home under this proposal. Guebert says he understands everybody needs to visit family, but such rules make it exceedingly difficult to find, maintain and fairly compensate employees.

Worker spotlight

Commodity groups continue to look for ways to support farmers in their labor challenges. For example, among the Illinois Pork Producers Associations efforts is a membership discount for IPPA members with Swineworks, an international recruitment agency for the swine industry, says Mike Borgic, Illinois Pork Producers Associations director of membership.

IPPA also offers employee betterment grants of $250 so farmers can treat staff to lunch or offer another show of appreciation, Borgic says.

IPPA also introduced the Swine Spotlight, which recognizes an employee of the month within the industry. It welcomes nominees not only among those working with the animals but also at the farm office, those scheduling seed deliveries, and truck drivers delivering pigs. Without any of them, the swine industry wouldnt work smoothly, Borgic said.

Along with the monthly Swine Spotlight, one individual will be chosen as the employee of the year and honored at the Pork Expo on Jan. 30 next year, Borgic says.

We want to recognize people in the industry and show appreciation to people behind the scenes, he says.

The pork organization also develops manuals and guides for finishing and farrowing pigs in both English and Spanish to help people with international workers.

IPPA tries to help our producers to recruit, to retain and to recognize good employees, he says.

Its always been a challenge to find good labor in any industry and especially in the pork industry. The challenge has increased over the last several years.
BLOOMINGTON  Police are investigating a report of gunfire in east Bloomington over the weekend.

The Bloomington Police Department said Monday that officers were called at 12:42 p.m. Saturday to a report of shots fired in the 700 block of Fairmont Drive.

In a statement, BPD said officers found evidence of gunfire, including damage to a nearby residence and vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective W. Gresham at 309-434-2570 or wgresham@cityblm.org.

To remain anonymous, BPD's Crime & Intelligence Analysis Unit can be reached at 309-434-2963 or CIAU@cityblm.org. Information can also be texted to 847411 by texting the word "BPDTIPS," and inserting a space before your tip information.

Calls to CIAU should be made from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. A voicemail or email should be left outside of those hours.

25 facts about nuclear weapons 25 facts about nuclear weapons Countries armed with nuclear weapons Trying to stop nuclear proliferation Refusing to agree to the accord Large arsenals of the late 1960s China's "modest" nuclear weapons stockpile Lost bombs and other missing nuclear devices To launch or not in 12 minutes Assassinating Iran's top nuclear scientists Blackout at Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment facility U.S., Iran negotiate nuclear deal Iran steps up uranium enrichment A weapon as large as a minivan Largest weapon in U.S. stockpile Billions for nuclear deterrent $600 billion to modernize nuclear arsenal U.N. tries to ban nuclear weapons U.S. offers a "nuclear umbrella" Withdrawing forward-deployed weapons in the Pacific Estimates on North Korea's nuclear capabilities North Korea unveils enormous new missile North Korea tests nuclear bombs Trump, Kim Jong-un meet in historic summit Second North Korea, U.S. summit held in Hanoi Trump crosses into DMZ separating two Koreas Russia-Ukraine War raises concerns about Russia's use of nuclear arsenal
CHARLESTON  With a name like Warbler Ridge, its no surprise that the conservation area owned and managed by the Grand Prairie Friends near Fox Ridge State Park, attracts birders, especially during spring and fall migration. But it is so much more.

Its 1,059 acres, less than a two-hour drive from Bloomington, contain a variety of habitats from river bottomland and prairies to forested ridges and wetlands.

Warbler Ridge is part of a continuous conservation corridor being developed along the Embarras River. It is home to eight different kinds of orchids and more than 300 kinds of fungi. What was once pasture and cropland is now land undergoing restoration to prairie and other habitat to benefit pollinators and bats.

At least eight of the 13 species of bats in Illinois can be found at the Warbler Ridge Conservation Area, including Northern Long-eared Bat, Little Brown Bat and the endangered Indiana Bat.

As part of a planned 30-year bat habitat restoration project begun in 2018, the Grand Prairie Friends, a not-for-profit conservation organization and land trust, has planted 40 acres of pollinator prairie plants where bats can feed on insects, planted 50,000 oak and hickory trees for long-range natural roosting sites and erected poles with bat houses for more immediate habitat.

Terry Smith, a champion volunteer and bat monitor at Warbler Ridge, pointed to one of the bat shelters and said, We have counted as many as 200 bats coming out of one of those.

Six poles with bat shelters brought out a total of 700 bats within about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset, he said.

Unfortunately, you cant witness that spectacle because the conservation area is only open to the public from sunrise to sunset. But you can witness many other wonders.

The area has many steep ravines, reflecting its location around the farthest reach of glaciers in Illinois.

There are about 10 miles of hiking trails. Pick up a map at the Warbler Crossing parking lot, 17487 Bypass Road, Charleston, to help you find the trails and parking areas or find more information at their website, grandprairiefriends.org, under the explore our preserves tab. No bikes or unleashed pets are allowed.

The longest continuous trail is the Warbler Trail, which is 3 miles one way. If you have more than one car along, you can stage one at each end.

A guided hike with 12 stops along the Warbler Trail is included in the Prairie State Hikes app available for purchase through Google Play or the Apple App Store. The app provides information on plants, animals and history along the way. Hikes at other natural areas, including Starved Rock State Park and Allerton Park, are also part of the app.

The Cemetery Ridge Trail takes you along narrow ridges and some challenging terrain to an old cemetery with gravestones dating back to the mid-1850s.

For a more leisurely stroll, start at the South Trailhead, 17161 Daileyville Road. This is the southern terminus of the Warbler Trail but it also provides access to the relatively flat, half-mile Aspen Loop.

A beautiful display of wildflowers can also be found there in a pollinator demonstration plot. It was attracting numerous bees and butterflies during our visit. Most of the plants have identifying tags so its kind of a show-and-tell site, Smith said.

Theres different reasons people go to places like this, said Smith. Some are basically out to hike for exercise, other people to look at the natural area and the magnificence of the diversity and plant life and so on.

Whether you are at Warbler Ridge or at another natural area, Smith said, it's important to keep an open mind  and open eyes.

Any time a person is exploring, its important that you show up curious to make new discoveries," Smith said, "to find answers to things you didnt know before maybe take pictures of unique things and research after your visit there.
TEHRAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran's nuclear chief said on Monday that his country is ready to share nuclear power plant construction and maintenance experience with Turkiye, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Mohammad Eslami, the president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), made the remarks in a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Iran Hicabi Krlangc in the capital of Tehran.

Eslami expressed Iran's readiness to cooperate with Turkiye by offering nuclear training and exporting radiopharmaceuticals to the country, adding that the subsidiary companies of AEOI can impart expertise in production and maintenance work in nuclear power plants to Turkiye.

Referring to the West's efforts to constrain Iran's nuclear program, Eslami stressed that Iran pursues its "peaceful" nuclear activities within the framework of international regulations.

The Turkish ambassador, for his part, said his country supports all countries' right to use peaceful nuclear energy, including that of Iran.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Austria's capital Vienna. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022. 
The Ashanti Caucus of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs), believes Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effiduaae Asokore is the perfect replacement for Hon Cecelia Abena Dapaah as Sanitation and Water Resources Minister.



The caucus is expected to forward or communicate their endorsement to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo who per the Constitution has the sole prerogative to appoint and disappoint Ministers for his kind consideration.



The MPs knowing very well that President Akufo-Addo will definitely do consultations before appointing Hon.Abena Dapaah's replacement for Sanitation Ministry decided to settle on Hon.Ayew Afriyie as their proposed person for a perfect replacement ahead of time.



Cecelia Abena Dapaah who has been described as one of the hardworking and competent Ministers under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration resigned on Saturday,22nd July 2023 following the public outcry of her involvement in the criminal case filed at circuit Court in Accra against five(5) accused persons charged with stealing of various sums of money from her Residents at Abelemkpe, Accra.



To this end, the Ashanti MPs according to a credible source have started lobbying hard to convince Nana Addo to consider appointing Hon Dr Nana Ayew Afriye as Hon.Cecelia Abena Dapaah's replacement.



The Effiduaae- Asokore MP has been described by his colleagues' MPs as another competent and down-to-earth person to continue the good work done by Hon Abena Dapaah at the Sanitation Ministry.



The MPs, according to our source said aside from the Ashanti factor and competency of Hon Nana Ayew Afriye, he also has good human relations with all manner of people.



They're therefore appealing to Nana Addo to consider their colleague to continue from Hon Abena Dapaah's numerous achievements at the Sanitation Ministry.



Brief profile of Hon Dr Nana Ayew Afriye



Afriye was born on 22 January 1978 and hails from Effiduase in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. In 2004, he had his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Ghana and also a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Economics from Oxford University.

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
All is set for the historic issuance of National Identification numbers, better known as Ghana Card numbers, to newborn babies in Ghana, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has announced.



This follows the successful integration of the databases of the Births and Deaths Registry, the National Identification Authority and the Ghana Health Service.



The Vice President, who made the disclosure on Saturday July 22, 2023 said the first such Ghana Card number was issued to a newborn baby on Friday, July 21, 2023 after a successful test run of the system.



The work of integrating the databases has been completed, The full test was done yesterday, and i am happy to say that the first Ghana Card number for a baby was issued yesterday.



So in the next month or two, all babies born in Ghana, once they take them to Weigh In, will be issued the Ghana Card number and also get their Birth Certificate Identification number at the same time, because the two databases are talking to each other. The nationality of the parents will be established as part of the process.



This is very transformational, Dr Bawumia noted, explaining that they will have these numbers from the time they are babies till they pass away.



Officials of the National Identification Authority (NIA) say cards bearing the biometrics and other data will be issued to the children when they are older, after their digits and other features are fully formed.



Speaking in Cape Coast at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Ghana National College, Dr Bawumia emphasized that the issuance of ID numbers at birth was an integral part of Governments ongoing digitalization agenda, designed to prepare the nation to fully partake in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.



The Ghana Card is increasingly becoming the single source of proof of identity, with the unique number serving several purposes including as the Social Security, Health Insurance and Tax Identification number.



Ghana National College



Hailing the impact Ghana National College has had on Ghanas pre-and post colonial life, Vice President Bawumia challenged managements, staff and students in educational institutions to embrace the possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve teaching, problem solving and critical thinking, noting that it could be deployed meaningfully to bridge the gap between the developed and developing world.



If we are in agreement that the boys and girls in our schools today are being trained to compete on the global stage, there is every justification for our students to be given exposure to AI.



Governments ongoing digitalization agenda is ample testimony of its appreciation of AI and the commitment to ensure that this country is not left behind. We have focused on pursuing digitalisation as part of our economic strategy because the Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and we must be part of the modern world



Whilst Government will do its part by leading the charting of a pathway to the deployment of meaningful AI in our national life, I expect our educational authorities to devise and deploy innovative teaching strategies that factor in ICT as a key ingredient, he added.

Source: Starrfm.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President of the Republic of Liberia George Weah has honored acclaimed US-Ghanaian Surgeon Dr. Michael K. Obeng with a Global Excellence Award on July 20.



The founder of the foundation for reconstructive surgery RESTORE Worldide Inc, was awarded in the international category of excellence as part of the 2023 Golden Image Award (GIA), which has President Weah as the convener.



Dr. Obeng was awarded for his service to humanity and his pioneering role in reshaping a better future for succeeding generations, via his free surgeries across the world.



This years award ceremony was an integral part of Liberias 176th Independence Day celebration.



According to the GIA Committee, Dr. Obeng was recognized for his immense contribution and dedication to the health industry.



A congratulatory message sent from the committee and signed by the Executive Director, Liberia Crusaders for Peace, Ambassador Juli Endee read the Secretariat of the Golden Image Awards; the Liberia Crusaders for Peace in association with the Government of the Republic of Liberia extend compliments to you and pleased to inform you of your selection as winner and recipient of the Golden Image Award 2023, in the international category of Excellence.



Your selection comes following a thorough evaluation of your service to humanity and the pioneering role you are playing to reshape a better future for succeeding generations. Your service proved captivating and possessed all the attributes listed in the selection criteria; hence, the committee selected you as the Winner of the Global Excellence Award.



Dr. Obeng will personally receive the award in Monrovia on August 18 during the official Kukatornon Peace Ceremony.



Golden Image Awards (GIA), founded in 2011, is a National Liberian Prestigious Meritorious Award bestowed upon individuals, organizations, and countries that have made selfless contributions to peace and human dignity nationally and globally.



About Dr. Michael K. Obeng

Dr. Michael K Obeng, popularly known as The Surgeons Surgeon is a Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon.



He has through his foundation for reconstructive surgery RESTORE Worldwide Inc. together with his team of expert health officials conducted over 2,000 free surgeries in 24 medical missions across the world.



The team set a record of 174 life-changing interventions in Ho, Ghana, in October 2022 and broke the record after conducting 298 surgeries in the following medical mission in Cameroon in May 2023.



Dr. Obeng is among the rare few plastic surgeons in the world to successfully reattach a limb, and remove ribs to streamline the waist. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and complex reconstruction, hence, the nickname, The Surgeons Surgeon as dubbed by his colleagues.



Dr. Michael K. Obeng was named among Americas Top Plastic Surgeons by the Consumer Research Council of America in 2011 and 2014.



The Ghanaian-born surgeon gained global recognition in 2021 after successfully removing Gorilla Glue from the hair of internet sensation Tessica Brown by using bio-friendly chemicals he put together in less than 48 hrs. He is a father, an award-winning motivational speaker, a philanthropist, a humanitarian, and a global health strategist.



About RESTORE



RESTORE is an acronym that stands for Restoring Emotional Stability Through Outstanding Reconstructive Efforts. It is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit medical service organization in the United States of America that provides free reconstructive surgeries and related medical services to children and adults with disfiguring deformities from birth, accidents, and diseases involving not only the head and neck region, but also the trunk, breasts, extremities, and genitalia.



It was founded in 2008 by Ghanaian American Harvard-trained plastic surgeon, humanitarian, and global health strategist, Dr. Michael K. Obeng. He is the Director of MiKO Plastic Surgery and MiKO Surgery Center in Beverly Hills, California.



As part of its mission, RESTORE also educates and trains local medical professionals on the latest techniques and safety measures in plastic and reconstructive surgery, effecting change long after the RESTORE team leaves these communities.



In March last year, Dr Obeng reached an agreement with Sushen Medicamentos PVT LTD. to build a $50 million WHO GMP-certified first-class pharmaceutical plant in Akwamu in the Eastern Region of Ghana to curtail the importation of fake drugs into the country.



He also runs Global Health Solution, a consulting firm, that is bridging the gap between morbidity and healthy living in developing countries.

Source: Starrfm.com









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Ben Boakye of the Africa Center for Energy Policy has reacted to how the money heist at the home of now former sanitation minister overshadowned an equally explosive news item.



He noted that the claims by former energy minister Boakye Agyarko that he was unfairly sacked by president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the novation Ameri deal in 2017.



Boakye stated that the said deal could have seen Ghana committed to an US$850 million contract he described as 'needless.'



"Earlier in the week, the former energy Minister recounted how executive authority almost, needlessly, committed Ghana to ~$850m on the attempted novation of the Ameri power contract- he got sacked. But Auntie Ceci stole the show with her home Bank situation," his tweet of July 23, 2023 read.



The Cecilia Dapaah issue he referred to was over the recent news that a million dollars, 300,000 euros and 350,000 Ghana cedis, belonging to the minister had been stolen by two former employees.



The minister has since resigned her position and pledged to cooperate with necessary state agencies to probe into the matter. Her resignation has been accepted by the president who has yet to appoint a replacement - in acting or substantive capacity.



Earlier in the week, the former energy Minister recounted how executive authority almost, needlessly, committed Ghana to ~$850m on the attempted novation of the Ameri power contract- he got sacked. But Auntie Ceci stole the show with her home Bank situation. #Next! @BBSimons  Benjamin Boakye (@benboakye) July 23, 2023









Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged Ghanaians to exercise caution in their commentary on recent allegations leveled against the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.



The accusations relate to stolen funds worth US$1 million, 300,000, and 350,000 Ghana cedis from her home.



While acknowledging that keeping such significant sums of money at home is not appropriate, Dr. Kokofu cautioned against hasty judgments and premature sentencing in the court of public opinion.



According to him, there is a need to allow the proper investigative processes to take place before reaching any conclusions.



"For me, that should not give way to a court of public opinion where people will be roasted and sentenced, judged before the actual investigations have begun," he said.



Speaking on a panel discussion on TV3 over the weekend, he drew attention to the possibility of accumulating such funds legally, particularly through the sale of land in certain expensive areas of the country.



"The practice of keeping money at home is not to be encouraged, I for one, I don't know how I will be able to do that because I can't sleep even though I dont have [such funds].



He added The point is until investigations prove otherwise, we are here in this country and you go to East Legon and other lands are being sold for $150,000 per plotand even more, so $200,000 per plot, so if somebody has five plots and sells them, $1,000,000 is on hand easilyI am trying to say that, how you can realize money in the scheme of things, legally without necessarily engaging in corruption



Meanwhile, the former minister, in her letter of resignation letter addressed to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, explained that she decided to resign because the issues surrounding the monies could affect the government negatively.



However, she noted that the subject of theft in her home as captured by many reports has been grossly exaggerated.



"Since yesterday, Friday, July 21, 2023, social and traditional media have been full of stories about a court case involving a theft that took place last year in the home I live with my husband and daughter. The stories sought to suggest that I own various huge sums of foreign currencies and millions of Ghana cedis which have been stolen from my home. Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position.



"I am resigning therefore because I do not want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time," parts of the letter read.



Read the full resignation letter below:



Background



According to an official charge sheet from an Accra Circuit Court, the brazen thefts occurred at the couple's residence in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, over a three-month period from July to October 2022.



The accused, identified as Patience and Sarah, are facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of stealing involving staggering amounts of money.



Not only were monetary assets stolen, but the accused also allegedly made off with personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as valuable clothes, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry. The stolen items amounted to a shocking value of GH95,000 and US$95,000.



Further accusations involved Patience acting alone in the theft of cultural treasures, including six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of men's suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to the minister's husband.



The court has also charged three additional individuals in connection with the thefts, revealing the complexity of the case.



The accused allegedly used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.



The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, while investigations continue.











Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Sudanese army says nine people have been killed in a plane crash at the airport in Port Sudan.



It said the civilian Antonov aircraft had suffered a technical failure as it was taking off.



Four military personnel were among the dead. A young girl is reported to have survived the accident.



More than three million people have been displaced since fighting between the army and the RSF militia erupted in mid-April, with the conflict showing no signs of resolution.

Source: BBC









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The highly anticipated 2023 Project Management Excellence Awards took place on the evening of July 21, 2013, at the prestigious Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort in Akosombo.



This year, the awards Organizers introduced three new categories, namely Project Management Excellence, IT Project of the Year Award, Project Management Excellence, Oil and Gas Project of the Year Award, and Project Management Excellence, Agricultural Project of the Year Award, expanding the total number of categories to fifteen (15).



The categories recognized outstanding achievements in various sectors, including Banking & Finance, Telecommunications, the Media, State organizations, Agriculture, Mining, NGOs, Manufacturing, Information Technology, Oil and Gas, Consultancy, and Education. Each category aimed to celebrate exceptional project management practices and recognize the individuals and organizations that contributed to their successful execution.



The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) won the highly competitive Project Management Excellence, Project of the Year Award with their Kasoa BSP/ICC Project, with MTN bagging the runner up Award.



The Capital Projects Group (CPG) of MTN came tops in the Project Management Excellence, PMO of the Year Award Category, with ECG picking the runner up Award in this category.



The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) won the coveted Project Management Excellence, Oil and Gas Project of the Year Award, with their Accra Plains Tanks Modernization Project





ECG won the State Organization Project of the Year Award with the Power App Enhancement Project (EPEP).



ABSA won the Project Management Excellence, Bank Project of the Year Award with their Investment on ABSA Mobile Banking Application Project.



The Prestigious Project Management Excellence, Telecom Project of the Year Award was won by MTN, with the Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud Management Solution Project



The highly competitive IT Project of the Category saw a flex of IT Projects muscles among leading Corporate giants. In the end, Ecobank won the award with their Transformation Program. MTN was the runner-up.



With the Construction of the Esaase Hospital (Bentefufuo Community Hospital), Asanko Gold won the Project Management Excellence, Mining Company Project of the Year Award.



Ing. Patrice Afenyo of ECG won the Project management Excellence, Project Manager of the Year Award, with the superior Project and Program management best practices that were exhibited throughout the entire Project life cycle of the MCC Compact II ECG Financial Operational Turnaround (EFOT)Projects. Mr. Evans Abakah of MTN won the runner up ward in this category for the application of Project management best practices in the Management of Projects and Programs.



The 2023 Project Management Excellence Awards showcased the outstanding achievements and best practices employed by organizations in various sectors. The winners' commitment to excellence and exemplary Project Management serves as an inspiration to the industry as a whole, demonstrating the impact of effective project management on successful outcomes.



The Board and leadership of the Project Management Institute, Ghana Chapter wish to congratulate all winners and nominees in the various categories. Our appreciation goes to all members of the Chapter, all delegates, Speakers, Sponsors, the Planning Committee, our Media Partners, service providers and all other stakeholders who made this years edition of the National Project Management Conference and Project Management Excellence Awards a resounding success. We are hopeful that the 2024 edition will be even more exciting.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh says Ghana's energy space is full of huge opportunities for investment in both the power and petroleum sectors.



Dr. Prempeh made this remark when he led an official delegation to meet the Mayor of Houston, Texas - USA, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra earlier today.



The Mayor is leading a delegation to the country on a trade and investment drive.



In 2022, the two met in Houston during the Africa Energy Summit and again at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) earlier in 2021.



On both occasions, their discussions were "very fruitful", according to the Minister.



Referring to the historically warm relations between Ghana and the United States, the Minister highlighted the role played by the United States government in the construction of the Akosombo Dam to provide hydro-electricity to Ghana.



In the business community, in the Peace Corps progamme and in several other endeavours, American presence in Ghana has been an important force to reckon with, and must work harder at deepening this, he said.



Dr. Prempeh further acknowledged Houston as the energy capital of the world, making this visit particularly significant in respect of the opportunities for investment, collaboration and strategic partnerships in the sector.



Ghana has everything going for it as a destination for investment a stable political system, a robust legal framework, a viable fiscal regime, a good telecommunications system and warm, hospitable people, he said.



He also underscored the work that President Akufo-Addos government has done over the past six years in opening up access to education and skills training as a critical base for leveraging on the opportunities that the investment provides.



On his part, Mayor Turner stated he is excited about his delegations visit to Ghana and described it to be "very productive".



He stressed the need for partnerships that make an impact on ordinary lives and agreed that Africa was the "new frontier" for investment and that the combination of vast mineral deposits and a youthful population with education and skills training meant that the potential was enormous.



After the discussions, the Minister presented the Mayor with a plaque displaying various Adinkra symbols whilst the Mayor presented the Minister with a book on the City of Houston.



The Heads of various energy sector agencies, private operators and senior officials were in attendance on the Ghanaian delegation whilst the Houston delegation included members of the City Council and representatives from various oil companies.



The delegation leaves the country tonight for the United States.













Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Samuel Koku Anyidoho, former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed his support for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, asserting that it is a valuable initiative that will endure.



During a visit to the Anlo Awomefia Senior High School in his hometown over the weekend, Koku Anyidoho shared his views with the media, highlighting the positive impact of the Free SHS programme.



He acknowledged that while there are challenges associated with the policy, it has significantly contributed to producing more literate citizens in the country.



"It's a very good programme and it is really helping to produce a lot of literates in the country, which is very important to the development of the nation. So, I believe the programme has come to stay, and no government can cancel it," myjoyonline.com quoted him to have said.



He went on to emphasize that the Free SHS initiative has opened doors for countless students, including some of his own family members.



Many Ghanaians have benefited from the policy, and it has enabled more students to attend university and contribute meaningfully to the country's economic growth.



Koku Anyidoho, who also hails from Anyako was very instrumental in the construction of the ultra-modern dining /assembly hall of the school with auxiliary facilities including a modern kitchen for the school and commended the impact of the Free SHS policy on the school, noting that the institution has seen a substantial increase in student enrollment since its implementation.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a prominent figure vying for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, emphasized the urgent need for Ghana to adopt a new and innovative business model to successfully diversify its agriculture sector.



Speaking at the Vikings Alumni Celebrity Platform Lecture during the 60th-anniversary celebration of the Mensah Sarbah Hall, he highlighted key components that should drive this new model.



Dr. Afriyie Akoto stressed that the success of the innovative business model would depend on a well-structured government approach, efficient supply chain logistics, and improved market access. Additionally, he emphasized the significance of utilizing Big Data and Technology for evidence-based decision-making, investing in Research and Development, and strengthening both input and output market systems. The critical factor, he asserted, was maintaining unwavering political determination to execute the model effectively, as any slackness in implementation could impede progress and affect revenue inflow.



The former Minister of Food and Agriculture underscored the need for prioritizing agricultural transformation at the highest levels of government, with a clear vision and strategy in place. He drew inspiration from the words of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who once said, "Everything can wait, but not agriculture."



If elected as the NPP Flagbearer and subsequently as President of Ghana, Dr. Afriyie Akoto pledged to establish an Agricultural Management Team (AMT), chaired by the President himself, alongside the Economic Management Team led by the Vice President. The AMT would consist of seven Agric-related Ministries, aiming to drive agricultural development.



To enhance supply chain logistics and expand market access, Dr. Afriyie Akoto proposed investing in infrastructure projects such as feeder roads, hospitals, housing, rural electrification, irrigation, and storage, which would be integral to the agricultural transformation agenda.



Furthermore, he stressed the importance of substantial investments in Big Data and technology to enable precise decision-making, with a focus on involving target users of technology at every stage. This approach would empower the youth and create new job opportunities.



The agricultural economist also highlighted his vision to fund research and development, ensuring resilience to climate change and sustainable yields in farmers' fields. Investments in science, technology, and innovation would pave the way for prosperity for all, including smallholder farmers.



To strengthen both input and output market systems, Dr. Afriyie Akoto emphasized the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework to leverage private-sector investment and promote efficient distribution of agro-inputs. He believed that a well-funded and competitive private sector would drive long-term, sustainable agribusiness growth and job creation.



Human development was identified as another key factor in achieving success. Dr. Afriyie Akoto proposed a comprehensive strategy, including farmer field schools, demonstration plots, agropreneur development, agricultural extension agent training, and initiatives to reduce illiteracy among rural households and farmers. He aimed to equip students with agricultural education and skills through curriculum development.



Dr. Afriyie Akoto highlighted the crucial role of agriculture in Ghana's economy, not only contributing to GDP but also being a significant source of income for the majority of households. He emphasized the need for a new innovative business model, engaging stakeholders across the agri-business value chain, including youth, smallholder farmers, and large-scale farmers, to ensure adequate and affordable food and high-value exports that benefit all.



The overarching vision for Ghana, according to Dr. Afriyie Akoto, is to achieve agriculture-led growth for structural transformation, providing alternative opportunities for boosting foreign exchange reserves, mechanizing the sector, prioritizing public funding, and enhancing productivity in smallholder farms. This approach aims to create a self-reliant, food-secure, wealthy, and healthy nation, reducing the country's dependence on external borrowing for economic development and financing various social sectors.





























Source: graphiconline.com









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SINGAPORE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday.

Both sides reaffirmed the close and longstanding relations between Singapore and Hong Kong and discussed ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, arts and culture, innovation and research.

While meeting with the press, the chief executive said that he believed Hong Kong and Singapore will continue to be active partners in advancing both places and play a useful role in regional developments.

Hong Kong's bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is an important step in strengthening its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the chief executive stated.

Expressing his gratitude to Singapore for supporting Hong Kong's accession to RCEP, the chief executive stressed that the HKSAR government stands ready to engage in exploratory discussions with RCEP members to deepen mutual understanding and lay the groundwork for the ensuing formal negotiations.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed confidence in Hong Kong's continued development and prosperity under the "one country, two systems" framework, according to a statement by Singapore's foreign ministry.

John Lee also met with other Singaporean leaders, visited local enterprises, and introduced the unique advantages of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems" and the latest investment opportunities to representatives of the government and business leaders of Singapore.

During the visit, enterprises and institutions of Hong Kong and Singapore signed seven memoranda of understanding on areas including trade, financial services, fin-tech, innovation and technology, and research collaboration.

John Lee is leading a delegation to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia to further strengthen the cooperation between Hong Kong and ASEAN members. 
A communicator of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Solomon Nkansah has stated that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has suffered a big blow with the events surrounding missing sums of money at the residence of a serving minister.



In what has become known as the Cecilia Dapaah matter, the minister, in 2022, is said to have lost a million dollars, 300,000 euros and 350,000 cedis to two house maid aged 30 and 18.



Nkansah said whiles the issue was a blow to the government, the NPP should not be bothered about it and members should desist from defending it in any shape or form.



Whichever way you look at it, it is a big blow to the government, it is not good for governance in this country, he submitted on the Alhaji and Alhaji talk show on Pan African Television (July 22, 2023).



Successive governments have been preaching that Ghanaians must develop the habit of saving in the banksand if you have a minister who is supposed to lead by example, allegedly keeping such monies in her house at a time that our dollar, euro seem not to be stable, then it is cause for concern, he added.



On how the NPP should handle the issue, he said: It is not good for our image and it also creates problems for politicians. NPP members must not worry about it, it is not for you to go and defend the indefensible, that is recklessness, that is unseriousness.



Because I have combed through our constitution and there is nowhere that she should be made a minister and keep it on behalf of the party, he added.



Nkansah called on the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Office of the Special Prosecutor to launch probes into the matter, he also stated that it was in the interest of the former minister to call for same.



Dapaah resigned her position in a letter dated July 22, 2023 and has since said she is open to any probe into the matter.



Background



According to an official charge sheet from an Accra Circuit Court, the brazen thefts occurred at the couple's residence in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, over a three-month period from July to October 2022.



The accused, identified as Patience and Sarah, are facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of stealing involving staggering amounts of money.



Not only were monetary assets stolen, but the accused also allegedly made off with personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as valuable clothes, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry. The stolen items amounted to a shocking value of GH95,000 and US$95,000.



Further accusations involved Patience acting alone in the theft of cultural treasures, including six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of men's suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to the minister's husband.



The court has also charged three additional individuals in connection with the thefts, revealing the complexity of the case.



The accused allegedly used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.



The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, while investigations continue.





















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the past weeks, has connected with party delegates in the Greater Accra Region and Ashanti Region.



As part of his campaign schedules to connect with delegates, his train stops in the Western Region where he engages the Takoradi and Effia constituencies.



Speaking at a campaign grounds in Effia, Honorable Joseph Cudjoe, Member of Parliament for the Effia constituency expressed the delegates' overwhelming support for Dr. Bawumia as the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer, predicting his ascent to the Presidency in December 2024.



The declaration by Honorable Joseph Cudjoe comes as no surprise as Dr. Bawumia has captured the hearts and minds of party delegates through his visionary leadership and dedication to the party's progress.



Honorable Joseph Cudjoe confidently stated; "We have already voted for Dr. Bawumia as the NPP flagbearer in spirit. We are only waiting for December 2024 to make him President."



The immense faith placed in Dr. Bawumia speaks volumes about the impact he has had on the party.



Widely recognized for his impact on the party, Dr. Bawumia has become a symbol of hope and progress for the NPP.



Honorable Joseph Cudjoe's statement only solidifies the growing support and anticipation surrounding the NPP's next presidential race.



Delegates have been engaging in conversations and grass root campaigns, fueling their enthusiasm for Dr. Bawumia's candidacy.



The unwavering support from respected figures such as Honorable Joseph Cudjoe reaffirms the strong bond between the people and their chosen leader.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has been arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).



This was confirmed in a statement signed by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng dated July 24, 2023.



This follows a court case in which two house helps and others are standing trial for allegedly stealing $1 million, 300,000 and millions of cedis from her Ablekuma residence.



Two of her house helps, Patience Botwe (18) and Sarah Agyei (30), were previously charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, following the alleged incidents between July and October 2022.



During this period, items including assorted clothes worth GHC95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry valued at $95,000 were said to have been stolen from the former Minister's residence in the Abelemkpe area of Accra. Patience Botwe was also accused of stealing six sets of kente cloth worth GHC90,000 and six sets of men's suits valued at $3,000, which belonged to Ms. Dapaah's husband. Furthermore, three other individuals, including Botwe's current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in dishonestly receiving GHC1 million, GHC180,000, and GHC50,000, respectively.



OSP Arrest



According to the statement from the OSP, At 11:55 GMT on 24 July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22 July 2023, was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence".



Ms. Dapaah is being questioned by authorised Officers of the OSP.



Below is the statement







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says out of all the aspirants who have shown interest in contesting for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the next elections, he is the only one the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is afraid of.



In fact the NDC knows that I am the only one among the ten aspiring presidential candidates who can defeat Mahama in 2024. That is why they always attack me and leave the other nine aspirants, Dr. Bawumia pointed out.



The Vice President was addressing NPP delegates in the Takoradi Constituency as part of his campaign tour of the Western Region.



He told delegates that the NDC had three strongholds in the country and mentioned them as the Volta and Northern regions as well as the Zongo communities.



He said before he became the Vice President, the ruling NPP had only three out of the 31 seats in the Northern Region. But with dint of hard work after I became the Vice President, now we have 16 seats. So NDC have done their survey and realised that if I am given the nod as NPP flagbearer, the NDC will lose more seats, he added.



As for the Zongo communities, what they are saying is that bring Bawumia and we will no longer vote for NDC. That is why the opposition party keeps attacking me, but I am focused and I believe if I am elected flagbearer, Ghanaians will make me president, he added.



He then pleaded with the delegates to support and vote massively for him to lead the party into victory in 2024.



He indicated that even as Vice President, his contributions to the growth of the countrys economy are enormous, including the Gold for Oil policy, mobile money interoperability, drone for blood distribution and Agenda 111 among others.



Mahama has been in politics for about 30 years but he cannot tell Ghanaians one policy that he would be remembered for, he told the delegates.



Dr. Bawumia said he contributed to the countrys current electoral reforms when he mounted the witness box as a star witness in the 2012 election petition at the Supreme Court.



He said his digital agenda has also made it possible for people to do a lot of digital transactions, including paying of utility bills with ease and in the comfort of their homes.



He mentioned that the Gold for Oil policy he introduced has yielded positive results, as there has been stability in fuel and the local currency.



He pointed out that he would be able to unite the party since he has served both under the Kufuor regime and currently under the Akufo-Addo-led government.



The Western Regional Chairman of the NPP, Francis Ndede Siah told Dr. Bawumia that he would get 95 per cent of the votes cast from delegates in the region on November 4 this year.



He noted that Dr. Bawumia stands tall among all those who have so far expressed interest to lead the party, and would help the party break the 8 because of his track record.



He then called on the delegates to rally behind Dr. Bawumia because he is the only person capable of leading the NPP to victory in 2024.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Documentation of tabu ceremony in Navatu Reef, Fiji, 2017, video still. Credit: Lisa Rave

A team of international researchers, led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), has announced the initial findings of a project to address the loss of cultures by measuring the impact that climate change has on communities.

One finding from the joint project, titled Climate Crisis and Cultural Loss, or 3CL, is the practice of recognizing and including Indigenous customs in a country's law, such as those of the Maori people of New Zealand.

The group of researchers, which features collaborators from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Arizona State University, Italy's ISIA Urbino, and the University of French Polynesia, noted that the legislation is not only effective in protecting the Maori culture, but it also protects the environment, particularly the Whanganui River and Te Urewera National Park.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, other fading local cultural practices, such as the rahui in French Polynesia, which is a traditional conservation practice that involves banning access to a space, or prohibiting the taking of a natural resource, in order to promote regeneration for the benefit of an entire community, are being integrated into contemporary legal frameworks in response to challenges brought on by the climate crisis.

Supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Award Academic Research Fund, 3CL's initial findings, which also covers countries in Southeast Asia, were published recently in the scientific peer-reviewed Comparative Law Journal of the Pacific in March.

The study also aims to discuss how to safeguard communities worldwide against cultural loss from climate change, applying an approach that combines scientific, humanities, and legal studies with exhibition-making, data visualization, film, and photography.

3CL lead researcher Professor Ute Meta Bauer from NTU's School of Art, Design and Media, and Founding Director of the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, said, "The project marks an important milestone in the emerging field of artistic research as a means of knowledge production. The topic of cultural loss and climate change is not entirely new, but understanding its full extent remains challenging.

"The primary goal of 3CL is to tackle this lack of clarity using innovative and interdisciplinary scientific and artistic approaches. While it may not provide all the answers to these issues, it serves as a bridge to enhance our understanding and acknowledgment of the deeply interwoven connections between culture and climate change. In times of global uncertainty, it is crucial to seek common ground between the arts and the hard sciences that benefit both urban areas and remote territories."

3CL collaborator Dr. Herve Raimana Lallement-Moe, Associate Researcher at the University of French Polynesia and the University of Lyon III, explained: "Culture and traditional knowledge can offer valuable insights and solutions for addressing the interrelated concerns of climate change, such as food security, disaster risk management, sustainable development, and social cohesion. However, everywhere in the worldfrom the most developed states to local communitiesmany cultural practices, traditions, and knowledge systems are disappearing."

Culture and climate's uncanny connection

The team of researchers said that tackling climate change requires a multi-faceted approach as it sits at the confluence of many different topics including culture. The study is also highlighting the importance of living heritage, in the form of local and Indigenous knowledge, as a particularly vital source of resilience, through traditional food security strategies or water and land management techniques.

One of the collaborators in the NTU-led project, Dr. Guigone Camus, anthropologist and Research Engineer (Science Data) at the CEA-DRF Saclay French National Centre for Scientific Research, explained: "Traditional knowledge or Indigenous knowledge and know-hows are now clearly acknowledged by institutions like United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) to be crucial in the face of climate change threats."

"Traditional architecture has proven to be more resilient in front of extreme events than what we usually call 'modern architecture.' For instance, very often, the fact that some constructions can quickly be unbuilt and rebuiltas is the case for some houses in Kiribatimakes them movable quickly, in case people need to settle further away from the rising sea."

3CL co-lead researcher, Associate Professor Yun Sang-Ho, Director of the Remote Sensing Lab at NTU's Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and project collaborator Professor Nabil Ahmed from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology are collaborating as part of the joint project to study the lingering impacts of Cyclone Pam, in collaboration with Vanuatu-based non-profit Further Arts.

Their collaboration places, side-by-side, ground testimonies and cultural imprints left by the disaster, and satellite image maps of cyclone damage produced by Assoc Prof Yun. This novel composition of findings, leveling disparate but complementary layers of disaster response, will be presented as a mixed-media installation in a group exhibition to be held at the end of the three-year study, alongside other sub-inquiries of the project.

These include but are not limited to the creation of new ethnographic film works by award-winning filmmakers and artists Armin Linke and Lisa Rave, and local initiatives to record the oral histories of Singapore's resettled Southern Island descendants by Firdaus Sani, Founder of Orang Laut SG, a group that is dedicated to reclaiming Indigenous narratives.

Artistic research and transdisciplinary knowledge production

The project also includes mapping carried out by researchers at EOS, using satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to visualize community-level impacts from coastal flooding or sea level rise.

Assoc Prof Yun, who is also from NTU's Asian School of the Environment and the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said, "Bringing together current streams of knowledge that exist in parallel to each other creates diverse and insightful datasets to broaden existing knowledge on climate impacts, and explores a new strategy to respond with a holistic approach to the complexity of the climate crisis.

"This project uses a myriad of tools: from visual and spatial studies, from ethnography and law to film, GIS, and space technologies, to make scientific evidence on climate change socially robust and impactful. In time, this will also create an interchange between local perspectives and knowledge generated in different academic fields."

The paper is published in the journal DR-NTU (Data).

More information: Nabil Ahmed et al, Cultural Loss and Climate ChangeA New Field of Research, DR-NTU (Data) (2023). DOI: 10.21979/n9/izmnov
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Pinus palustris forest. Credit: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, CC BY 3.0 US , via Wikimedia Commons

The longleaf pine's branches arch toward the sky, each bud bursting with spindly green fingers. As flames sweep the landscape, setting yuccas and loblolly pine saplings ablaze, the longleaf's thick bark peels but protects the solid trunk underneath.

The longleaf loves fire. More important, it can't survive without it.

Longleaf pines used to span 90 million acres of the southern United States from East Texas to Florida. Burns by Indigenous tribes and lightning fires allowed the pines to thrive in forests home to red-cockaded woodpeckers and pink Texas trailing phlox flowers.

Today, about 5 million acres remain.

In East Texas, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and The Nature Conservancy have teamed up to save the longleaf pines by bringing back "good fire." Many Indigenous tribes have set small fires for centuries, and the approach is now being used across the country to curb wildfires and restore native grasslands.

For The Nature Conservancy, the burns aim to preserve an ecosystem of plants and animals that rely on the longleaf. For the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, who have long used the tree to prepare medicines and make baskets, the stakes are higher.

"It's tied to not only culture, but our identity," said Rochellda Sylestine, the tribe's interim Historical Preservation Officer. "And when you start losing those things, or those things start disappearing  you cease being Alabama-Coushatta."

The basket tree

Gesse Bullock grew up on Alabama-Coushatta land, biking around the lake and hunting deer and rabbits in the woods. His aunts and uncles in the tribe's firefighting program were often called away to suppress wildfires across the country. Upon their return, they captivated Bullock with tales of camping at Yellowstone or exploring mountains in Montana. By his early teens, Bullock knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps.

As a child, Bullock knew of the longleaf as the basket tree. The tribe relied on it for survival, Sylestine said, selling baskets through the Great Depression and into the 1980s, when Congress restored the tribe to federal recognition, allowing it to self-govern and receive funding for federal programs.

The tribe still weaves and sells baskets, and each basket-maker has a signature style, Sylestine said. Just from examining the pattern of stitches and colors, she said she can tell who created it. When she opens a basket's lid, she describes the scent as home.

It was only as an adult that Bullock realized longleaf forests were dwindling on tribal lands. In the early 2010s, tribal leadership worked with the National Resources Conservation Service to plant saplings across 400 acres. But that wasn't enough: The forests needed regular mowing and burning for the longleaf to return in full force.

"The longleaf were surviving," Bullock said. "They weren't thriving."

After working for the U.S. Forest Service's wildlife and fire programs for about 14 years, Bullock returned home in 2018 to lead the tribe's fire management program. The longleaf forests had grown into a thicket, overrun with vegetation so dense he couldn't see from one end to the other.

He remembers thinking: "We've got to open up these areas really quick, before we lose these trees."

Bringing back good fire

For centuries, many Indigenous tribes have burned forests to keep trade and hunting routes open, renew the landscape for livestock or clear underbrush. European settlers suppressed Indigenous burns when they arrived, and the U.S. government has long suppressed fires, including those caused naturally by lightning.

"As we see more and more fire events happening, it's important to understand how we might intervene in ways that promote healthy forests," said Kerry Thompson, an anthropology professor at Northern Arizona University.

Thompson, along with Southern Methodist University anthropologist Christopher Roos, found that Indigenous cultural burns weakened the climate's ability to cause fires for 400 years in the American Southwest. The small fires cleared vegetation that could have fed larger ones.

Indigenous tribes, nonprofits and government agencies are working to return fire to landscapes. In California, the Washoe Tribe is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and California Tahoe Conservancy to restore a 300-acre meadow called Mayala Wata. And at Cedar Hill State Park in Dallas, biennial burns aim to replenish the area's native grasslands.

The Nature Conservancy and Alabama-Coushatta partnership was formed about four years ago with support from the Indigenous Peoples Burning Network. The Nature Conservancy and the tribe burn together, both on tribal land and on about 6,000 acres of The Nature Conservancy's Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary near Lumberton in East Texas.

Ninety percent of a burn's work lies in planning, said the Nature Conservancy's Shawn Benedict. Before confirming a date, the tribe and the Nature Conservancy make sure the humidity, wind speed and wind direction will keep the fire contained and the smoke from drifting into the highway.

Rather than igniting fires with a pine branch or log, as some tribes did in the past, 8 to 15 burn crew members use drip torches to drop "dots" of fire along and within the perimeter. The dots smolder, smoke and spread with the wind. Nature Conservancy and Alabama-Coushatta staff ride off-road vehicles around the fire, listening to digital radios for instructions from the "burn boss"usually Bullock or Benedictamid the crackling flames.

Unlike a wildfire, the burn is controlled. The crew digs a line in the dirt between the flames and the highway called a "fire break," so the fire fizzles out at the borders while logs and plants smoke within. Some large stumps or logs can burn for days.

For Bullock, fire is a family business. Among the Alabama-Coushatta burn crew are his sister-in-law Charity Battise and nephew Austin Thompson. Thompson said burns with his uncle feel like they're hanging out at home, with Bullock poking fun if he spots Thompson trip over a log or stumble into the brush.

The fire crew burns 50 to 400 acres at a time and hits the same area every 1 to 3 years. The timing is key to allow native grasses to grow back and clear invasive species that could stunt the longleaf's growth.

After a recent burn, Alabama-Coushatta youth piled into a white fire truck and headed to a Woodville cafe to scarf down burgers and chicken sandwiches. The burn boss, Benedict, stayed behind to circle the perimeter in an ATV, snuffing out any particularly smoky bits.

Inside the burn, loblolly pine saplings keeled over, their leaves shriveling. But the baby longleafs endured, streaks of green amid the blackened dirt.

Benefits of the burn

At Sandyland Sanctuary, the Nature Conservancy collects data at over 100 locations to measure the amount of longleafs and their loblolly pine competitors as well as the amount of competing vegetation and brush.

The first planned fire at Sandyland took place in 1978 and data collection began in 2014. The Nature Conservancy has yet to wrap up analysis on changes in the forests since 2014, but the nonprofit says the forests are trending in the right direction. From 2014 to 2021, the longleaf tree density at Sandyland increased by 4%.

Since trees don't grow overnight, it could take decades to fully restore the longleaf forests, according to the conservancy.

Measuring progress at an outdoor sanctuary involves more variables than in a lab. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, The Nature Conservancy diverted its efforts to measure how the forests recovered from flooding. And in 2020, the conservancy said the pandemic halted the burns, allowing forest brush to grow back and reversing some of the progress.

Despite the lack of data, Bullock said he's seen the benefits of the burns. Pawpaw trees and mountain mint flowers, which he hasn't seen in the forests for years, are returning. Longleaf branches dance in the wind, their needles nearly long enough to be plucked for basket weaving.

Last year, the tribe won an award from the Big Thicket Association, a southeast Texas conservation group, for its longleaf preservation efforts. Losing the forests would mean losing livelihood and history, Bullock said. He is determined not to let that happen.

"Fire has always been a part of our culture," he said. "Our people were known as the thicket-clearers, so [we're]  ensuring that we're living up to that name."

2023 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Adam Dixon, a conservation scientist at World Wildlife Fund, stands near a low-cost bioacoustic recorder in a farm field. He used these recorders in conjunction with a satellite imagery analysis to determine how various bird species were faring in pockets of non-crop vegetation (such as at the edges of fields or between crop rows) on lands under intensive agricultural cultivation. The demonstrated the possibility of working with private landowners for research and found that grassland birds in particular would benefit from more and better habitat on these lands. The combination technique could be used for environmental monitoring on other working lands, such as cattle ranches. University of Maryland, Baltimore County ecologists Erle Ellis and Matthew Baker also contributed to the research. Credit: Adam Dixon

New research led by Adam Dixon, a conservation scientist with the World Wildlife Fund, describes the successful pilot of a novel method to study how well grassland birds are faring on croplands. The study, published in Ecological Applications, looked at 44 pockets of non-crop vegetation in the gaps between crop rows and at the edges of fields on lands under intensive agricultural cultivation in Iowa. The study may serve as a model for monitoring wildlife on working lands more generally, which can include crop fields, cattle ranches, and logged forests.

The researchers analyzed satellite imagery data to determine each pocket's area and "texture," referring to the variety in plant species, height, and density in the habitat. Simple, inexpensive on-site bioacoustic recordersessentially circuit boards with a battery and mini cell phone microphone attached, all sealed in a plastic baghelped the team identify which bird species were using the habitat. Both methods were low-cost and required very few visits to the lands under study, demonstrating the scalability of this approach.

The combination of techniques allowed the researchers to determine that larger habitat area and greater variety in texture were associated with more bird species overall. However, the results also revealed that species reliant on grassland habitat for their entire life cycle (mating, raising young, foraging, etc.) seemed to benefit less than birds who only used the habitat for certain activities, such as hunting.

"Using novel methods, we found that agricultural habitats are good for birds in general, but when you look at grassland birds specifically, either there's not enough habitat or the habitat characteristics aren't good," Dixon says, who studies working lands biodiversity in the northern U.S. plains for the World Wildlife Fund.

The study's relatively small sample size limited the researchers' ability to determine whether habitat texture and area each had independent effects on the birds. Still, the study showed that their unique method combining satellite imagery and bioacoustic data can help researchers effectively measure habitat quality and bird biodiversity. The authors hope their work encourages future studies incorporating more study sites to strengthen the statistical power of the results.

Beyond protected areas

Dixon grew up surrounded by large wheat farms in the Midwest and observed their effects on the environment, which informed his career goals. His formative experiences, he says, led to an understanding that protected areas alone are not enough to solve the biodiversity, food, and health challenges the U.S. and the world are facing. "I saw a lot of research emphasis on protected areas," Dixon says, whereas he wanted to focus on the intersection of intensive agriculture and ecology.

Dixon completed the new research as part of his Ph.D. with Erle Ellis, a landscape ecologist at University of Maryland, Baltimore County whose work has focused for decades on the longstanding relationships between humans and landscapes across the planet. Ellis is senior author on the new paper.

"Agriculture covers more of this planet than protected areas do, and Adam's research on bird habitats in Iowa farmlands confirms that even some of the most intensively managed agricultural landscapes on Earth can sustain significant biodiversity," Ellis shares. "More research like Adam's is needed to conserve, restore, and monitor biodiversity in the working landscapes needed to sustain both people and wildlife across more than three-quarters of Earth's land."

Community collaboration

The new study is also unusual in that it took place on privately held farmland. Dixon worked with landowners to get permission to conduct research on their property, and in some cases farmers placed the recorders themselves.

"It's difficult but not impossible to work on private lands," Dixon says. "You just need to build trust and relationships." In the future, Dixon would like to deepen his collaboration with farmers. Gathering more information about their management practices would open up additional research questions. Plus, learning about any barriers farmers face to participating in research could make it more likely that other projects requiring farmer buy-in would get off the ground.

"What was impressive about Adam's investigation was his willingness to employ novel technology and ideas to overcome what has historically been an absolute challenge in surveying working landscapes," says Matthew Baker, a UMBC ecologist and a co-author on the paper. "His example has really shown the potential and the need for additional study."

Supporting farmers and the environment

Farmers lead a challenging existence, frequently operating on extremely thin financial margins and relying on fickle weather, Dixon says, which incentivizes them to simplify and control the landscape as much as possible. Unfortunately, that can lead to environmental harm. Through his work, Dixon wants to help find a middle way that supports both farmers and the environment. Many questions remain.

"How do we move from the necessity to simplify the system to something that's more balanced and takes into account the entire environment? To something that understands the unique ecology of a place and integrates that into management, and allows the farmer to prosper across generations? How can we find a better solution besides just hoping that we're going to protect these small patches?" Dixon asks.

Those questions are why Dixon has pursued research into biodiversity on working lands, he says. While the new paper may be a small step to better understanding how wildlife is and is not flourishing on working lands, it is a step in the right direction and opens the door for future projects.

"We need to integrate conservation solutions into our most intensive places," Dixon says. "So this research identifies that as an area of valid research and also shows how that research might be done."

More information: Adam Patrick Dixon et al, Passive monitoring of avian habitat on working lands, Ecological Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1002/eap.2860 Journal information: Ecological Applications
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Co-authors Arafat Rahman (second from left) and Max Manci (right) are seen here in the field along with colleagues. Credit: Sachs lab, UC Riverside.

Plants form alliances with microbes in the soil in which they grow. Legumes, for example, benefit from a symbiotic relationship with microbes that inhabit nodules in their roots and "fix" nitrogen in the atmosphere to make it available to promote the legumes' growth. But are microbes always beneficial to plants? Or does competition between strains for plant access degrade the service the bacteria ultimately provide?

A team led by scientists at the University of California, Riverside, set up experiments to answer these questions and better understand the competition process. The researchers used a native California plant with nodules, Acmispon strigosus, and a set of eight compatible nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains.

They infected some plants with each of the eight strains to directly measure their ability to infect the plants and provide benefits. They then infected other plants with pairs of bacterial strains to assess the competitive ability of each strain and the effect on plant performance.

The researchers found that competition between strains of beneficial bacteria in the soil degrades the service that the bacteria provide to their hosts. The study, "Competitive interference among rhizobia reduces benefits to hosts, " appears in the journal Current Biology.

"More specifically, we found interstrain competition that occurs in the soil before the bacteria infect the plant causes fewer of the bacteria to colonize the plant, resulting in the plant gaining smaller benefits in the end," said Joel Sachs, a professor of evolution, ecology, and organismal biology, who led the research team.

"To understand symbiosis, we often use sterile conditions where one strain of bacteria is 'inoculated' or introduced into an otherwise sterile host. Our experiments show that making that system slightly more complexsimply by using two bacterial strains at a timefundamentally shifts the balance of benefits that the hosts receive, reshaping our understanding of how symbiosis works."

Sachs explained that a core challenge in agriculture is leveraging the services that microbes can provide to crops by promoting growth in a sustainable way, without the environmental costs of chemical fertilizers. His lab studies rhizobiabacteria that promote plant growth.

Rhizobial competition is a longstanding problem for sustainable agriculture. Rhizobia form root nodules on legumes, within which the bacteria fix nitrogen for the plant in exchange for carbon from photosynthesis. Growers have long sought to leverage rhizobia to sustainably fertilize staple legume crops such as soybean, peanuts, peas, and green beans.

"One might think using rhizobia as inoculants should allow growers to minimize the use of chemical nitrogen, which is environmentally damaging," said Sachs, who chairs the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. "But such rhizobial inoculation is rarely successful. When growers inoculate their crops with high-quality rhizobiastrains that fix a lot of nitrogenthese 'elite' strains get outcompeted by indigenous rhizobia that are already in the soil and provide little or no benefit to hosts."

In their experiments, Sachs and his colleagues used bacterial strains whose genomes they had already sequenced. They also characterized the strains, which ranged from highly beneficial to ineffective at nitrogen fixation, to know exactly how beneficial they were to the target plant species. The researchers sequenced the contents of more than 1,100 nodules, each of which was from a plant that was inoculated with one of 28 different strain combinations.

Next, the researchers developed mathematical models to predict how much benefit co-inoculated plants would gain based on expectations from plants that were "clonally infected" (infected with one strain). This allowed the researchers to calculate the growth deficit that was specifically caused by interstrain competition.

"Our models showed that co-inoculated plants got much lower benefits from symbiosis than what could be expected from the clonal infections," said Arafat Rahman, a former graduate student in Sachs' lab and the first author of the research paper. "While beneficial bacteria work well in the lab, they get out-competed in the natural environment. Ultimately, we want to find a strain of bacteriaor a set of themthat gives maximum benefit to the host plant and is competitive against bacterial strains that are already in the soil."

Sachs explained that to discover and develop a bacterial strain that is highly beneficial to plants, scientists need to conduct experiments under very clean conditions.

"Ultimately, we want to use beneficial bacteria in agriculture," he said. "To identify these bacteria, we would, typically, add one bacterial strain to a plant in the lab and show that the plant grows much better with the strain than without. In the field, however, that plant is covered in microbes, complicating the story. In our experiments, we advanced from using one strain to a pair of strains to see what impact that has on plant growth. Interestingly, with just two strains, many of our predictions fell apart."

Rahman stressed that while experiments are needed to ascertain how beneficial a bacterial strain is, experiments that test how competitive the strain is against a panel of other bacterial strains are also needed.

"Both steps are crucial," he said. "Our work found some of the best strains can be highly beneficial to plant growth but as soon as you pair them with any other strain, that benefit is greatly reduced. Further, it is important to know at which stage the interstrain competition takes place: before the bacteria interact with the plant or after? Our work suggests it's the former and provides a useful guide to designing future experiments aimed at discovering strains that are better for delivery in crops."

Sachs said that in a lot of current experimental designs the focus is on the benefit to plants.

"It's important, however, to keep in mind that bacteria are shaped by natural selection," he said. "Some of them may be highly competitive in entering the nodule to infect the plant but not be very beneficial to the plant and that could be a trait that wins out in nature. If we are to leverage microbial communities for the services they can provide to plants and animals, we need to understand interstrain dynamics in these communities."

According to Sachs and Rahman, sustainable growth practices need to be a critical aspect of new agriculture to feed a growing population on a limited resource base.

"This will require moving past polluting methods such as adding huge amounts of chemical nitrogen to soil," Sachs said. "Understanding how to efficiently deliver beneficial microbes to a target host is a central challenge in medicine, agriculture, and livestock science. By revealing that interstrain dynamics can reduce the benefits of symbiosis, our work has opened new avenues of research to improve sustainable agricultural practices."

Sachs and Rahman were joined in the study by Max Manci, Cassandra Nadon, Ivan A. Perez, Warisha F. Farsamin, Matthew T. Lampe, Tram H. Le, and Lorena Torres Martinez of UCR, and Alexandra J. Weisberg and Jeff H. Chang of Oregon State University. Rahman plans to join Oregon State University as a postdoctoral researcher.
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10-23 DNAzyme crystallization construct and activity. A Secondary structure of the 10-23 crystallization construct. B Activity of the 10-23 crystallization construct showcasing inhibition of activity with the 2-OMe substitution at the cleavage site (green dots indicate position of the FAM label). Credit: Communications Chemistry (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00924-3

West Virginia University researchers are now able to view synthetic DNA at the atomic level, giving them the ability to understand how to change its structure in hopes of enhancing its scissor-like function. Learning more about these synthetic DNA reactions could be the key to unlocking new technology for medical diagnoses and treatments.

In the chemistry world, the findings help answer a 30-year-old question about this specific DNA structure and how scientists can get it to produce a reaction without changing the DNA itself, a process called catalysis.

The researchers' findings are published in Communications Chemistry.

"This is only, maybe, the third example lending insights, at the very detailed atomic level, into how chemically active DNA promote their unique functions that give all these applications their power," said Aaron Robart, associate professor in the WVU School of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and principal investigator of the project. "Atomic detail gives us a long-sought road map to start building and improving a technology that can be broadly applicable to health and diagnostics."

Robart said once scientists understand how to make the technology function more efficiently, it could theoretically be applied as treatment for diseases such as retinal degeneration or cancer. Sarah Starcovic, a West Virginia University doctoral student in biochemistry and molecular medicine from Cameron, conducts research in WVU School of Medicine Associate Professor Aaron Robarts lab. The video includes more from Starcovic and others about work to view synthetic DNA at an atomic level. Credit: WVU / Hannah Maxwell

Robart points out synthetic DNA used in the study, known as DNAzymes, is different from human DNA. Created in a lab, DNAzymes are inexpensive to produce and capable of catalyzing chemical reactions. They've been artificially evolved to perform such functions as monitor air quality and measure heavy metals that have leached into soil.

"Typically, we think of DNA as inert, serving as a storage unit for our genetic information," Robart said. "However, there are certain types of DNA evolved in the laboratory that defy the conventional rules. These DNAs can fold into complex shapes, enabling them to perform a remarkable range of reactions.

"The only problem is, after 30 years of research, we really didn't have a clue on how any of the chemistry was happening. One of the big things we were missing is what our lab does with crystals, resulting in high resolution structures of what nucleic acids look like down to the atom detail and how they can do all this chemistry."

To be able to see DNA at the atomic level, Robart and his lab students, Evan Cramer, of Lake Ann, Michigan; Sarah Starcovic, of Cameron; and Beka Avey of Martinsburg, collaborated with Advanced Photon Source at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago. The processX-ray crystallographyinvolves crystallizing synthetic DNA and then zapping it with super powered X-rays to reveal its structure. Working with APS, the team was able to control the X-ray and collect data via the internet.

"Using this information, we can better understand how other DNAzymes may behave in their cleavage reactions," said Starcovic, who is pursuing a doctoral degree in biochemistry and molecular medicine.

Robart said what they saw was a structure with little arms that can reach out to find another section of a complementary sequence and clamp themselves together, similar to the way Velcro attaches.

"These DNAs can act as molecular scissors with precise specificity to cut RNA or DNA, or they can function as glue," Robart explained. "Say you have a mutated gene that's causing disease, we could get this DNA into the cells and it would be able to get rid of all that kind of message that's causing the proteins that lead to the disease."

Cramer, lead author of the published paper and a biochemistry and molecular medicine doctoral student, said he hopes future studies fill knowledge gaps for clinical implementation.

"It is difficult to improve something when how it works is not entirely known," he said.

Robart said the next step is to focus on alternative techniques for capturing DNAzymes at different points along their function.

"It will be like we're making an old school animation molecular flipbook," Robart said. "This level of detail is used to understand how to improve, target and regulate their activity. This is only one of hundreds of different varieties of DNAzymes, all with their own unique properties begging to be applied to topics in human health."

He said he also hopes to gain insight from School of Medicine colleagues on how the model systems could be used for therapeutics.

"We're in a unique spot," Robart said. "We have a potential cure in search of a disease. I feel fortunate to be in an environment surrounded by so many talented collaborators in the School of Medicine to help this exciting technology reach its full potential."

More information: Evan R. Cramer et al, Structure of a 10-23 deoxyribozyme exhibiting a homodimer conformation, Communications Chemistry (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00924-3
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The storm passed through quickly but the strong winds caused significant damage.

One person was killed and around 15 others injured in northwestern Switzerland on Monday after a "likely tornado" struck a city in the Jura mountains, causing significant damage.

The storm hit the watchmaking city of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Neuchatel region bordering France.

The storm "unfortunately caused the death of one person in their 50s following the toppling of a construction crane", the Neuchatel police said.

"About 15 injured people were taken care of by the emergency services."

The storm passed through quickly but the strong winds caused significant damage.

Vehicles were damaged or destroyed, roofs were torn off, street furniture was blown away and trees were uprooted.

"A likely tornado associated with a rapidly developing storm along the Jura" hit La Chaux-de-Fonds in the late morning, according to the Swiss national weather service.

"A gust of 217 kilometers (135 miles) per hour was recorded by our station at La Chaux-de-Fonds aerodrome this Monday morning, under a storm cell which suddenly strengthened when arriving in the region," MeteoSwiss said on Twitter.

Rescue and clean-up operations are under way, while the Neuchatel police urged people not to expose themselves to risks such as falling tiles or trees.

MeteoSwiss recorded wind speeds of 217 kilometres (168 miles) per hour at La Chaux-de-Fonds.

It also warned that further storms were likely and urged people to avoid going outside.

Before reaching Switzerland, the storm hit eastern France. The Doubs department authorities told AFP that Montlebon, around 18 kilometers from La Chaux-de-Fonds, had been hit the hardest.

The village hall, the church and the school as well as "around 15 houses" suffered roof damage. There were no injuries.

Elsewhere on the French side of the border, around 30 houses were also affected, with the full extent of the damage as yet unknown.

 2023 AFP
Vast tracts of lotus flowers attract visitors to township in E China's Anhui

People's Daily Online) 09:36, July 24, 2023

Blooming lotus flowers in a lotus pond in Taoxin township, Wanzhi district, Wuhu city, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

With more than 20,000 mu (1,333.33 hectares) of blooming lotus flowers of over 500 varieties, Taoxin township in Wuhu city, east China's Anhui Province, is at its most beautiful time of the year.

The township, located in Wuhu citys Wanzhi district, has a long history of growing lotus. It boasts of a well-preserved ancient water system with 10 vertical watercourses and the same number of horizontal watercourses, a stunning spectacle in low-lying fields surrounded with dikes south of the Yangtze River in China.

In recent years, Taoxin township has established a lotus industry chain covering the growing, viewing, processing, and sale of lotus-related products, increasing the annual output value of the lotus industry to 400 million yuan ($55.8 million).

The township receives more than 1 million visitors a year.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
ISLAMABAD, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Monday signed a framework agreement with Azerbaijan for procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on flexible terms to meet domestic energy requirements, the Prime Minister's office said.

The agreement was signed between Pakistan LNG Limited and Azeri

company SOCAR in Lahore in the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister

Shahbaz Sharif.

Under the agreement, the SOCAR will supply one cargo per month of LNG to Pakistan on flexible terms, the statement added.

The credit line will be 30 days after delivery of the cargo in a one-year contract, which is extendable by another year, said the statement.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sharif said that during his visit to Baku last month, he had a fruitful discussion with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to promote economic relations between the two countries.

Sharif said the agreement will not only help Pakistan meet its energy needs but also enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. 
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A National Oceanography Centre image shows a Bathystylodactylus echinus shrimp photographed by an autonomous marine robot during an expedition to the NE Pacific abyss.

A vast area at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean earmarked for controversial deep sea mineral mining is home to thousands of species unknown to science and more complex than previously understood, according to several new studies.

Miners are eyeing an abyssal plain stretching between Hawaii and Mexico, known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), for the rock-like "nodules" scattered across the seafloor that contain minerals used in clean energy technologies like electric car batteries.

The lightless ocean deep was once considered a virtual underwater desert, but as mining interest has grown scientists have scoured the region exploring its biodiversity, with much of the data over the last decade coming from commercially-funded expeditions.

And the more they look the more they have found, from a giant sea cucumber dubbed the "gummy squirrel" and a shrimp with a set of elongated bristly legs, to the many different tiny worms, crustaceans and mollusks living in the mud.

That has intensified concerns about controversial proposals to mine the deep sea, with the International Seabed Authority on Friday agreeing a two-year roadmap for the adoption of deep sea mining regulations, despite conservationists' calls for a moratorium.

Abyssal plains over three kilometers underwater cover more than half of the planet, but we still know surprisingly little about them.

They are the "last frontier", said marine biologist Erik Simon-Lledo, who led research published Monday in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution that mapped the distribution of animals in the CCZ and found a more complex set of communities than previously thought.

The abyssal urchin Plesiodiadema globulosum is one of the most abundant invertebrates in the NE Pacific region in a zone which teems with biodiversity.

"Every time we do a new dive we see something new," said Simon-Lledo, of Britain's National Oceanography Centre.

Campaigners say this biodiversity is the true treasure of the deep sea and warn that mining would pose a major threat by churning up huge plumes of previously-undisturbed sediment.

The nodules themselves are also a unique habitat for specialized creatures.

"With the science as it is at the present day, there is no circumstance under which we would support mining of the seabed," said Sophie Benbow of the NGO Fauna and Flora.

'Mind-bogglingly vast'

The Clarion-Clipperton zone has both its age and its size to thank for the unique animals discovered there, scientists say.

The region is "mind-bogglingly vast", said Adrian Glover, of Britain's Natural History Museum, a co-author both on the study with Simon-Lledo and on the first full stocktake of species in the region published in Current Biology in May.

A glass sponge from the Euplectellidae family -- one of countless creatures found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone home to thousands of species previously unknown to science and more complex than previously thought.

That study found that more than 90 percent of species recorded in the CCZsome 5,000 speciesare new to science.

The region, which was considered to be essentially barren before an increase in exploration in the 1970s, is now thought to have a slightly higher diversity than the Indian Ocean, said Glover.

He said sediment sampling devices from the region might only capture 20 specimens each timecompared to maybe 20,000 in a similar sample in the Antarcticbut that in the CCZ you have to go much further to find the same creature twice.

Scientists are now also able to use autonomous underwater vehicles to survey the seabed.

These are what helped Simon-Lledo and his colleagues find that corals and brittlestars are common in shallower eastern CCZ regions, but virtually absent in deeper areas, where you see more sea cucumbers, glass sponges and soft-bodied anemones.

He said any future mining regulations would have to take into account that the spread of animals across the area is "more complex than we thought".

Graphic showing the three different types of seabed zones being explored for potential mining.

'Serious harm'

The nodules likely started as a shard of hard surfacea shark tooth or a fish ear bonethat settled on the seabed and slowly grew by attracting minerals that naturally occur in the water at extremely low concentrations, Glover said.

Each one is likely millions of years in the making.

The area is also "food poor", meaning fewer dead organisms drift down to the depths to eventually become part of the seafloor mud. Glover said parts of the CCZ add just a centimeter of sediment per thousand years.

Unlike the North Sea, formed from the last ice age that ended 20,000 years ago, the CCZ is ancient.

"The abyssal plain of the Pacific Ocean has been like that for tens of millions of yearsa cold dark abyssal plain with low sedimentation rates and life there," Glover said.

Because of this, the environment impacted by any mining would be unlikely to recover in human timescales.

"You are basically writing that ecosystem off for probably centuries, maybe thousands of years, because the rate of recovery is so slow," said Michael Norton, Environment Programme Director, the European Academies' Science Advisory Council.

"It's difficult to argue that that is not serious harm."

 2023 AFP
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Femur [thigh bone] of Oblitosaurus bunnueli [scale bar = 20 cm]. Credit: Sanchez-Fenollosa et al, 2023

Researchers at the Fundacion Conjunto Paleontologico de Teruel-Dinopolis/ Museo Aragones de Paleontologia, Spain, have released the description of a new upper Jurassic dinosaur based on fossil remains found in Spain.

In their paper, "The largest ornithopod (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Upper Jurassic of Europe sheds light on the evolutionary history of basal ankylopollexians," published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, the researchers detail the identification of a giant ornithopod Ankylopollexia they named Oblitosaurus bunnueli.

Ankylopollexia is a diverse group of ornithopod dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous (161.5 million to 66 million years ago) found in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The relationships between these diverse finds and the shared origins of the species are poorly understood.

The new ornithopod genus and species, named Oblitosaurus bunnueli, has been described based on fossil remains from Spain's Upper Jurassic (161.5 million to 145 million years ago). The age of the find makes it a likely early form of Ankylopollexia.

Based on several comparable criteria, Oblitosaurus bunnueli likely measured around 67 m in length, making it the largest ornithopod described in the Upper Jurassic of Europe and one of the largest worldwide.

The size estimates may solve a mystery around footprints found In the same South Iberian basin of a large ornithopod with tracks up to 30 cm in size. Ornithopod tracks between 25 and 33 cm have been uncovered at other Upper Jurassic locations in Spain and Portugal but would require a larger ornithopod than previously described in the regions. Estimated footprints produced by Oblitosaurus bunnueli are between 29 and 31 cm long, making it an excellent candidate to solve the mystery of several sites.

Extremely large tracks assigned to ornithopods have been found in the Upper Jurassic of Portugal at around 70 cm and in Yemen at over 50 cm, suggesting some enormous ornithopods have yet to be discovered.

The geological setting of the fossil discovery is in the Villar del Arzobispo Formation, which is part of the Upper Jurassic of the South-Iberian Basin. Large herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs, including giant sauropods, stegosaurus, and theropods, dominated the region's terrestrial ecosystems during the Late Jurassic. The Barrihonda-El Humero fossil site within the Villar del Arzobispo Formation, where the current discovery was made, also yielded remains of sauropods, stegosaurs, theropods, fishes, and turtles.

The Oblitosaurus bunnueli fossils include a tooth, a digit, and an almost complete left hindlimb. The tooth and digit were collected in 2005, while the semi-articulated hindlimb was found 12 m away and excavated in 2009. These fossils are considered to belong to the same individual because of the relative proximity of the remains at the site, and the size and features of the pieces are consistent. The studied fossils currently reside in the Museo Aragones de Paleontologia in Teruel, Spain.

Fun fact

The new dinosaur genus, Oblitosaurus bunnueli, was named after the famous Spanish film director Luis Bunuel, known for his surreal and groundbreaking films. The name reflects the uniqueness and importance of this discovery to the province of Teruel, where the filmmaker was born and where the fossils were found and currently reside.

Oblitosaurus means "forgotten lizard," an apt name for any new dinosaur discovery and an homage to one of Bunuel's best-known films, "Los Olvidados," Spanish for "The Forgotten Ones." American film connoisseurs may be more familiar with the English title "The Young and the Damned," which would also make for an excellent dinosaur name, though maybe for one that lived closer to the K-T extinction event.

More information: Sergio Sanchez-Fenollosa et al, The largest ornithopod (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Upper Jurassic of Europe sheds light on the evolutionary history of basal ankylopollexians, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (2023). DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad076 Journal information: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

 2023 Science X Network
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

El Nino conditions brewing in the Pacific Ocean could exacerbate the return of extremely hot temperatures in regional Australia, but Flinders University experts have developed a drought resilience toolkit with strategies that can assist regional communities and farmers ahead of time.

The Drought Resilience Mapping and Assessment Toolkit (DRMT) provides a practical, low-cost resource to assist in identifying strategies that best support farmers, townships, communities, and businesses with future drought resilience planning.

The results have shown that drought resilience is underpinned by the strength of the entire community network. Key to community well-being was found to be strong social networks and informal community based groupsthe value of which is often unobserved in drought resilience assessments.

Developed by Professor Roberta Crouch, Professor Paul Arbon and their team at the Torrens Resilience Initiative (TRI) and the College of Business Government and Law at Flinders University, the DRMT was co-created with communities in Crystal Brook, Orroroo, and Loxton through a series of interviews and community focus groups and an assessment of community assets, in addition to an economic report for each community that supported the key economic indicators of the DRMT.

The prototype was then tested with community leaders to confirm its capability to adapt to local conditions by mapping, assessing, and evaluating existing family, community, and business networks and resources that can be leveraged to help protect the community during severe droughts.

The toolkit received wide support from representatives of the participating communities, and the Flinders team is now working with these communities to develop its wider implementation in the future.

Currently, Professor Roberta Crouch and the Flinders team are conducting independent research for the District Council of Loxton Waikerie that will enable the DRMT to be employed in their upcoming strategic planning period commencing in August 2023.

"The DRMT is transformational in assessing the ability of existing human systems to survive and recover from drought events; integrativedeveloping strategies that allow integration of human systems that can adapt and recover from widespread adverse events; and structuraladdressing communities' ability to absorb adversity and rebound quickly, thus strengthening resilience," says Roberta Crouch, Professor of Business Management in the College of Business, Government and Law.

"The data indicated that high levels of economic and social capital, well-regarded community assets, and high levels of entrepreneurship enhanced drought resilience, and that the effects of drought go beyond farm viability to wider economic and societal viability, with loss of community and business diversity, threats to intergenerational succession, poor mental health, and reduced entrepreneurship all at stake."

"However, the best data and research in the world is of no value in reality if the outcomes of projects such as this aren't employed to provide benefits to the communities we're trying to help. The best thing about this project is that it has resulted in a practical, easy to understand and use, tool that councils and other stakeholders and leaders can use right nowbut we hope to be able to develop the project further to incorporate the ability to measure community resilience to all hazards, not just drought."

Director of the Torrens Resilience Initiative, Professor Paul Arbon, says the community program has shown that drought resilience is underpinned by the resilience of the entire community and that no single entity can be as effective at dealing with periods of prolonged drought.

He also makes the point that "drought is a long term (slow burn) and community wide challenge, less noticeable than the more dramatic events such as wildfires that accompany periods of El Nino, but resulting in serious consequences for rural economies, including farm gate and dependent businesses and services ,and health including mental health. Preparing communities for these climate related challenges is more important than it has ever been."

District Council of Loxton Waikerie CEO David Beaton says the project was important on a range of issues especially as it engaged outside the typical local government style.

"We look forward to understanding more. The next stages of engagement can be pivotal to tailoring our strategic focus to the needs of the community."
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Credit: Anom Harya, Shutterstock

Next time you're road-tripping along the east coast, keep an eye out for a little-known Aussie invention piercing the skyline: glide poles. For Australia's gliding possums, or gliders, they're the next best thing since tall trees.

These tall timber structures, with timber cross arms near the top, give gliders a way to cross big roads. They can shimmy up a pole on one side of the road and then leap to another (and another) to get to the other side.

After witnessing the earliest experiments with glide poles decades ago, it's heartening to see the design refined and replicated up and down the east coast.

The world's largest gliding marsupial, the greater glider, was listed nationally as endangered a year ago this month. That's because their populations had declined by 80% in just 20 years. As land-clearing and bushfires continue to destroy old growth forests with tall trees and hollows, gliders need all the help they can get.

Biomimicry with wooden poles

From the match-box sized feathertail glider to the small cat-sized greater glider, Australia's 11 species each have a gliding membrane, or patagium. This a thin area of skin stretching from the ankles to the wrists or hands.

When a glider leaps from a tree (or glide pole), it extends its front and hind limbs, stretching out its patagium, which allows it to glide. Watch squirrel gliders getting used to their new road crossing device in Forster, New South Wales (2022)

In 1993 Ross Goldingay, one of Australia's leading glider ecologists, came up with the idea of using tall wooden power poles (without wires) as road-crossing stepping-stones for gliders. The glide poles would act as substitutes for tall trees, so it was a very simple and elegant form of what's known as "biomimicry".

Ross directed the placement of glide poles on either side of a powerline easement at Bomaderry Creek near Nowra in southern New South Wales. The trial aimed to ensure yellow-bellied gliders could still cross the easement if it was developed into a local road.

Unfortunately, the Bomaderry Creek glide poles were never monitored. More than ten years later, a series of successful trials at Mackay and Compton Road in Brisbane demonstrated gliders would readily use glide poles. I recall showing Ross early images of squirrel gliders shimmying up the smooth, hardwood poles on the Compton Road land bridge soon after we installed cameras. We were blown away!

The poles needed to be tall enough to enable a comfortable glide crossing of the intervening gap. This is where trigonometry and the laws of physics come in, to get the calculations right for the species being targeted.

Before trees grew up, a series of glide poles on the Compton Road land bridge in Brisbane provided stepping-stone connections between forest on either side. Credit: Brendan Taylor

Since then, glide poles have become a fixture of upgrades along the Hume Highway in Victoria, the Pacific Highway in NSW and the Bruce Highway in Queensland.

Do the poles reconnect glider populations?

We are gradually gathering more evidence of glide pole use. Squirrel gliders, sugar gliders and feathertail gliders have been recorded using glide poles to cross roads at several locations.

Mahogany gliders, yellow-bellied gliders and southern greater gliders have also been recorded using glide poles.

Most notably, retrofitting a glider crossing into a road that previously presented a barrier to squirrel glider movement restored gene flow between populations on either side within five years.

Celebrating some of Australia's most iconic wildlife crossings

Glide poles are one of many structures designed to provide safe road crossing opportunities for wildlife.

Roadside glide poles connect forest habitat for squirrel gliders across Scrub Road in Brisbane. Credit: Brendan Taylor

A yellow-belled glider launches into a glide crossing of the Pacific Higway at Halfway Creek, NSW. Credit: Sandpiper Ecological/Transport for NSW

Pipes and box culverts can provide safe passage under the road, while land bridges and rope canopy bridges offer an alternative pathway over the road.

When combined with fencing, these structures reduce roadkill, provide access to resources on both sides of the road, and enable gene flow.

My new book combines an exploration of the how, when, where and why wildlife crossings evolved in eastern Australia with a travel guide to 57 of its most iconic sites.

The road ahead

We need to conserve, protect and restore our natural landscapes. This is especially the case in a rapidly changing climate. Our unique native species need to be able to move and adapt to the changing environment.

Carving up the landscape for road networks has been particularly bad for wildlife, with many populations becoming increasingly fragmented and increasingly isolated. But roads no longer need to act as roadblocks for the movement of many native species.

Engineers and ecologists have come together over recent years to find new ways to support the safe passage of animals from one side of the road to another. Their efforts deserve to be celebrated. Especially glide poles. They may not be as famous as the good old Hills Hoist clothesline, but they certainly deserve a gong as a great Australian invention. Certainly worth a nod when you pass by on your next great Aussie road trip.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Aerial schematic of the sites studied by FSU assistant professor of anthropology Jayur Madhusudan Mehta. Credit: Florida State University

Earthen and shell mounds built hundreds of years ago by Indigenous people in the Mississippi River Delta contribute to biodiversity and the area's resiliency to erosion today, research by a Florida State University archaeologist has found.

As Indigenous communities in what is now Louisiana mined resources from the environment, they created earthen and shell mounds on the marsh grass coasts, which also served as strategic vantage points for surveying the plains.

Today, the river delta's ecosystem and cultural history are endangered by coastal erosion, industry and other land-use practices.

The research, led by Jayur Madhusudan Mehta, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology, can help inform coastal restoration practices by orienting restoration efforts toward the entire ecosystem, including archaeological sites. The study is published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

"These archaeological sites are incredibly important landforms. They're places of significance to Indigenous peoples and later historic communities, and if we lose them, we're putting the entire ecosystem at risk," said Mehta, who specializes in the study of North American Native Americans, human-environment relationships, and the consequences of French and Spanish colonization in the Gulf South.

The sites serve as cultural landmarks and bulwarks of the ecosystem. Earthen mounds, shell mounds, shell rings and ridges offer space for more vegetation, which helps the environment resist erosion over time.

These archaeological sites were often built on high elevations, and when constructed several meters higher, they also supported vantage points to improve visibility across the flat landscape.

In recent decades, the Mississippi River Delta has been cut with canals to support the transportation of products like oil and natural gas. This has caused an influx of brackish delta water into these freshwater environments.

Brackish water kills marsh grasses and contributes to loss of land along with erosion, sea level rise and subsidence, or the sinking of land-surface elevation.

"We found rapid deterioration of mound sites over the last half century, and we expect this trend to continue if unaddressed," said Elizabeth Chamberlain, the study's co-author and an assistant professor of archaeology at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. "Immediate efforts are needed to protect and study Louisiana's archaeological sites before they are lost to the sea."

In this study, Mehta and Chamberlain analyzed archaeological sites in the Lafourche subdelta, a small subregion of the Mississippi River Delta.

Using light detection and ranging, or LIDAR mapping, a remote sensing method that employs a pulsed laser to measure land surface elevation, Mehta analyzed the landscape and topography. They also used aerial photography to observe vegetation density.

To best understand the cultural impacts of the archaeological sites, the researchers referenced written records of Indigenous oral histories and state-curated archaeological site archives.

"Our analysis shows that these sites tend to be reused and adopted for different purposes over the centuries," Mehta said. "This points to a persistence of use and meaning of these sites, and we argue that they're keystones not only to Indigenous peoples and later historic communities, but also to the entire ecosystem."

The research also helps inform restoration processes of the larger ecosystem alongside the cultural components of the marshes. Louisiana marshes are full of wildlife, and Indigenous communities have interacted with and changed these ecosystems for thousands of years.

The team hopes their findings will influence management priorities for the changing coast to foster environmental resilience in rapidly shrinking coastal Louisiana.

"When colonists first arrived in Louisiana in the late 1600s, this area was not a pristine wilderness  it had already been shaped by human hands for thousands of years," Mehta said. "When we think about restoring the ecosystem, we must ask what we are trying to restore back to. It's important to consider the archaeological and cultural impact of Indigenous peoples on these landscapes and do the best that we can to save these places."

More information: Jayur Madhusudan Mehta et al, Cultural-ecosystem resilience is vital yet under-considered in coastal restoration, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1057/s41599-023-01758-z
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Illustration of Assumption 2 (Single Crossing). Credit: International Economic Review (2022). DOI: 10.1111/iere.12592

Recently, Cai Xiaoming, associate professor at Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS), published a collaborative paper titled "Meetings and Mechanisms" in the International Economic Review. The paper delves into the potential impact of companies' improved ability to select job candidates on the overall labor market.

With the advent of information technology, modern enterprises have become adept at accurately selecting job seekers. For instance, some companies employ online career tests, assigning a quantitative score to each applicant based on their responses. This score is calculated by correlating feedback from current employees with their job performance.

This technological innovation in human resources raises an important question: What is the impact on the labor market, particularly for workers with diverse skills?

Cai's research reveals that companies are no longer worried about highly skilled applicants being overshadowed by those with lower skills. To avoid recruitment failures, positions targeting high-skilled workers encourage a broad range of applications. However, this reduces the chances for low-skilled workers to secure employment, consequently lowering their expectations for labor market returns.

The methods outlined in the published paper offer a fresh approach to comprehending the challenges brought by new techniques in the labor market, which can incorporate various practical factors into the framework of job seeking and matching models.

More information: Xiaoming Cai et al, Meetings and mechanisms, International Economic Review (2022). DOI: 10.1111/iere.12592
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The Miyako keelback snake above and the Miyako grass lizard (below) are endemic to the Miyako Islands. There has long been debate about how these species arrived on Miyako Island. Credit: S. Seki

Did an ancient island facilitate migration among the Ryukyu Islands? Compiling the latest geological and biological data, a research group from Tohoku University has provided compelling evidence that this was the case.

The Ryukyu Islands stretch from the southwestern coast of Kyushu all the way to the eastern part of Taiwan. This island chain is home to an array of endemic species such as the venomous snake Habu, or wild black rabbits know as Amami rabbits.

Even within the differing islands, unique species can be found. Sitting 300 kilometers to the southwest of Okinawa, the Miyako Islands are home to the Miyako keelback snake (Hebius concelarus) and the Miyako grass lizard (Takydromus toyamai).

Despite being separated by the Kerema Gap, these species are closely related to taxa/lineages/populations found on Okinawa and more northern islands and land areas, more so than the Yaeyama Islands, which are located to the southwest of the Miyako Islands and much closer in distance. Additionally, these species have limited ability to travel over water, leading to questions as to when and how they got there.

A Bathymetric map of the Okinawa-Miyako Submarine Plateau. Credit: Watanabe et al.

Largely flat, with the highest point standing at 110 meters, the Miyako Islands are entirely covered with a type of limestone known as the Ryukyu Group. Based on their distribution location and ages, scientists know that the Ryukyu Group were deposited between 1.25 and 0.4 million years ago, during which the sea levels fluctuated, repeatedly submerging the Miyako Islands.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis estimates that the Miyako keelback snake became an independent species around 3.71.8 million years ago. But this contradicts evidence that Miyako Island was submerged before 2 million years ago, and it was not until roughly 400,000 years ago that it became the land it is today, after which organisms began arriving.

Further muddying the waters is that deposits in limestone caves and fissures have contained Habu fossils, which are not native to the Miyako Islands. These fossils date back to 26,8008,700 years ago.

Changes in the paleogeography of the Okinawa-Miyako area and migration of terrestrial vertebrates. Ma = millions of years ago. Credit: Watanabe et al.

A new explanation

Yasufumi Iryu, a professor at Tohoku University's Department of Earth Sciences within the Graduate School of Science who has studied the Ryukyu Group for over 40 years, has proposed a new hypothesis to account for such inconsistencies and in light of the latest geological and biological data. Details of the research were published in the journal Progress in Earth and Planetary Science on July 20, 2023.

"We believe that a land area between Okinawa and Miyako existed from 5.5 million years ago to 270,000 years ago. This island served as a transit site for biological migration from Okinawa to the Miyako Islands."

Iryu and his team dub the hypothesis the Okinawa-Miyako Submarine Plateau (OMSP) hypothesis. It incorporates plate tectonics into the mix of evidence, something previous explanations surrounding migratory patterns to the Ryukyu Islands have failed to do.

It proports that the vertical component (up to 1000 m displacement) of the right-lateral strike-slip faulting that formed the Kerama Gap and the corresponding Chinen Disturbance Event drove the uplift. Migration from the OMSP landmass to the Miyako Islands occurred after they were uplifted 400,000 years ago and before the OMSP landmass was submerged around 270,000 years ago.

Iryu states that their results rest on the integration of various data sources. "By combining relevant geological and phytogeographic data, we have been able to explain the enigmatic composition of modern and Late Pleistocene terrestrial fauna of the Miyako Islands. The study also highlights the high scientific value of the Miyako Island biota and will hopefully lead to greater protection and conservation of endemic species."

More information: Nana Watanabe et al, Geological history of the land area between Okinawa Jima and Miyako Jima of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and its phylogeographical significance for the terrestrial organisms of these and adjacent islands, Progress in Earth and Planetary Science (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s40645-023-00567-x
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Artistic concept of the PDS 70 disk. JWST observations detected water in the inner disk, where normally terrestrial planets form. Two gas giant planets carved a wide gap in the disk made of gas and dust during their growth. Credit: MPIA

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the MPIA-led MINDS research collaboration discovered water in the inner region of a disk of gas and dust around the young star PDS 70. Astronomers expect terrestrial planets to be forming in that zone. This is the first detection of that kind in a disk that hosts at least two planets. Any rocky planets produced in the inner disk would benefit from a substantial local water reservoir, improving the chances of habitability later on.

This finding offers evidence of a mechanism to supply water to potentially habitable planets already during their formation, in addition to later impacts of water-bearing asteroids.

Water is essential for life on Earth. However, scientists debate how it reached the Earth and whether that process also could make rocky exoplanets around other stars habitable.

The preferred mechanism is a supply by water-bearing asteroids bombarding a young planet's surface. "We now may have found evidence water could also serve as one of the initial ingredients of rocky planets and be available at birth," says Giulia Perotti, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany. She is the main author of a research article to appear in the journal Nature that reports on the detection of water in the planet-forming disk of the young star PDS 70, about 370 light-years away. Water in the terrestrial planet-forming zone of the PDS 70 disk. The animation illustrates the detection of water in the zone near the star PDS 70. First we see the starry sky and approach the position of PDS 70. Then the video shows two different observations of the planet-forming disk with the positions of the two gas-rich planets. Finally, we see a section of the spectrum with the water signatures obtained with the MIRI instrument on board the JWST. Credit: Thomas Muller (HdA/MPIA) / G. Perotti et al. (The MINDS collaboration)

Water in the inner disk of PDS 70

Observations with MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) on board the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered water near the disk center, close to the host star PDS 70. In the solar system, this is the region where rocky planets orbit the sun. According to the analysis, the water is in the form of hot vapor, blazing at a temperature of around 330 Celsius (600 Kelvin).

"This discovery is extremely exciting, as it probes the region where rocky planets similar to Earth typically form," MPIA Director Thomas Henning points out. He is a co-author of the underlying article, Co-PI (principal investigator) of MIRI, and the PI of the MINDS (MIRI Mid-Infrared Disk Survey) program. MINDS is a JWST guaranteed-time program involving research institutes from 11 European countries. This survey aims to identify the properties of disks made of gas and dust around young stars, which can teach us about the conditions that determine the composition of planets potentially forming there.

PDS 70 is the first relatively old diskapproximately 5.4 million years oldwhere astronomers found water. Over time, the gas and dust content of planet-forming disks declines. Either the central star's radiation or wind remove material like dust and gas, or the dust grows into larger objects that eventually form planets. As previous studies failed to detect water in the central regions of similarly evolved disks, astronomers suspected it might not survive the harsh stellar radiation, leading to dry rocky planet-forming environments.

Section of the spectrum recorded by the MIRI instrument on board the JWST from the disk around the star PDS 70. The numerous peaks can be attributed to water with different properties. The black line represents the measured signal. The blue area below is the result of a calculation based on a model with different assumptions for the properties of the water. Credit: G. Perotti et al. / MPIA

Observing PDS 70 with MIRI on board the JWST was the key to challenging that hypothesis. As a result, the inner perimeters of evolved and dust-depleted disks may not be so dry after all. If so, many terrestrial planets forming in those zones might be born with a key ingredient to sustain life.

The water supply of terrestrial planetsnature versus nurture

However, scientists have not yet found any planets near the PDS 70 disk center so far. Instead, astronomers detected two gas-giant planets farther out, PDS 70 b and c. They accumulated surrounding dust and gas while orbiting their host star during their growth, creating a wide annular gap almost void of any detectable material.

Still, any rocky planets forming in a water-rich environment closer to the star would benefit from a water supply at the beginning of their life cycles. Therefore, in addition to water carried to initially dry rocky planets via a lengthy process involving asteroids as a somewhat random cosmic transport system, this new result opens the door for a potentially sustainable mechanism that provides water to planets already at birth.

It is not difficult to imagine that such a scenario could improve the chances of finding habitable rocky planets with plenty of water to support life. The progress of the MINDS program will eventually show whether water is common in the terrestrial planet-forming zones of evolved disks around young stars or whether PDS 70 is merely an exception.

What is the water's origin?

Since the presence of water was somewhat unexpected, the MINDS team is investigating several scenarios to explain their find.

One possibility entails water being a remnant from an initially water-rich nebula preceding the disk stage. Water is fairly common, specifically in its frozen state, covering tiny dust particles. When subjected to heat near a forming star, the water evaporates and mixes with the other gases. Unfortunately, water molecules are quite fragile and break into smaller constituents such as hydrogen and oxygen when hit by the damaging UV radiation from the nearby star. However, surrounding material such as dust and the water molecules themselves serve as a protective shield. As a result, at least some of the water detected near PDS 70 could have survived destruction.

Another source might be gas entering from the outer rims of the PDS 70 disk. Under certain circumstances, oxygen and hydrogen gas may combine and form water vapor. In addition, the drag of the moving gas may pull along water-rich dust particles migrating in from the prominent outer dust ring. The central star is so faint that it cannot evaporate the water ice at the distance of that ring. Only when the dust grains enter the inner disk close to the star, the ice turns into a gas.

"The truth probably lies in a combination of all those options," says Perotti. "Still, it is likely that one mechanism plays a decisive role in sustaining the water reservoir of the PDS 70 disk. The future task will be to find out which one it is."

Toward completing the picture

JWST and MIRI are powerful tools. Nevertheless, they only provide some aspects of the whole picture. Like a painting that needs many different colors to convey its message, astronomers apply different kinds of observations and cover a wide range of wavelengths to obtain information and complete their understanding.

In this case, the team used MIRI's spectrograph to decompose the infrared radiation received from PDS 70 into signatures of small wavelength rangessimilar to distinguishing a single color into many different shades. This way, the team isolated a wealth of individual water signatures they used to calculate temperatures and densities.

The astronomers have already obtained additional observations with ground-based telescopes to complete the picture. In addition, they are eagerly awaiting another set of JWST observations that would deliver detailed images of the inner PDS 70 disk. And perhaps, its structure will reveal hints of additional terrestrial planets or the somewhat larger sub-Neptunes forming inside the water reservoir.

More information: Giulia Perotti, Water in the terrestrial planet-forming zone of the PDS 70 disk, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06317-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06317-9 Journal information: Nature
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longhorned ticks. Credit: University of Missouri

Researchers at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine have recently discovered invasive longhorned ticks in Boone County, Missouri, for the first time. The discovery of the longhorned tick, which has already caused the loss of millions of dollars in agricultural revenue to livestock producers worldwide, indicates a potential looming problem for cattle health in mid-Missouri. This tick species can also potentially transmit a variety of pathogens to humans.

"These longhorned ticks have the potential to transmit theileriosis, a disease that kills red blood cells in cattle," said Rosalie Ierardi, a clinical instructor at the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) and doctoral student at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, who last year discovered these same longhorned ticks in northern Missouri. "Symptoms of this infection in cattle could include weight loss, tiredness, weakness, jaundice and pregnancy loss, which all have economic consequences for cattle ranchers looking to sell their calves."

The discovery in Boone County was made in late April by lerardi, who is mentored by Ram Raghavan, an associate professor in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and an associate professor in the MU College of Health Sciences. The recent discovery is part of Ierardi's doctoral dissertation studies.

Originally established in eastern Russia and Australasia, the region that comprises Australia, New Zealand and neighboring islands in the Pacific Ocean, the invasive longhorned tick was first noted outside quarantine in the United States in 2017 in New Jersey. Since then, they have spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic, New England and Midwestern regions, being officially detected in at least 19 states and counting.

"These discoveries help raise awareness for both veterinarians and Missouri livestock producers so that they can monitor the health of animals and make better informed decisions," Raghavan said. "A combination of factors, including increasingly warming temperatures for ticks to thrive in and an increase in people engaging in outdoor activities in rural or suburban areas where ticks are more prevalent, have increased the rates of ticks transmitting pathogens to wildlife, people and their pets."

While most ticks reproduce traditionally, female longhorned ticks can lay thousands of eggs asexually, or without the help of a male, which makes it easier for this species to quickly establish in new areas.

With an extensive background in public health, Raghavan has been tracking the spread of various species of ticks in the U.S. for 16 years. In a 2019 study, he predicted the potential geographic distribution of the longhorned tick, and so far, his predictions have turned into reality.

"The University of Missouri is a land-grant institution, and we remain committed to assisting Missouri veterinarians and Missouri cattle ranchers as they continue to monitor the health of their animals," Raghavan said. "Unfortunately, it appears that these longhorned ticks are here to stay, and the more vigilant we can become in monitoring the situation as it worsens going forward, the better prepared we will be. We need to monitor these ticks long-term throughout the central Midwest, where critical information about the biology of ticks in general is lacking."

Ierardi and Raghavan encourage Missouri livestock producers who notice weakness, tiredness, jaundice or pregnancy loss in their cattle to contact their local veterinarian or the MU VMDL for assistance with tracking down the causes for such signs.
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(a) The Nusselt number ratio Nu/Nu RB and (b) the Reynolds number ratio Re/Re RB versus the wave number kH, respectively. In (a) and (b), different symbols represent different combinations of (Ra, A/H) as indicated in the legend of (a). (c) The viscous and thermal boundary-layer thicknesses versus the Rayleigh number for the RB flow. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.204001

Researchers from the Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science at Peking University (PKU), led by Prof. Chen Shiyi and Prof. Yang Yantao, have recently proposed a mechanism to enhance the efficiency of heat transfer in convective turbulence. The paper has been published in Physical Review Letters, entitled "Boundary-Layer Disruption and Heat-Transfer Enhancement in Convection Turbulence by Oscillating Deformations of Boundary."

Convective turbulence, driven by gravity-induced instabilities resulting from temperature gradients, is a prevalent occurrence in various natural flows, including the atmosphere, ocean, and mantle. It is referred to as an indispensable process for both heat and mass transport and finds practical applications in heat dissipation in devices and indoor temperature control.

However, the existing methods for regulating convective turbulence suffer from several drawbacks. They only function in a limited range of parameters, demand an extremely high frequency, and consequently, the overall heat transfer enhancement is restricted.

The PKU research team's novel approach focuses on introducing oscillating deformations in the form of standing waves in a flow system where the top is at a high temperature and the bottom at a low temperature, thus effectively modulating transport efficiency.

The research results demonstrate that significant increases in heat flux can be achieved only when the amplitude of boundary oscillation approaches the thickness of the boundary layers. Notably, the dimensionless heat flux more than doubles when the dimensionless frequency precisely reaches 8. In essence, oscillating deformations of boundary can break the bottleneck of classic thermal convection in the boundary layer and open a new venue for modulating the convection turbulence.

More information: Leiqi Yuan et al, Boundary-Layer Disruption and Heat-Transfer Enhancement in Convection Turbulence by Oscillating Deformations of Boundary, Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.204001 Journal information: Physical Review Letters
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he just wants to report on what his government has achieved so far in his second State of Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Some lawmakers, however, want to hear how he intends to address pressing issues such as the modernization of the agriculture sector, employment, climate change and uplifting poverty.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said he hopes the president, who is also the Agriculture secretary, will talk about his plans for the agriculture sector, as well as the energy, manufacturing and technology sectors.

He said Marcos must discuss how to achieve national greatness.

The lawmaker said this means discussing plans on how to make agriculture grow by at least 5% every year to catch up with our growing food needs and potentially grow exports, and lower power cost to competitive levels at 7 pesos per kilowatt hour, Salceda said Sunday in a statement.

He added that Marcos should also discuss how he intends to create more jobs in the manufacturing and export sector, and invest on research and development.

Salceda, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said he also expects Marcos to announce "a move towards fiscal consolidation, with a focus on taxing the wealthy.

These types of taxes should come first before we impose taxes on food. Especially with a global cost of living crisis at hand, I am hesitant to advance taxes on food through my committee, Salceda said.

RELATED: Tulfo slams 'anti-poor' plan to hike tax on junk food, sweetened drinks

Sen. Loren Legarda, meanwhile, said she expects Marcos to outline the governments plan for a sustainable COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

She also expects the president to talk about employment and the environment.

I'd like to see a roadmap for sustainable pandemic recovery, not just in the health sector but in food and energy security, job creation, and livelihood, especially support for MSMEs, which are equally important," Legarda said in a statement.

RELATED: Marcos lifts COVID-19 public health emergency

For his part, Sen. Chiz Escudero stressed that while Marcos deserves to report on his achievements, the president must discuss the things needed to be done during his term.

For Escudero, this includes building medical facilities and infrastructure.

Tomorrows SONA must therefore balance the What has been done with the more important What is to be done?, Escudero said.

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel shared the same sentiment but stressed that the SONA should also discuss the high cost of living, problems in education and the country's response to mental health issues.

The senator also wants President Marcos to explain the sugar importation fiasco, the high cost of onions and the continuous operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in the country to the public.

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DA exec faces graft complaint over sugar importation mess

EXPLAINER: Why onions in PH are now more expensive than meat

Pimentel on POGO problem: Simplify policy, ban them for good
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An artists impression of an interloping AGB star in a young star-forming region. Credit: Mark Garlick

Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London have spotted a "retired" asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star passing through a young star-forming region, something which was previously thought not to happen.

The researchers identified this interaction occurred in one of the places where they think stars like our sun must form, using the Gaia satellite, a 740m  mission to map the positions of billions of stars in our galaxy.

The most recent release of data from Gaia, Data Release 3, means that the research team can accurately pinpoint interloping stars. These interlopers are stars that did not form in the region, but are just passing through. The team has previously found young interloping stars, but now has found a much older, evolved star, known as an AGB, passing through a region.

Previous research has shown that these retired AGB stars produce large quantities of radioactively unstable chemical elements, Aluminum-26 and Iron-60. Aluminum-26 and Iron-60 were delivered to our young solar system at the epoch of planet formation, and are thought to dominate the early internal heating of Earth.

Ultimately, Aluminum-26 and Iron-60 may even have indirectly contributed to plate tectonics on our planet, which helps sustain a breathable atmosphere on Earth. The research team has calculated how much Aluminum-26 and Iron-60 from the AGB could be captured by a star like our sun as it formed its planets.

Dr. Richard Parker, a lecturer in Astrophysics in Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sheffield, and the lead author of the study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, said, "Until now, researchers have been skeptical that these old, evolved stars could ever meet young stars that are forming planets, so this discovery reveals much more about the dynamics, relationships and journeys of stars.

"By showing that AGB stars can meet young planetary systems, we have shown that other sources of Aluminum-26 and Iron-60, such as the winds and supernovae of very massive stars, may not be required to explain the origin of these chemical elements in our solar system."

Dr. Christina Schoettler, an Astrophysics research associate in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London, identified the AGB star in the Gaia DR3 data. She says, "Gaia is revolutionizing our ideas about how stars form, and then subsequently move in the galaxy. This discovery of an old, evolved star in close proximity to young planet-forming stars is a wonderful example of the power of serendipity in scientific research."

The next step of this research is to search for other evolved stars in young star-forming regions to establish how common these retired interlopers are.

More information: Richard J. Parker et al, Isotopic Enrichment of Planetary Systems from Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2023). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ace24a Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Kenyan president William Ruto has lifted a six-year ban on logging, despite public objections. Ruto said it would create jobs and boost economic growth. Lisa E. Fuchs has studied the Mau Forest Complex, one of Kenya's most importantand most threatenedforests. She unpacks the implications of this decision.

Why is the lifting of Kenya's logging ban controversial?

A logging ban is a political instrument. Its effectiveness depends mainly on two things. First, who is included and who is not, and why and how these actors will be supported to re-orient themselves sustainably. Second, the political will to implement it according to its intention.

The same applies for lifting a logging ban. But it's important to keep in mind that controversial political announcements and decisions target different audiences.

Kenya's latest logging ban was introduced in 2018. This government directive was informed by shrinking water resources and came amid discussions to save Kenya's water towers.

Deforestation in Kenya rose steeply from the early 1990s. According to estimates from the United Nations Environment Program, the deforestation rate in Kenya was 5,000 hectares per year by 2010. This had several effects, including changes in biodiversity, river flows and the microclimate. They had an impact on agricultural production, hydropower generation and inland fish production. Human health and well-being were also affected.

Environmentalists have argued that lifting this latest ban risks reversing the gains made in recent years to improve Kenya's tree cover. The country surpassed its 10% minimum tree cover target in June 2022. It now plans to raise tree cover to 30% by 2032 by planting 15 billion trees.

Trees and forests provide ecosystem services like air, climate and water regulation. These influence landscapes, livelihoods, economies and entire food systems.

I have studied Kenya's failure to "Save the Mau". This was the tagline of a large-scale campaign to rehabilitate the Mau Forest Complex in 2009. It involved multiple stakeholders, led by government and supported by civil society.

The Kenyan state has historically viewed and dealt with forests in terms of production and economic development, rather than biodiversity and conservation. Ruto, as minister for agriculture (2008-2010) and as deputy president (2013-2022), has repeatedly defended this stance.

How have previous logging bans in Kenya played out?

A similar banor rather, a three-month moratorium that was never officially lifted existed between 1999 and 2011. In 1999, the country's forests were in a bleak state. "Post box sawmillers"companies that existed on paper but not in practicewere held responsible for much of the disaster, alongside the Forestry Department, which was in charge of registering and licensing them.

The moratorium nullified these sawmillers' licenses. It restricted them from legal logging, denying them access to public forests. What many people don't know is that this ban was only partial. Kenya's big timber producing companies (Timsales, Raiply, Comply and, intermittently, Pan-African Paper Mills) continued harvesting, processing and selling wood, timber and non-timber forest products without restriction.

These politically well-connected companies held a monopoly over the production and export of wood products. Due to soaring wood prices, they also made a killing.

In 1999, forest management was still regulated by the 1960 Forest Act. This law was widely held responsible for legal forest destruction by allowing the minister for forestry to convert the legal status of public forest land through a simple order published in the government Gazette.

However, even after the adoption of the landmark 2005 Forests Act and the formation of the Kenya Forest Service in 2007, the situation didn't change as much as it should have. Existing regulations were poorly applied.

Corruption played a part in forest destruction by both big timber companies and small-scale saw millers. The Kenya Forest Service has repeatedly been named in this context in both academic and public inquiries, including a 2018 investigation.

What is the current political context?

The political climate in Kenya is heated.

Ruto has been under tremendous pressure since he took office in September 2022. The opposition has mobilized public protests over the cost of living. Sending a message about creating jobs can be read as an attempt to address people's worries related to the economy.

At the same time, meddling with the country's forests can be interpreted as a direct hit at opposition leader Raila Odinga, who led the "Save the Mau" campaign until its abrupt halt in 2010-11. Ruto and his allies played an important role in the halt.

During Kenya's 2022 electoral campaign, Ruto promised change and economic empowerment through a bottom-up development model. Redistributing access to and benefits from the country's forests might speak to many rural people and communities who are dependent on forest commoditiesand to their political representatives. And having inherited a deeply indebted economy, Ruto has been looking for new avenues to generate revenue.

What's the way forward?

The government needs to depoliticise environmental and forest conservation, and seek sustainable solutions. Ruto must also address the speculation over the lifting of the logging ban. The environment ministry recently said the ban had been lifted only in commercial forests.

During my research in the Eastern Mau Forest, it became evident that political changesor even the fear of political changes which could result in a redistribution of access and user rightsled to what local residents described as a "cutting craze".

Timber companies, small- and medium-sized sawmills, and even ordinary community members all took extremely short-term approaches to securing benefits from the forest and its resources.

Short-term vision has harmed the country and the environment in Kenya and globally.

Sustainable forest management (which includes both forest production and forest conservation) is not impossible or awfully complicatedat least when it's not politicized. It mainly requires real political will.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

When people who publicly reject COVID-19 vaccines later die from the disease, observers have complex reactions to their fates, a new study suggests.

While very few rejoice in the deaths of anti-vaxxers, some people believe those who are dogmatic against vaccines are deserving of worse outcomesand that reaction is related to the political party affiliation and vaccination status of the person evaluating the anti-vaxxer.

Democrats and those who were vaccinated were more likely than Republicans and the unvaccinated to think anti-vaxxers who died got what they deservedbut even 63% of Democrats in the study thought an anti-vaxxer deserved to have a full recovery from the disease (compared to 80% of Republicans).

Only 4.6% of people in the study thought an anti-vaxxer who contracted COVID-19 deserved death.

The study involved participants reading mock social media posts from an anti-vaxxer and reacting to different scenarios about how this anti-vaccine advocate reacted as he or she got sick and later died.

"What we found indicates that people may view those on social media as characters in a morality play," said study co-author Matthew Grizzard, associate professor of communication at The Ohio State University.

"Our results show that peopleparticularly those who were vaccinated themselvesare likely to judge those who shared misinformation about the COVID vaccine as immoral and deserving of some level of retribution."

The study was published in the journal New Media & Society.

The study was inspired by the "Herman Cain Award" forum (called a subreddit) on the social media site reddit. Herman Cain was a Republican politician who contracted COVID-19 and died, and whose social media accounts continued to disseminate COVID-19 misinformation after his death. On the reddit forum, people share stories of anti-vaxxers and COVID deniers who died from the disease.

The Herman Cain Award site and others like it resulted in news coverage that categorized the sites as cruel and heartless.

But this study suggests a more nuanced interpretation of those who judged anti-vaxxers who got sick and died, said study co-author Rebecca Frazer, who recently earned her Ph.D. in communication at Ohio State.

"We have people who are judging anti-vaxxers and considering them deserving of some level of suffering, but on the other hand, there's very little positive emotion about watching them suffer," Frazer said.

"Those two things seem in tension, but they are both in our findings."

The researchers used a professional panel company to recruit an adult sample that was matched to the U.S. population on age, sex, race/ethnicity and region. The final sample included 932 people that was close to the U.S. population in political affiliation and vaccination status.

All participants were shown a series of mock Facebook status updates that mimicked the actual posts found in the Herman Cain Award subreddit. The status updates were from a person named Terry Adams, with the gender intentionally unspecified.

In the first post, Terry expressed uncertainty about the COVID-19 vaccine or was dogmatically opposed to the vaccine.

In this case, all participantsRepublicans and Democrats includedliked Terry more when he or she was less dogmatic and only expressed uncertainty about the vaccine.

But in later posts, when Terry contracted COVID and became critically ill, differences appeared in how people reacted to Terry, depending on whether he or she regretted not getting the vaccine or doubled down on not taking it.

Democrats had less positive evaluations of Terry than Republicans. In addition, vaccinated participants regardless of their political party also had less positive evaluations when Terry doubled down on not getting the vaccine.

"Republicans were more okay with Terry continuing to question the vaccine and less positive than Democrats when Terry regretted not getting the vaccine," Grizzard said.

In the final Facebook post, Terry's brother announced that Terry had died of COVID. Participants in the study were asked how "satisfied" they were with Terry's death. Overall, participants were more satisfied with his or her death when Terry maintained anti-vaccination views right up to death.

Vaccinated participants were more satisfied with Terry's death than unvaccinated participants, and Democrats were more satisfied than Republicans.

But no group showed high levels of satisfaction, the results showed. Participants rated their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the most satisfied. The average score was 2.93 for Democrats, compared to 2.51 for Republicans.

The researchers also asked participants to rate how happy they were with Terry's deatha question that aimed to get at the German concept of "schadenfreude," which has been defined as "feelings of pleasure that a person experiences in response to another person's failures or misfortunes."

Participants rated their happiness on a scale of 0 to 6, with six being the most happy. Results showed that even participants who thought Terry deserved death had an average happiness rating of only 1.6 on the scale, compared to 0.54 for those who thought Terry deserved to fully recover.

"We saw a moral judgment by those who thought Terry deserved some level of suffering or death, and they wanted justice to be served, or at least what they considered justice," Frazer said.

"But even they didn't express a lot of happiness at Terry's death."

Overall, the results suggest that most people don't take pleasure in anti-vaxxers dying, even if they believe they deserve it, Grizzard said.

"It is more a feeling that anti-vaxxers acted immorally and maybe put others at risk. And because of that, they deserve some level of suffering. But even those who are judging these anti-vaxxers most harshly are typically not rejoicing in their suffering or death," Grizzard said.

More information: Matthew Grizzard et al, Demystifying Schadenfreude: How disposition theorizing explains responses to social media stories of unvaccinated COVID-19 deaths, New Media & Society (2023). DOI: 10.1177/14614448231184868
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Credit: Alauna Safarpour

Roughly 160 years after the end of the Civil War, division among residents of the North and South lingers, according to researchers.

Alauna Safarpour, a postdoctoral fellow at Northeastern University and participant in the COVID States Project, found that people from former Confederate states are more likely to believe past political violence could be justified than residents of Union or border states.

The research also found that residents of Confederate states are also more likely to believe that it is justifiable to engage in violent protest right now than their counterparts in Union or border states.

"A shocking share of Americans seem to think that political violence could be justified and might be justified right now as well," Safarpour says.

Safarpour and colleagues at The COVID States Project, a multi-university effort polling people in all 50 states, surveyed more than 20,000 Americans between Dec. 22 and Jan. 17 about their support for violent protests against the U.S. government. The surveyors asked whether violent protests are ever justifiable and whether violent protests are justifiable right now.

The responses were then grouped by their state's allegiance in the Civil WarUnion, Confederacy or border state. Border states are slave states that did not secede from the Union. Americans in states that did not exist during the Civil War were excluded from the analysis.

The research found that Confederate state residents are roughly 2 percentage points more likely than Union state residents to say it is "definitely" or "probably" justifiable to engage in violent protest against the government. Border state residents are about 3 points more likely than Union residents to say violence could be justified, according to the research.

Asked whether it is justifiable to engage in violent protest against the government right now, 12% of Confederate state residents say "yes," the survey found. That is 2 percentage points higher than the share who say yes in border states (10%) and 3 points higher than those in Union states (9%).

The authors used a multiple-regression analysis to determine that the results did not reflect underlying social and demographic differences including partisanship, race, gender, education, age, income, ideology and attitudes toward Black individuals.

Safarpour says that although the overall number of residents who said violent protest against the government can be justifiable was relatively lowjust about one in five respondentsthat shouldn't discount the findings.

"What Jan. 6 reminded the country at large is that even a small proportion of Americans committed to violence against the government can do harm," Safarpour says. "We've also seen that with other political violence, such as the attack on U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and Nancy Pelosi's husband."

The research hits home for Safarpour.

She is an incoming assistant professor of political science at Gettysburg College, which was attacked by Confederate soldiers and served as a makeshift hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. She also lives in the town of Gettysburg and has witnessed tourists visit the battle site wearing clothing with the Confederate flag.

"It's hard to live here and not think about what the impact of American history might be on American politics today, so I wanted to look into that in this research," Safarpour says.

She added that the research is continuing.

"I think the attitudes towards political violence will be an ongoing theme because I think it's quite impactful for the health of our democracy," Safarpour says.
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Pro1 protein malfunction bolsters the asexual mode of reproduction and, thus, provides a 'fitness advantage' in the rice blast fungus by causing female sterility. Credit: Takashi Kamakura from Tokyo University of Science

The 'paradox of sex' refers to the puzzle of why the sexual mode of reproduction is more common among living beings than the asexual mode.

Sexual reproduction requires at least two mates, exposes individuals to a higher risk of diseases, and is more energy intensive. In contrast, asexual reproduction makes up for all of these disadvantages by requiring only one parent while allowing for the rapid generation of offspring. Now, this 'paradox' has been bolstered by findings from a new study regarding a species of pathogenic fungi that infects a variety of cultivates grains, such as rice, wheat, barley, and finger millet.

Pyricularia (Magnaporthe) oryzae, a species of pathogenic filamentous fungi, wreaks havoc on global rice production as it causes the rice blast disease, which has earned it the moniker 'rice blast fungus'. The infection cycle begins with asexual reproduction, where asexual spores called 'conidia' attach to the surface of the leaves of the rice plant.

This produces an infection-specific structure called an appressorium, which starts to penetrate the outermost cell layer of the leaf, resulting in visible lesions on the leaf surface. When conditions are favorable, specialized structures called conidiophores emerge and produce more conidia, which disperse through the wind or atmospheric droplets to more rice plants.

While this asexual mode of reproduction is the main driving force of the P. oryzae life cycle, scientists have demonstrated the successful sexual reproduction of this fungus in laboratory settings. The fungus appears to have strains equivalent to biological males and biological females. However, most specimens collected from the fields show a loss of female fertility. The underlying genes and mechanisms responsible for the loss of sexual reproduction in P. oryzae have remained a mystery.

Researchers from the Tokyo University of Science, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, and the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan, have recently uncovered evidence for this advantageous loss of sexual reproduction in the rice blast fungus.

The research team was led by Professor Takashi Kamakura and Junior Associate Professor Takayuki Arazoe, from the Department of Applied Biological Science at the Tokyo University of Science. Their study was published in iScience.

Regarding the premise of the study Prof. Kamakura explains, "Many fungal species have abandoned sexual reproduction, which doesn't align with the evolutionary advantages of sex and fuels the paradox of sex. In the future, this research will also help breed useful industrial strains or understand how pathogens respond to mutations by explaining how diversity is acquired in fungi."

The researchers used multiple genetic experiments to identify which genes were linked to female sterility. Parental strains from P. oryzae field isolates were bred to give rise to female-sterile and female-fertile P. oryzae offspring.

Further genetic analyses revealed that mutations that resulted in dysfunctional Pro1 protein (involved in the expression of mating-related genes in filamentous fungi) caused female sterility in rice blast fungus.

Dr. Arazoe adds, "To our surprise, the dysfunctional Pro1 increased the release of conidia but did not affect P. oryzae's pathogenicity. We also found Pro1 mutations in wheat-infecting isolates, which is feared to spread worldwide (pandemic)a finding that suggests a similar evolution (loss of sexual reproduction) has occurred in wheat blast fungus." Building on these results, the research group is already spearheading the identification and characterization of other genes that cause female sterility in fungal species.

Explaining the broader implications of this work, Prof. Kamakura concludes, "We've provided the first evidence that the loss of female fertility may be an adaptive advantage for this plant pathogen. The release of asexual conidia favors dispersal in the wild. This work also opens doors to study how diversity, another important aspect of fitness, is acquired in asexual breeders."

More information: Momotaka Uchida et al, Dysfunctional Pro1 leads to female sterility in rice blast fungi, iScience (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107020 Journal information: iScience
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Caltech and University of Cambridge professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz's human embryo model on day 4. Credit: University of Cambridge

Science often runs ahead of legislationand this is now also true for research on embryo-like cell aggregates from human stem cells. Bioethicist Alessandro Blasimme of ETH Zurich explains why this controversial topic calls for legal clarity.

As publicly announced in June, three research teams from the U.K., the U.S. and Israel have independently succeeded in developing cell aggregates from human stem cells that very closely resemble the early human embryo.

These cell aggregates are considered the most faithful embryo models ever created. What's new about them is that human embryonic development can be initiated using cells other than gametes (ova and sperm); these embryo models are created from a single person's stem cells. Now the question is whether they should be used in research.

After all, research on real human embryos is ethically controversial and tightly restricted in many countries. Research on these new models, on the other hand, is not yet regulated by law in many countries. Ethicist Alessandro Blasimme of ETH Zurich has been studying ethical issues in biomedicine for years. In a recent study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, he specifically addressed the new embryo models derived from human stem cells.

ETH News: Why are these embryo models significant to science?

Alessandro Blasimme: We still know very little about the first phases of human embryonic development. Since research in this field is highly regulated in many countries, embryo models offer scientists a close alternative for studying embryonic development and also relevant problems that may occur in early pregnancy.

For instance, how does an embryo implant in the uterus, and why are spontaneous miscarriages relatively common during this stage of pregnancy? Ultimately, such research could also lead to treatments for couples who are otherwise unable to have children. These extremely accurate models enable scientists to study embryonic life in a way that was simply not possible before.

In some countries, researchers are allowed to use real human embryos up to 14 days old. So far, the novel embryo models haven't been kept in culture for more than 14 days either. What's the benefit of these models when you can also do research on real embryos?

The researchers who developed human embryo models kept them in culture up to eight days probably due to current experimental limitations. Presumably, however, such embryo models will soon permit researchers to observe much later stages of embryogenesis.

Two of the research groups involved in these experiments, were recently able to generate mouse embryo models from stem cells up to the organogenesis, meaning that they were able to observe a beating heart develop and a brain emerge in these models. A further benefit is that while natural human embryos are created using ova harvested from women, embryo models don't require human egg cells.

Is it currently legal in Switzerland to work with human embryo models beyond the 14-day limit?

Research with embryos is not forbidden in Switzerland but it is strictly regulated. The limit here is seven rather than 14 days. However, the legal definition of what constitutes an embryo in Switzerland is very narrow. The new embryo models are not likely to be included. This means that at the moment working with such models is largely unregulated in Switzerland.

There are different methods for creating such embryo models. In some cases, human stem cells are genetically modified before being aggregated to form an embryo model. This would likely be prohibited in Switzerland. But there are also methods that don't require genetic engineering.

And in other European countries?

The legal situationand in particular the definition of an embryovaries from country to country. The legislation in Austria and Belgium, for example, defines embryos in a broad way that could also cover the new models. This means that the rules that apply to research with human embryo may be interpreted to apply also to embryo models derived from stem cells. In most countries, however, there are significant legal loopholes.

What does that mean for science?

Uncertain frameworks don't produce good science. It would harm publicly funded research if scientists were to exploit legal loopholes. That's all the more true in such a controversial field. Let's not forget that society has been debating the moral and legal status of embryos for decades. And while each country has achieved its own legal framework, the controversy is far from settled.

Legal clarity is important for research. Each country now has to ask itself whether it wants to allow embryo model research. National parliaments need to discuss the issue and then legislate accordingly.

What role can your field, bioethics, play here?

As a society, we need to answer practical questions: Should the law treat embryo models the same as embryos or not? And should research on these models be allowed and within what boundaries? One of the reasons why we published our study was to stimulate this discussion.

The task of us ethicists is to explore the reasons for and against using such embryo models for research and propose rules that are coherent and acceptable even if there is no definitive societal consensus on the topic. Legal loopholes hurt science. I personally think we should permit scientific research, but with rules that have been publicly discussed and can be accepted by society.

What is your opinion? Should the models be treated like real embryos?

The models are indeed very similar to natural human embryos. And both ethics and legal logic suggest treating like things alike. This doesn't necessarily mean extending existing rules and limitations also to embryo models. But the latest scientific developments are a good opportunity to also reflect on and to clarify existing rules.

More information: Alessandro Blasimme et al, Human stem cell-derived embryo models: Toward ethically appropriate regulations and policies, Cell Stem Cell (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.06.007 Journal information: Cell Stem Cell
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Restoration of Qiaocun composite tiles and tiled-roofing method. Credit: Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35299-x

Researchers from Peking University School of Archaeology and Museology collaborated with the Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology to reconstruct the world's earliest composite-tiled roofs. Their findings were consolidated in an article titled "Reconstructing the earliest known composite-tiled roofs from the Chinese Loess Plateau," published in Scientific Reports.

With support from projects like "Archaeological China: Settlements and Society in the Hetao Region," the researchers used 5,000 pieces of terracotta tiles dating back to the early Longshan culture, excavated from the Qiaocun Ruins in Lingtai County, Gansu Province.

By means of morphological measurement, quantitative analysis, 3D modeling, and computer simulation, the researchers then reconstructed the earliest known splicing technology of composite-tiled roofs, achieving a major breakthrough in the research on the traceability of composite terracotta tiles.

Existing archaeological discoveries indicate that the earliest ceramic tiles in the world appeared in Greece circa late 3,000 BC, but only in simple forms. Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating results show that the absolute age of tiles unearthed from the relic site of Qiaocun date back to 24002200 BC, proving these as the earliest composite tiles.

In the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046771 BC), terracotta tile manufacturing was significantly developed in central Shaanxi Province, forming the Longshan Western Zhou culture, which further spread to the rest of Asia including South Korea, Japan, the Russian Far East and Southeast Asia.

To avoid the limitations of previous studies, the research team recruited experts in the fields of archaeology, architecture, relic protection and computer simulation to conduct cross-disciplinary research, overcoming difficulties such as the small sample size and the fragility of the samples.

The study of the Qiaocun Ruins is an important part of the "Archaeology China" project titled "Settlements and Society in the Hetao Region." The recent findings suggest a strong relation between the roofed buildings in Qiaocun and increasing social interactions in public affairs management in the Loess Plateau, which promotes the social complexity and civilization process of this region.

More information: Yijing Xu et al, Reconstructing the earliest known composite-tiled roofs from the Chinese Loess Plateau, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35299-x Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Average horizontal (a) and vertical (b) displacements in 6 months at GNSS stations in northern South America. The data are from Nevada Geodetic Laboratory (NGL), Univ. Nevada Reno (UNR) (Blewitt et al., 2018), plotted with average seasonal mass anomaly distributions from CSR GRACE mascons (Save, 2019). The horizontal displacements reflect the direction of spatial mass gradient and the subsidence and uplift reflect the positive and negative mass anomalies, respectively. d The de-trended time series of north (red) and up (blue) components of NAUS (Manaus in the middle of the Amazon Basin) station are shown together with average seasonal (annual and semiannual) change curves. During an ENSO episode in 20152016 (c), abnormally small rain made NAUS uplift more than other years (d). Credit: Satellite Navigation (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s43020-023-00113-6

Motion of the Earth's surface mass, including the atmosphere and oceans as well as hydrology and glacier melting, causes the redistribution of Earth's surface loads, deformation of the solid Earth, and variations in the gravity field.

A research team led by Prof. Jin Shuanggen from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has used space geodetic observations to reveal seasonal and intra-seasonal signal variations in the Earth's surface loads.

They investigated displacements from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and time-variable gravity from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to extract surface load signals and explore their geophysical applications. The results indicate that space geodesy offers an effective method of studying surface loads and the crustal movements caused by them. The study was published in Satellite Navigation on July 24.

In early days, displacements generated by Earth's surface loads were not large enough to be detected by conventional nonglobal measuring techniques and were thus considered to be noise that disturbed tectonic motion signals. In the 1990s, however, geodesists started observing crustal movements precisely, at high spatial and temporal resolution, using dense networks of continuous GNSS observation stations.

They found significant seasonal signals overlaid on secular tectonic movements, and such seasonal signals gradually drew their attention. The launch of the GRACE satellites in 2002 enabled scientists to directly observe mass anomalies on Earth from space, and the combination of the GRACE and GNSS observations contributed to making surface load studies more convincing.

Previously, the research team had studied seasonal (periodic) and intra-seasonal surface loads using surface displacements from GNSS and mass anomalies from GRACE. They obtained several significant results, e.g., variations in Earth's dynamic oblateness, high-resolution global time-variable gravity fields, extreme droughts in the southwestern United States, and water loads from heavy rains in Japan.

In this study, the researchers presented the long-term and seasonal changes in displacements at GNSS stations and mass anomalies from GRACE in northern South America. They found subsidence and uplift in regions of positive and negative mass anomalies, respectively. On the other hand, GNSS stations moved in the direction from negative to positive mass anomalies. The space geodetic observations have reasonably monitored seasonal changes in land hydrological loads characterized by the alternation of rainy and dry seasons near the equator.

As for the map showing mass anomalies and surface displacements on Hokkaido Island in northern Japan, interannual variations in mass anomalies and amplitudes of seasonal crustal movements well reflected interannual variations in snow amount.

Displacements and mass anomalies from GNSS and GRACE provide complementary information on seasonal changes in surface loads, such as terrestrial hydrological loads. "Due to the different spatial resolutions of the two techniques, displacements and mass anomalies are often inconsistent with each other when surface loads are composed of complex small-scale anomalies. This will be a key direction of future geodetic investigations of surface loads," said Prof. Kosuke Heki, visiting professor at SHAO.

Furthermore, continuous GNSS observation displacements can be used to inverse the time-varying gravity field and monitor water loads anomaly change together with GRACE measurements. "We have obtained tools to study monthly global gravity fields and high temporal-spatial resolution geophysical loads signals and such space geodetic techniques will be important for monitoring disastrous floods and droughts," said Prof. Jin.

More information: Kosuke Heki et al, Geodetic study on earth surface loading with GNSS and GRACE, Satellite Navigation (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s43020-023-00113-6
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People watch the fires on Greece's Rhodes, where tens of thousands of people evacuated.

Authorities evacuated nearly 2,500 people from the Greek island of Corfu on Monday as the prime minister warned that the heat-battered nation was "at war" with several wildfires and spoke of three difficult days ahead.

Tens of thousands of people have already fled blazes on the island of Rhodes, with many frightened tourists scrambling to get home on evacuation flights.

About 2,400 visitors and locals were evacuated from the Ionian tourist island of Corfu from Sunday into Monday, a fire service spokesman said, adding that the departures were a precaution.

Fires were also burning on Greece's second largest island of Evia on Monday.

"We are at war and are exclusively geared towards the fire front," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament, warning that the nation faced "another three difficult days ahead" before high temperatures are forecast to ease.

Vassilis Kikilias, Greece's civil protection minister, said crews had battled over 500 fires around the country for 12 straight days.

Greece has been sweltering under a lengthy spell of extreme heat that has exacerbated wildfire risk and left visitors stranded in peak tourist season.

The government's speedy evacuation came after a tragedy in 2018 when over 100 people perished in Greece's deadliest forest fire at Mati, near Athens, which Mitsotakis on Monday said still "haunts us all".

'We walked for six hours'

Because of the wildfires, an annual celebration on Monday to mark the 1974 restoration of democracy in Greece was canceled.

Rhodes, which counted 2.5 million visitor arrivals in 2022, is one of Greece's leading holiday destinations.

Tourists find refuge from the fires in a gynasium on Rhodes.

Travel giant TUI on Monday said it was suspending holiday packages to Rhodes until Friday.

Greek television broadcast images of long lines of people, some in beachwear, lugging suitcases along the island's roads on Saturday, when the evacuations were ordered.

"We walked for about six hours in the heat," Kelly Squirrel, a transport administrator from the United Kingdom, told AFP at Rhodes airport.

'Exhausted and traumatized'

Some 30,000 people fled the flames on Rhodes at the weekend, the country's largest-ever wildfire evacuation.

Police said 16,000 people had been transported on land and 3,000 evacuated by sea. Others had to flee by road or used their own transport after being told to leave the area.

"We are exhausted and traumatized," said Daniel-Cladin Schmidt, a 42-year-old German tourist waiting to be evacuated with his wife and nine-year-old son.

"There were thousands of people, the buses couldn't pass, we had to walk for more than two hours," he told AFP at the airport.

"We couldn't breathe, we just covered our faces and moved forward."

Holiday-makers and some locals spent the night in gyms, schools and hotel conference centers on the island.

In the departures hall of the international airport, AFP saw groups of tourists sleeping on the floor, surrounded by luggage.

"We had to lend a woman some of my wife's clothes because she had nothing to wear," Kevin Sales, an engineer from England, told AFP. "It was terrible."

Tens of thousands of people have already fled blazes on the island of Rhodes.

It was 'hell on Earth'

Several travel companies have halted their inbound tourist flights to Rhodes, and have been helping to ferry foreigners home.

"We ran 10 kilometers (six miles) with all our luggage to escape the flames", while the temperature was 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit), said German tourist Lena Schwarz, after arriving at Hanover airport overnight Sunday into Monday.

The 38-year-old told AFP their journey leaving Rhodes was "hell on Earth".

Oxana Neb, 50, also arriving at Hanover, said the evacuation had been "very bad".

"We stayed in the hotel until the end and fire came from all sides," she said.

She joined other guests running to the beach, eventually abandoning her suitcases on the way, she said.

Like every summer, Greece is plagued by forest fires, often deadly, ravaging tens of thousands of hectares of forest and vegetation.

This summer, Greece experienced one of the longest heatwaves in recent years, according to experts, with the thermometer hitting 45 degrees Celsius at the weekend.

Temperatures eased Monday but were expected to to pick up again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Rhodes on Tuesday remains at the highest level of fire alert, alongside Crete.

 2023 AFP
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Loch Ness lake in the Scottish Highlands with a water ripple and unknown object in the distance. Credit: JMIR Publications

In a new study published in JMIRx Bio, scientist Floe Foxon explores whether the Loch Ness Monster, a creature in Scottish folklore, could be a giant eel. Using previous estimates of the monster's size to predict the probability of encountering a large eel of a similar size, the study found that giant eels could not account for sightings of larger animals in Loch Ness, a freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands.

For decades, speculations about the Loch Ness Monster have captivated the world's imagination, with some suggesting that giant eels may be responsible for many sightings. This research, however, casts doubt on the eel theory. The study used catch data from Loch Ness and other freshwater bodies in Europe to predict the likelihood of observing eels as large as previous estimates of the Loch Ness Monster's size.

The chances of encountering a 1-meter eel in Loch Ness, according to the study, are approximately 1 in 50,000, which could explain some sightings of smaller unknown creatures. The probability of finding much larger eels, however, is virtually zero, debunking the theory that giant eels account for sightings of larger animals.

While acknowledging the potential presence of large eels in the loch, the study concludes that purely statistical considerations do not support the existence of exceptionally large eels.

"In this new work from the Folk Zoology Society, a much-needed level of scientific rigor and data are brought to a topic that is otherwise as slippery as an eel. Contrary to popular conception, the intersection between folklore and zoology is amenable to scientific analysis and has the potential to provide valuable insights into anthrozoological phenomena. This work also champions open access science and nontraditional publishingthe future of scientific publication," says author Floe Foxon.

This study contributes to a better understanding of the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon and continues the quest to uncover the truth behind one of the world's most enduring mysteries.

Length distributions for European eels (Anguilla anguilla) captured in Loch Ness, Scotland (left) and in Zeeschelde, Belgium (right). The lower plots show the probability of finding an eel at least as long as L. Dotted lines represent skew normal distribution fits. Dashed lines represent generalized extreme value distribution fits. The number of bins follows the rule provided by Freedman and Diaconis. Credit: JMIRx Bio (2023) DOI: 10.2196/49063

More information: Floe Foxon et al, The Loch Ness Monster: If It's Real, Could It Be an Eel? JMIRx Bio (2023). DOI: 10.2196/49063 xbio.jmir.org/2023/1/e49063

Provided by JMIR Publications
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23)  Authorities said they have completed security preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address on Monday with close to 22,000 personnel assigned to ensure safety.

Metro Manila Police chief PBGen Jose Nartatez Jr. led inspections on Sunday and said personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will be deployed.

These personnel will be assigned to emergency disaster response and quick reaction teams, as well as checkpoints.

"Baka sabihin nila OA (overacting) or whatsoever. Remember that the deployment or utilization of 22,000 is may iba-ibang parte or gagawin na mission yun or function," Nartatez said.

"Theres no such thing as napakarami, ibig sabihin kuyog or whatsoever. Importante, prepared tayo na nag-a-address dito sa mga nakikita nating problema," he added.

[Translation: They might say it's OA or whatsoever. Remember that the deployment or utilization of 22,000 is they have different missions or functions. There's no such thing as too many. What's important is we're prepared to address what we see as problems.]

Nartatez said they are continuously reviewing their security plan to make sure everything goes smoothly on July 24.

They have also prepared a multi-agency coordinating center capable of monitoring areas using CCTV cameras, a mobile command center, and drones.

A gun ban will also be strictly implemented on Monday.

Around 20,000 rallyists are expected during the event, but they are only allowed to stage their protest at a designated area along Commonwealth Avenue.

They will be allowed to bring effigies as long as they do not burn anything made of plastic since this is against the law.

Motorists are reminded that three northbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue will remain open.

The Quezon City Police District also inspected areas around the Batasan Pambansa to Welcome Rotonda to Litex.

"Handa na ang ating kapulisan, yung every year na ginagawa nating paghahanda. Hindi lamang mas handa ngayon, through the years alam mo na saan mo ilalagay, ide-deploy mga tao," said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

[Translation: The police are ready, the preparations we do every year havent just gotten better this year, through the years, you already know where people should be deployed.]

According to authorities, the QC government gave permits to four groups to hold their protests. PNP chief Benjamin Acorda said the police would see to it that the rallies are done peacefully.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they would be on heightened alert because of the SONA.

"Naka-heightened alert ang Philippine Coast Guard sa National Capital Region-Central Luzon, Northeastern Luzon, Northwestern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, at Bicol," the agency said in a statement Sunday.

"Katuwang ang Armed Forces of the Philippines at Philippine National Police, magpapakalat ang PCG ng mga security personnel, K9 units, at medical teams sa mga kritikal na lugar sa NCR kaugnay ng SONA 2023," added the PCG.

[Translation: The Philippine Coast Guard in the National Capital Region-Central Luzon, Northeastern Luzon, Northwestern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Bicol are all on heightened alert. Working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, the PCG will deploy security personnel, K9 units, and medical teams in critical areas in NCR for SONA 2023.]

CNN Philippines Rex Remitio, Kaithreen Cruz, and Pia Garcia contributed to this report.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A South Carolina judge heard arguments in late May 2023 to reconsider the sentence for Jesse Osborne, who carried out a school shooting in 2016. Fourteen years old at the time, Osborne killed his father, then opened fire at Townsville Elementary School, killing a 6-year-old child and injuring others.

He was sentenced to life without parole, but his attorneys have asked that a judge "give Jesse some hope" of leaving prison decades down the line. The judge ordered the defense to submit a detailed report by late June about abuse Osborne suffered as a child and his potential for rehabilitation. He said the prosecution would have 10 days to respond, though no decision has been announced as of mid-July.

At the heart of this case is whether it is appropriate to sentence children to die in prison, with no chance of being considered for release. Half a century ago, offenders in the U.S. of any age were rarely sentenced to life without parole, and it was not until 1978 that states began trying youths as adults. Between 1985 and 2001, however, youths convicted of murder were actually more likely to enter prison with a life sentence than adults convicted of the same crime.

Yet the use of juvenile life without parole, or JLWOP, has sharply declined over the past two decades and has been condemned by the American Bar Association, largely thanks to new research on brain development.

As a former prosecutor, I respect the need to consider victims' perspectives. However, I also believe it is important to recognize that a 14-year-old child's brain is far from fully developed, and that retribution and accountability must take that into accountideas that guide my work today as a legal scholar who defends youth offenders.

The 'superpredator' era

In 1995, political scientist John J. DiIulio Jr. published an influential article arguing that the U.S. faced a wave of child "superpredators" who "prefer murder to mischief" and "perceive no relationship between doing right (or wrong) now and being rewarded (or punished) for it later."

DiIulio blamed this predicted criminal conduct on the "moral poverty" of not having "loving, capable, responsible adults who teach you right from wrong." He repeatedly called attention to violence among Black youths in "inner-city neighborhoods."

While DiIulio coined the phrase "superpredator," his message resonated with many Americans used to "war on drugs" and "tough on crime" campaigns. America's history of marginalizing and criminalizing Black citizens primed the media and the public to accept his theory, as did several high-profile cases. The most notorious, perhaps, was that of the Central Park Five, in which five Black teenagers were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park in 1989.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, well before DiIulio's article, states had already been establishing harsher sentencing laws, even for minors. Across the country, legislatures embraced trying children as adults and rejected policies focused on prevention and rehabilitation.

Between 1985 and 1994, the number of children tried as adults grew 71%, and by 2012, 28 states had mandatory life sentences for capital murder for certain minors.

The "superpredator" theory turned out to be a myth: By the end of the 1990s, youth crime had actually decreased, and that trajectory has continued. Between 2000 and 2020, the number of incarcerated youths fell by 77%.

By 2000, DiIulio had retracted the superpredator theory and was advocating for reform. Many laws from the "superpredator" era, however, are still on the books. The U.S. is still the only nation that sentences children to life without the possibility of parole.

Shifts at the Supreme Court

Nevertheless, a sea change has taken place in legal thinking, as psychologists have argued that teenagers are less culpable than adults because of the nature of adolescents' brains.

Starting in the 2000s, the U.S. Supreme Court began to acknowledge that child offenders are different from adults. In 2005, the court banned the death penalty for people under 18, and in 2010 outlawed life sentences for juveniles convicted of nonhomicide offenses.

Two years later, in Miller v. Alabama, the court ruled that, even in homicide cases, mandatory sentences of life without parole for minors violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment." The justices did not ban life sentences completely, howeversimply mandatory sentencing laws that require them for juvenile homicide offenders, without consideration of the particular mitigating factors of each case.

In each of these decisions, the Supreme Court recognized that a lack of brain development makes adolescents, even those who commit serious and violent offenses, less culpable and more capable of change than adults. In Miller v. Alabama, the court emphasized that teenagers are impulsive, cannot escape abusive home environments, cannot properly assist their attorneys and have inherent capacity for rehabilitation.

State-by-state change

This change in attitudes has had clear impact on state laws. Today, a majority of states have now banned or have no one serving JLWOP.

More than 500 people who received their sentences before these SCOTUS cases are still serving life without parole for crimes they committed as children. However, another 1,000 individuals have been released because laws changed to override their original sentencing, according to the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, which advocates against JLWOP.

Virginia, for example, passed legislation in 2020 to allow people sentenced as youth offenders who have already served 20 years in prison to seek parole consideration. Approximately 17 have been reviewed and granted parole so far, including seven rehabilitated individuals whom my law students and I have assisted.

Another aspect of adolescent development that research has emphasized is young offenders' potential for rehabilitation, challenging the idea that they are irredeemably dangerous. One 2020 study found that only 1.14% of people who had been sentenced to life without parole in Philadelphia and eventually released were re-convicted of any offense. Similarly, out of 142 individuals released in Michigan after the Supreme Court's Miller decision, only one had been rearrested as of 2021.

The path ahead

Nothing can bring back lives cut short. But in my more than 25 years working in the juvenile legal system, I have seen repeatedly that our society fails both defendants and victims by not helping them to resolve their conflicts before they get to that point. Those I assist as a defense attorney often come from the same environments and tragic backgrounds as the victims I served as a prosecutor.

Increasingly, however, it seems schools, courts and communities are turning to approaches besides life without parole to help young people move past the worst things they have ever done, or prevent them in the first place.

The primary focus of the juvenile court has always been rehabilitation rather than punishment. Courts now have improved assessment tools, effective intervention programs, a recognition of the roles lack of brain development and trauma play in delinquent behavior, and treatments for underlying psychiatric disorders that can help achieve that purposeif our society has the will to invest in these resources as early as possible.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Another Western state has decided it will not provide wolves for Colorado's reintroduction efforts, citing federal regulation and disagreements about how wolves should be managed.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks declined Colorado Parks and Wildlife's request for wolves in a June 6 letter, which was first reported by Denver's KUSA-TV. Fredericks cited frustrations with federal restrictions on managing Idaho's wolves, "unacceptable impacts" of wolves on elk and deer populations and mistrust between conservation groups, ranchers and others because of disagreements of how to handle the species.

"Unfortunately, Idaho's experience leads us to conclude that negative impacts of wolves sent to Colorado will not stay in Colorado," Fredericks wrote.

Colorado voters in 2020 decided to reintroduce gray wolves and mandated that state wildlife officials do so by Dec. 31, 2023, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have not yet secured an agreement with another state willing to donate the first animals.

Colorado has sent requests for wolves to Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Joey Livingston said in an email. It did not request wolves from Wyoming, where the governor opposes Colorado's reintroduction efforts.

"CPW does not anticipate needing to request wolves from states outside of the Northern Rockies," Livingston said in an email. "CPW will work to exhaust all options for potential sources. We anticipate that we will find a solution in time to release wolves prior to the December 31, 2023 deadline. CPW does not anticipate the need to postpone reintroduction efforts."

The Wildlife Subcommittee of Washington's Fish and Wildlife Commission discussed Colorado's request for wolves during a June 22 meeting but did not make a decision or recommendation.

"It is our understanding that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission are continuing to consider whether they may be able to provide wolves to Colorado at some point," Livingston said.

Colorado Wildlife officials plan on releasing 10 to 15 wolves on the Western Slope every year for the next three to five years.

The state of Idaho has paid "an enormous price" to have wolves in the state, Frederick wrote in his letter to Colorado officials.

The state has paid to monitor its wolves and to compensate owners of animals killed by wolves as well as the legal costs associated with litigation around the species, he wrote. Decisions on how to manage wolves have also led to conflict between "rural communities, hunters, trappers, outdoor recreation users, agricultural interests, wolf advocates, conservation organizations and governmental entities," he wrote.

"The result is a strain on many of the very relationships that are critical to future conservation efforts," Fredericks said.

Federal wildlife officials are considering the protection status of gray wolves in the Western U.S. While the species is listed as endangered in most of the country, it is under state management in the Northern Rockies: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and portions of Washington, Oregon and Utah. That means the states can decide whether to allow hunting and trapping of wolves.

Fredericks said he would be more open to providing wolves to Colorado were the species solely under state management.

"Idaho is concerned with expanding the scope of our potential biological and social conflicts regarding wolves rather than reducing them," Fredericks wrote.

But wolves in Colorado will be federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Colorado wildlife officials will ask federal authorities for a designation that will allow them more flexibility to manage wolves in the state.

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Researchers have demonstrated that unique caecilian parenting behaviors, like skin-feeding and coiling, promote bacterial transfer to offspring. Credit: Kouete et al., 2023

Caecilians are an elusive type of amphibian that primarily live underground and look like a cross between a worm and a snake. One of the few things that is known about caecilians is their unique method for feeding their young. Mothers produce a special layer of fatty skin tissue, which juvenile caecilians tear off with baby teeth that evolved specifically for that purpose.

A new study shows that skin-feeding does more than provide nutrients for young caecilians. It also helps the mother pass microbes from her skin and gut down to her young, inoculating them to jump-start a healthy microbiome. This is the first direct evidence that parental care in an amphibian plays a role in passing microbes from one generation to the next.

"There's still a remarkable amount of caecilian biology that we just don't know anything about, mostly because they can be hard to find," said David Blackburn, the Florida Museum's curator of herpetology. "To our knowledge, this is the first published study of a caecilian microbiome."

Across the animal kingdom, there are many different strategies for parental care. Human mothers give their babies breastmilk, emperor penguins regurgitate food for their chicks, and female koalas feed their young a special form of feces.

Among amphibians, caecilians are unique for feeding their young at all. Previous efforts to understand amphibian microbiomes focused on frogs and salamanders, the more well-known orders of the Amphibia class. Those studies, however, came back inconclusive largely because there are few frog and salamander species that care for their young after they're born or hatchedmost simply lay eggs and leave them to develop on their own.

Not so with caecilians.

"When you find the eggs, you always find the mother," said Marcel Talla Kouete, first author of the study and a doctoral candidate in the University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment. "I've never seen a juvenile without an attending mother."

Kouete said this is why he became fascinated by caecilians as he began working on them. Since this parenting behavior first came to light in 2006, scientists have noticed that even once skin-feeding ends, mother and babies stay together, with the former coiling her body around the latter. Kouete wondered whether the behavior served another function in addition to providing nutrients, reasoning that there was likely some transfer of the microbes from the surface of the mother's skin, similar to bacterial transmission in other animals.

In humans, microbes move onto the skin as babies pass through the mother's birth canal and into the body via breastmilk. These microbes help keep the human body alive and well, forming a microscopic community known as the microbiome, and perform essential tasks like breaking down complex carbohydrates, training the immune system and producing vitamins. A growing body of research seeks to better understand the relationship between disease and microbiome health.

Kouete and his colleagues focused their research on Herpele squalostoma, a caecilian species from central Africa that participates in skin-feeding behavior. They took samples from the environment as well as the skin and guts of 14 juveniles, nine female adults and six male adults. They then sequenced the bacteria colonies of each.

The researchers found that every juvenile shared some part of their skin and gut microbiome with their attending mother. This transfer happens both when the mother coils around the young, engaging in skin-to-skin contact, and when the juveniles eat the mother's skin.

Samples taken from the surrounding soil, water and leaves showed that the immediate environment was the least important source for juvenile microbiomes.

In addition to shedding light on caecilian biology, Kouete's paper contributes to the neglected research topic of African microbes. Despite the great genetic diversity on the African continent, microbiome research thus far has primarily focused on the Global North.

Until recently, caecilians have rarely been studied, in part, because they are native to the tropical regions of the Americas, Africa and Southeast Asia, where there has been a limited scientific presence. The H. squalostoma specimens used in the study were sampled in Cameroon, where Kouete is from.

For future investigation, the research team is curious about how microbiomes benefit caecilians and contribute to their health. "Is there an evolutionary advantage? If so, are these benefits absent when parental care is circumvented?" Kouete asked. This paper lays the groundwork for future studies by identifying some of the microbes present.

"This study is a bit like going out into the world and figuring out all the frogs that live in a forest," Blackburn said. "We might find ground frogs, tree frogs and burrowing frogs; big species and small; ones that breed in this way or that way. Based on those characteristics, you could start inferring what role they play in the forest ecosystem, which is what we'd like to do with the caecilian microbiome."

Molly Bletz, Brandon LaBumbard and Douglas Woodhams of the University of Massachusetts Boston are also authors on the paper.

More information: Marcel T. Kouete et al, Parental care contributes to vertical transmission of microbes in a skin-feeding and direct-developing caecilian, Animal Microbiome (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00243-x
By Ruth Yeabu Sesay

The University of Sierra Leone (USL) will today end its week-long graduation ceremony for the award of various degrees, diplomas, and certificates for its three constituent colleges of Fourah Bay College (FBC), the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) with a total of three thousand four hundred graduands (3,400).

The Graduation ceremony started with Fourah Bay College on the 12th of April followed by IPAM, and COMAHS on the 13th and 14th of April, 2023 respectively at FBCs Amphitheatre at Mount Aureol in Freetown.

Speaking to Politico, the Public Relations Officer of USL James Tamba Lebbie told Politico that one thousand three hundred (1,300) students graduated from the Institute of Public Administration, one thousand eight hundred (1, 800) from Fourah Bay College (FBC) and three hundred (300) from COMAHS.

Lebbie said that the graduation ceremony is going according to plan but that there are challenges of crowd control and duplication of invites. As a result, he said the police cannot tell which invite is authentic from the fake.

This he added has led to overcrowding and improper vehicle control.

He stated that as a means of stopping duplication of invites the university administration will work on providing invitation cards with security features that cannot be easily forged.

Speaking to Politico, a graduand from FBC, Ibrahim Yusuf Conteh noted that it has been a mixture of excitement and challenges studying and graduating with a good result from the Aureol campus. He said one had to endure the burden of hectic studies to sail through the course.

Sharing his experience with Politico of his university days, he said he was excited about scoring an A in his first year at the college. He advised those studying at FBC to keep the fire burning by studying hard to hit the mark that they so desire.

Conteh stated that, preparations are going on smoothly and that he was all set for the big day today.

One of the 2023 Law graduands, Mohamed Lamin Gbla also told Politico that one of the challenges they faced is the delay to publish the names of would-be graduands.

He said the college administration assured them that they will be publishing the names of graduands on time, noting that the delay in doing so was a result of delays in payment of fees and other dues. He said that for their part, the delay started with the late publication of dissertation grades.

Gbla stated that his experience in studying Law has been the same as any other academic field and that one has to endure it. He said it was initially tough and challenging with regards to lectures, but said the construction of the Tunde Cole building eased students constraints on campus.

He went on to praise lecturers in his department whom he said are mostly Judges, yet still deliver lectures on time. He said the most memorable experience for him as a student of FBC is being able to represent the college in Egypt for a competition with the then Law Society President.

It was a very memorable time for me because being a country representative is huge and I experienced being out of Sierra Leone for the first time and that opportunity was afforded by FBC, he said.

He concluded by expressing happiness to bag his first degree and advised students aspiring to study Law not to give up on their dreams and to strive for what they want to achieve in life.

Copyright  2023 Politico (14/04/23)
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A plea agreement is scheduled to be presented to a federal judge for charges against a Stafford Township man who took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to court records.

Larry Fife Giberson, of Manahawkin, was indicted in April after being charged with felony civil disorder and related misdemeanor offenses.

Both the prosecution and defense finalized the agreement last Tuesday, court records show. Both parties are preparing to present their terms in court next Monday, records state.

Details of the agreement were unknown Monday.

Giberson is represented by Charles Burnham, who declined to comment.

A status conference was scheduled to have taken place Thursday to review the case, records show.

Gibersons plea agreement hearing will be presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols, records show.

Hints of an accord to settle the case were seen last month when the defense motioned to have Thursdays status conference pushed back to that date, asking for more time regarding evidence.

Hearing delayed in case against alleged Manahawkin Capitol rioter A federal judge has agreed to delay court proceedings against an Ocean County man charged in

Giberson was indicted on six counts for allegedly joining supporters of former President Donald Trump in forcing their way into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, while lawmakers were certifying the 2020 presidential election win for Joe Biden.

Giberson pleaded not guilty to all of those offenses when he was arraigned in late April.

He was charged with participating in the riot through an investigation by the FBI, which found images of him at the U.S. Capitol online, according to the governments criminal complaint. Giberson was a Princeton University student at the time.

Investigators further linked the photos to his profile from Southern Regional High School, the complaint states, finding he graduated from there in 2019. His identification was later confirmed through New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission records.

Giberson later confirmed himself as being the person depicted in the FBIs photo collection, the complaint states.

He was wearing a Make America Great Again hat and had a Trump flag around his neck when prosecutors say he participated in the mobs assault on police officers in a tunnel on the Capitols Lower West Terrace. He also waved other rioters into the tunnel before joining a second round of pushing against police, trying to start a drag them out chant before the crowd used pepper spray against officers, prosecutors say.
ATLANTIC CITY  A $100,000 grant by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation will help two Stockton-affiliated organizations work toward amplifying the voices of underrepresented city residents, the university said Monday.

The money will benefit the Noyes Arts Garage and Stories of Atlantic City, Stockton said in a news release.

Weve collaborated a number of times over the last few years with programs, and it has borne some wonderful fruit for community engagement and opportunities for residents to express themselves and share whats going on in the community, said Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes Museum of Stockton University, which runs the Arts Garage.

Stories of Atlantic City Project Director Toby Rosenthal said the journalism project is all about engaging the community through avenues like the arts.

We are all in arts and humanities, Rosenthal said. Its a natural and organic partner for Stories of Atlantic City and Communication Studies to partner with the Noyes. We can work better and engage better with community members through an organization that already has experience and connections.

Cagno and Rosenthal said the grant will support several joint projects, including:

She gave up her government job to become a clown Atlantic City's Tina Notaro quit her job with the state to take up clowning and organizing unique events in her hometown.

Expanding a multicultural art studio residency and a Black Art Matters program at the Arts Garage

Creating a storytelling, branding and strategy incubator to help individuals and businesses develop their message and set goals for their future

Creating a podcast studio in Atlantic City either at Stocktons City Campus or at the Arts Garage on Fairmount Avenue to support and share community stories

The grant also will allow for the hiring of a full-time community organizer to oversee these initiatives, Rosenthal said.

The grant is part of the Dodge Foundations goal to donate to organizations focusing on addressing the root cause and repair of structural racism and inequity across New Jersey, Stockton said.

Ian Marshall, dean of Stocktons School of Arts and Humanities, said he hopes the grant will help inform the community about the different arts programs at the university.

In bringing together visual art through Michaels work, and writing, communication and reporting through Tobys work, we have effectively spanned a fair amount of the skillsets we teach in the School of Arts and Humanities, Marshall said. Added to the community-based application of their work, this grant allows Stockton students the ability to both see the interconnectedness of these disciplines and also practice them in a productive and collaborative way.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP  Filmmakers are moving forward with a second documentary about the death of Tiffany Valiante, a township teenager who died when she was hit by a train in 2015.

Family and advocates believe Valiante fell victim to foul play and did not commit suicide.

Her case caught the attention of Marie McGovern and Martin Dunn, two former journalists at the New York Daily News who are planning a multipart series on the story. Both have produced content featured on HBO and Fox.

As we looked at it more and more, much like a lot of folks who have looked, sat down and read through all of the information thats available, it left us with more questions than answers, McGovern said.

The duo became fascinated with Valiantes death and her familys fight for answers, and began to film about 18 months ago.

About 16 million to 17 million people worldwide have already come to know Valiantes story through the Netflix documentary series Unsolved Mysteries, which examined the case as part of its most recent season, said Paul DAmato, the familys attorney.

It opened a lot of peoples eyes, said Tiffanys father, Stephen Valiante. Everybody heard this nit-bit, little piece here, little piece there, but they never knew the whole story until they watched it.

The Unsolved Mysteries production crew spent three weeks in South Jersey filming, said filmmaker Skye Borgman, who directed the episode.

Family of Hamilton Township teen who died in 2015 presses NJ Transit for internal review NEWARK  The family of a South Jersey girl whose death was initially ruled a suicide after s

Were also really concerned with people in these stories, Borgman said of the documentary series and the fight for more clarity in the case.

The oddities of the suicide ruling also fueled interest, she said.

It was so mysterious, it was confusing and its so emotional, Borgman said.

Valiantes home was filled with about 70 people recently to remember her on the eighth anniversary of her death.

Eight years ago, she was weeks away from preparing to study at Mercy College along the Hudson River in New York, where she was planning to play volleyball.

Instead, countless stories have been written about what happened on July 12, 2015. Officials ruled her death a suicide, saying she jumped in front of a speeding passenger train.

Her parents continue to be critical of NJ Transits probe into the teens death, frequently approaching the agencys Board of Directors requesting internal reviews of their investigative procedures. The company has yet to consider their requests.

NJ Transit declined to comment for this story.

DAmatos law firm is working on following several strong leads that could lead to more information about the teenagers death. DAmato is keeping those leads confidential to protect his work, he said.

I have a strong belief that something is going to break this year, I truly do, DAmato said, seated earlier this month in his Northfield law offices conference room beside Stephen and Dianne Valiante.

Tiffany Valiante left a graduation party across the street from her home before she was struck by the train about four miles from her home.

The train was minutes from the Absecon station on its way to Atlantic City when, near mile marker 45, on a section of track deep in the woods, it struck the teenager.

Many people who knew Valiante have told DAmato she didnt exhibit any signs of considering suicide. Theyve also questioned the theory that she walked to the location because of its distance from her house and because her shoes were found beside Tilton Road not far from her home, he said.

Without new evidence, the case cant be reopened, DAmato said. A private investigation remains ongoing, searching for any leads that can bring the case back to law enforcement, DAmato said.

Countless pieces of information, such as suggestions on where to take the case, have come in, DAmato said. Foreign investigation entities also have contacted the DAmato Law Firm, offering their services.

Were going to be contacting a lot of individuals, DAmato said.

Family of Tiffany Valiante doubles reward for tips MAYS LANDING  The parents of a Hamilton Township teen who died in 2015 have increased the r

Meanwhile, Valiantes family still mourns. Tiffany is in pictures scattered throughout her parents home.

The 70 people who gathered at the Valiante home nearly two weeks ago held a candlelight vigil, circling a volleyball net in the familys backyard. The crowd also broke out into teams for games of volleyball in memory of Tiffany.

While Valiantes story remains in the spotlight, her parents find ways to cope with the loss. They often take trips to a campground in New York state. Having little cellphone service helps them take a break from their daily lives, Dianne Valiante said.

Both Stephen and Dianne Valiante say their daughter appears to them, such as in April, when they were preparing to vacation in Costa Rica.

They were being taken by car to an airport in New York from Connecticut. On their way, they passed through Mercy College.

It was her saying, Hi, Mom, Dianne Valiante said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bared a number of measures he wants to enact and amend during his second State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Lets take a look at legislation his administration intends to prioritize in his second year in office.

Tax reforms:

Excise tax on single-use plastics

In 2022, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to impose excise tax on plastic bags.

House Bill 4102, or the Plastic Bags Tax Act, aims to impose a 100 excise tax per kilogram on plastic bags to urge companies to find other environment-friendly alternatives. The measure was a consolidation of two related bills authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing, and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing.

Value-added tax on digital services

House Bill 4122, a measure seeking to impose a 12% value-added tax on non-resident digital service providers such as Spotify and Netflix were approved in the House in November last year.

The bill clarifies the imposition of VAT on electronic or digital services such as digital advertising, subscription-based services, and other services using information communication technology (ICT)-enabled infrastructure, among others.

Rationalization of mining fiscal regime

According to the Department of Finance, it will increase government share by imposing a fiscal regime applicable to all mining agreements.

The proposed legislation refiled by Joey Salceda in the 19th Congress also seeks to encourage full public disclosure on extractive industries.

Motor vehicle user charge

In 2019, a measure that would impose a yearly 33% percent increase in motor vehicle users charge for the next three years was filed by Salceda.

Salceda said the proceeds would be used to fund the Universal Health Care Law.

Military and uniformed personnel pension

President Marcos earlier said that he backs the proposal to reform the pension system for the military and other uniformed personnel.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the pension given to MUP retirees is around nine times higher than the amount given to those from the private sector.

Proposed amendments:

Fisheries Code

During his speech, Marcos urged Congress to amend the fisheries law to further protect fisherfolk and aquatic resources.

Marcos said the amendment must guarantee sustainable development of the fisheries sector in harmony with environmental balance.

Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act

Marcos, in his SONA, also warned agricultural smugglers and hoarders that their days are now numbered.

He attributed the rising commodity prices to smugglers and hoarders that are affecting the lives of both farmers and consumers.

He then urged Congress to amend the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

Cooperative Code

Marcos said amending the Cooperatives Code will have stronger production capacity and market force.

The president also urged lawmakers to pass two measures that involve procurement and auditing to be more attuned to these changing times.

Marcos priority bills also include anti-financial account scamming that will help deter cybercrime and other issues on phishing as well as the Tatak Pinoy law that will put emphasis on local enterprises.

The blue economy law, an economic model that seeks sustainable utilization of ocean resources, and the Philippine Immigration Act were also mentioned.

He also said income classification of local government units, a bill that is now up for debate on the Senate floor, was among his priority measures.
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A shocking incident has come to the fore in Punes Balewadi area where an Assistant Commissioner of Police shot dead his wife and nephew and then died by suicide. The incident happened at around 4:30 am.

According to the information, the name of the Assistant Commissioner of Police is Bharat Gaikwad. His wife, Moni Gaikwad (44), and nephew, Deepak Gaikwad (34), were shot dead by him. Bharat Gaikwad was the Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Rajpeth area of Amravati. His nephew and wife lived in Pune Balewadi area. On Saturday, Bharat Gaikwad returned home as he had a holiday.

On Sunday midnight, Gaikwad shot his wife Moni and nephew Deepak with a pistol. He then died by suicide by shooting himself with a gun. After getting the information that Gaikwad had committed suicide, the police rushed to the spot. The police have seized the pistol from Gaikwad. However, the reason behind the murder and suicide is yet to be ascertained. Chatushringi police are investigating the matter further.
In 2009, it was decided to build a megacity for police personnel at Lohgaon in Pune through the Maharashtra Police Megacity Cooperative Housing Society. But the developer still needs to construct the houses to date. MLA Sunil Tingre has alleged that there has been a big fraud in this case. Today (Monday), MLA Tingre spoke while presenting the question in the monsoon session.

In 2009, the members were informed that this project would be built on 117 acres of seven-storey buildings. About 7 thousand 200 police personnel were to get houses in this. However, this project still needs to be completed. Speaking about this in the session, MLA Tingre said, "Money was collected from the members of this housing society. That money was given to buy land. It is necessary to register this land in the name of the institution. However, the land is in the name of the board of directors and the builder's board of directors and the director of the developer's board, not in the name of the organization; this biggest mess has been made through them."

"They have not been able to get these houses since 2009 till date. Work on two buildings in the project has been completed. However, the work on two buildings is still stalled. My only question to the government is that they have taken the money of 4 thousand 988 members and cheated them of Rs 525 crore. Are you going to investigate all these cases through SIT? What measures will the state government take to build houses for our police personnel as soon as possible? If the builder does not have a single rupee in this, then after taking legal action against them, will this 117-acre land be developed by the state government's MHADA project and other means and be given to our police brothers to build houses?", Tingre has also raised questions at the time.

Responding to Tingre's question in the House, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "This is a project created by the police for the police. The state government was only involved in helping them. However, a lot of time passed on this project. This project was approved by the Ministry of Environment in 2018. After that, the pandemic hit the nation. So now it is time also to check the financial condition of the concerned company. I also inquired about this project. There are irregularities. This project will be audited. A forensic audit will also be conducted through the police."

"Is there any misappropriation of money from forensic audit? An inquiry will be made in this regard. After the audit findings, action will be taken against the concerned. If the project continues in the way it is going, it is unlikely to be completed soon. Therefore, a meeting will be called on behalf of the government in this regard. Is there any way out by calling the concerned place? It will be considered. If this company cannot complete the work, then the next course will be taken through the legal options available to us," explained Devendra Fadnavis at this time.
For years, the carbon dioxide pipeline snaked through the fields and forests of Yazoo County, Mississippi, going largely unnoticed.

But that changed forever on a winter evening in 2020.

Under pressure from heavy rains and a landslide, the pipeline split in two, roaring like a jet engine, carving a 40-foot crater into the ground, and sending an invisible cloud of dangerous carbon dioxide vapor toward the tiny village of Satartia.

In a scene rescue workers would later compare to a zombie movie, cars died in the middle of the road, their engines starved of oxygen. Drivers fled, leaving their hazard lights blinking in the dust and darkness.

A sheriffs deputy working without an oxygen mask grew increasingly unsteady and short of breath, until he himself had to be rescued, according to Warren County fire coordinator Jerry Briggs.

Closer to the deafening roar of the escaping gas, Briggs and his team spotted a stalled-out car that was still in drive, the drivers foot resting on the brake, the windows closed. All three of the men inside were unconscious.

It was miraculous that they survived, Briggs said.

While rare and up until now nonfatal, accidents such as the one that night in Satartia loom large as the Midwest considers the health and safety issues raised by proposals to build massive new carbon dioxide pipeline projects, including Omaha-based Navigator CO2s 1,350-mile network spanning Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.

The projects aim to prevent planet-warming CO2 from entering the atmosphere by capturing it during industrial processes, compressing it into a fluid, transporting it in steel pipelines and injecting it deep underground into naturally occurring rock formations where it will be trapped  ideally for thousands of years.

Navigator says this can be done safely and points to thousands of miles of CO2 pipeline already in use in the United States, mostly by the oil industry, which uses carbon dioxide to boost production.

But opponents, including environmentalists and landowners, say a new generation of massive, climate-oriented CO2 pipeline projects such as Navigators should be put on hold until government officials can address alarming gaps in health and safety regulations.

Among the gaps:

There is no state or federal limit on how close pipelines carrying a potentially suffocating gas can be placed to a home, school or hospital.

There is no requirement that an odorant be added to the CO2 to alert the public to a leak, as is done with natural gas.

There is no limit on the impurities that are allowed in the carbon dioxide, despite the potential for pipeline corrosion and health hazards in the event of a leak.

There is no requirement that pipeline companies use a specific method to map potential accident hazard zones, although one standard approach  which failed in Mississippi  doesnt take complex topography into account.

Its like the Wild Wild West, said Pam Richart, co-director of the Champaign-based environmental group Eco-Justice Collaborative and lead organizer of the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines, of the current state of regulation. Its whatever (the pipeline companies) say is going to go.

Adding to Illinoisans health and safety concerns are the unknowns: No one has ever stored as much CO2 underground as Navigator proposes  up to 15 million metric tons a year in Central Illinois  and while the risks are theoretically low, opponents say the stakes are high.

Theyre worried about drinking water contamination due to CO2 leakage and the potential for tiny microearthquakes as subterranean pressures rise.

In May, more than 150 environmental and advocacy groups  including the Center for Biological Diversity, Eco-Justice Collaborative and Food & Water Watch  signed a letter to President Joe Biden calling for a moratorium on new CO2 pipelines until federal regulators complete their work on new safety standards.

Calls for state and federal moratoriums come at a time when the nation faces a potential tsunami of new CO2 pipelines, driven by billions of dollars in federal incentives aimed at combating climate change, according to a 2022 report from the nonprofit Pipeline Safety Trust.

In the Midwest, proposed projects from other companies include the 260-mile Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline in Illinois and Iowa and the 2,000-mile Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

The United States, currently home to about 5,300 miles of CO2 pipeline, could have more than 68,000 miles by 2050, according to a Princeton University report.

Navigator declined to do a phone interview but said in writing that current state and federal pipeline regulations are sufficient.

The United States has thousands of miles of regulated, liquid CO2 pipelines that have been operating safely for years, the company wrote. There are many instances in which Navigator is exceeding the federal safety stipulations outlined in (CO2 pipeline) regulations.

A potential bomb

Karen Sanders greeted a visitor from the wide porch of her three-bedroom home in rural Nokomis, 200 miles southwest of Chicago.

Petunias dangled from hanging flower baskets, drawing the occasional hummingbird. A sign just inside the front door said Grateful, thankful, blessed.

This is the forever home Sanders and her husband, Eric, a farmer, built 25 years ago on 5 acres of family land. Her late father, a carpenter, helped with construction, as did her father-in-law, a retired farmer who used a scoop tractor to lift shingles to the roof.

She and her husband raised their two grown children here.

But Sanders, 54, a community college vice president, said she wont stay if Navigator succeeds in its plan to run a high-pressure carbon dioxide pipeline about 400 yards from her home in a farm field owned by her family.

Its a huge decision, said Sanders. But we refuse to live next to what we consider a potential bomb.

Of all the pipeline concerns facing Illinois landowners, none has caused more anguish than the prospect of a rupture.

Ninety-nine percent of my family lives just miles from us, said Sabrina Jones, 35, of Nokomis, who has helped organize the local pipeline opposition, along with her husband, Ralph. If and when that pipeline ruptures, it would suffocate all of us.

Opponents could be forced to allow pipelines to run under their properties if Navigators application for eminent domain is approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Under eminent domain, private property can be taken for public use against the owners wishes but with proper compensation.

At the very least, landowners want setbacks  or required minimum distances from homes, schools and other places where people gather. But the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration doesnt require setbacks for CO2 pipelines.

Nothing prevents them from putting (a pipeline) right next to your house, said pipeline safety consultant Richard Kuprewicz, author of an influential Pipeline Safety Trust report on regulatory gaps.

The pipeline proposal still needs the approval of the Illinois Commerce Commission and permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the project will need more buy-in from landowners along the proposed route; in June only about 13% had agreed to allow Navigator to run the underground pipes through their property, according to testimony before the commerce commission.

A spokesperson for Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a written statement saying the governor does not comment on proposals that are pending before the Illinois Commerce Commission.

The governor has worked to appoint qualified individuals to the commission and believes in their work to ensure adequate, efficient, reliable, safe and least-cost public utility services, protect Illinois consumers and residents, and make the best decisions for the state based on current law, the statement said.

In its last session, the Illinois legislature considered a bill  supported by Navigator critics  that would require that CO2 pipelines be placed at least a mile from homes, and at least 2 miles from hospitals and schools. Theres an exception for companies that use more sophisticated (and expensive) computer modeling to determine potential hazard zones and then route their pipelines accordingly.

A second bill, backed by industry, didnt include pipeline setbacks.

Neither bill made it to a floor vote.

Studies of existing U.S. CO2 pipelines have found that accidents leading to the release of significant amounts of CO2 are infrequent.

Accidental leaks occur at a rate of 1 incident per 1,600 miles of pipeline per year, according to a 2022 study in the Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, and many of those accidents are leaks from holes and unintended releases from relief valves. The study, based on U.S. government data, found that only 3% of leaks were serious enough to be classified as ruptures.

But the 2020 pipeline rupture in Mississippi served as a reminder that when larger accidents do occur, they can be serious.

People were dropping like flies all over the place, said Kuprewicz, referring to those who passed out. Im not here to scare people. Its just the reality. I dont fear this stuff, but it demands great respect.

Two hundred people  including those prevented from driving through the area  were evacuated because of a rupture that occurred due to a landslide after heavy rains, according to a government report. The soil advanced downhill toward the pipeline, creating pressure and causing a weld to fail.

Federal regulators fined the pipeline operator, Texas-based Denbury Gulf Coast Pipelines, nearly $2.9 million. Among the alleged violations listed in a March consent agreement: Denbury failed to review its procedures for monitoring and addressing geohazard risks to determine their effectiveness, and the company failed to correct deficiencies in its geohazard program. Geohazards include landslides.

Denbury did not admit to any violations but agreed to pay the fine and address the alleged violations and risks.

Denbury, which was recently acquired by ExxonMobil, did not respond to requests for comment.

A federal database says there were no injuries in the Mississippi pipeline rupture, but thats based on a definition of injury that requires inpatient hospitalization.

There were and are injuries, said Russell Serafin, an attorney at the Webster Law Firm in Houston, which is representing 104 Mississippi residents in a lawsuit against the pipeline operators parent company, Denbury Inc., alleging physical and emotional suffering and loss of income.

One plaintiff, Deemmeris Burns, spoke about his health during a recent public meeting hosted by federal pipeline regulators in Des Moines.

Burns, who was found unconscious in a car during the CO2 release, said he was exposed to the gas for about three hours.

Im still suffering from it today: headaches, memory loss, trouble breathing, thinking, concentrating, he said. It does so much to you.

Alarming safety gaps

Satartia was supposed to be safe.

Years before the accident, when Denbury did computer modeling to predict the area that would be potentially affected if a leak occurred a mile from Satartia, the news was good. The colorless, odorless gas wasnt expected to reach the village of 50.

A company map, included in a government report, shows that the CO2 hazard zone was expected to stay within a half mile or so of the pipeline.

But, in reality, the gas would follow a very different path when it escaped. Heavier than air, the CO2 flowed downhill, rested in the bowl of a crater, and, then as the discharge volume increased, crested a hill and moved into Satartia.

The gas, which started leaking at 7:06 p.m., appears to have reached the outskirts of Satartia by 7:18 p.m., according to a detailed account in HuffPost.

How could Denburys predictions have been so wrong?

Unlike natural gas, carbon dioxide migrates in fairly unpredictable ways, depending on the weather and terrain. It can continue on for miles in dangerous  or even fatal  concentrations, according to Pipeline Safety Trust executive director Bill Caram.

Denbury used a standard method of calculating the potential impact on Satartia, according to a letter the company sent to federal regulators. But such modeling methods dont typically account for complex topography, such as hilly terrain.

Some pipeline critics want the government to require a more sophisticated approach that can handle complex topography. But that approach is newer and by some accounts much more expensive, and it is still undergoing some testing.

That leaves a gap, in both knowledge and regulation.

We dont have a simple formula, and we also dont yet have best practices, said Caram.

Another gap is the lack of any requirement that an odorant be added to carbon dioxide, in the same manner as a rotten egg smell is added to natural gas.

Thats critical, Caram said, and the search for the right candidate  one that stays with the escaping gas and wont react with CO2 and corrode the pipeline  is ongoing.

Other concerns center around potential impurities in the CO2. The new climate-oriented pipelines will mostly draw their CO2 from multiple industrial plants, unlike the pipelines used by the oil industry, which tend to rely on a single natural source of CO2.

Multiple industrial sources could increase the risk of impurities such as hydrogen sulfide, which can make leaks more hazardous to human health, according to Caram. Impurities  including water  can also corrode CO2 pipelines.

At a time when the new climate-oriented pipelines are poised to rapidly expand, there are still no maximum limits on the amount of impurities they can carry.

There are a lot of alarming gaps in the safety regulations right now, Caram said.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is working on new CO2 pipeline safety regulations in the wake of Satartia, and deputy administrator Tristan Brown said the goal is to have the update completed and in place in 2024.

Were operating at light speed because of the importance of this, Brown said.

Officials arent allowed to comment on the content of new rules before they are made public, but Brown said that the update will be informed by a close look at what went wrong in Satartia.

We share the sentiment of the public, that were not going to rely on our regulations simply being followed and take enforcement action if theyre not, Brown said. Were trying to foolproof the process.

Will stored CO2 leak?

In 2011, a public-private research team began injecting thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide more than a mile underground, into the porous rock below an Archer Daniels Midland ethanol facility in Decatur.

At first, the earth below was quiet. But two months after the injections started, monitoring equipment detected a very low-intensity earthquake with a magnitude measured in negative numbers.

Two days later, there was another microearthquake, and 10 days after that, another. Over the next three years, 4,700 microquakes would be detected and located, with an average magnitude of -0.9.

Earthquakes caused by CO2 injection tend to be small, and those at Decatur were no exception. None reached even magnitude 2  itself still a level at which quakes are not commonly felt by people, according to a 2016 report in the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control.

That was good news, in part because of concerns that if the earthquakes triggered by CO2 injection were larger, they could have triggered carbon dioxide leaks.

The Decatur project, one of the largest carbon storage projects in the world at the time, concluded with data showing there had been no CO2 leakage, according to a 2021 report to the U.S. Department of Energy. And a follow-up project at the same site has been storing about 500,000 metric tons of CO2 a year.

Those were big steps forward for Illinois, considered by some a prime location for the storage of liquid CO2, due to natural features such as vast deposits of sandstone, a rock prized for both porosity, or spaces to hold the CO2, and permeability, or channels between the spaces that allow the CO2 to spread.

Still, Navigator opponents say the volume of CO2 injection that Navigator is proposing is, in itself, a concern. The company plans to inject up to 15 million metric tons of CO2 a year, or about 30 times more than Decatur.

According to an international database, no existing underground storage project in the world has a maximum annual capacity as large Navigators, although there are several of that magnitude in the works.

Will CO2 leak? I dont know, said Richart, the Champaign environmental advocate. What I know is theres no project of this scale that has been done before for us to look back on and say, Yeah, weve been doing it safely for decades. We cant say that.

Researchers typically dont speak about the risk of CO2 leakage from underground storage in general terms because hazards are calculated based on a sites specific characteristics.

But a recent report from the Prairie Research Institute did offer some ballpark risk figures, based on research conducted during a previous project in Illinois and east Texas.

The report estimated that the risk of a CO2 leak from an undocumented deep well  perhaps abandoned during a previous wave of oil drilling  was about 1 in 1,000 per well per year. Other kinds of leaks were deemed less likely. A slow leak through the caprock  the layer of dense rock that forms a natural barrier to the upward movement of CO2  was considered less than half as likely.

The risk of a leak through an induced fault  or a fault created by the project  was estimated to be 2 in 100 million per year.

Stanford University professor of geophysics emeritus Mark Zoback, who has written about the CO2 storage potential of central Illinois, said that a storage project on the scale of Navigator would require three to five years of site study and testing by teams of people.

That prep work would include drilling wells, collecting and analyzing data on seismic activity, and running computer models  and the final result might be a finding that the proposed storage site couldnt handle the amount of CO2 proposed.

Even if the site proved suitable, there would still be unknowns, due to the unprecedented amount of CO2 involved, Zoback said. More CO2 means larger areas of pressure on the basement rock below the storage area, and, in turn, a higher probability that larger faults will be reached and activated, causing larger earthquakes.

Scientists cant predict exactly how the larger pressurized areas will affect earthquake size, Zoback said, although he thinks the most likely scenario for Navigator-scale projects in Illinois is that earthquakes of relatively small magnitude would increase in frequency. That would likely lead the operator of the project to try to reduce the size and number of earthquakes by decreasing CO2 injection rates.

Navigator noted that Environmental Protection Agency regulations require seismic monitoring during the injection of CO2 deep into the ground. Injection rate reduction and shutdown procedures are in place, in case seismic activity is observed, the company said.

Navigator also cited decades of study of the geology of Central Illinois  where the Decatur project has captured international attention  and said that Illinois injection wells have successfully reduced seismic activity. In Decatur, that was done by changing the depth of the injection.

Zoback, in contrast, stressed that the amounts of CO2 injected in Decatur are still relatively small.

You cant just extrapolate from a few hundred thousand tons to 15 million tons and assume everything is just going to be all right, he said. At least, thats my opinion.
DES MOINES  Emma Bade finds joy in helping her students reach their full potential, but she worries that funding constraints limit the work that she and teachers around the state are able to do.

As a teacher, Bades work life is closely tied to the actions of the state government. They decide what she can teach, and critically, how much of the states billions in revenue goes to education.

Bade said education funding is the biggest hurdle she faces as a teacher. At current funding levels, Bade said schools cant hire the teachers and staff and sustain specialized programs to meet the needs of students.

Working in special education, Bade said she has to work with larger than ideal class sizes because there are not enough special education teachers in the state. Special education is one of many teaching specialty areas where Iowa faces a shortage, according to the Iowa Department of Education.

My job could be a lot easier," she said. "If we had more resources, and we had different curriculums that I've had experiences with at other places. It just makes it a lot more work, a lot more challenging for the teacher end of it. You can only do so much with what you have.

Despite the challenges, Bade said she enjoys teaching special education, where she can help her students reach academic success and become self-sufficient over time.

"It's just really great to support them, not only with their individual goals that they have with me or academic goals or behavior goals, but then also help them transfer that kind of information to the general education setting and watch them grow and flourish and not need me as much anymore," she said.

Iowa lawmakers gave a 3% boost to Iowas public school funding this year, the highest increase since 2015. The Iowa Education Association, the union representing public school teachers, had lobbied for a 4% increase.

And along with funding K-12 education, she said Iowa should have a more robust and universal preschool program. From an education perspective, Bade said those are the most formative years for children, when theyre learning the foundations like letters and numbers, and access to preschool results in better educational outcomes later on.

Thats the formative years, and that's when students are learning what it means to be in school, she said. ... So unless youre in a preschool program, a lot of students are not getting that type of instruction and opportunities, and its just hard to catch them up.

Bade grew up in Urbandale and has not strayed far from her hometown. She graduated from Iowa State University with a teaching degree in 2018, and soon found a job at Des Moines Public Schools.

Her family being close motivates her to stay in Iowa, she said, and she has not had a reason to leave the state, now living with her boyfriend and three cats. But she doesnt know if shell stay in Iowa long-term.

I would love to move, but I do feel like the farther I get not moving, the more likely I am to stay here, she said. Just because of my career and what's next for me, Ill kind of start to build those things up in Des Moines.

Living in Des Moines as a young professional still presents some difficulties, including a lack of public transportation, Bade said. She said the city and state should focus on improving transportation options in Iowa's cities.

"What can we do to help that with busing and public transport and accessibility and things like that?" she said. "Because if you're coming even from Minneapolis, it's just a different playing field up there as far as getting around without a car."

Bade is involved with the Des Moines Education Association, the teachers union for Des Moines Public Schools. She serves on the executive board and government relations committee, which has given her a hand in speaking about new laws affecting education at the Iowa statehouse.

Iowa lawmakers passed a slate of education regulation laws this year, including a law banning the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade, limiting certain school library books and requiring schools to notify parents if a student requests to be called by a different name or set of gender pronouns.

Bade said that law, Senate File 496, will put unnecessary burdens on her as a teacher and make it more difficult to support her students. She said she would not have detailed conversations with students about some of the restricted topics even without the law, but its her job to let students know she cares about and supports them.

It's not necessarily like every single day I'm going to feel the effects of this but more of just, the type of teacher I am and how I like to support my students and being inclusive, its just going to be another burden and hurdle to overcome, she said.

One law Bade said she spoke out against is a law allowing parents to use taxpayer-funded education savings accounts to pay for private school education. The program opened to applications in May, and thousands of Iowans have applied, exceeding the legislative analysts predictions.

Bade said shes concerned the education savings accounts will further take away funding from her district, which already struggles with a lack of resources. And as a special education teacher, Bade said the fact that private schools do not need to accept students with disabilities worries her.

We all just want what's best for the kids in the state, and we want them to be educated and we want them to learn, she said. But when you're taking that money from the public institutes and giving them to private schools who are already at more of an advantage, it just doesn't make any sense to me.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project has announced it will be distributing supplies for the 2023-24 school year to Cheyenne River children and families on Thursday, Aug. 10.

The annual School Supplies Distribution is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CRYPs Chokata Wichoni teen center.

CRYPs annual School Supplies Drive is a major component of its Family Services program. To participate in the long-running program, all a local family needs to do is pay a $30 annual membership fee, which covers all family members for the year and provides access to school supplies, shoes, winter clothing, household supplies, baby items and holiday gifts.

All members of our Family Services program will be receiving cards in the mail for the August distribution, advised Jerica Widow, CRYPs programs director. To receive school supplies, families must bring their children with them, along with their Family Services card. And if a family doesnt have a current membership but would like to obtain one so they can participate in the distribution, just call our office at (605) 964-8200.

The grassroots, nonprofit youth organization has been providing school supplies to children ages four to 18 for decades. Many Lakota families on the Cheyenne River Reservation simply dont have the room in their household budgets to purchase school supplies each year for their children.

We want to provide support to those families so they can fulfill this critical need, Widow said.

Families who are unable to attend the Aug. 10 distribution may contact CRYP to arrange pickup at another time. The youth project also is coordinating with teachers in schools across Cheyenne River to ensure that their specific classroom needs are met.

In a typical year, CRYP serves more than 500 schoolchildren through the School Supplies Distribution. This wouldnt be possible without the support of partners and friends across the country, Widow said.

Weve built supplies lists for kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and ninth through 12th grade, she said. You can sponsor a child at one of these levels, and well handle all the shopping and the distribution. If youd like to contribute a backpack as well, an additional $30 will allow us to incorporate that.

To sponsor a child through CRYPs 2023 School Supplies Drive, simply visit lakotayouth.org/school-supplies-drive.

All contributions need to be in-house no later than Monday, Aug. 7, so CRYP staff members will have time to organize the supplies and prepare for hundreds of excited children. If supplies arrive after the deadline, however, the youth project will continue to collect and distribute them as needed during the final weeks of summer and the first weeks of the new school year.




BY SALEEM SAMAD





India wishes Bangladesh to join the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project (IMT Highway), which envisages connecting South Asia and South-East Asia to achieve the broader agenda of Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).





The ambitious three-nation highway is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region that will connect India with Thailand through Myanmar is a central plank of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Act East Policy" which seeks to boost trade and connectivity with Southeast Asia.





The 3,660 km long IMT Highway will be linking Moreh (India)  Bagan (Myanmar)  Mae Sot (Thailand) and expects completion this year.





Meanwhile, India has completed 50 per cent of the construction of the 120 km Kalewa-Yagyi stretch in Myanmar to the level of an international highway and rebuilding 69 bridges and adjacent approach roads on the highway.





India and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plan to extend this route to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam (which is operational since 2015).





The development economists predict the connectivity will generate annually, an estimated US $70 billion in incremental GDP and 20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025, and India has offered US $1 billion line-of-credit for the India-ASEAN connectivity projects. It is at the center of transport diplomacy among ASEAN countries.





In 2015, India proposed a trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement  MVA with Myanmar and Thailand for the seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among the three countries.





In December 2017, Myanmar stated that it needed time to review all of its connectivity agreements, before proceeding with the MVA.





The hiccups by Myanmar immensely delayed the Imphal (India)  Mandalay (Myanmar) bus service despite India and Myanmar have signed the MVA in 2018.





On 14 July, top officials sat in the South Block in New Delhi to look into physical possibilities to link Bangladesh to the highway project.





At the India-Myanmar Border Connectivity meeting, a report was presented by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) and discussed modalities to connect Bangladesh.





Prabhat Kumar, Special Secretary of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) at the high-level meeting said that if Bangladesh is connected to this highway, it will serve as a unique commercial link between the whole of South Asia and Southeast Asia, reported Dhaka Tribune.





Bangladesh has expressed its eagerness to join the IMT highway to boost regional connectivity for greater economic gains with South East nations in 2020.





Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first expressed her interest in land connectivity with Thailand via Myanmar during their virtual summit with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in December 2020, reported the Daily Star.





She expressed keen interest in the ongoing India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project and sought technical support from India for Bangladesh to connect with this project to enhance connectivity between the regions of South Asia and South East Asia, said a joint statement.





Hasina is expected to follow up with Modi on the formalities of joining the IMT Highway project and other pending issues when she meets up for a bilateral parley with her Indian counterpart in coming September to attend the 18th G20 summit of heads of states and governments in New Delhi.





Meanwhile, India and Thailand have agreed to include Bangladesh in the trilateral highway project.





Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said New Delhi and Bangkok are happy to have Bangladesh in the Trilateral Highway project.





Well, Bangladesh is waiting for a proactive nod from Myanmar. The neighboring country has yet to react to Dhaka joining the project.





Earlier, Bangladesh wished to join the Bangladesh China India Myanmar (BCIM) corridor, which unfortunately has made no progress. Also, India skipped the Belt and Road Forum which led to the exclusion of the BCIM Corridor from the list of projects covered by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At any rate the BCIM predates the launch of the BRI by China.





Remember a senior Chinese diplomat in Kolkata boasted of introducing Bullet Train from Kunming to Kolkata via Bangladesh and Myanmar in 2015, reported by Press Trust of India (PTI).





The diplomat assured that the much-vaunted BRI is not envisaged by China to conquer the world or its neighborhood, instead, the bullet train project would be implemented through consultations and discussions Nevertheless, the project has never seen the light of the day.





Keeping the Chinese plan, Bangladesh agreed to railroad connectivity with the so-called Trans-Asian Railway, which was supposed to connect India-Bangladesh-Myanmar-China and it seems has lost its steam.





Recently, Bangladesh has scrapped the construction of a 129-kilometre railway track from Dohazari to Gundhum, bordering Myanmar and instead, the budget was diverted to lay a high-speed railway track to the sea resort holiday destination in Cox's Bazar from the port city Chattagram.





The crisis of 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in squalid camps in the southeast of the country has frozen the relations between the two countries. Thus, the land and railway connectivity with Myanmar was dropped for the time being.





It is also understood, that the construction of railway tracks through Myanmar's restive Rakhine state will be challenging. The Tatmadaw (Myanmar forces) is fighting a multi-headed insurgency with armed ethnic rebellions and newly raised nationalist resistance forces.





The armed insurrections intensified after the ouster of a democratically elected Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi by the military junta in February 2021. The Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment.





Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, the three neighbors, have shared a history, especially when the British Raj dominated the region. Therefore, these neighbors can easily improve their relations in multi-dimensional aspects by promoting cooperation, writes Jubeda Chowdhury, a researcher on regional issues.





She further says, if the Bangladesh-Myanmar-Thailand-India Trilateral Highway project and the BCIM corridor were integrated, ASEAN members could access the markets of Bangladesh, northern-east India, and the Himalayan landlocked countries of Bhutan, and Nepal.





First published in the India Narrative, New Delhi, India, July 20, 2023




Kathmandu: The Handover Ceremony the mammography equipment, supported by the Government of Japan to the Nepal Cancer Care Foundation in Satobato, Lalitpur, was held today. H.E. Mr. KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, attended the ceremony.





Under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Government of Japan, the project to install medical equipment for breast cancer screening at the Nepal Cancer Care Foundation, a specialized medical institution for womens cancer screening, was supported with USD 75,869 (approximately NPR 8.3 million).





On this occasion, Ambassador Kikuta congratulated and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all those involved in the project. He emphasized that early detection and treatment are crucial to cure diseases such as breast cancer, one of the most common cancers among Nepali women. He expressed his confidence that the project would lead to early detection of disease and improve the health and quality of life of individuals, families and communities in Nepal.





The Nepal Cancer Care Foundation was established in 2011 to reduce the burden of cancer by providing screening and counseling services, primarily for breast and cervical cancer. They provide these services at their diagnostic center in Lalitpur and through screening health camps in rural areas. For the last year, they have conducted breast cancer screening for more than 500 women by using the equipment provided by GGP. The Embassy hopes that this project will contribute to improving medical services in the district and further deepening the friendship between the people of Japan and Nepal.








LONDON, July 24: Elon Musk has unveiled a new black and white X logo to replace Twitters famous blue bird as he follows through with a major rebranding of the social media platform he bought for $44 billion last year.





Musk replaced his own Twitter icon with a white X on a black background and posted a picture on Monday of the design projected on Twitters San Francisco headquarters.





The X started appearing on the top of the desktop version of Twitter on Monday, but the bird was still dominant across the phone app.





Musk had asked fans for logo ideas and chose one, which he described as minimalist Art Deco, saying it certainly will be refined.





And soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds, Musk tweeted Sunday.





The billionaire is CEO of rocket company Space Exploration Technologies Corp., commonly known as SpaceX. And in 1999, he founded a startup called X.com, an online financial services company now known as PayPal.





The X.com web domain now redirects users to Twitter.com, Musk said.




Brunch and lunch are now on the menu at two Richmond hot spots, plus get ready for Dukes Hot Tomato Summer to invade Richmond restaurants this week.

Odyssey adds Sunday brunch

Odyssey, the creative fish and seafood spot at 6619 Patterson Ave. from Alewife team Lee Gregory and Bobo Catoe, has added Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brunch at Odyssey is similar to sister restaurant Alewifes brunch, Catoe said.

We do a biscuit sandwich every week and some type of pancake with topping. Last week, it was topped with plums, maple syrup and the pancake was stuffed with ricotta and brown sugar. Its more entree-type food than breakfast, Catoe said.

Here's a picture of the biscuit at Alewife, for reference:

The brunch menu also has seafood, oysters, shrimp and several other items from the dinner menu.

Odyssey is now open seven days a week with reservations available. Visit them online at www.odysseyrva.com.

Celladora to serve lunch 2 days a week

Celladora Wines, an intimate wine shop and restaurant in the Fan District, is adding lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m.

Chef Olivia Wilson, who has been overseeing Celladoras pastry program, will be whipping up the menu and drawing on fresh, local produce from the Birdhouse Farmers Market every week. Past dishes have featured a yogurt pie with red rice salad, apricots and candied pecans ($18) and tomato toast with turmeric, black pepper milk bread and kewpie ($14). Cheese and charcuterie boards are also available ($20-$30) as well as other classic small menu offerings.

Seating will be at communal tables with a focus on vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free dishes. Chef Wilson also painted the interior mural at Celladora. Before that, she cooked at Metzger Bar & Butchery and helped launch Brenner Pass.

Celladora Wines, which has 15 seats and an inventive menu, was named one of Richmond Times Dispatchs dining all-stars of 2022.

Hot Tomato Summer is July 24-30

Dukes Mayo is teaming up with local Richmond restaurants for a weeklong celebration of tomatoes and Dukes Mayonnaise.

Over 75 local restaurants are participating. Here is a sampling of dishes: fried green tomato BLT with Dukes roasted jalapeno aioli and pimento on a soft baguette at Can Can Brasserie, local tomato corn pie loaded with Dukes Mayo and fresh basil at Fat Rabbit Cakes, and even Dukes Mayo ice cream and tomato watermelon sorbet at Ruby Scoops.

Dukes first launched Hot Tomato Summer in Richmond in 2021 as a way to lend support to local Richmond restaurants after the pandemic.

In 2022, Dukes added Greenville, South Carolina, to the celebration. This year, for the third year, Dukes now has a total of four Southern cities participating.

Check out the Dukes website for a full list of participating restaurants and hot tomato dishes at dukesmayo.com.

Buskey Cider hits pause on food concept

Buskey Cider has temporarily closed its in-house food truck Urban Myth Street Food.

It was a bit of a bumpy start. Buskey tapped Chef Will Leung-Richardson, formerly of the Kudzu RVA food truck, to launch the gluten-free, fusion menu at Urban Myth, but Leung-Richardson dropped out of the concept just days before launch in late April.

Chef Mike Lindsey, of Lillie Pearl and Buttermilk + Honey (plus several other restaurants), stepped in to help, dishing up fried chicken sandwiches and rice bowls but, ultimately, Buskey Cider hit pause earlier this month.

Unfortunately after giving our food concept a few months to get traction, its clear we need to rework things to make it more sustainable, Buskey Cider posted to Instagram.

Buskey Cider will be hosting dining pop-ups in the interim. Buskey Cider is located at 2910 W. Leigh St. in Scotts Addition.

Richmond area restaurants opened in 2023 Basically Halal Rams House Bar + Kitchen Torchy's Tacos Midlothian Burtons Grill & Bar Ellie's Hot Dogs & Ice Cream Click A Wine Spot The Queens Tea Room Smashed RVA Shake Shack Luxe New American Bar & Grill Slurp! Slay Burgers Mariscos Mazatlan Eggs Up Grill Seafood Palace Fat Boy boil A Taste of Nostalgia 88 Street Food Acacia Midtown Odyssey Lost Letter RVA Stanley's Hibachi House Main St. Dragon Nokoribi Urban Myth Street Food Revel Market & Bar Genovas Pizza Station & Take Out Kitchen Brick House Diner Mayu Sushi & Thai Wok This Way Boiling Crab Richmond Raising Cane's ChefSuite BigWife's La Fogata Grit Coffee The Brass Tap Penny's Wine Shop A.M. Kitchen Company Verseau Bistro Chic'n & Beer Bar West Sidecar Cocktail Lounge Soul N Vinegar Wong's Tacos Elegant Cuizines Rio Grande Tex-Mex Grill Mi Casita Restaurant Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. Suzy Sno Diablo Doughnuts RVA Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  As lawmakers open the second regular session of the 19th Congress, the two-member minority bloc of the Senate shared what is next for them.

On Mondays opening of the new session, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel told reporters more minority work, more vigilance can be expected from the opposition.

Asked if there will be additional members in the minority during the second regular session, Pimentel said: Wala ang pinaka-logical recruit namin eh blood relative ng presidente, baka hindi namin ma-recruit.

[Translation: Our most logical recruit is a blood relative of the president, whom we may not be able to recruit at all.]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the brother of Senator Imee Marcos.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said there have been preparations in the past year to hopefully add more members in the minority bloc during the midterm elections in 2025.

Malakas ang fighting spirit bagama't magte-term out ang minority leader ko sa 2025, hindi ako mananatiling mag-isa dito dahil balak po namin sa oposisyon magdagdag ng minority senators sa midterm elections, she told reporters.

[Translation: We have a strong fighting spirit even if my minority leader will term out on 2025, I will not be left alone here because we in the opposition plan to add more minority members in the midterm elections.]

Despite being outnumbered, Hontiveros cited the achievements by the minority, like releasing its own report on the controversial Sugar Order no. 4 that permitted the entry of 300,000 metric tons of the sweetener; remembering the fall of martial law which was during the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos time; interventions against improper confidential and intelligence funds of some government agencies in the 2023 budget; and interventions against the Maharlika Investment Fund Act.

Hontiveros also said the minority can still hold on with five years remaining under the Marcos administration.

Talagang magpapatuloy ang Senate minority to take full advantages of the space na bukas sa isang institusyon tulad ng sa Senado, she said.

[Translation: The Senate minority will continue to tale full advantages of the space opened by institutions like the Senate.]
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden will establish a national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teenager from Chicago who was abducted, tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi, and his mother, a White House official said Saturday.

Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday to create the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi, according to the official. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House had not formally announced the president's plans.

Tuesday is the anniversary of Emmett Till's birth in 1941.

The monument will protect places that are central to the story of Till's life and death at age 14, the acquittal of his white killers and his mother's activism. Till's mother's insistence on an open casket to show the world how her son was brutalized and Jet magazine's decision to publish photos of his mutilated body helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement.

Biden's decision also comes at a fraught time in the United States over matters concerning race.

Conservative leaders are pushing back against the teaching of slavery and Black history in public schools, as well as the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs from college classrooms to corporate boardrooms.

On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized a revised Black history curriculum in Florida that includes teaching that enslaved people benefited from the skills they learned at the hands of the people who denied them freedom. The Florida Board of Education approved the curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who accused public schools of liberal indoctrination.

"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 asked in a speech delivered in Jacksonville, Florida.

DeSantis said he had no role in devising his state's new education standards but defended the components on how enslaved people benefited. "All of that is rooted in whatever is factual," he said.

The monument to Till and his mother will include three sites in the two states.

The Illinois site is Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville, a historically Black neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Thousands of people gathered at the church to mourn Emmett Till in September 1955.

The Mississippi locations are Graball Landing, believed to be where Till's mutilated body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, and the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Till's killers were tried and acquitted by an all-white jury.
The Hanover County ballot this November will include a referendum wherein voters can choose if they want to elect their School Board members directly or allow the Board of Supervisors to continue appointing its members.

The issue has come to the forefront in recent months amid contentious School Board decisions. Having tried several times in preceding years, a grassroots group has finally garnered the 8,500 certified signatures to get the issue on a ballot.

Organizers for Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Board have been attending county events, canvassing neighborhoods and running an online informational campaign since November. Last week, they passed the threshold for a referendum  signatures from 10% of the countys registered voters.

Tim McDermott, a volunteer with the group, says the groups main argument for elected school boards is that they bring democracy to the countys schools by giving residents a direct say, rather than routing decisions through a county supervisor.

Its telling to me that were one of the very few localities left in the state of Virginia that does not have an elected school board. That tells me that the other localities think it works pretty well, McDermott said.

Hanover is one of only 13 school divisions, out of 131 overall, where board members are appointed rather than elected, according to the Virginia School Boards Association.

In 1992, Virginia became the last state to allow elected school boards, and an overwhelming majority has moved to the system. Hanover School Board members are appointed by the Hanover Board of Supervisors for staggered four-year terms.

McDermott said 8,500 signatures felt like a high bar to meet  local board candidates need only 175 signatures to run for election  but that the number of signatures shows people are interested in the issue. The group tallied over 9,100 certified signatures by the end of its campaign.

From that standpoint, Im glad it was 10%, because it really shows there are a lot of people concerned about the way that we currently form the board, McDermott said.

In previous election cycles, the group did not start as early as it did this year. McDermott also credits the groups increased cohesion as well as a significantly increased number of volunteers, numbering 92.

McDermott said the number of people signing the petition increased dramatically in June after a high-profile School Board decision to remove 19 books from school shelves.

The Hanover School Board voted 5-2 in early June to give itself the authority to remove library books with a majority vote, wresting that prerogative from librarians. It immediately voted to remove 19 books after the decision.

It was seen by many as an attack on the First Amendment, as well as a targeting of LGBTQ+ or minority characters and themes. Supporters of the removal argued the books had oversexualized content that is unsuitable for students.

Thats a pretty strong coincidence, McDermott said. There were actions by the School Board that clearly compelled people to express their opinion that they would like to see an elected school board.

Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Board had collected around 50% of the necessary signatures in the seven months leading up to discussions about the updated library policy and Hanovers eventual decision to remove books. McDermott said the second 50% of signatures came in just two months afterward.

The Hanover School Board has also pushed through several other contentious decisions recently. In May, board members voted to reverse a long-settled decision to name a new elementary school after John M. Gandy, a Black educator from the area, in favor of Ashland Elementary. Many saw it as retaliation for renaming three schools that were previously named for Confederate generals. Members also passed a policy in August 2022 that requires transgender students to send a written request in order to access the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

Last year, the state NAACP announced its Why We Cant Wait campaign in favor of elected school boards. The state NAACP identified Hanover School Board member Johnny Redd as one primer of the need for change, after Redd referred to Hanover NAACP President Pat Hunter-Jordan as an angry African-American lady.

Many of those disagreements have come from issues that revolve around party lines. McDermott acknowledged that the movement in favor of an elected school board has been framed as a progressive issue. He said the reality is that many of the groups members come from both parties and that democracy is at the heart of his argument.

Republicans, Democrats and Independents ought to see that this is something thats good when you have a School Board thats dealing with such weighty issues, to be directly responsible to the voters rather than the Board of Supervisors, he said.

The Hanover Republican Committee has campaigned against Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Boards petition, warning residents against signing the petition. The committee argued that Hanover has a high-achieving school system that does not need any changes while also framing the issue as one championed by progressives.

Stephanie Kim, another volunteer with Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Board, has previously advocated for more inclusion for students with disabilities. She got involved with the group, feeling her arguments had fallen on deaf ears.

Who I would vote for the Board of Supervisors is not necessarily the same person that I would vote for the School Board, Kim said. They wouldnt even have the same ideals because they face different issues.

She also said she thinks the elected process could bring more transparency to School Board selections. In Hanover, residents typically announce their interest in an open board seat at a public meeting before supervisors make nominations for their respective districts, on which the entire board votes.

There is no requirement that supervisors meet with candidates before making a nomination.

There are pros and cons of either system, but I would like to think I have more faith in the voters, Kim said.

Today in history: July 24 1911: Hiram Bingham III 1915: SS Eastland 1937: Scottsboro Case 1959: Kitchen Debate 1969: Apollo 11 2010: Love Parade festival 2016: Ken Griffey Jr 2019: Robert Mueller 2022: Pope Francis
A patient at the states only maximum-security mental health hospital died over the weekend.

The Dinwiddie County hospital is run by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, also known as DBHDS.

Due to state and federal privacy laws, we are unable to provide any additional information, said Lauren Cunningham, a spokesperson for DBHDS. Our thoughts are with the individuals family.

How police body camera footage remains from public view in Virginia The introduction of body-worn cameras promised to change policing. But in Virginia, cameras havent always brought the clarifying sunshine that advocates promised.

Cunningham said the death is being investigated by the medical examiner and that the hospital is cooperating fully.

Rashad Riddick, a patient at Central State, claimed that the deceased patients name was T. Brown. Riddick told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he saw nurses rush to Browns room, where they tried to resuscitate him.

I could see them and hear what they were saying, Riddick said. They were in a panic. The nurses were crying.

Riddick said Brown was transferred to South Side Hospital in Petersburg. It is not clear whether he died at Central State or at South Side.

Riddick is housed in the sixth ward of Building 39. He said hospital staff have since conducted numerous sweeps of the ward.

Ann Baskervill, prosecutor in Irvo Otieno death case, announces early resignation I had accepted the offer of admission on March 4, but then Irvo Otieno was killed on March 6 so I didnt say anything publicly because I didnt want it to be a distraction from the very important discussion on his case, said Baskervill.

Cunningham did not answer questions about any precautions the hospital has been taking in the wake of the death.

Central State is the same hospital where Irvo Otieno died on March 6. Otienos death was later ruled a homicide.

Technically, Otieno died in the custody of Henrico County deputy sheriffs, but one Central State employee remains charged with second-degree murder in Otienos death.

How states compare by the shortage of mental health professionalsand how much they fall short #37. Wisconsin #36. Florida #35. Montana #34. New York #33. Pennsylvania #32. Arizona #31. Oregon #30. Virginia #29. West Virginia #28. Michigan #27. Maine #26. Missouri #25. California #24. North Carolina #23. Maryland #22. Hawaii #21. Texas #20. Louisiana #19. Tennessee #18. Oklahoma #17. Mississippi #16. Ohio #15. Georgia #14. Kansas #13. South Dakota #12. Alabama #11. Washington #10. Minnesota #9. Alaska #8. Utah #7. Colorado #6. Nevada #5. Iowa #4. Indiana #3. Illinois #2. Idaho #1. Nebraska
Chef Paul Elbling, who opened La Petite France in 1971 and introduced Richmond to fine dining, has died. He was 82.

Born in Alsace, France, Elbling studied at a rigorous apprenticeship program in classical French cooking at Ecole Hoteliere in Strasbourg, France, and attended the Cordon Bleu School in Paris. In 1964, he earned a European master chef degree.

In 1971, Chef Paul, as he was affectionately called, and his wife, Marie Antoinette Elbling, who died in 2021, opened La Petite France, where they introduced Richmonders to classic French cuisine and, according to many, put Richmond on the culinary map.

He introduced Richmond to grand cuisine, Jimmy Sneed, former owner of The Frog and the Redneck, said in 2002. He was a flag bearer. It was daring back in the 70s in Richmond to do that.

For 36 years, La Petite France was Richmonds star French restaurant; it closed in 2008. Elbling ran the kitchen while his wife ran the house. Their talents together brought La Petite local and national acclaim.

The Elblings originally opened La Petite France in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center in South Richmond. A little more than a year later, they moved into a building at 2108 Maywill St., a few blocks from Staples Mill Road. It was a plain-looking building across from the Circuit City store on Thalbro Street.

Despite the almost industrial location, the restaurant was a hit. To step inside was to enter a world of grace, according to this newspaper. La Petite France received the 5 Star Diamond Award, a prestigious international award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

Over the years, Elbling compiled a lengthy resume of honors, including Restaurateur of the Year from the Virginia Restaurant Association (1985), the Academy Award of the restaurant industry, and he was selected as one of the Worlds Best Chefs by the American Academy of Hospitality Services. He was also cited for excellence in Southern Living and Gourmet magazine.

He was an icon in this industry, said Mark Herndon, owner of Buckheads Chop House and co-owner of The Roosevelt.

Everybody knew about La Petite France, former Gov. Jim Gilmore said. (My wife) Roxane and I considered him a very good friend. We got to know him at the restaurant. He was very warm. He spent a lot of time with us, and we spent personal time with him at his home. He had an extraordinary personality and added to the character of Richmond in a positive way.

He started a culinary renaissance (in Richmond), said Mary Margaret Kastelberg, a friend of the Elblings.

In the early days of La Petite France, Elbling often had to travel to Washington to procure fresh produce and items like mussels for the menu.

He was a true, classically trained chef, said Xavier Meers, a chef from Belgium who launched Belle Vie European Bistro and later Bruxl Cafe in Richmond.

He brought to Richmond an experience that could only be found in bigger cities, Herndon said. He did so much to help elevate our profession. Back in the 70s and 80s, if you were looking for a job in a restaurant, you would look under Domestic Help. Chef Paul helped chefs be recognized for their skill and experience. He brought the Chaine des Rotisseurs (an international gastronomic society founded in Paris) to Richmond. He did so much to elevate fine dining and to bring a new experience to Richmond that it didnt have at the time.

Kastelberg said, He was a perfectionist in his work. He had very high standards. He was a great ambassador for his profession.

But he was also warm, giving, charming and fun, she said.

One of (Paul and Maries) greatest gifts was to make everyone feel important. Whether you were a CEO or a governor or a janitor, he had an ability to make everyone feel important.

He was an artist, Kastelberg said.

He and his wife were also very good business people. Thats why their restaurant was a success, she said. They were very attentive to every detail. Whether it was remembering which customer liked a certain kind of wine with their dinner or knowing (if a customer) always wanted to arrive at 6:45 p.m.

Elbling was also extremely humble and had a gift for hospitality. Even though he cooked for actors, dignitaries and important chefs, he was more comfortable serving other people, Kastelberg said.

They much preferred to serve other people than to be served, she said.

His footprint in Richmond was enormous, Meers said. He met Elbling when the famous chef visited his restaurant Belle Vie European Bistro. The two quickly struck up a friendship.

If I had to describe Chef Paul in one would, it would be generosity, Meers said.

In 2009, the Elblings helped found the RVA French Food Festival that for over a decade brought thousands to the Little Sisters of the Poor. The Elblings often opened the restaurant for special dinners or events to benefit charities. They were also lifelong members of St. Marys Catholic Church in Henrico County.

Richmond magazine named its dining awards The Elbys in honor of Elbling.

He was always at The Elbys. You would see all these young restaurant entrepreneurs and (people from) distilleries and breweries and, in the middle of that, youd have Chef Paul dancing with all of these young people, Meers said. Everybody knew him. Everyone respected him. He was an example for a lot of us.

The Elblings were born in Alsace, a French province on the German-Swiss border that was occupied by Germany during World War II. When he was 19, Elbling was a French paratrooper in the Algerian War, for which he was later awarded the Croix de Guerre and other honors. Elbling met his wife at a party she threw in 1965. A year after getting married, in 1967, Elbling and his wife moved to Washington, D.C.

Elbling served as chef at Chez Francois in Washington and became executive chef at the Washington Hotel before moving to Richmond to open La Petite France. Elbling and his wife lived for 40 years near River Road where they entertained guests and friends.

Besides La Petite France, Elbling helped found the Virginia Chefs Association, which promotes education within the industry and has a scholarship fund; he won gold medals for the United States in the International Culinary Olympiques in 1980 and 1984; and he was a featured chef at a James Beard House dinner in New York, among many honors.

He earned three records in the Guinness Book of World Records, including one for the worlds largest omelet (10,470 eggs). The Guinness Records were done for charity benefits. He also authored the cookbook Chef Pauls La Petite France.

After his wife died, Elbling moved to assisted living at Spring Arbor of Richmond. He was hospitalized for an infection and died at Spring Arbor in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Kastelberg.

They really lived the American dream. They came here with nothing, she said. Through hard work and relentless dedication, they built something really special.

Details on services will be announced at a later date.

PHOTOS: Chef Paul Elbling over the years
Parents and children walking to Richmonds Fairfield Court Elementary School on Monday morning were met with music, cheering and hugs from teachers and school staff.

The July Monday morning marked the first of the 200-day school year  a pilot program from Richmond Public Schools that is among the first of its kind in the region.

Fairfield Court Elementary and Cardinal Elementary School in South Richmond added 20 days to their academic calendars in an effort to curb learning loss that was exacerbated by school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remy Cartel, who has a 4-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, moved to Richmond from New York in February and said Fairfield Court Elementary had already changed her familys lives through the school communitys support.

This girl went from not reading at all and being behind in school to being on point, doing summer reading and everything else, Cartel said as she walked her children to school Monday morning. Its been a struggle and weve been through some hard times, but the support we get from the school is 100%. She lives for the teachers.

Cartel added, They need to implement the 200-day school year citywide, nationwide, everything because education doesnt stop when the summer starts.

After years of back-and-forth on the issue, the Richmond School Board approved the extended school year for the two schools in split votes earlier this year.

Weve gone through a very difficult time; the pandemic really set us back, said RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras. In this once-in-a-century moment, we need once-in-a-century responses, and that is what we have here today.

Kamras added: Our motto at RPS is to teach with love. Ive learned as a father, the greatest gift we can give our children is our time. And that is exactly what were giving our children today  20 extra days of our time.

Fairfield Court Elementary, adjacent to the Fairfield Court public housing community in Richmonds East End, counts 97% of its students as economically disadvantaged, a rough gauge of poverty measured by the state. At Cardinal Elementary, about 54% of students are deemed economically disadvantaged by the state.

About 28% of students at Fairfield Court Elementary passed state reading tests last school year, compared with a pass rate of 47% division-wide and 73% statewide. At Cardinal Elementary, about 37% of its students passed state reading tests last school year.

The typical summer breaks in between academic years can cause serious learning loss for children, especially for low-income students, research shows.

By the fifth grade, summer learning loss can leave low-income students up to three years behind their classmates, according to research conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers. A childs summer learning experiences during elementary school years can impact whether that child earns a high school diploma and continues on to college.

Its not about test scores. Its about growth, said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. We want to be able to see on Day One versus Day 200 whether or not our kids have progressed. ... Im a firm believer thats exactly what (20) more days will allow for our kids  to grow and progress and be the kids we know that they can be, the best kids in central Virginia.

The pilot is funded by the divisions allotment of the federal COVID-19 stimulus package.

I believe every school needs 200 days in the city of Richmond, Stoney said at a news conference on Monday.

In an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the mayor said the pragmatic approach is to phase in extended calendars at Richmonds public schools.

We will depend upon the City Council or the administration to step up (with funding), he said. More than likely it would be a phased-in approach. ... I think if it was phased in, I think that the City Council and the administration can handle that budgetarily.

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The 61-year-old victim in a July 15 homicide was stabbed to death with scissors, and her daughter confessed to committing the crime, according to a criminal complaint.

Investigators responded at about 11:45 a.m. to a call for an welfare check at 127 Wimbish Place, where they found Marie Boynton inside dead with apparent puncture wounds, Danville Police Department investigator N.E. Pickrel wrote in the criminal complaint.

Officers arrived on scene, where they made contact with Ebonie Michelle Holm, who came outside the residence and was detained. Holm, Boyntons daughter, admitted to the crime, Pickrel wrote.

Law enforcement transported Holm to the Danville Police Department, where post Miranda, she admitted to stabbing Boynton with a pair of scissors, he wrote in the complaint obtained by the Danville Register & Bee from Danville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Holm faces a charge of second-degree murder. The incident marks the seventh homicide of the year in Danville. There were eight homicides in the city last year.

Holm is being held in Danville City Jail with no bond.

Police department spokesman Matt Bell would not provide any more details about the incident, such as a motive for the crime.

I dont have any additional information I can provide beyond whats in the press release [issued July 15], Bell said Thursday.

According to court records, Holm has a mental health history and worked at Dignity Home Health.

Holm is scheduled to appear at Aug. 21 in Danville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Beyond traffic infractions spanning 2014 to 2018, online court records did not reveal any previous criminal charges for Holm in Danville or Pittsylvania County.

Danville police held a A H.E.A.R.T. Walk in the area July 15 since most neighbors were already home. The walks  Heal and Engage After Recent Trauma  come after after violence in an area. The idea behind these walks isnt to collect more details on a crime, but instead check with the residents and provide resources to cope with the tragedy.

Often police officers go door-to-door in a neighborhood and talk with residents following a homicide or other traumatic incident.
DOMINION ENERGY

As more data centers come online and more electric vehicles hit the roads, Dominion Energy's state-set goal to slash carbon emissions to net zero by 2045 looks to be out of reach, a Richmond Times-Dispatch analysis of the company's latest long-term plan suggests.

Two options Dominion detailed in its latest "Integrated Resource Plan"  its 15and 25-year projections of what it will need to meet Virginians' electricity use  would see an estimated 65% increase in carbon emissions.

These are the options Dominion believes are the most realistic ways to deal with a more than doubling in electricity consumption by 2048.

The two options Dominion believes are more realistic call for a 13-fold increase in renewable energy sources  wind and solar facilities  as well as adding six to eight small nuclear reactors and some 2,910 megawatts of new natural gas-fired plants, enough to power 725,000 homes. They also call for keeping its gas fired and three large coal-fired plants running, with State Corporation Commission approval.

The net effect would boost carbon dioxide emissions from what Dominion calculated as 21.8 million metric tons in 2021 to between 35.9 million and 36 million tons of emissions 25 years from now, in 2048, depending on how much solar versus battery storage the utility acquires.

Two other costlier alternatives call for a fleet of small nuclear reactors  the ones Gov. Glenn Youngkin sees as Virginia's moonshot eff ort to bring the first small modular reactor into commercial operation by the early 2030s  capable of generating more than 2.5 times as much electricity as the company's workhorse, Surry nuclear power station.

Even with at least 14 small nuclear reactors, Dominion would need to import 10,800 megawatts  enough to power 2.7 million homes  to meet forecast peak demand 25 years from now. That power would probably come from plants that emit carbon dioxide, so-called "scope 3 emissions," the plan states.

All of the options include Dominion's $9 billion offshore wind project, 27 miles off Virginia Beach. They exceed the goals for solar facilities in the state law that requires zero emissions by 2045.

Because the two options Dominion calls most realistic would continue to keep most of its fossil fuel plants running, they jibe with Youngkin's thinking about energy policy.

"The idea that we're going to dismantle reliable generation is sadly folly ... we can't dismantle valued base load until we have a solution on how to replace it," Youngkin told the Virginia Energy Summit at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond on Wednesday.

"Natural gas is at the heart of this," he said. "It's been at the heart of our increasingly clean power stack for the past decade, plus we need to continue to use it. We need to continue to expand."

Environmentalists' concern

But environmentalists say natural gasfired plants emit carbon and are big contributors to climate change.

Glen Besa, former director of the Sierra Club's Virginia chapter, wrote in a post on Blue Virginia that "it appears that Dominion Energy is abandoning commitments to renewable energy sufficient to cut its greenhouse gas emissions" because of the long-term plan's two scenarios that would keep some 11,000 megawatts of fossil-fuel plants running while adding 2,910 megawatts of new gasfired plants  altogether enough electricity to power nearly 3.5 million homes.

"I think it's backtracking" from the goal of zero carbon emissions set in state law, said Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, sponsor of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which calls on Dominion to end all carbon emissions by 2045.

"I think they're sending a signal."

Dominion's respons e

Dominion spokesman Aaron Ruby said the Virginia Clean Economy Act specifically provides for fossil fuel plants to remain open if the SCC finds they are necessary to ensure reliable electrical service. The long-term plan is a current snapshot that reflects technology that is currently available, he said.

Dominion's plan does not take into account possible progress with improving battery life, boosting the efficiency of wind turbines or solar panels, or the potential for using hydrogen to power electric generators, Ruby said.

"But wind operates at about 40% to 50% of capacity, solar at 20 to 25%, and battery life is four to six hours now," he said. "You can't keep the lights on 24/7, 365 if that's all you have."

The two options Dominion sees as more realistic call for keeping more than 11,000 megawatts of fossil-fuel fired plants online, despite the Virginia Clean Economy Act goal that these plants be retired by 2045.

The act allows Dominion to ask the SCC for permission to keep carbon-emitting plants running after that date if needed to maintain its system's reliability.

All of the four options meet the Virginia Clean Economy Act's targets for new solar and wind facilities as well as batteries for storing electricity.

Soaring demand

Dominion files an updated long-term plan every year, and the plans regularly change the timing of power plant and transmission system construction, retirements of older plants and views about the type of plants that the company expects to be operating in 15 and 25 years' time.

This year's version is based on a sharply higher projection of future demand, driven largely by the accelerating sales of electric vehicles, electrification of fossil fuel-powered machines and increasing numbers of data centers coming to the state.

Virginia's total electric use is likely to soar by 121% over the next 25 years, to 211.5 million megawatt-hours a year, according to PJM Interconnection, the group that runs the high-voltage transmission grid serving states from New Jersey west to Illinois and south to North Carolina.

Dominion's plan proposes four alternatives for the next 25 years, all of which include some new natural-gas fired plants, which environmentalists say will still emit the greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

Dominion's Virginia plants emit about 17 million tons a year, and its big coal-burning Mount Storm plant in West Virginia emits an additional 5 million tons, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Even with this, Dominion would still need to buy 4,600 megawatts of power to meet peak demand by 2048  and that could be power generated by fossil fuels as well as clean sources.

To get down to zero emissions by closing all of its fossil fuel plants, Dominion would need enough small modular reactors  plants that could each generate as much as 300 megawatts  to generate somewhere between 4,299 and 4,824 megawatts, more than 2.5 times what its Surry nuclear power station generates.

That would allow it to retire just under 11,400 megawatts of older coal, oil and gas-fired plants, including the four gasfired plants it has just asked the SCC to let it build next to its Chesterfield County power station at Dutch Gap.

But the utility would still need to buy some 10,800 megawatts of electricity from out-of state sources  enough to power 2.7 million homes  in order to meet peak demand.

Peak demand

The company forecasts that those peaks  when summer temperatures soar and winter chills deepen  will rise by 85% from just under 17,730 megawatts this year to 32,821 megawatts in 2045. Total use over the course of the year is likely to rise still faster because data centers need power all the time, and electric vehicles and other electric machinery will be charged at peak and offpeak hours.

Retiring all those carbon-emitting units would mean a less reliable system that would be more dependent on imports of power from other states, the plan notes. Those states do not have zero-emission targets like Virginia's.

Dominion's forecast for demand tracks that of PJM Interconnection. State law requires it base its long-term plan on the PJM forecast.

Manu Asthana, PJM's chief executive, has said some 40,000 megawatts of generating capacity across the grid manager's territory are slated to close by 2030; these mostly include coaland natural gas-fired plants.

At the same time, PJM forecasts demand will grow by 13,000 megawatts at peak times.

Most of the generators set to come on during that time are wind and solar plants, as utilities scramble to cut carbon emissions. But those units can operate only when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, and cannot be switched on quickly in response to a sudden jump in use.

"The United States is heading for a reliability crisis," Commissioner Mark Christie of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission told the U.S. Senate energy committee in May. Christie, a former Virginia SCC commissioner, had warned the Senate committee in the same appearance that the nation faces systemwide, extensive power outages.

"The problem generally is not the addition of intermittent resources, primarily wind and solar, but the far too rapid subtraction of dispatchable resources, especially coal and gas," he said.

Dave Ress (804) 649-6948 dress@timesdispatch.com @daveRess1 on Twitter
JOBS IN VIRGINIA

The good news is that Virginia's 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 agency's 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 agency's 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.

"It's been 20 months since the new system was implemented. ... I don't know of any institution's website that keeps out almost a quarter of the people, but the VEC's 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, it's 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 Virginia's 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 O'Rourke, 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 VEC's pursuit of those who had attempted or committed fraud, "engorging your work flow with the challenges you've had with staffing levels because of the way we've funded you for so many years."

But Ebbin said, "It's important ... that the true customers, who I think you're focused on, people who are claimants, still get their day in court."
Germany returns found Mayan-style carving to Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico  A relief carved in rock has been restored to the people of Mexico from Germany. The voluntary restitution of the property was in the possession of an antique store. The Mayan-style carved rock relief represents a skull in profile and was part of a wall of carved skulls

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) delivered the carved rock to the Federal Ministry of Culture, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

The carving is considered a piece of great archaeological and historical relevance. It was recovered by the Foreign Ministry through of the Consulate of Mexico in Frankfurt, Germany.

Mexican legislation strictly regulates the protection and conservation of the assets that make up the nations heritage and forcefully prohibits the export of archaeological pieces.

As a result, its appearance abroad is presumed to be the product of looting or part of a chain of illegal acts, for which its recovery and eventual restitution to the country was sought.

Given its characteristics, it is a cultural object owned by the Mexican nation, made in the lowlands of northern Yucatan during the Late Classic and Postclassic Mesoamerican periods (750-1244 AD) and is very similar to the structures of the Archaeological Zone of Chichen Itza.

The carving was found in an antique store in Frankfurt and returned to Mexico. Photo: SRE July 18. 2023.

The Mayan-style carved rock relief, which represents a skull in profile, was part of a wall of carved skulls which evokes the Tzompantli, the name given to the palisades or wooden structures on which rows of human skulls of warriors or prisoners who were sacrificed in ceremonies, as part of religious rituals in Mesoamerica.

The restitution of this archaeological piece constitutes a sample of the work of the Government of Mexico, and the success of the legal strategy of the legal team of the Foreign Ministry, in the identification and restitution of the patrimony of the country that is abroad, as well as the fight against the trafficking of cultural property and international cooperation for the conservation of the historical past of nations.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA). While the commander-in-chief discussed several key issues faced by his administration, he also remained mum on pressing subjects.

Here are some things that Marcos left out in his one hour and eleven-minute-long report to the country:

WPS, China, defense

Marcos did not mention Beijings harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea during his SONA, which was attended by China's Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian.

Though he promised to defend the countrys sovereignty, he did not condemn the global superpower and its continued disregard of the arbitral ruling which nullified its claim over the South China Sea.

READ: Marcos silent on Chinese harassment in WPS in 2nd SONA, vows to defend sovereignty

Marcos likewise did not mention the existing or pending defense agreements with countries such as the United States, Australia, and Japan.

This was criticized by fisherfolk group Pamalakaya.

President Marcos apparent silence on the issue of our national sovereignty reflects his administrations neglect to address the sea row, the group said.

We were expecting that this urgent matter that involves our national territory and integrity is at the centerstage of the state of the nation.

ICC probe

The president also did not mention the resumption of the International Criminal Courts (ICC) probe into the brutal drug war of the Duterte administration.

He earlier said the Philippines would no longer cooperate with the ICC, a move which other government officials supported.

READ: 'No appeals pending': Marcos refuses to cooperate with ICC on drug war probe

New agriculture secretary, rampant importation

Marcos, who is also the current agriculture secretary, did not name a successor despite calls for his replacement.

He also did not talk about his administrations tendency to import commodities, particularly sugar.

The Marcos administration has so far greenlit the importation of 740,000 metric tons of the product.

The administration has likewise drawn flak over its alleged illegal importation.

READ: SRA approves importation of another 150,000 MT of refined sugar

Love the Philippines tourism fiasco, government rebranding

Marcos did not address the Love the Philippines campaign fiasco where the Tourism departments third-party contractor used stock footage of foreign locations to promote the countrys tourism industry.

READ: Ad agency apologizes for using foreign stock footage for 'Love the Philippines' video

The countrys tourism campaign costs 49 million but the agency said it spent no public funds on the video.

Meanwhile, the national government and several of its agencies have also undergone rebranding during Marcos first year in office. Some of these attempts have drawn flak from the public.

Attacks on elected officials

It was during Marcos first year in office that Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was assassinated.

While the commander-in-chief highlighted the strengthening of the police and military, he did not mention the spate of attacks against local elected officials.

According to the Commission on Human Rights, there were 34 attacks on local officials resulting in 38 deaths from June 2022 to June 2023.

READ: Culture of impunity: Attacks on local officials in first year of Marcos admin

Press freedom

Several journalists and media workers were killed and attacked during the first year of the Marcos government but the president failed to mention any of them in his speech.

Veteran broadcaster Percival Percy Lapid Mabasa was gunned down in October last year.

A radio journalist from Oriental Mindoro was shot dead in May 2023.

The following month, a photojournalist was ambushed. His four-year-old nephew was killed while three of his family members were injured.

Transport woes

While Marcos mentioned railway projects and road developments in his address, there was little mention of the controversial modernization of public utility vehicles and the impending jeepney phaseout.

READ: LTFRB: Jeepney phaseout will happen in 2-3 years

Dismayado kami kasi ni ha, ni ho hindi nabanggit ang transport sector at hinaing namin, Transport group Piston president Modesto Floranda told CNN Philippines in an interview.

[Translation: We are dismayed that the transport sector and its demands were not mentioned.]

Manibela suspended its planned three-day transport strike that began on July 24 to protest the administrations alleged failure to address the transport sectors needs.

Tinawagan po tayo ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno upang mag-usap patungkol sa ating kilos protesta. Dahil alam nilang walang binanggit ang ating pangulo na kahit ano para sa transportasyon sa lahat po ng nagtatanong dismayado po tayo, Manibela said on Facebook.

[Translation: Government agencies have called us to talk about our strike. Because they knew Marcos said nothing about transportation to those asking, we are dismayed.]

Minimum wage

Even though the National Capital Region saw a minimum wage hike just this month, he didnt talk about further daily pay increases throughout the country.

For the second straight year nakabibingi ang katahimikan ni BBM hinggil sa maiinit na isyu ng manggagawa [BBM's silence on the issues of workers is deafening], the Federation of Free Workers said after the address.

The silence about the wage increase, ending contractualization and recognizing the right to organize are so deafening, workers can hear the silence with their empty stomachs and overworked bodies, it added.

Wage hikes are currently pending in only five regions outside of the recently enacted one in Metro Manila.

READ: NCR just saw a wage hike, what about the other regions?

Missing legislation

Political analyst Kristoffer Berse, during CNN Philippines special SONA coverage, highlighted key pieces of legislation which Marcos did not mention.

Hindi na nabanggit yung rightsizing ng bureaucracy. Isa yan sa mga naka-highlight last time. Hindi rin nabanggit yung [national] land use act, Berse said.

[Translation: Rightsizing the bureaucracy was not mentioned anymore. This was highlighted in his last SONA. The National Land Use Act was also not mentioned.]

Even yung modernization of the budget system, yung pag-adopt ng [Even the modernization of the budget system, the adoption of] cash-based budgeting. Yung [the] e-government  there was a lot of talk about digitalization partly on the side of the government, pero yung mismong government to proceed towards e-government hindi na yon naipresenta [but the governments move to proceed towards e-government wasnt presented], he added.

LIST: Mandatory ROTC among BBM's priority measures in SONA 2022

LIST: Priority measures of Marcos in his 2nd SONA
Man wanted for rape in Puebla captured in Cancun

Cancun, Q.R.  A man with an arrest warrant in the state of Puebla has been captured in the city of Cancun. Eloy Z was detained by the FGE of Quintana Roo over the weekend.

Eloy Z was wanted by the Puebla State Attorney Generals Office for his alleged participation in the crime of qualified equal rape to the detriment of a victim of reserved identity.

After the Puebla Prosecutors Office carried out the corresponding investigation to locate Eloy Z, it was determined that he was in Cancun. The office requested collaboration from Quintana Roo to complete the arrest warrant.

After his arrest, the accused was handed over and transferred by authorities of the Puebla Prosecutors Office, who in turn will make him available to the judicial authorities.
Tren Maya stops, stations and ticket prices all ongoing projects

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  With the arrival of the first Mayan Train cars in Cancun has been the start of static testing. Despite the fact that there are still sections under construction, including the track and station in Cancun, the Government of Mexico says that the project will be ready for inauguration sometime in December.

The railway project will offer tourists a new way to travel 1,554 kilometers in five of Mexicos states. Along the five-state route will be 20 Tren Maya stations and 14 bus stops.

According to the National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism (Fonatur), there will be only one train station in the state of Chiapas, which will be the Palenque station. In Tabasco, tourists will be able to get off and on at the Boca del Cerro Station which connects with Chiapas, the Tenosique bus stop and the El Triunfo Tren Maya Station, which will connect with Campeche.

In the state of Campeche, travelers will be able to connect with Tabasco, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. It will have four Tren Maya Stations and seven bus stops. The Tabasco route will include the Candelaria stop where it will advance to the Escarcega Station and continue to the Carrillo Puerto stop.

From there, travelers will arrive at the Edzna Tren Maya Station then on to the San Francisco Campeche station and continue to the Tenabo, Hecelchakan and Calkini stops from where they can connect with the state of Yucatan.

A render of the entrance of the Tren Maya Station for Puerto Morelos. Render: Fonatur

The route through the state of Yucatan will include three stops and four stations. Entering from Campeche, the first bus stop is Maxcanu and then on to Uman where train travelers will arrive at the Teya / Merida Tren Maya Station.

From there, the train will carry onward to Quintana Roo passing through Tixkokob, Izamal stops and Chichen Itza and Valladolid Stations.

Quintana Roo is the state with the largest number of stations with a total of eight stations and four bus stops. Maya Train passengers arriving to Quintana Roo from Yucatan will pass through the Nuevo Xcan Station before reaching the Leona Vicario stop.

A Fonatur render of the Leona Vicario Tren Maya bus stop in Quintana Roo.

From there, passengers will continue to the Cancun Maya Train Station, which for those wanting access, can connect with the Cancun International Airport via a minibus.

Train passengers not interested in getting off for the Cancun Airport can carry on to Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and eventually the Tulum International Airport and the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Maya Train Station.

The train will continue toward the Limones and Bacalar stops and eventually the Chetumal Airport before arriving at Nicolas Bravo.

Ticket costs for the Maya Train have yet to be announced. Not even a hint of prices has been revealed by officials, however, General Oscar David Lozano Avila who is the General Director of the corporation that manages the project under the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), has said the tickets will be less than what passengers pay for a normal bus ticket.

A total of six hotels will be constructed along the Maya Train route.

The value of the regular Mayan Train ticket will absolutely be less than what people are paying today on normal buses, he said. He explained that the price of the tickets will be made affordable so they can be easily purchased by local people, meaning the prices will coincide with local salaries.

During his recent ExpoRail 2023 visit, he said the government is also considering a multi-model user access card that can be used on the Maya Train as well as the Ie-Tram in Yucatan, among other services.

He explained that the multi-use card could be integrated into other services. If you travel on the Ie-tram from La Plancha to the Teya station train near Merida, that same card will serve you for the Tren Maya, he explained noting that for now, that idea is only a concept.

He also admitted that the price of Maya Train tickets will depend on compliance with the requirements of the rail transport regulatory agency. This agency is the one that sets the cost of transportation per kilometer for both passengers and cargo, he noted.

At the moment, the company STIR (Interregional Transportation System), which has been hired by Fonatur, is carrying out a demand study to determine a price for the public.

Ticket prices to ride the Mayan Train are still in the works.

Lozano Avila specified that there are currently companies bidding to carry out the train ticketing process which will see tickets sold in all 34 stops (20 stations and 14 stops). The ticket selling process will also include online sales as well as through a Tren Maya mobile app.

We want it to be like when you enter the airport with your boarding pass, that these options allow anyone interested access to anywhere, he said.
MONETA  Smith Mountain Lake may soon be free of the harmful algal blooms that have led to swimming advisories since June 6. Recent testing by the Virginia Department of Health revealed bacteria levels below the advisory threshold in the remaining advisory locations.

Water sampling was conducted July 13 at five locations in the upper Blackwater River arm of the lake where harmful algal blooms were previously found. In only one location was a water sample found to have detectable levels of microcystin, a toxin produced by cyanobacteria which is commonly known as blue-green algae.

A sampling site near channel marker B22 was the only location with detectable levels of microcystin. While present, the levels were well below the advisory threshold, according to a news release from the Smith Mountain Lake Association.

Toxins were below detectable levels in samples taken at channel markers B16, B28A, B37 and B49.

These results are the first set of samples toward lifting the upper Blackwater River HAB advisory, according to the news release.

The advisory is lifted after two consecutive samples with results at acceptable levels collected a minimum of 10 days apart. If the next round of testing expected sometime next week is positive, Smith Mountain Lake will be clear of swim advisories.

An update to the VDH advisory is expected by mid-August.

The swim advisories were first put in effect for the entire Blackwater River arm of the lake. That advisory was ended for much of the Blackwater River a month later on July 7 following positive sample results. The advisory remained in effect for areas upstream from channel marker B18.

One sample was also taken on the Roanoke River arm of the lake on July 6 near channel marker R35, according to the news release. Cyanobacteria was detected in the sample but was below advisory thresholds and toxins in the sample were below detectable levels. There is no swim advisory on the Roanoke River arm at this time.

Until the swim advisories are removed, the Smith Mountain Lake Association is advising the public to continue to avoid water with surface scum which can accumulate near shorelines. In most areas the scum has a blue-green color, has a foul smell and may have dead or dying animals such as fish.
WASHINGTON  Jill Biden has represented her country at the Olympics in Tokyo, a king's coronation in London and a royal wedding in Jordan. She gets another chance to put her ambassadorial skills to work this week when the United States formally rejoins a United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture around the globe.

Biden arrived in Paris early Monday, accompanied by her daughter, Ashley Biden, after flying overnight from Washington to join other VIPs and speak at a ceremony Tuesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The American flag will be raised to mark the U.S. return to UNESCO membership after a five-year absence.

UNESCO aims to foster global collaboration in education, science and culture. It also designates World Heritage sites, deeming them worthy of eternal preservation.

The agency on Sunday condemned Russias attack on a cathedral in Odesa and other heritage sites in Ukraine in recent days and said it will send a team to the Black Sea port city to assess damage.

In a statement, UNESCO noted that Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year and said attacks by Russian forces contradict recent promises by Russian authorities to take precautions to spare such sites across the country.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country.

A daughter and mother of U.S. service members, the first lady will also visit Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial to pay respects to the more than 4,400 U.S. service members buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.

She will also stop at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday to catch up with Brigitte Macron, a former teacher and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the U.S.

Senior Biden administration officials said returning to UNESCO fits President Joe Bidens goal of strengthening global partnerships and recommitting to American leadership at the U.N. and other international organizations to serve as a counter to nations that do not share U.S. values.

Others said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing at a Virginia community college, was best suited to represent the United States in Paris on Tuesday.

The first lady, as a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunity across the world, is honored to help celebrate this important milestone, said Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson. She looks forward to raising the flag for the United States once again at the UNESCO headquarters, showing our countrys commitment to international cooperation in education, science, and culture.

The U.S. pulled out of the Paris-based organization in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, a Republican who claimed UNESCO was biased against Israel.

The U.S. and Israel stopped financing UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011.

The administration of Biden, a Democrat, pushed to rejoin over concerns that China was filling the void in leadership created by the U.S. absence.

The administration announced in June that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member organization, which also plays a major role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.

The organizations governing board voted earlier this month to approve the Biden plan to rejoin, and the U.S. delivered a document certifying that it would accept the invitation to become the 194th member of UNESCO.

Our organization is once again moving towards universality, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said at the time. She cast the U.S return as excellent news for multilateralism as a whole. If we want to meet the challenges of our century, there can only be a collective response.

The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan foresees similar requests for the ensuing years until the full debt of $619 million is repaid.

That makes up a big chunk of UNESCOs $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22% of the agencys overall funding.

The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. It rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bushs presidency. Bush's wife, Laura, a former elementary school teacher and librarian, spoke at that ceremony.

Standing in for the president at home and abroad has become a big part of a first lady's unofficial job description, and Jill Biden travels at least several times a week to promote administration initiatives.

The trip to Paris is her fourth solo international excursion this year.

50 fascinating cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world 50 fascinating cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt Machu Picchu, Peru Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Turkey Spis Castle, Slovakia Potala Palace in Tibet Petra, Jordan Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, Morocco Chefchaouen, Morocco Pompeii, Italy Meteora, Greece Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City Stonehenge, England Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand Mausoleum of First Qin Emperor China Teotihuacan, Mexico Bryggen, Bergen, Norway Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, France Hawa Mahal Palace, Jaipur City, India Meroe Pyramids, Kabushiya, Sudan Djenne, Mali, West Africa Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Mongolia Kathmandu Valley, Nepal Great Wall, China La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain Palmyra, Syria Kew Gardens, London England Sintra, Portugal Honghe Hani Rice Terraces Bete Giyorgis, Lalibela, Ethiopia Masada, Israel Skellig Michael, Ireland Douro Valley, Portugal Palpa Geoglyphs, Peru Bamiyan Buddhas, Afghanistan Borobudur Temple, Indonesia Hohensalzburg Castle, Salzburg, Austria Khiva, Uzbekistan Kizhi Pogost, Kizhi Island, Russia Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, USA Old City Prague, Czech Republic Cappadocia, Turkey Thingvellir, Iceland Struve Arc Triangulation Point, Hammerfest, Norway Eiffel Tower, Paris, France Taos Pueblo, New Mexico Alberobello, Puglia, Italy Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, Miyajima, Hiroshima Our Lady of the Rocks, Kotor Bay, Montenegro Venice, Italy Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
A Martinsville police officer fired multiple shots into the cab of a truck Saturday after its driver had rammed the officers patrol car on a private road, city police said.

Jonathan Michael Easter, 38, of Ridgeway, is in custody and the officer walked away with a few scratches according to another officer who radioed the information to a dispatcher at the 911 Communications Center.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday a Martinsville police officer stopped a vehicle on Evening Star Lane for a traffic violation and Easter was a front seat passenger in that vehicle, a police news release stated.

Police say Easter got out of the vehicle with an AR-15 style rifle and the officer ordered Easter to drop the rifle, so Easter did as the officer commanded and then ran away. The officer recognized Easter and knew he was wanted on several felony charges, so the officer radioed for assistance, detained the driver and other passengers in the vehicle, and secured the rifle.

Backup arrived and additional officers began searching the area for Easter. Meanwhile, a Freightliner truck was stolen from a parking lot nearby and was moving on a private drive off of Veteran Drive. The narrow road was only wide enough for one vehicle and when the driver of the Freightliner encountered an officer in his patrol car coming toward him, the driver rammed the police car head on and attempted to push the vehicle out of the way with the truck, the release stated. Easter was driving the truck, police said.

The patrol vehicle was pushed backward more than 50 yards and nearing a steep embankment when the officer fired several shots through the windshield of his vehicle and into the cab of the truck. Easter was not hit by the gunfire, but did stop the truck, allowing the officer to take him into custody without further incident, the release said.

Easter was jailed in the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond on prior outstanding warrants of eluding police, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The Virginia State Police were asked by the Martinsville Police Department to investigate the incident, the release stated.

The officer who was struck by the truck was treated and released for minor injuries at Sovah Health in Martinsville, and additional charges against Easter will be filed after the State Police finish their investigation and the results are reviewed by the Henry County commonwealths attorney, the release said.

We are all very thankful that no one was seriously injured, said Martinsville Police Chief Robert Fincher in the release. This incident is a good example of how our brave law enforcement officers are willing to risk their own lives to help protect the safety of our community.

Henry County sheriffs deputies were on the scene Saturday afternoon along with Martinsville police officers and investigators with the Virginia State Police. The incident occurred beyond Veteran Road on a private drive and beyond the site of a posted no trespassing sign.
Thomas Jeffersons Poplar Forest, a historic retreat and plantation once owned by the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, celebrates a momentous milestone this year as it marks its 40th anniversary.

Founded in December 1983, the corporation for Jeffersons Poplar Forest has tirelessly worked towards the rescue and restoration of this significant historical site, preserving it to its original appearance during Jeffersons time.

For the past four decades, Poplar Forest has welcomed the public for daily tours, allowing visitors to step back in time and gain insights into the life of one of Americas founding fathers and the enslaved community that lived on the Bedford County plantation.

Alyson M. Ramsey, the current president and CEO of Poplar Forest, said the organization has mainly been working towards restoring the house, which was completed this April and conducting archaeological research to uncover other structures on the plantation as well as learning about the lives of the enslaved individuals who lived on site.

Were sharing this as a cultural and educational resource with the public and people of all ages, children to adults and an offering variety of different tours and public programs and lectures, she said.

What started as the rescue of the house and 50 surrounding acres has grown into 617 acres of land, allowing for extensive restoration and preservation efforts.

Poplar Forest was Jeffersons personal retreat where he would find solace, study and design the University of Virginia, Ramsey said. He visited the property for the last time in 1823 before he died in 1826, leaving the house to his grandson Francis Eppes. Subsequent years saw changes in ownership, but in 1983, a group of concerned citizens came together to prevent commercial development and secured the property with a $50,000 down payment, paving the way for its restoration and protection.

Travis McDonald, director of Architectural Restoration, was hired in 1989 to lead the restoration efforts and played a crucial role in peeling away later additions and restoring the house to its original state.

Ramsey said Poplar Forest stands out for its unique approach to restoration, allowing visitors to witness the progress in front of their eyes, making them part of the process.

So theyve been able to be part of this process all the way along and over time, as people were visiting, they were seeing the house in different phases of restoration, she said. Were really pleased that weve been able to share that with everyone.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the restoration was the meticulous attention to historical accuracy and authenticity.

Weve been using the same materials, the same techniques, even historic tools to hand make all the interior woodwork, he said. We restored the house in the same sequence that Jefferson built it and I dont know any other museum restoration thats done that.

The restoration process transformed the house into a living workshop, much like the way it was when Jefferson lived there during its unfinished state in 1809, McDonald said.

He said the absence of artificial deadlines or budget constraints allowed the restoration team to undertake the project with unwavering dedication. This commitment to authenticity made Poplar Forest an idealistic restoration, he added.

Never did anyone tell me to do it cheaper, quicker or in a different way. So, in the world of architectural restoration, this has kind of been a Never Never Land, he said.

One of the restorations highlights was the careful recreation of the paint finishes on the walls and woodwork. An historic distemper, a paint not used since Jeffersons time, was resurrected to provide an accurate representation of the colors that adorned the walls during his era.

And when the painters did this room, there were three people on a scaffolding and they could do one little strip at a time and they had a certain amount of time to do it, he said.

The houses original walls and careful examination of historical documents shed light on Jeffersons meticulous planning and unique design choices.

Jefferson was one of the most experienced builders in America and that starts when he first builds Monticello when hes very young. And he takes on the role of a builder as well as the role of the architect, he said. And for the rest of his life, hes building and rebuilding. And what was frustrating was when he starts Poplar Forest, hes stuck in the White House for two years and cant be here. So there are these very detailed letters back and forth from the White House to the workers here. And they are very rich in detail because this is not a generic house.

Throughout the restoration, McDonald said no compromises were made. The team aimed to stay true to Jeffersons vision, even sourcing authentic Carrara marble from Italy and local white marble for the hearthstones, as originally used by Jefferson.

McDonald said he is grateful to be a part of the restoration, which allowed him to witness the culmination of decades of hard work. He officially retired June 5 but still returns to Poplar Forest to wrap things up.

I feel very lucky to have been allowed to do this correctly, he said. I can say honestly, after all these years, theres nothing I regret that we could have done better, which is pretty amazing. Everything was done to the best that we could do it.

Throughout the years, the site has added on new hands-on history programming for school children, ongoing archaeological excavations and the addition of new exhibits. By diversifying its offerings, Ramsey said Poplar Forest has successfully drawn in different groups of people with varying interests, making it an educational and engaging experience for everyone.

Poplar Forest is a very special and important part of our entire American story and there is so much that we have to share with visitors of all ages, she said. You can come here and learn about so many different things from architecture to archaeology.

Despite facing challenges like the recent pandemic, Poplar Forest has continued to attract visitors from 80 countries and all 50 states, with approximately 25,000 visitors annually. She said plans for a new strategic plan include recreating other historical sites on the property and enhancing the plantation landscape as well as strengthen its outreach and engagement with the community.

With no government funding, the organization relies solely on generous donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to continue its mission, Ramsey said.
As the afternoon light trickled through the cracks of the barn, a white and brown mare stood at attention in front of a makeshift typewriter. Its handler had crafted the device years ago, a drastic improvement over the childrens alphabet blocks that the thoroughbred once used.

Within the confines of the Chesterfield County barn, a conversation took place  not between two people, but instead, between a woman and her horse.

For those who looked on that December afternoon as Richmond native Claudia Fonda harnessed her horse in her stall, the feeling of silent anticipation was palpable. They were hoping to discover the whereabouts of a missing 9-year-old Rhode Island boy.

The audience held a collective breath when Fonda posed her first question: Is Gary Hayman alive?

All at once, the horse, almost trancelike, bobbed its head. Its eyes glazed over and drifted from side to side as they lazily darted across the keys. A few moments later, perhaps after receiving some otherworldly knowledge, Lady Wonder  the famous psychic steed  lowered its muzzle onto the levers that controlled each letter.

Those watching mouthed each letter as it popped up from the horses keyboard until four letters stood at attention. It read: H-U-R-T.

By the end of 1952, President Harry Truman had won the presidential election, the United States was sending troops to Korea and Richmond had begun installing safety systems arounds its railways  all of which Lady Wonder had foretold months prior.

For nearly two decades, the thoroughbred had entertained and baffled those who came to see her and, by the start of the 1950s, the brown and white mare had offered insights to a reported 150,000 people.

The psychic steeds name had become a regular feature in the newsprint of The Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Richmond News Leader, and often garnered national attention. These reports, found in the archives, helped draw other people searching for answers to Richmond.

Advertisements to see the horse at Fondas home off the Petersburg Turnpike began running in The Times-Dispatch starting in the 1920s. They told of an educated mind-reading horse exhibited. Fonda charged 10 cents for each question posed. By the mid-1930s, prices had increased to 50 cents for three questions.

Not always correct, but still hope

While not always right, Lady Wonders foretelling had some merit, often proving true. Successes included the whereabouts of another missing child, 4-year-old Massachusetts boy Danny Matson, who disappeared in January 1951. When Gary Haymans mother read of the Matson familys luck with the horse, she knew she needed to try her hand herself.

For Mrs. Benjamin Hayman, identified in the newspaper only by her married name, the previous 76 days had been a grueling, grief-stricken endeavor as she agonized over the whereabouts of her son.

Gary, who could not speak as a result of an illness as a toddler, had escaped the Rhode Island Exeter State School for the Feeble-Minded in the fall 1952 and was last seen running into the nearby woods.

When his clothes were found neatly piled beside a small stream a few weeks after, local police all but gave up on finding Gary alive. But his mother clung to the notion that her beautiful, blue-eyed baby was still alive.

With little help from the police  who deemed him a runaway  and no clues to go on, Hayman began her own search, searching for answers from anyone or anything on her own.

Her quest found her placing a call to Times-Dispatch reporter Bill McIlwain.

The following morning, McIlwain was traveling down a dirt road off of Petersburg Turnpike, slinging up dust and gravel as went. As he pulled into the driveway of Fondas farmhouse, he looked on at the large wooden barn in the distance  a harbinger of hope for Hayman, who was desperate for a sign.

I prayed to God that he would be alive, Hayman said in the Monday, Dec. 8, 1952, edition of The Times-Dispatch. I cant leave anything undone.

In April 1951, Quincy, Massachusetts, District Attorney Edmund Ewing, who had heard of the horses mystic powers from a friend visiting Richmond, requested that the horse be asked about the missing boy.

A few days later, Ewing received a call in which he was advised to search the area of the Pittsfield Water Wheel. Lady Wonder was said to have spelled Pittsfield when asked, as well as in water.

Danny Matsons body was found a week later in a quarry called Field and Wildes Pit about 400 yards from his home.

Its almost unbelievable, but its true, Ewing said in the Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1952, edition of The Times-Dispatch, which recounted the 1951 event. We were at our wits end.

Inside the barn, Times-Dispatch reporter McIlwain scrawled down each letter Lady Wonder held up. After the steed spelled out that Gary was hurt, Fonda asked it: Where can the little boy be found?

McIlwains notes read: T-R-U-C-K. When asked where the truck could be found, Lady Wonder spelled: K-A-N-S-A-S. The question was asked three times and, three times, the mare was to said to have given the same response.

Fonda then asked if the boy was with good people or bad people. Lady Wonder responded: G-O-O-D.

McIlwain raced back to the newsroom. The last question posed prompted a hurried call to Hayman.

The call was placed late at night, and McIlwain reported that it was met with sobs. When asked if the boy was alive, Lady Wonder had responded with a head nod and a reassurance in the form of a spelled-out Y-E-S.

Maybe Gary had been hit by an automobile, then picked up by a truck driver and carried to Kansas, Hayman said. Oh, God, I hope hes safe, I hope hes safe.

Visitors from far and wide

Lady Wonder, born in 1924, had come from royalty. Her papers listed her as the granddaughter of a thoroughbred racehorse. She came into Fondas care as a young filly.

Fonda, who had owned only Shetland ponies before adopting Lady, said she knew the brown and white mare with three white stockings was special. In the horses early years, Fonda had bottle-fed her on whole milk and oatmeal gruel to maintain her energy and intelligence.

Fonda decided, on a whim, to give her a 26-letter alphabet block. Fonda told the Times-Dispatch that Lady caught on quickly and could identify each letter with ease.

Fonda said that, as they played, Lady began picking up commands that Fonda had not yet uttered, prompting her belief that the mare could read her mind. This notion was further reinforced as visitors from across county and state lines began to note her powers.

News of the horses mystic powers spread rapidly, with numerous news outlets picking up the story. The Los Angeles Times called Lady a prophet and about as faithful a replica of Nostradamus as the 20th century has produced.

While the thoroughbreds most accurate predictions were future political outcomes, folks continued to ask about their futures, love lives and fates. Police investigators grasping for any information that could be found came often.

Lady helped find Danny Matson, as well as two missing Illinois boys. When the mare said they would be found in the river near their home, the waterway was searched for a second time to no avail. Months later, however, the bodies of the boys were discovered washed up on the banks of the same river.

The horse also helped find a New Yorkers missing dog in Florida, unveiling a Cruella de Vil-esque dog-napping plot. A Long Island kennel had claimed that the dog had died, faked its grave and then sold the animal for a profit through its Florida branch.

Later, the horse helped those betting on the Baltimore Pimlico Race Course when it chose all 28 winning horses. Lady also forecasted weather patterns and the location of oil wells, as well as her own death age.

If Fonda did not know, neither did the horse

But Lady Wonders successes also bred skeptics. Scientists, both believers and non-believers, came forward to study the psychic steed.

Duke University parapsychology professor Joseph Banks Rhine stayed with the horse to conduct a week-long study involving hundreds of tests. In his findings, he noted that the horse answered four of every 11 questions accurately.

When asked spelling and arithmetic questions, Banks found that, if Fonda did not know the answer, then the horse did not know either.

Despite this, Rhines final report noted that the horse seemed responsive to telepathy and possessed some psychic power, but could not determine if the horse possessed independent thinking as she could only give a correct answer when someone in the room knew the correct answer.

Skeptics drew their own conclusions, however, arguing that Fonda controlled the horse and gave her cues as to what letters to pull up.

While those who believed in the horses abilities said the horse could not foresee the future without having some sort of insight, others chalked it up to an understanding of probability. Political races always carried a 50% chance of accuracy, and drowning was one of the leading causes of death for children.

For Hayman, her hope for finding her child alive died months later when Garys bones were discovered in a creek bed near where he had disappeared. Lady Wonders divine intuition had failed in its accuracy.

It would prove to be one of the last predictions the horse would make. Three years later, Lady Wonder died and was buried in the Henrico Pet Memorial Park, ending the reign of the psychic steed, telepathic thoroughbred and the 20th-century Nostradamus.
" " The Mothman has cast an aura of intrigue on Point Pleasant, West Virginia, since the late 1960s. David Wall / Getty Images

In the small town of Point Pleasant, a chilling legend of a winged enigma with glowing red eyes known as the Mothman took flight. Sightings in the 1960s sparked both fear and fascination, haunting the minds of locals and captivating imaginations worldwide.

Is it a harbinger of doom, foretelling impending disasters, or merely a product of myth and misinterpretation?

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Let's take a closer look at the legend that has become a point of pride for one West Virginia town.
" " More than 260 spacecraft have been laid to rest in a watery grave in an area in the Pacific Ocean known as Point Nemo. HowStuffWorks

Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, several thousand manmade devices have been sent into Earth's orbit. A return trip was never in the cards for many of them. Broken satellites, abandoned rockets and assorted bits of mission-related garbage are now whizzing around our planet at frighteningly high speeds. Some objects may be traveling faster than 16,777 miles per hour (27,000 kilometers per hour). And the trash begets trash. Collisions can generate even more debris as useless bits of junk violently smack into each other.

This is a serious problem for a world that's grown dependent on telecommunications and GPS signals. More than one active satellite has been destroyed by space debris and many more will doubtless meet the same fate.

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We haven't come up with a perfect solution yet  but there are ways to remove some of the orbiting bodies that've outlived their usefulness. For almost half a century now, space agencies have been instructing old satellites and decommissioned vessels to crash-land in a remote part of the South Pacific.

The area's known as a "spacecraft cemetery." It encompasses a geographic place of interest known as Point Nemo (a Latin word meaning "nobody"), and it's the furthest you can get from dry land without leaving Earth. It's about 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) east of New Zealand and the closest landmasses are the islands of Ducie, Moto Nui and Maher. So when a doomed spacecraft is sent there, the chances of it hitting a person  or even a passing boat  are pretty darn slim.

The cemetery received its first decommissioned spacecraft in 1971. More than 260 others have subsequently been laid to rest there, with the majority being of Russian origin. None can match the prestige, though, of Mir, the Soviet-built precursor to the International Space Station (ISS) that cruised above Earth from 1986 to 2001.

Of course, the Mir's no longer in mint condition. When it received instructions to land in the vicinity of Point Nemo in March 2001, the space station broke apart in its rocky descent through Earth's atmosphere. Many components burned up in the process and the six main fragments that remain are scattered across a wide expanse of sea floor. The same thing happened to the European Jules Verne spacecraft, the Progress cargo ship and countless other denizens of the deep-sea burial ground.

Getting a spacecraft to land anywhere takes a lot of skill and precise calculations. Space agencies must remain in contact with their vessels in order to send up guidance instructions. Once that degree of control is lost, a craft is liable to wind up anywhere.

If you lived through the space race, you might remember how NASA's Skylab unexpectedly crash-landed in western Australia in 1979. By the same token, nobody knew where the Chinese Tiangong-1 orbital lab would come to rest after it stopped working properly in March 2016. In what the press called a "near amazing coincidence," the 8-and-a-half-ton (7.7-metric ton) lab crash landed April 1, 2018 in South Pacific waters  narrowly missing Point Nemo as it fell.

Now That's Interesting In 2031, NASA plans to plunge the International Space Station into the waters of Point Nemo, after more than 30 years of service. The ISS will not last forever, but NASA expects to be able to operate it safely through 2030.
MARION, S.C.  More than a dozen volunteers helped distribute school supplies and uniforms to more than 500 families during the 24th annual Childrens Outreach for Back-To-School Giveaway at Pop Dorsey Park Saturday.

We really were blessed and we do it all year for the kids, Baldwin said in a previous interview. I thank God for all my volunteers. It makes my heart feel good because we love giving to children and doing things for the kids.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  With the Maharlika fund seen to bankroll 194 flagship projects, Finance Secretary Ben Diokno said some may go beyond the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Some of the projects will not be finished within the presidents term, like the subway that will be finished in 2028, 2029, Diokno told reporters ahead of Marcos second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Diokno referred to the Metro Manila Subway that began construction last year.

The finance chief said the government will continue to generate more projects in the coming years to be financed by the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), recently signed into law.

Without funding from the Maharlika, Diokno explained that around 55% of the projects would be funded by official development assistance, around 10% through the national budget, and around 30% through public-private partnerships.

With Maharlika, meron kaming [we have] additional funding. Most of the projects will be funded through Maharlika, and then we would be able to accomplish more, he said.

Patterned after the sovereign wealth funds of other countries, the MIF will be tapped for possible investments in agriculture, energy, digitalization, and the fight against climate change, among others.

Marcos earlier allayed fears that the Maharlika fund law would be vulnerable to corruption, assuring the public that its integrity would be intact.

READ: Maharlika fund for luxury cars, yachts? Marcos says far from truth
FLORENCE, S.C.  South Florence High Schools choral members werent exactly singing for their supper Saturday morning as they washed cars to raise money to pay for upcoming trips to San Diego and Atlanta but the sentiment was similar.

Students signed in to the fundraiser to show they were there and get credit for the money they raise. No signature, no credit  the gist of what they were told as the prepared for their first car which arrived early.

Armed with buckets of soapy water, rags, sponges, hoses, a concession stand and positive attitudes, the students waved signs at traffic, hosed down cars, scrubbed them, dried them and sent them on their way.

All in the name of their art.

Were doing a choir tour in San Diego and weve been invited by a number of churches and colleges out there to go give performances and at Atlanta well be competing in a show choir festival, said Andrew Dibble, director of choirs at South Florence High School.

Its over $1,000 per student to go to San Diego, so were trying to get as much of it taken care of as we can, Dibble said.

The choir will take 45 students to San Diego and it will cost about $50,000, he said.

This is just the first of many different fundraisers well be doing throughout the year. Were traveling to San Diego in February, Dibble said. The families all understand this is part of the Choralier and Chamber Series experience. We have ways to help them if the goals not met.

As for the trip to Atlanta, Dibble said he has high hopes.

The last two years weve brought back only first place trophies, were excited.
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May 19, 2010

Originalist Graham crackers: would the Eighth Amendment ratifiers really be indifferent about LWOP?

Having now had a chance to read and reflect on Justice Thomas's dissent in the Graham Eighth Amendment case, I am back to using the tasty term Graham crackers to flag what I view to be the really deep and really hard (and thus really tasty) intellectual questions that Graham raises. Specifically, as flagged by the title of this post, I am wondering if all originalists agree with Justice Thomas's seeming conclusion that the LWOP sentence at issue in Graham is obviously constitutionally sound. There are two aspect of this question I wish here to unpack.

1. Might an originalist see extreme incarceration as a worrisome "method" of punishment?: A key move in Part II of Justice Thomas's dissent is to assert that Eighth Amendment proportionality analysis is an improper jurisprudential creation by the modern Supreme Court. According to Justice Thomas, it is "now well established that the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause was originally understood as prohibiting torturous methods of punishment  specifically methods akin to those that had been considered cruel and unusual at the time the Bill of Rights was adopted." Dissent at 3-5 (emphasis in original; cites omitted). In this discussion, via a parenthetical to a legal history cite, Justice Thomas thereafter notes that "crimes in the late 18th-century colonies generally were punished either by fines, whipping, or public 'shaming,' or by death, as intermediate sentencing options such as incarceration were not common." Id.

Significantly, Justice Thomas does not take a moment to connect these historical dots before launching into a (relatively effective) attack on aspects of the majority's proportionality work. That is, though he notes that the so-called "intermediate sentencing option" of incarceration was uncommon at the time of the Constitution was written, Justice Thomas never explains or explores whether the Framers and/or ratifiers of the Eighth Amendment might have considered permanently locking a person in a cage for his entire life to be a "torturous method of punishment" that is akin to punishment "considered cruel and unusual at the time the Bill of Rights was adopted."

In modern times, there is a broad tendency to assume that death is obviously a more extreme punishment then LWOP. Whether this is true as a modern reality, I do not think it would be so obviously true for the Framers and/or ratifiers of the Eighth Amendment. After all, Patrick Henry famously cried "Give me liberty or give me death!" Moreover, there is little doubt that certain forms of extreme incarceration could readily become a "torturous method of punishment." For example, imagine if a legislature as a cost-cutting measure ordered that prisoners who committed the certain crimes should receive only one serving of bread and water per day or that certain offenders should be kept permanently in a minuscule cell without any light or ventilation or toilet facilities. I suspect some (many? most?) originalists would think this kind of use of incarceration as method of punishment would be akin to what the Framers sought to prevent via the Eighth Amendment. Is it too mcuh of a stretch, then, for some originalists to view use of LWOP, which tells an offender he will never again have even a chance to live outside a cage and will only be able to leave prison via a coffin, as a potentially "torturous method of punishment"?

2. Might an originalist see LWOP as a structural constitutional problem?: Thinking about Justice Thomas's originalist instincts against the backdrop of the second-look ideas in the Graham concurrences leads me to another (originalist?) point. I have been lately thinking about the Eighth Amendment in light of the Constitution's obvious affinity for separating government powers and structural checks and balances. Of particular note, the Framers through the Reprieves and Pardons Clause, granted the U.S. President what might be called broad criminal justice second-look power. Indeed, this Clause has been interpreted to mean that Congress cannot pass a law that in any way restricts the President's clemency authority.

If an originalist were now to view parole boards as the modern loci for historic clemency powers --- and that is a big IF --- such an originalist might have structural concerns with any legislative efforts to entirely eliminate a parole board's authority to give relief to certain offenders. Stretching these concepts may bring one perhaps problematically close to claiming that the Constitution creates a kind of right to parole in all cases, and this would seem to be a hard (originalist?) argument to make truly compelling. But I do think there is something to the idea that the Framers would be uniquely troubled by the way LWOP sentences concentrate permanent power over certain types of offenses or offenders; in turn, I think some originalists could find especially appealing at least Chief Justice Roberts' sense that appellate judges must sometimes use the Eighth Amendment as a kind of constitutional backstop for extreme imprisonment punishments.

Because I am not a true originalist, I may be crazy to even try to unpack my instincts that there is more to say about originalism and the Eighth Amendment than what gets said by Justices Scalia and Thomas in this setting and others. But, perhaps because some true originalists may inclined to read and respond to my musings here, I hope that what I have said in this post could start a dialogue about originalism and modern punishment practices.

Some recent related posts with Graham analysis:

UPDATE: In the comments, Sara Mayeux points to this terrific post of hers from a few days ago at Prison Law Blog, where she makes these trenchant points (among others) that echo my musings in point 1 above:

Both Stevens and Thomas ... seem to assume that 18th century and 21st century beliefs about the hierarchy of punishments are basically the same, even if beliefs may change about where on that hierarchy punishment stops being decent and starts being cruel and unusual (and even if Stevens and Thomas disagree about whether that move matters for Eighth Amendment jurisprudence). That is, both justices seem to assume that, just like a 21st century person, an 18th century person would obviously have thought death was worse than LWOP.... Heres the big problem: I suspect that late 18th century people would have had simply and utterly no way to conceive of LWOP, much less place it on a hierarchy with the death penalty. Some jurisdictions used prison terms as punishment by the late 18th century, but it wasnt yet the default (not until about 1810 in Northern states and later in other regions), sentences werent nearly as long as they are today, there was no such thing as parole, prisons were very different sorts of institutions, etc., etc., etc. I actually wonder if a late 18th century person might not have thought LWOP crueler than a quick execution, or at any rate very bizarre (why not just end the childs life if he is truly irredeemable, is what I expect an 18th century person might have thought), but I dont study that period enough to be confident in that. I do know enough to be confident that to answer this question satisfactorily would take a lot more research into late 18th century beliefs about crime, punishment, the nature of life and death, etc., than just assuming that whatever we today think is a harsher punishment is also what a person in an entirely different time and place would think.

In another related originalist reference, a helpful reader reminded me that NYU's Center on the Administration of Criminal Law filed this amicus brief which sought to provide some originalist arguments in favor of Sullivan and Graham. The NYU amicus brief's principal histoircal point is that "the elimination of proportionality review in the noncapital context would be inconsistent with the Eighth Amendment's tect and original meaning."

May 19, 2010 at 03:27 PM | Permalink

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"If an originalist were now to view parole boards as the modern loci for historic clemency powers --- and that is a big IF...."

I wouldn't call that a "big IF." I would call that a NOT.

Although parole may historically be seen as an outgrowth of clemency, the traditional clemency power still exists in addition to the parole structure in every state that I know of. The additional mercy mechanism of parole can be limited or dispensed with altogether, as the legislature sees fit.

Posted by: Kent Scheidegger | May 19, 2010 4:26:42 PM

I don't think Doug's question could plausibly have turned on whether the "traditional clemency power still exists," since it so obviously does. I read the question as: Given that the constitutional regime was conceived in the absence of the institution of parole, and given that reliance on that institution by the executives in the states and in the fed over time has (the argument would go) led to a withering away of the exercise of the traditional clemency power, what could an "originalist" say about that state of affairs and how it impacts the Eighth Amendment analysis?

Posted by: Michael Drake | May 19, 2010 5:44:23 PM

The second question, whether an originalist would see structural constitutional problems with parole, is really interesting, and I hadn't thought of it that way before. A related question though one that potentially cuts in the other direction: To the extent that parole boards are a sort of unaccountable "fourth branch" (which I guess depends on the specifics of how the parole board is set up in a given jurisdiction), is that problematic to an originalist?

As to the first question, I think you're right that Thomas is too quick to assume that death would have seemed harsher than LWOP for the founding generation. I am not sure that, at the time of the founding, a life imprisonment sentence would even have been conceivable. I have blogged some related thoughts at: http://prisonlaw.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/on-reading-graham-justice-stevens-and-thomass-ahistorical-historical-assumptions/

Posted by: Sara Mayeux | May 19, 2010 6:16:23 PM

Given that the founders had no problems with slavery that they weren't willing to overlook I fail to see how LWOP would have somehow crossed some magical hurdle or horror.

It may have been rare but there were cases of political prisoners being held for extremely long periods under house arrest or in the Tower of London as examples. I believe the only madness they would see would be our unwillingness to put down the criminals like we would a rabid dog.

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | May 19, 2010 9:45:44 PM

Soronel, they had big problems with slavery if it was applied to white people; the founders would have viewed criminal law through the lens of how citizens must be treated, so your slavery example is BS. After all, slavery wasn't a punishment for crime. It's undeniable that nowhere in the US colonies or 18th century America were offenders subjected to long prison terms, so they cannot be justified on originalist grounds without some highly dubious latter-day mindreading. Doug and Sara are totally onto something with the first question.

Posted by: Gritsforbreakfast | May 20, 2010 7:56:22 AM

Don't forget we can't look to foreign jurisdictions (Tower of London) for examples. Stick to reading the minds of the American Founders! They were completely united in their thoughts on the 8th Amendment which is why they made it so clear and easy for us to follow to the letter. For such a diverse group, it amazes me that each and every one of them was of one mind with the others and that we can now discern with certainty what those intentions were.

Perhaps Thomas is just being fiscally prudent. If we go back to the 18th C crime and punishment model, only about a dozen things will be illegal and we can punish pretty cheaply with a range of stocks, beatings or the death penalty. The prison unions may object, but think of the savings!

Posted by: Talitha | May 20, 2010 12:25:11 PM

It is notable that one of the early prison reforms (towards solitary confinement as the norm rather than the exception) was swiftly rolled back basically on cruelty grounds despite the good intentions of those who imposed it.

Also, recall that SCOTUS has found in prison whippings to be unconstitutional in certain circumstances, and there is a long and vigorous cases of successful prison overcrowding litigation based in part on the 8th Amendment.

A fair argument would make the case that there are prisons and then there are cruel prisons. The best analogy to modern very long prison terms where conditions are often reasonably tolerable compared to those of the third world or colonial America might be exile to a prison colony (e.g. Australia or Georgia), with the exception being prolonged solitary confinement which might be closer to colonial era prison conditions and a form of cruel and unusual punishment at least unless legislatively authorized and restricted to the same kind of crimes that would merit the death penalty otherwise.

Posted by: ohwilleke | May 20, 2010 7:38:24 PM

I think some originalists could find especially appealing at least Chief Justice Roberts' sense that appellate judges must sometimes use the Eighth Amendment as a kind of constitutional backstop for extreme imprisonment punishments.

Posted by: london apartments | Nov 13, 2012 7:01:53 AM

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October 12, 2015

Montgomery wards: noticing the lack of originalism analysis of sentencing finality

As noted in this prior post, I have been doing a series of posts in preparation for the US Supreme Court hearing oral argument in Montgomery v. Louisiana, and today's post is of the "dog that didn't bark" variety. Specifically, upon quickly reviewing the 20+ briefs that have been submitted in Montgomery (all of which can be found via this SCOTUSblog page), I noticed that there was essentially no discussion of what an originalist constitutional interpretation would have to say about finality/retroactivity doctrines like Teague and their application to Eighth Amendment doctrines or sentencing outcomes more generally. (Notably and tellingly, a number of briefs discussing the jurisdictional issue flagged by SCOTUS in Montgomery do provide some originalism analysis of that issue. But these briefs, nor any of those just focused on the finality/retroactivity issue, had anything to say about how an originalist perspective might inform the Court's work in this case.)

For those who are not big fans of originalist constitutional interpretation, perhaps the absence of any discussion or debate in the Montgomery briefing about what the Framers would have thought about Eighth Amendment retroactivity is a welcome development. But as I sought to spotlight in this recent law review article and this blog post last year, I think it would be interesting and potentially quite useful to examine at some lengthy whether and how the Framing generation considered finality/retroactivity issues. Of particular note, as I explain in my article, the text of the Constitution itself reveals, at least indirectly, that the Framers likely did not have an especially strong commitment to criminal justice finality interests:

The Constitutions text can be read to suggest the Framers were decidedly eager to provide or preserve opportunities for defendants to seek review and reconsideration of their treatment by government authorities. Article I, Section 9 instructs Congress that the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, Article II, Section 2 provides that the President shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, and Article III, Section 2 provides that the Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction. These provisions codify in our nations charter all the traditional mechanisms long used by individuals to challenge or seek modification of the exercise of government power through criminal justice systems. These provisions alone may not support a strong originalist claim that the Framers disfavored treating criminal judgments as final. Nevertheless, by precluding Congress from suspending habeas review, by empowering the President to grant clemency, and by authorizing the Supreme Court to hear appeals, the Constitution ensured that criminal defendants in a new America would have various means to seek review and reconsideration of the application of governmental power even after an initial criminal conviction and sentencing.

In part because I am neither a historian nor especially enthralled by originalism, I did not pursue these ideas in this SCOTUS amicus brief that I helped submit in the Montgomery case. But I was hoping that maybe someone or some group drawn to originalism would discuss what an originalist constitutional interpretation might have to say about finality/retroactivity doctrines like Teague and their application to Eighth Amendment doctrines or sentencing outcomes more generally. One Justice who often seems drawn to Eighth Amendment originalism, Justice Thomas, almost never asks questions, and thus I am not expecting him to bring up the issue during oral argument. But maybe I can dream, at least for the next few hours, that Justice Scalia might enjoy puzzling the advocates by asking a question on this front during argument.

Prior posts in this series and concerning finality matters:

October 12, 2015 at 01:06 PM | Permalink

Comments

Why is originalism really an issue here? Doesn't Teague presuppose the upsetting of long since final judgments? I think the full, faith and credit statute has been around since the first Congress.

Posted by: federalist | Oct 12, 2015 2:25:38 PM

Prof.,

IMO the only item you mention that has an arguable bearing on finality is the pardon power, and I believe it cuts against (though admittedly only tenuously) there being some wide-ranging judicial power to revisit cases after final judgement has been entered. The bare fact that the president has an unreviewable power to set aside convictions is at least some evidence of where the framers thought such action should come from.

I don't believe that there being appellate jurisdiction says anything at all about a power to revisit cases after final judgement has been entered. And my understanding of the Art 1. habeas writ is that it is a very different thing from modern statutory habeas. That Art. 1 habeas is satisfied so long as there is a legal reason to hold someone and does not admit of attack on that reason, only examination of whether there is in fact a reason or not (warrants and criminal sentences being the major items that satisfy the query).

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Oct 12, 2015 2:43:29 PM

2254 is not the Article I writ of habeas corpus. As Soronel notes, the common law writ at the time of the framing was satisfied if there was a judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction. The one potential exception was imprisonment for something that was not properly criminal (I am thinking of the English case granting the writ when charges were laid against jurors for acquitting a defendant in violation of the judge's instructions -- back when judges could give an opinion on guilt in the instructions). I am not sure how that would apply to the excessive penalty situation.

Posted by: tmm | Oct 12, 2015 5:09:07 PM

One article on the subject has this to say, which accords with my own understanding that new rules were alwats thought to be retroactive:

Matters were not always so difficult. Indeed, prospectivity was alien to

the common law, which simply assumed that new decisions would be applied

retroactively.2 Early American writers tended to treat displaced law as though

it had never been the law.3 In fact, this view is implicit in Marbury v.

Madison,4 in which Chief Justice Marshall assumed that a decision of unconstitutionality was simply a declaration of a preexisting state of affairs and rendered the law a complete nullity. This assumption was consistent with the

concept of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that judges are discoverers

rather than makers oflaw; thus, the need for any form of retroactivity analysis

did not become obvious until well into the twentieth century. Some awakening

has occurred in the federal courts in fits and starts over the past fifty

years,5 but it was not untill965, when the Supreme Court decided Linkletter v.

Walker ,6 that retroactivity analysis truly came to the fore.



John Bernard Corr, Retroactivity: A Study in Supreme Court Doctrine

as Applied, 61 N.C. Law Rev. 745, 746 (1983)



Posted by: Da Man | Oct 13, 2015 2:14:02 PM

Retroactivity concerns was influenced by the much broader reach of court action.

Marbury v. Madison was probably (I have seen a few suggest a minor case or two otherwise) last time a federal statute was declared unconstitutional for 1/2 century. Federal courts had very limited reach into criminal law in antebellum times and then applied due process and habeas protections narrowly into the 20th Century.

Now with broad results, the rules are somewhat different. Originalism is also often of limited value as applied to the criteria cited in that long excerpt because a basic floor is not the ultimate debate but how broad the protections should be. Again, originally, criminal appeals were quick affairs and long term detention in prisons not anywhere like today. There probably can be some lessons drawn and the comments are interesting in that respect, but still.

Posted by: Joe | Oct 13, 2015 3:33:13 PM

There's a lot of originalism discussions in the early retroactivity cases including (iirc) Teague. Essentially, a valid conviction was presumed valid for Habeas Corpus purposes for a long time. It was only through the efforts of reformers later that it was expanded to allow for Constitutional review of convictions. It's why AEDPA is able to justify itself without implicating the suspension clause of the Constitution. Essentially, it only implicates the expanded writ, not the original writ.

So I suspect an originalist argument wouldn't fare well for those who want retroactivity outside of a direct appeal.

Posted by: Erik M | Oct 13, 2015 7:57:18 PM

Anyone not enthralled by originalism should propose and enact an Amendment. For example, get an Amendment allowing judicial review.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Oct 15, 2015 12:18:25 PM

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 President Donald Trump pardons Oregon ranchers convicted of arson, and subject to mandatory minimum terms, who prompted protests over federal lands | Main | "The Trial Penalty: The Sixth Amendment Right To Trial on the Verge of Extinction and How To Save It" 

July 10, 2018

Eager for a "51 Imperfect Solutions" approach to a new wave of constitutional proportionality litigation (with broadside Harmelin attacks, too)

Not long after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, I authored a post hoping to germinate an idea with criminal justice reformers and litigants: "With Justice Kennedy retiring, overturning Harmelin should become a focal point for criminal justice reformers." I am not especially optimistic that Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who has now been tapped as Justice Kennedy's replacement, will be chomping at the bit to reverse his old boss's troublesome Eighth Amendment work in Harmelin. But I remain optimistic that a new generation of judges (including Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Gorsuch) may be significantly more open these days to "refreshing" an Eighth Amendment jurisprudence in order to put at least some limits on some extreme prison terms for some adult offenders.

With these thoughts swimming in my mental soup, an important new ingredient came to mind as a result of recent opportunities to talk with Sixth Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton about his terrific new Oxford University Press book titled "51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law." Here is how the book is described by Oxford:

When we think of constitutional law, we invariably think of the United States Supreme Court and the federal court system. Yet much of our constitutional law is not made at the federal level. In 51 Imperfect Solutions, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton argues that American Constitutional Law should account for the role of the state courts and state constitutions, together with the federal courts and the federal constitution, in protecting individual liberties. The book tells four stories that arise in four different areas of constitutional law: equal protection; criminal procedure; privacy; and free speech and free exercise of religion. Traditional accounts of these bedrock debates about the relationship of the individual to the state focus on decisions of the United States Supreme Court. But these explanations tell just part of the story. The book corrects this omission by looking at each issue  and some others as well  through the lens of many constitutions, not one constitution; of many courts, not one court; and of all American judges, not federal or state judges. Taken together, the stories reveal a remarkably complex, nuanced, ever-changing federalist system, one that ought to make lawyers and litigants pause before reflexively assuming that the United States Supreme Court alone has all of the answers to the most vexing constitutional questions. If there is a central conviction of the book, it's that an underappreciation of state constitutional law has hurt state and federal law and has undermined the appropriate balance between state and federal courts in protecting individual liberty. In trying to correct this imbalance, the book also offers several ideas for reform.

I recommend Judge Sutton's book to all serious legal thinkers (and not-so- serious ones, too), and I mentioned to Judge Sutton that I viewed proportionality litigation around the Eighth Amendment and its state analogues to be another area full of dynamic (though often disconcerting) stories about the role of the state courts and state constitutions in a jurisprudential dialogue with federal courts. Indeed, as some reader may recall, a little over five years ago I worked with folks at National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) to develop this 51 state resource in the form of a "collection of individual downloadable documents that summarize for each U.S. state the key doctrines and leading court rulings setting forth constitutional and statutory limits on lengthy imprisonment terms and other extreme (non-capital) sentences."

As states continue to work through the implications of Graham and Miller and Montgomery, I sense and surmise there is plenty of interesting constitutional litigation over the Eighth Amendment still on-going in state courts, and Judge Sutton's work has me wondering how much of that litigation also involves state constitutional proportionality claims pressed in addition to federal claims. (A key theme in Judge Sutton's book is that lawyers always should, when available, be pressing state constitution claims on behalf of their client as well as federal claims.) I know I am overdue on a pledge to be updating these NACDL state-by-state resources, and I would be especially eager to hear from any and all state defense lawyers about whether there has been considerable new proportionality jurisprudence in their jurisdictions in recent years.

As thew title of this post suggest, I think Judge Sutton's book can and should serve as a suggestion to all state criminal defense lawyers to keep pressing state constitutional claims. Doing so could not only lead to important state-level rulings, but also provide still further ideas and energy to perhaps help the US Supreme Court see a reason to overrule or at least recast its ugly work in Harmelin.

July 10, 2018 at 12:45 PM | Permalink

Comments

How about pressing for state legislative claims, instead, and not trying to cut corners with lawless shortcuts?

Posted by: David Behar | Jul 10, 2018 4:16:58 PM

Doug, I'm puzzled by your comment about Justice Kennedy's "troublesome Eighth Amendment work in Harmelin." My recollection is that Kennedy wrote a concurring opinion in Harmelin, in which he articulated the three step test of analyzing as applied Eighth Amendment challenges, which was later adopted by the Court in Graham.

Posted by: bruce cunningham | Jul 11, 2018 8:01:51 AM

Bruce, the three step test for the Eighth Amendment was developed in Rummel/Solem, but Kennedy's concurrence reformulated the test to essentially ensure no defendant can get past the first step. This recent post provides a bit more background on how Harmelin nearly ensures adults lose any and every challenge to prison terms: http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2018/07/with-justice-kennedy-retiring-overturning-harmelin-should-become-a-focal-point-for-criminal-justice-.html

Graham applied a "categorical" Eighth approach for juvenile offenders, which has helped ensure no other types if offenders get any real help from the decision. In a world of mass incarceration and lots of extreme prison sentences and extreme mandatory minimum terms, one would hope (and reasonably expect) the Eighth Amendment would be applied more robustly to prison terms. Harmelin, due to Kennedy's concurrence, has been the main reason that it hasn't.

Posted by: Doug B | Jul 11, 2018 9:30:05 AM

thanks for your response Doug. bruce

Posted by: bruce cunningham | Jul 11, 2018 9:36:03 AM

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 "The Prison Bust: Declining Carceral Capacity in an Era of Mass Incarceration" | Main | Another sound suggestion to look to state constitutional law to limit excessive punishments 

July 23, 2023

Some more critical examinations of the impact of SCOTUS decision in Jones v. Hendrix

It is now a month since the US Supreme Court's notable ruling regarding federal collateral review in Jones v. Hendrix (basics here), which served to block a pathway for federal prisoners to pursue claims that they are legally innocent or subject to excessive punishment under new statutory authority. I have collected some (mostly critical) early commentary on the Court's work in Jones in prior posts (see links below), and I have now seen two more new pieces in this genre:

From The Appeal, "SCOTUS Conviction Ruling Already Harming Innocent People, Lawyers Say." An excerpt:

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that, in some instances, incarcerated people can be barred from filing multiple claims of innocence, even if they did not commit the crime for which they're in prison. Federal defense attorneys told The Appeal the ruling is already causing harm.

From Law360, "How Habeas Corpus Ruling May Condemn Innocent Prisoners." An excerpt:

Habeas corpus experts, some of whose work was referenced in Justice Jackson's dissent footnotes, told Law360 it's hard to estimate how many people will be adversely affected by the decision, but they warn of deeper, longer-lasting and potentially troubling impacts on the integrity of the justice system.

Prior related posts:

July 23, 2023 at 06:53 PM | Permalink

Comments

Given her embarrassing failure to understand basic facts in the recent AA case, how can anyone take Jackson seriously. She is an undereducated fool.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 24, 2023 10:04:26 AM

She did get some basic math wrong, which should not happen at that level.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2023 5:08:24 AM

It was worse than that---her statement about black babies and white doctors was inflammatory and sickening. She's wrong; dead wrong, and she owes an apology. She is an awful human being.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 25, 2023 4:20:38 PM

Federalist--

I agree that a public correction is in order and an explanation of how this occurred. Yes,it was incendiary in addition to being false.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2023 11:08:00 PM

And Bill, we will never ever see it. What I find interesting--Professor Berman, who championed this dummy for a seat on the Supreme Court, has nothing to say about ugly racial demagoguery.

She's stupid, arrogant and nasty.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 26, 2023 2:54:39 PM

federalist: I championed Justice Jackson in the past because of he work in the criminal justice space. In that space, as a Justice, she has often joined with Justice Gorsuch --- whom, I assume, you do not consider "stupid, arrogant and nasty" --- on some interesting opinions discussing limits on state power. More generally, I continue to find most of her work in the CJ space to be sound and effective. Based on a quick scan, I was not impressed with her work in the UNC case. But, sadly, I do not often have time to read closely opinions outside my core areas. And, even when I do, when dealing with rulings that are not in my area of specialty, I typically leave it to other to engage the substance (or to engage in name calling about opinions that they dislike).

Again, you and other are welcome to discuss off-topic matters here. I find it interesting you seem so eager to bring your off-topic feelings to this forum.

Posted by: Doug B | Jul 26, 2023 3:28:24 PM

Not sure, Doug, that a Supreme Court Justice engaging in base racial demagoguery is off-topic. It taints every bit of her work, and it makes me wonder whether her work with the Sentencing Commission was inspired by racial solidarity. How else can one reconcile the sickening insinuation that white physicians fall short when it comes to the care of black babies with her work to make the CJ system more lenient? But you are just "disappointed?" Sound and effective? Really? What has she done that was so effective?

As for Gorsuch, I am not impressed very much by him.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 26, 2023 4:22:38 PM

Jackson's dissent in the cement mixing case was breathtakingly bad. There's this nonsense:

"In fact, the threat of economic harm posed by the right to strike is a feature, not a bug, of the NLRA." Well, no __, Sherlock. But that statement, in a case where the drivers walked off the job at a moment timed to create immediate spoliation of concrete and the ruination of expensive equipment, is just a joke, and a bad one at that. Hey, Justice Jackson, if you defend conduct like that, the problem is that the NLRA forces employers to deal with unions, and how, from a good government standpoint, can you/should you force such a dealing? And can the employer fight fire with fire?

She's a dilletante.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 26, 2023 4:34:56 PM

federalist, do you have the same view about former CJ Rehnquist since I showed you that he thought Plessy was good constitutional law and advocated against Brown? Is all his work now forever tainted in your view?

I am pretty sure all KBJ's votes on the US Sentencing Commission were part of the unanimous work of that body --- so it would seem USSC solidarity dominated her work. (I believe she was the only black member of the USSC during her entire time in service there and I believe the only black vice chair in the USSC's 40 year history.)

As a general matter, I tend to believe that racial issues impact the thinking of all actors in so many ways, especially as the personal mixes with the professional. Justice Thomas, before he was a member of the Court, famously said "There is nothing you can do to get past black skin. I do not think it is psychologically possible to be entirely color-blind (or gender-blind or class-blind or age-blind) as we process the world, so I expect all judges (and all other decision-makers) to be unavoidably influenced and informed by their background and experiences. You may call that "taint," but I call it facing up to the reality of how humans experience and interpret the world and then make decisions.

I thought KBJ's opinion for the court in Lora was sound and effective, and the separate statements with Gorsuch have already been mentioned. Her dissent in Jones v. Hendrix covered a lot of very important ground that the other dissenting Justices did not (though I thought her dissent could have been much more effective if it was somewhat tighter).

I find Gorsuch quite interesting and sometimes impressive. For a number of reasons, being interesting and courageous makes up for a lot in my book. And I do not view any of the Justices, or really anyone with the savvy to get appointed by a President to any judgeship, to be "stupid." That said, as generalist jurists, I am certain federal judges get stuff wrong all the time. And that helps keep us academics in a job.

Posted by: Doug B | Jul 26, 2023 6:28:32 PM

Doug--

Her answer at her confirmation hearing that she couldn't say what a woman is was as false as it was hilarious.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2023 11:08:54 PM

Re: Rehnquist--it's, as I am wont to say, a problem.



Posted by: federalist | Jul 27, 2023 9:20:22 AM

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ONAWA, Iowa  An Onawa woman on Monday pleaded guilty of stabbing her boyfriend and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Inessa Lyons, 30, pleaded guilty in Monona County District Court to willful injury resulting in serious injury. A charge of attempted murder, which carries a 50-year prison sentence, was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Lyons must serve at least five years of her sentence before she's eligible for parole.

Lyons admitted to stabbing Derek Webster Jr. in the chest with a knife in the early morning hours of May 10 in their apartment.

Authorities were called to Burgess Health Center in Onawa, where Webster was being treated. According to court documents, Webster and Lyons initially told sheriff's deputies Webster had been jumped by a motorcycle driver outside a local bar. Lyons later admitted she stabbed Webster because he had repeatedly asked her to drive him to a store to buy more alcohol.

Lyons was previously convicted of manslaughter at age 15 for the 2008 fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old girl in Macy, Nebraska, and was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison.
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SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council will be asked Monday to approve an application to the Iowa Finance Authority for a $50,000 grant to provide street outreach to the homeless.

Each year, the city is required to hold "listening sessions" with local nonprofits before Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds are released. During those meetings, homelessness was a major area of concern identified, according to city documents.

"City staff also attends various community meetings each week; homelessness continues to be brought up as a serious community issue," the documents stated.

The city would apply for $50,000 in Iowa Finance Authority Emergency Solutions Grant program funding, which would be used for "street outreach."

"This would allow for more intensive casework and follow-up to be completed to ensure that those that are homeless are connected to the services they need," the documents stated. "The position would be staffed by existing Neighborhood Services Division team members who will work closely with those experiencing homelessness and not reaching out for assistance."

This application is for both the 2024 and 2025 calendar years. However, if awarded, the grant agreement will be for 2024 only. If compliance requirements are met, the 2025 grant agreement will be offered in mid-2024, according to the documents.

The request for the grant application comes at a time when nonprofits are seeing increased demand for the services they provide.

Earlier this month, Lyn Kluender, executive director of the Siouxland Soup Kitchen, told The Journal the Soup Kitchen, 717 West Seventh St., is routinely serving 170 diners, up from the usual 100 to 120 per night.

Joe Twidwell, board president of the Warming Shelter, informed the City Council on June 26 that the emergency shelter would be restricting its services to certain populations this summer due to a lack of funding.

Traditionally, the shelter, 916 Nebraska St., had been open 24/7 from Nov. 1 until April 30. During the summer, the shelter had limited hours for people to get mail, do their laundry and shower. But, last year, the shelter's board voted to keep the shelter open 365 days a year. That plan has been stymied by monetary constraints.

On July 9, the shelter, which had been averaging about 100 people a night, restricted services to families and those who are disabled and use wheelchairs and walkers.

During that June council meeting, Councilman Matthew O'Kane said it takes everybody coming together to find a solution.

"Homelessness is a community problem and it takes a community solution," he said.
An Omaha man was ordered held on $1 million bail Friday for allegedly killing another man in a gunbattle in a residential neighborhood with several children present.

Mark Keesler, Jr., 31, is accused of killing 30-year-old Deving Willis-Smith on Wednesday night near 27th and Whitmore streets in Omaha. The Douglas County Attorneys Office charged Keesler on Friday with manslaughter and using a weapon to commit a felony. Omaha Police Department homicide investigators had arrested Keesler after the shooting.

Douglas County Judge Sheryl Lohaus set the bail Friday and appointed the Douglas County Public Defenders Office to represent Keesler.

Keesler allegedly produced a rifle during a dispute between a friend and Willis-Smith outside Keeslers friends house. Willis-Smith retrieved a handgun from a car and there was an exchange of gunfire, Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle said.

Keesler shot numerous times, more than 10, Beadle said.

There were four kids in the car, she said. They were lucky they didnt get hit.

Willis-Smith suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the Nebraska Medical Center after being taken there by ambulance.

Through the investigation and after reviewing video surveillance, it was determined that the victim arrived at 2730 Whitmore Street at approximately 2047 hours (8:47 p.m.), an Omaha police investigator wrote in an arrest affidavit. The victim is observed exiting a vehicle and then making contact with two males, one of which is later identified as Keesler Jr., Mark, ... in front of 2730 Whitmore Street. The victim is ultimately shot by Keesler Jr. and dies as a result of his injuries.

Keesler would have to post 10%, or $100,000, of the bail to be released from jail. A preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to face trial in District Court is scheduled for Aug. 28.
Climate migrants find a home in the Great Lakes Region

Posted on 24 July 2023 by Guest Author

This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Kristen Pope

A massive Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Maria, was bearing down on Puerto Rico. In Buffalo, New York, people watching the news were worried. Many had loved ones on the island, and many had spent time living there.

When the storm made landfall on Sept. 20, 2017, the toll was catastrophic. About 3,000 people died  or even more, according to some estimates, and damage totals for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands combined hovered around $90 billion. Virtually all of Puerto Rico was without power and cellphone service, and many were without clean water. They didnt know it at the time, but by the end of 2017, half the islands residents still would not have power.

Buffalo community leaders came together to formulate a plan. The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York was one of the organizations leading the charge, working with the city, faith-based groups, veterans groups, news outlets, and even a theater company to help.

Beyond raising funds and supplies to send to Puerto Rico, residents also opened their arms to welcome hurricane survivors to their hometown. The community came together to help people find apartments, pay rent and security deposits, and provide new residents with fresh start kits with essentials for a new home, from pans and blankets to curtains. They helped people find employment and equipped them for the cold and snowy climate by providing warm clothing, coats, and boots, as well as baby items, school uniforms and supplies, food, and more.

It was a very challenging effort and task, but it was all-hands-on-deck with all the different local organizations to be able to help these families through this trauma of fleeing their [homeland] to seek refuge because they had lost everything, says Casimiro Rodriguez, Sr., president emeritus and founder of Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York.

In all, about 5,000 people came to the region from Puerto Rico in the storms aftermath, according to one estimate cited in a Buffalo News article, joining the already-strong community of 35,000 Puerto Ricans.

More people will move to escape climate change

With climate-fueled hurricanes, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters intensifying, climate migration is on the minds of communities and researchers. Around the globe, more than 216 million people could be forced to move due to climate change by 2050, according to a 2021 World Bank report. By 2100, 13 million U.S. residents could be displaced by sea level rise alone.

The topic of climate migration leads to numerous questions, from Where will people move? to How can communities prepare for new residents? As researchers grapple with the scale of climate migration and work to study potential migration patterns and social justice implications, many are also asking questions like, What does home mean? and What does it mean to be from a place and live there? Pulling up roots and moving somewhere else is often not an easy choice.

Following Hurricane Maria, some Puerto Ricans who moved to Buffalo eventually returned to the island, but many stayed in western New York. The Buffalo area had been losing population for decades, so the new influx of people was a boon in many ways. The 2020 census showed a population increase in Buffalo for the first time in 70 years. The surge in new residents also helped create an even more vibrant community, with collaboration on everything from Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations to exhibits at a local childrens museum highlighting culture and life in different countries, as well as more resources and services locally.

I do see that it has affected, in a positive way of course, all the factors, the jobs, the culture, just how things are being done on a daily basis, says Esmeralda Sierra, president of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York. Sierra, who is originally from Puerto Rico and has many family members on the island, points to many new businesses springing up in the area, especially restaurants.

Theyre part of the fabric of western New York now, Rodriguez says. They live in homes, they work, theyre taking care of their families, and in some cases, theyre helping their families back home that elected to stay.

Great Lakes Region planning for the future

Though many Puerto Rico residents moved to Buffalo because they had family in the area, the Great Lakes Region as a whole has recently received media attention for its potential as a climate refuge. The Great Lakes Region includes eight U.S. states, including New York, plus the province of Ontario, Canada. Though some perceive the region as a place that is less impacted by climate change than others, some believe it is not the climate utopia that has been portrayed. Case in point: wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed parts of the region in the summer of 2023.

We have to think about the challenges that we will face from climate change as well, says Derek Van Berkel, assistant professor at the University of Michigan. Our cities are not immune.

However, the region isnt as susceptible to climate-related disasters as some parts of the country that face hurricanes, massive wildfires, and sea level rise, and it has ample water as well as amenities such as beaches and nature.

Van Berkel and colleagues recently published an article in the science journal Earths Future examining the Great Lakes Region and how communities in the region may want to start planning for a potential influx of new residents. While we do not know if people will come, how many, who they might be, and where they might settle, it is important that Great Lakes region communities prepare and plan for a potential future that includes new residents, the authors wrote. They noted that working toward a just and sustainable future will increase opportunities for both people coming and currently living in the Great Lakes region.

The Great Lakes Climate Adaptation Network was formed in 2015 and includes a number of regional partners working to address regional climate challenges. Van Berkels work involves using web-based tools, models, and scenarios to help plan for the future.

During the summer of 2023, Van Berkel and colleagues are working with planners and city practitioners on developing a land change model.

Van Berkel describes his modeling as a simulated city video game  Sim City driven by the actual urban form in a city  addressing questions like What happens if 250,000 people come to your city? What happens if 25,000 people come to your city? The simulation model focuses on different options for where people could live, from dense urban areas to suburbs, while also addressing challenges related to infrastructure and other factors.

Researchers emphasize the importance of focusing on addressing current inequities and accounting for future ones when focusing on climate migration. The authors write, If migration is treated as an adaptation strategy  incorporated in community climate action and planning  rather than a hazard, there are several ways that such efforts can cultivate more desirable and just outcomes for both current and potential future residents.

However, the potential for migration could cause a variety of effects, and the authors note that learning more about the potential for climate migration, including running through a number of different scenarios, could be useful. Analyzing these possibilities is important to avoid making current inequalities worse. One way to work toward this aim is to make sure all stakeholders have an opportunity to participate in the conversation.

Back in Buffalo, Sierra says that in her experience, planning ahead, preparing for natural disasters, and having good coordination well in advance is key. I would like this to be, in a way, an example about how we can work together and support our fellow citizens, she said. The conversation needs to continue so we are better prepared for possible future situations.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Transport group Manibela announced on Monday that it is temporarily suspending its three-day transport strike amid the threat of heavy rains brought by Typhoon Egay.

Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said the group is heeding commuters call for transportation amid heavy rain.

Temporarily suspended po ang tigil pasada dahil ang malakas na ulan tapos wala silang masakyan, Valbuena said in a Facebook live.

[Translation: The transport strike is temporarily suspended due to heavy rains and they dont have rides.]

Manibela staged the strike to protest the government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and its alleged failure to address the sector's needs.

The transport group announced last week its plan to stage a three-day nationwide strike beginning July 24, coinciding with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

READ: TIMELINE: The government's PUV phaseout program

In a separate Facebook post, Manibela warned the administration that the strike will continue if it still fails to address issues faced by the sector.

Valbuena also pointed out how the president stayed mum on transportation issues in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Galit ang pangulo sa DOTr (Department of Transportation). Kaya hindi binanggit ang DOTR, Valbuena said, citing an alleged source from the Palace.

Ang dami daming attached agencies ng DOTR, ni-isa walang binanggit. Walang pinagmamalaki ang pangulo, he added.

[Translation: The president is angry at DOTr. Its why he didnt mention the DOTr...It has so many attached agencies but none were mentioned. None were boasted of.]

During his SONA, Marcos addressed various issues including those related to the economy, education, health, and agriculture, but he did not touch on issues related to transportation.
I have seen a shark attack, and it is dramatic. On a recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa, I watched great whites breaching from beneath seals in successful and unsuccessful predations. These are attempts to kill. Shark predations on seals are attacks, because the intent is clear.

However, to suggest that shark-on-human encounters should be called predations would be wrong. The way sharks encounter seals is fundamentally different from how they treat humans.

I believe the time is right for science to reconsider its use of the phrase shark attack on humans. Such language creates a one-dimensional perception of these events and makes protecting threatened shark species more difficult. After all, why care about an animal that wants to eat us?

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Historically, the language has been less emotive. Cases of shark bite were noted by doctors in 1899 and shark accident was an accepted term until the 1930s, even if it was fatal.

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This faded when Australian surgeon Victor Coppleson concluded in a 1933 article in the Medical Journal of Australia that the evidence sharks will attack man is complete. The first New Orleans Shark Symposium in 1958 cemented attack language in the scientific community.

The argument for change is compelling. Modern research has shown that bites by sharks are often investigatory or defensive, taking place in cloudy water and out of curiosity.

Human-shark encounters are always called attacks even when there is no contact, artificially amplifying the numbers. Whats more, no distinction is made for minor bites from non-threatening species. In Australia, 13 per cent of all attacks come from small wobbegong sharks, which bite when stepped on. Under the existing system, the public is unable to tell scratches from fatalities, boats from people, or wobbegongs from great whites.

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Finally, attack terminology creates an inappropriate connection between scientific reasoning and tabloid journalism. If there is no separation between science and sensationalism, then educating the public about true shark behavior is more difficult.

Changing terminology is not simple. I use the phrase shark bite incidents but the transition cannot be unilateral. This norm-setting task is the responsibility of the whole scientific community.

This piece originally ran in The New Scientist. Christopher Neff is studying the politics of shark bites at the University of Sydney, Australia.


When Ron DeSantis strode onto the stage in April in front of almost 10,000 students at Liberty University, he did so with an introduction from the schools chancellor, pastor Jonathan Falwell, son of legendary televangelist Jerry Falwell. The chancellor noted that the university took pride in inviting speakers who have brought wisdom to this idea of what it means to be a champion for Christ.

DeSantis took the opportunity to paraphrase Jesus words in the Book of John, when he promised believers they would be rewarded if they followed him.

Yes, the truth shall set you free, DeSantis said. Because woke represents a war on truth, we must wage a war on woke.

It was an evangelical performance in a deeply evangelical setting. Anyone watching it might assume DeSantis was at home among evangelicals. But heres the thing: Hes not one himself.

Ron DeSantis is solidly Roman Catholic. A recent descendant of Italian immigrants, DeSantis counts a Catholic priest as an uncle and a nun as an aunt. He grew up going to Catholic school and attending Catholic mass every Sunday. And yet, until recently, many people werent sure whether he is still a practicing Catholic. When the Catholic magazine America reached out to his press team to clarify his religious denomination, for example, they got no response. Given that DeSantis makes faith integral to his political identity, it became confusing enough that the Orlando Sentinel published a story with this reveal:

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After months of dodging the question, DeSantis staff and a priest have confirmed that DeSantis and his family regularly attend the handful of Catholic churches in the Tallahassee area.

So, what, exactly, is DeSantis doing here? Why was his Roman Catholicism essentially a secret? Faith can be no private matter for a Republican presidential candidate. As Politico and others noted recently, DeSantis presidential campaign has outlined educated white evangelicals as being his gateway to the nomination. So is this Catholic-evangelical two-step how hes trying to court voters, and if so, is it a good strategy? What, exactly, is Ron DeSantis signaling to Republicans with how he presents his faith?

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DeSantis has made it clear that Catholicism is not central to his image. Unlike President Joe Biden, who is known to pray the rosary and identifies proudly as Catholic, DeSantis keeps things generically Christian. Even the prominent Catholic masses he has attended could be justified by non-Catholics as political in nature: one at the culture warinfused Ave Maria University, and one at a Blue Mass for police officers who died while on duty. His fight against abortion certainly taps into a traditionally Catholic battle, but its a battle that Protestants co-opted decades ago. When he speaks of his faith in interviews, he speaks of faithnot the churchs teachings or anything more distinctly Catholic in flavor. If this choice is a matter of identifying asor appealing toa generic white Christian American, it doesnt sound that different from his recent efforts to pronounce his own name in a less European way.

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But from the way he speaks at events and in interviews, it does seem that DeSantis isnt just trying to seem less Catholic. It sounds like hes also trying to seem more evangelicalor at least one specific kind of evangelical.

In speeches, DeSantis has a favorite line: It is time for us to put on the full armor of God. He has used it in reference to resisting COVID lockdowns or enacting abortion bans or just standing against leftists. This is a reference to Ephesians, in a passage about Christians staying committed in their faith, but DeSantis uses it in reference to opposing enemies. Its a term now commonly used in allusion to spiritual warfare, popular among evangelicals who feel the call to win over the country.

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There are other ways he takes on this spiritual warfare language, as when he ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harveys So God Made a Farmer speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. Its a religious tone that fits the candidates culture-war sensibilities.

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This messaging has received mixed reviews from religious experts. Some view DeSantis language as plainly antithetical to his Catholicism. But others believe its reflective of how some modern American Catholics have embraced a more aggressive, us-against-them Christianity.

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Its a tone that David DeCosse, the religious and Catholic ethics director at Santa Clara Universitys Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, said is not very Catholic. Of course, its not possible to say its inherently incompatible with Catholicism, he said. But there definitely is a tension of stark division, of good and bad, Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and the left. At some point, that simply does not work with Catholicism.

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As he explained it, modern Catholic theology insists on the dignity of all people, and that no one is beyond redemption. What you can hear in this stark binary language on the part of DeSantis is that the fill-in-the-blankthe liberals, the left, the Democratshave become inherently evil in some way, he said. Youre moving out of that Catholic sense of the world and moving into something maybe evangelical, maybe Manichean.

Still, even if DeSantis strays from official church teaching, there are many Catholics with deeply cynical, black-and-white views of the world. And there are some embracing the ideas of spiritual warfare. This trend has emerged from different traditions within the church, but for DeSantis specifically, it comes from the sort of masculine Christianity that emerged first in the 1990s among Protestants.

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Overall, it 100 percent makes sense from a Catholic perspective, said Lauren Horn Griffin, a professor in the philosophy and religious studies department at Louisiana State University. Theres a real prevalence of military metaphors in Catholicism. She cited the Knights of Columbus, a popular Catholic mens organization. Knight imagery, crusader imagery, are very common. And that often leads to spiritual warfare language. So I think that theres definitely a spiritual warfare rhetoric in the Catholic past and present.

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More than any dogma, DeSantis spiritual warfare language was likely inspired by geography, as his Catholicism is informed through interaction with the evangelicals around him. Theres certainly a Southern vibe, Griffin said. Its a Southern way of talking about it, which Catholics dont share as much. In this light, in how he talks about religion, DeSantis is signaling where his cultural loyalties lie, rather than his deeply held beliefs.

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But there was one moment in which DeSantis clearly affirmed himself as either directly speaking to or identifying with evangelicals. In an interview with the conservative evangelical Christian Broadcasting Network, the stations political analyst, David Brody, asked DeSantis to describe where he is today with his Roman Catholicism. DeSantis gave a bland, wandering answer about raising his children in a Christ-centered household and with those values, avoiding their indoctrination, and wanting to bring the Bible alive for them. But when Brody pressed about his theology, DeSantis gave a decidedly un-Catholic answer.

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Brody: From the Roman Catholicism standpoint, theres a lot of tradition, theres a lot of rituals. Thats kind of how its steeped in. Evangelicals kind of see it as that born-again relationship with Jesus. How do you process that? DeSantis: Well, I mean, if you think about whats the most compelling part of the Bible, theres a lot, for me. I would point out, I am the way, the truth, and the life [from John 14:6]. I mean, thats ultimately what the faith centers around. Yes, theres a lot of traditions, and I think a lot of those are nice. But at the end of the day, its: Where is your heart with respect to God, and what is that relationship? That, to us, to my wife and I, is kind of where we center that. And some of the history, I think, is really neat  But in terms of how we do it, we really just focus on: What is the cornerstone of being a Christian in the modern world? And I think its really back to that in John [14:6].

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Not only did DeSantis call Catholic traditions a tepid nice and Catholic history really neat, he gave such a Protestant-sounding answer that Brody had to follow with a clarification. (You consider yourself Roman Catholic today? Still? Yep, DeSantis said.) As Brody would write on Twitter afterward, his answer about having that PERSONAL relationship with God was fascinating considering you typically dont get that type of answer and language among traditional Roman Catholics.

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Sacramentalism is not simply nice, said William D. Dinges, a religious studies professor at the Catholic University of America, about the Catholic rites. Theyre constituent for what it means to be a church. Catholicism is not a me-and-Jesus form of religiosity. Its profoundly communal in the sense of our relationship with Christ and the church. From my point of view, hes talking more Protestant-evangelical than Catholic.

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We cant say whether DeSantis really leans this way in his heart, or if hes playing up his Protestant-esque personal relationship with God for purely political reasons. We have evidence, though, that he doesnt care about reaching out to Catholic voters, partly because Catholics do not vote as a bloc. (Theyre split nearly 5050 among the two parties and tend to vote more along racial, ethnic, and class lines.) Repeatedly, Catholic bishops have chastised DeSantis for his positions on the death penalty and on immigration. But DeSantis has shown no sign of moderation or remorse at the bishops criticism.

Related From Slate Trailing Trump by 30 Points, Ron DeSantis Plans Attack on Tim Scott Read More

And we have evidence hes trying hard for the evangelical vote. The week he announced his candidacy, he chose to speak to the largely evangelical audience at the National Religious Broadcasters annual convention. And his focus on Israelalongside his acknowledgement that his Israel position has to do with the Bibleis clearly connected to evangelical priorities, given that Catholics do not share in certain evangelical theological views about the nation.

So DeSantis religious messaging leaves him in a strange spot. While Donald Trump barely makes an effort to pretend to be religiousno one confuses him for a religious manDeSantis is trying to brand himself as a credible, vaguely evangelical Christian. But thats a crowded lane beside fellow candidates Mike Pence and Tim Scott, who have for decades proved themselves to be authentic, committed evangelicals. With those uncut options, how many educated white evangelicals will really go for the less pure version? Neither fully Catholic nor fully evangelical, DeSantis is counting on voters to care enough about religious authenticity to defect from the religiously illiterate Trump, while not caring enough to think too hard about whether hes an actual, authentic evangelical candidate.
Throughout the years, Ive accumulated a few fun facts about sharks. They can detect electric fields. Their skeletons are composed not of bones but cartilage and connective tissue. Their fins are inhumanely harvested for shark fin soup.

But the fact that lives rent-free in my mind is this one: Each year, more people are killed by vending machines than sharks. Ive heard it from friends and experts alike. Its even been cited in National Geographic and the Guardian.This fact has a clear purpose: It demonstrates that sharks are not as deadly as Jaws suggeststhat really, you shouldnt be afraid of sharks at all.

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Its also a very specific statistic, and kind of a weird one, if you really think about it. Sure, maybe sharks dont kill very many people, and do not deserve their blood-thirsty reputation. But they are still at least capable of inflicting harm if provoked; after all, shark sightings can lead to a beach closure. And how often do vending machines cause  death? In honor of Shark Week, I decided to investigate.

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One of the first questions I had was: What exactly classifies a vending machine death? Does the person press a button, hoping for a bag of potato chips, but somehow gets an electric shock instead? Is it that the contents of the vending machine are so expired that they poison the consumer?

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Its actually none of the above. Based on a 1995 U.S. report from Consumer Product Safety Commission, vending machine injuries arise from users rocking or tilting the machine. There are some gruesome stories from the 90s about vending machines killing people in this way. (Shark attack deaths, on the other hand, are a bit more self-explanatory: Theyre any shark-related fatalities.)

With that clarification out of the way, I called a couple of shark experts to get their read on the sharksvs.vending machine situation. The funny examplesnot that theres anything funny about a deaththat make you tilt your head and think really? seem to be very effective at catching peoples attention, explained David Shiffman, a faculty research associate at Arizona State University studying shark conservation. People think these sharks as being monstrous and if you dip your toe in a bathtub of sharks its going to eat your whole family. A silly statistic about a vending machine illustrates that, while sharks can kill, seemingly anything can kill you under the exact right circumstances.

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Toby Daly-Engel, the director of the Shark Conservation Lab at the Florida Institute of Technology, says she often cites the vending machinevs.sharks statistic in her talks. Daly-Engel thought that she first heard about the vending machinevs.shark comparison from the International Shark Attack File, which markets itself as the worlds only scientifically documented, comprehensive database of all known shark attacks, a description checked out with Daly-Engel. Theyve been keeping track of attacks since people have been keeping track, she notes.

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Indeed, the database had the goods on shark-related deaths. According to it, there were nine reported fatalities globally in 2021. The estimated chance that one will die by shark in their lifetime is 1 in 4,332,817 (a footnote describes that lifetime risk is calculated by dividing the 2021 population by the number of deaths, divided by 76.6, the life expectancy of a person born in 2021). So: very, very, very, (very, very!) small.

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The database does offer some funny shark comparisons, such as how shark attack frequency compares with that of being bitten by a New Yorker (1,587 people were bitten by New Yorkers in 1987, which is much higher than the 13 shark bites reported that year). However, there is no mention (that I could find) of vending machine attacks. International Shark Attack File did not respond to Slates request for comment.

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So, I set out on my own to find data on vending machine deaths. Most searches brought me back to that 1995 CPSC report. In that year, the commission received reports of at least two consumers who died and one who was severely injured after the soda machines they were rocking fell on them, explains the report, which looks only at instances in the U.S. The report explains that vending machines had indeed been a low-key menace for a while. CPSC is aware of at least 37 deaths and 113 injuries since 1978 that have resulted from consumers rocking or tilting the machines in an attempt to obtain free soda or money.

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Thats just over two vending machine deaths per year. Compare that with the number of national shark deaths in 2021just one. The International Shark Attack File didnt have public data on fatalities in the U.S. in the 1980s, making a straight apples-to-apples comparison difficult. But looking at those two numbers alone, it seems that, even if there are a slightly different number of deaths each year, the vending machine stat could be basically true.

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But theres still one big question: The vending machine data is older than I am. Are vending machines still killing people at that rate? I reached out to the CPSC to see if there were any updated statistics. According to the agencys press secretary, Patty Davis, there hasnt been a reported vending machine death since 2008, when a 51-year-old male died of a pulmonary embolism after a vending machine fell on his foot.

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(Davis did say that from 2008 to 2021 there were an estimated 36,600 hospital emergency department visits which were associated withthough not necessarily caused byvending machines. However, looking at the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Query search, which contains the hospital records maintained by the CPSC, it seems that slot machines and gumball machines both fall under the umbrella of vending machines, so its likely that not all of these are truly vending machine related injuries. In fact, looking at some of the cases in the past 10 years, many consist of individuals falling off their seats while using a slot machine. While were here: A vending machine technically killed someone in 2015. According to a BuzzFeed report, a man tried to blow up a condom machine, and a piece of blown-off metal hit him. This does not really seem like the machines fault.)

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I wanted to know why vending machine deaths have basically decreased to a halt in recent years, but sadly no vending machine companies were able to answer my question before this post published. But if I were to guess, it might have something to do with a campaign to introduce warning signage in 1995, urging consumers to refrain from tipping the machines. Also, according to a blog post from the Vending Group, the mid-2000s saw the introduction of credit card readers on machines in order to sell higher-priced goods. With less chance of having their money eaten by the machines, snack-wanters have less reason to jiggle them in the first place.

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A couple caveats to all of this: Its possible that there are deaths that are going unrecorded in the data, particularly vending machine deaths. And your chance of death-by-vending machine vs. death-by-shark really varies depending on where you are, as a 2017 episode of the YouTube show Today I Found Out points out. Someone in a more rural area who hates the sea will definitely not be killed by a shark. On the other hand, those who are regular beachgoers have a higher likelihood of encountering a shark (though odds are still very, very, very low, to the point of being almost zero). And if youre someone with a particular vengeance against vending machines, which we have now established as mostly gentle giantsyou should be aware of the fact that they are still capable of inflicting deadly force.

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Overall, it seems like the oft-repeated comparison is sadly not quite accurate nowadays: In 2022, you are more likely to be killed by a shark than a vending machine. I think a lot of the comparisonssomeone invented them and they got passed around by word of mouth, Daly-Engel said. Even among shark biologists, we all have our favorite facts we whip out for talks because its an important thing to talk about. In addition to the vending machine comparison, she likes to share that people are more likely to die on the toilet (vagus nerve compression can lead to a heart attack), by Christmas tree (probably by house fire), or through autoerotic asphyxiation (this one is pretty self-explanatory). Fact-checking each of these to ensure theyre current would be a whole other piecebut you get the message. Sharks arent really killers.As for the vending machine comparison, Shiffman has his own version: I dont know anyone who has been badly hurt by a shark but I do know someone who was badly hurt by a vending machine, he says. It was about 10 years ago, they were pissed off the machine took their money, and they shook it and it fell on them.
Consequences of the attack in Moscow. Photo: Reuters



The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that thwarted an attempt by the regime in Kiev to use two drones to carry out a terrorist act over Moscow. They added that they were shot down and that there were no casualties. According to Russian news agencies, one fell near the Russian Ministry of Defense in the center of the Russian capital, while the other hit a business center.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that the attack took place around 4 a.m. local time and that there were no casualties.

The attack came a day after Kiev vowed to respond to Russias missile attack on the Black Sea port city of Odessa on Sunday, which killed two people and damaged an Orthodox cathedral in the historic center of the UNESCO-listed city.

In a Sunday evening speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced retaliatory measures. He assured that Moscow will definitely feel the consequences, stressing that the targets of Russian missiles are not only cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of the entire European civilization, he emphasized.

Moscow and its surroundings, which are about 500 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, have been the target of Ukrainian drone attacks several times this year.

Second drone attack in Crimea in three days

A Ukrainian drone attack on an ammunition depot is reported from the occupied Crimean peninsula, with Russian forces shooting down or electronically disabling 11 drones over the peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

It is currently unclear whether the ammunition depot was directly hit by the drone or damaged by its falling debris. Crimeas pro-Russian governor, Sergei Aksyonov, said a residential building in the area had been damaged, and road and rail traffic had been suspended for security reasons.

It was the second such attack in Crimea in the past three days, after a drone exploded at an ammunition depot in the central part of the peninsula on Saturday, prompting authorities to evacuate people nearby and briefly halt road traffic on a bridge linking the peninsula to Russia.

Training of members of the pro-Russian militia in Crimea. Photo: Reuters



Russia once again destroyed a grain warehouse in Odessa

In a nighttime drone attack on the port infrastructure near the Ukrainian city of Odesa on the Black Sea, Russian forces destroyed a grain warehouse, the Southern Command of the Ukrainian Army announced on the Telegram social network.

As reported by the Ukrainian army, the attack by Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones on the port infrastructure lasted for almost four hours and that tanks for storing other types of cargo were also damaged in the attack. Three drones were shot down by Ukrainian air defense. According to initial information, four port workers were injured.

Russia has stepped up attacks in the Odesa region since withdrawing from an international agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea a week ago. During this period, according to the Ukrainian side, it destroyed more than 60,000 tons of grain in attacks on warehouses. After withdrawing from the agreement, Moscow announced that it would treat ships sailing towards Ukrainian ports from where they export grain as military targets.

Western countries were critical of Russias decision. They urged Moscow to change its decision and continue cooperation in the agreement in order to avoid deterioration of global food security. Kiev and Moscow concluded this last July with the intervention of the United Nations and Turkey and extended it three times.

For a new extension, Moscow requires the removal of obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertilizers.
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Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out a drone attack in Moscow, damaging two buildings. Russia described the operation as a terrorist attack by the Kiev regime. Also, at night, Ukrainian forces are said to have carried out an attack in Crimea, hitting an ammunition depot, and Russia has already decided to take retaliatory measures.

Drones attacked two non-residential buildings in the Russian capital early this morning, including one near the Defense Ministry headquarters, Russian authorities said, saying they had prevented the attack. The mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin said via Telegram that the attacks did not cause any serious damage or casualties.

The Russian Defense Ministry said two drones were suppressed by means of electronic warfare and crashed. On the morning of July 24, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack on facilities in the territory of the city of Moscow using two drones was thwarted, the ministry announced on Telegram.

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Also the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the successes of Russian air defense. All drones have been neutralized today and action is ongoing, Peskov said.

Footage of the aftermath, reviewed by CNN, shows damage to the Russian Defense Ministry compound. A military orchestra is also located in one of the buildings that were damaged.

The area is also home to Unit 26165 of Russias foreign military intelligence service, known as the GRU, which several Western sources say carries out cyber activities. The Department of Defenses National Defense Management Center is also nearby.

According to Russian state media TASS, the drone struck a multi-story business center on Moscows Likachev Avenue, causing its debris to fall onto Komsomol Avenue. Law enforcement and emergency services are currently at the scene, and traffic on Komsomolsky Avenue from the city center towards the affected area is blocked, according to TASS, citing the Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development in Moscow.

At night, Ukrainians attacked Crimea

Ukrainian drones hit an ammunition depot overnight on the Crimean peninsula, which Russia illegally occupied in 2014, the pro-Russian governor of Crimea announced Sergey Aksyonov. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that 17 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Crimea.

The attacks came after Russian missiles heavily damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, sparking outrage, Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky however, he announced retaliatory measures.

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Aksyonov explained on the Telegram social network that drones hit an ammunition depot in the area of the city of Dzhankoy in the northeast of the Crimean peninsula. There were no casualties, but residents within a radius of five kilometers were evacuated as a precaution, he announced, according to the Italian news agency Ansa.

Rail and road traffic between Dzhankoy and the regional capital Simferopol was stopped.

As explained by the German press agency dpa, the Russian occupation forces from the south of Ukraine have their bases and warehouses for supplies in this area on the Crimean peninsula. The main supply route for Russian troops runs through Crimea.

Earlier in Crimea, the Ukrainian army had already hit two ammunition depots with drones, one in the central part of the peninsula and one in the south, as a result of which explosions could be heard for several days. The Ukrainian military confirmed that it was behind both attacks.

READ MORE A large-scale attack by Russian forces on Odesa, 2,000 people were evacuated in Crimea due to a fire

Russia announces retaliatory measures

Russia reserves the right to respond decisively to drone attacks on the capital Moscow and the Crimean peninsula, the Kremlin announced today. We assess these events as terrorist methods to intimidate the civilian population by Ukrainian political and military leaders, according to the French news agency AFP, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Behind the daring actions of the Ukrainian neo-Nazis is the desire of the West to worsen the situation in the conflict in Ukraine, they added, promising that Moscow would find and punish all those responsible. Meanwhile, an unnamed source in the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (GUR) confirmed to AFP that the GUR carried out the attack on Moscow, although there was no official confirmation of Ukrainian responsibility for the attacks from Kiev.

In a night attack, Russian forces targeted port infrastructure in Odessa

In a nighttime drone attack on the port infrastructure near the Ukrainian city of Odesa on the Black Sea, Russian forces destroyed a grain warehouse, the Southern Command of the Ukrainian Army announced on the Telegram social network. According to initial information, four port workers were injured.

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They added that the attack by Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones on the port infrastructure lasted for almost four hours and that tanks for storing other types of cargo were also damaged in the attack. Three drones were shot down by Ukrainian air defense.

Russia has stepped up attacks in the Odesa region since withdrawing a week ago from an international agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. During this period, according to the Ukrainian side, it destroyed more than 60,000 tons of grain in attacks on warehouses. After withdrawing from the agreement, Moscow announced that it would treat ships sailing towards Ukrainian ports from where they export grain as military targets.
In 2023, small business owners face various risks that necessitate the protection of reliable insurance coverage. Choosing the best small business insurance provider can make a significant difference in safeguarding the interests of these entrepreneurs.

This article highlights the top insurance companies specializing in small business coverage to aid in this decision-making process. Businesses can confidently select the best small business insurance provider for their specific needs by evaluating their comprehensive policies, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service.

What is the Best Small Business Insurance Company in 2023?

Next is the best small business insurance company in 2023, offering affordable, customizable coverage entirely online. With a quick 10-minute application, live certificate of insurance, and U.S.-based advisor option, they prioritize convenience and personalization.

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Next has received positive customer feedback and offers up to a 10% discount for bundled policies. Their fully-digital experience allows for easy management, claims filing, and support. For affordable, flexible, and hassle-free small business insurance, choose Next today and confidently protect your business.

The Best Small Business Insurance Companies of 2023

When it comes to finding the best small business insurance, its important to consider reputable insurance companies that offer comprehensive coverage and excellent customer service. In this section, we highlight some of the top small business insurance providers of 2023, helping you make an informed decision to protect your businesss interests.

1. Next

Rating: 5 out of 5

NEXT is an online platform that offers small business insurance tailored to different business structures. They provide coverage options such as general liability, professional liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, commercial property, and business owners policy.

Their streamlined process allows businesses to get a customized insurance quote online quickly and easily, with easy monthly payments and the option to speak with licensed advisors.

NEXT Pros

Live certificate of insurance for easy sharing.

Customizable business insurance policies with various coverages.

100% online quote and application process with available assistance.

Fewer commercial property and business auto insurance complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.

Up to 10% discount for purchasing multiple policies.

Digital certificate of insurance for easy access and sharing.

NEXT Cons

Limited coverage options for specialized needs.

Lack of key person insurance coverage.

Inconvenience for traditional business owners who prefer paper records due to the digital claim process.

2. Travelers

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Travelers Insurance provides a wide range of commercial insurance options to help businesses in various industries identify and reduce risks. They offer coverage for commercial auto, cyber liability, general liability, management and professional liability, property, small business owners, surety bonds, and workers compensation.

Travelers specializes in industry-specific coverage for agriculture, construction, education, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, transportation, and more. They provide expertise, fast claim services, and a solid financial strength rating.

Travelers Pros

Wide range of coverages, including specialized options like key person insurance and surety bonds.

Fewer complaints for commercial property and auto insurance compared to peers.

Online portal for accessing certificates of insurance and tracking claims.

Online portal for all parties involved in workers comp claims.

Nationwide coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

Extensive risk management resources are available.

Travelers Cons

Limited convenience with no online quotes available for business policies.

The inconvenience of having to contact your agent for various policy management tasks.

Dependency on independent agents for obtaining quotes and purchasing policies.

Lack of online quoting options specifically for business insurance.

Uncertainty due to mixed online reviews and the absence of BBB accreditation.

3. Allstate

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Allstate offers tailored business insurance solutions to protect small businesses from financial setbacks. Their commercial auto insurance covers various industries, including contractors, doctors, and lawyers. They provide custom protection for sectors like accounting, medical offices, and retailers.

Allstate processes insurance claims quickly and covers risks such as theft, fire, vandalism, and equipment breakdown. Business owners can explore coverage options and get a fast quote for business insurance.

Allstate Pros

Diverse coverage for business insurance, including industry-specific policies.

Encompassing retailers, food and beverage, medical, photography, and more.

Insurance is available for home-based small businesses.

Commercial auto insurance for various industries.

A nationwide network of agents for personalized assistance in finding the right coverage.

Allstate Cons

Limited coverage options for specific types of businesses.

Inconsistent availability of coverage across different states.

The inconvenience of having to file claims over the phone instead of online.

Lack of flexibility to purchase a general liability policy.

Below-average customer service experience.

4. Chubb

Rating: 4 out of 5

Chubb is a global leader in tailored property and casualty insurance for businesses of all sizes. Their operations in 54 countries provide personalized service and problem-solving for diverse industries. Chubbs global reach and extensive distribution capabilities ensure comprehensive coverage.

Known for its financial strength, exceptional service, and underwriting excellence, Chubb aims to protect businesses, individuals, and their possessions. They embrace a culture of precision and digital transformation to stay compelling in the modern age.

Chubb Pros

Wide range of policies available, catering to diverse business needs.

Convenient online purchasing option for certain policies.

Supports businesses with revenue up to $30 million.

Minimal complaints compared to Chubbs market share.

Highest financial strength rating, ensuring stability and security.

Extensive customization options are available to tailor the coverage to specific needs.

Chubb Cons

Certificates of insurance may not be readily available, requiring manual requests through an online portal.

Phone support is exclusive to direct policy purchasers; agent-supported policyholders lack this option and no live chat alternative exists.

The website lacks a transparent pricing structure, making it difficult to assess costs upfront.

A live chat feature is absent, limiting instant assistance and communication with Chubb representatives.

Some businesses might consider Chubbs coverage options overly comprehensive and costly for their specific requirements.

5. Hiscox

Rating: 4 out of 5

Hiscox is a leading small business insurer, offering fast and affordable coverage for over 500,000 small businesses. They provide tailored insurance policies for various professions, including general liability, professional liability, business owners policy, cyber security, short-term liability, medical malpractice, workers compensation, and more.

With a history dating back to 1901, Hiscox has the expertise and experience to support businesses and protect against risks. They offer simple and fast quotes, instant coverage, and quick claims processing. Hiscox encourages courage in its customers and aims to inspire and protect businesses as they grow.

Hiscox Pros

Extensive coverage options tailored to meet diverse business needs.

Convenient and quick online quoting and purchasing process.

Flexibility to connect with knowledgeable agents or brokers, ensuring personalized assistance.

Customizable policies designed specifically for independent contractors.

Flexible monthly payment options without additional fees.

Specialized short-term liability insurance to address temporary business requirements.

Hiscox Cons

Limited coverage options for your business.

Requires working with multiple providers for comprehensive protection.

Lacks a local agent network for personalized support.

Restricted availability of business owners policies to companies with 10 or fewer employees.

Available in all states except Alaska

6. State Farm

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

State Farm provides tailored business insurance to meet unique needs. They offer a range of coverages to keep businesses safe, including commercial auto insurance, liability umbrella policies, workers compensation, surety & fidelity bonds, and builders risk insurance.

Their Business Owners Policy (BOP) combines liability and property coverages. State Farm offers customizable insurance and its mission is to help people manage risks, recover from unexpected events, and realize their dreams.

State Farm Pros

Flexible options for customizing business owners policies to suit specific coverage needs.

Industry-specific packages are available, offering specialized coverage for various professions.

Professional liability insurance can be seamlessly added to business owners policies for comprehensive protection.

State Farm offers retirement savings vehicles, ensuring long-term financial security for both business owners and employees.

Consistently recognized as a top-ranked company by J.D. Power, reflecting high customer satisfaction and service quality.

State Farm Cons

State Farm may not offer specific coverage options or tailored packages for your industrys unique risks, resulting in a lack of comprehensive protection.

Their business insurance premiums can be relatively higher than competitors, potentially increasing overall insurance costs.

The online tools for managing your policies may lack functionality compared to other insurers, limiting your digital experience.

State Farms focus on personal insurance may result in a lack of expertise for specialized industries or niche businesses.

Customer service for their business insurance has mixed reviews, with complaints about slow claims processing and unresponsive agents.

Insurance Company Rating Coverage Options Pros Cons Next 5 out of 5 General liability, professional liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, commercial property, business owner's policy - Streamlined online platform for quick customized quotes. - 10% discount for multiple policies. - Digital certificate of insurance. - Limited coverage options for specialized needs. - No key person insurance coverage. - Inconvenience for traditional business owners preferring paper records. Travelers 4.5 out of 5 Commercial auto, cyber liability, general liability, management and professional liability, property, small business owners, surety bonds, workers' compensation - Specialized coverage for various industries. - Nationwide coverage and fast claim services. - Extensive risk management resources. - No online quotes available for business policies. - Dependency on agents for policy management. - Mixed online reviews and lack of BBB accreditation. Allstate 4.5 out of 5 Commercial auto, custom protection for various sectors - Tailored coverage for specific businesses. - Quick claim processing and protection against various risks. - Limited coverage options for specific businesses. - Inconsistent availability across states. - Claim filing over the phone instead of online. Chubb 4 out of 5 Wide range of policies, global reach - Comprehensive coverage and customization options. - High financial strength rating. - Certificates of insurance may not be readily available. - Limited phone support for some policyholders. - Lack of transparent pricing structure. Hiscox 4 out of 5 General liability, professional liability, business owners' policy, cyber security, short-term liability, medical malpractice, workers' compensation - Extensive coverage options with quick online quoting. - Flexible monthly payment options. - Specialized short-term liability insurance. - Limited coverage options for specific businesses. - Working with multiple providers for comprehensive protection. - Restricted availability of business owner's policies. State Farm 3.5 out of 5 Commercial auto insurance, liability umbrella policies, workers' compensation, surety & fidelity bonds, builders risk insurance - Customizable business owners' policies. - Industry-specific packages available. - Ability to add professional liability seamlessly. - Retirement savings options for long-term financial security. - High customer satisfaction and service quality. - Limited coverage options for certain industries. - Relatively higher premiums compared to competitors. - Limited digital tools for policy management. - Focus on personal insurance may limit expertise for specialized industries. - Mixed reviews for customer service.

What Type of Insurance Does a Small Business Need?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the type of business insurance coverage a small business needs depends on the specific industry and risks involved. However, there are some types of commercial insurance you may need such as:

General liability insurance

This insurance is important for small businesses as it protects against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising mistakes. It safeguards businesses from potential legal liabilities and covers costs related to lawsuits, settlements, and medical expenses.

Professional liability insurance

Also known as errors and omissions insurance, professional liability coverage is essential for businesses that provide professional services. It protects against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions that may result in financial loss for clients. This business liability insurance covers legal expenses and damages incurred due to professional mistakes.

Commercial property insurance

Small businesses need business property insurance to protect their physical assets, including buildings, equipment, inventory, and furniture, from perils such as fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. This property coverage covers repair or replacement costs, ensuring continuity of operations and minimizing financial losses.

Commercial auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance is necessary for businesses that use vehicles for business purposes. It covers vehicles used for business operations, including accidents, theft, vandalism, and liability for bodily injury or property damage caused by business-owned vehicles.

Cyber insurance

In the digital age, small businesses must safeguard against cyber threats. Cyber insurance, or data breach insurance, covers financial losses resulting from data breaches, cyberattacks, or other malicious activities. It helps businesses manage the costs of forensic investigations, customer notification, legal fees, and data recovery.

Workers compensation insurance

Required by law in many jurisdictions, workers compensation insurance protects employees in case of work-related injuries or illnesses. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs for injured or sick employees, reducing the financial strain on both the business and the employee.

Business interruption insurance

This business income insurance coverage is important for small businesses that rely heavily on physical locations for their operations. Business interruption insurance is a type of business hazard insurance that compensates for lost income and ongoing expenses if a covered event, such as fire or natural disaster, forces the business to suspend operations temporarily. It helps businesses stay afloat during recovery and ensures minimal disruption to cash flow.

What Insurance Coverage to Get

Determining the appropriate small business insurance coverage is important for protecting your business from potential risks.

Key considerations include general liability insurance to cover third-party claims, professional liability insurance for service providers, commercial property insurance or business renters insurance to safeguard physical assets, commercial auto insurance for business-owned vehicles, cyber insurance for digital threats, workers compensation insurance for employee protection, and insurance for natural disasters or business interruption insurance to mitigate income loss during disruptions.

Assess your specific needs to ensure comprehensive coverage that safeguards your business and financial stability.

How to Choose the Best Companies for Small Business Insurance

When selecting the best companies for small business insurance, several key factors should guide your decision. Evaluating these aspects will help you make an informed choice. Here are the five best ways to choose the best company for small business insurance:

Reputation: A companys reputation speaks volumes about its reliability and service quality. Look for insurance providers with a long-standing presence in the industry and a history of serving small businesses effectively. Check customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the experiences of other business owners with the company. Positive feedback and high ratings indicate a trustworthy and customer-centric insurer, while consistent negative reviews might be a red flag.

A companys reputation speaks volumes about its reliability and service quality. Look for insurance providers with a long-standing presence in the industry and a history of serving small businesses effectively. Check customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the experiences of other business owners with the company. Positive feedback and high ratings indicate a trustworthy and customer-centric insurer, while consistent negative reviews might be a red flag. Coverage Options: An excellent insurance company should offer a diverse range of coverage options tailored to meet the specific needs of various small businesses. Look for policies that address the unique risks associated with your industry and business operations. For example, if you run a construction business, ensure the insurer provides coverage for potential property damage, workers injuries, and liability arising from construction-related activities. A comprehensive insurance plan helps protect your business from unforeseen events and potential financial losses.

An excellent insurance company should offer a diverse range of coverage options tailored to meet the specific needs of various small businesses. Look for policies that address the unique risks associated with your industry and business operations. For example, if you run a construction business, ensure the insurer provides coverage for potential property damage, workers injuries, and liability arising from construction-related activities. A comprehensive insurance plan helps protect your business from unforeseen events and potential financial losses. Pricing: While competitive pricing is essential, its crucial to strike a balance between cost and coverage. Low premiums might indicate less comprehensive coverage, leaving your business vulnerable to risks. Request quotes from multiple insurers and carefully review what each policy includes and excludes. Consider the overall value and benefits provided by each insurance company, rather than solely focusing on the cheapest option.

While competitive pricing is essential, its crucial to strike a balance between cost and coverage. Low premiums might indicate less comprehensive coverage, leaving your business vulnerable to risks. Request quotes from multiple insurers and carefully review what each policy includes and excludes. Consider the overall value and benefits provided by each insurance company, rather than solely focusing on the cheapest option. Customer Service: Customer service is a significant aspect of any insurance experience. Choose a company that values excellent customer support and is easily accessible. Prompt and knowledgeable assistance can make a significant difference when filing claims or seeking guidance on policy matters. Read reviews to gain insight into the insurers responsiveness and how they handle customer inquiries and concerns. A reliable insurer should have a dedicated support team ready to assist you whenever needed.

Customer service is a significant aspect of any insurance experience. Choose a company that values excellent customer support and is easily accessible. Prompt and knowledgeable assistance can make a significant difference when filing claims or seeking guidance on policy matters. Read reviews to gain insight into the insurers responsiveness and how they handle customer inquiries and concerns. A reliable insurer should have a dedicated support team ready to assist you whenever needed. Financial Stability: The financial stability of an insurance company is critical. You want an insurer that can meet its financial obligations, especially when it comes to settling claims promptly. Independent rating agencies such as A.M. Best, Standard & Poors, and Moodys assess insurers financial strength. Look for companies with high ratings as they are more likely to handle claims efficiently and provide the necessary support during challenging times for your business.

In conclusion, thoroughly researching and considering these five factors will empower you to choose the best small business insurance company that aligns with your specific needs and offers reliable protection for your business. Remember that insurance is an essential investment in your businesss long-term security, and selecting the right provider can offer peace of mind knowing that your business is adequately protected.

How Much Does Small Business Insurance Cost?

How much does business insurance cost? Small business insurance costs vary depending on several factors, including the type of coverage, industry, business size, and location. Generally, premiums are influenced by risk factors specific to the business.

Its advisable to obtain quotes from multiple insurance providers to compare prices and find a policy that offers adequate coverage at a competitive rate. Check out the small business insurance FAQ below for answers to more insurance questions for your business.

What is small-business insurance?

Small-business insurance refers to a range of insurance policies designed to protect small businesses from various risks and liabilities. It typically includes coverage options such as general liability, professional liability, property insurance, workers compensation insurance, and more.

Small-business insurance provides financial protection for property damage, lawsuits, injuries, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Do I need small-business insurance?

Yes, small-business insurance is crucial for protecting your business from potential risks. It helps safeguard against liability claims, property damage, lawsuits, and other unforeseen events that could financially cripple your business.

Even a single incident can significantly impact a small business, making insurance coverage essential for its survival and continued operations.

What does business insurance cover?

Many different types of business insurance cover a wide range of risks and liabilities faced by businesses. It typically includes coverage for property damage, bodily injury, advertising mistakes, professional errors, data breaches, employee injuries, and business interruptions.

The specific coverage depends on the policy type and the business needs. It is important to review policy details and exclusions with your insurance provider. Umbrella insurance may cover things that are excluded under other policies.

What does business insurance exclude?

While business insurance provides extensive coverage, certain exclusions may apply. These exclusions vary depending on the policy and insurance provider. Common exclusions can include intentional acts, criminal activities, pollution-related damages, and certain high-risk activities.

It is crucial to review your policy carefully and consult with your insurance provider to understand the specific exclusions and any additional coverage that may be required.

Do I need small business insurance if I work from home?

Yes, even if you operate your business from home, you may still need small business insurance. Homeowners insurance typically does not provide sufficient coverage for business-related risks.

Small business insurance can protect your business assets and liabilities, and provide coverage for home-based business operations.

Does small business insurance cover remote workers?

Yes, small business insurance policies can often provide coverage for remote workers. However, the specific coverage may vary depending on the policy and insurance provider.

Its important to discuss your business structure and remote work arrangements with your insurance provider to ensure appropriate coverage for remote employees.

How do I save money on a small business insurance policy?

Consider bundling multiple policies with the same insurance provider to save money on a small business insurance policy.

Implement risk management practices, maintain a safe work environment, and invest in training programs to reduce claims and demonstrate your commitment to risk mitigation.

Regularly review and compare insurance quotes to ensure you get the best coverage at a competitive price.

Do I need business insurance for an LLC?

While requirements may vary based on jurisdiction, it is generally recommended for LLCs to have business insurance.

Even though an LLC structure provides personal liability protection, there are many business insurance benefits for having an additional layer of protection for the assets and operations of the LLC. Business insurance for an LLC helps safeguard against potential risks and liabilities that could impact the business and its owners.

What is the best LLC insurance company?

Determining the best LLC insurance company depends on various factors, including the specific needs of your business, coverage options, pricing, customer service, and financial stability.

Its essential to research and compare insurance providers, read reviews, and consider factors important to your business before selecting the best LLC insurance company.

What is the cheapest small business insurance?

The cost of small business insurance can vary significantly depending on factors such as the size of the business, industry, coverage needs, and location. While it is difficult to pinpoint the cheapest small business insurance provider universally, there are ways to find affordable coverage.

To secure cost-effective insurance plans, comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies, assessing the coverage options offered, considering bundling policies, implementing risk management strategies, and maintaining a favorable claims history is advisable. Check out the list above for where to buy small business insurance online.
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With more than 206 million predicted shoppers spending money online this year, theres never been a better time to start an eCommerce business. If youre thinking about starting an eCommerce business and selling products online, use this checklist to do it the right way.

1. Start With Your Business Name

The first thing to do (after you decide what you want to sell, of course) is choose a fabulous, memorable business name that no one else is using. You can conduct a corporate name search to make sure its not already in use. Once youve chosen the name, register it. (If you form an LLC or corporation, this will happen automatically in the state where you file your paperwork.)

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2. Secure Your Domain Name and Website

Ideally, youll get your business name as your domain name, but if its not available, choose a URL thats easy to say and spell, and relates to your business. So if your business is Karens Craft Creations and KarensCraftCreations.com isnt available, try something similar like CraftsbyKaren.com.

The design of your eCommerce site may be the biggest business expense you have. But you want to ensure that its not only visually appealing, but also functional. There are out-of-the-box eCommerce solutions like Shopify to begin with, but you may require something more custom-made if your needs are more than basic.

3. Select The Best Business Structure and Register Your Business

Youve got several options when it comes to your business structure:

Sole Proprietor

Partnership (if you have a business partner)

LLC

Corporation

If you dont choose a business structure like a corporation or LLC, youll automatically be considered a sole proprietor (or partnership) by the IRS. However, operating as a sole proprietor, your personal assets are at risk. If your company is ever sued, the court can seize your personal assets if your business doesnt have enough to cover its debts. Both the corporation and LLC separate you and your assets from the business, and provide other tax benefits.

You can register on your own by filling out the appropriate business structure paperwork from the IRS yourself, or you can hire a business filing company to do it for you. A lawyer is another option, but thats often overkill for the average small business owners needs.

4. Get Your Employer Identification Number

Youll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to open a business bank account and file your business taxes next April. Your EIN is a bit like your business social security number: its a unique number that identifies your business and helps you file important paperwork. Every business needs one, whether youll have employees or not.

5. Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Operating an eCommerce business does not exclude you from needing certain business licenses and permits. Check with your city, county, and state to see what sorts of sales tax licenses or home business licenses you need, and get those approved before you start operating.

6. Find the Right Vendors

Youll have a lot of competition selling products online, so its in your best interest to find the best quality and best prices for the products you sell or materials you use to create your products. Shop around until you find a vendor you want to do business with long-term.

7. Start Marketing Early

Even if youre not up and running, its a good idea to set up social media profiles and writing content for your blog now so that youre not starting from scratch Day 1. You can set up your website with a coming soon page where people who are interested can sign up to get updates, using a tool like LaunchRock.

8. Get More Productive with the Right Software

Technology can make so much of your work easier, so before you start your eCommerce business, play around with customer relationship management, accounting, project management, and email marketing software that you can integrate into what youre doing once you launch.

9. Stock Your Inventory

Whether youve got a warehouse full of products somewhere or your inventory lives in your garage, make sure youve got enough to launch. It can be tricky, not knowing how much youll need, but in general, its better to have too much inventory than not enough. Pay attention to how your sales increase so you can be smart with future orders.

10. Make Sure Your Business Stays Compliant

Once you launch your eCommerce business, things are going to move at the speed of light. Dont overlook filing your annual report, if you incorporated or filed an LLC, nor those annual fees for business permits. If you need to, put these deadlines on your calendar so you stay on top of them.

Can you check all 10 of these items off your list? Great! Its time to launch. Having done all the preparation up front, your eCommerce business will skyrocket.

Step Description 1. Start With Your Business Name Choose a unique and memorable business name that's not already in use. Conduct a corporate name search to ensure availability. Register the name accordingly. 2. Secure Your Domain Name and Website Ideally, get your business name as the domain name. Choose an easy-to-remember URL related to your business if the desired domain is unavailable. 3. Select The Best Business Structure and Register Your Business Decide on a suitable business structure (Sole Proprietor, Partnership, LLC, or Corporation) and complete the necessary registration process. 4. Get Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) Obtain an EIN for your business, which is crucial for opening a business bank account and fulfilling tax obligations. 5. Apply for Business Licenses and Permits Check and secure any required sales tax licenses or home business permits from city, county, and state authorities before starting operations. 6. Find the Right Vendors Research and identify vendors offering quality products at competitive prices to ensure a steady supply for your eCommerce store. 7. Start Marketing Early Create social media profiles and blog content in advance to build anticipation. Set up a "coming soon" page on your website to capture visitor interest. 8. Get More Productive with the Right Software Utilize customer relationship management, accounting, project management, and email marketing software to enhance business efficiency. 9. Stock Your Inventory Ensure sufficient inventory to meet initial demand. Monitor sales to make informed decisions on future inventory orders and prevent stockouts. 10. Make Sure Your Business Stays Compliant After launching, adhere to annual reporting and business permit requirements to stay compliant with legal regulations and deadlines.

Completing this comprehensive checklist will lay a strong foundation for your eCommerce business, setting you up for success in the competitive online marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be the first step when starting an eCommerce business?

Choose a unique and memorable business name that aligns with your products. Register the name to protect your brand identity.

How can I secure a domain name and website for my business?

Ideally, get your business name as the domain name. If unavailable, choose a related and easy-to-remember URL. Design a visually appealing and functional eCommerce website using platforms like Shopify.

What are the business structure options, and how can I register my business?

Business structure options include sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and corporation. Register your chosen structure by filing appropriate paperwork with the IRS, or hire a business filing company to assist you.

Do I need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for my eCommerce business?

Yes, obtaining an EIN is essential for opening a business bank account and filing taxes. It acts as a unique identifier for your business.

Are there any licenses and permits required for an eCommerce business?

Yes, you may need sales tax licenses or home business licenses. Check with your city, county, and state authorities to ensure compliance.

How can I find the right vendors for my products?

Research and compare vendors to find the best quality and pricing for your products or materials.

When should I start marketing my eCommerce business?

Start marketing early by setting up social media profiles and writing blog content. Create a coming soon page on your website for interested visitors to sign up for updates.

What software can I use to improve productivity for my eCommerce business?

Utilize customer relationship management, accounting, project management, and email marketing software to streamline your operations.

How can I ensure I have enough inventory for the launch?

Stock your inventory adequately, aiming to have more rather than less. Monitor sales patterns to make informed decisions for future orders.

How can I stay compliant with legal requirements for my eCommerce business?

Stay organized by filing annual reports for your business structure and paying the required fees for permits. Set reminders to meet deadlines and stay on track.

Completing this checklist will ensure youre well-prepared to launch your eCommerce business and thrive in the ever-growing online marketplace.

eCommerce Website Photo via Shutterstock





CorpNet offers business formations, filings, state tax registrations, and corporate compliance services in all 50 states. Express and 24 hour rush filing services available upon request. Click here to learn more.
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The Google Pixel 5 unlocked is a great option for professionals who need a high-quality smartphone with various features. As a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur, you need the latest features to run your enterprise effectively. Choosing the right device can positively impact your productivity and overall success.

A high-quality smartphone allows you to stay connected with your clients, manage your schedule, and access essential business tools and resources. The Google Pixel 5 unlocked is a powerful and versatile smartphone that can help streamline your daily tasks and improve your overall productivity. This guide goes into the world of the unlocked Google Pixel 5 and explores the benefits it offers for your business.

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked is a flagship smartphone from Google that offers top-of-the-line features and specifications. With a sleek design, powerful processor, impressive camera, and an array of useful features, the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked is an ideal choice for professionals who demand the best from their devices.

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Google Pixel 5 Unlocked: Top Picks from Amazon

Top Pick: Unlocked Google Pixel 5 128GB, Refurbished Runner Up: Google Pixel 5 - 5G Android Phone Best Value: Google Pixel 5 5G 128GB 8GB RAM, Factory Unlocked Features Unlocked, Android 11.0, 128 GB storage, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/USB/NFC connectivity, 6" screen Unlocked, Android 11.0, 5G connectivity, 128 GB storage, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity, 6" screen Unlocked for all carriers, Android OS, 5G connectivity, 128 GB storage, 8GB RAM, Wi-Fi connectivity, 6" screen, GSM/CDMA network technology, Single SIM Pros Refurbished, No visible cosmetic damage, 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee, 5G capable 5G capable, All-day battery, Automatic updates, Water-resistant, Night Sight feature for low light photography Unlocked for all carriers, 5G capable, Large storage and RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection, Upgradable to Android 12 Cons Accessories may not be original, Generic box, Waterproof seal might not be maintained, No headphones and SIM card May not include accessories, May not be compatible with all carriers, No expandable storage, Some touchscreen responsiveness issues International version with no warranty, Not compatible with CDMA service providers, May not come with all necessary accessories, Limited customer support options Carrier Compatibility Unlocked Unlocked Unlocked for All Carriers Operating System Android 11.0 Android 11.0 Android (upgradable to Android 12) Storage Capacity 128 GB 128 GB 128 GB Connectivity Technologies Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC Wi-Fi Screen Size 6 Inches 6 Inches 6 Inches Wireless Network Technology Wi-Fi, LTE Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G GSM, CDMA Additional Features Comes with a SIM removal tool, a charger, and a charging cable All-day battery life that can last up to 48 hours with Extreme Battery Saver, Water-resistant, Night Sight feature for vibrant photos in low light Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection, 8GB RAM, Single SIM slot

Unlocked Google Pixel 5 128GB

Top Pick: This unlocked Google Pixel 5 128GB is a refurbished phone, making it much more affordable. It still has all the features that make the Pixel one of the best Android phones, including its famous camera and image software.

Features:

Brand: Google

Model Name: Pixel 5

Wireless Carrier: Unlocked

Operating System: Android 11.0

Cellular Technology: LTE, GSM, WCDMA, UMTS

Memory Storage Capacity: 128 GB

Connectivity Technologies: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC

Color: Just Black

Screen Size: 6 Inches

Wireless Network Technology: Wi-Fi

Pros:

Refurbished and fully functional

Excellent condition with no visible cosmetic damage

Comes with a SIM removal tool, a charger, and a charging cable

90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee for added peace of mind

5G capable for faster download and streaming speed

Cons:

Accessories may not be original

Product may come in a generic box

Refurbished phones are not guaranteed to maintain their waterproof seal

Headphones and SIM card are not included

This unlocked Google Pixel 5 has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned to be fully functional and in excellent condition. This phone comes with a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee and a battery exceeding 80% capacity relative to the new. The product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if it does not work as expected.

Unlocked Google Pixel 5 128GB

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Google Pixel 5  5G Android Phone

Runner Up: The version of the Google Pixel 5 has 5G capabilities, giving you an extra speed boost for downloading movies in seconds, streaming ultra-clear HD content, playing games, and sharing your 5G speed with friends. And because it is unlocked, it can be used with a range of carriers, including T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and other major carriers. This phone boasts

Features:

Brand: Google

Model Name: Google Pixel 5

Wireless Carrier: Unlocked

Operating System: Android 11.0

Cellular Technology: 5G

Memory Storage Capacity: 128 GB

Connectivity Technologies: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC

Color: Just Black

Screen Size: 6 Inches

Wireless Network Technology: Wi-Fi, LTE

Pros:

5G capable for faster download and streaming speed

All-day battery life that can last up to 48 hours with Extreme Battery Saver

Automatic updates for at least 3 years, including the latest OS and security updates

Water-resistant and can be submerged in 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes

Night Sight feature allows for vibrant photos in low light conditions

Cons:

Accessories may not be included

May not be compatible with all carriers

No expandable storage options

Some users have reported issues with the phones touch screen responsiveness

The other features of this Google Pixel 5 include all-day battery life, automatic updates, and water-resistant. While it may not come with accessories and has some touchscreen responsiveness issues, it is still a reliable choice for small business owners.

Google Pixel 5  5G Android Phone

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Google Pixel 5 5G 128GB 8GB RAM

Best Value: The best value goes to the Google Pixel 5 5G 128GB 8GB RAM. This phone boasts 5G capabilities and runs on Android 11, with an upgradable option to Android 12. It is unlocked for all carriers, allowing for flexible use with GSM service providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and MetroPCS.

Features:

Wireless Carrier: Unlocked for All Carriers

Operating System: Android

Cellular Technology: 5G

Memory Storage Capacity: 128 GB

RAM: 8GB

Connectivity Technologies: Wi-Fi

Screen Size: 6 Inches

Wireless Network Technology: GSM, CDMA

SIM card slot count: Single SIM

Pros:

Unlocked for all carriers, providing flexibility in use

5G capable for faster download and streaming speed

Large 128GB storage capacity and 8GB RAM for smooth performance

Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection for added durability

Runs on the latest Android operating system, with an upgradable option to Android 12

Cons:

International version with no warranty

Not compatible with CDMA service providers like Verizon or Sprint

May not come with all necessary accessories

May have limited customer support options

While it may be an international version with limited customer support and not compatible with CDMA service providers, it is still a reliable choice for small business owners. This phone comes with a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee and a battery exceeding 80% capacity relative to the new. The product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if it does not work as expected.

Google Pixel 5 5G 128GB 8GB RAM

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Google Pixel 5A 5G 128GB 6GB RAM Factory Unlocked

The Google Pixel 5A 5G 128GB 6GB RAM is a factory-unlocked smartphone designed to work with T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, and other GSM service providers. This device features 5G capabilities, allowing for faster download and streaming speeds, and runs on Android 11.0.

Features:

Brand: Google

Model Name: Pixel 5A

Wireless Carrier: T-Mobile

Operating System: Android 11.0

Cellular Technology: 5G, 2G, EVDO, LTE, HSPA

Memory Storage Capacity: 128 GB

RAM: 6GB

Connectivity Technologies: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC

Color: Black

Screen Size: 6.3 Inches

Wireless Network Technology: GSM, LTE

Pros:

Factory unlocked for use with various GSM service providers

Large 128GB storage capacity and 6GB RAM for smooth performance

5G capabilities for faster download and streaming speeds

Features a high-quality camera with dual-pixel autofocus

Large 4680 mAh battery for extended use

Cons:

International version with no warranty

Not compatible with CDMA service providers like Verizon or Sprint

May not come with all necessary accessories

Limited customer support options

This is a reliable choice for small business owners. This unlocked Google Pixel 5 has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned to be fully functional and in excellent condition. This phone has a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee and a battery exceeding 80% capacity relative to the new. The product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if it does not work as expected.

Google Pixel 5A 5G 128GB 6GB RAM Factory Unlocked

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Google Pixel 5a with 5G (128GB, 6GB) 6.34 OLED

The Google Pixel 5a with 5G is a high-end smartphone that comes with the latest technology and features. It is unlocked for all carriers, so you can choose the data plan that works best for your business. The phone has a large 6.34 OLED screen that provides clear and vibrant images. It runs on Android 11, which is upgradable to Android 12, and has a long-lasting 4680mAh battery.

Key Features:

128GB ROM, 6GB RAM, Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm), Octa-core, Adreno 620

Rear Camera: 12.2 MP, f/1.7 + 16 MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, Bluetooth 5.0

2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/5/12/25/28/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6  Single SIM

US model, the warranty, if any, will be honored by the manufacturer

Pros:

Large OLED screen with HDR technology for better image quality

5G capability for faster download and upload speeds

Long-lasting battery life for all-day use

Dual rear camera setup for better photography options

Unlocked for all carriers, providing more flexibility

Cons:

No expandable storage options

No wireless charging

No IP rating for water and dust resistance

No headphone jack

Overall, the Google Pixel 5a with 5G is a top-of-the-line smartphone with impressive performance, features, and flexibility. It is a great choice for small business owners who need a reliable and high-quality phone for their daily operations.

Google Pixel 5a with 5G (128GB, 6GB) 6.34 OLED

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How It Stands Out Among Competitors

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked stands out from the competition due to its combination of high-end specifications, clean software experience, and excellent camera capabilities. The Pixel 5 is known for its exceptional photography performance, with Googles advanced image processing software delivering stunning results in various lighting conditions. Additionally, the Pixel 5 is one of the few smartphones on the market that offers a stock Android experience, ensuring smooth performance and timely software updates.

Why Choose an Unlocked Google Pixel 5

There are several reasons why an unlocked Google Pixel 5 is a smart choice for small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Here are some of the benefits of choosing an unlocked smartphone:

Benefits of an Unlocked Smartphone

Network Flexibility : With an unlocked Google Pixel 5, you can choose any carrier that supports the device, giving you the freedom to select the best network coverage and pricing for your needs. You can also switch carriers easily without having to purchase a new phone.

: With an unlocked Google Pixel 5, you can choose any carrier that supports the device, giving you the freedom to select the best network coverage and pricing for your needs. You can also switch carriers easily without having to purchase a new phone. Cost Savings : Unlocked smartphones often have lower monthly fees, as youre not locked into a specific carriers contract. This can result in significant savings over time, especially for small business owners who need multiple devices for their team.

: Unlocked smartphones often have lower monthly fees, as youre not locked into a specific carriers contract. This can result in significant savings over time, especially for small business owners who need multiple devices for their team. International Travel : Unlocked smartphones can be used with local SIM cards while traveling internationally, potentially saving you money on roaming fees and ensuring you stay connected while abroad.

: Unlocked smartphones can be used with local SIM cards while traveling internationally, potentially saving you money on roaming fees and ensuring you stay connected while abroad. Higher Resale Value: Unlocked smartphones tend to have a higher resale value, as they can be used with any carrier. This can be advantageous if you plan to upgrade your device in the future.

Network Compatibility

Before purchasing an unlocked Google Pixel 5, its essential to ensure that its compatible with your preferred carriers network. The Google Pixel 5 supports a wide range of carriers, including major ones like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, as well as smaller carriers and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Here are some tips for choosing the right network for your unlocked Google Pixel 5:

Research Carrier Coverage : Check coverage maps to ensure that your desired carrier offers reliable service in your area. Keep in mind that coverage can vary depending on factors like building density and geographical obstacles.

: Check coverage maps to ensure that your desired carrier offers reliable service in your area. Keep in mind that coverage can vary depending on factors like building density and geographical obstacles. Compare Pricing and Plans : Examine the plans and pricing offered by various carriers to find the best fit for your budget and usage requirements. Be sure to consider factors like data allotments, international roaming, and potential discounts for bundling services or adding multiple lines.

: Examine the plans and pricing offered by various carriers to find the best fit for your budget and usage requirements. Be sure to consider factors like data allotments, international roaming, and potential discounts for bundling services or adding multiple lines. Confirm Device Compatibility: While the unlocked Google Pixel 5 is designed to work with a wide range of carriers, its essential to double-check that its compatible with the carrier youre considering. You can usually find this information on the carriers website or by contacting their customer support.

Performance and Speed

A powerful and fast smartphone is of great help to small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who need to multitask and stay connected on the go. The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance and quick app loading times.

The Snapdragon 765G is a powerful mid-range processor that delivers excellent performance for everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, checking emails, and running various productivity apps. While it may not be the fastest processor on the market, it offers a great balance of performance and efficiency, ensuring that your Google Pixel can handle your daily tasks without breaking a sweat.

Display and Design

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked features a 6.0-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, offering sharp and vibrant visuals for an enjoyable viewing experience. The display is also HDR10+ compatible, providing improved contrast and color accuracy when watching HDR content.

In terms of design, the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked has a sleek and modern look, with a minimalist aesthetic and a premium build quality. The device features a metal unibody construction with a matte finish, providing a comfortable grip and a durable design that can withstand the rigors of daily use. The IP68 water and dust resistance rating adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring your smartphone can survive accidental spills and splashes.

Camera Capabilities

One of the standout features of the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked is its impressive camera system. The device boasts a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 12.2MP primary sensor and a 16MP ultrawide lens. The primary sensor is equipped with Googles advanced image processing software, which delivers stunning results in various lighting conditions. The ultrawide lens allows you to capture more of the scene in a single shot, making it ideal for landscape photography or group photos.

The Google Pixel 5s camera is not only great for personal use but can also be a valuable tool for your business. You can use the high-quality camera to capture images for your website, social media, or marketing materials. The Pixel 5 also offers various camera features that can benefit your business, such as Night Sight for low-light photography, Portrait Mode for professional-looking headshots, and Google Lens for real-time image recognition and information retrieval.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a critical consideration for any smartphone user, but its especially important for small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who rely on their devices to stay connected and productive throughout the day. The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked features a 4,080mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for most users. The device also supports fast charging, quickly boosting your battery when youre short on time.

The Pixel 5 allows you to charge your device wirelessly using a compatible wireless charger, eliminating the need to fumble with cables and connectors. It can also charge wirelessly at an impressive speed, so you dont have to wait too long for your battery to recharge.

In addition to wireless charging, the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked also supports reverse wireless charging, a feature known as Battery Share. This allows you to use it to charge other Qi-compatible devices, such as wireless earbuds or another smartphone, making it a convenient power source when youre on the go.

Security and Privacy Features

Keeping your sensitive data and communications secure is important as a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur. The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked offers several security features to protect your information and ensure privacy.

One such feature is the fingerprint sensor located on the back of the device. This allows you to unlock your smartphone quickly and securely using your unique fingerprint, ensuring that only authorized users can access your device.

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked also runs on a stock Android operating system, which means it receives timely security updates directly from Google. This ensures that your device stays up-to-date with the latest security patches and bug fixes, helping to keep your data safe from potential threats.

Additionally, the Google Pixel 5 offers a range of privacy features, such as the ability to control app permissions, built-in VPN support, and the option to use incognito mode in various Google apps.

Accessories and Productivity Enhancements

To get the most out of your Google Pixel 5 Unlocked, you might want to consider investing in some accessories and productivity-enhancing tools. These can help you maximize your devices capabilities and streamline your daily tasks.

Some popular accessories for the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked include:

Wireless Charger : A compatible wireless charger allows you to charge your Pixel 5 quickly and conveniently, without the need for cables.

: A compatible wireless charger allows you to charge your Pixel 5 quickly and conveniently, without the need for cables. Protective Case : A sturdy case can help protect your Google Pixel 5 from accidental drops, scratches, and other forms of damage.

: A sturdy case can help protect your Google Pixel 5 from accidental drops, scratches, and other forms of damage. Screen Protector : A high-quality screen protector can help prevent scratches and cracks on your devices display, ensuring it stays in pristine condition.

: A high-quality screen protector can help prevent scratches and cracks on your devices display, ensuring it stays in pristine condition. Bluetooth Keyboard: A portable Bluetooth keyboard can turn your Google Pixel 5 into a mini workstation, allowing you to type more efficiently and comfortably when responding to emails or working on documents.

Is the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked Right for You?

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked is an excellent smartphone for small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who value network flexibility, a powerful camera, and a device that receives timely software updates. With its sleek design, impressive performance, and range of productivity-enhancing features, the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked is a strong contender for those seeking a reliable and efficient smartphone to support their business needs.

However, its essential to weigh the pros and cons of the Pixel 5 Unlocked and consider alternative options before making your final decision. Factors like your budget, personal preferences, and specific business requirements will play an important role in determining the best smartphone for your needs. By taking the time to research and compare different devices, you can make an informed choice that will help you stay connected and productive in todays fast-paced business world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between the Google Pixel 5 and the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked?

The primary difference between the Google Pixel 5 and the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked is that the unlocked variant is not tied to a specific carrier. This means you can use the unlocked Pixel 5 with any carrier that supports the device, giving you greater flexibility in choosing a network and plan that suits your needs.

Is the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked compatible with all SIM card sizes?

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked uses a nano-SIM card, which is the smallest SIM card size available. Most carriers can provide you with a nano-SIM card, or you can cut your existing SIM card down to size using a SIM card cutter.

Will my existing phone plan work with the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked?

In most cases, your existing phone plan should be compatible with the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked, as long as the device supports your carriers network. Its essential to double-check with your carrier to confirm compatibility before purchasing the device.

How can I transfer my data from my old device to my new Google Pixel 5 Unlocked?

Google offers a data transfer tool called the Google Pixel Transfer Tool, which makes it easy to transfer your data, including contacts, messages, photos, and apps, from your old device to your new Google Pixel 5 Unlocked. The tool supports transfers from both Android and iOS devices.

What kind of warranty does the Google Pixel 5 Unlocked come with?

The Google Pixel 5 Unlocked comes with a standard one-year limited warranty, which covers manufacturing defects and hardware issues. This warranty does not cover accidental damage or issues resulting from unauthorized modifications or repairs.

How long will my Google Pixel 5 Unlocked receive software updates?

Google typically provides software updates for its Pixel devices for a minimum of three years from the devices release date. This includes both major Android version updates and monthly security patches, ensuring your device stays up-to-date and secure.

Are there any drawbacks to using an unlocked smartphone?

While there are many benefits to using an unlocked smartphone, there can be some potential drawbacks as well. These may include:

Limited Carrier-Specific Features : Unlocked smartphones may not support some carrier-specific features, such as Wi-Fi calling or visual voicemail. Its essential to check with your carrier to determine which features will be available with an unlocked device.

: Unlocked smartphones may not support some carrier-specific features, such as Wi-Fi calling or visual voicemail. Its essential to check with your carrier to determine which features will be available with an unlocked device. Potentially Slower Network Support : In some cases, unlocked smartphones may receive slower network support from carriers compared to carrier-branded devices. This is because carriers prioritize their branded devices when rolling out network updates and improvements.

: In some cases, unlocked smartphones may receive slower network support from carriers compared to carrier-branded devices. This is because carriers prioritize their branded devices when rolling out network updates and improvements. Higher Upfront Cost: Unlocked smartphones often come with a higher upfront cost compared to their carrier-locked counterparts. However, this higher initial cost is often offset by the flexibility and potential savings offered by an unlocked device in the long run.

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Over 15 years, I have interviewed thousands of famous and not so famous people.

We also share a special tribute to all our amazing guests over the past 15 years, including Steve Case, Robert Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Ken Blanchard, Craig Newmark, Susan Caine, Brad Keywell, Ken Burns, Guy Kawasaki, William Hung, JJ Ramberg, Tony Hsieh, Marcus Lemonis, Dan Pink, Penelope Trump, Brian Tracy, Adam Greenburg, Fran Tarkenton, Tim Ferris, Michael E Gerber, and Seth Godin.

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Were celebrating episode #750 with Scott Jordan, this week on The Small Business Radio Show, who is CEO of SCOTTeVEST. He was there on the very first episode on July 1st, 2008.

Here is what we talk about with Scott Jordan, a successful and brutally honest entrepreneur who enjoys sharing what he has learned over the past 20+ years of running SCOTTeVest:

The origin story of SCOTTeVEST (He was originally an attorney.)

Why Scott feels that going after his initial patent was a distraction for the business and had little payback.

Why he chose to go direct-to-consumer through e-commerce, a move that made them one of the first clothing companies to do so (and got him a headstart on others that followed).

Scotts early PR ideas and efforts that helped SCOTTeVEST gain traction

Turning points in the business where Scott thought he made it(and hadnt yet!)

How he is now running SCOTTeVEST with zero employees now.

What happened when Scott stepped aside and let someone else run the business (it did not go well).

What was the Fox News controversy and how he handled it!

What happened on Shark Tank and how Scott changed the show forever!

Scott encourages entrepreneurs to integrate their businesses into their lifestyle with his spouse, Laura.

How Scott uses social media as a public diary, why he shares so much, and what he has learned from it

Listen to the entire 750th Episode!

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The importance of repeat customers often gets overlooked in the dynamic world of small businesses, yet these loyal patrons are the backbone of successful enterprises. Repeat business affirms the quality of your products or services and is a testament to your customer relationships, bringing comforting stability amidst the inherent unpredictability of commerce.

The economic edge of retaining existing customers over acquiring new ones is undeniable. Evidence consistently indicates that customer retention is substantially less expensive than acquisition, making it a cost-effective strategy. In this article, we aim to shed light on the vital role of repeat business in driving sustainable success, offering insights into how to capitalize on its immense potential.

Understanding the Value of Existing Customers

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Loyal customers or repeat customers hold immense value for any business, their importance going far beyond regular financial transactions. Their constant support offers businesses a stable source of income, thus creating a level of predictability that is crucial for strategic business planning and expansion. Here are some key reasons why repeat customers are so valuable:

Increased Profitability : A study by Bain & Company demonstrated the profound impact of customer retention on profits. It showed that even a slight increase of 5% in customer retention can lead to a profit boost of anywhere between 25% to 95%. This shows that focusing on maintaining a strong relationship with existing customers can be a powerful strategy for enhancing business profitability.

: A study by Bain & Company demonstrated the profound impact of customer retention on profits. It showed that even a slight increase of 5% in customer retention can lead to a profit boost of anywhere between 25% to 95%. This shows that focusing on maintaining a strong relationship with existing customers can be a powerful strategy for enhancing business profitability. Higher Conversion Rates : The probability of selling to an existing customer is between 60% and 70%, whereas the statistic for a new prospect falls drastically between 5% and 20%. This difference underscores the fact that cultivating relationships with current customers often results in higher conversion rates, contributing to business growth.

: The probability of selling to an existing customer is between 60% and 70%, whereas the statistic for a new prospect falls drastically between 5% and 20%. This difference underscores the fact that cultivating relationships with current customers often results in higher conversion rates, contributing to business growth. Brand Advocacy : Satisfied repeat customers can become zealous advocates for your brand. They often spread positive word-of-mouth, recommend your business to their networks, and leave favorable reviews. This organic form of promotion can greatly enhance your brands reach and reputation, potentially leading to new customer acquisitions.

: Satisfied repeat customers can become zealous advocates for your brand. They often spread positive word-of-mouth, recommend your business to their networks, and leave favorable reviews. This organic form of promotion can greatly enhance your brands reach and reputation, potentially leading to new customer acquisitions. Customer Feedback : Loyal customers are also a valuable source of feedback. Because they use your products or services frequently, they can provide insight into what is working and what could be improved. This feedback can guide your business strategy and help you effectively meet customer needs.

: Loyal customers are also a valuable source of feedback. Because they use your products or services frequently, they can provide insight into what is working and what could be improved. This feedback can guide your business strategy and help you effectively meet customer needs. Lower Marketing Costs : Attracting new customers often requires significant marketing efforts and costs. In contrast, repeat customers already know and appreciate your brand, which can lead to lower marketing expenses.

: Attracting new customers often requires significant marketing efforts and costs. In contrast, repeat customers already know and appreciate your brand, which can lead to lower marketing expenses. Customer Loyalty Programs : Repeat customers are more likely to participate in customer loyalty programs. These programs can generate significant revenue, incentivizing repeat purchases and attracting new customers interested in the rewards.

: Repeat customers are more likely to participate in customer loyalty programs. These programs can generate significant revenue, incentivizing repeat purchases and attracting new customers interested in the rewards. Positive Online Reviews: A study by American Express found that satisfied customers share their positive experiences with an average of nine people. In the digital age, this often takes the form of online reviews, which can significantly boost your businesss online presence and reputation.

In conclusion, nurturing and valuing repeat customers can provide an array of benefits to businesses beyond just steady revenue. These customers can offer profitability, increased conversion rates, invaluable feedback, and even serve as powerful brand advocates. Therefore, businesses should invest in strategies that foster customer loyalty and satisfaction.

The Cost of Acquiring New Customers Acquisition Versus Customer Retention

Understanding the cost dynamics involved in customer acquisition and retention is pivotal in crafting an effective business strategy. Acquiring new customers involves various activities  from marketing and advertising to potential customer education, all requiring significant financial investment.

Statistics shed a clear light on this cost disparity. According to the Harvard Business Review, acquiring a new customer can cost five to 25x more than retaining an existing one. This stark contrast highlights the economic strain businesses may experience in constantly pursuing new customers.

Marketing campaigns, sales promotions, and customer education are just a few examples of costs associated with new customer acquisition. Each new customer must be reached, convinced, and converted, which requires time and resources and increases customers cost.

On the other hand, the costs of retaining a repeat customer are significantly lower. These customers already recognize your businesss value, requiring less persuasion and fewer resources to maintain their patronage. Plus, existing customers tend to spend more. A report by Adobe showed that repeat customers, representing only 8% of all visitors in the studied sectors, accounted for 40% of the revenue.

The Long-term Value of Loyal Customers

Understanding Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) is essential in grasping why loyal customers are valuable. Simply put, CLV predicts the total revenue value a business can expect from a single customer throughout its relationship.

CLV focuses on the long-term value of a repeat customer, as opposed to the immediate gain from a single transaction. It encourages a business to shift from a transactional perspective to a relational one. By focusing on CLV, a business recognizes the sustained profit potential repeat customers hold, which significantly outweighs the value of single, isolated purchases made by one-time customers.

Think of it this way: How much do small businesses spend on advertising? If that amount leads to a customer purchasing one item, the ROI may not be especially high. However, if that same customer brought in by the ad purchases multiple items each year, the ROI increases dramatically.

Strategies to Encourage Repeat Customers

As weve established, loyal customers are the cornerstone of a thriving business. So how can businesses cultivate and nurture this loyalty to encourage repeat patronage? Lets delve into a comprehensive yet easily actionable list of strategies designed to retain your existing customer base and transform them into loyal brand advocates.

1. Offering Exceptional Customer Service

Exceptional customer service involves exceeding standard expectations to provide a superior service experience. Its about creating memorable interactions that leave a positive, lasting impression on your customers.

Train your staff to exceed customer expectations. Ensure they know your products or services and have the right interpersonal skills to listen empathetically, communicate effectively, and solve problems efficiently.

Zappos, the online shoe and clothing retailer, is renowned for its exceptional customer service. They empower their customer service representatives to provide personalized service and to make customers feel valued. For instance, representatives have no script and are encouraged to take their time with customers. This has led to some calls lasting hours, with representatives helping customers find products on competitors sites. This strategy has earned Zappos a fiercely loyal customer base, demonstrating the power of exceptional customer service in encouraging repeat business.

2. Creating a Loyalty Program

A loyalty program is a rewards system that incentivizes repeat purchases by offering customers points, discounts, freebies, or exclusive deals. Its a structured way of recognizing and rewarding customer loyalty and can significantly boost customer retention.

Design a loyalty program that offers real value to your customers. Make the rewards achievable and worthwhile. This can be in the form of points earned per dollar spent, free products after a certain number of purchases, or exclusive access to special sales or events.

Starbucks Rewards Program is a prime example of an effective loyalty program. Repeat customers earn stars for every purchase, which can be redeemed for free food and drinks. They also get free in-store refills and exclusive member events and offers. This encourages customers to keep returning and increases their overall spending per visit, thereby increasing their lifetime value.

3. Regularly Communicating with Customers

Regular communication with customers involves staying in touch through various channels such as emails, social media, or personalized notifications. This consistent contact keeps your business at the forefront of their minds, creates a sense of community, and allows you to update them about new products, offers, or company news.

Plan a consistent, but not intrusive, communication schedule. Personalize your messages as much as possible to make your customers feel valued. Utilize various platforms such as newsletters, social media updates, and personalized emails to share relevant information that adds value to the customer.

Fashion retailer ASOS excels at customer communication. They use personalized emails to update customers about new arrivals, sales, and exclusive offers based on past purchases and browsing history. They also maintain a robust social media presence where they engage with their audience, share fashion tips, and respond to customer inquiries promptly. This regular communication keeps ASOS fresh in the minds of their customers to encourage repeat business.

4. Providing Personalized Experiences

Personalized experiences tailor your service or product to meet customer needs or preferences. They foster a personal connection between the customer and your business, making them feel valued and understood, which can significantly boost customer loyalty.

Utilize customer data to understand their preferences, behavior, and needs. Use this information to tailor your offerings or communications. This could be as simple as addressing the customer by name in communications, recommending products based on their browsing history, or offering personalized discounts on their favorite items.

Amazon excels at providing personalized experiences. Their recommendation engine uses customer data to suggest products based on past purchases, viewed items, and items left in the shopping cart. This increases sales and enhances customer satisfaction across the site, marketplace, and even Amazon Handmade, as customers appreciate the convenience and personal touch, encouraging them to return.

5. Offering Incentives for Repeat Purchases

Offering incentives for repeat purchases is a strategy where businesses provide special offers or discounts that specifically encourage customers to make additional purchases. These incentives can include price reductions, add-on freebies, or access to exclusive products.

Develop a system that rewards customers for making repeat purchases. For instance, you could offer a discount on the customers next purchase, provide a free product after a certain number of purchases, or grant exclusive access to new products or services as a reward for their continued patronage.

The Body Shops Love Your Body club powerfully illustrates this strategy. Loyalty programs such as theirs enable members to earn points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for products once a certain number of points have been accumulated. Additionally, repeat customers can receive a $10 reward during their birthday month, encouraging them to purchase. This strategy not only incentivizes repeat purchases but also fosters a feeling of being valued, which builds customer loyalty.

6. Hosting Exclusive Events for Current Customers

This involves arranging special events, either virtually or in person, exclusively for your current customers. These events can serve as a platform to launch new products, offer special discounts, or thank customers for their loyalty.

Plan and host events that add value to your customers. It could be an informative webinar, an exclusive sale, or a fun social event. Make sure your customers feel appreciated and special during these events.

Cosmetic brand Sephora regularly hosts Beauty Insider events for members of its loyalty program. These exclusive events often include makeup tutorials, product launches, and special discounts, adding a sense of exclusivity and value for their repeat customers.

7. Prioritizing Customer Feedback

Prioritizing customer feedback means actively seeking, listening to, and implementing customer suggestions or complaints. This shows your customers that their opinions matter and can lead to improvements that boost customer satisfaction.

Use surveys, social media, or direct communication to gather customer feedback. More importantly, act on both negative and positive feedback and let your customers know their input has led to tangible changes.

McDonalds Our Food. Your Questions. campaign is a perfect example. They openly answered customer queries and concerns about their food, clarifying misconceptions and demonstrating a commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction.

8. Using Social Media to Engage with Customers

This strategy involves using social media platforms to interact with your customers, answer their questions, share valuable content, and build a community around your brand.

Maintain an active presence on social media platforms where your customers are present. Share content that adds value, responds promptly to customer inquiries and creates opportunities for customers to engage with your brand.

Fashion retailer ASOS regularly uses Instagram to showcase its products, provide style inspiration, answer customer queries, and even highlight customer-generated content, fostering community and engagement among its followers.

9. Word of Mouth Marketing

Word-of-mouth marketing is when customers recommend your products or services to their network. This strategy leverages customers trust and influence within their personal and professional circles.

Deliver exceptional customer service and high quality products that customers naturally want to recommend. Encourage reviews and testimonials, and consider offering incentives for referrals.

Dropbox increased thanks to its referral program. They incentivized word-of-mouth marketing by offering additional storage space for the referrer and the new user, leading to a 60% increase in signups.

10. Implementing a Referral Program

A referral program encourages current customers to refer your business to others by offering them incentives such as discounts, free products, or premium access.

Develop a referral program that benefits both the referrer and the referred party. Make it easy for customers to share your products or services with their network.

Airbnbs referral program has been a tremendous success. They offer travel credits to those who refer and sign up, incentivizing users to share Airbnb with their friends and family. This strategy has helped Airbnb expand its user base worldwide.

11. Offering Subscription Services

Subscription services offer customers a convenient, automated repeat purchase plan, offering them a regular supply of products or services, often at a discounted rate.

Identify products or services in your business that could be turned into a subscription. Make sure the subscription offers real value to the customer in terms of cost, convenience, or added benefits.

Dollar Shave Club provides a subscription service where customers receive new razor blades each month. This offers convenience and cost savings, creating a strong incentive for repeat business.

12. Providing Excellent Post-Purchase Support

Post-purchase support includes all services you provide to customers after they purchase. This could help set up a product, troubleshoot, or handle returns and refunds.

Ensure you have a dedicated support team to assist customers after their purchase. Clear communication, easy returns or exchanges, and helpful troubleshooting can turn a one-time buyer into a loyal customer.

Apple is renowned for its post-purchase support with services like the Genius Bar in Apple Stores, where customers can receive assistance with any device issues.

13. Creating a Community Around Your Brand

This strategy fosters a sense of community among your customers, making them feel part of a bigger group that shares common interests or values.

Use platforms like social media, forums, or a dedicated section on your website to foster discussions, share customer stories, and engage with your community.

Harley-Davidson has a dedicated Owners Group for their customers, where they can connect, share stories, and even organize group rides, fostering a strong sense of community and brand loyalty.

14. Gamification of Customer Experience

Gamification involves incorporating game-like elements into the shopping experience. This could be in the form of reward points, achievement badges, or competitions, making the shopping experience more engaging and fun.

Identify areas of your customer journey that could be enhanced with gamification. Make sure the rewards or achievements offer real value and add to the customers overall experience.

Duolingo, the language-learning app, uses gamification brilliantly. They offer streaks, leaderboards, and reward points to keep users engaged and motivate them to keep learning, fostering regular usage.

15. Offering a Seamless Omnichannel Experience

An omnichannel experience provides customers with a seamless shopping experience, whether online from a mobile device, a laptop, or in a physical store.

Ensure your branding, messaging, and customer service are consistent across all channels. Facilitate easy transitions, like buying online and picking up in-store or starting a customer service chat on a mobile device and continuing it on a computer.

Disney offers a seamless omnichannel experience. Whether booking a trip online, using the mobile app in the park, or interacting with staff at a hotel, the experience is consistently exceptional, fostering customer loyalty and repeat business.

Strategy Explanation Example Offering Exceptional Customer Service This involves going beyond basic expectations to deliver superior service experiences, which can create positive, memorable impressions for customers. Zappos has a strong reputation for exceptional customer service, with representatives encouraged to spend as long as necessary to assist customers, even helping them find products on competitors' websites. Creating a Loyalty Program Loyalty programs incentivize repeat purchases by offering rewards like points, discounts, or exclusive deals. Starbucks' Rewards Program allows customers to earn "stars" with every purchase, which can be redeemed for free food and drinks, free refills, and exclusive member events. Regularly Communicating with Customers Constantly keeping in touch with customers through various channels keeps your brand at the forefront of their minds. ASOS uses personalized emails and a robust social media presence to keep customers updated about new arrivals, sales, and exclusive offers. Providing Personalized Experiences Tailoring your service or product to meet customer preferences fosters a personal connection with your brand. Amazon's recommendation engine uses customer data to suggest products based on past purchases and viewed items, creating a personalized shopping experience. Offering Incentives for Repeat Purchases This strategy involves providing special offers or discounts specifically to encourage customers to make repeat purchases. The Body Shop's "Love Your Body" club rewards members with points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for products or a special reward during their birthday month. Hosting Exclusive Events for Current Customers Special events for current customers can serve as a platform to launch new products, offer special discounts, or thank customers for their loyalty. Sephora hosts exclusive Beauty Insider events for its loyalty program members, offering makeup tutorials, product launches, and special discounts. Prioritizing Customer Feedback Actively seeking, listening to, and implementing customer feedback can lead to improvements that boost customer satisfaction. McDonald's "Our Food. Your Questions." campaign answered customer queries and concerns about their food, demonstrating transparency and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Using Social Media to Engage with Customers Using social media platforms to interact with customers can build a community around your brand. ASOS uses Instagram to showcase products, provide style inspiration, answer queries, and highlight customer-generated content. Word of Mouth Marketing When customers recommend your products or services to their network, this strategy leverages their trust and influence. Dropbox's referral program increased signups by 60% by offering additional storage space for both the referrer and the new user. Implementing a Referral Program A referral program offers incentives for current customers to refer your business to others. Airbnb offers travel credits to both those who refer new users and the new users themselves, encouraging users to share Airbnb with their network. Offering Subscription Services Subscription services provide a regular supply of products or services, often at a discounted rate, offering convenience and value to customers. Dollar Shave Club offers a subscription service that delivers new razor blades each month, creating a strong incentive for repeat business. Providing Excellent Post-Purchase Support This includes services provided to customers after they purchase, which can turn a one-time buyer into a loyal customer. Apple provides renowned post-purchase support, including the Genius Bar in Apple Stores, where customers can receive assistance with any device issues. Creating a Community Around Your Brand This fosters a sense of community among your customers, making them feel part of a larger group. Harley-Davidson has a dedicated 'Owners Group' for customers to connect, share stories, and organize group rides, fostering brand loyalty. Gamification of Customer Experience Incorporating game-like elements into the shopping experience can make it more engaging and fun. Duolingo uses gamification elements like streaks, leaderboards, and reward points to keep users engaged and motivate them to keep learning. Offering a Seamless Omnichannel Experience This provides a consistent shopping experience across all channels, whether online from a mobile device, a laptop, or in a physical store. Disney offers a seamless omnichannel experience from booking a trip online, using the mobile app in the park, or interacting with staff at a hotel.

Overcoming Challenges in Retaining Customers

In the journey of customer retention, businesses often encounter various hurdles that can derail their efforts for small businesses. These challenges range from understanding and meeting customer expectations to effectively handling negative customer experiences. However, these challenges are not insurmountable. With a proactive approach, keen insight, and dedication to customer satisfaction, businesses can turn these potential stumbling blocks into stepping stones toward building a loyal customer base. Lets delve deeper into these challenges and how businesses can effectively overcome them.

Understanding and Meeting Customer Expectations

One of the most significant challenges businesses face when retaining customers is understanding and meeting their ever-evolving expectations. In our fast-paced digital age, customers demand high-quality products, exceptional customer service, and overall seamless experiences. Failing to meet these expectations can lead to customer dissatisfaction and, consequently, loss of repeat business.

The first step in overcoming this challenge is to understand your customer truly. Regularly collect and analyze customer feedback through surveys, reviews, and direct interactions. Use this information to create detailed customer personas to help you understand your customers needs, preferences, and buying behaviors.

Next, ensure that your entire team understands these customer expectations. Everyone, from product development to customer service, should be aligned with these insights and work towards meeting them. Regular training and communication can ensure that these insights are widely disseminated and acted upon within your organization.

Finally, continuously iterate and improve your products, services, and processes based on customer feedback. A commitment to continuous improvement shows your customers that their opinions are valued and that you are dedicated to providing them with the best possible experience.

Dealing with Negative Customer Experiences

Negative customer experiences can significantly harm your efforts to retain customers. Even the most loyal customers can be driven away by a bad experience, making it crucial for businesses to handle such situations effectively.

The key to overcoming this challenge lies in prompt and effective resolution. When a negative experience is reported, address it immediately. Apologize sincerely for any inconvenience caused, and assure the customer that youre working to resolve the issue. Swift, proactive action can often turn a negative experience into a demonstration of your commitment to customer satisfaction, strengthening customer loyalty.

Furthermore, use every negative experience as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and implement measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. This could involve improving product quality, refining processes, or providing additional training to staff.

Also, consider adopting a proactive approach to identify potential issues before they cause negative experiences. Regularly review your processes, get feedback from frontline staff, and stay abreast of any changes in your industry or customer preferences that could lead to potential issues.

Remember, in customer retention, its not just about avoiding negative experiences but also about handling them well when they occur. This latter skill can truly set a business apart in the eyes of its customers.

FAQs: Repeat Business

How can I identify my repeat customers?

You can identify repeat customers by implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) system. These systems allow you to track individual customer interactions and purchases over time. Regular customers will have a history of frequent interactions and purchases. Also, loyalty programs can help identify repeat customers as they require customers to sign up and track their transactions.

What is a cost-effective way to encourage repeat customers?

Email marketing can be a cost-effective way to encourage repeat customers. Regularly send your customers informative and engaging emails with special offers, new product information, or helpful tips related to your products or services. This provides value to your customers and keeps your brand at the forefront of their minds, encouraging repeat purchases.

How can I use social media to increase customer retention?

Social media can increase customer retention statistics by regularly engaging with your customers. Share valuable content, respond to comments and messages promptly, and create opportunities for customers to interact with your brand. Also, using social media to quickly address customer concerns or complaints can show customers that you value their feedback and are committed to their satisfaction.

What role do loyalty programs play in encouraging repeat business?

Loyalty programs encourage repeat business by offering customers incentives for making additional purchases. By accruing points or rewards, customers are incentivized to continue purchasing from your business to take advantage of these benefits. Loyalty programs also foster a sense of value and belonging, enhancing customer loyalty and retention.

How can customer data be used to reduce customers costs and promote word-of-mouth marketing?

Customer data can be used to create personalized offers and discounts, reducing the cost for your loyal customers. Analyzing buying patterns can help you offer targeted deals that your customers will likely appreciate and use, thus improving your conversion rate. Additionally, you can use customer data to identify satisfied customers likely to recommend your business to others. You can then encourage these customers to promote your business through incentives or referral programs, aiding in word-of-mouth marketing.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the total electrification of the Philippines will be achieved before he leaves his post in 2028.

During his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, Marcos said that his administration has been relentless in pushing for the complete electrification of the country.

One year into his presidency, Marcos said nearly 500,000 homes have secured access to electricity.

We will spare no effort to achieve full household electrification by the end of my term. 100%-electrification is within our reach, he said.

Renewable energy is the way forward. We are aggressively promoting renewables, so that it provides a 35% share in the power mix by 2030, and then on to 50% by 2040, Marcos said.

The president has been urging private players to invest in the local renewable energy market.
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If the potential tax implications of selling your business seem daunting, a crucial first step is to have a business valuation performed.

This process of business valuation is not only an assessment of your companys worth, assisting in determining an appropriate selling price, but its also a tool that can aid in forecasting the potential tax consequences of the sale.

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The valuation, when carried out effectively, can often unearth strategies to mitigate your tax burden, such as strategic timing of the sale or utilization of certain tax provisions.

In the course of this article, we will endeavor to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of these considerations, helping you to make an informed decision when it comes to selling your business and navigating potential tax implications.

Learn more information about selling a business by downloading the BizBuySell Guide to Selling Your Small Business. Or if youre buying a business, for more information download the BizBuySell Guide to Buying a Small Business.

How are Business Sales Taxed?

Business sales are taxed on the principle of capital gains, essentially the profit that you make from the sale of your business. The capital gains tax rate corresponds to your standard income tax rate, rendering capital gains as a form of income.

Its important to note that the amount of capital gains may push you into a higher tax bracket, depending on the other income you have accrued throughout the tax year.

What Is a Capital Gain?

Simply put, a capital gain refers to the profit realized from an investment, which in this case, is your business. This can culminate in a capital gain when the sale of the business yields a profit, or a capital loss when it results in a deficit.

A capital gain or loss is established by the difference between your initial investment in the business and the final selling price.

Certain factors, like equipment depreciation or the cost of capital improvements, can affect the size of the capital gain and thereby your tax liability.

For instance, if you initially bought a business for $200,000, invested an additional $100,000 in upgrades, and sold it for $350,000, your capital gain would be $50,000.

Capital Gains Tax on Selling a Business

Capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, yet the IRS draws a line between short-term and long-term capital gains. For those whove owned a business for less than a year before selling, your capital gain is taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.

If youve owned the business for over a year, the capital gain tax rate for long-term capital gains applies, currently 15%.

Strategies like specifying which part of the sale price applies to different business assets, such as inventory or real estate, can help reduce your overall tax bill.

This often involves the gradual sale of capital assets in an installment sale, thereby reducing the immediate tax impact.

7 Tax Considerations Before the Sale of a Business

Various tax strategies and considerations come into play when selling your business.

1 . A Stock Sale or an Asset Sale?

In a stock sale, the buyer acquires an ownership stake in the business by purchasing the sellers shares. This method is typically employed in transactions involving C corporations and S corporations, given their structure.

Alternatively, an asset sale involves the disposal of the companys capital assets, including physical property such as buildings and equipment, which by definition hold value beyond a single year.

Choosing between a stock sale or an asset sale carries different implications for the calculation and taxation of capital gains. Guidelines for short and long-term capital gains rates apply variably to stock and asset transactions.

Therefore, understanding these differences is crucial when considering the most tax-efficient approach for selling your business.

The choice between these two types of sales can significantly impact the net profit from the sale, underscoring the need for careful financial and tax planning.

2. Establishing Value of Business Assets

When calculating the value of business assets, such as a piece of machinery, its crucial to include the associated costs beyond the purchase price. These costs may involve installation and employee training expenses.

Keeping meticulous records of these costs can significantly aid in reducing your capital gains taxes. However, its important to note that routine maintenance costs cant be factored into this calculation.

Understanding and accurately documenting these costs is essential when preparing to sell your business assets, as it can help minimize potential tax liabilities.

3. Purchase Price Allocation

Purchase Price Allocation, or PPA, is a method that business owners use to calculate the fair market value of a business. This strategy is particularly common during mergers and acquisitions.

The buyer allocates the purchase price among the various assets and liabilities of the company. At the same time, the seller computes the value of net assets, utilizing good will accounting to factor in the value of intangible assets, like the business name and logo.

This process aids in providing a more complete picture of the businesss worth. Additionally, a PPA often undergoes reviews by banking institutions to validate the accuracy of the allocation.

Understanding this process is crucial for both parties involved, as it directly affects the financial dynamics of the transaction, including taxation.

4. Type of Entity

The percentage of interest that individuals hold in businesses such as partnerships and corporations is treated as capital gain income when they sell that interest.

Its a fundamental aspect of business tax law that applies to various forms of business organizations.

However, tax implications can considerably vary depending on the type of entity. For example, a sole proprietorship might face different tax rules compared to a limited liability company or a corporation.

Understanding these nuances is crucial. It not only impacts the capital gains tax rates but also the overall financial planning and decision-making process for both business owners and potential investors.

Heres a quick comparison:

Type of Entity Tax Implication on Sale Capital Gains Implication Notes C Corporation Shareholders pay capital gains when they sell stock. If the entire C corporation is sold, corporate tax may apply. Capital gains tax applies to the profit made from selling the stock. Double taxation can occur: first at the corporate level if the corporation sells its assets, and then at the individual level when shareholders sell their stock. S Corporation Transaction can be structured as stock or asset sales. The corporate structure can remain intact, implying no additional corporate tax implications. If selling as a stock sale, capital gains tax applies to the profit made. In an asset sale, it may result in ordinary income. S Corporations allow pass-through taxation, meaning the corporation's income, losses, deductions, and credits can pass through to shareholders for federal tax purposes. Partnership Capital gain is due on the individual's partnership assets. An individual can sell his percentage of partnership interest to a buyer. Capital gains tax applies to the profit made from selling the partnership interest. Capital gains tax on partnerships can be complicated by the fact that partnerships distribute both income and capital gains to their partners, which may be taxed differently.

5. Tax-Free Stock Exchanges

In tax-free stock exchanges, the buyer swaps their own companys stock for that of another company. Its a strategic move used often in the business world.

The exchanged stock should comprise between 50-100% of the total stock owned by the buyer. Its a way to acquire a company without an immediate cash outlay.

A variation of this strategy involves a corporation issuing new shares in exchange for money or other forms of property.

This approach is flexible and can be leveraged to expand a companys capital base, or acquire necessary assets or services.

6. Income Tax Rates

The personal tax rates, potentially as high as 37%, can exceed the maximum long-term capital gains rate, currently set at 15%. Despite a capital gain being taxed at a lower rate, its still considered income and can influence the tax basis applied to your personal taxes.

This aspect, along with the ability to distribute the income earned over time, contributes to the popularity of installment sales when divesting assets.

Although not completely tax-free, installment sales provide a more flexible, tax-efficient method of asset disposal.

7. State Considerations

Small business owners need to understand that tax obligations dont stop at the federal level; state and local taxes can also play a significant role.

Take Florida, for instance, where residents enjoy a lack of personal income tax. However, corporations in Florida are subject to a corporate income tax, making it essential for business owners to plan accordingly.

In contrast, places like New York City present a different taxation landscape, imposing a city income tax on top of other state and federal obligations.

Understanding these differences can greatly influence the financial outcome when selling a business.

Tips for Small Business Owners

The process of selling a business can be intricate, even more so when youve dedicated considerable time and effort into building a successful small business.

Navigating this complex process is crucial to ensure you dont miss out on potential savings during the sale. So knowing how to sell a business is extremely important. Heres our best advice:

Consider Hiring a Tax Advisor for Your Business Sale

Hiring a tax advisor can provide immense value, especially if you are planning a business sale in the foreseeable future.

By involving them early in the process, they can guide you on potential steps to alter your business structure to yield maximum tax benefits, and better prepare for the sale.

If Your Business is a Sole Proprietorship, Sell Assets Separately

For sole proprietors, selling assets individually can be an effective strategy. It can help maintain your annual earnings at a stable level, ensuring that your taxable income remains consistent.

It provides a way to manage tax obligations without overwhelming financial fluctuations.

Consider Selling to Employees

Transferring your business to employees through a long-term installment sale or an employee stock ownership plan can be an advantageous approach. This sale could be extended to all current employees or a selected group of key personnel.

Not only does this ensure continuity of the business and job security for valued employees, but it also allows them to have a stake in the businesss future success.

Think About Gifting Some of the Business Sale Money to Family

Distributing some of the sale proceeds to family members can be a delicate task and may even instigate family disputes. For instance, if only one child is involved in the business, should they be the sole recipient of the gift, or should it be equally shared among all siblings?

Should the proceeds be protected for direct family members only, and if so, should such terms be articulated in prenuptial agreements?

Such decisions necessitate guidance from tax and legal advisors, especially as baby boomers reach retirement and need robust exit strategies.

Structure the Deal as an Installment Sale

Installment sales can be structured in two primary ways:

Cash plus Seller Financing  The buyer pays a lump sum portion of the sales price and signs a promissory note for an installment purchase.

 The buyer pays a lump sum portion of the sales price and signs a promissory note for an installment purchase. Earn Out  The seller is paid as a consultant and stays with the business for 2-3 years, earning a salary.

Consider an Opportunity Zone

You can reinvest the capital gains from your business sale into a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days of the transaction.

The benefits increase over time: if held for 5 years, 10% of the gain is tax-free. An additional 5% is excluded if held for 7 years, and after ten years, the total gain is tax-exempt.

Do I have to pay taxes on the sale of my business?

Unless your business is operating at a loss, youll need to pay taxes on the sale proceeds. However, there are strategies available to defer the tax impact over several years, such as utilizing installment sales for certain assets.

How much tax do I pay on the sale of my business?

Your tax liability will depend on whether you pay short or long-term capital gains rates. The short-term rate aligns with your tax bracket, while the long-term rate is fixed at the capital gains rate, currently at 15%.

How do you avoid paying taxes when selling a business?

To maximize tax savings, hire a tax advisor who understands the dynamic tax codes. Several other methods can help reduce taxes, including:

You can also reduce taxes by:

Selling assets using installment sales

Owner financing

Gifting to family

Selling to employees

How are capital gains calculated when selling a business?

Capital gain is calculated by deducting the original purchase price from the sale price. There are several ways to reduce your tax bill, like claiming deductions for capital improvements and equipment purchases.

If the business entity was held for less than a year, the tax amount aligns with the owners personal income tax bracket. If held longer, the current capital gains tax rate, 15%, is applicable.

How do I report the sale of my business on tax return?

To report the sale of your business on your tax return, use IRS form T2125, the Statement of Business or Professional Activities.

This form provides the necessary framework for accurately documenting your business activities and sale.
Richard Toth chases storms in his spare time.

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When lightning struck a hundred metres behind him, he felt paralysis and spasms in his legs. "I'm lucky to still be here," says RICHARD TOTH from the Stormchasers.sk group in an interview with daily Sme. They chase storms, take pictures and gather data about their strength or the amount of lightning.

After the close encounter, he immediately sat down and wrote strict rules regarding storm chasing. To this day, chasers follow them to the letter every time they go out.

Can nice weather be disappointing?

Nice weather like now, when the sun is shining and it's hot (the interview took place in Bratislava at the end of June - Ed. note), is a good sign. A storm is coming. It's rather disappointing for us when it looks like there will be storms and in the end nothing comes of it, rain at most.

When did you start chasing storms?

It was during high school thanks to a late friend of mine who used to observe weather. Once, we went outside a town into a field and sat in a car for two hours, during which basically nothing happened. Then a storm came. It started to rain, followed by small hailstones.

And then, lightning struck a tree near the car we were sitting in. Its lateral discharge struck the hood of the car. Our phones, cameras, everything we had with us stopped working. That was when I said to myself that this is an incredible force and I want to know more about storms. It's quite a paradox, because as a child I was afraid of storms.

Most people would have been dissuaded by such an experience.

It's relatively safe in a car, because it's a Faraday cage (an enclosure made of conductive material, its entire interior protected from the effects of external electric fields - Ed. note), and it protects you if you are not touching the body or hood.

Have you ever been struck by lightning?
Slovak firefighters deployed on the island.

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Due to wildfires on the island of Rhodes, Greece is experiencing the largest evacuation operation in its history. So far, more than 19,000 tourists and residents, including Slovaks who had arrived just a few days prior, have had to flee.

Slovak travel agencies sent two planes for tourists who could not be transferred to a hotel in another part of the island. One with 189 on board landed in Bratislava on Sunday evening, the other with the same number of passengers landed at 03:00 AM in Brno, the passengers then transported to the Slovak capital.

If necessary, the agencies are ready to send more planes for Slovaks. According to the Interior Ministry, the current situation does not warrant sending a special government airplane, but will send one immediately if the situation worsens.

Tourists should contact their travel agencies and discuss compensation.

Those who remained on Rhodes, transferred to a hotel in the north part untouched by fires and considered safe, can continue their stay.

On Monday early morning, a plane departed from Kosice airport headed for northern Rhodes, with another flight planned for Tuesday. However, several airlines and travel agencies abroad have already started cancelling flights to Rhodes, including those in Germany and United Kingdom, until at least Tuesday.

On Sunday, 28 Slovak firefighters were deployed to fight the fires on the island.

"During the second day of their deployment in Greece, the Slovak firefighters helped to pump water to fill the fire trucks of local firefighters. Later, they moved to another location with the aim of creating a defensive line in the dry river bed near the village of Asklipieio," the Firefighter and Rescue Corps Presidium stated, adding that the firefighters were working to extinguish outbreaks in several places.

However, heat and the constantly changing direction of the strong wind complicated their work.
I have a quiet little ritual every morning. Freshly alone in the apartment after my wife has gone to work, I pour my first cup of coffee, lie on the couch, and do the Wordle. Its an uninteresting few minutes for me to center myself as Im about to start my workday. If I saw my mundane routine dramatized onscreen in a film directed by Quentin Tarantino, I would be terrified, because something would clearly be about to go terribly, terribly wrong.

Much has been written about Quentin Tarantinos work and his signature themes like fake cigarette brands, nods to exploitation cinema, and feet. To my knowledge however there has never been anything written about Quentin Tarantinos feelings about beverages, which is a mighty pity. The man clearly has a lot of feelings about drinks, and a lot of them are about coffee.

Tarantinos movies are full of dangerous and violent characters. There is no such thing as a Tarantino movie where a gangster, arms dealer, or psychopathic serial killer doesnt kill multiple people. His movies are not head-to-toe violencelong stretches are devoted to dialogue thats completely unrelated to the plot, with subjects so microscopic and inane they evoke the Seinfeldian. People discuss foreign McDonalds menus, the philosophical differences between Spider-Man and Superman, and the greatest classic cars in 70s action movies. The characters have this kind of line between the violence they experience on a regular basis and their pleasant everyday selves they can present to the rest of the world. Often when that line is about to be crossed, coffee is there to let us know that things are about to go downhill.

The very first scene of Tarantinos directorial debut Reservoir Dogs (1992) takes place in a diner with a group of men sitting around a table drinking coffee, eating breakfast, and discussing the finer points of Madonna songs and tipping etiquette. What becomes apparent through the rest of the film is that this breakfast is the last moment of peace these men will ever know. We learn through a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards that immediately following breakfast they rob a jeweler, and that robbery goes poorly, resulting in the vast majority of the breakfasts participants dead by the end of the film.

This scene is mirrored in Tarantinos 2007 ode to grindhouse cinema, Death Proof, as a group of four women working in below-the-line film jobs drink coffee together and discuss the dangers of drunken selfies and the merits of the 1971 action film Vanishing Point, blissfully unaware that the psychopathic stunt driver Stuntman Mike has plans to murder them with his souped up 69 Dodge Charger. This time our coffee drinkers survive, but only after a terrifying car chase through the hills of Middle Tennessee. Both scenes represent a line drawn in time. Before this point, life is normal and safe. You can sit around with your friends and chitchat about everyday nonsense. After this point, death is at hand, and coffee sits at the border between the two extremes.

At both of these turning points, Tarantinos characters are blissfully unaware of the danger that surrounds them, but the best use of coffee as the dividing line between everyday civilization and murderous brutality is where at least one of the characters involved understands the danger thats at hand.

1994s Pulp Fiction opens with a coupleclearly in lovediscussing their work over coffee. Quickly though it becomes apparent that this couple does not detail cars or sell insurance or anything like that. They rob liquor stores, and we realize that theyre about to rob the restaurant at which theyre currently enjoying their cups of coffee. The stakes are about to be raised in this diner in a big way, and Tarantino builds suspense by contrasting the very relatable and average experience of drinking coffee in a diner with your sweetheart and the danger and heightened experience of robbing the patrons of that diner at gunpoint. The scene repeats in the final act when we realize that the diner at which hitmen Jules and Vincent are attempting to eat breakfast after a harrowing morning is the same one that the couple from the opening are about to stick up. Again, the normal experience of having breakfast with your colleague and friend becomes terrifying when we realize that gunplay is imminent.

Where the diner in Pulp Fiction builds tension, many of Tarantinos coffee scenes start with the tension all the way up, so that we as viewers spend the entire runtime of the scene with our hackles up and our adrenaline pumping even though all were witnessing onscreen is a few people sitting and enjoying a delicious beverage together. Again in Fiction, hitmen Jules and Vincent drink coffee with their straight-and-narrow friend Jimmy and compliment his taste in the beverage, while we in the audience know the entire time that a dead body is in the garage and law enforcement could arrive at any second. In Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003), two former professional assassin colleagues take a coffee break from trying to kill each other with knives in a pleasant suburban Pasadena home so that no one gets murdered in front of a five year old girl. In Inglourious Basterds (2009) as the movie theater owner Shosanna is reunited with the charming sociopathic SS Colonel who murdered her family, they enjoy a mid-afternoon snack of strudel and espresso. Each time the mundane act of sharing a cup of coffee is suffused through its entirety with the tension that brutal violence could erupt at any second, making any sip just as thrilling as a car chase.

The most masterful use of coffee as a tension-building device happens in Tarantinos western The Hateful Eight (2015). At the start of the films fourth chapter, an omniscient narrator tells the audience that someone has poisoned the coffee, and that only the convict Daisy Domergue knows about it. This scene takes place after an hour and a half of the films run time, during which the nine main characters meet, learn each others backstories, and realize they are all trapped in a cabin in the Wyoming Rockies in a blizzard and all want each other dead. As tensions mount they need to stay alert and stay warm, so they drink copious amounts of coffee. Finally, over an excruciatingly tense five minutes, we see Daisy tune a guitar and play the folk ballad Jim Jones at Botany Bay as she observes her captor pouring himself a cup of coffee and taking a few sips before it becomes apparent that these sips have cost him his life. The Hateful Eight doesnt merely have a scene that builds tension via coffee, its entire first half builds tension over coffee until the coffee literally starts killing people.

Coffee is not the only beverage used to build tension in Tarantinos movies. Similar tension builds over margaritas in Kill Bill Vol 2 (2004) and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019). We anxiously await the first murder in Death Proof as its characters get blasted on beers and chartreuse. And we slowly realize the coming terror in the first scene of Basterds as SS Colonel Hans Landa drinks a glass of milk. Alcohol loosens inhibitions, so it makes sense for violent characters to perform violent deeds after a few drinks, and the vision of a grown man drinking a glass of milk is off-putting enough that it clues us in that something is up. Coffee feels more ordinary, more routine, so its all the more jarring when we cross the line. Under normal circumstances no one is afraid of the consequences of drinking a cup of coffee, but in a Quentin Tarantino movie, it is terrifying.

Jackson OBrien is a coffee professional and freelance journalist based in Minneapolis. Read more Jackson OBrien for Sprudge.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/increasingly-sophisticated-concerns-mount-against-chinese-autonomous-vehicle-firms-1112096190.html

'Increasingly Sophisticated': Concerns Mount Against Chinese Autonomous Vehicle Firms

'Increasingly Sophisticated': Concerns Mount Against Chinese Autonomous Vehicle Firms

Concerns over autonomous automobiles manufactured by Chinese companies have sparked worries among some US lawmakers, who have called to limit their operations in the United States of America.

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US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed to potential national security risks concerning Chinese autonomous vehicle companies operating in the American market. As lawmakers proposed restrictions, the transport department is actively assessing the situation."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 warned.I remain concerned that a lack of US oversight in AV technology has opened the door for a foreign nation to spy on American soil, as Chinese companies potentially transfer critical data to the Peoples Republic of China, US Congressman August Pfluger said.In November of last year, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told a US House committee about the perils of having communications infrastructure in the hands of nation-states that don't protect freedoms and rights as we do.FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed that China has conducted data theft within the US by using increasingly sophisticated, large-scale cyber espionage operations against a range of industries, organizations, and dissidents in the United States.I think there are platforms that I'll call outTikTok, right off topthat are malevolent, that are both siphoning off huge amounts of data being used as a tool of state power," said Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). China has been at the forefront of autonomous vehicle tech pioneering, but the situation is gradually taking a new turn as US policymakers are alarmed about alleged intel gathering and covert monitoring. Consequently, Chinese companies currently testing their AVs in California, the world's largest autonomous vehicle testing ground, may face potential challenges.Self-driving vehicle companies of Chinese origin have gained a reputation in the US, as suggested in the February 17 publication of the California Department of Motor Vehicles' annual report on AV testing in the state.According to the report, test cars completed a record 5.7 million miles in autonomous mode and 5.1 million miles with a safety driver and 622,257 miles with driverless testing. Eight Chinese AV makers collectively reached 450,000 miles during drive tests between December 2021 and November 2022, which falls short of over 510,000 recorded in 2021.Problems With Chinese AV in the United StatesIn 2017, concerns about AVs being converted into "weapons" due to the rapid advancement of self-driving technology without adequate regulations, led governments worldwide to struggle with determining the appropriate conditions and timing for permitting such vehicles on their roads.Security concerns propelled US congressman Pfluger to convey his discontent through a letter on November 18, 2022, to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.On July 17, a cross-party coalition of four lawmakers conveyed a written request to Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, urging them to investigate the prevalence of Chinese AV technology on US soil. The letter aims to explore ways to restrict its impact within the country.Why California Matters for TestingMany Chinese companies are coming to Silicon Valley, and out of the 60 companies which have permits to test autonomous vehicles in California, 14 are from China.China's goal to dominate the AV industry is dependent primarily on research and development clusters in Silicon Valley. Such clusters make it easy for Chinese companies to hire hundreds of software engineers and collaborate with vital suppliers of US technology. Moreover, California offers prestige in proving their technology and investment attraction, which is the fulcrum for AV research.What lies ahead for Chinese AV firms in the US?US lawmakers fear that China may exploit autonomous vehicles and similar technology as a way to penetrate American infrastructure, especially when considering the previous ban on Huawei's involvement in 5G tech. This concern may make the "next-generation" vehicles a possible point of conflict between the US and China. "Without producing any credible evidence, the US government uses national security as a catch-all pretext and all its apparatus to wantonly suppress and sanction Huawei, restricting its products entry into the US market, cutting off its access to chips and operating system, and coercing countries around the world into banning Huawei from their 5G rollout. In violation of the principle of fair competition and market economy and international trading rules, the US seeks to hamstring competitive Chinese hi-tech companies under all kinds of trumped-up charges," according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China.China, in turn, has placed stringent restrictions on Tesla's driving locations, especially around military facilities, during high-level Communist Party gatherings, citing security concerns implemented in the past year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230324/china-says-us-showed-no-proof-of-tiktok-being-national-security-threat-1108753507.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210415/chinese-automaker-xpeng-motors-set-to-develp-chips-for-autonomous-vehicles-amid-global-chip-1082638859.html

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chinese av, us lawmakers, national security, autonomous vehicles, intel gathering, covert monitoring, california testing, transportation, chinese companies, us-china conflict, driverless cars, autonomous automobiles
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/another-us-nuclear-submarine-arrives-in-south-korea---rok-navy-1112101976.html

Another US Nuclear Submarine Arrives in South Korea - ROK Navy

Another US Nuclear Submarine Arrives in South Korea - ROK Navy

SEOUL, July 24 (Sputnik) - The US Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Annapolis arrived in South Korea on Monday, docking at the naval base on Jeju Island, the South Korean (ROK) Navy has announced.

2023-07-24T07:34+0000

2023-07-24T07:34+0000

2023-07-24T11:22+0000

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south korea

us navy

submarine

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The submarine entered the port to replenish supplies during an operational deployment, with the port call coming against the backdrop of increased military coordination between the United States and South Korea, the ROK Navy said.The USS Annapolis arrived in South Korea just days after another US nuclear submarine left the Port of Busan.Last week, the USS Kentucky, an Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, made port in Busan in southeastern South Korea. The same day, the meeting of the two countries' Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) was held, where South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and US President Joe Biden reaffirmed their commitment to "deter" North Korea.North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam slammed the USS Kentucky's deployment, saying that Pyongyang could potentially consider it a sufficient basis for the use of nuclear arms for self-defense.Washington and Seoul agreed on the deployment of nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed US submarines in South Korea in April, during President's Yoon's visit to the US. Before this year, US ballistic missile submarines armed with nuclear weapons hadn't visited South Korea since 1991.Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have ramped up dramatically over the past two years, with carefully-arranged agreements between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his South Korean and US counterparts Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump on easing regional tensions collapsing dramatically under the latter two leaders' successors, Yoon and Biden.The ramping up of US-South Korean drills has prompted North Korea to dramatically escalate its long-range ballistic and cruise missile testing, and to unveil a new nuclear doctrine last fall in which Pyongyang officially declared itself a nuclear power. The Pentagon has recognized the growing power of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities. Last week, US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral John Aquilino said Pyongyang has missiles which the US assesses "could reach the United States."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/us-soldier-defects-to-north-korea-1111992781.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230628/the-73-year-long-war-how-cold-war-rivalries-set-off-the-korean-conflict-1111503385.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/black-sea-not-big-enough-for-nato-to-attack-russian-warships-and-get-away-with-it-1112110605.html

Black Sea Not Big Enough for NATO to Attack Russian Warships and Get Away With It

Black Sea Not Big Enough for NATO to Attack Russian Warships and Get Away With It

Retired US Admiral James Stavridis says NATO warships should escort Ukrainian grain ships in the Black Sea and fire on Russian warships if threatened. Asked... 24.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-24T13:29+0000

2023-07-24T13:29+0000

2023-07-24T16:14+0000

analysis

james stavridis

volodymyr zelensky

recep tayyip erdogan

turkiye

black sea

russia

nato

montreux convention

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NATO and the US could escort the grain shipments at sea, something they have plenty of capability to do with three major NATO nations in the Black Sea, Stavridis said, commenting on the possibilities of getting Ukrainian grain out of Odessa now that Russia has suspended its participation in the grain deal and can no longer guarantee the humanitarian corridors safety.In telephone talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the reopening of the Black Sea grain corridor an absolute priority. Also last week, US media reported, citing an informed source, that Ankara had rejected the highly risky move of escorting Ukrainian grain vessels with warships, citing Moscows likely reaction.NATO FantasiesTheyre asking Turkiye [to intervene], but how is Turkiye supposed to do so? Russian defense analyst Vasily Dandykin told Sputnik. This is a matter of principle for Ankara  the basis of the countrys independence and its behavior, on which they basically build their policy. If Turkiye violates its principle, the countrys status will fall, Dandykin explained.The analyst noted that although Ankara has delivered Bayraktar drones to Kiev, has maintained contact with Zelensky, the country also maintains strategic contacts with Moscow. Turkiye has a centuries-old history of lets call it bazaar politics, agreements based on whats profitable, whats not profitable. Therefore, there is probably a misunderstanding among Western powers regarding the position of this particular partner.On the other hand, Turkiye really does have a rather powerful fleet, unlike Bulgaria and Romania, the other Black Sea-adjacent NATO powers hinted at by Stavridis as candidates for the escort mission, Dandykin said.The Black Sea Fleet would be capable of rebuffing the fleets of these countries, and then some. After all, the fleet consists not only of ships, which, by the way, are armed with Kalibr cruise missiles[It also has] coastal missile systems, armed with practically indestructible Onyx missiles, Bal coastal defense systems, naval aviation, and much more. Thats if were talking about Crimea. But theres also the Novorossiysk naval base. In other words, the Black Sea isnt big enough, lets put it this way, for such a reckless gamble to succeed, the Russian observer stressed.Montreux ConventionAs for NATO powers outside the Black Sea, including the United States, their entry into the body of water to escort Ukrainian grain ships would violate the Montreux Convention of 1936, which restricts the presence of foreign warships in the aquatorium to 21 days, Dandykin pointed out.On top of that, in connection with the Ukraine crisis, Ankara has decided to close the Turkish Straits altogether not just to foreign warships, but to Ukraine and Russia as well.Ultimately, Dandykin believes theres a certain limit beyond which Kievs NATO partners, the US and the UK in particular, will not dare go. Accordingly, Stavridis proposals to deploy alliance warships to escort Ukrainian grain ships is a pipe dream, the retired Russian officer summed up.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/ex-us-admiral-proposes-attacking-russian-ships-in-black-sea-amid-grain-deal-spat-1112085294.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230407/bulgarian-farmers-resume-protests-over-cheap-ukrainian-grain-1109236302.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/putin-says-grain-deal-used-to-enrich-us-europe-lost-its-meaning-1112099137.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/china-calls-for-observance-of-intl-humanitarian-law-to-protect-journalists-1112106280.html

China Calls for Observance of Int'l Humanitarian Law to Protect Journalists

China Calls for Observance of Int'l Humanitarian Law to Protect Journalists

Beijing is calling for observance of norms of international humanitarian law to ensure security of civilians, including journalists, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday, commenting on Ukraine's strike which resulted into the death of a Russian war correspondent.

2023-07-24T11:29+0000

2023-07-24T11:29+0000

2023-07-24T11:29+0000

journalist death

rostislav zhuravlev

russia

ukraine

journalist

killing

shelling

chinese foreign ministry

mao ning

world

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"Earlier, when the US announced the delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine, China already said that irresponsible supplies and use of the munitions could easily cause humanitarian issues. We are urging all sides to effectively comply with norms of international humanitarian law to ensure security of civilians, including journalists," Mao told a briefing. China has always believed the dialogue is the only way to resolve the Ukraine conflict, the diplomat added. Rostislav Zhuravlev, a Sputnik military correspondent, died during evacuation from injuries caused by a cluster submunition explosion in the conflict zone on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Several other Russian journalists, including Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky and Izvestia journalist Roman Polshakov, received wounds of varying degrees of severity. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that those responsible for the death of Zhuravlev, including the suppliers of cluster munitions to Kiev, will be punished.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230722/sputnik-military-correspondent-killed-in-ukrainian-shelling-1112060149.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/chinese-embassy-in-japan-says-nato-expansion-into-asia-pacific-contradicts-un-charter-1112104562.html

Chinese Embassy in Japan Says NATO Expansion Into Asia-Pacific Contradicts UN Charter

Chinese Embassy in Japan Says NATO Expansion Into Asia-Pacific Contradicts UN Charter

NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific region goes beyond the concept of collective self-defense enshrined in the UN Charter, the Chinese embassy in Japan said Monday.

2023-07-24T09:28+0000

2023-07-24T09:28+0000

2023-07-24T09:28+0000

world

japan

china

asia-pacific region

nato

nato expansion

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NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific region goes beyond the concept of collective self-defense enshrined in the UN Charter, the Chinese embassy in Japan said Monday. The embassy added that NATO claims to protect the rules-based international order, but ignores international law and basic norms of international relations, interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, engages in wars and "propagates false views of security concerns in order to sow chaos in the world." The two-day NATO summit was held from July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was attended by all allied heads of state and government, as well as NATO's four Asia-Pacific partners, known as the AP4  Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. It was the second time the AP4 had participated in NATO's annual top-level event since last year's Madrid summit. The summit communique stated that China's policies pose a challenge to NATO's interests, security and values, but that the alliance remains open to engagement with Beijing.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230604/china-warns-nato-like-alliances-in-asia-may-plunge-region-into-whirlpool-of-conflicts-1110897321.html

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday asked Congress to support his promise to grant amnesty to former rebels, saying this is a crucial step to complete their reintegration to society.

Under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the President has "the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress."

"Through community development and livelihood programs, the barangay development and enhanced comprehensive local integration programs have been effective in addressing the root cause of conflict in the countryside," said Marcos in his second State of the Nation Address.

"To complete this reintegration process, I will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees and I ask the Congress to support me in this endeavor," he added.

Fidel Ramos was the first president to grant amnesty to rebels when he issued Proclamation No. 347 in March 1994.

Meanwhile, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed four proclamations in 2021 granting amnesty to members of the communist movement, the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro the Islamic Liberation Front.

According to the government's anti-communist task force, more than 20,000 former communist rebels have already surrendered to the government.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/divisions-brewing-between-pentagon-and-white-house-over-bidens-ukraine-gamble-1112118516.html

Divisions Brewing Between Pentagon and White House Over Biden's Ukraine Gamble

Divisions Brewing Between Pentagon and White House Over Biden's Ukraine Gamble

Western leaders in private have casted doubt on Kiev's odds of winning at the Aspen Security Forum despite previously hailing Ukraine's alleged progress on the battlefield, per Western press. What's behind the change of heart?

2023-07-24T19:42+0000

2023-07-24T19:42+0000

2023-07-25T13:36+0000

joe biden

earl rasmussen

antony blinken

ukraine

russia

pentagon

nato

world

us army

white house

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Earl Rasmussen, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel and international consultant, told Sputnik that both Western officials and Washington insiders are "somewhat delusional, especially on the political level" when it comes to the Ukraine conflict."I think the overall perception is one of disappointment," Rasmussen said. "I think that a lot of the Western and Washington circles are somewhat delusional, especially on the political level. I think the military level knew that the whole adventure here was probably not the best."Apparently, Team Biden still believes there would be a Ukrainian "breakthrough," and that the Russian military wouldn't be able to resist it, per the US military veteran. He referred to the US mainstream media that had been repeating for months that the Russian military was doomed to lose.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently insisted that Russia "already lost" while speaking to an American broadcaster. Commenting on Blinken's remark, CIA veteran Larry Johnson wrote on his blog on July 23 that "it is alarming that Americas top diplomat is so divorced from reality."Unlike State Department officials, the Pentagon military leadership most likely understands Ukraine is unable to prevail, per Rasmussen.US defense officials could hardly ignore heavy losses sustained by Ukraine in terms of military equipment and manpower since the beginning of the counteroffensive. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukraine has lost 26,000 servicemen, 21 airplanes, five helicopters, some 1,244 Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles, including 17 Leopard tanks, five French AMX wheeled tanks, 914 units of special vehicles, two air defense systems, and 25 MLRS vehicles.In some respects, this shift in thought has been reflected in the recent reports by US press that, according to the expert, is no longer independent. In fact, some US leaders have realized they've gone down a rabbit hole and are now trying to shape public opinion through the media, the official noted."So, the media is actually validating some of the shifting and some of the discussions going on amongst the elite," the retired lieutenant colonel suggested.Team Biden's Ukraine Project Started in Obama EraAt the same time, Rasmussen has drawn attention to the political inertia of Team Biden that has invested a lot in the Ukraine project. Per him, "a lot of this started back" during the Obama administration.It's the same group of people that's involved in Ukraine, he noted, referring in particular to Blinken, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. For instance, Nuland actively participated in events surrounding the February 2014 coup d'etat in Kiev. An intercepted phone conversation in which she disparaged the EU and gave instructions on how to shape the future Ukrainian government stole headlines at the time.According to the US military veteran, the Ukrainian counteroffensive is doomed: the Ukrainian military are likely to face heavier losses. However, Team Biden does not care about it, as they are proceeding with their larger geopolitical plan, he noted.Biden Can't Admit Defeat Before ElectionsTo complicate matters further, the Biden administration cannot admit its defeat in Ukraine before the 2024 election, he continued."So there you got the Democratic primaries are no longer going to have any debates. It's just not a democracy anymore. Instead, we got free speech being put down, we've got censorship occurring," Rasmussen continued.Dangerous Gambling by Biden AdministrationDespite growing national debt and government deficit, the Biden administration is likely to double down on spending because the NATO proxy war in Ukraine benefits the US military industrial complex that contribute immensely to politicians, according to the retired lieutenant colonel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/cia-vet-weird-that-nato-failed-to-foresee-botched-ukraine-counteroffensive-1112095494.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/wests-hopes-for-breakthrough-in-ukraines-counteroffensive-dashed-1112089912.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/ukraine-loses-hundreds-of-troops-in-failed-attacks-on-kherson--regional-head-1112106355.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/trump-calls-biden-stupid-for-revealing-us-has-run-out-of-ammo-1112100612.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/eleven-drones-shot-down-over-crimea-1112100502.html

Russia Repels Ukraine's Drone Attack Over Crimea

Russia Repels Ukraine's Drone Attack Over Crimea

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday that it had repelled a Ukrainian drone attack against objects in Crimea, shooting down and... 24.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-24T05:10+0000

2023-07-24T05:10+0000

2023-07-24T06:55+0000

russia

crimea

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

drone strike

drone attack

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"During the night, on July 24, an attempted terrorist attack by the Kiev regime against objects on the territory of Crimea using 17 unmanned aerial vehicles was repelled. 14 Ukrainian drones were suppressed by means of electronic warfare, 11 of them crashing in the Black Sea and three more crashing on the territory of the peninsula," the ministry said.It also stated that air defense forces had shot down three more drones, adding that there had been no casualties as result of the attempted attack.Earlier in the day, the head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said that in the skies over Crimea, 11 enemy UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] were shot down by air defense systems and suppressed by electronic warfare."An ammunition depot in the Dzhankoy district was hit. Also, a private house in the Kirovsky district was damaged by UAV fragments," Aksyonov added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/teenage-girl-killed-in-drone-strike-in-crimea---region-head-aksenov-1112003387.html

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drones shot down over crimea, russia thwarts drone attacks on crimea
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/fsb-detects-explosives-on-ship-coming-from-turkiye-to-russias-rostov-on-don-1112102106.html

FSB Detects Traces of Explosives on Ship Coming From Turkiye to Russia's Rostov-on-Don

FSB Detects Traces of Explosives on Ship Coming From Turkiye to Russia's Rostov-on-Don

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said that it had detected traces of explosives on a foreign cargo ship on Saturday that had been... 24.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-24T06:38+0000

2023-07-24T06:38+0000

2023-07-24T09:35+0000

world

russia

turkiye

fsb

explosives

ship

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On July 22, traces of explosive materials such as dinitrotoluene and signs of tampering with the structural elements of the vessel were detected in the hold of a foreign cargo ship that was going from Turkiye to Rostov-on-Don, the FSB stated. "To prevent terrorist and sabotage attacks and ensure maritime safety, the FSB is conducting a number of inspection measures against ships that are going through the Kerch Strait," the FSB added. In late May, the ship was in the Ukrainian port of Kiliya, but it completely changed its crew, which consisted of 12 Ukrainian citizens, while being in Turkiye in July, the security service also stated, adding that the situation shows a possible use of a foreign ship to deliver explosive materials to Ukraine. It was decided to prohibit the ship from passing the strait, the FSB said.

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turkiye

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traces of explosives on ship from turkiye, russia detects explosives on foreign ship
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/germany-to-invest-22bln-in-munitions-acquisition-by-2031-1112108929.html

Germany to Invest $22Bln in Munitions Acquisition by 2031

Germany to Invest $22Bln in Munitions Acquisition by 2031

Germany plans to address its munitions deficit by spending over 20 billion euro ($22.2 billion) on munitions by 2031, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday.

2023-07-24T13:43+0000

2023-07-24T13:43+0000

2023-07-24T13:43+0000

military

german defense ministry

munitions

boris pistorius

germany

ukraine

ammunition

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"By 2031, we must and want to invest well over 20 billion euros in ammunition," Pistorius told a German magazine in an interview. He added that without ammunition, even the most modern weapon systems are of no use, "even if they are standing in our backyard ready to deploy." Western countries have been facing the issue of munitions deficit after massive shipments to Ukraine, where the munitions are spent quickly due to high intensity of military action. On June 19, the German Defense Ministry said that there are only 20,000 high explosive artillery shells left in its stocks. In June, German media reported that the German government has been preparing a deal for a long-term supply of artillery ammunition to Ukraine as well as for meeting its own demands. Moscow has condemned foreign military supplies to Ukraine. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/germany-cant-rally-one-combat-ready-division-after-giving-guns-away-to-kiev-1111945042.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/us-europeans-depleted-their-weapons-stockpiles-fighting-russia-in-ukraine-1111797051.html

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ukraine

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munitions deficit, germany, german defense minister, boris pistorius, arms for ukraine, ammunition for ukraine, munition supply, russia's special military operation in ukraine, western weapons, military supplies to ukraine, arms supplies to ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/hunter-biden-brought-then-vp-father-into-foreign-business-calls---us-house-oversight-panel-1112114875.html

Hunter Biden Brought Then-VP Father Into Foreign Business Calls - US House Oversight Panel

Hunter Biden Brought Then-VP Father Into Foreign Business Calls - US House Oversight Panel

Hunter Biden brought his father, then-US Vice President Joe Biden, into business calls with foreign partners at least a dozen times, the US House Oversight Committee said on Monday.

2023-07-24T17:48+0000

2023-07-24T17:48+0000

2023-07-24T17:48+0000

americas

hunter biden

joe biden

house oversight committee

burisma

james comer

ukraine

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The committee shared US media reports released on Monday that cite upcoming testimony from Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer, who is expected to tell the committee this week about his knowledge of Bidens foreign business practices. In at least a dozen instances, Hunter put his father, then VP [vice president], on speakerphone with his overseas business partners, the House Oversight Committee stated. The panel is investigating potential criminal activity by the Biden family, including an alleged foreign bribery scheme involving executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Two Burisma executives asked Hunter Biden if he could ring his father during a 2015 business meeting in Dubai, according to an American newspaper report. Biden obliged and brought his father into the talks via speakerphone, the report said. On Thursday, US Senator Chuck Grassley and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer released a partially redacted FBI record containing allegations of a foreign bribery scheme involving the Biden family and Burisma. The record, based on information from a confidential source touted as highly trusted, alleges that the Bidens received $5 million each to help end a corruption probe into Burisma by then-Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin, who was eventually fired due to pressure from the Obama administration. The record also alleges that the Burisma executives felt coerced into making the payments to the Bidens and maintain proof of the deal and its nature. The FBI record tracks closely with other evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee, Comer concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/media-non-coverage-of-irs-whistleblower-spells-biden-family-cover-up-1112046879.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/hunter-biden-may-face-up-to-10-criminal-referrals-after-gop-finishes-its-probe-1112091668.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/ifj-calls-for-prompt-investigation-into-death-of-sputnik-military-correspondent-zhuravlev-1112109532.html

IFJ Calls for Prompt Investigation Into Death of Sputnik Military Correspondent Zhuravlev

IFJ Calls for Prompt Investigation Into Death of Sputnik Military Correspondent Zhuravlev

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Monday called for a prompt investigation into the death of Sputnik correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev who died during evacuation from injuries in the special military operation zone on Saturday.

2023-07-24T11:24+0000

2023-07-24T11:24+0000

2023-07-24T12:30+0000

world

rostislav zhuravlev

maria zakharova

international federation of journalists (ifj)

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"We deplore the death of another journalist in this deadly conflict and urge authorities to promptly investigate Zhuravlev's killing. We urge warring parties to provide journalists with the best possible protection to allow them to carry out their duties safely," the IFJ said in a statement. Zhuravlev died during evacuation from injuries caused by a cluster submunition explosion in the conflict zone on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Several other Russian journalists, including Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky and Izvestia journalist Roman Polshakov, received wounds of varying degrees of severity. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that those responsible for the death of Zhuravlev, including the suppliers of cluster munitions to Kiev, will be punished.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/russian-investigative-committee-opens-case-after-death-of-ria-novosti-war-correspondent-1112098659.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/japan-calls-on-more-nations-to-join-cluster-bomb-treaty-after-ukraines-attack-on-russian-journos-1112102362.html

Japan Calls on More Nations to Join Cluster Bomb Treaty After Ukraine's Attack on Russian Journos

Japan Calls on More Nations to Join Cluster Bomb Treaty After Ukraine's Attack on Russian Journos

TOKYO, July 24 (Sputnik) - The Japanese government maintains its position on the need to expand the number of signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in light of the Russian Defense Ministry's statement on the shelling of Russian journalists by Ukraine, Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said Monday.

2023-07-24T07:35+0000

2023-07-24T07:35+0000

2023-07-24T07:35+0000

ukraine

japan

russian defense ministry

convention on cluster munitions

john kirby

military

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"We are aware that on July 22, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement on the shelling that injured four Russian journalists, which was carried out by Ukraine with the use of cluster munitions," Isozaki told a briefing. Ukrainian troops launched an artillery strike Saturday which struck a group of Sputnik and Izvestia journalists while they were preparing reports on Kiev's use of cluster bombs in Zaporozhye Region. Three journalists were injured in the attack, and Sputnik war correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev was killed.Washington announced its decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine earlier this month as a stopgap measure, claiming that Ukrainian forces are running out of ammunition for their 155mm artillery and that US and NATO stockpiles have been drained. Last week, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed to reporters that the cluster munitions Washington delivered to Kiev had already been used in the field.Cluster munitions are banned by the CCM, which has been signed by 123 countries since being drawn up in 2008. The United States, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and South Korea are among countries that have not signed the convention.Cluster munitions have a high dud rate. According to the US military, between 5% and 14% of the munitions delivered to Ukraine may not explode on impact because of the long time that they have been in storage. In that case, they would effectively be turned into de facto landmines, and will continue to pose a threat to civilians even long after the conflict is over. Human Rights Watch said earlier this month that supplying Kiev with the munitions would have long-term consequences for civilians and undermine more than a decade of international cooperation and advances in having the weapons banned.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230722/un-offers-condolences-over-death-of-sputnik-military-correspondent-1112082454.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230708/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cluster-bombs-the-us-will-send-to-ukraine-1111735880.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/kremlin-offers-condolences-to-family-friends-of-sputnik-military-correspondent-zhuravlev-1112104989.html

Kremlin Offers Condolences to Family, Friends of Sputnik Military Correspondent Zhuravlev

Kremlin Offers Condolences to Family, Friends of Sputnik Military Correspondent Zhuravlev

The Kremlin offers deep condolences to family and friends of Rostislav Zhuravlev, a Sputnik war correspondent who died during evacuation from injuries in the special military operation zone on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

2023-07-24T09:36+0000

2023-07-24T09:36+0000

2023-07-24T09:36+0000

russia

dmitry peskov

rostislav zhuravlev

ukraine

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The Kremlin offers deep condolences to family and friends of Rostislav Zhuravlev, a Sputnik war correspondent who died during evacuation from injuries in the special military operation zone on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "We all offer deep condolences to Zhuravlev's family and friends. We wish a speedy recovery to others who were injured as a result of this attack," Peskov told reporters. This is a deliberate attack on journalists, and, of course, the responsibility for this lies with the Kiev regime," Peskov said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/russian-investigative-committee-opens-case-after-death-of-ria-novosti-war-correspondent-1112098659.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/macron-says-authorities-will-work-with-social-media-to-censor-calls-for-violence-1112118709.html

Macron Says Authorities Will Work With Social Media to Censor Calls for Violence

Macron Says Authorities Will Work With Social Media to Censor Calls for Violence

The French authorities will work with different online platforms to stop hate speech and calls for riots, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.

2023-07-24T18:46+0000

2023-07-24T18:46+0000

2023-07-24T18:46+0000

world

europe

france

emmanuel macron

social media censorship

protest

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"It is necessary, in the form of cooperation with various platforms, to ensure that messages inciting violence are removed very quickly, to ensure a kind of public order on the Internet that will allow [us] to prevent such riots," Macron told a French news agency in an interview. The French president also said that it was necessary to "better protect the youth from screens." In early July, Macron stated that the government could block social media in times of crisis in the midst of protests sparked by the police killing of a 17-year-old teenager of North African descent. Macrons idea was faced with serious criticism from different political parties. The French president also said those who called for riots through social media would be identified. The nationwide protests over the killing of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk on June 27 lasted for over a week. The French Interior Ministry said the protesting youth set on fire more than 12,000 cars, as well as about 500 city hall buildings, police stations and other government buildings. The economy ministry said over 1,000 retail outlets, about 370 banks, 200 grocery stores and 436 tobacco shops were looted. More than 4,000 people were detained, a significant proportion of whom were minors.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/macron-says-may-shut-down-social-media-in-france-if-riots-worsen-1111665888.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/onyx-characteristics-of-russias-unstoppable-missile-1112115543.html

Onyx: Characteristics of Russia's Unstoppable Missile

Onyx: Characteristics of Russia's Unstoppable Missile

On Monday, Ukraine failed to intercept any of the Onyx missiles launched to strike Ukrainian port and critical infrastructure, according to foreign media reports.

2023-07-24T17:59+0000

2023-07-24T17:59+0000

2023-07-24T17:59+0000

multimedia

infographic

onyx missiles

brahmos cruise missile

cruise missile

brahmos

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All targets were successfully destroyed, while none of the supersonic Onyx missiles launched on Monday by Russia were shot down, European news agencies noted. The Onyx is a prototype of the BrahMos missiles, which was developed jointly with India's Defense Ministry. The weapon flies at a speed of more than 3,000 km/h at an altitude of 10-15 meters above land or water, making it difficult to detect and intercept.The Onyx can be fired from submarines, ships of various displacements, stationary and mobile coastal defense systems, and aircraft. Moreover, not only is the missile a self-guided munition designed on the "shoot and forget" principle, but also needs minimal data about the target in order to successfully strike it; therefore, the carrier can leave the firing position immediately after launch.Check out Sputniks infographic to see the characteristics of the Onyx supersonic missile:

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China grants access to its space station for space science projects

Xinhua) 09:51, July 24, 2023

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. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng)

BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The application system for space science projects in China's space station is now open to scientists and engineers, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The CMSA will solicit projects covering space science and human research, physics in microgravity, space astronomy and Earth science, as well as new space technologies and applications.

According to the CMSA, China's space station is also a national space laboratory. It is equipped with scientific experiment cabinets, technological test cabinets and supporting systems inside its modules.

The space station also has exposure experiment platforms, standard payload interfaces and large payload hanging points outside the modules to support scientific research, technological experiments and applications in various fields.

The application details are available at www.cmse.gov.cn.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he will accept the resignations of "unscrupulous" law enforcers involved in illegal drugs amid efforts to eradicate drug syndicates.

"We will relentlessly continue our fight against drug syndicates, shutting down their illegal activities and dismantle their network of operations. Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade, I will be accepting their resignations," said Marcos in his State of the Nation Address.

The President further said he would replace the erring authorities with "effective and trustworthy" officials.

"In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating this dreaded and corrosive social curse," he added. "We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government."

The Philippine National Police's five-man advisory group in February began to vet the courtesy resignations of police officers and investigate their possible involvement in illegal drug activities.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said 917 were cleared of the 953 ranking cops.

Then PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was among those who submitted their courtesy resignation but Marcos rejected his offer.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/russian-industry-minister-monthly-munition-production-exceeds-volumes-for-entire-2022-1112109770.html

Russian Industry Minister: Monthly Munition Production Exceeds Volumes for the Whole of 2022

Russian Industry Minister: Monthly Munition Production Exceeds Volumes for the Whole of 2022

Monthly production of munitions by Russia's defense industry has exceeded production volumes for entire 2022, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Monday.

2023-07-24T12:55+0000

2023-07-24T12:55+0000

2023-07-24T13:40+0000

denis manturov

military

russia

defense industry

munitions

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Manturov also said that almost all defense firms are meeting deadlines to implement defense orders."You know that since the start of the current year, the volume of production of numerous weapons, special military equipment has exceeded the volumes for the entire past year. If we talk about means of destruction, we are now entering a level where a monthly production rate exceeds the overall production volume of the past year," the minister stated. In January, President Vladimir Putin said that the productivity of Russia's defense industry is key to victory in the special military operation. For example, we produce air defense missiles three times more per year than in the United States. And, in general, our defense industry produces about the same amount of air defense missiles for various purposes per year as all the military-industrial enterprises of the world produce, Putin said during a visit to the Obukhov State Plant, a northwestern branch of Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/iskander-missile-maker-reports-250-percent-jump-in-production-of-some-missiles-1112106794.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/south-korean-military-north-korea-fired-2-ballistic-missiles-into-sea-of-japan-1112121408.html

South Korean Military: North Korea Fired 2 Ballistic Missiles Into Sea of Japan

South Korean Military: North Korea Fired 2 Ballistic Missiles Into Sea of Japan

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed on Monday Tokyo's suggestion that North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan.

2023-07-24T20:09+0000

2023-07-24T20:09+0000

2023-07-24T20:07+0000

asia

north korea

south korea

us indo-pacific command

japan

fumio kishida

dprk

missile tests

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Earlier, the office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Pyongyang was thought to have fired a ballistic missile. Japanese media later reported, citing the country's Coast Guard, a North Korean projectile had fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. "Our military detected two ballistic missiles North Korea fired from areas near Pyongyang into the East Sea at 11:55 p.m. [14:55 GMT] on the 24th and at midnight of the 25th [15:00 GMT, July 24]," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff was quoted as saying by South Korean media.Both missiles flew about 250 miles before falling into the sea, the military said. The latest comes as the US Indo-Pacific Command on Monday detailed US officials were aware of North Koreas recent missile launches, having assessed they do not pose an immediate threat.Washington confirmed its ironclad commitment to the defense of its allies in the Republic of Korea and Japan, it added.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/transmashholding-to-supply-engines-for-egypts-el-dabaa-nuclear-power-plant---ceo-1112099404.html

Transmashholding to Supply Engines for Egypts El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant - CEO

Transmashholding to Supply Engines for Egypts El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant - CEO

Transmashholding will supply engines for the nuclear power plant under construction in El Dabaa, Egypt. The TMH CEO added that there are also opportunities to attract local suppliers for the project.

2023-07-24T00:27+0000

2023-07-24T00:27+0000

2023-07-31T16:58+0000

russia

russia

egypt

manufacturing

power plant

power plant

nuclear power plant

transmashholding

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Lipa explained that TMH is developing cooperation with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom in Africa, including as part of a memorandum signed in 2022. "We share the same countries of foreign presence with Rosatom, in terms of their stations and our rolling stock - these are Turkiye, Hungary, Egypt and others. Just the other day, a rather significant event took place - we began to implement a contract for the supply of engines manufactured by Kolomensky Zavod for the Egyptian nuclear power plant in El-Dabaa," Lipa said, adding that deliveries are expected in 2025-2027. The TMH CEO added that there are also opportunities to attract local suppliers for the project. A Rosatom source told Sputnik earlier this month that one of the important construction stages of Egypt's El Dabaa nuclear power plant, namely building the foundation plate of the turbine unit, was scheduled to start in October 2023 with the participation of Russia. In 2015, Cairo signed an agreement with Moscow on cooperation in constructing Egypt's first nuclear power plant, in El Dabaa. In December 2017, the two countries also signed an appendix to the agreement to activate commercial contracts for the construction of the plant.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/trump-calls-biden-stupid-for-revealing-us-has-run-out-of-ammo-1112100612.html

Trump Calls Biden Stupid For Revealing US Has Run Out of Ammo

Trump Calls Biden Stupid For Revealing US Has Run Out of Ammo

President Biden revealed earlier this month that the Ukrainian army was running out of 155mm artillery ammunition and that the US was low on it, and that this played a role in his controversial decision to send cluster munition to Ukraine. Bidens talking points were echoed by Pentagon and White House officials.

2023-07-24T05:28+0000

2023-07-24T05:28+0000

2023-07-24T05:28+0000

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Former President Donald Trump has lashed out at Joe Biden for revealing that the United States is running low on ammunition amid its failing proxy-war with Russia in Ukraine.We have a man that doesnt understand what hes doing. We have a man that yesterday stood up and told the whole world that we have no ammunition. You know I had every ammunition building full to the brim three years ago. Weve given it all away. But if you gave it all awaythe only thing worse than that is to tell the world that we have no [ammunition]. He has told China and these other places that are hostile that we have no ammunition, Trump said in a TV interview Sunday.Trump, who is currently leading in polling for the Republican nomination in 2024, and is five points ahead of Biden in polling for the general election, accused the sitting president of corruption in Ukraine.Look at all the money were giving to Ukraine and yet Ukraine was paying the Biden family a fortune, Trump said, presumably referring to reports that Biden and his son Hunter allegedly received millions of dollars from a Ukrainian businessman while Joe Biden was serving as Barack Obamas vice president in an alleged pay-to-play corruption scheme.Asked if he would cut off funding to Ukraine, Trump answered Id get the war settled. The money is  number one Id tell Europe youre about $100 billion+ short. You gotta pay. Because Europe is smiling all the way to the bankEurope is doing very little compared to the United States and it affects them more. No matter how you look at it, theyre right there, were an ocean apart. Why are we at $150 billion and theyre at $20 [billion]? You know their economy is almost exactly our size if you add it all upThey should be at the same number that were at if not more.Trump also repeated his earlier warnings about the dangers of the current Russia-NATO proxy conflict in Ukraine owing to the existence of nuclear weapons.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/hunter-biden-may-face-up-to-10-criminal-referrals-after-gop-finishes-its-probe-1112091668.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230723/60-percent-of-americans-say-nation-on-wrong-track-economy-weak-biden-mentally-unfit-1112090121.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/uk-city-minister-demands-bank-bosses-guarantee-no-repeat-of-farage-blacklisting-1112104719.html

UK City Minister Demands Bank Bosses Guarantee No Repeat of Farage Blacklisting

UK City Minister Demands Bank Bosses Guarantee No Repeat of Farage Blacklisting

Brexit leader and conservative broadcaster Nigel Farage has turned the tables on the City of London's financial giants after they denied him basic services over his political views. The PM has since slammed 'de-banking'.

2023-07-24T11:23+0000

2023-07-24T11:23+0000

2023-07-24T19:02+0000

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The UK's financial services minister has summoned banking bosses to demand guarantees they will not close customers' accounts over their politics.Andrew Griffith, the economic secretary to the treasury who also holds the post of 'City Minister' overseeing the City of London finance sector, has reportedly written to the chief executives of 19 companies calling for a conference on the issue.They include NatWest, the bank at the centre of the controversy after its subsidiary Coutts closed the account of Brexit campaign leader and broadcaster Nigel Farage  who was then denied services by seven other banks.Farage, founder of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the new Reform Party and star of new conservative TV channel GB News, released Coutts' dossier to him last week, showing the bank's decision stemmed from his "publicly-stated views that were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation."The 40-page document claimed Farage was viewed as "xenophobic and racist," referring to his criticism of Black Lives Matter protests, the government's climate change policy and his description of Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps as a "globalist."Shapps has since joined Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in condemning the banks' blacklistling of the Brexiteer. Farage has asked for an apology from NatWest CEO Alison Rose, and demanded to know whether was the anonymous "source" who falsely briefed British state broadcaster the BBC that the former City of London broker's account was closed because he was not rich enough for the exclusive private bank's client list.Other so-called "politically-exposed persons" (PEPs), including members of Parliament and their relatives, have since complained of being denied banking services on that basis.Other banks listed are Lloyds, Santander, HSBC, TSB, Metro, Allied Irish, Danske Bank and Bank of Ireland, along with digital finance executives from Monzo, Starling, Chase, PayPal, Revolut and Wise.PayPal was forced to backtrack in October 2022 on threats to seize up to $2,500 in funds from accounts held buy users it deemed guilty of "spreading misinformation"  a common codeword for political dissent in the US.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/uk-energy-minister-slams-coutts-bank-for-closing-nigel-farages-accounts-1111995711.html

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british city minister andrew griffith summons bank bosses, 'de-banking' of brexit leader founder nigel farage, can banks close customers' accounts over their political views?
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/ukraines-attempted-drone-attack-in-moscow-suppressed---russian-defense-ministry-1112099565.html

Ukraines Attempted Drone Attack in Moscow Suppressed - Russian Defense Ministry

Ukraines Attempted Drone Attack in Moscow Suppressed - Russian Defense Ministry

Sobyanin said on Telegram in the early hours of Monday that drone strikes on two non-residential buildings were recorded in Moscow; there was no serious damage or casualties.

2023-07-24T03:45+0000

2023-07-24T03:45+0000

2023-07-24T04:38+0000

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"On the morning of July 24, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using two unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs] on objects in the city of Moscow was thwarted. Two Ukrainian UAVs were suppressed by means of electronic warfare and crashed," the Russian defense ministry said. The ministry added that "as a result of the suppressed terrorist attack of the Kiev regime, there were no victims." Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram in the early hours of Monday that at about 4:00 a.m. local time (01:00 GMT), drone strikes on two non-residential buildings were recorded in the Russian capital; there was no serious damage or casualties.The Moscow transport department said on Telegram that traffic along Komsomolsky Prospekt was blocked starting from the center of Moscow towards the region. Later in the morning, the city transport department said that traffic was also blocked along Prospekt Likhachova.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/moscow-reports-about-kievs-failed-attempt-at-terrorist-attack-on-moscow-region-using-uavs-1111353162.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/ukrainian-casualties-during-offensive-amount-to-over-350-soldiers-in-past-day---russian-mod-1112108807.html

Ukrainian Casualties During Offensive Amount to Over 350 Soldiers in Past Day - Russian MoD

Ukrainian Casualties During Offensive Amount to Over 350 Soldiers in Past Day - Russian MoD

The Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 350 soldiers over the past 24 hours during offensive attempts, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday, adding that 11 Ukrainian attacks have been repelled.

2023-07-24T12:14+0000

2023-07-24T12:14+0000

2023-07-24T12:16+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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According to the ministry, the Ukrainian military continued to make attempts to attack in Donetsk and Krasny Liman directions. The Russian forces repelled five attacks in Liman direction and six attacks in Donetsk direction, according to the ministry. "Enemy losses [in the Liman direction] amounted to 195 Ukrainian servicemen, four infantry fighting vehicles, four armored fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers," the ministry said. Moreover, the ministry said that Ukraine lost 120 soldiers in South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions in the past 24 hours.The ministry also said that Russian air defense forces have shot down 35 Ukrainian drones and intercepted one HIMARS long-range guided missile in Donbas, the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions over past 24 hours.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/ukraine-loses-over-210-military-in-donetsk-direction-over-past-day-1112012151.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/un-command-begins-talks-with-north-korea-over-us-soldier-1112109814.html

UN Command Begins Talks With North Korea Over US Soldier

UN Command Begins Talks With North Korea Over US Soldier

The United Nations Command said on Monday that it had begun discussions with North Korea regarding Travis King, the US soldier who ran into the country from the inter-Korea demilitarized zone last week.

2023-07-24T12:59+0000

2023-07-24T12:59+0000

2023-07-24T12:59+0000

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"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the armistice agreement," Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the UN Command, said during a press conference. Harrison added that "the primary concern for us is Private Kings welfare."King was serving with the US Army in South Korea and had recently completed a two-month prison sentence for assault and destroying public property. He had been due to return to Texas for further disciplinary action. At Seoul airport, he instead somehow managed to join a tour to the DMZ, where he unexpectedly ran across the border into North Korea. Harrison noted that tours in the Joint Security Area now had been suspended.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/us-soldier-defects-to-north-korea-1111992781.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/un-condemns-attacks-on-press-including-death-of-sputnik-zhuravlev-1112120090.html

UN Condemns Attacks on Press Including Death of Sputnik Zhuravlev

UN Condemns Attacks on Press Including Death of Sputnik Zhuravlev

The United Nations condemns all attacks on the press, including the recent attack that resulted in the death of the Sputnik journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday.

2023-07-24T18:10+0000

2023-07-24T18:10+0000

2023-07-24T19:11+0000

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"We are opposed to any attacks on the press, wherever they may be, and certainly as Stephane [Dujarric] said last week, we opposed the attack in which the Russian correspondent was killed," Haq said during a press briefing. Russia stated that a targeted cluster bomb strike on July 22 killed Sputnik journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev and injured three others - Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky as well as Izvestia journalists Roman Polshakov and Dmitry Shikov - who were covering the conflict in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that those responsible for the journalist's killing, including the suppliers of cluster munitions, will be held to account. The UN Human Rights Office urged Ukraine and Russia to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which comprehensively bans the use of such munitions. Non-signatory countries are also prohibited from using cluster munitions in populated areas under international humanitarian law governing the conduct of hostilities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/unesco-condemns-killing-of-sputnik-correspondent-calls-for-investigation-1112109062.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/us-militarizing-australia-for-conflict-with-biggest-trade-partner-china-1112106984.html

US Militarizing Australia for Conflict With Biggest Trade Partner China

US Militarizing Australia for Conflict With Biggest Trade Partner China

Australia has only moved closer militarily to the US and its colonial mother-country the UK in recent years. Professor Joe Siracusa said that his countrymen found it hard to see another path in foreign relations.

2023-07-24T17:27+0000

2023-07-24T17:27+0000

2023-07-24T17:27+0000

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aukus

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Australia is sacrificing its lucrative trade relations with China on the altar of "security" cooperation with the US, says an academic.Australian Defense Minister and deputy PM Richard Marles announced on Monday that Canberra would buy 20 C-130J Super Hercules transport planes from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin for AU$9.8 billion ($6.6 billion).Meanwhile, the two-yearly Talisman Sabre army exercises kicked off on Saturday on Australia's northern coast, with more than 30,000 troops from 13 countries  led by Australia and the US  taking part.Professor Joe Siracusa told Sputnik that Australia had been in "lockstep" with US military planning over the previous two decades and was closely involved in Washington's increasingly aggressive stance towards China."Over the past 20 years Australia has developed interoperability with US forces, almost reaching the point of interchangeability" he said. "And in this particular exercise going on, it's a US-Australian exercise with other visitors, including the Germans and the Japanese for the first time, it's all signals to China to keep their hands off of Taiwan. Of course, the Chinese aren't buying that at all."The academic noted that Aussies knew accompanying the US on its military adventures had long been the price they had to pay for a close relationship with Washington.What the US offers Australia in return is "the ultimate guarantee of its sovereignty and territorial integrity." To ensure that, "Australians go just a little further than they have to go, because they think they're buying security down the road."But the "inherent contradiction" in that relationship is that China remains Australia's biggest export market."China is Australia's leading partner in all top three exports  our iron ore, coal and international students," Siracusa said. "In a sense, Australia weakens itself by doing this"However, "the military and the Defense Department here couldn't care less, they reckon the Australian economy can take a hit," he added. "It's contradictory, but they do it anyway until it hurts. The Chinese will probably make them pay a price for it. "The professor lamented that Australia was so far from finding an "intermediate position" between Washington's sabre-rattling and its place in the Pacific Rim economic region."Maybe one day Australia will become an interlocutor between the United States and China," Siracusa wondered. "But that's not likely right now."If the United States is engaged with China, Australia will be there on day one," he said, whether in Taiwan or elsewhere. "I think if there is a conflict or miscalculation, it will come in the South China Sea and it will be centered around the idea of freedom of navigation, more like that than anything else," he predicted.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230425/australias-defense-review-shows-its-readiness-to-side-with-us-in-possible-conflict-with-china-1109812413.html

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aukus military alliance between australia, uk and us, us-uk-australian nuclear submarine deal, will australia sacrifice its trade with china for military ties to washington?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that the government is chasing smugglers and hoarders of agricultural goods, warning them that their days are numbered.

In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said smugglers, hoarders, and price fixers affect the rising prices of agricultural goods.

Hinahabol at ihahabla natin sila. Sadyang hindi tama ang kanilang gawain at hindi rin ito tugma sa ating magandang layunin, the president said, saying what they do is cheating.

[Translation: We are chasing after them and will charge them. What they are doing is not right and is not in line with our good purpose.]

He said both farmers and consumers are harmed by these acts, and vowed the government wont let them continue these practices.

Bilang na ang mga araw ng mga smuggler at hoarder na 'yan, he warned. It was met with applause in the joint session of Congress.

[Translation: Those smugglers and hoarded already have numbered days.]

He also directed Congress to amend the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

Agri group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) welcomed the presidents pronouncement and the inclusion of the laws amendment as priority legislation.

Nais nating makita na sa taong ito ay may makasuhan, malitis, at makulong, SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet said.

Hindi ang local producers ang siyang nagpapataas ng presyo, gaya ng ilang taon ng ipinapahayag ng ating mga economic managers, he added.

[Translation: We want to see people charged, litigated, and locked up. Its not the local producers who are making prices go up, like what economic managers previously said for years.]

Marcoss first year as president and concurrent agriculture chief was faced with issues such as high prices of basic commodities, especially onions.

Last July 4, the chief executive ordered an investigation into the smuggling of onions and other agricultural products, saying the act was equivalent to economic sabotage.

READ: Marcos orders probe into hoarding, smuggling of agricultural products

He noted the findings of the hearings conducted by the House of Representatives on the matter.

In May, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, the vice chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, alleged that trader Lilia "Lea" Cruz engineered the artificial spike in onion prices late last year until the early part of 2023 through firms involved in all levels of the value chain.

Cruz established the Philippine Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association. She has denied involvement in the soaring prices of onion, which went up to 700 per kilogram in 2022.

RELATED: Romualdez wants 'airtight' case vs. onion smugglers

For its part, the Department of Justice said it would form an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force which would be "primarily focused on protecting the entire agricultural sector, not only the onion industry."

Accomplishments

In his speech, Marcos mentioned the accomplishments of the Department of Agriculture (DA) during his first year of presidency, such as the distribution of machinery, seeds, and voucher discounts for fuel and fertilizer.

The DA chief also said the government provided irrigation, conducted geomapping, created farm-to-market roads, and built fabrication labs, and production and cold storage facilities. He also said the DA is teaching farmers about biofertilizers.

He also noted the 2.1% growth of the agriculture sector in the first quarter of 2023 and the recently signed New Agrarian Emancipation Act which condoned 57-billion worth of debts of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

For Cainglet, he said more institutional support from the DA would further encourage the local rice industry.

On his second SONA, the marching order of the president for the agriculture sector is clear. Its translation therefore must be done sooner, more rigid and with the sense of urgency by the regulatory agencies involved in the agriculture sector, he added.

Moving forward, the chief executive said he wanted to expand the Kadiwa store program. He also asked Congress to amend the Fisheries Code and the Cooperative Code.

Marcos said the government is currently strengthening the biosecurity levels of livestock and is preparing for the impact of El Nino on agriculture.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/us-mulls-lifting-some-sanctions-on-china-to-restart-cooperation-on-fentanyl---reports-1112113837.html

US Mulls Lifting Some Sanctions on China to Restart Cooperation on Fentanyl - Reports

US Mulls Lifting Some Sanctions on China to Restart Cooperation on Fentanyl - Reports

The Biden Administration is considering lifting some sanctions on China to restart the bilateral cooperation on combating the fentanyl crisis that claimed more than 105,000 lives in the US in 2022, an American newspaper reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

2023-07-24T18:04+0000

2023-07-24T18:04+0000

2023-07-24T18:04+0000

us

china

us sanctions

drugs

narcotics

fentanyl

world

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During his meetings in Beijing in June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposed creating a working group with China to start discussions on a potential deal, the report said. The deal would entail lifting sanctions on a Chinese police forensics institute that is accused by Washington of human rights abuses. The State Department, however, has recently denied media reports that any offers to lift sanctions were made during Blinkens recent trip to China. According to the media, Chinese officials "havent agreed to anything yet," and the Biden administration is "stalled on where to go." China continues to stand firm that any dialogue on drugs will be possible only after the sanctions are lifted and the police institute removed from the US export blacklist, the report stated. Beijing abandoned cooperation with the United States on narcotics a year ago due to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial trip to Taiwan, which brought bilateral relations to an all-time low.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/beijing-condemns-us-indictments-of-chinese-persons-on-fentanyl-related-charges-1111476536.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/us-will-only-turn-itself-into-a-global-drug-den-by-scapegoating-china-1111662116.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/us-will-spoil-its-future-in-asia-pacific-by-dragging-nations-into-its-conflict-with-china-1112114108.html

US Will Spoil Its Future in Asia-Pacific by Dragging Nations Into Its Conflict With China

US Will Spoil Its Future in Asia-Pacific by Dragging Nations Into Its Conflict With China

Australia, the United States, and nearly a dozen other nations kicked off the largest-ever Talisman Saber war games on Friday, which experts have noted is obviously aimed at preparing for a future war with China.

2023-07-24T19:01+0000

2023-07-24T19:01+0000

2023-07-24T19:01+0000

analysis

china

nato

australia

war games

asia-pacific region

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Once a bilateral drill between the forces of Canberra and Washington, this year it includes 13 nations and 30,000 troops. The drills are rehearsing conflict with a fictional adversary called Olvania in various locations across Australia and the surrounding region, and includes many of the advanced weapons systems the US has supplied to Ukraine in recent months, including the HIMARS rocket system and the M1 Abrams main battle tank, which are now being marketed to other countries.Artyom Garin, an expert from the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Sputnik that the US is rehearsing not only a military clash with China, but drawing other regional nations into the confrontation as well.This is a rehearsal, partly a coordination of actions in case the United States really clashes with China. China does not need a clash with the United States, because China has huge economic and political influence in the region, and it has achieved this by completely legal means, he explained.Previously, these exercises were limited to the participation of only a limited cohort of US and Australian allied states in the region. The exercise has now become a global military operation involving leading NATO members. Of particular significance is the fact that, for the first time in history, the German armed forces are participating - the longtime NATO partner which has found itself in the very center of the remilitarization of Europe and one of the main actors in the US-NATO war against Russia, which is being waged with the help of Ukraine.Vladislav Belov, the deputy director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that the participation of NATO countries in the Australian drills indicates how deep the inroads are in the Asia-Pacific region that the North Atlantic alliance has made. Belov has also noted that NATOs interests in the region are already represented by the AUKUS bloc.Here, he recalled the term used by Chen Hong, the director of the Center for Australian Studies at Shanghais Eastern China Normal University, who has spoken about the Asia-Pacificization of NATO.This year, the Talisman Saber exercise is aimed at practicing coordination tasks between the US military and its allies and partners, Chen said. The direction of the tactical plan of military exercises against China is obvious. Talisman Saber was originally a military exercise between Australia and the US, but this time, 13 countries took part in the exercise, making this year's exercise the largest ever. Against the backdrop of the NATO in the Asia-Pacific concept promoted by the United States and its Western partners, the promotion of the presence of Germany, France and Great Britain in the region through these exercises seriously violates the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region.Hong told Sputnik it was obvious that the drills are intended to display both aggressiveness and scale, although he noted that their internal cohesion of the participants and the strategic momentum are very weak.Even the protagonist of the exercises - Australia - is not set to confront China. These exercises involve the western, northern and northeastern coasts of Australia, which clearly indicates plans for a deep involvement of the country in the maelstrom of a military conflict. This is contrary to Australia's long-term and overall national strategy. The imposition by the United States of the Asia-Pacific region of its Indo-Pacific strategy directed against China seriously threatens the peace, stability and development of the region, Hong said.Last week, Japan Self-Defense Force units, along with US Marines and Australian soldiers, conducted their first shootings in Australia. A number of new weapons are also being tested out in the drills, including Japans Type 12 surface-launched anti-ship missiles and South Koreas K239 Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS).Japan and South Korea can also see these exercises as an opportunity to develop their military industry and a way to prove that their equipment can adapt well to different climatic conditions and be used all over the world, which will increase their arms exports.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230607/power-has-shifted-dramatically-nato-expansion-plans-in-asia-bump-against-reality-1110988084.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/pepe-escobar-neocons-want-war-with-china-1112033985.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/watch-russian-troops-thrash-enemy-stronghold-using-thermobaric-rocket-launchers-1112103471.html

Watch Russian Troops Thrash Enemy Stronghold Using Thermobaric Rocket Launchers

Watch Russian Troops Thrash Enemy Stronghold Using Thermobaric Rocket Launchers

Ukrainian forces have spent over a month-and-a-half searching for weak spots in Russias defensive positions in the Donbass, Zaporozhye and Kherson amid Kievs counteroffensive. Ukraines NATO sponsors have privately admitted that the counteroffensive has bogged down, with the crisis turning into a large-scale conflict of attrition.

2023-07-24T09:17+0000

2023-07-24T09:17+0000

2023-07-24T14:15+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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Russias Defense Ministry has released drone and bodycam footage showing Russian forces using man-portable thermobaric, rocket-assisted grenade launchers against an entrenched Ukrainian Army position in the Krasny Liman direction in northern Donetsk.The Defense Ministry told Sputnik that assault troops armed with Shmel rocket launchers and LPO-97 43mm pump action grenade launchers were deployed in the area, getting as close to an enemy stronghold as possible and pummeling it until its destruction after it was spotted by reconnaissance drone operators.Thermobaric weapons, also known as vacuum bombs, spray a combustible substance over an area and ignite it, resulting in oxygen from the surrounding air being sucked up and generating a high-temperature explosion. In the Shmels case, the explosion is deadly to any personnel in a 50 meter radius in open areas, and 80 cubic meters in an enclosed space. The US military has estimated that the RPO-A Shmels warhead has the same amount of power as a 107 mm artillery shell upon impact.Along with the RPO-A, the Shmel has Z and D modifications (incendiary and smoke, respectively). The Shmel was first deployed to effect by Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s, when it was dubbed the "Satan Pipe" by the CIA-backed Mujahedeen militias.The RPO-A Shmel is used by more than a dozen nations, including Russia and other countries in the former Soviet space, plus Serbia, India, Vietnam, and North Korea.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/russian-troops-repel-over-dozen-ukrainian-attempts-to-attack-1112100366.html

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Russian flamethrower crews destroyed a Ukrainian military stronghold near Krasny Liman Russian flamethrower crews destroyed a Ukrainian military stronghold near Krasny Liman 2023-07-24T09:17+0000 true PT1M03S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/which-country-is-the-largest-weapons-producer-1112116067.html

Which Country is the Largest Weapons Producer?

Which Country is the Largest Weapons Producer?

The NATO proxy war in Ukraine has become a testing ground for weapons makers from across the world. Who are the top five largest arms manufacturers and are they worth their salt?

2023-07-24T18:50+0000

2023-07-24T18:50+0000

2023-07-24T18:50+0000

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The Ukraine conflict has given a boost to defense contractors on both sides of the Atlantic. Russian enterprise KB Mashinostroyeniya  part of the High Precision Complexes Holding of Rostec State Corporation  has ramped up the production of some of its weaponry by up to 2.5 times since 2022. KB Mashinostroyeniya is famous for its cutting edge 9K720 Iskanders (NATO reporting name SS-26 Stone), a mobile short-range ballistic missile system.American producers of Javelins, HIMARS, and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) are racing against time to produce more weapons as Ukraine burns through these arms faster than the US can manufacture them. European arms makers are trying to catch up as the Old Continent's industrial base is "still in tatters" following decades of underinvestment, per the Western press. So, which are the top five countries mastering themselves in weapons production?Which Country is the Biggest Weapons Manufacturer?Many countries around the world produce excellent weapons, but the top five manufacturers calling the shots in the global arms market are: How Big is the US Weapons Industry?The US tops the list of global arms manufacturers and exporters, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The nation boasted a market share of 40% in international arms exports between 2018 and 2022, up from 33% in previous five years. In general, the US supplied weapons to 103 countries, which is over half the nations on the planet.Per SIPRI, a total of 41% of US arms exports went to the Middle East in 201822, down from 49% in 201317, with Middle Eastern states being among the top 10 importers of US weapons. Saudi Arabia accounted for 19% of US arms exports, Qatar 6.7%, Kuwait 4.8%, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 4.4%.Asia and Oceania accounted for 32% of total US weapons exports, with Japan (8.6%), Australia (8.4%), and South Korea (6.5%) being top three importers in the region. At the same time, a total of 23% of US arms exports went to Europe, mostly to Washington's NATO partners, the UK (4.6%), the Netherlands (4.4%), and Norway (4.2%). Since 2022, the volume of US weapons supplies to Ukraine has soared sharply.The top five US defense contractors benefitting the most from the nation's weapons exports are: Lockheed Martin Corporation; Raytheon Technologies Corporation; The Boeing Company; General Dynamics; and Northrop Grumman Corporation.What Weapons Does Russia Manufacture?Russia is ranked second with a 16% share of total global arms exports. In 2018-2022, Russia delivered major arms to 47 states.Asia and Oceania accounted for 65% of total Russian arms exports, with India and China heading the list of Russia's major regional importers; Middle Eastern states received 17%; and Africa got 12%. Per SIPRI, between 2018 and 2022, almost two thirds of Russian arms went to India (31%), China (23%), and Egypt (9.3%). India remains Russia's largest customer.Per international observers, Russian warplanes and combat helicopters have been among the nation's main export items since 1992. In 201822, Russian state-of-the-art combat aircraft accounted for 40% of the country's arms exports. Among them are fighters of the "4++" generation such as the Su-30 of various modifications; the multifunctional front-line MiG-29; Mi-17V-5/Mi-171Sh military transport helicopters; Mi-35M transport/attack helicopters; Ka-226T light multipurpose helicopters; as well as Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters.The list of Russia's six largest defense contractors in terms of highest total sales include: United Aircraft Corporation (fixed-wing airplanes); United Shipbuilding Corporation (submarines, corvettes, frigates, aircraft carriers); Tactical Missiles Corporation (air- and naval-based missiles); United Engine Corporation (military aviation, rocket engines, and marine gas-turbine engines); and Uralvagonzavod (main battle tanks).Does France Produce Weapons?France is a mature weapons producer and is reportedly challenging Russia as second biggest arms exporter behind the US. According to some estimates, at the end of 2022 France had more weapons on order for export than Russia.Meanwhile, in 2018-22, France accounted for 11% of the global total arms exports, which was 44% higher than in the period between 2013 and 2017. The lion's share of French arms went to Asia and Oceania (44%) and the Middle East (34%). All in all, France delivered weapons to 62 states between 2018 and 2022, with the three largest recipients being India, Qatar, and Egypt. Together, the three got a whopping 55% of French weapons exports. Among, them India emerged as France's largest military customer in the chosen period. In addition, in 2022, France struck a deal with Indonesia for the delivery of 42 combat aircraft.The ongoing surge in France's arms exports are mainly due to sales of Dassault Rafale fighter jets made by Dassault Aviation. Rafale fighters went primarily to India, Qatar, and Egypt in 2018-22. The second company contributing to the rise in French weapons sales over the past several years was Naval Group, a major French industrial group specializing in naval defense design, development, and construction. The company supplied submarines to Brazil and India, frigates to Malaysia and the UAE, as well as mine-sweepers to Belgium and the Netherlands.France's top defense contractors are: Airbus SE; Naval Group; Thales; Safran; and Dassault.Does China Produce Its Own Weapons?China ranked fourth, with 5.2% of total global arms exports in 201822. Most Chinese arms exports (80%) went to countries in Asia and Oceania. In general, China supplied weapons to 46 states in 201822, with 54% of those exports going to Pakistan. The nation has also been the primary buyer of Chinas arms since 1991.Pakistan and China also jointly manufacture some Chinese-origin weapons systems, such as the Al-Khalid tank and the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, as well as anti-tank missiles, portable surface-to-air missiles, and missile boats.In Southeast Asia, China delivers weapons mainly to six countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand.It sells weapons to Africa, too: in particular, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan. However, sales to the region constitute only around 19% of Chinese exports. Latin America is yet another destination for Chinese arms: Argentina, Bolivia, and Venezuela all receive either Chinese arms or private security services.In April 2022, China started to deliver its FK-3 medium-range, road-mobile, surface-to-air missiles to Serbia. In June 2022, Argentina expressed interest in acquiring the China-made JF-17 fighter jets.Moreover, China has recently emerged the worlds largest exporter of drones, in particular, Wing Loong and the CH-4 models. According to Western observers, China is poised to dominate the low end of the arms market in the future.China's top five defense corporations include: China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) (tanks, long-range suppression weapons, and air-defense); Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) (jet-fighters, trainers, military helicopters, and other airborne weapons); China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) (defense electronics); China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC) (light vehicles and firearms); and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.Who are the Biggest German Weapons Manufacturers?Germany's top five weapons manufacturers are: Rheinmetall AG; Krauss-Maffai Wegman (KMW); MBDA Deutschland GmbH; Leonardo S.p.A; and Thyssenkrupp AG.Germany accounted for up to 4.2% of the global total arms supplies in 201822 which was 35% lower than in 201317. The largest share of German arms went to states in the Middle East (36%), Asia and Oceania (32%), and Europe (20%). The country's largest customers are the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.Germany's major exports include infantry fighting vehicles (Puma and Lynx); self-propelled howitzers (such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000); tanks (most notably the Leopard 2); cruise missiles (in particular, Taurus long-range bunker-buster air-to-ground cruise missiles); and air-defense systems (such as the IRIS-T a medium range infrared homing air-to-air/ground to air anti-missile system), to name but a few.When it comes to warplanes, the German Air Force is largely reliant on the Eurofighter Typhoon, a European multinational multirole fighter jet manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, which operate under the auspices of a joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.Even though the conflict in Ukraine been a boon for German defense contractors, the nation is also facing certain constraints, crippled by de-industrialization, unfolding recession, and uncertainty surrounding future energy supplies.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/us-europeans-depleted-their-weapons-stockpiles-fighting-russia-in-ukraine-1111797051.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/fact-check-is-nato-weaponry-superior-to-russian-arms-in-ukraine-1111682241.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/what-are-scalp-missiles-and-how-may-they-affect-ukraines-counteroffensive-1111834010.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/time--and-combat-tested-why-china-holds-russias-sukhoi-su-35-fighters-in-high-regard-1106760824.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/ukraine-to-receive-dozens-of-leopard-tanks-in-coming-weeks---germany-1111644554.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/a-form-of-suicide-germanys-economic-woes-created-by-its-own-sanctions-policy-1111860853.html

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Russian Msta-S self-propelled howitzer crews operate in Zaporozhye direction Russian Msta-S self-propelled howitzer crews operate in Zaporozhye direction 2023-07-24T18:50+0000 true PT0M45S

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The Creatine gelding Take All Comers has won three of his last four races, all at Harrahs Philadelphia, after taking the big share of the purse in the $20,000 Open Handicap Trot on Sunday afternoon (July 23) at the southeast Pennsylvania oval.

Hayek pushed the favoured Take All Comers, who started from the assigned outside slot in a field of seven, but the chalk was able to wrest command from him right after a :27 quarter. He got a breather to a :56.1 half, then was asked by driver Troy Beyer to accelerate down the backstretch, hitting the three-quarters in 1:23.4 with only Hayek able to stay close. The two-holer gave it his best stretch shot, but Take All Comers, a winner of $604,093, held him off by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3 for trainer Jim Campbell and Runthetable Stables.

Even faster on the trot on the Sunday card was the 2022 Maxie Lee Trot winner here, Lovedbythemasses. The Muscle Mass gelding took the lead in a :27.2 opener, yielded to sit the pocket behind Eurobond and fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.4, then zipped home to be three lengths clear of that rival in a sparkling 1:51.4. Lovedbythemasses, now the possessor of a $763,990 bankroll, was driven by Todd McCarthy for trainer Jeff Cullipher, also co-owner with Pollack Racing LLC.

Quickest on the pace was the Stay Hungry sophomore gelding Brue Hanover, undefeated in four starts for trainer Ron Burke after putting up splits of :26.3, :55.4 and 1:23, then holding off pocket-sitter All Class by a neck in 1:50.3. Simon Allard (a four-time winner on the day) steered the developing three-year-old for owner Brad Grant.

Sheridan, Tsipouras Win In Philly AHDC; AHDC Makes Donation To American Cancer Society

Yogi Sheridan rolled down the road and Frank Tsipouras catapulted to a decisive victory in their respective $9,900 American Harness Driver Club (AHDC) events at Harrahs Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.

In the trot, Sheridan secured the lead with Bang Bang Boinga and had things mostly his way. He plodded by a :28 first quarter and :58.4 first half before facing a challenge up the backside from Allindotime (driven by John Calabrese) as he launched a bid along the rim out of third. Allindotime levelled off at the final turn while Real Mccoy (Wyatt Long) sprung to life off the pocket ride, but Bang Bang Boinga held firm to the line to keep a nose up in a 1:57.4 mile with Allindotime holding third. Odds-on favourite Smart As Hill (James Slendorn) closed for fourth.

Joe Poliseno trains Bang Bang Boinga, a six-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter, for owner Mary Sarama. He paid $15 to win.

Despite leaving the gate at 7-1, Jollity and Frank Tsipouras spurted away with the authority of an odds-on choice in the pace to post a 1:55 blowout.

Jollity found himself last in the field of eight after breaking stride behind the gate. He chased pacesetter Magazine Theme (Anthony Verruso) with about a nine-length deficit by a :28.1 first quarter before lifting from last. Henry The Dragon (Yogi Sheridan), the 4-5 favourite, pressed first over to match strides with Magazine Theme by a :58.3 half while Tsipouras blitzed three-wide with Jollity.

In a matter of strides, Jollity abandoned the competition. Past three-quarters in 1:26.2 with a five-length advantage, Jollity only widened the margin and crossed the beam 14 lengths better than Stews Watching (John Calabrese) in second. Warrawee Total (James Slendorn) survived a wide trip to take third and Henry The Dragon settled for fourth.

Crissy Crissman-Bier trains Jollity, a five-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe, for owners Vincent Ferriero, Vincent Ferriero Jr. and JP Longueil. He paid $16.20 to win.

The American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC), which has frequented Pennsylvanias harness tracks through its summer series the last two months, made yet another charitable donation when in action at Harrahs Philadelphia.

Members of the AHDC joined club president Anthony Verruso for a winners circle presentation of a $2,000 cheque to the American Cancer Society, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizatio,n which has raised over $8 billion since 1985 for raising cancer awareness and supporting cancer patients.



Were lucky to get to participate in a sport we love and feels extra rewarding to be able to help those in need, said Verruso. Any way we as horsepeople can give back and help local communities, we will.

With Sundays donation, the AHDC has now donated over $20,000 to various organizations through the last calendar year. In recent months, the AHDC has supported racehorse aftercare with donations to New Vocations as well as to those experiencing housing insecurity through donations to HABcore, a New Jersey-based charity focused on providing permanent housing for children, veterans, families and individuals with special needs.

The AHDC, a club composed of amateur drivers, does not race for profit. All proceeds earned by the drivers go into charitable donations that the club distributes through the year while racing at various tracks in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (July 30) with another preliminary for the clubs summer series at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. First-race post time at Pocono is 6 p.m. (EDT).

Harrahs Philadelphia is currently racing Wednesday through Friday at 12:25 p.m. (EDT) and Sunday at 12:40 p.m.

(with files from PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia and AHDC)
Hes coming home. On Sunday, Aug. 6, Truro Raceway will welcome local record holder Woodmere Stealdeal back to the track where his career began.

Now five years old and racing in Ontario at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Woodmere Stealdeal (p, 5, 1:48.4s; $369,419) still holds the Truro track record for three-year-old pacers of 1:52.2.

One month ago at Mohawk, Woodmere Stealdeal made history, pacing the quickest winning mile by any Maritime-sired pacer in 1:48.4. The Steelhead Hanover-Very Ideal Hanover gelding had already established himself in the Mohawk Preferred class after first making a name for himself at ages two and three in the Maritimes. 'Stealdeal' went undefeated in his first year of pari-mutuel racing and followed with eight stakes victories, plus his first Mohawk win, in 2021.

Truro Raceway is now giving fans the opportunity to get their picture taken with the returning champ in the winner's circle on Aug. 6. He will lead the post parade of the Woodmere Stealdeal Pace, which will be sponsored by Bob, Albert and Roger Sumarah that day. The pacers home track will also be selling commemorative Woodmere Stealdeal hats (co-sponsored by Woodmere Farms and Truro Raceway), with all proceeds going to the Canadian Tire JumpStart program for childrens sports.

The popular pacer will also go a training mile during the Aug. 6 Truro race card, for all to watch.

Woodmere Stealdeal began his career in June 2020 at Truro Raceway in Bible Hill, N.S., trained by Danny Romo for original owners Robert Sumarah of Halifax, N.S. and Kevin Dorey of Lower Sackville, N.S. The 2020 and 2021 Atlantic Post Calls Horse of the Year is currently owned by Sumarah, Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Ont., and Glenn MacDonald of Ajax, Ont., and has been racing at Mohawk for trainer Carmen Auciello.

We're thrilled to recognize that fastest Maritime-bred horse ever and one that has meant so much to our fans, and who was developed by Danny Romo and his team right here at Truro Raceway," said Steve Fitzsimmons, general manager at Truro Raceway. I know our fans will be excited to see 'Stealdeal' and we're looking forward to recognizing his achievements and being part of a special day for him."

(With files from Truro Raceway)
Regional West recently welcomed two new family medicine residents and two new providers to its medical team.

Bryant Carlson, MD, is a family medicine resident through the University of Nebraska Medical Center Family Medicine Rural Training Track, Scottsbluff. Carlson earned a medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.

Hleb Davydzenkau, MD, is a family medicine resident through the University of Nebraska Medical Center Family Medicine Rural Training Track, Scottsbluff. Davydzenkau earned a medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean, St. Maarten.

As part of the Family Medicine Residency program, Regional West Medical Center partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, to provide a two-year family medicine residency program in Scottsbluff.

Erin Holcomb, APRN-NP, sees patients at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Surgery, Vascular Diagnostics. The clinic provides comprehensive surgical services for the Panhandle of Nebraska and eastern Wyoming and, as the states only Level II trauma center west of Kearney, provides emergency and trauma surgery services for an even larger area. Holcomb earned a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a family nurse practitioner.

Aubrey McLellan, FNP-C, sees patients at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine, Scottsbluff. Regional Wests Family Medicine providers care for every member of the family, including newborns, children, teens, adults, and seniors. McLellan earned a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a family nurse practitioner.

To learn more about these providers, visit rwhs.org/find-provider.
As many as 5,700 student loan borrowers in Nebraska who are on income-driven repayment plans could see their balance wiped out in the coming months under a new plan by the Biden administration.

Those borrowers could see nearly $268.9 million in federal student loan debt erased in the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Education said.

Across the country, a total of $39 billion in federal student loans held by 804,000 borrowers could be discharged later this summer, according to figures from the education department.

The income-driven repayment plan, the latest focus for student loan debt forgiveness put forward by the Biden administration, set a borrower's monthly student loan payment at an amount they can afford based on their income and family size.

It also allows borrowers to apply for forgiveness after they've made between 240 and 300 payments, depending on the plan. That means borrowers would have paid down their loans for 20 to 25 years.

But some borrowers enrolled in the program were losing progress toward forgiveness when their monthly payments were not accurately counted towards the total payments made.

The education department began notifying borrowers on July 14 that they qualified for forgiveness without needing to take further action. Those loans will begin being discharged 30 days after borrowers are notified. A borrower's student loan servicing company will inform them of the discharge once it is processed.

"For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress toward forgiveness," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. "By fixing past administrative failures, we are ensuring everyone gets the forgiveness they deserve."

President Joe Biden said the discharge of student loans for borrowers who have made 20 years of payments to their income-driven repayment plan adds to $116 billion in loan relief to more than 3 million Americans since he took office in January 2021.

"I have long said that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs down on families for decades," Biden said in a statement.

The president also took aim at Republicans who have pushed back on his attempts to reduce Americans' student loan burdens, calling their stance "outrageous" and saying they showed "disregard for working and middle-class families."

The cancellation of income-driven repayment plans is the latest in a series of moves  some successful, some not  by the Biden administration to lower American college graduates' student loan debt.

In May, the White House announced 4,000 student loan borrowers in Nebraska had more than $230 million in debt canceled through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program beginning in late 2021.

Nebraskans who enrolled in the program designed to steer college graduates into careers as educators, first responders, military service members, or other public service jobs, had on average $59,000 in debt canceled.

And last summer, 232,100 residents of the Cornhusker state who had taken out federal student loans to attend college and now make less than $125,000 annually were notified they qualified for up to $20,000 in forgiveness.

Of that number, approximately 154,000 Nebraskans applied for relief under the program created by the education department and 97,000 were accepted before it was put on pause during a legal challenge.

The lawsuit, brought by Nebraska and five other states, argued the plan exceeded the scope of the 2003 HEROES Act, which allowed the federal government to offer forgiveness during times of national emergency.

Late last month, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the states that brought the suit and said the Biden administration overstepped its authority, ending the program before any debts were discharged.

Student loan payments are expected to resume in October, and interest will begin accruing in September, the U.S. Department of Education said.
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.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not specifically mention Chinas aggression in the West Philippine Sea in his second State of the Nation Address, but said his administration would continue to protect the countrys sovereignty.

READ: DFA: Chinese harassment in West PH Sea a daily occurrence

Our journey to progress requires not only unity and social cohesion amongst our people, it is also imperative that our nation remains intact and inviolable, our sovereignty preserved, Marcos said in his address on Monday, with China's Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian in the audience.

We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity in defense of a rules-based international order, he added, alluding to tensions with China over Beijing's claims in the West Philippine Sea  a portion of the South China Sea that the Philippines considers part of its exclusive economic zone.

In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) ruled in favor of the Philippines, nullifying Chinas claim over the South China Sea. China has continually rejected the ruling, describing it as illegal and invalid.

Despite Beijings continued harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos earlier said that he would not shift the country away from China.

With our national interest paramount, we will always pursue constant dialogue and diplomatic approaches to the resolution of any issue that may arise, he said.

Marcos said the countrys independent foreign policy, A friend to all and enemy to none, has proven effective.
The field is set for the 2023 elections after the filing period closed on Friday at noon.

Several wards will be up for grabs in Statesville and Mooresville, and many incumbents will attempt to defend their seats in these municipal elections. Mooresville can expect a new mayor as Miles Atkins chose not to seek another term.

A number of changes will happen with this election, including moving Harmony and Love Valley elections to even years after legislation was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly this year.

That means the terms for this years election are limited to one year, with winners having to file again as candidates for the 2024 election if they wish to seek the longer terms those offices typically have.

When to vote

For the Oct. 10 elections, early voting begins Sept. 8, with a voter registration deadline on Sept. 15. One Stop/Early Voting begins Sept. 21 at 8 a.m.

The last day to request absentee by mail will be Oct. 3, and One Stop/Early Voting ends Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.

For the October elections, One Stop Early Voting Locations will be at the Iredell County Board of Elections at 203 Stockton St. in Statesville and the War Memorial Building at 220 N. Maple St. in Mooresville. Hours for both locations are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday from Sept 21 to Oct. 6, and on Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday only.

Election day will be on Oct. 10 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For the Nov. 7 elections, early voting begins Oct. 6, with a voter registration deadline on Oct. 13. One Stop/Early Voting begins Oct. 19 at 8 a.m.

The last day to request absentee by mail will be Oct. 31, and One Stop/Early Voting ends Nov. 4 at 3 p.m.

Election day will be on Nov. 7 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A photo ID will be required for the 2023 municipal elections. The North Carolina State Board of Elections has a list of the public employee and student ID cards that are eligible, along with North Carolina drivers licenses, U.S. passport/U.S. passport cards, and a few other approved IDs.

For other information on this years elections or eligibility, contact the Board of Elections at 704-878-3140 or check your voter registration and find local election information on the Iredell County Board of Elections website.

Who is running?

The following had filed to run for election in Iredell County on Friday at noon.

Statesville

Election Date: Oct. 10, runoff Nov. 7

City council, Ward 1 (4 years): Kevin Sullivan, David L. Jones (incumbent)

City council, Ward 4 (4 years): Amy Lawton (incumbent), Jennifer Thorson DiFiore

City council, Ward 6 (4 years): Fred Foster (incumbent), Lisa Pearson, Jonathan Mayes

Mooresville

Election Date: Nov. 7, primary, if required, Oct. 10

Mayor (2 years): Bobby Compton, Chris Carney

Commissioner, at-large (4 years): Thomas Anthony Tohn, Frank Owens, Edward Karriker, Sean Kinahan, Jeff Karp, and Angela Stutts.

Commissioner, Ward 1 (4 years): Eddie Dingler (incumbent)

Commissioner, Ward 2 (4 years): Thurman Houston (incumbent), William (Will) Aven

Mooresville Graded School District

Election Date: Nov. 7

Board of Education (4 years): Kerry Pennell, Debbie Marsh (incumbents), Theresa Knight, Monica Bender. Three seats are up for election.

Troutman

Mayor (4 years): Teross W. Young Jr. (incumbent)

Town council (4 years): Eddie Nau (incumbent), Nicholas Jaroszynski, George Harris (incumbent), Matt Crates. Two seats are up for election.

Harmony

Election Date: Nov. 7

Mayor (1 year): Sean Turner

Town council (1 year): Scotty Harris, Doug Galliher, and Julia Clanton (incumbents), and Forrest Breedlove. All four seats are up for election.

Love Valley

Election Date: Nov. 7

Mayor (1 year): Tim Meadows (incumbent)

Commissioner (1 year): Mark Loden, Randy Ladd, Randy Lackey, Linda Chase, Ted Davis (incumbents), Gary Mayfield, Phillip L. Baity, and Terri Rufty. All five seats are up for election.

Davidson

Election Date: Nov. 7

Mayor (2 years): Russell B. (Rusty) Knox Jr. (incumbent)

Town commissioner (2 years): Ryan Fay, Autumn Rierson Michael, Matthew Dellinger, Tracy Mattison Brandon (incumbents), and Steven G. (Steve) Justus. All five seats are up for election.
JERUSALEM  Israeli lawmakers on Monday approved a key portion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's divisive plan to curb the powers of the country's justice system despite massive protests that exposed unprecedented fissures in Israeli society and accused the government of pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.

The vote came after a stormy session in which opposition lawmakers chanted "shame" and then stormed out of the chamber. Mass demonstrations erupted outside the parliament building in Jerusalem and in central Tel Aviv after the vote.

It reflected the determination of Netanyahu and his far-right allies to move ahead with the plan, which has tested the delicate social ties that bind the country, rattled the cohesion of its powerful military and repeatedly drawn concern from its closest ally, the United States.

The overhaul calls for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court's ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.

Netanyahu and his allies say the changes strengthen democracy by limiting the powers of unelected judges and giving elected officials more powers over decision making.

But protesters see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by personal and political grievances of Netanyahu  who is on trial for corruption charges  and his partners.

His allies, who include ultra-nationalist and ultra-religious parties, have promoted such goals as increased West Bank settlement construction, annexation of the occupied territory and limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and Palestinians.

In Israel, which does not have a formal constitution, the judiciary plays a critical oversight role in the country's system of checks and balances.

Under the Israeli system, the prime minister governs through a majority coalition in parliament  in effect giving him control over two branches of government. By moving to weaken the judiciary, critics say, Netanyahu's allies will consolidate power by weakening the independence and oversight of judges. They liken the process to "illiberal" democracies like Poland and Hungary.

"It's a sad day," opposition leader Yair Lapid said after the vote. "This is not a victory for the coalition. This is the destruction of Israeli democracy."

In Monday's vote, lawmakers approved a measure that prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable."

With the opposition out of the hall, the measure passed by a 64-0 margin.

After the vote, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the plan, said parliament had taken the "first step in an important historic process" of overhauling the judiciary.

More mass protests are now expected, and the Movement for Quality Government, a civil society group, immediately announced it would challenge the new law in the Supreme Court.

The grassroots protest movement condemned the vote, saying Netanyahu's "government of extremists is showing their determination to jam their fringe ideology down the throats of millions of citizens."

"No one can predict the extent of damage and social upheaval that will follow the passage of the legislation," it said.

Thousands of people blocked Jerusalem's main highway and gathered outside the parliament building after the vote. Walls and fences running the length of the street outside the Supreme Court, prime minister's office and parliament were plastered with hundreds of stickers reading "we won't service a dictator," "democracy or rebellion" and "save Israel from Netanyahu." Police tried to clear away the crowds with water cannons spraying skunk-scented water.

Mass demonstrations also erupted in central Tel Aviv  the epicenter of months of anti-government protests.

Earlier, demonstrators blocked a road in Jerusalem leading up to the parliament, and big mall chains and some gas stations shuttered their doors in protest.

Further ratcheting up the pressure on Netanyahu, thousands of military reservists have declared their refusal to serve under a government taking steps that they see as setting the country on a path to dictatorship. Those moves have prompted fears that the military's preparedness could be compromised.

The vote came only hours after Netanyahu was released from the hospital, where he had a pacemaker implanted.

His sudden hospitalization added another dizzying twist to an already dramatic series of events, which were watched closely in Washington. The Biden administration has frequently spoken out against Netanyahu's government and its overhaul plan. In a statement to the news site Axios late Sunday, President Joe Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking so much division.

"Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn't make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus," he said.

Biden has also been critical of the government's steps to deepen Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

The massive, sustained democracy protests have shunned mention of Israel's 56-year occupation of lands the Palestinians seek for their hoped-for independent state, fearing the issue might alienate supporters. But critics portray this rule over another people as a major stain on Israel's claim to be a liberal democracy and accuse the protesters of harboring a significant blind spot in their struggle.

The overhaul has exposed deep divisions in Israeli society  much of it along religious, ethnic and class lines.

While protesters come from all segments of society, they come largely from the country's secular middle class, while Netanyahu's supporters tend to be poorer, more religious and live in West Bank settlements or outlying rural areas. Many of his supporters are Mizrahi Jews, with roots in Middle Eastern countries, and have expressed hostility toward what they say is an elitist class of Ashkenazi or European, Jews.

On the eve of the vote, tens of thousands of people gathered for mass rallies for and against the plan. Netanyahu's supporters late Sunday, thronged central Tel Aviv  normally the setting for anti-government protests  while his opponents converged on Jerusalem ahead of Monday's vote.

Despite the attempts to project business as usual, Netanyahu's schedule was disrupted by his hospitalization, with a Cabinet meeting and trips postponed. His doctors said Sunday the procedure had gone smoothly and the prime minister said in a short video statement from the hospital late Sunday that he felt fine.

Netanyahu paused the overhaul in March after intense pressure by protesters and labor strikes that halted outgoing flights and shut down parts of the economy. After talks to find a compromise failed last month, he said his government was pressing on with the overhaul.

Photos: Scenes of protest in Israel over Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan
Among the incidents, four forest fires and bushfires occurred in the village of Azar and the surrounding regions, Zaman al-Wasl reports.

The White Helmets reported a series of ten fires that broke out in northwestern Syria on Sunday, resulting in significant damage to properties in the affected areas.

Among the incidents, four forest fires and bushfires occurred in the village of Azar and the surrounding regions of Janoudiya and al-Dahr in the western countryside of Idleb. Additionally, fires broke out in the village of Kafr Safra in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Two other fires emerged in camps for displaced individuals. One fire was caused by the explosion of a lighting battery in a tent at Salah al-Din camp near Kafr Derian, while the second occurred in a temporary housing room at al-Wefaq camp in the town of Killi, north of Idleb. Further incidents included a fire in a house in the city of Marea, a fire in a haberdashery and iron collection site near the town of Batbu, a fire in a hay warehouse in the town of Armanaz, and a fire in a firewood warehouse in the village of Yusuf Bek, east of Aleppo.

Fortunately, the White Helmets were quick to respond to these incidents. They managed to extinguish and cool down some of the fires, ensuring there were no reported injuries. However, the fires resulted in material damage only.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Tensions flared in the area following a confrontation between young men from the Jaramana camp and others from the city of Jaramana, al-Souria Net reports.

The Jaramana area, located in the countryside of the Syrian capital Damascus, experienced significant security developments when a brawl escalated into an armed clash, leading to subsequent demonstrations against the regime.

On Sunday night, the region endured a night of unrest marked by violence and tension, with clashes involving the use of weapons and machine guns. This chaotic situation had a profound impact on local shops, streets, and squares.

How did the unrest start?

Tensions flared in the area following a confrontation between young men from the Jaramana camp and others from the city of Jaramana, resulting in the accidental injury of Osama al-Halabi, a resident of the city, by a stray bullet.

The initial altercation between the two groups escalated from clashes involving knives and sticks to more severe exchanges of heavy gunfire and machine gun clashes.

The situation was aggravated by the spread of fake news, including reports of the young mans death, which sparked anger among his friends and residents in the area. However, it was later confirmed that the young man was in stable condition, and an audio recording of him corroborated his well-being.

Videos circulating on social media depicted the chaos that engulfed Jaramana on Sunday evening. Incidents included streets being set on fire to block roads and shops being vandalized, resulting in significant material damage.

The regime has not issued an official statement regarding the events in Jaramana, leading residents to report that their intervention in breaking up the clashes was delayed. Local sources stated that the security forces only intervened after the situation had already subsided, and their presence was limited to key areas in the city.

Kifah al-Shaibani, the head of the city council, explained that the dispute arose following the death of one of the young men, injured the previous day by gunfire from individuals living in Jaramana camp. Elders and sheikhs of the region intervened to resolve and calm the tensions among the youths.

It is worth noting that the city of Jaramana is home to residents from the Suweida governorate, while the citys camp accommodates Palestinian refugees.

During the chaotic events, there were instances of racist incitement against city residents, leading to attacks on shops belonging to Palestinians and Iraqi residents.

In addition to the clashes, there were reports of political slogans denouncing the Assad regime during the protests in Jaramana. However, these reports could not be independently verified.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Ankara dismissed the Syrian regime's demand for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria at this stage as "meaningless", according to al-Modon.

The Turkish presidency has linked the Syrian regimes involvement in the war against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to progress in normalizing relations between Damascus and Ankara.

Fahrettin Altun, the director of communications in the Turkish presidency, dismissed the Syrian regimes demand for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria at this stage as meaningless. He asserted that Turkeys presence serves as a guarantee for the integrity of Syrian territory.

In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, Altun emphasized the importance of achieving tangible results in the fight against terrorism to advance negotiations with the Bashar al-Assad regime. He urged the regime to abandon preconditions and focus on achieving positive outcomes in the normalization process.

Altun revealed that Turkey engaged in normalization talks with the Syrian regime through the Quartet without imposing any preconditions, acting in good faith. He called on the Syrian regime to follow Ankaras example and give up preconditions, including the demand for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria.

However, Altun acknowledged that both countries are in the early stages of determining the future of their bilateral relations.

Emphasizing the threat posed by the SDF to Turkish national security, Altun asserted that concrete progress in the fight against terrorism is necessary. He expressed Turkeys expectation that the Syrian regime would act in accordance with the realities on the ground, as the terrorist organization directly threatens Syrias territorial integrity.

Regarding the return of refugees, Altun stated that facilitating the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Syrian refugees and reviving the political process, which has been obstructed by the regime, remain among Ankaras top priorities in Syria.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The primary objective of this gathering was to curtail the escalating drug trade along the shared border, Enab Baladi writes.

The Jordanian-Syrian Joint Committee convened its inaugural meeting to enhance collaboration in combating drug smuggling across the Syrian border into Jordan, as reported by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

The meeting, held on Sunday, was chaired by General Ali Mahmoud Abbas, the Syrian regimes Minister of Defense, and attended by Major General Hossam Luka, Director of General Intelligence, representing Syria. From the Jordanian side, Major General Yousef Huneiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Major General Ahmed Hosni, Director of General Intelligence, participated in the gathering.

The focus of the meeting, the specific location of which was not disclosed, centred on joint efforts to address the threat of drugs, including their sources of production and smuggling, and the entities responsible for organizing, managing, and executing cross-border smuggling activities into Jordan.

The primary objective of this gathering was to curtail the escalating drug trade along the shared border, which has led to violent skirmishes primarily attributed to pro-Iranian factions controlling southern Syria.

This meeting followed a commitment made by Syrias neighbours during the Amman meeting in May, where they received a pledge from the Syrian regime to cooperate in curbing the flourishing drug trade, in return for support in ending its pariah status.

At the time of writing, the Syrian regime has not officially commented on the meeting.

Despite various countries efforts to normalize relations with the Syrian regime and reintegrate it into its Arab surroundings, drug smuggling operations from areas controlled by the Syrian regime to Arab countries continue unabated.

On April 14, Bob Menendez, Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, labelled Bashar al-Assad as a war criminal, running a drug state, in short. He expressed criticism on Twitter regarding the Arab countries efforts to normalize relations with the regime, asserting that such actions overlook the regimes violations and that the persistence of drug trafficking poses a threat to regional societies.

Drugs are an economic pillar

According to reports from specialized sources and journalistic investigations, there is evidence indicating the involvement of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads family and close regime associates in networks engaged in manufacturing drugs and exporting them from Syria to other countries.

In a December 2021 investigation published by The New York Times, it was revealed that the Fourth Division of the Syrian regime forces, led by Maher al-Assad, Bashar al-Assads younger brother, is responsible for the production and export of Captagon. Additionally, the trade in this narcotic is facilitated by businessmen with close ties to the regime, Hezbollah, and other members of the Assad family.

The COAR Center for Analysis and Research issued a study in late April 2021, highlighting that Syria has become a global center for Captagon production, and its manufacturing capabilities have become more industrialized and technologically advanced than ever before.

According to a COAR study in 2020, Syrias exports of Captagon alone reached a staggering amount of more than $3.46 billion.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

The Jordanian army said on Monday it had shot down a drone carrying drugs from Syria into its northern frontier region in the third such incident in recent weeks. At the same time, a prominent opposition leader was arrested by the SNA and the Turkish intelligence.

Syrian and Jordanian army and intelligence chiefs meet over drug war along border

Army and security chiefs from Jordan and Syria met on Sunday to curb a growing drug trade along their mutual border that has seen deadly skirmishes, blamed mainly on pro-Iranian militias who hold sway in southern Syria, Reuters reported.

The meeting comes after Syrias neighbours got a pledge from Damascus during a meeting last May in Amman to cooperate with their efforts to rein in Syrias flourishing drug trade in exchange for helping end its pariah status after a brutal crackdown of peaceful protesters during the civil war.

The talks headed by Jordanian army head Lieutenant General Yousef Hunaiti and Syrian Defence Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas in the presence of both countries intelligence chiefs also tackled the threat drugs posed to regional stability, a Jordanian foreign ministry statement said.

The meeting discussed cooperation in confronting the drug danger and its sources of production and smuggling and the parties that organize and execute smuggling operations across the border, the statement said.

Syria is accused by Arab governments and the West of producing the highly-addictive and lucrative amphetamine captagon and organizing its smuggling into the Gulf, with Jordan a main transit route.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government denies involvement in drug-making and smuggling or complicity by Iranian-backed militias linked to its army and security forces. Iran says the allegations are part of Western plots against the country.

Jordan, impatient with what it says are broken promises to curb the drug war, took matters into its own hands and in May made a rare strike inside Syrian territory where an Iran-linked drugs factory was demolished, local and Western intelligence sources said.

Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi earlier this month said in Damascus his country would not hesitate to act against any threat to its national security and urged Damascus to act more forcefully.

A drone carrying crystal meth downed

The Jordanian army said on Monday it had shot down a drone carrying drugs from Syria into its northern frontier region in the third such incident in recent weeks, Reuters reported.

The plane, which was carrying two kilos of crystal methamphetamine, was intercepted and downed on Jordans side of the border, it said.

It comes a day after the army and security chiefs from Jordan and Syria met to discuss ways to curb the growing smuggling problem. Despite pledges by Damascus, Jordan says it has not seen any real attempt to clamp down on the illicit trade.

Jordan has blamed pro-Iranian militias, who it says are protected by units within the Syrian army, for smuggling drugs across its borders toward Gulf markets.

Damascus says it is doing its best to curb smuggling and continues to bust smuggler rings in the south. It denies complicity by Iranian-backed militias linked to its army and security forces.

SNA leader arrested, member killed in Raqqas Tel Abyad

North Press reported that the Syrian National Armys (SNA) Military Police, significant developments took place in downtown Tel Abyad, located in northern Raqqa, Syria. On the morning of July 24th, 2023, a targeted raid was carried out on the headquarters of a brigade belonging to the Levant Front faction, which is backed by Turkey.

During the operation, the SNAs Military Police, with support from Turkish intelligence, successfully apprehended the leader of the brigade, identified as Hussein Abu Ali al-Ageidi. Simultaneously, the security guard responsible for guarding the leader, Shihab al-Nuaimi, lost his life in the encounter.

The raid was not confined to a single factions headquarters. Instead, it encompassed three different SNA factions locations. The ostensible reason behind this operation was the pursuit of drug dealers, as claimed by the authorities.

These developments reflect the ongoing tensions and complexities in the region, highlighting the challenges faced by various factions in maintaining control and order. The situation remains dynamic and may have broader implications for the security landscape in northern Syria.

Syrias attempts to rejoin the international fold are far from convincing  heres why

The Conversation has published a detailed analysis of why Syrias attempts to rejoin the international fold are far from convincing.

The article written by Scott Lucas, a Professor at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, analyzes Syrias attempts to rejoin the international community after years of conflict and political isolation. The author highlights several key reasons why these attempts are far from convincing.

Fractured Syria: The author argues that Syria remains deeply fractured, making it challenging for any template agreements or declarations to address the complex issues the country is facing. The civil war and repression of the popular uprising have left Syria in disarray, with millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, along with economic hardships and shortages. Irans Limited Influence: While Iran has shown support for Syrias leader, Bashar al-Assad, the article suggests that its influence in the region is not sufficient to resolve the multitude of challenges Syria is facing. Irans involvement in regional conflicts and the standoff over its nuclear program also complicate the situation. Astana Process Challenges: Syrias participation in the Astana process, aimed at finding a resolution to the conflict, encountered difficulties, with various stakeholders having conflicting interests. The regimes demand for Turkey to withdraw its forces from opposition territory in northwest Syria highlights the complexities involved in finding a sustainable resolution. Rivalries and Tensions: Assads attempts to restore relations with Arab states clash with his reliance on Iran, as some Arab states are at odds with Tehrans influence in the region. While there have been some diplomatic overtures between Iran and Saudi Arabia, underlying tensions remain. Economic Barriers: Western sanctions, particularly those imposed by the US, limit Syrias potential economic gains and deter significant investments in the countrys devastated infrastructure and struggling economy.

In conclusion, the article suggests that despite some symbolic gestures and diplomatic engagements, Syrias path to rejoining the international fold is hindered by its fractured state, Irans limited influence, regional rivalries, and economic challenges. The country faces a complex web of political and economic issues that cannot be easily resolved through superficial agreements or declarations.

Eight years later: Starting over as a Syrian teenager in Germany

This four-part series follows the story of Tammam Zaher Aldin, a Syrian teenager who embarked on a challenging journey to reunite with his mother in Germany. Tammams father had initially prevented him from leaving Syria to join his mother in Germany, but after his father contracted COVID-19 and passed away, Tammam seized the opportunity and obtained a visa to reunite with his family.

The New Humanitarian published an account of Tammams experience since his arrival in Germany, when Tammam faced a difficult period of adjustment. He missed his friends and life in Syria, struggled to concentrate on his studies, and initially found it hard to make new connections in Germany. He enrolled in mandatory classes for newly arrived foreign children to learn German, which he found challenging and demotivating due to the mixed language levels in the class. Tammams first German friend was an elderly neighbour who helped him adapt to German society.

Tammams turning point came when he remembered his passion for judo, a sport he had practiced for years in Syria. However, due to his busy study schedule and the distance of the nearest judo club, he had to postpone rejoining the sport. Tammams life took another turn when refugees from the Russian invasion of Ukraine arrived in Germany. Empathizing with their struggles, he volunteered to help them settle in and find a sense of community, which gave him a sense of purpose.

Despite the challenges, Tammam persevered in his studies and successfully passed the intermediate German exam. He started to feel more confident and comfortable in his new environment and began appreciating aspects of German culture, such as the value for following rules and regulations.

Looking forward, Tammam saw a path to building a stable life in Germany. While he understood that the journey to becoming a citizen would be long and require completing high school and college, he felt that normalcy and stability were achievable with time and effort.

Tammams story reflects the struggles and triumphs of many Syrian refugees who sought safety and stability in Germany. It showcases the difficulties of adjusting to a new life and culture while also highlighting the resilience and determination that can lead to successful integration and a hopeful future in a new country.

Turkey reaches out to Syria as Damascus courts Amman  analysis

An article published by JPost.com discusses Turkeys desire to normalize ties with Syria while maintaining certain demands related to Kurdish far-left groups that it considers terrorists. Turkey has been backing Syrian rebels in their fight against Kurdish groups, particularly the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Ankara labels as terrorists linked to the PKK/YPG/PYD. To address the issue of Syrian refugees in Turkey and work towards their return to Syria, Turkey seeks to improve relations with Damascus.

On the other hand, Syria is engaging with Jordan to combat drug smuggling, with a recent forum held in Amman to address the illegal captagon trade that occurs in Syria and fuels militias. The drug trade is a significant issue as it brings in substantial revenue, and Iran-backed militia allies in southern Syria are allegedly involved. Despite playing both sides by working with Jordan and enabling the drug trade, Syria is showing an interest in courting Jordan and addressing this issue seriously.

The article highlights how Syria is attempting to re-enter its traditional role as a bridge between Turkey and the Arab states of the Middle East. In the past, Syria played a key role in the region, positioning itself for regional leadership and working closely with Moscow and Europe. It also served as a corridor for Irans influence and played a role in empowering Hamas. With the changing dynamics in the region, Syria is seeking to position itself as a broker of deals rather than a site of civil war.

Overall, the article shows that Turkey and Syria are engaging in diplomatic efforts to improve ties and address shared concerns, such as the Kurdish issue and drug smuggling. However, the complexity of the region and conflicting interests may present challenges to achieving concrete results in the normalization of their relations. The situation remains fluid, and both countries will need to navigate carefully to achieve their respective goals in the region.
Following Safadi's visit to Damascus, he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on June 4th, Athr Press reminds.

Jordans diplomatic efforts toward resolving the Syrian crisis have been steadily gaining momentum. Its significant role in the Jeddah consultative meeting and continued involvement in tripartite meetings with Egypt and Iraq showcase its commitment to finding a solution.

The restoration of Syrian-Jordanian relations, marked by a phone call between President Bashar al-Assad and King Abdullah II, led to subsequent official meetings. Jordans Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, visited Damascus, signalling a willingness to engage in meaningful communication.

However, challenges persist as the complexities of the Syrian crisis and competing regional and international interests create uncertainty about the prospects for success.

Following Safadis visit to Damascus, he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on June 4, 2023, to discuss regional stability and the return of displaced Syrians. Experts speculate that Jordans involvement hints at facilitating a Syrian-Turkish rapprochement, despite doubts about Turkeys sincerity. Menini expressed skepticism, citing Turkeys history of unreliable political positions.

To influence Qatars stance on Syria, Safadi met with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in Doha on June 17, 2023. While Qatars policies have negatively impacted Syria and the Gulf states, economic interests have brought Qatar and Jordan closer.

In conclusion, Jordans active diplomatic role reflects its growing influence as a regional actor. Despite the challenges, Jordan remains committed to resolving the Syrian crisis, emphasizing that reestablishing full relations with Syria is crucial for regional security and stability.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Samsung has announced that Galaxy smartphone users can now access all their essential Digital IDs such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License and Vehicle Registration Certificate as part of Samsung Wallet. Galaxy smartphone users can also store their Co-WIN vaccination certificates conveniently and securely on their phone.

In addition, Samsung has introduced several new travel and mobility features to the all-new Samsung Wallet, which merges and enhances the existing features of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass on Galaxy smartphones, letting consumers have a seamless card Tap and Pay, UPI payments and bill payments experience.

With these new features, users can recharge and check their FASTag account, save their flight boarding passes for quick & convenient access and leverage a complete solution for train tickets within Samsung Wallet such as booking and saving tickets, checking train status, among others. Users can add train tickets or boarding passes by scanning the QR or barcode or importing the image or PDF to Samsung Wallet.

Users will be able to show proof of identity and travel documents needed to enter airports directly from Samsung Wallet, making it an extremely convenient option for them.

Apart from the four Digital IDs  Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License and Vehicle Registration Certificate  users will be able to access over 2,000 other IDs/documents directly from Samsung Wallet. Samsung, however, will not store any of this information and the details will be displayed on the device within the Samsung Wallet app.

Ms. Reshma Virmani, Director, Services & Engagement, Samsung India, said, Samsung Wallet is an easy-to-use, secure platform that holds everything a users digital life needs. You can access your essentials, including tokenized credit and debit cards, UPI, Digital IDs, travel tickets and boarding passes, Co-WIN vaccine certificates, among others. It includes everything you love about Samsung Pay along with new exciting features from Samsung Wallet. With Samsung Wallet, we are offering consumers an entirely safe and secure environment for accessing their cards, IDs and documents, bringing a new level of everyday convenience to mobile devices. This also strengthens our commitment to being a strong partner of India with our vision of Powering Digital India.

A dedicated team of engineers, designs and product managers at the Samsung R&D Institute, Bangalore (SRI-B), which is Samsungs largest R&D centre outside Korea, has developed these new features of Samsung Wallet. These features are part of several India-specific features developed by SRI-B for Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Users can access UPI, bill payments, Digital IDs, travel and mobility documents, FASTag, Gift cards, Coupons and much more with just a swipe-up to open Samsung Wallet from the off-screen, lock screen and home screen on their Galaxy smartphones.

Samsung Wallet goes above and beyond to safeguard your data in a secure environment where it is protected from malware and other potential threats. It uses several special security methods such as tokenization to secure the personal and financial information of users. On top of this, defence-grade security platform Samsung Knox constantly monitors and protects users mobile device from malware and other threats.

Easy Payments using Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, now merged with Samsung Wallet, is the simple and secure way to pay. Make a payment with just a swipe or tap using your Galaxy smartphone and enjoy convenience at its best.

Secured using Samsung Pass

In addition, Samsung Wallet houses Samsung Pass that gives customers easy access to apps and services through the passwords saved. Samsung Pass offers identity management as-a-service, enabling secure access through biometric authentication. Users can log in to apps and services with biometric authentication.

As Secure as It Is Simple, Protected by Samsung Knox

Samsung Wallet is protected by a defense-grade security platform, Samsung Knox. Protections include fingerprint recognition and encryption, which help safeguard users sensitive data, so only the device owners can access their important information. Along with Samsung Knox, certain key sensitive items in Samsung Wallet are stored in an isolated environment  the embedded Secure Element, which also helps protect against digital and physical hacking.

Even if their phone is lost, users have peace of mind knowing that everything stored in their Samsung Wallet is protected by Samsung Knox and biometric authentication. With SmartThings Find, Samsung Wallet can also be remotely disabled, and users can remotely lock their device for an extra layer of protection.

Availability

Galaxy smartphone users can update their existing Samsung Pay service to Samsung Wallet through the Galaxy Store. The update is available through auto mode and manual mode.
Hitachi Vantara and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, Govt. of India, (CMTI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to uplift the manufacturing industry through this collaboration. The signing ceremony was attended by Gopikrishna Balijepally, Senior Vice President, Hitachi Vantara; Atsuhiro Suzuki, Director, Hitachi India; and Nagahanumaiah, Director, CMTI.

The CMTI has agreed to lend its expertise for professional development in smart manufacturing and smart quality, which seeks to develop maturity in the Indian manufacturing sector. By harnessing advanced technologies and innovative practices, the collaboration will play a crucial role in driving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in manufacturing. The smart manufacturing projects are expected to begin in six months.

Dr. Nagahanumaiah, Director, CMTI said We are delighted to collaborate with Hitachi India and Hitachi Vantara India. We strongly believe that collaboration is not just about working together, but also embracing the power of diversity in thought and perspective. By offering our manufacturing expertise, we can transcend limitations and achieve breakthroughs that will reshape the future.

Atsuhiro Suzuki, Director, Hitachi India said, We are excited to partner with CMTI to support their Make in India mission. Hitachi will work jointly with CMTI in building digital solutions to address needs of the manufacturing sector.

Gopikrishna Balijepally, Senior Vice President, Hitachi Vantara India, said, We are offering our digital solutions and capabilities on smart manufacturing, leveraging our Industry consulting and IoT practices. Together we can make significant contributions towards the Make in India initiative.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel on Monday said some groups are already in touch with him for the possible filing of a petition against the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund Act.

Meron na sa 'kin. Isa, dalawa, (groups) and then may lawyers. Im sure meron nang magku-question diyan, Pimentel told reporters after the opening of the Senates second regular session of the 19th Congress.

[Translation: There are one, two groups and then lawyers who reached out to me. I'm sure someone will question it already.]

Earlier, Kristina Conti, secretary general of National Union of Peoples Lawyers, said the group, along with the Makabayan bloc, are looking into actions they can take following the signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund law.

Their next step includes possibly filing a constitutionality case before the Supreme Court, she said. They are also reaching out to other groups and experts who are also opposing the measure, she added.

Pimentel said he is willing to join the groups as co-petitioner or adviser. Other details about the plan, including the date of filing, are still being finalized, he noted.

He said that one of the arguments to be included in the petition is the alleged amending of the measure after it was passed by Congress.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has denied allegations of tampering with the law, specifically the provision on the prescription period for violation of the measure.

He has shrugged off the plans of some groups to challenge the Maharlika fund, saying the Senates transcript of records can prove what really transpired when the law was being deliberated. He added that it was an honest mistake by the secretariat and that there were no malicious intentions to amend the law.

Speaking to CNN Philippines, political analyst Tony La Vina said the law was a "mistaken priority" and that this can be vehicle of corruption so the public should be vigilant about it.

Instead of the Maharlika fund, lawmakers should have prioritized passing proposed measures related to agriculture and fisheries, he added.
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The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy has set off on a three-month science mission in the Arctic. As part of this mission, a new infrared imaging system will collect a first-of-its-kind dataset for training artificial-intelligence analysis tools. Here, the Healy is pictured during a science mission in 2018. Credits: NyxoLyno Cangemi/U.S. Coast Guard

As the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) icebreaker Healy takes part in a voyage across the North Pole this summer, it is capturing images of the Arctic to further the study of this rapidly changing region. Lincoln Laboratory researchers installed a camera system aboard the Healy during its time at port in Seattle before it embarked on a three-month science mission on July 11. The resulting dataset, which will be one of the first of its kind, will be used to develop artificial intelligence tools that can analyze Arctic imagery.

"This dataset not only can help mariners navigate more safely and operate more efficiently, but also help protect our nation by providing critical maritime domain awareness and an improved understanding of how AI analysis can be brought to bear in this challenging and unique environment," says Jo Kurucar, a researcher in Lincoln Laboratory's AI Software Architectures and Algorithms Group, which led this project.

As the planet warms and sea ice melts, Arctic passages are opening up to more traffic, both to military vessels and ships conducting illegal fishing. These movements may pose national security challenges to the United States. The opening Arctic also leaves questions about how its climate, wildlife, and geography are changing.

Today, very few imagery datasets of the Arctic exist to study these changes. Overhead images from satellites or aircraft can only provide limited information about the environment. An outward-looking camera attached to a ship can capture more details of the setting and different angles of objects, such as other ships, in the scene. These types of images can then be used to train AI computer-vision tools, which can help the USCG plan naval missions and automate analysis. According to Kurucar, USCG assets in the Arctic are spread thin and can benefit greatly from AI tools, which can act as a force multiplier.

The Healy is the USCG's largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker. Given its current mission, it was a fitting candidate to be equipped with a new sensor to gather this dataset. The laboratory research team collaborated with the USCG Research and Development Center to determine the sensor requirements. Together, they developed the Cold Region Imaging and Surveillance Platform (CRISP).

"Lincoln Laboratory has an excellent relationship with the Coast Guard, especially with the Research and Development Center. Over a decade, we've established ties that enabled the deployment of the CRISP system," says Amna Greaves, the CRISP project lead and an assistant leader in the AI Software Architectures and Algorithms Group. "We have strong ties not only because of the USCG veterans working at the laboratory and in our group, but also because our technology missions are complementary. Today it was deploying infrared sensing in the Arctic; tomorrow it could be operating quadruped robot dogs on a fast-response cutter."

The CRISP system comprises a long-wave infrared camera, manufactured by Teledyne FLIR (for forward-looking infrared), that is designed for harsh maritime environments. The camera can stabilize itself during rough seas and image in complete darkness, fog, and glare. It is paired with a GPS-enabled time-synchronized clock and a network video recorder to record both video and still imagery along with GPS-positional data.

The camera is mounted at the front of the ship's fly bridge, and the electronics are housed in a ruggedized rack on the bridge. The system can be operated manually from the bridge or be placed into an autonomous surveillance mode, in which it slowly pans back and forth, recording 15 minutes of video every three hours and a still image once every 15 seconds.

"The installation of the equipment was a unique and fun experience. As with any good project, our expectations going into the install did not meet reality," says Michael Emily, the project's IT systems administrator who traveled to Seattle for the install. Working with the ship's crew, the laboratory team had to quickly adjust their route for running cables from the camera to the observation station after they discovered that the expected access points weren't in fact accessible. "We had 100-foot cables made for this project just in case of this type of scenario, which was a good thing because we only had a few inches to spare," Emily says.

The CRISP project team plans to publicly release the dataset, anticipated to be about 4 terabytes in size, once the USCG science mission concludes in the fall.

The goal in releasing the dataset is to enable the wider research community to develop better tools for those operating in the Arctic, especially as this region becomes more navigable. "Collecting and publishing the data allows for faster and greater progress than what we could accomplish on our own," Kurucar adds. "It also enables the laboratory to engage in more advanced AI applications while others make more incremental advances using the dataset."

On top of providing the dataset, the laboratory team plans to provide a baseline object-detection model, from which others can make progress on their own models. More advanced AI applications planned for development are classifiers for specific objects in the scene and the ability to identify and track objects across images.

Beyond assisting with USCG missions, this project could create an influential dataset for researchers looking to apply AI to data from the Arctic to help combat climate change, says Paul Metzger, who leads the AI Software Architectures and Algorithms Group.

Metzger adds that the group was honored to be a part of this project and is excited to see the advances that come from applying AI to novel challenges facing the United States: "I'm extremely proud of how our group applies AI to the highest-priority challenges in our nation, from predicting outbreaks of COVID-19 and assisting the U.S. European Command in their support of Ukraine to now employing AI in the Arctic for maritime awareness."

More information: Once the dataset is available, it will be free to download on the Lincoln Laboratory dataset website.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

After a man was shot dead outside a bank in Paramount in 2019, Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives turned to Google for help identifying suspects.

Through a search warrant, detectives directed the tech giant to provide cellphone location data for people who were near places the man visited on the day he was killed. The data Google provided eventually led detectives to two suspects who are now in prison for the murder.

But law enforcement's demand for Google location data using what's known as "geofence warrants" also sparked concerns that the requests violated the suspects' constitutional rights. This year, a California Court of Appeal upheld the murder conviction but ruled the warrant violated the 4th Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, because it was too broad and could have potentially swept up thousands of people.

The case, People vs. Meza, highlights the central tension over the exploding use of geofence warrants: Law enforcement leaders see Google location data as essential for solving crimes, but civil rights groups fear such warrants will infringe on the privacy of innocent bystanders. The number of geofence warrants Google reports receiving from U.S. law enforcement increased from 982 in 2018 to 11,554 in 2020, the most recent data released show.

Concerns about the controversial law enforcement tool were heightened after the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion last year. As states banned or restricted abortions, civil rights groups feared that law enforcers could use Google data to figure out whether a woman planned to illegally end her pregnancy. Even though abortion remains legal in California, advocates worried that officials in states that prohibit abortion could use geofence warrants to track down people who come here for the procedure.

These privacy concerns caught the attention of Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who introduced legislation to ban warrants that compel tech companies to reveal the identities of people who may have been at a certain place at a particular time or looked up keywords online. The original version of the bill would have banned all geofence warrants, but it was introduced as part of a package of bills that aim to bolster California as a sanctuary for abortion seekers.

"Quite frankly, it is a terrifying moment for us in terms of the amount of information that can be made accessible to a third party," Bonta said in an interview.

The legislation, AB 793, garnered support from privacy advocates, reproductive rights groups, Google and the trade association TechNet. But strong pushback from law enforcement tanked the effort this year as lawmakers struggled to figure out how to craft a bill that would shield people seeking abortions while allowing police to use geofence warrants to investigate crimes.

"It became pretty apparent that there could be unintended consequences based on how that language was laid out," said Bonta, who pledged to focus the bill on gender-affirming care and abortion access and try to pass it next year. "We wanted to make sure to get this absolutely right."

The bill faces a high bar to pass because it could change a law passed by voters in 1982, which requires support from two-thirds of the state Legislature.

Opponents said the bill was too broad and would hinder the ability of law enforcement to investigate crimes.

Michelle Contois, a Ventura County prosecutor speaking on behalf of the California District Attorneys Assn., said law enforcement officials aren't opposed to protecting patients who are coming to the state for abortions or gender-affirming care. But banning all geofence warrants, she said, is a "real overreach."

"There are some crimes I think might not be solved at all," she said. "When we are using these, it's because we think this is the best way to get what we need in this case."

Privacy advocates and abortion activists question whether the data requests are really necessary because geofence warrants could include information about people who aren't potential suspects. The Electronic Frontier Foundation called on Google in 2021 to resist complying with these controversial warrants. Google says it collects data about a user's location history for advertising and to improve the company's services.

The debate in Sacramento forged an unusual alliance between tech giants and privacy advocates. In May, Google sent lawmakers a letter stating it supported AB 793. The company added that it would work with law enforcement to narrow the warrants if it is asked for too much data.

"Most law enforcement demands target one or more specific accounts. Geofence warrants, by contrast, request information about users who may have been in a particular place at a particular time. As such, these warrants raise heightened concerns about whether they impermissibly sweep in innocent users," Rebecca Prozan, Google's director of the West Coast Region for Government Affairs and Public Policy, wrote in the letter.

Last year, a coalition of tech giants that includes Google also supported a bill in New York that would bar the search of geolocation and keyword data, though it did not pass the Legislature.

Data reported to the California Department of Justice show geofence warrants have been used this year in various criminal investigations, including a felony hit-and-run in San Diego and a homicide in Riverside. California authorities have also used geofence warrants to investigate a Mexican mafia killing and other crimes. The FBI turned to Google data to figure out who was inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Geofence warrants were also used to identify people protesting the police killings of George Floyd in Minnesota and Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Sometimes, people swept up by them just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. In one case, an innocent man in Florida became a burglary suspect after he rode his bike past a burglarized home in 2019.

District attorneys say that California's laws are sufficient to protect people's digital privacy. A geofence warrant typically involves three steps. In the first, Google gives law enforcement anonymized information based on the geographic area and time frame that's provided in the warrant. Using the larger data set, law enforcement narrows down the devices authorities want to investigate before requesting that Google provide identification information such as phone numbers, emails and names, according to the bill's analysis.

"It's not just willy-nilly us asking Google and Google giving us everybody's information," said Contois, of the district attorneys association. "It's not until we've gone through several steps, and convinced the judge at each step of probable cause, that we can maybe get identifying information and names."

The California Police Chiefs Assn. didn't respond to a request for comment. It was among numerous law enforcement agencies that opposed the bill, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Hayley Tsukayama, senior legislative activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which pushed for the bill, said AB 793 proposed banning all geofence warrants because there were concerns more targeted legislation would have loopholes that could still result in law enforcement identifying abortion seekers. Narrowing the bill, she said, is difficult for some of those reasons.

"I'm not saying that we can't do it," she said. "We just needed more time to do it than was left in this session."

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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FY-4A is the first of the latest generation of Chinese geostationary satellites. Credit: National Satellite Meteorological Center, China Meteorological Administration

China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality takes a significant step forward with the successful collaboration between the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAP/CAS), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and the National Satellite Meteorological Center (MSMC) of China Meteorological Administration. Together, they have made notable progress in solar resource assessment, a critical element for utilizing photovoltaic (PV) energy efficiently.

Utilizing data from the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager onboard the Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite, a random forest model, and a physical model chain that converts irradiance to PV power, the team has generated a detailed PV resource map, shedding new light on China's solar energy potential.

FY-4A, the first of the latest generation of Chinese geostationary satellites, significantly enhances solar resourcing and forecasting with its high-resolution capabilities. Gao Ling from NSMC explains that the satellite's wider field-of-view has improved the reliability of the current solar radiation product over China compared to using measurements from Himawari or Meteosat satellites, especially towards the edge of the satellite disk.

Prof. Xia Xiang'ao, the corresponding author from IAP/CAS, explains that their work goes beyond conventional global horizontal irradiance (GHI) approaches used in most studies; the team's research extends to effective irradiance, a crucial factor for precise solar resource assessment for PV applications.

Coverage of geostationary weather satellites, Meteosat-9 (Europe), Himawari-8 (Japan), and FY-4A (China). Credit: Shi Hongrong

This extension, from irradiance resourcing to PV resourcing, is thought to be a defining characteristic of the latest energy-meteorology-style of solar resource assessment, said HIT professor Yang Dazhi, the co-corresponding author of the paper.

Indeed, what sets this research apart is the integration of a highly advanced workflow known as the physical model chain. By leveraging a sequence of energy meteorology models in cascade, the team achieves remarkably accurate estimates of in-plane irradiance. This innovative approach holds profound implications for the future of solar resource assessment.

The solar PV resource map resulting from this collaborative research is of immense value to stakeholders involved in designing, planning, and operating solar energy systems. The comprehensive insights into China's solar energy landscape empower decision-makers to make informed choices for a sustainable and green energy future.

The research findings were published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. The first author of the paper is Dr. Shi Hongrong from IAP/CAS.

As China progresses towards carbon neutrality, the successful combination of advanced technology and pioneering research embodied by the FY-4A satellite and AI model sets a new standard for solar resource mapping, inspiring positive change in the global pursuit of renewable energy.

More information: Hongrong Shi et al, First estimation of high-resolution solar photovoltaic resource maps over China with Fengyun-4A satellite and machine learning, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113549
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Credit: Bocconi University

Energy communities represent a new form of energy organization and management involving different actors within a local community. They are models of collective self-consumption, sharing locally produced energy with a strong involvement of citizens, businesses and local authorities in their development and implementation.

The earliest examples of energy communities developed at the end of the 19th century in several European countries (notably in Italy as community initiatives for the electrification of alpine areas) and were revived with the development of renewable energy sources (in the 1970s in Denmark the first wind cooperatives were set up). Since the 2000s they have grown as bottom-up initiatives and as a possible new model for citizen and local community engagement in the energy transition.

The latest European Directives define energy communities for the first time as legal entities and active players in European energy systems, starting a process of development of new initiatives that led to an evolution of the sector in the member countries, including Italy.

Chiara Candelise, of Bocconi's GREEN research center and author of the 2020 article "Status and Evolution of the Community Energy Sector in Italy" with Gianluca Ruggieri of the University of Insubria, has long been studying energy communities. Together with Ruggieri, she also wrote the essay "The Community Energy Sector in Italy: Historical Perspective and Recent Evolution" that appeared in the book "Renewable Energy Communities and the Low Carbon Energy Transition in Europe."

"The new European directives on energy communities have two main objectives. The first is technical: they are intended to enable and indeed facilitate self-consumption from intermittent, renewable sources, maximizing local self-consumption and, consequently, reducing the impact on grids," explains Candelise.

"The second objective has a more strictly regulatory nature because, in line with developments in the sector prior to the European Directives, energy communities are defined and regulated as open participation entities of individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises and local authorities belonging to the same community on a voluntary basis. Moreover, their main priority must be to achieve positive economic, social and environmental impacts on the communities they serve, rather than financial profits."

Energy communities offer several advantages. First, they enable individuals and companies to become active participants in the energy system, rather than merely passive consumers. Each community member can contribute his or her own energy production, which can be fed into the grid and shared with other members. This promotes local energy production from renewable sources, reducing dependence on traditional, centralized sources.

"We have been busy mapping existing energy communities. A first extensive survey of 29 countries that I have cooperated [with] has already recently been published in Scientific Data. It is an inventory of more than 10,000 initiatives and 16,000 generating units, which among other things includes data that can be used for further analysis of the sector in Europe.

"Another ongoing activity is to produce a methodologically sound assessment of their economic, social and environmental impacts. Both of these efforts are part of the European COMETS (Collective Action Models for the Energy Transition and Social Innovation) project of which Bocconi is a member," Candelise continues. "This is very important work because it will serve as informed evidence on the impacts of these initiatives as groundwork for policy decisions, both at the national and European level."

The GREEN Bocconi research center is also a technical partner of the IFEC (Italian Forum of Energy Communities), promoted by the World Energy Council to explore and share best practices on the topic of energy communities.

More information: August Wierling et al, A Europe-wide inventory of citizen-led energy action with data from 29 countries and over 10000 initiatives, Scientific Data (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01902-5 Journal information: Scientific Data

Provided by Bocconi University
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

There's an urgent need to support citizens with a system of digital self-defense, argues a neuroscience expert from Rice University's Baker Institute of Public Policy.

Steps to regulate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enhanced social media are needed to protect people from AI "hacking" our interpersonal relationships and collective intelligence, says Harris Eyre, fellow in brain health at the Baker Institute.

"Although such technology brings the entire world to our devices and offers ample opportunities for individual and community fulfillment, it can also distort reality and create false illusions," he writes in the new report. "By spreading dis- and misinformation, social media and AI pose a direct challenge to the functioning of our democracies."

Currently, deep fakes are already causing concern as the country heads into an election season. Eyre argues that there's an urgent need to design neuroscience-based policies to support citizens against AIsuch as a "neuroshield."

"The way we interpret the reality around us, the way we learn and react, depends on the way our brains are wired," he writes. "It has been argued that, given the rapid rise of technology, evolution has not been given enough time to develop those regions of the neocortex which are responsible for higher cognitive functions. As a consequence, we are biologically vulnerable and exposed."

The neuroshield would involve a threefold approach: developing a code of conduct with respect to information objectivity, implementing regulatory protections and creating an educational toolkit for citizens.

The report argues that cooperation between publishers, journalists, media leaders, opinion makers and brain scientists can form a "code of conduct" that supports objectivity of information. Eyre explains that interpreting facts lies within the realm of social and political freedom, but undeniable truths need to be protected.

"As neuroscience demonstrates, ambiguity in understanding facts can create 'alternative truths' that become strongly encoded in our brains," he explains.

A toolkit developed with neuroscientists could protect cognitive freedom while also protecting peopleespecially young people on social mediafrom disinformation. The toolkit's prime objective would be to help people learn how to do their own fact-checking and fight back against the brain's susceptibility to bias and disinformation. For example, Google currently has campaigns in other countries that show short videos on social media sites and highlight the way that misleading claims can be made.

Yet, self-governance and exclusive reliance on a code of conduct can create an uneven playing field, Eyre argues.

"It is critical for both policymakers and brain scientists to advance this policy approach," he says. "The proposed European AI Act is an example of foreseeing how AI model providers can be held accountable and maintain transparency. By closely involving neuroscientists in planning and rolling out the Neuroshield, the U.S. can ensure that the best existing insights about the functioning of our cognition are taken into account."
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Philips said it sales to grow in the mid-single-digits for the rest of the year.

Dutch medical tech firm Philips posted a nine percent jump in second-quarter sales and a return to profit on Monday as it bounces back from a global recall of sleep respirators.

The Amsterdam-based company said sales rose to 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion).

It reported a net profit of 74 million euros following a loss of 20 million euros over the same period last year.

"I am pleased with our improved operational performance across all segments and geographies in the quarter," Philips chief executive Roy Jakobs said.

The medical device maker in 2021 announced a major recall of its DreamStation machines for sleep apnoea, a disorder in which breathing stops and starts during sleep.

Users were said to be at risk of inhaling or swallowing pieces of toxic soundproofing foam that could cause irritation or headaches.

Philips also mentioned a "potential" cancer risk in the long term.

But it announced in May that independent tests showed the sleep respirators at the center of the massive recall were "unlikely" to harm patients.

The replacement of suspected faulty devices has now been almost completed, with "the vast majority" of the sleep devices back with patients and home care providers, Jakobs said.

"We are fully focused on the remediation of the affected ventilators," he said.

The recall hit the 132-year-old company hard and by January it announced it was slashing 10,000 jobs out of a total workforce of just under 80,000 employees around the globe.

To date Philips has cut 6,600 jobs out of the planned total set for 2025, the company said.

Philips has faced a US Department of Justice probe over the respirator issue and was negotiating with US authorities over a financial settlement.

It is also a defendant in several class action lawsuits in the United States and other litigation elsewhere.

While "uncertainties remain", Philips said it expected sales to grow in the mid-single-digits for the rest of the year.

The outlook, however, "excludes the impact" of ongoing litigation and the US investigation, it said.

Philips however seemed unable to temper investor concern over new orders, which declined by eight percent year-on-year.

The firm blamed lower figures on a high order intake last year and loss of orders from Russia in the wake of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Its share price fell by around 4.5 percent in lunchtime trade on the Amsterdam stock exchange's blue chip AEX index, trading at around 19.8 euros a share.

 2023 AFP
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Fall River Electric Cooperative Hydropower Plant on the Teton River near Felt, Idaho. Credit: Idaho National Laboratory

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its new Microgrid in a Box, which was deployed in partnership with the Fall River Electric Cooperative at its hydropower plant in rural Idaho.

Using newly developed technologies, INL researchers demonstrated that hydropower, coupled with a mobile microgrid, can enable small communities to maintain critical services during emergencies. During the ribbon-cutting, power from the Microgrid in a Box was combined with power generated from the hydropower plant to restore electrical supply after a simulated electrical grid blackout in a process called a "blackstart."

The new technologies demonstrate how communities with similar resources can maintain critical services during blackout emergencies.

"There are hundreds of hydropower plants like this one serving small communities across the country," said Thomas Mosier, INL's Energy Systems Group lead. "What we've demonstrated today are new technologies that can enable these communities to use the hydropower resources they already have to restart and maintain stable power to essential services, even during an emergency event."

What is the microgrid in a box?

The Relocatable Resiliency Alternative Power Improvement Distribution Microgrid in a Box, also known as RAPID MIB, is a portable, self-contained grid system developed by INL engineers in collaboration with private industry and government customers.

It enables integration and optimization of multiple energy sourcessuch as hydropower, solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators or even small nuclear reactorsto ensure a reliable and resilient power supply in remote or off-grid locations, or during emergency situations or power outages.

"Restarting a grid isn't as simple as flipping a switch," said Kurt Myers, INL's Energy and Grid Systems Integration Group lead. "It requires a steady power input that many small utilities alone can't provide. Combining the tech built in to the Microgrid in a Box with the existing capabilities of the Fall River plant, we're showing how communities with limited resources can recover and continue to function during an emergency."

Representatives from utilities, government and industry gathered from across the country for the Microgrid in a Box ribbon cutting and blackstart demonstration. Credit: Idaho National laboratory

What is a blackstart?

Blackstart refers to the process of restarting and energizing power generation units, transmission lines and distribution systems to restore electricity supply after a blackout or widespread power disruption.

INL continues to innovate approaches for efficiently recovering the power grid during these critical situations. This includes studying the resiliency and reliability of power systems, designing advanced control and communication systems, and testing new approaches to optimize the blackstart process.

Supporting rural utilities

Many rural communities have untapped energy resources that can enable them to maintain services, even during emergency events. INL, with support from the Water Power Technologies Office, is proud to partner with utilities like the Fall River Electric Cooperative to demonstrate and test these new technologies.

Representatives from utilities, government and industry gathered from across the country for the Microgrid in a Box ribbon cutting and blackstart demonstration. Credit: Idaho National Laboratory

"Fall River Electric Cooperative is focused on investing in technology that can improve the lives of our owner-members and this partnership with INL is a prime example," said Fall River CEO Bryan Case. "The Microgrid in a Box test demonstrated the ability to provide our members with electricity in case of natural disasters or other local emergencies that could disrupt normal power services."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured Filipinos the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will be free from political influence with a transparent management.

"To ensure sound financial management, a group of internationally recognized economic managers will oversee the operations of the fund, guided by the principles of transparency and accountability," he said in his State of the Nation Address.

"This guarantees investment decisions will be based on financial considerations alone, absent of any political influence," he added.

RELATED: The proposed Maharlika Investment Fund: What you need to know

In his speech which lasted more than an hour, Marcos said the MIF could be used for certain projects.

"The fund shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments, such as the Build Better More program. The gains from the fund shall be reinvested into the country's economic well-being," he said.

Marcos said the fund could speed up the construction of 194 flagship projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board.

The president enacted the MIF bill earlier this month, despite concerns it could put the country's economy at risk.

The new law states the initial capital will come from the investible funds of the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, declared dividends of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and other sources.

Marcos has constantly assured the public that the MIF is safe and would not be used to fund the supposedly ostentatious lifestyles of public officials.

RELATED: Zubiri wants Marcos to bare Maharlika-funded projects in SONA

"The funds for the social security and public health insurance of our people shall remain intact and separate," Marcos said in his SONA.

Marcos also mentioned the 3.9 trillion in investment pledges that the administration has secured.

According to Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, six of the investment leads mentioned by Marcos are already being implemented and operational, while five are already registered.

It indicates a long-term optimism about our country, Pascual told CNN Philippines The Final Word.

Pascual added that 180,000 jobs are expected to be made from the collected investment leads.

However, the Trade Secretary said all the capital investments will take months or years before they are fully realized and their impact in the country.
A Bryan minor was arrested Friday night for possession of various illegal drugs and a stolen weapon, according to the Bryan Police Department.

The suspect, who is under 18, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance in an amount less than 200 grams but more than 4 grams, possession of marijuana in an amount less than 5 pounds but more than 4 ounces and unlawful carrying of a weapon, according to Brazos County Jail records.

At 8:04 a.m. Friday, police said officers responded to a report that a man had fired a gun into the air while sitting in the parking lot at the College Main Apartments.

Upon arriving at the apartment complex, police said they put on their shooter vests and armed themselves before approaching the vehicle in which the suspect was sitting.

After searching the vehicle, police said they found two gallon-sized Ziplock bags of marijuana, a weapon that was later confirmed to have been stolen out of Houston, and four grams of methamphetamine, along with various other drug paraphenalia.

Possession of marijuana and methamphetamine in those quantities are both state jail felonies punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.

The suspect is being held under a $28,500 bond, according to jail records.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday afternoon, where he is expected to highlight the accomplishments of his administration during his first year in office.

Marcos has expressed confidence that his government has made significant progress" for the country since he assumed the presidency on June 30 last year.

He has since made 11 trips to different countries, which were estimated to have generated P3.48 trillion in investment pledges. Of which, over 4.8 billion are expected to materialize this year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Another big item that was pushed ahead of his SONA was the signing of the bill writing off loans worth over 57 billion of over 600,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

But as he marked his first year, his administrations approval rating fell to 60% during the second quarter of 2023, a nationwide survey showed.

In his SONA, Marcos is expected to lay out the governments agenda for the coming year and suggest priority legislation as Congress reopens.

What can we expect in the preparations and other potential outcomes on SONA day?

Bigger protests

Thousands of protesters are expected to gather along Commonwealth Avenue near the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where the SONA will be held.

Transport group Manibela has announced that it will stage a three-day nationwide strike beginning on SONA day in a bid to draw Marcos attention to the sectors woes.

At least 45,000 drivers and operators from Metro Manila are expected to join the protest against the governments public utility vehicle modernization program.

Political alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan earlier said that this years SONA protest, dubbed as the Peoples State of the Nation Address, will be bigger compared to last year.

This is an open and safe space for all who want to speak out against the corruption, cronyism, and abuses of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Bayan Secretary General Raymond Palatino said.

Palatino said the Quezon City government has already issued a permit for the protest.

As it advocates for dialogues, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has prohibited the burning of effigies, contrary to SONA protests in previous years.

Tight security

Over 20,000 security personnel will be deployed on the day of the SONA, according to the National Capital Region Police Office. They will be deployed at Batasan and other areas in National Capital Region (NCR), while some will be manning border control points from certain regions.

Cops will also be deployed to demonstration areas, where they are expected to exercise maximum tolerance toward protesters.

A gun ban in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon will be implemented from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. of July 24.

A week before Marcos delivers his second SONA, the PNP said authorities have yet to see any security threats.

Roads closed, classes suspended

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will implement zipper lanes along Commonwealth Avenue to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to Batasan for the SONA.

Motorists are requested to take alternate routes to avoid the anticipated heavy traffic.

READ: MMDA bares traffic plan for SONA

At least 1,354 personnel will be deployed to manage not only vehicular and foot traffic but to also assist in emergency response and crowd control, among others.

Meanwhile, Malacanang has announced that classes in public schools in Metro Manila are suspended on Monday due to the scheduled transport strike and Severe Tropical Storm Egay, which is seen to further intensify.

Work in government offices in NCR is also suspended, but agencies whose functions involve delivery of health services, disaster response, and other vital services will continue operations.

READ: Classes, gov't work suspended in NCR on July 24 due to storm, transport strike

Full House likely with eased COVID protocols

Over 2,000 people are expected to troop to the Batasan for Marcos second SONA after organizers eased COVID-19 health protocols this year. Guests only need to present their official invitations.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives has been put on lockdown in preparation for Mondays event.

All systems are set for the SONA, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco. He said the equipment was thoroughly checked and that backup plans have been made to ensure a seamless program.

Among important guests expected to attend are the three living former Philippine presidents  Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte.

Unfiltered SONA

Some lawmakers urged Marcos to present the real situation and focus on the daily struggles of Filipinos, who deserve unfiltered truth from his second SONA.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Koko" Pimentel III wants the president to leave no room for sugarcoating or glossing over the harsh realities facing the entire nation.

Among the issues Pimentel wanted to take the spotlight during the SONA are the high cost of living, inadequate income, education woes, unemployment and underemployment, and the ballooning national debt.

Senator Francis Escudero hopes that Marcos SONA would [shock Filipinos] about the great problems we face, surprise us with the bold solutions, and scare us about the price of inaction.

Huwag po kayong mag-alala Ginoong Pangulo [Dont worry, Mr. President]. We, the people, can handle the truth, Escudero said.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada expects to hear the presidents plans for job creation, poverty reduction, economic growth, and matters concerning security threats.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Upper Chamber of the Congress is ready to hit the ground running as senators vow to pass 20 priority bills by Decemberthis year, including the Public-Private Partnership Act, Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and the reinstatement of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez recalled that his cousins first SONA has set the direction for lawmakers and this year's presidential speech will be no different in this regard as they continue with their job of supporting his legislative ideas.

CNN Philippines special coverage

CNN Philippines will bring live updates and in-depth reports and analyses from government officials and political experts about this years SONA beginning at 6 a.m.

Our correspondents, including our chief correspondent and anchor Pia Hontiveros, will be in strategic locations to closely monitor whats happening inside and outside the Batasang Pambansa.

Tune in on CNN Philippines live coverage on Free TV channel 9, Cignal channel 10 and Sky Cable channel 14.

Catch real-time updates on our Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter: @cnnphilippines.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he thinks the economy and politics in the country are in favorable situations a year after the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s started in 2022.

"The state of the nation, if you ask me, is sound at the moment, Zubiri told CNN Philippines The Source.

He cited the countrys current gross domestic product (GDP). The Philippine Statistics Authority said this reached 6.4% in the first three months of 2023, which is within the Marcos administrations target of 6% to 7% this year.

We're looking at possibly higher by the end of this year, almost 7.5% GDP growth rate, Zubiri added.

The Senate president also noted how the Philippines is the darling of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

When I say we are the darling, they are only looking at the Philippines and Indonesia that will be coming up with positive growth rate for the end of the year and possibly next year, Zubiri said.

Both international organizations have projected that the Philippines will grow by around 6% this year.

He also noted that in the past year, it has been "politically quiet," meaning the Philippines is a "stable democracy in the region." This also shows that there is "a stable transfer of power every six years" which makes the country a great investment destination for foreign businessmen, Zubiri noted.

Marcos is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address on Monday to report to the public his administration's achievements in his first year in office, as well as his plans for the coming years.

Zubiri has given Marcos an 8 out of 10 for the chief executives performance in the past year.

The lawmaker recognized the presidents hard work despite the external factors that hit the Philippines.

He's a hard-working president. He's up early in the morning, he does meetings all through the night. He goes around, does his inspection of projects and programs and he listens and on many occasions, he asks us our advice on particular issues, Zubiri said.

The senator also said the Congress is ready to help the president in addressing the issues that continue to affect Filipinos, like the rising prices of different commodities, and the call to increase wages.

Check out CNN Philippines' live SONA updates here.
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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.
A little generosity goes a long way, especially when hundreds of people give a little. That truth came to life with the 2023 Service to Schools Angus Impact project, which resulted in the gathering of over 700 items and packages of supplies, in addition to a monetary donation, being collected for public schools in Grand Island.

More specifically, most of the backpacks, headphones, crayons, pencils, erasers and other school supplies given by exhibitors at the National Junior Angus Show have been directed to Howard Elementary School, a Title I school in the district.

We would like to thank the participants of the National Junior Angus Show for their school supply donations to Howard Elementary, school principal Jessica Schroeder said in a news release. Your donations help students have supplies to start the school year. The beginning of the year is an exciting time and having new supplies to use aids in that excitement.

The National Junior Angus Show was held July 1-8 at Fonner Park. It attracted 739 exhibitors from 37 states.

Angus junior member Cailee Flood of California said why she was drawn to contribute to the 2023 project.

I feel like for a lot of kids, school is hard enough to begin with, whether you arent able to afford the supplies or whatever the reasoning may be, she said. I feel like its really important that were able to support them like that and be able to provide them with supplies that they need so maybe they can have an easier time getting their education.

Flood along with other California Junior Angus Association members organized a fundraiser totaling $600 through a 5K race their state hosted at the national show. Participants could elect to donate $5 on top of the regular race fee to benefit Howard Elementary students, and 65 of the 95 participants chose to donate the $5 amount or more.

Because of their generosity, Angus juniors and their families made an even larger impact than they set out to make. Jennifer Worthington, chief of community and stakeholder engagement with Grand Island Public Schools, said the additional dollars will allow the district to fill in some gaps other schools in their district might have during the academic year.

Angus Impact is the official community service program of the National Junior Angus Association.

The National Junior Angus Association promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for more than 4,500 active members nationwide.
Screeching tires. A flash of movement in the rearview mirror. A four-hour drive from Lincoln to Wichita, Kansas, cut to a sudden halt.

In the span of 10 seconds, Lincoln native Josh Hicks day flipped upside down.

Hicks was in just the right place at just the right time July 11 when a Ford van carrying five people veered off an Interstate-235 highway ramp just outside of Wichita and rolled into an adjacent lake, balancing precariously on its roof.

Hed been on the way to the Kansas city for a softball tournament with his daughter when he saw the van tumble off the ramp.

It was almost like a movie or 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' Hicks said. All of a sudden it hits the edge of the roadway and its bouncing down this hill.

In the next few seconds that followed, Hicks acted without hesitation, throwing his daughters Subaru Impreza in reverse and rushing over to help as she called 911.

Help would arrive sooner than they ever couldve expected.

Sedgwick County Sheriffs Deputy Clinton Harris was conducting a traffic stop near the same ramp when he spotted Hicks getting out of his car. He called off the stop and was soon on the scene as well.

I would say probably within 20 to 30 seconds of the van leaving the road, (Harris) and I were both on our way down to that vehicle, Hicks said.

As they arrived, they found that four passengers had escaped the watery wreck, all young men in their 20s. One of them was unconscious on the shore while an older man was still stuck inside.

I remember going around (to) the front of the van and I remember that instant of like, What do I do? Hicks said. It was literally a second, but it felt like I was standing there forever just twiddling my thumbs.

Finding the man inside the vehicle was the toughest challenge. As Harris shattered windows using a special tool that hed thankfully been carrying, Hicks shouted back to the passengers to figure out where the fifth man might be inside the van, which was submerged in shoulder-high water.

A second deputy, Nathan Kingery, arrived on the scene soon after and attended to the unresponsive passenger  who is now recovering, Hicks said  on the shore as the long-armed Hicks finally grasped hope inside the van.

It feels like Im pulling up another sweatshirt because I pulled up a couple already, (then) up pops his head, he said.

It took both deputies and the Nebraskan, an HVAC technician somewhat accustomed to heavy lifts, to get the man out of the van and onto the shore, where Harris and Kingery alternated performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

The whole incident transpired in about six minutes, according to Harris and Hicks.

That much time without oxygen can lead to severe brain damage, but just over a week after the ordeal, the man is on track to a near-full recovery.

Harris said that fact is very fortunate, because help often arrives too late to make a difference in those situations.

This is a unique experience for Josh, but also for most law enforcement, Harris said. Friends of mine that have worked for the sheriffs office for over a decade have never been around anything with this outcome.

Asked if he felt like what hed helped accomplish was heroic, Hicks was indifferent. He was equally dismissive of any Nebraska Nice cliches about why he acted the way he did, attributing it to just being a decent human being.

I had no idea who was in that van. Dont care. Dont know if theyre hurt, were just gonna go down there and check it out, make sure if anybody needs our help, were there, he said. There was no, Im gonna go out and be a hero and save some lives today.

While Hicks downplayed his role, Harris said he deserves credit for preventing a much more dangerous rescue.

Josh was needed 100%; there was no way I was going to do that by myself, Harris said. If I had to do this myself, I probably out of pride wouldve tried to force myself through the window, I probably wouldve fallen into the vehicle.

Considering the end result, and the complex series of events that aligned to put each man in the right place at the right time, it was hard for Harris or Hicks to not speculate about a higher power at work.

"It was the perfect outcome for the worst situation you can ever think of," Hicks said.

Since the rescue, the victims family has been in touch with both Harris and Hicks, providing updates on his recovery and even insisting that the two attend a barbeque with them. Both men have visited with them at the hospital as well.

Were family now, Hicks said. This is one of those events that brings (people) together.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
Billions in FDI waiting to flow into Mekong Delta

By Ninh Khang, Huong Dung Mon, July 24, 2023 | 2:54 pm GTM+7

Tens of billions of U.S. dollars will pour into clean energy projects in the Mekong Delta if policies to attract foreign direct investment in this field are open and favorable, said a Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) official.

A wind farm in Bac Lieu province, Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Saigon Economy magazine.

Speaking at a conference in Can Tho city on Friday, Nguyen Phuong Lam, director of the VCCIs Can Tho branch, said the Mekong Delta has so far attracted over 1,900 FDI projects with total registered investment capital of $35 billion, mainly in the energy sector.

FDI in the region remains low compared to other parts of the country. However, investment flow is expected to accelerate in the next few years, he told the event.

According to Lam, the biggest concern now is the implementation of investment projects in general and FDI projects that are facing many obstacles due to overlapping legal regulations.

He cited the Land Law and the Law on Real Estate Business require investors to have an investment plan approved before changing the land use purpose, while the Law on Investment stipulates that investors must be allocated land before they can receive investment plan approval.

In addition, determining land prices is also a problem in terms of site clearance and calculating compensation, he added.

However, Lam held that the Mekong Delta region has experienced faster development since the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing greatly to the country's trade surplus thanks to its strong agricultural expansion.

The region also has great opportunities to attract investment as the government has invested $6.4 billion in developing its infrastructure, he added.

Under the newly approved Power Development Plan VIII, the Mekong Delta will become a clean energy hub. If all obstacles related to investment attraction regulations are removed, it will also be an attractive destination for investors, he said.

Echoing Lam, Vu Tien Loc, a member of the National Assembly and chairman of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), said that the Mekong Delta is a key economic region in the South and an important strategic area for the country in terms of politics, socio-economy, culture, defense-security, and foreign affairs.

It has been showing steady and sustainable development, significantly contributing to the overall growth of the national economy. In 2021 and 2022, despite facing many challenges, trade activities in the region remained stable, indicating great efforts by the local authorities and business community to improve the business environment.

He said that as climate change and extreme weather are threatening global food security, many countries hope that Vietnam's Mekong Delta will serve as a food security "belt" for them. This will be an opportunity for the region to promote investment in agriculture in the near future," Loc affirmed.

Home to about 22 million people, the Mekong Delta comprises Can Tho and the provinces of Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, An Giang, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang.

Can Tho is one of the countrys five centrally-run cities, together with Hanoi and Hai Phong in the north, Danang in the central region, and Ho Chi Minh City in the south.
Industrial real estate development outlook robust in southern Vietnam

By Lien Thuong, Tuong Minh Mon, July 24, 2023 | 1:23 pm GTM+7

Southern Vietnams industrial property market is heating up, helping developers to make a profit and resulting in the prospect of new supplies.

Industrial property developer Sonadezi Giang Dien, based in Dong Nai province near Ho Chi Minh City, reported net revenue of VND165 billion ($6.97 million) in the second quarter of this year, doubling that of the same period last year, and VND70 billion in after-tax profit, 3.2 times higher than a year earlier.

The firm's Q2 financial report shows that its industrial land segment contributed VND34.5 billion ($1.46 million) to this revenue, up 5.6%, and the ready-built factory segment saw a 49% increase to VND32 billion ($1.35 million).

Sonadezi Giang Dien posted its January-June net revenue and after-tax profit at VND250 billion ($10.57 million) and VND103 billion ($4.35 million), up 44% and 119% year-on-year, respectively.

IDICO, another industrial developer in the south with four industrial parks covering 3,267 hectares altogether, says its current occupancy rate is about 54% and the average rental is $123 per square meter.

An IDICO report shows that its 2022 total revenue is VND3.21 trillion ($135.8 million), including VND2.7 trillion ($114 million) from its industrial infrastructure business, and after-tax profit is more than VND1.7 trillion ($71.7 million).

Some companies outside the industrial land sector started to invest in the business last year. One of them, Dong Phu Rubber JSC in the southern province of Binh Phuoc invested in the Bac Dong Phu Industrial Park JSC in the province by buying 5.1 million shares for VND102 billion ($4.3 million).

At present, property company Him Lam, steel maker Ton Dong A and some other companies already have plans to plunge into industrial land developments to explore the sectors potential.

An aerial view of the Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, southern Vietnam. Photo by The Investor/Dang Kiet.

Ho Chi Minh City is leading the country in terms of rent ($214-300/m2/whole term) and occupancy rate (95%), according to realty services firm Colliers Vietnam.

The city has canceled three long-delayed industrial park projects, but added two new ones with a total area of 668 hectares. More supplies will also come as city authorities have allowed farm land smaller than 500 hectares to be turned into industrial land, said Vu Minh Chi, a senior manager in industrial services at Colliers Vietnam.

Provinces near the city like Binh Duong, Long An and Dong Nai are also the targets of industrial real estate developers now, he added.

Chi noted that prolonged global economic headwinds and weaker demand from overseas markets have had negative impacts on the Vietnamese industrial property market but the outlook is still bright as the Southeast Asian country has been cementing its status as a new global manufacturing hub.

Normally, multinational companies have long-term investment strategies when choosing a destination to diversify their supply chains, he said.

According to property services firm Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam, southern Vietnam will not see new industrial real estate supplies in the second half of this year. However, next year will welcome about new 1,800 hectares, mostly in Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An provinces.

Another new 5,254 hectares will be available by the end of 2026, the firm projected.

Vietnam Real Estate Association chairman Nguyen Van Khoi said that between now and 2025, several new projects will appear across the country as green industrial parks combined with urban zones with many kinds of services available and in line with Vietnams going-green policies to drive the countrys sustainable development initiatives.
Mixed H1 results in Vietnam chemical industry

By Trang Nguyen Mon, July 24, 2023 | 10:43 pm GTM+7

Vietnams chemicals industry has reported mixed first half results this year with some firms earning increased revenues and profits and several others seeing their profits plunge.

For instance, the Lam Thao Fertilizers and Chemicals JSC reported profit growth, while Duc Giang Chemicals Group and Vietnam Apatite-Phosphorus JSC said it profits went down significantly.

Duc Giang Chemicals Group's industrial chemicals. Photo courtesy of the company.

Lam Thao Fertilizers and Chemicals JSC (Lafchemco), a subsidiary of state-run chemical group Vinachem, reported H1 after-tax profits of VND65.5 billion ($2.76 million), up 13.6% year-on-year, from net revenues of VND2.08 trillion ($87.9 million), up 14%.

In Q2, Lafchemco, listed on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) as LAS, posted net revenues of VND867.7 billion ($36.7 million), and after-tax profits of VND32.3 billion ($1.37 million), up 12% and 20% year-on-year, respectively.

As of June 30, 2023, LAS's total assets had stood at VND2.05 trillion ($86.6 million), down 10% compared to the beginning of the year. Of this, cash and cash equivalents decreased 50% year-on-year to VND22.8 billion ($964,000), and inventories declined 48.2% to VND638.4 billion ($26.99 million).

For 2023, the company has set revenue and pre-tax profit targets of VND3.25 trillion ($137.34 million) and VND120 billion ($5.07 million), respectively.

On the HNX, the LAS share closed Mondays session at VND12,900 ($0.55).

Meanwhile, Duc Giang Chemicals Group (DGC), Vietnam's leading chemicals company, recorded net revenues of nearly VND4.9 trillion ($206.99 million) in H1, down 35.9% year-on-year; and after-tax profits of VND1.71 trillion ($72.07 million), down 49.9%.

The company reported Q2 net revenues of VND2.41 trillion ($102 million) and after-tax profits of VND881.8 billion ($37.3 million), down 39.7% and 53.5%, respectively.

At the end of June, DGC's total assets had stood at VND13.67 trillion ($577.9 million), up 2% compared to the beginning of the year. Cash and short-term financial assets were VND8.59 trillion ($363.2 million), accounting for 62.8% of total assets.

For this year, DGC has set a revenue target of VND10.88 trillion ($459.9 million), down 24.7% year-on-year; and after-tax profit of VND3 trillion ($126.87 million), down 50.3%.

The company said it expected yellow phosphorus (P4) revenues to reach VND4.61 trillion ($194.87 million) this year, accounting for 42.4% of the total; and that of phosphoric acid to fall 20.1% to VND2.18 trillion ($92.35 million).

On the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, the DGC share price closed Monday at VND72,300 ($3.06).

Vietnam Apatite-Phosphorus JSC (VAPAC), a DGC subsidiary, reported H1 net revenues of VND885.6 billion ($37.4 million) and after-tax profist of VND149.9 billion ($6.34 million), down 47.8% 73.9% year-on-year, respectively.

VAPAC posted net revenues of VND452.1 billion ($19.11 million) and after-tax profits of VND77.2 billion ($3.3 million) in Q2, down 35.5% and 65.8%, respectively.

VAPAC said Q2 revenue decreased by 35.46% due to a decrease in consumption volume and the selling price of yellow phosphorus products dropping by 34.14%. But the cost of goods sold only declined by 19.14%.

As of June 30, VAPAC's total assets had reached VND975.1 billion ($41.2 million), down 18.4% compared to the beginning of the year, of which fixed assets accounted for VND357.9 billion ($15.1 million), or 36.7%.

For 2023, VAPAC has set revenue and after tax targets of VND1.79 trillion ($75.6 million) and VND416 billion ($17.6 million), respectively.

VAPAC, listed on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCom) as PAT, closed Monday at VND81,900 ($3.46) per share.
Expert Viewpoint

Ed Tech Is Critical to Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis

How Districts Can Use Technology to Help Meet Student Needs

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an urgent advisory: The pandemic era's unfathomable number of deaths, pervasive sense of fear, economic instability, and forced physical distancing from loved ones, friends, and communities have exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people already faced.

While our day-to-day lives have mostly returned to normal since Murthys warning, student mental health outcomes have continued to decline.

ECINS State of Mental Health in Todays Schools survey, which gathered input from more than 350 school social workers, teachers, counselors, administrators, and district leaders, found that 85% of respondents agree or strongly agree that students are more stressed and anxious than in previous school years, undermining everything from personal well-being to academic achievement.

These findings align with other academic studies, including findings from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which reported a 70% increase in students seeking mental health services since the start of the pandemic, noting that 80% of public schools have seen stunted behavioral and socioemotional development in their students.

Photo credit: Courtesy of ECINS: The State of Student Mental Health Survey, 2023

They also provide critical context to K12 schools experiencing declines in math and reading test scores and recent CDC data indicating that teenage girls are reporting increasing mental health challenges, experiences of violence, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the past year.

Students unique mental health challenges require all stakeholders to work closely and collaboratively to help all students thrive physically, emotionally, and academically. With school social workers, teachers, counselors, and administrators already working exceptionally hard to support their students, ed tech solutions will play an important role in helping schools meet students where they are, providing effective solutions that enable impact at scale.

How Ed Tech Can Help

Ed tech can play a crucial role in helping schools address the student mental health crisis. By leveraging technology, schools can create a more supportive and effective environment for students.

For example, 70% of survey respondents agree or strongly agree that students are willing to communicate their needs and ask for help from a trusted adult at school. However, 85% of respondents say they agree or strongly agree that they wish they had more tools or resources to help students address their various mental health challenges.

Collaborative ed tech resources can help schools address that concern. Rather than relying on rudimentary or ad hoc reporting solutions, digital documentation and collaborative case management tools allow staff to confidently connect students with the necessary resources.

Photo credit: Courtesy of ECINS: The State of Student Mental Health Survey, 2023

Students dont want to navigate this difficult season alone. Collaborative case management solutions help ensure that trusted staff can take advantage of existing expertise to support student outcomes.

At the same time, digital learning platforms can help districts provide mental health, SEL, and other relevant training to help them adequately meet student needs. This enables educators and support staff to effectively address student needs. By utilizing these online platforms, districts can ensure that their personnel are well equipped with the latest knowledge and best practices in these essential areas. As a result, the overall educational experience is enhanced, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for students to thrive academically and emotionally.

Meanwhile, many schools are struggling to keep up with the demand for more mental health professionals to support surging student caseloads.

Virtual counseling services can make mental health support more accessible to students who may not have access to these services otherwise. Schools can partner with online mental health providers to offer virtual counseling sessions to students who need them.

Photo credit: Courtesy of ECINS: The State of Student Mental Health Survey, 2023

Ed tech alone wont solve the student mental health crisis, but it can be a valuable resource for schools as they work diligently to help their students thrive.

Innovating to Support Students

The mental health crisis among students is an urgent issue that requires a multifaceted approach from all stakeholders, including educators, administrators, and mental health professionals. As schools grapple with the increasing demand for mental health support, ed tech solutions can play a critical role in enhancing the efforts of school staff and providing students with more accessible and effective resources.

Collaborative case management tools, digital learning platforms, and virtual counseling services are just a few examples of how ed tech can empower schools to address the mental health challenges faced by their students. While technology is not the sole solution, it can be a powerful ally in the fight against the student mental health crisis.

As schools continue to innovate and adopt new strategies, it is crucial to prioritize the implementation of ed tech resources to bolster the support system for students, ultimately helping them thrive in the face of adversity.
The Perspective

Atlanta, Georgia

July 24, 2023



Former Auditor General Morlu

We have enlisted the support of former Auditor General John Morlu, II to lead our campaign fundraising efforts and provide financial management insights as a Consultant to the campaign Committee, UP Standard Bearer Joseph Boakai confidently and excitedly announced the appointment of Morlu recently.



Morlu is noted for his uncompromising stance in battling corruption head-on without fear and favor.The Morlus appointment comes at a crucial time of Liberias pending October 10, 2023, elections, when there is a compelling need to rally financial and volunteering support among Liberians everywhere in the world to boost Liberias only hope, the Rescue Team, to rescue the nation effectively and efficiently from its debilitating ills. Liberia, the second independent black nation is lagging nations in most areas due to prevailing rampant corruption in the nation.

Mr. Morlus renowned expertise in combatting corruption and his deep understanding of financial management, VP Boakai maintained, make him [Morlu] an invaluable asset to our team.



Together, we will make significant strides towards our shared goals, inspiring trust and confidence in our supporters JNB noted. VP Boakais appointment of Morlu swells up social media platforms and local radio stations with overwhelming positive feedback. One of the media platforms captured: Wow, the real audit shall soon begin, because the political will is eminent. Andrew Kromah posted on the Class Reloaded Platform.



Konord Harris: Wow a very great news for Liberia, at least we are now very sure of the new Rescue government commitment to persecute economic crimes when the government takes over in 2024. Oscar Tarpeh: Hurraraayyy. Liberia wins again. Indeed, there is hope for our country. Sophia Johnson Mayson: A man of Impeccable character.

Since the announcement of Morlu by JNB, an impeccable source revealed to this platform that present and former government officials are determinedly ringing Rescue Team camp and AG Morlu lines nearly every day and in Monrovia, Nicodemusly crawl nightly expressing support and willing to immediately start contribution to the fundraising effort headed by the former Corruption fighting Czar.

For his part, Morlu promised donors that their hard-earned donations will be 100% protected and used for the purpose for which they have given. He indicated that the goals for the fundraising are for campaign infrastructure, a campaign in all parts of Liberia, protecting votes-poll watchers, and Voter Roll Monitoring and Get Out the Vote (GOTV).



He then admonished Liberians to take a stand, get involved, and act, instead of just talking and talking about how the Weahs government has messed things up and taken Liberia backward 100 years with multiple misadventures and thievery. We are tired of hearing the complaints, he asserted.

We have to be at the table, take initiative, and support the process, or else incapable, incompetent, grossly unprofessional people of the lowest character will constantly decide our lives for us, Morlu asserted. Morlu advised donors that they can choose to make their donations anonymous or public. In any event, only Joe Boakai will see their donations and thank them for their active support. We do not want to see you unjustly punished by Weah for your right to donate. Be not wary and be courageous, Morlu advised.



Aside from donations, Morlu called on Liberians to consider volunteering their time and skills to support Joe Boakais campaign. He indicated that they can offer assistance by organizing events, canvassing, vote monitoring, poll watching, phone banking, or providing technical expertise.



The former AG averred that relevant government experience counts. Real education and proven skills matter. Joe Boakai is proven and tested and has enormous integrity and standing. Liberia, he lamented, is headed in the wrong direction and must be rescued by the capable hands of Joe Boakai and other patriotic Liberians with their hearts, souls, and donations of their money and time. Make no mistake, this election is between Joe Boakai and George Weah. And by all accounts, JNK is the front-runner in the ensuing 2023 Presidential Elections. He has the masses support, the capable hands to put Liberia in forward gear, and the willpower, and the technological solutions.



Donate here: Joeboikai.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri will keep his position in the upper chamber despite recent coup rumors, a lawmaker said as the Senate resumes its session on Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Zubiri has the backing of all senators.

Definitely, very confident tayo, Villanueva said when asked if there would be no change of leadership.

We have seen how Sen. Migz Zubiri works. Lahat ng senador very supportive sa kanya (All senators are very supportive of him), he added.

Late in June, several senators denied that there was a supposed coup to unseat Zubiri.

READ: Estrada, other majority senators deny coup vs. Zubiri

The Senate was in the hot seat recently for allegedly tampering with the final version of the proposed Maharlika bill, but Zubiri had denied this. President Ferdinand Marcos signed the controversial measure into law last July 18.

RELATED: 'Illegal': Pimentel slams revisions in Maharlika bill after Congress approval

One by one, Zubiri, during his opening address for the regular session, boasted about the efforts and measures filed by lawmakers.

Zubiri cited some of the Senates hearings tackling illegal activities in the country, as well as his colleagues' proposed bills to bolster or address issues in key sectors, including education, transportation, tourism, power, digitalization, and agriculture.

This includes Sen. Win Gatchalians Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) which is targeted to address K-12 curriculum issues.

Zubiri also said the House of Representatives must act on Sen. Bong Revillas Teaching Supplies Allowance bill while expressing support for Sen. Sonny Angaras efforts to beef up creative industries.

He also praised Senator Mark Villar for keeping cool, calm, collected when he was defending the controversial Maharlika fund bill.

[T]he Senate has a major role to play in conquering the challenges before us, he said.

As expected, the President will use the pulpit this afternoon to dare us to act on his wish list. And like the men and women who sat in this chamber before us, let us respond in true Senate fashion: We will improve the bills before we approve them. We will purge the bad provisions and replace them with the good, Zubiri said.
(TBTCO) - Bao cao tu Bo Xay dung cho thay, luong tim mua bat ong san toan quoc tinh en het quy II/2023 giam khoang 33% so voi cung ky nam truoc, luong tin ang ban bat ong san cung giam khoang 44%. Tinh hinh giao dich tram lang do niem tin cua nguoi mua, nha au tu bi anh huong va nhung kho khan ve han muc tin dung, lai suat vay van chua uoc giai quyet triet e.
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After doling out $108 million to more than 17,000 households over two years, Wyoming has officially put its pandemic safety net for renters and landlords to bed.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was part of a league of federally funded initiatives meant to carry the U.S. through the economic instability of the coronavirus pandemic, alongside measures including temporary expansions to the Child Tax Credit, food stamps and unemployment insurance, among others.

Over the course of two funding cycles, the U.S. government set aside more than $46 billion for states, tribes and territories for the relief program.

While ERAP money backed a wide range of services, it was known best for covering qualifying tenants rent for up to 18 months. Renters on ERAP relied on the program to stay housed; and landlords, to stay in business.

The program launched in Wyoming under the Department of Family Services in spring of 2021, and began the long process of winding down last fall, when it stopped taking new applications.

ERAP asked a lot of Wyoming. It challenged tenants, landlords, social services organizations and the state to work together under unique constraints, at a time when the stakes couldnt be higher. And though the program has no successor, the need it was created to address hasnt gone away.

The Star-Tribune asked the Department of Family Services to reflect on some of the challenges, successes and lessons learned from ERAP. Heres what it had to say.

What was ERAP?

ERAP garnered a reputation for its bureaucratic hang-ups, especially when it first started. Some of that was simply unavoidable, officials said. The Department of Family Services had never implemented anything like ERAP before, and wasnt given much time to do it, at that.

Gov. Mark Gordon authorized the Department of Family Services to stand up ERAP in March 2021, and the agency officially began accepting applications May 1.

We really did turn around the program with amazingly fast speed, Korin Schmidt, the departments director, told the Star-Tribune in 2022. The downside is that we probably werent as ready as we needed to be in order to handle the load.

There was considerable demand for ERAP for virtually the entire lifespan of the program. Once late 2021 rolled around, the state was regularly getting around 200 applications for assistance a day, said Corrine Livers, an administrator for the Department of Family Services. And those numbers never really went down.

I think that we didnt recognize that people needed as much rental assistance as they needed, Livers said. Also, that theres not as much housing available as perhaps we thought.

Wyoming was originally approved to receive about $350 million for ERAP, though officials have said strict federal regulations and a top-down reallocation of the funding by the U.S. Department of the Treasury prevented the state from taking full advantage of that allotment.

That was especially true for the first wave of ERAP funding, which initially earmarked $200 million for Wyoming. But because of cumbersome eligibility requirements, the Department of Family Services only ended up using roughly $30 million of the money. When it became clear the U.S. government wasnt going to revise the restrictions attached to that first package, the state agency decided to give the remainder of its allocation back and focus its efforts on its second slice of ERAP money.

The federal government relaxed regulations on the second pot of money considerably, and would ultimately give Wyoming another $129.6 million in funding.

While about $108 million went out in the form of direct assistance to tenants and landlords, that figure doesnt capture the money the state also received for things like administrative support and housing stability services.

The Department of Family Services contracted with over 20 social services organizations to support things like employment training, financial counseling, temporary emergency housing to help keep Wyoming residents housed, said Livers. (Though almost all of those contracts have since expired, Legal Aid of Wyoming will still be offering ERAP-funded support for tenants through September.)

Tensions between landlords and tenants also proved to be a difficult obstacle. Tenants could receive ERAP even if their landlords didnt want to participate, but many still ran into problems. Some landlords reported avoiding taking tenants who were on the program, the Star-Tribune reported in 2022.

And even if a tenant and landlord were on board with ERAP, both parties had to make sure to stay on top of their paperwork. Without mutual cooperation, applications could get stuck in the pipeline for weeks.

The department responded to those challenges by contracting with additional case managers to process applications, and providing more channels for people to get help with snags in their applications, among other initiatives.

Still, there were periods of time when the average application could take over a month to process.

ERAP was also initially only available to renters and landlords. It was off-limits to people who were homeless or lacking a permanent residence (say, a family living in a motel).

In fall of 2021, the Department of Family Services implemented a system to pre-approve homeless people for ERAP, which it called its letter-of-intent program.

The agency stopped issuing letters of intent in November of 2022 as it prepared for ERAPs sunset. A total of 2,151 households were able to use letters of intent to find housing, according to the Department of Family Services website.

Lessons from ERAP

If the state had to do ERAP all over again  and got more autonomy over how to divvy up the funding  what would it want to change?

After fielding suggestions from her staff, Livers said more comprehensive support for ERAP recipients was a common refrain.

One suggestion was allowing renters to continue to receive some ERAP money as a subsidy after six months of assistance, she said.

This would result in a step down of benefits to promote self sufficiency at the end of the tenants eligibility, and would help to prevent a fiscal cliff at the end of the program, Livers wrote in an email to the Star-Tribune.

Staff also proposed extending the programs housing stability services with more stringent eligibility requirements attached, so opportunities for assistance would be more standardized across the state.

Along a similar vein, some also thought it would be a good idea to require all ERAP recipients to receive case management services. The hope would be that, if all clients got individualized support, theyd have a greater shot at long-term housing stability.

I think what we all have to do on a regular basis is (ask), what can we support the family with as they move to stability? Livers said.

Staff also suggested developing some sort of programming to help build stronger tenant and landlord relationships.

A final hypothetical was to use the last quarter of ERAP money to build affordable housing and shelters. Wyoming is one of just a few states to not dedicate any of its American Rescue Plan Act relief money toward housing. (The state Legislature earlier this year set aside $5 million for local governments to develop housing infrastructure, albeit with the caveat that it couldnt be used for building housing itself.)

Still need help after ERAP? Livers said the Department of Family Services recommends households reach out to Wyoming 211, which helps connect people to local social services resources. To get in touch, visit wy211.communityos.org or call 307-433-3075.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Your news on your smartphone

Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
JACKSON  Ervin Carlson did not take his presence in Yellowstone National Park for granted.

As a member of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, the manager of its buffalo herds, and the president of the Intertribal Buffalo Council, Carlson took a minute to reflect on American military commanders policies of killing buffalo to deny Native Americans a critical food source during the Indian Wars in the 1800s.

They wanted to get rid of buffalo and consequently get rid of Indians, Carlson said Thursday. But buffalo are still here. Were still here. And were still fighting to bring them back to our culture.

In 2008, Yellowstone shipped some 1,500 bison to slaughter, one of the only tools it had to keep the population of wild bison in the park from spilling out beyond its northern border into Montana. Officials and ranchers in Big Sky Country were worried that the animals would spread brucellosis, a disease that can induce abortions in cattle, to domestic cows in their state. Tribal hunts guaranteed to Native American nations were only beginning, and federal officials hadnt yet found a way to remove the animals without killing them.

On June 14, Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly, who in 2008 was a lower ranking official in the U.S. Department of Interior, described that mass killing of Americas national mammal a tragedy.

I fundamentally have a serious problem, as the superintendent of Yellowstone, with shipping bison to slaughter, Sholly said. Its probably one of the most unpopular things to the American public. And its something that we need to work together to move away from.

For the past five years Yellowstone has worked to do exactly that.

While bison that leave the park are still slaughtered each year, and hunted by tribal members and other hunters licensed by the state of Montana, Yellowstone has steadily expanded a program allowing it to quarantine wild bison and send them to the Fort Peck reservation. Once at the reservation, in Montanas northeastern corner, the bison are quarantined for roughly a year.

If the buffalo are determined to be free of brucellosis at each stage, Fort Peck integrates them into one of its herds  or sends them to other tribes across the country that want to see the animal restored to their native habitat. The park, Fort Peck and the InterTribal Buffalo Council have transferred almost 300 bison to Fort Peck, which have then traveled to 23 tribes in 12 states ranging from Alaska to Michigan.

While that pales in comparison with the thousands of bison slaughtered over the years, Sholly and tribal members who addressed reporters and onlookers at a ceremony Thursday said it was only a start.

This year the park captured 282 bison at the Stephens Creek facility, a series of corrals northwest of Mammoth where park officials quarantine animals before theyre released to Fort Peck.

That, Sholly said, is almost as many as weve transferred to date.

The number of buffalo that Yellowstone National Park has sent to slaughter over time has ticked down from about 1,500 in 2008 to about 25 in the winter of 2022 and about 80 this past winter.

With a new study showing that bison are typically free of brucellosis after 300 days of quarantine, and an expanded transfer facility that allows officials to hold 200 animals at a time, 120 more than when the program first started, Yellowstone and the tribes hope to transfer more. Park officials said current guidelines require male bison to be quarantined for two years and females for three.

The paper, published in January, says with a 300-day quarantine period, it would take 30 years to potentially miss [one brucellosis-positive bison] out of over 8,000 bison enrolled in the quarantine program.

That, said Yellowstones senior bison biologist, Chris Geremia, requires further confirmation.

But he said its good news for bison transfer.

As more and more information comes in, the opportunity to substantially reduce testing timelines, and the opportunity to transfer more animals to tribes on an annual basis, becomes a reality, Geremia said.

Sholly said that reducing quarantine times is something Yellowstone is looking into with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Deputy Interior Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Montana Department of Livestock.

Is it possible using some of this new science and the sample size that we have now to reduce the length of time that bison have to stay in the protocol? Sholly said. If that can happen safely, then we can push more bison through that pipeline and transfer more bison to tribes across the country.

Bryce Kirk, a member of the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board, described the program as officials fulfilling a promise to Indian Country and making good on the the trust, obligation and the responsibilities that they all have to see that our relatives are returned home to every reservation throughout the United States.

Carlson, president of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, said buffalo are central to Native American life.

Theyre a big part of us culturally, spiritually, Carlson said. They belong in all of our ceremonies.

Kirk, Sholly and Carlson all spoke Thursday in the corrals at Stephens Creek, celebrating the partnership between the park and its tribal partners. Deputy Interior Secretary Beaudreau attended, flanked by other regional Park Service officials and staff from nonprofits like Yellowstone Forever, the parks nonprofit auxiliary, and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. Both helped raise money to expand the facility.

The event gave members of the press access to the facility for the first time since 2018, when someone entered the facility, cut locks, opened gates and freed hundreds of bison. Yellowstones chief public affairs officer, Morgan Warthin, said that was a turning point for the park, ushering a new era of facility security.

A spokesperson and deputy director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks did not return a request for comment on the parks program or interest in shortening quarantines before press time Tuesday.

Keith Aune, a former chief of wildlife research for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, co-authored a study that outlined how bison transfer could work in 2014. Seeing the park collaborate with the tribes to make it happen is amazing, he said, particularly because of the long-history of conflict.

I was there when the fight was on; I took the battle scars for that, Aune told the News&Guide.

Aune remembered being on an interagency bison planning committee when a judge had to mediate discussions. There were multiple lawsuits, including one from the InterTribal Buffalo Council to stop the slaughter. At the time there was no atmosphere of cooperation, Aune said, just animosity and difficulties.

These different projects have kind of pushed through that and past that and have enabled the agencies to come together under a science agenda, he said.

Bison management has been a source of nearly intractable controversy in southern Montana for decades.

In March, Secretary Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna who is the first Native American to serve as cabinet secretary, issued an executive order calling for spending $25 million to restore bison populations to the countrys prairie and grassland ecosystems. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte bit back shortly after, calling bison diseased and claiming full sovereignty over the management of bison within its borders.

While the tribes  and, to some extent, the National Park Service  want buffalo to roam free, ranchers in southern Montana worry that the bison will transmit brucellosis to their cattle or domestic bison herds.

The disease is transmissible to humans, though there is a treatment for people, and can decrease animals milk production, cause them to lose weight, and abort their young. It is primarily spread through contact with birth material, like aborted fetuses, placental membranes or fluids.

If the disease is found in a herd, the animals are only allowed to be transported to slaughter. Entire herds can be killed, crushing ranchers livelihoods and depressing Yellowstones neighboring states livestock industries.

Both wild bison and elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem carry the disease, which the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says threatens the brucellosis status of the surrounding states and the health of their cattle and domestic bison herds, which are free of the disease.

Reintroduction of the disease into a brucellosis-free state could have a serious economic impact on domestic livestock markets and potentially affect export markets, APHIS states on its website.

But elk arent constrained in the same way buffalo are.

That doesnt make sense to Dallas Gudgell, a member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and a board member of the Buffalo Field Campaign, which advocates for allowing bison to roam freely inside the park and out.

We would just like to see wild bison roam around just like deer and elk, their four-legged cousins, he said.

On Thursday, Sholly, Yellowstones superintendent, also made a point of highlighting the colonial legacy that first introduced brucellosis into Americas wild bison herds while critiquing slaughter.

Its important to remember that cattle, brought to Yellowstone and this area from Europe, actually transmitted brucellosis to bison in the first place, Sholly said.

Gudgell, the Buffalo Field Campaign board member, and Aune, the former Montana agency scientist, agreed that the transfer program was an effective alternative to slaughter. They also both supported the parks interest in reducing quarantine times with the support of peer-reviewed science.

But they disagreed about what other steps need to be taken to allow Yellowstone bison more room to roam.

Gudgell wants to see the state of Montana cut out of the equation, with management left to the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and tribes. Montana currently is a party to the Interagency Bison Management Program, which dictates how bison are managed around Yellowstone.

Cutting Montana out, Gudgell said, would allow tribes and the federal government to set hunting and relocation quotas that could be relied on instead of slaughter.

Gudgell also argued that relationship could allow the population of bison in the park to expand from roughly 4,000 to 10,000  or 20,000 in the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

We need to get the state of Montana out of managing buffalo. Its beholden to the livestock industry, he said. This is a treaty relationship between the federal government and the tribes.

Aune said much of what Montana has already done is positive, like expanding tolerance zones where the bison are allowed to roam outside of the park without being killed or hazed back into the park. Now, theyre allowed to roam  but also hunted  within a few miles of Gardiner and West Yellowstone, Montana.

We didnt even imagine that possibility back in 2005, 2006, 2007, Aune said. There was just nothing that would open those doors that are open now.

Montana residents tolerance for buffalo may change, particularly as land ownership in southern Montana changes, Aune said. In the future, he thinks bison may be tolerated outside of the current tolerance zones.

In the meantime, Carlson, president of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, praised the relocation effort.

Getting buffalo back to the tribes is critical, he said.

Theyre our relatives, he said. Theyre one and the same with us.
Trinidad and Tobago is able to access levels of free public healthcare that is not available
Mexico City (CNN)  An extraordinary campaign by the Mexican president to undermine a leading opposition contender for the countrys 2024 presidential election has drawn an official rebuke from the federal election authority and criticism that he is damaging the democratic process.

It also appears to be having an unintended effect: delivering a much-needed boost to the coalition aiming to unseat his party.

New polling this week from a Mexican newspaper showed Xochitl Galvez, a freshman senator vying for the ticket of Frente Amplio por Mexico, an alliance of three parties, within striking distance of the front-runners from the leftist presidents party  a significant development in a race that had widely been seen as leaning in the presidents partys favor.

Galvezs remarkable ascent comes as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has levied a near-daily stream of attacks against her.

In regular news conferences this month, Lopez Obrador has called her a wimp, puppet, and employee of the oligarchy, questioned her upbringing in poverty, and, last week, released the private financial information of her business.

Galvez has proven so adept at turning the attention into momentum that commentators joke the president has become her campaign manager.

AMLO is obsessed with Senator Galvez, Enrique Quintana, the general editorial director for the business newspaper El Financiero, wrote in a recent column, using a nickname for the president. In a few weeks, he made her the most mentioned opposition candidate and considered by many to be the favorite.

This is gold for her, political analyst Carlos Bravo Regidor told Americas Quarterly.

The immensely popular Lopez Obrador is barred under Mexican law from seeking re-election after completing his six-year term. Crowded primaries began this summer to determine his successor, with both the opposition coalition and Morena, the presidents party, set to select their candidates in September. The general election will take place next June.

Despite disastrous pandemic policies that ranked Mexico among the countries with the highest Covid-19 death rates and mostly unchecked cartel violence, Lopez Obrador has enjoyed some of the highest favorability ratings of any world leader. The eventual Morena flagbearer  among the candidates are the recent mayor of Mexico City, referred to as his political daughter and his former foreign secretary  has been viewed as his likely successor.

With a compelling personal story and a tendency for headline-grabbing stunts  she once dressed as a T. rex on the senate floor to protest a controversial electoral reform, a proposal from political dinosaurs  Galvez brought immediate energy and a media frenzy with her entrance into an opposition contest that had as yet failed to resonate with the public.

In a series of press interviews and viral social media posts, the senator, who represents the conservative PAN party but has staked out a number of progressive policy positions, has fought back with characteristic candor, framing the president as reckless and machista.

Her standing has jumped in the polls. In a new survey released this week by El Financiero, Galvezs support within the coalition primary increased by nine percent from two weeks ago, putting her six points ahead of her closest contender, the president of the lower house of Congress. In hypothetical match-ups against the three leading Morena candidates, she trails by five to 12 points.

He wants to undermine me psychologically, to make me fold, to put me in a corner, she told CNN en Espanols Conclusiones program on Monday. Im a very badass woman. Im a very daring woman. Im a brave and forward-thinking woman. So this is just the beginning.

Lopez Obradors commentary has drawn the scrutiny of the National Electoral Institute, an independent agency. Last week, a complaints commission within the body said that Lopez Obradors remarks may violate the principles of impartiality, neutrality, and equity and ordered him to stop making comments, opinions, or statements on electoral issues.

On Thursday, the panel again agreed to order Lopez Obrador to revise a number of offending comments.

However it dismissed a complaint from Galvez that the president had violated laws against gender-based political violence.

Electoral neutrality laws in Mexico date back to the 1990s, when lawmakers passed sweeping reforms in response to decades of single-party rule that allowed outgoing presidents virtually unchallenged abilities to select their political heirs.

The reforms established mechanisms to set the time periods during which campaigns could take place, regulated campaign finance, and limited how government officials can use public funds for political communication.

By using the mananera, which involves spending public resources, the executives social communication is being appropriated to attack a possible candidate, said Arturo Ramos Sobarzo, the director of the Center for Investigation and Legal Informatics at Mexico Citys Escuela Libre de Derecho, referring to the presidents daily news conferences.

In the days since the ruling against him, Lopez Obrador has moved between open disregard, winking half-measures, and begrudging obedience.

After contending that he was not bound by the order because his office had not been formally notified of it, Lopez Obrador shared a document online that purported to contain information about government contracts that Galvezs technological services company had received. Lopez Obrador has sought to tie the candidate to the countrys historic ruling elite with the claims, which she has denied.

Galvez has called the release of information an illegal invasion of her privacy and said she would file a complaint with the authorities.

Such brazen actions against a political rival are without precedent in recent Mexican elections, legal experts say, but the tact is familiar for a president who has relished upending norms and targeting his perceived enemies.

In a widely condemned episode last year, Lopez Obrador publicized the salary of a prominent journalist  apparently pulled from privileged government filings  after the reporter published an investigation into one of the presidents sons.

Lopez Obrador has also pushed a legislative package that aims to diminish the election agencys autonomy and its ability to punish politicians for breaking election laws, though key pieces of the measure have been struck down by the Supreme Court.

With his disregard for the electoral ruling, Lopez Obrador is putting at risk what we Mexicans have built as our democratic foundations, said Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, the opposition coalitions director for international liaisons.

We need the attention of international public opinion and pro-democracy organizations that will begin to take note of what we are beginning to face in Mexico in this election, he said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Mexicos president is on the attack. Its political gold for his rival"
SIGNING: Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, standing, looks on during the signing of the Donation Form at the handover ceremony last week Tuesday at the Gender and Child Affairs Division, St Clair Avenue, Port of Spain. Seated, from left, are Jewel Ali, head of office, International Organisation for Migration Port of Spain (IOM PoS); Mervyn Farroe, USAID regional representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean; Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, and Deoraj Sookdeo, acting manager, St Judes School for Girls.
TCC and Wireless Zone: Round Room, LLC., a Verizon-authorized retailer, is hosting its annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. The companys TCC and Wireless Zone retailers, including those in the Tucson area, will be donating 120,000 backpacks with school supplies. The event starts at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 30. One backpack per child present will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools of the stores choice. Find a shop near you at locations.tccrocks.com/search.html and select the Backpack Giveaway Participating Store filter.

Cox: Cox, through its Cox Diversity Scholarship, has awarded $3,500 each to three high school grads who are University of Arizona bound. They are Aaron Lam and Jose Eduardo Tanori of University High School and Victoria Rosas of Bioscience High School in Phoenix.

Students are required to have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, provide demonstrated leadership and community service, and submit an essay focused on a significant leader from their respective diverse community.

Since 2021, Cox has awarded $105,000 in Diversity Scholarships to students in Arizona in partnership with Sunnyside Educational Foundation, Womens Foundation for the State of Arizona, Educational Enrichment Foundation, YWCA Metro Phoenix, ACEL, Be a Leader Foundation, NAACP Maricopa Branch, One n Ten, Greater Phoenix Urban League and Valle Del Sol.

Tucson Electric Power: Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona announced a matching gift challenge of $25,000 from Tucson Electric Power. The TEP Matching Gift Challenge aims to raise funds towards the new Mobile Meals Kitchen, which will have the capacity to produce more than 400,000 meals annually to feed the hungry. To participate in the matching gift challenge, visit givemobilemeals.org or call the donation hotline at 520-622-1600. Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona delivers meals directly to the homes of seniors, individuals with disabilities and others who face challenges accessing nutritious food.

Western Wealth Capital: Western Wealth Capital handed out school supply kits and backpacks to school-age residents of the Tucson-area Western Wealth Capital-owned apartment communities. The backpacks included a school district-approved supply kit with notebooks and other supplies like pens and art supplies. This year, the company will surpass $200,000 in donated school supplies since the events inception in 2014, with more than 450 backpacks being distributed in Tucson this year alone.
A father and son who were arrested in 2021 after a woman was found dead near railroad tracks on Tucsons south side have been sentenced to prison.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell sentenced Anthony Ray Salcido Jr. on July 17 to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Rebecca Felix Soto, 38.

Salcido Jr. also pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous drug for sale and was sentenced to seven years probation to be served upon discharge from prison.

On Monday, July 24, Salcidos father, Anthony Salcido Sr., was sentenced to eight years in prison by Fell after he previously pleaded guilty to first-degree hindering of prosecution.

During his sentencing, Salcido Sr. addressed the court and asked Sotos family for forgiveness, stating he was sorry for what he had done.

According to an interim report filed in Pima County Justice Court, police learned that Salcido Jr. argued with Soto on Sept. 4, 2021. Salcido Sr. told investigators that when he went into a nearby trailer to get his laptop, he heard two gunshots, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

Salcido Sr. said that when he went to see what happened, he saw his son outside the residence and Soto on the ground in a pool of her blood, the report said.

The father and son reportedly covered Sotos body with a sheet and loaded her in a wheelbarrow, the report said.

A neighbor came outside and asked what the men were doing after noticing the blood. The father and son responded they were throwing out the trash, according to the interim report.

The same neighbor then went to look for the wheelbarrow and found Sotos body next to it before yelling out for help. Both Salcidos had fled the scene by the time police arrived, the report said.

Sotos body was found by police early the next morning near railroad tracks in the area of East Ajo Way and South Sixth Ave. She had gunshot wounds, the report said.

Both men were later arrested by Tucson police after a pursuit. During the chase, objects were thrown from the vehicle, including what Salcido Sr. told police was a gun concealed in a white sock that he got rid of to help his son, the court document said.
Des Moines Register. July 23, 2023.

Editorial: Erase part of Steve Kings bigoted legacy and publish multilingual voter forms

Voting is a foundational part of citizenship and democracy, not a bookkeeping matter. Iowa should repeal a misguided law thats been used to disfavor tens of thousands of prospective voters.

Voting should be among the least burdensome interactions an Iowa citizen has with the government.

The state, rightly, expends time and money on making it easier to register and to cast ballots and on encouraging people to do so. Last fall, Secretary of State Paul Pates office said it mailed 47,000 postcards to eligible voters who were not registered for the November election. County auditors do important work to foster participation locally.

But for 15 years, that outreach has all but left out tens of thousands of eligible voters who are not proficient in English. The reason is part of former Congressman Steve Kings legacy of bigotry in this state.

Thankfully, a court ruling offers some hope that voter registration forms will stop being targeted exclusively to Iowans who speak English.

How we got here: Unnecessary laws and lawsuits

Twenty-two years ago, King was a state senator. He wasnt yet using his seat in Congress to amplify his inaccurate and racist remarks demeaning immigrants and generate embarrassing national headlines about Iowa. Instead, he was the leading advocate for a bill declaring that, with some exceptions, government business in Iowa should be conducted in English alone. He and other backers said they wanted to encourage newcomers to assimilate by learning English more quickly, but the bill was more accurately understood as a mostly symbolic measure aimed at excluding immigrants and making clear that their arrival in Iowa was, at best, tolerated.

The bill passed with bipartisan support. Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, expressed reservations but, disappointingly, signed it.

A few years later, King took issue with voting-related forms in several languages appearing on a state website. Joined by others, including then-Montgomery County Auditor Joni Ernst, he sued, claiming that the forms violated his law and that providing the forms in other languages was costly for elected officials. A judge agreed and ordered the secretary of state to remove the forms. It turned out the law did carry some damaging substance with its symbolism.

That was the state of affairs until last month, when Polk County District Judge Scott Rosenberg, responding to a complaint from the League of United Latin American Citizens advocacy group, said that the 15-year-old injunction should be dissolved on the grounds that voting information is, in fact, covered by one of the English-only laws exceptions. LULAC had said that it was carrying the expensive burden of helping English language learners participate in elections and that some county auditors would post forms and information in other languages if they were allowed to.

Voting is a foundational part of citizenship

The undisputed facts in this case can lead to only one legal conclusion: official materials related to voting are a use of language that is necessary to secure the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America or the Constitution of the State of Iowa, wrote Rosenberg, a Terry Branstad appointee, citing an exception in the English-only law.

Rosenbergs ruling is welcome in that it recognizes voting as a foundational part of citizenship and democracy, rather than a bookkeeping matter through which the law can put at a disadvantage, conservatively, 25,000 eligible-to-vote Iowa adults, according to a Migration Policy Institute analysis of 2021 census data.

Including Spanish-language voter registration information is a bare minimum every Iowa county could manage. The expenditure required to include Bosnian, Vietnamese and Laotian, the other languages available before the court injunction, should hardly be overwhelming. Maybe throw in Persian, Pashto and Ukrainian, to eventually assist some of the refugees who fled war in Afghanistan and Ukraine in taking an important step toward making permanent homes in Iowa.

What should happen now: Publish multilingual forms, repeal the law

Immediately, county auditors should begin providing voter forms to their countys residents in relevant languages other than English.

As for the 2002 law: It was arrogant and inappropriate for Iowa then, and thats still true today.

Everybody agrees that it is valuable for immigrants to learn English. They mostly do, according to a wide body of research, including a brief from the libertarian CATO Institute. They should not have to struggle until that time to exercise the rights of citizens.

The state could still appeal the ruling in the LULAC case. But theres no state interest worth defending here. The attorney generals office should leave it alone. State legislators should repeal the English Language Reaffirmation Act next year and instead provide resources for election officials statewide to provide multilingual voter outreach.

END
Lincoln Journal Star. July 19, 2023.

Editorial: Pillen rightly changes course on federal rent aid

When Pete Ricketts turned down millions in federal pandemic aid for Nebraska in 2022, the then-governor argued that the COVID-19 emergency was over and that accepting federal money for things like food assistance, unemployment benefits and rent aid would turn Nebraska into a welfare state.

More than a year later, Ricketts successor, Gov. Jim Pillen, has rightly changed course, accepting whats left of the millions of dollars in emergency rent aid the federal government set aside for Nebraskas 91 smaller counties.

Ricketts earlier refusal has meant the $120 million fund earmarked for Nebraska has dwindled to $48 million, with much of the original aid going to other states. But, obviously, its better than no funding at all, and the millions that will now flow into the hands of Nebraskans in primarily rural parts of the state are certainly needed.

These are federal dollars from taxpayers  including Nebraskans  which means if Pillen didnt act, that already available funding would continue to trickle into other states.

The move also proves that Pillen, who was endorsed and, in part, bankrolled by now-U.S. Sen. Ricketts, is willing to reverse course from his predecessor, an independent streak that has been refreshing to see in the governors first year.

Additionally, Pillens application for the funding, available until at least the fall of 2025, avoided the need for the Legislature to unlock the funding itself  state senators had previously attempted to do so under Ricketts, but were vetoed down.

Its also welcome news that the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority is spearheading the distribution of the funds because the NIFA  as Amber Mark, the executive director of the Nebraska Housing Developers Association, remarked  has a good track record, having done well handling a separate pool of assistance dollars for homeowners.

The first priority will be eligible applicants who are seniors, disabled or victims of domestic violence, NIFA Executive Director Shannon Harner said. Now, its the job of the state to ensure those funds actually reach those people who need it the most.

But the fact that were able to have this conversation in the first place is thanks to Pillen, who was willing to buck the stance of his predecessor and do whats ultimately right for the state by accepting this rental assistance and keeping the money in Nebraska.

END
James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. 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 Tulsa run of The Book of Mormon will feature a ticket lottery, which will give theatergoers the chance to purchase seats to the Tony Award-winning musical for $25 each.

Entries for the lottery will be accepted at the Tulsa PAC ticket office, 101 E. Third St., two and a half hours prior to each performance. Entrants must print their name and whether they wish to buy one or two tickets on the provided entry card. Two hours before the show is to begin, names will be drawn at random for the limited number of tickets available.

Performances of The Book of Mormon, a bonus production presented by Celebrity Attractions, are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, July 26-27, at the Tulsa PAC.

The Book of Mormon, which features book, music and lyrics by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and EGOT winner Robert Lopez, tells of two naive missionaries sent to an impoverished African village, where their faith and friendship are tested to the comic breaking point.

Note: Due to language and subject matter, The Book of Mormon is recommended for mature audiences.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden will establish a national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teenager from Chicago who was abducted, tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi, and his mother, a White House official said Saturday.

Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday to create the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi, according to the official. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House had not formally announced the president's plans.

Tuesday is the anniversary of Emmett Till's birth in 1941.

The monument will protect places that are central to the story of Till's life and death at age 14, the acquittal of his white killers and his mother's activism. Till's mother's insistence on an open casket to show the world how her son was brutalized and Jet magazine's decision to publish photos of his mutilated body helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement.

Biden's decision also comes at a fraught time in the United States over matters concerning race.

Conservative leaders are pushing back against the teaching of slavery and Black history in public schools, as well as the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs from college classrooms to corporate boardrooms.

On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized a revised Black history curriculum in Florida that includes teaching that enslaved people benefited from the skills they learned at the hands of the people who denied them freedom. The Florida Board of Education approved the curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who accused public schools of liberal indoctrination.

"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 asked in a speech delivered in Jacksonville, Florida.

DeSantis said he had no role in devising his state's new education standards but defended the components on how enslaved people benefited. "All of that is rooted in whatever is factual," he said.

The monument to Till and his mother will include three sites in the two states.

The Illinois site is Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville, a historically Black neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Thousands of people gathered at the church to mourn Emmett Till in September 1955.

The Mississippi locations are Graball Landing, believed to be where Till's mutilated body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, and the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Till's killers were tried and acquitted by an all-white jury.

Till was visiting relatives in Mississippi when Carolyn Bryant Donham said the 14-year-old Till whistled and made sexual advances at her while she worked in a store in the small community of Money.

Till was later abducted and his body eventually pulled from the Tallahatchie River, where he was tossed after he was shot and weighted down with a cotton gin fan.

Two white men, Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam, were tried on murder charges about a month after Till was killed, but an all-white Mississippi jury acquitted them. Months later, they confessed to killing Till in a paid interview with Look magazine. Bryant was married to Donham in 1955. She died earlier this year.

The monument will be the fourth Biden has created since taking office in 2021, and just his latest tribute to the younger Till.

For Black History Month this year, Biden hosted a screening of the movie "Till," a drama about the lynching.
Jack Thorp, District 27 District Attorney, was presented the David L. Moss Memorial Award for Outstanding District Attorney in a July 12 awards ceremony in Oklahoma City.

As DA for Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah and Wagoner Counties, Thorp has accomplished numerous things to help not only the citizens of District 27, but all of Oklahoma.

Over the past year, Thorp launched a fentanyl program in which he is charging drug dealers with first-degree murder for fatal drug overdoses. This led to a fentanyl education program where he actively speaks to civic groups, schools and the media while working with local rehabilitation programs.

Thorp also conducted a difficult grand jury investigation into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. As a result of his 14-month investigation, the grand jury produced a report that caused changes to be implemented in the administration of the jail and jail trust.

Thorps impact as District Attorney is helping new prosecutors across a large part of Oklahoma. With a higher number of new prosecutors working in eastern Oklahoma, Thorp arranged and is conducting a trial advocacy program, even having volunteer Prosecutors from Districts 12, 15 and 27 participated.

Thorps is a 24-year career prosecutor who has served as District 27 District Attorney for the past six years.
Anna Codutti Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Follow Anna Codutti 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

Police say a man has turned himself in after three women were found dead and a baby wounded at an apartment complex in east Tulsa early Monday.

Officers responded to a shots-fired call from Wood Creek Apartments, on Garnett Road south of Interstate 244, around 6:30 a.m.

When we got here, we found this horrific scene, Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg said.

In addition to the three women found slain, an infant was hospitalized in critical condition with a gunshot wound, he said. As of early Monday afternoon, police said the child was expected to survive following emergency surgery.

The suspect in the shooting, identified as Caleb Venson in a Tulsa Police Department social media post, reportedly gained access to the apartment by shooting out a sliding glass door.

A 13-year-old in the apartment was able to escape and called authorities, according to police.

We worked very swiftly on this, Meulenberg said. Its an absolutely horrific event.

Police said Venson, who initially fled, turned himself in around 8 a.m.

Detectives discovered that one of the three women was 38-year-old Ashley Atwell, the mother of Vensons infant child. The baby reportedly was in Atwells arms when the shooting began.

The other two victims were identified by police as Annaway Mackey, 20, and Sarah Gonzales, 19.

Venson, 29, remains held on complaints including first-degree murder and shooting with intent to kill.

The apparent domestic multiple homicide comes just four days after a woman fatally shot her three children and then herself at their home in Verdigris. In that situation, Brandy McCaslin, 39, and her children, a 10-month-old boy, a 6-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl all died on Thursday evening.

Tulsa World photojournalist Mike Simons contributed to this story.

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(CNN)  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN that the US is attempting to strengthen lines of communication with China to avoid conflict between the two superpowers.

We are working to put some stability into the relationship, to put a floor under the relationship, to make sure that the competition that were in doesnt veer into conflict, Blinken told CNNs Fareed Zakaria in an interview that aired Sunday. A conflict, the secretary added, would not be in our interest, their interest, or anyone elses.

Blinken, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, made a highly anticipated trip to China last month, becoming the first secretary of state to travel to the country in five years and the most senior US official to make such a mission since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. His visit was followed by similar trips by other high-level Biden administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US climate envoy John Kerry.

We werent doing a lot of talking before. Now we are. We have different groups that are engaged, or about to engage, on discrete issues  that are problems  in the relationship where I believe we can, I think, get to a resolution, Blinken said. Now these are early days. The proof will be in the results.

After days of talks with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, Blinken touted that progress had been made toward steering relations back on track.

The two global powers have been increasingly at loggerheads over a host of issues ranging from Beijings close ties with Moscow to American efforts to limit the sale of advanced technologies to China.

Earlier this year, a Chinese surveillance balloon that was detected floating across the US and hovering over sensitive military sites before ultimately being shot down by an American fighter plane sent relations plunging to a new low and resulted in Blinken scrapping an earlier Beijing visit.

I was very clear with my Chinese counterparts, Blinken told Zakaria, referring to his trip last month. We will continue to do and say things that China will not like just as theyre going to continue to do and say things we wont like.

The test for us is whether we can manage our way through that, to make sure that we sustain these lines of communication, that we continue to talk, and that we work on, as I said, both dealing with the differences and seeing if we can cooperate, the secretary said.

CNN previously reported that one of the key issues that did not get resolved during Blinkens trip was the restoration of military-to-military communications between US and China. Contacts between the countries top military officials remain frozen, and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu continues to be under US sanction dating back to 2018 over the purchase of Russian weapons by Chinas Equipment Development Department, which Li was in charge of at the time.

Asked by Zakaria whether the US should lift the penalty to alleviate tensions, Blinken said, Those sanctions dont prevent the minister from engaging or us engaging with him, adding that it is a political decision, in effect, for China to decide whether or not he should be engaging.

China rejected a meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Shangfu during a security forum in Singapore earlier this year, although the two did speak briefly.

Weve made very clear that we think its a responsibility to have these military-to-military contacts, to have this dialogue, especially to avoid any miscalculations, any misperceptions of what were each doing, Blinken said. So, well see where China comes out on this.

On the Ukraine front, Blinken told Zakaria that Russia has already lost the war in terms of what Russia sought to achieve and what (Vladimir) Putin sought to achieve.

The objective was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, its sovereignty, to subsume it into Russia. That failed a long time ago, the secretary said.

Blinken acknowledged that Ukraines mission to regain territory captured by Moscow would be a very hard fight. He predicted that the counteroffensive against Russia would continue for several months.

However, he said, along with the aid, military equipment and training Ukraine is receiving from various countries, Kyivs cause represents the decisive element.

Unlike the Russians, Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their future, for their country, for their freedom, Blinken said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Blinken says US is working to put some stability into relationship with China"
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 said 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, the Rev. 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat Larry Elder, Republican President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican Ron DeSantis, Republican Mike Pence, Republican Chris Christie, Republican Doug Burgum, Republican Francis Suarez, Republican Will Hurd, Republican

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.
Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger 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

Oklahomas Statewide Virtual Charter School Board on Monday voted 3-1 to hire a conservative Christian legal advocacy group to defend it against possible national litigation over the controversial move to sponsor the nations first religious charter school.

Board member Nellie Sanders of Kingfisher made the motion to hire the Alliance Defending Freedom as the governing boards national litigation attorney and Cheryl Plaxico of Oklahoma City as local litigation attorney.

Plaxico was previously married to former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter.

The ADF bills itself as the worlds largest legal organization that is committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, marriage and family, parental rights, and the sanctity of life, and it advertises that it does so at no cost to clients through the support of tax-deductible donations.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has branded it a designated hate group for, among other things, its support of the recriminalization of sexual acts between consenting LGBTQ adults in the U.S. and abroad, its defense of state-sanctioned sterilization of transgender people abroad and its contention that LGBTQ people are more likely to engage in pedophilia.

In June, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted to hire two private attorneys to deal with contract negotiations for the creation of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a new state-sponsored, private Catholic school, as well as the litigation it expects to face as a result of entering into such uncharted legal waters.

Because the state board went against the legal advice of Oklahomas attorney general in approving sponsorship of St. Isidore, obtaining outside legal advice became necessary.

Board Chairman Robert Franklin of Tulsa on Monday objected to the hiring of any litigation attorneys at this time.

The board had just voted 4-0, with member Bill Pearson absent from Mondays meeting, to hire Daniel Carsey of the Hall Estill firm as their general counsel to advise them specifically on the St. Isidore matter.

Franklin had said he preferred that a subcommittee be formed to assess the numerous applicants for the boards new legal needs and then that the board make the hires in another month.

But when pressed by Sanders and another new board member, Brian Bobek, not to wait, Sanders made a motion to hire Carsey, and Franklin voted yes, explaining that although he preferred a vetting process, he was the one to submit the Hall Estill firm for consideration and believed it was a prudent hire.

But when Sanders moved to hire ADF and Plaxico as the boards legal representatives in case of litigation, Franklin objected and then cast the lone no vote. Member Scott Strawn of Bethany voted yes along with Sanders and Bobek.

I think it was premature, unwise and, perhaps, puts Oklahomans in an awkward position. I dont know who that group is. I dont understand who they are. I dont know what cases they have represented, Franklin told the Tulsa World after Mondays meeting.

Because there are board members who are feeling they need that kind of litigant on their behalf, they are moving swiftly. Who knows if thats what our new general counsel would advise? Why wouldnt we use legal counsel to give us advice about next steps?

He added: We did not have to move this fast. Even the (Catholic) Archdiocese (of Oklahoma City) had said another month would give them more time to get their stuff together. They are still doing their due diligence.

Oklahoma Statute Title 74, Section 20i, provides for the hiring of outside legal counsel under certain circumstances.

Commonly referred to as 20i contracts, outside legal representation can be obtained by eligible state governing boards from a list of attorneys and firms maintained by the attorney general. Interested attorneys can submit applications online on the Attorney Generals Offices website.

Franklin told the Tulsa World that the ADF still has to apply for a 20i contract with the Attorney Generals Office.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat appointed Sanders to the state board governing all of Oklahomas online charter schools. She previously told the Tulsa World she works as senior vice president of philanthropy at the Center of Family Love, a 24-hour care facility in Okarche for mentally and physically disabled adults founded by the Oklahoma Knights of Columbus, a Catholic mens organization.

Her husband, Mike Sanders, served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2008-20, and their children attend a private Catholic school in Okarche. Mike Sanders was Gov. Kevin Stitts choice for executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office.

During Mondays meeting, Franklin again raised the question of the legality of the votes of Bobek, who is of Oklahoma City.

Bobek cast the deciding vote in early June to give state sanctioning and Oklahoma taxpayer dollars to a Catholic school.

Bobek had just been appointed by Oklahoma Speaker of the House of Representatives Charles McCall one business day earlier, and the boards legal advisors from the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office said that under state statute they believed Bobek is ineligible to serve until November.

It was Brian Bobek today who said to Ms. Sanders in open meeting, Hey, if youve got somebody, go ahead and make that motion. I wanted to make sure to have it on record. Why would we not take our time? Franklin said.

In my mind, its still not settled whether his votes are legal. I think it puts the St. Isidore application completely at risk on a technicality.

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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

Sleeper: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is the most underestimated politician in Washington, D.C., Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole told the Ripon Society last week.

The Ripon Society is a center-right Republican organization founded in 1962.

I can tell you  having served with multiple speakers  this is the most accessible speaker I have ever seen, said Cole, who has been in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2002. It is easy to go talk to him. It is easy to get an appointment where he has the energy to handle this many egos, this many groups, and a narrow majority in the conference. But he does.

I think its a work in progress every single day. But at the end of the day so far, its worked.

Despite a paper-thin majority, McCarthy has guided House Republicans to legislative successes that have surprised many observers.

As chairman of the House Rules Committee  often called the Speakers Committee  Cole is responsible for getting the final drafts of legislation and the conditions of debating them onto the House floor. He said McCarthy is careful to include as many factions of the Republican Conference as possible in that process.

In the past, we would rush things to the floor sometimes and then run into a problem, Cole said. Now if you have a problem, you know about it early, because its going to pop up in the Committee. If somebody has an objection or a concern, it is easier to settle in the committee than on the Floor.

No Choice: A federal housing program that has put $80 million into redeveloping west and north Tulsa would be zeroed out in the next budget year under an appropriations bill advanced by a House subcommittee Cole chairs.

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative supplied grants of $30 million for the makeover of the Eugene Field area west of the Arkansas River and north of 23rd Street and $50 million for demolition and redevelopment of the Comanche Park neighborhood at 36th Street North and Peoria Avenue.

The appropriations bill is still far from final passage, and it isnt immediately clear what, if any, the implications would be for those two programs.

Cole, as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development  known as THUD  noted that the package, which advanced on a party-line vote to the full committee, would maintain or increase funding for other programs, including homeless assistance and Indian housing block grants.

In its current form, the bill reduces overall THUD spending by 25%, reducing it to $65.2 billion. The biggest hit is to transportation, which would see a 60% cut.

Cole said the draft meets our fundamental responsibility to support our most vulnerable citizens who rely on housing assistance to live in dignity.

The bill still faces a vote by the full committee, a House floor vote and Senate negotiations before final passage.

Furthermore  : Cole took lots of heat from Democrats after his amendment removed $3.62 million for three LGBTQ community centers from the same bill.

This amendment brings this committee to a new low, said Wisconsins Mark Pocan. The fact that you would take away members earmarks simply because they refer to the LGBTQ+ community is insane.

Cole, whose amendment also bans Pride flags from federally owned flag poles, said the the community center earmark constituted problematic spending.

All in: First District Congressman Kevin Hern asserted unqualified support for Israel after Washington Democrat Pramila Jayapal referred to it as racist.

There are no ifs, ands, or buts, no exceptions or qualifications. Israel exists as a beacon of democracy and freedom in the heart of a region defined by oppressive autocrats and human rights abusers, Hern said in a written statement.

Jayapals remarks, which she later withdrew, were in regard to allegations of human rights abuses by Israel against Palestinians.

The Abraham Accords Caucus, of which U.S. Sen. James Lankford is a member, also offered full-throated support. The caucus is named for a set of agreements reached during the Trump administration among Israel and several Middle Eastern countries.

Dots and dashes: Third District Congressman Frank Lucas endorsed recent legislation, similar to bills he has carried in the past, that would mandate greater federal oversight of land sales to what is termed foreign adversaries.  Lankford was one of 16 senators voting for a Rand Paul amendment requiring congressional approval to fulfill NATO obligations to come to the aid of allies under attack.  Lucas praised House passage of an aviation bill that includes provisions from the Science, Space and Technology Committee he chairs.  Lankford launched an effort to encourage pharmaceutical manufacturing outside of China.  The Houses National Defense Authorization Act included 5th District Congresswoman Stephanie Bices legislation to give the Department of Defense fentanyl intervention authority.  Lankford said the Biden administration is focused on trying to turn over energy control of the United States over to China.  The House Rules Committee is expected to tee up legislation next week repealing protected status for the lesser prairie chicken and the northern long-eared bat.

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Tribes respond after override

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton: Despite Gov. Stitts attempts to muddy the waters, the Oklahoma Senate did the right thing today by overriding his veto of compacts regarding tobacco sales and motor vehicle tags. These important agreements provide massive benefits for tribes and all Oklahomans, and we thank the Legislature for doing what is right.

The Choctaw Nation remains open to negotiating on long-term compacts, and we trust good-faith discussions will start soon.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.: All Oklahomans benefit from fair agreements between tribes and state government, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships.

Today is a great step forward in preserving carefully negotiated compact agreements that have served both Oklahoma and Cherokee Nation well for decades. The bipartisan supermajority of Senators who voted to extend our tribal-state compacts, overriding the Governors veto, also saw this need, and I thank them for their support. This vote shows once again that the Governor is isolated in his choice of conflict over cooperation with tribes. Cherokee Nation is ready to continue working with any and all good-faith partners in the state who respect our sovereignty.

"I urge the Oklahoma House to return swiftly to complete the veto overrides. They can quickly end the troubling uncertainty these vetoes have caused for Oklahoma citizens and businesses.
ISRAEL UNREST

JERUSALEM  Tens of thousands of protesters marched into Jerusalem on Saturday evening and hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv and other cities in a last-ditch show of force aimed at blocking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious judicial overhaul.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office said early Sunday that he was undergoing a procedure and would be placed under sedation to receive a pacemaker. A top deputy, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, was to stand in for him. The procedure comes a week after Netanyahu was hospitalized for what his office described as dehydration.

On Saturday, more than 100 of Israel's former security chiefs signed a letter pleading with the Israeli premier to halt the legislation, and thousands of additional military reservists said they would no longer report for duty, in a protest against the plan.

In scorching heat that reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit, the procession into Jerusalem turned the city's main entrance into a sea of blue and white Israeli flags as marchers completed the last leg of a four-day, 45-mile trek from Tel Aviv to Israel's parliament.

The marchers were welcomed in Jerusalem by throngs of cheering protesters before they set up camp in rows of small white tents outside the Knesset, or parliament, before Monday's expected vote.

Hundreds of thousands also flooded the streets of Tel Aviv, the country's business and cultural capital, as well as in Beersheba, Haifa and Netanya.

Netanyahu and his far-right allies claim the overhaul is needed to curb what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the plan will destroy the country's system of checks and balances and put it on the path toward authoritarian rule.

U.S. President Joe Biden also urged Netanyahu to halt the plan.

The proposed overhaul drew harsh criticism from business and medical leaders, and a rising number of military reservists said they will stop reporting for duty if the plan passes, raising concern that security interests could be threatened. An additional 10,000 reservists announced they were suspending duty on Saturday night, according to "Brothers in Arms," a protest group representing retired soldiers.

More than 100 top former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners and heads of intelligence agencies, joined those calls Saturday, signing a letter to Netanyahu blaming him for compromising Israel's military and urging him to halt the legislation.

The signatories included Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, and Moshe Yaalon, a former army chief and defense minister. Both are political rivals of Netanyahu.

"The legislation is crushing those things shared by Israeli society, is tearing the people apart, disintegrating the IDF and inflicting fatal blows on Israel's security," the former officials wrote.

Israel Katz, a senior Cabinet minister from Netanyahu's Likud party, said the bill would pass one way or another on Monday.

After seven straight months of the most sustained and intense demonstrations the country has ever seen, the grassroots protest movement reached a fever pitch.

The parliament is expected to vote Monday on a measure that would limit the Supreme Court's oversight powers by preventing judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable."

The overhaul plan calls for other sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, including changing the way judges are selected.
A series of tours have been discounted for the summer season, the peak time for domestic tourism, by Ho Chi Minh City-based travel firms, as part of the Shopping Season 2023 program launched by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade.

Tourism promotion is the focus for the second phase of the Shopping Season 2023, which was initiated in mid-June, said Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade.

Through the second-phase program, which began in mid-July, the municipal Department of Tourism will launch shopping and discount tours in the city to attract more visitors.

Multiple tour operators in Ho Chi Minh City are joining the 2023 tourism promotion program to shore up the cooperation between the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Tourism, in an attempt to offer discounted packages of tours, catering, and shopping to tourists and locals.

Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of Vietravel, said that the firm had registered to lower prices for domestic and outbound tours.

Overseas travel has been more popular in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the firm has offered affordable outbound tours to further promote tourism.

Many tours have been discounted by 10 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period, said Phuong Hoang.

Nguyen Minh Man from TST Tourist said that the travel firm registered to join the tourism promotion program with five domestic tours discounted by up to 28 percent.

Among them are the Thu Duc - green riverside city tour and the Saigon River tour.

Many travel firms in the city said that they would keep a close watch on customers demands and tastes to decide which tours will be discounted and which preferential packages will be added.

Tran The Dung, general director of Vietluxtour Travel JSC, said that the firms tour sales reached over 85 percent of its summer business target.

The firm served more individual tourists than groups of visitors from companies.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the Department of Tourism, said that the citys tourism generated high revenue in the first half of the year.

To maintain the positive results in the second half of 2023, the department should introduce new tourism products and services at reasonable prices.

During the upcoming river festival slated for August, the city will launch 30-50 tourism promotion programs, including 20 waterway tourism activities to bring exciting experiences to tourists, Hoa said.

The department is working to diversify river-based tourism products, and has joined hands with experts and tourism insiders to study and form new products based on the riverside service economic development project, according to Hoa.

Resolution 98, which was approved by the lawmaking National Assembly on June 24, grants special mechanisms and policies to Ho Chi Minh City in various fields, enabling the city to boost tourism and attract investors to the industry," Hoa underlined.

Several bottlenecks facing the citys riverside tourism development will be removed to smooth the diversity of tourism products in the future."

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Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai, two of the largest shipbuilding companies from South Korea, are working on plans to hire Vietnamese workers amid their countrys lingering workforce shortage, South Korean industry officials said on Sunday.

Hanwha Ocean signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade in Hanoi on Saturday to train and offer jobs to Vietnamese shipbuilding workers, according to news site Vietnamplus.

The MOU will help satisfy the firms demand for workers by supporting programs to strengthen the capabilities of vocational training institutions under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, a Hanwha Ocean representative said.

We expect the cooperation to enable us to work out stable plans to hire high-skilled foreign workers, he said.

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai chairman Chung Ki-sun inspected a shipyard owned by Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam last month when he was among the business executives in South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols entourage during his visit to Vietnam.

Since Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding was established in 1996, Vietnam has secured the fifth-most shipbuilding orders in the world.

It also has the largest number of high-skilled and experienced shipbuilding workers among the Southeast Asian countries.

South Korean shipbuilders have prioritized employing Vietnamese workers.

Vietnamese workers made up 55.1 percent of the nearly 1,600 foreigners getting South Koreas E-7 (Particular Occupation) visas for shipbuilding-related activities from January 2022 to January this year, Vietnamplus reported, citing the South Korean Ministry of Justice.

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Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse Phan Thi Thanh Tam arrived in Vienna on Sunday afternoon (Austrian time) to commence their official visit to Austria at the invitation of Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.

President Thuongs three-day Austria visit is part of his trip to Europe, which is set to wrap up on Friday.

The Vietnamese state president and his spouse were welcomed at Vienna International Airport by officials from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien, and other officials from the embassy.

This is the first visit to Austria by a Vietnamese state president in the past 15 years and the first visit to a European nation by President Thuong.

The Vietnamese state president was scheduled to visit the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria to meet some representatives of the Vietnamese community in the European nation after his arrival.

He also held talks with Alfred Gerstl, chairman of the Austria - Vietnam Friendship Association.

Apart from receiving the Vietnamese ambassador to Austria, President Thuong met with six other Vietnamese ambassadors to Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovakia, which share border links with Austria, on Sunday afternoon.

During the meetings, these ambassadors affirmed Vietnams position has been leveled up in the global market in general and in the European Union in particular.

Vietnamese exporters should focus on improving the quality of goods and boosting innovation to tap the selective European market, said these ambassadors.

President Thuong encouraged these ambassadors to foster diplomatic activities to contribute to Vietnams socio-economic development.

He underscored that one million Vietnamese living in Europe form a big community, so Vietnams representative agencies in the continent should always support the Vietnamese people.

Within the framework of his Austria visit, President Thuong will hold talks with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen and other top Austrian officials.

Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong (L) and his spouse Phan Thi Thanh Tam walk on a red carpet after arriving in Vienna, Austria, July 23, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

His visit was made after the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2022.

On December 1, 1972, when war was not yet over in Vietnam, Austria was one of the Western countries that established diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

The Vietnam - Austria relationship has strengthened in various fields over the past 50 years.

The two nations have maintained all-level delegation exchanges and held meetings on the sidelines of international forums.

Austria is one of Vietnams 10 biggest import markets in Europe, while Vietnam is the European countrys leading trade partner in Southeast Asia.

Two-way trade reached US$2.79 billion in 2022.

After his visit to Austria, President Thuong will continue his Europe trip to Italy and the Vatican at the invitations of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse arrived in Vienna on Sunday afternoon to begin their official visit to Austria, a state visit to Italy, and another to the Vatican.

Society

-- The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications is pooling feedback on its proposal to require all users of social networks, such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, to verify their identity using their mobile phone numbers.

-- The electronic toll collection (ETC) systems installed at some toll stations on expressways in the Mekong Delta region malfunctioned on Sunday, inconveniencing travelers.

-- A sleeper bus crashed into a motorcycle on National Highway 20 in Dong Nai Province on Sunday evening, killing two men on the bike right at the scene.

-- Some districts in Ho Chi Minh City have installed surveillance cameras to detect people littering the two canals Tan Hoa-Lo Gom and Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe, which have been polluted again shortly after renovation.

-- Authorities in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City have set up 14 designated points where people can exchange plastic bags and plastic waste for gifts, encouraging community participation in safeguarding the environment.

World News

-- Part of a bridge collapsed on Sunday along a ring road in Patras, Greeces third-largest city, killing one person and injuring eight, Reuters quoted the fire brigade as saying.

-- Nine were killed, including four military personnel, after a civilian plane crashed in Port Sudan airport due to a technical failure, Reuters quoted the Sudanese army as saying on Sunday.

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Interview: German lawmaker says "foolish" to jeopardize economic relations with China

Xinhua) 09:54, July 24, 2023

Photo taken on July 11, 2022 shows a scene from the welcome ceremony for the 10,000th trip made by China-Europe freight trains operated by the China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing) in Duisburg, Germany. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

Without close cooperation with China, Germany and Europe will be at risk of self-isolation and industrial decline in the globalized world, the German lawmaker said.

BERLIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- "It would be foolish to jeopardize our good economic relations with China," Sevim Dagdelen, a member of Germany's lower house of parliament, told Xinhua during a recent interview.

Without close cooperation with China, Germany and Europe will be at risk of self-isolation and industrial decline in the globalized world, said Dagdelen, chairwoman of the Die Linke (Left Party) parliamentary group of the German Bundestag's Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Noting that China is Germany's most important trading partner, she said Germany is dependent on imports from the Asian country, especially regarding raw materials and technology products.

Employees work at an assembly line of the north China base of FAW-Volkswagen in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

In addition, she said the German economy depends on the Chinese market, noting that around 5,000 German companies operate in China, and hundreds of thousands of jobs in Germany depend on such cooperation.

Dagdelen, who had wrapped up a visit to China this summer, told Xinhua that after exchanges with Chinese officials, entrepreneurs and scholars, she was impressed by their far-sightedness, thinking and actions focusing on the common good.

"It was also clear from my talks that China wants cooperation and friendly relations with Germany and Europe and has no interest in confrontation," she said.

Dagdelen noted that the term "de-risking" is being used differently by different stakeholders in Germany, but "in most cases, it is disingenuous."

"The use of this new term appears to stem from the realization that a completely uncontrolled decoupling from China would lead to Germany's deindustrialization, with massive social upheavals," she said.

This undated photo shows a view of a Sino-German industrial park in Shunyi District of Beijing, capital of China. (Sino-German Industrial Park/Handout via Xinhua)

She stressed that the future of relations between China and Germany will depend on whether the voices of reason calling for cooperation and dialogue with China rather than confrontation and escalation prevail in Germany.

Speaking on Europe's strategic autonomy, Dagdelen stressed that the prerequisite for an autonomous and sovereign European foreign and security policy -- and economic policy -- would be emancipation from U.S. imperialism and NATO's policy of confrontation.

The European Union should resist U.S. attempts to hinder its decline as a global hegemon and the shift towards a multipolar world, Dagdelen said, adding that such a move would bolster the peace, security and prosperity of Europeans.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
SBS is calling for submissions for a fourth season of documentary showcase Australia Uncovered to screen in 2025.

Bernadine Lim, Senior Commissioning Editor at SBS, said: We want Australian documentary makers to come to us with surprising stories that have scale, cut-through and relevance; and most importantly, share a compelling story that speaks authentically to all Australian audiences.

Australia Uncovered continues to be a key part of our commissioned documentary slate at SBS, and we want to continue to build on the networks leadership in high calibre documentaries that open minds, challenge misconceptions, entertain and connect with all Australians. Whether you have a fresh new concept or a cutting-edge project underway, wed be excited to hear your proposal.

Seasons 1 & 2 spanned gender politics during the term of Australias only female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, in Strong Female Lead; comedian Celia Pacquolas story of battling anxiety in The Truth About Anxiety; the story of one of Australias most prominent unsolved serial murder cases and the desperate search for justice in The Bowraville Murders and a fly-on-the-wall insight into the world of trauma cleaning in The Cleaning Company.

A third season will also screen in 2024.

From submissions received, SBS will shortlist proposals seeking development and production funding, selecting up to four single documentaries ranging from one hour to feature-length to form the 2025 season of Australia Uncovered.

Applicants are required to submit their proposals with Australia Uncovered Submission in the subject line to [email protected].

Submissions are open until end of October 2023.

Proposals must include the following:

24-page proposal for an original one-hour or feature length documentaries. This should include a log line, and 1 para synopsis

24-minute teaser, reel or proof of concept reel.

SBS will be in touch directly with successful applicants.

All proposals must explore and reflect the SBS Charter.

sbs.com.au/aboutus/content-commissioning

Amended.
Former Home & Away child actor, Felix Dean, who played VJ Patterson from 2007  2014, appeared in Sydney Downing Centre District Court on Monday following a botched carjacking.

According to court documents Dean, now 26, allegedly tried to steal the keys to an Audi A5 from an unknown man in Botany, on May 28.

The court heard he pleaded guilty to assaulting the man with the intention of robbing him, but pleaded not guilty to the three charges of common assault relating to a separate incident.

He appeared via videolink from a custody cell.

But his lawyer Lauren MacDougall said she would be applying to have the charges dismissed under the mental health act.

Dean featured as VJ Patterson, son of Vinnie (Ryan Kwanten) & Leah Patterson (Ada Nicodemou) from the age of 10, across 831 episodes from 2007  2014 before the role was assumed by another actor from 2014  2018.

He made other appearances in Comedy Inc, All Saints and Jessica.

He will return to court on September 11th.

Source: Perth Now
Foreign Correspondent returns to ABC this week with the hunt for the missing Yazidis in Iraq.

Its almost a decade since ISIS militants swept through Iraq and Syria but the legacy of their brutal caliphate remains. While many Iraqis are reclaiming their lives in a period of relative calm, the targets of ISIS genocide, the Yazidis, are not at peace.

The world was transfixed when this religious minority fled to the mountains of Sinjar. Rescue efforts managed to airlift some to safety and others who escaped on foot and were eventually settled in countries like Australia. But many were trapped and killed, and huge numbers of women and girls were taken as slaves.

This week Foreign Correspondent goes in search of what happened to them. Reporter Stephanie March travels to northern Iraq and uncovers incredible stories of survival and hears brave accounts from those who have rescued hundreds of Yazidi women. She also meets the women trafficked by ISIS who allege they were held captive by an Australian.

8pm Thursday on ABC.
Bump-in at the The Star began on Sunday for the 63rd Logie Awards.

Producers certainly have a big week ahead as Seven hosts its first Logies in 28 years.

Weve got rehearsals on Friday and Saturday. In the room I think weve got about 15 cameras, a spidercam in the roof, weve got a jib hanging from one of the balconies, Network Executive Producer for Seven, Digby Mitchell tells TV Tonight.

Weve got a camera up the front, which hasnt been done before. Its something theyve employed at the Oscars. Its a motorised camera thats right up the front of the stage to get a bit closer to the action.

It connects the viewer to whats going on, on the stage, rather than feeling like were all at the back of the room watching on.

Its a huge Red Carpet

Bump-in for the Red Carpet starts at 2am on the morning of the event. That comes together very quickly. Its a huge Red Carpet that were putting in and will hopefully be quite impressive.

Were taking over the whole driveway from the Darling at one end all the way to the other end of the building. The whole Red Carpet will be 70% of that driveway.

Sonia Kruger and Chris Brown host the Red Carpet from 7pm Sunday.

Amongst the other changes in the move from Nine to Seven is returning to a single host, in comedian Sam Pang, and appointing ITV Studios Australia to produce the event.

Head of Content for ITV Studios Australia Beth Hart says the network is hoping to bring a touch of class to the event and to celebrate all of the industry, across Free to Air and Subscription TV.

I think the message that weve had clearly from Channel Seven, since weve started working on the show, is that this is a celebration of our industry, she says.

We make brilliant television, world class TV

We make brilliant television, world class TV, some of the best versions of the best formats in the world, and we should absolutely be celebrating that. So I think its an overwhelming tone of positivity.

We do have some surprises lined up for the night, just to give it a bit of a freshen up.

Its the first time the show has had a host for many, many years. I think thats a really big difference. Hes well on board with our tone while still being very truly Sam Pang.

Even while viewers sometimes have a love-hate relationship with all things Logie, Pang remains respectful of Logie history.

We when we first spoke to Sam, he had that enthusiasm about the Denton years, and Micallef hosting. It was such an amazing list of comedians and he was excited to be a part of that history, says Mitchell.

For a long time, Australia really struggled with a tall poppy syndrome. If you stick you head up, it gets cut down. I think thats changed a little bit in recent years with the standard of television that the countrys been making. Theres a lot to celebrate about the shows, especially broadening from network TV to streamers. If you look at the nominees this year, its a wide field of shows that are in play, and being able to celebrate all of that amazing content is what were really trying to achieve on the night.

I think another reason people kind of have a love-hate relationship with Logies and award shows is that people care passionately about who wins and who loses, Hart suggests. If your favourite hasnt won, and youve been dedicated to watching, you know, every single frame of Dancing with the Stars, and its been taken out by The Voice or something else, I think people really care about that.

We wanted an act that was going to get the room on their feet

Producers have been kept on their toes by the US actors strike but have confirmed all their presenters, revealed Foxtels Brian Walsh for Hall of Fame, and announced music acts Amy Shark and closing act Peking Duk.

We wanted an act that was going to get the room on their feet and give an injection of excitement towards the end of the show, says Mitchell.

A musical act for In Memoriam and the secret person fitting to present the Gold Logie, will be one of several surprises on the night.

Another change sees live voting for the Gold continuing to 10:30pm on Sunday plus bringing fans into the room for the first time since the 1960s.

This is the night of nights and people are getting a chance to be a part of it. It appealed to Sam too, when we talked to him about it. That atmosphere will be trying to bring the viewers into the room, Mitchell explains.

Not returning this year is Tony Martin as announcer.

With a host the whole way through, I think that Tonys voice isnt as required to be consistent across the night. The V/O will be a lot more functional. Weve got Sam providing the laughs.

Were making the show for the viewers

For Mitchell and Hart the night is about ensuring a celebration of television across the board.

Were not making it just for Channel Seven, says Hart. Its being made for the viewers as well as to celebrate the industry.

Its going to be a massive night. Theres a huge team of people with a thousand moving parts and lots of things to deal with on the night.

Mitchell adds, I cant speak enough of how amazing its been to work with Sam. He really, really has a passion for this side of the industry and a respect for whats gone before him.

63rd TV Week Logie Awards 7pm red carpet / 7:30pm ceremony Sunday on Seven.

Photo: TV Week.
We're still only just getting over the iconic and chaotic series that was Married At First Sight Australia season 10. From butt dial gate, to Ollie's impression, to Melissa and Layton's ongoing love story, it was a hell of a season. And now we're already counting down the days (can it hurry up?) until Married At First Sight Australia season 11 drops. So if like us, you can't wait for the next series, here's everything you need to know about MAFS Australia season 11.

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Has Married At First Sight Australia season 11 been confirmed?

Yep it sure has. Whilst season 10 was airing, the official Married At First Sight Australia Instagram account shared a post asking people to apply for the next series. Since then they've shared a few more posts asking people to apply, so we can all but assume the next series is going ahead.

Who is in the cast for Married At First Australia season 11?

Whilst we don't have an official cast list yet, we do know two rumoured cast members who are said to be heading down the aisle.

According the Daily Mail Australia, PR and marketing consultation Lauren Dunn will be joining the cast. Lauren is also a food blogger and is based in Perth.

Also said to be joining the cast is Jayden Eynaud, the brother of former MAFSAU cast member Mitch Eynaud, who appeared on season nine of the show.

As per the Daily Mail, professional kickboxer Jayden is said to be "stoked and excited" to be appearing on the new series. Jayden is said to have already filmed his backstory scenes back home on the Gold Coast. Can we expect brother Mitch to make an appearance?

The series is also reportedly set to feature a gay couple, after the previous three seasons have only featured heterosexual couples.

Who are the Married At First Sight Australia season 11 experts?

In the previous season guiding the cast through their early stages of marriage, were relationship experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling, alongside sexologist Alessandra Rampolla.

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The three experts are expected to return for season 11, with Mel Schilling sharing a behind the scenes photo of herself on Instagram Stories to mark the beginning of filming. So exciting!

Has Married At First Sight Australia season 11 begun filming?

It appears so as expert Mel Schilling shared a behind the scenes picture of herself on Instagram to mark the beginning of filming.

We can probably expect filming to continue for the next few months, as the official registration for cast members asks for people to apply who can commit from July to November 2023.

When is Married At First Sight Australia season 11's release date?

Right now we don't have an official release date for season 11 of MAFSAU, however the previous two seasons began airing in Australia at the end of January running to the end of April.

For UK viewers, we can probably expect to see the series hit our screens around a month later after the official Australia launch date. The most recent series was broadcast on E4 starting from 6th March. So if the next season follows a similar pattern, we'll be watching the couples head down the aisle early March 2024.



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Trevor Francis, British footballs first 1million player, has died at the age of 69.

The ex-Birmingham striker, who scored Nottingham Forests winner in their 1979 European Cup final triumph, earned 52 England caps and later guided Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham to major finals as a manager.

Plymouth-born Francis burst onto the scene as a teenager with Birmingham, making his first-team debut at 16 in 1970.

We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69. He won 52 caps and scored 12 goals  including two at the 1982 @FIFAWorldCup  for the #ThreeLions between 1977 and 1986. All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs. pic.twitter.com/GNBeV4onDp  England (@England) July 24, 2023

He died in Spain this morning from a heart attack, said a spokesman.

Forest shattered the British transfer record when they paid 1.15million for him in 1979, although manager Brian Clough famously claimed the fee was 999,999 to take pressure off the player.

He started his career at Birmingham, playing 328 times and scoring 133 goals.

In 1971, at just 16-years-old, he became the youngest ever player to score four times in Football League history in Blues 4-0 win over Bolton.

Trevor Francis won the European Cup in 1979 (PA)

He earned his record move to Forest in 1979 and headed the winner in the 1-0 victory over Malmo to win the European Cup just a few months later.

Francis missed the European Cup win over Hamburg a year later through injury and joined Manchester City in 1981.

Spells at Sampdoria, where he won the Coppa Italia, Atalanta, Rangers and QPR  where he was player-manager  followed.

He moved to Sheffield Wednesday in 1990 before he replaced Ron Atkinson as manager.

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Under Francis, the Owls finished third in the old First Division in his first season in charge before finishing seventh in the newly created Premier League while also being runners up in the FA Cup and League Cup.

Francis scored the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup final (PA)

He left in 1995 and returned to Birmingham the following year, reaching the play-offs three times and also the 2001 League Cup final where they lost to Liverpool.

Francis left St Andrews in October 2001 and joined Crystal Palace soon after, leaving the Eagles in 2003 in what was his last job.

Francis spent half a year in Spain and the rest in Solihull. He suffered a heart attack 11 years ago and had kept himself fit with daily power walks.

He had an annual health check through the League Managers Association and, according to his spokesman, was enjoying life very much having eventually got over the death of his wife.

Helen passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer.

So sorry to hear the sad news that Trevor Francis has passed away,he was a lovely man and such great player and thank you so much for bringing me to swfc..RIP legend  Chris Waddle (@chriswaddle93) July 24, 2023

Chris Waddle and Mark Bright, both signed by Francis for Sheffield Wednesday, remembered their old manager fondly.

Waddle tweeted: So sorry to hear the sad news that Trevor Francis has passed away, he was a lovely man and such great player and thank you so much for bringing me to swfc..RIP legend.

Bright posted: RIP, Trevor Francis. Trev signed me when he was player/manager at SWFC.

The club experienced some great times in the early 90s, both Trev and his wife Helen were very kind in helping me to settle in at the club, I greatly appreciated it then and now. Love to sons Matthew and James.

A very sad day for @BCFC and all of football. Beyond legendary, a trailblazer, a great and an icon of the game. The only thing that could exceed his quality and accolades on the pitch was his class off it. Thank you for all the guidance and the benchmarks you set. Rest in peace, pic.twitter.com/pQaXG9rh04  Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) July 24, 2023

Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who began his career at Birmingham, posted a photo of Francis in his playing days alongside another picture of himself as a child meeting King Trevor.

The 20-year-old boyhood Blues fan wrote: A very sad day for BCFC and all of football. Beyond legendary, a trailblazer, a great and an icon of the game.

The only thing that could exceed his quality and accolades on the pitch was his class off it. Thank you for all the guidance and the benchmarks you set. Rest in peace, King Trevor!
Derek Ferguson is wanted for the murder of Thomas Cameron in 2007 (PA)

Police have released innovative images of a suspect in a 16-year-old murder as the hunt continues.

Officers working with Police Scotlands Fugitive Active Search Unit (Fast) are continuing to seek 59-year-old Derek Ferguson for the murder of Thomas Cameron in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, in 2007.

Intelligence gathered suggests Ferguson has travelled between the southern part of the Netherlands and Spain: including Barcelona, the south coast and the Balearic Islands.

Now, officers have released animated images  named an EvoFIT  of how Ferguson could look, allowing for aging.

READ MORE: Man charged after fatal accident on A82 near Glencoe which killed motorcyclist

Developed by forensic psychologist Professor Charlie Frowd of the University of Central Lancashire, the EvoFIT was released on Monday in the hopes of tracing the suspect.

Detective Chief Superintendent Vicky Watson said: Our officers have carried out painstaking inquiries and research over the years to trace Ferguson and the new images released are as a result of our investigations and the current intelligence picture surrounding his appearance.

I would like members of the public to look at these images and get in touch with the investigation team if you recognise him and, most importantly, have information about his current whereabouts.

Our officers continue to search for Derek Ferguson.



He's wanted in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron in Auchinairn in June 2007.



A new EvoFIT shows how he could look now. If you know where he is now, get in touch.



For more https://t.co/a5Arbyhwze pic.twitter.com/szGz6QJsMd  Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) July 24, 2023

She added: Officers have pieced together the recent movements of Derek Ferguson.

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I would now like to appeal directly to the local communities in the southern areas of the Netherlands, Barcelona, the south coast of Spain and the Balearic Islands to look at these images and get in touch if you have seen him or know where he is.

Ferguson is described as being between 5ft 2in and 5ft 6in, with a small scar on his right jaw line and a small piece of his left ear missing, along with having multiple forearm tattoos including a heart and a dagger.

A reward of up to 10,000 is on offer from Crimestoppers for information relating to the arrest of Ferguson.

Ms Watson stressed that, over the passage of time, loyalties and relationships change, urging anyone with information to come forward to police or Crimestoppers with information.

She added: Despite 16 years having past, our investigation to trace Ferguson continues and underlines our unwavering commitment to achieve justice for the family of Thomas Cameron.
The UK and EU deal to reduce red tape on post-Brexit trade has improved the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol but problems remain, peers have concluded.

The House of Lords committee on the protocol has published a report on the economic, political, legal and constitutional impact of the Windsor Framework deal struck by London and Brussels earlier this year.

The framework sought to cut the bureaucracy on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland created by the protocol.

It sought to achieve this by the creation of red and green lanes that differentiated between goods whose end destination was Northern Ireland and those due for onward transport into the EU single market over the Irish border.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed the Windsor Framework (Alastair Grant/PA)

It also created a mechanism whereby a minority of Stormont MLAs could flag concerns about the implementation of new EU laws in Northern Ireland  a move that could lead to the UK government vetoing their introduction.

The DUP has been blocking devolution at Stormont for over a year in protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by the protocol.

The party says the Windsor Framework does not go far enough to address its concerns and has made clear it will not countenance a return to devolution until the Government provides further assurances, by way of legislation, over Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

The Lords report was informed by evidence from the UK government, EU Commission, business representatives, trade bodies, academic, legal and trade experts as well as community organisation representatives.

It found the frameworks benefits included the eased movement of retail goods; agri-food produce, including chilled meats; parcels; pets; and human medicines via the green lane.

However, peers cautioned that for some businesses the processes under the framework will be more burdensome than under the protocol as it is currently being implemented.

That is because the protocol, as it stands, is being operated with several grace periods and exemptions.

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Goods arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain needed to undergo various checks under the protocol (Liam McBurney/PA)

The committee called on the Government to answer outstanding concerns highlighted by business and retailers, including around the movement of livestock from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and back.

Peers also urged ministers to provide urgently further clarity on the frameworks labelling requirements on businesses and to set out how it will support businesses in adapting to these changes.

Peers said there was significant concern over a lack of clarity about the frameworks operation ahead of tight deadlines for implementation.

Pointing to multiple documents and legal texts that form part of the framework, the committee members said there was confusion arising from the difference in emphasis between the UK and EU in their descriptions of some of the provisions.

They urged London and Brussels to explain clearly to stakeholders what the provisions mean in practice and to publish a comprehensive summary.

The committee said the issue of regulatory divergence remains the number one concern of business representatives.

Peers said there was an underlying fear that Northern Ireland will find itself in a no-mans land between Great Britain and the EU, a scenario that would place the competitiveness of Northern Ireland firms and their complex supply chains in jeopardy.

Lord Jay of Ewelme who chairs the committee on the Northern Ireland Protocol (UK Parliament/PA).

The peers expressed concern that a permanent solution to the movement of veterinary medicines from Great Britain to NI had not been achieved. Those medicines continue to flow into Northern Ireland from Great Britain due to a grace period that is set to run out at the end of 2025.

The committee noted the warnings it had received from industry representatives that, without a permanent solution, the supply of more than 50 per cent of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland may be discontinued, posing a risk both to animal and human health, and to agri-food supply chains.

On human medicines, which are included in the framework, the committee urged the Government to respond to the calls from industry representatives for clarity over labelling requirements, safety features, the supply of medical devices and concerns that Northern Ireland may get slower access to cutting-edge products than Ireland.

Lord Jay of Ewelme, who chairs the committee, said the framework was a distinct improvement on the original protocol.

But it does not solve all the problems which the Protocol raises, he added.

The benefits to business include easier movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland through the green lane.

For some businesses, however, processes will be more burdensome under the Windsor Framework than under the Protocol as it operates now.

And where there is uncertainty, the red lane, with its more complex procedures, may have to be used.

Though the Windsor Framework is a clear improvement over the original protocol, it is highly complex.

Businesses need clarity. The Government and the European Union both need urgently to explain what the Windsor Framework means in practice for businesses.

The Government and the European Union need to remain closely in touch with each other.

But they must also ensure that Northern Ireland stakeholders are closely engaged throughout.

Trade representative body Retail NI welcomed the report.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts, who gave evidence to the committee in May, said: This report sets out a fair estimation of the challenges which will be faced by the local business community with the implementation of the Windsor accord.

We agree with its main recommendation that it is an improvement on the NI Protocol.

It also rightly highlights issues around labelling requirements that impact on our members. Retail NI is disappointed at the lack of effective engagement on the labelling issue with only a few months to go before the new system is introduced.

We need to ensure this new scheme works for independent retailers and large supermarkets alike.

On the implementation of the Windsor accord, we need to see a more structured engagement with our local business sector, the EU and UK Government to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.
The University of North Georgia (UNG) Summer Honors program provided 23 high school students from across the country an opportunity to strengthen leadership skills both in and out of the classroom.

From June 4-16, students spent much of the program completing leadership classes taught by UNG faculty in classrooms, gaining undergraduate research experience, and strengthening their leadership skills at the university's Pine Valley recreation area and team building course.

"We are fortunate to have outstanding faculty from multiple UNG campuses who invest in our Summer Honors students. Our faculty not only showcase the diversity of courses and content available at UNG, but also help our students identify their own interests and leadership capabilities," Kelly West, Summer Honors director and senior lecturer of biology, said.

Summer Honors, the only program of its kind in the region, attracted Daegan Broadhurst from Oakland, California. The rising senior at Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd High School was looking at summer programs and decided to apply.

"Weve done a lot of exercises that strengthen leadership skills," Broadhurst, who has family in Georgia, said. "The activities are meant to push you out of your comfort zone and force you to step up even if you're not ready to.

Macie Merchant of Braselton, Georgia, came for the challenges the program offered.
HA NOI  Standard Chartered has collaborated with the NGO Aide et Action Viet Nam, successfully delivered fundamental financial management knowledge and skills to 50 youngsters aged 18-30 at the Vocational Training Centre, Provincial Youth Union and unemployed individuals from the a Bac District in Hoa Binh Province.

The curriculum is adaptable to different skills and knowledge levels and delivered by the Banks employees, who volunteer their time and skills to help educate young people about financial matters and soft skills.

The Employability project is a part of Futuremakers programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation and is delivered via international and local non-profit organisations to provide vocational skills training relevant to communities, enhance financial capabilities for Vietnamese young people and transferable soft skills to enhance individual competitiveness in job seeking.

In Ha Noi, the bank also partnered with the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International Viet Nam to provide financial and vocational training to 70 youngsters aged 15-28 at the Ha Noi Industrial Vocational College and REACH Ha Noi.

Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, said: We believe everyone should have access to training and employment opportunities to realise their full potential and gain financial independence. These activities equip Vietnamese students with practical knowledge and skills to thrive in the ever-evolving labour market of the future. Through financial education, we are able to extend our reach and positively impact the lives of young people as well as increase our Banks staff engagement to the Futuremakers programme in Viet Nam.

Standard Chartereds Futuremakers programme is the banks global initiatives to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people through community programs focused on education, employability, and entrepreneurship. The bank aims to raise US$75 million between 2019 and 2023 to empower the next generation to learn, earn and grow.  VNS
HA NOI  The UK is set to recognise that Viet Nams industries are operating in a market economy and will not impose unfavourable rules should they be investigated under trade defence measures, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam.

The agency said that the UK will announce the recognition after joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

To date, Viet Nam has been recognised as a market economy by 71 countries and territories, including many important trade partners, through various forms.

When recognised as a market economy, Vietnamese goods will be treated fairer and exporters will gain more access to other markets, it added.

The UK became the 12th country to join the CPTPP on July 16.

Two-way trade between Viet Nam and the UK rose to US$6.84 billion last year. Of the figure, $6.07 billion was Viet Nams exports to the UK, up 5.2 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of around $5.3 billion, higher than $4.8 billion recorded in the previous year.  VNS
HA NOI  Following the release of a notice by the Viet Nam Cashew Association (Vinacas) warning cashew businesses about potential fraud concerning the export of cashew kernels to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade's (MoIT) Asia-Africa Market Department has confirmed swift action.

The ministry confirmed that as soon as they received the formal letter from the Viet Nam Pepper Association (VPA) and the report from the Viet Nam Trade Office in UAE on July 21, they forwarded it to the Embassy of the UAE in Ha Noi. Their request was for the embassy to alert the appropriate authorities to investigate and take appropriate action in relation to the potential fraud case.

The report from the Viet Nam Trade Office in UAE also states that the trade office had received written reports from a number of Vietnamese businesses with the same content, accusing an importer in the UAE and a collection bank in Dubai, tricking them into signing contracts to buy cinnamon, pepper and cashew.

Immediately after receiving the written reports from businesses, the Trade Office sent a note to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dubai Police, Central Bank of the UAE and a number of related banks and shipping lines.

In addition, the trade office has worked with a number of units such as relevant bank branches in Dubai; Dubai police and filed a report on the incident; shipping lines and authorities of the Jebel Ali port.

According to the Asia-Africa Market Department, fraud in the Middle East market has appeared more than before, mainly concentrated in small-scale trading companies.

Notably, the most common form of fraud today is that when a foreign business signs a purchase contract with a Vietnamese company, it often requires telegraphic transfer or issuing a check to the seller. These are the two riskiest forms.

In order to avoid unfortunate losses, MoIT recommends that Vietnamese enterprises, when dealing with foreign enterprises, must be cautious and carefully negotiate payment terms to ensure safety.

It also noted that the seller's banks, when transferring documents to the buyer's bank, must ensure safety, avoiding issues because the delivery of documents and receipt of documents do not have a signature.

Accordingly, it leads to the bank security staff handing the documents to the buyer to receive the goods, but the buyer does not pay the bank to pay the seller's bank.  VNS
HA NOI  Permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Truong Thi Mai, on behalf of the Politburo, has signed for promulgation regulations on controlling power and preventing corruption and negative acts in personnel work.

The new regulations, known in brief as Regulation 114, took effect on the day of signing - July 11, 2023, and replaced the Politburos regulations (Regulation 205) dated September 23, 2019.

Regulation 114 consists of five chapters and 16 articles, stipulating the responsibility of Party Committees, Party organisations, managements and their heads, as well as heads of advisory agencies in personnel work.

It specifies the acts of abusing positions and power, including using personal influence and family relationships to influence and pressure others to make decision, advise, propose, assess, and vote regarding personnel matters according to their own preferences; integrating personal motives when performing official tasks for personal gain or benefits; directing and advising various stages of personnel work without adhering to the required qualifications, standards, principles, regulations, processes, and decisions.

It also clearly describes the prohibition of acts such as running for positions of power, such as directly or indirectly brokering, giving, and receiving bribes to help others obtain positions, titles, or benefits; giving gifts, money, real estate, or other material or non-material benefits.

The regulation specifies the measures to be taken by competent authorities when dealing with violations committed by Party members, officials, and public employees. Cases of violations in personnel work will be transferred to relevant agencies for examination and punishment according to regulations. VNS
President Vo Van Thuong will pay a State visit to Italy this month at the invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Italian Ambassador to Viet Nam Antonio Alessandro spoke to Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visit, about how it will contribute to update the political relations between the two countries and orient their cooperation in all sectors.

What is the significance of the visit to Italy by Viet Nam President Vo Van Thuong?

The visit to Italy by Viet Nam President Vo Van Thuong has a great significance as it marks 50 years of diplomatic relations (March 23, 1973  March 23, 2023) and 10 years of strategic partnership (January 21, 2013  January 21, 2023).

It takes place ten years after another major visit to Italy, that of the Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong in January 2013 when the two countries signed a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership.

President Sergio Mattarella will welcome President Vo Van Thuong on a State Visit, the highest format in international relations.

The two Heads of State will celebrate the friendship, solidarity and cooperation that have characterised our relations so far and set new ambitions for the future.

Italy and Viet Nam have changed in these 50 years and the world has changed. There is a lot that they can give each other, one as a founding member of the EU and as a G7 member, the other as a prominent member of ASEAN and as one of the most dynamic economies in the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit will update our political relations to orient our cooperation in all sectors.

Viet Nam and Italy celebrate the 50 anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year. Looking back on such a memorable journey, what are the most remarkable achievements attained and what are potentials that have not been tapped?

Trade and investments are of course sectors in which we have achieved great results.

We have reached the record figure of US$6.2 billion in bilateral trade in 2022 and we want to continue to grow thanks to the EVFTA. Viet Nam is Italys largest trade partner in ASEAN and Italy is the second largest EU exporter to Viet Nam.

Italian investments are less impressive in volume, but very high in quality and very relevant for our respective economies.

Some Italian investments are particularly visible and appreciated by the Vietnamese public.

We also see some initial Viet Nam's investments in Italy and we want to encourage them.

S&T is another area that has given great satisfaction to both Parties. Seven three -years programme have already been concluded and we have just issued the call to collect new projects for the 2024-26 program.

Finally, culture and creative industries, as well as protection of heritage, are further areas where our cooperation has brought about important results.

In all these areas, there are opportunities. I would also like to mention the importance of people-to-people mobility such as tourism and student exchanges.

Could you share with us your plan to celebrate the two countries 50th anniversary?

We had our official celebration on 23 March, the exact day on which we established diplomatic relations.

A number of initiatives have followed, like the Italian opera in costume "Cavalleria Rusticana", the visit of the Italian Navy Ship "Morosini", the exhibition "Created in Italy".

A wonderful photographic exhibition of some memorable moments in our relations was exposed at Casa Italia until a few days ago. It was curated by the Italian news agency ANSA with photos also provided by the Vietnam News Agency in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the two agencies.

Stay tuned on the Embassy's social media to know more about the next events.

On a personal note, if you host a Vietnamese friend in Italy, what will you show him/her firstly about your country? And when you welcome an Italian friend in Viet Nam, what do you usually do?

In Italy I would take him to the Capitol, from where you see the Foro Romano, the heart of ancient Rome. There is exactly where President Vo Van Thuong will be accompanied, to discover the magic and history of the "eternal City", as we call Rome.

In Viet Nam I would choose the Temple of Literature, which is an inspiring place to capture the spirit of traditional Viet Nam, and on the way to go there, watching the vibe of modern Viet Nam. VNS
VIENNA  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse, and the high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam arrived at Vienna International Airport on Sunday afternoon (local time), starting an official visit to Austria at the invitation of Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.

Austria is the first destination of the Vietnamese State leaders tour of Europe which also includes a State visit to Italy and a trip to the Holy See. This is also his first visit to Austria as the President of Viet Nam.

Later the same day, President Thuong received Prof. Dr Alfred Gerstl, Chairman of the Austria-Viet Nam Friendship Association, and other Austrian friends of Viet Nam.

The leader congratulated the association, set up in 1973, on its recent successful congress and Gerstl on his election as its chairman. He also appreciated former Chairman Peter Jankovichs contributions to Viet Nam over half a century.

President Thuong highly valued the associations coordination to organise many friendship exchanges to help strengthen mutual understanding and support between the two peoples.

Thanking Gerstl and other Austrian friends for their dedication to the bilateral ties, he expressed his belief that Gerstl will further contribute to the Viet Nam-Austria relations and friendship.

For his part, Gerstl said Viet Nam plays an important role in Austrias foreign policy, especially in terms of trade and investment, noting that many Austrian businesses are operating in the Southeast Asian nation.

He voiced his delight at Viet Nam's attainments in economic development and also spoke highly of bilateral coordination and exchanges in culture and arts.

President Thuong affirmed that Viet Nam always treasures and wishes to promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Austria, including via activities of the Austria-Viet Nam and Viet Nam- Austria friendship associations.

He said he believes in the next 50 years, the two sides will bring into play the achievements they have obtained to build up their friendship and cooperation.

Also on July 23 afternoon, President Thuong had a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien and other ambassadors of Viet Nam to the countries bordering Austria, namely Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovakia.

He praised efforts by the ambassadors and the Vietnamese embassies in the European countries to comprehensively and fruitfully carry out key diplomatic tasks, helping improve the homelands stature in the international community and reinforce Viet Nam's relations with the EU and European countries.

He asked them to further step up strategic forecasting and research while continually renewing their way of thinking to keep up with new trends and submit proposals to the Party and State. They were also told to maximise the synergy of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy; comprehensively carry out the tasks of politics, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, foreign service information, and community affairs; and further intensify all-round partnerships with the countries.

Stressing that Vietnamese people in Europe form a large community, the President demanded the representative bodies of Viet Nam to pay greater attention to and implement overseas Vietnamese-related tasks more extensively and proactively.

The same day, the State leader had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Austria and the Union of Vietnamese People Associations in Europe, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria.  VNS
VIENNA  Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen chaired an official welcome ceremony for President Vo Van Thuong of Viet Nam at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna on Monday morning.

After the welcome ceremony, President Thuong and his Austrian counterpart held talks.

Following the talks, the two Presidents are scheduled to hold a joint press conference and witness the signing of cooperative documents between the two countries.

Austria is one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam. The relations between the two countries are developing soundly in various aspects. The two countries have maintained contact and exchange of all-level delegations.

Viet Nam is the biggest trade partner of Austria in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Regarding bilateral relations, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien said that the relationship between Viet Nam and Austria is 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 have deepened their cooperation in all fields, from politics to economy, trade, investment, culture and education.

Austria is always among Viet Nam's top 10 trading partners in the EU, with two-way trade reaching nearly US$4 billion before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

Austrian Ambassador to Viet Nam Hans-Peter Glanzer said visits at a high political level are so important for fostering bilateral relations that have been resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he sees great potential for further deepening the friendly relations, for example, in economic fields and education.  VNS
WASHINGTON DC  United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday delivered a recorded video statement highlighting the strong and growing relationship between the US and Viet Nam on the 10th anniversary of the two countries' Comprehensive Partnership (July 25, 2013-2023).

In his remarks, he underlined the breadth of cooperation between the two countries, spanning economic, environmental, and security issues.

"We built a relationship that's dynamic, consequential, and growing stronger every day," Blinken said. "Our countries are working together on an incredibly broad range of shared interests to the benefit of our peoples and people across the region and world."

Blinken also highlighted the partnerships between the two countries on economic issues, including promoting inclusive economic opportunity, resilient supply chains, and infrastructure.

He noted that the US is helping Viet Nam reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 while powering sustainable development and strengthening public health systems.

Blinken also emphasised the importance of people-to-people ties, which he called the "foundation of our relationship," commenting that the US and Viet Nam are working to enable more students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and tourists to collaborate and travel between the two countries.

Blinken also touched on the issue of addressing the legacies of the Viet Nam War, stating that the US remains committed to clearing unexploded ordnance, eliminating dioxin hot spots, accounting for the missing, and other joint efforts.

"For the United States, that's a matter of trust and a matter of duty," he said.

The US diplomat has expressed optimism about the future of the US-Viet Nam relationship in his address.

Recalling the breaking ground of a new, state-of-the-art US embassy in Ha Noi, which he had attended during his visit earlier this year, he expressed gratitude to all those working to make the partnership between the two countries a reality.

"I can't wait to see where the next 10 years takes us together," Blinken said.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored the importance of mutual support between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Laos news agency Khaosan Pathet Lao (KPL) in training personnel in the fields of media, technology, and foreign languages.

He emphasised that through such effective cooperation, both agencies would continue to uphold their positions as the leading media outlets of Viet Nam and Laos.

Hosting a reception for KPL General Director Khampheuy Philapha on Monday in Ha Noi, PM Chinh warmly welcomed his visit and highly appreciated the longstanding and friendly cooperation between the two news agencies over the past 50 years.

He proposed that VNA and KPL work together to develop specific and comprehensive plans to effectively implement the cooperation agreement between the two agencies. This would help realise the agreements made by the high-level leaders of both countries.

Chinh said both sides needed to continue their commitment to providing accurate, reliable, and timely information to their respective media systems. They would also intensify the dissemination of the two countries' ideologies and policies, especially the Viet Nam-Laos friendship to the international community.

Both sides should support each other in countering fake news, misconceptions, and hostile propaganda aimed at undermining the revolutionary causes of both nations and the friendly relationship between their parties, peoples, and countries.

Amidst the rapidly evolving digital transformation, PM Chinh emphasised that the Vietnamese Government supported the exchange of leadership delegations, specialised training, and expertise development in the era of digital technology, to better meet the information requirements of each country as well as facilitated programmes of cooperation between VNA and KPL.

Looking ahead to 2024 when Laos assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship, Chinh urged both news agencies to enhance coordination and support to ensure accurate information on ASEAN and its activities in Laos.

For his part, KPL General Director Philapha expressed his commitment to closely collaborate with VNA in implementing the PMs directives. This included promoting information about each country's land, people, policies, developmental achievements, and the special friendship between Viet Nam and Laos.

Earlier on the same day, a delegation from VNA, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, held discussions with the KPL delegation, headed by General Director Khampheuy Philapha.

Trang expressed delight in welcoming the KPL delegation after more than three years since VNA's previous visit and work with KPL in 2019.

Providing an introduction to VNA, Trang noted that currently, the network has 2,072 staff members, including over 1,000 reporters and editors, producing more than 60 information products in ten languages and various formats. In terms of international cooperation, VNA has maintained working relationships with over 40 news agencies and media organisations abroad, engaging in multilateral collaborations with international entities.

In the spirit of celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Laos, the VNA's resident correspondent agency in Vientiane, with the support of KPL colleagues, has been providing comprehensive and diverse information about Laos and the bilateral relations on VNA's media channels.

VNA has published both printed and online magazines in the Lao language, actively contributing to nurturing the profound friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

Moreover, VNA has assisted KPL in upgrading its official website and restoring its image database, while also supporting the development of a trilingual electronic information page in Lao, English, and French.

The technical teams of both agencies have maintained regular communication channels to promptly support and resolve any technical issues.

Trang said both agencies should expand their information dissemination across all fields further to strengthen the special relationship between Viet Nam and Laos. She also expressed her hope that KPL would continue to support VNA's resident correspondents and send their reporters and editors to cover important events in Laos during 2024 when Laos held the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Currently, Star Telecom, the joint venture owned by Viettel in Laos, has requested to receive the signal of the Vietnam News Agency's Television Channel (Vnews) to broadcast on LaoTV. Trang asked KPL to support this project, thereby providing authentic Vietnamese-language information to the Vietnamese community in Laos.

The KPL General Director highly praised the relationship with VNA. He invited VNA's general director to visit and work in Laos in 2024, while also suggesting that both sides continue their collaboration in expertise and technology, and explore new forms of media.

On the occasion, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the new context.  VNS
VIENNA  Austrian capital Vienna, with its strengths in tourism, culture, urban management, environmental protection, heritage conservation and restoration, can cooperate with Ha Noi and other Vietnamese localities to carry out specific joint activities, thus promoting the overall bilateral relationship, said President Vo Van Thuong on Monday.

Meeting with Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig as part of his official visit to Austria at the invitation of President Alexander Van der Bellen, the Vietnamese leader congratulated Vienna on its developmental achievements and suggested the mayor encourage local businesses to expand investment and business in Viet Nam.

He also proposed Vienna provide favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the city to stabilise their lives, integrate well into the local society, and preserve their cultural identity, acting as a bridge of friendship between the two nations.

For his part, Ludwig expressed his belief that the visit will be successful, contributing to enhancing the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries in the future.

Given the robust development of the Viet Nam-Austria relations, the city wants to strengthen collaboration with Vietnamese localities, especially in such fields as trade, tourism, people-to-people exchange, culture, and art, stated the mayor.  VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue commended outgoing French Ambassador to Viet Nam Nicolas Warnery for his contributions to bilateral cooperation activities while receiving the diplomat in Ha Noi on Monday.

Chairman Hue thanked France and the European community for offering timely support to Viet Nam in the fight against COVID-19, especially in vaccine supply.

Viet Nam wants to continue consolidating and strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership through all channels, including the Party, State, parliament, and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

He expected that France would continue further fostering economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation with Viet Nam. Both sides should continue working closely together to expedite the construction, completion, and early operation of the Nhon-Ha Noi Station metro line; as well as step up the renovation of Long Bien Bridge into a pedestrian bridge in Ha Noi, he added.

As the approval of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the removal of the "yellow card" warning against Viet Nam's aquatic products are urgent matters, the NA Chairman suggested the European Union (EU), the European Parliament, and the parliaments of member countries promptly work towards resolving these two issues, contributing to reinforcing cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU as a whole, and between Viet Nam and France in particular.

On the occasion, Chairman Hue reiterated his invitation to the French Senate and National Assembly to send a delegation to the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Viet Nam in September.

Warnery, for his part, said as planned, a number of activities will be held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue in December to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties. Between now and the years end, various activities related to economic and research cooperation will also be scheduled.

He expressed his delight at recent joint work to realise the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), adding that the France-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentarians Group in the French Senate will visit Viet Nam in the near future in order to nurture collaboration between the two countries parliamentary friendship groups and learn about Viet Nam and its people.  VNS
VIENNA  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong reaffirmed his nation's strong commitment to valuing and enhancing the friendly and multi-faceted cooperation with Austria, a reliable friend of Viet Nam within the European Union (EU).

He made these remarks on Monday at a joint press conference after holding talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen as part of his official visit to Austria at the invitation of his counterpart in the European country.

During the meeting, both leaders exchanged information about the situation in their respective countries, discussed cooperative directions, and proposed measures to further strengthen and deepen the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Austria.

President Alexander Van der Bellen warmly welcomed the Vietnamese leader's official visit to Austria and congratulated Viet Nam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development.

He emphasised Austria's high regard for the longstanding friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Viet Nam, viewing Viet Nam as an important partner in implementing its foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in trade and investment.

He expressed a desire to further enhance economic, educational, and cultural ties between the two nations.

He said he hoped that the visit would strengthen political trust between the two countries and create new momentum to promote the Viet Nam-Austria relationship in the coming period, for the benefit of both nations' people and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

During the discussions on bilateral relations, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the substantial and effective development between the two countries over the past half-century in various areas, including political-diplomatic, trade-investment, development cooperation, culture, education, vocational training, science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

To increase political trust and fully tap the significant potential for cooperation between the two countries, both leaders agreed to enhance exchanges at all levels, especially at the high level and across different channels. They also discussed the effective utilisation of existing cooperation mechanisms and explored the establishment of new mechanisms suitable for the current context.

Regarding economic cooperation, the two leaders positively assessed the economic, trade, and investment relationship between the two countries, with bilateral trade reaching US$2.79 billion in 2022.

President Thuong suggested that both sides continue to closely coordinate and effectively leverage the benefits of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). This included considering measures to facilitate access to each other's markets for their respective key export items and creating favourable conditions and incentives for Austrian businesses to enhance investment in Viet Nam, particularly in areas such as automobile and railway production, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals.

President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasised that Viet Nam was Austria's largest partner in Southeast Asia and expressed the hope for both sides to pay attention to improving the balance of bilateral trade.

At the talks, President Thuong proposed that Austria promptly complete the ratification procedures for the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to facilitate equal and beneficial investment relations between the two sides.

He also requested Austria's support and promotion of the European Commission (EC) to remove the yellow card IUU status for Vietnamese fisheries, creating favourable conditions for Viet Nam's seafood exports to the EU.

Thuong suggested that Austria prioritise Viet Nam in receiving Official Development Assistance (ODA) and implement more favourable lending policies, especially for projects in the fields of healthcare, environment, vocational training, firefighting, and search and rescue.

The Austrian President welcomed the ongoing discussions about Austria's concessional loans, which would facilitate sustainable development cooperation projects between the two countries.

He highly appreciated the integration capabilities of the Vietnamese community in Austria's socio-economic life and agreed with the Vietnamese leader's proposal to continue providing favourable conditions and support for the Vietnamese community in Austria.

In the exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, President Thuong commended Austria's interest in enhancing relations with Southeast Asia. He noted that Viet Nam stands ready to act as a bridge to strengthen Austria's ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while requesting Austria's assistance in enhancing Viet Nam's relations with the EU.

Both leaders agreed to continue close coordination at regional and international forums, particularly within the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, to contribute to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Regarding the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), both leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, supporting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Thuong took this occasion to invite Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and his spouse to visit Viet Nam, an invitation they gladly accepted.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries of foreign affairs of Viet Nam and Austria.  VNS
HA NOI  People live in the southwestern border region of Viet Nam always talk about the border guards with love and respect.

The soldiers have supported hundreds of children to study and helped dozens of poor households to have safe place to settle down.

Those acts of kindness have contributed to strengthening the bond between the soldiers and people in border areas.

Nguyen Van Xuyen is a fisherman in Kien Giang southern province.

His fishing boat has 15 crew members.

When fishing at sea, we are never alone. We always have the care and protection of the soldiers from the Tay Yen Border Station. The soldiers help us update our knowledge of new laws and regulations related to offshore fishing activities, said Xuyen.

Located in an area with many estuaries, the Tay Yen Border Station directly manages 837 fishing boats and controls 2,942 others that regularly pass through.

According to the schedule, soldiers of the station maintain patrols at least twice a week and increase the frequency during main campaigns to promptly detect and handle violations and especially prevent violations of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Lieutenant colonel Bui Khac Duong, head of the station, told the Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper that the station regularly gave necessary information so that fishing boat owners, captains and fishermen know the laws on fishing.

The fishermen are committed to legally catch seafood.

Through education, most ship owners and fishermen understand regulations on IUU fishing, thereby minimising violations, he said.

Fisherman Xuyen said: Intentionally fishing outside Viet Nam's territorial waters not only violates the law but also brings many risks. Fishermen can still live well on our own fishing areas.

Xuyens fishing boat sails three times a year, earning a total of VN13-16 billion (US$551,500-678,200).

Excluding expenses, the rest is divided among the crew members. Each person is about VN100-130 million ($4,200-5,500), thus the average income is VN10 million ($420) per person per month.

Border guards loudspeaker

People in Tan An and Vien An ong communes and Rach Goc Town in Ngoc Hien District, the southern province of Ca Mau are familiar with the image of border guards using portable loudspeakers to broadcast the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws and local regulations.

That is the model of the Ca Mau Border Station.

With a portable loudspeaker, a USB with installed content, and a motorcycle, border guards drive along every alley to convey the necessary information.

Second lieutenant Luu Nguyen Minh uong, a soldier from the station, said that the loudspeakers broadcasts dont have a set schedule and the information is usually given when many fishermen are ashore or on market days and holidays.

Educating by loudspeaker in one or two days, local residents cannot remember. But when the work is done for many days, they will gradually understand and firmly obey the laws, he said.

Chairwoman of the Tan An Commune Women's Union Hua Minh Quang said: "Thanks to the border guards, people often have access to news and announcements of the locality. They have knowledge about the laws, maintaining political security, social order and safety in the commune."

Peoples solid support

Lieutenant colonel Danh Tam of the Phu My Border Station under the Kien Giang Province Border Guards, said that the station managed Phu My and Phu Loi communes in Giang Thanh District.

The two communes have 2,787 households with 9,318 people, of which Khmer people account for over 40 per cent.

Local peoples life still faces many difficulties.

They keep backward customs and habits, have limited ability to apply science and technology to production.

To help the people develop their economy and improve their living standards, over the years, the Phu My Border Station have closely coordinated with local authorities in poverty reduction work.

They gave free medical examinations and medicine deliveries and distributed 900 gifts to families with meritorious services to the nation, poor, near-poor households and Khmer households.

Projects that help poor students to go to schools are highly appreciated by the people and the locality.

During border patrol and inspection, we visit and encourage households, creating closeness between border guards and the people. The people trust and love us. They have provided us with hundreds of valuable information for the fight against smuggling and commercial fraud, Tam said.

Talking about the work of soldiers of the Phu My Border Station, Danh Huong, who lives in Ta Teng Village, added: "We are always taken care of, children are awarded scholarships. The students are also given bicycles for going to school. We are very happy and love the soldiers.  VNS
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on field cooperation for over 5 years on the afternoon of July 20. Accordingly, Laos is expected to export about 20 million tons annually to Vietnam, depending on demand and actual market conditions.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will help Vietnam end the energy transition and ensure energy security. On the Lao side, this advantage helps them exploit and effectively promote their potential and advantages, contributing to socio-economic development.

The two ministers assigned the technical level of each side to complete internal procedures so that the Memorandum of Understanding could soon be effectively and substantively implemented.



In recent years, Laos has been an important supplier of coal, ores and minerals to Vietnam. Last year, Vietnam imported 1.8 million tons of ore and minerals from this country with a total turnover of 78.2 million USD. In the first six months of this year, Vietnam imported over 900,000 tons of ore and minerals from Laos, worth $31.6 million.

In addition to minerals, over the years, Vietnam and Laos have also implemented many investment and cooperation projects in energy, such as developing hydropower projects, connecting grids and importing electricity from Laos.

Currently, Vietnam has 220 kV lines linking with Laos, and the total capacity of importing electricity from this country by 2025 is at least 3,000 MW, and by 2030 is 5,000 MW, according to the commitment between the two governments. In the current period, the Prime Minister has approved the policy of importing electricity from projects and clusters of projects in Laos, with a total capacity of 2,689 MW.

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The year's agenda was to encourage and celebrate the role of youth in accelerating the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing and inspiring action from these young entrepreneurs to support underserved communities and the most excluded social groups.

The summit focused on enabling inclusive entrepreneurship to ensure equitable progress that will Leave No One Behind, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised communities. Youth social entrepreneurs presented their inclusive solutions, including female-centred solutions, and solutions impacting indigenous communities.

Vietnam's representatives included the founder of WordsMine, an edtech startup that helps people expand their vocabulary and general director of Zone Startups Vietnam, a reputable startup accelerator that runs significant initiatives that support youth and women empowerment.

The gathering is being hosted at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok by Citi Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Commonwealth Secretariat, CVC Capital Partners, the International Labour Organisation, and the Islamic Development Bank.

At Citi and the Citi Foundation, we are committed to fully embracing the diversity of the communities we serve. Through initiatives such as this summit, we hope to bring together partners to support young peoples entrepreneurial journeys and break down barriers that inhibit inclusive progress, said Peter Babej, Asia Pacific CEO at Citi.

Today, young people across the Asia-Pacific region are not only aware of present-day challenges that affect their communities, they are also taking proactive steps to make a difference. If we harness the entrepreneurial mindsets of these young people and involve them in creating innovative solutions based on their personal experiences, we can build bridges to inclusive growth, said Violet Baffour, UNDP Bangkok regional hub director.

"This summit is an incredibly valuable opportunity as it provides a forum that goes above and beyond to reach marginalised communities and to empower young social enterprises that are bringing services and products to underserved groups, she added.

Youth Co:Lab, co-created by the UNDP and the Citi Foundation in 2017, is the largest youth movement for empowerment, social entrepreneurship, equality, and social inclusion in Asia Pacific and has supported young people in 28 countries and territories. Since its inception, activities supported by Youth Co:Lab have involved over 255,000 participants across the Asia Pacific region.

FinanceAsia names Citi Best Sustainable Bank in Vietnam Citi has been recognised by FinanceAsia, the region's premier capital markets publication, for sustainability work in the country and commitment to partnering with clients.

Citi organises beach clean-up on Global Community Day On June 24, more than 120 employees and their families gathered at Phan Thiet beach in Binh Thuan to lend a hand in cleaning the beach. On June 17, about 70 Citi employees also came together to clean up plastic and other non-biodegradable waste at Do Son Beach in Haiphong.
China to resume 15-day visa-free entry for Singapore, Brunei citizens, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Hanoi - China will resume 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei from July 26, more than three years after the visas were suspended to stop the spread of COVID-19.



According to notices of the Chinese embassies in the two Southeast Asian nations, visa-free entry to China will be available for citizens of Singapore and Brunei with ordinary passports traveling for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, and in transit.



Under its "No COVID" policy, China had imposed strict travel restrictions on international visitors starting March 28, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.



It lifted many of its zero-COVID measures in December last year but only began issuing tourist visas again in March 2023.



China has also been seeking visa-free travel for its citizens to Singapore.
The company, a prominent player in the industrial sector, is gearing up to make the substantial investment in a carbon fiber plant project, estimated to require a total capital outlay of nearly $1 billion.

The latest development was revealed during a recent meeting between Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee, and a high-level delegation from Hyosung Vietnam Co., Ltd., along with representatives from Hyosung Vina Chemicals Co., Ltd. The discussions primarily focused on various aspects related to the implementation of significant projects in the province.

With the determination to strengthen its position in Vietnam, Hyosung Vietnam unveiled its ambitious plan to invest in a carbon fiber manufacturing facility located at Phu My 2 Industrial Zone in Phu My town.

The entire endeavour is expected to require a capital infusion of nearly $1 billion, with an initial investment of approximately $160 million in the first phase.

In its endeavour to move forward with this colossal project, Hyosung Vietnam sought guidance from the provincial authorities on the necessary documentation and procedural requirements for seeking investment approval. The company also sought clarification on specific aspects pertaining to the project's execution process.

The province, in turn, warmly welcomed Hyosung Corporation's keen interest in choosing Ba Ria-Vung Tau as a strategic investment destination. The chairman of the committee lauded the previous efforts of Hyosung Vietnam in ensuring the successful completion of the polypropylene manufacturing plant and the liquefied petroleum gas underground storage facility projects in Cai Mep Industrial Zone, adhering to the promised timelines.

In line with its commitment to advancing sustainable development, Ba Ria-Vung Tau expressed its support to facilitate the timely implementation of the carbon fiber plant project. The province pledged to closely coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and efficient procedural process for the company.

Hyosung Vietnam Co. has already demonstrated its substantial investment footprint in Vietnam, with noteworthy contributions amounting to approximately $3.5 billion across various regions. Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quang Nam, and Bac Ninh provinces have been recipients of the company's substantial capital injections.

Addressing the broader strategic significance of Vietnam, Cho Hyun Joon, chairman of Hyosung Corporation, shared his outlook during the Vietnam-Korea Business Forum in June.

He said that Vietnam was a pivotal market for the group, expressing their commitment to further expand operations and foster sustainable development in the country, especially in high-tech sectors. Remarkably, the group envisions a considerable increase in its workforce, with plans to recruit an additional 10,000 employees in Vietnam.

Joon's sentiments were filled with optimism as he acknowledged the special nature of Korea's investment collaboration with Vietnam, a partnership that remains unparalleled in many respects. He firmly believed in the complementary growth trajectories of both nations, anticipating Vietnam's advancement to be intrinsically tied to Korea's own development.

He expressed the group's heartfelt aspiration to contribute to Vietnam's progress and build an enduring legacy spanning a century.

Amkor's $1.6 billion plant in Bac Ninh on track for October Amkor Technology's $1.6 billion semiconductor plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh, Amkor's largest facility worldwide, is scheduled for trial production by late October 2023.

Korean investors to invest $1.5 billion in Haiphong Haiphong has granted the investment registration certificate for four projects with the total investment capital of $230 million, and simultaneously signed an agreement with SKC.

LG Innotek in Haiphong invests further $1 billion LG Innotek, a producer of core components for mobile devices, automotive displays, and semiconductors, will invest $1 billion into building a new manufacturing facility for advanced smartphone camera modules and other optical products in the northern port city of Haiphong.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (Photo source: Antaranews)

Jakarta - The Indonesian Government is actively pursuing membership in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as part of its ambition to become a high-income country, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.

Airlangga pointed out that Indonesia has been a key partner of OECD for a significant period, benefiting from the organisation's support in improving the quality of government policies and regulations. The country regularly receives OECD's policy reviews and dissemination of global policies and best business practices.



According to the minister, Indonesia's eligibility for OECD membership has been enhanced by its regaining of upper-middle-income status post the COVID-19 pandemic and its successful hosting of the G20 Summit last year.



The Indonesian government has launched a vision aiming to achieve high-income nation status by 2045.



Currently, Japan and the Republic of Korea are the only Asian members of the organisation.

Indonesia looks to South Asian markets to boost exports Indonesia is targeting non-traditional markets in South Asia such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to boost exports, whose growth is currently slowing, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has informed.
Take malaria, for example; just over 30 years ago, Vietnam carried the burden of one million malaria cases a year, with approximately 4,600 deaths. In 2022, the total number of cases was just 455, with no outbreak since 2016. There is still work to do to achieve the goal of malaria elimination, but the target is firmly within reach  and this in itself is a noteworthy achievement.

Dr. Angela Pratt - Representative in Vietnam World Health Organization

Social health insurance continues to expand with population coverage of health insurance over 92 per cent, advancing Vietnams progress towards universal health coverage by providing more support for people to access essential health services and greater financial protection from the cost of doing so.

While much has been achieved in terms of healthcare and quality of life, like other countries, Vietnam still faces serious challenges. These include infectious threats like tuberculosis and HIV; emerging food-borne diseases; increasing non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes; and the health impacts of the changing environment and climate, such as respiratory illness caused by air pollution, and increases in other vector-borne diseases such as dengue as a result of changing weather patterns.

Further, the benefits of advances in areas such as child and maternal health have not been distributed equitably  with some remote and disadvantaged communities, in particular ethnic minority groups, still are facing high rates of malnutrition and poor access to basic health services.

In addition, Vietnams population is ageing rapidly, and its economy fast developing  both of which are already creating an increased demand for high-quality health services. Responding to this demand and to the changing needs of the population will require efforts to strengthen the health system, with a particular focus on the grassroots healthcare system and stronger coordination and integration of health and social care.

Investing in strengthening the health system, especially at the grassroots healthcare level, will deliver dividends not only for health but also contribute to advancing the countrys broader social and development goals. Such a health system also means having a robust regulatory system that balances incentives for research, development, and innovation, with the need/objective to safeguard public health and ensure equitable access to safe, quality medicines, vaccines, and other health products.

While the list of health challenges still facing Vietnam is considerable, the foundations for tackling these challenges are strong: high-level political commitment and government leadership, committed and capable partners, and dedicated health workers. It will be important to continue building a strong health system to address these challenges, including a robust, well-regulated pharmaceutical sector that balances incentives for research, development, and innovation, with the need to provide high-quality medicines that everyone can afford.

Powering innovation for sustainable pharma-healthcare development Experts highlighted the importance of powering innovation for sustainable pharma-healthcare development at the second panel discussion at a VIR conference on Thursday July 20.

Viatris determined to address healthcare needs holistically Global healthcare company Viatris is extending its global impact and further strengthening a firm commitment as a trusted partner of the Vietnamese healthcare community. Eunice Cho, Viatris country manager in Vietnam, talked to VIRs Minh Anh about the strategy to contribute more.

Bayer Vietnam in advance to health for all Bayer Vietnam is maintaining its position at the forefront of innovative solutions and partnerships to promote the sustainable development of the nations healthcare sector.
Phan Duc Hieu - Standing member National Assembly Economic Committee The Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently developing the law on the advancement of spearhead industries and breakthrough technologies. This move, coupled with the existing pharmaceutical law, provides a legal framework that can help shape the future of the countrys industrial landscape. However, it is crucial that the policies introduced align with the needs and wants of investors, rather than solely reflecting the governments objectives. Many foreign investors prioritise aspects such as protection and risk management before considering tax incentives. Therefore, the government needs to ensure that these concerns are addressed in its legislative efforts. I see that the competition within the region is fierce. While Vietnam has its advantages, other countries in the region have their own unique strengths as well. As such, the country needs to strategically position itself to compete more effectively. This will require a different and more potent approach to change. Moreover, stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration is also needed. The government, private sector, and academic institutions must work together to create an environment that fosters growth and innovation. This opportunity should also be extended to Vietnamese enterprises, allowing them to play a more significant role in the countrys industrial development. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment In recent times, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has worked with many large-scale pharma groups in Vietnam, and see that they are interested in developing a specialised industrial park for the pharmaceutical sector. The MPI evaluates that it is a good idea because if we can develop specialised industrial clusters and parks for this industry, they will be a foundation to lure more capital inflow, creating momentum to take Vietnam to become a hub of the region in producing pharmaceuticals. Based on this spirit, the MPI is looking forward to receiving opinions about the feasibility of these projects, as well as proposals relating to incentive mechanisms and policies. Besides that, Vietnams pharma and healthcare sector has much potential for development, however, it has yet to match the potential as well as the governments expectations. Thus, the MPI expects to listen to opinions from experts, investors, and manufacturers in order for the pharma sector to have better conditions to diversify the portfolio of pharmaceutical products, receive international technology, and lure in more investment. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Deputy director Institute of Natural Products Chemistry Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology The workforce is the most important resource that determines the success of innovation. In 2022, Vietnam ranked 48th in the global innovation index, and 60th in terms of training and full-time scientists. Currently, Vietnam has two universities ranked at the top of the list for training human resources for innovation. This number is very modest compared to the rest of the world. The nation only invested 0.5 per cent of its total budget expenditure on technology R&D in 2019. By 2025, the total national budget for science and technology investment will increase to 0.8-1.2 per cent. By 2030, the number will reach 1.2-1.5 per cent. It is clear that our investment is too low in this field. We do not have enough manpower and financial resources. The government plays an essential role in promoting innovation. The state needs to come up with a comprehensive and synchronous policy with specific actions and criteria in a short time. Vietnam could set up an innovation-related government agency to guide specific policymaking. In particular, there needs to be a strategy to invest in life sciences and biotech to create new drugs, especially drugs using local medicine materials. Ingo Brandenburg - Managing director Bayer Vietnam Vietnams pharmaceutical market has significant potential. With a population of around 100 million, of which, people aged from 65 and over account for 11.9 per cent, the need for patient access to medicines is anticipated to grow at a stronger pace. Considering the rising healthcare burden related to an ageing population, investing in innovative medicines and technologies has become more important than ever. Innovative medicines can put healthcare systems on a more sustainable path by reducing inefficiencies and costs, such as reducing hospitalisations, physician visits, or other expensive procedures and surgeries, as well as supporting the caregivers on the better treatment outcomes of patients who rely on them. Additionally, further adoption of private supplemental health insurance can help ease the governments budget constraints in the short- and mid-term. As an innovative pharmaceutical company operating in Vietnam, Bayer has taken many meaningful steps to help accelerate industry development and bridge the gap through expanded patient access support and collaboration initiatives. Collaboration of multidisciplinary stakeholders from public and private sectors is needed in improving access and adoption of innovative medicines. At the same time, the government and healthcare systems play a crucial role in developing policies that can keep pace with innovation, enabling speedier approvals and timely access and adoption of innovative therapies and technologies. By working together, different stakeholders can jointly identify opportunities and remove barriers through innovative approaches to achieve the best outcomes for patients and society. Bui Duc Hanh - Founder and CEO chothuoctot.vn The challenges faced by the local pharmaceutical industry here in Vietnam include the ability to access loans, impediments with relevant legal systems, and high transportation costs. To remove difficulties and create conditions for pharmaceutical businesses, the state should encourage and give incentives to projects on digital transformation for the entire industry. The projects will help bolster competitiveness of local pharmaceutical firms as well as help reduce drug costs for users as currently, the cost of using drugs for patients is very high over the production costs. Our desire is that leveraging current technology platforms, our business in companion with our partners helps create an ecosystem in the healthcare industry where patients can easily access the system, and receive more dedicated care at the best cost. Luke Treloar - Head of Strategy KPMG Vietnam In a recent KPMG report, we looked at what could be the social, economic, and industrial value of a productive, innovative life sciences sector in Vietnam. We looked at how other countries have developed around the world, take comparable models, and then make policy recommendations for what it could do to reach those goals. We looked at things like intellectual property rights development, localisation of technology, and encouragement of technology localisation through incentives to tax incentives, some countries give direct cash incentives for localisation of technology. Furthermore, we provide three case studies of exciting markets like Ireland, South Korea, and Singapore of how those three markets became life sciences hubs. Each of those markets uses different policies. South Korea uses governments and academic partnerships to form ecosystems and develop their industry, Singapore used infrastructure, developing perfect, cheap, and widely available infrastructure for the life sciences sector. And Ireland uses tax reductions to draw in intellectual properties. Vietnam most certainly can become a life sciences hub for Southeast Asia. We recently conducted a lot of research looking into how it could do that, and where it should focus. But Vietnam is not alone and neighbours other countries that are highly competitive and motivated to become a life science hub for Southeast Asia. We have identified three key areas that Vietnam should explore in more detail. The first one is the localisation of manufacturing of life sciences, the second is digital health, and the third is the localisation of research and development (R&D) into Vietnam started in clinical trials. There are numerous opportunities in Vietnam to localise clinical trials. The global pharmaceutical industry has spent $1 trillion on R&D for their industry. If just a fraction of that value were localised to Vietnam, it could have retable benefits to the domestic economy. Furthermore, the global pharmaceutical industry spends $1 trillion on developing intellectual property. If a company cant protect its intellectual property, its not going to make an investment. Vietnam needs to put intellectual property at the core of its industry; otherwise, the industry wont develop. As weve seen in other countries like South Korea or Singapore that once had challenges with their intellectual property, domestic companies also develop intellectual property becomes a much more imperative matter.
Ta Manh Hung - Deputy director Drug Administration of Vietnam Ministry of Health

In the Law on Pharmacy 2016, there is a section on the pharmaceutical industry which states that attracting investment in the industry is a priority, especially in medicinal ingredients, specialised drugs, rare drugs, and others.

To realise the law, the government issued Decision No.376/QD-TTg approving a development programme for the pharmaceutical industry until 2030, in which we have clear goals about attracting investment in innovative and high-tech pharmaceuticals, striving to become a regional centre in the field and contributing about $1 billion to the countrys drug export value.

Resolution No.36-NQ/TW from January 2023 looks at the development and application of biotechnology, and the prime minister has decided to prioritise vaccines for humans. These policies are relatively ready, and we are continuing to complete the legal reform.

It is expected that the Law on Pharmacy will be revised in 2024, giving a priority to innovative drugs, rare drugs, vaccine technology, and biotechnology, and studying possible amendments of regulations related to distribution, and rearrangement of the distribution system to ensure efficiency. At present, the policies are relatively complete, but we will find where the bottlenecks are and solve them.

The pharmaceutical industry has made improvements from being only state-owned production units to now having many privatised companies. The number of factories has increased and developed rapidly in recent times.

However, the number of big companies capable of attracting foreign investors is limited, while local production focuses on generic medicines, and less on innovative ones.

Vietnam is also one of the few countries that can produce vaccines. Up to now, the country can produce 11 out of 12 in the national expanded vaccination programme. Nonetheless, the production is mainly based on traditional tech.

Recently, the World Trade Organization included Vietnam in the list of countries to receive mRNA vaccine technology transfer. This is also a step forward in pharmaceutical production.

However, the rate of funding in research and development is not high, and is failing at attracting high-quality manpower in the industry. These are the issues that we will continue to focus on in the upcoming time to attract investors in the industry.

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.

MPI calls on investors to make suggestions in pharma sector The Ministry of Planning and Investment has called on investors and manufacturers to contribute opinions and proposals to attract more investment capital and receive technology transfer to promote the development of the pharmaceutical sector of Vietnam.

Powering innovation for sustainable pharma-healthcare development Experts highlighted the importance of powering innovation for sustainable pharma-healthcare development at the second panel discussion at a VIR conference on Thursday July 20.
Emin Turan, chairman of Pharma Group

What is the rationale for the regional race for pharma investment, and what are the most impactful benefits that countries can gain besides attracting foreign investment?

The global life sciences sector has emerged as one of the key drivers of the 21st-century economy, and this ascent is fuelled by remarkable scientific breakthroughs in biotechnology and related fields, alongside an increasing social demand to address healthcare challenges.

The innovative pharmaceutical industry has contributed the highest investment in innovation which extends beyond the healthcare sector, generating spillover effects that enhance national capabilities in innovation across various industries. This key value reaffirms the innovative pharmaceutical industry as a pivotal driver enabling sustainable development of a nation in the future.

The innovative pharmaceutical industry will bring huge economic and social benefits to Vietnam. According to the impact assessment report conducted by KPMG in 2022, various stakeholders, including patients, the government, and the pharmaceutical industry, stand to gain directly from its advancements.

How does the Pharma Group evaluate Vietnams development, and what competitive advantages does Vietnam possess that would allow it to compete with or even surpass other nations?

Over the past two decades, the Vietnamese government has built up several policies which accelerate the development of the healthcare system and pharmaceuticals. Especially, we fully support the orientation set forth in Resolution No.29-NQ/TW to establish pharmaceutical as one of the priority sectors that will enable and drive innovation.

With the consecutive economic growth and development of Vietnam, the innovative pharma sector in Vietnam has an obvious opportunity to further enhance its role in the collaboration and contribution towards Vietnams development aspirations as stated in Resolution 29.

Vietnam possesses several competitive advantages over countries in attracting overseas funding in this sector, including political stability, social infrastructure, geographical position, and proactive integration into economic integration.

Numerous countries in the ASEAN region are actively participating in the competition to attract foreign investment in the pharmaceutical industry. As a result, Vietnam must be vigilant and expedite its strategies to remain competitive in this dynamic landscape.

Representatives of various organisations last week offered their views on what the country must do in order to create a successful and innovative pharma landscape

What is the level of interest among Pharma Group members in this sector in Vietnam?

Following the enactment of the 2016 Law on Pharmacy, over 90 per cent of Pharma Groups members have established foreign-invested enterprise importers with multimillion-dollar investments in Vietnam.

As of today, only 9 per cent of new medicines (of all 460 new medicines launched from 2012 to the end of 2021) are available in Vietnam, and it is estimated that only 11 out of 100 patients have access to innovative medicines. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that the situation can be improved with enhancements in the regulatory framework.

By ensuring faster access to new medicines and introducing greater sustainability and predictability in the procurement and reimbursement processes, Vietnam can pave the way for increased investments in this market from Pharma Group members and other stakeholders.

According to a recent survey conducted by Decision Lab, both Pharma Group members and members of the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Company Association expressed a positive outlook for pharmaceutical businesses in the first half of 2023, despite macroeconomic uncertainties. This optimistic sentiment highlights a clear opportunity for the sector to grow in a sustainable direction, provided there are improvements in the legal framework.

According to Pharma Groups strengths and global experience, which are its key focuses in the near future?

Focusing on institutional reform and developing policies to maintain current investments while attracting new investments from the innovative pharmaceutical industry, in line with the directions outlined in Resolution 29, will be crucial for the sectors development in Vietnam.

To tailor these strategies to Vietnams context, we recommend establishing a national steering committee led by a deputy prime minister responsible for the sector. This committee will play a pivotal role in developing an action plan to implement Resolution 29s directives for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.

Inclusivity is essential, and we propose the participation of representatives from all relevant parties in the steering committee. This collaborative approach will enable the development of a comprehensive roadmap, encompassing necessary amendments and policy developments, to achieve the specific objectives of each phase outlined in Resolution 29.

Drawing on international best practices, we firmly assert that establishing this steering committee would mark the primary and most crucial step in actualising the goals set forth in Resolution 29.

Especially in the critical next year when the revision of important legislation is expected to be formed and circulated, the Pharma Group reaffirms its commitment to supporting the government in consultations for legislation, and the formulation of development strategies and implementations for the sector.

This will be carried out by sharing information and assisting in proposing solutions that are suitable for Vietnams context, feasible to implement in practice, and consider the best global practices in order to accelerate patient access to new medicines, as well as ensure the sustainable and predictable investment environment in Vietnam.

To promote the value of innovation, Pharma Group will be hosting the Healthcare Innovation Forum on October 18, an annual event that brings stakeholders together to discuss technologys driving on sustainable healthcare systems and innovative approaches and technologies to transform healthcare in Vietnam.

We hold a strong belief that by fostering open discussions, encouraging contributions, and collaborating with all stakeholders in line with Vietnams development aspirations, the pharma-healthcare sector is poised to achieve remarkable milestones, leading to significant economic and social advancements. Ultimately, this progress will translate into tangible benefits for the people of Vietnam.

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.

MPI calls on investors to make suggestions in pharma sector The Ministry of Planning and Investment has called on investors and manufacturers to contribute opinions and proposals to attract more investment capital and receive technology transfer to promote the development of the pharmaceutical sector of Vietnam.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan (left) meets with Tra Vinh leaders

In late June, Tra Vinh Peoples Committee enacted a plan seeking to further improve the provinces Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) ranking in 2023 and beyond.

In light of the fresh plan, Tra Vinh aims to at least move one rank compared to 2022 and further improve both the score and grade of PCIs component indexes such as those related to business support, flexibility, time cost and labour training, among others.

According to figures announced by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in April, Tra Vinhs PCI ranking moved up 25 ranks last year compared to 2021, caving a spot in the top 30 localities with the best management quality throughout the country.

The province made the breakthrough after sparing no effort on harmonising the interests of the business community and the state, striving for satisfaction of people and businesses for the provinces sustainable development.

In 2018-2021, Tra Vinhs ranking was constantly low, typically at 46-58 out of 63 localities nationwide, with management quality at medium level. This greatly affected the provinces investment and business environment.

In 2021, the provinces PCI ranking was 51, down three ranks compared to 2020, in which six component indexes fell in both score and grade.

In this context, Tra Vinh Peoples Committee had mandated relevant departments, sectors, and management units at grassroots level to focus on tackling impediments to improve the PCI, striving to put Tra Vinh into the group of localities with fair quality of economic management.

The province was committed to shaping up an open, transparent, dynamic and conducive business climate for enterprises from assorted economic sectors to make ventures for business development, ensuring the provinces sustainable socioeconomic development.

Tra Vinh Peoples Committee assigned concrete tasks to relevant management bodies, relevant to 142 criteria under 10 PCI component indexes.

The captains at departments, sectors and chairmen at peoples committees at all levels must do their utmost to ensure each member of their teams to properly perform their task, simultaneously presenting measures for efficient implementation, from there improving the provinces PCI ranking and local investment environment.

The captains were also held accountable for addressing the difficulties businesses face and enforcing policies and guidance from the top leaders, as well as ensuring consistency during implementation.

Le Van Han, Chairman of Tra Vinh Peoples Committee, mandated relevant management bodies to review entire administrative procedures to shorten the time for settlement, avoiding causing harassments to businesses.

Simultaneously, Tra Vinh Department of Planning and Investment was required to preside and join efforts with relevant units to sum up and present a wish-list of ventures matching land use and planning schemes on an annual basis; increasing dialogues and meetings with investors and businesses with ventures in the province to help remove impediments timely.

The sectors and management units at all levels were urged to ensure publicity and transparency of all information, particularly land planning, initiatives, legal documents at district and provincial level, new infrastructure development planning, and more. The Peoples Committee also sits on periodical meetings every fortnight to seek remedies to business impediments.

In addition, Chairman Han required Tra Vinh Inspectorate, the Department of Home Affairs, and relevant management bodies to avoid reiteration and overlap in inspection, and apply stern measures on the violators.

This went parallel to other oversight measures to ensure the quality of administrative procedure reform.

Thanks to these drastic measures, Tra Vinh scored 66.06 in the PCI tally, moving 25 ranks and placing 26th out of 63 localities. Of 10 component indexes, six indexes saw increased scores, including those related to market access, transparency, time cost, equal competition, flexibility, and business support. The transparency index moved up 28 ranks, the business support index climbed 21 ranks, and the equal competition index inched up over 20 ranks.

Meanwhile, for the first time, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry promulgated the Provincial Green Index (PGI) last year to measure localities in terms of environmentally friendliness from the business practice as well as gauge the level businesses in their localities have applied environmentally friendly technologies, their attention and preparedness to invest. In this respect, Tra Vinh took the lead countrywide.

Tra Vinh province bolsters investment Part of the Mekong Delta, Tra Vinh province is increasingly attractive to investors through the firm commitment of local management agencies to provide efficient business support.

Tra Vinh gears for digital age in name of optimal efficiency The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh is embracing a wide range of measures to ensure alignment with this months National Digital Transformation Day.
What have been the highlights in the development path of Viatris over the past few years?

Eunice Cho, Viatris country manager in Vietnam

Viatris is a global healthcare company, headquartered in the United States, that empowers people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We provide access to medicines and advanced sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions, and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services.

Formed in November 2020, Viatris brings together scientific, manufacturing, and distribution expertise with proven regulatory, medical, and commercial capabilities to deliver high-quality medicines to patients in more than 165 countries and territories.

Our portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases, including globally recognised brands, complex generic and branded medicines, and a variety of over-the-counter consumer products.

With more than 38,000 colleagues globally, Viatris is headquartered in the US, with global centres in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India.

In Vietnam, Viatris has an extensive diversified portfolio of brands and generic medicines spanning many therapeutic areas to meet a wide range of health needs including cardiovascular disease, pain, mental health, mens health, oncology, dermatology, and womens health. We also make continued efforts to introduce new products to the market through technology transfer of off-patent originators.

Viatris operates offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and a warehouse in the Mekong Delta province of Long An. Through our extensive global and local network in Vietnam, we aim to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both, to address healthcare needs more holistically globally.

Viatris is uniquely positioned to sustainably deliver high-quality medicines and health solutions to provide access at scale, which is core to our mission of empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, regardless of geography or circumstance.

As published in our 2022 Sustainability Report, we helped supply medicines to approximately one billion patients globally last year alone.

In Vietnam, we partner with medical associations and hospitals to conduct education programmes to optimise treatment protocols and support healthcare professionals regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment options for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

We also collaborate with big pharmacy chains such as Long Chau FPT and Trung Son to conduct training programmes for thousands of pharmacists to support their consultancy capabilities on NCDs, increase patients access to high-quality prescription medicines, and reduce the healthcare burden on hospitals in Vietnam.

Corporate culture is essential to the development of a company. What is the key to the success of the company in this regard?

We perform at our best when we work together The Viatris Way for patients while upholding the highest standards of quality, ethics, compliance, integrity and sustainability. The model includes four pillars: own it meaning we hold ourselves accountable, act courageously, and embrace challenges; be real as in authentic, candid, and practical; stay agile to encourage diverse points of view and adapt quickly to pursue bold ideas; and take pride in being passionate, united by our mission and our work.

The above expectations are rooted in the behaviours we demonstrate today and are also essential to our success tomorrow. Individually, they empower growth. Collectively, they advance our mission, convey our purpose and embody our promise to each other. At every level, and in everything we do, they reflect our commitment to the highest standards of quality, ethics, compliance, integrity, and sustainability.

These expectations will guide us as we continue our work to achieve our goals, and they are what make us stronger together.

Cooperation deals are a key part of Viatris mission to improve the healthcare landscape in Vietnam

Innovative drug production is now a trend to expedite patient access to new and high-quality medicines. How can Viatris support the countrys efforts?

Our relentless pursuit is to improve access and support a sustainable healthcare system in Vietnam. This is evident by our commitment to providing high-quality medicines through a balance of global, regional, and local manufacturing, as well as our investment in building local expertise and capacity.

We hope that our Lotus project, one of the first innovative drug production technology transfer projects in Vietnam which started in 2017, will gain further support from the government, and relevant ministries. We believe that it aligns with the governments vision; specifically, promoting technology transfer into Vietnam.

In December 2022, Viatris announced a broadening collaboration with Medochemie to further connect people to our quality products in Vietnam. Under this partnership, Viatris will transfer technology that will license Medochemie to manufacture Viatris identified NCD products in its Vietnamese facilities.

What is Viatris vision for the future in the local pharma market so as to build a strategy aligned with digital transformation and sustainable development?

Vietnam is experiencing these changes, driven by the governments policies, industry players, and global trends.

Specifically, this transformation is enabling the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry to become more efficient, effective, innovative, and sustainable.

We are doing our best to contribute to the efforts of the country for sustainable access to medicine. Access to medicine begins with sustainably delivering high-quality medicines and health solutions at scale to people, regardless of geography or circumstance.

With telehealth programmes, for example, Viatris supports doctors in rural hospitals with e-learning resources to help them stay up to date with medical information, diagnosis, and treatment guidelines to improve their skills and knowledge. These supporting activities are also aligned with the policy and direction of the Medical Examination and Treatment Administration under the Ministry of Health.

High-risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity are the leading causes of death in Vietnam.

Their management is a top priority to help to reduce the future burden of disease.

As a result, Viatris has supported the Vietnam Heart Association and the Vietnam Interventional Cardiology Association to develop the ScoreVN-OP app, a digital tool that helps doctors holistically analyse and evaluate cardiovascular risk factors, thereby offering appropriate treatment options for each patient.

Viatris Vietnam launches new office in Hanoi Viatris Vietnam Co., Ltd. has celebrated its first anniversary and marked the expansion of its commercial footprint by opening a new office in Hanoi.
On July 21, the specialised monitoring delegation from the National Assembly's Standing Committee conducted a working session with Gia Lai People's Committee to assess the implementation of energy and renewable energy policies during the 2016-2021 period in the Central Highlands' province.

Calls for a dedicated renewable energy law

During the delegation's discussions, Nguyen Huu Que, Deputy Chairman of Gia Lai People's Committee, praised the positive impact of renewable energy projects in terms of land utilisation and socioeconomic development in the province.

However, the sector has encountered regulatory hurdles, with fragmented investment management and construction quality issues affecting project progress. Disputes over land compensation, especially in wind energy projects, have further complicated matters, he said.

Ho Van Nien, Secretary of Gia Lai Party Committee, urged the National Assembly to consider the formulation of a dedicated Renewable Energy Law or the revision and supplementation of the Electricity Law to incorporate specific provisions for the renewable energy sector.

Addressing compensation mechanisms for wind energy projects

To address land compensation challenges, Pham Nguyen Hung, deputy director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), informed the delegation that the government has instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to establish regulations for compensation and support related to land and assets within the safety corridor of wind energy towers. This measure aims to provide clarity and alleviate concerns among residents.

Regarding the definition of "residential areas," Hung stressed that unauthorised construction of houses or plots without proper residential land planning would not be eligible for compensation.

Bui Van Cuong, secretary-general of the National Assembly, expressed overall satisfaction with Gia Lai's adherence to state regulations on energy development during the 2016-2021 period. He praised the province's proactive approach, saying, "Gia Lai had early plans for hydropower and renewable energy projects in 2012 and 2018, respectively, contributing to local socioeconomic development.

Regarding operational inefficiencies, Cuong attributed responsibility to the MoIT and Vietnam Electricity (EVN), emphasising the need for thorough assessment and proper transmission and consumption system planning to avoid wasteful situations.

On the same day, the monitoring delegation visited the Ea Nam wind energy project, developed by Trung Nam Group in Ea H'leo district, Dak Lak province.

Nguyen Tam Thinh, chairman of Trung Nam Group and director of the Ea Nam wind energy project, provided valuable insights into the 400MW venture, contributing 1.1 billion kWh annually to the national grid.

The project operated seamlessly within its schedule, significantly bolstering the local budget with VND3 trillion ($125 million) in corporate income tax and annual contributions of VND250 billion ($10.4 million) to the provincial budget. Additionally, the project generated favourable socioeconomic benefits for the local community.

Thinh urged the delegation to advocate for revisions in electricity pricing mechanisms, saying, "We propose that the delegation provides input to the National Assembly and the government to review electricity pricing mechanisms to ensure investors can cover bank loan interests.

He also proposed incentivising domestic enterprises capable of developing applicable technologies, thus maximising the country's internal capacity for sustainable energy growth. These measures are vital for fostering a conducive environment for the renewable energy sector in Vietnam.
Data from Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has revealed 15 projects with a total capacity of nearly 735 MW, have completed the procedures for commercial operation and have begun supplying electricity to the grid. The daily average output of these projects stands at approximately 3.2 million kWh, accounting for about 0.4 per cent of the total power supply.

These projects are part of 85 transitional renewable energy projects, totalling over 4,600MW, which missed the feed-in-tariff (FIT) deadline at the end of 2020. As a result, they had to negotiate power prices with EVN based on the price framework issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) earlier in the year.

EVN reported that 72 out of the 85 projects, with a combined capacity of nearly 3,932MW, have submitted documents for price negotiation and power purchase agreements. Among these, 83 per cent proposed a temporary price calculated at half of the ceiling price set by the MoIT.

Currently, the MoIT has approved temporary prices for 58 projects, with a total capacity of over 3,181MW. However, for these projects to operate commercially and supply electricity to the grid, they must fulfill various procedures related to grid connection, project acceptance, and other documentation, such as investment approval extension decisions and power operation licences.

In May, the MoIT attributed the delays in negotiation and operation of transitional renewable energy projects to numerous investors violating regulations on planning, land, and construction investment, which resulted in failure to meet legal requirements.

The MoIT also pointed out that many investors have yet to complete the legal documentation necessary for obtaining power operation licences, a crucial step under the Electricity Law for projects to be exploited. This has led to delays in preparation and submission of documents to the competent authority.

While the negotiation of temporary prices streamlines the process for early operation and power generation from transitional renewable energy projects, the MoIT emphasised the need to ensure strict adherence to regulations.

Presently, there are still 13 transitional renewable energy projects that have not submitted documents for price negotiation and power purchase agreements with Electricity Trading Company (under EVN).

These projects are ineligible for preferential prices over the next 20 years and are required to negotiate with EVN based on the electricity price framework set by the MoIT earlier this year, with prices lower by 20-30 per cent compared to previous FIT rates.

VinaCapital and GS Energy Partner with KEXIM in Long An LNG power plant projects Vinacapital, an asset management group in Vietnam, and GS Energy, a South Korean company, have inked an MoU with Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) to facilitate the financial development of the Long An I and II liquefied natural gas power plant projects.

AC Energy makes $165 million acquisition of Super Energy projects AC Energy's strategic acquisition of Super Energy's solar energy business in Vietnam exemplifies the growing momentum behind Southeast Asia's renewable energy landscape.
GIMO team

The funding round's final closing, comprising a blend of equity and debt financing, remarkably came to fruition within a mere five months after GIMO had secured an initial close of $5.1 million. Spearheaded by TNB Aura, the Series A round saw enthusiastic participation from the GIMOs existing backers, including Integra Partners, Resolution Ventures, Blauwpark Partners, ThinkZone Ventures, and Y Combinator. The round also attracted the attention of renowned global corporate ventures such as Genting Ventures, TKG Taekwang, George Kent, and the Asia-focused private credit financier, AlteriQ Global.

Charles Wong, founding partner of TNB Aura said, We look forward to working closely with the GIMO team in breaking down barriers to financial inclusion for millions of blue-collar workers across Vietnam. Especially in challenging macroeconomic times such as these, GIMOs mission to empower workers to 'Live Better. Work Happier' is even more critical.

GIMO currently serves 500,000 workers from medium to large multinational manufacturing companies across Vietnam. Despite economic slowdown in 2023, the company demonstrates a solid growth rate of 15 per cent and is on track to reach 2.5 million under-banked employees by 2025.

We believe that the Vietnam market is ripe for the adoption of Earned Wage Access, which will drive financial inclusion and stability for the underserved. At AlteriQ, we consistently strive to forge partnerships with top-tier business operators across industries and geographies. Our decision to support GIMO marks our debut into Vietnam, and we are excited to work with Quan and his team to scale their operations and create a positive impact on the financial wellbeing of disadvantaged communities, said Zhi Yong Heng, managing partner of AlteriQ Global.

Manufacturing employees excited about GIMOs EWA solution

The freshly raised capital will be utilised to expedite GIMO's expansion plans and foster innovation across its diverse product portfolio. Foremost among its priorities will be product development, with GIMO directing a significant portion of the funds to augment research and development efforts.

This strategic investment aims to accelerate GIMO's product development, introducing impactful social initiatives to empower under-banked workers, shielding them from debt traps and predatory lending practices, while bolstering their overall financial wellbeing.

Customer success remains a paramount focus for GIMO, with a portion of the investment earmarked to enhance customer support initiatives, ensuring users receive the highest quality of services from the company. Moreover, GIMO seeks to leverage its newfound capital to forge strategic alliances with key partners and industry leaders. These partnerships, fostering collaboration and generating synergies, will facilitate the launch of new social impact initiatives.

We are thrilled to announce the successful closing of our Series A funding round, which demonstrates the unwavering confidence and support we have received from investors," said co-founder and CEO Quan Nguyen.

This significant investment will enable us to drive our vision forward, fuel innovation and continue to serve the disadvantaged communities in which we live and operate.

According to the KPMGs research in 2022, an average user draws down their earned pay two to three times per month, almost simulating bi-weekly and weekly pay. The use cases for on-demand pay are also wide-ranging. A flexible pay cycle takes the burden off blue-collar workers' shoulders by helping them pay for not only financial emergencies but everyday bills.

Local fintech startup GIMO bags $1.9 million in Seed+ round led by Integra Partners GIMO, a Vietnam-based fintech startup offering on-demand pay for blue-collar workers, announced on Tuesday that it had successfully secured $1.9 million in a Seed+ round led by Singapores Integra Partners.
Vietnam has become a key player on the global economic stage, playing a vital role in numerous global supply chains, particularly in the semiconductor industry. Major US companies are increasingly drawn to Vietnam, considering it a pivotal point in the global semiconductor supply chain.

The assessment came from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a meeting with businesses and the press organised by the US-ASEAN Business Council in Hanoi on July 21.

Yellen lauded Vietnam's dynamic and determined efforts that have propelled its economic development, stating that this undeniable strength would help the country achieve its goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2045.

She also noted that top US companies, such as Apple and Google, have a significant and growing presence in Vietnam. Over the past two decades, trade between the two nations has grown by nearly 25 per cent annually. The impressive figure not only reflects the surging import of Vietnamese goods to the United States, but also the fact that US exports to Vietnam have increased nearly twentyfold since 2002, showing no signs of slowing down.

"Our trade in goods reached a record high last year. I believe that this robust economic relationship can be achieved because it is based on mutual trust, born from our work in addressing the legacies of war and strengthened by our close and growing ties," said Yellen.

Restructuring supply chains and reviving trade

Regarding trade, the US is pursuing a strategy known as "friendshoring" to build secure and reliable supply chains. The goal is to reduce the economic vulnerability to supply shocks during the production of critical goods, especially due to over-concentration and geopolitical risks.

To achieve this, the US is investing domestically to tackle redundancy in its supply chain.

An analysis by the US Treasury Department showed that real manufacturing activity within the US doubled by the end of 2021. However, this doesn't mean everything is being built solely in the US.

"We believe that long-term economic resilience requires diversified global supply chains. This means deepening our economic integration with trustworthy countries, including Vietnam," the US Treasury Secretary said.

The head of the US Treasury emphasised the top priority of building resilience in the US semiconductor supply chain. A study estimated that the global chip shortage during the pandemic contributed to over $500 billion in lost revenues from 2020 to 2022.

The US is adopting a comprehensive approach to diversify and strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem. By moving operations away from overly centralised or risky points in the global supply chain, the US aims to create a safer economic position for itself and the world. In the past decade, Vietnam has emerged as a crucial node in the global semiconductor supply chain.

"Investment here is increasing, for example, Arizona-based company Amkor will soon open a modern, large factory in Bac Ninh, just an hour's drive from Hanoi, for assembling and testing semiconductors. Meanwhile, in Dong Nai province in the south, another US company, Onsemi, is producing chips used in automobiles that travel half the globe. In Ho Chi Minh City's High-Tech Park, the world's largest assembly and testing site of Intel is located. Many companies investing in Vietnam are also building their capacity and jobs in the US," Yellen said.

Looking beyond, Vietnam and the US have actively collaborated to strengthen sustainable supply chains with other nations. The US is intensifying cooperation with emerging and developing economies, exemplified by its partnership with Vietnam.

"This is why we have launched new initiatives to invest in partner countries' development, including engaging in the G7 commitment to mobilise $600 billion of infrastructure investment over the next several years through the Infrastructure Partnership and Global Investment," said Yellen.

Addressing coping capabilities and climate change, Yellen asserted that the US was committed to helping other countries build resilience. The US takes pride in supporting Vietnam's transition to a zero-net-emission economy by 2050.

"The US is proud to continue supporting and cooperating to build mutually beneficial economic prosperity. Economic resilience must be a significant part of our economic strategy, and I look forward to working with all of you to enhance our economic partnership," she added.

FIEs in Vietnam promote green energy growth With recent power shortages stemming from increased seasonal demand, along with the growing appetite for electricity from commercial and residential developments, the need for a more reliable power supply has made Vietnam an attractive market for foreign investors to develop rooftop solar energy. This has been led by Vietnam's foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in the manufacturing sector, particularly the electronics, semiconductor, and textile industries

Foxconn earns $317 million in after-tax profit in Vietnam The world's largest contract manufacturer and assembler of electronics, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., trading internationally as Foxconn, outperformed its industry rivals last year, reportedly earning VND7.5 trillion ($317 million) in after-tax profit from its 16 Vietnamese plants.

Apple Pay set to launch in Vietnam Apple Pay, the popular mobile payment service from the American tech giant, is soon to make its debut in Vietnam.
A $2.5 million federal grant will allow Baylor Universitys Diana R. Garland School of Social Work to expand its training in providing mental health services in Waco schools.

The Department of Education grant, funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, will help fund social work interns interested in working with schools and students in mental health. The grant, under the Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health program, also covers stipends to help interns juggling work, family and school responsibilities; Spanish-language training; creation of a clinical school social work certificate; and recruitment of Waco-area students.

It builds on Baylors partnership with Waco Independent School District and the in-district charter Transformation Waco in the Be Emotionally Aware and Responsive, or BEAR, project that got its start in 2016. Social work lecturer Carrie Arroyo is leading the Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health program, along with BEAR Director Mary Zane Nelson and Stephanie Boddie, Baylor associate professor of church and community ministries.

The school of social work has three interns at Waco High, two at G.W. Carver Middle School and one at Alta Vista Elementary School. The BEAR project had placed social work interns at Carver, Indian Spring Middle School and Alta Vista a couple years before Transformation Wacos creation.

The grant will initially fund six social work students at Waco ISD schools, growing to 10 in the next three years. Undergraduates and graduate students who qualify for the internship typically work with students in areas including anxiety, anger, social skills and trauma. Each intern works with a caseload of 12 to 20 students, supporting the work of school counselors, licensed clinical social workers and teachers, Arroyo said.

Transformation Waco schools have coordination of care teams that try to match students individual social and mental health needs to resources at hand, Transformation Waco spokesperson Josh Wucher said. Services include help with academics, attendance, behavior, counseling, family support and physical needs, Wucher said.

While the Baylor social work program provides social work interns with valuable real-life experience, it also supplements schools existing efforts to provide counseling, behavior management and strengthening of social skills for their students.

It helps take things off the plate for teachers, Arroyo said.

That help comes at a time when schools across the country are seeing a growing need for mental health services. The number of students dealing with anxiety, depression or behavioral issues accelerated in the pandemic and the years that followed, Nelson said.
An independent review has been ordered after the death Saturday of Zuri, a newborn giraffe at Cameron Park Zoo, just days after the death of her mother.

Zuri, a Masai giraffe born June 23 at Cameron Park, died early Saturday of unknown causes. A necropsy, or animal autopsy, has been performed, with results expected in a few weeks.

Necropsy results are also pending for Zuris mother, Penelope, who died July 19 after falling ill the previous day. Penelope was 10 years old and came to Waco from the San Diego Zoo.

After Penelope's death, zoo staff began hand-rearing the calf and feeding her milk formula, while connecting her with the zoos other female giraffe, Jenny, a reticulated giraffe.

"The Cameron Park Zoo staff are deeply saddened by the loss of Zuri, the zoo said in a statement Saturday. They appreciate the continued support of the community in this difficult time.
ODESA, Ukraine  Russia struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa on Sunday, keeping up a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. At least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in the early morning attack, officials said.

Four children were among those wounded in the blasts, which severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Russia has been launching repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, since Moscow canceled a landmark grain deal last week amid Kyivs grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories.

After the fires were put out at the Orthodox cathedral, volunteers donned hard hats, shovels and brooms to begin removing rubble and try to salvage any artifacts  under the watchful gaze of the saints whose paintings remained intact. Local officials said the icon of the patroness of the city was retrieved from under the rubble.

The destruction is enormous, half of the cathedral is now roofless, said Archdeacon Andrii Palchuk, as workers brought documents and valuables out of the building, its floor inundated with water used by firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

Palchuk said the damage was caused by a direct hit from a Russian missile that penetrated the building down to the basement. Two people inside were wounded.

But with Gods help, we will restore it, he said, bursting into tears.

A woman who came to help with the cleanup said she loved the cathedral for its tranquility and grace.

When you enter this church, you feel like youre beyond the world, said Liudmyla, who gave only her first name. I have a feeling that God, to protect apartments, took this pain, this explosion upon himself.

Anna Fetchenko, who came to Odesa for a volunteer meeting, also pitched in to clear the debris. I wanted to go to the seaside, but last night was so frightening that I cried for the first time in 2023, she said.

This is our Ukrainian heritage, and now its taken away from us."

Later Sunday, Palchuk urged people to gather in front of the destroyed part of the cathedral for an outdoor service and to pray in front of a sacred icon that miraculously survived.

We will pray that it protects us from the Russians, he said.

The cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has been accused of links to Russia. The church has insisted that it is loyal to Ukraine, has denounced the Russian invasion from the start and even declared its independence from Moscow.

But Ukrainian security agencies have claimed that some in the Ukrainian church maintain close ties with Moscow. Theyve raided numerous church holy sites and posted photos of rubles, Russian passports and leaflets with messages from the Moscow patriarch as proof some church officials are loyal to Russia.

UNESCO strongly condemned the attack on the cathedral and other heritage sites and said it will send a mission in coming days to assess damage. Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year, and the agency said the Russian attacks contradict Moscow's pledge to take precautious to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine.

This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against the cultural heritage of Ukraine. I strongly condemn this attack against culture, and I urge the Russian Federation to take meaningful action to comply with its obligations under international law, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

Regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said that six residential buildings were destroyed by the strikes.

Some people were trapped in their apartments following the attack, which left rubble strewn in the street and partly blocking the road.

Svitlana Molcharova, 85, was rescued by emergency workers. But after she received first aid, she refused to leave her destroyed apartment. I will stay here, she said.

I woke up when the ceiling started to fall on me. I rushed into the corridor, said Ivan Kovalenko, a 19-year-old resident of the building. Thats how I lost my home in Mykolaiv, and here, I lost my rented apartment.

His unit revealed a partially collapsed ceiling and a balcony that came off the side of the building. All the windows were blown out.

Ukraines air force reported on the Telegram messaging app that Russia had launched 19 missiles in the Odesa region, including five high-precision winged Onyx missiles and four sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles. It said that Ukrainian air defenses shot down nine.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday its forces attacked sites in Odesa where terrorist acts against the Russian Federation were being prepared.

In a later statement, the ministry denied that its attacks struck the Transfiguration Cathedral, claiming the destruction of the cathedral was likely due to the fall of a Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missile.

The attacks come days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

Earlier Russian attacks have crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

Putin vowed to retaliate against Kyiv for a recent attack on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.
Since April, nearly 17,000 Nebraskans have lost their health care coverage previously provided by the states Medicaid program.

About half of them lost coverage not because they are ineligible, but for procedural reasons, such as missed paperwork. Over the coming year, that number is expected to grow by tens of thousands more.

States across the U.S. are adjusting to the end of a federal pandemic-era protection that temporarily barred removal of recipients. The resumption of annual eligibility screening marks what Nebraska Medicaid Director Kevin Bagley called a return to normal.

However, Bagley and Nebraska health care advocates remain concerned that many people are unaware that the process is resuming and that procedural issues, such as the paperwork problems, could cause Nebraskans who still qualify for Medicaid to lose coverage.

As we watch whats happening in Nebraska and we watch whats happening across the country, were a little concerned at the early numbers of people who are already losing coverage, said Amy Behnke, CEO of the Health Center Association of Nebraska, which works statewide on Medicaid outreach and enrollment.

As of early this year, the massive state and federal program provided health care for about one in five Nebraskans. It is intended to provide health care to low-income individuals and families and people with disabilities. More than half of those on Medicaid are children.

Buoyed by the states Medicaid expansion, the number of enrollees grew rapidly in recent years, rising from 249,000 in February 2020 to 392,000 in February 2023. The three-year federal pause, which ended in March, contributed to this growth.

Over the coming year, the states Department of Health and Human Services will review the eligibility of each enrollee. Early estimates are that 10%-20% of those who receive Medicaid services in Nebraska, or about 40,000-80,000 people, could be deemed ineligible.

This is us getting back to what we normally do as a Medicaid program, said Bagley, noting that the annual reviews have been a feature of Medicaid since 1965.

But for many Medicaid recipients, this will be new.

We have a lot of people who got benefits during COVID for the very first time and so theyve never gone through this process, said Behnke.

Reaching these people has become a key goal of DHHS and advocates. For most, the basic message is the same: Make sure DHHS knows how to find you.

Kelsey Arends, an attorney with Nebraska Appleseed, said helping enrollees understand the process will be critical to ensuring that people do not lose health coverage unnecessarily for procedural reasons.

When those disenrolled for procedural reasons are added to the up to 80,000 expected to be removed due to changes in income or situation, Arends said the total number removed could reach 145,000.

We dont want to see anyone who still qualifies for Medicaid being terminated for those procedural reasons, Arends said.

Behnke said her group has already heard of some hiccups in the renewal process.

Notices come in the wrong language, she said. Or they come partly in English and partly in Spanish.

Some Nebraskans have received two notices on the same day.

And one says theyre eligible and one says theyre not eligible, Behnke said.

DHHS said reports of discrepancies have been rare. A spokesman encouraged residents who receive letters with potential errors to contact the department immediately through the AccessNebraska website or by calling 855-632-7633.

From when it resumed reviews in March to the end of June, HHS has reviewed the eligibility of 77,329 recipients, and has disenrolled 16,974 of them, or about 22%. According to state statistics, 50% of those disenrolled were removed for procedural reasons, such as recipients who failed to provide information necessary to complete the Medicaid renewal, and when DHHS was unable to contact the client.

The hard part is we dont know why they didnt respond, Bagley said. And thats been a struggle, I think, for every state.

He noted that there could be multiple reasons for not returning paperwork. In addition to people who lost it, forgot about it or didnt understand it, some people likely didnt fill it out because they knew or believed they werent eligible anymore.

One of the things we want to emphasize, he said, is that even if parents are no longer eligible their children may still be.

So far, Nebraska has disenrolled a smaller percentage of Medicaid enrollees than most states, and removed a smaller percentage for procedural reasons.

According to data compiled by health information organization KFF, as of early July 36% of Medicaid recipients reviewed by states had been disenrolled. About 73% of those removed were for procedural reasons. The numbers are not apples to apples, however, because each state has set up its own process for conducting reviews.

With most of Nebraskas reviews still to happen, advocates are keeping a close eye on the early numbers.

If folks in our communities dont have access to coverage and therefore lose access to health care, that impacts the overall health of our communities, Arends said.

The states hospitals are also paying close attention. In a given year, 60%-80% of total revenue from Nebraska hospitals comes from Medicaid and Medicare.

Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said the group is working with DHHS to explore more proactive ways of getting the word out to Medicaid enrollees.

Unfortunately, a lot of times, hospitals are having to deal with this in moments of crisis when people come to the emergency room, Nordquist said.

Bagley said that DHHS has emphasized an outreach approach that targets trusted voices in communities, such as pharmacists, other health care professionals and faith leaders.

While Nordquist acknowledged the departments efforts, hes still concerned about the implications.

If it doesnt go well  it will become a significant drain as more and more people fall under charity care, Nordquist said. And it just is additional losses for hospitals at a time when half of our hospitals are running in the red right now.

As this process continues, advocates urge current recipients to review their information, respond promptly to any requests from DHHS and plan proactively if it appears that they may lose eligibility.

We dont want to scare everyone, Arends said, but we want to make sure people are paying attention.

WHAT TO DO

Officials and health care advocates say Medicaid recipients should make sure their information on file with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is correct. Recipients can update their address by phone, email or through AccessNebraska.

For those who have received a renewal notice, Nebraska Appleseed and the Health Center Association of Nebraska have enrollment specialists available to help. Find help from Nebraska Appleseed at neappleseed.org/gethelpMedicaid and find help from the Health Center Association at howtogetcare.org/. Recipients also can contact DHHS directly by calling 855-632-7633.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.
by Austin Kubacak

On Sunday, July 16th, 2023, the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia received its latest exhibit, Northrop Grumman E-8C JSTARS 00-2000. U.S. Air Force maintenance personnel from the 116th and 461st Air Control Wings towed the partially disassembled battlefield surveillance, command and control aircraft to the museum, making their way down Highway 247 from the E-8s longterm home at nearby Robins Air Force Base (AFB). The joint operation between the U.S. Air Force, Georgia Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement ensured that the relocation effort went smoothly, with the roughly 4 mile journey taking roughly 4 hours to complete. The move started at around 7 AM and as the aircraft approached the major intersection in front of the bases main gate, a crowd of 50 or so onlookers gathered to watch. Although not a major crowd, and without fanfare, the excitement they expressed at seeing this enormous and important aircraft in such an unusual context easily made the occasion bigger than it seemed.

There were a few minor hinderances to the aircrafts progress on its route, primarily from traffic lights and roadway signs which needed moving to provide additional clearance. Overall, the entire process went smoothly and safely for all concerned. The bigger challenge was getting the jet to the museum before the summer heat became too oppressive; the morning cool faded quickly once the sun rose over the trees!

Remarkably, the biggest potential obstacle ended up being surmounted without much fuss at all. This involved the transition from the highway to its on-ramp which leads out of the base. The Museum of Aviation is located beside the southernmost gate at Robins AFB. The overpass which crosses the highway is too short to allow the nearly 20-foot-tall aircraft to pass safely underneath. With minimal room for error due to the trees and telephone poles flanking each side of the on-ramp, personnel were able to complete this tricky maneuver successfully without causing any damage to either property or aircraft. The move was complete by about 11:00 AM, with the E-8 safely ensconced within its new home.

Robins AFB has long-served as the home for the JSTARS program, which is presently being phased out of Air Force service. Airframe retirements began in February 2022, with the departure of E-8C 92-3289 for the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. E-8C 00-2000, however, was selected for display at the Museum of Aviation, a branch of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force; it is currently the only JSTARS aircraft slated for preservation. At its retirement this May, the aircraft concluded a nearly 55-year history of operations. The airframe itself began life as a Boeing 707-396C airliner, making its first flight on March 4th, 1969 from the factory in Everett, Washington. It began service with Wardair Canada as CF-ZYP later that year.

Wardair sold the aircraft to an Austrian leasing company, which registered it as OE-IDA during 1978. The U.S. Government seized the aircraft in Houston, Texas during May, 1981 after its attempted use in smuggling arms to South Africa, then under international sanctions for its governments brutal apartheid regime. The aircraft ended up stored in the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB for a few years before the U.S. Air Force acquired it in August, 1985. A crew from the 89th Airlift Wing ferried the airframe to an E-Systems facility in Greenville, Texas, where the company converted into a VC-137C VIP transport with serial number 85-6973. The 89th Airlift Wing took delivery of the aircraft in May, 1990, where it became a backup for the Air Force One role, and a primary for use as Air Force Two, amongst other duties.

In 1999, the VC-137C joined the 552nd Air Wing at Tinker AFB near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for use as an E-3 AWACS aircrew trainer. However, this assignment did not last long, as in February, 2000 the Air Force flew the VC-137 to the Northrop Grumman facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana for conversion into a JSTARS platform. It rejoined the Air Force in this new role as serial 00-2000 during February, 2003, serving with the Georgia Air National Guard at Robins AFB.

E8C 00-2000 would remain there with the Georgia National Guard until its retirement this year. As already mentioned, the U.S. Air Force began retiring their then 16-strong fleet of E-8s in February last year, with the last examples due to stand down in Fiscal 2024. While the Air Force had originally planned to continue the JSTARS mission with a different, smaller airframe based on a commercial business jet, it cancelled those plans in 2019. Instead, the E-8s will be replaced by Northrop Grummans E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN), which bases the platform on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet. The first of these new aircraft arrived this April.
Its no secret that the way farmers do business has changed over the decades, thanks in part to technological advances like the invention of the tractor. One crucial component remains unchanged: relationships.

For over 60 years, Chief Agri has been a people-first company and provider of grain storage solutions to farmers. Over the past four decades, Chief Agri has been working with Enzminger Steel, a North Dakota-based grain bin dealer to help farmers with their grain storage needs.

Chief Agri puts people first

Trust and reliability are built when you have a close personal relationship, says Ross Carlson, district manager for Chief Agri. As long as you are consistent with that, you can build upon your past successes with your dealer and with their customer.

Not only have Chief Agri and Enzminger Steel worked together since the 1980s, Enzminger Steel itself still serves some of the same customers as when they started. For example, the current Sjostrom Elevator site purchased bins from Enzminger Steel in the '80s. Over the years they have worked together to update the Sjostrom Elevator site.

Todd Sjostrom said he talked to several different vendors. His final decision was based on Enzmingers knowledge about grain storage. I was visiting with Dennis about (the project) and his knowledge of the product was really second to none, Sjostrom said.

He saved me from having a lot of headaches down the road, Sjostrom added. There were things I didnt know I needed, but Dennis was able to explain the differences and why things were necessary. He actually saved me money in the long run.

Sjostrom needed the project completed by the fall to store sunflower. With the strain on the construction industry since COVID-19, Sjostrom wasnt sure what to expect. However, he said, As soon as we were ready, Dennis team was there getting the project underway.

A lot of people will tell you they can do something, but being able to do it is a different thing, Sjostrom said. They were out there and got the work done when they said they were going to do it. Thats very important to me. Enzminger was able to get the project finished two weeks early, and Sjostrom was able to use the new grain bins for the fall harvest. The ability to use that facility when the crop was ready was important, Sjostrom said.

Sjostrom also appreciated that Enzminger Steel was local. Dennis was at the job site several times to make sure everything was being installed properly, Sjostrom said. If something did go wrong, Dennis was right there in town. It sort of sounds cliche, but theyre big-ticket items for me.

It is so humbling when they put trust in you, says Dennis Enzminger, president of Enzminger Steel. They know that youre going to be fair with them, so they dont even have to shop around.

Not only is it humbling for Enzminger to have that trust with his customers, but others notice those strong relationships. At one recent visit to another long-time customer, a neighbor approached Enzminger about a new purchase. Enzminger has worked with this customer through multiple generations and most recently started on a second-generation project together.

The way Chief Agri supports its dealers is paramount to Enzminger Steels success. Enzminger likes that he can call Carlson with any questions or concerns. There are always things that come up that you dont know, and Ross is always just a call or text away.Chief Agri understands the competition better, and they have answers. It is great to have strong support and knowledge from Chief. That can change everything in a sale, Enzminger says.

Cultivating success begins with people helping people

Even when Carlson isnt immediately available, Enzminger has access to dedicated Chief Agri staff who can provide the support he needs. You have a specific person who is there to help you, says Enzminger.

Carlson adds that this level of support from the entire team helps Chief Agri's clients succeed, which reinforces those long-term relationships and elevates all the partners. Every department has accountability to our dealers, says Carlson.

Chief Agri works to get dealers the answers they need faster than anybody else. Carlson, like every Chief Agri District Manager, meets with his dealers face-to-face and will visit customers with the dealer to discuss projects and what goals the farmer has in the short- and long-term.

Enzminger says hes handing over the company to a longtime associate, but the strong relationship between Chief Agri and Enzminger Steel will continue to benefit customers for years to come. Theyve been connected to our family since the business started.

Chief Agri celebrates doing business for more than 60 years

Chief prides itself in designing equipment and building loyal relationships that last.

Chief Agris people-first culture is the bedrock of our success, said Mark Kjar, president and general manager of Chief Agri.

For more information, visit agri.chiefind.com.

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Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

Last night the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike with long-range, sea- and air- based precision weapons against sites where terrorist acts against the Russian Federation were being prepared with the use of unmanned boats, as well as places where they were being manufactured near Odessa. There were foreign mercenaries in the affected facilities.

All the targets have been destroyed.

The AFU continued unsuccessful attempts to conduct offensive actions in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, South Donetsk, and Zaporozhye directions.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated and active actions by units of the Yug Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, 14 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Belogorovka, Mayorsk, Veseloye, Vodyanoye, Severnoye and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, enemy units have been hit close to Vesyoloye and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 370 Ukrainian servicemen, six armoured fighting vehicles, 24 motor vehicles, two U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

Three ammunition depots of the 22nd, 24th and 54th mechanised brigades of the AFU have been also eliminated close to Spornoye, Dzerzhinsk and Stupochki (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of coordinated actions by aviation, artillery, heavy flame thrower systems, and units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, six enemy attacks have been repelled close to Novovodyanoye and Karmazinovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Ploshchanka, Chervonaya Dibrova, and Nevskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed close to Nevskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

One ammunition depot of the AFU 95th Airborne Assault Brigade has been destroyed near Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were over 130 Ukrainian servicemen, ten armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, as well as two D-30 howitzers and one D-20 howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of actions by aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces, an enemy attack has been repelled close to Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

In Zaporozhye direction, as a result of actions of the Groups units and artillery, two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

AFU units have been hit close to Novodanilovka, Malaya Tokmachka and Charivnoye (Zaporozhye region).

One munition depot of the AFU 105th Artillery Brigade has been destroyed near Novoivanovka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 160 Ukrainian servicemen, seven Leopard tanks, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, of which 10 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one M777 artillery system, as well as Msta-B and D-20 howitzers.

In Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have struck AFU manpower and hardware close to Molchanovo, Figolyovka, Popovka, Ivanovka, Pershotravnyovoye, Kislovka and Orlyanka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 60 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, as well as nine motor vehicles.

One AFU ammunition depot has been destroyed near Zmiyevka (Kherson region).

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 104 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 132 areas.

In addition, three command posts of the 47th, 66th mechanised and 95th airborne assault brigades of the AFU have been hit close to Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region), Novovodyanoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic) and Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

One fuel depot of the AFU 33th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed near Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down one AFU Su-25 aircraft near Verolyubovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Air defence facilities have intercepted one HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectile, as well as one Storm Shadow cruise missile.

In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Olshana, Tavolzhanka (Kharkov region), Verkhnekamenka, Oborotnovka, Privolye, Nikolayevka, Topolevka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Opytnoye, Novopetrikovka, Lipovoye, Trudovoye, Soledar, Yelenovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Novoye, Zelenopol, Peremozhnoye, Kuibyshevo, Pologi (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 457 airplanes, 243 helicopters, 5,197 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,854 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,139 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,573 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,848 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

WtR
It will be a neat homecoming for Steve Considine at Baraboo High School. He was, for a time, a social studies teacher at Baraboos Jack Young Middle School, before leaving for Lake Mills, to be the assistant principal at Lake Mills High School.

Now, returning to Baraboo as the new principal of Baraboo High School, hes particularly excited about the coming year. My last students at Jack Young will be seniors this year, my first year here, the 35-year-old said. Thats pretty cool to be able to see them grow.

Baraboo is a special place, he said. Everything about it and I wanted to come back.

Hes coming back to Baraboo with his wife and three children  ages 5, 3 and 1  to be Baraboo High Schools new principal after Glenn Bildsten retired last year. Bildsten, with 36 years in education, was the schools principal the last 10 years.

Considine graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 2011 with a degree in secondary education. His educational path soon led him to Randolph, where he taught social studies at Randolph High School for three years.

From there he made his way to Baraboo, teaching social studies at Jack Young. It was during his tenure in Baraboo that he got married and he and his wife had their first child  born at St. Clare Hospital.

The community meant a lot to him  both the school community and the Baraboo community as a whole, he said.

With the Baraboo community, the school district is the center of it, Considine said. Whether residents have students in the district or not, he said, they invest in it; they care. Its very special here.

In 2019, he became assistant principal at Lake Mills High School. With Bildstens retirement and an opportunity to return to Baraboo, he said, I couldnt pass it up.

He said hes eager to get in and see how things are going at the school. Hes eager to learn from both staff and students about the strengths and weaknesses of the school and how to improve it.

The Baraboo School District received a meets few expectations score for the 2021-22 school year in the state report cards issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The district received lower marks than surrounding school districts, including Portage, Reedsburg, Sauk Prairie, and Wisconsin Dells.

In April, Amy DeLong, along with incumbents Gwynne Peterson and Tim Heilman, were elected to three-year terms on the Baraboo School Board.

Regardless of the issues to be faced, Considine said he wants to help students find their passions and pursue them.

The staff supports them in whatever they try, in whatever they want to be, he said.

Considine said he wants staff and students to know they have his full support.

I am their biggest cheerleader, he said. I want to give everyone a high school experience that is enjoyable, gives them a time to grow, have them appreciate their growth and give back to the community that helped the grow.

There will be a meet-and-greet with Considine during Baraboo High Schools in-person registration next Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Baraboo High School, at 1201 Draper St.

In-person registration is from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Baraboo School District staff will be on site to help answer questions about things such as student transportation, fees and school meals.

Considine will give tours of the school for new students beginning from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Heres how members of Wisconsins congressional delegation voted on major issues last week. Readers can visit www.VoteFacts.com to research other top issues and individual voting records in the current 118th Congress and recent 117th Congress.

House

Declaring Support of Israel: Voting 412-9, the House on July 18 adopted a measure (H Con Res 57) restating U.S. support of Israel and asserting it is not a racist or apartheid state. The vote occurred on the eve of Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address to Congress and three days after Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., stoked furor on Capitol Hill by calling Israel a racist state in its treatment of Palestinians. She later praised the idea of Israel while narrowing her criticism to actions by the extreme right-wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A yes vote was to adopt the nonbinding resolution.

Voting yes: Bryan Steil, R-1, Mark Pocan, D-2, Derrick Van Orden, R-3, Gwen Moore, D-4, Scott Fitzgerald, R-5, Glenn Grothman, R-6, Thomas Tiffany, R-7, Mike Gallagher, R-8

Voting no: None

Five-Year Renewal of Aviation Programs: Voting 351-69, the House on July 21 passed a bill (HR 3935) that would reauthorize through September 2028 a wide range of Federal Aviation Administration programs including measures to enhance flight safety and improve the passenger experience. In part, the bill would fund tens of billions of dollars in capital improvements at airports of all sizes; direct a share of construction funds to companies run by minorities and women; recognize the growing impact of climate change on aviation including its role in flight turbulence; improve in-fight accommodations for disabled passengers; expand ground surveillance to detect and prevent near misses on runways, and incorporate emerging technologies such as drones and electric- or hydrogen-powered aircraft into commercial aviation.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate, which is drafting its own version of the FAA reauthorization.

Voting yes: Steil, Pocan, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gallagher

Voting no: Moore, Tiffany

Removing Climate Change from Turbulence Research: Voting 206-227, the House on July 19 defeated an amendment to HR 3935 (above) that sought focus a study into reducing air turbulence on weather rather than climate change. Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions. Climate change is the average rate of change over long periods in conditions including rainfall and temperature in a particular region. The amendment directed federal agencies to ignore climate change in the turbulence research required by the bill.

A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

Voting yes: Steil, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher

Voting no: Pocan, Moore

Pilot Training on Simulators: The House on July 19 voted, 243-191, to uphold a Federal Aviation Administration requirement that commercial airline pilots receive 1,500 hours of flight training for certification, with no more than 100 hours occurring on simulators. This removed language from HR 3935 (above) that would have increased to 250 number of simulator hours that could be used to meet the 1,500-hour requirement. As a result of this vote, the allocation will continue to be 100 hours of simulator training to go with 1,400 hours in the sky. The 1,500-hour standard was established in response to a crash in February 2009 of Continental Connection Flight 3407 near Buffalo, N.Y., that killed all 49 people on the plane and one person on the ground. Investigators attributed the crash to inexperienced pilots responding incorrectly to a stall warning.

A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

Voting yes: Pocan, Moore, Fitzgerald

Voting no: Steil, Van Orden, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher

Protecting Cockpits Against Terrorists: Voting 392-41, the House on July 19 adopted an amendment to HR 3935 (above) that would increase the prevalence of secondary cockpit barriers on commercial aircraft to guard against terrorists and hijackers. As a result of attacks on 9/11 in which terrorists took control of cockpits, the Federal Aviation Administration since 2018 has required secondary barriers on newly manufactured aircraft. This amendment would require all commercial aircraft regardless of age to be equipped with secondary barriers within three years.

A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

Voting yes: Steil, Pocan, Moore, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Gallagher

Voting no: Van Orden, Tiffany

Helicopter Overflights of National Parks: Voting 193-236, the House on July 19 defeated an amendment to HR 3935 (above) that sought to require the National Park Service to consider not just environmental concerns but also the profits of helicopter companies when it sets rules limiting or prohibiting helicopter overflights of national parks.

A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

Voting yes: Steil, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher

Voting no: Pocan, Moore

Denying School Shelter to Undocumented Aliens: Voting 222-201, the House on July 19 passed a Republican-sponsored bill (HR 3941) that would deny federal education funds to any public K-12 school or institution of higher education that provides shelter on a temporary basis to undocumented aliens  including those applying for asylum in the United States  who have been relocated to their communities by immigration authorities.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate, where it was likely to fail.

Voting yes: Steil, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher

Voting no: Pocan, Moore

Senate

Slashing Military Aid to Ukraine: Voting 13-71, the Senate on July 20 defeated an amendment to the fiscal 2024 Department of Defense budget (S 2226) that would have eliminated nearly all of the bills military aid to Ukraine. The amendment sought to reduce the bills proposed level of Ukrainian aid by 98% (to 2%) until such time as all North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries start funding NATO at a level equivalent to 2% of their gross domestic product. The bill remained in debate. A House-passed version of the 2024 military budget contains $300 million for Ukraine.

A yes vote was to slash military aid to Ukraine.

Tammy Baldwin, D, and Ron Johnson, R, voted no.

Key votes ahead

The Senate will continue to debate the fiscal 2024 military budget in the week of July 24, while the House schedule was to be announced.

VoteFacts.com News Reports is a nonpartisan, fact-based news service whose mission is to help civically engaged individuals and organizations track major actions in the U.S. House and Senate. Readers can visit www.VoteFacts.com to research other top issues and individual voting records in the current 118th Congress and recent 117th Congress.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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When and where Kathleen Florita and Josh Amrani met is up for debate: He thinks it was at a birthday party; she says it was over a game of shuffle board at the Castro bar Hi Tops. But it's generally agreed upon that their mutual friend Lisa introduced them; and roughly three years later, she would officiate their wedding.

The details of the engagement are more concrete. On a Friday afternoon, Amrani got down on one knee at their favorite bookstore, Green Apple Books on Clement Street. He carried a custom-designed ring and a book with a card tucked in: "Will you marry me?" it said. Yes, Florita said.

Months before she got engaged, Florita and her brother had been walking his dog in the Presidio when they came across the Chapel of Our Lady. She and Amrani loved everything about itthe lighting, the large glass windows, and the gold etching in the beams. A celebration in the iconic Presidio would be a perfect way to entertain their guests from around the worlda natural, minimalist space that would achieve that "simple but elegant, practical but classy" vibe.

Relaxation and comfort were top priorities, so the pair planned a day that would be geared toward just hanging out. After the ceremony, a lunchtime reception was held just for the family at the Presidio restaurant The Commissary. To keep things comfy, Florita's bridesmaids wore jumpsuits with pockets (also totally re-wearable), but the bride and groom rocked it, her in a floor-length gown from BHLDN, and him in a Tom Ford suit and Alexander McQueen kicks.

The city of San Francisco was also something of a star here: Their invitations and cake were printed with a graphic of the skyline, and florals were sourced at the SF Flower Mart; the bride made all the arrangements and boutonnieres herself. She also designed the programs, seating cards, guest book, and even a crossword puzzle with details about them as a couple. The personal touches didn't stop there, thoughboth of their mothers and brothers read at the ceremony; Florita's younger brother played "Steps and Stairs" by Charlie Keys on the piano as she walked down the aisle; their macaroons came from Amrani's father's chocolate shop in Philadelphia; tables were named for their favorite authors; and wooden signs were made by the beloved Lisa.

That night, a second reception. at SFCameraWork, was held to welcome the newlyweds' friends, complete with drinks, dessert, and dancing. "We had boba tea, mini cupcakes, and churros, and closed out the night with Super Duper burgers being delivered. With an amazing DJ, we danced all night."

Venue: Chapel of Our Lady

Reception: The Commissary

Dress: BHLN

Hair: Lindsay Bauman booked through StyleBee

Makeup:Makeup by Elisa booked through StyleBee

Shoes: Darling Ones from Macys

Suit: Tom Ford

Groom's Shoes: Alexander McQueen

Bridesmaids Jumpsuits: Vince Camuto

Flowers: DIY with flowers from SF flower mart

Decor: Wood signs by Lisa Schaaf

Cake:Butter&

Macaroons: Delice et Chocolat

Wine: Balletto Winery

Photographer:enbphotos

Videographer:Devad Weddings
Celebrate good times! A year ahead of its 60th anniversary, Kool & the Gang, the longest continuously performing R&B group in history and hip-hops oft-sampled band, just released a new album, People Just Wanna Have Fun, and launched the Kool & the Gang Rock the World Tour (through Sept. 24), led by two original members, bassist Robert Kool Bell, 72, and keyboardist/drummer George Funky Brown, 74. After selling more than 70 million albums with tunes including Celebration and the Pulp Fiction soundtrack hit Jungle Boogie, the band defines its legacy in two new songs that sound like a call and response: Lets Party and We Are the Party.

At his Woodland Hills, California, home, where People Just Wanna Have Fun was recorded, Brown talks with AARP about the bands new music, his battle conquering drugs and why the Gang may never retire.

AARP Membership  $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Join Now The album cover for "People Just Wanna Have Fun." Astana Music Inc

Whats the new album like?

Its pure, straight-up Kool & the Gang. Its good to put out a wholesome message like ours. There hasnt ever been so much turmoil on this planet  people storming countries, constant mass murders here. There is no better reason to shine our light on people coming together and having fun.

Was it tough recording during the pandemic?

Not at all. We had ultraviolet lights, ozone fans, we made sure we wore masks. That stuff works.

(Left to right) George Brown, Robert Bell, Dennis Thomas and Ronald Bell of Kool & The Gang at the 2019 Marian Anderson Award at The Kimmel Center on Nov. 12, 2019 in Philadelphia. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

The album has some of the last studio work by two founding horn players, Dennis Dee Tee Thomas and Kools brother Ronald Khalis Bell. How painful is that loss?

Oh man, its been very difficult. We started out literally in grade school. When I go into my studio every day, I feel them. Its painful, but you must move on, take it to the next level and leave a greater legacy. Thats what they would want.

What inspired the new albums nostalgic closing track, 99 Miles to JC?Its an homage to Jersey City. Its us coming back off the road in some van, and we cant wait to get home. The family is waiting. Grandmothers going to give you a hug. Mom has food on the table. Dads coming home from work. Its Americana. We still have a great love for that place.

How do you stay engaged playing the same songs over and over?

You hear the energy of the crowd  everybody is giddy, like children. That electricity goes through you, and youre ready to perform. Its never the same. Sometimes its totally perfect. And when its not, it can sound even funkier.

Your group and Earth, Wind & Fire were always on parallel paths. Are they friends or rivals?

We see them as very good musicians with fantastic songs. They helped us realize we were doing the right thing with our type of upbeat, happy music. We were both trying to move the culture along to a higher place.

Your memoir Too Hot: Kool & the Gang & Me talks about your struggle with prescription drug addiction and depression. Was it the pressure of the music industry?

Yeah. Anxieties build up. They become a real bogeyman, and you find ways to chase them away: sleeping aids, calming aids, a little marijuana. It started when I was in my 20s. The greatest thing I did was get help. I went into rehab for a couple weeks, less than most people do. Its a cautionary tale.
Another great choice? Try northern Finlands Juustoleipa, or bread cheese, as its more commonly known in the U.S. This cheese doesnt contain any actual bread, but has a breadlike texture when grilled. It makes a great addition to a grilled vegetable platter. A recipe from Wisconsin Cheese suggests coating the cheese in balsamic vinegar and then toasting for 2 to 3 minutes on each side on a lightly oiled grill. You can also add this cheese to vegetable kabobs  just skewer the cheese, along with tomatoes, chunks of bread and basil and then grill.

Another option: Paneer, a cheese popular in many Indian dishes, holds up well to strong flavors, so try seasonings like cumin, turmeric, chili powder, garlic powder and even cayenne, or prepare with classic tikka or tandoori spice mixes. Youll want to cook paneer for around 5 to 7 minutes over the flame, depending on the thickness of the pieces.

4. Salsas and dips

You can make a flavor-forward, smoky salsa by prepping your ingredients on the grill. Lightly oil grill grates and put down halved tomatoes or tomatillos, a halved onion, jalapeno peppers, and garlic. Char to taste, then put everything in a food processor or hand chop when the vegetables are cooled. Add lime juice, salt and cilantro. (You can use extra grilled tomatoes for a Bloody Mary, too.)Take that same thought into other dips  char scallions or onions for a more flavorful onion dip, char jalapenos to add another dimension to queso, and blister corn for a corn and crab dip.

5. Fruit

Enjoy natures bounty with grilled fruit, but make sure to use firm varieties cut into large pieces to prevent cooked flesh from falling through the grates. Pineapple, peaches and watermelon all work well on the grill and can be used in desserts, salads or even cocktails. Pair grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream or add grilled pineapples to a pitcher of margaritas or a mai tai. Bobby Yoon, a third-generation restaurateur and owner of Yoon Haeundae Galbi in New York City, throws wedge-shaped watermelon slices on the grill until he sees a char mark, then tops them with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon and sunflower seeds. The result? A dish that reminds him of summers in Korea. Putting lemons or limes on the grill (cut in half, facedown) for a few minutes brings out the natural juices and makes a great squeeze over fish, a smoky addition to salad dressings, or even a twist to traditional lemonade.

6. French toast

Yes, you can even take breakfast outside. Breads Bakery in New York has a recipe for what is dubbed Camp Style French Toast. 

Cut a baguette in half lengthwise, and then in half again crosswise to form 4 pieces. Whisk together 3 eggs, 1/8 cup sugar, 1 cup half and half, and a pinch of salt. Dip the bread into the egg mixture and let sit for a minute to absorb the liquid. Remove from the mixture and allow excess to drip off. 

Oil the grill grates and cook over medium low with the lid closed, making sure to flip when grill marks appear. Serve with fruit or syrup for extra sweetness. 

7. Dessert

Flames are good for more than just smores. Make classic banana boats by vertically slicing bananas in the peel and then stuffing with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Wrap it all in foil and put on the grill.Pound cake and angel food cake are well-suited for grilling, too: Give them a quick char and top with your choice of fruit and whipped cream. Instead of using the oven, take a cast iron skillet outside to make peach cobbler or apple crisp on the grill.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on June 28, 2021. It has been updated to reflect new information.
Celebrity

The 'Alien' actress talks about Me Too movement and believes that she was spared from the rampant abuse in movie industry because she rose to stardom at nearly 30.

Jul 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sigourney Weaver thinks she avoided Hollywood abuse as she was nearly 30 when she found fame. The "Alien" actress, 73, is due to be seen in Amazon Prime's seven-part series "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart", adapted from Holly Ringland's book of the same name, and which tells how a group of women come together to heal from grief, domestic abuse and trauma through the language of flowers.

"By the time I was famous I was 28, so I managed to avoid the vulnerable time," Sigourney told the Sunday Times when asked how she avoided the rampant "abuse" in the film business before the Me Too movement.

"I think that Lost Flowers coming in the wake of #MeToo has even more relevance and power. I was very grateful to do a project that focuses on domestic abuse. Statistics in the US are terrible because we have all these guns and so many domestic incidents involve guns."

Sigourney also told how she has spent years working in human rights, particularly on women's issues. She plays matriarch June Hart in 'Lost Flowers', which she shot in four months in Australia during Covid.

Her husband of 38 years, the theatre director Jim Simpson, has been by her side throughout her long career, with the couple marrying in 1984 five years after the release of "Alien".

Sigourney previously told The Hollywood Reporter, "What has been accomplished with #MeToo is such an important step in the battle for equality in the workplace."

"I think actually nowadays, women, in my opinion, do try to help each other. There's a greater sense of sisterhood. When I was in college we really thought we would get equality in the constitution. We're still waiting!"

The three-time Academy Award nominated actress added, "What we're against is the abuse of power sexual exploitation towards people who are more vulnerable. It's very clear for us in America, except for a few holdouts."

She also said she was "very lucky" to have started out acting in the theatre as it meant she was "working with mostly gay playwrights that I knew from drama school, and gay producers, so no one was interested in me."

Sigourney added, "Then I made 'Alien', which was basically my first film, and no one came near me. They were so afraid I'd yank out a flamethrower, and I think I was already too old for them to take advantage of me."

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Although previous talks to be involved in the 007 franchise met dead end, the 'Dark Knight Rises' director still doesn't rule out the possibility of directing a future Bond movie.

Jul 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Christopher Nolan feels it would be an "amazing privilege" to direct a James Bond film - but only if he could choose the 007 star. The "Oppenheimer" director, 52, whose blockbusters include "The Dark Knight" trilogy as well as "Interstellar" and "Dunkirk", has previously been in talks with Bond producers and has now said he would be willing to make one of the spy movies if it felt like the "right moment" creatively.

"It would be an amazing privilege to do one. It has to be the right moment in your creative life where you can express what you want to express. I love those movies. The influence of those movies on my filmography is embarrassingly apparent," he told the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast with Josh Horowitz.

Host Josh, 47, asked Christopher, "I would imagine you'd want to be involved in casting your Bond?" with the filmmaker replying, "You wouldn't want to take on a film not fully committed to what you could bring to the table creatively. So as a writer, casting director, everything - it's the full package."

Daniel Craig, 55, stepped down as Bond after 2021's "No Time to Die" and there has been rabid speculation since its release about who is going to be the new 007.

Some of Christopher's favourite stars - including "Oppenheimer" lead man Cillian Murphy, 47, and "The Dark Knight Rises" star Tom Hardy, 45, have been named as bookies' top picks to step into the part - along with the latest Batman star Robert Pattinson, 37, who featured in Christopher's mind-bending time travel film "Tenet".

Christopher was approached to make the next 007 film following the release of "Skyfall", but the follow-up "Spectre" ended up being directed by 57-year-old "American Beauty" filmmaker Sam Mendes.

Two years after the 2015 film, Christopher revealed he could "maybe one day" get involved in the franchise.

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The 'Ghostbusters' actor lets it slip that he has moved on following his separation with longtime wife Donna Dixon and now he lives with his new girlfriend.

Jul 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Dan Aykroyd believes he suffers from Asperger's even though it's not been medically diagnosed. Despite thinking he is on the "spectrum," he is now settled in a new relationship.

He split last year from his actress wife of almost 40 years Donna Dixon, 66, with whom he has three daughters, and said about being with a new woman - whose identity he is keeping secret, "I live with a lady partner and we're very happy."

"Donna and I are not cohabiting, but we're great friends. We're collaborating on a screenplay. We agreed on an amicable separation and we're both much happier for it."

Of his possible Asperger's, the 71-year-old "Ghostbusters" actor thinks becoming obsessed with subjects including poltergeists, blues music, and booze, is a sign he has the condition - although its more common symptoms include not understanding emotions and having less facial expressions than other people.

"I know a lot of talented people on the spectrum. I'm not medically diagnosed but I know I have a touch of (Asperger's). It helps with the focus, and there's something in the mind that pops creatively with people on the spectrum. It's a good community and people shouldn't look at it as a handicap, but as an advantage," Dan told the Daily Mail.

Dan, who 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" - and he was seen as so talented he became its youngest cast member aged 23.

He admitted some of their work would never be approved for broadcast in today's 'woke' world. Dan said, "Some sketches might get me cancelled today. But I think in general, what was accepted then is still accepted now; when humour is skilfully done, it's still funny."

"There are more rules today, but I don't think that's 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."

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A source claims the former president of CNN Worldwide and the married CNN host are 'just old friends' despite raising eyebrows with their gesture when leaving Don Lemon's party.

Jul 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Jeff Zucker is reportedly still dating Allison Gollust despite being spotted holding hands with Alisyn Camerota over the weekend. After raising eyebrows with their apparent romantic gesture when leaving Don Lemon's party, it is said that the former CNN honcho is still in a relationship with his girlfriend Allison.

Despite their suspicious move, a source describes Jeff and Alisyn's relationship as "just old friends." The so-called insider additionally tells Page Six that the disgraced media executive and his girlfriend Allison are still together. "Allison and Jeff have never been happier," the source insists, before adding, "He and Camerota were going to meet Allison for coffee."

Jeff and Alisyn, who is still married to Tim Lewis, were spotted holding hands when leaving a brunch hosted by former CNN journalist Don in the Hamptons on Saturday, July 22. In photos obtained by Daily Mail, the two looked quite comfortable with each other, with Alisyn flashing a smile as they walked hand in hand.

Jeff's girlfriend Allison also attended the same bash, but she left on her own. She reportedly arrived at 2:40 P.M., around the same time as Jeff. She exited the party around 3:16 P.M., five minutes after Jeff and Alisyn were seen walking out of the Hamptons home together. The pair allegedly returned 40 minutes later, before leaving in two separate cars.

Jeff and Allison's relationship was discovered in January 2022 during an internal probe into ex-anchor Chris Cuomo, who was fired in December 2021. He resigned from CNN in February last year after acknowledging that he did not disclose a consensual relationship he had with CNN's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Allison, when it began.

Just three weeks ago, the couple was pictured together at a Fourth of July party in southern Italy.

As for Alisyn, she has been married to Tim, a partner at a private equity firm, in Connecticut, since 2002. They share three teen children together.

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When sharing the announcement at the 2023 Rolling Loud Miami festival, the 'SICKO MODE' rapper also declares that his show at the Pyramids of Giza will still go on despite previously getting pushback.

Jul 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Travis Scott (II) has finally confirmed the release date of his highly-anticipated album, "Utopia". The rapper declared that the set will arrive on Friday, July 28 along with a new movie called "Circus Maximus".

The 32-year-old made the announcement during his headlining set at the 2023 Rolling Loud Miami festival on Saturday, July 22. At the event, the emcee premiered the trailer for the upcoming film on the big screens.

Travis will celebrate the album and movie releases by performing at the historic site of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Though the show got pushback from Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate, its promoter Live Nation insisted that the plan is still going.

Travis himself promised fans at Rolling Loud that he will see them in Egypt. The "SICKO MODE" hitmaker previously sent an open letter sent to authorities in the country, pleading that they won't cancel the event.

"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."

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The Emmy Awards is one of the most sought-after nights on national television. As fans gear up for this star-studded event, theres one more affair that keeps them on the edge of their seats - the Nominations. When Yvette Nicole Brown and Frank Scherma took center stage on 12th July to unveil the prestigious nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards, they sure did stir up some piping hot tea for netizens and twitterati alike. So as you get ready for this glamorous evening set to stream LIVE exclusively on Lionsgate Play on 19th September, here are the snubs and you go bud titles from the 75th Emmy Award Nominations.

The curious case of Jeffrey Dahmer - controversy always! Evan Peter starrer Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story earned a whopping 13 nominations this year at the Emmys. This has seemingly created a massive stir amongst audiences across. In a statement to The Wrap, Thomas Jacobson - lawyer to the victims said, By celebrating and rewarding these portrayals, there is a risk of normalizing the actions of individuals like Dahmer, potentially desensitizing audiences to the real-life consequences of violence. While some fans believe credit is due, others think profiting off of trauma is unfair. So the question remains - How far is too far?

Sima Auntie takes the cake! - hmm, still thinking why!

Indian Matchmaking has been the talk of the town ever since its first season in 2020. With Sima from Mumbai having the internet in a chokehold, through countless memes and hilarious tweets the show has landed an Emmy Nomination for the second time. True to her character, Sima Auntie shared a heartfelt message on hearing about the nomination, The recognition is an answer to all the people who were saying negative things about the show. Negative mein bhi maza hai, at least show hit ho raha hai. Now it is left to see if India will take this award home.

Success(ion) Indeed - SO deserving!

It shouldnt come as a surprise that Succession dominated the 75th Emmy Nominees this year. Sitting on the throne with 27 nods of acknowledgement its way, the two-time Best Drama Winner ruled with its last season. From Outstanding Drama Series to Lead Actor, the show has this award season tucked neatly under its thumb. Fans cant contain their excitement as they wait to see their favorite stars take home the gold.

No curtsy for the Prince and his Princess? After baring their heart and soul for the tell-all docuseries, Harry & Meghan, this duo has been royally dismissed. A sureshot to earning at least an nomination at this years Emmy Awards, the viewership for this so-called confession from the former Prince and Princess of Wales simply didnt make the cut. Royal expert, Ingrid Seward weighed in on the couples devastation saying, Meghan and Harry will concentrate in this and make it a positive, however irritated they might be not to be in the Emmy nominations. It is left to see whether or not they come back stronger than a 90s trend.

Only Snubs in the Building

One of the biggest Emmy snubs this year was undoubtedly Selena Gomez and Steven Martin losing out on nominations for the fan-favorite series Only Murders in the Building. While Martin Short received well-deserved recognition for Lead Actor in a Comedy Role, his co-stars were given little to no acknowledgement. So, will the Selenators hold a grudge or is all going to be forgiven?

Surprise Surprise!

The 75th Emmy Nominations had some expected wins, a few snubs but also a whole lot of surprises. From Ted Lasso and Jury Duty leading the comedy nominations to Obi-Wan-Kenobi proving that Star Wars is omnipresent, a flurry of wildcards had fans tingling with excitement. Kathryn Hahn and Kumail Nanjiani also made the list for unexpected nominees this year.
Affinity (www.affinity.com), a fast-growing, diversified ad-tech company operating privacy-friendly advertising networks across the purchase funnel and publisher SaaS products, announces the 100% acquisition of Opinary GmbH, a consumer engagement media tech company in Berlin. The transaction was finalized on July 18, 2023, and was fully funded via a consideration mix of equity and cash.

Founded in 2016 by Pia and Cornelius Frey, Opinary has made significant strides in revolutionizing user engagement and developed a poll-driven audience data pipe across 120 Million monthly users on more than 100 premium publishers like NBC Universal, The Times of London, The Financial Times and Germany based Der Speigel, Tagesspiegel, Burda Forward amongst others. Backed by renowned VCs like Project A and Trafo, Opinary has established itself as a leader in the German media tech space, reshaping the way users interact with digital content.

The acquisition adds a highly-engaging media touchpoint to Affinitys portfolio of privacy-friendly advertising solutions for its existing advertisers and a new monetization and audience enrichment product for its publishers, across US, UK, EU, India and Asia. Additionally, the acquisition strengthens Affinitys market presence in the EU through Opinarys extensive network of brands and publishers. Opinarys leadership team of Cornelius Frey, Pia Frey, Lothar Krause and Torben Brodt, and team of 26 in Germany will join Affinitys team of 400 across India, US, UK, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Brazil, taking the overall team strength to 430.

Affinity was founded in 2006 by Lucas Roh, John Lee, Lavin Punjabi, Bharat Sharma, Nikunj Soni, Vijay Mehta and Monica Ajwani. The company has grown organically at 85% CAGR over the last 4 years. It was announced as a Top 100 company by Red Herring in 2022. Its advertising networks drive over 2 Bn USD of commercial transactions annually for 2,000 advertisers. Its products are deployed across premium publishers like Samsung, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, Msn.com, Vivo, Oppo, Yahoo and 500 others.

We found the right DNA match with Opinary in terms of product, vision and team. This first acquisition is an exciting milestone for us, underscoring our commitment to driving smart and industry-leading solutions, and delivering exceptional value to our clients across the globe. Lucas Roh, co-founder and Chairman of Affinity Global Inc.

This collaboration strengthens our position in Europe and sets the stage for further growth and success internationally. We couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to expand Opinary globally and enhance our portfolio in Europe through Affinity's exceptionally smart suite of offerings. said Opinary CEO Cornelius Frey.
Get ready to embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey with Sony LIV as Twisted Metal makes its Global premiere on the 28th of July. This American series is destined to provide viewers with an amazing viewing experience since it combines the turmoil of a wrecked planet with belly-laugh-inducing hilarity. Michael Jonathan Smith brings Twisted Metal to life in a total of 10 exhilarating episodes.

Twisted Metal, a half-hour live-action TV series based on the classic PlayStation game series, is a high-octane action comedy, based on an original take by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and written by Michael Jonathan Smith, about 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. 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.

This gripping series boasts an exceptionally talented ensemble cast. Anthony Mackie takes the wheel as John Doe, accompanied by Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, Will Arnett, Richard Cabral, and Samoa Joe, among others. So, mark your calendars and don't miss out on this nail-biting adventure that will leave you in absolute splits!
The Belgian Waffle Co, India's largest waffle brand, joyously celebrated the National Waffle Day, an initiative they introduced to India. Marking the same, the brand launched a captivating campaign that left waffle enthusiasts in pure bliss, making it an unforgettable and a heart-warming event. Over the years, the brand has been organizing an extraordinary waffle extravaganza across various regions in India, and this year's celebration reached new heights of excitement and delight.

The three-phased campaign with a theme of #GetWaffling conceptualised by SoCheers, an independently-led creative digital advertising agency, commenced with an intriguing teaser phase, skilfully generating buzz across digital platforms, and outdoors, building anticipation for the grand event on July 19th. True to their tradition, the brand offered delectable waffles at a mere 100 INR, enhancing the excitement and engaging their audience on social media with clever throwbacks to the previous year's celebration.

To further establish the importance of the day, the brand took to their digital to unveil how people began conjuring up creative and humorous excuses to secure a day off from colleges and workplaces on that day. This further piqued curiosity and amplified the campaign's resonance among the target audiences. This thought of giving excuses was taken alive across different campaign activities like influencers on Social Media and RJs on Radio, which helped in creating a consistent tone of voice for the campaign. Not, only this, but the brands employees too went on to their LinkedIn to post about excusing themselves from work on 19th of July.

As the campaign momentum grew, The Belgian Waffle Co, seamlessly shifted the focus to the number 100 to emphasise the offering of any waffle at 100 INR. A captivating Instagram video featuring a girl humorously encountering the number '100' everywhere, further urged viewers to indulge in delicious waffles for just Rs. 100 on July 19th.

Taking the excitement to new heights, the brand created another video of a helicopter soaring above the breath-taking Mumbai skyline, displaying a banner highlighting the incredible offer. The share-worthy content pieces instantly hit a chord with brands GenZ target group and created a lot of conversations on social media.

And, all of this resulted into humongous success for the brand and made people literally queue-up outside the stores despite a heavy downpour in many cities, simply to relish their favourite waffles. The brand and agency left no stone unturned, resulting in a remarkable spike of 12K followers within a single day and an astonishing surge in sales, reaching an impressive 3 Lakh plus footfalls across 434 active stores PAN India in just 1 day.

Ankit Patel, Executive Director and CEO of The Belgian Waffle Co, shared his joy, stating, "We are overwhelmed by the heart-warming response to our National Waffle Day campaign, and it brings us immense joy to see how people relish our waffles with such enthusiasm even in extreme weather conditions. Its a true testimony of our brand the product quality and our ability to deliver a superior product experience at scale through meticulous planning and exceptional execution. Driven by innovation and an intuitive understanding of consumer preferences, we have always embraced modern trends and digital marketing, effortlessly connecting with a new generation of food enthusiasts, particularly the vibrant and tech-savvy GenZ audience. And, the National Waffle Day campaign stands as a testament to the brand's ability to create not just products, but genuine and shareable experiences that forge lasting memories.

Rajni Daswani, Head of Digital Marketing at SoCheers, enthusiastically shared, "Titled, the #GetWaffling the campaign has exceeded all expectations, transcending the conventional boundaries of a product promotion to deliver an immersive experience. Witnessing the seamless conversion of digital engagement into tangible offline footfalls has been a great journey. The perfect synchronization of entertaining content that resonates with GenZ's preferences, coupled with an irresistible offer, has proven to be a winning strategy, resulting in tremendous success for the brand."

The National Waffle Day campaign proved to be a resounding triumph, embodying the spirit of unity, joy, and delectable indulgence as people across India celebrated the very essence of National Waffle Day on 19th of July. The Belgian Waffle Co along with SoCheers not only marked the occasion but also left an indelible mark in the hearts of waffle enthusiasts, promising even more delightful surprises in the years to come.
Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, today launched a global integrated campaign titled Kindness is Sexy featuring new content with actor Aditya Roy Kapur.

Bumbles campaign and this partnership comes at a time when singles in India are more focused on kindness as a key element of their dating decisions. According to Bumbles latest survey, an overwhelming majority (81%) of respondents in India agree that kindness is sexy now more than ever before and 56% of respondents value kindness over physical attributes in a potential partner.

In fact, kindness is one of the most attractive qualities in a person. 41% of Indian Gen Z respondents consider being unkind to strangers as a deal breaker in a relationship. Bumbles new film embodies this sentiment as it features popular actor, Aditya Roy Kapur exploring modern online dating as he redefines stereotypical tropes of sexy through the lens of different facets of kindness in a relationshiprespect, vulnerability to empathy. The film leverages a playful, humourous twist in the end which ultimately shows how kindness is sexy and goes a long way in making meaningful connections.

Speaking on this partnership, actor Aditya Roy Kapur shares, At the end of the day, the heart of everything lies at being good to people around you, including your romantic relationships. I think it's great what Bumble is doing by telling everyone, who is on their platform and whoever wants to join, that what matters is being good to each other, being accountable and responsible on the platform. By showing kindness is sexy, I think they have set the tone very clearly about the kind of interactions and the kind of people they want on the platform - I think more power to Bumble for doing that!

When we approach dating with kindness, we help create an environment of respect and compassion, and for connections to grow, said Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of Bumble. Kindness is a core value here at Bumble, and we know it is the driving force behind our mission of creating healthy and equitable relationships. This new content helps redefine the idea of attraction and encourages us to never lose sight of the most valuable traits in a relationship.

Bumble also found that an overwhelming majority (76%) of those surveyed stated that how they define what makes a great partner has changed dramatically over the past five years. 46% of Indian respondents say that they are no longer willing to date someone who doesn't make time for them and 44% of respondents say they are no longer willing to put up with toxic behaviours.

To highlight that kindness matters on Bumble, the app recently rolled out Compliments, a message before match feature that allows Bumbles community to be even more intentional about starting the conversation in a positive way.
This partnership builds on the initial goal of upskilling 1 million traders from 17 cities to 10 million traders across 29 states

The program will offer trainings in 11 Indian languages for traderacross India

In an effort to empower small businesses across the country, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Meta are expanding their WhatsApp Se Wyapaar program to digitally train and upskill 10 million local traders on the WhatsApp Business App. The partnerships goal is to localise digitisation efforts to unleash growth opportunities for businesses with hyper-local digital trainings in 11 Indian languages across all 29 Indian states.

Leveraging its wide network of 40,000 trade associations and 80 million traders across India, CAIT will conduct a series of workshops designed to provide comprehensive digital and skill training to equip businesses with essential knowledge to help digitise their storefront and build their digital dukaan on the WhatsApp Business App, including educating them on the tools and features available on the app like Catalog, Quick Replies, Click to WhatsApp Ads, that make it easier for small businesses to connect with their customers efficiently.

Over the years, the WhatsApp Business App has provided micro, small businesses and solopreneurs across India a democratised gateway to discover new markets and serve their customers, along with building a professional digital identity for their business. This partnership is another step in empowering the thriving trade community by enabling them to deliver to new age consumer requirements by adapting to and adopting technology levers to Indias socio-economic development.

Praveen Khandelwal, National Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said, With rapidly evolving business needs, technology can be a significant enabler for growth. We believe that with the right tools to upskill themselves, traders across India can benefit from learning newer ways of growing their businesses. The reach and success that the WhatsApp Business App can offer are unparalleled. We are excited to expand our partnership with Meta on WhatsApp Se Vyapaar program, which is designed to upskill 10 million traders across 29 states in India. This partnership will help traders and businesses build a more comprehensive customer base, scale their business, and contribute even further to Indias growing digital economy.

Nick Clegg, President - Global Affairs, Meta, added here, This is an era of entrepreneurship in India. India is experiencing a digital revolution, and the way Indian entrepreneurs and small businesses have embraced technologies like WhatsApp is a huge part of that. We want to keep helping entrepreneurs and small businesses to make the most of the opportunities ahead and continue to be at the heart of Indias Techade.

The partnership will also accelerate CAITs digital skilling charter for the trading community by giving 25,000 traders access to the Meta Small Business Academy. A certification by Meta Small Business Academy will especially help new entrepreneurs and marketers gain critical digital marketing skills to grow on the Meta apps. To enable the program to reach MSMEs across India, the course module and the examination are available in seven languages  English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu.
Godrej Capital, the financial services arm of the Godrej Group, launched its brand campaign, #IssLoanMeinLoadNahi. The campaign has been strategically planned around launching their business loans for MSMEs in 31 markets across India to enable access to credit for business owners to invest in their businesses' growth.

The campaign was developed in alignment with Godrej Group's commitment to nation-building through trust and Godrej Capital's unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable growth for MSMEs across key markets. #IssLoanMeinLoadNahi underlines that Godrej Capital's business loans are not a load, and businesses can leverage the core offerings of flexible repayment options, zero collaterals, and quick loan sanctions. The business loans come with an industry-first reward program that encourages timely repayments. The campaign starts with a fast-paced brand film that positions Godrej Capital as an enabler for growth. The campaign offers a fresh perspective on choosing the right financial partner for financial assistance to enable business growth and unburden financial constraints through seamless financing solutions.

Conceptualized by Creative Land Asia, the storyline narrates small business owners' hesitance to expand because they consider loans to be a load and expect stress related to the loan application process, loan approvals, and the massive repayment burden. Building on that narrative, the campaign #IssLoanMeinLoadNahi highlights Godrej Capital's ability to alleviate these concerns and drive business growth while simplifying the process for business owners. The storyline contextualizes Godrej Capital's flexible repayment options, quick loan sanctions, zero collateral, and exciting rewards on repayments that make business loans load-free.

Elaborating on the campaign, Nalin Jain, Chief Marketing Officer of Godrej Capital, said, "This campaign is rooted in the idea that a loan should never feel like a burden. At Godrej Capital, we firmly believe that a loan should symbolize empowerment and growth. Our goal is to transform how loans are perceived and facilitate business expansion through our innovations, flexible payment options, and digital-first approach. We aim to become the lender of choice for MSMEs and help them grow their businesses to their potential."

The campaign is tailored exclusively for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). It adopts a comprehensive 360 approach, encompassing social media and digital platforms, including Meta, Google, LinkedIn, and OTT platforms like Hotstar and Jio, Radio and OOH.

Creative Land Asia said, "The idea was to communicate the brand message with an engaging visual. We wanted to differentiate Godrej Capital's flexible offering by personifying the feeling of being weighed down by an inflexible loan. Like always, everything boils down to the client team's conviction on backing an idea that's not predictable."

This strategic integration of a multi-channel marketing initiative ensures widespread awareness and impact, reaching the target audience across 31 markets which include Mumbai and Thane, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Bangalore, Aurangabad, Baroda, Coimbatore, Jodhpur, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Mysore, Nagpur, Salem, Udaipur, Vapi, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Alwar, Nashik, Jalandhar, Rajkot, Kanchipuram and Rangareddy.

Agency: Creativeland Asia

Production House: Creativeland Productions

Director: Kartik Ramnathkar
In a strategic move to bolster its investment strategies, Havas Media Network India has appointed Ramsai Panchapakesan as Managing Partner- Investments for Havas Media India. Reporting to R Venkatsubramanian, President  Investments, Havas Media India, and MD of Havas Play, Ramsai brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

Based out of Gurugram, he will oversee Integrated buying in the North and East markets, along with assuming additional responsibilities for Trading.

With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Ramsai is well-positioned to drive partnership strategies, leveraging his robust industry experience and relationships with media partners. His deep understanding of emerging trends, consumer behavior, and market dynamics positions him at the forefront of creating innovative investment approaches.

Previously serving as the Senior Vice President & National Head  Media Buying at Zenith Media, Ramsai played a pivotal role in driving the integrated media business operations. His exceptional leadership skills ensured the seamless execution of annual plans and optimized cost efficiencies. Ramsai also held the position of Agency Trading Head at GroupM m/SIX previously, further solidifying his industry expertise.

Commenting on Ramsais appointment, Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India, said, The current momentum at the media network in India is remarkable, with new client wins, large acquisitions, and widespread expansion. As we strengthen our teams across verticals to deliver best business solutions, Ramsais appointment reinforces our vision and commitment to our clients. His extensive industry experience equips him with a valuable wealth of knowledge and expertise. With him on board, we further scale up and strengthen our media investments and optimize trading and partnership initiatives to create meaningful media solutions.

R Venkatsubramanian, President - Investments, Havas Media India, and MD, Havas Play, further added, These are exciting times to be driving investment and partnership strategies in the media industry, and I am thrilled to have Ramsai join the team. His expertise and deep understanding of industry nuances will unveil remarkable opportunities for us to showcase the agencys prowess and forge strategic partnerships that drive unparalleled success for Havas Media India. I am confident that, together with our talented team, we will achieve remarkable results and deliver exceptional value to our esteemed clients.

Talking about his new role Ramsai Panchapakesan said This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside the prolific Havas Media India team and create meaningful impact for its clients. I am looking forward to driving transformative investment and trading strategies and forging strong partnerships to push the boundaries of media innovation.

As Havas Media Network India consolidates its position in diverse sectors, including automobile, FMCG, eCommerce, finance, edtech, and consumer electricals, it has proudly added several marquee brands such as PUMA, V-Guard, inDrive, Paradise Biryani, Capri Loans among others, to its esteemed clientele this year so far.

Moreover, recent global announcements have reinforced the networks rapid growth trajectory. Notably, the latest acquisition of PivotRoots  a Mumbai based digital marketing firm, introduction of a new brand identity and the successful global launch of Havas Play, including India, earlier this year, have further validated the groups commitment to achieving accelerated expansion. The overarching vision is to continually develop meaningful offerings that resonate across all markets.
You expect to see some things, at the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, and the 90th edition didnt disappoint as it came to a close on Sunday.

Thousands of people flocked to the rodeo site on Dauphin Island throughout the afternoon despite sweltering heat broken late in the day by a brief but torrential shower.

Sights included a steady stream of fish, as anglers arrived by land and by sea; more sharks, though nothing to match a record-breaker caught on Friday; a fake celebrity and a real one; and the ceremonial dunking of the rodeo president.

The rodeo site features a display area where some of the most intriguing fish brought in are laid out on ice for visitors to see and touch.

On Sunday, the area was staffed by some unusually young volunteer scientists. 10-year-old Khloe Weber showed off a dinner plate-sized octopus, encouraging other kids to touch it and to let her drape one of its arms over their hand.

Asked for their oddest exhibit, Weber and Ava Powers showed off a flying gurnard, spreading out its winglike fins.

At the dock, an even odder figure came into view as the Lady Ann, a charter boat based on Dauphin Island, came in: Among the people on deck was someone who looked an awful lot like Cousin Eddie, the deranged Randy Quaid character from the National Lampoon Vacation movies. He had the bathrobe, he had the cigar, he had the trapper hat.

As Stephen Laurendine, aka "Cousin Eddie," looks on, one of the fish brought by the Lady Ann is weighed on the closing day of the 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

And yes, the hat was hot, confirmed Stephen Laurendine, the man embodying the icon. The same team on Lady Ann has been riding together for 10 years, probably the first year one of the guys said I looked like Cousin Eddie. I really didnt know who Cousin Eddie was, but it turned out I kind of looked like him. So he leaned into it. They no longer call me my name. Im always Cousin Eddie.

Another member of the crew on Lady Ann, Melvin Dunn, was telling the story of the one that got away.

We lost one close to 200 pounds, he said of a tuna hooked early Friday. We fought him for three hours, got him 80 feet from the boat, and the line broke. Good fish, really good fish. Big yellowfin. It would have been our biggest.

Seeing the Lady Ann at the dock on Sunday afternoon was predictable:

The usual pattern is that the biggest boats go out the farthest and stay out the longest. Dunn said the Lady Ann had left Thursday night, but hadnt gone that far, fishing areas about 75 miles out.

Normally we go a lot farther, he said.

This year we just decided to stay in close. The blue water was there, so at $4 a gallon, why go waste fuel? We could have went 125 miles and just burned a whole lot more fuel. We caught so many fish on Friday we went through 1,800 pounds of ice. We had 60 dolphin [Mahi Mahi] on the boat, 10 yellowfin, plus everything else. We only had so much ice, we had to quit fishing this morning because we didnt have enough ice to ice everything down.

Retired marine scientist Bob Shipp, highly regarded for a career that included serving as chair of the Marine Sciences Department at the University of South Alabama, put in an appearance at the 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

As rodeo staff and volunteers kept busy at the weigh station, they had a visit from a special guest: Retired marine scientist Bob Shipp, professor emeritus of the University of South Alabamas Marine Sciences Department and the guy who literally wrote the book on the fishes of the Gulf of Mexico.

Shipp, who served for many years as the rodeos head judge, was influential in cultivating connections between the rodeo and the scientific community. (Every year, scientists take samples from thousands of fish along with data on how and where they were caught.)

It had been three or four years since Shipp, 80, last attended the rodeo. But he seemed to feel at home as he watched the proceedings in the weigh station and talked to a steady stream of well-wishers.

Its fun, having a little insight into some of this stuff, he said.

When we first got started, the first year I was involved was 82, Shipp said of the rodeo. It was nothing but a good little fishing with a half-dozen species categories, and when we decided to try to use the information to help support a masters program at the university, it just swelled after that. This is what it is today. You know, the Guinness Book of Records people were here a few years ago and they declared this the biggest and oldest fishing tournament in the world.

At 5 p.m., a ceremonial cannon blast signified the end of competition. The weigh station would keep hopping for another hour or more, as workers processed a backlog of entries from boats that had arrived before the gun.

Among them: a 410-pound tiger shark brought in by brothers Danny and Mark Winstanley, using a boat that Danny Winstanleys son had won at the 2003 rodeo.

Me and him been fishing these things since we was like 12, said Mark Winstanley. Wed go shark fishing in a 14-foot boat. We was so crazy.

You dont have to be crazy to be involved in the rodeo, though they say it helps. Shortly after the cannon blast, Rodeo President Kevin Marks received the traditional show of appreciation from his fellow Mobile Jaycees: They threw him off the dock.

Kevin Marks, president of the 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, is thrown into Aloe Bay by his staff after the firing of the closing cannon on Sunday, July 23, 2023.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

As he lingered in the water, and as he hugged fellow rodeo officials afterward, Marks looked like a man whod just felt a large weight lift from his shoulders.

It was a really special moment, Marks said. There is a lot of work that goes into this. And Ive got a team of people that have supported this direction all year long. And that has driven the level of success that weve achieved in providing this event for the community.

Marks said 3,630 anglers had bought tickets, and that sponsor packages brought the total to 4,372. But what stood out for him was the camaraderie of this group.

That has brought us all together on completing a single goal, of putting on a successful tournament, he said.

Related: More sharks come in as 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo concludes
A womans remains stuffed into three suitcases were found floating in the water in Florida Friday.

Police in Delray Beach, just north of Boca Raton, were called to an area of the intercoastal waterway on Floridas east coast after someone reported seeing something strange in the water.

Detectives responding to the scene found a suitcase with human remains inside.

A short time later, two additional suitcases were located nearby, also with human remains inside.

Delray Beach (Fla.) police are hopeful someone can identify this pattern from the shirt worn by a female whose remains were found in three suitcases floating in the intercoastal waterway Friday.

The remains were taken to the local medical examiners office. Preliminary findings indicate the victim is a middle-aged white or Hispanic woman, with brown hair and about 5-4 in height. Police said she may have had tattooed eyebrows and was wearing a floral tank top with a black undershirt and black mid-thigh shorts.

Police are hoping that information leads to identifying the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Delray Beach Police Department at 561-243-7874.
Lawyers for a woman accused of pushing another woman off a northeast Alabama cliff to her death nearly two years ago want body camera footage from the search of her residence and recordings of her statements to police.

Thats according to court documents filed on behalf of Loretta Kay Carr, 45, of Fort Payne, charged last month with capital murder-kidnapping in the October 2021 death of Mary Elizabeth Isbell.

The remains of Isbell, who had been reported missing for almost two years, were identified June 30, on what would have been her 39th birthday, after their discovery in Little River Canyon National Park.

Carrs daughter, Jessie Eden Kelly, 21, is currently in custody awaiting extradition to Alabama on capital murder charges in connection with the case. Authorities expect Kelly to be extradited to Alabama sometime this summer.

Carrs lawyers earlier this month sought to bar statements from lawyers and authorities on the case, as well as cameras from her trial.

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

Isbell was reported missing by her ex-husband on Dec. 27, 2021. Detectives with Hartselle police used phone records to determine she had been living in the DeKalb County area on Lookout Mountain.

A search of her residence and vehicle turned up physical evidence - including signs of a struggle - which was entered into a national database, authorities said.

The discovery of her remains came after a tip last month. Authorities believe Isbells death occurred sometime between the evening of Oct. 18 and the early morning of Oct. 19, 2021. The three women knew each other through a man, an investigator said following Carrs arrest.

Though investigators suspected Isbells body was somewhere in the area of park, they were unsure of its exact location until they received information from one of the suspects.
In one week, the American Cancer Society conceived, created, and purchased billboards in Montgomery pushing for Medicaid expansion in Alabama. But the story behind the campaign goes back a full year.

Jane Adams, ACS Cancer Action Networks government relations director, was waiting for prescriptions at the Star Discount Pharmacy in Huntsville one night in July 2022 when she noticed a veteran named Jesse Odland speaking to a pharmacy tech. He had bandages wrapped around his swollen legs. His prescriptions cost $450 because he didnt have medical insurance.

Adams took a moment and prayed.

I said, God, if I have one business card in my purse, Im going to talk with this guy. She found one crumpled card and approached Odland with an offer to pay for his prescriptions.

Odland asked if shed fallen from the sky and initially refused, but Adams told him her background and that if he lived in Kentucky, where the government expanded Medicaid in 2014, he wouldnt be stuck in this position.

And thats not right, Adams told him. So, Im going to journey with you as a friend.

Over the next few months, Adams helped with his prescription costs and learned more about Odlands story. He enlisted because of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and spent two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Army, and he couldnt get the care he needed from Veterans Affairs. He developed chronic leg edema, which is swelling caused by too much fluid buildup. He talked with two battle buddies and thought his condition could be linked to exposure to toxic chemicals from burn pits while deployed.

Odland said those interactions with Adams came at a critical time.

It was literally the worst time of my little 40 years of life on this planet, Odland said. I thought I hit a bunch of adversity going to war. I thought Id hit a bunch of adversity when I had to file bankruptcy in 2010. And none of that compared to not being able to work and being literally bedridden, and watching everything just crumble around me and having nothing I could do about it. "

His family was in what is known as the coverage gap; they were making too much money to get Medicaid but not enough to qualify for government-subsidized private insurance. He and his wife lost their jobs and their children moved in with other family members.

Within a few months, he could stand long enough without pain to resume his job as a line cook. His wife found work at a hotel, and they earned enough to qualify for Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance with no premium. Now hes a kitchen manager and about to move into an apartment with his wife and children.

All it took was a couple of months to radically transform his life and get him back on his feet, Adams said. And this is the kind of story we want to tell. And there are thousands of people like Jesse all over the state of Alabama that are not looking for a handout; theyre looking for a hand up.

Adams kindness and belief in the cause is what spurred Odland to be the face for this campaign. He said he felt this was a similar call to action like when he was inspired to join the military after 9/11. He wanted to be part of the bigger picture and do something.

I believe that everybody should be able to go to the doctor without having to choose whether or not I can feed my kids, Odland said. Its not right for anybody to have to go through that.

Alabama is one of 10 states that havent expanded Medicaid. Medicaid expansion would cover those in the gap, and Adams said shes in Montgomery this week to get support from legislators who are back for a special redistricting session. Several of them have seen the billboard on the way to the capital, and so far, she said shes gotten a positive reception. However, the expansion approval must come from Gov. Kay Ivey. Adams is hoping shes seen the billboards featuring Odland as well.

She said this was the first time ACS had purchased billboards. Their marketing team typically invests in radio and digital ads but did this spontaneously to take advantage of the special session.

We wanted to highlight a veteran who is in the coverage gap whos working (and) contributing to their community, Adams said. These are real folks that live in Alabama that have real healthcare concerns, and I wanted to increase the visibility of that.

Odland said he hopes Gov. Ivey sees the billboard and listens to others like him.

If I can change someones life, if they dont have to go through what I went through, then I have done my job, Odland said.
Birmingham police are searching for an 11-year-old boy who ran away from home.

Davon Jamall Warren was last seen Thursday in the 1900 block of Aspen Run. No other details were given.

Davon is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Cullman police are looking to identify those involved in an assault Saturday night at the Rock the South music festival that sent at least one man to the hospital.

Event organizers are offering a $10,000 reward in the case.

Cullman police directed AL.com to a statement on the departments Facebook page.

The Cullman Police Department is aware of the assault that took place at Rock the South last evening, according to the statement. A report is being filed and an investigation is underway.

We are relying on the publics assistance in identifying those involved, according to the statement.

Kaci Howard, in a Facebook post Sunday, identified her son as an assault victim at the Rock the South event.

PLEASE help me find the cowards who did this to my son tonight at Rock the South. There were several grown men (30s-40s) who jumped on him and beat him unconscious while his girlfriend stood there screaming and crying for help, Howard stated.

They continued beating him while he was on the ground until security finally got to them and got Reid and Katie out of there and to an ambulance. He has a fractured nose, concussion, stitches, knots the size of softballs on the back of his head. He never even saw it coming. They jumped on him out of nowhere because one of them said he spilled a drink on him. Reid didnt even have a drink in his hand. Anyone whos ever met Reid knows his personality. He never meets a stranger, he can literally get along with anyone. He is a good kid and he did not deserve this. PLEASE share and help me find whos responsible.

One of them had long curly hair, red white and blue hat, about 6 ft. and a bigger guy wearing a white shirt. I dont have much of a description of the rest of them but I know a lot of people saw so someone knows who these cowards are.

Video of the fight was put on Facebook.

Please let me or the Cullman Police know if you recognize any of these guys, Howard wrote.

Laura Quick, wife of festival founder Shane Quick, confirmed to AL.com that there is a $10,000 reward, plus lifetime tickets to the event, being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the assault.

This years event included 16 acts during the three-night run, including headliners Chris Stapleton, Riley Green and Zach Bryan, with Dee Jay Silver spinning tunes between sets.

At the end of the event Saturday night, Shane Quick announced to the crowd that Rock the South had broken attendance records. This is the largest Rock the South in history, Shane Quick said. People from 13 countries are here tonight. Every single state in the United States of America is here tonight.

Anyone with information regarding incident contact the Cullman Police Department at 256-734-1434.
A 41-year-old Jacksonville, Fla., was killed Sunday when his motorcycle left the roadway on Interstate 10 and struck a guardrail.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the accident occurred about 11:30 a.m Sunday on I-10 about five miles east of Loxley in Baldwin County.

When the 2016 Victory Freedom motorcycle driven by Leroy J. Favroth hit the guardrail, Favroth was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

No other details were available as ALEA continues to investigate the crash.
A bill to take $5 million in state funds from the Alabama Department of Archives and History because it hosted a one-hour lecture on LGBTQ history did not pass during the special session that ended Friday.

But the sponsor, Sen. Chris Elliott, a Republican from Baldwin County, said he plans to bring legislation next year that he said would make Archives and History more accountable to taxpayers and responsive to legislators.

Elliott said he believes the LGBTQ history lecture clashed with what most people in Alabama believe is appropriate for a state agency and that Archives and History Director Steve Murray should have cancelled it after he and other lawmakers raised objections.

Elliott said his bill next year would propose changes to how the Archives and History board of trustees is appointed. He said the agency could expect more scrutiny of its budget.

I think the underlying issue here is that this department is not and has not been listening to the appropriators and the legislators, Elliott said. And their board is clearly out of touch with what the people of Alabama want. And so, the Legislature is going to take action on that.

Earlier this month, Archives and History released a July 14 letter from Murray to legislators in response to their criticism of the lecture, which was part of the agencys Food for Thought series, a monthly lunchtime program Archives and History has hosted for more than 30 years. Murray wrote that he spoke with nine legislators on June 14, one day before the program was held.

Murray wrote that he respected the authority and responsibility of the Legislature to appropriate state funds. But he said the lecture, called Invisible No More: Alabamas LGBTQ History, was appropriate under Archives and Historys mandate as spelled out in state law, including the diffusion of knowledge in reference to the history and resources of the state.

The lecture highlighted the contributions of a few LGBTQ Alabamians in their chosen pursuits and examined the early histories of LGBTQ organizations in Alabama through the records created by groups in Auburn, Tuscaloosa, and Birmingham starting in the early 1970s, Murray wrote.

The speaker was Maigen Sullivan, co-founder and director of research at the Invisible Histories Project, which collects and preserves LGBTQ history in Alabama and the southeast and makes that information more accessible. It was the second straight year for a speaker from the Invisible Histories Project to present one of the Food for Thought lectures, which are free to attend, are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube and are available on YouTube.

Elliotts bill did not come up for a vote during the special session, which Gov. Kay Ivey called because the Legislature had to redraw the states congressional districts after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Alabamas district map likely violated the Voting Rights Act. A House version of the bill by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, a Republican from Morgan County, also did not come up for a vote. The Legislature returns for its regular session next year on Feb. 6.

Former Democratic state Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham, before the start of the special session, told AL.com that she thought Elliotts proposal was ridiculous.

Its part of this pattern of people who dont understand our community, said Todd, the states first openly gay lawmaker who now oversees Alabama Equality, a pro-LGBTQ political action committee.

The (presentation at) History and Archives is a part of Alabama history, like it or not, Todd said. Its like you want to pick and choose the history we want to talk about? No one wants that. Or maybe they do. But we are everywhere. We are in your schools, maybe teaching your kids and raising your own kids and in your faith communities. We are everywhere.

Murray wrote that this years Food for Thought series was scheduled in the summer of 2022. Marketing emails promoting the events go out monthly and a reminder goes out to a list of 16,000 recipients one or two days before the lecture. Murray wrote that the lectures are promoted to general adult audiences and not children.

Elliott said he and other lawmakers contacted Murray after they heard from people in their districts.

I wasnt aware of it until I started hearing from my constituents, which is exactly how this is supposed to work, Elliott said. There was an opportunity for Archives and History to say, Look, we understand weve made a mistake. We understand this is not something the Alabama Legislature is in favor of. This is not something the people of Alabama are necessarily in favor of. And were not going to do it again.

Im not interested in setting the programming for the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Elliott said. But I am interested in state departments, whomever they may be, listening to legislators when legislators have a problem and say, Hey, this isnt something that reflects our values. This is not something that should be discussed at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

On Monday, AL.com asked Murray if he had any response to Elliotts plans for bringing legislation again next year.

Beyond the July 14 letter, our only comment at this point is that the ADAH will be prepared before and during the regular session to share with members additional information on the work of the Archives and to answer any questions they may have, Murray said in an email.

AL.com reporter John Sharp contributed to this article.
A man awaiting trial for the 2011 death of his wife in Tennessee is behind bars in Alabama, accused of stalking his second wife who divorced him earlier this year.

David Glen Swift, 55, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail in Friday on a charge of first-degree stalking. He remained in jail Monday on no bond.

Jefferson County sheriffs officials say detectives were able to find location information for Swift and determine he had been following his ex-wife, which included parking outside of her home at all hours of the night in western Jefferson County.

The couple married in Mobile in 2016 and separated in June 2022, according to court records. Their divorce was final in March.

Tennessee authorities are now working to revoke his bond on the murder charge.

Im very pleased with the hard work that our deputies put into helping this victim, said sheriffs Lt. Joni Money. She was not even aware of the extent to which she was being followed.

Swift was indicted last year on a charge of murder in the slaying of Karen Swift and is set to go on trial in Tennessee in that case in January 2024.

Karen Swifts body was found Dec. 10, 2011, more than a month after the mother was reported missing that October.

Her body was found six weeks after she vanished and two miles away from her home in a cemetery.

The case was featured in Datelines Cold Case spotlight digital series in 2015, more than three years after she was killed. At the time, her husband was considered a person of interest because Karen Swift had filed for divorce three weeks before she disappeared.

Dyer County, Tenn. Sheriff Jeff Box said at the time of the indictment announcement that David Swift was the last person to her alive when she returned home from a Halloween party held at The Dyersburg Country Club at The Farms.

David Swift told investigators that he was the last person to see his wife the night she vanished, saying she had left a Halloween party early the night of October 29th, 2011 to pick up one of the couples daughters from a sleepover because the child was not feeling well, according to Dateline.

He reported her missing the following morning.

That same morning, police located Karens 2004 Nissan Murano a few miles away from her home. The SUV was abandoned with her Halloween costume inside, a tire was shredded, and Karens purse was missing.

The indictment was handed down in August 2022, and David Swift was quickly arrested in Alabama, where he had remarried and was living in Jefferson County.

Today is a good day for law enforcement and Im very pleased the grand jury returned an indictment against (David) Swift, Box said when he announced the indictment. We have literally spent thousands of hours on this case and a lot of that time was spent dispelling false information and rumors. Our investigators never gave up and just kept going through the evidence and I want to sincerely thank them for their diligence in this case.

The one thing that held true since the early stages of the investigation into Karens death was that David was always a suspect because all the evidence pointed to him, Box said. We were able to rule anyone and everyone else out involving this tragic murder and the grand jury made the right decision today by indicting him on a pre-meditated first-degree murder charge.

David Swift was extradited from Alabama to Tennessee and bond was set at $200,000, at which time he returned to western Jefferson County .
Its Monday, so dont forget the quiz below. Also, there are multiple items on saltwater animals for you seafaring and beach-bumming types.

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Next stop: Court?

In the biggest surprise since humidity in July, a political party was tasked with making changes that might benefit its opponent in the next election, and it didnt create widespread harmony.

Now that the Alabama legislature has drafted and approved a measure creating a brand-new Congressional district map, per court order, and Gov. Kay Ivey has signed that measure into law, the next question is whether the courts will weigh back in on what Alabamas Republican majority did.

AL.coms Mike Cason reports that state Democrats are less than pleased with the outcome.

A federal court had found that Alabamas Congressional district map may have been defying the Voting Rights Act, that the states Black population is high enough and dense enough geographically to support two highly minority districts, and that the Legislature should adjust the Congressional districts so that a second one was majority Black or something close to it.

So the Republican-dominated State House came up with a plan that would maintain a Black majority in District 7, and would increase District 2 from 30-percent Black to 40-percent Black.

Thats clearly a change. But its clearly not a Black majority. And its clearly not suddenly a slam-dunk for the Democrats to take District 2.

Whats not clear is how the court will feel about it.

A hoss of a shark

It didnt take long for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo to produce a hoss of a fish.

WKRG-TV reported that on Friday, an angler off Dauphin Island hauled in a 1,019-pound tiger shark. It was 13 feet long and fought for about 45 minutes until they got him to the boat. Brett Rutlege reeled him in.

For more on the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo check out al.com/life.

Manatee watch

As north Gulf Coast folks know, were well into manatee-spotting season, and theyll be around until this fall when it starts cooling off.

(They like to split before most of the snowbirds get here.)

But for now, researchers are wanting help keeping eyes peeled for the threatened species around Dauphine Island, reports AL.coms Mary Helene Hall.

Of course, they want boaters to keep their eyes peeled to they dont run them over. But theyre also asking people to report sightings by calling 1-866-493-5803, emailing manatee@disl.edu or register it on the website at manatee.disl.edu.

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By the numbers

$10,000: Thats the reward offered by the Rock the South music festival to help authorities investigate a reported assault that happened during the event.

More Alabama news

Born on this date

In 1900, Zelda Sayre of Montgomery, later Zelda Fitzgerald, socialite, wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, and an author and artist herself.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked President Biden for a ride home on Air Force One following Queen Elizabeths funeral last September, according to British tabloid reports.

The reported request was immediately shut down by the White House, with one source describing the idea as a non-starter.

Harry and Meghan live in California, but they were already in the U.K. for charity reasons when the queen died on Sept. 8, 2022. They stuck around through her funeral on Sept. 19.

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were among the many foreign dignitaries in attendance for the ceremony. According to tabloid sources, Harry and Meghan were hoping for a ride home with them.

However, as pointed out by New York magazine, the timeline does not exactly line up. The Bidens left London on Air Force One at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the funeral.

Harry and Meghan, meanwhile, would have been expected to attend a private committal service at 4 p.m., followed by a private burial for the queen.

Additionally, the two famous couples live on opposite sides of the country. A flight from London to Washington wouldve only carried Harry and Meghan a little more than halfway to their home in Southern California.

According to Harrys book Spare, he and Meghan left the U.K. on Sept. 20, the day after the funeral, taking a British Airways flight from London direct to Los Angeles.

Harry and Meghan did not comment on the tabloid reports. Harry has made his disdain for the tabloids clear, and he has filed multiple lawsuits against publishing companies in the U.K.

___

2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
After a couple of weeks of mild conditions with mostly yellow flags flying, strong rip currents returned to Panama City Beach Monday, with one woman drowned and multiple other swimmers needing rescue.

The Bay County (Fla.) Sheriffs Office said the woman was pulled from the water behind Rick Seltzer Park and transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

About 3:15 p.m., the sheriffs office announced double red flags had been posted, meaning the water was off limits to the public due to hazardous conditions. Cell phone alerts were sent to those in the beach area warning of the threat and the closure.

Deputies attempting to rapidly change the flags to double red were frequently called to assist a distressed swimmer, the BCSO said. Numerous water rescues had been performed as of late afternoon Monday.

The sheriffs office noted those entering the water when double red flags are posted can not only be arrested and fined $500, but put first responders and well-intentioned bystanders in danger when they enter the water.

Mondays drowning was the seventh reported in Bay County since June 15.
Marcia L. Fudge, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will come to Birmingham on Wednesday to discuss major community investments and initiatives here and across the country.

I am looking forward to visiting Birmingham to support the citys efforts to transform neighborhoods and make Birmingham a great place to live, Fudge said in a statement to AL.com announcing her visit. At HUD, we are excited to actively support communities in their efforts to create impactful changes.

Her visit coincides with the timeline for word on the citys application for a $50 million federal grant to redevelop the Smithfield, Graymont and College Hills neighborhoods just west of downtown Birmingham. The city is a finalist for HUDs highly competitive Choice Neighborhoods Grant.

City officials and Housing Authority of the Birmingham District leaders have touted the Choice Neighborhoods program as transformational.

If approved for a grant, the city would provide up to $35 million of matching funds over the eight-year grant term. The entire project could yield a $242 million economic impact, city officials have said.

In Birmingham on Wednesday, Fudge and Mayor Randall Woodfin will meet with residents of the Smithfield Court public housing community , and then hold a press conference with officials and community members. She will also tour the surrounding Smithfield, College Hills, and Graymont neighborhoods.

Birminghams plan for using the Choice funds for redevelopment emanates from Smithfield and branches out into the adjacent neighborhoods. About 1,100 homes would be funded with the grant, along with replacing Smithfield Court. The 500-unit complex was built in 1942 and is the citys oldest public housing site. New homes would be affordable and include a variety of options including multifamily and single-family designs, under the plan.

Birmingham city leaders along with officials at the housing authority have said redevelopment would involve improving communities on multiple levels, including upgrading long distressed public housing, creating mixed-income housing to fit the surrounding neighborhoods needs, and improving the income, health, and educational outcomes for people in the community.

The goal also includes attracting reinvestment to bring amenities that will enhance the quality of life for residents.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, hailed Fudges visit and the major announcement that she is likely to deliver. Sewell on Monday said she would join Woodfin and other Birmingham leaders for the neighborhood tour and meetings with residents.

I look forward to welcoming HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to the city of Birmingham this Wednesday and to participate in the major announcement and tour, she told AL.com. I have been working with the city of Birmingham to address the housing needs in the Smithfield, College Hills and Graymont neighborhoods. If awarded, this funding would be the catalyst for transformational change in the city of Birmingham.

In preparation of the application, the city of Birmingham and the housing authority held a series of public meetings to gather input and shape a collective vision for neighborhoods. Plans are already underway in preparation for a successful grant. These include rezoning large parcels of land running from Legion Field to Parker High School.

The city would also move the Smithfield Library from its current location at Center Street and Eighth Avenue West to further down the street, where it would be part of a new three-story, mixed-use housing development.

The city also plans to buy more than 11 acres of property near Parker High School to build 350 new multi-family homes. Parker High School would not be affected, city officials have stressed, but the move would encourage more people to live into the community that the school serves.

HUD officials said they would provide additional details about Fudges trip to Birmingham in the coming days.
On the heels of a stinging rebuke in Allen v. Milligan, Alabama has redrawn congressional districts inconsistent with the United States Supreme Courts recent reasoning and the basics of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Its a missed opportunity which will almost certainly result in an unelected Special Master creating congressional districts in Alabama instead of legislators.

Legislative map drawing under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) demands racial gerrymandering. We should be honest about that reality. Otherwise, it would be nearly impossible to create a majority-minority district. In Allen, Chief Justice Roberts noted that deciding whether additional majority-minority districts can be drawn requires a quintessentially race-conscious calculus.

Other columns by Cameron Smith:

But the Court is understandably uncomfortable with the idea that race alone should decide how legislators draw districts.

The VRA, subsequent amendments, and judicial interpretations are a quagmire of subjectivity and seeming contradictions. Section 2 of the VRA states that no racial group has a right to representation in numbers equal to their proportion in the population. Yet the District Court in Allen focused heavily on the percentage of Black voting-age Alabamians (27%) relative to the overall percentage of majority-Black House districts. The Supreme Court has said that race must be a consideration in drawing legislative maps, but race must not be given a predominant role without a compelling reason.

If it all seems a little confusing, thats because it is.

Rather than clear tests and bright lines, the VRA relies heavily on a totality of the circumstances analysis which basically boils down to a judge subjectively determining whether a legislative map complies with Section 2. Yes, the relevant considerations have been well established in case law, but how to weigh them in a context of historical and present discrimination is anything but certain.

Alabama legislators have relied on that uncertainty in the dim hope they will be able to maintain six Republican-dominated legislative districts. The newly enacted maps make the current majority-Black Seventh Congressional District far more competitive and decline to create a second majority-Black district.

From a legal perspective, that dog will not hunt.

Alabamas primary arguments in defense of the new maps arent materially different from those recently dispatched by the Court in Allen. There the Court reaffirmed the well-established Gingles test and agreed with the lower court that plaintiffs were likely to prevail against the state on Section 2 grounds for a map with only one majority-Black district.

The VRA creates districts where politically cohesive and geographically contiguous voters of a shared race have the opportunity to elect their preferred candidates.

Plaintiffs illustrative maps strongly suggest[ed] that Black voters in Alabama could constitute a majority in a second, reasonably configured, district, Chief Justice Roberts wrote in Allen. The lower court in Allen was even more precise in noting any remedial plan will need to include two districts in which Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it.

While Alabama certainly isnt compelled to use the plaintiffs maps produced in Allen, the Supreme Court has placed a heavy hand on the judicial scales in favor of two majority-Black districts. In his Allen dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas made every possible argument against the VRA and did so in a far more precise manner than the State of Alabama. He did not persuade his colleagues.

The VRA is both current law and constitutionally supported by the Supreme Court.

Alabamas elected leaders have decided the best path forward is to throw a Hail Mary pass in the form of maps they prefer. If they fail in court, a judge or special master will make the maps for them. When Democrats pick up a congressional seat in the state, Republicans will undoubtedly blame activist judges. They should have taken the opportunity to be strategic in their mapmaking instead of belligerent.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with a house full of boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. Hes a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to csmith@al.com or @DCameronSmith on Twitter.
31

That is the number of months that have elapsed since Alabama was officially announced as the location for U.S. Space Command headquarters.

3

That is the number of independent studies conducted by the Department of Defense Inspector General and the Government Accounting Office that rate Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal as the best place for U.S. Space Command headquarters.

5

That is where President Joe Bidens preferred state of Colorado ranks on the list of states qualified to house U.S. Space Command.

3135

Those three simple numbers are all of the evidence you need to demonstrate that the Biden administration has fully politicized the most important long-term strategic decision that Pentagon officials have made in decades.

During his more lucid moments, Biden has made no secret that he prefers to place U.S. Space Command in a blue state like Colorado that aligns more closely with his own ultra-liberal views rather than a red state like Alabama that fiercely embraces conservative principles and strongly supported President Donald Trumps candidacy in both 2016 and 2020.

But with space serving as the newest battlefield in potential conflicts with hostile nations like Russia, China, and North Korea, politicizing what should be a decision based solely upon military advantage harms our defensive posture and puts the lives of roughly 335 million residents of the United States at risk.

The members of Alabamas congressional delegation, even those whose districts are located at the opposite extreme of the Tennessee Valley, are currently fighting a tremendous battle against Bidens politicization in the corridors, committee rooms, and chambers of the U.S. Capitol building.

Both U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville and Senator Katie Britt recently met with General James Dickinson, the commanding general of U.S. Space Command, and publicly reported they received his assurance that Alabama remains the unequivocal choice for the agencys headquarters among members of the nations military leadership. Congressman Dale Strong, whose district includes Huntsville, received the same affirmation from Dickinson.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, a veteran congressman from the Anniston area with more than two decades of service, has inserted a provision in legislation that bans any construction related to Space Command headquarters from taking place until the Air Force confirms Alabama as the permanent location.

The Rogers amendment also freezes half of the Air Force secretarys travel budget until a permanent announcement is forthcoming.

Likewise, Congressman Robert Aderholt of Haleyville and Congressman Jerry Carl of Mobile both serve on the House Appropriations Committee and have also inserted clauses pausing Space Command construction and other military development until an official announcement that is in alignment with the independent selection process is made.

And after the Air Force leadership obliquely suggested that the criteria for locating Space Command may have secretly changed without public notice, Rogers has opened an Armed Service Committee investigation into the delay surrounding the headquarters, and every email, memo, letter, note, and other material that touches upon the topic is becoming subject to congressional subpoena.

Congressman Gary Palmer of Birmingham, Congressman Barry Moore of Enterprise, and even Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Birmingham, a fellow Democrat with Biden, have also communicated with the Air Force secretary and are equally committed to championing Redstone Arsenals cause.

With the 2024 presidential election fast approaching, the stench of politics surround Space Command becomes exponentially stronger with each day that passes.

A final, firm, and committed Pentagon announcement that Redstone Arsenal secured the selection was supposed to occur in December, but openness and accountability have been replaced with silence and stonewalling.

Despite Bidens ongoing efforts to corrupt a fair and independent process, Alabamians can remain secure in the knowledge that our congressional delegation is working hard every day to fight the smoke and mirrors approach being pushed by the White House and return honesty and fairness to the Space Command headquarters selection.

For that, we can all be thankful.

Will Ainsworth is in his second term as Lieutenant Governor of Alabama










English News China writes splendid chapter of panda protection

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 23 Juillet 2023



China initiated a wilderness training program for giant pandas, which aims at releasing artificially bred pandas to expand endangered panda populations in the wild. So far, more than 10 captive pandas have been released through this creative protection method.

By Zhang Zejun Pandas are unquestionably one of the most adorable animals among millions of species living on the Earth. They have a round face, a body in black and white, black eye patches and a pair of black ears. Their chubby and fluffy body make them extremely "adorkable."



Pandas are national treasures of China. Over recent years, China has witnessed steady expansion of the panda population, improved environment of the animal's habitats, and constant progress in panda protection and research. It mirrors the country's achievements in ecological progress and biodiversity conservation.



The loveliness of pandas is a result of the Earth's evolution of billions of years. It carries the code of biological evolution and reflects the progress of panda protection, propagation and ecological studies.



Pandas have a round face because their cheekbones are wide, which makes the nose look shorter. The black-and-white body is also one of the adorable features of pandas. This "colorway" helps pandas keep warm on mountains and in forests and is also the animal's camouflage. However, not all pandas are black and white. Currently, a rescued brown and white panda named Qi Zai is living in the Qinling research center of giant panda breeding in northwest China's Shaanxi province. Since 1985, giant pandas with brown fur have been spotted six times in the Qinling Mountains.



Compared with their acute sense of smell and strong hearing capacity, pandas' visual acuity is weak. They have a myopia of about 800 degrees. However, in bamboo groves, they don't need a strong visual ability.



Pandas are pigeon-toed. Their wobbly walks make them very cute. Such slow movement helps them save strength. Besides, pandas can swim and climb trees, and have flexible joints that enable them to make unexpected moves.



Fossils of the ancestral panda Ailurarctos lufengensis, the oldest panda found so far, were discovered in Lufeng, southwest China's Yunnan province. The ancestral panda lived in the late Miocene about 8 million years ago, and was a rare species native to China.



Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government has never ceased its protection of pandas. It has set up four giant panda nature reserves in the southwestern province of Sichuan. Besides, biological studies of pandas gradually developed in China. The country has been one of the leaders in the world in terms of panda research since 1990s thanks to the joint efforts of Chinese scientists.



To get a clear picture of the panda population is the foundation and premise of science-based panda protection. Since 1974, China has conducted four panda censuses. According to the latest census, the population and the area of panda habitats both grew more than 10 percent.



As of the end of 2013, the population of giant pandas living in the wild exceeded 1,800, and that population was divided in different locations, among which giant pandas in some locations had a population less than 30, which made it extremely difficult to maintain the population with on-site protection.



Therefore, China initiated a wilderness training program for giant pandas, which aims at releasing artificially bred pandas to expand endangered panda populations in the wild. So far, more than 10 captive pandas have been released through this creative protection method.



In October 2021, China announced to build the first batch of national parks, including one for giant pandas. The giant panda national park covers an area of about 2.2 million hectares and 60 percent of panda habitats, where more than 70 percent of wild giant pandas live. The establishment of the giant panda national park marked a new phase of China's panda protection.



In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature took the species off its endangered list and downgraded the conservation status of giant pandas to "vulnerable." It reflected the remarkable achievements made by China in the protection of giant pandas and demonstrated the country's sense of responsibility as a major country in natural conservation. Under the joint efforts of all sectors of the society, the Chinese people are writing a splendid chapter of panda protection and research, setting a good example for global wildlife conservation.



(Zhang Zejun is the president of Chengdu Normal University in southwest China's Sichuan province.)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > IAEA report cannot justify Japan's wastewater discharge plan Smearing Chinese-foreign port cooperation is creating barriers for common development 31st FISU Games activates new momentum for Chengdu's development Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
China, Africa vow to strengthen military cooperation

Xinhua) 11:23, July 24, 2023

ADDIS ABABA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- China and the African continent, under the umbrella of the African Union (AU), have vowed to strengthen the already fruitful military cooperation so as to realize their common aspirations toward securing peace and stability in Africa and beyond.

This came during a reception marking the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Friday evening in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The event brought together military representatives of different African countries, senior Ethiopian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps in Ethiopia, as well as representatives of the Chinese societies in Ethiopia.

"Without security and stability there can be no development. As a constructive participant and active contributor to the cause of peace and security in Africa, China has continued to deliver military assistance to the African Union, supporting capacity building of the African Standby Force and jointly working on counter-terrorism," Guo Baojian, Defense Advisor of Mission of China to the AU, said during the ceremony.

Guo stressed that the PLA is developing into a world-class military, which serves as a strong guarantee for the realization of the Chinese national rejuvenation and also for making greater contributions to world peace.

"China has always been a peace loving nation. Under the guidance of the national defense policy, the PLA always honors its international responsibilities and plays an active role in maintaining world peace," he said.

Guo said as part of its commitment to international peace, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget, and a top contributor of the peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Antonio Lamas Xavier, Chief of Staff of the African Standby Force (ASF), on his part echoed Guo's comments as he hailed the ever-expanding China-Africa military cooperation and fruitful partnership in promoting peace and security across the African continent.

Xavier, in particular, underscored the growing cooperation and positive outcomes in the peace and security sector following the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

He stressed that the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI), which aims to eliminate the root causes of conflicts and improve global security governance, is highly welcomed in Africa as it injects positive momentum towards strengthening continental security and development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A new book by a leading climate change scientist gives reason for hope that the light of truth is shedding a few rays into the dark, dystopian, ideologically driven pseudoscience known as global warming.

With the 2023 publication of Climate Uncertainty and Risk: Rethinking Our Response, geoscientist Judith A. Curry, Ph.D., acknowledges that, in 2007, she joined the consensus in supporting the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report as authoritative. What changed her perspective was Climategate, the 2009 hacking and unauthorized release of emails from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia. The email exchanges between climate scientists and IPCC authors confirmed her concerns and suspicions that politics and personal agendas had encroached on the IPCC assessment process.

In 2017, Curry resigned from a prestigious faculty position as chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a result of the polarization of climate science, I found that I had lost my love of science in the context of the academic ecosystem, she admits.

Curry is currently employed in the private sector as president of Climate Forecast Applications Network (CFAN), a company she co-founded in 2006 under Georgia Techs VentureLab program. There she is involved in real-world decision-making to manage weather- and climate-related risks. She also created the highly respected blog Climate Etc., for which she has written numerous posts.

Image: Judith Curry (edited). YouTube screen grab.

In her new book, Curry acknowledges that a changing climate has been the norm throughout the Earths 4.6-billion-year history. She refuses to abandon the idea that we humans are also changing atmospheric composition by increasing the emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases, but she adds an important caveat:

This redefinition of climate change to refer only to human-caused changes to the atmospheric composition has effectively eliminated natural climate change from the public discussion.

The result is that the common parlance refers to climate change, with no mention of natural climate variability. Any change that is observed over the past century is now implicitly assumed to be caused by human emissions to the atmosphere. This assumption leads to connecting every unusual weather or climate event to human-caused climate change from fossil fuel emissions. Having acknowledged that climate change is the norm throughout the Earths 4.6-billion-year history, Curry understands that this politicized attribution of all climate change to humans burning hydrocarbon fuels is nonsense.

The crux of Currys argument is mathematical, and her main goal is to redefine how computer-driven climate models are conceptualized. What Curry understands is what MIT mathematician and meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz proved with what has become known as the butterfly effect. Lorenz demonstrated that the mathematics of climate involve nonlinear differential equations in which a change in an independent variable does not produce a deterministic outcome in related dependent variables.

In his book The Essence of Chaos, Lorenz also demonstrated that small differences in initial measurements can produce dramatic differences in climate model outcomes. So, a butterfly flapping wings in China might affect tornados developing in Kansas, but sometimes when a butterfly flaps its wings in China, there is no effect on tornados in Kansas. The flapping of wings is a small difference in an initial measurement that can cause a huge effect on climate outcomes. But the fact that the wings flapping in China does not always cause a tornado in Kansas is because the equations ruling climate are nonlinear, so sometimes the butterfly causes a tornado, and sometimes it does not.

In other words, weather is not predictable, nor can we determine with precision the precise amount of global warming, if any, that will result from a given increase in atmospheric CO2. This is why Curry abandoned the hope that climate can be modeled deterministically by a computer and, instead, insists that the uncertainties inherent in climate mean that, at best, our weather and climate predictions are uncertain, measurable only by probability theory.

Curry, like Lorenz, concluded that the nonlinear nature of climate equations and the inherent limitations of making quantitative measurements of climate variables (in a mathematics that involves irrational numbers with endless decimal places) doom all climate models to failure. She writes, Many processes in atmosphere and oceans are nonlinear, which means there is no simple relation between cause and effect. She concludes the inherent unpredictably of the climate system dooms all computer weather models to failure in a deterministic sense, noting that for weather, this predictability timescale is a matter of weeks.

While Curry is careful not to antagonize the global warming hysterics that dominate the intellectual world today, what she has just said is that IPCC models dictating we must limit global temperatures to no more than 1.5C above preindustrial levels within the next thirty years to prevent catastrophic global warming reflect political bias, rather than conclusions drawn from legitimate climate science.

Curry favors changing the climate paradigm from deterministic thinking producing apocalyptic scenarios of dystopian climate futures to a probabilistic model that acknowledges the uncertainties of outcomes inherent to Earths climate. Instead of discarding computer-driven climate models, she wants to abandon using them as prediction machines in favor of using them as scenario generators.

The bottom line of Currys concern is that our understanding of Earths climate is limited, such that even possible climate outcome scenarios generated by elaborate climate models can, at best, be determined to be possibilities, not certainties. That we must rely on climate probabilities is another huge admission, given the cataclysmic nature of Earths changes in geologic timethe rise of mountains, the movement of continents, and the impact of asteroids, to name a few. Earth experienced five massive extinctions of nearly everything living before homo sapiens appeared.

That a geoscientist of Judith Currys magnitude should be willing to criticize the IPCC global warming establishment on the mathematics of their climate models is earth-shaking. Without their climate models, the IPCC lose their thunder. predicting climate catastrophes. Once Curry embraced Lorenz, she abandoned Michael Mann forever. The dirty secret of Currys important book is that it exposes the IPCC attack on CO 2 as just another politicized iteration of the familiar neo-Marxist animosity to hydrocarbon fuels for providing the abundant and affordable energy capitalism needs to maintain the modern industrial state.

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.
It is nice to see that Democrats are finally taking law and order seriously. Recently, the Democrat attorney general of Michigan, Dana Nessel, brought 16 dangerous geriatrics to justice. They are all prominent Michigan Republicans, and they were hoping to slip some fake elector certificates to Mike Pence during the joint session of Congress on January 6th, 2021.

I imagine that the plan had to work something like this: After Mike Pence announced the correct slate of electors for Michigan (the one signed by the Michigan Governor), 14 members of the GOP gang would make loud noises in the back of the House chamber. While Pence turned his head to observe the commotion, the two remaining members of the gang would slip the fake list of electors onto Pences dais. Imagine the uproar the next day when the nation learned that Trump had been elected instead of Biden! Thankfully, the plan did not work.

Unfortunately, another plan to steal the Michigan election was successful. That plan was perpetrated by the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, and she is still at large.

Of course, I am being facetious. However, there are some serious points that should be considered.

Benson truly did break the law in a very major way, and her illegal actions changed the election. Lets make a point by point comparison between Bensons illegal actions and those of the 16 fakers. First, however, we need to review the four aspects of the Jocelyn Benson fake election plan:

First, she prevented the adoption of voter ID requirements (e.g., drivers license number or 4 digits of SS number) by claiming that a voters signature is the primary and most reliable way of protecting against the possibility of fraud. Benson made that very false statement at various times and venues. After touting signature matching as the primary method of protecting against fraud, Benson got rid of it. The secretary did that by telling county election clerks to just presume the signatures sent in with the ballots matched the registration signatures. Why did she do that? Who knows? Four months after the election, a judge ruled that Benson broke the law, but by then, the damage was done. Benson did not appeal. Why would she? Her guy won! Before the 2020 election, the Secretary of State mailed out 7.7 million ballot applications, even though only 3.3 million would be used. This was not the normal practice in Michigan, but the extra 4.4 million applications came in handy. Up to 225,000 would be used by ballot harvesters, in the estimate of True the Vote.

Was the action illegal?

The Contingent Electors

In Michigan, the certificate of electors that is sent to the U.S. Archivist and Senate must be signed by the state governor. I dont believe that Nessel is claiming that the governors signature was forged, so I dont see how any submission made could be confused with the approved slate of electors. It was merely an unsigned form. Further, the actions were taken prior to January 6th, and once it was clear that Mike Pence would not reject the approved certifications, the alternative certificates became irrelevant. No one tried to use the certificates, or switch them around, after January 6th.

In addition the people charged by Nessel say that their actions were merely a way of preserving objections to a contested election, grounded in historical precedent That historical precedent was a famous 1960 Hawaii case, where Democrats took actions that were similar to those of the so-called fake electors.

On December 19, 1960, the Hawaii deadline for determining the electors, John F. Kennedy was trailing Richard Nixon, who was the presumed winner. Nevertheless, the Democrats submitted a competing list of electors, just in case Kennedy ended up winning, which he did. By the way, the Hawaii Democrats were generally praised for the actions they took.

Jocelyn Benson

The secretarys culpability is without question. Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray ruled that she had exceeded her power by unilaterally changing the standards established by the legislature. As noted, Benson did not even appeal.

Did the action result in damages?

The Contingent Electors

No. The alternative certificates were not used.

Jocelyn Benson

Yes. Her actions altered the election. We know this for multiple reasons (Fried, Debunked? 2022, Republic).

True the Vote showed, with its geo-tracking technology, that there were up to 225,000 harvested ballots in Michigan. A door-to-door survey of 1,200 mail-in ballot voters was performed by Jackie Eubanks, a candidate for Michigan State Representative. That survey showed that 17.6 percent of respondents did not even know they had voted. A thirty-year employee of the City of Detroit, Jessy Jacob, became a whistleblower, and reported numerous appalling actions within the Wayne County election processing centers. Among several other allegations, Jacobs said:

I was told to alter the information in the QVF [Qualified Voter File] to falsely show that the absentee ballots had been received in time to be valid. I estimate that this was done to thousands of ballots (emphasis added).

Was there criminal intent?

The Contingent Electors

I am not sure this question even applies when planned actions are never implemented. However, lets assume that the contingent certificates were given to Mike Pence, and (somehow) approved. Obviously, the controversy would result in a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court. If the plan was to ignore the High Courts ruling, that would show defiance of the Constitution, in my opinion.

Jocelyn Benson

Undoubtedly, Benson would say she was just doing her job. She would probably claim that Covid-19 made it (somehow) dangerous to check signatures. The only way criminality could be proved is with the testimony of a whistleblower, privy to Bensons thought process.

What will happen?

The Contingent Electors

The case against the 16 fakers is extremely weak but in the new America, that is not so important. Lansing, Michigan sits in a county that is two-to-one Democrat. Therefore, Nessel has a good chance of succeeding.

Jocelyn Benson

Absolutely nothing.

Joe Fried is an Ohio-based CPA who has performed and reviewed hundreds of certified financial audits. He is the author of the book, Debunked? An auditor reviews the 2020 election -- and the lessons learned (Republic Book Publishers, 2022). This summer he will publish Restoring Faith in our Elections. That book will outline 23 problems that must be fixed before the 2024 elections.

Image: Mark Buckawicki
The difference between the Republican ballot operation and that of the leftists is that the leftists manufacture ballots, whereas Republicans only collect them.

Elections are for big stakes. Pretty much everything is political, and thus, who controls the Legislature gets the goodies.

If you are a government pro, you live or die according to whether your team is in power. You do what the pros do  you make sure you control your food source.

The laughable RNC "out-ballot-harvest the left" plan is one any sentient adult knows cannot work. That of course leaves out Republican state operatives, for whom hope exceeds common sense.

Leftists learned early that running out of ballots to cast on election day is like running out of beer on July 4. They took that lesson and improvised in ingenious ways.

Ballot-manufacturing appears pretty easy at first but has lots of little complexities. Mastering those complexities gives our leftist pals unlimited numbers of ballots to handle any surging MAGA candidate.

Manufacturing ballots requires two ingredients: an address and a person.

On the person side, leftists do all the obvious stuff: register college kids in droves, do voter drives in homeless shelters where vagrants come in and out, build apps and pay anyone who will sign up a few dozen new voters (Wisconsin) with no regard to whether these are eligible voters.

With these and scores of other techniques, the inventory of names aggregates.

That burgeoning list is permanent  voter integrity teams in most states report they cannot get many of these people off voter rolls even when they prove that those people are long gone. Leftists control most of the voter commission apparatus, so that inventory remains safe.

Try to get those names off the voter list, and you will be attacked by leftist press, threatened by the Justice Department, or doxed on social media.

The other ingredient for ballot-manufacturing is the address.

Addresses and voters have fundamentally different characteristics.

Addresses can be misspelled in innumerable ways yet still be considered correct. Addresses do not move  they are a plot of dirt with a number. Addresses do not have lawyers, and they do not have 40 years of leftist court opinions to protect someone challenging their authenticity.

Addresses cannot be manufactured. Voters can.

Leftists can create all the voters they want from homeless shelter lists, but they face a constraint: every voter must tie to an address. It is this constraint  fixed addresses  that is the Achilles heel for mail-in voter fraud.

Addresses conveniently have the world's singularly most accurate, current database maintained in every county in America  the real estate property tax record. These records are consulted daily by real estate agents doing comps. Tax authorities review them monthly, ensuring they squeeze every dollar from the citizen for any improvement.

Addresses, dear reader, are the key to stopping ballot-manufacturing.

Addresses have not been analyzed at scale in granular detail  down to the square footage, the number of bedrooms, baths, year built  because the tools to do so were not there. They are now.

The Fractal team was asked by some state legislatures to compare voter rolls with real estate tax rolls. They couldn't do it themselves  they did not have the compute power  in a major state. That is why it has never been done before.

Two adjacent counties may report similar real estate data in different fields. Each county may use different nomenclature for the same record. Records are stored in relational databases with the address field broken into multiple segments  almost impossible to easily resurrect in real time with traditional tech.

These systems were built to be accessed one file at a time, not comparing the entire database with another.

Comparing detailed property tax records  think 120 columns of info  against voter files lights up where a ballot will be mailed but not meet an eligible voter.

This week, the Fractal team ran a test. We used current relational SQL technology, of which we are masters, and Fractal to ingest the property tax roll for a major county. The Fractal system was able to finish in hours  with a real-time system giving answers in seconds. After several days, the SQL team reported the originating data from the county  in a SQL relational file  was so complicated that it would take them several weeks to prepare for real-time retrieval.

We were also able to project response times. The property tax records with Fractal were instantaneous. With SQL, complete database comparisons would take days, perhaps a full week.

Leftists continue to pad voter rolls with vagrants and other transients, but they must tie them to an address. That is a pretty hard card to hide.

When voters are added to large apartment buildings, leftists cannot add the apartment number, or the legit resident will probably get that ballot. The trick is to mail the ballot to the main address, where it collects, and the Postal Service retrieves it for the bad guys.

Another strategy is to create an address. 126 Chestnut Street and 130 Chestnut street are contiguous properties. Our leftists create 128 Chestnut, which does not exist, and will generate a floating ballot.

Often, college dorms are used to send thousands of ballots to students who left years ago. We recounted many stories about 106-year-old voters in frat houses still casting a ballot.

Then there are the construction sites, where leftists have 224 registered voters in an apartment building  under construction. No roof, no walls, no electricity, but 224 solid votes.

In Florida, our leftist pals created an entire fake street  then moved real voters there  and when ballots were sent out, they accumulated. Innovation! Never ceases to impress!

These and hundreds of other schemes fail in a single click when the real-time real estate property rolls come into play. With that one click, one can see every address that does not exist in the property roll  yet has voters.

Another click shows every apartment building, compared with every voter record, kicking out the list, by street, of every person without that unit number  thus ineligible.

One more click, and every voter registered at a location with more than four people per 500 square feet of living space  thus challenging the county health regs  pops out.

What we have here is something of true beauty: one government database showing the nonsense in another government database. When leftists say "show me the fraud," one needs only to do one click  "voters who voted in 2022, who the government tax records note are ineligible."

In 2024, the leftists are pulling out all the stops. Hundreds of thousands of American voters will wake up in the 90 days before the election with strangers living in their homes, apartment buildings, the local 7-11, or the vacant field. Those are the Trump anti-votes.

The difference between 2020 and 2024 is that they will become visible months before the election. They will be challenged the week they register. Press conferences will be held on that construction site lawn, next to the cement mixer, noting that this address houses "224 real voters."

Dare the Justice Department to intervene  the real estate tax rolls are challenging an address, not a person. Meet the Undeliverable Ballot Database.

Now that Fractal makes every address in any county visible, across every of those 120 or more columns, and compares them with voter rolls in seconds, from a phone, our 2024 pal Achilles may find us grabbing him by the heel  or maybe somewhere where it hurts even more!

Jay Valentine runs Omega4America, collaborating with state legislators to compare voter rolls with real estate rolls. Jay led the team that built the eBay fraud engine and the TSA No-Fly List. Jay's team delivered the Undeliverable Ballot Database. Jay can be reached at Omega4America.com and on Twitter at AmericaOme17300.

Image: Eric Fischer via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped).
"Spoiler" Green Party candidate Cornel West was invited onto CNN so that Anderson Cooper could shame him into dropping out so as not to be forever smeared as responsible for Trump's re-election, as Sister Jill Stein is to this day.

Along the way, the issue of endless war came up. West denounced endless war based on lies, invoking the Iraq War disaster that morphed magically overnight from an enforcement operation into a years-long nation-building one, killing hundreds of thousands of civilians in the process, and ultimately replaced a dictator with a maniacal religious fundamentalist caliphate that throws gays off public buildings in public spectacles.

Cooper called the objection "inappropriate" and went on to recite 2003-era "Saddam bad" talking points of the war profiteers.

The corporate state media are often accused of being "progressive" or "far-left" by political opponents, although it is nothing of the sort.

One could be forgiven for believing that the corporate state media embodies some kind of Maoist revolutionary spirit to undermine and subvert traditional American culture and replace it with something altogether new and un-American  because that's exactly what it's doing.

But it's not left ideologically. It is there to promote the interests of the ruling elite, whatever those happen to be at any given time. We call this political orientation "establishment." The corporate state media, as an institution made of up people (loosely defined), does not have an ideological commitment. The entire machine is a rhetorical tool designed to disseminate elite narratives.

When those elite interests intertwine with Social Justice aims, such as promulgating and mainstreaming transgenderism, they will promote those. When they do not jibe with Social Justice dogma, such as endless war, they will promote those just as aggressively. Also, over time, they will attempt to reimagine endless war as an actual social justice virtue, which is where the "defending democracy" mantra comes into play.

This is why actual social-justice ideologue Cornel West has no place at CNN when he challenges Daddy Warbucks. You can be sure, if Cooper didn't reflexively attack West on the war issue, as he did as a veteran propagandist, then a producer in his ear would have sicced him on West anyway.

The military-industrial complex reigns supreme, despite the otherwise liberal rhetoric of the corporate state media, which goes on as it does about sacred Democracy and Progress whatever else.

Ben Bartee, author of Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile, is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs.

Follow his stuff on Substack if you are inclined to support independent journalism free of corporate slant. Also, keep tabs via Twitter.

For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store.

Insta-tip jar and Bitcoin public address: bc1qvq4hgnx3eu09e0m2kk5uanxnm8ljfmpefwhawv.

Image: Gage Skidmore.
If you liked the coronavirus lockdowns, you'll love the coming climate lockdowns.

Leftists sure liked the former, noting that animals reclaimed some urban areas and the skies were clearer and bluer. Government pandemic policies forced millions of Americans to work from home, and this could become the permanent norm if special carbon taxes are put in place.

Such taxes will almost certainly be imposed on companies and individuals alike in the near future, though certain companies  and individuals  favored by our elite rulers may be exempted from them.

Drive to work in a car? You are subject to special taxes. Travel by plane? Ditto. Moreover, your children will be impacted by climate lockdowns, too. For example, schools may frequently impose online-only school days. In the U.S., California-style rolling blackouts will become the norm across the fruited plain due to failed green energy policies.

With the abolition of "fossil fuels" and nuclear power, consumers will be prevented from purchasing new gasoline-powered cars, lawnmowers, leaf-blowers, and chainsaws. Nor will many soon be able to obtain or afford gas stoves, water heaters, and air-conditioners. California will ban the sale of gasoline cars in less than 13 years, because, you know, the internal combustion engine is E-V-I-L. Despite the fact that it has arguably led to more freedom and prosperity than any other invention in the history of the world.

Thanks to technological innovations, deaths from natural disasters have fallen by two thirds over the past five decades, and fewer people are dying from extreme heat and cold than ever before, yet elites insist that climate change is the "biggest threat modern humans have ever faced." Arbitrarily  and quickly  abandoning the fuels, methods, ideologies, and economic systems that brought us such prosperity and safety is insane.

But climate lockdowns are very likely coming, whether you and I like it or not.

Predictably, California will likely lead the way in the U.S. The formerly Golden State has already banned the manufacture and sale of gas furnaces and water heaters by 2030...and gasoline-powered automobiles by 2035. You can bet climate lockdowns are next.

Welcome to the Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave (your domicile).

Too late will come the realization: we are all just prisoners here, of our own device.

Image: Linnaea Mallette, Public Domain Pictures, CC0 public domain
Democrat candidate for president Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. went farther on Sunday than he has previously in criticizing President Joe Biden for the latter's (alleged) corruption. During a live in-studio interview with FOX News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures at 10:30 A.M. E.T. (video and article here), Kennedy, when first asked about how he feels about Biden, said as he has on other occasions that "I have avoided criticizing the president because I'm trying to bring people together."

After Bartiromo said, "But corruption is corruption," Kennedy commented without hesitation, "But you're right. And I think that the issues that are now coming up are worrying enough that we need a real investigation of what happened. These revelations about [unintelligible] Burisma, which is a notoriously corrupt company, paid out $10 million to Hunter and his dad  if that's true, then it is really troubling. So I think that needs to be investigated."



Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures, July 23, 2023.

Still photo from FOX News video.

The first part of the ten-minute interview was about the efforts by leading Democrat politicians to censor Kennedy, who was invited to give testimony at a congressional hearing about censorship "and Big Tech's collusion with out-of-control government agencies to silence speech" last Thursday. Kennedy was met with attempts by the committee's Democrat members to shut him down and prevent him from answering their questions and responding to their attacks, including that he is a dangerous racist and anti-Semite.

On Saturday, The Hill reported that the Democrat party has now shifted its strategy to combat Kennedy, who is perceived as a growing threat to the re-election of President Biden. In "Democrats put RFK Jr. on blast in change of strategy," The Hill reports:

Democrats are no longer trying to ignore Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and have taken to calling him out in public after a week of controversies. National party leaders for the first time acknowledged Kennedy's disruptive presidential bid with sharp criticism, and lawmakers met his claims of censorship head-on during his testimony on Capitol Hill. It's a notable change from their previous approach, in which Democratic leaders and party officials hoped Kennedy would simply fade away on his own. ... "On his own, he was doing a really good job of showing everyone his initials stood for Real F------ [K]razy, so it made sense to let him be," said Eddie Vale, a strategist who has worked on numerous Democratic campaigns.

The mainstream media, which take their marching orders from the left wing of the political establishment (AKA the Democrats), have also been falling over themselves to attack and smear Kennedy as an anti-Semite, a racist, and a kook. A prime example was a segment that aired live on CNN on Saturday, July 22 at 5:30 P.M. E.T. during a program hosted by Jim Acosta. The guest was Larry Sabato, a reliable establishment political pooh-bah on permanent call who can be counted on to reflect the dominant MSM and Democrat-left spin of the day. From the CNN transcript of the program:

JIM ACOSTA, CNN ANCHOR: Larry, I wanted to talk to you because I know you studied the Kennedys for so many years. Just your initial take on this bizarre behavior that we have seen from RFK Jr. LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CENTER FOR POLITICS & AUTHOR: Well, I wish I weren't a political scientist for this one. I wish I were a psychologist. I'd probably be able to give you a better answer. . . ACOSTA: And this week, Republicans invited RFK Jr to Capitol Hill to testify at a hearing on government censorship, weaponizing government. RFK Jr has not been censored. He's been able to say pretty much everything he wants, every outlandish theory. I don't know why he says he's being censored. He tried to rewrite history on previous comments he made about Anne Frank and vaccines, all sorts of Anti-Semitic comments. Do you think elevating him will come back to bite Republicans? SABATO: I don't know whether it will, but it ought to. It's disgraceful. It's disgusting. And they [Republicans] know most of what he is saying is absolutely untrue. And they [Republicans] are participating in the misinformation and disinformation spread because they think it will benefit them politically. Both their nominee for president [presumably President Trump in Sabato's view] and probably their own re-election races. Politics sinks to low depths sometimes. And this is setting a new standard for at least the 2024 presidential election.

Sabato concluded his remarks with this comment: "You know, normally, when you come across someone like that [RFK Jr.], you should feel sympathy for them and then you should ignore them."

Very telling was that interview with Sabato, which is emblematic of the MSM's  and the federal intelligence and law enforcement communities'  ongoing efforts to construe opinions they don't approve of as "misinformation and disinformation" and to take action (both clandestine and out in the open) to suppress them.

Regarding the allegations spreading like wildfire through Democrat politics and the media, RFK did not make anti-Semitic comments recently when he mentioned reports that government research has been going on to develop ethnically targeted bioweapons. What he did was to cite the scientific literature that noted some disparities in the death rates from COVID depending on an individual's racial and ethnic characteristics.

I deconstructed the allegations against Kennedy in an article at American Thinker one week ago here. An even lengthier and more detailed review is "This Jewess Says RFK Jr is Right  A presidential candidate is assailed for speaking the truth" by feminist author and icon Naomi Wolf, Ph.D. Wolf's article was originally published at her Substack and was reprinted two days later at FrontPage Magazine, a venerable conservative outlet founded two decades ago by David Horowitz.



RFK Jr. on Sunday Morning Futures, FOX News Channel, July 23, 2023.

Still photo from FOX News video.

POLITICO titled an article about RFK Jr.'s appearance on Bartiromo's Sunday Morning Futures program on FOX News yesterday morning "RFK Jr.: Media hitting me harder than Trump." That was essentially the lede in my blog post at American Thinker last Friday. And now it has apparently come to pass. Rolling Stone noted, quoting Kennedy:

"It's interesting to me because I've been really slammed in a way that I think is unprecedented, even more than President Trump was slammed by the mainstream corporate media," Kennedy said on Maria Bartiromo's Fox News show, Sunday Morning Futures.

Tomorrow, by the way (Tuesday, July 25), Kennedy will make his third appearance in six days on the FOX News channel, this time in a town hall before a live audience in NYC on Sean Hannity's program which airs from 9-10 PM ET with a replay at 11 P.M. P.T. One wonders if Kennedy's frequent appearances on the Democrats' most hated mainstream media outlet and his apparent rise in popularity and fundraising perhaps as a result of that exposure on the nations #1 cable news channel prompted the Biden Democrats  as The Hill termed it  to "put RFK Jr on blast."

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.
Dystopian surveillance is here and providing a growing market for tech entrepreneurs. Police agencies are daily using artificial intelligence to identify "suspicious" patterns of behavior in millions of random cars caught on surveillance cameras connecting with databases of ownership, and enabling searches and arrests. In an era with politicized law enforcement, what could go wrong?

Thomas Brewster of Forbes reports:

March of 2022, David Zayas was driving down the Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale. His car, a gray Chevrolet, was entirely unremarkable, as was its speed. But to the Westchester County Police Department, the car was cause for concern and Zayas a possible criminal; its powerful new AI tool had identified the vehicle's behavior as suspicious. Searching through a database of 1.6 billion license plate records collected over the last two years from locations across New York State, the AI determined that Zayas' car was on a journey typical of a drug trafficker. According to a Department of Justice prosecutor filing, it made nine trips from Massachusetts to different parts of New York between October 2020 and August 2021 following routes known to be used by narcotics pushers and for conspicuously short stays. So on March 10 last year, Westchester PD pulled him over and searched his car, finding 112 grams of crack cocaine, a semiautomatic pistol and $34,000 in cash inside, according to court documents. A year later, Zayas pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

Prior to the guilty plea, Zayas's lawyer Ben Gold contested the evidence and via FOIA requests discovered that:

the ALPR [Automatic License Plate reader] system was scanning over 16 million license plates a week, across 480 ALPR cameras. Of those systems, 434 were stationary, attached to poles and signs, while the remaining 46 were mobile, attached to police vehicles. The AI was not just looking at license plates either. It had also been taking notes on vehicles' make, model and color  useful when a plate number for a suspect vehicle isn't visible or is unknown. To Gold, the system's analysis of every car caught by a camera amounted to an "unprecedented search." "This is the specter of modern surveillance that the Fourth Amendment must guard against," he wrote, in his motion to suppress the evidence. "This is the systematic development and deployment of a vast surveillance network that invades society's reasonable expectation of privacy. "With no judicial oversight this type of system operates at the caprice of every officer with access to it."

The article describes the growing number of companies providing A.I.-powered systems of surveillance that can be hooked up to not just traffic and police cameras, but to private surveillance cameras that opt in to the system. Connect all of these cameras to public and private databases, and we have a recipe for police to repress political opposition that even Big Brother himself couldn't dare dream of. Imagine cops knowing that you're headed in the direction of a rally for, say, Donald Trump and that you rarely drive that way.

As Pixy Misa of AoSHQ puts it, "Welcome to the goldfish bowl."



Public domain.
The "Mandela effect" is a little trope that gets mentioned in news reports and commentary whenever a media figure feels the need to point out how silly people are in general. It's the major element  in fact, the O.G.  of a supposed cluster of "false collective memories" in which large numbers of people are supposedly convinced of things that never happened. In this case, it's a conviction that Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid campaigner and former president of South Africa, died in prison.

Such an interpretation might be acceptable, if it weren't based on a false premise, ignored easily ascertained facts, and, if anything at all, should be called the "Biko effect."

Nelson Mandela, as is well known, was South Africa's leading anti-apartheid crusader for decades beginning in the 1940s. A descendant of Xhosa royalty, Mandela became the focus of opposition to the white-supremacist government. He spent nearly thirty years in prison following 1962 after receiving a life sentence for "treason." He was released by F.W. de Klerk in 1990. Originally a Marxist firebrand, Mandela had mellowed considerably over the years, and negotiated a peaceful end to the Apartheid regime with de Klerk before serving as the country's first Black president from 1994 to 1999.

But Nelson Mandela was not the only anti-apartheid crusader in South Africa. There were plenty of others, many of whom also suffered misfortunes at the hands of the Boer authorities. One of these was Steve Biko.

Biko, much younger than Mandela, abandoned a potential medical career in 1966 to campaign against Apartheid. Biko's opposition was racially based  he believed that Whites, in particular White liberals, had no real understanding of the situation of Blacks and should stand aside in the battle against the Boer regime. Strongly influenced by the U.S. Black Power movement, Biko formulated a "Black Consciousness" program to encourage South African Blacks in their defiance of the regime.

The Boer government targeted Biko and, as occurred with many other anti-Apartheid activists, issued a "banning" order, a form of police control just short of arrest which restricted individuals to small areas and forbade any public appearances or publication of opinions. In 1977, Biko defied the order by driving to Cape Town to confer with other anti-Apartheid activists. Picked up by the police, he suffered severe beatings and died a few short weeks after his arrest.

It's perfectly clear what happened here. South Africa was a marginal news topic. (The Boers worked overtime to see that it stayed that way.) Although viewed as a martyr in South Africa, Biko had much less of an international impact than Nelson Mandela. The world public knew that an anti-Apartheid crusader had spent a long time in prison. Upon hearing that, one such individual had been beaten to death by government thugs, it was easy to conflate the two  Mandela and Biko  and assume that they were one and the same, that the longtime South African advocate for liberation, and not the younger, little-known activist, was the one who had been murdered. An error, yes, but an understandable one, unlike the uncanny "Mandela effect," which presents itself as a product of serious failings in human cognition  something along the lines of a persistent computer glitch, one that reduces human beings to the level of malfunctioning units.

The "Mandela effect" is one of a number of intellectual constructs and narratives  like the Genovese effect, the Milgram experiment, the Stanford Prison Experiment  intended to make us look stupid, incapable, clownish, and generally less than what we are. Steve Biko's murder was not imaginary, and he deserves better than to be remembered only as the misnamed element of a bogus narrative. It's time that the "Mandela effect" was put to sleep.

Image: Unknown/PxHere.
I understand the progressives' concept of intersectionality, but does that include supporting people who want to kill you?

I refer to a phenomenon found many places, but which cropped up Saturday in Berlin. People at a "queer pride" demonstration there were chanting, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Watch via Grabien:

In case you don't recognize the chant, it refers to the process of driving the Jews of Israel into the sea  that is, exterminating them  so that a made-up nation called "Palestine" can become the world's 58th officially Islamic state.

Yes, it is horrific on its surface, but that's not what makes the chant so odd. As virtually everyone reading this already knows, Islam condemns homosexuality and other forms of "queerness," and its scripture calls for the death penalty. Meanwhile, Israel, which the demonstrators want ethnically cleansed of Jews, tolerates and even supports all aspects of the queer movement.

Here is what happens to homosexuals in the West Bank:

Gay Palestinian Ahmad Abu Marhia beheaded in West Bank Palestinian police have arrested a suspect in the killing of a 25-year-old man after his body was found decapitated in the occupied West Bank. LGBTQ groups in Israel, where Ahmad Abu Marhia was seeking asylum, say he had received threats because he was gay.

So the Berlin demonstrators want to exterminate the nation where this poor unfortunate sought refuge and turn the territory over to his executioners.

How is this not insane?

Photo credit: Grabien screen grab.
Vivek Ramaswamy continues to climb the in Republican polls and I think its for two reasons: First, hes aggressively opposed to wokism in every form and, second, he has very detailed statements about how he intends to curb the federal government. Not only does he name the departments he intends to cull, he claims to know how far his executive power can stretch to make it happen.

In an interview with Glenn Beck on July 15, Vivek said that he intends to shut down the FBI and that he can do so without going through Congressand even if Congress were entirely Republican, you know it would never act to clip the FBIs wings:

Im coming in with a clear-sighted view, Glenn, of shutting down most of the administrative state, Ramaswamy told talk show host Glenn Beck shortly after his interview with Tucker Carlson, a co-founder of the Daily Caller and Daily Caller News Foundation. First of all, do it on strong legal authority, so Im a unique combination. I dont like to brag a lot, but Im a CEO, but Ive also studied the Constitution deeply and the Supreme Court right now shares my view of the Constitution. The U.S. president already has statutory authority, the Presidential Reorganization Act of 1977, says you can shut down redundant agencies, Ramaswamy explained to the former Fox News host. Well, when I look at what the DEA does and what the U.S. Marshals do, theres my legal justification for shutting down the FBI without asking Congress for permission or forgiveness.

Additionally, Vivek says that the civil service law cannot prevent him from acting. This is because it only covers firing federal employees for political reasons. They [the civil service laws] do not apply to mass layoffs, and mass layoffs are absolutely what Im bringing to Washington, D.C.

Image: Vivek Ramaswamy. YouTube screen grab.

Having explained his authority to act, Vivek is starting to name the federal agencies that, in addition to the FBI, hed do away with, starting with the Department of Education:

This is the head of the snake when it comes to the spread of wokeism, transgenderism, indoctrination of our kids. [snip] The hard truth is that those school boards are actually responding to economic incentives created by this department, Ramaswamy said, noting that the funds from the Department of Education are often conditioned on the adoption of critical race theory, race-based quotas and gender ideology. I do not believe we can reform this agency, Ramaswamy said.

Its worth noting that President Carter created the Department of Education in 1980. Between that time and today, the difference in reading and writing test scores has been, at best, minuscule. The only real difference is that students are coming out of our educational system indoctrinated in anti-American leftism and swearing that sex is infinitely malleable with enough pharmaceuticals, surgeries, and affirmations. Todays graduates certainly dont justify the $88.3 billion the DOE asks for in its Fiscal Year 2023 budget request.

Vivek also wants to shut down the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which has squashed any attempts to increase Americas reliance on the ultimate clean energysomething especially important given that it will take a long time for America to recover from the Biden administrations ongoing war against fossil fuel:

This is an agency that quietly is the single wet blanket, the damper on the revival of nuclear energy in the United States, Ramaswamy said, noting that developing a new nuclear power plant takes 32 steps over as many as 40 years, when prior to the NRCs creation it took three to four years. Thats why there has not been a single new nuclear power plant built in this country in the last 30 years, Ramaswamy said. There has not been a new nuclear power plants plan that has made it through this 32-step process since this organization ever came to exist.

Most Republican candidates talk a good game about shrinking the federal government, but Vivek is making headlines by explaining his authority and naming his targets.

UPDATE: I erred in describing the origins of the Department of Education. It's now correct.
New development projects on previously undeveloped land often encroach upon existing private properties and farmlands. Sometimes such a property includes cemeteries. Usually in such cases, the bodies are dug up and moved to a new cemetery with the developers footing the bill. But sometimes families refuse to move the graves of their ancestors forcing developers to build around the cemeteries or the graves, such as in Amity, in the state of Indiana, U.S, where there is a grave right in the middle of the road.

Something similar happened when the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in the city of Savannah, Georgia, United States was being expanded. Centuries ago, this area was woods and farmland belonging to the Dotson family. Their family cemetery was packed with more than a hundred people including those of many slaves. Among these graves were those belonging to Richard and Catherine Dotson, who died within seven years of each other in the late 1870s and early 1890s, nearly two decades before the Wright brothers flew the first flight.

The graves of Richard and Catherine Dotson on Runway 10 of Savannah Airport.

Years later, as World War 2 approached, a military airport was opened and much of Dotsons' property became part of the airfield. The army moved most of the Dotson family cemetery to Bonaventure Cemetery, but four graves including that of Richard and Catherine Dotson, were left in place.

After the war ended, the army airfield was turned into a civilian airport. Construction on the new airport started in the 1960s and new tracts of land were acquired for its expansion. During one such expansion in the 1970s, these old graves ended up in the path of a planned airport runway. Since federal law prohibits the moving of graves without the permission of the next of kin, the airport authorities decided to pave over the graves instead.

The original location of the two graves are now marked by two tombstones laid flat with the runway. The graves are located, embedded into the asphalt, about eleven hundred meters from the west end of Runway 10. The graves are near the edge of the runway, so planes dont roll over the site, but passengers and pilots can see them when a plane taxis by.

Photo credit: USAToday

Photo credit: www.the-line-up.com

Photo credit: Pinterest

The Mathis Airport in Georgia, United States (now closed), is another airport that has a bunch of headstones laid flush with the runways surface. When the airport was built in the 1960s, the Anglin family gave permission to the airport to incorporate the graves under the runway. According to some Anglin family members, there are perhaps 16 to 20 people buried underneath the runway.

A couple of headstones for graves flush with the runways surface at the Mathis Airport. Photo credit: www.airfields-freeman.com

One of the tombstone embedded in the runway of Mathis Airport. Photo credit: Robert S/Flickr

Sources: savannahnow.com / Wikipedia / Stuck at the Airport / northfulton.com
Google has officially announced the adoption of Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol for its Messages app. The feature aims to make cross-platform messaging safer by relying on end-to-end encryption in group chats.

As one of the most popular messaging apps with over 1 billion users, Google Messages is widely used by Android users globally to exchange messages. The app has long used end-to-end encryption, and in 2022, it also introduced the feature to group chats. However, Google now wants to take a step further and add Messaging Layer Security (MLS) to the Messages app.

Messaging Layer Security (MLS) was a new protocol born in 2017. It provides end-to-end encryption for group messaging. MLS was developed by a group of security experts from various organizations, aka Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The protocol uses sophisticated cryptographic techniques to guarantee the confidentiality and security of messages. Additionally, it offers defense against intrusions such as message forging, manipulation, and eavesdropping.

Messaging Layer Security (MLS) is coming to Google Messages

Back in 2017, an Oxford paper alluded to the concerns around group messaging and the possibility of data leaks if even one member is compromised. So if youre a Google user that wants to send messages to outside messaging apps without security concerns, MLS is here to make that come true. The protocol makes cross-platform messaging more convenient while ensuring its safety through end-to-end encryption.

With the recent publication of the IETFs Message Layer Security (MLS) specification RFC 9420, messaging users can look forward to this reality, Google said in its blog post. For the first time, MLS enables practical interoperability across services and platforms, scaling to groups of thousands of multi-device users.

Google also noted that implementing MLS onto the Android codebase would be open source to support its deployment across the industry. The tech giant didnt mention the time frame for implementation.

The adoption of MLS by Google is part of a larger movement to enhance the confidentiality and security of messaging services. Several high-profile data breaches and privacy incidents using messaging applications have occurred in recent years. The safety and privacy of their messages are thus a growing issue for many users. The apps are striving to address the concerns by adding more security-driven features.
Apple is reportedly trying to make a bezel-less iPhone, and Samsung might help it achieve that dream. The Cupertino giant has asked Samsung and its compatriot LG to develop bezel-free OLED display panels for future iPhones, the Korean media reports. The plans may not materialize anytime soon, though.

According to The Elec, Apple has tasked Samsung and LG with developing a flat OLED panel with zero bezels. Samsung offered to make a bezel-less curved display but the company rejected it. The iPhone maker doesnt want to change the iconic design of its phones. Moreover, curved displays are more vulnerable to external shocks than flat panels and can break easily.

Apples demand requires the two Korean firms to improve their existing OLED technologies. While they can move the circuit that is currently hidden under the bezels below the display itself, there are other areas that they need to work on. Specifically, Samsung and LG need to improve thin-film encapsulation (TFE) and under-display camera technologies. The outer film encapsulation of the display should be thinner, the report states.

The companies also need to develop secure antenna space without affecting the bezel-less design. These technological obstacles mean the planned bezel-less iPhone may still be several years away. But the idea may not be a far-fetched one. Apple sees it happening someday in the future. It has been gradually reducing the bezels on iPhones in recent years.

This futuristic bezel-less iPhone may feature a full-glass body

Apples dream iPhone may not just come with a bezel-less screen. Rumors are that the company wants to develop a unibody glass to make the device look like a piece of glass. It plans to use a new type of ultra-strong and strong glass, tipster Ice Universe claims. In their words, The new iPhone will look like a closed crystal box. But as said earlier, this iPhone may still be years away.

Of course, Apple isnt the only company pursuing a bezel-less smartphone. Several firms in the Android space are also pushing to reduce the display bezels. Android phones with an under-display camera have been around for a few years now, though this design hasnt taken off yet. Display makers need to work out a way to improve the camera quality while simultaneously increasing the pixel density of the display area above the camera. It remains to be seen when we will get our first completely bezel-less smartphone.
South Korean display giants Samsung and LG reportedly want to develop OLED panels with a low-refractive capping layer (CPL). They have already started testing the new OLED tech with several industry partners, the Korean media reports. The duo will initially apply the tech to small and medium-sized displays, like those used on smartphones.

Smartphone displays consist of several layers. Among those is a thin capping layer placed on top of the cathode. It helps minimize the loss of light when the light emitted by the OLED is repeatedly reflected by electrodes (cathode and anode) to help it direct toward the display. The CPL used currently has a high refractive index. While it consumes less power than the conventional CPLs used in the past, its light efficiency isnt the best.

Samsung and LG are looking to address this drawback by introducing an additional CPL with a low refractive index. It will work in tandem with the existing high-refractive CPL to further reduce the loss of light. Effectively, the new display layer will improve the OLED panels light efficiency and prolong its life.

According to The Elec, the two South Korean firms have already begun talks with several industry partners. Existing CPL suppliers such as Dongjin Semichem, Hodogaya, Labto, and PNH Tech are among those showing interest in the new OLED display tech. A few are even in the process of supplying low-refractive CPLs to Samsung and LG for early testing. Most of these firms are already part of the two companies display supply chains.

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Samsung and LG need to persuade their customers to adopt the new OLED tech

Samsung and LG still have several obstacles to overcome before they can realize their plans of adding a low-refractive capping layer to OLED panels. Since its an additional process in display manufacturing, as well as additional materials, the displays with a low-refractive CPL are likely to cost more. As the companies are still evaluating its application, the final price has yet to be determined.

However, Samsung and LG ultimately need to persuade their display customers to adopt the new OLED panels with a low-refractive CPL at a higher price. As such, they have opened talks with their biggest clients  Samsungs smartphone division and Apple. It remains to be seen if the next-gen Galaxy smartphones and iPhones feature a more efficient OLED display or if well have to wait longer for the new OLED tech.
Its no secret that the US governments push towards reducing the reliance on Taiwan for semiconductors, amidst the Chinese governments threat, led to the establishment of a new TSMC fab in Phoenix, Arizona. However, the company is reportedly facing major skilled labour shortages, which has led to a delay in the manufacturing of 4nm chips to 2025.

This decision comes after TSMC initially announced plans to begin production in 2024, following President Bidens signing of the CHIPS and Science Act, which would provide the company with a substantial $15 billion in tax credits.

However, during a recent earnings call, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu revealed that they are facing a shortage of skilled workers with the specialized expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor-grade facility in Arizona. As a result, TSMC plans to temporarily import technicians from Taiwan to train local workers and has also established a task force of experienced workers to aid the process.

Moreover, the recent surge in demand for high-performance chips in AI applications has further highlighted the need for new fabrication units in the United States. Nevertheless, CEO Che Chia Wei expressed confidence that the situation will improve by the end of the following year.

The US governments response

Despite this delay posing concerns about the United States plans to achieve self-reliance in semiconductors, the government remains optimistic about addressing the worker shortfall. However, the delay may present challenges for companies that had already placed orders for chips from the Phoenix plant, including Apple, which intended to incorporate 4nm and 3nm chips produced at the facility into future iPhones and Macs.

Moreover, to get the manufacturing process back on track, TSMC is further collaborating with the government to maximize the subsidies and tax credits available under the CHIPS Act, which would cover the first five years of increased premiums associated with semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 24 - Reforms are needed but there is no talk of them, even though the resources are available, Confindustria President Carlo Bonomi said on Monday.

"There has been talk of reforms for 30-40 years. Today there is the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the resources are there," Bonomi said during a conference on the Mediterranean and transition in Ustica.

"Reforms must be carried out, but I am not hearing about them," he added.

On the massive EU-funded post-Covid plan to make the economy greener and more modern and which has got bogged down in delays, Bonomi said "it is difficult to accuse this government".

"For us the NRRP was wrong from the outset, we contested the approach taken by the Conte government. Now we are paying the price, because (the plan) contains projects that have little to do with the country's growth," said the leader of the industrial employers' association.

The European Commission is still making assessments for approval of the long-delayed payment of Italy's third tranche of NRRP funding, worth 19 billion euros, while work on the fourth installment worth 16 billion euros has just begun.

Payments are made by the EU on condition that agreed targets have been met.

On protecting workers from the health and safety implications of working in the intense heat italy has been enduring, Bonomi said the "issue must be tackled with great seriousness".

"There are many solutions on the table such as the temporary lay-off fund and working from home. We are open to discussion because we believe that workers' health is an asset to be protected," he added.

Employers' associations and unions are due to gather on Tuesday for a second meeting at the labour ministry to tackle the issue.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 24 - Runway temperatures of 47 degrees stopped three flights from landing at Olbia in Sardinia on Monday.

The thermometer on the runway of Olbia airport marked 47 degrees and in this torrid afternoon three planes could not land and were diverted to other airports.

easyJet flights from Amsterdam and Milan were landed in Cagliari, while easyJet from Paris was diverted to Alghero. And then there were a string of delays for flights arriving from Bologna, Naples, Munich, and Dusseldorf. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 24 - The government of Premier Giorgia Meloni achieved a very important result in securing the release of Egyptian researcher, human rights activist and Bologna University alumnus Patrick Zaki, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday.

"I wish Patrick Zaki good luck and hope that his dreams will come true," Tajani told Radio Anc'io on Rai Radio1.

"The Italian government did what it thought was right; from the very start of this executive we have been working towards the release of Zaki and to resolve the case of (Giulio) Regeni", added Tajani, referring to the Italian researcher kidnapped, tortured and brutally killed in Egypt between January and February 2016.

"We worked hard and in silence. With Zaki, we have achieved a very important result with Zaki," said the foreign minister.

Zaki returned to Italy on Sunday after being granted a presidential pardon in Egypt in relation to a conviction and three-year sentence for allegedly spreading fake news.

He had been stuck in the north African country since February 2020 following his arrest at Cairo airport while returning from Bologna university, where he was studying, to visit family.

"I am finally here, it is a dream come true after all these years," Zaki told reporters at the rectorate on Sunday evening.

"There are no words that can describe how I feel," he added.

"Bologna is my second home: I have had a lot of support, I have seen this support during these three years and it was also seen in Cairo," said Zaki, renewing his thanks to "the Italian and Egyptian authorities, the NGOs, civil society, the leaders of the Italian state all the way up to the president of the council, of ministers".

"I want to resume my university career and as a human rights defender. I will go to Cairo for a few days, but then I will return to Bologna," the 22-year-old told reporters.

"Mine was a success story, but there are still hundreds of people in prison in Egypt and we ask that they be released. They deserve a presidential pardon like me," he added.

Zaki also called for "justice for Giulio Regeni".

Regeni, a 28-year-old Friuli-born Cambridge University doctoral researcher, was tortured to death in Egypt between January 25 and February 3 2016.

Four Egyptian security agents have been charged in Italy with his murder but the Egyptian authorities have not cooperated with Italian efforts to formally notify the suspects that they are on trial, which has prevented proceedings moving forward.

In May a Rome judge asked Italy's Constitutional Court to rule on whether the trial can proceed without the agents and without any proof that they know they are on trial.

On Thursday Tajani said Italy had not agreed to let up on pressure to Regeni's killers to justice in exchange for the presidential pardon for Zaki.

"There was no bartering, no under-the-table negotiations," Tajani told Radio 24 the day after the pardon was granted.

"The government has managed to bring back a young researcher, who risked spending more time in prison, to Italy.

"We are serious people, we do not barter like this.

"We will continue to ask for light to be shed on the (Regeni) case as we have always done," Tajani said. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 24 - The possible crime of defrauding the Italian State has been added to the possible charge list facing Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche in a reported probe into her allegedly improper business practices, judicial sources said Monday.

Aggravated State fraud joins the list of suspected crimes allegedly committed by the minister, which already include false accounting and bankruptcy by the high-profile member of Premier Giorgia Meloni's rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party in running the many companies in her Visibilia business galaxy, they said.

The Senate will examine a no-confidence motion against Santanche' on Wednesday, July 26 The leftwing populist opposition 5-Star Movement (M5S) presented the motion after she reported to parliament earlier this month over allegations regarding her business activities.

The other main opposition group, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), has said it will back the no-confidence motion.

Santanche' denies all wrongdoing.

The minister has been facing calls to quit since investigative journalism programme Report on Rai 3 reported that businesses linked to her allegedly failed to pay suppliers and dismissed workers without giving them redundancy payments, as well as allegedly improperly receiving COVID aid. (ANSA).


A man accused of a shooting and acid attack murder was caught on tape in a secret prison recording saying we both wanted him to suffer.

Michael Hillier, 39, was heard speaking of his involvement in the plot to harm Liam Smith, 38, along with his alleged accomplice, his girlfriend Rachel Fulstow, 37.

Both are accused of the joint enterprise murder of Mr Smith after Fulstow had a one-night stand with him then led her new boyfriend, Hillier, to believe she had been raped, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester has heard.

Hillier has admitted manslaughter and is caught on tape saying his intention was to maim his victim not to kill him.

Jurors were told Mr Smith was lured out of his home and blasted at close range with a gun by Hillier, 39, who then poured corrosive liquid, probably sulphuric acid, on the face and body of his stricken victim, burning away his flesh.

He was left for dead in the street outside his house, with the chemicals still fizzing on his body when he was found shortly after the attack in the early evening of November 24 last year.

Mr Smith, an electrician from Wigan, Greater Manchester, had had a brief liaison with former nail technician Fulstow, with a one-night stand in a York hotel in 2019.

The next year she became the partner of Hillier, who was not happy about the fling and was led to believe she had been raped, the court heard.

Both Fulstow, from Andrew Drive, York and Hillier, from Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, deny murder.

Fulstow has told police she did not know what Hillier was planning to do.

On Monday the jury heard of the covert recording of Hillier made in prison following his arrest two months after Mr Smith died.



The case is being heard at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester (Alamy/PA)

Hillier is heard to say: She is trying to like distance herself from it. So, I feel massively lied to and betrayed.

She was meant to give me an alibi, you know that was the whole point.

She gave me a kiss goodbye, wished me luck, you know, was very supportive.

Hillier is also heard to say they had discussed reporting the alleged rape to police but then talked about other options and dealing with it themselves.

He adds: We both wanted him to suffer, you know what I mean, it wasnt the intention for him to end up dead.

It was basically to maim him, disable him and then to pour the acid on his face to disfigure him so he was scarred for life, like she was scarred for life.

Weve planned and weve plotted and weve schemed, and she has been well involved like.

We were meant to be a team.

It was meant to be a category one GBH, it was never the intention that he would die.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning.
Garda inquiries are being carried out into claims that gold was taken from the reserves of the National Party in Ireland.

It is understood that bars of gold have been located by Irish police, roughly estimated to be worth 400,000 euro.

Party leader Justin Barrett said on Monday that a considerable quantity in gold had been removed from the partys vault in Dublin and that An Garda Siochana had been contacted.

The party said the gold reserve was intended for a mishap, or more particularly, a collapse in the value of fiat currency.

The National Party is a Eurosceptic, anti-abortion party which has no representatives in the Irish parliament.

It is understood that inquiries are being carried out into who owns the gold.

In a statement, An Garda Siochana said it does not comment on third-party statements or named individuals.

An Garda Siochana is carrying out inquiries into an allegation of theft from a premises in Dublin 4, it added.
A former adviser to Boris Johnson has become the youngest peer in the House of Lords after taking her seat in the unelected chamber.

Charlotte Owen was nominated to the Lords in the former prime ministers controversial resignation honours list released in June.

The 30-year-old will be known as Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge and will sit as a Conservative peer.

Lady Owen is the youngest life peer announced that the House of Lords is aware of, with its records of peerages announced stretching back to 1958.

But the Lords added its records show examples of hereditary peers who became members at a younger age than Lady Owen.

Lady Owens introduction was followed by that of Conservative Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, who will be known as Lord Houchen of High Leven.

The pair wore the traditional scarlet robes for their short introduction ceremonies.

Lady Owen is 30 years old (House of Lords)

A cross-party Lords report last week said Mr Johnsons exit honours had brought into question the current appointments system for creating new peers.

Lady Owens biography issued by the House of Lords stated she graduated from the University of York in 2015 with a degree in politics and international relations.

It adds she worked as a parliamentary assistant to Conservative MPs Alok Sharma, Mr Johnson and Sir Jake Berry from 2017 until 2021.

Lady Owen then worked as an adviser to Mr Johnson as prime minister, his successor Liz Truss and then chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris between 2021 and 2022.

Lord Houchen, 36, worked as a solicitor from 2009 to 2015 and chief executive of BLK Sport UK from 2016 to 2017, according to his bio.

Ben Houchen, the Tees Valley mayor takes his seat in the Lords (House of Lords)

He served as a councillor on Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council between 2011 and 2017, including as leader of the Conservative group from 2014.

Lord Houchen was elected Tees Valley mayor in 2017 and he is also chairman of the South Tees Development Corporation and chairman of the Teesside Freeport.

The Government ordered an independent investigation into the Teesworks project to redevelop Redcars former steelworks, partly in response to a request from Lord Houchen.

In April, Labour MP Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) raised concerns about the scheme in the Commons, alleging truly shocking, industrial-scale corruption around the sites ownership and funding.

Lord Houchen later went on BBC radio to accuse Mr McDonald of being a liar and a coward.

Other allies of Mr Johnson have taken their seats in the House of Lords in recent weeks.

They included former Tory London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey, who took part in a lockdown-busting Christmas party in December 2020 at Conservative Party headquarters, and 31-year-old Ross Kempsell, a former political director of the Conservative Party.
The ringleader of a gang who tortured and murdered a father-of-one has been told he must serve at least 39 years in prison by a judge who said the suffering inflicted is difficult to imagine.

Arbab Yusuf was one of five people jailed for life on Monday for murdering addict Adam Clapham in the dark and dingy basement of a house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

A trial earlier this year heard that Mr Clapham was tied to a chair and tortured for five hours, including being beaten with a hammer, hit with bottles and having boiling water poured over him.

Top row L to R: Muhammad Ashraf, Arbab Yusuf, Kieron Millar. Bottom row L to R: Robert Crookes, Lynette Myers (South Yorkshire Police/PA)

The 31-year-old was held captive along with another man in the early hours of September 18 2022 after the pair were blamed for 300 of drugs money going missing from the address, which was used for dealing.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that a pathologist found 214 areas of injury on Mr Claphams body, including 52 on his head.

Both of the captive men were filmed as they were forced to give each other oral sex and their attackers mocked them.

The judge, Mr Justice Dove, said the horrific incident illustrated the appalling consequences of the drugs trade in our communities.

At the end of a lengthy trial in June, Yusuf, 24, of Lord Street, Rotherham; Muhammad Ashraf, 18, of Fraser Road, Rotherham; Kieron Millar, 30, of Mount Pleasant Road, Rotherham; Robert Crookes, 31, of no fixed address; and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, were all found guilty of murder.

Ashraf, Yusuf, Crookes and the 17-year-old were also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, false imprisonment and rape.

Millar and a sixth defendant, Lynette Myers, 39, of Hounsfield Crescent, Rotherham, were found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and false imprisonment.

On Monday, all five of the defendants convicted of murder were jailed for life, with Yusuf given a 39-year minimum term, Crookes a minimum of 37 years, Millar a 30-year minimum, Ashraf a minimum of 28 years, and the 17-year-old a 21-year minimum.

The judge told the teenager he was sure he had been groomed for a life as a drug dealer.

Myers was jailed for 12 years.

The judge highlighted the sadistic element of the incident, saying it was a relentless, sadistic attack.

He said: The suffering inflicted on (Mr Clapham) is difficult to imagine.

Earlier, Mr Claphams mother, Carol Clapham, read an impact statement to the packed court, saying: The circumstances of his death gives me nightmares and will forever by imprinted in my thoughts.

No-one deserves what happened to Adam.

Five people were jailed for life at Sheffield Crown Court for the murder of Adam Clapham (Peter Byrne/PA)

Mrs Clapham added: Adam was a kind, gentle man and would not harm anyone.

She said her son will never get to see his seven-year-old daughter grow up.

A statement was also read from the man who survived the incident in what he described as the dark and dingy cellar.

He said: What happened to me was horrific but what happened to Adam was far worse.

The abuse was horrific and I have been left with physical and mental scars.

We did not know what they were going to do next.

He added that he was tortured and humiliated and they left me for dead in that cellar.
George Alagiah was a popular and reassuring presence behind a BBC News desk for more than 20 years, his unflappable demeanour making him a hit with viewers.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and was one of the broadcasters leading foreign correspondents, filing dispatches on subjects ranging from the Rwandan genocide to civil wars across Africa.

Alagiah was born in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo in 1955 when the city was still considered part of the former British territory of Ceylon.

During the BBCs coverage of the 2004 Asian tsunami, he returned to the country to find that his grandfathers former home had been destroyed in the natural disaster.

News reader George Alagiah was made an OBE in 2008 (Fiona Hanson/PA)

Alagiah was forced to take a break from television following his bowel cancer diagnosis in 2014 and shared updates as he battled the disease, including in June 2020 when he revealed it had spread to his lungs.

Alagiah spent part his of childhood in Ghana in west Africa where he moved with his engineer father Donald and mother Therese.

He moved to the UK to attend secondary school in Portsmouth after which he read politics at Durham University.

During his studies at Durham he was the editor of the student paper and a sabbatical officer of the students union.

It was there that he met his wife Frances Robathan. The couple married in 1984 and share two sons Adam and Matthew.

Before starting with the BBC in 1989, Alagiah was based in Johannesburg as developing world correspondent for South Magazine.

He was named Amnesty Internationals journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi and also won the Broadcasting Press Guilds award for television journalist of the year.

He was also part of the BBC team that won a Bafta Award in 2000 for its reporting of the conflict in Kosovo, one of several prizes he received during his broadcasting career.

George Alagiah returned to BBC News following a battle with cancer (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

After first presenting BBC Four News in 2002 he went on to co-anchor the corporations 6pm news bulletin, first alongside Sophie Raworth and then Natasha Kaplinsky.

From 2007 he was the programmes sole presenter while he was also a relief presenter for News at Ten.

He interviewed several world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In 2008, he was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to journalism.

The following year he was asked by the BBCs management to step down from his role as a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation.

The corporation explained that based on its principles of impartiality his role with the group represented a professional conflict of interest.

It was first announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It was later revealed the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

BBC news anchorman George Alagiah fought cancer and was diagnosed with Covid-19 (Mark Harrison/BBC/PA)

After undergoing treatment he revealed on social media in October 2015 that he would return to work, subsequently appearing on-screen in November.

An ever-popular presenter, his return was welcomed by viewers and his fellow journalists, including presenters of competing news programmes.

In 2016, Alagiah said he was a richer person for his cancer diagnosis, which saw him undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations, one of which included the removal of most of his liver.

Alagiahs health was back in the headlines in March 2020, when amid a global pandemic he tested positive for Covid-19.

He credited his experience of fighting cancer with helping him deal with the mild case of coronavirus.

In June 2020, Alagiah revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs but delivered a typically philosophical judgment.

He told the Times newspaper: My doctors have never used the word chronic or cure about my cancer.

Theyve never used the word terminal either. Ive always said to my oncologist, Tell me when I need to sort my affairs out, and hes not told me that, but what he did tell me is that the cancer is now in a third organ. It is in my lungs.

Alagiah said he had kept the development a secret, only telling his editor.

He said: I said to my doctor, Youre going to have to do the worrying for me. I dont want to fill my mind with worry. I just know that hes a clever guy, doing everything he can.

In October 2021, a representative for Alagiah announced that he would be taking a step back from his presenting and journalism duties as he deals with a further spread of cancer.

During an interview in January 2022, Alagiah spoke candidly about his long battle with cancer, saying it will get me in the end, before adding Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.

Despite his matter of fact approach to the disease, Alagiah remained positive when reflecting on his career and family life.

I had to stop and say, Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?, he said.

He added: And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances Robathan), whos now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up it didnt feel like a failure.

Alagiah temporarily returned to BBC News At Six in April 2022.

However, in October he once again announced that he had been forced to take time away from his work after scans showed that the cancer had spread further.

While sharing the news, Alagiah said: A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so its back to some tough stuff.

Im missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

I look forward to being back in that studio as soon as I can.

Away from journalism, Alagiah was a published author and his debut novel was shortlisted for a Society Of Authors award.

His thriller The Burning Land, about corruption and homicide in South Africa, was in the running for the Paul Torday memorial prize, which is awarded to a first novel by a writer over 60.
The Government has announced a new raft of proposals to increase housebuilding as it tries to meet its promise of building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s.

Michael Gove told an audience in London on Monday the Government is on track to deliver one million new homes during the current Parliament and put forward a series of proposals to tackle the UKs housing crisis.

Below, the PA news agency looks at the key questions surrounding the housing crisis and the latest proposals.

(PA Graphics)

 How bad is the housing crisis?

It is difficult to measure the full scale of the UKs housing crisis but most measures suggest it is severe.

A 2019 study by Heriot-Watt University suggested England alone needed to build 340,000 houses per year, including 145,000 affordable homes, to meet the backlog, while the Centre for Cities think tank suggested the UK is missing four million homes.

While the Government has committed to building 300,000 homes a year, it is missing its target, with 233,000 homes completed in 2021/22.

(PA Graphic)

The official waiting list for social housing remains at about 1.2 million households, while an investigation by The Independent found two-thirds of local authorities failed to build a single council house in 2021/22.

The shortfalls mean tenants are often forced into sub-standard housing, while increases in private rents have accelerated since the Covid pandemic.

According to estate agent Hamptons, private rents for new tenancies rose by 11.1% in the last financial year, while rents in desirable areas rose even faster. In London, rents rose by almost 17.2% and averaged 2,210 per month.

 What is the Government proposing?

Michael Gove has renewed the Governments plan to focus on brownfield sites (Yui Mok/PA)

The Governments latest announcement on the housing crisis contains a raft of proposals designed to boost the number of new homes.

One is for a review of permitted development rights to allow shops and takeaways to be converted into homes without the need for planning permission. Such rights already exist for some properties, such as office blocks, with conversions accounting for 22,770 new homes in 2021/22.

The other main prong of the announcement is a focus on brownfield sites and urban areas rather than concreting over the countryside, with a new urban quarter in Cambridge set to be the first area to benefit from a new super squad of planners working on clearing obstacles to major housing developments.

The exact location of this new development  with homes, laboratories and green spaces  is not clear, but similar plans were unveiled earlier this year for Cambridge City Airport, which was taken out of the green belt in 2006.

Other proposals announced by Housing Secretary Michael Gove include a 24 million fund for training in the skills needed to increase housebuilding, and an Office for Place to lead a design revolution, following on from his promise of ensuring new homes are beautiful and designed alongside local communities.

 Will it work?

Plans for a focus on brownfield site are also likely to run into trouble (Gareth Fuller/PA

Commentators are sceptical as to whether the Governments latest proposals will do much to solve the housing crisis, with several pointing to the decision to scrap housebuilding targets at the end of last year as a key problem.

Property consultancy Knight Franks head of planning, Stuart Baillie, said plans to expand permitted development rights are unlikely to have meaningful impact on housing supply, resulting in hundreds rather than thousands of new homes.

Similar conversions have also been criticised for providing poor quality housing, with the Town and Country Planning Association telling MPs they represented the worst face of the current UK housing crisis.

Plans for a focus on brownfield site are also likely to run into trouble.

The brownfield first approach has effectively been planning policy for years and successive governments have made similar commitments to focus on brownfield before.

Sir Simon Clarke made similar proposals about building on brownfield sites when he was housing secretary (Aaron Chown/PA)

Under Liz Truss, then-housing secretary Sir Simon Clarke told the Conservative Party conference in 2022 he would speed up brownfield development, Boris Johnson told the Commons he was committed to brownfield first in 2020, and David Cameron pledged in 2011 to release huge swathes of brownfield land for housebuilding.

But brownfield development is often more expensive than building on green fields, with the sites presenting challenges such as contaminants, and proposals often meet local opposition anyway.

Within hours of the latest announcement, South Cambridgeshire MP Anthony Browne had already declared his opposition to the Governments nonsense plans to impose mass housebuilding on Cambridge.

Such opposition is often motivated by concern about the impact on local resources, with Mr Brown saying the area has quite literally run out of water.

Some greenfield development will also be needed in any case, with estimates suggesting there is only space on brownfield sites for just over one million homes.

But others are more optimistic. Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said the plans would make a significant contribution to alleviating the pressure placed on Englands planning services while Ryan Shorthouse of centre-right think tank Bright Blue said they were strong steps towards achieving greater and greener homes more would be needed.
Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has appeared in court charged with three terror offences relating to banned organisation Al-Muhajiroun, which he is accused of leading.

The 56-year-old, from Ilford in East London, is accused of directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

Appearing in the dock of Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday wearing a black jacket and glasses, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was not asked to enter any pleas to the alleged offending during the hearing, which lasted around 30 minutes.

Khaled Hussein, 28, from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, appeared separately at the same court charged with one count of being a member of a proscribed organisation.

His lawyer said he would not be entering any pleas.

The court heard that the case relates to an extreme form of Islam.

Anjem Choudary is alleged to have provided lectures to the Islamic Thinkers Society (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Choudary is alleged to have provided lectures to the Islamic Thinkers Society, which is Al-Muhajiroun for all intents and purposes, the court heard.

Al-Muhajiroun has been banned in the UK since 2010 but has continued under many names and guises, the court heard.

Bespectacled Hussein spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address in a Canadian accent during a 10-minute separate hearing.

He is alleged to have been in close contact with Choudary online to provide a platform for the groups views for around two years.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded them into custody until they appear at the Old Bailey on August 4.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17, while Hussein was detained at Heathrow after arriving on a flight the same day.

Nick Price, from the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: The CPS has authorised charges in relation to Anjem Choudary and Khaled Hussein under the Terrorism Act.

The charges relate to the proscribed organisation Al-Muhajiroun, also known as the Islamic Thinkers Society.

Criminal proceedings against Mr Choudary and Mr Hussein are now active and they each have the right to a fair trial.
A High Court judge has explained why he is against handing a jail sentence to 88-year-old Sir Frederick Barclay, despite finding the retired businessman in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan Cohen has been overseeing a fight over money between Sir Frederick and his ex-wife Lady Hiroko Barclay, who is also in her 80s, for more than two years.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million after the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

The judge says Sir Frederick has yet to pay.

He also ruled in July 2022 that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance, and he could impose a jail term or suspended prison sentence.

The judge has been told repeatedly that a settlement is in the offing, and he said at the latest hearing, in the Family Division of the High Court, on Monday that he did not want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I dont want to run the risk of ruining what is Lady Barclays best shot by making a committal order, he said.

I am quite satisfied in the circumstances that making a suspended committal order is not the way forward at this point.

Lady Hiroko Barclay (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Sir Fredericks adviser Martin Clarke told the judge that money to settle the dispute has not arrived in a bank account, adding that it was probably in the sky at the moment.

The judge said he would reconsider the case on August 4.

He added: It is a completely unacceptable way to proceed but at the moment I cannot think of a better alternative than adjourning.

Sir Frederick and his twin brother Sir David were among the UKs most high-profile businessmen.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Sir David and Sir Frederick receiving their knighthoods at Buckingham Palace (Michael Stephens/PA)

Their interests included Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London.

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir Davids sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for group business.

In June, news emerged that the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine were likely to be put up for sale after talks between their owners and lenders collapsed.

It came after the Barclay family denied that the business could face administration.

A barrister leading Lady Barclays legal team said he understood the judges reasoning.

We understand the risk of Sir Frederick being sent to prison  Lady Barclay gets no money, said Stewart Leech KC.

The best outcome for everybody is for this matter to resolved consensually.

But there comes a point when one has to ask the question, is this a charade?

Are we going to come back in another week to be given, yet again, the run-around?

The settlement figure has not been revealed at hearings.

Sir Jonathan has been told that money Sir Frederick plans to use to finance a settlement is being borrowed.

Mr Leech on Monday referred to an agreement to borrow 10 million.
The King paid a heartfelt tribute to Second World War RAF veterans as he commemorated the 80th anniversary of the famous Dambusters raid.

Charles visited the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) in Lincolnshire where famous aircraft such as Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber  the aircraft used in the audacious 1943 raid  are kept airworthy for major displays.

The veterans were enjoying afternoon tea in a giant hangar, with BBMF air, ground and support crews surrounded by many of the historic planes, when the King arrived, and many of the elderly men, in their late 90s and some aged more than 100, joined the guests in standing.

The King Charles speaks to veteran Burt Hammond during a visit to Coningsby, Lincolnshire (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

When he stopped at one table the King sat between two veterans and referencing the RAF servicemen maintaining and flying the aircraft said, thank God for all these men and he put his hand on the arm of a elderly man adding people like you looked after us.

At another table he asked the veterans these sorties you went on to Germany, how long were you in the air for and a few moments later he said: Being shot at the whole time I suppose thats the horror (of being) a target.

Colin Bell, a former flight lieutenant who flew Mosquito bombers with 608 Squadron, known as the Pathfinder Group, made the King laugh when he told him Im 102 and a half  dont forget the half.

The King Charles poses for a photograph with staff and Second World War veterans, during a visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) in Coningsby, Lincolnshire (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

The spritely pensioner only stopped working as a chartered valuation surveyor when he was 99, joking well, I thought Id paid the Chancellor of the Exchequer enough money.

Commenting about the criticism RAF Bomber Command has received over the decades for targeting German cities during the war, he replied: Were criticised by people who would not have come into existence If we had lost the war.

And this is the most important thing, the objective of Bomber Command was to destroy the German capability of attacking us, that and nothing more.

We werent interested in killing civilians, we were only interested in destroying their cities that were producing armaments and other weapons to be used against us. And by and large, I think Bomber Command did a very good job.

Charles inspects one of the aircraft during his visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Lincolnshire (David Dawson/National World/PA)

Nineteen Lancasters, crewed by 133 airmen, took part in Operation Chastise on the night of May 16-17, 1943  the Dambusters raid.

Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the raid targeted three dams in the industrialised Ruhr region of Germany using the bouncing bomb invented by Barnes Wallis.

They successfully breached the Mohne and Eder dams while the Sorpe was damaged.

George Johnny Johnson, the last surviving member of the Dambusters died in December aged 101 but events have been staged this year to mark the military milestone.

Charles posed for a group picture with the veterans and members of the BBMF, based at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in the shadow of the famous Lancaster before he left.

Outside the hangar, Charles met Typhoon jet pilots who had flown over Buckingham Palace to mark Trooping the Colour and spelled out the Kings cypher CR with their formation flying.
Placing a statue of wartime codebreaker Alan Turing on Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth has been backed by an LGBT+ armed forces charity.

Outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the suggestion in the House of Commons last week as he addressed a review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.

The plinth currently has no permanent display, and the London mayors Fourth Plinth Commission uses it to showcase temporary artistic installations.

LGBT+ armed forces charity Fighting With Prides executive chairman, Craig Jones, told the PA news agency that the organisation is supportive of placing a statue of Mr Turing on the plinth.

He said: Alan Turing is a man who today the United Kingdom is immensely proud of, but in his life he suffered greatly because of his sexual orientation.

His achievements changed the world, and therefore it would be incredible to see him recognised in this way in a position just yards away from Admiral Lord Nelson whose immortal memory we celebrate.

I think (Mr Turings) treatment in his time is a stark contrast to the debt we recognise we owe him today.

It would recognise that LGBT+ people have, like all others, met the nations call during our most difficult times, he said, adding that Mr Turing was right up there with the top five people who helped win the Second World War, so I think that makes him worthy.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace called for a statue of Turing to be added to Trafalgar Squares fourth plinth (James Manning/PA)

The Defence Secretarys backing followed an apology to LGBT service veterans for historical mistreatment.

Mr Wallace described Mr Turing as probably the greatest war hero of the Second World War.

Although the Defence Secretary did not name Trafalgar Square, he said it would be the greatest tribute to the success of someone from the LGBT community for a statue of Mr Turing to be placed on the blank plinth, (with) the mayors gimmicks or whatever it is every other five minutes.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) said he would absolutely support the Defence Secretarys campaign to put up a statue of (Mr) Turing in Trafalgar Square, if thats what hes launching.

Often considered to be the father of computer science, Mr Turing played a key role in deciphering coded messages used by Nazi Germany.

Alan Turing is honoured on the 50 note (Hollie Adams/PA)

Just seven years after the war ended, he was convicted of gross indecency for his relationship with a man, which led to the removal of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

He was chemically castrated following his conviction in 1952 and died in 1954 at the age of 41.

Mr Turing was later given a posthumous royal pardon, and a tribute to him now features on the 50 note.

Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth currently features a sculpture by Malawi-born artist Samson Kambalu.

Installed in September last year, the piece, titled Antelope, depicts a 1914 photograph of European missionary John Chorley and Malawian Baptist preacher John Chilembwe, who fought against colonial rule.

Previous Fourth Plinth commissions including Marc Quinns sculpture of pregnant Alison Lapper, Yinka Shonibares scaled-down replica of HMS Victory contained in a glass bottle, and Heather Phillipsons sculpture The End, which depicted a whirl of cream topped with a drone and a fly.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: The Fourth Plinth is one of the worlds most renowned sculpture prizes and continues to provide an important platform for artists, transforming careers and supporting a diverse range of voices that are often underrepresented in the art world. The programme was started in 1998 and there are no plans for it to change.
Watch: "I couldn't stop eating clay while pregnant"

When Dymund Dina fell pregnant with her first child in 2013, she experienced a rather unusual pregnancy craving: clay.

Dina, 31, is now a mum of five and has since spent 3,000 on the craving, and continues to eat the chalky substance today.

The craving began after Dina started smelling washing powder, which eventually led to her consuming the edible clay as it smelt similar.

Read more: Woman conceives twins 28 days apart after getting pregnant twice in one month - Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read

She buys the clay, known as Mabele or edible kaolin clay, from shops in her local area of London that import it from Congo, Central Africa.

During Dinas first pregnancy, she estimates she spent around 800 on the clay, describing the cravings as an "addiction". She says she spent another 2,200 on clay during her other three pregnancies (including one set of twins) and continues to eat it now.

Dymund Dina has spent 3,000 on satisfying a pregnancy craving - clay - during each of her pregnancies. (SWNS)

"Mabele has a really distinctive smell, and when I was pregnant I was obsessed with it," Dina, from southeast London, says.

"It smells like fresh rain in summer - that's the only way I can describe it. Then I started eating it and couldn't stop. When I was pregnant I'd get through ten bags a day, it was such a strong craving. Each bag is roughly two grams.

"I still can't get enough and eat clay every day, and I'm not even pregnant anymore."

Read more: Woman with polycystic ovary syndrome told she was likely infertile conceives triplets - Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read

Dina said eating the clay during her first pregnancy helped with her morning sickness, and that her mum also ate it while she was pregnant.

"The cravings really kicked in around the 12-week mark of my first pregnancy," she adds. "Up until that point, I'd been too sick to eat anything. But as I went into my second trimester, I found that eating the clay really helped with the nausea.

"I'm obsessed with the taste and texture, I just can't get enough of it," Dina adds, saying that it tastes salty.

Dina says the clay helped with her nausea. (SWNS)

Is eating clay while pregnant safe?

Eating clay during pregnancy is nothing new. A study from 2020 found that eating this kind of clay during pregnancy is a "cultural phenomenon embedded in indigenous knowledge" that stems from African countries like Congo. Reasons for eating clay can include curbing morning sickness, nausea, and satisfying cravings.

However, the same study said that most public health practitioners consider the practice "dangerous" and "potentially harmful to the health of the woman and unborn child".

The practice of eating clay, or other non-nutritive substances such as dirt, chalk, soap and ice is called "pica".

Read more: Hyperemesis gravidarum caused pregnant woman to vomit so much she lost all her teeth - Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read

A study from 2004 estimated that the practice dates back to the Greco-Roman civilisation, and that prevalence during pregnancy can be anywhere from 8% to 65%.

"No one is quite sure why pica occurs," Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy says. "The protection hypothesis, supposes that this is a natural method to protect their unborn baby from pathogens and toxins. Clay contains diosmectite, a natural silicate which has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut in studies on rats. Pica may also be a response to stress."

Clay is generally unsafe for pregnant women to consume. (Getty Images)

Lee adds that while kaolin clay is sometimes used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, it is not recommended in pregnancy as it contains bismuth salicylate, a medication often used to treat diarrhoea.

"Current evidence shows pregnant women should not eat clay," Lee adds. "Although it can serve as a good source of minerals, research shows it is often contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, selenium and lead. Clay is unsafe for human consumption and could pose health risks to the woman and the unborn baby."

Lee says that long-term effects of eating clay can include iron deficiency, low potassium levels, and even lead poisoning.

The most common pregnancy cravings

While eating clay is a relatively rare pregnancy craving, a 2014 study found that some of the more common cravings include sweets, fruit, and animal protein.

The study, published in Frontiers of Psychology, analysed over 200 posts from pregnancy-related blog websites on food cravings and found that chocolate and sweets are the biggest food craving for pregnant women.

This is followed by savoury carbohydrates like pizza and chips, animal protein like steak and chicken, fruit, and high calorie savoury dairy products like cheese and sour cream.

The full list is as follows:

Sweets (chocolate, candy) Carbohydrates, high-calorie, savoury (pizza, chips) Animal protein (steak, chicken) Fruit Dairy, high-calorie, savoury (cheese, sour cream) Carbohydrates, other (pretzels, cereal) Fast food (e.g., Chinese, Mexican, falafel) Cold foods (ice cream, slurpee) Vegetables Dairy, high-calorie, sweet (ice cream, milkshakes)

The study also pointed to prior research which found that savoury food cravings tend to be stronger during the first trimester of pregnancy, while sweet cravings reach their peak during the second trimester.

Cravings for salty foods tend to emerge later on in the pregnancy, usually during the third trimester.
A man has been charged with murdering a 26-year-old woman whose body was found in a tent in the grounds of a church.

Lincolnshire Police said Paul Neilson, 30, of no fixed address, will appear before magistrates in Lincoln on Monday, accused of killing Colette Law.

The victim, originally from Greenock in Scotland, was found dead on Monday July 17 in the grounds of St Mary and St Nicholas Church in Spalding.

Lincolnshire Police has said officers are working with Police Scotland to support her family.
Train drivers are to stage another week-long overtime ban in a long-running dispute over pay, threatening fresh disruption to services at the height of the summer holidays.

Members of Aslef at 15 train companies in England will refuse to work overtime from Monday August 7 to Saturday August 12.

The union said the ban will seriously disrupt services, claiming that none of the train companies employs enough drivers.

The move will affect Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; Cross Country; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway main line; TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

It will be the fifth week-long ban on working overtime since May.

The latest ban ended on Saturday, with another one due from July 31 to August 5.

Mick Whelan, Aslefs general secretary, said: We dont want to take this action  because we dont want people to be inconvenienced  but the train companies, and the government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years  since 2019  while prices have soared in that time by more than 12%.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union staged two strikes last week and will walk out again on Saturday in a bitter row over pay, jobs and conditions.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: Aslefs leadership continues to disrupt customers travel plans. They rejected a fair and affordable offer without putting it to their members, which would take average driver base salaries for a four day week without overtime from 60,000 to nearly 65,000 by the end of 2023 pay awards.

Train companies will work hard to minimise the impact of the overtime ban that will affect the level of cancellations and the punctuality of some services. Customers are advised to plan their journey in advance and check the latest travel information before they travel.

We ask Aslef to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a better, more reliable railway with a strong long-term future.
Ministers have vowed to protect consumers from any rising costs associated with green policies as Conservative MPs called for a rethink over the pace of change to reach net zero.

Right-wing Tories are urging the Prime Minister to review the deadlines around environmental measures after voter concerns about the expansion of Londons ultra low emission zone (Ulez) helped the party hang on to Boris Johnsons old Uxbridge and South Ruislip during last weeks by-election.

The result has given the governing party hope that its chances of pulling off a shock general election victory are not over if it can focus on issues where there is a clear divide with Labour.

Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Danny Kruger, the co-leader of the New Conservatives, a group of Tory MPs elected since the Brexit referendum, both called for green deadlines to be reconsidered on Sunday.

Rishi Sunak is said to be considering delaying or ditching climate change-tackling measures that could impose costs on consumers.

One of the options on the table is an exemption for smaller car manufacturers  dubbed an Aston Martin exemption  on the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, according to The Times.

The newspaper said the UK Government is also considering a ban on new low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), with ministers reportedly weighing-up preventing councils from using the national number plate database to stop the zones being enforced.

No 10 said it could not comment on either suggestion although Mr Sunak is likely to be asked about them during a visit to the West Midlands on Monday ahead of the Government unveiling house building reforms.

The Department for Energy Security said the push to net zero would provide customers with cheaper bills in the long term but recognised there were concerns about the costs involved with the 2050 target.

A Government spokeswoman said: We know that the number one concern for families up and down the country today is the immediate cost of living challenge and thats why halving inflation is one of the Prime Ministers top priorities.

Were working hard to stick to the plan to ease pressure on families, and we will always look to protect consumers from any rising costs.

Senior Tory Sir Jacob said the lesson from the Uxbridge result, where the Tory majority was slashed from 7,200 to under 500 votes, was that ministers needed to stop burdening the public with extra green charges and regulations.

He told GB News: What works is getting rid of unpopular, expensive green policies, and that is a real opportunity for us.

He proposed getting rid of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars  announced during Mr Johnsons premiership  arguing it was formulated a few years ago in different circumstances.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said green policies were expensive and unpopular (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Devizes MP Mr Kruger told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour: We shouldnt abandon green policies but we have got to work in a way that is sensible.

And I think the whole population, young and old, recognise that we need a transition that is affordable and particularly affordable for working families, people who are struggling to make ends meet.

And the cost to net zero at the moment is forecast to fall most heavily on them.

I think we do need to bring the whole country along with us and we do need a rethink about the pace and the mechanism of the change we all want to see.

It comes as landlords called for more clarity on suggestions from Housing Secretary Michael Gove that a deadline to improve the energy efficiency of private rented homes could be relaxed.

The Government had proposed during a consultation that by April 2025 all new-build tenancies would need a rating of C or better, with the same grade applied to all private rented housing by April 2028.

Tory MP Danny Kruger said a rethink on the pace of achieving net zero was needed (Victoria Jones/PA)

Mr Gove said on Sunday that landlords were being asked to do too much too quickly.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said a two-year delay since the original consultation over the measures meant ministers had been warned there was never any hope of meeting the originally proposed deadlines.

He said: The NRLA wants to see properties as energy efficient as possible, but the sector needs certainty about how and when this will happen.

Ministers need to develop a proper plan that includes a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rented sector.

Labour overturned a massive 20,000 Tory majority in the Selby and Ainsty by-election but was left conducting a public inquest into why it had fallen short in Uxbridge.

Leader Sir Keir Starmer blamed Mr Khans proposals to expand Ulez to all London boroughs for its loss in west London.

Mr Khan, the Labour incumbent in City Hall, plans next month  subject to a legal challenge  to widen the 12.50 daily charge for vehicles which fail to meet emissions standards, taking it beyond the capitals north and south circular roads.

The PA news agency understands Mr Khan plans to stick by the policy, which is designed to cut air pollution in the capital, but he is currently looking at whether there are further ways of mitigating the financial impact on Londoners without reducing its effectiveness.
Relatives of victims of the NHS infected blood scandal have delivered a letter to Downing Street saying action is needed now to set up a body to give them full compensation.

Campaigners shared harrowing stories of how their lives have been blighted after they handed over the letter on Monday calling for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to expand the interim compensation scheme to cover more victims and their families.

The Infected Blood Inquiry was established in 2017 to examine how thousands of patients in the UK developed HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products given in the 1970s and 1980s.

From left, Temple Jones, Janine Jones, Jason Evans, Gemma Holding, Chris Smith and Tim Wratten hand over letter at Downing Street (Victoria Jones/PA)

About 2,900 people died in what has been labelled the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff has said an interim compensation scheme should be widened so more people  including orphaned children and parents who lost children  could be compensated.

Sir Brian said in April he was taking the unusual step of making the recommendation ahead of the publication of the full report into the scandal so that victims would not face any more delays.

Under the initial scheme, only victims themselves or bereaved partners can receive an interim payment of around 100,000.

The inquiry has recommended the Government establish an arms-length compensation body now, and definitely before the final report is made in autumn.

The letter from relatives called for Sir Brians request to be acted on, saying: This delay denies victims and their families any sense of tangible progress.

Many continue to die without full redress, this cannot be right. The interim payment for deaths not yet recognised is critical.

These payments are not just about compensation, they symbolise acknowledgement and they represent initial recognition of each life lost.

Janine Jones, whose haemophiliac brother Marc Payton died in 2003 at the age of 41 after being infected with HIV and hepatitis C, was among the group handing in the letter.

Ms Jones, 58, of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said her brother was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 when he was 23 and told he had hepatitis C in 1990.

Their elderly parents, Ron and Val, had both died while waiting for justice.

Families protest outside Downing Street (Victoria Jones/PA)

She told the PA news agency: In the last two years while the inquiry has been going on both our parents have died.

They were both in their 80s and they died with no recognition at all for their sons death.

Because he wasnt married or he didnt have a partner when he died, there has been no compensation paid to him at all.

She said of her parents: They were devastated from his diagnosis anyway. Mum always blamed herself for giving him haemophilia because she was the carrier.

It absolutely crucified them, they never got over it.

My mum, the last three years of her life she had dementia and every time she saw me it was the first words out of her mouth: Wheres Mark? I havent seen Mark.

Ms Jones added: Ive been orphaned. Ive lost my brother. Ive lost my parents. On my brothers deathbed I promised him Id carry on fighting for him.

She said an arms-length compensation body would be more independent from Government.

They havent done anything good for us over the last 40 years of campaigning to get something done, so we really dont trust anything theyre saying, Ms Jones added.

Obviously an arms-length body will have to still answer to Government but wed like it to be more independent.

Eileen Burkert, 54, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, said her haemophiliac father Edward died in April 1992 after developing HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood products.

Ms Burkert said two uncles and three cousins, who also had the inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly, were infected from transfusions and died.

We didnt know that my dad had had HIV until the day he died, she said.

He was a single father of five  he was 54, the age I am now.

When my dad died we just got no support. We left the hospital, we got nothing from anybody, nobody contacted us.

Just left his five children without any support. Nobody came to us to give us any advice, no counselling.

Under the initial scheme, only victims themselves or bereaved partners can receive an interim payment (Victoria Jones/PA)

Ms Burkert added: One of my younger brothers (Keith) took his own life eight years after my dad died and through talking to one of his key workers back in the day, I found out that he always feared that he may have got HIV.

And we think that he took his life because he missed dad. I didnt know how to console my brother because I was going through the same thing, she said.

Its not just the impact on myself and my brothers and sisters, it literally contributed to my brothers death because if you dont have the support and the network around you, how can you deal with it when your only parent has been taken by a disease like Aids, which was really, really stigmatised back in the day?

Right now Im pretty angry because the first interim payment paid the infected, rightly so, and the windows and partners, rightly so, but why havent they recognised, so far, the deaths of people that have so far gone unrecognised?

Like my dad was a single parent of five children  so why is my dads life worth less than anybody elses?

It is not the money; my dads life needs to be recognised, Ms Burkert added.
An SNP activist has hinted at an attempt to challenge First Minister Humza Yousaf, claiming the leaders position was conditional on listening to party members.

Chris Hanlon, the secretary of a Fife branch of the party, posted a picture to Twitter on Sunday of nomination forms for the SNP leadership.

Alongside the picture  which he described as a petition for SNP members  he said: The job of Party Leader is to implement party policy, all of party policy, and nothing but party policy. Party policy is decided by Conference.

*Petition for SNP Members*#MembersMakePolicy The job of Party Leader is to implement party policy, all of party policy, and nothing but party policy. Party Policy is decided by Conference. If, like me, you are concerned that leadership spends too much time pontificating pic.twitter.com/4YJNEDfjNn  Chris Hanlon SNP (@SovereignWill) July 23, 2023

If, like me, you are concerned that leadership spends too much time pontificating about what they claim party policy is rather than waiting for members to decide or telling journalists that the decision hasnt been made yet and that questions about the specific details of the Independence Election will have to wait till Conference, Id like to hear from you.

He added: I havent made any decisions but if you feel, as I do, that feet need to be held to the fire, please comment below.

@HumzaYousaf promised to listen, I think we should make it clear that his position is conditional on living up to that promise.

It is understood leadership positions within the SNP are available ahead of the partys annual conference and 100 nominations are required from 20 different branches for a candidate to run.

An SNP source told the PA news agency: Every member has a right to put themselves forward for party positions  no matter the odds of prevailing.

The intervention comes after MP Angus MacNeil was suspended from the party after announcing he would not re-take the SNP whip at Westminster following a suspension.

He described the partys strategy on independence as clueless, saying he would wait until after the October SNP conference to make a decision on re-joining the Westminster group.
The last survivor to be brought out of the wreckage of the Croydon tram crash has given a harrowing account of the disaster which victims families say should never have happened.

Seven passengers were killed and 21 more suffered serious injuries when the tram carrying 69 people derailed near the Sandilands stop on the morning of November 9 2016.

The people who died were Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, Robert Huxley, 63, and Philip Logan, 52, all from New Addington, and Donald Collett, 62, and Mark Smith, 35, both from Croydon.

Transport operators Transport for London (TfL) and Tram Operations Limited (TOL) have accepted failing in their health and safety duties and will be sentenced at the Old Bailey over three days this week.

The tram driver Alfred Dorris, 49, from Beckenham, south-east London, was cleared after blaming the crash on external factors including poor lighting and signage on the approach through the Sandilands tunnel complex.

Mark Smith, 35, (right) from Croydon, who was one of seven people who died (BTP/PA)

On Monday, 10 victim impact statements were read out in Court One of the Old Bailey on the first day of sentencing.

Survivor Stephen Kennedy, 31, was working as an electrician on the film Murder On The Orient Express.

In a statement read by prosecutor Jonathan Ashley-Norman KC, he described the moment his life was changed forever.

Before the crash, Mr Kennedy heard the man sitting next to him talking to his wife on the phone about plans for their wedding anniversary that night.

Mr Kennedy said: It was like everything was moving in slow motion. The carriage completely tipped over and I was thrown from my seat.

Everything went dark. After a few moments the silence was broken by the most terrible screams.

I tried to free my arm but it was completely trapped. The man who I had been sitting next to prior to the crash was now lying on top of me. The man was not moving and he was completely unresponsive.

He had suffered a fatal head injury. This memory stays with me to this day. I remember other passengers stepping over me to get off the tram.

I remember how cold and damp it was. Im not sure how long I lay on the tram floor. The emergency services eventually arrived.

As he was freed by London Ambulance staff he was told he was the last survivor to be extracted from the wreckage.

Mr Kennedy said he woke up at St Georges Hospital in Tooting to be told that doctors had been unable to save his arm and it had to be amputated.

He told how he tried to make light of the situation through humour so his family would not worry while feeling completely broken and scared inside.

Mr Kennedy described his difficult recovery and learning to use a prosthetic limb as well as feelings of guilt for having survived.

He added: I fear my life will forever be defined by what happened on 9 November 2016.

Mark Smith, a dependable, trustworthy family man, was killed in a wholly avoidable crash, his sister Stacey Smith said.

She said her faith in justice had been damaged and called for those responsible for the catastrophic disaster to be held to account.

Mr Smiths mother Jean Smith wept as she spoke of her nightmare journey after her son was killed in the most brutal and avoidable way possible.

She said: I used to cry first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Even though Im screaming in my head while crying I do not want anybody to see or hear me.

She said that no amount of money or justice would bring her son back but getting accountability may bring some sense of peace.

We have to live with the consequences of other peoples actions for the rest of our lives. Im living a life sentence. It should never have happened.

Lorry driver Donald Collett, 62, from Croydon, was described as a loving father and grandfather (BTP/PA)

Tracy Angelo said her father Donald Collett was very protective and loving towards his family and friends.

On the effect of seeing aerial pictures of the crash site, she said: We know our darling, beautiful dad was in amongst that devastation and all he was doing was going to work.

We all remain completely devastated and individually we will never be the same again.

Philip Logan, 52, from New Addington, was a big-hearted people pleaser (BTP/PA)

Philip Logans sister Susan Lavelle had waited for news at hospital only to be told there had been an unfortunate mix-up and he was not there. Days later, she learned confirmation of his death on the news, she said.

Ms Lavelle said: Phil worked hard. He would put aside his aches and pains. He was a people pleaser.

He was loved for the big heart he had. I miss my bricklayer jack-of-all-trades. I will always grieve for my brother and I will always grieve for the person I once was.

Robert Huxley, 63, from New Addington, was killed while travelling to work (BTP/PA)

Robert Huxley was a huge hard-working, charismatic family member.

His son Adam said he had lost all trust in the tram operators and felt insecurity, anxiety, vulnerability and heartbreak whenever he went past the network.

He said: Killed whilst travelling to work and due to retire soon  Robert and anybody else did not deserve this.

Crystal Palace fan Philip Seary (Family handout/PA)

Philip Seary met his Californian wife Vivian on a blind date in the United States and they married after his beloved Crystal Palace reached the Cup Final, the court heard.

His widow said: We need some justice for the seven lives lost and the many people injured. If I had driven my car in a reckless manner there would be consequences.

During the hearing, Mr Justice Fraser commended passenger Joseph McKoy for his selflessness and bravery in going to the aid of the tram driver and stricken passengers in the most difficult of conditions.

The court heard tram 2551 was going three times the 20kph speed limit when it derailed on a sharp corner at Sandilands.

Mr Ashley-Norman said the main failing of the companies was to make a suitable risk assessment of such a high speed derailment happening.

He said there were missed opportunities over the years to take a closer look at the Sandilands curve but action was not taken.

There was over-reliance on fallible humans and tram drivers were let down by their employer TOL, and by TfL, the court was told.

The sentencing before Mr Justice Fraser is due to conclude on Thursday.
The chaos at the top of the Conservatives caused delays in fulfilling plans to tackle Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination in the party, an independent reviewer has said.

Professor Swaran Singh said the turmoil has affected the Tories ability to undertake the reforms he called for in his original inquiry into the issue.

The former equality and human rights commissioners review, published on Monday, found the implementation of some of his recommendations has been slow.

Training at the local level is mixed, and the large amount of documentation in response to the investigation has not necessarily improved awareness or action on the ground.

No formal process has been put in place to handle complaints of discriminatory behaviour involving the partys most senior members, the review found.

Individuals coming forward with allegations were also said to need better care.

Politics is a rough business, but there is no reason why the complaints process should be indifferent or abrasive to the experience of individuals involved, the report said.

The churn at the top of the Tories was said to have had an unavoidable impact on the day-to-day running of the party.

Prof Singh told the PA news agency: It just took forever for them to focus on this.

Since he completed his report in May 2021, Boris Johnson was forced out as prime minister, as was his immediate successor Liz Truss in a period of tumult.

Liz Truss was in the top job for less than two months (PA)

In the report, Prof Singh wrote: The two years since the publication of the report have seen considerable political upheaval in the UK.

In that time, the Conservative Party has had three leaders and seven chairs.

This turmoil has impacted on the partys efforts to implement our recommendations.

Change took longer than expected, and challenges resulting from the interdependencies between recommendations contributed to delays in implementation.

Prof Singh told PA that it has taken much longer than we expected to implement reforms.

He cited the biggest problem as being tackling issues at the local party level but welcomed fresh action from Tory headquarters as he undertook his review.

In one case detailed in the review, a complainant was further distressed by no sanction being completed after nearly a year from the judgment  and the offending continued undeterred.

No apology has been offered to the complainant, or demanded of the respondents, despite the panel imposing other sanctions, the review said.

But the team welcomed the wholehearted acceptance by the party that it must implement the recommendations.

Prof Singhs update showed there had been 212 complaints relating to 137 incidents in the three months up to June 2022.

Five complaints were categorised as bullying or intimidation, three cited sexual assault, two referred to criminal activity and one was about a member writing on an alt-right website.

Prof Singh issued a range of fresh recommendations, including reviewing whether complaints against the most senior members should be handled independently.

Conservative chairman Greg Hands MP said: The party has made significant progress on Professor Singhs recommendations with 25 complete and just six ongoing.

There is however still work to be done and this is a process of continual improvement.

The original inquiry was established by the party following a series of allegations about Islamophobic behaviour among Conservatives.

It found Mr Johnson describing women wearing burkas as looking like letterboxes and bank robbers gave the impression the Tories were insensitive to Muslim communities.
A wildfire has caused havoc on the Greek island of Rhodes with around 19,000 people having so far been evacuated from villages and hotels.

The six-day blaze continued to rage on Sunday after the fire service warned more fires could break out, with temperatures set to reach 45C.

So how have different British travel companies responded to the emergency?

 easyJet

easyJet announced it would operate repatriation flights to bring home British holidaymakers trapped on Rhodes.

Two rescue flights, an A320 and an A321 aircraft totalling 421 additional seats, will fly from Gatwick on Monday, and a third flight will operate on Tuesday.

Nine flights already operating between Rhodes and the UK will also continue alongside them.

Flights are still operating for customers booked to travel to or from Rhodes before July 29, but if they would like to change their plans, customers can change the date of their flight or request a flight voucher.

 Jet2

Jet2 was the first to announce it had cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes up to and including Sunday July 30.

Aircraft will be flown to Rhodes with no customers onboard, so they can bring customers on the island back to the UK.

The company said it would be contacting customers to arrange refunds or re-bookings.

 Tui

Tui said it had cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes up to and including Tuesday July 25, with passengers receiving full refunds.

Those due to travel on Wednesday July 26 can amend to another holiday or cancel free of charge.

It said customers currently in Rhodes will return on their intended flights home.

 Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook announced it had cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos  the areas of Rhodes most at risk  up to and including Monday July 31, and would be in touch to offer full refunds.

Customers travelling to other parts of the island on July 24 and 25 are being called in departure order to receive a full refund if they wish to cancel their trip.

Those travelling on Wednesday July 26 will be contacted no later than 6am on July 25 to discuss options.

Rhodes update: Sunday 23rd at 8.30pm. Update affects customers due to depart on Tuesday 25th July. pic.twitter.com/rBP0hA9E0Q  Thomas Cook (@ThomasCookUK) July 23, 2023

 British Airways

British Airways said it was still operating flights to Rhodes as normal.

However, customers currently on the island needing to come home early can change their return flight free of charge, and anyone travelling out from the UK in the next week can postpone their flight to a later date.
Seven Republican presidential candidates have, as of Sunday, met the polling requirements to appear on the August debate stage following new polling from Fox Business in Iowa and South Carolina.

Former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have each reached 1% or higher in at least two qualifying national polls and two qualifying state polls from separate states, which is a requirement set by the Republican National Committee.

Candidates must also meet fundraising criteria and sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee in order to qualify for the August 23 debate in Milwaukee. Several candidates and their aides say they have already met that donor threshold, including Trump, DeSantis, Scott, Haley, Christie, Ramaswamy and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Ramaswamy announced Saturday that he had also met the RNCs fundraising criteria of 40,000 unique donors, with at least 200 unique contributors from 20 or more states and territories. He also said he intends to sign the candidate pledge.

The RNCs debate stage criteria are stringent but fair, Ramaswamy said in a statement. If an outsider can clear the bar, politically experienced candidates should be able to as well: if you cant hit these metrics by late August, you have absolutely no chance of defeating Joe Biden in the general election.

Pence is the only candidate who has met the polling threshold but says he has not reached the fundraising threshold.

Were making incredible progress toward that goal. Were not there yet, the former vice president told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union in an interview that aired Sunday. We will make it. I will see you at that debate stage.

Of the remaining GOP candidates who have not yet met the polling criteria, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is one national poll away from doing so, Burgum needs two national polls, and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez each need one state and two national polls to qualify. No other candidate has hit 1% in a qualifying poll so far.

The new Fox Business polls from Iowa and South Carolina show Trump with a commanding lead over the rest of the field in both states. In the Hawkeye State, 46% of likely GOP caucusgoers backed the former president, compared with 16% for DeSantis and 11% for Scott.

In South Carolina, 48% of likely GOP primary voters picked Trump in the Fox Business poll, compared with 14% for Haley, 13% for DeSantis and 10% for Scott.

The surveys were conducted July 15-19 among 806 likely Republican caucusgoers in Iowa and 808 likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina, and each had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Their overall methodology appears to meet the RNCs standards for recognized polling.

CNNs Veronica Stracqualursi and Kim Berryman contributed to this report.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The fraught politics of abortion have helped turn an August ballot question in Ohio that would make it harder to change the state constitution into a cauldron of misinformation and fear-mongering.

State Issue 1, the sole question on the ballot, calls for raising the threshold for passing future changes to the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to 60%. Starting next year, it also would double the number of counties where signatures must be gathered, from 44 to all 88, and do away with the 10-day grace period for closing gaps in the total valid signatures submitted.

Republican state lawmakers and the GOP elections chief urgently advanced the proposal as an abortion rights question was working its way toward the ballot this fall. However, they insisted it had nothing to do with thwarting that measure.

But early summer messaging on social media and in churches has consistently urged a yes vote on the August amendment to protect life  and that's just one example of the loaded messages confronting voters during the campaign.

Protect Women Ohio, the campaign against the fall abortion issue, is airing pro-Issue 1 ads suggesting that abortions rights proponents at work in the state encourage minors to get sex change surgeries and want to trash parental consent. The fall abortion amendment would protect access to various forms of reproductive health care but makes no mention of gender surgery, and the attorneys who wrote it say Ohio's parental consent law would not be affected.

Groups opposing Issue 1 also have played on voters' fears with their messaging against the 60% threshold. One spot by the Democratic political group Progress Action Fund shows a couple steamily groping in their bedroom, then interrupted by a white-haired Republican congressman who has come to take their birth control. It closes with a caption: Keep Republicans Out of Your Bedroom. Vote No On Aug, 8.

While the ad is based in fears that the U.S. Supreme Court could limit rights to at-home contraception and Issue 1 would make it harder to enshrine those in Ohios state constitution, the direct, immediate issue is abortion, said Susan Burgess, a political science professor at Ohio University.

The divergent abortion communications around Issue 1 reflects a big problem Republicans in Ohio must confront: holding an increasingly diverse voting bloc together, Burgess said.

That is a complicated coalition that includes evangelicals; it includes people on the far right, it includes libertarians and includes, you know, old-time Reagan Republicans, she said. They need to be able to talk about abortion to hold a certain part of their coalition together, but its not a political winner at this time for them to stick to a hard-line abortion argument.

Issue 1 supporters conversations in more targeted settings reflect that duality.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who supports the measure, has previously called Issue 1 a win for good government that protects Ohioans from out-of-state special interests.

But he had a different tone at a Seneca County dinner for Lincoln Day in May, when he said that the August measure is 100% about keeping a radical, pro-abortion amendment out of our constitution. In an Associated Press interview, LaRose said that comment  now featured in ads around the state  was clipped from a lengthy speech and taken out of context.

Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, said on a radio show this month that his organization is only connecting Issue 1 to abortion with certain segments of Ohio voters.

When we go up on TV, is the ad going to be on abortion? Probably not, he told host Bob Frantz on Always Right Radio. But, Baer said, when talking to conservative audiences, were hitting the life issue hard because it really exemplifies why you have to be fired up and go vote.

That two-track approach is reflected in the pro-Issue 1 campaign's first statewide ad, which debuted Monday and steers clear of abortion. Instead, it highlights that amendments to the U.S. Constitution require a two-thirds vote while Ohio's requires a simple 50%-plus-one majority. Ohioans overwhelmingly voted to set the lower threshold in 1912, in a Progressive-era response to rampant political corruption.

Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, an advocacy group, said she believes Issue 1 supporters are playing down abortion in their statewide messaging because they know public opinion isnt on their side.

Were seeing more and more legislators and opponents of abortion who understand that their agenda is extremely unpopular with the American people, she said. Were seeing special sessions, were seeing anti-abortion bills passed in the dead of night, and were seeing these denials from those who are pushing a measure that is designed to undercut democracy with the intention of hurting Ohios abortion measure.

Mark Caleb Smith, a political science professor at southwest Ohios Cedarville University, said abortion is emotionally charged and easy to understand  and can therefore engage Ohioans to donate, volunteer and vote when they otherwise wouldnt bother with an off-season election about something as esoteric as how to amend the states constitution.

Calling Issue 1 abortion-related also reflects the truth that its passage is pivotal to whether Novembers abortion ballot issue passes in Ohio, Smith said. Amendments protecting access to abortion in other states have typically passed  but with less than 60% of the vote. AP VoteCast polling last year found 59% of Ohio voters say abortion should generally be legal.

Kayla Griffin, Ohio state director of All Voting Is Local Action and an opponent of Issue 1, said her side wants to keep the messaging on Issue 1 broader than just abortion.

While abortion is on the ballot right now, minimum wage is on the ballot next, she said. We are bigger and our democracy is far bigger than a single issue, and we have to be able to navigate that when we go to the ballot box.

Voting rights groups and Ohio's former chief justice also are at work on a constitutional amendment to change Ohio's broken redistricting system.

As both supporters and opponents of Issue 1 seek voter buy-in, some of their messaging has strayed into misinformation.

Ohio Should Vote for Issue 1 to Help Stop Abortions Up to Birth, read a headline last week on LifeNews.com.

But the November abortion initiative wouldnt stop the states lawmakers from restricting abortions after the fetus is viable outside the womb, around 23 or 24 weeks.

Medical experts dispute the concept of abortions up to birth, saying that pregnancy terminations at that stage are very rare  only 0.7% of abortions in Ohio in 2021 occurred after 21 weeks  and typically involve medication that induces birth early, which is different from a surgical abortion. The procedure, which is also referred to as an induction abortion, typically happens only if the fetus has a low probability of survival.

An email from Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati went a step farther, claiming without evidence that sex traffickers and abortion providers were evil twins working together to aid and abet one another.

Democrat Teresa Fedor, a former state lawmaker who championed Ohios sex trafficking crackdown in the legislature, said she didnt find a prominent connection between sex trafficking and forced abortion during her 20 years working on the issue.

My perspective is the anti-reproductive health care advocates are so desperate to pass Issue 1, they will unfortunately use a false narrative to influence their supporters, she said in an email.

___ Swenson reported from Seattle. 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.
(Reuters)  Adidas got orders worth more than 508 million euros (about $565 million) for 4 million pairs of unsold Yeezy shoes, better than the company's "most optimistic forecast," the Financial Times reported on Monday.

Strong demand for the first batch of online sales would potentially save the German sportswear company from having to take a big writedown on its remaining stock, the newspaper said.

Adidas stopped selling Yeezy shoes from its defunct partnership with Ye in October after the rapper formerly known as Kanye West made a series of antisemitic comments.

Losing the highly profitable line hit first quarter sales at the company by around $440 million.

However, robust demand for the unsold sneakers has quelled fears at Adidas' headquarters that Ye's outbursts and a drop in marketing in the recent past would have made the Yeezy brand too toxic, FT said, citing sources.

Adidas declined to comment saying it was in a "quiet period" ahead of its quarterly results due Aug. 3.

The company had said in May it would donate some of the proceeds from the sales to organisations fighting antisemitism and racism.

A sign advertises Yeezy shoes made by Adidas at Kickclusive, a sneaker resale store, in Paramus, N.J., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Discussions over how much will be donated to individual charities are ongoing, the FT reported, adding that the company has chosen five charities in the US and China as a first step.

"Making donations of more than 8.5 million euros across the five charities has been discussed but no decision has been made," FT said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The final amount donated from the sales will be much larger as the company is willing to pay a significant share of the profits from the Yeezy inventory, the report said.

Adidas had forecast a loss this year before announcing its intentions to sell leftover Yeezy stocks.

(Reporting by Bharat Govind Gautam and additional reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
There have been no new communications between the United Nations and North Korea since Pvt. Travis King first bolted across the border to the secretive state, U.S. officials said Monday, contradicting an earlier statement by the U.N.

"I saw reports about contact between the UN Command and North Korea, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters on Monday. It is my understanding that there has been no new communication since last week, communications that happened in the early days. I think the reports may have resulted from a misinterpretation of the UN commands original statement."

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, 23, was about to fly back to the United States from South Korea for possible disciplinary action after refusing to pay a fine for allegedly damaging public property. He slipped away from the airport in Seoul last Tuesday and managed to join a guided tour to the joint security area, a piece of land between the North and the South thats managed by the U.N. From there, he sprinted across the border and appeared to be detained by North Korean guards.

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King. (via Carl Gates)

Though there was no public word from the North Koreans about King, the U.N. force that manages negotiations between the two Koreas appeared to suggest it was in talks with the North about the runaway soldier.

"The primary concern for us is Pvt. King's welfare," said Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, a British army officer serving as deputy commander of United Nations Command, known as UNC.

Speaking at a media briefing in Seoul, he said the dialogue was happening through a mechanism set up following the armistice between the North and the South signed in 1953 to stop the fighting in the Korean War. Under the Korean War armistice, the U.N. multinational command and the North Korean military have a communication channel between the two forces.

"I can't say anything that could prejudice that process," Harrison said. "Much of this remains unknown."

Harrison's statements were interpreted by news organizations across the globe as meaning that the UN had started a larger dialogue about King's status in North Korea. As new stories continued to publish, U.S. officials began to rebut the claim.

Miller said after the U.S. soldier ran into the North, there was an initial message from the U.N. command about King crossing over, and North Korea acknowledged receiving that message. But there has been no new communication about the soldier from the North Korean regime.

Three other U.S. officials earlier told NBC News there had been no new conversation about Kings status with the North.

One U.S. official said that there is no dialogue. Theres no back and forth.

Last week, Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the U.S. had not received a response when asking about King's whereabouts and well-being. The U.S. does not have embassy-level relations with North Korea but sent the message through Swedish officials, its regular workaround.

The incident provides another point of tension between the West and North Korea, a repressive, nuclear-armed state that shares a complicated alliance and trading relationship with China.

North Korea says it fears Western-backed regime change and has threatened on several occasions to launch a nuclear strike to prevent this. The U.S. and its allies say the world cannot live with this threat and have vowed to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

On Saturday, the North fired several rounds of cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea, an apparent protest against the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to the South.

At an April meeting between President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Biden warned a nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable, and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action.
President Biden called on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not advance a vote on the countrys controversial judicial reform bill, according to a statement by the president given to Axios.

Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus, Biden said.

Biden added that it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less, according to the outlet. The statement comes on the heels of Biden inviting Netanyahu, who has been in the role for seven months, to Washington, D.C. after the two leaders talked on the phone together last week.

The delay in offering Netanyahu an invitation from the White House was viewed as a major snub from Biden, who has criticized far-right members of the prime ministers governing coalition as extreme.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Biden reiterated his concerns about Israels judicial reform bill to Netanyahu while on the phone last week. He said Biden pushed for the need for the broadest possible consensus and that shared democratic values have always been and must remain a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, when discussing judicial reforms.

Massive protests

Israelis took part in massive protests in the days ahead of the Knesset voting on the judicial reform bill, which is expected this week.

The Netanyahu-backed judicial reform bill sparked controversy and protests across the country as critics labeled the move as a threat to democratic values. The reforms would allow the government to overrule Supreme Court decisions and give the executive branch more power to appoint justices.

The United States has pushed back on these reforms in the past, with lawmakers and the Biden administration expressing concerns over the proposals. Biden said earlier this year that he hopes Netanyahu walks away from the pursued reforms.

Like many strong supporters of Israel, Im very concerned, and Im concerned that they get this straight. They cannot continue down this road, Biden told reporters in March.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is tapping Shuwanza Goff  a veteran congressional aide who also served as his main point of contact to the House at the start of the administration  as his new director of legislative affairs, making her the first Black woman to be the White House's chief emissary to Capitol Hill.

Goff succeeds Louisa Terrell in the role, a position that is especially vital for a president who spent more than three decades in Congress and takes pride in his connections to lawmakers. Goff comes into the job with deep relationships not just with Democrats but with Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., that were honed over more than a decade on Capitol Hill.

In a statement announcing the hire, Biden called Goff a proven leader and trusted voice on both sides of the aisle" who played a key role in the biggest legislative accomplishments from the first two years of his presidency, including COVID-19 relief, a major climate, tax and health care package as well as the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Before joining the Biden administration, Goff was a senior aide to Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., eventually becoming his floor director when Hoyer served in House Democratic leadership.

Shuwanzas close partnership with my decades-long friends in the House and Senate, and her expertise, instincts and deep respect for the United States Congress will continue to serve our Administration and the American people well," Biden said.

Goff, 38, previously served as the White House's deputy director of legislative affairs and House liaison, making her the main point of contact to House lawmakers. She left the administration earlier this year for the private sector before rejoining the White House.

Goff enters the role with no shortage of immediate challenges. In the coming weeks, Congress will have to determine how to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, ensure passage of a sweeping defense policy package and avert a government shutdown while juggling numerous confirmation fights in the Senate. Throughout those legislative battles, Goff will be tasked with ensuring Bidens agenda remains intact while managing relations with a confrontational House Republican conference with vastly different priorities  a challenge that those who know her say she's well-equipped to handle.

Shuwanza is a friend and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle know that she is a policy professional with the experience and institutional knowledge of both the legislative and executive branch," McCarthy told The Associated Press. "The White House is lucky to have her back.

In her role as Hoyer's floor director, Goff coordinated legislative activity in the House chamber which put her in constant contact with Democratic and GOP leaders, the Senate and the White House. She was the first Black woman to serve in that position.

Hoyer, who said he was ecstatic over Goffs appointment, said her intelligence, credibility among both Democrats and Republicans as well as her straightforward demeanor will serve Biden well as the White House navigates the upcoming challenges.

She's just an easy person to work with and she's smart as she can be, Hoyer said. She doesn't show off smart, you know what I mean? She is smart, people know she's smart but she also has empathy and patience to listen to others' point of view.

Goff holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and American University and is a Virginia native.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will establish a national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teenager from Chicago who was abducted, tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi, and his mother, a White House official said Saturday.

Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday to create the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi, according to the official. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House had not formally announced the president's plans.

Tuesday is the anniversary of Emmett Till's birth in 1941.

The monument will protect places that are central to the story of Till's life and death at age 14, the acquittal of his white killers and his mother's activism. Till's mother's insistence on an open casket to show the world how her son had been brutalized and Jet's magazine's decision to publish photos of his mutilated body helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement.

Biden's decision also comes at a fraught time in the United States over matters concerning race. Conservative leaders are pushing back against the teaching of slavery and Black history in public schools, as well as the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs from college classrooms to corporate boardrooms.

On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized a revised Black history curriculum in Florida that includes teaching that enslaved people benefited from the skills they learned at the hands of the people who denied them freedom. The Florida Board of Education approved the curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who has accused public schools of liberal indoctrination.

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 asked in a speech delivered from Jacksonville, Florida.

DeSantis said he had no role in devising his states new education standards but defended the components on how enslaved people benefited.

All of that is rooted in whatever is factual, he said in response.

The monument to Till and his mother will include three sites in the two states.

The Illinois site is Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville, a historically Black neighborhood on Chicagos South Side. Thousands of people gathered at the church to mourn Emmett Till in September 1955.

The Mississippi locations are Graball Landing, believed to be where Tills mutilated body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, and the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Tills killers were tried and acquitted by an all-white jury.

Till was visiting relatives in Mississippi when Carolyn Bryant Donham said the 14-year-old Till whistled and made sexual advances at her while she worked in a store in the small community of Money.

Till was later abducted and his body eventually pulled from the Tallahatchie River, where he had been tossed after he was shot and weighted down with a cotton gin fan.

Two white men, Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam, were tried on murder charges about a month after Till was killed, but an all-white Mississippi jury acquitted them. Months later, they confessed to killing Till in a paid interview with Look magazine. Bryant was married to Donham in 1955. She died earlier this year.

The monument will be the fourth Biden has created since taking office in 2021, and just his latest tribute to the younger Till.

For Black History Month this year, Biden hosted a screening of the movie Till, a drama about his lynching.

In March 2022, Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law. Congress had first considered such legislation more than 120 years ago.

The Justice Department announced in December 2021 that it was closing its investigation into Till's killing.
Twitter blue bird has flown as Musk says X logo is here

By Supantha Mukherjee, Martin Coulter and Sheila Dang

(Reuters) -After 17 years with an iconic blue bird that came to symbolize the broadcasting of ideas to the world, billionaire Elon Musk renamed Twitter as X and unveiled a new logo, marking a focus on building an "everything app."

On Monday, a stylized white X on a black background became the new logo on Twitter's website, though the blue bird was still seen on the mobile app.

Since taking over Twitter in October, Musk has said he envisions an app that could offer a variety of services to users beyond social media, such as peer-to-peer payments, an idea that mirrors the widely popular WeChat app in China.

The transformation is more simply a way for Musk to make his mark on the company, said Tom Morton, global chief strategy officer at ad agency R/GA. "Twitter's changing name and logo has nothing to do with user, advertiser, or market issues. It's a symbol that Twitter is Elon Musk's personal property.

"He conquered the castle, now he's flying his own flag."

The new logo garnered mixed reactions from users and sparked confusion about what tweets would now be called, while marketing and branding experts said the rebrand risked throwing away years of Twitter's name recognition.

"Only a few brands have become verbs or seen themselves referred to in global news outlets as often as Twitter has," said Matt Rhodes, strategy lead at creative agency House 337, which has worked with British telecom company Sky.

"Anything that makes it harder for people to find, or want to open the app on their cluttered phone screens risks harming usage," he said.

Fernando Machado, who previously held chief marketing officer roles at Activision Blizzard, Restaurant Brands International and Burger King, said rebrands typically take time to sink in, though "as a Twitter user, I confess that I miss the little bird already."

"Personally, I think the new approach feels a bit cold and impersonal," he said.

Outside Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco on Monday, police stopped construction workers from removing the Twitter sign, in a scene witnessed by a Reuters reporter. On one side of the building, only the blue bird and the letters "er" were left.

"#GoodbyeTwitter" was trending on the platform on Monday with reference to the old logo as some users criticized the new one.

Musk tweeted on Saturday that "soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds".

In response to a tweet asking what will tweets be called under X, Musk replied "x's".

'EVERYTHING APP'

Musk has used the letter X repeatedly across his companies. He co-founded x.com as an online bank in 1999 which later transformed into PayPal. He bought the domain back from PayPal in 2017, saying it had "sentimental value".

The domain x.com now redirects to Twitter.

Linda Yaccarino, the former advertising chief at NBCUniversal who started as Twitter CEO on June 5, told employees in a memo on Monday that X "will go even further to transform the global town square."

The company will work on new features in audio, video, messaging, payments and banking, according to the memo, which was seen by Reuters.

The platform will face challenges to reinvent its business.

Since Musk's takeover, the company has faced tumultuous times with layoffs, a sharp drop in advertisers and the meteoric rise of Threads, Meta's response to Twitter.

The billionaire's decision to rebrand Twitter as X could be complicated legally: X is widely used and cited in trademarks, and companies including Meta and Microsoft already have intellectual property rights to the same letter.

The rebrand indicates Musk has given up on any plans "to revive Twitter as a powerful stand-alone social network and simply considers the $44 billion spent on the network a sunk cost," said Niklas Myhr, a professor of marketing at Chapman University.

"The last few months have been tumultuous at Twitter, and I don't think a new brand is going to solve everything," Drew Benvie, CEO of social media consultancy Battenhall, said.

"This is less about reinventing Twitter, and more about building a brand around Elon Musk's empire, including SpaceX, where the X branding really connects a little more closely."

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm, Martin Coulter and Aiden Nulty in London, Bharat Govind Gautam and Samrhitha A in Bengaluru; Sheila Dang in Dallas and Carlos Barria in San Francisco; additional reporting by Juby Babu; editing by Barbara Lewis and Jonathan Oatis)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when asked Sunday about reviving the Iran nuclear deal, said that U.S. officials are currently not talking about an agreement with their counterparts in Tehran.

During an appearance on CNNs GPS with Fareed Zakaria, Blinken said that it was a terrible mistake for the Trump administration to pull out of the nuclear deal reached with Iran in 2015.

There have been some developments and some changes since the time we got out of the deal and the time we were trying to get back in it. But fundamentally what we tried to do was to get back into the existing agreement with some modest modifications, Blinken said. An agreement was on the table. Iran either couldnt or wouldnt say yes. Were not about to take any deal. Of course, it has to meet our security objectives. It has to meet our interests.

So, we made a very good faith effort to get back into compliance with them. They couldnt or wouldnt do it. Were now in a place where were not talking about a nuclear agreement, Blinken added, noting that administration officials want their Iranian counterparts to take actions to de-escalate the ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, D.C.

Maybe well have an environment where we can get back into a conversation about their nuclear program. Right now, were not in it.

Blinken also said that U.S. officials are working across a whole series of lines of effort to push back on them, to make sure we have a strong deterrent, to make sure we have the appropriate pressure, and then to see if we get back to an opportunity where we can work on a nuclear deal.

We continue to believe strongly that diplomacy is the best way to resolve this problem. That compared to all the other options, its the one that can produce the most sustainable, effective result, Blinken added. But that doesnt mean that the other options arent there and if necessary we wont resort to them.

Republican lawmakers recently warned the Biden administration about pursuing an agreement with Iran that would provide sanctions relief without approval from Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Extreme heat appears to be killing people in Americas national parks at an alarming pace this year, highlighting both its severity and the changing calculus of personal risk in the countrys natural places as climate change fuels more weather extremes.

More people are suspected to have died since June 1 from heat-related causes in national parks than an average entire year, according to park service press releases and preliminary National Park Service data provided to CNN. No other year had five heat-related deaths by July 23, park mortality data that dates to 2007 shows, and the deadliest month for heat in parks  August  is yet to come.

The deaths reported so far are still under investigation, but all five died in temperatures that hit 100 degrees, a searing microcosm of a much more widespread pattern of extreme heat that has broken more than 3,000 high temperature records across the US since early June.

That kind of heat has proven an indiscriminate killer in the nations parks:

A 14-year-old boy died on a trail in southwest Texas Big Bend National Park in 119-degree heat, his 31-year-old father died seeking help to save him.

A 65 year-or-older man died hiking on June 1 in Big Bend.

A 57-year-old woman died hiking a trail in Arizonas Grand Canyon National Park.

A 71-year-old man collapsed and died outside a restroom in Californias Death Valley National Park after park rangers believe he hiked a nearby trail.

A 65-year-old man was found dead in his disabled vehicle on the side of the road in Death Valley National Park, with park rangers suspecting he succumbed to heat illness while driving and then baked in temperatures as high as 126 degrees.

Heat is the deadliest type of weather, killing on average more than twice as many people each year as hurricanes and tornadoes combined. But heat deaths are notoriously difficult to track in the US, with one 2020 study estimating that they were undercounted in some of the most populous counties.

The National Park Service faces the same challenges, and told CNN that the true toll of this years extreme heat and recent past heat may be even higher. They need to collect and corroborate death reports with hundreds of individual parks and the equally vast and complex web of local and state officials that medically determine cause of death.

As a result, some of the most recent death statistics from 2020 to 2023 could change significantly, park spokespeople said.

Thats already proven true. Two of this years five deaths happened after the park service provided the data to CNN in early July. Still, the current statistics offer a glimpse into the deadly potential of this unrelenting heat, especially in its epicenter: the Southwest.

Ground zero for extreme heat deaths

All of this years suspected heat-related deaths took place in just three national parks: Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Big Bend. These three parks are also responsible for more than half of the 68 heat-related deaths reported by the park service since 2007.

And thats no surprise  all three parks are located in the nations oven, the Southwest, and all but one of the deaths happened west of the Mississippi River.

Its normal for the Southwest to be hot. But the heat this year, especially the longevity of it, is far from normal. Phoenix, just a few hours south of the Grand Canyon, shattered its record for consecutive days at 110 degrees-plus and only dropped to 97 degrees overnight at times during the streak, a record warm low temperature.

A recent report from Climate Central, a non-profit research group, found that the Southwest heat wave in the first half of July was made at least five times more likely by human-caused climate change.

Average annual temperatures across the Southwest increased by 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit between 1901 and 2016, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, the federal governments periodic climate change report. The climate crisis has also worsened the regions most severe drought in centuries, which created an ongoing crisis over water supplies from the river that etched the Grand Canyon into the earth. And projections show that temperatures will continue to rise to the tune of 8.6 degrees  resulting in 45 more days over 90 degrees each year for parts of the region by 2100 under the worst-case scenarios.

The countrys national parks are ground zero for this warming. A 2018 study found that they had warmed twice as fast as the rest of the US from 1895 to 2010 due to human-caused climate change.

National parks in the Southwest and in Alaska were the most severely damaged by human-caused climate change and experienced the most pronounced warming, said Patrick Gonzalez, climate scientist at the University of California at Berkeley and the studys author. But he also said that damage was happening all across America and all across our national parks.

Carbon pollution from cars, power plants and deforestation  human sources  has already damaged our national parks, and in years like this we see the potential acute damage, severe one year damage, Gonzalez told CNN.

Heat risk and damage to national parks will only increase if unabated carbon pollution continues, Gonzalez said. Thats changing the personal risk calculus for summer recreation now and in the future in increasingly hotter national parks.

The deadliest activity you can do in heat

A dramatic sunset over the Grand Canyon. - Nicolo Sertorio/Digital Vision/Getty Images

The 300 million-plus people who visit the parks each year are already encountering warmer temperatures and are at a greater risk for heat illness as a result. Park visitation also peaks during the summer, furthering that risk.

The park service doesnt universally keep track of heat-related illnesses that dont result in death, but multiple park representatives said the number of heat illnesses was much greater than heat mortality. Multiple medical responses a week that are probably heat-related happen during the summer at Death Valley National Park, park spokesperson Abby Wines told CNN.

Grand Canyon National Park doesnt track heat-specific illness, but carries out hundreds of rescues and so-called hiker assists for less-severe issues most commonly because of lack of physical conditioning, park spokesperson Joelle Baird told CNN.

Baird said they see a spike in ranger responses to heat-related illnesses when temperatures reach 95 degrees on trails at the midway point between the top and the bottom of the canyon.

Extreme heat can trigger heat illness in as little as 20 to 30 minutes for people doing anything strenuous outdoors, like hiking, because heat acts as a perfect storm, which overloads the body until it eventually short-circuits and shuts down, Dr. Matthew Levy, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told CNN.

Hiking was the most common cause of heat-related death in the national parks data, representing more than 60% of all deaths. Park spokespeople said that typically, less-experienced hikers find themselves in compromising situations by overestimating their abilities or underpreparing for the heat, but heat illness and death can and has happened in experienced hikers, too.

Maggie Peikon is a self-proclaimed avid hiker who has climbed some of the countrys highest mountains and even scaled an active volcano in Indonesia.

She said part of the allure of hiking for experienced hikers is to challenge my will. But even so, she said, hiking in this kind of heat isnt worth it.

Most of the challenges Ive pushed myself to do, theres a level of enjoyment there, and it just feels like a punishment to go out when its that hot, said Peikon, who works as the manager of communications at the American Hiking Society.

I think Ive just learned what Im capable of, and thats not just from a physical standpoint, hiking is very mental as well, Peikon told CNN. That was something that has stuck with me on every single hike that I do, especially the challenging ones: What youre capable of is entirely up to you.

Too hot to rescue

Tourists stand next to an unofficial heat reading at Furnace Creek Visitor Center during a heat wave in Death Valley National Park. - Ronda Churchill/AFP/Getty Images

Personal responsibility weighs heavily in the policy direction the individual national parks take when dealing with the heat.

Parks proactively message visitors about the heat online and in signage posted at the trails that warns of the dangerous and tragic consequences of high temperatures. Death Valley posts bright red STOP Extreme Heat Danger signs at low elevation trailheads, which urge people to stay off trails after 10 a.m. and to hike only at high elevations, where temperatures are lowest.

People are responsible for their own safety, Death Valley spokesperson Abby Wines told CNN. We try to get information out to people so theyre aware, but one of the problems with heat, I think, is that often people think its a matter of being tough enough. They think oh, I might be uncomfortable, but thats all and I can push through it. But heat is deadly.

Its so hot in Death Valley that the park warns visitors that it cant and wont rescue people.

We dont want to put our own staff at risk of heat fatality by doing a physical carry out in extreme heat conditions, Wines said, adding that the medical helicopter cant get enough lift to take off because temperatures are so hot.

That was the case in the most recent death in Death Valley on July 19 when the temperature was 117 degrees, a park release notes.

What parks seem to rarely do is close trails because of the heat. The park representatives CNN spoke to said there is no national policy or guidance to close if temperatures reach a certain level.

Trails do close because of other kinds of extreme weather, including winter storms and tropical systems. Park officials said those decisions are made at the individual park level based on the hazards there and that it was technically possible individual parks could choose to close trails or limit access if the heat got too extreme.

Trails in Lake Mead National Recreational area in Arizona and Nevada do close seasonally because of the heat, and Grand Canyon National Park has at least entertained the idea to close trails.

It is something that Ive heard come up every single year, this time of year, so I dont think its beyond the National Park Service or Grand Canyon, Baird, Grand Canyon National Parks spokesperson, told CNN. I think the thought and stance has always been to push out more hiker education to try to change and influence peoples behavior rather than having a reactionary decision to close trails, because people can hike successfully. We just have to provide enough information and tools for them to be successful.

Grand Canyon is the deadliest park for extreme heat with 16 deaths since 2007, the preliminary data from the National Park Service would suggest, a toll Baird said would be much higher if the park didnt also have one of the most robust and proactive responses to heat.

Grand Canyon pioneered a Preventative Search and Rescue team after a particularly dangerous and taxing year for rescue teams in 1996.

Emergency Services Coordinator James Thompson observes and directs operations during a search and rescue training exercise at the Grand Canyon. - Grand Canyon National Park

The teams are medically trained and meet hikers at the start of trails to make sure they are adequately prepared for the journey, provide assistance with water or snacks and even contact and check in with hikers once theyre on the trails.

This preventative approach has decreased the number of expensive, last resort search and rescues that are typically done via helicopter. But despite these efforts, there are still between 300 and 350 search and rescues each year at Grand Canyon and there have been 172 so far this year, with around 70 coming since Memorial Day.

Grand Canyon is an amazing place, everyone should hike into the canyon if they have the ability to do so, Baird said. However, this time of year is not optimal.

Park officials and hiking experts recommended checking the weather and park alerts before going out on the trail, to get acclimated to heat before your trip and know your personal limits, to shorten activities outdoors, carry more water than you think you might need, find shadier trails, tour the park by air-conditioned car or even just skip the hike altogether to reduce the chance that heat continues to turn deadly.

Its not worth the risk of experiencing heat illness because of the outcomes, Andrea Walton, Southeast Region Public Affairs Specialist for the park service, told CNN. At minimum youre going to feel really bad the next day or worse, potentially ending up in the hospital, or worst case, experiencing a fatal incident.

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The 1975's Matty Healy protested Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws while performing in the country on Friday  and shared an extended kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald. The show was ended early and the group has been banned from performing in Malaysia in the future. (Photo: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns)

The 1975, the British pop-rock band fronted by Matty Healy, is facing a potential class-action lawsuit in the wake of its stage protest against Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws on Friday at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. The band has been banned from performing in the country and there's a police investigation into what happened. Homosexuality is a crime in Malaysia and punishable by up to 20 years in prison and caning.

According to NME, Malaysian attorney Matthew Thomas Philip announced the lawsuit on behalf of Malaysian artists and festival vendors against Healy and his bandmates  Ross MacDonald, George Daniel and Adam Hann over losses incurred by the remainder of the three-day festival being canceled. While international artists who had been booked were paid prior to the event, payment terms differ for local artists. They may not have been paid or received less than they were supposed to.

Thomas Philip called the protest  which saw Healy blasting Malaysia's "f***ing ridiculous" anti-gay laws and sharing a same-sex kiss with bassist Ross MacDonald  a "deliberate reckless act done knowing well [sic] of the consequences... My view is that the 1975 must be held responsible and accountable for the losses suffered by the artists and vendors." As of Tuesday, there were five artists and five vendors who joined the suit, which seeks general damages as well as exemplary and aggravated damages.

And other lawsuits could follow. A spokesperson for Future Sound Asia, which organized the festival, said it is "currently exploring legal options." Wan Alman, who runs the company, told Billboard the cancellation led to heavy financial losses this year  and it could limit future concerts in the country going forward.

Healy slammed Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws

Healy went off on Malaysia's anti-gay laws on Friday as the band headlined the fest lineup.

"I made a mistake," he told the crowd. "When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it. I don't 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."

"I'm sorry if that offends you, and you're religious and it's part of your f***ing government," Healy continued. "I don't care anymore. If you push, I'm gonna push back."

He called it "f***ing ridiculous to tell people what they can do with that and that," pointing to his groin and mouth. "If you want to invite me here to do a show, you can f*** off. I'll take your money, you can ban me, but I've done this before and it doesn't feel good," said Healy, who previously protest of United Arab Emirates's anti-gay laws by kissing a male fan onstage in Dubai in 2019.

When he finished his remarks, which audience members cheered according to social media videos, MacDonald over to him and they shared a lengthy kiss. After, they continued to perform, but the group's set ended early.

"All right, we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur," Healy said of the abrupt end to the show. "See you later."

As a result of the kiss, the country's Ministry of Communications canceled the remainder of the festival, which was supposed to run all weekend with other acts including the Strokes. In a statement, it said the fest was "canceled following the controversial conduct and remarks made by U.K. artist Matty Healy from the band The 1975."

Malaysia's Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil wrote on Facebook, "There will be no compromise with any party that challenges, belittles or violates Malaysian laws."

Organizers said the group went against the terms of their deal by speaking, saying, "Prior to the festival, the 1975 management team reassured us that Healy and the band would adhere to local performance guidelines. Regrettably, Healy did not honor these assurances, despite our trust in their commitment. Healy's actions took us by complete surprise, and we halted the show as promptly as feasible following the incident."

The fallout continued. The agency that approves performances by foreign artists in Malaysia slammed the 1975 for "disrespecting the laws of the country," noting the band would be banned from performing in Malaysia in the future.

Local police announced an investigation into the protest, saying the incident "belittled Malaysia's laws." The band had departed the country before the report was lodged. As of Tuesday, there have been 18 police reports filed over the incident.

The group canceled two shows  in Indonesia and Taiwan  in the wake of the protest. They were supposed to perform at We The Fest in Jakarta on Sunday night as well as at the Taipei Music Center on Tuesday as part of their 2023 Asia tour. The change of plans  that the shows "will no longer be going ahead as planned" due to "current circumstances" leaving it "impossible to proceed"  was announced on social media.

The 1975 regret to announce that their forthcoming shows in Jakarta and Taipei will no longer be going ahead as planned.



Please see the official statement from the band. pic.twitter.com/XpZskFnyeD  We The Fest (@WeTheFest) July 23, 2023

And now, as we noted, the lawsuit  and potentially more. Alman, whose Future Sound Asia organized the festival, told Billboard that Healy's manager "had acknowledged in writing that Matt Healy would adhere to all local guidelines and regulations" prior to his performance. "Artists are briefed on the guidelines before the event."

No official word yet from the group, but backlash from some LGBTQ groups

As this plays out, there's been no official statement from the band. However, a source defended Healy in a statement obtained by multiple outlets, saying, "Matty has a long-time record of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and the community."

Healy did made light of the drama on Instagram, posting the festival cancellation announcement and writing, "Ok well why don't you try and not make out with Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks."

Matty Healy reacts to the Good Vibes festival in Malaysia getting cancelled as a result of his remarks against the countrys anti-LGBTQ+ laws and making out with his bandmate on stage:



Ok well why dont you try and not make out with Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks pic.twitter.com/LyiIaWSXl7  Pop Base (@PopBase) July 23, 2023

However, his protest has drawn criticism from some members of the country's LGBTQ community, includingthat it could lead to further discrimination.

Carmen Rose, a Malaysian drag performer, said, "What Matty Healy did, he thought he was doing something for us, but it's giving white savior complex. He thinks we need saving, he thinks we need fixing, when in reality we have queer organizations here already doing the work."

Some critics have also pointed out that the timing isn't great as it's a pivotal time politically in Malaysia, with it being just weeks before highly contested state elections.

"One can appreciate the meaning of Healy's protest, but I think the timing of it may not necessarily benefit folks," Thilaga Sulathireh, a founder of the LGBTQ group Justice for Sisters, told the Washington Post. "Political parties are currently campaigning, and we know LGBT issues are often scapegoated."

Healy has been in the news a lot this year  also due to a brief relationship with Taylor Swift. Many of her fans breathed a sigh of relief after their split as Healy is no stranger to controversy beyond these noted onstage protests. Swift's fans even wrote her an open letter asking her to address Healy's past behavior, but the relationship fizzled out before it came to that.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on July 24, 2023, and has been updated to include new information.
30 Overlooked 1992 Albums Turning 30

Chris Frantz has been essential in the shaping of music for the last four decades. In the 80s it was through the emergence of new wave with his seminal group, Talking Heads. In the 90s it was through the extensive sampling of his influential side-project-turned-main-project, Tom Tom Club, particularly 1981s Genius of Love. Inarguably the groups most recognizable song, it continues to inspire to the present day.

The first samples of Genius of Love showed up at the time of its release in 1981 with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Fives Its Nasty (Genius of Love). Mariah Careys 1995 multi-platinum No. 1 smash Fantasy was based entirely around Genius of Love. The following year, Mark Morrison used it for his international chart-topper, Return of the Mack. More recently, Lattos ubiquitous Big Energy tapped into the timeless appeal of Genius of Love.

More from Spin:

Drummer Frantz and his rhythm section dream-team bass-player wife Tina Weymouth have been collecting those songwriting checks throughout the years and he has said, It helped put our kids through college. The two have an idyllic existence in their longtime home in Connecticut from where they continue to have a global and local impact.

David Byrne, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz in 1976. (Credit: Linda D. Robbins/Getty Images)

Frantzs deliciously smack-talking memoir, Remain in Love: Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Tina, was published in 2020 by St. Martins Press. His unfiltered and unflattering descriptions of revered musicians such as Patti Smith, Johnny Ramone, and, of course, David Byrne are as shocking as they are riveting. Talking Heads wont be getting back together, but the groups standard-setting film, Stop Making Sense is being resurrected yet again when it will be re-released to theaters and IMAX by A24 Films this fall.

On the last Friday of every month, Franz hits the airwaves via WPKN Community Radio in Downtown Bridgeport with his drive-time show (which can also be heard online), The Talking Head With Chris Frantz. Franz has also penned the liner notes for the debut album from Westport Librarys record label, Verso Records. A compilation featuring local emerging artists across the tri-state area, Verso Records: Volume One was recorded at the librarys Verso Studios. Frantz was involved with this years VersoFest, the librarys four-day music and media conference where he held in-depth conversations on stage with producer Steve Lillywhite and Psychedelic Furs Richard Butler.

Frantz has rocked a lot of peoples lives throughout the years and continues to do so. Here, he tells us what rocks his soul.

Getting Out On The Water

Whether on a motorboat, a sailboat, a kayak or a paddle board, theres no better way to clear your head and restore your vitality.

Paris, France

A city of unforgettable beauty, intimate cafes, night clubs and people who exercise the left side of their brain.

Festival International de Louisiane

Everyone knows about the Jazz Fest in New Orleans, but did you know about this festival in Lafayette, Louisiana? Great music from the region and around the world. Best of all, its free.

Tokyo, Japan

If youve never been, go. It will change your life.

1979 (Credit: Gus Stewart/Getty Images)

The Funk

If its good, you can feel it. If its great, you can smell it.

La Coupole

An elegant bar and brasserie on Boulevard Montparnasse in Paris. Its been a gathering place for artists of all types since 1927. Talking Heads dined with the Ramones there in the spring of 1977.

New Haven Pizza

With all due respect to New York City and Chicago, whether its Frank Pepes, Sallys Apizza or Modern Apizza, you will love these pies. Ill have the white clam.

The American South

I live in New England and I love it here but I always welcome a trip down South. Its good for the soul. The politics can be troublesome, but the local musicians, writers and chefs are truly wonderful. Enjoy the hospitality.

Caribbean Culture

Weve traveled all over the Caribbean but there is always another island to enjoy. Last December we visited Guadeloupe for the first time. Beautiful people, great rum, delicious cuisineeven from the funky little beach shacksand there is a volcano.

A Good Memoir

To read a good memoir written by an interesting person is always a pleasure. Allow me to recommend two.

Twentieth Century Boy, by the painter Duncan Hannah, is a fantastic account of the art and music scene in lower Manhattan in the 1970s.

Penned by Viv Albertine from The Slits, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys is a powerful account of her life during the birth of the punk movement in England. What was it like to sleep with Sid Vicious? Viv has the answer.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post 30 Overlooked 1992 Albums Turning 30 appeared first on SPIN.
Investigators have been spotted digging up the backyard of Rex Heuermanns home amid reports that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect may have killed at least one victim inside his basement.

Search teams carried out what was described as a major excavation on Sunday at the one-storey home in Massapequa Park, Long Island, where the 59-year-old architect lived with his wife and two adult children. In addition to digging up Mr Heuermanns backyard, investigators looked in a walking vault with a big iron door. They described the search as fruitful.

Cadaver dogs and a ground-penetrating radar machine were brought in to scour the ground before excavators were seen digging up the earth with a backhoe.

At one point, a huge wooden deck was dismantled and a blue tent was erected to shield the search from view.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told ABC News that they were working under the assumption that the victims Mr Heuermann is accused of murdering met their deaths at the home. Mr Harrison said he expects the search and seize operation to wrap up later this week.

Not only did the slain womens phone ping near the Massapequa home, but Mr Heuermanns family is also believed to have been away around the time of the disappearances, according to phone records. However, no concrete evidence has been found, Mr Harrison said.

Can we confirm that someone was killed inside the house? We cant confirm that at this time, he told the outlet.

A neighbour told The New York Post on Sunday that authorities had found a sound-proofed room in the basement of the home and that Mr Heuermann is believed to have killed at least one of his victims down there.

Hes got a soundproof room in his basement, Robert Musto, a 64-year-old longtime neighbour said he had been told by law enforcement on the scene.

What do you think that was for? Theyre saying theres evidence he killed at least one of the girls down there.

The cops are going to dig all that out. Said theyre focused on the soundproof room in the basement but theyre going to look at everything.

A former coworker confirmed the existence of a soundproof basement room to the paper, claiming that the accused serial killer once took time off work in order to carry out the bizarre construction of the vault in his family home.

The individual, who was not named, recalled Mr Heuermann building the concrete-lined vault which is around two to three feet thick.

Its not just a hidden room  its a serious vault, they said.

It had a huge heavy-duty safe door. He went and poured new concrete walls, massive amount of concrete to encase this room. It was maybe 2 or 3 feet thick.

Officials are probing the possibility that the accused serial killer killed the victims inside his family home. His wife and two children were out of town at the time of each of the three murders he is charged with.

Search continues in the backyard of Rex Heuermanns home (News12)

Law enforcement sources previously told CNN that a vault of some sort had been located in the basement of the Massapequa Park home  and that a trove of up to 300 firearms had been found inside.

The married father-of-two had 92 legal gun permits and was a keen hunter, according to police.

In the 11 days since Mr Heuermann was arrested in connection to the infamous serial killer case, investigators have been searching for evidence tying him to the murders including any trophies taken from the victims.

As well as extensively searching his home, officials are probing other locations connected to the accused murderer including storage units two miles away in Amityville.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are also looking into unsolved murders and missing persons cases all across America including in Las Vegas, South Carolina and Atlantic City.

Over in South Carolina, Chester County Sheriffs Office said that they were looking for evidence to assist New York officials.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office was requested by the Gilgo Beach Task Force to assist in gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation, the department tweeted.

Mr Heuermann owns a property in Chester next to his brother Craig. The pickup at the centre of the murder investigation was seized from his brothers home last week.

Mr Heuermann was arrested on the night of 13 July when a team of officers swooped as he left his office in Midtown Manhattan where he ran an architecture business.

He was charged with three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

He is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes  who together with the three is known as the Gilgo Beach Four and was last seen alive in early June 2007 in New York City.

Authorities search home of Long Island serial killer suspect (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The four women were found within one-quarter mile of each other, bound by belts or tape and some wrapped in burlap  their bodies dumped along Gilgo Beach.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held without bond.

Court records show that Mr Heuermann was linked to the killings through a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, sadistic online searches, phone calls taunting victims families, his wifes hair found on the victims bodies  and a pizza crust.

The first piece of the puzzle came when a witness in the Amber Costello case revealed details about a vehicle that a client was driving when she was last seen alive.

Costello, who worked as a sex worker, was seen alive on the evening of 2 September 2010 when she left her home in West Babylon. A witness said she had gone to meet a client who was driving a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche.

Last year, a registration search showed that local man Mr Heuermann owned a first-generation model of the truck at the time of Costellos disappearance. He also matched the witness description of the man believed to be the killer: a large, white ogre-like male in his mid-40s, around 64 to 66 tall, with dark bushy hair, and big oval style 1970s type eyeglasses.

The discovery of the car led investigators to hone in on Mr Heuermann including executing 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain evidence to determine his potential involvement in the killings.

Among this was Mr Heuermanns alleged use of burner phones, with prosecutors saying that he used burner phones to contact the three women and arrange to meet them at the time when they went missing.

He also allegedly took two of the victims cellphones  and used one to make taunting phone calls to one of their families where he boasted about her murder, court documents state.

Mr Heuermanns DNA was found on one of the victims, while his wifes hair was found on three of the four women he is connected to.

His arrest comes after the horrific serial killer case has captured the nations attention for more than a decade.

The Gilgo Beach murders had long stumped law enforcement officials in Suffolk County who believed it could be the work of one or more serial killers who targeted sex workers and dumped their bodies along the remote beaches on Ocean Parkway.

The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert vanished after leaving a clients house on foot near Gilgo Beach.

She called 911 for help saying she feared for her life and was never seen alive again.

Rex Heuermann pictured in mugshot (AP)

During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman.

Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by.

By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found including eight women, a man, and a toddler. Police have long thought that it could be the work of one or more serial killers.

Gilberts body was then found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the clients home.

However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her mother believes she was murdered.

Like Gilbert, most of the victims targeted were sex workers while some are yet to be identified.
The U.S. Justice Department on Monday made good on its threat to take legal action against Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's aggressive border security actions along the Rio Grande and filed a civil complaint accusing the state of skirting federal law.

We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a news release. This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns. Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy.

The federal suit, foreshadowed in a letter last week to Abbott, came hours after the governor sent President Joe Biden a letter saying Texas' efforts at the border, which include a buildup of National Guard soldiers and state troopers as well as laying miles of coiled razor wire along the Rio Grande's banks, will continue despite the Justice Department's warning.

"You must fully enforce the laws of the United States that prohibit illegal immigration between ports of entry," the Republican governor told the Democratic president. "In the meantime, Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused. Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.

The Justice Department's news release asserts that the federal Rivers and Harbors Act prohibits "the placement of any unauthorized barriers or obstructions in the Rio Grande and other navigable waters of the United States."

The department also said it will "seek the appropriate legal remedies" to remove the barriers from the river.

The federal and state dispute comes amid growing criticism from the Biden administration and congressional Democrats nationwide over Abbott's decision to lay razor wire up and down the Rio Grande and a floating barrier of string buoys at a high-traffic section of the river in Eagle Pass.

A military-style vehicle is parked along the Rio Grande next to razor wire Thursday in Eagle Pass. Buoys float in the river to stop unauthorized border crossings as well.

Last week, congressional Democrats from Texas called on Biden to step in to counter Abbott's border maneuvers, which are part of his $9 billion immigration enforcement initiative, Operation Lone Star. Later in the week, dozens of other Democrats joined the Texans in a formal letter to the president.

More: How the buoys and other parts of Operation Lone Star affect life in Eagle Pass

At a news briefing Monday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to discuss the legalities involved in the Austin-Washington dispute. But she pushed back with force against Abbott's assertion that Biden is doing nothing to control unlawful immigration.

"Gov. Abbott is not, he's not moving forward in good faith. He's just not," Jean-Pierre told reporters. "And the only person, the one person, that is sowing chaos is Gov. Abbott."

She cited an U.S. Department of Homeland Security report from early June that found unlawful immigration plummeted in the weeks after the federal government in May lifted a COVID-era public health order commonly called Title 42. Abbott and others had warned that ending the policy that allowed border authorities to quickly turn back asylum-seekers to Mexico would further open the floodgates of unlawful immigration.

"What you see the governor doing is dangerous and unlawful," Jean-Pierre said. "It's actually hurting the process  of what we're trying to do."

Asked directly why federal authorities don't simply remove the floating barriers from the Rio Grande and the razor wire on federally owned riverside properties, Jean-Pierre declined to say.

Photo gallery: A family's journey to enter Texas: Migrants continue crossing the Rio Grande to Eagle Pass

The Justice Department said its complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Texas, will be litigated by the Environmental Defense Section of the departments Environment and Natural Resources Division.

The Rio Grande is a significant stretch of the southern border of our country, Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, said in a statement. We must all recognize that there are laws and policies in place  both domestic and international  to ensure the safety and security of everyone working, living and traveling along the river.

"These laws cannot be ignored, and my office will take and support the appropriate legal action to uphold them.

Critics of Abbott's tactics have also decried numerous reports that migrants are being severely injured as they attempt to circumvent the razor wire as well as the four recent drowning deaths in the Rio Grande by migrants, including a woman and an infant, trying to cross into Texas.

More: 'They're going to find a way': Migrants navigate buoys, razor wire to enter Texas

In his letter, Abbott suggested the blame lies at the president's feet.

"While I share the humanitarian concerns noted in your lawyers letter, Mr. President, your finger points in the wrong direction," Abbott wrote. "Neither of us wants to see another death in the Rio Grande River.

"Yet your open-border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives by crossing illegally through the water, instead of safely and legally at a port of entry. Nobody drowns on a bridge."

After the Justice Department filed its suit Monday, Abbott told Fox News that if the state loses Round One, he's prepared to continue the legal battle "all the way to the United States Supreme Court."

"It tells you all you need to know about the Biden administration that the only lawsuit that I'm aware of they have brought against anybody concerning the border is against a state that's trying to impede illegal immigration, rather than using any laws that are on the books already to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border," he told the cable outlet.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas Gov. Abbott tells Biden floating barriers to stay on Rio Grande
Sometimes even radical political organizations need to pivot.

The Providence Democratic Socialists of America did just that recently, changing the group's name and, in a much bigger step, "breaking with the Democratic Party."

The local chapter of the leading American socialist group is now called Rhode Island DSA and it has a new strategy for creating a mass movement for working-class political independence.

"Workers need a democratic political organization to fight for their interests, separate from the capitalist class," the new political strategy manifesto approved by the group this spring reads. "The Democratic Party, which is internally undemocratic and controlled by capitalists, will not be that organization; Most progressives who run on the Democratic ballot line quickly submit to the Democratic establishment, and the rare exceptions are often due to individual fortitude rather than any repeatable strategy."

Group no longer endorses Democrats

Going forward, Rhode Island DSA will not endorse candidates who run for office as Democrats. Those it does support will need to practice "oppositional politics," "agitate for class struggle," and be "fully accountable to DSA membership."

"The partys goal is to win political power for the working class, but with the understanding that the current system of government is only partially democratic and workers will not be able to wield power by simply electing a majority," the strategy document says. "The party does not make alliances with capitalists or their politicians. Socialist politicians avoid backroom deals and instead fight for reforms by calling out corrupt officials, unmasking the capitalist system, and encouraging mass movements."

More on the DSA: After voting for Shekarchi for speaker, Rep. Morales loses Democratic Socialists endorsement

Rhode Island DSA has representation in state and local politics

Rhode Island DSA's current size is such that, on a statewide level, the change is unlikely to have a huge impact on Ocean State ballot boxes in the near future.

But four DSA-endorsed candidates won elections last year  three in the General Assembly and one on the Providence City Council. And current Providence City Council President Rachel Miller was endorsed by the group in 2018.

It is not entirely without political juice.

Change reflective of wider tension within the progressive movement

The political tensions driving the new DSA strategy, the belief that compromise with those in power undermines movements for social change, has been around about as long as democracy.

It's been a key dynamic in some of the recent "progressive civil war" dustups over the past two years, including opposition in some parts of the Rhode Island left to Aaron Regunberg's congressional campaign.

More: New front in RI progressive political feud opens as group attacks Regunberg. Here's what they're saying.

A year ago the DSA chapter also signed a "coalition agreement" with the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, Sunrise Providence and the BLM RI PAC that codified a "shared goal of defeating the Democratic establishment in Rhode Island and winning a progressive governing majority."

Candidates subject to the agreement were not allowed to take donations from corporate PACS, corporate lobbyists, fossil fuel executives, police unions, correctional officers unions or top General Assembly leaders. They were also not allowed to vote for House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, House Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski or (now former) Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey for any leadership position.

"Our organizations and politicians will work together to decide whether one of our legislators will run for a leadership position, and if so, which legislator," the agreement said. "Then, when this person runs for the position, all other legislators in our coalition are expected to vote for them."

One of the four 2022 DSA-endorsed officeholders, state Rep. David Morales, ran afoul of the prohibition on voting for Shekarchi last year and the group unendorsed him.

The other DSA-endorsed elected officials are state Sen. Sam Bell, Rep. Enrique Sanchez and Providence City Council member Miguel Sanchez, all Providence Democrats.

Enrique and Miguel Sanchez, both members of the Democratic Socialists of America, attributed their primary victories to an aggressive door-knocking campaign and deep community ties forged through their family's Mount Pleasant store.

DSA-endorsed politicians intend to stick with the Democratic party

While they can't vote for Shekarchi or Ruggerio, the three existing office holders are grandfathered into the new Rhode Island DSA strategy and are allowed to run as Democrats without blowback.

Bell intends to do just that next year and argues that in the American two-party system, leaving both major parties to political opponents doesn't help.

"Terrible things happen when the right gains control over the Democratic Party," Bell wrote to Political Scene about DSA's plan to go independent. "I will run as a Democrat because I am a Democrat, and I refuse to back down to the conservatives trying to take control of our party."

R.I. Sen. Sam Bell argues that in the American two-party system, leaving both major parties to political opponents doesn't help.

"People do have a point when they say a lot of people sell out when they get elected," he went on. "Thats certainly true. But I dont think thats because of the party per se. Its because of the power of the machine."

Bell said he identifies as a democratic socialist and rejects the "capitalist idea that we can build a decent society where we let everyone act in their own self-interest at the expense of others."

He offers the 19th-century, anti-slavery origins of the Republican party as proof that creation of a left-wing third party doesn't always end well.

"When it initially won power, it did great things," he said of the GOP. "But it soon sold out so unbelievably hard. It swung wildly to the right."

Although no longer a DSA-endorsed candidate, Morales still identifies as a democratic socialist, but is sticking with the Democrats.

"I identify with being part of the progressive wing of the party, which means making sure we are fighting for a minimum wage of $20-plus, working towards a single-payer health care system and, while that doesn't always align with the mainstream center of the Democratic Party, these are still important discussions to have and to push the party so it aligns better with the needs of working people," Morales told The Journal.

What does he think will result from Rhode Island DSA running third party candidates?

"It is all dependent on the grassroots organizing that takes place," he said. "If you are able to mobilize working people to break off from the Democratic party and organize around a series of issues that are most important to them, and are going to help actual people in meaningful ways, then yeah we will see an influence. But if it is based on rhetoric alone, then I don't think there will be much of an impact."

Neither Miller nor Enrique or Miguel Sanchez replied to a request for comment on the new DSA platform.

Rhode Island DSA not looking to become a political party

Rhode Island DSA plans to choose a legislative district with 3,000 to 4,000 general election voters (roughly the turnout of a Providence City Council race or state House district race) and a candidate to back in that district for the 2024 election. They'll also assemble a "campaign team of at least ten people," write a campaign plan and recruit supporters from out of state. "If this is not possible, the chapter will postpone endorsement to 2026," the strategy document said.

Although Rhode Island DSA wants to function more like a political party, it does not plan to legally become a party "in compliance with its status as a 501(c)(4) organization."

While breaking with the Democratic party might free candidates to take positions against House or Senate leaders, if they run with DSA backing, any stance they take would be subject to accountability from chapter members.

"Members are free to debate, publicly disagree with party decisions, and form factions when they wish (while respecting the will of the majority, which determines party policy)," the strategy document says. "The political coherence of the party is maintained through its educational programs and political organizing by cadre, rather than by top-down decrees."

As for the policy goals Rhode Island DSA is pushing for, the new platform includes:

State-owned co-operative-run housing with rent at 30% of occupant's income

Medicare for all

$25 per hour minimum wage

Free publicly-run child care and elder care

State utility ownership and construction of new state-owned renewable energy producers

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island DSA new name of Providence Democratic Socialists of America
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Sunday defended former President Donald Trump, who faces a special counsel investigation regarding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protests.

The biotech entrepreneur, during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," responded to being slammed for not criticizing Trump a month before the first GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee.

"Ive been consistent all along,"he said, "that I would have made different judgments than Donald Trump made  that is why Im running in this race for the presidency  the same race that hes in. Because I would have made different and, I believe, better judgments for the country."

"But a bad judgment is not the same thing as a crime," Ramaswamy continued. "And when we conflate the two, that sets a dangerous precedent for this country. I dont want to see us become some banana republic where the party in power uses police force to arrest its political opponents."

"Now that Im third in the national polls, self-interestedly it would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump were not the front-runner  if Trump were eliminated by the federal administrative police state. But thats not the right thing for the country," he added.

VIVEK RAMASWAMY VOWS TO GUT SEVERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING FBI, IRS, CDC: SHUTTING DOWN 'THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE'

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the Turning Point Action conference on July 15, 2023. Ramaswamy argued Sunday for U.S. economic independence from China, putting him at odds with former President Trump.

In a recent Fox News survey of Iowa Republicans, Trump received 46% support among likely Iowa GOP caucus goers, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received 16% and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., received 11%. Ramaswamy came in fourth, polling at 6%.

In South Carolina, another recent Fox News poll found Trump leading by more than 30 points. Ramaswamy came in sixth place in that poll at just 3%.

Ramaswamy contended that he was "not running against anyone," including rival GOP presidential candidates and Democrat President Biden, stressing that he was running for the "vision of what it means to be American."

"We dont want a super PAC puppet," Ramaswamy said. "We want an independent voice, and a patriot who actually speaks the truth. Thats what Im bringing to the race."

Donald Trump speaks during the Turning Point Action Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Trump is the current GOP front-runner.

VIVEK RAMASWAMY PROMOTES ANTI-WOKENESS ON CAPITOL HILL  BUT LEAVES WITH NO ENDORSEMENTS

In a past book, Ramaswamy argued that Trump wrongfully claimed he did not lose the 2020 election and raised millions of dollars off his supporters, "Fox News Sunday" host Shannon Bream noted. "What Trump did last week was wrong. Downright abhorrent. Plain and simple," Ramaswamy previously tweeted on Jan. 12, 2021. "Ive said it before and did so in my piece."

During the appearance, Ramaswamy responded to Trumps recent comments describing Chinese President Xi Jinping as "brilliant" and "an iron fist." Ramaswamy said Xi "is a dictator, and China is the top threat that the United States faces," arguing that he stands apart from other 2024 candidates, including Trump, in campaigning for "economic independence" from China.

Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a SiriusXM town hall on June 20, 2023, in Philadelphia.

Ramaswamy said he also has laid out a foreign policy plan based on pulling apart the China-Russian alliance.

"NATO was created to deter the USSR. The USSR does not exist anymore, yet NATO has expanded more after the fall of the USSR than it ever did during the USSRs existence. So I think we have to ask the question of, What advances American interests?" Ramaswamy said. "And to me, the top American interest is pulling apart the China-Russia alliance  that ends the Ukraine war, that stops us from having to fund another hundreds of billions of dollars to protect somebody elses border that we could be using to protect our own border. And more importantly, this is also how we deter Xi Jinping from going after Taiwan."
The new leader of Lexingtons Henry Clay High School, hired from an Indiana school district, was investigated for potential district policy violations in his previous position but the charges were ultimately dismissed, reports say.

Fayette district spokeswoman Dia Davidson-Smith confirmed that Corye Franklin has been hired to lead Henry Clay. He replaces Paul Little, who will work district-wide next year, providing administrative support where needed.

WRTV in Indianapolis has reported that Franklin, a principal at Arsenel Tech High School in Indianapolis Public Schools, was placed on administrative leave on August 30, 2022, pending an investigation into potential policy violations.

Franklin was eventually reinstated to his position and received a strong recommendation from the IPS superintendent. Fayette County officials are confident he will be a strong leader for Henry Clay, Davidson told the Herald-Leader Monday.

Indianapolis Public Schools General Counsel Ken Pack said Franklin wasnt disciplined and that the allegations were dismissed after an investigation, WRTV reported. Franklin resigned in December.

Pack did not return messages from the Herald-Leader Monday.

Little spent 18 years at Henry Clay: 11 years as an associate principal, and seven as the head principal.

In a letter to families Wednesday, Liggins said Arsenal Technical High School was the largest high school in Indianapolis Public Schools.

He did not mention the investigation in Indianapolis involving Franklin.

Liggins said Franklin is an accomplished and highly passionate educator with nearly two decades of experience in public education. He has served as a teacher, assistant principal, adjunct instructor and a mentor for teachers and new leaders.

What most impressed me about Dr. Franklin throughout the principal selection process was his knowledge and focus on student achievement and improving the outcomes for all students, said Liggins.

Franklin earned a bachelors degree in elementary education with a minor in Spanish from Indiana University, a masters degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from Marian University.

With a focus on data, instruction and student achievement, Franklin supports a climate conducive to increased academic performance and he is dedicated to creating equitable spaces, opportunities and possibilities for all students, the letter said.

Franklins work as a K-12 classroom teacher and leader of diverse educational institutions, like a Spanish Immersion School, has prepared him to lead Henry Clay, Liggins said.

His unwavering commitment to empowering the HCHS staff and students with the necessary tools for success, all while honoring the schools rich history and cherished traditions, sets the stage for a promising future, said the letter.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Internal Revenue Service said Monday it is ending its decades-old policy of making unannounced home and business visits, in an effort to help keep its workers safe and to combat scammers who pose as IRS agents.

Effective immediately, revenue agents will no longer make unplanned visits to taxpayers' homes and businesses except in a few unique circumstances, the Treasury Department said in a statement. The agency will instead mail letters to people to schedule meetings.

Todays announcement is the right thing to do, at the right time," new IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel told reporters on a call Monday.

The change ends "an era at the IRS, he said, reversing a practice by revenue officers whose duties include visiting homes and firms to resolve taxpayers' liabilities by collecting unpaid taxes and unfiled tax returns.

The agency in recent years has experienced more threats, in part tied to conspiracy theories that agents were going to target middle-income taxpayers more aggressively after the passage of a climate, health care and tax bill that provided $80 billion to step up tax collections.

In response, the agency last August announced a comprehensive review of safety at its facilities. And in May, the agency said it would begin limiting workers personal identifying information on communications with taxpayers.

The Treasury Departments inspector general for tax administration said in a report that it was concerned that taxpayers and anti-government or anti-tax groups with malevolent intent may use the Internet or social media to track down and identify IRS employees, their families, their homes, and personal information to threaten, intimidate, or locate them for physical violence.

The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents IRS workers, commended the agency for ending unannounced visits.

The officers we represent will continue to efficiently and effectively carry out their mission of helping taxpayers meet their lawful tax obligations through other means of communication," union leader Tony Reardon said in an emailed statement.

The issue of home visits has been politically contentious this year.

Ohio House Republican Jim Jordan sent a letter to Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in March, asking why journalist Matt Taibbi received an unannounced home visit from an IRS agent shortly he gave testimony on Capitol Hill regarding his research into Twitter records.

Werfel said he thinks the issues raised by unannounced visits, including ones that have been raised to us by the U.S. Congress, will be significantly mitigated" by the policy change.

The agency said an increase in scam artists posing as IRS agents also had created confusion about unannounced home visits.
At least six people died and as many as 26 others were injured in gun violence that sprawled across Chicago at the weekend.

The identified victims were ages 13 to 64.

A 41-year-old man was found in a vehicle in an alley in the Lower West Side on Friday. He had been fatally shot during an armed robbery.

Later in the day, a 16-year-old boy was discovered on the sidewalk around the 1200 block of W. 81st Street with gunshot wounds to the chest. After being taken to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead.

A 13-year-old boy was riding his bicycle Saturday when a car drove by and an occupant shot him, grazing him in a knee. He was taken to a local hospital in good condition.

A group of people were standing on the sidewalk early Sunday when an unknown assailant fired shots from the west alley of the street, striking two women and a man.

Officers discovered a 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the head in a flipped-over vehicle near the 3000 block of W. 21st Street on Sunday morning. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead later.
HAMPTON  A pedestrian was struck by a Hampton Police Department cruiser on Ashworth Avenue at Hampton Beach Sunday night while the patrol officer was responding to a call for service elsewhere, according to Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno.

New Hampshire State Police said the extent of the pedestrians injuries was not immediately known, and the officer involved was not injured. The pedestrian was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital by ambulance, according to the Hampton Fire Department.

Amber Lagace, spokesperson for state police, would not comment when asked about the status of the pedestrian's injuries or when police will release the identities of the officer or the pedestrian. "No additional information on this incident has been released from New Hampshire State Police," Lagace said in an email.

A pedestrian was struck by a Hampton Police Department cruiser on Ashworth Avenue at Hampton Beach Sunday night, according to Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno.

According to Reno, the officer was responding to an emergency medical call on Ashworth Avenue at the time of the accident.

To avoid any semblance of conflict of interest, Reno asked state police to investigate the incident thoroughly, and its Collision Analysis Reconstruction Unit (CAR) is leading the investigation. Reno said Monday he will have no further comment at this time.

According to the New Hampshire State Police, at about 7:15 p.m., on Sunday, July 23, troopers assigned to the Troop A Barracks in Epping responded to a motor vehicle crash involving a Hampton police cruiser and a pedestrian on Ashworth Avenue near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Nudd Avenue at Hampton Beach.

According to state police, a portion of Ocean Boulevard was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic from Highland Avenue to Nudd Avenue, Ashworth Avenue from Nudd Avenue to the north of Island Path for approximately three hours. All lanes were reopened by about 11:30 p.m.

Assisting from the CAR unit were troopers and detectives from Troop A and the state police Special Enforcement Unit, along with the Hampton Fire Department and Danas Towing and Repair.

The crash remains under investigation. State police ask anyone with information to email Trooper Tyler Dodds at Tyler.M.Dodds@dos.nh.gov.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Beach pedestrian struck by Hampton NH police cruiser
Have Demos finally discovered the Biden/Harris problem

By Mark Alexander

web posted July 24, 2023

Some of our team thought I had gotten into the back porch whiskey last year when I titled a column, "It's Official  Biden Is (NOT) Running in 2024." As I noted then, if Biden makes it to the 2024 presidential primary, he will either intentionally default or withdraw altogether to clear a path for his successor.

A lot has happened since then, including the fact that last year's midterm "red wave" turned into a "red ripple," with Republicans barely winning the House and losing the Senate split majority  this despite Biden's abysmal approval ratings at the time. Of course, Biden finally officially announced his 2024 candidacy in late April, as the slide in his mental acuity continues its downward spiral.

A caveat I noted in my original assessment: If Biden still has a heartbeat and some brain activity, he could become the nominee as a result of the sheer momentum of presidential office. His leftist puppeteers have consolidated an enormous amount of power, and if they believe they can prop up Biden for another term, like the old Soviet Union leaders were propped up by their party powerbrokers, they will vigorously resist allowing him to drop out. They know that Kamala Harris will play along if Biden is reelected and resigns.

They will do so despite the fact that Biden's approval polling remains deep in the dump now, two points under where Donald Trump polled at this point in his third year  though, notably, Biden's disapproval now is 4% under that of Trump then.

Regardless of who the Democrat candidate is, the Democrats' strategy is predicated on Trump being the nominee. Despite all the pundit chatter to the contrary, central to the Democrats' 2024 strategy with Trump indictments is keeping Trump in the lead to ensure he eclipses other Republicans like Gov. Ron DeSantis.

I asserted that was their strategy in the run-up to Trump's first indictment, and apparently I have now been relegated to the trash bin of conspiracy theorists. This week, Fox News's Bret Baier said to Democrat strategist Leslie Marshall, "I heard a conspiracy theory out there that Democrats are [indicting Trump] to fire him up in the GOP primary in order to face him in the general election." Marshall replied with a smile indicating this was not conspiracy theory.

Why do they want to face Trump in the general election?

Because Demos believe that DeSantis poses a greater threat to Biden and his alternates, including hair-gel boy Gavin Newsom, Michelle Obama, Robert Kennedy Jr., or maybe even Demo moderate West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.

Clearly, in DeSantis's last gubernatorial election, he proved he is a formidable general election candidate with broad appeal deep across party lines into Democrat voting blocs. He won 62 of the state's 67 counties and beat Democrat challenger Charlie Crist by nearly 20 points, including substantial Hispanic and Demo crossover votes.

So, on what is the Demos' defeat-Trump calculus based?

First of all, of course Donald Trump is the populist Republican frontrunner right now, despite his J6 baggage and mounting legal problems, including, he says this week, being a target of the Special Counsel January 6 probe that will result in a third indictment.

However, Demos are basing their Trump strategy on the following facts: Trump did not win a popular majority in 2016; he lost House and Senate majorities in 2018; and he was defeated in 2020 thanks to the Demos' mass media Biden/ChiCom connection blackout and their bulk-mail ballot fraud strategy.

As for questions about Biden's gutter polling after his election, and the assumption that would result in a massive red wave in the 2022 midterms, as noted above, it didn't, and it won't again.

And Demos anticipate that Trump will do substantial fratricidal damage in the Republican Party primary and help pave the way for another Democrat president.

Trump's fratricidal record is well established, as he has betrayed almost all of his most loyal top administration officials. That now includes most recently his disgraceful assault on his exceptional former White House press secretary, "Kayleigh 'Milktoast' McEnany," a petulant label almost as lame as his "Ron DeSanctimonious" label.

Those factors, combined with the fact that Demos will again turn out massive "Fear Trump" voters as they did in 2020, including a majority of their women voters, especially after SCOTUS reversed Roe v. Wade, are the core of their strategy to defeat Trump.

There are two wild cards that might take out Biden. First, he becomes completely incapacitated; and second, he's unable to cop a back-room plea deal to short-circuit the "Big Guy" corruption connection in the Hunter Biden investigation.

Of course, I could be wrong...

All said, as Douglas Andrews noted this week, some Democrats and their Leftmedia talkingheads and scribes are now saying out loud what they were only whispering weeks ago  Biden and Harris need to get out of the way.

The leftist Atlantic just published a piece titled "Step Aside, Joe." CNN's Fareed Zakaria suggested Biden should "step aside and let another generation of Democrats take the baton." CNN even reported that key Demos are saying "President Joe Biden won't actually be running for reelection" and that "top Democrats and donors" are getting behind "possible replacements."

The New Republic is pleading with Democrats to "wake the hell up." NBC reports that 68% of voters are very concerned about Biden's mental and physical status. HuffPo warns, "Democrats have doubts."

All this as Kamala Harris's net favorability rating hits an all-time low for any vice president.

So, while it looks like Trump may be the Republican nominee, I still predict Biden will not be the Demo nominee. But again, I could be wrong...

(Note: If Trump wins the nomination, he will be older than Ronald Reagan was when he left office.)

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
An independent voter at a meet-and-greet in New Hampshire on Friday told former Vice President Mike Pence that he was concerned with his place in the polls -- and with the fact that Pence is not taking on former President Donald Trump harder as he leads the field for the Republican nomination.

"I would love to see you be president of the United States. I'm just gonna give you an honest comment. I don't believe you ever will be until the day you stand up to that man," Tom Loughlin, a 77-year-old who lives part-time in New Hampshire, told Pence in reference to Trump. "Maybe you're too good a Christian to ever do that."

"Well, I don't know about too good a Christian. Some people think we did a fair amount of standing up two and a half years ago," Pence said, bringing some to applaud.

"I joined the ticket because there was a tacit commitment that we would govern as conservatives and we did, ... but honestly, I think he makes no such promise today," he continued, laying out their difference on foreign policy, entitlement reform, and abortion regulation at the federal level.

PHOTO: Tom Loughlin, 77, a registered Independent from Port St. Lucie, Florida, speaks to reporters at a meet and greet for former Vice President Mike Pence in North Conway, New Hampshire, on July 21, 2021. (Libby Cathey/ABC News)

"I'm not interested in trading insults with my old friend. I'm not. And some people think that's the way to win the presidency. I don't. But laying out the choice for the American people. We've been doing it. We'll keep doing it," he said.

New Hampshire is one of the smallest states in the nation, with a population of roughly 1.4 million people and just two representatives in the House. But to win in the first-in-the-nation primary, candidates usually need to be willing to talk about national concerns, like Pence's historic actions on Jan. 6, 2021, ahead of the Capitol riot.

"It makes me ill that Mike Pence has 4% of the vote in this country at best right now in the Republican Party when he stood so tall and so strong on January 6. This man deserves better than that for the people of this country," Loughlin said. "He has to talk about the future. And he has to talk about how dangerous that man is for our country."

MORE: Mike Pence clashes with Tucker Carlson in Iowa

Loughlin, a retired attorney who lives in Florida but is spending the summer in New Hampshire, told ABC News he also doesn't want to talk about the past, "but the future is Donald Trump is running for president of the United States," he said.

While Pence does not always bring up Jan. 6 at campaign stops, several voters across New Hampshire delivered to him the same message during his three-day-swing in the first-in-the-nation primary state this week: "Thank you for what you did on Jan. 6."

Nancy Ryan, a Democrat, stopped by Pence's BBQ lunch at Goody Cole's Smokehouse in Brentwood on Thursday with the intention to ask him to sign a pledge to support the National Breast Cancer Coalition's cancer policy platform -- but she also told him, "Thank you for what you did on Jan. 6."

Pence shook her hand, and said, "By God's grace."

Again, on Friday morning a his town in Berlin, at least two women thanked Pence -- not while he was up taking questions -- but afterward when he was taking photos with attendees and chatting one on one.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence visit Goody Coles BBQ Joint in Brentwood, New Hampshire, July 20, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

"Thank you for what you did on Jan. 6," said a woman named Lisa.

He once again answered, "By God's grace."

MORE: Pence to Muir: Trump's words on 1/6 'endangered me and my family and everyone at the Capitol'

At a meet-and-greet in Hudson on Wednesday night, Pence didn't mention Jan. 6 when he delivered his stump speech before a few dozen guests at the home of former Republican State Sen. Bob Clegg -- but Clegg did.

"Jan. 6th, Mike did something that I found to be the most courageous thing anybody's ever done. He was offered a chance to ignore the Constitution, take power that wasn't the vice president and he chose not to," Bob Clegg said. "Now I'm supporting Mike, supporting him because he's the adult in the room. I really can't take much more nicknames and the bantering back and forth."

And on Thursday in Meredith, 15-year-old Quinn Mitchell, a regular attendee at political town halls across the state, also brought up Jan. 6.

"Given everything that has happened, Trump's indictments Trump's actions on Jan. 6, ... do you think Christians should vote for Donald Trump?" Mitchell said.

"Well, look, I'm running for president in the United States because I think I should be the next president," Pence said with a smile. "I would never presume about anyone, either on their conservative convictions or on their faith, to tell people how I think they ought to live."

"Elections are about choices. And I want to say to you, I'm very humbled by your gracious comments. I really do believe that democracy depends on heavy doses of civility," he added. "It's a moment for leadership."

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence greet workers at Goody Coles BBQ Joint in Brentwood, New Hampshire, July 20, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

As Pence pitches himself as a conservative, a Christian and Reagan-era Republican, the former vice president is struggling to qualify to make the debate stage. Neither Pence nor his campaign will say how close he is to reaching the 40,000 donors required to make the debate stage.

Campaign chair Chip Saltsman told ABC News Pence's camp is focused now on intimate events like the ones held in New Hampshire this week.

"It's nice to have lots of money on TV, but in Iowa, New Hampshire especially, they want to see you earn it. They want to see you go in a hot room on a Thursday night, answer any question, talk to every voter, and talk about the issues," he said. "Because they're gonna go to work tomorrow, they're gonna go to church on Sunday, and talk to their friends about Mike Pence."

MORE: Special counsel informs Trump he is target in probe of efforts to overturn 2020 election

And as Trump faces another potential indictment around Jan. 6, Pence seems to be more forgiving than some voters at his events.

"I'm not convinced it's criminal," Pence told reporters on Thursday, asked about the special counsel's investigation. "And I hope with the possibility of another indictment coming against the president, I hope it doesn't come to that. Truth is that the Department of Justice has lost credibility with tens of millions of Americans. I'd rather see questions about that fateful day left in the hands of the American people."

But Carol Riehlam of Kingston, a registered Republican who also thanked Pence for his action on Jan. 6 at Wednesday's meet-and-greet, said she hopes Trump is indicted and found guilty.

"It was an insurrection. I mean, there were crowds of people that were spurred on by president at the time Trump's rhetoric. The only thing that would stop that crowd would be for Trump to stand up and say, 'stand down, go home, peacefully,' but he wouldn't do that," she said. "Pence stood his ground and did the constitutionally right thing."

PHOTO: Former Vice president Mike Pence speaks with guests during a campaign stop he made with his wife Karen, July 6, 2023, in Holstein, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Hillary Seeger of Alexandria, an Air Force veteran and civil engineer who supported Trump in the past, also praised Pence for upholding a peaceful transfer of power but lamented that that should be the norm.

"Isn't it crazy that he's [Pence's] a hero because he obeyed the Constitution? You would think that that would just be the normal for any elected official that they go by the Constitution," she said. "I'm looking for a president who's going to be the president of the entire United States, where people aren't going to be hashtagging 'not my president.'"

Trump received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith earlier this week saying that he is a target in his investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Trump also confirmed the development in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"It bothers me," the former president told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Tuesday night at a town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. "I got the letter on Sunday night. Think of it, I don't think they've ever sent a letter on Sunday night. And they're in a rush because they want to interfere, it's election interference, never been done like this in the history of our country and it's a disgrace what's happening to our country."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

If he is charged, those charges would mark the third indictment Trump has faced since leaving office. Trump was indicted last month on 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials, after Smith's prosecutors said he repeatedly refused to return hundreds of documents containing classified information ranging from U.S. nuclear secrets to the nation's defense capabilities. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The former president has also pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment from the Manhattan district attorney charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 presidential election.

ABC News' Katherine Faulders, John Santucci, Alexander Mallin, and Luke Barr contributed to this report.

Mike Pence 'not interested in trading insults' with Trump as he tries to win New Hampshire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea battered buildings Monday and drew warnings of "tough retaliatory measures" from the Kremlin as the war dragged into its 18th month with little hope of a quick resolution.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said no injuries or serious destruction were reported, but photos from the scene showed a high-rise business center with burned-out top floors and a street-level store with its windows blown out. Russian media said one of the drones fell on the Komsomolsky highway in downtown Moscow, shattering the shops windows and damaging the roof of a house 200 yards from the Defense Ministry building.

Thick smoke was seen pouring out of the upper floors of the business center immediately after the pre-dawn strike, state media site Pravda reported.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the attack was thwarted by electronic warfare systems that forced the drones to crash. The Ukraine military did not publicly take responsibility for the attack, but a Ukraine defense official who declined to be named told Agence France-Presse the strike was a "special operation" carried out by Kyiv forces. Moscow is less than 300 miles from the Ukraine border.

Another drone struck an ammunition depot in Russian-annexed Crimea, forcing a halt in traffic on a major highway, Russian authorities said. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the attacks as "acts of international terrorism." Russia has repeatedly struck energy and residential targets in Ukraine. The ministry issued a statement saying Russia "reserves the right to take tough retaliatory measures."

A view of the damaged building is shown after a reported drone attack in Moscow on Monday.

Developments:

 The U.S. will provide an additional $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, including munitions for advanced air defense systems and surveillance drones, according to officials who spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because the package has not been announced.

 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its partners were preparing new Western military aid packages, including air defense equipment, artillery and long-range weapons.

 Ukraine may receive up to 50 of the F-16 fighter jets it has requested from Western allies, Viktor Bondarev, chairman of the Federation Councils Defense and Security Committee, told Russia's state-run TASS news agency, warning of the impact the warplanes may have on the war.

 Russian attacks targeted nine regions and injured eight people over the past day, local officials reported Monday. The strikes included a continuation of Russian assaults on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, this time on the Danube River, with the destruction of a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, Ukrainian officials said.

 Dylan Collins, an American video journalist working for Agence France-Presse, was injured by shrapnel from a drone attack while reporting at a Ukrainian artillery position near the eastern city of Bakhmut. Collins, 35, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, the agency said.

Russia to teach high school kids how to use combat drones

Russia's long-term commitment to using drones in military operations is underscored by a new program starting Sept. 1 to teach high school students how to operate combat drones, including how to confront such uncrewed aerial vehicles from the enemy.

At that same date, Russia is implementing a new, mandatory "Basics of Life Safety'' syllabus that trains high schoolers on hand grenade skills, assault rifle use and combat first aid. The British Defense Ministry said that's all part of the government's push to build support for its "special military operation'' in Ukraine.

"Russia's renewed emphasis on military induction for children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarized patriotism rather than develop genuine capability,'' the ministry said in its latest intelligence update, noting that the Kremlin now considers drones "an enduring component of contemporary war.''

UN urges Russia to rejoin grain deal as options are explored

At the same time the United Nations is urging Russia to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, other avenues for exporting Ukraine's agricultural products are being explored.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for Russia to reconsider its stance Monday, a week after it pulled out of an agreement that had allowed for the shipping of 33 million tons of Ukrainian foodstuff over the last year. The most vulnerable will pay the highest price,' Guterres said at the beginning of a three-day food summit in Rome.

Wheat prices have risen more than 14% and corn prices are up more than 10% since Russia quit the deal, arguing that its exports of grain and fertilizer had been hampered by Western sanctions, and that not enough Ukrainian grain had made it to the neediest countries. The Kremlin said it would return to the agreement when its demands are met "in their totality.''

Also Monday, Lithuania encouraged the European Union to use Baltic ports to ship the Ukrainian grain, saying they can "serve as a reliable alternative for transiting Ukrainian products, including cereals,'' and could transport up to 25 million tons a year, AFP reported.

None of the three Baltic nations shares a border with Ukraine. Transporting Ukrainian products through them, Danube River ports, rail or roads would be considerably more expensive than through the Black Sea.

Putin still wary of Wagner mercenary leader Prigozhin?

Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed his continuing concern over the potential threats that Wagner Group mercenaries and leader Yevgeny Prigozhin may pose during a meeting Sunday with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in St. Petersburg, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War suggests in its latest assessment of the war.

The assessment says Putin made several significant symbolic gestures during his meeting with Lukashenko, suggesting that Putin sought to "project power and confidence in his own supremacy" over Prigozhin, who led last month's brief, ill-fated march toward Moscow. The assessment adds that Putin made an "unusual effort" to take photographs with local Russians, including children.

"These symbolic gestures indicate that Putin is concerned about his perceived popularity, the security of his regime and the array of factions competing for power within the high echelons of Russian governance," the assessment says.

Medvedev calls for retaliatory strikes against Ukraine

Moscow should expand the targets for its retaliatory strikes in response to Kyiv's attacks on civilian facilities, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Monday. Medvedev, in a Telegram post, said the latest strikes on Moscow and Crimea were acts of desperation by the Ukraine military prompted by what Medvedev described as Kyiv's failed counteroffensive and pressure from the West to show results.

"We need to choose nonstandard targets for our strikes, not just storage sites, energy hubs and oil bases," Medvedev wrote. "There are other places where nobody would be expecting us and where strikes would have a widely felt impact."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia war updates: Moscow, Crimea hit by drone attacks
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Serbian police said Monday they have arrested two people suspected of helping smuggle Cubans toward Spain as part of an international crime group.

The two Serbian citizens were arrested in a monthslong investigation in cooperation with Spain, the Interpol and Europol, police said in a statement. They said 18 more suspects have been arrested in Spain.

The suspects in Serbia are accused of organizing the illegal transfer of at least 53 people to neighboring countries  North Macedonia or Bosnia  and on to Spain, said the statement.

Serbia, a southeastern European nation located on the Balkan peninsula, is at the heart of a key land route for migrants trying to reach the European Union.

The country in April revoked a visa-free travel arrangement with Cuba following reports of Cubans moving on toward Spain and other EU countries after first coming to Serbia as tourists.

Serbia also imposed visas earlier this year for the citizens of Burundi, Tunisia and India for the same reason and under pressure from the EU, which is seeking to curb migration into the 27-nation bloc.
RAYMONDVILLE, Texas (AP)  First there was Gone Girl. Now there is Gone Goat.

The search for a rodeo goat that has been missing for more than a week has the residents of a rural South Texas county enthralled as they are using horses, ATVs and even contemplating utilizing a helicopter to find the missing animal.

Local businesses have donated nearly 90 prizes and gifts worth more than $5,000, including brisket, frescoes and salon service, as a reward for the person who finds the goat.

This has just gotten bigger than we ever dreamed. Our county is a really small county, about 20,000 population and a mostly agriculture, farming and ranching community. And were very much one big family ... So, were excited that everybody wants to find our goat, said Alison Savage, president of the Willacy County Livestock Show and Fair.

Residents, including families, have been scouring cotton and sugar cane fields since the goat escaped from a pen in the countys rodeo arena near Raymondville on July 15 following a youth rodeo. On Sunday, possible goat tracks were spotted in a cotton field near Lyford, south of Raymondville.

When the goat first went missing, it didnt have a name. But after a poll on the livestock shows Facebook page, the goat was named Willy, short for Willacy County, Savage said. While the goat has a name, Savage said officials are not sure if Willy is a boy or a girl.

The livestock show has been posting regular updates on its Facebook page. The search has also been a boon for the livestock show, as residents and businesses have donated hundreds of dollars to make improvements to the nonprofits arena and other facilities.

Hes hiding from us somewhere. But were getting closer. Were going to find him Savage said.
Another jewel has been added to Bardstowns crown as Bourbon Capital of the World.

On June 17, after a year devoted to getting ready for the big event, the Brindiamo Penthouse officially opened on the third floor of Bardstowns Spalding Hall.

The luxurious penthouse space will serve multiple functions: As headquarters for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival; a venue for tastings and other events for members of the Bourbon Capital Guild; and beginning in August, as a purpose-built classroom for the Bourbon Capital Academy.

The latter will offer an immersive, multi-sensory bourbon education experience. Sam Lacy , executive director of the Bourbon Capital Alliance, says the Academy was conceived as a customized ongoing Bardstown-centric bourbon immersion.

The concept seemed a natural fit for the community, but first a fitting location had to be found  one that had the necessary brio for a bourbon experience.

The Bourbon Capital Academy classroom at the Penthouse

It came in the form of 184-year-old Spalding Hall. Built in 1839 to replace an earlier structure that burned down, it served as the main building of St. Josephs College, the first Catholic college in Kentucky. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is home to both the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Rickhouse Restaurant.

Rolls Royce of bourbon facilities

It proved a natural fit and in June 2022, the Brindiamo Group, a Nashville-based alcohol industry consulting firm and one of the largest suppliers of whiskey products in the world, donated $150,000 to create the penthouse space which the companys founder Jeff Hopmayer describes as the Rolls Royce of bourbon facilities.

Jeff Hopmayer, left, and Sam Lacy, right, viewing 12 partner lockers in the Brindiamo Penthouse

As academy classrooms go, Hopmayer has a point. The space features black leather couches, wrought iron chandeliers and a circular bar for serving the penthouses signature cocktail, the Assaggio Di Brindiamo (translation  A Taste of Brindiamo.) For those who dont speak Italian, brindiamo means lets toast.

Signature cocktail available

And what a taste. Crafted especially for the penthouse by Leslie Bryan, a member of the bar team at Toogies Table in the Bardstown Motor Lodge, the cocktail features Kentucky bourbon, lemon juice, Cappelletti aperitif and Velvet Falernum, a sweet liqueur from Barbados.

The Assaggio di Brindiamo cocktail translates to A Taste of Brindiamo

At the bar end of the room 45 lockers are available for members of the bourbon guild to store their favorite bottles. Membership in the Society is limited to 150 members and there is currently a waiting list.

How to visit the bourbon penthouse

Dont be discouraged if you have to wait for a spot to open up. You can still visit the penthouse by signing up for one of the two-hour Academy experiences.

The space at the opposite end of the room from the bar is given over to tables for bourbon lovers who want to start (or continue) their education in Americas only native spirit.

If you fall into the newbie category, Lacy suggests the Academys Fundamentals Course  a sensory experience where participants first nose the grains, and then taste the product of those grains from the nine distilleries which are sustaining partners in the project: Old Still House; Lux Row Distillers; Preservation Distillery; Heaven Hill Distillery; Bardstown Bourbon Company; Makers Mark Distillery; James B. Beam Distilling Co.; Log Still Distillery, and Bartons 1792 Distillery.

Sam Lacy signied a Brindiamo Penthouse grand opening barrel head to commemorate the day

The distilleries will offer their bourbons on a rotating basis, with five at a time in the bi-weekly classes which can accommodate 24 people.

Classes at Kentucky distilleries too

After Academy students have mastered the fundamentals of Bourbon 101, they are ready to continue their education.

The coolest part of the Academy is working with our partner distilleries to provide continuing bourbon education opportunities onsite at the distilleries, says Lacy .

There are different courses, he explains, each focusing on a unique aspect of the distilling process.

Four are already set up at Makers Mark, Lux Row, Heaven Hill and Bardstown Bourbon Company, and they are currently building courses with the other five partners which they hope to have finalized by late summer.

Lacy says that the bourbon academy is not meant to compete with any of the distilleries, but rather to be an enhancement to what they already offer.

We see the bourbon academy as a reason for those visiting our distilleries to come to Bardstown early or to stay late, he says.
Carlee Russell. (Family handout)

Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who went missing earlier this month after she reported seeing a toddler walking along the interstate, admitted to police Monday that she was not kidnapped and there was no child on the side of the road walking alone before she vanished for two days.

Russells admission, which ends a near two-week saga filled with more questions than answers, came in a statement through her attorney, Emory Anthony, and was sent to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis early Monday.

In a brief press conference Monday afternoon, Derzis read the statement in which Russell asked for forgiveness.

My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family,' Anthony wrote. We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues.

Derzis added that based on the facts announced last week, the department knew it was a hoax and said possible charges would be discussed with the local district attorneys office on Tuesday.

'First case that went viral'

As doubt grew around the Russell case, many critics have highlighted the twisted irony in the widespread coverage and resources devoted to Russells safe return that have been nonexistent for thousands of other missing Black women.

This was really the first case that went viral of a missing Black woman or young girl, Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, told Yahoo News.

Russells safe return after she vanished for 49 hours was initially celebrated as a rare victory. But as more evidence was made public last week  including a number of revealing Google searches she made on her cellphone in the days and hours leading up to her disappearance about an abduction movie and the cost of Amber Alerts  many questioned whether a crime took place at all.

Now that the new details reveal Russell was never abducted, advocates want to keep the momentum on finding other missing Black women and girls.

We just have to keep moving, Wilson said.

1 in 5 people missing in the U.S. are Black women

In the U.S., Black women and girls are missing at an alarming rate.

In 2022, Black women and girls accounted for approximately 18% of all missing persons cases in the U.S. despite making up just 7% of the population, according to data from the National Crime Information Center and the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the more than 546,000 people reported missing last year, Black women and girls accounted for nearly 98,000 of those cases.

And, according to experts, most of the missing cases receive little to no attention at all.

In a 2016 study titled Missing White Women Syndrome, attorney and legal scholar Zach Sommers found that when Black people are missing, their disappearance is covered with far fewer stories than that of people in other demographics.

At any given time, there are tens of thousands of Americans categorized as missing by law enforcement, Sommers wrote. However, only a fraction of those individuals receive news coverage, leading some commentators to hypothesize that missing persons with certain characteristics are more likely to garner media attention than others: namely, white women and girls.

Carlee Russell. (Hoover Police Dept.)

Thats why critics say the growing holes in Russells story only make it harder for others.

I think people are always looking for an excuse not to care about these types of stories involving Black women, Amara Cofer, the creator and host of "Black Girl Gone," a podcast that highlights missing Black women and girls, told Yahoo News. It's sad that after so much time of wanting stories of missing Black women to get this type of attention, the story that does end up getting it is essentially a hoax.

Eric Guster, a Birmingham, Ala.-based former criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator, called the unraveling of Russells story a setback.

In the criminal justice system, whenever you have [kidnapping] stories like this, it makes convictions harder to achieve because the juror will remember this fake one, he said. And that would be in that person's mind.

'They cannot turn a blind eye'

For decades, advocates have aimed to put the overwhelming number of missing Black women and girls in the forefront, and they say one possible bluff will not derail that progress.

I know people are angry, they're disappointed, they're frustrated, but they cannot turn a blind eye to the families that are desperately searching for their missing loved ones, Wilson said, noting that many of these disappearances stem from a wide range of causes, from human trafficking to domestic violence to mental health incidents.

"Even if this case is, in fact, not a legitimate case of someone missing, this is still a very important issue, and Black women still need the type of attention that this young woman got," Cheryl Neely, a sociology professor at Oakland Community College in Michigan, told USA Today.

'We still dont know about those 49 hours'

Since Russell returned home, her boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, has asked the public to consider her mental health.

I know what it seems like she did. Just stop bullying on social media, Simmons told the New York Post. Think about her mental health. She doesnt deserve that. She doesnt. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.

From left: Russell with her boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons; another photo of Russell. (via Instagram, Hoover Police Dept.)

However, for many, more questions remain.

Derzis says authorities are still uncertain about Russell's motive, "I wish I could tell you, but I think only Carlee knows, and maybe now her attorney, he said during the press conference on Monday. "We still dont know about those 49 hours, where she was, did she have any help, we have no idea.

More than $63,000 that was donated to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama to aid in Russells search will not be returned to donors, the organization announced Monday.

This investigation is still ongoing, and accordingly, there is no basis to refund any contributions at this time, the company said in a statement to Al.com. Furthermore, the Hoover Police Department has not requested for any donor contributions to be released or refunded.

But advocates for missing Black women say the public deserves an explanation.

This has the potential to retraumatize those families [of missing Black women], and the crying-wolf syndrome may lead many to not believe the very next occurrence, Chad Dion Lassiter, a social worker and executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, told Yahoo News.

While the public still has a slew of unanswered questions, advocates say they are prioritizing Black women and girls who are actually missing.

Im glad that Carlee has admitted that the kidnapping was a hoax. I know a lot of people still want to know why she did it, but now that we know it was a lie, hopefully we can all move on and begin to put the energy people had for Carlee into the Black women and girls that are really missing, Cofer said.
BEIJING (AP)  Chinas government appealed to Japan on Monday not to disrupt the semiconductor industry after curbs on exports of Japanese chip-making technology took effect, adding to technology restrictions Washington and its allies have imposed on China on security grounds.

The Japanese restrictions that took effect Sunday limit Chinese access to tools for etching microscopically small circuits on advanced chips for smartphones, artificial intelligence and other applications. The Netherlands also joined the United States in limiting access to chipmaking tools that Washington says could be used to develop weapons.

We are deeply dissatisfied and regret the act, said a foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning. She urged Japan to prevent relevant measures from interfering with the normal semiconductor industry cooperation between the two countries.

The ruling Communist Party has invested billions of dollars in building Chinese chip foundries but needs Western and Japanese technology to produce the most advanced chips. That threatens to delay Beijing's efforts to develop tech industries.

The United States imposed curbs on Chinese access to chips and chipmaking technology under then-President Donald Trump in 2019. The Biden administration broadened those controls to block access to chip design and manufacturing tools.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government has been slow to respond, possibly to avoid disrupting its fledgling tech industries. Last month, Beijing rattled Japanese and Korea chip manufacturers by announcing an export review process and possible restrictions for gallium and germanium, two metals used in making semiconductors.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican presidential contender, went after his rival Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday over his response to the Florida Board of Education's new standards for how African American history will be taught in schools.

DeSantis started this fire with the bill that he signed, and now he doesnt want to take responsibility for whatever is done in the aftermath of it. And from listening and watching his comments, hes obviously uncomfortable, Christie said in an interview on CBS Face the Nation.

The new history standards, which the board approved last week, teach students that some Black people benefited from slavery because it taught them useful skills. Updates to the curriculum were required by a 2022 law that DeSantis called the Stop Wrongs To Our Kids and Employees Act, or Stop WOKE Act, NBC South Florida reported.

Vice President Kamala Harris rebuked the new standards Friday, decrying them as an effort by extremist leaders to spread propaganda.

DeSantis swiftly pushed back on Twitter, accusing Harris and other Democrats of lying about the educational standards to cover for their agenda. He also dismissed Harris reaction as absolutely ridiculous and totally outrageous in brief remarks to reporters at the Utah Capitol.

Asked to respond to the boards wording of the curriculum change, DeSantis said: I didnt do it, and I wasnt involved in it.

But I think  I think what theyre doing is, I think that theyre probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into, into doing things later in life, he continued, referring to enslaved people. These were scholars who put that together. It was not anything that was done politically.

Christie took aim at DeSantis remarks Sunday. I didnt do it and Im not involved in it are not the words of leadership," he said. If this was such a big issue for Gov. DeSantis, he had four years to do this. He only started to focus on this when he decided he wanted to run for president and try to get to the right of Donald Trump.

And so, I think people see this as politically manipulative," Christie added.

DeSantis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Christie has launched frequent attacks on DeSantis and other candidates in the early race for the GOP nomination. He spent nearly as much time slamming his presidential rivals as he did touting his own accomplishments at a nearly two-hour town hall in South Carolina on Friday night, his first outing in the state since he launched his campaign in June.

Throughout the event, Christie made pointed jabs at several 2024 contenders, equally disavowing both Trump and President Joe Biden but also calling out DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley by name.
By Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL (Reuters) - The United Nations Command and North Korea have begun discussing the case of Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into the North last week, the deputy commander of the U.S.-led command that oversees the Korean War truce said on Monday.

King, a U.S. Army private serving in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on the inter-Korean border, landing Washington in a fresh diplomatic quandary with the nuclear-armed North.

Conversations between the UNC and North Korea's military were initiated and conducted through a mechanism established under the Korean War armistice, according to Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer serving as deputy commander of the multinational force.

"The primary concern for us is Private King's welfare," Harrison told a media briefing, declining to go into detail.

"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement," Harrison said, referring to the North's Korean People's Army.

"I can't say anything that could prejudice that process."

North Korea's state media, which has usually commented whenever U.S. nationals have been detained, has remained silent about King.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean peninsula. Last week, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port.

It was the first such visit since the 1980s, and served a blunt reminder to the North that Washington always has nuclear-tipped missiles deployed within close striking distance.

North Korea is banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions from using ballistic missile technology, which Pyongyang defiantly rejects.

On Saturday, the North fired a barrage of cruise missiles toward the sea to the west of the Korean Peninsula. On Monday, another U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in 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 Hyunsu Yim; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies & Simon Cameron-Moore)
Brutal Minds: The Dark World of Left-Wing Brainwashing in Our Universities By Stanley K. Ridgeway

Humanix Books

HC, 336 pgs. US$36.99

ISBN: 163006226X Brutal Minds is a devastating critique of the brainwashing in higher ed By Rachel Alexander

web posted July 24, 2023 Award-winning Professor Stanley K. Ridgley has written a book exposing how badly higher education has become infested with dogmatic progressivism. Brutal Minds: The Dark World of Left-Wing Brainwashing in Our Universities is a biting takedown of the status quo, which "a tiny, disaffected minority animated by prejudice and paranoia" has installed in universities. Ridgley does not hold back, he said they "are not normal, enlightened persons'' who have "goodwill," but are "cultists who explicitly reject logic, reason, science" and "cause-and-effect." Appropriately, the foreward is written by like-minded higher ed expert David Horowitz. Ridgley said brutal minds at the universities "eliminate the opposition, they remove it, and they censor, block, and obliterate the record of knowledge.  They cancel." They take multiple steps to ensure that brainwashing happens. He compared it to the brainwashing that occurred as part of Mao's Cultural Revolution in China. That regime utilized the three-stage model of brainwashing formulated by Kurt Lewin, known as unfreezing, changing and refreezing. In higher ed, Ridgley said the faculty and their associates in Student Affairs utilize euphemisms which "carry a whiff of Orwellian absurdity, and some of them actually appear quite wholesome." He listed the main deceptive names; "educating for freedom," Transformative Education," "antiracist pedagogy" and "Social Justice Education." "Many call themselves 'marginalized voices' and are declared off limits to criticism," he explained. "The fact is they are not marginalized. They are lionized, they are feted, they have a canon of books and seminal thinkers, they have a zealous following, and some earn hundreds of thousands of dollars for diversity consulting." "If folks think of the university as an aristocracy of the learned, of the best and the brightest, the reality in the bureaucracy is increasingly that of a ruling clerisy of the worst and the dullest," he went on. Ridgley said the activists "are trying to transform the university into an institution more appropriate to the thirteenth century," that will "ensure ideological conformity." He compared the status in higher ed to Vaclav Havel's real life essay, " The Power of the Powerless ." The former Czech president explained how a small business owner in 1970s communist Czechoslovakia put a sign in his window that said, "Workers of the World, Unite!" not because he supported the communist movement, but "because everyone does it, and because that is the way it has to be. If he were to refuse, there could be trouble  someone might even accuse him of disloyalty. He does it because these things must be done if one is to get along in life." Ridgley revealed that much of the indoctrination and wokeness is imposed by the Student Affairs departments in universities. Students need to be prepared to be assaulted "intellectually, verbally, psychologically, ideologically [and] racially." He warned that "these folks aren't satisfied just performing their handsomely subsidized antics on the campuses. They're on a mission to 'boldly transform higher education.'" He explained how it is allowed to continue happening. "Sleepy boards of trustees are feted and given PowerPoint presentations that show progress of a sort, with metrics sufficiently abstract and yet seemingly on point." The book is peppered with recent outrageous incidents that have occurred at universities around the country, and he described a few of the most outrageous professors. Ridgley compared the indoctrination to that of cults, using the Unification Church as an example. Cults "prey on the weak and well-meaning, the uncertain and unaware." They are directed like "sheep" into one group. Whereas "the strong, assertive, confident, grounded, morally secure student with a strong belief system" are akin to goats, and "quickly returned." He said, "Cultspeak" is recognized as "big smiles and the mantra of inclusion and belonging." He laid out several revealing red flags, such as keeping recruits "occupied to such a degree that they don't get around to thinking about what they are doing or what is being done to them." Phrases like "Critical Race Theory" are no longer used since the public is onto them. Instead, it's "learning about race" or "antiracist pedagogy." Ridgley has a gift for breaking down the propaganda and defining it at its root level. "The content of antiracism is a mash-up of pseudoscientific speculations inspired by psychopathic paranoia and codified into a conspiracy theory," he explained. One chapter goes over the extracurricular workshops the do-gooders push on students, while another focuses on "hook and hammer;" how the "authoritarians" craft a "seductive, idealistic, visionary" message to hook students, then hammer them "with the stark message of racial reality" to "move them quickly along a conveyor belt of conversion." Ridgley offered solutions. He said parents should push back, since they are paying huge amounts of tuition. He ridiculed the correspondence universities send to parents, "They offer upbeat, wholesome mails couched in the occasional jargon-laden abstractions." There is nothing on the parents' portal or "school's website about destabilizing the student's sense of self and replacing the student's belief system with a crypto-Maoist doctrine in a process of unfreezing-changing-refreezing." The universities can be sued over workshops and racial caucuses that violate anti-discrimination laws regarding race, gender, etc. He provided a list of 15 key steps that may be taken, such as cutting all ties with the radical leftist American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Ridgley decimated the organizations. Their national "[c]onferences are places where student affairs staffers go to be somebody," he said. "It is there they can be taken seriously, no matter now vapid  they take selfies with the high gurus of the faith." He recommended that students contact the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education for free speech issues, the National Association of Scholars to find helpful faculty, and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni for resources promoting "academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability in our universities." Too bad this book wasn't required reading for every student entering college. It would eliminate a lot of unnecessary divisiveness and they could avoid learning the hard way later in life that they're really conservatives. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
Every summer, as temperatures rise, Phoenix-area doctors begin seeing more patients with heat-related symptoms but a deadly heat wave entering its fourth week with temperatures above 110 degrees is taking its toll on even the most heat-acclimated populations.

Temperatures have been sweltering since early June, beginning in Texas. Then a ridge of high-pressure parked its breaks over the Southwest in July, and the heat has not let up across the region for weeks. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has hit at least 110 degrees for 25 days straight.

"Due to the duration of this and just the extended period of time, we are seeing more than our usual volume of heat-related illnesses this year than we have in previous summer seasons," said ValleyWise Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael White. "I count that again due to this longer duration of the time where the temperatures have just been so extreme."

ValleyWise Health serves the Phoenix area, and White said cases of heat stroke or heat-related illnesses are on the rise as the heat wave drags on.

"Especially as we get later and later into this, so where we're seeing that volume increase, though, certainly the number of encounters, the number of patients that are seeking emergency services has also increased over this time as well, which again, leads us to more downstream, an increased number of hospitalizations to heat-related illnesses," White said.

The deadly U.S. heat wave is causing an increase in heat stroke and heat exhaustion patients across the country and not just in more vulnerable populations. Workers who know how to manage hot temperatures are the ones on the frontlines of this heat wave.

FIND OUT WHERE IT'S HOTTEST IN THE US RIGHT NOW

White said they are still seeing those from unsheltered populations and people more at risk of heat, but this year, the emergency department is treating people who don't normally come in during the summer months.

"It's likely this duration that we're seeing; it's the number of times people are being exposed to this intense heat," White said. "So those folks that tend to work outside all day are folks that work in construction or folks that work on landscaping and things. We are seeing more of those individuals this year than we have in previous years."

In Central Florida, AdventHealth Centra Care Medical Director Dr. Tim Hendrix said he is usually ready to talk about heat exhaustion in early summer.

"The season of risk of heat exhaustion is getting longer, and Florida used to only be in June. We would see a lot of heat exhaustion coming in because June is that time when it's dry, it's hot, and there's not a lot of cloud cover," Hendrix said.

Florida has experienced scalding feels-like temperatures in the triple digits throughout July. There is no cool dip in the ocean to provide a respite for the heat wary. Sea surface temperatures have turned the Atlantic and Gulf into a bathtub with 97-degree water temperatures in the Florida Keys.

AdventHealth's more than 50 urgent care locations will see tourists coming to the Orlando area for its theme parks during summer vacation unprepared for the heat and suffering from heat exhaustion. This year, Hendrix said the heat health concerns are coming from a different group.

UNUSUALLY HOT FLORIDA SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURES ON TRACK TO CAUSE MASS CORAL BLEACHING EVENT

"What we've been seeing more of in our Centra Care locations is people coming in that are outdoor workers, those people that are working out in the heat," Hendrix said.

If you think construction crews or other people who spend the majority of their time outdoors are more prone to heat illnesses, those are actually the people most immune to hot weather.

"Their bodies are acclimated to that temperature," Hendrix said. "But what we see is now just because just every day it's just hot, and then the temperatures are higher than normal, the humidity is high that even the outdoor workers who can pretty much manage it are succumbing to the heat."

In the two weeks since July 4, heat-related patients coming into AdventHealth Centra Care locations across Central Florida doubled.

Dr. Frank Lovecchio demonstrates an inflatable pool-like device that can be filled with ice, used in the emergency medicine unit at Valleywise Hospital during extreme heat in Phoenix, Arizona on July 11, 2023.

When a heat stroke victim is brought into Valleywise Health, emergency medical teams work quickly to cool the person's body temperature, sometimes from as high as 106 degrees.

"We begin to do things to help people actively cool, whether that's cold blankets and things that are soaked in water that we place across the patients," White said. "We have some things that we can place on our beds to put in, actually put ice around our patients to help them cool, cool and cool rapidly."

Sometimes patients are placed in an inflatable-pool type bed filled with ice and given cold IV fluids. The goal is to bring their body temperatures down within the first 30 minutes to an hour.

HEAT KILLS MORE AMERICANS THAN FLOODING, TORNADOES, HURRICANES OR LIGHTNING

Depending on how long someone has been exposed to heat, there could be lasting effects on multiple organs.

"As people's body temperature rises, we start to see issues with muscle breakdown, with issues that may develop problems with their hearts, with their kidneys, with their lungs," White said.

Some patients may recover quickly without long-term issues. Meanwhile, others may need to be hospitalized for a while.

White said at the extremes of age, very young or older populations don't have as much resilience to heat-related issues, but the unrelenting heat wave has been dangerous to people of all ages.

"With the temperatures the way they've been and certainly the duration that we've seen, we've seen that across the age continuum," White said.

Firefighters and paramedics from Phoenix Fire Station 18 wheel a resident to an ambulance from a bus stop during a heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona, US, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Phoenix extended its record streak of days above 110F to 20 on Wednesday with a high of 119F. Photographer: Caitlin O'Hara/Bloomberg via Getty Images

According to the World Meteorological Organization, heat is among the deadliest weather-related causes.

Dozens of heat-related deaths have been reported across the country, including 18 in Maricopa County, Arizona, and 15 across Texas. Fourteen children have died this year from being left in hot vehicles.

Medical communities are preparing for more extreme heat waves, and both doctors who spoke to FOX Weather said communicating those risks will be vital.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

"Don't think that just by drinking water all day long and walking around amusement parks is going to keep you from getting heat exhaustion," Hendrix said. "The things we do outdoors that raise our body temperature, like exercising and working, those metabolic processes will increase your body temperature normally, but then you've got this heat burden of the sun bearing down on you. The temperature's high; the humidity is high. All those things are going to work against you and elevate your body temperature."

This means planning carefully in the summer months. Hendrix said don't wait until noon to mow the lawn, and if you have a day planned at Disney World, add time for breaks in the air conditioning.

White said it's also about protecting workforces exposed to extreme temperatures.

"Can we shift it so people are working earlier in times when it's not out in the heat of the day doing some of those things?" White said. "So we're able to protect folks in these types of environments."
MADRID (AP)  Spaniards woke up Monday to find their country in political disarray after a general election a day earlier left no party with a clear path to forming a government.

The uncertainty deepened as both of Spain's two main parties indicated that they hope to take power. The only sure thing seems to be that the country faces weeks, perhaps months, of political negotiations and possibly a new election to sort out the mess.

Here's a look at what happened and what might unfold in the next few months.

_____

A BITTER VICTORY FOR THE OPPOSITION

Alberto Nunez Feijoo 's right-of-center Popular Party, or PP, won the most votes and finished with 133 seats. But contrary to nearly every preelection opinion poll, it fell far short of the 176 seats a party needs to secure a majority in the 350-seat Spanish parliament.

Even if it joins forces with the extreme right party Vox, which garnered 33 seats, it won't reach that threshold.

In a nutshell, the PPs decision to consider forming a coalition with Vox didn't pay off with voters.

With its stated intention of ousting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez now far from certain, the PP insists that as the first-placed party in the ballot it has the right to form a government.

The PP has urged the Socialists to abstain in a parliamentary vote and allow the party to take power. But such a scenario is highly unlikely given the traditional animosity between the two groups.

Taking office as a minority government would also leave the PP fighting for its survival on nearly every piece of legislation it introduces.

Besides Vox, the PP has few friends in parliament.

COULD THERE BE ANOTHER LEFTIST COALITION?

Despite all predictions, Sanchez has an outside chance of staying in office. His Socialist party won 122 seats and his main potential partner, Sumar, has 31.

Since 2019, his leftist minority coalition government has relied on the support of small regional parties in the Basque and Catalonia regions. He could try to repeat that balancing act.

But even if he managed to round up the regional troops again, one major hurdle looms: He would need the support or abstention of the Catalan secessionist party Junts.

The party's leader, Carles Puigdemont, is a member of the European Parliament, living in Belgium. But he is also a fugitive from Spanish justice and faces possible extradition to stand trial for staging an independence push in 2017.

Junts officials have already said they will want something in return for doing a deal with Sanchez. The specter of them demanding an independence referendum for Catalonia as their price would open up a Pandora's box for both Spain and Sanchez.

WHO ARE THE OTHER MAIN PLAYERS?

Besides the conservative Popular Party and the center-left Socialists, the two other principle players are Vox, led by Santiago Abascal, and the leftist Sumar movement, headed by acting second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz.

The prospect of Spain having a far-right party in power for the first time since Gen. Francisco Francos dictatorship has diminished for the moment after Vox lost 19 of its parliamentary seats to finish with a total of 33. Even so, it remains the countrys third political force.

Sumar, with 31 seats, failed to pip Vox for third place, but has said it will seek to form another leftist progressive government with Sanchez.

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ELECTION?

Spains new parliament will meet in a month. In accordance with official procedure, King Felipe VI is then expected to invite one of the party leaders, Feijoo or Sanchez, to try to form a government.

That leader would then put his candidacy to parliamentary votes. Any candidate getting sufficient support can form a government.

The 350 lawmakers have up to three months to reach an agreement. Otherwise, a new election would be triggered.

___

Barry Hatton contributed to this report from Lisbon, Portugal.
QUITO (Reuters) -At least six inmates were killed and 11 more were injured in weekend clashes between gang members in an Ecuadorian prison, authorities said on Sunday during the latest outbreak of violence to convulse the country's jails.

The fighting between inmates belonging to rival organized crime outfits took place between Saturday evening and Sunday morning in the Guayas No. 1 prison in the western city of Guayaquil, the SNAI prison authority said in a statement.

Following the violence, inmates at 10 prisons in Ecuador, including the scene of the latest deaths, said they were going on hunger strike, the SNAI said, without explaining why.

Due to the violence, security protocols were activated across the prison service, and security personnel are currently being held by gang members in five jails, the SNAI said.

The officials appeared to be in good health and security forces were working to free them, it added.

The South American country has suffered a string of serious prison riots since 2021, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of inmates. The government has attributed the violence to power struggles between drug gangs.

Ecuador has become an important transit point for cocaine moving to Europe and the United States.

President Guillermo Lasso has increased the presence of security forces and repeatedly declared an emergency in the prison system in a bid to control the violence.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Editing by Diane Craft and Christopher Cushing)
SEOUL (Reuters) - A high-level Chinese delegation will travel to North Korea this week, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Monday, in the first acknowledged visit of its kind since Pyongyang shut its borders in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Chinese Communist Party politburo member Li Hongzhong will take part in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, KCNA reported.

North Korea closed its border in early 2020 to all trade and diplomatic exchanges, even with its main economic and political ally China. Monday's state media report did not say whether the visit marked any change in policy.

Li, who is also vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, will visit "to take part in the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War," KCNA said.

North Korea refers to July 27 1953, the date when the armistice ending fighting in the Korean War was signed, as victory day. Large-scale events are expected to mark the 70th anniversary this year.

North and South Korea technically remain at war. The North detained a U.S. soldier who dashed over the inter-Korean border last week, landing Washington in a new diplomatic headache over the reclusive, nuclear-armed state.

(Reporting by Jack Kim)
Officials are continuing the investigation of Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect Rex Heuermann, using ground-penetrating radar and a backhoe to search the yard of his Massapequa Park home, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told reporters Monday.

There was also a police dog on the scene when investigators were searching the site on Sunday, CNN affiliate News 12 Long Island reported.

As authorities dig up the yard at his Massapequa Park, New York, home, Heuermann remains stoic in jail, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. told CNN on Monday.

If you think about someone that two weeks ago was walking around freely, he seemed very comfortable inside of the cell, the sheriff said.

Toulon said he could not provide details about what investigators are looking for in the backyard, citing the ongoing investigation, which now spans multiple states. Authorities are also looking into properties Heuermann owns in South Carolina and Nevada.

I dont think any of us ever anticipated going that far and looking at any missing persons or any murders that may have occurred along the Eastern Seaboard, Toulon said.

Its been over a week since Heuermann was arrested in New York City and charged with murder in the deaths of three of the Gilgo Four  a group of four women whose remains were found along a short stretch of Long Islands Gilgo Beach in 2010.

He has pleaded not guilty in the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello.

The 59-year-old architect is also the prime suspect in the disappearance and killing of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, but he has yet to be charged in that case.

Investigators search the backyard of Rex Heuermann's home on Sunday. - News 12 Long Island

The technology authorities are using to search the backyard will help us  identify anything in that backyard that we need to take into our possession, Harrison. Investigators will likely continue their work at the Massapequa Park site for another day or two, he said.

Since this spring, investigators probing the case have been operating on the theory that Heuermann committed the killings in his home, CNN has previously reported.

The home is just a few miles from where the womens remains were found.

A source involved in the investigation has told CNN the fact that the disappearances occurred during times that Heuermanns family was out of town suggests he may have lured victims to his Long Island home, where the suspect lived with his wife, their daughter and stepson.

Investigators believe committing the killings at home would have given Heuermann control of the environment and access to materials that were found at the crime scene, including tape and burlap bags, the source said.

Investigators found a hoard of between 200 and 300 guns stashed in a walled-off vault which was locked behind a metal door in the home, a source told CNN. Harrison confirmed there was a vault with guns at the home, but denied reports of a soundproof room in the house.

Crime laboratory officers are seen outside Rex Heuermann's home in Massapequa Park on July 18, 2023. - Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images

Search warrant sought possible trophies

Investigations into the suspect have expanded to other parts of the country.

Police in Las Vegas are sifting through unsolved cases for any sign that Heuermann may have been involved, CNN has reported.

Though they lived on Long Island, the suspect and his wife had bought two timeshare condos in Las Vegas between 2003 and 2005, according to property records obtained by CNN. The couple sold the first property, the records show, and it is unclear whether they still own the second.

And in northern South Carolinas Chester County, where tax records show Heuermann owns four large parcels of land, the sheriffs office says it has been gathering evidence since before the suspects arrest.

A search warrant for South Carolina property owned by the suspect sought possible trophies, among other items, the suspect may have taken after the killings, according to the Chester News & Reporter, which has seen the warrant.

The warrant shows a long list of items under property sought, many of which are listed as trophies, the newspaper reported.

That list includes phones, articles of clothing, jewelry, identification, notebooks, ledgers, Bibles, personal effects and/or photographs or recordings depicting the victims, according to the paper.

Other trophy items were separately listed, according to the paper, including condoms, black leather belts, knives, scissors, devices used to stamp letters on leather goods, and Bounty paper towels specifically from the Bounty Modern Print Collection.

CNN has reached out to South Carolina authorities to obtain the search warrant.

Forensic and trace evidence was also sought, the newspaper reported, including anything that could provide DNA like fingernails and hair.

The warrant also reveals authorities are looking for other items that may have been used in the killings and any items from locked rooms or storage areas on property owned by Heuermann, the paper reported.

CNNs Lauren Mascarenhas, Laura Ly, John Miller, Samantha Beech, Colin Jeffery and John Miller contributed to this report.

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In Tokyo, people protest in April against the government's immigration controls, demanding rights for refugees. (David Mareuil / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Iranian asylum seeker Afshin had hoped he'd be spending the final decades of his career contributing to a Japanese economy desperate for workers.

Instead, the former construction worker has been sidelined from Japan's shrinking labor force while battling immigration officials. He has endured years of detention.

At one point, he said he was saved from deportation only by a scuffle with officials that left his clothes so bloody that when he arrived at the airport the airline refused to allow him to board.

When he hasn't been in detention in recent years, he has been banned from seeking work or government support.

"It makes no sense," said Afshin, 57, who was a political activist in Iran and spoke on condition that he be identified by only his childhood nickname to protect family there. "They won't let you work, so you can't make money, but they also won't let you sign up for unemployment."

The world's third-largest economy is struggling to repair a labor force cratered by rapid aging. Fertility rates are stubbornly low, and forecasts show the already shrinking population could drop from 124 million to 104 million by midcentury as the proportion of people 65 and older approaches 40%, deepening crises in the labor market, pensions and healthcare.

Mask-wearing commuters make their way through Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. To boost the waning labor force, Japan's government is expanding a foreign skilled-worker system and loosening visa rules for ethnic Japanese born abroad. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

Read more:One sign of South Korea's population crisis: Rural elementary schools are running out of children

But Japan has been slow to open to foreign labor, stymied by a historical skittishness about foreigners and fears that significant immigration would lead to crime and instability. The number of foreign-born residents in Japan  mostly from Asia  hit a record high last year of 3 million, or 2.4% of the population, well short of the 13.6% in the United States.

To boost the waning labor force, the government is expanding a foreign skilled-worker systemand loosening visa rules for ethnic Japanese born abroad. Tokyo last year launched an overhaul of a foreign trainee program that brings hundreds of thousands of people to Japan temporarily for agriculture, factory work and other jobs. Now it is pushing a plan to hike childcare benefits, hoping to increase birthrates.

But Japan refuses to make it easier for some of the world's millions of refugees to settle here and join the workforce. Instead, the parliament in Junepassed legislation that could fast-track thousands of asylum seekers to deportation.

Jobless and homeless Vietnamese migrant workers prepare to sleep at a Buddhist temple in Honjo, Japan. (Carl Court / Getty Images)

Refugees pose specific challenges to Japans foreign worker ambitions. They can show up without any particular skills and sometimes with political baggage at odds with Japans foreign policy positions. And Japan is loath to grant residency to foreigners who could require government support or benefits.

Read more:Bused from Texas to L.A.: Little food, sketchy bathroom facilities for 20 hours on the road

"Refugees for Japan mean difficult people, said Gracia Liu-Farrer, a sociologist at Tokyos Waseda University who studies the plight of the country's immigrants. So refugee does not have a good reputation  it has a social stigma to it.

Japan grants asylum to only a few dozen of the thousands of applicants each year.

Amid protests in Tokyo and tumult in parliament, lawmakers in June voted to make it easier to forcibly deport unsuccessful asylum applicants. Under the new rules, anyone who has applied more than twice for asylum  such as Afshin  can be sent home.

Critics say the crackdown on refugees is pointless when Japan needs to import labor.

"Nobody's looking at the big picture," said Koichi Kodama, a leading immigration and foreigners' rights attorney. "Instead, it's just a patchwork. Now they're trying to deport a bunch of people, but at the same time they want people to come. There's no balance at all."

Japanese officials say the new rules are aimed at protecting those directly threatened by persecution in their home countries  and quickly deporting those who are not. The measure also closed a loophole that officials said encouraged unsuccessful applicants to keep applying repeatedly just to stay in Japan.

Justice Minister Ken Saito recently asserted in parliament that a third of rejected asylum seekers who had resisted deportation were guilty of non-immigration-related crimes, including violent offenses.

Japanese opposition lawmaker Taro Yamamoto, top left, tries to jump toward Hisatake Sugi, seated, as ruling coalition lawmakers push a controversial immigration bill to a vote in June. (JIJI Press / AFP via Getty Images)

Read more:Afghan refugees in U.S. face uncertainty as legislation stalls

"Deportation refusal and long-term detention are urgent problems that need to be dealt with quickly," he said earlier this year. "Unfortunately, there are those who misuse or abuse refugee recognition applications as a means of avoiding deportation."

The Justice Ministry says more than 4,000 rejected asylum seekers are still in Japan after defying deportation orders, and an additional 1,400 on provisional release from detention have gone missing.

The sometimes raucous parliamentary debate over the measure shed further light on a system widely criticized by human rights groups, citing tactics  such as banning many asylum applicants from lawful work  that seem to be aimed at encouraging asylum seekers to give up or never come to Japan in the first place.

"The system makes it so difficult to live in Japan that people just want to go home," said Atsuko Nishiyama, an immigration lawyer.

The harshest criticism has been directed at Japan's feared immigration detention centers, where inmates can be held indefinitely while their cases are adjudicated. Former detainees say at best they are treated like criminals; at worst, they can be denied critical medical care and subject to physical and emotional abuse. Since 2007, 17 detainees have died in custody, including several by suicide. Hunger strikes are not uncommon.

Recent protesters have rallied around the case of a 33-year-old Sri Lankan woman, Wishma Sandamali, who died in 2021 after officials dismissed her repeated requests to be sent to a hospital. A criminal case against officials is stalled, but the family is pursuing a civil lawsuit.

People protest against Japanese immigration policies in April. (David Mareuil / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Once asylum seekers make their applications, the chances of approval are razor-thin. Japan joined the U.N. Refugee Convention in 1982 but has historically rejected about 99% of applications.

Read more:Migrant fathers celebrate their day at a family shelter in Mexico with gifts and prayers

Attention has focused on what critics say is Japan's overly strict interpretation of the definition of refugee in international law: somebody with "a well-founded fear" of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political beliefs or membership in a particular social group.

Saito has repeatedly defended Japan's selection system, pointing out that from 2018 until 2022, the government's rejection of refugee applicants had been upheld by courts in 104 of 109 lawsuits.

"I believe that we must always put our hands on our hearts to ensure that there are no mistakes in our own judgments and the judgments of government offices," he told reporters in June. "But I don't think that means we have to change our system now."

The total of 202 people granted asylum last year was a record high spurred by an influx of former Japanese Embassy employees who fled Afghanistan amid the Taliban takeover. The countries with the most applicants were Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Myanmar.

By comparison, both Germany and the United States recognized some 45,000 refugees each in 2022, the United Nations reported. Even the tiny Netherlands recognized more than 14,000 asylum seekers that year.

Japan has responded to allies' demands for help in handling global crises by accepting outsiders under other legal categories separate from refugees. The country, for instance, has taken in 121 Syrians fleeing war by the end of last year, but as international students. A couple of thousand Ukrainians have been welcomed at least temporarily as "evacuees" and given work permits and government support.

The refugee recognition system operates largely out of public view, and activists and human rights lawyers regularly refer to it as a "black box," arguing that immigration officials issue verdicts without explanation, make unreasonable demands for evidence of persecution and hand out recognition and work permissions  or prohibitions  arbitrarily and with scant oversight.

"In most countries, the question is who is eligible to be accepted," Afshin said on the sidelines of a protest outside parliament in June. "But in Japan, the question is who is eligible to be rejected."

Afshin has witnessed the vagaries of the system firsthand over the last three decades.

He arrived in Tokyo on a short-term visa in 1990 to flee death threats as a member of a group opposed to Iran's Islamic government, he said, joining a stream of Iranians taking advantage of Japan's then-relaxed attitude toward visitors from the oil-rich nation.

Afshin said he, like many other Iranians at the time, worked illegally with no problem for about 10 years, until he was arrested in a crackdown on people who had overstayed their visas. He applied for asylum in 2002.

When he went in for an interview at Immigration, he told officials he had been threatened at gunpoint in Iran. The officer, he said, asked for a photo. "I laughed," Afshin said. "Who is going to take a photo at that moment?"

Since then, he has been detained a total of four years as appeal after appeal was turned down.

He was paroled from detention but banned from work and national health insurance, though he worked on the sly until about eight years ago, when the government started to tighten controls over parolees.

Afshin's fourth application for asylum was rejected this year and he was given a one-year visa on humanitarian grounds, but the document still bans him from working or applying for unemployment insurance.

The stress has taken its toll. He downs handfuls of prescription pills for a heart condition and PTSD he blames on his attempted deportation. Over the past year, he had to raise thousands of dollars through an aid organization to pay full-price for an angioplasty to remove plaque from his arteries. He said his doctor has advised another round may be necessary.

Afshin said he fears he still could be deported at any time.

"I first went into immigration detention 22 years ago and I haven't gotten anything from them," he said. "Why do I have to be grateful for this residence card? Maybe 20% of what I feel is appreciation, but the other 80% is resentment."

Not all asylum seekers are denied a work visa. Myo Kyaw Kyaw, 38, a member of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority from Myanmar, arrived in Japan in 2006 with a visa. He said hed been targeted for his pro-democracy activism.

But his applications for asylum have been rejected three times, and he has been detained for about 2 years. His third application was rejected in February, but instead of being deported, Japanese officials issued him a six-month visa allowing him to work 28 hours a week. The visa, which is good until mid-August, has allowed him to work for the first time since 2013. He is appealing the February decision.

Now he's employed by the Anti-Poverty Network, a nonprofit that supports asylum seekers, and is a regular at pro-refugee rallies in Tokyo. But he is tormented by uncertainty.

"I don't know how long I can do this," he said, adding that he'd prefer death in Japan to being sent home, where his presence could endanger his family. "I'm going to die here. I don't want to die in Myanmar."

Many asylum seekers privately concede they work on the side despite the ban, particularly in construction and demolition work, though they say employers fearful of prosecution are reluctant to offer steady gigs, and pay is lower than for those with official work authorization.

Nishiyama, the attorney, said some employers come to rely on such workers to do punishing labor most Japanese are unwilling to perform.

Read more:Anger, tears, a birthday serenade. What happened after a deadly fire in Mexico migrant lockup

"It would be much better for Japan to give those people special permission to stay here," she said. "Immigration makes them out to be criminals, but from my experience, most of those people would live stable lives here if they had visas."

Meanwhile, many of Japan's would-be refugees are dependent on handouts like the bags of food and other necessities distributed every Sunday at St. Alban's Anglican-Episcopal Church.

The volunteer operation is run by American filmmaker Thomas Ash, director of "Ushiku," a 2021 documentary about detainees at a center north of Tokyo. The film, which Ash shot with hidden cameras to get around the center's photography ban, features the anguished stories of several refugees  including a hunger striker  as they grappled with the physical and emotional abuse of detention.

Ash said the idea of documenting the refugees' plight came when he started visiting detainees at the center a few years ago as part of a volunteer church group and was disturbed by their condition.

"I prayed about what I could do and I felt that I should preserve evidence in case someone died," he said.

On a recent Sunday, Ash and other volunteers hosted a coffee and pastry hour for refugees and handed out plastic bags of rice, coffee, soy milk, curry, candy and other foods.

One of the men gathered there, Julius Nde, 53, said he came to Japan in 2018 because of fighting in his native Cameroon. He'd lived in Japan previously for three years but was forced to leave for overstaying his visa in 2007.

He said he was frustrated by immigration officials' refusal to give him refugee status or permission to work legally.

"Sometimes I visit my friends where they work and ask for money," he said. "They give me an allowance. That's how I live my life in Japan."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Bernard Kerik, who helped lead a Trump campaign investigation into false claims of voter fraud, has turned over all documents relating to the effort to special counsel Jack Smith.

Kerik, a former New York City Police commissioner, led the investigation for the Trump campaign alongside former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Keriks attorney Timothy Parlatore said the production includes all the substance of the fraud investigation that was sought last year by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

The information comes ahead of Keriks sit-down with prosecutors scheduled for next month and just days after former President Trump announced he was informed he is a target of the probe, often a sign an indictment could be imminent.

Kerik has for months resisted turning over the documents, claiming some of the product to be privileged. Parlatore said after Trumps campaign reviewed the documents in recent weeks that they declined to assert privilege.

Kerik was also compelled to produce information Monday in a suit from Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss, Georgia election workers targeted by Giuliani as he made false claims the two were involved in mishandling ballots.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (AP)  An Arkansas truck driver who beat a police officer with a flagpole attached to an American flag during the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced Monday to more than four years in prison.

Peter Francis Stager struck the Metropolitan Police Department officer with his flagpole at least three times as other rioters pulled the officer, head first, into the crowd outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The bruised officer was among more than 100 police officers injured during the riot.

Stager also stood over and screamed profanities at another officer, who was seriously injured when several other rioters dragged him into the mob and beat him, according to federal prosecutors.

After the beatings, Stager was captured on video saying, Every single one of those Capitol law enforcement officers, death is the remedy. That is the only remedy they get.

U.S. Judge Rudolph Contreras sentenced Stager to four years and four months in prison, according to a spokesperson for the prosecutors' office.

Stager, 44, of Conway, Arkansas, pleaded guilty in February to a felony charge of assaulting police with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six years and six months.

Stager assaulted the officer during one of the most violent episodes of Jan. 6  a battle between rioters and police guarding an entrance to the Capitol building in a tunnel on the Lower West Terrace.

Stager's actions at the Capitol were the epitome of disrespect for the law, prosecutors said in a court filing.

Stager joined a prolonged, multi-assailant attack on police officers, which resulted in injuries to the officers," they wrote. "Stager himself wielded a flagpole and used it to strike at a vulnerable officer, who, lying face down in a mob of rioters had no means of defending himself.

Stager's truck driving job took him to Washington, D.C., on the day before then-President Donald Trump's Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6. Stager stayed overnight to attend Trump's rally after delivering a load of produce, a decision that he will regret for the rest of his life, his lawyers said in a court filing.

Stager's attorneys say he tried to help others in the crowd who were injured after the riot erupted. Shocked by what he saw, Stager had reached his breaking point and was seeing red when he picked up a flag on the ground, they said.

Once the adrenaline wore off, Mr. Stager immediately called his wife to tell her he was horrified by his actions and that he was going to turn himself in upon returning to Arkansas, his lawyers wrote.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Over 620 of them have pleaded guilty. Approximately 100 others have been convicted by juries or judges after trials. Nearly 600 have been sentenced, with over half receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from three days to 18 years.

Stager was indicted with eight other defendants on charges related to the tunnel battle. Four of his co-defendants also have pleaded guilty to assault charges.

Florida resident Mason Courson was sentenced in June to four years and nine months in prison. Michigan resident Justin Jersey was sentenced in February to four years and three months in prison. Michigan construction worker Logan Barnhart was sentenced in April to three years in prison. Georgia business owner Jack Wade Whitton is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 16.
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) - The Mexican government on Monday urged a U.S. appeals court to revive a $10 billion lawsuit seeking to hold U.S. gun manufacturers responsible for facilitating the trafficking of weapons to drug cartels across the U.S.-Mexico border.

A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston questioned whether a lower-court judge wrongly concluded that a U.S. law barred Mexico from suing Smith & Wesson Brands, Sturm, Ruger & Co and others.

That law, the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), provides the firearms industry broad protection from lawsuits over their products' misuse.

But Mexico's lawyers argued the law only bars lawsuits over injuries that occur in the United States and does not shield the seven manufacturers and one distributor it sued from liability over the trafficking of guns to Mexican criminals.

Steve Shadowen, a lawyer for Mexico, said allowing its case to proceed in U.S. courts would enable Mexico to not only seek damages but also a court order aimed at combating the 20,000 deaths a year he blamed on the companies' actions.

"What we want is an injunction to make these defendants start paying attention to their distribution systems," he said. "And it's only U.S. courts that can provide that injunctive relief."

Mexico says over 500,000 guns are trafficked annually from the United States into Mexico, of which more than 68% are made by the companies it sued, which also include Beretta USA, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Colt's Manufacturing Co and Glock Inc.

Noel Francisco, a lawyer for Smith & Wesson, argued Mexico's lawsuit was devoid of allegations the gun manufacturers' gun sales themselves did anything that would create an exception to PLCAA's broad protections.

"You have licensed manufacturers that sell to licensed distributors that sell to licensed retailers that sell to individuals who satisfy the requirements of federal law, but some of them happen to be straw purchasers," he said.

U.S. Circuit Judge William Kayatta said that while Mexico had not alleged the gun makers directly violated any gun laws, one of its core legal theories was that they aided and abetted others who trafficked guns abroad, creating potential liability.

"What's wrong with it?" Kayatta asked.

A ruling is expected in the coming months.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Fear is the opposite of faith By Dr. Robert Owens

web posted July 24, 2023 As we wandered through the wilderness of the late great pandemic it was a perfect opportunity to realize that God is in control. We may think we're the masters of the universe but in fact we aren't. God is. Humanity has built a planet wide civilization. Our machines transform deserts, harness the wind, and connect everyone in an ever-growing web of communication and information. Our planes fill the skies. Our ships fill the seas. We've walked on the moon, sent robot ships to Mars and the other planets, flung satellites out of the solar system, touched the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and built permanent habitations in Antarctica. Humanity stands proudly at the apex of life on earth as we cower before an unseen enemy and wage a war against a virus. Our leaders tell us we'll win this war while in the back of everyone's mind dwells the thought, "Someday we may face another virus or germ that will wipe us out." We live on a rock hurtling through space. Even a brief study of geology, paleontology, and astronomy makes it abundantly clear we live in a cosmic pinball machine. Over and over large asteroids have smashed into the earth often bringing an end to most life and signaling the beginning of a new epoch in the planet's 4.5-billion-year history. It isn't a question of if. It is a question of when. And if species eliminating pandemics and globe shattering collisions aren't enough, there are super volcanoes lurking around the planet waiting like alarm clocks to explode and wake us from our blissful dream of ruling creation. When we ponder our current situation, it might not be too far off to say, "This may not be the end of the world, but you can see it from here." With that thought in mind we might want to meditate on The Living Bible's rendition of Proverbs 19:1, "Man proposes, But God disposes." The pandemic raged all around us. The government had us isolated, locked down, watching infection charts and mortality rates wondering what happens next. As we fixated on survival, wishing we'd been crazy enough to be a prepper before being a prepper was cool, off in the distance our mind's eye tried to envision the New Normal the media echo-chamber told us was on the other side. Then we learned the new normal was what we used to call abnormal. With the world rushing at us with ever increasing speed the easiest thing to do is to allow fear a toehold in our lives. Fear of catching a virus. Fear of our loved ones catching a virus. Fear of losing our jobs. Fear of watching our carefully constructed lives wither on the vine. Fear of not having enough money, food, hand sanitizer, or toilet paper to make it through the blast. Fear, fear, fear seems to be all the "If it bleeds it leads" news media offer wall-to-wall 24/7. A wise woman told me that Fear is the captain of legions of other foul spirits such as greed and selfishness. Look at how many have responded to these ever multiplying crises, and you see those in bondage to Fear and its minions cleaning off shelves, ignoring shelter-in-place orders, and partying like there's no tomorrow. Let me show you a better way. Fear is the opposite of faith. Choose faith and live. We know that most of the things we worry about never happen. Why waste our time worrying when we can instead walk in faith and have peace? God tells us not to worry more times than He tells us not to steal and we all know what stealing is. There's a formula for peace. It's like a recipe. We can follow it and bake it into our lives. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I'm a Christian. I believe Jesus is the divine incarnation who came to pay the penalty for sin. He lived a perfect life, died a substitutionary death, rose from the dead conquering sin and death for all humanity. I believe He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of our Father the Creator, and that He's coming again to judge the living and the dead. I believe all that as strongly as I believe I'm typing these words right now. This is the foundation of my reality. This is my faith. Faith banishes fear. If you're tired of living your life in fear join me in a walk of faith. To begin a new life in Christ is easy because the sacrifice of Christ has paid the price of admission. All you need to do is confess Jesus as the leader of your life and believe in your heart the God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. That's it. That's all there is to it. I'm not saying once we confess and believe we'll skip down the primrose path with never a problem, a challenge, or a defeat until we dance our way through the Pearly Gates. What I'm saying is once we confess and believe we can rest assured no matter what happens we're in God's hand and no one and nothing can ever snatch us out. The viruses, asteroids, and volcanoes might come but our future is secure in the everlasting promises of God. After we confess and believe we're still facing all the same challenges we faced before, but now we have faith instead of fear. Now we know that when we pray God hears our prayers. In the natural world we look to the government to save us. But the government is of the world and the world is passing away. All things will pass. Only those things done in Christ will last. Reject the transitory dying things of the world and embrace the life that's in the Spirit of Christ. Embrace the faith. Defeat the fear. And remember the recipe, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." It may feel like prayer is all we have. Luckily prayer is all we need. Faith is the answer. Prayer is the key. Why worry when you can pray? This is an excerpt from the book Love by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon. Home
Montana Brown has revealed that she chose to have a home birth when welcoming her son Jude last month because she felt that hospitals are not the safest place for non-white people.

The former Love Island star, 27, shared a YouTube vlog about her pregnancy and birth plan recently to answer questions from followers about her experience.

She opened up about her decision to have a home birth, adding that she hired a doula, a trained professional who supports women through labour and birth, as well as through post-partum.

Brown, who is mixed race and has Japanese and Jamaican heritage, said she cant wait for her home birth. She filmed her vlog before giving birth to Jude in June.

I feel like hospital isnt the safest place to give birth and I know people are gonna be like, What the f***, youre an idiot but I just think its personal preference, she told her followers.

Also, I just think as a non-white person, its not the safest place to be in hospital in childbirth. All these things Ive thought about for a long time. Were also having a doula, which Im really excited about.

In the UK, Black women are nearly four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women, according to a report published by MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK) in 2022.

The study found that there was a slight drop in the maternal mortality rate for Black women between 2018 and 2020. It also found that Asian women are around twice as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women.

In a 2021 response, the government said it was committed to reducing disparities in health outcomes and experience of care.

Brown, who is engaged to fiance Mark OConnor, said she asked for advice on a home birth from The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) star Sam Faiers, who she called the queen of home birthing.

Montana Brown and Mark O'Connor attend the UK Premiere of "The Little Mermaid" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 (Getty Images)

Its just fantastic Shes helping me feel really set in my decision, she said.

Replying to a fan who asked if she felt afraid of giving birth, Brown said had the most positive mindset ever, and would continue to do so even if she had to have a C-section, an epidural, or wound up in hospital.

The reality star and her fiance welcomed baby Jude on 23 June. Last week, she opened up about the struggle to get pregnant despite being in her twenties and said she was surprised it took her so long to conceive.

Speaking on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, Brown told host Giovanna Fletcher that she thought something was wrong with her when she and OConnor first started trying for a baby.

I thought, Were young, this is going to be really easy For the first four months, wed used ovulation sticks, and then Id do a pregnancy test and itd be negative, she recalled.

After both she and her partner went to check their fertility, they discovered she had no oestrogen and no testosterone, which made her realise that people can be young, fit and healthy, and still really, really struggle to conceive.

Announcing her sons birth, Brown shared a black-and-white photograph of the newborn being cradled against her chest on Instagram and wrote: Welcome to the world Jude Isaiah OConnor. Were so smitten with you little man.

The couple announced their engagement in April, after OConnor proposed to her in Bermuda. They first met in 2020.

Brown featured in series three of Love Island and was coupled up with Alex Beattie at the end. They broke up shortly after leaving the villa.
SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast late on Monday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Japan's defence ministry also reported the launch of what it said could be a ballistic missile by North Korea.

The reports come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula as South Korea and the United States take steps to boost military readiness against North Korea's weapons programme with the deployment of U.S. strategic military assets.

North Korea has reacted angrily, saying such deployment could meet the criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests last week, hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980s.

On Monday, another nuclear-powered U.S. submarine arrived in South Korea.

Over the weekend, the North fired a barrage of cruise missiles into the sea off its west coast.

(Reporting by Jack Kim in Seoul and Chang-Ran Kim in Tokyo; Editing by Alison Williams and Andrew Heavens)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Jill Biden has represented her country at the Olympics in Tokyo, a king's coronation in London and a royal wedding in Jordan. She gets another chance to put her ambassadorial skills to work this week when the United States formally rejoins a United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture around the globe.

Biden arrived in Paris early Monday, accompanied by her daughter, Ashley Biden, after flying overnight from Washington to join other VIPs and speak at a ceremony Tuesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The American flag will be raised to mark the U.S. return to UNESCO membership after a five-year absence.

UNESCO aims to foster global collaboration in education, science and culture. It also designates World Heritage sites, deeming them worthy of eternal preservation.

The agency on Sunday condemned Russias attack on a cathedral in Odesa and other heritage sites in Ukraine in recent days and said it will send a team to the Black Sea port city to assess damage.

In a statement, UNESCO noted that Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year and said attacks by Russian forces contradict recent promises by Russian authorities to take precautions to spare such sites across the country.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country.

A daughter and mother of U.S. service members, the first lady will also visit Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial to pay respects to the more than 4,400 U.S. service members buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.

She will also stop at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday to catch up with Brigitte Macron, a former teacher and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the U.S.

Senior Biden administration officials said returning to UNESCO fits President Joe Bidens goal of strengthening global partnerships and recommitting to American leadership at the U.N. and other international organizations to serve as a counter to nations that do not share U.S. values.

Others said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing at a Virginia community college, was best suited to represent the United States in Paris on Tuesday.

The first lady, as a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunity across the world, is honored to help celebrate this important milestone, said Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson. She looks forward to raising the flag for the United States once again at the UNESCO headquarters, showing our countrys commitment to international cooperation in education, science, and culture.

The U.S. pulled out of the Paris-based organization in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, a Republican who claimed UNESCO was biased against Israel.

The administration of Biden, a Democrat, pushed to rejoin over concerns that China was filling the void in leadership created by the U.S. absence.

The administration announced in June that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member organization, which also plays a major role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.

The organizations governing board voted earlier this month to approve the Biden plan to rejoin, and the U.S. delivered a document certifying that it would accept the invitation to become the 194th member of UNESCO.

Our organization is once again moving towards universality, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said at the time. She cast the U.S return as excellent news for multilateralism as a whole. If we want to meet the challenges of our century, there can only be a collective response.

The Trump administration in 2017 announced that the U.S. would withdraw from UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias. That decision that took effect a year later.

The U.S. and Israel stopped financing UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011.

The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan foresees similar requests for the ensuing years until the full debt of $619 million is repaid.

That makes up a big chunk of UNESCOs $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22% of the agencys overall funding.

The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. It rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bushs presidency. Bush's wife, Laura, a former elementary school teacher and librarian, spoke at that ceremony.

Standing in for the president at home and abroad has become a big part of a first lady's unofficial job description, and Jill Biden travels at least several times a week to promote administration initiatives.

The trip to Paris is her fourth solo international excursion this year.

She visited Namibia and Kenya in February, followed by a trip to London in May for the coronation of King Charles III. In June, she traveled to Jordan to attend the royal wedding of a son of King Abdullah II, followed by stops in Egypt, Morocco and Portugal.

Before flying to Paris on Sunday night, she headlined fundraisers Friday and Saturday in Massachusetts for her husband's reelection campaign.
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese police said Monday that they have arrested a man on suspicion of slashing three people on a train in western Japan.

The 37-year-old suspect was carrying three knives, including two in each hand, when he was arrested on the platform of Rinku Town station in Osaka, western Japan, immediately after the alleged attack Sunday, according to police in Izumisano City.

The injured  a train conductor in his 20s and two male passengers aged 23 and 79  were taken to nearby hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

After an emergency call from another passenger, four police rushed to the station just after the train arrived and the suspect holding the knives got off.

The suspect ignored police order to drop the knives. One officer knocked down the weapons with a stick and officers seized him, police said.

The suspect told investigators that he had trouble with passengers. Victims said they were suddenly attacked, police said, adding that they are still investigationg the motives.

Violent crimes are rare in Japan. The country has strict gun control laws and only a handful of gun-related crimes annually. But in recent years, there have been some high-profile cases involving random knifings on subways and arson attacks, and there is growing concern about homemade guns and explosives.

Train operators in major cities have been stepping up safety measures, including installing security cameras on train cars and conducting more frequent drills among station staff.
WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP)  Search teams in Pennsylvania were focusing on one underwater area Sunday as they try to find a 9-month-old boy swept away in a flash flood, hours after authorities confirmed that the body of his 2-year-old sister was recovered from the Delaware River.

Upper Makefield Township police said in a Facebook post Sunday that although 2-year-old Matilda Sheils had been brought home to her loving family after her body was recovered Friday, officials are devastated that we have not yet been able to reunite Conrad with his sister and family."

Hundreds of people including search and rescue teams, marine units and police and fire personnel have scoured the area with the aid of "K-9s, sonar, drones, boats, divers, heavy equipment, GPS mapping and air units," police said, adding that they were now at the point that our search will be dependent upon the conditions of the river.

Authorities have centered their efforts on an area near where the creek that flooded enters the Delaware River, and plan to use divers there when possible and also put K-9 units on islands in the river as water levels recede. Agencies to the south will also be checking their sections along the river, police said.

We have no words to describe how we are feeling except truly heartbroken. But, the pain we feel is nowhere near what these families have been through, the police statement said, vowing to the missing boy we will never stop until we can bring you home."

The girl's body was found early Friday evening in the river near a Philadelphia wastewater treatment plant about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from where she was carried away, authorities said Friday night. The Philadelphia medical examiner on Saturday completed an investigation and ruled that Matilda Sheils cause of death was drowning and the manner is accidental, a spokesperson for the office said.

The family from Charleston, South Carolina, was visiting relatives and friends in the area and were on their way to a barbecue on the evening of July 15 when their vehicle was hit by a wall of water from Houghs Creek, according to Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer.

The childrens father, Jim Sheils, grabbed the the couples 4-year-old son, while their mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley, and a grandmother grabbed the other children, Brewer said. Sheils and the older boy made it to safety, but Seley and the grandmother were swept away along with the younger children. The grandmother survived but the mother perished.

Four other people drowned in the suburb about 35 miles (60 kilometers) north of Philadelphia, according to the Bucks County Coroners office: Enzo Depiero, 78, and Linda Depiero, 74, of Newtown; Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown; and Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, New Jersey.
(Reuters) - Russia's Investigative Committee said on Sunday it had launched a criminal probe into the killing of a Russian war reporter, an incident the country's defence ministry previously blamed on Ukraine's use of cluster munitions.

The committee said on its website that "armed Ukrainian formations targeted and deliberately fired at a group of Russian journalists" working near Pyatikhatka, in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

It did not specify the type of weapons or munitions used, but said Rostislav Zhuravlev, a journalist for RIA state news agency, was killed.

It said his RIA colleague and journalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky, and two employees of Izvestia newspaper, Roman Polshakov and Dmitry Shikov, were injured.

"As part of the investigation, investigators will establish all the circumstances of the crime against media representatives, as well as those involved," it said.

It said the chair of the committee was nominating Zhuravlev, "one of those journalists who always defended and informed the truth," for a medal.

Ukraine, which received supplies of cluster munitions from the United States this month, has vowed to use them only to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers.

Reuters could not independently verify details of the incident. Both sides have used cluster munitions during Russia's 17-month invasion of Ukraine.

The munitions are banned by many countries because they rain shrapnel over a wide area and pose a risk to civilians. Some bomblets typically fail to explode immediately, but can blow up years later.

(Reporting by Elaine Monaghan; Editing by Chris Reese)
By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A top U.S. Treasury official will highlight Washington's efforts to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports during a visit to Kenya and Somalia and stress that Moscow's exit from the Black Sea grain deal will hurt African states, a spokesperson said on Monday.

This week's visit by Brian Nelson, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday and promises them free Russian grain "to replace Ukrainian grain."

"He will highlight the exemptions in U.S. sanctions that have always allowed the continued flow of food and agriculture transactions," the Treasury spokesperson added of Nelson's trip, first reported by Reuters.

Nelson's second trip to Africa as undersecretary and his first to East Africa follows visits by several senior Biden administration officials to the continent this year after President Joe Biden pledged in December that the U.S. was "all in" on Africa's future.

While in Nairobi and Somalia's capital Mogadishu from Monday to Saturday, Nelson will discuss strengthening anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism frameworks as Treasury looks to strengthen capacity across the continent.

Enhancing partnerships to address regional security, including to combat the Islamic State and al Shabaab militant groups, will also be a focus, the spokesperson said.

Nelson will discuss ways to work with governments on combating illicit financial flows associated with crises in the region such as in Sudan, according to the spokesperson, where over 1,100 people have been killed and more than 3 million uprooted since fighting broke out in April.

BLACK SEA GRAIN DEAL

Russia quit the deal allowing Black Sea exports of Ukrainian grain last week, saying that demands to improve its own food and fertilizer exports had not been met, and that not enough Ukraine grain had reached the poorest countries under the Black Sea deal.

Since Russia quit the deal and began attacking Ukrainian food-exporting ports on the Black Sea and Danube river, global wheat and corn futures prices have risen sharply.

The Black Sea grain deal was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey a year ago to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters.

Somalia received 84,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine in 2022, up from 31,000 tonnes in 2021, according to U.N. trade data, as donors stepped up assistance to fend off a looming famine in certain areas.

Famine in parts of the Horn of Africa was averted this year as the rainy season, projected to fail for a fifth consecutive year, beat expectations. But aid officials say some 60 million people are still food insecure in seven east African countries and worry about the impact of a further blow.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to sharp Western sanctions, Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

African nations have largely remained neutral on the Ukraine war.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman and Sonali Paul)
NEW YORK (AP)  Set aside the polls, the fundraising numbers or Donald Trumps name recognition as metrics of his early dominance of the Republican presidential contest. He has what could prove to be the most important advantage in the race: a leg up in winning the delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination.

While the delegate count won't begin taking shape until voting begins next January, Trump's edge in the race to win their votes is years in the making. Many state Republican parties made changes to their rules ahead of the 2020 election by adding more winner-take-all contests and requiring candidates to earn higher percentages of the vote to claim any delegates. Those changes all benefit a front-runner, a position Trump has held despite his mounting legal peril, blame for his party's lackluster performance in the 2022 elections and the turbulent years of his presidency.

As Trump makes another run for the White House, he has been focused on the looming battle for delegates, according to people with knowledge of his effort who requested anonymity to discuss strategy. Hes had regular discussion with state party chairs, many of whose leadership races he got involved in, and has hosted delegations from Republican parties in Nevada, Louisiana and Pennsylvania at his homes in Florida and New Jersey.

The moves are a sign of how Trump's team is focused on the crucial, if less glamorous, aspects of winning the GOP nomination. That's a notable change from his first bid for the White House in 2016, when his team of relatively novice operatives weren't familiar with the minutia of the delegate contest and sometimes found themselves outflanked by better-prepared rivals, particularly Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

That doesn't appear to be happening this time as election experts say it appears few other campaigns have been able to match Trump's yearslong work.

Theyve been asleep at the switch, election lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg said.

More than 2,000 party activists, insiders and elected officials make up the pool of delegates who will cast votes at the Republican National Convention next summer to formally select a nominee. The rules governing how delegates are selected are determined by state parties, which have until October to submit their plans for next year's elections.

Many of the proposed changes that are starting to emerge in state parties appear to benefit the former president.

In Michigan, where the state GOP has become increasingly loyal to Trump, the partys leadership this year voted to change the state's longtime process of allocating all its presidential delegates based on an open primary election. Under a new plan widely expected to benefit Trump, 16 of the states 55 delegates will be awarded based on the results of a Feb. 27 primary. The other 39 will be distributed four days later in closed-door caucus meetings of party activists.

Other Republican parties are looking to shift away from primary elections toward party-run caucuses, where Trumps support among the partys grassroots activists could put his rivals at a disadvantage.

In Idaho, one of the countrys most Republican states, a new law passed by the state legislature earlier this year eliminated the presidential primary process by moving the state elections to May as lawmakers tried to consolidate the voting calendar. The partys state central committee decided last month to instead hold caucuses on March 2.

In Nevada, the state Republican Party is mounting a legal battle to try to hold a party-run caucus instead of a state-run primary election. The party chair, Michael McDonald, said he had spoken with Trump's team about the process and ongoing lawsuit but had not heard from the campaign of his strongest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Other changes in the works would reduce the potential of any last-minute maneuvering at the convention.

At least two states, Louisiana and Colorado, are proposing changes this year that would bind delegates to vote for their assigned candidate during a second round of voting the national convention in the unlikely event that no candidate has a majority on the first ballot.

Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita said the campaign has had conversations with state parties all over the country about their delegate selection plans and is keeping close tabs on what its opponents are doingor not doing.

As an example of the effort, LaCivita cited a a single-day trip he made to Las Vegas in May to speak to a gathering of hundreds of Nevada Republicans.

We are aggressive on every level and on every front," he said. We dont let anything stand a chance.

In 2016, Trump barreled his way to nab the GOP nomination despite his campaign being being out-organized by Cruz's team. When Cruz swept all 34 of Colorados delegates after a process in which party insiders vote at a series of caucus meetings, Trump wrote an op-ed complaining about a rigged system. He threatened to sue after the primary in Louisiana, where he won a greater percentage of votes but Cruz was poised to pick up more delegates.

This time around, Trump is taking steps to cultivate ties with party insiders who might end up serving as delegates in 2024, making phone calls or in some cases schmoozing at big private dinners, like one he hosted in Iowa in May attended by the states attorney general, local lawmakers and precinct organizers. A similar Trump reception in South Carolina saw 75 people, including state Gov. Henry McMaster, state legislators and party activists packed in a sweltering tent.

From a tactical perspective, LaCivita said, Where we are today is leaps and bounds from where the campaign, a similar campaign, was in 2016.

DeSantis has veterans from Cruzs 2016 campaign working on his behalf.

Jeff Roe, who served as campaign manager to Cruzs campaign, is advising Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting DeSantis campaign, but the organization is not involved in delegate strategy and is not currently planning to be, according to a person familiar with the effort who wasnt authorized to disclose internal strategy.

Sam Cooper, the political director of DeSantis' campaign and another veteran of Cruz's 2016 bid, said the Florida governor's team is closely monitoring developments in the states around delegate selection plans.

The DeSantis campaign is working to identify local party activists who could serve as delegates but also is specifically courting state lawmakers, who are typically active in their local GOP groups.

Theyre surrogates for us on the ground, Cooper said. But also theyre close to the process.

The campaign boasts that more than 250 state lawmakers have endorsed DeSantis. The governor himself is very involved, Cooper said, and speaks speaks to legislators directly either in one-on-one calls or, as he did in June, in a Zoom call with more than 100 lawmakers around the country.

Cooper noted that DeSantis has made his own trips to speak before state and local GOP officials, appearing at 10 events in eight states since March and headlining fundraisers for Republican groups.

The DeSantis campaign declined to specify any states where the campaign provided feedback on a delegate selection plan, but Cooper said, the campaign feels very good about the map.

We havent seen a state party or a state make a move thats so off the wall that could only support one candidate or the other," he said.

One potential opening for a challenger like DeSantis could be California, which has 169 delegates to dole out, more than any other state.

Thanks to changes passed by Democrats in the state Capitol, Californias primary contest will be on March 5, requiring the state GOP to change its delegate plan in order to comply with national GOP rules for early contests.

The changes, which the states Republican Party is set to consider and approve late this month, are set to award delegates proportionately to the candidates share of the vote, rather than award all delegates to the winner.

That could give a candidate trailing in second place a chance to make up groundespecially someone like DeSantis, who has made a point of campaigning in the state.

Bryan Watkins, the chief operating officer and executive director of the California GOP, said the organization has been in touch with Republican campaigns about the proposed change.

As the state with the most delegates in the country, the CAGOP wants California to be a place where Republican presidential candidates will invest their time speaking to our voters and earning their support," he said in a statement. "So we appreciate the campaigns feedback and perspectives on the best way to accomplish that goal."

___

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Steve Peoples in New York, Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, Gabe Stern in Carson City, Nevada and Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami contributed to this report.
Elections in Spain are underway Sunday (July 23), and opinion polls show a swing to the right and the deposition of the left-wing coalition government of prime minister Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (SSOE) and its far-left partner, Unidas Podemos (UP).

Opinion polls also show the current opposition, Alberto Nunez Feijoo's conservative People's Party (PP), would come out on top but not form an absolute majority.

Both Sanchez and Feijoo have already voted as of this report.

Complutense University professor Andres Villena told CNN that in calling the elections, Sanchez made "a complex chess move," hoping to outmaneuver Feijoo.

Read Also: Spain Holds Local Elections Amid Allegations of Voter Fraud, Use of Terror Groups

Hotly-Contested Race

The race for the most seats in the Spanish parliament, known to locals as the Cortes Generales, has been embroiled in campaign issues for both the SSOE and the PP, as well as the other parties contesting for this year's general elections.

The SSOE-UP coalition lost a majority of seats in local elections held across Spain last May. Feijoo also accused Sanchez of being dictatorial to his own cabinet, a concept the PP called "sanchismo." The SSOE also accused the PP of enabling the far-right Vox party's denial of anthropogenic climate change and gender-based violence in exchange for a coalition deal should they win the election.

However, Sanchez's progressive agenda received a mixed reception from Spaniards. While policies on women's rights and the legalization of euthanasia have been welcomed in urban areas, these were opposed by people in the countryside.

On the other hand, the PP performed poorly in the last few days of the campaign period leading up to Sunday's polls. For his part, Feijoo made gains and blunders during the campaign, winning a final head-to-head debate with Sanchez before election day but was also questioned for making questionable claims about the PP's track record on pensions and his alleged sexist response to Spanish deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz.

Related Article: Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez Apologizes to Sexual Consent Law Victims

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The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Illustration by Joanne Imperio for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images

Whats happening

As some of his Republican rivals go to unprecedented lengths in hopes of qualifying for next months GOP presidential debate, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested he might choose to skip the event entirely.

When you have a big lead, you don't do it, Trump said during a recent interview with Fox News, citing his huge lead in primary polls. Its actually not fair. Why would you let somebody that's at zero or one or two or three [percent] be popping you with questions?

Trump and six other candidates have met the polling and donor thresholds set by the Republican National Committee to earn a place on the stage at the opening primary debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee.

Several of his challengers have publicly challenged him to participate. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on Trump to step up and make his case to voters, adding that nobody's entitled to this nomination. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley suggested failing to appear would signal that Trump is scared and Ex-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said bluntly If Trump doesnt want to debate then he doesnt want to be president.

Missing a debate would be nothing new for Trump. During the 2016 GOP primary, he skipped a Fox News debate shortly before the Iowa caucuses amid a public spat with the networks host Megyn Kelly, and a later debate was canceled after he said he would not attend. Four years later, Trumps refusal to debate remotely after testing positive for COVID-19 caused his second debate against Joe Biden to be canceled.

Why theres debate

Some political commentators think Trump would be making a mistake by skipping one or more of the upcoming debates. They argue that he has the chance to effectively seal the nomination by putting together a dominating performance against a group of rivals who are unlikely to be able hold their own in a verbal sparring match against him. Theres also risk, many add, that ceding the stage to his rivals could give one of them a rare chance to dominate the spotlight, potentially setting them up to cut into his polling lead.

But others say avoiding the debates is the best strategy for Trump. For one, it spares him the potential danger of making a major mistake during heated exchanges with opponents whose only goal will be to try to take him down. Trump's absence could also significantly reduce the number of primary voters who watch the debate, denying his challengers the chance to make their case to a large audience  especially if he holds a competing event at the same time.

Whats next

Uncertainty about Trumps presence at debates appears likely to be a story throughout the GOP primaries and into the general election if he wins the nomination. Trump recently said he and President Biden have to definitely debate. But last year the RNC voted to boycott the Commission on Presidential Debates  which has organized every presidential debate since the late 1980s  over complaints that the commission was biased against Trump.

Perspectives

Trump's absence could give another candidate the chance to break through

I think hes making a mistake because somebody else could do something extraordinary.  When somebody breaks through, you can get a snowball going.  Van Jones, CNN

He has too many vulnerabilities his opponents could seize on

Its also difficult to see the political upside for Trump of participating in primary debates. They open him up to criticism from his fellow Republicans, including some who would stand to gain a lot of electoral visibility from taking a stand against him. He would have to defend his record in front of a large audience and respond in the moment to attacks targeting his potential weak spots.  Joe Perticone, Bulwark

Republican primary voters may think hes running from a fight

If Mr. Trump refuses to debate in the primaries, voters will be entitled to wonder what the former President is afraid of.  Editorial, Wall Street Journal

DeSantis needs to land a knockout punch; Trump shouldnt give him the chance

A debate where [DeSantis] shows substance and strength against Trump could be that elusive game-changer his campaign has been seeking.  Editorial, Miami Herald

He shouldnt pass up a chance to end the primary race for good

He is a prizefighter. He belongs in the ring defending his title. Conventional wisdom might suggest staying away to protect his lead, but he has never been a conventional candidate. A strong performance by Mr. Trump in the first few debates could shore up the nomination for him.  Scott Walker, former Wisconsin governor, Washington Times

Theres no better way to make his challengers seem irrelevant than by refusing to face them

As conventional wisdom strategy, it makes sense, unlikely to undermine his base of support while portraying the debate as a group discussion of also-rans.  Carl Golden, Portland Press Herald

His rivals are no threat to him on the debate stage

There is a fantasy that underlies the ever-growing 2024 Republican presidential field: Governor X or Senator Y or Outsider Entrepreneur Z gets into a televised debate and tears Donald Trump a new one, becoming an overnight sensation awash in new donors, volunteers for Iowa and New Hampshire, and adulation in the mainstream media. Its very unlikely to happen.  Ed Kilgore, New York

Trump would be a fool to voluntarily step into Christies crosshairs

Christies particular brand of bombast, and his take-no-shit persona, makes for the sort of force-field that Trump, who is used to dominating any environment he enters, may find particularly difficult to navigate. Thats likely the real reason that Trump would absent himself from Milwaukee.  Sasha Abramsky, Truthout

Whether he debates or not, Trump is still in position to cruise to the nomination

Welcome to the new age of Republican presidential primary debates. Without Trump, the big audience disappears. With Trump, the audience disappears for any other candidate to offer a vision for the future of the party.  Juan Williams, The Hill
ROME (AP)  The U.N. chief on Monday urged Russia to resume the internationally brokered deal so that grain can be shipped from Ukraines Black Sea ports, saying that otherwise, the world's most vulnerable among the hungry will suffer the worst consequences.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the appeal during a speech in Rome at the opening of a three-day food summit.

With the recent collapse of the Ukraine-Russia grain deal, "the most vulnerable will pay the highest price,'' Guterres said. He lamented that there are already negative effects on global wheat and corn prices.

Wheat prices have risen more than 14% since Monday, when Russia pulled out of the grain deal, and corn prices are up more than 10%.

Both Russia and Ukraine are essential to global food security,'' the U.N. leader said. He noted that they have historically accounted for 30% of global wheat and barley exports, a fifth of all maize and more than half of all sunflower oil.

"For my part, I remain committed to facilitating unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizer from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation and to deliver the food security every person deserves,'' Guterres said.

I call on the Russian Federation to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, in line with my latest proposal," Guterres said, urging the international community to stand united to find solutions for the issue.

Russia's refusal to renew the accord triggered the deal's collapse earlier this month. It said the Black Sea Initiative would be suspended until demands to get Russian exports of food and fertilizer to the world are met.

The accord had been brokered by the United Nations and Turkey as a way to keep grain flowing to developing countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East, despite the war unleashed by Moscow against Ukraine in February 2022.

When the grain deal was struck, the U.N. World Food Program regained a top supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the brink of famine, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen.

The deal's suspension as well as Russian attacks on the Black Sea ports of Ukraine have irked Russian ally China and as well as developing nations heavily dependent on the shipments to feed their people.

Besides the grain deal, the effects of climate change on food production and distribution will figure in discussions at the Rome summit.

"We need food systems that can help end this senseless war on our planet,'' Guterres said. "Transformation means new, sustainable food systems that can reduce the carbon footprint of food processing, packaging and transportation.''

Such transformation also demands that governments and businesses "take stronger and faster action to tackle the climate crisis and deliver environmental and climate justice,'' he added.

Pacific island nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea-levels caused by climate change.

We need to be able to grow what we eat and eat what we grow,'' Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa told the summit. But that simple construct is so far reaching and presupposes that we can adequately support the actions that lead to the right outcome.

It is not too late to protect what we have, she said. "All it requires is determination and tenacity. Climate action must be at the forefront of all our endeavors.

The way food is grown and produced is contributing to climate change, weakening the agriculture-food system, according to Corinna Hawkes, director of the division of food systems and food safety at the Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which is hosting the summit.

The gathering aims to take stock of progress and setbacks since the first food systems summit was held in 2021.

According to FAO, the summit has drawn participants from 161 countries, including 22 heads of state or government, and 150 non-governmental organizations.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Cambodia's longtime ruling party on Monday lauded its landslide victory in weekend elections as a clear mandate for the next five years. The United States said the party's stifling of the opposition meant the vote could not be considered free or fair and that Washington was taking punitive measures.

Autocratic leader Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party won 120 of 125 available seats in Sunday's elections, according to preliminary results.

The 70-year-old, who has been in power for 38 years, has said he plans to hand the prime minister's job off to his oldest son, 45-year-old Hun Manet, who is Cambodia's army chief and won his first parliamentary seat on Sunday.

The handover is part of what is expected to be a broad generational change in top positions for the CPP. And while it is not yet clear exactly when Hun Manet might take over, Hun Sen has suggested it could be as early as within the next month.

On his Facebook page Monday, Hun Manet said the election result showed that the Cambodian people have clearly expressed their wills through votes. He thanked Cambodians for their love and confidence in the CPP and pledged that the party would continue to serve Cambodia and Cambodian people better and better.

Following a challenge from the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party in 2013 that the CPP barely overcame at the polls, Hun Sen responded by going after leaders of the opposition, and eventually the country's sympathetic courts dissolved the party.

Ahead of Sunday's election, the unofficial successor to the CNRP, known as the Candlelight Party, was barred on a technicality from running in the election by the National Election Committee.

The U.S., the European Union and other Western countries refused to send observers to the election, saying it lacked the conditions to be considered free and fair. Russia and China were among those that did send observers.

Late Sunday, the U.S. State Department said it had taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals who undermined democracy and implemented a pause of foreign assistance programs after determining the elections were neither free nor fair.

Cambodian authorities engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against the political opposition, media, and civil society that undermined the spirit of the countrys constitution and Cambodias international obligations, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

These actions denied the Cambodian people a voice and a choice in determining the future of their country.

Michael Greenwald, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, said Monday the visa restrictions would be placed on people involved in threatening and harassing the political opposition, media and civil society but he would not specify who or how many individuals that would entail.

Similarly, he would not elaborate on the scope of the pause of foreign assistance programs, saying only that it involved several new activities, and noting that the U.S. had contributed some $3 billion dollars to programs over the last 30 years.

The State Department urged the CPP to use its new term to restore genuine multi-party democracy.

Regional advocacy group ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights called on all democracies to denounce the elections.

We must pressure the Cambodian government to end all forms of political persecution and immediately and unconditionally release political prisoners," said Eva Kusuma Sundari, a former Indonesian lawmaker.

"There must also be an independent investigation into human rights violations and electoral irregularities, with the aim of ensuring accountability, she added.

Under Hun Sen, Cambodia has become the Southeast Asian nation with the closest ties to Beijing, and China's Foreign Ministry on Monday made no mention of any concerns about the way the elections were handled.

As a good neighbor and friend, we warmly congratulate Cambodia on the successful holding of the 7th national election, spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters. We believe that Cambodia will make greater achievements in national construction and development in the future, bringing more benefits to its people.

With the Candlelight Party barred from running, FUNCINPEC, a royalist party whose name is a French acronym for the National Front for an Independent, Neutral and Cooperative Cambodia, benefitted the most from any anti-CPP sentiment.

Having won no seats in the last two elections, it won all five Sunday that did not go to the CPP.

Party president Norodom Chakravuth told The Associated Press ahead of the election that he would be prepared to work with CPP but only if they're fair with us.

Astrid Noren-Nilsson, a Cambodia expert at Swedens Lund University who was in Phnom Penh for the elections, said FUNCINPEC would be best served by taking an opposition role.

The best the FUNCINPEC could do to build on that would be to keep the greatest distance possible from the CPP and take up the role of an opposition party, rather than that of a party that works hand in hand with the CPP, she told the AP.

FUNCINPEC spokesman Nhoeun Raden said the party is still collecting data and had no immediate comment on their better-than-expected results.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Koreas military said Tuesday, adding to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the U.S. sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force.

In its third round of launches since last week, North Korea fired the missiles just before midnight from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. It said both missiles traveled around 400 kilometers (248 miles) before landing in waters off the Korean Peninsulas eastern coast.

Its statement called North Koreas missile launches a grave provocation that threatens regional peace and stability.

The launches came hours after South Koreas navy said a nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine  the USS Annapolis  arrived at a port on Jeju Island. That underscored the allies' efforts to boost the visibility of U.S. strategic assets in the region to intimidate the North.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles last week in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes on South Korea and deployed U.S. naval vessels.

Also on Monday, the American-led U.N. Command said it has started a conversation with North Korea about a U.S. soldier who ran into the North last week across one of the worlds most heavily fortified borders.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general who is deputy commander at the U.N. Command, which oversees implementation of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War, declined to comment about the state of the inquiry to North Korea or say what the command knows about Pvt. Travis Kings condition.

I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic, Harrison said during a news conference in Seoul.

In Washington, State Deptartment spokesman Matthew Miller said North Korea had only acknowledged receiving the U.N. message last week and had not provided any information or commented further since then.

There have been no new contacts since last week, Miller said, adding that North Korea also had not responded to messages sent by U.S. civilian or military officials.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

The U.S. still has not been able to ascertain Kings condition, a senior administration official said Monday in Washington. Asked if U.S. officials had a better understanding of whether King intended to defect, the official said they still had no indication about what was going on in his mind that day. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

Kings crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the United States combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

In between the ballistic and cruise missile launches last week, North Koreas defense minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The United States and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of U.S. aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to counter the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The sub mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Koreas navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed.

Their armistice becomes 70 years old Thursday, an anniversary South Korea will mark with solemn ceremonies honoring the dead that will involve invited foreign war veterans.

North Korea, which celebrates the date as victory day for the great Fatherland Liberation War, plans huge festivities that will likely include a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where leader Kim Jong Un may showcase his nuclear-capable missiles designed to target regional rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the standing committee of the countrys National Peoples Congress, would attend the celebrations.

Visits by foreign guests to North Korea have been extremely rare since the start of the pandemic, which prompted the North to seal its borders to protect its poor healthcare system. North Korea since last year has been gradually reopening trade with China in an apparent effort to salvage a crippled economy damaged further by the pandemic-related border controls.

___

Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
Chance Brannon, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Tibet Ergul of Irvine are accused of being the two masked individuals who threw a Molotov cocktail, igniting a blaze, at a Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood clinic last year. (Department of Justice)

A Florida man was arrested and identified as the third suspect involved in the 2022 firebombing of a Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood clinic along with a U.S. Marine and another accomplice, according to a federal indictment unsealed Monday.

Xavier Batten, 21, of Brooksville, Fla., was arrested by the FBI on Friday and accused of conspiring with Chance Brannon, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Tibet Ergul of Irvine to burn down the clinic in March 2022 using a Molotov cocktail.

All three are charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosion. Brannon and Ergul are both also charged with one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and one misdemeanor count of intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility.

Read more:Camp Pendleton Marine and accomplice charged with firebombing Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood

Brannon, 23, of San Juan Capistrano, and Ergul, 21, are accused of being the two masked and hooded individuals who were caught on security video tossing the Molotov cocktail on March 13, 2022, igniting a blaze. Both were taken into custody without incident last month and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Monday morning in Santa Ana.

Batten is accused of advising and directing Brannon on how to make the Molotov cocktail.

"The violent and reckless attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic alleged in the indictment is intolerable,'' U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada said. "This indictment shows that federal law enforcement will work diligently to uncover and hold accountable those who plan and carry out violent extremist acts against others."

Burn marks on an entrance and adjacent wall of the firebombed Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Threats and violence targeting reproductive healthcare facilities have become increasingly common, with the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuting more than two dozen such cases in the last four years, including a group that tried to physically block an entrance to a Washington, D.C., clinic last year and a man who in 2020 and 2021 shot a BB gun at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Pasadena.

After the firebombing last year, Nichole Ramirez, vice president of communications and donor relations for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino counties, called such attacks unacceptable.

The safety of our staff, patients, and supporters is our highest priority, and we are working in collaboration with the FBI and local law enforcement to prosecute this attack to the fullest extent of the law, Ramirez said in a statement last year. [We] will continue to provide expert, compassionate care for the community as we have done for over 50 years.

Read more:Man accused of firing BB guns at Planned Parenthood in Pasadena faces federal charge

On the day of the attack, Brannon and Ergul left Ergul's Irvine home, went to Planned Parenthood and tossed the Molotov cocktail at the clinic entrance, prosecutors alleged. The resulting fire forced the facility to close the following morning and cancel about 30 appointments.

Images from the security videos in the affidavit show two men wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks approach the Planned Parenthood facility about 1 a.m. They ignite a device and throw it at the front door of the building.

The device landed against a southern wall next to the glass door and erupted into a fire, which spread up the wall and across the ceiling above the glass door, according to the original complaint filed in the case.

Costa Mesa firefighters knocked down the fire on Nutmeg Place, and a subsequent analysis of evidence showed that a glass container and other materials at the scene contained gasoline.

Read more:Man and woman found shot to death in car at ocean overlook in Rancho Palos Verdes

After authorities appealed to the public for help in identifying the attackers, a witness called the FBIs National Threat Operations Center saying that she knew the suspects from high school and could identify them.

The day after the fire, Ergul allegedly texted the witness, taking credit for the fire and noting that he wished he couldve recorded the combustion. According to the affidavit, Ergul sent the acquaintance a photograph of his gloved hand holding the Molotov cocktail from inside Brannon's car.

Federal agents also obtained phone records that showed Brannon was in the vicinity of Planned Parenthood at the time of the attack and again later, about 3 a.m., according to the affidavit. A Dodge vehicle driven by Brannon found by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service outside the barracks was also tied to the crime, according to the affidavit filed last month.

Brannon and Ergul are scheduled to face trial Sept. 5 before U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney. After his arrest, Batten made his initial court appearance Friday in Florida and was ordered held without bond pending trial.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE - A saguaro cactus stands against the rising sun Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in the desert north of Phoenix. The death of an older Arizona woman when her electricity was cut during a heat spell five years ago spurred changes in shutoff rules. The Arizona agency that oversees regulated utilities now bans power companies from cutting off power for failure to pay during Arizona's hottest months. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

PHOENIX: Stephanie Pullman died on a sweltering Arizona day after her electricity was cut off because of a $51 debt.

Five years later, the 72-year-old's story remains at the heart of efforts to prevent others in Arizona from having their power cut off, leaving them without life-saving air conditioning in temperatures that have topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit on every day this month.

Stephanie Pullman was the face of the fight that helped put the disconnect rules in place for the big, regulated utilities in Arizona, said Stacey Champion, an advocate who pushed for new regulations. But we need more.

Arizona Public Service, known as APS, disconnected Pullman's power in September 2018 at a time when outside temperatures in her retirement community west of Phoenix reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Just days before, a $125 payment was made toward Pullman's past-due bill of $176.

Her body was found inside her home during a subsequent wellness check.

The medical examiners office said Pullman died from "environmental heat exposure" combined with cardiovascular disease after the shutoff.

Like many older residents of Phoenix-area retirement communities, Pullman was a native Midwesterner, living alone after moving from Ohio, where her family remains.

Details about Pullman's life are sketchy because her family cannot discuss the case under a private legal settlement with APS.

I can't talk, Pullman's son, Tim Pullman, said when reached by telephone in Ohio.

Champion said the family also suddenly stopped talking to her after the 2019 settlement.

APS didn't address the settlement when contacted last week, but said in a statement it is here to help customers and we are making sure they stay connected during the summer months.

Pullmans death prompted Champion and others to demand new rules to prevent shutoffs. The case raised awareness about extreme heat dangers, and it did spark change.

People are now more cognizant that low-income people can lose the power in their home at any time, said Phoenix attorney Tom Ryan, a consumer advocate familiar with the Pullman case. "Couldn't someone have spared her the $51?"

In 2019, the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates most of the state's utilities, issued a moratorium on summertime shutoffs by APS and other power companies it oversees.

Last year, the commission permanently banned electricity cutoffs during the hottest months.

Electric utilities can choose to pause disconnections from June 1 through October 15, or pause them on days forecasted to be above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. APS; Tucson Electric Power, which serves Arizonas second largest city; and UniSource, which provides power in Mohave and Santa Cruz counties, chose the date-based option.

There will be no disconnections for past due residential accounts through mid-October, with late fees waived during that period, APS confirmed. We urge customers who are struggling with overdue bills to contact us so we can work with them to get their account in good standing and try to keep balances from continuing to build.

APS is the principal subsidiary of publicly traded Pinnacle West Capital Corp., and has about 1.2 million customers. It gives a discount of up to 25% on energy bills for people who qualify, like a family of three with a gross monthly income under $4,143, or a single person in a home with a gross monthly income of up to $2,430.

Arizona's second largest provider of electricity, Salt River Project, or SRP, is known as a power and irrigation district rather than a utility and has around 1.1 million customers. It additionally supplies water in parts of metro Phoenix. As a community based, not-for-profit district, SRP is not overseen by the state commission but is governed by a publicly elected Board and Council.

SRP says it halts shutoffs during excessive heat warnings issued by the National Weather Service. But Champion noted that people have died on hot days without such warnings.

Amid the current heat wave, SRP announced Friday it was halting all cutoffs for nonpayment for residential and commercial customers through July, and would not disconnect for failure to pay anyone on its economy price plan for customers with limited income through August.

SRPs priority is to maintain reliable and affordable power for our customers, and we understand the significance of keeping customers in service during Arizonas hot summer days, the utility said in a response to a query. We value our customers safety and have programs in place to assist those in need.

We urge customers who are having difficulty paying their bill for any reason to contact us as quickly as possible so we can offer solutions to help them avoid a worsening financial situation, the company said in a separate statement.

Gov. Katie Hobbs sent a letter to Arizona's power companies on Friday, demanding that they spell out in writing their plans during the current hot spell for disconnections of service, how they will handle possible grid outages, and how they will react in the event of an emergency outage.

Champion said she thinks state legislation would help ensure stricter rules against power company shutoffs, but nothing is before the state Legislature.

Within Phoenix city limits, an ordinance requires landlords to ensure that their air conditioning units will cool to 82 degrees Fahrenheit or below and that evaporative coolers bring the temperature down to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Both types of cooling units must be kept in good working order.

Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, reported Wednesday that as of July 15, there were 18 heat-associated deaths confirmed this year going back to April 11. Another 69 deaths remain under investigation.

Just four of the heat-associated deaths confirmed in 2023 occurred inside. Three involved non-functioning air conditioners and one that had access to electricity but wasn't turned on.

Maricopa County confirmed 425 heat-associated deaths for 2022 during the region's hottest summer on record, more than half of them occurring in July. Eighty percent of the deaths occurred outside.

Like Pullman, most of the 30 people who died indoors in the county last year were isolated and had mobility issues or medical problems. One was an 83-year-old woman with dementia who died in a home with an air conditioner that had not been switched on. She was living alone after her husband entered hospice care.

There have long been utility assistance programs for homeowners and renters across the state, but advocates say efforts to protect people from shutoffs in America's hottest big metro increased after Pullman died.

Local governments and nonprofit agencies often pay utility bills without a requirement for repayment and the Arizona Department of Economic Security also helps with bills.

Efforts to help repair and replace faulty cooling systems were also ramped up.

Maricopa County in April used federal funds to allocate another $10 million to its air conditioner replacement and repair program for people who qualify, bringing total funding to $13.7 million.

In greater Phoenix and several rural Arizona counties, older low-income people can get free repair or replacement of air conditioners through the Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program, run by the nonprofit Foundation for Senior Living. Last summer, it helped about 30 people get new air conditioners or repairs.

Demonstrating the dangers for older people, two sisters were rescued from their home in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise earlier this month after police found them sweltering in 114 degrees Fahrenheit with a faulty cooling system.

I don't like the heat over here, Paula Martinez, 93, told Fox 10 news. The officers took her and her sister Linda, 87, to a senior center to cool off and bought a new air conditioner with the department's community grant funds.

Surprise Police Sgt. Richard Hernandez said he and fellow officers still remember Pullman's death in a community just 5 miles (8 kilometers) away.

There certainly is more awareness now then there used to be, said Hernandez. We kept saying, If we had only known, maybe we could have helped.'"

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Arizona utilities change after Ohio woman living there dies from heat
The recent surge in popularity of weight loss and Type 2 diabetes drugs Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro have been fueled by celebrity and influencer usage  but the success for the drugmakers has been a decade, and millions of lobbying dollars, in the making.

And there is still one milestone the companies have yet to reach: passing a bill that would reverse the long-standing ban on Medicare covering obesity drugs, which has floundered for 10 years.

That bill is the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which has been introduced in every session of Congress since late 2012 by Sen. Thomas Carper, a Democrat from Delaware, though it has never advanced beyond that.

Carper, along with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), reintroduced the bill for the seventh time since 2012 on Thursday.

The bill, among other things, directs Medicare Part D to cover obesity treatments if "used for the treatment of obesity  or for weight loss management for an individual who is overweight  and has one or more related co-morbidities."

A key difference from the 2012 version is a shift to require Medicare Part D coverage, rather than coverage based on "if the [Health] Secretary determines that coverage of such a drug under this part is appropriate."

In 2012, estimates showed 42% of Americans will be obese by 2030, according to that version of the bill. The latest version increased that estimate to 47%.

The bill highlights the cost of obesity to the annual Medicare budget: "On average, a Medicare beneficiary with obesity costs $2,018 (in 2019 dollars) more than a healthy-weight beneficiary."

In comparison, there are concerns that the cost of the weight loss drugs  almost $1,000 per month  could bankrupt Medicare. And questions about whether or not it is a chronic disease drug or a lifestyle drug will determine the fate of the bill.

Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk (NVO) is the only company with a drug approved for obesity without Type 2 diabetes. It has spent $11 million on food and travel for doctors to discuss products including Wegovy and Ozempic and spent $4.6 million on ongoing lobbying in Congress in 2022 alone.

In the first quarter of this year, the company spent more than $1.3 million on lobbying Congress on various topics, including obesity drugs  double what it spent in all of 2013, the first full year the bill was introduced, according to data from OpenSecrets.org.

Boxes of Ozempic and Mounjaro, semaglutide and tirzepatide injection drugs used for treating type 2 diabetes and made by Novo Nordisk and Lilly, are seen at a Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, U.S. May 29, 2023. REUTERS/George Frey

Novo Nordisk also hired the lobbying firm Arnold & Porter, which recently hired a former sponsor of the bill, Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), as a senior strategic adviser. Kind wont be allowed to lobby the bill for a year, according to ethics rules.

In addition to engaging doctors, the company has also lobbied state governments and obesity advocates to create awareness about its products and increase coverage for them.

Lobbying efforts

Without commercial insurance and Medicare buy-in, weight loss drugs remain inaccessible to a large swath of Americans. But employers and commercial insurers are acting cautiously.

Most insurers either require prior approval for the drug to be used or are sticking to only covering Type 2 diabetes patients. Medicare has been banned from covering these drugs for the use of weight loss alone for decades.

This is why Novo and its competitors want to convince not just Congress but also state legislatures to cover the drugs for obesity. State governments represent a large population of covered lives, and some state legislatures govern what can and cannot be covered by the state's budget for its employees' health spend.

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), shown here on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Washington, has introduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) every year since 2012. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

The company has either directly hosted or been indirectly involved in, through advocates from organizations sponsored by Novo (and Eli Lilly (LLY)), policy events throughout the country. Yahoo Finance reviewed programs from at least two of these events, one in Philadelphia in August 2021 and one in New Jersey in 2022.

The speakers included a member of Novo Nordisk or the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), which is funded by Novo Nordisk. The company contributes more than $500,000 to OAC annually and has been a corporate partner since 2013, according to OACs website. (Eli Lilly contributes more than $100,000 annually, according to the website.)

An attendee of the event in Philadelphia, who was not authorized to speak to media, said weight loss drugs were discussed.

New Jersey Assemblyman Herb Conaway, chair of the Assembly health committee, is now the sponsor of a bill that would cover obesity drugs under all state-administered health plans, such as those for state employees, public education employees, and Medicaid enrollees.

A request for comment was not returned by Conaways office.

Eli Lilly has also sponsored policy events that included discussion of obesity as a chronic disease. Its drug, Mounjaro, is awaiting FDA approval for patients with obesity without Type 2 diabetes. Pfizer (PFE) is a recent entrant in the space, with an oral drug candidate currently in clinical trials.

'The opioid playbook'?

Several experts in the health insurance industry spoke to Yahoo Finance on background, since they were unauthorized to speak to the media. The common refrain among them: "This is the opioid playbook."

From 1996 to 2001, Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, began a lobbying campaign that focused on pain management. Introducing that idea at conferences and forums hosted by Purdue and educating medical professionals about the drug as well as training them on how to speak about it was what led to the widespread use of opioids and the current epidemic.

Others said this is too harsh a comparison and that it was more like the debate over Medicare coverage for erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis. At that time, Medicare had been covering the drug, and outrage poured in over tax dollars being used for "lifestyle prescription drugs."

Paying for doctors' food and travel and educating them on the drugs is a practice that landed Novo Nordisk in trouble across the pond, with the UKs drug lobbying group suspending the company for two years. Unlike in the US, the UK does not allow these lobbying strategies.

Flags are seen outside Novo Nordisk headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

Lobbying itself is legal and many other companies employ similar strategies to help boost sales in the US. But the current price tag of the obesity drugs has caused concern for those who would foot the bill  employers, commercial insurers, and the federal government.

When asked about the ongoing lobbying efforts, the company said: "We advocate for the full continuum of care for patients with obesity, including coverage for anti-obesity medications in Medicare Part D. We also actively work with private insurers and employers to encourage broader coverage of anti-obesity medicines."

Novo Nordisk told Yahoo Finance it has been partnering with organizations to "provide fact-based context and education on this misunderstood disease" as well as "working with influential individuals to help change the societal perspective of obesity."

Katherine Hempstead, a senior health policy advisor at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who attended one of the policy events in the US, said it wasnt blatant selling of the product.

But the bill in Congress could be a huge push towards greater coverage of the drug, she said.

"A part of me feels like theres an inevitability to this, at some point these drugs will get covered in some ways. Especially when you hear about people going to compounding and getting dangerous substitutes because they want them so much," Hempstead said.

That is why the lobbying for weight loss drugs is likely only to increase, Khrysta Baig, a health policy researcher at Vanderbilt University, told Yahoo Finance.

"There seems to be greater energy behind the bill as new and pipeline anti-obesity medications have gained public attention. With Wegovys [semaglutide] approval in 2021 and the expected approval of tirzepatide [Eli Lillys Mounjaro] for weight loss sometime this year, public and industry interest in Medicare coverage seems to have increased," Baig said.

The injectable drug Ozempic is shown Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Surprise surge

The popularity of the products may have taken Novo by surprise. The company almost doubled its 2023 forecast after first quarter sales showed a 25% increase in sales based on a boost from Wegovy and Ozempic  and that's in a market without widespread insurance coverage.

Novo had to reduce the production of lower dosages of Wegovy as a result of the surge in interest and instead focus on higher dosages to help maintain the care of patients. That strain put an emphasis on Novo's older drug, Saxenda, which has also been added to the FDA's drug shortage list.

Dr. Angela Fitch, president of the Obesity Medicine Association and one of the doctors paid as a consultant for Novo, said company officials told her they didnt predict the new drugs taking off the way they have.

"Once you get out something that actually works, the people will want it," Fitch, chief medical officer of health startup knownwell, said, noting there is a potential population of about 120 million Americans who could benefit.

Or as General Catalyst advisor Dr. Stephen Klasko put it: "Yes, theyre for obesity, but theyve really become a lifestyle drug. If youre in one of the clubs in Miami, where you used to talk about your plastic surgery, youre now talking about which GLP-1 youre on."

He added, "All you have to know is Weight Watchers stock went up 45% when they announced that theyre selling GLP-1s now."

Beyond the current shortage of products, Novo is also responsible for a 400% spike in spending on Ozempic for one employer and a 73% spike in utilization for one states education budget on Wegovy and Saxenda.

In recent conversations with employers, weight care management startup Found's CEO Sara Jones Simmer said she was hearing about surges in healthcare spending.

"[Employers] were seeing Ozempic go from not even being in the top 20 of drug costs literally to number one within six months time," Jones Simmer told Yahoo Finance. "We talked to one employer that sharedOzempic prescriptions had increased 400% year over year, and they said theres no way the number of Type 2 diabetics in our organization has changed 400% so where is this coming from?"

And employers cant pull the drugs off their formulary, denying coverage to those who need it. But at the same time, "if they dont do anything about it, people are going to get on these medications that are designed to be taken in perpetuity, that cost, on average, $17,000 a year, and that could bankrupt especially a small employer," she said.

Similarly, New Jerseys state education benefits plan has seen a 73% increase in the use of Wegovy and Saxenda, according to documents viewed by Yahoo Finance.

Ozempic ranks in the top three for drug spending for fiscal year 2022 and is the top drug in the diabetes category, accounting for 12% of total plan spend, according to the documents.

Novo Nordisk declined to comment on whether or not they anticipated this level of demand. But it is still facing a shortage of both Ozempic and Wegovy, after a slow initial rollout of Wegovy last year, and has scrambled to expand production more quickly than it anticipated. The company has also had to pause advertising for the drugs.

"A second CMO [manufacturer] is now ready to begin production to help increase Wegovy supply capacity, and a third site at one of our current CMOs is expected later this year," the company said.

Follow Anjalee Khemlani on Twitter @AnjKhem

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
South Africa: Attack on Tshwane emergency services workers condemned

Monday, July 24, 2023

The Gauteng Provincial Legislatures Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has condemned the recent attack on Tshwane Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers while responding to an incident in Nellmapius on Saturday.

According to the Gauteng Health Department, the EMS crew was hijacked, kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of their personal cell phones, and other working tools while responding to what appeared to be a distress call in Nellmapius, near Mamelodi.

Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku expressed concern about the unacceptable growing number of such incidents where EMS workers are attacked and robbed while responding to emergencies.

This is a worrying trend in Gauteng, as it puts the lives of EMS workers at risk and compromises their ability to respond and provide health care services to those in desperate need of them, Masuku said.

The committee called on law enforcement to act with speed in apprehending the perpetrators of these crimes.

There can never be a no-go area for EMS workers while carrying out their responsibilities, and to have them escorted by police or security officers in some areas paints a worrying picture of the level of crime and lawlessness in our province, Masuku continued said.

Meanwhile, the committee commended the provincial governments strides in introducing tracking surveillance devices on EMS vehicles to help EMS teams whenever they encounter dangerous situations.

The committee urged communities to work with law enforcement agencies to end attacks on EMS works, as these sabotage efficient emergency responses.  SAnews.gov.za



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China's Chongqing willing to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka on trade, poverty alleviation: official

Xinhua) 13:27, July 24, 2023

COLOMBO, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Chongqing Municipality is willing to enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and strengthen collaboration on poverty alleviation, said a Chinese official.

Sri Lankan President and leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe met here Saturday with Yuan Jiajun, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee.

Noting that the two countries are a model for friendly co-existence and win-win relations between countries with different systems, Yuan said China is willing to join hands with the Sri Lankan side at all levels to push to a new level the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and lasting friendship.

He said the CPC is willing to continue strengthening exchanges and mutual learning with Sri Lankan political parties, and to contribute to the development of bilateral relations and their respective national development.

Yuan added that Chongqing stands ready to boost cooperation with Sri Lanka on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, jointly enhance the level of openness and development, strengthen collaboration on poverty alleviation, and better promote the high-quality economic and social development of the two countries.

Wickremesinghe, for his part, said China is a great friend of Sri Lanka, and he thanked the Chinese side for providing strong support for the country's economic and social development over the years.

Sri Lanka is willing to cooperate with China to strengthen their all-round practical cooperation, deepen interparty and sub-national exchanges, promote the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, and welcome investors from Chongqing to invest in Sri Lanka, said Wickremesinghe.

Yuan led a CPC delegation to visit Sri Lanka from Wednesday to Sunday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Ben Shapiro)



Ben Shapiro's latest infatuation is Barbie, the summer hit starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Reynolds. The 39-year-old conservative political analyst appeared to try to incite large-scale protests against the PG-13-rated movie in a crazy 43-minute rant that was uploaded to YouTube.

Setting Barbie Toys on Fire

Shapiro starts the film by setting Barbie toys on fire. He then embarks into a tirade in which he shames a trans woman who was cast as a Barbie and listed all of his other complaints in the "pages and pages of notes" he made while viewing the movie, according to The Daily Beast.

Barbie was seen by Shapiro on Wednesday (July 19). Although he hasn't formally acknowledged the similarities, social media fans noted that he wore the same attire as Ken (Ryan Gosling) in the film.

Shapiro complained that Barbie was "one of the most woke movies I have ever seen" in the video's caption, and he goes on to say in the video that he was outraged by Ken's portrayal.

(Photo : by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Cast and filmmakers light up London pink to celebrate the European Premiere of Barbie, in cinemas 21 July. At London Eye on July 12, 2023 in London, England.

Shapiro claims that Ken has evolved into being "annoying and ridiculous," which is in opposition to the original Barbie dolls.

Shapiro then shows interest in Barbie owned by Hari Nef. Nef, a transgender woman, plays a vivacious Doctor Barbie in the movie.

Along with that, he asserted that the movie was "explicitly designed to divide men from women," branding it as "angry feminist claptrap that alienates men from women." People have flocked to social media to make fun of Shapiro for his obsession with sabotaging the Barbie movie.

Read also: Christian Movie Review Criticizes 'Barbie' LGBTQ Casting, Saying Children Shouldn't Watch It

How People are Reacting to the Barbie Movie

The first reactions to the Barbie movie are in, and they are overwhelmingly positive. Critics praise the film's humor, heart, and sharp commentary on gender roles. Many are also calling it a "masterpiece" and a "must-see" for fans of Greta Gerwig.

Of course, not everyone loves the film. Some critics have accused it of being too woke, while others have said it's not funny enough. However, most reactions have been positive, and it seems that Barbie is poised to be a critical and commercial success.

The reactions to the Barbie movie have been very positive. It seems that Gerwig has crafted a film that will appeal to both doll fans and people new to the franchise.

It is clear that the Barbie movie is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. However, the fact that it has generated such a passionate response suggests that it is a film that is not afraid to challenge people's expectations. Only time will tell whether Barbie will be a critical and commercial success, but it is certainly a film worth seeing for yourself.

Related article: Columnists Chime In on Ted Cruz's 'Barbie' Claims as 'Chinese Propaganda'

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An excavator was seen over the weekend digging up the backyard of the home of the suspect in several killings on New York's Long Island and the heavy equipment was still behind Rex Heuermann's house Monday morning. According to law enforcement sources, investigators are looking into whether any victims may have been killed at the house, CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton reported last week.

Heuermann has been charged with killing three women and is the prime suspect in a fourth in the yearslong investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings. Heuermann pleaded not guilty to murder charges after he was arrested in New York City earlier this month.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told reporters Monday that investigators are using ground-penetrating sonar at the house as well as cadaver dogs, CBS New York's Carolyn Gusoff reported. Harrison said numerous items have been taken from the house and the search of the property should be over in the next day or two.

Authorities continue to work at the home of suspect Rex Heuermann in Massapequa Park, N.Y., July 24, 2023. / Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Investigators have shovels and are digging around the house's foundation, Gusoff reported.

A wooden deck at the Massapequa Park house Heuermann shared with his wife Asa Ellerup and two adult children has been dismantled and police have put up a tent where the front porch was, Gusoff reported.

According to law enforcement sources, Ellerup and the children were away from the house at the time of the killings, Milton reported. Ellerup filed for divorce last week.

"There's absolutely no evidence that anyone acted with the defendant, much less his family," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney told CBS News in an interview.

Buttigieg explains why air travel headaches have continued

Transportation Department investigating airlines' "unrealistic scheduling" after flight delays, cancellations

Airlines fly fewer flights than pre-pandemic even as passenger numbers rebound
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP)  Police were told a Mississippi man had killed himself in 2018, but five years later, his 75-year-old widow has been arrested and charged with murder in the death.

The Forrest County Sheriff's Office arrested Harriet Howe on Thursday.

She remained jailed Monday in Hattiesburg, with bail set at $1 million. It's unclear whether she has a lawyer representing her.

George Howe of Dixie died from a single gunshot, and investigators were told he had killed himself. But Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims told WDAM-TV that investigators never entirely believed that.

John Tryner, who is now captain over investigations, was actually the investigator on that case, Sims said. He had some doubts about that story, was working that case, ran into some dead ends.

Investigators were unable to unlock an electronic device that they believed would show conclusively what had happened, Sims said. But in recent months, the sheriff's office joined a task force with another agency that had the technology needed to access the data.

We took the device down, they downloaded it, and sure enough, it gave us the evidence that was needed to get the warrant to substantiate the charge of murder, Sims said. And so she was arrested, and hopefully we are on the way to bringing closure to that family.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  As Russia seeks more allies during its invasion of Ukraine, longtime U.S. security partner Kenya might not be an obvious choice. But hours after Russia terminated a deal to keep grain flowing from Ukraine, Moscows ambassador saw an opening to appeal to one of the African countries that would feel the effects the most.

In an opinion piece for two of Kenya's largest newspapers, Ambassador Dmitry Maksimychev blamed the United States and the European Union for the deal's collapse, asserting they had used every trick to keep Russian grain and fertilizer from the global markets.

Now, my dear Kenyan friends, you know the whole truth about who is weaponizing food, he wrote.

It's the kind of brash outreach expected this week at the second Russia-Africa Summit. Grain supplies are in question. The future of the Wagner military group is, too. Its a notable time for Russia to host nearly 50 African countries that rely heavily on Moscow for agricultural products and security. Its not clear how many heads of state will attend.

President Vladimir Putin's government is under new pressure to show its commitment to a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Africa's 54 nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other region on General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russia's invasion.

If they leave the two-day summit, which starts Thursday, feeling unheeded, they might distance themselves from Russia, said analyst Cameron Hudson with the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

I think you could see Africans beginning to vote with their feet, he said. This is a decisive moment for both Africa and Putin in their relationship.

Putin has repeatedly said that Russia would offer free grain to low-income African countries now that the grain deal has been terminated. I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing the Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, Putin said in a statement Monday, asserting that Russia shipped almost 10 million tons of grain to Africa in the first half of this year.

The Russian military company Wagner, after its brief rebellion against Moscow, will be an urgent issue for countries like Sudan, Mali and others who contract with the mercenary group in exchange for natural resources like gold. Russias foreign minister has said Wagners work in Africa will continue.

As for a peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to pursue, that could be discussed at the summit, Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Ozerov told the Kommersant newspaper.

Putin himself is a question. He has visited sub-Saharan Africa only once in more than two decades in power. Last week, after considerable diplomatic pressure, South Africa announced that Putin had agreed not to attend an economic summit there in August because of an arrest warrant for him by the International Criminal Court over Ukraine.

South Africas debate over whether to arrest him was another sign of the ambivalence toward Moscow by a once-steady U.S. ally. But President Cyril Ramaphosa's office on Friday made clear that African leaders are working for an end to the destabilizing Ukraine-Russia war, saying it would be in the continent's economic interests.

The U.S.-backed Africa Center for Strategic Studies has predicted that Russia will try to pull other influential countries including Ethiopia, Congo, Nigeria and Senegal into its orbit. Africa is the most welcoming region for Russia of any other region in the world," the center's Joseph Siegle said.

Like China, Russia tries to appeal to African nations distaste at feeling dictated to by global powers.

A busy tweeter, Russia's ambassador to Kenya drew the praise of that country's foreign minister last week when he objected to a statement by the U.S. and allies expressing concern about live bullets used against Kenyan protests over the rising cost of living. If it is not interference in internal affairs, what is it? Maksimychev asked.

Thank you @russembkenya for this principled position, Kenyas foreign minister, Korir SingOei, replied  just a day after he called Russias decision to end the grain deal a stab on the back."

Despite its high profile in Africa, Russia invests relatively little in it. At the first Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, Putin vowed to double Russias trade with the continent within five years. Instead, it has stalled at around $18 billion a year. Moscow offers less than 1% of what goes to Africa in foreign direct investment, with almost no humanitarian aid.

But Russia can connect with African nations in ways that the West cannot, said Tim Kalyegira, a Ugandan analyst and writer. Russia is one of the few European countries allied with Africa in views about homosexual relations: We are a traditional Christian country. Every time you have an anti-gay bill, were with you, he said.

That could play to U.S. allies like Nigeria and Ghana as well, Kalyegira said.

Uganda faced Washingtons criticism this year for a new law that prescribed the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. President Joe Biden threatened sanctions amid democratic backsliding by a longtime partner.

Now Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is listed as a panelist at the Russia-Africa Summit for a discussion on What forms of new colonialism are being imposed on the global majority by the West today?

Uganda also has been one of the largest buyers of weapons from Russia, Africas top arms supplier, along with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Angola and Burkina Faso.

Kalyegira said Russia now could broker grain supply deals with individual African nations, weakening any continental stance on the war.

The U.S. hosted its own Africa summit last year as part of a growing number of such Africa gatherings by powers including China, France, Turkey, Japan and Britain.

Its worth asking why Americans should care about competing in Africa or investing in its stability. The answer is clear: Africa is poised to shape the 21st century as the worlds fastest-growing demographic and economic power, Joseph Sany with the U.S. Institute of Peace told a U.S. House subcommittee this month.

By 2050, Africans will make up a quarter of the global population," he said.

The delegations heading to Russia are being urged to use that to their advantage.

African states would no doubt rather be kingmakers than be caught in another proxy war, a consultant with the Africa-based Institute for Security Studies, Ronak Gopaldas, wrote earlier this year. A smart approach is to straddle these powers for maximum benefit.

___

Associated Press writers Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia; Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow; and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed to this report.
US officials are concerned about the "price" North Korea will demand in order to secure the safe return of a US Army private who fled across the South Korean border into the nation last week.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul made the comments on Sunday regarding Travis King, who reportedly fled into North Korea after posing as a tourist.

"That was the wrong place to go. But we see this with Russia, China, Iran - when they take an American, particularly a soldier, captive, they exact a price for that," Mr McCaul said during an interview with ABC "This Week." "And that's what I worry about."

He said he did not believe Mr King was defecting, but was "more running from his problems".

Mr King, 23, was reportedly on his way back to the US last week, but skipped his flight back to join a tour group visiting the border between North and South Korea. During the tour he broke from the group and ran across the border.

US officials said he was scheduled to fly to Texas in order to face "pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction" after spending 47 days locked up in South Korea for allegations of assault and damaging public property.

North Korea reportedly has not responded to requests from the Biden administration inquiring about the soldier's status.

Mr King's family has asked for "privacy" as they work to secure his return.

The soldier reportedly said at some point last year he had no intentions of returning the the US, according to ABC News.

"I'm sure that he's not being treated very well," Mr McCaul said on Sunday. "I think it was a serious mistake on his part, and I hope we can get him back."

US Army soldier Travis King (VIA REUTERS)

While North Korean officials have reportedly not responded to Mr Biden directly, the nation is reportedly responding to the United Nations Command.

The deputy commander of the US-led group overseeing the Korean War truce said they had been in contact with Pyongyang, according to Reuters.

Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer acting as deputy commander of the command, said on Monday that the command's primary concern was Mr King's welfare.

"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement," Mr Harrison said. "I can't say anything that could prejudice that process."
Americas culture war is in full stride, and beer has moved into the middle of the fight. Once one of the nations favorites, Bud Light has spiraled down to 14th place.

The reason is Anheuser-Buschs decision to use transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a controversial promotion for the beer. The beer-maker has since lost over $27 billion in market value.

The sad news is the trouble doesnt stop there. A similar challenge is spreading through other corporations. Partnering or pandering to a select group is a companys legal right, but ultimately, it may cost them.

Cans of Bud Light chill in a refrigerator in Oakland, Calif., Friday, April 28, 2023. After more than two decades as America's best-selling beer, Bud Light has slipped into 14th place, after conservatives started a boycott of the brand after it employed a transgender influencer in its marketing.

Troy Williams

Identity has become the polarizing politics of the 21st century.

More: Who will be on Cumberland County ballots this fall? Here's the full list of candidates

More: Troy Williams: U.S. fight over history classes not serving K-12 students

There is a correlation between political power and culture wars, and savvy politicians are finding creative ways to exploit differences. Political messaging around social issues has become a powerful component of political strategies. Politicians will continue to focus on wedge issues, because they have proved successful.

National and state drama always steals the spotlight from local governments, evidenced by the dismal voter turnout compared to other elections. But local governance, in many ways, is more important than state and national governance.

Most basic services, including utilities, sanitation, schools and public safety, are determined locally. So why dont voters pay more attention to their local government, which addresses the issues they care about most? The answer is complex, but hopefully, citizens are tuned in enough to realize elections are underway for the Fayetteville City Council and the other townships in Cumberland County; the filing period for candidates just ended on Friday.

Many things are happening in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, and it matters. The community murder rate continues to be too high. Fayetteville was recently ranked #8 on a list of the most stressed cities in America. Other North Carolina cities on the list were Winston-Salem (71), Greensboro (90), Durham (118), Charlotte (119), and Raleigh ((138).

There are several reasons Fayetteville made the top ten, and one is that citizens dont feel safe. Last week, WTVD ABC 11 reported that several residents from a public housing complex on Grove Street said they were frightened and frustrated over the ongoing violence in their community.

One resident described how her car was shot 15 times recently. They say the violent acts have occurred for over two years and cannot understand why the police have been unable to do something about their situation.

While local governments have traditionally been thought relatively powerless and nonpartisan, things have rapidly changed. Recent years have seen local governments, including our own, jump into cultural conflicts as well.

Hopefully, our elected leaders and those seeking office will remain focused on solving our local problems and side-step the disputes grounded in moral concerns that are hypersensitive to the public and likely to turn our community into an ideological battleground.

Politics is becoming increasingly bitter and divisive. People are passionately choosing sides on contentious issues. Social and political splits are good media topics but rarely solve our community concerns.

Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Williams: Bud Light, culture wars do not address Fayetteville, local issues
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. From 30 July 2023 Lufthansa Cargo AG for the first time will start regular transportation of air freight on the route Frankfurt Yerevan - Frankfurt. Flights will be operated once a week: every Sunday.

For more details, visit the webpage of the airline at: lufthansa-cargo.com.
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has not been and will never be a supporter of creating a corridor and closing the historical corridors between Armenia and Iran, ARMENPRESS reports, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said after the meeting with the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

He noted that they talked about the need to remove barriers to the existing corridors, transit capacities and communications in the region and not to create obstacles for the historical and traditional corridors between the two countries.

He said that Tehran and Yerevan have a special emphasis on the importance of transit routes.

During today's discussions, I presented to my colleague what I heard from Aliyev during our meeting, that he is raising the Zangezur Corridor as a step towards the elimination of obstacles. Aliyev assured that Azerbaijan has not been and will never be a supporter of creating a corridor and closing the historical corridors between Armenia and Iran. We also explained to the Azerbaijani officials that even in crisis conditions we will not close the communication route from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, and in that regard there is an agreement between the two countries," Hossein Amir Abdollahian said.
Dispersing offices across the nation will not only decongest Delhi, but will also become economic drivers that will modernise smaller towns.

One of the early textbooks I read on Political Economy started with a scenario set in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a city with huge traffic problems in the 1970s and 1980s, with a traffic jam at a major intersection on a hot summer day that turns into a gridlock, and then leads to people abandoning their cars, unable to bear the severe heat, only aggravating the problems. This then leads to outbreaks of road rage, fistfights and soon into a welter of riots and inflicting a severe breakdown of law and order, that then spreads to others parts of Brazil. But Sao Paulo still functions. I think India is now a better candidate to revolution coming out of a traffic jam.

Most capital cities have a concentration of government offices of various tiers and responsibilities crowded in as close as possible to the real and imagined corridors of power. In India, apart from the ministries, departments and agencies, we also have a concentration of public sector organisations corporate offices in New Delhi. Many of these actually need not be here.

Lets consider a few examples to illustrate this. Why is the India Meteorological Department required to be in New Delhi? Why must the director-general of civil aviation be in the capital? It goes just as well for the ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, ICG, ICAR, ICMR, ICHR, SAIL, BHEL, COPES and so many others who make for a crowded alphabet soup in New Delhi. The city also has a Delhi government and a mammoth municipal corporation to add to the overcrowding. Then we must ask as to why the NDMC has to be on Sansad Marg, and the Delhi high court sitting almost next door to the Supreme Court? Apparently, there is a magnetism that draws almost every other national organisation to be as close as possible to that small part of India where the national leadership lives and works.

Shifting many of these out of New Delhi will not in any way impair their abilities. The DGCA can operate just as well from Bhiwadi, SAIL from Ranchi, IMD from Pune, BHEL from Bhopal, ITBP from Dehra Dun or Chandigarh, SSB from Lucknow, and so on. And why should the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force be situated in the capital when it can do its job equally well from, say, Saharanpur? No other military command is located even in the NCR, let alone New Delhi. In these days of near instant communication means, proximity is no longer a criterion to effectiveness.

There are very few places in India from where one cannot communicate with a person in another part instantly either by mobile phone, telephone, email, fax and skype on the Internet. So why should everybody be cheek by jowl?

In fact, shifting their head offices out of New Delhi will only unfetter them from their administrative ministries and all those little joint secretaries who lord over them. The further these departments and organisations get away from New Delhi, the more effective they will get. This will curb the temptation to pass the buck upwards or sideways to the next tier next door.

Delhi is now easily the most traffic-congested city in the world. Its stop and crawl traffic is the biggest factor responsible for its abysmal air quality and the millions of man hours wasted in traffic crawls and jams. The disastrous consequences of not doing anything about the ever-worsening traffic are now well known.

But all the solutions that are proposed to further modernise it will lead to bigger and faster mass transit systems, more civic amenities and efforts entailing more construction. These attempts to make the national capital better will paradoxically only attract more people to it, thereby adding to its problems rather than removing them. Then there are some things that are only possible by flattening the old. How can we ever modernise the overcrowded inner areas of many of our cities without reducing the number of people in them? Our inability to protect our rivers and air are testimony to this.

Dispersing offices across the nation will not only decongest Delhi, but will also become economic drivers that will modernise smaller towns and result in far more dispersed urbanisation. Imagine what a SAIL head office in Ranchi will do to decongest Lodhi Road and to the economy of Jharkhand? Or the Western Air Command in Saharanpur will do to relieve traffic around Dhaula Kuan and to modernising Saharanpur and the economy of western UP? In fact, one can make the same argument for all our major cities. The Western Naval Command can be shifted to a new location on the west coast and not only become a more effective fulcrum of Indias IOR domination, but also the fulcrum of economic growth in a virgin area, say Ratnagiri.

In fact, one can make an argument for moving the state capitals out of hopelessly overcrowded cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Patna and Lucknow. This will give a much-needed impetus to the construction sector, which for the foreseeable future will be Indias main economic growth driver.

Construction also has the potential to absorb tens of millions of the rural workforce, and also create demand for industrial goods. Construction will create a huge demand for not just steel and cement, but also construction equipment, transit systems, infrastructure essentials such as power and water distribution, and sewage treatment and disposal systems, among others, that will then drive the industrialisation of India.

China has decided to tackle the over-congestion of Beijing, now second to New Delhi in terms of air and water pollution, to shift out government offices to outside Beijing. Beijings municipal government, that employs tens of thousands, is now being relocated to a satellite town, Tongzhou.

Some other countries have tried to decongest their capital cities by leaving behind the economic capital and taking out the political capital. Malaysias political capital is located at Putrajaya, a brand-new city astraddle the highway to the international airport.

Many of these government departments and organisations can become anchors for new urbanisation and dispersing them will only enhance their independence and effectiveness. Our government suffers from too much micro-management of the routine and often mundane and a severe under management of the macro scenario. This is as much an opportunity to save our existing cities and also to build a new and better India.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal investigators Joseph Ziegler and Gary Shapley have accused the US Department of Justice of blocking an investigation involving President Joe Biden's son, Hunter.

Ziegler was initially known as "Whistleblower X" who, with Shapley, alleged the younger Biden was given special or preferential treatment over his tax affairs and firearm and drug allegations, which he refused to communicate with. Hunter eventually agreed to a plea bargain on both offenses last June and will appear in court by the end of this month.

Here is an overview of who Joseph Ziegler is:

Career Person

In his own words, Joseph Ziegler identified himself as "a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation" who had to "pay for [his] own flight" to attend the House committee hearing in Washington, DC.

"I wanted to start by saying I'm coming here to you today after someone from your committee reached out to my counsel to come in and testify," he said, as it was recorded in the House's session transcript. He also named Dean Zerbe as his legal representation in the proceeding.

Ziegler added he came to Capitol Hill to fulfill his duty as a government employee to abide by lawmakers' requests. He also said he was passionate about his job and career at the IRS and was doing the right thing.

"I always strive to be the most efficient and best agent I can possibly be, always fighting for justice, and I always try [to] make sure that we are doing the right thing for the right reason," he added.

Gay Democrat in the 'Middle of the Road'

During his testimony, Ziegler further described himself as an American whose allegiances are to his country and government. He also revealed to the committee that he is a gay man living with his husband and two dogs, but also stressed his sexuality does not define him as a person.

He added his political beliefs were simple - that though a Democrat, he was situated in the "middle of the road."

"I'm a career government employee, and I have always strived to not let politics enter my frame of mind when working cases," he insisted during the testimony.

Read Also: Hunter Biden Case: FBI Agent Verifies IRS Whistleblower's Claim

Professional Background

During the session, Ziegler stated he received an undergraduate degree in accounting and a master's degree in business administration. He worked as an external auditor before becoming an IRS agent in 2010.

His professional background revolves around healthcare fraud, focusing on handling criminal tax and money-laundering investigations of physicians, pharmacists, and medical billing companies. He also previously worked as a public information officer as a liaison between the IRS and the US Attorney's Office, law enforcement partners, and media partners in helping get publicity for their tax cases.

Today IRS whistleblowers provided evidence revealing how the Justice Department treated the Bidens differently. Thank you to the two brave whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, for having tremendous courage in coming forward.



From the hearing, we learned:



- Hunter pic.twitter.com/3sghNq8b33  Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 20, 2023

Preferential Treatment for Hunter Biden?

The House Oversight Committee has tweeted the summary of Ziegler's and Shapley's testimonies and commended them for their "tremendous courage in coming forward" to reveal how the Justice Department allegedly treated the Bidens differently.

Accusations the whistleblowers testified in the session include the following:

Hunter received millions of dollars from China, Ukraine, and Romania.

There is evidence Joe Biden knew and was possibly involved in his family's business schemes.

Hunter Biden should have been charged with a tax felony, not just the tax misdemeanor charge.

The assigned prosecutors did not follow the ordinary process, slow-walked the investigation, and put in place unnecessary approvals and roadblocks.

The whistleblowers confirm they were not allowed to follow evidence that could have led to Joe Biden.

Both whistleblowers confirmed they had never seen or heard of the FBI's FD-1023 form alleging Joe Biden was involved in a bribery scheme during their investigation.

Both Shapley and Ziegler confirmed they were retaliated against. Shapley, who the IRS still employs, has not heard from his direct supervisor in six weeks.

In addition to the whistleblower's accusations, the House Oversight Committee also contained allegations by a confidential source who said a Ukrainian executive with Burisma, an oil and gas company, felt forced to pay the Bidens $5 million each to stop an investigation into the company by a Ukrainian prosecutor.

DOJ Officials Attempt to Block Investigation, Ziegler Says

When Ziegler told the House committee he was "Whistleblower X," Wednesday (July 19), he revealed a counsel for the FBI instructed him to avoid answering questions from the House Oversight Committee.

"It appeared to me, based on what I experienced, that the US attorney in Delaware in our investigation was constantly hamstrung, limited, and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other US attorneys," he told lawmakers.

According to House documents, the DOJ interfered in the investigation into Hunter's tax issues with a "Delay, Divulge, and Deny" campaign which allegedly shielded him by "allowing the statute of limitations to pass on his tax crimes" and other clandestine activities.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Probe: IRS Whistleblower X Set To Reveal Identity, FBI Agent Told To Avoid Congress Questions

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

A summit between the Cooperation Council of the Gulf States and Central Asian countries was held in Jeddah. The aim: to broaden economic cooperation starting from religious commonality. Every year about 50,000 Saudi tourists visit the historical cities of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Jeddah (AsiaNews) - The first summit of the "Central Asia - Gulf States Cooperation Council" format was held on 19 July in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It was attended by the leaders of 11 countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, along with the presidents of the five Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The meeting took place at the initiative of Riyadh to promote inter-regional economic cooperation, the expansion of investment opportunities, security and the development of humanitarian relations.

The meeting was chaired by the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Muhammed bin Salman. He emphasised the need to strengthen collective efforts to solve problems affecting energy security and the global production chain.

The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zaparov, spoke about the problems related to Afghanistan, Palestine, Yemen and Syria, as well as Sudan and Ukraine. According to press reports, he noted that 'any conflict must be resolved exclusively by political and diplomatic means, at the negotiating table and on the basis of commonly recognised principles and norms of international law'. Zaparov also made proposals for economic cooperation, speaking on behalf of all his colleagues in the region.

As he put it, "Central Asia has its own very important potential in the field of trade, of logistical transition between Asia and Europe, so I propose that our governments propose new forms of cooperation, exchanging experience and expertise in all the most important sectors, from energy to infrastructure, agriculture, health, tourism, IT and the many innovations'. Zaparov then proposed that the Gulf States participate in the mega-project to build a new 'China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan' railway line to facilitate the transportation of all kinds of goods and at the same time 'stimulate mutual cultural exchange'".

The Oman delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Sayid Asaad bin Tariq Al Said, who in the name of Oman Sultan Haysam touched on the issue of Palestine: "the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination, with the capital in East Jerusalem", as stipulated by international agreements and the peace initiatives of Arab countries.

Uzbek President Savkat Mirziyoyev also took the floor to emphasise that the Central Asian countries are expanding the visa-free entry regime as a function of greater cooperation with the Persian Gulf region; he also insisted on the need to counter Islamophobia, extremism and racism worldwide.

Saudi Arabia's Minister for Investment, Halid bin Abdel, made very optimistic statements after the meeting about the expansion of relations between the countries of the two regions, which "are both important parts of the international market system, and the religious commonality, which has existed since the 14th century, makes these relations particularly strong".

Kyrgyz MP Nurzigit Kadyrbekov, head of the 'Kyrgyz-Arab Friendship' group, recalled that 'until now, there was no place for Arab and Central Asian leaders to meet in person, and now many new possibilities are opening up, these are two regions that need each other... they do not have the nature that we have, we do not have the oil that they have'.

The Arabs are particularly interested in tourism in Central Asian countries, and in their agricultural production. According to this year's statistics, about 50,000 tourists come from the Gulf, mainly from Saudi Arabia, to visit the historical cities and tourist areas in the mountains between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Asian food, and especially mountain honey, is also very popular with the Arabs.
by Melani Manel Perera

Colombo (Asia News)  Yesterday, police broke up a rally in Colombo marking the 40th anniversary of Black July when ethnic Tamils were the victims of mass violence, with hundreds of deaths, following an ambush against Sri Lankas military that left 13 soldiers dead.

The memorial event was organised by the North-South Brotherhood and the Socialist Youth Union, centred on the theme Let us not allow division, and fly together, but instead protesters who claimed to be from a racist organisation, the Sihala Ravaya, attacked it near Colombos Borella cemetery.

In Purahala, north-east of the capital, police in riot gear also attacked protesters, sparking complaints from rally organisers who said that the security forces were undermining national unity and preventing people from expressing their right to their opinion.

For organisers, the rally was simply meant to remember the people killed in 1983 in the North and the South by lighting lamps, but another group, the Sihala Urumaya blamed the organisers. For the latter, events such as this, which take money from non-governmental organisations, ought not to be approved."

As for police, they made no effort to stop counterprotesters who came to Borella to attack the rally, claiming instead that the rally itself was an illegal demonstration.

Some human rights groups reported violence at their offices. We cannot allow what happened in 1983 to happen again in this country, rally promoters said. No matter how many obstacles we face, we shall resist.
According to a report released last week, young people in Myanmar have seen progress especially between 2021 and 2022, i.e. during the civil war. The authors of the study include officials representing Myanmars military junta. While fighting continues in border states, some cities are reporting explosions while human trafficking is up with victims taken to regions bordering China.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  Last week the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unveiled the second edition of its Youth Development Index (YDI) covering the period 2013-2022; however, the study raises several questions about the data on Myanmar, which has been torn by a brutal civil war for the past two years ago.

After the military seized power on 1 February 2021, young people began to put up a resistance  first peaceful, then armed  quitting their jobs, education and families.

As Myanmars Armed Forces are pitted against local ethnic militias, both have been recruiting minors to fight, local sources report. One effect has been the rise in drug use and suicides among young people, who, after a decade of democratic openings, had high hopes for a different future.

The ASEAN study suggests that young people in Myanmar have made great progress in education, health and well-being under the government of the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted by the military and now in prison.

With the support of the United Nations Population Fund, Myanmars former government promoted development across the country, launching a national youth plan in 2018. Yet, the ASEAN study claims that the greatest improvements for young people occurred in 2021 and 2022.

This seems highly unlikely. Looking more closely at the report, one sees that the probable reason for so much optimism is the presence of two representatives of Myanmars military junta in the team appointed to draft the document.

Recently, Dr Sasa, minister of International Cooperation and representative of Myanmars exiled National Unity Government (NUG)  which is made up mostly of former NLD lawmakers  posted images of yet another civilian massacre by the military in the northern region of Sagaing.

Junta troops allegedly entered Sokyaung village, Yin Mar Pi municipality, at night, and killed scores of people, a claim that the military regimes Telegram channel dismissed, saying it was perpetrated by the NUGs armed wing, the People's Defence Forces.

For Dr Sasa, In the last 27 months alone, the genocidal military has killed more than 4,000 civilians, including 800 children, unjustly arrested more than 23,000 civilians, not to mention, destroyed more than 70,000 homes, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

According to United Nations data, almost two million people have been displaced across the country, while 18 million are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

In Demoso Township, in the eastern Kayah State, refugees have fled into hills and woodland, sheltering in caves to avoid attacks from the military using weapons from Russia and China.

In the western Chin State, the military have taken some military outposts held by the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) near the city of Thantlang, once a tourist destination with a population of about 10,000, now deserted, reduced to a pile of rubble.

According to a spokesperson for the local resistance, the militarys campaign was successful thanks to the air force. Human rights groups have called for sanctions to be imposed on those who sell fuel to Myanmars junta allowing its planes to fly.

The situation in the country's big cities is no better. According to Radio Free Asia, explosions were reported recently in Lashio (Shan State), Yangon and Mandalay. No one has claimed responsibility.

As a result of the civil war, regular police are unable to do their job. This has led to an increase in human trafficking in the northeastern part of Shan State, on the border with China.

The area is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), a very powerful militia involved in illegal activities, like arms and drugs trade, prostitution (brothels), and casinos along the border with China whose currency, yuan, has become the de facto unit of payment.

According to some observers, although the UWSA has provided weapons and training to other ethnic militias in the country, it is taking advantage of the civil war to build a completely autonomous enclave.
Today's headlines: Protests in Stepanakert over the situation in Nagorno Karabakh; A ferry sinks in Indonesia; Thailand's government wants to attract foreign directors and producers; School roof collapses in China; Floods in Afghanistan and the rest of the region claim dozens of victims; More details of sexual violence emerge from Manipur; Amman and Damascus meet to curb drug trafficking.

UKRAINE - PAKISTAN

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba paid a visit to Pakistan, where he met his counterpart Bilaval Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the first meeting at this level since 1993. The aim of the visit was to divert Islamabad from cooperation with Moscow, from which it buys discounted oil, and to start a closer relationship with Kiev, on the basis of neutrality with regard to the ongoing conflict.

NAGORNO - KARABAKH

The inhabitants of Stepanakert, together with the Armenian politicians of Nagorno Karabakh, continue their 'unlimited' protest action with street sit-ins for the region's independence, after the recent meeting between Presidents Aliev and Pasinyan did not produce any results, nor did the discussion in Brussels between EU ministers on the issue, as Baku continues to refuse to consider the Armenians of Artsakh a qualified interlocutor.

INDONESIA

Shortly after midnight, off the island of Sulawesi, a ferry sank with 40 passengers on board. The causes of the accident are not yet known. So far, rescue services have recovered the bodies of 15 victims and found 19 missing. Despite poor safety standards, Indonesians rely on small boats to travel between the archipelago's thousands of islands.

THAILAND - SOUTH KOREA

The Thai government is introducing additional facilities for foreign actors and producers after an episode of a Korean series - 'King The Land' - popularised the kingdom and its tourist attractions. Under the new rules, filmmakers can receive 20% discounts for every 100 million baht spent on filming in Thailand. They can receive an extra 10% discount if they hire Thai staff, promote Thai culture and film outside major tourist destinations.

CLIMATE CHANGE - SOUTH ASIA

At least 30 people have died in Afghanistan due to the monsoons and 13 others have been killed by landslides in Pakistan in recent days. In India, some 20 bodies have been recovered, but according to rescue services there are still at least 50 missing. Over the past three days, flash floods have occurred throughout the region, also killing hundreds of livestock.

INDIA

After the release of the video in which some women, mother and daughter, from the Kuki ethnic group are harassed and forced to parade around naked, more details emerged on the sexual violence perpetrated in the north-eastern state of Manipur, where intense sectarian clashes have been taking place since the beginning of May. Meitei women have also been victims of violence, but find it more difficult to file a complaint due to issues of honour. However, spokespersons from both communities have stated that they do not trust the Indian government to resolve the conflict.

CHINA

At least eleven people, most of them underage girls, died when a roof collapsed on a school gymnasium in northeast China's industrial province of Heilongjiang. A girls' volleyball team was training inside. A preliminary investigation found that perlite, a form of volcanic glass, had been illegally piled on the roof absorbing rainwater, causing the accident.

SYRIA - JORDAN

The army chiefs of Syria and Jordan met yesterday in an attempt to curb the growing drug trade on the border between the two countries, mostly run by pro-Iranian militias in southern Syria. Amman attacked a drug production centre in May and asked Damascus to cooperate promising in return an end to the isolationism of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Grooming Awards 2023: Hair Care Products

Our Picks for the Best Men's Hair Products of the Year

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

AskMens long-running Grooming Awards are back with the best product, treatment, and device recommendations for making sure you look and feel your absolute best in 2023. Whether youre looking for a top-tier hair trimmer, a serum to make your skin glow, or a cologne to entrance your next date, weve got you covered.

Thats because AskMen writer and grooming expert Joey Skladany combed through thousands of products released in the past year and handpicked the ones that stood out as must-haves. And each and every Grooming Award winner is recommended and tested not just by beauty industry insiders and professional dermatologists, but also, and most importantly, consumers like you.

Hair is a fascinating thing. Its dead yet always growing, its revered as a source of beauty in some cultures and hidden away in others. One thing that seems to be constant: Its obsessed over. So its no wonder that having hair that looks awesome is a big factor in your overall look, and figuring out the right shampoo, conditioner and styling product for you can take your attractiveness to the next level.

Without further ado, these are AskMens top picks for the best hair care products in 2023.

Best Men's Hair Products of 2023

Best Shampoo

Blu Atlas Classic Shampoo

Different hair has different needs, but one shampoo that is great for every human head comes from Blu Atlas. The product is made with coconut-derived surfactants that work overtime to remove dirt, oil, and any other impurities, so you rest assured that only clean, silky-smooth hair will be hitting the pillow at night.

$25 at BluAtlas.com

Best Conditioner

Verb Hydrating Conditioner

Yes, boys. Conditioner is an essential step in your hair routine for silky-smooth, anti-frizz locks. And Verb will make a ginormous difference in your hair quality after rubbing a quarter-sized amount into your scalp, post-shampoo, to deliver some much-needed moisture.

$20 at VerbProducts.com

Best Leave-In Conditioner

Its a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner

Its a 10 proves you dont have to pay a pretty penny for perfect results. If your hair is at a seven, then give it the treatment it deserves with this leave-in conditioner that detangles, prevents breakage, and enhances body (not your actual body, though, unfortunately).

$21 at ItsA10Haircare.com

Best Shampoo + Conditioner Duo

Bulldog 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

No, this is not dog shampoo. Yes, it will drastically improve the quality of your mop. This is the one you can use every day without fear of build-up or hair loss. And its Coastline scent smells, for lack of a better term, freakin amazing.

$8.97 at Walmart.com

Best Shampoo + Conditioner for Thinning Hair

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner

An unfortunate reality of aging (and stress!) is the loss or thinning of hair. But theres a way to preserve your mane with this herbaceous shampoo and conditioner duo that aims to strengthen and restore follicles that are practically begging for extra attention. Warning: The rosemary and mint will remind you of a delicious cocktail and you may need to start happy hour sooner rather than later upon use.

$9.99 at MielleOrganics.com

Best Dandruff Shampoo + Conditioner

Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner

Flakes? Dont know her, at least while using Avedas Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner. The award-winning haircare brand relies on burdock root, echinacea, and sage to help restore your dry, itchy scalp so that you can wear your go-to black t-shirt with confidence once more.

$43.90 at Amazon.com

Best Shampoo + Conditioner for Dry Hair

Curlsmith Essential Moisture Cleanser and Conditioner

Brittle, dry hair has met its match with Curlsmiths Essential Moisture Cleanser and Conditioner that foams but doesnt strip the head of moisture. Also, dont let the name Curlsmith fool you  its formulated to treat any type of hair, from fine and straight to thick and wavy.

$12.50 at Curlsmith.com

Best Shampoo + Conditioner Bars

Good Time

Our second favorite bar comes in the form of shampoo and conditioner and Good Time has, quite frankly, owned this market with a line of bars that smell and work amazingly. Theyre also good for the planet by being 100% plastic-free with carbon-neutral shipping. And a whopping 50% of the companys profits are donated to support clean water initiatives, so good hygiene truly will never feel better.

Find out more at goodtime.org

Best Dry Shampoo

Olaplex N.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo

A dry shampoo is a wonderful investment for those whose hair is oily enough to power an old lamp. And Olaplex has established itself as an authority on yielding thicker, fuller hair with its line of highly-rated products, like this Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo that can be used when life gets in the way and you only have time for a quick spritz in between showers.

$30 at Amazon.com

Best Scalp Scrub

NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Clean 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub and Shampoo

Scrub a dub dub, clean hair in this tub. NatureLab has a certified hit on its hands with this two-in-one scalp scrub that rids your heads dermis of debris. Due to its exfoliation properties, you only need to use it once or twice a week, which means a little goes a long way.

$19 at NatureLab.com

Best Clarifying Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

We can see clearly that Bumble and Bumbles shampoo will become a staple in our shower routines. The brands clarifying shampoo is perfect for the guy who really only needs to wash his hair once a week and relies on his natural oils (lucky!) to feed the scalp hydration.

$86 at BumbleAndBumble.com

Best Shampoo for Curly Hair

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Shampoo

Those envious waves in need of extra special care will thrive with Maui Moistures coconut oil-based curl quenching and anti-frizz shampoo. Its vegan, paraben-free, and, frankly, the only excuse we need to book a ticket to Hawaii, have a spa day, and enjoy all of the beauty products the islands have to offer.

$7.99 at Amazon.com

Best Blond Shampoo

Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Wash

Whether youve dyed your hair platinum or want your blondness to be even more intense, Kevin Murphys Blonde Angel Wash is a showertime must. It eliminates dullness, restores shine, and could *land you a spot in the next Legally Blonde sequel. *Results not likely.

$35 at KevinMurphy.com

Best Hair Mask

John Masters Organics Rose & Apricot Hair Mask

If a used brillo pad looks better than what youre currently rocking, consider this rose and apricot hair mask to infuse much-needed moisture into your scalp so that hair can grow with shine, thickness, and pizzazz. OK, so you may need a little help with the pizzazz part, but luckily John Masters Organics has an entire line of products to help you achieve your styling goals.

$32 at JohnMasters.com

Best All-In-One Hair and Body Wash

Every Man Jack 3-in-1 All Over Wash

An all-in-one may be the definition of peak laziness, but if youre going to go that route, do it with a product that actually works and wont cost an arm and a leg. Every Man Jack ticks all the boxes with their all-over wash that works just as effectively on the head as it does on the toes. And it smells wonderful, to boot, with scents like cedarwood and sandalwood.

$17 at EveryManJack.com

Best Hair Growth Supplement

Keeps

Most hair loss requires a personalized treatment plan based on hair type, progression, and causes. Once you go through the process of answering questions and meeting with Keeps dermatologists, the medical team then comes up with a customized action plan that you can test for three months to figure out if it really works for you. This prevents a trip to the doctor and prescriptions are sent through the mail so you can have the key to thicker, fuller hair delivered right to your doorstep.

Find out more at Keeps.com

Best Hair Dye

John Frieda Precision Foam Color

While we always recommend the expertise and care of a hair professional, sometimes a dye job must happen in a pinch. But dont subject your hair to the harsh chemicals of most box kits. Instead, consider John Friedas Precision Foam Color line which locks in salon-quality color that actually lasts.

From $29.99 at Amazon.com

Best Hair Serum

Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum

Nothing will come close to hair treatments prescribed by the derm, but we found success in stimulation with Act + Acres Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum. Simply apply two pipettes-worth to parted, damp hair, massage it into the scalp, and leave it to absorb. The result: less shedding and more hair growth.

$86 at ActAndAcre.com

Best Grooming Cream

American Crew Forming Cream

American Crew, perhaps the most recognizable mens hair care line in the world, has created a name for itself with its classic forming cream. And if it aint broke, dont fix it. Use it for medium hold, medium shine, and a large number of compliments. Supporting the brand is basically patriotic.

$21 at AmericanCrew.com

Best Fiber Hair Styling Product

Imperial Barber Fiber Pomade

Fiber has got to have a bit of flexibility, but maintain its signature hold. And Imperial Barbers Fiber Pomade is one of the best in the biz. Its highly pliable and boasts extra-long fibers so that your hair is free to roam and wont be weighed down by too much unnecessary gunk.

$24 at ImperialBarberProducts.com

Best Pomade

Barb Soft Clay Pomade

Pomades dont have to be an oil slick to the hair strands, which is why we opt for Barbs soft clay iteration that is creamy, flexible, and 100% plant-derived, making for a grooming experience that is equal parts successful and friendly to the environment.

$30 at TheBarbShop.com

Best Textured Hair Styling Product

Eufora Hero Texture Putty

Limp, boring hair deserves a bit of zhuzh and extra texture. Enter Eufora Hero Texture Putty: The latest addition to your medicine cabinet and the product youll likely use every day. Style it into dry or damp hair for an effortless look that looks like you put effort into it. And then say that ten times fast to impress those around you even more.

$23.25 at Eufora.net

Best Volumizing Spray

Kenra Volume Spray

Things that benefit from more volume: alcohol, derrieres, surround-sound TVs, and hair. Kenra takes care of the latter with a spray that actually strengthens locks so they can stand up to convertibles, roller coasters, or whatever you decide to put them through in a typical day.

$20.99 at Ulta.com

Best Hair Styling Product for Curly Hair

Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel

Curly-haired dudes require styling products that accommodate their specific hair type and Ouidad fits the bill, enhancing bounce and luster with this moisturizing style gel that doubles as a hydrator. Is it time to bring back the Justin Timberlake ramen hair? All signs point to yes.

$26 at Ouidad.com

Best Hair Styling Gel

Harrys Sculpting Gel

Gel may seem a bit old-school, but with a brand like Harrys, you wont get that crunchy, crispy ridiculousness from the 90s. Instead, you get high hold and high shine that will last until your next shampoo.

$8.98 at Walmart.com

Best Hair Spray

Oribe Superfine Hair Spray

Youll be feeling super fine after spraying Oribes top-selling can that has developed a cult following among Instagrams beauty influencer community. The hold is medium so you can style as you go, but its strong enough to keep intentional waves and loose tassels intact for hours on end.

$23 at Oribe.com

Best Hair Protector

Moroccan Oil Protect and Prevent Spray

We protect friends, family, and feelings, but not always our hair. That changes today with Moroccan Oils Protect and Prevent Spray, designed to shield the head from damaging UV rays, pollutants, and projectile beads of saliva from that annoying coworker who simply cant shut up.

$34 at Sephora.com

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I'm fine, as I'm very fortunate to own my home

I own, but I'm feeling the pinch on my mortgage with other inflation costs

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But, of course, this summer's headline from Hyundai is the two-part introduction of the Land Rover Defender-lookalike, boxy-styled mid-size Santa Fe crossover. For now, we only have the initial details and the inaugural batch of photos, while in late August, all the juicy details should be ready to be spilled around the world. And, until then, of course, there are some who don't have the patience to wait that long.Of them, a few can also do something about their impatience and take matters into their hands. Or rather, at the tip of their CGI brushes as we deal with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Meet the virtual artist better known as Theottle on social media, who has also taken notice of his peers' attempts at enhancing the looks and prowess of the all-new, fifth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe. But unlike his fellow pixel masters, he did not just change the colors or ruggedize the tough-looking OEM design.Instead, the CGI expert decided that this bold attempt at reinventing a very popular Hyundai nameplate not only deserves a place in automotive history but also to spawn a few siblings. Other authors have imagined it as an aggressive Santa Fe N derivative to make the Ford Explorer ST think about its success, but this artist thinks the new styling is better served in practical 'Ute' form.As such, his dream Santa Fe is about ready to join the little Santa Cruz unibody compact pickup truck after it gets a longer wheelbase, gets rid of some of the body elements, and also adopts a more 'natural' rear look for the pixel-LED taillights. Oh, and let us not forget about the bed's cargo space, of course.All in all, it is not a bad effort per se. However, the South Korean company might be weary of attempting another US-dedicated pickup truck because the stylish Santa Cruz is not doing fantastic when trying to mitigate the popularity of its only competitor  Ford's Maverick. So, presumably, the corner office head honchos would be even less inclined to unleash a unibody Santa Fe mid-size pickup truck on the market where Toyota's Tacoma still rules undefeated even before switching to an all-new, 2024 model year iteration.However, there is also one argument for such a quirky Santa Fe 'Ute' scenario  Honda's unibody Ridgeline has been faring a lot better than expected as of late and even beat the Jeep Gladiator, Ford Ranger, and GMC Canyon during the first six months of the year in terms of US market deliveries. Cool, right?
The second-generation BRZ has received the sportiest version thus far in the form of the tS, which is due to arrive in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2024. Rather than a full-on STI, the tS flaunts STI-tuned Hitachi dampers fore and aft.

LSD

Photo: Subaru

Other highlights include Brembo-supplied brake calipers painted in a bronze-ish gold, EyeSight Driver Assist Technology in combination with a manual transmission, dark gray 18-inch alloys, Pilot Sport 4 rubber, tS badging, and tS detailing for the cabin, which includes blue stitching. The seat bolsters, parking brake boot, shifter boot, and leather-wrapped steering wheel feature blue stitching, regardless of the exterior paint color.Going on sale for the 2024 model year later in 2023, the BRZ tS will be offered in all colors of the Limited and Premium trim levels. Easily identifiable from the Crystal Black Silica gloss-black mirror caps and shark fin-like antenna, this version packs four- and two-piston brake calipers in combination with larger brake pads and rotors.Slotted above the Premium grade, the tS doesn't feature a manually-adjustable rear wing as its predecessor did. Sporty front seats come standard, along with blue leather accents down the middle. The starter button proudly reads STI, whereas the digital instrument cluster displays the Subaru Tecnica International logo and tS-specific red accents.Heated power mirrors, a two-channel amplifier, Starlink Safety and Security, Steering Responsive Headlights with BRZ inserts in red, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Blind-Sport Detection are standard as well. Those in the market for the tS should also look forward to a Torsen-typeout back, dual-zone auto climate control, welcome lights, and Incline Start Assist.When it comes to the oily bits, you'll probably be disappointed to find out that Subaru didn't improve on the naturally-aspirated boxer's existing output figures. More specifically, the tS will develop the same 228 ponies at 7,000 revolutions per minute and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) at 3,700 revolutions per minute as the Premium and Limited grades.The attached release doesn't mention anything about the optional six-speed automatic. Given the sportier character of the tS, a torque-converter auto simply doesn't make sense. The Japanese automaker hasn't said anything in regard to curb weight. For future reference, the BRZ Premium 6MT is rated at 2,815 pounds (1,277 kilograms).Half a second quicker to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) than the automatic, the manual transmission also happens to be lighter. More specifically, opting for the 6AT sees the BRZ Premium's curb weight grow to 2,864 pounds (1,299 kilograms). The BRZ Limited is listed at 2,835 and 2,881 pounds (1,286 and 1,309 kilos).The final piece of the puzzle is pricing. To be confirmed later in 2023, the BRZ tS should cost a few bucks more than the BRZ Limited. The 2023 model year's best-equipped trim level starts at $31,095 (sans destination freight charge), whereas the BRZ Premium can be yours from $28,595.
It will be "super-sexy," Alfa Romeo's CEO said about the upcoming supercar. And he got heads turning in a heartbeat. Now the Italians reportedly have a name for their first supercar in 16 years.

The supercar that Alfa Romeo is working on would be their first after the iconic 8C Competizione . It will be a limited-edition model, and the carmaker is planning on unveiling it on August 30, at the company's museum located in Arese, some 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) north of Milan, Italy. They have chosen that exact date for the event because that is when this year's Italian Grand Prix is set to take place.Various names have been rumored for the model, with the 6C being in pole position. It would have been a hint at the powertrain the car will supposedly come with, a V6, just like the V8-powered supercar was called the 8C.But that is probably not going to happen. Autocar reports that the model will be called 33, a reference to the legendary 33 Stradale from the 1960s. It is also a hint at the number of cars that Alfa Romeo will be producing. Just 33 will see the light of day, each being priced at 1 million euros ($1,108,868). Top speed of 333 kph (206 mph) is no coincidence either.Alfa Romeo has been teasing the supercar for a while now. The latest teaser image that they came up with was accompanied by a streamline that read "dare to dream." That is the message that also shows up in the live stream already set up on Alfa's YouTube channel, in anticipation of the supercar.The carmaker's CEO, Jean Philippe Imparato, revealed that customers had been placing deposits even before Alfa Romeo's parent company Stellantis officially signed off the supercar. The model is apparently already sold out. Nothing out of the ordinary, since that is what Imparato said would happen back in February: "It will be sold out before I even unveil the car." That is when he said that it would be iconic and super-sexy As for what will eventually power the Alfa Romeo 33, the carmaker has not confirmed anything yet. But it might find inspiration in Maserati's MC20, as well as some sort of electrification.The MC20 comes with the groundbreaking 3.0-liter Nettuno engine, capable of 630 PS (621 horsepower), and is set to get a pure hybrid version in 2024, the MC20 Folgore. Alfa's supercar should get a gasoline engine, the twin-turbo 2.9-liter unit, assisted by an electric motor, a setup that would include the Formula One-derived pre-chamber combustion system sporting twin-spark plugs, just like the MC20. Together they would churn out way more than the Nettuno is able to offer: around 800 PS (789 horsepower).
The Just Stop Oil, an environmental activist group in the U.K., is getting people's attention... in a negative way.

Now, because many individuals already had enough with their activities, a counter group decided to attack its event.

Just Stop Oil's Event Derailed by Alarms Attached to Balloons!

According to The Daily Mail UK's latest report, the Just Stop Oil organization decided to throw a party.

However, their banquet was derailed after the counter group called "Just Stop Pissing People Off" sent balloons with annoying rape alarms.

"Props to @j_s_p_p_o for their impeccable action design," said JSO via its official Twitter post.

Props to @j_s_p_p_o for their impeccable action design. We invited them to eat with us, but the alarms they let off at our banquet instead were the perfect metaphor for the urgency of the climate crisis  pic.twitter.com/ohr3RSfezh  Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) July 23, 2023

The environmental activist group said that they invited JSPPO to eat with them. However, the counter group decided to let off alarms attached to balloons.

Instead of supporting JSO, some Twitter users decided to criticize the environmental organization.

One of them asked if there were fossil fuels used in the preparation of the food prepared for JSO's formal event.

He added that if they stop all fossil fuel too rapidly, how could the organization get the food they need?

The latest incident that JSO experienced shows that people are definitely not on their side.

Read Also: LGB Alliance Wins Legal Challenge vs. Trans Charity Mermaids

Why JSO is Criticized

You may be wondering why the Just Stop Oil organization is criticized by many people in the U.K. and other parts of the world.

This is because of how they do their protests. BBC News reported that the main tactic of the environmental group is to disrupt traffic.

In most cases, U.K. residents are furious with the disruptions caused by JSO.

One of these was posted on TikTok, showing a mother asking the protesters to clear the way since her baby needed to go to the hospital.

Meanwhile, other people are angry since they just want to go to work. However, JSO protesters are blocking their way. In the United Kingdom, the wilful obstruction of a highway has a penalty of 51 weeks imprisonment.

The National Highways and Transport for London already asked for High Court injunctions to prevent these protesters from blocking or causing any disruptions on major roads.

Some JSO protesters were already arrested for their unacceptable way of campaigning.

However, the organization's members are still doing their strategy despite people's criticisms.

Related Article: Man Arrested at London Hospital for Injuring 2 People in Knife Attack

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Photo: KJE Tiny Homes

Photo: KJE Tiny Homes

Photo: KJE Tiny Homes

And then, there are park-model tiny houses like the Brazilian Manor. Park model tinies are still mobile but can only be moved by special permit because they're wider than the standard 8 feet (2.4 meters). To compensate, they offer a considerably larger footprint, which, in return, means more home-worthy features, increased comfort, and more space for the fam.The Brazilian Manor, for one, truly lives up to its name. It sits on a triple-axle trailer and uses the gooseneck configuration to further expand living space up to a total of 400 square feet (37.2 square feet)  a true feat for tiny living. It's long (40 feet/12.2 meters) and wide (10 feet (3 meters)), so it's the ideal canvas on which KJE Tiny Homes paints a family home for six people, complete with a residential kitchen and proper bathroom. Make that a luxury bathroom.A larger footprint allows for less compromising, so there's little of it in the layout of the kitchen or the bathroom. As you must know, if you've been keeping up with tiny living, most tinies will adopt the smallest yet still functional layout for either space. But for this particular model, KJE Tiny Homes goes supersize.The bathroom is the real highlight of the home, featuring plenty of space to fit a toilet, a walk-in shower with a cabin, a washing station, additional storage, and a standalone bathtub. Tubs are a rarity in tiny houses on considerations of space, but this one is a nice exception. This is also the first tiny with a tub from this particular builder.Brazilian Manor offers three bedrooms thanks to a dual-loft design. The main bedroom is on the ground floor, while the other two are lofted areas that could be used as storage rooms or a secondary living room. The main living room is on the ground floor, next to the kitchen, centered around a gorgeous wood-burning stove.One loft sits over the master bedroom, while the other is in the gooseneck part of the house . This is where you're in for another surprise because access to it is done through a walk-in stand-in wardrobe, another rarity in a tiny home. Every area in the house has at least one type of storage available  downsize if you want, but you still need the basics in terms of clothing and shoes, and it has to go somewhere when not in use.This unit of Brazilian Manor comes in a 3-color combination for the exterior as if to announce the living areas inside before you even step foot in them. To further equip it for (not so frequent) adventures, the builders added an exterior shower and bicycle storage outside at the request of the owners.There's no word on pricing for this unit, which shouldn't come as a surprise since this is a custom build. That said, the same rule that applies to brick-and-mortar houses applies to tinies, so the bigger the livable area, the higher the price. A smaller home from the same builder, like the Olivewood, which is only 34 feet (10.3 meters) long and doesn't have a third bedroom, retails for over $125,000. Which is to say, this is a luxurious home not just in name and features but also pricing.
A California resident bought a brand-new Tesla Model 3 and only paid $13,620 before taxes for it! He took it to Twitter to explain how he actually did it.

Electric Vehicle

Tesla is indeed working on a budget car

Just got a Tesla Model 3 in CA for $13,620 before taxes & fees! Thanks to a unique combo of state/local rebates, the federal tax credit and a $4120 discount from inventory, I got this amazing deal!! ????



Detailed breakdown below???? #Tesla #Model3 $TSLA pic.twitter.com/sL7cHQxOGc  Zohar (@Zoron9102) July 20, 2023

Rebate & tax credit:

$7500 from (CVRP) Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.

$4000 from the Electrify Your Ride program from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE).

$4000 from the Monterey Bay Air Resources District - Electric Vehicle Incentive Program.

$7500 from the Federal Tax Credit.  Zohar (@Zoron9102) July 20, 2023

The carmaker has indeed slashed prices on inventory cars. But there is still a long way from around $37,000 to around $14,000.The Tesla Model 3 that this customer chose started at $37,120. So buying one for less than half the price would be surreal. But a California resident did it. The customer that calls himself Zohar on Twitter admitted to paying just $13,620 before taxes and fees. How did he get there?He explains in his tweet that everything was down to a unique combo of state/local rebates, the federal tax credit and a $4,120 discount from inventory. He knows he got an amazing deal. That is just about how much European customers would now pay for the Dacia Spring, the most affordable electric car in Europe. But the Tesla Model 3 is no Spring in terms of equipment, safety, output, tech, and size.What he bought is an inventory base Tesla Model 3 that features the Midnight Silver Metallic body paint, which is included in the price, over a white interior, which comes for $1,000. Also included are the 18-inch Aero Wheels with all-season tires that his car wears.An inventory discount slashed $4,120 of the price of the compact sedan. A referral reduced it by $500 more and also brought him for free the three-month Full-Self Driving capability.Due to a financial issue he went through last year, Zohar qualified for the top rebates in each program that is available for low-income individuals. His income has meanwhile increased, so he also has a good credit score tis year. The shift helped him benefit from $7,500 federal clean vehicle credit.The Monterey Bay Air Resources District offered him a $4,000 discount within theIncentive Program. An extra $4,000 came from the Electrify Your Ride Program from Central Coast Community. So he ended up with a total of $23,000 of incentives, going all the way down to $13,620.He, though, had to pay the $1,390 destination charges and the 9.25 percent tax rate, which amounts to $3,515, taking the total price of his brand-new car to $18,525.That is probably way less than the budget car that Tesla has been talking about for years. The sub-$25,000 Tesla, which will reportedly be called Model 2 (Model Q and Model I have also been on the speculation list), should roll off the assembly line at Giga Berlin. It will most likely be sold in Europe and China.The budget Tesla should come as either a compact or a sub-compact car, in the shape of a high-riding hatchback, and should be unveiled in 2024 as Teslas most affordable model. But knowing Tesla, nothing is for sure when it comes to the start of production.
As you're well aware, Australia and the European Union received the second-generation Ranger Raptor ahead of American customers. The aftermarket came up with plenty of upgrades since the T6.2 rolled out in February 2022. One of these aftermarket companies is Poland-based Carlex Design, which recently launched the T-REX Styling Pack at 18,339.30 (including installation).

Converted to freedom eagles, make that $20,305 at current exchange rates. While it may seem a fair chunk of moolah, you do get quite a few upgrades, including 18-inch alloys mounted with 33- by 12.5-inch rubber boots meant for rugged terrain.The list continues with a set of wheel arch extensions, LINE-X protective coating on a multitude of elements  including the Pickup Design StyleBar Extreme sport bar  and Pickup Design Terrain side steps. Both of the bumpers, as well as the Pickup Design roof cover for the driving lights, are also protected with LINE-X.Even the hood scoop is coated in LINE-X. The beefier front bumper and radiator guard are complemented by T-REX lettering in red. This color is also present around the headlights and under the upper grille. The taillights and tailgate received a similar treatment. Carlex Design also removed the bedside Raptor decals in favor of T-RX decals in wait for it the very same red.A Tessera4x4 roller lid roller shutter is also included, as are Lazer driving lights. These lights feature 4,500-lumen LEDs. Unfortunately, the good folks at Carlex Design haven't done anything to the rather disappointing V6 engine.The 3.0-liter EcoBoost is perfectly fine in Australia and the United States, but over in Europe, it runs a vanilla tune and gasoline particulate filters due to emission regulations. In other words, you're getting 288 horsepower and 362 pound-feet (491 Nm) as opposed to 392 in Australia and 405 in America. The peak torque rating for the Aussie and US versions of the Ranger Raptor is 430 lb-ft (583 Nm) for both.Over in Poland, the Ranger Raptor is listed with a recommended starting price of 262,850 zloty, which is $65,400 at current exchange rates. The Euro-spec Ranger Raptor is manufactured in South Africa, whereas the American sibling is assembled in Michigan at the factory where FoMoCo also makes the Bronco since MY21.Including the $1,595 destination and delivery, the 405-horsepower Ranger Raptor for the US market is $56,960 at the moment of reporting. Deliveries will kick off in late summer, concomitantly with the 2.3-liter Ranger. The 2.7-liter Ranger is expected to hit dealers nationwide in the fall.The redesigned Ranger won't have it easy, though, because Toyota also redesigned the segment's best-selling truck. What's more, you can specify a six-speed manual in the Tacoma . Worse still for the Ford Motor Company, the Japanese rival can also be had with a hybrid-assisted powertrain built around the automaker's 2.4-liter turbo I4 mill.
Christoph Lindner became a prolific source about new and old Tesla issues. The German lawyer created the website TeslaAnwalt (Tesla Attorney) and got on our radar in March 2022, when the BEV maker was sentenced to buy back a Model 3 because "Volles Potenzial fur autonomes Fahren,"  the German version of Full Self-Driving  did not work as it should. Lindner has revealed several other issues with Tesla vehicles since then. One of the most shocking was a brand-new Model 3 delivered with cracked jacking points.

BEV

autoevolution  Please tell me when you started working with consumer rights and more about your experience before the first cases involving Tesla emerged.

Photo: Antonia Lindner

ae  What made you specialize in Tesla cases and create the TeslaAnwalt (Tesla Attorney) website?

ae  Do you see any patterns with the defects Tesla vehicles present?

Full Self-Driving

Photo: Christoph Lindner

ae  How many different issues have you dealt with related to Tesla vehicles?

ae  You probably receive complaints about other EV makers. How do you compare them to what you see with Tesla vehicles?

ae  You must receive several consultations from Tesla customers in the US, Canada, and other European countries, don't you? How do you deal with them?

Photo: TMC Forum

ae  Do these foreign situations help you deal with local cases? What comes to my mind is establishing when a defect started happening, from which factory it came, and things like that.

ae  Which is the scariest case you have ever seen with Tesla vehicles?

ae  After dealing with so many cases involving Tesla vehicles, what would you recommend to anyone wondering about having an electric car from this brand?

With so much to say about the Americanmaker, the German attorney deserved to tell his stories. I asked him a few questions about how he turned into the TeslaAnwalt, the cases he and his team are currently dealing with, and what he recommends fans of the BEV maker should do to avoid surprises. Lindner was kind enough to answer them. You can check our chat below and keep an eye on the new cases he will undoubtedly reveal in the future, such as Tesla trying to convince judges its cars only last 210,000 km (130,488 miles). For now, learn more about the man trying to get Tesla to do the right thing: as a lawyer and as a customer.Christoph Lindner  That was actually a while ago: when I started out as a young lawyer in 2014, I was already interested in consumer rights on the one hand  and responsible corporate conduct on the other. And for David vs. Goliath scenarios, I always had a special preference! Things really took off in the following years with the Volkswagen diesel scandal. While Volkswagen quickly gave in out of fear of the damages and penalties in the US, the corporation is still trying to defend itself legally in Germany wherever possible. Volkswagen hires the most expensive law firms, and they write hundreds of pages in every case. We have learned a lot there: how corporations without a code of business ethics behave in court, what to do to win against them, and how to use your resources most effectively.Lindner  In 2019, I needed a new car and started looking into electric mobility. Tesla fascinated me! I started reading all about Elon Musk and the Tesla story and spent many nights watching YouTube videos about Tesla. But in the process, I kept coming across reports from customers who were bitterly disappointed with the quality of the vehicles, especially the service. I decided to try it out for myself and bought a used 2016 Model S 90D directly from Tesla. What a career-changing decision (it was). I can't give any details due to confidentiality commitments, but already with this car, there was one or the other legal dispute with Tesla. With the experience gained and the great demand from disappointed Tesla customers, things moved quickly: one case after the other came in, and our Tesla Litigation Team grew. Then, in early 2021, we launched our TeslaAnwalt.de website. Today, our firm consists of 18 team members, more than a third of whom primarily deal with Tesla. However, one thing is important to me: just because we are suing Tesla doesn't mean we don't love Tesla. On the contrary: I just did it again. I bought a Tesla Model X Raven LR because the vehicle is basically the best seven-seat electric vehicle out there. But Tesla finally needs to learn to treat their customers in a fair way, and that process is what we're helping to speed up with our lawsuits.Lindner  We work in a very structured way and always try to form categories and find out a pattern. The first category certainly is processing defects that reasonable quality management at the factory could avoid: for example, defective paint, loose components, damage, and gaps in the bodywork. The second category comprises software defects of all kinds, but, above all, the problems with Autopilot and. The third category would follow from this: it simply includes guaranteed features that are missing from the vehicles, such as the promised top speed of the Tesla Model S Plaid, which is only around 260 kph (161.6 mph) instead of 322 kph (200 mph). The topic of the sudden omission of the ultrasonic sensors and the terrible Tesla Vision also falls under this. The fourth category involves cases in which Tesla later intervenes in the software via over-the-air (OTA) and not only uses updates for improvements but also, for example, to limit the charging power. The law in Germany is not yet well prepared for this because these technical possibilities and the fact that they are also radically used are new. And the fifth category consists of blatant individual cases: defective batteries that are not replaced for months, vehicles that are damaged by Tesla during repair, disappeared payments, delivery delays, and so on  I could go on for hours!Lindner  Between 50 and 100 different issues, I would say, and there are more almost every day. We'll have about 1,000 mandate requests for Tesla problems this year if it continues like this. Based on last year's sales figures in Germany, that would mean that more than 1% of all Tesla customers in this country are so desperate that they turn to our law firm.Lindner  Yes, there are more and more: Mercedes, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Skoda, Renault, MG, Polestar, and so on. There are currently far fewer cases than Tesla because the other manufacturers are trying harder to please their customers. The processing quality is usually good there, but here it is more about software errors and battery problems. I am very excited if US companies like Fisker, Lucid, and Rivian enter the European market now or soon. I think they're smart and innovative enough to engage with customers better than Tesla.Lindner  We always have inquiries from the US and, of course, from other European countries. It usually makes sense to use a lawyer from the respective country, but we are watching proceedings against Tesla with great interest, such as in the US, the Netherlands, and Norway.Lindner  Of course, we are always learning, and the whole technical side is super interesting. Valuable information comes to us through the Tesla owners' communities in many countries. But we would like to take a special step in the future. As I indicated at the beginning, the European and, especially, the German legal system is too lax when it comes to enforcing consumer rights. In addition, we have many cases in which Tesla Germany claims that it is not their fault, if at all, Tesla Inc. is responsible for all the problems presented. We would therefore like to sue Tesla Inc. for the defects on the vehicles of German customers in the US. In Germany, we have no real class action lawsuits, no discovery process, and no punitive damages. But corporations will only become more honest and fair when it becomes really expensive to be dishonest and unfair to consumers. So, if you know of a US law firm with experience with Tesla, get in touch with me! As you know, Germany is still the country of unlimited Autobahn speed, so we have quite some Tesla Model S Plaid customers who want to have the promised 322 kph max speed...Lindner  This is a tough question. We really hear a lot of different issues every day. But the most frightening thing for me is probably still how many shortcomings Autopilot and Full Self-Driving have, even after quite some years when they should have seriously improved. Phantom braking or steering into oncoming traffic is scary and can become very dangerous very quickly.Lindner  If you are in Germany: don't buy a Tesla without first obtaining legal protection insurance  you may need it. Germans love security, so, fortunately, many customers have such insurance, which often makes it possible for consumers to take such a large corporation to court in the first place. Otherwise, if you buy a Tesla, you will most likely have incredible driving fun and be impressed by the efficiency  but possibly you will also suffer if problems occur and Tesla does not solve them. But we're working every day to make Tesla a fair company. So, if we are successful, someday, we hopefully can move on and sue other corporations to respect consumer rights!
SUV

And it's not because of a lack of trying. The Japanese automaker kicked off a veritable volcano spree of introductions this year with models like the reinvented and reintroduced S235 Crown sedan-crossover, the 2023 Prius 'Hybrid Reborn' including in 220-hp Prime plug-in form, 2023 Corolla Cross (coming instead of the departing, smaller C-HR), the Corolla Nightshade family, and many more  like the trio of special editions for the GR models.Oh, wait, we did not even talk about the year's heroes, right? Well, those include stuff like the 2024 Grand Highlander three-row family-oriented crossover, as well as the N400 fourth generation of the best-selling Tacoma pickup truck. But that is not all, and not even remotely, because the company will soon kick everything into an even higher gear with the reintroduction of the Land Cruiser nameplate.However, these folks are usually two steps ahead of OEMs when it comes to the rumor mill and the section of the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. For example, while Toyota incessantly teases the return of the Land Cruiser nameplate, the whisperers are already discussing potential other introductions like the 4Runner off-roador the Highlander crossover.Speaking of the latter, the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have a satellite venue dubbed AutoYa Interior , and that's where all the (CGI) Toyota action is happening right now. So, not long after they discussed the hypothetical preview of the 2025 Land Cruiser 250 or Prado, the channel's resident pixel master also took a digital swing at the upcoming facelift for the XU70 fourth-generation Highlander CUV.If you think about it, that is quite logical  especially if you look at the longer-wheelbase Grand Highlander and its better aesthetics based on the latest Toyota design language. The channel thought this to be long in the making, so they now have a fresher CGI take on the Highlander matters  and we also embedded the old renderings in the gallery for a quick comparison.The video embedded below, as always, should be taken with a healthy dose of salt as nothing is official from Toyota just yet. But truth be told, the 2024 Highlander looks excellent with the reworked front fascia and a bunch of (unofficial) ritzy colors  both inside and outside. So, which hue combination is your favorite, and does this hypothetical digital project warrant our CGI hall pass or not?
Turning out attention to the XE, which continues to be sold in other markets, a handful of sedans produced to US specifications are called back over a concern with the rearview camera. Suspect vehicles all feature the Navigation Pro system.Back in October 2022, the safety boffins at Jaguar Land Rover were informed of the rearview camera image not being correctly displayed in a customer's vehicle. The Product Safety and Compliance Committee within Jaguar Land Rover tasked the engineering department to investigate pretty much everything from the software of the infotainment system to the wiring and routing.Lo and behold, wiring damage may lead to the rearview camera image displaying intermittently or giving up the ghost for good. Both outcomes don't meet the requirements of a certain motor vehicle safety standard (number 111 for rear visibility), which is why Jaguar didn't really have a choice but to call back a total of 3,134 sedans.Affected vehicles were manufactured exclusively for the 2019 model year at the Castle Bromwich and Solihull assembly plants in the United Kingdom. Their production dates range between June 18, 2018 and July 9, 2019. All of them feature a camera wiring harness produced by Newcastle-under-Lyme's Leoni Wiring Systems UK LTD.As expected, retailers will be instructed to inspect the rearview camera's functionality and wiring harness. If the image displays just fine and the harness isn't damaged, service technicians will replace some clips to ensure the correct routing.If needed, both the wiring harness and cable retaining clips will be replaced. At no charge to the owner, of course! Jaguar 's North American division will inform owners of this recall no later than September 15 by first-class mail. No crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of this problem, yet Jaguar is aware of 26 field reports and warranty claims filed with the British automaker from February 2021 to July 2023.Codenamed X760, the X-Type's underwhelming heir apparent was launched in September 2014. Series production kicked off in April 2015, with the XE being underpinned by the Jaguar Land Rover D7a platform of the XF and F-Pace. The Range Rover Velar also uses this rather outdated platform.Once available with Ford's 2.0-liter EcoBoost, the XE is Jaguar's most affordable car at press time. In the UK, the most spartan configuration available is 33,230 pounds sterling as opposed to 43,185 for the E-Pace. At current exchange rates, make that $42,665 for the rear-biased sedan and $55,440 for the front-biased yet all-wheel-drive crossover.
Elon Musk said at the Q2 2023 earnings call that autonomy should be solved this year. He has said that every year since 2016. What made things different this time was that the Tesla CEO said the BEV maker is in early discussions "with a major OEM about using Tesla FSD." If this can be trusted more than everything else Musk says, rest assured that the BEV maker wants more than money from such a deal: it wants validation and surrender.

Full Self-Driving

FSD

Photo: Tesla

BEV

ADAS

Apart from Tesla investors in need of a narrative, no one else takesseriously. The several episodes caught on camera of the system putting its users at risk of collisions were more than enough for safety advocates such as Ralph Nader to urge American legislators to ban it from US roads as soon as possible. Promises of improvement were never convincing, which is a massive threat to Musk's plans.The CEO already said that solvingis "the difference between Tesla being worth a lot of money and being worth basically zero." With public opinion mocking what the company achieved so far, having a major carmaker licensing the technology would help Musk try to create a NACS effect with its software.If you have no idea what I am talking about, several automakers announced they would adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) from 2024 onward. Although NACS connectors are considered elegant, light, and effective, the reason behind this mass adoption has more to do with access to the Supercharging network than with a recognition of how superior that connector is compared to CCS2. Automakers have realized they can only sell battery electric vehicles (BEVs) if these vehicles have reliable chargers. The only network that comes close to that definition is the one Tesla built for its own cars. Unfortunately, it is already clear that they only work reliably for Tesla vehicles, but all automakers willing to use Superchargers may have time to solve that until 2024.If themaker really manages to have anyone license FSD, it may be able to say the software is more valuable than most people think. The company that decides to license it will also have to defend its decision, which will make it act like a Tesla advocate, which may be embarrassing on its own. Theoretically, Ford does not need that because it already has a better driver assistance system called BlueCruise, as Consumer Reports determined. The ranking established by the consumer rights organization also excludes General Motors (Super Cruise), Mercedes-Benz (Driver Assistance), BMW (Driver Assistance Professional), Toyota (Safety Sense 3.0), and Volkswagen (Travel Assist).If you think it through, any company willing to license FSD should ask Tesla for money. Think about it: Tesla is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to at least 16 crashes against emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged. The last time I checked, nineteen people had already died using Autopilot. In other words, any automaker willing to employ the same software will not be able to say they did not know about that. It looks like a sure path into liabilities, investigations, and legal risks unless the alleged licenser follows the same moral crumple zone strategy Tesla adopted: its legal disclaimers blame drivers for anything that happens with the vehicle while the software is in use. So far, it has worked perfectly for the BEV maker.There's another delicate aspect of licensing FSD: implicitly admitting your team was unable to create anything similar or better. It is capitulation, a white flag to Tesla that would be well expressed as: "If you can't beat them, join them." To make matters worse, the Consumer Reports' ranking suggests it is not that hard to come up with a better solution. Suppliers like Bosch and Continental would happily sell their advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to automakers and not wish to brag they had developed them. That allows most carmakers to keep some engineering dignity and at least pretend to have put some effort into anything that promises to be close to autonomous driving.One could argue that such automakers would be making a strategic move to know what Tesla is doing with software and hardware. In other words, the idea behind licensing FSD would be to have an inside view of what the American BEV maker has genuinely achieved. However, that could also work the other way around: anyone licensing the tech from Tesla might also have to offer it at least a glimpse of how far they have gone in theirefforts.This all could make sense if Tesla had really achieved 1 million robotaxis by the end of 2020, something Elon Musk promised in 2019. He also stated in 2016 that Tesla vehicles had all the hardware they would need for full autonomy with HW2.5. In 2019, he said the same about HW3.0. We're now with HW4.0 and still far from a car that drives itself and earns money for its owner instead of sitting in a parking lot waiting to go home.Unless Tesla proves FSD lives up to its name in a fail-proof manner, there's nothing good for anyone considering licensing the software. Musk said its company is not trying to keep it for itself and that it is "more than happy to license it to others." Indeed: Tesla needs that more than anyone else. The deal is if they will realize that before committing to sign any contract.
Back in September 2021, the safety boffins at Nissan Mexico were informed of a Kicks which experienced a sudden loss of electric power steering assistance. Two months later, the Japanese automaker became aware of a second EPS failure involving a Versa in the US market.

NHTSA

CVT

Given these incidents, Nissan launched an investigation together with JTEKT Automotive Mexico, the company that produces the steering column units, rack units, and EPS for both nameplates. The automaker managed to collect seven parts for in-depth analysis. Initial examination of collected EPS assemblies pointed to a potential issue with the torque sensor, an issue that would be confirmed by the peeps at JTEKT.The supplier conducted its own investigation, which confirmed poor weld penetration at the terminal within the torque sensor. This condition may result in the disconnection of the terminal welds, therefore leading to a sudden loss of EPS. Nissan issued a recall in September 2022, calling back 20,040 examples of the 2021 model year Kicks and Versa. But come May 2023, the supplier informed Nissan that certain lot codes were not provided at the time of the original safety recall.In other words, JTEKT let down Nissan a second time in the span of less than a year. After reviewing the missing lot codes, the automaker concluded that 11,824 more vehicles were left out of the original safety recall. Only 1% are believed to be prone to EPS failure due to the aforementioned condition. The vehicles in question were manufactured in the period between July 19, 2021 and September 27, 2021 by Nissan Mexicana at the Aguascalientes assembly plant.Dealers will be informed of the second recall on July 26, with service techs instructed to inspect the steering column's torque sensor lot code. If necessary, the steering column assembly will be replaced in its entirety at no charge to the owner.The assembly bears part number 48810-5EE0A, as per Nissan'sreport attached below. Even in the event of an EPS failure, mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels is maintained. Be that as it may, the loss of electric power steering will require more steering effort.The Kicks and Versa are best described as two peas in a pod, for both of them are built around the antiquated V platform. The successor to the B platform rolled out with the 2010 Nissan Micra.Developed with the Brazilian market in mind, the Kicks is available from $20,590 at press time. Excluding destination charge, the Versa carries a sticker price of $15,980 in the United States of America. Both are equipped with a 1.6-liter NA four-cylinder engine that belts out 122 horsepower at 6,300 revolutions per minute. The Versa may be had with a manual, but the Kicks comes exclusively with the dreaded Xtronic
Are we gullible enough to believe that once ICE-powered vehicles become obsolete, we are not going to miss the sound of their engines or the playfulness of aftermarket modifications and tuning?

ICE

EV

Not really, and it's enough to look at an all-Tesla contest of the quarter-mile variety to see that even though the company's models might be S3EXY , they're sure hard to hear, so our attention span is severely limited. So, even if the future of drag racing is fully electric, I am not so sure people will love it because it's too quiet.Anyway, luckily, at least for now, we still get to cheer and applaud the sound of thundering supercharged V8 engines. Before the S650 Ford Mustang remains alone in carrying the-powered torch from 2024, there are still plenty of GM hoots and Mopar heroes willing to take a swing at Tesla's Model S might and Plaid prowess. Well, at least that's the impression from this feature we have embedded below.So, the videographer behind the Wheels channel on YouTube is a big fan of MRP and never misses a chance to show us the local brawls - especially of thevs. muscle car variety. As such, when not away looking for new heroes around Bandimere Speedway in Colorado or at The Strip of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada, he keeps coming back to Canada.Also known as 'Thunder by the River,' Mission Raceway Park is an auto racing facility in Mission, British Columbia, Canada hosting not just a nine-turn road course and an even longer motorcycle track but also an NHRA-sanctioned quarter-mile dragstrip. And on this occasion, we get to see why EV racing is fast but potentially bland while ICE-powered shenanigans always involve a potential dose of added personality.So, on one side (called 'Farmer Lane') sits a blue Tesla Model S Plaid resembling the picture of EV serenity. On the other, meanwhile, is the exact opposite Mopar  a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat that's said to be modded to almost 1,000 horsepower and also looks the part with skinny cookie cutters at the front, massive drag radials in the back and a hood that gave us all sorts of classic muscle car feelings.Unfortunately for fans of ICE-powered vehicles, although the Dodge owner did his best , there was no chance of overpowering the silent and deadly EV beast in the end. The first race ended with 9.44s (at 143 mph/230 kph) versus 10.06s (at 141 mph/227 kph) results, while the second skirmish was almost identical due to 9.45s versus 10.12s elapsed times. Indeed, it was close, but not close enough.However, do not despair if you love the sound of howling V8s. From the 2:09 mark, there's Old versus New School drag racing thanks to a feisty Chevy Nova that pushed the Challenger Hellcat into the nines (9.88s versus 11.17s), and then the blue Plaid also duked it out with a Chevy Camaro ZL1 to further drive the spear into the hearts of ICE-powered fans with an even better 9.39s versus 11.3s pass!
Car nuts who cherish the originality of a classic know very well that it's extremely hard to keep a 50-year-old engine running like clockwork. Changing the spark plugs and tuning the carburetor may not be difficult, yet  if an engine rebuild is not possible due to extensive wear & tear or the lack of replacement parts  an old car might require a full engine replacement.

20. Prestige Nitrous 427 Ford Small Block (1,000 hp)

Photo: Prestige Motorsports

19. Direct Connection Supercharged Hellephant 426 (1,000 hp)

Photo: Direct Connection

18. Prestige Twin Supercharged 427 Ford Small Block (1,000+ hp)

Photo: Prestige Motorsports

17. Prestige Supercharged 427 LS (1,000+ hp)

Photo: Prestige Motorsports

16. Chevrolet Performance ZZ632/1000 (1,004 hp)

Photo: Chevrolet

15. NRE Intercooled LS Whipple 427 Hot Rod Series (1,100 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

14. Wegner 376 Whipple 3.0L Supercharged LS3 (1,100 hp)

Photo: Wegner Automotive

13. Prestige Twin Supercharged 427 LS (1,100+ hp)

Photo: Prestige Motorsports

12. DSR Performance 1150 HEMI (1,150 hp)

Photo: DSR Performance

11. NRE Roots Blown Mopar HEMI 572 (1,150 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

10. Wegner 427 Whipple 3.0L Supercharged LS7 (1,200+ hp)

Photo: Wegner Automotive

9. NRE Twin-Turbo 540 Budget Series (1,400 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

8. DSR Performance 1500 HEMI (1,500 hp)

Photo: DSR Performance

7. NRE Twin-Turbo Alien Windsor 428 (1,500 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

6. NRE Twin-Turbo LS 427 Pro-Touring Series (1,600 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

5. NRE Twin-Turbo Alien LS 427 Pro-Touring Series (1,650 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

4. NRE Twin-Turbo Mopar 426 HEMI (1,900 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

3. NRE Twin-Turbo Alien LS 427 Warrior Series (2,000 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

2. NRE Twin-Turbo Alien 572 (2,000+ hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

1. NRE Twin-Turbo Mopar HEMI 572 (2,500 hp)

Photo: Nelson Racing Engines

Getting an original 350 for a first-gen Camaro is nearly impossible, but on the upside, Chevrolet Performance offers plenty of 350-ci lumps in the guise of crate motors , starting with the 350 HO. Crate engines aren't meant exclusively for grandpa's Camaro, thoughThey're extremely important for crazier projects as well. Think 6.2-liter LT4 in a Screaming Chicken or 7.3-liter Godzilla in a Fox-body Mustang, two combos that are certain to put a smile on anyone's face. Similar to purely internal combustion vehicles, crate engines are getting scarcer with each passing day as well. Given this industry's rather somber future, us folks at autoevolution have compiled a list of the most powerful V8 crate engines available to purchase at the time of writing.E85 and high-octane race fuel are allowed, yet race- and marine-type motors are excluded for obvious reasons. The following top 20 is made up exclusively of V8 crate motors listed online by their makers rather than resellers, coming in as close to turn-key form as possible instead of long or short blocks. This being said, let us kick things off with a 351W-based mill.North Carolina-based Prestige Motorsports opens this list with a 400-shot crate motor. Priced at $21,999 at the moment of reporting, the 351 Windsor-based 427 before your eyes is a street-strip tower of power designed to drink 93 AKI (98 RON) dinosaur juice.Rated at 850+ pound-feet (make that 1,152 Nm), this fellow rocks King bearings, Holley electronic fuel injection, MSD ignition control, 2618 forged aluminum pistons, and 4340 forged steel H-beam connecting rods. The 351 iron block is an aftermarket unit equipped with 220-cc cylinder heads from Air Flow Research.Forged stainless steel intake valves and Inconel exhaust valves also need to be mentioned, along with a full roller setup. Highlights further include a 4340 forged steel crankshaft and a three-year warranty.Meant for pre-1976 vehicles, the Hellephant is a limited-production crate engine that costs $29,995 on Direct Connection 's website. The problem is, the HEMI brute is temporarily unavailable to purchase directly from Direct Connection. On the upside, multiple retailers have the 1,000-hp monster in stock.Much obliged to reach 6,800 revolutions per minute, the Hellephant drinks premium fuel exclusively. Sold without a warranty, the 426-ci bruiser includes a cast aluminum block and 356 aluminum cylinder heads.The 7.0-liter Hellephant is closely related to the 426 used in the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak quarter-mile land missile, whereas the aluminum block makes it lighter than the iron-block Hellcat. Its valvetrain is similar to the Demon's 840-horsepower Hellcat V8.One supercharger is more than enough for most performance-oriented crate engines. Prestige Motorsports takes it up a notch with dual blowers for a 351-based 427, which  of course  runs on pump gas.The superchargers come courtesy of TorqStorm, and they're reassuringly compact due to being centrifugal superchargers rather than positive-displacement designs. As opposed to a Whipple or an Eaton, a TorqStorm blower is always built to order, which is why each kit takes approximately four weeks to build.Similar to the nitrous'd 427 from earlier, this motor uses electronic fuel injection from Holley and MSD ignition control. Price? That'd be $34,999, thank you!Coincidentally, the Prestige Motorsports 427 LS Next Supercharged also costs $34,999 at press time. Dubbed a game changer, the Dart LS Next SHP iron-blocked crate engine produces 900+ pound-feet (1,220 Nm).Running at 9.5:1 as opposed to 10.0:1 and 10.5:1 for the aforementioned 351-based Fords, this LS employs LS3-style CNC ported aluminum heads. Fitted with Motion Raceworks valve covers, the 7.0-liter colossus further boasts a catch can from Motion Raceworks.Topped by a 3.0-liter Whipple twin-screw blower, Prestige's hard-hitting LS maxes out at 6,500 revolutions per minute. Similar to the 427 Fords from earlier, it's also covered by a three-year warranty.The largest and most powerful crate motor in Chevy's long and illustrious history, the ZZ632/1000 takes its name from 632 cubic inches and just over 1,000 horsepower. A naturally-aspirated leviathan that costs in excess of $30,000 as of July 2023, the big-block V8 makes 876 pound-feet (1,188 Nm) at 5,600 rpm.First displayed in the metal at the 2021 SEMA Show, the ZZ632/1000 uses R S-X Symmetrical Port cylinder heads. Ron Sperry, the man behind this design, is also credited for the symmetrical ports of the Gen III small block in the 1997 model year Chevrolet Corvette.Based on the ZZ572's iron block, the ZZ632 flaunts a larger bore (by 0.040 inches) and a longer stroke (by 0.375 inches). According to the biggest of the Big Three in Detroit, a pre-production engine lasted more than 200 simulated quarter-mile passes on a dyno.Spoiler alert: no fewer than 10 crate engines from Nelson Racing Engines have made this list. NRE also makes the most powerful crate engine of the bunch, a 2,500-hp beast we'll talk about later on.Their first entry in this top 20 is a 1,100-hp LS with a 4.0-liter Whipple . Starting at $29,999, the Intercooled LS Whipple 427 Hot Rod Series uses Delphi LS7 hydraulic roller lifters, a custom camshaft, plasma molybdenum piston rings, and JE forged pistons.Add-ons include a Nick Williams 103-millimeter throttle body and an E85 injector upgrade. Nelson Racing Engines also has a transmission for this force-fed 427, namely a Stage 6 4L85E priced at $9,500.376 cubes equals just under 6.2 liters, which is the standard displacement of the good ol' LS3 . The Wegner 376 Whipple 3.0L Supercharged LS3 goes beyond Chevrolet's design with a flurry of upgrades, including a Nick Williams 102-millimeter DWB throttle body, a Callies forged crank, and Callies Ultra conrods.Wegner Automotive promises anything between 900 and 970 pound-feet (1,220 and 1,135 Nm), which is slightly better than the 965 pound-feet (1,308 Nm) of NRE's 427. Complemented by a WAK075 front accessory drive painted in the same black as the blower, this lump carries a starting price of $30,500.Each one takes around four to six weeks to deliver because each one is built to order. Speaking of which, options include a 408-ci GM iron block, a 416-ci stroker kit, a 427-ci Dart SHP iron block, and a 112-millimeter DBW throttle body from Nick Williams.Prestige's most badass drop-in crate engine is a twin-supercharged LS with 427 cubes to its name. Once again, we're dealing with centrifugal superchargers Built around a Dart LS Next SHP block, the twin-supercharged 427 belts out in excess of 1,100 ponies with VP Racing Fuels C16 in the tank. C16 is formulated specifically for drag racing applications, and costs $129 for a five-gallon pail at press time.The crankshaft and connecting rods are made from 4340 forged steel, whereas the pistons are 2618 forged aluminum. Just like the Whipple-blown 427, this one is also beautified by Motion Raceworks valve covers.NHRA legend Don Schumacher made a name for himself on the blacktop. Founded in 1998, Don Schumacher Racing specializes in fast stuff. The 1150 certainly falls into this category, for it produces 1,150 horsepower on 93-octane gasoline rather than E85.Developed from the DSR Challenger Drag Pak program, the $40,000 engine is a 426 with modified Hellcat aluminum heads and a Hellcat-sourced oil sump. The first production run of the 1150 was limited to 20 examples of the breed at $37,950 per unit.The third-gen HEMI is compatible with ZF's 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission, which is why DSR Performance also offers stage kits for the 8HP. The stage 1 kit, for example, takes the 8HP95 of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk to 1,300 horsepower and a simply ludicrous 1,100 pound-feet (1,491 Nm).572 cubic inches is big-boy Mopar territory. Then again, you need lots of displacement in order to make lots of power. 1,050 horsepower on pump gas, that is, or 1,150 ponies on 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.Price-wise, the Roots Blown 572 from Nelson Racing Engines isn't for the faint of heart. It's the first $50k engine in this top 20, the kind of money that would get you a nicely equipped 2024 Ram 1500 pickup truck.Distinguished by a flat torque curve, the 9.4-liter engine is built around an Indy Maxx aluminum block with cast aluminum valve covers. The Blower Shop Billet 12-71 Roots-type supercharger does its job with the help of two 850-cfm carburetors from Holley.1,200+ boosted ponies are a lot for 427 cubic inches, but still, Wegner Automotive is known for building extremely stout crate engines. Capable of 1,100+ pound-feet (1,491 Nm), this LS7-style mill dons custom valve covers and a front accessory drive kit.Governed by a Holley engine control unit, the Wegner 427 Whipple 3.0L Supercharged LS7 uses a Callies eight-counterweight crank, forged pistons from Mahle, a Melling oil pump, Del West and Manley valves, HD pushrods, and a Holley driver-by-wire control unit.The piece de resistance is  of course  the 3.0-liter blower sitting on top of this fine-looking piece of mechanical engineering. Priced from $34,900, said LS7 is based on either a GM block or a Dart block.The Budget in Twin-Turbo 540 Budget Series isn't exactly what it seems. At $31,999, you could buy a brand-new Camry for the price of this crate motor.The Dart Big M iron block alone costs $4,000, whereas each of the 46-millimeter Precision Turbo wastegates is $402 on the manufacturer's website. JE forged pistons, BoostLine forged connecting rods, Holley Terminator injectors, and Edelbrock induction are only a few of this rather handsome motor's highlights.Notable components further include Brodix Big Brodie heads with Cometic MLX gaskets, tubular headers, and CNC billet valve covers. The valvetrain comprises a hydraulic roller cam with hydraulic roller lifters, roller rockers, and Smith Brothers chromoly pushrods.A Direct Connection-DSR Performance collab, the 1500 is a $60k masterpiece with a huge appetite for corn brew. Similar to the 1150, the 1500 wouldn't have been possible without Whipple's fifth-gen blower.Injector Dynamics 1,700-cc fuel injectors are joined by 356 ported aluminum cylinder heads, a custom camshaft, billet aluminum pistons, and a billet steel crankshaft. Good for more than 1,000 pound-feet (1,356 Nm) of torque at full chatter, the 1500 engine sweetens the deal with "industry-leading drivability."Any 1500-swapped motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1976 model year can be driven on public roads. Those manufactured after 1976 may violate federal, state, or local emissions laws and regulations.Nelson Racing Engines has refined its Windsor-based 428 twin-turbo crate engine for more than a decade now. The most potent iteration to date packs a 1,000-horsepower punch on 91 octane. Give it more expensive race gas, and you can expect 1,500 ponies.Advertised as being " a full street engine," the 7.0-liter behemoth is equipped with a Nelson Racing Engines hydraulic cam that doesn't require valve adjustments. In a similar fashion to Prestige's nitrous 427 small block, this 428 uses 220-cc heads from Air Flow Research.The Alien in Twin-Turbo Alien Windsor 428 comes from the intake's design. Spruced up with billet valve covers, the no-nonsense motor brings together 72-mm turbos, 46-mm wastegates, and a TiAL BOV.Yet another 427-ci LS, and yet another Nelson crate engine! With 1,225 horsepower on pump gas at 7,000 revolutions per minute, this Pro-Touring Series motor is best described as an eight-cylinder tire shredder.Give it race fuel, and Nelson Racing Engines estimates a whopping 1,600 horsepower at 6,800 revolutions per minute. Considering its output numbers, it's also a value-oriented motor at $31,999 before any options.Extras include $725 for the head stud upgrade, $250 for the main stud upgrade, and $2,500 for adjusting the boost from the cockpit by gear, engine speed, or time. An option worthy of your consideration is the Darth Vader Package, which  as implied  features black turbos, valve covers, a black Dart block, and the same finish for the Shaun's Custom Alloy intake manifold.Priced from $36,999 on the engine shop's website, the Alien LS 427 Pro-Touring Series isn't all that different from the Twin-Turbo LS 427 Pro-Touring Series. The biggest upgrade  both visually and from the standpoint of performance  is the ant eater-like intake manifold.Reportedly designed to be driven 400 miles (approximately 650 kilometers) per day without breaking a sweat, the 7.0-liter LS is equipped with custom aluminum ported cylinder heads with Pac springs and titanium retainers. Other custom components include the forged pistons, hydraulic roller camshaft, and 1,200-cc flow-matched injectors.Even the exhaust manifolds are fully custom, produced in-house from 304 stainless steel. A 50-mm BOV is standard, but if you so desire, Nelson Racing Engines can fit a second blow-off valve for a reasonable $340.$69,000 may seem way too many bucks for a 7.0-liter HEMI . Looking at the bigger picture, this 426 makes way more ponies than Direct Connection's Hellephant and DSR Performance's 426 engines. The question is, why is the NRE Twin-Turbo 426 so expensive?For starters, many parts are made from solid billet: wastegates, valve covers, intake manifold, crankshaft, connecting rods, and mechanical roller camshaft. It also runs 76-mm turbos and two injectors per cylinders.The eight-cylinder mechanical artwork needs a whole lotta air to belt out 1,250 horsepower on 91 octane and 1,900 horsepower on race fuel, hence the dual throttle bodies. The Full Show Polish Package of the pictured engine retails at $2,580, whereas a multi-stage dry-sump lubrication system adds $4,000 to the tally.Not surprising in the least, Nelson Racing Engines also sells 2,000-horsepower crate motors from the LS , Chevrolet big block, and HEMI engine families. The Twin-Turbo Alien LS 427 Warrior Series is one of those incredible mills, priced from a cool $46,000.NRE says that it's a race engine in disguise, albeit its valvetrain life is worse than the 1,800-hp Hot Rod Series. NRE's ultimate dual-purpose LS employs Dart Pro LS7 heads and a Dart SHP LS Next Pro block.Sporting 76-millimeter turbos and 46-millimeter wastegates, the Warrior Series can be fitted with three in-tank fuel pumps for $1,500. Those who intend to run E85 need a set of E85 injectors, priced at merely $350.The $45,000 Twin-Turbo Alien 572 is packed with hi-po goodies. From the flow-matched 2,200-cc injectors to the dual ball-bearing turbos and Oliver billet conrods, literally everything about this engine is top-notch.Offering "the best dollar-for-dollar value in the twin-turbo big-block world," NRE's most exciting take on the Chevrolet big block uses ISKY Racing Cams Red Zone lifters and Dart 355 aluminum cylinder heads. Traction control software is available for $550, along with an $800 upgrade to ceramic ball-bearing turbos.Over 2,000 horsepower from 9.4 liters is a lot, but fret not. $550 gets you the so-called Safety Package, which protects the engine by means of sensors for the fuel pressure, oil pressure, and water temperature. This package further includes strategies designed to protect the 572-ci mammoth in case something goes south The California-based engine shop refers to its most powerful street-strip crate motor as "The Elephant," a nod to the second-generation HEMI that came in 426 cubes exclusively. Are you ready for the numbers?2,253 horsepower at 25 psi, 2,500 horsepower at full wick. Most impressively, Nelson Racing Engines designed the Twin-Turbo Mopar HEMI 572 with air conditioning in mind. Available from $74,000 sans extras, this lump uses huge turbochargers (88 millimeters) and huge wastegates (60 millimeters).Built around an Indy Maxx aluminum block, NRE's astounding HEMI uses a dry-sump system with a 10-quart or 9.4-liter tank. By comparison, the 1,025-hp Dodge Demon 170 is rated at 7 quarts (6.6 liters).If you still have any curiosities related to V8 crate engines, please refer to the FAQ section below.Simply put, a fully-assembled engine sold separately from the vehicle. Crate motors usually come in three flavors: short block, the more complete long block, and ready to run. The latter shouldn't be taken literally because even a turn-key motor needs a few additional bits and pieces before starting and running. Think supply and return fuel lines, a 12-volt battery, and so forth.As implied, it's packaged in a crate for shipping.They do! Chevrolet , for example, offers 24 months to 36 months or 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers), whichever comes first.For example, the Ford Performance 7.3-liter Godzilla's crate includes the fully-assembled engine, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, oil pan, flex plate, ignition coils, and ignition wires. The starter, control pack, accessory drive kit, and air conditioning kit are sold separately.Crate engines are most prevalent in the United States, where the V8 has been a stalwart in cars, trucks, and SUVs for a long time now. Given this country's love for all things V8s, are you even surprised that the majority of crate engines feature this layout?Easier to service and modify, yes. But better overall, no. Direct rather than port fuel injection, 12-millimeter head bolts compared to 11s, enhanced combustion due to relocated spark plugs, and better cylinder head flow are only a few of the LT's advantages over the LS.If your vehicle has OBD II (vehicles built from 1996 onward), that's a big fat no. Be that as it may, the E-ROD LS3, LT1, and LT4 from Chevrolet Performance are eligible for installation in 1995-and-earlier vehicles in the state of California.If you're in with the Ford crowd, that would be 340 horsepower for the Boss 302, which is currently priced at $10,995. A Chevrolet Performance HT383 is more affordable yet seven horsepower down on the Boss 302, whereas the 345 HEMI offers 383 horsepower for $7,495.Exhaust-driven turbochargers are easier to fit in an engine bay, whereas superchargers provide boost instantly at the expense of a few ponies. Both have their advantages and downsides, which is why the answer to this question depends from build to build.Excluding marine crate engines and those designed for racing applications, the Twin-Turbo Mopar HEMI 572 from Nelson Racing Engines is the pokiest of the bunch thanks to 2,500 horsepower.
(Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul warns about North Korea's potential demands in exchange for the release of 23-year-old soldier Travis King.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul warns of North Korea's potential demands as the United States is trying to secure the release of Travis King.

King has come under the spotlight after he fled the border from South Korea last week and was arrested by North Korean authorities. McCaul has recently accused the soldier not of defecting but of running away from his problems.

Michael McCaul on Travis King Detention

The situation comes as the American individual was pending discipline in the US following detention in South Korea for nearly two months because of a local altercation. The Texas Republican added that North Korea was the wrong place for King to go amid the issue.

McCaul added that the decision was even more problematic because North Korea, similar to other global superpowers, including China, Iran, and Russia, exact a price for when other countries seek the release of one of their people, as per ABC News.

American officials have also said that the 23-year-old soldier, an Army private 2nd class, was returning to the US early last week before being detained in South Korea. Instead, he left the airport in Seoul, joined a tour group visiting the border between the North and South, and just ran across.

King was also scheduled to fly back to Texas to face a "pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction." He was recently released from a 47-day South Korean detention facility stay.

Since the American soldier entered North Korea, with whom the US does not have formal relations, authorities from the country have not responded to inquiries about his status. United States President Joe Biden's administration says it continues pushing for communication.

McCaul also assumed that North Korean authorities are not treating King well while in detention in the country. United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the 23-year-old soldier crossed the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the border of the two Koreas "willfully and without authorization, " according to the New York Post.

Read Also: Columnists Chime In on Ted Cruz's 'Barbie' Claims as 'Chinese Propaganda'

Running Away From His Problems

King's detention comes as the relationship between the US and North Korea is shaken after the latter conducted a cruise-missile firing spree on Saturday. The situation came as North Korea publicly disapproved of a US nuclear submarine docked in South Korea.

McCaul referenced the sub-docking in a statement, saying it was a "projection of strength that we need right now to deter aggression." He added that it was made in response to aggression seen by China and North Korea.

One tourist from New Zealand who was a member of King's tour group, Sarah Leslie, said that they were near the end of the tour and they were milling around. She noted that South Korean and US soldiers were watching them while those from North Korea appeared to have been inside a building.

But then she said she noticed a man suddenly "running what looked like full gas towards the North Korean side." Soldiers then ordered the rest of the group to head inside and tried to chase down King but could not get to him in time, said NBC News.

Related Article: Russia Detains Russian Military Commander on Charges of Inciting Extremism

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Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

Photo: YouTube/Lou Costabile

The car in question is a Ford, a Mustang, a Fastback, a Cobra Jet, a Four-Speed, and an icon. Gene Leopold  seen in the video describing and driving his big-block idol, which he rebuilt  definitely doesnt look like an octogenarian any more than his car looks like a 55-year-old Ford.Ask any Blue Oval fundamentalist to name the quickest bone-stock, pure-production Mustang of the muscle car golden age. Unanimously, the answer will include three numbers, four words, and a confidence that could carve all the U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore. 428 Cobra Jet Four-Speed is the correct phrase that every single FoMoCo radical will recite.But even at that rarified height of automotive greatness, one can find differences, as not all of those icons are equal. At least, not anymore. Of the 317,423 Mustangs assembled for the 1968 model year, 42,582 were fastbacks. Only 1,044 came with a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet engine - 706 of which linked to Top Loader four-speed manual transmission.If we narrow it down further, we find out that just nine of them were painted Brittany Blue, but only one had an AM/FM Stereo radio  the car in this story. Purists will raise their voices to amend the statistics with one extra detail. Just like the first-year Mustang, the Cobra Jet is referred to  in certain V8 circles  as a 1968-and-a-half.This particularity is because the wild stallion was introduced on April 1, 1968  but it was no joke, fools or wise mens. In fact, the 428 CID (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet big-block made its debut during the Winternationals of that year. And what a debut that was! The Fords beat everyone and took home the trophy.Thanks to its 428-cube big-block with oversized valve heads, the race-borrowed intake manifold from a 427, and Ram Air induction  via a functional hood scoop  the Cobra Jet put the HEMIs in their place. And whatever General Motors threw at it, it wasnt a match.Ford cautiously rated its high-performance V8 at only 335 hp (389 PS). The dyno-backed fact was that the reptilian eponym of a powerplant was good for anything between 410 and 430 hp (416  436 PS). Torque-wise, the 428 delivered 440 lb-ft (597 Nm).The scoop on the hood fed air to a special cleaner with a vacuum-actuated butterfly valve that funneled air directly into the 735 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor. All 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jets received beefed-up front shock towers and F70x14 tires, but the four-speeds also got staggered rear shocks.The rowdy Mustang was good for mid-to-low 12s over the standing quarter, crossing the line and firing a 120-mph (193 kph) broadside. Ford Motor Company never addressed its cars by the `fastback` names. Still, Ford employees  like the rest of the piston-addict society  didnt shy away from the designation.Take Gene Leopold as an example  he used to work for Ford when the Mustang came around. He bought an all-original Cobra Jet some 14 years ago and restored it with maniacal accuracy and attention to detail. Every part is date-coded to ensure a factory-like stance, demeanor, attitude, and character.It took several years to accomplish the feat since Gene and his son only sourced period-correct parts  mostly NOS, whenever possible. But it was worthwhile  their Brittany Blue Mustang won the Cobra Jet jubilee in 2018 at a national car show dedicated to the legendary motor.The 68 fastback Mustang gained immortal fame when it co-starred with Steve McQueen in Bullit. However, the movie star drove a 390 GT with a 6.4-liter engine. Still a respectable Mustang but not a match for the antagonistic Charger . Legend has it that The King of Cool himself asked for the 428 Cobra Jet, but his request was denied.The silver screen honchos feared the mighty Ford would have rendered their cinematographic efforts useless by simply passing the Charger without batting an eyelid. As big a star as McQueen might have been, the famous high-speed chase scene would have been a good portion shorter if the overpowering Mustang had been cast.Nonetheless, the real-deal Cobra Jet in this article has all the goodies to take the go-fast factor to the extreme. A 3:50 locking differential, a heavy-duty handling package, lower shock tower bracing, power front discs, power steering, and the 8,000 RPM tach make a very clear point. This is a car that could fulfill any proper gearheads poster-magic dreams.Heres a perspective about the cars real-world performance , as told by one fan who witnessed the 428 Cobra Jet firsthand. The fastest car I ever sat in was a 68 Mustang GT with a High-Performance 428 four-speed. The owner sat a hundred-dollar bill on the dash and told me if I could reach it between gears, the $100 was mine. Needless to say, I never touched it.
Even tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) can be ultra-modern and sophisticated. However, those who long for a deeper connection with nature will still prefer rustic versions where everything is as natural as possible. The beautiful Lakeside tiny oozes the rustic charm of classic wooden cabins without sacrificing contemporary comfort.

Photo: Tiny Hygge

Photo: Tiny Hygge

Photo: Tiny Hygge

Tiny houses like the Lakeside combine the best of both worlds  a design that stays true to the nostalgic concept of minimalistic housing and premium amenities that keep these houses anchored in the present. The Lakeside looks wonderfully rustic on the outside as well as the inside, yet it's much more than a basic wooden cabin in terms of comfort.The most important thing to know about this tiny house is how generous it is when it comes to accommodation. You wouldn't expect that from a dwelling that's less than seven meters long (6.7 meters/21.9 feet), but it can sleep at least four people. Despite its size limitations, Lakeside offers two attic-style sleeping areas.These rooms are not the large loft bedrooms you'd find in larger mobile homes, with plenty of space for king-sized beds and multiple large windows. Lakeside doesn't claim to be luxurious. Still, its small sleeping areas are comfortable enough for a vacation home or a cabin for tourists. One of these areas is placed above the kitchen, featuring a full-length protection railing. The second one sits above the living area, boasting an entirely open view of the rest of the house.Each room only has one small window and limited space. Access-wise, the Lakeside is equipped with both a basic ladder for one of the rooms and a staircase for the other one. The staircase is the home's primary storage solution, which is why it incorporates compartments of various sizes for all sorts of items.Although these types of stairs with integrated storage usually take up a lot of space, the Lakeside was configured in a way that allows enough room on the main floor for a separate dining spot. This particular area between the kitchen and the living room can fit a large wooden table and several seats  another pleasant surprise for such a small space (the Lakeside's surface is just a little over 20 square meters/236 square feet).The open-space ground floor layout makes up for the inherent limitations of the attic sleeping areas with oversized windows that bring in lots of natural light. Plus, the beautiful views create a connection to the outdoors and make the entire home feel more spacious.The living room boasts two large windows for extra brightness and efficient air circulation. The oversized porthole adds a nostalgic twist. A large custom sofa can provide additional accommodation at night and welcome large groups of friends during the day.Despite the Lakeside's accentuated rustic look , the kitchen and bathroom are well equipped. The kitchen comes with a compact stove and a tiny built-in fridge, in addition to generous custom cabinets. A discrete sliding door separates the bathroom from the kitchen. Lakeside's bathroom is very tiny but doesn't lack any of the basics.The house is also equipped with a ventilation system, electric floor heating, and an electric water heater. Good-quality insulation keeps it cozy throughout the year. Strategically placed spotlights and outdoor lamps keep it well-lit while taking up almost no space at all.According to Tiny Hygge, it takes them three to four months to complete a Lakeside home, which is then delivered on a galvanized, two-axle trailer that promises durability and reliability. Unlike other builders that offer green solutions for permanent living, this European brand focuses more on vacation or rental homes. In fact, it's an expert when it comes to this kind of tourism. The founders of Tiny Hygge also opened what claims to be the first Tiny House Camp resort in Scandinavia in 2022.The beautiful Tiny Seaside  Kegnas resort in Denmark offers one of the best and most sustainable ways of enjoying a vacation right on the beach. The Tiny Seaside has become the brand's most popular and luxurious model. The Lakeside isn't quite as sophisticated style-wise, but it's also fitted with modern amenities. Plus, it's much more versatile in terms of accommodation.As its name suggests, the Lakeside is meant for secluded, natural surroundings and people who want to reconnect with a simple way of living. The flexible layout and high-quality appliances make this small dwelling a cabin with great touristic potential. Its rustic charm, highlighted by features such as sloping ceilings and oversized porthole, is like a magnet for city folks who want to get away from the hustle and bustle.The Lakeside tiny house was also designed to allow further customization. Like all the Tiny Hygge designs, it can be turned into a self-sufficient home by adding off-grid features (solar panels, water tanks, composting toilet). Most importantly, this charming tiny cabin invites future owners to be closer to nature and to live sustainably.
Teased in a premiere, the new Civic Type R-GT is being developed by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), and despite sharing its name with the road-going hot hatch , it looks nothing like it. It has boosted looks that improve the aerodynamics, featuring dedicated front and rear ends, fat fenders, and a massive wing out back. The prototype pictured by the Japanese automaker has a black overall look and several decals adorning its body and rides on special wheels shod in sticky tires.Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection. The lump is described as having been "developed and refined through racing," and the magic numbers are yet unknown. Still, it will dwarf the road-legal Civic Type R in all performance-related aspects. The hot hatch boasts 315 horsepower from its 2.0-liter four-pot. It enjoys 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) of torque in the US-spec, works in concert with a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching, and returns 24 mpg (9.8 l/100 km) combined.We had a pretty clear picture of what we should expect from the brand-new racer, as the automaker based in the Land of the Rising Sun previewed it at the beginning of the year with the eponymous concept. Shown at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, the study tried mirroring the looks of the street-legal Civic Type R , featuring similar greenhouse and faux lights. The massive aero parts did set it apart, however, and it sat way closer to the asphalt, riding on different wheels with center locking, which were wrapped in slick tires. Rounding off the special appearance of the racer was the special livery mixing white, red, and blue.Honda couldn't be bothered with releasing some juicy details about the show car, but in all likelihood, we're looking at a custom chassis aimed at racing. The same can be said about the prototype(s). We can also expect rear-wheel drive and a lot of power from the 2.0-liter four-banger mentioned above, which will obviously stay true to the GT500 regulations. The mill will get its chance to shine under the hood of the new Civic Type R-GT on July 25 and 26, 2023, as the prototype will be put through its paces at the Okayama International Circuit in Japan, part of the pre-testing session. The goal is to have the car, which is described as being "a dedicated race machine," ready for the 2024 season.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said Mirzoyan briefed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the latest developments in the process of normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and reaffirmed the Armenian governments position on the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

The issue also topped the agenda of his separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held earlier in the day. Mirzoyan complained about Azerbaijans continuing blockade of Nagorno-Karabakhs only land link with Armenia, saying that it is hampering a peace deal currently discussed by Baku and Yerevan.

Irans official IRNA news agency reported that, Mohammad Jamshidi, a top aide to Raisi quoted him as warning against U.S. involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks.

These negotiations have to be carried out based on the interests of the [two] nations and without political conspiracies involving America and the Zionist regime [Israel,] Raisi said, according to Jamshidi.

In recent months, the United States has been at the forefront of international efforts to broker a comprehensive peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan. Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov held two rounds of intensive U.S.-mediated talks in May and June.

They are scheduled to meet in Moscow on Tuesday for fresh talks that will be hosted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russia has been very critical of the U.S. peace efforts, saying that their main goal is to squeeze it out of the region, rather than end the Karabakh conflict.

Raisi was also reported to reaffirm Tehrans strong opposition to any geopolitical border changes in the South Caucasus.

Iranian leaders have frequently made such statements in response to Azerbaijans demands for an extraterritorial corridor to its Nakhichevan exclave that would pass through Syunik, the sole Armenian province bordering Iran. They have warned that the Islamic Republic would not tolerate attempts to strip it of the common border and transport links with Armenia.

Mirzoyan praised Tehrans stance on the inviolability of our state borders during a joint news briefing with Amir-Abdollahian.

For us, Iran has always been and remains and will continue to be a special partner, including in overcoming the challenges in the current difficult conditions, he said.

According to another Iranian news agency, Mehr, the Armenian minister assured Raisi that Armenia will never become a platform for anti-Iranian actions and remains committed to deepening Armenian-Iranian ties.
Karabakh authorities said on Monday that they have run out of scarce fuel reserved from buses and minibuses. They already suspended earlier this month public transport in Stepanakert and curtailed bus services with other Karabakh towns and villages for the same reason.

The vast majority of vehicles in Karabakh are powered by natural gas which was supplied from Armenia before being pressurized and sold at local gas stations. Azerbaijan disrupted a steady flow of the gas shortly after blocking commercial traffic through the Lachin corridor last December. A gas pipeline feeding Karabakh was most recently unblocked for just a few hours on July 8.

Baku tightened the blockade on June 15, banning emergency relief supplies that were carried out by Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross through the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia and the outside world. The move aggravated the shortages of food, medicine and other essential items experienced by the regions population.

The fuel crisis not only disrupted travel but also complicated food supplies inside Karabakh. Local farmers now have trouble taking their produce to markets, and there are growing problems with the delivery of flour to bakeries.

It is very difficult to get the flour here, Lyudmila Mezhlumian, a bakery worker in Stepanakert, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan warned last week that Karabakh is now on the verge of starvation as he urged stronger international pressure on Azerbaijan. The United States, the European Union and Russia have repeatedly called for an end to the Azerbaijani blockade. Baku has dismissed their appeals.

The humanitarian crisis is also affecting Karabakhs struggling healthcare system. The head of an intensive care unit at Karabakhs main childrens hospital said on Monday that it is increasingly hard for the parents of seriously ill children living outside Stepanakert to transport them to the facility.

Baku has frequently banned evacuations of Karabakh patients to hospitals in Armenia carried out by only the ICRC during the blockade. It most recently unblocked them last week after requiring those patients to be checked by Azerbaijani medical personnel while passing through its checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. The Karabakh premier, Gurgen Nersisian, said at the weekend that Red Cross officials somehow managed to convince the Azerbaijani side not to film that process.

Karabakhs main security service said on Monday that local residents are receiving Russian-language phone calls offering to help them safely go to Armenia via Baku. It urged them to ignore the Azerbaijani disinformation.
24 July 2023 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Parvin Mirzazade, Day.az

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Vovayevich Pashinyan periodically likes to recall his first main profession and share his "innermost" thoughts with former colleagues in the journalistic workshop. Mr. Pashinyan is especially not indifferent to the Western mass media, which are close to him in terms of views and to which he willingly gives interviews, generously sharing his vision of the situation in the region and in the world.

And now Mr. Pashinyan, immediately after the meeting in Brussels with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, through the mediation of EU President Charles Michel, gave a detailed interview to Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondent Irakli Metreveli, in which he touched upon the topic of a peaceful settlement with Azerbaijan, Armenia's relations with neighboring countries, as well as with the West and its traditional ally, Russia.

As always, Nikol Vovayevich, putting on the toga of an imaginary peacemaker, talked about the problems of achieving peace in the region, trying to convey to the audience his interpretation of the past negotiations, with an eye on the influential Armenian diaspora in France, which clearly does not sympathize with him, considering him a traitor to the national idea of \u200b\u200bGreat Armenia.

The head of the Armenian government lamented about the "hard share" of the Armenian population of the Karabakh region, comparing the situation almost with the "holocaust", absolutely not understanding the meaning of this word. Apparently, Mr. N. Pashinyan should have filled in the gaps in his education and, in his free time from empty moaning, studied world history, so as not to simply scatter big words that he does not understand.

It is obvious that all the groans and cries in the interview were intended for some compassionate Western politicians who have long dreamed of tearing Armenia away from their traditional allies in the CSTO and for this were ready to satisfy the expansionist appetites of the Armenian authorities at the expense of the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Nikol Vovaevich, in his traditional "shirt-guy from the street" manner, shared some thoughts with the agency's correspondent regarding Armenia's position in the negotiations. The Armenian side, verbally recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, continues to promote absolutely unacceptable conditions regarding the negotiations between Baku and representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh (meaning the separatist junta) with the mandatory participation of an incomprehensible international mechanism.

From the words of N. Pashinyan, we can conclude that Yerevan hopes that in the future peace treaty a reservation will be made regarding the future "status" (which has long been rotting in the dustbin of history) of the Armenian population of Karabakh, which will allow the Armenian side to freeze the situation, in the hope of revenge in the future. Naturally, such unrealistic demands of the Armenian side are categorically rejected by Baku and are regarded as provocative. The desire of the leadership of Armenia, having concluded a peace treaty, to achieve recognition only of its territorial integrity, not taking similar steps towards Azerbaijan, laying a "time bomb", in the form of endless negotiations with the "adamant" separatist leaders, in order to secure the Armenian territory from possible retaliatory actions, nothing else,

The Armenian prime minister is used to turning everything upside down and in interviews spoke a lot about the "humanitarian catastrophe", trying to arouse pity in the Western audience, hoping that this would put pressure on Azerbaijan. At the same time, he kept silent about the fact that the non-existent mythical blockade was created by the joint efforts of the Armenian authorities and the separatist junta. Nikol Vovaevich tearfully assured that a famine was about to begin in Karabakh, which they say is the result of the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities, who established a border post on a conditional border and did not allow transport with "humanitarian aid".

The leader of Armenia, as always, shuffled the facts and vigorously promoted the theses of the Armenian propaganda regarding control on the Lachin road, distortedly interpreting the tripartite statement signed on November 10, 2020. After the installation of the Azerbaijani PPP, Armenia lost the opportunity to supply the remnants of its armed forces in the territory where peacekeepers are temporarily stationed. The lack of supply and rotation of military personnel put the parts of the Armenian armed forces, who hid behind the peacekeepers, in a hopeless situation: lay down their arms and surrender, or immediately, before it's too late, agree with the Azerbaijani authorities and start retreating to the territory of Armenia. But this categorically does not suit either official Yerevan or the separatist junta, who understand

In his interview, Nikol Vovayevich constantly cheated, using "peace-loving" terminology and pretended to strive for a comprehensive peace, explaining Armenia's position by saying that the small, weak Armenian population of Karabakh would not be able to "resist" strong Azerbaijan and needed "support". Thus, the leader of Armenia once again indirectly confirmed the fact, which has always been rejected by Yerevan, that the conflict is based on the territorial claims and aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan. In a burst of frankness, Nikol Vovaevich agreed to the point that he actually admitted that if a peace agreement is not reached, then there is a possibility of resuming hostilities, the result of which, as you know, will be catastrophic for Armenia.

Prime Minister N. Pashinyan generously mixed all his "deep" conclusions with outright lies and disinformation in the style traditional for Armenian propaganda, built in the spirit of historical untruth and inflating the myth of a certain Armenophobia, allegedly traditionally inherent in all Turkic peoples. Probably, Mr. N. Pashinyan does not have time to get acquainted with the materials of the Armenian press and the speeches of his fellow politicians, which are literally overflowing with Turkophobic slogans and appeals. Publicly making statements about the recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Mr. N. Pashinyan, in his last interview, in literally every answer to a question, allowed encroachments on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a neighboring state, "naively" believing that his words would be left without due attention. All his words regarding the future of the Armenian population of the Karabakh region are frankly impudent interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, an infringement on the sovereign rights and the Constitution of an independent UN member state. Apparently, Mr. N. Pashinyan still did not draw the proper conclusions from the results of the Second Karabakh War and did not recognize the new geopolitical realities.

The issues of Armenia's relations with Russia and the CSTO were not left without attention during the interview. Offended by the fact that neither Russia nor the CSTO came to the aid of Armenia during the Second Karabakh War, and also did not respond to tearful calls for help during subsequent conflicts on the conditional border line, Mr. N. Pashinyan again blackmailed the allies by saying that Armenia could reconsider its participation in this military-political bloc if it did not wait for the expected help and even openly hinted that any organization could have a beginning and an end. In order to protect Armenia from possible sanctions from the West, in response to the participation of some Armenian companies in parallel exports to Russia, Mr. N. Pashinyan humbly noted that he had taken into account the warnings from Western friends in this matter and would try to follow their recommendations, which clearly shows that in this matter, for him, relations with the West today are higher than relations with a traditional ally. Although the publication of statistical data on the increase in exports from Armenia to Russia indicates an almost two-fold increase in the trade turnover between the two countries. Apparently, the government of Mr. N. Pashinyan has already made its final choice, preferring not to quarrel with the West for the sake of an ally that has not justified the expected hopes.

Having read this interview, we must pay tribute to Nikol Vovayevich: like any Armenian politician, he masterfully knows how to transform, has not one, but dozens of faces, and knows how to shed a tear all the time about the "poor, unfortunate, offended by everyone" people and about the small Armenia surrounded by "bloodthirsty" Turks. Nikol Vovaevich sincerely tried to win the sympathy of foreign Armenians, publicly distancing himself from his traditional ally, expressing doubts about the future of the CSTO.

traflI

During the interview, in order to show himself as an international-class politician, and not a provincial politician, the Prime Minister of Armenia often appealed to international law and the UN Charter, using grandiloquent terms, the meaning of which he clearly does not understand. At the same time, Mr. N. Pashinyan forgot for a while that for almost 30 years it was Armenia that occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani territory (which he now verbally finally recognized as part of the territory of Azerbaijan) and expelled almost 1 million Azerbaijanis from there, in violation of 4 UN Security Council resolutions, which does not give any moral right to him or other Armenian politicians to talk about ethnic cleansing and discrimination based on nationality.

In general, Mr. Pashinyan's interview with the AFP agency looked like a clumsy attempt to justify the complete failure of the Armenian foreign policy, which is failing on all diplomatic fronts due to its maximalist position aimed at freezing the situation and trying to achieve unilateral advantages in the negotiations. Instead of finally abandoning his ostrich position, which sooner or later will lead to a new escalation on the line of contact between the parties, the Armenian prime minister still hopes that Armenia's foreign friends will be able to help and try to put pressure on Azerbaijan, which is generally far from reality.

Frankly slandering and distorting the state of affairs in the negotiation process, Nikol Vovaevich simply does not leave himself room for maneuver, as he may not be fully aware of how this could end for him and for Armenia. Time has long shown that the deeds and words of President Ilham Aliyev never diverge, and if Mr. Pashinyan really wants peace for the Armenian people, he should have understood for a long time that he has less and less time for this.

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24 July 2023 17:20 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

Just as the Armenians committed provocations in the area of hostilities, they continue to commit ecocidal provocations in the Arazdayan region. In this regard, not only Azerbaijani NGOs are not silent, but also foreign NGOs. Sadly to day the other side is indifferent or so much reluctant to countermeasure the act Armenia's ecological terror. They simply do not understand that this is a loss not only to Azerbaijan, but also neighbors in the surrounding.

Indian microbiologist Zafar Nowshad Wani has become one of the foreign NGOs that has been supporting Azerbaijan for a long time. Upon hearing the information about Armenia's latest construction of an illegal metallurgical plant, he immediately expressed his opinion on the matter to Azernews.

"Todays world does not take any action to stop this illegal project of west sponsored in Armenia as most of the countries in the world have no financial interest in Armenia"

According to him, even Armenia is not an interesting country for some countries in the world in the economic field, for example, in terms of exports.

Wani also emphasized the importance of organizing special discussions at the UN to prevent the cruelty committed by Armenia against ecology. He said that urgently most powerful and influential countries which are the part of United Nations Environmental committees should immediately call the meeting to stop this ecological crisis.

Speaking about adequate ways to prevent these types of environmental problems, the Indian expert noted the importance of educating the common people about the rising environmental concerns.

"Seminars should be conducted in the schools and colleges, rallies by the environmental activist and civil society members should be organized in every country to make common people aware about potential threat to our fragile environmental ecosystem," the microbiologist concluded.

It should be noted that Armenia, with the help of foreign forces, continues the illegal construction of a new metallurgical plant in Arazdayan, bordering the Nakhchivan MR of Azerbaijan. With this, the Armenians completely violate the agreement based on the Espoo UN Convention. Since the plant is being built in the area of the Araz River, which flows through the territory of neighboring countries, it represents a serious threat to the territory of Azerbaijan and Iran from an environmental point of view.

While the world is facing other global problems, this provocation by the Armenians cannot be treated indifferently. We hope that this will be successfully prevented before it is too late.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
25 July 2023 00:21 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

In recent years, there have been many official and unofficial reports on the human rights problem in Armenia. More widespread of them are suicide, political persecution, and the intolerable conditions of forced military service. In general, more deaths have been observed in Armenia during the last 2 years, a large percentage of which are related to chaotic incidents in military service, and most importantly, the humiliating defeat in the Second Karabakh War. It should be noted that most of the obtained facts refer to noncombat conditions.

Thus, human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) continued to express concerns over noncombat deaths in the army and the failure of law enforcement bodies to conduct credible investigations into those deaths. According to civil society organizations and victims families, the practice of qualifying many noncombat deaths as suicides at the onset of investigations made it less likely that abuses would be uncovered and investigated. And as to human rights lawyers, the biggest obstacle to investigation of military deaths was the destruction or nonpreservation of key evidence, both by the military command (in cases of internal investigations) and by the specific investigation body working on a case.

Besides, the human rights NGOs say that the governments lack of transparency in reporting on military deaths, whether classified as combat or noncombat, led to public distrust of official information in this sphere.

As regards the human rights violations and facts of death in military service, on August 19, the Ministry of Defense reported that three conscripts had been found dead with gunshot wounds at a military post in the West Zangazur (southeastern Syunik) region.

Later that day the ministry announced the arrest of a soldier on suspicion of murder. On August 23, the Investigative Committee reported the arrest of the post commander, who was suspected of "inciting the unlawful intentional killing of servicemen and committing violent sexual acts against a serviceman." According to civil society, the murders were indicative of years of official failure to act on multiple watchdog reports of discipline problems, impunity, and corruption inside the army.

Another fact is related to Armenian Aghhajanyan, who was killed while in prison. It is noted that there was no progress in the investigation into the 2018 death of Aghajanyan, who was found hanged in the Nubarashen National Center for supposedly mental health where he had been transferred from Nubarashen Penitentiary for a psychological assessment. His family believed Aghajanyan was killed to prevent his identification of penitentiary guards who beat and tortured him prior to his transfer to the hospital. The investigation into Aghajanyans alleged suicide was suspended for the third time on March 3. One of the attackers in Aghajanyans torture case, Major Armen Hovhannisyan, was initially charged with torture and falsification of documents, but the trial court requalified his actions as exceeding official authority and released him on the basis of a 2018 amnesty.

Human rights NGOs elucidating the cases of military deaths note that the trauma of the 2020 fighting was a leading factor in the suicides. The Prosecutor Generals Office reported a high rate of suicide among the family members of servicemembers and persons who participated in the conflict as volunteers.

Political persecutions

The fact is that human rights violations in Armenia are not limited only to the military structures of the country that were destroyed after the Patriotic War. Such cases are also widespread in political circles. For example, if we look at the recent confessions of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, it can be easily confirmed that political persecutions and harassments are widespread in Armenia. Even Pashinyan repeatedly told the public that there were assassination attempts against him and his family members.

To discover such facts, it is possible to review not only recent history, but also the events of the 2000s. Unfortunately, authorities take no steps to set up a fact-finding commission to examine noncombat deaths, among other human rights abuses. Many criminal cases and human rights problems are still kept secret and covered up.

In general, the criminal cases that occur in the authorities in Armenia are related to political persecutions and cases of contract killings. Vazgen Sargsyan, Armenian military commander, Karen Demirchyan, former Armenian Prime Minister, Yuri Bakhshyan, Deputy National Assembly Speaker are state representatives who were victims of assassination in the history of Armenia. For example, when Nikol Pashinyan admitted that he recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at the 5th trilateral meeting in Brussels in May, he also expressed a number of opinions about his own security. It is no coincidence that Pashinyan stated that he did not want to experience the fate of his former colleague Karen Demirchyan and said that his son was allegedly attacked. Regardless of how objective Pashinyan's confessions are, the mentioned facts easily confirm that political persecution in Armenia is in a pathological state.

Political arrests and persecutions are also traditional in Armenia. For example, Pashinyan cannot be considered the only target here. Since the interests and influence mechanisms are different, it can sometimes be used against the government, and sometimes by the government against the opposing forces. Of course, we are talking about the former president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, against whom a criminal case was opened.

According to the reports, on March 26, the Constitutional Court ruled that a criminal code article under which former president Robert Kocharyan and other high-ranking officials were prosecuted for their involvement in sending the military to break up protests after the 2008 presidential election, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and two police officers, has been void. However, Kocharyan and his former chief of staff, Armen Gevorgyan, were continued to stand trial on bribery charges. The judge acquitted two other defendants in this case, retired Ministry of Defense generals Yuri Khachaturov and Seyran Ohanian, who were charged with overthrowing the constitutional order in connection with the postelection unrest. The court denied the prosecutors appeal to requalify the case under a different article of the criminal code. Many in the legal community questioned the original decision to indict the officials under the specific article chosen. Although the trial ran for three years before the Constitutional Court ruling, the trial court never discussed the merits of the case due to the stalling tactics employed by the defense, which presented countless motions and appeals. As a result, in September 2020 family members of the victims of the 2008 postelection violence refused to attend further court hearings, blaming the Prosecutor Generals Office for turning the trial into a farce and not taking effective measures to move the case forward. Following the Constitutional Court decision that the criminal code article under which Kocharyan was charged was unconstitutional, lawyers for the families averred that the prosecutions failure served the "interests of a specific group," a reference to Kocharyan and his associates. The investigation into others suspected of the 2008 postelection violence, including those charged with excessive use of force and murder, continued.

It is clear from the reports that political scandals in Armenia are always resolved according to the interests of different circles. Even if there are serious deaths, it doesn't matter to those circles. In short, every official in Armenia, from law enforcement agencies to the Supreme Court, knows very well who and what they are serving for.

Arrests and treatment with detainees

In terms of human rights violations, it can be said that Armenia can even be in the top ten in this field. The government, which has become an extremely ruthless force in political protests, treats the people almost as if they were on the battlefield.

This is still the visible side of the scene. But what happens behind the scenes is more dramatic. On August 4, the NGO Protection of Rights Without Borders reported that those arrested in Armenia are kept in prison by personal decisions of the police and criminal cases are opened without being questioned. Individuals are not even allowed to consult their lawyers due to legal regulations. In the worst cases, those detained can be subjected to torture, which in some cases has dire consequences.

Neglect of human rights does not consist only of the mentioned facts. For example, on April 10 of this year, the arrest and brutal beating of two Azerbaijani military servicemen as they strayed into the territory of Armenia should be considered the biggest outcry against human rights. Arresting a military serviceman of the other party without reason and beating an unarmed soldier is a manifestation of real lawlessness and arbitrariness in Armenia in general.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
24 July 2023 12:03 (UTC+04:00)

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved an intergovernmental agreement with Azerbaijan on the establishment of a joint investment fund with a capital of $500 million, Azernews reports.

According to the news, the agreement was signed on February 24, 2023 as part of the interregional forum of the two countries in Tashkent.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev approved the agreement in May.

The share of Azerbaijan in the capital of the fund will be 75%, Uzbekistan - 25%.

Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Director General of the Agency for Strategic Development, Executive Director of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development Shukhrat Vafayev are members of the board of directors of the investment fund from Uzbekistan.

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24 July 2023 10:31 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The China news portal have covered exclusive interview CMG host Wang Guan with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

In interview Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev points out the reasons why Western media are biased in their reports on non-Western countries.

According to Azernews, the news portal shares as follows:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says territorial integrity is the fundamental principle of international law and Azerbaijan always abides by it. President Aliyev also remarks, "Countries that treat international law selectively will only lose their reputation." He points at some Western governments, hoping they can follow the one-China principle.

Talking about outside interference regarding the Taiwan question, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterates his country's stance and condemns any efforts to split China. He says territorial integrity is the fundamental principle of international law and Azerbaijan always abides by it. President Aliyev also remarks, "Countries that treat international law selectively will only lose their reputation." He points at some Western governments, hoping they can follow the one-China principle.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
(Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a key vote for his coalition's judicial reform bill following a medical emergency where he was fitted with a pacemaker.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a key vote on Monday regarding his controversial judicial reform legislation after a medical emergency where he was given an implant for a pacemaker.

In a statement, Netanyahu said he was "doing excellently" after the unscheduled implant to show his support for the judicial reform. The legislation has become controversial, resulting in nationwide protests as residents demand a compromise.

Netanyahu Attends Key Vote on Judicial Reform

The situation is considered Israel's worst domestic crisis in the last few decades. It comes as President Isaac Herzog met with Netanyahu on Sunday in the hospital that was treating the latter. The former was hoping that he could close the rifts that have shown up between the religious-nationalist ruling coalition and opposition parties.

Herzog said that the situation now can be considered an emergency, arguing that an agreement must be reached. His remarks come as he was the one who mediated fruitless negotiations in March and June, as per Reuters.

The Knesset is scheduled to hold final readings of Netanyahu's bill that would limit the Israeli Supreme Court's powers to overrule some government decisions. If it passes, it would be the first reform written into law of a package that critics fear seeks to curb judicial independence.

It is something that many believe that Netanyahu, who is currently on trial on corruption charges that he has denied, insists is required to balance the country's branches of government. The 73-year-old prime minister was also recently rushed to a hospital near Tel Aviv late Saturday.

It came after a heart monitor, implanted a week earlier and described as a dehydration episode, detected what doctors called a "temporary arrhythmia." In a video where he was seen wearing a blazer, he said that they are continuing to pursue the completion of the legislation.

Thousands of Israelis marched up to Jerusalem over the weekend to protest Netanyahu's judicial reform plan. According to the New York Times, many of the people who attended the demonstrations were driven by an urgent fear that the government was trying to steal the country and seize control of it politically.

Read Also: Russian Missiles Hit Odesa Anew; One Killed, Cathedral Damaged

Rising Tensions Over New Measure

In a statement, a 52-year-old museum curator from Tel Aviv, Mira Lapidot, said that the situation felt like a feeling of looting. She noted that it was as if the country was their spoils and that everything was theirs for the taking.

On the other hand, those who support the move largely believe the opposite, which is that political opposition is refusing to accept its losses. A podcast host from Efrat, 49-year-old Avi Abelow, said the demonstrations could no longer be considered protests but a coup.

He noted they are willing to destroy the unity between the Israeli people and the Israeli Army. Abelow also accused the political opposition, which does not support the judicial reform, of trying to destroy Israeli democracy to hold on to their power.

On top of stripping the Supreme Court of the power to declare the government decisions unreasonable, the judicial reform measure would give the coalition government more control over appointing the court's judges. It would also remove independent legal advisors from government ministries, said CNN.

Related Article: Spain's Shift to the Right Likely as Country Goes to the Polls

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24 July 2023 14:00 (UTC+04:00)

Ammunition exploded at the factory of Azerbaijans Defense Industry Ministry in the Shirvan district, Azernews reports.

The head of the Department of Information Technologies of the Ministry of Defense Industry Yashar Isakov said to the local media outlets that an explosion occurred at the Shirvan Araz Plant LLC of the Ministry of Defense Industry at around 12 o'clock today.

He noted that one person died and one person was injured as a result of the explosion.

An investigation is currently underway. Additional information will be provided," he added.

Regarding the issue, the General Prosecutor's Office released information about the explosion in Shirvan, as well. The Press Service of the General Prosecutor's Office told an investigation is being conducted.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
24 July 2023 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

Representatives of the Swiss refining company Argor-Heraeus have visited Azerbaijan aiming to refine gold and silver alloys produced by AzerGold CJSC and sell them on the foreign market, Azernews reports.

The company representatives held several meetings at the AzerGold office and visited Chovdar Integrated Regional Processing Area as well.

Vice-President of the international company, the Financial Director of the Global Business Department Frank Mohrhardt, and the Compliance Officer Mar'yana Cheterbok evaluated the activities of the CJSC according to international requirements and transparency criteria. Thus, the delegation got to know the production and manufacturing process, environmental protection, health and labor safety, working conditions created for workers and other areas.

Argor-Heraeus is one of four of the world's major gold refiners located on Swiss soil. In addition to Argor-Heraeus, the others are Valcambi in Balerna, Pamp in Castel San Pietro, and Metalor in Neuchatel. In an average year, Switzerland refines about 70 percent of the world's gold. The company provides its clients with the best possible service in terms of quality, speed, and cost-effectiveness while complying with environmental laws by employing the most advanced available technologies and using only sworn essayers, trained and supervised by the Swiss central office for the control of precious metals.

AzerGold Closed Joint-Stock Company was established according to the Decree no 1047 dated February 11, 2015 by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. The main objective of the Company is the study, research, exploration, management of ferrous and non-ferrous metal ore deposits, as well as extraction, processing and sale of this metals, implementation of new technologies in this field, modernization and efficient use of material and technical base, execution of other activities related to the development of this industry sector.

The visit of Argor-Heraeus to Azerbaijan is a testament to the country's growing importance in the global gold market. With a reliable partner like AzerGold CJSC, Argor-Heraeus is well-positioned to refine and market gold and silver alloys from the region to the world.

It was noted that a positive opinion was formed as the initial result of monitoring, and it was emphasized that the activity of AzerGold is organized within the framework of international mining standards, norms, and principles.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
24 July 2023 19:35 (UTC+04:00)

The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 10 irregular migrants on Sunday who were attempting to cross the Aegean Sea and were pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces off the coast of Izmir province, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

A coast guard boat was dispatched to the area upon receiving information about a group of irregular migrants in a rubber boat near Dikili district, the Coast Guard Command said in a statement.

The teams brought the irregular migrants ashore.

Meanwhile, 13 irregular migrants were also captured in the rubber boat stopped by the coast guard boat on duty off the coast of Dikili district.

The irregular migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Immigration after the necessary procedures.

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24 July 2023 22:45 (UTC+04:00)

Russian airline carried 53 million passengers by the middle of July, Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev said during a meeting of the United Russia faction in the State Duma, Azernews reports, citing Interfax.

"We plan this year to fly more than 100 million passengers. Our plan is 102 million. Passenger traffic was 53 million as of July 16. I think we'll fulfill our plan [...] given that the 11 airports that have been closed remain closed," he said.

Savelyev said during a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and cabinet ministers last week that Russian airlines boosted passenger traffic 18% year-on-year in H1 2023 to 47.5 million.

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Bahrain is endowed with magnificent mountain natural landscapes, especially endless beaches with turquoise dehydrated water. And with this hot summer weather, a nice beach is a treasure indeed! In this article, we are showing you the top 10 beaches in Bahrain for the perfect summer outing.

Here is a list of the top 10 beaches in Bahrain:

Amwaj Beach

The gorgeous blue waters that surround Amwaj -- which is situated close to Muharraq -- captivate locals and visitors. The Amwaj Beach archipelago has a multitude of beaches that are truly breathtaking, making it a golden beach Bahrain for beachgoers.

Although it is not a public beach, it is still a popular destination for weekend visitors.

Jarada Island Beach

Jarada Island is known for its brilliant white sand beaches and crystal blue water. It offers one of the best beaches to swim in Bahrain and the island is seen on the ebb and disappears in the tide. Tourists from all over the world head to the island to spend a leisurely day there.

Ritz Carlton's Private Beach

If you are looking for a luxurious beach experience, Ritz Carlton is where you need to go. It is one of the most luxurious five-star hotels in town that offers one of the best beaches in Bahrain.

You will find a private beach and an island you can swim over to in the hot weather during summer so you can forget all about the heat and relax.

Four Seasons Bahrain

The Four Seasons in Bahrain Bays beach offers opulent lodgings on its very own private island, which is located just off the coast of Manama. A stretch of white sand beach around 160 meters in length can be found to the south of the hotel, which faces the sun.

Al Hidd Beach

Al Hidd Beach in Bahrain is a popular destination for day trips with families as well as a variety of water activities such as picnicking and swimming. The beach located next to Prince Khalifa bin Salman Park. It is an excellent location for getting away from the hustle of city life.

Al Jazayer Beach

Al Jazayer Beach is Bahrain's biggest public beach. It is located near the Bahrain International Circuit and the Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve. You can cool off in the shallow waters before retreating to a towel or a sun lounger on the sand.

Abu Subh Beach

Abu Subh beach, also known as Diraz beach, is situated northwest of Bahrain near Budaiya and Northern City. This long stretch of public beaches is perfect for families thanks to the kids' play area and food trucks lining the sand.

Karbabad Beach

Karbabad Beach is located in the northern part of the Kingdom, along the northern coastline bordering the Persian Gulf. It is amongst the few public beaches in Bahrain. It is popular for both expats and locals alike. At sunset, you will see lots of people going for an evening stroll and enjoying the view.

Budaiya Beach

Budaiya beach is another public beach favoured by residents thanks to its clear waters and children's play area and ball courts along with a view of an island palace. The access is free and one can enjoy the stretch of sand and open water.

Arad Fort Beach

Located next to the picturesque Arad Fort, this tiny beach is more suited to picnics or casual strolls than swimming. It is more of a beach park, with a paved area for walking.

This beautiful stretch of beach to the side of the old fort is one of the best beaches in Bahrain. The fort, said to be one of the oldest sites in the Middle East, makes a stunning backdrop.
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More than half of students who responded said they found it difficult to know which courses they needed to transfer
(Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Former United States Vice President Mike Pence spoke about his former boss, Donald Trump, and the latter's actions during the Capitol Hill riot.

Former United States Vice President Mike Pence said he is "not yet convinced" that Donald Trump's actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot were criminal despite an indictment against the Republican businessman.

In a statement on Sunday, Pence said that he was hoping that the situation does not come to that point. He said that he had heard a deep concern regarding the law's unequal treatment. Pence added that one indictment against the former president would only contribute to that sense of unease among the American people.

Mike Pence on Donald Trump's Jan. 6 Actions

The former vice president noted that he would rather see the issues and the judgment about Trump's actions during the Capitol Hill riot be left to the American people to decide during the upcoming primaries.

Pence's statements come as he faced pressure from Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, who ordered him to block the certification of the results of the 2020 elections. As to CNN, he said that the former president's actions were reckless, adding that he believes history would make his former boss accountable for his actions.

Dana Bash, the host of CNN's "State of the Union," asked Pence about a recent radio interview where the former president spoke of his "passionate" supporters and how they could react to this potential imprisonment. The former vice president said that it was a topic that was dangerous to even talk about.

The former vice president said that the rhetoric from his former boss doesn't worry him because he has confidence in the American people. He noted that nearly everyone in his movement is the kind of American who love the country, are patriotic, are law-and-order people, and are those who have never done anything criminal.

Despite being reminded that he was once the subject of calls for his hanging, Pence maintained his position. He said that the people who rallied behind their cause in 2016 and 2020 are the nation's most God-fearing, law-abiding, patriotic people.

The situation comes after Trump said last week that Special Counsel Jack Smith notified him in a letter that he was the subject of an investigation by a Wasghinton-based grand jury. It was examining the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot and alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to NBC News.

Read Also: Columnists Chime In on Ted Cruz's 'Barbie' Claims as 'Chinese Propaganda'

Criminal Investigations

The supposed letter mentions three federal statutes related to the deprivation of rights, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tampering with a witness. The former president also recently indirectly warned the special counsel that it would be "very dangerous" to send him to prison.

Bash also questioned Pence if the latter believes that the Department of Justice should charge Trump if it finds evidence that the former president committed a crime related to the Capitol siege. But the former vice president only answered by saying that his former boss' actions at the time were inappropriate, said Yahoo News.

The former vice president said that criminal charges have everything to do with intent and the former president's state of mind during the Capitol Hill riot.

Related Article: Who is IRS Whistleblower Joseph Ziegler? Here's Some Facts You Need to Know

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The Gateway Pundit has published a good article on eight facts that debunk the climate alarmist claim that human produced CO2 produces "global warming"

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/07/eight-important-facts-not-opinions-that-totally-debunk/

"The popular narrative about climate change reflects a dangerous corruption of science that threatens the world's economy and the well-being of billions of people" - Dr. John Clauser, 2022 Nobel Prize winning physicist

"The climate change polemic is the greatest and most successful fraud I have seen in my long life as a physicist" - Dr. Hal Lewis

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/cancellations-start-john-clauser-after-nobel-physics-laureate-speaks-out-about-corruption

You can listen to many more scientists debunk this theory on the British TV documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle" which was broadcast nationally in the UK on Channel 4

Then there is famed astronomer Carl Sagan's warning about "authoritarian science". You can listen to that video on this link:

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/benbartee/2023/07/22/watch-carl-sagan-issues-prescient-warning-of-authoritarian-science-from-the-grave-n1712907
In an increasingly consolidated industry, some physicians worry that the future of private practice isn't so bright.

Sheldon Taub, MD, a gastroenterologist at Jupiter (Fla.) Medical Center, connected with Becker's to discuss physician autonomy.

Editor's note: This response has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Dr. Sheldon Taub: Physicians remaining independent are going to be few and far between. They're either going to go with these large equity groups or hospitals or something like that.

You still have a quote, unquote, "private practice," but you have guidelines and rules that you have to conform to so it meets their criteria. So right away, you feel a little bit of your autonomy being compromised, and then the bigger the group gets, the more restrictions they have on what you can do to stay in the group and conform to what they want you to do. On top of that, the government throws in their regulations too. The private practitioner is a dying breed.
FTC and HHS sent a joint letter to approximately 130 hospital systems and telehealth providers to alert them of the privacy and security risks of using online tracking technologies within their websites or mobile apps.

The letter specified risks posed by the Meta pixel and Google Analytics technologies, such as unauthorized disclosure of health conditions, diagnoses, medications, medical treatments, frequency of visits to healthcare professionals and where a patient seeks medical treatment, according to a July 20 FTC news release.

However, the warning did not come soon enough for numerous healthcare systems. At least 21 hospitals, health systems and technology companies have faced lawsuits over the past year for allegedly sharing confidential patient information with social media giants such as Meta, Facebook, Instagram and Google.

The use of tracking technology within healthcare systems is not a recent phenomenon, as 99 percent of hospitals in 2021 used web trackers, according to a study published in April.

Together, these HIPAA violation lawsuits allege the private medical information of millions of Americans has been illegally shared, according to a May 4 report from law.com.

Here is a list of hospitals, health systems and health apps across the U.S. that have faced lawsuits for allegedly sharing healthcare data for marketing purposes in the last year:

Betterhelp, an online therapy service, paid $7.8 million to consumers in a settlement filed by the Federal Trade Commission for revealing patient data with Facebook and Snapchat for advertising.

GoodRx, a telemedical service and prescription price comparison platform, paid $1.5 million in a settlement filed by the Justice Department on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission for failing to notify users of disclosing personal health information to Facebook, Google and other companies.

Premom, an app that tracks fertility, was accused by the Federal Trade Commission of sharing personal information with third parties and sensitive health data to AppsFlyer and Google.

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics faced a lawsuit accusing them of installing a pixel tracking technology on its websites to share patient data with Facebook.

Excela Health, based in Greensburg, Pa., faced a lawsuit alleging the use of tracking technology on its web portal to disclose patients' protected health information to Facebook and Google.

Mount Nittany Health, based in State College, Pa., faced a lawsuit claiming the use of pixels on its website to send patient information to Facebook and Google.

Steward Health Care System, based in Dallas, faced a lawsuit for the alleged use of a Meta pixel tracking tool within its website that sent patient information to Meta and Google.

Orlando Health faced a lawsuit from a patient for allegedly using pixel tracking technology on its website to send patient information to Facebook.

UofL Health, based in Louisville, Ky., faced a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the use of the Meta pixel consumer-tracking tool to transfer private health data to Meta platforms.

LCMC Health, based in New Orleans, and Willis-Knighton Health System, based in Shreveport, La., faced a class-action lawsuit accusing them of using a tracking code in their websites to share sensitive data without patient knowledge or consent.

The Christ Hospital, based in Cincinnati, faced a lawsuit for allegedly using pixel codes on their website to send patient information to Meta and other third parties.

Cedars-Sinai, based in Los Angeles, faced a lawsuit alleging the sharing of patient data with Meta, Google and Microsoft.

Rush University System for Health, based in Chicago, faced a lawsuit in federal court claiming the transmission of patient data to tech companies.

UPMC, based in Pittsburgh, entered into arbitration after a lawsuit alleged the sharing of patient data with Facebook.

University of Chicago Medical Center faced a lawsuit in federal court for allegedly using pixel tracking technology to share patient information with Facebook.

Advocate Aurora Health, dually headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill., and Milwaukee, and Meta faced a lawsuit from a patient over their use of pixel tracking technology to allegedly share protected health information.

WakeMed, based in Raleigh, N.C., faced a lawsuit from a patient alleging the use of pixel tracking technology on its website and patient portal that sent patient data to Facebook.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, based in Chicago, faced a lawsuit alleging the hospital shared sensitive patient health data with Meta, Facebook and Instagram.

UCSF Medical Center and Dignity Health, both based in San Francisco, were named in a class-action lawsuit alleging the sharing of patients' medical data used to target Facebook ads.
The Memphis (Tenn.) VA hospital has been renamed to the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, according to a July 23 report from ABC24.

The new name honors Luke Weathers Jr., a Memphis native who served as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force during World War II. As a Tuskegee airman, Mr. Weathers enlisted in one of the first pilot training programs that was available to African Americans.

Mr. Weathers was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Congressional Gold Medal. The renaming has been in the works for over a year, after U.S. Rep. Steven Cohen proposed the bill to rename the hospital in March 2022.
So far in 2023, Minnesota hospitals have reported nearly 14,000 instances of patient boarding. Now, they're getting $18 million from the state to help cover the costs of extended stays, the Star Tribune reported July 23.

The news outlet reviewed hospitals' requests to the state and found that at any point in time, about 580 patients were stuck in an emergency room or inpatient unit because of a lack of space in long-term care and other facilities. During budget negotiations for the legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers set aside $18 million to pay hospitals for these instances. Hospitals were compensated at $395 per day for each request, down from the $1,400 lawmakers were originally considering. However, that would have required $63 million to be set aside. Large systems such as Mayo Clinic in Rochester and M Health Fairview in Minneapolis received the highest payments of more than $2 million, according to the report.

Boarding is a critical issue for hospitals nationwide that has negative consequences for both patient care and hospital finances, as they do not get reimbursed for additional days spent in the hospital.

Minnesota lawmakers have also freed up $300 million to support nursing homes in increasing staffing and expanding beds.
Former President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Europe should give Ukraine over $100 billion more in aid to match the contributions of the United States (US).

In an interview with Foxx News' Sunday Morning Futures, the ex-President says that European countries are roughly "$100 billion short."

Donald Trump Says Europe Should Give Ukraine More Aid

The former U.S. President is back in the limelight. This time, Trump boldly called on Europe to dig deep and shower Ukraine with over $100 billion in additional aid.

According to Newsweek, Trump's previous remarks seemingly favors Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The former President of the US (POTUS) dubbed the Russian leader's move "genius" and "smart."

These days, Trump repeatedly claims that the invasion should have not taken place if he was still in the White House. He also asserted that he could easily end the conflict in merely 24 hours or a day.

And now, in an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo Trump declared that Europe is lagging behind the US when it comes to Ukraine aid. He tells European countries they are "about $100 billion-plus short, you gotta pay."

The Republican 2024 nomination frontrunner further claims that "Europe is smiling all the way to the bank" since they are "doing very little" than the US.

He made such remarks as Sunday Morning Futures host Bartiromo asked the former President if the plans to "stop the money" that the US is showering the conflicted country.

As per The Washington Examiner, the US Congress has agreed to shell out roughly $113 billion in Ukraine assistance and aid to other allied nations since February 2022. That is according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget's data.

Trump responded to Bartiromo, saying he plans to "get the war settled." The Republican leader further claimed that the US has already shelled out $150 billion in aid, whereas Europe is only at $20 billion. He then argued that the economy of the European region is relatively the same size as the US.

Read Also: Joe Biden Bribery Claims: GOP Allegedly Had Evidence Disproving Accusations

Trump Explains How He Plans to End Russia-Ukraine Conflict in a Day

As Fox News reports, Trump also shed light on his audacious plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war in merely 24 hours in his interview on Sunday Morning Futures.

The Republican leader boasted about his good relationship with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia's Putin. Trump says he plans to "tell Zelenskyy, no more. You got to make a deal. I would tell Putin, if you don't make a deal, we're going to give him a lot." The former US President reiterated that he plans to finish the deal in a day.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Challenges Ivanka, Eric, and Don Jr. To Get a Job Without Using Donald Trump's Name

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Mark Tykocinski, MD, has resigned from his roles as president of Thomas Jefferson University and interim dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia.

Jefferson CEO Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, wrote in an email to the university community July 20 that Dr. Tykocinski is exiting his leadership roles "to focus on his research," according to a copy of the message obtained by Becker's. Dr. Cacchione said Dr. Tykocinski's cancer immunotherapy research has reached a pivotal stage. He will continue his work as a professor.

Dr. Tykocinski started as president of Thomas Jefferson University July 1, 2022. He previously served as the university's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and as dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. Much of his research centers on immunotherapy and gene therapy  he holds a series of patents related to protein and cellular engineering.

"We appreciate Dr. Tykocinskis years of transformational service to Jefferson and wish him an abundance of success in his scientific and other endeavors given their importance to humanity," Dr. Cacchione wrote.

Board member Susan Aldridge, PhD, is now the interim president of Thomas Jefferson University, and Steven Herrine, MD, vice dean of undergraduate medical education, will serve as interim dean of the medical school. Dr. Cacchione's email notes that the university's searches for a provost and medical school dean were nearing completion.

Dr. Tykocinski's resignation followed controversy this spring when tweets he had "liked" were called into question. Some tweets questioned the validity and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and called gender reassignment surgery "child mutilation."

Dr. Tykocinski said he used the "like" function on Twitter to bookmark tweets  not endorse them  in an effort to learn more about the subject matter and better understand particular points of view.

At the time, Dr. Cacchione conveyed disappointment in Dr. Tykocinski's "careless" use of the social media network to the Jefferson community. "At his level, he is held to a higher standard and should have known better," Dr. Cacchione wrote in an email to faculty, employees and students.
The CEO of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia must now be on-site five days a week after inspectors identified safety lapses, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Donald Mueller became CEO of St. Christopher's in July 2020. Before that, he served as CEO of Children's Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The change in Mr. Mueller's work arrangements follows a survey of the hospital conducted in January 2023 by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. State officials provided CMS with a report of deficiencies it identified at the survey.

According to the Inquirer, the survey followed an alleged child abduction and found a lack of safety and leadership that jeopardized patient safety.

CMS documents shared with Becker's shows investigators found that the facility failed to initiate a "Code Pink" after the alleged child abduction. The Inquirer reported that a parent allegedly took their 2-month-old child home without being discharged. A "Code Pink," which alerts staff to a possible child abduction, would have led to the doors being locked, preventing the parent from leaving with the child. Investigators also found staff were not trained on "Code Pink" protocols annually as required.

Additionally, inspectors noted the hospital had left the position of director of emergency management vacant since 2021 and that the CEO failed to ensure patient safety and that staff were properly trained, according to the Inquirer.

CMS determined that conditions within St. Christopher's "posed an immediate jeopardy to the health and safety of patients," according to a letter the agency sent to the hospital. That immediate jeopardy designation has since been lifted.

West Reading, Pa.-based Tower Health and Philadelphia-based Drexel University in partnership own and operate St. Christopher's.

Mr. Mueller is now on-site five days each week during business hours unless on company business or paid time off, per the hospital's plan of correction established after the January inspection. When he is not on-site, another executive is on-site. The correction plan also includes training for all staff on "Code Pink" and other safety and security protocols.

According to the hospital's plan of correction, a new director of emergency management was hired in February. On July 20, CMS conducted another survey and found the hospital in compliance. It is no longer at risk of being terminated from the Medicare program, and its Joint Commission accreditations have been restored, according to documents CMS shared with Becker's.

Tower Health shared the following statement with Becker's: "St. Christopher's Hospital for Children's top priority is always the safety of its patients, their families and its employees. Immediately following the investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the hospital developed an action plan that was accepted and implemented. As part of that plan, we completed mandatory in-depth training for all 1,800 employees, incorporating both in-person drills and online education for every staff member.

"St. Christopher's continues to excel in providing safe, high-quality care for children in Philadelphia's most underserved community. The hospital has received reaccreditation for its Level 1 Trauma Center, its kidney transplant program, its dialysis center and its cystic fibrosis Center, and has received national awards for its extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program (a form of advanced life support used for infants and children with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems). St. Christopher's is also a Magnet designated hospital, the highest standard for nursing practice and innovation."

A spokesperson for the hospital declined to answer questions from Becker's regarding whether Mr. Mueller moved to Philadelphia permanently or how often he was previously at the hospital in-person.

His LinkedIn profile lists a hybrid working status and Philadelphia as his location.














Chief diversity officers rapidly gained prevalence in 2020. Now, the role is being vacated in droves  a decision driven not only by employers, but by diversity leaders themselves, The Wall Street Journal reported July 21.

Thousands of diversity, equity and inclusion officers have been laid off in the past year as companies reassess their executive makeups and pull back on racial justice commitments. High-profile executives were among them, including those at Disney, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Some chief diversity officers say their work has become more challenging since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, bringing increased scrutiny upon their roles. Although companies hire CDOs under the impression they will improve the talent pipeline, few organizations actually want to change hiring or promotion practices  or allot resources to them, these executives told the Journal. A waning number of diversity executives feel supported by colleagues and middle managers; studies show Americans are split on the importance of a diverse workforce.

"There's a combination of grief, being very tired, and being, in some cases, overwhelmed," Miriam Warren, chief diversity officer for Yelp, told the Journal.

The role's ascent was quick following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Chief diversity and inclusion officers saw a 168.9 percent growth rate between 2019 and 2022. And although less than half of S&P 500 companies had a chief diversity officer or similar role in 2018, 75 percent did in 2022, according to a study from executive search firm Russell Reynolds.

In 2023, the role's popularity is winding down. The number of CDO searches is down 75 percent in the past year, Jason Hanold, CEO of Hanold Executive Search  a firm that recruits HR and DEI executives  told the Journal. Demand for these executives is the lowest Mr. Hanold has seen in 30 years.

Chief diversity officers also experience 40 percent higher turnover  and longer job searches  than human resources executives, according to employer data provider Live Data Technologies.

Some companies moved employees into diversity leadership if they were an ethnic minority, even if they were not prepared, Dani Monroe, former CDO of Boston-based Mass General Brigham, told the Journal. These "knee jerk reactions" left both sides discontented, according to Ms. Monroe, who also convenes a yearly gathering of more than 100 CDOs.

Moving forward, DEI officers want broader roles that encompass more responsibility and allot more resources, according to the Journal. Sixty percent of diversity titles are being combined with other roles like HR, Mr. Hanold estimates.

"They're telling us, the only way I want to go into another role with DEI is if it includes something else," Mr. Hanold said.
American Physician Partners' planned closure on July 31 has left more than 150 hospitals and health systems with just two weeks to secure new emergency or hospital medicine services.

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based medical staffing company confirmed the closure to Bloomberg on July 17, citing ongoing financial challenges. APP provided emergency medicine and hospital medicine management services to more than 150 healthcare organizations in 18 states, according to its website.

Harold Naramore, MD, CEO of Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tenn., said the abrupt closure has left him scrambling to secure new providers to run the emergency department by Aug. 1. He interviewed at least two dozen companies in the week following the news, ultimately selecting TeamHealth to take over emergency services, according to NBC affiliate WBIR.

The hospital typically allocates about 60 days to transition emergency department providers. Under the current circumstances, TeamHealth will have just 13 days.

"They have committed to do this as seamlessly as possible. It certainly will have moments in the transition," Dr. Naramore told WBIR. "I believe they're very capable of it. We look forward to partnering with them."

Facing a similar situation, Houston Methodist quickly transitioned its APP contracts to U.S. Acute Care Solutions on July 19, according to MedPage Today.

The American College of Emergency Physicians said it is "deeply concerned" about potential care disruptions from APP's closure.

"While events are still unfolding, we call upon American Physician Partners to responsibly transition operations and prioritize continuity of ED staffing and quality of patient care," the organization tweeted July 18.
Members of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions plan to begin picketing July 24 to protest what they say is a short staffing crisis and its effects on patients and caregivers.

The coalition represents more than 85,000 Kaiser healthcare workers in seven states and Washington, D.C., according to a union news release from Service Employees International Union Local 49, part of the coalition.

Union members began the national bargaining process with Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser in April. Their current contract with Kaiser expires on September 30.

During negotiations, union members seek safe staffing levels, according to the SEIU Local 49 release. They say understaffed hospitals and clinics are unsafe and can lead to long wait times, mistaken diagnosis and neglect, jeopardizing patient care.

"Kaiser Permanente management claims caregivers are overpaid while continuing to demand more from us without providing the staff levels we need and our patients deserve," Don Arndt, Kaiser Permanente lab tech assistant, said in the union release. "Those of us putting our lives on the line deserve great jobs so we can recruit and retain quality staff to give great care to our patients.  Kaiser has the resources necessary to provide those jobs and that care. We are standing united for ourselves and our patients."

Becker's reached out to Kaiser and will update the story if a new comment is received.

In a statement shared earlier this month, Kaiser took issue with union members' assertions.

"The real issue in bargaining is whether to provide one identical, national wage increase for every coalition-represented employee, or provide appropriate, market-based wage increases. In bargaining this week, we have discussed with the coalition the fact that in some markets we are paying 28 percent above the market average wage rates," the statement said.

Kaiser also noted efforts related to staffing, including an agreement between Kaiser and the coalition to a joint goal of hiring 10,000 new people for coalition-represented jobs in 2023. The statement also said while hospital staffing is a nationwide challenge, Kaiser's employee turnover rate of 8.8 percent is significantly lower than the healthcare industry's average rate of 21.4 percent.

Pickets are scheduled this week across the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area, including at Kaiser Westside Medical Center, Kaiser Interstate Medical Office and Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center.

Members of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions also plan to hold pickets the week of July 24 at Kaiser facilities in California, Washington state and Colorado.
A prominent Arkansas psychiatrist is under federal investigation for alleged an Medicaid fraud scheme and false imprisonment, NBC News reported July 23.

Brian Hyatt, MD, formerly worked at Springdale, Ark.-based Northwest Medical Center's mental health unit and on the state medical board. At least 26 former patients have sued him, alleging they were held against their will in his unit for days or weeks after coming in for mental health aid. In addition, the state attorney general accused Dr. Hyatt of running an insurance scam, billing Medicaid for treating patients he rarely saw and using the highest severity codes on each patient to earn the most money.

From January 2019 to June 2022, Medicaid paid more than $800,000 to Dr. Hyatt's facility, and 99.95 percent of his claims came in the most expensive code, according to an affidavit.

In May 2022, he was terminated from the hospital after it agreed to pay $1.1 million in settlements related to insufficient justification to hospitalize 246 patients in his unit. In May 2023, Dr. Hyatt resigned from the Arkansas State Medical Board after DEA agents searched his private practice.

"I am not resigning because of any wrongdoing on my part but so that the board may continue its important work without delay or distraction," he wrote in a letter shared with NBC News. "I will continue to defend myself in the proper forum against the false allegations being made against me."

Dr. Hyatt has not been charged with a crime, and his legal team released the following statement: "Dr. Hyatt continues to maintain his innocence and denies the allegations made against him. Despite his career as an outstanding clinician, Dr. Hyatt has become the target of a vicious, orchestrated attack on his character and service. He looks forward to defending himself in court."
A family is suing Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare after their 8-year-old son was taken off life support measures while he was still conscious, wdrb.com reported July 23.

The boy was born with a congenital heart defect and had already undergone a heart transplant last summer, which was rejected within hours of the procedure. While they waited for another heart, he was kept alive with an artificial heart and other life-sustaining treatment.

In early April, his parents, Chris and Sally McCullum, were told by hospital officials that the child was no longer a candidate for another heart transplant and he would be removed from life support, the lawsuit claims. The McCullums claimed they were not asked for approval or consent in the decision and that their son was still conscious and cognitively aware. The officials said they have never before removed life support from a conscious and cognitively aware child before, according to the report.

No physician was present while the treatment was removed, the lawsuit claims. The boy died April 19 hours after life support was removed.

"He knew what was happening as his life support was shut off, his parents stood bedside and they were helpless to do anything to stop it as he looked at them and said 'help me,'" Ann Oldfather, the lawyer representing the family, told the news outlet.

The family alleges that Norton officials also attempted to pressure and manipulate them during the process.

"Norton Children's Hospital cares for our community's youngest patients, and we serve all families, including those in very difficult situations," Renee Murphy, a spokesperson for Norton Healthcare, told the news outlet. "Our clinical teams meet with families regularly to review care plans and medical options, and we work to maintain an open dialogue. Our priority is to provide quality care to all those we serve. Unfortunately, not every medical intervention is successful."
No agreement has been reached between Miami-based HCA Kendall Hospital and a plaintiff who sued the hospital, after an employee posted them online.

Jose Fabian Lopez sued the hospital in 2022 after an employee took pictures of his son, Jose Lopez Canizares, in the trauma ward and posted them to Instagram, Miami New Times reported July 24.

Mr. Canizares had been airlifted to the hospital after a motorcycle accident and was unconscious when he arrived May 28, 2022. The employee took at least three pictures of Mr. Canizares, texted them to co-workers and posted one on Instagram.

The lawsuit alleges that Kendall Hospital was aware of the pictures as early as June 1, 2022, but didn't tell Mr. Lopez about them until his son died on June 23, 2022.

Mr. Lopez is suing the hospital for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other counts. According to the Times, the hospital's attorneys are fighting to get the claims dismissed, arguing that if a breach of privacy occurred, it happened to Mr. Canizares, not Mr. Lopez.

A June mediators report found no agreement had been reached between the defendants and the plaintiffs. As the two parties move slowly toward trial, Mr. Lopez has filed a proposal for settlement. Alex Marcovich, the employee accused of posting the pictures, has been named as a defendant, alongside the hospital.

"Protecting patient privacy is a top priority for HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, and we have clear policies in place and provide regular training to our staff," a HCA Florida Kendall Hospital spokesperson told Becker's. "We also have a system of checks and balances, which led to us self-reporting this incident. We hold our colleagues accountable at all times and provided immediate retraining to our entire team regarding the importance of privacy, and we will continue to do so. We send our heartfelt condolences to the Lopez family at this time."
Police say a suspect is dead after a shooting July 22 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Ore., that left a hospital security guard dead and another employee injured.

At about 11 a.m., officers responded to a report of a threat inside the hospital where a person was seen armed with at least one firearm, according to a news release from Portland Police.

"When officers arrived, they were notified by hospital security staff that shots had been fired," police said. "Officers began searching for the suspect, while hospital staff began shelter-in-place protocols. Officers learned that the security guard was wounded, and they worked with hospital staff to begin treatment."

Officers learned that the suspect had left the hospital, and a search began.

The injured security guard, identified by the hospital as Bobby Smallwood, was transferred to a Level 1 Trauma Center, where he died despite additional lifesaving treatment efforts, police said. No patients were hurt.

A second hospital employee was injured, according to a statement from Portland-based Legacy Health. The health system said the employee suffered a shrapnel injury, was treated at Good Samaritan and released to go home July 22.

"Words cannot express the profound grief we are experiencing," Kathryn Correia, Legacy Health president and CEO, said in a news release. "We offer our unwavering support to Bobby's loved ones, to our patients in our care, to the staff at Legacy Good Samaritan and to all of our employees and providers suffering today."

Legacy Health also said: "We are grateful for our [other] employee's recovery and to our providers, nurses and staff who cared for our injured staff member after Saturday's tragic incident."

Officers located the suspect in a vehicle in Gresham, Ore. The suspect is dead after an officer-involved shooting, police said. No officers were injured.

Legacy Health said the Good Samaritan emergency department moved out of divert status at 7:30 p.m. July 22 and is operating like normal.

The Good Samaritan family birth center remains on divert status.
A $400 million inpatient surgical hospital will open July 31 at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., according to a July 21 WUSF news release.

While patients with all types of cancer will be treated at the new 500,000-square-foot Moffitt McKinley Hospital, "solid tumors requiring surgery" will be prioritized in the facility's 19 operating rooms.

Additionally, surgeons will have the ability to perform MRI-informed procedures in real time, Patrick Hwu, MD, president and CEO of Moffitt, said in the release.

"If a brain surgeon wants to know if he got all the tumor, we don't have to close the patient, send them to a scanner," Dr. Hwu said. "Everyone clears the room and an MRI comes in."

If the scans show additional surgery is required, it's done on the spot, he said.






(Photo : Josep LAGO / AFP) (JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Spain's recent election, which resulted in an inconclusive vote, has thrust the country's government into political uncertainty.

Spain's inconclusive vote has left the country's government in political uncertainty as a left-wing coalition celebrated the right-wing party's failure to win a majority in Parliament.

People shared their concerns as no party could secure enough support to form a government, which would most likely result in weeks of horse trading or a new vote later this year.

Spain's Inconclusive Vote

Returns revealed that most votes were divided between the center-right and the center-left. However, neither of the two sides, the governing Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez or his conservative rivals, could win enough ballots to govern alone.

While the latter could come out ahead, the allies they might have partnered with to form a government in the hard-right Vox party saw their support plummet. The situation came as Spanish residents rejected extremist parties in the government, as per the New York Times.

The current situation is something that Spaniards find familiar since the country's two-party system fractured nearly a decade ago. The issue looks likely to leave the nation in political limbo during a crucial time when it holds the rotating presidency of the European Council as it continues to face down Russian aggression in Ukraine.

With 99% of the returns, the conservative Popular Party won 136 seats in Parliament, while the Socialists won 122. However, the former hoped to win an absolute majority and govern even without Vox, which many of the party's officials consider anachronistic, anathema to the country's moderate values, and dangerous.

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the party leader, said he was very proud of the vote results. Despite his success-touting speech, his tone had a defensive ring as he said that the candidates who won the most votes have always governed.

Despite people at the People's Party headquarters celebrating, opposition party supporters said they were expecting a clear victory. According to CNN, an English professor in Madrid, Mercedes Gonzalez, said that he believed they would get more votes.

Read Also: Netanyahu Attends Key Vote After Being Fitted With Pacemaker

A State of Political Uncertainty

A 21-year-old web designer from Madrid, Fernando del Rio, expressed dissatisfaction with the vote results. He said that people spoke against the socialist government, but it did not materialize into votes during the election.

On the other hand, socialist supporters were seen as upbeat outside of the Socialist Party headquarters. A 64-year-old civil servant in pre-retirement, Agustin Saludes, said he was happy with the vote results because they were not expecting to get so much support and were prepared to lose.

In a statement, Feijoo said that it was now his duty to form a government to lead the country into the future. He said that Spaniards know they have gone from being the second force to the party with the most votes.

Sanchez noted that the reactionary bloc of regression, which set out a complete reversal of all the advances that they have achieved over the last four years, has failed. He faces continued attacks from the right due to a badly framed law on sexual consent and other reforms regarding abortion and transgender rights, said BBC.

Related Article: Spain's Shift to the Right Likely as Country Goes to the Polls

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BBC presenter Evan Davis has recalled the tragic moment he learnt his father had died by suicide on his wedding day.

In July 2022, Davis, 61, tied the knot with French landscape architect Guillaume Baltz, 56, at Lambeth town hall.

Shortly after the ceremony, however, he received a text from his brother Roland telling him to call ASAP.

When he finally got in contact, he received the news from Roland that Dads died.

Davis responded: OK. Im actually just getting married at the moment. I want to absorb the news very quickly. Ill call you back straight away.

Five minutes later, he discovered that his father, Quintin Davis, 92, who was seriously ill, had died by suicide.

In a new interview with The Sunday Times, Davis explained how the occasion turned into a very warm-hearted, supportive, reflective day as he told guests in a speech telling the guests his father had died.

Davis told his guests: Weve just had some news. My father died. But I dont want you to be alarmed.

He was very elderly and it was definitely time. Theres actually nothing we can do. So Im going to propose that we carry on.

In the interview, the Dragons Den host explained that his father had expressed his wishes to die by suicide to his three sons the previous year, and wrote a letter on the day saying that his system is closing down and that he was on the verge of mental breakdown  IE, I am going mad and physically falling apart.

I really have no alternative, Quintin wrote. Thank you all for being such a wonderful family.

In a second letter, labelled a suicide note, Quintin stressed that he had died unaided and as a way to maintain my autonomy.

I am not unhappy or depressed. I go because I have decided that I am now ready to go, he wrote. I wish to place on record that I have enjoyed a happy and fulfilled life, much of it due to the exceptionally fine quality and character of every member of my family, and wish them all the best of luck in the future.

Growing emotional as he told the story, Davis said: Im only crying because I loved my dad so much. Im not sad. This is not a sad story.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died of cancer at the age of 67, his agent has said (Fiona Hanson/PA)

BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died at the age of 67, his agent has said.

A statement from Mary Greenham to the PA news agency said: I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family.

George Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014 (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

The Sri Lanka-born journalist, the face of BBC Ones News At Six since 2007, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, in April 2014.

He endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

In October 2015 he announced that his treatment was over and returned to BBC News At Six on November 10.

Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and spent many years as one of the corporations leading foreign correspondents before moving to presenting.

He first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

He was previously a prominent foreign correspondent, often as a specialist in Africa with coverage of civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

Throughout his career he interviewed central political figures, among them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and ex-Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

Before joining the BBC, Alagiah workied as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UKs mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

George Alagiah is made an OBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace (Martin Keene/PA)

His cancer returned in December 2017 and he underwent further treatment before again returning to work.

He took another break from studio duties in October 2021 to deal with a further spread of cancer, before returning in April 2022.

Appearing in a campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2022, speaking about the impact of his own experience of living with stage four bowel cancer, Alagiah said: People always ask me how I cope and its the hardest question

The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head  despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.

In October last year, Alagiah announced he was taking a break from presenting the BBCs News At Six following another scan.

He said: A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so its back to some tough stuff. Im missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

Alagiah spoke openly about the experience of living with cancer, joining a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 in which he said he sometimes felt he had the easy part, living with bowel cancer while his loved ones had to watch.

He said: Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves.

In some ways Ive felt through my six-plus years living with cancer that sometimes I have the easy part My job is just to stay fit and my family has got to watch all of the other things.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Robathan, and two children.

A statement from BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.
The award-winning journalist, who presented the BBC News at Six for the past 20 years, passed away today after a long battle with cancer. He was 67.

His agent Mary Greenham said: George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

BBC newsreaders Clive Myrie and Naga Munchetty fought back tears as they announced the news.

Myrie became emotional as he paid tribute to Alagiah during the lunchtime BBC News broadcast, saying: "On a personal note, George touched all of us here in the newsroom with his kindness and generosity, his warmth and good humour."

He added: "We loved him here at BBC News and I loved him as a mentor, colleague and friend.

Munchetty appeared distressed as she interrupted her live show on BBC Radio 5 Live to deliver the news, saying: He was so loved in our news room."

Belfast-born Maxine Mawhinney, who worked alongside Mr Alagiah for over 20 years in her career with the broadcaster, also paid tribute.

He was just a lovely, lovely person, she told the Belfast Telegraph.

Read more BBC newsreader George Alagiah dies at 67 after bowel cancer diagnosis

We all knew about his cancer, he had always been quite open about it. Until recently we all thought it was going well for him, but the last time he spoke publicly to say he was struggling was hard to hear.

Mr Alagiah, who was born in Sri Lanka, continued to present for the BBC when he was not receiving treatment.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and spent many years as one of the it's leading foreign correspondents before moving to presenting.

He was often a specialist in Africa and covered the civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

Throughout his career he interviewed central political figures, among them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and ex-Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

He was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for his coverage of Saddam Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq and was named Amnesty International's journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi.

He first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

Veteran BBC broadcaster George Alagiah dies aged 67

Ms Mawhinney added: He had a quiet, old fashioned way about him, a fantastic journalist who put people at ease and was able to bring the stories out of them.

I never heard anyone say a bad word about him. He was universally loved and respected by everyone who worked with him, perhaps even more so for the way he handled his own illness

I obviously spent a good part of my career working alongside him and he was a real calming influence, a genuinely lovely man  authoritative and trusted and a wonderfully assured presence in the newsroom.

He will be sadly missed, not only by me, but by everyone who had the pleasure to work alongside him. All my love and hugs go to his family.

Another Northern Ireland-born BBC presenter, Annita McVeigh, also paid tribute.

She Tweeted: So very sad to hear about George. A gentle soul and a magnificent journalist. RIP George.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.

Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, paid tribute saying: George was a brilliant journalist, a lovely man and an inspiring example to all fighting serious illness. His friends will miss him deeply.

Broadcaster John Simpson said: A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague it would be hard to find.

I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.

Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel added: Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster  but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was deeply saddened by news of Alagiah's death.

He said: A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary pushing reporting. British journalism has lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

After his diagnosis Alagiah endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

He returned to work after his treatment was over but the cancer came back and spread leading to breaks from the studio while he received treatment.

Appearing in a campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2022, speaking about the impact of his own experience of living with stage four bowel cancer, Alagiah said: People always ask me how I cope and it's the hardest question...

The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head  despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.

In a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 in which he said he sometimes felt he had the easy part, living with bowel cancer while his loved ones had to watch.

He said: Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves.

In some ways I've felt through my six-plus years living with cancer that sometimes I have the easy part... My job is just to stay fit and my family has got to watch all of the other things.

Before joining the BBC, Alagiah worked as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UK's mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: I am very sorry to hear that George Alagiah has died with bowel cancer and my thoughts are with his friends and family.

Talking about cancer can save lives and that George was able to speak so openly and honestly about living with cancer will undoubtably make a difference to many others: I am very grateful that he felt able to do this.

With all cancers, acting at the first sign of symptoms can make a big difference to how cancer can be treated, and as George often reminded people, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer  so if you have noticed any changes such as blood in your poo, a change in bowel habits or pain and bloating  please do come forward for checks as soon as possible.
Condemnation after three shops were targeted over the weekend

Three armed robberies which took place over the weekend have been condemned on attacks on the local community by a leading trade body.

The PSNI is currently investigating the incidents, which occurred in the north, south and west of Belfast.

The incidents are not believed to be linked.

The first robbery occurred at a commercial premises in west Belfast late on Friday night.

It was reported that three masked men entered a fast food takeaway in the Suffolk Road area at around 8.55pm.

One of the assailants was armed with a suspected firearm.

They ordered staff onto the floor before making off with a sum of money.

A second raid happened in the Ardoyne Road area of north Belfast the next evening.

On Saturday at around 10.45pm, the PSNI received a report of two masked men entering a shop. They were armed with suspected firearms and assaulted one staff member before making off with cash.

Then in the early hours of Saturday morning, a third raid happened in the Lisburn Road area of south Belfast. Two masked men entered a takeaway shortly after 12.45am to order food.

As the till was opened, one of the perpetrators produced a knife and stole the cash drawer, before the men made off towards the Mount Prospect area.

The string of robberies were condemned by Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts.

It is not just the impact these robberies have on the businesses, but also the staff as well, he said.

Of course, all of these businesses provide a service to the local community, so in many respects, these are attacks on the local community in those areas.

We urge anybody with information to provide it to the police.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts

SDLP representative for Balmoral Donal Lyons also condemned the robberies.

I am sure this was a very upsetting and traumatic experience for victims involved.

People have a right to go about their work without being threatened in such a way.

We are trying to grow the night time economy in Belfast, and we are trying to make it a safer city to go out in.

I would encourage anyone who sees incidents like this to share that information with the PSNI.

SDLP councillor Donal Lyons

Independent Oldpark councillor Paul McCusker called the incidents worrying.

Its worrying to hear that there has been a number of robberies in Belfast, he said.

I will be in contact with the PSNI to ensure that those businesses get the support and that those responsible are caught.

We need to support local businesses and I hope the staff involved are okay.

Police are appealing for information surrounding the three incidents, and urge the public to contact them on 101 with any information.

Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
Former First Minister Arlene Foster has said she feels so sorry for holidaymakers from the UK trapped in Greece, as wildfires continue to grip Rhodes.

She described initially being oblivious to the fires on the island  until a restaurant where she visited was burnt to the ground.

Up to 10,000 British nationals are thought to be on the Greek island, which has been ravaged by flames, and holiday firms are scrambling to get them home.

Speaking to GB News, Dame Arlene recounted her experience.

"The thing is I had a wonderful holiday and was quite oblivious to what was going on on other parts of the island until Saturday when I was due to leave (that evening), she said.

Read more Rhodes: NI honeymoon couple describe fleeing burning hotel and walking miles on beach to rescue boat

"We had been to such beautiful places in Rhodes, including a gorgeous little restaurant by the beach  and on Saturday evening I found out it was completely burnt to the ground.

"The place where I had been all day on Thursday...and on Saturday evening, my daughter looked at Twitter and it was burnt to the ground.

"When we were taking off on early Sunday morning, we could look back and see the fires raging on the ground. I had been walking around the town that day, no one was concerned but when I got to the airport thats when I got concerned.

British couple tell of their nightmare time on Rhodes

Dame Arlene said she was very fortunate that they had managed to escape the chaos after multiple holiday providers subsequently cancelled flights in and out of the island.

Some 19,000 people have been evacuated from Rhodes after many holidaymakers had to resort to escaping to the beach to escape the extreme weather conditions.

The Greek island of Corfu has also experienced serious fires across the island, with 2,500 people evacuated from the island.

"The lovely people of Rhodes who work and live there, who were telling us they dont make much money during the winter, are now devastated, Dame Arlene continued.

"Im told they have fires most summers but this is certainly the worst theyve had in many years.

Upon returning to Northern Ireland, the politician turned broadcaster tweeted and said she is watching the news reports of the fires across the island.

She Tweeted: Watching the terrible story of the fires in the Greek island. I came home from Rhodes on Sunday and feel so sorry for all those wonderful people in Rhodes who have lost their homes and livelihoods and wish safe passage to all those trying to get home to the UK.

Read more NI womans terror after being trapped as wildfires tear through Rhodes

Despite the chaos she escaped, Dame Arlene said she wouldnt let the emergency situation put her off Rhodes for a future holiday.

I would go back, particularly because the tourist season is their biggest industry. They were so lovely and wonderful people. This is devastation for them, she said.

Foreign Office advice on Rhodes is 'stick close to your tour company', says minister

Airlines flying to both Rhodes and Corfu are set to resume flights from tomorrow to bring UK holidaymakers home whilst the Foreign Office has said they are monitoring the situation.

Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell urged British tourists in Rhodes to "stick very close to your tour company, they know best what you should do.
An increasing number of people in Northern Ireland are seeking help for porn addiction after becoming hooked on OnlyFans online content, it has been reported.

Figures from the UK Addiction Treatment Group show that there was a 66% increase in those contacting the organisation due to the problem this year alone compared to 2022.

OnlyFans is an adult-only service that allows content creators to post pictures and videos in exchange for money from subscribers. Content creators keep 80% of the revenue from uploading their own material, while the remaining 20% goes to OnlyFans to cover business costs, handling credit card processing and salaries.

It is frequently used by adult performers to showcase X-rated material.

Figures shared with The Sun showed that in England 9,840 people have contacted the UK Treatment Addiction Treatment Group in a bid to wean themselves off the content.

This compared with 8,506 in 2022  a 15% rise.

In Wales this figure increased from 267 to 339 over the same period, while in Northern Ireland the number rose from 168 to 280.

Scotland saw the biggest increase of any UK region, from 584 to 1,582.

Nuno Albuquerque, head of treatment for the UK Addiction Treatment Group, said the Covid pandemic had driven more users to watch explicit content online.

Were seeing more and more people seeking help for their porn addiction than ever before, he said. This could be because of the rising popularity of online accessibility to porn and sites like OnlyFans, where users feel like they are enjoying exclusive, intimate interactions with hosts.

According to the UK Addiction Treatment Group website, porn can be addictive because of the way it encourages high levels of dopamine in the brain, similar to the effects of alcohol addiction or drug addiction, which induce an intense high that can cause some individuals to seek out the behaviour excessively.

However, there are other factors which might also increase the likelihood of the development of porn addiction, Albuquerque continued.

In some cases, excess porn viewing has been said to be associated with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, with particular individuals using porn as a tool to escape negative emotions or feelings that are causing them distress.

Much like other addictions, pornography can offer an escape from the hardships of everyday life.

Back in August 2021, OnlyFans announced it was to ban explicit content from the beginning of October that year, sparking outrage from content creators and consumers. Less than a week later the decision was reversed. Thank you to everyone for making your voices heard, the company said announcing the U-turn. We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.

OnlyFans stands for inclusion and we will continue to provide a home for all creators.

OnlyFans is one of the most successful British start-up businesses in recent years.

The companys latest accounts show pre-tax profits rose by 615% to $432m (388m) in the 12 months to September 2021.
The view from Lee and Rosaleen Ruane's hotel where they are currently on their honeymoon in Rhodes

The couple spent the night in a primary school which was turned into a makeshift evacuation centre

Lee and Rosaleen Ruane who have been caught up in the wild fires in Rhodes

The view of Lee and Rosaleen Ruane's hotel where they are currently on their honeymoon in Rhodes

A Northern Ireland couple who jetted off to Rhodes on their dream honeymoon have described their horror after getting caught up in the forest fires currently ravaging the Greek island.

Lee and Rosaleen Ruane, from Warrenpoint, travelled from Belfast to the island on Tuesday on a Jet2 holiday, prior to reports of the wildfires which have also now hit neighbouring island Corfu.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from a hotel on the island, the pair described spending three hours walking over three miles on a beach to escape a blaze near their hotel.

The pair also spent the night in a local primary school which was turned into a makeshift evacuation centre.

It started on Saturday afternoon when we were evacuated from our hotel. We had just sat down to lunch when we noticed the electric had gone out in the hotel, said Lee.

We knew something was up, but it was still somewhat normal, people were still eating and ordering drinks. We then headed back to our room but then we noticed loads of people heading towards the exit. We had no idea what was going on, and then more and more people just kept coming - and then we saw smoke.

The view from Lee and Rosaleen Ruane's hotel where they are currently on their honeymoon in Rhodes

Lee and Rosaleen said during the early days of their holiday they were aware fires had been occurring across the islands countryside, but said the only impact was noticing ash on some of their clothing when left to dry on their hotel balcony.

Everyone sort of congregated at the road on the beach, so thats where we headed. The only information we were given was to walk south.

Foreign Office advice on Rhodes is 'stick close to your tour company', says minister

The honeymooners said they joined thousands in walking along the Greek beach to escape the fire near their hotel.

We walked the guts of three hours, covering around 6 km (3.4 miles) in the heat with nothing with us. We only had the clothes on our back and eventually we got to the main area where everyone was, which can only be described as an abandoned school.

Despite their situation being akin to something from a horror movie, the pair said they wouldnt be anywhere without the local Rhodes residents.

The couple spent the night in a primary school which was turned into a makeshift evacuation centre

The residents here are unbelievable. I have no idea where we would be without their help. Everything we have needed since Saturday onwards has been because of them, they were providing food and water, everything. The volunteers and local people have been amazing.

After we left the school, we then headed to the beach again where buses were picking up people. Ironically we saw a couple of Jet2 buses, but sadly we were not some of the lucky ones who were able to get on one, continued Lee.

British couple tell of their nightmare time on Rhodes

The pair said they spent around seven hours trapped on the beach as they awaited ferries to take them to larger evacuation ships out in the Greek sea which were transporting those trapped to hotels in Rhodes city.

Lee said this experience was the scariest moment by far of their entire ordeal.

They were prioritising women and children (when the boats arrived) which is just right.

But you had people running and pushing past, it was frightening. We didnt want to go near (the boats) until we knew we could comfortable get on, but watching children flee a genuine emergency was so alarming, and people pushing past children not caring, he said.

Read more How travel firms are helping British holidaymakers in Rhodes

Once transported to the main ship at around 1am on Sunday morning, they eventually docked and were taken to another evacuation centre in the city at 6am, where afterwards they were then transported to a hotel.

We havent had much communication from Jet2. A representative did arrive at the evacuation centre to explain a hotel we were going to, but apart from that its been nothing. We dont have our belongings or anything with us still, our passports are currently in our hotel safe, said Lee.

Jet2 have actually a really good reputation, so its disappointing. But at the end of the day we are just glad we are safe.

The pair said they hope to board their original flight home tomorrow (Tuesday) in the hopes of returning back to Belfast.

Jet2 confirmed the company is putting on more flights in addition to the 50 already scheduled, to get people home from the affected areas in Greece, while also confirming holidays to Rhodes have been cancelled.

The holiday group also said they were flying more colleagues to the island to deal with the situation.
Families attend service in Clogher for Army dog handler and UDR man

Corporal Criddle's daughter Sarah (left) and his widow Julia Wilson laying flowers at the scene where he was fatally injured in Clogher

Two soldiers  one a young father and dog handler whose job was to find arms and explosives  have been remembered at a service in Co Tyrone half a century on from their deaths during the Troubles.

The remembrance service for Corporal Bryan Criddle and Lance Corporal Harry Gillespie took place at the Clogher branch of the Royal British Legion yesterday.

The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) victims and survivors group said that Cpl Criddle died 50 years ago, four days after he was injured in a Provisional IRA bombing in Clogher.

He was married and had three children.

He joined the Army in the Pioneer Corps as a dog handler before transferring to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

Members of his family have travelled from England to attend the service.

His widow Julia Wilson explained she met her husband when she joined up as a kennel maid on an Army dog course in 1969.

They were married in 1970 and had their daughter Sarah in June of that year.

"I was actually offered a posting to Germany and he said 'over my dead body!' so he insisted we got married."

Corporal Criddle's daughter Sarah (left) and his widow Julia Wilson laying flowers at the scene where he was fatally injured in Clogher

Ms Wilson was not allowed to continue working as a kennel maid as a married woman, but when her husband was sent to Northern Ireland, she and her daughter accompanied him to Ballykelly, Co Londonderry, in November 1971.

They remained there for a few months before moving to Omagh, Co Tyrone, where the couple welcomed twins.

Cpl Criddle worked with a German Shepherd named Jason and was flown to various points along the border to search for ammunition, arms and explosives.

"Their primary duty was to go out with patrols and any suspicious activity, he would send the dog in to sniff out explosives, arms, that sort of thing and then either alert the bomb disposal or soldiers he was working with."

He was described as a man with "little time to have hobbies" but he enjoyed socialising.

SEFF said his family, his job and his dog "were the main things in his life".

Ms Wilson said he was "on call literally 24 hours a day".

"Because Bryan had a dog, he was literally a week away and a week at home. Even when he was home, he was out on a daily basis."

In July 1973, Cpl Criddle and Jason were called out to a suspicious scene.

Ms Wilson said: "He was sent out with patrol to the Clogher area.

"There had been an anonymous phone call saying there were milk churns in a field.

"He was flown out there, he put the dog in and Jason had actually signified there were explosives in there.

"He shouted to the patrol to stand back. He went in to check the milk churns and it was set off by a remote control from across the border.

"The dog was thrown 30 feet. It took a while to get the dog back.

"It was a lieutenant in the tank regiment who administered first aid (to Cpl Criddle) until the helicopter could come and take into Musgrave military hospital.

"He was there from the Wednesday to the Friday but had a brain hemorrhage, so they moved him to Royal Victoria in Belfast where unfortunately, on the Sunday, he passed away."

His daughter Sarah had just turned three, while his twins Gary and Glenn were nine months old.

Ms Wilson and Sarah Criddle visited the site of the attack to lay flowers on Saturday.

"We both found it very hard and very draining, but we're glad we went."

Ms Wilson, who had previously brought her grandchildren to the site where Cpl Criddle was injured, said she felt her daughter needed closure.

"The idea was to show the grandchildren the reality of what happened to their grandfather."

Ms Wilson said: "You know, he died helping the people of the province and although we still miss him every day 50 years on, we're still very proud of what he achieved."

Ms Criddle said: "The kids have not got to meet their grandfather.

"I think it hit me very hard today, because of the proximity and the close personal nature of what happened."

Ms Criddle, who served in the RAF, added: "For us as a family, and everybody else who has been affected by things like this, it's the remembering of it.

"And it's the fact that the children need to be taught about it just like they are taught about World War One and World War Two and all the things that have happened.

"I brought my children up to know, and go to Remembrance Day and to appreciate what people do sacrifice for them so they can be free."

Ms Wilson paid tribute to the teamwork of her husband's companion Jason.

"Without the dog, he wouldn't have achieved half as much  he was 50% of the team."

Sgt Criddle's grandson is "following on to his grandfather's footsteps" by joining the Army, Ms Wilson said.

"So, we're proud of him as well."

SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said: "The Criddle family are valued members of SEFF and Bryan's sacrifice is justly remembered and honoured."

He said Sgt Criddle's role had been about protecting and preserving life.

"How different he was from those with murder in their hearts and who stole away his life and the lives of so many others".

Mr Donaldson said it is important to "never forget the contribution of members of the security forces".

"Because of their efforts, Northern Ireland avoided spiralling into all-out civil war."

Lance Corporal Harry Gillespie

The service also remembered UDR CGC Lance Corporal Harry Gillespie from Aughnacloy.

Mr Donaldson said he was shot by the Provisional IRA while in a four-man mobile patrol at Killyliss on Dungannon-Ballygawley Road on May 20 1972.

His 50th anniversary service was delayed to this year due to Covid-19.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie took a stand against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' handling of the Black History curriculum controversy.

Christie, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, blasted the reaction of his White House contender rival DeSantis in his recent remarks.

Chris Christie vs. Ron DeSantis Over Florida's Black History Curriculum Controversy

As per NBC News, the former New Jersey Gov. accused DeSantis of defending "slavery lessons" and, more importantly, failing to exhibit true leadership in a matter of crucial importance.

Vice President Kamala Harris recently dubbed Florida's new Black history education standards "propaganda." The new guidelines now require teachers to teach their students how enslaved people learned and benefitted from slavery.

Christie responded to the controversy, saying, "Governor DeSantis started this fire with the bill that he signed, and he [does not] want to take responsibility for whatever is done in the aftermath of it."

The former New Jersey Gov. also criticized DeSantis' recent remark, denying his involvement in the controversy. Christie says, "'I [did not] do it' and 'I'm not involved in it' are not the words of leadership."

Newsweek reports that the Florida Gov. recently defended the new educational standards. He stresses, "I [did not] do it, and I [was not] involved in it."

Read Also: Top Ron DeSantis PAC Official Acknowledges Trump's Significant Lead in Presidential Campaign

Ron DeSantis and Florida's Black History Curriculum Controversy

Florida Gov. DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, is now in hot water over the Florida Department of Education's new standard for the incoming school year. As per Newsweek, the controversy centers on how African American history is being taught in public schools.

The new rules require education to teach middle schoolers "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their benefit." In other words, it teaches young minds how Black folks benefited from slavery years ago by learning necessary skills.

NBC News notes that the New Black History Curriculum was required by the DeSantis' 2022 law named "Stop Wrongs To Our Kinds and Employees Act. The Florida Gov. dubs the legislation as the "Stop WOKE Act."

The former New Jersey Gov. made such remarks during his recent CBS' Face the Nation interview.

Besides DeSantis, Christie also took a swipe at other 2024 Presidential contenders. He also blasted former President Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden, former Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Related Article: Ron DeSantis Campaign: Two Advisers Conduct Outside Efforts To Boost Support

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The original inquiry was established after a series of allegations about Islamophobia (PA)

The chaos at the top of the Conservatives caused delays in fulfilling plans to tackle Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination in the party, an independent reviewer has said.

Professor Swaran Singh said the turmoil has affected the Tories ability to undertake the reforms he called for in his original inquiry into the issue.

The former equality and human rights commissioners review, published on Monday, found the implementation of some of his recommendations has been slow.

Training at the local level is mixed, and the large amount of documentation in response to the investigation has not necessarily improved awareness or action on the ground.

No formal process has been put in place to handle complaints of discriminatory behaviour involving the partys most senior members, the review found.

Individuals coming forward with allegations were also said to need better care.

Politics is a rough business, but there is no reason why the complaints process should be indifferent or abrasive to the experience of individuals involved, the report said.

The churn at the top of the Tories was said to have had an unavoidable impact on the day-to-day running of the party.

Prof Singh told the PA news agency: It just took forever for them to focus on this.

Since he completed his report in May 2021, Boris Johnson was forced out as prime minister, as was his immediate successor Liz Truss in a period of tumult.

Liz Truss was in the top job for less than two months (PA)

In the report, Prof Singh wrote: The two years since the publication of the report have seen considerable political upheaval in the UK.

In that time, the Conservative Party has had three leaders and seven chairs.

This turmoil has impacted on the partys efforts to implement our recommendations.

Change took longer than expected, and challenges resulting from the interdependencies between recommendations contributed to delays in implementation.

Prof Singh told PA that it has taken much longer than we expected to implement reforms.

He cited the biggest problem as being tackling issues at the local party level but welcomed fresh action from Tory headquarters as he undertook his review.

In one case detailed in the review, a complainant was further distressed by no sanction being completed after nearly a year from the judgment  and the offending continued undeterred.

No apology has been offered to the complainant, or demanded of the respondents, despite the panel imposing other sanctions, the review said.

But the team welcomed the wholehearted acceptance by the party that it must implement the recommendations.

Prof Singhs update showed there had been 212 complaints relating to 137 incidents in the three months up to June 2022.

Five complaints were categorised as bullying or intimidation, three cited sexual assault, two referred to criminal activity and one was about a member writing on an alt-right website.

Prof Singh issued a range of fresh recommendations, including reviewing whether complaints against the most senior members should be handled independently.

Conservative chairman Greg Hands MP said: The party has made significant progress on Professor Singhs recommendations with 25 complete and just six ongoing.

There is however still work to be done and this is a process of continual improvement.

The original inquiry was established by the party following a series of allegations about Islamophobic behaviour among Conservatives.

It found Mr Johnson describing women wearing burkas as looking like letterboxes and bank robbers gave the impression the Tories were insensitive to Muslim communities.
The Killyhevlin Hotel is already renowned its beauty, but the addition of new one-bed studios notches the luxury up a level

The view from studio 9 at the Killyhevlin's brand new Lakeland Studios

Devenish Island is steeped in history with a cross in the foreground and the distinctive round tower in the distance

A boat moored by the jetty at the Killyhevlin as evening falls

Sometimes you just gotta take it on the chin. The weather, that is. The warped, infuriating, bipolar Northern Ireland weather.

An exclusive invite to be one of the very first to try out the Killyhevlins new one-bedroom Lakeland Studios  12 of them in all  had set my mind wandering.

An incurable aesthete, I was picturing the scene months in advance. For sheer natural beauty, few places do it better than Enniskillen, with its winning combination of waterways and woodland.

And perched right on the shores of Lough Erne, surrounded by endless unspoiled scenery, the four-star Killyhevlin is especially well-endowed when it comes to looks.

The Killyhevlin, nestled on the shores of Lough Erne

With all this in mind, I could barely wait to drink in all that gorgeous greenery; to sit out on the balcony, a beer to hand, the skies a brilliant blue, sun dancing on the water.

But of course, mother nature wasnt in on my best-laid plans. The heavens had other ideas and I rocked up to the hotel in what could only be described as a monsoon.

But do you know what? For once it barely mattered. The ultra-modern studios are so cosy and homely, the views out over the lough so pretty, that even a biblical downpour couldnt put a dampener on things.

In any event, not so long after checking in, those inconvenient gunmetal skies cleared to bathe everything in soft twilight  the violet hour as TS Eliot put it  revealing the Killyhevlin and its surrounds in all their true glory.

And how idyllic it can be too, as you sit and watch the world go by  the water-borne world that is.

A boat moored by the jetty at the Killyhevlin as evening falls

A procession of pleasure boats idle by, some stopping to moor at the jetty just in front of us. Jet-skis and speedboats up the ante, rampaging across the still water at a right clip, some of them dragging along banana boats packed with giddy kids, wetsuits on to keep the cold out, not a care in the world.

I travelled down for two nights from Belfast last week, and the slow pace of life in this part of the world, its quiet isolation  and of course those sumptuous views  is, to my untrained eye at least, its biggest selling point.

And Im all-in.

Read more Station House Hotel review: Hidden gem the perfect place for a relaxing break in Co Meath

Just a mile from the hubbub of Enniskillen, you can seek out something rowdier if you wish. And we did on the second night, heading into town to dine at The Firehouse.

But if I was to do it all again, and I hope to soon enough, I would do what the good people behind these studios no doubt had in mind for guests, and just chill. With the studios coming complete with all-singing, all-dancing kitchens, it was a missed opportunity to unwind on the balcony with some pasta and a bottle of red.

Maybe next time. Definitely next time.

Devenish Island is steeped in history with a cross in the foreground and the distinctive round tower in the distance

Romantic they may be, but its not all about chilling  though Netflix is available on the wall-mounted TVs, if youre so inclined  and the missus and I managed to cram lots into our flying visit.

A reservation at the Lakeland Studios entitles you to full use of the hotels facilities, including the gym, spa and Jacuzzi, so obviously I obliged, dipping into the sauna and steam room, and then taking full advantage of the weather (which was thankfully still playing ball on our second day) and lounging around in the outdoor hot tub.

The hotel is proudly dog-friendly, and everywhere you looked, families young and old were milling around the grounds in the sun, their loyal mutts in tow.

Read more Dundalk: Things to do in the town on an Irish staycation

Who knew this little slice of paradise was so close to home, the sun beating down on our heads, Lough Erne stretching out languorously over yonder, beneath lush green and purple beech trees?

In that moment, I regretted not having my phone to hand for a photo, but like any normal person who gets into a hot tub, Id left it in the locker. Ill never make it as an influencer.

After a restorative stop-off at the hotels health club, we headed across the road for a dander around Castle Coole, an 18th century mansion and estate with links to the Williamite wars and now operated by the National Trust.

The view from studio 9 at the Killyhevlin's brand new Lakeland Studios

A wrong turn along the route brought us to a beautiful lake, where we bumped into two geese. Abigail and Amelia were their names surely.

Or maybe they were swans.

There are other National Trust properties that are well worth checking out too, Im reliably informed, such as Florence Court and Crom Estate, while the county is also famously home to the Marble Arch Caves.

For us, however, it was onto Enniskillen for a boat tour of Lough Erne.

A cruise aboard the MV Kestrel waterbus is a tourism rite of passage in these parts, and the colourful skipper-turned-raconteur gave us an entertaining running commentary on the historical characters, the warring tribes, the bloody clashes and the flora and fauna which have all shaped the area.

He also went off on one about the rise of mink here. Hes not a fan.

Killyhevlin studios

Devenish Island was our destination after a fly-by of Enniskillen Castle, and the boisterous Bostonians in our group were cock-a-hoop to hear all about it; how it was the most important of Lough Ernes many monasteries, attracting pilgrims and parishioners right up until the 16th century, and how the ruins you see there today date back to the 12th, 13th and 15th centuries.

And, of course, you cant beat a bit of gore. Of all the little snippets of info scattered liberally around the island, I found the fate of an old rascal by the name of Domhnall most fascinating.

The son of a Fermanagh king, he was burned to death here by his own kinsmen in 1176.

Probably deserved it.

Killyhevlin studios

Regardless, I was more intrigued to hear how the island is now a designated area of special scientific interest due to the wildlife which flourishes here, and particularly the feathered kind, with curlews, skylarks, lapwings, redshanks and snipe all setting up home now that us humans have mercifully departed.

And back at the ranch, after a slap-up meal and a morning breakfast over at the hotel, it was sadly time for us to depart too.

But that bottle of wine on the balcony. I will be back for that bottle of wine.

Killyhevlin studios

Factfile

Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges is conveniently located less than 1km from historic Enniskillen.

 Lakeland Studio Offer

Save up to 10% for a 2 Night Break  from 171 per night. Visit www.killyhevlin.com/lodges/selfcatering-offers

National Trust Properties

 Castle Coole: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/castle-coole

 Florence Court: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-court

 Crom Estate: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/crom

Other things to do

 Marble Arch Caves: marblearchcaves.co.uk/

 Enniskillen Castle: enniskillencastle.co.uk/

 Erne Tours cruise: ernetours.com/
ID spoofing: I had 5,000 calls in just one day - NI artists warning after details stolen by scammers
This handout photo from Indonesias National Rescue Agency (Basarnas) taken and released on July 24, 2023 shows members of a rescue team setting out to search for survivors of a ferry accident in eastern Indonesia.

Updated at 7:20 a.m. ET time on 2023-07-24

Fifteen people were killed and 33 others survived after a ferry capsized and sank in waters off Indonesias Southeast Sulawesi province, a local official said Monday.

The ferry was carrying 48 people who were returning from an event to celebrate the anniversary of Buton Tengah regency when it encountered trouble around midnight on Sunday, said Muhammad Arafah, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency in the provincial capital Kendari.

Arafah initially said that the ferry had 40 people on board and that 19 were missing. He later revised the numbers after learning that some of the survivors had not reported to the authorities and had gone home on their own.

Out of the 48 people on board the ferry, 33 survived the accident. Only six survivors were initially reported, because the other 27 went home without notifying the authorities, he said.

Those six surviving passengers were taken for a check-up at a health clinic, while the bodies of the dead victims were returned to their families, Arafah said.

The cause of the accident, which occurred between Lanto village and Lagili village on either side of Mawasangka Tengah Bay, is unclear.

Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands where many people depend on boats for transport. The accidents are often caused by poor safety standards and overloading of passengers and cargo.

In 2018, more than 190 people died after a wooden passenger boat sank in Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra. The lack of a manifest prevented authorities from determining exactly how many people died in the incident.
Trays containing betel nuts, chicken, a dagger, traditional cigarette, coconut, chickpea, betel leaf and cash from families of the boys who participated in the circumcision ritual are offered as tokens of appreciation to the Tok Mudims, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

A Tok Mudim casts a spell to strengthen the boys spirit and to protect them from evil before their circumcisions, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Clad in traditional warrior attire, boys from the Jahut tribe are carried by Tok Mudim to their ancestors graves, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Boys from the Jahut tribe bathe in a river before the circumcision ritual begins in Jerantut district, Malaysia, July 1, 2023. [S Mahfuz/BenarNews]

A flag is raised to announce that the Jahut tribe ritual is underway, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

A Tok Mudim dances with a boy under his supervision as part of the ritual in Pahang state, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

A group of Tok Mudim cast a spell on the ring and a slice of turmeric that will be tied around the boys bodies as talismans, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

The boys hold chickens to be slaughtered for the village feast, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Eleven boys from the Jahut tribe participating in a circumcision ritual are carried on the shoulders of Tok Mudims to the tribes traditional house in Jerantut, a district in Pahang state, Malaysia, July 1, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Boys in the Jahut tribe, an indigenous community in Malaysias Pahang state, were mass circumcised recently during a ritual practiced for generations to mark their transition into adulthood.



Their village in the Jerantut district held a two-day celebration, which included a feast and night-long dance with the Tok Mudims  the men who performed their circumcisions.



Before the dance, the Tok Mudims cast a spell and tied a thread with a ring around the boys bodies for protection.

On the second day, the boys bathed in a river and dressed in traditional warrior attire before the Tok Mudims carried them on their shoulders to ancestral graves to pay final respects and receive blessings.

They also encircled the Rumah Adat, the traditional house of the Jahut tribe, three times as a mark of respect before being circumcised.

The families of each boy donated to cover the feast, which featured buffalo and chicken meat shared by the whole village, along with the Tok Mudim and shaman fees.

Although the tradition appears to be similar to the one practiced by members of Malaysias Muslim majority, the tribe shaman said the Jahut ritual was non-religious.

Similar but not the same. Jahut circumcision ritual is full of tradition as practiced by our ancestors, shaman Busu told BenarNews.

The ritual brings all in the village together regardless of religious beliefs, he said.

They may have assimilated into other traditions, hold different beliefs but when theres a celebration, many will return home to celebrate it together, Busu said.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low 57F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
On Monday, rescuers reported that a passenger vessel capsized off the coast of Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 15 people and leaving 19 others missing.

The ferry sank at approximately midnight (16:00 GMT) with 40 passengers on board, according to Indonesia's national search and rescue agency, which reported on Monday that 19 persons remain missing.

Indonesia Sulawesi Island Tragedy

The agency reported that six passengers were rescued and treated in a hospital. It is common in Indonesia for the actual number of passengers on a vessel to differ from the number listed on the manifest.

In Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation with more than 17,000 islands, ferry catastrophes are common, according to Al Jazeera. In May of last year, a ferry carrying over 800 passengers ran aground off the coast of East Nusa Tenggara province. Nobody was injured during the incident.

The vessel capsized shortly after midnight on Monday while traveling from Lanto village in Buton Central regency in Southeast Sulawesi province to adjacent Lagili village, according to the director of the local search and rescue agency, Muhammad Arafah.

Per SCMP, the wooden boat was transporting forty passengers despite being designed for only twenty. The cause remained unknown. On Monday, rescuers were searching for 19 people still missing in stormy seas, while 15 bodies had been recovered and six people had been rescued, according to Arafah.

On Muna island, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Kendari, the provincial capital of Southeast Sulawesi, the vessel carried passengers across a distance of just 1 kilometer (less than half a mile). The trip between two minor villages opposite Mawasangka Bay was expected to take only 20 minutes.

On Sunday, thousands of residents traveled to their villages to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the regency, with many using fishing or passenger vessels. The obscure pleasures of more than 40 hours on an overcrowded Indonesian ferry

March 19, 2023

Bodies Retrieved After Indonesia Boat Capsized

The television news showed images of people on fishing vessels retrieving bodies in the darkness of the night, as well as sorrowful relatives waiting for information at a port and a local hospital. The rescue agency stated that teams seeking the missing were diving at the site where the vessel sank and patrolling nearby waters in inflatable boats.

In Indonesia, where there are more than 17,000 islands, ferries are a prevalent mode of transportation. Due to lackadaisical safety standards and overcrowding issues, incidents occur frequently.

In 2018, an overcrowded ferry carrying approximately 200 people capsized in a lake in the province of North Sumatra, murdering 167 people. In one of the nation's worst recorded catastrophes, a passenger ship carrying 332 persons sank in February 1999. Twenty individuals survived.

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
LENOX  A contemporary dance company performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood on the Koussevitzky Music Sheds extended stage?

Why not? Its an innovation-filled season, and Aaron Coplands Appalachian Spring, typically presented at concerts in the composers 1945 condensed orchestral suite, was commissioned as a Ballet for Martha  the choreographer and dancer Martha Graham.

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Guest conductor Xian Zhang, music director of the New Jersey Symphony, and Samuel Pott, founding artistic director of the Jersey City-based Nimbus Dance, collaborated on the adaptation, which Pott choreographed and retitled Spring.

As a former soloist in the original version with the Martha Graham Dance Company, his take on an American classic retains its spirit of possibly-naive idealism and optimism.

No longer set among early 1800s pioneers in the Pennsylvania hill country celebrating young newlyweds settling into their new home, Potts hope-filled vision focuses on renewal through nature and family harmony.

His six intensely-committed principal cast members, portraying characters identified as Resolve, Ardor, Promise and Spirit, were joined by a dozen Berkshire dance students  an endearing touch.

Visually, the end result of the Friday performance was somewhat hectic on the crowded Shed stage filled with BSO players, and the storyline lacked clarity. Still, Martha Grahams uplifting spirit survives and, if anything, is enhanced in this 21st-century reimagining.

Zhang, whos contracted to the New Jersey Symphony through 2027-28, has emerged as a popular guest conductor for the nations most prominent orchestras  her BSO debut this past weekend was auspicious, for sure. An exuberant podium presence with sweeping gestures that inspired intense, committed playing, Zhang drew out the vitality of Coplands still fresh-sounding score.

While it could seem at first that subtlety may not be her forte, her expressive, highly lyrical approach to the ballet suites contemplative moments  especially the delicate, hymn-like chorale that closes the piece on a cautious note of Americas pioneering can-do spirit  demonstrated Zhangs wide dynamic range.

Her high-drama approach to Dvoraks New World Symphony, with its obvious Native American and African American musical influences, confirmed first impressions. The BSOs formidable brass section resounded boldly and principal timpanist Timothy Genis accentuated the dotted-rhythm underpinnings of the score.

In the famous Largo, Robert Sheenas English horn solo (a theme later transformed by one of Dvoraks pupils into the quasi-spiritual Goin Home) was haunting and poignant. Zhang held the silence at the symphonys conclusion, allowing the woodwinds their dying-away fadeout, as Dvorak indicated in the score.

MOSTLY MOZART

A mostly Mozart program conducted by returning guest conductor David Afkham was especially welcome on a tranquil evening on Saturday, July 22. The reduced-orchestra program led off with a gently flowing performance of Wagners uncharacteristic, mellow Siegfried Idyll, a birthday gift to his second wife Cosima.

Mozarts complex, occasionally flamboyant Piano Concerto No. 25 was interpreted by pianist Martin Helmchen with magisterial brilliance and a hushed, almost reverential approach to the scores luminous passages, notably, the extraordinary final movement minor-key dialogue between the piano and woodwinds  one of the composers greatest inspirations.

Afkham led an insightful performance of Mozarts final symphony  nicknamed the Jupiter decades after Mozarts death, undoubtedly because of its otherworldly character. The BSO delivered formidable virtuosity throughout, especially in the blazing conclusion of the final movement: Five themes wrapped into a double fugue that never ceases to amaze.

THREE TANGLEWOOD PREMIERES

A genre-bending concert on Sunday, July 23, featured three Tanglewood premieres led by Thomas Wilkins, the BSOs specialist in youth and family concerts, as well as creative programming in his role as an artistic advisor.

British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylors Ballade in A minor, written in 1898, emerged as a full-throated, free-standing tone poem with sharply contrasting dramatic and lyrical sections. As such, it lacked a sharply-defined identity other than as a preview of Coleridge-Taylors most popular work at the time (though now obscure)  the cantata Hiawathas Wedding Feast.

Composer Jeff Midkiff partnered enthusiastically with Wilkins and the orchestra for his immensely appealing 2011 Concerto for Mandolin and Orchestra, From the Blue Ridge. Its an atmospheric work, infused with jazzy, country-road elements derived from his Roanoke, Va. hometown. A master of the mandolin, his bluegrass cadenza with BSO violinist and assistant concertmaster Elita Kang was a standout.

A suite from Duke Ellingtons The River, commissioned for the American Ballet Theatre in 1969, effectively blends jazz and concert-hall elements, especially in the churning Giggling Rapids section and the finale, depicting the river surging into what the composer described as Her Majesty, the Sea. Wilkins led the BSO in a free-flowing performance that capped an engaging, offbeat program.

A note about Saturday mornings well-attended BSO Family Concert: Wilkins demonstrated his unique skill as a musical ambassador to our youngest listeners. His interaction with kids between snippets of easily-digestible classics was particularly apt as he bounded off the stage into the front rows to elicit reactions to Jessie Montgomerys colorful Starburst for string orchestra. These cross-generational concerts are refreshingly informal as well as a much-needed investment to attract future classical music audiences.
LEE  Transformational. A historic day for Lee.

That's how the official start of the towns biggest development project in decades  the three-phase conversion of the abandoned Eagle Mill on West Center Street into affordable housing and possible retail space  was described on Monday.

Close to 100 onlookers fell silent as the first of a half dozen 200-year-old row houses on the north end of town began to be torn down by excavators. Several former residents were among the crowd with state and local officials who had offered their remarks along with co-developer Jeffrey Cohen before the first house fell.

I lived on this street all my life, since I was a baby, for 72 years, in one of the houses thats going to be torn down, said Kathy Hall. Her father also ran a barber shop and grocery store on the block. She moved three years ago when her house was acquired for the redevelopment, but still lives a few minutes away. Hall considers the project wonderful, even though earlier plans for a community center and a hotel had to be shelved as economic conditions changed.

It was very busy, very nice, all the families got together in our small community, Italians, Irish, some Scottish across the street, Hall said. We all got along great. It was a fun place to live.

Her sister, Theresa Corbitt, recalled how she met her husband-to-be, a resident at one of the houses. And Corbitts daughter pointed out that her grandparents were residents, as well as her father as a child.

As a young girl, I always came here and slept over, she said, pointing to the second-floor guest room, about to be torn apart by the excavator, where she stayed while attending summer camp.

State and local officials offered their compliments and voiced relief that the long-awaited project by Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC was finally underway.

The project was more than 10 years in the making, Cohen told The Eagle, and depended on the gradual release of state and federal tax incentives and grants, with delays caused by the COVID pandemic. His Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC partners are Jon Rudzinski, owner of Rees-Larkin Development in Boston, and Don Wells of DEW Properties, LLC.

The expected price tag for the total project is $60 million to $80 million, Cohen said, including $30 million for phase one, with all financing approved and in place and the final closing expected in September.

He called the demolition of the row houses dating from the 1820s a historic day, a credibility day for all of us, telling the crowd at the ceremony that he has been asked whenever hes in town when the houses would be torn down. Demolition follows abatement, meaning removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, Cohen said.

Built in 1808 with eight additions over the years, the Eagle Mill was one of 25 paper mills in town during the late 1800s. It operated until 2008, when its owner, paper company Schweitzer-Mauduit, closed its four remaining mills.

Within 18 months, Cohen said, people will be living at the former mill in the new affordable housing units. Two new apartment buildings could be added in phase two, along with first-floor retail space, as well as more apartments on the other side of the street and additional apartment units in the mills former machine shop. All told, there will be 131 units of mostly affordable workforce housing, plus six market-rate townhouses fronting on the Housatonic River.

He also singled out Kathy Hall and her husband, Bill  If it werent for Kathy selling us her house, we wouldnt be standing here today.

To get where we are today, it takes more than a village, Cohen said, a lot of people working very hard all the time to go through a process that takes years."

He cited state Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox, for his advocacy, the Adams Community Bank for financing redevelopment costs and the acquisition of the row houses. Cohen also praised Jay Ash, the secretary of housing and economic development during former Gov. Charlie Bakers administration and Gov. Maura Healey, and state Secretary of State William Galvin for tax incentives, grants and infrastructure enhancements in the town, including a new water pipeline, needed to get the redevelopment started.

Pignatelli, who helped push for the project for the past decade, said he has deemed it transformational from the get-go.

Its going to preserve some of the history of the mill that helped build this town, providing affordable housing options for people right in the downtown on the real gateway to the Berkshires, he said.

The Lenox Democrat had urged state economic development officials to get the money out the door much quicker and get the shovels in the ground fast. Now, its happening. Its very exciting, and long overdue, quite a game-changer.

Cohen, a developer for 50 years, also stressed the most important role played by the town of Lee.

Ive never had an experience working in a town or city where the people at every level have been more cooperative, he said. They want to participate, and have their voices heard as we design what we want to do with the town.

This is a very significant day, the day were about to move into the future, said Lee Select Board Chairman Bob Jones. This development is going to change the way were perceived and make a whole lot of peoples lives better. This whole end of town is going to be transformed a step into the future. But we need to stop and remember all the lives that have gone through these houses, through these mills, centuries of collective memories.

Pignatelli said he didn't believe the town was losing memories, but instead honoring the past while moving toward the future.

As he put it, this community embraced this project from day one. This is an exciting day, not only for Lee but for the entirety of the Berkshires, for affordable, safe and clean housing opportunities.
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The U.S. Postal Service is renting a four-wheel drive truck temporarily. It should be on the road within the next week.
RICHMOND  We used to talk about The Bear.

The bear whose cubs knocked over a pail that could not be opened and spilled seeds all over the garage floor. The bear who interrupted lunch on the patio and required two adults and a dog to seek shelter. The bear who every January thaw bent the wrought iron feeder pole to the ground. The bear who carried off a feeder or two.

One day, someone pointed out that we talked about the bear as if it were the only one. Since more than 4,500 black bears call Massachusetts home these days, we were obviously dealing with mother, father, child and cousins. We began, more accurately, to speak of A bear. And one day, when grandson Sam had commented that hed never seen one here, he suddenly stared toward the woods and said, But there they are. A female black bear and her twin cubs.

The indefinite article changed again last week. THE bear, first of the year, appeared under an apple tree, foraging among fallen apples. I might have missed HIM, but the 11-pound dog was snoozing with eyes open, facing the window, and suddenly vaulted from his snuggly spot, barking like a dog nine times his size.

Tired from weeding and fertilizing and mowing, I figured a turkey flock was moving through. I continued to watch an episode of Shrinking. But he was insistent. So I got up. And there, under the trees where two bucks and a doe had been a couple of days before, was the largest bear thats ever been in this yard. Much larger than the big, collared female who munched on my lettuce last spring and sat on the bank watching me in the kitchen.

This bear was The Hulk. He was facing the house, his body at least twice as wide as the substantial tree trunk beside him. The grapevine had reported an enormous bear roaming West Stockbridge, and since the males travel at least three to four miles, it seemed possible this was the one. Was this a 620-pounder like the one shot by Travis Bailey in September 2022 in Lee?

The black bear has short legs, so the animal seems smaller than he is when on all fours. But one stood here and leaned on a birch tree and, after he was gone, we measured 6 feet from the ground to where the top of his head was on the trunk. Baileys measured 7 feet, nose to tail.

One or another of our dogs has barked at a bear, and the animal has loped off into the woods in a fairly casual way. This one paid no attention to the dog, nor to the first blast from the air horn thats always handy here. But when I opened the door and hit the horn three times  wondering later why neighbors hadnt appeared to see what I was doing  he jumped up and then slowed to a leisurely pace into the neighbors backyard. He has not returned  yet.

But bears have good memories, and those apples will be as tempting to THE bear as the one was to Adam and Eve. So, I reread all the stuff about what humans are supposed to do about bears and plead with any of you who think the birds need food now to cease and desist. Spend the money on a food pantry for humans instead of buying seeds. Bears belong in the woods, not backyards; feeders are put away here on the Ides of March and dont go up until late December. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife says April 1 to late November or early December.

As a Canadian ranger told us years ago, talking about grizzly bears, anyone who encourages human contact with a bear is signing that creatures death warrant. A bear at ease around humans and their bird feeders and garbage cans is in danger of being eliminated. But our black bears, the wildlife people say, are usually not considered dangerous. One internet statistic says humans are 50,000 times more likely to be killed by a dog than a black bear.

The fisheries and wildlife people say, A bears first response to something unusual is to flee. If a bear is feeding in an area where it doesnt belong, such as your yard, on a porch, or in a dumpster, run out at it, yell and make lots of noise.

I yell and hope the bear doesnt know how little the dog is behind the bark. I blast the ear-splitting horn. But run out at THE bear? Not so much.
Two countries to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of S&T and Biotechnology

India and Argentina have agreed for a bilateral exchange of young researchers and startups, particularly in the field of biotechnology and agriculture.

This was stated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh when the Governor of Santa Fe province of Argentina, Omar Angel Perotti called on him, accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that a new Indo-Argentina call for joint proposals was launched on February 7, 2023 in the research areas of Energy Transition and Biotechnology jointly during his meeting with Argentina's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Daniel Filmus in New Delhi. A total of 82 joint proposals were received under the said call. These are under the evaluation process.

Governor of Santa Fe province mentioned that Santa Fe is the hub of R&D institutions in Biotechnology and Agricultural research especially in Soyabean, and close tie ups with universities and industry in the province. Pioneering work has been done here in disease resistant seed production, he said.

The Indian delegation evinced interest in collaborating in geospatial technology, quantum computation and bio-enzymes.

India is the 4th largest trading partner of Argentina, with bilateral trade touching a historic peak of $6.4 billion in the year 2022, recording a growth rate of 12% over 2021. Exports from India to Argentina was worth $1.84 billion (31% growth rate) while Indias imports from Argentina was worth $4.55 billion.
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, 21 July, amid months-long fighting between the nation's army and paramilitary forces.

Source: MSF Southern Africa.

The attackers violently assaulted a team of 18 people working for the global aid organisation on Thursday as they attempted to bring supplies to the Turkish Hospital in southern Khartoum, the aid group said in a statement.

The incident could not be independently confirmed, 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 15 April 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 UN officials fear Sudan could slide into civil war.
The Macallan, renowned for its exceptional single malt whiskies, recently hosted a captivating series of events in Durban, South Africa, from Wednesday 28 June to Sunday 2 July. The exclusive gatherings showcased the brand's commitment to delivering extraordinary experiences to whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs.

The Macallan captivated guests with a curated programme of exceptional tastings, immersive masterclasses, and unforgettable whisky experiences. Held in some of Durban's most prestigious venues, each event was meticulously designed to celebrate the craftsmanship and heritage of The Macallan.

The five-day extravaganza began with an exclusive dinner at the prestigious private members club, The Pencil, situated in the upscale suburb of Umhlanga on Wednesday 28 June. Guests were immersed in an atmosphere of refined elegance as they enjoyed an exquisite menu crafted to complement the remarkable range of Macallan whiskies.

Continuing the festivities, Thursday 29 June witnessed another exclusive dinner at the renowned Maha Cafe, where the whisky aficionados indulged in a sensory experience like no other. The fusion of delectable flavours from the carefully curated menu harmoniously complemented the exceptional Macallan expressions, creating an unforgettable evening.

On Friday 30 June, the whisky journey continued at Dukkah, a beloved establishment on Florida Road. In this enchanting setting, participants embarked on a captivating dinner experience, immersing themselves in the captivating world of The Macallan.

Saturday 1 July was a highlight of the series, as guests enjoyed a curated experience at the prestigious Durban July. The Macallan transformed the event with its presence, offering exclusive whisky tastings and unforgettable moments of celebration amidst the excitement of the races.

To conclude the extraordinary series, Sunday 2 July saw a curated brunch at the esteemed Crane and Feather. Attendees revelled in an indulgent and relaxed atmosphere, savouring exceptional whisky pairings and bidding farewell to an unforgettable journey.

Commenting on the success of the event series, Thami Banda, brand ambassador at The Macallan, expressed: "We are delighted to have presented this exceptional whisky experience in Durban. Each event was meticulously designed to showcase the elegance, complexity, and craftsmanship of The Macallan. We are honoured to have shared these unforgettable moments with our guests."

The Macallan remains at the forefront of whisky excellence, consistently pushing the boundaries of taste and innovation. By hosting this exceptional series of events, The Macallan reaffirms its commitment to providing whisky enthusiasts with remarkable experiences that celebrate the artistry and passion behind every sip.

For further information, visit www.themacallan.com.

About The Macallan:

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is a revered name in the world of single malt whiskies. Situated in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, The Macallan is renowned for its unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and the use of the finest oak casks. With an exceptional portfolio of expressions, The Macallan continues to set new standards of excellence and captivate whisky connoisseurs around the globe.




With over 150,000 spazas across the country, located close to people's homes to serve customers anything from essential everyday items like bread and sugar to more miscellaneous items like candles, batteries, or over-the-counter aspirin, spazas are more than just a neighbourhood service and supplementary household income.

Source:  University of Pretoria University of Pretoria Over 150,000 spazas across the country are conveniently located close to people's homes to serve customers

The informal sector is visited by almost 80% of the population and accounts for 30%-40% of the total food spending in the country per year. According to Trade Intelligence, it boasts an estimated potential market value of R178bn, representing a significant opportunity for businesses.

The informal independent estimate of R178bn represents informal traders ('spaza trade'), which effectively is fed through different channels and routes to market (corporate, formal independent and direct), depending on where traders buy from. The more we understand the needs of this market sector, the more we can learn from it and maximise its potential.

An untapped billion-rand sector

Unfortunately, suppliers of FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) have not yet tapped into this market because of several supply chain challenges. A limited number of players are effectively serving this market.

Spaza store owners or informal traders face challenges such as inefficient supply chains resulting in product stockouts, high waste due to the limited shelf life of fresh produce, increased dependency on the sale of overpriced branded products, and little buying power. Unlike supermarkets that buy direct from FMCG brands, most spaza shops purchase their stock from wholesale retailers and add their markup.

The result is that goods are more expensive, leaving the shop to rely on convenience as its primary transaction driver. Even if FMCG businesses wanted to nurture a direct business relationship with spazas, these shops are usually based in townships  some with no roads or geolocation codes  making it difficult for suppliers to understand the number of stores available as a starting point for serving them.

We identified some pain points that informal traders and FMCG suppliers experience across the supply chain, and then set out to answer an important question: how do we serve the informal market better to ensure a win-win situation for everybody?

Shifts in the informal trading landscape

Accenture performed a detailed analysis of the informal supply chain market by interviewing 400 spaza store owners across Gauteng and Western Cape.

This served to understand their challenges when planning their stock, buying and moving inventory, paying for, and selling stock. The result: a compelling picture of the mechanics of this booming sector and what it needs to continue moving forward.

To identify any opportunities, we need to understand the shifts in the informal landscape and the related impact on business strategy. Here are some of the significant changes and critical questions to ask before tapping into the hidden opportunities:

Many eyes on the same prize The battlefield is growing, with banks, telecommunications companies, retailers and CPG suppliers all scrambling for a share of the pie. Non-traditional players like fintech are rising and offering informal business owners safe and convenient payment solutions. Yoco and iKhoka, for example, offer easy-to-setup point-of-sale (POS) devices that can be operated through a cellphone, using the signal of the user's mobile network, or built-in 4G cards that provide uncapped internet access. The entire onboarding experience is paperless, remote and at minimal cost to the vendor. This technology is simple, scalable and safe. New entrants are also gaining traction by bringing the power of e-commerce to informal businesses and providing platforms where a trader can order, pay, and arrange returns. Yebofresh, for example, has created an e-commerce platform that links township entrepreneurs with high-quality goods and services. It currently serves 6,000+ businesses in more than 25 townships. Benefits to businesses using the service include 24-hour delivery and buy-now-pay-later offerings to help them hold stock for longer. Vuleka has designed a fintech app tailored to the needs of spaza shop owners, structuring it to support an entire trading system within the informal sector. The app facilitates bulk purchases of goods sold by spaza shops sourced directly from manufacturers. Since all traditional and non-traditional players think about the same challenge and want a piece of the pie, it is imperative to differentiate and act now. A blurry interactive ecosystem A more holistic view of trade is emerging, where partners from aligned industries work together in a complementary ecosystem that benefits all parties. In the informal sector, for example, trade activity can be supported by visionary fintech solutions and complementary products and services that help spaza shops source effectively, reach their customers and grow. Where informal traders once sourced goods primarily in person and directly from manufacturers, a 'blurry ecosystem' is emerging where traders can buy from retailers and manufacturers via various digital and in-person channels. One informal distribution stakeholder expresses how this process could be simplified, "A challenge around traders not being able to buy everything they need from one point, the one-stop shop buying doesn't exist." Collaboration is powerful, and through our research, we identified partnerships with established local partners connected throughout the value chain as a cost-effective way to serve the informal sector. The state of independents - Play to win in the formal independent trade Issued by Trade Intelligence 27 Sep 2022 Cash is still king Research reveals that South Africans, particularly in the informal sector, believe banks overcharge on transaction costs, offer little protection against scams, and money takes too long to clear on the trader's side  affecting cash flow. With the development and introduction of digital payments, more and more traders are using an array of new digital payment facilities to make payments for stock bought from suppliers. Traders have also introduced other options for shoppers to pay for groceries at the spaza shop. These digital facilities also offer value-added services for shoppers to purchase at their convenience, e.g. airtime/data, electricity, water, money transfer, lotto, etc. Even with alternate payment options being made available, customers prefer using cash. According to Angie, a trader, "Many customers make small value purchases and prefer using cash for transactions of this nature." Differentiated value chain operations Although 97% of traders have smartphones, 90% have not shopped online before, and 69% do not keep formal stock records. More than half of the traders say they buy stock "as and when needed," the purchase frequency is driven by cash flow and storage space limitations. One of the informal traders we interviewed says, "I only stock what my shoppers want and demand, nothing else." An informal e-commerce stakeholder mirrors this view in the behaviour they have witnessed on their platform, "Traders buy what the consumers are asking for, what's selling the most and what they make the most money on." The tendency of informal traders to purchase stock "as and when needed" does not reflect a lack of planning or scheduling. "As and when needed" is determined by when and how fast products move, and shopping is done around key days  Friday, Saturday and Sunday". A trader adds, "I have had my shop for over 15 years, I know which products to buy and when. I know what my customers buy." Differentiated value chain operations, therefore, are conducted by entrepreneurial instinct and leveraging available resources. Innovative pricing and sourcing strategies To deliver more comprehensive assortments and more significant volumes at higher margins, 87% of traders buy mixed cases at wholesalers, ensuring more options for the customer. "Mixed cases are very important to traders because they offer more variety for their shoppers. Traders would rather buy mixed cases and continue to restock frequently than one case with one variant because it will take longer to sell."  Trader association stakeholder Research also highlighted that 75% of traders split or decant products into smaller units  for example, 3L cooking oil decanted into 50ml jars. This is a crucial demonstration of innate customer knowledge  lower-income households can only afford to buy enough oil to cook with for the evening or the coming week, so spaza shops tailor their offering to this. A trader adds, "If a shopper doesn't have money to buy 3L of cooking oil, we sell them 50ml decant into a small jar. We can't allow our shoppers to go on an empty stomach." The practice of decanting applies to a range of products. A trader association stakeholder says, "Traders will make small breakfast bags for shoppers who work in the early morning. The small plastic bag consists of a spoon Cremora, a tea bag, one boiled egg, a spoon of sugar, and two slices of bread for R10. Which restaurant can you go to get that? This is what shoppers want and need, and traders offer that convenience." "Some traders even decant Cremora milk and will sell it by [the] spoon," adds an informal distribution stakeholder. This system works for traders and their customers. The question remains: How might we enhance our product offering to meet the needs of informal traders and their customers?

The economic opportunity

Our research reveals that 58% of the sample turnover is between R5,000  R20,000 per month  this is well above the minimum wage and thus a recognisable contributor to GDP.

It is important to note that this sector is mainly consumer-driven, and planning is based on what shoppers are walking in and requesting. Still, they also prioritise shoppers' affordability ahead of more significant margins.

Therefore, the most effective avenue of partnership with the informal sector would be to help them fortify their supply chain and make it more efficient. This would provide an essential service to lower-income communities and enable businesses to drive greater sustainability in South Africa's economy for the future.

A win-win situation for all

We believe there is an opportunity for formal retailers in South Africa to leverage existing capabilities and offerings to serve this market better and deliver a win-win-win for consumers, traders and retailers.

Retailers will make inroads in the market by leveraging their buying power to achieve lower-cost products and leveraging their existing footprint, such as Click & Collect points and fulfilment centres. Their infrastructure can help deliver efficiency gains in supply chain and logistics, a pressing need to be addressed for the informal sector. All this will allow them to gain a share of the R178 billion informal market.

Traders win, too, with access to a wider assortment of fresher products as and when they need them. As part of a formal, fortified trade relationship, they will also benefit from bulk discounts, multiple payment options, and convenient delivery through click-and-collect or directly to their spaza store.

Consumers, ultimately, stand the most to gain, with access to fresh, affordable products and wider assortments at a convenient location.

Unlocking opportunity

To unlock the opportunity, retailers need to challenge the existing behaviours in this sector to deliver an optimised, tailored value proposition to this audience. However, those who partner with the informal sector must demonstrate clear value to shift behaviours.
Senior CPC official visits Madagascar

Xinhua) 13:58, July 24, 2023

ANTANANARIVO, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Madagascar from Thursday to Saturday.

During the visit, Liu met with President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, President of the Senate Herimanana Razafimahefa, President of the National Assembly Christine Razanamahasoa, Foreign Minister Yvette Sylla, and Pierre Holder Ramaholimasy, national coordinator of the IRD. He also held talks with representatives of local Chinese companies and Chinese communities.

The two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between political parties and legislatures, enhance people-to-people exchanges, increase mutual learning on state governance, closely synergize development strategies and promote Belt and Road cooperation, so as to jointly step forward toward modernization and bring China-Madagascar relations to a new level.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Yemen authorities have taken 21 people into custody concerning the killing of the director of the local office of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Taiz.

Last week, Moayad Hameidi was killed by gunfire in Turbah, the Taiz Governorate. The settlement of Turbah is on the edge of the Red Sea.

'A Dedicated Humanitarian'

Yemen police in Taiz reportedly made roughly two dozen arrests over 24 hours, as reported by the Ministry of Interior on Saturday, July 22, according to CNN. WFP director Cindy McCain has spoken out against the murder of Hameidi. She called Hameidi "a dedicated humanitarian" who had worked for the WFP in Iraq, Syria, and Sudan for 18 years.

McCain tweeted, "Those responsible must be held accountable. Aid workers should never be a target."

Richard Ragan, the WFP's representative and country director in Yemen, called Hameidi's death a profound tragedy for the organization and the humanitarian community.

Hameidi, the head of WFP's local office in Yemen, was a Jordanian citizen based in Turbah in the southwest. He was attacked on Friday afternoon, July 21. The UN claimed that they still do not know who fired the shots.

According to the UN, Hameidi had just moved to Taiz to take up his new role as office director there.

I strongly condemn the ruthless murder of our @WFP team member in #Yemen today.



Moayad was a dedicated humanitarian. He served WFP with tireless commitment for 18 years in Sudan, Syria & Iraq.



Those responsible must be held accountable. Aid workers should never be a target.  Cindy McCain (@WFPChief) July 21, 2023

Read Also: Ethiopia: Hundreds Die From Hunger as US, UN Food Aid Suspended, Officials Claim

Divided by Violence

Taiz, the country's third biggest city, has been surrounded by Houthi rebels supported by Iran for the last seven years, cutting off the city's population from food, medicine, and other humanitarian help.

The war in Yemen has been raging for more than a decade. Ali Abdullah Saleh, the president in 2012, was overthrown by demonstrators, a year after the Arab Spring protests of 2011.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels took over Sanaa in 2014 and toppled the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

"Since 2015, a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government has been battling for control of the Arab nation," according to the UN statement. The Houthi militia, who control the capital and parts of northern Yemen, are on the other side of the conflict.

The UN estimates that 17 million people in Yemen are still food insecure, with projections showing that the number of people suffering high levels of acute food insecurity could rise to 3.9 million by the end of this year.

The UN has stressed the need for WFP food assistance in preventing famine and prolonging the food security crisis.

Related Article: Fertilizer Shortage Could Cause Next Global Food Crisis: Why Is This Happening?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In today's fiercely competitive market, businesses increasingly turn to loyalty programmes as a strategic tool to engage and retain customers. South Africa, an African nation with a mature and stable loyalty market, presents a unique landscape where loyalty offerings significantly influence consumer behaviour.

Image source: Aleksandra Gigowska  123RF.com

To capitalise on this opportunity, it is crucial for businesses to select the right technology platform when creating their loyalty offering. By aligning programme offerings with customer preferences and leveraging personalised experiences, companies can unlock the full potential of loyalty and build lasting customer relationships.

Understanding the South African loyalty landscape

According to the 2022 Truth & BrandMapp Loyalty Whitepaper, a staggering 73% of economically active South Africans are already enrolled in loyalty programmes. This statistic highlights the immense opportunity loyalty solutions offer businesses operating in the South African market. However, it also underscores the need for differentiation and innovation to stand out in a crowded space.

Selecting the right technology platform is the foundation for a successful loyalty programme. Businesses must consider several key factors when evaluating their options:

Flexibility and scalability: A technology platform should have the flexibility to adapt to evolving customer needs and preferences. It should allow for seamless integration with existing systems and accommodate future growth without disruptions.

A technology platform should have the flexibility to adapt to evolving customer needs and preferences. It should allow for seamless integration with existing systems and accommodate future growth without disruptions. Personalisation capabilities: The power of personalisation cannot be underestimated. Customers respond positively to tailored experiences that align with their individual needs and preferences. A robust technology platform enables businesses to collect and analyse customer data, empowering them to deliver highly personalised rewards, offers, and communications.

The power of personalisation cannot be underestimated. Customers respond positively to tailored experiences that align with their individual needs and preferences. A robust technology platform enables businesses to collect and analyse customer data, empowering them to deliver highly personalised rewards, offers, and communications. Omnichannel integration: South African consumers still prefer traditional methods, such as loyalty cards, for identification and programme usage. However, the rise of digital channels cannot be ignored. An effective technology platform enables businesses to provide a seamless omnichannel experience, allowing customers to engage with the loyalty programme through their preferred channels, be it physical cards, mobile apps, or digital wallets.

South African consumers still prefer traditional methods, such as loyalty cards, for identification and programme usage. However, the rise of digital channels cannot be ignored. An effective technology platform enables businesses to provide a seamless omnichannel experience, allowing customers to engage with the loyalty programme through their preferred channels, be it physical cards, mobile apps, or digital wallets. Analytics and reporting: Actionable insights are vital for refining loyalty programmes and optimising customer engagement. A technology platform that offers robust analytics and reporting capabilities empowers businesses to measure the programme's performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. And more importantly, this needs to be done in real-time.

Driving relevance and personalisation

Nolan Daniel, Joint CEO at Payment24

The report emphasises the importance of relevance and personalisation in loyalty programmes, which is critical when building digital tools into an underlying technology framework. South African consumers have shown a strong correlation between programme relevance and their loyalty towards a brand. Businesses can achieve relevance by leveraging the capabilities of a sophisticated technology platform.

The first way is via customised rewards. Points redeemed into cash remain the most preferred loyalty benefit among South Africans. However, preferences may vary among different customer segments. A technology platform enables businesses to offer diverse rewards tailored to individual demographics, such as travel-related benefits for wealthier customers and airtime/data rewards for lower-income consumers.

But there is no point in customising rewards if there are no effective means for a consumer to redeem their rewards, so the platforms built must be able to support multiple tools for rewards redemption. While some customers may be able to engage with a loyalty programme via QR codes, a mobile app, or WhatsApp, others are still reliant on USSD codes. A good platform caters for all methods.

Secondly, modern loyalty customers want timely and relevant communications. Engaging customers with personalised and timely communications is essential to maintain their interest and drive participation. By leveraging customer data and insights through the backend support of AI algorithms, businesses can use their technology platform to deliver targeted messages and offer that resonates with individual preferences and behaviours.

Aligning to individual needs

In the competitive South African market, selecting the right technology platform is crucial for businesses looking to create successful loyalty programmes. What is clear is that personalisation and relevance are key drivers of customer loyalty.

By using a technology platform that enables flexibility, personalisation, omnichannel integration, and robust AI-infused analytics, businesses can unlock the full potential of loyalty programmes in South Africa. Embracing these technology-driven strategies will empower companies to build stronger customer relationships, drive engagement, and stay ahead of the competition.
If the cold snap is making you laze longer in bed, you might be wondering if it's time to invest in a new mattress. Eden Sleep is an environmentally-friendly, Proudly South African mattress manufacturer founded when a leading foam manufacturer and a leading spring manufacturer decided to settle a decades-long debate on which mattress construction was the best - foam or spring. Their conclusion - a hybrid bringing together the 'best of both'.

Eden Sleep mattresses use a combination of zoned pocket coil Spring support system and a technical foam comfort system can create the ideal sleep rejuvenation device (SRD), commonly known as a mattress, said Jeanne Swart, Eden Sleep marketing representative.

Choose your rejuvenation

Eden Sleep offers three mattress ranges, Uno, Trio and Pento, correlating to the zones of the human body which align with the companys exclusive Eden Mattress Match Model.

Our model takes away the guesswork about which mattress is right for you. It is based on the human body shape, as this reveals how your weight is distributed from head to toe. This is used to determine the type of pressure-relieving support each person requires from their mattress, Swart said.

The Eden Comfort System is designed using premium density conventional and technical foams to achieve the individuals desired level of comfort, be it plush, medium or firm. The correct mattress will mold to ones unique body profile to ensure optimum pressure-relieving support, neutral spine alignment, reduced pressure points and limited motion transfer.

Eden Sleep developed its unique RibZone pocket spring core, comprising multiple parallel and nested ribs of pocket coils arranged in a targeted zonal configuration and encased with Edge2Edgesupport foam. This increases the sleeping area and limits sagging, while supporting you when getting in and out of bed.

Better mattress hygiene

Heat and moisture build-up generated while we sleep creates an uncomfortable sleep environment which further contributes to excessive tossing and turning. Eden Sleeps RibZone Core, together with a gel-infused comfort system allows for effective heat and moisture dissipation resulting in a cooler, drier and better-regulated sleep environment.

The contemporary Waterfall mattress cover replaces the traditional quilted cover and can be removed to be washed or replaced. Depending on the climatic conditions, the average human sweats around 200ml per night. A percentage of this sweat is being absorbed into your mattress, which together with heat build-up and natural skin shedding creates an ideal breeding ground for dust mites.

Sleep sustainably

In line with the brands green economy ethos, Eden Sleep has partnered with Greenpop, a South African NGO which specialises in forest restoration, and for every mattress sold, will donate a tree in that customers name as part of a reforestation project. Each buyer will receive a certificate with a geo-location tag.

The mattresses, with a maximum load-bearing capacity of 150kg per person, are made from locally-sourced raw materials sourced and manufactured in Johannesburg.

Eden Sleeps range, with a 100-night free trial, is exclusively available through their website, following a global trend of consumers opting to purchase beds online. Our beds are delivered conveniently packaged to your door, in eco-friendly packaging.

While Swart says that a mattress is a grudge purchase for most people, if you defray the cost of a quality R10,000 mattress over a 10-year lifespan, youre paying less than R2.74 per night to sleep comfortably and wake up feeling rejuvenated. Humans are said to spend a third of their lifetime sleeping, so let Eden Sleep help you have better sleep for a healthier life.

Standard-length beds start at R3,850 up to R12,000 for a king-size extra length, including VAT and delivery.

Visit www.edensleep.co.za.
When Nelson Mandela has a birthday, the whole world celebrates. On his birthday on 18 July - declared Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations in 2009 - it is customary to spend at least 67 minutes making a difference to the lives of vulnerable communities.

Burger-making production line in the expansive kitchen at the Johannesburg Children's Home, with chefs and staff from City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport and Mrs Soweto Finalist 2023 Fatima Moyane. Trevor Boyd, Fatima Moyane, Ian Laughland, Irvan Damon Mrs Soweto Finalist 2023 Fatima Moyane preparing burgers for the children From left: Sipho Mdluli (acting director, The Johannesburg Children's Home); Trevor Boyd (operations manager: F&B, City Lodge Hotels); Fiona Duke (head of operations, The Johannesburg Children's Home); Fatima Moyane (Mrs Soweto Finalist 2023); Irvan Damon (MyDigiChef); Devandra Narismulu (executive chef, City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport) The Johannesburg Children's Home welcomed the team from City Lodge Hotels, MyDigiChef and Mrs Soweto Finalist 2023 Fatima Moyane to add to the Mandela Day festivities at the home. From left: Fatima Moyane (Mrs Soweto Finalist 2023); Trevor Boyd (group operations manager: F&B, City Lodge Hotels); Nomusa Nyoni; Devandra Narismulu (executive chef); Lungelo Nxumalo; Mazwi Mthembu; Ian Laughland (general manager); and Julius von Richter (assistant general manager) all from City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport; and Irvan Damon from MyDigiChef.

This year, City Lodge Hotels was a hive of activity as half the groups 59 hotels from around the country, together with support office in Johannesburg, partnered with MyDigiChefs #67burgersofjoy initiative. MyDigiChef is an online culinary training resource run by Irvan Damon. The 30 participating properties pledged to make at least 67 burgers each to be donated to charitable organisations in nearby communities.

By the end of Mandela Day, the group had donated over 2,000 burgers as well as many other delicious treats to close on 20 homes and care centres as part of the #67burgersofjoy campaign. Several of the festivities were shared via Instagram live feed, with children singing our national anthem and chefs and teams from the hotels working together to organise a fun party atmosphere for beneficiaries. The remainder of the groups hotels supported similar initiatives in their areas, and reminding these sometimes-overlooked communities that kindness and compassion are universal.

Mrs Soweto Finalist 2023, Fatima Moyane, joined the team at City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport in the hotels recently revamped kitchen. She rolled up her sleeves and got stuck into flipping burgers before heading to the Johannesburg Childrens Home to pack gift bags and hand them out to the delighted children, who were just back from their first day of the school term. Fatima epitomises beauty with purpose and, as a mother herself, spent time learning more about how this home enriches the lives of its 64 resident children.

City Lodge Hotels has long been dedicated to supporting those in need through various charitable activities and donations throughout the year, some driven by support office and many others taking place at hotel level. With 56 hotels across South Africa and one each in Windhoek, Namibia; Gaborone, Botswana; and Maputo, Mozambique, the group gives back to communities far and wide.

Trevor Boyd, group operations manager of food and beverage at City Lodge Hotels, says, Mandela Day is a chance to celebrate Madibas life by enriching the lives of others, just like he did. Each hotel chose to benefit a charity or organisation in need close to their hotels and hearts, and a major meal drive was generated by MyDigiChefs #67burgersofjoy. We are humbled and proud to be able to join hands across City Lodge Hotels and South Africa to help those in need, especially children. Based on the success of Mandela Day 2023, we would like to make this a sustainable food drive throughout the year.




Investigator seen on TV "singing and clapping his hands" at march.

A Sars employee who took part in an EFF protest while claiming to be on sick leave must be fired, the Labour Court has ruled. Archive photo: Ashraf Hendricks | GroundUp

South African Revenue Service (Sars) investigator Benneth Mathebula was spotted on TV by his supervisor at an EFF march while he was booked off sick.



He was fired but took his case to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration which ordered he be reinstated.



Labour Court Judge Graham Moshoana has set aside the CCMA decision.



If he was able to clap his hands and sing, it must follow that he would have been able to perform his contractual duties, said the judge.

A Sars employee, who was spotted singing and clapping his hands at an EFF protest march in 2020 when he was booked off sick, has been dismissed.

Johannesburg Labour Court Judge Graham Moshoana has set aside a previous ruling by a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) commissioner that the dismissal of junior investigator Benneth Mathebula was substantially unfair and that he must be reinstated and get back pay.

Judge Moshoana said: When he faked illness he must have intended to mislead Sars, and ruled that Mathebulas dismissal was fair.

Evidence in the matter was that Mathebula sent a text message to his supervisor Pule Mantso on 7 September 2020, saying he was not feeling well. He sent another message the following day, saying the same thing.

On 9 September, he consulted a doctor and was booked off from that day to 11 September due to a medical condition.

Whilst watching the news on television, Mantso spotted Mathebula participating in a protest march called by the EFF against retail group Clicks, on 7 September.

He was seen singing and clapping his hands.

Mantso confronted Mathebula in writing. In response Mathebula asked how it had come to Mantsos attention and who had complained.

Mantso responded: It came to my attention when I saw you on the 19:00 news, while I was expecting you to be off due to illness.

Ultimately, Mathebula responded that he had taken medication on that day and had become a bit better. He said a friend had come to check on him and asked if he could accompany him to Sandton.

I did not see anything wrong with that, actually I thought maybe it is good to go out and stretch a bit, as I was not bedridden ... So it is true that you might have seen me. Unfortunately the following day I got worse and I did let you know.

In November, he was charged with dishonesty. In March 2021, he was found guilty and dismissed.

He referred an unfair dismissal dispute to the CCMA where Commissioner Faizel Mooi found in his favour.

Sars then approached the Labour Court to review and set aside Moois ruling.

Judge Moshoana said it was common cause that Mathebula had participated in the protest on a day in which he unashamedly and audaciously indicated to Sars that he was not feeling well.

While he was not well enough to go to work, he was well enough to participate in protest action.

It must be so that when he represented to his supervisor that he was not feeling well... he was not being truthful, the judge said.

Had he indicated to his supervisor that he seeks to be excused from work to participate in protest action, he would not have been excused.

The judge said Mathebula had only sought medical attention two days later and the doctors certificate did not remotely suggest that the medical condition he diagnosed presented itself earlier than the examination date.

It seemed Mathebula had taken advantage of the Sars policy that an employee who is off sick for two days or less does not have to produce a medical certificate, he said.

The judge said Commissioner Mooi had relied on speculative evidence that Mathebula had not intended to deceive his employer.

The probabilities were overwhelming that he was not sick. If he was able to clap his hands and sing, it must follow that he would have been able to perform his contractual duties.

His first reaction when confronted was not one of an honest employee ... and his attempts to further explain himself were feeble.

Judge Moshoana said the CCMA award did not pass Constitutional muster and set it aside.

This article was originally published on GroundUp.
The South African Pork Producers' Organisation (Sappo) has appointed Dr Peter Evans as its new chief executive officer. Chairperson Stephen Butt congratulated Dr Evans and expressed his excitement over the new phase ahead. "Dr Evans is an established and versatile member of the Sappo team and has vast exposure across the global pork value chain. He brings a wealth of experience as a renowned leader in animal health."

Dr Peter Evans, CEO, Sappo

Dr Evans grew up in a farming family in the Free State and went on to complete his degree at the University of Pretorias Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (Onderstepoort). He started his career as a companion animal veterinarian before venturing into pig farming and going on to join CS Vet in Pretoria in 1993.

Dr Evans joined Sappo on a part-time basis in 2008 and was pivotal in the development of Pork 360, as well as setting up various interventions to enable the sustainable growth of the industry.

"Over the years, pig farmers have demonstrated that they are extremely efficient and innovative. This needs to be matched with broad-based collaboration in designing interventions that could mitigate the interrelated biosecurity risks embedded in the South African pig industry.

"At the centre of the pig industrys future are value-chain-based partnerships that yield a means to ensure market access, sustainable development, and a conductive trade environment," says Dr Evans.

Dr Evans will commence his tenure as CEO of Sappo in September 2023.
The Western Cape Government WCG this week launched its Growth For Jobs (G4J) strategy, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the pressing concerns of South Africa's declining economic growth rates and escalating unemployment.

Driving the project are Premier Alan Winde, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, and Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers.

The plan aims to uplift the provincial job growth rate dramatically and, in the face of uncertain national economic trends, charts a distinct path for the Western Cape's economic progress.At the core of this bold plan is the understanding that it is the private sector that creates jobs, while the role of the WCG is to enable this by making it as easy as possible to do business in the province.

This will be done by ensuring that the private sector has access to the energy, water, infrastructure, skills, and technology they need to grow and succeed.

The vision set out in the strategy is of a provincial economy that achieves break-out economic growth, resulting in sufficient employment and opportunity and an economy that is sustainable, resilient, diverse, inclusive and thriving  generating confidence, hope and prosperity for all.

The G4J strategy sets an ambitious target of building a trillion-rand jobs-rich, inclusive, sustainable, diverse, and resilient provincial economy that is growing at 4-6% per year in real terms by 2035. This has the potential to create more than 600,000 jobs.

The Western Cape is endowed with a wealth of resources and people. The aim is to unlock massive potential through this ambitious strategy. We have proven that despite adversity, together we can still endure and succeed. G4J will provide us with renewed vigour and guidance to achieve break-out economic growth, said Winde at the briefing.

A collaborative vision for prosperity

Wenger added, The fact is that we need to drastically boost economic growth to generate sufficient employment that can pull people out of poverty. What sets G4J apart is that it has been worked on with the private sector, by which we mean formal and informal, including township economies, because ultimately, our goal is to enable and rapidly grow the economy.

"The strategy takes cognisance of the rural and urban dimensions in its approach with a clear spatial lens, with an aim to connect people in our towns, cities and rural communities to economic opportunities It also takes a much longer view, going all the way up to 2035, and our plan of action involves the whole of government, continued Wenger.

Simmers said: Investment in infrastructure allows the Western Cape Government to create an environment that enables jobs and economic opportunities. The Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050 (WCIF2050) is the overarching guideline that will ensure infrastructure becomes the catalyst in the growth of jobs creation.

"Furthermore, we will look to strengthen public and private partnerships so that the Western Cape becomes the economic hub in South Africa.This is a courageous plan, much-needed given the sluggish economic growth South Africa has been languishing in for far too long. Through this strategy the Western Cape aims to lead the way for our residents, especially the most vulnerable, to prosper through seeking out economic opportunities that lift them out of poverty.

Paving the path to economic resilience

The strategy is based on seven priority focus areas (PFAs), each with a strategic goal in mind: driving growth opportunities through investment; stimulating market growth through exports and domestic markets; energy resilience and transition to net zero carbon; water security and resilience; technology and innovation; infrastructure and connected economy; improved access to economic opportunities and employability.

| The Western Cape Government is working tirelessly to enable job-creation. We are also filling in where national government has failed by focusing on safety efforts and eliminating rolling blackouts in the province. pic.twitter.com/t3qkiPa00q  Premier Alan Winde  (@alanwinde) June 12, 2023

To this end, by 2035 private-sector investment will be 20% of regional GDP (translating to R200bn); the value of Western Cape exports of goods and services (inclusive of tourism) will triple; and there will be reduced reliance of energy from Eskom of between 18005700 MW. This is estimated to attract between R21.6bn and R68.4bn in related investment.

Also, double the amount of water will be available for secondary and tertiary economic sectors (primarily from non-productive use) and will honour existing allocations to agriculture. Furthermore, by 2035, research and development expenditure will increase by 300% in real terms, reaching R35bn and venture-capital deals will total R20bn.

Empowering the citizens of the Western Cape

The Western Cape economy will have the infrastructure required to support and enable a R1tn economy and public sector capital investment in the Western Cape will be 10% of regional GDP.

All citizens who want to be economically active will have improved access to economic opportunities and employability through at least one pathway, with pathways comprising improved employability assets (knowledge, skills, experience, and/or competencies), career management skills, workplace-ready capabilities and skills, and economic opportunities that are more accessible to communities, and entrepreneurship.

The plan is guided by founding principles, first agreed to in a strategic framework. These include:

An open market economy that makes it possible for an open opportunity society that is aimed at improving competitiveness and productivity.

that makes it possible for an open opportunity society that is aimed at improving competitiveness and productivity. Horizontal enablement that places the government as an enabler of the economy offering support to the private sector to ensure growth and opportunities.

that places the government as an enabler of the economy offering support to the private sector to ensure growth and opportunities. Equality of opportunity will see a state that facilitates economic opportunity for citizens and expands choice and the independence of residents.

will see a state that facilitates economic opportunity for citizens and expands choice and the independence of residents. Redress through active economic participation that pulls more people into the economy, stimulating competition, improving skills and productivity, raising investment, and reducing poverty.

through active economic participation that pulls more people into the economy, stimulating competition, improving skills and productivity, raising investment, and reducing poverty. Partnerships should be nurtured with the various spheres of government and the private sector to increase the speed and scale of change.

should be nurtured with the various spheres of government and the private sector to increase the speed and scale of change. Innovation to ensure new ideas are embraced and to push the boundaries of the Western Capes constitutional mandate to enable private-sector-led growth and job creation in tourism, trade, and industrial policy.

to ensure new ideas are embraced and to push the boundaries of the Western Capes constitutional mandate to enable private-sector-led growth and job creation in tourism, trade, and industrial policy. Agility and flexibility in how the government pursues break-out growth.

in how the government pursues break-out growth. Sustainability entails growth being decoupled from wasteful resource usage and fossil-fuel dependency.

entails growth being decoupled from wasteful resource usage and fossil-fuel dependency. Data-led decision-making in making sound decisions. This requires a data management and reporting capability that pulls together and utilises the excellent data that the province already has.

in making sound decisions. This requires a data management and reporting capability that pulls together and utilises the excellent data that the province already has. Responsiveness to impactful opportunities which sees that the government is responsive to all private-sector-led opportunities, while being selective about which support levers are deployed based on the extent of private-sector involvement.

The premier remarked, While unemployment in the Western Cape is lower compared to the rest of the country, we must acknowledge we still have a long road ahead of us. Intolerably high levels of poverty and unemployment, caused by years of maladministration, neglect and corruption at a national level, will continue to pose considerable challenges.

But I have all the confidence in G4J. This strategy provides us with a clear, brave blueprint for what our government and our partners need to do over the next 12 years. We are all on the same page, aiming to pour considerable resources into seeing G4J succeed in its mission to boost our economic growth and create more jobs.

This strategy belongs to all the citizens of the Western Cape. Businesses big and small, entrepreneurs and civil society are all a part of G4J. Working together to create employment is the driving force behind this initiative.

He concluded, All our citizens want to prosper. Equipped with G4J, we will be able to offer opportunity and hope.
An airplane plunged into a residential neighborhood in Massachusetts. The incident happened on Sunday, July 23, as confirmed by the Stow Police Department and Stow Fire Department authorities.

Airplane Plunges in Massachusetts

According to Fox News' latest report, the airplane that crashed was a single-engine Cessna 182.

The passenger plane crashed around 1:00 p.m. local time in a wooded location between two homes in the town of Stow.

CBS News reported that the area where the Cessna plane was found is near the Minute Man Air Field.

Three of the passengers were able to leave the airplane by themselves. The other two occupants needed assistance from responders.

"Everybody started talking, asking for help, yelling, and I just started thinking, help the first person in front of me," said Tye Moracy, one of the people who helped the victims.

The good samaritan said that one of the victims was stuck to a seatbelt, while another one has a sharp piece of metal close to their body.

Another victim had a hard time breathing during the incident. Tye shared that there were instances when he almost cried, saying that he started thinking of positive things to clear his mind so he can help.

These include where the plane landed and that the pilot was able to direct the aircraft between the two houses. Moracy said that despite the incident, he felt lucky about a lot of things during the airplane crash.

"The emergency people were showing up and it's like, thank God, I was so relieved that there were more hands," added Moracy.

Read Also: Flea Bite Forces American Amputate Hands, Feet Parts; How Dangerous is Typhus?

Casualties, Cause of Crash, Other Details

Luckily, no one died after the airplane crash. But, three individuals suffered from non-life-threatening injuries.

The Stow police and fire responders quickly took the victims to the nearest hospitals.

"Three patients were transported by helicopter to local trauma centers with serious but non-life threatening injuries," said the Stow Fire Department.

The injured people were taken by medical helicopters. The Stow Fire Department said that the Stow Police Department, Boxborough Police Department, and Maynard Police Department all assisted the patients.

They all worked together alongside the EMTs, as well as firefighters to give the victims the medical care they need.

The Stow Fire Department shared all the details via its official Facebook post, which garnered hundreds of reactions and comments from residents.

As of writing, the main cause of the airplane crash is still unidentified. But, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transport Safety Board are already investigating the incident.

If you are one of the residents in Stow, the best thing you can do is wait for further updates from FAA and NTSB.

You can click this link to learn more about the latest airplane crash in Massachusetts.

Related Article: Woman Dead Over Suspected Bear Attack Near Yellowstone Park

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
President Safa Zaki, students, and staff recently got a chance to mingle in the glowing light of a warm evening at the annual President's Summer Cookout.

First the food, then the mingle.

Each year, Bowdoin Dining sets up an outside dinner in late July for the many students living on campus over the summer. It's a chance for them to meet up with their peers and to chat with the president, deans, and other staff who come out for the event.

For President Zaki, the cookout was one of of her first opportunities to meet Bowdoin students. She started July 1.

It was wonderful to have a chance to meet so many students, she said. Every student I talked to was engaged in impactful work this summerfrom work in labs to writing projects to work in the local community. I am looking forward to getting to know more of our students.

Some of those who stay on campus over the summer have research fellowships to work in professors' labs or to do their own independent, faculty-mentored research. Others have grants to intern at local organizations. Still more have jobs at Bowdoinwith the library, admissions office, or ground crew, for instance.

Katrina Carrier 24 has a Paller Neuroscience 2023-2024 Academic Year Fellowship to work with Assistant Professor of Biology and Neuroscience Daniel Powell. Sitting down with her plate at one of the cookout's long tables, Carrier explained that she's studying the effects of temperature and salinity on lobsters' neurological systems. Outside of the lab, she said the best part of summer has been swimming! I've gone multiple times at the Schiller Center, and I've gone kayaking and fishing, too.
The controversial proposal to release treated radioactive wastewater into the sea from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station is set to begin within weeks, despite furious opposition both within and outside Japan.

Fear Among Local Businesses

According to AP News, residents are concerned that the water release 12 years after the nuclear accident would damage Fukushima's reputation and their ability to make a living there.

The release's potential for harm, if any, remains unclear. But locals report feeling helpless.

Yukinaga Suzuki, a 70-year-old innkeeper at Usuiso Beach in Iwaki, somehow close to the plant, asked that the idea be postponed until at least the conclusion of the swimming season in mid-August. "I'm against it. But there is nothing I can do to stop it as the government has one-sidedly crafted the plan and will release it anyway," he said.

Before the tsunami hit, the Usuiso region was home to more than a dozen accommodations managed by local families.

Iwaki seafood business owner Katsumasa Okawa is more concerned about the tanks storing polluted water than the discharge of treated water. After visiting the plant complex a few years back and witnessing immense tanks, he wants them removed immediately.

The fishing industry, tourism, and economics of Fukushima were all seriously impacted, but they are slowly making a comeback. To help fisheries and seafood processing recover from the water spill, the government has allocated 80 billion yen ($573 million).

Japanese fishing groups were strongly against Fukushima's water release due to concerns that the disaster would do irreparable harm to the image of Japanese seafood, an industry that is still struggling to recover.

Concerns have been made by groups in both South Korea and China, elevating the matter to the level of a political and diplomatic crisis. If Tokyo dumps cleaned radioactive wastewater into the sea, Hong Kong will restrict the import of aquatic goods from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures.

Also Read: China's Move to Ban Japanese Seafood Raises Tensions Over Fukushima Water

Fukushima Water Release

Since the nuclear catastrophe in 2011, the government and operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO, have battled to handle the vast volume of polluted water accumulated in the plant.

Eventually, they announced intentions of releasing it into the ocean.

The cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi facility were wrecked by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Three of the plant's reactors melted and began leaking contaminated cooling water. About a thousand tanks are being used to collect, filter, and store the water, and they will be full by the beginning of 2024.

To create a place for the plant's decommissioning and to avoid inadvertent leaks from the tanks, the government, and TEPCO have ordered the water to be evacuated, despite the fact that most of it is still polluted and requires retreatment.

A subsea tunnel will be used to dump the water into the Pacific Ocean. Reportedly, the water will be diluted with more than a hundred times its current saltwater volume. They claim that this practice is even safer than is required by international and national regulations.

Also Read: Japan's Fukushima Water Release: A Precedent for Other Countries?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


Indian and Vietnamese Navy officers during the decommissioning ceremony of INS Kirpan that has now been handed over to Vietnam People's Navy with complete weapon complement, in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, Saturday, July 22, 2023. A PTI Photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): India has gifted its in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in reflection of growing bilateral strategic and defence partnership amid common concerns over China's increasingly aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea.



It is for the first time that India handed over a fully operational corvette to any friendly foreign country, officials said. Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, currently on an official visit to Vietnam, presided over the ceremony at Vietnamese deep water bay of Cam Ranh where the front line warship was handed over to Vietnam People's Navy.



The Indian Navy said the ship has been handed over to Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) with complete "weapon complement".



"Today's handing-over ceremony symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between India and Vietnam," Admiral Kumar said in his address at the event last Saturday.



"What makes this occasion even more significant is the fact that this is the first-ever occasion that India is offering a fully-operational Corvette to any friendly foreign country," he said.



The Navy Chief said the transfer of INS Kirpan to the Vietnam People's Navy resonates with India's G20 vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam --- One Earth, One Family, One Future."



Vietnam, an important country of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea region.



India has oil exploration projects in the Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea. India and Vietnam have been boosting their maritime security cooperation in the last few years to protect common interests.



"Today's event serves as a reaffirmation of our commitment to expand and deepen our defence partnership, not only bilaterally but also in the broader multilateral framework," he said.



Admiral Kumar hoped that INS Kirpan would continue to navigate the vast seas, "upholding the principles of freedom, justice, and international rules-based order to be the pillar around which a 'force for good' be built".



His comments come in the backdrop of China's increasing military muscle flexing in the South China Sea.



"As we entrust INS Kirpan to the Vietnam Navy, we do so with complete confidence in their ability to operate and maintain this magnificent vessel," the Navy Chief said.



"We are certain that they will harness its immense potential to safeguard their national maritime interests, contribute to regional security, and foster peace and stability," he added.



INS Kirpan was handed over to Vietnam after it was decommissioned from Indian Navy.



"On completing 32 years of illustrious service to the nation, Indian naval ship Kirpan has been decommissioned from the Indian Navy and handed over to VPN today," the Indian Navy said in a statement.



INS Kirpan, since its commissioning in 1991, has been an integral part of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet and has participated in many operations over the last 32 years.



Manned by about 12 officers and 100 sailors, the ship is 90 metres long and 10.45 metres in width with maximum displacement of 1,450 tons.



"The transfer of INS Kirpan from Indian Navy to Vietnam People's Navy, symbolises the status of Indian Navy of being the 'preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region," the Indian Navy said.



INS Kirpan, an indigenously built Khukri-class missile corvette, was handed over to Vietnam in line with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement last month that India will gift an in-service missile corvette to the country.



INS Kirpan departed on her final journey under the Indian tri-colour from India to Vietnam on June 28 and reached Cam Ranh, Vietnam on July 8.


PANAJI (PTI): The USA's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) has conducted a Cooperative Deployment (CODEP) with the Indian Navy following the ship's port visit to Goa, officials have said.

The US Navy destroyer worked with the Indian Navy frigate INS Tarkash (F-50), and the operations focused on building interoperability and strengthening relationships through manoeuvering and communication exercises last Tuesday, a media statement released here said.



US Consul General in Mumbai Mike Hankey said the port visit reinforces President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to an Indo-Pacific region built on shared values and principles "as we strengthen the relationship between our two countries."



He said the US recognises and values India's role and leadership in the Indo-Pacific region at large.



"Working in concert with India, we will advance the rules-based order and maintain peace and stability in the region," he added.



"Stethem Sailors greatly enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with our partners in the region, working together with the Indian Navy allowed us to gain a greater appreciation for creating stability off their coast following our successful port visit," said Cmdr James "Nate" Watts, the commanding officer of Stethem.



The operations on India's West Coast, sailing together, show our strong commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said.



The statement said the US-India bilateral operations included division tactics, a passing exercise and formation sailing, providing both navies the opportunity to work together to further common maritime goals.



Port calls are part of the US Navy's routine operations. Not only do they reflect the mutual interest between the US and its partner nations, they allow sailors an opportunity to decompress from the high demand of life at sea, contributing to the overall mission readiness of the ship, it said.



Stethem is operating as part of Commander, Task Force 71, US 7th Fleet's principal surface force, the statement said.



CTF 71 is responsible for the readiness, tactical and administrative responsibilities for forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers as well as any surface unit conducting independent operations in the region, the release said.



US 7th Fleet is the US Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region, it added.


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10 ways the Year of Climate Action at Brandeis made a difference

When the Presidents Task Force on Campus Sustainability at Brandeis convened to draft a new climate action plan for the university, they outlined ambitious goals for the campus to achieve carbon neutrality and become more climate reslilient. Also among its recommendations: An entire year dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of climate change as an issue of social justice.

After nearly two years of planning, 2022-2023 became Brandeis first-ever Year of Climate Action. The events and initiatives were brought to reality by the Brandeis Sustainability Committee  co-chaired by Director of Sustainability Mary Fischer and Associate Professor Colleen Hitchcock  a team of student "Sustainability Ambassadors", and a core team of faculty and staff.

The Year of Climate Action connected 23 campus partners, and more than 3300 people who attended 57 campus events and programs. Additionally, 30 faculty were trained in workshops and 150 seats were created in new courses with a focus on climate.

Here are some of the ways the Year of Climate Action made a difference:

Climate education incorporated into existing courses. Over 30 faculty were trained in ways to incorporate climate change topics into existing courses in workshops hosted by the Sustainability Committee, and many of them implemented changes this year. Courses across disciplines were updated with new material, units, and projects that focused on sustainability and climate-related material.

New courses focused on climate. A host of new courses inspired by the Year of Climate Action provided 150 new seats for students. Courses included Environmental and Climate Justice with Prakash Kashwan, Our Local Waterways with Sally Warner, and Jewish Environmental Ethics with Yehudah Mirsky. Additionally, the Eco-Anxiety support group, which is being transformed from a counseling center group into an elective course to fulfill Brandeis HWL requirement.

Pilot and expansion of Brandeis sustainable grounds management initiatives. In 2022, Brandeis piloted several organic land management practices. The pilot included replacing and phasing out synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, including replacing the glyphosate-containing Roundup; purchasing its first electric leaf blower and electric trimmer; and incorporating measures to improve the soil naturally, such as using organic fertilizer, applying compost to nourish the vegetation, and purchasing and applying more drought-tolerant grass seed. The pilot is being expanded to upper campus this summer, with plans to expand further over the next 2-3 growing seasons. Additionally, Brandeis purchased its first electric lawn mower this spring, and is upgrading its irrigation system to save approximately 1.5 million gallons of water annually.

A course committed to the Charles River Watershed. This years, CAST 150B - Introduction to Introduction to Creativity, the Arts and Social Transformation, taught by Toni Shapiro-Phim, won the Charles River Watershed Association Young Professionals Award for the projects they created in the course. The course was a design lab for climate solutions, bringing together community partners along with Brandeis faculty and staff.

A presence at COP27. For the first time ever, Brandeis sent a delegation to COP, the annual international climate conference, in the fall of 2022. The delegation included undergraduate students Matthew Baharmast 23, and Maggie Del Re 23. The students presented in the Youth Environmental Alliance in Higher Education: Climate leadership across generations Panel sharing the Year of Climate Action as a model for other higher education institutions.

Over three tons of donated goods. After a two year hiatus, Give & Go, Brandeis' move-out donation program, was brought back for the Year of Climate Action. About 20 student and staff volunteers helped collect and consolidate items that would otherwise have been thrown in the trash as students moved out in the spring. Over three tons of donations were collected over two weeks starting in early May and through Commencement. About 1,500 lbs of dorm room necessities were recovered and donated to Grad Bag, which lightly refurbishes the items for new students at Brandeis and in the Greater Boston area, along with thousands more pounds of goods that were donated to various organizations.

The Rare Climate Culture exhibit. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, student families and members of the community saw and interacted with the Rare Climate Culture exhibit, which was on display in the SCC for several weeks before and after Commencement. Over 120 people also participated in the associated study, The Impact on Attitudes and Beliefs about the Environment from viewing Rare's Shifting the Climate Culture exhibits. The study found that the exhibits produced varied positive effects, and the results will be shared in the 2023 Behavior, Energy & Climate Change conference.

The climate warming stripes banner. Professor Sally Warner came up with the idea to create a banner to represent the changes in global temperature in the summer of 2022. Following this, students, faculty, and staff gathered to sew 40 meters of fabric together into stripes, which depict the impact of climate change. The banner was taken to the September 2022 Youth Climate Rally in Boston, where students marched and spoke in support of climate action by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Brandeis brought roughly 50 students, the largest contingent of the rally. The display resided in the Shapiro Campus Center throughout the year of Climate Action, wrapping up the staircase to show this information in a highly public space and stress the urgency of climate action.

Beginning to End the Climate Crisis. The Center for German and European Studies celebrated its 25th anniversary with an all-day conference: "Beginning to End the Climate Crisis." It featured several speakers, a panel on climate justice, an organizing charrette for students, and culminated with keynote speaker by author and climate activist Bill McKibben. The event also officially launched CGES directors Sabine von Merings English translation of Luisa Neubauer and Alex Repenning's book, Beginning to End the Climate Crisis: A History of Our Future.

A new decarbonization action plan. With a team of experts, the Brandeis' Capital Programs group began developing a plan to transform energy use, reduce emissions on campus and set the university on a path to carbon neutrality. The team is conducting a rigorous assessment of the work needed to transform the campus' heating, cooling, and electricity usage to become fossil fuel free. The resulting Decarbonization Action Plan will give Brandeis the analysis and tools needed to commit to new greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Game Of Thrones writer George R R Martin has weighed in on the US writers and actors strike which has caused an industry-wide shutdown.

The Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) announced a strike on July 13 after it failed to reach an agreement on a number of issues, including pay and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the major film studios, TV networks and streaming giants.

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Hollywood stars were among the 160,000 actors on strike, joining the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who walked out on May 2nd.

US comedian Marc Maron walks on a Sag-Aftra picket line outside Netflix studios. Photo: Chris Pizzello/AP/PA.

American novelist Martin said he has a bad feeling the WGA strike will be long and bitter.

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In his latest blog post, the 74-year-old wrote: They (AMPTP) gave the actors no choice but to walk.

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As for the writers well, the studios are not even talking to us. All negotiations between AMPTP and the WGA shut down back in May when the strike started. It is hard to reach any agreement when the other side wont even come to the table.

I joined the WGA in 1986 and have been through several strikes with them. We made gains in all of them, but some issues are more important than others and this years strike is the most important of my lifetime.

No one can be certain where we go from here, but I have a bad feeling that this strike will be long and bitter. It may get as bad as the infamous 1985 strike, though I hope not.

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George R R Martin said he has been on several pickets in New Mexico. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

The writer, who said he had been on several pickets in New Mexico supporting the strikes, revealed his overall deal with HBO was suspended on June 1st.

He also gave an update on the second series of House Of The Dragon (HOTD) series, which will see the return of Matt Smith, Emma DArcy and Paddy Considine in their starring roles.

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Martin wrote: One of the few shows still shooting is House Of The DragonI am told the second season is half done. All the scripts had been finished months before the WGA strike began.

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No writing has been done since, to the best of my knowledge. HOTD is shot mostly in London (and a little bit in Wales, Spain, and various other locations), which is why filming has continued.

The actors are members of the British union, Equity, not Sag-Aftra and though Equity strongly supports their American cousins British law forbids them from staging a sympathy strike. If they walk, they have no protection against being fired for breach of contract, or even sued.

Martin said he considers himself one of the lucky ones as he continues to work on projects such as the stage adaption of The Iron Throne which he has been working on for the past few years.

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The scripts for that one are coming along well, and its got me very excited. Sag-Aftra covers television and film, but not the stage, so the strike has no impact there. Maybe we will even be able to bring the show to the West End by well, no, better not say, do not want to jinx the project, he said.

He ended the blog post with the hope the strikes get settled quickly before we all lose our houses.
A convicted murderer and a gambling addict have been jailed for their part in helping to move a submachine gun that was recovered during a Garda operation three years ago.

Last month, Robert Redmond (35), who was jailed for life in December last year, and his co-accused Jamie Gray (27) pleaded guilty to charges under Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act 1964.

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At the Special Criminal Court, Redmond, with a previous address at Streamville Road, Dublin was jailed for a period of six years.

Gray, of Hazelwood, Fassaroe, Bray, Co Wicklow, was handed a sentence of five years and three months with the final year suspended for a period of three years.

Both men had pleaded guilty to having in their possession or under their control a firearm, to wit, a RAK PM-63 submachine gun, in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that they did not have it in their possession or under their control for a lawful purpose at M11 Southbound, Shankill in Dublin on May 7th, 2020.

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Passing sentence on Monday, Mr Justice Paul Burns said the court acknowledged that the involvement of both men had been to source the weapon for others and neither had any intention of using it.

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He said the 9mm Makarov [type] submachine gun, found in a vehicle stopped by gardai, was in poor condition and the court noted the serial number had been deliberately erased.

The court previously heard the gun was missing a number of components including the stock. It had a 15-round magazine capacity and the magazine had to be held in place with one hand while firing.

The judge said the offence before the court carried a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Criminal enterprise

He said the circumstances in which the firearm was being moved indicated a criminal enterprise involving a number of individuals and noted that the prevalence of such a firearm is a dangerous scourge on our society.

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The court heard that Redmond has 97 previous convictions which include two counts for possession of firearms and ammunition with intention to endanger life as well as a life sentence for murder.

Mr Justice Burns said the court considered a headline sentence of eight years to be appropriate in the case of Redmond.

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He said mitigating factors in Redmonds case included his plea of guilty, the fact that his involvement was to source the weapon for others and the fact that the gun was in poor condition.

Mr Justice Burns noted that Redmond had had a difficult life and had suffered with addiction issues which he had taken steps to address.

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Taking mitigating factors into consideration, he said the court considered a sentence of six years to be appropriate.

Previous convictions

Mr Justice Burns noted that Redmond is currently serving a life sentence for murder and said the sentence imposed today would run from October 5th 2021 when he went into custody in relation to this matter.

Turning to Gray, the judge noted that all his previous offending had been dealt with at district court level. Gray has 91 previous convictions, all for road traffic offences except one count of possession of drugs from 2021.

He said the court considered the appropriate headline sentence to be one of seven years.

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In mitigation, he noted that Gray had entered a plea of guilty on the trial date, but this had been indicated earlier. He noted that Grays involvement was in sourcing the weapon for others, and he had no intention of using it himself.

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The court heard Gray had married at 18 and had two young children. The defendant became addicted to gambling, the judge said, and borrowed from unorthodox sources to fund this.

Mr Justice Burns noted that Grays GP said he is suffering from anxiety. He said the accused had taken steps to address his gambling addiction and was assessed as being at moderate risk of reoffending.

He said taking mitigating factors into account, the court would sentence Gray to a period of five years and three months imprisonmenst with the final year suspended for a period of three years. The judge said the sentence is to run from July 10, 2023 when he went into custody in relation to this matter.

Surveillance operation

At a previous sentencing hearing earlier this month, Sergeant Brian McDermott told prosecuting counsel, Garret Baker SC, that after receiving confidential information about the handing over of a firearm, gardai put a surveillance operation in place on two vehicles; a silver Hyundai jeep and a white Nissan Pulsar.

On the evening of March 7th, the two vehicles pulled in on the main street in Clondalkin and certain people got out of the Hyundai including Redmond and Bernard Fogarty. The two men got back into the Hyundai and the convoy continued.

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Last December, career criminal Redmond was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murdering father of eight Barry Wolverson (40) at Madigan's Yard, Kileek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin, at around midday on January 17th, 2020. He had denied the charge.

Redmond's co-accused Bernard Fogarty (34), with an address at Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, Coolock, Dublin 5, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Mr Wolverson. Mr Wolverson was a businessman who rented space at Madigan's Yard in Swords in north Dublin. He was shot in cold blood and died after being in a coma.

Separately, Fogarty was also jailed by the Special Criminal Court for five years in 2020 after pleading guilty to possession of a RAK PM-63 submachine gun on March 7th, 2020.

At the previous sentencing hearing, Sgt McDermott said the Hyundai was observed travelling towards Donaghmede on the evening of March 7th when both vehicles pulled in at Hole in the Wall Road. Fogarty got out of the jeep and went towards his home address before gardai witnessed him going over to the Nissan Pulsar and leaning into it. Both vehicles then left the area.

The court heard that the submachine gun was in the front passenger footwell of the Nissan Pulsar and the driver of the car was arrested. A phone which was of interest to the investigation was seized from the vehicle.

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The sergeant said Gray was not in either car but that an examination of the phone seized in the Nissan Pulsar and information provided to gardai had led to his arrest.

Gray's home address was searched and evidence of interest emerged when his mobile phone was seized. The court heard there had been "a significant amount of phone traffic" between Gray and Redmond on March 6th, 7th and 8th.

The witness said that two text messages had emanated from Gray's phone to the driver of the Nissan Pulsar on the day of the offence. The first text message read "pull in, put it in the engine" after the firearm was handed over by Fogarty to the driver of the Nissan Pulsar. Another text from Gray's phone read "hide it out there, send me a picture of it".

The sergeant said there was an indication in the text message that a driver on behalf of Gray would come and collect the weapon.

The court heard Gray was interviewed and accepted that the phone seized belonged to him. Clothing seized at Gray's house also linked him to CCTV evidence taken from a Circle K garage in Bray earlier that day.

The court heard the footage showed a third vehicle driven by Gray entering the forecourt of the petrol station and meeting the occupants of the Hyundai jeep. Gray was seen speaking to those in the Hyundai jeep and interacting with other parties.
Over the course of two years, artificial intelligence (AI) scanned 1.6 billion New York license plates. The system was able to zero in on a specific vehicle traveling along a known drug-trafficking route, which was behaving in a suspicious manner.

Traffic Check That Turns Into Drug Trafficking Prosecution

Federal court documents reviewed by Fox News show that Massachusetts drug dealer David Zayas' car made nine trips to New York City and the surrounding suburbs in Westchester County. The trips were monitored by hundreds of license plate readers (LPRs).

On March 10, 2022, police in Westchester County stopped Zayas for a variety of traffic violations, including failing to signal while changing lanes and traveling 15 mph above the speed limit.

Zayas' attorney seemed to reveal and challenge the legality of the AI-powered monitoring software used by the police "without judicial oversight" after the routine traffic check turned into a federal narcotics trafficking prosecution.

According to documents filed in federal court, Zayas traveled the same route from Massachusetts to New York every month between August 2020 and March 2022. When police searched his vehicle, they found 112 grams of crack cocaine, a semiautomatic weapon, and $34,000 in cash.

Also Read: UK Must Rethink AI Regulation to Protect Human Rights, Says Researchers

Legal Issues With Police AI Surveillance

Ben Gold, Zayas' attorney, filed a petition to conceal evidence that indicated the county police used an AI-powered analysis program called Rekor Scout.

On its website, Rekor Scout provides demonstration films and explanations of how the AI-driven LPR (license plate readers) and vehicle identification improves public safety.

The employment of LPRs or AI by law enforcement was not mentioned in the initial criminal complaint or indictment. Gold made a request for public documents and discovered this.

In a petition to suppress evidence filed in March, Gold said that he learned that the Westchester County Police Department's Real Time Crime Center operates one of the largest automatic LPR or automatic number-plate recognition databases in the country.

ALPR systems use high-speed cameras and analytical imaging software to record license plate numbers, pictures, timestamps, and GPS coordinates of all passing vehicles.

Approximately 16.2 million cars each week are scanned and recorded by the monitoring program. Gold claimed in the court filing that the data was stored for two years.

"During this two-year time period, the Government - as was done in this case - can learn, without a warrant, the precise location histories of virtually anyone traveling on major roads in Westchester County," he said in a court filing. "The breadth of this LPR system is spectacular and amounts to a warrantless search."

Gold contended that the advanced technology, the ease with which they may be scanned using AI, and the two-year storage period all amounted to a violation of privacy. He argued that AI-powered surveillance networks may trace individuals' past whereabouts with a single query.

Last month, Zayas formally entered a guilty plea and is now awaiting punishment.

Also Read: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Calls for New Agency To Tackle Artificial Intelligence as Security Council Convenes To Discuss Benefits, Risks

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gardai are expecting to make further arrests in relation to a brutal attack on an American tourist last week which has left him in Intensive Care at Beaumont Hospital.

Stephen Termini, 57, who is from Buffalo, New York, had been staying at a guesthouse on Talbot St and is understood to have just left his accommodation when the unprovoked attack occurred by a gang of youths at 10.40pm in the nearby vicinity.

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The father was viciously beaten and kicked. Emergency services were called to the scene and the man was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he remains in intensive care with a serious life altering condition.

Garda sources have confirmed that they are expecting to make more arrests in the coming days and that a definite line of inquiry is being followed.

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A 14-year-old teenager was arrested Sunday for an alleged offence in connection with the attack and was subsequently charged.

The male juvenile appeared before a special sitting of the Childrens Court, which was held at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Sunday afternoon.

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In a statement gardai said: "The male juvenile arrested for the alleged offence contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 has been charged.

The juvenile has appeared before a special sitting of the Children's Court which was already held at the Criminal Courts of Justice this afternoon Sunday 23rd July.

The juvenile was remanded on bail to appear before the Children's Court on Thursday.

Mike Rizzuto, a son of the injured man, said that he hopes his attackers are brought to justice.

Mr Rizzuto explained that his father had visited Ireland on several occasions and was planning to move to the country permanently.

Gardai are continuing their appeal for 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.
The President of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), Paul Hackett has advised any people due to travel to Greece this week to check with their travel agent or if travelling independently to check the location of their accommodation to see if it is an area impacted by the fires.

Airlines must continue to fly into the islands of Rhodes and Corfu while airports remain open, he told Newstalk Breakfast and RTE radios Morning Ireland. The flights are important so that people who want to return home can do so.

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Mr Hackett explained that the fires in Rhodes were on the south of the island and the northern end, where the airport is located, remains safe. The advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs was to be sensible he said and to avoid areas where the fires were burning.

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Once the airport remains open and airlines continue to fly into these destinations then if a person chooses not to travel they will not be eligible for a refund, he said. The situation was evolving so he advised people to contact their travel agent or accommodation.

The Greek authorities had been very efficient in evacuating holidaymakers, there had not been any casualties. However, he acknowledged that staying in the emergency centres was not comfortable.

Dubliner Keith Evans told Newstalk Breakfast that it had been very hot and uncomfortable when he was evacuated from the southern resort of Lindos to Rhodes. There had been no facilities and no water. He had gone to the airport to try to get a flight home, but could not do so and had since returned to his hotel in Lindos when told it was safe to do so.

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There had been a shift in the wind and smoke had moved in the direction of his hotel. You could smell it, taste it. He had feared that roads would be boxed in by fire, but he now felt safe. The volunteers at the emergency centre had been brilliant, he said, but TUI were of no assistance. They need to get their act together.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Daithi de Roiste has said there is a real issue in terms of what is happening on the streets of Dublin which requires all agencies, including the gardai, to do a lot more.

I believe Dublin is a safe city in the main, and we're always going to have instances. But there is a perception of Dublin that it's unsafe at the moment, that we do have a lot of anti-social behaviour on the streets, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

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We see these instances in recent weeks about what's happening, and I'm saying it's simply not good enough, and we need an urgent response to address this.

Cllr de Roiste pointed out that the Dublin North Central Division had one of the highest crime rates in the country, it now has 615 gardai which was 24 fewer than the start of the year.

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More gardai were needed to make Dublin a much safer place, both for visitors and for ordinary Dubliners, he said.

Higher visibility by gardai would go some way towards addressing the problem.

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When you look at the problem that we have at the moment in terms of young gangs terrorising people and that sense of lawlessness amongst 14, 15, 16-year-olds, yeah, high visibility policing because these gangs are able to operate without the fear that they're going to be just stumbled upon by a member of an Garda Siochana.

Changes to the rules for recruiting gardai needed to be looked at, to make it a more enticing career.

Anything that allows more gardai onto the streets, whether that's people over the age of 35, whether it's increasing the package that's available to members, it's all welcome because it's absolutely needed.

We need to be doing more as a city to make it a safer place for people to live and to work.

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I think there's a lot more we can do, as I said, from that multi agency approach from the north inner city. We can pull that together. But I do think this is a problem that rests with the Minister for Justice.

If you walk around the city late at night on your own, there is that kind of feeling that it's not a good place to be, and we need to address that urgently.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said substance abuse is linked to vicious attacks in Irish cities and must be tackled.

Following an attack on a US tourist which left the victim in a serious condition, Mr Martin said Dublin was broadly safe and that there are also parts of other Irish cities which people will not walk in at night.

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Stephen Termini, a US tourist aged in his 50s, was injured in an attack on Talbot Street in Dublin last week.

There have been calls for a greater police presence in Dublin city centre since the attack, as Ministers committed to recruiting more gardai and emphasised the safety of the city.

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Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she herself felt safe in Dublin, and said the number of garda recruits was steadily increasing since the pandemic.

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Speaking to reporters from the Curragh Camp in Co Kildare, Mr Martin said: Broadly speaking, Dublin city is safe but  people are concerned about particular areas that they will not traverse at night.

He said there was a need to analyse causes of what makes parts of the city feel unsafe, in particular cases where young people take part in violent activity, be it in a gang formation or randomly attacking people.

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A lot of violence, generally, alcohol and drug abuse is not far away when you see very vicious attacks of the kind that happened last week, and I condemn that without question, he said.

Ive heard about people being randomly attacked in other parts of the country, in Cork and elsewhere, as well, just randomly attacked on our streets and that is not acceptable.

He added: Theres a wider issue in terms of, I think, the increased level of drug activity, people participating in drugs and then subsequently becoming very violent. That is something we have to tackle also.

He said there has been a lot of patrols on our streets, but added we could always do with more gardai.

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Mr Martin also blamed both the Covid-19 pandemic for interrupting recruitment efforts, and historically low unemployment for difficulties in tackling a shortage of garda members.

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He added that the Government aims to increase garda numbers, as per the Programme for Government, and acknowledged there is an issue around the deployment of existing resources.

If we had the same throughput as we would have expected before Covid interrupted that, we probably would have at least kept even Steven, he said.
Dublin TD Paul Murphy has been granted leave to bring a High Court challenge over the refusal by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) to investigate a claim that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leaked a draft GP contract agreement.

Permission to bring the judicial review action was granted by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland on Monday after she said Mr Murphy's lawyers had made out that the applicant's claim is arguable.

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The People Before Profit-Solidarity TD initiated his challenge last February.

The case was adjourned on several occasions when the then judge presiding over the judicial review list, Mr Justice Charles Meenan, sought clarification of certain legal points.

Mr Justice Meenan had also directed that the matter be on notice to both Sipo and Mr Varadkar.

On Monday, Ms Justice Hyland said that after reading all the papers and submissions provided in respect of the leave application, she was satisfied that permission to bring the challenge against the ethics watchdog's decision should be granted.

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Lawyers for Sipo or Mr Varadkar did not oppose the leave application.

Among the Dublin South-West TD's grounds of challenge is a claim his right to fair procedures and natural and constitutional justice was breached by Sipos decision. He further seeks an order remitting the matter back to Sipo for reconsideration.

Mr Murphy made a complaint to Sipo in November 2020 that Mr Varadkar, the then-Tanaiste, provided a copy of the confidential proposed GP's contract agreement in April 2019 to Dr Maitiu O Tuathail, president of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP).

The agreement had been negotiated between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).

Dr O Tuathails NAGP is a rival to the IMO and was not party to the negotiations.

Mr Murphy claims the document was confidential and had not been released publicly.

Following publicity about the alleged leak, Mr Varadkar denied it was confidential by the time he passed it on to Dr O Tuathail.

After granting leave, the judge made certain directions regarding the exchange of documents in the cases, and adjourned the matter to a date in October, when the new legal year commences.
A man has been jailed for nine years for killing his 25-year-old friend, who he stabbed in the neck after they had rowed over a 100 debt and a stolen scooter.

Sentencing John Titiloye at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said it was hard to believe that such "a paltry sum of money" would generate such a level of bad feeling and violence amongst men who were former friends.

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The judge also said Titloye's attack on Ademola 'Dizzy' Giwa was an immediate and rapid response to what the defendant saw happen to his father.

"Seeing his father attacked brought about an immediate reaction which saw Mr Titiloye wade into the fight," he added.

Mr Justice McDermott said Titiloye maintained that Mr Giwa was wearing a knuckle duster at the time and that his father had suffered a serious eye injury during the incident.

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Titiloye (28), with an address at Mac Uilliam Crescent, Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin 24, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Giwa (25) in the Mac Uilliam Road area in Tallaght on August 10th, 2021. Mr Giwa was from Mac Uilliam Parade in the same west Dublin town.

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Last May, Titiloye was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury. The jurors unanimously rejected the prosecution's case that Titiloye was guilty of murder and that he intentionally stabbed Mr Giwa in the neck, intending to kill or cause serious injury, after a row over a stolen scooter.

Before delivering the sentence on Monday, Mr Justice McDermott said Mr Giwa, who was a very much loved son and was of great support to his parents and siblings, was unlawfully killed by Titiloye one month before his 26th birthday.

The deceased's family had spoken lovingly of him and how he had enriched their lives, the judge said. "The loss to them is incalculable and his father speaks with great dignity and restraint," he added.

Most previous gift

In a victim impact statement read to the court last week, the victim's father, Gaffar Giwa, said he had lost life's most precious gift, adding: "There is no greater pain than to see your child lying in a coffin knowing that he was stabbed to death by a so-called friend."

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Mr Giwa said: "Ademola's loss cannot be described in words. He is my first son... his role in our family is irreplaceable, his support is unquantifiable."

Passing sentence on Monday, Mr Justice McDermott said Titiloye and his two friends had gone to the area where witness Samson Fayemi (26) lived and had confronted him aggressively about a 100 debt owed by Mr Fayemi to the defendant. When Mr Fayemi was not forthcoming, the defendant and his friends forcibly took his scooter and drove off, he said.

Mr Fayemi and Mr Giwa then called to Titiloye's home at Mac Uilliam Crescent at 6.45pm the following day and a physical altercation broke out, in which the defendant's father, Anthony Titiloye, had involved himself.

Clearly, the judge said, Mr Fayemi and Mr Giwa wanted to get the scooter back, but the defendant was intent on not returning it and this was all over a 100 debt.

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Mr Justice McDermott said Titiloye had run into the affray, stabbed the deceased, and ran away from the scene without offering him any help. The assault on the defendant's father by Mr Giwa and Mr Fayemi was instantaneous and Titiloye was heard saying "not my dad, not my dad", the judge added.

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The court has heard Titiloye has 23 previous convictions, which mainly relate to minor road traffic offences, but some were for drug offences in the District Court.

The judge pointed out that the defendant seemed capable of adapting the story to suit the occasion to his own benefit and had lied to gardai about the reason he had purchased the knife.

Justification

The judge added that Titiloye had limited understanding of the consequences of his behaviour and offending, and had also attempted to justify and rationalise his actions to the probation service.

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The aggravating factors in the case included that a knife had been brought, brandished, and used by Titiloye.

The judge noted the defendant was captured on CCTV footage swinging "the lethal weapon" at the deceased and had twice made contact with him, and added that Titiloye had used disproportionate force as part of a spontaneous response in a pressurised situation.

Mr Justice McDermott set the headline sentence at 11 years, but in mitigation noted the defendant's regret and remorse.

In a letter of apology, Titiloye had said he relives the day of the killing "every day" in his head, held all responsibility for what happened and felt the most remorse for Mr Giwa's parents.

"I wish it was me it happened to instead of him, he was a great man," the defendant wrote.

The judge said he was not convinced that Titiloye had fully appreciated the enormity of the crime.

"His actions the previous day indicated a sense of entitlement, which contributed in no small way to the following day's events," he added.

Titiloye was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with the final year suspended for a period of two years. It was backdated to when he went into custody on August 11th, 2021.
A partial DNA profile generated from material preserved 42 years ago matched that found on a beanie hat taken from a murder accused, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

UK forensic scientist Dr Jonathan Paul Whitaker testified that the probability of the recovered DNA profile originating from someone unrelated "to the man in the beanie hat" would be one in 23,000.

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Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom, who also gave evidence on Monday, said that based on a database of the Irish population, it was at least 20,000 times more likely that the recovered DNA was a match to that found on the beanie hat rather than an unrelated person.

Evidence has been given that a microscopic slide containing material from a vaginal swab of the victim 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.

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The jury has heard that the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem examination on Nora 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 examination on Mrs Sheehan on June 13th, 1981, but died weeks after carrying out the examination in August 1981.

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Noel Long (74), with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Mrs Sheehan between June 6th and June 12th, 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.

Technological advancements

Dr Whitaker from Forensic Science Services (FSS) in the UK continued giving his direct evidence in the trial on Monday.

He told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that Low Copy Number (LCN) was a more sensitive DNA profiling technique capable of detecting DNA in much smaller amounts and where a sample is old or has had the opportunity to degrade.

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The witness said the LCN method stopped being used in 2012 as there had been another development in DNA profile testing within the scientific community.

"There is no real requirement to have it today as a result of advancements in technology," he added.

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In November 2008, Dr Whitaker received a microscope slide of cellular material taken from the body of Mrs Sheehan and a blood stain card from the victim.

Dr Whitaker tested the microscope slide using the LCN methodology, what he said was the most appropriate method available, to maximise the chance of getting a DNA profile from the sample as it was quite old and taken from the decomposed body of the victim.

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The blood stain card of Mrs Sheehan was processed by the standard DNA method.

Dr Whitaker agreed that on May 5th, 2022, he received the result of a DNA profiling test performed on a black beanie hat obtained from an address as Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork.

Dr Kristen O'Connor, from Forensic Science Ireland, has testified that she received five items belonging to Mr Long on December 1st, 2021, for DNA testing and one of these was a black beanie hat.

Dr Whitaker told the jury it was possible to observe sperm cells on the microscopic slide.

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Asked by Mr Grehan what concentration of sperm cells were on the slide, Dr Whitaker said there were approximately 5,000, but that sperm cells have no bearing on the profile interpretation.

The witness said the next step was to separate epithelial and semen cells.

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Dr Whitaker said when he tested the epithelial part of the vaginal swab he obtained a female DNA profile which matched the DNA profile obtained from Mrs Sheehan's blood stain card.

Dr Whitaker said a male partial profile or incomplete profile was developed from the seminal part of the sample in the microscope slide. His opinion as to why the seminal fraction was an incomplete profile was because of the poor quality of the DNA.

"It's broken down because of its age or [because] that bacteria has affected the integrity of the DNA; we are dealing with a profile obtained some 28 years earlier," he said.

DNA profile

The witness said a DNA profile from the beanie hat provided to him in May 2022 was compared to the profile obtained from the seminal part of the microscope vaginal slide.

Dr Whitaker said the profile taken from the semen on the microscope slide matched the DNA recovered from the beanie hat.

The witness said if the male DNA profile on the microscope slide had not come from the person whose DNA profile was on the beanie hat then it must have come from somebody else who by chance had the same DNA profile.

Regarding the probability of that particular DNA profile originating from someone unrelated "to the man in the beanie hat", he said it would be one in 23,000.

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The next witness, forensic scientist Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom said she was asked to offer her view of a match between material on Mrs Sheehan's vaginal swab and the black beanie hat based on the Irish population.

She estimated it was at least 20,000 times more likely that the DNA matched that on the beanie hat rather than an unrelated person based on the database of the Irish population.

Under cross-examination, Michael Delaney SC, defending, asked the witness what the likelihood ratio would be if a full profile obtained from the semen on the vaginal swab had matched the profile obtained from the beanie hat.

Dr Ramsbottom said it would be a thousand million times more likely where there was a match between two full profiles.

Under cross-examination by Mr Delaney, Detective Garda David Barrett, of Bandon Garda station, agreed that this case had been with the Serious Crime Review Team from 2008 to 2016 before it was returned to Bandon Garda station.

Det Gda Barrett also agreed that he had undertaken an extensive search in Bandon District Headquarters, which comprised of seven Garda stations, for exhibits in the case.

He further agreed that 281 items were recorded on the exhibit log from the investigation but that no items were recovered as part of his search. These items included a blue and white flowered dress found on Mrs Sheehan's body, as well as a blue coat, a shoe with a gold buckle and tights found at the scene.

The remains of a vaginal swab taken from the deceased's body was not recovered either.

The witness said the accused had been charged with the offence on June 28th, 2022.

At the close of Monday's proceedings, Mr Grehan told the jury that the prosecution had completed its evidence in the trial. Mr Delaney said an issue of law arises in the absence of the jury which would take two days.

The trial continues on Thursday before the jury of seven men and four women.
Wildfires on the Greek islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia have caused chaos for travellers, with holidaymakers forced to evacuate and airlines chartering flights to repatriate stranded passengers.

Corfu and Evia have become the latest islands to issue evacuation orders after a six-day blaze on Rhodes meant 19,000 people had to be removed from villages and hotels.

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The Rhodes fire service has warned more fires could break out, with temperatures set to reach 45 degrees.

More repatriation flights have been announced, but what should travellers know if they have a holiday booked to the Greek islands this summer?

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Contacting tour operators

If youre not due to travel in the next week or two, dont do anything, Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said.

I know lots of people will be stressed and worried and they have dependent costs related to whether that holiday goes ahead or not.

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At the moment the tour operators are, correctly, going to be prioritising the people travelling in the next couple of days.

This could change in the near future.

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I think the tour operators will start getting their act together over the next couple of days and their emergency systems will kick into place, Boland said.

I would hope by the end of the week, it will become easier to get through to the tour operators.

Tour operator bookings



Photo: Alamy/PA.

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If the area youre due to travel to is under an evacuation order, your rights in terms of cancelling or postponing your trip depend on how you booked it.

If youve booked a package holiday youre in a better position  youve got better protections, and generally the tour operators look after their customers a little bit better, Boland said.

In most cases you will have the opportunity to rebook or perhaps claim a voucher to book a holiday somewhere else. Some of the better holiday companies are allowing people to do that a week or two weeks in advance.

Thomas Cook, for example, announced it had cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos  the areas of Rhodes most at risk  up to and including Monday, July 31st, and would be in touch to offer full refunds.

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Rhodes update: Sunday 23rd at 8.30pm. Update affects customers due to depart on Tuesday 25th July. pic.twitter.com/rBP0hA9E0Q  Thomas Cook (@ThomasCookUK) July 23, 2023

Some firms are more lenient than others when it comes to disasters like wildfires and floods.

There are some protections in the package travel regulations that specify if extraordinary circumstances at a destination significantly affect the performance of the package then you have the right to cancel, Boland explained.

But if the tour operator is saying no, the way to enforce that right is likely going to be through the courts  that wont be for everybody.

Flights and hotel reservations

Photo: Alamy/PA.

If you arranged your holiday independently by booking flights and accommodation separately, you dont have the same protections as with tour operators.

It really does come down to what the airline is doing and what the hotel is doing, Boland said.

Most airlines are now offering, like the tour companies, the right to rebook or claim a voucher. Thats not the case with Ryanair specifically  Ryanair is operating as normal.

easyJet said flights are still operating for customers booked to travel to or from Rhodes before July 29th, but if they would like to change their plans, customers can change the date of their flight or request a flight voucher.

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With hotels, villas and rental apartments, you need to check the terms and conditions on your reservation.

Most people who are going to Greece will have booked the hotel room through a booking platform, so you are bound by the terms of that booking platform, Boland said.

If the hotel cancels  and that will be taking place in some cases  youre entitled to a refund.

Travel insurance

Photo: Alamy/PA.

Check your travel insurance or contact the company if youre not sure what your policy covers.

There will be some cover, but it wont be great, Boland warned. Its not going to cover most people and even those people it does cover, it isnt going to cover all of their expenses.

Insurance wont, as a rule, make allowances for disinclination to travel.

Boland said: You not wanting to go  despite that obviously being an incredibly sensible decision, to not travel into the centre of a natural disaster  is unlikely to be covered by travel insurance.

However, looking forward, he is optimistic that in time the popular holiday destination will recover.

The Rhodes economy and the Greek economy are so highly dependent, not just on tourism, but seasonal tourism.

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Once these wildfires are under control, there will be, of course, a huge effort to rebuild and to reopen things as quickly as possible. They will want tourists to come back and to get the economy back up and working again.
Ukraine has been accused of launching a drone attack on Moscow  while Russia launched new strikes on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the Russian capital, said no one was hurt when the drones hit two non-residential buildings.

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Russias defence ministry claimed the military jammed both drones, forcing them to crash.

One of the drones fell on the Komsomolsky motorway near the centre of Moscow, shattering shop windows and damaging the roof of a house about 200 metres from the towering defence ministry building, Russian media reported.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 24 July 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/OgjLYIKpaS



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/TycIcQcjhu Advertisement  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 24, 2023

The ministrys main headquarters has Pantsyr air defence systems on the roof.

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It was not immediately clear if the drone targeted the defence ministry headquarters, which is about 1.7 miles from the Kremlin, or was heading to another target in the area.

Another drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting its upper floors, leaving more visible damage than earlier drone strikes on the capital.

Emergency service workers were inspecting the damage and traffic was stopped on sections of the motorway where the drones fell.

Ukrainian authorities did not immediately claim responsibility for the strike, which was the second drone attack on Moscow this month.

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In the previous attack, on July 4, the Russian military said four of the five drones were downed by air defences on the outskirts of Moscow and the fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down.

The raid prompted authorities to temporarily restrict flights at Moscows Vnukovo airport and divert flights to two other Moscow airports.

A man walks past a damaged building after a reported drone attack in Moscow (AP)

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Russian authorities said another Ukrainian drone attack early on Monday hit an ammunition depot in Crimea and forced a halt in traffic on a major motorway and a railway crossing the Black Sea peninsula that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said the authorities also ordered the evacuation of several villages within a three-mile radius of the depot that was hit.

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The military shot down or jammed 11 attacking drones, Mr Aksyonov said, while the defence ministry claimed later 11 of 17 attacking drones were jammed and crashed into the Black Sea and another three were shot down.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines digital transformation minister, said Mondays drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea show Russias electronic warfare means and air defences are less and less able to protect the skies of the invaders and there will be more of it.

Ukrainska Pravda reported the drone attack on Moscow was a special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence.

On Saturday, a similar drone attack on Crimea hit another ammunition depot, sending huge plumes of black smoke skywards and also forcing the evacuation of residents.

Investigators examine an area next to a damaged building after a reported drone attack in Moscow (AP)

Russian forces, meanwhile, hit port infrastructure on the Danube River in southern Ukraine with exploding drones early on Monday, injuring four workers and destroying a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, the Ukrainian military said.

Ukrainian forces downed three of the attacking drones, it said.

French international news agency Agence France-Presse said one of its video journalists was wounded by a drone attack on Monday while reporting at a Ukrainian artillery position near Bakhmut.

Dylan Collins, a US citizen based in Beirut, Lebanon and working on assignment in Ukraine, sustained multiple shrapnel injuries and was evacuated to a nearby hospital where he was being treated.

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The agency said Mr Collins, 35, is conscious and speaking to colleagues.

Doctors say his condition is not life-threatening, the agency said.

Mr Collins colleague, AFP video journalist Arman Soldin, was killed by Russian rocket fire near Bakhmut in May.

Romanian president Klaus Iohannis on Monday strongly condemned the attack on civilian port infrastructure on Ukraines side of the Danube River which he said was very close to Romania.

The Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral is seen heavily damaged following Russian missile attacks (Libkos/AP)

Mr Iohannis said on Twitter that the incident poses serious risks to security in the Black Sea region.

The strike was the latest in a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week.

The Kremlin has described the strikes as retribution for last weeks Ukrainian strike on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with Crimea.

Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum via video link over the weekend, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy called the bridge a legitimate target for Ukraine, saying Russia has used it to ferry military supplies and it must be neutralised.

Since Moscow cancelled a landmark grain deal a week ago amid Kyivs grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories, Russia has launched repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain.

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Wheat prices rose more than 8.5% on Monday after the attack on the Danube, which is a key thoroughfare for Ukraines grain exports amid the war.

It shows the markets anxiety about Moscow expanding its targeting of Ukrainian grain shipments.

The attack also raises questions about a crucial alternate route after Russia exited the accord that provided protections for grain ships in a bid to ease a global food crisis.

Church personnel inspect damage inside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Russia and Ukraine are two of the worlds major wheat, barley and vegetable oil suppliers.

Other routes by road and rail through Europe will heap on transportation costs and are likely to lead to lower production by Ukrainian farmers, analysts say.

On Sunday, at least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in an attack on Odesa that severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the Transfiguration Cathedral.

United Nations agency Unesco strongly condemned the attack on the cathedral and other heritage sites and said it will send a mission in the coming days to assess the damage.

Odesas historic centre was declared a Unesco world heritage site earlier this year and the agency said the Russian attacks contradict Moscows pledge to take precautions to spare world heritage sites in Ukraine.

The Russian military denied targeting the cathedral, claiming without evidence it was likely hit by a Ukrainian air defence missile.
Firefighters have struggled through the night to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

Their efforts were without the help of firefighting planes and helicopters, which do not operate at night.

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The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes.

Some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations on the island as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said.

No further evacuations had been ordered as of Sunday night.



Evacuees wait to board buses as they leave their Rhodes hotel on Sunday (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

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The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.

Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels.

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Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems.

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A person who fell and broke a leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remained in hospital, the latter in good condition, authorities said.

A number of tourists were waiting to fly back home from Rhodes International Airport.

The package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 cancelled flights to Rhodes.



A cloud of smoke from a forest fire rises over Rhodes (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

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But the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport later said 14 TUI and Jet2 flights carrying 2,700 passengers would depart from Rhodes airport by 3am on Monday (12am GMT).

On Saturday and early on Sunday, 70,000 passengers travelled through the airport, with some being arrivals, the ministry said.

The announcement did not break down the figures by arrivals and departures.

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British tourist Kevin Evans was evacuated twice on Saturday with his wife and three young children  first from Kiotari to Gennadi, then as the fire approached the islands capital in the northeast, he told the PA news agency.

There were lots of people in Gennadi sent from the hotels  many in just swimsuits having been told to leave everything in the hotel, he told PA.

As night fell, we could see the fire on the top of the hills in Kiotari. They said all the hotels were on fire.

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Rhodes travel agent Stelios Kotiadis told the Associated Press the evacuation was hasty.



Evacuees sit inside a stadium in Rhodes on Sunday (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

There was panic.  The authorities were overwhelmed, he said.

But, he said, the abandoned hotels are in much better condition than reported in social media.  They will be ready to reopen very soon if Civil Protection gives the go-ahead.

Mr Kotiadis said he and other travel agents sent buses to the islands southeast to pick up evacuated tourists.

They had to go the long way around because the road running down Rhodes eastern side was blocked in places.

There were 80 to 90 people cramming into 50-seater buses, he said.

He added that 90% of the evacuated tourists are from European countries.

The British ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, said the UK Government was sending a rapid deployment team to support British nationals on Rhodes.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said personnel had set up a help desk at Rhodes International Airport for visitors who have lost their travel documents.



A man carries a child as they leave an area where a forest fire burns on Rhodes (Lefteris Diamanidis/InTime News/AP)

There are substantial reinforcements from the European Union.

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Over 450 firefighters and seven airplanes from the EU have been operating in Greece as fires sprout across the country, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic tweeted early on Sunday afternoon.

I called (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis) to express our full support for Greece, which is confronted with devastating forest fires and a heavy heat wave due to climate change. Greece is handling this difficult situation with professionalism, putting emphasis on safely evacuating thousands of tourists, and can always count on European solidarity, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Sunday evening.

The weather remained hot in the Mediterranean country on Sunday.

A total of 180 locations experienced temperatures of 40C and above.

The highest reading, 46.4C, was reached at the seaside town of Gytheio in southern Greece.

Of the 64 wildfires that broke out elsewhere in the country on Sunday, the most serious was on Evia, Greeces second-largest island, where authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing.

Central Greece vice governor Giorgos Kelaiditis, who was near one of the villages, told state agency ANA-MPA the situation is difficult.



Tourists stand on a beach after being evacuated (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

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The fire may be two kilometres (1.25 miles) away, but the wind is strong, the growth is low, the smoke thick and the air is hard to breathe, he said.

Northern Evia was devastated by wildfires in August 2021.

Other fires requiring evacuations broke out on the northeast side of the island of Corfu and in the northern Peloponnese, near the town of Aigio.

Traffic on the old Athens-Patras national road, running across the coast, has been cut off.

Just before midnight, authorities called for more evacuations from Corfu and the northern Peloponnese.

In the case of Corfu, they said the fire was moving southeast on a broad front and private vessels were on standby to pick up evacuees.



Tourists sunbathe outside a stadium where they are hosted following their evacuation (Lefteris Diamanidis/InTime News/AP)

A fire that broke out west of the important archaeological site of Epidaurus, including a famous ancient theatre, has been partly contained, the fire service said.

A relative respite from the heat on Monday, with highs of 38C forecast, will be followed by yet more high temperatures starting on Tuesday.

But it should get significantly cooler on Thursday, with temperatures in the low to mid-30s, the countrys meteorological service said on Sunday evening.
Israelis are stunned to see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend the country's parliament session Monday (July 24) and vote to pass the first of several judicial reforms his government proposed. The vote was in direct defiance of protests by the Israeli people and pressure from the White House.

The new law prevented courts from using their own idea of "reasonableness" in blocking government policies. Critics had long argued the doctrine allowed the left-leaning judiciary to abuse its power and tended to do so against the nation's conservative governments.

Netanyahu was taken to a hospital in Tel Aviv over the weekend after his heart monitor detected what doctors called a "temporary arrhythmia." The issue with his pacemaker was settled in time for Monday's vote.

Protesters on both sides of the issue have been on the streets for days since the parliament, called the Knesset by Israelis, decided to curb the judiciary's power over government policies. Police used water cannons to deter some of the demonstrators who wanted to block the entrance to the Knesset

Read Also: Israeli Protesters Step Up Demonstrations Against Netanyahu's Judicial Overhaul

Netanyahu Defies Biden

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden gave Netanyahu a last-minute warning not to proceed with the vote despite his own administration being accused of attempting to expand the number of US Supreme Court justices and packing them with its own picks of justices, Breitbart reported.

While the vote to proceed with the first reform was decided, the rest of the reforms have an uncertain future. Netanyahu initially proposed to pass all the reforms at the same time but protests have reconsidered him to negotiate with opposition parties about the matter. Upon the collapse of the talks, and last-minute efforts by several parties to offer compromises, Netanyahu's party decided to vote on the reforms one by one.

Opposition parties boycotted the final vote, tallying the total count at 64 in favor and none against.

Many of the Israeli judicial reforms closely parallel existing practices in the US and other democratic countries.

Israel's judiciary began amassing extraordinary powers in the 1990s.

Related Article: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Attends Key Vote for Judicial Reform Legislation After Being Fitted With Pacemaker

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Talks between the UN Command and North Korea over an American soldier who ran into the North from South Korea are underway, the groups deputy commander said.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general, refused to say when the conversation started, how many exchanges have taken place and whether the North Koreans have responded constructively, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.

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He also declined to detail what the command knows about Private Travis Kings condition.

None of us know where this is going to end, Lt Gen Harrison said during a press conference in Seoul on Monday.

I am in life an optimist and I remain optimistic. But, again, I will leave it at that.

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Private Travis King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarised Zone a day after he was supposed to travel to a base in the US (Family handout/AP)

It was not immediately clear if Lt Gen Harrisons comments referred to meaningful progress in communications after the command said in a statement last week it was working with its North Korean counterparts.

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The UN Command, created to fight the Korean War, has remained in South Korea to supervise the implementation of the 1953 armistice that stopped the fighting in the conflict.

The contact happened through mechanisms set up under the armistice, Lt Gen Harrison said.

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That could refer to the so-called pink phone, a telephone line between the command and the North Korean army at the border truce village of Panmunjom, where Mr King crossed.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed.

South Korean navy sailors wave as the USS nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis arrives at a naval base on Jeju Island (South Korea defence ministry/AP)

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The US, which fought alongside the South Koreans and other allies during the war, never established diplomatic relations with the North but the line is a common way they communicate.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about Mr King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss in Texas after his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

US officials have expressed concern about his wellbeing and said previously North Korea ignored requests for information about him.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about Mr King to maximise leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release.

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Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

Mr Kings crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the United States combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

A TV screen shows US president Joe Biden (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news programme reporting on American soldier Travis King at Seoul Railway Station in South Korea (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

On Monday, South Koreas military said a nuclear-propelled US submarine arrived at a port on Jeju Island.

The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first US nuclear-armed submarine to arrive in South Korea since the 1980s.

North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

North Koreas defence minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it.

North Korea has used similar rhetoric before but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The US and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of American aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

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The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but armed with conventional weapons.

The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson of South Koreas navy, said the US and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.
A Dublin woman Janet Karamanos, who has been living on the Greek island of Rhodes for 20 years has spoken about the concerns of residents as fires have spread leading to the evacuation of 20,000 people.

People were being evacuated by buses and boats that would normally be used for tourism facilities, she told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

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Ms Karamanos said that one of her concerns was about smoke inhalation and the fact that winds were changing direction which made containing the fires very difficult.

People who would normally work in hotels and bars were instead volunteering to fight fires and others had returned to their home towns and villages to help evacuate their families, this meant hospitality businesses did not have staff and could not open, she explained.

The heat is chronic. Its just boiling all the time. Electricity and water have been shut off for up to six hours at a time which means there is no air conditioning.

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This is the hottest summer I have known, and Ive been here 20 years," she said.

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A heat wave warning two weeks ago had indicated temperatures would rise above 40 degrees, but Ms Karamanos said it had been 47 degrees in direct sunlight.

As wildfires burned across Greece on Monday, forcing people to be evacuated from a beach on the island of Corfu, tourists crowded an airport on Rhodes after thousands fled hotels and resorts at the weekend.

Rhodes and Corfu are among Greece's top destinations for tourists.

"We are in the seventh day of the fire, and it hasn't been controlled," Rhodes Deputy Mayor Konstantinos Taraslias told state broadcaster ERT.

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People watch the fires near the village of Malona in the Greek island of Rhodes on July 23, 2023. Photo by SPYROS BAKALIS/AFP via Getty Images.

Tourists spent the night on the airport floor, waiting for repatriation flights.

"It was quite a bit of a struggle on the beach with the smoke," said John Hope, a tourist from Manchester, England.

Tour operators Jet2, TUI and Corendon cancelled flights leaving for Rhodes. Britain's easyJet EZJ.L said on Sunday it was operating two repatriation flights on Monday from Rhodes to London's Gatwick airport in addition to the nine flights already operating between the island and Gatwick.

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The airline said it will add another repatriation flight on Tuesday.

Ryanair said on Sunday its flights to and from Rhodes were operating as normal. Its chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said the airline was monitoring the situation on Monday.

"We have a lot of customers there who want to get home. We're not going to leave them behind so we'll travel back in and out," he said.

"It's not necessary at this period in time (to put on more flights), we're letting people book onto earlier flights."

Evacuations by sea were underway on Corfu, where about 59 people were evacuated from a beach on Sunday. Footage from the island showed the skyline ablaze from fires in a mountain region.

On Rhodes, some holidaymakers said they walked for miles in scorching heat to reach safety. The fires left blackened trees and dead animals lay in the road near burnt-out cars.

Greece is often hit by wildfires during the summer months, but climate change has led to more extreme heatwaves across southern Europe.

Additional reporting Reuters
So Thankyous team of 60 workers was stripped down to 18. Thankyou formed partnerships with creative agencies and innovation houses, such as Marks Design, to help with packaging; e-commerce platform Pattern to power its online business; and Pave to help manage sales and distribution to retailers. Thankyou negotiates a custom rate with these partners that allows Flynns group to provide services in a commercially viable way while ensuring as many dollars as possible (more than $18 million so far) go towards their impact partners. We were building in the old way, trying to do it all ourselves, Flynn said. On paper, we thought it wouldnt be as profitable ... but the way its currently being designed, our margins are already better from day one than they were back in 2018. We felt like we could see the end of Thankyou. We felt like the entire model needs saving now ... The Thankyou we were building was becoming this sort of Death Star. Thankyou co-founder Daniel Flynn Along the way, Flynn and his leadership team made other significant and often eyebrow-raising brand decisions. Thankyou had already pulled its food range (cereals and snack foods) in December 2017 with an intention to focus on its nappy business. But that didnt end up working out either, and in mid-2021 nappy production ceased. Unfortunately, we ended up losing in nappies, we couldnt maintain market share, Flynn said. The biggest brand and the No.2 brand started doing 50 per cent discounts, and I think one of them went from 17 weeks on promotion to 33 weeks ... thats all normal competition stuff that were facing on every front.

Additionally, the environmental footprint of Thankyous single-use plastic bottled water  its signature and founding item  was becoming harder to justify. In May, the group axed its most iconic, recognisable product, a decision Flynn revealed was made as far back as 2018. It wasnt representing the future of the brand, he said. We didnt want to greenwash, so we exited the category. Thankyous water bottle was once its signature product. The brand embarked on a two-year redesign and relaunch of its core range, which now focuses on personal care products (body wash, shampoo, conditioner, soap, hand wash, deodorant), home cleaning essentials (hospital-grade cleaner), hand sanitiser, and baby wipes. Not that anyone really knew: amid all the internal restructuring and rebranding, Thankyou dialled down its digital presence. We went quiet on social for about a year and a half ... It was just because weve got to get the insides right, said Flynn. Now were a lot louder, and were promoting a lot more, but its because we feel like the foundations strong.

The relaunched range is accompanied by Thankyous new catchcry consumerism reimagined. Yet the principle is something of a contradiction: designed as an affordable premium product with design inspiration from both Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism, some of Thankyous new pieces  such as its refillable forever bottles  are designed to avoid overconsumption, not increase it. Flynn acknowledged this sales model seems a little counterintuitive for a business that needs to sell as many units as possible to make the profits needed to achieve its mission of eradicating poverty. Thankyou co-founder Daniel Flynn holds the new white forever refillable pump bottle. Credit: Joe Armao I heard a stat the other day saying that 60 per cent of consumers are no longer brand loyal, so brand loyalty is going down. But at Thankyou, we need it to stay or go up, he said. We hope the trifecta, from design to affordability to purpose, creates a really loyal consumer and, for us, the end of extreme poverty. After so many years of setbacks and pivots, Thankyou Group aims to be back on consumers radar and this time is determined to stay. The brand has made more changes over the past month: its three-month pop-up store opened on June 30, and last Tuesday marked the relaunch of its online store, which had shut in 2020  just before the pandemic hit  to focus on higher margin retail sales.
The Biennale of Sydney has announced its first round of artists for 2024, including Australians Kaylene Whiskey, Tracey Moffatt and William Yang.

A total of 13 Australian artists or collectives are on the first line-up for next years event, and will be joined by 26 artists or collectives from countries including Brazil, Indonesia, New Zealand and France.

Biennale of Sydney artistic directors Inti Guerrero and Cosmin Costinas (centre), with artists Serwah Attafuah, Kirtika Kain and William Yang. Credit: James Brickwood

Co-curators Cosmin Costinas and Inti Guerrero also revealed the title for next years event, the 24th Biennale of Sydney: Ten Thousand Suns.

This is, first and foremost, a statement about multiplicity, explains Costinas.
Screen Australia supports the development, production, promotion and distribution of Australian screen content across film, television, online and games by providing grants and other funding.

Announcing the appointments to the countrys peak screen agency, Burke described Pallavi and Ebeid as two people who have played significant roles in ensuring our screen content better reflects modern Australia.

More and more, our screen content is looking like modern Australia, said Burke. The governments national cultural policy, known as Revive, was launched in January and includes five pillars, the second of which, a place for every story, represents an explicit commitment to diversity in the cultural life of the nation.

Perth-born Bollywood actress Pallavi Sharda and Egyptian-born former SBS chief executive Michael Ebeid have been appointed to the board of Screen Australia by arts minister Tony Burke, in a demonstration of Labors new cultural policy being put into practice.

Sharda, the daughter of Indian migrants  both professors of engineering  trained as a lawyer and classical Indian dancer before moving to Mumbai while still at university. Landing her first role in 2010, she has since worked in the Indian, Australian and US film and television industries.

After returning to Australia at the outset of the pandemic, her profile locally has risen thanks to the lockdown series Retrograde and the Foxtel drama The Twelve. She has also starred in the Netflix series The One and Wedding Season.

The appointment of Sharda and Ebeid marks one of the few times the Screen Australia board has included members from a non-European migrant background. They join First Nations actress Deborah Mailman among the members of the nine-strong board.

These things havent, in my experience, been explicitly outlined as cultural policy before, and theres just a lot of synergy with the way Ive operated as an artist and an advocate for intercultural storytelling and understanding, says Sharda.

One of my goals has always been to open doors and leave them open for other people who might have traditionally felt there wasnt a pathway for their story to be told. I think theres complete alignment on the goals of what the minister is trying to do in terms of shaping our cultural policy and what I try to do on the ground.
Consider, for a moment, how many words your eyes tend to skip over when you read  if you still do  articles about the catastrophe we are, right now, in the midst of. My list would look something like this: floods; fire; record temperatures; ice melting; mass extinction; bleached coral; 1.5 degrees; 2 degrees; IPCC report; drought; heatwave; tipping point.

There are more, but Id like you to keep reading.

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis. Credit:

All these terms mean only one thing, really: the world is getting very, very hot, and we are not doing enough to stop it. Nor does it seem much like we want to do enough to stop it. We know its getting hot, we are bored by the fact and that is why we allow our eyes to skip forward on the page, in an attempt to find something we have not read a hundred times before. Many young people, these days, simply avoid the news altogether.

I am writing this  and, full warning, this paragraph will bore you  at the end of a truly crazy period. The world has likely just seen its hottest two weeks on record. Nobody alive has lived through a hotter period. The people of Phoenix, Arizona endured almost three weeks with temperatures above 43 degrees. Climate change has combined with El Nino to produce almost literally unbelievable conditions. (At least all this gave me a new phrase: heat dome. This is apparently hot air trapped by the atmosphere. For now, my eyes slow down when I come across it; that will no doubt stop soon.)
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Cremorne coffee roastery Square One is about to open its first cafe, in the Rialto building on Melbournes Collins Street.

Part of The Mulberry Group (Lilac Wine, Hazel, Liminal), the roaster is taking the leap from supplying beans to some of Melbournes top cafes to competing with them, thanks to an ever-changing menu written by some of Australias most exciting chef talent.

Tom Sarafian is one of the big-name chefs contributing to the opening menu. Kristoffer Paulsen

Every season, Square One Rialto will introduce 10 dishes from 10 chefs, many of them names you wouldnt associate with cafe fare. To kick off, theres Victor Liong of two-hatted Lee Ho Fook, Sydneys Jemma Whiteman (Ante), Tom Sarafian (ex-Bar Saracen), Ali Currey-Voumard (ex-Public Wine Shop), Nagesh Seethiah (Manze), and more.

The guest chefs are encouraged to gear their dishes around produce grown at Common Ground Project, The Mulberry Groups farm at Freshwater Creek, near Geelong. The farm operates as a social enterprise with programs offering training, education and employment.
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Review Eating outMosman LEnclume review: Does three Michelin stars equal three hats? The latest high-profile international residency arrives in Sydney, bringing an eight-course tasting menu of tiny tartlets, oscietra caviar and inspired silken custard with charming English references to rosehips and crumpets. Terry Durack July 25, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

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1 / 10 LEnclumes new home in the ever-handsome Bathers Pavilion dining room. James Brickwood 2 / 10 Go-to dish: Seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow, Royal Miyagi Pacific oyster and oscietra caviar. James Brickwood 3 / 10 Dorper lamb loin with horseradish cream, tiny lamb-fat crumpets and a pot of rich lamb ragu. James Brickwood 4 / 10 Leopard rockcod and zucchini, fennel pollen, marron and rosehips. James Brickwood 5 / 10 Fritter of Bundarra pig and smoked eel, lovage and fermented sweetcorn. James Brickwood 6 / 10 Dessert of camarosa strawberries, bee pollen, camomile cake, milk ice-cream and cream of sweet herbs. Edwina Pickles 7 / 10 The signature anvil dessert, a soft miso caramel mousse. James Brickwood 8 / 10 Chef Simon Rogan (second from right) with his team. Edwina Pickles 9 / 10 Michelin-starred LEnclume chef Simon Rogan at Bathers Pavilion. Edwina Pickles 10 / 10 Executive chef Oliver Marlow (left) prepares a LEnclume dish in the Bathers Pavilion kitchen. Edwina Pickles Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat Good Food hat 17.5 / 20 How we score British$$$ Whats it to be? Stay home for the much-anticipated second series of The Bear, or go out for the much-anticipated LEnclume Residency at Bathers Pavilion? Both will be riveting expressions of the cut-and-thrust, boiling-point pressure and high stakes of the dining world. But given that I pre-authorised $840 for LEnclume back in February, The Bear can wait. This is Big Deal dining, cooked up by Bathers owners, Ian Pagent and Jessica Shirvington, and LEnclumes Simon Rogan in 2019. Since then, the restaurant in Cartmel, Cumbria, has gained its third Michelin star, and was named best restaurant in the United Kingdom for the sixth time in its 20 years.

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Go-to dish: Seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow, Royal Miyagi Pacific oyster and oscietra caviar. James Brickwood Potters have been turning bowls, woodworkers carving spoons and gardeners growing rock chives just for this event, and eight chefs and key senior staff are here from Britain. There hasnt been a chef residency handled this rigorously since Noma Sydney in 2016. The lengths UK chef Simon Rogan went to bringing his Michelin-starred restaurant to Sydney Soon, Im stepping through a specially commissioned hand-painted veil by Australian artist Janet Laurence and into the ever-handsome Bathers Pavilion dining room. LEnclume is a long way from its 13th-century stone-walled blacksmiths workshop home, but it is immediately warm, comfortable and welcoming. And just like that, dinner is off and running. You begin with your fingers, picking up a tiny tartlet thats sweet and salty with beetroot pastry and trout roe. A Faberge egg of a fritter is stuffed with confit Bundarra pork and smoked eel, covered in what look like (but arent) Rice Bubbles, and bejewelled with fermented corn kernels. Later, slender Cutipol cutlery lines up like surgical instruments.

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The kitchen has that proper English way with seasoning, packing in the flavour. A seaweed custard is like silken umami, bearing a Royal Miyagi Pacific oyster and a turban of oscietra caviar. To then add a rich-but-not-too-rich beefy broth with bone marrow over the top is divine inspiration. The kitchen has that proper English way with seasoning, packing in the flavour. LEnclumes Valentin Mouillard brings energy and a wonderfully waxed moustache to the role of sommelier, never failing to point to how the wine relates to the dish in front of you. Its something we should insist on from all our somms. The pairings themselves are inspired. My eight-glass taster pairing ($190) sets off with a crisp Grosset Polish Hill riesling, moves on to an earthy, dry, Tengumai Kimoto Jikomi sake and ends with a chilled, honeyed Ridgeside Icewine Vidal from Canada. Leopard rockcod (similar to coral trout) is a perfect disc of just-set fish seemingly floating in a foamy bisquey broth.

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Dorper saltbush lamb loin, turnip and fig leaf vinegar, ragout, fermented runner beans and black garlic. James Brickwood Dorper lamb loin is a right proper main course, pink from edge to edge under a lovely jus bubbled with tapioca. It comes accessorised with horseradish cream, tiny lamb-fat crumpets and a little pot of rich lamb ragu thats like warm rillettes. An earthy dish of Jerusalem artichokes and goats cheese feels a bit twiggy, and a bowl set with frozen Tunworth cheese leaves me cold. Theres charm in the English references to rosehips, tapioca and crumpets, and petits fours that taste of Cumbrias Kendal Mint cake. Desserts are floral riffs with strawberry leaves, camomile, calendula. The signature anvil dessert, a soft miso caramel mousse. James Brickwood

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The signature anvil dessert (a reference to the smithy), is a soft miso caramel mousse, so dont try to crack it with a spoon or youll end up wearing it. Guest chef extravaganzas, weve had a few, from the greatest hits of Gordon Ramsay, to the vegan evangelism of Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park, and the poetic botanicals of Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur. Contextually, this is more exciting than Ramsay, less visionary than Humm, and more cohesive than Colagreco. If a restaurant experience can ever be worth $420, this comes close. The bits of LEnclume I would like to snip off and keep in Australia are the confidence with seasoning, and the attention paid to wine pairing. And the staff. Theyre young, lively, funny and quick to engage, working together like minnows in a pond. Despite 15-hour days and being half a world away from home, they look like they are having fun, which has a wonderful capacity to transmit itself to the diner. The low-down LEnclume Residency at Bathers Pavilion Open: Lunch Tue-Sun; dinner Tue-Sat until Aug 20 Vibe: Three Michy stars on holidays by the sea Go-to dish: Seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow, Royal Miyagi oyster, oscietra caviar Drinks: The tailored wine flights are inspired ($190 a head, $290 a head and $750 a head), running from Australian greats to the rare and special Cost: Eight-course tasting menu, $420 a head, plus wine

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Eating outJust open Moody new Circular Quay bar boasts Sydneys largest Japanese whisky collection Bar Besuto has assembled what it says is the biggest collection of the spirit in a Sydney venue. Scott Bolles July 25, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

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When Bar Besuto opens on Wednesday, July 26, owner-chef Joel Best will draw inspiration from the two-bite take on steak frites served at Singapores award-winning Burnt Ends restaurant, where Australian chef Dave Pynt serves wagyu steak tartare and caviar atop a cube of pommes Anna. Bests version will team caviar-topped steak tartare with miso potato. But its what you drink with the dish that captures the spirit of Bar Besuto. The moody new Circular Quay venue is driven by Bests obsession with Japanese whisky, and taps his private collection. Its the biggest collection of Japanese-only whisky in a Sydney venue, Best says while packing away hundreds of bottles. A lot of it you cant even find in Japan. Owner Joel Best has collected rare and hard-to-find Japanese whisky for Bar Besutos drinks list. James Brickwood

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As co-owner of omakase restaurant Besuto at the other end of Circular Quay, Best was able to fine-tune his whisky-food matching before opening Bar Besuto a few blocks away at Sydney Place. Matching whisky to food is the same process as sake or wine. For me, I will always try the whisky first then work through the flavour profile and what salt, acid or fat to match it to, Best says. The bars tight food menu includes crostini with wasabi cream, lightly smoked oysters and a whisky gelato. Its more of a snack menu, but you can have the toothfish [with pickled vegetables] and steak frites and make a meal out of it, Best says. Bar Besutos take on steak frites, in the style of Burnt Ends. James Brickwood Theres little doubt Australia is in the grip of a Japanese whisky boom. Nikki Knights, from importers Minleki Spirit Traders, says after several years of stable growth, imports of Japanese whisky spiked by 21 per cent in the last financial year.

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Knights, known as the Whisky Whisperer, points to a posse of Sydney venues serious about Japanese whisky, including The Captains Balcony and restaurants Kuon and Sake. You can also drill down on Japanese whisky at the luxe Bancho Bar, in the back lanes of Chinatown. Our point of difference is we only serve Japanese whisky, Best says. As the chef points to the rare Hanyu Game series and a 25-year-old Hakushu, he explains that frequent trips to Japan and tapping into the whisky mafia have enabled him to purchase small-run and difficult-to-find drops. One of the reasons they sell to me is Im not buying to collect, sit on it and sell it at a higher price. The producers want people trying their whisky, says Best, who prefers the Japanese spirit to those made in Scotland or Ireland. So whats the difference between them? Knights describes Japanese whisky as feminine and light, while Scotch is more granular and masculine. Japan has a gentle tone with its food and culture, she says. They dont want whisky to overtake their food, they want to complement it.

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Further stoking interest in Japanese whisky will be Ennui, a restaurant and wine and whisky bar opening in Haymarket in November. While Ennuis whisky list will skirt Scotland, the United States and even Taiwan, half the list will be Japanese, says whisky specialist and collector Peter Chan, a partner in the venture. The most prized bottle from the [upcoming] list will be the Yamazaki 18-year Mizunara cask Suntory 100th Anniversary Edition, Chan says. Bar Besuto will open Tue-Sat 4pm-late from Wednesday, July 26. 3 Underwood Street, Circular Quay, besutosydney.com
Russia is now urged by the UN chief to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The United Nations leader said this when he attended the UN Food Systems summit in Rome on Monday, July 24.

Russia Urged by UN Chief to Return to Black Sea Grain Initiative

According to Reuters' latest report, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked the Russian government to go back to the grain deal.

"With the termination of the Black Sea Initiative, the most vulnerable will pay the highest price," he explained. "When food prices rise, everybody pays for it," he added.

Guterres also said that the decision of Russia to quit the Black Sea Grain Initiative is devastating for vulnerable countries that are having difficulties feeding residents.

The UN chief even sent a proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a final effort to save the deal.

Guterres sent the letter on July 11, suggesting that Russia extend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative. He added that the Russian government should at least allow four ships to travel to Ukraine and four ships leaving.

Guterres added that if Russia accepts this proposal, Rosselkhozbank, the country's Agricultural Bank subsidiary, will be reconnected to the SWIFT global payment systems.

This is a great bargain considering that Russia has been demanding to restore the connection between the SWIFT payment systems and Rosselkhozbank, which has been cut off in June 2022 by the European Union.

"I call on the Russian Federation to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, in line with my latest proposal," said Guterres via CNA.

The remaining question is, will Vladimir Putin accept the proposal of the UN leader?

Read Also: Russia Now Using Fake Trenches Against Ukrainian Forces; How Effective Are They?

Will Putin Accept UN Chief's Plea?

Based on the statements recently provided by Putin, it looks like Russia will not return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative any time soon.

The Russian leader explained that the continuation of the grain deal already lost its purpose. Putin is quite confident despite the increasing prices of wheat, soybeans, corn, and other grains.

The Russian president said that they will replace Ukrainian grain both commercially and free of charge. He added that they can do this since Russia is expecting a record harvest this 2023.

Related Article: Russian President Vladimir Putin Warns Poland That Any Aggression on its Ally, Belarus, Will Be Considered an Attack on His Own Country

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil has invoked the new national corruption watchdog in response to allegations of government contractors suspect payments to Pacific Island officials involved in Australias offshore detention program, as Labor, Liberal and crossbench MPs call for an independent inquiry.

ONeil said the claims of improper use of taxpayer dollars by companies contracted by Home Affairs were deeply concerning and she would respond more fully after reviewing information revealed in the Home Truths investigative series by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes.

Our government has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, which is why one of our first policy decisions was to create a National Anti-Corruption Commission, ONeil said.

Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil says the Albanese government has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Opposition Leader Peter Dutton needed to front up over serious allegations that Home Affairs gave a multimillion-dollar offshore detention contract to an Australian businessman just a month after federal police told Dutton, who was then the relevant minister, that the man was under investigation for bribery.

It has been suggested that he [Dutton] was warned ... the people deserve an explanation about these events, Albanese said.

Read the whole story.
The mayor of Penrith has abandoned a longstanding $200,000 plan to inspect major airports across Europe just hours before her council was due to vote on bankrolling the nearly two-week-long trip.

Mayor Tricia Hitchen withdrew her support for the trip on Monday afternoon following a community backlash.

Penrith City Council had planned to send its mayor and deputy mayor, along with staff, to Europe, including Amsterdams Schiphol airport.

Hitchen, her deputy mayor Todd Carney and up to three staff were expected to fly to France, the UK and the Netherlands in August to visit greenfield airports similar to Western Sydney International Airport, due to open within the councils borders by about 2026.

The proposed European trip, revealed in the councils meeting agenda and reported by The Daily Telegraph, would cost taxpayers between $25,000 and $40,000 per person, resulting in a cost as high as $200,000.
Passengers have been so quick to reboard light rail at the Gold Coast, it has become the fastest-recovering public transport network in Australia since the pandemic.

But further north at the Sunshine Coast, it appears commuters are stuck at the station, so to speak, for two years.

Gold Coast-born state government ministers Shannon Fentiman, Meaghan Scanlon and Mark Bailey welcome three of five new light-rail trams to the Gold Coast. Credit: Facebook

The Gold Coast has recorded more than 73 million trips on their G:link light rail, and patronage was now 15 per cent higher than before COVID-19, Transport Minister Mark Bailey revealed.

On the Gold Coast on Monday, Bailey was proud to describe the way tourists and residents had adopted light rail.
One of Brisbanes most exclusive private girls schools is expanding, with plans submitted to council for a refurbished six-storey building across the road from Brisbane Girls Grammar Schools Spring Hill campus.

If approved and built, the six-storey BGGS Junior School would house a new cohort of year 5 and 6 pupils, 216 of whom would be enrolled from 2026, along with 18 staff members. At present, BGGS only enrols students between years 7 and 12.

BGGS bought the 1566-square-metre site at 87-95 Gregory Terrace from the Queensland Country Womens Association in April 2021 for $7.5 million.

Before the sale, the QCWA had provided accommodation at Ruth Fairfax House on the site, which would be repurposed for the BGGS Junior School.
Chrystal Palmer was given her first Barbie doll when she was seven years old.

The Holiday Barbie was a dazzling riot of big hair, big earrings and a long, velvet gown with puffed sleeves.

Chrystal Palmer with part of her Barbie collection. Credit: Simon Schluter

It was Christmas 1991, and Palmer thought the doll, a present from Santa Claus, was amazingly glamorous and beautiful.

But while other kids tossed aside their Barbies and switched to Pokemon or rollerblading as they grew older, Palmer maintained her passion for the toy for more than three decades.
Panic, however, is precisely the wrong response, according to an Oxford expert on secure technology, Ciaran Martin. Its really, really important to avoid panic over AI, says Martin, the founding chief executive of Britains National Cyber Security Centre, set up in 2016 as part of GCHQ, the UK governments electronic spying agency. Why, exactly? Firstly, AI has many potential benefits in areas I dont fully understand like diagnostic healthcare, he tells me. But secondly, when youre looking to secure something, panicking people about it is a really bad idea. We know this from cybersecurity. In 2010 The Economist magazine had a big front page, a cover of a city skyline falling in flames a la 9/11, supposedly a vision of future cyberwar. Cybersecurity expert Ciaran Martin: Cybersecurity is about hacking code.... but it tends not to kill people. Credit: James Alcock Cyberwar, the threat from the internet; thats not the way cybersecurity works, Martin explains. Cybersecurity is about hacking code. Second-order effects can be highly disruptive, extremely costly, very intimidating, it does all sorts of harm, but it tends not to kill people.

Its almost impossible to detonate some sort of explosion that would bring down a skyscraper by cyberspace. Why does that matter? Because, as well as scaring people, it matters in two ways. One is it scares people and makes them feel powerless. Martin, a professor of management of public organisations at Oxford, also serves as an adviser to the Australian cybersecurity firm CyberCX and says he has to remind clients that they are not powerless, they do have agency: We could talk about Ukraine, showing that when a defender really sets its mind to it, you know, all sorts of things are possible. So you dont want to infantilise people in cybersecurity. And the second thing is that it may send you chasing after the wrong problem. He urges governments and companies instead to break down potential AI problems into specific parts and deal with each. Joe Biden met with leaders from major artificial intelligence firms at the White House on Friday. Credit: Bloomberg For instance, on Friday, a brace of US tech firms struck a deal with the White House to stamp a watermark on any content produced by AI, an effort to keep deepfakes apart from reality.

US President Joe Biden said that it was a step towards responsible use of AI, a technology he described as astounding. The watermarking deal is voluntary. The signatories  Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI Anthropic, and Inflection AI  said theyd apply it to text, images, audio and video. But many other companies refused to sign. These include Midjourney, whose product was used to make a fake clip of Donald Trump being arrested. Other countries are trying other ways to regulate AI. More sweepingly, the Chinese Communist Party last week issued guidelines for Chinas AI developers that stipulate the use of socialist values in any new products. This is, in effect, a demand that all the AI programs permitted access to the Chinese internet must promote Beijings authoritarian world view. Loading But overarching all the detail is a fundamental strategic principle. The creation of the nuclear bomb is, as Christopher Nolan says, a cautionary tale of humanitys capacity for self-destruction. Yet only two have been used in anger, and none has been used in the last 78 years. This is an instructive tale of the logic of mutually assured destruction, with one countrys atomic arsenal held in check by the threat posed by others. Ciaran Martin says a similar principle applies to the online world, the logic of technological equilibrium.

Can AI be used to scale malevolent software? Yes. But can the same techniques be used to scale the defence against that? Yes. And furthermore, can it be used to expand cybersecurity and solutions? Absolutely. This can be done for as long as our equilibrium holds  what can be done for attack can be done for defence, then we stay in a good place. Of course, that equilibrium could be broken by the next revolution in computing, quantum. In truth, theres always something to panic about if we choose to. Loading Martin says that we like to think that because something can happen, it will happen. Yet the Doomsday Clock never has struck midnight. So is there a robot that could be programmed to go and pour petrol in your toaster and then turn it on? Probably, but I think youre more likely to face targeted extortion or financial theft threat from organised cyber criminals. In other words, p(rip-off) is more likely than p(doom).
One of the worlds largest countries, 1.4 billion people, 5000 years of civilisation, and constantly in the news headlines. But hey, if you think China isnt worth visiting, then stay at home with your head in the sand.

The Great Wall is just one of many incredible historic sites in China. Credit: iStock

It astounds me that even some experienced travellers now think China is no longer a safe or worthy place to visit. Or that China is a second-rank tourism destination that cant compare to America or Europe.

Facts say otherwise. In 2019 just before the COVID-19 pandemic, China ranked fourth in the world for international arrivals, the vast majority of whom were Asian.

And if you think travellers havent yet returned, youd be wrong. The China Tourism Academy expects 90 million overseas visitors this year  although thats significantly down on pre-pandemic levels (and the number of Australian residents visiting also remains down by about 50 per cent).
Americas Main Street is as ephemeral as the lore its evoked since kicking off in 1926. It exists not as an unbroken stretch of bitumen but in splinters of tar that drift off into prairie grass here, duck beneath thundering overpasses there, dissolve in all manner of forsaken dead-ends. Feted and fabled, it labours fitfully across 3940 kilometres and eight richly storied, deeply contrasting states.

Credit: Jamie Brown

Lack of signage and the fragmentary nature of the road lead to many a wrong turn. The first rule is to get your hands on a reliable map: Route 66 historian Jerry McClanahans EZ66 Guide, produced with The National Historic Route 66 Federation, is your faithful companion. Individual alignments and easterly and westerly driving instructions are clarified in this spiral-bound digest.

Direction presents another dilemma: where to start? Purists set off from downtown Chicago  a days drive from the routes official birthplace of Springfield, Missouri  and follow the trail across Americas breadth before sidling to a halt at Santa Monica Pier. One can more easily conjure, on this course, the routes historic trajectory, and the souls of those who traversed it on their way to the land of milk and honey  California  during the Great Depression.

The jalopies cluttering the Mother Road in Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath are long gone. Harley Davidsons and Chevy Corvettes lend a touch of retro authenticity to the modern wayfarers journey; whatever your style, remember that the roads decay demands robustness in a vehicle. And though you could conceivably cover the distance in three or four days, the voyage should proceed sedately, over a period of two weeks or more.
Odesa: Russia struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa on Sunday, keeping up a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. At least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in the early morning attack, officials said.

Four children were among those wounded in the blasts, which severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

People walk inside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral, heavily damaged in a Russian missile attack in Odesa, Ukraine. Credit: AP

Russia has been launching repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, since Moscow cancelled a landmark grain deal on Monday amid Kyivs grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories.

After the fires were put out at the Orthodox cathedral, volunteers donned hard hats, shovels and brooms to begin removing rubble and try to salvage any artefacts  under the watchful gaze of the saints whose paintings remained intact. Local officials said the icon of the patroness of the city was retrieved from under the rubble.
His allies, who include ultra-nationalist and ultra-religious parties, have called for increased West Bank settlement construction, annexation of the occupied territory, perpetuating military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and Palestinians. The White House, which has repeatedly urged Netanyahu to pause his overhaul plan until he has a broad consensus, expressed regret. It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority, it said. Benjamin Netanyahu in the prime ministers office in Jerusalem, on July 17. Credit: Reuters Under the Israeli system, the prime minister governs through a majority coalition in parliament  in effect giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government. As a result, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. Critics say that by seeking to weaken the judiciary, Netanyahu and his allies are trying to erode the countrys checks and balances and consolidate power over the third, independent branch of government.

In a televised address Monday night, Netanyahu rejected such criticism. Today we did a necessary democratic act, an act that is intended to return a measure of balance between the branches of government, he said. He vowed to seek renewed dialogue with the political opposition and called for national unity. Let us reach agreements, he said. I extend my hand in a call for peace and mutual respect between us. As he spoke, Israels Channel 13 TV showed a split screen with a police water cannon spraying crowds of protesters. In Mondays vote, members of parliament approved a measure that prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis they are unreasonable. The governments critics say removing the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. The Supreme Court, for instance, this year struck down Netanyahus appointment of a key ally for interior and finance minister as unreasonable because of past convictions for bribery and tax cheating.

With the opposition out of the hall, the measure passed by a 64-0 margin. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the plan, said parliament had taken the first step in an important historic process. Israeli border police attempt to remove protesters from a road leading to the Knesset on Monday. Credit: Reuters This is just the beginning, added National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Opposition politicians chanted shame and government of destruction before leaving the chamber.

The chant was a reference to the upcoming Jewish day of mourning, the Ninth of Av, which marks the destruction of two ancient Temples in Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition, the Roman Empire succeeded in destroying the Second Temple because of Jewish infighting. The grassroots protest movement, which has regularly drawn tens of thousands of people into the streets for the past seven months, condemned Mondays vote by Netanyahus government of extremists and vowed to press ahead. People take part in a demonstration supporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition governments judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv on Sunday. Credit: Reuters No one can predict the extent of damage and social upheaval that will follow the passage of the legislation, it said. Thousands of people, many waving blue-and-white Israeli flags, gathered outside the Knesset, or parliament, and the Supreme Court, and jammed Jerusalems main highway. Walls and fences were plastered with stickers reading we wont serve a dictator, democracy or rebellion and save Israel from Netanyahu.

Police tried to clear the crowds with water cannons spraying skunk-scented water. Many protesters put plugs in their noses or held up sprigs of rosemary plucked from nearby bushes to try to control the stench. This puts us on the way to dictatorship, said protester Danny Kimmel, a 55-year-old program manager. You dont do this to people who are protesting. Its their right. Thousands of people also demonstrated in central Tel Aviv  the epicentre of months of anti-government protests. Scuffles took place between police and protesters, with at least eight people arrested and protesters lighting bonfires. Police said they arrested a driver who hit a group of protesters in central Israel, injuring three people The overhaul has exposed deep divisions in Israeli society  much of it along religious, ethnic and class lines.

While protesters represent a cross section of society, they come largely from the countrys secular middle class, while Netanyahus supporters tend to be poorer, more religious and live in West Bank settlements or outlying rural areas. Many of his supporters are working-class Mizrahi Jews, with roots in Middle Eastern countries, and have expressed hostility toward what they say is an elitist class of Ashkenazi, or European, Jews. Israels Palestinian Arab minority has largely stayed away from the protests, with many saying they do not feel like they have a stake. The protests have largely avoided Israels 56-year occupation of lands the Palestinians seek for their hoped-for-independent state, fearing the issue might alienate supporters. Critics accuse the protesters of harbouring a significant blind spot. Further ratcheting up the pressure on Netanyahu, thousands of military reservists have declared their refusal to serve under a government they see as setting the country on a path to dictatorship  prompting fears that the militarys preparedness could be compromised.
Andrew Ng, co-founder of Google Brain and adjunct professor at Stanford University's Computer Science Department, speaks during a special lecture on artificial intelligence (AI) at KB Financial Group's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, July 21. Courtesy of KB Financial Group



By Yi Whan-woo



Financial firms can capitalize on artificial intelligence (AI) to partner with shipping, warehouse and other logistics businesses and create a synergy in a corporate world that is being rapidly transformed by AI, an internationally-renowned AI expert said.



Andrew Ng, a co-founder of Google's deep learning research team Google Brain, also said AI has been adopted earlier in the financial industry compared to other sectors and that it hopefully can take initiative in AI-related business.



Ng, the founder of each of the two AI companies in Silicon Valley  DeepLearning.AI and Landing AI  who is also an adjunct professor at Stanford University's Computer Science Department, shared his foresight during a special lecture organized by KB Financial Group in Seoul last week.



The largest banking group in Korea invited Ng to learn about the future direction of the AI industry and possible measures to be taken by the financial industry to get the most out of it.



Ng said the financial sector was an early adopter of AI and added that the industry has rich customer data and infrastructure to become a leader in related businesses.



He touched on ethics, saying AI will emerge as a "powerful technology in society and its users should think how they can use it in an ethical manner."



Regarding inaccuracy, bias and other shortcomings of AI, the professor cited a need to remove those risks and make sure it functions properly.



"It was a valuable opportunity for KB Financial Group's executives and rank-and-file employees to think about how they can use AI to make services more accessible and easier for customers," the banking group said.



The group added, "We'll make sure to keep up with the era of AI on one hand and safeguard the values of the human being to make the world a better place."


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Australian brokerage Home Loan Experts has rebranded its outsourcing division in a bid to attract more mortgage brokers to its service suite.

The firm, formerly known as HLE Nepal, is a brokering outsourcing consultancy based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Founded in July 2012 with Home Loan Experts as its primary outsourcing partner, it now collaborates with more than 40 outsourcing partners under the name Alaya.

With operating costs affecting many brokerages amid a cost-of-living crisis in Australia, Bhisan Raj (pictured above left), Home Loan Experts general manager of broking, said Alaya could provide that experience to help other broker firms to reach sustainable growth of their business at a fraction of the price.

At Home Loan Experts, we started with outsourcing most parts of human resources, accounts, loan processing, and marketing, Raj said. It then has expanded to everything that we do to attract a customer to post settlement including any complaints or compliance-related stuff that come through.

This has immensely helped us to grow our business and use the same methodology to help other top broker firms in Australia.

What outsourcing does and doesnt cover

While outsourcing can sometimes result in a lack of control, Alayas outsourced mortgage broker support doesnt change the home loan approval process.

Brokers will still complete upfront assessments and collect documents to verify assets, liabilities and overall eligibility for a home loan as well as recommend products that best suits their clients needs and goals.

Instead, the benefits come in after the assessment process.

Once completed, a support team member takes charge of gathering any missing client documents, arranging an upfront property valuation, and preparing the mortgage application for submission.

The brokers involvement is only required to review the application before submission. Afterward, all customer communication is handled by the outsourcing team.

Raj said that this had made Alaya a sustainable way to grow the business within Home Loan Experts and he urged others brokers to consider the benefits.

It does a lot of trials and experiments and then cuts off the unsuccessful ones immediately or scales up the successful ones, he said.

This approach has helped Alaya form a post-settlement team and serve the customers after the settlement, have a great pool of credit analysts to help brokers submit deals, and use the success of the broking side to help other broker firms in Australia succeed through outsourcing.

While outsourcing to Alaya has helped brokerages in several processes, Shreya Shrestha, general manager of outsourcing in Nepal, said it had also helped mortgage brokerages form a dedicated and skilled workforce.

Shrestha said Alaya had helped Home Loan Experts and other brokerages to identify senior leaders for their business, with Raj and even herself coming through this process.

Especially in an era when finding and retaining committed employees is challenging, Alaya has emerged as a valuable solution for many mortgage broking companies seeking dependable, long-term team members, Shrestha said.

Why Nepal?

With countries like India, the Philippines, and Fiji being outsourcing hotspots for Australian brokerages, a company in Nepal might seem a little left of field.

Raj said the venture began when Home Loan Experts founder Otto Dargan went on the Everest base camp trek along with his friends.

He found some wonderful and smart local people. The business venture was prompted because the growing business in Australia needed a profitable and sustainable way to expand the team to serve increasing customers and demand, Raj said.

There are great talents in Nepal and its an untapped market when it comes to outsourcing.

Another key reason is cost, which varies based on the country and required skills. For instance, while an Australian support team member costs AUD $74,800 per year, it would be approximately $34,800 in Nepal due to currency strength, according to HLE.

The costs of outsourcing with Alaya can be even lower, depending on the resources you need to run your business, Raj said.

Raj sympathised with brokerages that might be apprehensive about using outsourcing services.

No doubt this is a journey and there are challenges to overcome. There will be differences in culture, thinking, timing, and so on, Raj said.

However, these are the things to embrace and focus on strengths that they can bring to your business. Alaya has gone through the challenges and mitigated the way to move forward smoothly.

Do you outsource and if so what are the advantages? Comment below.
Servant leaders are better for the bottom line

Study reveals connection to financial success

We gave the employees a decision-making test and were able to show a relationship that we had theorized: those who were more other-oriented made smarter, more well-thought-out decisions.

BUFFALO, N.Y.  A moderate increase in servant leadership can have a significant effect on an organizations revenue, based on new research from the University at Buffalo School of Management.

Available online ahead of publication in Personnel Psychology, the study, led by James Lemoine, PhD, associate professor of organization and human resources in the UB School of Management, examined whether servant leadership makes it possible to focus on multiple stakeholder groups and the degree to which an employees focus on others impacts their business decisions.

Using data collected from 274 employee/supervisor pairs over several months, the researchers used objective cognitive reflection scores  which measure whether individuals think through problems in detail rather than going with simple, gut decisions  and objective measures of workplace charitable giving.

The researchers were not surprised to find that exposure to servant leadership, where leaders prioritize company goals and profitability as well as the interests of stakeholders (like customers, employees and communities), increases the degree to which employees focus on others.

We then gave the employees a decision-making test and were able to show a relationship that we had theorized: those who were more other-oriented made smarter, more well-thought-out decisions, says Lemoine. Other-orientation gives you experience looking at problems from perspectives beyond your own.

According to Lemoine, the better decision-making by those other-oriented employees resulted in more dollars to the company: a one-point increase in servant leadership scores (on a seven-point scale) resulted in $11.3 million in additional revenue for the company, about a 6% increase. And, at the same time, employees who were more other-oriented were giving more to charities.

The researchers say their findings demonstrate that positive leadership can help communities while driving financial success.

Lemoine collaborated on the study with Chad A. Hartnell, PhD, associate professor of management at Georgia State Universitys Robinson College of Business; Snehal Hora, PhD, assistant professor of management at Drexel Universitys LeBow College of Business; and Daniel I. Watts, doctoral student at Georgia State Universitys J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
Bitemark evidence can send wrong person to prison, death row, UB professors say

From left to right, Peter Bush, Mary Bush and Raymond Miller - faculty members in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine - argue that using bitemark analysis in courtrooms is a flawed practice. Credit: Douglas Levere, University at Buffalo

Forensic dentist Mary Bush and colleagues publish commentary outlining problems with bitemark analysis

It isnt so much that prosecutors are using bitemarks inappropriately. There is simply a lack of awareness about how much distinction there could be in two sets of teeth. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  During a trial for murder or another violent crime in which a victim has been bitten, prosecutors may display photos of the bitemarks next to tracings of the suspects teeth. And the two may appear to fit perfectly. Case closed, right?

Not necessarily, according to Mary Bush, DDS, a forensic dentist and associate professor of restorative dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. For years, Bush has maintained that human dentition is not unique with regard to bitemark analysis, and seemingly perfectly matching bitemarks could belong to a litany of suspects.



Bitemarks arent only inadequate, Bush said, but they also have been misused in courtrooms. In a commentary published in the May 2023 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association, Bush pointed out that 26 people have been wrongly convicted primarily because of a bitemark found on the victim. At least three of the suspects ended up on death row.



Bush co-authored the article, Bitemark Analysis: The Legal vs. Scientific Battle for Justice, with Raymond Miller, UB clinical associate professor of dental medicine and a forensic dental consultant to the Erie County Medical Examiners Office, and Peter Bush, director of UBs South Campus Instrument Center, the co-founder for the Laboratory for Forensic Odontology Research.



Bitemark analysis rests of two assumptions



The premise of bitemark analysis rests on two main assumptions, Mary Bush explained. First, that the arrangement of the human teeth in the mouth is unique, and secondly, that unique features transfer to the skin.



She pointed out that problems typically arise when the jury is shown tracings of the suspects dentition and a photograph of the wound that fit reasonably well.



They always do, Bush said. And once the jury sees that supposed fit, its hard to unsee it. The question is: How many other people could have fit the bite? This, the jury does not know.



Because a victim is usually struggling with the attacker in cases of assault or murder, the skin is moving and ends up bruised.



In an actual bitemark case, a bruise, not indentations of teeth, is what is typically examined, Bush maintains. A bruise may create further uncertainty as it is diffuse and may not accurately reflect the tooth arrangements that created the wound.



People assume that human dentition is unique because dental records are often used to identify the dead. However, in those cases, the combination of 32 teeth  present, missing and restored  are analyzed, compared with only the incisal edge of the six teeth that typically leave a bitemark, she noted.



Courts are content to allow the evidence in and let rigorous cross-examination bring out any fault in the science, Bush said. This leaves it to the lawyers, who may not have a scientific background, to adequately cross-examine.



Interestingly, Bush found that the teeth marks that fit best usually do not belong to the actual perpetrator.



History of bitemarks as evidence



While bitemarks have been used in criminal cases going back to the 1800s, they werent really relied on until the 1970s. One of the more famous cases was that of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy in 1979.



The prosecution had reams of circumstantial evidence tying Bundy to at least one of the many murders he was accused of committing. However, it was the teeth marks found on one of his victims that eventually sealed Bundys guilt. He was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and burglary. Later, Bundy confessed to killing 30 women between 1974 and 1978. This highly publicized case elevated the stature of bitemark evidence, Bush noted.



However, Richard Souviron, the forensic odontologist who testified at Bundys trial, recently said his bitemark testimony would have been different after 30 additional years working in that field.



The introduction of DNA into criminal trials has made a significant difference, Bush said, often knocking out bitemark evidence, though its still available in the prosecutorial toolbox.



It isnt so much that prosecutors are using bitemarks inappropriately, Bush said. There is simply a lack of awareness about how much distinction there could be in two sets of teeth.



Bushs research beginnings



Bush never intended to wade into the contentious waters of bitemark analysis. She only got involved in 2006 when one of her students chose bitemarks as an area of forensic dentistry he wanted to study. As part of the students research, they took a mold of Bushs teeth and made bitemarks on 23 cadavers.



We then photographed the bitten body part in varying positions to examine the effect of movement, she said. It stands to reason that an altercation of a body part may be bitten in one position, but examination of the mark is conducted while the body part is in another.



Of the 23, none was measurably identical to each other.



They conducted subsequent studies, including geometric morphometric analysis, which can quantify shape change variation between large datasets. Again, they made multiple bites with the same set of teeth and determined that the bites did not transfer to the skin in a reliable fashion.



Bitemark evidence still allowed

Bush and her team also testified at a hearing before the Texas Commission on Forensic Science in 2015 and the Presidents Council for Assistance in Science and Technology in 2016.



The Texas commission ruled on Bushs side, recommending that the state issue a moratorium on the use of bitemark analysis in prosecutions throughout the state. The presidents council also advised against using bitemark evidence, providing the conclusion that the prospects of developing bitemark evidence into a scientifically valid method are low.



And in October 2022, the National Institute of Standards and Technology published its findings in a draft report, Bitemark Analysis: A NIST Scientific Foundation Review, stating, Forensic bitemark analysis lacks a sufficient scientific foundation because the key premises of the field are not supported by the data.



Despite these official findings, the practice of introducing bitemark evidence to juries has not ended.



To my knowledge, there are no courts where bitemarks arent allowed as evidence, Bush said, though there are some that dont use it.



By increasing awareness and helping lawyers and the general public understand the limitations of bitemarks and how they can be skewed, Bush hopes that false convictions hinging on this flawed evidence eventually will be eliminated.
In April, the Czech-Irish Fintech Forum took place in Dublin, attracting leading experts from the Czech Republic and Ireland. The event was organised by the Czech Embassy in Dublin in cooperation with the Czech Fintech Association and the Irish Fintech Association and other partners such as Dog Patch Labs. The forum aimed to establish business relations between the two countries and to support the further development of the fintech industry.

The event brought together more than 40 leading companies from both countries. The Czech delegation included Dateio, Wultra, Lemonero, Adacta, Blogic, MoroSystems, Analytical Platform, Principal, Delloite, CTIT Association and Czech Fintech Association. These companies had the opportunity to meet with counterparts from Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Workday, Fidelity and Fintech Ireland, as well as many other major players in the industry.

Ondrej Machac, Executive Manager of the Czech Fintech Association, said, "We are very pleased to have been part of this important forum and to have met with so many distinguished professionals. This event was a great opportunity for Czech fintech companies to introduce themselves and network with their Irish counterparts. We believe that this meeting has taken our business relationship to the next level."

"This meeting was a great opportunity for Irish and Czech fintech companies to meet and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the industry. We are very pleased to have been part of this event," said Ivo Apetauer from Deloitte.

Filip Vurm, Deputy Head of Mission Department at the Czech Embassy in Dublin, also gave a similarly positive assessment of the forum. "We are very pleased with the success of this event and hope that this meeting will contribute to strengthening the relationship between Czech and Irish fintech companies," says Vurm.

The Czech Embassy in Dublin expressed the hope that this event will contribute to the strengthening of relations between the Czech Republic and Ireland and to the further development of the fintech industry.

Overall, the Czech-Irish Fintech Forum was a successful event that brought new business opportunities for Czech fintech companies. We believe that we will soon show concrete examples of the cooperation brought by this delegation. This event is proof that cooperation between countries can be very fruitful and bring significant benefits to both partners.
gettyimagesbank



PEFs urged to strengthen ESG, operating capabilities to match global peers



By Anna J. Park



As the private equity fund (PEF) market has shown slowed growth since late last year, market experts are advising PEFs to diversify their investment portfolios by discovering new growth engines in overseas markets as well as in high-tech sectors.



According to the latest report by Samil PwC's research institute, about 31 percent of local PEFs invest in the overseas market  19 percent in Asia, 8 percent in America and 4 percent in Europe  as of the end of last year.



This means that 69 percent of local PEFs invest only within the country. Considering the general slowed growth rate of local companies, it is paramount for PEFs to make inroads into overseas markets. Yet, private equity investment requires a sophisticated understanding of a country's industries and unique features of the markets, and a close-knit network is necessary to find and build investment opportunities overseas.



By sector, nearly half  43 percent  of investments are focused on the manufacturing sector, while only about 15 percent are invested in the information technology (IT) sector. This is a stark contrast to global PEFs, which put some 50 percent of their investments into IT on average.



"The global private equity market has marked an average of 22 percent annual growth over the past five years, and the local private equity market has also witnessed rapid growth during the period. While Korea's private equity market has grown fast over the past two decades in terms of market size as well as qualitative operation of funds, now is the time to shift its operation to make another leap," Samil PwC's Deal Leader Park Dae-joon said.



Park stressed that as the focal point of private equity investment has been put more on increasing invested corporations' fundamental values, it is advised for local PEFs to seek a high-risk, high-return strategy by investing in new, emerging sectors.



As opposed to the past when PEFs emphasized creating value through effective leveraging strategies, generating value by operational improvement at invested corporations is now deemed key to the success of PEFs. In this regard, the report states the importance of securing corporate officials with broad expertise.



Local legal frameworks are also subject to streamlining for clear operation of PEF industries, the report went on. The Korean private equity market's legal regulations are spread across various acts, ranging from acts on venture capital to the capital market, while authorities are also present across many ministries. A more consistent legal structure would facilitate a more favorable environment for local PEFs.



Local PEF, meanwhile, stressed the need to improve their own capabilities to reach global standards.



"For a local PEF to attract foreign limited partners in competition with global PEFs, the first priority is, of course, to have a good investment track record. When the first condition is met, then general partners, who are responsible for operating the funds' investments, should also be globally competent," a market insider of local PEF industry told The Korea Times, Monday, on condition of anonymity.



The market insider said local PEFs, in particular, tend to have a shallower understanding of the importance of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) principles. In addition to the named areas, ESG also covers various issues such as diversity, equity, cybersecurity, health, data privacy and anti-corruption.



Local PEFs still lack systemic corporate support and internal cohesion. Compared to their global peers, which have a well-established support system of middle and back offices as well as a variety of professional expertise in finance, legal, tax and compliance issues, only a fraction of local general partners can afford a well-structured system of operation, due to their small size. A lack of professional expertise could be a potential risk factor, impairing the local PEF sector's future growth.


Plastic surgery clinic signs are listed on a building in Gangnam, southern Seoul, in this April photo. Korea Times file



Some believe K-beauty pushes unrealistic beauty standards



By Dami Kim



DALLAS  "Her skin is so pale. She seemed so white and pure," a male contestant on "Single's Inferno," the hit dating show of 2021, said when he described his first impression of a female contestant. Other male contestants praised the same female contestant and stated she is their type as they "like people who have light skin."



In 2021, along with "Squid Game," this hit dating show attracted global attention to South Korea, but it also sheds light on the country's obsession with unrealistic beauty standards.



Hana Kim is a Korean American who thinks the beauty standards in Korea are outrageous and toxic for women of all ages. As young as she can remember, her family suggested plastic surgery as it would make her look "much prettier in Korea." Her mother even offered her plastic surgery as a graduation gift when she graduated college.



"My mom is definitely the 'almond mom' that's trending on social media these days. She's so obsessed with her weight and mine. I had to work so hard on my self-esteem from the years and years of hearing I'd be prettier if I did this or if I lost some weight," Kim said.



Kim and her friends even think the country has the highest standards of beauty in all of the world.



Jessica Harris grew up never thinking about plastic surgery as an option for herself. However, living in Korea changed her mind. "Everyone is always talking about botox, nose jobs or the best skincare procedure to get done," she explains. "It's hard to not think about those things when that's all your friends talk about."



Harris began to think it would not be a bad idea to upgrade her looks based on Korean standards.



"I went on a blind date with a guy and after our date, he told my friend that I would look better if I lost some weight and got a nose job," Harris said as she laughed, still in disbelief that someone would say that about another individual. Yet this comment is what ultimately led her to pull the trigger on a 500 million won rhinoplasty at a famous plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam southern Seoul where a large number of beauty clinics can be found.



Harris has no regrets. In fact, she says it was one of the best decisions of her life. "I do have so much more confidence. People keep telling me I have a much softer and feminine look now." While she has declared no more major surgeries from now on, she does frequent dermatology clinics to get skin care procedures like glutathione injections (also known as "baekokjusa") to whiten and brighten her skin.



When Harris was asked whether she felt Korean beauty standards are unrealistic, she simply said Hollywood is not any more realistic. "Hollywood also has seriously unrealistic beauty standards. I mean look at Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. So many girls want to look like them. I think beauty standards are just unrealistic in general. Everyone photoshops and uses filters these days. I see so many before and after plastic surgery photos of Hollywood celebrities, but everyone makes it seem like Korea is the only one getting procedures done," she explained.



Harris is correct that Korea is not the only country setting unrealistic beauty standards. According to a report by Dove, appearance hate and discrimination caused by toxic beauty standards is a public health crisis in the U.S.





gettyimagesbank
Cochin Shipyard has encouraged engineering graduates to apply for the Graduate Marine Engineering Course. The Government of India owns the corporation, which specialises in the construction and repair of commercial and military vessels. It is traded on both the BSE and the NSE.

Overview

Course name Graduate Marine Engineering

Educational Qualification Graduation

Stream Engineering

Eligibility

A graduate with an AICTE/UGC-approved degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Stream of Engineering, Naval Architecture Stream of Engineering, or B. Tech in Marine Engineering.

At least 50% in the qualifying degree.

The candidate must be in good health and produce a Medical Fitness Certificate in the appropriate format from a DG Shipping-approved medical practitioner.

Duration

12 Months

Intake

140 Seats

Course Fees

Students must stay on campus during the course, for which the entire fees encompassing expenses for accommodation, food, and study equipment are Rs 4,85,000. A deposit of Rs 2,42,500 is required at the start of the course, with the balance due within three months through cash or online transfer.
A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, July 24. AP-Yonhap



The United Nations Command and North Korea have begun discussing the case of Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into the North last week, the deputy commander of the U.S.-led command that oversees the Korean War truce said on Monday.



King, a U.S. Army private serving in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on the inter-Korean border, landing Washington in a fresh diplomatic quandary with the nuclear-armed North.



Conversations between the UNC and North Korea's military were initiated and conducted through a mechanism established under the Korean War armistice, according to Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer serving as deputy commander of the multinational force.



"The primary concern for us is Private King's welfare," Harrison told a media briefing, declining to go into detail about the contact with the North.



"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement," Harrison said, referring to the North's Korean People's Army.



"I can't say anything that could prejudice that process."



North Korea's state media, which has usually commented whenever U.S. nationals have been detained, has remained silent about King.



The incident comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean peninsula. Last week, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port.











U.N. Command deputy commander Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison speaks at a press briefing on the past, present and future of the United Nations Command, at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club in Seoul, July 24. AFP-Yonhap
thyssenKrupp Polysius carry out kiln modernisation for Australian client

24 July 2023

In July 2023 thyssenKrupp Polysius Service Team in Asia-Pacific successfully completed the modernisation of a cement kiln for a client in Australia. The scope included the installation and commissioning of the kiln inlet with housing, orifice, kiln inlet shell and kiln sealing arrangement.

The goal of this project is to increase the usage of alternative fuel (tyre chips and plastic from municipal waste) in the calciner, and ensure a stable and efficient kiln operation with an output of nearly 5400tpd. The completion of this installation project marks a significant milestone in our commitment to engineering excellence and sustainability in the cement industry, especially in highly competitive markets such as Australia.

Balasubramanian VN, the new CEO of thyssenkrupp Polysius Asia-Pacific is very satisfied with the achievement of the team and said: "I am pleased with the seamless cooperation between the Service team, our engineers at Engineering Center Hanoi (EHC), and experts in Germany to complete the project on time. This is the way to move forward towards bigger goals!

Published under
Slow global traveller tells stories of diverse China

Xinhua) 14:27, July 24, 2023

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Roving pot menders, walnut oil pressers, chili grinders and mule packers -- these are some of the old occupations that Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Paul Salopek learned about in southwest China's Yunnan and recorded in his latest story in the National Geographic magazine.

Salopek began to trek across the frontier province of Yunnan in late 2021 on the first stop of his journey in China. The country is the latest destination on his Out of Eden Walk, a now decade-long storytelling odyssey described as an "experiment in slow journalism" on the project's page on the Nat Geo website.

Traveling out of Africa, across the Middle East, Middle Asia and South Asia, Salopek came to China for the first time in his life and was impressed by the "handmade world" he found in Yunnan, which goes against China's stereotype as the world's factory. In his Nat Geo story, Salopek wrote in detail about the fading corner of the world where people use handmade tools and follow a traditional way of life.

"Don't romanticize the pastoral farming way of life," Salopek said at a salon hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association on Friday, when sharing his slow storytelling experience. Yet he emphasized the value of handmade traditions in today's world, which faces climate and resource problems: "People who live in the handmade world have lessons for all of us about sustainability."

"China has this deep history of farming and its incredibly valuable archive that I hope we all can manage to preserve in some way for future use," he said.

Now on a short stay in Beijing, Salopek has trekked through not only Yunnan but also its neighboring mountainous Sichuan Province and the northwestern Shaanxi Province, which is home to Xi'an, the ancient capital of multiple Chinese dynasties, and the Qinling Mountains, which form a natural boundary between north and south China.

Salopek's route has covered some of China's most historic, biodiverse and ethnically diverse regions, as well as important ancient roads that connected different parts of China and regions of Asia, such as the Tea Horse Road. "One of the great things that opened my eyes here in China was the deep history of travel in China," he said, indicating the moving of people across roads through trade, exchanges and migration throughout history.

Having spent most of his time in China walking in rural areas, Salopek said that some of the wonderful things he encountered were the warmth, hospitality and friendship offered by local people. "Just like a battery charge," he said.

Salopek enjoys communicating with locals he meets while traveling in China at the speed of about 5 kilometers per hour -- a speed not facilitated by modern transportation and slow enough that he does not miss stories of interest.

A projectionist traveling across mountains and rivers to show movies to villagers, a potato-planting village claiming to have some of China's darkest skies and hoping to attract astronomy hobbyists from big cities, an introverted ethnic minority community whose members express their emotions through singing, and other ordinary yet special individuals and groups have been recorded by Salopek in his released stories.

Salopek said time is one key ingredient for the stories. Noting that some of the stories were found by accident, he said walking and patience can dig out hidden stories.

Salopek's stories about trekking in China have received millions of views on the internet and what he described as "overwhelmingly positive" responses. "There's something, if I may say so, magic about the concept of taking a long walk," Salopek said. He believes his slow journey can, to some extent, calm polarization between people, and that stories showing the parts of China that have rarely been seen can help break down stereotypes.

"It's been great for me, as an international storyteller, to illuminate for my readers and viewers across the world how complicated and diverse China really is," he said.

Salopek is a biologist by training without a journalism education background yet has decades of experience as a reporter and traveler. He began his experimental slow storytelling journey in 2013. After trekking thousands of kilometers across Africa and Asia, he will head to the northeast of China to end his route across the continent.

People often ask him how far he travels every day. Salopek said during the salon, "I can say, after walking 3,800 days and nights from Africa to you, the answer is: I don't know. I still don't know. It goes back to the hunter ethos where you stay alert and you stop where there is a good story."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Colin Thackery, left, "Britain's Got Talent" winner and veteran of the 1950-53 Korean War, poses with Korean Veterans Minister Park Min-shik as they meet at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, in this Feb. 3 photo provided by Seoul's Veterans Ministry. Yonhap



A 93-year-old British veteran of the 1950-53 Korean War and winner of a major British TV competition will visit Korea this week to perform in a ceremony commemorating the signing of the conflict's armistice, Seoul's veterans ministry said Monday.



Colin Thackery, who rose to fame after winning in "Britain's Got Talent" in 2019, will sing the Korean folk song "Arirang" on Thursday at the event marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice's signing in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the ministry.



It is set to be attended by some 4,000 people, including veterans and government delegates of 22 countries that sent troops or other forms of support to assist South Korea during the war.



Minister Park Min-shik requested the veteran to perform at the ceremony after Thackery sang the song during their meeting in Britain in February.



The veteran was deployed to the Korean War in September 1950 at the age of 19 as a member of the 45th Field Royal Artillery. He fought in a fierce battle on Hill 327 and returned home in 1952.



Thackery said he sang "Arirang" with his comrades during the war despite not knowing what it meant, but he is now reminded of the song whenever he thinks of Korea, according to the ministry.



During his six-day visit through Saturday, Thackery will also perform in other commemorative events, including a dinner for veterans of the war on Wednesday in Busan.



It marks the first time for Thackery to visit the country under a revisit program by the Korean government for veterans of the conflict. (Yonhap)


Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman, left, toasts with Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yong-min during a reception commemorating the 71st anniversary of Egypt's Revolution Day at the Army Club in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Embassy of Egypt in Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



The Embassy of Egypt in Korea held a reception commemorating the 71st anniversary of the July 23 Revolution that birthed the modern Egyptian Republic.



This revolution was a catalyst for significant changes in Egypt such as reforms, industrialization and advancements in human rights, reshaping the overall socio-political landscape of the country.



Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman highlighted the friendship and cooperation between Korea and Egypt on the occasion.



"As we celebrate our rich cultural heritage and achievements throughout our history, we also recognize the importance of international cooperation in building strong, resilient communities," Rahman said during the reception held at the Army Club in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday.



He continued to discuss the partnership between the two countries in various fields, including education, science and technology.



"As for Egyptian-Korean economic and development relations, I would like to mention that Egypt and Korea have recently witnessed an unparalleled level of collaboration, particularly in the area of development cooperation and execution of infrastructure projects," he said.



He noted the increased cooperation in the defense sector, giving examples of the joint manufacturing and acquisition of K9 self-propelled howitzers in addition to building two multi-purpose MPC14K ships.



"Korea is also cooperating on constructing Egypt's first Al-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant through Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). Based on this cooperation, KHNP will build facilities and supply materials for the plant," Rahman added.



The ambassador concluded the speech, reaffirming the pledge to cultivate this friendship grounded in mutual respect, understanding and collaboration.


Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Polish President Andrzej Duda shake hands after their summit at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, July 13. Duda will visit Korea early next month. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon



By Jung Min-ho



Polish President Andrzej Duda will make a visit to Korea early next month, during which he may meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol.



According to ruling party sources Monday, Duda will arrive in the country during the Aug. 1-12 World Scout Jamboree on reclaimed land in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. The northern Polish city of Gdansk is the next host of the quadrennial event for Scouts around the world.



It is still unclear whether the trip will include a presidential summit. But if so, it will be their second meeting in only a month after their first one on July 13 in Warsaw, during which they agreed to strengthen defense industry ties and support for Ukraine's reconstruction efforts among others.



As part of the follow-up measures, Duda could visit the production facilities for the weapons his country is seeking to procure and meet with representatives of Korean arms makers.



Last year, the two countries reached a deal worth more than $13 billion (16.6 trillion won), which included supplies of Korean tanks, rocket launchers and fighter planes to the European country. After the summit earlier this month, expectations remain high for other major deals this year.



Poland appears to seek long-term cooperation with Korean defense companies. Speaking to reporters after the summit, Duda expressed his intention to produce Korean weapons in his country, which has been on high security alert since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.




Weve heard it said, I didnt leave the Democrat Party, the party left me. Members of my family left in the 60s and on Thursday I saw why its still happening as a hearing on censorship in the U.S. House devolved into obvious attempts to censor fellow Democrat, RFK Jr.

It began with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-FL, offering a motion for a closed session which would have stopped RFK from being heard live. In 2016, Wasserman Schultz resigned as DNC Chair when leaked leaked emails revealed a plot against Hillary Clintons opponent, Bernie Samders (Guardian 8/25/16).

After asking RFK a question, Democrats often talked over him saying, I reclaim my time. D-Stacey Plaskett, a non-voting delegate, broke rules by interjecting herself into the time of a Republican member to argue with Kennedy. No stranger to controversy (Daily Mail 6/19/23; Dallas Express 6/25/23), the Virgin Island delegate also was fuming because RFK was called as a witness.

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech (Benjamin Franklin). Its no coincidence that only one network showed live hearings. Back in June, 2022, PBS interrupted childrens programming to show hearings held by House Democrats.

Its obvious who wants to decide what is harmful speech, what is protected speech and what we hear. Not seeing it live to judge for yourself in context, youre left to trust the medias narrative. After watching these hearings, its clear why some say the party left them.

Ralph Miller

* * *

Ralphie, hope you know, as a child of the sixties, as I recall....those Southerners, aka Dixiecrats, even Barry Goldwater feared were too extreme, left the Democratic Party in the '60s because it became too diverse and inclusive. They didn't like that. And Goldwater never met a racist he didn't like. But even he feared their extremism would come to be an albatross around the necks of the Republican Party.





Republicans used the "Southern Strategy" to lure traditional-Southern white segregationist voters, aka Dixiecrats, who, among several displeasures, didn't think 'God' intended for little white children and little black children to attend school together, away from the Democratic Party.

Although the 'Southern Strategy' was initially of Barry Goldwater's creation in 1964, Nixon was said to have "perfected" it in 1968, using those Southern white segregationists' votes to get elected.







Brenda Washington

* * *

So, a committee of Congress, stacked with the most extremist members of the authoritarian right, held a hearing on government censorship. How quaint.

After 40 years of deregulation, our public agencies must now appeal to the content moderators of social media giants to allow vital public health information to be conveyed to the public despite the open sewage that flows through those media. Meanwhile, a few global corporations conspire in the theft of virtually every bit of private information about you, and without compensating you no less.

I fail to see what any of that has to do with government censorship. It is government censorship when authoritarian right-wing governors and legislatures ban books and forbid the full and factual teaching of social studies, civics, and history, even requiring teachers in Florida to serve as fonts for Confederate lost cause narratives like the stupid notion that some slaves benefited from slavery.

Somehow, the dominant voices in the Republican Party have come to believe free speech means they have the right to a free platform, microphone, and amplifier to drown out all out all other voices. Meanwhile, they have worked incessantly to suppress free speech that draws public attention away from their white nationalist culture war. In the process, they have quite purposefully deprived the public of honest debate on economic and social policy that might actually serve the people.

I cannot count how many times I have tried to engage someone in an honest, fact-based discussion about public policy only to be accused of being a Democrat. Having not been involved in Democratic Party activity since the late Eighties, I find that odd. I am, however, happy to see the Democratic Party coming back to me .

For those Republicans who see their party moving away from them I can only say, you werent born a Republican. Put the people and the country above party and let us return to honest discussion and debate on public policy.

Frank Wrinn

* * *

Growing up in the late 50's and 60's my family were staunch Femocrats and very proud of our party. However, I'm no longer a Democrat but am proud to be a right wing Republican. The Democrat's of yesteryear had morals, decency and were trustworthy.

Today's Democrats are everything but that, political thieves, misinformers, liars, cheats and now have resorted to cannibalism in the case of RFK Jr. A man from the great Democrat bloodline of yesteryear that chose to run for President against Joe Biden. So his current party is displeased and chooses to rip him apart, discredit him and do all but injest him. It's true, if you are a Democrat and don't go along with the top brass they will eat you up and spit you out.



If you Democrats want to do the American people a great justice, then have a cannibalism feast of the Bidens, DOJ and FBI as your main course.

Michael Mansfield * * * As usual, Brenda is long on rhetoric and short on facts. So Senator Goldwater never met a racist he didn't like? That's funny since his family department store was the first in Phoenix to hire black people. He was a Major General in the Arizona National Guard and desegregated that unit two years before the Armed Forces. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP and received a 50 year humanitarian award from the National Urban League. On his first day in the Senate he demanded one of his black assistants be admitted to the cafeteria. He did vote against the 64 Civil Rights Act, but you know who else did, Brenda? Good old Albert Gore, Sr. Oh, and the last Klan members in the Senate were Democrats Fritz Hollings and Bobby (Sheets) Byrd from West Virginia. Douglas Jones




Smoky Mountains Distinguished Young Woman Nariah Mullins became the first Knoxville resident in 20 years to receive the Tennessee silver medallion at the conclusion of the 2024 state program on Saturday night in Cleveland.

The senior at Gibbs High School emerged among 17 contestants and was awarded $4,800 in scholarships: $4,000 for the title and $800 for her preliminary victories in Talent, Self-Expression, Fitness and Interview. She succeeds Chattanoogas Maggie Haimelin who was the first runner-up at last months national finals in Mobile, Alabama.


A woman on Wilcox Boulevard told police her father had recently passed away, and she was the sole beneficiary of her father's estate. The woman was able to show an officer signed and notarized documentation to support her claim. She has previously reported that her father's truck had been stolen and believes that a certain man may have been the one that stole it. She doesnt have evidence at this time to support this claim, and it is unknown if there was an arrangement between her father and the man. The woman reported she believes that the man has falsified documents that he is the beneficiary to the estate, however she has not seen them.

* * *

A woman on Patten Parkway told police the lights to her apartment were on, but they were not supposed to be. The woman gave police permission to then search the house. Police searched the house, and didnt find anything. The woman said it is possible the lights were left on, but she just wanted to be safe.

* * *

Police were asked to check the area of Frazier Avenue and N. Market Street for a white male running in traffic. Police found a man with a homeless sign in his hand, crossing traffic. The man told police he just got out of jail and needed a ride to his friends house near Home Depot on Hwy. 153. The man was given a ride to Home Depot.

* * *

An officer conducted a field interview with a woman on I-24 after receiving reports of her swerving all over the road. The woman was released once it was determined she didn't have any outstanding warrants and there were no signs of intoxication.

* * *

A man was officially trespassed from the Automotive MD on 1042 Graysville Road. The owner also requested that any other suspects found on the property should be trespassed.

* * *

Police responded to a theft at Home Depot at 7421 Commons Blvd. An employee showed an officer surveillance footage of a younger black male wearing a white T-shirt, pants, and white shoes, with black dreads walking past the point of sale, carrying $88 of wire underneath a jacket in his left hand. Upon passing the point of sale, the employee stopped the man and recovered the stolen merchandise without incident just before the exit door. The employee said prior to the theft, he saw a black female hand the wire to the suspect. Everyone involved were seen fleeing the scene in a Jeep Cherokee.

* * *

Officers were dispatched to E. 11th Street after a call came in stating that there were four people on the property that were not supposed to be there. The caller said they even put up a gate. Upon arrival, no gate was up, however, people that were on the property were told to move along. They left without issues.

* * *



A T-Mobile employee at 5646 Brainerd Road told police a woman showed back up to T-Mobile and began yelling at her and customers. The employee said that on a previous date she had told the woman she was not allowed back to the business due to her causing a disorder. The employee told the woman to leave again and that she was calling the police. The woman left T-Mobile and kicked the sign down in front of the store on the way out. The employee said the woman left in the same red Mitsubishi Outlander as she previously did. She wanted the woman trespassed from the property. The officer said they would try and call the woman to explain that she was not allowed to come onto T-Mobile property, but officers were unable to contact her. The employee said she would call back in if the woman returned.
Since I have retired (by choice) from the political intrigue of the Hamilton County Election Commission after 25 years of lucrative service some of my unidentified colleagues have stated that my comments are becoming a little more pointed.

In order to make my position clear, I do not intend to engage in political rhetoric other than to raise issues that I believe need to be discussed in the public interest. The one sided position distributed by some profiteers and politicians in line with their own self interests need to be more fully discussed along with the problems of a community that has been good to me for over 80 years.

I dont intend to get in a running commentary with anyone that disagrees with anything that I may be bringing up for a full discussion on both sides of the question for the benefit of the majority. I also welcome comments from anyone that shares the love of Chattanooga from a non-monetary position. Being a gladiator for 57 years has allowed me to have a pretty thick skin (not completely).

The above heading will be devoted to positive and negative comments about our community without being an adamant advocate for any political party, politician, or public issue involving 375,000 Hamilton County residents and voters.

(These folks can vote their own consciences- if they will speak out!)

The first Rose Award goes to our dedicated Mayor of Choo Choo City for his vigilant pursuit of fulfilling his campaign promises of personally filling in those potholes. (It is anticipated that a federal grant can be obtained to purchase a new bucket and shovel before the next municipal election if needed.)



The initial Onion Award goes to the various public and media writers who gush out nothing but glowing accounts of how successful and progressive our community has become that stretches the truth beyond reality. The Wallet Hub (and other negative and positive opinion polls) should be advanced and presented in a realistic fashion to serve a populace of 375,000, not a selective 350-500 petition signing advocates.

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
Area around Brotherton Cabin photo by John Shearer Area around Brotherton Cabin photo by John Shearer Area around Brotherton Cabin photo by John Shearer Camp Thomas-style tents photo by John Shearer Ranger Chris Young photo by John Shearer Camp Thomas-related etching on Indiana Civil War monument photo by John Shearer Indiana monument with Camp Thomas etching photo by John Shearer Field surrounding Indiana monument photo by John Shearer Previous Next

Do you know where the second deadliest location related to the Spanish-American War in 1898 was behind only the fighting in Cuba?

It was at Camp Thomas on the grounds of Chickamauga Battlefield, which is part of the local national park. The casualty rate, as was explained, was due to deaths related to illness and unsanitary conditions.

In connection with the 125th anniversary of that war and the local ties to it, park ranger Chris Young gave a brief overview to park visitors by the Brotherton Cabin Saturday on that and other facts. He also took attendees 200-300 yards south across the field during his several tours on the hot day to show them some almost hidden etchings in an Indiana Civil War monument apparently from an Illinois soldier who was there during the Spanish-American War.

As ranger Young explained at the start of the Saturday afternoon tour I attended and in some additional information that I found online, Camp Thomas had opened just three years after the grounds had been dedicated as a national park in remembrance of the Civil War battle there. The camp was named for Gen. George Thomas, who had fought heroically for the Union at Chickamauga.

With war against Spain seeming inevitable as both countries were world leaders, Camp Thomas was identified as a potential training ground due to its connection to railroad lines around the country and the hotter weather that could emulate what the situation would be like in Cuba.

And as Mr. Young pointed out, the grounds were overseen at that time by the War Department, not the National Park Service. So, preservation of past battles was not the only thought on the minds of leaders regarding the old battlefield, despite the protests of such people as veteran Henry Boynton, who helped get the park opened as chairman of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park committee.

The U.S. War Department ran it, and that is not what Boynton and the veterans imagined, said Mr. Young of the parks future uses, including during World Wars I and II. Their vision was preservation in the scope of what we believe preservation to be. But that is not what the Army believed. They said they were going to train on the land because it was free.

The Spanish-American War had started after the USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in February 1898. It was at a time when the United States, which was ascending in world importance, had supported Cuban independence from Spain, a declining power in world affairs at that time. Over 250 people died in the sinking.

Mr. Young pointed out that the rallying cry actually had two sentences, not the first that was more often mentioned. The full cry, as he said, was Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain.

The war came to a successful end for the U.S. in late 1898, with Spain ceding control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to America.

Gen. Joe Wheeler, who had been a Confederate officer in the Civil War battles around Chattanooga, was a top commander in the Spanish-American War in his early 60s and passed through Camp Thomas, Mr. Young said.

About 72,000 total people trained at Camp Thomas from April until about September 1898. The latter date was when it was closed due to deplorable health conditions from soldiers having to cram large numbers into tents, having to prepare their own meals, and having inadequate facilities or resources for cleaning and practicing good hygiene. As a result, some 750 soldiers had died at Camp Thomas, and others had lifelong complications from such diseases as typhoid fever.

Most soldiers who died were laid to rest in the National Cemetery, Mr. Young added.

About eight or so Camp Thomas re-enactors were around Brotherton Cabin Saturday just off U.S. 27 next to some vintage-style tents, although fortunately heat was their only invisible enemy that day. The recent pandemic of COVID-19 has no doubt made everyone more aware and understanding of the ravages of the various diseases of yesteryear, such as what spread through Camp Thomas.

As ranger Young led a group of about 10 people up to the Indiana marker to see the lone-but-interesting visual aid for the tour, he was asked if any current or future famous people were at Camp Thomas. He said Fred Grant, the son of former Civil War Gen. and President Ulysses S. Grant, trained at Camp Thomas as an officer. Mr. Young added that there is a familiar picture of him there with Mark Thrash, a black man who lived and worked at the park and was a popular draw to early park visitors with all his recollections.

After I got back home, I looked online, and I found some information that said both noted poet Carl Sandburg and pharmacy founder Charles Walgreen Sr. had served with Illinois units during the Spanish-American War. I could not find for sure if they came through Camp Thomas, though.

It has been documented that World War I Gen. John J. Black Jack Pershing had been encamped at Camp Thomas in May and June of 1898, and he recalled his memories of being stationed there in a visit to Chattanooga in 1920 after he had become quite famous.

Also, a well-known Chattanooga business history story has claimed that Coca-Cola bottler Benjamin Thomas came up with the idea of wanting to bottle Coca-Cola  where it could be sold far and wide  after seeing a bottled drink for sale while serving in Cuba during the war.

Regarding the marker, it is known that the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry served at Camp Thomas not only because of formal historical records, but also because of one informal one. As ranger Young pointed out on the 44th Indiana Regiment marker related to the Civil War, barely visible on one side is the professional-looking etching related to the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry.

Mr. Young said no one currently knows whether this was done by an artistically inclined soldier in 1898 or later, after he came back to visit the area where he had camped. It is a great mystery, the ranger implied.

As the tour was concluding, the ranger asked the group of sightseers some rhetorical questions, such as whether that etching on a monument built to remember the Civil War was considered damage or an important documentation of another aspect of American history.

Is that desecration of the monument? he asked. What do we term vandalism and what do we not term vandalism?

He said the issue has also come up in recent years, as Confederate monuments in places like Richmond, Va., were damaged in recent years over another important story in American history  the Black Lives Matter protests prompted by the 2020 killing of George Floyd by police.

And he said trenches were dug in the Chickamauga Park during World War I training, and some concrete reminders remain of the park buildings that housed and served the WAC women from World War II, including a black unit scheduled to be the subject of a Tyler Perry film.

Are their stories any less important? he asked generally and without opinion in a way simply to get the tour participants thinking.

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jcshearer2@comcast.net
WDEF-TV General Manager Phillip Phil Cox has announced that he plans to retire Dec. 31, after a 54-year media career.Mr. Cox has spent the last 17 years in Chattanooga with the CBS affiliated station owned by Morris Network-Morris Multimedia.He joined the company in 2001 as general manager of WXXV-TV, Biloxi-Gulfport, Ms., and has served Morris in the same capacity at WWAY-TV, Wilmington, NC. in addition to his time at WDEF. He also worked previously as station manager for tv stations in Montgomery, Birmingham and Anniston-Gadsden, Al.His first job in media was in 1969 as a 17-year-old high school student as a weekend radio announcer in his North Alabama hometown of Arab, and he also worked in radio while in college in Tuscaloosa.Mr. Cox has served as chairman of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, president of Alabama Broadcasters Association and as a board member for Mississippi Association or Broadcasters. He has been active in various community and civic groups in the areas where he has lived and worked. Mr. Cox is also currently a member of the Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences.He and his wife of 50 plus years, Dean, plan to relocate to the Montgomery, Al. area to be closer to family.
Phylicia Masonheimer is a poster mom of Christian femininity.

Her morning quiet times include a toast and strawberry breakfast alongside her devotional basket before her kids wake. On Instagram, she wears a long bohemian dress as she wipes down the counter of her stylish, Anthropologie-worthy kitchen in northern Michigan, her skin glowing and her fashionable curls falling to the side of her face.

But Masonheimer has no platitudes to offer her 140,000 Instagram followers, no inspirational or aspirational life advice wrapped up in influencer Christianese. Instead, she dives into doctrine and discernment, Bible literacy and theology. She responds to queries about free will, tattoos, menstruation, and moralism.

Shes built a ministryEvery Woman a Theologiananswering the real faith questions weighing on fellow Christians and rejecting the shallow options for teachings directed to women.

You go to a womens event, and its cupcakes and Esther or Ruth and teaand thats it, she sighed. Young women are done. Theyre not interested. They want something that is relevant to their life, not vague.

Every Woman a Theologian is not alone in a recent development of online womens ministries publishing their own Bible studies, Christian-living materials, and products sold directly to consumers, joining popular creators like She Reads Truth/He Reads Truth, Well-Watered Women, and The Daily Grace Co.

Their resources are part of a broader push to bring robust theology to the average churchgoer, to honor curiosity and strengthen spiritual understanding. (Along these lines, the latest book by Bible teacher Jen Wilkin, written with J. T. English, tells readers You Are a Theologian.)

Instagram has become another outlet for leaders like Masonheimer to challenge and teach. But her earnest, biblically faithful embrace of theology stands in contrast to other influencers who may appear in womens feeds.

Author Leigh Stein examined the empty religions of Instagram in a 2021 New York Times article, noting that the women weve chosen as our moral leaders arent challenging us to ask the fundamental questions that leaders of faith have been wrestling with for thousands of years: Why are we here? Why do we suffer? What should we believe in beyond the limits of our puny selfhood?

Among her own followers, Masonheimer has seen the opposite: troves of women who crave deep theology and thoughtful, strong answers to tangible questions like How can I study the Bible for myself? What does the Bible say about sex? How can I hear Gods voice?

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Phylicia breaks down pink fluff womens theology that has infiltrated the church and then builds a firm foundation on the true gospel that sets us free, wrote Gretchen Saffles, founder of Well-Watered Women, in her endorsement for one of Masonheimers books.

Masonheimer thinks women might be turning to the internet because of a lack of discipleship in some local church contexts in the United States.

We fill a void in the local church, Masonheimer said. I have learned that people want specifics. They dont want a vague sermon about sin; they want a sermon breaking down what Corinthians says about sexual sin and pornography. They dont want a feel-good message about prosperity; deep down they really dont. They want a message telling them how to trust God in suffering or how to hear Gods voice for real, how to actually walk by the Spirit. When the church doesnt preach it, they find it somewhere else.

Her lineup of resourcesbooks, e-books, newsletters, blog posts, podcast episodes, and eventsare reaching tens of thousands of women in a way she couldnt imagine when she began years ago.

Masonheimer was a Christian blogger with a religion degree from Liberty University when she and her husband, Josh, closed on their farmhouse in northern Michigan in 2017. The next day, Josh lost his job.

In desperation, with $500 in the bank, she threw out a crazy idea: Lets launch a book about sex, compiling my blog posts, and see what happens.

Christian Cosmo: The Sex Talk You Never Had e-book sold 800 copies in one week and financially supported their family for two to three months.

During nap times, the young mom continued to type out more e-books on the Bible, theology, and Christian livingfocusing on questions her Instagram followers asked heras Josh worked another project management job.

Masonheimer focused on sexuality and purity culture in her early years because of her own background. At 12 years old, while rummaging through books at a local garage sale, she stumbled upon an erotica novel.

I looked for [The] Boxcar Children or something like that but found something unexpected, she recalled. At first I was interested, and then I felt shamebut I still sought it out more and more.

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She kept the secret from everyone because she felt pressure to present a good-girl image. Yet after a few years of struggling with pornography, she started to grasp for freedom.

I knew I couldnt do it. I eventually encountered the Lord through the Holy Spirit through his Word and began asking questions: What is sin? Why does the Bible get to tell me what to do? How does God actually overcome sin? If I repent, how am I forgiven?

Her willingness to address sex and purity also garnered her traction in the blogsphere and then Instagram. Her first viral post, The Day I Wore Yoga Pants, received 90,000 hits in a single day about a decade ago.

At the time I truly felt convicted of that issue, even though I parroted things I learned about in purity culture, she said. But, actually, I still wore yoga pants [laughs], just with a tunic or something over them.

This viral post pinned Masonheimer on the map of Instagram influencers. She became known as Yoga Pants Girl.

So many women, I think, were just [so] desperate to hear another woman talk about it (sex) that they resonated with it, even if they didnt agree with my view on yoga pants, she said.

It also strengthened her determination to say what needs said, regardless of peoples responses.

I got horrible feedback. People said they wished my children would be abused, that they hated me, or they hoped Id dieall because of yoga pants! she said.

Studying at Liberty, she encountered more diversity in denominations beyond her nondenominational upbringing, and her time studying Scripture contributed to her freedom from sexual sin.

We broke down Bible passages in the Gospel of John, and I received answers to the questions about my struggle with my besetting sin of pornography, she said. John 14 through 17 stuck out to me the most. If I loved God, I would obey him. If I abided in him, I would bear much fruit and prove to be his disciple.

Another turning point came through another viral blog post. This time, the target was womens conferences that lacked an ardor for theology and Bible teaching. Dear Womens Ministry, Stop Telling Me Im Beautiful ended up being a significant enough topic that she turned it into a bookStop Calling Me Beautifulreleased in 2020 by Harvest House.

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It was then that Masonheimers ministry grew beyond writing. Her friend, Eric Novak, worked in marketing and suggested she sell products on her webpage.

I thought about her heart for people to read the Bible for themselves and know what they believe, so I came up with Every Woman a Theologian, Novak said. Phy was driving when I mentioned it to her, and she said, Oh my gosh, youre making me cry!

Every Woman a Theologian launched its first shop with a mug and T-shirts. Masonheimer and her executive assistant, Novaks wife, Hannah, posed as models for the products. They were a hit, so the store kept expanding.

The ministry now publishes theology booklets and childrens books under Verity Press, its printing label. It also sells home products (from posters to potting soil) through their Verity Home branda heartbeat of Masonheimers passion for home-centered discipleship.

At her annual Verity Conference, hundreds gather for robust teaching at a two-day event in Masonheimers hometown of Petoskey, Michigan. Its tagline about connecting right where you are planted directs participants to engage in their local bodies.

While there are many female influencers claiming to be Bible teachers, followers and fans say Masonheimer stands out due to her commitment to promoting deep study, providing clear communication, and presenting a variety of views on theology, cultural issues, and church history. (For example, even though shes clear about her own Arminian view of soteriology, she shares other orthodox perspectives when she answers questions.)

Ive appreciated her dedication to seeing average folks have theological literacy, expressed Sara Mannschreck, a homeschool mom of five. She doesnt water things down, honoring theological complexity while making it simple and accessible.

One benefit of the interactivity and instant response of social media is that Masonheimer is able to answer questions in real time. In 2019, when Bethel Church in Redding, California, held prayer meetings in hopes of resurrecting two-year-old Olive Heiligenthal, women reached out to her on Instagram for help to understand and process their own faith crises in response.

A lot of people were extremely confused and reached out to me with stories like My daughter died, I had a miscarriage, I had a stillborn baby, she said. They wanted to know if they should have prayed differently. I tried to talk about it as gently as I could from a theological and biblical standpoint.

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Addressing the #WakeUpOlive situation led to a significant expansion of Every Woman a Theologian and brought traffic to the Verity podcast.

We are dedicated to showing multiple views and perspectives, being gracious to other denominations and traditions, and staying true to the Word of God, she said.

Several followers of Every Woman a Theologian shared with CT the reasons why they enjoy the ministrys Instagram content. They appreciate how Masonheimer encourages her listeners to study and decide what to believe on issues that may allow for varying views and how she shares her day-to-day life.

Recently on launch day for their summer product line, Masonheimer posted a day in the life reel. Her family slowly started the morning, several of them sick, including herself. At around 9:15 a.m., toast was served, dishes were washed, and the laundry was booted.

She then filmed herself sitting at her computer typing, wearing makeup and a gauzy white dress, with the caption Feel like death. Dress as if you dont. Viewers saw her cuddling a knee-high blond child, a counter full of natural remedieszinc and colloidal silverand moments of her daughter playing with wood blocks outside with the backdrop of a weeping willow and mowed grass.

Theres an intentionality to her life and postingshoping to stave off jealousy or judgment with regular reminders about setting boundaries and creating margin. Masonheimer has set up a system for productivity (you can sign up for her free email course) and relies on a small team, which includes her husband, who quit his job in 2020 when she was pregnant with their third child.

Josh took over much of the logistics of the small family business, such as managing the barn warehouse and finances. They work in partnership to homeschool, host discipleship relationships through their local church, and cook eggs from the chickens for breakfast.

Some men in my life asked me if I would be fulfilled not providing for the family with my own career, he said. I guess Im different than a lot of men. I dont internalize cultural expectations. We each have our own strengths. Why should we ignore our strengths because of expectations?

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The kids had been homeschooling with Josh in the mornings while Phylicia worked on content creation, but she really wanted to homeschool, so they switched up the routine. I think every season we will need to adjust how the household and work rhythms function best, she said.

You can sometimes hear Adeline in the background with her siblings during her moms Ask Anything Mondays reels, where she responds to followers questionsranging from disciplining children to the doctrine of the Trinity.

Accessible, public, free theology seems to be doing well for Every Woman a Theologian. While its still easy to find self-help platitudes dressed in Bible verses on Instagram, Masonheimer is part of a cadre of popular women sharing Bible teaching and theology, such as Ruth Chou Simons, Liv Dooley, and Portia Collins, among others.

Ive seen firsthand that its very hard for women with the gift of teaching to use that gift in a more scholarly way for everyday women, navigate the current climate being in the hot seat, while also wanting to maintain orthodoxy, said Hannah Novak, Phylicias executive assistant. Youre really battling the fact that hot takes and pithy social media posts are more culturally acceptable from women than sound teaching.

The challenge with Instagrams access where anyone is a theologian is the danger of unsound doctrine and every wind of teaching (Eph. 4:14) being offered as the Bible-based verified truthsometimes from professing Christians untethered to theological accountability.

Masonheimer is aware of this risk and asks trusted pastors, ministry leaders, and theological scholars to vet her work. She invites the theological oversight of her local church leadership and employs editorial work from theologically trained editors.

It might be that social media is our cultures Areopagus, where every kind of philosophy and theology are practiced in the public squareand where women turn for teachers when their tea and feel-good book studies dont offer robust discipleship in their local churches (or they simply stopped going a while ago).

Yet womenand menstill need to be careful to live as Bereans, examining the Scriptures daily to see if what they hear is true (Acts 17:11). Examining the Scripture is indeed what Masonheimer hopes all women will do. Her dream is that every woman will study the Bible, know what she believes, and communicate it graciously.
Since the beginning of May, ethnic and religious violence in Manipur, a state in northeast India, has resulted in the deaths of at least 142 people, the destruction of over 300 churches and hundreds of villages, and one of the largest violence-driven internal displacements in recent Indian history. A fact-finding team that visited earlier this month reported that the clashes were state-sponsored, and the violence has uprooted more than 65,000 people from their homes and forced them to seek shelter elsewhere.

India records the highest numbers of internal displacements annually, primarily due to natural disasters. But recent communal violence and persecution against religious minorities has wreaked havoc in numerous Indian states, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.

While the government has an official legal framework for helping communities displaced by natural disasters and development projects, it has none for those displaced by violence or manmade conflict. Instead, the level of response has varied widely depending on public sympathy for the victims, media attention, and protests by those affected. Rehabilitation, including the provision of permanent shelter, jobs, and education, remains a significant challenge for the government and the church.

More than two months after the violence began in Manipur, at least 1,000 families are sheltering in Delhi, says L. Kamzamang, a pastor working with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Manipur.

Not only are most of the IDPs scattered in various cities and towns in India not wanting to go back to their homes, but young people who are in Manipur are planning to come out of Manipur, said Kamzamang. There is nothing to do there. There are no jobs, no source of income. Everything stands still. How will these young people support themselves and their families there?

A lack of numbers

Regardless of the reason, displacement causes immense and lasting suffering and upheaval for the affected individuals and communities. It can uproot entire populations from places they have called home for up to hundreds of years and destroy livelihoods, social networks, and economic stability.

IDPs and refugees often lose their connection to the land, historical sites, sacred places, and cultural artifacts, all of which hold deep meaning for them. Displacement disrupts the transmission of cultural knowledge, traditions, and languages from one generation to another and can result in the erosion of cultural practices, customs, and beliefs that have been passed down for centuries.

When a community is dispersed and its members are scattered, the collective memory and shared experiences that form the foundation of a cultural identity can be fractured, besides disrupting education, healthcare, and basic services, and exacerbating the vulnerability of those affected. Displaced individuals may also face discrimination, marginalization, and further violence in their search for safety and stability.

India records some of the highest figures for internally displaced persons each year, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). The countrys large population and socioeconomic vulnerability contributes to the scale of displacement, a situation often provoked by natural disasters.

In the last seven years, an average of over 3 million people per year have been displaced in India. In comparison, fighting in Ukraine has resulted in a total of 1.7 million IDPs between 2014 and 2021.

As for those who have been internally displaced due to violence or conflict, systemic data on those affected is virtually nonexistent due to the absence of a legal framework and the lack of government data. But in 2022 the IDMC recorded 1,000 IDPs primarily resulting from localized incidents of intercommunal (sectarian) violence.

As of late 2022 and prior to the Manipur conflict, approximately 631,000 Indians are still displaced within the country. Many of these communities have been displaced for several decades, including 108,000 people from northeastern India, due to conflicts in northeast states Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura, and 321,000 people from northern states Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, 18 of Indias 28 states are home to IDPs.

A growing terror

Displacement due to religious persecution and conflict in India dates back to the early days of the country. The Partition of India in 1947 changed the political borders that formed India and Pakistan, spurring the killings of more than a million people and causing a massive displacement of at least 20 million. Millions of Muslims migrated from the Indian side to the Pakistan side, while Hindus, Sikhs and others moved towards present day India. Since then, sectarian strifeor communal violence, as it is better known in Indiahas pushed minorities and underprivileged communities to seek refuge both inside and outside the country.

For years, large-scale religious violence mostly spared Indian Christians, while Muslim minorities were regularly targetedand continue to be today. Then in the 1990s, those influenced by Hindu extremist ideology, which justifies violence toward religious minorities, began to systematically target Indian Christians.

In 1998 extremists burned down 35 churches between Christmas and New Years in the Dang district of Gujarat. Some Christians permanently left the area over this attack, says Jimmy Damore, a Christian leader in Gujarat.

In 2003 and 2004, extremist mobs and leaders associated with Hindu right-wing movements and political parties attacked Christians in the Jhabua and Alirajpur districts of Madhya Pradesh. The government was slow to secure the situation, leaving Christians away from their homes for months.

The worst post-independence violence against Christians in India took place in 2008 in Kandhamal, Odisha, where mobs killed at least 100 people and drove at least 75,000 people from their homes.

Unlike earlier Christian IDPs, a large number of Kandhamal residents did not returnattackers had destroyed their homes. After months in under-resourced and neglected relief camps, many moved to cities where they struggled to find long term, secure employment in other cities in the state.

Well-settled people with property and homes now had to embrace poverty, said John Dayal, who led an independent fact-finding team to Kandhamal in January 2008. Emerging from poverty is not easy; it has to do with long term employment, and not instant charity that may follow violence or a natural disaster. Charity did build some houses [for the victims], but the move out of poverty came for those who could get employment.

Since the Kandhamal attacks, there have been multiple reports of Christians being threatened, beaten up, socially boycotted, and forced to flee their homes from states like Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.

Last year, violence broke out in Chhattisgarh against the tribal Christian community and displaced more than 2,500 people. Fleeing believers left behind animals, crops, and numerous belongings inside their homes, says Akhilesh Edgar, bishop of the Milap Community Episcopal Church and a resident of Chhattisgarh.

Their homes were looted, animals were stolen, and crops were confiscated, he said.

Since then, many previously economically stable community members have been forced into abject poverty, with little ability to provide for their families beyond seeking out work as daily wage laborers.

Life for the displaced does not continue to remain the same and is in a way worse than the violence unleashed against them, as they are forced to start from scratch all over again and in a place that is not familiar to them, said Edgar.

The lack of security and severe loss of property forces victims to make hard choices, says Vijayesh Lal, general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India.

Most end up in poverty and stare at a future that is uncertain for them and their families. The struggle to survive takes precedence over the struggle for justice, he said. There is no time for reflection, for mourning, or even to address the deep-seated mental and emotional trauma that is irreparable.

The new normal

Generally, Indias state governments, in collaboration with the central government, undertake the rehabilitation of displaced communities through diverse assistance schemes and programs. But because there is no specific law for people displaced due to violence or conflict, there is also no uniformity in the compensation, as Outlook highlighted last year .

Instead, authorities responses to victims depend on IDP protests and media coverage of the attacks. Last December, more than 1,500 Christians fled from their homes due to violence in Chhattisgarh. They were forced to spend two days and nights outside in harsh weather conditions in front of a government office in Narayanpur, begging local leaders to provide a safe place for them to shelter. Only after media began highlighting these victims plight did the local authorities open an indoor stadium for the IDP community.

However, due to likely pressure from higher-ups and Hindu right-wing groups, within days the government insisted that the Christians return to their villages. Without other housing options, some returned to hostile environments where they continue to face violence, opposition, pressure, social ostracization, and discrimination, and are regularly forced to recant their faith.

On the other hand, according to local leaders, only a fraction of the internally displaced persons in Chhattisgarh have gone back. Others chose to stay in district headquarters or nearby towns where they could periodically check in on their ransacked village homes.

Everything that I owned has gone, I do not know how we will face tomorrow. We are back in our village, for we could not afford rentals in Narayanpur town, but the villagers have told us that they are waiting for the right opportunity to kick us out of our own home once again, one visibly disturbed resident, who did not want to give their name for security reasons, told CT.

As Chhattisgarh Christians grapple with this new normal, Edgar remembers that this was not always the case. Religiously-diverse tribal communities have been living together on very good and friendly terms for decades, he points out.

People in this region have been following the Christian faith for a long time. Some are even third or fourth generation Christians and have lived in peace and harmony for decades with fellow villagers and neighbors. It is only when groups with vested interests and ideology enter the area and mislead the people, only then this violence and atrocities started, said Edgar. To initiate peace and to rehabilitate people in their own homes, the government must make sure that the organizations that polarize people are stopped, and that a message of trust and tolerance is spread.

But for many Christians in Manipur, preventative measures are too late.

Thousands are still living in relief camps or with their relatives or friends in Manipur and in other states. There are reports of armed groups attacking relief camps, raising concerns over the security and safety of those being sheltered there.

Weeks after violence first forced people from their homes, Lal worries about what will happen to this displaced community when the resources run out or another disaster grabs the publics attention.

Then Manipur may be forgotten, like Kandhamal has been. But the broken lives of the victims take a long time to mend and heal. The church and NGOs have limited resources and they can only do so much, said Lal. The government must compensate the victims whose homes have been lost and lives shattered. Churches must be rebuilt by the government, but will they? Many victims of Kandhamal are still waiting for their just compensation even after nearly 15 years.
Countries with more baby boomers who say they believe in God as described in holy scriptures (including the Bible, the Quran, and the Torah) are less likely to have members of Gen Z who do.

But countries with fewer boomers who hold this belief are more likely to have members of Gen Z who do.

In a recent Ipsos Global Advisor survey of nearly 20,000 adults from across 26 countries, the researchers found that in nine countries where less than one-third of adults believe in God as described in holy scriptures, Generation Z was more likely to hold these convictions than boomers.

In Northern and Western Europe, Gen Z was more likely than the boomer generation to say they believe in heaven, supernatural spirits, hell, and the Devil. In places like South Africa and India, however, boomers were more likely than Gen Z members to believe in these aspects of the spiritual realm.

Boomers were also more likely than younger people to identify as Christian in half of the countries.

This study was conducted via face-to-face and online interviews. However, only Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the US numbers can be considered representative of their general adult population.

Samples in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey are more urban, more educated, and/or more affluent than the general population, explains Ipsos. The survey results for these countries should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more connected segment of their population. Indias sample represents a large subset of its urban populationsocial economic classes A, B and C in metros and tier 13 town classes across all four zones.

Among the countries surveyed, the percentage of Christians as a portion of the population peaked at 76 percent. However, most of the countries had Christian majorities, and more than two-thirds of people in Peru, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Brazil, Italy, and Argentina identified as Christians.

The beliefs and practices of Christians in these countries, however, diverged sharply from one another.

Well over half (64%) of Peruvians surveyed said they pray outside a place of worship once a month or more; however, less than half (37%) said they go to a place of worship that often. And the percentage of people in Peru who believe that religion does more harm than good dropped from 38 percent in 2017 to 32 percent.

Colombia followed a similar pattern, where more people pray outside a place of worship (74%) than attend a place of worship (44%).

The same tendencies could also be seen in Brazil, where 70 percent of the population said they are Christian. Brazilians surveyed expressed strong positive associations with Gods role in their lives. The vast majority said that believing in God or higher forces allows them to overcome crises (90%), gives meaning to their lives (89%), and makes them happier on average (88%). The countrys rate of religious tolerance also increased from 70 percent in 2017 to 81 percent in 2023.

Of the 26 countries surveyed, South Africa expressed the highest levels of tolerance (92%) for other religions. It also had the highest percentage of people (78%) who pray outside a place of worship, although, much like Brazil and Colombia, only about half (51%) actually attend. The country had the most positive associations with Gods role in peoples lives, with more than 80 percent of respondents saying that their belief in God or higher forces helps in overcoming crises (89%), gives meaning to life (93%), and makes them happier (89%).

Religious tolerance in Mexico increased from 66 percent in 2017 to 73 percent in 2023. And the belief that religion does more harm than good dropped from 43 percent in 2017 to 37 percent in 2023. The number of people who said that religion defines them as individuals rose from 31 percent in 2017 to 42 percent in 2023.

While three-quarters of Polish people are Christian (75%), only about half (52%) believe in God as described in holy scripture. And although religious tolerance increased in Poland from 74 percent in 2017 to 80 percent in 2023, other religious metrics dropped in the same time frame.

For instance, there were decreases in the number of people who said they believe in the following categories: that religious practices are an important factor in the moral life of a citizen (62% vs. 48%), that religion does more harm than good (49% vs. 44%), that religion defines a person (54% vs. 45%), and that people with a religious faith are better citizens (36% vs. 26%).

A majority of Italians identify as Christian (68%), yet less than half pray outside a place of worship at least once a month (37%) and even fewer attend a place of worship at least once a month (23%). Similarly, a minority of people in Italy believe that religious faith makes someone a better citizen (34%), that religion defines a person (48%), and that people with a religious faith are happier (47%).

Much like Italians, less than half of Argentinians said they pray outside a place of worship (42%) and less than a quarter go to a place of worship (20%). Although a little over two-thirds of the population said they are Christian (68%), only about half said they believe in God as described in holy scripture (53%).

While Christianity in South Korea has historically been more robust than in other parts of East Asia, among the countries polled, South Korea had the highest percentage of people who claim to have no religion (53%) and the highest percentage of those who said they do not believe in God or any higher power (44%). From 2017 to 2023, South Koreas religious tolerance also dropped from 65 percent to 53 percent.

Japan exhibited lower levels of religious interest as well. The country repeatedly had a low, if not the lowest, percentage for any religious affiliation across the boardwith only 2 percent claiming to be Christian. From 2017 to 2023, Japan became 26 percentage points more likely to believe that religion does more harm than good, increasing to 52 percent.

In Hungary, whose leader, Viktor Orban, has become a champion of Christian nationalism, Christians make up the majority (58%) of the populace, though 31 percent claim no religion at all. Less than a quarter of the population agreed that religion defines them as individuals (15%) and that people with religious faith are better citizens (16%). Six percent said they lose respect for people when they discover they do not have a religious faith.

Among Hungarians, some of these categories dropped significantly from the 2017 survey, including a decrease from 53 percent that year to 37 percent in 2023 for the number of people who believe religion does more harm than good. There was also a drop from 29 percent in 2017 to 15 percent in 2023 for the number of people who believe that religion defines them as individuals.

Half of the 26 countries surveyed had majorities who believe in heaven. But only 9 of those had majorities that believe in hell, 12 had majorities that believe in supernatural spirits, and 9 had majorities that believe in the Devil.

Of all countries surveyed, Peru had the largest percentage of people (79%) who said they believe in heaven. Majorities also said they believe in hell (60%), although this figure represented a nearly 20 percentage-point drop from those who believe in heaven.

While Brazil (79%), South Africa (78%), and Colombia (78%) also had high percentages of people who believe in heaven, they had lower percentages of people who believe in hell, with 66 percent, 61 percent, and 58 percent respectively.

Forty-four percent of Belgians identify as Christian. But of all countries surveyed, they had lowest number of people who said they believe in heaven (22%), supernatural spirits (26%), hell (16%), and the Devil (18%).

The surveys most religious non-Christian countries included India, Thailand, and Turkey, with nearly 100 percent of people in India (99%) and Thailand (98%) claiming to be religious.

Despite such a high religious population, only 2 percent of Indias population claim to be Christian. A majority said they believe in heaven (54%), but less than half believe in hell (47%), supernatural spirits (43%), and the Devil (41%).

In the same way, only 4 percent of Thais surveyed said they are Christian. Yet Thailand had high majorities of people who have positive associations with Gods role in their livesover 80 percent agreed that believing in God or higher forces helps them overcome crises (82%), gives meaning to life (85%), and makes them happier (88%).

Out of the 26 countries surveyed, Thailand had the lowest percentage (27%) of those who believe that religion does more harm than good. People in Thailand said they believe in heaven and hell, equally, at 63 percent, but under half of Thais surveyed said they believe in the Devil (40%).

Although 87 percent of Turks surveyed said they are religious, only 2 percent are Christian. Turkey also had significantly high majorities of people who believe in heaven (78%), supernatural spirits (72%), hell (76%), and the Devil (76%).

From 2017 to 2023, five countries saw declines in the percentages of people who believe their religion defines them as individuals and who believe that religious practices are an important factor in the moral life of their countrys citizens. Hungary, Germany, South Korea, Poland, and the United States were the nations that experienced this.

Overall, most people in all the countries surveyed felt comfortable around others with different religious beliefs. Religious tolerance rose in nine countries from 2017 to 2023, with France seeing the largest increase: 63 percent to 79 percent. Tolerance fell in just four countries, with South Korea having the most significant drop: 65 percent in 2017 to 53 percent in 2023.

[ This article is also available in espanol. ]
The Methodist Church in Kenya elected a new presiding bishop on July 20, three months after the last one was forced from leadership.

Isaiah Deye, 61, was elected with 76 percent of the vote at the 58th Annual Conference of the Church in Nairobi, raising hopes that recent turmoil and threats of schism will come to an end.

I am greatly humbled and yet highly honored to be elected as the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya and accept your decision that I should ascend to the office of the Presiding Bishop, Deye said in his acceptance speech on Friday. I pledge to be a leader who will seek to serve rather than to be served, and a role model for all the clergy and laity.

The bishop has led the church in an acting capacity since April, when Bishop Joseph Ntombura was removed from office due to allegations of mishandling church funds and investments in a hospital, a resort, and a national university.

The allegations had put Ntombura in conflict with other church leaders. Methodist churches across the country had begun to make moves to create their own autonomous conference.

Deye garnered 281 votes, a majority of the 366 ballots cast. The race included three other candidates. His closest rival, Catherine Mutua, garnered 35 votes.

Deye is the second presiding bishop from the countrys coast region, which includes the regions capital, Mombasa. Most church leaders have come from Meru, a region of Eastern Kenya.

Deye has said he hopes to be an example of Christian love and service in the church and asked for the church to unite behind him. To succeed, I need your help in my efforts to bring unity in the church. For unity to take root there has to be harmony in the church, the bishop said.

Earlier this month, Deye welcomed back to the church clergy and members who were ex-communicated or had left the church due to the disagreements with the former presiding bishop.

The British Methodist Church established Methodism in Kenya in 1862. In 1967, four years after the country won its independence from the United Kingdom, the church, too, became independent and known as the Methodist Church of Kenya.

By 2019, the church had eight synods (each headed by a bishop), 205 ministers and 1,000 congregations, with 300,000 registered members amid a broader Methodist community of 800,000. It sponsors 200 schools, a hospital, agricultural training institutes, youth polytechnic and technical schools, special schools for the physically disabled and vocational schools.

The church had remained fairly stable until 2015, when Ntombura, two years into his 10-year term, changed its constitution and established new rules. He has been accused of defrocking more than 100 clergy, selling church property without approval and using other properties as security for loans.

But now, clerics and lay Methodists in Kenya hope the new leader can breathe new life into the church and unite and heal it following the bitter wrangles under Ntomburas leadership.

The Methodist Church in Kenya is at the verge of bouncing back, former Bishop Paul Matumbi Muthuri told Religion News Service. We came bleeding but the Lord has spoken. Brethren are now reconciled to each other. And moving forward we see a church that is one, embracing and in mission.

Mischek Kobia Michubu, a steward of the Kawangware Circuit in Nairobi, said he hoped Deye would begin a process of healing and reconciliation and bring members who had left the church in the past decade back to the fold.

I think he can easily unite the church, said Michubu. He has overwhelming support for strongholds. All the way to the grassroots, the church members are extremely happy about this election.
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrives for a press briefing after participating in a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., July 18. AFP-Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Gen. Mark Milley's recent remarks that the Korean Peninsula could be "in a state of war within a few days" were inappropriate, diplomatic observers said, Monday.



Local experts, who viewed that Milley's intention was probably to highlight Washington's commitment to maintaining peace and security on the peninsula, said that he should have been more prudent in his choice of words.



Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, called Milley's remarks "inappropriate."



"Such remarks, coming from the chairman of the U.S. JCS, not only create concerns among the South Korean public but also give an impression that the U.S. is being swayed by North Korea's strategy of creating tensions on the Korean Peninsula through continuous military provocations," he said. "They certainly do not help in easing the tensions."



The criticism came after the top U.S. military commander spoke about the security situation on the peninsula during an interview with Japanese daily Nikkei published on Saturday.



"I think that the Korean situation is an area that the United States could  I'm not saying it will, but 'could'  find itself in a state of war, you know, within a few days, with very little notice," the general was quoted as saying.



Milley described North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as "unpredictable."



He also commented that the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fired by the North Korean regime on July 12 was "a very significant test of an ICBM that could range and hit the U.S. mainland."



It is understandable for the American top general to perceive the current situation on the peninsula as a grave security threat to the Indo-Pacific region, but he may have gone too far, said Park.



"Milley's comments were symbolic, rather than accurate," said Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the state-run Korea Institute of National Unification.



"If he was referring to a full-scale war, there's a slim chance for such a situation to occur with little notice. The current rising tensions may result in skirmishes, but a full-scale war is unlikely to happen abruptly without any warning signs."



He added, "I think he wanted to highlight the U.S.' commitment to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, and send a message that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo should team up against Pyongyang's nuclear threats."



Cho said Milley's remarks could have been made within the context of rising nuclear tensions on the peninsula in recent months.





South Korean navy sailors welcome the entry of USS Annapolis, a Los Angeles-class fast attack nuclear-powered submarine, to a naval base on Jeju Island, Monday. Courtesy of Navy
30 migrant workers from Mexico make professions for Christ at Georgia church event

The power of one church invitation can lead to a chain reaction of faith to build God's Kingdom on earth, according to a Georgia pastor who recently invited 60 unchurched Mexican migrant workers to his church, where many accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Pastor Richard Compton of First Baptist Church of Rochelle said he was responding to a command that God placed on his heart when he invited dozens of migrant workers from Mexico to his church to have dinner and hear the Gospel message on July 13.

Roughly half of the 60 migrant workers  who came to southwest Georgia to harvest watermelons  prayed to receive and accept Jesus into their hearts at the event, Compton told The Christian Post.

The 57-year-old pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rochelle, which averages about 115 congregants every Sunday for services, is calling on other churches nationally to take the leap of faith by opening their houses of worship to more unchurched people.

"One of my deacons here in the church, his name is Don Wood, he harvests watermelons. I found out at about the end of June a little bit about how he does that. He typically hires folks from some different countries. This time, he happened to have folks from Mexico, and he brought them in through a contract for labor work to harvest his watermelon crop," Compton said.

"Every summer, before his harvesters leave, he usually hosts a dinner for them out in his shed where they harvest the watermelons. It's a dinner as a token of appreciation for all the hard work. This year, I felt God was calling me to offer the invitation to host the dinner in my church."

Someone affiliated with the church share the Gospel in Spanish during the event.

Referencing Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands believers to spread the Gospel, Compton hopes to continue to host more evangelistic events in the years to come.

"God placed it on my heart to see if we could do something. It was just a one-time event. Next year, hopefully, we can do more. To see those folks that we see throughout the summer taking care of our watermelon crops, to see them hear the Gospel and given the opportunity to respond to salvation. That was wonderful. That was awesome. Only God could do that. And I didn't know what to expect. But boy, did God show up. It was wonderful," Compton said.

The pastor said he constantly prays for more churches to do more to invite those who don't typically step foot within churches. Too often, he said, many people don't attend church because they are never invited.

Studies have shown that people who don't typically attend church are more likely to attend church only if they are invited.

According to a study cited in Thom Rainer's book The Unchurched Next Door, about 82% of unchurched individuals are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited. However, only 2% of church members have invited a single unchurched person to church.

A 2016 study from Lifeway Research suggests that one-third of unchurch individuals are likely to attend church if invited.

"These statistics don't shock me because we don't do a good job of inviting our friends and our neighbors and our coworkers to church. I think every Sunday, as pastors, we should encourage and challenge our folks to invite their friends and neighbors and coworkers to church, and then encourage them next Sunday to do the same thing and encourage them the following Sunday to do the same thing," Compton advised.

"Those statistics, I believe, are spot on. God has placed specific churches in specific communities for a purpose. And I don't believe any church is there by accident. I believe God has placed us where we are as a church in the community that we are in. It is our job to reach out and to invite folks to our church," he added.

"Not everybody is going to go to our church. I understand that. But, as we invite people to church, that then begins the process of sharing with people the importance of having a relationship with Christ and the importance of going to church."

Compton said that fear and time management issues often keep Christians from extending invitations to their unchurched friends, family members and co-workers.

The pastor noted that these two factors can also prevent believers from extending invitations to people they might not know but meet in public.

"I think it's a combination of both. Life happens. I mean, we're all busy in our own separate ways. We all have stuff to do, whether that's work-related, whether that's home related, whether that's family related, whether that's recreation related. So, we all have stuff, life. Life goes on," Compton said.

"That's part of it. But, I think a lot of it, as well, is fear. We're just afraid. We're afraid of the response that people that we talk to about Jesus will have. We're afraid of being labeled. We're afraid of the language in this culture that we live in. We're afraid of being canceled. That fear plays a whole big part in it, as to why people are more reluctant to invite folks to church."

One remedy that can potentially aid the Church is if believers cultivate more spiritual disciplines that could potentially lead to their own increased faith, according to Compton.

"I believe we have to start by ourselves bolstering our faith, bolstering our own personal relationships with God, getting ourselves on a firm foundation with God. And being involved in church, not just going to church, but being involved in the ministries that our church has. And if we see a need in our community, and our church can help that need, being a part of the big catalyst to begin that ministry within the life of our church," Compton said.

"We have to take the responsibility ourselves to work on our own faith and our own relationship with God before we can ever try to feel comfortable with reaching out and encouraging others to be a part of the family of God."

Compton said if Christians  pastors especially  aren't willing to meet the people within their communities, the statistics of the unchurched will remain as they are.

"We need to get out in our communities. Too many churches, I believe, are closed in, and we don't ever go out in our communities and get to know our communities. We need to just get out of the four walls of our church, as a church itself, as a body of believers, as people, and take the things of our church and minister outside our church walls, instead of only having stuff within the church," Compton said.

"We also need to go out and we need to do things in the communities: whether that's food related ministries, whether that's helping to pick up trash, or helping to do whatever God places on your heart for the betterment of our community. And then, God can use that to reach and impact unchurched people's lives."
Christian father of 2 girls tortured, jailed on allegations of sending 'blasphemous' WhatsApp message

LAHORE, Pakistan  A judge is allowing a Catholic to be charged with blasphemy under Pakistans anti-terrorism law, which his attorney said is illegal and illogical.

Attorney Rana Abdul Hameed said Lahore Anti-Terrorism Judge Abher Gul Khan on July 6 rejected his application seeking the elimination of the terrorism charges against 32-year-old Imran Rehman, arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from Lahore on Sept. 14, on allegations that he had shared a blasphemous message in a WhatsApp group. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered the same day.

The government is working on draft amendments to allow blasphemy cases to be tried under Pakistans anti-terrorism laws, but at present they do not come under their purview, Hameed said.

Theres no legal provision yet for trying blasphemy accused under anti-terror laws, he told Morning Star News. The FIAs act of including Anti-Terrorism Act sections in the FIR is completely illegal, yet the judge has denied our plea.

The charges against Rehman, who worked at a ticket office of the Lahore Metro Bus System, are baseless, he said. Rehman was charged under Sections 295-A, 295-B, 295-C and 298 of Pakistans blasphemy statutes, Section 109/34 and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, and sections 6(2)(1), 7, 8 and 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

Rehman denies that he shared blasphemous content on social media. Calling the charges against him under the anti-terrorism act illogical and illegal, Hameed said he will file a motion with the Lahore High Court to drop the terrorism charges.

Suspects accused of blasphemy under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), especially those belonging to vulnerable and marginalized groups, suffer severe trauma and are subjected to unfair trials, Hameed said.

This unjust labeling of blasphemy accused as terrorists creates a perception that the accused poses a serious threat to society not only as a blasphemer but also as a terrorist, he said. My client is under severe mental pressure as he is imprisoned in a barrack where four out of six prisoners suffer from mental illness. These false accusations and label of being a suspected terrorist are taking a toll on both his mental and physical health, and its important that the courts realize the injustice being meted out to the poor man.

Joseph Jansen, an advocacy officer at the Jubilee Campaign, said Rehman was father to two minor girls and was the sole breadwinner for the family.

His family is deeply distressed and concerned for his well-being, Jansen told Morning Star News. They allege that Rehman was subjected to severe torture and forced to confess to a crime he did not commit.

The rights advocate said that police in Pakistan were continuing to register blasphemy cases under ATA in violation of the intended mandate of the law.

Rehmans case underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of the laws and procedures related to blasphemy accusations to ensure fairness, protect the rights of the accused, and prevent potential abuses of power, Jansen said.

Moreover, Pakistans blasphemy laws are incompatible with international human rights standards, he said.

The accuser who levels blasphemy allegations against any person is bound to prove malicious intent, but this stipulation is missing in legislation and is not taken into account during blasphemy trials, Jansen said.

On June 17, Pakistans Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Economic Affairs Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq signed an agreement with leaders of the extremist Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) that would allow blasphemy cases to be tried under the countrys anti-terrorism law.

The agreement stipulates that punishment under Section 7 of the ATA would apply to suspects charged with committing blasphemy under the Pakistan Penal Codes Section 295-C against making derogatory remarks about the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

The government also agreed to establish a Counter Blasphemy Wing under the FIA to take action against the dissemination of blasphemous content on the internet. In addition, the agreement calls for speedy trials of blasphemy suspects, as well as a swift appeals process.

A Muslim lawyer of the Supreme Court, Asad Jamal, told Morning Star News that derogatory remarks about Muhammad under Section 295-C do not fall under the definition of terrorism and that the purpose of the ATA is to curb sectarianism.

295-C relates to hurting of religious sentiments as a result of blasphemy against [the Islamic] prophet Muhammad, whereas Section 7 of ATA is specifically for acts wherein the general public feels terrorized by violence, Jamal previously told Morning Star News. It warrants a question here of how can an accused instigate the masses and simultaneously also terrorize them? Going ahead with any move to amend the ATA to include Section 295-C will only worsen the human rights situation in Pakistan.

For the agreement to take effect, the government must amend the ATA through parliament.

Blasphemy against Muhammad is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and conviction requires little legal evidence.

As a result, the blasphemy laws are often used as a weapon of revenge against both Muslims and non-Muslims to settle personal scores or to resolve disputes over money, property, or business. In a religiously sensitive country, a mere allegation is enough to provoke a mob to riot and lynch those accused of blasphemy.

Blasphemy allegations have also 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.

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.
Police investigating firebombing at Texas church

Police in Texas are investigating the firebombing of Community Unitarian Universalist Church of Plano, a congregation recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a "Welcoming Congregation," because they include folks who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life.

Unitarian Universalism according to the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, is a liberal religion that encompasses many faith traditions. Unlike most religions, it is not centered on specific theological beliefs. Unitarian Universalists are free to search for truth on many paths.

Church officials announced in a statement on Facebook that the building was hit with an incendiary device between 12 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Hours later, they continued with their worship service under police protection.

An incendiary device with a chemical accelerant was thrown or placed at the front doors of the main church building. The fire and smoke caused the monitored fire alarm system for the building to go off, which notified church personnel, the statement said.

It was revealed that a passerby who was on the scene at the time of the attack saw the fire and contacted local police for help, which helped to limit the damage suffered by the building.

City of Plano Firefighters arrived on the scene and were able to extinguish the fire. Because of the quick action of Planos First Responders, the damage to the church property was limited to the front doors, the materials directly outside the front doors, and the entrance foyer, the religious group said.

Plano Police and Fire Department personnel did a thorough collection of evidence of the crime scene. They also interviewed multiple church personnel who arrived on-site to assess the incident, the statement added.

There were no injuries as a result of the attack.

No one was immediately available to discuss the attack when contacted by The Christian Post on Monday, but the religious group explained in its statement that it had been working on increasing security since one of its services was interrupted by what it described as a "hate group" last month.

Church officials have been reviewing building security and working with the Plano Police Department since the intrusion of a hate group in the church building during and after Worship Service on Sunday, June 25. That group has posted video of their activities inside the church on various social media sites, the statement reads. The church community asks for your support and prayers at this time as we deal with the impact of this incident.

It is not immediately clear what the name of the so-called hate group is and what acts they are accused of carrying out.

Arson investigators are looking into who is responsible for the attack and if more than one person is involved, a Plano Police Department spokesperson told The Dallas Morning News.

Despite the firebombing, members continued with their worship on Sunday under the watchful eyes of members of the Plano Police Department.

We are going forward with Worship Service this morning, the Community Unitarian Universalist Church said in its most recent statement since the firebombing on Sunday. The Plano Police Department is providing security and we are meeting. Worship at 10:30!
Will digital Bibles like the YouVersion Bible App displace paper ones?

With more than 95 installs per minute, Life.Churchs YouVersion Bible App celebrated its 15-year anniversary this month on more than 575 million unique devices in nearly 2,000 languages and the digital popularity of the Word of God is showing no signs of slowing down.

YouVersion CEO Bobby Gruenewald explained in a recent release from the donor-funded nonprofit that the Bible App was one of just 800 apps available for download when Apple launched its iOS App Store on July 10, 2008.

In the first three days, the app was downloaded more than 83,000 times, far more downloads than Gruenewald had expected to have at the end of 2008. Today, the Bible App continues to exceed expectations even in a sea of more than 1.6 million apps that include hundreds of other Bible apps in the iOS App Store.

When we submitted the app for approval, we didnt even know if it would make it into the App Store on opening day or even at all, Gruenewald recalled. It ended up being one of only a couple hundred free apps available that first day and went on to have an incredible first weekend. Honestly, our minds were blown.

And as people have continued integrating the Bible App in their daily lives over the years, its popularity has only continued to soar.

Over the last 15 years, YouVersion has leveraged industry innovations to help people build consistent Bible engagement habits, including using push notification reminders, gamification features like streaks, and community features like friendships and prayer, the YouVersion release said.

When the Bible App was first launched, the text only featured two languages but by its fifth year, it had more than 500. The text of the Bible App is now featured in nearly 2,000 languages and the plan is to feature Scripture in the worlds more than 7,000 languages by 2033.

As digital Bibles like YouVersion Bible App continue growing in popularity, will they one day replace physical Bibles?

For now, according to Digital Millennials and the Bible produced in partnership with the Barna Group in 2018, the print version of the Bible appears to be the choice of the majority of young people, 47% to 28%.

Women especially preferred the print version 50% to 24% digital. While more men, 31%, than women preferred the digital version of the Bible, 43% still listed a print Bible as their top choice to engage with the Word of God.

Responding to questions from The Christian Post about whether data from the Bible App could suggest an eventual replacement of physical Bibles by the technology, Gruenewald said he believes the Bible app complements engagement with the Bible.

The Bible App has been an effective tool to help people read the Bible more consistently, but I dont think the print Bible is going away. In fact, many of our users regularly use both, he said in an email to CP.

Asked about the use of the Bible on Sunday mornings when many Christians go to church, Gruenewald said every Sunday there is a spike in the use of the Bible App.

Ultimately, we want people to spend time in Gods Word every day in whatever format works best for them. And while we naturally see a spike in the use of the Bible App every Sunday, were encouraged to see consistent Bible engagement throughout the week, he said.

We believe were just at the beginning of what God wants to do through YouVersion. Even after 15 years, our perspective is that our story isn't in the past tense, but it's a story that has a really big future in front of it as we remain focused on how to help millions of people build intimacy with God through His Word, Gruenewald added.

John Dyer, vice president for enrollment and educational technology and assistant professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, also doesnt believe the printed Bible will be made obsolete by digital versions.

It appears the Bible is following the larger trend in the book and eBook industry. Initially, many people predicted the Kindles, Nooks and iPads would completely replace paper books, but after a few decades, it appears people still like reading and studying printed books, including the scriptures, Dyer, who authoredPeople of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture, told CP.

Dyer noted that with digital technology, the Bible is no longer just the text, but a multimedia category, with all kinds of things added to it in all different mediums.

Its available on print, screen and audio. It has tons of little numbers added a few centuries ago (verses), commentaries, maps, and even interactivity. All of these can be helpful, and all of them can be formative in both positive and negative ways. What matters is that we pay attention, he explained.

While the embrace of digital Bibles has its benefits, Dyer also worries that it might make Christians even lazier when it comes to committing Scripture to memory.

I have concerns with printed Bibles, including taking the Bible out of the church community and making it highly individualized, adding the chapter: verse numbers which chop up the text and encourages reading sentences rather than paragraphs and books, and decreasing the amount of the Scripture that we have memorized because we always have access to the printed page, he said. The digital Bible, in all its forms, mostly accelerates these trends, giving more access (which is wonderful!) but also risking making the word of God more individualized and atomized, and yet unknown to us.

Still, Dyer had high praise for the innovators who are working to increase engagement with Scripture.

I appreciate all the innovators out there trying new things and encouraging new forms of Bible engagement, trusting that the spirit will guide us, he told CP. I encourage both users and programmers to think about how to develop apps and tools that draw us into communities who immerse ourselves in large portions of Scripture.
Americans placing more emphasis on hobbies, money and community, less on religion: study

As the value Americans place on religion has declined over the last two decades, an increasing share of society now ranks community activities, hobbies or recreational activities, money, friends and health as extremely or very important priorities in their lives, while family maintained its rank as the highest priority of all, the results of a new Gallup survey show.

The results of the survey, conducted June 1-22, with a random sample of 1,013 adults living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, show that 96% of Americans ranked their family as extremely or very important. This same share of Americans ranked their family as extremely or very important using data from a survey conducted between 2001 and 2002.

While religion fell by 7%, from 65% to 58% over the comparison period, all other priority areas measured showed increases.

More than half of Americans now say community activities and hobbies or recreational activities are now extremely or very important to them. But more than 20 years ago, this was not the case.

The data show that only 32% of Americans said community activities were extremely or very important at the end of the survey period in 2002. But in 2023, that share jumped to 55%, reflecting a 23% increase in how Americans value community activities. This was the largest increase in any priority highlighted in the survey.

Hobbies or recreational activities increased as a priority by 13% over the period from 48% to 61%; money increased from 67% to 79%; work increased from 74% to 83%; the priority placed on friends increased from 74% to 78%; while the focus on health increased from 90% to 92%.

Somewhere along the way, Americans personal priorities have shifted in notable ways. They now value parts of their lives more than they did in 2001-2002, particularly their community activities, but also their hobbies and recreational pursuits, their money, and their jobs, wrote Lydia Saad, director of U.S. social research at Gallup.

Several studies over the years have pointed to Americas religious decline.

In "Meaning in Modern America," a 2018 study released by the Institute for Family Studies, psychology professor Clay Routledge highlighted how most Americans, including those who believe in God, say their main source of meaning in life comes from their relationships with others, such as family and friends instead of religion.

"American culture is changing in a number of ways that have potentially powerful implications for people's efforts to find and maintain meaning in life. Americans are waiting longer to get married and have children, and are having fewer children, Routledge said. Feelings of social disconnection and loneliness are on the rise, even as people are increasingly 'connected' via social media.

The shift in the importance of religion in American society also comes with significant implications for society.

Should religion, including Christianity, decline to a point where the American population has no religion at all, societal welfare could suffer too, a 2022 analysis by the Pew Research Center shows.

Brian Grim, who is president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, and his daughter, Melissa Grim, who is a senior research fellow and project director at the foundation, published a study in 2016 showing how religion contributes some $1.2 trillion annually to the socio-economic value of the American economy.

They followed up that study with another in 2019 published in the Journal of Religion and Health that valued the work of nearly 130,000 congregation-based substance abuse recovery support programs in the U.S. at up to $316.6 billion.

We find that these faith-based volunteer support groups contribute up to $316.6 billion in savings to the U.S. economy every year at no cost to taxpayers, the researchers recalled in a brief published by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation.

While negative experiences with religion (e.g., clergy sex abuse and other horrendous examples) have been a contributory factor to substance abuse among some victims, given that more than 84% of scientific studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention or recovery and a risk in less than 2% of the studies reviewed, we conclude that the value of faith-oriented approaches to substance abuse prevention and recovery is indisputable, they noted. And, by extension, we also conclude that the decline in religious affiliation in the USA is not only a concern for religious organizations but constitutes a national health concern.
'Transnational repression': Is China trying to erode freedom of speech in Western culture?

The Chinese Communist Party is using a variety of tactics to erode the freedom of speech and religion throughout Western culture as it seeks to silence critics in the United States and elsewhere outside its borders, experts warn.

On Thursday, the Washington, D.C.-based conservative policy think tank Hudson Institute hosted a discussion on how China engages in "transnational repression" through intimidation and propaganda on American soil, targeting religious minorities like Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and other critics of CCP policies.

The conversation was moderated by Nina Shea, a human rights attorney and director of the institute's Center for Religious Freedom. The participants for the discussion consisted of Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center; Olivia Enos, Washington director of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation; Ian Oxnevad, senior fellow for foreign affairs and security studies at the National Association of Scholars; and Ying Chen, conductor with Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Chen said that the purpose of the U.S.-based Chinese music and dance company operated by the Falun Gong religious movement is to share China's "traditional culture that's untainted by communism," values the CCP has worked to erase over the past several decades.

As a result of its message, Chen says that the Chinese government has worked hard to thwart Shen Yu performances globally.

According to its website, Shen Yu comprises 20 pieces that showcase different legends and Chinese dynasties through music and choreography.

Since Shen Yu shows Chinese culture to the public without CCP's influence, Chen says nearly every theatre that has shown Shen Yu has faced pressure from nearby Chinese consultants or embassies through phone calls, mail or visits, demanding them to cancel the performance.

"We also try to get our audiences a chance to experience the spirit and traditional values of China," Chen said. "However, some of those values and beliefs are exactly what the Chinese Communist Party has tried to eradicate for decades so that they can fortify their rule."

She cited the example of spirituality, stressing that Chinese civilization has always been spiritual, citing the country's three principle religions  Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism.

All of these religions are considered the "three pillars of Chinese society," according to Chen, adding that these ideas have been "deeply rooted" in the Chinese belief system for thousands of years.

"And we certainly expose some of the human rights crimes that the CCP is still perpetrating today as we speak," Chen added.

The pressure campaign also includes slander against the performance company, she added.

Many members of the company have also had visits from the national security group, and the 69-year-old mother of one of Shen Yu's dancers was sentenced to four years in prison. The mother had been arrested multiple times before that and spent time in detention facilities due to her faith.

At one point, Browde commented that the Shen Yu Performing Arts has been under surveillance, with drones flying overhead and cameras outside the entrances and exits. The purpose is to take photos of the people walking in and out so the CCP can tell which families to target.

Chen listed multiple incidents that appear to have been targeted efforts to thwart production over the years.

In Ottawa in 2010, the front tire of a Shen Yu tour bus had a number of slits in it.

The conductor noted that the tire appeared to have been slashed a certain way so it wouldn't pop until the bus was driving, which could've caused the bus to lose control and severely injured the 47 passengers on board.

A few days later, someone slashed the tires on other tour buses, forcing the company to have its buses watched around the clock from now on when it goes on tour.

Browde believes the U.S. government should be speaking with people like Chen, who are on the "front lines" of the oppression inflicted on CCP critics in the U.S.

"Because the tactics and multi-faceted nature of what the CCP is doing right here on U.S. soil is way beyond, honestly, what the U.S. government is understanding or capable of right now," he said. "And in order to get up to speed, in order to get ahead of that curve, they need to be speaking to the people who are being targeted and are much more adept at rising to that challenge."

Oxnevad suggested ways for colleges and universities to eliminate the CCP's presence on campus by enforcing Sec. 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which contains reporting requirements for foreign gifts. He also proposed a ratio funding policy that would make universities less eligible for American taxpayer money for every foreign dollar source.

Enos of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation warned that it has become difficult to distinguish between the CCP and Hong Kong authority. She urged the U.S. to enact sanctions. She also called for countries like the U.S. to offer safe havens to those facing persecution.

China is recognized by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for engaging in egregious religious freedom violations. China only recognizes five state-sanctioned religions (Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism) and regularly arrests those participating in underground churches and congregations that don't submit to the CCP's control.
'Dangerous': Parent says CofE school teaching kids they might be born in wrong body

A parent has appealed to the Church of England's Chief Education Officer, the Rev. Nigel Genders, to act over concerns about "inappropriate" and "sexually explicit" relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) lessons in his children's school.

According to the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which is supporting the parent, the unnamed Church of England primary school in Norfolk is using materials teaching children as young as 7, that some people can be born a boy but feel like a girl, while others might identify as 'pangender'  "someone who does not feel like a boy or a girl." It is also claimed that pupils are allowed to take part in pretend same-sex weddings.

The parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported his concerns about the material to the school and an independent review hearing but to no avail, according to the CLC.

He also asked the Church of England to intervene and explain why such teaching was being allowed in its schools.

In his reply, Genders said it was for individual schools to decide on RSHE policy and lesson materials, and pointed the parent back to the CofE primary school in question.

"I see that you have taken your concerns to the school, which is entirely the right and appropriate thing to do. The RSHE policy and decisions about the resources used to deliver it are the responsibility of the school in consultation with parents, having due regard to any advice from the Diocesan Board of Education," he said.

He continued, "Given that schools are seeking to do the very best for children as they grow in maturity and mindful of the high profile focus on this area in the media and elsewhere, it will be very helpful to have new guidance from the government on how these contested issues are handled within educational settings. We expect this guidance very soon.

"We also look forward to the review of how RSHE is being taught and the materials schools are using, as well as some clarity on the rather subjective question of age-appropriateness as it applies to teaching aspects of sex education.

"In the meantime, please do continue to be in discussion with your daughter's schools about your concerns."

The parent has since moved his two young children to a different school.

He expressed disappointment at the response and accused the Church of England of "passing the buck of responsibility" to headteachers.

He said that some of the materials being used in the school were "wholly age inappropriate, sexually explicit, ideologically influenced, and unsupported by scientific basis."

"Teaching 7- to 8-year-old children that they can choose their gender (boy, girl, or not sure), and that they are only born 'like' a boy or 'like' a girl, but that it is how they feel inside that counts, is a highly contested and dangerous concept that is not grounded in established science," he said.

He accused Genders of failing to act to prevent primary children in CofE schools from being subjected to "ideological indoctrination" and "explicit sexualizing content."

"Furthermore, passing the buck of responsibility entirely to the headteachers, and waiting on updated guidance from the CofE is totally inadequate. Action is needed now to protect children. Are CofE schools that push this dangerous content CofE in name only?" he asked.

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said: "We know children do best when they understand and are taught that they are made in the image of God and many parents want to send their children to CofE schools because of their Christian foundations rooted in biblical morality.

"How is it that the CofE education authorities and leadership shy away from contending for that truth and prefer to look to the state for guidance rather than the Bible itself?"

She said it was "another example of the Church of England refusing to support and defend Christians who raise concerns about extreme secular teaching on gender identity in CofE schools."

"For years, parents and teachers who have raised safeguarding concerns over the promotion of gender identity to primary school children have been ignored, disbelieved, and marginalized. No questioning is allowed," she said.

"Thousands of children are being indoctrinated with extreme gender ideology without the knowledge of their parents. The government needs to allow parents to withdraw children from relationships and sex education until the gender and political ideology has been rooted out of these lessons."

Originally published at Christian Today
Correcting a flawed Christian analogy

If Ive heard it once Ive heard it a thousand times. Well, Im exaggerating; its more like 950 times. 975 max.

When discussing Gods plan of salvation with another Christian who believes that the ultimate decision of whether were saved or not rests with us, they at some point toss out the following illustration:

Imagine a person whos currently on death row, but suddenly the governor offers them a full pardon that allows them to be released. The person can either accept the governors pardon and go free or reject his offer, remain in prison, and be executed. Thats exactly how Gods offer of salvation works with us.

If youre someone who has that allegory in your back pocket to refute those ornery Calvinist sorts, please take my advice and bury it. Bury it with a shovel and then bury the shovel.

Its just wrong.

But why?

So why is the illustration incorrect? Let's start with the fact that the god of this analogy far more depicts a god like Allah than the God of the Bible.

Its in Islam that you find Allah dispensing pardons at the expense of his justice. Whether its through the concept of the good/bad scales or in various events contained in Islams eschatology, in the end, Allah overlooks a persons wrongs when delivering his rescue. In other words, justice is overlooked in Islam, which is precisely what you find in the prison analogy.

Next  and I really cant emphasize this enough  to make the illustration square with Christianity you must add a very important thing: the governor needs to execute a willing, innocent man in place of the guilty prisoner on death row. Only after that can the pardon be extended.

If you listen real closely you can now hear the sound of the prisoner analogys wheels falling off in spectacular fashion.

Even in our incredibly malfunctioning justice system, the concept of double jeopardy and/or the payment for a crime only occurring once applies. And if even we get that right, its a fair bet that God does.

Put another way: there are only two types of people  those with their judgment behind them (because Christ paid their penalty) and those with their judgment ahead of them. There is no free pass nor double-payment-for-sins concept in Christianity.

Lets now turn our attention to the governor. Ask yourself what kind of monster would he/she be to allow the execution of two people for the same individually committed crime. A pretty bad one in my opinion; they would be considered anything but just.

Last but not least  and this is where some of you will argue with me the most  the story has the criminal rejecting the governors offer of freedom. Yes, its true that people certainly refuse Christ every day in droves, but they do so only because God hasnt intervened in their lives so they see His light.

When Paul says, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9), to what does the term that refer? It can only point back to what preceded it, which is saving faith.

Prior to God doing that work in us, our free will was moving away from Him as fast as it could. The Bible says that the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so (Rom. 8:7) and a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Cor. 2:14).

That was/is every Christian whos ever lived or will live. If youre keeping score, that includes you and me. As Scripture says, There is none who seeks for God (Rom. 3:11).

So, if this is true (and it is), then how in the world does anyone become a Christian?

Answer: You and I didnt receive Christ because were more intelligent, better, more righteous, humble, good at figuring things out, etc. Jesus said, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:44; notice how that simple statement signifies a complete work of salvation).

Or go back to our analogy: all of us were criminals on death row who would have rejected the governors pardon had not the governor himself made us willing to receive it.

Its all His doing.

In the end, whether you sneer at reformed theology, throw darts at pictures of John Calvin, and go to the mat for our supposed free will where God is concerned, I hope you can at least see through the corrections of the flawed prisoner analogy why the teaching of definite atonement is reasonable and just, and why there is good biblical evidence for believing that no one for whom Christ died will ever reject Gods offer of salvation.

But if you're still shaking your head, at least dont use the prisoner/governor pardon analogy anymore to depict Gods offer of salvation. Its just all kinds of awful.
The subordinationist heresy? Christ is eternally subordinate to Father God

One of the clearest expressions of the idea that God the Son is eternally subordinate to God the Father comes from Wayne Grudem. He writes that the subordination of a wife to her husband reflects the eternal  subordination in role, but not in essence or being [of the Son to the Father] Scripture speaks of that  [in Hebrews 1:3]. Jesus is at the right hand, but God the Father is still on the throne (Recovering Biblical Manhood 457).

This claim is problematic in several ways. First, it misrepresents the Bible. The word throne does not occur in Hebrews 1:3, but 1:8 states, of the Son he [God] says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. Revelation 7:17 even describes the Lamb at the center of the throne. Revelation 22:3 depicts the throne of God and of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem, and Revelation 3:21 and 12:5 depict Jesus Christ on the throne of God.

Second, the idea of the eternal subordination of the Son goes against the most basic Christian traditions, the creeds. Since the time of Athanasius and the early church creeds, Christian orthodoxy has affirmed that there is one God existing eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in being, power, and glory. The subordinationist heresy teaches that the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father. Thomas F. Torrances The Christian Doctrine of God: One Being, Three Persons, p. 189, states any implication of subordination (hupotage) in the Trinity was completely ruled out by the Fathers of the Constantinopolitan Council  rejecting any difference in Deity, Glory, Power and Being between the Father and the Son. Kevin N. Giles Jesus and the Father and Millard J. Ericksons Whos Tampering with the Trinity document this in detail.

The reason for this consensus in orthodox theology is that subordinationism conflicts with Christs ontological equality with God the Father as taught in Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:611; Colossians 1:1520; 2:9 and Titus 2:13. Philippians 2:68 affirms that Christ relinquished equality with God and made himself nothing  humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross! Christs submission to incarnation and death was the voluntary submission of an equal for the specific purpose of redemption. It was not the submission of a subordinate in a hierarchy of authority. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8) implies that obedience was not inherent in his status as Son but was a new experience to be learned, specifically through his incarnate sufferings, not from some prior subordination. The incarnate Sons voluntary subordination to the Father implies no eternal subordination.

Third, virtually all of the biblical evidence it proposes regards Jesuss life on earth. The eternal Son took on human flesh for our redemption and to model for us how to love God and one another. As church fathers explain, it is wrong to interpret how Jesus modeled for us submission to the Father as his eternal subordination to the Father.

Fourth, its appeal to God is the head of Christ in 1 Cor 11:3 misunderstands the use of head in Hellenistic Greek and Pauls letters, as I explained in this CP op-ed. That piece documents that the Church Fathers exegesis is virtually unanimous that all three occurrences of head in 1 Corinthians 11:3 mean source. We know that Christ was the creative source of every man because 1 Corinthians 8:6 states that God created all things through Christ. Paul repeatedly refers to man as the source from whom woman came in 1 Corinthians 11:3, 8, 12. In light of 8:6 and 11:3, it is clear that ho theos in 11:12 is a broad reference to the Godheads creative work that must include Christ, just as ho theos typically does in the second half of 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 11:3 almost certainly refers to Christ coming from the Godhead in the incarnation. That implies nothing about subordination of the Son to the Father.

Fifth, these uses of ho theos to refer to the Godhead in the second half of 1 Corinthians also affect how we should understand 1 Corinthians 15:28, the primary text used to justify the Sons eternal subordination. 1 Corinthians 15:28, too, is better translated so that the Godhead (ho theos) may be all in all. Augustine in De Trinitate Book 1 Ch 8 argues that ho theos is not limited to the Father. The shift from God the Father in verse 24 to the God in verse 28 indicates this shift in reference from the Father to the Godhead. Pauls concluding statement, that God may be all in all, applies far more naturally to the oneness and encompassing authority of the Godhead than it does to God the Father exclusively. Other statements by Paul show that he did not believe that in the new age, God the Father would be everything to the exclusion of Christ. Romans 9:5 refers to Christ as God over all, forever praised. Here Christ is not only called Theos, He is also the subject of a benediction normally reserved in Judaism, and by Paul, for God alone (TDNT 3:105). Ephesians 1:2022 states that Christ is seated at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Christs voluntary submission to the Father is part of a Father-Son mutual putting-oneself-at-the-disposal-of-the-other. This undermines any hierarchical view of the Trinity. Church fathers called this dance of the Trinity perichoresis. The Son glorifying the Father no more makes the Son subordinate to the Father than the Father glorifying the Son (e.g., John 8:50; 11:4; 13:3132; 17:1, 5, 22, 24; Acts 3:13) makes the Father subordinate to the Son. The Son submitted to the Father, and the Father put the Son over every power and authority (Ephesians 1:2022; Philippians 3:21 and Colossians 2:910). 1 Corinthians 15:2728 is best understood within this context of mutuality, five times affirming that everything is in subjection to the Son and concluding then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that the Godhead may be all in all. There is no mention of eternal here.

Sixth, eternal  subordination in role, but not in essence is logically incoherent because if the Son is eternally subordinate, then his subordination is a necessary aspect of who he is, his essence, his being, his ontology. Grudems claim is nonsense. When this nonsensical formula of equal but subordinate is applied by those in power to those without power, it is self-serving nonsense. It is like George Orwells pigs saying, all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.

It is not surprising, then, that even some complementarian leaders, such as Carl Trueman and Liam Goligher, pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, accuse those who teach the eternal subordination of the Son of reinventing the doctrine of God and doing great dishonor to Christ. Neither the Bible nor classic Trinitarian orthodoxy teaches the eternal subordination of the Son to the Father. Quite to the contrary, the church has designated this as the subordinationist heresy. Arguing for the eternal subordination of the Son to the Father to the subordination of women is dangerous for both theology and women.
The chief of the Heungdeok Police Station gives a briefing on the deadly underpass flooding in Osong, July 15. Yonhap



Prosecutors raided five regional police and government offices Monday as part of an investigation into what went wrong in the response to a deadly underpass flooding in the central city of Cheongju.



The Cheongju District Prosecutors Office sent investigators to the provincial police agency, the fire service headquarters and the regional government of North Chungcheong Province, as well as the city government of Cheongju and a state city construction agency, to seize evidence.



A district police station in the region was also searched by the police in connection with the case.



An underground roadway in Osong in western Cheongju, located 112 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was flooded amid heavy rains in mid-July when a nearby river overflowed after an embankment was brought down by rising water levels. The flooding left 14 people killed and 10 others injured.



Police authorities in the region are accused of failing to promptly respond to emergency calls urging traffic restrictions around the underpass ahead of the accident. They also allegedly attempted to cover up the alleged negligence by submitting falsified reports during a government inspection into the case.



Last week, the Office for Government Policy Coordination in charge of the inspection referred six police officers to the prosecution for investigation, accusing them of mishandling the deadly underpass flooding.



The regional government offices and the fire agency are accused of sitting on reports filed before the accident to alert authorities to risky situations involving the underpass. (Yonhap)




Blasphemy claims fan aggression towards Pakistani Christians

Pakistan's Christian community has been left fearing for their safety after three claims of blasphemy within a month saw crowds of Muslim protesters gathering to call for "severe punishments" for blasphemers.

The protests occurred in the district of Sargodha, Punjab, after a retired Pakistan Air Force officer reported finding a pamphlet containing blasphemous content on his way home from morning prayers.

Mohd Abdul Gaffar, who was accompanied by a local iman and another man, alleged that the pamphlet contained derogatory comments and illustrations regarding revered Islamic figures, as well as support for the recent burning of the Quran in Sweden.

News of the discovery rapidly spread around the local community, drawing people from far and wide to express their anger and frustration. As tensions rose throughout the day, protesters chanted slogans calling for death for blasphemers, according to the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS). They also blocked roads as they demanded swift action against the culprits.

Police soon arrived at the scene, seeking to calm the crowd, and responding to their demands by registering an official case against unknown individuals under sections 295A, 295B, 295c, and 298A of the Pakistani Penal Code, which cover blasphemy.

Despite the police action preventing an attack on local Christians, who make up approximately 5,000 of the local population, a sense of fear still pervades the Christian community.

According to CLAAS, the event marked the third such incident in the Sargodha district this month, and some people believe that individuals may be exploiting the Swedish Quran burning as an excuse to incite violence against local Christianswho have consistently distanced themselves from the event.

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, expressed his deep concern over the events, pointing out the rising gravity of the situation in Pakistan and the deepening anti-Christian sentiment.

"The unknown identities of the culprits are cause for alarm, and it is unfortunate that fingers are being pointed towards Christians", Mr Saaed said.

Attacks on Christians are not uncommon in Pakistan, ranging from imprisonment on spurious grounds, to murder. These latest events have underlined concerns that blasphemy laws may be misused to falsely target Christians, with calls for the government to ensure that they are not.
Iranian state security cracks down on Christian converts

A wave of raids by Iranian state security forces has seen over fifty Christian converts arrested, with local advocacy groups saying that the number might be as high as seventy.

The arrests were part of a series of raids and arbitrary detentions carried out over the past week that occurred over five cities.

Local advocacy groups are unsure of the reasons behind the sudden crackdown on Christian converts, with all those arrested formerly belonging to Islam's second largest branch, Shi'ism, but there is a belief that this marks a deliberate shift in strategy by Iranian authorities.

"It's not clear what the motive is for this sudden surge in arrests of Christians," Henrietta Blyth, Chief Executive of Christian religious persecution charity Open Doors, said.

"This seems to be part of a wider crackdown on civil liberties."

Whatever the motives for the arrests, conversion is considered a serious offence in Iran and classified as a threat to national security, bringing significant punishment.

"Police are entering family homes and seizing parents in front of their children," said Kiaa Aalipour, a spokesperson for Article 18, a partner group of Open Doors that advocates for Iran's Christian minority.

"Christian converts are usually charged with propaganda against the state or membership of illegal groups which are considered 'anti-state'. These charges can carry a ten-year prison term."

Numerous converts, who are classified as 'Unrecognised Christians' under Iranian laws, have already been imprisonedincluding mother of three, Sakineh Mehri Behjati, and a 63-year-old Parkinson's sufferer, Homayoun Zhaveh.

These latest arrests have brought an abrupt end to a period of relative calm in Iran, after months of prolonged strife that erupted in the wake of the murder of 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini. Ms Amini died under suspicious circumstances after being arrested by the Guidance Patrol, the religious morality police, for allegedly not wearing her hijab. Her death sparked a wave of violent protests that shook the government and saw at least 476 people killed by security forces.

"Our workers in Iran think this clampdown may be linked to the forthcoming anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in September," Kiaa Aalipour said.

The government of Iran is known to view conversions to Christianity as an attempt by Western nations to undermine the Islamic regime of Iran, and a number of leaders of Christian convert groups have received long prison sentences.
This photo, provided by the fire response headquarters in Busan, shows suspicious international packages retrieved in Busan, July 22. Yonhap



Nearly 700 suspicious international parcels that have been received from across the nation have shown no connection to terrorism so far, the government said Monday.



Announcing an analysis of 679 packages collected for investigation, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, under the Prime Minister's Office, said no toxic or hazardous substances were found.



The incident initially came to light when three people working at a welfare center for the disabled in the southeastern city of Ulsan were rushed to the hospital after opening a random parcel from Taiwan. They reportedly complained of dizziness and difficulty breathing.



Since then, similar reports of suspicious parcels have been flooding in from various locations across the nation. (Yonhap)


A 33-year-old suspect, center, in a fatal stabbing rampage near Sillim Station is surrounded by reporters in front of Gwanak Police Station in Seoul, July 23. Yonhap



Police will decide later this week whether to disclose the identity of the suspect in a recent fatal stabbing rampage that killed one person and wounded three others in Seoul, officials said Monday.



The 33-year-old man, identified by his surname Cho, was formally arrested Sunday on charges of murder and attempted murder. He was apprehended Friday after fatally stabbing a complete stranger in his 20s near Seoul's Sillim Station and then attacking three other men in a nearby alleyway.



The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said its identity disclosure review committee will convene Wednesday to deliberate on whether to make public the suspect's name, age, face and other personal information.



The police are also investigating a person who allegedly first shared the CCTV footage of the crime scene online, and have requested the authorities to delete 17 pieces of related video currently circulating online.



Moreover, the police are looking into an online post that appears to admire the crime, referring to the suspect as "Joseon's finest swordsman."



On Sunday, Cho told reporters that he committed the crime due to unspecified "extreme hardship."



During the police investigation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being "filled with anger" while committing the crime and said he "wanted to make other people miserable" because he was also living a miserable life. (Yonhap)


Police officers escort a man surnamed Cho, center, who is alleged to have gone on a stabbing rampage near Sillim Station in southern Seoul killing one man and injuring three others, Friday, into the Seoul Central District Court, Sunday. Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan



In the wake of a stabbing rampage, in which a 33-year-old man killed one man and injured three others, Friday, there are growing calls for the country's criminal justice system to explore countermeasures for such crimes.



So far, authorities and the public have defined crimes against random victims as motiveless killings by psychopaths and, as such, held individual perpetrators solely responsible for the crime. But many claim that such categorization should be replaced with more systemic management by authorities so that potential killers can be preemptively monitored and prevented from committing any mass assaults.



Experts said that each case of "social terror" should not be simply seen as an adrenalin-driven random act by an individual with psychosis, but instead as a dangerous social phenomenon, a symptom of broader social problems. In other words, the argument approaches such crimes as the responsibility of collective communities rather than the sole problem of a delusional individual.



For now, experts say the country's criminal justice system should be overhauled to verify whether at-risk ex-convicts are being monitored to ensure they do not reoffend.



Prof. Kwak Keum-joo from Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said there are certain indices that correlate to a higher probability of committing random killings, such as self-isolation from communities or being jobless and suffering from economic difficulties. She said the government should monitor such individuals regardless of their criminal records by focusing on traits that are detected through such indices and maintain communication so that they can become aware of their problems.



"To prevent further motiveless crimes, we should pay more attention to those in more vulnerable situations than others, like children who are being constantly abused or those living alone and suffering from economic hardships," Kwak told The Korea Times. "We should start keeping track of them by communicating with such individuals. We should build up data and use it as a guide to monitor people who might resort to such crimes."





People write messages of condolence on post-it notes and place them on a wall in Gangnam Station in southern Seoul, May 18, 2016, for a woman who was killed in a knife attack by a stranger. Korea Times file
Police officials announce the results of a yearlong crackdown on home rental scams at the Seoul Government Complex in Seoul, June 8. Yonhap



A yearlong special crackdown on home rental scams netted the apprehension of nearly 3,500 suspects nationwide, the National Police Agency (NPA) said Monday, as the recent spate of "jeonse" frauds targeting low-income people emerged as a social problem.



The NPA's National Office of Investigation said a total of 3,466 "jeonse" scam suspects were caught in the crackdown conducted jointly with the prosecution and the land ministry from July 25 last year to last Sunday, and 367 of them were put under formal arrest.



Jeonse refers to a unique Korean system in which renters give landlords a large returnable deposit instead of paying monthly rent. But the long-term deposit rental system has recently emerged as a big social issue, due to a large number of jeonse fraud cases, in which scammers usually buy homes without much money through a series of jeonse contracts and refuse to return the deposits at the end of the lease.



Those busted in the crackdown included 13 scam organizations that own 11,680 houses nationwide without their own capital and 21 fraud groups accused of embezzling jeonse funds worth 78.8 billion won ($61.5 million), the office said.



Also apprehended were 629 real estate agents, 88 real estate brokerage platform operators and illegal brokers, and 22 certified public appraisers involved in the manipulation of real estate prices, it added.



The office said 5,013 jeonse fraud victims were confirmed and the amount of their financial damages reached 608 billion won. More than half of the victims, 57.9 percent, or 2,903 people, were in their 20s and 30s.



The authorities plan to extend the special crackdown until the end of the year in order to thoroughly root out the jeonse scams. (Yonhap)


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By Jung Min-ho







Top government officials have donated 2 billion won ($1.56 million) to 455 underprivileged families.







According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sunday, many vice ministers and higher-level officials under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration have earmarked 10 percent of their salaries since this January to help such households through a project run by the Korea National Council on Social Welfare, a charity and research organization under the ministry.







So far, 225 households have received 1 billion won between March and June. An additional 230 families are being selected by the organization as the next beneficiaries. It said their donations have eased the financial burden of the recipients, helping with medical and educational expenses.







Top-ranking officials at 46 government departments and agencies as well as some 170 state-run institutions have participated in the donation project.







"We will continue to step up efforts to spread kindness and support for our underprivileged neighbors," Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said in a statement.






The government has opened a 70.9m fund to applications from charities today as part of 101.5m pledged to the sector in this years spring budget.

The National Lottery Community Fund will distribute grants from the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund , to which charities can apply until 16 October this year.

In an exclusive interview with Civil Society , charities minister Stuart Andrew said: Everybodys been working so flat out to try and get this to the point where were at today.

Application criteria

Small and medium-sized charities, social enterprises and community organisations in England, with an annual turnover of between 10,000 and around 1m, are eligible to apply for grants between 10,000 and 75,000.

Applicant organisations must offer at least one critical service: food and emergency supplies, emergency shelter, safe spaces, warmth, and financial or housing advice.

Organisations must also be facing both increased demand for their critical services and increased costs of delivering them.

Charities can apply for funding to cover the costs of delivering existing services between 24 July 2023 and 31 March 2024, including paying for rent, utilities, staff and volunteers.

They can also spend the funds on adapting or expanding services from the point of award until the end of March 2024.

Larger organisations can also apply if they can show that they work closely and effectively with local communities and fill a gap in essential local services.

Remainder of spring budget funding

Todays announcement offers the first details of how the 101.5m announced in the spring budget will be distributed.

Some 70.9m is available in funding with 5.1m being used for administrative fees, evaluation and assurance.

The remaining 25.5m will be used to fund energy efficiency and sustainability in organisations over the next two years. More details on this tranche of funds are due to be announced this autumn.

Minister: This package is coming to help charities

Andrew told Civil Society: One of the loud things I heard right at the very beginning [of my time in the role] was those charities that were providing services to people around provision of food, or warmth, or housing or advice on finances were really struggling, because they particularly were seeing an uptick in their level of need.

We spent a fair bit of time trying to put the package together, spoke to the Treasury, and were delighted when we got the money. Id say everybodys been working so flat out to try and get this to the point where were at today.

Charities can start applying for it and we can get the money to them as quickly as possible. It feels really good that this package is coming to help them.

You can read Stuart Andrews full interview with Civil Society here.

Support is urgently needed, say sector bodies

NCVO chief executive Sarah Vibert welcomed the announcement and said the financial support on offer was urgently needed.



We know that charities faced with rising costs and falling income are struggling to meet increased need in communities  the extent of which should not be underestimated, she said.



With partners across the sector we have campaigned relentlessly over the past year to highlight the strain that organisations are under to meet ever increasing need.

Organisations that are supporting people and community by providing food and emergency supplies, emergency shelters, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice have been a lifeline to so many.

We welcome this recognition from government of the vital role of the voluntary sector and hope this funding will help organisations to support communities into the winter ahead.

Richard Sagar, head of policy at CFG, also welcomed the announcement.

Were delighted that the government has heard the sector and recognises that it is a force for good, he said.

But what really matters is this money will soon be making a very real and positive difference to people and the communities they live in.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Self-portrait by Dakota Santiago

Photographers in Dakota Santiagos line of work listen in on police radio, hit the pavement, and report back to editors. Sometimes they document isolated tragediesa single loss of life that might otherwise go unrecorded. They also cover scenes involving gangs, or other organized crime, as well as cases in which police officers are involved and theyve fired a gun at someone.

But in recent years, many police departments have updated their communications systems to become digital, which has enabled officers to encrypt their messages and block out the media. Last week, hours after the New York Police Department announced a new commissioner, Edward Caban, journalists noticed that some precincts in Brooklyn had encrypted their radios. At a time when Americans are calling for greater scrutiny of police, that change, however technical it may seem, cuts off a crucial, direct means of access. Reporters are left to rely on officers to provide information at a press conferenceand thats a problem, because departments can choose what they want to talk about, and how.

Some journalists are fighting back.

Photo by Dakota Santiago

Late in the evening of April 10, 2023, as part of an escalating gang-related feud, guns were fired at a subway station in the Bronx. A seventeen-year-old boy was shot in the head, arm, and shoulderthen rushed to a hospital, where he died. The others involvedthere were at least four young people at the scenesurvived.

Photo by Dakota Santiago

In the early-morning hours of December 5, 2020, a four-alarm fire quickly spread through a building in the East Village and engulfed a church next door.



Photo by Dakota Santiago

On November 29, 2022, two semitrucks collided on the Cross Bronx Expressway, causing an explosion. A woman was crushed and killed in the accident.

Photo by Dakota Santiago

In January 2023, Santiago photographed crime scene officers in East Harlem. A teenage boy had been shot and rushed to the hospital, where he died.

Emily Russell was a CJR fellow, and is now an editor at The Week.
CAIRO (AP)  An international team is set to begin siphoning oil out of the hull of a decrepit tanker moored off the coast of war-torn Yemen this week, a U.N. official said Sunday. It will mark the first concrete step in an operation years in the making aimed at preventing a massive oil spill in the Red Sea.

More than 1.1 million barrels of oil stored in the tanker, known as SOF Safer, will be transferred to another vessel the United Nations purchased as a replacement to the rusting storage tanker, said Achim Steiner, administrator of the U.N. development program.

We have reached a critical stage in this salvage operation, Steiner told The Associated Press hours after the salvage team on Saturday managed to moor the replacement vessel alongside the Safer tanker in the Red Sea. This marks, in a sense, the completion of the month-long preparatory phase.

The rusting tanker is a Japanese-made vessel built in the 1970s and sold to the Yemeni government in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of export oil pumped from fields in Marib, a province in eastern Yemen. The ship is 360 meters (1,181 feet) long with 34 storage tanks.

The tanker is moored 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Yemens western Red Sea ports of Hodeida and Ras Issa, a strategic area controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who are at war with the internationally recognized government.

The war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. The following year, a Saudi-led coalition entered the war to fight the Houthis and try to restore the internationally recognized government to power.

The vessel has not been maintained for eight years, and its structural integrity is compromised, making it at risk of breaking up or exploding. Seawater had entered the engine compartment of the tanker, causing damage to the pipes and increasing the risk of sinking, according to internal documents obtained by the AP in June 2020.

For years, the U.N. and other governments as well as environmental groups have warned that a major oil spill  or explosion  could disrupt global commercial shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb and Suez Canal routes, causing untold damage to the global economy. The tanker carries four times as much as the oil that spilled in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska, one of the worlds worst ecological catastrophes, according to the U.N.

The U.N. has for years campaigned to raise funds for the salvage operation which cost $143 million, including purchasing a new storage vessel to replace the rusting tanker, Steiner of the UNDP said.

It is an extraordinarily complex operation in which, first of all, diplomacy was critical, then the logistical ability to mount such an operation and finally to actually be able to be on site with multiple vessels and put in place the conditions, but also the mitigation measures, the contingency plans, the security plans, Steiner said.

One can sometimes wonder, you know, is it really up to a school class of children in Maryland to contribute to our crowd funding, he said.

The replacement vessel, now named the Yemen, reached Yemens coast earlier this month and the salvage team managed to safely berth it alongside the Safer to start the ship-to-ship transfer of oil amid unprecedented measures, including a small flotilla of technical and supply vessels, to avoid missteps during the operation.

Many thought it would never happen, the UNDP administrator told the AP from New York, adding the salvage team has up to five weeks to complete the whole operation.

After transferring the oil, the replacement vessel would be connected to an under-sea pipeline that brings oil from the fields, he said.

We will, I think, begin to breathe more easily when we see an empty Safer being towed away to a scrapyard to be recycled, he said.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WASHINGTON (AP) __ President Joe Biden said Friday that new commitments by Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and other companies that are leading the development of artificial intelligence technology to meet a set of AI safeguards brokered by his White House are an important step toward managing the enormous promise and risks posed by the technology.

Biden announced that his administration has secured voluntary commitments from seven U.S. companies meant to ensure that their AI products are safe before they release them. Some of the commitments call for third-party oversight of the workings of the next generation of AI systems, though they don`t detail who will audit the technology or hold the companies accountable.

We must be clear eyed and vigilant about the threats emerging technologies can pose, Biden said, adding that the companies have a fundamental obligation to ensure their products are safe.

Social media has shown us the harm that powerful technology can do without the right safeguards in place, Biden added. These commitments are a promising step, but we have a lot more work to do together.

A surge of commercial investment in generative AI tools that can write convincingly human-like text and churn out new images and other media has brought public fascination as well as concern about their ability to trick people and spread disinformation, among other dangers.

The four tech giants, along with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and startups Anthropic and Inflection, have committed to security testing carried out in part by independent experts to guard against major risks, such as to biosecurity and cybersecurity, the White House said in a statement.

The companies have also committed to methods for reporting vulnerabilities to their systems and to using digital watermarking to help distinguish between real and AI-generated images or audio known as deepfakes.

Executives from the seven companies met behind closed doors with Biden and other officials Friday as they pledged to follow the standards.

He was very firm and clear that he wanted the companies to continue to be innovative, but at the same time felt that this needed a lot of attention, Inflection CEO Mustafa Suleyman said in an interview after the White House gathering.

Its a big deal to bring all the labs together, all the companies, said Suleyman, whose Palo Alto, California-based startup is the youngest and smallest of the firms. This is supercompetitive and we wouldnt come together under other circumstances.

The companies will also publicly report flaws and risks in their technology, including effects on fairness and bias, according to the pledge.

The voluntary commitments are meant to be an immediate way of addressing risks ahead of a longer-term push to get Congress to pass laws regulating the technology.

Some advocates for AI regulations said Bidens move is a start but more needs to be done to hold the companies and their products accountable.

A closed-door deliberation with corporate actors resulting in voluntary safeguards isnt enough, said Amba Kak, executive director of the AI Now Institute. We need a much more wide-ranging public deliberation, and thats going to bring up issues that companies almost certainly wont voluntarily commit to because it would lead to substantively different results, ones that may more directly impact their business models.

While voluntary, agreeing to submit to  red team tests that poke at their AI systems is not an easy promise, said Suleyman.

The commitment weve made to have red-teamers basically try to break our models, identify weaknesses and then share those methods with the other large language model developers is a pretty significant commitment, Suleyman said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he will introduce legislation to regulate AI and is working closely with the Biden administration and our bipartisan colleagues to build upon the pledges made Friday.

A number of technology executives have called for regulation, and several attended an earlier White House summit in May.

Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post Friday that his company is making some commitments that go beyond the White House pledge, including support for regulation that would create a licensing regime for highly capable models. 

Some experts and upstart competitors worry that the type of regulation being floated could be a boon for deep-pocketed first-movers led by OpenAI, Google and Microsoft as smaller players are elbowed out by the high cost of making their AI systems adhere to regulatory strictures.

The White House pledge notes that it mostly only applies to models that are overall more powerful than the current industry frontier, set by recent models such as OpenAI`s GPT-4 and image generator DALL-E 2 and similar releases from Anthropic, Google and Amazon.

A number of countries have been looking at ways to regulate AI, including European Union lawmakers negotiating sweeping AI rules for the 27-nation bloc that could restrict applications deemed to have the highest risks.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently said the United Nations is the ideal place to adopt global standards and appointed a board that will report back on options for global AI governance by the end of the year.

Guterres also said he welcomed calls from some countries for the creation of a new U.N. body to support global efforts to govern AI, inspired by such models as the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The White House said Friday that it has consulted on the voluntary commitments with a number of countries.

The pledge is heavily focused on safety risks but doesn`t address other worries about the latest AI technology, including the effect on jobs and market competition, the environmental resources required to build the models, and copyright concerns about the writings, art and other human handiwork being used to teach AI systems how to produce human-like content.

Last week, OpenAI and The Associated Press announced a deal for the AI company to license APs archive of news stories. The amount it will pay for that content was not disclosed.
BEREA, Ohio -- Andy Matteucci served four years in the Army (2011-2014), including a tour in Afghanistan with the infantry. Tough duty.

Ill do whatever I can for fellow vets, he said.

As the new superintendent of public works at the Berea Service Garage, he supervises several workers who are veterans.

He also volunteers with Bereas Northern Ohio Veterans Association (formerly known as the Veterans Outreach Office). He took part in the citys Armed Forces Day program in June.

But his main job is making sure the day-to-day chores of the Service Department get done and get done right.

I give guidance to guys in the field and assign jobs for the day, he said.

Those jobs include handling water main breaks, cutting grass and maintaining Coe Lake, for example.

I also like to interact with the public, Matteucci said. We respond to homeowners. Make sure we deal with their concerns promptly and efficiently.

For example, he may be called to inspect drainage or sewer line issues.

Usually, its something I can address on the phone, but with major problems, Ill go out to the house, he said.

A native of Kenosha, Wis., Matteucci worked for Union Pacific out of Chicago before landing in Florida, where he worked as a water plant operator in Port St. Lucie and as an inspector for Indian River County.

He began working for the Berea Service Department in April.

He met his wife in Florida, where she works for a non-profit. She is a native of Avon Lake, so the move brings the couple closer to family.

Im more than fine with here, he said.
BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- Scout Kate Clark is preparing to embark on the trip of a lifetime -- to the 25th World Scout Jamboree in SaeManGeum, South Korea.

She will join over 50,000 Scouts from more than 150 countries for the 12-day adventure. She flies to South Korea this week.

Kate, 14, is an active member of Scouts BSA Troop 40G, sponsored by Bethesda on the Bay Lutheran Church in Bay Village.

World Jamborees are held every four years in a different country. This summers event is being hosted by the Scouts of South Korea. The next World Jamboree will be held in Poland in the summer of 2027; the last World Jamboree was held in the United States in 2019.

I cant wait, Kate said. I am excited and nervous at the same time. There will be so many great activities and things to do, but I am most looking forward to meeting other Scouts from all over the world.

World Jamboree sites become instant cities, with banks, medical facilities, snack bars, convenience stores and restaurants to go along with activities and events.

The Scouts will be camping together in a purpose-built tent city for 12 days from Aug. 1 after a whirlwind pre-jamboree tour of South Korea. The Jamboree ends Aug. 12.

I havent even met my troops other Scouts in person yet, as we are spread all over the United States, but we have been making friends and getting to know each other with regular Zoom meetings and social media groups, Kate said.

The Boy Scouts of America is sending more than 600 Scouts -- all between 14 and 18 years old -- to the World Scout Jamboree, supported by just over 400 adult volunteers serving as leaders and on an International Service Team or Staff for the Jamboree.

I just love the adventure and friendships I have made in Scouts, said Kate. I love camping and being outdoors.

She is working toward her Eagle Scout Award.

The World Scout Jamboree campsite in SaeManGeum encompasses nearly nine square kilometers and has more than 200 activities planned under the theme draw your dream.

Read more from the West Shore Sun.
CLEVELAND, Ohio A Bedford Heights police officer sued the city last week, saying he should be paid overtime as the departments police-dog handler.

Officer Ryan Kaetzel filed the lawsuit in federal court in Cleveland. He has been an officer since 2011 and the K-9 handler since 2018.

Kaetzel takes care of the dog on- and off-duty, including feeding, walking, grooming and training, along with other tasks such as taking it to veterinarian visits, according to the lawsuit.

The city required Kaetzel to ensure the dog was in good health, yet it never paid him for the work, the lawsuit said.

Messages left with Bedford Heights Law Director Ross Cirincione were not returned.

About three years ago, Kaetzel told police officials that he regularly worked more than 40 hours per week taking care of the dog, according to the lawsuit. The city failed to make, keep or preserve records of the hours Kaetzel worked off-duty.

Kaetzels attorney, Shannon Draher, accused Bedford Heights of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, which mandates that employers pay overtime.

Similar cases have been filed around the country, including one in 2021 filed by the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of three police officers in East St. Louis, Illinois, who handled the departments dogs.

East St. Louis ultimately paid $158,973 in back overtime pay to the three officers and 16 others who were not properly paid overtime.

Adam Ferrise covers federal courts at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. You can find his work here.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cleveland officials on Monday filed a federal lawsuit against a slew of companies over the recent drastic spike in insulin prices.

Law Director Mark Griffin and several private attorneys filed the lawsuit in federal court in Cleveland against manufacturers such as Eli Lilly and Co., pharmacy giants like CVS and major pharmacy benefit managers such as Evernorth Health, formerly Express Scripts.

The 155-page lawsuit accuses the companies of using their outsized market share to dramatically increase prices at the expense of the city, which spent about $2 million paying for insulin for its employees from 2017-2019, according to the lawsuit.

Diabetics need insulin to stay alive, city spokeswoman Marie Zickefoose said in a statement. The defendants exploit this reality to guarantee their price-fixing scheme, making insulin unaffordable to individuals and resulting in exorbitant costs for prescription benefit sponsors like the City of Cleveland.

Cleveland joins a host of cities, counties and states that have filed similar lawsuits in recent months.

The city is asking a judge to order an injunction against the companies, a declaration that the businesses violated Ohio law against deceptive practices and a determination that the companies violated federal civil-conspiracy laws.

Eli Lilly spokeswoman Carrie Munk said called the lawsuit meritless. She said anyone can buy Lilly insulin for $35 or less.

Recently, we announced we are cutting insulin prices by 70% and capping monthly out-of-pocket costs at $35 or less, reinforcing our commitment to closing gaps in the U.S. healthcare system and expanding access to affordable insulin, Munk said.

CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said drugmakers set prices, not pharmacy companies, and said any accusations that CVS played a role in determining the price of insulin are false.

He vowed the company would vigorously defend against this baseless suit.

cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Evernorth Health for comment.

About 1 million Ohioans and 17% of Cleveland residents have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the lawsuit. Insulin is a life-saving drug for some with diabetes.

The lawsuit accuses the companies of orchestrating a scheme to exponentially increase the price of insulin at the expense of Cleveland and employees under the citys insurance plan.

Three manufacturers  Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi  make about 92% of the insulin in the United States, according to the lawsuit. Three pharmacy benefit managers  CVS, UnitedHealth Group and Cigna  are among the top five largest pharmacies that distribute insulin, the lawsuit said.

Pharmacy benefit managers are typically hired by governments, insurers or employers to facilitate prescription drug programs, with the goal of reducing costs for the insured.

No major changes have been made to insulin in years, yet the cost keeps increasing, according to the lawsuit.

The prices in the last 25 years spiked, some by more than 1,000%. A vial of Humulin R from Eli Lilly in 1997 cost $165; in 2021, it cost $1,785, according to the lawsuit.

Two of the lead city attorneys on the case, Amy Hough and Elena Boop, have been affected by the price increases, the city said.

Hough was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1979 at age 7. Before she was hired by the city, she needed the use of high-interest credit cards to buy insulin, the city said in a statement.

Boops 15-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Boop had to shut down her small legal practice because insulin for her daughter cost so much.

Insulin prices effectively destroyed Elenas small business, the statement said.

Adam Ferrise covers federal courts at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. You can find his work here.
Yi ethnic group celebrates torch festival

(People's Daily App) 15:32, July 24, 2023

The Yi ethnic group in Southwest China have begun their annual carnival with fire taking center stage. The torch festival is an important festival among the Yi people for driving away misfortune and praying for a good harvest.

(Edited by Chen Xiangru and Huang Jingjing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education / Yonhap



Another case of an elementary school student attacking a teacher has occurred in the southeastern port city of Busan, education officials said Monday, following two recent similar incidents.



According to the officials, a third-grade student at a Busan elementary school hit the female teacher in the face and kicked her body during class.



The assault occurred while the teacher was asking the student to refrain from certain actions in the process of putting away instruments after music class, the officials said.



The teacher was struck several times, while other students watched, and the violent student was separated only after other teachers were called in, they said, adding she sustained injuries to her breastbone and other body parts that require three weeks of treatment, and has taken sick leave.






AKRON, Ohio  An Akron man accused of the shooting death of a California man in 2022 has been convicted on a murder charge, according to Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh.

A jury found Eric Pursley, 23, guilty of murder and two counts of felonious assault, a news release from Walshs office says. All of the charges included gun specifications.

According to prosecutors, Daniel Stein, 58, of Studio City, Calif., owned several rental properties in the Akron area. On Oct. 5, Stein went to a property on Sumner Street in Akron that was being leased by Pursley, who was several months behind on his rent.

Pursley confronted Stein, prosecutors say, and shot Stein in the head.

A sentencing date has not been set.
PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio  Police in Put-in-Bay had to call other law-enforcement agencies Saturday night for help, including a SWAT unit, after multiple fights broke out in a crowd of nearly 20,000 people, reports say.

WTOL Channel 11 reports that Put-in-Bay Police Chief James Kimble called for the Ottawa County SWAT to help regain control of the crowd. Kimble also requested help from the sheriffs departments in Erie County and Sandusky County, and also asked Port Clinton police to send personnel, the Sandusky Register reports.

WTOL reports about 30 SWAT members from the three counties responded to the island.

Ottawa County Sheriff Stephen Levorchick tells WTOL that security personnel with the Jet Express ferry service told deputies they were worried they were about to lose control of the dock.

We hadnt even left the Jet Express dock before we were called to a fight, Levorchick tells the Register. It was fight after fight after fight for a little while.

By the time it was all done, multiple fights had been broken up but only two people were arrested by deputies, WTVG Channel 13 reports. Levorchick says deputies did help Put-in-Bay police with several other arrests.

It was a mess, Kimble tells WTVG.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Despite the recent boost in the Ohio budget to raise the states threshold for receiving child care subsidies from 142% to 145% of the federal poverty level, Ohio still ranks at or near the bottom nationally.

Only North Carolina has a lower threshold at 133% - or $33,063 for a family of three. But even in North Carolina, the state is more generous when it comes to caring for younger children, with the threshold at double the poverty level for children ages 0 to 5.

Child care affordability and access are becoming an ever-growing problem both in Ohio and nationwide. With deep pushes from advocates, parents and leaders in the government, the meager gain raised eligibility for lower-income Ohioans to receive government-funded childcare to $36,047 annually for a three-person family.

The threshold is an important cutoff. In Ohio, for example, a parent below the threshold can apply for help to pay for their child care by contacting the county department of Job and Family Services, which will cover a portion of their child care costs depending on the parents income. Above that amount, however, there is no help under the program.

In our Rethinking Child Care series, cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer in 2023 examine the struggle to find quality, affordable child care and propose solutions to share families burdens and help the economy. Follow the coverage at this link.

Ohio is not alone in raising its poverty threshold in the last year, and when it all shakes out, Ohio stands where it stood before the increase of 3 percentage points - in the bottom five states helping subsidize childcare.

Under the change, the income cutoffs in Ohio are $28,594 for a two-person household, $43,500 for a four-person household, $50,963 for a five-person housing, and increasing above that for larger families.

Using 2023 federal poverty numbers, Ohio and North Carolina are the only states that have income eligibility lower than $40,000 annually for a family of three in order to qualify for assistance toward child care expenses.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, eight states offer subsidies for those making triple the poverty level or more, with the highest cutoff being in New Mexico. There, incomes up to 400% of the poverty level - or $99,435 a year for a family of three - qualify for subsidies.

The other states are Vermont (350%), California (339%), Alaska (311%), North Dakota (307%), Hawaii (306%), New York (300%) and South Carolina (300%).

Some mobile readers may need to use this link to view the chart on each states child care assistance poverty threshold.

Gov. Mike DeWine initially called for expanding eligibility to 160% of the poverty line. Such a bump would have paid for 15,000 more Ohio children to attend daycare, according to Legislative Service Commission estimates. But the governors plan was significantly pared back as lawmakers worked on a budget that contained significant income tax cuts for higher-income people.

But even if a 160% threshold passed the budget, Ohio would have ranked Ohio 43rd out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, tied with Iowa and only pushing the state ahead of Idaho (158%) and Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and West Virginia (150%).

While 160% was called lofty by critics, it doesnt come close to how high it used to be. Will Petrik, a project director at Policy Matters Ohio, in an earlier story recounted that eligibility was up to 185% at the beginning of the 2000s.

See the list below for the complete state rankings on eligibility thresholds for state-assisted childcare. Data comes from the National Womens Law Center unless otherwise noted by a link to a states legislation or Health and Human Services department. Eligibility income has been updated for all states using the 2023 federal poverty level.

Some mobile readers may need to use this link to view the chart.

*In Colorado, some counties will offer assistance up to 270% of the federal poverty level. In Virgina, some regions will offer assistance up to 250% of the federal poverty level. In North Carolina, the threshold is increased to 200% for families with children aged 0-5.

Zachary Smith is the data reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. He can be reached at zsmith@cleveland.com. See previous stories at this link.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Today is National Tequila Day, and the folks at casinos.com have come up with the most popular brands by state.

Overall, the most popular brand was determined to be Jose Cuervo, in 19 states. Casamigos and Don Julio each had 12 states, and Patron had eight. The list included the District of Columbia.
BULLFROG, Utah  A Cincinnati man is dead after he jumped from a 50-foot cliff into a lake at a national park in Utah, authorities say.

Cory Ryan Ehrnschwender, 36, died in the incident just before noon Thursday at Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a news release from the National Parks Service says. Ehrnschwenders body was found Friday morning in about 30 feet of water by the Utah Department of Public Safety Dive Team.

The Parks Service says witnesses saw a man jump from a cliff about 50 feet above the water. Ehrnschwender did not resurface after the jump. The Parks Service says people prohibited from jumping or diving off rock cliffs, ledges, or man-made structures (excluding vessels) from a height of 15 feet or more from the surface of the water.

The Utah State Medical Examiner in Salt Lake City will conduct an autopsy, the Parks Service says. The incident remains under investigation.
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio  A video shows a police officer allow his K9 to attack a Black suspect who was surrendering with his hands in the air following a traffic pursuit, despite repeated orders from State Highway Patrol troopers to hold the dog back, reports say.

The incident on the Fourth of July in Circleville has led to an investigation as to why the officer allowed the K9 to attack Jadarrius Rose, 23, following a lengthy pursuit involving a tractor-trailer, Reuters reports.

According to NBC News, the chase started Ohio 35 when Rose refused to stop his tractor-trailer for a Motor Carrier Enforcement inspector. The tractor-trailer rose was driving was missing a mudflap, reports say.

State Highway Patrol troopers were called in to help and stop-sticks were used twice on Ohio 23 to end the chase, NBC News reports. Authorities say Rose initially refused to get out of the truck. He eventually got out of the drivers side door, but then ignore orders to get on the ground, reports say.

Video from a body camera shows an officer with the Circleville Police Department holding back the K9 as troopers yell for Rose to get on the ground with his hands up. Rose eventually does get on his knees with his hands in the air.

A trooper then can be heard repeatedly yelling at the Circleville officer Do not release the dog with his hands up! However, the officer lets the dog go and it can be seen in the video attacking Rose. The trooper can be heard yelling repeatedly, Get the dog off of him! Rose also can be heard screaming in pain and yelling Get it off of me!

ABC News reports Rose was taken to a hospital for dog bites before being charged with failure to comply. Authorities say it remains unclear why he refused to stop for the inspector and troopers.

Meanwhile, NBC News reports that its unknown why the Circleville officer let the dog attack Rose and whether the officer has been disciplined by the department. A representative with the police union tells WSYX Channel 6 that everyone reserve judgement until that time during the investigation into the incident.

But Nana Watson, president of the NAACP Columbus chapter, says the video was disturbing.

I was traumatized because it brought back memories from the 1960s, Watson tells WSYX. I was afraid for him. I was fearful for him. I was taken aback when he had his hands up and they unleashed the dog on him.
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- In my email this morning came a message from therapist Ernesto Segismundo, urging those who help others to remember to tend to self-care.

I offer an excerpt: Life is unpredictable. ... (B)uilding our resilience helps us navigate these uncertainties and come out stronger on the other side.

Self-care is critical. And it is equally important to know where to turn when help is needed. We need to know the people, places and means of support -- and spread the word.

Urgent care: The new University Hospitals (UH) Urgent Care facility opens Tuesday (July 25) at 1300 SOM Center Road. This location is accessible by major highways and is adjacent to large retail centers and neighborhoods, bringing care to a strategic area.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Extended hours at other UH Urgent Care locations are in the works. Such moves will provide greater access to high-quality healthcare services to residents across the region. UHs goal is to deliver health care closer to where patients live, work and shop.

Urgent cares are an essential piece of our UH care delivery model, said UH Chief Operating Officer Paul Hinchey, MD, MBA. They are a more affordable option than emergency departments for patients who dont have a primary care physician but need immediate, non-life-threating medical attention.

The new facilities will be equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by seasoned professionals offering compassionate, efficient and personalized care to patients of all ages.

Campus kudos: A whole lineage of teachers -- beginning with parents, guardians, siblings, friends and neighbors -- helps our next generation reach its potential. And as newbies are able (and they sure learn fast!), they will assume the reins, pick up the torch and become our leaders of tomorrow.

Congratulations to all Hillcrest area achievers for their impressive records. Keep up the fine work.

Sophia Tate of Lyndhurst earned a spot on the deans list at Coastal Carolina University for spring 2023. The campus is in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Andrew Majernik, also of Lyndhurst, was named to the spring 2023 presidents list at Coastal Carolina University.

Katelyn Kinczel of Highland Heights was named to the deans list at Wilkes University for the spring 2023 semester. The campus is in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Hana Naghmouchi of Lyndhurst made the deans list from Duquesne University in spring 2023. She is studying in the School of Education.

Alaina Roth of South Euclid has been named to the spring 2023 deans list at Palmer College of Chiropractics main campus in Davenport, Iowa.

A lasting legacy: Head of School Ann V. Klotz has announced that Laurel School has received a $2 million legacy gift from Kim Sherwin, an alumna from the Class of 1957. Sherwin was committed to the public purpose of private schools and girls education.

Her gift will support the creation of the Ruhlman Family Center, a new multi-use building at Laurels Butler Campus in Russell Township. It will be named Kims Hive, a flexible space for creative teaching and interaction, including art, technology, science and more.

Her gift will also support Laurels Center for Research on Girls, plus the development of programming focused on the public purpose of private schools.

Sherwin valued prioritizing girls social and emotional wellbeing as the essential foundation of academic achievement.

Her gift is of tremendous significance not only to Laurel girls, but also to our larger Northeast Ohio community, Klotz said.

Each one, teach one: One of my favorite adages for reaching out to those in pain is No one can do everything. But everyone can do something.

Its attributed online to Max Lucado, author and minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. But may I say great minds think alike? I thought I dreamt it up myself.

Sometimes sayings and mottos almost float through the atmosphere.

Here is another one, perhaps the inspiration for building community in a classroom or workplace: No one knows everything, but everyone knows something -- Unknown.

Effort is both individual and cumulative!

A Happy home: Many Hillcrest-area readers are animal lovers, if my memory serves me correctly. Some may even remember my references to Robin, our rescue of 2009 who crossed the rainbow bridge earlier this year.

I have had an empty spot in my heart since then. If you have lost a pet, you know that each is unique and truly irreplaceable. But, as with many of lifes losses, there can be a point where the desire to kindle a new friendship emerges.

Choose your metaphor: A door opens, a page turns, a window rolls down and a new dogs sweet nose will sniff the fresh air of freedom.

For Don and me, that happened last week. And gesture by gesture, word by word, even thought by thought, Happy has joined our home.

She is originally from Kentucky, was temporarily housed in Novelty and now is a proud Hillcrest-area canine.

Happy Hillcrest is a new alliterative phrase, but she may prefer Happy, treat!

She is 2 years old and a rescue. Among her favorite experiences so far: Watching me scramble an egg.

Among wildest temptations: Resisting the plump groundhog munching grass in the yard.

Endearing habit: An almost unlimited capacity for back rubs. side rubs, chin rubs.

Olympic feat: Leaping (easily) over the gate at the foot of the stairs.

One of her unique gestures at the shelter was lying on her back for a belly rub -- and we had just met! She seemed eager to share her vulnerability.

But her resilience includes birthing seven puppies, also adopted (by others) from the shelter. And wow: She is strong. And as I walked her out of the shelter, I pondered how many of us hold back our full strength when in a small space.

And after all, a mixed breed featuring Australian cattle dog is not suited to a sedentary existence. Im trying to make some adaptation so life is not too dull here.

After all, my niece has aptly said: A dog needs a job. Or else it will become self-employed.

Some breeds akin to this are called heelers, alluding to how they might have nipped at heels of cattle to spur them along. Lets adapt that. How about a nudge when I need to put on my shoes and take a needed walk (for both of us).

I would like to think of her as a happy healer. There is healing in the human-animal bond, if cultivated.

Thank you to all the helping hands and loving hearts that helped her on the way to a new home.

Tell me more! Im here to focus on Hillcrest-area accomplishments, events, accolades, and more. Write to mariashinestewart@gmail.com

For more Hillcrest-area news, click on Sun Messenger.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio is entering the final two weeks before the special election on Aug. 8, when voters will decide whether to approve State Issue 1, which would make it harder to amend the state constitution.

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer has been publishing multiple news articles a week since mid-May, highlighting the proposals details and how it fits into the national picture surrounding citizen-initiated ballot issues. Thats in addition to editorials and other opinion content.

If youre doing your homework before casting your ballot, this guide should be useful. Here is a list, along with a brief summary, of all of our news coverage.

Related story: Who to believe on Ohios Issue 1? Read all our opinion coverage before special August election

Weve listed the stories in chronological order, so you can see how the story has developed over the last few months.

And as a reminder: State Issue 1, if voters approve it, would amend the state constitution to require future amendments to get a 60% supermajority in a statewide vote in a future in order to pass. Thats compared to the current 50% simple majority standard thats been in place for more than a century. It also would make it harder for potential ballot issues to qualify by expanding mandatory signature-gathering requirements for amendment campaigns.

The 60% requirement would apply to all future proposals, including a potential ballot issue in November that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution that spurred Republican lawmakers into action. The signature-gathering requirements would take effect in January.

Voting yes on the issue would approve the change. A no vote would reject it.

May 10 - After months of on-again, off-again debate, Republican state lawmakers voted to approve Senate Joint Resolution 2, which set a rare August election to ask voters whether to make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution. The vote followed an intense lobbying campaign by two key socially conservative advocacy groups, Ohio Right to Life and the Buckeye Firearms Association, that was backed by a Super PAC bankrolled by a Republican megadonor from Illinois. Immediately after the vote, a campaign group opposing the measure called One Person One Vote, announced its formation.

May 11 - Since Ohio rarely holds August elections, this article detailed deadlines and other key voting-related information so that Ohioans knew how and when to cast their ballot.

May 12 - The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and other major state business groups voted to endorse what eventually became state Issue 1, citing potential future constitutional amendments that would hike the state minimum wage and bar employers from requiring vaccinations. Notably absent is the Ohio Business Roundtable, another major business organization whose founder and longtime CEO later penned an op-ed opposing Issue 1.

Ohio Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve Stivers, a former Republican congressman, said his organizations board voted to endorse the measure primarily because it would impose tougher signature-gathering requirements for citizen groups trying to propose amendments. There were folks who felt both ways on the 60%. But it was the signature issues that put us over the top that made us want to support this, Stivers said.

May 12 - One Person One Vote, the anti-Issue 1 campaign group, asks the Ohio Supreme Court to block the Aug. 8 election. The lawsuit says Republican lawmakers failed to properly undo a law they passed the previous December that outlawed most August elections.

May 17 - As campaigns for and against Issue 1 got organized, this story explored how the abortion issue may factor into the arguments voters would hear ahead of the August election. Although it was very early in the campaign, it foreshadowed how both sides would not make abortion central to their public arguments, despite the looming ballot issue that caused lawmakers to put Issue 1 up for a vote.

May 18 - The Republican-controlled Ohio Ballot Board votes to set ballot language for Issue 1, including giving it its official title. A majority, led by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, wrote a ballot summary that does not explicitly describe how the changes in the proposal would set a higher approval threshold for state constitutional amendments. Republicans said they did so to keep the summary as brief as possible, although Democrats and voting-rights groups said the panel did so to try to stack the deck for Issue 1s passage. Democrats also took issue with the ballot issues title, which described the changes as elevating the standards for amending the state constitution.

May 18 The ACLU of Ohio and the Ohio League of Women Voters, groups that frequently work together on election-related lawsuits in Ohio, file a friend of the court brief supporting the May 12 lawsuit from One Person One Vote. They call the proposal a shameless attempt to silence the voice of Ohioans by allowing a minority of voters to defeat the will of the majority who wish to amend the Ohio Constitution.

May 22 - Lawyers in Ohio Attorney General Dave Yosts office file their defense against the May 12 lawsuit from One Person One Vote. They argue that even if Republican lawmakers tied their own hands by outlawing August elections, they should be able to set an August election to decide State Issue 1 anyway. Thats because, the filing contends, of what it says in a part of the Ohio Constitution that describes how and when lawmakers can pose proposed constitutional changes to voters.

May 23 - The official yes on Issue 1 campaign launches. The group, called Protect Our Constitution, is led by Republican state legislative leaders, and is a coalition of Republican elected officials, business groups, anti-abortion groups and gun-rights activists.

May 24 - One Person One Vote files a second Issue 1-related lawsuit. This second lawsuit says the language the Ohio Ballot Board approved on May 18 is improperly slanted in the proposals favor, and asks the Ohio Supreme Court to force Republicans to rewrite it.

May 26 - This article details how in a private call with GOP activists, the Ohio Republican Party shared their expectation that the Aug. 8 election would see low voter participation. The projection cut against public talking points from pro-Issue 1 state lawmakers, who deflected concerns from critics that they had set an August election as a strategic ploy by predicting that turnout would be better than people expected.

May 30 - One Person One Vote fleshes out the arguments in its May 24 lawsuit, saying in a court filing that Ohio Republicans disregarded recent precedents when deciding not to describe the current rules for Ohio constitutional amendments when describing Issue 1s effects in the ballot summary language.

June 1 - This article details a private fundraising pitch given by the pro-Issue 1 campaign to a group of top Columbus lobbyists, in which Issue 1 backers said they would avoid describing the measures effects on the potential abortion-rights amendment in November. You dont say abortion. You dont say 60%. You dont bring up social issues that divide even Republicans. The focus will be on protecting the constitution from special interests, said one person with knowledge of the presentation who spoke with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

June 4 - Ohios State Issue 1 is just part of a larger fight over citizen-initiated ballot issues, generally pitting Republican state lawmakers against backers of left-leaning policies, many of which have fared well at the ballot box. This article details that fight, which has intensified after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. It also describes how similar proposals failed in 2022 in Arkansas and South Dakota, and how another similar proposal fizzled in Missouri ahead of an expected vote on abortion rights there.

June 6 - This article offered questions and answers about how and when voters can cast their ballots for the Aug. 8 election, including again highlighting changes to state voting laws Republican legislators approved the previous December.

June 11 - This in-depth story researched the 228 proposed constitutional amendments that voters have been asked to approve since 1914, when the current system was created allowing citizens to directly proposed constitutional amendments. Of the 126 that passed, 50 failed to clear 60%, including recent votes legalizing casino gambling and hiking the state minimum wage.

It also breaks down how many were proposed by state lawmakers and how many were proposed by citizens, the two main routes through which constitutional amendments can be made.

June 12 - This article describes the factual error contained in the June 6 ballot summary for State Issue 1 that misdescribed the number of voter signatures in the measure would require in each of Ohios 88 counties.

June 12 - The Ohio Supreme Court handed a limited victory to Issue 1 opponents by ordering the Ohio Ballot Board to rewrite the measures ballot summary. The order, issued by the courts four Republican justices, directed the ballot board though to only fix the factual errors dealing with Issue 1s signature-gathering changes, rejecting a broader appeal from anti-Issue 1 groups that the court force the ballot board to also describe Issue 1s effects in greater detail.

June 14 - In response to the courts June 12 decision, the Ohio Ballot Board approves new ballot language for State Issue 1. The Ohio Controlling Board, a state panel that oversees spending requests, also approves spending $322,000 to run legally mandated information about Issue 1 in newspapers around the state.

June 14 - Elections officials in Cuyahoga County, unsure of whether voter turnout will be low or high, brace for a potentially costly Aug. 8 election. Their comments reflect concerns from elections officials around the state who opposed the Aug. 8 election, since it overlaps with their election-related duties for a likely statewide election in November.

June 16 - The Republican majority on the Ohio Supreme Court declines to block the Aug. 8 election, ruling against One Person One Vote in the lawsuit the group filed on May 12.

June 18 - A group of state business leaders, including several prominent Clevelanders, issue an open letter opposing Issue 1. The letter is in part a response to the Ohio Chamber of Commerces decision to endorse Issue 1 the previous month.

June 18 - This in-depth article takes a look at the higher signature-gathering requirements contained in State Issue 1, and how they compare to other states. In general, if the issue passes, Ohio would have some of the toughest geographic-based signature requirements of any of the 17 U.S. states that allow citizens to propose state constitutional amendments. Ohios current requirement that a certain amount of signatures be collected in half of the states counties is more in keeping with what other states require, said John Dinan, a Wake Forest University professor and expert on state constitutional amendments. An 88-county requirement would be at the clear upper end of what states require in terms of a geographical distribution requirement for signature collection.

June 21 - State officials notice they made a technical error in the Issue 1 ballot language they sent to county boards of election for printing. The move causes some counties to have to re-do their ballots a few days ahead of a federal deadline to get absentee ballots to military members and other overseas voters.

June 21 - A prominent supporter and opponent debated the merits of Issue 1 at the Columbus Metropolitan Club in Columbus. This article summarizes their arguments, and included a chart showing state-by-state constitutional amendment rules.

June 25 - This article, published to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, spotlights how State Issue 1 puts Ohio at ground zero of the national debate over abortion. Abortion opponents in Ohio say that Issue 1, if it works, could be shown to be a playbook for Republican legislators who hope to head off abortion-rights ballot issues in other states.

June 27 - One Person One Vote makes its first major expenditure of the Issue 1 campaign, spending $1 million on a weeks worth of statewide TV ads attacking the proposal. The buy, which One Person One Vote renewed in subsequent weeks, shows that the group, a coalition of organized labor, voting-rights groups, abortion-rights supporters, Democrats and some former Republican elected officials, is well funded enough to mount a credible campaign to defeat Issue 1.

June 28 - Bob Taft, the Republican who served as Ohio governor from 1999 until 2007, speaks as an opponent of Issue 1 at a voter event in Dayton.

July 5 - This article includes a series of charts listing important facts surrounding State Issue 1, including charts detailing state-by-state rules for constitutional amendments and a quick description of every constitutional amendment thats passed since 1914. The information helps shed light on claims from campaigns for and against Issue 1 about how hard or easy Ohio makes it for citizens to propose constitutional amendments.

July 5 - Cuyahoga County officials report a spike in early-voting requests, with voters requesting more than six times as many absentee ballots than they had at the equivalent time ahead of the August 2022 election.

July 6 - This article shows how the official anti-Issue 1 campaign, One Person One Vote, sends a political mailer that uses controversial voter shaming tactics that political scientists have said can increase voter turnout. The pro-Issue 1 campaign, Protect Our Constitution, calls the mailer creepy.

July 6 - This article highlights a recent law change that, for the first time, requires voters to fill out a specific state-issued form when requesting an absentee ballot. A community newspaper in Cleveland ran afoul of the rule by publishing a noncompliant application form, leading elections officials in Cuyahoga County to reject a few dozen application from voters.

July 7 - Lee Weingart, the unsuccessful 2022 Republican candidate for Cuyahoga County executive, announces his opposition to State Issue 1 on social media. While Weingart isnt prominent statewide, the development shows how there is bipartisan opposition to Issue 1, even though the measure has near-universal support within the current Ohio Republican Party. Before state lawmakers moved forward with their plan to put the amendment on the August ballot, bipartisan former Ohio governors and attorneys general also voiced opposition to the plan.

July 10 - Voter registration closes for the Aug. 8 election, one day ahead of the start of early voting. This article again details key information for voters, including early voting hours and the states new voter ID requirements.

July 10 - This article, written after a cleveland.com / Plain Dealer reporter accompanied pro and anti-Issue 1 campaigners going door-to-door, details how abortion is factoring into the election.

July 11 - Early voting begins for the Aug. 8 election. A cleveland.com / Plain Dealer reporter interviewed some of the first voters who showed up to cast their ballots at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

July 11 - Protect Our Constitution, the pro-Issue 1 group, accidently mails outdated absentee ballot applications in a mailing targeting sympathetic Republican voters. While elections officials clarified later in the day that they actually can accept the applications, since they were an old version of a state-issued form, the forms include outdated information that could lead voters to see their applications rejected.

July 11 - Participants in a conservative, pro-Issue 1 forum outside of Columbus describe the election in existential terms, describing Issue 1 as a bulwark against a liberal effort to destroy the family unit.

July 14 - This analysis of elections in May and August 2022 explores how local swings in turnout could have the potential to sway the outcome of the Aug. 8 election. Both campaigns have an organizing framework. For the yes campaign, its the Ohio Republican Partys network of county parties and conservative, evangelical and Catholic churches that are concerned about the abortion vote in November. And for the anti-Issue 1 campaign, its the organized effort to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures needed to place the proposed abortion-rights amendment on the November ballot.

July 14 - After increasing grumbling from conservative activists, the pro-Issue 1 side launches its first TV ads of the campaign. But theyre being paid for by Protect Ohio Women, the campaign group working to defeat the potential abortion-rights amendment in November.

July 17 - Elections officials report a flood of voters casting early, in-person ballots at the Cuyahoga County Board of elections in Cleveland. The numbers put Cuyahoga County on track to exceed total turnout for the Aug. 2022 election based on the early vote alone.

July 19 - A cleveland.com / Plain dealer analysis of data from the Ohio Secretary of States Office show a surge of early voting across the state compared to the May and August elections in 2022. The numbers are particularly high in urban and suburban areas, a potential bad sign for Issue 1, although its difficult to decipher to what extent the shift could just show voters changing their typical patterns due to the summer election.

July 20 - This analysis explores what effect State Issue 1 could have on the U.S. Senate campaign of one of the issues most prominent backers, Secretary of State Frank LaRose. LaRose has managed to become the face of one anti-Issue 1 attack ad, which could be a sign of things to come if he makes it through the Republican primary election next year.

July 21 - The latest release of data from LaRoses office shows that early voting remains high across the state when compared to the August 2022 election.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
Rotunda Rumblings

Frankensteined together: With some reverse engineering, Laura Hancock was able to identify where sections of Senate Bill 83, the sweeping higher education bill that aims to remove a perceived liberal agenda from public colleges and universities, came from model legislation by conservative organizations. The Civics Alliance, Manhattan Institute and Goldwater Institute influenced the bills protections of intellectual diversity, affirmative action bans and prohibition of diversity, equity and inclusion training. Two Florida bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed that seek to limit Chinas influence on higher ed are similar to SB 83s ban, but the bills diverge in some areas as well.

Sign across the line: The campaign for abortion rights hit signature goals in the Northeast Ohio counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Lorain, Medina and Geauga. The campaign for recreational marijuana didnt achieve the sufficient number of signatures in Cuyahoga County. Campaigns have to hit signature goals across the state to quality on the Nov. 7 ballot, Hancock and Andrew Tobias report.

Popular vote: Early-voting turnout for the Aug. 8 special election was high during the first seven days of voting, according to new numbers from Secretary of State Frank LaRoses office. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, more than 155,000 ballots were cast as of July 19  more than five times as many than were cast during the same period ahead of the August 2022 primary election. It remains to be seen what this surge in turnout might say about the prospects of Issue 1, though historically early voting tends to help Democrats (who are mostly opposed to Issue 1, which would make it harder to pass future amendments such as the potential abortion-rights amendment).

No choice: 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, Sabrina Eaton writes. 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.

Strategic intel: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, introduced legislation he says is meant to prevent delays in domestic manufacturing projects like Intels in-construction factories in Licking County. The Columbus Dispatchs Mark Williams reports the legislation is meant to ensure environmental reviews are conducted in a timely manner.

Dooby dispensary: The Ohio Board of Pharmacy awarded a certificate of operation Thursday to The Green Goat Dispensary, 4016 Greentree Ave. SW in Canton. Now 95 dispensaries have these certificates, which allow them to open doors to patients.

Already crowded: In conservative-leaning Warren County, four Republicans have already pulled petitions to run for term-limited Republican state Rep. Scott Lipps Ohio House seat next year, according to the county board of elections. Hamilton Township Chief of Police Scott Hughes and Kim Lukens, a counselor who ran unsuccessfully for Loveland City Council in 2021, have already had their candidate petitions validated. Two others have filed initial paperwork: Ben McCullough, a U.S. Army veteran and defense contractor consultant, and Colleen Teska of Centerville, who was slated to be a delegate for 2016 GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson.

Full Disclosure

Five things we learned from the May 9, 2023 financial disclosure of state Rep. Ron Ferguson, a Wintersville Republican.

1. Along with his legislative salary, he earned between $10,000 and $25,000 from the Americans for Prosperity libertarian interest group for training

2. He also reported earning rental income from Ronbob Rentals, LLC

3. He received $550 in airfare and $455 in lodging from Young Americans for Liberty

4. He also received $2,157 in travel fare from the Club for Growth Foundation

5. He received gifts worth more than $75 from 15 different individuals or couples.

Tick tock

The countdown is on for the special election to decide State Issue 1, a state constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass future amendments. Here are the key dates to remember.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot  8 days (Aug. 1)

Election Day... 15 days (Aug. 8)

Todays hours for in-person, early voting: 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

Birthdays

Aaron Fisher, senior strategist for strategy/direct mail firm Bergmann Zwerdling Direct and ex-Ohio House Democratic Caucus executive director

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney

Straight From The Source

When you look at Mr. Kennedys tweet, there was nothing in there that was factually inaccurate. Hank Aaron, real person, great American, passed away after he got the vaccine. Pointing out, just pointing out facts.

-U.S. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, echoing a misleading insinuation from longshot Democratic presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., at a congressional hearing, as reported by Yahoo News.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
A woman mourns at a memorial altar in Seoul's Seocho District, Monday, for an elementary school teacher who took her own life inside her classroom on July 18. Yonhap



President orders guidelines to protect teachers' rights, enhance their authority



By Jun Ji-hye



Teachers across the country have been suffering from increasing accusations of child abuse filed by parents or students against them.



Teachers and unions said Monday that most of these cases resulted from their attempts to guide students, citing an example of one teacher who was accused of child abuse after grabbing the arms of a pupil to stop a fight with a classmate.



Once a child abuse report is filed, a teacher faces months of being investigated by police and prosecutors until they are cleared of suspicion. This makes them lose confidence considerably, with some of them giving up guiding students or leaving schools altogether.



The suffering of teachers came to the fore following the recent death of an elementary school teacher in Seoul's affluent Seocho District who took her own life inside her classroom on July 18.



Although the police are continuing their investigation into the death of the teacher in her 20s, it has been speculated in online communities that she had a tough time due to vocal complaints from parents of some of her students.



Also making headlines were incidents where an elementary school boy in sixth grade in Seoul's Yangcheon District and another elementary school boy in third grade in Busan assaulted their respective teacher last month, causing them to require three weeks of medical treatment.



Teachers say they have been unable to protect themselves from demanding parents or violent students due mainly to the current special law against child abuse and the student human rights ordinance.









The special law stipulates that anyone can report to the police when they are aware of or suspect child abuse. Teachers say when parents or students abuse this law, there is nothing more they can do.



The student human rights ordinance, which was enacted in 2010 to view each student as an individual human being rather than subject of control, bans corporal punishment and any discrimination by teachers. Although the ordinance has been praised for its good intention, it also faced criticism for only emphasizing students' human rights, while neglecting teachers' rights.



"One day, one of my students was noisy in class. I told him to be quiet, because he was disturbing other students," said a 40-year-old teacher in Yangju District, Gyeonggi Province. "The next day, his parents reported me to the police for emotionally abusing their child. They said I humiliated their child in front of other students."





Participants demand teachers' rights be guaranteed during a rally in central Seoul on Saturday over the recent death of an elementary school teacher. Yonhap



The teacher, who was cleared of suspicion after a two-month investigation, participated in a rally on Saturday over the death of the elementary school teacher.



"Many teachers across the country participated in the rally voluntarily as all of us have had similar experiences to what the young teacher suffered," she said. "The special law against child abuse should be amended in a way to better protect teachers' rights."



According to a teachers' union in Gyeonggi Province, 1,252 child abuse reports have been made against teachers over the last five years, and among them, 676, or 53.9 percent, were dropped.



The ratio of the dropped cases of the entire child abuse accusations was only 14.9 percent during the same period. This showed accusations against teachers were filed quite indiscriminately.



Amid growing controversy, President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the Ministry of Education to come up with comprehensive guidelines at the earliest possible date to protect teachers' rights and enhance their authority in classrooms.



"The government should also consult with the ruling party and local governments to revise the irrational ordinance that has infringed on teachers' rights," Yoon was quoted as saying by his spokesman Lee Do-woon, Monday, apparently making a reference to the student human rights ordinance.



In response, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said his ministry will work to draw up the guidelines by August and push to amend the ordinance.



"We will work to prevent the infringement of teachers' rights to teach as well as other students' rights to learn," Lee said during his meeting with teachers' unions at the Federation of Korean Trade Unions building.




Rep. Park Jeung of the Democratic Party of Korea speaks to reporters at Beijing Capital International Airport in China, in this June 15 file photo. A group of opposition party lawmakers have come under criticism for pushing ahead with their overseas trip during a flooding crisis. Yonhap



By Jung Min-ho



When President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine on July 15, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized him over the trip taken while a flooding crisis was unfolding at home. Now, the party is facing similar criticism over its own lawmakers traveling overseas.



Rep. Park Jeung, chief of the National Assembly's committee responsible for oversight of the executive branch's flood response, was among the four lawmakers who pressed ahead with a five-day trip to Vietnam and Laos this week at a time when heavy rain was forecast to pound South Korea.



Amid mounting criticism of hypocrisy and irresponsibility, Park and two others  Reps. Yoon Joon-byeong and Choi Ki-sang  said they would return earlier than originally planned. But Rep. Park Byeong-seug, former vice speaker of the Assembly, said he would stick to the plan because of predetermined diplomatic appointments.



"How could anyone understand the DPK lawmakers who proceeded with a business trip to Vietnam at a time when heavy rain threatened to endanger the lives and safety of the public across the country?" Rep. Kang Min-kuk, spokesman for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said in a statement on Sunday.



"After criticizing the administration and governing party over the Ukraine trip, amid the heavy rain, it has been as irresponsible as the ruling party. This is yet another case showing its hypocritical attitude and low standards."



Some PPP lawmakers had planned to join the trip, which began Sunday. But they eventually canceled as the country was reeling from the damage left by the heavy rainfall, which has so far killed at least 47 people and destroyed swathes of farmland across the country over the past week.



As heavy rain swept through Korea last week, many DPK lawmakers denounced Yoon for his trip to Ukraine, where he promised more support for the war effort at a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon slammed him for "rolling up his sleeves for the business of other countries" while ignoring important matters in his own country.



The DPK lawmakers' business trip has faced criticism also from within. Rep. Lee So-young, its flood spokeswoman, said on Monday that party leaders urged them to cut the trip short as it was clearly improper to have such a trip given the domestic situation.




 4
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea



By Baek Byung-yeul



Mercedes-Benz Korea is reportedly considering a direct-to-consumer retail model similar to Tesla's, instead of selling cars to consumers through dealerships, according to industry experts, Monday.



Although the German automaker officially denied such speculation, experts said buying via online platforms could be an inevitable trend for consumers accustomed to online purchases during and since the COVID-19 pandemic.



They said Mercedes-Benz Korea recently held a meeting with its dealers to discuss introducing a direct sales system and boosting online sales. The move seems to be affected by its German headquarters, which is already increasing online sales in Europe.



The rationale is that different prices at different dealers would inconvenience consumers; reducing the number of showrooms would reduce labor costs; and given the high price of electric vehicles (EV), it would be beneficial to reduce the distribution process.



Regarding the issue, a Mercedes-Benz Korea spokesman said that the Korean unit's strategy is being discussed transparently with its dealerships and that it is difficult to share more on these issues.



"We have been having close and transparent discussions with all of our dealers about strategies to have better business with our customers and business partners in a rapidly changing car industry. We are unable to share more details about our internal business discussions," the spokesman said.



In regard to Mercedes-Benz Korea's consideration of a direct-to-consumer retail model, Lee Tae-hun, a professor at the Department of Car Business at Daekyeung University, said that the expansion of online sales is a question of when and how it might be implemented, but it has already become an industry trend.



"Mercedes-Benz Korea has already been selling certified used cars on their own online platform. As they do with used cars, they can sell new cars this way anytime. Hyundai Motor and Kia are also entering the certified car market here and are openly looking to bypass dealerships and sell cars online. It's just a matter of when and I think the expansion of online sales is the unavoidable direction of the auto sales industry, as consumers have already adapted to buying online during the pandemic," the professor said.



The professor added there will be fewer dealerships and dealers if online sales expand, but the dealers will still exist because cars are expensive products.



"There will still be a need for dealers because cars are the largest single asset outside of a home. As we are witnessing that Tesla still needs experts to explain its vehicle when their cars are delivered to customers, the role of dealers will be changed, but they won't disappear," he said.



It remains to be seen whether Mercedes-Benz Korea's strategy will work as planned. It is because the second-largest shareholder of Mercedes-Benz Korea, with a 49 percent stake, is Malaysia-based Hap Seng Group.



Hap Seng Group also holds a 20 percent stake in Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Korea, the financial arm of Mercedes-Benz Korea, and owns Han Sung Motor, the largest Mercedes-Benz dealership here and Star Motor, another local Mercedes-Benz dealership.


Two analysts raised their expectations for Apple shares, a week ahead of the technology giant's next earnings report. Deutsche Bank analyst Sidney Ho reiterated his buy rating on the Big Tech stock while raising his price target by $30 to $210. Ho's new target implies an upside of 9.4% over Friday's close. "While we believe some of these upside potentials are already priced in, we note that the multiple expansion seen by AAPL in the past 3 months is consistent with other Big Tech names," he said in a note to clients Sunday. "Despite higher valuation, we continue to view AAPL favorably given its high quality of earnings." Ho said to expect Apple's third-quarter earnings and current-quarter guidance to come in line or slightly above analyst expectations when the company reports next week. Third-party data and the firm's recent checks both show potential upsides for the iPhone, Mac and services businesses, he said. Though the global smartphone market has seen less recovery than expected, Ho said Apple has had some cushion due to its place as a premium product. He also said Apple could see iPhone units grow on an annual basis for the 2023 calendar year despite Wall Street expecting a drop of around 5%. Apple could also see upside due to foreign exchange causing less of a headwind than previous quarters and component pricing after the company built a strategic inventory last quarter, he said. Wells Fargo analyst Aaron Rakers also upped his price target Sunday, bringing his expected price per share to $225 from $210. The new price target from Rakers, who has an overweight rating on the stock, shows that he thinks shares could jump 17.2% over the next year. He said to expect an in-line revenue report and slight beat to expectations for earnings per share. But he said the firm is keeping current-quarter expectations that are below Wall Street expectations, while noting those could be conservative. Rakers also said the company could see the services business reaccelerate but that iPhone sales should come in line with expectations. Both analysts' price targets indicate Apple's rally could have more steam ahead. Shares have already risen nearly 50% this year. AAPL YTD mountain Apple's 2023  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Bank of America believes Europe's oil majors are about to hit an inflection point. The Wall Street bank said that despite a quarter-over-quarter decline in oil, European gas, refining margins, and an average of 2% more consensus downgrades for 2023, share prices for most Big Oil firms have increased. This trend reflects investor anticipation for a long-awaited turn in earnings momentum, according to analysts at Bank of America. "Across our European Big Oil coverage, we believe consensus estimates have been re-set - on average showing no more downside to our 2Q23 earnings expectations," said BofA analysts led by Christopher Kuplent in a research note to clients on July 14. The note was entitled "Europe's Big Oils are close to bottoming out." However, analysts said a disparity exists between the companies, and investors are likely to reward some stocks more than others. It named Shell as its "Big Oil top pick." The U.K.-headquartered company's stock is traded on London , New York , and Amsterdam stock exchanges. The below table shows European Big Oil companies, the earnings release dates, and Bank of America's 12-month price target and upside potential. Shell As its top pick, Bank of America expects Shell to report strong second-quarter earnings and cash flows. The bank believes Shell's investment case stands out as the firm is reducing 2023-25 capital expenditure, demonstrating financial discipline, and showing above-average resilience in its cash flow framework. BofA predicts that Shell's third-quarter buyback guidance will surpass its $2.5 billion floor and the consensus expectations are of approximately $3 billion. Shares of the company have risen 3% this year  one of the biggest among Big Oil stocks  and are expected to go up another 31% over the next 12 months. BP In contrast, BofA analysts painted a less promising picture for BP . They said despite impressing investors with a share buyback and dividend guidance surpassing expectations during its fourth-quarter results last year, BP has faced a number of challenges. Unfavorable working capital outflows during the first quarter have impacted BP's ability to maintain a flexible approach, putting BP under more pressure to reconsider its shareholder distribution policy, according to the analysts. "As a result, we see net debt slightly increase - constraining BP's shareholder distributions given credit rating upgrades remain pending," the analysts said. Shares of BP are traded in London and New York . While the stock has been flat this year, BofA expects it to rise by 16% over the next 12 months. TotalEnergies Bank of America forecasts an adjusted operating income of $7.7 billion for TotalEnergies ' second-quarter earnings, well below the consensus of $7.9 billion. The bank also expects adjusted net income to be lower than consensus at $5.4 billion, a 20% drop from the previous quarter. TotalEnergies shares are traded in Paris and New York through the ticker TTE. The stock has declined by 8% year to date, but Bank of America believes it will rebound by 44% over the next 12 months. "We see cash outflows, dividends and buybacks well covered and expect TTE to extend its $2bn quarterly buyback run-rate into 2H23," the analysts said. Equinor The Wall Street bank said that while Equinor , a Norwegian state-owned firm, faces some downside to its earnings consensus on cash flow expectations, the forecasts underestimate working capital inflows. The analysts said the beat on inflows could offer tailwinds to free cash flow coverage of dividends and buybacks, which could push up stock prices. Shares of Equinor are traded in Oslo and New York. The stock has fallen by 12% this year but is expected to reverse those losses by rising 17.5% over the next 12 months from current levels.
Steve Eisman of "The Big Short" revealed a mistake he's made when trying to deploy his strategy of betting against stocks that made him famous. The senior portfolio manager at Neuberger Berman shorted Tesla in 2018, a position he had to cover two years later at a steep loss. He said the failure of that trade made him realize the challenge of betting against a stock that doesn't trade on fundamentals. "The hardest thing that I have found over the years, is trying to short cult stocks, or meme stocks, they seem to go up on nothing," Eisman said on CNBC's " Squawk Box. " Eisman shot to fame by shorting collateralized debt obligations to profit from the demise of subprime mortgage loans before the 2008 financial crisis. His success was chronicled in Michael Lewis' "The Big Short," and the subsequent Oscar-winning movie based on the book. The Elon Musk-led electric vehicle company has enjoyed an explosive expansion since the start of the pandemic, incurring losses for many short sellers. Jim Chanos, who has been betting against and trading around the EV player for several years, has called Tesla a cult stock "whereby the market will look at it anyway it wants to, in a glass-half-full kind of mode." Eisman said he was shocked by the stock's rally despite the EV company's drastic price cuts recently. Tesla has cut prices for some of its Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles in the United States for the sixth time amid concerns about the effect on its profit margins. "If you look at the fundamentals right now, you'd have to say it's kind of shocking how much they've cut prices. Now, investors seem to only focus on volume until they report and then they say 'wow, margins are really going down, and other people are cutting prices. too.'" Eisman said. "So I think the the bull story on Tesla is not as great as it was, but it's still very hard to short because of the cultish aspect of the company," he added. Shares of Tesla are up a whopping 109% this year alone.
Kids who read for pleasure 12 hours per week perform better on cognitive tests and have better mental health, according to a recently published study in Psychological Medicine.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University looked at data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, a long-running project that tracks brain development and child health in the United States.

The team analyzed clinical interviews, cognitive tests, mental and behavioral assessments and brain scans from 10,000 adolescents in the United States. It then compared those who began reading for pleasure between ages two and nine to those who began reading later in life, or not at all.

Those who started read recreationally at an early age had better verbal learning, memory, speech development, and academic achievement than their peers who weren't picking up books for fun.
Market Movers rounded up the best reactions from investors and analysts on Chevron . The pros, including Jim Cramer , discussed the energy company a day after it announced that CFO Pierre Breber will retire . Chief technology officer of Chevron Technical Center, Eimear Bonner, will assume the position next year. The second-largest U.S. oil firm also said it waived the mandatory retirement age of 65 for Chevron's CEO Mike Wirth, who joined CNBC Monday to discuss the future of the company. Lastly, Chevron announced preliminary second-quarter earnings, which look to be higher than expectations. The company is slated to release its actual results this Friday. Shares ended the day nearly 2% higher.
Travelers arrive at the departure hall in Singapore Changi airport in Singapore on March 31, 2023.

SINGAPORE  China will reinstate its 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei from July 26, according to the embassies of both countries.

This comes after a three-year suspension of visas as China adopted strict travel restrictions under its stringent zero-Covid policy, which ended in December last year.

Singapore citizens will be able to enter China without a visa for 15 days if they are there for business, tourism, family visits and transit, the Chinese embassy to Singapore said. It added that visas which have been issued to Singaporean citizens will still be valid and those that have been requested will be processed.

Singapore and China have long enjoyed strong economic ties, with leaders from both sides meeting this year.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in March. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was met Chinese Premier Li Qiang while visiting Beijing in May.

The resumption of the visa-free entry policy "will facilitate people and business flows between our countries and pave the way for deeper bilateral cooperation," Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a Facebook post.
The early innings of the artificial intelligence trade may be over, but Citigroup is staying positive on the tech subsector, viewing cash flows as the key to unlocking the winners of the next phase. "In sum, our message is not to be overly deterred by the significant year-to-date move in profitable AI stocks," the bank said in a Friday note to clients. "Medium- to long-term opportunities still exist as the AI theme has an accelerating growth trajectory and attractive [free cash flow] dynamics that should further improve from here." So far this year, anything connected to AI has seen a significant uptick in valuation, with Nvidia shares leading the pack, surging more than 200%. While the jaw-dropping price action may suggest AI is no longer an early trade, Citi reiterated that the "initial positive thesis" looks intact and warned investors to avoid overlooking free cash flows. Citi expects many names to meet accelerated growth expectations and views free cash flows as "increasingly compelling." "Profitable stocks within this theme are already impressive cash generating machines," the bank wrote. "Recent AI developments should accentuate this characteristic and push FCF margins and growth to new highs." Given this setup, Citi screened for AI-related stocks expected to outpace market growth expectations and experience an uptick in free cash flow margins. Here are some of the stocks that made the cut: Amazon has the highest consensus expectation of more than 48% growth over the long term. Shares have gained almost 54% this year as Wall Street rotates back into technology stocks following the slump in 2022. Some investors have viewed the e-commerce giant as lagging behind its peers in the AI race. During an i nterview with CNBC this month, CEO Andy Jassy soothed some of those concerns, reiterating Amazon's plan to invest in AI across segments. Earlier this year , Amazon also unveiled a generative AI service called Bedrock for its Amazon Web Services unit, allowing clients to use language models to create their own chatbots and image-generation services. Competing chatbot heavyweight Alphabet also made the cut. Shares of the Google parent and Bard creator have rallied 38% as it battles it out with Microsoft -backed OpenAI's ChatGPT. Consensus estimates peg long-term growth at more than 17%, with a near-term free cash flow margin of nearly 24%. GOOGL YTD mountain Alphabet shares in 2023 A handful of financial stocks were also included in Citi's screen. Mastercard offers the greatest near-term free cash flow yield of the group, at 48.4%. Its long-term consensus growth estimate hovers around 19%. Shares have gained about 15% year to date. Ford Motor , Match Group and ServiceNow also made the list.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Russian army new conscripts attend a ceremony outside the Trinity Cathedral before their departure for garrisons in Saint Petersburg on May 23, 2023.

Consumer goods giant Unilever has confirmed it will comply with legislation that could see its employees in Russia conscripted into the war in Ukraine.

In a letter to campaign group B4Ukraine, dated 11 July 2023 and published by the BBC on Sunday, Chief Business Operations and Supply Chain Officer Reginaldo Ecclissato notes the Russian law requiring firms to "permit the conscription of employees should they be called," and says Unilever will "always comply with all the laws of the countries we operate in."

The legislation applies to holders of Russian citizenship.

Unilever confirmed the veracity of the letter to CNBC and declined to provide further comment.

The company's vast range of brands includes Ben & Jerry's, Dove, Knorr, Cif, Domestos, Magnum, Cornetto and Vaseline. It has around 3,000 employees in Russia, working across four manufacturing sites and one head office. Products it sells in Russia include personal care and hygiene items and ice cream.

It has faced criticism for its decision to continue to do business in Russia amid international sanctions and the withdrawal of many companies following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ecclissato said in the letter that Unilever has faced three options for its Russia operations. One was closing all Russia operations, after which he said Unilever's business and brands in the country would be "appropriated  and then operated  by the Russian state." The second was selling the business, which he said would also likely benefit the state. The third, which Unilever has adopted, was continuing to run the business with constraints that have been in place since March.

"To be clear, none of these options are desirable. Nevertheless, we believe the third remains the best option, both to avoid the risk of our business ending up in the hands of the Russian state, either directly or indirectly, and to help protect our people. We will of course continue to keep this position under close review," he wrote.
An effigy of Elon Musk is seen on a mobile device with the X and Twitter logos in the background in this photo illustration on 23 July, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland.

Twitter owner Elon Musk officially changed the company's famous bird logo to an "X" on Monday as part of a sweeping rebrand he announced on the social media site over the weekend.

Musk, who acquired the platform for $44 billion late last year, wrote in a post Sunday that the company would soon "bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds." As of Monday, the domain X.com directs users to Twitter's homepage, though Twitter.com also remains live. Branding in the mobile app has not changed for many users yet.

The transition from Twitter to X reflects Musk's vision to turn the platform into what he has called an "everything app." Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino wrote in a post Sunday that X will be "centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking." She added that the platform will also be powered by artificial intelligence.

The company first began its transition to X in April, when the name of Twitter Inc. changed to X Corp., according to court filings.

Musk, who serves as executive chairman and CTO of the company, said Monday that tweets will now be called "x's," though when asked about what retweets would be called, he wrote that the "concept should be rethought."

He shared a photo of the X logo projected onto the company's headquarters Monday.

The Tesla CEO tweeted Sunday that he likes the letter "x," and his affinity for it isn't new, according to his other business ventures. SpaceX, Musk's rocket manufacturer, also features an X as its logo, and Musk recently launched a new artificial intelligence startup called xAI, with the lofty goal to "understand the true nature of the universe."

Musk also founded X.com before it merged with Confinity and rebranded to PayPal in 2001. He repurchased the domain from PayPal in 2017.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally ended the session up by 0.1%, with the U.K.'s FTSE 100 and DAX slightly higher as France's CAC 40 dipped. Oil and gas stocks led sector gains, gaining 1.5%, while media stocks fell 0.7%.

LONDON  European markets closed slightly higher on Monday as investors digested the inconclusive results of Spain's election and looked ahead to a busy week of corporate earnings and central bank meetings.

Fresh data pointed to a slowdown in business activity in France, Germany and the U.K. in July, adding to recessionary risks in Europe.

Spanish elections held Sunday left the country without a clear majority for either of the two main parties, opening the door to potentially prolonged coalition negotiations.

The European Central Bank meets on Thursday, when policymakers are expected to announce a 25 basis point rate hike and offer guidance for the final stages of their efforts to fight inflation.

Markets in Asia-Pacific were mixed Monday as investors digested key economic data from across the region. Japan's the Nikkei 225 gained 1.29% to start the week after new data showed business activity expanded for a seventh straight month. That comes as the Bank of Japan is set to meet on Thursday and Friday.

Stateside, U.S. stocks were higher as investors await a key policy meeting from the Federal Reserve Wednesday, as well as a week of corporate results, including from tech giants Meta , Microsoft and Alphabet .

Back in Europe, the U.K.'s Vodafone , Ireland's Ryanair , Switzerland's Julius Baer and Italy's Poste Italiane all reported earnings Monday.
Ruling People Power Party lawmaker Han Ki-ho answers questions from reporters in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, July 24. Yonhap



A ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker filed a complaint with police Monday against a woman and a liberal news show host for spreading false information that the lawmaker's family was behind the suicide of a young elementary school teacher.



The unidentified woman first wrote an internet post that the teacher killed herself after having a hard time dealing with a school violence case involving the family of a three-term lawmaker living in a certain apartment complex.



That sparked widespread speculation the lawmaker is Rep. Han Ki-ho, a three-term lawmaker of the PPP, and Kim Eo-jun, a left-leaning radio host, also said during his YouTube news show that a three-term PPP lawmaker was involved in the case.



Han rejected the rumors as groundless, saying he has no family member going to the elementary school.






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Oil storage tanks stand at the RN-Tuapsinsky refinery, operated by Rosneft Oil Co., at night in Tuapse, Russia. Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Goldman Sachs expects record demand in oil markets to drive crude prices higher in the near term. "We expect pretty sizable deficits in the second half with deficits of almost 2 million barrels per day in the third quarter as demand reaches an all-time high," Goldman's head of oil research Daan Struyven told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday. He added that the bank forecasts Brent crude to rise from just above $80 per barrel now to $86 per barrel by year-end. Global benchmark Brent futures traded 0.39% lower at $80.75 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures stood 0.42% at $76.75 per barrel.

'Elevated demand uncertainty'

While Struyven acknowledged that U.S. crude oil production has risen significantly over the past year to 12.7 million barrels per day, he said that pace of growth will slow throughout the rest of 2023. "We expect U.S. crude supply growth to slow down pretty significantly to a sequential pace of just 200 barrels per day from here," he said, pointing to the decline in rig counts. That metric, which tallies the number of active oil rigs, is used as an indicator of drilling activity and future output.

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Apple's new Vision Pro virtual reality headset is displayed during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on June 5, 2023.

Some skills are best studied in a classroom; some are best taught on the job. Still others might be best learned with goggles on, in the metaverse. College classes and internship programs are employing VR headsets to teach students and early talent the ropes of an office environment. "By giving students access to this VR, you can place them in these different environments where they can see, 'Oh, this is what it would be like to be in a client meeting.' Or, 'This is what it means to be doing marketing,'" says Laura Bedalov, a customer success manager at talent research firm Cappfinity, which has launched a division specifically dedicated to professional VR applications. "They have the ability to see it before they go out and actually start looking for jobs." Cappfinity sees VR not just as a way for young people to learn but also as a more direct tool for managers to assess people's skills. "You put them through a VR simulation, and they can measure the skills of curiosity and collaboration, which then gives you a lot more evidence than what you're able to see on a piece of paper," says Cappfinity's head of customer success Jeannie Liakaris.

Laura Bedalov, a customer success manager at Cappfinity, sets up the virtual reality workplace environment that colleges and internship programs are using to train young people. Photo by Rebecca Picciotto.

Cappfinity worked with the financial consulting firm Ernst & Young, for example, to launch a program where interns are supplied with VR headsets for a five-week hybrid program filled with fictional client meetings and simulated strategy development. After the headsets come off, the interns deliver a final presentation (in physical reality) to their managers and the rest of their cohort. To be sure, VR still has its skeptics. But as companies like Apple, Meta and Microsoft invest in virtual and augmented reality product development, it's possible that the metaverse may eventually go mainstream. Here's what some people are saying about using VR in the workplace and the classroom:

A world of no consequences and no distractions

The University College Dublin has been using VR since September 2022 in an accredited undergraduate course called "Virtual Reality for Future Skills" where students navigate simulated workplace scenarios. The class is a part of UCD's Innovation Academy, which offers short modules for students looking to learn more about entrepreneurship and leadership. Within UCD's virtual reality world, which was developed in partnership with Cappfinity, students may take on the role of a human resources employee choosing a job candidate to hire. Or they may act as the chief operating officer of a fictional company, making strategic business decisions that may not be easily taught in a traditional academic environment. They then gather in an in-person class to discuss their respective experiences. So far, the course has been offered three times and 53 students have participated. Some UCD students found that the VR learning experience provided a low-stakes environment for them to make professional blunders without the real-life consequences. "It's a very good thing to have when you're younger, because you need to make those mistakes to then learn from it. And this gives it to you in a very peaceful, safe environment," says Alan O'Donnell, a 21-year-old UCD mechanical engineering student who took the VR class earlier this year. "There's a lot of freedom to learn without having to worry about the repercussions basically." O'Donnell and his peers had their college experiences disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led many of their classes and internships to go online. He admits that learning and working remotely created lots of distractions. VR offers a fix. "Working at home where you're just looking at a screen, it's very difficult to stay interested. It's very easy to get distracted," O'Donnell tells CNBC Make It. "A big plus with VR learning is that even though you could be at home, or it could be in an office, you're still immersed  When I'm in a virtual space, there's no Netflix."

It's 'way more cost-effective' than it used to be

For VR to go mainstream, the technology will have to get more affordable. Maurice Knightly, education innovation lead at UCD's Innovation Academy who helped spearhead the VR class, says headset prices have gotten cheaper over time. In 2019, when UCD first started toying with the idea of a VR class, the goggles went for about $2,000 each, according to Knightly. "Now, they're down to about 600 apiece," he says. The department purchased 20 headsets from VR company Pico for the students. Cappfinity confirms that the costs of implementing its VR technology have become more manageable. That's because the company has developed a broader portfolio of standardized VR "rooms" that a client can more easily adapt for their own use rather than needing to develop bespoke VR landscapes for each client's needs. "It's definitely way more cost-effective than it was, say, a few years ago," says Liakaris. As the technology gets more affordable, she can see VR in the workplace "becoming more of a mainstream thing," but she doesn't think it will ever fully replace the in-person office environment. Still, the pricing is somewhat inconsistent from gadget to gadget. Some headsets go for about $300 on Best Buy. Meanwhile, once Apple's Vision Pro augmented reality headset hits shelves next year, it will run for about $3,500.

Not everyone is bullish yet
Protesters wave the flag of Israel on July 24, 2023, during demonstrations against the government's planned judicial overhaul.

Israel's parliament on Monday began final voting on contested changes sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the judiciary as last-gasp talks continued to ease one of the country's worst political crises set off by his plans.

President Isaac Herzog who called the standoff "a national emergency" was still trying to forge a compromise on the government's judicial plans which have sparked unprecedented nationwide protests, a person familiar with the matter said.

Police used a water cannon to disperse demonstrators opposed to the judicial campaign by Netanyahu's nationalist-religious coalition and officers dragged away protesters who had chained themselves to posts and blocked the road outside parliament.

The chances to reach a compromise appeared slim as lawmakers began voting.

"You cannot reach agreements that safeguard Israel's democracy with this government," Opposition Leader Yair Lapid told Israeli television channels at the Knesset minutes before the hours-long vote began.

With banks and businesses joining in the protest, pressure mounted on Netanyahu, who was released from hospital on Monday morning after a two-night stay during which he was fitted with a pacemaker.

Netanyahu has been urged by Washington on the one side to reach a compromise with the opposition, while his hard-line coalition partners are pushing for legislation to go ahead with more judicial changes to follow.

The crisis has spread to the military, with protest leaders saying thousands of volunteer reservists would not report for duty if the government continues with the plans and former top brass warning that Israel's war-readiness could be at risk.

Nonetheless, commanding a comfortable majority in parliament, Netanyahu's coalition looked set to win the vote on the bill that limits the Supreme Court's powers to overrule decisions made by governments and ministers.
JPMorgan's chief global markets strategist, Marko Kolanovic, advises investors to play commodities against recession risks. "It feels like a good entry point for a catch-up in commodities vs. equities  amidst a broad-based rally in risky assets, commodities price in by far the highest risk of recession and stand out as under-valued, under-owned, and backed by compelling fundamentals and technicals," he wrote in a Monday note. Kolanovic named natural gas as his top pick within the commodities sector. Investors can look to the United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) to gain exposure to the commodity; it's down about 48% year to date. The strategist forecasts U.S. natural gas prices to undergo a 25% rally in the next few months on expectations of a supply growth reversal. His second favorite commodity investment choice are agricultural commodities. The Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA) , up nearly 11% in 2023, allows investors to play the sector. The fund offers exposure to a range of agricultural futures, including sugar, soybeans and corn. The strategist also called out oil as his third preferred area. The U.S. Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO) , which is down less than 1% this year, is one way for investors to participate in the space. Investors shopping for commodity-focused exchange-traded funds should be aware that those investing in futures tied to these assets may see a fluctuation in returns due to events like contango and backwardation. Contango is a situation in which futures that are dated further out are priced higher than the spot price. Backwardation is what happens when the spot price is higher than the price of the approaching futures' contracts. To be sure, Kolanovic maintains a neutral stance on base metals. "For base metals to fully join a 2H23 tactical rally, we still likely need an additional catalyst, whether more aggressive Chinese stimulus or strengthening in global manufacturing PMIs, to solidify stronger demand expectations," said Kolanovic.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
When Austin Russell was a 17-year-old high school student, he founded Luminar Technologies, which makes laser sensors that can help self-driving cars detect nearby objects. "I started off at a very early age, always wanting to know the hows and whys of how to build and create things," Russell tells CNBC Make It. "When I was in my early teens, I converted my parents' garage into an optics and electronics lab ... I saw opportunities to be able to build new kinds of optical systems from the ground up." Now 28, Russell is the world's youngest self-made billionaire, according to Forbes, as Luminar competes with major companies like Tesla and Alphabet's Waymo. Russell has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, and his Orlando, Florida-based tech startup  which went public in 2020  currently has a market cap of $2.59 billion. Luminar reported $40.7 million in 2022 revenue, and has partnerships with companies like Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. The company didn't really get off the ground until after Russell dropped out of Stanford University in 2012, at age 18. He applied for and won a Thiel Fellowship, which pays students $100,000 to focus on their startups full-time. Even without the fellowship, Russell says he would have still left school to build Luminar: "It was going to happen anyway." But self-driving cars aren't exactly commonplace on American roads, meaning Russell and Luminar have a lot of work ahead of them, despite their lofty valuations. Here's how Luminar's technology works, how it differs from Tesla's self-driving tech and what improvements still need to be made before fully autonomous vehicles can dominate public roads.

How Luminar's lasers for self-driving cars work

Luminar uses laser-powered lidar technology, which stands for "light detection and ranging," to generate a 3-D map of a car's surroundings in real time. Once a car can detect nearby objects, it can theoretically avoid hitting them. "It sends out laser pulses and we're able to do this millions of times to be able to successfully measure exactly how far away everything is, down to centimeter-level precision," Russell says. The technology is meant to help cars automatically brake in front of unexpected pedestrians, or safely avoid other vehicles drifting into their lanes  not to replace drivers altogether, says Russell. Car crashes may be impossible to permanently eradicate, but if applied appropriately, the tech can still "save lives," he adds.

How it differs from Tesla's approach

Elon Musk's Tesla also seeks to popularize self-driving cars, and Musk's approach to the technology is entirely different. Among all the companies striving to make autonomous driving safe, Tesla alone uses "vision-only" technology, says author and artificial intelligence expert Mario Herger. Specifically, that means "using only cameras," Herger says. "Namely, eight cameras." The cameras map a car's environment "at up to 250 meters of range," helping it autonomously switch lanes or find you in a parking lot, according to Tesla's website. Tesla's "autopilot" features have contributed to 736 U.S. crashes, at least 17 fatal incidents and five serious injuries since 2019, the Washington Post reported last month. (Tesla didn't immediately respond to CNBC Make It's request for comment.) Lidar could potentially change that, Russell says: Cameras can be helpful "for certain use cases," but lidar is "a huge step forward." "It's a true 3D perception of the world, as opposed to a 2D perception [where] you're trying to be able to guess where things are," he says, adding: "When it comes to safety and autonomy, it's all about that last 1% of all the different things that can happen ... Getting something 99% accurate is not nearly good enough for cars."

Why autonomous vehicles still face a steep challenge ahead
Republican presidential candidate, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at the American Enterprise Institute on June 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. Haley's remarks focused on the future of U.S.-China relations and her foreign policy views.

American companies should be ready to stop treating China as an economic competitor and start viewing it as a national security threat, Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate and former ambassador to the United Nations, said Monday.

"I think China's an enemy. I think we have to take them incredibly seriously. And the problem is, you can look at dollars and cents or you can look at a threat to America," Haley said on CNBC's "Squawk Box."

"Companies and people have said for too long, 'We'll deal with China tomorrow.' But China is dealing with us today. We've got to address this," she added.

Haley said "every company needs to have a Plan B" in the event that China decides to "pull the rug out from under us." She called Beijing "the biggest threat we've had since Pearl Harbor."

The former governor of South Carolina also criticized Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who recently said the U.S. relationship with China need not be a "winner take all" contest.

"To even say that means you don't understand China," Haley said of Yellen.

Haley's latest remarks build on the hawkish position she laid out last month in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, in which she vowed to push U.S. businesses "to leave China as completely as possible."

She also urged businesses to forge stronger ties with U.S. allies, such as India, Japan and South Korea, to become less dependent on China.

Haley pointed to a series of actions taken by China's communist leadership in recent years that she said pose a multi-layered economic and security threat to the United States. They include buying hundreds of thousands of acres of U.S. farmland, purchasing the country's largest pork producer, floating spy balloons over America, spreading propaganda in universities, lobbying Congress through "front companies," rapidly building up a massive naval fleet, stealing U.S. intellectual property and developing new weapons.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately comment on Haley's remarks. Chinese government officials frequently insist that Beijing merely seeks a mutually beneficial, "win-win" relationship with the United States. But American diplomats privately joke that "win-win" here means China wins twice.

Haley also suggested that China's role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis raises questions about the future of the bilateral trade relationship.

Many of the precursor chemicals that make up fentanyl originate in China before being illegally diverted to Mexico, where they are processed by cartels to create the deadly synthetic opioid. The Department of Justice has said fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49.
A photograph of the 16 July 1945 first atomic bomb test is displayed along a fence at Ground Zero at Trinity Site, at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico 05 July 2005. The crater which the blast created has long since been filled it, leaving only a modest stone obelisk, a few historic photos and explanatory panels, and chain-link fence to mark the spot which ushered the world into the atomic age.

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Army said its upcoming open house of the Trinity Site is expected to receive "a larger than normal crowd" due to the overwhelming popularity of Universal's "Oppenheimer."

The Trinity Site on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico is where the world's first atomic bomb was tested.

The film "Oppenheimer," which premiered Friday and earned $82.4 million over the weekend, tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who oversaw the Manhattan Project that produced the bomb and launched the world into the atomic age.

Read more: Barbies designer made missiles for Raytheon first

"Due to the release of the movie, Oppenheimer in July, we are expecting a larger than normal crowd at the 21 October open house," the U.S. Army wrote on its White Sands Missile Range website.

"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.," the statement said, adding that wait times are expected to reach up to two hours.

Twice a year the U.S. Army allows visitors to tour the site where the "Gadget," a six-foot sphere with a grapefruit-sized powerful plutonium heart, was detonated. Following the open house in October, the U.S. Army will allow visitors again on April 6, 2024.

The bomb was born out of the Manhattan Project and launched under the codename "Trinity"  selected by Oppenheimer, who was inspired by British poet John Donne.

At exactly 5:29:45 a.m. on July 16, 1945, the most powerful weapon ever created  at the time  was unleashed. Less than a month later, the U.S. military dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 100,000 people and ending World War II.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.
Philips office building in Warsaw, Poland on July 29, 2021. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Dutch health technology company Philips on Monday slightly raised its full-year targets after posting a bigger-than-expected jump in second-quarter core earnings thanks to better supply chains, a strong order book and efficiency measures.

The Amsterdam-based group, a former industrial conglomerate that now focuses on medical technology, reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) of 453 million euros ($503.78 million) for the April-June period, above the 394 million euros seen in a company-compiled poll.

For the full year, it now expects a mid-single-digit comparable sales growth versus its previous guidance of a low-single-digit growth.

Its adjusted EBITA margin is now seen at the upper end of its previously forecasted high-single-digit range.

Philips, which is facing lawsuits over its recall of respiratory devices, said it had produced approximately 99% of the new replacement respiratory devices and repair kits required for the remediation of the registered affected devices.

The group has been grappling with the fallout of a global recall of millions of respirators used to treat sleep apnoea since it was announced in June 2021.

"Completing the Philips Respironics field action remains our highest priority. The vast majority of the sleep therapy devices are now with patients and home care providers, and we are fully focused on the remediation of the affected ventilators," Chief Executive Roy Jakobs said in a statement.

The Amsterdam-based group also said litigation and investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice related to the Respironics field action were ongoing, as well as the discussions on a proposed consent decree.
The sign is seen outside of the FCA US LLC Headquarters and Technology Center as it is changed to Stellantis on January 19, 2021 in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

French-Italian automaker Stellantis and South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI on Monday said they plan to open a second joint-venture plant in the U.S. to build electric vehicle batteries, with a target to start production in 2027.

The companies said the transaction still needs to be finalized, and where the plant will be located is under review. Also, how much will be invested at the site and how many people it will employ will be announced later. The plant will have an initial production capacity of 34 gigawatt hours, or GWh.

"This new facility will contribute to reaching our aggressive target to offer at least 25 new battery electric vehicles for the North American market by the end of the decade," Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a statement.

Stellantis, whose brands include Peugeot, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Opel, has announced plans to reach 100% electric passenger car sales in Europe and 50% car and light truck electric mix in the U.S. by 2030. To achieve that, it has said it wants to secure about 400 GWh of battery capacity.

In 2021, Stellantis said it planned to pump $35 billion into EV production and software globally through 2025. Stellantis said the second U.S. battery plant will be the sixth to support the company's goals.
A look at Goldman Sachs' "conviction buy" stocks in recent weeks has revealed a number of names that its analysts say have serious potential. The Wall Street bank's Conviction List comprises its top buy-rated stocks that it expects to outperform. Here are five of them: Baidu Goldman in a July 16 note said it has added Chinese Internet search giant Baidu to its regional conviction list. "We view Baidu as one of the best positioned China Internet names pivoting to the secular Generative AI theme," it said. The bank's analysts said that Baidu is on track for steady search advertising recovery amid its high exposure to offline small and medium enterprises. They added that they expect key catalysts in the second half of the year, such as regulatory approval for large language models (articifical intelligence programs trained with extensive amounts of data). "The market is now pricing in limited value for Baidu's AI initiative: the stock outperformed BABA / Tencent by 10-15% YTD," Goldman analysts wrote. "We are turning more constructive than before on Baidu's positioning for the secular AI trend, and we expect the market will begin to more appreciate its AI business once it starts to generate user traffic and then achieve revenue scale." Goldman gave Baidu's U.S.-listed shares a 12-month price target of $197, and its Hong Kong-listed shares a price target of 193 Hong Kong dollars. Both price targets imply upside of around 37%. Shift4 Payments American payment processing company Shift4 Payments is also on Goldman's conviction list. The company appeared on a screen of stocks set for growth at a reasonable price, in a July 13 note by the bank. Goldman's analysts identified stocks they say have at least 10% sales CAGR (compound annual growth rate) from 2022 to 2025, and where the price-earnings-growth ratio is below 1.0. They said Shift4 Payments is well positioned to compete with new entrants to the small and medium businesses payments landscape. "Its refreshed, modern restaurant POS [point of sale] platform and new verticals should drive market share growth," Goldman analysts wrote. Johnson Controls International Goldman also likes American building products company Johnson Controls International, which appeared on its July 13 screen of stocks set for growth with underappreciated margin expansion. The bank identified stocks that its analysts expect to deliver at least 5% sales growth in 2023 and 2024, positive incremental operating margins in each year, and operating margin expansion of at least 150 basis points between 2022 and the end of 2024. "Favorable end-market exposure to education and 'clean' buildings, along with cost savings initiatives should drive both growth and margin expansion," the bank said of Johnson Controls. In the longer term, Goldman said the firm's service business offers the potential to create more growth and margin expansion opportunities  ultimately contributing to "solid" free cash flow. Warner Bros Discovery Goldman said in a July 18 note that it sees the risk/reward skew for Warner Bros Discovery as the most attractive versus its peers, saying the stock is its top pick in the media sector. It highlighted that the firm repaid more than $1 billion of debt in the second quarter, funded by its free cash flow. "This implies that despite the challenging operating environment WBD is pacing ahead of its 1H23 FCF target," Goldman wrote. "As such, we maintain our outlook for WBD to achieve material balance sheet delevering in 2023 and support material upside to the equity." Goldman gave Warner Bros Discovery, which is on its conviction list, a price target of $20, or potentially more than 50% upside. First Solar Goldman named First Solar in its screen of buy-rated stocks where its analysts are out-of-consensus and the majority of Wall Street is neutral or sell-rated on. "These names appear underappreciated by the market and could generate alpha for investors with a contrarian view," it said in the July 13 note. First Solar is on the bank's conviction list, with a potential upside to price target of 40% from its price of $194.96 as of July 12, according to the analysts.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
This photo shows a statute of the late Gen. Paik Sun-yup being unveiled at a ceremony at the Dabudong War Memorial Museum in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, July 5. Yonhap



Korea's veterans ministry said Monday it has deleted a state burial record describing Korean War hero Gen. Paik Sun-yup as a pro-Japanese figure, saying that such an expression was written with no legal grounds.



The ministry said it has decided to remove a phrase identifying Paik as a person who engaged in pro-Japanese and anti-national activities in the late general's online burial record on the Daejeon National Cemetery's website, a term that strikes a sour note due to Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.



The description had been in place since his burial in 2020 at the cemetery in Daejeon, 139 kilometers south of Seoul, as a presidential committee put him on a list of pro-Japanese figures in 2009, citing his military service for Manchukuo, a puppet state for Imperial Japan, during Tokyo's colonial rule.



Paik served in the pro-Japan Gando Special Force under the Manchukuo Imperial Army from 1943 to 1945, which was tasked with suppressing anti-Japanese forces. When he was alive, Paik denied that he actually fought against Korean independence forces.



The ministry said there was no legal basis to include the description unrelated to his merits as a war hero, which had qualified him to be laid to rest at the cemetery.



In February, Paik's family members submitted a petition to the ministry, calling the description defamation against the deceased and requesting its removal.



Veterans Minister Park Min-shik called Paik the "greatest hero," who made contributions for the country to overcome the 1950-53 Korean War, and vowed to prevent such incidents without legal basis from happening again.



The late general, who died on July 10, 2020, at the age of 99, was credited with leading key battles during the conflict and served as the fourth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after the war. (Yonhap)


Russia blamed Ukraine for an attempted "terrorist attack" in Moscow Monday, which did not result in casualties. The Russian Defence Ministry posted on Telegram that two Ukraine drones were "suppressed and crashed" in the early hours of the morning and reported "no victims."

Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin said strikes were recorded on two non-residential buildings.

Ukraine has not yet responded to the claims. Its own capital, Kyiv, has suffered multiple Russian onslaughts in recent weeks, with frontline losses deepening, after the battered port of Odesa faced a "hellish night" on Sunday. The city was hit by a deadly Russian airstrike, which killed at least one person and left another 22 injured. Ukrainian member of Parliament Kira Rudik told Sky News that the night of the attacks was "probably the most vicious" since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The hostilities destroyed a grain depot and large parts of the Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Cathedral in the port city, according to Ukrainian officials. Damage to the agricultural depot comes less than a week after Russia pulled out of the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain deal, which had enabled the delivery of Ukrainian supplies to global markets. Russia denied its involvement in the offensive.
U.S. Army soldier Travis King appears in this unknown location, undated photo obtained by Reuters.

The United Nations Command and North Korea have begun discussing the case of Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into the North last week, the deputy commander of the U.S.-led command that oversees the Korean War truce said on Monday.

King, a U.S. Army private serving in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea on July 18 while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on the inter-Korean border, landing Washington in a fresh diplomatic quandary with the nuclear-armed North.

Conversations between the UNC and North Korea's military were initiated and conducted through a mechanism established under the Korean War armistice, according to Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer serving as deputy commander of the multinational force.

"The primary concern for us is Private King's welfare," Harrison told a media briefing, declining to go into detail about the contact with the North.

"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement," Harrison said, referring to the North Korean People's Army.

"I can't say anything that could prejudice that process."

North Korea's state media, which has usually commented whenever U.S. nationals have been detained, has remained silent about King.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean peninsula. Last week, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port.

It was the first such visit since the 1980s, and served a blunt reminder to the North that Washington always has nuclear-tipped missiles deployed within close striking distance.

North Korea is banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions from using ballistic missile technology, which Pyongyang defiantly rejects.

Tours to the border truce village, known formally as the Joint Security Area (JSA), were suspended after King bolted across the border.

People joining those tours, which are overseen by the UNC, need to sign up well in advance to get approval and are supposed to follow strict rules, including what they can wear, for the tour.

It remained a subject of an ongoing inquiry how King was authorized to go on the tour despite his record, Harrison said.

King had served detention in South Korea on charges of assault and damaging public property and was due to fly back to his home base in Fort Bliss, Texas last week to face disciplinary action.

When asked if the plan is to keep the area open to the public, Harrison said when or how the JSA part of these tours would resume was yet to be decided.

"It's a constant balance between that value (of educating the public) and the risk to the individuals who are in the Demilitarised Zone," he said.

On Saturday, the North fired a barrage of cruise missiles toward the sea to the west of the Korean Peninsula. On Monday, another U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in South Korea.

Late last week, North Korea warned that deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers, bombers or missile submarines in South Korea could meet the criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Environmental advocates from the Protect Verde Island Passage (VIP) coalition urged government agencies on Monday to release the final assessment report on the massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, expressing alarm the situation has been declared "already resolved" even when recent tests showed water in some areas did not meet quality guidelines.

"We are gravely alarmed by increasing pronouncements of government agencies and bodies, both local and national, to brand this situation as already resolved," the Protect VIP said ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

"As the President's first year in office concludes, we challenge the Marcos administration not to prove itself as a government that settles for hollow wins in the oil spill crisis while condemning affected peoples to suffering and turning a blind eye to the ailing health of the VIP," it added.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on June 17 announced the completion of siphoning operations of the remaining oil in the sunken MT Princess Empress, which caused the oil spill last Feb. 28.

On July 20, Gov. Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor said all fishing bans have been lifted in the province, including in the remaining town Pola, which was hit the hardest by the oil spill.

The advocacy group said provincial disaster management officials in Oriental Mindoro have also "sent out invitations for a demobilization ceremony to announce the termination of the oil spill response, even without so much as publishing the final assessment report supposedly conducted by technical experts and representatives from national agencies."

The Protect VIP said it supports the return of livelihood of fisherfolk in the province, but it is concerned "by the lack of transparency on the scientific basis and methodologies employed by the government to order such lifting of fishing bans."

Clockwise, from upper left: Rocky shores of Brgy. Puting Cacao, Pola, oil stains on a bangka in Brgy. Misong, Pola, tar balls found along the shoreline of Brgy. Batuhan, Pola, and oil-covered debris found along the shoreline of Brgy. Puting Cacao, Pola.

It said its rapid water quality assessment conducted on July 17 in six marine protected areas (MPAs) in Pinamalayan and Pola revealed that "five of them exceeded water quality guidelines for oil and grease."

"The results show that five out of the six MPAs did not meet the water quality standards for oil and grease because these sites have a concentration of >1.0 mg/L and the only MPA that is within the standards of water quality in terms of oil and grease is the Bacawan Fish Sanctuary in Pola. With this, the pollution level for the five MPAs is high and could ultimately impact the ecosystem within the established MPAs," the group said in its assessment report.

Advocates also said oil residue and tar balls were still visible in protected areas. They said they saw traces of oil on the shores of Barangay Puting Cacao in Pola near the St. John the Baptist Reserve MPA and on the beach of Sitio Kabilang Ibayo in Barangay, Batuhan.

"These results lead us to question if the motivation behind the lifting of bans and similar efforts to conclude oil spill responses are genuinely in the service of returning the livelihood of fisherfolk, or is a hasty and dangerous decision made to provide the Marcos administration means to claim a superficial success in its oil spill response efforts," the group said.

The group also noted that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources last published a situational report on June 21 that showed some sampling stations in Pola were still found to exceed water quality guidelines for the presence of oil and grease. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, on the other hand, did not substantiate its reports that would establish it conducted a robust quantitative test, it added

Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz earlier said she will not yet sign the PCG's declaration that her town's coast is "100% clean."

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Protect VIP Convenor, previously said the group hopes Marcos can address the oil spill issue in his second SONA.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just delivered his second State of the Nation Address, drawing mixed reactions from lawmakers.

Senator Joel Villanueva said that while he is overall satisfied with the State of the Nation Address (SONA), he hoped the president could have talked more about the issues in the West Philippine Sea.

That is something I was looking forward to. Dun ako medyo hindi na-satisfy," Villanueva told reporters after the SONA on Monday. "Baka kasi merong mga nangyayari na hindi natin alam. We dont know kaya ayoko na rin mag-comment as to why he did not focus or talk much on West Philippine Sea."

[Translation: I was a little unsatisfied. Maybe because there are things happening that we don't know about. We don't know so I don't want to comment as to why he didn't focus or talk much on the West Philippine Sea.]

For Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the presidents second SONA was quite comprehensive, but he said Filipinos are still warming up to the chief executives love language.

Siguro habang nasasanay pa tayo sa kanyang love language sa bansa, nakikita naman yung sense of urgency. Nakita naman sa speech niya. Not only does he know the problem, not only does he care, but nandiyan nga yung urgency, Cayetano said.

[Translation: Maybe while were still getting used to his love language in the country, we can see that sense of urgency. It was seen in his speech. Not only does he know the problem, not only does he care, but the urgency is there.]

Cayetano said he hopes the detailed and technical parts of the SONA to be transmitted to Congress as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said his cousin may think his accomplishments during his first year as president are insufficient, thats why he continues to work nonstop.

Kulang pero ano, magtatrabaho siya muli. Walang tulog yan. Basta tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho niya, Romualdez said.

[Translation: Not enough, but he continues to work. He doesnt sleep. He works continuously.]

A day after he delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos is set to fly to Malaysia for a state visit, where talks on economic cooperation and the newly enacted Maharlika law may be discussed.

Ganun talaga ang mahal na president, gusto niya masama niya lahat. Kung meron lang 48 oras sa isang araw, magtatrabaho na lang siya. Ang dami niyang gustong gawin, Romualdez told reporters right after the SONA.

[Translation: Our dear president is like that, he wants to include everything. If there were only 48 hours in a day, he would just work. Theres so much that he wants to do.]

The House Speaker gave Marcos' SONA a 100%, A+" grade.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos said his father President Bongbong Marcos' second State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be "no different" than his first, only a bit shorter.

"It will essentially be, like what he said, a report to the people on what has been done in the last year, problems we continue to face and what needs to be done," the congressman told reporters at the Batasan Pambansa, hours before his father is set to deliver his SONA.

Compared to 2022's hour and a half long address, Marcos said "the one this year will be around one hour and 25."

Marcos said the president wrote his speech "over and over," resulting in a long initial draft which "he was able to shave down."

"He wrote his speech and then asked for some people to look it over to get fresh set of eyes after writing it over and over. To begin with, medyo mahaba [it was a bit long] but he was able to shave it down," he said.

The chief executive is set to give his 2nd SONA at 4 p.m.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Lawmakers ended their two-month break on Monday to gather in their respective chambers and open the second regular session of the 19th Congress.

At 10 a.m., Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed their colleagues in the respective chambers and banged the gavel to mark the official resumption of session.

Notably, minimum public health standards were eased in both chambers, with many attendants no longer wearing face masks, following the lifting of the state of public health emergency due to COVID-19.

In the Senate, 23 senators were present, and only Senator Pia Cayetano was unable to attend due to official travel. She led the delegation of the Philippine Women's National Football team for its debut at the FIFA Women's World Cup, her office said.

Zubiri, in his speech, first recognized the achievements of the Senate in the first regular session.

This includes the different probes into the 6.7 billion drug bust, issues involving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the problem of the shortage of drivers license plastic cards, smuggling of agricultural products, power outages experienced in different parts of the country, and hearings on e-governance.

While our investigations make for great TV, we launch them not for show, but for solutions, Zubiri said.

Meanwhile, 311 out of 314 members of the House of Representatives were in attendance during the lower chambers opening session.

Reconvening for the Second Regular Session, I borrow wisdom from our esteemed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who asserts, to forge significant progress, we must summon the bravery to envisage change, the fortitude to strive for it, and the unity to materialize it, Romualdez said.

Priority bills

In his speech, Romualdez also listed the 20 priority measures approved during the second Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting.

These are the following:

- Amendments to the BOT Law or Public-Private Partnership bill

- National Disease Prevention Management Authority

- Internet Transactions Act or E-Commerce Law

- Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (HEART) Act (formerly Medical Reserve Corps)

- Virology Institute of the Philippines

- Mandatory ROTC and National Service Training Program

- Revitalizing the Salt Industry

- Valuation Reform

- e-Government and e-Governance

- Ease of Paying Taxes

- National Government Rightsizing Program

- Unified System of Separation/Retirement and Pension of Military and Other Uniformed Personnel

- LGU Income Classification

- Waste-to-Energy Bill

- New Philippine Passport Act

- Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers

- National Employment Action Plan

- Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act

- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-endorsed Bank Deposit Secrecy

- Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act bills

Romualdez said the House targets to pass these proposed measures before the year ends.

We face the remaining bills in the LEDAC priority list with enthusiasm and optimism, steadfast in our determination to transform these initiatives into concrete laws for the benefit of our fellow Filipinos, he said.

The call to pass a law that will increase the minimum wage was not included in the list, but this was mentioned by Zubiri as one of his priority bills in the Senate.

Zubiri said the upper chamber has approved in principle the proposed 150 nationwide minimum wage increase and is just working on the committee report regarding this.

Senate Minority leader Koko Pimentel in a briefing after the session also called on his colleagues to prioritize such a measure. Since regional wage boards have been slow in acting on the issue, Congress should immediately act and fill the void, he noted.

Senators will now head to the Batasang Pambansa to convene with congressmen and hear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s second state of the nation address in the afternoon.

Check out live updates regarding the chief executive's SONA and related events on our liveblog.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24)  Two Senate leaders said they want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lay out his plans for the agriculture sector during the latter's second state of the nation address on Monday amid issues that are still hounding the industry and its stakeholders.

"Today, I'm looking forward to listening to his plans for the future, particularly this year in the field of agriculture, being the secretary of agriculture," Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told CNN Philippines The Source on Monday.

Zubiri also said that he hopes the government will increase assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, and implement programs that will increase their production, including those who produce beef, pork, and chicken.

READ: From soaring prices to resignations: PH agriculture during Marcos' first year

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said he wants the president to reveal what is the real state of the agriculture sector as agriculture chief.

Pimentel said he also wants to know what efforts have been implemented to boost food production and control the prices of agricultural products, like onions.

Per kilo prices of onions soared to as much as 800 in December 2022 due to dwindling supply, coupled with smuggling and price manipulation by cartels.

It will also be vital for Marcos to mention the governments program in minimizing or avoiding over dependence on imported food items, Pimentel added.

If the president could explain why less than 1 year into his admin, why we had two controversies or scandals involving sugar, specifically the importation of sugar. Kaya tayo balik nang balik sa (This is why we keep coming back to) importation, eh. That's why there must be a plan on how we reduce dependence on imported food items, he pointed out.

Last year, lawmakers investigated the signing of the controversial Sugar Order no. 4 that allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of the sweetener. The issue led to the resignation of some officials.

Another issue raised was the alleged government-sponsored smuggling of sugar ahead of the effectivity of SO No. 6 that permitted the entry of 440,000 metric tons of the commodity.

When asked if Marcos should remain as Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary, Pimentel said: That one I think that's a wrong decision eh or a wrong strategy.

If the chief executive will appoint a DA chief, another person can help him implement his programs, the senator said.

Moreover, nothing prevents Marcos from still focusing on issues and matters related to the sector if he wants his administration to be known as an agricultural presidency, Pimentel added.

Check out CNN Philippines' live SONA updates here.
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Unification Minister Kwon Young-se speaks during a plenary session of the diplomacy and unification committee at the National Assembly in Seoul, May 24. Yonhap



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) urged the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Monday to refer Unification Minister Kwon Young-se to the parliamentary ethics committee following revelations that Kwon had engaged in virtual asset trading.



The demand came after 11 lawmakers, including Kwon, were found to have held virtual assets, after a cryptocurrency scandal involving Rep. Kim Nam-kuk led to the National Assembly checking the virtual asset holdings of all lawmakers.



In late May, the National Assembly passed a number of revision bills to include digital assets, such as cryptocurrency, in the annual asset disclosure of lawmakers and high-ranking public officials. Since then, lawmakers have been requested to voluntarily submit their virtual asset holdings since May 30, 2020, to the parliamentary ethics committee.



On Monday, the DPK's chief spokesperson, Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, urged the PPP to bring the unification minister to the ethics committee. He claimed Kwon traded virtual assets multiple times during working hours and that such tradings, if proven true, could breach a public servant's conflict of interest.



"We suggest the PPP file a complaint with the ethics committee against Kwon," the DPK lawmaker told reporters. "There could be a conflict of interest, and there are reports he traded during working hours."



The minister, however, refuted such claims, saying there are no criminal elements involved in his past tradings and requested the DPK stop treating his tradings as being the same as lawmaker Kim.



"Based on my trading records, I have never conducted trades while attending a plenary session or a standing committee meeting. I've also never conducted trading during working hours as a minister," he said in a call with Yonhap News Agency. (Yonhap)


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Cross-border love: Now Rajasthan woman travels to Pakistan to meet her Facebook lover

More adventurous love stories across India-Pakistan border are emerging. After Pakistan national Seema Haider's illegal entry into India to be with her PUBG game partner Sachin Meena, comes another cross-border love story. This time a married woman from Rajasthan travelled to Pakistan to meet her Facebook lover.

Dramatic cross border India-Pakistan love stories are emerging. Photo courtesy: IBNS

Media reports said the woman, named Anju, fell in love with 29-year-old Nasrulla, her Facebook friend.

The 34-year-old, who was born in Uttar Pradesh, told her husband, as he claimed, that she was going to Jaipur.



From Rajasthan's Alwar, she travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the invitation from Nasrulla.

Though Anju was initially under the custody of Pakistan Police, she was later released after the verification of her travel documents by the district police.

Back in India, a team of police reached Anju's house in Rajasthan's Bhiwadi to enquire.

Anju and her husband have two children, a 15-year-old girl and a six-year-old son.

Pak national Seema Haider appeals to Prez Murmu

Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who has been in the news for her dramatic love story with her Indian partner Sachin Meena and for entering India without a visa, has meanwhile filed a mercy petition with President Droupadi Murmu.



Seema has sought permission for herself and her four children to reside at her "matrimonial home" in Greater Noida with Sachin Meena, who stays in the Rabupura area of the city, a report in the media said.

In her plea, she has also requested an oral hearing from the president regarding her case. The petition, filed by Supreme Court advocate A P Singh on her behalf, was received at the President's secretariat on Friday, said the report.

As per media reports, Seema and Sachin claimed to have made each others acquaintance while playing PUBG in 2019-20, a popular online game. Subsequently, they started to talk over WhatsApp and Instagram and fell in love. Despite being married, Seema left her home with her four children and reached Nepal where she met Sachin in person. After living in Kathmandu for some days, she came to India on May 13, illegally, without a visa.



Seema Haider with her Indian partner Sachin Meena. Photo courtesy: Image tweeted by @Gabbar0099

According to her petition, 30-year-old Seema Haider says that she is in love with Sachin Meena (22), a resident of Greater Noida, and states that she arrived in India with her four children to be with him. She also claims to have converted to Hinduism and got married to Meena through Hindu rituals at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.



On July 4, Seema Haider was arrested by the local police for illegally entering India, and Sachin Meena was held for sheltering illegal immigrants. However, they were both granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have been living together, along with her four children, in a house in Rabupura.


By Yi Woo-won



I admire and worship the inspirational epigram of Mahatma Gandhi: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." When I looked back over the past 90-odd years of my life, I realized by chance that I too had been learning as if I would live forever, trying to learn something or anything so eagerly and constantly every day, year after year.



Lifelong learning, as I understand it, is a self-motivated, ceaseless pursuit of knowledge. Simply put, it is a continuing practice of learning throughout your life after formal education for personal or professional interests. What I was mostly doing for nearly my entire lifetime was learning languages. It was simply the continued learning of the three foreign languages, Japanese, English and later Chinese that I had studied in high school. This was during the height of Korea's tumultuous history, including both World War II and the Korean War, when the education here, in general, was inadequate or below standard. There were no proper reference books in Korean for the study of English.



One day, I stumbled upon the idea of learning English on my own by studying English reference books translated into Japanese. But the Japanese I had learned was hardly sufficient to comprehend Japanese books. Therefore, I had to study both Japanese and English concurrently to learn English. The strategy was tough, boring and sluggish in the first several months, but after a few years of tenacity and diligence, I was able to reach the intermediate levels in both languages. In addition, to upgrade my proficiency in spoken English, I listened regularly to AFKN (American Forces Korea Network) news and some serial dramas on my makeshift transistor radio after the Korean War.



Consequently, I was lucky enough to be appointed as a liaison officer (or interpreter officer) of both English and Japanese during the Korean War. I was a senior in high school then and my English teacher was in the same recruitment corps. There were hundreds of Korean-Japanese volunteer soldiers in the war. Admittedly, I wasn't comfortable performing my duty because of my poor English, not Japanese, listening comprehension. I had never seen an American until I joined the war.



When I was a freshman in college after the war, I took two more courses, Chinese and German languages, for a term, enjoying thoroughly both classes. I thought German was much easier than I had anticipated and Chinese was just fabulous despite its myriad characters and complicated phonetic rules to remember. Chinese was the hardest language in the world. Considering my limited memory capacity, I opted for Chinese to learn because it seemed more realistic in terms of its geographical proximity and cultural similarity. I have been learning Chinese by myself ever since then, enjoying it better and anew every single day.



Indeed, lifelong language learning has been a long, time-consuming, wearisome and tedious journey. But I have had fun all along through "passion and perseverance." And I still enjoy it with a sense of achievement and self-confidence. Now, after a little stretching in the morning every day, there is nothing like sitting at my computer table, surfing websites of three languages with a good cup of coffee.



In August 2016, while browsing China's Weibo on the internet, I encountered, with great interest and surprise, the graphic description of how Tae Yong-ho, a former high-ranking North Korean diplomat (who is now an elected member of South Korea's National Assembly) defected to Korea with his wife and two sons. It was the first and most detailed report of the defection in the media.



In the spring of 2008, I was vacationing in Japan with my family. We were traveling on the subway from Tokyo to Hakone, a hot spring resort. I was sitting next to a Japanese gentleman who appeared to be about my age. He was a kind and affable person. We talked to each other quite enjoyably for over an hour, even referring to our health. We realized we both had an irregular pulse. He was an emeritus professor at the prestigious Tokyo University.





Yi Woo-won (yiwoowon1988@gmail.com) lives in Waegwan, North Gyeongsang Province, and has been writing since 1986.


The producers of Rick and Morty are solving their Justin Roiland problem the same way the actual Rick and Morty solve every problem  with clones.

No, Adult Swim doesnt have tanks full of nude, unconscious Roilands floating in mysterious fluids  it was that sort of thing that got him in trouble in the first place  but they do have a bevy of so-called soundalike voice actors ready to step into the two most iconic roles in adult animation. Roiland, of course, was removed from his roles back in January following revelations that he faced domestic violence charges stemming from an alleged incident back in 2020. Those charges were later dropped due to the prosecutors determination that they had insufficient evidence to achieve a conviction, but as numerous reports divulged in the fallout of the initial charges, relationships between Roiland and the rest of the production staff of Rick and Morty  especially the one with Dan Harmon  had been severely souring since the shows third season, and the scandal was supposedly the straw that broke the interdimensional camels back.

Supposedly, Roiland once thought that his distinct voice talents made him unfireable, despite his alleged behind-the-scenes bad behavior, but as The Hollywood Reporter revealed this past Friday, his former bosses are confident in their ability to find a replacement who is indistinguishable from their predecessor. Presumably, their Plan B is to just up and move to a dimension where Roiland isnt an a-hole.

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We are closing in on the end of our process of the recast, executive producer Steve Levy told THR. Its gonna be great. I am thoroughly impressed with everything thats going on, including all the work on Season Seven. Levy clarified that the goal is still to find an actor (or actors) who can perfectly imitate Roilands many voice roles on the show, a contrary approach to that of Hulu, who just decided to turn Roilands character on Solar Opposites British and get the Downton Abbey guy to replace him.

Though the upcoming seventh season of Rick and Morty does not yet have a premiere date (and likely wont until Levy and the rest of the producers finally decide to pay their actors and writers), Levy promises that, The show is as good as its ever been, saying that the casting of soundalikes will ensure that the characters are the same characters  no change.

Well, there will be one change  hopefully, the new Rick and/or Morty actor(s) wont allegedly send sexually disturbing DMs to girls who are Summers age.
We live in a world where everything is networked. The analog world has given way to a new digital universe where devices are connected and interconnected to give us new possibilities. In the world of security, the physical and logical realms have merged. While information security might garner headlines, the reality is that all security now relies on the collection, processing and interpretation of data to make decisions and carry out actions.

For security practitioners, whether they come from the world of physical security where cameras, access controls systems and physical barriers have been key tools or from the information security world of passwords, firewalls and end-point protection, the goals have always been the same. The aim is to deter would-be threat actors, detect those that still try to infiltrate our environments and to minimise the blast radius of those that break through our perimeters.

In the past, those two perspectives operated quite independently. Today, we use machine learning and AI systems to monitor video footage from digital cameras. Threat actors can compromise physical access by hacking door-locking systems. And there's the increased connectivity of seemingly disparate systems. We live and work in a world where there is no difference between physical and logical security.

That situation is playing out globally as well. We've seen in the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia that drones are being used for surveillance and in other missions. A cyberattack, in that situation, could have very real physical effects. And former Defence Minister Kim Beazley recently said that global conflicts will involve both cyber and kinetic elements, as the two are now inexorably connected.

As Mark Anderson, Microsoft's National Security Officer for ANZ, puts it cyber is the fifth domain of warfare alongside air, sea, land, and space with the combination of kinetic and cyber operations observed operating in concert in Ukraine. These are topics he will delve into more deeply at this year's Security & ASIAL Conference.

The digitisation of our physical world has been progressing at rapid speed in the critical infrastructure domain. With the Federal Government ramping up obligations through the SOCI Act, there is mounting focus on how we can digitally secure these important physical assets. Cyberattacks on physical infrastructure, like those seen on the Colonial Pipeline and several reported attacks on parts of the US electricity grid, are no longer the plot line from an action movie.

The intersection of the physical and logical worlds is here. Even if you aren't at the forefront of national security or operating critical infrastructure, understanding emerging technology and its role in every aspect of security is critical. Natural language tools like ChatGPT have democratised access to complex information and provided criminals with a new tool learning how to infiltrate your systems.

Stephen Scheeler, the CEO of Omniscient and former CEO at Facebook ANZ, will be providing a view on how AI, data and security interact and their importance to maintaining a secure organisation at the Security & ASIAL Conference. And that will be followed by Troy Heland from the Verizon Business Group discussing the challenges that ChatGPT and other large language models pose to our security.

As physical and logical security continue to converge, the infrastructure they depend on is evolving. Video surveillance, access control and other critical systems are increasingly moving to the cloud as companies eschew local installation. With the focus on maintaining security, organisations are outsourcing the operations and updating of platforms.

Dean Drako, the CEO and Founder of Eagle Eye Networks, will look at this shift closely and discuss how cloud video surveillance and access control are being rapidly adopted in major markets around the world. He says this will give business owners and security professionals unprecedented opportunities to improve safety and security.

This year's Security & ASIAL Conference is an unprecedented opportunity for security professionals to explore and learn about the convergence of physical and logical security, the challenges this unification poses and the incredible opportunities it presents.

Click here to view the full program and to secure your place at the Security & ASIAL Conference.


By Min Seong-jae



I am heartbroken by the recent losses of young lives, all of which occurred in the span of a couple of weeks. One, a 23-year-old elementary school teacher in Seoul's uber-competitive school district took her own life in her classroom, reportedly due to the burdens associated with dealing with demanding parents. Another, a 20-year-old Marine, who was doing search and rescue operations for victims of heavy rains in Yecheon County of North Gyeongsang Province, was swept away and killed by a torrent. The soldier was engaged in the operation without safety gear. And in a Costco outlet in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, a 29-year-old employee died of heatstroke after working all day in the outlet's parking lot managing shopping carts.



These deaths are heartbreaking not just because of the victims' age, but also because of the manner in which they happened. Surely, they are different, as one is suicide and the others are accidents. And the exact details and circumstances are still under investigation. But what's common behind those cases is that the victims were at the bottom of the social totem pole and were vulnerable to various types of dangers and abuses.



School teachers in Korea are in a role no longer desirable. They are in a 3D  dirty, difficult and dangerous  job today. According to the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, physical violence against teachers is increasing with more than 300 cases reported last year. That's the official number alone. Ask teachers, and unofficial stories of threats, mockery, insults and abuse by parents, students and school management abound. The young female teacher just out of college was placed in one of the most demanding and competitive school districts in Korea and was reportedly facing heavy pressure from overly entitled parents. She didn't receive any help. She went through agonizing emotional suffering, according to circumstantial evidence.



Violence, torture, accidents, and mysterious deaths in the Korean military is well documented. Things have improved over the years, but the military is still the hotbed of human rights abuses. The drowning death of the marine was not an accident. It was a death caused by the Marine Corps' negligence. A simple life jacket could have saved the young soldier's life, but he was dispatched to do rescue work in a dangerous stream with bare hands. What could a soldier, deployed for barely two months, do other than obey the order?



It was reported that the worker at the supermarket logged 43,000 steps in 10 hours under the excessive summer heat of Seoul. I don't know whether he was working overtime because he chose to do so or his complaints to management fell upon deaf ears. No matter what, the fact that a person had to work such long hours under such extreme conditions shows the ugly face of exploitative capitalism.



These kinds of industrial accidents, usually common in underdeveloped countries, continue to reoccur in modern Korea. Just last year, a 23-year-old woman operating a machine in Paris Baguette factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, was killed after being pulled into and crushed by the machine. It is said that the female worker solely operated the machine that usually required a two-person crew for safety and that the factory didn't stop operation even after the freakish accident that day. The machine just had to keep running to produce bread and make a profit. Likewise, the Costco worker just had to keep moving the shopping carts so that the supermarket could continue generating revenue.



There will probably be a lot more unreported deaths and accidents involving the young and vulnerable population happening around Korea. The thing is that they are caused not so much by individuals as much as structural issues. Korean society and organizations, public or private, lack the support systems and necessary care for marginalized populations. Bureaucratic callousness and cheap capitalist logic drive the vulnerable to their untimely demise. Without structural reform and necessary regulations, we may keep hearing such unfortunate news. For now, I just hope they rest in peace.





Min Seong-jae is a professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, New York City. He is a 2023-24 Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Korea.


Trainees and trainers of Samsung Electronics' Software Academy for Youth (SSAFY) pose for a photo during the entrance ceremony of this year's class at SSAFY's campus in Seoul, July 18. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung Electronics held an entrance ceremony for the 10th program of the Samsung Software Academy for Youth (SSAFY), a social contribution program aimed at fostering the next generation of experts in the Korean software industry, continuing efforts to expand the software market here, the company said Monday.



The SSAFY is a program in which Samsung, in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, provides free software education and various employment support services to jobseekers under the age of 29.



A logo for Samsung Electronics / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
Better late than never, I suppose.

As this country prepares to take the chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the UK's 'special envoy' on the matter, Lord Pickles, announced at the weekend the setting up of an investigation into how many Jews were murdered on the Channel Island of Alderney during its occupation by Nazi Germany.

The official figure, based on an investigation ordered by the British government at the end of the war, is eight.

This was the conclusion of a 23-year-old intelligence officer, Captain Theodore Pantcheff, in 1945.

But much more recent work by the forensic archaeologist Professor Caroline Sturdy Colls, suggests close to 1,000 Jews perished in the concentration camps set up on Alderney by the SS. Others have speculated on still higher numbers.

Many of these would have been French, transported to Alderney from Drancy, a transit camp in Paris where tens of thousands of the country's Jewish population were herded  with chilling enthusiasm  by the collaborationist Vichy regime. Alderney, though described as 'Britain's Holocaust Island' in a powerful report by Martin Bright this month for Index on Censorship, was not the site of an extermination camp: it had no gas chambers. But its captives were worked to death by the SS under the principle described as 'Vernichtung durch Arbeit'  extermination through work.

German soldiers parade through Alderney during their occupation of the Channel Islands

Justice

The vast majority of these victims were Russians and Ukrainians, sent there as slave labour. This explains the official policy of the British government after the Channel Islands were 'liberated' in 1945.

As Madeleine Bunting revealed in her definitive book on the German rule over the islands  The Model Occupation  the Judge Advocate's Office (which Whitehall set up to bring Nazi war criminals to justice) declared in a memorandum that all the Alderney inmates were Soviet citizens.

So the Foreign Office pronounced it would be up to the Soviet authorities to decide the fate of the SS men who had worked their citizens to death.

Even this form of justice did not happen. Despite Pantcheff's claim that the Kommandant of Alderney, Major Carl Hoffman, had been handed over to the Soviet authorities and executed in Kyiv, the British government finally admitted in 1983 that Hoffman, after being held in the UK until 1948, was released to West Germany, where he lived happily ever after, dying peacefully in his bed.

The same was true of SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Maximilian List, who had run the Alderney camp known as Sylt. Neither was he handed over to the Soviets, as claimed, but was released from a British POW camp to West Germany.

If you want to understand how deliberately defective the West Germans were in prosecuting such matters, know this: the chief of staff of the first post-war Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, was Hans Globke, who had been the chief legal adviser at Adolf Eichmann's Office for Jewish Affairs: that is Adolf Eichmann, the man responsible for carrying out Hitler's wish that the Jews of Europe should be exterminated.

Under Globke's influence, by 1957 more than three-quarters of the staff of the West German justice ministry were ex-members of the Nazi party.

The entrance to the former German concentration camp SS Lager Sylt in Alderney

Still, there is a kind of defence for the British government's apparent lack of interest in what form of justice, if any, was imposed on the individuals responsible for Alderney's 'extermination through labour'.

READ MORE Government inquiry set to expose the horrors of Nazi concentration camps on British soil - after investigation ordered into the number of Jews murdered on Channel Island Alderney Advertisement

No Britons, Jewish or otherwise, were in these camps. And Alderney had been completely evacuated before the Germans invaded it. The traditional administrators of the Channel Islands had no role there whatsoever.

The same was not true of Guernsey and Jersey, however. And this is the real scandal of collaboration with Nazi rule on the islands between June 1940 and May 1945.

The official government papers on the occupation were originally not to have been released for 100 years, but in the event were opened up in 1995.

What they showed was a remarkably cosy relationship between the British Crown's designated authorities and the Nazi regime's occupying force.

Informers

The Bailiff of Guernsey, Victor Carey, did whatever was asked of him, to the end.

For example, he offered cash rewards for information about anyone daubing a 'V for victory' (a mark of resistance) 'or any other sign or word or words calculated to offend the German authorities'. He was, therefore, giving material inducements to encourage informers.

Among those informed on was Frank Falla, who ran the Guernsey Underground News Service. He was one of 11 Islanders deported to Naumberg prison: five of them died within six months. The island's very small Jewish population were also rounded up and almost all perished in the extermination camps.

Troops on the quay at Alderney in 1945

Carey was most helpful when the Feldkommandantur asked him to set out whatever could be ascertained about all 'the Jews on the island'. His response ended: 'I can assure you there will be no delay, in so far as I am concerned, in furnishing you with the information you require. I have the honour, sir, to be your obedient servant, Victor Carey.'

In his book, The British Channel Islands Under German Occupation, Dr Paul Sanders also notes how Clifford Orange, who had the title of Aliens Officer, 'exceeded what the Germans demanded of him. This is plainly clear in the fact that some of the people he registered as Jews need not have been registered at all  even under the terms of the German race laws . . . Orange was one of the few officials who relished his task.

'As for other officials, they seem to have been driven by an appalling lack of imagination rather than zeal.'

What happened to Carey, after the war? He was given a knighthood, with indecent haste, by King George VI in 1945. Julia Pascal, whose play, Theresa, is about a Jewish resident of Guernsey gassed at Auschwitz, told me how one of Victor Carey's grandsons said to her: 'At the liberation, the government didn't know whether to hang my grandfather for treason, or knight him.'

Frank Falla, who ran the Guernsey Underground News Service, was one of 11 Islanders deported to Naumberg prison: five of them died within six months

The former approach would not have sat well with the official line that everyone behaved jolly well. Besides, the Channel Islands had been abandoned by the UK government, which had not sought to defend them against the invader.

Explosives

What would have happened to the Jewish population if the UK itself had been occupied by Nazi Germany?

My own mother's family, the Salmons, were not optimistic: I was told as a child that they had manufactured suicide pills for that eventuality. As the owners of the J Lyons & Co food empire, they were identified in Nazi documents as prominent Jews to be rounded up, following a successful invasion.

The Bailiff of Guernsey, Victor Carey, did whatever was asked of him, to the end. For example, he offered cash rewards for information about anyone daubing a 'V for victory' (a mark of resistance) 'or any other sign or word or words calculated to offend the German authorities'

As it happened, they were able to put their industrial expertise to good use against their would-be nemesis, and Britain's deadliest enemy. Winston Churchill's government approached them to turn their skills to the mass production of bombs, rather than cakes.

Under the cover of 'Lyons Enterprise', Maurice Salmon led the construction of a vast secret bomb-making operation in Elstow, Bedfordshire, which was responsible for one-seventh of the explosives dropped on Germany by Bomber Command between 1942 and 1945.

Churchill, in fact, was notably philo-Semitic. But that was most unusual in Britain at that time; it is a modern misapprehension that this country was motivated in its heroic fight against Nazi Germany by any concern for the plight of the Jews of Europe. It was about national survival  and to thwart a militaristic German hegemon.

In his relatively little-known 1945 essay, Anti-Semitism In Britain, George Orwell wrote: 'It is generally admitted that anti-Semitism is on the increase, that it has greatly been exacerbated by the war, and that humane and enlightened people are not immune to it.'

He went on: 'If, as I suggest, prejudice against Jews has always been pretty widespread in England, there is no reason to think that Hitler has genuinely diminished it.'

It is in this context that we should view the high-level local collaboration with the Nazis during their occupation of the Channel Islands. However uncomfortable it is to confront.
The Queen admitted her grand-daughters were 'incredibly jealous' of her as she toured the headquarters of British design success Monica Vinader today.

Camilla, 76, visited the headquarters of the eponymous firm in Norfolk - where she had also earlier stopped by a horse sanctuary - which was started by Ms Vinader and her sister in a converted forge next to her home just 15 years ago but is now worth nearly 100 million.

The company prides itself on its green credentials and was last year awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development - the last in the late Queen Elizabeth's name.

'My grandchildren - well my granddaughters - are incredibly jealous of me being here today,' Her Majesty told the designer.

She added, laughing: 'They follow you [on social media]. When they found out that I was coming here they started dropping quite a lot of hints about things they would like for their birthdays.'

The Queen (right) admitted her grand-daughters were 'incredibly jealous' of her as she toured the headquarters of British design success Monica Vinader (left) today

Founded in 2008, the firm has become a massive British global success story with stores now in the Hong King, Singapore, the US and China, and huge international online sales.

The jeweller has since partnered with the world's first net zero jewellery manufacturer, with customers able to trace selected styles from design to material sourcing to craftsmanship, as well as crafting its jewellery with 100% recycled gold and silver, and offering a jewellery recycling programme.

The Queen was greeted at the headquarters on the picturesque Holkham estate by Ms Vinader, telling her: 'What a beautiful place to work.'

Talking about the suitability credentials of the jewellery, she added: 'That's what so wonderful about it. '

She was introduced to the almost entirely female staff, telling one financial officer: 'So you're in charge of the cash!'

'This is going to be our best year so we are all pretty happy,' the lady smiled.

The royal poured over trays of sustainable pearls - rejects from the gem industry because of their irregular size - which Monica Vinader are looking to incorporate in future designs, as well as lab-made diamonds.

She was also invited to watch a photoshoot with models sporting Monica Vinader designs.

Camilla, 76, visited the headquarters of the eponymous firm in Norfolk, which was started by Ms Vinader and her sister in a converted forge next to her home

It comes as earlier today, the Queen had braved the rain in Norfolk as she stepped out to visit a horse sanctuary in Norfolk

Pictured: Queen Camilla walking with Monica Vinader and Lady Dannatt, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk

The company prides itself on its green credentials and was last year awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. Camilla pictured with staff at Monica Vinader

Founded in 2008, the firm has become a massive British global success story. Camilla pictured waving goodbye following her visit

The Queen, pictured today, was greeted at the headquarters on the picturesque Holkham estate by Ms Vinader

Before she left, Camilla was invited to unveil a plaque and pose for a team photographer marking her visit

Camilla, who today enjoyed a day of engagements in Norfolk, also handed the designer a glass bowl to mark her enterprise award

The Queen was also invited to watch a photoshoot with models sporting Monica Vinader designs

Queen Camilla was shown the photography studio during a visit to Monica Vinader's design studio

Before she left, Camilla was invited to unveil a plaque and pose for a team photographer marking her visit, joking: 'More plaques have collapsed when I have touched them'

She also handed the designer a glass bowl to mark her enterprise award, saying: 'I've obviously seen the wonderful results of the jewellery but you have no idea quite how much work goes into it. I had no idea of the size of the operation.

'I've got a lot of grandchildren who have said "thank goodness you are going there. Please, please we would like this for our next birthday".

'I've certainly got a lot of ideas.

'So many congratulations to you open such a brilliant job. I know the the work you do with sustainability of so brilliant. This award is very much deserved. '

Ms Vinader said: 'This is a day we will all remember. This award is a real testament to the hard work of an amazing team who really, really care and are driven by what we do. It's amazing to have such an incredible team to work with. '

The royal poured over trays of sustainable pearls - rejects from the gem industry because of their irregular size

The Queen admitted her grand-daughters were 'incredibly jealous' of her as she toured the headquarters of British design success Monica Vinader

Talking about the suitability credentials of the jewellery, Camilla added: 'That's what so wonderful about it'

The Queen looked delighted as she learned about Monica Vinader's processes during her visit today

Camilla appeared engrossed in conversation as she learned about the company's designs today

The royal was shown jewellery designs by staff members during a visit to Monica Vinader's design studio

It comes as earlier today, the Queen had braved the rain in Norfolk as she stepped out to visit a horse sanctuary in Norfolk.

Camilla donned an umbrella to visit Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Great Yarmouth where royal fans gathered to greet her.

Despite the rain, she looked regal in a blue patterned dress and tan heeled pumps - layered with a waterproof trench coat, of course.

Camilla, who is known for her love of animals, bent down to make a fuss of two of the horses who were grazing on a 'cake' in the shape of a horsehead, made of carrots and other horse treats.

She also shook hands of well-wishers who had queued outside to meet her on her solo engagement.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary is situated at Anna Sewell House - the birthplace of Anna Sewell, who wrote Black Beauty.

The charity, which have been custodians of the house since 2022, hope to it to showcase Sewell's legacy in literature and the world of animal welfare.

The team currently cares for 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK in various sites.

The Queen looked regal yet ready for the rain as she arrived in a blue patterned dress, a waterproof trench coat and an umbrella

The horses were presented with a 'cake' made up of goodies including carrots and seeds, which the Queen looked mesmerised by

Royal fans gathered with mini Union Jack flags to greet the Queen as she arrived at the horse sanctuary

Queen Camilla prepared to sign a copy of the Black Beauty book, written by Anna Sewell, as she visited the sanctuary

Her Majesty's animal focused visit comes just days after she made a trip to an alpaca centre in Brecon during a whistlestop tour of Wales.

She and King Charles appeared delighted to meet the freshly shaven alpaca as they were taken on a tour of the outdoor grounds.

The alpaca was taking part in the annual Brecknock Agricultural Society show in a field beside the Theatr Brycheiniog.

While Camilla gave the animal a gentle stroke on its neck, King Charles happily posed for photos next to him.

During the tour, the King also expressed an interest in watching some sheep shearing too.

After this, Charles and Camilla took the time to visit Brecon Barracks, which is the regional army command for Wales.

On July 17, Queen Camilla celebrated her 76th birthday and received a flurry of well-wishes.

Royal fans took to social media, while the official Royal Family account posted a tribute to Camilla on both Instagram and Twitter as they shared smiling photos of King Charles III's wife to mark the special occasion.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also sent their wishes with an Instagram Story dedicated to the royal.

Elsewhere television presenter Gyles Brandreth - who has known Camilla since they were both teenagers - shared a celebratory tweet directing fans to her Royal Reading Room.

Other messages came from The Ritz, The British Asian Trust, Smooth Radio and even the New Zealand Defense Force - which marked Her Majesty's big day with a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham, Wellington.

The HMNBDevonport has also announced its own 21-gun salute at midday today.

And in London, Green Park will be celebrating with a 'spectacular' 41 Gun Salute by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery at noon.

'Please avoid the area at this time if you are walking a dog as the gun fire is very loud and can be startling,' The Royal Parks account tweeted.

'It's Queen Camilla's birthday,' he said.

'If you don't already know about it, today's the day to visit The Queen's Reading Room where Her Majesty celebrates everything to do with books & the joy (& value) of reading.'
An invitation from space: Welcome to join space science projects

(People's Daily App) 15:34, July 24, 2023

The application system for space science projects in China's space station is now open to scientists and engineers, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Gui Haichao, China's first payload specialist, who is conducting research on the Tiangong space station, encourages scientists to join. Click the video to get more information.

(Compiled by Li Yujing; video edited by Li Ruidi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Refrigerators are newly equipped with doors to help conserve energy at a Lotte Mart store in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, Feb. 13. Yonhap



By Lee Kyung-min



Opinions are split over the government's plan to require the installation of doors on all refrigerators at large retail shopping malls and convenience stores, according to market watchers, Sunday.



Chief among the proponents of the energy-saving campaign are retail chains and department stores, since the measure can cut down electricity bills substantially and bolster corporations' brand image as green, sustainable businesses.



But less enthusiasm is coming from convenience store operators with smaller premises, as it is difficult to apply the door modifications to refrigerators in smaller spaces.



Their responses come ahead of the plan by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to mandate doors on all refrigerators starting as early as the first week of August.



The ministry says the initiative will boost energy efficiency, as illustrated by a study that showed using fridges with doors with a temperature set to 5 degrees Celsius lowered electricity consumption to about one-third of those without doors.



The government has allocated 10 billion won ($7.7 million) to fund the campaign whereby it will shoulder up to 40 percent of the door installation costs, according to the ministry.



Only devices with verified safety, material and humidity standards will be eligible.



Large retail chains are ready to embrace the drive.



Lotte Mart has installed doors on the refrigerators at 60 of its branches as of July 23 and plans to install fridge doors at 15 more of its stores by the end of the year.



Similarly, E-mart said it installed doors on refrigerators at select branches in April. Homeplus followed suit in June.



However, convenience stores say they are not likely to follow the government guideline unless the ministry revises rules to factor in their concerns about the size of their stores and the inconvenience the policy may pose to customers as they negotiate already-cramped spaces.



The ministry said it will continue to collect opinions from businesses, store operators and the public.


Sister Wives star Christine Brown could not stop beaming as she posed alongside her fiance in new engagement photos - two years after she left her polygamist marriage with Kody Brown.

Christine, 51, first announced that she was engaged to her new beau, David Woolley, back in April, and now she has shared some adorable new pictures to commemorate their upcoming nuptials.

One of the snaps showed the soon-to-be husband and wife romantically staring into each other's eyes as they both smiled from ear to ear.

Christine placed one of her arms on David's neck and used the other to hold his hand.

Sister Wives star Christine Brown could not stop beaming as she posed alongside her fiance in new engagement photos - two years after she left her polygamist marriage with Kody Brown

Christine, 51, announced that she was engaged to David Woolley back in April, and now she has shared some adorable new pictures to commemorate their upcoming nuptials

'We got our engagement photos done. Gosh, I LOVE how we look together,' Christina captioned them, adding the hashtags 'true love' and 'finally found someone'

She donned jeans, a green top, and black heels, while David opted for jeans and a button-down black shirt with similar-colored dress shoes.

A second image featured the couple cozying up, with Christine leaning her head on David's shoulder as he stared adoringly at her.

A third saw David kissing Christine's forehead as they stood on the sand with a stunning backdrop of mountains behind them.

'We got our engagement photos done. Gosh, I LOVE how we look together,' Christina captioned them, adding the hashtags 'true love' and 'finally found someone.'

Christine previously wed Kody in 1995, and they went on to welcome five daughters together - Aspyn, born in 1995; Mykelti, born in 1996; Gwendlyn, born in 2001; Ysabel, born in 2003; and Truely, born in 2010; and one son, Paedon, born in 1998 - over the years.

She was propelled into the spotlight back in 2010 when she starred in the TLC show Sister Wives alongside her husband, Kody, and his three other wives: Meri, Janelle, and Robyn.

For more than a decade, the five-some made their relationship work, living in four separate homes on the same cul-de-sac in Las Vegas, Nevada, with their joint 18 children.

However, along the way, the Mormon reality star and his four wives faced a series of problems - stemming from jealousy over who Kody liked most and leading to bitter rivalries between the women over his attention - all of which was put on display for the entire world to see throughout the 17 seasons of their show.

Christine was propelled into the spotlight back in 2010 when she starred in the TLC show Sister Wives alongside her husband, Kody, and his three other wives: Meri, Janelle, and Robyn

For more than a decade, the five-some made their relationship work, living in separate homes on the same cul-de-sac in Las Vegas. Christine and Kody are seen at their wedding in 1995

She and Kody went on to welcome five daughters together - Aspyn, Mykelti, Gwendlyn, Ysabel, and Truely as well as one son, Paedon, over the years. Their kids are seen above

But in late 2021, Christine shocked the world by announcing that she was moving away from the family and officially splitting from Kody after growing tension over the way he treated his fourth wife, Robyn, came to a head.

Christine previously said that she was unhappy that Kody was 'catering' to Robyn's needs more than the other wives and that she 'didn't feel special anymore.'

'I'm tired of feeling like I don't matter, I'm tired of not having his support when I really need it. I'm just tired. I need a partnership. I need something different than this,' she said in the show.

In February 2022, she spoke further about her decision to leave Kody in a Sister Wives special and she explained: 'I just realized I had to make a decision for my heart, and my heart was done being broken. And it felt, well, freeing.'

While she added that she hoped to eventually become 'friends' with Kody, she said they were living 'completely separate' lives.

Christine announced she was dating someone new on Valentine's Day of this year.

But in late 2021, Christine shocked the world by announcing that she was moving away from the family and officially splitting from Kody

Christine then announced she was dating someone new on Valentine's Day of this year. She gushed: 'I finally found the love of my life, David. He's wonderful and kind'

She then confirmed that they were gearing up to become husband and wife in April

'I finally found the love of my life, David. The first time he held me close, it felt like my soul took it's first breath,' she gushed on Instagram at the time.

'He's wonderful and kind, incredible with my children and an adorable grandpa. I never dreamed I could find a love like this.'

She then confirmed that she and David, a construction worker, were gearing up to become husband and wife in April.

Speaking with People at the time, Christine reiterated that she had never experienced a love like the one she has with David.

'David treats me like a queen and tells me I'm beautiful everyday,' she told the outlet. 'I've never been in love like this before and the world seems like a brighter place with him in it.

'I'm so excited for the wonderful adventure we are going to embark on for the rest of our lives.'
Greta Gerwig has revealed the inspiration behind Kate McKinnon's 'Weird Barbie' in the hit blockbuster about the Mattel doll.

Movie lovers were taken on a journey to Barbieland on Friday when the film, which stars Margot Robbie, premiered and sent viewers into a pink-filled plastic adventure -complete with Stereotypical Barbie, President Barbie, and fan favorite Weird Barbie.

Weird Barbie - played by 39-year-old SNL alum McKinnon - is meant to represent a doll that has been played with too roughly and now has an uneven fringe, pen marks around her face, and is pretty much always in the splits.

And while many fans of the film giggled at the eccentric Barbie doll, Gerwig, the film's director, has detailed the real story behind the doll - adding that it came from some of her experiences as a child.

The inspiration behind Kate McKinnon's character 'Weird Barbie' in the hit Mattel film has been revealed

Movie lovers were taken on a journey to Barbieland on Friday when the film - which stars Margot Robbie - premiered and sent viewers into a pink-filled plastic adventure

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gerwig, also 39, shared the childhood experience that prompted her to come up with the character.

She explained that she grew up with many people who were older than her, so most of the toys were hand-me-downs that had already been played with.

'We grew up in a neighborhood where there were a lot of girls older than me.

'So I had a lot of hand-me-down Barbies that had already gotten a haircut by the time I got them.

'It was like, "Well, we have to do that." It felt almost like a spiritual conduit to the world of play through that Barbie.'

The star director also revealed the other aspect that helped her bring her vision to life.

She explained that the character itself is based on the award-winning sci-fi YA novel by Lois Lowry, The Giver.

In the film, the giver has and gives things that others don't have, such as feelings, and colors.

In an interview with Rolling Stones, Gerwig, also 39, shared the childhood experience that prompted her to come up with Weird Barbie

She said that she grew up with many people who were older than her, so most of the toys were hand-me-downs that had already been played with so that's where Weird Barbie came from

Gerwig noted that she wanted McKinnon's character to 'be like the giver in a way like she had the knowledge that everyone else didn't have.'

The film's director also spoke about how she and the SNL star had gone to college together, and she immediately knew she was the one for the part.

She said that McKinnon was a 'comedic genius' and she knew the actress would thrive in the role.

Gerwig has previously spoken about her other influences for the film, revealing that she drew inspiration from movies such as The Philadelphia Story, The Ladies Man, and even The Wizard of Oz.
Princess Beatrice looked every inch the proud mother over the weekend after her daughter Sienna was asked to be a flowergirl at a family wedding.

The royal, 34, looked effortlessly elegant in a blush pink button-down dress by Emilia Wickstead, which she wore to Wimbledon two weeks ago, to attend the nuptials of Phoebe Williams-Ellis, 29, and Raoul de Lantsheere in Cumbria.

According to the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden, Beatrice and Edoardo Mozzi Mapelli's 22-month-old daughter was asked to be a flower girl for the happy couple.

Meanwhile, Edo's seven-year-old son Wolfie - who he shares with his ex-fiance Dara Huang - is said to have performed the role of pageboy during the ceremony.

Whilst Sienna arrived at the church with her parents, Wolfie - who was wearing braces - remained with the other pageboys before joining them later.

Pictured: Princess Beatrice, 34, seen attending the wedding of Phoebe Williams-Ellis, 29, and Raoul de Lantsheere in Cumbria over the weekend

The youngster is said to have arrived at the ceremony at St Oswalds church in Kirkoswald, Cumbria in a tractor.

The bride - who works as a Set Designer, Costume Designer and Production Designer- is the step-daughter of Edo's mother Nicola Diana Williams-Ellis.

Despite the wet weather, Phoebe appeared in great spirits as she arrived at the church with her father David Williams-Ellis - who protected her from the rain with a large blue umbrella.

Phoebe styled her hair in a half-up, half-down style and looked elegant in a floor-length white gown with sheer sleeves and chunky heels.

During the traditional church ceremony, the bride was given away by her father.

David, who was dressed in a morning suit, is one of the world's leading figurative sculptors.

He was commissioned by the Normandy Memorial Trust to create the D-Day sculpture in 2019.

In 2020, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi asked his three-year-old son to be the Best Man at their intimate Windsor wedding.

Pictured: Bride Phoebe Williams-Ellis appeared in great spirits as she arrived at the church with her father David

Pictured: Princess Beatrice wore the same blush pink button-down dress to Wimbledon earlier this month

The mother of Princess Beatrice's stepson impressed her followers last month by sharing a clip of Wolfie Mapelli Mozzi working on a painting

Ahead of their wedding, a spokesperson told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden: 'I can confirm that Wolfie will be best man.'

Wolfie was the youngest person to have performed a role at a royal wedding throughout the course of British history.

As a result of Covid restrictions, the wedding, originally scheduled for May 29 , took place on July 17 with just close family present.

And they exchanged the prestigious Chapel Royal at St James's Palace, the original venue, for the Royal Chapel of All Saints, in the grounds their childhood family home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park.

The ceremony was attended by around 20 guests, including late Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh plus parents and siblings.

Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July 2020 at Royal Lodge in Windsor in a socially distanced ceremony attended by their immediate family

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stand alongside Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi outside The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, after their wedding

For her big day, Beatrice wore a vintage dress by Norman Hartnell, on loan from her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who had first worn the dress to a 1961 state dinner in Rome.

The gown was made with Peau De Soie taffeta in shades of ivory, complete with puffed organza sleeves, which had been added for Beatrice.

It was beautifully finished with intricate diamante embellishment to the bodice.

The dress had been re-modelled by Her Late Majesty's dresser, Angela Kelly and and royal dress designer Stewart Parvin.

The accessories were recycled, also. The Princess topped off her ensemble with the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara, which Queen Elizabeth had worn to marry Prince Philip on November 20, 1947.

Wolfie's mother, the stylish architect Dara Huang, could be heard encouraging her son in the video

Earlier this year, Edo Mapelli Mozzi's architect ex Dara Huang shares video of their son Wolfie painting as she called him 'baby Picasso'.

The video showed the little boy adding black lines and a touch of blue paint to two canvas lined with black and grey lines signed 'Wolfie.'

Princess Beatrice's stepson completed the painting for a charity project, with his mother proudly dubbing him 'Baby Picasso.'

Wolfie has been enjoying life far away from the royal spotlight, and usually stays out of royal events, apart from family occasions.
A new moisturiser designed for dry winter skin has been dubbed the 'perfect everyday staple' by physicians across the world.

The new Emollience by SkinCeuticals combines algae extracts and plant oils to inject moisture into the skin without leaving an oily residue.

Described as an 'elegant and gentle' formula, the moisturiser is perfect for colder weather as it heals and replenishes skin that's been dried out by environmental factors.

While it's not the cheapest beauty buy at $138, a little goes a long way, it both restores and retains moisture in the skin right away and is alcohol, paraben and dye-free.

'Emollience is the perfect everyday moisturiser for dry skin,' Dr Peter Schmid from the Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Reconstructive Surgery said.

A new moisturiser designed for dry winter skin has been dubbed the 'perfect everyday staple' by physicians across the world (pictured SkinCeuticals customer Elizabeth Endres)

The new Emollience by SkinCeuticals combines algae extracts and plant oils to inject moisture into the skin without leaving an oily residue

'It utilises grape seed, rose hip and macadamia nut oils to restore skin hydration while algae and essentials oils help nourish and calm  all without leaving oily residue.

'I recommend it under Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 for very dry or compromised skin. It's a staple in my skin care regimen.'

The wow-factor results are thanks to the combination of three factors: nutrient-rich algae, plant oils and essential oils (lavender, rosemary and peppermint).

The reviews speak for themselves, with many saying the moisturiser restored their skin texture in seconds.

'A little goes a long way. Minimises lines by filling them right before your eyes. A pleasant fragrance and skin brightening too. Leaves skin feeling soft and moisturised. Highly recommended product especially for over 55 a must have,' one woman wrote.

' Emollience is the perfect everyday moisturiser for dry skin,' Dr Peter Schmid from the Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Reconstructive Surgery said

'Very great product. What ever is in it, my skin drinks it up and loves it. A little goes a long way. Well worth the money,' another wrote.

Another wrote: 'My skin feels soft and well hydrated plus it's glowing since I purchased this one month ago. Will order this product ageing.'

SkinCeuticals started long before the company's founding in 1994, thanks to research performed by Dr. Sheldon Pinnell. In the years since, the brand has continued to pave the way with breakthroughs that have changed the face of skin science.

The brand also supports several key causes that further skin science research, promote skin health awareness, and demonstrate a commitment to skincare safety, as well as environmental awareness.

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Travellers must check in up to two hours before departure

Lachlan Harris was travelling with Ryanair to Greece from Croatia

Traveller charged 55 ($90 AUD) for not checking in to flight early enough

A traveller was left feeling disgruntled at a European airport after being handed a fee for not checking in online prior to a short-haul flight.

Lachlan Harris and two friends were travelling from Croatia to Greece with low-cost airline Ryanair but missed their 6am flight.

After booking another flight departing later that same day, the young Australian was charged 55 ($90 AUD) for not checking in online before departure.

Feeling annoyed, Lachlan alerted others on TikTok of the little-known detail in the fine print.

According to the Ryanair terms and conditions of carriage, travellers must check in up to two hours before the scheduled departure time. Boarding passes must be either printed or downloaded through the Ryanair app.

Customers travelling with Ryanair cannot check in online during the two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.

Lachlan Harris (pictured) and two friends were charged 55 ($90 AUD) each for not checking in early enough before their flight from Croatia to Greece via Ryanair

According to the Ryanair terms and conditions of carriage, travellers must check in up to two hours before the scheduled departure time - though Lachlan wasn't aware of this rule

'This is a quick shout out to anyone travelling in Europe with Ryanair. Do the online check-in,' he said in the TikTok video while recording himself walking around the airport.

'We missed our 6am flight this morning. So it cost us $1000 to get another flight later in the day to go to Greece. Now we're at the airport - didn't check-in online.'

Lachlan explained he spoke to a Ryanair employee behind the airport desk to check-in only to be told he has to pay a fee.

'Here's the f****** catch - 55 ($90 AUD) for them to do their job. For them to sit there and check me in even though they're employed to do it.'

He then whips out the Ryanair receipt with a 165 charge ($272 AUD) for three people.

'I'm already on a tight enough budget as it is and they don't f****** tell you about that,' Lachlan said.

In the short clip, he sounded frustrated and irritated about the whole situation, but others thanked him for sharing the insight.

Does Ryanair charge for check-in? Your boarding pass must be printed on a single A4 page or downloaded through the Ryanair app. Unless you have a Plus or Flexi Plus ticket, if you do not check in online more than two hours before the scheduled departure time, you will be charged the airport check-in fee set out in the table of fees. The check-in desks close strictly 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time unless you are notified otherwise before flight departure. If you do not check-in by then you may be denied boarding without refund. You cannot check in online during the two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. Online check-in opens 60 days before the scheduled departure time if you have purchased an allocated seat. Customers can be allocated a seat free of charge if they check-in online between 24 and 2 hours before each booked flight. Source: Ryanair Advertisement

But Lachlan wasn't the only traveller this has happened to - others also complained they too have been charged a fee for the same reason when flying via Ryanair.

'This has happened to me twice now in the past two months. It's so f*****. They literally click a button and give you a ticket,' one TikToker commented.

'It's so bad. They charged me and my boyfriend 32 ($57 AUD) each,' another said.

'Thank f*** I saw this before my Ryanair flight in August,' a third added.

Others showed no sympathy towards Lachlan with many saying she should've looked over the terms and conditions beforehand.

'Don't book with a budget airline if you don't want budget service,' one person said.

'Just try reading your emails,' another added, one said: 'Read the fine print sounds like a you problem.'

A fourth said: 'I'm happy I read their email that said it would cost you if you didn't check in online.'
The heatwave hitting the US is so extreme that people are getting severe burns just from falling on the pavement, which is reaching scorching temperatures.

Doctors in some parts of Arizona say that up to a third of patients in their burn units are victims who sustained their injuries this way.

And the phenomenon is having life-threatening consequences. Up to half of the patients in intensive care units are people who fell and burned themselves, said Dr Kevin Foster, director of burn services at Valleywise Health in Phoenix.

Phoenix has seen 24 consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures and Arizona is one of more than a dozen states under a heat advisory or excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service.

A Phoenix resident rests under shade while seeking protection from the sun and heat during a record heat wave in the city

A billboard displays a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit during a record heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona

According to the American Meteorological Society, asphalt can be more than 50 degrees hotter than the air temperature, while concrete is significantly higher

The service deems the weather a 'major risk', giving it a three out of four warning and forecasting temperatures as hot as 114 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to experts, at air temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, concrete surfaces reach a temperature of 105 degrees and asphalt is about 130 degrees.

When the air temperature is 97 degrees, concrete gets as hot as 145 degrees and asphalt is a whopping 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

At 125 degrees, skin burning can happen in two minutes. At 130 degrees, a third-degree skin burn can occur in as little as 30 seconds, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A third-degree burn, extends through and destroys all layers of skin and injures underlying tissue, often requiring multiple surgeries and months of recovery.

Foster told CNN that one-third of patients in the burn center are people who fell to the ground and burned themselves so severely they needed hospital care.

'Summers are our busy season, so we anticipate that this sort of thing is going to happen,' Foster told CNN.

'But this is really unusual  the number of patients that were seeing and the severity of injuries  the acuity of injuries is much higher. The numbers are higher and the seriousness of injuries are higher, and we dont have a good explanation for it.'

And Arizona isn't the only state in the US to be suffering from oppressive temperatures.

Cities in Utah have either tied or broken maximum temperatures, and nine states have declared heat advisories. Four states have declared excessive heat warnings, forecasting more record-breaking temperatures that could be deadly.

Water drips from a person as they cover their head for protection from the sun in Phoenix during the record heat wave

Heat advisories are in effect across parts of Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, Colorado and Montana. Excessive heat warnings are in effect across parts of Utah, Arizona, Florida and California.

The NWS is urging people to take precautions if they are outside and reschedule strenuous activities to avoid prolonged exposure to the dangerously high temperatures.

In Las Vegas on Saturday, the service reported temperatures so high it was able to bake cookies in a car that reached 210 degrees Fahrenheit and on asphalt, which reached 156 degrees Fahrenheit.

In Texas, the heat index, or the 'real feel' temperature, is forecast to reach 114 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida could see indices as high as 112 degrees. Kansas will get as hot as 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to burns, doctors are seeing an uptick in the number of patients coming into hospitals with heat-related illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be deadly. The agency estimates an approximate 600 people die each year in the US from heat-related illnesses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be deadly.

The National Weather Service warned of how hot cars can get in extreme temperatures

Maricopa County, the county that houses Phoenix, has reported 18 heat-related deaths as of July 19, with a majority of those deaths occurring between July 2 and July 19. Additionally, the number of heat-associated hospital visits has skyrocketed as the temperatures have risen recently.

And people shouldn't be concerned only of themselves. This extreme heat is dangerous for pets, as well.

The searing temperatures of concrete and asphalt can cause severe damage to pets' paws from walking on the hot surfaces.

Additionally, pets are at a heightened risk for heat stroke, which can began to cause organ damage with just a 3-degree rise in their body temperature, and can kill them in as little as 15 minutes if not treated.
The supplement LGG is also found in parmesan, yoghurt and fermented food

The key to preventing memory loss in old age could lie in a probiotic found in parmesan and yoghurt, research suggests.

Findings from a new study reveal people with mild cognitive impairment who received the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for three months saw improvements to their cognitive scores.

This improvement was linked with changes in their gut microbiome  the mix of bacteria found in our digestive system.

And the researchers, from the University of North Carolina, say the findings could herald a 'new frontier' in preventive strategies to help combat memory loss.

Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is also found in yoghurt, parmesan, kimchi and sauerkraut

LGG, which is widely available in a supplement, is also found in parmesan, yoghurt and fermented food such as kimchi and sauerkraut.

Scientists recruited 169 participants aged between 52 and 75 years old who were divided into two groups depending on if they had mild cognitive impairment or a healthy brain.

Within each group, participants either received the LGG probiotic or a placebo, in a trial lasting three months.

The team also used gene sequencing to study participants' gut bacteria.

Their analysis revealed participants who had mild cognitive impairment had higher levels of a bacteria called Prevotella in their gut compared to those who had normal cognitive function.

This suggests the composition of the gut microbiome could serve as an early indicator for mild cognitive impairment, allowing for interventions to take place sooner, the researchers said.

They also discovered that participants who had mild cognitive impairment and who received the LGG probiotic showed a decrease in the amount of Prevotella present over the three months.

This change coincided with improved cognitive scores, suggesting that brain health in older adults could be improved by taking the probiotic, they said.

Author Mashael Aljumaah said: 'The implication of this finding is quite exciting, as it means that modifying the gut microbiome through probiotics could potentially be a strategy to improve cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

'Many studies focus on severe forms of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia, but these conditions are more advanced, making them significantly harder to reverse or treat.

'In contrast, we focused on mild cognitive impairment, which can include problems with memory, language, or judgment.

'Interventions at this stage of cognitive impairment could slow down or prevent the progression to more severe forms of dementia.

'By identifying specific shifts in the gut microbiome associated with mild cognitive impairment, we're exploring a new frontier in preventive strategies in cognitive health.'
One of the world's deadliest diseases is feared to be spreading in the Middle East after sickening a man in his twenties.

The 28-year-old, of Abu Dhabi, was left fighting for his life in hospital after catching MERS  a deadlier cousin of Covid.

Officials in the UAE, also home to Dubai, are now scrambling to contain the virus to ensure it doesn't spread between humans.

MERS, or Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus, is thought to kill up to a third of everyone it infects.

The virus is usually spread through contact with camels.

The 28-year-old, of Abu Dhabi, was left fighting for his life in hospital after catching MERS  a deadlier cousin of Covid. In a report published this evening by the WHO, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) notified the UN agency of the case on July 10, it confirmed. Details on how the man contracted the virus however remain scarce

MERS is believed to kill over a third of those it strikes. It is also considered one of the 10 most urgent threats to humanity by the World Health Organization (WHO), as it has no cure

But World Health Organization chiefs said the infected man, who wasn't identified, had no contact with camels or goats or sheep  two other species that harbour the disease.

In a report published this evening by the WHO, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) notified the UN agency of the case on July 10, it confirmed.

Details on how the man contracted the virus however remain scarce.

Authorities tracked down more than 100 contacts of the man  who had no known illnesses.

None of his contacts, who were monitored for two weeks, tested positive for the virus.

Investigations into how the man caught MERS are ongoing.

The WHO warned however that more cases are inevitable.

But it is continuing to monitor 'the situation' it acknowledged and urged its member states to 'carefully review any unusual patterns'.

In a report published this evening by the UN agency, it confirmed the patient was admitted to hospital on June 8.

A throat and nose PCR swab, collected on June 21, revealed the man was positive for MERS on June 23.

MERS, also known as camel flu, often leaves patients battling symptoms of a common cold - but it can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure, which can both prove deadly.

The virus, which is from the same family as the virus behind the Covid pandemic, can be spread by touching infected camels or other humans struck down by the bug, although it is poorly understood by virologists.

MVD has a mortality rate of up to 88 percent. There are currently no vaccines or treatments approved to treat the virus

Earlier this year in May, the WHO identified CCHF among its nine 'priority' diseases that pose the biggest risk to public health. They were deemed to be most risky due to a lack of treatments or their ability to cause a pandemic

Britain has only ever recorded five cases of MERS, most recently in a traveller from the Middle East in August 2018.

Its symptoms include a fever, cough, breathing difficulties, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Since July 2013, when the UAE reported the first case of MERS, 94 confirmed cases - including this new case - and 12 deaths have been reported.

Globally, the total number of confirmed MERS cases reported to WHO since 2012 stands at 2,605, including 936 associated deaths.

In a statement the UN agency said it 'continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessments based on the latest available information'.

It added: 'WHO expects that additional cases of MERS infection will be reported from the Middle East and/or other countries where MERS is circulating in dromedaries.

'WHO re-emphasizes the importance of strong surveillance by all member states for acute respiratory infections, including MERS, and to carefully review any unusual patterns.'
Ocado shares have soared to their highest level since January after the online grocer reached a settlement with AutoStore over robot patent litigation claims.

The Norwegian robotics firm will pay 200million to Ocado in 24 monthly instalments, starting this month, putting an end to a three-year legal battle, the group told investors on Monday.

In March, a UK High Court ruled in favour of Ocado, agreeing the company had not infringed AutoStore's patents with its warehouse robots, which are designed to automatically pack shopping orders for delivery.

Robot patent litigation: Ocado and AutoStore have settled after a three-year long legal battle

The two companies have now agreed to withdraw their actions against each other and will have 'complete freedom' to access and use technology covered by each other's pre-2020 patents.

They will also be allowed to continue to use and market their own existing products without risk of infringement of the others' post-2020 patents.

Meanwhile, AutoStore is not permitted to make or use a single-space cavity robot in any jurisdiction where Ocado has patent protection.

The agreement does not allow for collaboration, technology support between the companies, or access to actual products, the companies said.

It does, however, grant both firms access to certain portions of each other's patent portfolios for them to use or manufacture their own products.

Ocado chief executive, Tim Steiner, said: 'I am pleased that we have worked together to resolve our differences and can now continue to focus on what we do best - innovating, developing and enabling partners to access world beating technology.'

Mats Hovland Vikse, chief executive of AutoStore, said: 'We are glad to have achieved a resolution that gives both companies opportunity and freedom to commercialise our extensive patent portfolios.

'This settlement resolves our differences and allows us to continue focusing on our respective business goals.'

The legal battle between the two companies started in October 2020, when AutoStore claimed Ocado infringed six patents.

Deals that the automated supermarket company had with Marks & Spencer and Morrisons and Kroger in the US infringed on the patents, AutoStore claimed.

The company had asked for the courts to ban Ocado from using the technology in future and sought compensation.

Ocado shares rose 11 per cent to 760.80p in morning trading on Monday.

The latest surge adds to last week's rally, when Ocado announced it had returned to an underlying profit in the last six months.

Ocado shares have risen by around 17 per cent since the start of the year and are flat compared to 12 months ago.
A scrappy business owner who took on a giant of the Aussie vitamin industry has been ordered to stop 'disparaging' his rival after generating an avalanche of headlines - and millions of dollars in sales - with his aggressive marketing tactics.

The decision follows a bitter row over the ethics of so-called 'comparative advertising' at the heart of a legal fight between two millionaire vitamin moguls: Jessica Sepel of JSHealth and Jimmy Seervai of Life Botanics.

Ms Sepel's company, based in Double Bay, is a premium vitamin brand targeted at young women. Its products supposedly help with everything from hair growth to metabolism to libido, with customers buying direct or from Chemist Warehouse.

Mr Seervai's brand, based in Nowra, on the NSW South Coast, markets near-identical vitamins but at a much lower price to JSHealth's products. Its main stockist is Coles.

The feud between the two companies - known as 'the Vitamin Wars' - exploded in 2022 when Life Botanics hired Sydney PR supremo Max Markson to handle publicity - leading to a surge of news coverage highlighting how Life Botanics' products contained the same ingredients as JSHealth's but at a fraction of the price.

Ms Sepel went on a rampage on social media, calling out Life Botanics for its 'copycat products' and shady advertising. She then called in the lawyers.

JSHealth owner Jessica Sepel (pictured) took a budget vitamin brand to court over copyright infringement. She won her case against Jimmy Seervai of Life Botanics on Thursday

JSHealth leans heavily on celebrity endorsement and influencer marketing to sell its vitamins. MAFS star Martha Kalifatidis (pictured) is one of the brand's more well-known ambassadors

Her legal fight came to a head on Thursday when Ms Sepel successfully sued Mr Seervai, a former MasterChef contestant, and his company Australian Health Vitality, over copyright infringement claims.

Mr Seervai has agreed to refrain from 'vilifying, denigrating, disparaging or mocking' Ms Sepel or JSHealth, or anyone involved in the legal proceeding.

High-profile defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, representing JSHealth, argued Mr Seervai and his company had an unhealthy obsession with Ms Sepel and was trying to leverage the JSHealth brand to sell its own products.

While it may have been a legal victory for Ms Sepel, some would argue Mr Seervai is the true victor of the 'vitamin war' as his aggressive marketing methods - which he must now keep in check - helped Life Botanics get a foothold in the competitive and highly profitable vitamin business.

Jimmy Seervai, the owner of Life Botanics, is seen leaving the Federal Court on Thursday

Life Botanics (right) manufactures very similar products to JSHealth (left), but sells them for half the price by eliminating what Mr Seervai calls the 'Double Bay brand tax'

'He takes her [Instagram] posts and puts them on his own [Instagram] and mocks her, harasses her in a way which is quite uncalled for,' Ms Chrysanthou said.

In a statement of claim, Ms Sepel put forward 54 instances she alleged Mr Seervai 'attacked' JS Health on Instagram and put his 'identical' product forward as an alternative.

Ms Sepel rejected Life Botanics' central advertising claim that both companies offered the same products, albeit one at a cheaper price point.

'[Life Botanics has], in trade or commerce, engaged in conduct which is misleading or deceptive,' her statement of claim stated.

In his defence, Mr Seervai claimed JSHealth was overcharging customers and that he was simply using a common marketing tool called 'comparative advertising'.

Ms Sepel's Double Bay-based company is a premium vitamin brand targeted at young women. Its products supposedly help with everything from hair growth to metabolism to libido

The feud between the two companies exploded in 2022 when Life Botanics hired PR supremo Max Markson to handle publicity and put out a series of adverts (one seen here) highlighting how Life Botanics' products contained the same ingredients as JSHealth's but at a lower price

Mr Seervai (pictured) portrayed himself in the 'David vs Goliath' legal showdown as an Aussie battler, but Ms Sepel's legal team proved he in fact has a multimillion-dollar property portfolio

Ms Sepel's lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC (pictured) said Mr Seervai had an unhealthy obsession with Ms Sepel and was trying to leverage the JSHealth brand to sell his own cheaper products

Ms Sepel rejected Life Botanics' claim its vitamins were made from the same formulations as her own, and also denied her company charged consumers double the price for the same ingredients as Life Botanics' competing products.

Mr Seervai described his products as the 'Aldi version of the wellness industry'.

Ms Chrysanthou said Mr Seervai's posts, as well as a 60 Minutes broadcast about his business, implied her client was an 'elitist rich person ripping off vulnerable people'.

The vitamin moguls' court showdown kicked off in March, with Ms Sepel alleging the former reality star had overseen a 'campaign of denigration' towards her through social media posts and an appearance on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program.

Mr Seervai had taken journalist Tom Steinfort and a camera crew to one of the Federal Court hearings, telling Mr Steinfort he felt 'nervous' because he had never been in court before.

Mr Seervai described the court battle as a 'David v Goliath' situation, while likening himself to Darryl Kerrigan from The Castle - a quintessential Aussie battler.

Ms Sepel's lawyers submitted an affidavit proving Mr Seervai, far from being a battler, owns multiple properties on Sydney's north shore, totalling more than $13million.

In 2020, the Nowra-based businessman bought two houses near Balmoral Beach for a total of about $11.6million with plans to eventually knock them down and rebuild a single three-level residence with a swimming pool.

Ms Sepel has an even bigger war chest: she and her husband Dean Steingold, the CEO of JSHealth, have an estimated net worth of $426million, reports the AFR.

The 'curry king', as he was dubbed during his time on MasterChef, has spent the past decade honing his culinary research skills, founding food manufacturing company Essence Group that supplements for corporate giants like Woolworths, Aldi and Swisse, and exports to China, India and the U.S.
Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho, left, and Stellantis Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart shake hands after signing an agreement to establish a joint venture in the U.S. state of Indiana in this May 2022 file photo. Courtesy of Samsung SDI



By Park Jae-hyuk



Samsung SDI and Stellantis, which established a joint venture last year, signed a memorandum of understanding to build their second electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in the United States, the Korean firm said Monday.



Slated to start production in 2027, the StarPlus Energy joint venture's new plant aims to have an initial annual production capacity of 34 gigawatt-hours (GWh).



The joint venture's first plant, located in Kokomo, Indiana will begin production in 2025.



Given that the annual production target of StarPlus Energy's first factory was adjusted to 33 GWh from an initial target of 23 GWh, Samsung SDI will be able to provide Stellantis with 67 GWh of EV batteries a year after the second factory is built.



"By establishing the joint venture with Stellantis last year, we laid a solid groundwork for marking our presence in North America," Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho said. "The second plant will accelerate our market penetration into the U.S. and help Stellantis push forward the U.S. transition to an era of electric vehicles by supplying the products featuring the highest levels of safety and quality."



Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares expects the new facility to contribute to reaching the company's target of introducing at least 25 new types of EVs in the North American market by 2030.



"We are continuing to add more capacity in the United States together with our great partner Samsung SDI and laying the next steps to reaching our carbon neutrality commitment by 2038," Tavares said.



Both companies did not disclose the location of the second factory. They also kept confidential the size of their planned investments in the new production plant.



"The location of the new facility is currently under review and further details will be shared at a later date," they said in a press release. "The transaction is subject to the execution of definitive documentation."



Industry officials, however, expect the second factory to be located in Indiana, where Samsung SDI will also build a joint battery plant with an annual production capacity of 30 GWh, in cooperation with General Motors.



Considering that Samsung SDI and GM agreed last month to invest $3 billion in their joint factory, the size of investments in StarPlus Energy's new production plant is also expected to exceed $3 billion.


Super rich guests staying at the hotel featured in The White Lotus endured 46C heat at a calamitous wedding that saw a priest faint near the 2,100-a-night Sicilian resort.

As the blistering heat sweeps across Europe, causing terrifying wildfires in Greece and the Swiss Apls and extreme alerts in 23 cities across Italy, not even the coastal town of Taormina has been able to evade the nightmare temperatures.

Guests at the White Lotus paradise have revealed how a wedding they attended in the picturesque Sicilian town fell victim to the scorching temperatures a priest fainted in a church with no air conditioning amid the 46C heat.

While many would recognise the lavish San Domenico Palace from HBO series The White Lotus, rich guests staying at the Four Seasons resort in real life have been subjected to a chaotic holiday abroad.

Tyler Peters, an entrepreneur from California who is staying at the hotel for a week for an American friend's wedding, told The Times: 'The priest fainted at the end of the wedding ceremony and a family member had to deliver the blessings.'

Super rich guests staying at the hotel featured in The White Lotus endured 46C heat at a calamitous wedding that saw a priest faint near the 2,100-a-night Sicilian resort.

Tyler Peters, an entrepreneur from California who is staying at the hotel for a week for an American friend's wedding, told The Times: 'The priest fainted at the end of the wedding ceremony and a family member had to deliver the blessings'

The 36-year-old, who is saying at the hotel with his partner Olivia Austin, 34, added: 'We were in a church with zero air-conditioning. An uncle who was also a doctor missed the initial cocktails at the afterparty, he stayed with the priest because he was worried hed have a heart attack.'

Fortunately, unlike the hit series which starred Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Theo James and F Murray Abraham, the real life hotel has not suffered any casualties thanks to the efforts of the staff.

Staff members at the hotel, which is housed in a former convent first constructed in the 14th century, have described how these sensational temperatures have caused chefs to faint and be sent home.

The San Domenico, which features an outdoor pool overlooking Mount Etna, was not majorly impacted by a fire at the local Catania airport, caused by a faulty air-conditioning unit. General manager Lorenzo Maravigilia explained that guests have either redirected their trips or arrived by boats, helicopters and sometimes private jets.

Giving an insight into just how it feels to be in Europe right now, Mr Peters says that moving from being served cocktails outside to the air-conditioning inside is 'like moving from an oven to a refrigerator'.

Also staying at the hotel is Melbourne socialite Sarah Lew and her new husband, the successful restaurateur Chris Lucas.

Also staying at the hotel is Melbourne socialite Sarah Lew (left) and her new husband, the successful restaurateur Chris Lucas (right)

The Australian couple tied the knot in Venice last month and have been honeymooning in Taormina. Mr Lucas described the heat as 'relentless' and admitted they even considered leaving but had paid 'thousands of euros' for their room.

Mr Lucas and Ms Lew, who was previously married to Steven Lew - son of billionaire retail magnate Solomon Lew - have been coping by simply sitting by the pool and having breakfast until midday.

Ms Lew described that the only thing she has been able to really do is people watch and she has enjoyed getting to know 'everyone's storyline'. Her new husband added: 'All you need now is for somebody to be murdered.'
Elon Musk is continuing his career-long fascination with the letter X as he announces a dramatic rebranding of Twitter.

The change, revealed in a series of tweets from the Tesla and SpaceX leader, serves as the latest in a series of shake-ups to the social media platform since Musk, 52, purchased it late last year.

Musk's affinity for the letter in both his professional and personal life has been growing for 25 years, though he has rarely ever given a reason.

Now, it looks like one of the largest social media apps will soon be known by the singular letter that has long been a Musk obsession.

'Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app,' Musk recently wrote on Twitter, referencing new CEO Linda Yaccarino.

With Elon Musk set to rebrand Twitter effective immediately - changing the site's name to 'X' - it continues his career-long fascination with the letter X, which has factored into many of his projects

One of Musk's first ventures was known as X.com, first launched by Musk as an online banking and financial services platform in 1999. the site later merged with PayPal

One of Musk's first ventures was known as X.com, first launched by Musk as an online banking and financial services platform in 1999. A year later, he was forced to step down from his role as CEO of the firm.

'Everyone tried to talk him out of naming the company that back then because of the sexual innuendos, but he really liked it and stuck with it,' said Ashlee Vance, the author of Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, about the X.com domain, according to NPR.

Three years later, he made $165 million when the site, by then merged with PayPal, was bought by eBay.

Musk would later buy the domain X.com back from PayPal in 2017. That site now directs people to Twitter.

'Thanks PayPal for allowing me to buy back X.com! No plans right now, but it has great sentimental value to me,' Musk wrote on Twitter in 2017,

That domain was Musk's first major use of the letter X, but not his last.

Musk is also the founder and CEO of SpaceX, which is formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corporation.

He founded the company in 2002 and it recently launched its $3 billion - a test flight which was deemed a great success even after it burst into a spectacular ball of flames.

SpaceX and even NASA all hailed the mammoth new rocket's maiden flight as 'exciting' and a success. Musk was particularly buoyant in the aftermath  vowing to launch again 'in a few months'.

Tesla, where Musk is CEO, sells the Model X, which went on commercial sale in 2016

Tesla, where Musk is CEO, sells the Model X, which went on commercial sale in 2016. The car, a mid-sized luxury crossover SUV is recognizable by its falcon doors.

'The idea being that the Tesla models would spell out the word 'sexy,'' said Tim Higgins, the author of Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century. However, Ford owned the right to the Model E, which forced Musk to turn to the Model 3 - which is 'kind of a backwards E,' Higgins noted.

Musk also infamously brought the letter into his personal life, giving his son the letter as a nickname.

Musk and his former partner, the musician Grimes, raised eyebrows in May 2020 when they revealed the name of their newborn son: X  A-12.

The billionaire is said to have given the little boy, three, the nickname X for short.

Soon after he was named, X  A-12 had his name changed to X  A-Xii following a violation of California's naming laws around which alphanumeric characters can be used.

The name of the couple's second child was later changed to 'Y' from Exa Dark Siderl Musk.

Musk's love life has been the subject of intrigue for years, with the Space X founder going through a series of divorces and high-profile relationships in recent times.

Elon Musk hold his son, X, in the garage of team Red Bull during practice for the Miami Grand Prix in May

The CEO first alluded to some big name changes to Twitter- which has been fighting reduced usership and increased competition in recent months - early Sunday morning, revealing the bird logo would soon be replaced with a plain 'X'.

He hinted the symbol came as part of a larger rebrand of the entire platform as he searches for the right design.

Of the newly announced logo, which is still in limbo, he claimed: 'Interim X logo goes live later today.'

Musk has long wanted to build an 'everything app' similar to the popular WeChat, according to NPR. That app has a strong hold in China, but no US version.

'He wants to create an app similar to how WeChat is used in China, where it's part of the fabric of day-to-day life. You use it to communicate, to consume news, to buy things, to pay your rent, to book appointments with your doctor and even to pay fines,' Vance said.

Now, the social-media site Musk purchased for $44 billion appears to be undergoing the changes he first promised in October.

'Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app,' Musk said at the time of the purchase.

Musk has announced he is rebranding Twitter effective immediately - changing the site's name to 'X' and the platform's iconic blue bird logo to the letter as well

Many thousands of users weighed in Musk's X tease, dropping design suggestions for the new logo, as well as questions behind his reasoning for the new name.

Several posters sarcastically joked about what would come of the already widely accepted term 'tweeting' in the revamp's aftermath.

'I am not sure how it will be called now! Post? X-post? Xost?' someone wrote.

Another similarly asked: If Twitter rebrands to X then what would we call future 'tweets'?'

Someone else sniped: 'So it's not tweet anymore it's what?'

Others seemed to poke fun with the famously flippant exec after his announcement, with some sighting the increased pressure he is facing with the recent advent of Meta-owned Threads, and the diminishing market evaluation of his new company.

'ur[sic] actually so annoying. genuinely what is the reason,' said one person moments after the announcement - which put a cap on a stream of consciousness style series of tweets from Musk alluding to a large-scale rebrand.

'Get on threads at this point,' someone else added.

Musk, in trademark fashion, looked to play along with storm of sarcastic posts, asking his some 149million followers within moments: 'What should we call tweeting?'

Several responded in turn with their own self-made verbs to describe the act of posting on the now changing social media site.

'Xweeting,' wrote one; 'Xpressing,' wrote another.

Hours earlier, Musk alluded to some smaller but still seminal changes to the platform, with various photos containing some stylized form of the letter x - including a photo of himself crossing his arms.

Many thousands of users weighed in in Musk's replies, dropping design suggestions for the new logo, as well as questions behind his reasoning for the new name

Hours earlier, Musk alluded to some smaller but still seminal changes to the platform, with various photos containing some stylized form of the letter x

'And soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds,' one morning post from Musk read.

Another aired shortly after added: 'If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll make go live worldwide tomorrow.'

He followed up the announcement by offering some creative guidance for potential designers: 'If the X is closest in style to anything, it should, of course, be Art Deco.'

He then posted a darkened version of the current Twitter logo and wrote, 'Like this but X.'

Eventually, Musk posted a flickering video of an X overtaking the bird and pinned it to the top of his profile.

The image was suggested by Sawyer Merritt, the co-founder of a sustainable clothing brand, and designed by Alex Tourville, a physics engineer.

It is not clear that the pinned X is the one Musk will use for the company logo moving forward.

Musk, in trademark fashion, looked to play along with storm of sarcastic posts, asking his some 149million followers within moments: 'What should we call tweeting?'

The site's current logo, known as Larry the Bird, has been Twitter's emblem since its creation in 2006, with the current design in use since 2012.

According to Twitter's website, Larry is 'our most recognizable asset' and is 'why we're so protective of it.'

In April, the site's logo was briefly replaced with a picture of a Shibu Inu dog, which helped boost the market value of Dogecoin, the popular meme coin, by $4billion.

That same month, an email was sent to Twitter's business partners informing them that the company had been renamed the X Corp following a merger, but that the short-form social media platform would keep its original name - for now.

X Corp may also act as a future parent company for Musk's other businesses: Neuralink, SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company.

When the corporate filings became public in April, Musk tweeted a simple 'X' to his millions of followers. It is unclear if, or when Musk will change the name of Twitter.

Musk appeared to allude to the court filings with a tweet simply stating: 'X'

According to Twitter's website, Larry the bird is 'our most recognizable asset' and is 'why we're so protective of it'

Musk showed his users an example of the aesthetic he has in mind for the new logo

The logo announcement arrives nearly two weeks after the launch of Musk's new artificial intelligence startup, xAI - which is now the sole occupant of Musk's Twitter bio.

The startup, to be led by Musk, will aim to provide an alternative to ChatGPT.

According to Musk, who has repeatedly warned about the unregulated development of AI, the company will create a 'maximally curious' AI.

'If it tried to understand the true nature of the universe, that's actually the best thing that I can come up with from an AI safety standpoint,' he said. 'I think it is going to be pro-humanity from the standpoint that humanity is just much more interesting than not-humanity.'

The logo change would be the latest in a number of changes that have shaken up the company since Musk's takeover.

He has previously been criticized for gutting the company of the grand majority of its employees, as well as monetizing the 'verified' blue check status in April.

Earlier this month, Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta launched its own short-form posting app, called Threads.

Mark Zuckerberg said that more than 30million people signed up for the rival service during its first 24 hours.

Twitter has threatened to sue the company over allegedly stolen trade secrets.
A British family have shared their horrific experiences in Greece after they say their travel agent flew them to Rhodes despite wildfires raging across the island.

Jess Bailey, a Devon councillor, flew to the island from Bristol Airport on July 22 with her husband and two daughters, 11 and 15.

She said the family arrived to chaos in the airport as wildfires have triggered the country's largest disaster evacuation in history.

Speaking to Devon Live, she said: 'After a lot of hanging around we were brought to the evacuation centre.'

She added: 'Why did TUI fly us and hundreds of other people in when hotels are cut off by wildfires? We spent the night with hundreds/ thousands of Brits in Rhodes evacuation centre and I didn't sleep a wink.

'We have had totally useless communication from TUI. They emailed at 4.30am saying, "you may be experiencing some delays at the airport", and that I can source my own transport to our hotel.'

Jess Bailey (bottom right) flew out to Rhodes with her family on Saturday

Wildfires burn forests in Rhodes, Greece, in this picture obtained from social media, July 23

A TUI UK & Ireland spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Our teams in Rhodes have been working tirelessly to support customers impacted by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island.

'Five repatriation flights have brought hundreds of customers home and were working hard to get everyone back as soon as we can.

READ MORE: Brits bed down for a second night in sports halls and airport in the scramble to leave burning Rhodes as Corfu becomes second Greek island to issue evacuation orders  and with temperatures set to hit 45C today officials warn situation may get WORSE Advertisement

'We appreciate how distressing and difficult its been for those who have been evacuated.

'We ask that they continue to follow the advice of the local authorities and keep in touch with our reps.

'We are not operating any outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Friday 28th July.

'We are also not operating holidays for customers travelling to impacted hotels in the south up to and including Friday 11th August.

'We'll be in touch with customers directly if their hotels have been impacted or customers can contact us via our call centre or go to one of our TUI retail stores.

'All flight-only customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

'Package holiday customers will have the option to amend their booking or cancel with a full refund.

'Passengers due to travel up to and including 30th July for all areas of Rhodes will be offered a fee free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund.

'We are still operating flights from Rhodes back to the UK & Ireland as scheduled. The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority.'

Holidaymakers stuck in Rhodes have meanwhile described the scenes at the airport as 'absolute pandemonium'.

Stranded families have told MailOnline how they were left 'fighting for our lives' to try and get onto boats as desperate tourists shoved children out of the way to to force themselves on board.

Distressed holidaymakers, including young children, have been pictured lying on the floor at Rhodes Airport.

Others were seen anxiously staring up at the departures board as they attempt to flee the 'apocalyptic' island.

The Government said on Sunday afternoon it was 'actively monitoring the fires in Rhodes' and is in close contact with the local authorities.

The Foreign Office has deployed a Rapid Deployment Team of five staff and four British Red Cross responders who have been pictured trying to help British nationals at the airport.

Newlywed Andrew Brittan, 27, and his wife Emily travelled from the East Midlands to Rhodes for their honeymoon yesterday, unaware that it would become a holiday from hell.

'The first night of my honeymoon was spent on a mattress outside,' Andrew told MailOnline from a refuge centre where generous locals have been donating mattresses to terrified tourists.

While they have been stuck in the baking heat with 'hundreds' of other tourists at one makeshift evacuation centre, other Brits have been desperately trying to escape the fire-ravaged island.

Destroyed vehicles are seen as wildfires burn forests in Rhodes, Greece in this picture obtained from social media, July 23, 2023

A wildfire burns at the Trapeza village, in Achaia Peloponnese, Greece, 23 July 2023

Newlywed Andrew Brittan, 27, and his wife Emily, spent the first night of their honeymoon last night on a mattress outside a makeshift refuge centre. They were unable to go to their hotel after arriving in Rhodes as it had already been evacuated

Mother Abi James was holidaying with her husband, their friends and the couples' two young sons when they saw flames approaching their hotel, and were forced to run for their lives.

The families, along with dozens of others, say they were told to stay put. But Abi's maternal instinct kicked in and they fled on foot - walking around five miles in 42 degree heat to escape the raging flames yesterday.

MailOnline contacted TUI for comment.
She is Ambassador for Redkite

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's partner has stepped into a new role as an ambassador for a leading children's charity.

In a sign she is taking on greater responsibilities, the 'First Lady' of Australian politics Jodie Haydon has stepped into a new role as Ambassador for Redkite, a charity providing support for families impacted by childhood cancer.

Redkite offers emotional, financial and practical help for families who have a child under the age of 18 living with cancer.

Mr Albanese, 60, has been dating Ms Haydon, 44, since early 2020.

Ms Haydon, who was born in Bankstown, western Sydney, to parents who were school teachers, now works as a women's officer at the NSW Public Service Association.

Jodie Haydon, partner of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has landed a new role as Ambassador for Redkit

In April, the prime minister shut down questions about wedding plans for the couple.

During his pre-Anzac Day radio appearance, the PM was asked by prominent radio host Kyle Sandilands whether he planned to ask Ms Haydon to marry him.

'When will you propose to Jodi? Is that on the agenda?' Sandilands asked.

'I don't think that's a matter for KIIS FM to determine,' Mr Albanese responded.

'Is she your twin flame?' Sandilands then asked, referring to the spiritual idea of two individuals, usually lovers, who share the same soul.

'She is certainly a very dear partner, and I regard myself as being incredibly lucky. We have a great relationship,' Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese has been dating Ms Haydon since early 2020.

Ms Haydon began dating Mr Albanese in early 2020 after meeting at a conference in Melbourne where he was speaking.

Mr Albanese was previously married to NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt for 19 years and with whom he shares a 21-year-old son, Nathan.

In July last year, Ms Haydon said she knew she was in love with the Prime Minister when she got the terrifying news he'd been in a serious car crash.

The financial advisor had been dating the then Opposition Leader for barely a year when his car was wiped out by a Range Rover driven by a P-plater metres away from his home in Sydney's inner-west in January 2021.

Mr Albanese was rushed to hospital with extensive injuries.

Mr Albanese has previously shut down questions about marrying his partner. Pictured from left to right: Jodie Haydon, Alan Joyce and Anthony Albanese

'When I got to the accident, and I saw the car before I saw Anthony, and I remember thinking at the time, "This can't end well,"' Ms Haydon told 7News at the time.

'And that overwhelming sense of, "What if I lose him?" And I knew then that, yeah, I love him. And I love him deeply.'

Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon bonded over both following the same rugby league team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and having lived near each other in Sydney's Inner West.

Ms Haydon, the daughter of two teachers, was born in 1978 in Bankstown and grew up on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

She dropped out of university and began a career in superannuation, spending 20 years in banking and finance companies.

In February last year, Ms Haydon was hired as women's officer, following her role as a union delegate for the NSW Public Service Association.

She accompanied Mr Albanese during the 2022 Australian federal election campaign.
A glamorous couple flaunted their lavish lifestyle before their building firm suddenly collapsed with some contractors claiming they are still owed money.

Cynthia Lu and Yusuf Khan's Perth-based company Modco Residential announced it had entered voluntary administration on Monday.

The organisation was launched in 2020 with an exclusive VIP party that was attended by Perth's supercar driving A-list - before going bust just three years later.

The company vowed to build cost-effective homes within a short 20-week period.

Modco Residential director Damien Clancy issued an emotional letter blaming industry challenges and the media for the downfall of the firm.

The shock news comes as some contractors claim they are still waiting to be paid their six figure bills with complaints going back as early as April 2022.

Ms Lu's Instagram account is packed with photos showing off her and her partner's glamorous lifestyle - with the couple posing in front of luxury cars and flying in business class.

Modco Residential, based in Perth and founded by glamour couple Cynthia Lu and Yusuf Khan (pictured), entered voluntary administration on Monday

It was launched in late 2021 an exclusive VIP party attended by WA's A-list (pictured)

'Despite our efforts to overcome adversities expected in building a growing business, the rapid and unforeseen external challenges ranging from unprecedented industry challenges, perpetuated by a series of controversial articles that created distrust amongst stakeholders became an insurmountable challenge,' Mr Clancy's statement reads.

'What initially started as a nationwide industry challenge of increased costs of materials and labour and shortage of skilled trade forcing many builders into administration in the past financial year, was then exacerbated by the intense media scrutiny targeting Modco Residential creating distrust amongst our trades, vendors, staff, shareholders, clients and the industry insurer QBE.

'This caused significant strain on business operations and made it exceptionally challenging for us to acquire skilled tradespeople, retain staff and continue our operations.'

Mr Clancy announced the firm had appointed administrators GTS Advisory and apologised that it could not meet its commitments.

But he stopped short of taking any responsibility for the company's collapse.

'In this moment of profound sadness for all that have been affected, we hope the close of Modco will be a catalyst to highlight the need for systemic change and industry support to address the issues that persist within the construction sector,' the letter continued.

'The administrator, GTS Advisory will be in contact with all stakeholders.

'In the face of adversity, we say goodbye with heavy hearts.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Modco Residential for comment.

The firm had reportedly been in trouble for over a year (pictured: Ms Lu and Mr Khan sat in the back of a Rolls Royce Cullinan in October 2021)

Ms Lu's Instagram account is packed with photos showing off her and her partner's glamorous lifestyle - with the couple posing in first class seats (pictured)

The firm's director partly blamed the media for its collapse, telling investors and creditors 'we say goodbye with heavy hearts'

On May 20 this year it was revealed the company was being evicted from its Osborne Park headquarters after not paying rent for four to five months, according to The West Australian newspaper.

Several disgruntled clients have taken the company to court with as many as four disputes before the State Administrative Tribunal.

Building and Energy has also claimed several complaints have been made from homeowners and contractors.

Mr Khan has a background in development and construction and is director of private equity firm Perth City Investments Pty Ltd.

He has described Cynthia as his 'life partner' and 'right hand', who checks over legals, marketing and advertising for his various business enterprises.

The couple also run The Library Nightclub in Perth, which they bought for $4.6million in 2017.

Modco Residential is the latest in a long list of Australian building firms to go under.

Construction companies are still reeling from the impacts of the Covid pandemic with an added global lack of timber and building materials due to choked supply chains impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This has led to the cost of materials rising by more than 20 per cent since the start of 2022.

Pine wood more than doubled in price, while steel, glass, plasterboard, fibre cement and other materials also skyrocketed.

Such price rises meant many fixed contract building projects were no longer viable.

Across Australia, hundreds of millions of dollars are owed by failed companies to subcontractors, tradesmen, clients and the tax office.
New Zealand Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan has resigned her portfolios after been charged with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer after a drunken car crash.

The incident is prompting the 39-year-old Labour MP to reconsider her political career, coming after a spell of publicly-documented poor mental health.

On Sunday night, Ms Allan was held into police custody for around two hours after a car crash in the Wellington suburb of Roseneath.

Radio NZ reports she crashed into a parked car.

A sombre Prime Minister Chris Hipkins fronted media on Monday morning, saying Ms Allan is 'clearly not in a good space' after accepting her resignation.

'Everyone's still processing this, including me,' he said.

New Zealand Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan has resigned her portfolios after been charged with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer after a drunken car crash

'I'm sad for Kiri who is an incredibly talented person, who clearly has been battling some demons.'

In a statement, Ms Allan said she would immediately resign.

'I'm heading home and will be taking time to consider my future in politics,' she said.

'I accept that my position as a minister is untenable.

'I'm very sorry for my actions, the harm they could have caused and the embarrassment it has placed on the government and my colleagues.'

The scandal is the latest in a long line of problems for Mr Hipkins, and in all likelihood ends the political career of Ms Allan, once a Labour rising star.

Promoted to cabinet after the party's 2020 landslide win, Ms Allan took leave in 2021 after being diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer.

She declared herself cancer-free and returned to the ministry later that year.

In recent months, she was reprimanded for criticising Radio NZ chiefs at an informal function, and accused of bullying public servants in her office.

A sombre Prime Minister Chris Hipkins fronted media on Monday morning, saying Ms Allan is 'clearly not in a good space' after accepting her resignation

Ms Allan apologised and spoke of her difficulties with mental health during a personal relationship breakdown, with Mr Hipkins giving her time off and requiring her to undertake counselling.

The car crash comes a fortnight after that apology.

'Over recent weeks I've faced a number of personal difficulties. I took time off to address those, and believed I was okay to juggle those challenges with the pressure of being a minister,' she said.

'My actions yesterday show I wasn't okay, and I've let myself and my colleagues down.'

Mr Hipkins said Ms Allan's actions were 'inexcusable' but occurred as 'she was experiencing extreme emotional distress'.

'Last night's incident is evidence there are not always quick fixes when it comes to mental health,' he said.

Ms Allan's resignation means Labour's previously 20-strong cabinet is down to 18 members.

Transport Minister Michael Wood resigned last month after failing to declare shareholdings relating to his ministries, despite a dozen requests from the cabinet office to do so.

The scandal is the latest in a long line of problems for Mr Hipkins, and in all likelihood ends the political career of Ms Allan, once a Labour rising star

In a scandal-plagued year, Labour has also lost Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri after she defected to the Maori Party, and Police Minister Stuart Nash, for revealing cabinet discussions to donors.

Labour has now lost nine ministers from the team that started the year, including prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern.

Mr Hipkins, who replaced Dame Jacinda as prime minister in January, faces an uphill battle to convince voters Labour deserves a third term at the October 14 election.

The prime minister will announce a fresh ministerial reshuffle later on Monday, but confirmed no new additions to cabinet.

'We've got five sitting weeks to go until the election ... I don't think now is the right time to be bringing new people in,' he said.

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Shocking footage has captured the moment an outraged man tried to smash in the front door of a 24/7 gym to try and access the venue.

The man was seen kicking the front door of the Anytime Fitness on Wellington Street at Collingwood, in Melbourne, on Sunday night.

He was dressed in a beige wet-jacket and all black clothing and was visibly angry as he tried to force his way into the building.

The man smashes the glass on the door as the tries to break into a gym in Melbourne

A terrified gym-goer filmed the incident unfold as the man launched into his violent outburst.

Footage of the shocking incident was posted to TikTok with video showing part of the glass door smashed.

The man is seen mouthing 'open the door' to one onlooker as he kicks the locked door furiously in the bizarre tirade.

Gym-goers didn't budge to the man's demands to open the door as one onlooker inside the facility continued filming the dramatic scene.

At one point the man is seen gesturing with his right hand to the onlooker who was filming.

The chaos set off an emergency alarm as an automated voice message could be heard in the background saying, 'an emergency button has been pressed'.

Moments later the man was seen lying on the ground as officers arrived at the scene.

He is seen gesturing to police before he is eventually hauled to his feet and escorted off the premises.

Anytime Fitness Collingwood told Daily Mail Australia they were aware of the incident.

They declined to comment on the matter.

The elderly man was seen yelling 'open the door' as witnesses watched on in horror

A Victoria Police spokesperson said a 78-year-old man had been arrested at the scene.

Footage of the incident drew plenty of comments from social media users.

'The way he kicks it in then asks you to let him in like hes safe to be around,' one wrote.

'Thats one way to get your workout in!' another wrote.

A third added: 'Vision of the shocking incident posted on social media shows part of the glass door smashed.'
Two of Australia's richest women are set to go head-to-head in a bitter court battle over billions of dollars worth of iron ore royalties and ownership.

A decade-long dispute between companies owned by Gina Rinehart and Angela Bennett will begin in the West Australian Supreme Court on Monday.

The civil proceedings are expected to last for up to four months, and centre around a partnership made by the businesswomen's fathers, Lang Hancock and Peter Wright, back in the 1980s.

Wright Prospecting and Hancock Prospecting are the private companies involved in the case, but it's not expected either Ms Rinehart or Ms Bennett will make an appearance in the courtroom at any time.

The battle comes down to royalties and ownership of two sets of iron ore mining tenements, known collectively as Hope Downs, in WA's Pilbara region.

A decade-long dispute between companies owned by Gina Rinehart (pictured) and Angela Bennett will begin in the West Australian Supreme Court on Monday

Ms Rinehart's company Hancock Prospecting owns both sets with mining group Rio Tinto.

Wright Prospecting, owned by Ms Bennett and her nieces Leonie Baldock and Alexandra Burt, is arguing royalties from the mines known as Hope Downs 1, 2 and 3 received by Hancock Prospecting from Rio Tinto should be shared equally with them.

Wright Prospecting is also claiming a stake in Hope Downs 4, 5 and 6, which could be worth billions of dollars.

It's understood Hancock Prospecting will argue that Wright Prospecting does not have any interest in the Hope Downs mines and is not entitled to a payout.

Wright Prospecting had made their initial claim against Hancock Prospecting back in 2013.

Another aspect to the high-profile court case is Ms Rinehart's two eldest children, John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart, who are running their own legal argument, claiming a stake in the Hopes Down fortune.

Wright Prospecting, owned by Ms Bennett (pictured) and her nieces Leonie Baldock and Alexandra Burt, had made their initial claim against Hancock Prospecting back in 2013

Who is mining heiress Angela Bennett?

Ms Bennett ranked 20th on this year's Rich List, with a fortune of $4.63billion.

While Ms Rinehart, Australia's richest woman, is famous for her wealth, little is known about Ms Bennett, with photos of the billionaire even harder to come by.

The 79-year-old has seven children and also owns family investment company AMB Holdings.

The company has a 50 per cent share in Wright Prospecting.

Ms Bennett is Australia's third richest woman, according to the AFR's Rich List, with only Ms Rinehart and Canva co-founder Melanie Perkins ahead of her.

She made headlines in 2009 when she sold her mansion in Perth's Mosman Park for a whopping $57.5million, smashing records for WA's most expensive home.

Who is Gina Rinehart?

Ms Rinehart is Australia's richest person with a estimated wealth of $37.41billion, topping the rich list for the fourth year in a row.

She took on her father's company following his death in 1992, and as executive chairman turned the once financially distressed firm into the incredibly successful business it is today.

The majority of her wealth comes from the Roy Hill iron ore mine she built.

The 69-year-old has four children.

In June, she was crowned Western Australian of the Year.

Her wealth primarily comes from the success of her massive Roy Hill mine in Pilbara, WA, which exported more than 60 million tonnes of iron ore in 2021-22, and Hancock Prospecting, which delivered a bumper profit of $5.8billion in 2022.

The civil proceedings are expected to last for up to four months, and centre around a partnership made by the businesswomen's fathers, Lang Hancock and Peter Wright, back in the 1980s (pictured is Gina Rinehart with her late father Lang Hancock in 1982)

Ms Rinehart reflected on the success of Hancock Prospecting, which she transformed from an ailing company into one of Australia's foremost mining corporations.

'It's actually a very long way from where my family company was 30 years ago and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved in this time for our company and what we've been able to contribute to West Australia and our country and our future,' she said.

Mrs Rinehart is also a committed philanthropist, supporting numerous medical, educational, sporting, health and community organisations.

In 1993, she established the Hancock Family Breast Cancer Foundation before later raising awareness about the devastating disease by painting over 100 Roy Hill trucks pink.
Barry John Faulkner hoped someone would write a book about his life but Australia's most notorious conman did not even make the news when he died.

For more than 50 years Faulkner had impersonated doctors, a CIA agent, a pop star and US military officers, while his most regularly assumed identity was as a commercial airline pilot.

Since at least 2015, Faulkner had claimed to have gone straight but he never gave up his criminal ways and spent his last months crippled by illness in Sydney's Long Bay jail.

On Monday, a coroner found the 71-year-old had died after suffering cardiac arrest on January 25, 2020, in the Kevin Waller unit for the aged and frail.

Barry John Faulkner hoped someone would write a book about his life one day but Australia's most notorious conman did not even make the news when he died. Faulkner fraudulently posed as doctors, a CIA spy, US military officers and an airline pilot (above)

Faulkner had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, diabetes, asthma, deep vein thrombosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, epilepsy, depression and anxiety.

He had suffered strokes, a hernia, shortness of breath, dizziness, seizures, paralysis down the left side of his body, headaches, slurred speech and fainting fits in the months before he died.

For someone whose criminal exploits were in the media spotlight for decades Faulkner's death went unnoticed and unreported at the time.

The closest Faulkner got to real fame was being compared to the main character in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can in which Leonard DiCaprio played a fake pilot.

During his career as a shyster Faulkner was locked up in Victoria, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia as well as New South Wales.

Claiming to have an IQ of 160, Faulkner regularly appeared on the television program Australia's Most Wanted and at one point was the subject of arrest warrants in five states.

Since at least 2015, Faulkner (above) had claimed to have gone straight but he never gave up his criminal ways and spent his last days crippled by illness in Sydney's Long Bay jail

He amassed more than 80 convictions and he died while awaiting trial on three charges of using a carriage service to access child pornography.

Daily Mail Australia interviewed Faulkner several times over the years, listening to his outlandish tales and watching his physical decline.

Faulkner's first known scam was in the late 1960s when at the age of 19 he presented himself as a gynaecologist at Royal Brisbane Hospital and examined two pregnant women.

He later posed as US Air Force and Marine Corps colonels, a photographer, FedEx courier and Olympic official, all for financial gain.

Perhaps his most audacious con was pretending to be musician Mike Nesmith of The Monkees, an act Faulkner claimed had even fooled music guru Molly Meldrum.

But Faulkner's most common swindle was to promise unsuspecting travellers benefits such as cheap duty-free goods for cash while pretending to be a pilot.

He told Daily Mail Australia he chose that occupation, which he also feigned to receive accommodation and meals, as his favourite guise 'because it's glamorous'.

Faulkner's fake airline resume included piloting every passenger jet up to Boeing 777s and the Airbus A380, having flown helicopter gunships during the Vietnam War.

Faulkner amassed more than 80 convictions and was due to face a District Court hearing on three charges of using a carriage service to access child pornography when he died

He maintained he knew Richard Branson from his imaginary time as chief pilot with the British billionaire's Virgin airline.

In August 2015 he pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and possession of an identity to commit an indictable offence when he faced Sydney's Waverley Local Court.

Police had arrested Faulkner dressed in a fake pilot's uniform with Emirates photo ID at an eastern suburbs cafe following reports he was offering flight upgrades.

Faulkner strutted around a hotel boasting to the managers about piloting the A380, despite never having even held a licence to drive a car.

Outside court on that occasion Faulkner told Daily Mail Australia his arrest had all been a mistake and he was wearing the uniform because he was going to a fancy dress party thrown by Zoo Weekly magazine.

'I'm totally retired,' Faulkner said. 'I have remorse for all the things I've done. I've probably only got 18 months to live. I haven't done anything since 2006.'

Despite his disheveled appearance in latter years, Faulkner said he had plenty of money 'but I can't access because it's proceeds of crime'.

Faulkner impersonated a pilot (left) from airlines including Emirates and Virgin Blue. He is pictured right in 1978 posing as The Monkees guitarist and songwriter Mike Nesmith

Back then Faulkner said his biography would be a bestseller and blamed his career of defrauding people on being told as a young man he would never amount to much.

'I wanted to prove them wrong, that I could do anything,' he said.

Faulkner claimed he was consulted by American conman Frank Abagnale - whose autobiography was turned into Catch Me If You Can - along with DiCaprio, who played him in the film.

Two years later Faulkner again said he was 'going into retirement' and settling down to 'live a life within the law'.

By then he was sharing a first-floor flat with girlfriend Louise at the infamous Northcott public housing block in Sydney's Surry Hills.

'I was a pilot, I was part of the CIA, I was a surgeon - I have been a lot of things,' he told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'It takes a lot of work but I did it because people said it was impossible, and it was exciting.

The closest Faulkner got to real fame was being compared to the main character in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can in which Leonard DiCaprio's played a fake pilot

'Nothing upsets me more than seeing a crap scam, someone who hasn't put the work in but is getting away with it.'

Faulkner hoped young people could learn from his mistakes and avoid a life of crime.

'They just don't listen when you tell them what it will cost them long term, that it isn't worth it,' he said.

Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee heard on the day Faulkner died he had given his lunch of two sausage rolls to another inmate because he was not hungry.

His cellmate called for help about 1.30pm when he woke to find Faulkner in bed making gurgling sounds. 'Barry can't breathe properly, he's having a fit,' the cellmate told prison officers.

Faulkner was taken from Cell 14 to the unit's medical clinic in a wheelchair but went into cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at 2.22pm after CPR had failed.

Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee found Faulkner's cause of death was heart disease, with chronic pulmonary disease a contributing factor.

Faulkner's sister spoke to the court by telephone, thanking paramedics and prison staff who looked after her brother in the last hour of his life.

'I believe they did everything they could possibly do,' she said. 'I'd just like to say thank you for the care that was taken.'
Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon have publicly shown their support for a treaty with First Nations people after an Indigenous Voice to Parliament - despite the PM repeatedly denying a 'Yes' vote will lead to a treaty.

Mr Albanese repeatedly insisted that the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament was 'not about a treaty' during a fiery interview with broadcaster Ben Fordham on his 2GB radio show last Wednesday.

And now footage has since resurfaced of the prime minister donning a Midnight Oil T-shirt with the words 'Voice, Truth, Treaty' during a farewell gig in Sydney's Hordern Pavilion in October, just nine months ago.

This was three months after Mr Albanese outlined plans for holding a referendum recognising Aboriginal Australians in the constitution and introducing a Voice to Parliament, which is based on the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Voice, Treaty and Truth are the three pillars of the Uluru Statement, which was released in May, 2017. Midnight Oil have been staunch supporters of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

A treaty with Aboriginal Australians is controversial as it could potentially lead to substantial financial compensation from taxpayers, private land being handed over, and the formal recognition of perceived historic wrongs.

Mr Albanese's partner, Ms Haydon, also wrote about her support for the Uluru Statement in several now deleted posts on her LinkedIn account.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rocked out at the Midnight Oil farewell gig wearing the band's 'Voice, Treaty, Truth' T-shirt at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion last October. It was a band T-shirt

Ms Haydon argued in this LinkedIn post for the date of Australia Day to be changed. Mr Albanese does not support this view

In LinkedIn posts unearthed shortly after Mr Albanese's election last year, Ms Haydon wrote: 'For me this week I commit to reading again the 'Uluru Statement from the Heart' it has three themes: Voice. Treaty. Voice.'

READ MORE: DAILY MAIL'S EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF ALBO DAD DANCING IN 'TREATY' T-SHIRT Anthony Albanese was caught on camera engaging in some dad dancing at the sensational Midnight Oil farewell gig in Sydney's Hordern Pavilion in September. The Oil's 'number one fan' was brought to his feet by 'Power and the Passion' and pursed his lips as he shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot to the beat of the 1982 rock anthem. Advertisement

'We so desperately need a First Nations voice to parliament ... it would become an institution of lasting significance for First Nations and all of Australia'.

In one post last year, she shared a cartoon of an Aboriginal rights protester with the caption: 'Sovereignty has never been ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. #ulurustatementfromtheheart #treaty #changethedate', in which she appears to advocate for a treaty.

Ms Haydon deleted her LinkedIn profile when Daily Mail Australia published a story about her posts. She had previously declared she wanted to avoid making political commentary as the prime minister's partner.

In his interview with Fordham, Mr Albanese said the Voice was not about reparations and repeatedly 'this is not about a treaty'.

'I can't say it any clearer, compensation has nothing to do with what people will vote on later this year.'

Mr Fordham asked: 'I'm talking about after that (the Voice). There are three stages, after we go through the Voice is it natural to assume after we go through the Voice?'

Mr Albanese said: 'No, it's not natural.'

But Mr Albanese has agreed to executing the Uluru Statement from the Heart 'in the full' - which includes a Makarrata Commission with an end goal of moving toward a treaty between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

Daily Mail Australia approached the Prime Minister's office for comment.

Ms Haydon used her social media profile to write about the 'themes' of the Uluru Statement from the Heart last year

READ MORE: Three pillars of the Voice to Parliament - Voice, Truth and Treaty Polls show support for the Voice has remained just under 50 per cent, with recent surveys finding 48 per cent of voters would vote Yes and 52 per cent would vote No (pictured, Anthony Albanese is seen with First Nation caucus members (L-R) Malarndirri Mccarthy, Warren Snowdon, Linda Burney and Senator Pat Dodson at Parliament House) Advertisement

Former prime minister Tony Abbott on Monday slammed Mr Albanese for wearing the band T-shirt when he spoke with Radio 2GB about the referendum. .

'I suppose this is the problem when you turn yourself into a billboard,' Mr Abbott said.

'I go back to that initial statement that he made as prime minister, 'The new government is committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full'.

'In other words, Voice, Treaty, Truth 'in full'.'

'That's why it was as I said a moment of amnesia for the prime minister to deny here in this chair last week that the Voice had anything to do with treaty, it has everything to do with treaty.'

'The whole point of having a Voice, if the activists are to be believed, is to start the treaty-making process. And government ministers have said as much.'

Australia is currently one of the only countries in the Commonwealth without a treaty with its First Nations peoples.

Mr Abbott, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Voice and arguably the most opposed to the proposal out of any former prime minister, told Fordham that he didn't want to see Australia split by race.

'I don't want to see our country divided by ancestry or by race,' he said.

'I don't want to see Indigenous separatism reinforced in out constitution and I don't want to see the business of government gummed-up even further.'

This claim from Mr Abbott comes despite the fact the Australian constitution already refers to race in section 51 and section 25.

Attorney general Mark Dreyfus has also rejected claims the Voice would inject race into the constitution.

Mr Abbott argued that he was supportive of 'Indigenous recognition' but claimed the Voice was purely a 'power grab by activists'.

'We don't give old people their own voice, we don't give migrants a special voice, we don't give young people or people with disabilities a special voice,' he said.

'Everyone has the same voice in the national parliament, and now there are 11 Indigenous people in the national parliament.'

'That's a very good voice for Indigenous people and let's keep the national parliament as the one voice for all of us.'

Mr Abbott also lambasted 'woke companies' providing an 'avalanche of money' to the Yes campaign.

Fordham asked Mr Abbott why he didn't push for constitutional recognition of Indigenous people during his time as prime minister.

Mr Abbott responded that he 'got rolled' before he was able to do so.

When asked why the Coalition never followed through with Indigenous recognition after he left office, Mr Abbott claimed it got 'sidetracked' by the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

It comes as polls show support for the Voice has remained just under 50 per cent, with Two Resolve Political Monitor surveys conducted for The Sydney Morning Herald finding 48 per cent of voters would vote Yes and 52 per cent would vote No.

The referendum for the Voice to Parliament is expected to be held sometime between October and December this year.
GS Entec Executive Vice President Kwon Tae-nyoun, left, shakes hands with Corio Generation Korea CEO Choi Woo-jin after signing a memorandum of understanding to develop offshore wind power in Busan at the GS Entec building in Ulsan, July 20. Courtesy of GS Group



By Kim Jae-heun



GS Entec, an energy equipment manufacturing subsidiary of GS Global, signed a memorandum of understanding with Corio Generation, a global offshore wind development company of Green Investment Group, to exploit eco-friendly energy in Busan, the company official said Monday. Under the deal, GS Entec will support the production and timely procurement of substructures for Busan offshore wind power generators.



The energy equipment builder earlier signed a strategic partnership with Sif, the world's No. 1 manufacturer of wind turbine foundations, for the first time in Asia, and introduced monopile technology to enter the offshore wind business. A monopile is a cylindrical structure made by welding a large thick plate and is necessary for installing offshore wind power generators.



Corio also signed a business agreement with Daewoo Engineering & Construction in May to develop offshore wind power facilities in Busan. It has recently been making steady efforts to revitalize the local economy with green energy by sponsoring Korea-British offshore wind supply chain corporate cooperation workshops.



"Busan already has a wide range of related companies operating in the region throughout every stage of the offshore wind power project, including its research, design, procurement and construction. Cooperating with domestic companies to create businesses together and helping them to enter overseas markets is a practical contribution to the local economy and realistic response to the climate crisis," said Choi Woo-jin, head of Corio Generation's Korea office.



Corio also plans to continue to establish supply chains with regional-based wind-related tech firms and actively utilize them in the future to secure a stable supply of equipment and parts for the eco-friendly project in Busan.



"Corio will do its best to ensure that the offshore wind power project currently being promoted in Busan's Cheongsapo and Dadaepo areas will bring the maximum benefits to the region," Choi said.


Veteran BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen has urged an ex-colleague to apologise to Nigel Farage for inaccurately reporting that he did not have enough money to bank with Coutts, it has emerged.

Mr Owen, 76, acknowledged that business editor Simon Jack had a 'jolly good source' when he reported that the prestigious private bank dropped Mr Farage after he fell below the required 1million threshold - but said it is now time to 'put your hands up' and apologise for the mistake.

Mr Jack issued the report the day after he dined next to Dame Alison Rose, chief executive of Natwest, which owns Coutts. Dame Alison has already apologised after the banks internal documents revealed that Mr Farage's account had in reality been closed because they thought his political views did not align with our values.

But the former UKIP leader is demanding a formal apology from the broadcaster and has written to BBC director-general Tim Davie to complain about the corporations reporting.

Former Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is among those putting pressure on the corporation following the blunder, told The Sun: 'The BBC must apologise for getting a story wrong.'

Veteran BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen (pictured in 2012) has urged business editor Simon Jack to apologise to Nigel Farage for inaccurately reporting that he did not have enough money to bank with Coutts

Mr Owen told Mr Jack to 'put your hands up' and admit he made a mistake when he reported that the prestigious private bank dropped Mr Farage (pictured in 2020) after he fell below the required 1million threshold

Mr Owen during an interview with GB News yesterday called on Mr Jack to 'put your hands up' and apologise for his error.

He acknowledged the business editor was a 'jolly good journalist' and 'jolly good at his job' - suggesting it was reasonable to trust his bank source - but argued that once he was proven wrong he should have apologised to Mr Farage.

'If he sits next to a banker who gives him a line on the Nigel Farage story, well of course hes going to go with that, its a jolly good source,' Mr Owen said of Mr Jack.

'But if that source turns out to be wrong, the facts are simply the other way round as Nigel himself has now discovered in great detail, then for goodness sake, just put your hands up. Simon, come on lad, just say "Sorry, got that wrong".'

The veteran newsreader's plea comes as Mr Farage on Saturday escalated his battle with Coutts and the BBC over the closure of his bank account by lodging a formal complaint with the Information Commissioner  which has the power to hit financial institutions with 17million fines.

Mr Farage on Saturday escalated his battle with Coutts and the BBC over the closure of his bank account by lodging a formal complaint with the Information Commissioner  which has the power to hit financial institutions with 17million fines

In his letter to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), Mr Farage places the relationship between the bank and the BBC at the centre of the furore: the BBC story was published by Business Editor Simon Jack the morning after Mr Jack sat next to Dame Alison at a charity dinner.

READ MORE: Nigel Farage ups the stakes in battle with Coutts and BBC by complaining to Information Commissioner Advertisement

Lawyers on behalf of Mr Farage wrote in the letter: The content of the BBC report gives rise to the inescapable conclusion that the bank was providing confidential information comprising Mr Farages personal data about his financial affairs to the Press, which, on the face of it would constitute a serious data breach by the bank.

It adds: This material showed that the information that was apparently given to the BBC by Coutts or someone within the Natwest Group was at best incomplete and at worst deliberately misleading.

The information given to the BBC was also not fully accurate in relation to the offer of alternative banking facilities at Natwest; Mr Farage was only offered an alternative current account, and was not offered an alternative business account.

'Mr Farages sense of profound injustice, and concern for wide societal implications of the banks conduct, led him to feel he had to correct the position by making public the full DSAR response, even though it included information that was highly prejudicial about him.

The letter concludes: Given the gravity of this situation however, Mr Farage asks the ICO to intervene to take action to require Coutts and Natwest Group to explain promptly exactly how it has handled his personal data.

The ICO has the power to fine Coutts a maximum of 17.5million, or 4 per cent of the total annual worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year, whichever is the higher amount.

The BBC's business editor Simon Jack said the headline in his original story had been 'clarified'

This is the clarification posted at the top of the BBC's article on Nigel Farage's bank account

Since the story first appeared, the BBC has quietly updated the headline of the story to clarify that the information came from a source rather than being factual.

The corporation, in a post on its webpage dedicated to corrections and clarifications, wrote: 'We acknowledge that the information we reported - that Coutts' decision on Mr Farage's account did not involve considerations about his political views - turned out not to be accurate.'

Mr Jack also tweeted that the headline in his original story had been 'clarified' and an update posted.

He said: 'The headline on the Farage story has been clarified and an update posted. It should have been clearer at the top that the reason for Mr Farage's account being closed was commercial - was what a source told the BBC. That has been corrected.'
A top US foreign affairs official fears North Korea may set a 'price' to get a US soldier who defected into the country sent back home.

US Army Private 2nd Class Travis King had been facing disciplinary action for a string of alleged crimes in South Korea when he dashed past the demilitarized zone into the communist country last Tuesday.

Rep. Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, now says the North Koreans may capitalize on the 23-year-old from Wisconsin's defection.

'I'm sure that he's not being treated very well,' McCaul told ABC This Week's Martha Raddatz Sunday. 'I think it was a serious mistake on his part, and I hope we can get him back.

'We see this with Russia, China, Iran: When they take an American, particularly a soldier, captive, they exact a price for that,' he continued. 'And that's what I worry about.'

Rep. Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Sunday he worried the North Koreans may want a 'price' to return a US Army defector

US Army Private 2nd Class Travis King had been facing disciplinary action for a string of alleged crimes in South Korea when he dashed past the demilitarized zone into the communist country last Tuesday

Speaking of King's decision to enter the communist country, McCaul suggested 'he was running away from his problems.'

'He was facing disciplinary charges, and was gonna get a flight back to the United States,' McCaul explained.

That plane would have brought King to Texas, where he would face a 'ending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction' hearing, after he had already served 47 days in a South Korean detention facility.

'But instead, he did not board the plane, went with a tour group to the DMZ and then ran across the line,' McCaul said. 'That's something you just don't do.'

King's escape into the country comes amid heightened tensions between the US and North Korea, with officials there complaining in recent weeks of a US nuclear submarine docked in South Korea.

When asked about the ramifications of having the submarine so close to the authoritarian country, McCaul claimed it is important for the US to show strength.

'It's a projection of strength that we need right now to deter aggression,' McCaul said of the USS Kentucky.

'We're seeing a very aggressive  not only North Korea and the rockets fired in the Sea of Japan  but also the aggression we see from China.

'North Korea needs to know that we're there, that we have superiority with the nuclear subs,' McCaul explained.

'We need to get in their head and [Chinese] Chairman Xi [Jinping]'s head that if thy do anything that's aggressive militarily, there will be consequences to that.'

King, circled, is pictured during the tour moments before his dash across the border into North Korea

King had been scheduled to board a flight back to the United States to face a disciplinary hearing

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.

King then joined a civilian tour of the Panmunjom truce village when he dashed across the Military Demarcation Line that has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War ended with an armistice in 1953.

A sightseer on the border tour captured King in a photograph moments before he bolted into the secretive communist state.

King was seen wearing a black t-shirt and hat purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone as he peers across the border into the secretive communist country.

Witnesses said he laughed hysterically as he made the mad dash after fleeing his military superiors and joining the tour.

The tourist who witnessed King's crossing and took the photo of the soldier, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didn't seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running 'really fast'.

'I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do,' Leslie said. 'But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, 'Get that guy.''

King had been fined for assault while stationed in South Korea and had been detained for more than a month

His escape comes amid heightened tensions with North Korea, which has spoken out in recent weeks about the USS Kentucky ballistic missile submarine docking in South Korea

Thus far, North Korean officials have been silent about King's condition in the communist country, despite Biden administration officials reaching out through 'multiple channels.'

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the U.S. Army's counter-intelligence office and U.S. forces in South Korea are now 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.

Meanwhile, King's mother, Claudine Gates said she just wants her son back.

'Get my son home, get my son home, and pray. Pray that he comes back,' she told local television station WISN.

She also said she was 'so proud' of her son and added: 'I just want him to come home, come back to America.'

Gates, from Racine, Wisconsin, added: 'I can't see Travis doing anything like that.'

Other family members suggested King was not thinking clearly when he fled into North Korea.

'From my knowledge, I just heard that he, I guess, got into a fight with some Koreans,' his 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.

Speaking from her home in Racine, Wisconsin, King's mother Claudine Gates expressed her desire to have her son back and urged people to pray for his well-being

'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

Court records reveal King pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods stemming from an October incident, and on February 8 the Seoul Western District Court fined him 5 million won ($4,000), according to a copy of the ruling reviewed by Reuters.

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military. It's not clear whether the disciplinary action was linked to his conviction over damaging the police vehicle.

The Seoul court said on September 25 last year King punched a man in the face at a club several times but the case was settled.

Two weeks later, on October 8, police officers responded to a report of another altercation involving King, and tried to question him. He continued with his 'aggressive behavior' without answering questions from police, according to the court document.

Police placed him in the backseat of their patrol car where he shouted expletives and insults against Koreans, the Korean army, and the Korean police, the ruling said.

During his tirade, he kicked the vehicle's door several times, causing about 584,000 won ($461) in damages, the ruling said.

The court said the defendant had admitted to the charges, had no previous criminal record, and paid 1 million won ($790) to fix the vehicle, citing reasons in favor of him in the sentencing.
The detox heiress charged with having sex twice in one day with a 14-year-old boy has hired a celebrity lawyer for her upcoming trial.

Wellness guru Savannah Daisley, 46, has engaged high-profile lawyer to the stars Bryan Wrench ahead of her trial in the NSW District Court in October.

Wrench, who has represented ex-NRL star Sam Burgess and Wolf Creek actor John Jarratt, most recently defended a pensioner in his high-profile fight against music star Guy Sebastian.

Ms Daisley appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre on Monday with Mr Wrench for pre-trial hearings which included arrangements for the closed court recordings of several child witnesses.

The celebrity naturopath is facing trial over allegations she twice had sex with a boy who was aged 14 in May 2021.

Savannah Daisley at Sydney's Downing Centre court on Monday for a pre-trial hearing into two charges of allegedly having sex with a boy, 14, twice in one day

Ms Daisley, 46, has hired celebrity lawyer Bryan Wrench (pictured with her on Monday) to defend her in the upcoming NSW District Court trial she faces in October

Insta-famous naturopath Savannah Daisley (pictured) is accused of having sex with a boy, 14

The court heard earlier this year that evidence expected to be tendered includes material from a jail cell and data extracted and analysed from two phones.

Police allege Daisley and the 14-year-old drank alcohol before she allegedly had sex with him on two occasions, and that she was highly intoxicated at the time.

Police legally tapped a phone call following the alleged incidents in which Daisley allegedly told the boy to never speak of them again.

Daisley pleaded not guilty to two charges of sex with a child in December last year.

She was granted bail last year after her champion horse breeder father Ross Daisley secured a $100,000 surety.

Savannah Daisley (pictured at a previous court appearance)is due to go to trial in the NSW District Court in October on two counts of alleged sex with a 14-year-old

Wellness guru Savannah Daisley continues to run her business while free on bail

She continues to run her celebrity-endorsed business, Smart Cleanse, comprising capsules and powers that, according to the website, promise to detoxify clients' bodies, eliminate stress, shed kilos, and 'reverse ageing'.

Clients wanting to lose weight and 'detox their bodies' fork out $199.95 for a 14-day starter pack.

Her products sell across Australia after she secured deals with pharmacy giant Priceline in 2018, and with supplement giant Mr Vitamin in 2020.

The self-described naturopath boasts 31,000 followers on Instagram thanks to her two-week detox program and has written two books on wellbeing.

The equestrian heiress must live with her parents in the NSW Southern Highlands, report to police twice a week and submit to drug and alcohol testing to ensure her compliance with her bail conditions.

Daisley is forbidden from being in the company of children unless supervised and cannot contact the alleged victim or any witnesses.

Mr Wrench has become a lawyer to the stars in recent years, with the 35-year-old representing Burgess when he was charged with domestic abuse against the father of his ex-wife Phoebe Burgess, and defending Jarratt against rape charges.

Known for his striking double-breasted suits, Mr Wrench sometimes works pro bono  for free - as he did for Phillip Hanslow, the elderly neighbour accused of intimidating Sebastian over their shared fence , before Mr Wrench stepped in and the charges were withdrawn and dismissed.
An official government inquiry is set to expose the full horror of the only Nazi concentration camps to exist on British soil.

Lord Pickles has ordered the investigation into the number of Jews murdered on Alderney, a tiny British possession in the Channel Islands.

Just three and a half miles long and one and a half miles wide, the picturesque island was occupied by the Nazis for most of the Second World War during which time four labour camps were built.

Two were taken over by the SS who turned them into concentration camps operating under the principle of Vernichtung durch Arbeit - extermination through labour - with Russian prisoners of war, German political prisoners and Jews among the several thousand inmates.

Lord Pickles has ordered the investigation into the number of Jews murdered on Alderney, a tiny British possession in the Channel Islands. Pictured: The remains of Lager Sylt concentration camp, Alderney, May 1945

German soldiers parading through Marais Square, Alderney, during their World War II occupation of the Channel Islands

Just three and a half miles long and one and a half miles wide, the picturesque island was occupied by the Nazis for most of the Second World War during which time four labour camps were built

The number of people killed has never been established. Officially, eight Jews are recorded as dying on Alderney but the new inquiry will examine recent claims from researchers that as many as 1,000 were killed and reports from the time were covered up. Eighty years on, it is hoped the investigation will finally shed light one of the darkest episodes in British history. The expert review will be announced later this summer by Lord Pickles, the Conservative peer and the UKs Holocaust envoy.

Dame Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP whose father fled Nazi persecution in Germany, welcomed the review: It is time for the British government and Alderney authorities to finally face up to the horror of what happened on British soil. There can be no more lies and no more cover-up.

The British population of Alderney, then around 1,400 people, was evacuated in the summer of 1940 after Winston Churchills war cabinet decided the Channel Islands could not be defended leaving it effectively ripe for the Nazis to take.

More than 6,600 people were sent there as part of construction programme, erecting a series of fortifications.

Though the majority of prisoners were Russians and Ukrainians, brought from the occupied parts of the Soviet Union to build the giant defences of Hitlers so-called Atlantic Wall, many Jews, north Africans and Spanish republicans were also taken to Alderney.

They were held in camps, incarceration sites and farms across the island, living in cramped conditions, often emaciated through meagre food rations, and at the mercy of cruel punishments.

The entrance to the former German concentration camp SS Lager Sylt

The number of victims has been contested, with some claiming thousands were killed with many buried in mass graves on the island

Group of German soldiers coming from the Channel Island of Alderney

According to testimony from the time, as well as prisoners who died through labour, others were tortured, shot, given fatal injections and those sick, or unable to work, were sent to extermination camps in Occupied Europe.

The number of victims has been contested, with some claiming thousands were killed with many buried in mass graves on the island.

After the war, Britain sent Captain Theodore Pantcheff, a 23-year-old intelligence officer, to the camp. He concluded that appalling acts of murder and torture had taken place but his findings were reportedly buried and none of those responsible for the war crimes committed on Alderney were ever brought to justice.

Britain has been accused of exploiting a legal ambiguity over who was responsible for prosecutions, the UK or the Soviet Union, whose citizens were among the victims - to avoid pursuing war crimes allegations.

Professor Caroline Sturdy Colls, a forensic archaeologist at Staffordshire University, said mass graves existed but that British files on them had disappeared after the war. She said her conservative view is that up to 950 died.

Professor Anthony Glees, security and intelligence expert and formerly adviser to the war crimes inquiry in the Home Office, said he would be surprised if the numbers killed by the Nazis either in Alderney or transported from Alderney on to extermination camps in Europe did not run into thousands.

Marcus Roberts, of JTrails, a Jewish historical organisation, argues that the death toll could be in the thousands. He told The Observer: There are still many questions about what really went on in Alderney and who knew what.. For too long, some have been too willing to look the other way in the hope it all goes away. I hope this review will finally provide answers and some justice for the victims.

Lord Pickles is assembling an international panel of Holocaust experts to lead the work. He told The Sunday Times that he had also asked Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, to ensure that any secret documentation was made available to the academics.

Lord Pickles said: There is one file in the Eighties that went missing and Ive asked the defence secretary to check his archives. He has instructed British embassies in foreign countries to ensure any files that they are able to source are made available too.

Lord Pickles said he wants the investigation to be as transparent as possible and that the public will be given access to the files. He added that no remains would be disturbed during the investigation.
Nick Miller paints a disturbing picture of the state of race relations in British schools.

'The 'anti-racism' movement started off very small and no one heard about it for a couple of years,' he told the Mail this week.

'But now they've upped the ante. If they start offering classes to black children only, then soon we could be looking at black-only days out, black-only lunch sittings or white children standing up in class to admit their 'guilt'.

All of this stuff is already happening in the U.S., Australia and Canada  and that's what we're heading for.'

Racial segregation in British schools might sound unthinkable. Yet as Mr Miller knows, it has already begun.

Nick Miller paints a disturbing picture of the state of race relations in British schools

Earlier this month, the father-of-two received a WhatsApp message from the primary school in leafy Muswell Hill, North London, that his child attends.

Sent by the 'inclusion and anti-racism group' at Coldfall Primary School to all Year 4 parents, it invited 'black and black-heritage children' to join two-hour online sessions every Saturday morning.

The message explained: 'The aim is to accelerate progress in reading and writing whilst also developing the children's knowledge of black history and culture.'

The 33-lesson course, which cost the school 400 per child (aged eight or nine), was provided by an outside organisation. White children were excluded  whatever their interest in black history and culture.

In 1963, Martin Luther King said: 'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.'

Yet 60 years on, it seems the colour of a child's skin matters more than ever.

The 33-lesson course, which cost the school 400 per child (aged eight or nine), was provided by an outside organisation. White children were excluded  whatever their interest in black history and culture. Pictured: Coldfall Primary School

How has the 'anti-racism' movement reached such a stage in Britain that schools, in a sinister development, are dividing children according to their ethnic background and giving one group seemingly preferential treatment?

The answer lies in the expanding influence of a controversial doctrine taking hold in public life: so-called 'Critical Race Theory'.

First developed in the 1970s by a civil rights lawyer turned Harvard law professor, Derrick Bell, Critical Race Theory is founded on the idea that racism is systemic in national institutions, and that these institutions serve to ensure white people remain dominant in society.

Despite originating in America, Critical Race Theory has found increasing influence in Britain thanks to political-activist groups.

It gained new traction following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Since that event, and the subsequent protests, riots and rise of Black Lives Matter, an increasing number of British schools  as well as companies, public bodies, universities and other organisations  are now adopting 'anti-racist' policies, many influenced by Critical Race Theory.

It gained new traction following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by a white police officer in Minneapolis

These can include terms such as 'white privilege'  the claim white people benefit in society simply from being white  and that being 'colour-blind', the belief that all people should be treated equally regardless of race, is 'not an option'.

Such concepts have proven highly controversial in both the U.S. and the UK, with critics arguing that they are divisive and deeply politicised theories that should not be presented as fact, particularly to children.

Many question how relevant Critical Race Theory is to the British experience, given that it was developed in response to racial inequalities in U.S. society. Nevertheless, it has been taken up enthusiastically by many educational bodies.

Just this week, the campaign group Don't Divide Us published a paper examining the teaching materials provided by third-party organisations who operate in schools.

Analysis found that 48 out of 49 of them promoted Critical Race Theory as fact. In turn, these bodies were listed as working with some 135 schools across the country  but the tenets of Critical Race Theory are gaining wider influence across the schools network.

Don't Divide Us was set up in response to Critical Race Theory's tightening grip on our education system. The group's founders include Baroness (Claire) Fox, head of the think-tank Academy of Ideas, and English teacher and academic Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert.

Fox and Sehgal Cuthbert are former members of the Left-wing organisation Workers Against Racism. But they are nevertheless deeply concerned the radical agenda being pursued under the guise of anti-racism is now undermining British race relations.

Don't Divide Us has said: 'We reject the proposition that the UK is inherently racist . . . with racial prejudice embedded into our educational, cultural and legal institutions . . .

'Where racism exists, it should be unapologetically challenged. We oppose those ideologues who seek to irrevocably damage our society by hijacking this important cause.'

This week, Dr Sehgal Cuthbert spoke to the Mail about the findings of the group's report.

She said the influence of organisations that promote Critical Race Theory in schools 'now extends way beyond the individual schools they are working with  to the point that they are now reshaping education from the top down. If you've got everyone from the Department for Education to exam boards, teaching unions and local authorities, all endorsing this Critical Race Theory-inspired narrative, then the teaching profession is being reshaped.'

While it might be useful to analyse Critical Race Theory, Dr Sehgal Cuthbert explains, it is problematic that such complex ideas are being presented to school children as fact.

'There's no discussion around these concepts. It's basically just: 'You will believe this or you're a racist.'

'These groups are, for instance, asserting that 'colour-blind' approaches have failed, although I can't see where the evidence is for that. Colour-blind approaches have got us from slavery and colonialism to today.

'So a set of highly partisan political beliefs are being introduced from primary ages, if not nursery ages, in schools that are meant to be helping children develop their faculties to become independent thinkers.'

Baroness Fox, who trained as a teacher, further argues that by presenting political concepts such as 'white privilege' as fact, schools are breaching the 1996 Education Act, which dictates that they have a duty to be impartial.

'You should have a school policy that says the school does not tolerate racism and have an appropriate complaints system,' she tells the Mail. 'But what you don't do is have endless lessons on racism and completely overhaul the curriculum via an ideological group.'

Don't Divide Us has warned about troubling materials provided to schools by third-party organisations. One such resource, as the Mail reported this week, is a graphic of a 'white supremacy pyramid'. It claims 'bias, stereotypes and prejudice can lead to racist words and actions, leading to physical harm and death' and explains how 'indifference' can lead to 'mass murder'.

The controversial graphic features in an anti-racism manual uploaded online by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich for teachers at Church of England schools to view.

The diocese, led by Bishop Martin Seeley, controls 87 local schools, 85 of which are at primary level for children aged 11 and under.

Such is the prevalence of these materials that, since its foundation in 2020, Don't Divide Us has received hundreds of complaints from teachers, parents and even grandparents about 'anti-racism' teaching in schools.

One mother reported that she'd received an email from her child's school with the subject line: 'Black Lives Matter'. Parents were encouraged to form a group to discuss how to 'broaden' the curriculum.

That sounded fine, until she then discovered that 'under the radar', the school had scheduled a discussion about race and racism that only included parents from ethnic minorities. A 'curriculum committee' was later drawn up involving only these non-white parents.

Another parent from London said that their child received schoolwork telling them 'that the UK is a systemically racist country and that the white children were all privileged because of the colour of their skin.

'It went on to detail what I have since learnt is Critical Race Theory, before saying it was the responsibility of 'those with white privilege', as they call the children, to make amends,' she said.

And it's not just in class. Teachers across the country are increasingly disaffected by the way Critical Race Theory is pervading the staff-room, too.

One headteacher told Dr Sehgal Cuthbert he'd been contacted by a parent asking the school not to read the classic Great Depression-era novel Of Mice And Men in lessons because of its use of 'racial language'. The father made the complaint because he had experienced racism when he was growing up in London in the 1980s.

'What a shame the father couldn't get past his memory of being hurt to understand this is a great book,' Dr Sehgal Cuthbert says. 'Very few teachers are going to teach a book like that without having a discussion about the language and what it might mean. In a way, it is the perfect opportunity to discuss racism.'

A teacher in Hampshire, who wants to remain anonymous for fear of a backlash, told the Mail his school had arranged a series of activities only students from ethnic minorities were allowed to attend.

Just this week, he said, the school's management sent an email telling teachers of the meeting planned for 'Pem'  People of Ethnic Minority.

The message included the names of all the 'Pem' children at the school and staff were strictly informed that only the people named in this list were to be told about the event.

Earlier in the year, the school reportedly held African cooking classes for black students only. Teachers even took black female students on shopping trips to buy make-up suited for darker skin and covered the cost in acknowledgment that these brands were more expensive than the equivalent products for white skin. And this happened despite the fact make-up is banned at the school.

'It all smacked of segregation,' says the whistleblowing teacher. 'At one time in history they were splitting people up by race  this sounds very similar.'

Proponents insist there is no harm in teaching children 'anti-racism'.

Ibram X Kendi, the American author of the best-selling How To Be An Antiracist, wrote in one British newspaper: 'The delusion that talking about race puts people into boxes diminishes our ability to explain how racism puts people into unequal boxes. We can't explain to children the mirage of race  and the realness of racism  by ignoring it.'

Yet a number of educational experts have argued that the feverish focus on race in schools ignores other factors, such as social class, that have a more profound impact on children's life chances in Britain.

One such expert is Steve Strand, Professor of Education at Oxford University, whose research shows both white British and black Caribbean children from working class backgrounds achieve the lowest GCSE results.

Official data from 2021 found that only 24.5 per cent of poorer white British students and 25.9 per cent of black Caribbean pupils got grade 5  considered a strong pass  or above in English and Maths GCSE in the academic year of 2020/21, compared with 84.2 per cent of Chinese and 74.2 per cent of Indian children who were not eligible for free school meals.

Professor Strand concluded that he felt uncomfortable with the term 'white privilege.'

'Privilege is such a loaded word that I don't think it's very helpful,' he told the Mail. 'What comes out of my research is that social class is a massive factor in children's achievements. White and black Caribbean working class kids, both boys and girls, come out at the bottom of the pack. Terms like 'white privilege' miss this'.

As controversy surrounding the teaching of Critical Race Theory gains momentum, there appears to be a growing political will from governing institutions to deter schools from embracing it.

In October 2020, the Department for Education's guidance for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education was updated to state that 'schools should not use resources produced by organisations that take extreme political stances.'

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch later took to the despatch box to warn schools they would be breaking the law if they taught 'elements of Critical Race Theory'.

A parliamentary education Select Committee then issued a report in 2021, concluding that use of the term 'white privilege' may 'alienate' white working-class students.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman warned teachers last year they must not be 'campaigners' in the classroom. Speaking at the Festival of Education at Wellington College, she said they needed to be 'expert guides through disputed territory, while maintaining their own impartiality'.

Even so, Mr Miller remains pessimistic about the future.

'I just feel that we're going to be completely overwhelmed by this trend,' he said. 'As a society we are one of the least racist places on earth. People come to this country, knowing that they're not going to be treated badly just because of the way they look.

'We're not bad people, yet we are being crushed by this'.
It is a disease that has taken a heavy toll on the health of his beloved wife.

And now Scots racing star Sir Jackie Stewart has said he fears he too may be showing symptoms of the same illness.

The Formula 1 legend suffered a stroke last month and said he worries he may be diagnosed with dementia.

Sir Jackie collapsed in his hotel the night before he was due to be a guest at the wedding of Jordans Crown Prince Hussein in Amman.

The 84-year-old set up the charity Race Against Dementia (RAD) after wife Helen was diagnosed seven years ago.

The three-time Formula 1 world champion said of dementia: I could easily have it. Ive got all the makings of it. Im forgetting peoples names and Im not as sharp as I was.

The Formula 1 legend (pictured with Helen in 1969) suffered a stroke last month and said he worries he may be diagnosed with dementia

The 84-year-old set up the charity Race Against Dementia (RAD) after wife Helen (pictured with Jackie in 2019) was diagnosed seven years ago

If I have it, I have it. Im still fully operational. But I probably will get it. Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK.

Lady Helen, 82, is suffering from frontotemporal dementia, diagnosed in 2016. A team of seven neuroscience nurses care for her around the clock.

Stewart, originally from Milton, Dunbartonshire, has described the effect of the illness on families as horrendous.

Lady Helens plight stirred him into what he called the biggest fight of his life  establishing RAD to fund research into finding a cure. He brings to the task the same gusto he brought to transforming safety in Formula 1.

His charity recently announced a 3.75million fund to recruit the UKs best researchers. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said: The hardest part was being told that there was nothing we could do about it.

I knew nothing about dementia before Helen was diagnosed. And when I asked them, When can we get something done about it? and they said, Im sorry Jackie, we dont have a cure for it, that was just devastating.

When youre a racing driver, everything happens very quickly. In Britain, we are leading the world in terms of the technology.

When I compare that with me coming into a situation with my wife of 60 years as it is at the moment  I cant believe that for something taking more lives than anything else in the world right now, including cancer, we are so far behind. The establishment has failed on this. So we are turning to young PhD students to try to find the answers.

Sir Jackie has said he believes his unremitting travel schedule may have contributed to his mini-stroke. He returned to Britain after the Monaco Grand Prix on May 28 to speak at the funeral of Annie Meldrum  wife of the late Queens headkeeper at Sandringham  before flying to Jordan.

He said: I was very ill by the time of Annies funeral. I spoke, but not as well as I should have done.

I followed that with one night in Geneva and then went on to Jordan. And all that was after being in Miami for a very busy grand prix. It all added up.

Sir Jackie said that physiotherapy since the stroke has led to him now walking almost unaided.
A speedboat crash in Missouri has left eight people hospitalized after the vessel they were on ran aground and rammed straight into the side of a lakeside house.

The crash occurred late on Saturday night at the Lake of the Ozarks, southwest of St. Louis.

The impact caused as the the boat hit the banks of the lake running aground in the process flung all the passengers from the vessel as it overturned, close to the 1.3-mile mark of the Osage Arm.

The driver, identified as 47-year-old Adam Ramirez from Huntington Beach, California, was charged with boating while intoxicated with serious injury.

A speedboat collision resulted in serious injuries to eight people who were aboard the vessel Saturday night

The incident occurred at the Lake of the Ozarks, southwest of St. Louis, when a vessel with powerful engines capable of reaching speeds close to 70 knots ran aground

Cathy Ho Ramirez, 48, and husband Adam Ramirez, 47, of Huntington Beach, California, were injured in the crash. Ramirez was charged in connection to the incident.

Ramirez is known to be something of a powerboat enthusiast. His Instagram lists him as the owner of a customs shop based in California that works on engines for boats and cars.

The boat involved in the accident was a 2014 Nortech boat with powerful engines and a top speed of 70 knots.

The passengers, consisting of four women and four men ranging between 21 and 51 years old, were seriously injured. The group was taken to Lake Regional Hospital.

Ramirez's wife, Cathy Ramirez, was also on the boat, according to a police report.

Adam Pratt, who owns a racing company, and who has partnered on social media with Good Boy Vodka and whose postings have featured DJ Khaled and golfer John Daly, was also injured in the collision.

Police identified the other victims as Karlie Jones, 21, of Oak Hills, California, Roxy Soukup, 23, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Kylie Iltchi, 26, of Phelan, California and husband and wife 50-year-old Amy and Matthew Hillyer, 51, of Louisville, Mississippi.

Soukup and Cathy Ramirez were taken to the hospital with 'moderate' injuries, according to police. The others on the boat were all listed as having 'serious' wounds.

It's not clear if anyone inside the house suffered injuries following the boat's collision.

Ramirez was taken to the hospital after the crash and police said he has been charged with boating while intoxicated with serious injury

A screengrab from Alex Pratt's Instagram showed some of the victims in the boat crash hours before the incident

Pratt posted a picture of him on a boat hours before he was injured in a boat crash on a Missouri lake

Later on Sunday, a crane was brought in to haul to boat away

The boat collided with the bank before slamming into the side of a house, flinging all eight passengers from the boat as it overturned

Pictures from the scene of the crash on Sunday showed a vast amount of damage to the house with bricks having come away from a side wall, looking extremely unsteady

Pratt had posted pictures on his Instagram page hours before the crash and one showed some of the victims enjoying dinner together.

Others showed him and boats on the water - though its unclear if one of the pictures he shared was the boat involved in the crash.

The investigation into the crash continued on Sunday with pictures from the scene of the crash showing a vast amount of damage to the house with bricks having come away from a side wall, looking extremely unsteady.

Tiles from the roof looked to have also come away, together with some guttering.

Troopers spent time reconstructing the crash scene using a drone. Later on Sunday, a crane was brought in to haul to boat away.
A CNN Republican commentator has condemned Kamala Harris for speaking out against Florida's new school curriculum, saying her anger at the course discussing how slaves 'benefitted' was misguided and calling the scandal 'fabricated.'

Harris was in Jacksonville, Florida, Saturday and condemned the new curriculum, which was unveiled on July 19.

The Florida Board of Education's new state academic standards for social studies states that students should be taught 'how slaves developed skills, which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit'.

Harris said teaching students that slaves benefitted from being enslaved was abhorrent.

But Scott Jennings, a political commentator, Harvard lecturer and PR expert who served in the George W. Bush White House, said Harris was wrong, accusing her of 'making something literally out of nothing'.

Scott Jennings, a CNN commentator, condemned Kamala Harris for her criticism of Florida's new curriculum on Sunday

'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

'What is amazing to me [is] that how little Kamala Harris apparently has to do that she can read something on Twitter one day and be on the airplane the next to make something literally out of nothing,' he told CNN.

'This is a completely made-up deal.'

Jennings claimed the outrage over the curriculum, approved by Florida Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, was unwarranted.

'I looked at the standards, I even looked at an analysis of the standards, in every instance where the word slavery or slave was used, I even read the statement of the African-American scholars that wrote the standards  not Ron DeSantis, but the scholars,' he said.

'Everybody involved in this says this is completely a fabricated issue and yet look at how quickly Kamala Harris jumped on it.

'So, the fact that this is her best moment, a fabricated matter, is pretty ridiculous.'

On page six of the 216-page document, it states: 'Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.'

It also states, on page 17, that teachers discussing race riots such as the Tulsa Massacre should talk about black-on-black violence, and note 'acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans.'

Florida Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis attacked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their focus on his policies in Florida

Ashley Allison, a Harvard professor and CNN commentator (right), disagreed with Jennings

The Florida Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, said in a statement the new standards were unacceptable.

'These standards are a disservice to Florida's students and are a big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994,' the union said.

The NAACP called the curriculum 'sanitized and dishonest'.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, 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.'

Ashley Allison, a member of Sunday's CNN panel, said Jennings was wrong.

'I think at this panel we could all agree that slaves did not benefit from slavery,' she said.

'Even if the citation said, 'Well, they might have gotten ' they didn't have a choice, so that is not a benefit. Slaves did not have the freedom to choose, like Ron DeSantis said, maybe they could have become a blacksmith. Not when they didn't have the choice to become a blacksmith.

'And so that was what Kamala Harris was saying.'

Allison said that the curriculum had to be seen as part of DeSantis's 'war on woke', and his presidential campaign.

'And I hope in this moment when we have such a contentious political environment that we could all agree that slavery was not a good thing and slaves did not benefit. And then we could move on,' she said.

'But the problem is, the governor who is the second in the polls for the Republican nomination won't do that.'
A transgender boy, 13, has taken his life after he was allegedly subjected to relentless bullying at school when he started using male pronouns.

Onyx - who recently began identifying as a boy rather than as a girl named Rose - was found dead by his mum at the family home in Beaudesert, Queensland, on Sunday, July 16.

Onyx's devastated family told Daily Mail Australia that he had been viciously bullied by students at Beaudesert State High School, in the state's Scenic Rim region, after he started using he/him pronouns rather than she/her.

'He didn't have gender issues - he accepted that he wanted to be a boy,' Onyx's sister Ivy said, speaking on behalf of the family.

'The kids at school wouldn't accept it. The students would taunt him in front of everyone.

'It got so bad he would be shaking if he was forced to go to school.'

Onyx, 13, (in his school photo this year) took his own life after he was allegedly bullied relentlessly when he changed pronouns to male

Onyx's family have accused the school of failing to stop the bullying . The school said it was deeply impacted by his death

Onyx did not want to go school after complaining of being taunted by other students when he changed his pronouns to male

The classroom taunts allegedly moved online with fake accounts that pretended to be Onyx emerging and harassing other students.

'They called her a weirdo and a goth-wannabe,' Ivy said.

The bullying escalated in last August when a pack of girls allegedly confronted Onyx in the school bathrooms.

'The school said they would 'handle it' but there's never been any consequences for the pack of girls who tried bashing him in the school toilets last year,' Ivy said.

'After that we were lucky if he went to school twice a week.'

Onyx's family is now seeking justice for what they claimed was a lack of a response or duty of care to the bullying he endured.

They said Onyx had wanted to become a vet and work with animals before his tragic death.

Ivy (pictured right) lost her younger sibling Onyx last week and believe the education system has failed their family

Onyx was found dead by his mum at the family home in Beaudesert on July 16

'We haven't received any support from the school ... the teachers have been instructed not to discuss it with students either,' Ivy said.

'I got blocked when I contacted the school's official Facebook page.'

However, after being contacted by Daily Mail Australia, principal Grant Stephensen extended support to the family as well as sending a backdated email to parents - several days after Onyx' passing.

'Please know that your family is in our thoughts at this time.' a letter to Ivy began.

'My staff and I have been deeply impacted by this.'

'We have been given pause to reflect and want to ensure Beaudesert SHS is a safe place for students to learn. Your voice is an important part of our reflection.'

Mr Stephensen also contacted parents via email offering that students could speak to counsellors about their feelings.

'The school has put in place a process that allows students an opportunity to talk about their thoughts and feelings with trained professional staff,' the email read.

'Guidance officers will be available in the school should your child require further advice or support.'

Queensland teenager was allegedly set upon in the school toilets

Onyx's dream of becoming a vet and working with animals was cut short

Onyx (pictured right) with his nephew Mike. A GoFundMe has been launched to raise for his funeral this Saturday

A Queensland Department of Education spokesperson confirmed allegations of bullying at Beaudesert State School are being looked into and that staff and students have been offered support.

'Staff and students close to the student were spoken to directly, while others were informed at assemblies or through information sent to parents,' the department said.

'The school has been in regular contact with the student's family and is also speaking with local elders.'

The department went on to say that guidance officers and support staff remain available through the school's wellbeing centre.

'Beaudesert State High School has extensive support measures in place to assist students and families and encourages anyone with concerns to contact the school leadership team,' it said.

Ivy has launched A GoFundMe to help her family raise funds for his funeral this Saturday.

Some $2940 has been raised so far - above the $2000 requested - with money left over to be donated to Suicide Prevention Australia.

'Mum tried so hard to help (Onyx) through her struggles, numerous counseling appointments, doctors appointments, calling the school constantly,' Ivy said.

'I'm hoping to take as much stress off her as possible.'

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14
In the picturesque coastal town south of Sydney, a bitter war has broken out between angry local surfers who claim city slickers are ruining their famed break.

Those who live and surf near Sandon Point, Bulli, have even created a series of handmade signs along the sandy shores, delivering a clear message to the 'blow in' outsiders: You are are not welcome here.

A local surfer said the spot has been attracting surfers from Sydney, particularly Maroubra and the rest of the eastern beaches, and he's not impressed with their behaviour.

He says they're pushy on the waves and have not shown proper respect to the local surfers while out on the breaks.

The handmade signs were spotted at Sandon Point beach, Bulli, claiming 'blow-in' surfers are not welcome (pictured)

Another sign had the words 'locals only no blow ins' written in blue marker on a wooden sign nailed high on a telegraph pole (pictured)

A Bulli local said he spotted a group of six young men putting up a sign with the words 'locals only f**k off blow in Kooks f**k off too' (pictured). The man removed the sign and reported the group to police

The signs are a stark reminder of the growing tension between those who call this place home and those who wish to experience its legendary waves, sparking a debate about surfing etiquette on social media.

'Surfers are nomadic, travelling to surf good waves. Agreed, respect is the key no matter where you're from,' one person said.

'Everyone knows the etiquette, it's up to the individual on whether they abide by it. When they don't, this is the result.'

A second added: 'I'm cool with it as long as the Sandon Point locals never surf anywhere else ever again. Where do they go when Sandon isn't breaking.'

Sandon Point beach sweeps in an east-facing curve for 900m between Bulli and Waniora points, in the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

The beach is an exposed point break and is known among surfers as having very consistent surf particularly in the winter and spring months.

Sandon is one of the best righthand points in NSW - waves that break to a surfer's right - and creates long and powerful waves measuring up to five metres.

Train lines to Wollongong have made the beach more accessible, with surfers travelling to the famed spot in a bid to escape the crowded beaches of Sydney.

Sandon Point beach sweeps in an east-facing curve for 900m between Bulli and Waniora points, 11km north of Wollongong (pictured)
Semiconductor majors and university officials pose at Kumoh National Institute of Technology in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, Jan. 25. Korea Times file



By Lee Kyung-min



The government will begin a service whereby undergrads and grad students can make and verify the viability of semiconductors they designed, a process of trial and error intended to enhance the young experts' knowledge and advance chip technology, the science ministry said Monday.



Propelling the trial run of the government-funded project is to encourage students to have hands-on experience as future chip experts, deepening their understanding of high-tech design and manufacturing of digital devices and their commercial application viabilities.



The Ministry of Science and ICT said chips will be made at labs operated by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Seoul National University and Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology. Students will be provided with 500-nanometer complementary metal oxide semiconductor manufacturing and packaging services.



Semiconductor majors will be eligible for the My Chip service. Applications will be accepted from Aug. 1 to 30.



Applicants will be interviewed by a panel of experts, given a process design kit and have to submit their designs by Nov. 15. They will receive the products in April next year.



A total of 25 teams will be selected this year. More than 150 teams will be selected from 2024 to 2025 and over 300 teams will be selected from 2026 and after.



Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho said the service will be a valuable experience for students.



"The government will provide assistance to nurture excellent young semiconductor design experts with practical, capacity-building experiences," he said.



The government said last July that it will join hands with chip manufacturers to train and educate over 150,000 semiconductor experts over the next decade.



A number of local universities have established learning courses for chip majors to begin their professional careers at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.



The Samsung Group affiliate opened the course in cooperation with Yonsei and Sungkyunkwan universities, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). The SK group affiliate opened such courses at Korea University.




The number of notes in circulation in Australia has declined in a troubling sign the country is quickly becoming a cashless society, as Commonwealth Bank, NAB and ANZ open up 'cash-free' branches.

More than a billion dollars worth of physical cash disappeared in the 2022-2023 financial year, with the number now the lowest since dollars and cents were introduced in 1966.

The total value and number of notes in circulation had previously increased every year since 1966, the Reserve Bank of Australia revealed, when the country transitioned from from pounds and shillings to decimal currency.

The number of notes in circulation in Australia has officially dropped for the first time since dollars and cents were introduced in 1966 (stock image pictured)

Three in four Aussies now consider themselves 'low cash users', meaning they claim to use cash for less than 20 per cent of all their in-person transactions

But that trend came to a halt in the last financial year, with a sharp drop in $50 notes in particular.

The shift is likely to make life more difficult for the country's criminals, who rely heavily on cash, but also poised to hurt the elderly and those living in regional areas.

The RBA's survey of consumers' payment trends revealed that three in four Aussies now consider themselves 'low cash users', meaning they claim to use cash for less than 20 per cent of all their in-person transactions.

In 2019, about half of Australians were considered low cash users.

Surprisingly, cash use actually surged during the Covid pandemic years despite many retailers moving to contactless payment systems such as Apple Pay at the time.

There's just $101.3 billion in cash circulating around the nation, which is the smallest amount since November 2019.

The number of $5 notes fell to the lowest point since October 2019, with the number of $20 and $50 notes also significantly decreasing.

The $100 note is said to have increased slightly, but slowing overall.

It is believed that cash use will continue to drop in the coming years, similarly to the use of cheques, which are set to wrap up completely in the country by 2030.

Both the United Kingdom and New Zealand have seen a decline in the number of notes circulating in their economies over the past 12 months, following an increase during the Covid pandemic.

Cash use surged during the Covid pandemic years despite many retailers moving to contactless payment systems (stock image pictured)

A Daily Mail reporter was told last week that she could not withraw cash from a new Commonwealth bank branch In Barangaroo

A growing number of Australians have lashed out at the looming prospect of the country going cashless.

Last week, staff at a new Commonwealth Bank branch at Barangaroo in Sydney told a Daily Mail Australia reporter that she could not withdraw cash inside.

National Australia Bank, ANZ and the Commonwealth bank have all recently opened 'cashless' branches, limiting access to physical money.

Interviews with members of the public showed most people were concerned about the restrictions on being able to access their own money on their own terms.

'Its crazy. Its our money, and we still need to, and want to be able to, use cash,' one frustrated bank customer told Daily Mail Australia when interviewed on the street.

'What right does a bank have to say we can only transact the way they want us to transact?

'Its all about fees. They want everyone using EFTPOS so they can skim off that little fee which goes to their billions of profit every year.'

In June, an Aussie woman garnered the support of thousands for her warnings on the perils of a cashless society, claiming cash 'simplifies life'.

Julie Christensen, from Blackburn North in Melbourne, detailed the benefits of carrying and paying with cash in a letter sent to The Age.

In the letter, published in the newspaper's print edition on June 18, Ms Christensen explains why carrying a $50 note is better than using digital finances.

National Australia Bank, ANZ and the Commonwealth bank have all recently opened 'cashless' branches (stock image pictured)

Melbourne woman Julie Christensen outlined the benefits of cash in a letter sent to The Age earlier this month

'If some people want to rely solely on digital financial transactions, let them. But don't take away cash for the rest of us,' Ms Christensen wrote.

'My $50 note can't be hacked. If I'm robbed, I lose $50, not my entire life savings. If my $50 note is accidentally immersed in water, it still works.'

'My $50 note doesn't need batteries, it can't be out of range and it won't break if it's dropped,' she wrote.

'If the system is down, I can still use my note. My $50 note can be put into a charity box or given to a homeless person.'

Ms Christensen ended the letter admitting she does use a card for some purchases but claims using cash 'simplifies life'.

'Sure I use a card sometimes for large purchases, but for everything else please leave me the option of cash. It simplifies life,' she wrote.

A photo of the letter was posted on Facebook and quickly went viral with almost 10,000 people sharing it to their profiles.

Thousands of Aussies echoed Ms Christensen's sentiments, with many commenting 'well said' and 'totally agree'.
Bank bosses will be hauled in front of ministers to warn them about 'de-banking' customers over their political views.

Treasury minister Andrew Griffith will write to 19 banks and financial services firms to insist the scandal around Nigel Farage's Coutts account caused 'significant concern in both Houses of Parliament'.

His intervention, which is understood to be happening in the coming days, will demand that new reforms regarding transparency over account closures will be obeyed.

The move comes as Mr Farage demanded a swift apology from BBC director-general Tim Davie, and a former BBC stalwart said the corporation must make amends as soon as possible.

Pressure has been building on the BBC over its report, by business editor Simon Jack, that Coutts had dropped the prominent Brexiteer for financial reasons.

Treasury minister Andrew Griffith (pictured) will write to 19 banks and financial services firms to insist the scandal around Nigel Farage's Coutts account caused 'significant concern in both Houses of Parliament'

READ MORE: Banks could close more high-profile accounts under legislation to tackle economic crime and protect national security Advertisement

The former Ukip leader's account closure  which an internal Coutts dossier revealed was owing to his political views not aligning with the bank's  has led to swift action from ministers, who have introduced new laws to force banks to explain why they are closing an individual's account, and give a 90-day period before doing so.

Mr Griffith will tell banks: 'The Government is unequivocal that banks and other payment service providers  which occupy a privileged place in society  should not be terminating contracts of payment account facilities on grounds relating to users' exercising of their right to lawful freedom of expression.'

Sanctions, including hefty fines and the withdrawal of licences, will be imposed on banks who fail to protect free speech.

And a new account holders' charter will force banks to give a guarantee that customers will be able to express their opinions without fear of losing their accounts.

Last night Mr Farage, who has welcomed the Government's response to the scandal, said: 'I am now looking for the BBC to respond. If I haven't got one quickly from Tim Davie, I will look to lodge a formal complaint, and if I still don't get one, I will look to go to Ofcom.

The move comes as Mr Farage (pictured) demanded a swift apology from BBC director-general Tim Davie

'The BBC has a responsibility to get things right. Clearly, they got briefed by someone in a position of authority at NatWest, so I don't blame Simon Jack for that. But I am looking to get a proper response from them.'

Last night veteran BBC presenter Nick Owen urged the corporation to stop being 'so slow' and draw a line under the incident.

Last week former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel said the incident 'will teach me to trust reporting of my old employer'.

The Mail on Sunday yesterday revealed Mr Farage's lawyers have complained to the Information Commissioner's Office, which can fine banks up to 17 million, about the leaking of his private information.

In a Subject Access Request to NatWest on Friday, his legal team demanded the release of all correspondence between the banking group and the BBC.

In another concerning case, Reform UK leader Richard Tice has accused Metro Bank of shutting down his account because of his vocal support and campaigning for Brexit.

He told the Sun on Sunday: 'I was suspicious at the time but didn't join enough of the dots. But it is crystal clear now what has gone on.'
The former SNP leader revealed her literary plans at the North Yorkshire festival

For years the demands of running Scotland and the SNP filled her busy days.

But now that she has stepped down as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said she may use the extra time on her hands productively  by writing a novel.

Ms Sturgeon revealed her literary ambitions at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, at the weekend, where she appeared with her author friend Val McDermid.

Ms Sturgeon told the Sunday Express: Ive thought about writing a book. Now I have slightly more time on my hands, Im perhaps thinking about it a bit more.

Im in awe of people who write books and, for somebody who has never done it, to say, I am going to write a novel is a pretty arrogant thing to say.

Ms Sturgeon revealed her literary ambitions at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate where she appeared with her author friend Val McDermid (pictured: right)

Ms Sturgeon was arrested last month in a police probe into the SNPs funding and finances. She was released without charge pending further investigation

It is an art, a skill, a talent and I dont know whether I have got that, but I would like to maybe give it a go at some point  if I can find anybody who is good at it that can give me some good advice.

Earlier this year, Ms Sturgeon told the BBC she will almost certainly write a memoir when she steps down from frontline politics even if its just for therapy for myself. She added: Whether anybody will want to publish it or not is a different matter.

This comes as the firm that had published a selection of Ms Sturgeon's speeches has gone into liquidation.

Sandstone Press faced criticism after it was revealed that it received public funding from agencies such as Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The company, run by SNP supporter Robert Davidson, denied any wrongdoing.

'Women Hold Up Half The Sky: Selected Speeches of Nicola Sturgeon' was published by the firm in May 2021.

The former SNP leader is currently facing suspension from her party if she is charged with an offence in connection with party finances, which is under police investigation.

Ms Sturgeon was arrested last month in a police probe into the SNPs funding and finances. She was released without charge pending further investigation.

Police Scotland have not provided a timescale for the conclusion of the inquiries.
Isreal's prime minister was recovering from an emergency heart procedure last night ahead of a debate on a controversial judicial Bill that has led to protests by tens of thousands.

The timing of Benjamin Netanyahu's hospitalisation yesterday morning to implant a pacemaker could not be more critical, with the parliament set to vote on part of the PM's hugely contentious overhaul of the judiciary.

Tens of thousands of people came together for mass rallies, both for and against the proposals, with his supporters in central Tel Aviv while his opponents marched on Israel's Knesset legislature.

A column of protesters stretched for miles, with estimates that 73,000 people took part.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering from emergency heart operation last night ahead of a debate on a controversial judicial Bill that has led to protests by tens of thousands

People, oppose the judicial overhaul plan of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, stage a protest in front of Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem on July 23

Doctors said the medical procedure had gone smoothly but last night Netanyahu remained in Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv.

In a short video statement, Netanyahu, 73, said: 'I want you to know that tomorrow morning I'm joining my colleagues at the Knesset.'

He is calling for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary.

The embattled 73-year-old leader was rushed to a hospital near Tel Aviv late on Saturday after a heart monitor implanted a week earlier in what was described as a dehydration episode detected a 'temporary arrhythmia', his doctors said.

Fitted with a pacemaker, he was due for discharge on Monday.

'As you can see, I am doing excellently,' he said in a video statement that showed him seated, smiling and wearing a blazer.

'We are pursuing efforts to complete the legislation, as well as efforts to do this through consensus, but in any event I want you to know that tomorrow morning I'll be joining my colleagues in the Knesset.'

Lawmakers on Sunday began debating the bill, which would amend a law enabling the Supreme Court to void decisions made by the government and ministers it deems 'unreasonable'.

Poll results aired by national broadcaster Kan found that 46% of Israelis were opposed to the amendment versus 35% who were in favour and 19% who were undecided.

The Histadrut labour federation proposed a scaled-down version of the bill. Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid said that could be a basis for new compromise talks, but Netanyahu's Likud party said it was too close to Lapid's positions.
Banks could shut down even more high-profile accounts under new legislation designed to tackle economic crime and protect national security, an expert has warned.

The increasing use of artificial intelligence and heightened sensitivity around fraud will also see prominent customers having their accounts closed without any warning or explanation, lawyer Jeremy Asher said.

Leading Brexiteer Nigel Farage revealed last week that his account was shut down after prestigious private bank Coutts found his views did 'not align' with their own values.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is among the well-known figures to have had bank accounts closed or denied after facing increased scrutiny from lenders.

Under new laws to be enforced after summer recess, the Treasury says it will now compel banks to explain - and delay - any decision to close an account.

Leading Brexiteer Nigel Farage (pictured) revealed last week that his account was shut down after prestigious private bank Coutts found his views did 'not align' with their own values

Mr Farage saw his account shut down following a meeting of Coutts' Reputation Risk Committee, which found his political views did not align with the bank's.

But experts have suggested the new law could see anyone with 'adverse press' around them due to controversial or divisive views swiftly de-banked without the need for a human to scrutinise and sign off the findings.

Mr Asher, a solicitor with law firm Setfords, warned the Government's new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill may make the problem even worse.

He said: 'It will prosecute organisations who fail to prevent fraud - this legislation goes against the banks rather than the fraudsters themselves.

'The idea of banks shutting down free speech is becoming an issue. As they become more risk averse, they will rely more on flawed automated processes rather than taking an individual, human view on it.

'We know that the AI and automated tools in use are not perfect, so it stands to reason that the banks are going to be less likely to allow their staff to use its discretion to override a negative result from the screening, or to remove fraud markers where they have already been loaded.'

Senior City sources have expressed concerns about the legislation, which is currently making its way through the House of Lords.

One warned that banks 'by their very nature are now extremely risk averse'.

One Parliamentary source familiar with the legislation noted: 'Banks are becoming more risk averse generally, and tighter controls could affect that.'

The number of 'fraud markers' placed against customer's names has risen dramatically in recent years.

Some 305,000 were uploaded to the Cifas national fraud database used by banks in 2017.

'These systems are not perfect,' Mr Asher said. 'A third of appealed cases are overturned by the Ombudsman.

'This issue really came to a head when the Chancellor was rejected by Monzo. There needs to be more time spent on decisions.'

Consumer group Which? has also warned that some banks are wrongly closing customers' accounts or applying markers which could affect their ability to access finance.

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: 'Having your bank account closed without warning can be an incredibly stressful experience - not least at a time when millions of households are struggling to pay the bills.

'Which? is concerned that some banks are wrongly closing customers' accounts or handing them Cifas markers which can affect their ability to access other financial products for years.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The Failure to Prevent Fraud offence has been created to ensure large organisations actively seek to prevent their employees from committing fraud for the benefit of the company.

'It does not provide grounds for a bank to close a customer's bank account on ideological grounds.

'The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will additionally bear down on kleptocrats, criminals and terrorists who abuse our financial system, strengthening the UK's reputation as a place where legitimate business can thrive.'
A top Yes campaigner says a Voice to Parliament will be more effective than a treaty between Aboriginal Australians and the government, as a Voice 'can't be taken away by future governments'.

Constitutional lawyer Shireen Morris hit out at 'progressive No' voters - such as Lidia Thorpe - who believe that a treaty should be the priority before a Voice during a panel discussion in Sydney last week.

While a treaty is one of the key components of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and is an element supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Dr Morris said it should not be treated as a 'silver bullet' that will solve all problems for Indigenous people.

'Look around the world. Treaties have not been silver bullets,' Dr Morris said.

'Most were breached because the Crown, the coloniser, is the more powerful party. They reneged on promises.

'A treaty is subject to political whims, the Voice, however, can't be taken away by future governments. Nobody can take it away.'

Shireen Morris has long been an advocate of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and has dedicated much of her career to seeking constitutional recognition for First Nations Australians. Dr Morris unsuccessfully contested the seat of Deakin for Labor in the 2019 election

Dr Morris presented the argument to a 1,000-strong crowd at a CityTalks Voice event held in Sydney on Wednesday.

There were several big names on the panel - top Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo was billed as the headline of the Q&A portion of the evening, sitting front and centre alongside ABC host Stan Grant.

Earlier, Noel Pearson, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney and Sydney Mayor Clover Moore had delivered addresses to the audience.

But it was Dr Morris, a constitutional lawyer of Indian and Fijian-Indian heritage, who cut through to the audience, who were hanging onto her every word.

Dr Morris said she understood, and agreed with, the Voice 'being pursued as a priority', because 'the Voice is constitutionally guaranteed [while] a treaty is a political agreement... not guaranteed'.

Progressive No voters like Lidia Thorpe oppose the Voice to Parliament partly because they believe a treaty - one of the movement's key pillars as part of the 'Voice, Treaty, Truth' ethos - should be the priority.

In 'practical reality', Dr Morris said there is no guarantee future governments would honour or abide by a treaty, even if the Albanese Government were to sign one.

'Treaty is an agreement,' she said. 'It takes two to tango.

'If a government is not coming to the table to negotiate a treaty, then none of it will happen. There is a misconception on the progressive left that a treaty is better, stronger.'

Dr Morris, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 election for the seat of Deakin, urged 'soft' No voters and people who are on the fence not to become bogged down in calls for a treaty.

'Don't make the mistake of thinking treaty is a silver bullet,' she said.

It was Dr Morris, a constitutional lawyer of Indian and Fijian-Indian heritage, who cut through to those in the crowd

Dr Morris, pictured with PM Anthony Albanese, urged 'soft' No voters and people who are on the fence not to become bogged down in calls for a treaty

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, which includes a Makarrata Commission with a sol e purpose of moving toward treaty-making and truth telling.

But amid outspoken concerns about what exactly a treaty could entail, Mr Albanese appears to have distanced himself from the proposal.

On Ben Fordham's breakfast news radio program, he explicitly said the referendum - to be held in the last quarter of 2023 - had nothing to do with treaty.

He said the Voice was not about reparations and argued 'this is not about treaty'.

'This is not about a treaty,' he said four times. 'I can't say it any clearer, compensation has nothing to do with what people will vote on later this year.'

In 'practical reality', Dr Morris said there is no guarantee future governments would honour or abide by a treaty, even if the Albanese Labor government were to sign one

Mr Fordham asked: 'I'm talking about after that. There are three stages, after we go through the Voice is it natural to assume after we go through the Voice?'

Mr Albanese said: 'No, it's not natural.'

Just last October, he wore a t-shirt to a concert with 'treaty' as the slogan on the front.

And questions and concerns about the details of a treaty were also front and centre at the panel on Wednesday night.

Thomas Mayo, a onetime outspoken advocate for treaty and the Voice's role in fast-tracking it, appeared to back Dr Morris's assurances that it should not be a priority.

He said: 'Treaty will take decades to negotiate due to the complexity. The issues in our communities are urgent right now.

'If it's going to take decades, why would we wait?'

In March, Mr Mayo stood shoulder to shoulder with a tearful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the official wording of the referendum question was announced

Mr Mayo's extensive Twitter history, revealed by Daily Mail Australia, revealed that he once hoped a treaty could pave the way for reparations and 'rent' for elders.

He has since told Daily Mail Australia he is now of the understanding a Voice will 'focus on practical issues that matter to Indigenous communities such as better employment outcomes and housing'.

He noted many of his comments were from a 'number of years ago'.

Meanwhile, advocates for the progressive Yes argue a treaty must be the priority.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe is leading the charge, arguing a treaty would 'set the baseline' to 'acknowledge sovereignty and strengthen voice'.

'Only a Treaty will end the war against First Nations people,' she maintains.

Dr Morris also attempted to expel any concerns from the audience about the No campaign's primary message: that there is not enough detail in the proposal.

'The constitution is not about detail,' she said. 'It is about principle.'

Daily Mail Australia obtained a series of old tweets dating back to 2018 and published by Thomas Mayo, an architect of the Voice referendum question and signatory of the Uluru Statement of the Heart

Mr Mayo (pictured) has since told Daily Mail Australia he is now of the understanding a Voice will 'focus on practical issues that matter to Indigenous communities such as better employment outcomes and housing'

'Do Indigenous people deserve to be recognised in the constitution with a Voice? If we say Yes, it'll be up to Parliament to decide the detail, to evolve and to adjust that detail over time,' she said.

Dr Morris made an argument in 2018 that the referendum should be held on Jnuary 26, in an attempt to 'transform and redeem' the date rather than change it entirely.

She weighed in on the widespread debate about whether Australia Day should be celebrated on a different date, arguing doing so would be a surface-level solution to a complex problem.

Instead, she argued January 26 could become 'the date we do what should have been done in 1788: belatedly include a First Nations voice in the Constitution and establish the Makarrata Commission'.

'If we did these things on January 26, the date would become a solemn day of historical reconciliation. A day of healing, resolution and inclusion. This to me seems the radical centre solution.'
A teacher jailed for sleeping with a 15-year-old boy is now working as a gate guard while on prison release.

Kandice Barber, 37, was jailed for six years and two months in 2021 after she was found to have taken an underage boy to a field for sex.

But sources say she has been working at a council site in west London since May, according to The Sun.

One of the sources was reported to have said: 'Kandice turned up about two months ago, which was a complete shock because she should have still been behind bars.'

The mother-of-three from Wendover, Buckinghamshire, was found to have sent a student nude images of herself and threatened to 'take him down' if he told staff about their encounters.

Sources say Barber (pictured) has been working at a council site in west London since May

Last year, it was revealed Kandice was still seeing her husband, Daniel (pictured left)

The scheme is designed to help reintegrate inmates before their release.

Barber was found to have abused a underage student at a school in Princes Risborough, sending him topless photos.

She later drove them to a field where they had sex, courts heard.

The victim said the assault took place between October 11, 2018 and immediately before the half term.

Ultimately, Barber was reported after a photo shared with the child was circulated widely and reached the head teacher of the school.

She was found guilty of one count of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

At another trial the year before, Barber was convicted of sending a topless picture of herself to the boy and a video in which she was pleasuring herself with a sex toy.

After the second trial at Aylesbury Crown Court, Recorder Bal Dhaliwal described Barber's grooming of the teenager as 'beyond despicable.'

Last year, it was revealed she was still seeing her husband, Daniel.

He posted a photo after her sentence featuring a Superman t-shirt and kissing emoji alongside a caption saying 'always'.

At the time, Daniel described the verdict as 'a joke'.

Teacher Kandice Barber, 35, leaves Aylesbury Crown Court after being found guilty of two sex offence charges related to sending topless Snapchat pictures to a 15-year-old student. Picture date: Tuesday September 15, 2020

Jailing Barber at Aylesbury Crown Court in 2021, Recorder Bal Dhaliwal said Barber had 'acted in gross breach of trust' and had taken 'advantage of a child in your care and groomed him for your own sexual gratification'.

She told the teacher: 'The victim was a 15-year-old boy in his final year at school. You had control and authority over him. He felt drawn in by you due to the compliments, you caused him to engage in sex with you while he was a pupil in your care.
Ministers have started axing green policies amid mounting concerns they will lose votes from hard-pressed families.

Michael Gove called for the relaxation of some environmental measures as he warned against treating climate change like a religious crusade.

The Housing Secretary admitted the Government is asking too much too quickly of landlords, who were facing a ban on renting properties unless they pay for environmental measures by 2028.

He also piled pressure on quango Natural England to end its block on house building and its requirement for councils to introduce clean air zones in new developments.

Downing Street is said to be looking again at a threatened packaging tax on manufacturers over fears the costs would be passed on to shoppers at supermarket tills.

Downing Street is said to be looking again at a threatened packaging tax on manufacturers over fears the costs would be passed on to shoppe

A 120 hydrogen tax on fuel bills is likely to be removed from draft legislation over complaints it would be unfair on households struggling during the cost of living crisis.

The scrapping or delaying of tough measures intended to help Britain reach net zero emissions by 2050 comes after the Conservatives opposition to London Mayor Sadiq Khans Ulez car tax was credited with their surprise victory in the Uxbridge by-election last week.

Tory strategists believe they could replicate that success at the next general election by setting up clear dividing lines from the opposition on green policies.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, long-serving Cabinet member Mr Gove said: One of the dangers is that if people think you are treating the cause of the environment as a religious crusade, in which youre dividing the world into goodies and baddies, then you alienate the support you need for thoughtful environmentalism.

Red Wall MP Jonathan Gullis told LBC radio yesterday that the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars 'is something that is concerning people and is doing damage to our automotive industry'

Backbenchers are calling for Rishi Sunaks Government to go further by delaying the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and the 2035 end of gas boiler installations, as well as removing green levies on fuel bills.

Red Wall MP Jonathan Gullis told LBC radio yesterday: This is something that is concerning people and is doing damage to our automotive industry.

But we also have to have an offer of reducing the tax burden to taxpayers, particularly when it comes to the high cost of living. And looking to sustain those green levies being taken off energy bills, maybe reducing VAT on fuel.

It is going take some bold decision-making. When youre at 18-20 points behind in the polls, youve got nothing to lose and I think we should be willing to go for it.

Former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg told GB News: I would scrap the pledge to get rid of petrol cars in 2030.

I would get rid of things that apply direct costs. We need to think about what other countries are doing, what is proportionate and affordable.

Michael Gove called for the relaxation of some environmental measures as he warned against treating climate change like a religious crusade'

Tory grandee Sir John Redwood said: Lift the proposed bans on new gas boilers and new petrol cars. They will damage UK industry. Angry consumers will not buy heat pumps and electric cars they cannot afford. World CO2 output will not fall.

But local government minister Lee Rowley declined to say the petrol car ban should be looked at again. He told GB News: Weve got a target. Lets all go and try and do as much as we can to get there.

However, he agreed that the lesson of the Uxbridge by-election was if you dont think through your policies, as the Labour Party clearly havent, then people will say I dont think so.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps vowed the Government will max out the remaining reserves of North Sea oil and gas. He branded the oppositions pledge to ban new exploration licences as madness.

What Labour foolishly and irresponsibly want to do is pursue a policy of self-harm by not taking that [North Sea] oil and gas but buying it from abroad, Mr Shapps told the Financial Times.

A government spokesman said: Affordability is at the heart of our approach to changing our energy system, to bring down bills in the long term  thats why we are considering concerns raised on the hydrogen levy.

We intend to phase out the installation of new and replacement gas boilers from 2035, supporting households with our Boiler Upgrade Scheme to aid the deployment of low carbon heating systems.

On top of this we recently consulted on our final proposed ZEV [Zero Emission Vehicle] mandate approach, to understand the views of stakeholders on this important issue.
A man whose body was found tied next to a busy train line has been identified as a dance music fan who was a convicted drug dealer.

Matthew Warrington was discovered bound up on Railway Parade near the Glen Waverley train line, in Melbourne's east, on Friday.

The grisly discovery was made three days after emergency services were called to a suspicious fire at his house only 500m away on Binalong Avenue on Tuesday.

Dylan Wyatt, 35, and Kasha McIver, 36, fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with one count of murder.

A man whose body was found tied next to a busy train line has been identified as a dance music fan who was previously convicted of drug trafficking

Matthew Warrington was discovered bound up on Railway Parade near the Glen Waverley train line in Melbourne's east on Friday (pictured, police scour property on Binalong Avenue)

Wyatt's defence lawyer Ella Parkes-Talbot requested his client be allowed to see a custody nurse because he suffered a 'number of injuries' during his arrest.

McIver also asked to see the nurse, telling the magistrate she is 'not coping', according to the Herald Sun.

Forensic investigators continue to search Warrington's fire-damaged property on Binalong Ave where the windows have been boarded up with wooden planks.

Emergency services were called to a fire at the property last Tuesday about 9pm.

A Fire Rescue spokesperson said the fire was suspicious.

Police believe Mr Warrington was killed between Monday and Wednesday of last week.

During the Covid pandemic police raided Mr Warrington's property and found him in possession of a slew of drugs associated with dance culture, including GHB, meth, cannabis and magic mushrooms.

He pleaded guilty to several drug trafficking and possession offences and received a 183 day jail sentence, classed as time served, in August 2021.

The court heard he was a dance fan who withdrew money from his super to purchase the drugs.

Mr Warrington frequently posted about new music that had been released by local artists - as well as about upcoming events.

Neighbour Wade Dixie said police often attended Mr Warrington's home.

The grisly discovery was made three days after emergency services were called to a suspicious fire at his deserted house only 500m away on Tuesday (pictured, police at a house on Binalong Avenue)

Neighbour Wade Dixie said police often attended Mr Warrington's home

'We all knew something bad was coming,' she said. '(But) this is an awful thing to have happened.'

Another neighbour said Ms McIver lived at the house.

'Once my housemates and I saw how many people were coming in and out of the house we all decided to stay away from that house,' he said.

Neither Mr Wyatt nor Ms McIver have applied for bail and remain remanded in custody.

Mr Wyatt is facing charges that include drug possession, making a threat to kill and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

McIver has also been charged with drug trafficking.

They will return to court for a committal mention on November 27.
Sadiq Khan has vowed to press on with an expansion of his controversial drivers tax  setting him on a collision course with Keir Starmer.

The Mayor of London will look at ways to mitigate the financial impact of the 12.50 charge but will not relent in his mission to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to the outskirts of the capital from next month.

After Labour failed to win last weeks by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip  where the extension of the charge was a major factor in the Tories successfully holding the seat  Sir Keir said there was no doubt his party lost because of the expansion.

He demanded Mr Khan reflect on the levy.

But sources close to the Mayor dismissed talk of a U-turn, saying last night: Sadiq remains committed to implementing Ulez but is happy to look at any new ideas for ways to mitigate the impact on Londoners without reducing the effectiveness of the policy on tackling air quality and climate change.

'Sadiq still believes expanding the Ulez is the right thing to do to save the lives of Londoners and tackle the climate crisis.

The Mayor of London will look at ways to mitigate the financial impact of the 12.50 charge but will not relent in his mission to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez)

Mr Khan has also dismissed any notion that Labour would have taken Boris Johnsons old seat in west London had he not proposed the Ulez expansion.

He said: I have lived in London my entire life [and] this seat has never been Labour since Ive been alive, including in 1997 in the Tony Blair landslide

Allies of Sir Keir said the Mayor has now promised to review the policy and possibly make significant amendments under pressure from party leadership. A senior Labour source told The Sunday Times: Its clear Sadiq is going to be reviewing it.

Labours unsuccessful candidate Danny Beales, who pledged to fight Ulez expansion during the campaign, said: You cannot tell working people you are laser-focused on the cost of living and then also penalise them, simply for driving their car to work.

Sir Keir and the Mayors team are expected to hold intensive discussions about the policy, which is still subject to a legal challenge from five councils, in the coming days.

Louie French, Tory MP for Bexley and Old Sidcup, said: Theres lots of speculation that Labour will be forced to drop Ulez after a year of ignoring and insulting thousands of people with genuine concerns.

But Sadiq Khan has already wasted millions on it and TfL has no Plan B after he bankrupted them. What a complete mess. Khan must go!

Sir Keir and the Mayors team are expected to hold intensive discussions about the policy, which is still subject to a legal challenge from five councils, in the coming days

Sir Keir said there was no doubt his party lost last weeks by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip because of the expansion of ULEZ

The row appeared to continue at Labours National Party Forum, which concluded last night.

In an apparent warning shot at the Mayor, Sir Keir told delegates this weekend: That result in Uxbridge demonstrates there is never any reason to be complacent and never a reason to rest on our laurels. We are doing something very wrong if policies put forward by the Labour Party end up on each and every Tory leaflet.

Weve got to face up to that and learn the lessons.

A senior Labour party insider added: There is no way Ulez [expansion] is going to survive, even if we had won Uxbridge.

Sadiq just isnt listening on Ulez and weve paid the price for that. Natural Labour voters are unable to vote for us because of it. We have been telling [City Hall] for ages they need to ditch it.
A view shows the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged by Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine, July 23. Reuters-Yonhap



Russia's latest strike on Odesa on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral, drawing a vow of retaliation from Ukraine's leader.



The attack came as President Vladimir Putin met his Belarusian counterpart for talks in Russia and claimed Kyiv's counteroffensive had "failed".



Russia has pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa since quitting the Black Sea grain deal last week.



Locals watched in disbelief as the Transfiguration Cathedral  originally built in 1794 under imperial Russian rule  was hit.



The biggest Orthodox church in Odesa lies within the UNESCO-protected historic city center.



UNESCO condemned the "brazen" attack, which hit several sites in the World Heritage area, marking "an escalation of violence against (the) cultural heritage of Ukraine", according to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay.



Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged shrine, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.



The culture ministry said it had so far identified damage to 29 monuments of important cultural heritage.



The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".



President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed retaliation: "They will definitely feel this," he said.



"We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks," Zelenskyy added in his evening speech late on Sunday.



"The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people.



Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture."





An internal view of the Transfiguration Cathedral, damaged by a missile attack in the Odesa region, southern Ukraine, July 23. EPA-Yonhap
Rishi Sunak has promised not to 'concrete over the countryside' as he promised the bulk of Britain's new homes will be built in major cities.

The Prime Minister, who insisted his government is on course to meet its target of building one million homes between 2019 and 2024, will earmark denser inner-city where demand is highest for any extra housing rather than pave over the greenbelt.

Separately, Housing Secretary Michael Gove will announce plans to slash red tape to pave the way for more conversions of shops and takeaways into houses in efforts to address the housing crisis.

Mr Sunak will today say: 'Today I can confirm that we will meet our manifesto commitment to build 1 million homes over this Parliament. That's a beautiful new home for a million individual families in every corner of our country.

'We need to keep going because we want more people to realise the dream of owning their own home.

The Prime Minister (pictured) will earmark denser inner-city where demand is highest for any extra housing rather than pave over the greenbelt

'We won't do that by concreting over the countryside - our plan is to build the right homes where there is the most need and where there is local support, in the heart of Britain's great cities.

'Our reforms today will help make that a reality, by regenerating disused brownfield land, streamlining planning process and helping homeowners to renovate and extend their houses outwards and upwards.'

The proposals include developing a new urban quarter in Cambridge with space for homes, art facilities, laboratories and green areas.

In a bid to rectify Britain's housing supply crisis, Mr Gove will also launch a review into the extension of permitted development rights to make it simpler to extend homes and convert lofts so buildings can be expanded upwards and outwards.

New development corporations to unleash a wave of new homes in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, he said, while councils will be able to use compulsory purchase orders to buy up land and sell parts of it on to developers to build new homes.

He said: 'Rather than concreting over the countryside, we have set out a plan today to build the right homes in the right places where there is community support - and we're putting the resources behind it to help make this vision a reality.'

The announcements come just two weeks after a cross-party panel of MPs warned that Tory ministers are unlikely to deliver 300,000 new homes per year after the Prime Minister made the target advisory rather than mandatory.

Clive Betts, who chairs the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, said the decision was 'already having a damaging impact on efforts to increase the building of new homes'.

Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'It takes some serious brass neck for the Tories to make yet more promises when the housing crisis has gone from bad to worse on their watch, and when housebuilding is on course to hit its lowest rate since the Second World War because Rishi Sunak rolled over to his own MPs.

'We don't need more reviews, press releases or empty promises, we need bold action to get Britain building.

'That's why Labour has set out plans to reform the planning system to build the homes we need. We will restore housing targets, reform compulsory purchase rules and take the tough choices to back the builders, not the blockers.'

Last night the Local Government Association (LGA) flagged concerns about the prospect of loosening the rules around permitted development rights, arguing it can lead to substandard housing.
Human remains have been found stuffed inside luggage in two separate incidents in Florida and Texas.

On Thursday, officials with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in Texas reported finding human remains inside a duffel bag that was left on a resident's property.

The next day, Delray Beach police found a suitcase floating in a Florida waterway containing dismembered human remains.

They later found two other suitcases nearby, which contained other body parts believed to have belonged to the same victim.

Now, authorities in both states are working to identify the victims and their killers.

Deputies in Bexar County, Texas found a duffel bag stuffed with human remains left on a property Thursday morning

In Delray Beach, Florida, police found a suitcase containing dismembered human remains floating in an intracoastal waterway

Police in south Florida later found two other suitcases containing human remains nearby

Florida police believe all of the remains belong to a single middle-age female victim

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office stated they received a call about a suspicious package shortly before 11am Thursday, when people who were feeding animals on a property while their owners were out of town noticed luggage on the lawn.

When deputies arrived, they discovered human remains inside the duffel bag, Sheriff Javier Salazar said at a news conference.

'There wasn't really a whole lot of effort to hide the body, other than it was inside a suitcase,' he said.

An investigation into the discovery is ongoing, with Salazar saying it is unclear how long the duffel was on the property before it was found.

The gender and identity of the victim also remain unclear.

'The first inclination, of course, is to assume that it's a homicide scene,' Salazar said. 'At this point, all we really know is that we've got partial human remains out there.'

He noted investigators also observed what appeared to be attempts to burn something near the property, but Salazar cautioned that neighbors may have just been burning trash.

'It's just too early to tell if the person was killer here, or if they were brought here in that piece of luggage and then dumped here,' he said.

Salazar added the owners of the property are cooperating with the investigation.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said at a news conference that an investigation is ongoing

He said the remains were not well hidden, and were just left in the duffel bag on the property

The property owners were out of town at the time, and are cooperating with the investigation

Just a few hours after that gruesome discovery, police in Delray Beach, Florida, reported they found dismembered human remains in a suitcase that was floating in the intracoastal waterway.

Investigators would then discover two other suitcases along the waterway, which also contained body parts.

'At this early stage of the investigation, the remains appear to belong to one unidentified adult female,' officers wrote in their incident report.

Police have officially ruled the death a homicide, and announced Sunday the remains are those of an unidentified adult female, who is either white or Hispanic, middle-aged with brown hair and approximately 5-foot 4-inches tall.

She may have had tattooed eyebrows, and was wearing a floral tank top with a black undershirt and black mid-thigh shorts.

The Delray Police Department is asking anyone with information about the crime to call Det. Mike Liberta at (561) 243-7874.
Council leaders urged the PM to alleviate them of the burden of cleaning rivers

Controversial green restrictions on house-building are adding up to 10,000 to the cost of new homes, council leaders have warned the Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak is facing growing calls from his ministers as well as developers to scrap strict rules aimed at offsetting the water pollution caused by new houses, which have been blamed for blocking more than 100,000 new properties.

Now a cross-party group from local government has piled on the pressure to intervene and force the Natural England quango to axe its guidance on so-called nutrient neutrality, warning it has effectively stopped housebuilding across a quarter of England.

Ten council leaders told No 10 earlier this month, in a letter seen by the Mail, how tens of thousands of new homes have been blocked around the country, builders merchants forced to lay off staff and millions of pounds of taxpayers money spent on environmental schemes.

They urged the PM: We call upon you to help ensure that the burden of cleaning our rivers shifts back to the organisations responsible and empowered to do so, freeing up councils to get on with building the homes we need to boost our local economies.

The Prime Minister and Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps were given a tour of the District Energy Centre in King's Cross, London earlier this year

Last night Government sources vowed that Housing Secretary Michael Gove would find a legislative fix to the problem of water pollution caused by new homes

Nobody wants to see pollution in our rivers and estuaries. But the moratorium on housebuilding caused by Natural Englands guidance on nutrient pollution has created severe local difficulties without any meaningful environmental benefit.

'Put simply, not building new homes is doing nothing to clean up our rivers and does very little to slow the increase in water pollution.

Last night Government sources vowed that Housing Secretary Michael Gove would find a legislative fix to the problem.

We cant have thousands of homes across the country being held up by EU red tape, an insider said.

Natural England began telling some local authorities in 2018 that they could not approve new developments if they led to higher levels of phosphates and nitrates in waterways, in the wake of an EU court case.

In March 2022 it widened the advice to cover a total of 74 areas across England, prompting developers to estimate it had stopped as many as 120,000 new homes being built.

A cross-party group has piled on the pressure to intervene and force Natural England to axe its guidance on so-called nutrient neutrality, warning it has effectively stopped housebuilding

Developers and councils can pay for mitigation activities such as creating new woods or wetland to balance out extra pollution from developments that are allowed.

But the council leaders - led by Cllr John Fuller of South Norfolk District Council - say this is adding to the costs of families desperate to get on the housing ladder.

As a result of the mitigation packages being implemented by a range of councils, new homes are typically 4,000 to 10,000 more expensive for first-time buyers and other local people who desperately need good, affordable housing, they warn.

One council, in Eastleigh, Hants, has had to spend more than 20m on addressing nutrient neutrality, which the town hall leaders say should be the responsibility of environmental bodies and water companies.

And across Norfolk they say 41,000 homes have been put on hold, with the result that local builders merchants have laid off staff and smaller family builders are at risk of bankruptcy as land with outline permission is stalled.

But Natural England chairman Tony Juniper insisted: Nutrient neutrality is established in UK environmental law and has been tested in the courts - it rightly prevents wastewater from new housing developments adding to pollution in areas internationally protected because of their unique value to nature and wildlife.

Rather than a blocker to homebuilding, Natural England is working in partnership with developers and planning authorities to create compensatory measures, including new wetlands, to mitigate the nutrient load caused by sewage from new developments and allowing housebuilding to go ahead.

A Government spokesman said: The Government remains committed to delivering housing in areas impacted by nutrient neutrality and is supporting local authorities and developers.

We recognise the urgency of this issue and have taken substantial steps to both unlock housing now and to address the underlying causes of nutrient pollution at source.
A small private plane crashed into the roof of a home in Texas on Sunday afternoon.

The crash happened shortly before noon close to the Georgetown Executive Airport as the plane, which was carrying three people including the pilot, was coming into land.

The FAA confirmed the NTSB would be leading an investigation into how the aircraft, a single-engine Beech BE35 crashed.

Those on board, a man and two women, survived the collision sustaining injuries that were not deemed to be life-threatening.

The trio were taken to hospital for treatment and released later in the day.

A private plane with a pilot and two passengers on board crashed into the roof of a home in Georgetown, Texas, shortly before noon on Sunday

The Georgetown Fire Department said the plane crash occurred just before noon in the 500 block of Northwood Drive, which is near the Georgetown Executive Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it was a single-engine Beech BE35 plane and that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation into the crash

The plane landed in the attic. Insulation from the attic of the house could be seen tangled in the crash

In another piece of sheer luck, the home the plane plowed into was completely unoccupied.

'They were in really good condition considering what happened,' said nearby resident Dylan King to KXAN, who rushed to the scene north of Austin.

'They were scared, they didn't know what was going on. They looked really confused. We had helped them down off the balcony and they were trying to jump through a hole in the roof. We opened the attic stairs and they got down that way.'

The plane had taken off from Kerrville and was nearing the end of its 120-mile journey and about to land in Georgetown when the plane suddenly lost altitude and crashed into the roof of the home, becoming wedged in the top.

The plane, a single-engine Beech BE35 aircraft, was attempting to land near the Georgetown Executive Airport

The pilot and passengers miraculously survived with injuries that were not considered life-threatening

The house the plane struck was completely unoccupied

'They were in really good condition considering what happened,' said nearby resident Dylan King to KXAN who rushed to the scene

On Sunday night the wreckage of the plane could still be seen sticking out of the top of the house.

The Georgetown Fire Department say they plan to return to the scene Monday together with representatives from the FAA and NTSB, to further assess the damage and work on removing the aircraft.

The FAA is also expected to release a preliminary crash report within 24 hours on their website.

The names of the people involved have not been released.
A local council has sparked outrage over plans to send staff on an all-expenses paid European 'study tour' that would cost taxpayers up to $40,000 for each person.

Penrith Council, in western Sydney, will on Monday night flag the approval of plans to send several staff on the 13-day trip through Europe in late August.

Mayor Tricia Hitchen, Deputy Mayor Todd Carney are among the group that could be flown overseas.

The trip, dubbed 'Unlocking the Aerotropolis International Study Tour', has been condemned by anonymous Penrith Council sources, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The sources have claimed the move is out of touch with ratepayers 'struggling to make ends meet' amid a cost-of-living crisis that is crippling Australia.

Penrith Council Mayor Tricia Hitchen (right) and Deputy Mayor Todd Carney (left) are among council members flagged to set off an a European 'study tour' funded by ratepayer money

Council representatives are expected to visit Paris as part of the trip

In documents to councillors, council representatives said a 10-13 day tour is suggested 'with an itinerary focused on first-hand experience and observation of cities that have a second international airport, the associated connecting rail infrastructure, the surrounding cities and industry mix and residential density mix'.

'The tour will provide a further opportunity for relationship building, both with overseas networks and council,' council officers said.

'An itinerary is yet to be set based on ability to secure appropriate connections, but would broadly include visits to Amsterdam, United Kingdom and Paris.'

It is expected the proposed study tour will cost between $25,000-$40,000 per person.

Local Jarrod Bacich said it was 'unfair' that councillors and staff were planning taxpayer funded trips to Europe while locals were facing difficult times.

'We are in a cost of living crisis, it is completely unfair,' he said.

'I am trying to save to go to Europe, you don't see me asking for Penrith to pay for it.'

Western Sydney locals have slammed the tour plans, saying funds could be spent on helping people during the cost of living crisis

Another local, Sarah Phillips, said the council could instead spend the money on improving local infrastructure and services.

'I don't see merit in our money being used for a study tour,' she said.

'Why does it have to be our money being used?'

The itinerary lays out plans to tour agri-tech, agri-logistics and agri-science businesses in Schiphol, Amsterdam.

Council representatives are expected to visit the 'local government subdivision Arrondissement 13 in Paris' to see a 'living example of updating urban planning to include more density that assists the range of housing options'.

In the UK, councillors and staff are set to tour Gatwick, to witness 'examples of regional development around an airport'.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen told Daily Mail Australia that she had heard the community's 'views about the current Study Tour proposal given the current economic climate'.

'While the matter is already listed on the agenda for tonight's Ordinary Meeting, I will not be supporting that the Study Tour go ahead,' she said.

'I've spoken to a number of my councillor colleagues who will also not support the Tour proceeding.'
Four teens have been charged, and another remains on the run after an early morning crime spree in an allegedly stolen Audi filmed for social media caused widespread havoc across Queensland's south-east.

Two service stations in Logan and a Brisbane cafe cart were allegedly robbed at gunpoint before the teens' joyride left a trail of destruction along the Pacific Motorway after the Audi crashed into another car at Coomera on the Gold Coast.

The crash sparked a police pursuit which came to an abrupt end shortly afterwards when officers near Beenleigh Marketplace intercepted the Audi.

While no staff were injured during armed robberies, a woman and child were injured by one of the offenders fleeing the crash scene.

The 12-hour-long crime spree began when a 2014 Audi S3 was allegedly stolen from a Helensvale home on Gold Coast's outskirts on Saturday night.

Five hours later, at around 3.30am, a teen threatened a service station employee at gunpoint and demanded the cash till. He was seen leaving in the stolen Audi.

The teens filmed their antics and posted on social media during the alleged crime spree

Just five minutes later,a second service station in nearby Kingston was robbed at gunpoint by a teen seen leaving in the same car.

Two-and-a-half hours later, a female cafe worker was held at gunpoint and had her handbag stolen by two armed teens while opening Tribe Coffee Co in Ascot, Brisbane.

It's alleged the teens then began travelling back towards the Gold Coast as police tracked the vehicle with assistance from Pol Air.

Footage posted to social media shows several teens inside the Audi posing with fake weapons, along with wads of cash, trying to make out they're armed.

'Look at this cuz,' one allegedly boasts.

'Show them the guns, more guns cuz.'

The Audi was seen travelling south along the Pacific Motorway around 9.30am and crashed into the rear of a Mazda 2 near a busy intersection in Foxwell Road at Coomera.

Two occupants allegedly took off in the Audi while two others fled the scene on foot.

One of them allegedly injured a woman and child during the pursuit. He was arrested a short time later by police who allegedly found a firearm nearby.

Footage from the scene shows the handcuffed teen sitting on the ground barefoot with his shoes and other clothing items strewn nearby.

This teen was arrested a short time after she allegedly fled the scene of a crash involving the stolen Audi

Just after 10am in Logan, police deployed a tyre deflation device and stopped the Audi near Beenleigh Marketplace. Two males were arrested near the shopping centre.

A search of the vehicle located another two firearms.

The fourth teen was later arrested in nearby Daisy Hill.

A Woodridge man, 18, charged with armed robbery in company will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

Two 15-year-old boys and another aged 14 charged with a string of offences will face a children's court at a later date.

Police alleged they found three gel blaster mock weapons during the arrests.

The manhunt for a fifth male allegedly involved continues.

Tribe Coffee Co owner Mark Hardingham said his female staff member was 'shaken' after two hooded teens allegedly armed with a rifle and pistol demanded her belongings as she opened up the cafe cart on Sunday morning.

Footage posted to social media appears to show the teens allegedly in the Audi posing with fake weapons (pictured)

CCTV captured the terrified worker asking the boy 'what's that?.'

He replied: 'it's a f--king gun, c--t'.

The alleged thieves were unable to take the cash still and only took off with the woman's belongings.

'She refused to open the cart and that scared them off. She thought something didn't feel right.' Mr Hardingham told the Courier Mail.

'You want to employ young people and give them a safe working environment, but what do you do.'

'It's sad, a crackdown is needed. It puts a lot of businesses at risk.'

Anyone with more information or dash cam is urged to call Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
Australians have lashed out after being forced to wait in queue for over an hour to fill out their tax return with some likening it to buying tickets to Taylor Swift's concert.

Dozens of people have taken to social media in recent days to criticise the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) after they were met with a 'hang tight! You're in the queue' message when attempting to log in to their myGov account.

'To ensure the best experience when you gain access to our online services, were currently managing the number of people who can login. Thanks for being patient,' the message reads.

Rate-payers were left frustrated by being made to wait in a virtual queue (pictured) when trying to lodge their tax return

Taxpayers likened the experience to queuing for Taylor Swift tickets, which saw hundreds of thousands of Aussies left waiting in a virtual queue for hours for the chance to buy-highly coveted tickets to the pop sensation's Eras tour.

'ATO website has a Queue, harder to get into than Tay Tay tickets,' wrote one.

'In the queue to access the ATO site. Are there Taylor Swift tickets when you get through?' another joked.

'Waiting for the ATO site to load at 8am on July 1 is my own personal Taylor Swift ticket queue,' quipped another.

Tax lawyer Anatoliy Dubinin slammed the queue system following outrage from Australians.

'They (the ATO) simply don't bother creating better service for taxpayers,' he wrote.

A spokesperson for the ATO said the waiting room system had been used to 'help manage user traffic and ensure system performance for ATO online users'.

'The ATO Online waiting room has been in place since April 2020 and is a tool for ensuring continuity of service under conditions of excessive demand or unforeseen events affecting system performance,' the spokesperson said.

'It is a standard method used by many organisations to manage online user experience. This means while some users are still able to access our online services without issue, others are placed in a queue to await access to services.'

They added: 'We also remind taxpayers that waiting until the end of July allows the ATO to collect data from banks, financial institutions, private health insurers and government agencies to make the lodgment process smoother and easier and ensure any tax refund arrives faster.'

The deadline for Australians to file their tax return is October 31.

Dozens likened the experience to queueing for highly-coveted Taylor Swift (pictured) tickets

It comes as many Aussies have expressed their anger at receiving lower-than-expected tax returns.

Last week, a young miner's foul-mouthed rant about his paltry tax return went viral on TikTok.

Tyrone Northop, 23, unleashed an expletive-laden spray on the ATO and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

'How the f*** do I owe the ATO $2,000 when I gave them $48,000?', he screamed at the camera.

'The Government is f***ing every c*** like always. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Workers had been warned to expect lower than anticipated returns this year after the low-and-middle-income tax offset (LMITO) was axed by the Morrison government in 2022.

The LMITO delivered a tax break of up to $1,500 for people earning up to $126,000.

It was originally introduced in the 2018-19 budget, extended during the pandemic, and then increased by the Morrison government - and supported by the then-opposition.

But it was only ever temporary and it expired at the end of the last tax year, on 30 June 2022.

Yet, many low-to-middle income earners won't find out about it until they file their tax return this year when they may see their tax refunds reduced by between $675 and $1,500.
A major supermarket chain has been slapped with a massive fine after falsely claiming its lobsters had been caught locally.

Warehouse giant Costco was hit with a $33,000 fine by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Friday.

The eyewatering penalty was handed down after it was discovered Costco had imported its lobster from overseas but claimed it was caught locally.

Wholesale giant Costco has been fined by the ACCC for falsely labelling lobster products at one of it's warehouses

The eyewatering penalty was handed down after it was discovered Costco had imported its lobster from overseas but claimed it was caught locally (stock image)

The incorrectly labelled products were the 'Kirkland Signature PREVIOUSLY FROZEN WHOLE COOKED WA LOBSTER' and 'Australian Lobster'.

The seafood was in actual fact imported from Canada.

The goods were sold at a warehouse in Casuarina in southwestern Perth, Western Australia, in January.

The consumer watchdog blasted the supermarket chain for misleading consumers that the products were 'Australian made'.

'It used the Australian-made kangaroo logo as well as a full bar chart indicating that the lobsters were exclusively Australian when they were not,' the watchdog said in a statement.

It's believed that a small number of consumers were impacted by the error.

The global retailer was also hit with two infringement notices for incorrectly labelling the products.

ACCC Deputy Chairman Mick Keogh said the error is a reminder for all businesses to label products correctly.

'Selling goods with an incorrect country or place of origin label is a breach of Australian Consumer Law,' Mr Keogh said.

'Many shoppers pay a premium to purchase Australian seafood rather than imported products, which makes the accuracy of the labelling a crucial part of enabling consumers to make an informed choice.

The lobsters were imported from Canada but the labels on the products were sold to customers as products that were grown and produced in Australia

'This action by the ACCC is a reminder to all businesses, large or small, of the importance of ensuring that country of origin labelling is accurate and complies with the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard.'

According to the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016, products produced and grown in Australia must be labelled with the kangaroo logo and a bar chart.

The logo means the product is made in Australia while the bar chart shows the percentage of Australian ingredients in the food.

Costco is one of the largest supermarket chains worldwide and operates warehouses in 13 countries.

There are 15 warehouses in Australia.

Costco declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
This is the shocking moment a huge police dog brutally mauls a black trucker with his hands up after a police chase in Ohio over a missing mud flap.

The incident unfolded on July 4 after law enforcement officers engaged in the lengthy pursuit of a semi-tractor trailer driven by 23-year-old Jadarrius Rose.

The vehicle was missing a mud flap and it had failed to stop for an inspection, a report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol stated.

After the stop, Rose exited with his hands up and Officer Ryan Speakman with the Circleville Police Department unleashed a police dog on Rose even though a State Police trooper told the local officer not to release the K9.

'Do not release the dog - with his hands up,' the State Police trooper could be heard shouting on the video.

Police in Ohio unleashed a K9 on a black man who had exited his vehicle with his hands raised after a traffic stop earlier this month, according to officials

The town's Public Safety Director Douglas Debord told local media the city is currently reviewing the incident involvingK-9 officer Ryan Speakman

About 40-minutes of body camera footage was released to detail the July 4 incident.

After the chase, the vehicle came to a halt on a state highway about 40 miles south of Columbus after authorities deployed tire deflation devices, known as 'stop sticks,' for a second time.

In a video provided by the highway patrol, Rose is seen standing in front of the vehicle with his hands raised as law enforcement officials order him to get on the ground.

The footage showed the dog running towards Rose, on his knees, and the K appeared to be biting and pulling the driver.

Rose screamed loudly and could be heard saying, 'please get it off.' 'Get the dog off of him!' a trooper yelled.

Other officers were heard on the video requesting first aid and medical attention for Rose.

'As troopers were attempting to gain compliance by providing verbal commands to the suspect, Circleville Police Department deployed their canine, which resulted in the suspect being bitten by the canine,' the highway patrol said in a statement.

The dog was released by Speakman, and officials in Circleville have not said if he was placed on leave, according to WOSU.

Rose asked the officers while they released the dog and ordered the K9 to attack. 'You just let the dog bite me,' Rose said. The officer said Rose just had to listen to his commands.

The incident unfolded on July 4 after law enforcement officers engaged in the lengthy pursuit of a semi-tractor trailer driven by 23-year-old Jadarrius Rose

The vehicle was missing a mud flap and it had failed to stop for an inspection, a report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol stated

'Get the dog off of him!' a trooper yelled as the K9 attacked Rose

Other officers were heard on the video requesting first aid and medical attention for Rose.

Circleville police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The town's Public Safety Director Douglas Debord told local media the city is currently reviewing the incident involving the police K9 unit.

'This case remains under investigation and the Patrol is unable to provide any further details at this time,' Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan E. Purpura said in a statement.

The highway patrol said the driver was 'immediately' provided first aid and emergency medical personnel were contacted to assist.

Rose was subsequently taken into custody, OSHP said, adding the case remains under investigation.
A woman was found dead on a hiking trail in Montana on Saturday after coming into contact with a grizzly bear near Yellowstone National Park.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a statement how the unnamed woman was found dead near West Yellowstone, a Montana town nestled in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, just west of the famous national park.

They said the woman was found 'following an apparent bear encounter' based on what investigators determined were grizzly bear tracks at the scene.

The department said the investigation into the grizzly attack was ongoing in what is the latest attack by wild animals this summer.

Rangers issued an emergency closure of the area where the woman was found, which is popular with hikers.

An unnamed woman was found dead in Montana on Saturday after coming into contact with a grizzly bear (file photo)

The attack occurred on a trail in Montana just west of Yellowstone National Park

Though the department's statement said the death appeared to have followed the woman's interaction with the bear, it did not officially confirm her cause of death.

The attack comes amid a rise in Montana's grizzly bear population and an increase in sightings.

The department put out a news release last week warning visitors that staff had confirmed grizzly bear sightings throughout the state, 'particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Great Yellowstone ecosystems.'

Officials implored those camping and visiting parks to carry bear spray, store their food while outside and dispose of their garbage properly.

Amber Harris and her now-fiance Chris Whitehill had what was supposed to be a romantic, nature-filled vacation interrupted when Harris was gored by a Bison on their first day at Yellowstone

Last week, Amber Harris, 47 was gored by a bison during a trip to Yellowstone that left her with seven spinal fractures.

She sustained 'significant injuries to her chest and abdomen,' including spinal fractures and two collapsed lungs.

The attack ruined plans her fiance had to propose on the trip, instead forcing him to pop the question while she was laid up in the hospital bed.

'So my love got down on one knee beside my hospital bed last night and formally asked me to be his wife. Without any hesitation I said 'yes!''

The attack was the second in days at National Parks, as earlier a woman was gored by a bison at a North Dakota park.

Harris updated friends and family with a Facebook post from her hospital bed, where she shared two significant updates.

'We've been planning this vacation to Yellowstone NP for about a year. So excited to spend quality time with Chris Whitehill and my daughter Rylee Eckblad. We woke up our first morning and walked down to the lodge for some coffee then decided take a walk through a field to get to Yellowstone Lake,' wrote Harris.

Harris posted the update about her goring and engagement alongside a picture of her hand sporting her brand new ring

'There were a few other people and about 20 elk roaming around so we waited for them to clear before walking through the field. About halfway to the water we noticed 2 bison. 1 on the path we were walking and the other in the opposite direction.

'We stopped and looked at the massive beast, about 50 yards away on the trail, hidden at first in the shadows of the tress. 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.

'I was carried out of the field on a stretcher to an ambulance and then transferred to a helicopter for a life flight to Idaho. Pain meds, CT, MRI and I sustained seven spine fractures, bilateral collapsed lungs and bruising all over. Glory to God all my vital organs look good,' she wrote.

Harris revealed her boyfriend, Chris, had been planning to propose to her during their outdoorsy vacation.

When that plan was thrown for a loop, Harris said Chris called an audible and asked her to marry him in her hospital room. She posted the update alongside a picture of her hand sporting her brand new ring.

'Chris had planned a beautiful marriage proposal this week on a natural bridge but all three of us have been in the hospital since yesterday morning and I won't be able to leave any time soon,' she said,

The attack came just days after a Minnesota woman, who has not been named, was gored while visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota last weekend. She suffered injuries to her abdomen and foot.

That unnamed woman was taken to a Fargo hospital, where she was in serious but stable condition.

A video shows another woman taking a selfie, just inches away from the massive beast in Yellowstone National Park

A man was pictured moving a bison calf up from the bank of the Lamar River on May 20. It was later put down after its herd rejected it. Yellowstone National Park staff are now trying to identify the man

How to keep safe around bison When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. If needed, turn around and find another route. Separate advice is given for different types of bear encounter. During mating season from mid-July through mid-August, bison can become quickly agitated. Use extra caution and give them extra space through the summer. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Source: National Park Service Advertisement

The first attack is under investigation as exact details remain unknown. Park Superintendent Angie Richman did not immediately respond to an email requesting information.

Park officials reminded visitors that bison are large, powerful and wild, and can turn quickly and easily outrun people.

Bulls can be aggressive during the rutting season from mid-July through August. Park regulations require visitors stay at least 25 yards away from large animals.

The National Park Service offers a complete guide for protecting yourself from animals when visiting.

Last week's attack was the first known bison attack on a person in Yellowstone in more than a year. Bison injured two people in the park in 2022.

In May 2023, Yellowstone tourists were filmed edging away from a dangerous encounter with bison after trying to pet them.

One video, which was posted by 'TouronsOfYellowstone, 'and credited to Russ Bjorn on Instagram, shows a woman extending her hand in an attempt to touch the bison.

The bison seemed poised to lunge forward.

The woman jumped back in panic, falling over herself as other members of the group screamed. The beast showed clemency, choosing not to react.

When a Bison bobs its head, paws, bellows, or snorts, it may be warning that an individual is too close and that a charge is imminent.

In 2015 Yellowstone National Park officials issued a graphic pamphlet drawing of a man being gored by bison in a bid for tourists to avoid the creatures

In 2021, a 25-year-old Yellowstone tourist was jailed for four days after getting within yards of a grizzly bear and her cubs to take a photo.

In the summer of 2018, a man who was seen on video attempting to go head-to-head with a bison, harassing and taunting it at Yellowstone National Park was also arrested.

Sometimes the animal will attack unprompted.

Last summer, three people were gored by bison in a series of just four weeks at Yellowstone. A 71-year-old Pennsylvania woman was injured after the animal attacked her while she and her daughter were returning to their car at the trailhead.

In 2015 Yellowstone National Park officials issued a graphic pamphlet drawing of a man being gored by bison in a bid for tourists to avoid the creatures.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen prepares to cast his vote at a polling station in Kandal province during the general elections, July 23. AFP-Yonhap



The ruling party of Cambodia's longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed a landslide victory in Sunday's general election, an outcome that was virtually assured thanks to the suppression and intimidation of the opposition in a vote critics said made a farce of democracy.



Six hours after polls closed, the National Election Committee said 84.6% of eligible voters had cast ballots. Sok Eysan, spokesperson for Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, said he believed his party captured 78-80% of the total turnout.



"I have no results about the allocation of seats, but as of now but I can say that the ruling Cambodian People's Party has won a landslide victory," he told the Associated Press, although no official vote count had still been issued.



Fresh News, a Cambodian online news service known for its close links with Hun Sen's government, reported on its website late Sunday night that according to unofficial results, the Cambodian People's Party had captured 120 National Assembly seats, and the royalist FUNCINPEC party had won five.



The European Union, the United States and other Western countries had refused to send observers to the polls, saying the election lacked the conditions to be considered free and fair. That left international officials from Russia, China and Guinea-Bissau to watch as Hun Sun voted shortly after the polls opened in his home district outside of the capital, Phnom Penh.



He held his ballot high for all to see, before depositing it into the silver metal box and leaving the station, pausing to take selfies and shake hands with supporters outside.



The longest-serving leader in Asia, Hun Sen has steadily consolidated power with his strong-arm tactics over the last 38 years. But, at age 70, he has suggested he will hand off the premiership during the upcoming five-year term to his oldest son, Hun Manet, perhaps as early as the first month after the elections.



Hun Manet, 45, has a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as well as a master's from NYU and a Ph.D. from Bristol University in Britain. He is currently chief of Cambodia's army.



Despite his Western education, however, observers don't expect any immediate shifts in policy from that of his father, who has steadily drawn Cambodia closer to China in recent years.



"I don't think anyone expects Hun Sen to sort of disappear once Hun Manet is prime minister," said Astrid Noren-Nilsson, a Cambodia expert at Sweden's Lund University. "I think they will probably be working closely together and I don't think that there is a big difference in their political outlook, including foreign policy."





Hun Manet, commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, shows his finger after he casts his vote at a polling station in Phnom Penh, July 23. AFP-Yonhap



Hun Manet is part of what is expected to be a broader generational change, with the ruling Cambodian People's Party planning to install younger leaders into most ministerial positions.



"That's going to be the big change of guard, that's what I'm watching," Noren-Nilsson said. "It's all about the transition, it's all about who's going to come in and in what positions they find themselves."



At the station where Hun Sen cast his ballot, voter Nan Sy, a former lawmaker himself with a smaller royalist party, said the main issue for him was stability.



"Without stability we cannot talk about education, we cannot talk about development," the 59-year-old said without saying who he voted for.



There were few reports of any protests against the elections, but Gen. Khieu Sopheak, Cambodia's national police spokesperson, said 27 people were being sought over allegations they called for voters to spoil their ballots in a Telegram chat channel. He said there had been two arrests at polling stations as well.



Hun Sen had been a middle-ranking commander in the radical communist Khmer Rouge responsible for genocide in the 1970s before defecting to Vietnam. When Vietnam ousted the Khmer Rouge from power in 1979, he quickly became a senior member of the new Cambodian government installed by Hanoi.



A wily and sometimes ruthless politician, Hun Sen has maintained power as an autocrat in a nominally democratic framework.



His party's stranglehold on power faltered in 2013 elections, in which the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party won 44% of the popular vote to CPP's 48%. Hun Sen responded to the wake-up call by going after leaders of the opposition, primarily through sympathetic courts, which eventually dissolved the party after local elections in 2017 when it again fared well.





Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, speaks during the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 21. Reuters-Yonhap
The two men allegedly involved in importing a whopping $61million of drugs have been identified after police seized almost 250kg of cocaine hidden in a yacht's hull.

Rachid Kachour, 55, and Matthieu Anthony Rees, 44, were arrested at their apartment in Griffith, Australian Capital Territory, on July 20 after police seized 247kg of cocaine from a yacht in Townsville.

Kachour and Rees were extradited to Brisbane over the weekend and did not appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court when their case was briefly mentioned on Monday.

The pair, charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and dealing in the proceeds of a crime worth more than $100,000, made no application for bail.

It's alleged the men travelled from Canberra to Townsville in May to pick up the cocaine from inside the hull of the yacht.

The yacht (pictured) sailed from Vanuatu to Townsville in May and was restricted to port for 90 days after officers believed the vessel posed a 'threat'

Australian Border Force officers searched the yacht while it was still on the water after it sailed in from Vanuatu in April.

Officers believes the yacht posed a 'threat' and restricted it to port for 90 days while they launched an investigation into the vessel.

Once out of the water, Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police officers discovered 'minor anomalies' with the yacht's hull and removed 247kg of cocaine hidden in an enclosed space in the hull.

Police allege a backpack containing $290,000 cash in a vacuum sealed bag was thrown by one of the men from the apartment balcony when the officers knocked on the front door and announced they had a search warrant.

Investigators will allege the cash is proceeds of crime.

AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said cocaine trade fuels organised crime and turns the Pacific into an 'illicit drug superhighway'.

'Every time someone buys cocaine they are lining the pockets of organised crime gangs who are responsible for violence here in Australia and around the world,' Supt Telfer said.

'This amount of cocaine has an estimated street value of $61,750,000. That's money which criminal groups would use to buy weapons, corrupt officials and governments overseas and turn the Pacific into an illicit drug superhighway.'

'The AFP and our partners... work to stop drugs, like cocaine, hitting our shores because illicit drugs contribute to the road toll, child neglect and domestic violence.'

Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police officers discovered cocaine hidden in an enclosed space in the hull (pictured)

Police seized 247kg of cocaine (pictured) and arrested two men from Griffith, Australian Capital Territory, for allegedly importing the border controlled drug

An investigation into the seized drugs is ongoing, with police not ruling out future arrests.

ABF Commander James Copeman said the bust is another example of Australian law enforcement agencies working together to protect the community.

'It doesn't matter if it's a container laden with heroin, an envelope full of methamphetamine or a sailing vessel packed with cocaine, our officers have the skills, technology and inquisitive mindset to detect it,' Mr Copeman said.

Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said disrupting and deterring illegal drug trade in Australia is a major priority.

'Targeting the illegal drug trade by disrupting the supply and the distribution networks is a priority for all law enforcement agencies,' Supt Morrow said.

'The aim is to stop them from entering our community and causing untold damages to people and families.'

Rachid Kachour, 55, and Matthieu Anthony Rees, 44, were arrested at their apartment in Griffith and extradited to Brisbane to face court. (pictured, one of the men, centre, arrested)

Both Kachour and Rees face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for the alleged offences.

Kachour is charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, dealing in the proceeds of crime - money or property worth $100,000 or more - and failing to comply with an order.

Rees is charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and dealing in the proceeds of crime - money or property worth $100,000 or more.

The pair were remained in custody, with Kachour's case adjourned until Tuesday while he sought legal council and Rees set to face court on September 1.
Stan Grant has permanently stepped away from his role as host of ABC's Q+A, two months after he went on leave following racial abuse.

Patricia Karvelas will take over the role on a permanent basis.

The ABC's news director Justin Stevens said Grant, 59, will continue to work on new projects for the national broadcaster.

'We want to do all we can to support Stan and ensure he continues to play a major role in Australian media,' Mr Stevens said on Monday.

'He has the ability to lead our media toward a kinder and more constructive conversation. In Wiradjuri 'dyiraamalang' means a teacher and leader.

'Stan Grant, a proud Wiradjuri man, is both of those things and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does into the future.

Stan Grant is pictured with wife Tracey Holmes

Stan Grant has permanently stepped away from his role as host of ABC's Q+A, two months after he stepped down following racial abuse

'Patricia Karvelas has been doing an outstanding job as fill-in host and we're delighted she has agreed to continue in that role.'

Grant remains on leave with no return date, an ABC spokesperson said.

The former Q+A host had announced in May he would be stepping down after he was racially abused over a panel discussing colonialism ahead of King Charles' Coronation.

The ABC reportedly received more than 1,000 complaints for its allegedly 'disrespectful' May 6 Coronation coverage, which linked the British monarchy with the dispossession of Aboriginal people since 1788.

In the wake of the coverage, Grant said he had been subjected to 'relentless racial filth' with viewers targeting him because he is Indigenous.

'The ABC has this year lodged an official complaint with Twitter about the relentless racial filth I am subjected to,' he said.

'I am not beyond criticism. I occupy a privileged and prominent place in the media  I should be critiqued.

'And I am not thin skinned. Aboriginal people learn to tough it out. That's the price of survival.

'For years I've been a media target for racism and paid a heavy price. For now, I want no part of it  I'm walking away.

'For how long? I don't know. I don't take time out because of racism  I won't give racists the satisfaction.'

Grant also took aim at the ABC, saying he had not felt supported.

'Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me,' he said.

The former Q+A host had announced in May he would be stepping down after he was racially abused over a panel discussing colonialism ahead of King Charles' Coronation

Grant took aim at the ABC when he announced he would be stepping down, claiming he did not feel supported by the broadcaster

'I don't hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure.'

In his closing remarks on his final Q+A show in May, Grant said he was 'down right now', but he would get back up again and challenged the media to do better.

'You can come at me again - and I'll meet you with the love of my people,' he said.

'Don't mistake our love for weakness, it is our strength. We have never stopped loving and fighting for justice and truth.'

The ABC's independent ombudsman cleared the broadcaster of breaching editorial standards during its coverage of the King's Coronation.

Grant in January 1992, at age 28, became the first Indigenous host of a commercial prime time TV show as the frontman of Seven's Real Life current affairs program, which in 1993 briefly out rated Mike Willesee's A Current Affair on Nine.

He later hosted Today Tonight on the same network and was a Europe correspondent for Seven before moving to Hong Kong to present for CNN.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.
Several popular beaches in Western Australia have been closed after a surfer was bitten on the leg by a shark.

The attack happened at Gnarabup Beach near the Boat Ramp surfing spot in the Margaret River region shortly before 9am Monday.

The surfer aged in his early 20s managed to swim to shore where he received first aid from an off-duty nurse to a deep gash to his leg after the attack by a shark suspected to be a great white.

He was later driven to Margaret River Hospital and has since been transferred by ambulance to Bunbury, where he's in a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.

A shocked onlooker told the West Australian the surfer was 'bloody lucky it wasn't worse' and that he appeared 'calm' after he made it to shore and sought help at a nearby cafe.

The terrifying ordeal happened near Gnarabup Beach (pictured) in WA's Margaret River region

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said it was 'working with local authorities and further information will be provided as it becomes available'.

Swimmers in the Gnarabup and Prevelly areas have been advised to take additional caution.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has closed all beaches from Gas Bay to Margaret River Mouth until further notice.

'To ensure the safety of our community, please do not enter the water during this time,' an alert on its website states.

'The DPIRD is currently coordinating responses with local authorities.'
A former Liberal MP has expressed her 'distress' at being publicly identified as the person who lodged a formal complaint against her former staffer, who is 18 years her junior.

Lucy Wicks, who served as the federal member for the Robertson on the NSW Central Coast from 2013 to 2022, confidentially complained to the state's Liberal Party about NSW MP Taylor Martin.

She claimed Mr Martin had sent her abusive text messages over a period of more than five years after their romantic relationship ended.

'I am distressed today to learn that I have been named by Radio 2GB as the person who made a formal and confidential complaint regarding abuse by a NSW Member of parliament spanning more than five years,' Ms Wicks said in a statement.

'My complaint to the Liberal Party was in relation to serious concerns including behaviour in the workplace, in the party and in political interactions.

'It includes allegations that I  received hundreds of demeaning, degrading, and abusive texts.'

Lucy Wicks (right), who served as the federal member for the Robertson on the Central Coast from 2013 to 2022, confidentially complained to the NSW Liberal Party about NSW MP Taylor Martin (left)

She claimed Mr Martin had sent her abusive text messages over a period of more than five years after their romantic relationship ended

Mr Martin was hired as a staffer by Ms Wicks when he was 24.

Mr Martin has denied any wrongdoing and will cooperate with an independent inquiry established to investigate the complaint, he said.

'There were heated words during my attempts to go separate ways that I sincerely regret,' Mr Martin said in a statement.

'It was an ugly and undignified parting of ways. If I could undo any hurt that has been caused I would do it in a heartbeat.

'I am so sorry and apologise unreservedly to everyone that has been caught up in it.'

In Ms Wicks' statement, she alleged she was 'continually exposed to highly aggressive barrages of verbal abuse, which included threats to destroy my reputation if I spoke up.

In Ms Wicks' statement, she alleged she was 'continually exposed to highly aggressive barrages of verbal abuse, which included threats to destroy my reputation if I spoke up'

'I am beyond distressed that I have had to disclose even a small portion of these details. I sought to create a confidential process that would enable natural justice and provide me with safety as I navigate this process.

'I would be grateful if the media would respect my privacy at this time.'

The Liberal Party has appointed a Senior Counsel to investigate the complaint.

'At all times, the party has respected the agency and wishes of the person who has come forward, to treat the matter confidentially,' a spokesperson said.

'Public commentary on this investigation could deny procedural fairness to those involved in this process. The party will not be making any further comment while the independent investigation is taking place and respectfully asks others to do the same.'
Six people died and at least 29 others have been wounded in weekend shootings across Chicago.

The victims were aged between 13 and 64 years old. A shooting early on Saturday in the city's North Lawndale neighborhood killed one man and wounded four others.

One of the men who survived was reported to be in critical condition with gunshot wounds to his head and neck, while the other three were in good condition.

On Saturday night, three people, including two women, were shot on Chicago's South Side when gunfire rang out from an alley at a group of people.

The shootings are the latest in a series of gun violence that has plagued the Illinois city that has faced a spike in crime in recent months - up 38 percent from last year.

Chicago experienced a series of shootings resulting in six fatalities and at least 29 people wounded

Since Friday, Chicago police responded to at least nine separate shootings as Chicago continues to struggle with gun violence

Another fatal shooting occurred early on Saturday morning after two men got into an altercation in Chicago Lawn that saw a 49-year-old man shot in the chest around 1:45am. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man who opened fire has not been identified.

A third fatal shooting occurred in the early hours of Saturday, where one man was killed and another was seriously injured in Auburn Gresham on the South Side.

A suspect opened fire on a group of people who were gathered on the street outside.

One man, aged 40, died in the hospital, while a 41-year-old man was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The violence continued when later on Saturday afternoon, a 64-year-old man was shot in the chest and critically wounded by someone he knew on the city's Northwest Side in the Forest Glen neighborhood about 12:25pm.

The man was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in critical condition.

A 29-year-old man was found shot in the head inside an overturned vehicle about 1:25am in the city's Little Village neighborhood early on Sunday.

The entrance to Virgin Hotels in Chicago is taped off after a shooting incident outside over the weekend

Chicago saw another spike in weekend violence with at least six people are dead and 29 others injured

On Saturday night, three people were shot on Chicago's South Side.

A man was found shot in the head inside an overturned vehicle around 1:25am Sunday in the city's Little Village neighborhood.

He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.

In a non-fatal shooting, a 13-year-old boy was grazed by a bullet as he rode his mouth on Saturday evening in South Shore.

Around 5pm, someone in a red Hyundai fired shots at the teenager. He was taken to Comer Children's Hospital in good condition.

At roughly 11:30pm Sunday, a group of people were standing on the sidewalk when a suspect fired shots from an alley across the street. Three people were hit.

A male suspect was shot in the leg, and a 39-year-old woman was shot twice in the right thigh. Both were taken to University of Chicago Medical center.

Police are seen on the scene of one of many shootings that occurred in the Windy City this weekend

Crime scene tape is seen pulled across a Chicago sidewalk this weekend

Police investigate one of nine crime scenes across Chicago where shootings occurred this weekend

There were also shootings late Friday, including a woman in her 30s was shot in the leg and she took herself to Mount Sinai Hospital.

A 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at a hospital after being shot multiple times on Friday night, also on the city's South Side, in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

A 40-year-old man died in the Loop area on Friday evening after being shot. The man had been hit in the abdomen when he ran into a nearby hotel lobby in search of safety.

Since Friday, Chicago police responded to at least nine separate shooting scenes.

Last weekend, 40 people were shot, four fatally, across Chicago, according to WLS-TV.

Crime remains a huge problem for the Windy City, with a shocking rise of 38 percent in offenses from last year's already high numbers

Chicago has led the nation for the 11th straight year with the highest number of homicides of any US city, according to a report published this year.

There have been 331 murders in Chicago so far this year with more than 1,300 shootings.

The city had 697 total homicides in 2022, higher than Philadelphia (516), New York City (438), Houston (435), and Los Angeles (382).

The last time Chicago had fewer than 400 homicides was in 1965.

Crime remains a huge problem for the Windy City, with a shocking rise of 38 percent in offenses from last year's already high numbers.

As crime continued to soar through the last years of her term, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was heavily criticized for promoting matters other than public safety, including a citywide karaoke contest and dancing in the street during a festival.

Lightfoot initially faced intense backlash after she called to cut the budget of police departments in 2021, a movement that also resulted in officers quitting the force and violent crime to spike further.

In an attempt to rebound from this decision, the former mayor decided to 'refund the police' and hire more officers, but the move did little to reduce crime.

Nearly all crime increased in Chicago since the same time in 2022: robberies are up 16 percent, with aggravated battery and burglaries both up 4 and 2 percent, respectively.

Theft in the windy city is up 14 percent, and vehicle thefts, specifically, have soared up 126 percent.
Jill Biden has arrived in France to mark the US rejoining UNESCO after a five-year hiatus following then President Trump's decision to withdraw.

The First Lady touched down in Paris early this morning after flying overnight from Washington to join other VIPs and speak at a ceremony tomorrow at the headquarters of the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The American flag will be raised during the ceremony to mark the US return to UNESCO - which aims to foster global collaboration in education, science and culture as well as creating designated World Heritage sites - after a five-year absence.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country.

A daughter and mother of service members, the First Lady will also visit Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial to pay respects to the more than 4,400 U.S. service members buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.

The First Lady touched down in Paris early this morning (pictured here as she walked off the plane) after flying overnight from Washington to join other VIPs and speak at a ceremony tomorrow at the headquarters of the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden (pictured) will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country

Biden was welcomed by staff (pictured above) as she arrived in Paris early this morning after flying in from Washington

She will also stop at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday to catch up with Brigitte Macron, a former teacher and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the US.

Senior Biden administration officials said returning to UNESCO fits President Joe Biden's goal of strengthening global partnerships and recommitting to American leadership at the U.N. and other international organisations to serve as a counter to nations that do not share American values.

Others said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing at a Virginia community college, was best suited to represent the US in Paris tomorrow.

'The First Lady, as a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunity across the world, is honoured to help celebrate this important milestone,' said spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander.

'She looks forward to raising the flag for the United States once again at the UNESCO headquarters, showing our countrys commitment to international cooperation in education, science, and culture.'

The US pulled out of the Paris-based organisation in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, who claimed UNESCO was biased against Israel.

The Biden administration pushed to rejoin over concerns that China was filling the void in leadership created by the US absence.

The administration announced in June that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member organisation that also plays a major role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.

The organisation's governing board voted earlier this month to approve the Biden plan to rejoin, and the US delivered a document certifying that it would accept the invitation to become the 194th member of UNESCO.

Biden will also stop at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday to catch up with Brigitte Macron, a former teacher and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the US

The First Lady looked elated as she arrived in Paris this morning, where she will be present at a ceremony to mark the US rejoining UNESCO after the Trump administration left the agency over it 'anti-Israeli bias' in 2018

The US pulled out of the Paris-based organisation in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, who claimed UNESCO was biased against Israel. The Biden administration pushed to rejoin over concerns that China was filling the void in leadership created by the US absence

The administration announced in June that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member organisation that also plays a major role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education

'Our organisation is once again moving towards universality,' UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said at the time. She cast the US return as 'excellent news for multilateralism as a whole. If we want to meet the challenges of our century, there can only be a collective response.'

The Trump administration in 2017 announced that the US would withdraw from UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias. That decision that took effect a year later.

The US and Israel stopped financing UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011.

The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan foresees similar requests for the ensuing years until the full debt of $619 million is repaid.

That makes up a big chunk of UNESCO's $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22% of the agencys overall funding.

The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. It rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bushs presidency. His wife, Laura, spoke at the ceremony.

Standing in for the president at home and abroad has become a big part of a First Lady's unofficial job description and Biden travels at least several times a week to promote administration initiatives.

The trip to Paris is Jill Biden's fourth solo international excursion this year.

She visited Namibia and Kenya in February, followed by a trip to London in May for the coronation of King Charles III. In June, she traveled to Jordan to attend the royal wedding of a son of King Abdullah II, followed by stops in Egypt, Morocco and Portugal.

Before flying to Paris on Sunday night, she headlined fundraisers Friday and Saturday in Massachusetts for her husband's reelection campaign.

The agency condemned Russia's attack on a cathedral in Odesa and other heritage sites in Ukraine in recent days and said it will send a team to the Black Sea port city to assess damage in a statement yesterday.

UNESCO noted that Odesa's historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year and said attacks by Russian forces contradict recent promises by Russian authorities to take precautions to spare such sites across the country.
Hyatt and his former hospital have denied any wrongdoing

A top Arkansas psychiatrist has been accused of holding two dozen patients against their will for days and weeks as part of an $800,000 Medicaid scam, lawsuits claim.

Dr. Brian Hyatt, 50, faces suits from at least 26 victims who claim they were held for days, and sometimes weeks, in his unit at Northwest Medical Center.

'They sent in four nurses, techs and they each grabbed my arms and my legs and held me down on my stomach and shot me up with a sedative,' one victim who was held for five days claimed.

The once-prominent psychiatrist is being investigated by the Arkansas Attorney General's office for allegedly running an insurance scam where he claimed to treat patients he rarely saw and then billing Medicaid at the 'highest severity code on every patient' to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Hyatt has since resigned from his position as chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board and was 'abruptly terminated' from his position at the hospital  but denies wrongdoing. Northwest Medical Center also denied any malpractice.

Dr. Brian Hyatt, 50, faces lawsuits from more than two dozen patients who claim they were held for days, and sometimes weeks, in his unit at Northwest Medical Center.

Investigator reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Hyatt skipped patients' rooms while he was on the floor, despite filing an abundance of Medicaid claims saying he met with them face-to-face

The Arkansas State Attorney General claims he earned hundreds of thousands of dollars from his Medicaid claims

Hyatt, a graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, was named the medical director of Northwest Medical Center's behavioral health unit in January 2018.

Under his leadership, the number of beds expanded from 25 to 75, and the claims to Medicaid and Medicare surged  earning him $1,367 each day, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin alleged.

Hyatt was also running his own private practice, Pinnacle Premier Psychiatry, in the town of Rogers, Arkansas, which is about 25 miles away from the hospital.

However, investigators claim Hyatt would submit claims to federal agencies for reimbursement and indicated he conducted daily face-to-face evaluations with patients at the hospital.

By April 2022, a former staff member came forward and told state investigators Hyatt was only on the floor with patients 'a few minutes each day and that Hyatt had no contact with patients,' an affidavit obtained by NBC News says.

Investigators then reviewed 45 days of surveillance footage from the hospital and determined that the doctor only entered a patient's room or interacted with a patient 17 times  for less than 10 minutes total.

'Dr. Hyatt never had even a single conversation with the vast majority of patients under his care,' an affidavit said.

Still, from January 2019 through June 2022, Medicaid paid out more than $800,000 to Hyatt's unit.

'Dr. Hyatt is a clear outlier, and his claims are so high they skew the averages on certain codes or the entire Medicaid program in Arkansas,' the affidavit said.

The federally-funded health insurance for Americans in poverty uses a coding system to determine how much it would pay providers, with the highest codes billing at the highest rates because those patients require more care.

The state Attorney General's office now says 99.95 percent of the claims Hyatt's unit sent to Medicaid came in at the most expensive codes.

'According to the claims submitted by Dr. Hyatt and the non-physician providers working under his supervision, no patient being treated in the behavioral unit located at Northwest Medical Center ever got better, at least not before the day of the patient's release,' the affidavit claims.

Hyatt was named the medical director of Northwest Medical Center's behavioral health unit in January 2018. The hospital has denied any malpractice, despite abruptly firing him

Willian VanWhy, left, was allegedly locked in the psych unit for four days last year against his will, before his husband, Cameron Tryon, and his lawyer got a court order demanding his release

In an apparent effort to keep the scam going, many of Hyatt's former patients say they were being held for days or even weeks against their will.

Under Arkansas law, mental health patients can be held against their will for 72 hours if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others.

To keep them any longer, a medical provider must file a court petition and get a judge's consent.

But in at least two cases, NBC News reported, a patient was only released from Hyatt's care after a sheriff's deputy showed up with a court order.

Northwest Medical Center could not provide sufficient documentation that justified the hospitalization of 246 patients who were held in Hyatt's unit, the state Attorney General

'I think that they were running a scheme to hold people as long as possible, to bill their insurance as long as possible before kicking them out the door, and then filling the bed with someone else,' Aaron Cash, a lawyer representing several of Hyatt's former patients, claimed.

Cash said he first became involved in the case in January 2022, when he sent the hospital a fax demanding the immediate release of his client, Karla Adrian-Caceres, who had arrived at the psych unit the day before and was clamoring to leave.

After Cash sent the fax, Adrian-Caceres' mother went to the hospital to pick her up, but was allegedly told her daughter would not be released.

The following morning, Hyatt allegedly sent an email to Cash, saying he would neither confirm nor deny that Adrian-Caceres was in his unit.

'Our facility is in receipt of your silly demands and libelous commentary regarding someone you claim to represent who is purportedly within our facility,' the email, which is included in Adrian-Caceres' suit against the doctor, read.

Hyatt allegedly added he would only check to see if Adrian-Caceres was in the unit if Cash got his client to sign a 'release of information order.'

The lawyer responded about four hours later with a court order demanding her release.

Still, the hospital allegedly refused to release her, prompting Cash to get a second court order  which the judge ordered the sheriff's office to enforce.

Eventually, a deputy went to the facility with Adrian-Caceres' mother and secured her release.

The next morning, Cash claims, Hyatt once again emailed him mocking the colleges he attended.

Then, when Cash learned of another former patient, William VanWhy, who was locked in the psych unit for four days last year, he decided to once again help.

He discovered that no petition was ever filed in VanWhy's case to keep him locked up, and he worked with VanWhy's partner to petition for his release.

A few hours later, a sheriff's deputy walked into the hospital with the court order in his hand and VanWhy's husband at his side.

When they got to the elevator, surveillance footage obtained by NBC News showed, they bumped into a nurse who confided: 'I'm glad he's getting out. Don't repeat that.'

Shannon Williams claims she was held for five days despite her requests to leave

'It was as if I was in prison,' said Williams, a mother of three. 'It was like a nightmare. If I cried, then I was again threatened with more time.'

In another case, Shannon Williams was in a 'crisis mode' as she was struggling with her grandmother's recent death when she learned that her brother had died from COVID overseas.

She ended up in an emergency room about 90 minutes from Northwest, but the next morning, she was transferred to Hyatt's unit after a physician ruled that she was a danger to herself.

'They sent in four nurses, techs and they each grabbed my arms and my legs and held me down on my stomach and shot me up with a sedative,' Williams said of her arrival at the psych unit.

She claims she was held for five days despite her requests to leave.

'It was as if I was in prison,' said Williams, a mother of three. 'It was like a nightmare. If I cried, then I was again threatened with more time.'

Cash now said all the patients he has spoken to were adamant that they received virtually no care while they were being held in the unit. Several of those patients, he noted, were vulnerable and in need of therapy.

'Some of them did need help,' Cash said. 'And what they got was hurt.'

Hyatt has not been charged with any crime.

Hyatt has not been charged with any crime, and he insists he did nothing wrong; 'I will continue to defend myself in the proper forum against the false allegations being made against me.'

Hyatt has insisted he has done nothing wrong, writing in his letter resigning from the Arkansas State Medical Board in May: 'I am not resigning because of any wrongdoing on my part, but so that the Board may continue its important work without delay or distraction.

'I will continue to defend myself in the proper forum against the false allegations being made against me.'

In a statement to Arkansas Business last month, his lawyer said: 'Dr. Hyatt continues to maintain his innocence and denies the allegations made against him.

'Despite his career as an outstanding clinician, Dr. Hyatt has become the target of a vicious, orchestrated attack on his character and service. He looks forward to defending himself in court.'

Northwest Medical Center officials also deny any malpractice  despite terminating Hyatt's contract in May 2022, and agreeing to a $1.1million settlement with the Attorney General's office in April.

'We believe hospital personnel complied in all respects with Arkansas law, which heavily relies on the treating physician's assessment of the patient, including in decisions related to involuntary commitment,' Spokeswoman Aimee Morrell said in a statement to NBC News.

'While it is not our practice to comment on pending litigation matters, I can share that last spring, we undertook a number of actions to ensure our patients' safety, including hiring new providers responsible for the clinical care of our behavioral health patients in early May 2022.'
Australia's 2.7million casual workers face being retrenched because of Labor's plan to give them permanent job security, an employer group says.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on Monday announced legislation would be introduced giving them the rights and entitlements of a permanent staff member if they worked regular hours.

'We've had situations, for example, where someone could be given a full time roster for 12 months, and because the contract said they were a casual, then technically they remain a casual,' he told ABC Radio National's Hamish Macdonald.

Under Labor's plan, a casual worker would have the right to demand permanent employment after 12 months in the job.

Australia's 2.7million casual workers face an uncertain future and potentially being retrenched under a Labor plan to give them permanent job security, an employer group says (pictured is a Sydney bartender)

But the Australian Industry Group, which represents 60,000 businesses employing one million staff, said the proposed law could see people laid off as they neared that entitlement, and simply replaced with other casual labourers.

Chief executive Innes Willox, a former Liberal Party staffer, argued bosses would be unlikely to retain casual staff in such circumstances, if a permanent position wasn't available and other flexible staffing arrangements were.

'If we make it harder for employers to offer regular work to casual employees this will just result in less security, less certainty and less opportunities for workers,' he said.

'It won't help anyone if an employer is forced to convert a casual employee to a permanent job if one doesn't genuinely exist.

'The real risk is that employees will be laid off down the track.'

But Mr Burke refuted the argument that his proposed law would make casual workers more vulnerable rather than more secure.

'You'd be really stretching it to get to that sort of conclusion,' he said.

Mr Burke stressed casual workers would not have the automatic right to demand permanent employment, unless they had worked a long period in that role.

'I said you wouldn't during the first couple of months be able to make that sort of assessment,' he said.

Mr Burke in a media released stressed 'no casual will be forced to become a permanent employee'.

'But for those who desperately want security - and are being rostered as though they were permanent - for the first time job security will be in sight,' he said.

Australia's labour force had 2.7million casual employees making up 23 per cent of all workers in August 2022, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed.

This represented an annual increase of 2.4 per cent but an Australian Industry Group analysis showed the proportion has barely changed since 2014.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on Monday announced legislation would be introduced giving casual employees the right to become permanent if they worked regular hours

The previous Coalition government in 2021 introduced new laws to define a casual worker under an amendment to the Fair Work Act.

It contained provisions compelling employers to offer casuals permanent part-time or full-time work if they worked regular hours, but Labor and the unions criticised it at the time as being unenforceable.

Mr Willox argued Labor's proposal was unnecessary.

'What little we know of the government's plans for causals appears to be a solution to a problem that doesn't exist,' he said.

But Mr Burke argued that while many students wanted to remain in casual employment, parents and carers preferred employment permanency to casual loadings.

'Increasingly what's happened in the casual workforce is we have people who are trying to support entire households,' he said.
A popular restaurant and bakery chain are among the venues included on a 'name and shame' list after they were found to be exploiting migrant workers.

Australian Border Force revealed on Monday 148 'unscrupulous' Australian employers had been sanctioned during the 2022-2023 financial year for exploiting migrant employees in workplaces.

Companies from a range of industries were found to be in breach of the law, including the hospitality, automotive, construction and hairdressing sectors.

Employers who breach their sponsorship obligations can receive large fines, be barred from hiring migrant workers in the future, and publicly named on the Register of Sanctioned Sponsors on the ABF website.

ABF revealed on Monday that 148 employers had been sanctioned during the 2022-2023 financial year for exploiting migrant workers

In South Australia, iconic baker The Cheesecake Shop in Salisbury, north of Adelaide, had their sponsorship of workers cancelled

The highest number of business facing sanctions by the ABF were located in Queensland, with 49 businesses allegedly sprung by officers.

Western Australia followed with a whopping 40 businesses, while the most-populous states of NSW and VIC both had about 20.

South Australia came in last with 16, while the Northern Territory and ACT were not included in the rankings.

Popular restaurant chain La Porchetta's Cowes venue, on busy tourist spot Phillip Island, was among those listed for Victoria, receiving a sanction bar.

In South Australia, iconic baker The Cheesecake Shop in Salisbury, north of Adelaide, had their sponsorship of workers cancelled.

Planit Test Management Solutions in NSW copped the biggest infringement notice, with a massive $90,750 fine.

ABF officers in July conducted an operational blitz, targeting businesses that sponsor migrant workers to uphold workplace rights, including pay, conditions and health and safety.

ABF Acting Commander Vaughan Baxter said employers could also be referred for further investigation to other agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Tax Office.

'The practice of underpaying or exploiting migrant workers has no place in Australia and employers who are taking advantage of their migrant workers should know that it will cost you,' Mr Baxter said.

Popular restaurant chain La Porchetta's Cowes venue was among the sanctioned businesses listed for Victoria

'Named and shamed' employers found to be in breach of migrant workers' rights can be found on the ABF website

'The underpayment and exploitation of migrant workers is a long-standing problem that can significantly impact workers as well as damage Australia's international reputation.'

It is understood ABF officers across the country in July visited hundreds of workplaces to educate migrant workers and their employers about lawful workplace rights and obligations.

'Migrant workers don't always have the family and networks here for help and advice when they are being treated unfairly at work,' Mr Baxter said.

Mr Baxter said the reporting of worker exploitation, which can be done anonymously, 'can be crucial in shining the light on what is an insidious issue'.

He said reports could be made about businesses through the Border Watch website regardless of a person's visa status.
The devastated family of a Good Samaritan who died in an alleged domestic violence car crash on Queensland's Sunshine Coast have remembered the retiree as someone who would 'always go out of his way to help others'.

Terry Bishop, 65, and his passenger Gypsy Satterley, 25, were killed when his Nissan Navara was allegedly pushed into the path of oncoming traffic on the Bruce Highway, at Federal, by a stolen Isuzu MU-X about 4am on Friday.

The allegedly stolen vehicle was being driven by Ms Satterley's partner, Rafferty Raymond Rolfe, 25, who was the sole survivor of the three-car collision.

The accident also claimed the life of alpaca farmer Jessica Townley, 38, whose blue Great Wall ute was travelling in the opposite lane of traffic.

Terry Bishop, 65, (pictured) was killed in a horror three-car smash on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Friday

It is understood Mr Bishop and Ms Satterley had only met earlier that evening when he offered to give the young mother a lift.

Mr Bishop's devastated family broke their silence on Monday to pay tribute to the grandfather-of-five, who was a retired resident of Hay Point, just south of Mackay.

Before moving to the coastal town several years ago, Mr Bishop was a long-term of Northgate, in northern Brisbane.

'Terry was travelling to Brisbane on Friday to attend a family members wedding the day following the incident,' the family said in a statement.

'Our family is absolutely devastated, he is a man that would always go out of his way to help anyone in need.

'He leaves behind a wife, daughter, son and five young grandchildren who all loved him dearly.

'Our hearts go out to the other victims families and the first responders in this horrific tragedy.'

Gypsy Satterley (pictured) was in a relationship with Rafferty Raymond Rolfe before she died

Rolfe, 25, was the sole survivor of the fatal crash which involved three vehicles on the Bruce Highway at Federal

Rolfe was arrested at the scene and rushed to hospital with serious head injuries before later being slapped with a series of charges.

Rolfe did not front Maroochydore Magistrates Court in person when his matter was briefly mentioned on Monday morning.

Police will allege Rolfe was unlicensed when driving a stolen car and had been chasing the ute Ms Satterley and the 65-year-old man were travelling in.

He is alleged to have 'attempted to ram' their car, causing both vehicles to cross over to the wrong side of the road.

'A collision occurred between those two cars and a third car which was heading southbound, driven by a 38-year-old woman,' a Queensland Police spokesman said.

Mr Rolfe was pulled from one of the cars by paramedics and remains in Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

He has not been charged over Ms Slattery's death or the deaths of Ms Townley or the ute driver, but is facing one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving without a licence disqualified by court order as a repeat offender, evasion, robbery with actual violence while armed, stealing and unlawful possession of a vehicle with intent to deprive.

Police also allege Rolfe threatened a woman with a knife in Gympie and stole her Isuzu MU-X before the crash on Thursday.

Rafferty Raymond Rolfe (pictured) has been slapped with a series of charges over the accident

He then allegedly drove dangerously on River Road, Gympie, before evading police in Curra, north of Gympie, when he is also alleged to have failed to stop after a police officer directed him to do so on Thursday, according to court documents.

It's further alleged Rolfe stole fuel at a Coles Creek petrol station on Friday while he was in possession of the stolen car.

It is alleged in court documents Rolfe had also had his licence disqualified by a court order at the time he'd allegedly stolen the car and was allegedly a repeat offender of driving unlicensed.

On Monday, duty lawyer Michael Robinson told the court the Maroochydore Watch House had informed him 'there's a possibility (Rolfe) will be transferred to another hospital'.

The matter was adjourned to July 27.

No bail application was made as Mr Rolfe remains under police watch in hospital.

'He's either going to be in hospital or he's going to be in custody, he can't be anywhere else,' Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said.

Friends of the victims of the horror crash have since set up two GoFundMe campaigns to help raise money for the families of Ms Townley, an Alpaca farmer, and Ms Slattery, who is survived by her two daughters.
Spain's opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo applauds during the general election, in Madrid, Spain, July 24. Reuters-Yonhap



Spain appears headed for political gridlock after Sunday's inconclusive national elections left parties on both the right and left without a clear path toward forging a new government.



The conservative Popular Party won the elections, but it fell short of its hopes of scoring a much bigger victory and forcing the removal of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Instead, the party led by candidate Alberto Nunez Feijoo performed below the expectations of most campaign polls.



Even though Sanchez's Socialists finished second, they and their allied parties celebrated the outcome as a victory since their combined forces gained slightly more seats than the PP and the far-right. The bloc that could likely support Sanchez totaled 172 seats; the right bloc behind Feijoo, 170.



"It was a Pyrrhic victory for the Popular Party, which is unable to form a government," said political analyst Veronica Fumanal, adding the conservatives will now have to reach out to the far-right, and even then it won't be enough. "I see a deadlock scenario in the Parliament."



The closer-than-expected outcome was likely to produce weeks of political jockeying and uncertainty over the country's future leadership. The next prime minister only would be voted on once lawmakers are installed in the new Congress of Deputies.



But the chances of Sanchez picking up the support of 176 lawmakers  the absolute majority in the Madrid-based Lower House of Parliament  needed to form a government are not great either. The divided results have made the hardline Catalan separatist party Junts (Together) emerge as Sanchez's potential kingmaker. If Junts asks for a referendum on independence for northeast Catalonia, that would likely be far too costly a price for Sanchez to pay.



"We won't make Pedro Sanchez PM in exchange for nothing," Miriam Nogueras of Junts said after the results left her party holding the keys to power.



With 98% of votes counted, PP is on track for 136 seats. Even with the 33 seats that the far-right Vox is poised to get and the one seat going to an allied party, the PP would still be seven seats from the absolute majority.



The Socialists are set to take 122 seats, two more than they had. But Sanchez can likely call on the 31 seats of its junior coalition partner Sumar (Joining Forces) and several smaller forces to at least total more than the sum of the right-wing parties.





Socialist Workers' Party leader and current Prime Minster Pedro Sanchez greets supporters outside the party's headquarters in Madrid, Spain, July 23. AP-Yonhap



"Spain and all the citizens who have voted have made themselves clear. The backward-looking bloc that wanted to undo all that we have done has failed," Sanchez told a jubilant crowd gathered at Socialists' headquarters in Madrid.



After his party took a beating in regional and local elections in May, Sanchez could have waited until December to face a national vote. Instead, he stunned his rivals by moving up the vote in hopes of gaining a bigger boost from his supporters.



Even if this goes to a new ballot, Sanchez can add this election night to yet another comeback in his career that has been built around beating the odds. The 51-year-old Sanchez had to mount a mutiny among rank-and-file Socialists to return to heading his party before he won Spain's only no-confidence vote to oust his PP predecessor in 2018.



But Feijoo would probably trade spots with his rival if he could.



Feijoo claimed his right to form a government as the most voted party in the election, adding he was "proud" of what his party's first national election victory since 2016.



"We have won the elections, it corresponds to us to form a government like it has always happened in Spanish democracy," he said, addressing a crowd aflutter with Spanish flags.



Feijoo focused the PP's campaign not on what he would do as prime minister, but rather as an attack on what he called the last of trustworthiness of Sanchez. The strategy failed. The Socialists and other leftist parties seem to have motivated their voters by drumming up fear of having the anti-feminist, ultra-nationalist Vox in power as a junior member of a possible coalition with the PP.



A PP-Vox government would have meant another EU member has moved firmly to the right, a trend seen recently in Sweden, Finland and Italy. Countries such as Germany and France are concerned about what such a shift would portend for EU immigration and climate policies.



Vox, which had hoped to force its way into power much as other far-right parties have done in other European countries, lost 19 seats from four years earlier.



Vox leader Santiago Abascal said that the Socialists' results were "bad news for Spaniards."





Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, addresses supporters outside the party headquarters following Spain's general election in Madrid, July 23. AP-Yonhap



"Pedro Sanchez, despite losing the elections, can block (Feijoo's) investiture and, even worse, Pedro Sanchez could even be invested with the support of communism, the coup-seeking separatism and terrorism, all of whom will now have more leverage in the blackmail than in his previous term," he said.



Yet it seems that the specter of the far-right taking a seat in government, albeit as a junior member to the PP, for the first time since the 20th-century dictatorship of Francisco Franco had proved to be key to the left's resurgence.



Feijoo had tried to distance his PP from Vox during the campaign, refusing to say that a national coalition was a possibility. But Sanchez, in moving up the election, made the campaign coincide with the PP and Vox striking deals to govern together in several town halls and regional governments following the May ballots.



Even though Feijoo had pledged he would maintain his party's commitment to fighting gender violence, Vox campaigned on rolling back gender violence laws. And they both agree on wanting to repeal a new transgender rights law and a democratic memory law that seeks to help families wanting to unearth the thousands of victims of Franco's regime still missing in mass graves.



"PP has been a victim of its expectations, and the Socialists have been able to capitalize on the fear of the arrival of Vox. Bringing forward the elections has turned out to be the right decision for Pedro Sanchez," said Manuel Mostaza, director of Public Policy at Spanish consultancy firm Atrevia.





Spain's opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo gestures during the general election, in Madrid, Spain, July 24. Reuters-Yonhap
Jacinta Price has taken a brutal shot at Victoria after it was revealed it was one of two states that still supported the Voice to Parliament.

Senator Price told 3AW radio in Melbourne on Monday that Victoria was a state where 'everything is about ideology and not common sense'.

Ms Price also said that sporting codes should not be 'telling Australians how to suck eggs', in the public support for the Yes case.

Senator Price slammed Victoria's support for the voice to parliament on radio this morning saying the state was where 'everything was about ideology and not common sense

'There's so many experts in Melbourne on the plight of Indigenous Australians from places that I come from and the communities that I come from, but unfortunately their lives are completely and utterly removed', the senator said.

Ms Price's comments come after recent polling showed that only Victoria and Tasmania were likely to vote Yes in the upcoming referendum.

Two Resolve Political Monitor surveys recently conducted for The Sydney Morning Herald showed only 48 per cent of voters across Australia would vote for the Voice while 52 per cent said they would vote against it.

Going state-by-state, the survey data shows support in NSW has slipped from 53 per cent supporting the Voice to Parliament in May-June this year to 49 per cent in June-July, moving it from the Yes to No camps.

Over the same period In Victoria, which had the strongest support for the advisory body, the numbers have also dropped from 56 per cent saying they would vote Yes to 52 per cent.

According to the survey, most of the remaining states are also in the No camp with Queensland at 42 per cent supporting the Voice and South Australia and Western Australia at 49 per cent.

For a referendum to be successful, four states must vote in favour of the proposition as well as a majority of voters in what is called a 'double majority'.

'You only have to look at who's running the show here in Victoria and the level of activism that takes place', she said.

Ms Price, who has been a vocal critic of the Voice, blasted sporting codes and clubs for supporting the campaign

Ms Price also took aim at some of Australia's major sporting codes and clubs.

'I'm really disappointed there are clubs who have come out and said they support it', she said.

'They can't describe to an Indigenous person in a remote community how it's going to improve their lives'.

'Why should they be telling Australians how to suck eggs?'

Also on Tuesday, former prime minister Tony Abbott, speaking on 2GB, said the referendum was 'not going well' for the Yes campaign but cautioned the impact of funding from 'woke billionaires' into the campaign.

'It's not going well for the Yes campaign, but I don't think the No campaign can be complacent', Mr Abbott said.

'There is still an avalanche of money being provided by woke companies, woke foundations and billionaires'.

'If it is possible to buy a referendum outcome, I think the Yes campaign will do it'.

'This isn't about recognition - this is a power grab by activists'.

While a date is yet to be formally fixed for the referendum, it is widely predicted Australians will head to the polls in October.
Elon Musk has officially rebranded Twitter and ditched its bird for the name and logo X - in the latest controversial shake up of the social media company under his ownership.

Tweeting a picture of the company's new logo - a white X on a black background - late Sunday night, Twitter's new chief executive Linda Yaccarino said: 'X is here! Let's do this.'

The company's new logo was then seen projected on its downtown San Francisco headquarters. By Monday morning, the platform's users could see its new look and name.

X will be 'powered by AI' and will 'connect us in ways we're just beginning to imagine,' Yaccarino tweeted. The new changes are a step closer to Musk's previously stated idea for an 'everything app' that would combine social media, instant messaging, banking, and other ventures.

Musk has since changed his profile picture to the company's new logo, which he described as 'minimalist art deco,' and his Twitter bio to 'X.com,' which now redirects to twitter.com.

Musk changed his profile picture to the company's new logo and changed his Twitter bio to 'X.com,' which now redirects to twitter.com

The company's new logo was seen adorning its San Francisco headquarters

Twitter changed its profile image to the new logo X, removing the bird logo it has used since 2006

Musk changed his profile picture to the company's new logo, which he described as 'minimalist art deco,' and changed his Twitter bio to 'X.com'

Founded in 2006, Twitter takes its name from the sound of birds chattering, and it has used avian branding since its early days, when the company bought a stock symbol of a light blue bird for $15, according to the design website Creative Bloq.

In a late night email, Musk wrote to Twitter employees confirming that 'we are indeed changing to X' and that it would happen 'today'. 'This is my last message from a Twitter email,' he added before signing off with a salute emoji.

Also late Sunday night, announcing the changes, Musk and Yaccarino confirmed that the social media app would move quickly into payments, banking and commerce.

Musk earlier tweeted that 'If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll make (it) go live worldwide tomorrow.'

He had earlier addressed the Twitter logo's departure: 'Soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds.'

Musk also tweeted that under the site's new identity, a post would be called 'an X.'

The changes were not visible on the website as of 03.30 ET Monday.

The Tesla and SpaceX owner also spoke on a Twitter Space - an audio livestream on the platform - stating that the changes 'should have been done a long time ago' and that he was 'sorry it took so long.'

Musk had already named Twitter's parent company the X Corporation, and previously said his takeover of the social media giant was 'an accelerant to creating X, the everything app' - a reference to the X.com company he founded in 1999, a later version of which went on to become payments giant PayPal.

Such an app could still function as a social media platform, and also include messaging and mobile payments.

'Powered by AI, X will connect us in ways we're just beginning to imagine,' Yaccarino tweeted earlier on Sunday.

Twitter's new logo is seen projected on the corporate headquarters building in downtown San Francisco last night

Yaccarino, an advertising sales executive at NBCUniversal who Musk poached last month, said the social media platform was on the cusp of broadening its scope.

'X is the future state of unlimited interactivity - centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking - creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities,' Yaccarino tweeted.

Since Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October, the platform's advertising business has partially collapsed as marketers soured on mass firings at the company that gutted content moderation - as well as on Musk's management style.

In response, the billionaire SpaceX boss has moved toward introducing payments and commerce through the platform in a search for new revenue.

Twitter is thought to have around 200 million daily active users, but it has suffered repeated technical failures since the 52-year-old Tesla founder bought the app and sacked much of its staff.

Since then, many users and advertisers alike have responded adversely to the social media site's charges for previously free services, its changes to content moderation and the return of previously banned Right-wing accounts.

Musk said this month that Twitter had lost roughly half of its advertising revenue since he took control in October.

Facebook parent Meta also this month launched its own text-based platform, called Threads, which has up to 150 million users, according to some estimates.

But the amount of time users spend on the rival app has plummeted in the weeks since its launch, according to data from market analysis firm Sensor Tower.

Following the announcement, many Twitter users voiced their vehement displeasure at the change to X.

One user vented: 'Can someone tell this man to leave Twitter alone?', while another joked: 'Twitter is rebranding to X and I can't help but ask Y.'

'Wtf is X???? Can somebody tell this man to leave twitter alone?' another user wrote.

'Wait... Twitter is actually rebranding as 'X'???? I... don't understand how that makes sense. For what????' another wrote.
A wildfire has caused havoc on the Greek island of Rhodes with around 19,000 people having so far been evacuated from villages and hotels.

The six-day blaze continued to rage on Sunday after the fire service warned more fires could break out, with temperatures set to reach 45C.

But tourists who had planned to visit Rhodes could face trouble in getting compensation - as the Foreign Office still has not advised people not to travel.

Here, MailOnline looks at the key questions for those planning a trip  or trying to get back:

What should you do if you want to cancel a trip to Rhodes?

This depends on the airline or tour operator with whom you are travelling.

For example, easyJet is still operating flights to the Greek island as normal, while fellow travel firms Jet2 and Tui suspended their trips and refunded their customers.

Rory Boland, travel editor for Which? said it would be 'unconscionable' for airlines not to refund tourists who decide against flying to fire-ravaged Rhodes. He said airlines should be 'flexible' if customers decide not to travel due to the six-day blaze.

Mr Boland said: 'It's likely that those who are due to go to Rhodes now won't want to go, and given the emergency operations that are taking place on the island, local authorities could probably do without more tourists arriving.

'While there is no official Foreign Office advice against travel to Rhodes, it would be unconscionable for holiday companies to cash in on travellers' sensible decision not to travel by not refunding or rebooking them.'

Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece

What are you rights and will your insurance cover you?

An expert warned that tourists whose holidays are disrupted by the blaze or those who choose not to travel are 'unlikely' to be covered by their travel insurance.

Louise Clark, policy advisor at the Association of British Insurers, said: 'Travel insurance is primarily to protect you against what can be incredibly high costs of needing emergency medical treatment overseas, but is unlikely to provide cover if you're unable to go outside on your holiday because of a wildfire.

'The primary purpose of travel insurance is to cover the costs of emergency medical treatments or repatriation should the worst happen, which can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

'It can cover you if you need to cancel or cut short your holiday but it's likely this will only be under limited circumstances, for example if you or a close family member fall ill, not because of a disinclination to travel.'

Ms Clark added that some insurers provide 'add-ons' available to customers at the time they buy their policy which do protect against natural disasters.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, editor at The Points Guy, told MailOnline: 'We would expect that most tour operators would likely offer refunds or offer travellers the option to rebook on an alternative holiday, but they are not bound to do so.

'Most holidaymakers will have to rely on travel insurance or travel disruption policies, and many will find that they are not covered for these sorts of natural disasters.

'My first piece of advice would be for anyone concerned to contact their travel operator immediately to try and secure free changes or cancellations. You should then check any policies you hold to see if you have cover. Your cover may be reliant UK government advice against travel. This advice has not yet been issued.

'Most importantly, for those with upcoming trips, both to Greece and elsewhere, now it is more important than ever to ensure you have fully comprehensive insurance that will cover you both for medical issues, personal items and more but also for trip disruption, curtailment or forced cancellation.'

@nickyjkelvin Devastating wildfires in Greece are causing chaos. If youre worried about your trip, heres what you need to know and what to do next.   Breaking News Background Music (Basic A)(1001538) - LEOPARD

Could the situation change if the Foreign Office tells people not to travel?

Yes. Holidaymakers are only guaranteed compensation through travel insurance if the government advises against travel there.

'The primary purpose of travel insurance is to cover the costs of emergency medical treatments or repatriation should the worst happen, which can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds,' a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) told Sky News.

'It can cover you if you need to cancel or cut short your holiday, but it's likely this will only be under limited circumstances, for example if you or a close family member fall ill, not because of a disinclination to travel.

'Insurance can cover you if advice from the government changes since you've booked your trip, and it's no longer considered safe to travel to the destination.'

What is the official Foreign Office advice on travelling to Rhodes?

The Foreign Office is not telling people not to travel to Rhodes at this stage, although it does warn of 'active wildfires in Greece due to the dry and hot weather'.

Today, Downing Street defended not discouraging Britons from going to Rhodes after it sent a Foreign Office team to help holidaymakers amid fires.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Our advice is focused on the safety of British nationals and enabling people to make an informed decision about the situation on the ground.

'The current situation is impacting on a limited area in Rhodes and whilst it's right to keep it under review and it's possible that the advice may change we do not want to act out of proportion to the situation on the ground.'

He said there are 'not currently' plans to get the RAF to help people leave.

Is Greece still advising people to fly to Rhodes?

Olga Kefalogianni, Tourism Minister for Greece, confirmed to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that people should still fly to Rhodes.

She said: 'There has been no disruption in the airport and I think it's particularly important to stress that only a small part of the whole island of Rhodes is affected.

'It's approximately an area which is 10 to 20 per cent of the total area of the island. And when it comes to hotel accommodation, so disruption in terms of tourism, it's 15 per cent of the total capacity of the island.

'So, yes, indeed, this was the largest evacuation that Greece has ever done, and it happened in a matter of a couple of hours. We've coordinated mobilisation of all resources, but everybody is safe.'

What can you do if you're booked to travel to Rhodes with easyJet?

easyJet announced it would operate repatriation flights to bring home British holidaymakers trapped on Rhodes.

Two rescue flights, an A320 and an A321 aircraft totalling 421 additional seats, will fly from Gatwick on Monday, and a third flight will operate on Tuesday.

Nine flights already operating between Rhodes and the UK will also continue alongside them.

Flights are still operating for customers booked to travel to or from Rhodes before July 29, but if they would like to change their plans, customers can change the date of their flight or request a flight voucher.

Calm after the firestorm: one tourist rests their eyes after escaping the Greek inferno hell

What can you do if you're booked to travel to Rhodes with Jet2?

Jet2 was the first to announce it had cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to Rhodes up to and including Sunday July 30.

Aircraft will be flown to Rhodes with no customers onboard, so they can bring customers on the island back to the UK.

The company said it would be contacting customers to arrange refunds or re-bookings.

What can you do if you're booked to travel to Rhodes with Tui?

Tui said it had cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes up to and including Tuesday July 25, with passengers receiving full refunds.

Those due to travel on Wednesday July 26 can amend to another holiday or cancel free of charge.

It said customers currently in Rhodes will return on their intended flights home.

Smoke billows into the skies as Rhodes faces terrifying wildfires amid the blistering heatwave across Europe, forcing mass evacuations

What about Thomas Cook holidays to Rhodes?

Thomas Cook announced it had cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos - the areas of Rhodes most at risk - up to and including Monday July 31, and would be in touch to offer full refunds.

Customers travelling to other parts of the island on July 24 and 25 are being called in departure order to receive a full refund if they wish to cancel their trip.

Those travelling on Wednesday July 26 will be contacted no later than 6am on July 25 to discuss options.

What about British Airways flights to Rhodes?

British Airways said it was still operating flights to Rhodes as normal.

However, customers currently on the island needing to come home early can change their return flight free of charge, and anyone travelling out from the UK in the next week can postpone their flight to a later date.

Hundreds of holidaymakers were evacuated from hotels as a result of raging wildfires across the island

Who can you contact in Greece for help?

Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger in Rhodes. You can also contact the Civil Protection Agency by calling +30 213 133 1200.

The Greek government has also established a Crisis Management Unit in Rhodes, which can be contacted on +30 210 368 1730, +30 210 368 1259 or +30 210 3681350.

Greece has also set up a helpdesk for foreign citizens in Rhodes Airport Terminal 1. This is helping visitors trying to leave who have lost their travel documents. Foreign nationals can contact this desk by calling +30 698 588 9650 or +30 698 320 9611.

Jess Bailey and her family were taken to an evacuation centre in Rhodes ahead of rescue flights coming to save Britons today

What can you do if you want to be repatriated earlier?

The Greek government advises tourists to contact their embassy for help, and their tour operator to find out about extra flights which are being added to schedules.

How can you contact the British Embassy?

The Foreign Office states that British nationals in Greece can obtain 24/7 British consular assistance by calling +44 20 7008 5000.

Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport today, after being evacuated following a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece

What if you urgently need medication or have serious health issues?

The Greek government says that people with medical emergency issues should contact 166.

For non-emergency medical issues requiring advice, contact Rhodes General Hospital on +30 224 136 0000 (extension 0), or Euromedica on +30 2241045057.

For pharmaceutical treatment, tourists are advised to call +30 694 515 8935, +30 693 623 7483 or +30 697 752 1581.

Will you be reimbursed if you've left Rhodes before your trip was due to end?

The Greek government advises that this is related to the insurance policy of your tour operator and your specific travel plan. Officials at the government added that they will 'provide further details on this issue after the end of the wildfires'.

What about the situation on Corfu?

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell suggested no evacuations are taking place on the Greek island of Corfu amid reports that 2,000 people were being evacuated.

He told BBC Breakfast at 7.40am: 'I can tell you that the information I had one minute before this interview started is that there are not any evacuations from Corfu. There had been movement of people overnight within Corfu but this morning they have been sent back to their earlier accommodation.

'So I hope the situation is a little better and more stable than your reports suggests.'

And Olga Kefalogianni, Tourism Minister for Greece, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'Definitely the situation in Corfu is not alarming. We had some evacuation from summer houses, but nothing like the evacuation that took place in Rhodes these days.'
A skyscraper was left burning in Moscow this morning after drones were downed over the Russian capital in the latest suspected Ukrainian attack, while giant explosions rocked occupied Crimea.

The drones - believed to have been targeting Russian Defence Ministry facilities - were downed by electronic warfare jamming, according to Russian sources.

One caused severe damage to a business centre tower block on Likhacheva Prospekt near one of Moscow's main ring roads.

A drone apparently fell close to a military university which acts as the headquarters of GRU military intelligence's 'cyber offensive', according to Russian expert Hristo Grozev. There was no immediate confirmation of the attack or claim of responsibility.

It came as an ammunition depot was hit during a Ukrainian drone attack on Dzhankoi in Crimea early on Monday, with Russian air defence forces shooting down or electronically jamming 11 drones over the area, a Russian-installed official said.

A high rise building was left burning in Moscow this morning after drones were downed over the Russian capital in the latest suspected Ukrainian attack. A view of the damaged building is seen after a reported drone attack in Moscow, Monday, July 24

Members of Russian security services investigate the site of a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow, July 24

Pictured: A video purportedly showing a drone flying over Moscow this morning

Meanwhile, a Russian overnight drone strike on port infrastructure in Ukraine's Odesa region destroyed a grain hangar, Kyiv's military said on Monday.

This followed a Russian missile strike that badly damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral in Odesa on Sunday, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to vow retaliation.

In Moscow, fragments of a drone were found one mile from the Defence Ministry, said one report on Monday. Windows of shops and apartment buildings were also smashed on Komsomolsky Prospekt.

'At 17, Komsomolsky Prospekt, the debris of a drone was discovered. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties,' an emergencies official told TASS.

'On the morning of July 24, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to launch a terrorist attack using two unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities on the territory of the city of Moscow was thwarted,' the ministry said on Telegram.

'Two Ukrainian UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] were suppressed by electronic warfare means and crashed,' the ministry add

The Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said: 'Drone attacks on two non-residential buildings were registered at about 4:00 a.m. today, causing no major damage or casualties. All emergency services are working at the scene.'

A drone was seen buzzing Moscow in the early morning light, while pictures from the scene in the aftermath of the stroke showed ground at the foot of the high-rise building covered in debris, with security services sifting through the rubble.

One Moscow video recorded a voice saying: 'Something exploded next to our place.

Investigators examine a damaged building after a reported drone attack in Moscow, July 24

A police officer carries debris to the members of the security services investigating a bridge near the site of a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow, July 24

'Our windows nearly flew out. We better check the news. It was a very strong explosion.'

Two drone strikes which hit the Kremlin on 3 May were blamed on Ukraine by the Russians. This was portrayed as a bid to 'assassinate Putin'.

In late May, a drone strike came close to Putin's palatial official residence Novo-Ogaryovo, near Moscow.

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv on today's strikes in Moscow.

Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia's military infrastructure helps Kyiv's counteroffensive.

On the strikes in Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov - the Russian-installed governor of the peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - said that a residential building was damaged in the region.

He said there was no indication of any casualties, but people within a 3 mile radius of the incident were being evacuated.

It was not immediately clear whether the ammunition depot was directly hit by a drone or if it was damaged by falling drone debris.

Russia has a military air base near Dzhankoi. Ukrainian officials have long said the city and surrounding areas have been turned into Moscow's largest military base in Crimea.

Aksyonov also said on the Telegram messaging app that 'for safety reasons' railway and road traffic in the area was suspended.

A view shows a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow, July 24

Police officers work at the site of a reported drone attack in central Moscow, July 24

Reuters news agency said it could not independently verify the reports of the attacks. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the alleged attack.

Ukraine has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia's military infrastructure helps Kyiv's counteroffensive.

It was the second such attack in three days in Crimea. On Saturday, Aksyonov said a drone caused an explosion at an ammunition depot in central Crimea, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby people and briefly suspend road traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia.

Ukraine did claim that incident, saying its army had destroyed an oil depot and Russian army warehouses.

Meanwhile, Kyiv's military said on Monday that an overnight drone strike on port infrastructure in the Odesa region had destroyed a grain hangar.

'Tonight an almost four-hour attack by 'Shahed-136' drones was directed at the port infrastructure of the Danube' in the Odesa region, Ukraine's southern military command said on Telegram.

'As a result of the strikes, a grain hangar was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged.'

Three of the Iran-made Shahed attack drones used in the attack were destroyed by air defences, the military said.

'According to initial reports, about four workers of the port were injured, but the information is still being clarified,' it said.

Attacks on Ukraine's Odesa region have increased since Russia pulled out last week of a key deal which had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain on the Black Sea.

Russia launched 19 missiles on the Ukrainian city of Odesa over the weekend, devastating the grain hub port and historic buildings

Russian authorities then announced that they would consider any ships heading for Ukrainian grain ports on the Black Sea as military targets.

Russia launched 19 missiles against the city of Odesa over the weekend, crushing its historic city centre and grain hub port - leaving one dead and many more injured.

Ukraine on Sunday said the death toll from the overnight strikes killed one person and left 22 people wounded, including four children.

Kyiv has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to any resumption of Ukrainian grain exports.
An end of school year party that saw a teenager stabbed multiple times and left him fighting for his life has left residents of a rural hamlet in shock.

A 17-year-old boy is in a critical condition after the incident in the grounds of a 1.5m farm near Horsham in West Sussex.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.

The teen, who has not been named, had been attending a party organised by triplet 18-year-old brothers to celebrate the end of the school year.

Friends of the three brothers had been invited to the event held under a series of marquees in the grounds of the Balfour family's sprawling farm near Horsham.

Their parents Zilla and Scott Balfour for many years ran an events company and arranged marquee hire.

Friends of the three brothers had been invited to the event held under a series of marquees (pictured) in the grounds of a 1.5m farmhouse near Horsham in West Sussex

The unnamed 17-year-old was stabbed in the grounds of the family's 1.5m home (pictured)

Police at the scene of a home where a teenager was stabbed in the grounds

The farm could only be reached by car with up to 40 teens parking their cars on the farmland and walking to the marquees.

Neighbours living close to the 10-acre farm had been told in advance about event which ended abruptly shortly after midnight on Saturday when police and paramedics rushed to the scene.

Residents in the rural area have been left distressed that knife crime has come to their doorstep.

They are stunned that knife crime  usually found in inner cities  had now blighted the upmarket rural area where they live.

One neighbour said: 'You just do not expect his to happen here. We read all the time about knife crime, but that is in London and not here.

'I just understand how someone can come to an organised party and bring a knife. It does not make any sense.'

The mum of the teens hosting the party had been in the farmhouse when the stabbing took place.

The teenager was stabbed at an end of term party held in marquees at a farmhouse in West Sussex

Police were at the scene of the home on Monday morning

A friend said:' She is absolutely distraught that this has happened.'

Another neighbour said:' We were told in advance there was going to be a party. The music started about 4pm and then ended around midnight.

'All we could see were blue flashing lights and ambulances. There was also a police helicopter overhead.'

Two police cars remained at the entrance to the farm and forensic teams were also on site with the area sealed off by police tape.

Another neighbour said the party was being held to celebrate the end of term time for the brothers.

'They are lovely family and the mum must be very upset. This was not some sort of rave but an organised event,' said the neighbour.

'We have been told everyone who attended had been invited and there were no gate-crashers.'

Police have urged partygoers to get in touch to help in their investigation.

Chief Superintendent Jo Banks said: 'We are urging witnesses to come forward.

'We understand that there were many young people in attendance at this address at the time who will know important information to help the investigation.

'In particular we would also ask parents and carers of those who attended to speak with their children and to contact us with information. This is a fast moving and complex investigation.'

The police chief said the stabbing was an isolated incident that did not pose a threat to the wider community.

The 17-year-old was stabbed in the chest in the early hours of Sunday morning in the grounds

There will also be an increased police presence in the area in order to provide reassurance

Emergency services were scrambled to an event at the house near Horsham where a large number of young people were gathered

A member of the Balfour family refused to comment when approached by MailOnline.

Chief Superintendent Jo Banks said: 'We are urging witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

'We understand that there were many young people in attendance at this address at the time who will know important information to help the investigation.

'In particular we would also ask parents and carers of those who attended to speak with their children and to contact us with information.

'This is a fast-moving and complex investigation.

'Officers will be working in partnership with local schools and there will also be an increased police presence in the area in order to provide reassurance.

'We believe this was an isolated incident that does not pose a wider threat to the community.'

The triplets' mother, 55-year-old Zilla Balfour is an experienced events planner.

Her LinkedIn profile reveals that she had worked at the Mayfair bar and restaurant Boisdales and as events manager at the Hurtwood Polo Club in Ewhurst, Surrey.

While a director of Universal Marquees the company worked at many music festivals, including the famed Glastonbury event.

In 2003 ago she was featured in a newspaper travel article complaining about the conditions of her luxury resort in the Maldives.

Zilla,55, said she and Scott took a luxury beach holiday on a budget of around 6000 annually -but complained to The Telegraph that the resort was outdated.

On social media Zilla describes herself as an 'exhausted mother of triplet boys'.

Her Twitter profile adds that she is 'running their lives and organising events at room by the river and beyond, excited about life and always looking to the future.'

Scott spoke to advertising magazine Campaign in 2010 to tell how they were rebranding their events company, formerly called Fortesqueue's, as ESC Events - and how he would be responsible for 'creating and implementing a five-year strategy' for the business in his role.

They had run that company together for 17 years until it hit trouble around the recession that started in 2008.

'ESC Events is a very different company to Fortesqueue's with different strengths, vision and goals,' Mr Balfour said. 'Having consulted on the business I am thrilled with this opportunity and can bring the lessons learned from my 20-plus years experience in the industry to the table.'

Their three sons turned 18 in May and are thought to have recently completed A'levels.

The house party was held is set back from the large field that contained the marquees.

Half a dozen cars are parked in the driveway while a garage adjoining the property is packed with car parts and other discarded household items. Among them is a vintage green MG Midget car half covered by a tarpaulin.

In a paved area adjacent to the long driveway is a car that appears to have been involved in a car smash with the front of the blue vehicle caved in.

The house is not visible from the road as it is shielded by a high hedge and fence.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 01273 470101 or online quoting Operation Ketley.
A chaotic parish council meeting has become a new spectating sensation - following in the footsteps of Jackie Weaver and Handforth Council.

The ferocious bile and simmering aggression of North Yorkshire-set Thornton-Le-Dale Parish Council has gripped certain viewers after being uploaded to YouTube each meeting.

In the latest installment there is no shortage of drama, with numerous flashpoints - including one moment where all the councillors storm out.

And it even features a Weaver-esque section where one councillor questions another's authority.

The memorable segment stars former chair Cllr Sandra Kathleen Bell who turns on current seat-holder Cllr Marguerite Markham.

It is prompted by the latter's reporting of the results of a poll to dissolve the current council.

The two main warring factions in the outrageous parish council meeting in Thornton-Le-Dale

As Cllr Markham, who is dressed in a stripey top, reads out the numbers, she is interrupted by Cllr Bell, who is clad in pink.

Cllr Bell declares: 'No, no that is not how our elections work.'

The remark prompts Cllr Markham to slam her hand down on the table.

Cllr Bell continues: 'Sorry, first past the post, there's no way that is appropriate. The way it's put here is nonsense.'

As others attempt to remonstrate with her, Cllr Markham yells: 'Sandra, you are not chair, be quiet.'

But the other woman then hits back 'No I'm not, but neither are you acting in any democratic manner. You cannot report the results of the election the way they have here. It's ridiculous.'

Cllr Markham can then be seen theatrically sighing, slamming her hand down again and jabbing her pen onto the table.

Then a member of the audience is heard grumbling, attracting Cllr Bell's attention.

She points at him: 'Sorry are you a councillor at all? No that's right you've never stood, I remember now.'

It appears to prompt a bizarre stalemate where no-one says anything for an excruciating 16 seconds.

Cllr Markham then announces they are going to start again 'providing we keep quiet'.

Thornton-Le-Dale in North Yorkshire is a picture postcard style village, but trouble is brewing

Walk-out: All the councillors storm out at one point, leaving just the clerk who urges a wait

The meeting was uploaded onto YouTube where it has been found by astonished viewers

This irks Cllr Bell, who says 'Well in that case we might as well go home now then, if we all keep quiet.'

A member of the public then pipes up: 'Why don't you all try getting on? This is ridiculous. Just let the woman speak.'

Cllr Bell says: 'I'm not stopping her, she's not saying anything.'

Cllr Markham then starts up again, a calm start turning to a more shrill shout by the end at her nemesis: 'Right we'll start again shall we? 1,545 electorate!'

Cllr Bell quips: 'I think the word he used was speak.'

The council then hear the majority of people who voted want them dissolved, but Cllr Markham says they will continue to serve.

But Cllr Bell says: 'It was put to the parish, three quarters of those who voted, voted yes to dissolve the parish council. I actually feel morally we all ought to resign.'

Asked to clarify if she is resigning she says she isn't, but thinks that is what they ought to do. She then adds: 'Only three of us on this table have actually been elected by a public vote'.

This sparks yet another argument among the them and the clerk objects.

It leads to another objections from Cllr Bell who points out: 'You are not a councillor'.

Cllr Markham then shouts: 'It was an uncontested election we entered, right?'

But when Cllr Bell accuses another councillor of just 'doing what she's told' chaos erupts.

Pandemonium broke out after Handforth Parish Council chairman Brian Tolver (pictured) told stand-in clerk Jackie Weaver that she had 'no authority' to take charge

The whole council - except the clerk - storm out of the room leaving an empty table.

A member of the public then accuses her 'It's disgraceful the way you've carried on'.

There are then snippets of conversation including one apparently calling her stupid.

The clerk urges the public to give them five minutes to come back, which they eventually do before the event ends shortly afterwards.

Not even the start of the July 18 meeting was without incident.

Cllr Markham is forced to berate one person in the hall watching proceedings for apparently having their phone blaring out some footage.

The parish clerk's office this morning highlighted the Society of Local Council Clerks' campaign against bullying, harassment and intimidation on councils.

A source added to MailOnline: 'There have been numerous complaints to the monitoring officer regarding Cllr Bell.

'There needs a urgent change in the law to deal with this.'

Cllr Bell did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

The chaos is not unlike the now-notorious Zoom meeting of a different council during the pandemic which descended into farce.

Pandemonium broke out after Handforth Parish Council chairman Brian Tolver told stand-in clerk Jackie Weaver that she had 'no authority' to take charge in December 2020.

Councillors traded insults with one shouting at Mrs Weaver to 'read the standing orders'.

The meeting became a viral hit after she kicked out the chairman, shouting councillors and was lauded for standing up to bullies.

The chairman faced a barrage of criticism and admitted that he was known as 'the monstrous villain of the piece'.

Mrs Weaver, who lives in Whitchurch, Shropshire, received messages of support from around the world amid claims the hectoring she received amounted to sexist bullying.

She became a massive viral hit and even made an appearance at the Brit Awards.
The result of the latest snap election in Spain has left the country in political limbo after no party was able to secure an overall majority.

The inconclusive result came after prime minister Pedro Sanchez's controversial decision to call a vote.

But what exactly happened in the Spanish election? What will happen next following the surprise results?

Read on below for everything you need to know about the outcome of the Spanish elections and what it means for Spain moving forward.

The Spanish prime minister celebrates with supporters after the general election results

What happened in the Spanish election?

The conservative Popular Party (PP) was victorious, but failed to secure the required number of votes for an overall majority.

Surveys of Spain's 37million voters predicted a takeover by the Right-wing Popular Party and far-Right party Vox.

However, the Right-wing bloc performed below expectations, leading to Mr Sanchez declaring: 'The reactionary bloc has failed.'

Despite the PP amassing 136 seats in addition to Vox's 33, the bloc fell seven seats short of the overall majority of 176 seats required to form a new government.

Having suffered defeats in local and regional elections, in May Mr Sanchez called a national election, which was held this weekend as major cities endured scorching highs of up to 40C.

Many voters told Spanish media they voted early to avoid the scorching heat, while electric fans were installed in polling stations to try to keep people cool.

Despite high growth and low unemployment, Mr Sanchez has been a polarising figure in Spanish politics, having been criticised after introducing reforms on abortion and transgender rights.

What will happen after the election results in Spain?

With no clear winner emerging from the election results, Spain now faces a period of political uncertainty.

The inconclusive result means another election could be held before the end of the year.

The leader and candidate of conservative Partido Popular Alberto Nunez Feijoo waves as he addresses supporters from a balcony of the PP headquarters in Madrid after Spain's general election

Despite coming out of the election with the highest number of votes, PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo has distanced himself from Vox.

Vox has emerged as a more Right-wing alternative to the People's Party, the former being a strong opponent of separatist movements across the country that has divided its citizens for decades.

Despite the first far-Right government in Spain since General Franco's Fascist rule ended in the mid-1970s thought to be a real possibility, the PP-Vox coalition has not gained enough seats for an overall majority on this occasion.

The divided results have made the Catalan separatist party Junts (Together) emerge as Mr Sanchezs potential kingmaker.

However, there is a possibility that Junts could ask for a referendum on independence for northeast Catalonia, a cost that Mr Sanchez would probably deem too risky to pay.

Fending off the threat of the PP and Vox represents a surprise victory for Mr Sanchez, but leaves Spain in unchartered political territory moving forward.
Police are searching for six men who threatened a Bunnings worker with an axe in Melbourne's southeast.

Victoria Police allege the six men entered the Cheltenham Rd store in Keysborough where they stole power tools about 3.20pm on Saturday.

A spokeswoman the men fled the scene, while one man armed with an axe allegedly threatened a staff member.

Nobody was injured during the robbery.

Police are actively searching for six men who threatened a worker at a Melbourne Bunnings (stock image) with an axe on Saturday afternoon. No one was injured

Bunnings area manager Nicole Marshall said the aggravated theft was another in a long line of incidents retail workers were facing in their day-to-day jobs.

'The safety of our team and customers is our top priority, and we never tolerate any violent behaviour at our stores,' she said.

'We thank our team for the calm and professional way they handled the situation and we have now referred this matter to the police.

'Unfortunately, this is an example of the rise in threatening incidents currently being experienced by retail workers.'

Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Covid anti-vaxxers and other highly controversial conspiracy theorists reportedly told children at village festival that some of the 21st century's most horrific terror attacks were fake.

Conspiracy theorists allegedly held talks at the Freedom Music Festival, in Netherfield, East Sussex, which saw them discussing their ideas at the show, billed as a family-friendly event.

'Headline' acts, which included anti-vaxxer David Icke, reportedly told children terror atrocities like the 7/7 bombings in London and 9/11 attack in New York, were inside jobs by the government and that the killing of President John F Kennedy was a fake.

While other speakers went as far as claiming the savage murder British soldier Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was hacked to death by Islamic extremists in 2013, was a hoax.

Michael Manoel Chaves, who proudly boasts online about being one of the UK's leading conspiracy theorists, led the talk on Fusilier Rigby's murder, with The Times reporting he showed those in attendance gruesome blood splatter pictures while questioning the 25-year-old's murder.

'Headline' acts, which included anti-vaxxer David Icke, reportedly told children terror atrocities like the 7/7 bombings in London and 9/11 attack in New York, were inside jobs by the government and that the killing of President John F Kennedy was a fake

Soldier Lee Rigby (pictured) was killed in a terror attack when two jihadis attempted to behead him outside his south-east London barracks in 2013

In his 'Mad Mix of Conspiracy Theories' workshop, the anti-vax leader also reportedly showed photos of the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre in the US and 7/7 bombings, as he insisted those who died were killed by the government - before claiming others were 'crisis actors' - a conspiracy-theorist terms for people paid by the government to stage disasters.

The headline act of at the three-day festival, which ended on Sunday, was conspiracy theorist David Icke, who thinks the world is run by a cabal of alien lizards, added The Times.

Australian anti-vax campaigner Monica Smit was among those pictured attending the conspiracy theorist music festival

Also at the event was Australian anti-vaxxer Monica Smit, who staged lockdown protests in her home country. She was filmed talking to festival-goers about getting 'cancelled' from social media.

While elsewhere, the festival featured portraits of the likes of whistleblowers Edward Snowdon and Julian Assange, as well as War and Peace author Leo Tolstoy, with a provocative anti-establishment quote saying: 'Governments, not only are not necessary, but are harmful and most highly immoral institutions.'

The weekend event was set up by Hope Sussex - and organisation run by former member of a far-right political group which was has been investigated by Ofsted for running an illegal school.

Hope Sussex came under fire last week after it was revealed children at the school were taught how to wield a sword and fire a crossbow, while those in charge of the site allegedly told youngsters they were 'at war' with the state.

The organisation insists it is not a school but 'a community centre that hires its facilities to allow home-educating families to supplement their children's education with wholesome and critically thinking tutors'.

However, among the leaders of the group, based near Battle in East Sussex, is a former supporter of the far-right British National Party before being expelled, The Times said.

Among the portraits on display included one of Russian author Leo Tolstoy, who wrote War and Peace. It had the quote: 'Governments, not only are not necessary, but are harmful and most highly immoral institutions.'

The weekend event was set up by Hope Sussex - and organisation whose leaders include a member of a far-right political group which was has been investigated by Ofsted for running an illegal school

Schools watchdog Ofsted is investigating the group, which reportedly encourages parents to remove their children from mainstream state education.

Hope Sussex claimed teaching children how to fire crossbows was part of a history lesson - taught by William Coleshill, an anti-vax activist who was suspended from the Conservative Party for alleged racism and was part of a group of protesters who targeted Sir Keir Starmer outside parliament last year.

As well as reportedly telling children the Twin Tower attacks was an inside job by the US government, the school also hosts a 'science event' talks by conspiracy theorists, with one, David Adleman, allegedly discussing the negative health impact of 5G - a theory debunked by scientists.

Among the founders of the school includes Sadie Single, who was expelled from the BNP and who was reportedly linked by antifascist organisation Hope not Hate to a neo-Nazi group in her native Australia - a claim denied by Hope Sussex.

Sadie was previously filmed during an anti-lockdown protest in March 2021.

While her husband Matthew Single, also a former BNP member, has been vocal in his opposition of the government.

'They are coming for our children . . . We must be prepared to step outside of the comfort zone of simply protesting and demonstrating with placards and megaphones  we have our army in the field, now we must press forward with greater more specific action,' he wrote in a blog.

MailOnline has approached Hope Sussex for comment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been released from hospital after an emergency heart procedure.

He now faces an unprecedented national crisis ahead of parliament's vote on hated justice system reforms today - which has sparked 29 straight weeks of protests.

Demonstrators stepped up their opposition this morning, blocking a road leading up to parliament. Businesses across the country shut their doors in protest of the vote.

Driven by a far-right governing coalition made up of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties, the judicial overhaul has divided Israel.

The overhaul calls for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court's ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been released from hospital after an emergency heart procedure (file photo)

People gather to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 22

Israeli police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the road leading to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Jerusalem, on July 24

File photo shows an ambulance outside the emergency entrance to the Sheba Medical Centre in Israel's Ramat Gan city on July 15, 2023, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalised

Mr Netanyahu and his far-right allies say the changes are needed to curb the powers of unelected judges.

Those in opposition say the plan will destroy the country's fragile system of checks and balances and push Israel toward authoritarian rule.

Mr Netanyahu's supporters thronged central Tel Aviv - normally the setting for anti-government protests - while his opponents marched on Israel's Knesset, or parliament.

Many of the protesters in Jerusalem had camped out in a nearby park, after completing a four-day march into the city from Tel Aviv on Saturday. Tents were still erected this morning.

Mr Netanyahu's sudden hospital admission on July 23 for the implant of a pacemaker added another twist to an already dramatic series of events. His doctors said on Sunday the procedure had gone smoothly.

READ MORE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recovering from emergency heart operation as demonstrations rage over overhaul of the judiciary Advertisement

In a short video statement from the hospital late on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu, 73, said he felt fine and thanked his doctors for his treatment and the public for wishing him well.

Wearing a white dress shirt and dark blazer, Mr Netanyahu said he was pursuing a compromise with his opponents while also preparing for the vote today that would enshrine a key piece of the legislation into law.

'I want you to know that tomorrow morning I'm joining my colleagues at the Knesset,' he said.

He was first rushed to hospital on July 15 after suffering chest pains.

But the PM was fully conscious en route to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer town, and walked into the emergency room, local media reported.

In a video statement hours after being admitted for apparent dehydration, he said: 'Thank God, I feel very good.'

A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a sit-in to block the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on July 24

Mr Netanyahu and his far-right allies say the changes are needed to curb the powers of unelected judges (file photo)

Israeli police disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a protest on July 24

Demonstrators stepped up their opposition, blocking a road leading up to parliament this morning

Many of the protesters in Jerusalem had camped out in a nearby park, after completing a four-day march into the city from Tel Aviv on Saturday

Demonstrators are sprayed with a water cannon during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul on July 24

Mr Netanyahu's judicial reform plan has triggered seven months of mass protests, drawn harsh criticism from business and medical leaders, and a fast-rising number of military reservists in key units have said they will stop reporting for duty if the plan passes. This has raised concern that Israel's security could be threatened.

Efforts to find a last-ditch compromise were underway with Israel's President Isaac Herzog shuttling between the sides, including a meeting at the hospital where Mr Netanyahu was treated, to come to an agreement over the way forward. It was unclear whether those would result in a compromise.

Early today, protesters blocked a road leading to the Knesset and police used water cannons to push them back.

Israeli media reported that a consortium of businesses announced late on Sunday that some of their members would not open in protest at the government's plans, leading to big shopping centre chains and some petrol stations closing up.

In today's vote, legislators will decide on an overhaul measure that would prevent judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are 'unreasonable'.

Proponents say the current 'reasonability' standard gives judges excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials.

Critics say removing it would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption.

Protesters see the overhaul as a power grab fuelled by personal and political grievances of Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his partners - who want to deepen Israel's control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

Mr Herzog, who returned on Sunday from a trip to the White House, immediately went to Mr Netanyahu's hospital room.

'This is a time of emergency,' Mr Herzog said. 'We have to reach an agreement.'

Early today, protesters blocked a road leading to the Knesset and police used water cannons to push them back

An aerial view shows right-wing demonstrators backing the Israeli government and its reform plans rallying in Tel Aviv, the epicentre of 29 straight weeks of anti-government protests, on July 23

Protesters (pictured today in Jerusalem) see the overhaul as a power grab fuelled by personal and political grievances of Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his partners

A member of Israeli security forces detains a demonstrator blocking a road during a rally protesting the Israeli government's judicial overhaul bill, in Tel Aviv, on June 3, 2023

Mr Herzog held meetings later on Sunday with Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, and Benny Gantz, head of National Unity, another opposition party.

The overhaul has also repeatedly drawn concern even from Israel's closest ally, the United States.

The dramatic events were being watched closely in Washington, from where the Biden administration has frequently spoken out against Mr Netanyahu's government and its overhaul plan.

In a statement to the news site Axios late on Sunday, US President Joe Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking so much division.

'Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn't make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this - the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus,' he told the site.
Ukrainian servicemen carry a National flag and a photograph of Ukrainian serviceman Bohdan Kobylianskyi who was killed in Donbas, during the funeral ceremony in Dusaniv, Ukraine, July 22. AP-Yonhap



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that while Ukraine has recaptured half the territory that Russia initially seized in its invasion, Kyiv faced "a very hard fight" to win back more.



"It's already taken back about 50% of what was initially seized," Blinken said in an interview with CNN on Sunday.



"These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough," he said, adding: "It will not play out over the next week or two. We're still looking I think at several months."



Late last month, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was quoted as saying that the counteroffensive's progress against Russian forces was "slower than desired."



Ukraine has recaptured some villages in the south and territory around the ruined city of Bakhmut in the east, but has not had a major breakthrough against heavily defended Russian lines.



When asked if Ukraine will get U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, Blinken said he believed it would. "And the important focus is on making sure that when they do, they're properly trained, they're able to maintain the planes, and use them in a smart way."



A coalition of 11 nations will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16 fighter jets in August in Denmark, and a training center will be set up in Romania.



Ukraine has long appealed for the Lockheed Martin-made F-16s, but U.S. National Security adviser Jake Sullivan, said last month there was no final decision on Washington sending the aircraft. U.S. officials have estimated it would take at least 18 months for training and delivery of the planes.



The United States has given Ukraine more than $41 billion in military aid since Russia invaded in February 2022. (Reuters)




The jury in the sex offences trial of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has been sent out to begin its deliberations.

The Hollywood star, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a 'sexual bully' when proceedings began last month. The 63-year-old denies nine charges including sexual assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Mr Justice Mark Wall sent jurors out to consider their verdicts on Monday.

Over the course of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, each of Spacey's four accusers have given evidence, variously describing him as a 'vile sexual predator', 'slippery' and 'atrocious, despicable, disgusting'.

Jurors have been told of alleged 'aggressive' crotch grabs against three men, while a fourth complainant accused the defendant of having drugged him and performing a sex act on him while he was asleep at his flat.

Kevin Spacey, 63, seen today, is accused of assaulting four men 'for his own sexual gratification' between 2001 and 2013. He denies the charges

Mr Justice Mark Wall sent jurors out to consider their verdicts on Monday

Under questioning from Spacey's lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, the men all denied either seeking financial gain, attempting to further their career or giving false accounts to the jury.

Spacey himself labelled the allegations against him as 'madness' and a 'stab in the back', and told jurors he 'did not have a power wand that I waved in front of people's faces whenever I wanted someone to go to bed with me'.

The Hollywood star denies seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

In his closing speech last week, defence barrister Patrick Gibbs, KC, told Southwark Crown Court: 'There are three liars in this case. We can't see into their brain with electrodes and know what they are thinking.

'The reason they are lying can possibly only be known to them. The problem with [the fourth complainant's] evidence is not that he's a liar, but that he was not exactly sober as he describes - but nor was anyone.'

He went on to question the evidence given by the complainants' family and friends, adding: 'They have pointed the police to the people they believe will faithfully and genuinely echo the stories they were told.

'Be careful to remember when considering this strand of the evidence. It is not independent but comes from the mouth of the complainant himself and therefore is not independent confirmation that these things happened.

'I don't suggest they are liars, I suggest they are sounding boards for that which they were told.'

One man claims he was repeatedly assaulted by Spacey including, on one occasion, as he drove the star to one of Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball AIDS fundraisers at his Windsor home in the early 2000s.

Relating to this allegation, Mr Gibbs said: 'By the time he came forward to the police 20 years had passed. A late allegation. We have done the best we can all those years later to answer, whether we were successful or not is a matter for you.

'Most of what [the man] claims is so vague as to date and all happened in private, that it's impossible to contradict it. And then what you're left with is one person's word against the other.

'It turned out to be a complete fabrication. It's that dramatic centrepiece, it's the crotch grab. Grabbed so hard it caused so much pain he almost crashed the car.'

Jurors have heard claims that the House of Cards star is a 'sexual bully' who delighted in making his assault victims feel 'powerless and uncomfortable'

The lawyer told the court that it 'turned out, on the evidence, to be fiction' that was 'designed to dramatise and dignify a reimagining long after the events of all that really happened between those two men'.

'It's a fiction that emphasises that he had never gone along with the contact that had taken place between the two of them, he had never consented to any kind of sexual touching.

'It would show that, if it were true, wouldn't it? And that I suggest is what it was designed to show.

'That it was an abusive relationship involving, in varying degrees, and resulting finally in violence and aggression. But the Crown now say about that allegation, 'well dates don't matter'.

'My retort is that they would say that now, wouldn't they? Because none of the dates they have relied upon works, every single date has been disproven.

'Is that why the Crown's case is now that dates don't matter? Because there isn't a date that works.'

Mr Gibbs said: 'I'm not suggesting that [the man] is gay, but I am suggesting he wouldn't be the first person to be met with a charismatic, persuasive admirer.

'Although he may have been ashamed and confused by it, in a way that concerned things with his girlfriend, in private it is my suggestion he did not refuse it.

Spacey has denied all the charges, with his lawyer telling jurors three of the complainants were lying and they should not convict him for making a 'clumsy pass' at a fourth man

'Perhaps, I don't know, I'm not a psychiatrist, he later needed to redescribe what happened not only to his brother, but to himself, because that explained a confusing episode in an otherwise conventional life.

'Perhaps it even helped him to feel angry about it. Now that Kevin Spacey has been cancelled and people were asking him about it, he has the perfect opportunity.

'He had the perfect opportunity to rewrite history in those simple terms: 'I was abused by Kevin Spacey just like the other three people I see the CPS have identified.' That was the moment of greatest opportunity to do that.'

Spacey pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

A further charge of indecent assault, an alternative count, was added midway through the trial taking the total number of alleged offences to 13.

On Wednesday, the four indecent assault charges were struck off by the judge, due to a 'legal technicality' and not as a result of the prosecution abandoning any allegation.

The charges relate to alleged offences between January 1, 2001 and June 24, 2005.

The two-time Oscar winner starred in Glengarry Glen Ross, Seven, LA Confidential and Baby Driver. He also had the lead role in the Netflix series House of Cards.
Flood alerts have been issued across the country as the UK braces itself for more torrential downpours this week, with forecasters warning the rain could last until mid-August.

Five red alerts and 13 amber warning of possible floods in areas across England have been issued by the Environment Agency, mostly in areas where rivers could burst their banks due to the downpours.

Red alerts have been issued on rivers in Merseyside, South Yorkshire and Tarleton, while amber alerts are in force in parts of West Yorkshire, Leicester, East Anglia, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, the Black Country, South Staffordshire, and Cumbria.

The Met Office warns that local flooding could also be possible, caused by surface water in parts of northern and southern England, with the risk of possible travel disruption.

Images from across the country show commuters battling the weather this morning, with roads already starting to flood, while in coastal areas, huge waves are battering the shoreline.

The bad weather continues in some parts of the UK as waves crash over the piers at Tynemouth today

Commuters come prepared for the heavy rain at Reading Station

Flood alerts have been issued across the country as the UK braces itself for more torrential downpours this week

The rain is set to continue throughout the week, with showers expected across the majority of the UK, following on from an unseasonably wet July weekend.

The weather is expected to turn thundery across the north and east tomorrow, with the Met Office citing a chilly start to the day.

But temperatures will increase later in the week, and most places are likely to feel humid, leading to an outbreak of further thundery spells across the country.

According to the Met Office, the unsettled conditions could last until mid-August, with heavy risks of thunderstorms and longer spells of rain, particularly in the North and the West.

Temperatures are expected to be around average for the time of year.

Starting from Friday, the Met Office has said: 'The start of this period is likely to see an unsettled regime, with showers which could be heavy with the risk of thunder, and potentially some longer spells of rain.

Images from across the country show commuters battling the weather this morning, with roads already starting to flood

The rain is set to continue throughout the week, with showers expected across the majority of the UK, following on from an unseasonably wet July weekend

From August 7-21, it is expected that conditions will continue to be unsettled, and will include scattered showers and longer spells of rain

'The wettest conditions are likely in the North and West, although still with some showers towards the southeast. Fresh to strong winds are likely at times, especially near western and southern coasts.

'Temperatures around average to rather cool, especially in more persistent rain or showers. Through the rest of this period, a similar theme is likely to continue with a mixture of showers and longer spells of rain, especially towards the northwest, along with some drier interludes, these perhaps becoming slightly more likely towards the southeast'.

From August 7-21, it is expected that conditions will continue to be unsettled, and will include scattered showers and longer spells of rain.

The latest predictions come after a washout weekend across most of the country, including Manchester where heavy rain postponed the start of Day Four action of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

It appears that Britain will continue largely to dodge the extreme heat seen in other parts of Europe.

As temperatures remain in the 20s this week, much of Europe will continue to see temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s. The highest temperatures will be seen in southern Europe before shifting further east.
The husband of a nurse who was found dead in their apartment has been cleared of suspicions in the horrific murder case, but his best mate is now a person of interest.

Nicholas Gilbert, 38, returned home on Easter Sunday to his unit in Merrylands, western Sydney, about 11.30pm on April 9, to find his wife Erin Gilbert, 42, choking on her own blood after being stabbed to death.

Mr Gilbert tried frantically to save her life but she died at the scene before paramedics arrived.

He spent the next 24 hours in a police cell, still covered in his wife's blood, and was told he could be facing potential murder charges. But he was released soon after.

Detectives have now turned their focus to Mr Gilbert's friend, Morten Jensen, 9News reported.

Nicholas Gilbert, 38, returned home to his unit in Merrylands, western Sydney, about 11.30pm April 9, to find his wife Erin Gilbert, 42 (pictured together), choking on her own blood after being stabbed to death

Morten Jensen (pictured) is now a person of interest in the case

Mr Gilbert claims he was in contact with Mr Jensen on the night of the murder but never heard from him in the following days despite sending numerous texts.

'He was like a brother to me, I trusted him with Erin,' Mr Gilbert said.

'I thought it was strange he wasn't coming to see me, he's meant to be my best mate, he just disappeared.'

Two weeks after Ms Gilbert's death Mr Jensen was sent to prison for unrelated matters.

He is currently behind bars at Silverwater Correctional Facility, near Sydney's Olympic Park.

One of the crucial pieces of evidence in the case to date has been CCTV of a man on a motorised bicycle speeding away from the crime scene in the minutes after Ms Gilbert's death.

Police are expected to allege the man on the bicycle is Mr Jensen.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Jensen is in anyway responsible for the death of Ms Gilbert, only that police have identified him as a person of interest in their investigation.

Two months on from the tragedy, Mr Gilbert is still living in the apartment where his wife of two months died and fears he will get evicted because he was involved in a serious car accident a few years ago, sustained a brain injury, and is unable to work enough to pay rent.

The blood stains on the carpet of their home makes him break down whenever he looks at them, Mr Gilbert said.

'I'll be on the street in the next few days, but it's hard enough to stay there because of the (marks) in the carpet - I tear up every time I see them,' he said.

'But then again, it's the only place I feel close to Erin.'

The couple married in 2020 and, on their first wedding anniversary, she made him a box filled with photos and love letters.

One letter read: 'I don't want you in my life, I need you in my life. You're not my friend, you're my best friend. I don't like you, I love you and I'm glad I found you because I was absolutely lost without you.'

Another read: 'Because of you all of my other dreams gave changed, now everything I've ever wanted will be only complete [because] you're the one by my side.'

Mr Gilbert said he got goosebumps when he found the letters again.

'It gave me happy tears and I still smile just thinking about it,' he said.

Ms Gilbert's body was discovered face down in a pool of blood inside a unit block (forensic police pictured)

Mr Jensen was arrested 19 days after the murder on unrelated charges, and is currently behind bars in the Silverwater Correctional Facility, near Sydney's Olympic Park

According to police, Ms Gilbert suffered 'severe' stab wounds to the head with an unknown sharp object.

Police rifled through garbage, inspecting vehicles and inside drains to find clues.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Monday, a police spokesperson said: 'Detectives from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad  assisted by detectives from Cumberland Police Area Command and the South West Metropolitan Region  are continuing to investigate the murder of Erin Gilbert under Strike Force Trevelyan.

Anyone with any information is urged to come forward immediately.
A Treasury minister is reading the riot act to top executives about the 'de-banking' scandal - as Tories step up demands for the BBC to apologise over the Nigel Farage row.

Andrew Griffith is expected to write to 19 banks and financial services firms summoning them for talks and warning that the furore has caused 'significant concern in both Houses of Parliament'.

His intervention, understood to be happening in the coming days, will demand that new reforms regarding transparency over account closures will be obeyed.

The move comes as pressure grows on the BBC over its report that Coutts had dropped the prominent Brexiteer for financial reasons.

Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg and a senior ex-presenter have added their voices to calls for the corporation to offer an apology.

Treasury minister Andrew Griffith (pictured) will write to 19 banks and financial services firms to insist the scandal around Nigel Farage's Coutts account caused 'significant concern in both Houses of Parliament'

Mr Farage (pictured) has demanded a swift apology from BBC director-general Tim Davie

The former Ukip leader's account closure  which an internal Coutts dossier revealed was owing to his political views not aligning with the bank's  has led to swift action from ministers, who have introduced new laws to force banks to explain why they are closing an individual's account, and give a 90-day period before doing so.

Mr Griffith will tell banks he wants a meeting 'at the earliest opportunity to hear your views on how you and your firms will ensure that customers can access payment accounts without fear of being debanked for their lawful expression'.

'The Government is unequivocal that banks and other payment service providers  which occupy a privileged place in society  should not be terminating contracts of payment account facilities on grounds relating to users' exercising of their right to lawful freedom of expression,' he will write.

Sanctions, including hefty fines and the withdrawal of licences, will be imposed on banks who fail to protect free speech.

And a new account holders' charter will force banks to give a guarantee that customers will be able to express their opinions without fear of losing their accounts.

Mr Farage, who has welcomed the Government's response to the scandal, said he did not 'blame' business editor Simon Jack for reporting what he was briefed, but wanted a 'proper response'.

'I am now looking for the BBC to respond,' he said.

'If I haven't got one quickly from Tim Davie, I will look to lodge a formal complaint, and if I still don't get one, I will look to go to Ofcom.

'The BBC has a responsibility to get things right. Clearly, they got briefed by someone in a position of authority at NatWest, so I don't blame Simon Jack for that. But I am looking to get a proper response from them.'

Former Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Sun: 'The BBC must apologise for getting a story wrong.'

Veteran BBC presenter Nick Owen has urged the corporation to stop being 'so slow' and draw a line under the incident.

He acknowledged that Mr Jack would have had a 'jolly good source', but said it was now time to 'put your hands up' and apologise.

Last week former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel said the incident 'will teach me to trust reporting of my old employer'.

Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg (left) and senior ex-presenter Nicholas Owen (right) have added their voices to calls for the corporation to offer an apology

The Mail on Sunday yesterday revealed Mr Farage's lawyers have complained to the Information Commissioner's Office, which can fine banks up to 17million, about the leaking of his private information.

In a Subject Access Request to NatWest on Friday, his legal team demanded the release of all correspondence between the banking group and the BBC.

In another concerning case, Reform UK leader Richard Tice has accused Metro Bank of shutting down his account because of his vocal support and campaigning for Brexit.

He told the Sun on Sunday: 'I was suspicious at the time but didn't join enough of the dots. But it is crystal clear now what has gone on.'
The Metropolitan Police has taken the Information Commissioner to court as part of a desperate attempt to block the release of documents that could expose failures to protect women and girls.

Britain's biggest force has come under intense scrutiny over the way it treats women after a report by Baroness Dame Louise Casey branded it institutionally sexist and misogynistic.

Her damning expose followed the horrific crimes of Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, who were both armed officers within the Met's elite diplomatic protection unit.

The Times sent a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to all police forces asking for a copy of their 'problem profile' on violence against women and girls, which analyses how well they tackle different types of crime and includes recommendations on how to improve.

The Met refused to publish the report before the Information Commissioner, the independent FoI regulator, ordered it to release the report following an appeal. It found the force had blocked transparency in a 'blanket fashion'.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has pledged to claim down on the mistreatment of women

Now, the Met has taken on external lawyers to take the Commission to court in an attempt to block the release of the report - the only police force in the country to do so.

This is despite Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley complaining of a lack of funding due to 'major budget cuts'.

Harriet Bland, a solicitor at the Centre for Women's Justice, said: 'Confidence in policing among survivors of violence against women and girls is now at an all-time low . . . it is therefore extremely disappointing to hear that the Met is using taxpayers' money to fight the release of a document analysing the scale of the problem.'

A Met spokesman declined to comment, citing live legal proceedings.

Baroness Casey's damning review into the Met found that rape and domestic violence victims were made to feel like an 'inconvenience' and 'gaslighted' by overworked and inexperienced officers.

One officer said: 'If you look at our performance around rape, serious sexual offences, the detection rate is so low you may as well say it's legal in London.

'It's kind of reflective of how we treat and view our female colleagues. You get victim-blaming, looking at a situation and not believing them.'

Britain's biggest force has come under intense scrutiny for the way it treats women after a report by Baroness Dame Louise Casey branded it institutionally sexist and misogynistic

Rape victims described being told they 'should and could have done more' to protect themselves by sarcastic, rude and dismissive investigators.

Many officers are desperate to close cases with NFA  'no further action'. One admitted: 'The incentive is get it NFA'd because we have to do so much work to get it up and then the Crown Prosecution Service will NFA anyway.'

A community officer added: 'The best outcome is closing a report to reduce your workload.'

Domestic abuse crimes have doubled in London since 2012 and reported rapes have also gone up 244 per cent over this period, leaving officers swamped with work and dealing with 65 rape cases at a time.

Researchers found a woman raped and left in a coma was likely to be dealt with by a trainee detective.

Officers said victims could wait months to hear about their case and some were left suicidal.

One said: 'You don't want to be a victim of rape in London. Anyone who relies on policing in London for anything I'm scared for.'

Baroness Casey said promises to tackle violence against women and girls 'ring hollow'.

A Met spokesman declined to comment today, citing live legal proceedings

Last week a former Met officer claimed colleagues would drive the streets 'talent spotting' for attractive women, while facilities were so sparse cops stored their lunches with rape investigation evidence.

Ex special constable Matt Lloyd-Rose, who served from 2012 to 2015, said he was 'stunned' by the behaviour he saw when his team often patrolled Clapham, south London, in a police van.

He told the BBC: 'We'd been dealing with all sorts - stopping people for drugs, helping people who were drunk and confused, and chasing after illegal hotdog vendors.

As part of an effort to restore trust, Met officers have been banned from using sex workers and must now declare all romantic relationships.

Additionally, they must inform the force if they receive any money beyond 5,000 as part of tighter guidelines.
Train drivers are to stage another week-long overtime ban in a long-running row over pay, threatening fresh disruption to services at the height of the summer holidays.

The Aslef union confirmed that their members will not take on any extra work for a five-day period in August as commuters face more travel chaos.

Union members at 15 train companies in England will refuse to work overtime from Monday August 7 to Saturday August 12, in a move Aslef said would seriously disrupt services, as the union claimed none of the train companies employs enough drivers.

Aslef also claimed a number of rail operators have not given their members a pay rise in the last four years, forcing them to walk out.

The move will affect Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; Cross Country; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway main line; TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains.

Aslef will be staging yet another overtime ban set to bring fresh disruption to rail passengers over the summer holidays

The news follows a series of strike actions over the weekend staged by members of the RMT union

It will be the fifth week-long ban on working overtime since May. The latest ban ended on Saturday, with another one due from July 31 to August 5.

Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said: 'We don't want to take this action - because we don't want people to be inconvenienced - but the train companies, and the government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years - since 2019 - while prices have soared in that time by more than 12 per cent.'

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union staged two strikes last week and will walk out again on Saturday in a bitter row over pay, jobs and conditions.

The news comes as strike action across the London Underground network this week was called off by unions.

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 until Saturday, with little to no trains between Tuesday and Friday.

But Aslef said its action, scheduled for Wednesday and Friday, had been called off after 'intense' negotiations at the conciliation service Acas.

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.

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 last week

'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 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 last week during the national RMT strike

A quiet London King's Cross station last week 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.

'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.'
This is the terrifying moment a passenger hangs out of the window of a car travelling at 60mph on the A1 to clean his friend's BMW 'for banter'.

Footage captures the front seat passenger hanging out of the window to pretend to clean his friend's white BMW as he overtook another vehicle while hurtling down the dual carriageway near Grantham, Lincolnshire.

To make the video even more heart-stopping, the car is seen travelling in the fast lane in torrential rain in the footage captured on Saturday afternoon.

The police dashcam footage captured the dangerous stunt and blasted the passenger's 'deplorable behaviour' online.

Taking to Twitter, Lincolnshire Police wrote: 'This deplorable behaviour was witnessed on the A1 dual carriageway in Grantham, travelling at 60mph.

Footage captures the moment the front seat passenger hangs out of the window to pretend to clean his friend's white BMW as he overtook another vehicle while hurtling down the dual carriageway near Grantham, Lincolnshire

To make the video even more heart-stopping, the car is seen travelling in the fast lane in torrential rain in the video captured on Saturday afternoon

Officers were gobsmacked after the passenger said he was cleaning his friends vehicle for 'banter

'Passenger was cleaning his friend's vehicle for 'banter'. Driver and passenger reported for multiple offences and section 59 warning issued.'

A spokesman said the driver and passenger had been reported for several offences, and that the pair were given section 59 warning notice.

The notice means that police could seize the vehicle if further offences are committed.
Bruce Lehrmann has addressed rumours he's looking to run for federal office in the affluent Sydney seat of Wentworth.

The former political advisor was accused raping Brittany Higgins in Parliament House after a night out when they were colleagues in March 2019. He has always denied the allegations and the charges against him were dropped in December.

Speculation about his political ambitions swirled after he recently updated his Instagram bio to say he's a 'prospective legacy Liberal MP for Wentworth', which was a swipe at a comment Ms Higgins had made about him.

According to a statement, obtained by Sky News, he hinted there may actually be a chance he will vie for preselection in the eastern suburbs seat previously held by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and home to some of Australia's most expensive ocean-front homes.

'While I hail from country NSW I'm flattered and amused with the prospect,' he said.

'Politics 101 is never rule anything in or out, that's why the Prime Minister down to backbench MPs can backflip ten times over and get away with it.

'But if the good people of Wentworth need help cleaning up from a long and unfortunate period having Malcolm Turnbull and a Teal candidate represent them, then I'm close by.'

Bruce Lehrmann has addressed rumours he's looking to run for federal office in the affluent Sydney seat of Wentworth

The once-blue ribbon seat of Wentworth briefly turned independent for seven months in 2018-2019 when Mr Turnbull immediately resigned after being replaced as prime minister by Scott Morrison.

Dave Sharma won it back for the Liberals in the 2019 election, only to lose it again to Teal candidate Allegra Spender in May 2022.

If Mr Lehrmann does get preselected for the Liberals to run for Wentworth in the next election - expected to be in May 2025 - he would most likely be up against Ms Spender.

The change to his social media handle to tease a prospective run was a reference to remarks Ms Higgins made during a meeting with her fiance David Sharaz, TV presenter Lisa Wilkinson and Channel 10 producer Angus Llewellyn in January 2021.

While not named in the Lisa Wilkinson interview with Brittany Higgins (pictured together), Mr Lehrmann argues his identity would have been known in political circles

Bruce Lehrmann changed his Instagram bio (pictured) to say he was a 'prospective legacy Liberal MP for Wentworth'

The conversation was in preparation for an interview with Wilkinson on The Project, when Ms Higgins publicly levelled accusations against Mr Lehrmann for the first time that she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

During the pre-show meeting, Ms Higgins could be heard describing Mr Lehrmann's standing in political spheres when she said he was a 'legacy' Liberal staffer who would 'eventually run for a seat'.

She acknowledged the network wouldn't be able to name Mr Lehrmann as her alleged attacker for legal reasons, but said she hoped 'enough people' would be able to identify him as the alleged rapist and stop his political career from progressing.

'If enough people can put two and two together, it'll stop him from getting preselected for the seat of Wentworth, or something, one day,' she said.

Teal politician Allegra Spender (pictured) won the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth from Liberal Dave Sharma in the 2022 federal election

Brittany Higgins is pictured on The Project, when she publicly alleged for the first time that she had been raped in Parliament House in Canberra

Wentworth largely covers Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs and includes Bondi, Watsons Bay, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Double Bay, along with parts of Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point.

Mr Lehrmann's trial was aborted in October 2022 due to jury misconduct and prosecutors later dropped the charges amid concerns about the impact a second trial could have on Ms Higgins' mental health.

He was not named during The Project interview with Ms Higgins, but launched a defamation suit over the interview against the network and Wilkinson in March.

He claims he was defamed because former colleagues and people in parliamentary circles were able to identify him as the alleged rapist.

The former political staffer is also suing the ABC for airing an address Ms Higgins made to the National Press Club.

Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) formerly held the seat of Wentworth from 2004 to 2018. Bruce Lehrmann has called Mr Turnbull's time in office an 'unfortunate period'

That case is scheduled for hearing in November.

Mr Lehrmann's Instagram account also made headlines earlier this year when it was revealed he was back on the platform after a two-year hiatus.

His bio included a version of a quote by US author Mark Twain: 'A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Allegra Spender for comment.
The building which housed the 450-year-old workshop that cast Big Ben has been covered with graffiti after plans to turn it into a hotel came to nothing.

A sad picture shows how the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which closed its doors in 2017, has been vandalised in recent weeks.

The group hoping to re-open the foundry, which began operating in 1570, called the sight 'painful' when they posted the sad image of the desecration on social media this month.

The building was bought for 7.9million by US private investment group Raycliff Capital and plans to turn it into a boutique hotel were approved by the Government in 2021.

But those plans have since failed to get underway and the foundry has continued to lie empty.

A bid to save the foundry, which was visited by royals including the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles, was supported by high profile figures including the artist Sir Antony Gormley and historians Tristram Hunt and Dan Cruickshank.

The 450-year-old London workshop that cast Big Ben has been covered with graffiti after plans to turn it into a hotel came to nothing. Pictures show how Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which closed its doors in 2017, has been vandalised in recent weeks

As well as Big Ben - the main bell in what is formally known as the Elizabeth Tower in Westminster - the foundry made the bells in St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.

It also produced the original Liberty Bell, which is an icon of American independence.

It also made new bells for the late Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics.

And the 'Bow Bells' at the nearby St Mary-le-Bow church were another product of the foundry.

Folklore dictates you can only be a true Cockney if you were born within earshot of the bells.

The foundry, which was visited by the Queen in 2009 and King Charles in 2012, had been in the family of former owner Alan Hughes since 1904.

Mr Hughes said a combination of falling demand for church bells, regulations on emissions and a projected 500,000 bill for rewiring all played a part in its closure.

Having passed retirement age, he said his children had no desire to take it on and so decided to close the business.

The property was put up for rent by Raycliff last year via high-end estate agents Pilcher.

A spokesman said at the time that whilst it was 'not officially' also up for sale, a purchase offer would be considered.

Stephen Clarke, the director of the London Bell Foundry, which was formed before a planning inquiry was held into the foundry in 2020, told MailOnline that his company's offers of either a purchase or lease agreement had been turned down.

He slammed conservation body Historic England for failing to block the development plans when they were approved.

A bid to save the foundry, which was visited by both the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles, was supported by high profile figures. Above: King Charles during his 2012 visit

Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in March 2009

King George V with Queen Mary (right) and Princess Mary (left) during a visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1919

In 1919, King George V, Queen Mary (right) and Princess Mary (left) visited the Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Workers at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry pouring molten metal into a mould that produced bells for Washington Cathedral, 1955

Workers casting bells at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, June 13, 1974

Craftsman Dennis Langdon is seen in the bell foundry at work on the 'Great Tom' bell from Tom Tower at Christ Church, Oxford

The entrance to Whitechape Bell Foundry is seen above in 1976

Worker John Mackenzie tunes in one of the bells destined for the Cathedral in Washington DC at the foundry in Whitechapel, 1962

A staff member working inside the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1919

'We have through agents put forward commercial proposals to either buy or lease it because we believe it is a tragedy to leave the building empty and it has not been looked after,' he said.

'There is a complete lack of understanding about cultural heritage.

'We are getting more and more frustrated and the building is getting less and less loved and Historic England have scored an own goal because they supported the developer and that building is sitting there idle.'

Mr Clarke said Tower Hamlets Council first removed graffiti from the foundry around two months ago, but more then appeared within days.

The image of the building's sorry state was posted on Twitter earlier this month.

Mr Clarke's firm has teamed up with the Madrid-based Factum Foundation, who previously called Raycliffe's scheme 'cultural asset-stripping'.

Their alternative plan would see the re-establishment of a 'vibrant, modern foundry in the city', Mr Clarke said.

Factum's founder Adam Lowe told MailOnline that the original business model - of just relying on making bells for churches, where profit was minimal - could have been replaced by one that also had a focus on working with artists.

'At that point, the difference between the cost of production and sale price is maximised,' he said.

'You might be lucky in a traditional business model to make 10 per cent profit from the church, but if you are working with an artist the sale price can increase ten or 100 fold.'

Last year, Factum worked with famed designer Grayson Perry to create a bell that paid tribute to people who lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic.

It went on display at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

Mr Lowe said a further two artists have already been commissioned to create new bells, which will later generate revenue for the business.

'Right now, Historic England have a decaying building which looks a total mess which is not going to be made into a hotel which still has the potential to be a foundry,' he added.

'We put in an offer at market rates to the estate agents for us to reclaim the building as a foundry and that is what we want to do.

'There is a very clear issue for any politician who wants to do something to preserve the heritage of the East End.'

Raycliffe's plans to turn the foundry into a hotel generated fierce opposition from the local community, with more than 780 people formally objecting to the plans as two petitions garnered more than 20,000 signatures.

The firm had promised to adhere to rules stating they would have to maintain a small foundry at the site, but Mr Clarke branded this 'tokenistic'.

Mr Hughes had sold the foundry for a sum in the region of 5million in November 2016 to a property dealer.

The trustees of the UK Historic Building Preservation Trust, founded by King Charles, had implored Mr Hughes to sell to them, but he refused.

The site was then re-sold to Raycliff, which is owned by entrepreneur Bippy Siegal.

A spokesman for Historic England told MailOnline: 'Whitechapel Bell Foundry is an important part of our national story.

'Whilst it's no longer in use for bell-making, planning permission has been granted for a scheme for the Foundry buildings that would produce small bells under licence from the original owners, provide some public access and be sensitive to the historic fabric.

'We advised that the proposals had the makings of a successful heritage regeneration scheme, providing a sustainable future for this important group of listed buildings.

The Great Peter of York bell cast by Charles and George Mears at the Bell Foundry in 1845. It shows two workmen on the right struggling with the large clapper, and a couple viewing the bell on the left

The Queen and Prince Philip visited the foundry during a tour of east London businesses in 2009

Queen Elizabeth II waves as she leaves the Whitechapel Bell Foundry with her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on March 25, 2009

The King strikes a bell named after him during his visit to the foundry in 2012

'That approved scheme has not yet been implemented and the site has recently been targeted with graffiti.

'We visited in May 2023 to assess the buildings and understand how the site is currently being used.

'Although the buildings are vulnerable, we were reassured that appropriate temporary repairs had been carried out and that a combination of meanwhile uses and live-in guardians are ensuring the site is being monitored.

'We're keeping this situation under review and are in regular contact with Tower Hamlets Council and the site owner to secure ongoing repairs and a solution to the graffiti on the shopfront.'

Raycliff Capital has been approached for comment by MailOnline.
Sadiq Khan's unpopular ULEZ scheme will be enforced by a 'stealth' fleet of camera vans to stop vandalism and leave little wriggle room to avoid the charge.

The vehicles - understood to be similar to the Congestion Charging Mobile Patrol Units - will be used to enforce the disliked levy on motorists.

Their ability to park at different spots to catch drivers also means they will be difficult to vandalise or avoid.

At least 200 of the permanent gadgets - used to charge Londoner 12.50 a day - have been attacked so far.

Mr Khan has said he is confident he will be able to enforce the ruling across the Greater London expansion from August 29.

Hundreds of objectors gathered outside the BBC Broadcasting House in central London over the weekend dressed in high-vis jackets and armed with placards and megaphones to protest against it

It is believed the Ulez charge will be enforced with mobile cameras like these congestion ones

London mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured) admitted that a 'small number' of people had been vandalising the cameras and that two had been charged with vandalism offences, facing a court hearings

Some of the signs labelled ULEZ as a 'scam' and a 'highway robbery' while others brandished the London Mayor as a 'liar'.

TfL will no longer provide details on just how many cameras were being vandalised, as there is 'danger of inadvertently giving [vandals] the oxygen of publicity,' Mr Khan said.

London's mayor, whose position is up for reelection next year, tried to downplay concerns that the capital's drivers could evade the 12.50 levy by working out routes where they won't be picked up by the cameras.

On TfL's use of mobile cameras to enforce the congestion charge scheme, Mr Khan told Mayor's Question Time: 'In previous schemes, with the C-charge and the Ulez...there was the possibility for there to be mobile cameras as well'.

Conservative member of the London Assembly, Peter Fortune asked the mayor for an update on the topic of Ulez camera vandalism so far and whether it would be 'feasible' for London's transport body to enforce the Ulez rules across all 33 boroughs.

Mr Khan said TfL had good confidence it would be able to enforce the ruling across the Greater London expansion from August 29.

He told Mr Fortune: 'If that was your concern in relation to loopholes or routes, it's not their first rodeo. They have done this before.'

Sadiq Khan could be set to ramp up efforts to enforce his ULEZ scheme with the use of mobile cameras after at least 200 cameras have been vandalised by Londoners so far

The proposed expansion of the Ulez zone (pictured) has angered Londoners

Mr Khan admitted that a 'small number' of people had been vandalising the cameras and that two had been charged with vandalism offences, facing a court hearings.

He said: 'Having taken advice from policing partners and others, TfL has taken the position that it will not be releasing information about the number of cameras that have been subjected to criminal damage.'

As a way of trying to dodge vandals, TfL has been using 'cherry picker' lorries to place cameras out of reach of civilians.

This came after a number of cameras erected on top of traffic signals were vandalised or removed by angry Londoners.

Mr Khan said: 'The number of cameras that TfL originally planned to have by the day of 'go live', they still are confident they will have by the date of 'go live'. They are confident they will get to the number they need to get to by August 29.'

London's transport body is hoping to roll out 1,750 more cameras before the Ulez expands on August 29, however the 'go live' date could potentially if the High Court finds Mr Khan broke the law or exceeded his authority in implementing the scheme.

A judgement is expected before the end of the month.

Demonstrators hold placards against London mayor Sadiq Khan and chant slogans during a rally to protest against the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) at Marble Arch in June

There are doubts over Transport for London's ability to enforce the Ulez rules across all 33 boroughs

TfL has tried to keep the exact locations of the cameras secret, however opponents to the expansion leaked the details on Facebook groups.

Earlier this month, the High Court was told that the body refused to publish camera locations to avoid vandals taking the cameras down.

A judicial hearing brought forward by five opposing Tory councils was told that 'unfortunately, people have a hobby of tearing down the cameras,' by TfL's barrister Ben Jaffey KC.

'If the exact location of the cameras is mapped, their survival time is greatly reduced,' he added.
Soldiers patrol outside the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, Aug 20, 2022. AP-Yonhap



A suicide bomber killed at least 13 soldiers and wounded at least 20 more inside a military academy in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Monday, a soldier who saw the bodies said, in an attack claimed by the al Shabaab militant group.



A military campaign launched by government forces and allied militiamen last year has forced the al Qaeda-linked group from large swathes of territory in southern Somalia, but the militants have continued to stage deadly raids.



In recent weeks, with the military campaign against them stalled as the army prepares a second phase of the offensive, al Shabaab fighters have stepped up their attacks.



In late May, they killed at least 54 Ugandan peacekeepers at a base south of Mogadishu. For nearly two weeks, they laid siege to Baidoa, one of the country's largest cities. And they have staged a series of raids in Mogadishu this month.



The bombing on Monday targeted the Jale Siyaad military academy. A soldier at Mogadishu's military hospital who gave his name only as Ahmed said he had the bodies of 13 soldiers who were killed and 20 more who were wounded in the blast.



The victims hailed from the Lower Shabelle region and had come to the capital for training, said Captain Ali Farah, who knew some of them. He said he was aware of 10 deaths so far.



"The soldiers were being counted in the queue when the suicide bomber blew himself up," Farah said.



Al Shabaab said in a statement the bomber had killed 73 soldiers and wounded 124 others. The group typically gives casualty figures that are significantly higher than those provided by the authorities.



Al Shabaab has been fighting since 2006 to topple Somalia's central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. (Reuters)


The charge normally results in a fine but can at most carry a six-month jail term

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg has avoided jail despite being found guilty of disobeying cops.

Thunberg and other activists were detained after they stopped traffic in the oil terminal of the port in Malmo, southern Sweden, on June 19.

The 20-year-old appeared at Malmo District Court after 11am (9am GMT) this morning. The activist 'took part in a demonstration that disrupted traffic' and 'refused to obey police orders to leave the site', according to the charge sheet.

Thunberg, who inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change, was found guilty and fined today but said she had acted out of necessity.

'My actions are justifiable,' Thunberg told the court, according to the Sydsvenskan newspaper. 'I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term.'

Climate activist Greta Thunberg of Sweden leaves a court room after a hearing in Malmo, Sweden, Monday, July 24

Greta Thunberg arrives at the Malmo district court where a hearing is held and she is found guilty of disobeying police after a climate action

Police remove Greta Thunberg as they move climate activists from the organization Ta Tillbaka Framtiden in Malmo, Sweden, June 19

Police talk to Greta Thunberg as they remove climate activists from the organisation Ta Tillbaka Framtiden from the road, who blocked the entrance to Oljehamnen in Malmo, Sweden, on June 19

Climate activist Greta Thunberg smiled as she arrived at court to discover if she will be jailed after being charged with disobeying a police order

'It's correct that I was at that place on that day, and it's correct that I received an order that I didn't listen to, but I want to deny the crime,' she told the court when asked about the charge against her.

After a short trial, the court found that she was still liable for her actions and sentenced her to pay a fine of 1,500 kronor (112) plus an additional 1,000 kronor to the Swedish fund for victims of crime.

It was reported that the charge against Thunberg could at-most result in a six-month jail sentence, however normally resulted in a fine.

The June rally, organised by environmental activist group 'Ta tillbaka framtiden' (Reclaim the Future), tried to block the entrance and exit to the Malmo harbour to protest against the use of fossil fuel.

'We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure,' Thunberg said in an Instagram post at the time.

'We are reclaiming the future.'

Thunberg was charged earlier this month because she had refused to comply with police orders to leave the scene during the protest, according to Swedish Prosecution Authority spokeswoman Annika Collin and a statement from prosecutors.

She was pictured grinning as she arrived at the Malmo District Court this morning ahead of the hearing.

She joined the Malmo protest organised by environmental activist group 'Ta tillbaka framtiden' (Reclaim the Future) as they attempted to block the entrance and exit to the harbour to protest the use of fossil fuel.

On July 5, the group said: 'After blocking the activities that are burning our future, we are now being charged with criminal offences.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who had been charged of disobeying police at a rally last month during a climate action in the Norra hamnen neighbourhood in Malmo, speaks during a press conference at the District Court in Malmo, Sweden on July 24

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, charged after a climate action in the Norra hamnen neighbourhood in Malmo, arrives for the start of her trial at the District Court in Malmo, Sweden on July 24

Journalists take footage as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, charged after a climate action in the Norra hamnen neighbourhood in Malmo, waits for the start of her trial at the District Court in Malmo, Sweden on July 24

Police talk to Greta Thunberg as they move climate activists from the organization Ta Tillbaka Framtiden in Malmo, Sweden, June 19

She joined the Malmo protest organised by environmental activist group 'Ta tillbaka framtiden' (Reclaim the Future) as they attempted to block the entrance and exit to the harbour to protest the use of fossil fuel

'While charges are being brought against us, the real crime is going on inside the doors we have blocked'.

Greta Thunberg was just 15 when she began her 'School Strike for the Climate' in front of Sweden's parliament in Stockholm.

She and a small group of youths founded the Fridays for Future movement, which quickly became a global phenomenon.

In addition to her climate strikes, the young activist regularly lambasts governments and politicians for not properly addressing climate issues.

At the end of March, she condemned what she called an 'unprecedented betrayal' from leaders after the publication of the latest report by the IPCC, the UN's climate advisory panel.

The detainment in June followed a previous arrest in January, when Thunberg was carried away by riot police officers for the second time in three days while protesting at a coal mine in Germany.

She was among dozens of climate activists who were detained by police officers during protests at a mine in the coal village of Lutzerath, in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

The activists, who are protesting against the ongoing destruction of the village to make way for a coal mine expansion, clashed with riot police.
A female teacher who was jailed for having sex with a 15-year-old pupil is 'flirting with the lads' working at her new job as a gate guard while on temporary release from prison, it has been claimed.

Kandice Barber, 37, was jailed for having sex after a court heard she had groomed a schoolboy, taken him to a field, kissed him on the neck and whispered 'What do you want to do now?' before having sex.

But sources claim the mother-of-three has been a 'hit with the lads' at her new job, and that they have 'no idea about her background'. They told the Sun newspaper: 'It's no secret she's a massive flirt and lots of the staff there have already noticed her.

'Kandice turned up about two months ago, which was a complete shock because she should have still been behind bars.'

Wates Construction confirmed Barber is on temporary release, which is a process designed to help reintegrate inmates before their release.

Sources say Barber has been working at a council site in west London since May

The 37-year-old is now said to be 'flirting with lads' in her new job checking security passes and letting in trucks to the building site

The supply teacher from Wendover, Buckinghamshire spotted her victim at a school sports day and added him on Snapchat to send flirty texts. She then bombarded him with messages including one where she asked him 'Do you like boobs or bum?', and sent him a photo of herself on a bed surrounded by sex toys.

The victim said the assault took place between October 11, 2018 and immediately before the half-term. Ultimately, Barber was reported after a photo shared with the child was circulated widely and reached the head teacher of the school.

She was found guilty of one count of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

She broke up with her husband Daniel who, despite being by her side in court and giving evidence during the trial, left her for a new romance with a woman called Charlotte Smith. The pair have been dating for months and plan to start a family soon.

Barber leaving Aylesbury Crown Court after being found guilty of two sex offence charges related to sending topless Snapchat pictures to a 15-year-old student

Barber's ex Daniel, left, beams with his new partner Charlotte Smith, on the right

After Barber was jailed, Daniel posted a photo after her sentence featuring a Superman t-shirt and kissing emoji alongside a caption saying 'always', and described the verdict as a 'joke' at the time.

At the trial at Aylesbury Crown Court, Barber's grooming of the teenager was described as 'beyond despicable' .

Jailing Barber in 2021, Recorder Bal Dhaliwal said Barber had 'acted in gross breach of trust' and had taken 'advantage of a child in your care and groomed him for your own sexual gratification'.

She told the teacher: 'The victim was a 15-year-old boy in his final year at school. You had control and authority over him. He felt drawn in by you due to the compliments, you caused him to engage in sex with you while he was a pupil in your care.'
CCTV footage of a car speeding away from the scene of a triple shooting has emerged as police continue to hunt for the gunman.

The black BMW was seen racing down Mayvick St, Greenacre, in Western Sydney on Sunday morning just 50 metres from where three people aged in their 20s were peppered with bullets.

Ahmad Al-Azzam, 25, was shot multiple times including in the head while sitting in his silver Toyota at 2.15am on Sunday and is now fighting for life.

Kaashif Richards, 22, and Achiraya Jantharat, 19, who were in a separate car nearby were also hit with bullets and rushed to hospital.

Mr Richards was struck in the neck and remains in a critical condition while Ms Jantharat was shot in her back and is in a stable condition.

The vehicle captured on camera is believed to have been stolen in the city's eastern suburbs earlier this year.

Ahmad Al-Azzam, 25, was shot multiple times including in the head while sitting in his silver Toyota (pictured) in Sydney's Greenacre and is now fighting for life

It was found just five minutes after the shooting on Amy St, two suburbs away in Regents Park, in a ball of flames - something that has become a trademark of Sydney's underworld hitmen.

Because of the high number of bullets focused on Mr Al-Azzam's car, investigators suspect Mr Al-Azzam was the target of the shooter.

But the motive remains a mystery as none of the three victims had criminal records or any known links to organised crime gangs.

Police officers who arrived on the bloody scene and performed CPR are credited with saving the victims' lives.

About 20 investigators under the newly formed Strike Force Aplina are working to find the perpetrators.

Opposition police spokesman Paul Toole slammed Police Minister Yasmin Catley for keeping the public in the dark about the current gang war plaguing Sydney's streets.

In the past three years 18 people have been shot dead in the Harbour City with several more including the latest three victims narrowly surviving.

The black BMW was seen racing down Mayvick St, Greenacre, in Western Sydney on Sunday morning just 50m from where three people aged in their 20s were peppered with bullets

The black BMW was found just five minutes after the shooting on Amy St, two suburbs away in Regents Park, in a ball of flames - something that has become a trademark of Sydney's underworld hitmen.

'The minister needs to come out and tell us what actions she's taking to proactively support our police in giving them the resources they need right now, to be able to deal with the spate of shootings that we're seeing across Sydney right now,' he said.

'Not (all) shootings are taking place after dark, these are shootings that are taking place in the middle of the day in public spaces and the community deserves to feel safe.

'The Minister has a responsibility here to back up the police and tell us what is happening.'

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
BBC newsreader George Alagiah died today aged 67 after a nine-year battle with bowel cancer.

The widely respected broadcaster - who joined the BBC in 1989 and had been the face of News At Six since 2007 - passed away 'peacefully' surrounded by his family.

BBC director general Tim Davie led tributes today, hailing him as 'one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation'.

Alagiah - who is survived by his wife, Frances Robathan, and two children, Adam and Matt - was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014 before finishing treatment in October 2015 and returning to screens a month later.

His health was back in the headlines in March 2020 when he tested positive for Covid. Alagiah returned to presenting duties in April 2022 until August before departing again in October after revealing that the cancer had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.

George Alagiah - who had been the face of News At Six since 2007 - passed away 'peacefully' surrounded by his family

The journalist is seen at Buckingham Palace with his wife Frances Robathan and sons Adam and Matt, 17, after collecting his OBE from the Queen in 2008

Alagiah in 2022 after returning to News At Six following months of treatment. In October he announced he was taking a break from the screen

Alagiah had campaigned to raise awareness of bowel cancer, and in May shared a tweet urging people to access free screening kits.

'I wish I had access to one of these kits when I was first diagnosed nine years ago,' he wrote.

READ MORE - Obituary of fearless BBC stalwart who 'fought until the bitter end' Advertisement

The Sri Lanka-born journalist endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

In a statement issued today, his agent, Mary Greenham, said: 'I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

'George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

'George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public.

'He simply was a wonderful human being.

'My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family.'

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: 'Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

'George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

'He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.'

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours list for services to journalism

Alagiah in 2006 with his wife, Frances Robathan, (left) and Jane Ashley, the daughter of Laura Ashley

The journalist became one of the BBC's most renowned foreign correspondents. He is seen in 2009 during a visit to Kibera, Keyna - the largest slum in Africa

The journalist as a young boy with his engineer father, Donald

Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, paid tribute saying: 'George was a brilliant journalist, a lovely man and an inspiring example to all fighting serious illness. His friends will miss him deeply.'

Broadcaster John Simpson said: 'A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague it would be hard to find.

What are the common signs of bowel cancer? Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and leads to around 16,800 deaths every year. More than nine out of 10 cases of bowel cancer develop in older adults over the age of 50, and nearly six in 10 are in people aged 70 or older. George Alagiah was first diagnosed with stage four (advanced) bowel cancer in 2014. By the age of 66, it had spread to his lungs, liver, spine and lymph nodes. The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are having persistent blood in the stools, an ongoing change in bowel habit (such as needing to go more often or suffering the runs) and persistent lower abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort. A loss of appetite may also occur, or somebody may suffer significant, unintentional weight loss. Several things are known to increase the risk of bowel cancer, though they cannot explain every case. These include a diet high in red or processed meats and low in fibre, being overweight or obese, not taking enough exercise and drinking too much alcohol. Being a smoker and having a family history of the disease can also push up the risk. Some people also have an increased risk of bowel cancer because they have another long-term condition, such as extensive ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Bowel cancer screening is currently widely offered to people aged 60 to 74 who are sent a home stool kit every two years. Those aged 75 and over can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60. Bowel cancer can be very difficult to treat in its later stages. But in the early stages, tumours can often be removed through surgery. The main treatments for bowel cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted drugs, which depend on the genetic make-up of the tumour. One in 15 men and one in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime. Expert predictions are that 53,646 cases of bowel cancer (29,356 in men and 24,290 in women) will be diagnosed in the UK in 2035. Advertisement

'I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.'

Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel added: 'Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster - but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.'

Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was 'deeply saddened' by news of Alagiah's death.

He said: 'A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary pushing reporting. British journalism has lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.'

Alagiah was a popular and reassuring presence behind a BBC News desk for more than 20 years, his unflappable demeanour making him a hit with viewers.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and was one of the broadcaster's leading foreign correspondents, filing dispatches on subjects ranging from the Rwandan genocide to civil wars across Africa.

Alagiah was born in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo in 1955 when the city was still considered part of the former British territory of Ceylon.

During the BBC's coverage of the 2004 Asian tsunami, he returned to the country to find that his grandfather's former home had been destroyed in the natural disaster.

Alagiah was forced to take a break from television following his bowel cancer diagnosis in 2014 and shared updates as he battled the disease, including in June 2020 when he revealed it had spread to his lungs.

The journalist spent part his of childhood in Ghana in west Africa where he moved with his engineer father Donald and mother Therese.

He moved to the UK to attend secondary school in Portsmouth after which he read politics at Durham University.

During his studies at Durham he was the editor of the student paper and a sabbatical officer of the students' union.

It was there that he met his wife Frances Robathan. The couple married in 1984 and share two sons Adam and Matthew.

Before starting with the BBC in 1989, Alagiah was based in Johannesburg as developing world correspondent for South Magazine.

He was named Amnesty International's journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi and also won the Broadcasting Press Guild's award for television journalist of the year.

He was also part of the BBC team that won a Bafta Award in 2000 for its reporting of the conflict in Kosovo, one of several prizes he received during his broadcasting career.

After first presenting BBC Four News in 2002 he went on to co-anchor the corporations 6pm news bulletin, first alongside Sophie Raworth and then Natasha Kaplinsky.

From 2007 he was the programmes sole presenter while he was also a relief presenter for News at Ten.

Alagiah chats to Queen Camilla - then the Duchess of Cornwall - during a 2013 reception at Clarence House

Alagiah speaks to the audience during the 2009 reception at Clarence House, which brought together young people and policymakers

Alagiah with his co-presenter Natasha Kaplinsky on a News At Six bulletin in 2007 - the year he began presenting duties

Alagiah and Raworth during a 'behind the scenes' look at how they put the programme together

Alagiah endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver

Alagiah had campaigned to raise awareness of bowel cancer, and in May shared a tweet urging people to access free screening kits

He interviewed several world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In 2008, he was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to journalism.

The following year he was asked by the BBC's management to step down from his role as a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation.

The corporation explained that based on its principles of impartiality his role with the group represented a professional conflict of interest.

It was first announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It was later revealed the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

After undergoing treatment he revealed on social media in October 2015 that he would return to work, subsequently appearing on-screen in November.

An ever-popular presenter, his return was welcomed by viewers and his fellow journalists, including presenters of competing news programmes.

In 2016, Alagiah said he was a 'richer person' for his cancer diagnosis, which saw him undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations, one of which included the removal of most of his liver.

Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and was one of the broadcaster's leading foreign correspondents

Alagiah's health was back in the headlines in March 2020, when amid a global pandemic he tested positive for Covid-19.

He credited his experience of fighting cancer with helping him deal with the 'mild' case of coronavirus.

In June 2020, Alagiah revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs but delivered a typically philosophical judgment.

He told the Times newspaper: 'My doctors have never used the word 'chronic' or 'cure' about my cancer.

'They've never used the word 'terminal' either. I've always said to my oncologist, 'Tell me when I need to sort my affairs out', and he's not told me that, but what he did tell me is that the cancer is now in a third organ. It is in my lungs.'

Alagiah said he had kept the development a secret, only telling his editor.

He said: 'I said to my doctor, 'You're going to have to do the worrying for me.' I don't want to fill my mind with worry. I just know that he's a clever guy, doing everything he can.'

In October 2021, a representative for Alagiah announced that he would be taking a step back from his presenting and journalism duties as he deals with 'a further spread of cancer'.

During an interview in January 2022, Alagiah spoke candidly about his long battle with cancer, saying 'it will get me in the end,' before adding 'I'm hoping it's a long time from now, but I'm very lucky'.

Despite his matter of fact approach to the disease, Alagiah remained positive when reflecting on his career and family life.

'I had to stop and say, 'Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?',' he said.

He added: 'And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey... the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances Robathan), who's now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up... it didn't feel like a failure.'

Alagiah temporarily returned to BBC News At Six in April 2022.

However, in October he once again announced that he had been forced to take time away from his work after scans showed that the cancer had spread further.

While sharing the news, Alagiah said: 'A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so it's back to some tough stuff.

'I'm missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

'I look forward to being back in that studio as soon as I can.'

Alagiah spoke openly about the experience of living with cancer, joining a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 in which he said he sometimes felt he had the 'easy part', living with bowel cancer while his loved ones had to watch.

He said: 'Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves.

'In some ways I've felt through my six-plus years living with cancer that sometimes I have the easy part... My job is just to stay fit and my family has got to watch all of the other things.'

Appearing in a campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2022, speaking about the impact of his own experience of living with stage four bowel cancer, Alagiah said: 'People always ask me how I cope and it's the hardest question...

'The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head - despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.'

Away from journalism, Alagiah was a published author and his debut novel was shortlisted for a Society Of Authors award.

His thriller The Burning Land, about corruption and homicide in South Africa, was in the running for the Paul Torday memorial prize, which is awarded to a first novel by a writer over 60.
Two female hikers have died in the blistering 114F heat after going for a walk in the Valley of Fire State Park.

Nevada State Police was called by a group of hikers after the women failed to return from a hike in the park 65 miles north of Las Vegas on July 22.

The south of Nevada is still under an extreme heat warning after temperatures reached 114F on Saturday when the hikers went missing.

Officers arrived at 2.48pm that afternoon and requested a search and rescue team from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which found one woman dead on the trail and the other in a canyon, according to KLAS-TV.

The state police has not released any other details about the incident, including the women's identities and their cause of death, but the investigation remains ongoing.

Nevada State Police was called by a group of hikers after the women failed to return from a hike in the park 65 miles north of Las Vegas on July 22

The south of Nevada is still under an extreme heat warning after temperatures reached 114F on Saturday when the hikers went missing

Their deaths come after five other hikers have died in US national parks in extreme heat since June 1.

No previous year had this many suspected heat-related deaths in national parks in the same time. The deadliest month for heat in parks is yet to come with August, according to CNN.

While all seven deaths are still being investigated, all hikers died in temperatures exceeding 100F in one of four state parks: Valley of Fire, Grand Canyon, Big Bend and Death Valley.

On June 1, a 65-year-old man died hiking in Texas's Big Bend.

A boy, 14, died on a trail in the same national park in 119F heat and his stepfather died in a car accident on the same day while he was trying to get help for his stepson.

Seven people died in four national parks since June 1. Two in the Death Valley (one of whom is Steve Curry, who died on July 18), two in the Valley of Fire, one in the Grand Canyon (Melanie Hamling, who died on July 2) and two in the Big Bend National Park.

Melanie Hamling, 57, died on July 2 when she went for an eight-mile hike in the Grand Canyon

Hamling, whose identity was confirmed by park authorities, was hiking with a friend near the Tuweep area of the park

On July 2, Melanie Hamling, 57, fell unconscious and died while she was hiking in the Grand Canyon with a friend.

Her partner, Russ James, shared the sad news on social media, writing: 'My best friend, partner, and all-around amazing human, Melanie Staples Hamling passed away Sunday from heat exhaustion during a hike in the grand canyon.

'I am heart-broken, lost, and unsure how to go on without her. She was so kind and befriended everybody she met. There are no words.'

A day later, on July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead in his car on the side of the road in the Death Valley National Park, with rangers suspecting he died of the heat which reached 126F that day.

Just last week, on July 18, 71-year-old hiker Steve Curry collapsed and died outside a restroom in California's Death Valley after hiking a nearby trail.

Curry was an experienced hiker and died just hours after he answered an LA Times reporter's question why he was hiking in the extreme heat of 121F with 'Why not?'.

Just last week, on July 18, 71-year-old hiker Steve Curry collapsed and died outside a restroom in California's Death Valley after hiking a nearby trail
George Alagiah - who died today aged 67 after a 19-year battle with cancer - had a reassuring presence and unflappable demeanour that made him one of Britain's best loved newsreaders.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and was one of the broadcaster's leading foreign correspondents, filing dispatches on subjects ranging from the Rwandan genocide to civil wars across Africa.

Alagiah was born in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo in 1955 to Tamil and Christian parents when the city was still considered part of the former British territory of Ceylon.

The family relocated to Ghana when Alagiah was six to escape anti-Tamil violence, which was led by parliamentarians who protested against Tamil being an administrative language in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.

During the BBC's coverage of the 2004 Asian tsunami, he returned to the country to find that his grandfather's former home had been destroyed in the natural disaster.

George Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and was one of the broadcaster's leading foreign correspondents

Alagiah in 2022 after returning to News At Six following months of treatment

The journalist as a young boy with his engineer father, Donald

Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014 before finishing treatment in October 2015 and returning to screens a month later.

He said at the time: 'Now that I've got it, it's made life richer. It's clearer to me what's important and it's clearer to me how to love people.'

His health was back in the headlines in March 2020 when he tested positive for Covid. Alagiah returned to presenting duties in April 2022 before departing again in October after revealing that the cancer had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.

Today, his agent Mary Greenham said he died earlier today after 'fighting until the bitter end'.

The journalist spent part his of childhood in Ghana in west Africa where he moved with his engineer father Donald and mother Therese.

The family moved to England when Alagiah turned 11.

'In my head, I felt like a migrant,' Alagiah later said.

As one of a handful of non-white 100 boarders at St John's College, a Roman Catholic school in Portsmouth, he was introduced to casual racism from his peers.

'I hadn't realised I was coloured until I came to Britain,' he recounted in 2019.

It was the landmark Watergate investigation which inspired Alagiah, aged 17, to start a career in media.

Alagiah in 2006 with his wife, Frances Robathan, (left) and Jane Ashley, the daughter of Laura Ashley

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours list for services to journalism

The journalist became one of the BBC's most renowned foreign correspondents. He is seen in 2009 during a visit to Kibera, Keyna - the largest slum in Africa

He modelled himself on Carl Bernstein, the American journalist who played a prolific role in uncovering the Republican 'dirty tricks' scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon in 1972.

He joked in 2005 that the edgy exterior enticed him: 'It was the collar undone, tie hanging round your navel, cigarette in mouth, banging away at a typewriter, and bringing down a government or a president. I thought that was cool.'

A boxy and musty-smelling office in Durham Students' Union was where Alagiah's career in journalism began. He became editor of student newspaper Palatinate during his first year of university, and to this day an honorary Mac computer is still named after him.

In an interview with the paper to celebrate its 800th edition in 2017, Alagiah recounted his days as Editor-in-Chief. Under his watch, he said: There was always a kind of attempt at being serious, and then our sense of having fun got the better of us.'

Alagiah married his university sweetheart Frances Robathan in 1986 and they have two children, Adam and Matthew.

Alagiah chats to Queen Camilla - then the Duchess of Cornwall - during a 2013 reception at Clarence House

Alagiah speaks to the audience during the 2009 reception at Clarence House, which brought together young people and policymakers

Alagiah with his co-presenter Natasha Kaplinsky on a News At Six bulletin in 2007 - the year he began presenting duties

Alagiah and Raworth during a 'behind the scenes' look at how they put the programme together

Before starting with the BBC in 1989, Alagiah was based in Johannesburg as developing world correspondent for South Magazine.

He was named Amnesty International's journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi and also won the Broadcasting Press Guild's award for television journalist of the year.

He was also part of the BBC team that won a Bafta Award in 2000 for its reporting of the conflict in Kosovo, one of several prizes he received during his broadcasting career.

After first presenting BBC Four News in 2002 he went on to co-anchor the corporations 6pm news bulletin, first alongside Sophie Raworth and then Natasha Kaplinsky.

From 2007 he was the programmes sole presenter while he was also a relief presenter for News at Ten.

He interviewed several world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In 2008, he was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to journalism.

The following year he was asked by the BBC's management to step down from his role as a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation.

The newsreader appearing on a special celebrity edition of the Weakest Link in 2001

Alagiah in the sitting room of his London home, which includes a cigarette box (bottom right) given to his father-in-law by his fellow officers in the RAF

The corporation explained that based on its principles of impartiality his role with the group represented a professional conflict of interest.

It was first announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It was later revealed the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

After undergoing treatment he revealed on social media in October 2015 that he would return to work, subsequently appearing on-screen in November.

An ever-popular presenter, his return was welcomed by viewers and his fellow journalists, including presenters of competing news programmes.

In 2016, Alagiah said he was a 'richer person' for his cancer diagnosis, which saw him undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations, one of which included the removal of most of his liver.

Alagiah's health was back in the headlines in March 2020, when amid a global pandemic he tested positive for Covid-19.

He credited his experience of fighting cancer with helping him deal with the 'mild' case of coronavirus.

In June 2020, Alagiah revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs but delivered a typically philosophical judgment.

The journalist at the launch of Fair Trade fortnight in London on February 22, 2009

Alagiah poses in front of a photographic portrait at a 2006 exhibition in the Oxo Tower

He told the Times: 'My doctors have never used the word 'chronic' or 'cure' about my cancer.

'They've never used the word 'terminal' either. I've always said to my oncologist, "Tell me when I need to sort my affairs out", and he's not told me that, but what he did tell me is that the cancer is now in a third organ. It is in my lungs.'

Alagiah said he had kept the development a secret, only telling his editor.

He said: 'I said to my doctor, "You're going to have to do the worrying for me." I don't want to fill my mind with worry. I just know that he's a clever guy, doing everything he can.'

In October 2021, a representative for Alagiah announced that he would be taking a step back from his presenting and journalism duties as he deals with 'a further spread of cancer'.

During an interview in January 2022, Alagiah spoke candidly about his long battle with cancer, saying 'it will get me in the end,' before adding 'I'm hoping it's a long time from now, but I'm very lucky'.

Despite his matter of fact approach to the disease, Alagiah remained positive when reflecting on his career and family life.

'I had to stop and say, "Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?",' he said.

His thriller The Burning Land, about corruption and homicide in South Africa, was in the running for the Paul Torday memorial prize, which is awarded to a first novel by a writer over 60

He added: 'And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey... the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances Robathan), who's now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up... it didn't feel like a failure.'

Alagiah temporarily returned to BBC News At Six in April 2022.

However, in October he once again announced that he had been forced to take time away from his work after scans showed that the cancer had spread further.

While sharing the news, Alagiah said: 'A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so it's back to some tough stuff.

'I'm missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

'I look forward to being back in that studio as soon as I can.'

Away from journalism, Alagiah was a published author and his debut novel was shortlisted for a Society Of Authors award.

His thriller The Burning Land, about corruption and homicide in South Africa, was in the running for the Paul Torday memorial prize, which is awarded to a first novel by a writer over 60.
A Home and Away child star is in jail on remand after he tried to use a bottle of wine to assault a man during a botched carjacking.

Felix Dean appeared in Sydney Downing Centre District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to assaulting a man with the intention to rob him earlier this year.

According to the court documents, the 26-year-old tried to steal the keys to an Audi A5 from an unknown man on May 28.

The victim was getting into his car in Botany, in Sydney's south, at 8.30pm when he felt something blocking the driver's door from closing.

Felix Dean has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man during a botched carjacking.

Troubled Home and Away child star Felix Dean is pictured with on-screen mother Ada Nicodemou

When he looked up, he saw Dean was holding the car door open and standing over him.

'Get the f*** out of the car c*** and give me your f***ing keys,' the former child star demanded.

When the victim told him to 'f*** off', the agreed facts state Dean grabbed a full wine bottle out of his satchel and wielded it as a weapon.

The actor held the bottle by the neck and swung it towards the other man, who leant back to avoid being hit.

He continued to demand that the victim get out of the car and hand over the keys as he swung the bottle threateningly, according to the agreed facts.

The victim told police he was unable to defend himself and agreed to hand over the keys if Dean allowed him to stand up.

As the child actor took a step backwards, the victim kicked him in the face and then in the chest.

He yelled for help as Dean staggered back and took off slowly down the street.

The court heard he admitted to assaulting the man in Botany with the intention of robbing him, but pleaded not guilty to the three charges of common assault relating to a separate incident.

The former television star was beamed into the courtroom via audiovisual link while wearing his prison green tracksuit on Monday.

He looked anxious throughout the proceedings and drummed his hands on the desk in front of him inside the custody cell.

Mr Dean shot to fame when he was only 10 years old.

His lawyer Lauren MacDougall said she would be applying to have the charges dismissed under the mental health act.

The former actor shot to fame when he was only 10 years old.

He got his big break when he played the role of 'VJ' on Home and Away alongside Ada Nicodemou as her on-screen son.

Dean starred on the Channel 7 show between 2007 and 2010, and was nominated for Best Young Actor at the 2008 and 2009 Inside Soap Awards.

He will return to court on September 11.
In another push to protect unborn babies, Republicans are unveiling their own tax credit expansion to include retroactive benefits for the duration of a woman's pregnancy.

The Providing for Life Act aims to overhaul the federal government's family care system and is being spearheaded by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa. A cornerstone of the new law is providing parents with retroactive credits for unborn children.

The legislation, confirmed to DailyMail.com, would increase the refundable child tax credit from the current $2,000 per dependent to $3,500 for those under the age of six, and $4,500 for those between the ages of six and 17. Parents would need to be employed to receive the credit under the Republican bill.

Under Hinson's proposed package, parents would become eligible for claiming the tax credit for the prior year during their pregnancy  and also get access to the regular tax credit for the current year after their child is born.

A new child tax credit proposal from Republicans would include retroactive credits for the time of pregnancy after a mother gives birth. The legislation is part of the GOP's pro-life agenda following the overturn of Roe v. Wade last June

Rep. Ashley Hinson is leading the legislative effort to expand child tax credits to include characterizing the unborn as dependents. The law would also require fathers to help pay for pregnancy care for mothers

The package also would aim to address the U.S. maternity and paternity leave, which critics say is far behind other developed nations. The proposal would allow parents to draw early from their Social Security to finance up to three months of paid parental leave.

States would also receive incentives under the package to implement guidelines for fathers contributing to payment of women's pregnancy costs.

The bill comes as Republicans continue to push a pro-life agenda following the Supreme Court last year overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion on the federal level half a century ago.

The Dobbs decision last June reversed that decision and sent abortion laws back to the states to decide. More than a dozen states had so-called 'trigger laws,' which outlawed abortion once the Supreme Court decision was handed down in 2022.

Some GOP lawmakers have expressed openness to putting federal-level limitations on abortion  like limiting the procedure to the first six weeks of pregnancy.

Protesters walk in support of abortion rights on the one-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2023

Hinson told Fox News her legislation 'charts the policy course for a culture of life in America.'

The aim, Hinson added, is to empower families of all socioeconomic statuses to carry their pregnancies to term and give them assistance in resources to care for those children.

Including a work requirement for the expanded tax credit, however, could be a nonstarter for Democrats.

Child tax credits free from work requirements was highly popular during the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats attempted, and failed, to make it permanent.
Ex-CNN boss Jeff Zucker was soaking up the sun on a romantic trip to the Amalfi Coast with girlfriend Allison Gollust three weeks before he was snapped leaving a party in the Hamptons hand-in-hand with married anchor Alisyn Camerota.

The pair caused a stir by emerging from Don Lemon's Sag Harbor pad on Saturday afternoon just 30 minutes after Zucker had arrived with Gollust. Gollust was seen leaving alone and on the phone just five minutes later.

It's unclear where the trio went - Zucker is currently selling his Amagansett estate for a whopping $16million.

Sources close to them tell Page Six there is nothing to the photos, obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com.

Summer of CNN love: Zucker and Gollust are shown together in the Amalfi Coast in a photo posted online by Lemon on July 3

Lemon, Zucker and Gollust at dinner in Italy around a month ago

Zucker leaves Don Lemon's home in Sag Harbor with married CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota. He had arrived only 30 minutes earlier with Gollust

Allison Gollust left the party just five minutes before Zucker and Camerota

'[They're] just old friends. Allison and Jeff have never been happier.

'He and Camerota were going to meet Allison for coffee,' the source claimed.

Zucker and Camerota, who joined the network in 2014 after working at Fox News.

He took over at CNN the previous year in 2013, with Gollust among his first hires.

In 2019, he joked at an awards ceremony about how he loved 'waking up with' Camerota - then the host of one of CNN's morning shows.

'I was gonna say that I love waking up WITH YOU every morning, but I want to say that I love waking up TO YOU every morning,' he said.

Camerota spoke out afterwards to downplay any impropriety.

'Its the oldest joke in the book made to morning show anchors, both men and women.

Camerota has been married to husband Tim Lewis since 2002. The pair have three children together

Zucker is currently selling his $16million Amagansett home

'I hear it a couple of times a week from people in the grocery store. That isnt harassment, in my opinion, and I didnt find it tone deaf, either,' she said at the time.

Zucker stepped down last February after his relationship with Gollust became public, and the pair have remained together ever since.

They were joined in Italy by Lemon, another network casualty, and his partner Tim.

Camerota's husband Tim Lewis is yet to comment on the photos of his wife from the weekend.

Zucker's Amagansett home is listed for a $15,995,000.

When he and Gollust announced their relationship last year, they said it had flourished from a friendship to a romance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He had divorced wife Caryn years earlier in 2018, and Gollust had divorced her husband the previous year.

Some sources close to the couple however denied their version of events, insisting that they'd in fact conducted a years-long affair that dated back to when they worked together at NBC.

Their two families lived in the same Upper East Side apartment building for a time.
Donald Trump is reportedly so desperate for an invite to Joe Rogan's podcast that his ally Roger Stone has challenged Joe to cage match to settle the issue.

The former president, who frequently listens to Rogan's world-ranking podcast, is eyeing up an invite. However, Rogan said he's told Trump's team 'no every time' that the opportunity has arisen.

On July 9, Trump and Rogan were seen shaking hands at the UFC 290 fight in Las Vegas - and the 77-year-old presidential candidate has since been pushing for an invitation to sit down and record with him.

Now, Trump's long-time advisor Roger Stone has started talking about organizing a UFC-styled cage match between himself and Rogan to settle the matter, according to people close to the former president who spoke to Daily Beast.

Donald Trump is allegedly so desperate for an invite to Joe Rogan's podcast that his ally Roger Stone has challenged Joe to cage match to settle the issue. Rogan claims he's said 'no every time' that the opportunity has arisen

On July 9, Trump and Rogan were seen shaking hands at the UFC 290 fight in Las Vegas - and the 77-year-old has since been pushing for an invitation to sit down with him

Stone, 70, appeared on an InfoWars show and said: 'I know I can definitely take him.

'I hit the heavy bag for an hour every Saturday.'

He then also made a jibe at the podcaster's stature: 'Well, let me put it this way, Alex. He was wearing a really nice suit. I wonder what it would cost in a mans size.'

Rogan, who garners 11 million views per episode on his The Joe Rogan Experience, has made it clear he has no interest in interviewing Trump.

But that has not stopped Trump's allies from plotting a pressure campaign to inadvertently sway him, according to reports.

One Trump adviser told The Daily Beast: 'The mere discussion of Donald Trump on a blockbuster podcast like Joe Rogan builds a remarkable audience.

'Perhaps the only person bigger in the new media world than Joe Rogan is Donald Trump and the whole idea that the two of them would be together at long lastit would be an incredible audience.'

Trump's long-time advisor Roger Stone has allegedly started talking about organizing a UFC-styled cage match between himself and Rogan to settle the matter, according to people close to the former president

But another insider said that Trump is happy to play 'the long game,' in a bid to get on to Rogan's popular podcast.

Earlier this month, Rogan said: 'I'm not a Trump supporter in any way, shape or form. I've had the opportunity to have him on my show more than once.

'I've said no every time. I don't want to help him. I'm not interested in helping him.'

Trump recently appeared on the NELK Boys podcast - which has a young demographic of listeners - but the video was removed from YouTube over comments he made about election fraud.

Earlier this month, the former president caught sight of Rogan, pointed at him and walked over during their cage-side meet at the UFC fight.

Rogan smiled at the attention before the pair entered into a 10-second handshake that seemed entirely friendly.

The exchange, which circulated widely on social media, arrived despite Rogan's up-and-down history of commenting on Trump, his leadership, and his behavior.

Last year, Rogan labeled Trump a 'man baby' during an episode recorded with comedian Tom Segura.

Segura said that when former White House advisor Jared Kushner had a piece of bad news to deliver to the commander-in-chief, he would place it between two pieces of good news to soften the blow.

'Of course! He's a man baby,' said Rogan.

Rogan has also called some of Trump's supporters 'morons.'

In a conversation with Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, Rogan said that while Trump had successfully shaken up the establishment and special interest groups in Washington, he also gave 'the morons' a king.'

'The morons had a king. There's a lot of morons,' said Rogan. 'And it doesn't matter what he's saying, like, for them, he represents them.'
Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary appeared in court today charged with leading and directing the banned militant network Al-Muhajiroun.

Choudary, 56, and Canadian national Khaled Hussain, 28, were arrested last week over alleged membership of the proscribed organisation.

The cleric was taken into custody during a dawn raid by Met Police counter terrorism detectives in east London, while Hussain was arrested at Heathrow Airport.

Wearing a black jacket, bespectacled Choudary appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today speaking to confirm his name and date of birth.

Choudary, 56, of east London was charged yesterday after being arrested by terror police

Choudary, of Ilford, east London, is charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, namely Al-Muhajiroun (ALM), addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and directing a terrorist organisation.

Prosecutor Warren Stanier told the court the Islamist group seeks to establish an Islamic Caliphate ruled by Shariah law.

Founded by Omar Bakri Muhammed, ALM was proscribed in this country in January 2010.

The prosecution say Choudary acted in a role where he directed the action of that organisation because he was at the very top, the leader of the organisation.

Another organisation Im going to mention is the "Islamic Thinkers Society".

That organisation is ALM, it follows the same activities it possesses the same ideology, the prosecution says the members of that organisation regard themselves as ALM.

Anjem Choudary seen near his home in East London two years ago. He is in court later today

Mr Choudary and his wife regard it as the same organisation.

The case involved Mr Choudary lecturing to the Islamic Thinkers Society from June 2022, the prosecution case is in those lectures they provided direction, advise, operational security, particularly about the need to change the name and the platform of organisation to avoid intervention of law enforcement.

Hussein, of Alberta, Canada, appeared in court wearing a prison-issued grey tracksuit, speaking to confirm his name and date of birth.

He is charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, namely ALM.

Mr Stanier told the court The case against Mr Hussain is he has, for around two years, been a member or belonged to that organization and has been in close contact with Mr Choudary, in effect working for him on the online space to provide a platform for the words and messages of that organisation.'

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded both Choudary and Hussain in custody ahead of a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on August 4.
Two protesters set fire to a copy of the Koran, Islam's holy book, in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital today, risking a further deterioration of relations between the two countries.

The two protesters were from a group that calls itself 'Danish Patriots', which held a similar demonstration last week and livestreamed the events on Facebook.

Several thousand Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad on Saturday over the Koran burnings in the two Nordic countries, in a gathering called for by ruling Iraqi parties and armed groups, many close to Iran.

The organiser of today's demonstration in Copenhagen stomped on the Koran and set it alight in a tin foil tray next to the Iraqi flag on the ground.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that people who desecrate the Koran should face the 'most severe punishment'.

The two protesters were from a group that calls itself 'Danish Patriots', which held a similar demonstration last week and livestreamed the events on Facebook

They set fire to a copy of the Koran, Islam's holy book, in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital today, risking a further deterioration of relations between the two countries

This comes after hundreds of Iraqis stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire just four days ago in protest against another planned burning of the Koran in Sweden Supporters of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party burn the effigy of Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 23

Protesters also took to the streets of Karachi, in Pakistan (pictured above on July 23), shortly after demonstrators angered by the planned Koran burning stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad

This comes after hundreds of Iraqis stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire just four days ago in protest against another planned burning of the Koran in Sweden.

Footage shows demonstrators waving flags and signs showing the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr before they climbed over the fence and entered the embassy.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom condemned the storming as 'totally unacceptable' while adding all staff in Baghdad were safe.

'It is clear that the Iraqi authorities have seriously failed in their responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and personnel,' a furious Billstrom said.

The demonstration was called by supporters of political leader Sadr to protest the second planned burning of the Koran in weeks in Stockholm, Sweden.

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.

Footage shows demonstrators waving flags and signs showing the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr before they climbed over the fence and entered the embassy to set it alight

A similar demonstration happened in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 23, where hundreds took to the streets angered by the Koran burnings.

Swedish police on Wednesday granted an application for a public meeting outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on Thursday. Police said in the permit two people were expected to participate.

The two people planned to burn the Koran and the Iraqi flag at the public meeting. They included a man who set a Koran on fire outside a Stockholm mosque in June, Swedish news agency TT reported.

Swedish police denied several applications earlier this year for protests that were set to include burning the Koran, citing security concerns. Courts have since overturned the police's decisions, saying such acts are protected by the country's far-reaching freedom of speech laws.

On Thursday, hours after protesters stormed Sweden's embassy in Baghdad, Iraqi immigrant Salwan Momika, 37, kicked a copy of the Koran outside Iraq's embassy in Sweden after placing bacon between its pages but did not set it on fire.

Iraqi riot police try to disperse supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gathering for a protest outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday, July 20

Supporters of Sadr climb the fence outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday, July 20

Salwan Momika, 37, stomped and kicked the Koran but left the protest without burning pages of the book

Protesters clash with security forces as they gather near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad hours after the embassy was stormed and set on fire on Thursday, July 20

The Iraqi immigrant's protest outside the embassy in Sweden sparked major backlash in Baghdad

It came after Iraq had ordered the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave and decided to withdraw its envoy from Stockholm for permitting Koran-burning protest there, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

Prime minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani 'instructed the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave Iraqi territory', his office said in a statement.

It said the decision to expel the envoy was 'prompted by the Swedish government's repeated permission for the burning of the holy Koran, insulting Islamic sanctities and the burning of the Iraqi flag'.

A few weeks ago, Momika burned a Koran outside Stockholm's main mosque on June 28, during the Eid al-Adha holiday and the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

This caused dozens of Iraqi protesters to storm the Swedish embassy in Baghdad a day later.

Salwan Momika is seen on June 28 holding up a smoking Koran during his stunt
A glam rock gig at one of the best known beauty spot pubs in Britain was disrupted by a shooting in which two members of staff were injured.

An alleged gunman has been charged with attempted murder after a shooting at the remote Tan Hill Inn, in the Yorkshire Dales, on Friday night.

One customer was shot in the arm and both a manageress and head chef of the landmark pub, which is 1,732ft above sea level, were also injured in the incident.

Richard Bowser, 46, of Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, has been charged with the attempted murder of one male on 21 July.

The man, who is thought to be related to Bowser, suffered 'serious arm injuries'.

Richard Bowser, 46, is said to have tried to kill a man in his 40s at the Tan Hill Inn on Friday night as revellers attended a glam rock concert (pictured are police at the pub after the incident

A police forensics officer is pictured at the scene of the pub following the incident on Friday

A brawl broke out shortly before 10.40pm in the pub as 70s tribute band Glam Rockerz played a gig.

A witness said: 'A fight broke out involving the man, I think his wife, and others.

'Members of staff managed to get the man outside of the bar and shut the doors so he couldn't get back in.

'There has then been the shooting outside.'

A Glam Rockerz spokesperson stated: 'Friday night's gig at the Tan Hill, I have to say the staff remained very calm, very professional and handled the situation very well.'

Another reveller said: 'Some fella kicked off and got into a fight with staff.

'He was got outside and then he has opened fire.'

Waste management officer Bowser appeared before York Magistrates' Court this morning charged with attempted murder, two assaults by beating - one on the manageress of the Tan Hill Inn.

Around 50 customers (pictured) at Tan Hill Inn, Britain's highest pub, in the Yorkshire Dales were trapped after a Storm Arwen dumped 5ft of snow on their cars

He is also accused of causing actual bodily harm to the pub's head chef, inflicting bodily harm with a revolver, possession of a revolver and possession of a shotgun.

He was remanded into custody and will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on 21 August.

The pub was back open today as forensic officers continued to gather evidence.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:'Officers were called to the location in Langthwaite, Richmond at around 10.40pm on Friday 21 July by Yorkshire Ambulance Service after a man was found with serious arm injuries.

'The victim, a man in his 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

'A short time later a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and firearms offences. A woman was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. The woman has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

'There were a number of people at the venue at the time of the incident who officers would like to come forward.'

The venue, which lies on the Pennine Way in one of the remotest parts of the Yorkshire Dales and provides bed and breakfast as well as bar facilities

The pub - which is 1,732ft above sea level - is pictured surrounded in snow following the blizzard in 2021

The Tan Hill Inn is not only the highest pub in Britain, it also starred in one of the most memorable TV adverts  for Everest Double Glazing, featuring Ted Moult and his feather. It's also famous for its lock-ins as it is often snow-bound in the worst of the winter weather.

The pub also appeared in the first Vodafone advert.

The inn was visited by James May and Oz Clarke in the TV show 'Oz and James Drink to Britain' and in 2017 it featured in the Waitrose Christmas advert.

In May 2019, scenes for ITV police drama 'Vera' were filmed there. The pub has also features in 'All Creatures Great and Small.'
The release of Oppenheimer has drawn excitement from all over the globe, after premiering on July 21.

However, the film - which follows the development of the first nuclear weapons by J. Robert Oppenheimer - is a noticeable absentee from cinemas in Japan.

Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer has not yet been confirmed for release in the country due to its contents.

In August 1945, the United States used Oppenheimer's work to help the country create a nuclear bomb which hit the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 200,000 people.

Although Japan has not publicly declared that it will ban screenings of Oppenheimer outright, it has yet to share a date when the film will be shown in cinemas across the country.

The film - which follows the development of the first nuclear weapons by J. Robert Oppenheimer - is a noticeable absentee from cinemas in Japan

Oppenheimer, which stars Cillian Murphy, has not yet been confirmed for release in the country due to its contents

A Universal spokesperson says 'plans have not been finalized in all markets', according to Variety.

Toho-Towa - the largest Japanese distributor of Hollywood films - is yet to confirm a release date for Oppenheimer.

However, audiences hoping to catch the blockbuster release in Japan could be able to watch Oppenheimer later this year, as it is common for American films to debut months after their release.

The film received a perfect five stars from Daily Mail's Brian Viner, who wrote that Nolan 'magnificently' balances thriller elements with 'profound questions about the morality of laying Hiroshima and Nagasaki to nuclear waste.'

Viner wrote: 'Oppenheimer is a stunningly well-made film... Much of Oppenheimer unfolds like a thriller, while not swerving profound questions about the morality of laying Hiroshima and Nagasaki to nuclear waste.

'I despair at the inordinate length of many films these days, yet even at three hours this one never seems unreasonably long. There is an awful lot of story to tell, and Nolan tells it magnificently.'

Fortunately for cinemagoers in Japan, they will be able to watch this year's other headline release from next month.

Barbie, which stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, will hit screens in the country from August 11.
For grammar sticklers, the increased use of the split infinitive in recent decades will have been painful to observe.

Sentences where an adverb is put between 'to' and the verb have become much more frequent.

But back in 1913, the practice was very much considered a no-no, as an English test from Cambridge University proves.

The question was originally set for the three students who took the first ever C2 English exam.

The C2 remains the pinnacle of the Cambridge English exams, which are taken by 6.1million people every year.

The question from 1913 - intended for people who wanted to become English language teachers - was pulled from the university's archives to mark the 110th anniversary of the Cambridge English exams.

It begins by asking students to correct or justify four sentences while giving their reasons.

The first reads: 'I hope you are determined to seriously improve.'

The second says: 'Comparing Shakespeare with Aeschylus, the former is by no means inferior to the latter.'

The third reads: 'I admit I was willing to have made peace with you.'

The fourth says: 'The statement was incorrect, as any one familiar with the spot, and who was acquainted with the facts, will admit.'

The fifth adds: 'It has the largest circulation of any paper in England.'

And the sixth says: 'The lyrical gifts of Shakespeare are woven into the actual language of the characters.'

Back in 1913, the C2 cost 3, the equivalent of nearly 285 in today's money.

It lasted for 12 hours and included translation, dictation and phonetic transcription.

Back in 1913, the C2 cost 3, the equivalent of nearly 285 in today's money

The C2 originally lasted for 12 hours and included translation, dictation and phonetic transcription. Above: The 1913 exam question

The first exams were taken by people who wanted to become English language teachers.

Today the C2 is intended for students who are looking to prove they are highly competent in English before they enter higher education in the UK.

The test now takes around four hours and costs around 172.

Francesca Woodward, managing director for English at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: 'From just three candidates, we now open doors for millions of people every year to learn and teach English.

'The historical papers from our archives paint a fascinating picture of how much has changed when it comes to learning English with Cambridge.

'The original papers were a revolution in English language assessment, setting clear goals and emphasising the ability to use the language.'
A recent Kentucky student dubbed 'the queen of chaos' has revealed she's turned to God while paying tribute to a friend who she credited with saving her from homelessness and from taking her own life.

Rayanna Belle Brock, 23, has been arrested at least 11 times for offenses ranging from shoplifting in March 2018, to terror-related crimes in 2020, and stealing a firearm in January 2023.

Social media profiles of her name say she attended East Kentucky University (EKU) before working as a consultant, and she went viral after sharing myriad mugshots and boasting about her catalog of crimes.

However, in her most recent posts she has shared uplifting quotes about God and paid tribute to her friend, Bernard Hoskins, who she said saved her from sleeping on the street at her lowest points.

Brock is currently on a Pre-Trial Diversion one-year correction course, according to the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup.

Another photograph of Brock appears on the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup website with the offense of theft by unlawful taking / dispersal of a firearm on 19 July 2022

Kentucky sorority girl Rayanna Brock, 23, has gone viral after sharing her myriad mugshots and boasting about her catalog of crimes

In a June 13 Facebook post, she credited her 'homie' Bernard Hoskins with saving her from taking her own life and thanked 'the Lord' they were 'both doing so good' after opting for sobriety.

'This man took me in when I was literally at rock bottom and he honestly saved me from taking my own life.

'I had burnt about every bridge I ever had but he was still there for me.

'If it wasnt for him I wouldve been sleeping on the streets many times but he never turned me away and always did what he could for me whether that was feeding my little ass, letting me take a shower, or just crashing at his place cause I had no where to go. I am so proud of him.

'We are both sober now and doing so good and I just have to thank the Lord for that cause only God knows what weve both been through but we never let it break us!'

Meanwhile, her Instagram stories reel titled 'mugshawty' - named after the popular account which posts mugshots from across America - details her 11-strong collection of custody headshots, spanning the past five years when she was aged 18 to 23.

Her latest mugshot post shows her grinning widely with dyed blond hair while wearing an orange prison jumpsuit after being arrested in July 2020 for terroristic threatening in the 3rd degree and stalking in the 2nd second degree.

Kentucky-born Brock, who said both her parents are currently serving time in jail, shared the picture on Instagram alongside the caption: 'I'm hollering'.

A person is guilty of terroristic threatening in the third degree when they either threaten to commit a crime 'likely to result in death or serious physical injury to another person' or 'substantial property damage'.

It also covers 'intentionally making false statements for the purpose of causing evacuation of a building' or public transport system, the Kentucky Criminal Defense Attorneys definition adds.

A convict is guilty of stalking in the second degree when they intentionally stalk another person and make an implicit or explicit threat which places them in fear of sexual contact, physical injury, or death.

The 23-year-old was a student at Eastern Kentucky University and member of its sorority Kentucky Chicks, according to her socials

Brock's first mugshot was snapped on March 6 2018 in Boyle County KY, after she was arrested for wanton endangerment of a police officer - which is the offense of placing someone at risk of serious injury or death - evading cops, and shoplifting items costing less than $500

Her second mugshot came just hours later, at 1am on March 7 2018 in Boyle County, KY, seemingly for the same offenses as the day before

A pouting Brock was pictured by police on January 7, 2019, after she was arrested in Fayette, KY, for violating the terms of her probation for the first offenses. The same mugshot was used in police filings of Brock's November 25, 2021 arrest for failure to appear at a police station or courthouse as required under the conditions of previous arrests

She had yet another mugshot snapped at Boyle County Detention Center on July 19 2020, accused of terroristic threatening and stalking and with a bond set at $2000

Sharing another beaming mugshot taken in Stanford, KY, after she was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle just two months later, Brock said: 'This is one of my favorites.

'I stole a car, wrecked it, and then brought it back to my dorm'.

Other people have also shared her mugshots, which have featured on the public 'mugshawtys' account which has more than 327,000 followers, describing her as 'so cute but equally a menace'.

Another person said: 'I wish I could make my GTA (Grand Theft Auto) online character look like her'.

Brock's criminal activities have made local news before, with the Richmond Register reporting her 2021 arrest for allegedly stealing a state trooper's hat and taser from his vehicle.

On December 7 that year, Brock was charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and third-degree possession of an unspecified drug.

Brock was pictured September 16 2020 with greased back blond hair after being arrested for contempt of court/ libel - an image she described on Instagram as her 'favorite mugshot'

Her March 9 2021 mugshot was taken in Hustonville, KY, after her arrest for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief in the first degree

On November 26, 2021, Brock has her mugshot taken for failure to appear at a police station or courthouse as required under the conditions of previous arrests

Brock was arrested aged 21 on December 7 2021 in Hustonville, KY, for several offences including marijuana possession and receiving stolen property

EIght days after her first December 2021 arrest - on the 15th - Brock's photograph was taken by police again with the note 'serving time' listed under her charges

Brock's latest mugshot was taken on January 16 this year following her arrest for theft of a firearm

Troopers went to Brock's accommodation to question her about the stolen items, and she produced the $157 hat and $874 KSP-issued taser, along with $10.30 in change from her bedroom.

They also saw a bag of marijuana, Xanax tablets and a weed pipe in plain site in her room, along with a Family Dollar basket of clothes still clipped with security tags.

Brock allegedly tried to blame someone else for stealing the trooper's items and giving them to her.
The temperature gauge reads 40 degrees Celsius and it's hot as hell on a mountain side in Rhodes.

There isn't a cloud in the sky, just the smell of old fires and a wisp of wood smoke.

I am surrounded by a forest of charred bushes and trees.

Suddenly a gust of hot wind inspires the tinder dry undergrowth to burst into flame.

As a Chinook helicopter, laden with a cargo of seawater to douse the blaze, flies over head, the vicious wildfires that have been ravaging this holiday island, come back to life.

The temperature gauge reads 40 degrees Celsius and it's hot as hell on a mountain side in Rhodes. Pictured: A fire truck is seen today above an area left smouldering by the wildfires

Flames are seen on the island of Rhodes as wildfires continue to rage, forcing evacuations

A man uses a fire extinguisher to douse flames and to slow their spread on the island of Rhodes

All around the hillside the ash grey and charcoal black forest shimmers in the heat.

The popular seaside resorts of Lindos, Kiotari and Pelki - which British holidaymakers flock to in their thousands - are just a few miles down the road.

Greek firefighters who have been battling against the fire of nature since last week had hoped they had won.

This morning hoteliers cautiously encouraged their missing guests it was at last safe to take up their empty rooms.

But as the fierce wind breathed new life into the flames, the fight against the devastating wild fires that has devastated much of this popular holiday island and led to the evacuation of some 19,000 people, is far from over.

As I drive with my colleague photographer Tim Clarke, to the nearby hillside town of Laerma  the epicentre of the wildfires - we witness the devastation that nature can wreak on a scorched earth.

Telegraph wires dangle above char-blacked poles that have been burnt like match sticks.

The carcasses of wild deer lie burnt to a crisp by the side of the hot tarmac road.

As we watch the flames come back to life, local volunteers Nikos and Christos Christoforos screech to halt in their blue BMW.

A huge flame is seen rising above the trees on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday

An exhausted soot-covered firefighter with a facemask around his chin is seen in Rhodes

A Chinook helicopter laden with a cargo of seawater to douse the blaze, flies over head as its operators work to put out the huge fires that have wreaked havoc across the island of Rhodes

Leaving his car door open father Nikos grabs a fire extinguisher and tries to put the new flames out.

His son Christos follows suit, trying to cut down the few remaining shrubs that have not gone up in smoke.

But as soon as they put out one flame, a gust of hot wind reignites another.

'This is where our family come from,' Christos explains. 'We live in Rhodes Town now but I have come back with my dad to save whatever we can.'

A few kilometres up the road, residents of the village of Laerma have started to return home.

The village had been evacuated on Saturday as the fires threatened to destroy everything in site.

Their neighbours in Lardos at the bottom of the hill had pulled together to support them, providing shelter, food, water and hope.

Here firefighters do not pay for their pastries at the bakery or coffee at the cafes.

A charred forest stretches into the distance as flames engulf trees on the Greek island

A charred forest littered with blackened corrugated iron panels are seen today in Rhodes

Flames engulf the branches of a tree in Rhodes today as the Greek wildfires continue to spread

But as the bright ochre flames once more begin to dance around the few remaining trees on the outskirts of Laerma, some fear they may have returned too soon.

'We have had forest fires before,' villager Naktaios Tharinakis explained.

'There were big fires in 1987 and in 2007, but never as bad as this.

'This year it is crazy.

'We had to evacuate the village on Saturday because the fire was getting so close.

'The fire did not reach the village this time, but I know people who live further into the mountains who have lost their homes.

'We are used to hot weather here in the summer  35, 36 degrees Celsius but not 42 or even 45 degrees like it has been. And the wind. It makes everything worse.

'It fans the flames like a blacksmith's fire. There is nothing that can stop it.'

A burned tyre lies in the middle of a charred woodland on the Greek island of Rhodes

MailOnline reporter Nick Fagge reports from a charred forest on the island of Rhodes

The hooting of a four-wheel drive fire engine halts our conversation.

Tired-looking, sooty-faced fire-fighters rush past.

A copse of blackened trees has burst back into flames within a stones' throw of the village.

The wild-fire refuses to go out.
Police required Humphries to use approved names to monitor his online activity

The convicted rapist son of Welsh Frist Minister Mark Drakeford is behind bars again after he created a secret online dating username while on licence from prison.

Jay Humphries, who was jailed in 2018 after being found guilty of rape and inflicting actual bodily harm under his previous name of Jonathan Drakeford, used an unapproved profile name on a dating site, according to the BBC.

Caernarfon Magistrates Court heard that the 36-year-old used the name on the Fab Guys website, and then deleted internet browsing history from his phone.

The hearing last week was told the use of the Fab Guys account had been approved by police. But the name he chose to use, naughty 5007387, was not.

A previously agreed upon name was required as part of his use of the site so that police could monitor his activity online.

Caernarfon Magistrates Court heard that the 36-year-old used the name on the Fab Guys website, and then deleted internet browsing history from his phone

Humphries admitted both offences and is set to be sentenced on August 11.

The court heard that he claimed to have deleted his internet history by accident.

But Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, said his guilty plea suggested it had been done deliberately in a bid to 'conceal' his activity.

'Sexual harm prevention orders are put in place for a reason,' Ms Elvin said.

Defending, Gemma Morgan told the court Humphries had found it difficult to come to terms with his personal situation upon his release from prison, and having to live in approved accommodation in north Wales, away from his family.

The court also heard that he had been dealing with the death of his mother, Clare Drakeford, who died in January.

'He was suffering emotionally,' Ms Morgan said. 'He was speaking to other men on Fab Guys expressing his feelings.'

Humphries is the son of Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured)

The court also heard that his feelings were compounded by learning difficulties and Autism.

Humphries had since been recalled to prison after he was arrested in Bangor, Gwynedd, in March, the court heard, following other breaches of his release on licence, which included leaving an abusive phone message for a probation officer.

In 2018, Humphries was handed an eight year and eight month sentence at Cardiff Crown Court, having being found guilty of rape and inflicting actual bodily harm, under his former name.

He also admitted to a child sexual offence after messaging a girl on Facebook who he thought was 15 years old at the time.

After Humphries's 2018 conviction, Mark Drakeford said it had been a 'distressing period' for the family.

'Our thoughts are with all those caught up in it, especially the victim', he said.

MailOnline has contact North Wales Police for comment.
A brother beheaded his teenage sister for trying to marry against the family's wishes in India, before carrying her severed head towards a police station in a sack.

Aashifa, an 18-year-old woman who lived in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, had eloped with her partner Chand Babu. They were both from the same village of Mithwara.

However, her 22-year-old brother Riyaz disliked the match and murdered her in a horrific 'honour killing', before carrying her severed head in a bag.

In chilling footage, Riyaz can be seen walking towards Fatehpur police station carrying Aashifa's head. Members of the public saw him with the blood-soaked bag and reported him to the police.

The young woman had wanted to marry a man of her choice but her father Abdul Rashid and brother Riyaz were against it.

The Economic Times says the brutal murder has sparked outrage across the country and reignited fury over the lengths men will go to, to 'exert control' over the women in their family.

However, her 22-year-old brother Riyaz disliked the match and murdered her in a horrific 'honour killing', before carrying her severed head in a bag (pictured)

In horrifying footage, Riyaz can be seen walking along towards Fatehpur police station carrying Aashifa's head

On May 29, Abdul lodged a complaint with the police against Chand Babu under a charge of abducting a woman to marry.

Aashifa's partner was then arrested and sent to jail and she was 'returned' to the house her brother and father lived at.

Then, on July 20, when Aashifa made it clear to her family that she would like to marry Chand Babu, Riyaz became violent.

Barabanki additional superintendent of police Ashutosh Mishra said: 'In a fit of rage Riyaz picked up a sharp-edged weapon and beheaded his sister before packing her head in a sack and went to police station.'

After being spotted carrying Aashifa's remains, and what appears to be a weapon, Riyaz was reported to police. Officers then intercepted and arrested him. He was sent to jail.

Members of the public saw him with the blood-dripped bag and reported him to the police

After being spotted carrying Aashifa's remains, Riyaz was reported to police. Officers then intercepted and arrested him

Local media says an autopsy was carried out following Aashifa's murder and gathered evidence from the scene.

A journalist at Indian publication Swarajya described the murder as 'another gruesome honour killing' and tweeted the video, with the caption: 'What this man is carrying in his hand is not a bag but chopped head of his sister.

'Riyaz was angry at her for eloping with her boyfriend (same religion, same caste). So Riyaz beheaded her.'
A road traffic sign in Cardiff is sending traffic in opposite directions, depending on whether drivers read the English or Welsh translation.

The sign on Clare Road is causing chaos in the Welsh capital, with the direction of traffic being changed to one way due to road works.

The road, at the end of Pendyris Street is currently one way, with motorists travelling from eastbound able to pass.

The new system is confirmed in the English version of the sign, which reads: 'Pendyris Street one way ahead eastbound only'.

But the Welsh version reads: 'Pendyris Street unffordd tuar gorllewin yn unig' which, translated into English, states: 'Pendyris Street one way westbound only'.

The gaff was first brought to light on Twitter, with BBC Wales journalist Dafydd Morgan posting an image and writing: 'Pendyris Streets one way system lets you choose your direction of travel based on your choice of language'.

The sign on Clare Road is causing chaos in the Welsh capital, with the direction of traffic being changed to one way due to road works

Cardiff Council took to social media to thank members of the public for flagging the mistake, writing that 'the relevant department is aware and this will be corrected as soon as possible'.

According to reports, the sign at the western end of the road will be removed and replaced with a 'no entry sign', and sign on the eastern sign will be replaced with one that states the new layout is 'one way'.
Chinese white dolphins spotted in S China's Guangdong

People's Daily Online) 16:12, July 24, 2023

A Chinese white dolphin frolics in waters of the Pearl River estuary, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo/Xiao Yousheng)

Several Chinese white dolphins were recently spotted frolicking and singing in the waters of Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

The Chinese white dolphin, which is under first-class state protection in China, has been dubbed the "giant panda of the sea" due to its small population.

Since the rare creature has high requirements for its habitat environment, it has become an "indicator species" for marine ecosystems, according to Xiao Yousheng, an official of a national nature reserve for Chinese white dolphins in the Pearl River estuary.

In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese white dolphins has been seen, Xiao said, adding that there has been a rise in the proportion of young dolphins, thanks to the steadily improving ocean environment.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
A 39-year-old woman slipped and plunged 100ft to her death while she was celebrating her engagement with a clifftop picnic in a scenic spot in Turkey.

Yesim Demir was on holiday with her boyfriend Nizamettin Gursu at Polente Cape in Canakkale, a city in north-western Turkey in the Marmara region, when the tragic accident happened.

He had just proposed to her and they went up to the cliff to celebrate with a picnic while watching the sunset.

Gursu then reportedly left to get the picnic supplies from the car, but said that he suddenly heard a scream.

He rushed back, only to find that his new fiancee had tumbled off the cliff.

Yesim Demir (left) was on holiday with her boyfriend Nizamettin Gursu (right) at Polente Cape in Canakkale, a city in north-western Turkey in the Marmara region, when the tragic accident happened

He had just proposed to her and they went up to the cliff to celebrate with a picnic while watching the sunset. Gursu then reportedly left to get the picnic supplies from the car, but said that he suddenly heard a scream. He rushed back, only to find that his new fiancee (pictured here) had tumbled off the cliff

She fell 104 feet (32 metres) and reportedly survived the plunge in the evening of July 6, but died of her injuries shortly after, despite medics - who her fiance had called - attempting to resuscitate her for 45 minutes

She fell 104ft (32m) and reportedly survived the plunge in the evening of July 6, but died of her injuries shortly after, despite medics - who her fiance had called - attempting to resuscitate her for 45 minutes.

A devastated Gursu told local media: 'We chose the cliffs to have a romantic memory after the proposal. We drank some alcohol. Everything happened at once. She lost her balance and fell down.'

A devastated Gursu told local media: 'We chose the cliffs to have a romantic memory after the proposal. We drank some alcohol. Everything happened at once. She lost her balance and fell down'

The authorities immediately closed off the area and opened an investigation, with access to the cliff only being allowed again 'in a controlled manner' as of July 15. This means no pedestrians or vehicles are allowed in the area within 15-20 minutes of sunset, according to reports

Gursu previously said that he wanted to propose to Demir at sunset and therefore chose the cliffs for the romantic moment

The authorities immediately closed off the area and opened an investigation, with access to the cliff only being allowed again 'in a controlled manner' as of July 15.

This means no pedestrians or vehicles are allowed in the area within 15-20 minutes of sunset, according to reports.

One of Demir's mourning friends told local media: 'This is a place where everyone comes and watches the sunset.

'However, the roads are very bad and there is no precaution on the edge of the cliff. A fence should be drawn here, precautions should be taken.'
Sen. Tim Scott is gaining on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the battle for second place in Iowa, a new poll shows.

A Fox Business survey released Sunday shows former President Donald Trump continuing to dominate the GOP field - supported by 46 percent of potential Iowa Republican caucus-goers.

Sixteen percent of potential Iowa caucus-goers chose DeSantis as their first choice, while 11 percent said Scott.

All the other GOP hopefuls are polling in the single-digits, with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswany with 6 percent, former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley with 5 percent, former Vice President Mike Pence with 4 percent and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both with 3 percent.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez both have 1 percent support, while conservative talk show host Larry Elder and former Rep. Will Hurd have yet to make it to 1 percent.

Former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the GOP field, with a new poll showing Sen. Tim Scott encroaching on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' No. 2 spot in Iowa, which holds the nation's first presidential contest

Sen. Tim Scott is threatening Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for second place in Iowa. He's photographed earlier this month campaigning in Des Moines

The Fox Business poll comes after a Kaplan Strategies survey from Thursday showed Ramaswany encroaching on DeSantis nationally, as the Florida governor attempts to reboot his campaign.

In that poll, DeSantis and Ramaswany were tied for second place, each garnering 12 percent support, while Scott received 5 percent.

The Iowa poll is important because it's the state that holds the first caucus in the nation and could provide a candidate momentum to take on Trump, who has so far dominated all the GOP surveys.

'Scott has a decent hand in Iowa,' Democratic pollster Chris Anderson told Fox Business.

Anderson's firm Beacon Research conducts the Fox Business survey along with Republican Daron Shaw.

When Republican voters were asked who they wouldn't support, Pence received the poorest marks - with 37 percent saying they wouldn't back the former vice president.

After Pence, 22 percent said Trump, 21 percent said Haley and 17 percent said DeSantis.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been in second place in the Republican primary polls for months, but now he's being challenged by Sen. Tim Scott in Iowa -and a national poll had him tied for second with Vivek Ramaswany last week

Just 12 percent indicated they would not support Scott.

'Nearly 9 in 10 caucus-goers are open to him, and he is drawing about equally from moderate Republicans as from the most conservative, meaning different types of voters are seeing things they like in him,' Anderson said.

Interestingly, if Trump pulled out of the race, the biggest group of his supporters would go to DeSantis.

Thirty-four percent of Trump voters said their second choice in the GOP primary field was DeSantis. Another 14 percent said they'd support Scott.

After that, 13 percent would support Ramaswany and 13 percent would choose Pence.

Among DeSantis supporters, Trump is the most popular second choice pick.

Thirty-three percent said they'd support the former president, followed by 23 percent who would pick Scott.

Thirteen percent would back Ramaswany, 11 percent would choose Haley and 10 percent would choose Pence.

Voters were also asked their views on candidates skipping debates - which Trump has threatened to do.

Fifty-nine percent said it was a sign of weakness, while 27 percent said it showed strength.

The first Republican primary debate will take place on August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Iowa Republican caucuses are scheduled for January 15.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.
A Good Samaritan who offered a young mum a lift before her boyfriend allegedly rammed them into oncoming traffic was on the way to a wedding when he died, it has emerged.

Terry Bishop, 65, and his passenger Gypsy Satterley, 25, were killed when his Nissan Navara was allegedly pushed into the path of oncoming traffic on the Bruce Highway, at Federal on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, by a stolen Isuzu MU-X about 4am on Friday.

The allegedly stolen vehicle was being driven by Ms Satterley's partner, Rafferty Raymond Rolfe, 25, who was the sole survivor of the three-car collision.

The accident also claimed the life of alpaca farmer Jessica Townley, 38, whose blue Great Wall ute was travelling in the opposite lane of traffic.

Mr Bishop was on the way to a family wedding when he was caught up in the alleged domestic violence car crash - but went out of his way to help Ms Satterley.

Terry Bishop, 65, (pictured) was killed in a horror three-car smash on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Friday

Mr Bishop and Ms Satterley had only met earlier that evening when he offered to give the young mother a lift, it is understood.

The Good Samaritan's devastated family broke their silence on Monday to pay tribute to the grandfather-of-five, who was a retired resident of Hay Point, just south of Mackay.

'Terry was travelling to Brisbane on Friday to attend a family members wedding the day following the incident,' the family said in a statement.

'Our family is absolutely devastated, he is a man that would always go out of his way to help anyone in need.

'He leaves behind a wife, daughter, son and five young grandchildren who all loved him dearly.

'Our hearts go out to the other victims families and the first responders in this horrific tragedy.'

Before moving to Mackay several years ago, Mr Bishop was a long-term of Northgate, in northern Brisbane.

Gypsy Satterley (pictured) was in a relationship with Rafferty Raymond Rolfe before she died

Rolfe, 25, was the sole survivor of the fatal crash which involved three vehicles on the Bruce Highway at Federal

Rolfe was arrested at the scene and rushed to hospital with serious head injuries before later being slapped with a series of charges.

Rolfe did not front Maroochydore Magistrates Court in person when his matter was briefly mentioned on Monday morning.

Police will allege Rolfe was unlicensed when driving a stolen car and had been chasing the ute Ms Satterley and the 65-year-old man were travelling in.

He is alleged to have 'attempted to ram' their car, causing both vehicles to cross over to the wrong side of the road.

'A collision occurred between those two cars and a third car which was heading southbound, driven by a 38-year-old woman,' a Queensland Police spokesman said.

Mr Rolfe was pulled from one of the cars by paramedics and remains in Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

He has not been charged over Ms Slattery's death or the deaths of Ms Townley or the ute driver, but is facing one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving without a licence disqualified by court order as a repeat offender, evasion, robbery with actual violence while armed, stealing and unlawful possession of a vehicle with intent to deprive.

Police also allege Rolfe threatened a woman with a knife in Gympie and stole her Isuzu MU-X before the crash on Thursday.

Rafferty Raymond Rolfe (pictured) has been slapped with a series of charges over the accident

He then allegedly drove dangerously on River Road, Gympie, before evading police in Curra, north of Gympie, when he is also alleged to have failed to stop after a police officer directed him to do so on Thursday, according to court documents.

It's further alleged Rolfe stole fuel at a Coles Creek petrol station on Friday while he was in possession of the stolen car.

It is alleged in court documents Rolfe had also had his licence disqualified by a court order at the time he'd allegedly stolen the car and was allegedly a repeat offender of driving unlicensed.

On Monday, duty lawyer Michael Robinson told the court the Maroochydore Watch House had informed him 'there's a possibility (Rolfe) will be transferred to another hospital'.

The matter was adjourned to July 27.

No bail application was made as Mr Rolfe remains under police watch in hospital.

'He's either going to be in hospital or he's going to be in custody, he can't be anywhere else,' Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said.

Friends of the victims of the horror crash have since set up two GoFundMe campaigns to help raise money for the families of Ms Townley, an Alpaca farmer, and Ms Slattery, who is survived by her two daughters.
The House Judiciary Committee is setting up a potential vote this week to hold Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in contempt of Congress over the fight for documents in the GOP's probe of Big Tech.

The Republican-run panel, helmed by Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, is expected to hold the contempt vote Thursday  which could advance the matter before the full House.

It would crank up the pressure as congressional Republicans are trying to compel the company to hand over documents it says Meta, which owns Facebook, has been refusing to hand over.

'Facebook has critical information that it has not turned over to the committee regarding federal government efforts to censor speech online and how Facebook responded to those efforts. It is imperative the committee get these materials and we will take whatever actions necessary to facilitate that end,' said Judiciary spokesman Russell Dye.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms faces a potential vote this week in the House Judiciary Committee citing him with contempt over failure to produce documents

'And they have provided zero internal communications between Meta and the federal government, as requested in the subpoena,' he told DailyMail.com.

Sources told Fox News last week the company had not provided any documents that it had requested through a subpoena.

Punchbowl news reported the hearing could come Thursday, a date the panel said it was considering.

Jordan, a Donald Trump ally, subpoenaed executives from Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft back in February soon after Republicans took control of the committee over any 'collusion' with the federal government to suppress free speech.

House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan subpoenaed Meta and other Big Tech firms. His panel could vote to hold Zuckerberg in contempt as soon as this week

Zuckerberg has become a jiu-jitsu blue belt and is regularly training in MMA. There has been talk of him taking on Twitter boss Elon Musk in a bout

The subpoenas demanded internal communications between the company and the federal government over content moderation, deletion, or 'suppression' of content and related documents.

Jordan wrote Zuckerberg last week to re-up his demands  this time mentioning Meta's new platform Threads, which is a direct competitor to Elon Musk's Twitter, which has brought back suspended accounts by conservatives and former President Donald Trump, and is now rebranding itself as 'X.'

'In light of Metas introduction of a new social media platform, Threads, we write to inform you that it is the Committees view that the subpoena of February 15 covers material to date relating to Threads,' Jordan wrote.

'Since the Committees subpoena to Meta, we have obtained additional evidence that the federal government has coerced or colluded with technology, social media, and other companies to moderate content online. These examples reinforce the Committees serious concerns about whether the Executive Branch is engaging in censorship by proxyusing surrogates to censor, suppress, or discourage speech in a manner that the government is unable to do itself.'

Jordan claimed Twitter has faced 'political persecution from the Biden Administration following Musks commitment to free speech,' a charge the administration denies.

The move is largely symbolic, although a contempt of Congress citation can be referred to full house, where a vote can refer it to prosecutors, which could bring fines and jail time.
Democrats staged a walk-out of a hearing last week after Republicans began showing a video of a minor gender reassignment surgery expert admitting there are a lot of unknowns involving the procedure.

Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., said the surgeries Democrats want to approve for children is like a 'Frankenstein experiment.'

She slammed her Democratic colleagues in the Energy and Commerce Committee for refusing to listen to the facts related to surgeries for prepubescent children and other minors.

The congresswoman explained that she believes Democrats walked out because they know the surgeon in the video was 'proving' and affirming, perhaps unintentionally, that these surgeries should not be performed in adolescents.

'This is experimental, this is, I want to say, almost akin to a Frankenstein experiment on children,' Cammack told Fox & Friends on Monday morning. 'There is no consent that you can give as an adolescent to change your anatomy.'

Florida Rep. Kat Cammack (pictured) called relatively-new gender reassignment surgery for minors a 'Frankenstein experiment' as she slammed her Democratic colleagues for walking out of a hearing last week when she began playing video of an expert discussing the procedures

Once video started playing of an expert on gender reassignment surgery, Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee stood and walked out of the hearing room

The Energy and Commerce Committee was meeting last Wednesday to discuss funding for children's hospitals. Cammack claims that Democrats are not willing to address the impending threat of a physician shortage without also including in any new laws the right for minors to seek and undergo gender reassignment surgeries.

After the panel took a recess and voted on whether to show the video, Democrats were seen getting up from their seats and walking out of the room in protest.

The video included clips of Dr. Blair Peters of the Oregon Health & Science University Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Clinic answering questions regarding their gender reassignment surgeries for children  specifically those who have not yet gone through puberty.

'The one thing that is very new is genital surgeries,' Peters says in the video Cammack played.

'The adolescents for sure present some unique challenges,' the doctor continued. 'Obviously there's great evidence supporting pubertal suppression for a whole variety of benefits. But the one thing that is very new is genital surgery in someone that has underwent pubertal suppression.'

Peters admitted that: 'As a specialty, those of us that do a very high volume of gender reaffirming surgery, we've maybe done a handful, a couple of pubertal suppression adolescents. And no one's published on it yet.'

Cammack says this is proof that these types of procedures should not be funded by taxpayers as they remain in experimental stages  and remain highly controversial for Republicans.

'In this video, the surgeon himself admits that these kids have, in many cases, not had their first sexual experiences, and how do they affirm what things are supposed to feel like and look like when they just don't know?' Cammack questioned when discussing Monday morning the Democrat protest of the video.

'They talk at length in this interview, in this video that things in the operating room never stay the way that they actually are going to be.'

Dr. Blair Peters (pictured) of the Oregon Health & Science University Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Clinic was featured in the video answering questions regarding their gender reassignment surgeries for children  specifically those who have not yet gone through puberty

It comes as Republicans push to ban gender reassignment surgeries for minors  and hope to ensure no taxpayer funds are going toward the procedures

She added that Dr. Peters admitted they are many times 'just trying to figure it out in the moment' how to conduct these surgeries since there is no playbook or precedent set for them yet.

'They are using robots, taking the stomach lining of these kids' bodies to create canals. It's a giant experiment at taxpayer expense on kids that really are just trying to figure themselves out,' Cammack lamented.

'Now, if you are an adult, that's your choice,' she added, 'but these kids haven't even gone through puberty in some cases.'

'Essentially Republicans are trying to address the physician shortage which by 2034 is going to be 125,000 doctors short, by saying we are going to focus on the real issues here and addressing this physician shortage. Radical Democrats said no, not unless we include gender affirming surgeries for adolescents. It's crazy.'
The American-led UN Command announced it has started talks with North Korea about US soldier Travis King who ran across the country's heavily fortified border from South Korea.

The announcement made at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Seoul comes days after 23-year-old US Army Pvt. King made the mad dash after skipping a flight back to the US, where he was facing disciplinary action.

Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the US-led agency, confirmed talks to get him home have now commenced - but warned the agency does not 'know where this is going to end.'

'There is a mechanism that exists under the armistice agreement, whereby lines of communication are open between the UNC and the Korean Peoples Army, and that takes place in the Joint Security Area,' Harrison told press.

'That process has started.'

Harrison emphasized how restricted he was on the detail he could provide about the talks, but stressed that he remained 'optimistic' about King's safe return to the US.

At this point, King's formal status in the military is AWOL - absent without leave - and his condition, whereabouts and the status of his health all remain unknown.

This photo shows a portrait of American soldier Travis King at the home of his grandfather Carl Gates, Wednesday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Pvt. King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone Tuesday - a day after he was supposed to travel to a base in the US

King, circled, is pictured during the tour moments before his dash across the border into North Korea. He was meant to go back to his country the day before the incident, but crossed one of the world's most heavily fortified borders into perhaps its most mysterious, isolated nation

The incident is now putting America's relationship with the Hermit Kingdom to the test - as speculation for days swirled as to what exactly was being done to avoid another national embarrassment like the one several years ago with Otto Warmbier.

Having been on a tour of the area's notoriously misnamed demilitarized zone, King had recently been released from a South Korean jail after a string of run-ins with police.

He was meant to go back to his home country the day before the incident, but instead crossed one of the world's most heavily fortified borders, into perhaps its most mysterious, isolated nation.

Providing the crucial update, the senior official would not say how many exchanges have taken place nor if the talks were going well, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.

He acknowledged the non-answers he was providing could seem 'disappointing,' but asserted they were only due to the fact he was 'constrained by what [he could] say.'

'You may not get the answers for what youre desperate for,' Harrison told the journalists, before explaining how shaky the figurative foundation holding up the all-important talks actually is.

'Obviously, there is so much welfare at stake, and clearly were in a very difficult and complex situation,' he said. 'I dont want to risk by speculation or going into too much detail about the communications that are existing.'

When asked, the UN officer also declined to detail what the command currently knows about King's condition.

'None of us know where this is going to end,' Harrison told attendees at the conference.

He added King's case - whom the US military has said 'willfully and without authorization' crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area - is still under investigation, and that he could not provide further detail.

He said of the prospect of a safe return: 'I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic. But again, I will leave it at that.'

On Monday, Andrew Harrison, the deputy commander of the US-led agency, confirmed talks to get King home had commenced, but would not specify when exactly they had begun. The conersations will put the US' already tenuous relationship with the Hermit Kingdom to the test

King had been scheduled to board a flight back to the United States to face a disciplinary hearing for a series of offenses he committed while stationed in South Korea, but instead crossed one of the world's most heavily fortified borders into perhaps its most isolated nation

It was not immediately clear from Harrison's comments whether any progress in the talks had been made - after the command said last week that it had been 'working with' North Korean officials.

The command - an organization created by the US during the Korean War - has said its main mission going forward will be to ensure Kings safety.

A multinational alliance stationed in South Korea, it has stayed in the country for the past 70-odd years to enforce the 1953 ceasefire reached between the North and South, which is technically still in effect..

Harrison mentioned this armistice during his speech Monday, hinting that the contact happened through 'mechanisms' set up under the agreement's guidelines.

This could refer to a telephone line between the command and the North Korean People's Army - dubbed the pink phone - which is located at the border truce village of Panmunjom where King crossed.

While not unprecedented - with another US soldier running into North Korea from the DMZ back in 1982 - the issue is particularly problematic considering the Koreas are still technically at war - with a true peace treaty never signed.

The US, which fought alongside the South Koreans and has since surfaced as its most important ally, never established diplomatic relations with the North.

The phone line is one of the few ways in which officials from both sides of the border communicate.

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

The border between North Korea and South Korea is heavily guarded

King crossed the border at Panmunjom, during a tour of the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone

King's crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the United States combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle. Ex- President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on June 30, 2019

North Korea has remained silent since King's entry into the country.

Video shows the private crossing the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

US officials and family members have since expressed concern about the soldier's wellbeing and mental state, with the Army adding that North Korea had ignored requests for information about him.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release.

Others say the country may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea, as it looks to perform a victory laps nearly 70 years to the day removed from the end of the Korean War - which the Kims famously claim the North won.

King's crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the United States combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

On Monday, South Korea's military said a nuclear-propelled US submarine arrived at a port on Jeju Island. The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies' show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

North Korea's defense minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it.

North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The United States and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of US aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

I cant see him doing that intentionally if he was in his right mind, Kings maternal grandfather, Carl Gates, told The Associated Press from his Kenosha, Wisconsin, home. Warmbier's father, Fred Warmbier, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that he fears King will now be used as a 'hostage, political prisoner and a pawn'

Relative say the private suffered a breakdown after King'Nazir Gates (pictured) passed away in February

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons.

The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Koreas navy, said the US and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

The armistice becomes 70 years old on Thursday, an anniversary South Korea plans to mark with solemn ceremonies honoring the dead that will involve invited foreign war veterans.

North Korea, which celebrates the day as victory day for the 'great Fatherland Liberation War,' is preparing huge festivities that will likely include a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where leader Kim Jong Un may showcase his most advanced nuclear-capable missiles designed to target regional rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the standing committee of the countrys National Peoples Congress, will travel to North Korea to attend the celebrations.

Visits by foreign guests to North Korea have been extremely rare since the start of the pandemic, which prompted the North to seal off its borders to protect its poor healthcare system.

North Korea since last year has been gradually reopening trade with China in an apparent effort to salvage a crippled economy damaged further by the previous two years of pandemic-related border controls.

Wormuth said: 'I worry about him, frankly. I worry about how they may treat him. So, (we) want to get him back.

'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.

'I'm sure that he was grappling with that.'

Asked whether King might have sympathized with North Korea, she said: 'I don't think we have any information that points to that clearly.'

Some reports have labeled King a 'defector', although his motives for crossing the border remain unclear.

The Army Secretary, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021, cited the case to that of Otto Warmbier, a US college student who was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months before dying in 2017 shortly after he was returned to the United States in a coma.

Warmbier's father, Fred Warmbier, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that he fears King will now be used as a 'hostage, political prisoner and a pawn'.

The Army Secretary, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021, cited the case to that of Otto Warmbier (pictured being paraded by North Korean authorities), a US college student who was imprisoned in North Korea

Fred Warmbier said the US government should work to 'resolve' the crisis after Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, sprinted across with border with South Korea on Tuesday

North Korea's tightly-controlled state media, which has in the past reported on the detention of US nationals, has yet to comment on the incident.

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.

Tensions eased slightly during Donald Trump's presidency, when he met with Kim Jong-Un at the demilitarized zone where King crossed the border.

King had been acting 'reckless and crazy' for several months before the incident, following the tragic death of his seven-year-old cousin from a rare genetic disorder, a relative said.

He suffered a breakdown after King'Nazir Gates passed away in February 2023 and family members believe this also contributed to his issues with South Korean authorities.

Before the border dash, King had also been jailed in South Korea for two months after attacking a man in a night club and damaging a police car. He was also facing disciplinary action from his Army superiors.

King's mother, Claudine Gates, just wants her son to return to their Wisconsin home (pictured)

King'Nazir's father, Carl Gates, who is the brother of Travis King's mom, said it seemed like the soldier was 'breaking down' as his cousin's condition deteriorated.

'It affected Travis a lot because he couldn't be here. He was in the Army, overseas,' said Gates.

When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started [being] reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die,' he told the Daily Beast.

'I know it was related to what he did.'

King'Nazir suffered from an extremely rare disorder called SPTLC-2, which caused his muscles to deteriorate. The little boy went through extensive treatment for the condition, but he deteriorated rapidly several weeks before his death.

His family said he was 'always in good spirits' despite his illness and described him as an 'animal lover' and 'outdoor lover'.

Gates said King 'loved and cherished' his cousin, adding: 'Picture yourself being in the Army and your baby cousin from your favorite, my only child, he's struggling and going through pain.

'And he's crying like a baby, and now you're in the service and you can't do nothing about it. And then you're crying like a baby. The pain came from my son, and it escalated to this s***.'
Investigators have been spotted using a massive excavator to dig up the backyard of Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann - as they revealed the search could be over as soon as Tuesday.

Officials said they are using ground penetrating radar to search for any disturbances in the yard of the Long Island home that Heuermann, 59, shared with his wife Asa Ellerup and two adult children.

'If I had a tree stump it would be a disturbance in the ground. An underground wire or a cesspool would be a disturbance in the ground. All it shows is that there is something under there,' Suffolk County Lieutenant Kevin Beyrer told Dailymail.com.

Beyrer added that while they are still searching the property, the investigation may end tomorrow or later in the week.

Officials were seen returning some items they took for inspection to the Massapequa Park home on Sunday.

Investigators have been spotted using a massive excavator to dig up the backyard of Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann

Heuermann, 59, lived in the Massapequa Park, Long Island, home with his wife Asa Ellerup, adult daughter and stepson

Officials said while they are still searching the property, the investigation may end tomorrow or later in the week

Suffolk County Commissioner Raymond would not confirm claims by a neighbor who said investigators found a soundproof room in the home's basement.

'Somehow some bad information got out there is not a soundproof room,' he explained. 'There is a vault where he secured numerous guns - there is no soundproof room.'

Heuermann 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, and is being investigated for the murders of six other women whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach in 2011.

Police have said they believe the alleged serial killer murdered at least one of his victims inside the home while his family was away.

Aerial footage of the scene revealed groups of investigators in Heuermann's back yard digging up earth and bagging evidence.

Cadaver dogs also were brought to the property

Commissioner Raymond said on Monday officials 'are doing a total investigation around the house to see if there is anything we need to take a closer look at.'

Ellerup was at home Thursday when police burst into the property at the same time they arrested Heuermann outside his architectural firm in Manhattan.

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.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Raymond Harrison could confirm during Monday's press conference if any victims were killed inside the home

The Heuermann-Ellerup home in Long Island is pictured Saturday, as investigators remove items from the house

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

'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.'

Authorities previously echoed the attorney's comments, stating the family was 'in the dark about his double life.'

Moreover, detectives are now looking into unsolved murders across the country to see if they are linked to Heuermann.

Cops are probing whether he operated in the Atlantic City area, and have been interviewing jailed sex workers who interacted 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.

In the Long Island case, most of the victims were also female sex workers, and several of them were strangled.

The investigation now covers four states - Heuermann owns a time-share in Las Vegas and a property in South Carolina - and police are investigating if he could be connected to any unsolved killings there.

Suffolk County police have already executed search warrants in the two properties. Officers recovered a Chevrolet Avalanche truck they believe is connected to the suspect and one of the murders and transported it back to New York.
Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger has until the end of the day to submit an alibi accounting for his whereabouts on the night of the quadruple killing - as his defense team suggests DNA on knife sheath may have been planted.

The alibi would feature evidence placing Kohberger elsewhere at the time of the killings and is considered one of the most important elements to a strong legal defense.

Last week, Kohberger's team filed a separate defense suggesting that DNA linking him to a knife sheath found on one of the victim's beds may have been planted by 'someone else during an investigation that spans hundreds of members of law enforcement'.

The 28-year-old is accused of fatally stabbing students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at their home in Moscow, Idaho, in the early hours of November 13.

His trial is currently set for October and in June prosecutors said they were seeking the death penalty.

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger's defense team has one day left to submit an alibi accounting for his whereabouts on the night of the quadruple killing

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20

The first deadline for the submission of an alibi to the court was in June, but Kohberger's public defender Anne Taylor requested an extension on the grounds they had not had enough time to review the prosecution's evidence.

His defense team could now either not file a response at all or they could again request more time.

Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told Newsweek that it was unlikely that an additional extension would be granted and that it was unlikely they would make a submission at all.

Coffindaffer told the publication she thought that if Kohberger had a reasonably strong alibi it would have already been submitted to the court and might hinge of witness statements or 'digital evidence'.

'We didn't see any of that,' she told Newsweek. 'We see the opposite.'

Although Kohberger, who was a criminology teaching assistant at Washington State University prior to the killings, was initially tied by law enforcement to the scene using DNA, further evidence has been submitted to support their case.

Evidence presented by prosecutors suggests that Kohberger's phone was either off or in airplane mode on the night of the killings. A 2015 Hyundai Elantra linked to Kohberger was allegedly spotted in the area.

'It's very hard to prove an alibi when your alibi options prove you were there,' Coffindaffer said.

Detectives found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was partially under Mogen's body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents filed on June 16.

A sample of DNA left on the sheath is 'at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source,' prosecutors said in a filing.

The defense has revealed in its latest submission to the court that it will contest the notion that Kohberger's DNA was left at the scene on the sheath by him.

Investigators allegedly matched the DNA on a Ka-Bar knife sheath to that of Kohberger. Pictured is a similar Ka-Bar seven inch hunting knife

General view of the infamous murder house in Moscow, Idaho, where Bryan Kohberger allegedly slaughtered four University of Idaho students

'What the State's argument asks this Court and Mr. Kohberger to assume is that the DNA on the sheath was placed there by Mr. Kohberger, and not someone else during an investigation that spans hundreds of members of law enforcement and apparently at least one lab the State refuses to name,' they wrote.

The defense also wants more information on how the FBI used the DNA to create family trees that led them to Kohberger and his father.

When DNA is found at the scene of the crime that does not belong to victims, the first thing police do is run it through their own database to check if it matches the DNA of any previous offenders.

This process is referred to as a short tandem repeat (STR) comparison and tests the sample against 20 DNA markers - enough to identify the person if their own DNA is already in the system, or, in some cases, if the DNA of an immediate relative is in the system (eg. a parent or a sibling).

A criminal affidavit that was filed last January, shortly after Kohberger was arrested, says that DNA matching the suspect's was found on a knife sheath recovered at the crime scene close to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves.

Investigators later closely matched the DNA on the sheath to DNA found in trash taken from Kohberger's parents' home in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested in December 2022.

'A traditional STR DNA comparison was done between the STR profile found on the Ka-Bar knife sheath and Defendant's DNA. The comparison showed a statistical match,' a filing read.

Ka-Bar, the company that made the knife believed to have been used in the slayings, has said it has no record that anyone named Kohberger bought such an item from them, but they sell to both retailers and directly to consumers.

Sources say the sheath found at the scene belonged to a seven-inch utility knife, which is traditionally used as a hunting tool for chopping firewood or cutting wire and rope.

The knife itself has not been found.

He is scheduled to stand trial on October 2.
President Joe Biden will veto a defense bill passed by House Republicans if he is presented with it, the White House announced on Monday.

Democrats have warned that it will hurt military recruitment because it limits access to abortion for troops, restricts transgender care service and bans consideration of diversity issues.

It marks a partisan twist for the National Defense Authorization Act, which is usually passed as a matter of routine.

'The administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 4366, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 and for other purposes,' the White House said in a statement.

'If the president were presented with H.R. 4366, he would veto it.'

President Joe Biden, seen here leaving church on Saturday, will veto a defense bill passed by House Republicans if he is presented with it, the White House announced on Monday

The White House also said Biden will veto an agriculture spending bill, accusing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of reneging on agreed spending levels reach during debt limit talks.

It comes after the House passed the defense bill 219 to 210 earlier this month to set up a showdown in the Senate over amendments which included banning considering military recruitment from considering diversity, equity and inclusion.

Republicans included several amendments on social issues as part of their effort to purge what they see as 'woke' policies from the armed services.

That included an amendment from Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, to prohibit the Pentagon from helping to pay for travel for abortion services.

So too did one to ban that would ban military healthcare from paying for gender transition surgery.

The White House signaled its intention last week.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby gave a blistering defense when asked whether access to abortion was essential for military readiness.

'I'm really glad you asked that question,' said Kirby, who is an admiral in the Navy.

'I'm really glad you asked that question,' said Kirby, who is an admiral in the Navy in response to a query about whether the policy was necessary for military readiness

He said for an all-volunteer service, it was part of the contract between military leaders and the men and women who signed up to serve.

'Whether it's about female service members, one in five, or female family members being able to count on the kinds of health care and reproductive care specifically that they need to serve,' he said during the White House briefing, 'that is a foundational sacred obligation of military leaders across the river.'

The Pentagon, across the Potomac in Virginia, has frequently been the target of conservatives as it builds the sort of diverse fighting force that reflects the nation.

Kirby pointed out that one in five military personnel were now female

Kirby said personnel did not get to choose where they served, which meant, for example, they could be sent somewhere like Alabama where abortion has been restricted since the Supreme Court threw out Roe v Wade protections.

'What do you do? Do you say no and get out?' he asked.

'Well, some people may decide to do that. And what does that mean?

'That means we lose talent, important talent.'

Four Democrats voted in favor of the bill - Reps. Don Davis, N.C., Jared Golden, Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Wash., and Rep Gabriel Vazquez, N.M. Four Republicans - Ken Buck, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, and Thomas Massive - voted against.

In its statement, the White House also said Biden would veto a separate agriculture and health spending bill if it reached his desk.

On a separate agriculture and health spending bill, the White House which Biden also threatens to veto, the White House laid out what

'The draft bills also include numerous new, partisan policy provisions with devastating consequences including harming access to reproductive healthcare, threatening the health and safety of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Americans (LGBTQI+), endangering marriage equality, hindering critical climate change initiatives, and preventing the administration from promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion,' it said.
Former New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte announced Monday that she was running for governor of the Granite State.

Ayotte's entry into the race comes after incumbent New Hampshire Chris Sununu said Wednesday that he would not seek reelection in 2024.

The popular Republican governor was first elected in 2016 and will retire after serving four terms.

'We're in!' Ayotte said Monday in a tweet. 'I am running for Governor because I fear that we are one election away from turning into Massachusetts. Together, we will ensure that we keep New Hampshire safe, prosperous and free.'

Ayotte previously served one term in the U.S. Senate before being ousted in the 2016 election by Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, the state's former governor.

Former New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte announced Monday that she was running for governor of the Granite State

Former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, made her gubernatorial bid official on Monday

A moderate, Ayotte had trouble navigating the party nominating now former President Donald Trump to be at the top of the ticket.

She held her nose and tepidly supported Trump's first run for the White House, but withdrew her support after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released just weeks before the 2016 presidential election.

She said she would write-in now former Vice President Mike Pence.

Beyond Ayotte, former Senate President Chuck Morse, another Republican, has announced a run for the governor's mansion.

Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut also suggested he would run.

On the Democratic side, Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington already announced their candidacies.

Sununu's decision to retire came after he announced he wouldn't run for president.

'Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state,' Sununu said Wednesday in a series of tweets. 'This was no easy decision as I truly love serving as Governor.'

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced Wednesday that he would not seek reelection in 2024

Sununu looked like a bright spot for moderate Republicans as he flirted with jumping in the 2024 race.

He was willing to criticize Trump - memorably joking that the ex-president was 'f***ing crazy,' during the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington in 2022.

In a June op-ed for The Washington Post, Sununu took himself out of the running for the White House, but still pushed to Republicans that it was important for Trump to go.

'We must not be complacent, and candidates should not get into this race to further a vanity campaign, to sell books or to audition to serve as Donald Trump's vice president,' he wrote.

'Since 2017, the national Republican Party has lost up and down the ballot, in red states and in blue states, and in elections spanning the House, Senate and presidency,' he continued. 'That will happen again unless we Republicans undergo a course correction.'

Pointing out that most polling shows the former president far ahead of the other GOP hopefuls, Sununu warned that if Trump is the nominee 'Republicans will lose again.'

'Just as we did in 2018, 2020 and 2022,' Trump said. 'This is indisputable, and I am not willing to let it happen without a fight.'

Sununu vowed to do everything he could as New Hampshire governor to influence the state's Republican primary, which is the first in the nation.

'I plan to endorse, campaign and support the candidate I believe has the best chance of winning in November 2024,' Sununu said.

The New Hampshire governor's new term doesn't start until January 2025 - after the presidential election.
CNN staffers have slammed Alisyn Camerota for what they call a 'tacky' stunt over the weekend - holding hands with her old boss Jeff Zucker while leaving a party hosted by disgraced former colleague Don Lemon.

Camerota still works at CNN and is happily married to Tim Lewis, her husband of 21 years.

On Saturday, she emerged from Lemon's home in Sag Harbor holding hands with Zucker, who remains in a relationship with Allison Gollust, who was also at the party.

Their cozy departure was captured by DailyMail.com exclusively. Gollust, Zucker's girlfriend, left the same party alone five minutes after them.

Sources claimed to Page Six that there is nothing to photos of them together, and that Jeff and Alisyn are just 'old friends'.

Network insiders today told DailyMail.com that while that may be the case, it was an 'inappropriate' and 'disrespectful' stunt from Alisyn, especially given all of the turmoil at the flailing news brand over the last year.

Former CNN boss Jeff Zucker and current anchor Alisyn Camerota leave Don Lemon's Sag Harbor home on Saturday after a party. The pair were holding hands on their way out of the property, despite Camerota being married, and despite Zucker's ongoing relationship with Allison Gollust

Allison Gollust left the party just five minutes after Zucker and Camerota and was alone

'Yes, they are best friends, but staff members - especially women at CNN - think that her attention seeking actions were just tacky and quite disrespectful.

'Alisyn should know better especially after talking so much s**t about Fox over coworkers' inappropriate behavior there,' the source said, referring to Camerota's public criticism of Roger Ailes, the late Fox News chairman who sexually harassed staff.

'Her holding hands for clout with Jeff was inappropriate.

'She is well-respected at the network, but this was extremely fame-thirsty and knew damn well what she was doing would get people talking,' the source added.

Camerota was the only current CNN employee who was spotted at the party.

Lemon was fired earlier this year over his sexist remarks while Gollust and Zucker left the network in shame last year after their affair was exposed.

They claim their friendship turned romantic during COVID-19, after they both sought divorces from their partners.

Others have accused them of dating secretly for years prior.

In Zucker's absence, the network has imploded.

'Best friends': The source said while Camerota and Zucker have a longstanding friendship, but 'this was extremely fame-thirsty and knew damn well what she was doing would get people talking'. They are shown in March 2020

Zucker joined CNN in 2013, becoming president of CNN Worldwide. Alisyn worked for Fox News at the time. She joined CNN under Zucker's tenure in 2014

New boss Chris Licht announced his resignation recently after just one year.

All of the chaos, the source said, makes Alisyn and Zucker's coziness on Saturday all the more unsavory.

'Alisyn also knows how the company she works for feels about Jeff and his behavior that led to his exit but she had disregard for this.

'She is happily married, as far as she says, and no one thinks that she would jeopardize her job or ruin her marriage for Jeff.

'It was most likely done as a slap in the face for Allison. Why? Nobody knows. The entire thing is just so strange with them all being there with Don.

Camerota and her husband Tim Lewis with their twin daughters and son in 2011. The pair remain happily married but are rarely photographed together

'It was a CNN dejected soiree with Alisyn,' the source said. Lemon, shown with Joy Behar, was fired over sexist comments he made on-air

'It was a CNN dejected soiree with Alisyn,' they said.

Zucker and Gollust were in Italy with Lemon three weeks ago. The pair looked every inch the loved-up couple, posing closely together in a group shot and sitting side by side at dinner.

Alisyn's husband, Tim, is yet to comment on the photo from Saturday's soiree. He was not in attendance.

Unlike Gollust and Zucker, Alisyn and her husband do not own property in the Hamptons.

Zucker is now selling his Amagansett pad for $16million.

According to Page Six's sources, he and Alisyn left the party hand-in-hand to go for coffee with his girlfriend in town.

They returned to Lemon's home later to retrieve their vehicles, but there was no sign of Gollust.
Nigel Farage has accepted the BBC's apology for inaccurately reporting that his Coutts bank account was closed due to falling below its 'wealth limit'.

Mr Farage, 59, said he was 'delighted' to get the 'rare' apology but the 'finger' was now pointed at Coutts and the NatWest banking group as to who gave the information to the BBC.

It comes after the former Ukip leader submitted a data access request to the bank which revealed a 36-page document suggesting his accounts were closed due to his views being at odds with 'inclusivity'.

After receiving an apology from the BBC's Business Editor Simon Jack and BBC News's CEO Deborah Turness, he told his GB News show: 'Well, BBC apologies are very very rare. They only happen once every few years.

'But today I got that apology. It made very very clear that the information turned out to be inaccurate.

'Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Simon Jack, thank you Deborah Turness. I know some will say it took too long, but thank you.

'A fullsome apology from the BBC is not something that happens very often. I'm delighted to get it.'

However, Mr Farage vowed to 'find out the absolute truth' and questioned who at either Coutts or Natwest told the BBC his bank accounts were closed for commercial reasons.

He said: 'How can it be right? And it doesn't matter if it's me, or anybody else, how can it be right that my banking status and the amount of money I may or may not have in my personal and business accounts are being discussed with the business editor of the BBC, and then disseminated to the wider world.

'How can that be right? How can that be ethical? How can that be legal? How can that be moral? I want to find out the truth and I'm bloomin' well going to find out the truth.'

He added he had put in another data access request to NatWest to see what what they 'held' about him.

Mr Farage, 59, said he was 'delighted' to get the 'rare' apology but the 'finger' was now pointed at Coutts and the NatWest banking group

Earlier today on Twitter, the corporation's business editor Simon Jack conceded that although the source of the story was 'senior' the information 'turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate'.

The acknowledgement came after the former Ukip leader demanded a response from the BBC over the bitter row.

He said this evening that he has also received a letter from the broadcaster's top news executive.

'My thanks to @BBCSimonJack for his apology. I have also received a letter of apology from the BBC News CEO, Deborah Turness. I am very grateful to both,' Mr Farage wrote on Twitter.

In a video posted on social media, Mr Farage also swiped that it was 'not often that the BBC apologise' and said he would reflect before giving a fuller view on what had happened.

'I'm very, very pleased,' he added.

The BBC's business editor Simon Jack conceded that although the source of the story was 'senior' the information 'turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate'

Mr Farage said this evening that he has also received a letter from the broadcaster's top news executive

The BBC also posted a statement on its 'Corrections and Clarifications' website about its initial coverage of Mr Farage's 'de-banking' row with Coutts

The BBC also posted a statement on its 'Corrections and Clarifications' website today about its initial coverage of Mr Farage's 'de-banking' row with Coutts.

'We have since changed the headline and the copy on the original online article about his bank account being shut for falling below the wealth limit to reflect that the claim came from a source and added an update to recognise the story had changed,' it read.

'We acknowledge that the information we reported - that Coutts' decision on Mr Farage's account did not involve considerations about his political views - turned out not to be accurate and have apologised to Mr Farage.'

Mr Jack - who is said to have sat next to the boss of NatWest, which owns Coutts, at a charity event before the claims emerged - tweeted: 'The information on which we based our reporting on Nigel Farage and his bank accounts came from a trusted and senior source.

'However the information turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate. Therefore I would like to apologise to Mr Farage.'

Mr Farage tonight turned to getting further answers from NatWest, saying: 'This now goes right back to the NatWest banking group.

'Somebody in that group decided that it was appropriate, ethical and legal to leak details of my personal financial situation.

'That I think is wrong at every level and that's where the spotlight should be now, and it will.'

He has asked the banking group's chairman Howard Davies whether he has 'initiated any internal investigation into the leaking of my banking status and current account balances'.

Tory former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and a senior ex-BBC presenter were among those who had called for the BBC to offer an apology to Mr Farage

Sir Jacob tonight suggested Dame Allison Rose, the chief executive of NatWest Group, should be considering her position following the row.

'If you cannot trust your bank to keep your secrets, who can you trust?,' he told GB News.

'Even public figures should be able to rely on their doctor and their banker to keep confidential the exchanges they have.

'If Dame Alison has broken this, she must go and therefore she must answer the question: was she the source for the BBC?'

Veteran BBC presenter Nick Owen had urged the corporation to stop being 'so slow' and draw a line under the incident.

He acknowledged that Mr Jack would have had a 'jolly good source', but said it was now time to 'put your hands up' and apologise.

Last week former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel said the incident 'will teach me to trust reporting of my old employer'.

Former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg (left) and senior ex-BBC presenter Nicholas Owen (right) added their voices to calls for the corporation to offer an apology

Treasury minister Andrew Griffith will write to 19 banks and financial services firms to insist the scandal around Mr Farage's Coutts account caused 'significant concern' in Parliament

A Treasury minister is reading the riot act to top executives about the 'de-banking' scandal.

Andrew Griffith is expected to write to 19 banks and financial services firms summoning them for talks and warning that the furore has caused 'significant concern in both Houses of Parliament'.

His intervention, understood to be happening in the coming days, will demand that new reforms regarding transparency over account closures will be obeyed.

Mr Farage's account closure  which an internal Coutts dossier revealed was owing to his political views not aligning with the bank's  has led to swift action from ministers, who have introduced new laws to force banks to explain why they are closing an individual's account, and give a 90-day period before doing so.

Mr Griffith will tell banks he wants a meeting 'at the earliest opportunity to hear your views on how you and your firms will ensure that customers can access payment accounts without fear of being debanked for their lawful expression'.

'The Government is unequivocal that banks and other payment service providers  which occupy a privileged place in society  should not be terminating contracts of payment account facilities on grounds relating to users' exercising of their right to lawful freedom of expression,' he will write.

Sanctions, including hefty fines and the withdrawal of licences, will be imposed on banks who fail to protect free speech.

And a new account holders' charter will force banks to give a guarantee that customers will be able to express their opinions without fear of losing their accounts.

Mr Farage, who has welcomed the Government's response to the scandal, had made clear he did not 'blame' Mr Jack for reporting what he was briefed, but wanted a 'proper response'.

'I am now looking for the BBC to respond,' he said.

'If I haven't got one quickly from Tim Davie, I will look to lodge a formal complaint, and if I still don't get one, I will look to go to Ofcom.

'The BBC has a responsibility to get things right. Clearly, they got briefed by someone in a position of authority at NatWest, so I don't blame Simon Jack for that. But I am looking to get a proper response from them.'

The Mail on Sunday yesterday revealed Mr Farage's lawyers have complained to the Information Commissioner's Office, which can fine banks up to 17million, about the leaking of his private information.

In a Subject Access Request to NatWest on Friday, his legal team demanded the release of all correspondence between the banking group and the BBC.

In another concerning case, Reform UK leader Richard Tice has accused Metro Bank of shutting down his account because of his vocal support and campaigning for Brexit.

He told the Sun on Sunday: 'I was suspicious at the time but didn't join enough of the dots. But it is crystal clear now what has gone on.'

NatWest Group did not provide a comment.
With thousands of tourists being evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires spread across the island and across to the popular holiday destination of Corfu, many are worried about where they stand if their planned holidays are cancelled.

Fires burning since Wednesday prompted the evacuation of 30,000 people over the weekend as an inferno reached resorts on the southeastern coast.

Thousands marched for 12 hours in 38 degrees Celsius to escape the flames billowing down the mountainside, bearing down on homes and hotels.

Others fought for space on buses and waded neck-high into the Mediterranean Sea to be rescued by small boats operated by locals in scenes likened to Dunkirk.

Many have since spent nights on the airport floor, waiting for repatriation flights, with more evacuations ordered on Monday morning.

Here, consumer rights lawyer Dean Dunham explains where you stand if your upcoming trip to the island is cancelled.

Can I cancel my holiday to Greece?

Before you do anything first check that your holiday is not going to be cancelled by the hotel or holiday provider/organiser.

If it is, you will be entitled to a full refund unless you accept an alternative holiday.

Wildfires continued to burn across the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday, forcing yet more people to flee homes, hotels and resorts on foot walking miles in scorching temperatures

Flames rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Vati, on the island of Rhodes, Greece

If your holiday is not cancelled and you had a package holiday booked = ie travel and accommodation sold together - then Section 12(7) of the Package Travel Regulations say holidaymakers can cancel and demand a full refund if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination.

In my view, a wildfire in the vicinity of the area you are flying in to or staying at falls squarely within this so could give you grounds to cancel with a full refund.

Several holiday firms and airlines are cancelling flights to Rhodes, and Jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes up to and including Sunday, July 30.

This is evidence that could support a claim that it is not safe to travel to Rhodes during this period.

If you did not book a package holiday you will not be protected by the Package Travel Regulations. Instead you will need to liaise with the individual companies for flights and hotels etc to ascertain what the terms and conditions of each one says about cancelling.

Does travel insurance cover Rhodes wildfires?

It is most unlikely that your travel insurance policy will contain a specific clause covering wildfires.

A travel insurance policy will not usually cover you if you wish to cancel your flight or holiday unless the UK government has issued advice against travelling to a particular country.

So far the UK government has not done this regarding the wildfires in Greece.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition which would be affected by the extreme heat, you may be able to claim a refund under the terms of your insurance policy.

If I get sick because of the Greece wildfires will it be covered by my health insurance?

On the face of it yes, but you will need to the read the terms and conditions attached to your policy.

However, a word of warning, if you have a pre-existing medical condition that could be worsened by extreme heat, your insurance provider may use this as an excuse to reject a claim, stating you were on notice of the extreme heat before you travelled.

if you are not on a package holiday and the local authority announces it is unsafe, you can claim a partial refund from your accommodation and leave

Can I fly home early from Greece and be refunded?

It is unlikely you will receive a refund if you cut your holiday short out of choice.

Your holiday provider will therefore likely claim you did not need to do this as your accommodation was still available and habitable.

However, if the UK government announces it is unsafe to travel to your location, this gives you the right to fly home early and demand a partial refund.

Likewise, if you are not on a package holiday and the local authority announces it is unsafe, you can claim a partial refund from your accommodation and leave. However, you may struggle in these circumstances to change your flight arrangements free of charge.

In the event of evacuation what must the tour operator provide for me and my family?

The Package Travel Regulations place an obligation on your tour operator to make suitable alternative arrangements, at no extra cost to you for the continuation of your holiday.

This could mean moving you to alternative safe accommodation or if this is not possible, arranging transport for you to get back to the UK.

What compensation am I entitled to for my Greek holiday being cut short?

While you will be entitled to an appropriate price reduction to take into account the holiday being cut short, you are unlikely to receive compensation.

In relation to a package holiday, this is because the Package Travel Regulations provide that compensation does not need to be paid in circumstances where the holiday was cut short due to extraordinary circumstances and in my view, the situation in Greece will fall within this.

If you are not on a package holiday, your hotel provider is likely to say this is a force majeure event (act of God) covered by its terms and conditions. This means it will have no liability.

TUI have cancelled all their flights to Rhodes until next Wednesday

Any practical tips to help with claims on our return?

When you claim a price reduction or compensation for a ruined holiday the objective is to show a) what happened to ruin your holiday, b) how the event/incident affected your holiday and c) what the diminution in value was and how you were impacted.

With this in mind, make sure you have a clear diary of events  covering all that happened to you day-to-day.

Where appropriate take photos/videos  recording things like other guests evacuating the hotel or area and how close the fires were to your hotel.

If your health was affected visit your GP and ask for a written report of how you have been affected. It is also important to keep any receipts for any expenditure you incur as a consequence of the wildfires and your trip being cut short.
A woman was found dead on a trail near Yellowstone National Park after encountering a grizzly bear, officials have confirmed.

The victim, 47-year-old Amie Adamson of Kansas, had already been confirmed dead in an earlier statement from The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Monday - though the org has now confirmed she died after coming across a grizzly.

Officials who found her body Saturday - at the Buttermilk Trail just west of the park - at first said her death came after 'an apparent bear encounter', citing tracks found at the scene and Montana's rising grizzly population.

In the Tuesday update - issued days after the Forest Service elected to close the popular footpath out of an abundance of caution - officials revealed they found the woman had wounds consistent with a bear attack, confirming her cause of death.

They also found tracks from an adult grizzly bear and at least one cub near the site - but did not see any sign of the animal responsible. Adamson, an avid hiker who had been visiting the park when she was killed, is now being mourned by her family.

The victim, 47-year-old Amie Adamson of Kansas, had already been said to be dead in an earlier statement from The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Monday - though the org has now specified she died after coming across a grizzly

In a Tuesday update - issued days after the Forest Service elected to close the popular footpath out of an abundance of caution - officials revealed they found the woman had wounds consistent with a bear attack, confirming her cause of death

'This is probably the hardest thing I've ever had to put on here,' her mother, Janet Adamson, posted to Facebook over the weekend of the ordeal, which happened sometime before 8am Sunday.

'Every morning, she'd get up early, and she'd walk, hike or run,' the mother added Tuesday in an interview with Good Morning America.

'Running through that beauty of Yellowstone - she was almost in heaven. She died doing what she loved.'

The interview with the morning program just before officials at the Montana section of the park confirmed her cause of death. They also revealed a hiker was the one came across the woman's savaged body, before phoning officials around 8am.

Also disclosed was the fact the woman had been wearing running shoes and had not been carrying bear spray when she was attacked, as recommended by wildlife officials.

The agency also reiterated how this portion of the park was considered 'bear country', and used Adamson's death as a reminder of the danger the creatures pose.

'About 8 a.m. Saturday, game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks were notified that a hiker had found a woman deceased on the trail, about 8 miles west of West Yellowstone,' the Tuesday morning statement read.

'FWP wardens and bear specialists, along with staff from other agencies, found that the woman had wounds consistent with a bear attack.'

Officials added that 'they also found tracks from an adult grizzly bear and at least one cub near the site' but 'did not see any bears or signs of a day bed or animal carcass during the investigation.

'The hiker was believed to be alone during the encounter, and no bear spray or firearms were found at the scene.'

Adamson (seen at right), an avid hiker who had been visiting the park when she was killed, is now being mourned by her family, including her mother Janet, who took solace in the fact her daughter died surrounded by the nature she so loved

The previously unnamed woman was found dead in Montana Saturday after coming into contact with a grizzly bear and at least one bear cub. While not typically known to attack humans, grizzlies are fearsome when with their young and confronted by something unfamiliar

The attack occurred on a trail in Montana just west of Yellowstone National Park, near a popular campground and several residences, officials confirmed Tuesday - four days after the attack

Officials who found her body Saturday at the Buttermilk Trail just west of the park at first said Adamson's death came after 'an apparent bear encounter', citing tracks found at the scene and Montana's rising grizzly population

The service further stated that 'the incident is still under joint investigation by FWP and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service', and that it happened only a few hundred yards from several home residences and a private campground.

As a precaution, after the corpse was discovered, the Custer Gallatin National Forest implemented an emergency closure of the area indefinitely, officials said.

Specialists and game wardens employed by the state agency proceeded to notify residents and visitors camping and staying at hotels nearby of the bear activity and the US Forest Service closure - which is set to last until late August.

'They then began conducting capture operations due to the incidents proximity to residences, campgrounds and a high-use OHV trail system,' the org added Tuesday of their efforts to prevent another similar attack.

However, 'no bears have been captured to date,' it said.

Meanwhile, Morgan Jacobsen, the information and education program manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, stated Tuesday that his force found no sign that the bear, which was traveling with at least one cub, tried to eat the victim,

'About 8 a.m. Saturday, game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks were notified that a hiker had found a woman deceased on the trail, about 8 miles west of West Yellowstone,' the Tuesday morning update read.

As a precaution, after the corpse was discovered, the Custer Gallatin National Forest implemented an emergency closure of the area surrounding the trail (seen here) until the end of August

He added it appeared the Derby resident had been jogging when she was fatally mauled, as her mother had thought.

This person was likely out for a morning jog along the trail and thats when this happened, said Jacobsen, speaking to Kansas station KWCH-DT.

He added that the hiking trail is increasingly popular during the summer, often used by people, ATVs and other off-road vehicles, and that a trail camera captured an image of a grizzly bear with two cubs in the area on Saturday.

However, there have been no sightings since, he said - with traps set on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights coming up empty.

Attempts to locate the bears from a helicopter were also unsuccessful, he said - citing how as more time passes, trapping becomes less optimal, as chances of catching a bear that was not involved in the attack increase.

That said, Montana's grizzly population has risen drastically in recent years - from 136 in 1975 to a peak of more than 1,000 in 2021 - as have bear-related attacks as well.

Days before the woman was found Saturday, Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks department warned visitors and staff of the increased danger from grizzlies in particular, which are a protected species but have expanded in the area in recent years.

Much more ferocious than its more abundant counterpart the Black Bear, the grizzlies increased presence was enough for the force to urge both campers and hikers to carry bear spray and to secure food and trash.

Officials added that while grizzlies are not typically known to attack unprovoked, all bets are off when a person happens across a female bear who is protecting their cubs.

Unfortunately for Adamson - who reportedly left her career as a teacher in 2015 and began backpacking across the US in 2015 - that was the exact situation she stumbled upon.

Officials added that while grizzlies are not typically known to attack unprovoked, all bets are off when a person happens across a female bear who is protecting their cubs

Unfortunately for Adamson - who reportedly left her career as a teacher in 2015 and began backpacking across the US in 2015 - that was the exact situation she stumbled upon Saturday near the sprawling national park

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, which consists of representatives from wildlife agencies in Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming, warns most dangerous encounters with bears happen when the bear is surprised, protecting cubs, or guarding a large food source, such as a carcass.'

Despite this, since Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, there have been eight deadly bear encounters - though there have been others in the surrounding areas as was the case with this recent attack.

Back in 2021, a a backcountry guide was killed near West Yellowstone - some eight miles from where Adamson was killed - when he was mauled by a grizzly that officials at the time said was probably defending a nearby moose carcass.

A year later, a hiker was killed just north of the park in a suspected grizzle encounter in a remote section of the Absaroka Mountains near Livingston, Montana.

With these attacks likely in mind, state officials last week warned visitors and residents of increased grizzly bear sightings throughout the state - 'particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystems', a region that applies to the site of Adamson's apparent mauling.

Sadly, those warnings went unheeded - and Adamson's relatives are now grappling with the fact their family member will never again be able to grace the great outdoors.

Mom Janet, however, on Sunday took solace in that her daughter died surrounded by a setting she viewed as idyllic.

'She was a free spirit adventurer that loved the outdoors, hiked, ran and explored,' she wrote on Facebook. 'She died doing something she loved in a place she loved.'

Officials have yet to announce what has been done with the deceased's body. The search for the bear responsible, as of Tuesday, was still ongoing.
Benidorm locals have been caught setting up their deck chairs in the middle of the night to beat British tourists.

Pictures show residents on the beach erecting parasols in the dark in front of the ocean.

As the waves crash against the sand in the dead of night, a desperate man can be seen in one video unravelling a beach mat with a deadly serious look painted across his face.

After putting the first one down successfully he appears to check that the coast is clear before wiping the sand from his hands and starting to lay down a second one at a right angle, perhaps to confuse his opponents.

As the camera pans round, it shows that he is adding to a line of colourful parasols and deckchairs already in place as a woman gazes out over the empty beach.

As the waves crash against the beach in the dead of night, a desperate man can be seen in one video unravelling a beach mat with a deadly serious look painted across his face

As the camera pans round, it shows that he is adding to a line of colourful parasols and deckchairs already in place as a woman gazes out over the empty beach

In one photo a local tests out one of the chairs while his friend sets up the equipment at night.

Snaps taken in the daylight show the empty deckchairs and umbrellas before the morning scramble as Brits sleep soundly in their hotel rooms.

Despite the dangerously high temperatures, sunbathers have packed out Benidorm's beaches, with many arriving very early to pick out the best spots for a day on the beach.

Meanwhile, a security guard has been showered with praise for removing towels from the sun loungers at a hotel in Tenerife.

The staff member can be seen wandering round the poolside taking notes in the video while wearing a luminous yellow jacket.

Under the view of a hotel guest absorbed in a book, he sets his sights on one of the deck chairs, places a tub of suncream aside and whips a green towel away from it.

He then folds it effortlessly with one hand before placing it in the correct spot.

The beach is lined with parasols and deckchairs as competitive locals set up for the next day

Locals can be seen setting up deck chairs in the dark in a new chapter of the sunbed wars

A man tests out one of the chairs while his friend sets up the equipment at night

Snaps taken in the morning show the empty deckchairs and umbrellas before the morning scramble as Brits sleep soundly in their hotel rooms

Sharing the clip to their channel, @renovatewithroberta wrote: 'They should do this everywhere.'

The clip has been viewed more than 176,000 times since it was posted on TikTok last year.

Commenting on the post, one person wrote: 'I agree, first come, first served.'

A second added: 'They should do this at all resorts everywhere.'

A third wrote: 'Spot on, you wouldn't walk into a restaurant and leave your jackets on the chairs to reserve a seat'.

Another person posted: 'Never got why people on holiday wanna get up first thing in the morning for a lounger, if they could only have breakfast at 6.30am, they'd freak out.'

The security guard involved in the operation can be seen wandering round the poolside taking notes while wearing a luminous yellow jacket. He then sets his sights on one of the deck chairs, places a tub of suncream aside and whips a green towel away from it

Meanwhile, keen Britons have been spotted at the crack of dawn descending on a hotel pool to bag the best sunbeds at a Majorcan resort.

Footage shows hoards of holidaymakers armed with towels and inflatables rushing to reserve loungers on the Spanish island.

In a military-style operation some even rush over to get their hands on the spare loungers and cushions that have not even been put out yet. All the while a beautiful beach sits empty just 100ft away.

It comes as recent footage showed the increasingly tense sunbed war shrouding Brits' summer holidays.

The Majorcan 'sunbed police' can be seen taking revenge on hotel guests who had reserved loungers.

Hoards of holidaymakers were spotted making the mad dash to secure a good spot by the pool

In a military-style operation some even rush over to get their hands on the spare loungers and cushions

Keen to get a prime spot, some quickly grab cushions to reserve the bed

As the sun rises on the hotel's pool area, holidaymakers keen to sunbathe are pictured out in force

A staff member appears fed up as he swiftly removes towels and inflatables used to hog beds by the pool at the Viva resort on the Spanish island.

Dubbed the 'towel police' by TikToker John McGowan, the worker can be seen shoving holidaymakers' belongings into plastic bags.

He even walks around the pool area with a stopwatch and clipboard to time how long each sunbed has been reserved for, Mr McGowan explained.

If the hogger has not returned within 30 minutes, their items are removed from the beds.

It is generally accepted in Spanish resorts that a towel left on a sunbed is claimed by its owner for the entire day. The origin of this rule is not known, though it is thought to be a German invention.

One commenter quipped: 'Well done to this resort. Hope others take note. It might make people's hols less stressful if the towel dash doesn't happen anymore.'

The Mallorca hotel's 'sunbed police' are captured getting revenge on guests who have reserved loungers

The 'towel policeman' can be seen shoving all the holidaymakers' belongings into plastic bags

Sunbed wars have long been a common start to the mornings of British holidaymakers' trips abroad.

Although not all hotels allow this rule, when in place it can create heated competition.

Hilarious footage of guests at the four-star Spring Hotel Bitacora, Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, shows crowds of desperate tourists waiting next to their resort's swimming pools and descending en masse to grab the best spots at the earliest possible time.

Britons armed with swimming togs and sun cream raced past rival holidaymakers with a grim determination to secure their place in the sun for a day.

Some were reported to queue for 90 minutes first thing in the morning - waiting for some unknown signal before stampeding past opposing tourists towards the sun loungers.

Meanwhile at the Camp de Mar in Majorca a holidaymaker was shocked to see next-level towel reservation after sunbed hogs puts their towels down on the floor at the entrance to the pool area.

Photos show beach bags and towels placed in an orderly queue leading to the closed-off pool area so hotel guests can secure their sun bed the moment that it opens.

Holidaymaker Geoff said: 'In an effort to control the sunbed madness, the door from the hotel to the pool area was kept locked until 8am.'

Holidaymakers made the dash to claim the best sunbeds ahead of their opponents

'So people were lining their towels up on the floor in a queue order by the door before it opened. I must add this wasn't youngsters, but mostly elderly and middle-aged people,' he told the Mirror.

Discussing the behaviour of the other guests at a four-star hotel in Camp de Mar, he said: 'The towel line actually went back much further [than the picture shows] and the owners were seated on the sofas just out of sight, ready to fly outside when the door was unlocked.

'I don't know what time they started, but we were up at 6.30am one morning to grab breakfast before an excursion, and there was already an established towel queue forming at the door. Crazy behaviour!'

Earlier this year, a holiday hero spoke out against some 'entitled' tourists who reserved sun loungers for nine hours while he and his wife were on holiday in Bali.

Newlyweds Thom Aspland and Lisa were honeymooning at Bali's Grand Barong Resort where they were met by unfurled towels on sun loungers at 6.30am.

After returning at 1pm and seeing the chairs untouched, the couple waited for a further hour of no movement, before finally ditching the reserving towels and taking the spot themselves.

Hilarious footage captured the moment a holidaymaker (in black T-shirt) bagged five sun loungers by sprinting through the sun beds before throwing his towels on the best pool-side spots

They were met at 3.30pm by the shocked pair of 'entitled' tourists 'iPads and books in hand'.

The couple were even sure to teach their competitors a lesson by ushering other tourists in their place as they left.

Speaking to Yahoo News, Thom said: 'We definitely thought they were entitled, but were surprised they didn't confront us.'

He assumed that the lack of confrontation was down to the fact that 'they knew what they had done'.

Thom also noted the hilarious extent of the couple's pettiness in getting on the beds in the first place.

'We didn't even want the beds,' he said, but the compulsion to prove a point was too strong.

'Many places here have an hour rule, so we just made sure we gave them an hour once we got in the pool,' he added.

He revealed that he and Lisa had been looking on from the bar for two hours before making their move.

He also gave comical detail about the approach of the pair who thought they would get away with the nine-hour reservation, saying that 'they quickly walked towards the chairs, then stopped and looked at each other to pause'.

'They then frantically looked for their two personal towels' before departing to their hotel room never to be seen again,' he said.

The happy couple made absolutely certain that they proved their point when they left by passing the beds on to a mother and daughter after telling them the whole story.

Thom shared the 'petty' revenge story online with droves of followers agreeing that leaving towels on seats all day was 'sun hogging' and disrespectful.

'Am I the only one hoping there's a day two to this situation,' one person said.

Another wrote: 'Proof that not all heroes wear a cape.

'Would shout you both a Bintang if I were there.'

'I would've done the same except I wouldn't have waited - if they weren't there using them its free for all,' a third added.

Some also commended the couple for waiting the hour that they did.

Thom then posted an update of the empty poolside chairs on the following morning as a sign of victory.

'Free all morning,' he declared.

In August, the hilarious moment a holidaymaker bagged five sun loungers by sprinting towards them before throwing his towels on the best pool-side spots was posted on TikTok by a guest who filmed the chaotic scene from her balcony at the Paradise Park Hotel in Los Cristianos, Tenerife.

The video shows a large pool surrounded by a decked terrace, moments before several people emerge and start running towards the sunbeds.

One man dressed in yellow can be seen sprinting towards the loungers with several towels on his arm. He skipped past rows of other chairs until he reached the ones in the prime pool-side spot.

While the other guests made their way towards the loungers, he took a shortcut to arrive there first and threw his towels down to claim the seats at an impressive speed.

This wasn't the first time the man was on the hunt, as another video showed him in a black T-shirt securing the best spot.

Jess Clarke, who filmed the crowd, captioned her video: 'Day Three Sunbed Wars'.

It quickly gained more than 11,000 likes and hundreds of comments were left by viewers saying, 'Love it, so funny' or remarking, 'I've never seen sunbed wars that bad'.

Another commented: 'Guy in yellow put in a proper shift.'

A fourth said: '9am sunbed wars paradise park Tenerife what a sight.'

One user recognised the man from Ms Clarke's previous video titled 'Day 1'.

The hotel is known for sunbed reservation races and similar scenes were captured on camera last year.

Thom Aspland's 'victory' post on Facebook saw him pictured with his wife Lisa. 'Free all morning,' he declared, with reference to the empty poolside chairs

A viral TikTok video from July shows tourists at the Tenerife hotel making a shameless dash for the best poolside spot.

Footage shows a crowd of holidaymakers show up at a pool at Paradise Park just as it opens.

They then drop their towels on the hotspot's best loungers  with some even glancing around guiltily as they do it.

TikTok user Sarah, whose clip has already garnered more than five million views in just one day, simply captioned it: 'The Sunbed Race'.

Paradise Park spokesman Rafael Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo told MailOnline last year: 'We were amused to see it - considering that our hotel has five swimming pools and areas with space and sunbeds for everyone.

'Although we see quite a bit of talent among our guests for obstacle races.'

Tourists in Palma de Mallorca raced to reserve a sun lounger at 9am as they sprinted alongside the pool

Some appeared to be sprinting at full speed as they overtook others in the mad rush for the limited seats

As soon as 9am struck, the competing holidaymakers started to run beside the pool adjacent to the hotel

Footage shared on TikTok shows the horde decked out in their hats and towels ready for a day of basking in the Majorcan heat

Weeks before, in June last year, sunbed blockers had their towels taken away by hotel staff at another resort in Tenerife.

Holidaymaker Amanda Proctor filmed the moment the workers picked up dozens of towels that guests had laid out on empty sun loungers in a bid to reserve the best seats next to the pool at the five star Gran Costa Adeje Hotel in southern Tenerife.

Amanda said that the staff at the hotel, which features four pools, took the guests' bags and towels and left a note on the chairs telling them where to collect their belongings.

The holidaymaker said there was a sign at the hotel saying guests were not allowed to reserve sunbeds before 10am.

A spokesman at the hotel told MailOnline: 'At GF Gran Costa Adeje, we defend the right of all our guests to enjoy our pools and we ask everyone to respect our policy.

'All guests will have their space in our solarium. In this situation, our colleague, like the entire GF Gran Costa Adeje team, is a hero without a cape. We are very happy with the reaction to the video and from our customers.'
Comes after revelations of a $10 million payment to Joe and Hunter in exchange for the then-vice president using his influence to get a senior prosecutor fired

Joe Biden lashed out at a voter during a campaign event in 2019  calling the man a 'damn liar' after he asked the then-candidate about his son Hunter's foreign business deals.

The video reemerged this week following bombshell internal FBI documents revealing that President Biden and his 52-year-old son had a Ukrainian oil executive fork over $10 million in exchange for getting a senior prosecutor fired.

The clip from the last presidential election cycle shows Biden irate at a voter asking him about how he allegedly provided access in exchange for his son earning millions working for a gas company in Ukraine without prior experience in the field.

'You're a damn liar, man. That's not true. And, no one has ever said that,' Biden yelled at the voter, visibly flustered and upset with his accusations.

An old clip resurfaced from 2019 where Joe Biden lashed out at a voter who questioned him helping his son get on the board of a Ukrainian energy company. Biden called the voter a 'damn liar' and challenged him to a push-up contest to prove his fitness for office

He pushed back on claims he helped his son get access to the job in Ukraine, which saw him receive a hefty paycheck, and also slammed the town hall attendee for suggesting he's not fit for office at his age and health.

Biden challenged the gray-haired voter to a push-up contest to prove his fitness.

'The reason I'm running is because I've been around a long time and I know more than most people know. And I can get things done. That's why I'm running,' Biden said.

He added: 'If you want to check my shape, let's do push-ups together, man. Let's run. Let's do whatever you want to do.'

A conversation between a confidential source and Burisma CFO Vadim Pojarski in 2015, according to an FBI document obtained by DailyMail.com last week, reveals that Hunter Biden was hired onto the company's board to 'protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.'

At the time, Biden was vice president.

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.'

Biden, however, just four years after those messages were sent, said at a 2019 town hall: 'No one has said my son has done anything wrong. And I did not on any occasion set my son up to work for an oil company.'

New bombshell FBI documents reveal there was a $10 million payment to Joe and Hunter Biden in exchange for the then-Vice President using his influence to get a senior prosecutor fired

The voter told Biden that he heard the claims on MSNBC  a left-leaning Democratic-friendly network.

'You did not hear that on MSNBC!' the president shouted. 'Look, I'm not going to get in an argument with you. Here's the deal  any other questions?'

Biden called the man 'too old.'

In addition to the recent FBI revelations, the House Oversight Committee held a hearing last week where two whistleblowers came forward claiming the president's son was awarded preferential treatment in the IRS investigation into his tax crimes.

Republicans are critical of the 'sweetheart deal' Hunter reached with the Justice Department to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax fraud charges and avoid jail time for those crimes, as well as lying on a federal form to purchase a firearm by claiming he was not a user or abuser of illicit drugs.

The whistleblowers claim the president's son most definitely would have been charged with a felony if he were not being given special treatment.
The Scottish National Party could be about to penalise homeowners with a fresh 'ridiculous' policy that will prevent Scots with gas boilers from selling their homes.

First Minister Humza Yousaf is considering the controversial ban which could cripple homeowners unless they swap their gas boilers for heat pumps.

It comes after Mr Yousaf was accused of 'blatant misuse of public money and resources' on plans for a Scottish passport in the event of a split from the UK.

Now, a new policy change could see properties forced to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above at certain trigger points by 2025, including in a sale, GB News reports.

Properties currently meeting the C grading will likely be downgraded if they do not implement the proposed changes. Strong EPC ratings are vital as they currently indicate how much it costs to heat a home. Ratings could include the type of heating in the future.

First Minister Humza Yousaf (pictured) is considering the controversial ban which could cripple homeowners unless they swap their gas boilers for heat pumps

The SNP is ready to penalise homeowners with a 'ridiculous' policy that will prevent Scots with gas boilers (pictured) from selling their homes

If the changes go through, lower EPC ratings could be given to huge swathes of Scots unless they install more eco-friendly sources of heating such as heat pumps which can cost around 7,000 to 14,000 to buy and install.

The Government's 150m drive to get Britons to install heat pumps in their homes was labeleld 'shameful' in April after missing its installation target.

Furious Scots reacted to the proposed changes, with some claiming there was 'no chance' the SNP could get away with it.

One user simply tweeted: 'Ridiculous!'. While another posted: 'Good luck with that plan. If the snp bring that idea closer than a thought process they have absolutely zero chance at the next election. Not that they did anyway.'

A third said: 'Good luck with that. No chance.' And a fourth added: 'Well that will be a popular policy, I'm sure.'

Patrick Harvie, the green zero carbon buildings minister, said the Scottish Government wanted 'all homes to reach new energy efficiency standards by no later than 2033'.

'Improved energy efficiency is essential but nowhere near enoughm' he wrote in the Herald on Sunday.

'We can't insulate our way to zero carbon buildings. To do that we need to change the way we heat homes.

Furious Scots reacted to the proposed changes, with some claiming there was 'no chance' the SNP could get away with it

The Government's 150m drive to get Britons to install heat pumps (pictured) in their homes was labeleld 'shameful' in April after missing its installation target

Patrick Harvie, the green zero carbon buildings minister, said the Scottish Government wanted 'all homes to reach new energy efficiency standards by no later than 2033'

'To meet our 2030 targets alone, more than one million Scottish homes will need to change to a climate-friendly heating system: a massive transition  as big as the shift from coal to gas last century, but in a shorter timescale.'

The Scottish Conservative Party has raised concerns about the financial burden families could face amid the cost of living crisis.

Douglas Lumsden, the Tory party's shadow net zero secretary, said: 'The green minister is typically acting like he knows best by ploughing ahead with these plans.

'This is hugely naive considering he has put in a pitiful amount of the funding required to support homeowners to replace gas boilers.

'Penalising them during a cost of living crisis is simply unacceptable. While we all want to see a just transition, policies must be fair and measured.'

The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will cost an estimated 33billion to convert all homes to zero emissions.

Homeowners would, however, be given an initial support package of around 1.8billion during the current Parliament.
Some victims were 'barely out of nappies' and he impregnated a 14-year-old

A monstrous children's entertainer who raped and abused a string of young girls has been jailed for 30 years.

Paul McKee, 57, who worked as a children's magician and was known as Professor Paulos, was convicted of 13 sexual offences and abusing seven girls - some of who were 'barely out of nappies' - over a 24-year period.

McKee had to be extradited from Thailand, where he has a wife and young daughter, to face trial for the crimes, including one incident of raping a two-year-old girl.

But the paedophile denied all the charges he was convicted for and even offered to 'forgive' the complainants for their 'accusations' - which the judge described as 'sickening'.

His victims described him in court as 'a monster' and sentencing him Judge David Swinnerton said, 'It is hard to disagree.'

Paul McKee (pictured), 57, who worked as a children's magician and was known as Professor Paulos, was convicted of 13 sexual offences and abusing seven girls - some of who were 'barely out of nappies' - over a 24-year period

Judge David Swinnerton said: 'Your behaviour was predatory and persistent over many years.

'You created an environment in the house where children wanted to come. You had animals - a pig, monkeys. You held discos.'

'You worked as a children's entertainer, on the Wirral and in holiday parks, known as Professor Paulos.

'It is notable though that you chose to work in a sphere that would put you in contact with children.

'You also spent some time in a school after your move to Thailand, although you were very evasive about that in evidence.'

He described him as 'highly emotional, manipulative, controlling and physically violent.'

McKee (pictured in blue, centre) had to be extradited from Thailand, where he has a wife and young daughter, to face trial for the crimes, including one incident of raping a two-year-old girl

READ MORE: Daughter's fury as paedophile father who abused and shared images of her with other sick perverts online before changing gender in prison is quietly released Advertisement

Judge Swinnerton added: 'Throughout the trial, the pain and psychological damage that you have caused to those seven women was raw and obvious.

'I once again pay tribute to them for their strength in coming forward and their determination and courage in giving evidence.

'It is remarkable that they have been able to create the lives and families that they have.

'That has been difficult and they each still experience the effects of the trauma they experienced. No doubt they always will. I have listened carefully to their moving personal statements.

'You on the other hand have shown not one sign of remorse. You, through your evidence, attacked anyone and everyone you could.'

There was 'a particularly sickening moment' when he said he would forgive the complainants for their accusations, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

'You do not seem to experience shame, guilt, remorse or empathy. You acted on your own sexual desires with no care for the traumatic impact on those you abused,' the judge said.

During his remarks one distressed woman in the public gallery started shouting abuse at the defendant, shouting, 'I want someone to kill him. I want him dead.'

As she was taken outside by companions she shouted: 'I want the f*ing bastard dead.'

He said the author of pre-sentence report stated: 'It is clear that Mr McKee has persisted in targeting, vulnerable young females and subjecting them to sexual abuse and cruel behaviour which evidences significant distorted thinking, cognitive deficits in his consequential thinking and a lack of victim empathy.

'He is currently assessed as presenting a high risk of serious harm of a sexual nature to children- females ranging between the ages of 2 and 16 years.'

'I agree. In my judgement you remain and will remain a danger to children for a long time.'

Judge Swinnerton told McKee that he will be subject to custody and then licence requirements until he is about 90 years old.

Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, described McKee, who appeared via video link from prison, as a' predatory paedophile capable to extreme acts of violence against very young children.'

McKee, who made some watch pornography and videod the abuse, also got one of them pregnant, the court heard.

He had begun sexually assaulting her when she was 14 and she told how she recalled the night the child was conceived - because he had tied her up and raped her.

Like other victims he had regularly raped her and she suffered years of systematic abuse, said Mr Roberts.

One of the other complainants initially revealed details of her ordeal to a relative 20 years ago but she threatened to kill herself if the police were told so the information went no further.

Some years later four of the victims met up with McKee's brother and told him he had 'treated them like little sex slaves' but they did not feel able to go to the police.

His brother messaged McKee, then living in Thailand, where he worked in school, and the defendant replied 'saying he was sorry for what he had done and was asking for God's forgiveness.'

The first victim to reveal what had been happening also messaged him and he replied he was sorry, said Mr Roberts.

It was only in 2017 that the victims went to the police. Mr Roberts described their video recorded interviews as 'harrowing, dark, disturbing.'

McKee, 57, of Wallasey Village, Wallasey, Wirral, who had denied that any of the offences happened, was convicted of 13 sexual offences including multiple incidents of rape and indecent assault spanning almost 25 years.

He was cleared of raping one of the women and buggery of another. David Polglase, defending, said that there may be suspicions about his activities abroad but they were just that.

Judge Swinnerton commented that he noted his career in this country as a children's entertainer and also that he worked in a school in Thailand 'to put himself in close proximity to children.'

Mr Polglase said that McKee has no previous convictions and pointed out that he would inevitably spend 'a large proportion of the remainder of his life in prison' and urged the judge not to impose a life sentence on him.

McKee was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order was also imposed.
The conservative Club for Growth is pledging to spend $20 million to ensure that the House Republicans who nearly cost House Speaker Kevin McCarthy the speakership stay in their seats.

Politico obtained a memo Monday from Club for Growth's President David McIntosh informing donors that the group planned to prop up what he's labeling the 'Patriot 20' in both primaries and general elections next year.

Prominent members of the group include Reps. Lauren Boebert - who nearly lost her 2022 race to Democrat Adam Frisch - Matt Gaetz, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, freshman lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna, Byron Donalds and Scott Perry, the current chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana, who is mulling a Senate run, is also on the list.

'Club for Growth Action is prepared to spend $20 million in defense of the Patriot 20, the group of members who fought to advance conservative priorities and establish a more transparent and accountable legislative process in the House during the Speaker negotiations in January,' McIntosh said in the memo.

Reps. Matt Gaetz (left) and Lauren Boebert (right) are among the 'Patriot 20,' who the Club for Growth will spend $20 million to help keep their seats in the 2024 election

Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is among five freshman lawmakers that the Club for Growth is willing to spend money on to ensure they keep their seats in the next Congress

McIntosh warned that 'moderate donor networks are already working to enact retribution against these conservative members who they perceive to be vulnerable to a primary challenge.'

'Making our financial commitment public may serve as an effective deterrent to some potential challengers,' he said.

Among the goals of the group is to keep five freshman lawmakers in their seats - Luna and Reps. Josh Brecheen, Eli Crane, Andy Ogles and Keith Self.

The memo also notes that the Democratic National Congressional Committee has already said they plan to target Boebert in Colorado, Luna in Florida and Perry in Pennsylvania.

Frisch has already announced he's running against Boebert again and raised $2.6 million in the second quarter - a huge amount of money for a House race.

In 2022, he came within 600 votes of beating the prominent congesswoman.

One member who is noticeably missing from the list is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia lawmaker who recently got ousted by the House Freedom Caucus after calling Boebert a 'little b****' on the House floor.

Greene sided with McCarthy in the speakership fight and even got former President Donald Trump on the phone to court Republican lawmakers unwilling to vote in favor of the California congressman.

Members of the 'Patriot 20,' as they're now being called, dragged on the speakership fight for 15 votes in January in order to get concessions from now House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (pictured), walking through the Capitol Building in May

The speakership fight dragged on for 15 votes.

McCarthy had to give into concessions outlined by the group, referred to at the time as the 'Never Kevins,' but now rebranded by the Club for Growth as the 'Patriot 20.'

In the midst of it, Greene and Boebert reportedly got into an argument in the women's bathroom.

So far, most of the 20 members haven't attracted serious primary challengers.

'We are closely monitoring the re-election efforts of each conservative incumbent and will not hesitate to make independent expenditures to defeat moderate challengers,' McIntosh said.

'We will not compromise in our defense of these members,' he added.
A passenger on a Carnival Cruise ship is missing after jumping off the vessel, which was headed toward the Florida shore, according to officials.

The man's companion told staffers that the 30-year-old had disappeared Sunday, which eventually prompted security to check video cameras and attempt to figure out where he went.

One such video showed the man jumping off the side of the boat on Sunday morning, about 95 miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida a coastal city north of Vero Beach.

In a statement, the major cruise line wrote: 'The crew was notified by his traveling companion late (Sunday) afternoon about his missing status after he had not been seen all day.'

'Sadly, after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video it was determined that he jumped.'

A man jumped from a Carnival Cruise ship on Sunday about 95 miles off the coast of Florida

The ship was on its way back to Jacksonville, Florida after a four-day cruise in the Bahamas

The Coast Guard are still actively searching for the man who went overboard Sunday morning

The operator of the cruise said authorities were alerted about the incident and were subsequently advised to proceed onward toward its final stop in Jacksonville.

'The Carnival Care Team is providing support to the guests family and our thoughts are with them and the guest,' said the company.

The Carnival Elation ship had completed a four-day Bahamian voyage, meant to end in Jacksonville on Monday morning.

The Coast Guard continues the search for the missing person, who has not yet been identified.

The Coast Guard has reportedly called into action an 87-foot cutter Tarpon, a Hercules aircraft, and a Miami-based Ocean Sentry aircraft.

The Carnival Elation can carry nearly 2,200 guests, is 855 long, and has 900 crew members aboard, according to the company website.

The unfortunate incident is the second time in two months a man has gone overboard on a Carnival Cruise off the coast of Florida.

In late May a 35-year-old Virginian man seemingly fell from the Carnival Magic more than 180 miles east of Jacksonville. The Coast Guard search was called off without success in early June.
Channel 4 has been branded as beyond the pale after appearing to show Gregg Wallace and Michel Roux Jr eating human flesh.

The controversial broadcaster sparked new outrage with a satirical documentary about a factory which manufactured engineered human meat.

Billed as a solution for cash-strapped families, MasterChef host Wallace interviewed donors who were selling their flesh to fictional firm Good Harvest.

The human tissue was then seen growing in labs into larger slabs of meat - which could be used to make steaks, burgers and sausages.

But MPs slammed the show as a bad taste take on the cost-of-living crisis and criticised Channel 4 bosses for failing to warn audiences its subject was not real.

Channel 4 has been branded as beyond the pale after appearing to show Gregg Wallace and Michel Roux Jr eating human flesh

Billed as a solution for cash-strapped families, MasterChef host Gregg Wallace interviewed donors who were selling their flesh to fictional firm Good Harvest. The human tissue was then seen growing in labs into larger slabs of meat - which could be used to make steaks, burgers and sausages

At one point in the show Wallace and Roux Jr were seen tasting the steaks

Viewers followed Wallace, 58, as he visited Good Harvests HQ where staff explained how pieces of flesh was harvested from humans and grown into edible meat.

The TV star was then seen visiting donors including a 67-year-old retired receptionist who agreed to have flesh taken from her buttock and thigh in order to fund two weeks energy bills.

Good Harvests chief executive later revealed the firms premium range comes from the flesh of children aged six and below - with a promotional video which billed the womb as natures oven.

Wallace, who previously fronted BBC 2s Inside the Factory, is well known for presenting documentaries about how food and products are made.

Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat is understood to be a take on satirist Jonathan Swifts 1729 essay A Modest Proposal - which suggests that poor Irish families donate their children to rich English landlords for food.

However, there was no warning given ahead or during the broadcast to reassure viewers that it was fictional.

Confused and 'disgusted' viewers took to Twitter as the programme debuted, criticising Channel 4 for airing a show in such 'very poor taste'.

'Are you watching the British miracle meat on channel 4...it's got to be a joke?! Human meat,' one tweeted.

'Who is watching Gregg Wallace, The British Miracle Meat, I feel sick.' another echoed.

One viewer added: 'What the fresh h**l are we being subjected to on @Channel4 now?'

Others - in an apparent joking manner - claimed that 'if enough people vote Tory' they will end up selling their flesh for money. And some even pointed to Brexit as the reason a 'process banned in the EU' would be allowed permitted in the UK.

One wrote: 'I hope they start putting disclaimers on this satirical cannibalism show before eating the poor ends up in the governments next election manifesto.'

At one point in the show Wallace and Roux Jr were seen tasting the steaks and two Michelin-starred chef Roux licked his fingers as he cooked.

The programme also included thinly-veiled jibes at the Government - with a Good Harvest employee member remarking that the machine used to grow the meat would have been banned under EU laws.

Wallace also said the new food source might be the only attempt seen to take the British cost-of- living crisis seriously.

Other viewers were kick to identify the programme was a spoof documentary, with several alleging the criticisms of the Government and Brexit were an obvious giveaway.

'I started watching this thinking was genuine, quickly became a spoof. Feel connned by C4,' one viewer wrote.

Another added: 'This #miraclemeat programme on @Channel4 is such a spoof it's laughable. No trace of business online. The Brexit comment a few mins in was enough of a clue.'

'A rather tasteless spoof thats rather sick making. Supposedly it was a completely insane stunt by Channel 4 that makes a strong case over government inaction, spiralling energy costs and unsustainable food. I think not,' one viewer wrote.

'Completely unfunny spoof report. I can't see what it's trying to achieve,' added another. 'It's only going to upset the gullible and make it harder to convince people to non-meat alternatives.'

Some viewers have indicated they have already issued complaints to Ofcom about the programme.

One tweeted: 'I hope Ofcom have some extra staff on tonight.'

Another penned: 'Ive just watched less that 10 minutes of the British miracle meat whether this is satire or not it is abhorrent @Ofcom @Channel4.'

It is not the first time Channel 4 has sparked outrage with its programmes.

In 2020 the broadcaster was heavily criticised for creating a deepfake version of the late Queens Christmas speech.

And earlier this year Naked Education - a programme in which adults stripped off in front of teenagers to promote body positivity - amassed more than 1,200 Ofcom complaints.

Speaking ahead of the broadcast today, Lee Anderson, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, said: Channel 4 has gone beyond the pale.

Brits struggling with the cost of living will no doubt find this attempt at humour in bad taste.

Meanwhile Tory MP Giles Watling, who sits on the Culture, Media and Sport select Committee, said: Something like this should have come with a health warning so that people are aware it is not factual and can make a choice on whether to watch it or not.

I am certainly not in favour of censorship and I think its wonderful that artists and comedians have the freedom to express themselves - but there are certain sensitives broadcasters need to be aware of. Wallace also referenced food bank charity Trussell Trust as the programme concluded.

The programme also included thinly-veiled jibes at the Government - with a Good Harvest employee member remarking that the machine used to grow the meat would have been banned under EU laws. Wallace also said the new food source might be the only attempt seen to take the British cost-of- living crisis seriously

The Trussell Trust says a future without food banks requires a benefits system that works for all and secure incomes so people can afford essentials, he said.

So its no surprise that eating children seems a more likely path for our country.

A spokesman for the charity said: While referenced in it, the Trussell Trust had no involvement in the production of Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: This mockumentary is a witty yet thought-provoking commentary on the extreme measures many people are being forced to take to stay afloat in our society during the cost-of-living crisis.

Channel 4 has a long and rich history of satire and has often used humour as an accessible way to highlight societys most important issues.
The White House on Monday described a vote in the Israeli parliament to ratify part of a controversial judicial overhaul as 'unfortunate.'

The plan has triggered weeks of protests in Israel, where critics say it would allow the country's hard right government to act with impunity.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration reiterated its long-standing concerns after Israel's Knesset approved the first bill to rein in limits on the Supreme Court's powers.

Lawmakers brushed off repeated U.S. criticism and 29 weeks of protests.

'As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible,' said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

'It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority,' she added.'

'As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible,' said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

The overhaul has triggered 29 weeks of protests on the streets of Israel

The amendment passed by a 64-to-0 vote, backed by lawmakers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition after opposition members abandoned the session in protest.

The issue has undermined relations with Washington, Israel's most important ally.,

It was only last week that Biden invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an official visit. Given that Netanyahu was returned to power in December it amounted to a months long snub.

But U.S. officials have yet to set a date or confirm with Israeli statements that they would meet at the White House as soon as September.

Biden had delayed extending the invitation out of concern over what aides said were Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan and Jewish settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.

The U.S. president has said Netanyahu must maintain Israel's independent judiciary as crucial to democracy, but there have been no signs Biden's criticism has affected other key areas such as military and intelligence cooperation between the two nations.

Joe Biden last week invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) for an official visit, ending a months long snub triggered by his plans for a sweeping judicial overhaul

'We understand talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset in recess,' Jean-Pierre said.

'The United States will continue to support the efforts of President (Isaac) Herzog and other Israeli leaders as they seek to build a broader consensus through political dialogue,' she said.

A day earlier Biden called on Israel not to press ahead with what he said was a 'divisive' vote.

'Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus,' he said in a statement to news website Axios.
Cops were briefly called to Twitter's San Francisco HQ after a worker began tearing down letters from the building's iconic sign a day after Elon Musk rebranded the platform to 'X'.

Police responded to a 'possible unpermitted street closure' outside the building on Monday afternoon after a man on a cherry picker was seen removing pieces of the company's sign - but later said no crime had been committed.

As of 2.30pm work appeared to have halted for unrelated reasons and on one face of the sign all that remained were the letters 'er' and a bird.

San Francisco Police Department officers suggested the work had been authorized by Twitter but not been properly communicated with building security. Police told DailyMail.com in a statement that it was not a police matter and directed any further questions to Twitter.

Crowds gathered and took photos of the sign's dismantlement, which may mark the elimination of an internet brand that for nearly a decade and a half changed the way people around the world communicated.

San Francisco police arrive on scene as a worker removes letters from the Twitter sign. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Police Department has said no crime was committed

A worker removes letters from the Twitter sign that is posted on the exterior of Twitter headquarters in San Francisco on July 24

Crowds gathered and took photos of the sign's dismantlement, which eventually attracted the attention of the police

Inside the building, Musk also started renaming conference rooms to incorporate the letter X, using names such as 'eXposure,' 'eXult' and 's3Xy,' according to photos seen by The New York Times.

The alteration to the company's Market Street signage comes around a day after Twitter owner Elon Musk announced he was totally rebranding the platform he bought last year and doing away with its bird logo.

Late on Sunday night the letter X was projected onto the building and shortly after traffic to the website X.com was being rerouted Twitter's own website, from which the iconic blue bird logo was subsequently removed.

'At approximately 12:39 P.M. officers assigned to Tenderloin Station responded to the area of 10th and Market Street regarding a report of a possible unpermitted street closure,' a San Francisco Police Department spokesperson said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'Through their investigation officers were able to determine that no crime was committed, and this incident was not a police matter,' they added.

A pile of characters removed from a sign on the Twitter headquarters building are seen in San Francisco on Monday afternoon

A worker on Market Street places the various letters removed from the sign and places them on the sidewalk under the supervision of a police officer

The alteration to the company's Market Street signage comes around a day after Twitter owner Elon Musk announced he was totally rebranding the platform he bought last year

Police on the scene said someone from Twitter had a work order to take the sign down but 'didn't communicate it with security and the property owner of the building', according to The San Francisco Standard.

The rebranding of Twitter was seemingly last-minute but had also been a long time in the making. In 2017, Musk said he had bought back the X.com domain from PayPal, the payment company he founded in the 1990s and later sold.

'No plans right now, but it has great sentimental value to me,' he tweeted at the time.

Walter Isaacson, the famous author who has published biographies on Steve Jobs and Leonardo Da Vinci, is set to release the story of Musk's life later this year.

In a post to Twitter, Isaacson shared an except from his book that explains the history of Musk's obsession with the letter X and his plans back in 1999 to establish X.com as a one-stop shop for various internet and financial services.

Twitter's new logo is seen projected on the corporate headquarters building in downtown San Francisco, California, late Sunday night

Twitter's new logo is seen projected on the corporate headquarters building in downtown San Francisco, California

Now, Musk plans to use Twitter as a foundation to pursue that ambition yet again nearly 25 years later.

'His concept for X.com was grand. It would be a one-stop everything-store for all financial needs: banking, digital purchases, checking, credit cards, investments, and loans,' wrote Isaacson.

But after internal struggle the company was rebranded to PayPal and sold. Isaacson said Musk had told him before he had even acquired Twitter that he was going to rebrand it X.com.

The shared excerpt from the book reveals that in the days leading up to his takeover of Twitter at the end of October, Musk texted Isaacson at 3.30am one morning: 'I am very excited about finally implementing X.com as it should have been done, using Twitter as an accelerant!'
Quad Webb's three-year-old girl niece drowned at the Married to Medicine star's Atlanta home, a police report has revealed.

Aryanna 'Ari' Rice was discovered unresponsive in the pool at Webb's Marietta, Georgia, home on July 7.

Two men told cops they were hanging out by the pool in the evening before going inside. They later noticed what they initially thought was a doll floating in the water.

After realizing it was a child, the report states that the men immediately called 911. When officers arrived they found firefighters rendering medical aid.

The little girl was then rushed to the nearby Scottish Rite Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A three-year-old girl believed to be reality star Quad Webb's niece, drowned at her Marietta mansion on July 7

Aryanna 'Ari' Rice turned three last month. It is believed that she was staying with Webb for the month. It is unclear whether Webb was home at the time of the drowning

It is not clear whether Webb, 43, whose full name is Quadriyyah Webb, was home at the time of the drowning.

TMZ reported that Webb is Ari's niece. Webb had previously posted about the little girl on her Instagram, posting in celebration of her third birthday back in April.

'Wow, I cant believe my baby is 3 years old today! I remember you falling to sleep laying on my chest. You absolutely stole my heart from the moment I saw you; Ari youre so special to me and Im grateful to be apart of your life! I got you forever!!! Happy birthday chocolate drop,' wrote the reality star alongside a large carousel of pictures.

The two men who were by the pool that day told police that they were visiting the house and were in the pool for around two hours from 6pm to 8pm.

They got out and ordered pizza before heading inside where they hung out for a while longer. When they went back downstairs they noticed the child, who they initially thought was a doll.

Officers determined that the child was the daughter of Tameka Webb of Memphis, Tennessee.

The report also lists Webb's Marietta mansion as the child's address, though officers say Ari was just at the home for a month-long vacation.

Authorities also spoke to the child's grandmother, Mary Loise Cox, who said the last time she saw her granddaughter was with her daughter, Quadrryah, but she was not able to remember the precise time.

Webb has not commented publicly on the accident, nor has she clarified what her precise relationship to the child is.

The outlet also reported a statement from Quad's rep that reads: 'Quad Webb and family have suffered the loss of two beloved family members, in separate occasions, in just one week.

'This has been an incredibly challenging experience for the entire family. Your understanding and support are deeply valued.

'In this trying time, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the kindness and compassion shown by the public, fans and media. We kindly request much needed privacy during this period of mourning as Quad is taking time to grieve with her family.'

An aerial view of the pool at Webb's Marietta, Georgia home where the drowning happened earlier this month

Police were called to Webb's Marietta, Georgia mansion on July 7 after a call came in about a drowning

Several months ago, Webb posted to her Instagram to celebrate Ari's third birthday

Quad Webb has been a cast member of Married to Medicine: Atlanta for the majority of the show's 10 year run

Webb has been a cast member on Bravo's Married to medicine for the majority of its 10 seasons.

The show, which debuted in 2013, follows the lives of several Atlanta women who are in or involved with the medical community.

The cast includes doctors and the wives of doctors.

Until 2018, Webb was married to Dr. Gregory Lunceford. Lunceford recently got remarried.

Webb has been a primary cast member on the show for most of the series - though in season eight, she was temporarily downgraded to a 'friend.'

According to Bravo, Webb is a former medical sales rep. and current business owner, author, fashion icon and philanthropist.
The encampment near Selma Park is located a stone's throw from Larchmont Charter School, which houses 595 students, as well as an elementary school

Hollywood citizens are complaining about a homeless encampment that's surfaced near Selma Park - along with an array of tents, needles, and trash that have left residents at a loss.

The encampment - which is growing with each day - is a stone's throw from a local charter school that houses some 595 students in fifth through eighth grades, as well as an elementary school.

Parents and residents are now voicing their outrage about a near-constant stream of garbage littering the avenue, along with increasingly debauched behavior from those camping outside.

The issue is not a new one for taxpaying citizens - with such sites now commonplace after the pandemic presented a plethora of challenges to the Golden State, including its still-prevailing housing crisis. LA was no exception, where 'shelter in place' rules stopped officials from evicting encampments across the city.

While there is no such order this time, the tents cannot be removed without the blessing of city councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez - who claims moving encampments can hurt efforts to get homeless people off the streets.

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Hollywood citizens are complaining about a homeless encampment that's surfaced near Selma Park - along with an array of tents, needles, and trash that have left residents at a loss

'There's needles on the ground, also there's a lot of broken glass. You're getting catcalled,' Jeannie Vasquez told ABC 7 Los Angeles in a filmed interview from her embattled neighborhood, in which she and other expressed anger over the city's lack of action

Even more concerning is the fact that nothing is being done about it - due to the fact the tents can't be moved without orders from Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, who has aired the belief that moving encampments temporarily can only hurt efforts to get the people into housing

'There's needles on the ground, also there's a lot of broken glass. You're getting catcalled,' Jeannie Vasquez told ABC 7 Los Angeles in a filmed interview from her embattled neighborhood.

'You're getting people that have mental illness,' She recounted some of the sights she and others in the affluent area have been regularly subjected to in recent weeks.

'You're seeing profanity. Sometimes you see people naked running around.

'It looks like a junkyard on our block, and it's just not safe.'

Neighbors voiced similar outrage over the state of the treelined street, where last month reports surfaced of students having to dodge tents while on their way to school.

Further fanning their fury is the city's inaction in addressing the procession, despite assertions from new mayor Karen Bass that she would soon solve LA's housing crisis, which accounts for roughly 43 percent of California's entire homeless population.

One resident, Christian Dias, told ABC the people who live at the encampment - and have been since before the start of the summer - regularly scream at people traversing the block and even throw things at them.

Perhaps the most problematic aspect of the encampment - which also is only a few yards from Selma Avenue Elementary School - is that it blocks the sidewalk, forcing students from schools to have to walk in the street to get to and from both schools.

Even more concerning is the fact that nothing is being done about it - due to the fact the tents can't be moved without orders from councilman Soto-Martinez.

Instead, Vasquez and others say, the city official responsible for area instead sends weekly crews of city staffers to clean up the seemingly never-ending mess.

'They need to just come regularly and clean it up,' she told ABC this past Wednesday. 'I mean we're asking for just weekly cleanups of the neighborhood.'

In a statement later that week, a rep for Soto-Martinez - a Democrat who defeated incumbent Mitch O'Farrell last year - said that they are working to ensure people living at the encampment are housed before the start of the school year.

Neighbors voiced similar outrage over the state of the treelined street, where last month reports surfaced of students having to dodge tents while on their way to school

Moreover, the encampment - which is growing with each day - is located a stone's throw from a local charter school that houses some 595 students in fifth through eighth grades (left), as well as an elementary school, Selma Avenue Elementary (seen at right)

Perhaps the most problematic aspect of the encampment - which also is only a few yards from Selma Avenue Elementary School - is that it blocks the sidewalk, forcing students from schools to have to walk in the street to get to and from both schools

One resident, Christian Dias, told ABC the people who live at the encampment - and have been since before the start of the summer - regularly scream at people traversing the block and even throw things at them

Instead, Vasquez and others say, the city official responsible for area instead sends weekly crews of city staffers to clean up the seemingly never-ending mess

'They need to just come regularly and clean it up,' one resident told ABC this past Wednesday. 'I mean we're asking for just weekly cleanups of the neighborhood.'

A portion of the homeless encampment near Larchmont Charter School and Selma Avenue elementary is seen here last week. Residents are complaining about trash and hypodermic needles that now line the street

The situation on the street is not uncommon - with dozens of other processions set all around the city and state

Meanwhile, video and footage filmed from the scene this past week show how the procession is packed virtually 24-7, especially in the dead of night

Video and footage filmed from the scene this past week show how the procession is packed virtually 24-7, especially in the dead of night.

That said, the situation on the street is not an uncommon one - at least in California - with dozens of other processions set all around the city and others across the state.

A prime piece of real estate ceded in the chaos was Venice Beach, where each summer since, hundreds of tents have again sprouted up again and again - after being systematically knocked back down.

The past two summers, outreach teams and Los Angeles police have cleared thousand of encampments across LA, in many cases providing temporary housing in the process.

The most commonly requested form of housing, officials have said, was up to six months of motel placements on the behest of the LA taxpayers, part of a program billed as 'Encampment to Home' program.

Masterminded by former LA City Councilman Mike Bonin - who left office this past December citing depression and health issues - the plan cost $5million in its first year alone.

It has since fallen apart spectacularly, as tents remain a common sight in places like LA and Beverly Hills more than three years after the pandemic.

Even in winter, brazen gatherings of hundreds of people - many of them refusing city aid - were seen across the city, and even in the shadow of City Hall.

Over the past year, the camps -including ones along iconic Venice Beach - have become increasingly bold, putting up full-sized tents and cordoning off entire streets, while syphoning water and power from city-owned outlets.

Some, videos and photos showed, even boasted working washing machines.

Venice Beach was one of the few to undergo a massive sweep - in both 2021 and 2022 - to clean up the unsanctioned campsites, but as recent reports and footage indicates, the town is once again overrun.

Speaking to CBS LA, resident Mark Ryavec said: 'It's illegal to be out there but we can see right now there's something like 22 tents out there right now.'

The city's new mayor, Karen Bass, has since taken it upon herself to fix LA's crisis, which accounts for roughly 43 percent of California's entire homeless population, 171,000.

As was the case with her predecessors, Bass aims to connect homeless people with shelters and housing - something Ryavec, who leads the Venice Stakeholders Association, is hopeful will finally work.

Along with homeless, the City of Angels is still battling stubborn crime that's carried over from the pandemic

Venice Beach was one of the few to undergo a massive sweep - in both 2021 and 2022 - to clean up the unsanctioned campsites, but as recent reports and footage indicates, the town is once again overrun

'The elected officials won't see this as a civil right issue but will see this as a housing and treatment issue, because as long as it's all about the rights of the homeless to do whatever they want ,we will never get out of this,' one citizen said of officials inaction

Efforts meanwhile, are still underway to find shelter for those living in the tents - though the door looks to be closed on the plum hotel stays of months passed

The city's mayor, meanwhile, has said affluent residents in her city don't care about homeless people and just want to see them moved on or arrested.

LA's persisting homeless crisis accounts for roughly 43 percent of California's entire homeless population, 171,000

Residents, meanwhile, continue to decry the fact that kids have to 'step over needles' and 'human waste' on the beach due because of those crashing out across the city

According to officials, several vagrants regularly help, with many willingly choosing to live on the street

The city's current crime-ridden state has spurred countless locals and even celebrities to flee the Golden State for a better life

When speaking to CBS's LA affiliate earlier in the month, he conceded he was frustrated at how the city has handled the crisis over the past four or so years.

'The elected officials won't see this as a civil right issue but will see this as a housing and treatment issue, because as long as it's all about the rights of the homeless to do whatever they want we will never get out of this.' he said.

'If we just keep pushing people from neighborhood to neighborhood without getting people into housing and reducing homeless numbers, I don't even want to think about the homelessness we're going to see in a year of five years.'

Efforts are still underway to find shelter for those living in the tents - though the door looks to be closed on the plum hotel stays of months passed.

Bass, meanwhile, told a conference that affluent residents in her city don't care about homeless people and just want to see them moved on or arrested.

She said she intends to get over 17,000 homeless people into housing in her first year through a mix of interim and permanent facilities.

Similarly California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last month that the state is hoping to cut homelessness by 15 percent in just two years and committed to providing 500 small homes in the city to achieve that.

'In California we are using every tool in our toolbox - including the largest-ever deployment of small homes in the state - to move people out of encampments and into housing,' Newsom said.

'The crisis of homelessness will never be solved without first solving the crisis of housing - the two issues are inextricably linked.'

According to Beverly Hills City Manager, Nancy Hunt-Coffey, the amount of homelessness in the area is increasing. Pictured: tents in nearby Beverly Grove

In the center of junction in Beverly Grove, near Beverly Hills, tents and tarpaulins have been set up by some of LA's homeless population

A homeless person is seen napping on a patch of grass in a park on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Dr.

Some residents of wealthy Beverly Hills have also told the city council that they were considering leaving as they didn't feel safe allowing their children to play outside

Los Angeles city council member Joe Buscaino, meanwhile, has complained that kids in his city have to 'step over needles' and 'human waste' on their way to school due because of those crashing out in residential areas.

'No child in America should be afraid to walk to school, and what we have found in Los Angeles is kids are afraid to walk to school,' the Democrat said in a television interview late last year.

'They tell their parents they have to step over needles, human waste, and deal with individuals unfortunately suffering from psychotic behavior - right next to their playground area.'

The city's current crime-ridden state has spurred countless locals and even celebrities to flee the Golden State for a better life, with the most recent being actor Mark Wahlberg, who is fleeing his longtime home in LA in favor for a life in nearby Nevada.

The likes of Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and Matt Damon have also participated in the mass exodus - as well as hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens - citing a combination of over taxes, crime, and the state's notorious ever-worsening homeless problem.

Moreover, the state recently experienced its first population decline in decades last year, when roughly 250,000 residents were reported to have left the city - many instead electing to buy property in less costly locales such as Texas and Arizona.
With a multi-million-pound property empire, a BMW with personalised number plates and a son who attended Eton, VP Lingajothy enjoys the trappings of a successful lawyer.

In a career spanning two decades, he has presented his lucrative work as a humanitarian mission and boasts how far he goes to help the desperate refugees he represents.

Just last year he addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland and he has previously described how the stories he has heard from clients left him with 'tears in my eyes'.

Mr Lingajothy, who came to the UK from Sri Lanka in 1983, lamented: 'Sometimes victims who have been through so much unfortunately get lumped together with those who give fake stories to immigration authorities.'

He said he 'couldn't live with himself' if he didn't try his best for clients he knew were telling the truth and once put his 'career on the line' by trying to get a judge impeached after he rejected an asylum application.

With a multi-million-pound property empire, a BMW with personalised number plates and a son who attended Eton, VP Lingajothy enjoys the trappings of a successful lawyer

But  as undercover reporters discovered when they visited him at the offices of Duncan Ellis Solicitors in Colliers Wood, south London  Mr Lingajothy has a strange version of truth.

When asked what he could do to help an economic migrant to stay in the UK, he immediately outlined the extraordinary and entirely fictional story involving torture, beatings, slave labour, false imprisonment and death threats that he would use for an asylum and human rights claim  in return for a fee of 10,000.

READ MORE HERE: Special investigation exposes staff at immigration law firms briefing clients on how to LIE to the authorities to win the right to stay in Britain Advertisement

He told the journalists, who were posing as a farmer from the Punjab newly arrived on a small boat and his UK-based uncle helping him, it would involve pretending to be a supporter of a Sikh separatist group in India.

'You can say that the Indian government accused you of being pro Khalistani, you were taken into custody, arrested and you were ill treated, tortured, sexually tortured,' he said. 'That's why you couldn't marry and you were frustrated, you wanted to commit suicide.'

After his parents bribed guards to spring him from jail, the migrant was forced to pay a people smuggler to help him escape persecution in his homeland and flee to France, the story went on.

But this turned out to be going from the 'frying pan to the fire' because the trafficker held him as a captive until the full fee was paid, according to the tale conjured up. It then gets more dramatic: 'They put him in modern slavery conditions. He can't go out.

'He has to work in hard labour [on a] building site. He can't escape. His passport and everything is taken away.'

Making a throat slashing gesture with his finger, he explained how the non-existent people smugglers had threatened to kill the reporter's family in the Punjab if they weren't paid.

He added: 'Also they kept him in a brothel. He was cleaning the toilets and looking after the prostitutes and all that kind of thing.

'The girls are from Eastern Europe. This guy is working more or less as a nanny for those women.'

Finally our reporter was to claim he met someone who managed to help him on to a small boat and cross the Channel, he continued. 'The story must go like that.'

And Mr Lingajothy stressed the reporter must claim to be pro-Khalistani for the asylum claim, as 'that way I will win your case'  it did not matter if he actually supported a different party.

Drawing a diagram of a target with asylum at the centre and human rights on a larger outer ring, the lawyer explained how he would expand the claim to have a greater chance of success.

'I need to use another law called trafficking law,' the legal adviser said. 'If you are going to simply claim asylum only it's very difficult. The second thing is called HR, human rights. That is relatively easy, right.' Clutching his head for emphasis, he added: 'And you've got some psychological problems.'

From the drawer of his desk covered in files from other cases, he produced a packet of anti-depressant pills for the reporter to hand to the Home Office as supposed evidence of his mental trauma.

'In your story I will also include this medication and when you were released [from jail in India] you went to see a doctor and the doctor prescribed all the medicines I have here,' he said.

'But I won't say I am giving it to you, say your doctor in India gave it.' Mr Lingajothy also promised he could obtain a psychiatric report to back up the claim that our journalist was suicidal, saying: 'I will prepare you what to tell the doctor.'

The outline he was giving at the first meeting was just the 'skeleton' of the story, he said, saying that he would flesh it out with more details to make it realistic: 'I have to give him the time, the month, the year... the story will be very carefully handled.'

He told our team they could take notes of the concocted story to help learn it, but nothing else or it risked compromising him.

'We don't allow to record because lawyers are not allowed to give stories. So we don't allow recording,' he stressed. Later, on learning the UK authorities had no record of the migrant's arrival, Mr Lingajothy advised him to change his story about how he came from France and say he came on a lorry not a boat, as it would help his claim.

'Say that in the lorry there were metals and building material, wires they were transporting. You were inside a box behind them,' he said as he went on to expand the story. Published court judgments show that Mr Lingajothy has been representing asylum seekers at immigration tribunals since at least 2004.

In January he successfully appealed and won a new hearing for an Indian woman's asylum claim, despite a judge in the lower tribunal ruling that her credibility was 'completely undermined' after she made false claims of being detained, tortured and sexual assaulted.

In July 2021, My Lingajothy successfully appealed over a rejected asylum claim for a Sri Lankan woman after her version of events was described by a judge as 'bizarre and extraordinary'.

As undercover reporters discovered when they visited him at the offices of Duncan Ellis Solicitors in Colliers Wood, south London  Mr Lingajothy has a strange version of truth

In February 2019, a judge threw out an appeal he lodged on behalf of a client who claimed to have been 'held in captivity and tortured in Sri Lanka' after another judge described the story as 'entirely devoid of any truth'.

Mr Lingajothy told the Mail these cases had initially been handled by different caseworkers and solicitors and his firm took them on only at the appeal stage after the initial application had failed.

He said in all cases he was acting in the best interests of his clients.

Mr Lingathjothy and his wife share an eight-bedroom, 1.7million family home and have a property and business empire that includes a successful care home in Somerset and a building company, according to public records.

His children have attended top public schools, including Eton. Mr Lingajothy said his wife funded this part of their education.

Approached by the Mail, he denied making any false stories, and appeared to claim his actions were due to confusing our undercover reporter with another client. He was representing Duncan Ellis Solicitors, which is registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

He is not a solicitor, but said he was previously a government-registered immigration case worker and now an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives  allowing him to work under the supervision of a solicitor.

He said his position with Duncan Ellis was notified to the SRA and means he can give consultations and represent the firm at tribunals as long as the firm's principal solicitor checks his files randomly to ensure good practice and correct standards.

But Anbananden Sooben, from Duncan Ellis, said Mr Lingajothy was unsupervised when he met our reporters because a solicitor was not 'present nor informed about the consultation'. He added: 'The behaviours exhibited by Mr Lingajothy, as recorded in your investigation, are completely contrary to the principles and values of our firm and contrary to the law of the country and SRA rules.'

Mr Sooben said his firm upheld the 'highest ethical and professional standards', took the allegations 'extremely seriously', had sacked Mr Lingajothy and reported the matter to the SRA as well as 'conducting a thorough internal investigation'.

'We are actively cooperating with the relevant authorities and will support any investigation into this matter,' he said.

'Don't admit you came here to work  they will send you back'

On a quiet high street in Merton, south-west London, tucked in between corner shops, cafes and dry cleaners, scores of young men wait outside Rashid and Rashid Solicitors.

Some queue for as long as five hours for an appointment with Rashid Ahmad Khan, who operates on a strict first come first served basis, and one thing is clear: business is booming.

Inside his office, where a large bust of the black Albanian eagle sits proudly alongside stacks of legal files, Mr Khan asks detailed questions about why our covert reporter, posing as an illegal immigrant from India, came to Britain.

What was the problem you were facing back home? Political? probed the solicitor, who has been practising since 2009 and now has two branches for his firm.

No, not political. Just work. I needed a job, our reporter replied.

Approached by the Mail, Rashid Ahmad Khan (pictured) denied that he or his firm offered to help an illegal immigrant submit fabricated asylum claim to the Home Office

Mr Khan whispered his response. You say that and theyre going to send you back.

Over the following half hour, Mr Khan agreed to help file an asylum claim to the Home Office for a cost of 4,000.

He asked our reporters  one posing as the illegal migrant, the other as his UK-based uncle  to write down the reasons why he was no longer safe in India, only minutes after he was informed that there were none.

You write one page and bring it to me. Ill turn it into four pages, Mr Khan said. At one point, he tells our reporter to make up something for the immigration authorities. While Mr Khan appears to be cautious at times, on one occasion telling our covert reporter he cant help him apply for asylum if he doesnt say his life is in danger back home, the solicitor still tells him to lie to the Home Office.

Speaking discreetly in Punjabi, Mr Khan says: Just write why hes come here illegally. Like, hes taken a loan from someone, who that party is. See, everyone who enters illegally has a reason. Some political reason. Some fight with someone. Hell have to write these things to make up some story. If he doesnt say anything, he will get nothing.

Our reporter later tried to clarify what he should write down, asking: A political problem? Mr Khan responded: Political, yes. Anything, just take name of a party.

The solicitor said he would appeal if the case was rejected and take the fight to court, adding: Ive dealt with many people like him.

Approached by the Mail, Mr Khan denied that he or his firm offered to help an illegal immigrant submit fabricated asylum claim to the Home Office. He said: We are always advising people according to their circumstances, under immigration rules and outside immigration rules (human rights). I always act with integrity, honesty  according to my code of conduct.

He said the 4,000 cost he quoted the undercover reporters included extensive fees to the Home Office and other authorities, and his charge was only 1,000 of this amount.

5,500 in cash for a pack of lies

Malik Nazar Hayat boasts his Lincoln Lawrence solicitors firm is among the leading immigration lawyers in London.

On his Linked In page, he says: We are experts in UK immigration law and advise on all UK immigration-related matters.

When the Mail visited his offices in Hounslow, west London, asking for his expertise, Mr Hayat quickly got down to business.

Decked out in a sharp suit and chunky silver watch, he relaxed into his chair as he fired a series of questions at our reporter posing as an economic migrant. Where is he from in India? Does he have any debts or enemies? Any political affiliations? Has he ever been arrested? No, no, hes a man of good character. Not political, our second reporter, posing as his uncle, responded.

But we dont need a good character. For asylum, if hes a good character, theyll ask him to go back. They will not accept his claim, Mr Hayat said.

Malik Nazar Hayat (pictured) boasts his Lincoln Lawrence solicitors' firm is 'among the leading immigration lawyers in London'

Later, he added: Obviously, hes a good person. If he wants to stay here, he must have fear of prosecution back home, fear of assassination, anything like that, and the Punjab. India is not a safe country for him. So Im going on that way.

The solicitor suggests telling Home Office officials hes a sympathiser with a separatist movement in India and the police are after him, the security agencies are after him.

Unprompted, Mr Hayat added: On top of that, he is a victim of human trafficking because he contacted some agent, gave him some money, the agent promised him a job and visa, and now the agent has disappeared. He is a victim of human trafficking, and secondly, he fears persecution and assassination.

The whole process will cost 5,500 in cash, the lawyer says, a price he insists is a steal from his usual fees of 12,000 to 15,000 for similar cases. As the reporters prepared to leave, Mr Hayat told them Home Secretary Suella Braverman was dumb and doesnt know anything. Lincoln Lawrence said that it took the allegations very seriously and was investigating.

Mr Hayat was happy to falsely submit a photo of another man who looked like the undercover reporter at anti-government protests to support the asylum claim.
From early childhood, Joanna Toole liked to keep rats in the bedroom of her home in Exmouth, Devon. She said they were extremely intelligent and made good pets.

Other animals she kept included hamsters, a rabbit, two giant African land snails and pigeons, which she trained to fly home.

At secondary school, she discovered some boys throwing stones at a bird's nest in a hedge. She confronted them, and the boys made up an unkind ditty about her, which spread throughout the school.

For years afterwards, pupils would taunt her with the song. But her position was clear: to protect animals from needless suffering, even if it meant exposing herself to harm.

When she grew up, Joanna became a consultant to the UN Food and Agriculture Unit. Her passion was ocean conservation  in particular the harm done to wildlife by discarded fishing nets. In March 2019, 36-year-old Joanna was invited to speak on the subject at the UN environment assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.

Joanna Toole (pictured) was 36 when she - along with eight other Britons - died after a 737 with a flawed new control system crashed

The night before she left, she had dinner with her partner, Paul, at their home in Rome. He worked at the Irish Embassy, and they'd met at a conference four years earlier. They were planning to move back to the UK, get married and have children.

Joanna had a brief stopover in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, before continuing her journey on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. There were 149 passengers, from 35 countries, and eight crew members on board.

The plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, took off at 8.38am local time on March 10. A minute and a half later, the nose of the plane pitched downwards. A faulty sensor had registered incorrectly that the aircraft was at too steep an angle and was about to stall. This had triggered new software which had automatically pushed the nose down.

'What's going on?' said the captain, Yared Getachew, at 8.39am, according to the cockpit voice recorder. The pilots struggled to regain control of the plane, but the software kicked in and drove the nose aggressively down.

The pilots tried again. 'Pull with me,' urged the captain to his first officer, Ahmednur Mohammed. But the automated system overrode them. The recording stopped 23 seconds after the pilots' fourth attempt.

Six minutes after take-off, Flight 302 nose-dived at 175mph, crashing into farmland, near the village of Ejere, 32 miles from Addis Ababa, killing everyone on board.

Early that morning, Joanna's father, Adrian, was at home in Devon when he heard about the crash from the BBC News website.

Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that killed Joanna in March 2019

There had been five planes flying that morning from Addis to Nairobi, and it took until lunchtime before Paul could confirm Joanna had indeed been on the doomed flight.

'It was like the end of the world,' says Adrian, 71. He exhales deeply. 'All that promise cut short. It just seems so very unfair  it should have been me rather than her.'

For the past four years, Adrian, Paul and the other bereaved families have dedicated themselves to proving that the crash wasn't a random accident.

It was an avoidable tragedy: Boeing had prioritised profit over safety, concealed critical safety issues and put the flying public at risk.

'As the story has unfolded, it's been revelation after revelation,' Paul says. 'My beautiful daughter died in a death trap. Why hasn't Boeing faced justice?'

At an inquest held in Horsham, West Sussex, earlier this month, a coroner delivered a verdict of unlawful killing into the deaths of Joanna and humanitarian workers Sam Pegram and Oliver Vick. Finally, the families had their landmark moment  they had taken on Boeing and won.

For years, Boeing had evaded and spun, with scores of lawyers, advisers and PR fixers. But now the families had an official ruling that a crime which had led to the deaths of their loved ones had been committed.

'Boeing is a behemoth. To go up against them and get a result like this is a David and Goliath feeling,' says Vincent Nichol, the solicitor representing the nine British victims.

After so many setbacks, Adrian is still processing the news. 'I'm relieved', he says, when we meet in his home in Exmouth. 'In that verdict, I found some consolation.'

As well as being chair of the Joanna Toole Foundation, set up to continue her work protecting animals, Adrian volunteers for Sailability, which introduces young people with special educational needs to sailing. But his loss clearly runs deep.

'People say that when your child dies, a part of you dies as well, and that is certainly the case,' he says.

Joanna was born in 1983, but Adrian separated from her mother, Patricia, a year later. They remained close, however, and 'a period of negotiation' resulted in the birth of Joanna's sister, Vicky, in 1987, although the girls' parents still chose to live separately. 'It was a fairly unique arrangement,' he says.

Patricia remarried and had a third daughter, Karen. But the family remained unified and when Patricia died of cancer in 2016, they were all with her.

Joanna's father Adrian Toole (pictured) is now fighting for justice for his daughter, whose life ended in tragedy

The Boeing regional headquarters is seen on April 29, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia

A surveyor by training, who worked in the North Sea oil industry, Adrian has become, by force of tragic circumstance, an expert in aeronautical engineering, too.

When Boeing developed the 737 MAX, in 2011, it was rushing to compete with the Airbus A320 neo, he tells me. That aircraft was innovative, fuel-efficient and favoured by budget airlines. Rather than designing a new plane, which would have been costly and time-consuming, Boeing refreshed their 737, which dates back to the 1960s.

Boeing made the engines larger to increase fuel efficiency, and positioned them slightly forward and higher up on the plane's wings. However, the relocated engines caused the plane's nose to pitch skywards.

To compensate, Boeing added a computerised system known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) to prevent the nose from getting too high and causing a stall.

Boeing's key selling point was that pilots could fly the planes without expensive retraining because they were essentially the same as previous generations of the aircraft.

Yet, by the time Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 took off on March 10, 2019, red flags had already been raised about the new control system.

In 2016, the chief technical pilot for the 737 MAX told a colleague in a text that MCAS was 'running rampant' and 'egregious', meaning very bad, in a simulator.

If a pilot took more than ten seconds to react to mistaken MCAS activation, the result could be 'catastrophic', according to a Boeing document in 2018.

However, these concerns weren't disclosed to the Federal Aviation Administration, which enforces regulations covering manufacturing, operating and maintaining aircraft.

Ms Toole died onboard a passenger flight from Ethiopia to Kenya in March 2019

Consequently, the MCAS wasn't mentioned in flight deck manuals or pilot training material.

It was 'unconscionable' that Boeing, the FAA and the airlines 'would have pilots flying an aircraft without adequate training, or even providing available resources . . . to understand the highly complex systems that differentiate this aircraft from prior models', according to a pilot who filed an incident report with Nasa's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), where reports can be submitted anonymously.

Adrian remembers watching the news in October 2018 after a Lion Air 737 MAX crashed into the Java sea, 12 minutes after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board.

Of course, it was a tragedy, but he didn't think anything of it.

By then, he was six years retired from the oil industry and a committed environmentalist.

'Jo knew I didn't approve of her flying, but we both knew she would carry on. Her career consisted of going from place to place, from conference to conference.'

Five months later, Joanna's plane crashed in similar circumstances. At first, Adrian felt no suspicion. The revelations would come later.

Joanna's body was finally repatriated in November 2019, eight months after the crash. The family had sent her hair brush to the police to help with DNA identification from the crash debris.

'I said to the rest of the family: 'We are not going to inquire about what exactly is in that coffin.' They told us it was Joanna's body and that's how we treated it.'

They scattered Joanna's ashes 'into the waves' at her favourite beach in Cornwall.

It had been just a few weeks after her death that the family's battle for justice began.

Wreckage is piled at the crash scene of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 in 2019

'I asked Jo's uncle if he could look into legal remedies, and he started setting up meetings with solicitors in London. I can recall walking down High Holborn to see one set of lawyers and I was crying. At that time, I was saying to myself: 'I'm doing my best for you, Jo.' ' It was the first time Adrian had allowed himself to cry. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have considered therapy  'I am a fan  but not for myself.' But the hospice where his mother had died, six weeks after Joanna, offered him sessions with a bereavement counsellor to talk about his mother's death.

'And, of course, it wasn't long before Jo's death came up as well. And that lady allowed me to talk about Jo and my mother.' The inquest was cathartic, too, he says. It felt like a ceremonial shaming. Boeing had brought destruction to the families, and representatives from those families had gathered to tell Boeing's legal representatives about their loss and their pain.

'I clapped when the coroner left,' says Adrian.

The verdict was a 'public statement of how Boeing put profit over safety,' says Sean Gates, CEO of Gates Aviation Ltd, which provides legal and safety consultancy to the aviation industry.

But it is largely symbolic. 'Pushing a criminal prosecution in the UK against Boeing or individuals based in the U.S. would be very difficult,' he says.

However, today the inquest verdict is to be submitted as evidence to a Federal Appeals Court hearing in New Orleans.

The families seek to overturn a 'deferred prosecution agreement' that Boeing struck with the U.S. Justice Department in 2021  a 'sweetheart deal' that guarantees Boeing and its top executives immunity from federal criminal prosecution over issues surrounding the aircraft's software.

The settlement ordered Boeing to pay $500 million (389 million) to the families of the victims of the Lion Air and Ethiopia airlines crashes, and $2.5 billion (1.96 billion) in fines and fees, but rules out any other charges.

Technically, the families should have been consulted, under the Crime Victims' Rights Act. But the deal was struck secretly, so they were shut out of discussions.

'We didn't know about it until our lawyers read about it in the papers,' says Adrian.

What keeps him going is his fight for justice  he wants Boeing's former chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, and other executives prosecuted  and a promise to keep Joanna and her mission alive.

There is a photograph of her on the sitting room wall of his home, which was taken a few months before she died. Staring straight at the camera, her eyes are steady, there's a hint of a smile.

Every day, Adrian stands in front of the photo and speaks to his daughter. 'Very often, what I'm saying to her, is: 'I'm doing my best for you, Jo,' ' he says.
Police are investigating the suspected drug death of a society model and artist who collapsed at an electronic music festival.

Katya Kan, 35, was working as a body paint artist at the Noisily Festival held in woods at the Duke of Rutland's Belvoir Estate in Leicestershire when she fell ill on July 8. Friends said she had taken ecstasy.

She was treated by the festival's medics before being taken by ambulance to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, where she spent a week in a coma.

Her mother Galia, 60, a senior investment manager in London, was on holiday when friends called her to break the news.

She was then said to be devastated to find harrowing photographs of her daughter on life support posted on social media. She said last night: 'I am still waiting for a police report to find out what exactly happened. All I know is Katya had a cardiac arrest at the festival.'

Police are investigating the suspected drug death of society model and artist Katya Kan (pictured) who collapsed at an electronic music festival

The 35-year-old was working as a body paint artist at the Noisily Festival on the Duke of Rutland's Belvoir Estate in Leicestershire when she fell ill on July 8

Born in Kazakhstan, Miss Kan was educated privately at a London girls' school and studied at Edinburgh University and Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver.

She was well known on the London social scene and a member of Chelsea Arts Club. Her father is Alexander Kan, an author whose family fled to Kazakhstan from North Korea in the 1960s.

Miss Kan travelled to the festival at Barkestone Woods, near Grantham, with friend Eva Ciocyte, who said: 'She just became listless and wasn't dancing around anymore. I can't take it in at all.'

Friends said Ms Kan had taken ecstasy. She was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre and spent a week in a coma

The 300-a-ticket four-day festival was organised by the 4th Baron Hazlerigg, Hon Arthur Hazlerigg, 36. His father, Lord Hazlerigg, died in 2022 aged 70.

Another friend said: 'Katya got in with a trendy arty group and some of them were doing drugs. Afterwards they wrote on social media as if it was nothing. It sickens me... Katya didn't deserve this.'

Festival organisers did not respond when asked to comment. Leicestershire Police said it is investigating the death of a woman taken ill at the event on Saturday July 8 who 'may have taken an unknown substance which could have led to her becoming unwell'.
Carlee Russell has revealed she made up seeing a toddler on the side of an Alabama interstate and being kidnapped - as cops mull charges.

The 26-year-old sent a statement to cops admitting she had been in the area of Hoover as hundreds of people desperately searched for her for 49 hours.

Russell had claimed she was kidnapped on July 13 after she stopped to check on a toddler at 9:30pm. She turned up at her parents' house and told cops she had been abducted, spinning an elaborate story of fighting for freedom.

Yet on Monday, Hoover police chief Nick Derzis read a statement from Russell's lawyer in which she admitted she had invented the story, and said the hoax was 'a mistake'.

Carlee Russell, the nursing student in Alabama who claimed she was abducted after spotting a toddler along the interstate, admitted she made up the entire story

Nick Dervis, the Hoover police chief, is pictured Monday revealing that Russell has confessed to inventing her abduction story

'There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13,' he said. Later adding, 'Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.'

Derzis said police are continuing to work on the case and prosecutors are still deciding if criminal charges should be filed.

There was no indication of a motive for staging her disappearance, or any information on where she was for 49 hours. She said in the statement she acted alone.

'My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family,' said her lawyer, Emory Anthony, in the statement.

'We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and intends to move understanding that she made a mistake. Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.'

Emory Anthony, attorney for Carlee Russell, issues statement 'My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf: 'There was no kidnapping on July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself. 'My client was not with anyone or at any hotel during the time she was missing. 'My client apologizes for her actions to the community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies, as well as to her friends and family. 'We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and intends to move understanding that she made a mistake. 'Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.' Advertisement

Russell stopped cooperating with police after returning home, but initially told police she was taken by a white man with 'orange hair' who appeared from the trees on the side of I-459 after she saw a 'baby boy in a diaper' walking along the road.

Last week, Derzis said they had been unable to confirm Russell's story and wanted to speak to her to clarify details.

She refused to sit for a second interview.

Police said on Monday that they were scheduled to meet with Russell, but her lawyer provided the statement that was read to the public instead.

Investigators also determined Russell researched the Liam Neeson movie 'Taken' and whether she was too old for an Amber Alert, plus searched for a one-way bus ticket to Nashville.

Her boyfriend, Thomar Simmons, had initially been among those frantically searching for her and expressed his relief when she turned up - but after Wednesday's press conference, he erased all trace of her on social media.

Russell's family are not believed to have known about her scheme.

On July 17, the day after she turned up back at her parents' house, they recalled how they found Russell in a 'bad state'.

'She fought for her life,' her father Carlos, a VP of underwriting for BBVA bank, said.

Russell left work at Woodhouse Spa in Birmingham, Alabama, around 8:20pm on July 13, after stealing a bathrobe and toilet paper.

She then stopped to pick up food for her and her mother.

Russell travelled toward Hoover and called 911 at about 9:30pm to report the missing child wandering on the side of Interstate 459.

After calling 911, Russell reportedly called her sister-in-law to tell her she was going to check up on the child.

The family member lost contact with her at about 9:36pm but the line remained open.

Responding officers located Russell's abandoned car along with her cell phone, her purse, wig and apple watch in the nearby area, but no sign of her or a child.

Hoover Police said they never received any other calls of someone missing a small child.

Two days later, Russell returned, alone, to her family's home.

Derzis said on Monday it seemed there was a significant degree of planning.

Russell was reported missing on July 13, after making a bizarre phone call to 911 where she claimed she found a toddler on the side of a highway

Russell vanished from a highway and sparked a nationwide manhunt that ended 49 hours later when she returned alone to her parents' home

Police in Hoover, Alabama, said on July 19 they had not found evidence to back those claims

'This was an elaborate deal, when you talk about calling 911 and saying there was a child on the interstate,' he said.

Asked why she did it, he replied: 'I wish I could tell you. I think only Carlee knows, and maybe her attorney knows now.'

Derzis said they will ask Russell's attorney Emory Anthony for an opportunity to interview the nursing student, and said he was disappointed at her actions.

'The sad thing is there were so many people involved and took this thing very, very seriously and, again, we wanted the focus to be to bring her home and she got home. We're very excited about that,' Derzis said.

'It is what it is. We know that it was a hoax.'

Derzis was unable to say how much the 49-hour search operation cost, or whether she would be forced to repay the money.

Large numbers of volunteers, uniformed officers and K-9 teams searched for Russell for days, with helicopter support.

Derzis said it was 'all hands on deck.'

'We don't have a dollar figure yet but we're certainly working on getting one and not only ours, but the other agencies that gave us a lot of support,' he said.

On Friday, her boss said she had been fired.

Russell, 25, claimed she was abducted on July 13, and then escaped and returned home 49 hours later. She later admitted to making up the claims

Russell worked at The Woodhouse, in Birmingham. She was fired as the case unfolded

Stuart Rome told The New York Post Russell's colleagues were initially distraught, but are now angry.

'It was really devastating for them thinking a co-worker was abducted,' he said.

'The following day, Saturday, it was the busiest day of the week, and they had to plug along and work and in the off times pass out flyers and other things.'

Rome said her colleagues felt cheated, and business at the spa has suffered.

Stuart Rome, owner of The Woodhouse, said the staff felt duped by Russell, and the business was being attacked due to her story

'As the information came out that there were some questionable things, we've been a little pissed off, mainly because so many people took so much time out to search,' he said, adding that the spa has been bombarded with social media messages attacking them for her actions.

'Basically, we've spent the last day battling to get things deleted,' he said.

'Comments. I've had to shut down my comment section on Instagram and Facebook page, which hurts us because we do a lot of marketing there.

'We're just trying to keep the doors open.'

Rome said the hoax would be deeply damaging because people will not believe the next person who is abducted.

'I think it erodes faith for the next time, it erodes faith when people see somebody who's been abducted and they've been put through this,' he said.

'They're just not going to respond like they did, which is the worst part.'

Russell reappeared on Saturday night at her parents' home. It remains a mystery what happened to her

Police said in an update last week that investigators traced her every move and corroborated her story up until the 911 call where Russell reported seeing a toddler along the interstate.

'We pretty much know exactly what took place from the time she left work until she got on the 911 call,' Derzis said at the time.

'We can see getting out of the car on the interstate from that footage. After that, I think she only knows. We don't.'

He added: 'What we can say is we have been unable to verify most of Carlee's initial statement made to investigators and we have no reason to believe there is a threat to public safety related to this particular case.'

Detectives stopped short of accusing her of maliciously lying, but instead questioned her mental state.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said Carlee's story could not be proven

'She said a man came out of the trees and mumbled that he was checking on the baby, then picked her up and took her over a fence and into a car.

'She said the next thing she remembered was being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler, and that there was a female whose voice she heard but who she didn't see.

'She told detectives she could hear a baby crying, and that the male had orange hair,' Derzis said.

Russell's story included escaping from the pair then being recaptured.

'She says they blindfolded her but didn't tie her up because they didn't want to leave compression marks,' Derzis said.

She also told authorities the pair made her strip and photographed her body, but said they did not physically or sexually abuse her.

Russell, 25, is seen moving into the shoulder lane in her red Mercedes with the flashers on. Police say she drove 600 yards before pulling over - the distance of six football fields - and claimed the whole time to be looking at a toddler

Before vanishing, Russell stole from the spa, then bought Cheez-Its and granola bars from Target. Detectives believe she took the food with her when she vanished.

Her phone, wig and Apple Watch were found in her car, along with take-out food she had ordered from a restaurant near her work.

She had also driven 600 yards - the length of six football fields -while on the phone to 911 claiming to be looking at a baby boy on the side of the road.

At the press conference, detectives played her calm 911 call reporting the child on the road.

In the days leading up to her disappearance, she researched terms like: 'Do you have to pay for an Amber Alert?'

On the day of her disappearance, her Google searches included: 'How to take money from a register without being caught?'

She also searched: 'Birmingham bus station' and 'one-way ticket from Birmingham to Nashville.'

She also researched phrases relating to kidnapping and disappearances, including on the day she vanished.

Her parents Talitha and Carlos Russell launched a frantic search for their daughter last week. They say she is now too fragile to be interviewed by police

Russell, 26, was studying nursing at the time of her disappearance, which sparked nationwide headlines

Russell's parents say she 'banged on the door' on Saturday at 10.45pm and was in a 'bad state'

Russell claimed she managed to escape from them while they were moving her in a vehicle, and that she ran home.

Russell's parents on Tuesday, they insisted an 'abductor' was behind her disappearance.

'Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor,' said Talitha Russell, Carlee's mother, in an interview with the Today Show.

Pressed on whether they believe an abductor is at large in the case, Talitha responded 'absolutely, absolutely,' as Carlee's father, Carlos, nodded in agreement.

'Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor,' said her mother Talitha Russell (left) in an interview on Tuesday

Russell, seen with her boyfriend, reappeared at her parents' home in Hoover on Saturday night, 48 hours after she disappeared from the side of an interstate

The parents said they were subjected to cruel taunting and fake messages claiming to have information about their daughter while she was missing.

'There were actually just so many calls and texts from people who maliciously lied to us,' Talitha Russell said.

'I just didn't know people could be so evil.'

The mother grew emotional as she described the moment she was reunited with her daughter, saying the reunion was filled with 'so much joy'.

'We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state.

'So we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her,' she said.

As the case unfolded, it emerged that Russell tweeted about wanting to start a family, shortly before she vanished.

While her social media accounts do not explain her behavior, they paint a picture of a melancholic young woman who was unlucky in love and fed up with work.

Just 15 minutes before she called 911, at 9.20pm, she was sitting in the parking lot of a Target superstore and tweeting about wanting a family 'now'.

Roughly 30 minutes before that, she tweeted: 'Today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!'

On the day of her disappearance, just an hour before she called police at 10.34pm EST (9.34pm CT), Carlee was tweeting about wanting a family. She then told the 911 operator she had seen a child on the road

Russell with her boyfriend Thomar Simmons before she vanished. He has now scrubbed all trace of her from his social media pages in a sign that he is not buying her abduction story either

Russell's boyfriend, Thomar Simmons, was initially supportive of his girlfriend and expressed relief at her return, but has now scrubbed all mention of her from his social media.

Simmons - who had been frantically appealing for updates - appears to have now gone sour on her.

He has not only deleted his posts about her disappearance, but has also erased every photo of her and them together that had been there before.

The pair recently visited New York City over the Fourth of July weekend.

While he made loving appeals for information about her whereabouts, Russell's Twitter account suggests all was not well in the relationship in the weeks before the ordeal.

Russell's tweets in the days and weeks leading up to her disappearance paint a picture of a melancholic young woman who was sick of her job and unlucky in love

When Russell was missing, her boyfriend frantically appealed for information on social media

Simmons and Russell recently visited New York together over July 4. He has since deleted her from his photos of the trip

Happier times: He was among those who led the search for her

Simmons has now scrubbed Russell from his Instagram page. He is yet to comment publicly on the police revelation that there is no proof to her abduction story

She complained about men throwing 'everything away' for 'a 'h*e or stripper'.

'I always say one thing I WON'T do is stay with someone who cheated on me,' read another of her tweets.

In that instance, she was referring to another Twitter user and not Simmons.

But it was clear romance was on her mind.

'Everyone wants to feel wanted,' she tweeted at 3.08am on July 8, five days before she vanished.

Last month, she hinted at being betrayed.

'You think you have a bond with someone until they show you you never did,' she tweeted.

Russell also complained about her job at the spa.

'My job is really starting to get on my dang nerves,' read a tweet posted at 7.20am on July 8.

In another tweet earlier in the summer, she talked about calling out sick.

'I just can't with life today,' she said.
The Biden administration on Monday sued Texas over floating barriers placed in the Rio Grande River as part of an emergency effort to prevent migrants crossing into Mexico.

An administration official accused Gov. Greg Abbott of playing dangerous 'political games' with the lives of people trying to reach safety.

Abbott appeared to relish the action, saying in a statement just before the Department of Justice made its move: 'Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.'

He had large plastic buoys installed in the river earlier this month near the city of Eagle Pass, amid a series of measures designed to deter people from crossing.

The Biden administration says he had no right to take such action.

Under Operation Lone Star, Texas has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to the border and installed a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River

The Biden administration said Gov. Greg Abbott had no legal authority to take such action

'We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization,' said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

'This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns.'

At the same time, she said, it had triggered diplomatic protests by Mexico.

White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said administration efforts had already reduced the number of illegal crossings this year.

'Governor Abbott's dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining that effective plan, making it hard for the men and women of Border Patrol to do their jobs of securing the border, and putting migrants and border agents in danger,' he said.

Under Operation Lone Star, Texas has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to the border and bussed migrants to Democrat-led cities far from the border.

But an administration official said that with the lifting of Title 42 earlier this year, crossings had already fallen to their lowest levels in two years.

'Republican officials have no plan and are just playing political games,' he said, accusing them of spending four years of the Trump administration destroying the immigration system, and 'ripping babies out of their mothers' arms.'

Just before the Department of Justice filed its complaint, Gov Abbott sent a letter to Biden claiming he did have authority. 'Texas will see you in court, Mr. President,' he said

Concertina wire lines the banks of the Rio Grande on the Pecan farm of Hugo and Magali Urbina, near Eagle Pass, Texas

He added: 'Republican officials dont want solutions; they want chaos.'

For his part, Abbott got in his response with a pre-emptive letter to Biden insisting that he had constitutional authority to solve a crisis of his making.

'If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws,' reads the letter.

'By doing so, you can help me stop migrants from wagering their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande River.

'You can also help me save Texans, and indeed all Americans, from deadly drugs like fentanyl, cartel violence, and the horrors of human trafficking. To end the risk that migrants will be harmed crossing the border illegally, you must fully enforce the laws of the United States that prohibit illegal immigration between ports of entry.'

Last year the administration sued Arizona after Gov. Doug Ducey used containers to fill gaps and extend President Donald Trump's border wall.

The containers were removed.
A decorated Memphis police officer is suing the Nashville Metro Police Department after he claimed they rescinded a job offer when they found out he had HIV.

Nashville police labeled the cop as a 'danger to the public,' the officer, who has not been named, claimed.

The cop was aware he was HIV-positive long before the Nashville police found out and has medical records showing his viral load as untraceable and untransmissible, calling him no 'threat to co-workers or members of the community.'

The officer, who is black and filed the suit as 'John Doe,' was once named the Memphis police's 'Officer of the Year,' before being offered the new position with Nashville in 2020 under then-police chief Steve Anderson.

Allison Brussell, an attorney for the Nashville Metropolitan Department of Law, issued a statement in response saying they declined to comment on the litigation.

Anderson, the police chief at the time of the decision, has since resigned.

A decorated Memphis police officer is suing the Nashville Police Department after he claims they rescinded a job offer when they discovered his status as HIV positive and calling him a danger to the public

The federal lawsuit filed Friday detailed the cop's background as having caught a killer and having consistently taken on the city of Memphis' toughest assignments.

The officer discovered he had HIV in 2015, years after he started working for the Memphis Police Department, where he'd 'received multiple awards for heroism.'

'By any measure, [Doe] has been a model officer and a credit to each police department and community he has served,' the suit stated, which also noted he'd been promoted to crisis intervention work and been given a raise.

Doe's wife took a job in Nashville, three hours east of Memphis and Doe sought to get a transfer and applied for a job so he wouldn't have to make the long commute to his wife and daughter, according to the filing.

The officer got his offer from the Nashville police on February 25, 2020, pending a medical exam.

A doctor for the department took a blood sample without saying why, the lawsuit argued and informed the cop of his HIV positive status - which Doe already long knew.

The officer argued he'd been labeled undetectable - in that the disease doesn't show up viral load tests but appear on antibody tests and he can't transmit the virus - for over five years.

He received a rejection letter the next month from Nashville police, which has for years complained of being heavily understaffed, even in the wake of a deadly shooting at a school earlier this year.

'The Civil Service Medical Officer's report states you are not recommended to attend the Police Academy,' the rejection letter stated.

'All applications for the position of Police Officer Trainee must meet or exceed the medical standards set forth in the United States Army Induction Standards, 40-501.'

The officer, who is black and filed the suit as 'John Doe,' was once named the Memphis police's 'Officer of the Year' before being offered the new position with Nashville police in 2020 under then-police chief Steve Anderson (pictured)

The federal lawsuit filed on Friday details the cop's background as having caught a killer and having consistently taken on the city of Memphis' toughest assignments

Nashville police use the same standards as the United States Army on medical examinations.

The suit claimed Nashville police 'unabashedly indicated' that his HIV-positive status meant that they would not employ him regardless.

It argues that John Doe 'posed no significant risk to others and was otherwise qualified for the job for which he had applied' and was therefore discriminated against and violates federal law.

'Policies that categorically deny people jobs because of HIV status are just so out of date with science,' said Jose Abrigo, who runs the HIV Project for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, and represents the officer.

'In this case, our client has been undetectable,' he told The Daily Beast.

'He is HIV positive, [but] he's perfectly healthy. It's the old HIV stigma, operating under this concept [that] if you're standing next to someone with HIV, you could potentially catch it.'

Doe has both had appeals and medical waivers rejected by the department.

Abrigo said the lawsuit is being filed federally because the military code cited by Nashville police has since been overturned.

'Lambda also challenged the military code, so that now, as of April 2022, folks living with HIV can enlist in the military,' he said. 'So, that doesn't hold up anymore.'

The officer has instead taken a position with the Tennessee Highway Patrol but the suit claims he has faced 'emotional pain and suffering, stress, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, and other monetary and dignitary harms.'

The lawsuit asks for a court order to prevent Nashville police from refusing to employ people with HIV. It also asks to award the officer's lost wages, bonuses and benefits - along with an unspecified amount of money in damages.

Abrigo slammed the policies preventing people with HIV from serving, calling them outdated.

'Everyone has the right to be able to support their families and get a job, no matter their disability status,' he said. '... Unfortunately, stuff like this still exists throughout the country. But we're challenging [these policies] one-by-one.'
A grandfather on his way to a wedding selflessly pulled over to pick up a young woman in distress before he was allegedly fatally struck by her boyfriend in another car.

Terry Bishop, 65, was driving his Nissan Navara along the Bruce Highway, at Federal, near Queensland's Sunshine Coast in the early hours of Friday morning.

He had picked up Gypsy Satterley, 25, after noticing she needed help, with the pair unknown to each other before the crash.

Ms Satterley's boyfriend Rafferty Rolfe, 25, was allegedly driving a stolen Isuzu MU-Z, and is accused of pursuing the Nissan and ramming it onto the other side of the road.

The Nissan, carrying Mr Bishop and Ms Satterley, then crashed into an oncoming car, a Great Wall Utility, killing them and the other driver, Jessica Townley, 38.

Mr Bishop was on the way to a family wedding in Brisbane when he was caught up in the alleged domestic violence car crash - but went out of his way to help Ms Satterley.

Rolfe has since been charged with three counts of murder as well as driving offences.

Queensland Police Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian said Ms Satterley had been in the Isuzu MU-Z before she was picked up by Mr Bishop.

Terry Bishop, 65, (pictured) was killed in a horror three-car smash on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Friday

Rafferty Raymond Rolfe (pictured) has been slapped with a series of charges over the accident

The Good Samaritan's devastated family broke their silence on Monday to pay tribute to the grandfather-of-five, who was a retired resident of Hay Point, south of Mackay.

'Terry was travelling to Brisbane on Friday to attend a family members wedding the day following the incident,' his family said in a statement.

'Our family is absolutely devastated, he is a man that would always go out of his way to help anyone in need.

'He leaves behind a wife, daughter, son and five young grandchildren who all loved him dearly.

'Our hearts go out to the other victim's families and the first responders in this horrific tragedy.'

Queensland Police confirmed on Tuesday that Rolfe, who is under police guard in hospital being treated for his injuries, has now been charged with their murders.

Rolfe and Ms Satterley had been in a relationship for about four weeks.

Det Sup Fadian said there was no reported incidents of violence between the pair but added 'there may have been some dysfunction in the relationship'.

Rolfe was previously charged with armed robbery with actual violence, dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful possession of a motor vehicle with intent to deprive, stealing, evasion and driving without a licence while disqualified as a repeat offender.

He has been accused of stealing an Isuzu MU-X SUV in Gympie's main street 12 hours before the fatal crash after threatening a mother and three children at knifepoint.

Rolfe then allegedly drove dangerously on River Road, Gympie, before evading police in Curra, north of Gympie, when he is also alleged to have failed to stop after a police officer directed him to do so on Thursday, according to court documents.

It's further alleged the 25-year-old stole fuel at a Coles Creek petrol station on Friday while he was in possession of the stolen car.

Gypsy Satterley (pictured) was in a relationship with Rafferty Raymond Rolfe before she died

Rolfe, 25, was the sole survivor of the fatal crash which involved three vehicles on the Bruce Highway at Federal

Police will allege Rolfe was unlicensed when driving the stolen car and had been chasing the ute Ms Satterley and the 65-year-old man were travelling in.

The 25-year-old is alleged to have 'attempted to ram' their car, causing both vehicles to cross over to the wrong side of the road.

'A collision occurred between those two cars and a third car which was heading southbound, driven by a 38-year-old woman,' a Queensland Police spokesman said.

No bail application was made as Mr Rolfe remains under police watch in hospital, where is in a stable condition.

'He's either going to be in hospital or he's going to be in custody, he can't be anywhere else,' Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said.

Rolfe's matter will be heard in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Friends of the victims of the horror crash have since set up two GoFundMe campaigns to help raise money for the families of Ms Townley, an Alpaca farmer, and Ms Slattery, who is survived by her two daughters.
A Royal Navy officer put safety at risk by tampering with an official document to get himself back in the air on submarine hunting helicopters, a court martial heard.

Lieutenant Owen Holton used his officer rank to access and change spreadsheet entries from red to green, falsely stating he was qualified to return to the air after being 'medically downgraded'.

The 31 year old then lied to his commanding officer when challenged about discrepancies in the military database.

Having admitted tampering with an official document and conduct prejudicial to good order, Lt Holton was given a severe reprimand and fined 2,500.

Pictured: Lieutenant Owen Holton outside Bulford Military Court

A Merlin Mk2 takes off from the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth II on December 8 2021

Commander Matthew Rees told Bulford Military Court, Wilts, Lt Holton had been deceitful when he tampered with the Fleet Air Arm document while with aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth's dedicated helicopter squadron in July last year.

'During the period the defendant was an observer at 820 Naval Air Squadron,' he said.

'He had been medically downgraded in May 2021 and was undertaking refresher training at the time.'

The squadron fly Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol Merlin helicopters.

The court heard an admin 'oversight' saw Lt Holton listed to take part in a flight despite having an out of date training which hadn't been updated.

'Knowing he wasn't permitted, Lt Holton went into the tracker and amended it to show he was medically fit and was in date for medicine and drills.

'Having made these amendments to the facts, Lt Holton took part in four flying sorties on July 25, September 1, September 7 and September 15.

'These took place without him having the correct medical qualifications.'

Cdr Rees told the court there was 'very little appreciate risk to aircraft or crew' during the first three flights, but this was not the case for the fourth.

He added: 'Very little risk arose from the first three flights but this wasn't the case in the fourth flight.

'The instructor saw Lt Holton was on edge and had to be calmed down.

'During the flight, Lt Holton had sole control of the winch with someone suspended 40ft below the vehicle.'

The court heard it 'wouldn't have been possible' for the supervisor to intervene if something had gone wrong.

Having had to reassure his superiors before each flight, Lt Holton's commanding officer called a meeting to investigate why this 'admin error' hadn't been rectified.

In the meeting on September 20, 2022, Lt Holton 'lied' about training he had completed, resulting in a ship investigation.

It was heard the CO found Lt Holton wasn't 'in date' for necessary training permitting him to fly and facts had been 'tampered with'.

On Lt Holton's motivation, Cdr Rees added: 'This wasn't done for any financial gain, it was to accelerate his progress back into flying.

'There was no harm, but it did incur increased risk of safety.

'There was an intent to mislead and deceive his commanding officer.'

Pictured: Lieutenant Owen Holton outside Bulford Military Court

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves Portsmouth Harbour for sea trials on July 10, 2023

In mitigation, Bob Scott said Lt Holton had obtained his 'wings' in May 2020 and was due to achieve certificate of competence as an observer in August 2021, before he was diagnosed with a blood pressure problem.

'Lt Holton felt under pressure to get himself back to flying,' he said.

'Over the last three or four years he has experienced anxiety and is nervous about being constantly assessed.

'That pressure is what caused him to make a stupid decision.'

Mr Scott said Lt Holton, who has a degree in Aerospace Engineering, recognises he had committed a 'breach' the trust in the service which has invested over 1 million into his training.
The former White House sous chef for Barack and Michelle Obama has been identified as the man found dead following a paddle boarding accident near the couple's Martha's Vineyard property.

Tafari Campbell's body was recovered on Monday by divers after going missing in the pond that backs on to Barack Obama's sprawling $12million estate.

The 45-year-old vanished Sunday evening while he was out with another paddleboarder on Edgartown Great Pond, Massachusetts, and emergency crews were dispatched to Obama's residence.

In a statement, Michelle and Barack Obama said Campbell - who was married with 19-year-old twins - was one of the top chefs in the White House kitchen: 'Tafari was a beloved part of our family.

'When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House  creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together. In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.'

'That's why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He's been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he's gone.'

Tafari Campbell, 45, (pictured with wife Sherise) was found dead on Monday by divers after going missing while paddle boarding on the pond that backs on to Barack Obama 's sprawling $12million estate.

Campbell worked while the Obama's were in the White House from 2009-2017

Campbell (seen a video produced by the White House) became a 'beloved member' of the Obama household

Campbell is seen in the background of an interview the Today Show's Savannah Guthrie conducted with the former president at the White House

Campbell's family told the South Florida Sun Sentinel in 2009 he had always shown an interest in cooking and would frequently whip something up when his large family came to visit.

He graduated from a culinary school in Virginia, and had briefly owned his own restaurant before applying for a job at the White House.

The sous chef was eventually hired under the George W. Bush administration, and was one of just four White House cooks asked to stay on under Obama.

During the Obama presidency, Campbell became known for brewing White House honey ale beer, using honey from Michell Obama's South Lawn garden.

'I immediately thought of the African Americans who brewed beer for Washington and Jefferson, and was pleased to see the historical arc played out through the suds,' historian Adrian Miller writes of Campbell in his book The President's Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas.

Photos Campbell posted online of his life often featured his wife, Sherise, and his food concoctions.

In one post from 2017, Campbell and Sherise could be seen in the ocean in Aruba. He captioned that picture #stillcantswim.

Following the news of Campbell's untimely death on Monday, Sherise shared a photo of her husband on Instagram, saying she was 'heartbroken.'

Following the news of Campbell's untimely passing, his wife Sherise shared this photo to Instagram noting she was 'heartbroken'

In addition to Sherise, Campbell leaves behind 19-year-old twin sons

Campbell's family had said he has always loved to cook, and would put together something whenever the large family got together

A photo Campbell shared in 2017 showed him and Sherise enjoying the water of Aruba with the hashtag #stillcantswim

Staffers at Edgartown Meat and Fish Market also paid tribute to the chef, whom they remembered as a 'wonderful guy'.

'We saw him last week, he was such a nice and happy guy,' one staff member told DailyMail.com. 'He didn't seem to live here but would be here a lot in summer and fall, and bought various things.

'He was nice and quiet, it's awful to hear that's happened to him.'

The employee added Campbell 'had been coming here for a few years now.'

'When he came in he would chat to us about what he was cooking up,' the staffer said. 'One of the things he would always special order is juice  orange juice and strawberry lemonade.'

Tafari and Sherise were married in 1999. They are pictured here on their wedding day

In Obama's White House, he became known for brewing honey ale  using honey Michelle Obama procured in her South Lawn garden

The chef would frequent the Edgartown Meat and Fish Market in Martha's Vineyard. He is pictured here with his family

Campbell visited Martha's Vineyard several times, playing golf on several occasions at the nearby Farm Neck Golf Club.

Witnesses first told cops Sunday night that a man - later identified as Campbell - went underwater and then briefly reappeared as he struggled to stay afloat, before submerging again around 7.46pm.

The witness - who was not identified - was paddle boarding on Edgartown Great Pond with Campbell.

A massive joint-agency search was launched when a 911 call was made from the Obamas' Martha's Vineyard home on Turkeyland Cove Road. The former president and first lady were not at the residence at the time.

The dispatch call said: 'Edgartown Fire and Water rescue personnel, Turkeyland Cove Road. For a 40-year-old male, possible drowning.'

In the aftermath of the call, Chief Alex Schaeffer of the Edgartown Fire Department told the Vineyard Gazette, island police and firefighters conducted door-to-door searches.

Firefighters also searched the pond's shoreline on foot.

The search efforts resumed Monday morning for the venerated chef who was last seen wearing all black without a lifejacket.

His paddle board and hat were recovered Sunday - and his body was found around 10am Monday in the eight-foot-deep waters approximately 100 feet away from shore.

Campbell was last seen just before 8pm paddle boarding on the water in the pond behind Barack Obama's Martha's Vineyard property before falling under the water

Search vehicles are seen on Turkeyland Cove Road on Sunday night. A joint-agency search started last night at Edgartown Great Pond

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Martha's Vineyard last night. It's understood that the 911 call and dispatch address for the incident came from Obama's Martha's Vineyard home

Pictured: Edgartown Great Pond. The scene of the desperate search for Campbell was launched after a paddleboarder went missing in the water off Martha's Vineyard on Sunday

The recovery mission was just yards away from former President Obama's Massachusetts seven-bedroom home - a 6,892-square-foot mansion right near the water (pictured)

In a statement Monday, the Massachusetts State Police said: 'Shortly before 10 AM the body of the missing paddle boarder was recovered from Edgartown Great Pond by Massachusetts State Police divers.

'MSP Underwater Recovery Unit divers made the recovery after the victim's body was located by a Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers deploying side-scan sonar from a boat.

The US Coast Guard, Edgartown Fire, Air Wing, detectives and Dukes County Sheriff's Department were all part of the rescue mission.'

A command post was later set up at Wilson's Landing, which is across the narrow Cove from Obama's mansion.

Just after midday, Edgartown Police Department confirmed that Wilson's Landing had been reopened. Edgartown Great Pond is an 890 acre body of water.

The investigation into the man's death is being conducted by state police with the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office and Edgartown police.

A view of Obama's house from Turkeyland Cove where Campbell worked as the Obama's personal chef

The search for the missing paddleboarder is happening near Barack Obama's estate. The former president bought the mansion, pictured here, in 2019

A helicopter, part of the search mission, is seen flying over the area on Monday morning

The rescue mission was just yards away from former President Obama's Massachusetts seven bedroom home - a 6,892-square-foot mansion right near the water.

He bought the Martha's Vineyard home in 2019 for $11.75million.

Previously, the huge estate was owned by Boston Celtics owner Wycliffe Grousbeck.

The enormous property has a swimming pool, outdoor fire pit and vaulted ceilings.

The are also two wings which run from the main house which is perfect to host guests.

The former first family are no strangers to the island - having spent seven summers there while Barack was President

Their home is on the edge of Edgartown Great Pond, with views of the Atlantic Ocean

Outdoors, the land comes with its own private beach and a boathouse

Outdoors, the land comes with its own private beach and a boathouse.

Their home is on the edge of Edgartown Great Pond, with views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The former first family are no strangers to the island - having spent seven summers there while Barack was President.

Obama is also a keen paddleboarder - and has been pictured engaging in the sport over the years on vacations in Hawaii.

The Obama Foundation has been contacted by DailyMail.com for comment.

The Secret Service did not comment.
The BBC yesterday finally apologised to Nigel Farage for publishing an 'incomplete and inaccurate' story about why Coutts closed his bank account.

The broadcaster's business editor, Simon Jack, had claimed the former Ukip leader's account was shut because he had 'fallen below the wealth threshold', citing a senior source at the prestigious private bank.

It has since emerged that Coutts staff compiled a 36-page dossier to justify 'exiting' Mr Farage because his political views did 'not align' with the lender's values.

Mr Jack was accused of regurgitating a briefing from Dame Alison Rose, the chief executive of NatWest  which owns Coutts  to play down Mr Farage's complaint. The BBC had faced mounting calls from MPs and former journalists to say sorry.

Former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg told GB News: 'The BBC really ought to have given this apology when it first emerged that they had been served a pup by a 'source' at NatWest. 'This is characteristic of the torpor with which the BBC operates.'

Coutts staff compiled a 36-page dossier to justify 'exiting' Nigel Farage (pictured) because his political views did 'not align' with the lender's values

The BBC's business editor Simon Jack was accused of regurgitating a briefing from Dame Alison Rose (pictured), the chief executive of NatWest  which owns Coutts  to play down Mr Farage's complaint

He added: 'Dame Alison must answer that question [over whether she briefed Mr Jack]. If you can't trust your bank to keep your secrets, who can you trust?

'If Dame Alison has broken this, she must go.'

In his column for the Daily Mail on Saturday, Boris Johnson called on Dame Alison to go if she was 'in any way responsible' for the false briefing to the BBC about Mr Farage's banking affairs.

And former banker Philip Augar, who previously served on the board of TSB, has warned that the NatWest boss could lose her job over the debacle.

Mr Jack said yesterday: 'The information on which we based our reporting on Nigel Farage and his bank accounts came from a trusted and senior source.

'However, the information turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate. Therefore I would like to apologise to Mr Farage.'

Mr Farage, who wrote to BBC director-general Tim Davie at the weekend to demand action, said: 'The BBC's business editor Simon Jack has fully apologised to me publicly and I thank him for that.

'It's not often that the BBC apologise. I have also received a letter of apology from the BBC News CEO, Deborah Turness. I am very grateful to both.

Simon Jack (pictured) had claimed the former Ukip leader's account was shut because he had 'fallen below the wealth threshold', citing a senior source at the prestigious private bank

'The role of banks is to provide banking services, not become a moral arbiter for the 'accepted' view of the day.'

In her apology to Mr Farage, Ms Turness said: 'It's clear that the story we originally published, based on information provided by our source, turned out to be inaccurate.

'I can understand why you feel this story has contributed to you being put through a considerable and humiliating amount of publicity. I would therefore like to apologise to you on behalf of BBC News.'

Mr Farage has called on Howard Davies, chairman of NatWest Group, to confirm whether he had launched an internal investigation into the 'leaking' of details about his banking status.

Following Mr Jack's original report on July 4, it emerged that the journalist had sat next to Dame Alison at a charity dinner the night before.

This prompted Mr Farage to accuse the NatWest boss of briefing the BBC about his personal banking details. He made a 'subject access request'  a demand for copies of personal information about you that an organisation holds  to Coutts.

He obtained the dossier, in which the bank's staff branded him a 'disingenous grifter' and took issue with his views on Brexit and climate change.

Dame Alison has apologised to Mr Farage for the 'deeply inappropriate comments' made by Coutts staff contained in the dossier. Ex-minister David Davis said the BBC's decision to apologise was 'quite right', adding: 'Frankly, as a national broadcaster not subject to commercial pressures, it should have done the decent thing more quickly. But better late than never.'

The scandal has led to ministers concerned about the curbing of free speech taking swift action to discipline the banking sector.

The bosses of 19 banks and financial services firms will be hauled in front of ministers to warn them about 'de-banking' customers over their political views, a Treasury spokesman announced yesterday.
Rishi Sunak is poised to order a review of the controversial 2030 ban on new petrol cars.

Government sources say the Prime Minister is 'open' to a rethink, amid mounting concern about the impact of costly green policies on household budgets.

Signalling a shift in approach yesterday, the PM said that in the future, the UK's net zero ambitions would be pursued in a 'proportionate and pragmatic way that doesn't unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives'.

Mr Sunak ducked questions about whether he remained committed to the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

But a government source said: 'It is fair to say he would be open to reviewing it. There is no review at the moment, but he wants to make sure we are always taking a proportionate and pragmatic approach, particularly as we are way ahead of a lot of other countries on a lot of this green stuff, including vehicles.'

Government sources say the Prime Minister is 'open' to a rethink, amid mounting concern about the impact of costly green policies on household budgets (File Photo)

No 10 confirmed that the Government's green pledges were being looked at again in the light of their unpopularity and potential impact on the cost of living  raising the prospect they could be ditched before the next election.

The move is a significant breakthrough for the Mail's Rethink The 2030 Petrol Car Ban campaign.

It follows the Tories' unexpected victory in last week's Uxbridge by-election, where Labour faced a backlash over Sadiq Khan's plan to expand the controversial Ulez scheme to cover the whole of Greater London.

Craig Mackinlay, chairman of the Net Zero Scrutiny Group of Tory MPs, said the by-election result had provided a 'reality check' for the Government's headlong dash to cut carbon emissions.

Mr Mackinlay said the proposed 2030 car ban was 'uniquely stupid'  and predicted it would be ditched along with other targets in order to contrast with Labour's 'madcap 'net zero now' policies'.

'Uxbridge is the first time we have had one of these green issues on the ballot paper, and the result was that by opposing it, we crept over the line,' he said. 'It's the first time we have had clear blue water with Labour on one of these issues and it's unlikely to be the last.'

Tory MPs have piled pressure on the Government to water down its green pledges after the Uxbridge result.

Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg called for the 2030 ban to be axed, saying that scrapping 'unpopular, expensive' policies would be a 'real opportunity' for a Tory revival.

Fellow Tory Danny Kruger said it was time to look again at whether the Government was 'going at the right speed' on green policies.

'Net zero is a noble aspiration  everyone would like to see us transition away from fossil fuels. But how do we do it? What is the mechanism? And, crucially, who bears the cost?' he said.

'We don't need to do it in this brutal and hasty way.' Sir Keir Starmer has urged Mr Khan to 'reflect' on plans to expand the Ulez scheme, which charges the drivers of older vehicles 12.50 a day to use their cars.

The Labour leader blamed the policy for the party's defeat in Uxbridge, saying: 'We are doing something very wrong if policies put forward by the Labour Party end up on each and every Tory leaflet.'

But City Hall sources said Mr Khan planned to go ahead with the extension next month.
Plans to solve Britain's housing shortage erupted in a row yesterday when a Tory scheme to build 50,000 homes in Cambridge was shot down by one of the party's own MPs.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled the project, which will help to fulfil a promise to build a million new homes by the end of this Parliament.

A new urban quarter in Cambridge will be Mr Gove's top priority on a list of 20 centres earmarked as part of an 'inner-city renaissance'.

But plans to turn the city into the next Silicon Valley via radical regeneration were immediately branded 'nonsense' and 'dead on arrival'.

Anthony Browne, Tory MP for South Cambridgeshire, said the area did not have enough water to supply thousands of new homes.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove (pictured) and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled the project

A new urban quarter in Cambridge will be Mr Gove's top priority on a list of 20 centres earmarked as part of an 'inner-city renaissance'. Pictured: Aerial view of Cambridge University

He said: 'I will do everything I can to stop the Government's nonsense plans to impose mass housebuilding on Cambridge, where all major developments are now blocked by the Environment Agency because we have run out of water.

'Our streams, rivers and ponds already run dry. Until the Government can explain how Cambridge is going to get more water, its plans to impose even more housebuilding are dead on arrival.'

Mr Browne added: 'Cambridge already has about the highest housebuilding in the country and, under the local plans, that is set to double with 50,000 new homes by 2050, effectively doubling the size of Cambridge.

'But there is one major problem  we have run out of water.

'There is not enough water for existing housing, there is not enough for the major expansion of housing already planned, and there is not enough for government plans for a new quarter.'

Last month the Environmental Agency objected to a major housing development in Cambridgeshire over water fears.

Mr Sunak (right), on a visit to Cofton in Birmingham yesterday, added: 'No one is doing mass housebuilding in Cambridge, this is about adding a new urban quarter, which is something local communities have spoken about.

The watchdog railed against five planning applications, which would see at least 4,425 properties built in the south of the county, 'on the basis that the water supply for these developments will pose a significant risk to our water environment'.

But Mr Gove said: 'I'm sure Conservative backbenchers and others, once they have a chance to look at our plans, will realise that this is in the national interest and that's why we're acting.

'I'm sure we'll find a compelling way forward. We can't have Cambridge  an exceptional city  being held back.'

Mr Sunak, on a visit to Cofton in Birmingham yesterday, added: 'No one is doing mass housebuilding in Cambridge, this is about adding a new urban quarter, which is something local communities have spoken about.

'And that will be done in dialogue with local communities.'

The plans  which also involved relaxing planning rules to make it easier to turn shops and takeaways into homes  focused on avoiding developing on the green belt, much to the delight of many Tory MPs.

Mr Gove said the Government will be 'using all of the levers that we have to promote urban regeneration rather than swallowing up virgin land'.

And his predecessor Simon Clarke insisted: 'This is a good day  Michael Gove has announced serious agenda items that can help to unlock new homes at scale.

'The Conservative Party either defeats NIMBYism or NIMBYism will assuredly defeat us.'

Mr Gove also received the backing of MP Bob Seely, who last year led a Tory rebellion against mandatory housing targets.

He said: 'This is absolutely what we need to be doing  ending our lazy reliance on greenfield development. Most MPs will back the plans.'

Ex-Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers said: 'This is a good way to deliver a high volume of new housing without resorting to building on the green belt or forcing tower blocks on low rise suburban areas.'

Yet ex-minister David Davis claimed: 'Building on brownfield sites is of course very welcome, as is the Government's drive to deliver new homes, but we cannot rely on brownfield sites alone to cover our country's significant and growing housing needs.'

The move comes after revelations that the majority of local authorities have failed to build a single council home in the past five years.

The Government is also to fast track major infrastructure projects  such as off-shore wind farms, transport links and nuclear power stations  under other new plans.

Reforms to streamline the process for any developments that provide community and environmental benefits will seek to slash 'needless bureaucracy'.

A special fast-track route will be established so planning approval can be obtained more efficiently for these projects.
Migrant films conditions inside the Bibby Stockholm as some of the first to board the barge describe it as 'like Alcatraz prison' - but others PRAISE the vessel saying the food and beds are 'good'
A man who pleaded guilty to the murder of Melbourne woman Celeste Manno is continuing to delay his sentence months after a failed bid to avoid justice with a mental impairment claim.

Luay Nader Sako, 36, of Roxburgh Park, formally pleaded guilty in March after doctors testified he was mentally fit to stand trial.

Sako appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday with a new barrister, Tim Marsh, who told the court his client needed to see another forensic psychiatrist before he could run his preliminary sentence plea hearing.

Celeste Manno, 23, was murdered in her Melbourne home in November 2020

Luay Sako, 36, attended a local police station hours after Ms Manno's death and was taken to hospital under police guard, and was charged with murder

Celeste Manno had been in the prime of life when she was stabbed to death in her own bed

Sako had been scheduled to have that hearing on Monday, clearing the way for his sentence before Justice Jane Dixon.

Instead, it will now be heard in October to allow yet another doctor to file a report detailing Sako's mental health diagnosis at the time of the alleged murder.

Mental health reports are often used by barristers to help slice time off their clients' jail sentences.

Sako allegedly smashed through his former colleague's window at her family home in Mernda, in Melbourne's northeast, before repeatedly stabbing her with a knife as she lay in bed in November 2020.

The road to bring Sako to justice has been long, with the alleged killer appearing in court repeatedly over the years in an effort to convince forensic doctors he had been insane when he killed his victim.

In March last year, the court heard while Dr Andrew Carroll - on behalf of Sako - argued the killer was too mentally unwell to properly direct his lawyers, Dr Clare McInerney - for the prosecution - believed that prognosis could be cured.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Bourke asked Sako be assessed yet again - this time by forensic psychologist Professor James Ogloff.

A plan to put Sako to trial over his mental impairment was abandoned in February when the court heard the once conflicted doctors had come to the conclusion that Sako indeed knew what he was doing at the time of the murder and was well enough to stand trial.

But even then, Sako sought to delay his May 16 murder trial long enough to convince doctors he was again too sick to stand trial.

The court heard Sako insisted on remaining locked away from other inmates in an isolation unit where he refused to take medications at least one expert believed would help him stand trial for murder.

Ms Manno was Sako's team leader at a Serco call centre before he was fired from the role

Sako had originally been represented by high profile criminal barrister Sam Norton, of Stary Norton Halphen up until his guilty plea in March.

The court heard Mr Norton had been forced to step away from representing Sako for his plea hearing.

The delay in Sako's hearing is the latest slap in the face to Ms Manno's family after he originally pleaded not guilty to the stabbing murder in anticipation of securing an assessment from a forensic psychiatrist that supported an assertion he was not capable of committing the crime due to his poor mental health.

Sako had repeatedly threatened suicide if he were to be moved out of his isolation cell, where he spends up to 23-hours a day in lockdown.

Ms Manno's long suffering friends and family have already endured years of agony waiting for Sako to face justice.

Police allege Sako had struck in the dead of night, killing Ms Manno before jumping over a fence that was left stained with blood.

Sako attended a local police station hours later and was taken to hospital under police guard and treated for a hand injury that required surgery.

At Sako's very first court hearing in 2020, the court heard Sako had no mental health issues and was not on any medication at the time his 23-year old victim was killed.

Sako had been freed to live in the community at the time of the murder after being charged with breaching a restraining order.

Ms Manno was Sako's team leader at a Serco call centre in South Morang and comforted him when he left the company a year earlier.

Sako will return to court in October.
The clock is quickly ticking towards what could potentially be one of the biggest strikes in US history.

With negotiations breaking down between UPS and its staff, a huge picket line is waiting on the horizon, with unionised workers edging ever closer to striking.

And it won't just be late packages that you will have to worry about, with the looming strike set to cost the economy over $7 billion.

But why are UPS workers contemplating a strike? How will it affect you? And what will happen to your packages if they do? Read on to find out more.

UPS and its union, Teamsters, hold a rally before before the beginning of the largest U.S. private sector labour contract talks covering more than 330,000 U.S. drivers

On 22 July, Sean O'Brien (pictured in the blue polo shirt), general president of the Teamsters union, meet with union members at a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, prior to potential strikes against UPS

Why are UPS workers thinking about striking?

UPS and its union, Teamsters, have been in serious discussions regarding negotiations for the company's workers.

Unionised UPS workers are demanding higher pay, safer working conditions and more full time jobs.

Teamsters and the shipping giant have managed to reach a middle ground on some of its conditions, this includes:

Installing air conditioning in its vehicles

Scrapping a two tier wage system for driver, that meant full time motorists would get paid more per hour than part timers

A day off for Martin Luther King Jr Day

But on July 5, negotiations between Teamsters and UPS have fallen apart as they cannot come to an agreement about raising pay for part time staff - who currently get $16.20 an hour.

In 2022, UPS gave back $8.6 billion to his shareholders and is estimated to return $8.4 billion again to them this year.

UPS released a statement detailing how Teamsters were refusing to continue talks despite the end being 'in sight'.

The delivery company said: 'The Teamsters have stopped negotiating despite historic proposals that build on our industry-leading pay.'

Teamsters general president, Sean O'Brien released a statement that said: 'This multi billion-dollar corporation has plenty to give American workers  they just don't want to.

'UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road.'

Teamsters and UPS have managed to come to an agreement on improving certain working conditions for staff, but they are still at odds over pay for part time drivers

After negotiations broke down Mr O'Brien said the shipping company 'had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road'

Have UPS workers gone on strike before?

The short answer is - yes. UPS workers last went on strike in 1997 and it lasted for 15 days.

After just over a fortnight the American delivery company agreed to some of the unions requirements.

But, the strike still caused large and small disruptions for the company, including nationwide issues for customers, according to The New York Times.

But the economy and world are very different to what they were in 1997, with e-commerce sales being more than 15 times what they were that year.

So if UPS go on strike now, will it be worse?

What will happen if UPS strike?

Experts do not think UPS rivals could fill a majority of the gaps that the strikes would leave.

UPS is the US's biggest private shipping company, following closely behind the US Postal Service (USPS) who is the largest delivery company overall.

UPS has shipped 5.2 billion packages in 2022 alone, dealing with a quarter of US parcels.

In comparison, rival shipping company FedEx only dealt with 4.1 billion parcels that same year.

Although, USPS and FedEx would be able to alleviate some of the UPS shortfall if the strike does happen, experts say these logistic networks are already at capacity as is, meaning they can't pick up all 24.3 million of UPS' daily deliveries that UPS strikes would leave.

President of global e-commerce at shipping tech company Pitney Bowes, Gregg Zegras told Vox: 'There's no good that comes from this for the consumer. There's no good that comes from this for the merchants.

'And there's no good that comes from other players in the industry.'

Shipping rivals FedEx and USPS won't be able to compensate for the 24.3 million of UPS daily deliveries if strikes were to go ahead

Both USPS and FedEx have issued statements urging UPS customers to opt for their services before the strikes hit.

FedEx said their main aim was to protect 'capacity and service for existing customers.'

'Therefore, shippers who are considering shifting volume to FedEx, or are currently in discussions with the company to open a new account, are encouraged to begin shipping with FedEx now.'

After USPS declared its USPS Ground Advantage program, providing coast to coast delivery from two to five days, US postmaster general, Louis DeJoy also said:' We are ready to compete for an increased share of the growing package business.'

But the strikes won't just mean huge delays and increased cost for shipping items across the US - the economy will also take a massive hit.

If the strike goes ahead it will be the most expensive that has happened in the last century, with a 10 day strike meaning a bill over $7 billion (US) for the economy.

Bloomberg estimate that every strike day will cost the delivery company $170 million.

But the shipping giant won't be the only one to suffer, as lost wages are set to be over a billion, meaning 340,000 workers could be furloughed.

UPS-reliant businesses and customers are also set to lose $4.6 billion, according to a new study by Anderson Economic Group.

What is the likelihood UPS' strikes will go ahead?

It is unknown whether or not Teamsters and UPS will get back to negotiations, and even prior to its breakdown Mr O'Brien said that strikes were 'inevitable'.

As contracts are set to come to an end on 31 July and new ones in sight, strikes could comment as soon as 1 August.

Teamsters have been conducting practice rallies across the US to prepare - but could the government intervene?

In 2022, Joe Biden did get involved with railroad strikes that would have impacted the US' supply chain, meaning workers had to accept terms that weren't widely accepted or supported by union members.

However, on 23 July Mr O'Brien asked the US President not to intervene.

The US President has intervened in previous rallies, but the Teamsters boss has asked him not to get involved in UPS strikes

Mr O'Brien has spoken with President Joe Biden before about making improvements to the trucking industry to strenghten the supply chain

What will happen to your Amazon packages?

We are certainly a lot more dependant on e-commerce and delivery service than when UPS last went on strike in 1997.

Americans e-commerce habits are now 25% than they were in a pre-COVID-19 world, with the delivery sector being responsible for 1.1 million jobs - double what it was during the last strikes.

This means strikes will cause huge delays and higher prices for parcels across the US.

But this doesn't mean you will only have issues getting your food or clothes that you ordered online, it will also mean you will encounter big issues when you try to go shopping in person too, as 40% of UPS shipments go to businesses.

Regarding the lingering and potentially lengthening supply chain woes, Thomas Goldsby logistics chairman in the Supply Chain Management Department at the University of Tennessee told The Associated Press: 'Something's got to give.

'The python can't swallow the alligator, and that's going to be felt by all of us.'

Many are particularly worried about their Amazon packages, as the companies used to work closely together to deliver products.

The 10 day trike could cost economy $7 billion, with UPS losing $170 million every day

The strikes will only exacerbate the lingering and potentially lengthening supply chain woes

However, nowadays the e-commerce juggernaut uses UPS less and less, with only a portion of its parcels being shipped by the delivery company.

Therefore, Amazon is predicted to weather the UPS strike storm better than smaller retailers if the strike does go ahead.

So if you do order an Amazon parcel you could experience significant delays but this isn't a 100% certainty.

Will the strikes only cause issues for shipping?

To be brief - no, these strikes will have knock on effects for other unions across the US, with new UPS contracts set to land just as Hollywood's writers' and actors' strikes heat up, as well as other union campaigns among high profile companies such as Trader Joe's, Apple, Starbucks and more.
Rising rental costs are putting a major strain on people's expected retirement income, a report has revealed.

The report by Scottish Widows looked at what percentage of income people around the country can expect to spend on their rent during their retirement.

The places where those in retirement will not typically see their income cover at least their rent includes London and the South East.

It follows separate research by Hamptons that suggested the number of households aged over-65 renting their home will double to more than one million in the next decade.

The report by Scottish Widows looked at the percentage of income that those in retirement spend on rent

It claimed numbers would more than double from 402,963 last year to 1,003,382 by 2033.

The places where those renting in retirement can expect to spend at least 80 per cent of their income on their monthly rental payments include the East of England, the South West and Scotland - at 98 per cent, 89 per cent and 82 per cent respectively.

In these areas, a lack of supply and high demand has helped to push rents out of reach for many people, including those in retirement.

By contrast, the region where those in retirement can expect to spend the smallest percentage of their income on rent is the North East at 59 per cent.

There are four regions where people in retirement can expect to spend between 62 per cent and 69 per cent of their income on rent.

These are Wales - where they will spend 62 per cent of their income on rent -, the North West at 65 per cent, the East Midlands at 66 per cent, and the West Midlands at 69 per cent.

A lack of supply and high demand has helped to push rents out of reach for many people, including those in retirement

Pete Glancy, of Scottish Widows, said: 'Escalating rental costs pose a significant challenge, particularly for those on lower retirement incomes.

'It could become exceedingly difficult for them to achieve even a minimum standard of retirement.

'As a result, many may find themselves relying on housing benefits or being forced to downsize to smaller and more affordable accommodation in order to mitigate the burden of rental costs.

'This has severe consequences for 'Generation Rent', who will have to save substantially more for retirement.'

It comes after the Office of National Statistics revealed that the number of households renting has more than doubled in the past two decades.

Approximately five million households in England and Wales are privately renting, which is up from 3.9 million as recently as 2011.

Mr Glancy added: 'On the other hand, homeowners have the extra option of releasing equity from their home later in retirement.'

The Scottish Widows' Retirement Report went on to say that while many people are making good preparations for retirement, a substantial minority are being left behind.

Enjoying a basic level of comfort in retirement includes being able to pay rent, something that is under pressure as rents nationwide increase.

Retirees who rent and are living in London and the South East are worst affected by rising costs

The average price of renting a home outside of London has reached a record high of 1,231 a month.

The picture is even more alarming for those looking to rent in London, where typical values have also reached a record of 2,567 a month.

The data by Rightmove means average rents have increased by 300 a month outside of London, and 559 a month in London compared to before the pandemic in 2019.

Rightmove explained that there is fierce competition among tenants for properties, with it taking just 17 days to find a tenant a property.

The average asking rent for a typical home outside of London is now 33 per cent higher than at this time in 2019, increasing by more than 300 from 923 a month.

It's a similar story in the capital, with average asking rents in London reaching a new quarterly record of 2,567, and while the pace of rent growth has slowed slightly, it remains in double-digits for the seventh consecutive quarter.

London rents are now 28 per cent higher - the equivalent of 559 a month - than at this time in 2019.
With wildfires raging across Europe, the race is on to repatriate thousands of British holidaymakers caught up in inferno hotspots.

Flights to bring back UK tourists stranded by the flames are due to land on the Greek island of Rhodes later, while another evacuation order has been issued for parts of Corfu.

Wildfires are also wreaking havoc across parts of southern Italy, with the risk of some breaking out in areas of Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Cyprus over the coming days.

It follows a week of record-breaking heat on the continent and has led to fears that many other British holidaymakers could have their summer getaways disrupted by the fires.

So is your holiday at risk? With the help of Copernicus - Europe's 'eyes on Earth' satellite programme - MailOnline takes a look at where wildfires are either burning at the moment or forecast to break out over the coming week.

Is your holiday at risk? MailOnline takes a look at where more wildfires could start with the help of Europe's 'eyes on Earth' satellite programme, Copernicus. On the map above, a very low risk is green, low is greenish yellow, moderate is yellow, high is orange, very high red and dark brown extreme

READ MORE: Ten per cent fewer tourists plan to visit the Mediterranean this year as temperatures soar in heatwave... with some abandoning holidays halfway through Advertisement

This is possible thanks to the Sentinel-3 mission, which is feeding data into the Copernicus Emergency Management Service to produce a map of wildfires and a 'fire danger forecast'.

It suggests that as well as the countries listed above, there is also a risk of wildfires in parts of southeastern France, the north-east of Austria, eastern Germany, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.

The programme's 'fire danger forecast', which is based on the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System, has six different levels: very low, low, moderate, high, very high and extreme.

It involves coming up with a numeric FWI rating after calculating daily observations of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and 24-hour precipitation.

On the map, very low is shown as green, low as greenish yellow, moderate as yellow, high as orange, very high as red and dark brown as extreme.

Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey are the four European countries with 'extreme' wildfire forecasts this week.

To be forecast as extreme, the FWI rating must be greater than 50.

Much of the central and southeastern part of inland Spain has received that classification over the coming days, along with the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia and the Greek island of Rhodes.

It comes in the wake of a 40C-plus heatwave called Cerberus which caused parts of Europe to wilt in record-breaking temperatures.

In Sardinia the mercury hit 46.2C (115F), Malaga airport in Spain reached 44.2C (111F), and Durres in Albania 40.4C (104F).

Much of Spain and France are set to get some respite from the extreme heat over the next few days, but for Italy and eastwards to the Balkans the worst may still be on its way.

Eyes from above: Europe's Sentinel-3 mission is feeding data into the Copernicus Emergency Management Service to produce a map of where wildfires have started over the past month. Pictured is the Greek island of Rhodes, where fires have been raging since last Tuesday

Extreme heat: Parts of Italy, including Sicily, have experienced wildfires over the past week

Vast: This satellite image captures the scale of the wildfires which have broken out on Rhodes

That's because as Cerberus dies out, Italian weather forecasters are warning that the next heatwave - dubbed Charon after the ferryman who delivered souls to the underworld in Greek mythology - will push temperatures even higher.

So much so that the mercury could hit 47C (116F) on Sardinia and 43C (109F) in Rome.

That doesn't bode well for British holidaymakers heading to places such as Italy, Croatia and Greece, nor those already stranded there.

Holidaymakers on Rhodes and Corfu have described a 'living nightmare' of being woken by air raid sirens and forced to run into the sea as fires swept through forests and hills above their hotels.

Up to 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on Rhodes, with repatriation flights to rescue holidaymakers now landing back in the UK.

However, the Foreign Office is currently not advising against travelling to the region.

Instead it is recommending that people speak to their holiday companies if they have concerns.

Scarred: The European Forest Fire Information System map also illustrates the burn areas where these wildfires have wreaked havoc. Rhodes, Sicily, Sardinia and parts of mainland Greece are among the areas worst affected so far

Fleeing: Joanna Hughes, her husband Jon Hughes and their daughter Emilia, from Murton, County Durham, had to walk four miles to escape the wildfires in Rhodes

Great escape: Some families said that they were told to stay put where they were in Rhodes but decided to flee on foot amid the terrifying fires

Stranded: Families sleep and play on the floor of Rhodes airport as they wait for a rescue flight

Greece has been melting in intense heat over the past month, with temperatures exceeding 40C and wildfires burning for almost a week in some parts of the country.

Firefighters on Rhodes have been tackling them since last Tuesday and officials have evacuated some 19,000 people in the process.

The European Forest Fire Information System map also illustrates the burn areas where these wildfires have wreaked havoc.

Using data from the Sentinel-2 satellite, which is also part of the Copernicus programme, it reveals that Rhodes, Sicily, Sardinia and parts of mainland Greece have the most severe incidences of land scarred by summer blazes.

Portugal, Italy, Turkey and Spain also have several slightly less intense hotspots, too.

To see more about where wildfires are forecast, which ones are currently active and the areas that have been burnt as a result of such natural disasters, use the interactive map above or visit the European Forest Fire Information System website.

Searing heat: Firefighters on Rhodes have been tackling wildfires since last Tuesday and officials have evacuated some 19,000 people in the process

A number of blazes have also raged on Corfu, which is hugely popular with British tourists
It has been described as one of the 'most bizarre' objects ever discovered on the Martian surface.

So could extraterrestrials be to blame for this 'bone-like' rock with peculiar pointy protrusions?

Well, far-fetched though it may seem, scientists say they cannot rule out the possibility that an alien spacecraft crash-landing on the Red Planet was responsible.

Researchers of a new study added that such a scenario 'cannot be discounted with absolute certainty', particularly as 'fragments including what appears to be wheels, an axle and a cratered debris field have been photographed in another Gale Crater location'.

However, they think the formations are most likely to be related to seismic activity on Mars.

Peculiar: Scientists say they cannot rule out the possibility that an alien spacecraft crash-landing on the Red Planet was responsible for creating these strange spikes in the rock above

Excitement: A NASA expert said the rock was the 'most bizarre' she had ever seen in 20 years

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GALE CRATER? Gale Crater is a dry lake bed on Mars which spans 96 miles in diameter

It is estimated to be between 3.5 and 3.8 billion years old

NASA sent its Curiosity rover to explore the crater in November 2011 because of evidence of water being present in the distant past

Organic molecules preserved in 3.5 billion-year-old bedrock were discovered in the crater in 2018, supporting that conditions on the Red Planet might once have supported life

In January 2020, minerals made of carbon and oxygen were found in rocks, which experts said may have formed in an ice-covered lake during a cold period on the planet

Antidunes reaching the height of 33 feet (10 m) were found to be the result of megafloods in November 2020 Advertisement

The experts said the protrusions look like what are known as 'sand spikes' on Earth, which appear on our planet during earthquakes of magnitude seven and greater.

Professor Richard Armstrong, of Aston University, Birmingham, who is first author of the paper, told MailOnline: 'These structures are very unusual on Mars and unique in my experience.

'There is no certainty what causes the spikes and related structures but the balance of evidence suggests a type of "sand spike" which form on Earth as a consequence of significant seismic activity.

'However, there are some differences between the Martian spikes and those from Earth which has been pointed out by some geologists.'

For example, the ones on Mars do not have the same bulbous ends as those on Earth.

They are also sometimes serrated, while terrestrial 'sand spikes' are not.

On the possibility of an alien spaceship being to blame instead, Professor Armstrong added: 'The spikes are unlikely to be space debris but nothing can be ruled out.'

He said the so-called 'wheels' were likely to be a separate phenomenon.

Nevertheless, there has been feverish speculation about what the rock could be ever since the US space agency's Curiosity rover photographed it at the base of the 96 mile-long (154 km) Gale Crater in April.

At the time, NASA astrobiologist Dr Nathalie Cabrol said it was 'the most bizarre rock' she had ever seen in 20 years of studying the Red Planet.

She hypothesised that Martian winds may be to blame, with the feature likely to be the 'remains of ripples after lots of erosion'.

Fossilised fish bones, dinosaur remains, or bits of an old Earth-made spacecraft have also previously been mentioned as a possible cause for the spiky features.

Odd: NASA's Curiosity rover captured the images of the rock, which have since been analysed

Theories: There has been feverish speculation about what the rock could be since it was photographed at the base of the 96 mile-long (154 km) Gale Crater in April

Claim: Scientists think the formations are most likely to be related to seismic activity on Mars

In total, at least 10 probes including Britain's Beagle 2 and the Mars Polar Lander have crashed on Mars, while experts estimate there are now 15,694lbs (7,119kg) of human debris on the surface from discarded parachutes and head shields of successful missions.

Despite this, the researchers said the peculiar rock is unlikely to be caused by humans.

'Given that possibly 10 or more craft have crashed upon the surface, coupled with the jettison of equipment associated with landing the rovers, it is possible the spikes and its substrate are human-made and consist of debris that fell onto the surface of Gale Crater,' the authors wrote in their paper.

'Nevertheless, no debris field is evident and no evidence of any additional debris that may have originated on Earth.

'Given its small size and that there are no known human-made analogs and no logical explanation as to what purpose these spikes may serve, it does not seem likely these specimens are the remnants of craft or equipment that fell into Gale Crater.

'One can only speculate about extraterrestrial origins.'

Part of the reason for this is that similar rock formations have been found at the Nordlinger Reis asteroid impact crater in southern Germany.

Search: NASA's Curiosity rover (pictured) has been roaming the Gale Crater since August 2012

Curiosity is no stranger to photographing peculiar Mars features which have left scientists scratching their heads.

Last June, the rover discovered some strange, twisting structures poking out of the surface of the Red Planet, which are now thought to be naturally-occurring 'hoodoos'.

Experts said the columns were probably created from cement-like substances that once filled ancient cracks of Martian bedrock.

But, over time, the softer rock eroded away, leaving only the twisting towers of compact material protruding from the sand in the crater.

In February 2022, the rover captured an image of what appeared to be a coral-like 'flower' in the Gale Crater, but was actually a microscopic mineral formation.

NASA scientists confirmed it was a 'diagenetic crystal cluster', smaller than a penny, which may have been formed by minerals precipitating from water.

Studies of earlier versions have revealed that the minerals, sprouting out in different directions, were likely embedded inside a rock that eroded away over time.

However, it looks like these minerals were resistant to erosion, so remain on the dusty surface of the Red Planet.

Last August marked Curiosity's 10th anniversary on Mars. It was joined by NASA's Perseverance rover in February 2021.

The new study has been published in the Journal of Astrobiology.
A delipidated hospital on 18 acres of land dubbed 'Island of Death' is experiencing a second life as a 'dark tourism' spot.

Travelers are seeking out Poveglia, located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, which was once a quarantine station and a mass burial ground for more than 160,000 people Black Plague victims.

People were dragged kicking and screaming to the island if they showed even the slightest symptoms of the Black Death, according to legend, and were sometimes burned alive inside massive pyres that lined the center.

A mental hospital later opened on the island where local stories describe a 'crazy' doctor conducting lobotomies on patients before jumping out of the asylum's bell tower, which has since been closed off.

The island was abandoned in 1986, but YouTubers are venturing to 'the world's most haunted island' to capture terrifying footage and images of the forbidden location.

The 18-acre island that sits off the coast of Venice is home to dark secrets of the past

Dark tourism is a trend in which people venture to places historically linked to death and tragedy.

That can include genocide, assassination, incarceration, ethnic cleansing, war, or natural or accidental disaster.

While Poveglia is forbidden to enter, YouTubers are taking the risk to capture eerie footage and images of the ruined buildings that were once filled with plague victims and the mentally ill.

Poveglia Island is named in documents dating back from the year 421 AD.

During the 9th century, the island was mainly inhabited by refugees from Padua and Este - both towns in Italy - who were mainly women and children fleeing barbaric invaders who ravaged the mainland.

The refugees lived on the island until the 14th century when the area was abandoned - but then the Plague hit Italy, which killed 75 percent of Europe's population.

Venice exiled anyone with symptoms to Poveglia, which was a death sentence.

Out of fear that the disease would continue to infect Italy, Poveglia was converted into a quarantine station for ships arriving in Venice.

However, the quarantine methods failed because patients were housed in overcrowded buildings that were unsanitary and poorly ventilated.

Giant pyres lined the island's center, which burned victims - some still alive.

Due to the nature of the disease, many of the ill who were sent to the island never returned.

Workers had to bury the bodies of the deceased on the island, and it is estimated that over 160,000 people died and were buried on the island between the 18th and 19th centuries.

And visitors to the island believe bumps in the ground are unmarked graves.

In the late 1800s, the area's mentally ill residents were moved to an asylum in Poveglia, which was poorly constructed.

Poveglia, located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, was once a quarantine station and a mass burial ground for Bubonic plague victims

Poveglia, located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, was once a quarantine station and a mass burial ground for Bubonic plague victims.

Hospital beds still litter the rooms as a reminder of the victims who died on the island

There are rumors that in the 1930s, a doctor performed strange experiments on the patients, and eventually, the doctor went mad and threw himself from the asylum's tall bell tower.

Though the bell in the tower was removed decades ago, locals still claim to hear its chimes echo from the lonely island.

Dark Arts TV channel posted their trip to the island two months ago, which entailed conducting a paranormal investigation.

The buildings are now full of collapsed roofs, overgrown floors and walls and missing parts of staircases.

Vegetation has overtaken the walking paths, windows and doorways of the hospital.

Karl Hassall, the lead Investigator, walked through the dilapidated buildings, finding steel-framed beds, small rooms and graffiti on the walls.

He and his team used devices to speak with spirits that may be lingering in the area, finding voices saying bodies were buried under the buildings and telling the YouTubers to run.

Venice exiled anyone with symptoms to Poveglia, which was a death sentence. Giant pyres lined the island's center, which burned victims - some still alive at the time

Human ashes are believed to make up 50 percent of the soil on the island.

Another YouTube channel, Yes Theory, visited Poveglia four years ago, and the three-person crew said it felt 'very eerie' the moment they arrived.

Both groups experienced feelings of people walking by or bumping into them - but no one else was seen on the island.

The 18-acre plot of weed-ridden land is now a reminder of the people who lost their lives over the past few centuries.

The word 'quarantine' originates from the Italian 'quaranta,' meaning forty days ships had to remain at anchor when they arrived in Venice.

The hospital was also turned into a geriatric facility. This image shows inside the laundry room in one of the buildings during the 19th century

This image shows ruined kitchen equipment spread at the now-abandoned Hospital of Poveglia

Rumors of horrific lobotomies involving chisels and hand drills, carried out by a doctor reputedly driven to his death by ghosts, have added to the island's allure. According to legend, the doctor eventually committed suicide by throwing himself from a bell towe

The threat from the plague gradually diminished over the centuries, and by the 20th century, the Poveglia hospital had been converted into a mental asylum.

Rumors of horrific lobotomies involving chisels and hand drills, carried out by a doctor reputedly driven to his death by ghosts, have added to the island's allure.

According to legend, the doctor eventually committed suicide by throwing himself from a bell tower.

British explorers also snuck onto the island two years ago, sharing images of the rotting abandoned buildings and eerie hospital beds.

Matt Nadin, a salesman from Sheffield, posted the footage to his YouTube channel, Finders Beepers History Seekers.

He said: 'It was really, really eerie. You could tell even the taxi driver was scared, not just of the police but of the place itself, he couldn't get away quick enough.'

Discussing the island's mythology, Nadinsaid: 'The island is so full of dark, dark history, a hell of a lot of people died there and you really get a sense of the horrors that took place there while you're walking around.'

Pictured is the island in 1897, long before it was abandoned in 1968

The 18-acre plot of weed-ridden land is now a reminder of the people who lost their lives over the past few centuries

He continued: 'They burned all the bodies and left them where they lay.

'The island has never been cleared properly, so everything has just been left.

'Later on, when it was turned into an asylum because people were shoved there out of the way of prying eyes, they started experimenting on them, horrible, horrible stuff.

'Whilst we were there, we heard the bell toll and that was quite spooky, that did actually freak me out a little bit. It was like an omen or something.

'The whole place was just weird and eerie, although you could tell from the tiles and archways that it would have been a beautiful building originally.

'You could see that hardly anyone had set foot there for years because there is no graffiti or anything. It's all just natural decay.

'Nature has taken over, and it was typical of a horror movie with all the vines and creepers.

'Definitely, an experience I won't forget in a hurry.'

Locals and tourists are prohibited from visiting, and fishermen avoid the accursed place.

In recent years, Italian construction crews attempted to restore the former hospital building but abruptly stopped without explanation, leaving locals to speculate that the island's dark forces drove them away.
Terrifying wildfires have ripped through the Greek island of Rhodes over the past week, forcing thousands of holidaymakers to flee and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The mass exodus has been described by Greece's government as the 'largest ever' wildfire evacuation in the country's history.

Many British tourists have been stranded on the island with no way home.

It has left many observers wondering how the fires actually started and whether climate change is to blame.

MailOnline takes a look below.

Panic: Terrifying wildfires have ripped through the Greek island of Rhodes over the past week, forcing thousands of holidaymakers to flee and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake

What sparked the wildfires?

It has not yet been confirmed what caused the fires to start, but Greek firefighters suspect arson is to blame.

Yiannis Artopios, a fire service spokesman, said the authorities were currently questioning a group of suspects.

'Fires are not sparked on their own,' he told Greek television network Skai TV.

'They are triggered by the human hand, be it intentionally or not. We currently have several people being questioned in connection with their probable involvement.'

The same is suspected in Corfu.

Giorgos Mahimaris, the mayor of North Corfu, told the BBC that the fire on the island was a result of arson by a 'group of people'.

Although this may be the case, the heatwave which has been sweeping across Europe will not have helped either.

That's because searing heat creates dry conditions that make it easier for fires to take hold and spread.

MailOnline spoke to experts, who explained that the scorching temperatures are being driven by three key factors - El Nino, a stationary high-pressure system also known as an anticyclone, and climate change.

Professor Stefan Doerr, director of the Centre for Wildfire Research at Swansea University, said: 'Any ignition can rapidly turn into a fast moving wildfire. That could be faulty power lines, small intentional fires to burn debris getting out of control, sparks from moving machinery or building activity or arson.

'Focusing mainly on ignition sources distracts from the main issues which are more flammable landscapes due to insufficient management of vegetation and more extreme weather due to climate change.'

Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the country is 'at war' with raging wildfires. He added that there are 'another three difficult days ahead' as infernos continue to grip parts of the country

Locals and tourists alike have been forced to flee as the fires spread, with 19,000 people in total being evacuated from Rhodes

How do wildfires start? Wildfires can be caused in two ways: either by human activity such as arson or, naturally as result of a lightning strike, for example. The fires need three components to survive: fuel, heat and oxygen. Once a wildfire has started, it can spread due to the wind, a slope or a fuel. Advertisement

Where have the fires spread to?

The Greek islands of Corfu and Evia are the latest to be caught in the blaze, following on from Rhodes.

Dr Thomas Smith, associate professor in environmental geography at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), said: 'The wildfire on Rhodes began almost a week ago on Tuesday 18 July, and was confined to the hilly terrain of the interior of the island until Saturday when strong northerly winds drove the fire at a fast pace to the coast, some 20 km to the south.

'This coastline is packed with large resort hotels and was the main focus of the evacuation.'

It is not just big tourist destinations and beaches that are affected, however.

Small villages such as Malona and Masari in Rhodes have also been evacuated.

Who has been affected?

Winds are blowing the wildfires towards popular resorts, with 19,000 people in being evacuated from the island of Rhodes.

More than 3,000 people were rescued from beaches and 16,000 from land.

Travel company TUI has announced it is stopping all flights to Rhodes until July 28. Meanwhile, 10,000 Britons are estimated to still be stranded on Rhodes, waiting to get home.

Humans are not the only species who need rescuing. Photographs and videos of animals struggling and dying are also circling social media.

Firefighters are also being sent to treat helpless animals who's habitats have been devastated by the fires

What role did the heatwave play?

Although the fires may have been started by arsonists, the scorching temperatures of the 40 degree Cerberus heatwave are what allowed the blaze to spread so quickly and dangerously.

Last year, a report by UNEP and GRID-Arendal found that climate change and land-use change were making wildfires worse, anticipating a global increase of extreme fires even in areas previously unaffected.

It stated that wildfires were 'becoming more intense and more frequent, ravaging communities and ecosystems in their path'.

Sweltering: Europe has been hit by a record-breaking heatwave. People are pictured cooling themselves at the Trevi Fountain in Rome it swept across Italy last week

Dr Douglas Kelley, a land surface modeller at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said: 'It is too early to say if climate change has caused these wildfires.

'However, the fact there are now so many across the world, most recently in Greece and Canada, is a clear sign that climate change is causing an increase in the number of severe wildfires globally.

'Heatwaves such as the one in Greece are more likely under climate change. A heatwave dries out vegetation and dead plant material, which makes the fires more intense and spread much faster, especially with the recent high winds.

'While not uncommon in southern Europe, what was unusual about the fires in Rhodes was the intensity and the speed at which they spread.

'We predict there will be a global increase in these extreme fires of up 50 per cent by the end of the century.'
With the boom in popularity of artificial intelligence (AI), attention has quickly turned to the impact such innovation could have on the jobs market.

There are fears that thousands of human roles may soon disappear because of huge advances in automation, with it emerging only last month that the UK Government privately thinks a 'substantial number' of civil service jobs will soon be obsolete.

Not to mention there is also a growing Silicon Valley civil war about whether rapidly evolving AI technology is a good thing or a bad thing.

Well, research suggests that air traffic controllers, midwives, librarians and those with a career in sales have little to worry about, but if you work behind a bar, as a window cleaner or in customer service, the news isn't quite so positive.

Nor is it for waiters and waitresses, who at 72 per cent are at the highest risk of having their roles carried out by a robot, according to digital media company DailyAI.com.

Will a robot take YOUR job? Study reveals the careers at highest risk of being replaced by AI - READ MORE HERE A study from Princeton University in New Jersey, USA has revealed the 20 occupations most at risk of being made redundant thanks to AI Advertisement

Not far behind are shelf fillers, receptionists on 61 per cent, and train or tram drivers on 57 per cent.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are medical practitioners.

In general the risk of their roles being automated is estimated to be around 18 per cent, with nurses at 24 per cent, paramedics 27 per cent and dentists 20 per cent.

The estimates come from Office for National Statistics (ONS) analysis.

This research, originally published in 2019, calculated that around 1.5 million jobs in England are at high risk of some of their tasks being carried out by AI in the future.

They include florists, bus drivers, cooks, retail cashiers and beauticians.

Hairdressers and barbers have what might be a somewhat surprising 57 per cent chance of being replaced by robots, electricians 50 per cent and driving instructors 51 per cent.

Meanwhile, architects, physiotherapists, barristers and web designers are among those with the lowest risk of automation affecting their roles.

The same can be said of university professors and secondary school teachers, both of which have a 20 per cent chance of AI impacting them.

Staying on the education front, a survey released last month suggested that up to two-thirds of secondary school pupils now use AI to do their homework.

What's worse is that the research also claimed that one in 10 teachers had admitted to having no way of knowing.

Concern: There are fears that thousands of human roles may soon disappear because of huge advances in automation (stock image)

WHAT IS CHATGPT? ChatGPT is a large language model that has been trained on a massive amount of text data, allowing it to generate eerily human-like text in response to a given prompt OpenAI says its ChatGPT model has been trained using a machine learning technique called Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). This can simulate dialogue, answer follow-up questions, admit mistakes, challenge incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests. It responds to text prompts from users and can be asked to write essays, lyrics for songs, stories, marketing pitches, scripts, complaint letters and even poetry. Advertisement

Around 67 per cent of youngsters surveyed admitted they used chatbots such as ChatGPT to write essays or do work for them.

Almost half, 42 per cent, said they use AI all the time to solve maths problems, while 41 per cent claimed that it helped them to write English essays.

Fears of software eliminating human jobs first began to gain prominence following the launch of ChatGPT at the end of last year.

It took the world by storm with its ability to perform eerily-human professional tasks such as writing emails and resumes.

Earlier this year, one expert said AI has the potential to replace 80 per cent of human jobs 'in the next few years'.

Ben Goertzel, a US-Brazilian tech boss, added that he did not see this as a negative because it would allow people to 'find better things to do with their life than work for a living'.

'Pretty much every job involving paperwork should be automatable,' he said at the Web Summit in Rio de Janeiro in May.

This came after thousands of tech leaders, including Elon Musk, signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause on AI development.

They argued that companies are taking part in a 'dangerous race' by advancing the technology so quickly and added that it poses a 'profound risk to society and humanity'.

AI-powered robots are already in development that can act as security guards, hospital cleaners and even take over the job of staff in care homes.

Experts say that we will spend almost 40 per cent of time less on household chores by 2033, as so much of them will be automated.
A new set of declassified John F Kennedy assassination documents could add more fuel to the UFO fever gripping the nation.

Buried in a trove of more than 1,103 documents is an excerpt from a 1955 cable the US Air Force obtained from 'three reliable US observers' who saw flying discs over the Soviet Union.

A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official, Senator and military personnel reported that 'two mound and circular unconventional aircraft resembling flying discs or flying saucers were seen taking off almost vertically.'

The document describes the craft revolving and shooting 'sparks or flames' before passing over the train.

The 1955 'flying saucers' details come the same week as 'dynamite' witnesses are set to speak to Congress Wednesday to testify about their firsthand knowledge about UFOs.

The description of the incident in the 'Trancaucasus Region' details, 'two mound and circular unconventional aircraft resembling flying discs or flying saucers were seen taking off almost vertically one minute apart.'

The excerpt from a cable received from the US Air Force reveals the observers were Rueben Efron, Senator Richard Russell and Lt. Col. EU. Hathaway

The files relate to the president's assassination on November 22, 1963

The files relate to the president's assassination in 1963, and a batch of 1,103 was released on June 27, bringing the total amount unsealed to 90 percent.

The move is part of the 1992 legislation called the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, in which officials were to publish all records by October 2017.

However, delays were made by President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump as per guidance from the FBI and CIA.

The National Archives and Records Administration has released more than 2,600 documents since April, but reports of the flying saucers hit the public last month.

The newly redacted document also includes a name previously withheld from all other documents - Rueben Efron.

Efron allegedly monitored the mail correspondents of Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK's assassin, months before the president was shot.

Efron, Senator Richard Russel (D-GA), and Lt Col E. U. Hathaway traveled between Atjaty and Adzhijabu in the Soviet Union on October 5, 1955.

Russell supported a large military buildup throughout the Cold War, but it is unknown why the three men were in the USSR then.

JFK was assassinated on November 20, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald (right)

Senator Richard Russell (pictured) is named in the document as also witnessing the UFOs over the Soviet Union

The official document states that the 'reported sighting of unusual aircraft in USSR' was made by 'three reliable US observers.'

READ MORE: Democratic presidential candidate RFK Jr. repeats allegation that the CIA was involved in assassination of his uncle JFK in 1963 RFK Jr., who recently announced his campaign for president, told Fox News host Sean Hannity that the narrative surrounding his uncle's assassination has been a '60-year cover-up.' Advertisement

'Both flying disc aircraft ascended relatively slowly to about 6,000 [feet], then speed increased sharply in horizontal flight both on northerly heading,' reads the report.

The three US officials reported seeing two searchlights 'pointing almost vertical' about one to two miles south of the rail line.

'After the sighting, Soviet train men became excited and lowered curtains and refused permission to look out windows,' the document reads.

'US observers firmly believe these unconventional aircraft are flying saucer or disc aircraft.'

After arriving in Prague, the three men went to the US embassy and met with Lt. Col. Thomas S. Ryan, who served as U.S. Air Attache at the embassy.

News about the encounter slowly reached the US. When the Los Angeles Examiner tried to obtain details, Russell said: 'I have discussed this matter with the affected agencies and they are of the opinion that it is not wise to publicize this matter at this time.'

Russell would later sit on the Warren Commission tasked with investigating the JFK assassination.

The name of the CIA agent, Efron, is also making waves online, as investigators and researchers suggest his operations prove Oswald was on the US government's radar for some time.

It was known that the US government intercepted Oswald's mail, but Efron's name was redacted from the files - until last month.

Efron and the two other men's account of flying saucers come when many officials are set to speak in front of Congress about Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).

On Wednesday at 10 am ET, several witnesses will take the stand to explain what they have seen or know about UAPs.

Air Force and intelligence agency veteran David Grusch  whose jaw-dropping claims of an illegal UFO crash retrieval program operating within the classified world were made public this June  will be among those giving sworn testimony.

'We have three dynamite witnesses,' Congressman Tim Burchett said Tuesday.

'They're professionals. They're military,' the Tennessee Republican noted. 'They're people that were there and saw what they saw.'

The other two witnesses will be retired US Navy veteran fighter pilots Commander David Fravor, witness to the 2004 Nimitz 'Tic Tac' UFO and Lieutenant Ryan Graves, whose Naval squadron captured the GIMBAL and GOFAST UFOs on infra-red video in 2015.

Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) are leading an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which would mandate government records related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) carry the presumption of disclosure.

'For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by objects mysterious and unexplained, and it's long past time they get some answers,' said Schumer.

'The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplainable phenomena. We are not only working to declassify what the government has previously learned about these phenomena but to create a pipeline for future research to be made public.'
Nerve-racking footage captures a woman freediving through a very tight cave network, with the tunnel only just wide enough for her body to fit through.

In the 42-second-long clip, Tiffany Marie Owen, 30, from St. Petersburg, Florida, can be seen taking a breath before calmly plunging to the depths below in Ginnie Springs.

With a GoPro in one hand, she uses her other hand to slowly guide her through the underwater obstacle course until she slips through the tunnel and pops up the other side to the surface. The total time underwater spans 30 seconds.

Other videos posted to her social media accounts show her pulling similar stunts, with thousands of viewers expressing a mix of horror and amazement.

In the 42-second-long clip, Tiffany Marie Owen , 30, from St. Petersburg, Florida, can be seen taking a breath before calmly plunging to the depths

With a GoPro in one hand, she uses her other hand to slowly guide her through the underwater obstacle course until she slips through the tunnel and pops up the other side to the surface

One commenter wrote 'this causes so much anxiety for me but awesome you could do that,' while another exclaimed 'this is amazing! I would be super scared!'

Freediving is a form of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding until resurfacing, rather than having any breathing equipment.

There are extreme and sometimes deadly consequences to freediving, if not carried out correctly, because of the breathing limits and the pressure associated with such low depths in the water.

For all of her stunts, Tiffany has safety divers who accompany her.

If she is trying to navigate an underwater tunnel, there are generally two above the hole and one who dives with her below.

While the idea of being in a confined space underwater might cause some people to panic, Tiffany says she finds 'comfort' in that kind of environment.

She explains: 'It's more about relaxing the mind, slowing your heart rate, and being in a meditative state before diving.

'Our mammalian dive reflex plays a major role in our multi-system physiological response to being in water, just like manatees, otters and dolphins.

'Humans were meant to dive... Freediving is an amazing sport that has helped me build mental fortitude, relaxation is everything in this sport.'

The Floridian got into freediving a year ago and she went on to get certified.

She says professional training is imperative as the sport can be fatal if not performed correctly.

She hopes that her videos will help educate the public about freediving as a sport but also highlight the dangers involved.

The Floridian got into freediving a year ago and she went on to get certified

She says professional training is imperative as the sport can be fatal if not performed correctly

The mom-of-one says: 'This sport can be deadly, which is why I feel people need to know how to do it as safely as possible'

The diver says it is essential to find a dive buddy you can 'trust with your life,' that 'if you were to loose consciousness, your dive buddy is capable of a rescue'

For those who are thinking about taking up freediving, Tiffany highlights the importance of getting qualified

The mom-of-one, who can now hold her breath for up to three-and-a-half minutes, says: 'This sport can be deadly, which is why I feel people need to know how to do it as safely as possible.

'I encourage anyone who is interested in freediving to go and get certified.'

Although freediving has given Tiffany a world of benefits, it has also made her realize the extent of water pollution.

Touching on the subject of environmental problems, she said: 'The population in Florida has exploded.

'Florida is facing severe challenges due to the continuing development and destruction of our land.

'The animal population is declining, Florida coral reefs are dying, red tide is getting worse with every passing year.

'The health of Florida springs are also declining due to the use of fertilizers, and due to human impacts the submerged aquatic vegetation is dying and being replaced by algae.

'I find trash everywhere I go, even in the caves.'

For those who are thinking about taking up freediving, bartender Tiffany highlights the importance of getting qualified.

She also says it is essential to find a dive buddy you can 'trust with your life,' that 'if you were to loose consciousness, your dive buddy is capable of a rescue.'

While it is dangerous, Tiffany says 'so is driving a car, but both can be done safely.'
KIIS FM host Lauren Phillips announced her engagement to multi-millionaire partner Paul O'Brien live on-air on Monday.

The TV and radio presenter, 41, shared the exciting news with her co-host Jase Hawkins, and spoke about the surprise proposal in Mykonos.

O'Brien runs high-end aviation charter group AVMIN and has several celebrity clients, including Matt Damon, his wife Luciana Barroso, Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky.

'We went to Europe for the holidays. We had a few days in Rome just the two of us and I thought if he was going to propose, it would've been the two of us,' she began.

'Then we went to Mykonos and met up with all of our friends and turns out I was the only person who didn't know about it. He proposed in front of all our friends. I had no idea and then next minute he was down on one knee.'

KIIS FM host Lauren Phillips (pictured) announced her engagement to multi-millionaire partner Paul O'Brien live on-air on Monday

The brunette beauty said the public proposal was such a surreal experience that at first she thought Paul was teasing her.

'I think I thought he was joking. It was an out of body experience. I don't think I even looked at the ring. I just hugged him and cried and then we stood up and we all celebrated.'

She could not contain her joy when discussing the ultra-romantic proposal.

'Everyone said, "you didnt say yes," and I'm like "of course it is a yes!" We then called my family who were at home at the time. He asked my dad. He is a gentleman,' she added.

The TV and radio host, 41, shared the exciting news with her co-host Jase Hawkins and told him about O'Brien's romantic European proposal. Pictured: Lauren and Paul

The notoriously private couple have been dating since early 2020 and now live together in Byron Bay.

Paul previously dated former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage from 2018 - 2019.

Lauren started dating Paul while she was living in Melbourne at the start of the Covid pandemic in early 2020.

'We went to Europe for the holidays. We had a few days in Rome just the two of us and I thought if he was going to propose, it would've been the two of us,' she began

But when Victoria's lockdown took hold in July that year, she relocated to Byron Bay.

There, she reportedly moved in with Paul while continuing to work as the weather presenter for Weekend Today - a role she has since quit to focus on her radio career.

Before her relationship with Paul, Lauren was married to TV producer Lachlan Spark for a year, and they confirmed their split in December 2018.
Lisa Rinna paid homage to beloved Schitt's Creek character Moira Rose on Sunday as she posed in the buff.

The 60-year-old former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality appeared on Instagram to share a nude selfie with her 3.6 million followers.

The mother-of-two bared it all, protecting her modesty with strategically placed brown heart emoji.

Referring to the role played by 69-year-old actress Catherine O'Hara, Lisa captioned, 'Moira Rose says you should take as many naked pics of yourself while you still can and celebrate it. Ok Moira.'

The former soap opera actress stood behind a massage bed in the picture and captured the image with a black phone.

Spicy: Lisa Rinna paid homage to beloved Schitt's Creek character Moira Rose on Sunday as she posed in the buff

Inspiration: Referring to the role played by 69-year-old actress Catherine O'Hara, Lisa captioned, 'Moira Rose says you should take as many naked pics of yourself while you still can and celebrate it'

The star, who is married to Harry Hamlin, stood in front of a beige curtain as she showed off her sculpted physique.

The bombshell simultaneously flaunted her tan lines and washboard abdomen in the photo.

Her short, brown haircut was straight and voluminous as she posed with a stoic expression.

Rinna included a 'Happy Sunday' GIF to the bottom right corner of the post.

She's no stranger to stripping down and sharing photos with fans.

Earlier this month the media sensation celebrated her 60th birthday by flaunting her toned body in another nude image she posted on her Instagram Stories.

The Days Of Our Lives star captioned the photo, 'sesenta,' the Spanish word for 60.

In the full-length photo she exposed herself from head-to-toe, appearing to be at a spa.

Weekend vibe: Rinna included a 'Happy Sunday' GIF to the bottom right corner of the post

Wow: Earlier this month the media sensation celebrated her 60th birthday by flaunting her toned body in another nude image she posted on her Instagram Stories

The brunette beauty stood in front of a wooden bathtub with the side of her body facing the camera.

With her dark hair slicked back and without a stitch of makeup, the superstar looked right at the camera.

On Thursday the vixen uploaded a glamorous video of herself in a busty black and red latex bodysuit and elbow length red gloves.

'Im not Sorry. @rinnabeauty,' she playfully captioned the sultry clip, adding a red kiss emoji.

Lisa rose to fame in the earlier nineties with her role as Billie Reed on Days Of Our Lives.

She also starred on Melrose Place, playing the sassy character Taylor McBride.

The star then went on to guest star on a slew of television programs, including 8 Simple Rules and Veronica Mars.

She later earned four Emmy award nominations during her four years hosting Soap Talk.

Business: The beauty has been busy promoting her brand Rinna Beauty

Stunner: Lisa recently shared footage of herself getting dolled up

The actress made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2007.

In addition to singing and acting, Lisa has also launched several successful business ventures.

She debuted her first fashion line, The Lisa Rinna Collection, on QVC.

The entrepreneur - who's mom to model daughters Delilah, 25, and Amelia, 22 - founded her own makeup line, Rinna Beauty, and a wine collection, Rinna Wines.
Rob Lowe paid tribute to his wife Sheryl Berkoff on their 32nd wedding anniversary with a sweet post on his Instagram page over the weekend.

'Today marks 32 years married to this beautiful, inspiring, nurturing, strong, industrious, sexy, and wonderfully unique woman,' the actor, 59, gushed, alongside a lovely outdoor photo his ladylove.

'I am SO grateful for the day she said she'd join me on our amazing life journey together. Happy Anniversary, Baby!!' he continued.

The St. Elmo's Fire star first met Berkoff, a make-up artist, on a blind date back in 1983, and then would meet up again years later when they worked together on the psychological thriller film Bad Influence, which began production in July 1989.

As the sparks began to fly between the pair Lowe and Berkoff ended up getting married on July 22, 1991.

Lovebirds: Rob Lowe, 59, described his wife Sheryl Berkoff, 62, as a 'beautiful, inspiring, nurturing, strong, industrious, sexy, and wonderfully unique woman' when paying tribute to her on their 32nd wedding anniversary over the weekend

Within two years of tying-the-knot, the couple welcomed their first child together, son Matthew Lowe, now 30, who arrived in 1993.

It would be just two more years when their family expanded again with the birth of their second son, John, 28, in 1995.

The former member of the so-called Brat Pack has never been shy in showering his wife with compliments on his social media platforms

Just last month, Lowe shared honored his wife on her 62nd birthday by sharing a gorgeous photo of Berkoff taken on a tropical beach.

'Happy Birthday to the most irresistible woman Ive ever known. Spirit, mind, heart, body, she is the true package. Love you, Love Bug!' he shared in the caption.

And in May, Lowe wished her a happy Mother's Day, and proceeded to call her 'the greatest one I know', alongside a photo of the couple snuggling up together.

'Thank you for supporting us Lowe boys through all of lifes chapters,' he began, adding, 'Thank you, Sheryl, for giving me my precious sons. And thank you for being SO good at being a partner and mom. Love you so much. Xoxo.'

Earlier this year, The West Wing alum opened up and shared why he thinks they have been able to have a loving and lasting relationship in Hollywood for more than three-decades.

Sweet: 'Today marks 32 years married to this beautiful, inspiring, nurturing, strong, industrious, sexy, and wonderfully unique woman,' the actor, 59, gushed, alongside a lovely outdoor photo his ladylove

History: After meeting on a blind date in 1983, Lowe and Berkoff began to date when they reconnected on the set of Bad Influence in 1989; the couple are pictured in August 1992, one year after tying-the-knot

Grateful husband: The actor often gushes over his wife on his social media platforms

Lovey dovey: Just last month, Lowe called his wife 'the true package' when he paid tribute to her on Instagram for her 62nd birthday

'[Marriage] is hard anywhere, it is not just Hollywood  it's everywhere,' the Charlottesville, Virginia native told Bruce Bozzi, host of the iHeartPodcast Table For Two With Bruce Bozzi.

Lowe went on to disclose how he thinks romantic relationships need a close friendship at their core.

'Sheryl was and is my best friend,' he continued, as reported by People. 'So if you marry for anything other than the fact that is your best friend, you're at a disadvantage from the jump, because that will sustain when the other stuff ebbs and flows.'

The father of two also believe forgiveness is a key element to a relationship being able to move forward and endure over the years.

'People say marriage takes work. I'm not sure if it takes work, but what it does take is forgiveness, and being really cognizant of what hill you're willing to die on,' he shared.
Bosses at both ITV and BBC have reportedly drawn up guidelines which state which shows at rival channels their stars can appear on.

It is claimed some deals effectively ban big names from appearing on big reality shows on other broadcasters unless certain criteria are met.

The news comes after This Morning's Josie Gibson signed up to appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! after finding herself in a bidding war between ITV and the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Former Big Brother winner Josie has reportedly been offered a six figure 'mega deal' to appear in the jungle, a sum usually reserved for the biggest of stars.

And it is claimed a clause in ITV's agreement could have steered the situation, with the paperwork being seen by The Sun.

Terms: Bosses at both ITV and BBC have reportedly drawn up guidelines which state which shows at rival channels their stars can appear on (Catherine Tyldesley pictured for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 after leaving ITV's Coronation Street in 2018)

Holding on? It is claimed some deals effectively ban big names from appearing on big reality shows on other broadcasters unless certain criteria are met (Louise Minchin pictured for ITV's I'm A Celebrity in 2021 after leaving BBC One's Breakfast the same year)

The document is said to read: 'All television appearances will also be subject to consideration of ITVs commercial interests, especially whether the show might compete against ITVs programmes, impact on ITVs ratings and therefore damage ITVs commercial interests.

'As a general rule, we will support shows on ITV and productions from ITV Studios.

'For example, wed say no to an artiste appearing on Strictly but are likely to support an artiste appearing on Im A Celebrity.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV and the BBC for comment.

The clause would explain why ITV's stars have only gone on to compete on Strictly once they have left the broadcaster's shows.

Last week it was reported actress Ellie Leach signed up for the upcoming series of the BBC ballroom dance contest after leaving ITV's Coronation Street as Faye Windass after 12 years.

Fellow former Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley also appeared on BBC's Strictly in 2019 after leaving her ITV soap the year before.

Katie McGlynn also appeared on Strictly in 2021 after leaving Coronation Street in 2020.

Born to perform: Katie McGlynn also appeared on Strictly in 2021 after leaving Coronation Street in 2020 (pictured on Strictly with her professional partner Gorka Marquez)

Reality show: Shane Richie appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2020 after leaving the BBC's EastEnders in 2019 before his 2022 return)

It is claimed the BBC also has a similar agreement with its stars to stop them appearing on rival channels.

Louise Minchin, who anchored BBC One's Breakfast from 2012 to 2021, signed up for ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! after she left the Beeb, and Victoria Derbyshire did the same the year before in 2020.

A source told The Sun that 'the golden handcuff contracts of old are few and far between' but channels want to try and keep their viewers' favourite stars for their own programmes rather than lose them to rival broadcaster's reality shows.

It is claimed the BBC also considers their stars' working patterns, with soap stars working regular shifts, while bosses may think about whether their main show clashes in the TV schedule or if it is in a similar genre.

These considerations may have paved the way for Loose Women's Kaye Adams to appear on Strictly in 2022 and Judi Love to dance in 2021 as neither star has exclusive contracts with ITV.

It comes after Josie Gibson was reportedly offered a six figure 'mega deal' to appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, a sum usually reserved for the biggest of stars.

According to The Sun producers were so determined to sign Josie they forked out the cash with an offer the publicly funded BBC could not match.

Big news! It comes after Josie Gibson, 38, reportedly signed up to appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here after finding herself in a bidding war between ITV and BBC's Strictly (pictured in 2019)

A source told the publication: 'She is seen as the perfect person for the jungle as she's already such a familiar face on ITV and will bring her fanbase with her.'

Going on to describe the star as 'down to earth' they said: 'For all those reasons [I'm A Celeb producers] were hellbent on getting her. And if she was lured by the glitter of Strictly they weren't going to let her go without a fight.

'Talks between Josie's reps and bosses of the two shows had been going on for months and represented a real dilemma for the telly host.'

MailOnline contacted Josie's representatives and ITV for comment.
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Dacre Montgomery is enjoying a romantic European summer getaway with his model girlfriend Liv Pollock on the Greek Island of Mykonos.

The Australian actor, who is best known for his role as Billy Hargrove in the Netflix Sci-Fi series Stranger Things, was spotted soaking up the sun and partying at SantAnna and Branco Mykonos on Saturday.

Liv showed off her enviable figure while taking a dip at the beach, wearing a skimpy brown zebra-print bikini that left little to the imagination.

The 23-year-old bikini top was adjusted to show off her side boob, while her bottoms had a cheeky cut.

She also rocked a pair of gold hoop earrings while splashing around with friends in the clear ocean.

Dacre Montgomery is enjoying a romantic European summer getaway with his model girlfriend Liv Pollock on the Greek Island of Mykonos

Liv showed off her enviable figure while taking a dip at the beach

The 23-year-old wore a skimpy brown zebra-print bikini that left little to the imagination

Meanwhile, Dacre rocked a pair of black boardshorts and a pair of clear-rimmed sunglasses while he seemed to be having the most fun out of the group.

The actor, 28, let out his inner child as he swam out to what appeared to be a capsized boat and proceeded to climb a rope hanging from the mast.

Dacre spent plenty of time in the water as temperatures soared to as high as 35 degrees Celcius.

Dacre rocked a pair of black boardshorts and a pair of clear-rimmed sunglasses

His hair was slicked back from the salty water

The Perth native seemed to be having the most fun out of the group

The actor, 28, let out his inner child as he swam out to what appeared to be a capsized boat

He proceeded to climb a rope hanging from the mast

The Perth native kept sun safe as he returned to shore, laying under a beach umbrella fully clothes as his girlfriend wore a hat while laying on her stomach to tan.

Dacre and Liv, who have been together for six years, later headed to the restaurant area of a beach club where they enjoyed several drinks and food.

In his Instagram Story, the star watched a waiter serve the group delicious pasta from a wheel of cheese.

Dacre appeared to be enjoying his Euro summer holiday

The actor showed off his impressive strength and fitness skills as he tugged on the rope

He spent plenty of time in the water as temperatures soared to as high as 35 degrees Celcius

Dacre let go of the rope and fell back into the cool water below

The pair, who appear to be travelling with friends, sat in the VIP area of the beach club and shared a shisha amongst themselves.

Dacre and Liv both hail from Perth and have been dating for more than six years.

They regularly share heartfelt snaps of each other, with Liv posting a touching tribute on their four-year anniversary back in 2021.

Liv happily smiled and took photos with friends and other beachgoers

The Perth native kept sun safe as he returned to shore

Liv shielded her face from the sun while watching her boyfriend

Liv flaunted her figure while strolling around the water's edge

She then returned to the shore to tan on a nearby sun bed

Dacre laid under a beach umbrella fully clothed

'Another lap around the sun with you... thank you for four of the best. Love you always,' her post read.

Meanwhile back in late 2019, Dacre posted a tribute to Liv, to thank her for her support over the years.

'This woman right here is the backbone of everything I do,' he wrote.

Dacre and his girlfriend appear to be travelling with an intimate group of friends

The star checked his fair skin before sitting in the shade

His girlfriend and another female friend wore hats while laying on their stomachs to tan

'She's the brains and the elegance. She's the one who packs up her bags and moves around the world for me,' part of his post read.

Dacre has had huge success in the U.S with his acting career and is well known for playing Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things.

He also starred in the Elvis biopic where he played Steve Binder.

Dacre rocked a beige hat and a black T-shirt after spending hours in the sun

His girlfriend continued to work on her tan in the Euro summer sun

Liv soon packed up her things to get dressed for their afternoon at the beach club

Earlier this year, the actor broke his silence over rumours he's replacing his role model Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

'Hugh has become a good friend and a mentor of mine,' he told the Daily Telegraph in March.

'I am not really interested in doing a super hero film, it doesnt really interest me at this point.'

Dacre and Liv, who have been together for six years, later headed to the restaurant area of a beach club

They enjoyed several drinks and food

Dacre also seemed to enjoy a few puffs from a vape

In 2019, the Perth-born star opened up about his struggles with self-confidence and how he had spent the last few years trying to undo mental damage caused during this youth.

But regardless of his setbacks, he believes 'everyone goes through stuff' and it could have a positive impact in the long run.

'I think it builds your character, but if the bedrock of your story is ridden with moments or experiences that rock your self-confidence then I think no matter how much you want to mask it as you grow older, it's still there,' he told Build at the time.

The group sat down and relaxed after a dayby the water

The group enjoyed a range of drinks and sushi to eat

'I'm doing a lot of work on myself, psycho-analysing myself and trying to figure out what all these walls that I've built up [are] and how can I strengthen myself properly from really deep inside.'

It isn't the first time Montgomery has opened up about his mental health.

In July 2019, he shared an image of a younger, chubbier version of himself in school student.

Dacre and Liv both hail from Perth and have been dating for more than six years. They regularly share heartfelt snaps of each other

The pair sat with pals in the VIP area of the beach club and shared a shisha amongst themselves

Dacre had a few puffs from the flavoured tobacco

He wrote alongside the snap: 'I was told [my dream] wasnt achievable. I never let the failures get me down. Because I believed in myself and I never let anyone tell me otherwise.

'I knew what I wanted to do. Every night I went home and I focused on that. I visualised a future where my dreams became a reality. You can do anything you set your mind to!'

The rising star added that he experienced anxiety during his school days, struggled to pass his classes and was not popular among his peers.

Dacre has had huge success in the U.S with his acting career and is well known for playing Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things

He also starred in the Elvis biopic where he played Steve Binder
Luann de Lesseps ate fried cow testicles at a festival while Sonja Morgan looked on during Sunday's episode of Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake.

'So this is the testy festy,' quipped Luann, 58, who went mudding last episode with Sonja during their spin-off series on Bravo.

Townsfolk brought over a bag of fried balls for them to try. Luann and Sonja, 59, both from The Real Housewives of New York City, had agreed to go to Benton, Illinois, a town with a population of 7,000, and spend six weeks working with the Benton City Council to help the small town bounce back after the pandemic.

Part of their mission during the spin-off series was to increase tourism to the town.

'Oh my God,' Luann said when she saw the balls.

Spin-off series: Luann de Lesseps ate fried testicles at a festival while Sonja Morgan looked on during Sunday's episode of Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake

Luann then grabbed one and took a bite out of it.

'Delicious,' Luann said.

In a confessional, Luann said that all fried things taste like chicken.

'There's a certain slime factor to balls that chicken doesn't have,' Luann said.

Another person then gave them bag of beef balls to try.

'The only balls I'm interested in are attached to a man,' Sonja said. 'I don't eat them, I lick them.'

Luann said she was going to try one.

'I'm so curious,' Luann said.

Not interested: 'The only balls I'm interested in are attached to a man,' Sonja said. 'I don't eat them, I lick them'

Like chicken: In a confessional, Luann said that all fried things taste like chicken

Liked it: 'Delicious,' Luann said after tasting a sample

'I do feel bad for Lu,' Sonja said in a confessional. 'Six weeks and no 'D' is not something she's used to. At this point, Luann will eat any ball she meets.'

The episode called The Belles of the Ball opened with Sonja and Luann helping the motel where they were staying host a 'Crappie Hour' to help promote the town and to meet more people.

Akash and his wife Hiral Patel, the motel owners, told them to come to his office and he had more stuff for them. Akash bumped his foot and his entire nail came and Luann stepped in to help him stop the bleeding.

At Crappie Hour, Luann mingled with other guests at the motel who told her that they were in town for the testicle festival.

'What testicle festival?' Sonja said.

'It's a competitive eating challenge,'K.C. Kloppel, a motel guest, said. 'Where you have to eat cow testicles.'

'I'm not going to eat cow balls,' Sonja said.

Sonja then asked Shawn Lappin, another guest at the motel, if she shaved his balls. Shawn and K.C. invited them to join them both to come to the festival.

Crappie hour: The episode called The Belles of the Ball opened with Sonja and Luann helping the motel where they were staying host a 'Crappie Hour' to help promote the town and to meet more people

'I wouldn't miss that for the world,' Luann said.

Luann told the other town residents that she was having a good time because everyone was so nice. Sonja then told the mayor of the town that she had some good and bad news. Sonja told him that the playground was cleaning up nicely but they had a glitch with the jungle gym because it was difficult to get lumber.

'Make me happy,' the town's mayor Jeff Kondritz said.

'It's just a speed bump,' Sonja said.

'We are not giving up,' Luann said.

The next morning Luann and Sonja got glammed up to attend the testicle festival.

'You look like the belle of the ball,' Luann said.

Sonja said she came up with the idea to make t-shirts promoting their Benton Follies variety show to get out the word and planned to hand them out at the festival.

Bad news: Sonja told the mayor that the playground was cleaning up nicely but they had a glitch with the jungle gym because it was difficult to get lumber

Glammed up: The next morning Luann and Sonja got glammed up to attend the testicle festival

'They will be walking sandwich boards for us for free,' Sonja said. 'Just like my interns. I don't pay my interns. They don't want to be paid.'

After eating the balls, Luann worried she might have testicle breath. Sonja and Luann then put on mens white underwear over their dresses for the festival's Undie 300 challenge and then bounced through a course on a giant blue ball. Sonja won and did a somersault when she finished.

'I got the trophy,' Sonja said.

Later in the day, Luann and Sonja went to the town's royal tea celebration at the Bloom cafe. Their waiter Trey Murphy told them that they also sang and acted and so they invited him to be part of their follies. They also asked other people at the tea event to join the show.

'This is the incubator of talent,' Sonja said.

Sonja and Luann put on tiaras and posted for a group photo.

The next morning, Luann and Sonja went to their second round of auditions for the follies and were excited when they saw a large crowd had gathered. A contortionist went first, but ran off stage when his arm got stuck during one of his moves.

Luann raced over to help him get unstuck.

Tea time: Later in the day, Luann and Sonja went to the town's royal tea celebration at the Bloom cafe

More auditions: The next morning, Luann and Sonja went to their second round of auditions for the follies and were excited when they saw a large crowd had gathered

Contortionist act: A contortionist went first, but ran off stage when his arm got stuck during one of his moves

'This town has a lot of people interested in the arts,'said Luann in a confessional after realizing that they now had too many people interested in being in the show.

'We are going to have to make some cuts,' Luann said.

Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake will return next week on Bravo.
The fates of Negan and Maggie Rhee literally became intertwined on Sunday's season finale of The Walking Dead: Dead City on AMC.

The sixth episode of the spin-off series ended with Negan [Jeffrey Dean Morgan] and Maggie [Lauren Cohan] separately coming to terms with grim realizations as their faces melded into one.

Negan stared straight ahead after learning from the Dama that he was part of her grand plan to unite the factions of Manhattan against the New Babylon Federation.

Maggie meanwhile looked up after finding dark drawings made by her son Hershel Rhee [Logan Kim], including a portrait of the Dama who orchestrated her son's kidnapping to get access to Negan.

The episode titled Doma Smo opened with Negan spotting a red flare in the night sky and reuniting with mute girl Ginny [Mahina Napoleon] who left The Bricks in a solo search for her guardian Negan.

Season finale: The fates of Negan and Maggie Rhee literally became intertwined on Sunday's season finale of The Walking Dead: Dead City on AMC

Negan scolded Ginny for being there and then admitted to killing her father, who was one of the five men he killed that made him a wanted man by the New Babylon Federation.

Perlie Armstrong [Gaius Charles] volunteered to take Ginny and she went with him after learning that Negan killed her father.

Negan and Maggie followed a car they spotted speeding in the city and Negan figured out that Maggie intended to trade him to The Croat [Zeljko Ivanek] in exchange for Hershel.

Maggie pulled a knife and attacked Negan, but he disarmed her and bolted while dodging and killing walkers.

He was chased by Maggie who pursued him on high exposed beams as walkers roamed below them.

'We don't have to do this,' Negan told Maggie who continued to attack him.

Negan fought back and knocked Maggie down as he yelled for her to stop.

Maggie regained a blade and stabbed Negan in the upper torso, but he kicked her away and off the platform.

Flare signal: The episode titled Doma Smo opened with Negan spotting a red flare in the night sky and reuniting with mute girl Ginny [Mahina Napoleon] who left The Bricks in a solo search for her guardian Negan

Mute girl: Negan scolded Ginny for being there and then admitted to killing her father, who was one of the five men he killed that made him a wanted man by the New Babylon Federation

Working together: Negan and Maggie followed a car they spotted speeding in the city

Makes sense: Negan figured out that Maggie intended to trade him to The Croat [Zeljko Ivanek] in exchange for Hershel

Tense moment: Maggie and Negan looked at each other as he realized her plan to exchange him for Hersehl

Negan jumped down after her and overpowered Maggie as he put a knife to her throat.

'Here's what I'm thinking. The Croat never took your grain, just your kid. For collateral, sure, but he was never coming back for no harvest. He wanted me. And for what? Who the hell knows. But whatever that crazy son of a b**** wants with me, I sure as s*** ain't gonna like it,' Negan said.

'You and I both know that much. The s*** thing is, Maggie, we could have done it. We could have saved Hershel. Because you and I together, we made one hell of a badass team. But you know that, don't you? Maybe some part of you always wanted it to end this way,' he continued.

'The fact is, Maggie, it doesn't matter what excuses I give you or how many apologies I offer, you can't get over it. And you shouldn't,' Negan said referencing his brutal killing of Maggie's husband Glen Rhee.

The Croat then showed up and Maggie picked up a knife and put it to Negan's throat.

Negan was taken away as The Croat explained that he had been searching for him for a long time and also learned how Negan had killed Maggie's husband.

'It's good to see you kid,' Negan said as he passed Hershel during the exchange.

Hershel was emotionless as Maggie walked up and hugged him.

Fight mode: Maggie pulled a knife and attacked Negan, but he disarmed her and bolted

Killing walkers: Negan killed walkers as he ran away from Maggie

Fight over: The Croat then showed up and Maggie picked up a knife and put it to Negan's throat

Long search: Negan was taken away as The Croat explained that he had been searching for him for a long time and also learned how Negan had killed Maggie's husband

The exchange: 'It's good to see you kid,' Negan said as he passed Hershel during the exchange

Ginny meanwhile was returned by the marshal to The Bricks and she refused to take Negan's shirt when it was offered to her.

The Croat took Negan to the Dame who then told The Croat to leave them alone.

'God, hes like a sponge,' the Dama complained of The Croat.

The Dama then revealed her plan for Negan to resume his former brutal and theatrical ways to unite the factions of Manhattan against outsiders seeking their natural resource of methane.

She told Negan that he could have the keys to the city, but instead gave him just one to open a small box.

Negan opened the box that held a human toe and the Dama revealed that she kept a little piece of Hershel.

'My former guest and I had a lot of talks. He told me this story of a man who murdered his father not just in front of his mother, but him, the unborn baby in her belly. And I could sense in the rest of this story what he himself couldn't.

'That his father's killer might feel remorseful, responsible for the boy whose family he destroyed. Well, of course, he only told me this once he felt safe with me. And here you are, come all this way to save him. As you know, I eventually let him go in exchange for you, the Dama told Negan.

Sponge behavior: 'God, hes like a sponge,' the Dama complained of The Croat

Human toe: Negan opened the box that held a human toe and the Dama revealed that she kept a little piece of Hershel

Dark drawing: Maggie became alarmed when she found dark drawings made by Hersehl

Nice portrait: The drawings included a portrait of the Dame who orchestrated Hershel's kidnapping and kept his toe

'And, I can always go back for more,' she added.

Maggie meanwhile told Hershel that she needed to 'finish it' with Negan.

She later found the dark drawings in his room and the detailed portrait of the Dama.

The Walking Dead: Dead City was renewed earlier this month for a second season.
Jennifer Garner wrapped up her weekend by taking her three kids to brunch in Malibu on Sunday afternoon.

The 51-year-old actress was spotted at Soho House in Malibu with her three children Violet, 17, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10.

The outing comes weeks after Garner signed on to reprise her role as Elektra in the highly-anticipated superhero sequel Deadpool 3.

Garner was spotted out wearing a black tank top with black sunglasses and a tan sun hat for the outing.

She also wore a black sweatshirt before tying it around her waist, completing her look with black stretch pants and black sneakers.

Jen does brunch: Jennifer Garner wrapped up her weekend by taking her three kids to brunch in Malibu on Sunday afternoon

Kids: The 51-year-old actress was spotted at Soho House in Malibu with her three children Violet, 17, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10

She recently opened up about being out in public as a celebrity, adding, 'Its an enormous loss when you are the person that the eyes are directed toward.

'The loss of just being able to smile at someone on the street and say hello as yourself is a really intense thing,' she added.

The 51-year-old actress noted that although the privilege of being able to say hello yourself was, 'something to mourn and not be taken lightly,' she also believed that it was a, 'natural outcropping of...success.'

In other words, Jennifer said, 'Its not something to be totally feared.'

The Houston-born actress first shot to fame with her starring role on Alias, where Jennifer played a double agent working for the CIA and a criminal organization.

During the roundtable interview, the down-to-earth actress divulged that a lot of fans still recognize her for her 13 Going on 30 role.

'Its, 'Oh, its my comfort movie,' or, God forbid, 'My moms favorite movie,' the mother of three joked.

She recently starred in the Apple series The Last Thing He Told Me, which debuted on the streaming service in April.

Celebrity: She recently opened up about being out in public as a celebrity, adding, 'Its an enormous loss when you are the person that the eyes are directed toward

Recent roles: She recently starred in the Apple series The Last Thing He Told Me, which debuted on the streaming service in April

Garner will next be seen in the body-swapping family comedy Family Leave alongside Ed Helms, Rita Moreno, Fortune Feimster and Emma Myers.

It's unclear if Garner was able to film at all on Deadpool 3, before the production was shut down due to the Screen Actors Guild strike.

She also has two films in pre-production - Fantasy Camp and Jackpot, though with the strike ongoing, those might not get started for quite some time.

The actress also stars in the TV series Can't Go Home with Esai Morales and Michelle Dawson.
Sami Sheen made a rare public outing with her boyfriend, whose name and identity has yet to be revealed, while shopping in Malibu on Sunday afternoon.

As the pair prepared to grab a bite to eat together, the OnlyFans star, 19, was seen cradling her French Bulldog puppy in her arms.

For her laid-back outing, the five-foot-six blonde rocked an oversized hoodie over a a crochet crop top and jeans.

The daughter of Charlie Sheen and his ex-wife Denise Richards kept a pair of black sunglasses perched on top of her head and sported gold hoop earrings.

She is currently sporting bleached eyebrows, which matched her long, platinum blonde tresses.

Going strong: Sami Sheen made a rare public outing with her boyfriend, whose name and identity has yet to be revealed, while shopping in Malibu on Sunday afternoon

Sami and her sister, Lola, who both originally made their reality TV debut on their mother's short-lived series Denise Richards: It's Complicated in 2008, were recently spotted filming their unnamed reality series in Los Angeles.

Last month, a source told People that 'Sami has her own place' that her mom, Denise, 'helped her get set up and decorate everything and get settled in.'

'They're really closer than ever now. Denise really wants to keep her girls close to her. She doesn't want to push them away,' the insider added. 'For Denise, it has been traumatizing trying to stay on top of everything and work full time.'

Despite some challenge parenting moments, including her eldest referring to her mother's home as an 'abusive' household and briefly moving in with her father, the actress reportedly has 'limitless energy for her kids' and 'puts them first above everything.'

The publication noted that Lola, 18, is still living with her mother and 12-year-old younger sister Eloise, who Richards adopted in 2011.

In September 2021, Sami sent shockwaves across the internet after claiming in a series of TikTok videos that she was 'trapped' at her mother's 'hell house.'

'1 year ago today: trapped in an abusive household, hated myself, would go days without eating or sleeping, insanely depressed, hated school, etc,' she wrote over an emotional video of herself.

The footage than transitioned to footage of her looking much happier as she declared that after moving out she is 'had a spiritual awakening' and was 'full of self love.'

Dog mom: As the pair prepared to grab a bite to eat together, the OnlyFans star, 19, was seen cradling her French Bulldog puppy in her arms

Casual: For her laid-back outing, the five-foot-six blonde rocked an oversized hoodie over a a crochet crop top and jeans

Cool girl: The daughter of Charlie Sheen and his ex-wife Denise Richards kept a pair of black sunglasses perched on top of her head and sported gold hoop earrings

Additionally, the influencer, who has more than 144,000 Instagram followers, raved that she owns two cats and had 'dropped out of high school.'

At the time, her father told The Sun: 'Sams amazing. I love her and all my children unconditionally. Were having a ball. GED here we come!'

Since turning 18, the teenager has been selling raunchy content on OnlyFans.

Insiders close to her father later claimed that her father went 'ballistic' over her career choice.

Despite watching the downfall of his acting career due to his promiscuity and sexual proclivities, sources revealed that Charlie 'thought Sami would have learned from his mistakes and is convinced Denise should have done more to steer her away from such a sleazy career.'

The former Playboy model  who created her own OnlyFans account shortly after Sami did and has posed topless herself  had previously fired back in support of her adult daughter's own decisions.

'All I can do as a parent is guide her and trust her judgment, but she makes her own choices,' the reality TV personality told In Touch Weekly in June 2022.

OnlyFans star: Sami and her sister, Lola, who both originally made their reality TV debut on their mother's short-lived series Denise Richards: It's Complicated in 2008, were recently spotted filming their unnamed reality series in Los Angeles

Last month, a source told People that 'Sami has her own place' that her mom, Denise, 'helped her get set up and decorate everything and get settled in'

Previously, Denise had jumped to social media to defend her daughter when Sami started her OnlyFans account before she ended up joining the subscription service herself just days later.

'Lots of negative comments on my social this past week,' she had written. 'I have to say, I wish I had the confidence my 18 yr old daughter has.'

She continued: 'And I also can't be judgmental [sic] of her choices. I did Wild Things & Playboy, quite frankly her father shouldn't be either.'

Denise and Charlie had welcomed two daughters during their marriage that began in 2002 and ended four years later in 2005.

Sparks flew when the pair first met on set in 2000, but it wasn't until a year later when she guest-starred on his show Spin City that they kicked off their romance.

In June 2002, the former couple tied the knot and welcomed their first child and daughter, Sami.

When Denise was six-months pregnant with their second child in 2005, she filed for divorce, citing 'irreconcilable differences'.
Roxy Jacenko was spotted throwing away thousand of dollars worth of alcohol over the weekend as she prepares to relocate with her family to Singapore.

Dressed in black leggings and an oversized top, the PR queen, 43, spent Sunday offloading unwanted items into a skip bin outside her newly-sold mansion in Sydney's affluent Vaucluse.

They included several unopened bottles of Champagne, including Maison Mumm reserve worth $190, and Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs worth $170.

She also binned two customised bottles of liquor - a $104 flask of Don Julio Tequila with Roxy's name on the label, and a $68 bottle of Hendricks Gin with her husband Oliver Curtis' initials.

Roxy didn't stop there - she also threw away several beach towels emblazoned with the Porsche logo, each worth around $150, and two dog beds.

PR guru Roxy Jacenko, 43, (pictured) was spotted throwing away thousand of dollars worth of alcohol on Sunday as she prepares to relocate with her family to Singapore

At one stage, Roxy was joined by Oliver, 38, and son Hunter, eight, who were walking their family dogs around the lawn.

It comes as Roxy ties up the last few ends of her life in Sydney ahead of her one-way trip to Singapore.

The Sweaty Betty PR founder revealed in June she was looking forward to leaving her celebrity status back home in Australia.

Dressed in black leggings and an oversized top, Roxy was seen offloading unwanted items into a skip bin outside her newly-sold mansion in Sydney's affluent Vaucluse

She threw away several unopened bottles of Champagne, including Maison Mumm reserve worth $190, and Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs worth $170

She also binned two customised bottles of liquor - a $104 flask of Don Julio Tequila with Roxy's name on the label, and a $68 bottle of Hendricks Gin with her husband Oliver Curtis' initials

The brunette completed her low-key look with a pair of red sneakers

'No one knows me there [in Singapore], no one has any preconceived idea of who or what I am, no one has any expectation, and best of all, no one actually cares!' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'In Singapore it was a matter of "Roxy who?" I actually found it really refreshing and a bit liberating.'

Her marriage was previously under scrutiny after it was revealed that she'd sold her family mansion and shut down some of her businesses, after Oliver relocated to the Southeast Asian country for a job.

Roxy didn't stop there - she also threw away several beach towels emblazoned with the Porsche logo, each worth around $150, and two dog beds

At one stage, Roxy was joined by Oliver, 38, (centre) and son Hunter, eight, (right) who were walking their family dogs around the lawn

It comes as Roxy ties up the last few ends of her life in Sydney ahead of her one-way trip to Singapore

The Sweaty Betty PR founder revealed in June she was looking forward to leaving her celebrity status back home in Australia

Roxy later confirmed that she and Oliver didn't split and she decided to move with Hunter and daughter Pixie, 11, instead.

Speaking to The Kyle And Jackie O Show in June, she explained she'd argued with her husband about his decision to leave, noting that he'd had spent years splitting his time between Sydney and Tasmania for his previous job.

Earlier this mont Roxy took to the new social media app Threads to share a glimpse of her new home, which boasts a luxurious outdoor swimming pool, complete with day beds with a modern theme and a simplistic stepping stone bridge.

The large pool area leads to a gym that features state of the art equipment and facilities, from treadmills, weights and cable machines.

'No one knows me there [in Singapore], no one has any preconceived idea of who or what I am, no one has any expectation, and best of all, no one actually cares!' she told the Sydney Morning Herald

Her marriage was previously under scrutiny after it was revealed that she'd sold her family mansion and shut down some of her businesses, after Oliver relocated to the Southeast Asian country for a job

Roxy later confirmed that she and Oliver didn't split and she decided to move with Hunter and daughter Pixie, 11, instead
Grace Warrior has paid an adorable tribute to her mum Bindi Irwin.

With the help of doting dad Chandler Powell, the two-year-old sang Happy Birthday to her mum on Monday.

However in a hilarious twist, Grace actually believed she was wishing a happy birthday to one of Australia Zoo's many kangaroos.

'Happy birthday dear kangaroo,' sang Grace before a laughing Chandler corrected her.

'We're singing it to mumma, not kangaroo!' he told her.

Grace Warrior has paid an adorable tribute to her mum Bindi Irwin. Pictured L-R: Chandler Powell, Grace Warrior and Bindi Irwin

Bindi acknowledged the birthday love in a Monday Instagram post, writing, 'Today is my birthday, but most importantly it's another day to love this sweetheart family of mine.'

She continued, 'If you need me, I'll likely be reading "little yellow bee" on repeat. Thank you for the lovely birthday messages.'

It comes after claims Bindi is fearing for her husband's life after he had a horrific close call with a crocodile in Australia Zoo.

The American-born wakeboarder was running a show in the Crocoseum, which was narrated by his mother-in-law Terri Irwin, when the huge reptile launched at him.

Terri, 59, reportedly could be heard telling Chandler to 'swim away' when the huge croc dove under the water to stalk him.

With the help of doting dad Chandler, the two-year-old sang Happy Birthday to her mum

Terrified for her partner's life, Bindi is reportedly putting her foot down to end the risk-taking.

'While she would never walk out on her beloved zoo, I expect Bindi will give Terri some kind of ultimatum. She has no choice,' an insider told New Idea.

'Chandler has a tendency to turn into a "yes person" around Terri, so she needs her to be on the same page.

'Bindi won't have her husband put in situations that could end up in tragedy. They've gone through that once - never again.'

However in a hilarious twist, Grace actually believed she was wishing a happy birthday to one of Australia Zoo's many kangaroos

Bindi acknowledged the birthday love in a Monday Instagram post, writing, 'Today is my birthday, but most importantly it's another day to love this sweetheart family of mine.' Pictured here with mother Terri [2R] and brother Robert [R]

The insider went on to say Bindi has become particularly protective of Chandler since giving birth to Grace.

Terri has allegedly been pressuring Chandler into performing 'Steve Irwin stunts' which Bindi believes is a 'disaster waiting to happen'.

It seems the celebrity conservationist wants to avoid her husband following in the footsteps of her father who she tragically lost when she was just eight years old.

Steve, known to millions around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44.
Lucy Hale rocked a rather sporty and casual look while heading out on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The 34-year-old actress was spotted arriving at the Edition Hotel in West Hollywood on Sunday for a solo outing.

The outing comes just days after she was spotted in Studio City, California, following a few weeks of traveling.

Hale stepped out in a sleeveless white top with a white purse slung over her shoulder as she made her way into the hotel

She accessorized with a pair of dark sunglasses, gold hoop earrings, a gold necklace, gold rings plus a silver watch and silver bracelets.

Sporty Lucy: Lucy Hale rocked a rather sporty and casual look while heading out on a sunny Sunday afternoon

The actress completed her look with maroon pants and black sandals as she was seen heading into the hotel while holding her phone and two beverages.

The trailer for Hale's new film Puppy Love was released a few weeks ago, which will stream for free on IMDB's FreeVee on August 18.

The film follows Nicole (Hale) and Max (Grant Gustin) who have a horrible first date and vow never to see each other again... but their dogs seem to love each other.

When their dogs are expecting, they decided to become dog co-parents as they start falling for each other.

Hale revealed to People earlier this month that the movie was the 'easiest yes' for her because it was, 'a whole movie with dogs.'

'I had never done a movie with animals before, so I didn't know how they worked or how the animal trainers worked, but it was so fun,' she says of filming Puppy Love.

'What's really funny is that these dogs had to audition for the movie, and I got to see [my character's dog] Fancy Pants audition, and I swear this dog has a human look in its eye,' she added.

'I've never seen a dog be expressive like this, other than maybe my dog Elvis [Hale's dog]. But she's so sweet,' Hale admitted.

Lucy's look: The actress completed her look with maroon pants and black sandals as she was seen heading into the hotel while holding her phone and two beverages

New movie: The trailer for Hale's new film Puppy Love was released a few weeks ago, which will stream for free on IMDB's FreeVee on August 18

'I got so attached to her, just an angel. And so well-behaved, more well-behaved than certain actors I've worked with.It was just such a good time,' she said.

Hale also stars in the crime thriller Inside Man, alongside Emile Hirsch, Ashley Greene and Jake Cannavale.

The actress also has Mort in Sherman Oaks with Monica Potter, Keir Gilchrist, Dustin Milligan, Francesca Eastwood and Jim Gaffigan, and Which Brings Me To You with Nat Wolff and John Gallagher Jr., both in post-production.

She also has The Answers in pre-production starring alongside David Corenswet, who recently signed on to play the new Superman.
Robert Downey Jr and his longtime wife, Susan, were seen arriving to Jimmy Fallon's star-studded party, attended by Andy Cohen and Will Arnett, in The Hamptons on Sunday.

While getting ready to mingle with other A-listers at the 48-year-old late-night talk show host's bash, the Oppenheimer star, 58, was seen walking with his spouse to the event from his car.

For the occasion, the two-time Oscar nominee wore a white and grey pinstriped blazer over a graphic t-shirt and khaki pants.

He completed his look with a pair of prescription glasses and brown and white sneakers.

The actor's wife, 49, sported a black sleeveless dress, oversized sunglasses and her light brown hair in loose waves.

Dapper: Robert Downey Jr and his longtime wife, Susan, were seen arriving to Jimmy Fallon's star-studded party, attended by Andy Cohen and Will Arnett, in The Hamptons on Sunday

Ready to party: While getting ready to mingle with other A-listers at the 48-year-old late-night talk show host's bash, the Oppenheimer actor, 58, was seen walking with his spouse to the event from his car

Downey Jr and his wife have two kids: Exton, 11, and Avri Roel, nine.

He also shares a son, named Indio, with his first wife, Deborah Falconer.

The duo appeared in high spirits as they made their way to Fallon's gathering, which appeared to be a semi-casual affair.

Cohen, best known for his late night talk show, Watch What Happens Live! on Bravo, rocked a purple dinosaur-print, button-up and black shorts.

He also sported a pair of aviators, a black and white patterned bandana and yellow sandals.

The 55-year-old producer carried a gift from the sustainable kids' clothing brand, Macrae Skye, presumably for Fallon's 10-year-old daughter.

Fallon and his wife Nancy Juvonen's little girl was born on July 23, 2013 via surrogacy.

Will Arnett and his partner, Alessandra Brawn, were also in attendance with their three-year son, Alexander Denison.

Handsome: For the occasion, the two-time Oscar nominee wore a white and grey pinstriped blazer over a graphic t-shirt and khaki pants

Funky look: Cohen, best known for his late night talk show, Watch What Happens Live! on Bravo, rocked a purple dinosaur-print, button-up and black shorts

Having fun: He also sported a pair of aviators, a black and white patterned bandana and yellow sandals

Thoughtful: The 55-year-old producer carried a gift from the sustainable kids' clothing brand, Macrae Skye, presumably for Fallon's 10-year-old daughter

Dad life: Cohen has two kids, a son, named Benjamin Allen, in 2019, followed by daughter Lucy Eve in 2022

In addition to his youngest, Arnett shares two sons Abel and Archie from his past marriage to Amy Poehler.

Brawn, the former CEO of clothing brand Chapel, also has a son, Nash, from a previous relationship.

While Fallon and family were not seen outside the shindig, he recently shared a rare photo with his wife and kids on Instagram.

'I agreed to take this photo only if I could stand on the dry side of the dock. Happy 2nd of July!' he captioned the adorable post.

Hanging with the parents: Will Arnett and his partner, Alessandra Brawn, were also in attendance with their three-year son, Alexander Denison

Hands full: In addition to his youngest, Arnett shares two sons Abel and Archie from his past marriage to Amy Poehler

Big family: Brawn, the former CEO of clothing brand Chapel, also has a son, Nash, from a previous relationship

In the photo, the family of four were seen smiling as they posed on a dock with a golden glow by a scenic lake.

Fallon held his younger daughter on his hip while Juvonen, 56, put her arms around the couple's older daughter.

As explained in the caption, the producer and Winnie stood on the wetter side of the dock for the picture.

In the photo, the Saturday Night Live alum donned a pink collar shirt, a blue under tee, a pair of brown pants, and a pair of white sneakers.

Meanwhile, Juvonen wore a black tee, a pair of black shorts, and pair of yellow platform sandals. She wore her hair down.

Winnie wore a white tee and sky blue skirt that had white and yellow squiggly lines running across the bottom of it.

As for Frances, the younger child donned a white top with ruffle sleeves and a white floral patterned skirt.

Unlike their parents, both of the children, who were born via a surrogate, opted to go barefoot for the picture.

The family spent the Fourth of July weekend at Juvonen's family house in Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. It is largest lake in the state of New Hampshire and is situated by the town of Wolfeboro.

Lake Winnipesaukee holds a special place in the couple's heart as it was the site of where Fallon asked Juvonen to marry him.

Blissful: While Fallon and family were not seen outside the shindig, he recently shared a rare photo with his wife and kids on Instagram

'I just bring the ring and Nancy goes, 'Let's go out and have a cocktail on the dock,' so I go, 'Okay on the dock would be perfect,'' The late night talk show host recalled in a March 2023 appearance on The Today Show.

'So I'm like [telling myself], 'don't cry. don't cry. Let her cry if someone's gonna cry.' As soon as I pull out the ring, I start crying.'

Although the couple prefer to keep their two daughters out of the spotlight, Winnie and Frances played a big role on their father's talk show and made multiple appearances when the COVID-19 pandemic forced all talk-shows (morning and late night) to go remote.

Fallon's latest Instagram post comes almost two months after he made a solo appearance at the 2023 Met Gala.

In addition, it appears from his Instagram post that Fallon is enjoying the extra time he has gotten to spend with his family due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America Strike.

Since the strike began on May 2, no new episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (and several other late night shows) have been taped and aired.
Season two of The Bear premiered on streaming platform Disney+ in Australia on July 19.

And viewers have been going wild over the show, calling it 'magnificent' and binge-worthy television.

Many posted their thoughts to Twitter, heaping praise on the American comedy-drama.

'I am once again begging y'all to watch The Bear,' pleaded one fan with another agreeing, 'If youre not already watching this show you need to start ASAP!'

'The Bear S2 is a masterpiece. A clinic in fast-paced and emotional storytelling, with note-perfect performances from the entire cast,' tweeted one more viewer.

Season two of The Bear premiered on streaming platform Disney+ in Australia on July 19. And viewers have been going wild over the show, calling it 'magnificent' and binge-worthy television. A scene from the show is pictured

'A powerful, funny, awe-inspiring, gut-punch of a series that's impossible not to finish in one sitting. Ebon Moss-Bachrach delivers absolute magic,' they added.

'Forks is one of those impossibly perfect episodes of TV. After a re-watch, I'm even more blown away by Ebon Moss-Bachrach. If you aren't already watching The Bear, you need to start ASAP,' someone else insisted.

'The Forks episode of The Bear - just magical, magical television,' another agreed.

Yet one more said: 'I'm not even 10 mins into S2 of The Bear and I'm already FLOORED! I really love this show'.

'The Bear S2 E6. F**k me! What a rollercoaster. What a masterclass in dialogue and family trauma. TV at its best,' someone else wrote.

Many posted their thoughts to Twitter, heaping praise on the American comedy-drama

'A contained movie. Jamie Lee Curtis stepped into character for a cameo and deserves next year's Emmy already. A.I. is not writing like this anytime soon.'

Someone else tweeted: 'I really love that The Bear pours into all of the characters. Its a small thing but a big thing. Like the Marcus episode in S2'.

Season two of the show sees chef Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White, trying his best to rework his sandwich shop into an upscale eatery.

Now that Carmy has landed upon a bundle of cash from his late brother Mikey, he wants to create a food destination.

'I am once again begging y'all to watch The Bear' pleaded one fan with another agreeing, 'If youre not already watching this show you need to start ASAP!'

However, things don't exactly go to plan with him seen stressing out over the journey to launch his shop into something brilliant.

The crew must work together to create a brilliant new venue with minimal time and just a couple of happy helpers.

The numbers are crunched, the contractors are hired, and the demolition is complete for the space.

However, at home, he tries to find new recipes that will draw in the crowds but it is not as easy as he thought.

The crew hit plenty of roadblocks, including staffing, which is no easy task.

'The Bear S2 is a masterpiece. A clinic in fast-paced and emotional storytelling, with note-perfect performances from the entire cast,' tweeted one more viewer

Disney+ described the new season as about 'food', 'family', 'insanity of the grind' and the 'beauty of sense of urgency'.

'They undertake transformational journeys of their own, each forced to confront the past and reckon with who they want to be in the future,' the description reads.

The Bear season one was a huge hit.

The cast includes Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colon-Zayas and Matty Matheson, with Edwin Lee Gibson, Oliver Platt and Molly Gordon in recurring roles.

Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk is also joining as a guest star, Variety exclusively reported earlier this year.
Followers offered support as they thanked the presenter for sharing her story

The BBC Breakfast presenter revealed that she was 'feeling good' in hospital

Naga Munchetty has received a wave of support as she shared a picture of herself in a hospital bed.

The BBC Breakfast presenter, 48, rushed to hospital immediately after her television shift on Friday to give blood, and revealed that she was 'feeling good' after the donation.

Followers on Instagram shared their gratitude and support, with many citing their own experiences of the lifesaving impacts of giving blood.

One commented: 'Thank you so much Naga. Two years ago my sons life was undoubtedly saved twice by receiving blood and blood products.'

Naga shared her experience and motivations on the social media platform, making clear that she was absolutely fine after the procedure, where she could be seen hooked up to the hospital equipment.

Health update: Naga Munchetty has received a wave of support as she shared a picture of herself in a hospital bed

Straight from the sofa: The BBC Breakfast presenter, 48, rushed to hospital immediately after her television shift on Friday to give blood, and revealed that she was 'feeling good'

She said in the video: 'I've just done the Breakfast shift and just nipped in to give some blood.

'I'm feeling good but the thing that makes me feel most good is that hopefully it will save someone's life.'

Blood transfusions can be vital for people with certain conditions or who are having surgery.

According to the NHS, one donation - taking roughly an hour - can save or improve three lives.

In the video's caption Naga added: 'Good morning! @bbcbreakfast work done. Now giving a little bit of me to hopefully make someone's day a bit better in the future.'

The NHS were another of those thanking the presenter, commenting: 'Fantastic, Naga!

'Thanks so much for being the #GivingType and making a life-saving donation! We really appreciate your continued support.'

There were also more personal stories, such as one user thanking the BBC anchor before revealing that 'if it wasnt for selfless people like yourself, my children would not have a mother.

READ MORE: Naga Munchetty's agonising womb condition explained Advertisement

'Thank you to all blood donors saving lives.'

Another added that 'hopefully seeing this will convince others to do it,' as the NHS say they need nearly 400 new donors every day to keep up with demand fuelled by others becoming unable to donate.

A day later, there was another health-related win for Naga, as the NHS England's website dedicated a unique page to adenomyosis - a womb condition which she opened up about in May.

She tweeted her delight on Saturday: 'At last! Adenomyosis is given attention on the NHS England website.'

The BBC Breakfast host revealed two months ago that she needed to take pain killers every day as a result of the condition which is believed to affect around 10 per cent of women in the UK.

She even had a flare-up so bad that her husband called an ambulance for her.

Common symptoms include heavy, painful or irregular periods, pre-menstrual pelvic pain and feelings of heaviness or discomfort in the pelvis.

Less frequent symptoms can also involve pain during sexual intercourse.

Consultant gynaecologist Liza Ball noted that this pain after sex 'can last for hours or even a day'.

Other symptoms could include pain related to bowel movements.
Sarah Lew is enjoying her honeymoon after marrying restaurateur Chris Lucas in Venice, Italy, in June.

The millionaire socialite is staying at the Sicilian hotel featured in The White Lotus, the lavish San Domenico Palace.

Sarah showed no signs of strain in a series of images shared to Instagram, despite the heatwave in the area.

She showed off her luxe surrounds, while posing in a black designer column dress while strolling in an outdoor courtyard.

The beauty also documented the flower-lined stairway down to the water and stunning views over the pool.

Sarah Lew (pictured) is enjoying her honeymoon after marrying restaurateur Chris Lucas in Venice, Italy, in June

She then changed into a white coordinated set for a dinner out, taking a mirror selfie before photographing the rustic stairway.

The Melbourne socialite tied the knot with restaurateur Chris last month.

The couple, who married earlier that month in a civil ceremony, celebrated their union for a second time during a traditional Jewish ceremony at the luxury Aman hotel.

The ceremony took place on the second floor ballroom of the luxury hotel, which previously hosted the wedding of George and Amal Clooney.

The millionaire socialite is staying at the Sicilian hotel featured in The White Lotus, the lavish San Domenico Palace

Sarah showed no signs of strain in a series of images shared to Instagram, despite the heatwave

She then changed into a white coordinated set for a dinner out, taking a mirror selfie before

She also spent time photographing the rustic stairway

A blistering heat has been sweeping across Europe, causing terrifying wildfires in Greece and the Swiss Apls and extreme alerts in 23 cities across Italy.

Not even the coastal town of Taormina has been able to evade the nightmare temperatures.

Many would recognise the lavish San Domenico Palace from HBO series The White Lotus.

Rich guests are staying at the Four Seasons resort for AUD $3,999 (GBP 2,100) a night.
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned during Sunday's episode, after she was told the incredible value of her mother's RAF pilot's uniform.

Show expert Siobhan Tyrrell was thrilled to be able to look at the sentimental collection of items from the career of pioneering RAF Pilot Jackie Moggridge.

She said: 'So I read this lady's autobiography about a year ago and she inspired me so much that I booked a flight in a Tiger Moth, which I know she trained in and was one of the many planes she flew for the air transport auxiliary. So who is she to you?'

Jackie's daughter replied: 'So she's Jackie Moggridge, she's my mother and she was born in South Africa and wanted to learn to fly to show off to her brothers.

'She not only got her private pilot's licence but she was the first woman to do a parachute jump in South Africa. She couldn't do commercial college at South Africa so she had to come to England.'

Thrilled: An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned during Sunday's episode, after she was told the incredible value of her mother's RAF pilot's uniform

Inspiring: Show expert Siobhan Tyrrell was thrilled to be able to look at the sentimental collection of items from the career of pioneering RAF Pilot Jackie Moggridge

She continued to explain that Jackie came to train in the UK in 1938 and was the only woman on her course.

When the Second World War broke out the next year, she wrote to the RAF and said Im going to join the RAF, but they said Oh no, we dont take women fighter pilots.'

Jackie's daughter added: 'So, she joined the WAAF and became a radar operator.'

However, Siobhan went on to explain that as they didn't have enough male fighter pilots, Jackie seized her chance to fly for the RAF.

She said: 'That was a great triumph for women to actually have the opportunity to fly for their country.'

As well as Jackie's uniform, Siobhan revealed the collection included 'a great photograph here of her in front of one of the planes that she flew'.

She added: 'And we have a book here which I like to think is a bluffers guide to flying. It is nicknamed The Blue Book.'

Jackie's daughter went on to reveal: 'She actually joined the RAF Volunteer Reserves which was working at weekends.

Eye-watering sum: When it came time to value the collection, Siobhan revealed that they could expect an 'absolute frenzy' if it were to go up for sale

'While she was there, she was looking for jobs and eventually she got her Channel Airways job.'

Speaking about her mother's experiences, she added: 'She didnt talk a lot about the war. But she used to say if you jumped into bed with her in the morning, she would say "Do you want to fly a Spitfire?''

When it came time to value the collection, Siobhan revealed that they could expect an 'absolute frenzy' if it were to go up for sale.

However, she acknowledged that Jackie's collection held strong sentimental value for her daughter and that she would therefore be very reluctant to be parted from it.

Nevertheless, she left the guest blown away when she revealed: 'It could easily make between 30,000 and 40,000.'

Antiques Roadshow continues on BBC One next Sunday at 8pm.
Millie Mackintosh displayed her slender physique in a tiny green bikini as she rounded off her Greek getaway on Monday morning.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, showcased her incredible physique in a skimpy criss-cross two-piece while posing up a storm at the Costa Navarino resort.

The mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational is she showed off her washboard abs and toned legs.

She covered her shoulders with a pink and white kaftan and shielded her eyes with a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses.

The blonde beauty also shared a snap of her husband Hugo Taylor, 37, chilling on a sun lounger as they enjoyed the final hours of their summer break before returning home to London.

Bikini babe: Millie Mackintosh displayed her slender physique in a tiny green bikini as she rounded off her Greek getaway on Monday morning

Gorgeous: The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, showcased her incredible physique in a skimpy criss-cross two-piece while posing up a storm at the Costa Navarino resort

Fun in the sun: The blonde beauty also shared a snap of her husband Hugo Taylor, 37, chilling on a sun lounger as they enjoyed the final hours of their summer break before returning home

Hugo went matching with Millie as he sported an animated pair of green swim shorts for his last day in the sunshine.

Millie and Hugo tied the knot in 2018 and the couple are parents to daughters Sienna, three, and Aurelia, 20 months.

Millie has been documenting her relaxing holiday to her 1.4M Instagram followers and shared another sizzling bikini-clad snap over the weekend.

The influencer showed off her toned figure in a green bikini top and matching string bottoms.

Millie revealed she underwent a breast enhancement three months ago after being accused of having a 'secret boob job' by cruel trolls, and said she is 'thrilled' with the results.

She insisted she had 'no intention' of hiding the fact that she underwent a breast enlargement as she spoke about the surgery in an open letter published in Grazia magazine.

Millie said: 'I was under no illusion it would go unnoticed, and I had no intention of concealing the choice I had made, with the full support of my family and after a lot of research.'

'Being in the public eye is a double-edged sword! No matter which approach I take  being honest or secretive (and of course getting outed)  someone will always have something to say,' she went on.

'I personally feel it's more harmful to have tweakments / procedures and then lie and pretend the results are achievable naturally.'

Wow! Millie showed off her incredible figure in a tiny green bikini as she posed for sizzling snaps in Greece over the weekend
Alessandra Ambrosio set pules racing as she showed off her washboard abs in a tiny white bikini while soaking up the sun in Ibiza on Sunday.

The Victoria's Secret supermodel, 42, looked sensational in her skimpy swimwear as she enjoyed a day at the beach.

The mother-of-two showed off her ample cleavage in her sexy two-piece before covering up with a loose-fitting pinstripe shirt.

The Brazilian bombshell appeared to be in good spirits as she enjoyed a dip in the sea with pals and shielded her eyes with a pair of trendy sunglasses.

Alessandra looked stylish wearing a 350 bucket hat by Loewe and accessorised with a few dainty necklaces.

Fun in the sun: Alessandra Ambrosio set pules racing as she showed off her washboard abs in a tiny white bikini while soaking up the sun in Ibiza on Sunday

Life's a beach: The Victoria's Secret supermodel, 42, looked sensational in her skimpy swimwear as she enjoyed a day at the beach

Downtime: The mother-of-two showed off her ample cleavage in her sexy two-piece

The model posted a sizzling new album of her trip to her Instagram page on Saturday.

Alessandra shared snaps of her partying on a yacht with pals, writing: 'I hear the drums echoing tonight... IBIZA.'

She looked sensational in a see-through netted mini-dress that allowed her to show off her statuesque figure.

Alessandra has flown out to Ibiza with her daughter Anja, 14, and son Noah, 10, from her relationship with former fiance, businessman Jamie Mazur, 42.

The trip is a welcome break for Alessandra who hit Paris Fashion Week earlier this month and attended the Giorgio Armani show.

Back in 2000, Alessandra was discovered by Victoria's Secret and she walked in the lingerie brand's famed fashion show from 2004 to 2017.

The model was also the first model hired to pose for the Victoria's Secret PINK line.

While she's best known for her modelling work with Victoria's Secret, Alessandra has also posed in campaigns for global brands such as Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, and Armani.

Before she retired her Victoria's Secret Angel wings for good in 2017, Alessandra founded her own fashion line  ale by Alessandra.

Stunning: The Brazilian bombshell appeared to be in good spirits as she enjoyed a dip in the sea with pals and shielded her eyes with a pair of trendy sunglasses

Sensational: Alessandra looked stylish wearing a 350 bucket hat by Loewe and accessorised with a few dainty necklaces

Euro summer: Alessandra has flown out to Ibiza with her daughter Anja, 14, and son Noah, 10, from her relationship with former fiance, businessman Jamie Mazur, 42
Hugh Grant and his TV producer wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein were pictured leaving private members' club Loulou's in Mayfair on Sunday night.

The couple cut a fine figure as they emerged after enjoying dinner and dancing, exiting the venue at around 11.30pm.

Hugh, 62, looked very handsome indeed wearing a black suit and tie while his wife, 40, teamed a black mini skirt with a crocheted top and ankle boots.

The Love Actually star was puffing away on a cigar and had a wry smile on his face as he sat alongside Anna in a black cab.

The couple, who shared three children together, wed in 2018 at the Chelsea register office near their 10million west London home.

Fun times: Hugh Grant, 62, and his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein, 40, looked glamorous as they enjoyed a date night at private members' club Loulou's in Mayfair on Sunday

Dapper: Smart looking Hugh was pictured puffing on a cigar as he left the upmarket establishment

Hugh also shares two children with Tinglan Hong.

Back in January 2018, Hugh spoke to People TVs Jess Cagle about becoming a father.

He said: 'It was the nicest thing that's ever happened to me. It's just lovely to have all that love around.

'Suddenly you love someone more than yourself. It's unheard of in my case and they love you and it's all enchanting.'

And speaking to Ellen DeGeneres in 2012, he also said: 'Everyone was right all these years, saying, !Hugh, why don't you have some children? It changes your life!"

'Now that I have a child, it is life-changing. I recommend it. Get some!

Earlier this year, Hugh hit back at an internet claim he only married Anna 'for passport reasons' and insisted it was because he loves her.

The star came across the claim listed as part of a Google search last month and, taking issue with it, set the record straight on Twitter.

Firing back, Hugh insisted that the reason why he and his wife tied the knot was because of 'love'.

Leggy lady: Anna looked incredible in a black mini skirt which she teamed with a crocheted top and ankle boots

Loving life: The couple had a wry smile on their faces as they prepared to head home after their night out

It's Love, Actually! The couple, who shared three children together, wzd in 2018 at the Chelsea register office near their 10million west London home

He shared a screenshot of the search results for his wife Anna's full name, which brought up an online article, published by site Nicki Swift in December 2020, claiming he married Anna for 'passport reasons'.

The Bridget Jones's Diary actor married for the first time three years ago and the article quotes him stating in an interview with USA Today that he and Anna believe marriage is a 'pretty preposterous social construct', before discussing their different names on their passports.

Hugh, who shares three children with TV producer Anna, said while discussing getting married: 'I didn't like going through immigration into countries where they'd say, "Everyone with a Grant passport over here, and all the others through there.

'[Anna] went through with the nannies. That seemed all wrong.'

However, Hugh - who previously dated Elizabeth Hurley - has now insisted that he actually didn't marry for practical reasons and married for love.

After coming across the search screengrab, Hugh shared it via Twitter and fired back: 'No I didnt, @internet. I married her because I love her.'
Naomi Watts has declared that 'age is in' as she discussed growing older as a woman and finding love post-menopause.

The newlywed actress, 54, tied the knot last month with her husband Billy Crudup at a New York City courthouse.

She spoke to Hello! magazine about her marriage and long-standing career have helped put to bed her fears that 'old women are let out to pasture'.

Naomi said she wanted to tell stories about older woman and menopause in particular, to help facilitate a more open conversation and raise awareness.

She said: 'I'm proud to still be working; when the defining narrative used to be that if you were a hair over 40 you were basically forced into retirement, seeing that shift, that's empowering. There's growing recognition that women's stories don't end at a certain age.

Speaking out: Naomi Watts has declared that 'age is in' as she discussed growing older as a woman and finding love post-menopause

Smitten: The newlywed actress, 54, tied the knot last month with her husband Billy Crudup at a New York City courthouse

'It's a side comment here or there, barely even a secondary plot line, but menopause can consume a significant portion of a woman's life - some people it can last over a decade. How is that not worth writing stories about?

'So many things can happen in a women's life during this time; caring for elderly parents, an emptying nest, a divorce, a career shift, getting back into the work force. High stakes! All great fodder for meaningful and rich storytelling. Watch this space!'

The Impossible star is partnering with Mariella Frostrup's campaign group Menopause Mandate to help better support women in the UK and US.

Naomi went through menopause when she was just 36 and said that had there been more openness around the subject at the time, she wouldn't have felt so alone.

She said: 'I truly believe that if menopause hadn't been such an off-limits topic when I first started experiencing symptoms, I would've had an easier transition. I was part of a cycle that desperately needed to be broken.

'There was a lack of open conversation and resources to help women navigate the changes we go through. That's why I'm now so passionate about raising awareness and encouraging more honest conversations.'

It comes after Naomi shared news of her marriage with her followers as she took to Instagram posting a photo of herself and her new husband as she posed on the steps of Manhattan courthouse shortly after tying the knot.

The British-Australian actress stunned in a $7,400 white Oscar de la Renta Sweetheart Water Lilly Guipure dress as she captioned the post: 'Hitched.'

Hitched: It comes after Naomi shared news of her marriage with her followers as she took to Instagram posting a photo of herself and her new husband as she posed on the steps of Manhattan courthouse shortly after tying the knot

The bride wore white! The British-Australian actress stunned in a $7,400 white Oscar de la Renta Sweetheart Water Lilly Guipure dress as she captioned the post: 'Hitched'

A host of the stars celebrity friends rushed to congratulate the pair. Fellow Australian Nicole Kidman wrote: 'So So happy for you both, Love you Nai - you did it!'.

American actress Jennifer Coolidge chimed: 'Hooray!!! Just woke up to this !!!!!Congrats!!! You two couldn't look happier !!!XO'

While Julianne Moore wrote the simple 'FINALLY!!!' and Gwyneth Paltrow commented: 'Yipeeeeeee!!!! Sending so much love!'

New York-born Billy sported a navy blue suit for the occasion, looking dashing with his clean-shaven visage and his shaggy salt-and-pepper hair swept back dramatically.

The famously secretive couple previously sparked marriage rumours after they were spotted in wedding attire in photos obtained by PageSix on Friday.

Naomi first sparked rumors that she and Billy had got engaged earlier this year, when she debuted an enormous diamond with a tasteful marquise cut, along with a diamond-encrusted band.

The star however refused to confirm the engagement chatter, even after American Today show host Hoda Kotb directly referenced it during a late April appearance on the morning talk show.

Naomi and Billy met on the set of her 2017 Netflix series Gypsy, in which she starred as a therapist who uses an alias to develop close (and unethical) relationships with people intimately connected to her patients, while Billy played her husband.

The costars began a relationship later in 2017, a year after Naomi had split from her partner of 11 years, and father of her two sons, Liev Schreiber.

You may kiss the bride! Marvel star Mark Ruffalo was there to witness the happy event , and shared a tender snap of the newlyweds kissing
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Helen Skelton looked sensational in an orange midi dress as she left the BBC Morning Live studios on Monday.

The presenter, 39, was a ray of sunshine in the flattering number which highlighted her toned figure while beaming away.

She completed her stylish look with a pair of comfortable white trainers and wore a selection of pretty gold necklaces.

Helen carried a white fleece jacket in her hand as she exited the building after returning to her presenting job.

Stunning: Helen Skelton looked sensational in an orange midi dress as she left the BBC Morning Live studios on Monday

Looking good: The presenter, 39, was a ray of sunshine in the flattering number which highlighted her toned figure while beaming away

She looked in excellent spirits and couldn't stop smiling while out and about at the start of the week.

It comes as Helen is moving on from her ex-husband Richie Myler by putting the marital home they once shared on the market.

The star announced her split from England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Richie, 33, in April last year.

A source told the Mirror: 'Helen has moved on with her life and feels its time to start with a clean slate.

'Shes put the house they shared on the market and is looking for a new place she can move to with the kids in the coming months.'

Since his split from Helen, Richie has gone on to have a baby with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, 32, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president Andrew.

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Helen and Richie married in 2013 and moved into their Yorkshire property together seven years later.

The ex couple poured cash into a various renovations on the property until they split last year.

Outfit: She completed her stylish look with a pair of comfortable white trainers and wore a selection of pretty gold necklaces

End of the road: It comes as Helen is moving on from her ex-husband Richie Myler by putting the marital home they once shared on the market

Months later, Helen - who is mother to sons Ernie, eight, Louis, five, and 16-month-old daughter Elsie who she shares with Richie - appeared on Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House and said she'd 'sold a load of stuff' as she cleared her life out.

It came after Helen enjoyed a break with her girlfriends, sharing photos of her island hopping trip on Tuesday as she celebrates her upcoming 40th birthday.

The Strictly star flaunted her tanned figure in a skimpy pink bikini as she enjoyed a spot of paddle boarding in the waters of Formentera.

The day before the group were on neighbouring island Ibiza as Helen shared another snap of herself, this time in a leopard print bikini as she headed to the beach.

'Girl time is a good time. So glad I had that chance meeting with someone on an away day from @onthebeachholidays a couple of years ago. Thank you @trsibizahotel for having me and some pals. Stunning hotel. Amazing staff. Top food. Brilliant drinks,' she captioned the snap.

She added the hashtags '#grateful #holiday #ibiza #girltime #prstay #onthebeach #trs #gifted #beach #baleares #balearics #sand #sea #hotels #island.'

Helen also reposted a photo from her pal as the group got glammed up for a night on the town.

The trip appeared to be an early 40th birthday celebration for Helen as her friend captioned the snaps 'Birthday Queen'. Helen's big day is on July 19.

Helen recently revealed her hilarious response to being asked whether she has a boyfriend, proudly sharing her choice of comeback in an interview with Grazia.

She complained that, during her time hosting Blue Peter between 2008 and 2013, her love life was always brought up by pals rather than her personal accomplishments.

Helen said: 'I was travelling all around the world, and seeing and doing incredible things. And whenever I came home and caught up with people, all they would ask is, "Have you got a boyfriend?" I was like, "No, but I've got a few world records!"'

Fun in the sun: It comes after Helen enjoyed a sunshine break with her girlfriends, sharing photos of her island hopping trip on social media recently

In the same interview, she detailed why she doesn't need any sympathy in the wake of her split from Richie.

The TV personality was asked about her tricky time raising three children on her parents' farm after moving from Leeds to Cumbria following the separation.

Choosing not to discuss her split from Leeds Rhinos star Richie in any length, she simply said: 'My life's no different to millions of other people's lives.

'Lots of people have the same sorts of things to look after and sort out. I think life is fun, and short, and wonderful, and you just take each chapter as it comes along. There's no point overthinking stuff, you just get on with it.'
Gogglebox star Jad Nehmetallah will expand his hospitality empire in western Sydney with a new bar set to open next year.

Jad, who opened Misc in October, will open a new bar in Paramatta, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph on Monday.

'It's going to be good food, good cocktails, great times and a lot of fun with dancing,' Jad told the publication.

The reality star, who sold The Picnic cafe at Burwood, went on to say the area has a great appreciation for culture.

'I feel Parramatta has a great sense of appreciation and love for food, culture and experiences, and that it is time to bring that level of food and experience and beverages to western Sydney because we deserve it,' he added.

Gogglebox star Jad Nehmetallah is set to expand his hospitality empire according to The Daily Telegraph on Monday. Pictured

Jad previously revealed why he banned avocado toast on the menu of his restaurant, Misc, calling it a 'standard' breakfast option last October.

'We want to give people the freedom to explore what people have for breakfast and not be locked into your standard smashed avo on toast,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'We've got avocado and we've got flatbread, so if you want to make it yourself you can, but instead we wanted to bring more lunch style options to breakfast like the mortadella or burrata,' he added.

'I feel Parramatta has a great sense of appreciation and love for food, culture and experiences, and that it is time to bring that level of food and experience and beverages to western Sydney because we deserve it,' Jad added

Jad is best known for his commentary on Gogglebox Australia, alongside best friend Matty Fahd and his gorgeous wife, Sarah Marie.

Jad was previously forced to address rumours he could be the next face of Network Ten's The Bachelor Australia.

He rejected the hearsay, despite being single and ready to settle down.

The Gogglebox star told TV Tonight the dating series was not the type of show he could see himself on as he enjoyed his privacy.

Jad was previously forced to address rumours he could be the next face of Network Ten's The Bachelor Australia. Pictured

'Gogglebox isn't the kind of show you get papped for. It's not The Bachelor, MAFS or Love Island. You do get recognised a lot, but you're a neutral character. You're not hated, there's no gossip on you,' he said.

'The Bachelor is a great show, but it's not something that I feel is for me at the moment.'

Jad has been regularly picked on for being single as 'it's an easy conversation to flog' and he desperately wants to have children.

'I want to start a family, which is always on my mind. I love kids and I've got a couple of nephews. So I think when the time's right, God willing,' he told the publication.
Jess Wright has been praised by fans for showing 'her real skin' as she gave an update on her 'frustrating' battle with skin condition psoriasis.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the TOWIE star, 37, shared a close-up shot of her face, which showed a frame of marks around her face as a result of psoriasis.

She penned an accompanying caption revealing that she had a spell of calm with the condition after she was put on medication, yet soon struggled with side effects leading her to lower her dose - and thus suffer a flare-up.

The star, who shot to fame on TOWIE's inaugural series in 2010, wrote: 'Jess wrote: 'Here goes. Psoriasis update. Apologies for my absence on discussing my ongoing battle with psoriasis, however here it is.

'In November I went to a specialist & I was put on a form of medication in the hope that it would stop it in its tracks, calm it down & then when I come off of the meds after around a year, it wouldnt be as aggressive.

Pained: Jess Wright has been praised by fans for showing 'her real skin' as she gave an update on her 'frustrating' battle with skin condition psoriasis

Reaching out: She penned an accompanying caption revealing that she had a spell of calm with the condition after she was put on medication, yet soon struggled with side effects leading her to lower her dose - and thus suffer a flare-up

Health issues: Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where skin cells builds up to form raised plaques, which can be flaky, scaly and itchy

Pains: A post from Psoriasis Association, the UK national charity for sufferers, lauded the star for her candour, writing: 'Thank you for being so open and honest Jess'

'This medication cleared nearly all of my psoriasis which was wonderful for a little while however side effects of the meds started to creep in & become more evident which didnt make me feel great...

'Then when I tried lowering the dose, the psoriasis started to come back with a vengeance. Its actually Id say on par with how it was before, if not worse...

'And its actually really sore. So frustrating. Im posting this because so many of you have messaged me asking how its going & Ive not been updating you so here it is...

'Sorry I dont have any better news & a miracle cure for you all, I feel your frustration guys. Repeat after me F*** you psoriasis;

A post from Psoriasis Association, the UK national charity for sufferers, lauded the star for her candour, writing: 'Thank you for being so open and honest Jess'.

Other followers meanwhile penned: 'I have psoriasis too and I'm in full flare all over at the moment. Nothing I do or use on them is helping  It's so hard and frustrating, I feel for you Jessica  Sending love...

'Im mid flare up after years of a partial respite. Keep sharing & raising awareness when you feel like it. Its the most torturous condition ever... Ive had it now for 5 years. Thanks for being honest about it! So many struggle with psoriasis.'

In November, Jess revealed her psoriasis makes her feel 'really c**p' and that it's 'taking its toll mentally' - after symptoms worsened following the birth of her son Presley in June.

A helping hand: Other followers meanwhile penned: 'I have psoriasis too and I'm in full flare all over at the moment. Nothing I do or use on them is helping  It's so hard and frustrating, I feel for you Jessica  Sending love'

Brave: In November, Jess revealed her psoriasis makes her feel 'really c**p' and that it's 'taking its toll mentally' - after symptoms worsened following the birth of her son Presley in June

She begged her followers for a 'miracle cure' for the autoimmune condition, said she is determined to 'get to the bottom of it'.

She told The Sun: 'It just makes you feel really c**p, you just feel like you can't, even like I want to wear something with my arms out but I don't want to because I think it looks ugly.

'It's really taking its toll mentally but you just have to try and have faith that eventually you can get to the bottom of it.

'I've had thousands of messages, I can't even actually read them all because it takes forever, its really sweet that there are so many people out there that want to help and are in the same position.'

Jess previously spoke about her struggle with postnatal depression after she welcomed her son Presley with husband William Lee-Kemp in June.

Speaking with The Sun last week, she detailed how she had been finding motherhood so far.

Candid: Jess spoke about her struggle with postnatal depression after she welcomed her son Presley with husband William Lee-Kemp (pictured together earlier this year)
Ellie Goulding, 36, showcased her incredible abs as she shared a throwback snap amid her marital struggles with husband Caspar Jopling.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the songstress wowed in a bikini top and shorts as she posed alongside James Blunt's philanthropist wife Sofia, nee Wellesley, on a boat during a sun-soaked getaway, in an image shared to mark her birthday.

Sofia posed alongside Ellie in a bikini in the shot, which she posted after sharing another snap of Sofia alongside a heartfelt birthday message in which she praised her as: 'Not only a beauty but a tireless campaigner for all things ocean'.

You're Beautiful hitmaker James and Sofia, who married in 2014, were present at Ellie and Caspar's 2019 wedding at York Minster, where they tied the knot in front of a slew of stars after two years of dating.

Four years after the nuptials, the pair are spending time apart after sources claimed their busy schedules caused their marriage to suffer however it is thought that the pair are still close, and continue to co-parent their son.

Woes: Ellie Goulding, 36, showcased her incredible abs in a throwback snap from a girls' getaway after her marital struggles with husband Caspar Jopling were reported

Here come the girls! Ellie and Sofia looked stunning in the snap which Ellie shared alongside a host of aquatic emojis

Doing their best: Ellie and her husband Caspar Jopling are pictured at the Serpentine Summer Party in June but are said to have hit a rocky patch

Sweet: Sofia looked stunning in a snap shared by Ellie to mark her birthday

In her message to Sofia on Monday, Ellie penned: 'Also want to take a moment to say Happy Birthday to this beauty. Not only a beauty but a tireless campaigner for all things ocean and nature particularly marine conservation @bluemarinefoundation...

'I am constantly inspired by her passion and tenacity for this. To top it off she hilariously funny and sharp and brilliant. Love you Sofia! Thank you for everything you do.'

Sofia is a trustee of the Blue Marine Foundation and a sustainability writer.

As well as her message to her pal, Ellie also posted a happy birthday message to one of her fans, who runs @archivegoulding - a fan page followed by Caspar.

Ellie's post comes after it was claimed she has been spotted with Caspar on multiple occasions, leading some friends they may be able to rebuild their marriage.

A source told The Sun: 'There have been ups and downs for a while, but they have always strongly felt they wanted to stay together so they could both be with their son.

'In the end they've tried to find a compromise where they continue to share lots of time together for their son Arthur, but outside of that sometimes live separate lives for now.

'There is no discussion of a divorce and neither of them have been in a new relationship  the priority is to keep good friends and remain amicable whilst they work out their next steps, so they can stay close and enjoy being mum and dad to Arthur.'

A vision: You're Beautiful hitmaker James and Sofia, who married in 2014, were present at Ellie and Caspar's 2019 wedding at York Minster, where they tied the knot in front of a slew of stars after two years of dating (pictured at the wedding)

A representative for the couple declined to comment when contacted.

Ellie made a rare appearance with her husband as they attended the Serpentine Summer Party, during which she went without her wedding and engagement ring.

At the party, Ellie wore a dramatic leather ensemble and spent much of her time in front of cameras with her hand in her pocket, however it was abundantly clear her left hand was free of the 70k ring she was given by Caspar in 2018.

Just hours after the event, the couple appeared to go their separate ways as art dealer Caspar decided to continue the party and hit the town with friends at Chiltern Firehouse following the swanky bash.

He was seen with friends including Tiffany Zabludowicz, the daughter of British-Finnish-Israeli billionaire businessman Poju Zabludowicz and fellow art collector.

Ellie has since formed an unlikely bond with Tory peer Zac Goldsmith - the son of late billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith - over their shared passion for environmental issues.

Sweet: As well as her message to her pal, Ellie also posted a happy birthday message to one of her fans, who runs @archivegoulding - a fan page
They played the Alessi twins in Neighbours.

And, 31 years after starring in the soap, 57-year-old sisters Gayle and Gillian Blakeney look incredible.

The actresses still sport their signature brunette tresses and have flawless, glowing skin as well as perfectly defined features.

The twins first arrived on Ramsay Street as Christina (Gayle) and Caroline (Gillian) Alessi back in 1990 in the guise of 'Linda Giles', the identity both women shared in Witness Protection after witnessing a murder.

It wasn't long before the truth was revealed in true soap style though, and soon Christina and Caroline were making their mark, with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) catching the attention of both women.

Then: They played the Alessi twins, Christina and Caroline in Neighbours back in the 1990s

Wow! And, 31 years after starring in the soap, 57-year-old sisters Gayle and Gillian Blakeney look incredible with their signature brunette tresses and flawless, glowing skin

Iconic: The twins first arrived on screens back in 1990 in the guise of 'Linda Giles', the identity both women shared in Witness Protection after witnessing a murder

Gillian bowed out of the soap in May 1992, with her twin sister Gayle following a few months later.

After leaving the show, they headed to the UK in an attempt to simulate the success of Australia's sweetheart Kylie Minogue, but didn't succeed.

As of mid-2017, the pair lived in Los Angeles with their families where they worked in business, launching companies and building brands.

In 2019, the duo headed back to Ramsay Street to reprise their roles, 27 years after they were last seen on screen.

Speaking to Ten Daily ahead of their return, Gayle gushed over the new story line set for them in Ramsay Street.

'We knew if they wanted to reprise the characters after nearly 30 years, it had to be for a great story line - which it is,' she told the publication.

'We're really looking forward to filming it,' Gayle added.
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Hollywood vet Sean Stewart shared several photos from his summer vacation in Marbella, Spain to Instagram on Sunday.

The former reality TV star has been on vacation with his family for the past week as they enjoy the beach, late night dinners and bonding time with the large clan.

The fashion designer - whose brand is the celebrity beloved Dirty Weekend - was seen posing with his new wife Jody Weintraub during their travels in the Mediterranean.

And Sean was also seen next to his crooner father Rod Stewart who is best known for the hit songs Young Turks and Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?

Sean added in an image of his sister Kimberly Stewart who wore a scarlet red satin dress that highlighted her trim figure.

Bonding time: Sean Stewart, center, was seen with his wife Jody, left, and dad Rod, right, in Marbella this weekend

Nice lodgings: The designer was seen in all white with beige shoes as he enjoyed coffee in a living room

The caption read simply 'Marbella Spain' as his wife hit the like button.

Jody noted the family spent time at the Marbella Club Hotel, Beach Club.

Sean's photo carousel also included images of him flying on a private jet as an attendant saw to his needs. And the family was dining at Nobu as well.

This comes after Sean and Jody enjoyed a mini honeymoon in the Turks and Caicos, an archipelago of 40 low-lying coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean, a British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas.

The Los Angeles based lovebirds were seen on a white sand beach in images shared exclusively to DailyMail.com.

Jody wore a periwinkle blue string bikini that showed off her toned and tanned figure as she took selfies on the sand and in her hotel room.

She added a colorful pajama top from her new husband's brand Dirty Weekend, which has become a bestseller since its launch.

Sean and Jody tied the knot earlier this year in Las Vegas and, the stars told DailyMail.com exclusively in May, they are planning a big, splashy wedding with all their friends and family in Beverly Hills in September.

Spa day in Spain: Jody is seen here with her Chanel purse and flip flops on as she relaxed on the vacation

During their new trip to the Turks and Caicos, Sean told DailyMail.com he was having the time of his life.

'We love to come here and unwind and just get away from it all,' he shared.

'This is a great place to reflect and look inside. And we love just walking on the beach and watching the sunset.'

He and his wife took time to snorkel and sunbathe as they stayed in one of the area's top resorts.

Jody also did a little bit of modeling for his brand as she showed off the pajama top.

Sean is the fashion designer behind the casual brand Dirty Weekend which Scott Disick from The Kardashians is a fan of. They make hoodies and swim trunks and are soon coming out with bikinis.

His partner on Dirty Weekend is Hector Marquez.

The designs have a very fun Eighties Miami Vice feel with palm trees and sunsets.

'It was so much fun creating this brand, I had a great time and there is so much more to come,' said Sean.

'I am very happy with the way things are looking and how people are reacting to the designs.

Kimmy: Sean added in an image of his sister Kimberly Stewart who wore a scarlet red satin dress that highlighted her trim figure as she added gold strappy heels

Nice snack table: Here Sean and Jody are pictured by a craft table with chips and sweets

a first class experience: Sean looked tanned in his white shorts as he sat comfy in a private jet

'I also love how the line is affordable so everyone can buy it, it's not just for a certain audience, it's for all.'

In May he talked to DailyMail.com about his big wedding.

'We were going to throw our wedding in Spain but it became too difficult with everyone's schedules,' Sean told Dailymail.com exclusively during the Vanderpump Dogs charity gala at the Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills in mid May.

'So now we are having the wedding at Beverly Park in Beverly Hills in just a few months,' the 42-year-old added.

And Sean is the son of rock star Rod Stewart; his mother is actress and model Alana Stewart.

Nice place: There were also images of the resort which had a rocky path, mature shrubs and a standing fountain

Fun in the sun in Spain: In this image the beach club could be seen with wicker furniture and tables

Japanese food in Spain: The family dined at Nobu, which is partially owned by Godfather actor Robert De Niro

The wedding will include all their friends and family.

As far as a dress, Jody - who is the daughter of Oceans 11 producer Jerry Weintraub - has not decided yet. 'I am not sure if I will wear white as I have been married before, so we will see, there are so many choices,' she told Dailymail.com.

When asked if light pink - the same color of the dress she wore to the Vanderpump Dogs gala - would be good she said it was really not in the running.

'I think it will have to be a surprise for you, just wait,' she said with a wink, adding that their honeymoon would be in Bora Bora.

As far as why she is the one, Sean said that they very close.

Hot in the Bahamas: They enjoyed a mini honeymoon in the Turks and Caicos, an archipelago of 40 low-lying coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean, a British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas, last month

Party time: They told DailyMail.com they are throwing a big, splashy wedding in Beverly Hills in September; seen at Lisa Vanderpump's dog charity event at the Maybourne hotel in Beverly Hills

'She is my best friend, we get along great,' Sean shared.

And Jody added more: 'We got together like 20 years ago in Malibu, I am not sure how much he remembers, but we already had a thing, so when we met again later we had a background.'

Sean said there were some strong sparks.

'Oh yeah, we had sparks big time,' he said. 'And we are very much in love.'

Also at the Vanderpump Dogs gala were Paula Abdul, Kristin Chenoweth, La La Kent, Jason Kennedy, and Rebecca Romijn with husband Jerry O'Connell.

Stewart shocked his family by announcing he'd married TV producer Weintraub in a 'spur-of-the-moment' ceremony in February 2023.

The couple tied the knot in Las Vegas on Valentine's Day, with Sean proposing during a romantic meal and the couple making things official just hours later.

The pair, who have known each other since high school, are said to have tied the knot at Little Church of the West while clad in their normal clothing.

According to PEOPLE, Sean wore jeans and a YSL sweater, while the bride donned a black, cashmere jumpsuit for the ceremony.

A source revealed to DailyMail.com that the couple were at Catch in Las Vegas when Sean popped the question, revealing: 'He just asked her to marry him. It was spur of the moment and no one was there except for the two of them.'

Hs work: Sean is the fashion designer behind the casual brand Dirty Weekend which Scott Disick from The Kardashians is a fan of

It's not known exactly how long the pair have been dating, but they have known each other since their teenage years, having met through a mutual pal, producer Courtenay Semel, who has been best friends with Sean since they were children.

Courtenay gushed about the union between her two close pals when contacted by DailyMail.com, saying: 'I am beyond happy for my two lifelong best friends. I knew years ago that they were meant to be. Timing is everything. They were a match made in heaven, literally.'

Sean and Jody attended Courtenay's birthday party together in November - and she celebrated their union by posting a sweet clip of the couple at the celebration on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday.

Jody is the daughter of late Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub and has a five-year-old son from her first marriage who is said to be a 'big fan' of Sean.

A source told PEOPLE: 'They are both very family-oriented people. They both have famous families, they just get each other.'

After Sean proposed he is said to have called his mother Alana while en route to the courthouse, but Alana didn't believe that he was being serious.

The insider revealed that after sending the family pictures from the occasion, Alana was left in tears and 'so so happy for him,' while 'his dad was so happy to hear the news.'

The newlyweds celebrated their wedding back in Los Angeles with Sean's parents as the group headed for dinner at Nobu in Malibu.

Alana was Rod's first wife, and they married in 1979, but they divorced five years later. As well as Sean, the couple share daughter Kimberly, 43.

Documenting the dinner on Instagram, Alana penned: 'Congratulations to my boy @seanstewart and his beautiful bride @jody_weintraubstewart who surprised us all with a spur of the moment Las Vegas wedding.

'Im so happy for you both!  #wedding #marriage #love.'

Sean's rocky past has been well documented but in 2015 he insisted that he was back on the straight and narrow and would not fly off the rails.

'It's a total clean slate,' Sean told Daily Mail Australia. 'I couldn't imagine myself getting into anything that was drug-fuelled or alcohol fuelled at this point in my life you know, that's not even a blip,' he added.
Tiffany Haddish threw cold water on her ex-boyfriend Common's claim that their breakup was mutual in a new interview.

The 43-year-old actress and comedian claimed in a Washington Post profile that it was the 51-year-old rapper who was fully responsible for ending the relationship.

In the piece, she said Common had told her that their relationship had 'run its course,' and she even accused him of not inviting her to important events  including his birthday party  shortly before he allegedly ended the relationship.

The Girls Trip star shared elsewhere in the profile that she has struggled with miscarriages throughout her adult life, including a recent one that marked her eighth.

DailyMail.com has reached out for comment to Common's representatives.

Her side: Tiffany Haddish, 43, told the Washington Post that her breakup with Common was 'not mutual,' despite his claims that it was. She said he began to ghost her toward the end; seen in January 2020

Tiffany said she realized something was amiss with the relationship when Common (real name: Lonnie Rashid Lynn) began to withdraw and left her out of key events.

According to her, he scored invites to a birthday party for Barack Obama without getting her a plus-one, and he also left her out of a concert, though it wasn't clear if he was performing or merely attending.

But most serious was the fact that he didn't even invite her to his own birthday party.

Shortly afterward, he delivered the bad news to her  over the phone.

'It wasnt mutual,' she said. 'It was more him saying, "I think this relationship has run its course." And I was like, "Okay. Like you gonna be a 50-year-old single man. Okay?"'

The disappointing way the relationship ended was a stark contrast to just how happy Tiffany was at the height of her romance.

She called it 'the healthiest, the funnest relationship Ive ever had,' adding, 'Its where I felt safest out of all the relationships Ive ever had.'

She and Common began their relationship at the height of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in 2020, and after three months together they went public in August of that year.

But they were reported to have broken up in November 2021, and Common later gave his side of the ending on Hollywood Unlocked with Jason Lee.

'[We] came to the understanding that this is whats gonna be best for us,' he said in December 2021, describing the breakup as a 'mutual decision.'

Earlier, Tiffany delved into some of the difficult and even abusive relationships she was comparing her latest one to.

Impersonal: She said he didn't invite her to Barack Obama's birthday party  and even his own  before breaking up with her over the phone and saying the relationship had 'run its course'; seen July 12 in Hollywood

Good while it lasted: Still, she called it 'the healthiest, the funnest relationship Ive ever had,' adding, 'Its where I felt safest out of all the relationships Ive ever had'; seen in 2018 in West Hollywood

Jamie Masada, the owner of the Laugh Factory, an iconic comedy club with locations in Hollywood, Southern California, Chicago and Las Vegas, recalled a night when she insisted on doing her set on stage even though she had arrived with a puffy lip and a black eye.

He said he allowed her to sleep on the couch in a house owned by the club for several weeks after the incident to make sure that she was away from her abuser.

The profile also referenced Tiffany's memoir The Last Black Unicorn, in which she admitted to defecating in a former boyfriend's shoes, which she later made her Girls Trip character hilariously suggest.

Elsewhere in the profile, Tiffany detailed her difficult history with multiple miscarriages.

The story opened with an anecdote about her calling a doctor five days after suffering a miscarriage.

In the days between, she attended a party thrown by Eddie Murphy, did two voiceover recording sessions, and made appearances at a fundraiser and a shelter for single mothers.

She even made time for an appointment with a repairman to fix the dryer at her home.

'Well, Im going to be honest with you,' she told the nurse over the phone at the doctor's office. 'This would be my eighth [miscarriage]. Ive got a uterus shaped like a heart. It just wont keep anything in.'

The story also noted that Tiffany had recently taken parenting classes as she mulled the possibility of adopting a child, though her own history experiencing child abuse made her hesitant to pull the lever.

She noted that she shared her miscarriage news with one friend, but keeps it secret from many others to avoid them feeling sorry for her.

Personal struggles: Elsewhere, she spoke about some of her earlier abusive relationships and revealed she has had at least eight miscarriages

Dreaming of the future: The story also noted that Tiffany had recently taken parenting classes as she mulled the possibility of adopting a child, though her own history experiencing child abuse made her hesitant to pull the lever; seen on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

'I dont want people saying: "Are you okay? Are you all right?"' she said. 'Like a wounded animal, I just rather go in a cave by myself. Lick my wounds.'

But she still managed to find some levity in the situation with a throw-away joke during one of her shows.

'My jokes are my babies,' she said on stage. 'They are my children. And just like my children, jokes take time to develop. And just like babies, I really want to make it work.'

Then, after a pause, she added, 'But just like a baby, some of these jokes will miscarry.'
The Real Housewives Of New York star Jenna Lyons is setting boundaries about what she will and will not allow to be on air.

The fashion designer, 55, told her co-stars during Sunday's episode of the reboot of the popular Bravo franchise that she was in a relationship.

And that is all she offered.

'Because I've had so much press, I am very quiet about that so I'm not sharing that,' Jenna told Jessel Taank, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan and Erin Lichy while having dinner in the Hamptons.

The former head of J. Crew - who has a genetic disorder that affects her hair and teeth - is keeping the identity of her girlfriend under wraps.

Secrets: The Real Housewives of New York 's Jenna Lyons is setting boundaries about what she will and will not allow to be on air

'My life has put me in the public eye for my job and other things I've done. And that is my choice. And someone does not want to be in that with me, then I have to respect that,' she said during a confessional.

And she meant it. Jenna did not even tell the ladies how she and her girlfriend met or how long they have been together.

But her fellow Real Housewives really just wanted to know one thing - if she was happy.

Jenna said she was, leading Jessel to comment: 'That's the most important thing.'

However, Sai wasn't impressed with Jenna's desire to keep her private life off screen.

'I want to know what's going on with her relationship,' the influencer said.

'She knows my husband, why can't I know her girlfriend? We're friends, that's what friends do - we know each other's spouses. I'm hoping she'll let her guard down a little bit.'

Jenna was married to Vincent Mazeau from 2002 to 2011 and realized she was a lesbian toward the end of her marriage.

Girlfriend: The fashion designer, 55, told her co-stars that she was in a relationship during Sunday's episode of the reboot of the popular Bravo franchise

Under wraps: She will not be including her girlfriend in the reality show nor will she reveal her name or how long they've been together

Not negotiable: 'Because I've had so much press, I am very quiet about that so I'm not sharing that,' Jenna told Jessel Taank, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan and Erin Lichy while having dinner in the Hamptons

She was 40 at the time and still running J. Crew when she was asked to get on a conference call with the company's CEO, head of PR and the New York Post.

The outlet said they had information that she was 'seeing a woman' and wanted her to 'confirm or deny' the relationship.

She hadn't told her mother, her family or anyone at work about her sexuality and had only been seeing the woman in question for three weeks. Still, she felt she had no choice but to confirm the rumors.

'While it was devastating and probably one of the hardest things I've ever experience, I'm still incredibly grateful for how gracious everyone in the office was. Everyone was incredible. Not my mom, but everybody else,' Jenna revealed in a confessional.
Christina Hall and her husband Joshua Hall were matching this weekend.

The 40-year-old blonde beauty and her new 42-year-old spouse were seen in the same fabric as they spent some time in the sun.

She had on a multicolored patchwork bikini top and sarong mini skirt that was knotted on the side while he had on long shorts in the same pastel hues as his wife's.

The reality TV stars are currently on the show Christina in The Country which is filmed around their Tennessee farm.

This comes after the Flip Or Flop veteran and her spouse were seen at the Barbie premiere in Los Angeles.

Two cute: Christina Hall and her husband Joshua Hall were matching this weekend. The 40-year-old blonde beauty and her new 42-year-old spouse were seen in the same fabric as they spent some time in the sun

In the new photo shared to Instagram Christina looked to be in the best shape of her life.

She was showing off her toned tummy in the triangle top that had a string closure around her neck. The design expert's skirt was quite short and rode low on her hips.

Her legs looked tanned and toned as the mother of three wore white slides that said Christian Dior on the top in blue.

The TV star added white framed sunglasses with her very long blonde hair worn down in soft beach waves.

Her better half had on board shirts that had a black tie in the center as he added black and gray Louis Vuitton slides.

He added a cap worn backwards an a pair of dark tinted shades while adding a silver necklace and gold watch.

His many various tattoos were on display as he had several over his chest and down his arms. And there were many more down one leg.

A closer look 1: In the new photo shared to Instagram Christina looked to be in the best shape of her life. She was showing off her toned tummy in the triangle top that had a string closure around her neck. The design expert's skirt was quite short and rode low on her hips

A closer look 2: Her better half had on board shirts that had a black tie in the center as he added black and gray Louis Vuitton slides. He added a cap worn backwards an a pair of dark tinted shades

This comes after they hit the Barbie premiere.

The home improvement specialist looked youthful in a plunging pastel-colored shimmering evening gown that made the most of her tiny frame.

Hall looked like a real-life Barbie as she wore her white bleach blonde hair down in soft Malibu beach waves.

And she had a sun-kissed body as she looked like she spent the day by her swimming pool.

On her arm was her husband, Joshua Hall.

The Orange County, California native had her nails painted a Barbie pink color and she wore diamond jewelry for added glam.

The ex of Tarek El Moussa's dress was a showstopper as it had pink, green and blue over a light pink satin background.

There was also silver sequins in a criss-cross pattern.

And the neck had a halter strappy theme with the bottom showing a mermaid finish with a very high slit up one toned leg.

She added high heeled-silver cage shoes and a toothy smile for her very glam pink carpet appearance.

Her husband took to Instagram to wish her a happy birthday.

Hall looks heavenly: Hall turned 40-years-old a week ago. The Flip Or Flop veteran looked half her age as she celebrated the milestone at the Barbie premiere in Los Angeles on July 9

With her love: On her arm was her husband who wore a dark suit with white sneakers

'Happy 40th Birthday to my absolute stunner of a wife!' shared the hunky TV star who appears with her on her shows.

'This woman has accomplished so much, inspired so many and continues to impress me daily.

'I cant say enough about what an absolute force she is and what she is capable of.

'Christina is about to make her 40s the best decade of her life and looking better than ever while doing it!

'Im a lucky man and thank my lucky stars that she chose me to take this ride with her that is now our life. Ride or die baby, love you more than anything .

And she made a post too.

With all three kids: Seen with the two children she has with Tarek el Moussa and the one child she has with Ant Anstead

'Had the best 40th birthday celebration thanks to my husband and best friend,' Christina wrote on Instagram of her spouse.

'I walked into the most incredible party where they thought of everything and made all my champagne dreams come true.

'I feel very lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

'Going into this new decade my goal is to slow the f*** down,' she continued. 'Enjoy the small moments and not rush through life. Take it easier on myself and mostly have fun and enjoy the ride.'

Hall's party took place at the Newport Beach, California mansion she shares with her husband and her three kids, daughter Taylor, 12, son Brayden, seven, and son Hudson, three.

She posted pictures and video clips of her day and night on her Instagram Story, revealing that Josh surprised her with the bash.

'We got kicked out of the house so Josh could set something up special,' she captioned a post of Brayden and Taylor on a balcony in their swimsuits at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point, California.
This actress found fame on BBC soap EastEnders and lived on Albert Square for two years before swapping fame for fitness.

She joined the show in 2008 at the tender age of seven after producers said she was too old for the role Tiffany Dean (later played by Maisie Smith).

The character was a part of one of the show's most famous families, along with her god fearing grandmother and jailbird father.

And despite the pig-tailed princess looking sweeter as pie she had a very dark side and almost helped kill off one of the show's beloved characters.

But can you guess who it is?

All change: This actress found fame on BBC soap EastEnders and lived on Albert Square for two years before swapping fame for fitness

But can you guess who it is?

It's none other than Molly Conlin who played Dot Cotton's granddaughter and nasty Nick's offspring Kirsty 'Dotty' Cotton.

During her time on the show she was her father's partner-in-crime and planned to kill off Dot to inherit her money.

However after the little one became close to the iconic character she sabotaged the plan at the last minute.

Dotty was then recast in 2008 with Milly Zero taking on the role for three years before leaving after her grandmother 2022 death, following actress June Brown's real life passing aged 95.

Following her exit from the show Molly, now 22, went on to appear in BBC's Blandings and Horrible Histories.

But since then she has swapped the square for squats and shared her fitness journey with fans on Instagram.

The stunner also enjoys regular sun-soaked holiday as she showcases her toned physique in a skimpy swimwear.

It comes after it was revealed villain Graham Foster is set to make his dramatic return to Albert Square, 18 years after being imprisoned for raping Little Mo Slater.

Soap star: It's none other than Molly Conlin who played Dot Cotton's granddaughter and nasty Nick's offspring Kirsty 'Dotty' Cotton

Who? Molly now looks unrecognisable from her sweet soap character (L)

Toned: But since then she has swapped the square for squats and shared her fitness journey with fans on Instagram

Hot stuff: The stunner also enjoys regular sun-soaked holiday as she showcases her toned physique in a skimpy swimwear

Actor Alex McSweeney will reprise the role as he makes contact with son Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) who was born following the attack.

Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth) famously refused to terminate the pregnancy, which eventually led to the break up of her marriage with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).

Freddie returned to the square last year believing that Billy was his father, but will soon learn the truth and come face to face with Graham.

The rapist was last seen on screen in 2005 when Billy visited him in prison and goaded him about not being Freddie's real father.

Speaking to The Mirror actor Alex said: 'I'm grateful to be asked to reprise the role of Graham as I thought it was important for Freddie to be given some answers about his dad'.

'I thoroughly enjoyed working with the talented Bobby Brazier.'

Since his time on the soap Alex has appeared in Call The Midwife, Endeavour and Hollywood blockbuster Hellboy 2. He also teaches drama at Kingston University.
Rosanna Arquette has been seen for the first time since crashing her car into a Malibu shopping center on July 11 - with the actress stepping out with sister Patricia on Sunday.

The Pulp Fiction star, 63, accidentally crashed her car into the Malibu shopping center Point Dume Village earlier this month - no-one was injured in the collision but the actress was taken to hospital to be checked out.

Arquette stepped out in a black vest top, pink leggings and trainers as she joined Patricia, 55, on an outing.

Oscar winner Patricia wore a blue David Bowie t-shirt, shorts and sneakers as she accompanied her older sister on the shopping trip.

Last month Los Angeles Fire Station 71 Captain Mike Rivera informed the Malibu Times that 'luckily no one was injured' in the collision.

Sighted: Rosanna Arquette (left) has been seen for the first time since crashing her car into a Malibu shopping center on July 11 - with the actress stepping out with sister Patricia on Sunday

Crash scene: The area in which Arquette smashed her car into a shop front was cordoned off with police tape

Chat: The Pulp Fiction star, 63, (left) accidentally crashed her car into the Malibu shopping center Point Dume Village earlier this month - no-one was injured in the collision but the actress was taken to hospital to be checked out

Arquette was taken to the hospital anyway just to be safe, and was apparently 'a little shook up about what happened,' Rivera said.

She exhibited no signs that she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, the exact cause of which is still 'pending investigation,' the authorities explained to Fox News.

Various responders, such as the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Malibu/Lost Sheriffs Station, arrived at Point Dume Village after the crash.

'Around 9:45 a.m. a vehicle that was attempting to park, it was unknown exactly what happened, but instead of backing out, it went forward, and took out three pillars that support the roof,' said Rivera: 'luckily no one was injured, we had two tables nearby but luckily no one was sitting there.'

He added: 'Right now were just waiting for engineering to come out to deem the building safe and make sure its safe.'

Rivera noted that the affected businesses would have to be shut for three to five hours minimum, with his department on hand 'making sure it doesnt collapse.'

The Point Dume Village shopping center contains the local favorite Lily's Malibu, a Mexican restaurant that has been operating for about a quarter-century.

On the professional front, Arquette was recently cast opposite Ron Perlman in an upcoming horror thriller called Succubus.

Outing: Arquette stepped out in a black vest top, pink leggings and trainers as she joined Patricia, 55, on an outing

Sisters: The stars were seen chatting as they engaged in some retail therapy

Go time: Patricia helped Rosanna put on her jacket as they headed out

Stroll: Oscar winner Patricia wore a blue David Bowie t-shirt, shorts and sneakers as she accompanied her older sister on the shopping trip

Outing: Rosanna appeared to have recovered from the shock incident

Cordoned off: Los Angeles Fire Station 71 Captain Mike Rivera has informed the Malibu Times that 'luckily no one was injured' in the collisio

She has a number of projects in the pipeline, including the drama Men Of Divorce, in which she and James Norton play a couple whose marriage has collapsed.

Arquette also has a role in the forthcoming film Here's Yianni!, about a Greek diner owner whose declining faculties cause him to think he is a late-night TV host.

She is part of a glittering showbiz family - her sister Patricia won the best supporting actress Oscar in 2015 and their brother David starred in the early Scream movies.

At the dawn of the #MeToo movement, Rosanna Arquette was one of the earliest women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

She has expressed her belief that Weinstein seriously damaged her career after she spurned his alleged advances at the Beverly Hills Hotel in the 1990s.

During the early years of her career, she enjoyed a run in a such classic films as Desperately Seeking Susan, After Hours and Pulp Fiction.
Pete Davidson must now complete 50 hours of community service and 12 hours of traffic school in order to avoid a criminal offense on his record following his reckless driving charge.

Davidson, 29, was charged with reckless driving in June after he crashed his Mercedes into a home in Beverly Hills in March.

Now, TMZ reports the comic was able to avoid entering a guilty or no contest plea after he entered a diversion program last week. Davidson must now fulfill the program's requirements within the next 18 months to avoid the offense.

Though the incident occurred in California, Davidson will be allowed to complete the community service in New York.

TMZ reports Davidson can complete the requirements at the New York City Fire Department - the same place where his late father, Scott Davidson, also worked at.

Pete Davidson must now complete 50 hours of community service and 12 hours of traffic school in order to avoid a criminal offense on his record following his reckless driving charge; pictured 2020

Davidson's father was a firefighter who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11 when the comedian and actor was just seven years old.

The Bupkis actor must also visit a morgue where he will receive education on what happens to the victims of reckless drivers.

Once all the requirements have been achieved, Pete will be able to avoid having a criminal offense on his record.

The Saturday Night Live star was charged with one count of reckless driving by the L.A. Country District Attorney's Office back in June, TMZ reported.

Davidson was driving the vehicle through the Flats neighborhood of Beverley Hills on Saturday March 4 around 11pm at 'high speed' when he lost control of the car.

His girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders was also in the vehicle.

The Mercedes jumped the curb and hit a fire hydrant before it crashed into the side of a nearby house, law enforcement said.

The home had to subsequently be completely demolished due to the crash impact and the homes foundation was taken down to ground zero, pictures have revealed.

The Saturday Night Live star was charged with one count of reckless driving by the L.A. Country District Attorney's Office back in June, TMZ reported

Aftermath: Davidson, 29, was driving the vehicle through the Flats neighborhood of Beverley Hills on Saturday March 4 around 11pm at 'high speed' when he lost control of the car

Police said at the time that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash.

Photographs showed Davidson's damaged Mercedes following the crash, with its hood, windscreen and bumper smashed in due to the force of the collision.

The crash occurred hours after Davidson had presented the Kids' Choice Awards in LA on Saturday night.

Earlier that day, the couple had lounged on a beach in Hawaii before flying back to the mainland for the ceremony.

The victim: Pictured above is the home that Pete crashed his car into

Precious cargo: His girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders was also in the vehicle. They are pictured in here in mid-February

Incredibly, no one was injured either inside or outside of the home, but the police were called to the scene and an investigation is now ongoing.

The crash occurred after a tiring day for the pair. Earlier Davidson and Sui Wonders had been photographed enjoying the beach in Hawaii on Saturday, returning to Los Angeles shortly afterwards.

Following a five hour flight from Hawaii back to LA, Davidson later presented at the Kids' Choice Awards that night.

Former Saturday Night Live cast member, Davidson, has dated several women, including supermodel Emily Ratajkowski, since breaking up with Kim Kardashian, 42, in August after nine months together.

Davidson and Sui Wonders met when they worked as love interests on the horror/comedy film Bodies Bodies Bodies in 2021.

Davidson pictured on Late Night With Seth Meyers back in 2021

The well-received whodunit about a group of wealthy 20-somethings planning a hurricane party at a mansion that turns deadly, received an 85-percent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score, 69-percent, was not quite as generous.

Last month, Davidson checked into rehab amid an ongoing battle with Borderline Personality Disorder and PTSD. It came just weeks after he left charity PETA an expletive-laden voicemail.

Davidson, who has spoken openly about his mental health issues, entered the facility to take a 'mental break', DailyMail.com confirmed.

His girlfriend Chase is understood to be standing by him.

One friend told Page Six: 'Pete regularly goes to rehab for tune ups and to take a mental break, so thats whats happening.

A close source added: 'Anyone who knows Pete knows that he will always step up and get help when he knows he needs it.

'He has a lot of people in his corner who love him and support him, and are proud of him.'

'He's taking a well deserved break so he can focus on himself and learn to better deal with his PTSD issues.'
Karrueche Tran flaunted her enviable shape when on vacation in Jamaica this week.

The Claws actress put her hourglass figure on display as she posed up a storm in a yellow, red and green Super bikini.

The Los Angeles-based beauty was on the beach outside her upscale resort as she became the star of an impromptu mini video.

With her arms by her side and a leg lifted up just so, the former model looked ready for her Women's Health cover.

The ex-girlfriend of Chris Brown added a Super scarf on her head, black sunglasses, gold hoop earrings, a long necklace with a pendant and a yellow gold belly chain, which has become the latest hot jewelry trend.

Hot look: Karrueche Tran flaunted her enviable shape when on vacation in Jamaica this week

She sure stays fit: The Claws actress put her hourglass figure on display as she posed up a storm in a yellow, red and green Super bikini. Her jewelry included a long necklace with a pendant and a yellow gold belly chain, which has become the latest hot jewelry trend

A friend who was taking the video told the star it was not a photo but rather a clip. Tran just smiled and blew a kiss at her pal.

Karrueche's close pal Chantel Jeffries hit the like button and added a heart-eyed smiley face in the comments section.

Last week she was in Los Angeles.

She wowed in a bright yellow two-piece as she attended the star-studded worldwide premiere for The Barbie Movie.

The actress, who had her hair in a pixie cut, showed off her incredible figure in a bright yellow two piece set from American designer Christian Siriano and a pair of bright orange pump heels from Le Silla.

She completed her look with several large bracelets in bright orange, white, and yellow on both arms, several funky rings, and a pair of colorful dangling earrings.

'BARBIE LA PREMIERE . Grateful for such an amazing team for making me feel like a true Barbie! . @bryonjavar @stephenmoleskibeauty @brandnewjames,' Tran wrote in the caption of her Instagram post.

This comes after the actress celebrated her 35th birthday in Beverly Hills in May.

Beach babe: The Los Angeles-based beauty was on the beach outside her upscale resort as she became the star of an impromptu mini video. With her arms by her side and a leg lifted up just so, the former model looked ready for her Women's Health cover

The details: The ex-girlfriend of Chris Brown added a Super scarf on her head, black sunglasses, gold hoop earrings

Livin' la vida loca: she smiled as she put her hands on her face, flashing her long pink nails

The actress dazzled in a sheer black gown that left little to the imagination as she marked another trip around the sun with friends.

The actress styled her hair in a glamorous 1920s s pixie cut with a few curls.

Karrueche cut off her long locks in March, releasing them into the ocean along with some of her late father's ashes.

Explaining the decision on Instagram, the Daytime Emmy winner wrote, 'Life is really LIFING right now and it was time for me to let go of a lot of old energy. I've always wanted to cut my hair short short but never had the balls to do it.'

'I feel like a weight has been lifted. I feel so free and I honestly love it,' she said.

Time for a cocktail to cool off: In this image the Hollywood veteran is sitting at a bar as she takes a mirror selfie

The Bay star and producer then added, 'Being able to release my hair in the ocean along with some of my dad's ashes was magical. A full circle moment as my dad was also a hairstylist.'

The Nice Guys actress shared some highlights from her birthday dinner, which included Christina Milian, Coco Jones and J Ryan La Cour.

Christina looked chic in a white and gold sleeveless frock as she posed for a photo with the birthday girl, which was shared in Karrueche's Instagram Stories.

Coco looked lovely in burnt orange. Her long, dark hair was styled straight around her shoulders.

Barbie girl: Last week she was in Los Angeles. She wowed in a bright yellow two-piece as she attended the star-studded worldwide premiere for The Barbie Movie

Guests: The star shared some highlights from her birthday dinner in May. She is seen here with Christina Milian

Karrueche and her crew enjoyed singing along and moving in time to grooves on the playlist which was being piped into their private room.

The House Party star blew out the candles on a beautiful two tier cake with buttercream icing.

Video shows her dancing in celebration.

The Honor List star doesn't seem too concerned about aging in Hollywood.

In an social media post Thursday, she shared a photo of herself wearing a pumpkin toned one-piece bathing suit while luxuriating on a boat writing, 'Like fine wine.. 35 baby' and adding a slide that read, '& Imma only gonna get finer.'
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has made a record-setting donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program, as the actors' strike is nearing its third week.

'This is him saying, "In such a time as this, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere, whatever you need me to do,"' the foundation's president Courtney B. Vance told Variety on Monday. 'And that sends a huge message to other folks to do the same thing.'

Vance, 63, said that the amount of the contribution from Johnson, 51, was confidential - the publication described it as a 'seven-figure donation' - and that he was moved by the generous gesture from the A-lister.

He said the told The Scorpion King star, 'Man, you're stepping up in a way that is allowing others to know the dire necessity of it.'

When the strike commenced July 13, Vance and the foundation's executive director Cyd Wilson sent a letter to a group of the union's 2,700 highest-paid performers in an effort to raise funds for actors who might be thrown into financial peril at the prospects of an extended work stoppage.

The latest: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 51, has made a record-setting donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program, as the actors' strike is nearing its third week. Pictured in LA in October

Wilson told the outlet that SAG-AFTRA members had stepped up to assist their peers - the union consists of about 160,000 members - amid the COVID-19 crisis three years ago that shut down Hollywood productions.

'When we hit a crisis like this and we're going to spend millions and millions of dollars in financial assistance, this is when we need our high profile talent who can afford it, who are in a situation to help others,' Wilson said.

Johnson's camp immediately reached out to SAG-AFTRA officials after he received the letter, and he and Vance chat about the situation.

'It's the largest single donation that we've ever received from one individual at one time,' Wilson said of the contribution from the Black Adam star. 'And what is amazing is that that one check is going to help thousands of actors keep food on their table, and keep their kids safe, and keep their cars running.

'And it's not lost on me that he's very humble about this, but it is a way to get us started.

Wilson said that the process regarding the emergency relief fund follows the same pattern they instituted during the pandemic, when 'some of the biggest stars in our industry stepped up.'

She said of Johnson: 'For him to step up like this is really going to get us started in the fundraising that we're going I need to do, because everything we're hearing and seeing, we feel we have to be prepared that this could go on through the end of the year.

'This donation is the kickstart we needed in the first week of what we think will be a long haul.'

Johnson and the foundation's president, actor Courtney B. Vance, were in contact shortly after the strike began. Pictured in LA in 2019

Protestors were seen on the picket line Monday in New York City outside of Netflix's offices

Wilson said that foundation grants typically provide $1,500 for each member, but in emergency situations members can receive as much as $6,000 for each member. Wilson said that between 7,000 to 10,000 members are typically in need of relief.

Vance said, 'Everyone knows what happens when you go on strike, when you stand for something - as the saying goes, if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything - you can't stand unless you have support underneath you, on the side, up top and up front.

'So Dwayne is letting everyone know, "I'm here. What are you going to do?"'

Vance added: 'I want to thank Dwayne for his tremendous generosity, compassion, and initiative to step up in this significant and meaningful way for our community.

'On behalf of the thousands who will be helped by his historic donation, thank you, thank you, thank you.'

As the combined strike by Hollywood actors and screenwriters entered its second week with no swift end in sight, union leaders and star strikers - including a bevy of comedians - attempted to boost morale Friday as the novelty of picket lines wears off.

'The momentum is still building,' said stand-up comic, writer and actor Marc Maron outside Netflix headquarters. 'I got some of my comedy buddies - we're like, let's go, let's make sure we're there and we show up for our union. There's a lot of people here and look, eventually they have to, they have to negotiate, right?'

Maron starred on the series GLOW for Netflix, whose headquarters in an increasingly hip section of Hollywood has been a bustling hub during the strike, with music blasting and food trucks serving ice cream, shaved ice and churros.

Johnson immediately reached out to SAG-AFTRA officials after he received the letter, and he and Vance chat about the situation. Pictured in Spain in October

Between 7,000 to 10,000 members are typically in need of relief during emergency situations such as the strike, SAG-AFTRA officials said

His fellow comedians and comic actors abounded on the picket line, including Saturday Night Live and Portlandia alum Fred Armisen, Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Chelsea Peretti, What We Do in the Shadows vampire Mark Proksch, and longtime comedy team Eric Wareheim and Tim Heidecker, who said they were not optimistic about a quick end to the strike.

'I think its going to be a long struggle, a long fight,' Heidecker said. 'Were going to have to be out here until we get what we need to get.'

But they were confident about finding sustenance to get them through it.

'Theres an Arbys here and Eric hasnt eaten Arbys in a year,' Heidecker said.

'Its been 364 days since I had a big roast beef and were doing it today,' Wareheim said.

It has been harder for picketers to keep the energy up at more sprawling corporate campuses like Warner Bros. Studios and Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, where a Southern California heat wave hit hard all week.

But as the strike has begun to stretch on, the regular appearance of star writers and actors has given a jolt to picket lines in both LA and New York, and provided high-profile voices on issues that are key to both writers and actors - better pay and preserving established practices like residual payments , as well as protection from the use of artificial intelligence.

Roughly 65,000 actors - the vast majority of whom make less than $27,000 a year from their screen work - along with 11,500 screenwriters, are on strike.

On Friday, actors in London rallied in solidarity with their Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists brethren.

Actor Brian Cox participated in a rally by the UK actors union Equity, in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike on Friday in London

Debby Ryan and Fred Armisen walked on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Friday in LA

Stars including Brian Cox, Andy Serkis, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg and Imelda Staunton gathered with other performers and production crew in Leicester Square for the demonstration organized by British actors' union Equity.

They chanted 'One struggle, one fight, we support SAG-AFTRA fight' and 'The luvvies, united, will never be defeated,' using a British slang term for actors.

Cox, who played media mogul Logan Roy in Succession, said, 'I think we are at the thin end of a horrible wedge,' with artificial intelligence shaking the foundations of actors work.

'The wages are one thing, but the worst aspect is the whole idea of AI and what AI can do to us,' he said. 'AI is the really, really serious thing. And its the thing where were most vulnerable.'

The British actors' union is not on strike, though many members are also part of the U.S. union.

Cox said it was important actors showed solidarity with striking screenwriters in the Writers Guild of America.

'Were just like pieces of furniture without writers,' he said.

Serkis, who has become a specialist in playing digitally created characters since he first played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings saga two decades ago, said 'Im probably one of the most scanned actors on the planet.'

'I know that my image can be used, or my library of movements, can be used or my voice,' he said, adding that it 'is wrong that that is easily accessed and used without remunerating the artist.'

Picketers carried signs outside Paramount in Times Square on Friday in New York

Marc Maron walked on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Friday, July 21, 2023, in Los Angeles

Actor Cynthia Nixon was snapped on the picket line outside Netflix on Friday in New York

In the U.S., Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago were among the the major cities with strike events Wednesday and Thursday, demonstrating that film production doesn't just happen in New York and Los Angeles.

There's no indication when negotiations with studios and streaming companies, which are represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, will resume. The group has said they've offered both writers and actors substantial pay increases and have tried to meet other demands.

'Please come back to the table, please be realistic, please have a little bit more socialism in your heart and think of the people who make the money for you,' Mission Impossible star Pegg urged studios and streaming services.

Many on the picket lines in the U.S. have seized upon comments by their corporate bosses like Disney CEO Bob Iger, who last week called the unions' demands 'not realistic.'

During an earnings event Wednesday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said he grew up in a union household and knew the strike was painful on workers and their families.

'We're super committed to getting to an agreement as soon as possible. One that's equitable and one that enables the unions, the industry and everybody in it to move forward into the future,' he said.
Love Island UK star Chris Taylor landed a role in Barbie after discussing genitalia with Margot Robbie.

Margot, 33, is a huge Love Island fan and offered former contestant Chris, 32, a part in her blockbuster after chatting to her about his friends' micropenis.

He told OK! magazine: 'So I basically went down the route of telling her about my mate who's got a micropenis.

'So I informed her of that, and we had a little chat about micropenises, which was lovely and quite funny.

'And then I went on to tell her about my dads mate whose balls are so big, he can carry 12 bottles of Budweiser on his ball sack like a tray.

Love Island star Chris Taylor landed a role in Barbie after discussing genitalia with Margot Robbie

'So I basically just pulled out the big guns, I thought Ive got to make an impression and thats what came out of my mouth unfortunately.'

Chris' conversation was clearly memorable as Margot later reached out to him about a part in the film.

This led to him being on set with Ryan Gosling, Ncuti Gatwa and Ben Kingsley, who all play different versions of Ken.

Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, Chris praised Ncuti for making him feel comfortable on set.

He said: 'I met him when I did my fitting and I was really surprised he knew who I was.

Hed watched Love Island and said really nice things, including that I should have won.

'He was just super easy to get on with, made me feel really at home and comfortable, because he knew Im not an actor and was going to be nervous, so he came over and spoke to me a few times.'

Chris, 32, who previously dated Maura Higgins spoke about his movie role - which is a small cameo, while on the pink carpet of the Barbie premiere earlier this month.

Having kept it a secret for two years, he told LadBible: 'There is a bit of a backstory. The lads went to a premiere.

'They met Margot [Robbie], and then afterwards Margot shouted them and said "Come to the after party!", cause shes obsessed with Love Island right.

'So then, I was living with the boys at the time, so I was like "Im coming" and she knew who we all were. She watches the show.

Margot, 33, is a huge Love Island fan and offered former contestant Chris, 32, a part in her blockbuster after chatting to her about his friends' micropenis

'So she comes up to me like "Chris!" and Im like "what the f**k is going on?" I dunno, she must have just remembered me from then.'

Chris has said his part involves him saying one line, which is: 'And the nobel prize for horses goes to Ken!'

Back in 2018, Margot revealed her Love Island interest when she was likened to then-contestant Megan Barton Hanson - although she did not see the likeness.

She admitted she 'doesn't see the resemblance' to the glamour model, then-24, despite being a huge fan of the ITV2 reality show.

The actress addressed the comparisons with the villa vixen, but joked that she could never appear on Love Island because she's a 'crisp-eating fatty'.

Margot said she and her husband, film producer Tom Ackerley, tune in every evening to watch the glamorous contestants battle it out for each other's affections.




Carol Vorderman has revealed she recently had a terrifying cancer scare after losing her mother to the disease.

The TV personality, 62, became concerned after noticing changes in her skin and after getting her skin biopsied she discovered that a few of the skin cells were pre-cancerous.

Her own mum passed away in 2017 after suffering from three types of cancer - the last of which was melanoma.

Speaking to Boots, who have teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support to champion sun safety, Carol shared her experience to raise awareness.

She said: 'When I got to my late forties, I could see there were little bits on my skin which were irregular so I went to a dermatologist.

'You hear that word and it's very frightening': Carol Vorderman has revealed she recently had a terrifying cancer scare after losing her mother to the disease

Heartbreaking: Her own mum passed away in 2017 after suffering from three types of cancer - the last of which was melanoma

'[I had] a biopsy and a couple of them were pre-cancerous. You hear that word and it's very frightening.'

'Not a single time in her life did she sunbathe  my mum had a different skin to me, she had moles, I don't,' Carol said. 'I know that makes you much more prone to melanomas.

She added: 'With what I've gone through, protecting my skin, then my mum with the melanoma then dying, it's really important to me and my family [to support] what Boots are doing to help customers to keep safe in the sun.

'Always wear a hat, always slather yourself in SPF 50, check yourself and if there's anything that you find get it checked as soon as possible.'

Carol's mother - who was known as Jean, but her real name is Edwina - had been diagnosed with terminal cancer just three months before her death.

She had battled three different forms of cancer over the last 12 years, with Carol previously revealing her mother had been treated for skin cancer and kidney cancer, as well as having an ovarian tumour removed.

New figures reveal that melanoma skin cancer diagnoses across all age groups have reached a record high, with 17,500 people diagnosed each year in the UK.

For the second year running, Boots own brand, Soltan is joining forces with Macmillan Cancer Support as its official Sun Safety partner.

Together, they are training over a thousand Boots team members to be new Boots Sun Safety Advisors, available in stores across the UK to offer valuable sun safety advice and guidance this summer.

Soltan Sun Care Scientific Adviser, Clare O'Connor said: 'Protecting yourself from the sun is one of the most important things you can and should be doing daily all year round, as it could be lifesaving. The 3 C's is a simple and effective way to remember to be sun safe and help protect the whole family.

Scary: The TV personality, 62, became concerned after noticing changes in her skin and after getting her skin biopsied she discovered that a few of the skin cells were pre-cancerous

Important: For the second year running, Boots own brand, Soltan is joining forces with Macmillan Cancer Support as its official Sun Safety partner

'Along with Boots Pharmacists and Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists, Boots Sun Safety Advisors are now on hand in our stores, helping customers to easily access any help or support they may need.

'Whether that is choosing the best SPF for them or their family, getting a mole checked out or understanding how to best support those living through cancer, Boots is here to help.'

Professor Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support said: 'Protecting yourself from the sun is the most important thing you can do to prevent skin damage.

'We're proud to be partnering with Soltan once again as its official Sun Safety Partner to educate and promote the importance of sun safety while also increasing awareness of Macmillan's range of support services which are available round-the-clock for anyone worried about, living with or supporting someone with cancer.'
Ferne McCann looked sensational as she shared a sweet moment breastfeeding her newborn daughter Finty on Sunday.

The former TOWIE star, 32, welcomed a baby girl with her businessman fiance Lorri Haines, 31, earlier this month.

She donned a black bra and a grey robe while laying on the couch with her little one.

Ferne sported a glamorous makeup look, explaining the stunning snaps are behind-the-scenes shots from her photoshoot with OK! magazine.

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'Oh Finty, you are more than we ever expected & better than we ever imagined

Candid: Ferne McCann looked sensational as she shared a sweet moment breastfeeding her newborn daughter Finty on Sunday

Family: The former TOWIE star, 32, welcomed a baby girl with her businessman fiance Lorri Haines, 31, earlier this month

'Trust me I do not look this glam 99% of the time, I had glam because these snaps are a little BTS from the OK shoot.

'2.5 weeks of Finty, the days are blurring into each other, I am up every 2 hours without fail & most mornings we are sleeping in but thats life with a newborn & its all totally worth it for this gorgeous girl. We are totally lost in the bubble.'

In an interview with OK! magazine, Ferne shared that the couple have opted to name their little one Finty Francis Haines-McCann.

Ferne said she chose Francis for her daughter's middle name, using the traditional male spelling, to honour a very special family member.

Explaining the sweet reason for her middle name, Ferne said: 'Francis is my grandad's name  it's a nod to Grandad Frank.'

The traditional name is of Latin origin, meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free man'.

Going on to reveal the inspiration behind Finty's unqiue name, she said: 'I dont know where I got it from, but when I typed it in [on Google ] I saw Judi Dench s daughters nickname is Finty.

'I've always loved it and never heard it anywhere else before. I just feel so connected to the name  she came out and she was just Finty. I think she sounds like a character out of Bridgerton.'

The reality star then went on to explain the meaning behind Finty's middle name, noting that there was a special family connection.

She said: 'Francis is my grandads name  its a nod to Grandad Frank.'

And Ferne confessed that she loved the names so much that she was really hoping to give birth to another girl, joking that she sees herself as the 'the Essex Kris Jenner' with an 'army of girls'.

She added that she sees herself having 'two more' children, quipping that she'd 'have another one tomorrow' if she could, though she 'couldnt see myself' with a baby boy.

BTS: Ferne sported a glamorous makeup look, explaining the stunning snaps are behind-the-scenes shots from her photoshoot with OK! magazine

Sweet: She donned a black bra and a grey robe while laying on the couch with her little one

During the chat, the mother-of-two opened up about Finty's home birth, which was filmed for the star's reality show First Time Mum.

However, despite saying she really 'just can't wait to share' the special moment with her fans, Ferne said the question of whether to air the birth is 'currently in discussions' with her fiance Lorri.

She explained that while expecting Sunday, she was a single parent so didn't have to 'deliberate or liaise' with anyone else, but this time around, she has to 'cross things past' Lorri and come to an agreement together.

Ferne has daughter Sunday, five, from a previous relationship with jailed acid attacker Arthur Collins. Lorri also has a son named Noah, who the same age as Sunday with his ex partner.

Meanwhile, the TV personality shared that her eldest child Sunday has already bonded with the tot after happily taking on the 'big sister role', with Sunday even loving changing her sister's nappy because she finds the poo 'hysterical'.

She added that the youngster hasn't quite grasped how 'delicate' the newborn is yet and just wants to hold her all the time, with Ferne noting that Sunday is 'obsessed' with Finty.

Announcing the news of her baby girl earlier this month, Ferne shared a black and white video of her little one on Instagram.

Ferne, her daughter Sunday and Lorri then all placed their hands on top of the little girl's tummy.

Captioning the video, she wrote: 'Its a girl 06.07.23'.

She set the video to a cover of Shaggys hit song Angel, with lyrics that go: Girl, youre my angel. Youre my darling angel. Closer than my peeps you are to me, baby.

Baby joy! Ferne shared that the couple have opted to name their little one Finty Francis Haines-McCann, with Ferne admitting that it had already been on her list when she welcomed her daughter older Sunday back in 2017

Proposal: Ferne and Lorri got engaged in July 2022, with Ferne previously stating their relationship feels 'right' after they bonded over their trauma

Her famous friends rushed to the comments to give their congratulations to the couple, including some of her TOWIE co-stars.

Jess Wright wrote: 'Congratulations' with a slew of heart emojis, while Mario Falcone said: 'Massive congratulations to you all, a little friend for Cali '.

Ferne announced she is expecting a baby with Lorri last year, but they didn't find out the gender of their child so it could be a surprise.

Ferne and Lorri got engaged in July 2022, with Ferne previously stating their relationship feels 'right' after they bonded over their trauma.
Teresa Giudice and her husband Luis Ruelas are making the most of their summer.

On Monday, Ruelas, 49, posted a video of The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 51, boarding a private jet for a family vacation to Mykonos, Greece.

'I LOVE YOU  . #mykonos #familytime #summer2023 #happyanniversary,' Ruelas wrote in the caption of his video post on Instagram.

Their one year wedding anniversary falls on August 6.

The 49-year-old tagged his wife, his son Louie Jr., and two of Giudice's daughters, Gia and Milania, in the post.

The song Dance the Night by Dua Lipa could be heard playing in the background of the Ruelas' post.

Headed out: Teresa Giudice and her husband Luis Ruelas are making the most of their summer. On Monday, Ruelas, 49, posted a video of The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 51, boarding a private jet for a family vacation to Mykonos, Greece

Bon voyage: 'I LOVE YOU  . #mykonos #familytime #summer2023 #happyanniversary,' Ruelas wrote in the caption of his video post on Instagram

The single is one of original songs that is featured in Barbie: The Album, the soundtrack album for the Barbie movie, which was released this past weekend. Dua Lipa is one of several well-known artists who contributed to the film's soundtrack with a song.

Ruelas' Instagram video shows him filming Giudice boarding a Sky Express private jet. When she reaches the top step, Giudice looks straight into the camera and flashes a wide smile before Ruelas turns his phone to show the view of the runway.

After showing the runway of the airport, the video ends with Ruleas showing his wife putting on a pair of shades.

In the video, The Real Housewives of New Jersey Star showed off her fit figure in a grey tank top, a pair of light green and grey striped pants, and a pair of tan-colored open-toe platform Gucci slippers.

Teresa completed her look with several bracelets on her wrist, a white watch, and a pair of sunglasses as she wore her hair, which was slightly styled, down.

Ruleas later posted a selfie of himself and Teresa on his Instagram stories of the couple in the car before they boarded the private jet.

'@teresagiudice  #happyanniversary.' Ruelas wrote around the photo that he posted on his Instagram story.

In selfie, which was taken from the waist up, the 49-year-old wore a white tee and a pair of black sunglasses.

Jet Outfit: The Real Housewives of New Jersey Star showed off her fit figure in a grey tank top, a pair of light green and grey striped pants, and a pair of tan-colored open-toe platform slippers as she boarded the private jet

Drake Concert: The blended family's upcoming vacation to Mykonos comes just a few days after the couple attended the rapper Drake's concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with Teresa's (center on the right) fellow Real Housewives of New Jersey co-star Dolores Catania (center on left) and Catania's boyfriend Paulie Connell (far left)

Mother-Daughter Time: Teresa's (center) four daughters, Gia (second from the left), Gabriella (far left), Milania (next to Teresa on the right) , and Audriana (far right) also attended the Drake concert with their mom, step-father, Catania, and Connell

The couple met and began dating in July 2020 but didn't confirm their relationship until December of that year, when Teresa made their relationship Instagram official by posting a photo wrapping their arms around each other while at a restaurant.

The couple got engaged in October 2021 and got married on August 6, 2022, in a lavish ceremony that was filmed for a Bravo special.

The pair's blended family consists of Louie's two sons, Nicholas and Louis Jr., from his previous marriage, and Teresa's four daughters, Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana (from oldest to youngest), from her previous marriage to ex-husband Joe Giudice.

The blended family's upcoming vacation to Mykonos comes just a few days after the couple attended the rapper Drake's concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Teresa uploaded a series of pictures from the July 21 concert on her Instagram account that showed the couple having a blast at the concert with her four daughters and her fellow Real Housewives of New Jersey co-star Dolores Catania and Catania's boyfriend Paulie Connell.
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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE opened at $0.24 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $0.26 and a 200-day moving average of $0.26. Ampio Pharmaceuticals has a 52 week low of $0.18 and a 52 week high of $2.74. The company has a market capitalization of $3.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 1.72.

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Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The specialty pharmaceutical company reported ($0.26) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Institutional Trading of Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Ampio Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Ampio Pharmaceuticals during the 1st quarter valued at about $168,000. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,996,074 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,578,000 after purchasing an additional 61,269 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,307,338 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,375,000 after purchasing an additional 77,822 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 2.0% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,430,770 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,612,000 after buying an additional 66,375 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals during the second quarter worth approximately $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.44% of the companys stock.

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Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis-related pain. It focuses on the preclinical development of AR-300, a novel proprietary, small molecule formulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The company is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

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Berenberg Bank restated their buy rating on shares of Babcock International Group (LON:BAB  Free Report) in a research report report published on Thursday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a GBX 400 ($5.23) target price on the stock.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Shore Capital restated a hold rating on shares of Babcock International Group in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 460 ($6.01) target price on shares of Babcock International Group in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 408.40 ($5.34).

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Babcock International Group Trading Up 4.4 %

BAB opened at GBX 377.40 ($4.93) on Thursday. Babcock International Group has a 12 month low of GBX 262.20 ($3.43) and a 12 month high of GBX 385.20 ($5.04). The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 331.94. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 304.27 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 307.19. The firm has a market cap of 1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,110.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.40.

Babcock International Group Company Profile

Babcock International Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides value-add services for aerospace, defense, and security in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Africa, North America, Australasia, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Marine, Nuclear, Land, and Aviation.

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Shares of B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the seven brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $15.58.

BGS has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of B&G Foods in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on shares of B&G Foods from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday.

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B&G Foods Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BGS opened at $13.66 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $986.39 million, a PE ratio of -31.05 and a beta of 0.46. The companys fifty day moving average is $13.53 and its 200 day moving average is $14.13. B&G Foods has a 52 week low of $10.91 and a 52 week high of $26.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 4.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65.

B&G Foods Dividend Announcement

B&G Foods ( NYSE:BGS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $511.81 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $528.18 million. B&G Foods had a negative net margin of 1.48% and a positive return on equity of 8.59%. The firms revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.34 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that B&G Foods will post 1.01 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.56%. B&G Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -172.73%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Jordan E. Greenberg sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.45, for a total transaction of $174,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,999 shares of the companys stock, valued at $766,636.55. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of B&G Foods

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in B&G Foods by 13.5% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 37,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $528,000 after buying an additional 4,500 shares during the last quarter. Foundry Partners LLC purchased a new stake in B&G Foods during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,173,000. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of B&G Foods by 4.7% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 68,822 shares of the companys stock worth $958,000 after purchasing an additional 3,120 shares during the period. Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc boosted its position in shares of B&G Foods by 0.9% in the second quarter. Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc now owns 87,452 shares of the companys stock worth $1,217,000 after purchasing an additional 772 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of B&G Foods by 6.1% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 373,325 shares of the companys stock worth $5,803,000 after purchasing an additional 21,470 shares during the period. 63.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About B&G Foods

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B&G Foods, Inc manufactures, sells, and distributes a portfolio of shelf-stable and frozen foods, and household products in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company's products include frozen and canned vegetables, vegetables, canola and other cooking oils, vegetable shortening, cooking sprays, oatmeal and other hot cereals, fruit spreads, canned meats and beans, bagel chips, spices, seasonings, hot sauces, wine vinegar, maple syrups, molasses, salad dressings, pizza crusts, Mexican-style sauces, dry soups, taco shells and kits, salsas, pickles, peppers, tomato-based products, baking powder and soda, cookies and crackers, corn starch, nut clusters, and other specialty products.

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Canadian Utilities (OTCMKTS:CDUAF  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by CIBC from C$40.00 to C$38.00 in a research report released on Friday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Canadian Utilities Stock Performance

CDUAF opened at $25.89 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $26.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.21. Canadian Utilities has a 52 week low of $23.89 and a 52 week high of $32.61.

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About Canadian Utilities

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Canadian Utilities Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electricity, natural gas, and retail energy businesses in the United States, Australia, and internationally. It operates through Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate & Other segments. The Utilities segment provides regulated electricity transmission and distribution services in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories; and integrated natural gas transmission and distribution services in Alberta, the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan, and Western Australia.

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ENB Financial (OTCMKTS:ENBP  Get Free Report) is one of 275 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare ENB Financial to similar businesses based on the strength of its dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, profitability and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares ENB Financial and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets ENB Financial N/A N/A N/A ENB Financial Competitors 32.55% 9.73% 0.86%

Dividends

ENB Financial pays an annual dividend of $1.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.8%. ENB Financial pays out 40.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.0% and pay out 18.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. ENB Financial lags its peers as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Earnings & Valuation

0.3% of ENB Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 35.2% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of ENB Financial shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.4% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares ENB Financial and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio ENB Financial N/A N/A 5.20 ENB Financial Competitors $4.18 billion $878.19 million 251.54

ENB Financials peers have higher revenue and earnings than ENB Financial. ENB Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for ENB Financial and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score ENB Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A ENB Financial Competitors 1178 3271 3292 28 2.28

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 310.41%. Given ENB Financials peers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe ENB Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

ENB Financial peers beat ENB Financial on 10 of the 10 factors compared.

About ENB Financial

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ENB Financial Corp operates as the bank holding company for Ephrata National Bank that provides various financial services to individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses in Pennsylvania, the United States. The company's deposit products include non-interest bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits. Its loan portfolio comprises secured and unsecured commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The company also provides direct deposit and direct payments of funds through electronic funds transfer. In addition, it offers ATM, telephone banking, debit and credit card, safe deposit box, remote deposit capture, and trust and investment advisory services, as well as internet banking services, such as bill pay and wire transfer. The company was founded in 1881 and is headquartered in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

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Innergex Renewable Energy (TSE:INE  Free Report) had its target price reduced by CIBC from C$16.50 to C$16.00 in a research report released on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBC currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on shares of Innergex Renewable Energy from C$19.25 to C$17.25 in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. National Bankshares reduced their price target on Innergex Renewable Energy from C$20.00 to C$19.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, CSFB lowered their price objective on Innergex Renewable Energy from C$20.00 to C$19.50 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$18.36.

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Innergex Renewable Energy Stock Up 0.2 %

INE opened at C$13.22 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.70 billion, a PE ratio of -41.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 20.61 and a beta of 0.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 432.38, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.58. Innergex Renewable Energy has a fifty-two week low of C$12.08 and a fifty-two week high of C$20.46. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$13.30 and a 200-day moving average of C$14.37.

Innergex Renewable Energy Announces Dividend

Innergex Renewable Energy ( TSE:INE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported C($0.08) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C($0.01) by C($0.07). The firm had revenue of C$218.33 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$211.90 million. Innergex Renewable Energy had a negative return on equity of 4.72% and a negative net margin of 6.99%. Equities research analysts forecast that Innergex Renewable Energy will post 0.2496675 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th were paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.45%. Innergex Renewable Energys payout ratio is -225.00%.

About Innergex Renewable Energy

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Innergex Renewable Energy Inc operates as an independent renewable power producer in Canada, the United States, France, and Chile. It acquires, owns, develops, and operates hydroelectric facilities, and wind and solar farms, as well as energy storage facilities. The company operates through three segments: Hydroelectric Power Generation, Wind Power Generation, and Solar Power Generation.

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Event to promote Chinese Culture held in Dublin

Xinhua) 16:20, July 24, 2023

A woman views a photo exhibition during an event of "Chinese Culture in a Van" in Dublin, Ireland, July 23, 2023. The annual event designed to promote the Chinese culture in Ireland was held in Dublin on Sunday, drawing hundreds of local residents. (Photo by Liu Xiaoming/Xinhua)

DUBLIN, July 23 (Xinhua) -- "Chinese Culture in a Van", an annual event designed to promote the Chinese culture in Ireland, was held in Dublin on Sunday, drawing hundreds of local residents.

Organized by the Chinese community in Ireland with support from the Chinese embassy, the event was first staged at St. Anne's Park in the morning before it moved to Herbert Park in the afternoon.

Each session of the event lasted about one hour, during which people had a chance not only to watch the performance of traditional Chinese music and dances, but also to win small gifts such as panda toys and delicious Chinese snacks by participating in a quiz on Chinese culture.

People could also put on traditional Chinese costumes and take photos.

A photo exhibition which mainly reflects the amazing sceneries in China such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the West Lake was also held along with the event.

Elizabeth Mohen, a resident from Dublin, said that she enjoyed watching the performance at the event very much, particularly the beautiful Chinese music played on an Irish harp, a musical instrument regarded as a symbol of Ireland.

"Music has no boundaries. It connects people with different cultures and background," she said.

"This is the third straight year that we have organized the event. We plan to carry it on as the event can really promote a better understanding of the Chinese culture among local residents," said James Zhao, one of the organizers.

Girls perform traditional Chinese dance during an event of "Chinese Culture in a Van" in Dublin, Ireland, July 23, 2023. The annual event designed to promote the Chinese culture in Ireland was held in Dublin on Sunday, drawing hundreds of local residents. (Photo by Zhao Tianyu/Xinhua)

People view a photo exhibition during an event of "Chinese Culture in a Van" in Dublin, Ireland, July 23, 2023. The annual event designed to promote the Chinese culture in Ireland was held in Dublin on Sunday, drawing hundreds of local residents. (Photo by Liu Xiaoming/Xinhua)

An Irish woman is seen during an event of "Chinese Culture in a Van" in Dublin, Ireland, July 23, 2023. The annual event designed to promote the Chinese culture in Ireland was held in Dublin on Sunday, drawing hundreds of local residents. (Photo by Zhao Tianyu/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) had its price target boosted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $64.00 to $72.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

TAP has been the subject of several other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $61.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a report on Monday, June 26th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $74.00 to $75.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. StockNews.com cut shares of Molson Coors Beverage from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $67.00 to $70.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.88.

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Molson Coors Beverage Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE:TAP opened at $69.95 on Friday. Molson Coors Beverage has a 52 week low of $46.69 and a 52 week high of $70.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $65.19 and a 200 day moving average of $57.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -58.78, a PEG ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.85.

Molson Coors Beverage Announces Dividend

Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.28. Molson Coors Beverage had a negative net margin of 1.97% and a positive return on equity of 7.16%. The company had revenue of $2.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.29 earnings per share. Molson Coors Beverages revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Molson Coors Beverage will post 4.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio is presently -137.81%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Molson Coors Beverage news, insider Geoffrey E. Molson sold 1,840 shares of Molson Coors Beverage stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.62, for a total transaction of $111,540.80. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 25,904 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,570,300.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Molson Coors Beverage

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 25.9% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 23,269 shares of the companys stock worth $1,242,000 after purchasing an additional 4,792 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 17.1% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 18,462 shares of the companys stock worth $985,000 after purchasing an additional 2,700 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 45.7% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,834 shares of the companys stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 1,203 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 4.5% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 16,654 shares of the companys stock worth $889,000 after purchasing an additional 720 shares during the period. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 26.3% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 14,411 shares of the companys stock worth $769,000 after purchasing an additional 3,001 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.73% of the companys stock.

Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile

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Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, and ready to drink beverages. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugel's, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharp's, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian Lager, Molson Dry, Molson Export, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands.

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New Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Saturday.

New Gold Trading Down 1.6 %

NGD stock opened at $1.22 on Friday. New Gold has a 1-year low of $0.61 and a 1-year high of $1.48. The company has a market cap of $834.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.71, a P/E/G ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.47. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 2.28.

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New Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.02. New Gold had a negative return on equity of 1.87% and a negative net margin of 14.38%. The firm had revenue of $201.60 million for the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that New Gold will post 0.04 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of New Gold

About New Gold

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NGD. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in New Gold by 47.4% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 43,611 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $78,000 after buying an additional 14,033 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in New Gold by 127.1% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 22,707 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 12,707 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in New Gold by 21.6% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 135,863 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 24,155 shares in the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp raised its position in New Gold by 11.3% during the first quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 1,053,210 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,912,000 after purchasing an additional 106,563 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in shares of New Gold by 47.4% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 498,214 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $897,000 after buying an additional 160,141 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 30.96% of the companys stock.

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New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The company's principal operating properties include 100% interests in the Rainy River mine located in Ontario, Canada; New Afton mine situated in British Columbia, Canada; and the Cerro San Pedro mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

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U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Free Report) had its price target raised by The Goldman Sachs Group from $34.00 to $39.00 in a research note published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a neutral rating on the financial services providers stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on USB. Odeon Capital Group cut U.S. Bancorp from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Bank of America raised shares of U.S. Bancorp from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $38.00 to $40.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. StockNews.com cut shares of U.S. Bancorp from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $44.00 price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp in a research note on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $52.50 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, U.S. Bancorp currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.58.

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U.S. Bancorp Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE USB opened at $38.42 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $32.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.89 billion, a PE ratio of 10.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.96. U.S. Bancorp has a 52 week low of $27.27 and a 52 week high of $49.95.

U.S. Bancorp Announces Dividend

U.S. Bancorp ( NYSE:USB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.01). U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 16.59%. The company had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.09 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were paid a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.00%. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.19%.

Insider Activity at U.S. Bancorp

In other U.S. Bancorp news, Director Richard P. Mckenney bought 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $30.37 per share, for a total transaction of $607,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $607,400. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Richard P. Mckenney bought 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $30.37 per share, with a total value of $607,400.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $607,400. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider James B. Kelligrew bought 16,260 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $30.59 per share, for a total transaction of $497,393.40. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 151,927 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,647,446.93. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 66,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,104,682 over the last three months. 0.24% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of U.S. Bancorp

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in USB. Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 859,332 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $37,475,000 after purchasing an additional 21,560 shares during the last quarter. TAP Consulting LLC bought a new stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp in the 1st quarter valued at $259,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 836,343 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $36,489,000 after purchasing an additional 87,888 shares during the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 80.8% in the 1st quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 4,711 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 2,105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Venture Visionary Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 9,419 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $340,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. 74.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About U.S. Bancorp

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U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates in Corporate and Commercial Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Investment Services, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support segments.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its price target upped by analysts at Canaccord Genuity Group from C$121.50 to C$130.50 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the banks stock. Canaccord Genuity Groups price objective indicates a potential upside of 5.21% from the companys previous close.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. CSFB cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$147.00 to C$139.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. CIBC cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$145.00 to C$139.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$151.00 to C$143.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$134.00 to C$125.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, TD Securities dropped their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$130.00 to C$126.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of Montreal presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$135.55.

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Bank of Montreal Price Performance

TSE BMO traded up C$0.65 during trading on Monday, reaching C$124.04. 855,283 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,274,427. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$118.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$123.20. Bank of Montreal has a 12-month low of C$111.88 and a 12-month high of C$137.64. The firm has a market cap of C$88.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.15.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of Montreal

Bank of Montreal ( TSE:BMO Get Free Report ) (NYSE:BMO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 24th. The bank reported C$2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$3.15 by C($0.22). Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 10.10% and a net margin of 23.87%. The firm had revenue of C$8.44 billion during the quarter. Research analysts expect that Bank of Montreal will post 13.2820237 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Bank of Montreal news, Director Linda Susan Huber sold 500 shares of Bank of Montreal stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$87.56, for a total transaction of C$43,780.00. Company insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

About Bank of Montreal

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Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its price objective increased by investment analysts at BMO Capital Markets from C$121.50 to C$130.50 in a report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. BMO Capital Markets target price indicates a potential upside of 5.74% from the stocks previous close.

BMO has been the subject of several other reports. Cormark cut their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$140.00 to C$131.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Barclays cut their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$127.00 to C$123.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$151.00 to C$143.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$121.50 to C$130.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, National Bankshares dropped their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$129.00 to C$122.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$135.23.

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Bank of Montreal Stock Up 0.0 %

BMO traded up C$0.03 on Monday, hitting C$123.42. 4,753,283 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,284,229. Bank of Montreal has a 12-month low of C$111.88 and a 12-month high of C$137.64. The company has a 50 day moving average of C$118.26 and a 200-day moving average of C$123.20. The stock has a market capitalization of C$88.00 billion, a PE ratio of 12.29, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.15.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of Montreal

Bank of Montreal ( TSE:BMO Get Free Report ) (NYSE:BMO) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 24th. The bank reported C$2.93 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$3.15 by C($0.22). Bank of Montreal had a net margin of 23.87% and a return on equity of 10.10%. The business had revenue of C$8.44 billion during the quarter. On average, research analysts anticipate that Bank of Montreal will post 13.2820237 EPS for the current year.

In other news, Director Linda Susan Huber sold 500 shares of Bank of Montreal stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$87.56, for a total transaction of C$43,780.00. Insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

About Bank of Montreal

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Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers.

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Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LP reduced its holdings in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 4.3% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 6,700 shares of the companys stock after selling 299 shares during the period. AbbVie accounts for 1.0% of Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LPs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LPs holdings in AbbVie were worth $1,059,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ABBV. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT lifted its stake in AbbVie by 5.6% during the first quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 15,128 shares of the companys stock worth $2,411,000 after purchasing an additional 802 shares during the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in AbbVie by 3.9% during the first quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,464 shares of the companys stock worth $1,190,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC lifted its stake in AbbVie by 7.1% during the first quarter. SkyOak Wealth LLC now owns 10,617 shares of the companys stock worth $1,692,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Heritage Investment Group Inc. lifted its stake in AbbVie by 3.3% during the first quarter. Heritage Investment Group Inc. now owns 2,663 shares of the companys stock worth $424,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kiley Juergens Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in AbbVie by 1.1% during the first quarter. Kiley Juergens Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,769 shares of the companys stock worth $2,194,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. 68.27% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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AbbVie Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE:ABBV opened at $143.75 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.46. AbbVie Inc. has a 1-year low of $130.96 and a 1-year high of $168.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $253.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $137.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $148.15.

AbbVie Dividend Announcement

AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.02. AbbVie had a return on equity of 153.92% and a net margin of 13.37%. The business had revenue of $12.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.16 EPS. AbbVies revenue for the quarter was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that AbbVie Inc. will post 10.87 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a dividend of $1.48 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.12%. AbbVies payout ratio is presently 139.95%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other AbbVie news, SVP Elaine K. Sorg sold 6,130 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total transaction of $1,011,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 35,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,829,450. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ABBV. Barclays raised their price objective on AbbVie from $155.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. TheStreet lowered AbbVie from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. HSBC started coverage on AbbVie in a research report on Friday, July 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $167.00 target price on the stock. Argus lowered AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on AbbVie from $178.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $163.00.

AbbVie Profile

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTCMKTS:CMWAY  Get Free Report) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Volatility & Risk

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Toronto-Dominion Bank has a beta of 0.9, meaning that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider and Institutional Ownership

44.9% of Toronto-Dominion Bank shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Toronto-Dominion Bank shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2 0 0 0 1.00 Toronto-Dominion Bank 0 1 6 0 2.86

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Toronto-Dominion Bank, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia presently has a consensus target price of $91.30, indicating a potential upside of 28.74%. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a consensus target price of $101.83, indicating a potential upside of 56.04%. Given Toronto-Dominion Banks stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Toronto-Dominion Bank is more favorable than Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Profitability

This table compares Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Toronto-Dominion Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Commonwealth Bank of Australia N/A N/A N/A Toronto-Dominion Bank 17.72% 15.51% 0.82%

Dividends

Commonwealth Bank of Australia pays an annual dividend of $2.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Toronto-Dominion Bank pays an annual dividend of $2.90 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Toronto-Dominion Bank pays out 48.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Toronto-Dominion Bank has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Toronto-Dominion Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Toronto-Dominion Banks gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Commonwealth Bank of Australia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Toronto-Dominion Bank $48.71 billion 2.46 $13.54 billion $5.96 10.95

Toronto-Dominion Bank has higher revenue and earnings than Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Summary

Toronto-Dominion Bank beats Commonwealth Bank of Australia on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Commonwealth Bank of Australia

(Get Free Report)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides integrated financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans. It also provides retail, premium, business, offshore, and institutional banking services; and funds management, superannuation, and share broking products and services, as well as car, health, life, income protection, and travel insurance. The company offers advisory services for high-net-worth individuals; equities trading and margin lending services; debt capital, transaction banking, working capital, and risk management services; and international and foreign exchange services. The company was founded in 1911 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

About Toronto-Dominion Bank

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The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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American Heritage International (OTCMKTS:AHII  Get Free Report) and Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) are both consumer goods companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings and profitability.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares American Heritage International and Philip Morris Internationals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio American Heritage International N/A N/A N/A ($0.01) N/A Philip Morris International $80.67 billion 1.88 $9.05 billion $5.17 18.88

Philip Morris International has higher revenue and earnings than American Heritage International. American Heritage International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Philip Morris International, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American Heritage International N/A N/A N/A Philip Morris International 11.63% -127.84% 16.23%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

This table compares American Heritage International and Philip Morris Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

0.0% of American Heritage International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.4% of Philip Morris International shares are owned by institutional investors. 36.0% of American Heritage International shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Philip Morris International shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for American Heritage International and Philip Morris International, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American Heritage International 0 0 0 0 N/A Philip Morris International 1 1 8 0 2.70

Philip Morris International has a consensus price target of $111.40, indicating a potential upside of 14.03%.

Summary

Philip Morris International beats American Heritage International on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About American Heritage International

(Get Free Report)

American Heritage International Inc. manufactures, distributes, and sells premium disposable electronic cigarettes under the American Heritage and America's Original E-Cig brand names. The company was formerly known as Cumberland Hills Ltd. and changed its name to American Heritage International Inc. in August 2013. American Heritage International Inc. was founded in 2010 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About Philip Morris International

(Get Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc. operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products that are sold in markets outside the United States. The company offers its smoke-free products under the HBLENDS, EETS, HEETS Creations, HEETS Dimensions, HEETS Marlboro, HEETS FROM MARLBORO, Marlboro Dimensions, Marlboro HeatSticks, Parliament HeatSticks, SENTIA, and TEREA brands, as well as the KT&G-licensed brands, Fiit, and Miix. It also sells its products under the Marlboro, Parliament, Bond Street, Chesterfield, L&M, Lark, and Philip Morris brands. In addition, the company owns various cigarette brands, such as Dji Sam Soe and Sampoerna A in Indonesia; and Fortune and Jackpot in the Philippines. The company sells its smoke-free products in 73 markets. Philip Morris International Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.

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Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) Director Michael P. Huerta sold 3,350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.43, for a total value of $162,240.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,465 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,330,129.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Delta Air Lines Trading Down 0.3 %

Delta Air Lines stock opened at $48.55 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $31.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.46, a PEG ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 1.31. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $27.20 and a fifty-two week high of $49.81. The firms fifty day moving average price is $41.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.46.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.40 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $15.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.44 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 59.56% and a net margin of 5.36%. The firms revenue was up 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.82%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is presently 8.62%.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in Delta Air Lines by 18.3% in the second quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 10,746 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $511,000 after acquiring an additional 1,661 shares during the last quarter. Capital Wealth Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter valued at about $214,000. Creative Planning boosted its position in Delta Air Lines by 3.3% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 235,631 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $11,202,000 after buying an additional 7,495 shares during the period. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. boosted its position in Delta Air Lines by 2.4% during the second quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 38,036 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,808,000 after buying an additional 885 shares during the period. Finally, Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. purchased a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter valued at about $352,000. Institutional investors own 68.35% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Bank of America upped their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 14th. 22nd Century Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $56.88.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon.

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Dominos Pizza (NYSE:DPZ  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by investment analysts at Wedbush from $430.00 to $445.00 in a report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Wedbushs price objective would indicate a potential upside of 15.31% from the stocks previous close. Wedbush also issued estimates for Dominos Pizzas Q3 2023 earnings at $3.23 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $4.21 EPS and Q4 2024 earnings at $4.79 EPS.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on DPZ. Credit Suisse Group increased their price objective on shares of Dominos Pizza from $335.00 to $355.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Dominos Pizza from $325.00 to $330.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Stephens reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $365.00 target price on shares of Dominos Pizza in a report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Dominos Pizza from $310.00 to $375.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Dominos Pizza from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $340.00 to $360.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Dominos Pizza presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $375.14.

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Dominos Pizza Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of Dominos Pizza stock traded up $0.46 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $385.90. The stock had a trading volume of 1,984,882 shares, compared to its average volume of 750,575. Dominos Pizza has a twelve month low of $285.84 and a twelve month high of $417.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.64 billion, a PE ratio of 29.75, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.83. The stocks 50 day moving average is $326.90 and its 200 day moving average is $328.62.

Insider Buying and Selling

Dominos Pizza ( NYSE:DPZ Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $3.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.06 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.07 billion. Dominos Pizza had a negative return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 10.24%. Dominos Pizzas revenue for the quarter was down 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.82 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Dominos Pizza will post 13.37 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, EVP Cynthia A. Headen sold 382 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $400.00, for a total value of $152,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,333 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,733,200. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.76% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Dominos Pizza

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its holdings in Dominos Pizza by 6.6% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 4,869 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,982,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. raised its stake in shares of Dominos Pizza by 15.3% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 6,303 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,565,000 after buying an additional 838 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Dominos Pizza by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,131 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $6,034,000 after buying an additional 339 shares during the period. Aviva PLC boosted its stake in shares of Dominos Pizza by 35.3% in the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 17,279 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $7,033,000 after buying an additional 4,505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its holdings in Dominos Pizza by 1,387.6% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,800 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $733,000 after acquiring an additional 1,679 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.58% of the companys stock.

Dominos Pizza Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Domino's Pizza, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a pizza company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Stores, International Franchise, and Supply Chain. It offers pizzas under the Domino's brand name through company-owned and franchised stores.

Further Reading

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Dover (NYSE:DOV  Get Free Report) will post its 6/30/2023 quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Tuesday, July 25th. Analysts expect Dover to post earnings of $2.21 per share for the quarter. Dover has set its FY23 guidance at $8.85-$9.05 EPS.Persons that wish to register for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Dover (NYSE:DOV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The industrial products company reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.94. Dover had a net margin of 12.51% and a return on equity of 28.27%. The company had revenue of $2.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.90 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect Dover to post $9 EPS for the current fiscal year and $10 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Dover Trading Up 1.4 %

DOV stock opened at $152.12 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $143.39 and its 200-day moving average is $145.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Dover has a 1-year low of $114.49 and a 1-year high of $160.66. The firm has a market cap of $21.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.36.

Dover Announces Dividend

Insider Transactions at Dover

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were given a $0.505 dividend. This represents a $2.02 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 30th. Dovers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.93%.

In other Dover news, CFO Brad M. Cerepak sold 17,769 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.03, for a total transaction of $2,470,424.07. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 54,569 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,586,728.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dover

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dover during the 4th quarter worth approximately $241,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Dover by 34.3% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 1,581 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $240,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Dover during the second quarter valued at about $234,000. First Manhattan Co. raised its holdings in shares of Dover by 14.7% during the first quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 1,474 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $231,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the period. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Dover in the first quarter valued at approximately $225,000. 83.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on DOV. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of Dover from $147.00 to $145.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Dover from $176.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Barclays cut their price objective on Dover from $141.00 to $138.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Dover in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Dover from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $162.08.

Dover Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in aftermarket vehicle service, solid waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market.

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Forestar Group Inc. (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday after Citigroup raised their price target on the stock from $30.00 to $32.00. Citigroup currently has a buy rating on the stock. Approximately 66,255 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 46% from the previous sessions volume of 122,253 shares.The stock last traded at $28.39 and had previously closed at $27.05.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Forestar Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet raised Forestar Group from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, BTIG Research upgraded Forestar Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $32.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday. Two equities research 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, Forestar Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $25.83.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Forestar Group news, Director G.F. (Rick) Ringler III sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.12, for a total value of $40,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,267 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $146,212.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Forestar Group Stock Performance

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its position in Forestar Group by 159.7% in the 1st quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 20,055 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $297,000 after purchasing an additional 12,333 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Forestar Group by 29.0% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 59,088 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $919,000 after acquiring an additional 13,270 shares in the last quarter. Palogic Value Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Forestar Group by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Palogic Value Management L.P. now owns 132,500 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $2,062,000 after acquiring an additional 7,500 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Forestar Group during the 1st quarter worth about $160,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Forestar Group by 1,065.5% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,634 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 2,408 shares in the last quarter. 35.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The company has a market cap of $1.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.78 and a beta of 1.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $21.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $17.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.88.

Forestar Group (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $301.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $220.00 million. Forestar Group had a return on equity of 11.70% and a net margin of 11.45%. On average, research analysts predict that Forestar Group Inc. will post 2.29 EPS for the current year.

Forestar Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Forestar Group Inc operates as a residential lot development company in the United States. The acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. It sells its residential single-family finished lots to local, regional, and national homebuilders. The company is headquartered in Arlington, Texas.

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Shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $95.71 and last traded at $95.50, with a volume of 938874 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $95.97.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $13.45 billion, a PE ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $95.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $92.95.

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Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EFG. Concord Wealth Partners acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. HM Payson & Co. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, MBM Wealth Consultants LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (BATS:PICK  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $42.32 and last traded at $42.53, with a volume of 243587 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $41.87.

iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $1.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 1.18. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.16.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 0.9% in the first quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,510,818 shares of the companys stock worth $192,702,000 after purchasing an additional 38,538 shares during the period. Capital Management Associates NY bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF in the first quarter worth $1,196,000. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF in the first quarter worth $308,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF in the first quarter worth $3,132,000. Finally, Wedbush Securities Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF in the first quarter valued at $1,259,000.

iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in materials equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of global metals mining, extraction or production firms, excluding gold and silver mining firms. PICK was launched on Jan 31, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 591 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $466.62, for a total transaction of $275,772.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 101,028,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $47,141,787,549.78. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Major shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Lilly Endowment Inc also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, June 30th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 164,125 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.60, for a total value of $76,744,850.00.

On Wednesday, June 28th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 11,760 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $465.41, for a total value of $5,473,221.60.

On Thursday, June 22nd, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 107,022 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $459.28, for a total value of $49,153,064.16.

On Tuesday, June 20th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,156 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $454.08, for a total value of $15,509,556.48.

On Thursday, June 15th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 27,353 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $454.15, for a total value of $12,422,364.95.

On Friday, May 19th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 194,354 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.62, for a total value of $86,024,967.48.

On Friday, May 12th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 20,646 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $442.77, for a total value of $9,141,429.42.

On Wednesday, May 3rd, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total value of $76,027,972.80.

On Friday, April 28th, Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

NYSE LLY traded down $2.72 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $459.32. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,880,658 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,044,859. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $296.32 and a 12 month high of $469.87. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $446.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $386.71. The company has a market cap of $436.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 73.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.62 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 71.86%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $589,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,193,000 after buying an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $561,000. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on LLY shares. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $440.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, 3M reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $458.36.

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.

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D2L (OTCMKTS:DTLIF  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by equities researchers at National Bank Financial from C$10.00 to C$11.00 in a report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. National Bank Financials price target indicates a potential upside of 50.89% from the stocks previous close.

Several other research firms also recently commented on DTLIF. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on D2L from C$8.50 to C$9.50 in a report on Friday, June 9th. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of D2L from C$9.50 to C$10.50 in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of D2L from C$14.00 to C$13.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th.

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D2L Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS DTLIF remained flat at C$7.29 during mid-day trading on Monday. D2L has a 52 week low of C$4.61 and a 52 week high of C$7.96. The firms 50 day moving average is C$5.84 and its 200-day moving average is C$5.94.

About D2L

D2L Inc cloud-based learning software for higher education institutions, kindergarten to grade 12 schools and districts, and private sector enterprises in Canada, the United States, and rest of world. The company offers Brightspace, a cloud-based learning platform that designs as the doorway to an all-in-one learning ecosystem; Performance+, an advanced predictive analytics package that comprising advanced analytics dashboards, insights report builder, the student success system, and D2L Brightspace LeaP; Creator+, an authoring system helping educators with authoring tools, game-based learning, awards leaderboard, Brightspace capture, and course catalogue; and D2L Wave, a free-to-use workforce education marketplace that simplifies the search for skill-aligned courses and programs for employees, and streamlines the approval, registration, and payment administration workflows for employers.

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Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (BATS:NULG  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $64.33 and last traded at $63.91, with a volume of 49953 shares. The stock had previously closed at $63.85.

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

The company has a 50-day moving average of $60.35 and a 200 day moving average of $55.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.10 billion, a PE ratio of 31.18 and a beta of 1.12.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 140.5% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 517 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. CWM LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 33.3% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 744 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $53,000.

About Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF

The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Growth index. The fund tracks an index composed of large-cap US companies with growth characteristics that also meet certain environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. NULG was launched on Dec 13, 2016 and is managed by Nuveen.

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Shares of PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF  Get Free Report) traded up 6% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $46.24 and last traded at $46.11. 1,520,595 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 44% from the average session volume of 2,734,151 shares. The stock had previously closed at $43.50.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PBF has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of PBF Energy from $41.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. TheStreet raised shares of PBF Energy from a c rating to a b- rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and set a $50.00 price target on shares of PBF Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of PBF Energy from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of PBF Energy from $48.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.70.

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PBF Energy Stock Up 4.5 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 1.28. The businesss 50 day moving average is $39.69 and its 200-day moving average is $40.20. The stock has a market cap of $5.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.92.

PBF Energy Announces Dividend

PBF Energy ( NYSE:PBF Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The oil and gas company reported $2.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.65 by $0.11. PBF Energy had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 69.19%. The company had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.39 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.35 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that PBF Energy Inc. will post 8.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 17th were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 16th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.76%. PBF Energys payout ratio is 3.10%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in PBF Energy by 9.0% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 44,564 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,817,000 after buying an additional 3,690 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLC purchased a new stake in PBF Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $233,000. State of Michigan Retirement System purchased a new stake in PBF Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,187,000. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in PBF Energy by 61.8% in the 4th quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 25,614 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,045,000 after buying an additional 9,786 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in PBF Energy by 17.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 15,741 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $649,000 after buying an additional 2,343 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.02% of the companys stock.

About PBF Energy

(Get Free Report)

PBF Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in refining and supplying petroleum products. The company operates in two segments, Refining and Logistics. It produces gasoline, ultra-low-sulfur diesel, heating oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, lubricants, petrochemicals, and asphalt, as well as unbranded transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, blending components, and other petroleum products from crude oil.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Free Report) had its price target lowered by stock analysts at Credit Suisse Group from GBX 7,400 ($96.76) to GBX 6,800 ($88.91) in a report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Credit Suisse Groups target price indicates a potential upside of 31.10% from the companys current price.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,000 ($65.38) to GBX 5,100 ($66.68) in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Barclays reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 6,400 ($83.68) target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Berenberg Bank dropped their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,400 ($83.68) to GBX 6,100 ($79.76) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an underweight rating and issued a GBX 5,390 ($70.48) target price (up from GBX 5,350 ($69.95)) on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 6,091.54 ($79.65).

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance

LON:RIO traded up GBX 47 ($0.61) during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching GBX 5,187 ($67.82). The stock had a trading volume of 1,918,052 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,738,600. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.63. The firm has a market capitalization of 64.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 880.65, a PEG ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.71. Rio Tinto Group has a twelve month low of GBX 4,424.50 ($57.85) and a twelve month high of GBX 6,406 ($83.76). The business has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 5,036.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 5,448.31.

Insider Buying and Selling

About Rio Tinto Group

In other Rio Tinto Group news, insider Ngaire Woods purchased 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 4,921 ($64.34) per share, with a total value of 24,605 ($32,171.81). 14.67% of the stock is owned by company 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.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Thursday morning.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Science Applications International from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Science Applications International from $121.00 to $118.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Science Applications International from $90.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Science Applications International from $120.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on Science Applications International from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Science Applications International presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $113.29.

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Science Applications International Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of SAIC stock opened at $117.73 on Thursday. Science Applications International has a 12 month low of $87.93 and a 12 month high of $118.38. The firm has a market cap of $6.32 billion, a PE ratio of 20.02 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $107.03 and a 200-day moving average of $105.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38.

Science Applications International Dividend Announcement

Science Applications International ( NYSE:SAIC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 5th. The information technology services provider reported $2.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.31. Science Applications International had a return on equity of 25.68% and a net margin of 4.20%. The company had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.88 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Science Applications International will post 7.11 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Science Applications Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Science Applications International

In other Science Applications International news, insider Robert S. Genter sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.70, for a total value of $323,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 58,655 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,317,143.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Science Applications International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SAIC. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Science Applications International by 9.4% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,699,458 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $525,321,000 after acquiring an additional 491,167 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Science Applications International by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,210,623 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $460,775,000 after purchasing an additional 68,359 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Science Applications International by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,887,542 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $450,486,000 after purchasing an additional 94,874 shares during the period. Boston Partners lifted its position in shares of Science Applications International by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,866,900 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $414,954,000 after acquiring an additional 171,810 shares during the period. Finally, Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Science Applications International by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,919,688 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $212,951,000 after acquiring an additional 15,547 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.09% of the companys stock.

Science Applications International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. The company's offerings include engineering; technology integration; IT modernization; maintenance of ground and maritime systems; logistics; training and simulation; operation and program support services; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers' IT infrastructure, as well as cloud migration, managed services, infrastructure modernization, and enterprise IT-as-a-service solutions; and data management platform solutions.

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Sharks

Sharks play an important role in keeping our ocean healthy by regulating and maintaining the balance of intricate marine ecosystems.

Sharks have existed in New York's marine waters for millions of years. They are apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain and have few natural predators.

Sharks remove sick and weak individuals from prey populations, they influence prey distribution and behavior, and prevent other species from monopolizing limited resources and degrading the marine environment. The presence of sharks is a positive sign of a healthy marine ecosystem.

Shark Research and Conservation

Shark Spotter

We invite you to submit your observations of sharks in the wild. The observations you submit help biologists record the presence of sharks in New York State waters and also help to further the understanding of local shark ecology and behavior.

If you are fishing, boating, or enjoying the beach and observe a shark, please take some pictures, then report your sighting using the DEC Shark Spotter Survey.

New York Shark Salvage Program

Shark mortalities can occur for various reasons, including fishery interactions, predation, parasitism, as well as many other natural causes. DEC collects information on each reported dead shark, including the location, species, length, and sex of the animal. If possible, tissue samples will be collected and a necropsy will be completed to identify potential causes of death.

These efforts help to gain a better understanding about how each animal may have died, which can inform fisheries management. Tissue samples are shared with several academic and scientific researchers in New York and across the country to facilitate multiple ongoing biological studies

To report your sighting of dead sharks, use DEC's Marine Life Incident Report or call 631-444-0444.

More Shark Research

Visit these websites to learn more about other ongoing shark research in New York waters (links leave DEC website):

Sharks and Public Safety

New York's ocean beaches are part of a wild and natural marine ecosystem with a rich diversity of sea life. Humans assume risk whenever they enter any wild environment, whether on land or in the water. When in the ocean, part of this risk includes interacting with apex predators such as sharks.

Although it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, people can modify their behavior to minimize potential interactions with sharks and reduce overall risk.

Minimize Risk of Shark Interactions:

Avoid areas with seals;

Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds;

Avoid swimming at dusk, night, and dawn;

Avoid murky water;

Swim, paddle, and surf in groups;

Stay close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom; and

Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and Parks' staff.

Printable Resources:

New York Shark Species

Many species of sharks make seasonal migrations to New York's marine waters every year. Sharks can range in sizes from 4 feet, such as dogfish sharks, up to 40 feet, such as the basking shark. The biological characteristics of these sharks can differ greatly. Each shark species has its food, habitat, and water temperature preferences. These differences impact when and where sharks are observed in New York waters.

If you observe a shark, please report your sighting using the NYSDEC Shark Spotter digital survey (leaves DEC website).

Shark Conservation Status Species State Listing Federal Listing IUCN CITES Fishery Status Overfished Overfishing Atlantic Blacktip - - Vulnerable - Allowed - - Basking - Species of Concern Endangered Appendix II Prohibited No - Blue - - Near Threatened - Allowed No No Common Thresher High Priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need - Vulnerable Appendix II Allowed - - Dusky High Priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species of Concern Endangered - Prohibited Yes Yes Sand Tiger High Priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species of Concern Critically Endangered - Prohibited No - Sandbar - - Endangered - Prohibited No Yes Shortfin Mako - - Endangered Appendix II Prohibited Yes Yes Smooth Dogfish - - Near Threatened - Allowed No No Smooth Hammerhead - - Vulnerable Appendix II Allowed - - Spinner - - Vulnerable - Allowed - - Spiny Dogfish - - Vulnerable - Allowed No No White High Priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need - Vulnerable Appendix II Prohibited No -

For additional details, review New York Shark Conservation Status & Definitions (PDF).

Learn about the most common shark species that share New York's waters below:

Atlantic Blacktip

(Carcharhinus limbatus)



Atlantic blacktip shark Atlantic blacktip shark

SIZE: up to 8 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore.

BIOLOGY:

Prey: Eat small schooling fishes, smaller sharks, squids, stingrays, shrimp, and crabs.

Reaches sexual maturity at 4-6 years.

Placental viviparity where the shark gives birth to live young.

Placental viviparity where the shark gives birth to live young. Gestation Period: 11-12 months

The Atlantic blacktip shark looks similar to the spinner shark. The distinguishing characteristic is the white anal fin on the Atlantic blacktip shark.

This species can sometimes be found in large aggregations.

Basking Shark

(Cetorhinus maximus)



Basking shark, Photo by: Matias Alexandro Basking shark, Photo by: Matias Alexandro

SIZE: up to 40 feet

HABITAT: Mostly offshore. Often found near the surface.

BIOLOGY:

Filter feeder: consumes zooplankton

Very slow swimmer

Reaches maturity at around 16 - 20 feet (12 - 16 years)

Lives 50 or more years

Gives live birth (ovoviviparous) to few pups

Gestation period: 3 years

Blue Shark

(Prionace glauca)



Blue shark Blue shark

SIZE: up to 12.5 feet

HABITAT: Mostly Offshore

BIOLOGY:

Generally a slow swimmer, but is capable of moving fast

Prey: squid and small fish

Reaches maturity at around 6 - 7 feet (4 - 7 years)

Lives up to 20 years

Gives birth to live young that are nourished by a placental yolk sac until they are fully developed (viviparous); litters average about 30 pups

Gestation period: 9 - 12 months

Common Thresher Shark

(Alopias vulpinus)



Thresher shark Thresher shark

SIZE: up to 25 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore

BIOLOGY:

Will herd schools of fish and use its large caudal fin (tail) to stun its prey

Strong swimmers. Sometimes observed leaping out of the water.

Prey: small schooling fish such as butterfish, bluefish, menhaden, mackerel, and sand lance

Reaches maturity at around 10 - 15 feet (8 - 12 years)

Lives 45 - 50 years

Gives live birth (ovoviviparous) to approximately 2 to 4 pups

Gestation period: 12 months

Dusky Shark

(Carcharhinus obscurus)



Dusky shark Dusky shark

SIZE: up to 14 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore

BIOLOGY:

Prey: bony and cartilaginous fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans.

Very slow growing and late maturing. Reaches maturity at around 9 feet (16 - 23 years)

Lives up to 45 years

Gives birth to live young that are nourished by a placental yolk sac until they are fully developed (viviparous); litters average about 3 - 14 pups

Gestation period: 22 - 24 months

Sand Tiger Shark

(Carcharias taurus)



Sand tiger shark Sand tiger shark

SIZE: up to 10.5 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore. Uses Long Island estuaries such as Great South Bay, which provide nursery habitat for juveniles during summer months.

BIOLOGY:

Prey: bony and cartilaginous fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans.

Reaches maturity at around 6.5 feet (6 - 10 years)

Lives 15 or more years

Gives live birth (ovoviviparous) to 1 - 2 pups. During gestation, the most developed embryo in each uterus will eat the less developed embryos (adelphophagy).

Gestation period: 9 - 12 months

Sandbar Shark



Sandbar shark Sandbar shark

(Carcharhinus plumbeus)

OTHER NAMES: Brown shark

SIZE: up to 8 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore

BIOLOGY:

Prey: small bottom fish and crustaceans such as flounders, goosefish, skates, rays, dogfish, and blue crabs.

Reaches maturity at around 5 feet (15 - 18 years)

Lives 20 - 30 years

Gives birth to live young that are nourished by a placental yolk sac until they are fully developed (viviparous); litters average about 8 pups

Gestation period: 12 months

Shortfin Mako Shark

(Isurus oxyrinchus)



Shortfin mako shark Shortfin mako shark

SIZE: up to 13 feet

HABITAT: Mostly offshore

BIOLOGY:

Fastest shark in the world with burst swimming speeds of up to 43 mph.

Prey: feeds on fast moving pelagic fishes such as tuna, swordfish, billfish, other sharks, bluefish, and squid.

Reaches maturity at around 6.5 - 9.5 feet (8 - 18 years)

Lives about 20 years

Gives live birth (ovoviviparous) to 5 - 10 pups

Gestation period: 15 - 18 months

Smooth Dogfish



Smooth dogfish shark, Photo by: Chris Paparo, FishGuyPhotos Smooth dogfish shark, Photo by: Chris Paparo, FishGuyPhotos

(Mustelus canis)

OTHER NAMES: Sand shark, Dusky smooth-hound

SIZE: up to 5 feet

HABITAT: Coastal

BIOLOGY:

Has rows of flat grinding teeth.

Prey: crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks.

Reaches maturity at around 2.25 - 4.25 feet (2 - 5 years)

Lives about 10 - 16 years

Gives birth to live young that are nourished by a placental yolk sac until they are fully developed (viviparous); litters average about 4 - 20 pups

Gestation period: 10 - 11 months

Smooth Hammerhead Shark



Smooth hammerhead shark Smooth hammerhead shark

(Sphyrna zygaena)

SIZE: up to 16 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore.

BIOLOGY:

One of four hammerhead species.

Prey: bony and cartilaginous fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans.

Reaches maturity at around 7 - 9 feet

Lives 20 or more years

Gives birth to live young that are nourished by a placental yolk sac until they are fully developed (viviparous); litters average about 20 - 40 pups

Gestation period: 10 - 11 months

Spinner Shark



Spinner shark, photo credit: Brian Doherty Spinner shark, photo credit: Brian Doherty

(Carcharhinus brevipinna)

SIZE: up to 9 feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore.

BIOLOGY:

When feeding these sharks are known for breaching the surface and spinning in the air up to 20 feet above the surface.

Prey: Schools of small bait fish such as Atlantic menhaden.

Reaches maturity at around 4-5 feet (7-8 years)

Lives about 15-20 years

Gives birth to live young with their embryos nourished by a yolksac-placenta.

Gestation period: 11-15 months

The spinner shark looks similar to the Atlantic blacktip shark. The distinguishing characteristic is the black anal fin on the spinner shark.

This species can sometimes be found in large aggregations.

Spiny Dogfish



Spiny dogfish shark Spiny dogfish shark

(Squalus acanthias)

SIZE: up to 4 feet

HABITAT: Coastal

BIOLOGY:

Swims in large schools.

Prey: small fishes such as herring, menhaden, sand lance, and mackerel, as well as squids and crustaceans.

Reaches maturity at around 2.25 - 4.25 feet (6 - 12 years)

Lives about 25 - 30 years

Gives live birth (ovoviviparous) to 6 - 7 pups.

Gestation period: 2 years

White Shark



White shark White shark

(Carcharodon carcharias)

SIZE: up to 18+ feet

HABITAT: Coastal and offshore. Juveniles utilize Long Island's coastal ocean as nursery habitat throughout the warm season.

BIOLOGY:

Strong swimmers and ambush predators.

Prey: juveniles eat bony and cartilaginous fishes; adults ( 10') feed on seals, other sharks and rays, and are also known to gorge on dead whales.

Reaches maturity at around 10 - 16 feet (26 - 33 years)

Lives up to 70 years

Gives live birth (ovoviviparous) to small litters of pups.

Gestation period: 12 - 18 months




AAP MP Sanjay Singh (ANI file photo)

New Delhi: AAP member Sanjay Singh was suspended from Rajya Sabha on Monday for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for "repatedly violating directions of the Chair."

The motion for Sanjay Singh's suspension was moved by Union Minister and Leader of the House Piyush Goyal.

Chairman Jagadeep Dhankhar sought the approval of the House for the motion and said that Sanjay Singh was being suspended "for having repeatedly violated directive of the Chair".

The AAP MP was suspended for the remaining duration of the Monsoon session during the Opposition's protest in the House over the Manipur issue.

Dhankhar had last week cautioned Sanjay Singh saying that he will be forced to name the AAP member after he repeatedly protested against the proposed bill to replace Centre's ordinance for control over services in Delhi.

Dhankhar had cautioned the AAP member after repeatedly urging AAP members to take their seats.

AAP has been among opposition parties demanding statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the situation in Manipur and a detailed discussion on the issue



The government had said it is prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur.

The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and will continue till August 11.
Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge with other leaders of the INDIA alliance parties stage a protest over ethnic violence in Manipur during Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi (PTI Photo/Vijay Verma)

New Delhi: The third day of the monsoon session of the Parliament began on a stormy note with the members of the Opposition INDIA alliance holding protest in front of the Parliament demanding a discussion on Manipur in the House and a detailed statement from the Prime Minister.

Earlier, r Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the INDIA alliance wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a comprehensive statement on Manipur in Parliament, after which a discussion would take place to express a collective sense of pain and desire for reconciliation. The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first.

In a tweet, Ramesh said, "The 3rd day of Monsoon session of Parliament begins today. INDIA's demand is straightforward. PM should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur, after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation."

"No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, 'distorts', diverts, deflects and 'defames'. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching," the Congress general secretary said.

Several opposition leaders have given notices for adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur.

The opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon Session started on Thursday.

The government has accused the opposition of running away from a debate on the all-important issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it. The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.
M. Mahesh, station house officer of Raidurgam police station, said that the rider could have lost balance and hit the railing, due to which the two were thrown off the flyover. (Image By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: In a suspected case of drunk driving, two youngsters who were travelling on a two-wheeler fell off the Biodiversity Level-II flyover and landed on the Level-I flyover, around 20 feet below on Sunday night.

One of the riders, Macha Giri, 24, died on the spot due to multiple injuries while the other, Bandi Madhu, 26, is in critical condition, the police said. They were MRI technicians at the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) in Gachibowli and were on their way for night duty.

The police said that the duo was speeding, going much faster than the 40kmph speed limit, as the bike, which was on the side of the Level-II flyover, was found to be in the sixth gear.

M. Mahesh, station house officer of Raidurgam police station, said that the condition of the bike also indicates speeding. He said the rider could have lost balance and hit the railing, due to which the two were thrown off the flyover.

The police said the incident took place around 9.30 pm, after the duo met their friends in Khajaguda village, had dinner and started towards TIMS.

However, the police said the duo had to take the road below the flyover to reach their destination and it was unclear why they took the flyover.

"Madhu, who is undergoing treatment at a nearby private hospital, is unconscious in the ICU and under observation. Only if he recovers and gives a statement can we know why they took the flyover, besides other information about the incident," a police officer said.

The police said Macha Giri was a native of Suryapet district and Madhu, of Medak. Both belonged to families of farm labourers and had moved to the city for a job after completing their education.

They found employment at TIMS a few months ago and only just started supporting their families, relatives of the victims said.

Macha Giris body was handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination.

Past incidents:

November 10, 2019: A drunk techie rammed his car into four youths clicking selfies at a newly inaugurated structure. Two were killed and two were injured.

November 23, 2019: K. Milan Rao, a businessman, lost control of his speeding car, hit the railing and jumped off a flyover, killing a woman and injuring a few others.

An inquiry committee that looked into the Milan Rao accident suggested setting up rumble strips to force drivers to reduce speed.
Opposition lawmakers demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the violence in Manipur state carry placards and chant slogans outside the Parliament building in New Delhi, India, Monday, July 24, 2023. (AP)

New Delhi: Sloganeering and the display of placards continued in both Houses of Parliament by the Opposition seeking a "suo moto" statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the volatile situation Manipur, as a result of which both Houses were adjourned for the third consecutive day on Monday. Parliament remained disrupted for the third consecutive day in the ongoing Monsoon Session. The Opposition is seeking a statement from the Prime Minister on the Manipur violence, which the government is not keen on.

"I am ready for a discussion on Manipur. I dont know why the Opposition does not want it. I request Opposition leaders to allow the debate. It is important for the truth to come out before the country on this issue," said home minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha as the treasury benches and the Opposition traded charges.

In the Rajya Sabha, as the same scenario continued despite the Chair countinuously warning members, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar suspended AAP MP Sanjay Singh for the remaining duration of the Monsoon Session for repeatedly "violating" the directives of the Chair. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved the motion to suspend him, which was adopted by the House by voice vote. Before the motion was moved, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named Mr Singh for his "unruly behaviour" and cautioned him. Soon after suspending Mr Singh, the Chairman adjourned the proceedings.

In the Lok Sabha, home minister Amit Shah, deputy leader of the House and defence minister Rajnath Singh along with parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi urged the Opposition to join the discussion on Manipur. Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said they wanted to hear the PM on the issue, to which Speaker Om Birla said it was for the government to decide who will respond and the concerned minister, Amit Shah, was prepared to reply to the questions by members. However, an unrelenting Opposition continued to raise slogans and make noise, forcing another day of adjournment.

Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda met Mr Modi at his office in Parliament amidst the logjam, though sources said organisational matters were on the agenda as well. Separately, defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke to some Opposition members, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, over the phone on Sunday to end the deadlock.

Mr Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, accused the government of being insensitive. "When the House is in session, no Prime Minister or chief minister makes statements outside. This is the precedent. But, this is the first time he is doing this. As per precedent, he should come inside. We are again demanding the Prime Minister come to the House and make a statement," Mr Kharge said.

"Make a statement on what is the real situation in Manipur. But the PM is not coming inside the House. He sits in his office, but is not coming inside Parliament," he said. Mr Kharge also said defence minister Rajnath Singh had called him up and also several other leaders, including T.R. Baalu. "We told him that if the PM speaks inside Parliament, we will hold a debate on that".

"We want the discussion to be under Rule 267 which can carry on for hours and even on the next day. We will decide on whatever comes out of the discussion and whether voting can also take place. But, the government wants a half-an-hour discussion or a short-duration discussion," he said.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the governments failure in controlling the situation in Manipur and said Prime Minister Modi should speak on the issue. It has been more than 80 days and the violence is still not decreasing, she added. "Does the PM have no answerability? He gave a 36-second statement outside Parliament, but he is not telling the country through Parliament why has the chief minister not been sacked yet. Why has the home minister failed in controlling the situation? Why is the women and child development minister not visiting Manipur yet," she asked.

JD-U leader Lalan Singh said the incidents in Manipur have shamed the nation. "Manipur has a 'double-engine' government, they are totally insensitive towards it. Our demand is that the PM should come to the House and give a statement," he added.

In between, three bills -- the National Dental Commission 2023, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill 2023 -- were introduced in the Lok Sabha and the DNA Technology (Use and Application) regulation Bill 2019 was withdrawn.
Citing the backlogs, BC applicants to the Rs 1-lakh scheme are questioning the aid. (DC File Photo)

HYDERABAD: The BRS launch of a Rs 1-lakh financial aid scheme for the backward classes (BCs) and minorities just four months before the elections has left potential beneficiaries suspicious about whether the promise would be fulfilled, unlike many unfulfilled vows made in election time over the years.

In 2018, just before the elections, the BRS government invited applications for a subsidy loan scheme and nearly 5.4 lakh had applied, and continue waiting for the release of funds.

For the minorities loans scheme, the state government invited applications twice, in 2015 and 2022, and 2.17 lakh persons applied. But, none of them have been processed so far.

Citing the backlogs, BC applicants to the Rs 1-lakh scheme are questioning whether inviting applications from the same sections of society was just a move to gain political mileage.

The situation of minorities is worse, as 1.53 lakh applications made for loans by unemployed youth to a notification issued by the TS Minorities Finance Corporation in 2015-16 were kept pending for seven years, before being totally discarded in December 2022, with no explanation.

While this time around, over 2.2 lakh minority youth submitted applications, they remain apprehensive due to past experiences.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao launched the Rs 1 lakh scheme on June 9 and announced he would sanction Rs 400 crore for it, but not even Rs 50 has been released.

As per the promised schedule, the first batch of applicants should have gotten Rs 1 lakh cheques from July 15.

BC welfare minister Gangula Kamalakar distributed cheques to 23 beneficiaries on July 15 in Karimnagar as a token gesture, but there was no further disbursement in any district.

Although the government named these schemes as Rs 1 lakh financial assistance scheme, they became popular as BC Bandhu and Minority Bandhu, since they are cash transfer schemes on the lines of the Dalit Bandhu, under which Rs 10 lakh aid is given.
Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri. (Photo: Facebook)

HYDERABAD: The Telangana BJPs social media team is expected to get some heft and muscle with the party deciding to appoint Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri as the head of the partys social media committee in the state.

The state BJP has around 50 persons working on its social media team and has been active promoting the party programmes, and taking aim at the BRS and the state government. Arvind has more than a million followers on Twitter alone and was picked because he could ensure clear and to-the-point communication as required on social media platforms, party sources said.

With a new leader set to take full-time charge of the social media activities of the BJP, some changes are expected in how the team will be working. Party sources said there is likely to be a social media war room which will do whatever is required to win the war, not just online but also in the coming elections.
Sanjay(R) called on Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi and discussed Telangana-related issues. (Image By Arrangement)

HYDERABAD: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday asked former state BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar to continue working hard for the party in Telangana and contribute to its success in the coming Assembly elections. Sanjay called on Shah in Delhi and discussed Telangana-related issues.

During the conversation, Shah is learnt to have said that Sanjays work in making the BJP a force to reckon with in Telangana had been recognised by the party. This was Sanjays first formal meeting with Shah after the Telangana leader was divested of his state unit post. Shah is also learnt to have told Sanjay not to be disappointed and that the party would recognise his services and that Sanjay could expect to get key responsibilities as the party prepares itself for the state elections.

Sanjay informed Shah that the party leaders in the state were united in their resolve to defeat the BRS and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in the Assembly elections later this year.
One party leader, Aravind Alishetty, got an entire luxury bus painted in pink and parked it right in front of the Assembly. DC Image

Hyderabad: The city has turned pink as the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leaders erected flexis at every nook and corner wishing IT minister and party working president K.T. Rama Rao on the occasion of his birthday on Monday.

One of the party leaders, Aravind Alishetty, went a step ahead and wished KTR in an innovative manner.

He got a 12-feet high and 45-feet wide luxury painted in pink colour with KTR's bust and his life-size images. Not just this, he parked it right in front of the Assembly to grab their party boss' attention.

On both sides of the bus, he also listed out the minister's achievements, including the T- Hub, Durgam Cheruvu flyover, T- Works, and numerous other flyovers constructed in the city.

The specially-decorated bus will travel through different parts of the city for 10 days, starting from 6 am on Monday.

However, the erection of flexis on the occasion of KTR's birthday has drawn flak from the public as it was against the rules of the GHMC. Further, when the IMD had warned of gales likely in the next couple of days, it is not warranted on the part of the party leaders to inconvenience the public by erecting the flexis as they could get blown up or fall to the ground, hurdling the traffic.

Ahead of the elections, it is but common for the party leaders to make themselves conspicuous to grab the attention of their party bosses as it could help them bag party tickets.

Not just flexis, the pink party leaders also splurged their love towards KTR and wished him through videos, reels and images on various social media platforms.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy distributed house documents to housing beneficiaries at Venkatapalem in Guntur district on Monday (Photo by arrangement)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has lashed out at the Opposition Telugu Desam, Jana Sena and others for "creating legal hurdles" to the construction of 50,793 houses for poor women at a cost of Rs 1,370 crore in Amaravati.

The CM was addressing a public meeting to mark the start of the house sanction procedures, at Venkatapalem in Thullur mandal under Guntur district on Monday.

The CM inaugurated the pylon and performed Bhoomi Puja for construction of the new houses under the PM Awas Yojana Beneficiary-led Individuals House Construction (U) Scheme and inspected a model house at Krishnayapalem housing layout at Mangalagiri.

"This is a special day in the history of AP as we are waging a battle against those who are anti-poor and creating hurdles in the way of allotting house sites for poor women hailing from SC, ST, BC and minorities," he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy targeted former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and "his gang of looters", saying they filed 18 cases in the AP High Court and five cases in the Supreme Court to scuttle the housing project for the poor.

"Our government has been waging a legal fight in the last three years and finally we have got permission from both the HC and SC. We are going ahead with construction of houses for the poor and laying the foundation stone for the houses. We are committed to providing social justice to the poor."

Referring to Naidus claim of developing Amaravati as the capital city, the CM said, "When we wanted to develop it, the Opposition attempted to stall it in the name of demographic imbalance," Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

He said the Opposition was anti-poor. These parties led by Naidu created hurdles when the YSRC government wanted to promote English as a medium of instruction in all government schools. They argued that Telugu language would be neglected. This is because they want the poor to remain poor with no development in their lives."

The YSRC government, he said, gave away welfare scheme benefits totaling Rs 2.25 lakh crore to women in the state so far.

Referring to criticism that his government was raising the level of the states debts, he said the quantum of debts raised by his government so far were less than what the previous TD government did.

He asked, "Other than AP, which government provides social security pension to the aged persons on the first day of every month -- and through a volunteer system at their doorsteps?"

The CM said that the YSRC government took up construction of houses in 1,400 acres of land in 25 layouts that would provide houses to 50,793 women beneficiaries in Amravati region. A sum of Rs 56 crore was spent for developing layouts and setting up survey stones for these plots. Each house was estimated to cost nearly Rs 2.70 lakh and all houses are to be bio-tagged by the CRDA.

For water supply, a sum of Rs 32 crore was earmarked and for power supply Rs 326 crore while Rs 8 crore for approach roads. The works have already started, the CM said.

He said anganwadi centres, schools, shopping malls and parks would be developed for the benefit of these households. "The CRDA valued a square yard at Rs 15,000 and the total value of each house site to be Rs 7.5 lakh. Once the construction of the houses is completed, each would be worth Rs 12 to Rs 15 lakh."

Several beneficiary women like V. Nagamani, P. Shyam Sundari, K. Venkata Durga Devi, P. Sanjeeva Kumari, N. Vijaya Kumari and P. Malleswari came on board to thank the CM for giving them houses in Amaravati.
Mocking at the TD for failing to make its goal a reality, the YSRC party leaders began posting even the images of the poor taking a view of a m odel house constructed at the site. DC Image

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the construction of 50,793 houses for the poor in Amaravati on Monday.

Taking to Twitter, the official YSR Congress party asked @nbcn and @JaiTDP to keep tissues in hand till the program is completed.

TDP supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu had vehemently opposed the construction of the houses for the poor as the land was pooled for the construction of the capital city. Over 33,000 acres was pooled by the farmers with a hope that the capital would provide employment to their children and at the same time, fetch them good rate for their lands, as the entire place would get developed.

However, after the change in the government from the TD to the YSRC in 2019, the equation has changed and YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who became the Chief Minister, proposed the three-capital formula, reducing the prominence of Amaravati. He revealed plans to make Vizag the executive capital and also announced that he would function from there. The entire matter landed in the court.

However, the YSRC government sought permission for construction of houses in the R5 zone in the capital region, stating that the poor were not being given due representation in the capital city of Amaravati to which the Supreme Court had given a nod.

Following the green signal from the apex court, the CM laid the foundation stone for the construction today.

Mocking at the TD for failing to make its goal a reality, the YSRC party leaders began posting even the images of the poor taking a view of a model house constructed at the site.

Jagan and Chandrababu Naidu had been bitter rivals since the former was lodged in jail following a complaint by Naidu over the heavy corruption by him, which led to amassing huge wealth, disproportionate to his known sources of income. Following the complaint, the CBI had lodged a case which is subjudice.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah planned meeting in northern Telangana districts has been put off for the third time. He was earlier scheduled to address a meeting in Mancherial in January and in Khammam in June. (Photo: PTI)

HYDERABAD: Union home minister Amit Shahs public meeting slated for July 29 in Khammam has been put off. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said here that Shah, however, will come to Hyderabad on July 29, and meet the state party leaders.

There was uncertainty for some time over whether or not Shah would address the public meeting at Khammam given that Parliament was in session. The details of Shahs programmes in Hyderabad are yet to be finalized, party sources said.

Shah's visit, party sources said, will help the state BJP unit crystallize some parts of its action plan to take on the BRS government in the run-up to the Assembly elections later this year.

This is the third time that a planned meeting of Shah in northern Telangana districts has been put off. He was earlier scheduled to address a meeting in Mancherial in January and in Khammam in June.

The BJP was hoping to put up a strong show in Khammam with Shah headlining the public meeting, particularly in the wake of a large public meeting that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had addressed on July 2.
The bank's asset quality showed improvement as gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) declined to 5.15 per cent of gross advances at the end of the June quarter. It stood at 6.98 per cent in the year-ago period.
The trial court, while invoking Section 44A, comes to the conclusion that the same can be enforced in India, but fails to take note of the fact that the judgment of the foreign court is not on merits. No doubt, admittedly, notice was given and the same was served through an advocate and revision petitioner (KSRTC) also claims that they sent the reply and the same is not forthcoming in the order of the foreign court and nothing is discussed in the order even for the objection which has been raised, the court said.
The show of solidarity between the militaries comes at a time when the United States is beefing up ties with Japan and South Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is looking to deepen its presence in the region, to the anger of China and Russia.
The crisis has spread to the military, with protest leaders saying thousands of volunteer reservists would not report for duty if the government continues with the plans and former top brass warning that Israel's war-readiness could be at risk.
Ukraine has maintained a policy of not commenting on any attacks inside Russia that appear to be linked to its military or its supporters, arguing that the silence allows it to maintain the element of surprise and military advantage. But on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to retaliate against Russia after a week of deadly strikes on Odesa that targeted civilians, infrastructure and port facilities crucial to exporting grains. Ukraine has started to publicly take credit for attacks in Crimea, the peninsula that Russia illegally annexed in 2014, arguing that the attacks are happening inside Ukrainian territory.
Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Mami Mizutori, said disaster risk reduction has been seen as an additional expenses for development programmes and infrastructure projects. "But we know that this is not true or correct. Investment in receiving ends generate dividends in avoiding disasters and this is why we must all enhance resources and capacities for prevention and risk reduction with great urgency," she said.
The officer, a Squadron Leader, was asleep and woke up when she heard some noises. She had tried to confront the intruder who attacked her with a knife, causing her multiple injuries, police had said.
Stating that Wang visited India 6 times in 2019 and 2020, the EOW said he is working/running this scam from China with the help of many India-based associates who look after the managing/ arranging of mule bank accounts, shell companies/firm and crypto-traders, Whatsapp/Telegram group tutors/administrators and also running advertisements using morphed photos of celebrities.
In pursuit of love: Rajasthan woman tells husband shes going to Jaipur, lands in Pakistan to meet Facebook lover

The Indian woman was initially in the custody of the police but was released after her travel documents were verified by the district police.
Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 1,187 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock, valued at approximately $411,000.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Truadvice LLC bought a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services in the first quarter valued at about $262,000. Davidson Capital Management Inc. raised its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 29.9% in the first quarter. Davidson Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,031 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,397,000 after purchasing an additional 927 shares during the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 46.7% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 15,435 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $5,348,000 after purchasing an additional 4,916 shares during the last quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. raised its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 20.5% in the first quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 830 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $287,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC raised its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 32.8% in the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 899 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $311,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. 92.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com downgraded West Pharmaceutical Services from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Bank of America upgraded West Pharmaceutical Services from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $390.00 to $405.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Finally, Stephens raised their price objective on West Pharmaceutical Services from $400.00 to $420.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $348.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

West Pharmaceutical Services Trading Down 0.4 %

In other West Pharmaceutical Services news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $343.05, for a total value of $343,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at $627,438.45. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In other news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $343.05, for a total value of $343,050.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,829 shares in the company, valued at $627,438.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, CEO Eric Mark Green sold 44,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $363.10, for a total value of $15,976,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 134,574 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,863,819.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 67,244 shares of company stock valued at $24,454,553 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.13% of the companys stock.

NYSE WST opened at $377.32 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $361.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $331.67. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a one year low of $206.19 and a one year high of $389.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.83 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 3.62 and a quick ratio of 2.79.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.31. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 24.14% and a net margin of 19.15%. The business had revenue of $716.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $697.28 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 7.73 earnings per share for the current year.

West Pharmaceutical Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 25th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. West Pharmaceutical Servicess dividend payout ratio is currently 10.44%.

West Pharmaceutical Services Profile

(Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Free Report).

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Ameritas Advisory Services LLC cut its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED  Free Report) by 16.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,280 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 443 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $221,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Roundview Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the first quarter valued at approximately $680,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 22.6% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,030,616 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $97,579,000 after purchasing an additional 190,138 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 54.4% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 18,204 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 6,412 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 1.3% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 19,489 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,845,000 after purchasing an additional 254 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the first quarter valued at approximately $214,000. 67.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on ED shares. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $90.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a sell rating and a $88.00 price target for the company. KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $70.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $74.00 price target (up previously from $73.00) on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Friday. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $91.46.

Consolidated Edison Stock Up 1.3 %

ED stock opened at $97.13 on Monday. 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 twelve month low of $78.10 and a twelve month high of $102.21. The companys 50 day moving average is $92.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $94.44. The stock has a market cap of $33.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.84, a PEG ratio of 9.99 and a beta of 0.36.

Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $4.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 15.56% and a return on equity of 8.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.47 EPS. Research analysts expect that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 16th will be issued a $0.81 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 15th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.34%. Consolidated Edisons payout ratio is 46.15%.

Consolidated Edison Company Profile

(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.

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Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Free Report) by 10.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,027 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 577 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLCs holdings in DTE Energy were worth $660,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of DTE. Retirement Income Solutions Inc grew its position in DTE Energy by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc now owns 2,498 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $330,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new position in DTE Energy during the 1st quarter worth $1,710,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in DTE Energy by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 7,094 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $938,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. purchased a new position in DTE Energy during the 1st quarter worth $280,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in DTE Energy by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,028,699 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,044,624,000 after purchasing an additional 1,420,586 shares during the last quarter. 74.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at DTE Energy

In related news, SVP Joann Chavez sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.09, for a total value of $452,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 14,607 shares in the company, valued at $1,651,905.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Joann Chavez sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.09, for a total value of $452,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 14,607 shares in the company, valued at $1,651,905.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Lisa A. Muschong sold 700 shares of DTE Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.41, for a total transaction of $77,287.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 5,455 shares in the company, valued at $602,286.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock.

DTE Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:DTE opened at $115.12 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $103.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $79.59. DTE Energy has a twelve month low of $100.64 and a twelve month high of $136.77. The company has a market capitalization of $23.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.60.

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.38 by ($0.05). DTE Energy had a net margin of 6.15% and a return on equity of 10.59%. The business had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.79 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.31 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that DTE Energy will post 6.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

DTE Energy Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.952 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 15th. This represents a $3.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.31%. DTE Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on DTE. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of DTE Energy from $121.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. UBS Group upgraded shares of DTE Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $129.00 to $124.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of DTE Energy in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of DTE Energy from $120.00 to $121.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, 58.com restated a maintains rating on shares of DTE Energy in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. 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 currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $81.76.

DTE Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through fossil-fuel, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and solar assets.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama reduced its position in Albemarle Co. (NYSE:ALB  Free Report) by 7.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,627 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 2,904 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Albemarle were worth $7,654,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Activest Wealth Management bought a new position in Albemarle in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. 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 buying an additional 96 shares during the period. 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 buying an additional 79 shares during the period. 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 buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Finally, Artemis Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Albemarle in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. 87.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

ALB has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Albemarle from $328.00 to $224.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. UBS Group upgraded shares of Albemarle from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $196.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Albemarle from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Albemarle from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $195.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of Albemarle from $270.00 to $291.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Albemarle currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $282.55.

Albemarle Stock Down 3.2 %

Albemarle stock opened at $215.99 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.90. Albemarle Co. has a 52-week low of $171.82 and a 52-week high of $334.55. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $220.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $226.36. The firm has a market cap of $25.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.93, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.55.

Albemarle (NYSE:ALB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The specialty chemicals company reported $10.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.93 by $3.39. Albemarle had a net margin of 41.89% and a return on equity of 45.57%. The firm had revenue of $2.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.38 EPS. The companys revenue was up 128.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Albemarle Co. will post 22.97 EPS for the current year.

Albemarle Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. Albemarles dividend payout ratio is currently 5.13%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO J Kent Masters acquired 5,470 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $181.64 per share, for a total transaction of $993,570.80. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 51,466 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,348,284.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO J Kent Masters acquired 5,470 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $181.64 per share, for a total transaction of $993,570.80. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 51,466 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,348,284.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Eric Norris acquired 1,260 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was bought at an average price of $195.49 per share, with a total value of $246,317.40. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 26,596 shares in the company, valued at $5,199,252.04. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 8,103 shares of company stock worth $1,489,774 in the last quarter. 0.38% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Albemarle Company Profile

(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.

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Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its position in Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY  Free Report) by 46.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 9,772 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,113 shares during the quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Teledyne Technologies were worth $4,372,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Greenleaf Trust acquired a new position in Teledyne Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $348,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 5,663 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $2,265,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 39.5% during the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 974 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $390,000 after acquiring an additional 276 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $219,000. Finally, FORA Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $348,000. 93.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Teledyne Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of Teledyne Technologies stock opened at $412.45 on Monday. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a one year low of $325.00 and a one year high of $448.71. The company has a market cap of $19.41 billion, a PE ratio of 26.10, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.94. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $404.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $417.55.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Teledyne Technologies ( NYSE:TDY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.43 by $0.10. Teledyne Technologies had a return on equity of 10.98% and a net margin of 13.67%. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.27 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 19.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several research firms have recently commented on TDY. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price target on Teledyne Technologies from $498.00 to $470.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price objective on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $503.00 to $499.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $533.00 to $565.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $505.50.

Insider Activity at Teledyne Technologies

In related news, VP Melanie Susan Cibik sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $413.00, for a total value of $826,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 27,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,276,965. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Teledyne Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks.

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Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its holdings in Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY  Free Report) by 5.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,648 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLCs holdings in Teledyne Technologies were worth $737,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of TDY. Greenleaf Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $348,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 5,663 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $2,265,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares during the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC increased its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 39.5% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 974 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $390,000 after purchasing an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Teledyne Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $219,000. Finally, FORA Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Teledyne Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $348,000. 93.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Teledyne Technologies

In other news, VP Melanie Susan Cibik sold 2,000 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $413.00, for a total transaction of $826,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 27,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,276,965. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.14% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Teledyne Technologies Price Performance

Several research firms recently weighed in on TDY. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price target on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $498.00 to $470.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Credit Suisse Group dropped their price target on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $503.00 to $499.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $533.00 to $565.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $505.50.

Teledyne Technologies stock opened at $412.45 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $19.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $404.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $417.55. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a 12-month low of $325.00 and a 12-month high of $448.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $4.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.43 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.37 billion. Teledyne Technologies had a net margin of 13.67% and a return on equity of 10.98%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $4.27 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 19.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Teledyne Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY  Free Report).

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Samsung is set to host its second Galaxy Unpacked event on July 26th this year. The event will take place in Seoul, Korea. The tech-company is expected to release some top of the line gadgets during the said event. In India, Samsung has already started to accept pre-reservations for its flagship foldable handsets and some other gadgets.

Heres all you can expect to see at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event:

Up first, we can expect the fifth-generation foldable phones to be the centre of attention at the event. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 might be released during the event. This is because Samsung has already started to accept pre-reservations for these devices.

Also read: Samsung chief teases everything that will be unpacked on the big July 26 event



Further, we can expect the Galaxy Watch 6, Watch 6 Classic, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (with an accompanying S Pen), along with Galaxy Tab S9 and Galaxy Tab S9+ and the rumoured Galaxy Buds 3.

Rumours doing rounds on the internet have widely discussed these devices and even the specifications of most. What is unknown yet is the Galaxy Buds 3. These are going to be truly wireless stereo (TWS) headsets and not much is known about it yet.

The flagship foldable phones will undoubtedly be the attention seekers at the event. The phones might be packed with a flagship Snapdragon chip and feature premium AMOLED panels.

We are even expecting new hinge designs to make the two new phones look slimmer and lighter. As the Oppo Find N2 Flip and Moto Razr+ give tough competition in the market, Samsung is expected to take help on the design side to maintain its supremacy.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event date officially confirmed

If you are interested in any of these gadgets, then you can pre-book them at just 1,999 on Samsungs website. This amount is refundable.

You can even livestream the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event at 4.30 PM IST on 26th July on YouTube as well as Samsung.com. Not long to wait now, are you excited?
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Louth businesses switching to solar power can expect their new energy system to pay for itself in three years  two years ahead of government predictions, one of Irelands leading solar PV firms has said.

Funding packages of between 2,700 and 162,600 have been introduced to encourage more businesses to install a solar photovoltaics (PV) panel system, which generates electricity when exposed to light.

According to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the grants, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, will support 20-30% of the investment cost, reducing payback to as little as five years.

But Adrian Casey, the co-founder of Swyft Energy, one of Irelands leading solar PV firms, said some businesses could see payback in three years.

He said a medium-sized business consuming 42,000 units per year at a rate of 36 cent per kilowatt/hour (kWh) could reduce their energy bills by up to 8,000 per year by installing a 30 kilowatt (kWp) system. Prices for a 30kWp system, he said, start from 32,000.

But amendments to the grants unveiled by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan on July 4, reduced the cost of install of such a system to 23,400  meaning firms paying the 36c rate could expect payback in three years, Mr Casey said.

On average, small-to-medium sized businesses are installing 30kWp Solar PV systems, equivalent to 64 panels, covering 128 square metres, Mr Casey explained.

This type of system generates roughly 26,000 units of electricity per year, and  depending on the businesss electricity consumption pattern  70 to 80% of this power would be used on site, with the excess electricity sold back to the grid.

Larger premises  such as warehouses consuming 200,000 units per year at a 23 cent electricity rate  could generate around 135,000 units with a 150kWp, 320-panel system, he added.

This type of system costs 145,000 and would reduce annual energy bills by around 25,000, Mr Casey said.

Previously, businesses of this size could expect payback in six years. With the new announcement, a 150kWp system will receive a grant of 32,600, reducing the cost to 112,400 and the payback to four-and-a-half years, Mr Casey said.

Firms which decide to install a new solar PV system can also benefit from the Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) scheme, whereby the cost of the system can be offset against profits to reduce companies tax bills.

Solar PV is one of the only purchases that a company can claim 100% of the ACA in the year of purchase, Mr Casey said.

Switching to solar power also helps businesses improve their carbon footprint and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) profiles, he added.

A 30kWp system will reduce CO2 output by roughly 10 tonnes per year or 300 tonnes over the 30+ year lifespan of the system, Mr Casey said. That is equivalent to planting 2,800 trees.

How do commercial solar panels differ from domestic panels?

Solar panels for businesses average 1.9m by 1.2m and are larger than panels installed on the roofs of domestic premises, which normally measure 1.7m by 1.1m.

The larger panel means the wattage per panel is also typically bigger, usually 470-500W versus 400-430W for a domestic install.

The number of panels used by a small-to-medium (SME) sized business can range between 30 and 140 panels, compared to an average of 12 used by family dwellings.

What are the benefits of switching to solar?

The main benefit is a significant reduction in energy bills. Overheads can be reduced further by selling power back to the national grid.

Other benefits include a reduction in a firms carbon footprint, and an improvement in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) score.

A typical, medium-sized, businesses in Ireland will see an annual CO2 reduction of 9.9 tonnes, with small businesses reducing emissions by 5.8 tonnes.

A business which actively cuts its carbon footprint while improving its ESG score demonstrates to its customers, employees, and future employees, that it cares about the environment.

Solar panels also increase energy independence, and boost the value of commercial property.

How much do commercial solar panels cost?

The cost of a commercial solar panel system for a small to medium-sized business can vary between 20,000 and 80,000.

Costs will depend on business needs and available roof space. The amount of energy required and the power of the panels are also significant factors.

The average medium-sized business in the Ireland uses around 25,000 to 50,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year; it's 15,000 to 25,000 kWh for small businesses.

A business should expect to pay between 20 and 45 cent per kilowatt hour for its electricity.

Grants available and payback period

Funding packages of between 2,700 and 162,600 have been introduced by to encourage more businesses to install a solar PV system.

Grants from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will support 20-30% of the investment cost, meaning some businesses could see payback in as little as three years.

Firms which decide to install a new solar PV system can also benefit from the Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) scheme, where the cost of the system can be offset against profits to reduce the company tax bill.

Breakdown of SEAI grants

Solar PV Systems Grant Value Up to 6kWp Up to 2,400 /kWp installed between 7kWp-20kWp 300 per kWp /kWp installed between 21kWp-200kWp 200 per kWp /kWp installed between 201kWp-1000kWp 150 per kWp

Solar Planning Exemptions

Planning permission for solar PV and planning is no longer required for rooftop systems  unless the install is located in a Solar Safeguarding Zone (SSZ). SSZs are areas located near airports, helipads and aerodromes. If your property is within a SSZ and the install is greater than 300sqm (roughly 140 panels), you will need planning permission. A Glint and Glare report will be required as part of your planning application. A full list of SSZs can be found on www.myplan.ie.

ESB

ESB need to be notified of your solar PV install for safety purposes, and to allow you export to the grid if applicable. Your solar installer will complete this application for you. There is an application fee required. ESB will then decide on the level of solar PV export allowed for your property.
Cathaoirleach Paula Butterly of Louth County Council officially launched the Gum Litter Taskforce's gum litter education campaign on Friday 21st July 2023, in Ardee.

The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) took to the streets of Louth today as a part of its Summer Roadshow.

The interactive Roadshow works with local authorities and communities across the country to carry out fun and engaging education and awareness initiatives that demonstrate the proper means of gum disposal and raise awareness of the environmental and fiscal impacts of gum litter.

Now in its sixteenth year, the campaign is a collaboration between Food Drink Ireland, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the chewing gum industry, and local authorities.

Research published recently to coincide with the National Launch of the 2023 GLT Campaign revealed that 87% of people now report proper gum disposal, versus 49% when the campaign began in 2007 an increase of 77.5%, demonstrating the positive impact the campaign has had on attitudes towards gum litter.

Peer pressure was found to be the key contributor to this shift in attitudes, followed by knowledge of the 150 fine.

However, work remains to be done to further reduce this figure, as still only 46% of people can claim to have never dropped gum on the ground, demonstrating the continued importance of the awareness and behavioural change campaign.

Welcoming the Roadshow to Ardee Market Square, Co. Louth, Paula Butterly Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council said:

"We are delighted to welcome back the Gum Litter Taskforce to (Louth).

The Roadshow is a fantastic way to show people about the sustainable impacts of responsibly disposing of gum litter and changing their disposal behaviours.

This GLT campaign has seen a visible reduction of gum litter on our streets since it first began, and the Roadshow is an important reminder to the whole community that we must continue to reduce our litter and protect our local environment."

Speaking at the launch of this years Roadshow, Minister Ossian Smyth welcomed the latest research and the return of the GLT campaign for the second year of its fifth cycle:

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is proud to play a part in this important initiative.

Each cycle of the campaign has delivered demonstrable progress in reducing gum litter on our streets, showing the impact that cross-collaborative initiatives such as this one can have.

I look forward to continuing with our good work with industry and local authorities to build on the continued success of the GLT campaign to ultimately eradicate gum litter.

Also in attendance at the Roadshow to lend their support were members of Ardee Tidy Towns Committee and representatives from the Dee Hub.

Louth County Councils Environmental Awareness Officer, Paula Gribben said:

The success of the Gum Litter Taskforce demonstrates the forward-thinking, joined up approach of industry, local communities and local government that is necessary to further drive the objective of changing the publics gum disposal behaviour.

Initiated in 2007, the Gum Litter Taskforce is a collaboration between Food Drink Ireland, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the chewing gum industry, and local authorities to achieve a long-term sustainable solution to the irresponsible disposal of chewing gum litter, through education and awareness campaigns that encourage behavioural change.

The national Gum Litter Taskforce Roadshow commenced at the start of June, travelling to local authorities in Dublin, before visiting local authorities across all four provinces over the course of the Summer months.

To date the campaign has engaged with over 30 local authorities across the country to promote community-led action on gum litter by hosting awareness initiatives and localised launch events and providing engagement and educational materials.

In September, the Gum Litter Taskforces Bin It! education programme will travel across the country and deliver 60 performances a year to primary and secondary schools nationwide, with the ambition to visit 180 schools by 2025.

This is in addition to useful lesson plan material that has been made available to almost 730 schools across Ireland.

Mars Ireland will continue to support environmental education programmes Neat Streets, Green Schools and the National Spring Clean.

The National Spring Clean experienced a bumper year with the most participants on record and this sponsorship will support the delivery of the programme and the 5,600 spring cleans annually going forward.

The sponsorship of Green Schools will support the delivery of the programme to more than 3,700 schools across the country.
CORK has proven itself to be a solid ally when it comes to the variety of LGBTQ events happening in the city.

With a vibrant array of events happening year round, we are in for an extra treat as Corks LGBT+ Pride Festival returns from July 30 to August 6.

Excitement is building among the queer community as I speak to LGBTQ+ icons in Cork and some of the people behind the scenes making it all happen. Theyre giving us all the info youll need to make sure you dont miss out on events happening across the week. And they will shed some light on why Pride events are so important in 2023.

Damien OHalloran, who has been involved in the running of the festival for four years now, is one of five board member volunteers for Cork Pride. He sheds some light on the events theme this year and the importance of this years event.

Our theme this year is 30 Years On which commemorates the 30-year anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland (in 1993). We say commemorate rather than celebrate, as whilst the removal of the repressive Victorian-era law which criminalised our community was no doubt a cause for celebration, the fact that it remained unchallenged in law for over 140 years is shameful, and difficult to comprehend in 2023, said Damien.

Some of us might take the equality in the Ireland we live in today for granted, but we owe an enormous collective debt of gratitude to the trailblazers who tirelessly campaigned for our community in very different times, who became the architects of LGBT+ life in Ireland.

It was their bravery, commitment, and single-minded sense of purpose that paved the way for the equal rights we all enjoy today  but whilst huge gains have been made over the past 30 years, there is still much work left to do, he said.

Cork Pride Parade. Picture: Peter Pietrzak

This year, Cork Pride falls on the heels of the citys first Trans Pride march, which had an impressive turn-out that surprised even the organisers themselves.

While Trans Pride was held last year, this year was the first time they marched in protest on the streets of Cork city.

Our Trans family is constantly being attacked for simply living their lives - to use a quote from a poster used to describe Homosexuals and Lesbians at a demonstration on Patrick Street in Cork in 1981, They are our brothers, sisters, neighbours and friends.

"We must stand shoulder to shoulder with the Trans community, an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and none of us are equal until all of us are equal. We were delighted to see Trans+ Pride Cork establish themselves last year and are proud to support their work and events. At the end of the day, its about human rights, said Damien.

The origins of Pride are a protest, and while thats still true, we also celebrate the journey and progress to date.

"Thanks to our sponsors, supporters, community groups and hard-working team of volunteers, we are thrilled to be able to bring over 35 events to Cork city and county over the week from July 30 to August 6, said Damien.

The line-up for this years Cork Pride is eclectic and diverse, with a large variety of events running. The newest and most anticipated events include Making a Scene, running in Fred Zepplins with their official Cork Pride event Pride is a Riot. Organiser and performer Boo Boo Oopsie is one of Corks leading drag queens, especially when it comes to her passion for activism.

Pride is a Protest has become an increasingly used slogan in the LGBTQ community and no-one shows this quite like Boo Boo Oopsie, the latest addition to Corks drag scene.

The inspiration for Pride is a Riot is very much from the radical queer movements that brought us queer liberation, especially those who continue to fight for queer rights.

The Stonewall Riots and Marsha P. Johnson throwing that first brick is an image that comes to mind. Its the Irish queer volunteers fighting for decriminalisation 30 years ago, the folks today fighting for Trans rights and healthcare.

They prove that pride is always a protest and radical volunteers amplifying the needs of the community is a core value for us, Boo Boo said when talking about the motivation behind this years event.

Making A Scene will continue to be a fixture in the Cork drag scene. Were planning plenty of shows, all with scenes, I mean themes, and plenty of drag queens, kings and things, burlesque performers celebrating all things rock, punk, alternative, metal and emo, said Boo Boo.

Boo Boos event, Pride Is A Riot, will take place in Fred Zepplins on August 5 at 9pm.

Things are kicking off this year on July 30. Pride On Tour will be taking place from 12pm to 4pm. Cork Pride will take to the roads of County Cork to lead a drive through parade through Mallow, New Twopothouse, Doneraile, Buttevant, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Fermoy, and finishing in Glanmire.

This years Cork Pride has some promising family friendly events happening across the weekend, and one thats not to be missed, by the LGBTQ+ community and dog-lovers alike, is the Family Fun Day & Dog Show at Fitzgeralds Park on Saturday August 5, from 12pm to 6pm. which promises to be day filled with laughter, bouncy castles, face painters, balloon artists, zumba and carousel, event co-ordinator Damien said.

On stage well have DJs, live bands and the very special Prides Got Talent, where the winner will get the chance to perform on stage, live at the After Party in Kennedy Quay on Sunday the 6th, said Damien.

Cork Pride Parade. Picture: Peter Pietrzak

The main events are on Sunday, August 6.

Corks Pride Parade will take place in Cork City from 1-3pm that Sunday, which, as always, will be one of the highlights of the week for many.

Cork Pride Party at the Port runs from 3pm-8pm - at the Port of Cork, Kennedy Quay, featuring live performances from Wild Youth - Irelands Eurovision Song Contest entry- and many more.

This year, we are spoiled for choice as two of the biggest LGBTQ event organisers in Cork have teamed up to bring us Gaymers Production.

OUT at the Pavilion and Instinct Cork have come together to bring us a family-friendly event happening at the Pavillion from 5-7pm on August 6, with eight drag artists in cosplay as they battle for the title of Kween of the Nerds.

Ireland's Wild Youth. Picture: Corinne Cumming/ EBU.

This is followed by Cork Prides Official After-party featuring a live performance from Wild Youth, starting at 8.30pm until late at The Pavilion, Careys Lane.

Some amazing work and dedication has been pulled off to bring together Corks LGBT+ Pride Festival this year with an impressive selection of events running across the week.

This work is done by hosts and organisers who have been creating queer spaces in Cork year-round, so be sure to see what theyre up to throughout the year too and support your local LGBTQ+ community!

For more see https://corkpride.com/events-listing/ Or follow Cork Pride on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
RIVA Lawlor, who previously struggled with borderline personality disorder, has become an advocate for mental health issues following years of turmoil linked to her condition.

The 52-year-old has been living in a Peter McVerry property since before last Christmas, which she said has been a godsend.

Homelessness during Covid as a result of soaring rent costs had previously threatened her recovery. However, Riva battled on, working to rebuild her life from emergency accommodation in Blackpool.

Her efforts have now paid off, with Riva saying she has never felt as secure in her entire life.

She is now on a mission to spread awareness about the lack of facilities and resources to help patients who find themselves in her situation.

Riva described how presenting to hospital emergency medicine departments after mental health episodes left her suffering with suicide ideation. She associated her feelings with borderline personality disorder, a condition she had been diagnosed with in 1988 at aged 17, which can result in the brains misinterpretation of threats and the relay of fault messages.

She said the understaffed and under-resourced nature of emergency medicine departments is only adding to the trauma of people with mental health issues.

Speaking of her experience in hospital she said: You could be a couple of days. They may not admit you. It would depend on how bad I was. My medication was regulated but my life wasnt getting any better. I knew I had to take control of my own mental health. It took years for me to regulate my emotions.

Each time I presented to hospital, I was suicidal and had no hope. I was lucky I had a GP who was very good to me and always made time for my mental health.

She said a separate emergency medicine department for patients struggling with mental health issues could reduce the trauma for a number of patients.

Its impossible accessing hospital care when you have mental health issues. If you are lucky, you are not in the waiting room. In those situations you are taken to the ward. If not, you are sitting there [with other people]. You can only imagine how that feels for someone who is extremely paranoid. To be left among the general public is totally wrong.

Mental health is something we really fall down in in this country. This is evident more now since Covid because people who never had mental health issues are presenting so we have a backlog that weve never had before.

Riva recalled presenting to a hospital shortly before the pandemic broke out. This had followed years of hardship that included 12 months in the female homeless refuge Edel House in 2013.

The last time this happened I was sent to hospital. I was on a trolley for a day and a half. Eventually, I had an episode. I reacted to a nurse and hit out verbally. I was in A&E and was very distraught. This shouldnt happen. People with mental health issues should be allowed the privacy and dignity to be sick.

She said the resulting guilt after a mental health episode was often overwhelming.

It was the guilt afterwards that I found really difficult, so difficult that I decided it would never happen again. Thats what made me decide I would speak out and tell people what it was like to suffer from borderline personality disorder, what its like to split.

Waiting on a hospital trolley is an experience Riva will never forget.

Being on a trolley was horrific. My brain was racing. There was a man near me dying so I was trying to be as calm as possible. It makes it ten times harder to be with people who I would describe as actually sick. My disability was hidden. If you looked at me on the streets there is no way you would believe the level I suffer. Its only Covid has shown how damaging mental health issues can be.

She described the current health system as understaffed and under-resourced. The Irish mental health system has got an awful lot better in the last 20 or 30 years but there are still very few facilities for people with mental health issues. Because we dont have the facilities to hospitalise people, people die.

Riva, who now devotes much of her time to volunteering at the Haven community cafe in Cork city, stressed that this is not the fault of frontline workers.

Frontline workers are doing everything they can, but we dont have enough. They dont have the numbers. Our government has left us down in all aspects of healthcare, but especially in mental health care.

Riva is growing stronger with each day.

Because of the Peter McVerry Trust, I have a number for when I am struggling with mental health issues and need to access support. They have given me a beautiful home and I am now the most happy and secure that Ive ever been. The mental health advocate said she made lifelong friends while in emergency accommodation.

The time I was living [in emergency accommodation] in Blackpool was around the same period that the war broke out in Ukraine. I met many inspiring women fleeing war who are still my friends to this day.

To find out more about the Peter McVerry Trust, visit www.pmvtrust.ie.

HSE Response

A HSE spokesperson said: While we arent able to comment on individual cases, we acknowledge this persons experience and regret they felt this way while trying to access care and support.

All patients presenting to an ED undergo key steps as part of the emergency care pathway, the spokesperson explained.

Liaison mental health services (LMHS) provide a specialist service for people attending EDs in a crisis and are available to all age groups. LMHS also provide supports to patients who are inpatients in acute hospitals, as well as their treating clinicians. They also manage ED presentations which occur in areas overlapping mental and physical healthcare.

The National Clinical Programme aims to ensure that all patients who present to the ED following self-harm or with suicidal ideation will receive a prompt biopsychosocial assessment, their next of kin will receive support and advice on suicide prevention, the patient will be linked with the next appropriate care, and both the patient and their general practitioner will receive a written plan of care.

Furthermore, the HSE has funded in 2022 an additional six Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses (SCAN) posts. They provide an early intervention to patients who may otherwise be referred to emergency departments, or placed on a waiting list for a community mental health team.
CORK shoppers believe that there arent enough public toilets in the city centre.

Speaking to this reporter in the city, many members of the public told The Echo that they were not aware of many of the public facilities available, and usually opt to use the bathroom in the Merchants Quay and the Paul Street shopping centres, as well as in cafes, restaurants and the Dunnes Stores on Patrick Street.

Among the policies discussed in a recent city council meeting, was a commitment to deliver a new toilet facility on Grand Parade adjacent to Cork City Library, which has now been completed.

The Grand Parade toilets require users to pay 50c for the use of the facilities, with a contactless transaction.

However, shoppers have expressed their lack of awareness of the new facility and their disapproval of the cashless payment option.

The council also revealed a proposal to implement a Leeside Leithreas sticker scheme, allowing older visitors to the city access to toilets in participating premises without the need to purchase.

However, Cork shoppers have said they are already more likely to use a toilet in a business premises rather than a public facility.

A lengthy discussion on loos took place at a council meeting last month, ahead of which councillors were presented with a report on the progress in implementing the local authoritys public toilet policy, which councillors agreed upon in May, 2021.

The policy outlined short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives for the provision of public toilets in the city centre and the wider city area.

Chief among the short-term initiatives was the opening up of the North Main Street Shopping Centre toilets to the public, which was completed on June 29, 2021.

The facility is supervised and includes mens and womens toilets, an accessible toilet, and a baby-changing unit and toilet.

The short-term initiatives also included a commitment to make toilet facilities available within Cork city public buildings for members of the public to access, which the report stated is now complete.

It added that the council has an ongoing social media campaign to increase awareness of public toilet facilities within the city.

Adjacent to the Cork City Library was identified as the location to provide a public toilet facility on the Grand Parade.

This facility provides a much-needed accessible toilet and baby changing unit, as well as one unisex toilet, the report stated.

The toilets are accessed directly via an entrance on the Grand Parade, which is separate to the main City Library entrance.

The toilets are supervised at all times, with contactless pay for use in place (50c), the report added.

Another medium-term aim was to provide public toilets at key recreational and amenity areas.

The report stated that public toilets facilities are now provided in the English Market, Marina Park, Bishopstown Park, Tramore Valley Park, Ballincollig Regional Park, and Fitzgeralds Park.

The council is also at a preliminary stage of a proposal to implement the Leeside Leithreas sticker scheme which may be incorporated into the age-friendly Take a Seat initiative.

The Take a Seat initiative proposes that a small number of existing outdoor seating at restaurants and pubs are set aside for older visitors to the city who wish to rest and relax during their city centre experience.

The visitor would not have to purchase from the participating premises and could avail of a glass of water and use of the toilet if required.

Any plan for the use of the toilets would need to have a subtle approach with the focus very much on seating, the report stated.

In the longer term, the policy is that all public realm projects must consider/include the provision of public toilets in their proposals.

Speaking at the council meeting, Green Party councillor Oliver Moran, who sought the update on the public toilet policy, said it is heartening to see the strategy being progressed and being progressed in a very logical fashion.

Mr Moran admitted, as did several other councillors, that he was unaware the new toilet facilities on Grand Parade had been opened and asked if the council could do more to increase awareness of the facilities.

This was echoed by other councillors, including Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent.

We have a strategy, I just think we need to promote it and we need to deliver on it as fast as we can, he said.

Independent councillor Paudie Dineen asked if the council could look at erecting signage.

Fianna Fail councillor John Sheehan, who is also a GP, welcomed the progress made to date on what he described as a very important issue.

Its encouraging to see progress being made because it is, really, a very important issue.

If were going to make our city more user- friendly in terms of the elderly, in terms of the public space and people coming into it, then we need to provide the facilities, he said.

The councils director of services for roads and environment operations, David Joyce, said he would take the requests for greater marketing and signage into consideration.

Labour representative in Cork city, Peter Horgan, recently called for more public toilets in the city.

Mr Horgan also said that the majority of towns and villages have few if any public toilets and said that the situation in Cork city is no different.

I am calling on the government to make provision for opening well-resourced public toilets in areas where people are meeting and at the times that they tend to congregate.

Public toilets are essential and long overdue in Cork city.

Moreover, the provision of toilet and seating facilities is an equality issue: For older persons, those with young children, those without money to spend in private enterprise, and those with a disability, access to a toilet can be the difference between communities being accessible or not.

What you say

Willie Herlihy, Blarney: To be honest, I think public bathrooms are non-existent in the city. To go to the bathroom, I would use a restaurant in the city and not the public toilets. I cant think of any public toilets in the city. I think its wrong to have to pay for the toilets.

People are often stuck in the city, there should definitely be public toilets in the main trading areas of the city. It is fine to have one on Grand Parade now, but what about having one in the main shopping area, like on Patrick Street?

Fiachra ODonovan, Turners Cross: I have only ever used the bathroom on Grand Parade once. Until then, I didnt even know it was there. I dont care much for the idea of tapping a contactless card to get into it either. A contactless bathroom, where access is restricted to contactless payments, that is really bad for the unhoused people in the city. It is also bad for the elderly. To me, it should be completely normal to use a bathroom and not have to use your bank card.

Anne Grant, Plymouth, UK: I have been in Cork for three days now. Since then, I havent actually seen any public toilets in the city. When we had to go to the toilet, we went to Dunnes Stores on Patrick Street. We had no problem using the bathrooms there, and we didnt have to pay for it either unlike on the street.

We were shopping in Dunnes, and it was ideal to have a bathroom so close while there. Other than using bathrooms in Dunnes and in restaurants, I havent come across any public toilets.
Gardai in Cork are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 15-year-old Jayden Daly, who has been missing from the Tivoli area of Cork city since approximately 10am last Friday morning, 21 July.

Jayden is described as 5 8 in height, of slim build, with blonde/brown hair and brown eyes.

When last seen, Jayden was wearing a light grey/white hoodie and black shorts.

Anyone with information on Jayden's whereabouts is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 455 8510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Finance Minister Michael McGrath has officially opened a new office for one of Irelands leading construction firms at a building which served, for half a century, as his partys headquarters in Cork.

Performing the official opening of Clancy Constructions new office in Cork city centre, Mr McGrath noted that the restored, listed building at 49 Grand Parade had been Fianna Fails Cork office for almost 60 years.

Its wonderful to see that it continues to be put to good use, Mr McGrath said.

Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath and John OShaughnessy, MD, Clancy Construction, at the official opening of 49 Grand Parade. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO

Clancy Construction, which is headquartered in Thurles and which also has an office in Dublin, employs 150 people nationwide.

The company currently employs 50 full-time staff in its Cork office, working on a range of projects which is expected to considerably increase in the near future.

Clancy Construction has been involved in several high profile developments in Cork recently, including a 554-bed student accommodation project on Bandon Rd which was fast-tracked using modern methods of construction.

It handed over a 30-bed ward extension at the Mercy Hospital last year while two state-of-the-art operating theatres are understood to be close to completion.

Clancy Construction is also working on several residential projects in Cork including a social and affordable housing scheme in Boherboy Rd, 30 social units in Blackrock and a housing development in Tower for Clancy Quality Homes.

Mr McGrath said Clancy Construction had an impressive history dating back to the 1940s and had been at the forefront of sustainable development in recent years.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO

I visited Ashlin House on Bandon Road with Enterprise Ireland in August of last year to see the new technologies theyre utilising to accelerate the delivery of large infrastructure projects, he said.

The opening of their new office today shows their commitment to Cork and the wider region.

I wish Clancy Construction all the best in their new office and in their future projects in Cork, Mr McGrath added.

John OShaughnessy, managing director of Clancy Construction, said Cork was an important strategic location for the company.

In recent times weve had as many as five tower cranes over our Cork sites at once, including Ashlin House, which was delivered on time and within budget despite the delays posed by Covid-19 and supply chain issues, he said.

We plan to build on the success of this project and a permanent city centre office is a vital element of that.

We look forward to working on a range of commercial, healthcare and residential projects in Cork and the wider Munster area in the near future."
CHANGES to the appointments of some priests in Cork, along with new appointments for permanent deacons, have been announced by the Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin.

Bishop Fintan Gavin said there has been great progress since the establishment of 12 Families of Parishes in the Diocese last summer, as priests and people have taken the opportunity to work together.

Alongside the change to Families of Parishes, Bishop Fintan Gavin issued a pastoral letter that set forth the vision for a renewed and mission-focused Church in the diocese.

When 12 Families of Parishes were established in the Diocese last summer, I said at the time that bringing parishes together in this way presents an opportunity for much greater lay participation and shared leadership of parishes, Bishop Fintan Gavin said.

He said he is deeply grateful for the creativity, courage and faith of the parishes to embark on this new way of being church into the future.

At the end of May this year, we gathered as people and priests from existing Families of Parishes and those to be established this summer in two very successful diocesan gatherings. Eilis Casey has taken up the role of Parish Life Coordinator in the Office of Mission and Ministry to work with parishes, he said.

She will soon be joined by a Coordinator of Faith Development to support parishes and Families of Parishes as we continue to work together and witness to the Gospel in new ways.

Bishop Fintan Gavin. Picture: Andy Gibson.

A further four Families of Parishes have also been established, including Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart and Wilton; Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Road and Mahon; Douglas/Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange and Turners Cross; and Mayfield (St. Josephs), Upper Mayfield and Pastoral Care of Holy Family Church, Military Hill.

I propose widening the Family of Parishes of South Parish, Ss Peter and Pauls and St Patricks to include the parishes of Blackpool/The Glen/Ballyvolane, Sundays Well and The Cathedral, Bishop Fintan Gavin said.

In this arrangement, the pastoral care of Holy Family Church, Military Hill will be provided by the Family of Parishes of Mayfield (St Josephs) and Upper Mayfield.

"I am grateful to many priests who are undertaking new appointments this year. I continue to be grateful for their willingness to minister in new ways with people in Families of Parishes.

Priests taking up appointments in Families of Parishes established in 2022

Family of Parishes of Carrigaline, Crosshaven, The Harbour Parishes (Monkstown and Passage West) and Tracton Abbey

Fr. Aidan Cremin Co-PP resident in Crosshaven Fr. Michael OConnell MSC CC resident in Carrigaline

Family of Parishes of Drimoleague, Dunmanway, Kilmichael and Uibh Laoire Fr. Liam Crowley Co-PP resident in Dunmanway

Fr. Joseph E Whooley Co-PP resident in Drimoleague

Healthcare Chaplaincy

Fr. Colin Doocey to be Chaplain in Cork University Hospital

Diaconal Appointments in the Diocese Deacon

John Guiry appointed Deacon in the Family of Parishes of Carrigaline, Crosshaven, The Harbour Parishes and Tracton Abbey anchored in Carrigaline Parish

Deacon David Lane appointed Deacon in the Family of Parishes of Carraig na bhFear, Glanmire, Glounthaune and Watergrasshill anchored in the Parishes of Glanmire and Glounthaune

Deacon Frank McKevitt appointed Deacon in Family of Parishes of Ballinora, Ballincollig and Ovens anchored in Ballincollig Parish.

Retirement

Fr. Aidan Vaughan OFM. Cap. will retire from full-time ministry.

Diocesan Appointments

Monsignor Gearoid Dullea Co-PP to be Diocesan Chancellor

Fr. Michael Keohane Co-PP to be Diocesan Education Secretary and continue as Diocesan Secretary pro tem.

These appointments take effect on Saturday August 12.

A full list of the appointments can be found here.
A young man who spat in the face of a garda during the Covid pandemic explained in court that he had experienced the trauma of being first on the scene of a friends suicide.

However, when Judge Olann Kelleher enquired into the precise dates of the assault on the garda and the suicide it turned out that the traumatic incident for defendant, Cillian Martin, did not occur until two days later.

Judge Olann Kelleher said he found it disgraceful that a defendant would come into court and attribute his actions - in spitting at a garda - to coming across the scene of a friends suicide when this simply was not the case.

Joseph Cuddigan said after a brief adjournment of the sentencing today (July 24) that the defendant said he was confused about the dates.

Judge Kelleher said: I dont accept that at all. I think he was misleading the court and hoping I wouldnt spot it. I will put it in for Wednesday.

I think you (the accused) attempted to mislead the court, relying on a very tragic incident. I think that is disgraceful.

"The reason I not dealing with it today is that I want to deal with it in the cold light of day.

Cillian Martin of 66 St Marys Road, Midleton, County Cork, will have to return to Cork District Court on July 26 for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour, being drunk and a source of danger to himself or others and assaulting Garda Aidan OSullivan.

This assault occurred following his arrest during a public order incident at Dunbar Street in Cork city on April 13, 2021.

Sergeant John Kelleher said gardai received a call to Dunbar Street in Cork and arrested Mr Martin in the course of a public order incident where he refused to comply with a garda direction to leave the scene of a disturbance.

The defendant was placed in the rear of a garda patrol van. He spat at Garda OSullivan. Saliva landed on the face, neck, arms, shirt and stab vest of the guard.

There is no victim impact before the court," said Sgt Kelleher.

Mr Cuddigan said the defendant said he had experienced a traumatic event relating to finding a friend following his suicide, but Judge Kelleher said he wanted to know the specific date on which this tragic incident occurred. The defendant confirmed that it happened on April 15, 2021.

In other words, Martins assault on the guard was carried out two days before he found his late friend.
A Corkman gave a running commentary on an Indian motorist who was being spoken to by a garda for illegal parking and he said: Check their passports, theres too many of those f***ers being left into the country.

Martin Doyle, aged 50, of 22, Mount Nebo Avenue, Gurranabraher, made the remarks on June 18. Now at Cork District Court he pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said he read the contents of the garda statement in the case to Martin Doyle in his office.

When I read the information I received he was mortified. He does not hold those views, Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Olann Kelleher responded to that assertion and said that the defendant did not just say what he said once and walk on, he made the remarks five times on the occasion.

Mr Buttimer said of the accused, he works with people who are non-national and gets on well with them in work. He doesnt know why he said it.

Judge Kelleher said it was an offence meriting a jail sentence. However, the judge said that in light of mitigating factors, such as the fact that the defendant did not have any conviction since 2011, he could avoid a jail sentence of two months by doing 200 hours of community service.

That was on the charge related to the abusive or insulting behaviour.

He was fined 300 for being drunk and a danger.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the incident occurred on June 18.

Garda Darragh Dineen was speaking to an Indian male who was parked illegally. Martin Doyle walked past and said, check their passports, theres too many of those f***ers being left into the country.

Gardai approached Martin Doyle and he said, you scumbags are doing nothing about it.

He said, there is over 200,000 of them being left in here and you are doing nothing about it. He repeated, scumbags.

And finally, he added, you are leaving too many of the c***s in here. Ye and the Green Party, Sgt Kelleher said.
A partial DNA profile generated from material preserved 42 years ago matched that found on a beanie hat taken from a cold case murder accused, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

UK forensic scientist Dr Jonathan Paul Whitaker testified that the probability of the recovered DNA profile originating from someone unrelated "to the man in the beanie hat" would be one in 23,000.

Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom, who also gave evidence today, said that based on a database of the Irish population, it was at least 20,000 times more likely that the recovered DNA was a match to that found on the beanie hat rather than an unrelated person.

Evidence has been given that a microscopic slide containing material from a vaginal swab of the victim 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.

The jury has heard that the pathologist who carried out the post mortem on Nora 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.

Noel Long (74) with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981 at an unknown place within the State. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork six days after she went missing.

Evidence

Dr Whitaker from Forensic Science Services (FSS) in the UK continued giving his direct evidence in the trial today. He told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that Low Copy Number (LCN) was a more sensitive DNA profiling technique capable of detecting DNA in much smaller amounts and where a sample is old or has had the opportunity to degrade.

The witness said the LCN method stopped being used in 2012 as there had been another development in DNA profile testing within the scientific community. "There is no real requirement to have it today as a result of advancements in technology," he added.

Witness Dr John Whitaker pictured leaving the trial of Noel Long at the The Criminal Courts of Justice.

In November 2008, Dr Whitaker received a microscope slide of cellular material taken from the body of Mrs Sheehan and a blood stain card from the victim.

Dr Whitaker tested the microscope slide using the LCN methodology - what he said was the most appropriate method available - to maximise the chance of getting a DNA profile from the sample as it was quite old and taken from the decomposed body of the victim.

The blood stain card of Mrs Sheehan was processed by the standard DNA method.

Dr Whitaker agreed that on May 5, 2022 he received from Dr Kristen O'Connor the result of a DNA profiling test performed on a black beanie hat obtained from an address as Maulbawn, Passage West, Co. Cork.

Dr Kristen O'Connor from Forensic Science Ireland has testified that she received five items belonging to Mr Long on December 1, 2021 for DNA testing and one of these was a black beanie hat.

Dr Whitaker told the jury it was possible to observe sperm cells on the microscopic slide.

Asked by Mr Grehan what concentration of sperm cells were on the slide, Dr Whitaker said there were approximately 5,000 but that sperm cells have no bearing on the profile interpretation.

The witness said the next step was to separate epithelial and semen cells.

Dr Whitaker said when he tested the epithelial part of the vaginal swab he obtained a female DNA profile which matched the DNA profile obtained from Mrs Sheehan's blood stain card.

Dr Whitaker said a male partial profile or incomplete profile was developed from the seminal part of the sample in the microscope slide. His opinion as to why the seminal fraction was an incomplete profile was because of the poor quality of the DNA.

"It's broken down because of its age or [because] that bacteria has affected the integrity of the DNA; we are dealing with a profile obtained some 28 years earlier," he said.

The witness said a DNA profile from the beanie hat provided to him in May 2022 was compared to the profile obtained from the seminal part of the microscope vaginal slide. Dr Whitaker said the profile taken from the semen on the microscope slide matched the DNA recovered from the beanie hat.

The witness said that if the male DNA profile on the microscope slide had not come from the person whose DNA profile was on the beanie hat then it must have come from somebody else who by chance had the same DNA profile.

Regarding the probability of that particular DNA profile originating from someone unrelated "to the man in the beanie hat", he said it would be one in 23,000.

The next witness, forensic scientist Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom said she was asked to offer her view of a match between material on Mrs Sheehan's vaginal swab and the black beanie hat based on the Irish population. She estimated it was at least 20,000 times more likely that the DNA matched that on the beanie hat rather than an unrelated person based on the database of the Irish population.

Cross Examination

Under cross-examination, Michael Delaney SC, defending, asked the witness what the likelihood ratio would be if a full profile obtained from the semen on the vaginal swab had matched the profile obtained from the beanie hat. Dr Ramsbottom said it would be a thousand million times more likely where there was a match between two full profiles.

Under cross-examination by Mr Delaney, Detective Garda David Barrett, of Bandon Garda Station, agreed that this case had been with the Serious Crime Review Team from 2008 to 2016 before it was returned to Bandon Garda Station.

Det Gda Barrett also agreed that he had undertaken an extensive search in Bandon District Headquarters, which comprised of seven garda stations, for exhibits in the case. He further agreed that 281 items were recorded on the exhibit log from the investigation but that no items were recovered as part of his search. These items included a blue and white flowered dress found on Mrs Sheehan's body as well as a blue coat, a shoe with a gold buckle and tights found at the scene. The remains of a vaginal swab taken from the deceased's body was not recovered either. The witness said the accused had been charged with the offence on June 28, 2022.

At the close of today's proceedings, Mr Grehan told the jury that the prosecution had completed its evidence in the trial. Mr Delaney said an issue of law arises in the absence of the jury which would take two days.

The trial continues on Thursday before the jury of seven men and four women.
There was a fiery debate in the Cork City Council chamber on Monday evening as councillors voted against the immediate reopening of Ballincollig Fire Station.

A motion that Cork City Council would resolve to reopen the Ballincollig fire station immediately with a full-time fire service was defeated at the Special Meeting of Cork City Council on Monday evening.

Seven Cork city councillors brought forward the motion which fell on Monday evening, with five votes for the motion, 18 votes against, and three abstentions.

As part of the next stage of the process, talks are scheduled to take place on Wednesday at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Speaking at the meeting, which was well attended by local firefighters, the Chief Executive of Cork City Council Ann Doherty said a full-time service is not required for Ballincollig, as confirmed by National Guidance, and said that it has always been a station ground served by a retained fire crew.

She highlighted that Ballincollig station ground has an incident rate of approximately 230 incidents per year, in comparison to the existing full-time fire station at Anglesea Street which has approximately 1,541 incidents per year and Ballyvolane which has approximately 1,117 incidents per year.

Ms Doherty also made reference to the cost of implementing the proposed resolution which she said is estimated to be in the order of 4.6 million.

She said that a full-time crew in Ballincollig would require an additional 40 full-time firefighters at a cost of 4.1 million.

Based on the 2023 budget non-pay budget, she said a full-time service in Ballincollig would entail additional non-pay costs of over 0.5 million per annum.

Cork City Firefighters at the City Hall, Cork, for a meeting to compel the council executive to reopen the station in Ballincollig. Cork. Included are Councillors and local Ballincollig supporters. Picture Dan Linehan

Cork City South-East councillor Lorna Bogue (Rabharta Glas) questioned the costs outlined on the report supplied to members by the Chief Executive before the meeting began, saying:

The problem with the funding of services is that Cork City Council has not been applying for the funding for services," she said.

"So, there has been availability of central funding since 2020 for capital expenditure of 61 million nationally for the upgrading of fire stations and Cork City Council did not apply, despite having a fire station that needed upgrading. The upgrading that was required was a kitchen and a staff room.

She said that the city development plan foresees a 19% population growth of Ballincollig by 2028 and that the executive ignores the central argument made by the firefighters that the fire service provision needs to be on a city-wide basis.

Cork City Councillors Fiona Kerins, Kenneth Collins, Ted Tynan, Lorna Bogue and Mick Nugent who met with Cork City Firefighters at the City Hall, Cork, prior to a meeting to compel the council executive to reopen the station in Ballincollig. Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cllr Bogue added that this issue has been with the WRC for years and firefighters rightly indicate that they are willing to escalate more serious industrial action if their concerns remain unanswered by their employers.

She called on the Council to write to the Minister for Local Government to secure funding available for 2024/25 for fire station works, and to write to the Minister separately in relation to its needs for additional programme funding for an increased fire service.

'Playing Politics'

Meanwhile, Councillor Colm Kelleher described the proposed resolution as a shameless, unconceived, dishonourable example of false hope, of playing politics in an election year.

He said that if passed, the resolution would create increased services but that it would also mean a supplementary budget which he said would raise the levels of property tax, commercial rates, rents and service fees across the city.

He described the resolution as political electioneering in its fullest form and said he was aghast by the hypocrisy from the left.

Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent described the continued closure of Ballincollig Fire station as a scandal, while Workers' Party councillor Ted Tynan said there are large numbers of industries and areas in Ballincollig that need a fire station to be based nearby in the event of a fire or serious accident.

However, the majority of councillors in attendance at the meeting on Monday agreed that the right solution would be that the Council and firefighters engage with the WRC and find a workable solution that can be implemented to reopen the fire station.
TWENTY-FIVE years is a long time looking forward, and a short time looking back.

In the bitter-sweet symphony of life, participating in the peace process in July, 1998, was the highlight of my time in politics.

Having run as a candidate in the 1997 General Election for Mary Harney and the Progressive Democrats, it was a huge privilege to be chosen to represent the party at the JFK School of Government programme in Harvard University, Boston, as part of the peace process from July 19-24, 1998.

Some of the representatives were Austin Currie (Fine Gael), Sean Doherty (Fianna Fail), Liz McManus (Labour), Edwin Poots (DUP), David Irvine (PUP), Gary McMichael (UDP) and myself.

All political parties, on the island of Ireland and in the UK were represented.

The theme of the programme was A New Political Architecture, with a focus on building bridges between individuals and communities.

One of my favourite quotes is by Nelson Mandela, when he said: As I walked out the door to my freedom, I knew that if I didnt leave the bitterness and hatred behind, that i would still be in prison.

It was a real privilege to play a small part in the peace process, but the people who played the biggest part are the people who voted in the Good Friday Agreement Referendum.

The Peace Conference in Boston was organised by Tim Philips of the Foundation for a Civil Society, which has become an organisation called Beyond Conflict. The American Ireland Fund was also involved. The support of Irish Americans was, and continues to be, central to the process.

I would like to thank everyone that voted for me, or helped me in any way - I havent been involved in politics since 1999, preferring to focus on humanitarian causes.

Ive enjoyed maintaining my connection to the JFK School of Government, by attending the Kennedy Summer School in September in New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, with the conflict from Northern Ireland on the TV and radio every day, I wondered if a resolution could ever be found.

I believe it would not have happened without the support of Irish Americans.

Irish American politicians, both Republican and Democrat, have played, and continue to play, a vital role in securing the peace.

Its dangerous to take peace for granted. I believe that the vast majority of people living on this island are tired of violence, and want to find a way of living together, prefering to put their energies into peace and prosperity.

J.J. Flavin: "It was a real privilege to play a small part in the peace process"

Is violence the least effective way to resolve conflict?

I got to meet John Hume at the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Dublin Castle. He is the only recipient of both the Martin Luther King Jnr, and Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize.

Today, there are many survivors of bombs and bullets living in Northern Ireland.

The survivors that I have met dont want any other person, or families, to go through the trauma that they have gone through.

Survivors give a different perspective, that has made me view the conflict in a whole new way.

Stephen Travers, a survivor of the Miami Showband Massacre, and Eugene Reavey, who lost his three brothers in the conflict, have set up the Truth and Reconciliation Platform, aka TarP. It aims to o give a voice to survivors, from both communities, who want to share their life-changing experiences, and to warn of the real consequences of using violence as a means of change.

Neither Stephen, Eugene nor their parents wanted retaliation.

The Miami Showband documentary was one of the Top 10 trending Netflix documentaries of 2019, and was nominated for an Emmy Award.

I learned a lot from Richard Moores Podcast What About You? Richard was 10 years old when he was blinded for life by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier on May 5, 1972.

Both Richard and his parents did not want any retaliation.

Richard also interviews other survivors of the Troubles, whose life experiences are very moving.

Bobby, Ted, Jean and the Kennedy family have played, and continue to play a vital role in the peace process, by harnessing the goodwill of Irish Americans, both Republican and Democrat.

The recent appointment by President Joe Biden of Joseph Patrick Kennedy II as United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland in 2022 was a very welcome development.




High corn price sparks shutdown of poultry farms in Delta State, Nigeria

The prohibitive cost of corn, which is a major component of poultry feeds, is forcing farms to shut down in Delta State, Nigeria.

The development is coming with the inevitability of workers being laid off which may result in youth restiveness in the oil rich state. The cost of corn rose from 225,000 (US$377.78) to 405,000 (US$680) per tonne with the potential of further increase.

As a result, about 600 poultry farms are in line to be closed as owners can no longer sustain their respective enterprises.

Addressing journalists in Asaba on July 19, the chairman of Delta State chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Eric Tomfawei, stressed that despite the recent increase in the cost of corn, farmers in Delta State are unable to increase prices as many farmers are already experiencing gluts in egg and broiler production.

Tomfawei appealed to relevant government agencies to release adequate quantities of corn from the Strategic Food Reserve to the poultry industry at discounted rate to address the spiraling cost of corn.

"There is also the need for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to release enough quantity of maize to the poultry industry through the association at discounted prices to address this situation," he said. "Apart from the direct impact on hunger crisis, more youths, who are engaged by the poultry industry will be thrown back into the labour market with attendant security implication."

He claimed that poultry farmers are being frustrated by the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the Strategic Maize Reserve (SMR) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by its cancellation of allocations of 40,000 tonnes of corn meant to assist poultry farmers.

Tomfawei accused officials of the Nigeria Commodity Exchange and the Strategic Food Reserve of CBN of hoarding of corn and urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to set up an investigative panel to get to the root of the problem. He urged support for the poultry industry to prevent its imminent collapse and warned that Nigeria could become a dumping ground for imported poultry products, if the right steps are not taken.

Tomfawei also urged Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta State, to address the issue of egg and broiler glut crisis affecting poultry farmers in the state.

- The Sun




Bangladesh stakeholders call for high-quality feed sourcing for livestock industries



The Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) in collaboration with the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) organised a meeting among stakeholders in the Bangladesh livestock industry, which aimed to address the significance of feed quality in various sectors, including poultry, aquaculture, dairy, and cattle, Bangladesh Post reported.

Shamsul Arefin Khaled, president of BPICC and the Feed Industries Association Bangladesh (FIAB), noted that the country meets its demand for poultry, aqua, dairy, and cattle feeds through local production. Over time, the industry has achieved remarkable feed quality standards, enabling it to export products to neighbouring countries like India and Nepal.

To ensure the excellence of these products, including Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and performance, the industry relies on reliable and high-quality soybean and soybean meal imports mainly from the USA, Brazil, and Argentina.

Kevin Roepke, regional director for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa at USSEC, emphasised that a country's economic growth is intrinsically linked to the health and well-being of its people. Protein, in particular, is vital for cognitive development.

Roepke referred to a World Food Programme report stating that around 11 million people suffer from acute hunger in Bangladesh. Addressing this nutrition deficiency requires providing access to affordable, nutritious, and high-quality protein.

USSEC conducted a "Bangladesh Protein Perception Study," revealing that a significant portion of Bangladeshis are unaware of the recommended daily protein intake. The study found that 62% of consumers identified cereal (dal) as a primary source of protein.

To raise awareness about protein's importance in human nutrition and advocate for access to quality protein for all individuals, the Right to Protein global campaign was highlighted by Khabibur Rahman, USSEC Team-Lead Bangladesh.

Moderating the meeting, Md Sirajul Hoque, senior vice-president of the World's Poultry Science Association- Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB), shared that Bangladesh produces approximately 7.5 to 8 million metric tonnes of feed annually.

- Bangladesh Post




Up to 40% rise in Russian pork exports in first six months of 2023

Russia's pork exports increased by up to 40% in the first six months of 2023 compared to the volumes in January-June 2022.

"Total exports of pork products in the first half of the year are estimated to have increased by 35-40%, which is partly explained by the reduced basis of the first half of last year," said Yuri Kovalev, head of the National Union of Pork Producers. "Nevertheless, if current trends continue and in the absence of global turbulence, we can estimate the export of pork products at the level of 220-230 thousand tonnes in 2023 ($450 million in monetary terms)."

According to Kovalev, the main reason for the growth of pork exports is the improvement of the global market conditions and the weakening of the Russian currency. Among the observed trends is the continued growth of pork supplies to Belarus, as well as the resumption of exports to Vietnam.

Pork supplies to Belarus increased by 21% in 2023. Supplies to Vietnam have grown almost twofold. Kovalev also highlighted the increase in the share of pork in the supply structure.

"Pig meat now accounts for almost 75% of supplies, although two to three years ago, the share of meat was only two-third," Kovalev added. "The rest is by-products. Thus, it provides not only the growth of supply volumes but also growth in value."



- AgroExport
Former deputy chief of State Tobacco Monopoly Administration arrested for bribery

Xinhua) 16:29, July 24, 2023

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Upon the designation of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), the Liaoning Provincial People's Procuratorate has ordered the arrest of He Zehua, former deputy chief of China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration.

He is suspected of bribe-taking, the SPP said in a statement on Monday.

He's case was investigated by the National Commission of Supervision before being handed over to prosecutors.

Further handling of the case is underway.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
IOM features on UNESCO Map



UNESCO Map

The Isle of Man (IOM) features in United Kingdom (UK) and crown dependencies UNSECO sites new illustrated map.

The map that has that has been illustrated by artist, Tom Woolley, features all 58 UK UNESCO sites for the first time.

It has been created to encourage visitors to discover new sites and destinations on their doorstep and is available to download for free from the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture and Vice-Chair of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, said: It is great to have, for the first time, a map that illustrates and connects all the UNESCO designations across the UK and crown dependencies.

Congratulations to all who have produced and supported it. I hope people will visit our Biosphere when exploring our fascinating UNESCO sites, and we hope to commission an Isle of Man specific map to complement this exciting project.

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO said: This new UNESCO in the UK map will inspire people for places to visit. It shows at a glance the breadth of amazing natural, cultural and built heritage designated by UNESCO as internationally significant in the UK.

"This great map highlights places to explore, on your doorstep and further afield, both the famous and those to discover for the first time.

The map was produced by the UK National Commission for UNESCO as part of its Local to Global project, made possible with the GREAT Campaign and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
Last month, theoretical physicist Avi Loeb made headlines with the sensational claim that tiny spherules recovered from the bottom of the ocean were probably of alien origin. Its most likely a technological gadget with artificial intelligence, he said to The New York Times, which published a story today about the Harvard professors contentious claims. Although the biggest scientific breakthroughs often start with a bold hypothesis, Loebs peers believe the decorated astrophysicists assertions can be called many things  but good science isnt one of them.

Loebs proclamations stem from an object that US government sensors logged on January 8th, 2014: a fireball from space that blazed into the western Pacific Ocean off the northeastern coast of Papua New Guinea. Highlighting its logged speed and direction as an anomaly, Loeb and undergraduate assistant Amir Siraj targeted the otherwise inconsequential planetary entry as an object worthy of further investigation.

Fast-forward to last month, when Loeb led a voyage  funded by a crypto entrepreneur  to recover evidence from the fireballs calculated crash path. Dragging a magnetic sled attached to the expedition boat across the ocean floor, the team recovered a series of tiny spherical objects which Loeb says appear under a microscope as beautiful metallic marbles. Preliminary analysis indicated that the sub-millimeter orbs were 84 percent iron, with silicon, magnesium and trace elements comprising the rest. Loeb believes that as a result of being exposed to the fireballs heat, the surface of the object likely disintegrated into tiny spherules, similar in number per unit area to those recovered by the expedition.

Avi Loeb / Medium

Not one to exercise much caution with public pronouncements, Loeb wrote in a Medium post, Their discovery opens a new frontier in astronomy, where what lay outside the solar system is studied through a microscope rather than a telescope. He summarized, in an equally dramatic manner, The discovery of spherules felt like a miracle. Soon after, CBS News picked up on his excitement and published an attention-grabbing article titled, Harvard professor Avi Loeb believes hes found fragments of alien technology. Loeb has sent the mysterious spheres to Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley and the Bruker Corporation in Germany for more in-depth analysis.

It has material strength that is tougher than all space rock that were seen before, and catalogued by NASA, CBS News reported Loeb as saying earlier this month. We calculated its speed outside the solar system. It was 60 km per second, faster than 95% of all stars in the vicinity of the sun. The fact that it was made of materials tougher than even iron meteorites, and moving faster than 95% of all stars in the vicinity of the sun, suggested potentially it could be a spacecraft from another civilization or some technological gadget.

It all sounds fascinating, especially with the resurgent interest in UFOs and the quest to discover signs of alien life. But theres one problem: The scientific community, by and large, believes Loeb is, if not entirely full of it, practicing something far outside what theyd call science.

Peter Brown, a meteor physicist at Western University in Ontario, said that several percent of detected events appear interstellar at first but almost always end up chalked up to a measurement error. Steve Desch, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University, argued at a recent conference that if the object were traveling as fast as the data suggests  one of the points Loeb uses to indicate its origin was from outside our solar system  it would have been wholly incinerated entering the Earths atmosphere. Brown and other scientists also highlight Loebs lack of engagement with peers who study similar unidentified fireballs.

Brown recently presented data (accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal) demonstrating that NASAs recordings in cases like these often end up being proven untrustworthy. He believes the fireball likely impacted at a slower speed than the recorded data suggested. If the speed was overestimated, then the object becomes, more or less, within the realm of what we see in terms of other bound solar system objects, he said. (Loeb retorted by citing an unbendable trust in government data: They are responsible for national security. I think they know what they are doing.) The New York Times adds that the government is unlikely to declassify the data that would allow the scientific community to learn how precise (or not) it is.

Avi Loeb / Medium

Regardless of the spherules origins, researchers are alarmed by Loebs penchant for venturing outside science to make bold (and highly publicized) claims  with his scientific background boosting their perceived legitimacy. The gist of their alarm is that becoming a Harvard-employed astrophysicist doesnt grant you the wizard-like ability to know the answers to questions the scientific method hasnt yet confirmed. On the contrary, its supposed to mean your peers respect you for exercising restraint and doing quite the opposite. [Loebs claims are] a real breakdown of the peer review process and the scientific method, Desch said to The New York Times. And its so demoralizing and tiring.

Loebs views about his peers harsh response can be summarized in his cited quote from philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer from a recent blog post. All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; second, it is violently opposed; and third, it is accepted as self-evident. Notably, Loeb seemingly refers to his conclusions about the preliminary findings  with plenty of question marks still intact  as truth.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines confirmation bias as the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories. Loebs words and excited tone suggest he knows the answer and that his peers criticism stems from their resistance to the new frontier hes discovered. However, their criticism seems only partially about his specific conclusions; its paired with a larger concern about an esteemed cohort jumping to conclusions that fall far outside of the scientific method. What the public is seeing in Loeb is not how science works, remarked Desch. And they shouldnt go away thinking that.
Netflix's interface can sometimes make you wade through screens and tabs just to find the show you wanted to watch, but it's hopefully getting easier as of today. The streaming service is rolling out a My Netflix tab on iOS (Android in early August) that puts everything you're watching (or want to watch) in one place. That includes in-progress videos and downloads, of course, but you'll also see My List items, notifications, shows with viewed trailers and other earmarked content. In theory, you can quickly start a series without remembering how you learned about it.

The tab is available worldwide, and will replace the Downloads section when it reaches the app. Netflix notes the tab will grow the more you interact with the platform, so there's a strong incentive to leave likes or add to your viewing queue. The Home tab will remain if you're more interested in discovering new material.

To some extent, this is an admission that the Netflix front-end can sometimes be overwhelming when you're just trying to find that show you were eager to watch. However, it's also a way to keep viewers coming back. In theory, you're more likely to stay subscribed if you have an easier time finding the titles you want to watch next. This also helps Netflix boost interaction and identify popular shows using more than viewing counts.

The company isn't hurting for demand. Netflix's password crackdown appears to be paying off with a surge in subscriptions from customers that previously borrowed friends' accounts. The feature isn't likely to sustain that momentum by itself. With that said, this may give new customers an incentive to continue paying instead of switching to rivals like Amazon.
DES MOINESYou may have noticed that Ron DeSantis is a military man now.

Not that it was ever a secret, exactly. DeSantis, who deployed to Iraq as a judge advocate general (JAG) officer in 2007, introduced himself to voters as Ron DeSantis, Iraq War Veteran in his 2018 contest for Florida governor, and has made passing references to his decision to enlist at early campaign events this year. But personal wrinkles like military service have thus far taken a backseat to the governors better-known forays into the culture wars.

The original DeSantis game plan was a presidential campaign that would make its pitch on his conservative credentials and the results he obtained in Tallahassee, more than retail politicking, which is not considered his strength.

But its the rare winning presidential campaign that unfolds precisely according to plan from start to finish. And while attempts to rebrand a candidate mid-campaign often turn out no better than the New Coke fiasco, sometimes they succeed. Ronald Reagan fired campaign manager John Sears on the eve of the New Hampshire primary and brought back three familiar California hands willing to let Reagan be Reagan. Donald Trumps campaign underwent reboots in both 2016 and 2020, with mixed results.

As part of his campaign reset, DeSantis could be found at multiple events this week specifically catered to military servicemen. Iowans heard him recount war stories from the Coronado Naval base at a veterans fundraiser outside Des Moines. He was flanked by WWII-era Jeeps as he unveiled a host of military-related policies to an audience in South Carolina. He punctuated his cable and radio with quick interviews highlighting his status as the only veteran currently in the race for the White House.

Im relying on my experience of being in an organization where, at that time, it was mission first, DeSantis said Thursday on the nationally syndicated Hugh Hewitt Show.

Standard operating procedure on the DeSantis campaign this week was for surrogates to introduce the candidate as someone who was attached to or supported the SEAL team in Fallujah, which is how he was described at Saturdays fundraiser in the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny, Iowa. Its well-engineered language that is strictly true, even if it might imply something more romantic than the legal work typical of a JAGs advisory role.

In any case, its more than anyone else in the crowded Republican field can say. An added emphasis on DeSantis military service was one of several plans outlined in an internal memo to his campaign donors, leaked last week to NBC News.

Dated July 6, the document was an attempt to calm the nerves of squeamish investors expecting an ascent, not a decline, in the GOP primary polls still dominated by Trump. DeSantis holds 20.4% of the Republican vote in the current RCP national average. Months ago, he was hovering around 30%. The frontrunner, meanwhile, has expanded his lead and now sits at 53.1%.

We are grateful for the investment so many Americans have made to get this country back on track. stated an early paragraph of the memo. The fight to save it will be long and challenging, but we have built an operation to share the governors message and mobilize the millions of people who support it. We are ready to win.

Below was a bold-faced header assuring readers that THE BALLOT IS VERY FLUID and a number of explanations as to why the campaign is sticking to that story. It promised aggressive new messaging, a more disciplined media effort, and hinted tantalizingly at exploitable weaknesses in the competition. Central to it all, though, was a recalibration around the Florida governors story.

Weve found that when voters hear about the Governors bio  principally as a Dad and as a veteran  they like him and are open to hearing more about him, the document said. A major paid media effort featuring the Governors bio (dad/family/veteran) will help us to convert image to ballot.

The DeSantis team is betting big on this strategy in Iowa, promising a saturation of the airwaves and a host of upcoming, retail-centric events featuring cookout styled, backyard activities. Its a goal thats called critical in the memo, and for good reason: Iowas first-in-the-nation caucus offers DeSantis the earliest opportunity to prove that a third Trump nomination is less than inevitable.

On July 14, the day after the memo was made public, DeSantis was campaigning in Iowa, preparing for a date with Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines. At least one prophecy in the memo had already come to pass.

Hardly a week after his team reminded donors that Trump is always the most efficient driver of his own negatives, as if on cue, the former president launched an unprovoked attack on Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican well-liked among her fellow conservatives.

I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won, Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!

This gratuitous salvo of friendly fire quickly rippled through local GOP circles. It prompted one Iowa State senator, Jeff Reichman, to publicly flip his endorsement from Trump to DeSantis.

RCP spoke with Reichman at the Family Leadership Summit, where he sounded nonplussed by Trumps remarks.

In all these other cases where former President Trump goes after people, its usually for good reason, Reichman said. And sometimes you might shake your head a little bit. But in this case, we know Governor Reynolds. Theres no excuse for it.

By chance, Reichman was already on his way to Des Moines for a meeting with Reynolds when he was forwarded an email with Trumps post. He was able to speak with her about it the following morning.

She said, You do what you need to do, Reichman recalled. And, though the Governor handled the post with character, Reichman noted that of course, it was directly at her, so it was troubling to her.

Reichman predicted a bounce for DeSantis in the near future  something more or less echoed by all fans of the governor who spoke to RCP that weekend.

Rick Peterson, a 72-year-old retired financial auditor from Ankeny, put it bluntly. A Republican who already had cold feet about supporting Trump, he told RCP that Kim Reynolds is definitely more popular than the former President in his home state.

Trumps Truth post, Id say, was a major, unforced error, Peterson said. Itll hurt him here.

While seeking to assure donors that DeSantis is the only viable alternative to Trump, the memo takes a pointed jab at Tim Scott, whose devout faith and feel-good messaging has reportedly caught the attention of establishment donors looking for a better way to undercut Trump among evangelical Christians.

While Tim Scott has earned a serious look at this stage, his bio is lacking the fight that our electorate is looking for in the next president, the memo reads. We expect Tim Scott to receive appropriate scrutiny in the weeks ahead.

Leaving aside whatever innuendo was implied, Scotts foreign policy came under withering scrutiny from Tucker Carlson at the Iowa family summit.

One attendee, a retiree from Mount Pleasant who identified herself to RCP as Janet, attended the summit to scout for candidates skeptical of the Biden administrations decision to arm Ukraine with advanced weaponry, including combat tanks and cluster bombs. As predicted, Janet was unsatisfied with Scotts answers to Carlson.

Tim Scotts a good man, she conceded. The cluster bomb question, I was disappointed in that. He should have really denounced that.

DeSantis has long been the de facto favorite of the Never Trump crowd. But, as is evident in the polls, victory in Iowa is nigh impossible if he cant convert significant numbers of Hawkeye State Republicans who are currently planning to stick with Trump.

Thats proving tricky. The third promise made in the donor memo concerns so-called soft Trump voters. The DeSantis game plan is apparently to pitch them from the right.

Soft Trump voters and America First conservatives do not look kindly on Trumps record on guns, the deficit and spending, Transgenderism, and his familys cozy relationship with the Saudi Royal Family, the memo explains.

DeSantis wasted no time executing this strategy. When he finally took the stage at the Des Moines Family Leadership Summit, Tucker Carlson had barely finished asking his first question  about the prospect of a six-week federal abortion ban  before DeSantis tried to position himself as the more authentic conservative.

Its been written about how Ive lost a lot of really big supporters, he told the crowd. Some of them just arent pro-life. Some of them think its a political liability. And at the end of the day, you get into office to be able to do whats right. Youve got to stand on principle.

He never quite committed himself to that six-week ban, but several in the audience took note of what he did do. One was David Reinke, a retired surgeon from Rock Valley and a Trump fan with a distaste for conventional Republicans. Among the MAGA crowd, this word has typically been code for Ron DeSantis. But following his time with Carlson?

[DeSantis] started out that way, but hes learning he cant be, Reinke said. Getting that answer out there right away was smart.

In another break from convention, Reinke was one of a few in the audience to actually compliment the stage presence of a candidate who has been routinely described as awkward in person. Its a lot better watching him in person than on a TV, he said.

Is the stage set in Iowa for a soft Trump revolt? Its tough to say, but Reinke isnt necessarily the guy to ask. Once a Trumper, always a Trumper, he quipped.
NFU Cymru leaders have said they will not join the Welsh governments new Sustainable Farming Scheme based on the current proposals for the support scheme.

The union's president Aled Jones and deputy president Abi Reader have made the announcement, saying it echoed the viewpoint of many farmers in a variety of sectors across Wales.

Earlier this month, the Welsh government published an update on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) proposals in its co-design response.

That update reaffirmed that participation in the universal tier of the SFS remains dependant on farmers having 10% tree cover and 10% habitat cover on their holdings.

The Welsh government has set ambitious tree planting targets of 43,000 hectares by 2030, with 180,000 hectares by 2050.

NFU Cymru had previously warned that many farmers would not be able to meet this threshold, alienating them from the new support scheme.

And others have said they could not justify giving 10% of their land over to tree planting given the impact this would have on their productive capacity and business viability.

Now Mr Jones and Ms Reader have stated their frustration that the scheme proposals "are not going to work for their businesses and many others across Wales".

Mr Jones said: Welsh governments 10% tree cover targets present a very real barrier to scheme participation, my own farm included.

"With pressures to maximise land area to meet the nitrogen limit requirements of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations, I simply do not have the additional land to spare for 10% tree cover.

Ms Reader added that farmers "remain in the dark" over the level of incentive the Welsh government proposes for the scheme, with payment rates not yet published.

Ms Reader said: "We fear that payment rates are not likely to reflect the reduction in land values associated with tree planting - in effect a permanent land use change.

"Would Welsh government expect any other sector to undertake an activity that could devalue an asset, in our case productive agricultural land, by up to 80% of its value?

Welsh government must recognise uptake of the scheme by farmers is going to be central to the delivery of its climate and nature ambitions."

The final consultation on the SFS scheme is due to be published later this year, with the final scheme announced in 2024 for implementation in 2025.
Single Malt Welsh Whisky has been registered under the UK's post-Brexit Geographical Indication scheme (UKGI), in a move which aims to protect the product's authenticity.

The new protected status has been granted in recognition of the unique qualities of the Welsh Single Malt, Defra said on Monday (24 July).

Dating back to 1887, Single Malt Welsh Whisky is made using malted barley and water of 100% Welsh origin.

Today's move provides a guarantee to consumers that the product they are buying is the authentic local Single Malt, with each step of the production process taking place in Wales.

It gives the product the same status as 20 other Welsh foods, including Gower Salt Marsh Lamb and Welsh Leeks.

It is the first new UK spirit drink application to be registered and protected under new scheme, which was created following the UK's departure from the EU.

The product is registered to four distillers in Wales, who together export to over 45 countries worldwide including the US, France, Germany and China.

Defra Secretary Therese Coffey said: Single Malt Welsh Whisky is widely acclaimed for its lightness of character and I am pleased to announce it will be the first protected spirit under our UKGI scheme at the Royal Welsh Show.

It shows how the UK government is ready to get behind the best of British food and drink from across the nation - to boost sales at home and abroad, create jobs and grow our economy.

I look forward to meeting some of the distillers at the Royal Welsh Show and celebrating this unique products wonderful history.

Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn Whisky, said the achievement of UKGI status was a significant milestone for Penderyn as a producer and for the wider Welsh whisky industry.

It assists in safe guarding both the quality of the product and also its source of origin," he added.

"Its an exciting step forward and one that puts focus on an industry that has been growing steadily over the last 20 years.
Rob Lowe hailed Sheryl Berkoff as a "wonderfully unique woman" as the couple celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary over the weekend.

Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff have been married for 32 years

The 59-year-old actor has taken to social media to celebrate the landmark and to heap praise on his wife.

The Hollywood star wrote on Instagram: "Today marks 32 years married to this beautiful, inspiring, nurturing, strong, industrious, sexy, and wonderfully unique woman.

"I am SO grateful for the day she said she'd join me on our amazing life journey together. Happy Anniversary, Baby!! (sic)"

The loved-up duo - who have sons Matthew, 30, and John, 28, together - first met on a blind date back in 1983, and they subsequently worked together on 'Bad Influence', the 1989 psychological thriller film.

Rob and Sheryl eventually tied the knot in July 1991, and Rob often uses social media to lavish praise on his wife, including last month when Sheryl celebrated her 62nd birthday.

He wrote on Instagram at the time: "Happy Birthday to the most irresistible woman Ive ever known. Spirit, mind, heart, body, she is the true package. Love you, Love Bug! (sic)"

Despite this, Rob admitted earlier this year that their marriage hasn't always been easy.

The actor described Sheryl as his "best friend" - but confessed that they've also had some ups and downs along the way.

Reflecting on their romance, Rob told the 'Table for Two with Bruce Bozzi' podcast: "[Marriage] is hard anywhere, it is not just Hollywood - it's everywhere.

"Sheryl was and is my best friend. So if you marry for anything other than the fact that is your best friend, you're at a disadvantage from the jump, because that will sustain when the other stuff ebbs and flows."
Australias assistant trade minister Tim Ayres last week assured that 'Duty Free Quota Free' access for Bangladesh would continue after the country graduates from the least developed country (LDC) status in 2026.

He said this while meeting Bangladeshs high commissioner to Australia M Allama Siddiki in Sydney. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan was present at the meeting at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Office.

Australia's assistant trade minister Tim Ayres last week assured Bangladesh's envoy M Allama Siddiki in Sydney that 'Duty Free Quota Free' access for the latter would continue after it graduates from the least developed country status in 2026. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has set eyes on doubling its garment exports to Australia, within the next five years.

Siddiki invited a business delegation led by Ayres to Bangladesh to explore opportunities in bilateral trade and investment.

Ayres showed interest to further connect the Australian wool and cotton industry with counterparts in Bangladesh to spur growth in trade.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has set eyes on doubling its garment exports to Australia within the next five years.

Entrepreneurs are optimistic that Bangladesh can capitalise the expected reduction in China's garment exports to Australia, much like it has successfully done in Europe and the United States.

In fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) exports to Australia were worth $1.2 billion, a 42 per cent growth, BGMEA said.

The first-ever Bangladesh Apparel Summit took place on July 18 in Melbourne.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Ae Savere: As the heartwarming song "Ae Savere" completes two years since its release, veteran actress Soni Razdan took to social media to share her nostalgic feelings about working with the team.

She said, "This lovely music video by some seriously amazing talented artists about a Kashmiri Pandit woman going back to her roots really resonates with me, as I am also half Kashmiri Pandit."

In response to Soni Razdan's heartfelt post, Taha Shah Badussha couldn't contain his affection and gratitude. He responded with equal warmth, expressing his love for the experience of portraying her son in the song, with the words " Loved being your son"

Taha's response touched the hearts of fans and followers as it reflected the genuine admiration and respect he has for the accomplished actress.

Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan Prevue Sets Theaters Ablaze, Leaving Audiences in a Frenzy

The song "Ae Savere" had struck a chord with audiences when it was released, and the relationship between Taha and Soni Razdan added a layer of authenticity to the touching portrayal of a mother-son relationship. Their performances had resonated deeply with viewers, and it was evident that their bond extended beyond the screens.

As the song "Ae Savere" continues to evoke emotions and touch hearts, Soni Razdan and Taha Shah Badussha's affectionate interaction on social media stands as a testament to the power of meaningful collaborations and the beautiful relationships that can blossom in the world of cinema.
"I was not sure how the viewers would react to a story like this, but the response was quite amazing," says director Oni Sen on the immense success of Asur and Asur 2. The first season of Asur was released in 2020 on VOOT, while the second season came out in June 2023 on Jio Cinema.

In an exclusive interview with Filmibeat, Oni Sen candidly spoke about the series, audiences' reactions, casting, how difficult it was to work on a thriller based on Hindu mythology, and much more.

Excerpts from the interview.

Q. Did you expect this kind of success when you started working on the project?

A. It is really good that everybody has liked the series. We didn't expect this actually. It's like whenever you make a sequel, and especially if the first one becomes popular, there is fear in everyone's mind about the second part. In Asur 2, I even changed the way of my storytelling. Also, it was not an easy shoot for us. We were shooting just after the second wave of COVID. So, when the responses started coming in, I think we were all very happy that all the hard work sort of paid off. Truly speaking, the expectations of the audience keep you on toes and also a little scared, which is a good thing I think.

Q. How and when you came on board for Asur?

A. When Gaurav Shukla was writing Asur Season 1, he had sort of thought of this. He wrote few episodes and that's when he had reached out to me. He is my friend even before we started on Asur. Before reading the script I only knew that it is a thriller with a twist of mythology. So, I was a little apprehensive at first. I was not too sure how to go about it because with Indian mythology in the mainstream, you can go wrong in many ways. But when I started reading what really attracted me was that there are three parts in the narrative, there is mythology, forensic science, and human drama, they were so beautifully entwined together that you took one out and the other two will fall. So it was not really transposed one over the other. And I think that is what appealed to me the most. And whenever I do a project, my focus point always retains in human story. Revenge doesn't stay in your mind for a long time, but human story does. And that's what we tried in Asur 2 as well. Every character in Asur had their own story.

Q. The language of Asur is something that appealed to audiences very much. Many dialogues are in Sanskrit too. How easy or difficult it was to get the tone?

A. Yes, you are completely right that it was not easy to get this tone in writing. And I think the writing team managed to crack that code beautifully. I always feel that the dialogues are not just the words written by the author, those are the words that need to come out from a person's mouth. So, it depends on the facts that, in which environment the character is, from which environment he has come, how much he is educated, what kind of person he is. Now, when you will look at Asur, the main character had grown up in a pandit family in Banaras and he is read a lot. So, his basic language is exactly like that, Hindi with a mix of Sanskrit in it. Whereas the other characters such as Nikhil, DJ, or Naina, their words are a lot more urban. They are from Delhi, so yes, they speak in Hindi, but the tone is different. So, there is a balance. Many people reached out to me praising Shubh's dialogue that how deep and interesting those dialogues were. And even Anant's. I think there was an inherent simplicity that attracted audience. Dialogues were not written to show off that how beautifully we can write. It was about how simply you can communicate the most interesting things. So, I these were the things that really worked well.

Q. The character of Shubh Joshi is being much talked about. Will you share your experience of working on the characterization?

A. Firstly, I am so grateful, I found these two actors. They made my job so much easier. The thing is before finalising any actor, I normally write a lot about characters just so we have a clearer idea of who to cast. For Shubh, I just wrote that he is a simple boy, but there is a lot inside him. He is creating storm outside in the world, but there is a certain stillness in him. This was my brief to the actor. I did not want Shubh to be the stereotypical bad villain. I wanted someone whose eyes speak. If you notice closely, his eyes hardly move, there are very few blinks. I think Vishesh (Bansal) worked very beautifully in the first season. We worked a lot together to understand the body language of Shubh. We wanted to keep his tone as flat as possible. Even his shawl never flutters. And then of course with his entire demeanor, we had to find the older Shubh for Season 2, which we got in Abhishek (Chauhan). He was also fantastic.

You know, if I may say, one of my favourite scenes was when Shubh goes to meet his grandfather and kills him. Both Deepak and Abhishek were amazing. You can even see tears rolling down his cheek. It's like he doesn't want to do what he has to do, but there is no choice for him. There is a conflict going on in his mind, which we get to see for just a moment. Then that goes away. It's like saying I love you but I could kill you. These types of scenes are very tough to communicate on screen. We worked on these to make Shubh a complex character, but also one that is rounded and slightly soulful.

Q. How it was working with child artists like Vishesh (Bansal) and Atharva?

A. Most of the time, when you are working with a child, it makes you very different as a director too. When I work with children I hardly ever tell them what he/she needs to do. But I say to them, this is what you have to make me feel, and most of the time it worked quite well. The entire thing about Anant was that he has to come across as a miracle boy. We all know that somebody who gets lots of spiritual awareness tends to have a certain calmness about things. Like a smile of compassion for the adults he meets. He has such aura and therefore my entire brief to Anant was that whatever you speak, just speak slowly and don't try to enact every word. I must tell you, we had a lot of that vision comes from the young Bhakt Prahlad illustration from Amar Chitra Katha. So, to me, that was like the boy I wanted. Seeing whom one can feel that there is something spiritual about him.

Q. Asur 2 deals with mythology. Did you fear a backlash or controversy, especially in the times that we are living in?

A. Yes. there was a thought at the back of our head from the beginning. See there is a difference between documented history and mythology. Even if you are working on documented history, there is bound to be some kind of criticism because some things are subjective. And this goes to another level when it comes to mythology because it is closely connected to religion at some point. So, if you are working on it, then one should be ready for critisism. In that way, I think, first we are lucky and second, I think the team did put in a lot work to make sure that whatever we are including is just for the story, and there is nothing that can remotely hurt anybody, any sentiments. Our aim was not to stir anything or create controversy, we just wanted to tell a very engaging story. Everything was researched and everything was written keeping in mind not to hurt any sentiments. If you see the character of Shubh, who thinks that he is like an incarnation of Kali, who is the dark side. Now, if you think, I'm sure a lot of human beings in this world believe that they have faith in the dark side. And that's why people do things that are not so nice, I guess.

Q. Is Asur 3 on cards?

A. (Laughs) See, if there is Season 3, then it is something that will come out of Gaurav's mind. We have been discussing actually that just because Asur and Asur 2 have become very successful, means we have to have Asur 3. That cannot be the reason. We need to find the right spark. The idea is that if one gets the fantastic thought, on which we can spend two and a half years of life. Then we will go ahead and make that. So as of now, there is nothing, I think.

Q. To end with, what kind of content do you want to work on as a director?

A. Anything to do with human drama is what attracts me. When I was working on Asur and Season 2 of Out Of Love, this is the thing appealed to me. And what I am working on right now is, there are two films and a series. All of them are in developing stage right now. One of them is a thriller, the other film is a light hearted human drama. So ya, I am looking out for different kinds of canvas.
The highly anticipated glimpse of renowned filmmaker Siva's upcoming Tamil film, Kanguva, was finally unveiled on superstar Suriya's 48th birthday amid much fervour. The spine-chilling visuals of the first glimpse, featuring Suriya, were perfectly complemented with hard-hitting BGM, composed by none other than Rockstar DSP. Soon after the Kanguva glimpse dropped on social media, it ignited a frenzy of excitement among the masses, garnering oodles of praise for DSP's heart-thumping music.

Besides the thunderous music by the musical maestro, the first glimpse of the period actioner features a few impactful lines by the multi-hyphenated Arunraja Kamaraj. Kanguva will hit the silver screen in early 2024 in an astonishing 10 languages. The teaser took the internet by storm in no time from its launch, with thousands of users flooding its comments section with praises galore.

One user gushed, "Mind blowing. DSP goes hard as he always does." Another expressed, "4 Things are Goosebumps in Glimpse - 1. Surya Action, 2. Siva Direction, 3. DSP Music and 4. Cinematography." A third user went on to say, "This BGM will create history!"

Rockstar DSP is currently riding high on the success of his Oo Antava Tour in the USA. After an electrifying show in San Jose, the sensational tour will culminate on July 29 with a grand finale in Chicago. On the career front, apart from Kanguva, he has an exciting lineup of films in the pipeline, which also includes the much-awaited Pushpa 2.
Vishal Speaks About Joining Vijay's Political Party: Vishal has answered the question whether he will join Vijay's political party in future.

Vijay, who has finished acting in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Leo, has committed to act in Venkat Prabhu's next. Produced by AGS, the film is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Meanwhile, Leo is releasing on October 19, 2023. As the shooting of the film is over, the post production work is going to start soon.

Vijay's Involvement In His People Movement Activites

As much as Vijay is busy with acting, he is also busy with his people movement activities. Recently, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam is working hard in meeting students, opening night schools in all districts and providing various welfare assistance.

Although Vijay's Makkal Iyakkam has been involved in such activities for many years, it is only recently that Vijay himself has entered the field directly. With this, it is rumored that Vijay is sure to enter politics. He is now engaged in sowing the seeds for it. Vijay's fans are confident that he will start a party before the next assembly elections and contest in the elections. They also put up posters to show it.

Vishal Says 'Anything Can Happen'

Recently Vishal attended a college function. Then a student asked him whether he would join the Vijay's political party if it starts. To which Vishal replied, "It is in God's hands. I will act according to whatever God's decision is. Anything can happen. Everyone is already a politician here. You may have helped without realizing it. Even if you give 50 rupees and help, you are politicians. Politics is social service. It is not a business," he said.

His speech has attracted the attention of fans. And since Vishal is politically involved, fans naturally expected that he would join Vijay's party if he started. Vishal is currently acting in a Mark Antony film. The film directed by Adhik Ravichandran stars SJ Surya, Selvaraghavan and others. The film is going to release soon. Even a few months ago, Vishal and the film crew met Vijay and got his blessings by showing the Mark Antony teaser to him. Next to Mark Antony, Vishal has also signed a film to be directed by Hari.
HONG KONG, July 24, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed Apple's plan to incorporate more health tracking features into its audio products.



According to Mark Gurman's newsletter, Apple is working on a new hearing test feature that will play different tones and sounds to allow the AirPods to determine how well users can hear and help them screen for hearing issues.



In addition, Mark Gurman revealed that Apple plans to add more health sensors to the AirPods hardware, such as measuring body temperature through the ear canal. This feature would allow AirPods to collect more accurate data than the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra models, which collect data through the wrist while users sleep, and expand the use to determine whether the wearer is experiencing cold or other illnesses.



Two years ago, Apple applied for a patent allowing temperature sensors to be integrated into handheld or wearable devices. Apple explicitly mentioned the applicability of this patent to earphones and other portable electronic devices. It is well known that Apple sets the trend for consumer electronics, and each iteration of its products tends to spark a wave of consumer enthusiasm. Based on Apple's historical release patterns for the AirPods series, the next generation of AirPods is expected to be launched in the fall of this year. Although the mentioned features still need to be determined to realize in the next AirPods, the relevant Apple suppliers are already taking action for it.



Currently, China's TWS earphone industry has developed a relatively mature supply chain structure with upstream component manufacturers, midstream ODM manufacturers and downstream brand manufacturers, many of which are public-listed companies. On the smartphone manufacturer side, Android-based TWS products are experiencing shorter update cycles, with approximately 2-3 months between the release of new models.



At present, manufacturers in China, such as Honor and Vivo, have already launched wireless earphone products with temperature measurement capabilities. This indirectly confirms the industry supply chain's achievements in China and shows the potential to support the realization of features like temperature monitoring in Apple's next AirPods.



According to Chinese media, Luxshare Precision, one of the leading companies in the consumer electronics industry in China, disclosed in its 2022 annual report that the project of "R&D of TWS headset body temperature monitoring and heart rate monitoring functions" is completed.



According to the public document, Luxshare Precision currently presents in three major areas: consumer electronics, automotive electronics, and communication electronics. Luxshare Precision obtained the core component supply and assembly qualification for Apple's AirPods in 2017. Until now, it still holds the highest share of production orders for Apple's AirPods.



Luxshare Precision is not the only dominant player in the market. It is saying that the leading earphone automation production technology in China is only mastered by Luxshare Precision and Goertek, and it may take about 5 years for other earphone suppliers in China to catch up. In addition, Foxconn is another competitor for AirPods orders.



However, Apple has set extremely high standards for its supply chain. In November 2022, Goertek issued a risk warning, stating that the company had received a notification from a major overseas customer to suspend production of one of its intelligent acoustic products. It is assumed that the lost order is from Apple's AirPods Pro.



After Apple removed the 3.5mm earphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2017, the TWS earphone market experienced rapid growth. In 2021, global shipments of TWS earphones reached 300 million units. In 2022, the number of total shipments was 288 million units.



In 2022, Apple's TWS earphone shipments reached 91 million units, capturing a global market share of 31.8%. Despite the flourishing wireless earphone market with numerous players, Apple, as the pioneer, still holds significant influence in terms of market share.



From the perspective of development trends, Apple's every new function upgrade will stimulate market consumption, and companies involved in the supply chain, such as Luxshare Precision, Goertek, and Foxconn, are also likely to benefit from Apple's success.









Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.





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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 24, 2023applauds the Canadian government's dedication to propelling the EV industry by giving substantial funds to battery manufacturers, an action vital for maintaining Canada's leadership in the global electric vehicle sector. Arbor seeks to support the interests of Canadian miners, recognizing their indispensable role as providers of key elements fueling the EV revolution.



Recently, the Canadian government provided significant financial support to facilitate the country's establishment and expansion of battery manufacturing plants. While praising the government's initiative to boost battery production, Arbor underscores the importance of Canadian miners who supply the essential minerals needed for EV batteries.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive of Arbor , expressed the Company's viewpoint: "We commend the Canadian Government's support of companies like Volkswagen and Stellantis-LG in their contribution to Canada's rapidly developing EV industry. However, we firmly believe that Canadian miners are equally critical to the success of this industry. As providers of vital elements for EV batteries, we envision a collaborative effort among all participants in the EV industry, from miners to battery manufacturers and end users, working together to advance the sector and meet the Net Zero goals set by various governments worldwide. Arbor is eager to collaborate with other industry participants in securing and shaping government support that ensures Canada's role as a leading force in the global EV revolution."

The strategic consultant aims to engage experts who can advocate for adequate government support to bolster the growth and competitiveness of Canadian miners in the EV supply chain. Arbor recognizes the need for strong partnerships between the government and the mining industry to foster innovation, exploration, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Recent press coverage emphasizes the Canadian government's assistance for EV industry participants. With the worldwide pivot towards green energy and decarbonization, nations like Canada are heavily investing in the EV sector to guarantee a sustainable future.

About Arbor Metals Corp.

Arbor Metals Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value, geographically significant mineral projects worldwide. Arbor is paving the way for advanced mineral exploration as it oversees world-class mining projects. The company is confident that combining quality projects with proven strategies and a dedicated team will yield exceptional outcomes. Arbor currently oversees three outstanding mineral projects.

The Jarnet lithium project , located in the James Bay region of Quebec, comprises 47 map-designated claims, covering an area of approximately 3,759 hectares. The Jarnet project is contiguous to the Corvette-FCI property, where diamond drilling has confirmed significant lithium mineralization, and represents one of the highest-profile lithium exploration projects in the sector.





For further information, contact Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, at info@arbormetals.com or 403.852.4869, or visit the Company's website at www.arbormetalscorp.com .

On behalf of the Board,

Arbor Metals Corp.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the development of the Jarnet Lithium Project, the assessment of samples from that Project, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ac9c34f-6084-4782-a8ec-1c2f30b35a1a
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Ryanair Holdings (RYA.L) reported first quarter profit of 663 million euros, an increase of 290% from last year. Earnings per share, in euro cent, was 58.22 compared to 16.53. First quarter revenue rose 40% to 3.65 billion euros. Scheduled revenues increased 57% to 2.47 billion euros. Traffic grew 11% to 50.4 million customers. The company expects fiscal 2024 traffic to grow to approximately 183.5 million, up 9%, which is slower than the 185 million originally expected, due to Boeing delivery delays. Ryanair remains cautiously optimistic that fiscal 2024 profit after tax will be modestly ahead of last year. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


PW1100G-JM Engine Maintenance First Engine Shipping Celebration

TOKYO, July 24, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, Ltd. (MHIAEL), a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has completed its first maintenance of the PW1100G-JM aero engine for the Airbus A320neo family. The company drew on experience and knowledge gained from 30 years of work on the maintenance of the PW4000 and V2500 engines. The development of this aero engine is a multinational joint project which MHIAEL participates in the development and production as part of Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (JAEC).A ceremony commemorating the completion of the first maintenance was held at MHIAEL's Komaki North Plan on July 6, attended by JAEC and International Aero Engines, LLC. (IAE), who were also involved in the production of the aero engine. Marc Meredith, GTF Engines Aftermarket Vice President of IAE, commented through his congratulatory letter "The capacity and capabilities that MHIAEL will bring to the GTF MRO network will play a vital role in supporting our airline customers. I recognize the significant effort and skill required and extend my appreciation to every member of the MHIAEL Team."With thrust of 24,000 to 33,000 pounds (107-147kN) and gears on the low-pressure spool achieving greater fuel efficiency and less noise than its predecessors, the PW1100G-JM is the pinnacle of aero engine technology. The PW1100G-JM is used on aircraft in the Airbus A320neo family. This is the latest 120- to 200-seater aircraft and has the greatest global share of the passenger aircraft market. Of around 3,800 aircrafts that have been ordered, the PW1100G-JM has been selected for around half of the aircraft for which the engine model has been decided. With more A320neo aircraft set to be sold and operated in future, a steady growth of demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the PW1100G-JM is expected.MHIAEL will continue expanding its aircraft engine MRO business, improve its technical capabilities and reliability to ensure even safer flights for the passengers on board, and provide the caliber of service that an international society calls for.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Mawson Gold Limited ("Mawson" or the "Company") (TSX:MAW)(Frankfurt:MXR)(OTC PINK:MWSNF) announces its 51% owned ASX-listed subsidiary, Southern Cross Gold ("SXG"), has acquired both:

The Prospecting Licence PL6415 ("Laura") located within the 70% owned Redcastle JV in the Victorian goldfields; and

Further freehold land within the 100%-owned Sunday Creek epizonal-style gold project.

The strategic acquisition of the Laura prospecting licence completely secures one of the higher-grade parts of the Redcastle goldfield, where recent drilling has identified very high grades (up to 704 g/t Au and 24.7% Sb) within continuous and targetable structures above a 1.3 km long and a coherent IP anomaly.

The new freehold land package purchased at Sunday Creek lies adjacent to both the main access and current freehold ownership at the project.

Highlights:

SXG expands its epizonal gold-antimony search in Victoria, Australia with the 100% purchase of the Laura PL6415 prospecting licence for A$300,000: Provides an immediate and extremely high-grade drill discovery to expand upon and to build another project of scale for SXG. Consolidates SXG's extensive ground holding and best drill grades at the Redcastle gold and antimony field.

Laura is located entirely within SXG's 70% owned Redcastle JV, 2 km immediately north of Mandalay Resources' exploration properties which contain the Costerfield Mine (Figure 1).

Laura's previous owners drilled 16 diamond holes for 1,923.2 m (Table 1 and 2) during 2019 below the historic Laura mine, with multiple, thin and continuous high grades. Significant results include: RDDH03: 0.1 m @ 743.0 g/t AuEq (704.0 g/t Au, 24.7 %Sb) from 116.9 m RDDH07: 0.2 m @ 28.1 g/t AuEq (27.9 g/t Au, 0.1 %Sb) from 67.8 m RDDH08: 0.2 m @ 20.0 g/t AuEq (17.5 g/t Au, 1.6 %Sb) from 162.6 m RDDH12: 0.1 m @ 42.9 g/t AuEq (20.0 g/t Au, 14.5 %Sb) from 70.9 m RDDH13: 0.1 m @ 20.2 g/t AuEq (10.1 g/t Au, 6.4 %Sb) from 108.1 m RDDH15: 0.1 m @ 12.5 g/t AuEq (5.8 g/t Au, 4.3 %Sb) from 75.1 m

The Laura project also forms a key geophysical target within the Redcastle goldfield, with a 1.3 km-long coherent induced polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly underlying the Laura PL6415. The IP anomaly also sits below historic mines that produced 20,583 oz at 254.6 g/t Au over 2 km strike length down to a maximum depth of 125 m during 1859 to 1865.

Next steps are to progressively drill beyond the high-grade intercepts within the Laura area, into the 17 km of untested reef systems at Redcastle.

Southern Cross Gold finalises purchase of 0.65 hectares of freehold land that is located adjacent to both the main access and current freehold ownership to the Sunday Creek Project (Figure 1).

Freehold ownership further secures surface access and provides additional area for any potential future gold operation.

Diamond drilling continues at Sunday Creek with four diamond rigs now focused on testing gold structures down to 800 m depth and 1.2 km along strike at Sunday Creek.

Noora Ahola, Mawson Interim CEO, states: "These acquisitions have consolidated ownership at both the Redcastle and Sunday Creek projects. The purchase of the Laura prospect has brought under its control the best-drilled gold and antimony grades at Redcastle. SXG have bought a 16-hole drill discovery for less than the cost to drill and an extremely high-grade area from which to expand and build another project of scale. Additionally, the purchase of additional freehold land at the Sunday Creek gold-antimony project locks in land access and continues to derisk and secure future success for the project."

PL6415 Laura Drilling

PL6415 extends over 310 m strike length by 160 m width and contains five quartz reefs with extensive historic workings at surface (Figure 4), the principle being Laura (Figure 5). The historic Laura mine was one of the more productive reefs mined in the north-western part of the Redcastle goldfield. PL6415 is located wholly within the Redcastle JV EL5546 (Figures 1 and 2), held 70% by Southern Cross Gold, in joint venture with Nagambie Resources Ltd (ASX:NAG).

The previous owners of Laura (Core Prospecting Pty Ltd and Starwest Ltd) drilled 16 holes for 1,923.2 m in 2019, in the vicinity of the old Laura mine. This work returned some narrow intervals of high-grade gold and antimony, with significant results including:

RDDH01: 0.2 m @ 7.8 g/t AuEq (4.8 g/t Au, 1.9 %Sb) from 115.1 m

RDDH03: 0.1 m @ 743.0 g/t AuEq (704.0 g/t Au, 24.7 %Sb) from 116.9 m

RDDH07: 0.2 m @ 28.1 g/t AuEq (27.9 g/t Au, 0.1 %Sb) from 67.8 m

RDDH08: 0.2 m @ 20.0 g/t AuEq (17.5 g/t Au, 1.6 %Sb) from 162.6 m

RDDH11: 0.1 m @ 18.8 g/t AuEq (11.1 g/t Au, 4.9 %Sb) from 93.3 m

RDDH12: 0.1 m @ 42.9 g/t AuEq (20.0 g/t Au, 14.5 %Sb) from 70.9 m

RDDH13: 0.1 m @ 20.2 g/t AuEq (10.1 g/t Au, 6.4 %Sb) from 108.1 m

RDDH14: 0.2 m @ 12.7 g/t AuEq (5.7 g/t Au, 4.4 %Sb) from 79.3 m

RDDH15: 0.1 m @ 12.5 g/t AuEq (5.8 g/t Au, 4.3 %Sb) from 75.1 m

This drilling data compares favorably with the Redcastle drilling data (from outside PL6415) held by SXG. Intervals in the Laura data are narrow compared with the other Redcastle data but the grades are higher, with five of the assay grades from Laura equaling or exceeding the highest Au-equivalent assays within the entire SXG Redcastle dataset. This partly reflects the 1 or 2 m sampling in the historic reverse circulation drill data, which makes up the majority of the latter, but it also demonstrates the consistent higher grade in the Laura Reef. These higher grades are also demonstrated in the Figure 5 longitudinal section, which shows consistent high-grade mineralization from drill intersections of the Laura Reef. The lateral continuity of the reef is supported by drill core observations which confirm that the reef is a laminated quartz vein, parallel to bedding with stylolitic inclusions throughout and stibnite occurring on or close to the vein margins.

Local Geology and Structural Setting

The PL6415 Laura prospecting licence is located entirely within SXG's 70% owned Redcastle EL5546 JV. It is a shallow orogenic (or epizonal) Costerfield-style historic high-grade field. The project is located 2 km north of Mandalay Resources' Costerfield mine and exploration leases and 25 km east of Agnico Eagle's Fosterville mine - two of the world's highest grade gold mines.

The host rocks are finely interbedded turbidite sequences of sandstone and siltstone, the oldest of which is a sequence of early Silurian turbiditic sandstone and siltstone known as the Wapentake Formation which is conformably overlain by the Silurian Dargile Formation, McIvor Sandstone and Mount Ida Formation. Overlying the Palaeozoic basement rocks are Quaternary unconsolidated clays of the Shepparton Formation and alluvial sands of the Coonambidgal Formation.

The goldfield is a structurally controlled system sitting in the western limb of the plunging Redcastle anticline. Host rocks consist of thinly interbedded sandstones and mudstones of the Wapentake and Dargile formations. In the Melbourne Structural Zone, sites of gold deposition on a regional scale appear to favor areas of refolding or interference folding, as seen in the Redcastle Anticline.

Geophysical IP Chargeability Target

The Laura project also forms a key geophysical target within the Redcastle goldfield. Drilling to date has been shallow (<135m vertical). Below the Laura drilling a 1.3 km-long coherent induced polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly generated by Mawson Victoria's 3D offset array IP geophysical survey underlies the Laura PL6415 (Figure 6). This is considered highly prospective, as there are at least 9 mined structures above the geophysical anomaly (5 within the Laura PL) where the Welcome Group of mines reported to have extracted 20,583 oz at 254.6 g/t Au over 2 km strike length down to a maximum depth of 125 m (in the period 1859 to 1865).

Context with Historic Mining at Redcastle

During the 1800's the average mining width was approximately 1 m on quartz veins with visible gold (individual reef widths were less than 0.6 m). The length of workings combined is 17 km with several reef systems extending for kilometres. Spurs off the main reef systems were recorded to have been worked for distances between 15 m to 33 m. It is a characteristic of Redcastle that reefs are closely spaced. On the western side of the field 14 reefs are recorded to occur in a cross-strike distance of 900 metres.

At Redcastle, the key historic targets were narrow but continuous thin (0.3 m to 1 m) very high-grade structures continuing to depth. Historical records, however, continually reference gold found marginal to reefs in the country rock (wall-rock of quartz-vein structures) with shallow modern-day reverse circulation drilling and trenching confirming that gold extends beyond these high-grade quartz-vein structures. Beyond the high-grade visible gold in quartz-veins, additional targets included vein stockworks in sandstones and dyke-hosted mineralization. The largest dyke was mined to a depth of 27 m and was 11.5 m wide at 25 -120 g/t gold with 160 tonnes of ore extracted suggesting the dyke may have been selectively mined, although the width of the dyke suggests scope for a larger scale and lower grade target. Wider zones in stockworks (2.4 m to 4.8 m wide) and breccia zones at Beautiful Venus have been recorded up to 20 m in width. Mineralization is typically hosted in shear veins striking ~345-360 and dipping steeply westward, containing quartz, carbonate, visible gold and antimony sulphide (stibnite). Surrounding the shear veins are a narrow <5 cm arsenopyrite and pyrite halo within the host rock which are weakly auriferous.

Context with Costerfield Mined Mineralization

Mandalay Resources' Costerfield mine and exploration leases are located 2 km south of SXG's Redcastle JV EL5546. Costerfield is the target model sought at Redcastle. The Costerfield mine corridor contains 2 million ounces of equivalent gold (pers. comm. Mandalay Q3 2021 Results). Average drill hole widths and grades at Costerfield are: Brunswick lode (0.7 m @ 9.0 g/t Au and 4.0% Sb), Youle lode (0.4 m @ 47.7 g/t Au and 11.4% Sb), Kendal Splay (0.3 m @ 92.8 g/t Au and 41.3% Sb) and Peacock lode (0.4 m @ 13.0 g/t Au and 6.0% Sb). The average vein width at Augusta is 0.3 m, while the Cuffley lode averaged 0.4 m. Average mined widths at Costerfield are 2.0 m (Mandalay Technical Report, 2021).

Commercial Terms

The Company purchased 100% of the Prospecting License PL6415 for cash consideration of $300,000 from arm's length Core Prospecting Pty Ltd and Starwest Pty Ltd.

Sunday Creek Land Purchase

SXG already owns 132.64 hectare of freehold property that covers both the Sunday Creek project drill area and areas for potential extension of the zone to the east. The new area lies adjacent to both the main access and current freehold ownership at Sunday Creek. Freehold ownership secures surface access and provides sufficient area for any potential future gold operation (Figure 1). The Company acquired the 0.65 ha freehold for $366,240 and may also consider other uses for the freehold land in the future, such as renewable energy options, livestock grazing or agistment to help maintain the property (although there are no current plans for such additional uses). As the contract was conditional upon satisfying the requirements of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth), a no objection notification for the freehold acquisition without conditions from the Foreign Investment Review Board ("FIRB") was received before settlement

Further discussion and analysis of the Sunday Creek and Redcastle projects by Southern Cross Gold is available on the SXG website at www.southerncrossgold.com.au

Figures 1 to 6 show project location, plan and longitudinal views, and the 3D IP chargeable anomaly from Laura and Tables 1 and 2 provide collar and assay data. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported are interpreted to range approximately between 34% to 93% of the sampled thickness.

Figure 7 shows the location of the new freehold land purchase at Sunday Creek.

Redcastle Joint Venture

A subsidiary of the Company, Mawson Victoria Pty Ltd, is party to an Option and Joint Venture Agreement with Nagambie Resources Limited for the Redcastle Joint Venture tenements. Mawson Victoria has met the obligations to achieve $1,000,000 of exploration commitments over a 5-year period set under the Farm-in Agreements by 25 March 2025, and has earnt a 70% economic interest Redcastle JV. A joint venture between the parties is now in the process of being formed. Nagambie Resources Limited may contribute its 30% share of further exploration expenditures or, if it chooses not to contribute, dilute its interest. Should Nagambie Resource Limited's interest be reduced to less than 5%, it will be deemed to have forfeited its interest in the joint venture to the Company in exchange for a 1.5% net smelter return royalty ("NSR") on gold revenue. Should Nagambie Resources Limited be granted the NSR, the Company will have the right to acquire the NSR for $4,000,000.

Technical Background and Qualified Person

The Qualified Person, Michael Hudson, Executive Chairman and a director of Mawson Gold, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release.

Analytical samples are transported to the Bendigo facility of On Site Laboratory Services ("On Site") which operates under both an ISO 9001 and NATA quality systems. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the fire assay technique (PE01S method; 25 gram charge), followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (BM011 and over-range methods as required) use aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis. The QA/QC program of Southern Cross Gold consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, blanks within interpreted mineralized rock and quarter core duplicates. In addition, On Site inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.

MAW considers that both gold and antimony that are included in the gold equivalent calculation ("AuEq") have reasonable potential to be recovered at Redcastle, given current geochemical understanding, historic production statistics and geologically analogous mining operations. MAW considers that it is appropriate to adopt the same gold equivalent variables as Mandalay Resources Ltd in its Mandalay Technical Report, 2022 dated 25 March 2022. The gold equivalence formula used by Mandalay Resources was calculated using recoveries achieved at the Costerfield Property Brunswick Processing Plant during 2020, using a gold price of US$1,700 per ounce, an antimony price of US$8,500 per tonne and 2021 total year metal recoveries of 93% for gold and 95% for antimony, and is as follows: ???????? = ???? (??/??) + 1.58  ???? (%). MAW therefore considers that a ???????? = ???? (??/??) + 1.58  ???? (%) is appropriate to use for the initial exploration targeting of gold-antimony mineralization at Redcastle.

About Mawson Gold Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, OTCPINK:MWSNF)

Mawson Gold Limited is an exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic exploration company with its 100% owned flagship Rajapalot gold-cobalt project in Finland, and right to earn into the Skelleftea North gold project in Sweden. Mawson also currently owns 51% of Southern Cross Gold Ltd (ASX:SXG) which in turn owns or controls three high-grade, historic epizonal goldfields covering 470 km2 in Victoria, Australia.

About Southern Cross Gold Ltd (ASX:SXG)

Southern Cross Gold owns 70% of the Redcastle JV in Victoria and Mt Isa project in Queensland, 100% of the Sunday Creek project and is earning into the Whroo joint venture in Victoria, Australia, and a strategic 10% holding in ASX-listed Nagambie Resources Limited (ASX:NAG) which grants SXG a Right of First Refusal over a 3,300 square kilometer tenement package held by NAG in Victoria.

On behalf of the Board,

"Noora Ahola"

Noora Ahola, Interim CEO Further Information

www.mawsongold.com

1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7

Mariana Bermudez (Canada), Corporate Secretary

+1 (604) 685 9316 info@mawsongold.com

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements 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, Mawson's expectations regarding its ownership interest in Southern Cross Gold, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current pandemic known as COVID-19 on the Company's business, risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; exploration potential being conceptual in nature, there being insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource on the Australian-projects owned by SXG, and uncertainty if further exploration will result in the determination of a mineral resource; planned drill programs and results varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

Photo 1: Quartz-Stibnite laminated shear vein with visible gold (not visible at scale of photo) and stibnite from 116.9 m in drillhole RDDH03. This sample assayed 0.1m @ 704 g/t Au & 24.7% Sb

Figure 1: Location of the Redcastle JV project that encompassed the Laura PL6415, along with SXG's other Victoria projects.

Figure 2: Location of Laura PL6415 within SXG's Redcastle JV tenement package with background geological map.

Figure 3: The Redcastle JV EL5546 showing 3D IP chargeability anomaly, anomalous rockchips and drill holes and the Laura PL6415 with LiDAR

Figure 4: Laura PL6415: View looking down interpreted mineralized shoot geometry. PL6415 extends over 310 m strike length by 160 m width and contains five quartz reefs with extensive historic workings at surface (as shown by LiDAR image), the principle being Laura.

Figure 5: Laura PL6415 Longitudinal Section showing continuity of gold-antimony within the plane of the Laura Shoot.

Figure 6: 3D Induced polarization chargeable anomaly that forms a large target at depth beneath Laura high-grade drilling and historic mines.

Figure 7: Location of SXG freehold land and exploration tenure at the Sunday Creek core drill area.

Table 1: Drill collar summary table for Historic drill holes on project. Datum GDA94_Z55.

Table 2: Tables of mineralized drill hole intersections reported from The Laura Project using the cut-off criteria. Lower grades cut at 0.1 g/t AuEq lower cutoff.

SOURCE: Mawson Gold Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769826/Mawsons-Subsidiary-SXG-Acquires-High-Grade-Laura-Drill-Discovery-at-Redcastle-and-Further-Freehold-at-Sunday-Creek
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce the execution of an option agreement for EMX's Flat and Bamble nickel-copper sulfide projects in Norway (the "Projects") (see Figure 1) to Londo Nickel Limited ("Londo Nickel"), a public unlisted Australian Company. The agreement provides EMX with 2.5% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty interests, cash and equity payments, work commitments and other considerations. In conjunction with this transaction, Londo Nickel intends to establish a public listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) later in 2023.

The Flat and Bamble Projects belong to a belt of Proterozoic mafic intrusions in southern Norway that hosts a variety of nickel-copper sulfide deposits and occurrences (see Figure 1). These deposits were mined in the 20th century to help feed the nearby Nikkelverk smelter, which is now owned and operated by Glencore. During this period Norway was a major supplier of nickel to the world. The mines in southern Norway are also thought to have provided the majority of global nickel production in the late 19th century, and although over 40 mines have operated in the area historically, there has been very little modern exploration. In a broader context, the belt in southern Norway is considered to be the eastern extension of the same geologic trend that hosts the Voisey's Bay nickel deposits in Labrador, Canada (the regions of modern-day Fennoscandia and Canada were once adjoined in the middle Proterozoic era).

The Projects will provide Londo Nickel with a strong pair of battery metal assets in advance of its proposed ASX listing. EMX and Londo Nickel will work together to apply modern exploration methods and deposit models to advance the Projects.

Commercial Terms Overview (terms are in Australian dollars (AUD) unless otherwise noted). Upon execution, Londo Nickel will make a cash payment of $30,000. During a seven-month option period, Londo Nickel can acquire a 100% interest in the EMX subsidiary company that controls the Projects by paying EMX an additional $20,000. Upon commencement of the IPO and ASX-listing process, Londo Nickel will make an additional cash payment of up to $100,000 and issue 750,000 shares of Londo Nickel to EMX along with 1,000,000 options with each option being exercisable for one share of Londo Nickel at a price of $0.25 for 48 months. Upon the first anniversary of the IPO, Londo Nickel will also pay EMX $50,000 in cash.

Upon completing the option requirements, Londo Nickel will earn 100% interest in each Project with EMX retaining:

A 2.5% NSR royalty interest in each Project.





Annual advance royalty (" AAR ") payments per each Project that commence on the third anniversary of the IPO. These will start at $30,000, with AAR payments increasing by 15% per year on subsequent anniversaries of the IPO until reaching $75,000.





") payments per each Project that commence on the third anniversary of the IPO. These will start at $30,000, with AAR payments increasing by 15% per year on subsequent anniversaries of the IPO until reaching $75,000. Milestone payments of $250,000 in cash upon announcement via the ASX of a maiden JORC resource for each Project. Additional milestone payments of $500,000 in cash will be made to EMX upon the delivery of a feasibility study for each Project.

To maintain its interest in the Flat and Bamble Projects, Londo Nickel will also spend a minimum of $300,000 and $100,000, respectively, by the first anniversary of the IPO, and $300,000 each year starting on the second anniversary of the IPO1.

Flat Project Overview. EMX's exploration licenses surround the historical Flat Mine (see Figure 2), which was one of the largest nickel producers in Europe from 1872 through the end of World War II. Total reported production from the mine was 2.7 Mtonnes at average grades of 0.72% Ni, 0.48% Cu, and 0.06% Co2, and was the major source of nickel for the nearby Nikkelverk smelter in the first half of the 20th century. EMX's land position covers the lateral and downward extensions of the mineralized body exploited by historical mining at Flat, as well as other nearby historical mine workings. Falconbridge completed the most recent drill program in the 1970's, but failed to reach the exploration target at depth. Beyond the near-mine targets, Falconbridge also investigated and drill tested other prospects within the intrusive complex, including Mlland and Oreknappen, which are also within the EMX land position. Drill results at Mlland, which include a historical intercept of 6.78 m @ 1.07% Ni, 0.27% Cu from 103.96 m depth (true width unknown), demonstrate additional upside potential on the project.3

Bamble Project Overview. The Bamble nickel-copper-cobalt project covers a 20-kilometer trend of mafic intrusions in the Bamble Belt. Multiple nickel and copper occurrences have been documented on the Bamble property, many of which have historical mine workings including the Skaugen and Nystein-Meikjaer target areas (see Figure 3). The Skaugen target is a 5 x 2 km magnetite-rich gabbroic pluton with a strong geophysical signature. There are disseminated sulfide occurrences around the periphery of the intrusion, with conductive EM anomalies in the center, many of which have never been drill tested.

More information on the Projects can be found at www.EMXroyalty.com.

Comments on Nearby and Adjacent Properties. The mines and deposits discussed in this news release provide context for EMX's Projects, which occur in a similar geologic setting, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Projects host similar quantities, grades or styles of mineralization.

Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.

About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX", and also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol "6E9". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (303) 973-8585

Dave@emxroyalty.com

Scott Close

Director of Investor Relations

Phone: (303) 973-8585

SClose@emxroyalty.com

Isabel Belger

Investor Relations (Europe)

Phone: +49 178 4909039

IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserve and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2022, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

Figure 1. Location Map of EMX Royalty Properties



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/174487_1d491acdb4ceeb05_002full.jpg

Figure 2. Overview Map of Flat Project with Historical Production Annotated

(see footnote 2 for historical production reference)



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/174487_1d491acdb4ceeb05_003full.jpg

Figure 3. Overview Map of Bamble Project on TMI Magnetics



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/174487_1d491acdb4ceeb05_004full.jpg

1 The work commitment for the Bamble project will increase to $300,000 per year following the 3rd anniversary of the IPO.

2 Historical production values provided by the Norwegian Geologic Survey in "The Ore Database". (https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta.Main?p_objid=5253&p_spraak=E). EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the published assay data reported above, and these data cannot be verified as compliant with NI 43-101 standards, however EMX considers them reliable and relevant.

3 The historical drilling was completed by Sulfidmalm in 1968 and 1970 as reported to NGU in 'The Sulfidemalm 2005 Annual Report'. EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the historical drill results. However, from independent assessment, EMX considers the historical results to be reliable and relevant as an example providing general context for mineralization occurring on the property.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174487
Alstom and RAILPOOL sign a contract for 50 Traxx Universal locomotives

This new order contributes to the expansion of RAILPOOL's footprint in Europe and in France in particular

All locomotives will be equipped with Alstom's Atlas signalling system and enable RAILPOOL to serve different corridors.





24 July 2023 - Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, and RAILPOOL, one of Europe's leading rail vehicle leasing companies, have signed a contract for 50 Traxx Universal multi-purpose locomotives. The contract is valued at up to 260 million euro.

The Traxx Universal multi-purpose locomotives can be operated for freight and passenger corridor services. Characterised by both high reliability and flexibility in combination with an optimised power consumption, the locomotives are a proven solution for efficient cross-border operations. Extended maintenance intervals allow for less interventions to ease operational planning, reduce costs and increase availability. The locomotives will cover operations in eight countries, namely Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg and Poland.

All locomotives will be equipped with the leading signalling system Atlas, Alstom's onboard solution for the European Train Control System (ETCS). This system enables operation on extended corridors with the broadest coverage of countries and lines, both in ETCS as well as for legacy system operation.

Kevin Cogo, Vice-President, Rolling Stock, Locomotives & Components, Alstom DACH, said: "We are delighted that RAILPOOL has chosen Alstom to expand their operations in several parts of Europe. This contract marks the continuation of a long-standing and successful partnership. With our proven Traxx locomotives and our state-of-the-art Atlas signalling solution, we are proud to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable freight and passenger transport."

Torsten Lehnert, CEO of RAILPOOL, added: "With this purchase we solidify our commitment to develop our one-of-a-kind full-service offering in the French market on top of the recent office opening in France under the leadership of Frederique Erlichman. All 50 locomotives ordered from our partner Alstom will cover operations in France and along the most important European corridors, contributing to the further advancement of sustainable high-performance rail transportation out of France."

The engineering of the locomotives will be done at the Alstom site in Mannheim, Germany, while final assembly is planned to take place in Kassel, Germany. Other sites involved are Wroclaw, Poland (carbody shell production), Siegen, Germany (bogies production), and Zurich, Switzerland (project management).

Alstom, Traxx and Atlas are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.
UAE Ministry of Interior will take charge of data-driven global preparedness assessment with the support of ESRI. The Ministry will also lead the establishment of the Global Training Hub in close partnership with the UNODC, and in collaboration with the UN Joint Environment Unit and other partners at I2LEC.

IINTERPOL-led Joint Operations unit, with the support of UNODC, EUROPOL, and the UAE Ministry of Interior, will target environmental crimes across the world, whereas the United Nations Police will aim to train police experts to help build capacities to address environmental crimes and climate-related threats in the countries where they are deployed.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), a joint initiative led by the UAE Ministry of Interior in close partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), launched today its roadmap for the years 2023 to 2025 focusing on five major initiatives aimed at tackling environmental crime and the climate crisis at large.

The launch followed a meeting of the I2LEC's Steering Committee, which discussed the need for global action, including increased training and joint operations to address climate challenges and combat crimes against the environment. The roadmap will guide the actions and areas of work of I2LEC in the years ahead.

The Steering Committee gathered I2LEC partners and representatives from international bodies including UNODC, INTERPOL, the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environmental Unit, EUROPOL, ESRI, UNPOL and the UAE Ministry of the Interior, who unanimously agreed to the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing the challenges brought about by climate change, on a global scale.

The 2023- 2025 Roadmap encompasses a number of global initiatives, spearheaded by various members of the Steering Committee. These initiatives include a White Paper on crimes that affect the environment in addition to a global gaps and needs assessment, a UN Climate Incident Observers, a Global Training Hub, and Interpol-led Joint Climate Operations Unit targeting crimes that affect the environment and climate change. Each of these initiatives will be led by an organization member of the I2LEC Steering Committee.

Lt. Col. Dana Humaid, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the UAE Ministry of Interior, highlighted the importance of having a roadmap in place to ensure all relevant partners are proactively enhancing the ability of law enforcement agencies to address the challenges brought about by climate change:

"Global challenges require global solutions. This productive Steering Committee meeting has once again highlighted that not only is it critical that law enforcement is prepared for climate change, but that we also have the means and understanding to prevent and prosecute crimes against the environment. At the Ministry, we will be leading the I2LEC global preparedness assessment, allowing us to gain an authoritative understanding of the gaps and needs of global law enforcement in relation to climate change. Following this, we will also be establishing a global training hub in Abu Dhabi, to support law enforcement agencies around the world in this endeavor", said Lt. Col. Humaid.

Dr. Hatem Aly, UNODC Regional Representative for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region, reiterated UNODC's support to I2LEC as the co-chair of the initiative.

"On behalf of UNODC at large, I reaffirm our utmost commitment to the technical and strategic support at all levels for the implementation of this joint initiative. To this end, UNODC will embark on a comprehensive research paper on crimes that affect the environment, with the aim of presenting these findings at COP28 under the I2LEC banner. Initiatives and projects adopted within the framework of the I2LEC will tap into the existing data platforms and specialized expertise of our partners members of the initiative towards increased public awareness and strengthening technical capacities of law enforcement addressing crimes that affect the environment and climate. In this context, UNODC pledges to avail the integrated technical capacities of its relevant regional and global instruments and programmatic platforms."

Steven Kavanagh, Executive Director for Police Services at INTERPOL commented: "Tackling environmental crime has become a key mission of law enforcement agencies. For the past 100 years, INTERPOL has played a leading role in developing international law enforcement operations according to the most prevalent threats. As the stakes of climate change raise, our environmental security strategy must reflect the scale of the threat we all face. We are passionate about this mission, and we are and determined to leverage our expertise in environmental enforcement to deliver a stronger response and global joint operations together with I2LEC partners. "

United Nations Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar added, "A comprehensive response to address the climate crisis is urgently needed. I applaud the launch of this two-year roadmap, which will help strengthen our support to police in host countries that are tackling climate challenges and crimes against the environment. Mainstreaming environmentally responsive policing through critical partnerships such as this contributes towards building a United Nations Police force that is better prepared for a future of rising temperatures, increased food and water insecurity, climate-related crime and conflict. We look forward to contributing to the I2LEC initiative, including through the training and deployment of United Nations Police experts".

Guilhem Soulie, Esri's Lead for National Security in Middle East & Africa, highlighted the importance of having access to diverse datasets and enabling their joint management in order to enable I2LEC-relevant analytics to be performed:

"Crimes against climate have second, third order consequences, or ripple effects, that demand proper intelligence workflows to be dealt. This in turns demands full collaboration between a very diverse base of national and international organizations. Esri is humbled in leveraging its technological expertise to such an amazing array of international law enforcement agencies and is committed to providing its technology and expertise, particularly in the creation of the global preparedness assessment and interactive dashboard to massively increase our access to real-time climate intelligence."

The first Steering Committee meeting took place after several important milestones since the establishment of the initiative, including the I2LEC pledge, which was presented at the 32nd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna where it gained the support of more than 20 countries.

As of today, the UAE Ministry of Interior and the UNODC together with I2LEC's other partners will join forces towards the implementation of the 2023-2025 Roadmap. This includes several I2LEC-owned events taking place at COP28 in Dubai later this year, with the aim of driving further international awareness and support for the initiative.

I2LEC is a global initiative, aimed at awareness-raising, capacity-building and research concerning crimes that affect the environment and climate change, as well as the response of law enforcement to the changing climate.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uae-un-interpol-and-europol-join-forces-to-tackle-environmental-crime-and-climate-crisis-301884020.html
CUPERTINO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Leading the charge in the college admissions consulting landscape, AdmissionSight is revolutionizing the way students approach college application essays. AdmissionSight, a college admissions consulting company, has helped thousands of students crack the college application essays. The college application personal statements and essays are a crucial part of the admissions process. Oftentimes, a strong essay can get a weak student in, and weak essays can keep a strong student out.

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Personalized Consultations: AdmissionSight's expert consultants work closely with each student to identify their individual strengths, experiences, and goals. These one-on-one sessions provide personalized guidance on essay topics, structure, and style. Expert Essay Editing: With decades of combined experience in college admissions, AdmissionSight's team of professional editors provides invaluable feedback crafting a spellbinding and engaging narrative to portray the students' personal qualities in the best light. One-To-One Interaction with Award-Winning Senior Consultants: Students get one-on-one interaction with award-winning college admissions experts who offer insights and strategies on essays, topic selection, and more. Comprehensive Essay Review: Each student's essay will undergo a thorough review by AdmissionSight's team, ensuring that the final draft is strong, cohesive, and effective. Proven Strategies and Techniques: AdmissionSight's proprietary approach to essay writing is based on a deep understanding of what college admissions officers are looking for in a compelling essay. Students will learn proven strategies and techniques to create essays that resonate with the admissions committee.



In addition to the comprehensive essay assistance, AdmissionSight provides a wealth of resources to help students succeed in the college admissions process. The experienced counselors and advisors offer personalized guidance tailored to each student's unique needs and goals. The team also assists students in navigating all aspects of the admissions process, from selecting the right schools to preparing for interviews and obtaining letters of recommendation.

About AdmissionSight



AdmissionSight is a full-service admissions consulting company with over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process to college, transfer, graduate, and international programs.

AdmissionSight's services include SAT/AP preparation, science research program, passion project development, extracurricular involvement, academic competition preparation, summer program applications, personal statement editing, interview preparation, and letter of recommendation strategy. On average, 75% of their students are admitted to an Ivy League university, Stanford, MIT, UChicago, and Caltech, one of the highest track records in the industry.

Media Contact:

AdmissionSight Inc.

info@admissionsight.com

(650) 338-8226

SOURCE: AdmissionSight

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769803/AdmissionSight-and-How-to-Crack-The-College-Application-Essays
MADRID (dpa-AFX) - Spain's parliamentary elections failed to find a clear winner as both sides fell short of majority seats required to form a government. With almost all the votes counted in Sunday's polling, the opposition center-right Partido Popular (PP) is leading with 136 seats. Even with the support of the far-right Vox party, which is set to win 33 seats, a possible coalition will not be able to reach an absolute majority of 175 in the 349-member Congress of Deputies, reports say. However, PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo has claimed victory. On the other side, the ruling center-left Spanish Socialist Workers' Party is on course to win 122 seats. Its likely coalition partner far-left Sumar has won 31 seats. Socialist leader and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says, 'The reactionary bloc has failed.' Addressing conservative supporters, Feijoo said he will try to form a government. 'Spaniards know we have gone from being the second force to the party with the most votes. I hope this doesn't start a period of uncertainty in Spain,' he told the gathering at the party headquarters. Popular Party, which had only 89 seats in the outgoing parliament, improved its position in this election by adding 47 more seats to its tally. And their vote share increased from 21 percent to 33 percent. But it is not enough for them to assure returning to power. In case coalition-building efforts fail to reach a positive result, the most likely prospect is the country heading to another election towards the end of the year, according to reports. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. ET

Paris, France--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), a leading developer and provider of 5G/4G solutions for IoT devices, will release its financial results for the second quarter of 2023 on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, during pre-market hours. Following the announcement, Sequans' management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Conference Call Details

Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Time: 8:00 a.m. ET / 14:00 CET Dial in: U.S. toll-free: 888-886-7786

International: +1 416-764-8658

Access: When prompted, provide event title or access code 82293666.

A live and archived webcast of the call will be available from the Investor Relations section of the Sequans website at www.sequans.com/investors/webcasts-and-presentations. An audio replay of the conference call will be available until August 15, 2023 by dialing toll-free 844-512-2921 in the U.S., or +1 412-317-6671 from outside the U.S., using the following access code: 82293666.

About Sequans

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and supplier of cellular IoT connectivity solutions, providing chips and modules for 5G/4G massive and broadband IoT. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia Cat 4/Cat 6 4G and high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Investor Relations: Kim Rogers, Hayden IR, +1 385.831.7337, Kim@haydenir.com

Media Relations: Kimberly Tassin, +1.425.736.0569, Kimberly@sequans.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174628
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb-" (Good) of Saudi Arabian Insurance Company B.S.C. (c) (Damana) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative.

The ratings reflect Damana's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also factor a neutral impact from the company's ultimate ownership by Mawarid Holding Company (Mawarid).

Damana's balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation which was at the strongest level as at year-end 2022, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Investments previously held in a centralised group treasury account have been fully liquidated as of the first quarter of 2023, as mandated by the Central Bank of Bahrain in late 2020. Overall, AM Best views the company to have a moderate risk investment strategy, including concentrations to affiliated and unaffiliated equities.

Damana's operating performance is viewed as marginal. Over recent years, Damana has generated combined ratios in excess of 100% (as calculated by AM Best), reflective of considerable expense strain arising from its operating model and business scale. In addition to the expense ratio pressures, the company's loss ratio deteriorated in 2021 and 2022 amid underperformance of motor and medical lines of business.

Damana reported gross written premiums (GWP) of BHD 16.8 million in 2022, an increase of 8.6% compared with the previous year as the company executed strategic growth actions. This follows a contraction in GWP in 2021, which was in part attributable to regulatory restrictions imposed by the Central Bank of Bahrain on the company's operations in Bahrain in the second half of the year. This restriction was lifted in December 2021, resulting in return to growth in 2022. AM Best expects GWP growth in 2023, however, acknowledges the challenging and competitive conditions in the company's core markets of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait.

The negative outlooks reflect the challenges faced by Damana in the execution of its business plan and the ability to achieve underwriting and operating profitability over the medium term. In addition, AM Best views the company's investment strategy to drive a heightened potential for volatility in balance sheet fundamentals, including risk-adjusted capitalisation.

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/20230724481932/en/

Contacts:

Anna Sheremeteva

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 6264

anna.sheremeteva@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Myles Gould

Director, Analytics

+44 207 397 0304

myles.gould@ambest.com

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

al.slavin@ambest.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Alkermes is honored to be selected for the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health at Platinum for the second consecutive year. This award, given annually by Mental Health America recognizes our commitment to fostering a mentally healthy workplace.

As a company with a long history of supporting people affected by serious mental illness and addiction, mental health is woven into the very fabric of who we are as an organization. We believe that by investing in and implementing policies and practices to support our employees' physical and mental well-being, we can create a safe, healthy, and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

Read more about this honor: https://lnkd.in/eYQzUXuX

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Alkermes on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Alkermes

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alkermes

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Alkermes

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769938/Alkermes-Awarded-2023-Platinum-Bell-Seal-for-Workplace-Mental-Health
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX: EXN) (OTCQB: EXNRF) (FSE: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement with holders of greater than 662/3% of its outstanding 5.75% secured convertible debentures in the aggregate principal amount of C$17,910,000 (the "Convertible Debentures") to extend the maturity date of the Convertible Debentures by 367 days from July 30, 2023 to July 31, 2024 (the "Extension"). The Extension will be implemented pursuant to the terms and conditions of a supplemental indenture to be entered into between the Company and TSX Trust Company, as trustee and collateral agent.

In consideration for the Extension, the Company has agreed to an extension fee equal to 6% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Debentures payable pro rata to the holders of the Convertible Debentures in common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") priced at C$0.156 per Common Share.

Shawn Howarth, President and CEO, commented: "We are pleased to have reached an agreement, providing critical financial flexibility and one step towards a broader restructuring. It also reconfirms the commitment by all parties to reach a solution for the future financial health of Excellon."

Completion of the Extension is anticipated to occur on or about July 28, 2023, or such other date as the parties may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and securityholder approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and the approval of the holders of the Convertible Debentures, which is anticipated to be obtained by way of an instrument in writing executed by holders of the Convertible Debentures holding Convertible Debentures representing not less than 662/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Debentures. Should the Extension not be completed by July 30, 2023, the holders of the Convertible Debentures party to the agreement with the Company have agreed that they will approve, or cause to be approved, the waiver and forbearance of the Company's obligations arising from, or in connection with, the maturity of the Convertible Debentures on July 30, 2023. The Company will update the market upon completion of the Extension.

The parties have also agreed to immediately commence further negotiations toward a broader restructuring of the Convertible Debentures, including a further extension of the maturity date. The Company will provide further updates when available.

In addition, the same group of holders of Convertible Debentures are in discussions with the Company to provide bridge financing.

As previously disclosed, in parallel the Company continues to actively assess various other interim financing and other liquidity options including corporate development and strategic opportunities, which may include divestitures, mergers or spin-offs of the Company's assets.

As such matters advance, the Company will provide appropriate updates in due course.

About Excellon

Excellon's vision is to realize opportunities through the acquisition of advanced development or producing assets with further potential to gain from an experienced operational management team for the benefit of our employees, communities and shareholders. The Company is advancing a portfolio of silver, base metals and precious metals assets including Kilgore, an advanced gold exploration project in Idaho; and Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany with 750 years of mining history and no modern exploration.

Additional details on Excellon's properties are available at www.excellonresources.com.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Excellon Resources Inc.

Shawn Howarth, President & Chief Executive Officer

info@excellonresources.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained, referenced or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as: "actively", "advance", "anticipated", "assess", "believe", "cause", "commence", "completion", "conditions", "consideration", "continues", "development", "due course", "expectation", "exploration", "extend", "extension", "flexibility", "focused", "forbearance", "forward", "further", "future", "if", "implement", "liquidity", "looking", "maturity", "may", " "negotiations", "occur", "opportunities", "options", "outcome", "outstanding", "potential", "providing", "reach", "restructuring", "risk", "subject to", "to be", "update", "vision", "waive", "when", "will", and "would", or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, could, may, should, to, will, would (or not) be achieved, occur, provide, result, complete or support in the future or which, by their nature, refer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Extension and further restructuring of the Convertible Debentures (including the terms of and completion the Extension and any further restructuring and any supplemental indenture agreement in respect thereof, and the number and pricing of Common Shares to be issued pursuant thereto in respect of related fees or otherwise); the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Extension; the timing and ability of the Company to receive necessary regulatory and securityholder approvals (including the approval of the TSX and the holders of the Convertible Debentures and the form or means thereof); any forbearance and/or waiver, or other related actions, which may be required to be taken by the Convertible Debenture holders and/or the indenture trustee and collateral agent and any approvals required therefor; the bridge financing, other liquidity initiatives and future financial health; interim financing options and any other corporate development and strategic opportunities (including divestitures, mergers or spin-offs of the Company's assets) and purpose or outcome thereof (including any complement to go-forward strategy or other liquidity); Excellon's vision and advancement of its portfolio; and any updates to the market regarding any of the foregoing. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or performance (including, there can be no assurance that the Company's vision or any of the described pending or ongoing negotiations or discussions with Convertible Debenture holders or assessments of other interim financing and other liquidity options, including corporate development and strategic opportunities, result in any contemplated financing, restructuring or other liquidity outcome or the benefits resulting therefrom). Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions, which are considered reasonable and represent best judgment based on available facts, as of the date such statements are made. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including that the Extension, any further restructuring of the Convertible Debentures and/or any other interim financing and other liquidity options may not be completed and, if completed, may not have the intended or desired benefits, failing which the Company will have to examine all other available options. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2023 (the "2023 AIF"), and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in this news release, the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, and accompanying financial statements, for the year ended December 31, 2022 and quarters already ended in 2023, and the Company's other applicable public disclosure (collectively, "Company Disclosure"). The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the 2023 AIF and the other Company Disclosure. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this news release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the other Company Disclosure. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174658
Not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia or any other jurisdiction in violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction.

Regulatory News:

Transition S.A. (Euronext Paris: TRAN) (the "Company" or "Transition") announces the results of the redemption requests relating to the Company's class B preferred shares (the "Class B Shares") during the period from 21 June 2023 to 20 July 2023 (the "Redemption Period"), in the context of the proposed business combination with Arverne Group S.A.S. (the "Business Combination

It represents a new and important step in the Business Combination process, which was described in greater detail in the press release issued at the joint initiative of the Company and Arverne Group S.A.S. on 16 June 2023.

At the end of the Redemption Period, Transition received redemption requests from shareholders (the "Dissenting Shareholders") representing 15,246,672 Class B Shares (or 73.8% of the Class B Shares issued).

At the date of completion of the Business Combination, the merged entity will benefit from (i) the funds immediately available in the escrow account opened by Transition with Caisse d'Epargne CEPAC, net of expenses used to redeem the Class B Shares, will represent an amount of approximately EUR 54 million, (ii) the funds raised under the private placement with institutional investors (known as the "PIPE") in an amount secured to date of EUR 63 million, (iii) funds held by Transition, excluding the funds held in escrow, amounting to approximately EUR 0.2 million to date, and (iv) the amount of the subscription to the convertible bonds (issued in March 2023 and subscribed to by two of the three founders of Transition for an amount of EUR 15 million), enabling to meet the minimum "Available Cash" condition of EUR 130 million provided for in the Business Combination agreement.

In accordance with the provisions of Transition's articles of association, in order to benefit from the redemption of all or part of their Class B Shares, each Dissenting Shareholder shall:

have submitted, during the Redemption Period, a redemption order for all or part of its Class B Shares to its financial intermediary, in accordance with Euroclear securities transaction processing standards;

possess, by 20 July 2023, full and complete ownership of the number of Class B Shares for which it has requested redemption;

not have transferred, as of the date of the redemption of the Class B Shares by Transition, full ownership of the number of Class B Shares for which redemption was requested.

In addition, the Business Combination, whose terms must be approved by the special meeting of shareholders holding Class B Shares (to be held on 26 July 2023), must be completed by 21 December 2023 at the latest.

Class B Shares held by Transition shareholders who have failed to notify their intermediary of a redemption order during the aforementioned period will not be redeemed by Transition.

The redemption price for a Class B Share is EUR 10.00.

Transition will redeem Class B shares within a period ending no later than the thirtieth (30th) calendar day from the date on which the Merger is completed, or the next business day if that date is not a business day. The Board of Directors will determine the redemption date for the Class B shares and proceed with the redemption within the specified timeframe, and will have the power to delegate such authority in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, after acknowledging that all necessary redemption criteria have been met.

The Class B Shares repurchased by Transition as described above will be cancelled immediately after their redemption through a reduction of Transition's share capital, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including Article L. 228-12-1 of the French Commercial Code. The Board of Directors will record the number of Class B shares redeemed and cancelled and make the necessary amendments to Transition's articles of association.

An amount corresponding to the total redemption price of the Class B shares redeemed in this manner will be deducted from the share capital up to the amount mentioned in the previous paragraph. The remainder will be allocated to distributable reserves (as defined in Article L. 232-11 of the French Commercial Code), in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Important notice

The distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This press release is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute and should not be deemed to constitute an offer to the public of securities, nor a solicitation of the public relating to an offer of any kind whatsoever in any country, including France.

European Economic Area France

This press release is not a prospectus, but an advertisement provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute and should not be deemed to constitute an offer to the public of securities by Transition, nor a solicitation of the public relating to an offer of any kind whatsoever in any country, including France.

A prospectus (the "Merger Prospectus") will be submitted to the approval of the Autorite des marches financiers solely for the purpose of the merger between Transition and Arverne Group and a separate prospectus (the "Listing Prospectus") will be submitted to the approval of the Autorite des marches financiers solely for the purpose of the admission for trading on the professional segment (compartiment professionnel) of the regulated market of Euronext Paris of the securities to be issued by Transition through a placement to the benefit of certain investors and a categories of investors, as the case may be. A copy of the Merger Prospectus and the Listing Prospectus will be available on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org) and on Transition's website (spactransition.com) and will be obtainable free of charge from Transition. The Merger Prospectus and the Listing Prospectus will include a detailed description of Transition, including a section describing certain risk factors relating to Transition and the Merger and the PIPE.

Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any securities referred to in this press release except on the basis of the information contained in the Merger Prospectus and the Listing Prospectus, as applicable.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

The securities of Transition admitting for trading on the professional segment (compartiment professionnel) of the regulated market of Euronext Paris are addressed solely to Qualified Investors, as defined in the regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of 14 June 2017 and in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 411-2, 1 of the French Code monetaire et financier.

United Kingdom

This press release does not constitute an offer of securities to the public in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, this press release is for distribution only to and is directed only at (a) "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of U.K. domestic law by virtue of the EUWA which are (b) (i) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the provisions of Article 19(5) of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) "high net worth entities", "unincorporated associations" and other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This press release must not be acted on or relied on, in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is only available to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Persons distributing this press release must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so.

United States of America

This press release and the information it contains does not, and will not, constitute an offer to the public to subscribe for or sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy, Transition securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), it being specified that the Transition securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and Transition does not intend to register securities or conduct an offer to the public in the United States.

Canada

This press release and the information it contains do not, and will not, constitute an offer to the public to subscribe for or sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy, Transition securities in any province or territory of Canada. Securities may not be offered or sold in Canada except in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws or pursuant to a prospectus that qualifies those securities in the relevant provinces and territories of Canada, it being specified that the Transition securities have not been and will not be qualified by way of prospectus under the securities laws of any province or territory of Canada and Transition does not intend to qualify any such securities or conduct an offering to the public in Canada. This announcement is not being made in and copies of it may not be distributed or sent, directly or indirectly, into the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan.

Public information

Potential investors should review the risk factors described in Transition's prospectus that has been approved by the AMF on June 16, 2021 solely for the purpose of listing of Transition securities on the professional segment (compartiment professionnel) of the regulated market of Euronext Paris. A copy of the prospectus is available on the AMF's website at www.amf-france.org and on Transition's website at spactransition.com and may be obtained free of charge from Transition.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724011370/en/

Contacts:

Transition S.A.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD. (TSX: OBE) (NYSE American: OBE) ("Obsidian Energy", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") announces that we expect to release our second quarter 2023 financial and operational results before North American markets open on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. In addition, the second quarter management's discussion and analysis and the unaudited consolidated financial statements will be available on our website at www.obsidianenergy.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on or about the same date.

ADDITIONAL READER ADVISORIES

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning: the expected release date for our second quarter 2023 financial and operational results and other associated documents.

The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Obsidian Energy. Although Obsidian Energy believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because Obsidian Energy can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking statements and information are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in commodity prices, changes in industry regulations and political landscape both domestically and abroad, and financial market volatility. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements and information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements and information. Obsidian Energy gives no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do, what benefits Obsidian Energy will derive from them. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Readers should also carefully consider the matters discussed that could affect Obsidian Energy, or its operations or financial results in Obsidian Energy's Annual Information Form (see "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" therein) for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is available on the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com), EDGAR website (www.sec.gov) or Obsidian Energy's website.

Obsidian Energy shares are listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the NYSE American exchange in the United States under the symbol "OBE".

CONTACT

OBSIDIAN ENERGY

Suite 200, 207 - 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3

Phone: 403-777-2500

Toll Free: 1-866-693-2707

Website: www.obsidianenergy.com;

Investor Relations:

Toll Free: 1-888-770-2633

E-mail: investor.relations@obsidianenergy.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174651
CellCentric, a Cambridge, UK- and and Manchester, UK-based biotechnology company, received a $25M strategic investment from Pfizer.

Pfizer will support the company with its own clinical development program in multiple myeloma (MM) for 2024, alongside ongoing trials in specific haematological malignancies, through its Pfizer Ignite offering.

Led by CEO Will West, CellCentric focuses on twin acetyl transferase proteins, p300 and CBP, that act as transcription co-activation factors, and that drive the expression of genes important in cancer progression. The company, which has investigated over 50 epigenetic-related targets as new ways to treat disease, and specifically cancer, was spun out from the University of Cambridge, by pioneering developmental biologist Professor Azim Surani FRS, CBE, who wanted to further explore the potential of epigenetics to deliver new treatments.

In June 2023, CellCentric was granted orphan drug and fast track designation status from the FDA for inobrodib.

Inobrodib works by binding to a specific part of proteins p300 and CBP (bromodomain). It is highly selective and does not impact similar pockets on other proteins. Through this action inobrodib reduces the expression of key cancer drivers: IRF4, MYC, and the androgen receptor (AR and its variants).

In June 2023, CellCentric was granted orphan drug and fast track designation status from the FDA for inobrodib.

As part of the collaboration, Astrid Ruefli-Brasse, Vice President, Tumour Biology, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, will join CellCentrics Scientific Advisory Board and Sriram Krishnaswami, Vice President and Development Head, Multiple Myeloma, Pfizer Global Product Development, will serve as an advisor to CellCentric.

FinSMEs

23/07/2023
Group14 acquires Schmid Silicon Group and a silane facility in Spreetal, Germany, in the first of several moves to expand into Europe.

Group14 Technologies, a Woodinville, WA-based global manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery technology, acquired Schmid Silicon Technology Holding GmbH, a Spreetal, Germany-based silane producer.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The acquisition will support Group 14s European operations, with plans to open its first offices in Germany.

As part of the deal, the company plans to retain and integrate all current Schmid Silicon employees while also offering training to transition additional hires from traditional energy sectors into clean energy. Once the factory is online and operational, Group14 expects to grow its headcount as much as 5x.

Led by Rick Luebbe, CEO, and Rick Costantino, CTO, Group14 currently operates a commercial-scale Battery Active Materials factory, BAM-1, in Woodinville, Washington, with two additional forthcoming factories: a joint venture factory with SK, Inc. in South Korea and a second U.S. factory, BAM-2, in Moses Lake, WA. To date, Group14 has raised over $650m in financing from investors and customers such as Porsche AG, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, OMERS, Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, Decarbonization Partners, Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), BASF, Resonac (formerly known as Showa Denko) and SK Inc.

FinSMEs

25/07/2023
GTCR, a Chicago, IL-based private equity firm, acquired Once For All, a Basingstoke, United Kingdom and Paris, France-based compliance and supply chain management software provider, from Warburg Pincus.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Founded in 1998, Once For All is a compliance and supply chain management software platform serving the construction industry. The company serves as a SaaS-based network of over 150,000 construction and facilities management companies, enabling contractors and property owners to manage their supply chain of sub-contractors and ensure compliance with a complex set of public regulations and private standards. The software suite also includes a two-sided marketplace that connects contractors and property owners with qualified suppliers looking to source new business opportunities.

Once For All has over 400 employees, is the market leader in UK and France and has operations in Belgium and Germany.

FinSMEs

24/07/2023
Mediobanca Group, an Italian investment bank, signed a partnership with Founders Factory, a London, UK-based global company builder and early-stage investor, to launch a new fintech venture studio and accelerator.

This joint venture, underpinned by an overall 12m investment from Mediobanca, will facilitate innovation in financial services by supporting international early-stage fintech startups as well as further boost support for Italys startup ecosystem.

The Mediobanca/Founders Factory joint venture will build and invest in 35 fintech businesses over the next five years. The venture studio will build, finance and launch new fintech ventures that use advanced technologies, such as blockchain and AI, to innovate the financial services market in synergy with Mediobancas strategy and capabilities. In tandem, Founders Factory and Mediobanca will operate a new accelerator program to invest in and support more established early-stage fintech ventures in Italy and internationally.

According to this joint venture, selected entrepreneurs will benefit from access to capital, Founders Factorys global network, operational support and fintech expertise, together with Mediobancas commercial access and knowledge to multiple routes to financial practices  from wealth management to consumer banking.

Founders Factory is a global fintech authority, having established a long term relationship with UK financial services operator, Aviva, and building and investing in nearly 50 financial technology ventures, including Acre, Qumata, and ClearGlass.

FinSMEs

24/07/2023
OneTrust, an Atlanta, GA-based provider of a trust intelligence cloud platform, raised $150M in funding, at $4.5 billion valuation.

The round, which brought the total amount to $1 Billion with a current $4.5 billion valuation, was led by Generation Investment Management with participation from existing investor Sands Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate platform innovation as organizations scale trust across privacy, security, ethics, and ESG.

Led by Kabir Barday, Founder and CEO, OneTrust is a provider of an intelligence cloud platform for organizations to enable the responsible use of data and AI while protecting the privacy rights of individuals, implement and report on their cyber security program, reach their social impact goals, and create a speak up culture of trust. This is bolstered by extensive research and real-time regulatory intelligence across hundreds of jurisdictions, making it easier for companies to understand and adapt to regulatory requirements.

Over 14,000 customers currently use its technology, including half of the Global 2,000. OneTrust employs over 2,000 people in regions across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. OneTrusts existing investors include Insight Partners, Coatue, TCV, Sands Capital, and Franklin Templeton.

FinSMEs

24/07/2023
Supply Change Capital is led by industry veterans Noramay Cadena and Shayna Harris.

Supply Change Capital, a Los Angeles, CA- and Chicago, IL-based venture capital firm that invests in the future of food, closed its inaugural $40M fund.

Limited Partners included 301 INC, MassMutual through its First Fund Initiative, the Office of the Illinois Treasurer through the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund, Bank of America, Illumen Capitals Catalyst Fund, and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Led by Noramay Cadena and Shayna Harris, Supply Change Capital invests in early-stage food and agriculture technology companies.

The firm has deployed over $13M across 15 since June 2021. Investments include deep tech food, agriculture and ingredient companies, supply chain technology, and enterprise software. Latinx, Black, and/or Female Founder/CEOs comprise 80% of the portfolio.

Noramay Cadena and Shayna Harris are two industry veterans who met in business school at MIT Sloan in 2009. With four degrees from MIT and a Fulbright Scholarship between them, the partners have made more than 100 investments to date. Cadena is a mechanical engineer who spent over a decade bringing complex space programs to market at Boeing and then pivoted to venture capital in 2015, investing across sectors and stages. Harris is a sought-after food industry expert, with C-Suite executive leadership and strategy experience in fast-growth food and software startups, and a tenure as a global lead for sourcing and impact at Mars.

FinSMEs

24/07/2023
Edtech company Byjus has reportedly vacated its largest office space in Bengaluru as part of its cost-cutting measures and in an attempt to hike liquidity due to a funding delay. The company has also relinquished a portion of another office space in the same city.

Byjus has a total of three office spaces in Bengaluru, including the 5.58 lakh square feet property in Kalyani Tech Park that has been recently vacated, according to a report by Moneycontrol.

Six employees confirmed to the media that the company has asked them to work from other premises or from home starting July 23. Additionally, the company has given up two out of nine floors it occupied in Prestige Tech Park.

Byjus has over 3 million square feet of rented spaces across the country to support its needs. Expansion and reduction in office space is based on changes in working policies and business priorities which is very regular and is aimed at boosting operational efficiencies, a spokesperson for Byjus said.

The edtech firm had earlier leased two buildings, Magnolia and Ebony, in Kalyani Tech Park in Brookfield last June. It vacated Magnolia last month, shifting employees to Ebony. The employees have been asked to work from Prestige Tech Park and the main office on Baneghatta Main Road, according to their statements.

Security personnel at Kalyani Tech Park confirmed the development, stating that Byjus will exit Ebony by August. Initially, the company had leased five floors in Magnolia and six floors in Ebony. However, it has now vacated four out of the six floors in Ebony, with the remaining two floors to be given up by August.

By vacating the leased office space of about 5.58 lakh sq ft, the company is expected to save close to Rs 3 crore on monthly rent.

Interestingly, the move to vacate office spaces sheds light on the financial challenges faced by the countrys most-valued unicorn, which is dealing with various issues, including a financial tussle with lenders. Byjus has been seeking an infusion of over $700 million in funds since the beginning of the year but has been unable to secure it.

Last month, Byjus came under scrutiny from the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) due to non-payment of PF dues, highlighting further cash flow issues for the company. Data on the official EPFO portal revealed that for June, the company only paid provident fund (PF) for 738 employees, despite agreeing with the EPFO to clear payments before July 15. In May, PF payments were made for close to 25,000 employees.

Byjus also implemented a cost-cutting initiative last month, leading to the layoffs of over 1,000 employees.
The competition for top-tier talent is fiercer than ever, and thus Indian companies today need to look beyond traditional compensation methods to attract and retain talent. Along with a good salary, modern employees are increasingly looking for robust corporate insurance benefits, including insurance, retirement and other benefit plans. These benefits contribute significantly to job satisfaction and long-term employee retention.

Life, accident/disability, and retirement plans: Ensuring dinancial security

Life insurance, accident/disability insurance, and retirement plans each play distinctive roles in safeguarding employees financial stability.

Life insurance provides a financial cushion for the family, ensuring that they have support in the face of an unfortunate event like the employees demise. Employers can opt for a standard term life insurance for the entire organization as part of their insurance benefits.

Accident/Disability insurance comes to the rescue when an employee is unable to work due to a debilitating condition or illness, providing a reliable source of income. This benefit also provides a lumpsum amount in the event of an accidental death. This generally is a very affordable option to provide basic security to the employee.

Retirement plans, such as the Gratuity, Provident Fund and the National Pension Scheme offered by Indian companies, offer a secure financial future after the employees professional tenure ends and can prove to be a good long term retention tool.

Medical insurance: A crucial employee benefit

Medical insurance holds a critical position in the array of corporate insurance benefits. With healthcare costs on an upward trajectory, a robust medical insurance policy can provide employees with financial protection against a range of healthcare expenses, from hospitalization and surgeries to outpatient department (OPD) costs, diagnostic tests, and even maternity care. Including comprehensive medical insurance in the benefits package helps employees manage these healthcare expenses without eroding their savings.

Comprehensive medical insurance plans also cover pre-existing illnesses after a certain waiting period, ensuring that employees dont have to bear the burden of high medical costs due to chronic or existing health conditions.

Moreover, medical insurance benefits can be extended to an employees family members, bringing peace of mind to employees who bear the responsibility of their familys healthcare. Corporations that provide comprehensive medical insurance demonstrate a commitment to their employees health and well-being, which can significantly enhance job satisfaction and loyalty, reduce employee turnover, and promote a healthier, more productive workforce.

Incorporating wellness programmes and mental health support

The focus of corporate insurance is gradually shifting from just providing financial protection to promoting holistic well-being. Many modern corporations are integrating wellness programs, mental health support, and preventive care into their insurance benefits. With rising stress levels and lifestyle-related diseases in India, such initiatives are increasingly important. They offer crucial support to employees, contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce and fostering a positive work environment.

Emphasizing preventive care

Preventive care, which can be included as part of the corporate insurance plan, is becoming increasingly essential. Regular health check-ups, subsidized gym memberships, and wellness workshops can encourage employees to prioritize their health. This can lead to fewer insurance claims in the long run and promote a healthier, happier workplace.

Leveraging InsurTech for efficient and transparent insurance and benefits management

InsurTech, a combination of insurance and technology, is a rapidly growing sector that seeks to harness the power of modern technology to improve and streamline the insurance process. This technological revolution is sweeping across the insurance industry globally, including India, transforming the way insurance is bought, sold, and managed.

The key driving force behind InsurTech is its customer-centric approach. In the context of corporate insurance benefits, this translates into making insurance more accessible, understandable, and manageable for employees. Digital platforms developed by InsurTech firms allow employees to access their insurance policies anytime, anywhere, and from any device. They can view policy details, make claims, track claim status, and even renew policies, all with a few clicks. Advanced analytics offered by InsurTech can help corporations understand insurance utilisation patterns.

Insurtechs not only have the best experience when it comes to insurance, but they also provide a holistic healthcare platform with many additional products and services that supplement insurance.

Moving forward

Advocating for better corporate insurance benefits is an endeavour that requires understanding the diverse needs of employees, making the most of technological advancements in InsurTech, and offering flexible and holistic coverage options. Corporations in India that prioritize these elements can enhance their reputation as desirable employers and contribute significantly to their employees financial and overall well-being. This endeavor is not just a matter of securing financial futures; its about creating a supportive, nurturing corporate culture that values the well-being of its workforce above all else.

The author is Co-founder & CEO, Healthysure. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Everyone knows that cybercrime is on the rise.

And yet, cybercriminals seem to find new ways to scam people out of their hard-earned money.

The Hyderabad Police recently busted a Chinese-run scheme that defrauded over 15,000 Indians including some highly-paid software professionals out of Rs 712 crore.

Lets take a closer look at what happened and how the police cracked the case:

What happened?

As per NDTV, the Hyderabad Polices cybercrime branch began looking into the case in April after a complaint from a victim named Shiva.

Police found that the criminals enticed people on WhatsApp and Telegram by offering investment-cum-part time jobs.

Victims, who lost Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh on average, were given tasks such as liking YouTube videos and writing Google reviews  and were paid on completing them.

A fake window showed the money they had purportedly earned, but they were not allowed to withdraw it  until all the so-called tasks had been completed.

The victims were then asked to front up small amounts of money  up to Rs 5,000  and then given high returns.

In some instances, their money was even shown as having doubled The victims were then tasked with putting in more and more money.

By now, victims had already put in lakhs of rupees, as per NDTV.

Shiva, for example, was tasked with giving five-star ratings and investing small amounts of Rs 1,000  on which he was shown earning a profit of Rs 866.

Shiva, after putting in Rs 25,000, was shown to have a profit of Rs 25,000. But he was still not allowed to withdraw the money.

Shiva kept investing more and more  until he lost Rs 28 lakh.

What did police find?

Shivas money was initially transferred to six accounts.

From there, it was sent to various Indian bank accounts  before it landed up in Dubai.

The money was then used to purchase crypto.

The accounts, which were opened in India using Indian SIM cards, were subsequently remotely operated in Dubai. The fraudsters were in touch with Chinese operators, who are the masterminds of the scam, a police officer told NDTV.

We are alerting Central agencies regarding this and the cyber crime unit of the Union home ministry has been given the details. It is quite shocking and surprising that even highly paid software professionals have lost as much as  82 lakh, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand told NDTV.

The police have arrested nine people in this connection from all over India.

Some of the cryptowallet transactions in the fraud were found to have linkages with Hezbollah wallet.

A resident of Ahmedabad, one of the arrested persons, was found to be associated with some Chinese citizens.

He coordinates with them by sharing information on Indian bank accounts and shares the OTPs for operating these accounts from Dubai/China through remote access apps, the police said.

It was also found that one of the arrested persons has shared over 65 accounts to Chinese citizens in which transactions to an amount of Rs 128 crore took place.

According to NDTV, the Chinese masterminds of the scheme  Kevin Jun, Lee Lou Langzhou and Shasha  used these accounts to transfer over Rs 128 crore.

The other accounts through which the fraudulent money have been converted to United States Department of Treasury (USDT crypto currency) is valued at Rs 584 crore, totalling over Rs 712 crore has been siphoned off by the fraudsters, police said.

Indians vulnerable to cybercrime

Indians are vulnerable to cybercrime in particular deepfake scams.

CNBC in May quoted a McAfee survey as noting that nearly two-thirds of respondents cannot distinguish between a real voice and an AI voice.

The survey reveals that more than half (69 percent) of Indians think they dont know or cannot tell the difference between an AI voice and real voice, the report stated.

Worse, 83 per cent of victims admitted to losing money in such scams.

About half (47 percent) of Indian adults have experienced or know someone who has experienced some kind of AI voice scam, which is almost double the global average (25 percent). 83 percent of Indian victims said they had a loss of money- with 48 percent losing over Rs 50,000, the report stated.

The report noted that Indians are also likely to fall for such scams.

Particularly if they thought the request had come from their parent (46 percent), partner or spouse (34 percent), or child (12 percent). Messages most likely to elicit a response were those claiming that the sender had been robbed (70 percent), was involved in a car incident (69 percent), lost their phone or wallet (65 percent) or needed help while travelling abroad (62 percent), the report stated.

With inputs from agencies
The Archaeological Survey of Indias scientific survey at the Gyanvapi Mosque in Uttar Pradesh will now go ahead, courtesy the Allahabad High Courts ruling.

On Thursday (3 August), bench of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker ruled, Issue of a commission is permissible. The Varanasi Court was justified in ordering for ASI survey of the premises. Scientific survey is necessary in the interest of justice.

The ruling came after the Anjuman Mosque Committee had earlier petitioned the court on 25 July, challenging the ASI survey.

Following the decision, Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque survey case, was quoted as saying: Allahabad High Court has said that ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex will start. Sessions court order is upheld by the High Court.

#WATCH | Allahabad HC has said that ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex to start. Sessions court order upheld by HC: Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in Gyanvapi survey case pic.twitter.com/mnQJrTzS09  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2023

We take a closer look at what exactly is this ASIs scientific survey all about and why had it been stopped earlier.

What is the ASIs scientific survey?

Earlier, the Varanasi court had issued directions for a scientific investigation/survey/excavation of the mosque premises. District judge A K Vishvesh directed that a detailed scientific investigation by using GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) survey, excavation, carbon dating method and other modern techniques of the present structure to find out as to whether same has been constructed over a pre-existing structure of Hindu temple.

It specifically directed the use of GPR technology for survey just below the three domes of the building in question, and to conduct an excavation there if required.

However, the wazukhana is to be excluded from the survey as it was sealed last year on the orders of the Supreme Court after the Hindu side had argued of the presence of a Shivling, while the Muslims said the object was a fountain.

The ASI scientific survey will include carbon dating, a method used to determine the age of matter that was once living. Developed by American chemist Willard Libby in 1946, carbon dating can also be to determine the age of objects younger than 50,000 years.

Radiocarbon dating works by comparing the three different isotopes of carbon. The most abundant, carbon-12, remains stable in the atmosphere. On the other hand, carbon-14 is radioactive and decays into nitrogen-14 over time.

According to experts, the dead organisms within the inanimate objects can help in deciding when the particular object reached that place.

However, carbon dating is not always precise. As science journal Nature explains, the method assumes the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere has been constant in time and space, which is not true.

Moreover, carbon emissions from fossil fuels are disturbing the ratio of carbon-12 and carbon-14 in the atmosphere, reports Smithsonian magazine. In a couple of decades, we will not be able to distinguish if any radiocarbon age we get out or carbon might be from the past or from the future, fears Peter Kohler, a physicist at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research.

However, despite its shortcomings, carbon dating is the most accurate dating tool at archaeologists disposal currently.

Besides carbon dating, the scientific survey at the Gyanvapi premises is to also include the use of GPR technology. For the unaware, GPR is a method of surveying subsurface materials. Using electromagnetic radar pulses, GPR can image materials in the ground, concrete, rock, ice and other structures without disturbing the surface. This could be particularly helpful in the Gyanvapi mosque as it wont disturb or damage anything at the surface level.

Why was the ASI survey stopped earlier?

On 24 July, the ASI team, comprising of 30 members, had gathered at the premises of the disputed mosque and were all prepared to carry out their examinations on the basis of an ordered passed down by the Varanasi district court.

However, just hours before they were to begin their probe, the mosque committee had moved the Supreme Court, challenging the order. The counsel for the mosque committee had expressed his apprehension that the survey and excavation would cause damage to the structure.

Also read: History of the Gyanvapi mosque dispute

The apex court had then stayed the ASI survey until 5 pm on 26 July so as to allow some breathing time to the masjid committee to approach the high court. The high court then extended the stay on 27 July until today  3 August.

What is the row exactly?

The row in courts currently stems from a group of women approaching a lower court in Varanasi, seeking permission to worship Mata Shringar Gauri (a Hindu goddess) and other gods and goddesses inside the disputed Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

Also read: The Hindu women petitioners fighting to pray at the Gyanvapi mosque

The court then ordered a video survey of the complex based on this petition in 2022. During the survey, a structure was discovered that the petitioners claimed were a shivling. However, the mosque management committee said the structure was part of a fountain in the wazukhana, which is an area filled with water where people wash their hands and feet before praying.

Considering the sensitivity of the case, the Supreme Court ordered the sealing of the alleged shivling area. In September 2022, the Varanasi district Court dismissed a challenge by the mosque committee, which argued that the womens request to worship Hindu deities inside the complex premises was not maintainable.

With inputs from agencies
They are calling it Christopher Nolans finest work. Oppenheimer, the biopic on J Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the worlds first atomic bomb, is keeping cash registers ringing across the world. Indians, too are thronging to the theatres, with the film earning Rs 31.5 crore in two days.

Oppenheimers connection to Hinduism has further piqued the interest of movie-goers in the country. The theoretical physicist was fascinated with religion and the Bhagavad Gita and in the run-up to the release there was a lot of chatter about these aspects of his personality. However, it was unclear if the Nolan film would weave them in. Turns out, the holy book does feature in Oppenheimer but now some Indians are seething.

Also read: Who was Oppenheimer? What was his link to Hinduism?

Anger over controversial sex scene

A scene in the film shows Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, having sex while reading the Gita. The use of the sacred text during an intimate scene has angered government officials.

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Monday pulled up the censor board over objectionable content. Questioning how it was okayed by the film certification body, Thakur has asked for the scene to be deleted from the film. Sources say action could be initiated against some officials who are seen as responsible for it, according to NDTV.

Uday Mahurkar, information commissioner with the Government of India, and founder of the Save Culture Save India Foundation, questioned how the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) could approve the movie with a sex scene with the Gita. One is perplexed as to how the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) could approve the movie with this scene, said Mahurkar, sharing a press statement by the Foundation.

We are living in a very polarised world. This should be investigated by I&B Ministry on an urgent basis and those involved should be severely punished, read the press release.

It demanded the scene to be removed from the film not only in India but across the world.

MOVIE OPPENHEIMERS ATTACK ON BHAGWAD GEETA Press Release of Save Culture Save India Foundation Date: July 22, 2023 It has come to the notice of Save Culture Save India Foundation that the movie Oppenheimer which was released on 21st July contains scenes which make a scathing pic.twitter.com/RmJI0q9pXi  Uday Mahurkar (@UdayMahurkar) July 22, 2023

Others called for a boycott of the film. Harris Sultan, author of the book The Curse of God: Why I Left Islam said, Hindus have been celebrating the mention of the Bhagwad Gita in the Oppenheimer movie, but they are left angry and perplexed at the blatant disrespect of the Gita by Hollywood. Mentioning holy verses while having sex is considered disrespectful and racist.

Oppenheimer is Nolans first R-rated movie in 20 years. In India, the censor board gave the film a U/A rating, after the studio cut some scenes to reduce their length.

The quote from the Gita

The controversial sex scene also shows Murphy quoting from the holy book. Oppenheimers fascination with Hindu texts, including the Gita, was a significant facet of his life. He is said to have famously quoted from the sacred book after the Trinity test of 1945, through which he created the first atomic bomb. Understanding the gravity of what he had just done, he is said to have thought to himself, If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. The lines, it has been widely reported, are from the Gita.

The quote appears in the Nolan film during the interaction between Murphys Oppenheimer and Florence Pughs Jean Tatlock, his psychiatrist. Mid-coitus, Pugh gets up and goes over to the bookshelf, picking up the copy of the Bhagavad Gita and asking Murphy to read from it. He reads the line, I am become death, the destroyer of worlds, and the intercourse continues.

The words reappear later in the movie after the physicist witnesses the power of the atomic bomb he has created. Murphy again quotes from the scripture. The scenes, and much of the film, are based on historical records.

Oppenheimer and the holy book

While Oppenheimer watched the fireball of the Trinity nuclear test, he reportedly turned to Hinduism. He is said to have initially celebrated the achievement but after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he had a crisis of conscience.

Twenty years after the attacks, he appeared in the 1965 NBC News documentary called The Decision to Drop the Bomb. Oppenheimer said, We know the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent.

He said he remembered a line from the Bhagavad Gita. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the prince that he should do his duty, and to impress him, takes on his multiarmed form and says, Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. I suppose we all thought that, one way or another, he said.

The lines appear in verse 32 and are said by Lord Krishna, according to reports. Stephen Thompson, who has spent more than 30 years studying and teaching Sanskrit, told The Wired, death translates to world-destroying time, adding that Oppenheimers Sanskrit teacher chose to translate world-destroying time as death, a common interpretation. Its meaning is simple: Irrespective of what Arjuna does, everything is in the hands of the divine, the report says.

Flawed translation

While the quote has grabbed headlines for the controversial scene it appears in, Indian mythological writer Devdutt Pattanaik said that he wasnt familiar with it at all. He told The Indian Express, I did some research on Oppenheimer, and I had never come across this line Someone said it was chapter 11, verse 32, which really says kaal-asmi, which means I am time, destroyer of the world. So, his translation itself is flawed. It is not I am death. It is time, time is the destroyer of the world.

The jury is still out on the quote used by Oppenheimer. But his connection to the Gita cannot be denied. He kept a copy of the book, bound in pink and held together with scotch tape, in his study in Princeton. He read the scriptures for his personal delight in the evenings, and sometimes to entertain friends while he was at Berkeley, which is where he also took lessons in Sanskrit from resident expert Arthur W Ryder, a 1948 article in TIME magazine says.

Even actor Murphy read the book in preparation. I thought it was an absolutely beautiful text, very inspiring, he told film critic Sucharita Tyagi in an interview. I think it was a consolation to him [Oppenheimer], he kind of needed it and it provided him a lot of consolation, all his life.

With inputs from agencies
Billionaire Elon Musk has rebranded Twitter to X and bid farewell to its iconic blue bird logo. He had conveyed his plans for the change on Sunday (23 July). Confirming that the micro-blogging platform will be called X, Twitter CEO, Linda Yaccarino, said earlier: Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square.

X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways were just beginning to imagine, the former NBC Universal executive tweeted further.

X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways were just beginning to imagine.  Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 23, 2023

According to the Tesla CEO, the domain x.com also redirects to twitter.com.

Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing consultancy Metaforce, told Associated Press (AP) that the move is not surprising given Musks long history with the name X.

Lets trace the journey of Elon Musks penchant for the letter X.

Back to the 1990s

Musks fascination with the letter X goes back to one of his first ventures, which was called X.com.

It was an online banking and financial services platform launched in 1999. The company later merged with a competitor to become PayPal.

Ashlee Vance, the author of Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, told NPR: Everyone tried to talk him out of naming the company that back then because of the sexual innuendos, but he really liked it and stuck with it.

Sharing excerpts from his upcoming biography on Musk, author Walter Isaacson tweeted: His concept for X.com was grand. It would be a one-stop everything-store for all financial needs: banking, digital purchases, checking, credit cards, investments, and loans. Transactions would be handled instantly, with no waiting for payments to clear. His insight was that money is simply an entry into a database, and he wanted to devise a way that all transactions were securely recorded in real-time.

The infatuation of @elonmusk with the name https://t.co/CZLJi8uLXZ goes way back. Here are some excerpts from my upcoming book, https://t.co/7JGHd10lOC

When his cousin Peter Rive visited in early 1999, he found Musk poring over books about the banking system. Im trying to https://t.co/2PQr0qQhVG pic.twitter.com/WDdACBZTmc  Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson) July 23, 2023

Musks affinity for X

In 2017, Musk bought back the url X.com from PayPal. Thanks PayPal for allowing me to buy back X.com! No plans right now, but it has great sentimental value to me, he said in a tweet at the time.

The letter X has also made it to Musks other ventures in some form or the other. He is the founder and CEO of the rocket company SpaceX, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corporation.

Teslas third model, launched in 2015, is called Model X.

Musk and his then-partner, Canadian musician Grimes, named their son X  A-12 Musk in 2020. However, to comply with Californias laws, the newborns name was later changed to X  A-Xii.

Musks recent announcement for rebranding Twitter comes just weeks after he started a new company xAI, an artificial intelligence company seen as a rival to OpenAIs ChatGPT.

The website of the new company states that it will work closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies to make progress towards our mission.

X marks the spot in a lot of ways for Elon Musk. Its kind of this common theme throughout, Tim Higgins, a reporter and the author of Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century, told NPR.

Twitters rebranding

Musk had been open about his intentions of transforming Twitter into X, an everything app even before he acquired the platform for $44 billion on 28 October 2022.

Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app, he tweeted on 5 October last year.

Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 4, 2022

According to Musks biographer Isaacson, the billionaire told him ahead of his Twitter takeover, I am very excited about finally implementing X.com as it should have been done, using Twitter as an accelerant!

In April this year, a filing in a federal court case in California revealed Twitter had been renamed to X Corp, noted NPR. In the same month, Musk tweeted only the letter X to his millions of followers.

Earlier in May, welcoming Yaccarino as Twitters new CEO, Musk wrote, Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app.

Musk plans to create a super app similar to Chinas popular WeChat. WeChat offers wide-ranging services on a single platform, including messaging, ordering food, streaming and making payments.

Not sure what subtle clues gave it way, but I like the letter X, Musk said in a tweet on Sunday. He also pinned a flickering video of X on his handle replacing Twitters well-known bird logo.

As per Reuters, Musk confirmed in a Twitter Spaces audio chat on Sunday that Twitters logo will change, adding that it should have been done a long time ago.

Our headquarters tonight pic.twitter.com/GO6yY8R7fO  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 24, 2023

The revamp comes at a time when Twitter has a new competitor in town, Metas new app, Threads, which launched earlier this month. Moreover, the latest move adds to the series of modifications introduced by Musk since acquiring the social media platform.

With inputs from agencies
Few want to have links with Russia after it invaded Ukraine last year. Countries have distanced themselves from the Kremlin and companies have pulled out of the country. However, some continue to do business. Unilever has stayed put despite the conflict and now is ready to send its employees to war.

The consumer packaged goods company, which makes products like Cornetto and Magnum ice creams, Marmite and Dove soap, has now said that it will comply with Russias conscription law, which calls upon men aged 18 to 27 to perform compulsory military duty. This means those working with Unilever in Russia could be sent to fight the war in Ukraine.

Complying with Russias conscription law

The Anglo-Dutch firm, which is facing heat for its decision to continue operating in Russia, employs close to 3,000 workers in the country across four manufacturing sites which produce personal care and hygiene products and ice creams.

While the company has policies that cover the safety of its workers, in a letter to campaign group B4Ukraine, which urges companies to cease operations in Russia, Unilever said that it would comply with the conscription law. The firm said it was aware of the law requiring any company operating in Russia to permit the conscription of employees should they be called, adding that it had a responsibility for its workers and followed global principles including the safety and well-being of our employees.

We always comply with all the laws of the countries we operate in, Unilevers chief business operations and supply chain officer, Reginaldo Ecclissato, wrote in a letter to B4Ukraine.

Unilever said that it continued its operations in Russia as exiting is not straightforward. It decided not to pull out both to avoid the risk of our business ending up in the hands of the Russian state, either directly or indirectly and to help protect our people.

In the letter in response to questions raised by B4Ukraine, Ecclissato said none of the options it had was desirable. By selling the business, the Russian state could gain further benefit. If it shut operations, its brands would be appropriated  and then operated  by the Russian state, according to a report by Telegraph, UK.

However, the company said, that it condemned the war in Ukraine as a brutal, senseless act by the Russian state and we continue to join the international community in calling for stability and peace in the region.

Unilivers spokesperson did not reveal whether its Russian employees had been called upon for military duty. However, if the workers were to be conscripted by the Russian army, their employment contracts would be suspended and they would not be paid by the firm.

Hitting out at Unilever, Valeriia Voshchevska, of the Ukraine Solidarity Project (USP) campaign group, wrote on Twitter, If this is protecting your workers, Id hate to see what putting them in harms way looks like. And what about innocent Ukrainian civilians  does Unilever not think they deserve protecting too?

If this is protecting your workers, Id hate to see what putting them in harms way looks like. And what about innocent Ukrainian civilians  does Unilever not think they deserve protecting too? https://t.co/AjdL4ltHHu    Voshchevska (@Val_Voshchevska) July 23, 2023

Last year, the company, which also owns brands like Knorr and Ben & Jerrys, said that it would review its operations in Russia. But it continues to sell everyday essential food in the country including ice cream.

International sponsor of war

Earlier in the month, the Ukrainian government named Unilever as the international sponsor of war after new Russian law required all large organisations operating in the country to contribute directly to its war efforts. In a letter to B4Ukraine, the company said it paid 3.8 billion roubles (Rs 343 crore) in tax to the Russian state in 2022, an amount similar to the previous year.

The Ukraine Solidarity Project (UKP) led protests against the firm outside its London headquarters on 3 July. Unilever was placed on the sponsors of war list alongside Procter & Gamble (P&G) and the French supermarket group Leroy Merlin.

Unilever named international sponsor of war by Ukraine

Protest at London HQ highlights taxes company pays in Russia and new law requiring it to contribute to war effort https://t.co/cnqlEWlu3M  Kenneth Nrgaard (@KennethNrgaard) July 3, 2023

The war in Ukraine has crossed the 500-day mark and Unilever along with well-known companies like Heineken, Philip Morris International and Oreo maker Mondelez, have been accused of breaking their promises to leave or scale back operations in the country. Yale professor Jeff Sonnenfeld, who championed and chronicled the corporate exodus in Russia after the invasion, is now naming firms that continue to benefit the country.

These companies are breaking their promises. They are functioning as wartime profiteers, Sonnenfeld told CNN in an interview on 11 July. Its beyond disappointing. Its shameful and unethical.

The Kyiv School of Economics and the Moral Rating Agency, an organisation that tracks companies promises to leave Russia, estimate that Unilevers support for the Russian economy equates to about $712 million (Rs 5,826 crore) a year, reports CNN.

A bar of Dove soap starts to look pretty dirty when there are enough of them being produced to purchase a Russian tank, Mark Dixon, founder of the Moral Rating Agency, said in a statement.

Unilever had said last March that it had ceased all imports and exports of its products in and out of Russia. The company has stopped all media and advertising spending and capital flows.

But is that enough? According to Voshchevska, Unilever is out of excuses. It needs to do the right thing and stop doing business in Russia now.

With inputs from agencies
The Rajya Sabha on Monday suspended AAP MP Sanjay Singh for the remaining duration of the Monsoon Session for his unruly behaviour.

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Chairman suspends AAP MP Sanjay Singh for the remaining duration of the Monsoon session during the Oppositions protest in the House over the Manipur issue pic.twitter.com/YpNYIhhMck  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved the motion to suspend him, which was adopted by the House by voice vote.

Before the motion was moved, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named Singh for his unruly behaviour and cautioned him.

Soon after suspending Singh, the chairman adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm as opposition members continued to create uproar in the House.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid ruckus by the Opposition on the Manipur issue. https://t.co/S102x4oxYH  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

They were demanding a statement from the Prime Minister in the House on the Manipur issue.

Calling the move unfortunate, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said that they will explore legal options in the matter.

If Sanjay Singh is suspended for raising his voice for the truth, then we will not be upset. Our legal team will look into this matter, but this is unfortunate, said Bhardwaj.

#WATCH | On AAP MP Sanjay Singhs suspension for the remaining duration of the Monsoon session, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj says, If Sanjay Singh is suspended for raising his voice for the truth, then we will not be upset. Our legal team will look into this pic.twitter.com/r4JNiieyBr  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

Meanwhile, MPs from Opposition camp are meeting Rajya Sabha Chairman over the suspension of Singh.

With inputs from agencies
Delhi Police, time and again, has proved that it is intolerant towards any mischievous activity. This time, the department has taken strict action against a traffic cop for indulging in corruption. He has been suspended for fining a Korean man Rs 5,000 without issuing a receipt. A video of the cop asking for money from the Korean man is being widely circulated on social media. It has invited the wrath of internet users who are criticising the cop while urging the department to take strict against those who are involved in similar activities.

Notably, the shocking incident came to light after the Korean man shared a video of when he was asked to pay the money for the alleged rule violation. Sharing the video on his YouTube channel, FITVELY, the man gave a title Give me all the cash Reasons why you shouldnt drive a car in India.. How much is this  India.

In the video shared by him, the traffic cop, identified as Mahesh Chand, can be seen asking the Korean man for Rs 5,000 saying that he violated the traffic rule. The Korean man, then, can be seen offering Rs 500. However, the cop refuses and asks for Rs 5,000. Later, the man pays him the amount he asked for, thanking him. He also can be seen shaking hands with the cop.

The video was captured by the dashboard camera of the car. Now, it is viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism from internet users. A Twitter user shared the link to the video and screengrabs from the same on the microblogging site to highlight the incident. Sharing the incident, she wrote, At 21:40 the traffic police officer named Mahesh Chand a corrupt one didnt even give receipt to this foreigner and took Rs 5,000 as fine. Please take some action against all of them.

https://t.co/GVY9mLhSNy

At 21:40 the traffic police officer named "Mahesh Chand" a corrupted one didn't even give receipt to this foreigner and took Rs 5000 as fine.Please take some action against all of them. @dtptraffic @ArvindKejriwal @CPDelhi @narendramodi @nitin_gadkari pic.twitter.com/kiTH8T8vfH  Priya (@Miracle2204) July 20, 2023

Soon after the matter caught the limelight and was being heavily discussed on social media, the Delhi Police immediately responded saying, Taking cognisance on the social media post, the concerned officer seen in the video has been placed under suspension pending inquiry. Delhi Police has zero tolerance policy towards corruption.

The video irked many on the platform. While some of them called for more strict action, others praised Delhi Police for taking immediate cognizance of the matter.

One user wrote, 5000 cash challan for driving outside of yellow line omg. Horrible.

Another suggested, Why suspension. He should be dismissed. In China such corrupt people are shot. In India nothing happens to such suspended staff as they get back wages with very minor punishment.

Why suspension. He should be dismissed. In China such corrupt people are shot. In India nothing happens to such suspended staff as they get back wages with very minor punishment  A Binesh (@ABinesh41232165) July 24, 2023

An individual wrote, Thats a good move. You should dismiss a few people who are corrupt, no pension. Only then the entire force will wake up.

That's a good move. You should dismiss a few people who are corrupt, no pension. Only then the entire force will wake up  Balaji V (@Balajiv99) July 23, 2023

It must be noted that the suspended officer claimed that the car owner left without taking the receipt of the challan. However, the video is a clear indication that no attempts were made to give the receipt of the challan.
A tragic incident unfolded in Assandh, Karnal, Haryana, where a woman from Delhi was found dead in a hotel following rape in a hotel on Monday morning.

The deceased has been identified as a 33-year-old woman from Tilak Nagar, Delhi.

According to the police, the hotel room was booked by one Manoj, aged 30 from Sonipat, who is currently absconding. There are suspicions of a possible gangrape, with reports suggesting the involvement of three to four other men apart from the suspect.

Primary investigation revealed that the youth from Sonipat established contact with the woman from Delhi through Facebook.

Subsequently, they engaged in conversations, leading the woman to travel to Delhi to meet the man at the hotel in Assandh.

According to reports, the two were involved in a love affair, and the woman desired to marry him. However, her lover rejected the idea, as he was already married.

The accused called the woman to meet him at the Assandh hotel. Regrettably, a heated argument broke out between them, culminating in the womans tragic demise. The hotel staff discovered the womens lifeless body late Sunday night, prompting them to immediately inform the police.

Upon receiving the complaint filed by the womans sister, the Assandh police registered a case and took possession of the deceaseds body for further investigation.

A postmortem report is awaited to ascertain the exact cause of the assault and death.

In the meantime, the police are diligently examining all possible angles, including scrutinizing the hotels CCTV footage for vital clues.
I am utterly sad. I served for the nation, I protected my country, but I could not save my wife and my family and my fellow villagers, said husband of one of the two Kuki women who was paraded naked and allegedly gang-raped on 4 May, day after ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur.

The husband of one of the two women who were abused and sexually assaulted is a Kargil war veteran and was also in Sri Lanka as a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force.

As per reports, he had served in the Indian Army as a Subedar of the Assam Regiment.

Violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May and the next day, a mob of 800 to 1,000 men, allegedly from the Meitei community, entered the B Phainom village in Kangpokpi district in the north-east state armed with weapons like AK Rifles, SLR, INSAS, and .303 Rifles. They then vandalised houses, looted all the moveable properties and, cash and before leaving they burnt the houses.

Seeing the activities of miscreants, five locals  two men and three women  fled their house and ran towards the nearby forest. However, they were abducted by a mob, nearly 2 km away from a police station.

As per the complaint, the mob first killed one man, and later forced three women to strip naked. A 19-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped, and her brother was killed when he tried to intervene. The women escaped afterwards.

Don't want another Manipur like situation

Recalling the horror, the husband of one of the two Kuki women 'paraded naked' said, "In a country like India, nowhere there should be a similar situation like Manipur where people of the minority group are constantly suppressed by those from the majority group."

'Police were present but took no action'

"It is shocking that my wife and other members, who were sitting in a police van, were dragged out of vehicle and were attacked in presence of cops," the defence personnel, whose wife was assaulted by mob in Manipur said.

"In Defence force, we are taught not to ill-treat any women, respect all religions and religious place," he added.

'No faith in Manipur government'

"People who have killed innocents, indiscriminately attacked people, including women and children, should get harshest of punishment," he said.

"The Indian government should do something to ensure that people of Kuki and Meitei communities live peacefully. I have no faith in Manipur government. I now just have hope from the Indian government to help bring back peace in Manipur," the man said as he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure swift action against the perpetrators.
As a result of senior attorney Anand Grovers request for an early hearing, a bench presided over by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud decided to submit the case for hearing on July 28.

Dr. Kham Khan Suan Hausing, a professor of political science and the head of the political science department at the University of Hyderabad who is from the Kuki tribe, filed a case with the top court asking for the summonses and proceedings to be quashed.

Hausing was served with a summons by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Imphal East, Manipur, requesting that he appear before the court on July 28, 2023 in response to a criminal charge that Meitei Tribes Union (MTU) member Manipar Moirangthem Singh had filed against Hausing.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC)s sections 153A, 295A, 505(1), 298 (deliberate intention to wound the religious feelings of any person), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 298 (acts outraging religious feelings) were all invoked in court proceedings in Imphal. Section 153A deals with inciting animosity between groups, while section 295A addresses acts outraging religious feelings.

According to the complainant, professor Hausings comments made in an interview with Karan Thapar defamed the Meitei community and stoked tensions amongst different ethnic groups in Manipur. Hausing had stated during the interview that the Kuki village needed its own administration.

The petitioner requested a copy of the full complaint, including with the complainants and witnesses statements, the complaint itself, the FIR that was filed, and any court orders.

He said that summonses were issued to him in complete disregard of the intercommunal strife and disorder that the Kuki and Meitei communities were causing in the State of Manipur.

The argument used the instance of Deeksha Dwivedi, a lawyer, who was given temporary protection after the Manipur Police filed a FIR against her for sedition and conspiracy to commit treason.

The petitioner said he is similarly placed with Dwivedis case as he apprehends that amidst the communal tension of the two communities, there is threat to his life and liberty.

The petitioner submitted that on account of the widespread conflict in Manipur, he is apprehensive that there is a real and imminent threat to his life if he travels to Manipur to answer the summons.

Hausing further stated in his plea that on on July 6, 2023 summons were issued by the Magistrate and no case against the offences under which he was charged are made out.

He said on July 13, it has also come to his knowledge that a fresh complaint dated July 10 by one Khomdrom Manikanta Singh has also been filed with the Officer-In Charge, Imphal West Police station, Manipur alleging that Hausing is not a citizen of India and his name has been added to the electoral rolls by manipulation, fraud, forgery, and conspiracy.

The violence in Manipur between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki, erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3.

Violence has gripped the entire state for over three month now and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control.

(With agency inputs)
Anju, a 35-year-old married woman and a resident of Uttar Pradeshs Kailor, who travelled to Pakistan to meet her lover in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province had told her husband she is visiting Jaipur.

Before leaving, my wife told me that she is visiting one of her friends in Jaipur. I got a voice call last night, she said that I am in Lahore. I have no idea why has she gone to Lahore and how did she manage to get the VISA and other stuff, Anjus husband Arvind Kumar said.

Kumar further said he usually doesnt touch his wifes phone to check her messages. This is not connected to Seema Haiders case as my wife had all the documents. She informed me that she will return within 2-3 days. I have not registered any complaint to the police, he added.

My children will decide if we will stay with Anju

This was the first time she went anywhere without informing me. This is cheating. I will call her parents and we will sit together to decide the steps to be taken further. My children will decide if we will stay with my wife when she returns, Anjus husband said.

I appeal to the government that if she has all legal documents then she should be allowed to come back, Kumar said.

#WATCH | Bhiwadi, Rajasthan | Arvind Kumar, husband of Anju, who travelled to Pakistan, says Before leaving, my wife told me that she is visiting one of her friends in Jaipur. I got a voice call last night, she said that I am in Lahore. I have no idea why has she gone to Lahore pic.twitter.com/DT7rH7Ddwo  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 24, 2023

Anju and Nasrullah talked on Facebook, WhatsApp

Bhiwadi ASP Sujit Shankar said as per preliminary investigation, Anju was in touch with 29-year-old Nasrullah, from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whom she was in contact with for 2-3 years through Facebook and WhatsApp.

"She informed her family members that she is travelling to Amritsar but she crossed over to Pakistan on 21 July. We have not received any formal complaint as of now. She applied for a passport in 2020, but we do not have any further information," ASP Sujit Shankar said.

Police said Anju had informed her family members that she would be returning on 24 June.

"Prima facie, this can be a matter of love affair, but we can't say anything until concrete evidence is found. We will not take any formal investigation since no complaint has been received so far. There are acts like the Passport Act and others, action can be taken against her if any fake document has been used to cross over. All angles will be investigated if necessary," ASP Sujit Shankar said.

Married Indian woman travels to Pakistan to meet lover

Anju's incident comes at a time when the investigation continues on to determine the illegal cross-over of Seema Haider into India.

Unlike Haider, Anju was granted entry into Pakistan lawfully with a valid visa, as confirmed by Upper Dir SHO, Javed Khan.

How did she reach Pakistan?

Anju arrived in Pakistan through the Wagah border and continued her journey to Islamabad.

Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter, despite her visa approval.

She arrived in Pakistan on Friday and her visa application states that she can stay in Upper Dir Bala for up to 30 days.

Despite being married, Anju made the decision to cross the India-Pakistan border in pursuit of her love. She reportedly told officials in Pakistan that she was in love with Nasrullah and cannot live without him.

Anju along with Nasrullah visited Upper Dir Bala's police station on Sunday to register her arrival. Her travel documents were found to be valid.

Whenever an Indian national visits Pakistan they are required to show their travel documents at the police station.

Anju to get engaged with Nasrullah?

A report by BBC Urdu quoted Nasrullah saying that in the next two to three days Anju and he will get "engaged formally" and then after 10-12 days she goes back to India and then comes again for the wedding. "This is my and Anju's personal life. We don't want it to be interfered with. We are trying to stay away from the media too, he added.

Nasrullah further informed that Anju was currently in his house where she was staying completely calm and comfortably.

Anju fought for two years to get a visa

It was not easy for Anju to get visa for Pakistan's Dir Bala district, which shares a border with Afghanistan. People of both the countries get visas for a very few cities.

Nasrullah said their friendship turned into love with frequent conversation of Facebook and they both decided to live together.

The Pakistani man said his family was with him in this decision to stay with Anju. They both had decided that Anju would visit Pakistan, meet Nasrullah's family get engaged in Pakistan after which they would get married.

It was difficult for Anju to get a visa to Pakistan, Nasrullah said, adding but we had the intention and sincerity, due to which both of us have not lost courage at all.

Recalling their struggle to meet, Nasrullah said while Anju constantly visited the Pakistani Embassy in Delhi, he was a frequent visitor Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other offices in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

She kept convincing the authorities there and I kept convincing the authorities here that the visa is Anju's right and if we want to meet, we should be allowed to meet," Nasrullah said.

Anju and I have spent thousands of rupees to get the visa. Now, once the visa is in place, hopefully there won't be any problem, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that INDIA Opposition alliance wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a comprehensive statement on Manipur in Parliament, after which a discussion would take place to express a collective sense of pain and desire for reconciliation.

Taking to twitter, Ramesh said, The 3rd day of Monsoon session of Parliament begins today. INDIAs demand is straightforward. PM should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur, after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation.

No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, distorts, diverts, deflects and defames. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching, the Congress general secretary added.

The Opposition is adamant on its demand for the Prime Ministers statement first despite the government agreeing to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it.

Several opposition leaders have given notices for adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur.

The opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon Session started on Thursday.

The government has accused the opposition of running away from a debate on the all-important issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it. The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.

With inputs from agencies
A woman Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, who was seriously injured after being allegedly attacked by a mess worker in Pathankot district of Punjab, succumbed to her injuries.

The officer was allegedly attacked by the mess worker on July 14 after gaining entry into her official residence in the Pathankot airbase with the intention of committing robbery.

Pathankot Senior Superintendent of Police Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh said the IAF officer died on Sunday evening.

She was admitted at the Armys Command Hospital in Chandimandir in Haryanas Panchkula.

The body of the officer was handed over to her family after postmortem, the SSP said.

The officer, a Squadron Leader, was asleep and woke up when she heard some noises. She had tried to confront the intruder who attacked her with a knife, causing her multiple injuries, police had said.

The woman officer was alone in her house during the time of the incident. Another woman IAF officer, living in an adjoining quarter, found her in an injured condition and called for assistance.

The accused, identified as Makhan Singh, was later arrested with the help of CCTV footage.

She was rushed to a hospital and later referred to the Armys Command Hospital.

With inputs from PTI.
Three young individuals from Ahmedgarh in Bulandshahr were arrested for allegedly helping Seema Haider, who is headlining since past few weeks over her controversial and illegal arrival to India from Pakistan via Nepal, allegedly to unite with her Indian lover Sachin, in obtaining fraudulent Aadhaar cards.

According to reports, two among the three detained youths are claimed to be Sachins cousins and are accused of creating counterfeit Aadhaar cards.

In connection with the case, the police also conducted a search at the suspects cyber cafe to recover evidence. The third suspect was reportedly detained in Rabupura, sources said.

Though, the authorities in Gautam Budh Nagar have not yet officially confirmed the matter, there is a buzz among local police in Bshahrs Ahmedgarh and Greater Noidas Rabupura.

According to sources, Sachin had no plans to reveal Seemas connection with Pakistan. For her 50 days stay in Rabupuras rented room, Sachin had been telling everyone that Seema is her relative from Ahemedgarh and that, his paternal aunt helped the two get married.

To support this story, he allegedly roped in the two cousins to get fake aadhar cards made for Seema.

On Friday, a senior official revealed that fake documents were used to make the recovered Aadhaar cards and mentioned a team working to locate those involved in this illegal activity. Reports also suggested that the Aadhaar cards were made using photoshop which made it extremely easy for cops to identify.

Now, police and the ATS suspects that Seema Haider may have used the fake Aadhaar cards to remain in Nepal and avoid detection by security personnel while crossing the international border in a bus.

Following the recent action taken in Ahmedgarh, it is anticipated that the police will officially disclose further details after a thorough investigation.

After being questioned by the ATS on Monday, Sachin became the subject of further investigation. It is believed that the authorities took action based on the information obtained during this inquiry.

Meanwhile, both Seema and Sachin avoided the media, citing health issues on Saturday. Media, however, remained present outside their house.
A well-known lawyer from Indias top court, on Monday reached Greater Noida to meet Pakistans Seema Haider who is headlining in the National media for her controversial arrival in India allegedly to unite with her online lover Sachin.

Unaware of Dr. AP Singhs intentions, Seema and Sachin, initially refused to open the door him. Singh, however, entered their house after calling local police who convinced Seema and Sachin that the lawyer has come to help them, according to reports.

The advocate informed the police that he has filed petition had been filed on behalf of the couple at the presidents office, requesting to meet the couple, privately.

Following this, Sachin opened the door, and Seema-Sachin cordially welcomed Advocate Singh by touching his feet.

Afterwards, AP Singh held a closed-door discussion with both Seema Haider and Sachin. While leaving, he requested media to let Seema Haider rest as her health was not good.

Meanwhile, sources in Noida police revealed that they have forwarded all the documents, including identity cards and six passports received from Seema Haider, to the Pakistani Embassy in Delhi for identity verification.

In addition, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) was awaiting the forensic report of a mobile phone obtained from the border. This process is believed to be part of the efforts to deport Seema Haider to Pakistan.

Earlier, Noida police had also arrested Sachins two cousins Pushpendra Meena and Pawan Meena for allegedly creating fake Aadhar cards for Seema, which she reportedly used to illegally enter India.

Notably, both Sachin and Seema had applied for a court marriage in Bulandshahr, on the basis of the same documents. However, they were deemed as insufficient documentation for marriage by lawyers.

Sources reveal that Sachin was also responsible for meticulously surveying the border from Pakistan to Rabupurain order to plan his girlfriends illegal entry.

Sources say, the planning began in March when Sachin traveled to Nepal for his first meeting with Seema.

During that trip, Sachin gathered information about the journey to the border from a travel agent. He then explained the entire route from Nepal to the border to Seema.

On May 10, Seema Haider, along with her four children, arrived at Karachi airport on a 15-day tourist visa from Pakistan. Subsequently, she traveled to Dubai and, from there, reached Kathmandu airport on May 11.

Sachin played a crucial role in assisting Seema during the journey, police sources alleged. He arranged for transportation, including a van and a bus booked through a travel agent, leading them to Faleda Cut.

During ATS interrogation, Sachin revealed that he obtained the travel agents number himself, acquired information about the bus number, and selected the route from Pokhara to Siddharth Nagar border.

Utilizing Reiki, he learned that the passengers documents were not checked while boarding the bus on the Siddharth Nagar route. Instead, authorities relied solely on the list provided by the travel agents.

Seema changed her name to Seema Meena, and she altered the names of her children to Hindu names to avoid suspicion from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Notably, Sachin did not make an online payment to the bus travel agent, making the operation more covert.

Seema, meanwhile, continues to assert that she will not return to Pakistan, as she firmly believes that people would kill her there.

The investigating agencies are perplexed by the strategic planning displayed by Sachin, who, despite having limited education and working at a grocers shop, managed to facilitate Seemas journey from Nepal to India.

The involvement of someone guiding him is suspected, and authorities are closely monitoring Sachin.

Given the unresolved questions in the case, the investigating agencies may conduct further interrogations of Seema and Sachin.

Additionally, Seema might undergo psychological assessments as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey at Gyanvapi mosque till 5 pm on 26 July and asked the mosques management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court soon.

Gyanvapi case | Supreme Court says no ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex till 5 pm, July 26th. High Court order shall not be enforced till 26th July. In the meantime, the mosque committee shall move High Court. pic.twitter.com/MMm9Xw1W3Q  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the submissions made by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared in the court on behalf of the mosque committee, stayed the operation of the order till Wednesday evening and asked the committee to file an appeal in the meantime.

We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to the mosque committee, said the bench that also comprised Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

We permit the petitioner (mosque committee) to move the high court under Article 227 (writ jurisdiction of high courts), challenging the order of the district judge of Varanasi, having taken regard of the fact that the order was passed at 4:30 pm on July 21 and the ASI survey is being carried out today.

To permit them some breathing time, we direct that the district court order shall not be enforced till 5 pm on July 26. If the petitioner moves the high court, the registrar-judicial of the high court shall ensure that it is placed before a roster (a bench) so that it is heard before the status quo order ends, the bench said in its order.

Earlier during the hearing, the top court had ordered that there should be no invasive work by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple.

The top court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Uttar Pradesh government, to inform the ASI team that there should not be any invasive work or excavation at the site.

Mehta informed the court that not a brick has been removed nor is it planned.

He also told the court that the petitioners need not worry about any excavation move at this point, adding that only measurement, photography and radar studies are being carried out currently.

Reacting to the development, Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the case, said, The SC has passed a stay on the execution of the order of the Varanasi court on survey of the Mosque complex to allow the Anjum to challenge the same before the High CourtOur legal team is reaching High Court and we will oppose this. The truth of Gyanvapi will only come out after the survey of ASI. The High Court will decide the matter unaffected by any observations of the Supreme Court, Allahabad HC will decide the matter on its own merit.

#WATCH | On Supreme Courts order, Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, says The SC has passed a stay on the execution of the order of the Varanasi court on survey of the Mosque complex to allow the Anjum to challenge the same before the pic.twitter.com/QuxIhx5c9X  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

He said that the Muslim side, Anjuman Intezamia, misled the Supreme Court and said that digging has started there, which is not true.

Meanwhile, DM Varanasi said that the administration will abide by the court order.

#WATCH | We will abide by the court order, says DM Varanasi after Supreme Court orders stay on ASI survey of Gyanvapi Mosque complex till 5pm on 26th July. pic.twitter.com/HLyimZZ154  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

A Varanasi court on Friday had directed the ASI to conduct a detailed scientific survey  including excavations, wherever necessary  to determine if the mosque was built at a place where a temple existed earlier.

The mosques wazookhana (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions), where a structure claimed by the Hindu litigants to be a Shivling exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.

District judge A K Vishvesh has directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by 4 August, along with video clips and photographs of the survey proceedings.

With inputs from agencies
The Army court martial has handed a 10 years imprisonment to soldier caught divulging classified information to a Pakistan embassy staffer in New Delhi about military activities along the northern borders.

The court martial, led by a female officer, has imposed a sentence of 10 years and 10 months in jail on the soldier who was apprehended for sharing confidential data with a Pakistani spy, as confirmed by defense officials.

The soldier had been in contact with a certain Abid Husain, also known as Naik Abid, a Pakistani national employed at the High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the national capital.

Among the documents passed on by the soldier to the enemy spy agency were the guard duty list of the formation where he was stationed, as well as details about the activities of his own formation.

Additionally, the soldier attempted to relay information concerning the formations vehicles and their movements during the Covid lockdown period.

The Army upholds a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts of betrayal, and this culpable soldier has been subjected to a significant punishment as an example to others, according to the officials.

The sentence delivered by the court martial is subject to confirmation by senior authorities with appropriate jurisdiction.

(With inputs from agencies)
Rajasthan minister Rajendra Singh Gudha, who was sacked for questioning his own government on the issue of women safety, on Monday said that it is unfortunate that nothing was done for the safety and security of the women under the Ashok Gehlot government.

Our mothers and sisters sent us to the Assembly with the hope that we will do something for their safety and security. However, it is unfortunate that nothing as such happened, said Gudha.

VIDEO | Our mothers and sisters sent us to the Assembly with the hope that we will do something for their safety and security. However, it is unfortunate that nothing as such happened, says Rajendra Singh Gudha, the Rajasthan minister who was sacked for questioning his own pic.twitter.com/NI3Jpep0iI  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2023

Gudha, who held charge as Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, has been targeting Gehlot following his sacking on Friday evening, hours after he cornered his government in the Assembly over the issue of crimes against women in the state.

Gudha also claimed on Sunday that he had save Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot from trouble but was removed without being given an opportunity to explain himself.

If Rajendra Gudha was not there, the chief minister would have been in jail, he claimed at a programme in Jhunjhunu district.

Speaking to media persons, he claimed that he had secured a red diary on the directions of the chief minister during a raid by the ED and Income Tax Department against Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore.

The chief minister called and asked me to retrieve the red diary at any cost, he claimed, without going into details of the diarys contents.

He claimed the chief minister had repeatedly asked him if he had burnt the diary and added the CM would not have done so if there was nothing incriminating in it.

The BJP latched on to his statement to target the ruling Congress in the state.

Rajendra Guddha makes sensational disclosure about a Red Diary that contains the alleged black deeds of Congress- Gehlot Govt.

Will those who know the truth about the black deeds of corruption and women atrocities now answer about this? BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted.

Gudha, who is among six MLAs who won the 2018 assembly election on a BSP ticket before defecting to the Congress in September 2019, was inducted as a minister in November 2021.

They had supported Gehlot in July 2020 during his tussle with his then-deputy Sachin Pilot. However, in the last few months, Gudha has made statements in favour of Pilot.

Meanwhile, BJP Rajasthan MPs along with senior leaders held a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Parliament premises against the issue of rising atrocities and crimes against women in the state.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP Rajasthan MPs along with senior leaders hold a protest in front of the Gandhi statue. The protest is against issues of rising atrocities and crime against women in the state. pic.twitter.com/ruyKBbsZEM  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

BJP MP Ravi Kishan slammed the Gehlot government on the issue and demanded Chief Ministers resignation.

We demand the resignation of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. The atrocities on Dalits (women) need to be stopped. The atrocities have tremendously increased and so we are protesting here in front of the Gandhi Statue on the Parliament premises, he added.

#WATCH | Delhi: On BJPs protest against rising atrocities & crime against women in Rajasthan, BJP MP Ravi Kishan says, We demand the resignation of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. The atrocities on Dalits (women) need to be stopped. The atrocities have tremendously increased and so pic.twitter.com/bLrZPf6ADf  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav said the Rajasthan government has failed to protect women in the state.

There are atrocities against women in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Manipur. The Opposition can only see Manipur but Rajasthan and other states have been ignored. Rajasthan Govt has failed to protect women in the state, said Yadav.

With inputs from agencies
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday said it has arrested an Uttar Pradesh-based state secretary of the Samajwadi Party after it raided his premises in Noida as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the Bike Bot alleged Ponzi scam.

Dinesh Kumar Singh alias Dinesh Singh Gujjar was arrested on July 21 and a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court sent him to ED custody till July 26, the agency said in a statement.

The money laundering case stems from multiple FIRs filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police on the basis of complaints made by certain investors about the Bike Bot fraud allegedly committed by Garvit Innovative Promoters Ltd. (GIPL), its promoter Sanjay Bhati and others.

Bhati and others are alleged to have floated lucrative investment scheme in the name of BIKE BOT in 2017, the ED said.

As per the scheme, it said, a customer could invest in 1, 3, 5 or 7 bikes which would be maintained and operated by the company and the investors would be paid monthly rental, EMI and bonus (in case of investment in multiple bike).

The funds so collected were rotated in a fashion akin to a Ponzi scheme and were ultimately used in creation of assets in the name of the company and other persons, the ED alleged.

Explaining the role of Dinesh Singh Gujjar, a state secretary of the Samajwadi Party in UP, the ED said the politician used his network to locate beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime generated through Bike Bot scam and by flouting his relations with the ED officials, cast pressure or enticement on his victims to extract money which directly or indirectly was a part of the proceeds of crime.

The agency added that incriminating evidences were seized from the searched premises.
The soldiers are a countrys real heroes and it is because of them that the nation continues to thrive in peace in times of distress and war. Honouring one such hero for his sacrifices and service to the beloved country India, IndiGo Airlines expressed a heartfelt salute to an army official onboard a Pune-bound flight. The viral clip was captured inside the seating area where the airport crew thanked the soldier for his duties just before take-off.

The video circulating widely on Twitter shows Captain Edsel taking charge and announcing flight details. Furthermore, he explains how Param Vir Chakra awardee Sanjiv Kumar fought during the Kargil War, before honouring the army official present onboard.

Addressing the passengers, the captain introduced the co-pilots and provided additional details about the journey. It was later that he shifted to the Param Vir Chakra awardee. Presenting a brief account, he described how the soldier protected the borders during the Kargil War in 1999. Calling him a very special person onboard, he shifted attention to Param Vir Chakra awardee Sanjiv Kumar. He said: It has been given to only 21 people in Indian history so far. It is the highest recognition and bravery award given during war time.

Check out IndiGos post:

Flying with a hero: Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar ji, a Living Param Veer Chakra awardee! #goIndiGo #IndiaByIndiGo pic.twitter.com/CZsqlHxRj6  IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 23, 2023

The post garnered 4.4 lakh views and over 7,000 likes.

The flight captain further described how Kumar led a team to capture the Area Flag Top in Kargil. At the end of the video, he was given a token of appreciation by the cabin crew.

A gesture of this magnitude has captured the attention of the internet users with people applauding the airlines.

Check out some of the responses below:

Heartwarming video! I have met Sanjay Kumar sir and he is the humblest person youll come across. He speaks politely and praises his officers for whatever he contributes. This is coming from a person with the highest wartime military decoration! wrote a user.

Heartwarming video ! I have had the honour of meeting Sanjay Kumar sir and he is the humblest person youll come across, speaks politely and always praises his officers for whatever he could contribute. This coming from a person who has the highest wartime military decoration!!  Tanveer Singh (@TanveerEth) July 24, 2023

Another user said: This video made my day. Thank you @IndiGo6E for the honour of our real hero. Jay Hind.

This video made my day. Thank you @IndiGo6E for the honour of our real hero. Jay hind   Shesh Nath Pandey (@navdrohi) July 24, 2023

Just wonderful. Great to see those who have served recognized. Even more so the truly brave, said a third user.

Just wonderful. Great to see those who have served being recognized. Even more so the truly brave.  Vivek (@viv_chand) July 23, 2023

Earlier, in another incident, a little girl who had beaten cancer and was on her way home from her Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland was given a welcome home gift by Southwest Airlines. She was applauded for her encouragement as a very special guest.
Former Rajasthan minister Rajendra Singh Gudha, who was sacked as a minister for questioning his own government on the issue of women safety, was not allowed to enter the Rajasthan Assembly by his party colleagues on Monday.

#WATCH | Congress leader Rajendra Singh Gudha was not allowed to enter the Rajasthan Assembly today after being removed as minister in Ashok Gehlots cabinet. pic.twitter.com/aMVOt0JRbM  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 24, 2023

In a video posted on Twitter by news agency ANI, Rajasthan Congress leaders can be seen pushing Gudha as he tries to make his way to the Assembly.

Talking to the reporters later, Gudha alleged that he was attacked by around 50 people and Congress leaders dragged him out of the Assembly.

Around 50 people attacked me, punched me, kicked me and Congress leaders dragged me out of the Assembly. I wanted to present my red diary to the Chairman of the House, but he did not allow me to speak in the Assembly. There were allegations against me that I am with BJP. I want to know, what is my fault?, he asked.

#WATCH | Former Rajasthan Minister Rajendra Singh Gudha, says Around 50 people attacked me, punched me, kicked me and Congress leaders dragged me out of the Assembly. The Chairman of the Rajasthan Assembly did not even allow me to speak. There were allegations against me that I pic.twitter.com/YamjvHUcCO  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 24, 2023

Gudha, who held charge as Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, has been targeting Gehlot following his sacking on Friday evening, hours after he cornered his government in the Assembly over the issue of crimes against women in the state.

Gudha had claimed on Sunday that he had saved Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot from trouble but was removed without being given an opportunity to explain himself.

If Rajendra Gudha was not there, the chief minister would have been in jail, he claimed at a programme in Jhunjhunu district.

Speaking to media persons, he claimed that he had secured a red diary on the directions of the chief minister during a raid by the ED and Income Tax Department against Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore.

The chief minister called and asked me to retrieve the red diary at any cost, he claimed, without going into details of the diarys contents.

He claimed the chief minister had repeatedly asked him if he had burnt the diary and added the CM would not have done so if there was nothing incriminating in it.

On Monday, Gudha reached near Speaker CP Joshis chair in the Assembly with a red diary and had an argument with him.

As Gudha waved the red-coloured diary, the speaker asked him to come to his chamber.

After some time, Gudha reached near Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal and confronted him while he stood to speak.

Ugly scenes were witnessed at this time and BJP MLAs too created an uproar and stormed the well of the House over the issue of the red diary.

Gudha, who is among six MLAs who won the 2018 Assembly election on a BSP ticket before defecting to the Congress in September 2019, was inducted as a minister in November 2021.

They had supported Gehlot in July 2020 during his tussle with his then-deputy Sachin Pilot. However, in the last few months, Gudha has made statements in favour of Pilot.

With inputs from agencies
A day after sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Singh Gudha said that he saved Ashok Gehlot from going to jail by making references to a red diary, the BJP on Monday asked why was the Chief Minister so worried about the claims made by his former cabinet colleague.

Gudha, who was sacked as state minister for questioning his own government on the issue of women safety, waved a red diary in Vidhan Sabha on Monday which he claims holds details of irregular financial transactions.

Rajendra Singh Gudha who was sacked as a state minister for speaking the truth about rising crimes against women in Rajasthan brought a red diary in Vidhan Sabha. We want to ask why CM Ashok Gehlot and state government is so worried about that red diary?, asked Union minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Before the House began in the morning, Gudha told reporters that he would disclose details about the red diary in the Assembly.

He said the diary contained some secrets.

After the house was adjourned, Gudha told reporters at the Assembly building that he wanted to give a statement on the red diary but the speaker did not allow it.

Shanti Dhariwal stood to speak and I went to him and said that I want to give a statement in the House, but Congress MLAs pushed me to the ground and overpowered me. Some of them including Shanti Dhariwal kicked me and snatched the diary from me. However, some part of the diary was left with me, he said.

Gudha said he will go among the people on Tuesday and will reveal the secrets of the diary.

Gudha had claimed on Sunday that he had saved Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot from trouble but was removed without being given an opportunity to explain himself.

If Rajendra Gudha was not there, the chief minister would have been in jail, he claimed at a programme in Jhunjhunu district.

Speaking to the media, he claimed that he had secured a red diary on the directions of the chief minister during a raid by the ED and Income Tax Department against Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore.

The chief minister called and asked me to retrieve the red diary at any cost, he claimed, without going into details of the diarys contents.

He claimed the chief minister had repeatedly asked him if he had burnt the diary and added the Chief Minister would not have done so if there was nothing incriminating in it.

With inputs from agencies
The idea of Pakistan was founded on the Two-Nation Theory, which proposed that Hindus and Muslims in South Asia could not coexist peacefully and needed separate nations. This theory became the basis for the creation of Pakistan, a separate homeland for Muslims, in 1947 during the partition of India. However, the consequences of this ideology have been far-reaching, especially for the Hindu population in Pakistan, leading to a significant decline in their numbers and systematic discrimination. In contrast, India, with all its challenges, strives to treat all its citizens equally and foster peaceful coexistence among different communities.

Historically, Pakistan was home to a thriving Hindu population, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation over 3,000 years ago. Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro in present-day Punjab and Sindh provinces were significant centres of this ancient civilisation. Unfortunately, the modern-day scenario is markedly different, as the historic and indigenous Hindu community has drastically declined due to targeted persecution and discrimination.

The partition of India in 1947 led to mass violence, forcing millions of Hindus and Sikhs to flee from West and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to find safety in India. Consequently, the Hindu population in West Pakistan declined from 15% at the time of Partition to less than 2% by the end of the 20th century. Over time, anti-Hindu riots and discrimination further reduced this number, and today, Hindus comprise only 1.6% of Pakistans population, with many still choosing to flee to India to escape persecution.

Major cities in Pakistan, which historically had large Hindu populations, have witnessed an even greater decline. For example, in Lahore, the Hindu/Sikh community, which was approximately 40% of the population in 1941, now constitutes less than 1%, with only two functioning Hindu temples remaining. In recent times, the plight of the Hindu community in Pakistan has faced further turmoil, with a series of alarming incidents indicating a deepening sense of insecurity and persecution. One such incident that has garnered attention is the Seema Haider case, which has marked the beginning of a series of attacks on Hindus in Pakistans Sindh province.

Reports from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh. According to the HRCPs tweets, around 30 members of the Hindu community, including women and children, have allegedly been held hostage by organised criminal gangs, intensifying the sense of fear and vulnerability among the minority population.

In another distressing event, a place of worship belonging to members of the Hindu community in Sindhs Kashmore district fell victim to a shocking attack. The perpetrators reportedly used rocket launchers, highlighting the increasing severity of the violence targeted at religious minorities.

Adding to the growing list of assaults on Hindu places of worship, a heartbreaking incident came to light when a 150-year-old Hindu temple was demolished in Karachi, further exacerbating the anxieties and insecurities faced by the Hindu community.

These incidents serve as grim reminders of the challenges and discrimination faced by the Hindu minority in Pakistan. The frequent targeting of temples and the violent attacks on community members are indicative of a concerning pattern of intolerance and hatred. The systematic persecution of Hindus in Pakistan has not only resulted in a decline in their population but also bred a pervasive atmosphere of fear and apprehension.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistans latest report, A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22, has expressed alarm over the state of religious freedom in the country.

Hindus in Pakistan are often treated as second-class citizens and experience systematic discrimination in various aspects of life, including housing, jobs, and access to government welfare. Forced conversions, particularly of Hindu girls in Sindh province, have been a persistent issue, with an average of 1000 cases every year. Economic pressures have also motivated some conversions, as minorities seek to join the majority to escape discrimination and violence.

Educational institutions, including public schools and Islamic madrassas, in Pakistan have been criticised for promoting hatred towards Hindus and Christians. Islam is projected as the dominant feature of Pakistans identity in textbooks, with negative portrayals of non-Muslims. This indoctrination, starting from a young age, perpetuates a divisive mindset and fosters intolerance.

In contrast to Pakistan, India has adopted a constitutional framework that guarantees religious freedom and equal rights to all its citizens, irrespective of their faith. Despite rising challenges in the last few years, Indias diverse population coexists relatively peacefully, with various religious communities sharing a common bond of national identity.

After Partition, Muhammad Ali Jinnahs address to his nation is often quoted in which he asserts, You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State. We are starting in the days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State. Now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State.

This begs the question that if religious identity is not supposed to matter in the political space, why create a country in the name of religion in the first place. The only explanation that comes to mind is that Jinnah used radicalism and religious rhetoric as a means to fulfill his hunger for power, presenting himself as the saviour of the Muslim community while pursuing his political ambitions. This perspective shows Jinnah as a despot who manipulated the sentiments of the people to achieve his objectives.

Given the communal nature of Partition, the Nehru-Liyaqat Accord was signed keeping in mind the safety of religious minorities on both sides of the border. Needless to say that Pakistan completely failed to uphold this promise and hence, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) materialised.

On the matter of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India, controversies and debates have surrounded its implementation since its introduction. The CAA aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities, including Hindus from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. However, its implementation has faced obstacles and delays, with the Indian government seeking multiple extensions to frame the rules of the act. These delays have left many Pakistani Hindus in limbo, awaiting justice and citizenship, while grappling with administrative complexities and financial constraints.

The struggles faced by Hindu families who fled Pakistan seeking refuge in India have shed light on the challenges and hurdles they encounter in obtaining citizenship through the CAA. Promised opportunities for a better life, many have found themselves living in difficult conditions or being forced to return to Pakistan due to bureaucratic impediments. The repeated extensions for framing the rules of the CAA have further exacerbated their sense of uncertainty and disillusionment.

While the exact hurdles in fully implementing the CAA have not been explicitly specified, it can be assumed that bureaucratic inefficiencies and political considerations may be at play. The delayed progress has led some to question the governments commitment to protecting the rights of persecuted minorities and providing them with a path to citizenship.

Inquiring about the delays in CAA implementation and highlighting the struggles faced by Pakistani Hindus seeking refuge are crucial for holding the government accountable and addressing the concerns of the affected communities. These issues call for a more transparent and proactive approach from the government to ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of those fleeing religious persecution. This is the least we can do as a society to recompense for the great historical blunders committed on this soil.

The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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In the run up to the launch of Chandrayaan-3, a team of scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) visited the Tirupati Venkatachalapathy temple in Andhra Pradesh. They also took a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3 with them. This was not the first time the scientists from ISRO visited a temple before the launch.

As expected a section of influencers and media personalities ridiculed the scientists accusing them of being irrational and abandoning their belief in science in favour of the unknown. Such ridicule has happened before and is likely to happen again in the future, as ISRO scientists will probably visit temples before major missions, and people will continue to ridicule them for doing so.

One can argue that a scientist visiting a temple is an irrational behaviour and science alone should be paramount. Religious elements are regressive and fit for ridicule. These reactions, like many other progressive ideas trace their origins in the Western world. The soft power of the West, especially the US, influences the rest of the world, propagating Western ideas as the only truth in the third world. The same influence contributes to the ridicule of anything religious. But why does the West harbour such strong opposition to religion? To understand the ridicule of ISRO scientists, we first need to delve into the Western thought process behind the ridicule of religion.

In the year 325 CE, the Roman emperor Constantine supported the first council of Nicaea, which was called to settle theological disputes between various Christian groups. It also devised a way to separate the celebration of Easter from the Jewish calendar. This was the time when many Christian theological issues were being settled. Shortly afterwards in the year 382 CE, the Council of Rome was held, which provided a list of authentic Christian texts and rejected many texts as false. This standardised the Bible as Christians know it today.

With the standardisation of the Bible many unscientific concepts like the flat earth theory, geocentrism and creation of earth ~6000 years ago, became part of the gospels. Any scientific find which contradicted the gospels was considered heresy and was fit for punishment. Suppression of science eventually pushed Europe in the Dark Ages.

With scientific advancements and knowledge transfer from the East, the Europeans rediscovered many things. Spherical nature of earth and a heliocentric model of the universe became accepted in the scientific communities. Then in the year 1610 (ten years after the formation of the East India Company), Church charged Galileo with heresy. His crime was to propose that earth and other planets revolve around the sun. Galileos proposal was in direct contravention of the Biblical fact, where earth was the centre of universe and sun revolved around earth. He was tried and sentenced to house imprisonment for life. Copernicus work on the heliocentric model was banned by the Church.

It was such blatant oppression and persecution of science and scientists that the West started to ridicule the Church and by extension Christianity. The rational minds started questioning the Christian dogma and the authority of the Church over the lives of Christians. The Church continued to oppose scientific finds and refused to accept scientific facts. It took the Church 350 years to accept Galileo was right.

It was natural for the Western rationalists to reject the Church as an unscientific institution and public opinion was shaped by the irrational past of the Church. Naturally religious practices were seen as a subject fit for ridicule. The Church after all was in a perpetual war with science. But is the same thing true for India?

From texts and archaeology, we know that science and religion in India were never opposed to each other. In fact, people depended a great deal on science to practice their religion. From building the altars to finding the right time to perform a ritual, the people depended on astronomers and their astronomical tables. Imagine having to build a square altar and then a circular one with the same area as that of the square altar. This could only be possible if one knew the value of Pi. Then comes the right time or the muhurta to perform the ritual. The position of nakshatras, the time of the day, the day of the month, planetary positions, etc. have to be calculated to arrive at the right time. All this requires knowledge of astronomy.

Unlike in the West where science was considered heresy, Indians promoted it so that they can perform the rituals with utmost precision. So, when astronomers described how an eclipse is a result of planetary motion and not some mysterious cosmic act, they were not prosecuted and sentenced to house arrest. Their work was reviewed by their peers, much like in the modern times. Some peers agreed with the hypothesis while others refuted it, like people do in a civilised society.

Time keeping and by extension the entire science of astronomy was crucial for performing the rituals. The astronomers who improved their understanding of planetary motion and came up with some amazing discoveries like diameter of earth and moon, the sine values to calculate planetary motion, were regarded as great scientists. Their work was followed by others who then wrote commentaries on them and improved upon the old findings.

Today we have apps to find out the auspicious time or the muhurata for a ritual. We have the reference of the Gregorian calendar with fixed dates to know on what date Diwali will be celebrated. Now imagine a time when the Gregorian calendar was unknown and people only had the traditional Vikram Era calendar. With a complex system of missing tithis or tithis spilling over to the next day, adding the leap month, calculating the eclipse date and time, knowing the duration of nakshatras and many other astronomical events would have been a full-time job. Those keeping track of the calendar and the astronomy associated with it were no less than scientists themselves.

In this background, is it strange that an ISRO scientist is comfortable visiting a temple and doesnt find themselves in conflict with their scientific beliefs? The comfort doesnt come from being religious, but it comes knowing the fact that their religion and science are not two opposing forces. They know that by accepting one they dont have to reject the other. They know this because for them both are complementary, both serve each other, both are at ease with each other.

The writer is a business consultant by profession and a history enthusiast by passion. He has published a book on ancient Indian history titled Essays on Indic History. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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A few days ago, BYD, also known as Build Your Dreams, one of the worlds largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, announced that it plans to invest $1 billion in India and set up a factory for making EVs and batteries in the country. They also announced that the plant will be set up in partnership with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd.

However, recent developments show that the Indian government has rejected BYDs proposal. The companies had jointly applied to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to set up an electric vehicle plant in Hyderabad.

Why India rejected a $1 billion plant from BYD

During the evaluation process, various departments were consulted for their input, and concerns related to security, particularly regarding Chinese investments in India, were raised.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, existing regulations do not permit such investments from China. The proposal put forth by the partnership aimed to manufacture 10,000-15,000 electric cars annually, with Megha providing the capital and BYD contributing the technology and know-how.

This rejection is consistent with the ongoing tensions between India and China, which have been affecting the business endeavours of Chinese companies in India. Notably, Great Wall Motor, another Chinese automobile manufacturer, faced a similar setback last year when its proposed $1 billion investment plan was unable to secure government approvals.

The background to these investment policies lies in Indias 2020 policy, which was implemented after hostilities with China. The policy imposed restrictions on Foreign Direct Investments originating from China, mandating prior approval for investments from nations sharing land borders with India. This policy has been perceived by experts as anti-China. In May of this year, the Indian government also introduced measures to scrutinize Chinese companies attempting to bypass this rule by using shell companies and availing subsidies usually denied to Chinese businesses.

BYDs growing presence in India

Despite this setback, BYD currently operates in the Indian market, offering two fully-electric cars  Atto 3 and e6. The company plans to launch its Seal EV in India by the end of the year, which was showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo. The introduction of the Seal EV is expected to follow a similar route as the Atto 3 and e6, using semi-knocked down kits (SKD).

Industry insiders have told Firstpost that there is a substantial fear that Chinese EV brands manufacturing in India will bring several challenges. First, Chinese companies operating in India have a history of fraudulently dodging taxes and underreporting their tax liabilities. Second, bringing physical components from China to a Chinese-owned company in India opens up a Pandoras box of potential issues and problems.

Indias Tesla Dreams

Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing between the Indian government and Tesla, owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, for establishing a factory in India. While the government has shown interest in Musks proposals, it has not offered any additional incentives or tax breaks, requiring Tesla to apply under the existing incentive plans for EVs.
The dark web can be a tricky place even for an adult to traverse through. It certainly is not a suitable place for an 8-year-old boy. So when a boy actually makes his way to the dark web and starts spending a lot of time on the internets underbelly, things turn chaotic in no time.

A concerned mother, Barbara Gemen, from the Netherlands is sharing a cautionary tale about the perils of the dark web after her 8-year-old son successfully purchased a gun and ammunition. Barbara, a human resources expert, was horrified when an AK-47 was delivered to her doorstep.

To avoid customs checks, the package had been routed through Poland and Bulgaria, facilitated by the dark web. Although she wants to protect her sons identity, Gemen revealed that he was extremely excited about acquiring the weapon using the internets hidden realm.

The shocked mother promptly handed over the gun to authorities, but she claims that neither the police nor the school took any action. Gemen described the surreal situation as something out of a movie, as her young son unwittingly embarked on a dangerous path of becoming a cyber hacker, making alarming choices with long-lasting consequences.

Her son was an avid gamer, often staying up late to play computer games. As he grew older, he even began earning money by levelling up others gaming accounts for the weekend. However, things took a dark turn when he encountered a group of cyber-criminals in an online game.

Gradually, he became involved in illicit activities, starting from minor offences like ordering pizza online without payment, and eventually progressed to money laundering using bank accounts and computer games to disguise transactions.

Gemen discovered that her son had spent weeks on internet forums researching how to order the gun and ensure its safe delivery. He used code words to hide his activities from her when she entered the room while he was online. Disturbed by this revelation, Gemen decided to take action and change the situation at home.

The gun was purchased through the dark web, a hidden part of the internet accessible only through special software like Tor. On this illegal platform, one can buy anything from firearms to drugs using cryptocurrency. The boy had joined an international group of hackers, working during the night and gradually being lured into increasingly serious hacking activities.

Despite the alarming nature of the situation, Gemen received little support from the authorities or her sons school. Taking matters into her own hands, she educated herself about cybercrime by analyzing her sons browsing history and looking up related terms online.

Gemen now advocates for children who have become involved in cybercrime, having quit her previous job. She emphasizes the need for parents to establish cyber boundaries to protect their children in the digital world. Research has shown that children with access to laptops, mobile phones, and early exposure to the internet are more likely to engage in hacking activities. Therefore, it is crucial to educate and safeguard young minds from the blurred lines of the digital environment.
Chinas massive live-streaming e-commerce sector is known for peddling everything from lipsticks, food and drink to smartphones, cars and even a rocket launch service. It can easily generate tens of billions of dollars in sales overnight during major retail events like Singles Day.

While major Chinese cities like Shenzhen and Hangzhou are in a race to establish a global live-streaming e-commerce hub, a number of Chinese tech companies are now pushing generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create virtual live-streaming hosts capable of round-the-clock sessions, further raising the stakes in this sector.

Generative AI refers to the algorithms, such as those that power ChatGPT and similar services, which can be used to create new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations and videos.

This application for generative AI underscores how the technology is bringing sweeping disruptions to certain traditional occupations in China and the broader job market.

The emergence of new generative AI-powered virtual hosts has the potential to significantly disrupt the livelihoods of over 400,000 human live-streamers across various platforms, including Taobao Live from Alibaba Group Holding, WeChat from Tencent Holdings, Douyin and Kuaishou Technology, which is owned by ByteDance. Even Alibaba, which owns the South China Morning Post, is part of this landscape.

According to Hugo Huang, the founder of a Guangzhou-based virtual host provider called Sansongshuzi, the cost of employing a virtual host for online marketing campaigns is much lower compared to hiring a human live-streamer. He states that his company offers a virtual host for only 500 yuan (US$70) per month, capable of appearing in short videos or live-streaming sessions.

In contrast, the typical expenses involved in hiring a human host and renting a physical studio would amount to about 50,000 yuan per month, making the use of virtual hosts a far more cost-effective option for businesses, both small vendors and major brands alike. This significant cost difference is likely to accelerate the adoption of AI-powered virtual hosts and may lead to the displacement of many human live-streamers from their current jobs.

Several major brands in Chinas live-streaming e-commerce sector have shown keen interest in exploring the possibilities of generative AI-driven virtual hosts. According to Gao Zilong, the COO of WH Zones, a Beijing-based start-up specializing in virtual influencers, large consumer brands, including a local electronics giant and an international cosmetics conglomerate, are collaborating with his company to launch online campaigns using virtual live-streamers. These virtual hosts are designed to resemble specific human celebrities.

Gao believes that combining the technology of virtual hosts with the influence of popular human celebrities within their local fan base can significantly enhance a brands online sales.

Currently, there are two types of virtual hosts being developed: two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulation technologies. While 2D hosts are more cost-effective, 3D hosts offer greater creative potential.

However, Gao points out that in order for 3D virtual hosts to match the capabilities of human live-streamers, the overall cost of using them would be even higher than hiring a live host.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding virtual hosts in Chinas live-streaming e-commerce market, this AI application is still in its early stages. Zhang Yi, the CEO of research firm iiMedia, comments that the application is currently limited, and there is ongoing debate about whether this business model can be widely adopted.

Apart from the cost benefits, Zhang believes that young people online are likely to be attracted to digital personas and are more open to embracing this new technology. The appeal of virtual hosts to the younger generation could contribute to the further development and adoption of this AI-driven approach in the live-streaming e-commerce market.

During a recent corporate event organized by Baidu in Hangzhou, China, the renowned online search giant and advocate for artificial intelligence (AI) showcased a new workflow based on its large language model, which is also the technology behind its chatbot Ernie Bot. This workflow allows users to input specific keywords related to products, sales targets, and content length, and in return, it generates a script that human hosts can use to introduce products during live-streaming sessions. Additionally, the AI-powered solution provides other content that hosts can use to engage with their online audience effectively.

Baidu shared a success story of a vendor who used the same AI solution to sell tickets to Shanghai Disneyland, resulting in impressive sales of 540,000 yuan in just one month.

While AI brings significant advantages in generating content for live hosts and creating virtual live-streamers, some platforms still prefer human performance. Huang from Sansongshuzi mentioned that platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou continue to favor human live-streamers over virtual ones. He emphasized that virtual live-streamers might not receive as much attention on these platforms, but e-commerce platforms like Taobao, owned by Alibaba, have not limited the visibility of virtual live-streamers on their platforms. The competition between AI-powered virtual hosts and human live-streamers is still ongoing, and their coexistence is evident across different platforms in the live-streaming e-commerce market.
Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency initiative founded by OpenAIs CEO Sam Altman, is commencing its launch on Monday.

At the core of this project lies the World ID, an exclusive account accessible only to real individuals. To obtain a World ID, customers must undergo an in-person iris scan using Worldcoins orb, a silver ball resembling the size of a bowling ball. Once the orb confirms the persons authenticity, a World ID is created.

Tools for Humanity, a company based in San Francisco and Berlin, is the driving force behind Sam Altmans latest crypto project.

During its beta phase, the project amassed 2 million users. Now, with the official launch on Monday, Worldcoin is expanding its orbing operations to 35 cities across 20 countries. As an incentive, individuals signing up in select countries will receive Worldcoins cryptocurrency token, WLD.

The incorporation of cryptocurrency into World IDs is crucial as it enables the storage of these IDs on blockchain technology, ensuring privacy and immunity from control by any single entity.

World IDs are deemed essential in the era of advanced AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which produce remarkably human-like language. These IDs can be employed to distinguish between genuine individuals and AI bots online.

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its intention to list Worldcoin, with trading expected to tentatively begin on Monday at 09:00 GMT.

Altman also shared how Worldcoin can contribute to reshaping the economy under the influence of generative AI. He envisions AI empowering people and foresees significant economic implications. Altman highlights universal basic income (UBI) as an examplea social benefits program where each individual receives regular payments. With AI taking over more human tasks, Altman believes UBI can combat income inequality. Moreover, since only real people can possess World IDs, it could help reduce fraud when implementing UBI.

Although Altman acknowledges that a world with UBI is distant and lacks a clear entity to oversee it, he sees Worldcoin as a stepping stone towards making it a reality. He emphasizes the importance of experimenting with innovative ideas to determine the best course of action.
Following the suspension of the services due to a fake pilot scandal, Pakistan aviation minister Khawaja Saad Rafique indicated that Pakistan International Airlines is expected to restart flights to Britain within the next three months.

Rafique told parliament on Friday that new legislation has removed the final hurdle for the national carrier to fly to the United Kingdom.

The PIA flights will resume at least to the UK in three months, and, later, flights to Europe and America will resume, he said.

PIA flights to Europe and the UK were suspended after the European Unions Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) revoked the national carriers authorisation to fly to the bloc in 2020 following a fake pilot licence scandal in Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the UN Aviation body, advised Pakistan in September 2020 to undertake immediate corrective action and suspend the issue of any new pilot licenses after false licenses came to light following the crash of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane in May that year, in which 97 people were killed.

In June last year, Pakistan grounded 262 airline pilots suspected of dodging their exams following checks of their qualifications.

The pilot licence scandal has tainted Pakistans aviation industry and hurt flag carrier PIA, which was barred from flying to Europe and the United States.

PIA spokesman Abdullah H. Khan said the national carrier was looking forward to resuming the UK route. The UK and Europe contribute to 37 per cent of our total revenue, he said.

Rafique said the national airline had incurred losses as a result of a fake licence issue. He said it will need to be restructured and required billions of dollars in investment to avoid closure.

He also said the government plans to outsource the countrys airport operations, starting with Islamabad Airport, followed by operations at Karachi and Lahore airports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, citing its loss of meaningful purpose, as reported on Monday.

The agreement, which facilitated the safe export of Ukrainian grains, was initially designed to address humanitarian needs but failed to live up to expectations, according to Putins statement on the Kremlins website.

Moscows decision to quit the deal came after its demands for an extension were disregarded. The deal, which had allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports despite ongoing war conditions, had played a crucial role in alleviating a global food crisis a year ago. However, Putins recent conditions for rejoining the agreement did not directly focus on humanitarian considerations.

Saying that Russias conditions for the extension had been ignored, Moscow last week quit the deal which had allowed Ukraine a year ago to export grain from its Black Sea ports, despite the war, to alleviate a global food crisis.

The key demands Putin presented last week for Moscow to return to the deal, however, did not directly refer to humanitarian purposes.

After quitting the deal, Russia has been pounding Ukrainian food-exporting ports nearly on a daily basis. An attack on Sunday on the southern port of Odesa killed one person and injured scores more.

Writing ahead of the second Russia-Africa summit that will take place in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday, Putin said that Russia expects a record harvest this year.

I want to assure that our country is able to replace Ukrainian grain both commercially and free of charge, especially since we again expect a record harvest this year, Putin said.

Russia and the West have been increasingly vying for influence in Africa. Although Moscow has so far invested very little there, according to data from the United Nations, Russia has been on a diplomatic push to win the continents support.

During a U.N. vote in March 2022 to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine, 28 African nations voted in favour of the resolution, but 25 either voted to abstain or did not vote at all.

Russia will continue to vigorously work on organising the supply of grain, food, fertilizers and more to Africa: we highly value and continue to dynamically develop the entire range of economic ties with Africa, Putin wrote.
The Justice Minister of New Zealand, Kiri Allan, tendered her resignation on Monday in the wake of an incident involving an embarrassing car crash and subsequent charges of reckless driving and resisting arrest while being in a drunken state.

The accident occurred in Wellington, shortly after 9 pm on Sunday, and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that Allan was taken into custody at the central police station. After spending four hours in detention, she was released.

The police have filed charges against her for careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to comply with a police officers instructions. Additionally, Allan has been summoned to appear in court at a later date.

She was also issued an infringement notice for having an excess breath alcohol level between 250 and 400mcg.

This unfortunate incident marks the latest in a series of mishaps and scandals involving government ministers in New Zealand, just three months before the national elections.

Recent polls indicate that the conservative opposition has drawn level or slightly surpassed the incumbent liberals, making it a closely contested race.

Once regarded as a rising star within the Labour party, Allan had recently taken a break from her duties to address her mental health issues, which were exacerbated by a public split with her partner and allegations of strained working relationships with staff.

According to Hipkins, he spoke with Allan on Monday morning and expressed his belief that she was not in a suitable state to continue as a minister.

It was deemed unacceptable for a justice minister to be facing criminal charges, and Allan concurred with this assessment, leading to her resignation from ministerial roles.

Despite stepping down from the ministerial post, Allan will continue to serve as a member of parliament.

In response to the incident, Hipkins acknowledged the inexcusability of her alleged actions but also cited information suggesting that Allan was undergoing extreme emotional distress at the time.

He noted that her recent struggles with mental health had been well-documented and appeared to have culminated in the events of the previous day.

Allan expressed remorse for her actions and stated that she would take some time to consider her future in politics.

She admitted that in recent weeks, she had been grappling with personal difficulties and believed she could handle them while fulfilling her duties as a minister.

Her actions, however, on Sunday proved otherwise, and she acknowledged that she had let herself and her colleagues down.

In recent months, other government ministers have also faced controversies leading to resignations.

Transport and immigration minister Michael Wood stepped down after failing to disclose a potential conflict of interest with his stock ownership. Police minister Stuart Nash was sacked in March for providing confidential information to donors, and in May, customs minister Meka Whaitiri was fired after changing her political allegiance.

(With inputs from agencies)
South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff has claimed that North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the ocean off its east coast late on Monday.

Japans defence ministry also reported that North Korea may have launched a ballistic missile. The reports come amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula as South Korea and the United States move to increase military readiness against North Koreas weapons programme through the deployment of U.S. strategic military assets.

North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests last week, hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980s.

On Monday, another nuclear-powered U.S. submarine arrived in South Korea.

Over the weekend, North Korea fired a barrage of cruise missiles into the sea off its west coast.

(With agency inputs)
After the former prime minister was detained in May in connection with an alleged corruption case, a Pakistani court started the process on Monday to declare Imran Khans two sisters and a nephew declared criminals in a case pertaining to the attack on the historic Corps Commander House here.

After Khan, the partys leader, was taken into custody by the Islamabad High Court on May 9, a mob of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters set fire to and vandalised the Corps Commander House, also known as Jinnah House, in this city.

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore initiated the process to declare former premier Imran Khans two sisters  Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma  and his nephew Hassan Niazi and 19 other PTI leaders proclaimed offenders after their constant skipping of the courts hearing for their alleged involvement in attacking the Lahore Corps Commander House, a court official told PTI after the hearing.

The ATC mandated the publication of an advertising in newspapers for August 16 instructing the suspects to appear in court at the following hearing in order to avoid being labelled as proclaimed offenders.

Senator Azam Swati, former ministers Murad Saeed, Ali Amin Gandapur, Farukh Habib, Mian Aslam, and Hammad Azhar are notable PTI figures who have been designated as offenders.

Following Imran Khans arrest on May 9 in a corruption case by paramilitary Rangers, Pakistan experienced unprecedented anti-government demonstrations. Khan later received bail and was freed.

During the riots, several of military facilities and government structures, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were destroyed or set on fire. More than 100 police and other security agency vehicles caught fire.

Over 10,000 PTI members have been detained by law enforcement authorities across Pakistan, with 4,000 of them coming from the Punjab region alone.

Over 16 PTI employees were slain in the violence, according to Khan. Ten fatalities have been reported by police.

Numerous accusations involving assaults on military installations are also being brought against Imran Khan. Over 150 cases involving terrorism, murder, and blasphemy are currently pending against him. At his home in Zaman Park, he is apparently effectively under house arrest.

(With agency inputs)
Over 66% of individuals performing cosmetic surgery injections in the UK lack the qualifications of medical doctors, according to a recent study.

This study, the first of its kind to explore the providers of injectable cosmetic services, such as Botox and dermal fillers in the country, revealed that dentists and nurses are among those administering these injections.

The researchers scrutinized 3,000 websites related to cosmetic surgery and identified 1,163 doctors, comprising 32% of the total. Among the doctors, 41% were specialists, and 19% were registered general practitioners (GPs).

The remaining practitioners consisted of various healthcare professionals, with nurses constituting 13%, dentists 24%, and dental nurses 8%.

Its worth noting that the injectable cosmetic market is projected to reach a value of 11.7 billion by 2026, but currently operates with limited regulation due to the lack of transparency in the practitioners backgrounds.

Dr. David Zargaran, the studys author, expressed concerns about the diverse backgrounds of the practitioners and the implications for competence and consent. He emphasized the need for the governments licensing scheme to ensure that licensed practitioners possess the necessary skills and experience to administer treatments safely and minimize risks to patients.

The findings have prompted the government to consider updating its policy on injectables, with a public consultation scheduled for next month.

The recommendations from the study are expected to influence amendments to the Medical Act in 2024.

Professor Julie Davies, co-author of the study, called attention to the urgent need for effective regulation and professional standards to protect patients from complications.

While the risks associated with injections are often mild and temporary, the study also highlighted the possibility of permanent and debilitating physical complications.

Additionally, patients may face severe psychological, emotional, and financial consequences if procedures go awry.

Another study by the same authors, published earlier this month, revealed that 69% of respondents experienced long-lasting adverse effects such as pain, anxiety, and headaches.
On Monday, a day after Ukraine pledged retaliation for Russian strikes on Odesa, Russia accused Kyiv of terrorism, claiming that two Ukrainian drones had destroyed structures in Moscow, including one near the Defence Ministrys headquarters.

No injuries were recorded, but one of the attacks targetsa facility in Moscow near which the Russian military gives briefings on its special military operationstruck a symbolic blow and demonstrated the reach of such drones.

A Reuters reporter who witnessed the aftermath of the incident reported that neighbouring roads were briefly closed, windows on the top two floors of an office building hit by the second drone in another Moscow neighbourhood were blasted out, and debris was thrown on the ground.

I was asleep and was woken up by a blast, everything started shaking, Polina, a young woman who lives near the high-rise building, told Reuters.

The attack, though not serious in terms of its human cost or damage, was the most high-profile of its kind since two drones reached the Kremlin in May.

A swarm of 17 drones also launched attacks overnight in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, the Russian Defence Ministry said, adding it had used anti-drone equipment and air defences to bring them down.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who rarely comments on attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory, had on Sunday promised what he called a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa.

That was a reference to days of Russian missile strikes against targets in the port city which Moscow says are payback for a Ukrainian attack last week on the Crimean Bridge.

Today at night drones attacked the capital of the orcs and Crimea, said Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, using a derogatory term some Ukrainians use for Russians. Electronic warfare and air defence are already less able to defend the skies of the occupiers.

Writing on the Telegram messaging app, Fedorov, one of the officials spearheading Ukrainian efforts to create an army of drones, added: No matter what happens there will be more of this.

Russias defence ministry said its forces had used radio-electronic equipment to take out the two Ukrainian drones, forcing them to crash, thereby foiling what it called an attempted terrorist attack.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the RTVI TV channel Ukraine was guilty of what she called an act of international terrorism.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his Telegram messaging app that two non-residential buildings were struck at around 4 a.m. (0100 GMT), adding there was no serious damage or casualties.

Citing emergency services, Russian state news agencies reported that drone fragments had been found near a building on Komsomolsky Avenue, which runs through Moscow. The site is about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from the defence ministrys buildings.

Traffic was temporarily closed on the street as well as on Likhachev Avenue, where a high-rise office building had been damaged, Russian news agencies reported.

(With agency inputs)
A soldier in northeastern Congo opened fire on family members and others who had buried his son before he could arrive home to attend the ceremony, killing 13 people, including 10 children, officials said Sunday.

The attack late Saturday left the soldiers wife, in-laws and two of his children dead, before he turned his weapon on other civilians, said Lt. Jules Ngongo, a spokesman for the army in Ituri province, where the killings took place.

The soldier was not identified.

The soldier arrived home from his post at another village in the province to find family and community members gathered in mourning for his son, who died Thursday of natural causes, said Baraka Muguwa Oscar, the local village chief.

This soldier did not like the fact that his son  was buried without his approval and in his absence, Oscar said.

Elements of the Congolese army were dispatched to apprehend the soldier, a member of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, or FARDC, who fled the scene after the attack.

No matter what the case, the time or the circumstances, you cant take a persons life. This is an act of indiscipline that will be dealt with by the courts, said Ngongo, the army spokesperson.

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. Earlier this week, the United Nations warned of a surge in violence in the countrys northeast.
UNICEF appeals for funding as record 300,000 children enrolled in Bangladesh Rohingya camps

Xinhua) 17:02, July 24, 2023

DHAKA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Against the odds of displacement, fires burning down learning centers, and Cyclone Mocha's wrath, classrooms in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh are filling up Sunday with children, excited on the first day of school.

Thanks to expanded education opportunities for teenagers and girls, a record 300,000 children are enrolled for the 2023-24 school year, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in a statement on Sunday, adding it appeals for 33 million U.S. dollars to urgently support education for the refugee children here.

According to the statement, the new academic year marks the first time Rohingya refugee children of all ages will study under the Myanmar Curriculum.

Since its launch in 2021, this formal curriculum has gradually been expanded, with grades 3-5 and grade 10 opening on Sunday for the first time in the Cox's Bazar refugee camps, significantly increasing learning opportunities for older and younger children, said the statement.

"Rohingya refugee children want to learn, and to turn their hopes and dreams for a better future to actual potential," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative to Bangladesh.

"The single most important ingredient for ensuring a safe and dignified return of these children to Myanmar is ensuring that they can continue their education while they are here in Bangladesh," said Yett.

"I urge our partners and donors to stand by UNICEF as we deliver on our promise to provide education for every Rohingya refugee child."

One million refugees, half of them children, have lived in the densely populated camps in Bangladesh since 2017 when they fled violence in neighboring Myanmar. Education for Rohingya refugee children is provided through 3,400 learning centers as well as through community-based learning facilities, according to UNICEF.

In addition to the new opportunities for older children, a dedicated campaign has brought more than 13,000 children who were out of school into the classroom.

Efforts to support adolescent girls to continue their education are key to the record attendance this year, according to the statement.

Due to social norms, parents are often reluctant to send girls to school once they reach puberty.

In response, UNICEF and its partners have worked closely with the refugee community to demonstrate to parents the benefits of education for girls, to provide girls-only classrooms, and to organize chaperoning by female mentors, said the statement.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
An Islamist preacher based in the UK has been charged with terrorism, according to a statement by the Met Police.

Anjem Choudary, 56, was apprehended last week along with 28-year-old Khaled Hussein, who had flown into Heathrow Airport from Canada.

Following the arrests, Choudary was charged on Sunday with offenses that include being a member of a proscribed organization, actively encouraging support for a banned group through public gatherings, and directing a terrorist organization.

Khaled Hussein, a Canadian national, has also been charged with membership of a proscribed organization.

The two individuals are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court later today.

The investigation leading to their arrest and charges was conducted by Met counter-terrorism detectives, who were looking into alleged involvement with a proscribed group.

After being detained under terrorism laws, both Choudary and Hussein were subsequently charged and are now being held in custody until their court appearance.
A nuclear-propelled US submarine has reached South Korea, marking the second deployment of a major US naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, as stated by South Koreas military on Monday.

The USS Annapolis docked at a port on Jeju Island approximately one week after the USS Kentucky arrived at the mainland port of Busan.

Notably, the US Kentuckys arrival marked the first time a US nuclear-armed submarine had visited South Korea since the 1980s. Following Kentuckys arrival, North Korea responded by conducting test-fires of ballistic and cruise missiles, ostensibly to demonstrate its capability for nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

In between those launches, North Koreas defense minister issued a veiled threat insisting the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how much relations are strained now.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson of South Koreas navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

Meanwhile, North Korea remained publicly silent on an American soldier, Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border last Tuesday. U.S. officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said North Korea has been ignoring their requests to provide basic information about King, including where hes being detained and what his condition is.

Analysts say North Korea wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

The United States and South Korea have been expanding their combined military exercises and increasing regional deployments of U.S. strategic assets like bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

With inputs from AP.
Sursa Foto: Facebook/ MApN

Publicatie franceza: Romania este oficial in cautarea unui sistem de artilerie autopropulsat de 155 mm/ Autoritatile romane planuiesc sa aloce pana la 2 miliarde de euro, in doua etape
President Bola Tinubu has eulogised the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, Omotayo Olutoye, for her important contributions to the Yoruba language, culture and tradition, saying her works and seminal interventions helped in deepening the knowledge and understanding of Yoruba language.

Mrs Olutoye died recently at 87. She was the wife of Olufemi Olutoye, a retired major general and the Alani of Idoani, in Ondo State and the mother of renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician Olurotimi Olutoye, a professor. She was also the Yeyeluwa of Idoani in the Ose Local Government Area of the state.President Tinubu expressed his sympathy and condolences to the deceaseds husband, the Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.The President said,

Quote

Prof. Omotayo Olutoye, who died recently at 87 made useful contributions to Nigeria and the Yoruba race, and particularly to Yoruba language, culture and tradition.



As the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, her works and interventions helped a great deal in spreading and deepening the knowledge and understanding of the Yoruba Language. Her works have kept the Yoruba language alive and flourishing. Prof. Omotayo Olutoye has etched her name in our memory, and this will remain indelible.



Importantly, a staunch member of the Anglican Communion, Prof. Olutoye also made invaluable contributions to Nigeria by gifting us the renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician, Prof. Olurotimi Olutoye.



I offer my sympathy and condolences to her husband and patriarch of the family, Major General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd), the Alani of Idoani, the entire Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor Oluwarotili Akeredolu, for the loss of the illustrious woman. May Nigeria be blessed with many of the ilk of Prof. Olutoye. May she find comfort in the bosom of the Lord.

Dele AlakeSpecial Adviser to the PresidentSpecial Duties, Communications & Strategy
amasan1 at 24-07-2023 09:18 PM (2 weeks ago) (m)

Former Chicken Rebuplic security guys, Happie Boys have launched another attack on popular clergyman, Apostle Chibuzor.

Former Chicken Rebuplic security guys, Happie Boys have launched another attack on popular clergyman, Apostle Chibuzor.

During the back and forth, Apostle Chibuzor offered to book a return flight for Happie Boys after they insisted on staying back in Cyprus.

In a new video that has popped up, Happie Boys were seen in a video reigniting their old beef with OPM pastor as they rain insults at him. One of the boys was heard in the video saying dem no born you well after one of them brought back the issue of returning to Nigeria.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tosin Silverdam Backup Page (@tosinsilverdam) During the back and forth, Apostle Chibuzor offered to book a return flight for Happie Boys after they insisted on staying back in Cyprus.In a new video that has popped up, Happie Boys were seen in a video reigniting their old beef with OPM pastor as they rain insults at him. One of the boys was heard in the video saying dem no born you well after one of them brought back the issue of returning to Nigeria.

Post Reply I am an investigative reporter at Gistmania, I conduct fact-finding investigative journalism. Posted: at 24-07-2023 09:18 PM (2 weeks ago) | Hero
amasan1 at 24-07-2023 09:45 PM (2 weeks ago) (m)

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed reports of a possible reversal of the PMF reform policy to withdraw Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from certain important personalities.

A statement released by the spokesperson of the force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says the decision to withdraw the PMF personnel from escort and guard duties stands firm, and there will be no going back on this critical policy change''.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed reports of a possible reversal of the PMF reform policy to withdraw Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from certain important personalities.A statement released by the spokesperson of the force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says the decision to withdraw the PMF personnel from escort and guard duties stands firm, and there will be no going back on this critical policy change''.

while poised to ensure a smooth transition, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to providing adequate security arrangements for VIPs who are entitled to such protection. Meanwhile, the Force will carefully consider the provisions of Sections 23 to 25 of the Police Act 2020, in recruiting more supernumerary officers, to handle VIP security responsibilities. No VIP or critical infrastructure will be left unprotected as a result of the new policy.'' the statement read

Adejobi added that the Inspector-General of Police remains resolute in his pursuit of reforms and initiatives that will enhance the professionalism and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force. He said the decision to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIPs is driven by the need to create a more robust, efficient, and people-centered police force that caters to the security needs of all citizens equally.

The IGP, therefore, urges the public and all stakeholders to support and cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force during this transition period to strengthen the security apparatus and create a safer environment for everyone to thrive. while poised to ensure a smooth transition, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to providing adequate security arrangements for VIPs who are entitled to such protection. Meanwhile, the Force will carefully consider the provisions of Sections 23 to 25 of the Police Act 2020, in recruiting more supernumerary officers, to handle VIP security responsibilities. No VIP or critical infrastructure will be left unprotected as a result of the new policy.'' the statement readAdejobi added that the Inspector-General of Police remains resolute in his pursuit of reforms and initiatives that will enhance the professionalism and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force. He said the decision to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIPs is driven by the need to create a more robust, efficient, and people-centered police force that caters to the security needs of all citizens equally.The IGP, therefore, urges the public and all stakeholders to support and cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force during this transition period to strengthen the security apparatus and create a safer environment for everyone to thrive.

Post Reply I am an investigative reporter at Gistmania, I conduct fact-finding investigative journalism. Posted: at 24-07-2023 09:45 PM (2 weeks ago) | Hero
Leaked! Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and Tab S9 Spotted on Retail Websites News oi -Kabir Jain

The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled to take place in Seoul on July 26th. The event promises to be a grand showcase where the tech giant will unveil a range of exciting new products. Among the much-anticipated devices making their debut at the event are the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series of tablets.

In the days leading up to the official launch, renowned tipster Evan Blass spotted the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series on various retail websites, making this information public through his tweets.

These websites even had the option for customers to pre-order the yet-to-be-released phones and tablets, further stoking the excitement.

Color Options and Product Bundles

As indicated by the retail listings, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 will be offered in four stylish colors: Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Water Green, giving customers a diverse range of choices. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be available in three color options: Black, Blue, and Cream.

Moreover, these foldable handsets are expected to be offered as part of enticing product bundles, potentially featuring versions of the popular Galaxy Watch series models, which are also set to make their debut on the same day.

Furthermore, some bundles may include the highly sought-after Galaxy Buds 2 with the upcoming releases, elevating the entire user experience.

Pricing Details

While the specific pricing details for the products have not been officially revealed, previous leaks have given us some insight. The 256GB variant of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is estimated to be priced at EUR 1,199 (roughly Rs. 1,08,900), with the 512GB variant possibly costing EUR 1,339 (roughly Rs. 1,21,600).

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is rumored to have its 256GB variant priced at EUR 1,899 (roughly Rs. 1,72,400). The 512GB and 1TB variants, on the other hand, are speculated to be listed at EUR 2,039 (roughly Rs. 1,85,100) and EUR 2,279 (roughly Rs. 2,06,900), respectively.

Source

Via

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Moto G14 launch date in India set for August 1: Flipkart teaser reveals key specifications News oi -Carlsen Martin

Motorola is launching a new budget smartphone in India soon. The Motorola G14 has officially been teased on Flipkart, suggesting that the device will be sold on the platform after its launch in the country. The Moto G14 launch date in India is set for August 1.

The Moto G14 price in India will likely fall between Rs 9,000 and Rs 12,000, considering its predecessor, the Moto G13, featured a starting price of Rs 9,999 in India. The Flipkart listing has revealed key details about Motorola's upcoming affordable 4G smartphone.

Moto G14 Specifications

According to the official Flipkart teaser, the Moto G14 will be powered by the Unisoc T616 SoC paired with at least 4GB of RAM. The teaser also confirms that the device will come with UFS 2.2 storage, which will be expandable up to 1TB.

The Moto G14 will sport a 6.5-inch FHD+ IPS LCD panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The G14 also packs stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. Motorola's upcoming affordable smartphone will also feature a 5,000 mAh battery with 20W fast charging support.

For optics, the Moto G14 will features a dual-rear camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor, although information about the second lens is unavailable at the moment. Moreover, the camera setup will offer features such as Macro Vision and Night Vision.

The Moto G14 opts for a side-mounted fingerprint reader that doubles as a power button. The Moto G14 will also come with an IP52 rating for splash resistance. Lastly, the Motorola G14 has also been teased in Blue and Black shades on Flipkart.

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Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi Accused Of Evading Taxes Worth 9,000 Crore In India: Recovery Slow But On Track? Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai

The Indian government confirmed that the Chinese mobile phone makers, including Oppo Mobile, Vivo India, and Xiaomi Technology, have collectively evaded taxes worth 9,000 crores in India.

Data shared by the Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha indicated that taxes such as Customs duty and GST weren't remitted by most of the leading Chinese phone makers. Let's look at the developments and see if they could have any impact on these Chinese companies.

Chinese Phone Makers Evaded 9000 Crores Of Taxes (Customs Duty And GST)

The Indian government has been clamping down hard on multiple Chinese companies, notably smartphone manufacturers for the past three years. Some companies had even threatened to leave, while a few others had even wound up some offices, but most of these Chinese mobile phone makers are still quite operational in India.

Data shared with the Indian parliament last week revealed that Chinese smartphone makers, including Oppo Mobile, Vivo India, and Xiaomi Technology, have managed to successfully evade taxes worth 9,000 crore in India.

Chinese Mobile companies like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo operating in India posted huge losses in last 2 years despite higher market share and increased Incomes.



This is the possible reason why they are under Income tax scanner for possible Tax Evasion. pic.twitter.com/T2CDCUpa7k  Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) January 17, 2022

The tax evasion by Oppo Mobile, Vivo India, and Xiaomi Technology is reportedly from 2018-19 to 2022-23. Breaking up the figure, Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd has been found evading 5,086 crore in taxes. Splitting up the figure reveals the company evaded 4,403 Crores in Customs duty and 683 Crores in the form of GST.

According to the written reply from Chandrasekhar, Vivo has evaded taxes worth 2,923.25 crore, which includes 2,875 crore in Customs duty and Rs 48.25 crore in GST.

Bold decision by Government of India to tighten bolts on . Chinese cos are infamous for tax evasion as per recent reports of mobile company. All Chinese cos manufacturing electronic gadgets should be brought under scanner of I -tax & FERA. Decoupling is one of the best weapons.  P.K. Pitre(Veteran) (@pkpitre19) July 23, 2023

In the case of Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd., the government has claimed the company evaded taxes worth 851.14 crore. The breakup reveals tax evasion of 682.51 Crores in customs duty and 168.63 crore in GST.

Besides Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi, even Lenovo has been accused of evading taxes in India. The submitted report claims Lenovo has evaded 42.36 crore GST.

Indian Government Has Recovered Only 1,629.87 Crores?

According to the written submission, the Indian government has been able to recover 1,214.83 Crores from Oppo, 168.25 Crores from Vivo, and 92.8 Crores from Xiaomi.

Cumulatively, the central administration's multiple departments have been able to recover just 1,629.87 Crores of the 9000 Crores.

INR 9000 Crores might seem like a huge amount. However, the cumulative turnover of Chinese mobile phone makers has been crossing 1 Lakh Crores every year since the year 2020. Although core manufacturing still takes place in China and other parts of the world, India is fast becoming the sales, service, assembly, testing, and development hub for smartphone manufacturers.

Cumulatively, the Chinese smartphone makers employed more than 75,000 employees in their manufacturing operations. Additionally, these companies regularly maintain a staff of more than 80,000 employees in the sales and backend operations.

Most Chinese smartphone manufacturers operational in India have been accused of showing multiple foreign payments as royalties for uses of licenses and other intangible assets. The Indian government has strongly maintained that these companies illegally funnel money back to their home country using highly questionable tactics.

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Apple Watch Emergency Dial Feature Saves Trail Runner: What About Fall Detection Automatic Alert Function? News oi -Alap Naik Desai

A trail runner from Norway has credited his Apple Watch for saving his life after a nasty and life-threatening fall in the mountains. Investment director Robert Naess has attributed his quick visit to the hospital to the smart watch's emergency dial feature.

The Apple Watch alerted emergency medical professionals and summoned an ambulance after Robert Naess fell during a routine run in Norway. Here's how the smartwatch's healthy and safety features came in handy.

Emergency Dial, Not Fall Detection, Helped Save Runner's Life?

Robert Naess, a 59-year-old investment director from Norway, was on a routine run on a very familiar route. He was jogging in Bergen, Norway at around 7 AM local time when he experienced a nasty fall.

Despite being an experienced runner, Naess slipped on a bend. Usually, such a fall isn't life-threatening. However, the skid caused Naess to fall chest-first into the edge of a wall, before landing on the floor.

#AppleWatch has helped to save a trail runner's life after falling during a run.



Apple Watch called an ambulance after Robert Naess fell during a trail run. pic.twitter.com/iHUTyNcXii  IANS (@ians_india) July 23, 2023

The accident resulted in multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. Struggling with intense pain and experiencing breathing difficulties, the otherwise fit runner couldn't access his iPhone to call for help.

Due to severe pain and breathing problems, Naess could not pull out his iPhone to call an ambulance. However, he was wearing an Apple Watch and AirPods. Naess successfully contacted emergency services using the smartwatch and wireless earbuds.

Why Did The Distressed And Injured Runner Not Rely On the "Fall Detection" Feature in Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch is a popular choice for individuals, especially athletes and those who are interested in outdoor physical activities. Apple Watch is one of the best smart wearable devices with vital signs monitoring capabilities.

Synced with an Apple iPhone, the Apple Watch has a "Fall Detection" feature, which attempts to grab the attention of the wearer through taps, sounds, and on-screen messages. If the wearer fails to respond or dismiss these messages, the Apple Watch can contact emergency services.

Robert Naess didn't wait for the Fall Detection feature to summon the emergency services primarily because the Apple Watch initiates a countdown. As Naess was well aware of his situation and knew he needed medical care immediately, he chose to skip the countdown. Hence, rather than waiting for Fall Detection to kick in, he placed the call to the emergency services himself.

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Taiwan investigates suspected online leak of classified documents

ROC Central News Agency

07/21/2023 09:30 PM

Taipei, July 21 (CNA) Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) said Friday it was investigating a suspected leak of classified government documents on the internet reported by Reuters earlier in the day.

The intelligence agency said it had taken note of the recent circulation of suspected government documents, which reportedly include diplomatic cables and classified reports pertaining to Taiwan's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), on an online message board.

The bureau said relevant units were investigating the source of the circulated documents, adding that they were also looking into whether the information was part of "the Chinese Communist Party's cognitive warfare against Taiwan."

Reuters cited two anonymous Taiwanese officials as saying that some of the leaks were believed to be authentic.

In response to the request for a comment, an official from Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations told CNA that the office had noticed "recent appearances of forged and doctored documents," without elaborating.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged the public not to be "confused by disinformation" and to refer the office, which spearheads the country's trade talks with other countries or organizations, for information about Taiwan's efforts to join the CPTPP.

Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, applied on Sept. 22, 2021 to join the CPTPP under the name "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu," about one week after China submitted its application. Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization in 2002 using the same name.

Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of Chinese territory, has hinted it would block Taiwan's CPTPP bid should it successfully join the trade bloc first.

Any new ascension to the CPTPP requires the unanimous support of its signatories, which currently include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

(By Henry Wu, Joy Tseng, and Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ASG

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Exercise Southern Jackaroo: A direct investment towards stability in the Indo-Pacific

US Marine Corps News

21 Jul 2023 | 1st Lt. Ramarro Lamar Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

QUEENSLAND, Australia -- Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin participated in Exercise Southern Jackaroo 23, a joint military exercise conducted by the Australian Defence Force, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and the United States Marine Corps. Hosted at the Townsville Field Training Area in Queensland, the exercise focused on improving warfighting tactics at the small-unit level, leading to increases in efficiencies and interoperability between forces.

"This series of warfighting exercises enables the Army to integrate our allies and Pacific family into our combined arms organization," said Brigadier Michael Say, Commander 7th Brigade. "It demonstrates that we are committed to assisting our partners not only through disaster relief, but into our security response planning as well."

The five-week exercise tested various capabilities, such as artillery support by fire, urban operations, and ground assaults supported by aviation with a gradual crescendo in operational speed and complexity. Regional Indo-Pacific allies and partners used the opportunity to hone their skills, share best practices, and build relationships, resulting in a shared victory of increased readiness and expertise to respond to a real-world crisis and contingency.

"In order for our company to face off against a brigade-sized element of ADF and JGSDF soldiers, we chose to disseminate into very small units," explained Staff Sgt. Ian Valore, Platoon Sergeant, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. "Team leaders were able to operate independently, empowering creativity in how they executed their ambushes, patrols, and small-unit tactics against a much larger force."

With more than 2,800 participants, the large-scale combat operations training featured archipelagic, littoral, and urban terrain that tested the forces' offensive and defensive capabilities in a communications-degraded environment, stressing small-unit leadership at the lowest levels.

"Small unit leadership is absolutely critical when covering this much ground. We sacrificed traditional levels of situation awarenessin this case deliberatelyin order to maintain cover and concealment for a longer period of time," said 1st Lt. Joshua Watson, Executive Officer, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. "The future rifle squad demands longer periods of self-sustainability and contact with higher headquarters. Our squads are purpose built for this environment, practicing signature management, low emissions, and moving at night to remain undetected."

Southern Jackaroo serves as a critical component of the military readiness and cooperation between Australia, Japan, and the United States. Each nations' military forces have become more lethal by fostering the ability to shoot, move, and communicate from a combined forces approach. The shared understanding of military tactics, techniques, and procedures ensures rapid response in times of crisis, a direct investment towards regional peace and stability

"It is really important for the Marines and Australian Army to work together at every available opportunity. Our history has shown that we have worked together across the globe in peace time and in war time," said Maj. Maddison Cellon, Officer in Charge of 2nd combat engineer squadron, 2nd combat engineer regiment, 7th brigade. "The unknown challenges of the future will see us work together again."

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Turkiye to monitor steps taken by Sweden before ratifying its NATO bid: Erdogan

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:56, July 22, 2023

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.

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Sudan conflict: Rockets kill 16 civilians in Darfur

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 22 July 2023 6:33 PM

At least 16 civilians have been killed by rocket fire in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region, a local lawyers' union reported.

"During an exchange of rocket fire between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), 16 civilians were killed on Friday, according to a preliminary toll, in Nyala," the South Darfur state capital, the union said on Saturday.

And at least one man was killed by a sniper, it added.

The conflict in Sudan started in mid-April amid a power struggle between two rival generals, Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The clashes initially broke out in Khartoum and later spread to Darfur.

Both Burhan and Daglo, who is commander of the RSF, have representatives in Saudi Arabia, where truce talks have been taking place. However, Khartoum denied "any information concerning a near truce" with the RSF.

The fighting has intensified in the West Darfur capital, El Geneina, where snipers have targeted residents from rooftops. Previously, the United Nations had reported brutal clashes and atrocities in El Geneina.

The violence has forced tens of thousands of people to flee across the border to neighboring Chad.

Darfur is an RSF stronghold and fighting there is concentrated around Nyala. Fighting has also continued in and around Khartoum.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank said that the RSF holds a significant advantage in Khartoum, and the conflict has persisted in and around the capital city.

Army airstrikes have been reported on villages in the north of Al-Jazirah state, just south of Khartoum, raising concerns that the conflict may spread to that region, leading to further displacement of people.

The ongoing conflict has created immense challenges for humanitarian workers supporting several hundred thousand refugees in the fertile land between the White Nile and Blue Nile rivers.

Meantime, the RSF is trying to seize the main Darfur-Khartoum road to maintain steady supply of fighters and weapons.

The warring sides are attempting to expand the battlefield to new areas, posing further risks to refugees and humanitarian efforts.

The fighting has resulted in an estimated death toll of at least 3,000 people since the conflict began in Sudan.

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US commissions first navy warship in Sydney amid China fears

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 22 July 2023 3:55 PM

The United States has commissioned a warship in Sydney, Australia amid fears of growing Chinese clout in the region.

The Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) - named USS Canberra - was commissioned on Saturday at a ceremony at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbor, officially joining the US Navy's active fleet.

This is the first time a US Navy vessel joined active service at a foreign port, as the two close allies step up their military ties in response to China's expanding regional reach.

During the ceremony, US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, claimed that Americans and Aussies have forged a century-long military alliance in their efforts to maintain the West's global hegemony.

Furthermore, US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, who was at the ceremony, said the US-led West is facing new challenges in various domains which the allies needed to address.

"We, along with our allies and partners around the world, are facing significant challenges in every environment that we operate in, from the seabed to the stars as well as the cyber domain. Across the globe, it is apparent that the rules-based international order that for decades has fostered economic growth and underpinned the period of relative global stability is being again challenged," Del Toro said.

The ceremony comes amid biennial Talisman Sabre military exercises between the US and Australia, seen as a show of force against China.

Asked if he was worried about the presence of a Chinese surveillance ship off Australia's northeast coast, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said, "I'm not."

"I've been to Talisman Sabre now for many years and there is always, it seems, a ship from China, which is looking at this, and that's fine," he told Channel 9 television.

The biennial military exercise between the US and Australia, which is one of the largest joint military exercises in the world, takes place amid continued efforts by the Americans to lure more countries into joining the Indo-Pacific AUKUS security pact, amid escalating tensions between world powers.

The UK, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany, Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Japan, and South Korea are reportedly taking part in the two-week exercises which include mock land and air combat, as well as amphibious landings.

The Independence-variant LCS warships are said to be fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored, surface combatants that operate both close to shore and in open-ocean environments.

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Who are the 18 parties running in Cambodia's election?

A look at the political parties listed on the July 23 ballot.

By RFA Khmer

2023.07.22

Eighteen political parties will compete in Cambodia's parliamentary election on July 23 - the country's seventh national vote since the United Nations organized and ran the 1993 election two years after the Paris Peace Agreements.

The National Election Committee in May ruled that two parties - the main opposition Candlelight Party and the Khmer United Great Nation Party - could not appear on the ballot, citing inadequate paperwork.

The Candlelight Party is widely believed to be the only party that could have mounted a serious challenge to Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, but its exclusion means the ruling CPP is expected to win the large majority - and possibly all - of the National Assembly's 125 seats.

Even if it doesn't, most of the other parties are deferential to the CPP and Hun Sen. Many officials from the smaller parties have been appointed to the Supreme Consultative Council, an advisory body created by Hun Sen following the 2018 election to bolster his power with the appearance of multi-party support.

Here's a look at every party on the ballot.

_ Beehive Social Democratic Party: Radio station owner Mam Sonando founded the party in 2016. He had been a vocal critic of Hun Sen's government, and his independent Beehive Radio station was once described by Human Rights Watch as "a key platform for promotion of human rights and democracy."

But after the 2018 election, the prime minister appointed Mam Sonando to the Supreme Consultative Council. Since then, the Beehive Party has repeatedly come out in support of the government.

_ Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Democracy Party: The party was formed in early 2017 and is headquartered in Mondulkiri province. The president is Blang Sin, an ethnic Pnong who has participated in the Supreme Consultative Council. The party has not had an active campaign presence.

_ Cambodian Nationality Party: Chaired by Seng Sokheng and first registered as a party with the Ministry of Interior in 2011, the party supports Hun Sen's leadership and attacks opposition activists. It also participates in the Supreme Consultative Council, a body Hun Sen created.

_ Cambodian People's Party: Originally known as the Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Party, it was formed in 1951 as part of Ho Chi Minh's Indochina Communist Party.

Hun Sen is its president and has been in power in government since 1985. The party has listed his eldest son, Hun Manet, as a National Assembly candidate in Phnom Penh. Hun Sen has said that he wants Hun Manet to eventually succeed him as prime minister - a transition that could happen soon after the election.

_ Cambodian Youth Party: The party was founded in 2015 by Pich Sros, a former garment worker. Along with Funcinpec, it filed a complaint in 2017 against the Cambodia National Rescue Party - then the country's main opposition party - that led to that party's dissolution. After the 2018 general election, Pich Sros was promoted to the rank of senior minister when he agreed to participate in the Supreme Consultative Council. He has been active in criticizing the opposition.

_ Democracy Power Party: Formed in 2020 by Un Visethkun, the former vice president of the Cambodian Youth Party. The party praised and supported Hun Sen's policies. In February, the party issued a statement supporting the government's decision to revoke the license of independent media outlet Voice of Democracy.

_ Dharmacracy Party: Formed in 1998, party officials did not take any action until 2017. After the CNRP was dissolved, the party participated in the 2018 general election. Its president, Por Tey Savathy, and her husband, vice president Tan Chanphal, have been appointed to the Supreme Consultative Council. The party follows Hun Sen's political line.

_ Ekpheap Cheat Khmer Party: The party announced in 2022 that it had expelled its vice president, Un Chim - a former Buddhist monk from California - following accusations that he faked a voice message from Hun Sen. The acting president of the party at the time, Lak Sopheap, told reporters in January 2022 that the fake message was sent to party members in Cambodia and the U.S. as a way of attacking her and other party leaders. The contents of the message have not been revealed to reporters. The Ministry of Interior later recognized Un Chim as the party's new president. In February 2022, Un Chim expelled Lak Sopheap and another top official.

_ Farmer's Party: Established in 1988. The president is Meas Bo Pov, a former CPP member who has been connected to a number of public land disputes. The party follows Hun Sen's political line. In May, it published a statement supporting the NEC's decision to disallow the Candlelight Party from the election.

_ Funcinpec: Formed in March 1981 as a resistance movement to the Vietnam-backed regime of the 1980s. It signed the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements and formed a coalition government with the CPP after the 1993 election.

Internal conflicts and Hun Sen's separatist strategy have weakened the party over the years. Nhek Bun Chhay of the Khmer National United Party was the party's secretary-general from 2006-2015.

The current president is Prince Norodom Chakravuth, the grandson of the late King Norodom Sihanouk and the eldest son of the late Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who served as co-prime minister from 1993-1997. Most voters no longer associate Funcinpec with the country's royalist past, especially after Ranariddh's decisions at various times over the years to align with the CPP.

_ Grassroots Democratic Party: Formed in 2015 by a group of senior intellectuals, leaders and members of civil society. It's led by Yeng Virak, former president of the Community Legal Education Center, a Phnom Penh NGO that works on land issues.

While some senior party officials have recently left to join the government, the party continues to criticize alleged violations of law and human rights committed by Hun Sen's government, including the recent passage of an election law amendment that prohibits those who don't vote in this month's elections from running for office in the future.

_ Khmer Anti-Poverty Party: Led by Kravanh Daron, a Cambodian-American who worked as a social worker in the United States for 25 years. The party was registered by the Ministry of Interior in 2007. It declared non-recognition of the 2018 election results, citing the Supreme Court's ban on the main opposition party at the time, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Khmer Anti-Poverty Party officials have not participated in the Supreme Consultative Council. But last year, the Khmer Overseas Facebook page leaked several photos of Kravanh Daron posing with Hun Sen and Hun Manet. It's unclear how close Kravanh Daron is with the prime minister and his son.

_ Khmer Conservative Party: The party was registered with the Ministry of Interior in 2019.

It is led by former CNRP lawmaker Riel Khemrin.



_ Khmer Economic Development Party: Headed by Huon Chanthon. Party officials have joined the Supreme Consultative Council and have issued a series of statements in support of Hun Sen's policies. Last month, the party released a congratulatory letter to the CPP on the anniversary of its founding.

_ Khmer National United Party: Formed in 2016, its president is Nhek Bun Chhay, a prominent Cambodian political figure and a former senior Funcinpec official. The party did not win a seat in the 2018 election, but Nhek Bun Chhay was given the same rank as a senior minister by participating on the Supreme Consultative Council.

At the end of 2022, the Kampuchea Niyum Party, run by former CNRP lawmaker Yem Ponharith, announced its intention to join the Khmer United National Party for the 2023 election.

_ Khmer United Party: Established in 2018 by Kem Rithisit, the younger brother of Kem Ley, a political commentator and social activist who was gunned down in Phnom Penh in 2016. Kem Rithisit joined the Supreme Consultative Council after the 2018 election. He resigned as party president at the end of 2020 but remains with the party as an honorary president. The Khmer United Party follows Hun Sen's political line.

_ People Purpose Party: Led by Ith Sarm, a former vice president of the League for Democracy Party (LDP), which won a few seats in the 2012 commune election and also participated in the 2013 general election but is not participating in this election.

The LDP didn't contest the 2022 commune elections, citing threats against its members and a disagreement with the NEC over how votes are validated at polling stations. The party has not explained why it's not contesting this year's election.

Ith Sarm is active on Facebook, where he discusses social and political issues as well as broadcast news programs. But since its inception in 2019, the People Purpose Party has done little to no work at building a grassroots presence.

_ Women for Women Party: Established in 2019. The party's president is Soeung Sothy, a businesswoman in the tourism industry. It has only until recently become politically active.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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'Disgraceful': Former Australian foreign minister on Cambodia's election law changes

'I don't believe there is anything in the Cambodian water that is hostile to democracy.'

By Huot Vuthy and Sam Poly for Radio Free Asia 2023.07.22 -- Radio Free Asia spoke with former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election in Cambodia.

Evans is the architect of the 1991 Paris Peace Accord, which ended war in Cambodia and promised democratic freedoms and human rights. It led to the 1993 U.N.-sponsored election that was contested by multiple political parties.

Thirty years later, Prime Minister Hun Sen's relentless campaign to co-opt dissenting voices and effectively ban the main opposition Candlelight Party from participating in this year's vote has been a "shameless, disgraceful, indefensible" development, Evans said.

The response from the international community should lie in applying serious, systematic targeted sanctions against current Cambodian leaders and ruling elites, he said. As for opposition activists, Evans suggests to "keep the flame alive and wait for the times and circumstances to change."

RFA: Cambodia will have an election next Sunday. And as you know, just a few weeks before the election, Hun Sen amended the election law banning those who fail to cast their ballot from running for office in the future. We want to hear your view on that.

Gareth Evans: Well, obviously, the recent electoral law changes are shameless, disgraceful, indefensible. It's obviously designed to avoid any opportunity for a boycott. Not that boycotts have been very successful in the past, but it's entirely consistent with the increasingly autocratic character of the Hun Sen regime.

We've seen this. We've seen this play out so many times before in so many different ways. This is just the latest version of it, a complete crackdown on anything resembling decency, anything resembling decent democracy. It's a very, very unhappy development, but something that I'm afraid we've become used to.

RFA: Even though there are 18 political parties contesting the election, the main, credible opposition party, the Candlelight Party, has been banned by the National Election Committee, saying that it had failed to provide an original registration document. But as you know, this is an attempt from Prime Minister Hun Sen's party, the CPP, to eliminate any possible opposition party in the election.

Gareth Evans: Yes, we've seen this play before with the banning of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (in 2017). We've seen it with the criminal proceedings against Sam Rainsy. We've seen it with the criminal proceedings against Kem Sokha, and we've seen it now, of course, with the banning of the Candlelight Party.

So, although notionally we have, as you say, a lot of small parties still contesting the election, the reality is that the only serious opposition to the CPP was the major parties of the major players, the major spokesmen, and they have been completely suppressed now by these measures.

Again, I say with the rest of the world, this is shameless. This is disgraceful. This is indefensible. And it's just a fundamental assault on democracy. And I can't understand anyone who cannot be very, very unhappy about that, particularly given the whole history of Cambodia and the efforts that we went to at the time of the peace settlement, the Paris Peace Accords, to entrench democracy and human rights in the Cambodian constitution and the Cambodian system. So it's unfortunately been a very unhappy story ever since.

RFA: Even though this is an unhappy story, Hun Sen survives all the time. He lost the 1993 election. He managed to hold onto power as the second prime minister, and then he conducted a coup (in 1997) and chased out the first prime minister.

As you know, five years ago he banned the CNRP from contesting the election. He won that election. The whole world refused to accept the election result as soon as the result was announced. But then the world has to work with him. Is it enough for the international community just to not accept the result of this sham election?

Gareth Evans: No. I think the international community has to do more. In fact, when I think back on it, I mean, the real trouble started back in 1993 with that first election result, which was a demonstration of how much the Cambodian people really wanted democracy, really wanted to have a say in how they governed.

But of course, Hun Sen refused to accept the election result then. We went along with his objections and allowed him to become the second prime minister. And the rest is history. So we've performed very badly as an international community all these years.

And I think the solution is not in the multilateral organizations. I mean, people talk about reconvening the Paris International Conference and somehow, you know, getting the terms of the agreement re-enforced. But the most that could happen if that were to take place, would be simply to refer the issue back to the competent UN organs, back to the Human Rights Council. So we would just go around and around in circles, as you say, making occasional statements, occasional resolutions of international bodies, but nothing really happening.

So, I think the solution lies essentially with individual countries, not so much the multilateral intergovernmental organizations, not the UN itself, not the Human Rights Council. I think it depends on individual countries applying quite serious sanctions.

RFA: What would be your advice to opposition leaders and to the Cambodian people in general? How much longer can they continue to fight? And what would be your advice so that the effort can be sustainable?

Gareth Evans: Well, of course, that's the situation at the moment. It's very bleak, It's very desolate and it's very dangerous for opponents of the regime internally. And it's difficult for me sitting comfortably in Australia to be telling, you know, people who are unhappy with the situation in Cambodia what to do.

But all I can say is you just have to keep that flame alive. You have to keep that flame burning and wait for the times and circumstances to change. I don't believe there is anything in the Cambodian water that is hostile to democracy, that's in favor of authoritarianism, that's in favor of paternalism.

I saw for myself in 1993 how badly how badly the people of Cambodia wanted a say in their own government, wanted a return to normality and decency. That spirit is there, and it just has to be quietly nurtured, supported by overseas countries like Australia and the United States, helping at the margins.

Optimism is self-reinforcing. Pessimism is very self-defeating. And unless you believe the change can happen and will happen over time, then the change is never going to happen. You just have to go on believing in it and staying committed. And I know there are a great many decent Cambodians doing just that at the moment, and I wish them every possible success.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Orban Says Romanian Foreign Ministry Gave Him A List Of Topics To Avoid In Speech

By RFE/RL's Romanian Service July 22, 2023

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a large audience in central Romania on July 22 that the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has given him a list of sensitive topics he should avoid in his public addresses at an annual event held by leaders of Romania's Hungarian minority in Transylvania.

Orban last year triggered a wave of international criticism after a speech at the same event in Baile Tusnad in which he warned against mixing with "non-Europeans."

His words at the time were harshly criticized by the United States, the European Parliament, and Jewish community representatives.

"Every year, choosing what our topics for discussion should be causes headaches," Orban told an audience of several thousand mostly ethnic Hungarians on July 22.

"I understand that this year Romania's Foreign Ministry came to our help and told me what I have permission to talk about and what not, and what I should avoid," he said. "They told us all this in an official document, I am letting you know."

Orban, who has been in power since 2010, has been at odds with the European Union, of which Hungary is a member, over Brussels' concerns about a democratic backslide and corruption in his country, which the European Parliament last year classified as an "electoral autocracy."

Orban, who touts himself as a defender of Christian values, has also been at odds with the EU over Hungary's hard-line anti-immigration policies and LGBT rights.

He has also had disagreements with the bloc over his government's refusal to send arms to Ukraine. Orban has been against the EU's imposing sanctions on Russia and has kept warm relations with President Vladimir Putin.

Orban said that among the topics the Romanian Foreign Ministry letter listed as not permitted for discussion were minorities' rights, national symbols, and presenting Western values in a bad light.

"Western values are migration, LGBT [rights], and war. We do not have to put them in a bad light, since they themselves do that," Orban said, to the applause of the audience.

Romania's ethnic Hungarian minority numbers some 1.2 million, or 6 percent of the total population, and it is mostly concentrated in three districts in the central part of the country.

Orban claimed that Hungary's upcoming EU presidency in the second half of next year would be critical for Romania's being finally admitted in the Schengen free travel zone.

However, there has been discussion about Brussels delaying Hungary's rotative EU presidency due to its backsliding on democracy. Furthermore, approval of the accession of a country into the Schengen zone must be given unanimously by all the other 26 members of the group.

With reporting by g4media.ro

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-orban-romania- list-topics-avoid-speech/32514559.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US Navy Commissions First Warship in Australia

Sputnik News

20230722

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The USS Canberra littoral combat ship was officially commissioned in Australia on Saturday, becoming the first US vessel in the country's fleet, the Australian Defense Ministry said.

"United States (US) Navy ship, the USS Canberra, will be commissioned in Sydney today, becoming the first US vessel to be commissioned in Australia," the statement read.

The commissioning ceremony took place at the HMAS Kuttabul base in Sydney, the ministry added. The USS Canberra has "proud links to Australian industry," having been designed by Australian shipbuilder Austal Limited in Fremantle in the state of Western Australia.

"Australians can be proud that this ship, designed in Western Australia by local industry and named after HMAS Canberra, is being commissioned here for the first time in the history of the United States Navy," Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was quoted as saying by the ministry.

The senior official also stressed that the commissioning gives an opportunity to reflect on cooperation between Canberra and Washington.

Australia is known to be one of the United States' key partners in the Asia-Pacific, with both countries, plus the United Kingdom, participating in the AUKUS security alliance under which Canberra is set to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

 Sputnik

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Guatemala's Law Enforcement Search Offices of Semilla Party, Supreme Electoral Tribunal

Sputnik News

20230722

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Guatemala's Special Prosecutor's Office against Impunity (FECI) and police are searching the headquarters of the Semilla Movement party and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) as a part of the probe into the party's alleged forging of signatures during registration and illegally financing the process, FECI said Friday.

The search is being conducted as a part of the ongoing investigation into the party's alleged forging of signatures during its registration and illegally financing the process.

"The Special Prosecutor's Office against Impunity (FECI), in coordination with the National Civil Police, is searching the headquarters of the Semilla Movement party in compliance with the court order of July 12, 2023," FECI tweeted.

"The proceedings are being carried out to obtain evidence to strengthen the investigation, respecting the Constitutional Court's decision on provisional protection."

Guatemala's law enforcement is also searching the offices of TSE for the second day as part of an investigation into the alleged fraudulent registration of Semilla. The day before, prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for the interim head of the electoral court, Eleonora Castillo, "for obstruction of justice."

TSE on Friday denounced the "disproportionate, intimidating and excessive forceful actions taken by various authorities" and vowed to provide legal defense to all officials and court staff.

The Electoral Observation Mission of Guatemala slammed the actions of the prosecutor's office and the criminal court as intimidation of TSE, which threatened its independence and contravened the rulings of the constitutional court.

"The mission insists that the institutionality of the electoral regime must be respected as it protects the will of citizens and warns of the disastrous consequences of the actions taken by FECI against TSE and the Semilla Movement party for electoral democracy, preventing a free runoff of the presidential election," the mission said in a communique on Twitter.

On July 13, TSE recognized the results of the June presidential election and announced that former Guatemalan first lady and presidential candidate Sandra Julieta Torres Casanova and Bernardo Arevalo, the leader of the Semilla Movement party, entered the second round of voting, scheduled for August 20.

The court added the final turnout was 5.56 million people, or about 60% of the total electorate, and that the National Unity of Hope received 888,924 votes and the Semilla Movement - 653,486 votes.

An hour before the publication of the results of the first round of the presidential election, the Seventh Criminal Court of Guatemala, at the request of the prosecutor's office, temporarily deprived the Semilla Movement of its legal status. The party filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court the next day to overturn the ruling and against the judge who made the decision.

On July 14, TSE also granted temporary protection to the Semilla Movement, whose registration had been suspended the previous day at the request of the prosecutor's office, so that the election process in the country could continue.

 Sputnik

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Military Checkpoint in Colombia's Arauca Attacked With Booby-Trapped Vehicle

Sputnik News

20230722

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - A car packed with explosives has been detonated near the Naranjitos military base in Colombia's Arauca Department, having killed at least two people inside the vehicle and injured four soldiers, Arauca Governor Willington Rodriguez Benavides said Friday.

"A car loaded with explosives ... exploded before reaching the Naranjitos military base. As a result, two occupants of the vehicle were killed and four soldiers were injured ... They are in stable condition," Rodriguez said in a video posted by the Arauca government on Twitter.

Rodriguez added there was no information about the organizers of the attack.

Unconfirmed cellphone footage documented the immediate area and the response by emergency personnel has since surfaced on social media.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro tweeted he instructed the country's ministry of defense to investigate the incident, adding that the government will not tolerate intimidation of the population.

Colombia's northeastern department of Arauca, bordering Venezuela, is one of the most troubled regions in the country, where rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army are fighting for the territory.

 Sputnik

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Mobility Guardian 23 sharpens AFMC's warfighter support

Published July 22, 2023

By Derek Kaufman

Air Force Materiel Command

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- Wartime contingency and campaign planners can learn a lot from a major multi-national exercise, with dozens of aircraft carrying thousands of participants and moving tons of materiel and equipment across the Indo-Pacific theater.

Air Force Materiel Command logisticians have worked behind the scenes on exercise Mobility Guardian 23 since Fall 2022 and are critical to the successful planning and execution of Air Mobility Command's largest, and arguably most challenging, exercise in years.

"This exercise is really highlighting how the AFMC logistics enterprise supports the warfighter," said Col. John Klohr, Headquarters AFMC logistics lead. "The vast distances and water make pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel critical to our readiness in the Indo-Pacific theater."

The exercise runs July 5-21, 2023. It is a major test of emerging operational concepts including the Air Force's Force Generation Model and Agile Combat Employment, which features a hub-and-spoke base network of several operating locations manned by multi-capable Airmen to generate combat sorties.

Gen. Mike Minihan, AMC commander, visited Wright-Patterson AFB last fall for a senior staff-to-staff engagement to highlight his readiness objectives and ask for AFMC's help.

"That really kind of kicked off all the support for this specific exercise," said Rich Moore, a senior analyst at the Air Force Sustainment Center assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB. "That's kind of telling, I think, when the operators come here saying, 'we need you.'"

Logistics on the Attack

In March 2023, Minihan shared the stage with Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, AFMC Commander, during the annual Air Warfare Symposium hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association. They jointly highlighted the logistics challenges posed by the tyranny of distance and ocean in the U.S. INDOPACOM area of responsibility and the urgency to get ready, in an integrated way, to deter, fight and win there. The discussion highlighted the need to rapidly deploy, operate and sustain a high-tempo fight, which will require Airmen to think differently. The generals emphasized during their joint panel that pre-positioned war reserve materiel supports a "distributed laydown" and interoperability with allies and partners.

This theme was also telegraphed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., during his recent confirmation hearing to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

You cannot wait until the crisis occurs to be able to deploy capability," Brown told committee members. "You have to work with allies and partners to have access to locations so you can put that capability in place."

Fast forward to Mobility Guardian and the logistics planning and agile combat employment, theory is being put to its largest test yet.

"If you just trace the supply chain of what it takes to fight a war, all of it runs through AFMC," Moore said.

Requirements for spare parts, support equipment, fuels, munitions planning and more need to be forecasted and aligned with the war plan, he said, adding Mobility Guardian is part of a series of logistics-focused wargames the command is using to refine processes.

AFMC centers deliver range of support

The Air Force Sustainment Center "depot surge" is just one area where AFMC civilian and uniformed Airmen supported the exercise.

"We asked, 'What parts can we surge?' and 'How can we get tankers out of depot sooner?' We then looked at some of the authorities and things within our control to accelerate our processes," Klohr said. "So the planning aspect of Mobility Guardian produced some goodness that helped AFMC think differently about our processes."

The AFSC, headquartered at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, led the way in support for Mobility Guardian by accelerating aircraft through depot maintenance, surging parts for anticipated need of increased flying operations, and deploying Airmen to perform depot level maintenance in the Indo Pacific.

"Mobility Guardian is an incredibly important test of readiness and projecting joint capabilities in support of our National Defense Strategy. I couldn't be more proud of everyone across the Sustainment Center team for leaning into this important exercise," said Lt. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, AFSC commander.

The depot team at Tinker AFB increased man-hours to deliver two KC-135s undergoing programmed depot maintenance back to AMC early, so they could support air refueling and airlift taskings during Mobility Guardian.

635th Supply Chain Operations Wing at Scott AFB, Illinois, and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing at Tinker AFB, partnered to surge parts from within the global supply chain and depot sources of repair to ensure deploying units had every available part at their disposal to keep aircraft flying, said Col. Nicole Fuller, 635th SCOW vice commander.

During the exercise to date, Fuller said the teams worked with DLA Aviation to source more than 30 urgently needed Mission Impaired Capability Awaiting Parts, returning 15 non-mission capable aircraft to full mission capable status.

The 635th SCOW is the War Reserve Materiel expert as they oversee the Pre-positioned WRM Program Integration Office responsible for integrating assets world-wide. Fuller said the combined WRM team sourced vehicles and support equipment for deployment and MG 23 use.

"AMC is exercising what equipment they will need and where they will need it postured to enable Agile Combat Employment on demand. So, Mobility Guardian will help inform each of our commands on an optimal global laydown of WRM," Klohr said.

Moore added the logistics community is answering Richardson's call to incorporate powerful digital tools and real progress is being made to become more predictive. One that is maturing and demonstrating its value is called CSPEC, short for Combat Support Planning, Execution and Control. Another is BLADE, the Air Force's Basing and Logistics Analytics Data Environment.

"We are moving beyond Excel and PowerPoint," Moore said. "So we have modeling and simulation, analysis tools, forecasting based on planned flying activity in the theater, forecasting what the demands are going to be for different categories of resources, like parts, munitions, fuel."

AFSC also deployed two Aircraft Battle Damage Repair teams to MG23. These special-duty, multi-qualified enlisted technicians bring the capability to perform depot-level repairs in the field. One six-person team deployed to Yokota Air Base, Japan, and another dozen to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. In wartime, these skilled maintainers meet up with their "battle wagon" of tools and materials to perform heavy maintenance and return damaged aircraft to the fight.

"We were Multi-Capable Airmen before MCA was cool and a 'thing,'" said Master Sgt. Kyle Sommerfeldt, with the ABDR program office at Wright-Patterson AFB.

Klohr also noted that the Air Force Research Laboratory is helping lead the service's quest to field modernized common aviation support equipment. An example is generators which can support different aircraft types and utilize multiple input power sources with multiple power output voltages. The goal is to improve reliability and performance and reduce the logistics footprint.

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center then procures the equipment and Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is responsible for programming and prioritizing the construction of facilities to store the WRM, making it a true team effort that must be integrated across multiple centers in AFMC.

"MG23 will provide a lot of must-learn lessons to get better," Klohr added. "We will learn, adjust, improve our processes and [tactics, techniques and procedures] so we can deliver war winning capabilities."

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USS Canberra (LCS 30) Commissions in Sydney

US Navy

22 July 2023

From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

SYDNEY, NSW, Australia -- ndependence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) commissioned at the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia, July 22.

During the ceremony, leaders and distinguished guests from the U.S. and Australia wished the crew of Canberra fair winds and following seas as they brought the ship to life and began its commissioned service.

Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, delivered the commissioning ceremony's principal address. The ceremony also featured remarks from His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, AC, DSC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honorable Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Australia, the Honourable Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, 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 Government Affairs, Austal USA. The commissioning caps a weeklong series of events celebrating the ship and its namesake city. During the ceremony, Canberra's commanding officer Cmdr. Will Ashley, reported the ship ready, and ship sponsor, Honourable Marise Payne, the former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave the traditional order to "Man our ship and bring her to life!"

"This truly is a special occasion for our fleet and our nation to be here with you in Australia, one of our closest allies, to celebrate the commissioning of our Navy's newest warship that is destined to serve throughout the Indo-Pacific region," said Del Toro. "I am confident that wherever USS Canberra is sailing, and whatever challenges her crew may face, they are ready, as reinforced by this warship's motto  'Can Do!'"

Canberra departed its homeport of Naval Base San Diego for the first U.S. Navy ceremonial commissioning in Australia on June 13, visiting American Samoa and the Pacific Island Nation of Fiji prior to its arrival in Sydney for commissioning. Independence-variant littoral combat ships USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Manchester (LCS 14), USS Oakland (LCS 24), and USS Mobile (LCS 26) are also operating in the Indo-Pacific.

"Today marks a proud moment which our Royal Australian Navy is privileged to share alongside our allies and friends in the United States Navy," said Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. "The connection between our navies, forged in battle during the Second World War, is reflected in the name USS Canberra."

Earlier in the week, Sailors from USS Canberra engaged in sporting events, shared meals, and exchanged ship tours with the crew of HMAS Canberra. The crew also participated in community relations events like a beach clean-up with the Taronga zoo.

Crewmembers are also honored to visit their namesake city, Canberra, for a Freedom of Entry march on July 23. The U.S. Navy has a strong tradition of developing relationships between a ship and their namesake community or family, establishing these enduring ties at the beginning of Canberra's service will strengthen bonds between the ship and the people of Canberra. This tradition dates to medieval times and is the highest accolade bestowed by a town or city upon a group or individual as a reflection of trust and confidence held by the citizens. Canberra is recognized as a great innovative, creative, and artistic city and is one of the world's most livable cities.

Canberra is the second U.S. Navy ship named for Australia's capital. The first, a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, was renamed from Pittsburgh to Canberra on October 16, 1942, and was commissioned on October 14, 1943. It was named in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, which was lost at the Battle of Savo Island in World War II. The ship was decommissioned on February 2, 1970, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on July 31, 1978.

Independence-variant littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS integrate with joint combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

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Yemen says won't transfer oil revenues to Saudi bank

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 7:59 AM

Sana'a has rejected a proposal by Riyadh to transfer oil and gas revenues to the Saudi National Bank in return for the kingdom to pay public sector wages in Yemen.

Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, held the United States responsible for the hurdles created by Saudi Arabia in paying salaries of civil servants in the areas controlled by the Ansarullah movement, Yemen's al-Masirah television network reported on Sunday.

"What the Saudis want is to loot our oil wealth, transfer it to the Saudi National Bank, and give charity money to our employees, something that is dismissed," he said.

"God willing, we will try to pay the salaries in the future and we will win them back from the enemy."

Mashat also urged Washington not to make enemies among more than 10 million Yemeni public sector workers by preventing the payment of their wages.

Earlier, Riyadh proposed to pay the salaries of Yemeni civil servants for one year in Saudi Riyals in exchange for the extension of a ceasefire and the resumption of Yemeni oil exports.

Yemen, however, wants to restore control over its own resources, saying the country's oil revenues are enough to pay the salaries of all public sector workers.

Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with its Arab allies and with arms and logistics support from the US and other Western states, launched a devastating war on Yemen in March 2015. It also imposed the most severe siege on Yemen, weakening the country's economy.

Riyadh sought to crush Ansarullah and reinstall the Riyadh-friendly regime of Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, but it failed to do achieve its objective.

The war, meanwhile, has killed hundreds of thousands of Yemenis and spawned the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

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Polls close in Cambodia as Hun Sen's ruling party expected to roll to victory

Preliminary results show the CPP winning 120 seats in the Assembly, with Funcinpec securing five seats.

By RFA Khmer 2023.07.23 -- Cambodians have finished voting in a one-sided parliamentary election that's expected to be an easy victory for the ruling Cambodian People's Party as Prime Minister Hun Sen prepares to hand over power to his eldest son in the coming weeks.

Preliminary results show the CPP winning 120 seats in the National Assembly, with the royalist Funcinpec party securing five seats, according to a message posted by the prime minister on Telegram.

Hun Sen's CPP has neutralized the political opposition over the last six months by either threatening or co-opting activists.

In May, the National Election Committee banned the main opposition Candlelight Party from running in the election, citing inadequate paperwork. Opposition activists have said the decision was politically motivated.

The ban meant that the CPP didn't have any major challengers on the ballot. Funcinpec, which formed a coalition government with the CPP for several years in the 1990s, and 16 other parties qualified for the election but weren't expected to be serious challengers.

An election observer in Koh Kong province near the Thai border told Radio Free Asia that there were no independent observers at his polling station.

"In previous elections, people stayed and watched the election process after they cast their votes," he said. "But this time, people knew the outcome - that the ruling party will win the election. So there's no point for them to monitor."

Both the NEC and Hun Sen said that 84 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballot on Sunday. Official election results were expected to be announced between Aug. 9 and Sept. 4.

Worries about democracy

The prime minister said in a voice message Sunday evening that exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy's plan to sabotage the election - by urging people to destroy their ballot - had failed.

Earlier this month, the National Assembly approved an amendment to the election law that prohibited those who didn't cast a vote in Sunday's election from running for office in future elections.

At least three opposition party members who were accused of destroying their ballot were arrested on Sunday, authorities said. Another 40 opposition activists were being sought by police for allegedly being involved with plans to destroy ballots.

The NEC said in June that those who "urge voters not to go to vote, recreate mistrust in the election and disturb the electoral process" could face fines of between 5 million-20 million riels (US$1,200-4,800) and prison terms. It did not specify the possible length of prison term.

Photos of dozens of spoiled ballots were posted on Sam Rainsy's Facebook page on Sunday.

CPP spokesman Sok Ey San estimated that the number of spoiled ballots across the country was between 200,000 and 300,000.

Several voters interviewed by RFA on Sunday showed off the black ink on their fingers used to mark their ballots. They said they felt pressured to vote.

One voter in Kandal province, who asked not be named, told RFA that many people at her polling station were unhappy about the coercion.

"I am worried and think that democracy will not be reinstated," she said. "Everything from social morals to human rights have declined."

Dozens of members of the Candlelight Party - the only party that could have mounted a serious challenge to the CPP - were arrested in several provinces in recent months.

Some detained activists received pardons, were released from prison and given government positions after they publicly switched their allegiance to the CPP.

'The main opposition party is absent'

More than 23,000 polling stations opened nationwide at 7 a.m. Hun Sen and his wife, Bun Rany, drove a black Mercedes to the polls near his home in Kandal province, just outside of Phnom Penh. Hun Sen did not say anything to reporters.

The prime minister's eldest son, Hun Manet, voted at a primary school in Phnom Penh. He told journalists that he came to cast his vote to fulfill his obligations as a citizen.

Hun Sen, who has held power since 1985, told a Chinese television station last week that the 45-year-old Hun Manet could become prime minister as soon as three weeks after the election.

Ros Sotha, the executive director of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition, said he and his group traveled from Phnom Penh to Kandal and Kampong Chhnang provinces to monitor polling stations.

Wat Dambok Khpos in Phnom Penh was crowded in the morning, but near empty by afternoon. At other polling stations, there were almost no voters after 12 p.m. - just election officials and observers, he said.

"The unhappy reaction of the people seems to be due to the fact that the main opposition party is absent from the election," he said.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Vermont Airmen and Soldiers assist after historic flooding

Published July 23, 2023

By Tech. Sgt. Richard Mekkri,

158th Fighter Wing

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AFNS) -- Floodwaters caused historic and catastrophic devastation throughout Vermont for two days beginning Monday, July 10. Montpelier, Vermont's capital city, was battered by a record-setting 5.28 inches of rainfall on Monday alone  more than any other day on record. This week, the Vermont National Guard was activated to assess the damage.

"Events like these require extensive amounts of data collection and dissemination," said Army National Guard 1st Lt. Nick LeBeau, liaison officer operations and plans. "And, as with any sudden overwhelming amount of information, things can fall through the cracks. For this reason, we want to ensure that no community or family is forgotten."

Twenty-five Vermont Army and Air National Guard members will deploy to more than 130 towns throughout the state as part of the LNO mission.

"The purpose of the LNO mission is to meet with local leaders and relay any damages or necessities to the State Emergency Operations Center that have not already been addressed by local or federal resources," LeBeau said.

The damages range from impacted resources such as clean drinking water and electricity to infrastructure needs like washed-out roadways, driveways and bridges. The damages have also impacted the time it takes to reach some communities.

"We saw one house that had its entire driveway disappear," said Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Powell, 158th Cyber Operations superintendent. "They were cut entirely from all resources until the town could get to them."

Powell, a former Vermont school teacher, was personally impacted as certain impassable roadways made checking in on his parents challenging. He said that the entire experience has been surreal but hasn't been without some merits.

"It feels good, as a Guard member, to be out here, helping people that I grew up with," Powell said. "To witness their resilience and help them get to a place that was better than before the flood."

LeBeau also said the devastation has brought out the best in the Airmen and Soldiers. He said the Guard members working the LNO mission are neighbors and community members living and working in the impacted areas.

"The mission of the Vermont National Guard is founded on selfless service and excellence," Lebeau said. "These Airmen and Soldiers were given very short notice and chose to put their personal lives on hold to answer the call. In my opinion, there is nothing that captures the mission of the Vermont National Guard more than being able to provide a fully-ready, professional service to our state during a time of need."

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Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party Claims Landslide Victory in Uncontested Election

By Sun Narin, Lors Liblib July 23, 2023

The ruling party of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen claims it has won a landslide in Sunday's general election, securing almost all of the 125 seats in parliament. The election was unopposed by the main political opposition group, the Candlelight Party, according to Sok Eysan, the spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party, or CPP.

Sok Eysan said the party won by a margin of 78% to 80%. The National Election Committee said that voter turnout for the balloting was 84% among the 9.7 million people registered to cast ballots.

"One or two seats may be won by other parties," Sok Eysan told VOA Khmer. "This is a great success and [a] landslide victory," he added.

"The election shows the willingness of people who want peace and development in the country."

There were around 300,000 spoiled ballots, according to Sok Eysan.

In an audio message, Hun Sen said the turnout means Cambodians participated in democracy by hitting back at Sam Rainsy, the exiled leader, who called for people to spoil the ballots by destroying, defacing or voiding them.

"People truly want happiness and progress under existing peace, and they want to get away from the extremists who always destroy [peace]," Hun Sen said.

Rainsy, the exiled leader of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, or CNRP, said there were irregularities in the electoral process, noting the doors and windows of most voting stations were closed as ballots were being counted.

"If they [CPP] maintain such secrecy, the results which are announced will have ZERO credibility," he said in a Facebook post Sunday.

This is the second time that Cambodia has conducted an election without a main opposition party. In 2018, the CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court and couldn't participate in the election. The ruling CPP controlled all 125 seats in parliament in 2018.

Eighteen parties participated in Sunday's election, but none proved competitive for the CPP. The CPP's landslide victory ensures that Prime Minister Hun Sen will extend his 38-year grip on power as he prepares to hand power to his son, Hun Manet, a West Point graduate. Hun Sen hinted that his son could become the prime minister just after Sunday's unopposed election.

In a video interview with China's 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. Let's see what other people say," said Hun Sen, who turns 71 next month.

"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.

Samrith Sophea, 44, a voter, said that the election process was biased due to the absence of the main opposition Candlelight Party.

"I think it is biased that the party which has a right to contest election is not registered to contest," he said.

Authorities disqualified the Candlelight Party from participating in the election because its original paperwork was missing.

Kimsour Phirith, spokesperson for the party, said the move to ban the Candlelight Party from competing in the election was "unreasonable," saying the election was not democratic, free or pluralistic.

Sroy Chheng, an activist with the Candlelight Party, said he voted because he wanted to be able to stand in the next election as required by a new amendment to the election law. The amendment, proposed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, required politicians to vote in this Sunday's election so that they can run for office in the next election.

"I am not happy with this election. I just fulfilled my obligation," he said.

Meach Huon, a voter in Kandal province, said he came to vote to choose a leader. However, he said he wants to see a real democracy in Cambodia.

"We want real democracy, but it is impossible now," he said.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 23 July 2023 - Day 515

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that in recent days there has been an increase in artillery fire along the north of the front line, in Luhansk and Kharkiv oblasts. This has likely been accompanied by some increase in Russian small-unit assaults, but the situation has been obfuscated by Russian disinformation.

Russia has likely only achieved marginal gains, but its renewed activity in the north highlights its importance to the Kremlin, when it is concurrently facing significant pressure in the southern Zaporizhzhia sector.

Russia's Western Group of Forces is likely trying to advance back to the Oskil River in order to create a buffer zone around Luhansk Oblast, the possession of which Russia almost certainly considers one of its fundamental objectives of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day July 23, Russian invaders launched a missile attack on the territory of Ukraine, using 17x cruise missiles and 2x ballistic missiles. 9x cruise missiles were destroyed by Ukrainian Air Defense. Moreover, Russian forces carried out 26x airstrikes, launched 35x MLRS attacks on Ukrainian cities and Ukrainian Armed Forces. Unfortunately, there are victims among civilians, houses, religious buildings and other civil infrastructure were destroyed.

The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Kup'yans'k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'inka axes, heavy battles continue. About 27x combat clashes took place during the day.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. There are no signs of the formation of Russian offensive groupings. Armed Forces of Belarus continue to perform tasks in the Ukrainian border.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian forces maintain an enhanced military presence. They carried out an airstrike at Pavlivka of the Sumy Oblast. russians shelled with mortars and artillery more than 15x settlements, in particular, Tymonovychy, Chernihiv Oblast; Seredyna-Buda, Uhroidy, Yunakivka, Sumy Oblast and Kozacha Lopan', Budarky, Veterinarne, Kharkiv Oblast.

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces launched an airstrike at Kucherivka of the Kharkiv Oblast. Figolivka, Novomlynsak, Dvorichna and Kislivka of the Kharkiv Oblast got under artillery and mortar fire.

Lyman axis: the Russian occupiers carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the Torsky district of the Donetsk Oblast. They carried out an airstrike at Serebryansky area in Donetsk Oblast. Nevs'ke, Bilogorivka in the Luhansk Oblast and Tors'ke, Verkhn'yokam'ians'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk Oblast were shelled by artillery.

Bakhmut axis: under heavy Russian artillery fire, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and northeastern Orihovo-Vasylivka of the Donetsk Oblast. More than 10x settlements, including Bohdanivka, Ivanovs'ke, Druzhba and New York of the Donetsk Oblast, were shelled by Russian artillery.

Avdiivka axis: under heavy fire from the Russian aircraft and artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled the attacks of Russian troops in the Avdiivka and Nevelsky areas. Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, including Avdiivka, Karlivka, and Nevels'ke in the Donetsk Oblast.

Mar'inka axis: Defense Forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka and Mar'inka. Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, among them Krasnohorivka, Katerynivka, Mar'inka, Pobyeda of the Donetsk Oblast.

Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the Novomykhailivka area and carried out an airstrike near Blagodatny, Donetsk Oblast. He shelled more than 15 settlements, including Zolota Niva, Prechistivka, Vugledar, and Blagodatne in the Donetsk Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia is concentrating forces to prevent further advance of Ukrainian troops. They made unsuccessful attempts to restore lost positions at Priyutny of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. russians carried out airstrikes at Malaya Tokmachka and Novodanilivka in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Antonivka in the Kherson Oblast. More than 25x settlements, including Novodariivka, Hulyaipole, Hulyaipilske, Novoandriivka, and Stepove of the Zaporizhzhya Oblast, were shelled by artillery fire; Illinka, Kam'ians'ke, Dnipropetrovs'k Oblast; Antonivka, Havrylivka, Novoberislav, Respublikanets of Kherson Oblast and Kherson; as well as the Yaselka of the Mykolaiv Oblast.

Defense Forces of Ukraine continue offensive operations on the Melitopol' and Berdyansk axes, are equipping captured positions, shell with artillery identified Russian targets, and carry out counter-battery measures.

The Russian occupiers continue robbing civilians, appropriating the grain harvest of Ukraine. Thus, in the village of Pryshyb, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the russian occupiers are taking out a large number of freight wagons with various types of grain crops from the territory of the agricultural enterprise with the help of diesel locomotives.

Ukrainian Air Force conducted 3x strikes on Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment concentrations.

Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 4x operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs.

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 1x Russian manpower, weapons and military equipment concentration, 5x artillery units at firing positions, 1x command post, 1x anti-air defense system and 1x EW station of the Russian forces.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike with long-range, sea- and air- based precision weapons against sites where terrorist acts against the Russian Federation were being prepared with the use of unmanned boats, as well as places where they were being manufactured near Odessa. There were foreign mercenaries in the affected facilities.

All the targets have been destroyed.

The AFU continued unsuccessful attempts to conduct offensive actions in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, South Donetsk, and Zaporozhye directions.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated and active actions by units of the Yug Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, 14 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Belogorovka, Mayorsk, Veseloye, Vodyanoye, Severnoye and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, enemy units have been hit close to Vesyoloye and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 370 Ukrainian servicemen, six armoured fighting vehicles, 24 motor vehicles, two U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

Three ammunition depots of the 22nd, 24th and 54th mechanised brigades of the AFU have been also eliminated close to Spornoye, Dzerzhinsk and Stupochki (Donetsk People's Republic).

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of coordinated actions by aviation, artillery, heavy flame thrower systems, and units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, six enemy attacks have been repelled close to Novovodyanoye and Karmazinovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Ploshchanka, Chervonaya Dibrova, and Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed close to Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

One ammunition depot of the AFU 95th Airborne Assault Brigade has been destroyed near Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were over 130 Ukrainian servicemen, ten armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, as well as two D-30 howitzers and one D-20 howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of actions by aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces, an enemy attack has been repelled close to Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

In Zaporozhye direction, as a result of actions of the Group's units and artillery, two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

AFU units have been hit close to Novodanilovka, Malaya Tokmachka and Charivnoye (Zaporozhye region).

One munition depot of the AFU 105th Artillery Brigade has been destroyed near Novoivanovka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 160 Ukrainian servicemen, seven Leopard tanks, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, of which 10 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one M777 artillery system, as well as Msta-B and D-20 howitzers.

In Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have struck AFU manpower and hardware close to Molchanovo, Figolyovka, Popovka, Ivanovka, Pershotravnyovoye, Kislovka and Orlyanka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 60 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, as well as nine motor vehicles.

One AFU ammunition depot has been destroyed near Zmiyevka (Kherson region).

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 104 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 132 areas.

In addition, three command posts of the 47th, 66th mechanised and 95th airborne assault brigades of the AFU have been hit close to Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region), Novovodyanoye (Lugansk People's Republic) and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

One fuel depot of the AFU 33th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed near Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down one AFU Su-25 aircraft near Verolyubovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence facilities have intercepted one HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectile, as well as one Storm Shadow cruise missile.

In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Olshana, Tavolzhanka (Kharkov region), Verkhnekamenka, Oborotnovka, Privolye, Nikolayevka, Topolevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Opytnoye, Novopetrikovka, Lipovoye, Trudovoye, Soledar, Yelenovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Novoye, Zelenopol, Peremozhnoye, Kuibyshevo, Pologi (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 457 airplanes, 243 helicopters, 5,197 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,854 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,139 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,573 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,848 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Chinese commercial space sector gains momentum as private firms shore up sophisticated industrial chain

Global Times

Nation aims to build up low-Earth orbit powerful constellation: expert

By Zhang Hongpei and Li Xuanmin Published: Jul 23, 2023 02:31 PM

China's commercial space industry has gained rising pace in development in 2023, with more private firms in the satellite and rocket sectors achieving successful launches and starting to build up their own sophisticated industrial chain.

Galaxy Space launched China's first flat-panel communication satellite with a flexible solar array into orbit on Sunday. The satellite, Lingxi-03, was launched using a Long March-2D carrier rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in North China's Shanxi Province.

It was China's first in-orbit verification of multi-satellite stack launch technology, providing technical support for the rapid deployment of China's large-scale, low Earth orbit communication constellation, according to a statement Galaxy Space sent to the Global Times.

Zhu Zhengxian, Galaxy Space's chief technology officer, told the Global Times that the company will expedite mass production of stackable flat-panel satellites.

The company said that the building of the satellite gave full play to the advantages of China's mature industrial system, which will support the country's push to build a new open aerospace industry ecosystem geared toward high efficiency and mass production.

Carrier rocker developer Galactic Energy launched its sixth Ceres 1 rocket on Saturday, sending two satellites into orbit. The launch kicked off its high-density delivery and launch cycle for the second half, and it was the latest effort by a Chinese private firm to expand its capabilities in rocket research and development (R&D) and launches.

The two satellites onboard the rocket included the nation's first ultra-low orbit test satellite, called Qiankun-1, which is used to verify technology breakthroughs in ultra-low orbit and build an advanced space intelligent platform, helping to fill the gap in the application of ultra-low orbit space technology.

The other satellite, developed by ADA-Space, which is based in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, will be used for hyperspectral remote sensing.

"The launch showed that the firm has officially kicked off a high-density launch and delivery cycle for the second half," Galactic Energy said in a news release sent to the Global Times.

High-density launch is the path a rocket firm has to take for its products to mature from the lab to large-scale production.

Prior to Saturday's launch, the Beijing-based start-up had accomplished five consecutive launches after making its debut flight in November 2020 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China.

Galactic Energy plans to conduct some launches at sea early next year, a PR representative from the firm told the Global Times.

"Consecutive successful launches by domestic private players in recent years proved their steadily growing capabilities, and they are quickly catching up with state-owned players, which have a longstanding advantage," Huang Zhicheng, a Chinese expert in aerospace science and technology, told the Global Times.

"They are even surpassing state-owned players in certain areas," Huang added.

Earlier this month, another private rocket firm - LandSpace - launched the world's first liquid oxygen, liquid methane carrier rocket from Jiuquan. The launch put China in the front of the global space race for methane-based rockets.

In the view of LandSpace CEO Zhang Changwu, private firms act as an effective supplementary force to state-owned players in building up the nation's commercial aerospace prowess.

"Private firms have the responsibility to carve out a new path and build up competitiveness," Zhang told the Global Times in a group interview.

Creating less pollution and delivering better safety outcomes at a lower cost, methane-liquid rockets are viewed as a suitable propellant for reusable rockets, which multiple rocket firms are aiming for.

After passing the threshold for orbital launches, the next battleground is reusable rockets, Huang said.

For example, Galactic Energy is developing the Pallas 1, a larger, reusable liquid-propellant rocket model. LandSpace is developing reusable launch vehicles, which will likely take a test flight in the second half of 2025.

The private commercial space sector, including rockets and satellites, is being buoyed by favorable polices, ample capital support and competitive tech fundamentals, and its prospects are attractive, according to Huang.

China unveiled commercial space projects, including an ultra-low orbit satellite constellation and Tianlong-3 large liquid-propellant carrier rocket, at the recent 9th China (International) Commercial Aerospace Forum held in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province earlier this month.

In China, the environment for commercial aerospace development continues to improve. It is gradually shifting from a mode dominated by basic manufacturing and product R&D to a new stage driven by market and applications, Yuan Jie, chief executive officer of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, said at the forum.

The scale of China's commercial space market has surged since 2015 with an expected annual growth rate above 20 percent from 2017 to 2024. It is estimated that the market will reach 2.34 trillion yuan ($326 billion) in 2024, according to market research firm iiMedia Research.

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Talisman Sabre hosts military first with Japan

22 July 2023

In an Australian-military first, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live fire demonstration of a Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM) off the Australian east coast.

The live fire was part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 and marked the first time the JGSDF has tested the capability in Australia.

The Type 12 SSM, which did not include explosive ordnance, was launched from a truck-mounted system at Beecroft Weapons Range and fired at an unmanned target in the East Australia Exercise Area off the coast of Jervis Bay.

Exercise Director, Brigadier Damian Hill, said Talisman Sabre was an excellent opportunity to train alongside our allies and regional partners.

"This is Japan's largest-ever participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre, and further strengthens interoperability between our military forces. It is another example of how our valuable partnership continues to grow and deepen.

"Australia and Japan work closely together to support a secure, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

"We undertake military training exercises with Japan and other partners regularly, but Exercise Talisman Sabre is a good opportunity to conduct more complex training activities together, like this missile firing."

"I thank the Illawarra and South Coast communities for hosting the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for the past weeks as they prepared for a safe and successful firing."

JGSDF Chief of Staff, General Morishita Yasunori said the live-fire activity helped build relationships.

"Exercise Talisman Sabre is important because it strengthens cooperation with Australia and the US, which will help maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific," General Yasunori said.

"I believe the SSM firing exercise, in conjunction with the Australian Navy, will enhance a high level of trust between Australia and Japan."

Talisman Sabre 2023 opening ceremony was held yesterday on-board HMAS Canberra in Sydney will run until 4 August with more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations.

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US, Australia rehearse long-range firepower, with eye on china

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 8:25 AM

The United States and Australia rehearsed precision missile strikes during war games on Saturday, the latest in a series of moves by the partners amid growing tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

The live-fire drills were held at the Shoalwater Bay military complex in the northeastern region of Queensland as a part of the two-week-long Talisman Sabre joint military exercises.

It comes as Canberra overhauls its military strategy, focusing on long-range firepower in a bid to keep the potential adversaries at arm's length.

According to Australian Army Major Tony Purdy the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which was recently sold to the Australian Defense Force, was also tested in the drill.

Purdy said the missile system would "provide a significant capability boost" and much-needed "long-range precision."

Major Jimmy Sheehan, Talisman Sabre spokesperson for the US forces, said these initiatives and 'firsts' ultimately create an exercise that will enhance Australia and the US's ability to "respond to global security challenges in the region."

The US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said at the start of the exercises on Friday that "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."

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, Australia's chief of joint operations, claimed that a Chinese spy ship had been sighted off the northeastern coast of Australia while preparations for the military exercises were underway.

The joint military exercises involve military partners and observers from thirteen countries in the Indo-Pacific region Japan, France, Germany, and South Korea, and more than 30,000 troops.

On Saturday, the US commissioned the Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) - named USS Canberra -at a ceremony at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbor, officially joining the US Navy's active fleet.

This is the first time a US Navy vessel joined active service at a foreign port, as the two close allies step up their military ties in response to China's expanding regional reach.

China has repeatedly warned against the establishment of an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO" and made clear its opposition to any foreign military involvement in the region.

Earlier this month it categorically opposed NATO's eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region, warning it will give a resolute response to any threat to its legitimate rights.

The warning came in response to a communiquA made at a NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on July 12, alleging that China's "malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security."

China said the NATO communiquA distorts China's position and policies, adding that the Western military alliance's activities "will inevitably undermine regional peace and stability and stoke camp competition."

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PLA holds cross-sea troop transport drill using large ferry ship

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jul 23, 2023 09:25 PM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted a cross sea troop transport exercise using a large ferry ship, which could play a vital role in large-scale amphibious landing missions, experts said on Sunday.

Such drills were linked by foreign media to the Taiwan question.

During the integrated military-civilian long-range power projection exercise, a brigade affiliated with the PLA Navy used a roll-on/roll-off, or ro-ro, passenger ship with a displacement of tens of thousands of tons to transport troops in the Bohai Sea, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

The brigade divided its troops into multiple combat groups based on personnel and equipment, and used the ship to transport the entire unit in a single voyage, the report said.

According to the CCTV report, multiple types of military vehicles, including off-road tactical vehicles, wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, trucks and jeeps together with a large number of troops, took the Chang Shan Dao ro-ro passenger ship during the drills.

Having doors and ramps at both the bow and stern that enable vehicles to enter and exit without turning around, the Chang Shan Dao has a length of 167.5 meters, a width of 25.2 meters and a displacement of 23,000 tons, according to the website of the COSCO Shipping Ferry Co Ltd, the operator of the ship.

The exercise tested the PLA Navy troops' capabilities to carry out maritime transport under special conditions, CCTV said.

It is common for the PLA to practice troop transport with large ferry ships. Official media reports have been covering such exercises since 2021.

Such an approach is also common in amphibious landing tasks around the world, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity, told the Global Times on Sunday.

With a limited number of dedicated amphibious landing ships, ferries could join maritime transport missions in large numbers once sea lanes and ports are secured, the expert said.

Foreign media outlets, including the Associated Press and Defense News, said that the ferries could be used in a potential PLA reunification-by-force operation on the island of Taiwan.

With the island of Taiwan reportedly preparing to hold the five-day Han Kuang live-fire military exercises, which practice resisting reunification by force, starting on Monday, the PLA recently ramped up its regular exercises and patrols around the island, sending increased numbers of aircraft and vessels, according to the defense authority on the island.

The PLA's drills should be viewed by "Taiwan independence" secessionists and external interference forces as a strong warning, analysts said.

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21-day China-Thailand joint air combat exercises end in success, combat capabilities and collaboration enhanced

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jul 23, 2023 06:14 PM Updated: Jul 23, 2023 06:08 PM

China and Thailand recently wrapped up joint air combat exercises held in Thailand featuring advanced aircraft from both sides, with experts saying on Sunday that the drills boosted the combat and joint operational capabilities of both countries' aviation forces with the sharing of experiences valuable to each other.

The Falcon Strike-2023 joint exercise between Chinese and Thai air forces concluded with a ceremony on Thursday, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday.

During the joint drills that lasted for 21 days in Thailand, participating troops from both countries carried out training subjects including air support, land assault, joint air defense and large-scale deployment, which effectively enhanced their combat and joint operational capabilities, CCTV reported.

Both sides committed to training under actual combat standard, increased proportions of free air combat, night confrontation and systematic combat as part of the drills.

Surface-to-air missile units carried out mock air defense missions based on air conditions in real time.

A special operations unit was tasked to parachute to designated area to conduct reconnaissance and guide warplanes to engage in precision land attacks as a part of the exercise.

Combat elements from both sides are relatively all-rounded in this exercise, Zhang Shengcan, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force pilot who took part in the drills, said in the report.

"Thai pilots' tactical maneuvers were fierce and fearless during air combat, which deeply impressed me," Zhang said.

The Chinese side took some good experience and approaches that could provide value in boosting training efficiency and combat capability, Zhang said, standing in front of a J-10C fighter jet.

Chinese fighter jets, fighter bombers, early warning aircraft and surface-to-air missile units joined forces with multiple aircraft types from the Thai air force, CCTV report said.

According to the report, the Chinese side sent warplanes including the J-10C fighter jet, the JH-7A fighter bomber and the KJ-500 early warning aircraft of the PLA Air Force and the J-11B fighter jet in the painting of the aviation force of the PLA Navy.

Thai aircraft that took part in the exercise include the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, the Alpha Jet and the Saab 340 early warning aircraft, the Bangkok Post reported on July 17.

Both countries sent some of their main combat aircraft in active service to join the exercises, and the involvement of different types of aircraft indicated the formation of comprehensive combat systems in the drills, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday.

It shows a high level of exchange, cooperation and mutual trust between China and Thailand, the expert said.

Thailand uses aircraft of Western origins and adopts combat tactics based on a Western model, and they could be good additions to the PLA's domestic training program in China. On the other hand, Thai pilots also get the chance to see Chinese technologies and combat approaches, which could spark some ideas for them as well, observers said.

The Falcon Strike 2023 marked the sixth China-Thailand joint air combat exercise, and through these joint drills both sides improved their combat capabilities and collaboration, which is conducive to enhancing the two countries' military cooperation and the safeguarding of regional peace and stability, CCTV reported.

In addition to the air combat exercise, China and Thailand are also expected to hold an army exercise and a navy exercise from August to September in Thailand, the Bangkok Post reported.

Frequent and routine interactions show the increasingly deepening military cooperation between the two countries, analysts said.

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'You can't say whatever you want - there's no freedom'

International students from Taiwan give the low-down on studying in Hong Kong under the national security law

By Hsieh Fu-yee and Lee Hsue-li for The Reporter/RFA Mandarin 2023.07.23 -- Taiwanese students who enrolled in Hong Kong universities since a 2020 national security law banned public criticism of the government say they have no freedom to talk about politics, with some engaging in self-censorship for fear of getting themselves or others into trouble.

They talked about what what it's like to study at a Hong Kong university amid an ongoing program of patriotic education in schools and universities since the national security law was imposed on the city in 2020.

They said they are very careful not to make any political statements at all, with others citing "disgust" at the encroachment of Chinese Communist Party propaganda onto university campuses and a sense of "hopelessness" about the city's future.

A student who gave the pseudonym Florence said she is very careful about what she says while she is in Hong Kong.

"I let everything roll off me here, and I don't comment or express opinions," she said. "I can't talk about sensitive topics publicly, but I don't feel it's too much of a pain."

"Does the national security law have any impact on me? Not much at all," she said.

Fellow Taiwanese student Gavin said he has also chosen to keep quiet in public.

Four months into his course, he saw campus security guards clear away a campus protest in solidarity with the November 2022 "white paper" protests that swept China in response to a deadly lockdown fire in Xinjiang's regional capital Urumqi. Then they called the police.

"You need to be aware that Hong Kong may be more tightly controlled than a lot of places in mainland China even," Gavin said. "I supported them, but I daren't help them for personal safety reasons."

"But the rest of the time, there's no impact," he said of the citywide crackdown on dissent.

Who's listening?

However, a number of the students who are currently in Hong Kong glanced around nervously while talking to The Reporter, to check that nobody was in earshot.

In mainland China, there is already a widespread culture of political informants in schools and universities, and there are concerns that this could soon spread to Hong Kong, where a hotline taking reports of national security law breaches received 400,000 calls last year.

Another student who gave only the nickname Henry said he went in 2019 because he won a scholarship, and that the protest movement didn't put him off.

"From the perspective of someone from Taiwan, demonstrations aren't very shocking - they're just demonstrations," he said. "Isn't it normal to demonstrate?"

However, Henry got up at one point during the interview to make sure his door was shut before continuing.

He then told The Reporter that government policy used to be commonly debated in some disciplines at Hong Kong universities.

"Lecturers would put government policy on the table for discussion and comment with students, but now they're also under a lot of pressure, and they don't talk about these things any more," he said.

"Universities once known for their critical thinking were now sending emails to lecturers inviting them to attend a flag-raising ceremony for the Chinese national flag," he said.

"The university's student union has been disbanded and student self-governance is dead," he said. "I don't talk about this publicly, and I'll think twice before discussing it on social media."

National security education

Then there is the matter of the "national security education" modules that are now mandatory in Hong Kong's universities.

"One day I received a notification that a class has been posted on the course website and that I was required to complete it," a Taiwanese student who gave the pseudonym Edgar told The Reporter.

Edgar enrolled in the fall of 2022, and his class was in the first cohort of foreign students required to take a class in "national security education," which is mandatory for all students.

Course content covers the history of modern China and the national security law, and a pass is needed in all tests to graduate.

"Which of the following actions could be said to breach the National Security Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?" reads one test question.

It offers a number of scenarios including "contacting international organizations to call for sanctions against Hong Kong," "posting online messages saying Hong Kong is independent of China," donating funds to an international organization that attacks Hong Kong, and planning to "attack" government buildings.

The answer? All of the above.

Edgar said the multiple choice test wasn't too challenging - he didn't even need to watch the video tutorials to gain a 100% score, but confessed to some feelings of disgust as he did so.

"Those exam questions are exactly the same as the propaganda we see on [Chinese state television]," he said. "This has now become a requirement to graduate - I feel disgusted about that."

Retroactive

Gavin said he answered a question on the jailing of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai for his "national security education" test.

He and some classmates got together to study the "correct" answers to the test, which include statements like "the status of the chief executive is higher than that of the legislature and the judiciary, and the chief executive is the core."

It also asserts that the law has retroactive effect.

"This course is ridiculous," Gavin said. "It may not be hard to pass the test, but you have to be emotionally passive and powerless to do so."

"We're foreigners, so why should we have to be patriotic or understand the Chinese constitution?" he said.

Yeh Chiah-hsing, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said he isn't so bothered by the propaganda class, however.

"These general education courses don't need to be taken so seriously," he said. "Also, it's important for students from other places to understand China's narrative about itself."

"After all, discourse in the English-speaking world isn't very friendly in the way it describes China ... you can see the confrontation of discourse in this course."

Psychological intimidation

But Lin Tsung-hung, a researcher in social sciences at Taiwan's Academia Sinica, said the courses are a form of psychological intimidation.

"When you read text aimed at brainwashing you, you don't just wind up brainwashed; it takes effect on another level, that's the problem," Lin told Radio Free Asia.

"It is also telling you that, in a society that has this level of brainwashing, they can raise the stakes at any time, and start watching you at any time, like Big Brother," he said in a reference to the fictional, all-seeing dictator of George Orwell's novel "1984."

"It doesn't actually really matter too much what Big Brother is telling you."

Lin also warned that Hong Kong's once-respected universities will likely fall in world rankings due to the national security law, adding that lecturers and professors are leaving because of it.

"When a lecturer leaves, it's not just about brain drain," Lin said. "It affects people's networks - there's nobody there to write a letter of recommendation, and professors coming in from mainland China will have completely different networks and viewpoints."

Taiwanese student Elaine said that while she doesn't feel impacted personally by the political climate in Hong Kong, she hasn't been allowed to hang a Taiwanese flag when taking part in international student gatherings, as students from other countries can.

Nobody told anyone that Taiwan's flag was now taboo - a "consensus" just formed among the students, she said.

"The school didn't actually inform us that we can't display this flag," she said. "I guess maybe they thought we would figure that out for ourselves."

Taiwan split from mainland China amid civil war in 1949. It has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor formed part of the 73-year-old People's Republic of China. But Beijing insists the island is a province of China and bans any references to its sovereign status as the 1911 Republic of China.

'Ideal place'

For Tanya, who was born and raised there, Hong Kong seemed like a cool place to go to business school.

"When I was younger, I wanted to go to business school somewhere outside of Taiwan," Tanya said. "The international environment of Hong Kong seemed like an ideal place to be."

She enrolled in a course beginning in 2016, two years after the 2014 Umbrella Movement failed to pressure the authorities into allowing fully democratic elections in the city, and after the "fishball rebellion" unrest in Mong Kok.

She knew the city was becoming less free under Chinese rule, but she had her own criteria.

"I thought I would leave when you could no longer get Google or Facebook in Hong Kong," Tanya said, in a reference to the stringent government censorship applied to mainland China, known as the Great Firewall.

Chen Wei'an headed to the city two years later, in 2018, just before the 2019 protest movement exploded onto the city's streets, challenging the erosion of Hong Kong's promised freedoms.

"I was super anxious because I wanted to do research in areas like gender studies, Hong Kong's Basic Law, and China's United Front operations," Chen said. "But I didn't know if there would still be academic freedom in Hong Kong by the time I graduated."

In the end, he went anyway, because "if Hong Kong was going to change, I wanted to see it while it was still Hong Kong."

But Chen found a political atmosphere that he felt already reeked of despair.

"I tried to find friends who cared about politics, but I couldn't stand the sense of hopelessness," Chen said. "The sense of powerlessness was terrifying, and I felt I could suffocate."

He left after just a few months and enrolled in a Taiwanese university instead.

Drop-off in numbers

Chen doesn't appear to be the only person put off by studying in a city whose promised freedoms have been all but dismantled under Communist Party rule.

According to estimates compiled by The Reporter among the Taiwanese communities in Hong Kong and Macau, around 900 students from the democratic island, whose government has been vocally supportive of the 2019 protest movement, were studying in Hong Kong universities in 2019, with the number rising to around 1,000 in 2020.

Since Beijing imposed the national security law, those numbers have fallen sharply.

By 2023, there were only around 300 students from Taiwan still studying in Hong Kong's universities.

The island's Ministry of Education and Mainland Affairs Council said they have been unable to compile figures since the Hong Kong authorities stopped issuing visas for its representative office in the city.

A Taiwanese student who gave only the nickname Daniel who enrolled in business school in Hong Kong in August 2019, at the height of the protest movement, said his family and friends tried to get him to come home.

"The main consideration was my personal safety - they were worried that the petrol bombs and tear gas they saw on news footage would spread to every corner of the city," he said. "But I wasn't going to be there my whole life, and so [I told them] I would stay for as long as the political situation wasn't affecting my studies."

Tanya, who now works at an investment bank in Hong Kong, said she had genuinely believed when she first arrived as a student in 2016 that Beijing would keep its promise to allow the city's freedoms to remain unchanged for 50 years from the 1997 handover.

"I've been in Hong Kong a long time, and I love it here," she said. "But the constant political turbulence means that I can't stay just because of that."

Despite their disgust with mandatory national security education classes, Edgar, Gavin and Daniel all plan to look for jobs in the city when they graduate, citing higher salaries than in their native Taiwan.

"I think it was worth it, coming to Hong Kong to study, but there are sacrifices in doing that," Gavin said.

"You can't say whatever you want - there's no freedom."

Based on a collaborative report by RFA's Mandarin Service and The Reporter, a Taiwan-based investigative magazine.

Interviewees' names have been changed at their request.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Blinken Says US Not Viewing Sanctions on Chinese Defense Minister as Obstacle for Contact

Sputnik News

20230723

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - In June, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said that the United States should lift its unilateral sanctions on China to revive military-to-military contacts and that Beijing never rejected communication with the United States.

The United States does not view sanctions against the Chinese military leadership as a stumbling block in maintaining contacts between the two countries' defense departments, calling Beijing's unwillingness to engage in such contacts "a political decision," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told American news channel on Sunday.

"Those sanctions don't prevent the [Chinese Defense] minister [Li Shangfu] from engaging or us engaging with him... it is a political decision, in effect, for China to decide whether or not he should be engaging," Blinken told the broadcaster.

He went on to say that Washington "made very clear" to Beijing that maintaining bilateral military-to-military contacts was "a responsibility" to avoid any miscalculations and wrong perceptions, according to the broadcaster.

"So, we'll see where China comes out on this," Blinken added, as quoted by the broadcaster.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said that there were no obstacles preventing open communication between the United States and China despite rising tensions between the countries.

A Sputnik

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MOFA condemns North Korea for threatening peace following missile launch

ROC Central News Agency

07/22/2023 07:57 PM

Taipei, July 22 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has condemned North Korea for raising tensions and threatening regional peace after the country launched multiple missiles early Saturday.

In a statement released Saturday, MOFA said that North Korea had, since last year, launched ballistic and cruise missiles multiple times, ignoring the prohibition orders issued by the United Nations Security Council and leading to rising tensions on both the Korean Peninsula and in the wider Indo-Pacific region.

MOFA said the act had violated the rules of the international community and condemned the Northeast Asian country for threatening peace.

MOFA said Taiwan, South Korea and Japan are democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific region, and that all face threats from communist and authoritarian regimes.

The ministry said that South Korea, Japan and the United States had kept a close watch during China's large-scale military drills around Taiwan in August last year.

MOFA added that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol had said in an April interview with Reuters that he opposed changing the cross-strait "status quo" by force.

Yoon echoed that sentiment in a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden held in late April, when he said that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was crucial and that he would be against any attempt to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region.

MOFA said Taiwan would keep on cooperating with like-minded countries in an effort to boost peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

(By Henry Wu and Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/kb

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North Korea Fires Cruise Missiles Toward Sea of Japan - Report

Sputnik News

20230722

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korea launched several cruise missiles toward the Sea of Japan early Saturday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed.

Reports have detailed that the intelligence agencies of South Korea and the United States were analyzing the launches, which occurred around 4:00 a.m. local time (19:00 GMT on Friday), to determine the type of missiles and other details.

The latest launch came three days after Pyongyang launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan.

North Korea carried out its previous missile launch on July 12. The new-type Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile is believed to have flown over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) at a maximum altitude of over 6,000 kilometers on a lofted trajectory.

On Friday, the South Korean Defense Ministry threatened Pyongyang with "the end of the North Korean regime" in the event of a nuclear attack against Seoul after the North said that the deployment of US nuclear assets in the region could be a sufficient reason to use nuclear arms.

On Thursday, North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam criticized the deployment of a US nuclear ballistic missile submarine in South Korea earlier in the week, saying that Pyongyang could potentially consider it a sufficient basis for the use of nuclear arms for self-defense.

The US' USS Kentucky, an Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, made port in Busan on Tuesday, in the southeast of South Korea.

On the same day, the meeting of the two countries' Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) took place, during which South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, reaffirmed their commitment to deterring North Korea.

A Sputnik

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Chances Dim for Swift Return of American From North Korea

By Eunice Kim July 22, 2023

Any hope of a speedy return of the American soldier who illegally crossed into North Korea earlier this week appears all but dashed by the silence from the hermit state on the whereabouts of Pvt. Travis King.

"We have channels of communication. We've used them," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday at the Aspen Security Forum, explaining that Washington has been trying to establish dialogue with North Korea since the early days of the administration.

"Here's the response we got: One missile launch after another," he said.

As Washington awaits response to outreach through United Nations channels and its intermediary, Sweden, investigations are underway at the U.S. Army and United Nations Command, or UNC, levels to determine how a soldier who was supposed to be on a flight to the United States to face disciplinary measures instead emerged at the border of the two Koreas.

Counterintelligence personnel are leading the army probe in coordination with the U.S. military in South Korea, the Pentagon said Thursday, noting that King's status is AWOL (absent without leave), or away without permission, for now.

The UNC, the U.S.-led multinational force managing the Joint Security Area, or JSA, through which King bolted, is studying the events of July 18 to "determine what policies or procedures are required to minimize risk to visitors in the JSA," UNC Public Affairs Director Colonel Isaac Taylor told VOA.

July 18

On a day that a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine made a rare port call to South Korea to coincide with the launch of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group, Pvt. King, 23, was in civilian garb taking in a DMZ tour that included a stop at the JSA.

The Joint Security Area is iconified by bright blue buildings that stand on the Military Demarcation Line, the official border that divides North and South Korea, in place for 70 years since an armistice put a pause to the Korean War.

The compound is a popular tourist destination, with bookings often sold out for months, offering the novelty of standing "inside North Korea" within one of the meeting buildings. A tour of the JSA requires submission of additional documents days in advance, including a passport.

King, who was expected at his base in Fort Bliss, Texas, where he faced pending administrative separation from the Army for misdemeanors committed during his South Korea deployment, instead bolted into the North Korean side of the border complex about 3:30 p.m. local time.

He was laughing as he ran, eyewitnesses who were part of the same tour group said. The army private was last seen moving to the back of a North Korean building, then being driven away inside a van by North Korean soldiers, according to a report that cited a Defense Department report on the illegal crossing.

His motive for such a puzzling and dangerous decision remains unknown, as are his whereabouts between checking in for his Dallas-bound flight at Incheon International Airport on Monday and his JSA tour that left from Seoul the following day.

King had served time in a civilian jail in South Korea on assault charges up until a week before his scheduled flight to Texas, and he was facing potential additional repercussions at his base in Fort Bliss.

In interviews with news outlets, his family expressed surprise, his mother recalling she'd heard from him a few days prior and couldn't see him doing anything like that.

"I just want my son back. I just want my son back," Claudine Gates told reporters outside her home. "Get my son home and pray, pray that he comes back."

Rare bolt

King's dash through the JSA is highly unusual, with few precedents.

While over the decades there have been U.S. soldiers who defected through the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ a the 160-mile-long, 2.5-mile-wide buffer running across the Korean peninsula of which the Joint Security Area is a part a this is the first time any person successfully disappeared into North Korea from the South while on a JSA tour.

There was one such attempt in 2001 by a German doctor-turned-activist, Norbert Vollertsen, according to the assistant secretary of the Military Armistice Commission at the time, Stephen M. Tharp.

Vollertsen was caught by armed guards before skipping over the low concrete blocks that mark the border, the retired lieutenant colonel said. His stated purpose was to start an incident to bring North Korea's human rights plight to the world's attention.

King's run also comes as firearms and guard posts were removed at the compound in 2018 amid a detente mood between the two Koreas during the previous administration of South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

North Korean troops had been stationed outside at the JSA just like their South Korean counterparts, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed that. The North Korean government issued border lockdowns and stringent COVID-19 rules, so when North Koreans were spotted at the JSA during the pandemic, they were in Hazmat suits.

In November 2017, a North Korean soldier dodged a shower of live fire rounds by his compatriots, running for his life through the JSA in a bold defection attempt. By the time he got to the south side, he was wounded but alive.

Now, with COVID-19 restrictions and other fears at play, King could be looking at a more complicated processing reality, analysts say, such as weeks of quarantine before questioning by North Korean guards even begins.

Amid escalating tensions

While North Korea has yet to speak on King's status, it did issue a warning this week against the presence of the USS Kentucky nuclear submarine parked in Busan, South Korea, presumably holding 20 intercontinental ballistic missiles.

"The U.S. military side should realize that its nuclear assets have entered extremely dangerous waters," North Korea's defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, said late Thursday via state media KCNA, hours before the submarine would depart.

Kang said the deployment of such strategic assets could trigger North Korea's use of nuclear weapons, as codified in its nuclear force policy, if "it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent."

The nuclear weapon trigger warning is mostly being taken in stride in Seoul, with some analysts saying it shows a North Korea under duress. Pyongyang knows full well a first-use case will almost certainly mean a mutual wipe-out, they say.

Still, a war on the Korean peninsula is a scenario the U.S., Japan and South Korea must be ready for together, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said in an interview published Saturday.

"I think that the Korean situation is an area that the United States could a I'm not saying it will, but could a find itself in a state of war, you know, within a few days, with very little notice," Milley said, according to the Nikkei news organization based in Japan.

For now, North Korea will have its hands full next week, in part, as it gears up for a second massive military parade of the year to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice signing on July 27, which Pyongyang claims as its Victory Day.

Remembrances planned at the JSA on the South Korea side, however, have been canceled as the UNC conducts its investigation.

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HANDING OVER OF INS KIRPAN TO VPN - 22 JUL 23

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 22 JUL 2023 10:53PM by PIB Delhi

"Today's handing-over ceremony symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between India and Vietnam. What makes this occasion even more significant is the fact that this is the first-ever occasion that India is offering a fully-operational Corvette to any Friendly Foreign Country" - Adm R Hari Kumar, CNS

On completing 32 years of illustrious service to the nation, Indian Naval Ship Kirpan has been Decommissioned from the Indian Navy and Handed Over to Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) today at Cam Ranh, Vietnam. The Decommissioning and Handing Over Ceremony of INS Kirpan to VPN was presided over by Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy and Rear Adm Pham Manh Hung, Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff, VPN.

INS Kirpan, since commissioning in 1991, has been an integral part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet and has participated in many operations over the last 32 years. Manned by about 12 officers and 100 sailors, the ship is 90 meters long and 10.45 meters in width with a maximum displacement of 1450 tons. The ship has been handed over today to Vietnam People's Navy with a complete weapon complement.

Speaking on the occasion Adm R Hari Kumar stated that "It is a matter of great honour for me to be a part of the handing over ceremony of one of the finest and longest-serving warships of the Indian Navy - Kirpan, to the esteemed Vietnam People's Navy. On behalf of the Indian Navy, it is my privilege to extend a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests present here. The transfer of Kirpan to the Vietnam People's Navy resonates with India's G20 vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future"

The transfer of INS Kirpan from the Indian Navy to the Vietnam People's Navy symbolises the status of Indian Navy of being the 'Preferred Security partner' in the Indian Ocean Region and would definitely be a catalyst for enhancing the existing bilateral relations between the two navies.

*****

VM/JSN



(Release ID: 1941807)

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Iranian Court Sparks Controversy By Diagnosing Hijab Protesters With Mental Illness

By Roya Maleki July 22, 2023

Judges in Iran have diagnosed three prominent actresses sentenced for not wearing the hijab as mentally ill, anti-family, and antisocial, prompting top psychologists in the country to condemn the "abuse of psychiatry and psychology in the judiciary."

The heads of four leading psychiatry boards in the country went public with their criticisms after actresses Azadeh Samadi, Leila Bolukat, and Afsaneh Bayegan were all recently given the diagnoses during their sentencing in a Tehran criminal court.

"The diagnosis of mental disorders is within the competence of a psychiatrist, not a judge. Just as the diagnosis of other diseases is in the competence of doctors, not judges," the psychiatrists wrote in an open letter to judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei published by Iranian media on July 20.

The three actresses ran afoul of the law after they appeared in recent months in public without wearing headscarves, in violation of the country's strict hijab requirement that has fueled nationwide protests in recent months.

Many female celebrities have expressed solidarity with the demonstrations that followed the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last September following her arrest for allegedly failing to wear the hijab.

Violators of the hijab requirement can face up to two years in prison, although proposed legislation would increase the maximum sentence to up to three years' imprisonment for repeat offenders.

Bayegan was given a suspended two-year prison sentence after she appeared at a film ceremony wearing a hat instead of a head scarf. An image of her at the ceremony that she posted on social media was reportedly presented as evidence during her trial.

Additional penalties for the 61-year-old film and television actress included a two-year travel ban, a two-year ban on using the Internet, social media, and mobile services, and a requirement to read and summarize an unnamed book within two months.

Ahead of her sentencing this week, Bayegan announced on July 12 that she was retiring from the "dishonorable field of acting" after she was summoned to court.

Bolukat, 42, was earlier handed a sentence of six months imprisonment, along with a ban on professional activities for two years, on charges she had "damaged public morality and chastity" by posting images of herself without a hijab on social media. Bolukat was also prohibited from leaving the country and ordered to read and provide a summary of an unnamed book within a month.

The 44-year-old Samadi, who was detained after wearing a hat instead of a hijab while attending a funeral, did not receive a prison sentence during her court appearance earlier this month but was denied access to her phone for six months and all her social media accounts were ordered disabled.

The addition of mental health diagnoses of "antisocial and anti-family" behavior alongside the women's sentencing, requiring regular psychological treatment and certifications of good mental health were judgments that the top psychiatrists say the courts were not qualified to make.

"What is stated in the text of the ruling as an argument for diagnosing a disease called antisocial personality is not proportionate, logical, or convincing," wrote the heads of the Scientific Association of Psychosomatic Medicine, Scientific Association of Psychiatrists, Scientific Association of Psychotherapy, and the Psychological Association of Iran.

The joint letter added that the diagnosis of "mental illness and anti-family personality" was "unscientific and strange" and was unfathomable to psychiatric professionals.

The letter called on the authorities to amend the sentences against the three actresses.

Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, a Tehran-based lawyer, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda on July 21 that the sentences suggested that "judges in these cases did not fully grasp legal principles or they must have been very nervous and upset at the accused and wanted to sentence [them] to degrading punishments."

Other actresses have also been targeted with arrests and harassment after protests against the hijab broke out across the Islamic republic following Amini's death.

Last week, the deputy minister of Islamic culture and guidance, Mohammad Hashemi, announced that the government had taken steps to prevent a film company from hiring an actress who had refused to wear the hijab. While Hashemi did not provide a name, media reports suggested he was referring to 44-year-old Shaghayegh Dehghan, who was charged in June for posting a photo of herself without a hijab on social media.

Citing the pressure of an "angry society," the award-winning actress Hengamah Ghaziani recently retired at the age of 53 following her arrest for not wearing a head scarf. Actresses Taraneh Alidoosti, 39, and Katayun Riahi, 61, were also arrested.

The acting and film community has rallied around the actresses, with the Association of Directors and the Union of Cinema Producers of Iran issuing a joint letter this week calling the sentences against Bolukat and Samadi an "insult to the conscience of all cinema people."

"We stand fully alongside all the female actresses of Iranian cinema and filmmakers who are cruelly humiliated by similar rulings," the letter read.

Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by Roya Maleki and other RFE/RL Radio Farda correspondents

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-court-controversy-diagnosing- hijab-protesters-mental-illness/32514690.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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The American side is "risking" confrontation with "de-risking"

16:41, July 24, 2023 By Zhong Wenxing ( People's Daily Online

Editor's Note: The following are excerpts of a recent interview with U.S. scholar, James Deshaw Rae, also professor of politics at California State University, Sacramento, on Washington's "de-risking" of China and its implications for the global economy and stability .

Q1: "De-risking" has become a novel buzzword in discussions surrounding US-China relations. Recently, the U.S. side has expressed its intention to "de-risk and diversify" its relationship with China, not decouple. Some Chinese individuals express concerns that "de-risking" might be just another form of "decoupling" aimed at shutting China out and containing its growth. How would you respond to these concerns?

James Deshaw Rae: De-risking seems to be a slower paced form of decoupling. The American bipartisan consensus which has turned so hostile to China in the past few years on a variety of issues has seemed to coalesce to reducing American dependence on manufacturing and production in the Chinese mainland and at the same time limiting Chinese firms ability to access certain strategic resources, including microchips which fuel technological functionality and innovation. American foreign policy seems to be directing investment away from China to other markets and suppliers, and obviously leveraging U.S. influence to try to persuade other countries from downsizing their reliance on Chinese private and state sector firms. Thankfully, the Biden team recognizes that decoupling is virtually impossible, and that "de-risking" itself could have negative repercussions for the United States and the global economy. Certainly, if China chooses to adopt reciprocal instruments, we could once again face the possibility of an open trade war. The American side is "risking" confrontation with "de-risking".

Q2: The United States used to champion globalization and free trade, encouraging others to open their doors and become part of the world economy. What, in your opinion, has led to the shift for U.S towards a more inward-focused approach?

James Deshaw Rae: The Trump administration made protectionism possible, breaking with nearly a century of American support for free trade and multilateralism. This populist economic message plays well in the American rust belt of the industrial (now largely de-industrialized) upper Midwest, where working class voters decide American elections in swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. The hollowing out of the American middle class and dependence on overseas imports has become quite political, and both American political parties can hope to tap into that resentment and play the "China card". The Americans also recognize their neoliberal form of economic ideology has largely failed to keep pace with East Asia's state-led development model, and under the Biden team seeks to replicate some of the top-down directed planning employed so successfully by China. Thus, the U.S. has stepped away from its long time role as champion of the international financial institutions and the free trade regime, leaving space for others to assume greater responsibility but also potentially leading to more beggar thy neighbor policies arising from economic nationalism.

Q3: When put in the perspective of economic globalization, how might the United States' "de-risking" from China negatively impact global industrial and supply chains? What potential disruptions and challenges could arise as a result?

James Deshaw Rae: China has built of the most flexible and productive work force probably in world history, cultivating extraordinary human capital and infrastructure development, notably rail and shipping. The worlds supply chains still depend on China, particularly its southeast. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is also part of the lifeline of economic production across the Global South. The world economy needs a strong and prosperous China as focal point of global supply chains and investment, but also its growing consumer economy to be at full capacity to stimulate growth globally. The world needs China.

Q4: Looking beyond trade, what do you consider potential impacts of whether the United States calls it "decoupling" or "de-risking" from China? How might these actions impact areas such as technology, investment, and global cooperation?

James Deshaw Rae: American efforts to limit China's economic expansion have jeopardized firms such as Huawei and perhaps entire technological sectors of the economy. China will have to seek to further develop independent domestic production, while maintaining outlets and linkages with friendly countries and key strategic countries like India that face American pressure to avoid the isolation experienced by Russia in recent years. This also creates some diplomatic vulnerability, but China faces essentially no enemies in the world, fortifying positive relationships with India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran, Russia and Ukraine, etc. Countries dont want to have to choose.

Q5: In your view, what is the real risk to global economy and stability?

James Deshaw Rae: Any form of U.S.-China de-risking is going to slow growth, inhibit supply chains, and create economic and political uncertainty. The economic size of the Euro-Atlantic region pales in comparison to the dynamism of the Asia Pacific region. Sino-American interdependence is too big to fail. The world economy needs a healthy China and America, and they are fitter when they integrate their economies, which have so many natural symbioses and mutual benefits.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Wu Chengliang)
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Iran Air Force to stage massive 'Velayat' aerial drill

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 23, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Air Force will start the 11th edition of its "Velayat" aerial drill nationwide late on Sunday, employing both manned and unmanned aircraft to simulate real battlefield scenarios with the aim of bolstering the nation's defense readiness.

Announcing the drill on Sunday, Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, the commander of the Iranian Air Force, said all Air Force bases will be actively involved, with Shahid Babaei Air Base in Isfahan Province taking the lead.

A squadron of the Air Force's fighter fleet has already been deployed to the Isfahan base, he said.

During the exercises, a versatile fleet of 92 aircraft will carry out an array of aerial operations, including reconnaissance missions, targeted air and ground destruction maneuvers, psychological warfare tactics, and electronic warfare simulations, said the commander.

Moreover, the Air Force's well-trained pilots and technical personnel will also display their expertise in executing precise and destructive drone operations during the exercises, Vahedi said.

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Iranian Parliament Member Criticizes Revival of Morality Police

By VOA Persian Service July 23, 2023

A member of Iran's parliament has criticized the return of the morality police to the streets to enforce mandatory veiling laws, calling it a misguided policy.

As reported by the Jamaran news agency on Sunday, Jalil Rahimi Jahan-Abadi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the parliament, called on officials to avoid "harmful, irrational, and insulting behaviors that can negatively impact the relationship between the government and the people."

He said, "No one is willing to take responsibility for the morality police," which, he added "indicates the flawed nature of this policy."

Iran's police chief last week said the morality police had a "well-intentioned" and "irreversible" mission.

They returned to the streets a week ago.

Their presence had largely ceased following nationwide anti-government protests sparked by last year's death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Amini had been detained by the morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely.

Although the 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 has conveyed his concern. During a press briefing last week 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.

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Tens of thousands of Israelis march to Knesset as anti-regime protests continue

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 22 July 2023 5:46 PM

Tens of thousands of Israelis have headed toward the occupied city of al-Quds to voice their opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's extremist policies, amid months-long anti-regime protests.

The demonstrators walked through the winding highway to al-Quds under the hot sun on Saturday, as they carried Israeli flags and chanted anti-regime slogans.

The protesters are planning to stage a rally outside parliament ahead of a Sunday debate and subsequent vote on Netanyahu's so-called judicial reforms controversial bill, which has plunged Israel into one of its worst political crises.

Under the judicial overhaul plan, Netanyahu seeks to give the regime's extremist cabinet more influence in the process of selecting the Supreme Court's judges, while seeking to empower the politicians and the Knesset to override the court's rulings.

Meanwhile, dozens of former security chiefs, including military, police, and heads of the Israeli spy agency Mossad have called on Netanyahu to call off the vote and negotiate widely agreed reforms instead.

"The legislation is crushing those things shared by Israeli society, is tearing the people apart, disintegrating the military and inflicting fatal blows on Israel's security," they said in a letter on Saturday.

Netanyahu introduced the plan in January, triggering months of unprecedented anti-Netanyahu protests, with critics describing the plan as a threat to the independence of the courts by the prime minister, who is on trial on graft charges.

Those in favor of the scheme allege that it introduces some balance in the power that is wielded by the different branches of the regime. Its opponents, on the other side of the ledger, say upon ratification, the plan would empower the ruling class to act in a more authoritarian fashion.

Faced with raging protests as well as a wave of mass industrial actions in support of those protests, Netanyahu announced a pause in late March in his drive to get the plan approved by the Knesset.

The judicial overhaul plan originally sought to render the Supreme Court incapable of striking down politicians' decisions.

Pro-Netanyahu lawmakers have indicated that the new bill would be a far softer version of previous proposals that sought to almost totally roll back the Supreme Court's power to rule against the executive. The opposition, however, says the new bill would still open the door to corruption.

The regime's attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, has accused Netanyahu of acting "illegally" in championing the reforms. She noted that the prime minister is trying to push on with the plan due to his long-running corruption trial in which he is accused of fraud and breach of trust.

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Thousands of Protesters Against Judicial Reform March Toward Jerusalem

Sputnik News

20230722

JERUSALEM (Sputnik) - Thousands of people approached Jerusalem on Saturday as part of a protest march against the controversial judicial reform, disrupting traffic on the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The protest march started a few days ago, when a small group of activists set off from Tel Aviv toward Jerusalem.

Hundreds of cars belonging to protesters seeking to join the march have taken the right lane of the highway, leading to a huge traffic jam, even though traffic was reduced due to Shabbat, the correspondent said. Police and water cannon vehicles are on duty on the highway, the correspondent added.

Protest organizers estimate that about 20,000 people are taking part in the march heading toward the parliament building (Knesset), where one of the most controversial bills of the judicial reform may be finally adopted next week.

On Thursday, 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.

A Sputnik

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Over half a million rally against Netanyahu in largest protest in 6 months

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 23, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Hundreds of thousands of people in the occupied Palestine have flooded the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities in the largest demonstration in six months against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right cabinet, according to media reports.

In Tel Aviv, approximately 100,000 demonstrators gathered in the city center late on Saturday to voice their strong opposition to the proposed judicial changes initiated by Netanyahu's cabinet, the Arab 48 reported.

Channel 13, the Zionist regime's television network, reported that the protest in Tel Aviv was the largest of its kind in over six months.

Thousands of Israelis also gathered in the occupied al-Quds and in Haifa.

In the occupied al-Quds, a crowd of at least 85,000 people assembled in front of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, to express their disapproval of the proposed judicial changes.

The protesters erected makeshift tents, signifying their commitment to maintaining a continuous presence outside the Knesset in the coming days as a vote on the controversial bill nears.

The protest organizers estimated that around 550,000 people participated in the widespread demonstrations across the occupied Palestine on Saturday evening.

Netanyahu's cabinet intends to pass the judicial changes before the start of the summer recess in late July.

Critics argue that Netanyahu seeks to exert control over the judiciary and weaken the judges in favor of his cabinet.

However, experts say the continued demonstrations in the occupied territories have turned into protest against the very existence of the Zionist regime.

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Girkin Associate Briefly Detained In Moscow

By Current Time July 22, 2023

Pavel Gubarev, an associate of Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov), the former military commander of Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine who was sent to pretrial detention following his criticism of President Vladimir Putin, was briefly detained by security forces in Moscow on July 21 after picketing the Meshchansky district court building to demand Girkin's release.

The Meshchansky court on July 21 sent Girkin to two-month pretrial detention on an extremism charge for criticizing Putin and senior military officials for what he said was their ineffective war campaign in Ukraine. Girkin entered a plea of not guilty.

Girkin was sentenced in absentia to life in prison by a Dutch court in November in the case of the 2014 shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in which all 298 people on board died. He was also placed on a sanctions list by Western countries. Russia has denied any involvement in the shooting down of the plane.

Gubarev, who used to be the self-styled governor of the separatist-held part of Ukraine's Donetsk region, was taken away by police while talking to the media about Girkin's case.

Gubarev's detention prompted a group of his and Strelkov's supporters gathered outside the courthouse to chant "Freedom" and "Shame."

Gubarev was released an hour later after which he said he was lectured by authorities about the illegality of picketing.

Two other people -- a girl holding poster reading "Strength in truth" and a young man who displayed the slogan "Freedom to Strelkov" on his smartphone -- were also detained by police outside the court. Their fate was not immediately known.

As self-styled governor, Gubarev survived an assassination attempt back in 2014.

Girkin was a key commander of Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region in 2014 where Gubarev was the Moscow-installed governor. Girkin also helped Russia illegally annex Ukraine's Crimea that year.

His arrest appears to indicate he has fallen out of favor with the Kremlin despite previously being seen as untouchable given his background.

A former officer of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Girkin was reportedly involved in the early 1990s in the Transdniester and Bosnia wars, where he is said to have fought on the side of Russian and Serb separatists, respectively.

Girkin, who as a military blogger has strongly backed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has sharply criticized Putin, recently referring to him as a "nonentity" and a "cowardly mediocrity."

He lashed out also at Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for "mistakes" in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, accused him and Putin of "incompetence," and argued that a total mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory.

In one of his harshest rants, Girkin said in a July 18 post on his official Telegram channel that Putin should transfer power "to someone truly capable and responsible." The post has garnered almost 800,000 views.

With reporting by Meduza, TASS, Interfax, Mediazona, RBK, RFE/RL's Russian Service, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/girkin-associate-briefly- detained-in-moscow/32514509.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

Vladimir Putin met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in the Constantine Palace.

July 23, 2023

12:10

St Petersburg

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Lukashenko, as agreed, we are meeting today...

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko: As we agreed six months ago.

Vladimir Putin: This is true. We agreed a long time ago. We are meeting today in St Petersburg. The weather is good, it is Sunday today, but we always have something to talk about.

To begin with, I would like to note that our plans are being implemented, and even faster than you and I expected.

I would like to highlight the sound performance of the Russian and Belarusian economies. I checked the latest data: this year Belarus is expected to achieve economic growth of 3.7 percent. This is a forecast, but nevertheless. Our figure is a bit lower, but I can tell that this is also a good indicator for us, we are expecting growth of more than two percent. The deficit is minimal - 0.4 percent. This is also very good. International reserves are at a decent, very high level. Unemployment is low. To sum up, all the main indicators give us reason to believe that we will go through this year confidently and calmly and will demonstrate good growth.

Plans to build the Union State are being implemented in full. We are moving steadily in this regard

Trade is growing. The data varies, according to our information, the US dollar equivalent amounts to around 43.7 billion, as per the Belarusian statistics, it is almost 45.

Alexander Lukashenko: Services.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, services, you are correct, 45 billion US dollars. This is a very good rate.

I believe the nuclear power plant has already generated 17,000 [gigawatt hours]. The second unit will be launched this year.

Alexander Lukashenko: It has already started operating, we are working it out.

Vladimir Putin: Great. So, everything is moving, let's say modestly, satisfactorily.

We will touch upon the security issues in the region - you know what I am talking about.

I hope that we will have a chance to discuss this very thoroughly and in detail today and tomorrow in an informal setting.

Welcome!

Alexander Lukashenko: Thank you, Mr Putin.

I would like you to listen to what I have to tell you. I have specifically singled out several issues. You have covered the economy so thoroughly - this is delightful. The economy is the cornerstone. If we have a [stable] economy, we will resolve everything else.

I would like to start with the work of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Yesterday was a difficult day for us, according to our data, at least, you will express your opinion later. A very difficult day. Fortunately, it ended on a good note. According to our data, I recorded, more than 15 Leopards and over 20 Bradleys were destroyed in a single battle. I believe there have never been so many foreign military vehicles destroyed.

Vladimir Putin: Perhaps, so many foreign vehicles have never been destroyed in one day. This is because units fully stocked with foreign vehicles were acting from their side.

Alexander Lukashenko: Absolutely true.

This is why it is possible to give an approximate estimate of how many Ukrainian soldiers were killed, unfortunately, with so many vehicles destroyed. I know this because I served as an officer on an armoured vehicle, so this is why I understand what it is like to destroy so many APCs and, first and foremost, these highly-praised Leopards.

According to estimates by the United States of America, 26,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces' soldiers have been killed in action since the beginning of the counter-terrorist operation.

Vladimir Putin: More.

Alexander Lukashenko: The figure is higher now, but these are their estimates as of the last week: more than 26,000 since June 4. I wrote their data down.

Vladimir Putin: Even more.

Alexander Lukashenko: Yesterday showed - this is why I am telling you this - that we have to fight a war against the entire NATO bloc. The armaments are theirs, they have engaged quite a high number of mercenaries, and what is no less important, why yesterday is important, they are engaging the main strategic reserves. This is evidence that this thoughtless policy of throwing unprepared people and mercenaries into the midst of a battle will lead to nothing. But there is no counter-offensive. What's next?

Vladimir Putin: No, there is, it is simply failing.

Alexander Lukashenko: It has failed. No results. What's next?

They - exactly as you said recently - started involving Poland and are actively engaging mercenaries. I have specially brought a map for you, depicting a deployment of Polish armed forces to the borders of the Union State, what you have spoken about.

We see that they are setting the stage. Let's assume that one brigade finds itself 40 kilometres from Brest. They were 500 km away from Brest, then they were redeployed to a distance of 40. I will show you the map, we see all of it. And the second brigade is deployed just over 100 kilometres from Grodno. They have a division there, but meanwhile the brigades have approached.

The Poles have opened a repair centre for Leopards in the country: an airfield has been activated in Rzeszow, where the Americans and the rest deploy their vehicles and then they are deployed to the area. Engagement of mercenaries and so forth - such is the case with Poland. I will explain why I want to draw your attention to this issue, although I would like to stress: you put this very precisely and correctly at the Security Council.

Of course, Poland raises a question: what does it get in exchange? It is clear: money, armaments, this is clear. But now, you have also noted this, there are a lot of speculation about Ukraine gaining admission to NATO piecemeal. What is behind this? This is a smoke screen. What you said is behind all of this.

Vladimir Putin: Western Ukraine.

Alexander Lukashenko: Western Ukraine and Western Belarus, of course, but we are talking about Poland now. Tearing off this western piece of Ukraine: under the guise of NATO accession, to mislead the population. They want to chop off western Ukraine and join it to Poland. This is the payment for the active participation of the Poles in this operation, against the forces of the Russian Federation, of course. This is supported by the Americans. I told you this a long time ago, we witnessed this six months ago and discussed it preliminarily. Why I am telling you all this? It is unacceptable to us, Mr Putin. It is unacceptable to tear off western Ukrainian, dismember Ukraine and hand over these lands to Poland. And if, naturally, the western population of Ukraine needs this, we will be supporting them, of course.

I am asking you to discuss this issue and think it through. Obviously, I would like you to support us in this regard. With this support, and if western Ukraine asks for this help, we will definitely provide assistance and support to the western population of Ukraine. If this is the case, we will render all possible support. This is unacceptable as we are exposed to the military influence of the Balts and the Poles from the west, and from the south, as it would turn out. The Union State - we will have to defend ourselves in any event. This is why such approaches are unacceptable.

This concerns our security agenda, this is what worries us. I am not talking about western Belarus, I just want to say thank you. You are the first man in Russia to speak openly, clearly and comprehensibly about this. God forbid, aggression against Belarus is just like against Russia. We are taking this into account in arranging our armed forces.

Maybe I should not be saying this but I will nevertheless, the Wagner mercenaries have started getting on our nerves. They are asking permission to go west: "Allow us!" And I say: "Why do you need to go there to the west?" And they say on the sly - we are controlling what is happening: "We will go for an excursion to Warsaw and Rzeszow". And Rzeszow is unacceptable to them. They fought on the outskirts of Artemovsk and they knew where the vehicles were coming from, and this stays with them: "Rzeszow is trouble". And, of course, I am holding them, as we agreed, in central Belarus, I would not want to redeploy them, because they are in low spirits, and, I would like to give credit, they know what is happening around the Union State.

But that is no big deal. We will be opposing this by all means and I am requesting you to consider this issue, in terms of our support, within the framework of western Ukraine.

As for the economy, I have said this already, but I would like to ask our governments to come up with some economic plan. I wrote it down - relying only on ourselves. We will not give in to anyone, we have the brains, we have more than enough resources and we need to build a development plan for our Motherland - as I say: "Two states, one Motherland," and we are able to do this. But the main forces have been in Russia for a long time, and if our governments work out this plan, this will be good. Even if it got a bit worse here, people would understand and support us, because they would see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Moreover, we have already started doing something: microelectronics, space and the rest, agriculture - and we see positive beginnings everywhere. So, we need to consolidate this plan, assign those responsible, and we will strategically accomplish our work on this. Because this is what I wanted to discuss with you, one day is not enough for this. This is why we will spend some time tomorrow. As far as I understand, you will find some time to have a conversation.

Vladimir Putin: Of course. I changed some plans of mine. We will be able to spend one and a half - two days easily.

Alexander Lukashenko: We will settle these issues in one and a half days. Thank you for fulfilling the promise you made six months ago about this meeting, because there is nothing out of the ordinary here: we scheduled it a long time ago and we are meeting. If needed, at any time, as we always say, we will meet and discuss our tactical and strategic questions.

Vladimir Putin: As for the foreign mercenaries, they are sustaining substantial casualties too.

Alexander Lukashenko: Heavy.

Vladimir Putin: Yes.

Alexander Lukashenko: Because of their tactics.

Vladimir Putin: Because of their stupidity.

Alexander Lukashenko: Because they move in small groups there.

Vladimir Putin: In any case, the general public in the countries whose governments are now sending people to the war zone must be aware of what is going on there. And we will communicate this to people so that they can assess the actions of their leaders.

<...>

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Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko visited Kronstadt

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko toured the Naval Glory Museum, a new facility that is part of the Island of Forts tourism and recreation cluster in Kronstadt. The presidents also visited the Stavropegial Naval Cathedral of St Nicholas and afterwards talked with people who had gathered in the nearby square.

July 23, 2023

13:00

Kronstadt

St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov accompanied the leaders of Russia and Belarus at the Naval Glory Museum while Kseniya Shoigu, head of the project office at the Island of Forts cluster, provided a commentary.

The modern complex of the Naval Glory Museum and the congress and exhibition centre is built on the base of refurbished World War I artillery arsenals. The complex will be dedicated to the history and development of the Russian fleet. The exhibition area is set to be opened on Russian Navy Day on July 30, 2023.

The centrepiece of the museum is the K-3 Leninsky Komsomol, the first nuclear submarine in the Soviet Union and the third in the world, which will be exhibited inside the building. Visitors will be able to see it from late 2023.

The creation of the Island of Forts tourism and recreation cluster has been in progress since 2019, when the President issued an instruction to set it up. The project is aimed at the comprehensive development of Kronstadt, the preservation of its historic legacy and improvement of the quality of life of the population. The Real Hero Camp training complex and the museum-historic park have already opened. The restoration of Kronstadt's three forts - Kronslot, Peter the Great and Emperor Alexander I is planned to be finished by 2025.

The foundation of the Stavropegial Naval Cathedral was laid in Kronstadt upon the order of Emperor Nicholas II in 1903 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Russian fleet and was consecrated in is presence in 1913. The cathedral is considered one of the most significant monuments of Russian architecture and attracts the attention of tourists and pilgrims.

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MFA statement on summoning to MFA of Ambassador of Russian Federation Sergey Andreev

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

23.07.2023

On 22 July 2023, Ambassador of Russian Federation Sergey Andreev was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Polish MFA firmly protested against challenging the legitimacy of Poland's internationally recognised borders and directing threats against a sovereign state.

Today, we reiterate that the outbreak of World War II, the division of Central and Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, and the subsequent change of borders in the region resulted directly from an agreement made 84 years ago by the heads of diplomacies of the Third Reich and the Soviet Union, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. By virtue of the Pact's secret protocol, the two criminal regimes jointly attacked Poland and partitioned its territory.

Historical insinuations by Russian authorities and defying basic facts about the Soviet Union's role in the unleashing of World War II are evidence of Russia's deeply rooted revisionism and imperialism. Glorification of Stalin's policy harms the memory of hundreds of thousands of victims of Soviet communism and supports justification of these crimes.

Russia's ongoing aggression on Ukraine is the most brutal evidence of how dangerous is Russian authorities' disregard of historical truth and the incapacity to hold to account the perpetrators of World War II, the greatest disaster of the 20th century.

Together with the democratic international community, Poland has been making every effort to hold to account all those responsible for the aggression on Ukraine and effectively deliver justice for the crimes against its civilian population.

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'We Bury A Lot Of People Here': How One Siberian Village Has Been Emptied By The Ukraine Invasion

By RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities July 23, 2023

DOMNA, Russia -- Besides the military, there aren't many opportunities in this poor settlement some 35 kilometers southwest of Chita, the administrative center of the southern Siberian region of Zabaikalye.

"For us, military service is the main way of earning a living," said local resident Aleksei. "Now, they are recruiting new volunteers. Almost everyone has already gone to the war."

Domna's prewar population of about 6,000 has been seriously depleted since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Many young men have volunteered or were mobilized, while others vanished after President Vladimir Putin proclaimed mobilization last September.

There is an ancient Buryat legend that Domna was founded at the place where a maiden wept for a slain warrior. Locals say the town has been weeping ever since.

"A lot of guys were mobilized," said Aleksei, whose name has been changed for his protection. "They were taken away on buses. My brother was taken.... He's young -- just 20.... And they also brought mobilized soldiers here from other regions. They were trained here and then sent away to the war."

The settlement is dominated by a large military airfield that is the home base of the 120th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and a service center for Russian military transport planes.

'The Money Helps, Too'

Domna has a rough reputation.

"It is almost impossible to go there at night," a local taxi driver said.

"The locals are scumbags who will hit you over the head just like that. There is no normal work there. Everything revolves around the railroad or the military units. The only way to get work is through bribery.... As soon as the war started, almost all the local men were taken to Ukraine."

Another taxi driver, Sergei Anufriyev, said he has been driving between Chita and Domna a lot lately as soldiers return from Ukraine on leave.

"You drive them, and you hear stories that make your hair stand on end," he said. "They say a lot of our guys are dying there. And a lot of wounded guys have been sent back, too. And they are young guys, too, but you don't see any life in their eyes."

Aleksandr Ryabchenko, 22, was mobilized in late September 2022 and was back in Domna on a short leave. Before that, he worked as a laborer at the air base.

"We loaded artillery shells," he said. "It was normal work, and I was satisfied. I got 25,000 rubles ($275) a month, and it was enough for bread and cigarettes. But then they came and called me up.

"And was I supposed to run away when my homeland was in danger?" he asked. "No. I'm a patriot. I went to defend it. Of course, the money helps, too."

Ryabchenko found himself in Ukraine in November 2022, one of more than 800 soldiers from the Zabaikalye region. He recalled his arrival in the combat zone.

"They promised us we'd get training in Rostov," he said, referring to a southern Russian region bordering Ukraine. "But that didn't happen. We flew into Rostov on transport. They even let us smoke on the plane. That was because half of us were not going to come back alive. The officers talked about that openly in front of us. We listened to them and smoked our cigarettes. It was terrifying."

The new soldiers, he said, were transferred directly from the plane into buses and driven into Ukraine.

"We were shelled the first time as soon as we arrived," he recalled. "And eight men were killed on the spot. I fell to the ground and, only half alive myself, I thought: This is where I will die."

'You Have To Eat'

"I joined the Wagner mercenary group back in 2016," said 48-year-old Igor, "because there was no normal work in Domna, and you have to eat. I couldn't go to work in a mine because I'd served time in prison."

Igor was standing in front of the local school, where there is a memorial to those killed in World War II. Last October, a black plaque was attached to the monument dedicated to the memory of those killed "in the special military operation for the liberation of the Donbas," as the Kremlin requires its invasion of Ukraine be euphemistically described. A classroom inside the school has been named for a local man who was killed in the war.

A lot of locals have criminal records, said one woman.

"Every other person here has been driven to the police station," she said. "A lot of them have served time for theft. You have to live somehow. All the normal people leave for Chita, and they don't come back."

Igor is an enthusiastic supporter of the war, repeating government narratives that Russia is "saving the world from American and Western influence."

"What is our country built on?" he said. "The family and its development. Look at what is happening abroad: Everyone is gay. But we have traditional families -- a father, a mother, children.

"I came back on leave, and I see young men wandering around Domna," he continued. "I say, 'What are you doing here? You should be defending the homeland.'"

Igor added that he was heading back to Ukraine soon.

'We Bury A Lot Of People Here'

Early this year, virtually the entire village turned out for the funeral of Wagner fighter Aleksei Lukyanov, who was killed near the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the war. His family was never told the details of his death.

"There were a lot of people there," said Kristina, a friend of the family. "There weren't any particular signs of the war. We try to bury the guys without flags. That's the way things are. Someone might desecrate the grave. After all, not everyone supports the war. And we bury a lot of people here."

No one knows why Lukyanov signed up with Wagner, she added.

"Maybe patriotism, maybe to earn a living," she said. "People think it is better to die there a hero than to die from drugs like half the town here. All of his friends died of overdoses or something else tied to drugs."

A month after Lukyanov's funeral, Domna buried a friend of his who went by the nom de guerre Krugly.

"He killed himself," said Aleksandr, one of Krugly's schoolmates. "And before that, back in October, another guy from his company hanged himself. I won't go into the details, but drugs were to blame."

Aleksandr said eight men from his school class had died of drug-related causes since the war began, in addition to those who were killed in Ukraine.

"One after another, they are leaving," he said.

Adapted by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson. This story is based on reporting by correspondents from RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities on the ground in Russia. Their names are being withheld for their protection.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-siberia-village-emptied- war-ukraine-poverty-military-service/32515566.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia to Continue to Supply Grain, Food, Fertilizers to Africa - Putin

Sputnik News

20230723

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is able to replace Ukrainian grain and will continue to supply grain and fertilizers to African countries despite sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing the Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, especially as we expect another record harvest this year," Putin wrote in an article titled "Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future" published by the Kremlin on Monday.

The Russian city of St. Petersburg will host the Russia-Africa summit from July 27-28. Putin emphasized that Russia is ready to build mutually beneficial relations with the African Union, including within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

"Notwithstanding the sanctions, Russia will continue its energetic efforts to provide supplies of grain, food products, fertilisers and other goods to Africa. We highly value and will further develop the full spectrum of economic ties with Africa - with individual states as well as regional integration associations and, naturally, with the African Union," Putin wrote.

On July 18, 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.

A Sputnik

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40 More Countries Want to Join BRICS, Says South Africa

By Kate Bartlett July 21, 2023

The BRICS group of fast-developing economies a Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa a 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 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.

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Mass Detention of Children in Northeast Syria Unlawful, UN Says

By Lisa Schlein July 22, 2023

A U.N. expert is condemning the mass detention of tens of thousands of women and children in northeast Syria as a violation of international law and calling on governments to repatriate their nationals who she says live under cruel and inhumane conditions.

Concluding a six-day visit to Syria, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, the U.N. special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, issued a dire assessment Friday.

"It is entirely unacceptable that we have 40,000-plus people in a detention facility where 60% of them are children under 12, and we have absolutely no idea what is happening in that facility," she said at a news conference. "To say that this is a breach of international law is perhaps the understatement of the day."

During her visit this past week, Ni Aolain and her team toured prisons and sites of detention in the Qamishli, Gweiran and al-Hol districts, and in al-Malikiyah city.

The enormous al-Hol camp is where tens of thousands of women and children a mostly wives, widows and children of Islamic State group members a are held.

For years, the U.S. has been urging countries to repatriate the family members of militants, but those calls have gone largely unheeded. Either the camp's residents can't prove their citizenship, or their home country is reluctant to accept IS sympathizers or former fighters.

However, Ni Aolain said, states are obligated to repatriate their nationals held in the detention facilities in Syria.

Camp authorities say the Islamic State group wives rule the al-Hol camp with violence as they try to keep the group active years after its defeat. Additionally, they have set fires in the camp, threatened guards and tried to kidnap them, and have facilitated the escape of boys to join IS.

The United Nations reports more than 100 people, including many women, have been killed in al-Hol camp since the beginning of 2021.

Ni Aolain said what most concerned her and her team "was the mass, indefinite and arbitrary detention of children, particularly boys in various facilities, premised on the alleged threat they posed to security based on their parents alleged prior links with Da'esh." Da'esh is an Arabic acronym referring to IS.

An estimated 52,000 people, mainly Iraqis and Syrians, including relatives of suspected Islamic State militants, are being held in the al-Hol and al-Roj camps, which are run by the Kurdish, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Ni Aolain described the camp conditions as dire.

"What I was able to witness first-hand, including mass arbitrary detention of children, incommunicado detention, disappearances, structural and systematic discrimination of detained persons on the basis of their nationality, torture, cruel, and degrading treatment, as well as the deprivation of ... access to water, food, and health care.

"All of these things undermine the right to life and make the return to countries of nationality absolutely imperative," Ni Aolain said.

Last October, the SDF swept al-Hol, arresting hundreds of IS fighters and recovering stores of weapons. Since then, the SDF has enhanced security with help from the U.S., according to an NBC report.

Syrian Democratic Forces' officials did not respond to requests for comment on the humanitarian and security situation in the camp, NBC said.

The United Nations estimates 7,000 people, three-quarters of them women and children, have been repatriated by 36 countries since 2019. The charity Save the Children says that at this rate "it would take up to 30 years" to repatriate all the children housed in the two camps.

"Ending the issue of al-Hol camp has become a top national interest for Iraq," said Ahmad Sahhaf, Iraq's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, according to the country's state news agency.

He called on the international community to urge all countries that have citizens at the camp "to repatriate them as soon as possible in order to eventually close the camp" because it has become "a dangerous epicenter" for IS gatherings.

"Let me be clear, anyone seriously thinking about long-term security in this region who is not addressing the systematic and arbitrary detention of thousands of children is closing their eyes to the long-term security implications of what it means to hold children in these kinds of conditions of detention indefinitely," Ni Aolain said.

The special rapporteur said she shared her concerns in discussions with authorities at every detention facility.

"I was absolutely crystal clear about the human rights violations that were implicated by what I saw, particularly among children. We see so much of this in media reporting on children a the kind of inflammatory language of 'cubs of the caliphate' or 'extremists' or 'terrorists' to describe 2-year-old's, 3-, 4-, 5-year-olds born on this territory by no choice of their own."

The Associated Press provided some information for this report.

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Taiwan VP's US Transit to Test Already Tense China-US Ties

By William Yang July 22, 2023

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai, a front-runner in the island's planned January presidential elections, announced this week that he plans to make transit stops in the U.S. next month on his way to Paraguay, sparking swift protest from China. Beijing objects to any action that could raise Taiwan's international profile and has pledged to keep the transit stops from happening.

Analysts say that while it is unlikely that China will succeed, the transit stopovers are likely to test already tense ties between Beijing and Washington.

"Beijing will try to link the stopover to the high-level engagement between Taiwan and the U.S. over the last year and they will look for opportunities to frame this as the U.S. being provocative," Brian Hart, a fellow with the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA.

Details have yet to be released of where Lai might stop in August and what he might do in the U.S. Taiwan's Presidential Office has said Lai will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Paraguay's newly elected president, Santiago Pena, on Aug. 14.

Deep distrust

The planned stopovers are not a first for Lai, but this time he is traveling while he is the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's candidate in the January vote. Beijing is highly skeptical of him because he is a member of the DPP and also because of his stance on Taiwan's sovereignty. A former doctor turned politician, Lai has previously described himself as a "pragmatic Taiwan independence worker."

Despite Beijing's claim that the island is a part of its territory, both Lai and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen argue that the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, is already an independent state.

Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations. Beijing took over its seat in 1971. Currently, only 13 countries, including Paraguay, have formal diplomatic relations with the island.

"Beijing distrusts Lai even more than they distrust Tsai Ing-wen," said Bonnie Glaser, the managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. She said Beijing believes U.S. support may embolden current or future leaders in Taiwan to pursue independence.

Like many other countries, the United States does not have formal ties with Taiwan, but it is the island's biggest international backer.

'Priority' to stop visit

Speaking at the Aspen Security Conference on Wednesday, Xie Feng, China's ambassador to the U.S., said it was Beijing's priority to stop Lai from visiting the U.S. and emphasized that the provocative moves by "Taiwan separatists" should be contained.

In addition, China's foreign ministry said that Beijing opposes any official interaction between Taiwan and the U.S. and that the Taiwan issue is the insurmountable red line that cannot be crossed in U.S.-China relations.

"The Chinese are very alarmed about what could happen and they are warning that their red lines should be taken seriously," Glaser said.

Despite warnings from Beijing, Taipei, and Washington both emphasized that Lai's transit stops in the U.S. are planned based on the principle of "comfort and safety" and that China should not use the stopover to "start a fight."

During a press conference Wednesday, Sandra Oudkirk, the director of Washington's de facto embassy in Taiwan, said transits by Taiwanese officials in the U.S. have happened many times before and are part of the routine.

In January of last year, Lai transited through the U.S. during a trip to Honduras. During those stopovers, he conducted online meetings with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Tammy Duckworth, and met with members of the Taiwanese community. In April of this year, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen also made two stopovers in the U.S. as part of a trip to Central America.

Another military blockade drill?

China views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and has long voiced opposition to high-level interaction between officials from Taipei and those in other countries. That has not stopped a growing number of officials, legislators and leaders from visiting Taiwan, and officials from Taipei traveling to other countries.

In response, China has stepped up its military activities around the island. Over the past year, Beijing launched two multiday, blockade-style military exercises around Taiwan to protest high-profile meetings. One drill followed a meeting between President Tsai and former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when she visited Taiwan last August and another after she met with current U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California in April.

Glaser said that while Beijing's response will likely be determined by the agenda during Lai's stopovers in the U.S., the outside world should not rule out any possible scenarios.

"[Even though] I don't think Lai will do any public events, if he did give a speech or said something that is viewed as provocative by the Chinese leadership, that would give them a reason to do something in the military realm," she said.

Still, she said she thinks Beijing would have to be "very alarmed" by things that Lai did in order to execute a military response that matches what they did when Pelosi visited Taiwan.

Other analysts added that based on past experience, China has learned that high-profile demonstrations of displeasure toward the Taiwanese government through military maneuvers or military drills often backfire, especially during the island's election season.

"Since this is a presidential campaign year, if Beijing follows this reasoning, they will likely resort to condemnation and perhaps some form of symbolic suspension of dialogue or economic sanctions on selected commodities," Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist with the Australian National University's Taiwan Studies Program, told VOA.

In his view, past experience may convince China that heightening military pressure on Taiwan will only backfire when Taiwanese voters are about cast their ballots to elect their next president.

Washington's balancing act

Lai's scheduled stopover in the U.S. comes at a tricky time for Washington. Over the past few weeks, it has tried to restart diplomatic engagement with China. Analysts think efforts to reduce tension between the world's two largest economies may cause the U.S. to make its engagements with Taiwan less public in the coming months.

"Taiwan and the U.S. will maintain the same level of exchanges, but Washington's public rhetoric about Taiwan may be milder," said Charles Wu, a professor in international relations at National Chengchi University in Taiwan.

Rather than reducing interaction with Taiwan, Wu said he thinks the U.S. will likely put "guardrails around interaction" to make sure it doesn't affect progress made in restoring dialogue with China.

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Han Kuang drills to test military backup operations: Source

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2023 05:51 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) The annual Han Kuang military exercises set to kick off Monday for five days will test Taiwan's military backup operations to ensure there would be no interruption in the chain of command in the event of an attack, a source with knowledge of the matter said Sunday.

The exercises will include a simulation of the transfer of air combat command power, in order to test the Air Force backup system and its emergency response capabilities during wartime, the source said.

The drill will focus on a scenario where the command-and-control functions of the Joint Air Operations Center on Toad Mountain in Taipei are impacted after the center comes under attack, which leads to relevant personnel having to move to an alternative location to ensure operations continue, the source said.

The annual exercises will also include a drill staged Tuesday for the first time at Taitung airport, involving F-16V block 20 fighter jets and the C-130H transport aircraft.

On Wednesday, a one-hour anti-takeover operation will be held at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport during which commercial air traffic will be suspended.

The drill is the first such exercise staged at Taoyuan International Airport since it opened in 1979.

In addition, an anti-landing exercise will be held on a beach in New Taipei's Bali District, the Port of Taipei and the mouth of the Tamsui River Thursday.

The Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan's major war games, has been held annually since 1984 in the form of live-fire drills and computerized war games, with the aim of ensuring Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a Chinese invasion.

This year's tabletop war games phase was staged in May.

During the five-day annual military drills, the Tong Hsing exercises, which aims to ensure reserve forces are adequately trained, will also take place.

(By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/kb

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Europe's support for Ukraine serves U.S. interests, weakens itself: Putin

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:55, July 22, 2023

MOSCOW, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Europeans are seeing that providing ceaseless support to Ukraine does not serve their own interests, but only benefits the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"We are seeing that public opinion in Europe is changing. Both Europeans and ... European elites see that the so-called support for Ukraine is serving foreign, rather than European interests, the interests of the global hegemon, which is benefiting from the weakening of Europe," Putin said at a meeting with permanent members of the Russian security council, cited by the Kremlin.

Putin noted that Europeans are seeing that their endless support for Ukraine is in fact a "waste of money and effort," and only benefits the United States that wishes to prolong the Ukraine crisis.

It is questionable whether Washington's policies in Ukraine actually serve the fundamental interests of the American people, Putin added.

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Ukrainian gov't approves nationalization of Russia-linked bank

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:51, July 22, 2023

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.

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Russian journalist killed by US cluster bombs in 'heinous' crime in Ukraine: Moscow

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 22 July 2023 5:57 PM

A Russian journalist has been killed by cluster munitions in what Moscow denounced as a "heinous, premeditated crime" committed by Western powers and Ukraine.

The Russian military announced on Saturday that Rostislav Zhuravlev, a war correspondent working for the Russian official news agency RIA Novosti, had been killed in a Ukrainian strike in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

"As a result of a strike by the Ukrainian army using cluster munitions, four journalists were wounded in various levels of severity," the Russian army said in a statement.

"During an evacuation, the RIA Novosti journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev died from his wounds that resulted from the cluster munitions exploding," it added.

RIA news agency also reported Zhuravlev's death, saying he was killed near the frontline village of Pytikhatki.

Three other journalists were said to be stable in hospital after the attack.

"Everything indicates that the attack on the group of journalists was not carried out by chance," Russia's foreign ministry said.

"The competent international organizations prefer, as before in such cases, to turn a blind eye to this heinous crime", it added.

The ministry said that "the journalists were gathering material for a report on the bombing by the Kiev regime militants of settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region using cluster munitions banned in many countries around the world."

"The perpetrators of the brutal massacre of the Russian journalist will inevitably receive the punishment they deserve," the foreign minister warned, adding that "those who supplied cluster munitions to their protAgAs in Kiev will also share the full measure of responsibility."

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Kiev against the use of the banned weapons, saying his country had "sufficient stockpile" of the weapons, and that Moscow "reserved the right" to use them "if they are used against us."

US President Joe Biden said earlier this month that he had made a "very difficult decision" in providing Kiev with cluster bombs, which are banned in many countries across the world.

He faced fierce criticism even from his own allies for sending lethal weapons -- that can have long-term risks to civilians.

His National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan admitted back then that officials "recognize the cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm" from unexploded bombs. However, he said Ukraine was running out of artillery and needed "a bridge of supplies."

Ukraine had pledged to use the banned munitions only to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers and not against civilians.

But Russia announced on Friday that Kiev had used notorious cluster munitions on the Russian border village of Zhuravlevka.

Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said "three cluster munitions from a multiple rocket launcher were fired (by the Ukrainian army) at the village of Zhuravlevka" on Friday.

The region, bordering Ukraine, has been repeatedly targeted by what Russia says is "indiscriminate shelling" by Ukraine's armed forces.

Ukraine did not claim responsibility for attacks inside Russian territory and denied it was involved in the cross-border raids.

The cluster bombs, known as Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), can contain dozens of smaller bomblets, dispersing over vast areas, often killing and maiming civilians.

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Ukraine drone attack in Crimea prompts mass evacuation, brief bridge closure

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 22 July 2023 2:36 PM

A Ukrainian drone attack at infrastructure facilities in Crimea has sparked mass evacuations and briefly suspended road traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia, according to the regional governor of Crime.

Sergei Aksyonov said on Saturday that there was an explosion at the depot in Krasnogvardeisky in central Crimea but reported no damage or casualties.

"As a result of an attack by an enemy drone on the Krasnogvardeisky district, an ammunition depot detonated," he said. "Ministry of Emergency Situations employees are currently at the scene for elimination of potential aftermath."

He ordered the evacuation of people living within five kilometers of the zone, without saying how many residents would be moved.

"To minimize risks, it was also decided to halt rail traffic on Crimean railways," Aksyonov wrote on Telegram.

The attack halted traffic on the Crimean Bridge a one of the few ways to get out of Crimea as flights have been cancelled during the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted on Friday that the bridge has been a legitimate target for Ukrainian forces.

"This is the route used to feed the war with ammunition and this is being done on a daily basis," he said.

He said Kiev considers the Crimea bridge as an "enemy object" and wants it to be "neutralized."

Saturday's attack comes on the heels of a separate Ukrainian raid on Crimea on Wednesday, which killed a teenage girl and damaged several administrative buildings.

Crimea has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks since Moscow launched its military operation against Kiev in February last year.

Russia said Kiev had even used notorious cluster munitions on the Russian border village of Zhuravlevka.

Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said "three cluster munitions from a multiple rocket launcher were fired (by the Ukrainian army) at the village of Zhuravlevka" on Friday.

Crimean peninsula voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining Russia in a referendum held in 2014.

Most of the Ukrainian attacks against Russia are reportedly carried out by Western-supplied ammunition.

US President Joe Biden said earlier this month that he had made a "very difficult decision" in providing Kiev with cluster bombs, which are banned in many countries across the world.

Biden faced fierce criticism even from his own allies for sending lethal weapons -- that can have long-term risks to civilians.

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Kyiv Strikes Occupied Crimea, Suspending Bridge Traffic, As Russian Shelling Kills Seven

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 22, 2023

KYIV -- Ukrainian troops struck an oil depot and an ammunition warehouse of the Russian Army in Russian-annexed Crimea, the Ukrainian military's communications department confirmed on July 22.

The Moscow-installed governor of the region, Sergei Aksyonov, said a Ukrainian drone blew up an ammunition depot on the peninsula, prompting the evacuation of people in a 5-kilometer radius and the brief suspension of rail traffic on the Crimea Bridge, which had been struck by at least two explosions earlier this week, when two people were killed and road traffic was halted temporarily.

The Russian Health Ministry was quoted by news agencies as saying at least 12 people required medical assistance, with four taken to the hospital.

The reports, which could not be independently confirmed, came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on July 22 that the Crimea Bridge was a legitimate target because it was a military supply route for Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian shelling and air strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas and grain export infrastructure have killed at least seven people, including two children, and caused massive material damage over the past 24 hours, military and regional officials said on July 22.

The Russian Army launched 16 cruise missiles and more than 20 air strikes on Ukrainian positions and populated areas, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said in its daily report.

In the eastern region of Donetsk, where heavy fighting has been taking place for months, Russian shelling killed four people, including two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on July 22.

Kyrylenko said the two siblings died when one of the shells fired by Russian troops hit the courtyard of their house. An elderly woman was also wounded and hospitalized, Kyrylenko said.

In the northern region of Chernihiv, two elderly women were killed when a Russian missile struck their village, regional Governor Vyacheslav Chaus said.

In the village of Nyu-York, some 40 kilometers south of Bakhmut, four civilians, including a couple, were killed and one woman was wounded by Russian shelling, Kyrylenko said.

The military also said grain storage facilities in southern Ukraine were damaged and more than 70 civilian residential buildings and other infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

In the northeastern Sumy region, one person was killed early on July 22 in the Russian shelling of Krasnopyl village, the regional military administration reported.

Separately, Ukrainian air defense said on July 22 that it had shot down five Iranian-made kamikaze drones overnight.

The previous day, missile strikes pounded Ukrainian Black Sea port installations for the fourth day in a row, setting grain storage facilities in the Odesa region on fire and destroying huge amounts of food stored for export.

"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," regional Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram.

Russia on July 21 said its navy had carried out a live-fire "exercise" in the northwest Black Sea just days after the Kremlin said 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 on Telegram.

Zelenskiy met on July 21 with military commanders to discuss the situation at the front and about the grain initiative.

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 -- made by both Russia and Ukraine -- about the potential targeting of civilian vessels in Black Sea waters are unacceptable.

China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, called on both Russia and Ukraine to quickly resume grain exports after Russia's withdrawal from the deal.

Zelenskiy on July 22 spoke by phone with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg about Moscow's decision to terminate the Black Sea grain deal and Kyiv's relationship to NATO.

Stoltenberg tweeted after the call that "we strongly condemn Moscow's attempt to weaponize food. Allies stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes & following NATO Summit, Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before."

Zelenskiy tweeted that the two discussed measures to restart transport of grain across the Black Sea and "further actions regarding the integration of Ukraine into NATO."

On the battlefield, Russian forces are relentlessly attacking Ukrainian positions in Donetsk and another eastern region, Kharkiv.

"The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on Kupyansk [Kharkiv region], Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka [Donetsk region], where 40 close combat battles were fought over the past 24 hours," the General Staff said on July 22.

Ukrainian forces are continuing their counteroffensive in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions in the southern region of Zaporizhzhya, the military said, without providing further details.

Also on July 22, the Russian military said Rostislav Zhuravlev, a war correspondent working for state-run RIA Novosti news agency, died during shelling by Ukrainian forces in Russian-occupied Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhya region.

Russian authorities claimed cluster munitions were used in the shelling, although the situation could not be independently confirmed. Ukraine did not comment.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-shelling-ukraine- children-casualties/32514371.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukraine Coordinating With Turkey To Restore Grain Export Deal, Zelenskiy Says

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 22, 2023

Ukraine and Turkey are discussing the possibility of reviving the Black Sea grain agreement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on July 21 after a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We coordinated efforts to restore the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Unblocking the grain corridor is an absolute priority," Zelenskiy said.

He added that the world is once again on the brink of a food crisis due to Russia's decision to quit the deal that had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain through Black Sea ports.

"The threat of famine hangs over a total of 400 million people in many countries of Africa and Asia. With joint efforts, we must avert a global food catastrophe," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy previously declared Ukraine's readiness to continue grain exports without cooperation from Russia. He said that Ukraine, the UN, and Turkey could jointly ensure the operation of the grain corridor and the inspection of ships.

The press service of the Turkish leader also reported that Erdogan and Zelenskiy discussed an extension of the grain export deal, Anadolu said.

Erdogan said earlier that he intends to discuss the extension of the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in talks next month. He has said those talks could lead to the restoration of the deal. He has called on Western countries to consider Russia's demands, which include the lifting of a ban on its banks from using the SWIFT international payments method.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is looking to Turkey to help restart the initiative.

"We look to Turkey to play the role that it's already played, a leadership role in getting this back on track, making sure that people around the world can get the food they need at reasonable prices," Blinken said in an interview at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado.

Russia's decision to suspend its participation in the deal also was discussed in a UN Security Council session on July 21.

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said the consequences of Russia's decision are that "some will go hungry, some will starve, many may die."

Griffiths told the Security Council that a spike in grain prices since Russia quit a deal "potentially threatens hunger and worse for millions of people."

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia had no legitimate reasons for quitting the deal.

"They would have you believe that sanctions have blocked their exports. That couldn't be further from the truth," Thomas-Greenfield said. "Russia is simply using the Black Sea as blackmail.... It's holding humanity hostage."

Russian Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Moscow does not object to the Black Sea deal "especially given its significance per the global food market for many states" and would return to it if its list of demands was met.

Russia's grain and fertilizer exports are not subject to Western sanctions, but Moscow said restrictions on payments, logistics, and insurance have been a barrier to shipments.

Polyanskiy told the Security Council Russia had harvested 156 million tons of grain over the past year, and exported 60 million tons. But he complained Russia operated at a loss due to lower grain prices and higher costs for cargo, foreign transactions, and imports of agricultural production machinery and spare parts.

With reporting by AP and Anadolu

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-turkey-grain-export- deal-zelenskiy/32514379.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the murder of Russian journalist Rostislav Zhuravlyov by Kiev militants

22 July 2023 17:48

1486-22-07-2023

The Kiev regime continues its practice of criminal terror.

The life of journalist Rostislav Zhuravlyov ended today as a result of Ukrainian Nazis' artillery strike using cluster munitions against a group of journalists from the Izvestia Information Centre and RIA Novosti news agency. Three of his colleagues received shrapnel wounds of moderate severity and were taken to Russian Defence Ministry field hospitals where they are receiving medical care.

Everything points to the fact that the attack on the group of journalists was not an accident: the correspondents were collecting materials for a report on Kiev regime militants shelling communities in the Zaporozhye Region with cluster munitions, which are banned in many countries. The very same munitions that are supplied to Kiev by the United States. Washington, along with London and Paris, which supply the Zelensky regime with long-range missiles, profess their concern for the safety of journalists, but in fact they are sponsoring terrorists.

We have no illusions that specialised international organisations will choose to turn a blind eye to this heinous crime, as they did in similar cases before, which makes them accomplices in Kiev's terrorist mayhem.

This cynical narrow-mindedness reaffirms their political bias and dysfunctionality. The silence of such institutions does not mean that the evil has been given an absolution for murder or the desire to shut out the inconvenient truth. Those responsible for the brutal murder of the Russian journalist will inevitably suffer the punishment they deserve. The entire measure of responsibility will be shared by those who supplied cluster munitions to their Kiev protAgAs.

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US Crossing 'Moral Red Lines' by Supplying Kiev With Cluster Munitions - Russian UN Envoy

Sputnik News

20230722

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - The United States is crossing "all moral red lines" by supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions that killed Sputnik war correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev and injured, among others, the news agency's photojournalist, Konstantin Mikhalchevsky, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Saturday.

"Cluster munitions supplied by the US is killing journalists in Ukraine. I wonder what US public opinion thinks of their country crossing all moral red lines in futile attempt to save crumbling corrupt Kiev regime. Looks like US establishment can only lecture others," Polyanskiy tweeted.

Ukrainian troops launched an artillery strike at around 09:00 GMT on Saturday on a group of journalists from the Izvestia and Sputnik news agencies while they were preparing reports about Kiev's use of cluster bombs in Zaporozhye Region. Four journalists were wounded and one was killed as a result.

Earlier in July, Washington announced its decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine so as not to reduce the supply of artillery shells to Kiev while US industry ramps up output against the backdrop of low stockpiles among NATO members. On Thursday, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the cluster munitions that Washington provided to Kiev had already been deployed in the field.

A Sputnik

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Sputnik Journalist Dies From Cluster Bomb Wounds During Evacuation - Russian Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20230722

The Russian Defense Ministry said that four journalists received wounds of varying degrees of severity as a result of the Ukrainian strike with cluster munitions.

Sputnik journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev died during evacuation from injuries caused by cluster submunition explosion, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"The journalists [shelled by Ukrainian artillery forces] were promptly evacuated to field medical facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry, where they are receiving qualified medical assistance. During the evacuation, Rostislav Zhuravlev, a journalist with the Sputnik news agency, died from injuries caused by a cluster submunition explosion," the ministry said.

The ministry added that the health condition of other journalists was moderately serious, stable, there was no threat to their life and they were provided with all necessary medical assistance.

Earlier in the day, Sputnik correspondent reported that military journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev was killed by Ukrainian shelling in the special operation zone. In addition, Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky was injured.

A group of journalists came under fire near the village of Pyatikhatki in the Zaporozhye Region.

According to preliminary data, a journalist from another Russian media outlet, Izvestia newspaper, was also wounded.

The newspaper reported that Izvestia correspondent Roman Polshakov received shrapnel wounds and fractured his leg in the combat zone in Ukraine, while TV channel's cameraman Dmitry Shikov also received shrapnel wounds and fractured his hip bones. They are now getting proper medical care.

Ukraine Launches Artillery Strike Against Russian Journalists - MoD

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the Ukrainian forces launched an artillery strike against a group of Sputnik and Izvestia journalist "who were gathering information on the Ukrainian army's artillery shelling with cluster munitions of settlements in Zaporozhye region."

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.

Dmitry Kiselev, the director general of Rossiya Segodnya, called Zhuravlev an "experienced professional" and said that the war correspondent was always first to deliver accurate and important data from dangerous areas.

The head of the Russian Union of Journalists, Vladimir Solovyov, has expressed condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased and said that the union was ready to offer necessary assistance.

"The work of a military correspondent is one of the most dangerous in the world, one of the most dangerous fields of journalism. Sometimes we all lose our friends. I express my deepest condolences to the colleagues, family, and loved ones on behalf of the Russian Union of Journalists. I hope that the injured colleague will recover shortly," Solovyov said.

Sputnik is part of the Rossiya Segodnya international media group.

A Sputnik

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About 4,990 Foreign Fighters Killed by Russian Forces Since Beginning of Military Op in Ukraine

Sputnik News

20230722

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Kiev has intensified recruitment of mercenaries to hide heavy losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during long-advertized counteroffensive. Ukraine is trying to recruit fighters in the US and Canada, including with the help of the CIA, as well as in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Many Polish and German mercenaries were killed on July 6 as a result of Russia's long-range missile strike on a military academy in the city of Lvov in western Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"According to confirmed information, on July 6, as a result of a group strike with long-range, sea-launched high-precision weapons on the territory of the [Ukrainian armed forces'] ground forces academy in the city of Lvov, a large number of Polish and German mercenaries stationed there were eliminated," the ministry said.

A total of 4,990 foreign mercenaries have been eliminated since the start of Russia's military operation, with 4,910 having fled combat zone, leaving Ukraine, the ministry said.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Attacks Village in Russia's Belgorod Region With Cluster Munitions

Sputnik News

20230722

Earlier this week, White House National security spokesman John Kirby said that Ukraine has started using cluster munitions, adding that Kiev was using them "appropriately".

Ukrainian armed forces used cluster munitions against civilian infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod, shelling the village of Zhuravlevka, according to regional head Vyacheslav Gladkov.

He clarified that militants used 21 artillery shells and 3 cluster projectiles, fired from a MLRS.

In addition, nationalists used grenade launchers and kamikaze drones against the village. Ukrainian troops also shelled another village in Belgorod region - Shetinovka, using grenade launchers, artillery and UAVs.

According to Gladkov, there were no casualties or damage to the infrastructure.

Early in July, US President Joe Biden announced the decision to provide Kiev with cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are banned under an international convention which has been ratified by 123 countries, excluding the US, Ukraine, China and Russia.

Vladimir Putin, commenting on this decision, reminded that previous US administrations dubbed such actions as a crime and added that the Russian army has a big stockpile of various cluster munitions.

The international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch said that providing Kiev with such arms will ultimately lead to the long-term suffering of civilians and will nullify the international consensus not to use cluster munitions.

A Sputnik

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Inspection of "military commissariats" continues: responsibility for violation is inevitable - address of President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

22 July 2023 - 21:15

Dear Ukrainians, I wish you good health!

Report for this day.

First. Law enforcement officers informed me today about the situation with the former military commissar in Odesa. He was notified of suspicion based on the facts of illegal enrichment and violation of the order of military service. Logically, this story was not supposed to end with just the dismissal. The State Bureau of Investigation, the Prosecutor General's Office continue the necessary investigative and procedural actions. All details that can be made public will be presented to the public by law enforcement officers. And in general, the inspection of territorial recruitment centers, i.e. "military commissariats", continues. And every such "cabinet" violation somewhere in the military hierarchy, any attempt to somehow get rich there humiliates our warriors, our heroes. Liability for violations is inevitable.

Second. Today, the procedure regarding one of the systemic banks, which belonged to Russian oligarchs, ended. Now, it has public management. The rights of depositors and the resilience of the banking sector are guaranteed. In the future, this bank will operate as usual. I thank the team of the National Bank of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Deposit Guarantee Fund for the quick and effective steps within the legal procedure. Another asset of the Russian oligarchs, who still continue to work within the system existing in Russia, is under the control of our state.

Third. I spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The topic is obvious. This is the implementation of the agreements we reached at the Alliance summit in Vilnius. The priority is unchanged: it is the fastest possible accession to NATO when security conditions allow. Only this will reliably guarantee security and peace for the whole of Europe. We also talked about the current security situation, in particular, about Russian aggressive steps in the Black Sea. Any destabilization in this region and the disruption of our export routes will mean problems with corresponding consequences for everyone in the world. The price crisis is the least of the possible consequences.

We discussed with Mr. Stoltenberg our steps to unblock and ensure the stable operation of the grain corridor. In our cooperation, we have moved to a new, higher level - the level of the Ukraine-NATO Council. And this mechanism can work. I turned to Jens with a proposal to urgently convene such a meeting of the Council for appropriate crisis consultations. The meeting will take place in a few days. We can overcome the security crisis in the Black Sea.

Fourth. I want to thank all the countries that this week adopted new decisions in support of our state, our people, our military, and all citizens.

The Republic of Korea announced an increase in aid to Ukraine. Thank you!

Azerbaijan - humanitarian assistance in the field of energy and demining. Thank you!

Sweden - approved program to help us rebuild. Strategy until 2027. Thank you very much!

Japan - an agreement was signed between the World Bank and Ukraine on a $1.5 billion loan under Japanese guarantees. Thank you!

Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States - sanctions against persons associated with aggression. Thank you!

The United States - defense aid package. Artillery, rounds, air defense - all that we need now. Thank you!

Germany - a new defense supply for our warriors: tanks, artillery rounds, equipment. Grateful!

And, of course, our warriors. Everyone who is currently in battle, on combat posts, and on combat missions. Thank you! Thank you that our forces are increasing the pressure on the occupiers daily. Today, I would like to especially mention our national guardsmen - warriors of the 15th operation brigade named after the Hero of Ukraine Bohdan Zavada. They are very powerfully destroying Russian evil in the South of our country. Thanks, guys, for every countered attack and for your progress! Glory to you!

Separately, I want to note today the warriors of the Defense Intelligence, our intelligence unit - Tymur's unit. Very cool, guys! Well done! Thank you!

Glory to everyone who makes Ukraine stronger!

Glory to Ukraine!

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President and Secretary General of NATO discuss situation in the Black Sea, Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration

President of Ukraine

22 July 2023 - 15:55

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The Head of State of Ukraine and the Secretary General of NATO discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Vilnius summit of the Alliance held on July 12.

The interlocutors shared assessments of the current situation in the Black Sea and the risks it poses to global food security.

Zelenskyy and Stoltenberg defined the priority and future steps necessary for unblocking and sustainable operation of the Black Sea grain corridor.

The President of Ukraine and the Secretary General of NATO discussed further actions regarding Ukraine's integration into NATO.

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The Black Sea does not belong to Russia, so Ukraine, together with TArkiye and the UN, is working to unblock shipping lanes - President

President of Ukraine

22 July 2023 - 10:28

The states of the Black Sea region, in particular, Ukraine and TArkiye, maintain constructive and substantive relations with each other, and only Russia baselessly seeks to dominate the Black Sea waters. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took part in the 14th annual Aspen Security Forum via a video link.

During the event, the Head of State answered the questions of CNN journalist, influential political analyst and international relations expert Fareed Zakaria, and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland.

"All of us must not forget: the Black Sea is the sea of all our states and people. It does not belong to the Russian Federation. There is Ukraine, there is TArkiye, Romania, Bulgaria. We talk with all the countries of the Black Sea coast - substantive pragmatic human relations and, what is very important, legal relations. And Russia believes that the Black Sea is purely Russian," the Head of State said.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is making efforts to unblock the operation of the grain corridor and hopes to achieve a result in this matter.

"We are looking for a way out. We appealed to UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres, I spoke with him personally. I spoke with President ErdoAYan. Talking about this crisis, we see certain ways out. If we succeed, if ErdoAYan succeeds, if the UN is even stronger - I think we will do that," Zelenskyy said.

The President also said that Russian society does not see any victories for Russia either on the battlefield or in the economy.

"I think they are as demotivated as possible. They do not see any victories anywhere: in civilian life, militarily. Even those who support President Putin's policy of war and aggression... I think that this percentage (of support) is decreasing," the Head of State said.

Zelenskyy said that today, when Russia has lost its internal unity, partner countries should demonstrate comprehensive support for Ukraine.

"The world cannot lose its unity. Unity today is the criterion of winners. And I think that thanks to this strength, we will manage not to lose the world's attention to Ukrainian challenges, needs, and shortages. And we will for sure achieve our goal - our land, our people, peace, and respect for Ukraine's sovereignty," the President said.

He said that Ukraine needs a large number of long-range weapons and artillery to reach parity with the Russian side.

"I would like us to be at least the same in the artillery, and preferably better. Samples of Western weapons, NATO weapons are better, but we have less of them. And if it is less, then there should be at least a long-range balance. We lack this," Zelenskyy said.

According to the Head of State, the partner countries should also resolve the issue of supplying Ukraine with modern military aircraft.

"We lack modern aircraft. I'm not just talking about quality, I'm talking about quantity. We are very grateful that the world has unlocked the issue of training missions. We will start in August. But it is very important that, in addition to training, there is confidence today that we will receive enough of these aircraft," the President said.

Answering a question from Freeland, Zelenskyy recalled that he communicated with her in the days when Russian troops tried to occupy Kyiv, and even at that difficult moment, he was sure that Ukraine would win over the enemy.

"Because the truth is on our side. Our families are on our side, our children whom we love. It's life. Therefore, life is on our side. And I am sure that the world, its unity, is also on our side. And that is why I am sure we will win," the Head of State said.

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Humanitarians reached 7.3 million people in Ukraine with vital aid in the first six months of 2023

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

22 Jul 2023

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SAVIANO ABREU, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS IN UKRAINE

Over the past few days, Ukraine has again made the headlines worldwide - for all the wrong reasons - following the Russian Federation's decision to terminate the crucial Black Sea Initiative and the wave of attacks on the civilian Port of Odesa.

Fighting and hostilities here, however, have been as intense as ever over the past months, and although its humanitarian impact is not always captured at the same level, the truth is that the war continues to devastate the lives of civilians, particularly those living close to the front line.

In eastern and southern Ukraine, people struggle to access essential items and services, including vital water and food, life-saving health services, or even materials to repair their damaged homes. Children's vaccinations have been impacted, and their right to go to school cannot be taken for granted.

Since the escalation of the war in February 2022, the UN and our humanitarian partners have worked intensively to ensure people suffering from the consequences of this ferocious war can get some support, some relief. Last year, 16 million people in Ukraine received assistance from the UN and our partners.

This work continues in 2023 and in the first six months of the year, humanitarians provided vital aid and protection services to nearly 7.3 million people. This is almost 2 million more than what we reported in May. Regrettably, only 4 per cent of the people reached live in areas under the military control of the Russian Federation, as impediments imposed on aid workers hamper life-saving activities in these areas.

Across the country, critical health care - as we all know these services have been decimated in the east and south - was provided to 5 million people and around 3 million people had access to clean water and hygiene products amidst increased shortages, particularly in areas affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.

Humanitarian partners have also provided food to over 3.7 million people and reached 3.3 million people with emergency shelter or critical household items. Around 1 million children who fled their homes and whose schools are not fully functional have received support to continue their education. Our colleagues providing protection services, including counselling, legal services, mine-awareness campaigns and services to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors reached more than 1 million people.

And last but not least, 2.5 million people - including over 20,000 people affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam - have received multipurpose cash assistance, crucial support for people whose income and livelihoods have been impacted by the war.

This work, however, is not carried out without challenges. Intensified hostilities and fighting along the entire front line, as well as impediments and obstacles imposed on aid organizations have further impacted humanitarian access in Ukraine in the first six months of 2023, making it increasingly challenging and unpredictable.

At least five humanitarian workers were killed in the line of duty in Ukraine in the first six months of 2023, compared to four fatalities recorded in all of 2022, and nearly 100 incidents impacting humanitarian operations were reported, more than half of them with a moderate or severe impact on the delivery of assistance. This is an average of one incident every other day, highlighting the complex environment humanitarian organizations in Ukraine face.

And, as mentioned before, access to Ukrainians in areas currently under the military control of the Russian Federation continues to be a challenge. The humanitarian community remains firmly committed to continuing all efforts to deliver support where it is needed the most.

To this end, support from the international community is crucial. Just below 30 per cent of the US$3.9 billion requested in the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan has been received by humanitarian organizations in Ukraine. Aid workers in Ukraine urgently need more funding now to ensure life-saving operations will not stop.

***

Saviano Abreu

Spokesperson, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Kyiv, 22 July 2023

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Latest in Ukraine: Zelenskyy, NATO Chief Discuss Ways to Restore Grain Shipments

By VOA News July 22, 2023

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

The United States plans to announce as soon as Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine of up to $400 million, including artillery, air defense missiles and ground vehicles as Ukraine's counteroffensive grinds on, three U.S. officials said Friday. The package will not include cluster munitions.

Poland said Saturday that a hub for repairs and maintenance of damaged Ukrainian tanks had begun operating in its southern city of Gliwice.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the nationalization of a bank in Ukraine previously belonging to Russian oligarchs. "Now, it has public management. The rights of depositors and the resilience of the banking sector are guaranteed," he said in his nightly video address.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke Saturday with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg about ways to restore the safe transit of ships carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said he asked Stoltenberg to convene the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was set up at this month's NATO summit, to discuss security in the Black Sea, particularly the operation of a corridor for Ukrainian grain exports.

"I proposed to Jens that the council be convened without delay for relevant crisis consultations. The meeting will take place in the coming days. We can overcome the security crisis in the Black Sea."

NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said the NATO-Ukraine Council, created during the Vilnius summit this month, would discuss the situation following Russia's withdrawal from Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Lungescu said the two men discussed Russia's exit from the deal and its "continued attempts to weaponize food, which are affecting millions of vulnerable people around the world."

The U.N. brokered accord, which expired Monday, guaranteed safe passage to ships transporting grain and other agricultural commodities from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea corridor.

Since the expiration of the grain deal, Moscow has declared large areas of the Black Sea dangerous for shipping and has targeted Ukrainian ports with drones and missiles, destroying 60,000 metric tons of grain.

Moscow has warned that it would assume that ships crossing parts of the Black Sea would be carrying weapons to Ukraine. Similarly, Ukraine said vessels heading to Russian Black Sea ports would be considered "carrying military cargo with all the associated risks."

In the wake of the deal's expiration, the number of ships loading grain from the Black Sea area has fallen by 35%. As uncertainty grows over whether commercial traffic could be hit by Russia, shipping insurance companies have suspended coverage for shipments from Ukraine apart from the smaller ports along the Danube, insurance industry sources said Friday.

Despite the risks, some ship owners are still interested in shipping grain from Ukrainian ports to the world.

"Shipping has always been very, very resilient in the face of these sorts of risks," said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world's commercial fleet.

Vessels crossing the Black Sea are likely to encounter mines and could become collateral damage at ports or a direct target of Russian strikes, which Stawpert said would lead to " a huge escalation."

"It is unlikely that underwriters will want to cover that risk," said the International Union of Marine Insurance, which represents national and international marine insurers.

In an interview with VOA's Russian Service, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman said the U.S. agency has been assisting Ukraine in exporting grain via alternate routes through Poland and other countries, as well as the Danube River.

Coleman said these alternate routes are not as "cost efficient and not as fast as transporting in big bulk carriers from the Black Sea, and it has caused some friction with its neighbors." Overland Ukrainian grain exports can adversely affect grain prices of Ukraine's European neighbors, which see their agricultural products depreciate.

But Coleman emphasized it is important to use these alternate distribution routes so that "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin's blackmail, his destruction will not undermine Ukraine's agricultural sector."

Crimea

Ukraine said its army had destroyed an oil depot and Russian army warehouses in what it called the "temporarily occupied" district of Oktyabrsky in central Crimea.

The attack caused an explosion at the depot, said Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov, adding that no damage or casualties were reported. Footage shared by state media showed a thick cloud of gray smoke at the site.

The attack prompted an evacuation in the area and brief suspension of the road traffic on the Crimean bridge, linking the peninsula to Russia, the region's Moscow-installed governor said Saturday.

Zelenskyy said Friday the Crimea Bridge is a legitimate target.

The bridge that links Crimea to Russia was hit Monday with explosions that killed two people. Following the attack, a portion of the bridge was put out of commission.

Speaking Friday by video link to the Aspen Security Conference in the U.S., Zelenskyy said, "This is the route used to feed the war with ammunition and this is being done on a daily basis and it militarizes the Crimean Peninsula."

VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin, VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb, VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell, U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer, VOA's Anna Chernikova in Kyiv, and VOA's Mykhailo Komadovsky contributed to this story. Some information was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.



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Latest in Ukraine: Zelenskyy Says Crimea Bridge Is Legitimate Target

By VOA News July 22, 2023

Latest developments:

The British Defense Ministry said Saturday in its daily intelligence report on Ukraine that leading nationalist military blogger Igor Girkin "was almost certainly arrested for extremism" Friday. The ministry said Girkin, a critic of Russia's Defense Ministry's "conduct of the war," has recently engaged in direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and "his time in power." The arrest will likely "infuriate" military bloggers, who view Girkin as "an astute military analyst and patriot," the British ministry said.

The United States plans to announce as soon as Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine of up to $400 million, including artillery, air defense missiles and ground vehicles, as Ukraine's counteroffensive grinds on, three U.S. officials said Friday. The package will not include cluster munitions.

Warsaw's Security Committee decided 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 Friday.

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 said Friday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of his Security Council in televised remarks that any aggression by Poland against Russia's neighbor and close ally Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia. Poland denies any territorial ambitions in Belarus.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that the Crimea Bridge is a legitimate target.

The bridge that links Crimea to Russia was hit Monday with explosions that killed two people. Following the attack, a portion of the bridge was put out of commission.

Speaking Friday by video link to the Aspen Security Conference in the U.S., Zelenskyy said, "This is the route used to feed the war with ammunition and this is being done on a daily basis. And it militarizes the Crimean peninsula."

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the bridge attack. Moscow blames Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said in in his daily address Friday, "Russia killed two more children today. ... A girl born in 2007 and a boy born in 2013 died."

Zelenskyy said the children were killed in an attack on the village of Druzhba in the Donetsk region. Two women were also killed in the attack, while a cultural center, a school, and residential buildings were damaged.

Also Friday, Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan, on coordinated efforts to restore the operation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Zelenskyy called unblocking the grain corridor an absolute priority. "Due to Russia's actions, the world is once again on the brink of a food crisis," he said. "A total of 400 million people in many countries in Africa and Asia are at risk of starvation. With joint efforts, we must avert the global food crisis."

His remarks were echoed by U.N. political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo to the Security Council earlier Friday. She said that Russian attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports could have "far-reaching impacts on global food security, in particular in developing countries."

DiCarlo also called threats about the potential targeting of civilian vessels in Black Sea waters a made by both Russia and Ukraine a 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.

Missile strikes

Russian cruise missiles pummeled Ukrainian food export storage facilities in Odesa early Friday. The attacks followed a three-day barrage against the region's Black Sea port infrastructure.

"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.

Two people were injured, Kiper said, while officials reported seven dead in Russian airstrikes elsewhere in Ukraine.

Moscow has described the attacks as retaliatory after Ukraine's strike on the Russian-built bridge to Crimea. Russia accuses Ukraine of using the sea corridor to launch terrorist attacks.

"Terrorist attacks are when Russian anti-ship missiles hit shopping malls, hospitals and grain terminals," tweeted Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, in response.

Russia said its Black Sea fleet had practiced 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.

Since the grain deal expired Monday, the number of ships loading grain cargoes from the Black Sea area has fallen by 35%. Uncertainty grows over whether Russia could hit commercial traffic, and shipping insurance companies have now suspended coverage for shipments from Ukraine apart from the smaller ports along the Danube, insurance industry sources said Friday.

Ships stalled

Meanwhile, dozens of ships were waiting to pass through the Danube channel Friday, including vessels bound for Romania or leaving from there, according to data from analytics company MarineTraffic.

In an interview with VOA's Russian Service, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman said that the U.S. agency has been assisting Ukraine in exporting grain via alternate routes through Poland and other countries, as well as through the Danube River.

Coleman said these alternate routes are not as "cost-efficient and not as fast as transporting in big bulk carriers from the Black Sea, and it has caused some friction with its neighbors." Overland Ukrainian grain exports can adversely affect grain prices of Ukraine's European neighbors, which see their agricultural products depreciate.

But Coleman stressed it is important to utilize these alternate distribution routes so that "Putin's blackmail, his destruction, will not undermine Ukraine's agricultural sector."

The attacks on Ukraine's grain export infrastructure and fears about the fate of grain shipping have triggered a spike in the prices of grain products.

Erdogan said Western countries should address Russia's demands to restore the Black Sea grain corridor.

The U.S. Treasury said Thursday that it had imposed new Russia-related sanctions to "reduce Russia's revenue from the metals and mining sector, undermine its future energy capabilities and degrade Russia's access to the international financial system."

Wagner Group



The last of the Wagner Group's convict-prisoner mercenaries are scheduled to be released from their mandated service "in the coming days," the British Defense Ministry said Friday.

In the ministry's daily intelligence report about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it said "a significant number" of the pardoned convicts would likely continue with Wagner as professional contractors. Russia now controls Wagner's prison recruitment pipeline, according to the ministry.

The Wagner Group staged a mutiny against Putin's authority last month.

The end of the Wagner Group's prison recruitment program marks one of the bloodiest episodes in modern military history, the British ministry said, with as many as 20,000 convict-recruits killed in a few months.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told the Aspen Security Forum on Friday that Wagner mercenaries were not fighting in Ukraine at present.

Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a video Wednesday that his fighters would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now, ordering them to gather their strength for Africa.

VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin, VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb, VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell, U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer, VOA's Anna Chernikova in Kyiv, VOA's Mykhailo Komadovsky contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Targeted attacks, suspended grain deal complicate Russia-Ukraine war

Global Times

China calls on strengthen dialogue, consultations on halted Black Sea grain deal

By GT staff reporters Published: Jul 23, 2023 08:42 PM

With a Ukrainian drone hitting a Crimean ammunition depot prompting authorities to close the Crimea bridge again and overnight Russian strikes on Odessa that destroyed buildings including the Transfiguration Cathedral over the weekend, the Chinese Embassy in the Ukraine issued a security notice on Sunday morning reminding Chinese nationals to take strict security precautions given the frequent air strikes in the south of Ukraine.

Some experts said while the Russia-Ukraine war is still in a stage of stalemate, some factors including frequent attacks on critical military facilities and ports, the use of cluster munitions and the suspended Black Sea grain deal have brought uncertainties to the situation which could witness another escalation.

A drone attack on an ammunition depot in Crimea prompted authorities to evacuate everyone within a five-kilometer radius and briefly suspend road traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia, the Guardian reported on Saturday, citing regional governor Sergei Aksyonov.

The Ukrainian military took credit for the attack, Deutsche Welle reported.

The drone attack followed a recent attack on the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia - the second time the bridge has been hit in 10 months. The attack on the Crimean bridge, a vital symbol of Russia's claimed sovereignty, also caused a strong reaction from Kremlin as Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to retaliate.

Meanwhile, Russia launched high-precision Onyx missiles and sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles on Odessa after midnight on Sunday, the Guardian said, citing Ukraine's Air Force. Odessa governor Oleh Kiper said besides killing one and injuring 19 people including four children, it also damaged residential and religious infrastructure.

Russia's RIA Novosti news agency says its war correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev was killed by Ukrainian shelling as he covered the fighting in Zaporozhye Region. Several other journalists were wounded in the strike, RT reported.

"There are several factors that could lead the Russia-Ukraine crisis to further escalate, including the use of cluster munitions, and Russia's attacks on Ukraine's important military facilities and ports. On the cluster munitions, Russia may react forcefully," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Moscow accused Kiev of using cluster munitions supplied by the US in the attack that killed one Russian journalist and wounded several others, and the Russian Foreign Ministry said "the responsibility for the killing also lies with those who supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions," the Al Jazeera reported on Saturday.

"As major battlefields in the Ukraine-Russia war are in a stalemate, we may see more attacks by drones or unmanned surface vehicles, creating more damage and pressure on each side. And now the impact of the war has extended from military to politics and the economy," Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The recently halted Black Sea grain deal is part of diplomatic and economic warfare as Russia hopes to break down the Western sanctions against it, although it will make Ukraine's economy even worse this year, Zhang said. "Also, both Russia and Ukraine said that all merchant ships entering and leaving local ports are considered to be carrying military supplies, which could be intercepted or even attacked, indicating that the security situation in the Black Sea region is drastically deteriorating."

China hopes that the relevant parties will act in the interests of maintaining international food security and alleviating the food crisis in developing countries, in particular by working with UN agencies to strengthen dialogue and consultations and meet each other halfway, to strive for a balanced solution to the legitimate concerns of all parties and resume the exports of grain and fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine at an early date, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told at the UN Security Council meeting on Friday.

"Although Russia has brought up some conditions for resuming the deal, including lifting sanctions on grain and fertilizer, Western countries are unlikely to meet those conditions, which could make the situation further escalate," Song said.

The biggest problem now is that there is no sign of peace talks in sight, neither between Russia and Ukraine nor between the US and Russia, putting a deadlock on the war, Song said.

The collapse of the Black Sea deal is Russia's retaliation for Ukraine's attack on Russian civilian facilities, and aims to force Ukraine to stop attacking facilities like Crimea bridge, and only when the relevant parties of the deal ensure and supervise that Ukraine does not attack Russian civilian facilities, will the deal resume, Cui Heng, a lecturer at the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization training base for international judicial exchanges and cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"Russia's retaliation against Ukraine was strong, especially the blockade of the port of Odessa, which shows that Russia still has a strong will to fight this war," Cui said.

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Top US diplomat claims Ukraine recaptured 50% of territory from Russia amid reports of huge losses

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 7:13 PM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has claimed Ukraine has recaptured 50 percent of the territory originally seized by Russia amid widespread reports of the massive losses of troops and equipment suffered by the Western-backed country.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Blinken said Ukraine has already retaken about 50 percent of the territory that Russia seized, stressing that Kiev faced a "very hard fight" to win back more.

He pointed out that this is still a relatively early day of the counteroffensive and it will be challenging.

"These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough," he said, adding, "It will not play out over the next week or two. We're still looking I think at several months."

Blinken's remarks came as the West's hopes that Ukraine could quickly clear Moscow's forces from its territory following the counteroffensive are fading.

Kiev's troops struggle to breach heavily entrenched Russian positions in the country's south and east.

Ukraine has recaptured some villages in the south and territory around the ruined city of Bakhmut in the east but has not had a major breakthrough against heavily defended Russian lines.

Ukraine launched the counteroffensive against Russia in June to take back occupied territory after months of preparation and some delay in the timeline. Although the counteroffensive started off strong, its pace has slowed as Ukraine has been going through munitions quickly.

Late last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quoted as saying that the counteroffensive's progress against Russian forces was "slower than desired."

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Zelensky attributed the delayed start of his country's counteroffensive against Russia to insufficient munitions and training earlier this year.

Zelensky has repeatedly called on its Western allies to speed up the pace of supplying weapons to his country.

In May, the Ukrainian president pressed allies to send more weapons as his military geared up for the planned counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Russia has warned that the flow of Western arms will only escalate tensions.

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Russia strikes Ukraine's facilities producing drone boats near Odessa

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 6:35 PM

Russia says its forces have carried out a missile strike on facilities that manufactured and prepared drone boats near the Black Sea port city of Odessa, amid Ukraine's heavily publicized counteroffensive.

The Russian Defense Ministry made the announcement on Sunday, saying all targets chosen for the strike were destroyed during the overnight attack.

"Last night, the Russian armed forces launched a group strike with long-range high-precision sea- and air-based weapons on facilities where terrorist acts against Russia were being prepared using uncrewed boats, as well as on places where they were being manufactured near the city of Odessa," it said.

"Foreign mercenaries were present at the affected facilities," the ministry stated, adding that all selected targets were destroyed.

The ministry further noted that Ukraine has attempted to advance in the directions of Donetsk, Krasny Liman and the southern region of Zaporizhzhia over the past day.

It went on to say that Russian forces have repelled Ukrainian offensive attempts, with Ukraine losing many troops and weaponry.

The ministry further rejected Ukraine and Western media's allegations that the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa has been damaged by a Russian strike.

"The information spread by the Kiev regime about striking the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa as a result of the use of precision weapons has nothing to do with reality," it said.

"All the facilities designated for destruction and destroyed on the night of July 23 a where the Kiev regime, together with foreign specialists, were preparing terrorist acts against the Russian Federation a were located at a safe distance from the cathedral complex," it added.

The ministry also said the damage to the cathedral "was most likely caused by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile that fell on it due to unprofessional actions of Ukrainian air defense operators, deliberately stationed in residential areas."

The latest development comes as Ukraine launched a counteroffensive last month to reclaim territory under Russian control.

Kiev, however, has acknowledged that its forces are not advancing as fast as it desired against Russian forces.

Russia has also described Ukraine's counteroffensive against its forces as "unsuccessful."

Russia began what it calls a special military operation against its neighbor last February, saying the offensive was aimed at defending Ukraine's pro-Russian population in Donetsk and Luhansk, another eastern Ukrainian region, against persecution by the Kiev regime.

Several Ukrainian regions have ever since voted in separate referendums in favor of joining the Russian Federation.

Kiev and its Western allies, however, accuse Moscow of seizing those territories by force.

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Putin mocks Ukraine counteroffensive as failure with huge losses due to 'stupidity'

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 5:16 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ridiculed Ukraine's loss of massive number of troops and foreign mercenaries during their widely publicized counteroffensive as "stupidity."

The Ukrainian military has lost "more than" 26,000 troops in the course of its counteroffensive, Putin said on Sunday during talks in St. Petersburg with his visiting Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin further commented on the operations of foreign mercenaries fighting against Russia on Kiev's behalf, underlining that they had suffered heavy losses "due to their stupidity."

"As far as foreign mercenaries are concerns, they are also taking heavy casualties," Putin said as cited in report by Sputnik News.

"Members of the general public of the countries whose governments are sending people to the conflict zone today should also be aware of what is happening there. And we will bring this to the attention of the people so that they can evaluate the actions of their rulers," the Russian president then added.

The remarks came after Russia's military estimated on Saturday that nearly 5,000 foreign mercenaries had been killed while fighting in Ukraine since the outset of Moscow's military operation last February, with over 4,900 fleeing the combat zone and leaving Ukraine.

Lukashenko was also cited in the report as saying that over 15 German-made Leopard tanks and 20 US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles used by Ukraine had recently been destroyed during combat in a span of 24 hours.

Putin appeared to confirm the figures, adding that "so many foreign [pieces of armor] had never been destroyed in one day like this," and that Russian forces seem to have struck units equipped entirely with foreign equipment.

Lukashenko slams Polish plot to annex Western Ukraine

While Poland has already become actively involved in the Ukrainian conflict by providing Kiev with military hardware, recent reports indicate that Warsaw could take its efforts up a notch.

Lukashenko accused Poland of trying to "rip off a western chunk" of Ukraine, saying the transfer of Western Ukraine to Poland would be an unacceptable scenario for Minsk and vowed to help the region if it asks for assistance.

Meanwhile, Warsaw has said it would strengthen its eastern border after Wagner fighters arrived in Belarus.

Speaking with members of Russia's Security Council on Friday, President Putin has also warned that the Polish leadership may be planning to send troops to Ukraine in the near future.

He said Warsaw likely hopes to form a coalition "under NATO's umbrella" to directly intervene in the Ukrainian conflict in order to seize the territories of modern-day West Ukraine.

During the meeting, Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), also said that Warsaw was considering capturing western territories of Ukraine by deploying its own troops to the region as part of a Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian security initiative.

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Zelensky claims Ukraine's counteroffensive put off by lack of munitions

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 3:51 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that plans for a highly anticipated counteroffensive in early spring have been postponed due to lack of sufficient munitions despite widespread reports that the war effort have miserably failed with heavy losses.

"We did have plans to start it in spring. But we didn't, because, frankly, we had not enough munitions and armaments and not enough brigades properly trained in these weapons, still, more, that the training missions were held outside Ukraine," he so claimed on Sunday in an interview with the US-based CNN.

The Ukrainian president added that because the counteroffensive began later, "it provided Russia with time to mine all our lands and build several lines of defense. And, definitely, they had even more time than they needed."

Zelensky went on to say that due to the fact that Russian forces "had a lot of mines in our fields," our counteroffensive operations had a slower pace.

"We didn't want to lose our people, our personnel. And our servicemen didn't want to lose equipment because of that," he claimed.

The latest development comes almost a week after Russia described Ukraine's counteroffensive against its forces as "unsuccessful."

Ukraine launched a counteroffensive last month to reclaim territory under Russian control. However, Kiev acknowledged that its forces are not advancing as fast as it desired against Russian forces.

Earlier this month, Zelensky said the slow delivery of weapons promised by the West was delaying the counteroffensive, calling on the United States and other allies to provide Kiev with long-range weapons and artillery.

Zelensky has repeatedly called on its Western allies to speed up the pace of supplying weapons to his country. In May, the Ukrainian president pressed allies to send more weapons as his military geared up for the planned counteroffensive.

However, the promise of F-16 fighter jets, which Zelensky had repeatedly pressed the US and other allies for, didn't come until days later. Those jets are set to arrive in Ukraine toward the end of the year.

Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in late February 2022. Ever since the beginning of the war, Western countries, led by the United States, have been pumping Ukraine full of tens of billions of dollars worth of advanced weapons.

Russia has repeatedly warned that the flow of Western arms will only escalate tensions.

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Russia slams US for Kiev's use of cluster bombs as journalist killed

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 July 2023 5:59 AM

Russia has blamed the US after an attack conducted by the Ukrainian military forces using Washington-supplied cluster munitions killed Russian military correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev and injured several other journalists.

"Rostislav died as a result of Ukrainian armed forces strike with cluster munitions," the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement said civilians in residential areas had been targeted by Ukrainian forces, blaming the US for providing Kiev with the widely-banned cluster munitions.

"Ukrainian radicals use these shells to hit cities and villages of our country, destroying homes of civilians. Kiev receives such weapons from the United States," it added.

"American officials assured the world community that the Ukrainians would use these munitions 'selectively and carefully.' The nullity of these words is evident to everyone," the statement said.

It further said the use of the cluster bombs against civilians demonstrated that Washington is "losing control over its puppets."

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said Zhuravlev had been killed from injuries caused by a cluster submunition explosion during evacuation in a Ukrainian strike. It also said four journalists received wounds of varying degrees of severity.

According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Zhuravlev had been killed near the front-line village of Piatykhatky.

The Defense Ministry and local officials reported Ukraine had used cluster munitions in the area, targeting villages.

"In Belgorod district, 21 artillery shells and three cluster munitions from a multiple-launch rocket system were fired at the village of Zhuravlevka," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Friday.

Ukraine, which received cluster bombs from the United States this month, had pledged not to use them in residential areas.

'Criminal terror'

Russian Foreign Ministry also denounced the Kiev regime for "continuing its practice of criminal terror."

The killing of Zhuravlev was "a heinous, premeditated crime" Kiev committed deliberately, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.

"Everything indicates that the attack on the group of journalists was not carried out by chance," Zakharova added.

Zakharova said the US was a Kiev complicit for supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions and shared responsibility for those killed.

According to the ministry, "The journalists were gathering material for a report on the bombing by the Kiev regime militants of settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region using cluster munitions banned in many countries around the world."

Cluster shells, bombs, and munitions contain dozens of small bomblets that rain shrapnel over a wide area and are banned in most countries due to the potential danger they pose to civilians.

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Russian Missile Strikes On Odesa Kill At Least One, Wound 22, Damage Orthodox Cathedral

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 23, 2023

At least one person was killed and 22 wounded, including four children, in fresh Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said on July 23.

An Orthodox cathedral was also seriously damaged in the overnight Russian military attack, Oleh Kiper, governor of southern Ukraine's Odesa region, said on the Telegram messaging app.

"Odesa: another night attack of the monsters," wrote Kiper.

Some reports said that a second person had died from the Odesa strike, but that could not immediately be confirmed.

Russia's military has launched military strikes on Odesa and other Ukrainian food export facilities over the past week after the Kremlin withdrew from a UN-brokered sea corridor agreement that allowed for the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain. Kyiv has accused Moscow of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to the deal.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv would submit the attack on the Orthodox cathedral as evidence to the United Nations of Russia's "systematic" destruction of religious sites in Ukraine during its invasion.

"The latest case is today's strike on the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa. We will raise this issue at the next meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine to make it clear: Russia is the only threat to Ukrainian Orthodoxy," Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a Twitter post after the Russian strike on Odesa that "missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral.... There can be no excuse for Russian evil. As always, this evil will lose. And there will definitely be a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation."

Zelenskiy also urged Ukraine's Western allies to speed up delivery of air-defense systems to help it defend itself against Russian missile "terror."

"Thanks to the help of partners and air-defense systems provided to Ukraine, our sky defenders have saved thousands of lives. But for our entire territory, for all our cities and communities, we need more air-defense systems. The world should not get used to Russian terror -- it is necessary to defeat terror. And it is possible," Zelenskiy wrote.

Odesa's military administration said that the cathedral of the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was severely damaged.

"The Kasperovska icon of the Mother of God, who is the patroness of Odesa, was retrieved from under the rubble," the administration said on its Telegram channel.

Andriy Palchuk, the cathedral's archdeacon, told Reuters that the missile strike had started a fire that only affected one corner of the cathedral containing nonhistoric religious artifacts for purchase by worshippers.

"When the right altar chapel -- one of the most sacred parts of the cathedral -- was hit, a missile piece flew through the whole cathedral and hit the area where we display icons, candles, and books for purchase," he said.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported strikes on targets in the area but denied it had struck the cathedral and claimed the building had probably been hit by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile.

The Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Cathedral, or the Transfiguration Cathedral, is Odesa's largest Orthodox church and was consecrated in 1809. It was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in 1939 but rebuilt in 2003.

In video posted to social media, Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov is seen walking amidst the rubble inside the church.

Another video clip showed a man walking inside the cathedral repeating, "The church is no longer.... Lord, have mercy."

Other photos and videos showed parts of the building destroyed and rubble inside with several icons lined up on the ground.

Ukraine's Southern Operational Command said Odesa was targeted with at least five types of missiles, including high-precision Onyx missiles, sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles, and Iskander ballistic missiles.

The city's military administration said that air-defense systems had destroyed a "significant part" of them.

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, repeated calls for more missiles and defense systems.

"The enemy must be deprived of the ability to hit civilians and infrastructure. More missile defense systems, as well as ATACMS -- this will help Ukraine," Yermak wrote on Telegram, referring to the long-range tactical missiles that Kyiv wants Washington to supply.

Odesa has been bombed several times since the start of the invasion, and in January the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO designated the historic center of the city as a World Heritage in Danger site.

On July 23, UNESCO issued a statement "strongly" condemning Russia's "repeated attacks" against cultural and heritage sites.

"UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the brazen attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city center of Odesa, home to the World Heritage property," it said.

It said the latest attack, in addition to taking human life, "damaged a number of significant cultural sites, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, the first and foremost Orthodox church in Odesa founded in 1794."

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-attacks-odesa-orthodox- cathedral-grain-invasion/32515285.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Blinken Says Moscow 'Failed A Long Time Ago' In War Goals, But Sees 'Very Hard Fight' Ahead

By RFE/RL July 23, 2023

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia "failed a long time ago" in what it sought to achieve in its war against Ukraine and that Kyiv's current counteroffensive has retaken substantial territory initially seized by Moscow, but he also warned of a long, "very hard fight" in the coming months.

"The objective was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, its sovereignty, to subsume it into Russia. That failed a long time ago," Blinken told CNN in an interview broadcast on July 23.

"Unlike the Russians, Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their future, for their country, for their freedom," Blinken said.

But he cautioned that the war -- now more than 500 days old -- would continue for at least "several months."

Blinken said Ukraine has seen success in its counteroffensive, but he cautioned that progress going forward would not be easy.

"[Ukraine has] already taken back about 50 percent of what was initially seized," Blinken claimed, without being specific. "These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough.

"It will not play out over the next week or two. We're still looking, I think, at several months."

Many Western observers had initially expressed optimism that Kyiv's long-awaited counteroffensive could quickly clear Russian forces from occupied regions in the east and south of the country, but many have suggested that the going has been tougher than hoped.

In late June, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said progress against Russian forces was "slower than desired" but that Kyiv would not be pressured into speeding up its actions.

The comments come as fighting continues to rage in eastern and southern Ukraine, including reports of heightened attacks on civilian sites by Russian forces.

Ukrainian officials on July 23 said one person was killed and 22 wounded, including four children, in a fresh Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.

Russia's military has launched strikes on the port city and other Ukrainian food export facilities over the past week after the Kremlin withdrew from a UN-brokered sea corridor agreement that allowed for the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to the deal.

"Missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral.... There can be no excuse for Russian evil. As always, this evil will lose. And there will definitely be a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation," Zelenskiy said in a post on Twitter after the fresh strike on Odesa.

Zelenskiy wrote on his Telegram channel on July 23 that Ukraine needs a full-fledged air shield to defeat Russian missile strikes.

"We have already shown that we can shoot down even those Russian missiles that terrorists especially boasted about. Thanks to the help of partners and air-defense systems provided to Ukraine, our sky defenders have saved thousands of lives," Zelenskiy wrote.

"But for our entire territory, for all our cities and communities, we need more air-defense systems. The world should not get used to Russian terror -- it is necessary to defeat terror. And it is possible," Zelenskiy wrote.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/blinken-russia-ukraine- invasion-failed-goals-hard-fight/32515576.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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By SA Commercial Prop News

SA Commercial Prop News retains the crown for the second year in a row, winning the SAPOA Property Online News Portal of the Year Accolade. Ortneil Kutama Media Director at SA Commercial Prop News seen with the Award. Image gallery



THE South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) on May 15th 2013 announced the four winners of its annual Awards for Excellence in property Journalism, reaffirming its intent to enhance investor knowledge.

The creme de la creme of SAs property media has again been recognised by the commercial and industrial property industry with the announcement of this years SAPOA Property Journalism Awards.

The winners for 2013 are: Micel Schnehage of Moneyweb for Property News Journalist of the Year; Kerry Dimmer of Earthworks South for Property Feature Journalist of the Year; SA Real Estate Investor Magazine for Property Printed Publication of the Year; and SA Commercial Prop News for Property Online News of the Year.

The Awards - sponsored by PD Naidoo & Associates, Crane Construction Consultants, Standard Bank, Encha Properties, Dube TradePort, Remote Metering Solutions, and Capital Property Fund - were announced on the 15th May at the 45th annual SAPOA International Convention and Property Exhibition at Sun City.

Excellence in reporting is more than delivering a good story. Its about exceeding standard requirements, says SAPOA CEO Neil Gopal.

The judging panel, chosen for their fresh perspectives and insight, were uncompromising in their expectations of quality.

This year, the five-person judging panel included Angelique de Rauville of a Handful of Keys, Aku Beke of Crane Construction Consultants, Vernon Matzopoulos of Summit TV, and Mahomed Soobader of PD Naidoo & Associates, and Capstone Property Groups Brian Azizollahoff, who also serves as Chairman of the SAPOA Property Journalism Awards Committee.

Each entry is judged along a stringent set of criteria that includes accuracy, clarity and consistency, explains Azizollahoff.

Schnehage won the coveted Property News Journalist of the Year award for her tenacious, quality journalism, newsworthy content and careful investigation.

Special mentions went to both Elma Kloppers of Sake24/Beeld and Denise Mhlanga from Property24.

Dimmers fresh new style of writing and thought-provoking articles clinched her Property Feature Journalist of the Year.

Joan Muller of Financial Mail received a special mention in this category.

Comprehensive and topical information combined with visual appeal scooped the Property Online News of the Year award for SA Commercial Prop News  for the second year in a row.

Special mention in this category went to Eprop online news.

The Property Printed Publication of the Year went to SA Real Estate Investor for its highly relevant articles and accessible information for everyday investors, with a special mention going to Shopping SA.

The two winning journalists each walk away with R10,000 in prize money and a trophy, while the winning publications each receive trophies for their achievements.
Delivery of F-16s to Ukraine to Take Several Months - Blinken

Sputnik News

20230723

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States will deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine but it will take "several months" as the process involves providing training and maintenance as well, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told an American news channel in an interview on Sunday.

On Thursday, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that Ukraine would receive F-16 by the end of the year.

"If a decision were made to actually move forward on the F-16s tomorrow, it would be months and months before they were actually operational," Blinken added.

Earlier in July, Pentagon's Joint Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II that the conditions on the battlefield in Ukraine were not "ideal" for using F-16 fighter jets given that Russia continues to possess air defense capabilities.

Western allies began delivering weapons to Ukraine after Russia launched its military operation there in February 2022. Their support has evolved from light artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing its donors to supply fighter jets. Russia has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev.

Ukrainian Counteroffensive 'is Tough'

Speaking about the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Blinken said that the US is estimating that it will not reach its final stage in the coming weeks and may take several months more.

"These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough... It will not play out over the next week or two. We're still looking, I think, at several months," Blinken told the broadcaster.

Ukraine's much-touted counteroffensive kicked off in early June after months of delays over a lack of military supplies from Western donors. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian troops kept trying but were failing to advance in the South Donetsk, Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Zaporozhye directions. A number of Western media also noted the weak results of Kiev's counteroffensive, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself admitted that progress was "slower than desired."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that Ukraine had lost over 26,000 soldiers since the start of the counteroffensive.

A Sputnik

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West's Hopes for Breakthrough in Ukraine's Counteroffensive Dashed

Sputnik News

20230723

Ekaterina Blinova

Western countries knew that Ukraine did not have enough weapons and training for the counteroffensive, but hoped that Ukrainian courage and resourcefulness would save the day; however, these hopes have been dashed, the US press admits.

Russia's resistance, airpower, and extensive fortifications blocked the Kiev regime's advance and eventually led to Ukraine's counteroffensive stalling. There is a risk of Ukrainian lives and equipment being lost without any shift in momentum, as per a US mainstream media outlet.

The media outlet noted that as the likelihood of any large-scale breakthrough by the Ukrainian forces this year fades, it raises the "unsettling prospect" for Washington and its NATO allies of a "longer war" which would require more armaments and even more training. Under these circumstances, the political calculus for the Biden administration appears especially complicated given the forthcoming election in November 2024.

While the EU is continuing to help Ukraine, European leaders are unlikely to make a significant increase in aid to Ukraine if they feel a lack of enthusiasm from the United States, the newspaper noted.

At the end of June, the Pentagon stated that they initially understood that the counteroffensive would be tough and entail casualties among their ranks. Still, US war planners claimed the Kiev regime was well-equipped.

"Our assessments have been pretty clear from the beginning. We know this is going to be a hard fight. We know this is going to take time. And we are confident that the Ukrainians have what they need," claimed Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on June 21.

"We have accounted for losses. We know there are going to be losses on the battlefield. That's the unfortunate part of this war," she added.

However, it appears that Washington did not expect that the losses would be so heavy. The long-advertised Ukrainian counteroffensive in the South Donetsk, Artemovsk (Bakhmut), and Zaporozhye directions started on June 4 after months of delays. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained in an interview with the Western press earlier this month that the effort couldn't start earlier due to a lack of weaponry.

Kiev deployed NATO-trained brigades armed with Western equipment, including the much-touted Leopard tanks. Shortly after, images of burned and damaged NATO-grade weaponry started to pop up in the media and social networks.

Since the beginning of Ukraine's counteroffensive, Russia has destroyed 21 Ukrainian air planes, five helicopters, some 1,244 Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles, including 17 Leopard tanks, five French AMX wheeled tanks, 914 units of special vehicles, two air defense systems, and 25 MLRS vehicles, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated earlier this month. Over 26,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been eliminated on the battlefield.

Cluster Bombs, Long Range Missiles and F-16 Won't be Game Changerly disappointed with the results of Ukraine's long-anticipated counteroffensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, addressing a Russian Security Council meeting on July 21.

"Neither the colossal resources that were pumped into the Kiev regime, nor the supply of Western weapons, tanks, artillery, armored vehicles and missiles helped. The delivery of thousands of foreign mercenaries and advisers who were most actively used in attempts to break through the front of our army did not help either," Putin said.

Cluster Bombs, Long Range Missiles, and F-16 Won't be Game Changer

Last week, the Russian president commented on the Biden administration's decision to send deadly cluster munitions to Kiev, saying that it is a clear indication that Western ammunition stockpiles are depleted. Sputnik's interlocutors earlier noted that the US-made cluster bombs would not help the Ukrainians shift the balance in their favor during the ongoing counteroffensive. The military analysts suggested that most of these deadly munitions would be used against civilians in Russia's new regions. Previously, the Kiev regime has used long-range Storm Shadow missiles, provided by the UK, to attack civilian infrastructure.

Earlier, the Western media reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had asked for hundreds of US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a range of 190 miles (300 km) in order to destroy Russian command posts and logistics areas far behind front lines.

However, the Pentagon fears that sending enough ATACMS to Ukraine to make a difference on the battlefield "would severely undercut US readiness" for other possible conflicts, according to another American daily. The number of ATACMS in American stockpiles is fixed and is awaiting replacement with the next generation Precision Strike Missile (the Prism). Lockheed Martin produces 500 ATACMS per year, but they are destined for other countries, according to the media.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced that US-made F-16 fighter jets would arrive in Ukraine near the end of 2023, following months of ambiguity and seeming reluctance to authorize the supplies. At the same time, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley told the press it would take years and billions of dollars for the West to help Ukraine match the Russian fleet of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, train Ukrainian pilots, and facilitate the necessary maintenance.

It's becoming clear that the West's new supplies of arms cannot change the balance of power on the battlefield. Instead, they are protracting the conflict and multiplying casualties among civilians. The botched Ukraine counteroffensive could cost President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies the victory in the ongoing presidential cycle.

A Sputnik

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Foreign Mercs in Ukraine Suffering Significant Losses Due to Stupidity - Putin

Sputnik News

20230723

Ilya Tsukanov

Kiev kicked off its counteroffensive on June 4 after being pumped up with heavy weapons by the US and its NATO allies. A month-and-a-half on, Ukrainian forces have little to show for their operations apart from heavy losses in both troops and equipment.

The Ukrainian military has lost "more than" 26,000 troops in the course of its counteroffensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

"According to US estimates, the irretrievable losses of Ukraine's Armed Forces amount to 26,000 personnel," Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during talks with Putin in St. Petersburg on Sunday.

"It's more. It's now more than that," Putin responded.

Putin also commented on the operations of foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine's side, saying they have been taking heavy losses due to their "stupidity."

"As far as foreign mercenaries are concerns, they are also taking heavy casualties," Putin said.

"Heavy losses due to their tactics," Lukashenko interjected.

"Yes, due to their stupidity," Putin said.

"Members of the general public of the countries whose governments are sending people to the conflict zone today should also be aware of what is happening there. And we will bring this to the attention of the people so that they can evaluate the actions of their rulers," Putin added.

The Russian military estimated Saturday that nearly 5,000 foreign mercenaries had been killed fighting in Ukraine since the start of Russia's military operation last February, with over 4,900 fleeing the combat zone and leaving Ukraine.

Lukashenko said that according to his information, over 15 Leopard tanks and 20 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles had recently been destroyed all in the space of 24 hours.

Putin appeared to confirm these figures, saying that "so many foreign [pieces of armor] had never been destroyed in one day like this," and that Russian forces seem to have struck units equipped entirely with foreign equipment.

"[You're] forced to wage a war against the entire NATO bloc," Lukashenko chimed in. "We can only guess how many soldiers from the Ukrainian Army died there, when so much equipment was destroyed. I know about this because I served as an officer on armored equipment in my own time. So I know what it means to destroy so many armored vehicles, and, most importantly, these vaunted Leopards," he said.

Polish Plans for Western Ukraine

"There's been a lot of talk recently about bringing Ukraine into NATO 'piece by piece.' What is behind this? It's all just a smoke screen. Behind this is the goal of tearing off the western piece of Ukraine under the guise of being accepted into NATO, so that the population approves it; they want to chop off western Ukraine and have Poland annex it. That's the price for the Poles' active participation in this operation against Russian forces. The Americans support it," Lukashenko said.

Minsk and Moscow would oppose such a scenario, and be ready to assist the population of western Ukraine resist Polish annexation, Lukashenko added.

"They are actively recruiting mercenaries. I brought you a map specially on the transfer of the armed forces of Poland to the borders of the Union State," Lukashenko said, referencing the Russian-Belarusian supranational union. "We see that they are preparing the groundwork," the Belarusian leader added, pointing to the deployment of Polish forces near Brest and Grodno in western Belarus, and the activation of the Rzeszow Air Base, where US forces are moving their equipment.

Lukashenko conveyed gratitude to Putin personally for his support in the event of foreign aggression against Belarus. "We are taking this into account when building our armed forces."

Economy

Putin and Lukashenko also discussed other matters during their meeting, including economic affairs.

"All our plans are being implemented, and at an even better pace than we expected. I would also like to point out the great state of the economies of both Russia and Belarus," Putin said, pointing to projections of Russian GDP growing by over 2 percent, and Belarusian GDP by 3.75 percent. "At any rate, Russia and Belarus will go through this year calmly and with confidence," he said.

"We are fully and completely implementing all the plans related to the construction of the Union State, we are moving confidently in this direction. Trade is growing, it is estimated slightly differently at different currencies. According to our data, if we talk in dollar equivalent, it is $43.7 billion, while according to Belarusian statistics it is almost $45 billion. This is a very good indicator," Putin said.

Lukashenko proposed the creation of a joint Russian-Belarusian economic plan based on the need to ensure self-reliance and economic independence of the two countries. "We have the brains. We have more than enough resources. And we need to create a plan for the development of our fatherland. Like I say - two states, one fatherland. We can do it. But the main forces here are concentrated in Russia...If our governments could come up with such a plan, it would be good," he said.

A Sputnik

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Russia Strikes Ukraine's Facilities Producing Drone Boats Near Odessa

Sputnik News

20230723

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Armed Forces launched an overnight missile strike on facilities that manufactured and prepared drone boats near the Ukrainian city of Odessa, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"Last night, the Russian armed forces launched a group strike with long-range high-precision sea- and air-launched weapons on facilities where terrorist acts against the Russian Federation were being prepared using uncrewed boats, as well as on places where they were being manufactured in the vicinity of the city of Odessa. Foreign mercenaries were present at the affected facilities," the ministry said.

All targets chosen for the strike were destroyed, the ministry added.

Ukraine attempted to advance over the past day in the directions of Donetsk, Krasny Liman and Zaporozhye, the ministry said.

The Russian forces repulsed 14 Ukrainian offensive attempts in the direction of Donetsk, with Ukrainian losses totaling 370 troops, six armored combat vehicles and other weaponry. A total of six Ukrainian offensive attempts were repulsed in the direction of Krasny Liman, with Ukraine losing over 130 troops and 18 units of equipment. In the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Ukraine attempted to advance three times in the past day, losing over 160 people, seven Leopard tanks and 15 armored vehicles, including 10 Bradleys, the ministry added.

Ukraine also lost around 90 people in the Kupyansk and Kherson directions.

Russian jets also downed a Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), while the air defense intercepted a HIMARS rocket, as well as a Storm Shadow cruise missile.

A total of 28 Ukrainian drones were shot down in the DPR, the Lugansk People's Republic, the Kharkov region and the Zaporozhye region, the ministry added.

The Russian Defense Ministry also added that information which is being spread by Ukrainian and western media about the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa allegedly damaged by a Russian strike is not true.

"The information spread by the Kiev regime about striking the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa as a result of the use of precision weapons has nothing to do with reality. All the facilities designated for destruction and destroyed on the night of July 23 a where the Kiev regime, together with foreign specialists, were preparing terrorist acts against the Russian Federation a were located at a safe distance from the cathedral complex," the ministry said.

'Russia's plans to strike Ukrainian military and terrorist infrastructure draw on "thoroughly verified" and cross-checked information, "deliberately avoiding striking civilian facilities" as well as cultural and historical heritage site, the ministry said.

The damage to the cathedral was most likely caused by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile that fell on it due to unprofessional actions of Ukrainian air defense operators, deliberately stationed in residential areas, the Russian military said.

A Sputnik

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Despite any attempts to break our state and our people, we know that Ukraine has a future - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

23 July 2023 - 21:29

Fellow Ukrainians!

Today, the liquidation of the consequences of the Russian terrorists' attack on our Odesa continues all day long. 19 missiles of various types were launched on purpose to make them harder to shoot down and cause more destruction.

Last night in Odesa, one person was killed. My condolences to the relatives and friends. 20 people were injured, including four children. 11 years old, 12 years old, two 17-year-olds. Everyone is being provided with the necessary assistance. And I thank each and every person who is with Odesa. I thank everyone in the city who is helping the victims and clearing the rubble. Rescuers and doctors, military and police, volunteers and local authorities. Businesses that have joined in. I also thank all the city residents. It is very important to help each other and your city!

I would also like to thank those in the world who have already condemned this latest manifestation of Russian evil. We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks. The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture. Last night, a Russian missile - it was an X-22, an anti-ship missile - hit the altar of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Odesa... One of the most valuable cathedrals in Ukraine. In 1936 it was looted and destroyed by the Bolsheviks. The cathedral was restored in independent Ukraine. And now terrorists are trying to destroy it again. Last night alone, nearly 50 buildings in Odesa were damaged, 25 of them architectural monuments. The historic center. A world heritage site that UNESCO has taken under its protection. The building of the Greek Consulate was also damaged, and this is already the second consular office in Odesa to be hit by Russian terror. Only three days ago, another such attack damaged the building of the Chinese Consulate.

Obviously, all this is a global threat. The destruction of cities, the destruction of culture, the destruction of ports that are fundamental to the world's food security. There has never been a terrorist capable of overcoming the world, and these Kremlin madmen will not succeed either.

There will be Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Odesa. We will definitely restore everything. By the way, I am grateful to Italy, Madam Giorgia Meloni, members of the Italian Parliament, and the entire Italian society for their promise to help restore Ukraine's historical monuments.

The main thing is that despite any attempts to break our state and our people, we clearly know that we, Ukraine, have a future because we are defending culture and humanity. Russia, on the other hand, is bringing only one thing closer with its terror: its dismantling from history.

And one more thing.

We have already started preparing for the upcoming week. There will be a lot of different events that will definitely bolster Ukraine's defense.

I thank NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for promptly convening the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. In fact, immediately after our conversation yesterday, we agreed on the date - the meeting will take place this Wednesday. We are preparing it to be meaningful.

We are also preparing new support packages from our partners - everything that brings the defeat of Russian terrorists closer. More air defense for Ukraine, more artillery, more long-range weapons. The recipe for ending the war is obvious: everything depends on the unity and determination of all those who value freedom, culture and life.

Thank you to everyone who helps Ukraine! Thank you to everyone in Ukraine who cares about their neighbors.

Glory to our warriors!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, on the Attack that Hit a Humanitarian Facility in Chasiv Yar

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

23 Jul 2023

I condemn in the strongest terms the attack that today damaged a cultural centre that had been serving as a humanitarian facility in Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region. The strike rendered inoperable a place where humanitarians, health workers and volunteers provide civilians in this front-line community with the aid and services they desperately need. It is outrageous that Russian forces appear to be repeatedly targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

No one was injured as it happened in the middle of the night. However, vital relief items and medical supplies were destroyed, and humanitarian and health services will be impacted. This is unfortunately the fourth attack impacting humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in July alone, following tragic incidents that damaged aid facilities and assets in the Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian facilities, is protected under international humanitarian law. Facilities providing health services, including those that have been set up for medical purposes, have special protection. It must be respected.

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Latest in Ukraine: Zelenskyy Decries Attack on UNESCO World Heritage Site

By VOA News July 23, 2023

Latest developments:

Members of the Russian Wagner mercenary group who relocated to Belarus, and are training the army there, are keen to push across the border into NATO member Poland, joked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. "The Wagner guys have started to stress us a they want to go west. 'Let's go on a trip to Warsaw and Rzeszow,'" he was quoted as saying. There was no indication that Lukashenko was seriously entertaining that idea.

A previously announced meeting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council, expected to address Black Sea security, has been scheduled for Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's counteroffensive "has failed" as he hosted Belarusian leader Lukashenko, his close ally, for talks in St. Petersburg.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decried the Russian attacks on the city of Odesa and in particular its historic center, one of UNESCO's world heritage sites.

"The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture," Zelenskyy said Sunday in his nightly video address. "Last night, a Russian missile a it was an X-22, an anti-ship missile a hit the altar of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Odesa. ... One of the most valuable cathedrals in Ukraine."

Russian airstrikes damaged the historic Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa early Sunday, prompting Kyiv to pledge retaliation for the damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Father Myroslav, the assistant rector of the cathedral, said there was extensive damage inside.

"There was a direct hit to the cathedral; it completely damaged three altars," he said.

Members of the clergy pulled icons from the rubble inside the cathedral. Mosaics were smashed. A security guard and clergymen were inside when the strike hit, but they survived.

The destruction of the historic monument has caused outrage.

Zelenskyy has vowed to retaliate, saying, "They [Russia] will definitely feel this," he said. He also pledged to restore the historic church.

UNESCO issued a statement "strongly" condemning the attack. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the strike as a "new war crime."

The first and foremost church in the city of Odesa was founded in 1794 during the Russian empire. It was demolished under Stalin in 1936. Its rebuilding commenced in 1999 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and it was consecrated in 2003.

Separately, "a preliminary assessment in Odesa has revealed damage to several museums inside the World Heritage property, including the Odesa Archaeological Museum, the Odesa Maritime Museum and the Odesa Literature Museum. They had all been marked by UNESCO and local authorities with the Blue Shield, the distinctive emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention," the UNESCO statement said.

Russia's defense ministry claimed it struck areas that were suspected of being sites of terrorist acts but denied it had struck the cathedral and said the building had probably been hit by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile.

The airstrikes killed two people and wounded at least 19 others, including children.

Residents said the missiles hit only residential areas and small businesses.

Russia has launched a series of attacks on Odesa since Moscow's exit from a U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain deal that was securing the safe passage of cargo ships through the Black Sea corridor.

Ukraine counteroffensive

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN Sunday that while Ukraine's counteroffensive is going more slowly than originally hoped for, Ukrainian forces had reconquered half the territory that Russia had initially occupied when it invaded.

"It's already taken back about 50% of what was initially seized," Blinken said. "These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough."

"It will not play out over the next week or two. We're still looking I think at several months," he said, as Ukrainian troops struggled to breach heavily entrenched Russian positions in the country's south and east.

Blinken remarked that Russia has failed as far as what it was aiming to achieve when it invaded Ukraine.

"The objective was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, its sovereignty, to subsume it into Russia. That failed a long time ago. Now Ukraine is in a battle to get back more of the land that Russia seized from it," Blinken said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine's counteroffensive "has failed."

While visiting St. Petersburg, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a key Putin ally, said Sunday, "There is no counteroffensive."

Putin replied: "It exists, but it has failed."

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Westford, USA, July 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest's latest global research of the Oil Country Tubular Goods market , increasing demand for premium and high-performance OCTG products, rising focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly drilling practices, growing adoption of digitalization and data analytics in OCTG manufacturing and usage, surging investments in offshore and deepwater exploration and production, expanding use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques, rising preference for locally sourced OCTG to reduce supply chain risks and support domestic industries, advancements in OCTG materials and coatings to enhance performance and longevity, are the trends that aid in the market's growth.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Oil Country Tubular Goods Market"

Pages - 250

Tables - 89

Figures - 76

Get a sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/oil-country-tubular-goods-market

Oil country tubular goods (OCTG) are pipes and tubes used in the oil and gas industry. They are used to drill wells, transport oil and gas, and produce oil and gas. OCTG are made from a variety of steel alloys, and they are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the oil and gas industry.

Prominent Players in Oil Country Tubular Goods Market

ArcelorMittal SA

National-Oilwell Varco Inc.

ILJIN Steel Co.

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation

Tenaris SA

TMK Ipsco Enterprises Inc.

U.S. Steel Tubular Products Inc.

Vallourec SA

JFE Steel Corporation

Jindal SAW Ltd.

MRC Global Inc.

TPCO Inc.

Continental Alloys

Anhui Tianda Oil Pipe Company

Sandvik Materials Technology

IPSCO Tubulars

APICORP

Arabian Pipes Company

China Steel Corporation

Casing Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period

Casing dominated the global online market as they are widely used in various phases of well drilling and completion, including surface casing, intermediate casing, production casing, and conductor casing. Its versatile applications make it a crucial component in most oil and gas operations.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/oil-country-tubular-goods-market

Oil and Gas Exploration is the Leading Application Segment

In terms of application, the oil and gas exploration is the leading segment due to the increasing demand for oil and gas exploration activities to meet this demand. OCTG products, particularly casing and tubing, are critical components used extensively in exploration wells.

Middle East is the leading Market Due to the Abundance of Oil and Gas Reserves

Region-wise, the Middle East is one of the largest growing markets with abundant oil and gas reserves. The region is a major oil-producing region, accounting for a significant portion of global oil output. The continuous extraction and production of oil necessitate a steady supply of OCTG for drilling and well maintenance.

A recent report thoroughly analyzes the major players in the Oil Country Tubular Goods market. This comprehensive evaluation has considered several crucial factors, such as collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing invaluable insights into the key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Additionally, the report has carefully scrutinized the market share of the top segments and presented a detailed geographic analysis. Finally, the report has highlighted the major players in the industry and their ongoing endeavors to develop innovative solutions that cater to the ever-increasing demand for Oil Country Tubular Goods.

Key Developments in Oil Country Tubular Goods Market

Tenaris, a leading provider of OCTG, acquired IPSCO Tubulars, a U.S. steel pipe manufacturer. The acquisition will allow Tenaris to expand its product portfolio and reach new customers in the U.S. market.

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, a Japanese steelmaker, acquired Vallourec, a French OCTG manufacturer. The acquisition will allow Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation to expand its product portfolio and reach new customers in the global OCTG market.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/oil-country-tubular-goods-market

Key Questions Answered in Oil Country Tubular Goods Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

Can you list the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence?

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how might these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Oilfield Equipment Market

Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market

Global Managed Pressure Drilling Market

Global Wood Pellets Market

Global Well Intervention Market

About Us:

SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally.

Address:

1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Phone:

USA (+1) 617-230-0741

Email: sales@skyquestt.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arbor Metals Corp. (Arbor or the Company) (TSXV: ABR, FWB: 432) announces the engagement of a strategic consultant aimed at collaborating with other mining industry participants to secure substantial government support for Canadian miners, mirroring the support seen so far for major battery manufacturers. Arbor applauds the Canadian government's dedication to propelling the EV industry by giving substantial funds to battery manufacturers, an action vital for maintaining Canada's leadership in the global electric vehicle sector. Arbor seeks to support the interests of Canadian miners, recognizing their indispensable role as providers of key elements fueling the EV revolution.



Recently, the Canadian government provided significant financial support to facilitate the country's establishment and expansion of battery manufacturing plants. While praising the government's initiative to boost battery production, Arbor underscores the importance of Canadian miners who supply the essential minerals needed for EV batteries.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive of Arbor , expressed the Company's viewpoint: "We commend the Canadian Government's support of companies like Volkswagen and Stellantis-LG in their contribution to Canada's rapidly developing EV industry. However, we firmly believe that Canadian miners are equally critical to the success of this industry. As providers of vital elements for EV batteries, we envision a collaborative effort among all participants in the EV industry, from miners to battery manufacturers and end users, working together to advance the sector and meet the Net Zero goals set by various governments worldwide. Arbor is eager to collaborate with other industry participants in securing and shaping government support that ensures Canada's role as a leading force in the global EV revolution."

The strategic consultant aims to engage experts who can advocate for adequate government support to bolster the growth and competitiveness of Canadian miners in the EV supply chain. Arbor recognizes the need for strong partnerships between the government and the mining industry to foster innovation, exploration, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Recent press coverage emphasizes the Canadian government's assistance for EV industry participants. With the worldwide pivot towards green energy and decarbonization, nations like Canada are heavily investing in the EV sector to guarantee a sustainable future.

About Arbor Metals Corp.

Arbor Metals Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value, geographically significant mineral projects worldwide. Arbor is paving the way for advanced mineral exploration as it oversees world-class mining projects. The company is confident that combining quality projects with proven strategies and a dedicated team will yield exceptional outcomes. Arbor currently oversees three outstanding mineral projects.

The Jarnet lithium project , located in the James Bay region of Quebec, comprises 47 map-designated claims, covering an area of approximately 3,759 hectares. The Jarnet project is contiguous to the Corvette-FCI property, where diamond drilling has confirmed significant lithium mineralization, and represents one of the highest-profile lithium exploration projects in the sector.





For further information, contact Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, at info@arbormetals.com or 403.852.4869, or visit the Companys website at www.arbormetalscorp.com .

On behalf of the Board,

Arbor Metals Corp.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain Forward-Looking Statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the development of the Jarnet Lithium Project, the assessment of samples from that Project, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ac9c34f-6084-4782-a8ec-1c2f30b35a1a
Paris, July 24th, 2023.

With the acquisition of A.H. Management, independent convenience solutions, Sodexo will extend InReachs offerings in the fast-growing North American convenience market. A.H. Management, the premier convenience solutions operator in the Chicago region and Southeast Wisconsin, is one of the largest operators in the Mid-West.

Sodexo accelerates its food transformation strategy to address fast-changing consumer needs and behaviors in hybrid working environments and will expand its convenience offering by reinforcing its territorial footprint in North America. This latest move reflects Sodexos strategy to renew existing food models and to reinvent on-site food offers.

This new acquisition represents a further step in the food transformation for Sodexo in North America. A.H. Management will follow the acquisition of Frontline Food Services in 2022, as well as the food tech start-up Foodee and the commissary kitchen model Nourish. Inc in 2021.

With A.H. Management, Sodexo will complement and broaden its multi-channel offerings through InReach including micro markets, vending, office coffee, pantry, water, catering, fresh food and on-site food service in the Mid-West, Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, as well as the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas.

A.H. Management is a family-owned business that began in 1939 serving clients in all business segments. Through the years, the business has grown to be one of the largest independent operators in the U.S and has a strong reputation for customer service excellence.

The closing of the acquisition is expected in the coming months.

The acquisition of A.H. Management is the next step in enhancing Sodexos multimarket convenience solution, InReach, in North America. It will help us complement our current solutions and further address ever-evolving clients and consumers expectations to deliver on our ambition to become the leader in sustainable food and valued experiences, said Sodexos North America CEO, Sarosh Mistry.

Mark and Craig Hesch, President & CEO of A.H. Management, said:

We are very excited about joining Sodexo's InReach. We share the same values, culture and objectives whether for our employees, our clients with attention to consumer benefit in order to offer a high value-added break experience. We look forward to playing a vital role in InReach's success.





About Sodexo

Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in sustainable food and valued

experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. Operating in 53 countries, our 422,000

employees serve 100 million consumers each day. The Sodexo Group stands out for its independence and its

founding family shareholding, its responsible business model and its portfolio of activities including Food

Services, Facilities Management Services and Employee Benefit Solutions. This diversified offer meets all the

challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve,

and contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. For

Sodexo, growth and social commitment go hand in hand. Our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone

to build a better life for all.

Sodexo is included in the CAC Next 20, CAC 40 ESG, CAC SBT 1.5, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices.

Key Figures

21.1 billion euros in Fiscal 2022 consolidated revenues

422,000 employees as at August 31, 2022

#2 France-based private employer worldwide 53 countries

100 million consumers served daily

15 billion euros in market capitalization (as at June 29, 2023)

About A.H. Management

A.H. Management Group delivers innovative, custom-designed corporate and Office Food, Catering, Micro Market, Vending Machine, and Coffee Services to businesses throughout the Illinois and Wisconsin markets in the US. We offer a large selection of healthy food options, premium office coffee & tea varieties. Driven by fresh and innovative food service solutions, our team of industry professionals are dedicated to providing clients and consumers with best-in-market products alongside exceptional quality and service.

Contacts Media

Group U.S. Nathalie Lambert

+33 6 83 57 35 67 nathalie.lambert@sodexo.com Amanda Giffi

amanda.giffi@sodexo.com





Attachment


Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File Photo) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to end the logjam in parliament but the Congress President has demanded Prime Ministers statement over Manipur in the parliament to end the logjam. They said that Rajnath Singh spoke to Kharge last night to discuss the logjam in the Parliament.



Kharge told Singh that Manipur violence cannot be tolerated and the Prime Minister should make a statement inside the Parliament, source said.



Earlier in the day, Kharge, while holding a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament demanding for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence had said that Rajnath Singh spoke to him and several other opposition MPs.



It is shameful that PM Modi spoke outside the parliament. We all opposition parties are demanding from Chairman in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker that Prime Minister should come inside the House and make statement about what is the actual situation in Manipur, Kharge said.



He said that the Prime Minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session but it is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside the Parliament on Manipur violence.



The Congress-led Opposition parties have been demanding the statement from the Prime Minister in both Houses of Parliament over Manipur violence.



On Thursday -- the first day of the Parliaments Monsoon Session -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his pain and anger over the Manipur incident and said that the gruesome incident with the women in the Northeastern state is very shameful, and can never be forgiven.



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, he said.



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.



Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 and since then hundreds of people have lost their lives whereas thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.



A video of May 4 of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur went viral on July 19 leading to widespread condemnation across the country.






Huizhou, China , July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huizhou Djmolding Co., Ltd, a leading plastic injection molding company, is thrilled to announce the launch of its cutting-edge l ow v olume i njection m olding and low volume manufacturing Services, aimed at catering to the diverse needs of businesses in various industries.

In today's fast-paced business landscape, product development cycles are shrinking, and companies require agile manufacturing solutions to stay ahead of the competition. Huizhou Djmolding understands these challenges and has invested in state-of-the-art technology and expertise to deliver top-quality low volume manufacturing services for its clients.

The low volume injection Molding service provided by Huizhou Djmolding is designed to offer cost-effective solutions for companies requiring small to medium batches of custom plastic parts. This service is ideal for prototyping, market testing, and low volume production runs. The company's advanced injection molding capabilities ensure high precision and consistency, while also reducing production lead times.

As part of its commitment to meeting diverse manufacturing needs, Huizhou Djmolding also offers low volume manufacturing service. This service is tailored for businesses that require limited quantities of finished products or components. Whether it's for niche markets, initial product launches, or specialized products, Huizhou Djmolding's low volume manufacturing service ensures that clients can achieve their goals without the burden of large-scale production costs.

"We are excited to launch our low volume Injection molding and manufacturing services to serve the evolving needs of our clients," said James Yuan, an executive from the company. "With our cutting-edge technology and experienced team, we can now deliver high-quality plastic parts and finished products in smaller quantities, allowing businesses to be more adaptable and responsive to market demands."

Huizhou Djmolding Co., Ltd takes pride in its commitment to quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The company's team of skilled engineers and technicians work closely with clients throughout the manufacturing process, from design and prototyping to final production. By offering a one-stop solution, Huizhou Djmolding simplifies the manufacturing journey for its clients, allowing them to focus on their core business objectives.

About Huizhou Djmolding Co., Ltd:

Established in 2010, Huizhou Djmolding Co., Ltd is one of the renowned plastic injection molding compan ies based in China. With years of industry experience and advanced technology, the company specializes in providing high-quality injection molding and manufacturing services for clients worldwide. By offering a wide range of solutions, including low volume manufacturing and rapid prototyping, Huizhou Djmolding aims to be the trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable and efficient manufacturing solutions.

For more information, please visit https://www.djmolding.com .

Company Name: Huizhou Djmolding Co., Ltd

Contact Person: James Yuan

Phone: +86-18169936698

Email: info@jasonmolding.com

Address: LongGang Village, LongXi Town, BoLuo County, Huizhou City, GuangDong Province, China
Dublin, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel Bar Market (2023-2028) by Diameter, Grade, Application, and Geography, Competitive Analysis, Impact of Economic Slowdown & Impending Recession with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel Bar Market is estimated to be USD 8.7 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 12.52 Bn by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.56%.

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Ansoff Analysis



The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel Bar Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach.



The analyst analyses the Global Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel Bar Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position.



Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel Bar Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth Market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model, PESTLE Analysis, and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of COVID-19 and the impact of economic slowdown & impending recession on the Market are also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains a competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool.

Report Highlights:

A complete analysis of the market, including the parent industry

Important market dynamics and trends

Market segmentation

Historical, current, and projected size of the market based on value and volume

Market shares and strategies of key players

Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 210 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $8.7 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $12.52 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.5% Regions Covered Global







Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increase in demand for low-cost reinforcement bars in construction projects

Technological advancements in processing thermo-mechanically treated steel

Advantages offered by the thermo-mechanically treated steel bar

Restraints

Associated high cost of thermo-mechanically treated steel bars

Opportunities

Rise in government support to produce steel and coal

Growing investment in emerging economies

Challenges

Strength associated with high-grade thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) steel bars

Rising concerns regarding high temperature and rust







Companies Mentioned

AMMAN-TRY Steels Ltd.

ArcelorMittal SA

Atlas TMT Bars Pvt. Ltd.

Balkan Steel Engineering Ltd.

Essar Steel India Ltd.

HBIS Group

HUS Ltd.

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.

JSW Steel Ltd.

Metalopromet d. o. o. Kula

MSP Steel & Power Ltd.

Prime Gold International Ltd.

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd.

ShyamSteel Industries Ltd.

SIDERAL S.H.P.K.

SIJ Group

The SRMB Steel Pvt. Ltd.

Tata Steel Ltd.

Market Segmentation



The Global Thermo Mechanically Treated Steel Bar Market is segmented based on Diameter, Grade, Application, and Geography.

By Diameter, the market is classified into 12 MM and Above, 6-8 MM, and 8-12 MM.

By Grade, the market is classified into Fe-415, Fe-500, and Fe-550.

By Application, the market is classified into Commercial, Infrastructure, and Residential.

By Geography, the market is classified into Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/saviuw

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
Dublin, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Nephrology Devices Market (2023-2028) by Device Type, End-User, and Geography, Competitive Analysis, Impact of Covid-19, Impact of Economic Slowdown & Impending Recession with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Nephrology Devices Market is estimated to be USD 15.59 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 21.16 Bn by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.3%.

Competitive Quadrant



The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Ansoff Analysis



The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Nephrology Devices Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach.



The analyst analyses the Global Nephrology Devices Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position.



Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Nephrology Devices Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model, PESTLE Analysis, and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of COVID-19 and impact of economic slowdown & impending recession on the market are also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains a competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 187 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $15.59 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $21.16 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.3% Regions Covered Global

Market Dynamics







Drivers

Growing prevalence of chronic kidney diseases coupled with growing geriatric population

Growing awareness about minimally invasive surgeries

Innovation in nephrology devices and rise in healthcare expenditure

Restraints

High cost associated with the devices

Opportunities

Ongoing research on home hemodialysis treatment

Advanced healthcare infrastructure in emerging economies

Development of portable hemodialysis devices, wearable artificial kidney, and wearable ultra-filtration devices

Challenges

Concern associated with the risk of physical damage and contamination to the external portion







Companies Mentioned

Asahi Kasei Corp.

B. Braun Melsungen Ag

Baxter International Inc.

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Boston Scientific Corp.

Cook Medical

DaVita

Dornier MedTech GmbH

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Medtronic PLC

Nikkiso Co., Ltd.

Nipro Corp.

Siemens Healthineers

STORZ Medical Ag

Market Segmentation



The Global Nephrology Devices Market is segmented based on Device Type, End-User, and Geography.

By Device Type, the market is classified into Lithotripter, Dialysis Instrument, Haemodialysis Water Treatment Systems, Dialysis Catheter, and Other Device Type.

By End-User, the market is classified into Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and Home.

By Geography, the market is classified into Americas, Europe, Middle-East & Africa and Asia-Pacific.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lxhza4

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
Washington, DC, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) joined representatives from the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to unveil the designs for the 2024 Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Program yesterday during the opening ceremony for the African Methodist Episcopal Zions (AMEZ) Womens Home and Overseas Missionary Society Quadrennial Conference in New Orleans. The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin, as authorized by Public Law 117-163, in recognition of the bicentennial of Harriet Tubmans birth. All designs were created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designers and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artists.

$5 Gold Coin Obverse

Designer: Chris Costello

Sculptor: Joseph Menna

The obverse (heads) design features a portrait of Harriet Tubman in her years following the Civil War, looking confidently into the distance and towards the future. Inscriptions include HARRIET TUBMAN, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2024.

$5 Gold Coin Reverse

Designer: Ben Sowards

Sculptor: Eric David Custer

The reverse (tails) design depicts both arms of an individual firmly clasping one arm of another individual, symbolizing the aid and care that Harriet Tubman offered to others throughout her life. Encircling the arms are inscriptions of Harriet Tubmans seven core values, including FAITH, FREEDOM, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, SELF-DETERMINATION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, and EQUALITY. Additional inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $5, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

$1 Silver Coin Obverse

Designer: Beth Zaiken

Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill

The obverse design depicts Harriet Tubman offering her hand to the viewer with an expression that challenges the viewer to seize the opportunity for freedom. Inscriptions include HARRIET TUBMAN, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2024.

$1 Silver Coin Reverse

Designer: Beth Zaiken

Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell

The reverse design depicts silhouettes crossing a bridge created by a pair of clasped hands. In the sky, the Big Dipper constellation points to the North Star, which forms the O in the word OF. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and ONE DOLLAR.

Half Dollar Clad Coin Obverse

Designer: Don Everhart

Sculptor: Renata Gordon

The obverse design depicts Harriet Tubman, who distinguished herself as the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, the Combahee River Raid, which resulted in more than 700 enslaved persons in South Carolina being freed. In the background, two Civil War-era boats represent the raid. Inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2024, and HARRIET TUBMAN.

Half Dollar Clad Coin Reverse

Designer: Tom Hipschen

Sculptor: John P. McGraw

The reverse design depicts Harriet Tubman holding a spyglass in front of a row of Civil War-era tents, symbolizing her work as a scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. Inscriptions describing her contributions include CIVIL WAR, NURSE, SCOUT, SPY, and COMBAHEE RIVER RAID LEADER. Additional inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and HALF DOLLAR.

All coin images are available at https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/commemoratives.

The Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program will celebrate the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman, said United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. We hope this program will assist both the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in accomplishing and advancing their missions.

The on-sale date for products in the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program will be published on the Mints 2024 Product Schedule. When available, the Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/commemorative-coins for additional information about the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit and subscribe to the United States Mints YouTube channel to view videos about the United States Mint.

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NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Modern States Education Alliance (Modern States), the nations leading philanthropy dedicated to making a college degree more affordable and accessible for everyone, today announced the appointment of Dr. Jefferson Pestronk as executive director. Pestronk brings a wealth of experience and deep understanding of the education, technology, and social impact sectors to the organization. He will work alongside Modern States CEO and founder, Steve Klinsky, and succeeds David Vise, who continues on as senior advisor.



A nationwide search led us to Jefferson and I look forward to working with him to enable Modern States to continue to grow and flourish, said Klinsky. His expertise in education, his work in public policy at the federal Department of Education, and his proven ability to harness the power of technology for better learning outcomes, make Jefferson the perfect fit for our organization.

Over the last six years, Modern States  with over 400,000 users  has grown to become the largest free credit for college program in the United States. I am excited to bring our free courses to even more learners and educators across the country, said Pestronk. I firmly believe in the organizations mission of making a college education accessible and affordable, and I am honored to work with Steve and our team to lead Modern States into its next chapter.

Pestronk has nearly two decades of experience working in education at the local, state and federal level. Most recently, he served as vice president for strategy and development at New Visions for Public Schools, one of the largest non-profit organizations focused on improving public education for all New York City students. Before joining New Visions, Pestronk was director of special initiatives in the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Innovation and Improvement. He also served as principal at The Parthenon Group, where he consulted with some of the largest school systems in the country, including New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Pestronk holds a doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University and a bachelors degree in operations research and financial engineering from Princeton University. He resides in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter.

Modern States offers a public library of high-quality, tuition-free online courses, available to everyone at modernstates.org . The courses are taught by some of the nations leading university professors and are specially designed to help learners earn college credit by preparing them for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. The College Board has offered CLEP exams for over 50 years, and more than 2,900 colleges and universities across the country accept a passing score on a CLEP exam for college credit. Modern States also covers the cost of taking CLEP exams for learners who complete its free courses, as part of its mission to make a college education accessible to all people regardless of their financial circumstances. To date, Modern States has paid for approximately 150,000 CLEP exams.

The program was conceived by Klinsky beginning in 2012. Modern States spent years building and producing its course library and since launching in 2017, has evolved into the largest free credit for college program in the country. Along with the Klinsky family, Modern States has received funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Starr Foundation, the Heckscher Foundation for Children, the Achelis & Bodman Foundation, the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, and others.

For more information about Modern States and its courses, please visit https://modernstates.org/ .

About Modern States

Modern States is a NYC-based philanthropy dedicated to making a college degree more affordable and accessible for everyone. Its flagship Freshman Year for Free program offers more than 30 free online college courses taught by top university professors that are available to anyone with an Internet connection. Students can use these courses to earn college credits by preparing for and taking credit-bearing CLEP exams, as offered by the College Board, and accepted by more than 2,900 colleges. Learn more at modernstates.org.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/75b5954f-932d-4d9a-9bee-a42e547d0a9c
TORONTO, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: CIQ.UN, SSF.UN, GDV, LBS, LCS, LCS.PR.A, PWI, SBC)  Brompton Funds announces distributions as follows for the following funds:



Ticker Amount Per Unit Canadian High Income Equity Fund (CIQ) CIQ.UN $ 0.04 Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund (SSF) SSF.UN $ 0.05

Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

Record Date Payment Date July 31, 2023 August 15, 2023 August 31, 2023 September 15, 2023 September 29, 2023 October 16, 2023

Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund announces a distribution in the amount of US$0.047 per Class U Unit for the above noted record and payment dates.

Brompton Funds announces distributions payable on August 15, 2023 to class A shareholders of record at the close of business on July 31, 2023 for each of the following funds:

Ticker Amount Per Share Global Dividend Growth Split Corp. (GDV) GDV $ 0.10 Life & Banc Split Corp. (LBS) LBS $ 0.10 Brompton Lifeco Split Corp. (LCS) LCS $ 0.075 Sustainable Power & Infrastructure Split Corp. (PWI) PWI $ 0.06667 Brompton Split Banc Corp. (SBC) SBC $ 0.10

Brompton Funds announces distributions payable August 15, 2023 to preferred shareholders of record at the close of business on July 31, 2023 for the following fund:

Ticker Amount Per Share Brompton Lifeco Split Corp. LCS.PR.A $ 0.15625

Unitholders of CIQ and class A and class U unitholders of SSF and class A shareholders of GDV, LBS, LCS, PWI and SBC offer distribution reinvestment plans (DRIP) which provide holders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Holders can enroll in a DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor.

About Brompton Funds

Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income focused investment solutions including TSX traded closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Bromptons investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units or shares of the investment funds on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an exchange). If the units or shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units or shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about a fund in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the funds, to the future outlook of the funds and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the funds. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as may, will, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, predict, potential, continue or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
Houston, TX, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lamons and Modumetal Announce Partnership

History and Innovation Come Together for Advancement in Corrosion Protection for Bolting

HOUSTON, TX (July 24, 2023)  Lamons, a global leader in safety sealing and attachment solutions, announced a new partnership with Modumetal, a state-of-the-art research and development company focused on a new class of metals known as nanolaminated metals. Combining the 75-year history and experience of Lamons with Modumetals innovative NanoGalv zinc-nickel plating advances corrosion protection for bolting and improves performance.

Our focus on continual improvement and performance made for a natural partnership with Modumetal, said Marc Roberts, CEO, Lamons. They are developing new applications and scalable processes to revolutionize corrosion and wear resistance in the metals industry. This allows us to offer our customers cutting-edge technology that improves performance and drives down long-term maintenance costs.

As a major bolt and fastener manufacturer, Lamons looks to transform the industry by teaming up with Modumetal, whose NanoGalv coating system can be used as a drop-in replacement for conventional coatings. Applied to bolting, NanoGalv has proven results in the harshest operating conditions.

Our NanoGalv system takes performance to the next level, said Santosh Mathilakath, President & CEO, Modumetal. Lamons has long been associated with quality products and customer service. Their high-quality products and our innovative coating technology come together for a superior product that performs even in the most extreme environments.

With a leader in bolting and a leader in coating, this partnership brings together history and innovation to better serve a customer base that requires the highest quality from both.

About Lamons

Lamons is one of the leading gasket, seal, bolt, and hose assembly manufacturers in the world. Since 1947, the companys mission has been to provide industry-leading safety sealing and attachment solutions through quality, engineered products, technical know-how, on-time delivery, and exceptional customer service. Lamons offers comprehensive field services and training programs to help maximize operational efficiencies. With 21 manufacturing branches across the globe, the company can support operations 24/7/365. For more information on Lamons products and services, go to Lamons.com.

About Modumetal

Modumetal was founded in 2006 to advance the state-of-the-art development in a new class of metals known as nanolaminated metals. The company has developed and commercially deployed a patented nanolamination process to combat the effects of corrosion. With a commitment to producing novel technologies in an environmentally sustainable manner, Modumetals innovative alloys exceed the performance limitations of conventional materials and can be applied at an industrial level. To learn more, visit Modumetal.com.

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Dallas, Texas, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Briggs Industrial Solutions, a Sammons Industrial company, announced Mark Piccirillo as the new Chief Financial Officer. A proven strategic leader, with more than 25 years of experience, Piccirillo has held roles with responsibilities in the US and abroad that included mergers & acquisitions, P&L ownership, growth initiatives, and profitability improvements. Piccirillo has a proven record in leading complex finance organizations across multiple industries and driving change.

I am excited to have Mark join our executive team and bring his breadth of experience to our organization. Marks approach to leadership and team development and strong values aligns with our company values and will help us to continue to grow in the future. Dan Lister, President, Briggs Industrial Solutions.

Piccirillo joins Briggs from Lennox International, where he most recently served as Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer for Lennox Commercial HVAC and Refrigeration businesses. During his nearly 12 years with Lennox, Mark served as the CFO for four different business segments guiding the U.S. and Internationally based businesses through various stages of turn-around, growth and expansion.

Mark is a Certified Public Accountant and graduated cum laude from Babson College.

About Briggs Industrial Solutions

Briggs Industrial Solutions sits under the umbrella of Sammons Industrial, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. Briggs Industrial Solutions has a comprehensive offering of equipment, rental, service, and design products to provide complete business solutions for our customers with 21 locations in six states through four distinct business units: Briggs Equipment, Briggs Truck & Rail, Briggs Earth & Ag, and Briggs Warehouse Solutions. Briggs Industrial was created from the original Briggs Equipment business which has been in business for more than 125 years.

For more information, please visit: BriggsIndustrialSolutions.com

About Sammons Enterprises Inc.

Sammons Enterprises, Inc., is a diverse holding corporation that owns and operates companies in five core business sectors: financial services, industrial, infrastructure, real estate, and investments. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas with operations in four countries, Sammons was established in 1938. With over $7 million in annual revenues and over $123 billion in assets, Sammons is one of the largest privately-held companies in the United States.

For more information, visit sammonsenterprises.com

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RedCloud has established its Open Commerce Hub in New York City, to demonstrate the power of their technology to US-based FMCG brands.

The brand will be showcasing its industry-leading platform on a number of high-profile television programs, including a New to The Street segment.

The showcase will allow FMCGs (Fast-moving Consumer Goods) in underserved markets to understand how RedClouds intelligent open commerce solution supports simple growth and uncovers new sales opportunities.

NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedCloud Technologies is bringing its industry-leading AI-powered Intelligent Open Commerce Platform to New York for an intensive showcase. The brand has set-up an Open Commerce Hub in New York City, which will be used to demonstrate the power of its technology to FMCG brands across North America who are looking to expand their product reach across the fastest growing consumer markets. Designed to help FMCGs to tap into the $1 trillion product growth expected from emerging markets, RedCloud's Intelligent Open Commerce Platform supports underserved markets, such as LATAM and Africa; helping local merchants to access more stock at better prices and helping brands to uncover new growth opportunities and increase their understanding of, and influence within, the local supply chain.

RedClouds solution harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to help retailers bypass the barriers of language and location commonly experienced in trade. Providing solutions that work alongside a companys existing infrastructure, RedCloud provides innovative, intelligent tools that can result in accelerated sales and marketing growth without increasing costs.

As part of the US promotion, RedCloud has signed up to a partnership with Accel Media International LLC. This will see the brand featured on iconic billboards and television commercials, reaching an audience of 12M plus OutDoor and over 280,000 monthly TV viewers. Including an FMW Medias 'New to The Street' television segment, which can be seen on various channels, including Bloomberg, as sponsored program. RedClouds leading experts will also be appearing on several American television shows throughout the coming months. They will be talking about the unique opportunities RedClouds Intelligent Open Commerce Platform brings.

Justin Floyd, CEO of RedCloud, states: America has always been known as the home of opportunity; it's the place where the underdog gets a chance. At RedCloud, our aim has always been to level the playing field, to allow as many businesses and entrepreneurs to access the technology they need to succeed. So, New York feels like the perfect place to hold this showcase. Our aim is to provide open commerce solutions for everyone  regardless of location or language. And with AI, language will no longer be a barrier. It can help sellers in places like Africa and Latin America to do business not only with their near neighbors, irrespective of their language, but with brands globally.

About RedCloud Technology, Ltd. :

RedCloud is a global technology company, headquartered in London that is leveraging AI-powered technology to make global trade simpler.

RedCloud's Intelligent Open Commerce Platform connects FMCG Brands, Distributors, and Local Merchants on a single, equitable marketplace, empowering them with real-world insights and data to help them make better decisions.

RedCloud enables FMCG Brands to seize new opportunities in emerging markets, facilitates access to more buyers & streamlines operations for Distributors, and helps Local Merchants spend more time selling products, not searching for them. The company comprises a highly diverse, dynamic team of driven talented people from over twenty different countries, speaking multiple languages, with a physical footprint in Africa, Europe, and Latin America - https://www.redcloudtechnology.com/

About Accel Media International, LLC.:

Accel Media International company was formed in October 2019 to provide Out-Of-Home packages that include subway digital, street level, massive static, and digital billboards. AMI operates placements in six markets and packages in addition to long-form broadcast interviews with assorted partners nationwide, including the New to The Street business show.

About New to The Street:

New to the Street is an FMW Media production that operates one of the longest-running US and International sponsored and syndicated Nielsen Rated programming television brands, "New to The Street." Since 2009, New to The Street has run biographical interview segment shows across major U.S. television networks. The Nielsen Rated and sponsored broadcasts programming platform reaches millions of homes in the US and international markets. FMW's New to The Street / Newsmax televised broadcasting platform airs its syndication on Saturdays at 3:30  4:00 PM ET. The show also appears on Bloomberg and the FOX Business Network as sponsored programming. FMW is also one of the nation's largest buyers of linear television, long and short-form paid programming - https://www.newsmaxtv.com/Shows/New-to-the-Street , https://www.newtothestreet.com/ & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-G2--mRQUw&t=14s .

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results are achieved. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock prices. This press release should be considered in all filings of the Companies contained in the Edgar Archives of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov .

CONTACT:

FMW Media Contact:

Monica Brennan

monica@NewtoTheStreet.com

1-917-330-2564

RedCloud Technology, Inc.

London, England Office

enquiries@redcloudtechnology.com

+44 (0) 207 754 3735

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a56b9e1-b665-4e86-ad34-bc61307de2d2
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Baxter International Inc. ("Baxter" or the Company) (NYSE: BAX) investors that a lawsuit filed on behalf of investors that purchased Baxter securities between May 25, 2022 and February 8, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period).

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 844-767-8529 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

According to the complaint, the defendants are accused of making false and/or deceptive statements or failing to disclose the following: (i) The Company hid the true extent of its supply chain issues while exaggerating its ability to maintain a strong supply chain amidst global pressures; (ii) Consequently, the Companys projected earnings were significantly misleading during the Class Period; (iii) Once these issues were revealed, they were expected to have a substantial negative impact on the Companys financial condition; and (iv) As a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and deceptive throughout the relevant period. As a consequence, Baxters stock price experienced a decline of approximately 50% during the Class Period, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars in market capitalization.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
Greenfern Industries is pleased to update the market on the progress it has made on its new stage 2 cultivation facility in Normanby, Taranaki.

In November Greenfern undertook a rights issue to raise funding for completion of its new commercial scale stage 2 facility and other initiatives.

We are happy to report that as of last week we have commissioned the first of the two new grow rooms and have now populated it with around 300 plants, managing director Dan Casey said.

While the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) installation has been a difficult, yet critical, piece of the infrastructure, we are now happy with how the environmental climate is controlled within the first room and will be excited to see the progress of the medicinal cannabis plants through their lifecycle.

The second new cultivation room will be commissioned in the next few weeks which allows the team time to stagger the harvests of the rooms, which are expected to get 4-5 harvests of approximately 200-250kg kg of cannabis flower crop per room per year.

Having this control over the full environment within the rooms is the beauty of growing wholly indoors in a fully enclosed and controlled environment. With New Zealands very strict growing and testing regulation this is the best way to ensure a finished dose form medicinal cannabis flower crop.

While Greenfern previously met stringent European Pharmacopoeia standards regarding inhalation microbial counts without the need for irradiation treatment of the flower from its test facility, it hopes to emulate this at commercial volumes in the more sophisticated and larger new cultivation facility. This will move the company into its commercial growing phase and allows it to commence fulfilments under the offtake agreement signed with Ampyl Sciences in June last year.

Greenfern Chairman, Mr Marvin Yee says This milestone marks Greenfern as being one of the New Zealand companies actually producing cannabis in New Zealand. We are excited at this opportunity and foresee cultivation being a strong line of business for our group.

The Greenfern team looks forward to providing future progress updates on the cultivation front.

In other updates, Greenfern is edging closer to finalising contractual details with prospective partner Vortex Group in the upgrade of its hydro power station. While discussions have been more detailed and drawn out than we initially anticipated, we believe we will finalise the agreement shortly and commence the upgrade work in the coming months. This aims to more than triple our generation capacity and will resolve ongoing reliability issues experienced with the existing aging equipment. Again, we will update the market once completion of the agreement gives us a clear time frame for completion of the work. Dan Casey said.

Greenfern is also continuing its BPA (Bioresource Processing Alliance) research alongside partner Hemp Connect and research partner Callaghan Innovation.

To date we are into the second phase of grant funding and research for the project which is seeking commercial opportunities for value-added products created from the hemp seed and, in particular, the hemp seed hull. We are finding some very promising outcomes with potential commercial avenues; however the research still has about another 12 months to go.

Overall, we are pleased with how the business is tracking and will continue to update the market again as matters develop.

Greenfern Commissions New Cultivation Facility

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Vancouver, July 23, 2023 - Trench Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:TMC) (FWB:33H2) is pleased to announce that it has been granted an option (the "Option") to acquire the Spreckley Lake Uranium Project, a promising addition to its portfolio of uranium assets. The Spreckley Lake Project covers an expansive area of 1,385 hectares in northern Saskatchewan, strategically located adjacent to Skyharbour Resources' Pluto Bay Project. The Option marks a significant development in the growth strategy for the Company, further strengthening its' position in the uranium exploration sector.

The Spreckley Lake Uranium Project has long been recognized as a region of exceptional mineralization potential. The Project's geological setting, adjoining the Black Lake Fault-a large-scale regional structure located west of the Project boundary-makes it a highly prospective exploration area for uranium deposits.

Exploration activities at the Spreckley Lake Project date back to the 1950s, during which several distinct uranium occurrences were identified. Notably, these include the B-1, H-1, and H-3 showings, as well as the M-1, M-7, M-13, M-15, M-17, and M-39 Uranium Zones. In 1967, a preliminary historical resource estimate* was reported, indicating 141,000 tons grading 0.073% U3O8 over an average width of 11.1 feet (3.4 meters) using a cut-off grade of 0.04% U3O8 or 72,700 tons grading 0.13% U3O8 over a width of 6.7 feet (2.0 meters) using a cut-off grade of 0.07% U3O8 (Minfile 1749).

Radioactive mineralization has been identified for several kilometres along the east shore of the southwest bay of Spreckley Lake. The area is underlain by radioactive white pegmatites intercalated within a series of granite-intruded meta-sediments adjacent to a foliated granite mass. Radioactivity is in the form of uraninite within biotite crystals, often accompanied by quartz. All significant radioactive zones occur in white pegmatite with a composition of approximately 65% white feldspar (mostly plagioclase), 30% quartz and 5% biotite.

"At Trench Metals, we are thrilled to add the Spreckley Lake Uranium Project to our uranium asset portfolio," said Simon Cheng, President of the Company. "The project's proximity to Skyharbour's Pluto Bay Project and its association with the Black Lake Fault underscores its tremendous exploration potential. We are eager to commence our work on this project in the near term, leveraging our expertise and resources to unlock its substantial prospects."

The Company is currently in the process of collating historical datasets, including field maps, drill logs, and assays, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project's geological characteristics. This extensive data compilation will play a pivotal role in refining exploration targets for a planned field program in 2023.

The Company remains committed to responsible exploration practices and is dedicated to adhering to all applicable regulations and environmental standards throughout its operations. The Company's seasoned exploration team will undertake thorough assessments to maximize the potential of the Spreckley Lake Uranium Project. The Company is optimistic about the project's prospects and looks forward to embarking on an extensive exploration program to unlock its full mineralization potential.

Option Terms

Pursuant to the terms of the Option, the Company is entitled to acquire the Spreckley Lake Uranium Project in consideration for completion of a series of cash payments totaling $250,000 to the current owner of the Project (the "Vendor"), of which $20,000 has been advanced initially, and incurring $150,000 of exploration expenditures on the Project over a three-year period. Following exercise of the Option, the Company will grant a one-percent net smelter returns royalty to the Vendor, which may be acquired back from the Vendor at any time in consideration of a cash payment of $1,000,000.

The Company is at arms-length from the Vendor. No finders' fees or commissions are payable by the Company in connection with the Option.

Qualified Person

Dr. Peter Born, P.Geo., is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for, and has approved, the technical information contained in this release.

*The historical mineral resource estimate presented above uses categories that do not conform to current Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate as a current mineral resource and as such the Company is treating it as a historical resource estimate. Readers are cautioned that the historical mineral resource estimate does not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Project.

About Trench Metals Corp

Trench Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company with a focus on uranium. We create value for our shareholders by engaging in promising mineral exploration opportunities. Our main goal is the advancement of various projects from discovery all the way to production. This vertically integrated strategy allows Trench Metals to achieve exceptional shareholder value through the entire life-cycle of the mining process.

Trench Metals Corp. has the right to acquire a 100% interest in two highly prospective uranium project in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Uranium district. Higginson Lake Uranium Project which covers an area of approximately 5900 hectares and is 52 kilometers northeast of the town of Stony Rapids, which is accessible by Highway 905 and 964. The Higginson Lake Uranium Project host two historic drill indicated reserves, totaling 4,800,000 lbs of U308. And the Spreckley Lake Uranium Project which comprises of 1385 hectares in northern Saskatchewan, strategically located adjacent to Skyharbor's Pluto Bay Project. The Athabasca District is home to the highest grade of uranium deposits in the world and accounts for 18% of global uranium production.

For further information, contact the Company at info@trenchmetals.com or 604.558.4300, or visit the Company's website at www.trenchmetals.com.

On behalf of the Board,

Trench Metals Corp.

Simon Cheng, President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the development of the Spreckley Uranium Project and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
TORONTO, July 24, 2023 - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") completed a 1,039.5 diamond drill program at the Pokukrom East and West deposits on its Manfo Project located 15 kilometers south-southeast of Newmont's Ahafo Mine and 40 kilometers north of Asante Gold's Bibiani Mine.

Highlights of Diamond Drilling at Pokukrom, Manfo Project

Seven diamond drill holes totaling 1,039.5 meters completed at the Pokukrom East and West deposits.

Extends known mineralization at the southern end of the Pokukrom West deposit with SPDD23-006 intercepting 1.88 g/t Au over 13 meters, including 4.01 g/t Au over 4 meters in oxide.

SPDD23-007 returning 0.71 g/t Au over 20 meters including 1.32 g/t over 6 meters followed by a second zone of 1.66 g/t Au over 7 meters including 8.43 g/t Au over 1 meter extending mineralization down-dip at the shallow southern end of Pokukrom East.

Numerous potential resource extension and exploration targets remain untested around the known resources and along the nine kilometers of favourable structure at Manfo which will be addressed in future diamond drilling and exploration aircore drilling programs.

"The positive drilling results from the southern ends of both Pokukrom East and West has extended the mineralization incrementally in those areas warranting follow up drilling which could add to the resource," commented Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO. "The recently completed diamond drilling program at Manfo is part of a larger planned program of 3,700 meters of diamond drilling designed to test for extensions to the known mineralization at Pokukrom plus exploration targets in the vicinity. While the recent program eliminated two targets from the list (a soil plus auger anomaly on the northwestern flank of Pokukrom East and the northerly extension of Pokukrom West at shallow levels), a number of targets remain untested at Pokukrom to be drilled in future programs. In addition, a 6,750 meter exploration aircore drilling program is planned to assess a number of compelling targets along the 9 kilometers of favourable structure on the Manfo property for additional discoveries, including follow up at several prospects which have been lightly drill tested to date. "

Details of Manfo Diamond Drilling Program

A diamond drilling program was conducted on the Manfo Project between March 17 and June 19, 2023 with all assays recently received. Seven holes were drilled for a total of 1,039.5 meters to test for extensions to the known mineralization plus exploration targets around the Pokukrom deposits with four of the holes totaling 701.7 meters at Pokukrom East and three holes totaling 337.8 meters at Pokukrom West. Refer to Figure 1.

At Pokukrom West drill holes SPDD23-001 and SPDD23-002 tested for a northern extension of the Pokukrom West mineralization above hole DD21-002 which in 2021 successfully demonstrated a down-plunge continuation of Pokukrom West returning 3.19 g/t Au over 12 meters, including 6.85 g/t Au over 3 meters. The two holes did intersect alteration corresponding to the Pokukrom West zone, however gold assays were weak. Future drilling will consider testing further down-plunge of DD21-002. Drill hole SPDD23-006 tested for an extension to the high-grade oxide mineralization of Pokukrom West which was open-ended to the south intercepting 1.88 g/t Au over 13 meters, including 4.01 g/t Au over 4 meters, which could extend the resource model incrementally to the south. The oxide mineralization remains open to the south and auger drilling anomalism south of SPDD23-006 indicates additional shallow drilling further to the south is warranted. Refer to Figure 2.

At Pokukrom East two holes, SPDD23-003 AND SPDD23-004, were drilled to evaluate a strong soil anomaly with coincident auger drill hole anomalism sitting on the northwestern flank of the Pokukrom East deposit between Pokukrom East and West. The two drill holes intersected a wide zone of alteration similar to that which hosts the mineralization at Pokukrom, but disappointingly the assay results were weak. Refer to Figure 1. Holes SPDD23-007 and SPDD-008 were planned to test gaps in the historical drilling at the southern end of the Pokukrom deposit with the potential of adding to the resource model at shallow levels. Hole SPDD23-007 intersected 0.71 g/t Au over 20 meters including 1.32 g/t over 6 meters, followed by a second zone of 1.66 g/t Au over 7 meters including 8.43 g/t Au over 1 meter. Mineralization remains open down-dip in this area and there is potential to extend the modeled resource deeper here at a gold price higher than the $1,450 used in the pit optimizations in 2013. Drill hole SPDD23-008 drilled a little further to the south and at a shallower level intersected a 20 meter wide zone of moderate alteration and anomalous gold, however there was only one assay returned above the cut-off of 0.4 g/t Au. Refer to Figure 3.

Table 1: Results of the 2023 Diamond Drilling Program at Manfo

Methodology, Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Diamond drilling was conducted using an SA13000 small footprint diamond drill rig. HQ coring was conducted in the oxide, which ranged from 15 to 40 meters and averaged 25 meters deep, followed by NQ2 coring to the bottom of hole. The drill holes were spotted in the field with a hand-held GPS with locational accuracy of +/- 5 meters or so. Drill collar positions will be surveyed more accurately at a later date. A Champ-Magshot multi-shot survey instrument was used for down-hole survey readings every 30 meters.

Samples were obtained at 1 meter intervals by sawing the drill core in half with a diamond saw and submitting half core mostly to the Intertek Minerals Limited laboratory in Tarkwa, Ghana for 50g Fire Assay for gold, and one drillhole was analyzed at ALS Ghana Limited's laboratory in Kumasi, Ghana also for 50g Fire Assay. QA/QC samples, including certified standards, blanks and duplicate core samples (1/4 split drill core), were inserted into the drill sample stream at a rate of one in ten samples. The QA/QC results were within acceptable limits. The laboratory also performed their own internal QA/QC checks, which were also acceptable.

The true thicknesses of the mineralized drill intercepts reported here ranged from 75% of the drill core length in hole SPDD23-006 to 97% of core length in hole SPDD23-007.

About the Manfo Project

The Manfo Project covers an area of 96 square kilometers in the north-central part of the Sefwi-Bibiani greenstone belts 15 kilometers south-southeast of Newmont's Ahafo Mine and 40 kilometers north of Asante Gold's Bibiani Mine. Manfo has been explored by Pelangio since 2010 resulting in the discovery of multiple prospects along 9 kilometers of favourable structure with three of those prospects being advanced through drilling to a mineral resource estimated in 2013 by SRK Consulting at 195,000 oz (at 1.52 g/t Au) Indicated and 298,000 oz (at 0.96 g/t Au) Inferred with the bulk of the resource contained in the two Pokukrom deposits. Gold mineralization at Manfo is associated with broad zones of pervasive to fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-carbonate-pyrite alteration overprinting an earlier phase of hematite alteration hosted predominantly in brecciated to sheared granitoid rocks and lesser mafic metavolcanic rocks. The Manfo mineral resource estimation was conducted by SRK Consulting and published in June of 2013. (Refer to the Mineral Resource Evaluation Technical Report, Manfo Gold Project, by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., released on June 21, 2013 and available on Pelangio's website). The resource estimation was made in accordance with National Instrument 43?101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects at the time of the mineral resource estimation in 2013. NI 43-101 standards for disclosure have been amended multiple times since 2013 and as a result Pelangio's 2013 resource estimate is no longer NI 43-101 compliant under the current standards. Management has reviewed the new standards and determined that an update to the 2013 mineral resource estimate will only be completed when additional exploration work is performed which results in a material change to the original resource estimate.

Exploration was limited on the Manfo Project between 2014 and 2021. In 2021 a data review, analysis and targeting exercise led to the development of exploration programs intended to ultimately grow the Manfo resource if successful, including the drill testing of multiple targets beyond the known mineralization for potential new discoveries, plus drilling to test for possible extensions to the known mineralization, open in multiple directions, and which could add to the resource with successful follow-up drilling. A diamond drilling program of 3,700 meters was designed to test targets at and near the Pokukrom deposits which was commenced in late 2021 with the drilling of two holes totaling 383 meters at the Pokukrom West deposit, one of which discovered a down-plunge extension to the Pokukrom West mineralization with 3.19 g/t gold over 12 meters including 6.85 g/t gold over 3 meters returned from DD21-002. Refer to Pelangio's November 16, 2021 news release. The recently completed program continues the planned 3,700 meter diamond drilling program with 1,039.5 meters drilled to test additional targets in and near the Pokukrom West and East deposits with numerous targets still remaining to be drilled. A 6,750 meter exploration aircore drilling program is also planned to test numerous prospective targets for additional discoveries beyond the known resource areas.

Qualified Person

Mr. Kevin Thomson, P.Geo. (Ontario, #0191), is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Thomson approved the technical data disclosed in this release.

About Pelangio

Pelangio acquires and explores world-class land packages on strategic gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is exploring its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of seven near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located four km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as its Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact:

Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO

Tel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@pelangio.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words 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 statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, delays due to COVID-19 safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769791/Pelangio-Exploration-Completes-Diamond-Drilling-At-Manfo-Project-Ghana-And-Provides-Assay-Results
Vancouver, July 24, 2023 - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) ("Gold Hunter", "HUNT" or the "Company") announces the closing acquisition of five mineral license packages adjacent to its Rambler Project ("the Rambler Project"), further to its news release issued July 13th, 2023, extending its land position by 239% to a total of 17,227.97 hectares. This strategic acquisition strengthens Gold Hunter's foothold in Newfoundland's main mining district.

Figure 1: Location map displaying Gold Hunter's increased land position (including the Rambler Project) in the Baie Verte Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, including the newly-acquired mineral claim projects.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8550/174607_72ebe1ae3466fbd2_002full.jpg

Financing Continues

The Company is proceeding with its previously announced financing plan. Potential participants are invited to partake in a non-brokered private placement, structured as follows:

$0.25 per Unit of up to 2,000,000 units, potentially raising $500,000.

$0.30 per Flow-Through Unit of up to 833,000, potentially raising $250,000.

Each Unit and Flow-Through Unit also comes with a non-flow through Warrant, which can be exercised at $0.35 over a 24-month period. This offering is subject to approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange and may pay a Finder's Fee. Upon closing, all securities will be held for a mandatory period of four months and one day.

Gold Hunter Resources - Key Insights: Dive into our Fact Sheet to understand more about our prime infrastructure, detailed historical research, prior production track record, and significant geological factors. Get a clear view of our operations and potential through our accompanying visual illustrations.

You can access our fact sheet, which provides a comprehensive overview of Gold Hunter Resources, on our website via the following link: https://goldhunterresources.com/investors.

Figures 2 & 3: Fact Sheet Pages 1 & 2 - A visual guide to understanding Gold Hunter Resources' strategic position in the Baie Verte Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8550/174607_goldhunterfigure2.jpg

Stay tuned for the Company's inaugural Investor Presentation, which will be made available shortly for review. Focused on the Baie Verte Peninsula, a region known as the 'Heart of Mining in Newfoundland.'

Gold Hunter Joins Mining Industry NL: We're pleased to announce our Corporate Membership with the Mining Industry NL association. This relationship strengthens our position in Newfoundland and Labrador and allows us to leverage the association's wide-ranging advocacy, outreach, and connections within the mining sector. The Mining Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MINL), established in 2010, has played a pivotal role in attracting both local and international investments to the province's rich mining sector through strategic partnerships, active stakeholder engagement, and effective governmental advocacy.



Internationally acclaimed as a leading mining hub, Newfoundland and Labrador's status has been validated by the Fraser Institute, which acknowledged it as the world's 4th top jurisdiction for investment in 2022, based on Investment Attractiveness.

About Gold Hunter Resources: Gold Hunter Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on the evaluation and development of mineral-rich regions in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Ontario, Canada. We operate in areas known for their mineral resources and are committed to identifying the full potential of our project sites in a responsible and sustainable manner.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Gold Hunter Resources Inc.

"Sean A. Kingsley"

President, CEO, and Director

Email: info@goldhunterresources.com

Phone: +1 604-440-8474

www.goldhunterresources.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider do not take responsibility for the accuracy of the content of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company's activities, exploration, drilling, and mineralization projects. These statements reflect the current views and assumptions of the Company's management and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ substantially from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates, or opinions change. Potential risks include operational hazards, geological uncertainties, assay interpretation, securing necessary permits, and financial contingencies. For a comprehensive discussion of these risk factors, please refer to the Company's publicly available documents at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174607
Sudbury, July 24, 2023 - Transition Metals Corp. (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition", "the Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of a comprehensive remote sensing program, comprised of hyperspectral and LiDAR surveys on its Pike Warden project ("the Property") located near Whitehouse, Yukon. In addition, the Company's field crews have mobilized to initiate a program of mapping, sampling, and hand trenching activities on select targeted areas.

The Property covers a substantial land package on the margins of the Bennett Lake Volcanic Complex (BLVC). The Company has characterized 18 identified mineralized zones, which demonstrate the significant potential of a much larger epithermal mineralizing system. Drilling of one of the showings in 2022 returned 21.34m grading 91.43 g/t Ag including 1.52m grading 362 g/t Ag (See Company news release dated January 16, 2023). Transition is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as those being used in this remote sensing program, along with a strong foundation of scientific work to fully discover the project's exploration opportunities.

Scott McLean, P.Geo, CEO of Transition Metals, expressed his enthusiasm about the forthcoming field work, saying, "We are progressing the project with the initiation of comprehensive hyperspectral and LiDAR surveys on the Pike Warden project. By utilizing advanced remote sensing technologies, we aim to unlock the full exploration potential of this highly prospective area. Our team is excited to commence field work and begin the process of collecting and analyzing data, which will guide our future exploration efforts."

Remote Sensing Surveys

The Company has engaged PhotoSat, to carry out hyperspectral mapping. PhotoSat utilizes high-resolution multispectral satellite imagery from optical satellites to locate zones of highly altered rocks typically associated with mineralization. The survey is designed to target areas for follow-up ground exploration. This innovative approach will allow Transition's exploration team to focus its exploration programs and help locate and delineate alteration and mineralization zones on the Property.

Simultaneously, a property-wide LiDAR survey, contracted to Pioneer Exploration Consultants Ltd., will employ state-of-the-art light detection and ranging technology to generate precise three-dimensional elevation maps of the project area, inclusive of orthophotography. This high-resolution topographic data will offer invaluable insights into geological structures and potential mineralization patterns across the Pike Warden project. The integration of hyperspectral and LiDAR data will enhance the Company's understanding of the project's geology, enabling more effective and targeted exploration.

Field Work

Transition is deploying a multi-person, 10-day field program on the Property, focused on ground truthing, sampling, and geological mapping of previously unexplored regions of the property. A total of 18 mineralized zones have been identified to date (see news releases dated January 16, 2023, and October 5, 2022) highlighting the importance of groundwork on this Property. The work this year will further characterize the potential polymetallic mineralizing system present at Pike Warden.

About the Pike Warden Property

The Pike Warden property is located approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Whitehorse, Yukon, and is comprised of 185 contiguous mining claims totaling approximately 37 km. The property encompasses a combination of historic and recently discovered high-grade polymetallic gold, copper, and silver epithermal showings that are potentially indicative of a large epithermal-porphyry system in the vicinity of the BLVC. In June 2022, Transition Metals Corp. entered into an option to acquire a 100% interest in the property from the Vendor in exchange for cash shares and work expenditures over a four-year period (please refer to news release dated June 8, 2022).

Qualified Person

The technical elements of this press release have been approved by Mr. Benjamin Williams, P.Geo. (PGO), who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Transition Metals Corp.

Transition Metals Corp. (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity explorer. Its award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience which actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, often allowing the company to acquire properties inexpensively. Joint venture partners earn an interest in the projects by funding a portion of higher-risk drilling and exploration, allowing Transition to conserve capital and minimize shareholder's equity dilution.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further information is available at www.transitionmetalscorp.com or by contacting:

Scott McLean

President and CEO

Transition Metals Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174620
VANCOUVER, July 24, 2023 - Highland Copper Company Inc. (TSXV: HI; OTCQB: HDRSF) ("Highland" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") and mineral resource estimate for the White Pine North project ("White Pine North") in Michigan, USA. The PEA demonstrates the robust economic strength of this long-lived project.



Simultaneously, Highland is pleased to introduce Kinterra Copper USA LLC ("Kinterra") as a joint venture ("JV") partner on the project. Kinterra will bring additional financial and technical strength required to progress the project through to development. Kinterra has made a cash payment of $30 million to Highland for a 66% stake in the White Pine North project. Additionally, the joint venture has agreed to spend a further $30 million to advance the project through permitting, infill drilling and feasibility study.

Highland continues to make great progress in 2023. Combined, these announcements markedly improve Highland's prospects of advancing its larger White Pine North project while focusing on moving its Copperwood project to construction and operation. Highland believes this is positive for all stakeholders, particularly the State of Michigan where Highland's project development is aligned with the State vision of electrification and regional support for local communities.

Key highlights of the PEA and joint venture transaction include (all figures in $USD):

Robust PEA Results Set Path for White Pine North Advancement: With a significant increase in resource base, an after-tax net present value ("NPV") 8% of $821 million and an after-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 20.8%, the project provides strong cash flow and leverage to copper price.

Kinterra Invests $30 Million for 66% of White Pine North, Funds Available for Copperwood: The initial $30 million proceeds from the joint venture arrangement allow Highland to initiate early site works at the fully-permitted Copperwood project, where Highland is focused on advancing to development and production.

Additional $30 Million Commitment to Advance White Pine North Permitting and Feasibility Study: Kinterra and Highland, as JV partners, have agreed on a further $30 million investment in the project to be funded by Kinterra. This consists of $20 million representing Kinterra's 66% pro rata expenditure, as well as a $10 million unsecured loan to fund Highland's pro rata expenditure.

Highland Set to Advance Key Michigan Assets: With key assets 100% owned Copperwood, 34% owned White Pine North, a consolidated multi-billion pound resource base, and an additional $30 million in liquidity, Highland looks forward to contributing to critically needed US domestic copper supply through production growth with these advanced-stage projects.

"Today's announcements are transformational for Highland Copper. While we continue to maintain our focus on the fully-permitted Copperwood project, we have a viable path to simultaneously advance the White Pine North project, keeping our focus on near-term value creation by creating a new US copper producer. As significant capital is required to develop both projects, the joint venture arrangement allows us to move forward without having to issue any shares, and unlocks tremendous value for our shareholders. Kinterra recognizes the quality of our asset base and is committed to working with Highland to advance White Pine North. We look forward to working with Kinterra as partners to progress this great asset.

We are pleased that all stakeholders, including the various Michigan communities and our shareholders, will benefit as we surface the significant asset value at both projects. We look forward to updating the market as we advance." stated Denis Miville-Deschenes, President and CEO of Highland Copper.

Key Preliminary Economic Assessment Highlights1,2

The PEA provides a base case assessment of mining the mineral resources of the White Pine North Project. The PEA considers White Pine North as a stand-alone project, where potential synergies with Copperwood are not considered. The Project is the extension of the historical White Pine mine which operated from 1953 to 1995. The results of the White Pine North PEA demonstrate the long-lived nature of the project with strong economics and cash flows. Key highlights include the following, with all figures being shown for 100% of the asset:

Strong Economic Returns with Leverage to Copper Price Changes After-tax NPV8% of $821 million (at $4.00/pound copper price) 3 20.8% after-tax IRR At $4.50/pound copper price, after tax NPV8% of $1.2 billion and IRR of 25.4%

Improved NPV to Initial Capital Expenditure Ratio Initial capital expenditures of $615 million, net of pre-production revenue of $265 million NPV to initial capital expenditure ratio of 1.33

Significantly Increased Resource Base Indicated mineral resource containing 3.5 billion pounds of copper (150.7 million tonnes at 1.05% Cu) and 65.5 million ounces of silver (13.5 g/t Ag) Inferred mineral resource containing 2.2 billion pounds of copper (96.4 million tonnes at 1.03% Cu) and 27.8 million ounces of silver (9.0 g/t Ag) From the above resource, mineralized material included in the mine plan of 115.8 million tonnes at 0.97% Cu and 11.09 g/t Ag, containing 2.47 billion pounds of copper and 41.3 million ounces of silver

Long-lived Asset with Strong Cash Flows Mine life of 21.8 years, including 21 months of ramp-up, with average annual LOM payable copper production of 93.5 million pounds and 1.2 million ounces of silver Life-of-mine ("LOM") average C1 cash costs of $1.58/lb, net of by-product Undiscounted average annual operating cash flow of approximately $210 million and annual free cash flow of approximately $160 million (excluding initial capital)





"The White Pine North project was able to operate successfully for 50 years until the mid-1990s. The results of the PEA indicate that the project could have another 22 or more years of mining in the Upper Peninsula. We look forward to continuing our work with the state of Michigan, making Copperwood and White Pine North key economic contributors in the region, becoming an important part of domestic copper supply and aiding in the on-going goals of electrification in Michigan and the US" said Denis Miville-Deschenes, President and CEO of Highland Copper.

1) The reader is advised that a PEA is preliminary in nature and is intended to provide only an initial, high-level review of the Project potential and design options. The PEA mine plan and economic model include numerous assumptions and the use of Inferred resources. Inferred resources are too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves and to be used in an economic analysis except as allowed for in PEA studies. There is no guarantee that Inferred resources can be converted to Indicated or Measured resources, and as such, there is no guarantee the Project economics described herein will be achieved.

2) Readers are cautioned that the PEA is an economic analysis of mineral resources. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

3) White Pine North NPV includes revenue related to 88% of the unexercised Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd ("Osisko") silver option. Osisko has the right to pay an additional $23 million in order to secure the rights to the balance 88% of the silver stream. If this option was exercised, the adjusted NPV8% of White Pine North would be $634 million.

4) Included within mineralized material within the conceptual mine plan area are approximately 7 million tonnes of mineralized material on lands that White Pine Copper LLC's mineral title has not been confirmed.

Key Joint Venture Agreement Highlights

The joint operating agreement among Kinterra Copper USA LLC and, Highland's wholly owned subsidiary Upper Peninsula Copper Holdings Inc. ("UPCH") provides financial capacity to proactively advance both key Michigan projects. The following are the key terms of the investment by Kinterra and the joint operating agreement:

Initial Investment of $30 million for 66% of White Pine North Project: The initial investment reflects Kinterra's endorsement of the underlying asset value of White Pine North. The cash is unrestricted and can be used at Highland's discretion. Highland intends on assigning a portion of the proceeds to advancing the fully-permitted Copperwood project to a construction decision in 2024. The purchase and sale of the interest in White Pine Copper LLC has been completed and is fully funded.

Budget of Additional $30 million to Advance White Pine North: In addition to its $30 million initial investment, Kinterra has agreed to fund, subject to certain conditions, a further $30 million in expenditures to advance the White Pine North project. The commitment will consist of $20 million representing Kinterra's 66% pro rata expenditure, as well as a $10 million unsecured loan to fund Highland's pro rata expenditure. This loan will be available to Highland to satisfy cash calls. The investment will allow the joint venture project to progress quickly into permitting, infill drilling and a feasibility study.

Unsecured $10 million Loan from Kinterra: The $10 million unsecured loan to cover cash calls will be available to Highland Copper at coupon of 10% and will mature in July 2026. A second unsecured loan (on the same terms) will become available to Highland after this $30 million has been spent on White Pine North, assuming any initial loan has been repaid. The second loan will have a maturity of July 2028.

The joint operating agreement contemplates that White Pine LLC will be governed by a management committee, which will consist of three representatives appointed by Kinterra, and two by Highland. Highland expects to continue to be involved in the development of the White Pine North project. The management committee will propose programs and budgets for future expenditures. Highland will have the option to elect to participate in future work programs.

In a challenging capital markets environment, Highland is pleased to have secured funding, without issuing any shares, to support our strategic goals at both Copperwood and White Pine North.

"The structure of the funding package, in addition to the strength of Kinterra's balance sheet, provides critical financial flexibility to advance Highland's projects. The initial investment allows Highland to progress to early site works at Copperwood and move towards construction in 2024. The additional capital of $30 million at White Pine North ensures no contributions will be required by Highland in the near-term expenditure period. Looking forward, the White Pine North project will benefit from Kinterra's financial strength, particularly through funding 66% of the initial capital, should we jointly elect to construct White Pine North in the future," said Barry O'Shea, CFO of Highland Copper.

Highland Copper Strategic Next Steps

Highland will continue towards its goal of becoming a US domestic copper producer in the near-term with the development of the Copperwood project. Highland will then look to production and cash flow growth from White Pine North through its joint venture partnership with Kinterra.

Advance Copperwood towards Construction in 2024: Key steps as the Highland progresses to development include: Early works at site: With the available liquidity, Highland will initiate early works at Copperwood for required site impacts and environmental mitigations. The majority of the early works are considered in the initial capital as outlined in the recently published Copperwood Feasibility Study. Importantly, this expenditure will net against initial capital. Feasibility Study Optimizations: Through the period leading up to a construction decision, Highland will consider additional value creation opportunities relative to the Copperwood Feasibility Study, particularly infill drilling and potential life of mine extensions. A significant opportunity exists to convert inferred resources into measured and indicated resources.

Advance White Pine North to Permitting and Feasibility Study: With the committed additional investment from Kinterra, the joint venture partnership will proactively work toward permitting and Feasibility Study, also advancing the White Pine North project toward development. Highland's 34% stake in the White Pine North project remains highly significant to Highland's overall asset value: After-tax NPV8% of $279 million 1 for Highland's 34% interest in the project, ensuring it remains a valuable component of Highland's asset value under the joint venture partnership. Copper resource of 1.2 billion pounds indicated and 0.7 billion pounds inferred for Highland's 34% interest (indicated 51.2 million tonnes at 1.05% Cu) (inferred 32.8 million tonnes at 1.03% Cu)

Continue to Develop Relationship with Key Stakeholder in State of Michigan: Highland looks forward to being a key contributor to the economy of the State of Michigan. This requires us to work collaboratively with all key community, government, corporate and other stakeholders. Highland understands a mutually beneficial relationship with all stakeholders is critical to success.

We look forward to updating the market as we advance towards our key strategic goals and surface the considerable underlying asset value of Copperwood and White Pine North.

1) NPV excludes the potential impact of Osisko exercising its silver option.



Advisors

With respect to the Kinterra joint venture transaction, the Company's financial advisor is BMO Capital Markets and the Company's legal counsel is McMillan LLP.

Kinterra's legal counsel with respect to the joint venture transaction is Bennett Jones LLP.

Preliminary Economic Assessment Detail

All amounts in this news release are in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this release may not add up precisely to the totals provided. Readers are cautioned that the PEA is an economic analysis of mineral resources. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

The PEA and mineral resource estimate have been prepared by G Mining Services Inc. ("GMSI").

White Pine North Project Geology

The White Pine deposit is located in the Ontonagon County, Michigan State. The base of the Nonesuch Formation hosts the bulk of the copper mineralization at White Pine, which consists of cupriferous siltstone, black shale and fine-grained sandstone beds, and low-grade siltstone, sandstone and red shale beds.

The copper mineralization in the area of the former White Pine mine occurs in the bottom 6 m (20 ft) of the Nonesuch Formation at the contact with the Copper Harbor conglomerate. Beds within the lower 21 m (70 ft) of the Nonesuch Formation are laterally persistent and can be correlated across the mine. The shale and siltstone in the lower part of the Nonesuch Formation are divided into two sedimentary sequences, the lower "Parting Shale" and the upper "Upper Shale", separated by the Upper Sandstone.

Copper mineralization at the White Pine deposit occurs as two distinct styles -- very fine-grained sulfide (chalcocite) and as native copper. Sulfide mineralization is estimated to account for 85-90% of the copper in the deposit, but both modes of copper are intimately associated throughout the deposit.

Mineral Resources

GMSI prepared a Mineral Resource estimate for the White Pine Project based on data provided up to and including September 28, 2022. The resource estimate was prepared in accordance with CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves (adopted May 10, 2014) and is reported in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Classification, or assigning a level of confidence to Mineral Resources, has been undertaken with strict adherence to CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves. In the opinion of GMSI, the resource evaluation reported herein is a reasonable representation of the global Mineral Resources found at the White Pine Project at the current level and spacing of sampling.

The mineral estimate was prepared under the supervision of Rejean Sirois, P. Eng. consultant for GMSI, and Christian Beaulieu, P. Geo. consultant for GMSI, both independent "qualified persons" as defined in NI 43-101. Geovia GEMS and Leapfrog Geo software were used to facilitate the resource estimation process.

The modelling of the copper mineralization horizons was based on the footwall and hanging wall of the three selected "columns" (sedimentary sequences), namely the Parting Shale, and the Full Column. The Parting Shale was modelled with a minimum thickness of 2 m and the Full Column with a minimum thickness of 3 m. In instances where the Parting Shale column was less than 2 m, dilution was applied in the footwall to ensure that the 2 m thickness was honored. The Mineral Resources are reported within the Full Column or the Parting Shale, based on mine engineering considerations.

Copper and silver assays were composited to the full thickness of the column. Grade distributions were reviewed and assay capping was not deemed necessary. Grade estimation was undertaken using Ordinary Kriging (OK) for copper grades and Inverse Distance Squared (ID2) for silver grades into a percentage block model based on the wireframes of the two columns. A three-pass estimation approach was adopted, with increasing search ellipses and relaxed estimation parameters. A 300 m buffer zone around existing workings was excised from the Mineral Resources.

The block model was validated both visually and statistically and was found to be a good representation of the composites. Mineral Resource classification was based primarily on estimation passes, and other considerations such as drill spacing, quality of historical data and confidence in grade continuity.

The White Pine North deposit's total Indicated Mineral Resources are reported at 150.7 Mt grading an average 1.05% Cu and 13.5 g/t Ag containing 3.50 Blbs Cu and 65.5 Moz Ag using a lower cut-off grade of 0.90% Cu for the Parting Shale and Full Column combined. Inferred Mineral Resources are reported at 96.4 Mt grading an average 1.03% Cu and 9.0 g/t Ag containing 2.18 Blbs Cu and 27.8 Moz Ag using a lower cut-off grade of 0.90% Cu (Parting Shale only).

Mineral Resource Estimate - White Pine Project - 0.9% Cu cut-off Grade - June 12, 2023

Ore Column Resource

Category Tonnage

(Mt) Copper

Grade

(%) Silver

Grade

(g/t) Copper

Contained

(M lbs) Silver

Contained

(M oz) Full Column (3 m)

Indicated 37.8 1.03 10.1 857 12.3 Inferred 0 - - 0 0 Parting Shale (2 m)

Indicated 112.8 1.06 14.6 2,640 53.1 Inferred 96.4 1.03 9.0 2,183 27.8 White Pine North (Total)

Indicated 150.7 1.05 13.5 3,497 65.5 Inferred 96.4 1.03 9.0 2,183 27.8

Notes on Mineral Resources:

1) Mineral Resources are reported using a copper price of US$4.00/lb and a silver price of US$25/oz.

2) A payable rate of 96.5% for copper and 90% for silver was assumed.

3) Metallurgical recoveries of 88% for copper and 73.4% for silver were assumed.

4) A cut-off grade of 0.90% copper was used, based on an underground "room and pillar" mining scenario.

5) Mineral Resources are reported within the most probable extraction scenario of Full Column or Parting Shale based on mine engineering.

6) Operating costs are based on a processing plant located at the White Pine site.

7) A flat NSR royalty rate of $0.10/lb Cu payable was applied, which incorporates three royalties on the project (Osisko Silver royalties, Osisko Copper royalties, and Longyear Royalty).

8) Minimum mining thicknesses of 2 m and 3 m were applied to the Parting Shale and the Full Column respectively.

9) No mining dilution and mining loss were considered for the Mineral Resources.

10) Mineralized rock bulk densities is assumed at 2.74 g/cc.

11) Classification of Mineral Resources conforms to CIM definitions.

12) The qualified persons for the estimate are Mr. Rejean Sirois, P.Eng., consultant for GMSI and Mr. Christian Beaulieu, P.Geo., consultant for GMSI. The estimate has an effective date of June 12, 2023.

13) Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues.

14) Parting Shale: interval defined from the base of the Lower Transition unit to the top of the Tiger unit.

15) Full Column: interval defined from the base of the Lower Transition unit to the top of the Thinly unit.

16) The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured Mineral Resources.

Mining Plan

The PEA envisions that the deposit will be mined with a mix of conventional highly mechanized, drill and blast and continuous mining room-and-pillar mining method. The method consists of the extraction of a series of entries and cross-cuts in the mineralization, leaving pillars in place to support the back. The entries, cross cuts and pillars have been sized using geotechnical analysis and experience from historical mining at White Pine.

The mine will comprise three sectors; the Eastern, Center and Western parts. The mine will be accessed via a new covered box-cut to establish a portal at the mine entrance from the surface, located at the western side of the deposit. The pre-production period requires 18,193 m of development to establish the main entry panel requiring four to six drifts according to the ventilation requirements. Ground conditions are expected to be good to excellent, similar to the historical White Pine mine. The ground support consists a 1.8 m rebar bolts on a 1.2 m by 1.2 m pattern. At room intersection rebar bolt length is increased to 2.4 m.

The production schedule is based on mining a fixed target of 5.475 M tonnes/year. To achieve this annual production, seven to fourteen production panels must be in production simultaneously. The number of required panels depends on the tonnage from the development as well as the height of the rooms of each panel. The mining of the room will be done using a single-pass approach. In the first pass, larger pillars are left in place. The mining recovery is approximately 57%.

Life-of-Mine (LOM) Metal Production

The LOM production for the White Pine Project is shown below. Payable copper production is estimated at 922,803 tonnes (2,034 million pounds) with an annual average of 42,428 tonnes (93.5 million pounds) over the 23.4-year mine life which includes a 21-month commissioning and ramp-up period. The average copper payable rate is 96.5%. Payable silver production over the LOM is 26.2 million ounces with an annual average of 1,203 thousand ounces of silver.

Production Physicals Pre-production Production Total Concentrate (k of dmt) 102.8 3,129 3,232 Cu con. Grade (% Cu) 30.5% 30.5% 30.5% Cu metal production (M lbs) 69.3 2,108 2,177 Ag metal production (k oz) 965.9 2,9323 30,290 Cu payable metal (M lbs) 66.8 2,034 2,101 Ag payable metal (k oz) 865.5 26,165 27,031



Processing and Metallurgy

The PEA envisions a process plant design for the Project that is based on the historical metallurgical flowsheet to produce copper concentrate with a nominal throughput of 15,000 tpd and a planned availability of 92%. The flowsheet consists of a standard grinding circuit with SAG and Ball Mill in closed circuit with cyclone targeting a primary grind of 105 microns. The cyclone overflow feeds the primary flotation cells following by a desliming cyclone and secondary flotations cells. The concentrate from the primary and secondary flotation cells will be sent to a regrind mill in close circuit with cyclone targeting a grind of 20 microns. The regrind cyclone overflow feeds two stages of concentrate cleaning cells before thickening, filtration concentrate and tailings disposal.

The copper recovery is estimated at 88% with a concentrate grade of 30.5% Cu. Silver recovery is estimated at 73.4%.

Power and Surface Infrastructure

The Company envisions using the available power from the grid in conjunction with a natural gas fired power generation plant to be built on site. The combined power capacity is estimated at 38 MW. The existing tailings disposal facility will be utilized to deposit tailings from the White Pine North project, which will require dam raises over the life-of-mine. Water supply is available from an existing Lake Superior pump station.

Capital and Operating Costs

The initial capital costs, including all direct and indirect costs, are estimated at $880.4 million, including a contingency of $140.4 million. It is anticipated that pre-production revenue of $265.2 million will reduce the capital expenditures to $615.2 million.

Initial Capital Expenditure Summary

Initial CAPEX1 ($M) General 0.6 Infrastructure 44.4 Power & Electrical 76.1 Water & TDF Mgmt. 97.3 Mobile Equipment 93.2 Mine Infrastructure 93.1 Process Plant 148.9 Construction Indirects 71.5 General Services & Owner's Costs 42.7 Pre-Production, Commissioning 72.3 Sub-Total Before Contingency 740.0 Contingency (18.8%) 140.4 Total Incl. Contingency 880.4 Less: Pre-Production Revenue (265.3) Total Incl. Contingency & Pre-Prod. Revenue 615.2



Sustaining Capital Expenditure Summary

The total LOM sustaining capital is estimated at $657.8 million. The sustaining capital includes the extension of the conveyor system for extracting ore to surface and replacement of equipment which typically has a useful life of 50,000 hours.

Sustaining Capital

LOM ($M) Tailings disposal facility expansion 88.0 Water treatment plant 15.0 Mine equipment purchases 319.3 Mine development expenditures 99.0 Mine Infrastructure expenditures 136.6 Total Sustaining Capital 657.8



Operating Costs Summary

Operating costs include mining, processing, G&A services, concentrate transportation and concentrate treatment and refining charges. The concentrate transportation, treatment charges and refining are deducted from gross revenues to calculate the net smelter return ("NSR"). The NSR for the Project during operations is estimated at $8.1 billion, excluding $265 million of NSR generated during pre-production and presented as a reduction of initial capital expenditures. The average NSR over the LOM is $3.97 per pound of payable copper. The average operating cost over the LOM is $29.90 per tonne of ore or $1.64 per pound of payable copper with mining representing 58% of the total operating costs, or $17.39 per tonne of ore.

Operating Cash Flow2

LOM $/t ore

$/lb Cu Payable

($M) Cu Revenue 8,138 72.76 4.00 Ag Credits 654 5.85 0.32 Revenue 8,792 78.60 4.32 Concentrate Transportation Costs 375 3.35 0.18 Treatment & Refining Charges 349 3.12 0.17 Net Smelter Return 8,068 72.14 3.97 Royalties 205 1.83 0.10 Mining Costs 1,945 17.39 0.96 Processing Costs 711 6.36 0.35 G&A Costs 483 4.31 0.24 Working capital adj in OPEX -33 -0.30 -0.02 Total OPEX (incl. royalties) 3,311 29.6 1.63 Operating Cash Flow 4,758 42.54 2.34

2) Excluding commissioning period.

Sensitivity Analysis

Variance After-Tax Results NPV 0% (M$) NPV 8% (M$) IRR (%) Payback (yrs) Copper Price Sensitivities 3.50 $lb 1,822 457 15.8% 4.7 3.75 $lb 2,273 639 18.4% 4.0 4.00 $lb 2,723 821 20.8% 3.5 4.25$lb 3,174 1,003 23.1% 3.1 4.5 $lb 3,624 1,184 25.4% 2.7 Initial Capital Cost Sensitivities -20%

2,881 971 26.5% 2.5 -10%

2,802 896 23.4% 3.0 0% 2,723 821 20.8% 3.5 10% 2,645 746 18.7% 3.9 20% 2,566 671 16.9% 4.4 Operating Cost Sensitivities -20%

3,287 1,034 23.2% 3.1 -10%

3,005 928 22.1% 3.3 0% 2,723 821 20.8% 3.5 10% 2,442 714 19.5% 3.7 20% 2,159 607 18.2% 4.0



Estimated Timeline



The estimated timeline for the White Pine North Project is shown below. Upon receipt of required permits and necessary approvals a 39-month mine development, construction, commissioning, and pre-production ramp-up period is foreseen followed by 21.75 years of commercial production.

Project Timeline Total Construction and Mine development (months) 18 Commissioning and pre-production (months) 21 Commercial production (yrs) 21.75 Closure (months) 36



PEA Assumptions

Feasibility Study Assumptions Total Avg. Copper Price ($/lb) 4.00 Avg. Silver Price ($/oz) 25.00 Treatment Charge ($/t) 65 Refining Charge (/lb) 6.5 Avg. Copper Payable Rate (%) 96.5% Avg. Silver Payable Rate (%) 90%



Summary Economics for White Pine Project

Summary Economics for White Pine Project Pre?tax NPV @8% ($M) 1,023.6 Pre-tax IRR @8% 23.1% After?tax NPV@ 8% ($M) 821 After-tax IRR @8% 20.8% Undiscounted After?Tax Cashflow (LOM) ($M) 2,723.5 Payback Period from start of processing?years 3.5 Initial Capital expenditures ($M) 615.2 LOM Sustaining Capital Expenditures ($M) 657.8 LOM C?1 Cash Costs $/lb (net of bi?product) 1.58 Nominal Process capacity mt/d 15,000 Mine Life?years 21.75 Annual Payable Metal Production Copper (M lb) 93.5 Silver (k oz) 1,203 LOM Average Process Recovery Copper % 88.0 Silver % 73.4



All-in Cash Cost

LOM Costs ($M) ($/tonne milled) ($/payable lb) Mining 1,945 17.39 0.96 Processing 711 6.36 0.35 G&A 483 4.31 0.24 Offsite costs (transport, TC/RCs) 723 6.47 0.36 By-product credits (654) (5.85) (0.32) C1 Cost 3,208 28.69 1.58 Capex and closure cost 1,477 13.20 0.73 Royalty costs 205 1.83 0.10 Interest Cost (Equipment Financing) 19 0.17 0.01 C3 Cost 4,909 43.89 2.41



Environment and Permitting

The former White Pine mine has hosted mining activities for over a century and most recent mining activities spanned from the 1950's to 1995. The site been the subject of an extensive remediation program outlined in judicial Consent Decree and Remedial Action Plan agreements between Copper Range Company, Michigan's Attorney General, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The entire surface area overlying the underground mine along with the associated surface component area and tailings impoundments are listed as a "facility" under Part 201, Environmental Remediation, of Michigan's Public Act 451 of 1994 as Amended, the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). With the completion of the final closing of the acquisition of the mineral and surface rights from CRC, the Company has assumed all environmental liabilities related to the Consent Decree and on-going environmental obligations, and has been indemnified by White Pine LLC, the owner of the White Pine North project, for such liabilities.

The Project considers additional ore extraction and processing on site by modern methods and under current regulations. No federal permits are applicable, however, state (NREPA) permits will be needed, anticipated to include:

Part 632 Mining Permit,

Part 31 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Part 55 Permit to Install (air permit)

Part 301/303 Wetlands and Streams

Part 315 Dam Safety Permit

The Company had begun baseline environmental surveys with intent to assemble baseline data suitable for obtaining permits. Historical data exists on surface water, ground water and near-surface soils. Updated baseline data collection is underway or being planned, including groundwater, surface water, biological and wetland surveys, archaeological surveys, and other data that support the developing mine plan. The Company anticipates this work will continue under the joint venture.

Qualified Persons

Carl Michaud, P. Eng., of GMSI, an independent qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101, has read and approved the technical portions of this news release. The following qualified persons will be responsible for the preparation of their relevant portions of the technical report to be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and they have reviewed and approved this news release.

Qualified Persons Company Area of expertise Carl Michaud, P.Eng. G Mining Services Inc. Operating cost estimation, economic analysis and mine engineering Rejean Sirois, P.Eng. Consultant for G Mining Services Inc. Geology and mineral resource estimation Christian Beaulieu, P.Geo. Consultant for G Mining Services Inc. Geology and mineral resource estimation Luc Binette, P.Eng. G Mining Services Inc. Infrastructure and capital cost estimation Martin Houde, P.Eng. ?G Mining Services Inc. Mineral processing and recovery methods Andrea K. Martin, P.E. Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC Environment and Permitting



Technical Report

The Company is planning to file a technical report in accordance with NI 43-101 on SEDAR, within 45 days from the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned that the conclusions, projections and estimates set out in this news release are subject to important qualifications, assumptions and exclusions, all of which are detailed in the technical report. To fully understand the summary information set out in this news release, the technical report that will be filed on SEDAR should be read in its entirety.

About The White Pine North Project

The White Pine North Copper Project is located in the historical copper range district of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, approximately 7.5 km south of Lake Superior in Ontonagon County. The Project covers approximately 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) of surface rights and approximately 11,990 hectares (29,615 acres) of mineral rights. The former White Pine mine was in production from 1953 through 1995. By the time it closed, over 4.5 billion pounds of copper had been produced from the mine. In July 2021, Highland Copper completed the acquisition of the White Pine north project from Copper Range Company.

About Highland Copper Company

Highland Copper Company Inc. is a Canadian company focused on exploring and developing copper projects in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A. The Company owns the Copperwood deposit through long-term mineral leases and 34% of the White Pine North project. The Company also owns surface rights securing access to the deposit and providing space for infrastructure as required. The Company has 736,363,619 common shares issued and outstanding. Its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "HI" and trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under symbol "HDRSF".

More information about the Company is available on the Company's website at www.highlandcopper.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Kinterra

Kinterra Capital is a private equity firm investing in the people, ideas, critical minerals, and strategic infrastructure necessary to accelerate the energy transition. Kinterra leverages significant domain specific technical and transactional expertise to source and manage investments that create value for key stakeholders, all while enhancing the communities within which we operate through meaningful partnerships. At Kinterra, the focus is on innovative ideation, rigorous analysis and executing with excellence to make investments that will create a more sustainable future. For more information about Kinterra Capital, visit www.kinterracapital.com.Cautionary Note REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Highland Copper Company Inc. does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, information with respect to the estimation of mineral resources, the conversion of mineral resources to mineral reserves, the expected timing for completion of additional studies and exploration and development work through to the commencement of construction of the White Pine mine, Highland's ability to raise the necessary debt and equity contribution to the project, the realization of mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, success of mining operations, life of mine, environmental risks, the timing of the receipt of permits, the timing and terms of a power purchase agreement, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage, including expectations with respect to Kinterra, the new majority owner of the White Pine LLC, to advance the project as provided herein. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "outlook", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or information that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. In this document certain forward-looking information are identified by words including "scheduled", "plan", "planned", "estimated", "projections", "projected" and "expected". Forward-looking information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove incorrect, including, but not limited to, the include the specific assumptions set out in this press release and in the Report, that future capital and operating costs will be in line with Highland's assumptions, that mineral resource estimates prove accurate, permits required to commence production will be obtained on a timely basis, mineral and metals prices will remain consistent with Highlands expectations, that there are no changes in the development plans for White Pine as new information is received, that Highland will be able to access financing, equipment to meet its contribution obligations, and that sufficient qualified labor to carry out the development plans. By their very nature 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, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of minerals; volatility in the price of fuel and electricity; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the USA; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations; litigation; the speculative nature of underground mine exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labor disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results; the assumptions upon which the estimation of mineral resources prove inaccurate, which could lead to a restatement of resources;; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in mineral resources, grade of mineralization or recovery rates may differ from what is indicated and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents, title matters; regulatory restrictions; permitting and licensing; volatility of the market price of Common Shares; insurance; competition; and hedging activities. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave - ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

Highland advises U.S. investors that this press release contains the terms "inferred", "indicated" and "measured" resources. All resource estimates have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource information contained therein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". "Inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an "inferred resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that all or part of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. U.S. Investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in the "measured" or "indicated" resource categories will ever be converted into reserves.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Denis Miville-Deschenes, President & CEO

Email: info@highlandcopper.com

Website: www.highlandcopper.com
Lando Norris came second for McLaren in Hungary. The young Briton drove a handsome race, but the Driver of the Day went to Sergio Perez. Norris was clearly hugely surprised at the Mexican getting this award.

Article continues under ad

Norris makes fun of Perez

Norris climbed one place from his starting position, from three to two. Perez started the Hungarian Grand Prix ninth in his RB19 and, after a lot of overtaking, managed to finish the race at the Hungaroring in third place. For a while, it looked like the Mexican would also pass Norris, but in the end he did not succeed. Perez won Driver of the Day in Hungary as a result of his overtaking.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Norris was told that the "prize" had gone to Perez and it was clear from the Briton's reply that he disagreed. "He got Driver of the Day? What the hell!" To which the interviewer responded, "You could have worked harder." Norris had a particularly sharp answer to that too: "Then I need a quicker car. Yeah, it's a wonderful day, a wonderful day."
Alonso to sign one-year deals after 2024

Fernando Alonso has revealed that after 2024, he will only sign single-year contract extensions.

Fernando Alonso, Hungarian GP 2023

 Aston Martin Racing

At almost 42, the two-time champion is clearly the oldest active driver on the grid, having last year accepted an offer from Aston Martin to race in 2023 and 2024.

He says the only goal is to win a third title.

Of course. If not, I wouldn't race, the Spaniard told AS newspaper.

"There are a lot of sacrifices behind a Formula 1 season - a lot of travel, a lot of preparation, and it's all with the goal of being world champion.

Also, with experience, you know that in Formula 1 you need other things apart from your personal ambition or your desire to achieve things. Being at the right time in the right place, for example, Alonso added.

I'm in a good place at a good time, but I'm not obsessed either. Let's start, hopefully, with a victory. And then if I win the third title or not will depend on things that are out of my reach.

After Alonso's current deal expires, Formula 1 will enter the final season of the existing regulations era in 2025 before the major car and engine changes in 2026.

When asked if he's already starting to think about that, Alonso answered: "I'll start to interest myself a little more next year.

"Right now, I've thought about it of course and discussed it with the team - of course. But we have postponed it to the summer of 2024.

"If it was the summer of next year now, I would tell you that I am interested in seeing what happens in 2025. We are going to have a new wind tunnel at Aston Martin and there are things that are appealing, that are attractive, and I feel strong and energetic.

"The travel and training don't bother me - I look forward to it. But there are moments, and I have had them in my career, when you are a bit saturated with travel, with racing.
De Vries dumping worked out perfectly says Marko

Dr Helmut Marko has no regrets after making what has been described as the "brutal" decision to axe Alpha Tauri rookie Nyck de Vries.

Daniel Ricciardo, Hungarian GP 2023

 Red Bull

The Red Bull official said he made the call because Dutchman de Vries, and the rest of the energy drink company's struggling junior team, were stagnating .

Nyck de Vries did not live up to our expectations, he explained in Hungary.

At the same time, Alpha Tauri dropped to last place and two new managers are coming in. Franz Tost is retiring. The motivation and the passion seemed to have gotten a little lost in the team, Marko, 80, added.

A driver change can always have a positive effect. That's the emotional aspect.

Red Bull, of course, has promoted Daniel Ricciardo back into racing action after six months on the bench following his own performance slump at McLaren.

And in a blow to Yuki Tsunoda's chances of eventually replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing, 33-year-old Ricciardo was ahead of the impressive Japanese throughout the weekend in Hungary.

It's also the positive momentum that he (Ricciardo) brought to the team and a stabilisation of the technical statements and changes, Marko said.

The change worked out perfectly.

Marko is playing down rumours that Ricciardo could replace Perez as early as 2024, with the Mexican - who was praised for his aggressive drive to the podium on Sunday following a slump - already under contract for next year.

Tsunoda, meanwhile, also appears stuck at Alpha Tauri for now.

Anything is possible, Marko said. "But why shouldn't he drive with us?

We're happy with him because of his improvement this year. He's been unlucky a few times in the races.

One complication for Tsunoda, however, is his ties to Honda - given that Red Bull is teaming up for its own engine program with Ford from 2026.

With (F1 driver) Ayumu Iwasa there is a cooperation with Honda as well as Tsunoda, Marko revealed. (Liam) Lawson, on the other hand, is independent of Honda.

So when asked why New Zealander Lawson was overlooked for de Vries' mid-season seat, he answered: "We considered him, but the risk would have been too great because he lacks routine and doesn't yet have the image of a Ricciardo.

"Liam should finish his season in Japan in peace. We also considered that with Ricciardo and his experience he can make different statements about a racing can than Yuki, who has only driven for Alpha Tauri.
F1 set for talks over engine performance, budget caps

Budget caps and struggling engines will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the F1 Commission.

Max Verstappen, Hungarian GP 2023

 Red Bull

Auto Motor und Sport claims that comparative measurements have shown that Renault, owner and engine supplier to the Alpine team, is at least 30 horsepower behind Honda, Mercedes and Ferrari.

Renault would like some leeway in the engine performance freeze to catch up.

Christian Horner, whose Red Bull team struggled for years with underpowered Renault engines, thinks Formula 1 should be receptive to the idea.

If there's a clear deficit under homologation, it's something we should be sensible about, he said at the Hungaroring.

Otherwise they're locked in for two more years.

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer welcomed Horner's support but says there is already an agreement that if a manufacturer falls 1 percent behind in real terms, good faith discussions about the freeze will take place.

Those talks will begin at the next F1 Commission meeting, where the budget cap is also certain to be on the agenda.

L'Equipe claims that Red Bull and Mercedes are at risk of having breached the cap last year, although Aston Martin could have committed an even more serious spending infraction.

Also under scrutiny is Dr Helmut Marko's salary at Red Bull, which is reportedly not included in the team's budget cap exceptions for the three most highly paid staff.

The FIA is doing what it can to keep the speculation in check for now.

We would like to reiterate that the process leading up to the certification of teams is ongoing, a spokesperson said. None of the teams have been informed of their certification status.
Mid-year budget to focus on revenue measures - Govt urged to scrap COVID-19 levy

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Jul - 24 - 2023 , 17:20

The 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review will focus on revenue enhancement through both administrative and compliance measures, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, has hinted.

She said the budget review would also focus on fiscal consolidation and structural measures that were outlined under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Speaking at an economic dialogue organised by Deloitte, she said the budget would drive stability and growth in the economy.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, will appear before Parliament on Tuesday, July 25 to address the country on how the economy had performed in the first half of the year and the projections for the rest of the year.

The minister will do so when he presents the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government and Supplementary Estimate for the 2022 financial year.

This exercise is pursuant to the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

Addressing structural weaknesses

Ms Osei-Asare said Ghanaians should expect that the mid-year budget would address structural weaknesses and build resilience in key areas such as expenditure commitment control and arrears clearance; debt management; financial stability and review of statutory funds.

She said it would also address the energy sector issues and some challenges in the cocoa sector.

The budget will rejuvenate the growth agenda towards a more prioritised Growth Strategy.

The strategy will make concerted efforts to accelerate growth by attracting significant new investment in areas such as agriculture, local manufacturing, tourism and digital transformation, she stated.

She said it would also safeguard social protection for the vulnerable.

Scrap COVID-19 levy

Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the dialogue, the Vice Chair of the Association of Ghana Industries, Tema, Adobea Asiamah-Aboagye, said the AGI was looking forward to the scrapping of the COVID-19 levy in the mid-year budget.

The government in 2021 introduced the COVID-19 Health levy to support expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Asiamah-Aboagye said since COVID-19 is no longer a global pandemic, it was only right for the government to scrap that levy.

If there was a global pandemic, now that it is no more existent, then as a matter of principle, the levy that was introduced to deal with it must also go off, she stated.

She also urged the government to merge the straight levies and the VAT rate to take off the six per cent cost on businesses.

We cannot expect much

Also speaking in an interview, an Economist, Professor Godfred Bokpin, said the country could not expect much from the mid-year budget because of the ongoing IMF programme.

He, however, pointed out that there was so much stress on the balance sheets of the private sector and households and the mid-year budget must, therefore, consider this reality.

We want to see the kind of adjustments, relief mechanisms and balancing act to situate the recovery within what is good for the private sector, households and the government.

In the governments attempt to restructure its balance sheet, this must not come at a great cost to the private sector and households, he stated.

He said the country also needed a clearer picture of what this recovery was all about, stating that What kind of recovery are we looking forward to.

He noted that the recovery must address unemployment, food insecurity, protect the vulnerable and ensure job-rich growth.

Prof. Bokpin also reiterated calls for the revision of some of the taxes.

The key thing I am expecting is that COVID-19 levy should go, e-levy should go and then also the government should merge the standard VAT rate of 15 per cent with the straight levies and peg it below 18 per cent, he said.
Harnessing digital technology for smart agric

Kennedy Ashiagbor Opinion Jul - 24 - 2023 , 09:39

The world is being increasingly connected as a result of digital technology. At smaller, faster, cheaper and more efficient way, mobile devices are being used.

Many businesses and farmers are receiving assistance in making more informed decisions. The farmers are being assisted in using more accurate amounts of water, fertilisers and maintain better control over their operations.

Digital technology

Digital technologies make easy many processes such as planning farming activities, budgeting, reporting and monitoring on multiple tasks and performances.

Digital technology is used in farm machinery, livestock handling facilities, agronomy, communication and other areas.

Agriculture is at the start of a new revolution, one in which data and connectivity will play a key role. Artificial intelligence, analytics, connected sensors and other advanced technologies have the potential to increase yields, enhance the efficiency of water and other inputs.

These can help in building sustainability and resilience across crop cultivation and animal husbandry.

Smart agriculture also includes the application of sensors, automation and robots in production systems.

Smart agriculture

Remote sensing data on soil conditions can help farmers manage their crops. Mobile phones lower the cost of information and improve farmers access to markets and financial assistance.

Entrepreneurs in Africa are interested in how farmers operate and how they may increase output.

The barrier to entry into farming technology has decreased as cloud computing, computing systems, connectivity, open-source software, and other digital tools are more affordable and accessible.

Farmers, investors and entrepreneurs can use digital technology to improve efficiency of food production and consumption in Africa.

From precision farming to a more efficient food supply chain, technology has the potential to bring major economic, social and environmental benefits.

Smart agriculture involves the application of digital technology to integrate agricultural production from the paddock to the costumer.

Agricultural industries can benefit from these technologies by adopting more digital tools and information to make better decisions and increase productivity

In rural areas of developing countries where majority of people rely on agriculture for their living, digital technology can assist in overcoming global poverty and hunger more quickly.

In smart agriculture, farmers use mobile phones and other technologies that could revolutionise for the communities to secure and improve their livelihoods.

It is required for more productive, efficient, sustainable, inclusive, transparent and resilient food systems for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of a world with zero hunger by 2030.

Indoor vertical farming has the potential to increase crop yields, overcome land constraints and shorten supply chain distances.

Vertical farms use up to 70 per cent less water than traditional farms. Mobile phones are at the top of the list of digital technologies revolutionising agriculture.

Mobile phones

Many rural peoples lives, including the small-scale farmers, have been revolutionised by mobile phones.

Farmers may access solutions such as advisory services that offer ideas on raising outputs, keeping livestock healthy and up-to-date weather information even if they do not have access to mobile internet.

Farmers may even access wider choice of high-tech solutions via smart phone applications which can diagnose ailing crops and recommend remedies for many types of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies.

Precision agriculture technologies are transforming the face of modern farming. Digital advancements such as wireless communication, data analytics, and data-driven genome editing are rapidly being applied in agriculture as they provide more accuracy in decision making and practice.

Farm equipment is connected to software platforms that track on-farm data and enable analysis of soil and climate conditions.

Disadvantages

One of the downsides of agriculture technology is its high maintenance costs. The hefty maintenance costs of the technology make it tough for small enterprises and farmers to handle.

The majority of technical machinery and devices pollute our environment which is extremely detrimental to humans.

Tractors, trucks and a variety of other large machinery are overused, resulting in harmful chemical fumes and carbon dioxide in our environment.

Fertiliser and pesticide use generate a slew of issues. Fertilisers and insecticides are good for the health and output of plants.

However, it has a number of negative consequences for plants and other living beings. The majority of farmers are illiterate and understanding how to use current technologies in farming is challenging.

Excessive use of technology in the fields depletes the soils fertility. One of the most serious drawbacks of technology in agriculture is that, it diminishes soil fertility.

Overuse of fertilisers and pesticides have been proven in several studies to have negative health consequences.

Overuse of pesticides have the disadvantage of killing soil organisms that are helpful to the plant and aid in its growth.



The writer

Policy recommendations

Firstly, the government must propose digital agriculture as a national agenda backed by an act, this act should contain all rules and regulatory framework on digital governance where the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would enforce them.

Secondly, instituting education and training programmes to all actors across the value chain and to empower farmers on digital tools.

Additionally, public and private organisations should increase investment in digital infrastructure in the country.

Lastly, the government should adopt suitable digital technology tools and innovations that would meet local needs.
GRA'S new role on property rate collections: What to expect

Ernest Heymann Opinion Jul - 24 - 2023 , 09:43

Until recently, the mandate to administer property rates and their collections was assigned to the local authorities/municipalities.

The property rate administration, collections and compliance have nonetheless posed enormous challenges to these local authorities.

No doubt, each of them will have their own story to share.

Although these local authorities perceive this "elusive tax" as the largest source of revenue for social and economic development, the question remains if they have effectively managed the administration of this tax and the collection thereof to yield the expected results.

With effect from January 1, 2023, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has partnered the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to collect property rates using a Unified Common Property Rate Platform.

The Unified Common Property Rate Platform, Myassembly.gov.gh, is an end-to-end district revenue collection and administration platform for property rates, which is linked to the Ghana.gov.gh payment platform.

Owners/ratepayers

What was the purpose of property rate, and why were the local authorities assigned to handle its administration and collections?

As per the Local Government Act, 2016, Act 936, the Rate empowers local authorities to generate revenue, fund governance, establish equity, aid economic development, and control compliance and administration.

Ratepayers pay taxes to finance local government services like schools, fire, police, garbage, libraries, recreational parks, streetlights, and sewer systems.

However, the intended purpose of these taxes remains unclear, and continued payment may be insignificant, if the social and economic benefits appear insignificant.

Act 936 aims to give local authorities autonomy over property rate administration and collection to support local communities.

They should act as custodians of the tax having an understanding for local needs, priorities, and market dynamics.

Unfortunately, these local authorities have faced challenges in updated valuations, data management, compliance, tax base expansion, public awareness, capacity, resources, and political policy, highlighting the complexity of property rate administration.

To overcome these challenges, municipalities must invest in systems, build capacity, engage stakeholders, and improve administration processes.

Overwhelming responsibilities and population expansions require updating property values and efficient local authorities, and government review of outdated policies may help reach targets.

Collection under GRA

As indicated, the introduction of GRA as collection agents for the municipalities has been fraught with mixed feelings among all stakeholders.

Ratepayers, who should have been considered as the revenue clients appear to have been completely ignored when these major decisions were being taken.

Bearing in mind that property values are not absolute, the values keep changing with varying situations, which ultimately hinders the budgeting of any municipality, one would have assumed that the rate payers, at least, would be consulted extensively in such a major policy shift.

Ratepayers are increasingly confused about contacting designated authorities for assessment-related issues, and 9 out of 10 do not know how the rate impost (tax rate) is derived and its impact on property rate bills.

With GRA taking over the collection of rates for the municipalities, is there the likelihood that they may face similar challenges as experienced by the local authorities?

Is the GRA bound by the same statutory provisions in ACT 936 as sole agent of collections? Which accounts would the new agents deposit the property rate proceeds into, since by law GRA is supposed to make all deposits into the Consolidated Fund for national development?

Naturally, like any institution jumping on the boat for the first time, the GRA would have to understand and appreciate the new terrain they are in.

Some of the challenges GRA may face are; coordination with the municipalities, data accuracy & property valuations, compliance and enforcement, capacity & resources, and political & policy considerations.

Furthermore, in the event of a change in government, would the new government appreciate the existing role of GRA in their collection efforts or would they seek to reverse the role to the municipalities?

Property ratepayer

In all this, how is the property owner or ratepayer affected? Ratepayers should focus on property assessments, as only The Lands Commission's rating division conducts valuations.

They can contest new assessments, request revised bills and refunds, regularly examine property record files to identify over-assessments and challenge them effectively, or apply overpayments to future rates.

There are five (5) circumstances in which one can have substantial evidence for a compelling case:

 If the assessed value of a property is too high.

This indicates a higher percentage of value than other similar properties on the valuation roll.

 If property is assessed at higher percentages than permitted by law.

 An unequal assessment, which occurs when the property is valued above market value.

Assessing a property below market value is illegal, and it is unequal if the assessment exceeds market value.

 Check for errors on your property record file since errors are notoriously common.

 Exemptions or deductions allowed on the property.

Example, vacancies, depreciation, and functional obsolescence making a property less desirable to own.

If you fit into any of the five categories, you may have a reason to appeal your assessment value.

Current dispensation

For many years, the local authorities have tried their hands on this "elusive tax system" and yet have not yielded the desired results expected in the local communities.

GRA should assist municipalities in rate collection, leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise for efficient, timely, accurate payments, and reduced administrative burden.

So, what is the way forward for GRA to succeed in this regard?

 Setup coordinating systems with municipalities  GRA should establish an efficient coordinating system with municipalities and Valuation Authorities.

A clearer understanding should be established that their intention is not to take away the mandate from the local authorities but only to assist in the rate collections efforts so the communities could be empowered to developed rapidly in line with changing times.

 GRA must clearly outline the changes  GRA must outline changes in their new role as collection agents, including revised payment systems, updated deadlines, and enhancing transparency and compliance for the public.

 GRA to address non-compliance & penalties  GRA must explain non-compliance consequences, penalties, and late fees to ratepayers, encouraging timely compliance to avoid negative consequences.

 GRA to address FAQs & concerns  GRA should offer a platform for property owners to address questions and concerns about the new system.

 GRA must promote awareness and education  The contact information for GRA and authorities should be provided for ratepayers seeking clarifications and assistance, including helpline numbers, email addresses or the designated offices for ratepayer support.

In conclusion, property rate administration requires a multifaceted approach, with ratepayers playing a crucial role in supporting local development.

Local authorities must prioritise accountability, responsiveness, and public engagement to build trust among property owners.

There is no doubt that the rates would have a positive impact on the community.

With all stakeholders prepared to work together while embracing their respective roles responsibly, the communities stand a greater chance of developing.

GRA, we wish you luck!


Holy Spirit baptism in Gold Coast: Gods theophanic presence on a temple top at Asamankese

Apostle Dr Joseph Sakyi & Elder Dr Joseph Appiahene Opinion Jul - 24 - 2023 , 11:10

The phrase Gods theophanic presence means manifestation.

Evidences of Gods theophanic presence abound in the Hebrew Bible (i.e. the Old Testament) and this phenomenon occurred once in the New Testament (Acts 2:4).

These unique happenings are a proof that God was and is with his people through the Holy Spirit.

Instances of Gods presence: Hebrew Bible:

Moses saw Gods theophanic presence of fire on a lowly bush, (i.e. the burning bush-Exo. 3:1-15)

In their 40-year wilderness wandering, the Jews at night were guided by Gods theophanic presence by the pillar of fire on the rear (Exo. 13:21-22).

Elijahs rhetoric question to the captain of a band of men, rained down fire and killed them all (2Kings 1:10-12).

On the day of Pentecost in the New Testament, Gods theophanic presence descended on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire (Acts 3:1-4).

Gods theophanic presence in contemporary history

Gods theophanic presence descended on a temple top indicating his divine presence

 Azusa Street revival in 1906 brought Gods theophanic presence on the top of their temple.

 Gods Holy Spirit fire descended on the top of the church building of the Christ Apostolic Church International on Sunday, May 20, 1923 at Asamankese.

100 Years

May 20, 2023 marked 100 years of the physical descent of the Holy Spirit in the Gold Coast (Ghana) at Anum, Asamankese.

That was when the founding fathers and mothers of the Christ Apostolic Church International sighted the Holy Spirit presence on top of their little church building.

This unusual flame of fire, believed to be divine presence on the top of the roof of Anims temple at Anum, Asamankese, came when the church was fasting and praying.

The event happened under the watchful eyes of men and women at Asamankese who rushed to the scene with buckets of water to put out the fire which supposedly was going to burn down the temple.

For a while, the fire disappeared and God assigned the church to mission for the transformation of society.

Theological scholars at the time, believed that the event, glaringly seen by many, was a mark of the beginning of Pentecostal awakening in the Gold Coast (Ghana).

Its kind happened in Biblical times in Jerusalem in AD 33, and Los Angeles, California, USA during the Azusa Street revival in 1906 under William Seymour an African American.

Significance: Asamankese

 Pentecostal Christianity was born in Ghana after this event

 Pentecostal churches sprung up and spread across the length and breadth of Ghana and Africa.

 Apostle Peter Newman Anim and his group are credited with the origins of classical Pentecostalism in Ghana (Larbi2001: 33-34) and Anim honoured as the Father of Pentecostalism in Ghana.

 Apostle P.N. Anims leadership in the Pentecostal Movement helped not only to make Ghana a Christian nation, but also birthed a great power, that is the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) to develop the nation.

Without him Ghanas Pentecostalism history might have been different.

 In 1932 the Holy Spirit released another wave of baptism, where ordinary members preached under heavy anointing of God and diverse miracles became the order of the day.

 The Asamankese revival brought the U.K Apostolic church to the Gold Coast at the instance of Apostle Anim.

Gods servants such as Apostle Daniel Powel Williams, Apostle William Jones Williams, Prophet Andrew Turnbull, Pastor James Mckeown and Adams Mckeown, among others, came to know Gold Coast for the first time and helped spread the gospel.

Apostle Peter Newman Anim

He was the first Pentecostal Leader in Ghana from the Gold Coast days.

Apostle P.N Anim, a man whose life has become a witness and a testimony today in Pentecostal Christianity in Ghana, was a man of fragile and of insignificant background, poor health, and average social standing with no economic power with little education of Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC).

He was born on February 4, 1890 at Boso in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Apostle Anim was educated at the Basel Mission School and became a member of the Mission, now Presbyterian Church of Ghana, at Boso, his home town where he was the churchs pianist.

In 1916, he married his wife, Ms Dora Sakyibea, at the age of 27.

He received divine healing in 1921 after forming a prayer group in 1917 to pray for divine healing of his chronic stomach ulcer.

Apostle Anim founded the Christ Apostolic Church International in Ghana and was among those who spearheaded the Pentecostal Movement in West Africa  Pastor David Odubanjo and Prophet Joseph Ayo Babalola of Nigeria, Williams Wade Harris of Liberia and some early preachers in the west coast of Africa from 1915.

Formation

The formation of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) International started from one stage to another.

The church started as a prayer group and developed under different names:

 Unity prayer group

 Faith Tabernacle Church; 1917 - 1926

 First Century Church; 1926 - 1929

 Apostolic Faith; 1930

 Apostolic Church; 1935

 Christ Apostolic Church of Ghana; 1960

 Christ Apostolic Church International; 1994

The writers are a former Director of Christian Education

Christ Apostolic Church International, and a staff of Gatus Pharma, LLC, Florida, USA.
by Tushar Ranjan Mohanty

On July 16, 2023, Security Forces (SFS) foiled an attack on the Zhob Cantonment in Zhob Town (Zhob District) of Balochistan. When a group of terrorists attempted to enter the garrison late in the night, SFs who were on alert retaliated, forcing the terrorists to retreat. Though a heavy exchange of fire and explosions continued till early morning of July 17, no casualty was reported on either side.





Four days earlier, on July 12, 2023, the same garrison had come under terrorist attack, in which nine Army soldiers, five terrorists and one civilian were killed. Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliated group, claimed responsibility for the attack.





[ Photo credit: balochistan.gov.pk ]





On July 12, 2023, three Army soldiers and two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire in Sui Sub-District of Dera Bugti District. The Baloch Liberation Tigers (BLT) claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, BLT spokesman Miran Baloch declared operation was retaliation against the Pakistani Armys military operation launched against the local population in the Rais Tokh and Gurdo Navah areas of Sui. The spokesman said BLT cadres reached the area to defend the common people.





On July 11, 2023, three SF personnel were killed when terrorists attacked a SF patrolling team with a bomb in the Gardank area of Buleda tehsil (revenue unit) of Kech District. Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) cadres claimed responsibility for the attack.





On July 2, 2023, three Police personnel and a Frontier Constabulary (FC) trooper were killed while a terrorist was gunned down after Police and Levies Check Posts came under attack in the Dhana Sar area of Sherani District. Two terrorists and one FC trooper also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.





According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), Balochistan has recorded a total 225 terrorism-related fatalities, including 130 SF personnel, 51 civilians and 44 terrorists, in the current year, so far (data till July 23, 2023). During the corresponding period of 2022, the province had recorded exactly the same 225 fatalities, including 115 SF personnel, 71 terrorists and 39 civilians. Though the overall numbers remained the same during this comparative period, in a worrying development, fatalities in the civilian and SF categories increased by 30 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.





A statistical report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) on July 3, 2023, also underlines the surge in violence in the province. According to the PICSS report, Balochistan comes second in terms of terrorism-related violence after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the first half of 2023. Balochistan reported 75 terrorist incidents in the first half of 2023, resulting in 100 deaths and 163 injuries. There was a 103 per cent increase in terrorist attacks, compared to the same period in the previous year, and a 14 per cent rise compared to the last six months of 2022. Fatalities in Balochistan rose by 61 per cent and 64 per cent in the first six months of the current year compared to the first and second half of 2022, respectively.





The escalating attacks on SFs in Balochistan are substantially a consequence of the continuing frustration among Baloch nationalist groups over the systematic extermination of ethnic Baloch through enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by Pakistani security agencies. Reprisal attacks by the major Baloch insurgent groups such as the Baloch National Army (BNA), BLA, Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), BLT and United Baloch Army (UBA), resulted in the escalating casualties among SF personnel in 2022 and 2023.





In a detailed analysis by The Balochistan Post reported on July 10, 2023, regarding the responsibility claimed by Baloch insurgent groups during the first half of 2023, a total of 285 incidents were reported. The BLF led the way with a staggering 146 attacks at the cost of 29 fighters. These attacks resulted in the loss of 137+ lives among SF personnel from various departments. Additionally, over 57+ personnel injured and damage to property were inflicted by the BLF. The BLF operated in a total of 50 areas across 10 districts, with a focus on Kech, Panjgur, and Awaran Districts. The BLF was the only organization to claim responsibility for attacks in Gwadar District, a key center for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).





The BLA claimed 118 attacks during the first half of the year. These attacks resulted in the loss of 98+ SF lives, with 116+ personnel sustaining injuries. Property losses were reported in 80+ attacks. The BLA operated in 54 areas spanning 17 Districts. Their tactics ranged from self-sacrificing attacks to traffic blockades. In June alone, the BLA disrupted coal mine extraction operations twice by blocking the main transport route and setting multiple trucks on fire. The BLA was also responsible for multiple raids in the Bolan and Quetta regions. The organization faced the loss of four fighters during this period, including a female member of the Majeed Brigade who carried out a suicide attack.





The remaining Baloch groups  BLA, UBA, and Baloch Republican Guards (BRG)  claimed a total of 21 separate attacks. These incidents resulted in 19+ fatalities, 9+ injuries and 6+ property losses. The groups operated in 10 areas across eight Districts. Most of their attacks were of low intensity. Notably, no fighters were lost from these organizations. Collectively, these groups accounted for approximately eight per cent of the total attacks during the first half of 2023.





Apart from Baloch insurgent groups, the TTP and its allied groups were also active in the province. Speculation about a TTP-Baloch alliance appeared to receive some confirmation when TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khurasani congratulated the Baloch insurgent groups for their attacks in Nuskhi and Panjgur, stating,





The Pakistani Army is carrying out the massacre in Balochistan. We are against the massacre of Balochistan as well as in Waziristan by the Pakistani Army. Our enemy is common.





Indeed, after the February 2, 2023, BLA twin attacks on Panjgur and Nuskhi Army camps, the then Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, citing intelligence reports, told the media on February 3, 2023,





Baloch militants are not capable of launching major attacks in Nuskhi and Panjgur. TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) has the capability, experience and latest NATO weapons to launch such attacks. Theres some understanding between the TTP and Baloch militants. They have their hideouts in Afghanistan.





The growing nexus between the Baloch insurgents and the TTP is also visible in the absorption of two Baloch groups into the TTP fold. On April 12, 2023, the TTP claimed that a group from Quetta District, led by Asim Baloch, and another from Kalat District, led Akram Baloch, had joined its ranks. Though the development is worrisome for the security agencies and the government, it is not new. Indeed, a local Baloch jihadist group, led by Mazar Baloch from Makran, Balochistan, had joined the TTP on December 23, 2022, as well. Ustad Aslam Balochs group from Nushki District was the first Baloch group from Balochistan to join the TTP in June 2022.





In view of recent TTP  Baloch alliances, Faran Jeffrey, a London-based security analyst, noted that relations with the TTP had also helped Baloch militant groups drastically upgrade their capabilities with the addition of suicide squad operations and suicide bombings. He further observed,





After the Taliban takeover of Kabul, these ties have only grown stronger and TTP might even have provided some logistical help to some of these Baloch militant groups in recent times. This would also explain how some of these Baloch militant groups are getting their hands on NATO weapons and equipment.





Inputs indicate that TTP has provided bases to the Baloch rebels in the Barmal District of Afghanistans eastern province of Paktika, which is adjacent to Pakistans South Waziristan tribal region, the TTPs stronghold. The growing tactical alliance between the TTP and the Baloch groups has coincided with a sharp uptick in attacks against Pakistani SFs in Balochistan in recent months.





This growing collaboration between TTP and Baloch insurgent groups will prove bloodier in the days to come, even as their common enemy, the Pakistani State and Military Establishment escalates operations against them. It will be a challenge for Pakistani state entities to counter the growing threat from terrorists and militants at a time when the state is itself facing severe challenges on the economic and political fronts.





Tushar Ranjan Mohanty is a Counter-terrorism Expert on Pakistan at Institute for Conflict Management (ICM) in New Delhi
Licensing students before graduation: DVLA in talks with UCC

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Education Jul - 24 - 2023 , 06:44

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority DVLA is working with tertiary institutions to give out driving licences to tertiary education students before they graduate.

To this end, the DVLA has begun talks with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to structure modalities for the possible roll out of the programme.

With the anticipated arrangement, students in particular would access driver training sessions after which they would be tested and licenced before graduating.

Quality services

This would be done at their own pace and convenience during their time on campus.

The Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Kwasi Agyeman Busia, said the move was to reach many people with the services of the DVLA.

In a meeting with the leadership of the UCC last Wednesday, Mr Busia said the authority was committed to providing quality world-class services at the doorstep of all Ghanaians.

Changed narrative

He indicated that the DVLA had worked since 2017 to move from a perceived corrupt image to one of the most efficient public institutions in the country, saying it was with that same commitment to excellence that the DVLA would pursue its future goals.

Mr Busia observed that bureaucracies, corruption and the infamous middlemen popularly known as "goro boys", who were in the processing systems of the DVLA were now a thing of the past, giving way to a more efficient automated system.

"The narrative about the DVLA was not that complimentary.

In fact, we were perceived to be one of the most corrupt institutions if not the most corrupt in the country in 2016 by the Ghana Integrity Initiative, an affiliate of Transparency International.

The narrative was poor; we were not happy about it," he stated.

He said the DVLA had over the years worked and transformed itself into an efficient and sustainable institution.

Similarities

Mr Busia said the DVLA saw similarities between UCC and the authority in their quest for excellence, saying the partnership would also be in the areas of research training and capacity building for the authority and its staff towards excellence and improved customer efficiency.

He further stated that the authority was introducing innovative ways to ensure the public were better served.

The Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences of UCC, Prof. Martins Ekor, who stood in for the Vice-Chancellor, said UCC itself as the best in the country was committed to excellence and was ready to collaborate for mutual benefits of both institutions.

Academia industry collaboration

He stressed that industry-academia collaboration was one of the sure ways to impact society, adding that he was optimistic the collaboration would be fruitful.

The Registrar of UCC, Jeff Onyame, said the move was a promising one that would be beneficial to both institutions.
Amanokrom holds durbar for visiting Saginaw City delegates

Ezekiel E. Sottie Jul - 24 - 2023 , 11:26

The Chiefs and people of Amanokrom in the Akuapem North Municipality in the Eastern Region have held a durbar in honour of a 26-member delegation from Saginaw City in Michigan in the United States of America (USA) at the forecourt of the palace.

The visitors were led by Professor Dawn Hinton, the Associate Vice-President of Academic Affairs of Saginaw Valley State University, who is also the lead Coordinator for the Amanokrom Saginaw Sister City Relationship, and Dr Joseph Ofori-Dankwa of Harvey Randall Wickes Endowed Chair of International Business, a Professor of Management of Scott L. Carmona College of Business and an advisor for Amanokrom Saginaw Sister City Relationship.

Purpose of visit

The Advisor and Coordinator to the Amanokrom Saginaw Sister City Relationship, Oheneba Mercy Akosua Yeboah, said the visit was to strengthen the friendship and ties established between Amanokrom and Saginaw City since 2018.

She explained that it was also meant to cement the well-established relationship and also to exchange the rich culture between Amanokrom and Saginaw City, which was displayed at the durbar by the Atopani and Kete groups to the admiration of the visitors.

Amanokrom, one of the principal Twi-speaking towns in the Akuapem area, was established around 1742 by Nana Amanor Awuah of the Asona Clan, whose predecessors accompanied their relative King Safori to establish the Ofore stool dynasty and the Akuapem State, after the Akuapem War of Independence against the Akwamus in 1733.

Nana Amanor Awuah, whose name was given to the new Amanokrom (Amanors town), was a descendant of Nana Ahenkorase, an Asona Chief of Adanse Ofoase in Ashanti and shared common ancestry with King Kuntunkununku.

Addressing the durbar, the Amanokromhene and Akuapem Gyasehene, Okofrobour Osin Kwatia II, said five years ago in 2018, he had the pleasure of visiting Saginaw as a guest and he was deeply impressed by the hospitality and commitment exhibited to him and his team and he was confident that the two cities (Amanokrom and Saginaw City) had much to offer each other; hence, his excitement to explore the possibilities for cooperation.

We believe that our sister city's relationship with Saginaw City will be mutually beneficial.

We can learn from each others cultures, share our resources and work together to address common challenges, the Amanokromhene said.

He stated that like many towns in the Eastern Region and the country at large, We the people of Amanokrom continue to seek meaningful employment opportunities for the teeming youth and also enhance the quality of basic infrastructure within our communities.

The leader of the delegates, Professor Hinton said the people of Saginaw City were very impressed with the visit by the Amanokromhene and his entourage in 2018.

That, she said, motivated them to also reciprocate the gesture with the visit to Amanokrom and for that matter Ghana.

Development challenges

The Akuapem North Municipal Chief Executive, Barima Asiedu-Larbi, said the development challenges of the municipality were enormous but not unsurmountable and the assembly was leaving no stone unturned, including learning from the experiences of developed cities like Saginaw City, to transform Akuapem North to a modern city.

He assured the delegates that the municipality had huge investment opportunities for investment and collaboration, especially in areas of agriculture, tourism, agro-processing, poultry and real estate, adding The municipality is safe and you can invest without any problem.

Both Amanokrom and Saginaw City exchanged gifts at the event.
Cecilia Dapaah arrested by OSP over suspected corruption

Graphic.com.gh Jul - 24 - 2023 , 12:22

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has arrested Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the immediate past Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.

The arrest is in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence by two househelps in 2022.

A press statement issued by the OSP said she was placed under arrest at 11:55 GMT on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Mrs Dapaah resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

The OSP explained that she was placed under arrest in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence.

"Ms. Dapaah is being questioned by authorised Officers of the OSP." the statement added.

OSP searches Cecilia Dapaah's home

Later on Monday (July 24) officials from the OSP accompanied by police personnel visited the private home of Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah at Abelemkpe in Accra and searched the place.

Some neighbours gathered around to observe the security officials enter the house.

What happened in Cecilia Dapaah's home?

Two house helps working for Cecilia Abena Dapaah 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.

Below is a copy of the statement

At 11:55 GMT on 24 July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22 July 2023, was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence.

Ms. Dapaah is being questioned by authorised Officers of the OSP.
Galamsey on Black Volta: Minister warns of crackdown on culprits

Timothy Ngnenbe Jul - 24 - 2023 , 00:00

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has assured Ghanaians that the government will go to any length to flush out illegal miners from the Black Volta and other rivers across the country to protect them from pollution.

Consequently, he has urged the Sixth Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Savannah Regional Security Council to deal ruthlessly with all persons engaged in illegal mining in the Black Volta.

Mr Jinapor stated this last Friday after receiving intelligence report on a military operation that was carried out last week to flush out the illegal miners who had besieged the Black Volta.

The Black Volta takes its source from Burkina Faso and flows north and east for about 200 miles (320 km) and then turns south for 340 miles (550km), forming the border between Ghana and Burkina Faso, and also between Ghana and Cote dIvoire.

At Bamboi in the Savannah Region, the Black Volta turns north and east, and approximately 80 miles (130km) farther east and empties into Lake Volta.

Galamsey upsurge

There have been reports of escalating galamsey activities along the Black Volta River, particularly in areas such as Jama, Jugboi, Carpenter and Bamboi in the Savannah Region.

The activities of the galamsey operators have destroyed the integrity of the pristine river, affected agriculture and critical infrastructure, notably the Bui Power Generation Dam and Akosombo Power Generation Dam downstream.

The reports indicated that the unrestrained galamsey activities were also causing irreparable damage to the delicate ecosystem because of the pollution of the river with toxic chemicals such as mercury, cyanide and other harmful substances.

Many other water bodies such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, and Offin continue to get turbid through the illegal activities of gold miners.

Mr Jinapor said following the reports of the surge in galamsey on the Black Volta, 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.

He explained that having had a fair idea of how serious the situation was, the team carried out a number of operations to stop the illegal miners and protect the river from further destruction. In the process, 20 changfans machines, floating platforms used for mining on water bodies, were seized and burnt by the military as part of the operation.

While describing the resurgence of illegal mining activities as "scandalous and unfortunate," Mr Jinapor stressed that the government would take sustained legal measures to protect the Black Volta and other water bodies from illegal mining.

No retreat

In an interview with the Daily Graphic last Saturday, the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, said the Regional Security Council and the Sixth Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces would be relentless and ruthless in flushing out all illegal miners from the Black Volta.

"We will continue with the operation every week because we have realised that when we flush them out, they regroup and cause more destruction.

We have intelligence that people work in the night, and we will go after them," he said.

Mr Saeed said arrangement had been made to use both ground and air operations in a sustained effort to flush out the illegal miners from the river.

He disclosed further that the Ghana Navy had given out two speed boats to support the operations, while the Air Force in Tamale had also given out two helicopters for air assault.

"I was in Accra yesterday (Friday) and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) also gave us 100 life jackets to aid the operation.

We are prepared to go all out for this operation," he stressed.

He commended the Minerals Commission for the prompt release of funds to support the military operations to rid the Black Volta of galamsey operators.

Chiefs complicit

When asked what could be fueling the galamsey menace in the area, the regional minister alleged that some chiefs were complicit in the illegality.

He said although the galamsey menace was largely perpetrated by some Chinese, they had the tacit support of some chiefs in the area.

"Some chiefs are asking the illegal miners to build palaces or treatment plants for them, and because of that they support the illegality," he said.

Touching on how he would deal with the situation, he said: "We want to finish the current operation and engage the chiefs to stop that bad attitude."

"We will report them to the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs to act in the national interest," he said.

Mr Saeed added that the Black Volta was mainly getting polluted in the Tain District in the Bono East Region.

"We are trying to speak to my colleague in the Bono East Region to also strike against the galamsey operators there.

They should launch a similar operation in Bono East so that we can get rid of the illegal miners holistically," he said.

He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to create more police barriers within the Savannah enclave and let police officers focus more on the monitoring and impounding of excavators being moved to the area for illegal mining.
Ghana, conducive place for investment  Houston Mayor

Joshua Bediako Koomson Jul - 24 - 2023 , 08:25

The Mayor of Houston in the United States (US), Sylvester Turner, has said that Ghana is not only a tourism destination, but also a place with a conducive climate for investment.

He said aside from the beautiful tourism sites that abounded in the country, Ghana was also a place where investment yielded good returns.

So, I encourage the diaspora, especially the people from my city, to come and invest in Ghana and engage in trade with the people.

You must not come and take and leave, but come and build positive relations and partner with Ghanaian businesses to ensure a win-win situation, Mr Turner added.

He was speaking in a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Tourism, led by the sector Minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, in Accra last Saturday.

Mr Turner is on an eight-day visit to the country to explore new economic opportunities.

This is his second official visit to Africa, after South Africa in 2016.

His delegation comprised diverse groups, including the Vice-Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex Tatum; Chief of Staff of Houston, Marvalette Hunter; Chief Economic Developer, Andy Ieken; City Council members - Tiffany D. Thomas and Karla Cisneros, as well as the Director of Trade International Affairs, Christopher Olson.

Also present at the meeting was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yofi Grant, and the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, and other stakeholders.



Relationship

Mr Turner said Ghana has had strong relations with the city of Houston culminating in increased trade between the country and the city in the last decade.

So we expect that with the continuing relationship, trade between Ghana and the city of Houston will exponentially grow. And we are here to build on that relationship in that particular regard, the mayor added.

On tourism, he said most of the about 130,000 tourists who visited Ghana annually from the US were from the city of Houston.

Mr Turner further expressed his commitment to champion tourism promotion in Ghana by encouraging more Americans, especially those in his city, to visit the scountry.

I will tell them based on what I have seen in Ghana since we came to this country; we have been treated like royals and we are happy to be here, the mayor said.



Figures

The Minister of Tourism, Dr Awal, said last year, America accounted for 37 per cent of all tourists who visited the country.

He said although that figure was the highest, the minister expressed the hope that with the support of the mayor and his team, the number would be doubled in the coming years.

According to the World Tourism and Travel Council, three out of every 10 jobs in the next decade will come from the tourism sector.

Dr Awal said that meant there was the need for more investment in the sector and, therefore, proposed a win-win partnership between Ghana and Houston for jobs and wealth creation.

Investing in the US will give you just about 18 per cent returns, but Africa gives you 98 per cent returns on investment.

Tourism, hospitality, energy and agriculture are the key areas to invest in and I look forward to meeting you with my team in Houston, and by the Grace of God, we will drive tourism and drive investment for the benefit of both Ghana and the city of Houston, the minister said.
Ghana makes progress in human trafficking prosecution

Juliet Akyaa Safo Jul - 24 - 2023 , 08:46

Ghana has made significant progress in prosecuting cases of human trafficking over the past five years.

A total number of 210 individuals, out of 221 prosecuted for human trafficking and child labour related offences have also been convicted and sentenced with a fine and jail terms between 5-25 years.

This is a significant improvement from two convictions made each in 2015 and 2016.

The 221 prosecutions were out of 797 cases investigated by the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the Ghana Immigration Service since 2017.

A total number of 803 cases were reported for the same period.

Apart from prosecutions and convictions, the country has rescued, cared for and rehabilitated 240 female victims of human trafficking at the Adult Shelter since its operationalisation in 2019.

The Children Shelter has also cared for 189 since its operationalisation in August 2020 through the Human Trafficking Fund for victim care and shelter support.

A Member of the Human Trafficking Management Board, Professor Angela Ofori-Atta, made this known during an event to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (TIP), in Accra recently.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and funded by the European Union (EU) and Expertise France.

The celebration of the Day also known as Blue Day was on the theme: Ending human trafficking: A collective responsibility.

Prof. Ofori-Atta said the ministry has in the past five years trained 798 law enforcement officials, 230 Judges, 107 social workers and printed over 12,000 educational materials to educate the public on irregular migration and human trafficking.

The ministry and our security services with support from our partner stakeholders have rescued 3,692 victims of human trafficking since 2017. Out of this number, 2,322 were children and 1,370 were adults.

Majority of these victims were engaged in labour related exploitation, 2,853, while 351 were in sexual exploitation, she added.

Legislation

In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of MoGCSP, Lariba Zuweira Adbudu, said through a collective effort of stakeholders, the country remained on a tier two ranking of the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State.

To address human trafficking, she pleaded with individuals, particularly young people, to move away from irregular migration, since moving to unfamiliar destinations made them vulnerable.

She also urged non-governmental organisations working in the field of human trafficking to follow the standard operating processes laid down for them to support government agencies to achieve set targets and goals.

The Krontihene of Adjena-Tafoman, Nana Ayimedu Brempong III, for his part, urged traditional leaders to put aside their protocols to ensure that human trafficking issues were brought to bear and addressed.

He also appealed to them not to arbitrate issues on human trafficking but rather liaise with the appropriate authorities to get the needed results.
Gold-rich forest reserves - To mine or not to mine?

Timothy Ngnenbe Jul - 24 - 2023 , 09:08

Must we be truthful to ourselves by allowing mining responsibly in forest reserves and restoring it? Or we behave like the ostrich by saying that it is a reserve; we are not going to mine it; sign all forms of protocols to preserve it, and yet day in and day out, people go there at midnight to mine illegally?

This was the key question the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, posed when he made a case on why he thought it was prudent to allow responsible mining activities in Ghanas forest reserves.

Hundreds of stakeholders, including experts, academics and policymakers, had gathered at a national dialogue organised by the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra to brainstorm how to ensure sustainable management of the countrys natural resources.

Mr Ayisi stressed that he would rather prefer that forest reserves were mined than sit idle for people to mine illegally.

We say we are not going to mine in the forest reserves, but we are not able to police it; people go in there to mine illegally; and before you realise, huge levels of devastation emerge, he said.

This position by Mr Ayisi is at variance with the conservationist principle of environmentalists, who believe that protected areas must not be tampered with.



Illegal miners continue to wreak havoc to the Fure River Forest Reserve at the Asankragua Forest Region

Protected areas

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a protected area is an area of land or sea, specially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and natural and associated cultural resources and managed through legal or other effective means.

Protected areas are important because they play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, protection of watersheds, soils and coastlines, as well as safeguarding cultural assets.

In terms of the fight against the global climate crisis, protected areas help in carbon sequestering  the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

This process helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and ultimately helps to reduce climate change.

In Ghana, the Environmental (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation, 2022 Legislative Instrument (L.I 2462) prohibits mining in restricted or protected areas, including forest reserves.

Section 3(1) of L.I 2462 states: A person shall not issue a licence or permit to any person to undertake mining activity, including exploration activity in the following areas  a globally significant biodiversity area; a protected provenance area; an institutional research plot; a hill sanctuary; a high conservation value area; a seed orchard; swamp sanctuary; plantation sites and cultural sites.

Section 3(2) adds Despite paragraph (a) of sub-regulation 1, the President may, subject to Article 268 of the Constitution, give approval, in writing, to a mining company to undertake mining activity in globally significant biodiversity area in the national interest.



An earthmoving machine causing destruction to portions of the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Bekwai Forest District in the Ashanti Region

Context

Currently, the government has declared forest reserves no-mining zones as part of a raft of measures to curb illegal mining activities.

Consequently, there is a halt to the issuance of reconnaissance, prospecting and/or exploration licences in forest reserves, unless under exceptional circumstances.

Even more, river-bodies, most of which take their sources from forest reserves, have been declared as red zones for mining.

While presenting a report on the state of the countrys forest reserves to Parliament in February, this year, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, disclosed that six forest entry permits had been issued for mining in forest reserves.



Tano Nimire Forest Reserve at Enchi in the Western Region has not been spared by illegal miners.

Giving the status of those licences, the minister said CIMAF Ghana Limited, which was granted in 2018, expired in 2021 and was no longer in force, while that of Chirano Gold Mines Limited was renewed in 2019 after the existing permit granted in 2004 expired the same year.

He added that Kingsperp Mining Ltd, Koantwi Mining Company Ltd, Onex International Co. Ltd and Trans-Atlantic Logistics Ltd were all granted licences in 2020.

Mr Jinapor had also indicated that out of the six licences, only Chirano Gold Mines and Koantwi Mining were in mining operations, while the others were still working on some permits and/or authorisations required to commence their operations.

It is within this context that one finds the call for mining in forest reserves by the Mineral Commission CEO, who is the head of the state institution responsible for regulating mining activities in the country, interesting.

Dont touch it

However, the Deputy National Director of A Rocha Ghana, an environmental civil society organisation (CSO), Daryl Bosu, has said any attempt to open up forest reserves for mining activities would amount to ecological suicide.

The thought that because we have gold everywhere, so we should go into our forest reserves and dig anyhow is suicidal because it has lasting effects on humanity, he stressed.

The environmentalist stressed that mining in forest reserves would mean displacing forest ecosystems, biodiversity and worsening the climate crisis.

A former CEO of the Minerals Commission, Benjamin Aryee, said there was currently no thorough environmental and social impact analysis to give any compelling justification to mine in forest reserves.

If we decide to mine in any forest reserve for merely economic reasons, we will lose the forest cover and possibly, a degraded landscape; and that is not what we want, the Advisor to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on Mines stressed.

He added that the only reason why some countries allowed mining in forest reserves was because they could restore the environment.

I have been to Australia where they have the super pit. It is one of the biggest pits resulting from mining. They had to assess whether they wanted it or not, even before they started mining. So, before anything starts, we must decide that we want to live with the outcome, Mr Aryee said.

They decided that they will leave that huge pit and fill it with water so that it becomes some form of buffer supply of water for the communities around; it will be used for water sports, fish farming and other things, he said.

The former Minerals Commission CEO observed that until Ghana had a well-thought-through plan for an efficient mining method and post-mining activities, there should be no mining in forest reserves.

A conservationist at Echo-conscious Citizens, an environmental group, Kwaku Attah, observed that the current situation where the government had been overwhelmed by the activities of illegal miners was enough justification that no attempt must be made to open up forest reserves for mining.

If we cannot effectively monitor mining activities now, how can we gamble with our forest reserves in the name of mining responsibly? Our forest reserves must be left alone, he stressed.

Conclusion

A State of the Nations Forest report presented by the Forestry Commission on May 2, this year, revealed that 392,714.81 hectares of the countrys 288 forest reserves had been significantly

impacted by illegal mining activities, out of which 4,726.26 hectares in 34 of the reserves had been confirmed as destroyed.

With this in mind, the country must be extra cautious to open the floodgates for mining in forest reserves.

The focus should be on enforcing the mining laws, especially mining in forest reserves, and this must be colour-blind.
GNPC hands over new facilities to schools in Bono, Eastern regions

Daily Graphic Jul - 24 - 2023 , 07:29

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has handed over a new six-unit classroom block and a 12-unit sanitary facility to the Ayakomaso Basic School in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region and to the Salvation Army Senior High School in the Eastern Region respectively.

The facilities, which were equipped with ancillary features, are part of the foundations core objective of delivering improved infrastructure to deprived schools in the country to enhance quality teaching and learning.

It is also part of the companys continuous quest to support the elimination of schools under trees and to offset the dire consequences of poor sanitation in schools.

Social intervention

The Head of Environment and Social Amenities Unit of the foundation, Lubaabat Habib-Jawulaa, said GNPC under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, was executing a policy to invest a significant portion of the corporations share of oil revenue in social intervention programmes that sought to enhance peoples quality of life.

The foundation has put up over 90 classroom blocks and 32 sanitary facilities in various communities, with several others pending completion across the country.

It is with the expectation that we can all collectively work to reduce cases of exposing children and their teachers to unsafe learning environments, she said.

Ayakomaso Basic

The Head Teacher of Ayakomaso Basic School, Ebenezer Baah Bentu, decried the unfortunate circumstance of having to conduct lessons for three different classes under trees and thanked GNPC for helping to ensure better academic experiences for both teachers and pupils.

The new classroom block

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sunyani West Municipality, Evans Kusi Boadum, said while the government doubled its efforts to provide basic amenities for citizens, the foundations interventions were needed at all corners of the country.

He, therefore, advised the schools leadership to take proper care of the facility and pledged the assemblys readiness to ensure the same.

Salvation Army

Receiving keys to their new 12-unit sanitary block, the Headmaster of the Salvation Army Senior High School at Akyim-Wenchi, Isaac Owusu-Agyemang, expressed gratitude to GNPC for living up to its promise of assistance.

He said growth in the student population had triggered a spurt of pressure on dilapidated existing sanitary facilities, posing health challenges to both students and staff.

The Chief of Akyim-Wenchi, Dasebre Dr Nyarko Asumadu Appiah Oseawuo, implored GNPC to sustain its support to the area as a development partner.
Graphic doesnt enjoy government subvention - Director of Finance tells PAC

Nana Konadu Agyeman Jul - 24 - 2023 , 05:05

The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), the biggest state-owned media outlet, operates without any government subvention, the companys Director of Finance and Administration, Samuel Essel, has told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.

He said although the government had a 100 per cent ownership of the 73-year-old company, established in 1950, the company generated its own revenue to finance its operations.

Honourable Chairman, no, we dont enjoy any government subvention as we run everything from our own funds that we generate from operations, he said.

Appearance

Mr Essel made the revelation when he, in the company of top management of the GCGL, appeared before PAC last Friday to respond to some issues raised in the 2021 Auditor-Generals report on the company.

The other members were the Managing Director, Ato Afful, and the Audit Manager, Lionel Fearon, who were there under the auspices of the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

During the engagement, the Chairman of the PAC, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, asked if the GCGL was on government subvention and if the government had ever given the company any support in the form of loan to buy equipment and other items.

What is the shareholding of government in the company? Is it 100 per cent? the chairman asked.

Headwinds

The GCGL closed the 2020 financial year with a loss of GH1.94 million compared with a profit of GH1.41 million in 2019, representing a dip of 238 per cent in the financial performance of the group.

Based on this performance, a member of the committee, Akwasi Konadu, asked the management to provide answers for what drove profitability down to a negative figure.

Responding, Mr Essel told the committee that not only did the cost of sales go down, but everything went down.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 made things very difficult for the company.

Our sales suffered and we still have to keep our employees and a couple of other things; the pandemic really affected us for which reason we had a drop in both revenue and profit, he said.

When the Chairman of the PAC asked if the GCGL was a company limited by guarantee or by shares, Mr Essel said the company was limited by shares.

Tax penalty

A member of the committee cited the A-Gs report on the infraction that the Group paid GH52,148 as penalty for delayed payment of taxes to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), with the auditors recommending that the officer whose action or inaction occasioned the delay should be made to personally bear the cost of the surcharge.

He, therefore, asked if the company had complied with that.

Mr Essel pointed out that the said officer had not been charged due to the cause for which the delay happened.

He explained that the company had cash flow challenges due to the pandemic as a result of which no individual could be singled out as being responsible.

It was a companywide issue as opposed to an individuals action leading to that particular action, Mr Essel explained.

Locked-up Investment

A member of the committee, Kofi Adams, also made reference to the GH135,227 investment the company made with Gold Coast Securities between June 15, 2017 and June 16, 2018 to earn an interest of GH19,901, with a maturity value of GH155,128.

He, therefore, asked if the management of the company had been able to execute the A-Gs recommendation for them to retrieve the accrued loss of GH155,128 into the accounts of the company.

Answering, the Director Finance said the management had been able to retrieve GH50,000.

He said the amount invested was not money we picked from the companys account to invest in Gold Coast Securities (GCS).

Mr Essel explained that in the 1990s, GCGL bought shares of Ashanti Gold Fields but at the time when the gold mining company was taken over, the money was meant to come back to the GCGL.

But the board of the GCGL then advised that rather than paying the money to GCGL, the money should be invested with Gold Coast Securities (SEC), who were the transaction advisors, to yield some returns.

After GCS went down, we filed our case with the Securities and Exchange Commission and we have so far retrieved GH50,000 of the money, he stated.

The latest information that we have on this, as a result of our follow-up, is that GCS and SEC are in court and the next adjourned date will be on July 26, 2023 after which we will receive an update on where we are and the way forward on this transaction, Mr Essel said.

Auctions

On the question on auction of the companys vehicles without ministerial approval and the recommendation for management to seek retrospective approval from the Ministers of Finance and Information, Mr Essel said the company had implemented the Attorney-Generals recommendation.

He said management wrote to the ministries of Finance and Information in September last year to rectify the approval.

We are yet to receive a response from them and we are still following up to get a response, Mr Essel said.

Barter agreement

Another issue that came up was GCGL management entering into barter agreements to procure vehicles and other items, worth GH849,335, single source transactions that the A-G said were executed without approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and as a consequence the companys management must be sanctioned.

But speaking to that, the Director of Finance said for a number of years, management had a challenge with the interpretation of whether or not the GCGL was subject to the PPA law since it was a limited liability company and did not enjoy any government subvention.

In spite of that, Mr Essel said the company went through a process to have the barter agreement approved by its board of directors as required by the companys code.

However, we did some consultation and it was agreed that we should just go and get registered and be approved by the PPA and operate under the authority so that we avoid this issue going forward and we have done that, he said.
Mamprobi Agege Over-The-Counter Medicines facility closed for selling Tramadol to drug addict

Doreen Andoh Jul - 23 - 2023 , 18:59

The Pharmacy Council and the police have sealed off an Over-The-Counter Medicines facility for selling tramadol, a prescription-only pain killer, to an alleged drug addict without a prescription.

The owner of the facility, located at Mamprobi Agege in the Greater Accra Region, and her staff, are scheduled to face the disciplinary committee of the council, where they will be required to explain to the council the reason for dispensing a prescription-only medicine without the appropriate authorisation.

By law, such facilities do not have the mandate to stock and dispense such medication.

Section 108 (1) of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act (Act 857) states that an inspector may close premises that sell or supply restricted medicines where there were grounds to believe that a health hazard may exist on the premises or where the premises is unlicensed.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the matter in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Registrar, Operations, of the Pharmacy Council, Dr Daniel Amaning Danquah, said some drugs had been labeled as prescription-only because of the complications related to abuse and wrong handling, making it illegal to dispense such drugs over the counter to safeguard public health.

He said those medications were only prescribed by Medical Doctors, and the prescription should be the only basis for dispensing such drugs.

Consuming Tramadol in combination with other substances can lead to liver diseases, renal dysfunction or respiratory dysfunction.

Additionally when mixed with alcohol, Tramadol can significantly lower brain activity, resulting in the loss of consciousness, increase depression, brain damage and even suicidal tendencies, he said.

Reminder and details

Dr Amaning Danquah said the Pharmacy Council's firm action against the illegal dispensing of Tramadol served as a critical reminder of the potential dangers associated with improper handling, distribution and use of prescription only medicine.

It highlights the importance of adhering to regulatory guidelines to safeguard public health and prevent abuse of such medications.

Pharmaceutical service providers are therefore warned to desist from dispensing prescription-only medicines without valid prescriptions.

Providing details about what happened, the two policemen saw an alleged drug addict adding a substance to his drink, which was later identified as tramadol.

He said upon further questioning by the policemen, the individual admitted to lacing his drink with tramadol, and revealed that he had obtained the drug from the an OTCMs shop.

Acting promptly, the officers confronted the facility owner who displayed a defiant and uncooperative attitude during the interrogation.

Consequently, a formal report was lodged with the Pharmacy Council leading to swift enforcement measures being taken, he said.

Dr Amaning Danquah reaffirmed the collaborative effort between the Pharmacy Council, the police administration and the Food and Drugs Authority to clamp down on the activities of recalcitrant cartels in the industry.
by Ashok K. Mehta

The media went hysterical about defence contracts with France, a time-tested strategic partner this month when India was honoured on Bastille Day in Paris. But mystery surrounds the confusion over joint statements after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, which excluded agreements to acquire 26 Rafale M, three Scorpene submarines, and Safran jet engine technology from the corrected joint statement. For days and weeks before the visit, the media went delirious over intended defence acquisitions from France to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership in a joint vision document, Horizon 2047, which lays out a roadmap for bilateral relations till 2047. The omission of big-ticket items from the joint statement was a dampener.





On July 13, as Modi was flying to Paris, the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved two key defence contracts with France  Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft and three more Scorpene Class diesel-electric submarines, six of which are already with the Navy. This AoN heightened expectations on defence deals during the visit. The choice of Rafale M ended the competition with the US F18 Hornet. Making this decision politically comfortable for the government, CNS Admiral Hari Kumar said both aircraft were acceptable to the Navy. In both (some say three) versions of joint statements, the mention of Rafale M was missing, while the other two items were there.





French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. [ Photo: Office of Prime Minister of India]





In the initial version of the joint statement, both countries had declared defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies in the joint development of a combat aircraft engine between French Safran and DRDO, and that they would produce a roadmap for it before year-end. It also included the building of three Scorpenes under Project 75  a Make in India program. What explains this slip between cup and lip in the exclusion of intended defence contracts?





The technical reason given was that there was a premature uploading of the joint statement on the MEA website as negotiations on these items could not be concluded in time. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra clarified in Paris that the Horizon 24 joint statement was a macro picture of defence cooperation and not about procurement and transactions. In Paris, Dassault Aviation announced that the Indian government had selected Rafale M for its Navy after an international competition.





In a joint statement, India and France said they will give utmost attention and extend cooperation to the Indo-Pacific, where France is a resident power. According to a 16 July report in The Hindustan Times, DPSUs in India and France signed two MoUs to construct submarines, surface combatants, and their parts in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively, for export to third countries. These will be fabricated for countries in the Indo-Pacific under threat and coercion by China. This JV was also missing from the joint statement.





Why did someone in the Modi delegation have an afterthought in Paris about announcing the intent to buy Rafale M, jointly build three Scorpenes, and collaborate with Safran over engine technology? Rafale M was missing altogether from both/all the joint statements. While in the first statement, collaboration with Safran and the construction of Scorpene were mentioned, in the final version, both were excluded. But Dassault announced separately the selection of Rafale M for the Indian Navy. According to Eurasia Times, on 14 July, three official joint statements were sequentially issued.





Under somewhat similar circumstances, India-US Inter-Governmental Agreements on the acquisition of armed drones, GE 414 engine technology, and other areas of cooperation were signed with technical and commercial negotiations to be concluded later. A similar approach was not adopted in Paris. Probably Modi did not wish to revive the ghost of Rafale when he announced in 2015 in Paris the intent to buy off-the-shelf 36 Rafales, which created a storm among opposition parties in India that has still not fully subsided.





Similarly, on Safran engine technology transfer for the fifth-generation AMCA from France, a single-vendor basis could have proved problematic as Rolls Royce has also joined the fray, though some doubt exists over the latters eligibility. At this rate, soon, it will be jet engines raining in India with competing offers in the quantity of technology transfer  Safran 100 per cent, GE 80 per cent, and Rolls Royce 100 per cent plus! Since reports have emanated that Safran and Rolls Royce may collaborate on AMCA engine production. Meanwhile, Dassault, with 49 per cent share in JV with Reliance Defence, a 51 per cent shareholder, has decided to buy out Reliance Aerospace Nagpur, which under the offset deal manufactures Rafale parts. Once the Rafale M procurement deal is finalized, Reliance Aerospace will continue production of parts and spare parts for Rafale.





On 11 July, Congress had stoked the Rafale issue in anticipation of the acquisition of more Rafales from France, by raising the old issue that while India paid USD 8.7bn for 36 Rafales, Indonesia had paid USD 8.1 bn for 42 Rafales, forgetting that Rafales made for India had additional IAF requirements. With elections around the corner, and Rafale now a household word, the government has decided to act cautiously. Incidentally, Mediapart, the French online journal, is continuing its investigations into allegations of kickbacks paid by Dassault Aviation and sought Indias help. In this melee, political expediency and ad hoc selection of weapon platforms have hampered defence modernization.





Ashok K. Mehta is a radio and television commentator, and a columnist on defence and security issues. He is a former Major General of Indian Army. After joining the Indian Army in 1957, he was commissioned in the 5th Gorkha Rifles infantry regiment in the same year. He had fought in all major wars India went into, except the Sino-Indian War of 1962. And he was also on a peacekeeping mission in Zaire in the year 1962 and in the Indian Peace Keeping Force, Sri Lanka (1988-90) and it was his last assignment in the Indian Army. He is also a writer of several books and a founder-member of the Defense Planning Staff in the Ministry of Defence, India.
Nationwide refuse evacuation exercise takes off in Accra - Move seeks to prevent floods

Maclean Kwofi Jul - 24 - 2023 , 07:38

Three dumping sites in Ayawaso West Wuogon Municipality have been cleared to help improve on sanitation and prevent floods in Accra.

The areas are La Bawaleshie, near the Bawaleshie School, Okponglo and Mepeasem dumping sites.

It is part of an ongoing nationwide refuse evacuation exercise on dumping sites under the Government Clean Ghana Agenda aimed at resolving the sanitation challenges in the country.

It is championed by the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) in collaboration with the Ayawaso West Wuogon Municipal Assembly (AWMA) in the Accra Zone.

The implementing partners of the project, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, deployed trucks and technical expertise to convey the refuse to its final dumping site at Nsawam.

Speaking during the beginning of the exercise in Accra, the Municipal Environmental Health Officer (MEHO), Sani Mutala, who thanked the ministry for embarking on the exercise, explained that the evacuation would ensure that refuse did not cause floods in the area.

10-year-old dumping sites

He said those sites were over 10 years old for which reason the evacuation of the refuse was a relief for students and residents living there.

He pleaded with Zoomlion to increase the number of waste containers at the sites to three to ensure that at all material times, there was a container for people to dump their waste to discourage residents from littering the ground.

Attitudinal change

Mr Mutala challenged Ghanaians to change their attitude towards the environment because mostly, either we are ignorant about our actions or we deliberately do so.

We cannot blame the government when we ourselves are not responsible to the environment.

Go to peoples houses, the water that they bath cannot flow; it becomes stagnant and breeds mosquitoes, he said.

The officer encouraged Ghanaians to clean their immediate environments and homes to, at least, the middle of the road to complement the ongoing Operation Clean Your Frontage campaign.

Excitement

The Assemblyman for the Okponglo Electoral Area, Ishmael Djani, expressed excitement about the assemblys decision to evacuate the waste which had led to the outbreak of malaria and other diseases in the area.

Finally, our cry has been heard by the authorities; we are grateful to the ministry, the Assembly and Zoomlion for their timely support to clear all the waste from our society, he added.
Newborns to receive Ghana Card - NIA, Births and Deaths, GHS integrate database

Shirley Asiedu-Addo & Francisca Eshun Jul - 24 - 2023 , 07:00

All is set for the issuance of National Identification numbers, better known as Ghana Card numbers, to newborn babies, the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated.

This follows the successful integration of the databases of the Births and Deaths Registry, the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The Vice-President said the first baby was issued with the national identification card number last Friday as part of a system test-run.

Dr Bawumia said this at the 75th anniversary of Ghana National College in Cape Coast last Saturday.

The anniversary celebration was on the theme: "75 Years of holistic education, nurturing leaders for the 21st Century.

The occasion was also used to inaugurate a new science laboratory built by the old students of the school.

Dr Bawumia said from next month, babies would be issued with Ghana Cards and birth certificates at the same time at the health facilities where they were born.

The Vice-President said hospitals across the country were also being connected digitally, beginning with the regional hospitals, to ensure that clients were able to access health records at every hospital across the country.

By next year, Dr Bawumia said, about 2,000 health facilities would have been connected digitally.

Artificial Intelligence

Dr Bawumia said the government's ongoing digitalisation agenda was ample testimony to its appreciation of Artificial Intelligence and commitment to ensure the country was not left behind in the fourth industrial revolution.

"We are focused on pursuing digitalisation as part of our economic strategy for the fourth industrial revolution which is upon us, the Vice-President said, adding that there was empirical evidence that digital technology would create jobs and boost productivity.

Preparing for future

The Vice-President said it was clear that countries that failed to digitalise would remain uncompetitive in the fourth industrial revolution and that Ghana was preparing to be part of the revolution.

Dr Bawumia said the Electricity Company of Ghana, after digitalising its operations, had seen improvement in revenue collection immensely, saying the company which was making GH450 million a month now mobilised about GH1 billion a month, while the Passport Office, which made GH1 million a year now made GH64 million a year.

He observed that since 2017, the number of Ghanaians with tax identification numbers had increased from four per cent to about 85 per cent.

Commendation

The Vice-President commended the school for the great strides it had made, saying it had a unique history and role in the country's independence, having provided holistic education for the past 75 years and nurtured many for the nation's development.

Abandoned projects

The Headmaster of Ghana National, Ato Sarpong, expressed worry at the abandonment of some projects in the school.

"The construction of the school's assembly hall, despite being 20 per cent complete, remains in a state of uncertainty.

The 12-unit classroom block has been halted at 50 per cent completion, while the construction of two separate blocks of two-storey dormitories along with teachers quarters has reached a standstill at 50 per cent, resulting in a shortage of accommodation for both staff and students," he stated.

Mr Sarpong said another major challenge the school faced was irregular flow of water, while the washrooms at the classroom blocks had been a major hindrance to proper sanitation in the college which required immediate attention.

He called for more furniture for the classrooms to enhance teaching and learning, modern gadgets for effective teaching, learning and administrative purposes such as projectors, computers and their accessories.

Collaboration

The Medical Director at Inkoom Hospital, Dr Ebenezer Inkoom, who was the guest speaker, urged parents and guardians to engage and collaborate with the school to create the enabling environment to encourage students to attain their fullest potential.

A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, who chaired the occasion, said the school was set up to be science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) biased and pledged to support efforts at strengthening STEM education in the school.
Police closes medical facility over tramadol sale

Doreen Andoh Jul - 24 - 2023 , 06:33

The Pharmacy Council and the police have sealed off an Over-The-Counter Medicines facility for selling tramadol, a prescription-only pain killer, to an alleged drug addict without a prescription.

The owner of the facility, located at Mamprobi Agege in the Greater Accra Region, and her staff, are scheduled to face the disciplinary committee of the council, where they will be required to explain to the council the reason for dispensing a prescription-only medicine without the appropriate authorisation.

By law, such facilities do not have the mandate to stock and dispense such medication.

Section 108 (1) of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act (Act 857) states that an inspector may close premises that sell or supply restricted medicines where there were grounds to believe that a health hazard may exist on the premises or where the premises is unlicensed.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the matter in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Registrar, Operations, of the Pharmacy Council, Dr Daniel Amaning Danquah, said some drugs had been labeled as prescription-only because of the complications related to abuse and wrong handling, making it illegal to dispense such drugs over the counter to safeguard public health.

He said those medications were only prescribed by Medical Doctors, and the prescription should be the only basis for dispensing such drugs.

Consuming Tramadol in combination with other substances can lead to liver diseases, renal dysfunction or respiratory dysfunction.

Additionally when mixed with alcohol, Tramadol can significantly lower brain activity, resulting in the loss of consciousness, increase depression, brain damage and even suicidal tendencies, he said.

Reminder and details

Dr Amaning Danquah said the Pharmacy Council's firm action against the illegal dispensing of Tramadol served as a critical reminder of the potential dangers associated with improper handling, distribution and use of prescription only medicine.

It highlights the importance of adhering to regulatory guidelines to safeguard public health and prevent abuse of such medications.

Pharmaceutical service providers are therefore warned to desist from dispensing prescription-only medicines without valid prescriptions.

Providing details about what happened, the two policemen saw an alleged drug addict adding a substance to his drink, which was later identified as tramadol.

He said upon further questioning by the policemen, the individual admitted to lacing his drink with tramadol, and revealed that he had obtained the drug from the an OTCMs shop.

Acting promptly, the officers confronted the facility owner who displayed a defiant and uncooperative attitude during the interrogation.

Consequently, a formal report was lodged with the Pharmacy Council leading to swift enforcement measures being taken, he said.

Dr Amaning Danquah reaffirmed the collaborative effort between the Pharmacy Council, the police administration and the Food and Drugs Authority to clamp down on the activities of recalcitrant cartels in the industry.
RTI Commission unveils 5-year strategic plan

Maclean Kwofi Jul - 24 - 2023 , 07:09

The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has launched a five-year strategic plan (2023-2027) to efficiently implement its mandate of facilitating access to information by deepening its presence across the 16 regions of the country.

The strategic plan is intended to serve as means to sustain the training and sensitisation of the public to their rights to access information under the Right to Information Act (Act 989).

It is also meant to enhance greater levels of transparency and accountability among public institutions and relevant stakeholders.

Launching the strategic plan in Accra, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, commended the commission for developing a strategic plan to guide it towards achieving its mandate.

He said the plan would help boost the presence of the commission and pay more attention to some strategic areas such as gender, youth and disability.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah explained that although the commission was the youngest state institution, it was the most efficient institution in the country with regard to delivering its mandate.

He said the institution had made bold strides in establishing itself and executing its mandate to the Ghanaian public.

For the RTI Act to be operationalised, three different entities, including the public, information officers and the commission, must work together.

The Access to Information Division of the Information Services Department has engaged about 350 officers in public institutions to facilitate access to information, the minister said.

Information request

The minister noted that so far, public institutions had received 1,000 right to information applications since 2020.

To that end, he said the regulator had been sanctioning institutions that had not been complying with the law.

Some participants in the event

Most applications, since the implementation of the Act 989, focused on matters bordering on the economy, public safety, social services, infrastructure, energy, trade, ministries, departments and agencies, he added.

The pathway

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng, observed that trying to convince Ghanaians, who hitherto were of the firm belief that public discourse must remain a secret as against a passage of the Act 989, had not been easy.

I must, however, add that the people of Ghana have embraced this new arrangement and are responding so well.

The government has so far funded the access to information exercise, and we believe that selling a strategy of the RTI Commission, which is most expected to drive this nation towards the pathway to open and transparent governance, will attract the necessary resources to grease the wheels of the commission to attain the objectives of the Act 989, he said.

He appealed to organisations, stakeholders and individuals to help the RTI Commission with financial support and technical services to enable it to achieve its goals within the next five years.

GJAs collaboration

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, said the GJA was committed to collaborating with the RTI Commission in its efforts to make information readily available to the public.

He commended the commission for having the foresight to establish its five-year strategic plan and raise funds for the implementation of strategic programmes.

Any serious or forward-looking organisation must have a strategy to accomplish its goals and objectives, so this is very encouraging.

Let me also emphasise that many strategic plans that have been implemented in the past have yielded minimal or no results.

This is frequently attributable to a lack of effective plan implementation coupled with sometimes unrealistic objectives or a lack of concentration and resources, he said.
The Pharma Youth Mentorship grooming younger pharmacists to excel in leadership roles

Graphic.com.gh Health Jul - 24 - 2023 , 08:18

Ghana currently has over 5000 registered pharmacists practicing in different fields across the country and with an estimate of 60-70 percent classified as young pharmacists with less than 10 years of practice.

Faced with the challenge of limited employment opportunities within the sector, Elle Mindly, a private organisation with the passion to inspire, inform, transform and build capacity among these young pharmacists and in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), the

Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) and Lead-It Africa, launched this initiative, The Pharma Youth Mentorship.

The theme of this forum, Grooming our younger pharmacists to excel in leadership roles, sought to provide insights on leadership and mentorship from seasoned, experienced and accomplished senior colleagues who have selflessly served and excelled in their roles as leaders within the industry.

Audrey Serwaa Bonsu, a Consultant Pharmacist of Ellen Mindly organised the forum.

Addressing the forum, the President of the PSGH and the CEO of Cedar Point Chemists, Dr Samuel Kow Donkoh provided participants with detailed insights on leadership and mentorship, sharing practically his personal and professional journey  successes and pitfalls with the participants.

A panel discussion moderated by Ms. Audrey Bonsu and Mr. Richmond Armah gave the panelists  Mr. Thomas Boateng Appiagyei, CEO of Rock Chemists and the former past president of PSGH, Dr. Naana Aboagye Asare (Hospital Manager  Ports Medical Center) and Dr Herman Yobo Addae CEO of Lead-It Africa the opportunity to throw more light on questions posed by participants on leadership, professional advancement, mentorship and job creation.

The immediate past president of the PSGH, Mr Ben Botwe also shared some thoughts on pharmacists identifying and carving out a niche if they desired to stand out within the industry.

Dr Delese Mimi Darko, the CEO of FDA also gave some few pointers about the need to strive to be better versions of ourselves each day, focusing on our personal potential and not by comparison.

Other senior colleagues present were Miss Eunice Ofosuaa Amoako, the immediate past KNUST Alumna Global President, Dr Christian Arthur, a past PSGH President (1999-2001) and Mr Richard Odor, CEO of TopUp Pharmacy.

The forum, hosted by Ms. Audrey Serwaa Bonsu, served as the third in this series and was held on Thursday 20th July, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Hotel.

It was sponsored by Ernest Chemists Ltd, Pharmatrust, Drews Pharmacy, Hale Pharmacy and some non-pharmaceutical companies - AGL, Sofaamy, Maseda.
Dos and don'ts in upcoming NPP presidential, parliamentary primaries

Graphic.com.gh Politics Jul - 24 - 2023 , 14:26

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has published the decisions of the National Council following last week's meeting on the upcoming parliamentary and presidential primaries.

In a press statement dated July 24, 2023, issued by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party explained that all aspiring Presidential candidates "shall sign an undertaking with the party, committing himself to supporting whoever is eventually elected/selected as the partys Presidential Candidate after the election/selection process in the event that he is not elected/selected."

It reiterated that the Special Electoral College scheduled for August 26, 2023, shall be held at each of the 16 Regional Capitals and that each delegate shall be entitled to one vote, and shall cast his/her vote by secret ballot for only one Candidate.

"All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall be given the validated Album for the Special Electoral College at least one month to the date of the Congress (i.e. not later than July 26, 2023)," it added.

Unhealthy comments

The National Council said it took a serious view of some unhealthy comments and utterances from some aspiring presidential candidates and their supporters, which do not auger well for the unity and cohesion of the Party.

"Accordingly, the Council, by this statement, reinforces compliance with the Code of Conduct for Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of the Party."

"Any Aspiring Presidential Candidate, or his supporters, and party executives at all levels who act in contravention of the Code of Conduct, moving forward, shall be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines thereof and the Party Constitution.

It said all aspiring presidential candidates shall campaign on issues and refrain from levelling unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks and vilifications against their opponents and that no aspiring presidential candidate shall undertake any activity that will polarize the Party along tribal, religious, and other factional lines.

It added that all aspiring presidential candidates should impress upon their supporters not to engage in any of the activities stated above.

An aspiring presidential candidate shall sign an undertaking with the party, committing himself to supporting whoever is eventually elected/selected as the partys Presidential Candidate after the election/selection process in the event that he is not elected/selected.

Below is a copy of the press statement

For Immediate Release

July 24, 2023

DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY ON PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), at its meeting held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, considered the guidelines for the conduct of the Partys presidential, and parliamentary primaries in constituencies where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament.

After extensive deliberations, the Council arrived at the following decisions and resolutions:

1) Regional and Constituency Party executives who wish to contest in the primaries in Constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament shall resign from their respective positions not later than September 20, 2023. All such executives shall tender in their resignation letters to their respective Regional Party Secretariats not later than September 20, 2023.

2) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Constituencies where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament are not eligible to contest in the parliamentary primaries for those Constituencies.

3) The Recommendations of the Vetting Committee clearing all the ten Aspiring Presidential Candidates to contest in the primaries were approved by the National Council. The approved candidates are:

a) Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen

b) Mr. Kwadwo Poku

c) Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

d) Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko

e) Kwabena Agyei Agyepong

f) Kennedy Ohene Agyapong

g) Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku

h) Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

i) Joe Ghartey

j) Francis Addai-Nimoh

4) The Special Electoral College scheduled for August 26, 2023, shall be held at each of the 16 Regional Capitals.

5) Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote, and shall cast his/her vote by secret ballot for only one Candidate.

6) All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall be given the validated Album for the Special Electoral College at least one month to the date of the Congress (i.e. not later than July 26, 2023).

7) The Electoral Commission of Ghana shall conduct the Special Electoral College elections.

8) An Elections Committee has been constituted to supervise the conduct of the Special Electoral College and the National Congress respectively. The Committee is composed as follows:

NAMES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Rt. Rev. Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Aaron Ocquaye -Chairman

2. Mr. Abankwa Yeboah -Vice Chairman

3. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin -Member

4. Prof. Emmanuel Flolu -Member

5. Mad. Rita Talata Asobayire -Member

6. Mr. William Yamoah -Member/ Secretary

7. Evans Nimako -Member

8. Philip Kwasi Nkrumah (Esq) -Member

9. Mad. Afua Gyekyewaa -Member

9) The National Council took a serious view of some unhealthy comments and utterances from some aspiring Presidential Candidates and their supporters, which do not auger well for the unity and cohesion of the Party.

Accordingly, the Council, by this statement, reinforces compliance with the Code of Conduct for Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of the Party.

Any Aspiring Presidential Candidate, or his supporters, and party executives at all levels who act in contravention of the Code of Conduct, moving forward, shall be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines thereof and the Party Constitution.

10) For the avoidance of doubt, the relevant portions of the guidelines dealing with the expected standards of conduct include the following:

a) All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall campaign on issues and refrain from levelling unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks and vilifications against their opponents.

b) No Aspiring Presidential Candidate shall undertake any activity that will polarize the Party along tribal, religious, and other factional lines.

c) All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall impress upon their supporters not to engage in any of the activities stated above.

11) An Aspiring Presidential Candidate shall sign an undertaking with the party, committing himself to supporting whoever is eventually elected/selected as the partys Presidential Candidate after the election/selection process in the event that he is not elected/selected.

He shall also undertake not to contest as an Independent Presidential Candidate or as a Candidate on the ticket of any other political party, and that, the NPP reserves the right to restrain him should he decide otherwise.

12) The photo Album/Register that was used to elect the Constituency Executives between April 22, 2022, and May 2, 2023, shall be the same album that will be made available to the Electoral Commission of Ghana for the conduct of the presidential primaries.

13) Any delegate who appoints a proxy shall apply to the National Secretariat three weeks before the conduct of the presidential primaries. However, persons appointed as proxies must be delegates to the conference.

The Party wishes to reiterate that any Aspiring Presidential Candidate who flouts any of the above guidelines and modalities, or conducts himself in a manner that brings the Partys name into disrepute shall be deemed to be in breach of the Party Constitution and will, accordingly, be sanctioned including being disqualified from contesting in the Primaries.

Finally, while the Party wishes all its Aspiring Presidential Candidates the best of luck in the primaries, it anticipates that these rules and regulations shall be strictly complied with by all stakeholders, particularly the candidates and their supporters in the supreme interest of the party.

Thanks.

JUSTIN KODUA FRMIPONG

GENERAL SECRETARY
Alan Kyerematen is most competent to lead NPP  Lambussie MP [UPDATED]

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Jul - 24 - 2023 , 03:56

The NPP Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Bright Bakye Baligi says Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen is the most suitable personality to lead the New Patriotic Party to Election 2024.

To him, Alan has the competence and capability to sway support from Ghanaians than any other aspirant.

Explaining his conviction for Alans leadership when he joined his campaign team in the Upper West Region last week, Baligi said, "His vision and practicality made me endorse him as a candidate to lead the party and Ghana at large".

Baligi, who claimed he was a grandson of Dombo, explained that "if there is anyone in the eighth Parliament with traces of Dombo, it must be me [Baligi]. I am a blood family member and a grandson of Dombo but I support Alan. I support Alan because I see competency and practicality in him.

"His vision and practicality made me endorse him as a candidate to lead the party and Ghana at large," he said.

(This article has been corrected and updated to clarify the relationship between Bright Bakye Baligi and S.D. Dombo, founder member of the UP tradition from the Northern People's Party. Our attention has been drawn to the fact that Bright Bakye Baligi's grandfather was also called Dombo, but not same as S.D. Dombo of the UP tradition).
Investments for sustainable food systems non-negotiable  Dr Akoto

Chris Nunoo & Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Politics Jul - 24 - 2023 , 06:27

An aspiring flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has said that investments needed to achieve sustainable food systems for the country will be non-negotiable.

He said through the implementation of a well-defined vision and strategy, he would prioritise the transformation of agriculture at the highest level of governance for the prosperity of all.

Dr Akoto was speaking on the topic; Exploiting agriculture diversification to fund economic development in Ghana at a Vikings alumni lecture at the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra last Friday (July 21, 2023).

Known as the Vikings Alumni Celebrity Platform Lecture, the ceremony was part of activities earmarked as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Mensah Sarbah Hall of the University of Ghana.

Dr Akoto who became a Viking in September 1969 at age 19 when he entered the university to pursue his first degree in agriculture, said there was the urgent need for a different approach if the country was to succeed in transforming its agriculture.

Explaining further, he said, he would create an Agricultural Management Team (AMT) chaired by the President (Dr Akoto) to drive agricultural development.

The AMT, he explained, shall comprise seven agric-related ministries, namely Food and Agriculture, Finance, Trade and Industry, Lands and Natural Resources.

The other ministries, he mentioned, included Transport, Local Government and Rural Development, and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Dr Akoto said agricultural policy must be driven by evidence, and, therefore, it was essential that policy makers, farmers and actors in the value chain were trained to access the benefits of data for decision making.

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, NPP Presidential aspirant, at the panel discussion. With him are Prof. Irene Egyir (middle), Dean, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon, and Dr Andrew Agyei-Holmes (right), Lecturer, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research. Picture: ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA

We shall ensure that targeted users of technology are involved in every stage of the process.

This will provide opportunities to empower the youth and create new jobs, he stated.

The NPP flag bearer hopeful said funding to the research endeavours of the diverse national agricultural research institutions, including universities in areas such as agronomy, extension, plant breeding, integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), integrated pest and disease management (IPDM), post-harvest management (PHM) and climate-smart technologies, would also be prioritised.

Vision

During the 45 minutes lecture, Dr Akoto announced that his overall vision for the country was to achieve agriculture-led growth for the structural transformation of the economy of the country.

That, he said, would be achieved through creating alternative opportunities for boosting foreign exchange reserves, mechanising the sector and prioritising public funding in the sector.

Again, he said improving productivity in smallholder farms as well as growing other sectors of the economy from revenues generated for a self-reliant, food-secure, wealthy and healthy nation was also essential.

Dr Akoto said the establishment of the various development authorities such as the Tree Crop Development Authority and the Grains Development Authority, among other commodity institutions, could substantially expand the export earning capacity of the country to fund industrial development.

On climate change, the NPP flag bearer hopeful emphasised that the time had come for the country to grow crops that were resilient to withstand drought, heavy rain and heat.

He, therefore, stressed that much must be done to curb the effects of climate change and sustain yields in farmers fields.

Dr Akoto said agriculture held the strongest potential to steer Ghana out of poverty, guarantee food and nutrition security, and also generate the necessary resources for the development of the other sectors of the economy.

Looking back at the last six years of his stewardship as the Minister of Agriculture from January 2017 to January 2023, Dr Akoto expressed confidence that if the foundations laid were built upon, it would lead to a thriving sustainable agriculture to bring about prosperity for all.

The foundations come in two parts.

The first part are activities with direct interface with farmers and processes to raise the level of agricultural activity to international standards and the second would be the creation of new institutions with legislative backing to manage and develop targeted sub-sectors of the agricultural economy, he added.

To achieve that, he said I resorted to the technique of branding to popularise the adopted policies Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) which he said, had five modules.

These modules, he mentioned, were food security, tree crop development, horticulture, livestock and mechanisation.

On food security, the NPP flag bearer aspirant said the Ministry of Agriculture during his tenure made significant investment in farm inputs in order to increase agricultural productivity, which he indicated raised incomes of farmers and achieved national food security.
NPP constitutes Presidential Election Cttee

Samuel Duodu Politics Jul - 24 - 2023 , 06:11

The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has constituted a Presidential Election Committee to organise and supervise the election of the partys flag bearer for the 2024 general election.

Under the chairmanship of a former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the committee begins its work with the special delegates conference (Special Electoral College) to be held on August 26, 2023, to shortlist five of the 10 aspirants for the November 4, 2023 presidential primary of the party.

It is in line with the partys constitution to hold a Special Delegates College to shortlist candidates to five if more than five people file nomination to contest as flag bearer of the party.

Article 13 (9 ) of the NPP constitution stipulates that " Where there are more than five contestants for nomination as the party's presidential candidate, a Special Electoral College shall cast their votes by secret ballot for the first five contestants to be short-listed".

Special delegates

The delegates to shortlist the five for the national congress include members of the National Council, National and Regional Executive Committees, Members of Parliament and three representatives from each of the special organs of the party (Youth, Women and Nasara).

The others are past national officers, three representatives from every branch, founder members during the registration of the party at the Electoral Commission (EC), all card bearing ministers when the party is in government.

"Every delegate shall be entitled to one vote", according to Article 13 (2) 2 of the partys constitution.

Per Article 13 (1)1 of the partys constitution, it is the National Council that is clothed with the authority to determine the venue and the time for the Special Electoral College.

Assurance

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the NPP Director of Research and Elections,Evans Nimako, said about 980 delegates would take part in the special delegates conference.

He said the party had assured all stakeholders, especially the presidential aspirants, to conduct free, fair and transparent polls with professional assistance from the EC and the Ghana Police Service.

Mr Nimako said the party also reminded the presidential aspirants of their obligation through the oath that they swore to protect the interest, unity and sanctity of the party at all times.

He said the party had also urged its rank and file to comport themselves through the process and not to do anything that would put the electoral success of the NPP in 2024 into disarray.

He said there was no problem with the party's register as the delegates for the special conference were well known members of the party.

He said copies of the register for the Special Electoral College would be given to the aspirants today, Monday, July 24, 2023.

Aspirants

The 10 aspirants who have been approved by the National Council of the party for the special delegates conference are Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku; Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.

The rest are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku; Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie; Joe Ghartey and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Recall

Per the party's constitution, the Prof. Oquaye presidential vetting committee submitted its recommendation through the National Council for approval to enable the presidential aspirants to be approved for the contest of the presidential primary.

At the sitting of the National Executive Committee and the National Council last Thursday, the committee's report was accepted by the National Council.

In that case, the party is bound to conduct the Special Electoral College to prune the number of aspirants from 10 to five for the national congress.

The National Council at the meeting also considered the petition of some of the aspirants that the special delegates conference for August 26 be centralised to make it more efficient and transparent and also each delegate must vote for five of the aspirants.

But those proposals were not considered because already the party's constitution has provisions to that effect.
Nothing wrong with Akufo-Addo's confidence in Cecilia Dapaah's integrity - lecturer

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Politics Jul - 24 - 2023 , 13:43

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's expression of confidence in the integrity of the immediate past Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has received diverse response from the public.

I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours, President Akufo-Addo stated in his acceptance letter in response to Cecilia Dapaah's resignation letter.

Related: President Akufo-Addo accepts Cecilia Dapaahs resignation

While some have said it was wrong and a mistake for President Akufo-Addo to have stated that in his response letter, a political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Osei Asante, is of the view that President Akufo-Addo did not err in expressing his optimism that the resigned Sanitation Minister will come clean over corruption accusations.

Mrs Dapaah resigned from her position on Saturday [July 22] after she became the talk of town following media report on a court case that stated that two house helps were standing trial for allegedly stealing huge sums of foreign and local currencies from her residence in Accra.

The Minister in her resignation letter said she decided to step down because she did not want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.

The two house helps, Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei,30, along with three others are alleged to have stolen US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis and personal effects of Abena Dapaah and her husband, between the months of July and October in 2022.

Madam Dapaah has indicated that there are inconsistencies in the figures being reported in the media.

However, in responding to Madam Dapaah's resignation letter, President Akufo-Addo said I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

He also said, It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government.

The work you undertook during your period in government was excellent and productive, and I thank you for your wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of the government and the nation, he stated.

Following President's Akufo-Addo's letter, many have reacted to the Presdent's response, with some describing the content of the letter as prejudicial.

Some believe that the President's comments will not allow state institutions mandated to carry out investigation to do their work as expected because the President had already expressed optimism that the Minister will come out clean.

However, speaking on the issue in a radio interview on Accra-based Joy FM on Monday [July 24, 2024,] Dr. Asante said such a comment was expected from the President as he is the one who appointed the Minister.

"I don't see anything wrong with what the President said," he said, describing the President's comment as an "ordinary statement."

For him, what the President said will not in any way compromise any investigation into the issue.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has arrested Mrs Abena Dapaah over corruption related offences.

Read also: Cecilia Dapaah arrested by OSP over suspected corruption
Hong Kong: CE meets Singaporean PM

Chief Executive John Lee began day two of his visit in Singapore where he is leading a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation on a duty programme to three countries.

As part of his agenda, Mr Lee met leaders of the Singaporean government, visited a local enterprise, attended a business dinner and had exchanges with local business leaders.

In the morning, he attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore Lawrence Wong. He then met Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and attended a lunch hosted by the latter.

While meeting with the prime minister, the Chief Executive expressed gratitude to the city-state for supporting Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

He stated that Hong Kong's bid to join the partnership is an important step in strengthening its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Mr Lee added that the Hong Kong SAR Government stands ready to engage in exploratory discussions on its accession request.

At a media session in Singapore this evening, the Chief Executive said: We are here to consolidate our friendship with Singapore and other ASEAN states. We wish to strengthen our long-standing co-operation for mutual growth.

"More importantly, we wish to tell our friends here the good and latest stories of Hong Kong. From our traditional strengths of finance, trade and logistics, to the upcoming industries of I&T (innovation and technology), arts and cultural exchange, Hong Kong is determined to bring in new impetus for sustainable development that will energise the whole regions growth.

My delegation and I will take every opportunity to introduce Hong Kongs new developments, new potentials and new attractions, to our friends in the ASEAN during our visit.

In the afternoon, the Chief Executive and the delegation visited Meinhardt Group to learn about the major Singaporean enterprises business development in engineering consulting services.

Mr Lee said its successful experience of using Hong Kong as a springboard to tap into the Mainland market could inspire other Singaporean and ASEAN enterprises to follow suit.

He also encouraged the enterprise to participate in the major development projects that Hong Kong is currently promoting, including the development of the Northern Metropolis.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended a business dinner where enterprises and institutions of Hong Kong and Singapore signed seven memoranda of understanding on areas including trade, financial services, fintech, innovation and technology, and research collaboration.

Mr Lee will depart for Jakarta, Indonesia, tomorrow morning to continue his visit programme.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
by Manik De Silva

Some more deaths in government hospitals allegedly due to the administration of substandard drugs have been reported while the SJB is drumming up support for its motion of no confidence against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The Health Ministry has sought to pooh-pooh the reports that the hurriedly-imported low-quality drugs are causing deaths, but the health sector trade unions are convinced otherwise; they insist that substandard drugs and equipment are procured as emergency purchases, which enable some venal elements in the Health Ministry to line their pockets at the expense of the sick. They are demanding a thorough probe into corruption in the Health Ministry.





Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa [File Photo]





Having appointed a seven-member committee to investigate the aforesaid allegations as well as other issues affecting the government hospitals, etc., Health Minister Rambukwella has urged the Opposition to fast-track its no-faith motion against him so that he can clear his name. He is obviously putting on a brave face. He did not seem his usual self when he said so in Parliament on Thursday; his speech was devoid of rhetoric and pugnacity, and worry was apparently written all over his face.





Not all Opposition politicians are agreed on the SJBs decision to move a no-faith motion against Minister Rambukwella. Opposition parties see eye to eye on the need to expose corruption in the Health Ministry and hold the Health Minister and the top bureaucrats in charge of the procurement of medicinal drugs and equipment to account, but some of them think a no-confidence motion could end up boosting the morale of the government, which still has a working majority in the House. Among the proponents of this view are some SLPP dissidents.





SLPP MP Udaya Gammanpila has warned that the no-faith motion could prove counterproductive. However, the fact remains that extremely remote as the SJBs chances of securing the passage of its no-faith motion are, the Opposition will get an opportunity to address the various allegations against the Health Minister and top health officials under him.





The general consensus is that everything is rotten about the public health sector, and therefore a campaign against corruption and other forms of malpractice in it should not be limited to an attempt to remove the Health Minister; it should have a broader scope. This argument sounds tenable, but it may also be argued that a no-faith motion will allow issues other than the allegations against the Health Minister to be taken up for debate in the House, provided the Opposition remains unprovoked and thereby frustrates the government MPs efforts to raise a ruckus and derail the debate. The opponents of no-confidence motions against government politicians usually succeed in making parliamentary debates descend into slanging matches, which leave the public none the wiser.





Perhaps, the SJB is trying to make use of the differences among its rivals on the other side of the House with the help of its no-faith motion against Minister Rambukwella. Some Opposition MPs who are supportive of the government but not well-disposed towards Rambukwella are reported to have signed the no-confidence motion to be moved; the SJB may be trying to drive in the wedge. Claiming that the no-faith motion is not against the Prime Minister or the government, the SJB has called upon the ruling party MPs to support it.





Politicians are driven by their party allegiances and expediency rather than their conscience when they make decisions or vote in Parliament. The SLPP MPs, save a few, will therefore circle the wagons and vote against the SJBs motion of no confidence at issue, because they do not want the Opposition to score a win in Parliament at this juncture, but in doing so they will only make the allegations against Minister Rambukwella applicable to the entire government, and provide grist for the Oppositions mill. This may be one of the objectives the SJB is seeking to achieve with the help of its no-faith motion. It is desperate for some traction on the political front.





Manik De Silva is the Editor of Sunday Island, a Colombo based weekly published by Upali Newspapers Ltd.
Put country first - NDC charges youth

Daily Graphic Politics Jul - 24 - 2023 , 06:16

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has charged the youth of the party to put the country rather than their parochial interest first.

He said while it was good to be ambitious in optimising themselves, that must not be done at the expense of the well-being of Ghanaians.

He made these remarks when he addressed youth leaders of the party at the Youth Wing Retreat in Accra on the theme: "Building the Ghana we want, the role of the youth."

Values

Addressing the group, the General Secretary encouraged the participants to emulate and be inspired by the values and principles exhibited by some illustrious leaders of Ghana, whose contribution to the country's destiny has proved to be defining.

"Take inspiration from Kwame Nkrumah's love for nation and continent, Jerry Rawlings' courage of conviction and adaptability, Prof. Evans Atta Mills' servant leadership and John Mahama's posterity-defining leadership," he said.

Mr Kwetey also bemoaned the tendency of some youth to discount conviction and character and instead place more value on convenience and the acquisition of wealth without regard to principles.

"We in the NDC love the poor but we do not hate the rich," he said.

He explained that the party believed that every effort must be made to lift the people of Ghana, including NDC members, out of poverty.

"Unlike people who believe that wealth is just about how much you can acquire for the sake of itself, we believe that the reason for wealth is how to use it to bring genuine social justice and fellow feeling in the society, he added.

Ambitions

Mr Kwetey noted that Ghana as a country has ambitions to become the beacon of hope for other countries.

There is nothing wrong with having ambition to be wealthy but pursuing it blindly at all cost to the detriment of the people is wrong."

"We want a nation of wealth but from citizens who place value on character.

That is what this party was for and what this party must continue to stand for," he said.

He urged the youth not to forget that the party represented the political hope of the country.

Mr Kwetey admonished them to exhibit good examples as that was the only way they could go out to convince others that the NDC was Ghana's hope.

"The pursuit of character will give you the stamina for longevity in political leadership," he concluded.
Proterial, Ltd., (formerly Hitachi Metals, earlier post) has developed a technology to manufacture cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) without the previously required process of converting nickel to nickel hydroxide(Ni(OH) 2 ) to produce a precursor that is used as the starting material for the manufacture of cathode materials.

The developed technology enables CO 2 emissions during the production of cathode materials to be reduced by more than 20% compared to the manufacturing method based on the solid phase reaction method (announced in May 2022) that Proterial had developed.

LIB manufacturing accounts for a large proportion of CO 2 emissions in the EV manufacturing process, with the largest share of CO 2 coming from the starting material for cathode material for high nickel-type batteries. In particular, large amounts of CO 2 are emitted in the process of obtaining the precursor nickel hydroxide(Ni(OH) 2 ) from nickel (Ni).





Proterial has successfully developed a technology for producing cathode materials with comparable electrochemical properties without going through the process of producing the starting material where nickel sulfate (NiSO 4 ) is produced from metal nickel (Ni), and the precursor of nickel hydroxide(Ni(OH) 2 ) is then produced from that. With the developed technology, Proterial has succeeded in reducing CO 2 emissions from the starting material by more than 30% compared to the conventional manufacturing method.

Electrochemical properties

Solid-phase reaction method Discharge capacity (Ah/kg) Capacity retention (%) The developed technology (no precursor) 192 90 Conventional manufacturing 190 88 Composition: LiNi 0.85 Co 0.03 (Mn (0.12-a) X a )O 2

Discharge capacity conditions: 4.3-2.5V, 0.2C (25C), Anode: Li metal

Cycle conditions: 4.3-2.5V, 1C (25C), Anode: Li metal
Samsung is hosting an Unpacked event this Wednesday, July 26, and we expect to see the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 foldable smartphones, the Watch6 and Watch6 Classic wearables, and a trio of Galaxy Tab S9 tablets. Heres everything you need to know about the event.

When is it?

The event will begin at 11 AM UTC - this is 7 AM Eastern in the United States, noon in London, 1 PM in Central Europe, 4:30 PM in India, and 8 PM in Seoul, South Korea, where the unveiling will take place.

How to watch it?

Samsung is streaming the event on its own website, but it will also be live-streamed on the company's official YouTube channel. We have embedded the video below, but it will not go live until Wednesday.

What to expect?

We know the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 will be a lot like its predecessor, as we wrapped up what we know so far in a separate article. The Flip5 will finally adopt a true gapless body in a folded state, thanks to a new hinge design.

The new Galaxy Watch6 series is bringing back the rotating bezel, which made Samsung wearables stand out in a crowd of smartwatches. The Tab S9, Tab S9+, and Tab S9 Ultra slates will be the first premium tablets Samsung releases in the last 1.5 years, and we expect to see bigger batteries, better displays and faster chipsets across the board.
Samsung kicks off Galaxy Unpacked ad campaign in 13 of the busiest locations around the world

The Galaxy Unpacked event is in two days and Samsung is ramping up the promotion. Its Join the flip side campaign is has launched colorful outdoor ads in 13 of the most visited locations around the world, including: the Gangnam District, Seoul Tower and COEX in Seoul, Korea; Times Square in New York City, U.S.; Piccadilly Circus in London, U.K.; CentralWorld in Bangkok, Thailand; Tai Koo Li in Chengdu, China; and King Road Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.



"Join the flip side" outdoor advertising goes live around the world

This year the Unpacked event will be held on Samsungs home turf, which is why the teaser videos are showing off the Gangnam District and the Seoul Tower. Heres a longer version of the video from a couple of weeks ago, this one highlights more of the locations mentioned above:

And now for a quick trip down memory lane. The very first Samsung Galaxy S was unveiled at CTIA Wireless 2010 in Las Vegas, USA. The Galaxy S2 made its debut in Barcelona Spain, then the S3 in London, UK. The first Galaxy Note was announced to the world from Berlin, Germany, while the first Galaxy Fold first appeared in San Francisco, USA. Here is a look back at those fateful events:

Source
By groundlessly slinging mud at China, certain U.S. politicians are trying to convey an absurd idea that when America talks of national security, it is a national security concern, but when others mention security, it is not.

When it comes to manipulating the "national security" concept, no country can rival the United States, an undeniable pro who plays well the victim card.





For quite some time, China hawks in Washington have been mounting a comprehensive smear campaign against Chinese personnel, tech giants, and the broader Chinese economy. The typical disinformation combo includes a "systemic rip-off by China," "a threat to our national security," and "rightful sanctions from the White House."





Protesters gather during the anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C., the United States, March 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)





Lately, while singing the blues about the Chinese economy, certain U.S. politicians compared the Chinese market to a potential minefield for foreign firms, sourly grumbling about China's legitimate moves to combat espionage and defend national security.





What they were hinting at, is China's recent sales ban on a U.S. memory chipmaker, which had failed a security review by China's cyberspace regulator and was found to pose serious risks to China's critical information infrastructure supply chains.





By groundlessly slinging mud at China, they are trying to convey an absurd idea that when America talks of national security, it is a national security concern, but when others mention security, it is not.





Ironically, it is the United States which has long been manipulating the concept of national security. The de-facto chief of economic coercion has repeatedly over-stretched this term as a pretext for abusing state power, having put more than 1,200 Chinese companies and individuals on various lists and subjected them to broad range of restrictions without any solid evidence of wrongdoing.





In recent years, the U.S. has been blurring the lines of national security with economic coercion so that it can invent excuses to rip others off. The U.S. sizable toolkit to hammer others includes such tactics as economic sanctions, market denials, asset freeze, government investigations and technology bans.





Now Washington's fixation on manipulating this concept is getting acute. America's list of national security threats seems to be getting uncontrollably longer. The White House is also actively coercing its allies to expand their sheets of security concerns in line with that of Washington's.





Such national security maximalism of Washington has two features: one is that it can define what is a national security problem for the United States without any reliable evidence; the other is that it is increasingly ready to use those fabricated security concerns as a pretext for acts of containment against other countries.





While playing the victim, Washington has been cashing in on everyday scruples as national security to politicize or instrumentalize trade and tech issues, and to pressure and blackmail others to serve its geopolitical agendas. By leveraging its economic and technological clout, Washington can effectively coerce foreign companies into complying with its demands.





In fact, for America's decision makers, any perceived potential challenge to the U.S. global dominance is a national security concern. China's rise in the tech realm is naturally an eyesore.





The U.S. logic on China goes like this: I want your market, but you need to slow down tech development. Under the pretext of "national security," Washington has blacklisted Chinese tech firms and imposed broad limits on selling advanced chip technologies to Chinese firms, coercing many of its allies into the tech blockade binge.





Such discriminatory and bullying practice seriously hampers normal trade, economic exchanges and cooperation, violates market rules and the international trade order, and disrupts global industrial and supply chain stability.





And now this "omnipresent" national security narrative is also biting on the U.S. economy. Business insiders have repeatedly warned that by abusing the tactic, the U.S. government may potentially hurt the industry, which it is seeking to protect, by effectively isolating it from global markets.





Committed to quality opening-up, China has been opening its door ever wider to global businesses as it walks a hard-won yet fine line between development and national security. China's legitimate cybersecurity review does not target any particular countries or regions, nor does it seek to exclude technologies or products from any specific country.





The measures China recently rolled out are aimed at bolstering national security and creating a secure and stable environment necessary for its sustainable development, which would not only galvanize the growth of foreign companies but also optimize the overall business environment, while better safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of enterprises from all countries operating in China.





Numbers talk. The UN Conference on Trade and Development said in its World Investment Report 2023 that global foreign direct investment fell by 12 percent last year, while inflows to China rose by 5 percent to a record 189 billion U.S. dollars, mainly in manufacturing and high-tech industries.





And in the first half of this year, China saw a rapid increase of newly established foreign-invested enterprises. Some 24,000 new foreign firms were started in China during that period of time, marking a 35.7 percent rise year on year. Investments from developed countries like France, Britain and Germany went up by 173.3 percent.





However naysayers paint China, one thing is certain: China has been and will continue to be a growth engine and an attractive market that global investors cannot ignore. It has always been open to law-abiding foreign businesses who play fair.





Tainting the global economic and technological playing field does good to nobody. [Xinhua]
Michelle Crisostomo, Guahan Sustainable Culture president and co-founder, left, with co-founder and vice president, Marlyn Oberiano, center, and board member, Kristin Oberiano during the Farmers Market event at Plaza de Espana in Hagatna on July 2, 2022.
In order to assist Guam Customs and Quarantine in combating the importation of illicit drugs, Del. James Moylan put in a federal Community Project Funding Request of $2 million.

This would allow the agency to initiate the process of obtaining the plans and cost factors prior to seeking the funding for the much needed and long-awaited screening facility.

The request has now been approved by the appropriations subcommittee on transportation in the US Congress, so it now awaits to be adopted by the US House of Representatives before being furthered for final action.

Our commitment to prioritize the construction of this facility has not wavered and continues to be in place just as much as our days in the Guam Legislature and now as a member of Congress. I am elated that the request for funding of the A&E has been approved by the sub-committee, stated Moylan. We faced many challenges securing the funding for this endeavor in the Guam Legislature, that I now can say with confidence that it literally took an act of Congress to jumpstart this process.

As a senator in the 36th Guam Legislature, Moylan authored Public Law 36-12 which extended the date for the agency to have a functioning facility from 2021 to 2026. Failure to do so would have forced the agency to return the property back to the government of Guam, according to Moylans office.

During his years as a senator, Moylan introduced several measures to identify means to fund the construction of the facility, but despite the growing reports of drug importation, none of the bills advanced, added his office.

The A&E is the first step to get this process moving and we are committed to working with agency and local government on identifying funds to construct this facility and x-ray portal, so that those importing illicit drugs can think twice of their actions. Considering the state of our island, it is critical that investments be prioritized to combat drugs, such as meth and fentanyl, added Moylan.

Community Project Funding are opportunities for members of Congress to submit requests for funding from various accounts for smaller scale projects within their districts. Once approved by the sub-committee, the measure is adopted by the House of Representatives and then furthered for final action.

A couple of weeks ago, Delegate Moylan was made aware of nearly $1.5 million of approved funding for equipment for the Guam Fire Department, inclusive of a pumper truck. He anticipates additional announcements in the coming days.
Guam now has 13 individuals approved to become the official representatives of potential cannabis businesses following Mondays latest approval from the Cannabis Control Commission.

The commission, led by Chairwoman Vanessa Williams, is now looking at moving the law-mandated cannabis industry summit, tentatively set for Aug. 23, to later this year or early 2024 because of Typhoon Mawar recovery efforts.

The 13th so-called responsible official approved for an identification card is Wang-Chieh Ronald Sue, representing Herbal Science LLC.

Herbal Science LLC is expected to now apply for a cannabis establishment license, based on discussions at the meeting.

Greenland Farms Inc., which could potentially be the first to establish a cannabis cultivation facility on Guam, still wasnt ready to have its application acted on by the board as of Monday.

Williams, however, said its good to know that the application process is moving forward even though theres no board action required yet at this point, after receiving a status report from one of the commission members, Revenue and Taxation Director Dafne Shimizu.

A 2019 law legalized recreational cannabis on Guam, and the industrys rules and regulations took effect May 29, 2022.

But selling and trading cannabis for anything of a value remains a no-go, unless the establishment is licensed and permitted.

Guam also still doesnt have a cannabis testing laboratory. Under Guam law, recreational cannabis and cannabis products cannot be sold unless they are tested by an approved laboratory.

Summit delayedTyphoon Mawar, meanwhile, has delayed the holding of whats supposed to be the first cannabis industry summit, initially planned for August.

Board member Therese Arriola, director of the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, recommended that the board postpone the industry summit to spring of next year, considering the still ongoing Mawar recovery efforts.

I think we can pull something together if we work hard and just get back on track. Definitely the typhoon recovery has slowed the planning process, Arriola, whos leading the industry summit planning meetings, said. Mawar paused all planning meetings, she added.

The commission held off identifying a new tentative date for the summit, until after the next summit planning meeting.
With the drastic impact of Typhoon Mawar, additional help is now coming from Japan.

The Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Group, which includes NTT Docomo, has deployed a highly skilled team of 10 network engineers to the island along with 12 bucket trucks and repair equipment from NTT headquarters in Japan at a cost of nearly $1 million to NTT.

NTT has stepped in to provide critical support to help Guam recover due to extensive damage to local infrastructure, including power outages and significant disruption to IT and communications networks.

NTTs recovery efforts include upgrading about 164 miles of Guams coaxial cables to fiber optics cables, which will improve connectivity for about a quarter of NTT DOCOMO PACIFICs subscribers on the island.

NTT hoped this will set a new industry example for cross-border disaster recovery through expeditious public/private coordination between NTT and federal & local governments.

We were happy to assist in whatever capacity we could from the federal side, said Del. James Moylan. For our island to recover effectively requires a team effort, and this endeavor clearly emphasized that. Having accessible data would certainly help many families take another step towards normalcy.

On behalf of the people of Guam, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all those uplifting our island in our time of need, said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. By supporting our telecommunications restoration efforts, you are directly helping to restore normalcy to thousands of Guam families. Si Yuos Maase!

NTT is proud to have such a strong relationship with the local government, businesses and residents of Guam, said David Jeppsen, chief of global public affairs at NTT. Our engineers are undertaking this task with the goal of not only returning the islands networking infrastructure to its former strength, but also upgrading it with enhanced capabilities through more advanced technologies.

In addition to the technical support, NTT will make a donation to the American Red Cross to assist those still impacted by the powerful storm.
Lauren Martin sits on a swing in the "Enchanted" selfie room during the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association's 50th Anniversary Special at Hyatt Regency Guam, Tumon, Sept. 9, 2022.
On the day of Typhoon Mawars landfall, a multi-national advisory and Microsoft announced a malicious computer code was discovered in telecommunications systems in Guam and elsewhere in the United States.

The attacks were attributed to Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored hacking group that carries out espionage and information gathering for the Chinese government.

Inside a hotel conference room at Dusit Beach Resort last week, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero gave opening remarks to an audience of more than 100 cyber stakeholders at a gathering hosted by the Guam National Guard.

Representatives from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Cyber Command, the Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency, FBI, FEMA, Guam Homeland Security and Office of Technology were present.

Cybersecurity is one of the things that keeps me up at night, the governor said. Our communications went down during Typhoon Mawar, and it was frustrating trying to connect with frontline workers to find out what was going on. But this gives me relief in knowing we will have a comprehensive and unified cyber plan. As a whole-of-community, we need each other to make this happen to protect our island and nation.

Led by Guam National Guard Lt. Col. Bumjin Park, chief information officer, the conference began with partner agencies briefing their individual capabilities and cyber postures. Later, breakout sessions afforded opportunities to analyze strengths and weaknesses, share best practices and input to develop a charter.

Its really exciting to see an event like this get so much participation, said Park. We have so much to learn from each other, and all the cross-pollination Im hearing from the breakout sessions tells me we are going in the right direction. Many agencies didnt know about certain programs offered by CISA, for example. So I think everyone is taking away something useful.

Among the crowd favorites was a presentation given by Capt. Stephen Romans of U.S. Cyber Command.

Romans introduced The Persistent Cyber Training Environment, a simulation platform that allows teams of operators to configure, attack, and defend in a learning environment.

On day two of the conference, stakeholders were allowed hands-on familiarization with the tool.

Geoffrey Pease, integrated cyber planner with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, partnered with the Guam Guard, U.S. Cyber Command and U. S. INDOPACOM to bring everyone together.

This event was a great opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness and strength of a whole of government approach, to train and fight together in terms of bringing increased cyber security capacity to Guam, said Pease. Cyber is something that is here, and we all need to come together. We have to be aware theres a threat thats out there, and we have to be prepared to deal with that threat.

The Guam National Guard is planning to facilitate subsequent cyber events with expanded attendance from across the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.
As the public educational systems remains in limbo, the 37th Guam Legislature has officially voted to allow private schools to convert into public charter schools at a session held at the Guam Legislature building on Monday.

The bill will now become public law after the governors office receives it.

The senators voted in unanimous approval on this matter by overriding the governors veto of Bill 62-37 with the exception of two excused senators. Sen. Amanda Shelton was absent and Sen. Joanne Brown requested to be excused due to her child attending a private school at the moment that might apply to be a future charter school.

With the limit of seven possible charter schools on Guam, this opens the door up for more schools to be considered to become the final three charter schools in addition with the four existing charter schools.

The new law will also require at least one charter school to service both elementary and middle school students.

The Guam Academy Charters Council is responsible to approve and admit a new or converted school that serves Pre-K3 through at least 8th grade. The schools curriculum must be project-based and should use a critical thinking method of learning, resulting in measurable proficiency in the CHamoru language and history, music, physical fitness and the performing arts.

Sen. Chris Barnett stated that this bill ensures all schools are considered when converting into a charter school.

If were going to obligate public funds for private schools for charters or school vouchers, then we must also do the same for private religious schools, stated Barnett. I also want to thank the Attorney General for his legal opinion.

The Office of the Attorney General of Guam noted that there exists no legal impediment, including our First Amendment Clause, from allowing the Guam Legislature to move forward in passing Bill 62-37, as a statement of the will of our people.

AG Douglas Moylan further noted this bill provides a potentially effective way that our government can comply with this Act for our children by creating effective options for our government, and not substantially disrupting our public school childrens upcoming school year and significantly inconveniencing their parents.

Sen. Jesse Lujan further gave clarification on possible circulating mis-information.

The government of Guam already provides bussing and books to private schools. What happens now is that the private schools will convert to public schools due to receiving government funding, stated Lujan. It is my understanding that there wont be any tuition for these schools. I stand in full support.

Sen. Joe San Agustin, Acting Majority Leader for Mondays session stated there must still be a separation of religion and government, regardless of what the AG says.

I spoke with the folks that are putting together the application for Mount Carmel. They made it very clear to me that they will not include anything to do with religion, stated Sen. San Agustin. I am in full support of the override, provided there is a separation between government and religion. I have to stick with the Organic Act.

Sen. Telo Taitague noted they must maintain their actions to help the people of Guam, especially the children.

We know what the situation is. This is a viable idea to get our kids in a safe environment. We have that opportunity, stated Taitague. The difference between having our kids work online then and now is that back then during the COVID pandemic, our parents were home, and somebody was there to watch the children. Its a different story now.

Taitague further added that this is necessary due to thousands of students possibly not going to school because of the state of GDOE.

There are thousands of students who will not be able to start school on time or even in the next three months. Having another charter school on this island will give comfort to parents, where their child can be safe, concentrate and have an education.

Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes added that shes in support of whatever it takes to get schools open.

Charter schools work, so lets give the children of Guam the opportunity to thrive. We know that it works, and weve seen it work, stated Barnes. I want to thank the author of this legislation who had the will and the drive to work with the community and to bring this legislation to the floor.
A man accused of being involved in two police chases in a month was arrested after being discharged from Guam Memorial Hospital on Friday.

Michael Pablo Castro, 47, was charged with two counts of theft by receiving as a second-degree felony, terrorizing as a third-degree felony, two counts of eluding a police officer as a misdemeanor and two counts of reckless driving with property damage as a petty misdemeanor.

At 7:35 a.m. July 12, police officers patrolling in Tamuning saw a 2022 Nissan Kicks rental car that had been reported stolen from the Pacific Islands Club parking lot in February, according to a magistrates complaint.

The officers tried to stop the car near Harmon Loop Road, but the driver refused to stop, and disobeyed traffic light signals and forced other vehicles off the road while fleeing from police, according to a magistrates complaint.

The car crashed into a police vehicle, and officers were eventually able to corner it on Francisca Robit Street in Yigo, the complaint stated. Castro was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital, where he was discharged Friday.

Last month, Castro was taken to Guam Regional Medical City after being involved in another chase, but he fled while in the hospitals care, according to the complaint.

On June 23, police on patrol near Wusstig Road tried to stop a white sedan that was driving at a high rate of speed. As the driver eluded police, he veered into oncoming lanes of traffic and accelerated to speeds between 85 and 105 mph, the complaint stated.

The driver, later identified as Castro, lost control of the vehicle and struck a Guam Power Authority pole. Passenger Joseph Taimanglo II was arrested in connection with drug possession.

The terrorizing charge is related to a May 10 incident in which Castro was accused of brandishing what appeared to be a handgun as two men sat in a vehicle in front of a Mongmong house.

According to the complaint, Castro told police he pulled out a fake gun and pointed it at the men in the car because he was afraid he was going to get jumped.
As Guam continues to host migrants under the Compact of Free Association, Del. James Moylan is continuing to advocate for proper reimbursements for Guam, which can go up to a total of $36 million.

This funding may potentially be lost if it is not addressed soon as the initial proposed federal budget for Fiscal Year 2024 zeroed out the annual $30 million funding to US territories that host Compact of Free Association migrants. These territories include Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. It also removed the $6 million discretionary funding.

Moylan had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Carmen Cantor on July 22, on Guam to address these issues. Sec. Haaland and her team were on Guam as part of their visits to the insular areas and COFA nations.

A couple of months ago, during an oversight hearing, I had invited Secretary Haaland to Guam, so she could see and learn firsthand some of the impacts which federal policies have on Guam, stated Del. Moylan. As the department with direct purview over the territories, it is vital that they understand our needs, such as why reimbursements for COFA are critical for our island.

Moylan continues to work with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Insular Affairs to identify an offset of $16 million to ensure that Guam receives a one-year extension of COFA reimbursements.

Meanwhile, the House Natural Resources Committee, which Moylan has a seat on, is working with the Biden Administration on the renewals of the COFA agreements for the next 20 years. The current agreements expire on Sept. 30, so the administrations budget did not include reimbursements for COFA host communities.

Along with our discussions on COFA, the meeting comprised of our efforts to work with Appropriations to find offsets for reimbursement, the need to prioritize the return of excess land and seeking other funding opportunities, added Moylan. As a former Member of Congress, Secretary Haaland can relate to the challenges of moving policy, and hence building these direct relationships with the executive branch can aid in the process of addressing priorities for ones district. We will continue to do this for Guam.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio also met with Haaland and Cantor on Saturday, along with Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison Erika L. Moritsugu.

Additional information about their interaction can be found here.
Zurich, 24 July 2023  Silvio Denz, majority shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lalique Group SA (SIX: LLQ), active in the creation, development, marketing and global sales of luxury goods, has reached an agreement with Muller Handels AG Schweiz for the latter to buy 600,000 of the company shares held by him, thus reducing his shareholding to 50.1%.

Silvio Denz: I am delighted to welcome Muller Handels AG Schweiz and, with it, such a well-respected entrepreneur and associate of many years as Erwin Muller, as an additional anchor shareholder to Lalique Group. We are thus further diversifying our shareholder base, while I will continue to hold the majority in the company in the future.

Muller Handels AG Schweiz, with registered offices in Oberentfelden, is the Swiss arm of the enterprise established by Erwin Muller in 1953 near Ulm that, with its drugstore chain, today operates around 900 branches in the German-speaking markets, Eastern Europe and Spain. Lalique Group works with Muller in the distribution of perfume and sun protection products and will consider further collaboration opportunities.

The sale of the stake will be completed in the next few days. Once the transaction has been concluded, Silvio Denzs shareholding in Lalique Group will reduce to 50.1% and Muller Handels AG Schweiz will have a stake of 8.3%. Dharampal Satyapal Limited holds 12.3%, Hansjorg Wyss holds 6.3%, and Ayman, Faisal, Mohammed and Maanoun Tamer hold 3.3% in Lalique Group via MAG Seven Ltd.




Haiti - Crisis : 2nd negotiation session, CARICOM prefers to speak of some progress than failure...





The CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) visited Haiti from July 12 to 15, 2023, as agreed at the end of the meeting of Haitian stakeholders in Jamaica from June 11 to 13, 2023 cours-du-pm.html to continue its facilitation of the inter-Haitian dialogue based on the results of the meeting in Jamaica.



Emphasis was placed on the main proposals presented in Jamaica. These included commitments made by Prime Minister Henry to expand the High Transitional Council and form a Government of National Unity in response to the call for greater inclusion. Concerned about the sweeping powers enjoyed by the prime minister, the main opposition political and civil society parties had proposed a governance framework closer to the intent and spirit of the constitution by proposing the formation of a presidential college alongside a prime minister. They also stressed the importance of confidence-building measures. To better complete their position, they joined forces and signed the Kingston Joint Declaration at the end of the meeting in Jamaica



During this visit, in addition to the exchanges with the Prime Minister and the main political and civil society actors, the EPG met representatives of the business community and a group of people specialized in security, human rights and marginalized social groups whose ideas were useful.



Aware that the mediation effort would take time, the EPG rather than speaking of failure https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40038-haiti-news-zapping.html the Group has focused on the discussion process in order to put in place a mechanism to move forward given the difficulties inherent in negotiations involving a large number of protagonists. The objective has been achieved to some extent . The principle of reducing the negotiating group of government, opposition and civil society representatives to a manageable size was more or less accepted, pending the outcome of internal consultations by one of the three groups on a revised draft process protocol.



Progress has also been made in reducing the points to be negotiated. Other positives included broad agreement on the issue of expanding the High Transitional Council and greater cohesion on security, the issue being not the need for security assistance but what form it should take.



The EPG recommended that the discussions between the different groups that have taken place since the meeting in Jamaica continue in order to reduce the differences between the protagonists. He also stressed the importance of confidence building by the government. The EPG has informed that it will return to Haiti in the coming weeks to renew its facilitation efforts .



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40038-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39779-haiti-politic-ariel-henry-back-from-jamaica-empty-handed-video-speech.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39754-haiti-politic-opening-of-the-summit-on-the-haitian-crisis-in-jamaica-pm-speech.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















By Aisha Adnan | Published on 2023/07/23

The stage drama, "Drama Stage 2021 - Attention Hog" (2021) captured the dark reality of human nature in a span of an hour. Brewed with comedy and a dark persona, "Drama Stage 2021 - Attention Hog" is a masterpiece Han Cinema wishes to recall.

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Yoo Ha-na (Ahn So-hee) was an influencer who created vlogs, showcasing her supposed daily life. She pretended to be a golden spoon who had no care in the world. This, though, soon backfires when she gets kidnapped during one of her live streams.

Kang Tae-soo (Kwak Dong-yeon)'s was in ruins because of debts. After his father's death, he struggled day to day but found no way out. He even had to give up his dream of becoming a civil servant. He soon gets hired by another influencer, Kim Seong-pil (Song Duk-ho) to kidnap Yoo Ha-na. Tae-soo's timid behavior played a comic role, and we couldn't help but adore him. After he kidnaps Ha-na, he tries his level best to intimidate her, but his clumsiness makes it impossible.

These three characters showcased different struggles and how they coped. And the need for attention. Seong-pil was an influencer who would expose other celebrities. He held no remorse and the idea of fame drove him over the edge.

Ha-na's reason for the attention was different. Being an influencer was more than just a career. By presenting herself as rich, she lived in another world. Somehow, this made her feel as if she was really rich. In fact, she was drowning in depth. But the delusion kept her going. After being kidnapped, her delusional world was threatened. This pushes her to the extent of harming someone.

Tae-soo wanted attention too. He wanted this struggle to be recognised. In the end, he uploads the video of being attacked because he didn't want to disappear just like that.

Attention, the need to be known or how to be known in society. Whilst some want to cry about their struggles, some wish to hide their ugliness. "Drama Stage 2021 - Attention Hog" has made us wonder....is attention a human need?

By Aisha Adnan

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"Drama Stage 2021 - Attention Hog" is directed by Lee Ye-rim-IV, written by Lee Bom-I, and features Ahn So-hee, Kwak Dong-yeon, Song Duk-ho, Ji Dae-han, Shin Yeon-woo-II. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/03/17, Wed 00:10 on tvN.
Published on 2023/07/24 | Source

New poster added for the upcoming Korean movie "Hail to Hell" (2022)

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Directed by Lim Oh-jeong

With Oh Woo-ri, Bang Hyo-rin, Jung Yi-ju, Park Sung-hoon, Lee Joo-won-I,...

Synopsis

Wait, this isn't what we expected, should we change the plan?

Na-mi and Seon-woo, the outcasts in school, plan to commit suicide instead of going to the school trip. On the moment of success, they find out that the girl, Chae-rin, who made their lives miserable is living a new happy life in Seoul. So, they decide to make revenge before ending their lives. However, when they finally spot Chae-rin, they see a good-hearted girl in front of them which makes their plans go awry. But something seems to be strange about the religious institution she's staying in and they start to think whether they should save Chae-rin from this weird place.

Release date in Korea : 2023/08/16
Published on 2014/11/07 | Source

Added the upcoming Korean movie "My Sister - The Never Ending Story of a Sex Toy"'s page to HanCinema database

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"My Sister - The Never Ending Story of a Sex Toy" (2014)

Directed by Lee Je-rak

With Oh Gwang-rok, Ji Sung-won,...

Synopsis

What happened to her? The truth behind the hidden case is revealed!

Music student Yeon-seo heads to Seoul to meet her sister. She's almost there,until she sees her sisters body surrounded by people and policemen. The police clarified her death as suicide and wraps it up. However, Yeon-seo feels there's something more to it then what can be seen and starts digging through the case herself. Detective Kim pays attention and starts reinvestigating the case. The more they dig, the more heartbreaking and shocking news they find...

Release date in Korea : 2014/12/04
Hackers that specialize in ransomware have found that many major cargo container ports have computerized their record keeping. Ports which adopted these software systems find they have a time and cost advantage over ports that still use manual systems. This caused a rush by port operators to adopt the port management software. The benefits of this software were immediately felt. It was now much easier to track the location and progress of individual containers from the container ship to the transportation company that is picking up the container and transporting it by road or rail to the customer.

Less attention was paid to the vulnerability of the new port management software to attacks by hackers. These outlaw software developers created software that could be secretly installed within the port management code and render the port management software unusable until a ransom was paid. Port managers were warned about the risks of such attacks and how they could protect themselves by promptly updating and patching their port management software as well as adding additional hardware and software to keep hackers out. The ransomware hackers tend to go after the ports with the most vulnerable software systems.

Some nations with major container ports have made extraordinary efforts to deal with port management software vulnerability. An example of this is how, for over a decade, the U.S. Coast Guard has been trying to get a better idea of what potential problems ports and large ships face from hackers. In 2013 the Coast Guard established a Cyber Command. The new CGCC (Coast Guard Cyber Command) quickly discovered that they were barely aware of the extent of the vulnerabilities they were responsible for finding and reporting on.

CGCC was responsible for inspecting large container, oil and dry cargo ships that increasingly depend on networked automation systems to run the ships. Ports also have networked software systems for rapidly identifying, unloading and moving cargo out of the port. It was only in the last six years the shipping companies and port operators realized how vulnerable they were. In 2020 Israel attacked the computerized network that handled the management of a major Iranian cargo port, seriously disrupting port operations for several days. This was in retaliation for less successful Iranian attacks on Israeli utilities. In 2017 Maersk, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, handling about a fifth of global maritime trade, was hit with a ransomware attack. Maersk has operations in 76 ports worldwide and over 800 large container ships. The software attacks had encrypted all the network files and the hackers demanded $16 million in bitcoin for the decrypt keys. Maersk was advised it was safer to rebuild their network, a process that took ten days and cost Maersk over $200 million in losses due to delayed cargoes. A variant of that software destroys rather than encrypts files and was used by Russia against Ukraine in 2018.

Within the United States, the Port of Kennewick in Washington State was hit with a ransomware attack in late 2020. The hackers demanded $200,000 for the decrypt keys. The port refused and spent more than a month rebuilding their systems. These ransomware attacks have led to ports and shipping companies paying more attention to defenses and preparations to deal with attacks. The United States is particularly vulnerable to such attacks because maritime commerce depends on a lot of rivers with choke points. A targeted attack in ship automation systems could cause ships to run aground or sink at choke points and halt movement for days, weeks or months.

The CGCC was able to establish three CPTs (Cyber Protection Teams) in 2020 to handle inspections of ports and, eventually, ships. The Coast Guard had problems finding people who had the technical skills to handle the CPT work, and eventually offered direct commissions for qualified civilians to become officers in the CPTs without going through the usual lengthy process of becoming a Coast Guard officer.

At the same time CGCC found there was a lot more to inspect than anticipated. This was a shock because for over a century Coast Guard inspection teams have been inspecting ships and ports for problems. Twenty years ago, these inspectors noted that more ships and ports were depending on computerized systems, as was the Coast Guard on its own ships. For a while the inspections were adequate for this. Then the extent of the automation and use of worldwide networks escalated beyond anything the Coast Guard was able to handle. That led to the CGCC and the discovery that a solution to the problem was far more difficult to implement than anyone ever imagined. The port operators and shipping companies may have had misgivings about these larger and more expensive systems, but they did work and greatly reduced the cost of running ships and ports. Those who hesitated in adopting the new systems found themselves losing business.

CGCC found that they were just not facing the need to protect American ports and ships they inspected but also a new threat; deliberate cyber-attacks on ship and port networks to greatly reduce the ability to move cargo. This was a new, worldwide vulnerability in which defense was a lot more difficult and offensive use of these hacks. CGCC is trying to establish minimum standards for what ports and ships must meet and CGCC inspectors can verify. This is not a solution but it is a step in that direction because it will detect the ports and ships that are most vulnerable to attacks.

CGCC is trying to steadily improve and expand its inspections but is up to commercial software developers to come up with better security for the networking and control systems they sell to port operators and shipping companies.
After supporting the ASTRE program called "Novissi", the World Bank reiterates its commitments to Togo

After acknowledging its financial support for the implementation of the Transformative Social Assistance for Resilience (ASTRE) program called "Novissi", the World Bank is staying the course. The new Director of Operations, Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira confirmed on Friday July 21, her good intentions to the Head of State, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, during an audience in Lome.

The interview, part of the presentation tour of the official to the highest authorities of the country, was an opportunity to take stock of the partnership between the two parties, to congratulate the Togolese leader, and to discuss the next deadlines.

We are preparing the new partnership strategy between the World Bank Group and Togo. It was also an opportunity for me to listen to the President of the Republic, to understand his priorities as defined in the governments roadmap, and to see how the World Bank will stand alongside the Togolese people, explained the Rwandan-born economist.

The new framework, whose consultations were launched a few months ago, intends to align itself with the strategic priorities of the government, and to comply with the countrys development vision.

The previous one, rolled out over the 2017-2022 period, has made it possible to commit more than $1.3 billion in three areas of intervention : private sector performance and job creation, the provision of inclusive public services to strengthen human capital, and environmental sustainability and resilience.

Source : Republiquetogolaise.com

Translation : T228
By Tim Gardner

Dogwood Health Trusts mission is to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all people and communities in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina. In total, Dogwood made more than $81 million in total community investments last year, according to its recently released annual report.

That included a total of $1,477,451.00 for Avery County.

The $1.4 million given to Avery County includes grants to its based nonprofits as well as other organizations that serve the county, but are based elsewhere.

Dogwood Health Trust provided grants totaling $726,760.00 to four organizations based in Avery County. Those organizations and the total grant amounts received were:

*The Crossnore School & Childrens Home  $468,600.00

*YMCA of Avery County  $160,000.00

*Feeding Avery Families  $10,000.00

*OASIS  $88,160.00

There are additional organizations outside of Avery County, but operate across several counties and can use a percentage of the funds to support work in Avery County.

Headquartered in Asheville, Dogwood Health Trust invested $73 million in traditional grant awards, nearly $800,000 in grant-writing and capacity building support, and $5.4 million in impact investments, in 2022. Dogwood Health Trust also adopted a new grantmaking approach that consists of two grant cycles for its four strategic priority areas  housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness  and rolling applications for other opportunities. The new process helps clarify timelines so partners can better plan and prepare applications, according to a news release from the organization.

Dogwoods third full year of operation in 2022 saw considerable progress across the region, thanks to the work of hundreds of partners, said Dr. Susan Mims, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dogwood Health Trust. Our investments are built upon the trusting relationships weve cultivated with our partners to support their community-focused and community-led work. They continue to go beyond business as usual to create innovative and collaborative solutions to many of the challenges our region faces in terms of housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness.

In addition to providing funding, Dogwood released five commissioned reports in 2022 and hosted webinars with research experts to share the contents with the community, which initiated additional conversations within groups across the region. The reports included: A landscape analysis of K-12 education; An examination of the North Carolina TEACH early childhood scholarship program; The current early care and education landscape in Western North Carolina; Western North Carolina capital landscape assessment; and Opportunities for AgriFood tech in Western North Carolina.

Additionally, the North Carolina Rural Center (NCRC) has received $1 million from the Dogwood Health Trust to expand its Collaborative Broadband Initiative to 18 counties in Western North Carolina, including Avery.

The other counties it also covers includes: Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.

Bill Holmes, Senior Director of Communications for the NC Rural Center said of the Collaborative Broadband Initiative: Were really honored that the Dogwood Health Trust has given us this opportunity to support the work that so many others are doing, including local governments, councils of governments, nonprofits, and businesses. Were hoping to help them continue the improvements theyve been making to improve broadband service in Western North Carolina.

Avery County officials have prioritized obtaining Broadband Internet service for all the countys residents and businesses and have used county funds and grant money to achieve that goal.

Averys Board of Commissioners has committed $3,000,000.00 of the American Rescue Act funds to implement the Connectivity Access Broadband (CAB) Internet program in the county. The CAB Program is a competitive bidding program that provides an opportunity for individual North Carolina County governments to partner with the North Carolina Department of Internet Technology (NCDIT) to fund broadband infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas of each county.

Avery County is also a beneficiary of a grant that Spectrum was awarded that will bring gigabit high-speed internet access to more than 230 homes and small businesses in Avery County. Its funded by the North Carolina Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Program and is approximately $2.25 million in value. Combined with funding from the County of $250,000, that was used from the Federal American Rescue Plan (Coronavirus Pandemic Recovery) money it received, the total project investment is nearly $2.65 million ($2,646,740.00 precisely).

Spectrum is part of Charter Communications, Inc., an American telecommunications and mass media company. Its services are branded as Spectrum. Its Fiber-Optic buildout will connect Gigabit Broadband in the county with starting speeds of 300 Megabits per second (Mbps).

The GREAT grant is one of nine already awarded to Spectrum to expand fiber-optic broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that currently lack access to high-speed connection. Spectrum is North Carolinas largest broadband provider, serving 2.8 million customers and employing nearly 11,000 residents in the state.

All our citizens and businesses, other county officials and myself are deeply appreciative of the grants and funds Avery has received from Dogwood Trust for various needs, including Broadband Internet, as well as those from the NC Rural Center, Spectum, and other entities that are helping get Broadband service throughout our county. In fact, we could never thank them enough, said Martha Hicks, Chairwoman of the Avery County Board of Commissioners.

Patrick Woodie, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Center, stated: The timing of this grant could not come at a more important time in North Carolina. Properly advising and engaging our rural communities and broadband service providers will help assure no one is behind in a globally connected economy.

Broadband access has an impact in every one of Dogwood Health Trusts strategic priority areas  housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness, Mims also noted. The issue of access, especially in rural areas, is something that no single organization can address alone, so we are delighted to support the expansion of this collaborative approach in Western North Carolina.

North Carolina will get $1.5 billion from the National Telecommunications and Information Administrations (NITA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding. The state is also conducting several other initiatives that will improve broadband coverage, digital equity, and digital literacy.

The Rural Center has operated its broadband initiative in 15 counties in northeastern North Carolina since 2022. The program helps with infrastructure mapping, public engagement, developing action teams and action plans and working with last-mile broadband service providers.

According to NC Rural Center officials, the work in Western North Carolina will begin on August 1.

The NC Rural Center has worked for the past 36 years (since 1987) to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. The Rural Center serves the states 78 rural counties of its total 100 counties, with a special emphasis on people with low-to-moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.

To learn more about Dogwood Health Trust, log onto its web site: dogwoodhealthtrust.org; call (828) 771-6710; or via U.S. Mail at Dogwood Health Trust, 890 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. More details about the North Carolina Rural Center can be obtained on its web site (ncruralcenter.org), by calling (919) 250-4314; or through U.S. Mail at NC Rural Center, 4021 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610.

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By Tim Gardner

The two-week filing period for Tuesday, November 7, 2023 partisan and non-partisan municipal (city, town and village) General Election in North Carolina began at 12:00 noon Friday, July 7 and closed on Friday, July 21 at 12:00 noon. A total of 33 candidates filed in Avery County.

All those who filed for a municipal government position in the state were required do so in person at the Board of Election Office in the county in which he or she resides.

Avery County has eight townshipsNewland, Banner Elk, Elk Park, Crossnore, Village of Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Village of Grandfather, and Seven Devils. Mayoral seats will be on the ballot in five of those townships and Town Council, Council Member or Alderman seats will be voted on in all of them.

Newland will have three town council seats open. Banner Elk will have three town council seats and the mayors seat open. Crossnore will have the mayor and three town council seats available. Elk Park will have the most governmental seats available as all five town council seats are open, as well as the mayors seat. The Village of Sugar Mountain will have two town council seats and the mayors seat available. The Village of Grandfather will have two council member seats and the mayors seat open. Beech Mountain will have four town council seats availablethree for regular terms and one to fill an unexpired term. Three town council seats will be open in Seven Devils.

Some sections of Beech Mountain and Seven Devils are in Avery County and other parts are in Watauga County. Voters in those elections must cast their ballots in the county in which they reside.

There will only be non-partisan elections and no second or runoff races in any Avery municipal election. Any opposed candidate who wins by just one vote will be elected.

It cost $5.00 to file to run in a municipal election in North Carolina.

The complete list of all Avery County Municipal Elections candidates for each township as per the Avery County Board of Elections includes:

Town of Banner Elk Mayor-

Brenda Lyerly (Incumbent)

Town of Banner Elk Town Council Member-

Charles Banner VonCanon (Incumbent)

David Lecka (Incumbent)

Town of Beech Mountain Town Council-

M.W. Stanford

Robert McMichael

Allen Villanova

Susan Jones

Town of Beech Mountain Town Council (Unexpired)-

Kelly McLang (Incumbent)

Town of Crossnore Mayor-

Eddie Yarber (Incumbent)

Town of Crossnore Alderman-

Terry Smith (Incumbent)

Roy Ingram (Incumbent)

Jesse C. Smith (Incumbent)

Town of Elk Park Mayor-

Daniel Boone (Incumbent)

Town of Elk Park Council Member-

Alice Whittington (Incumbent)

Darlene Hicks (Incumbent)

Tony Eller (Incumbent)

Mike Smith (Incumbent)

Brad Benfield

Joel Whitley (Incumbent)

Village of Grandfather Village Mayor-

Richard C. Norman (Incumbent)

Village of Grandfather Village Council-

Stephen Hawes

Charles (Chuck) Fuller (Incumbent)

Town of Newland Council Member-

Kenan Foxx

David P. Calvert

Gail Haller (Incumbent)

Nancy E. Davis

Christian (Christie) Hughes (Incumbent)

Town of Seven Devils Town Council-

Larry Fontaine (Incumbent)

Bob Bridges

Wayne L. Bonomo (Incumbent)

Village of Sugar Mountain Mayor-

Gunther Jochl (Incumbent)

Village of Sugar Mountain Council Member-

Dick Casey (Incumbent)

Wade Wittman (Incumbent)

Voting on General Election Day may be done from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at each townships voting site.

Beginning with this years municipal elections, North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo Identification (ID) when they vote. To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, a voter must live in that municipality for at least thirty (30) days (October 8) before General Election Day. The voter registration deadline is twenty-five (25) days (October 13) before General Election Day. Voter Registration Forms must be received in the Elections Office or postmarked by the deadline. Each voter will be sent a voter card showing his/her assigned voting precinct.

Other eligibility guidelines to vote in North Carolinas municipal elections, include that a voter must:

*Be a citizen of the United States

*Be a resident of North Carolina and their voting township for at least 30 days prior to an election

*Be at least 18 years of age by the next General Election

*Not be registered to vote in another township

*If convicted of a felony, have had his or her citizenship rights restored

Voter registration in Avery County may be done at the Avery County Board of Elections office, located in the Avery County Court House at 200 Montezuma Street, Suite #307, in Newland. It is generally open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Those eligible may also register to vote in North Carolina at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office when conducting official DMV business, or at another state agency when applying for benefits.

One stop, early voting begins Thursday, October 19 and ends Saturday, November 4 in Avery County, and may be conducted at the Board of Elections office.

Specific early voting dates and times for the 2023 municipal elections in Avery County include:

Thursday, October 19 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Friday, October 20 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Monday, October 23 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 24 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 25 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 26 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Friday, October 27 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Monday, October 30 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 31 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 1 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 2 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Saturday November 4 8:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m.

On Friday, October 6, County Boards of Elections will begin mailing absentee ballots for November municipal elections to eligible voters who submitted an absentee ballot request. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request Form. Absentee ballots can be accessed online through the North Carolina State Board of Elections web site at: ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail

After completing, submit the form to the county board of elections or in person or by mail via the U.S. Postal Service, Global Logistics and International Shipping (DHL), Federal Express (FedEx), or United Parcel Service (UPS).

The status of a requested absentee ballot can be tracked from printed to accepted by signing up online for status notifications through BallotTrax, which will be available 30 days prior to each election in 2023.

Tuesday, October 31 at 5:00 p.m. is the Civilian Absentee Ballot request deadline for November municipal elections. And Tuesday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. is the Civilian Absentee Ballot return deadline. A Civilian Absentee Ballot is for anyone who is not military or overseas using an absentee ballot.

Further information about the Avery County municipal elections may can be obtained in person at the Elections Office or by calling (828) 733-8282.

Additional details about 2023 State of North Carolina Municipal Elections can be accessed by logging online to: ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming election.

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Coming to Blowing Rock this week? Stop by Edgewood Cottage and visit Kathryn Regel, mixed media and pencil drawing artist, and Waitsel Smith, watercolorist and oils, from today, July 24, through July 30.

Carriage House by Waitsel Smith

North Carolina artist Waitsel Smith is a visual artist living in Lenoir with over 30 years experience painting the people and places of North Carolina. Working in oil and watercolors, hes considered a master landscape, portrait and figure painter who has also done commissions in pastel, ink, charcoal, pencil and mixed media. Waitsel has enjoyed success as a commercial illustrator, including work for the Travel Channel and Discovery Channel.

Kathryn Regel has been described as a weaver of stories; her work is a unique combination of art, memories and ancestry. Technically, Kathryn combines old family photos with current-day prints to make a storyeither real or imagined. She adds images of maps, news clippings, advertisements, sewing patterns, stamps and anything else that she feels go with the stories. She then paints the layers together with acrylic paint to make it seem like a seamless picture.

www.kathrynregel.com

Instagram: @kathrynregel

Legend by Kathryn Regel

Come meet and enjoy Waitsels N.C. Wyeth style of painting and Kathryns singular art at Edgewood Cottage from July 24 through July 30.

For a complete schedule of artists at Edgewood Cottage, please see artistsatedgewood.org.

Courtesy of Edgewood Cottage.

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By Peter Morris

The Sound of Freedom is being heard from coast-to-coast as the often maligned yet rousingly praised film takes on the likes of Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning), Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) and Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer,) all theoretically summer blockbusters. The big question is, how can a movie with a paltry budget of $15 million (pocket change for Hollywood elites) hope to succeed against productions costing hundreds of millions of dollars?

Well, it handily won the first two weekends after its July 4th release as it toppled Indiana Jones latest adventure. Today, mere days later in July, its take is over $110 millionand counting.

In our nations crazy political climate, Sound of Freedom has become a hot potato of sorts. Major television news organizations, newspapers and magazines, and even California film conglomerates have panned it, yet American audiences are taking it to heart and flocking to theatres.

The subject on which Sound of Freedom rises or falls is an emotional roller coaster of a ride, child sexual trafficking. The film begins with a father dropping off his two children in a building containing what appears to be classrooms, this after being persuaded by a sultry woman that both have the look of models-to-be. Pick them up at seven, the dad is told. Upon his return, he finds the building empty. His son and daughter have been abducted, soon to entertain in the world of child sexual predators.

Taking on filmdoms big boys of summer, star Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) plays the part of Tim Ballard, an ex-CIA and Homeland Security agent who left his government position eight months shy of retirement to literally save children abducted by traffickers in Honduras and Columbia. Its a true story which became a reality by both Ballard and a host of somewhat questionable and unsavory characters who took up his cause.

Sound of Freedom, despite its horrific subject matter, is a powerful blending of what might be called a documentary expose combined with searing action and adventure. Yet, surprisingly, its rated PG13, with minimal objectionable scenes and dialog unlikely to offend most viewers.

While most Americans seem unaware of this nations seamy underside where young children are routinely abducted for a life in the sex trade either in this country or in a worldwide host of other nations, Sound of Freedom seeks to lay bare the facts and court intervention. As the film points out, there is more sex (and other) slavery in the world today than ever before in history. The United States, we are told, is highly ranked in the world economy that exists until age makes worn-out children less desirable.

Although Sound of Freedom is quickly being labeled a Christian movie, its far from the old Billy Graham films of yesteryear, in which bad people never utter a vile word or really seem to be sinfully unlikeable. Its powerful, a must see film which should be viewed by every American, regardless of political bent.

As star Jim Caviezel states, Gods children are not for sale!Caviezel noted at the films end that Sound of Freedom might be The Uncle Toms Cabin of the 21st century. We believe this movie has the power to be a huge step forward towards ending child trafficking, he added, but it will only have that effect if millions of people see it. Sound of Freedom stars Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino and Bill Camp, with directing and co-writing byAlejandro Monteverde.

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What the police communicated sounds really outrageous, she commented to Helsingin Sanomat in Spain on Friday. That we have groups that want to erode society by means of violent acts  thats concerning.

MINISTER of the Interior Mari Rantanen (PS) says the details provided by police about a far-right terror plot are disturbing and should be taken very seriously.

All radical groups and movement should be taken seriously. Whatever the direction, you should also be concerned about this kind of activity.

Hame Police Department and the National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) on Thursday revealed that they are set to wrap up two pre-trial investigations firearms offences committed with terrorist intent and training for committing a terrorist offence. The investigations were conducted in close co-operation with many other police departments and the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo).

The offences are believed to have taken place in and around Lahti in 20222023.

Three of the four Finnish men suspected in the case are 2030 years old and one over 60 years old. The men are believed to have formed a radical far-right group and manufactured semi-automatic carbines with a 3D printer as part of a plan to carry out several attacks, including against infrastructure and policy makers.

Police officers confiscated four 3D-printed carbines, numerous 3D-printed firearm parts and over 1,500 cartridges, as well as a rifle, a home-made pen gun and a gas weapon that had been converted into a regular firearm, during the pre-trial investigation.

The suspects motives and manufacture of firearms were rooted in accelerationist ideology, which seeks to use various means to facilitate and support developments resulting in the collapse of society, commented Tuomas Kuure, a detective chief inspector at Hame Police Department.

All four suspects were in pre-trial detention in the second half of last year and one again in the first half of this year after he continued manufacturing firearms and training for a terrorist offence after his release.

Police are under the impression that the targets of the planned violent attacks were selected based on their colour of skin, political or other ideological opinions. In addition to people, the suspects in their discussions planned attacks against different parts of infrastructure, including the electricity grid and railway network, said Kuure.

Police on Thursday said at a press conference that the suspects had identified as their targets two political decision makers, one at the national level and the other at the local level. Kuure told YLE that although the suspects had discussed a number of policy makers as possible targets, the pre-trial investigation did not produce proof of actual preparations for an aggravated offence against life or death.

The suspects, he added, used accelerationist terms such as siege, acceleration and race war, noting that the manufacture of firearms should be started before a race war broke out.

The pre-trial investigations are about to be wrapped up and forwarded to a prosecutor for consideration of charges.

Rantanen on Friday expressed her alarm about the targeting of policy makers.

Its highly alarming if these types of actors intend to direct attacks at politicians. Its very condemnable and a very alien notion in Finnish society. In Finland, you have to be able to serve as a politician without the threat of violence, she said to Helsingin Sanomat. We have such a good society that even our president can have a cup of coffee at the market place in relative peace. Itd be preferable that we have this kind of a political culture also in the future.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
In the months of July and August , the demand for Helsinki Metropolitan Area student housing from the Helsinki Student Housing Foundation (Hoas) reaches its peak. However, the availability of apartments doesn't necessarily increase during this period. So, what should one consider to secure an apartment as quickly as possible, and how long might the waiting time be?

As the last study places are confirmed in July, the search for accommodation intensifies. If you haven't submitted your housing application yet, it's crucial to do so now. However, at this point in the summer, be prepared for the possibility of waiting a few months for an apartment. The sooner you submit your application, the better your chances of securing a place.

Hoas Communication Manager Saara Saksanen advises, "You can and should update your application at this stage, even if you submitted it earlier. You can speed up the process of getting an apartment by adding different areas and types of apartments to your application."

Keep these tips in mind when applying for a student apartment in July:

Be open to different types of apartments - Those who are willing to consider options beyond studio apartments are more likely to succeed in the competitive housing market. Embrace the idea of shared living arrangements, as applying for a shared apartment usually has a higher chance of success than applying for a studio. You can apply for multiple types of apartments in the same application.

"In the most popular areas, the waiting time for a studio is usually 6 to 12 months. However, you might get a studio located outside Helsinki's city center more quickly. But the surest and fastest way to get an apartment is to apply for a shared apartment," Saksanen suggests.

Be flexible with the location - Many students hope for an apartment in Helsinki's city center or its vicinity, but these popular areas can be highly competitive, even for shared apartments. It's essential to remember that there are lovely residential areas with good transport connections elsewhere too. Therefore, consider adding as many areas as possible to your application. If you're willing to take an apartment a bit farther from the city center, your waiting time will significantly decrease.

"We receive the most applications for properties in the city center every year. However, it's worth considering other areas on the Helsinki metropolitan area as our statistics show that students enjoy living there even more than in the city center," Saksanen points out.

Apply as soon as possible - Submit your housing application as soon as you have confirmed your study place. The earlier you apply, the sooner you'll get an apartment. For students arriving from outside the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Hoas tries to prioritize them in the housing queue.

"The waiting time for an apartment depends a lot on the areas and types of apartments you've selected in your application. Don't get discouraged if you don't get a match right away. The situation improves after August and September," says Saksanen.

Hoas offers students reasonably priced rental apartments near their study locations across different parts of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. With over 10,000 apartments in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen, Hoas provides rents that are up to 30 percent lower than market prices. So, if you're still on the hunt for the perfect student accommodation, take these tips into account to secure your dream apartment as quickly as possible.

HT
Europe is facing an impending water crisis, with devastating droughts and floods causing substantial economic, social, and environmental damages. As climate change intensifies, these water-related challenges are expected to worsen. Aquatic ecosystems are already suffering from pollution and hydromorphological changes. Moreover, water scarcity has forced several European countries to impose restrictions on water usage, while drinking water systems suffer from significant leakages and losses, averaging around 25%.

At the core of these water problems lie governance challenges. Despite having technical solutions and regulatory frameworks in place, their implementation has been lacking.

Addressing these pressing water issues demands innovative solutions that improve the integration, coherence, and coordination of public policies. Active participation and collaboration from various sectors and citizens are essential throughout the policymaking process, from problem analysis to planning and evaluation. Emphasis should be placed on appropriately valuing water, including water rights, allocation mechanisms, and economic and financial schemes. Decision-making must be based on robust data and knowledge-sharing systems, fostering accountability among different stakeholders for their actions.

Focusing on 17 Sites Across 13 Countries

To tackle Europe's water challenges head-on, a cluster of three new research and innovation projects, funded under the Horizon Europe programme by the European Commission, has been initiated. These projects aim to develop, assess, and validate good practices in the aforementioned fields.

Innovative mechanisms and approaches to enhance water governance are being tested in 17 different locations across 13 EU Member States. The diverse sites range from agricultural regions to urban areas, local catchments to national-level experiences, offering a comprehensive view of the continent's water challenges.

The cases being studied cover a wide range of water-related issues:

Water allocation and reconciling competing needs are being explored in Germany, Hungary, Malta, and Spain. Water markets and tariffs are under scrutiny in France, while pricing mechanisms are being studied in Belgium. Corporate water stewardship and blended financing strategies are being tested in Finland. Water quality monitoring and management are critical areas of focus in the Netherlands and the UK. Integrated water and soil management are being studied in Slovakia, while ecosystem services and environmental restoration projects are being implemented in Italy and Romania. Sustainable hydropower initiatives are being examined in Finland and Sweden.

By conducting research and testing innovative approaches in these diverse locations, the projects aim to pave the way for improved water governance across Europe. With active engagement from various stakeholders, including policymakers, citizens, and water users, the projects seek to foster collaboration and coordination, leading to more effective and sustainable water management practices.

These initiatives are a vital step towards safeguarding Europe's water resources and building a more resilient and water-secure future for the continent. With collective efforts and innovative solutions, Europe can rise to the challenge of its water problems and ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

HT
A WOMAN from Rotherfield Peppard has completed a triathlon a year after being diagnosed with a rare liver disease.

Ginny de Haan, 63, was told she had autoimmune hepatitis in July last year and wants to raise awareness of its symptoms.

Last month, she completed the Dorney Super Sprint Triathlon and raised more than 1,000 for the British Liver Trust.

Mrs de Haan said: I had the acute version of the disease so I became very ill very quickly.

It started a couple of months beforehand with little things like achy joints but didnt connect it to liver disease straight away.

I then turned a funny colour. It looked like I had had a nice spray tan but, as it progressed, I turned orange and I looked like I had a very bad spray tan.

Mrs de Haan was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and then on to the specialist liver unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

She said: It was awful wondering what the problem was. Because I have a rare version of the disease for a long time they were struggling to find out what was wrong with me.

I have the seronegative version of autoimmune hepatitis, which only 10 per cent of sufferers have, so I was coming up negative on all the tests. Finally, after a biopsy at the London Free, they managed to work it out.

Mrs de Haan, who lives with her husband Valentine, 67, a retired officer with Thames Valley Police, said she has always been an active person, so it was a shock when she was rushed to a specialist hospital.

She said: My husband provided me with wonderful care and would travel to London to be with me every day through what was a very scary time.

Mrs de Haan was initially told that if they could not manage to reduce the inflammation in her liver, she would need to have a liver transplant, but she is now being treated with steroids and immunosuppressants.

She said: I was immensely relieved to be diagnosed and although its a lifelong condition the treatment is very simple. It could have been a lot worse.

While I had an acute version of the condition for many people it can be a silent thing and they wont pick up on the symptoms causing permanent damage to the liver.

Mrs de Haan, who previously worked for Slough Borough Council, has been a governor at Peppard Primary School, which her daughter Melissa attended, but is having to step down due to the side effects of her condition.

She said: Thats the sad thing about it, it can be a bit erratic and can flare up at certain points, so I have to be careful of how much I take on.

Six months after being diagnosed I realised that I was still terribly tired because of the combination of medication and adjusting to having a lifelong condition.

Mrs de Haan said she realised the need to look after herself and so decided to challenge herself to complete a triathlon.

She began training at Caversham Lakes in readiness for the event at Dorney, which comprised a 450m swim, 10km cycle and a 2.5km run.

Mrs de Haan said: The swimming was one of the biggest challenges for me because I am not a very strong swimmer.

I havent really done a lot of open water swimming before, but I love it. Its very different from swimming in a pool.

I am cautious of swimming in the river because they tend to be dirtier, and my condition means my immune system is not as strong, but lakes tend to be a bit cleaner.

I could do all of the disciplines separately but the big challenge is putting them all together. I had real jelly legs after the biking, which made it hard.

Mrs de Haan completed it on what was the UKs joint hottest day of the year with temperatures reaching 32.2C in some areas of the country.

It was so hot that the lake was actually warm. she said. It was so incredibly hot that after I finished the biking, I had a big bottle of iced water which I threw over myself instead of drinking.

It was a huge challenge, especially in the heat but I finished it and my husband ran the last 100 metres with me.

Mrs de Haan asked for sponsorship and raised more than 1,000 for the British Liver Trust.

She said: They do an amazing job. They provide things like mobile liver scans and raise awareness of the symptoms and importance of early detection.

There are so many different types of liver disease and with the promotions from the trust it is becoming more topical.

For more information, visit

britishlivertrust.org.uk
 ....     -   6   China International Import Expo
When His Majesty the King graced this years Police Day celebration and pass-out parade, he was emphatic about respect for the rule of law in Eswatini.

Among other things he said at the colourful occasion was warning the new constables, who were until Friday known as recruits, to ensure that while carrying out their duties, they did everything by the book. In siSwati, he said, Nikhumbule, ke maphoyisa nisenta umsebenti wenu, kutsi kute lokwentekako lapha kaNgwane kungakalandzelwa umtsetfo. Kute lokwentiwa ngephansi kwematafula (Bear in mind, as you carry out your respective duties that in Eswatini, everything is done in accordance with the law. There are no underhanded dealings). This was a very important message, which I hope all emaSwati, especially those in the various leadership structures, took seriously.

For a very long time, Eswatini has been known as a lawless country where the rule of law is rarely adhered to. This perception got worse during the tenure of the late Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini (may his soul rest in peace) who led a government that even defied certain court rulings. To this day, the kingdom is still regarded as a country that applies the law selectively.

One of the people who should have sat up straight when the King made this warning to new police officers is Prince Simelane, the outgoing Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

The minister has a tendency to make explosive public statements at whim.

In May 2021, as the socio-political tension in the kingdom took root, he advised the countrys security forces to meet fire with fire when dealing with protesters. At the time, most of the anger was directed at the police and their handlers for the death of Thabani Nkomonye, the university student who died in a controversial traffic accident. Do not get me wrong, it was important, at the time, for the countrys leadership to pronounce itself on the chaos that was unfolding. It was important to make statements that would give assurance to those aggrieved while encouraging State security agents to ensure that law and order prevailed. We cannot take away the fact that while some emaSwati had genuine concerns, which they raised by staging marches and delivering petitions, criminal elements hijacked the situation to carry out illegal activities. It was important for the security forces, especially the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to be on guard to protect innocent life and property. However, it was not a time to add fuel to the fire. It is now grim history that the statement by Prince Simelane did not help the situation. While he cannot be solely blamed for the escalation of violence and destruction, it is a fact that the instability went on to become worse after this statement.

worrisome

The now infamous June 29, 2021 riots, which left dozens of emaSwati injured and many others crippled, occurred a few weeks after the ministers statement. Granted, when he made that worrisome statement, Prince Simelane was as frustrated as everyone else was at the time. However, as a person in a leadership position, he was supposed to stick to facts and base his statement on clear provisions of the law. Fast forward to 2023 and the same minister has made another controversial statement, this time saying protest marches, which he had unilaterally banned in urban areas back in October 2021, could now proceed. Mind you, the 2021 ban on public gatherings was not supported by the Public Order Act, 2017 which makes provision for such. The condition the minister has attached to his unbanning of public gatherings is that only between five and 10 people should be involved. So if civil servants, for example, want to approach government offices in Mbabane to deliver a petition, they have to select a maximum of 10 representatives who will march on their behalf. This, the minister says, will prevent chaos.

Once again, he has not cited any law that gives him the power to make such a proclamation. On the contrary, the same Public Order Act of 2017 and the national Constitution makes it legal for people to march, without giving any limit to the number of participants. Section 6 (1) of the Public Order Act compels the convener of any gathering to deliver a written notice of same, to the local authority not less than four days before the date of the intended gathering. Section 221 (4) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland Act, 2005 actually encourages municipalities to ensure that residents participate in public gatherings, with adherence to law and order. The subsection reads: A local government authority shall organise and promote popular participation and cooperation in respect of political, economic, cultural and social life of the area under its control.

Section 25 of the supreme law deals with the right to freedom of assembly and association. It makes no mention of the minister of Housing and Urban Development in providing that, a person has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Subsection 25 (2) provides that a person shall not, except with the free consent of that person, be hindered in the enjoyment of the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, that is to say, the right to assemble peacefully and associate freely with other persons for the promotion or protection of the interests of that person. Now, I do not want to believe that Prince Simelane makes whimsical statements without citing the law that vests such powers in him because he is a member of the royal family. I would like to think he only does so as a result of ignorance of the countrys laws.

Come to think of it, by making the most recent statement, the minister has not unbanned public gatherings. He has effectively extended the ban. As emaSwati, we know that one cannot predict or second-guess the appointing authority but the possibility exists that both Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini and Prince Simelane might return to Cabinet after September 29, 2023. If they do, Prince Simelane should guard against overstepping his boundaries and making statements that should ordinarily be made by the head of government.
In our June 2023 issue, we did a recap of sorts. We selected the best of fiction, poetry and non-fiction from the last 10 years and republished them for our readers both new and old.

Why was TBR conceived when it was? At the time, what was the literary scene like in Bangalore and the landscape of Indian lit mags in general?

The first issue of The Bangalore Literary Magazine was published on June 13, 2013. But the magazine conceptualization had begun before. Bangalore was still a small city and the literary-minded often got together either at Koshys, Airlines Hotel or at different book clubs. These were early beginnings of exchanging new ideas, and trying to do something that would give the city a new literary dimension. The founders of the magazine werent satisfied by the book club discussions, which resulted in the urge to start a new magazine that primarily published literary criticism and essays. However, soon the realisation sunk in that the takers for only literary criticism would be very few, hence the new magazine named The Bangalore Review started off with most things literary, including fiction and poetry too.

In the years around 2013, there were very few literary magazines, especially in the Indian English writing scene. In that sense, we had an edge over others. Of course, the subcontinent has a rich history of little magazines in various Indian languages, and their influence on whoever wanted to start a new magazine cannot really be denied.

You have immersed yourself in literary magazines from various bhashas. What intrigued or inspired you about those publications? In what ways did your research into bhasha lit mags spur your work at TBR?

I am a student of literature, and I am fluent in three languages other than English  Bangla, Hindi and Assamese. The vernacular languages in our country have a very rich literary tradition, much of which was to be found in the little magazines. Also, thanks to senior writers who have guided me in this journey, I found a treasure trove in these little magazines, which carried within their yellowed pages, the most adventurous, avant-garde, and experimental kind of writing. Unfortunately, this trend has drastically reduced, and some of the more well-known magazines are extinct today. You will still find many such magazines in book fairs that happen throughout the country, and in old book shops too.

I think it was in those vivid pages that my love for literature really matured and became enduring. The urge to do something different with TBR, to keep things fresh and exciting for all kinds of readers, is also partly from there I suppose.

How has TBR survived for 10 years?

The survival of any magazine in this age depends on a few factors  steady funding, good content and a dedicated team that works tirelessly behind the scenes. I am grateful that TBR has had all of these aspects going for it. Other than these aspects, we have also tried to evolve in various divergent ways. Recently, we added the TBR Talks, where we have had video discussions recorded with an expert panel on subject matters relevant to literature.

Can you share a bit more about TBR Talks and other multimedia initiatives if any?

TBR Talks is a platform for discussions, where we speak to experts in the specific areas regarding various aspects of literature. Till date, we have had discussions on translation, and on indie book publishers and sellers. These are long format discussions, where the various panellists can talk about specific areas of interest without hurry, and without the worry of being judged. We have other plans in the pipeline, hopefully with time, we shall be able to go public with them.

You have been with TBR for close to a decade. Please share a few tips for folks who want to edit or launch lit mags.

Running a literary magazine is pure love. All of us who work in the background, we do it only because we love the work. Irrespective of whether you have funding or not, the only way to be successful here is to build a good team, where each member understands their work, and is dedicated enough to be able to do their bit. Other than that, you need a steady flow of submissions, and at least some people who believe in the vision that you have. Being able to continue with a magazine for long is tough work, both financially and otherwise, so one needs to be realistic in their goals and understanding of what is achievable and what is not, before taking the plunge.

Among TBRs achievements, is its having traction among non-Indian writers; some are from the USA, Russia, and Sri Lanka, among other countries. What factors led to this?

I am not sure whether having traction amongst non-Indian writers can really be termed as an achievement, especially keeping in mind the fact that being in the internet space, the lines between what can be called as good literature or not, are not bound by geographical boundaries any more. Also, the kind of experimentation that is happening here, in what is being called the Global South, but really is the Global Majority, especially in terms of writing or translation  one cannot but be excited, to be able to publish new voices from this part of the world. Having said that, the fact that we are listed on the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) website, has definitely made a huge difference in being recognised worldwide. CLMP is a parent body of sorts that was founded in 1967. It provides resources, technical assistance, and information to literary publishers, and works in disseminating information in this field, for writers, readers, media, and the general public. The fact that we are verified by such a prestigious body, adds to the authenticity and recognition at an international level, which, in turn, results in the kind of submissions we receive from all over the world. Other than that, amongst the community of writers, the word-of-mouth reputation and the goodwill of our readers, have also sustained us I think.

The one agenda that The Bangalore Review started with, and continues till today, is that we do not judge the contributors by what they write in their bios or their cover letters. Over the years, the magazine has published people from all over the world, even those from far corners of the planet. We have published both young and old, completely new writers and seasoned ones, we have often turned down works by writers with quite a large fan following just because we did not find their particular work a fit in with our needs at the moment.

We have had a tradition of publishing people from all over the world. As long as their writing is exciting, interesting and can take risks, we will publish it. As a result, writers from all over the world find us to be an unbiased platform that treats everyone equally. I suppose the international quality of writing that we publish is probably responsible for many of the submissions from various countries.

Is it because of its access to writers from various countries that the magazine attentively and minutely explores themes of belonging, identity, migrations and transformation?

While on the internet, borders have become porous, on ground the reality of migration, political isolation and cold wars has escalated. As a literary magazine, we understand our responsibilities in unifying people through literature, languages, and universal emotions. In this regard, not only have we highlighted works that talk about themes like migration, identity and belonging, but we have a dedicated approach towards promoting more and more translations from as many languages as possible. The more people read each other, the more they understand different cultures, and this helps in building communities that are aware of each other. We also make sure that the writers we publish from different corners of the world, while speaking of local issues, also have a perspective and outlook that isnt limited.

Speaking further of culture and politics, how do you see TBR joining the current discussions over ideas of India and Indianness?

We are a literary journal, and keep to that. As a magazine, our stand is pro-literature, pro-freedom of speech, and pro-humanity. We do not feel the need to make political statements, and while we welcome any kind of well-written piece, we do not support articles that propagate any kind of hate for anyone.

Unusually for a literary magazine, TBR has recommended titles of speculative fiction, among others. Do you see TBR engaging with speculative fiction?

I do not think we have had too many pieces of speculative fiction. But as I have mentioned before, our individual editors make individual choices in their selection process, and that process is not restricted in any way.

You charge a small submission fee of three US dollars. At what point in TBRs career was the fee introduced, and why? What are other sources of funding for TBR?

I am glad you asked this question, and I get to clear the air here. Yes, we started charging a small fee a few years ago, when we introduced the Submittable software, for ease of operations, given the large number of submissions we receive. The fees for Submittable and the maintenance of the website are taken care of accordingly. Till date, we dont have any commercial advertisements on our website.

The pandemic claimed a number of Indian literary journals. Please assess the current state of Indian literary magazines, and share a few new developments of note.

Yes, it is sad that many literary journals had to close down. Some because of funding, others because, the people running them might have fallen ill, and some others because many found it difficult to simply find time.

Having said that, there are many new magazines that have also come up. These are magazines which are trying to do new things, sometimes with new people, and in new directions. Theres the example of the multi-language journal called On Eating. This delightful journal chronicles food and various sociocultural aspects associated with it. It started with a bang in the middle of the pandemic, sometime in 2021, and is still going great guns.

Would you share plans for TBRs future?

TBR hopes to continue publishing good literature from across the world, encourage new writers, and spread the love of writing and reading in the years to come. We dont really tend to do any advance planning for the future, we keep working on things and take one thing at a time, doing it slowly, diligently, and doing it with love. If we have any bright new ideas, the readers will be the first to know. Till then please keep supporting good literature, and help support the journey of magazines like TBR that work tirelessly in this domain.

Suhit Bombaywalas factual and imaginative writing appears in India and abroad. He tweets @suhitkelkar.
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Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
The finance ministry on Monday said there is no proposal to extend the deadline for the exchange of 2,000 notes beyond September 30, 2023. A woman holds  2000 notes as she exchanges demonetised notes at a bank in Chennai.(AFP File Photo)

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary replied in negative to a question about whether there is a proposal to extend the deadline for the exchange of 2000 in banks beyond September 30.

"At present, this matter is not under consideration," the minister said.

Chaudhary also replied in negative to another question about whether the government is planning to demonetise other high-denomination currency notes to eliminate black money.

The Reserve Bank, in a surprise move, on May 19 announced withdrawal of 2,000 notes from circulation but gave public time till September 30 to either deposit such notes in accounts or exchange them at banks.

According to the RBI, as much as 76 per cent of the 2,000 currency notes in circulation have either been deposited or exchanged at banks.

In value terms, 2,000 notes in circulation have come down to 84,000 crore as on June 30 from 3.56 lakh crore on the day of the announcement of withdrawal on May 19.

RBI said 87 per cent of the notes returned have been deposited in bank accounts by public while the remaining 13 per cent were exchanged by them in other denominations.

The minister further said that according to RBI, the withdrawal was a currency management operation planned to avoid any inconvenience to public or any disruption in the economy.

Further, withdrawal of 2000 banknotes has been factored in, in the current years requirement and sufficient buffer stock of banknotes in other denominations is being maintained across the country to meet exchange / withdrawal requirements.

The 2,000 denomination banknotes were introduced on November 10, 2016 to expeditiously meet the currency requirement of the economy post demonetisation of all 500 and 1,000 banknotes in circulation at that time.

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Authorities on Monday closed schools and colleges in eight districts of Karnataka as heavy rainfall persisted in several parts of the state, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for coastal districts. Shools in Karnataka closed in eight districts due to heavy rainfall, IMD issued red alert for coastal districts. (PTI)

The deputy commissioners declared holidays in Kodagu, Belagavi, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Hassan, Shivamogga, Udupi, and some taluks in Dakshina Kannada due to the incessant rainfall and flood-like situation.

The IMD issued a red alert for coastal districts, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, until Tuesday morning.

Coastal areas are expected to receive over 200 mm of rain in the next 24 hours, the department said.

The met department has also issued a warning to people living in the coastal region to avoid areas prone to waterlogging and asked them to stay away from vulnerable structures, which might collapse due to incessant rains.

The continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted normal life, with areas experiencing flooding and landslides.

According to the officials familiar with the developments, the bathing ghat of Kukke Subrahmanya temple has been submerged, with the level in Kumaradhara River rising to the danger mark, and devotees have been asked not to visit the shrine till the rain subsides.

Moreover, the Kallathigiri waterfalls in Chikkamagaluru have been closed to visitors as rains battered the district increasing the water levels. Landslides were also reported near Dattapada Road in Chikkamagaluru district. Tunga River is flowing above the danger level in Sringeri as well, officials said.

Sri Kshetra Dutta temple in Narasimha Vaadi of Chikkodi taluk has been submerged, following heavy rains. On Monday, several devotees were seen offering prayers in knee-deep waters.

As Hassan continued to receive heavy rainfall on Monday, a bridge connecting Somwarpet and Mageri was submerged with a biker stuck on the bridge. He was later rescued by residents.

In Belagavi, at least five bridges in the district have been submerged following heavy rainfall over the last two days. Several houses were also inundated in Ganesh Colony as drainage water entered low-lying areas, according to the district administration.

The North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) has issued instructions to drivers and operators, keeping in mind the safety of passengers in the wake of heavy rains. District administrations have also restricted the movement of buses and other vehicles in many areas where roads and bridges have been submerged.

In Kodagu, the Cauvery River is flowing over the danger level, triggering a flood threat. The crest gates of the Harangi reservoir were opened and more than 23,000 cusecs of water were released into the river, warning residents in low-lying areas to move to safer places. Arrangements are being made by the district administration to open a relief centre if the water level rises, officials said.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man drowned in Arasinagundi Falls near Kollur in Byndoor taluk while attempting to record a video for Instagram on Sunday evening, officials said. The incident was captured on his friends mobile phone.

The victim, identified as Sharath Kumar, is a native of Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district. According to officials, the youth and his friend, Gururaj, had trekked for about 6km to reach the waterfalls.

In the video, which has been widely shared on social media, Kumar is seen standing near the edge of the rock and watching the waterfalls, while he slips and is washed away with the heavy flow of water.

The incident occurred under the Kollur Police Station limits. The fire service personnel and Kollur police are carrying out the search operation. The family of the young man also reached Kollur on Monday.

Meanwhile, a video of a car being driven across a waterlogged bridge at Mallalli Falls in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district was widely shared on social media.

In Bengaluru city, for the next 48 hours, the met department forecast a generally cloudy sky, with light rain very likely with surface winds likely to be strong and gusty.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda held a meeting with district collectors of flood-affected areas in the wake of rain-related damages and flood-like situations in the state on Monday.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah has also sought a report on the rainfall on Monday.
Karnataka deputy CM and state Congress boss DK Shivakumar said that there is a master strategy happening in Singapore against the Congress government in Karnataka. Shivakumar made the comments when he was asked about Former CM HD Kumaraswamys recent Singapore trip, after he jointly conducted a press meet with BJPs Basavaraj Bommai last week. Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar.

Also Read - JD(S) and BJP to jointly take on Congress government, says Kumaraswamy

Speaking with the reporters, DK Shivakumar said, I have information about his (HD Kumaraswamy) visit to Singapore. Instead of rounding off a game plan here in Bengaluru, they went to Singapore to work on a strategy. We know everything. On Friday, former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai and HD kumaraswamy held a joint press conference in Bengaluru and announced that they will work together against the Congress-led government in the state on various issues. On Sunday, HD Kumaraswamy reportedly flew to Singapore for unknown reasons.

However, JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda clarified that they had no plans to form an alliance with the BJP or join NDA. 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).

Kumaraswamy had strongly opposed the deployment of IAS officers for the opposition meet in Bengaluru. Even when ten BJP MLAs were suspended from Karnataka assembly, he condemned the act and protested along with BJP leaders outside the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.lso

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Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar alleged on Monday that a conspiracy is being hatched in Singapore to topple the Congress government in the state. DK Shivakumar alleges conspiracy to topple the Congress government in Karnataka has been hatching in Singapore. (ANI)

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, I have information about HD Kumaraswamys visit to Singapore. Instead of finalising a game plan here in Bengaluru, they went to Singapore to work on a strategy. We know everything.

Shivakumar further mentioned that attempts were being made to bring down the government. This is all part of a strategy, and I have become aware of it. The plan was made in Singapore, and it is suspected that the details will come to light if it is executed in Bengaluru. I am well aware of the conspiracy against our government, and I also know what is going on, he added.

He also noted that two former adversaries were now forming an alliance. We have information about it. We dont know how successful they will be, but we are monitoring this conspiracy closely. The Congress party is in a situation where we have to be watchful of everyone.

On Friday, former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai and HD Kumaraswamy held a joint press conference in Bengaluru, announcing their decision to work together against the Congress-led government in the state on various issues.

During the conference, Kumaraswamy said, BJP is also in the Opposition, and we are also in the Opposition. We have decided to fight against this government together, both inside and outside the house. This decision has been taken for the welfare of the state.

However, Janata Dal (Secular) or JD (S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda clarified that they had no plans to form an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or join National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

He stated that the party would fight independently, and there was no question of joining the NDA or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

On Sunday, Kumaraswamy reportedly flew to Singapore for unknown reasons. A JD(S) spokesperson, who preferred not to be named, stated that Kumaraswamy had gone abroad for medical reasons, as he had done in the past. The talk of a political conspiracy is just paranoia from the Congress, the spokesperson said.

BJP Spokesperson S Prakash dismissed Shivakumars statement, saying, He is making statements without substance. If they feel that their government is unstable even with the support of 135 MLAs, it shows a lack of leadership in Congress. It is their party leader, BK Hariprasad, who said he could make or remove chief ministers, and it is not the BJP making such claims. We have the responsibility of being the Opposition.
Marathi-speaking residents in certain regions of Maharashtra are following the footsteps of Kannadigas residing in Kannada-dominated areas of Maharashtra and expressed their desire to merge with Karnataka. The decision comes in response to alleged negligence by the Maharashtra government in providing essential civic amenities and water resources to their localities, people close to the developments said. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde offered a  1,900-crore development package in the regions. (ANI)

Recently, approximately ten gram panchayats in Kaagal taluk, Kolhapur district, passed a unanimous resolution requesting their merger with Karnataka.

This decision follows the lead of similar actions taken by Jat in Sangli district, Akkalkot in Solapur district, and ten villages in Deoni taluk, Latur district.

The trigger for this resolution is the Maharashtra governments decision to supply water from the Dudhganga River to Ichalkaranji, a town with a population of around 500,000, under the Sulakod Water Supplying scheme.

In response, the Dudhganga Bachao Kruti Samiti, representing the gram panchayats in Kaagal taluk, has firmly opposed this project. The committee, comprising more than ten gram panchayats, said that merging with Karnataka will ensure access to essential facilities, including a regular water supply for domestic use and agriculture.

Kaagal taluk, situated near the border of Karnataka, has over 90% Marathi-speaking residents. Despite being geographically within Maharashtra, the people in this region rely on Karnataka for various services, including education, in the nearby commercially developed Nippani town.

During a joint meeting attended by representatives and residents from Sulakod, Kasaba, Saagoan, Mouje Saahoan, Ranadipewadi, and five other panchayats, strong opposition was expressed towards supplying Dudhganga river water to Ichalkaranji.

Kaagal taluk, even during monsoon, suffers a shortage of water. Things would turn worse if supplied the Dudhganga river water to Ichalkaranji. So we oppose the governments project, else ask Karnataka to merge us, people part of the general meeting said.

Gram Panchayat members and people from Sulakod, Kasaba, Saagoan, Mouje Saahoan, Ranadipewadi, and five other panchayats attended the meeting. The meeting questioned why the government cannot supply water from the Panchaganga River, which is flowing near Inchalkaranji town, instead of the Dudhganga river.

Parusharam Patil, a vice president of a gram panchayat, told HT over the phone that the government had dropped the plan of supplying water to Ichalkaranji from the Varana reservoir; however, now it wanted to supply water from Dudhganga river, on which the people of Kaagal have complete rights. If moved further with its project, we will draw the attention of the entire nation by passing the resolution of getting merged into Karnataka, where we can get all the basic civic requirements, Patil said.

The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), an organization advocating for the interests of Maharashtrians, expressed concern over the decision.

An MES spokesperson emphasised the sensitivity of the matter and urged the Maharashtra government to take positive action before the situation escalates further.

This resolution seeking a merger with Karnataka is not an isolated incident. In December 2022, 11 gram panchayats in Akkalkot taluk of Solapur district received police notices after expressing a similar desire to merge with Karnataka. These gram panchayats, covering around 42 villages with a significant Kannada-speaking population, cited Maharashtras negligence in addressing developmental issues as the reason for their decision.

Furthermore, 11 other gram panchayats comprising 25 villages in Jat taluk of Sangli district and ten villages in Deoni taluk, Latur district, also presented resolutions and memoranda to the district collectors, requesting NOCs to merge with Karnataka due to the lack of basic civic amenities and developmental support from Maharashtra.

In response to the resolutions passed by the panchayats in Jat taluk, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde offered a 1,900-crore development package and assured the provision of essential amenities within a year.
Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad on Monday said he would stand by his alleged statements against chief minister Siddaramaiah and would not retract anything he said. BK Hariprasad on Monday said he would stand by his alleged statements against chief minister Siddaramaiah and would not retract anything. (PTI)

An alleged video of senior party leader and MLC BK Hariprasad expressing outrage allegedly against Siddaramaiah went viral on social media on Sunday.

In the purported video, Hariprasad speaking at a meeting of Ediga, Billava and Deeva leaders at a private hotel in Bengaluru, could be heard saying, I know how to make CM and bring him down. I do not beg from anyone. I will stand with my chest. Becoming a minister is a different question.

Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward class. We gave support in 2013 because we wanted everyone to remain united, the Congress MLC added.

After the statement became controversial, Harisprasad on Sunday said: I dont talk about resentment. However, I accept what I said on Friday as true. I will not take back a word that I have said. I will be bound by what I have said. It is not my word if I have not said it. Even so, I will be bound by my word if I have said it, he said.

I was called to a meeting on Friday. There were no cameras, and I spoke. If there were cameras, there would be no talking. We backwards people dont notice that much. Someone has uploaded the video, he added.

Agriculture and Mandya district in-charge minister N Chaluvarayaswamy clarified that there is no discontent about the chief minister within the party and emphasised the strength of the government.

There is no displeasure about the chief minister. CM is strong. The government is also strong. Our party and government are proud to have given five guarantees, he said.

While home minister Dr G. Parameshwara refrained from commenting on the issue, minister for law and parliamentary affairs HK Patil dismissed it as media exaggeration, stating that Hariprasad had not made such statements.

Senior leader and close associate of the Siddaramaiah, KJ George, said that the context in which Hariprasad made the statement is unclear. He didnt specify which chief minister. He could have been talking about the governments other states also, said George.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress secretary Varuna Mahesh released a video urging that Hariprasad be given a notice for his remarks against CM Siddaramaiah.

The matter needs to be taken seriously, he said.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted two video clips involving Hariprasad and said that the latter is challenging Siddaramaiah for not being considered for a ministerial berth in the southern state, which went to polls in May.

The BJP leader said, After being overlooked for a ministerial position in Karnataka, MLC B K Hariprasad has taken on Siddaramaiah. He accused him of overlooking the interest of other backward communities (except his own), and urged Ediga, Billava, Namdhari and Deevara, to unite politically (presumably to cut Karnataka CM down to size).

Malviya said after Rajasthan, which lost five precious years because of the constant bickering between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, now the Congress leaders in Karnataka are fighting each other.
MBABANE - Eight employees of ESPPRA were promoted and remunerated at a high scale under questionable circumstances.

A consultant hired to investigate unfair labour practices, among other things, at the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency(ESPPRA) did not find evidence that these promotions and salary increments were approved in terms of the Public Enterprise Unit (PEU) Act. The salaries were increased at different scales, ranging from 27 per cent to 8.7 per cent.

One employees salary rose from E427 174.92 to E520 899.92 per annum, translating to a new pay of E43 408 per month. In its findings, the consultant pointed out that the Executive Committee (EXCO) was not properly constituted when the decision to effect the promotions and salary increments was taken.

Advertised

The meeting was held on May 11, 2020. It is said that two managerial positions were neither advertised internally or externally. Names of the staff members are being withheld pending further investigation into the matter. ESPPRA is a government parastatal. Any interested candidate was deprived of the opportunity to apply and be considered. The agency has not tested the labour market, whether there were better skilled individuals, a source said. The qualifications for certain employees, some of whom hold managerial positions, raised more questions than answers. As a result, the consultant recommended that another investigation be instituted to vet the qualifications of the promoted employees and to determine whether they were best suited for their new roles.

An investigation into a possible contravention of the PEU Act on what constituted major had also been recommended. It is said that the probe should establish whether the increments were sanctioned by the relevant ministry. If not, it has been recommended that the Board should take remedial action. Our sister publication, The Times Sunday, established that it was also suggested to ESPPRA that an enquiry be instituted to determine that a professional diploma (CIPS) was equivalent to a degree.

Procurement

CIPS qualifications are the industry standard for anybody working in the procurement and supply industry. With the help of global organisations, CIPS offers five qualifications, which have been developed to ensure they cover the competences and capabilities required in the procurement field. When justifying the promotions and subsequent increments, the EXCO claimed the CIPS that one promoted employee attained, was actually equivalent to a degree. The consultant was concerned that one employee in possession of a Masters Degree was overlooked when ESPPRA employees were considered for the promotions. A great deal for concern was that diploma holders were occupying key positions and earning above E40 000.

When he assumed office last year, impeccable sources said the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Vusi Matsebula, queried some of the anomalies mentioned in the report of investigation into allegations of unfair labour practice at ESPPRA.

However, sources said his queries received strong resistance. It is understood that the CEO found that files for employees, including management, kept in the Human Resources (HR) Department, lacked basic academic qualifications. In fact, this newspaper further established that about five HR files for key positions lacked the prerequisite Form V certificates.

Facing hostilities and resistance from staff, legal advice sought has it that those who were refusing to submit their Form V certificates could be charged with insubordination. During a recruitment exercise sometime ago, it was discovered that the consultant allegedly allowed candidates to access the internet during the interviews. The interviews had to be rewritten for some staff members of the ESPPRA.

Classified information revealed that the ESPPRA Remuneration Committee (REMCO) convened a meeting on May 16, 2023, in which they discovered that one of the top managers did not have a performance contract. Despite the unavailability of the performance contract, the CEO reportedly suggested that the managers contract be renewed. REMCO reserved its recommendation on the renewal of the contract until it was provided with a Board paper approving the renewal of the contract. It could not be ascertained at the time of going to press whether the Board approved the renewal of the contract. One officer in the Audit Department was confirmed to a managerial position on condition that he should enroll and complete an audit qualification within a time frame that would be decided by the Board.

Mentioned

It has been established that the human capital officer acted as head of the department since February 9, 2020. During the REMCO meeting, the CEO reportedly mentioned that the human capital officer was a holder of a diploma, but presently pursuing a degree in human resources. It was mentioned that the officer had written a letter to REMCO, requesting to be appointed to the human capital manager in training. Classified information further revealed that the office of the CEO recommended that the human capital officer be confirmed to the position of head of human capital or human capital manager in training as per her request. Reacting to the CEOs request, REMCO wanted to know why the position of head of human capital was not advertised in line with the Boards instruction.

The committee heard that the acting head of human capital was given a mandate to recruit the substantive head of the department. The committee could not recall any recruitment taking place. The members of the committee viewed this as a dereliction of duty. As the new management tries to resolve the issues, it has been established that some employees had written a letter to the Board complaining of some form of harassment. One employee is said to have made serious allegations against a certain senior manager. Several sources within the entity are of the belief that the employee has resorted to a smear campaign to stop any intended move to restore order at ESPPRA. Matsebula, the CEO, declined to comment on the matter and pointed out that he was not permitted to address private company matters in the media. He said the sources who might have leaked delicate information on the matter faced disciplinary action.

He was advised that ESPPRA is a public entity funded by taxpayers. Matsebula mentioned that it was his duty to empower and protect his staff as opposed to talking about them in the public space. Harry Nxumalo, the Chairman of the Board, said nothing had been brought to the attention of his office (Board), therefore, he found it difficult to make a meaningful comment. Nxumalo said the entity had a new CEO, clinging to the adage that a new broom sweeps clean. We can only pray that quality standards be maintained at ESPPRA, he said. He said ESPPRA was an organisation expected to set standards and lead by example in uplifting integrity and the economy of the country. Nxumalo mentioned that a former minister of finance once disclosed that the country was losing E80 million per month in corruption, imploring ESPPRA to ensure integrity in public finance was being restored. On average, procurement officers in South Africa receive a salary of E43 973 per month. Eswatinis public enterprises are known for salaries understood to be market-related while others believe that their remunerations are high.
Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 17-year-old girl who hanged herself at home in Sector 40 on Sunday morning. The girl was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh, but she was declared dead. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The accused was identified as Anas of Jujhar Nagar, Mohali. He works at a salon in Chandigarh.

Police said the deceased, who was pursuing a lab technician course from a Sector 26 college, was found hanging in her room by her family around 8.30 am, following which police were informed.

The girl was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 16, but she was declared dead.

Sources said the deceased left behind a four-page suicide note, accusing Anas and a woman for pushing her to take the extreme step.

As per the suicide note, the girl was in a relationship with Anas for over three years. Later, she learnt that he was also seeing a Nepalese girl. When she slapped him in rage, the accused assaulted her, leaving her bruised and bleeding. Depressed over this, she ended her life, said a police official.

The accused was booked under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 39 police station. According to sources, police will also add sections of rape and POCSO Act in the FIR as the deceased was a minor.

Police said the girls 20-year-old brother left for Jalandhar at 3 am to appear in the constable recruitment exam by Chandigarh Police. The family went to sleep after seeing him off and were shocked to find the girl hanging on waking up in the morning.

Meanwhile, police handed over the body to the family for cremation after autopsy. The girl is survived by her parents and elder brother.

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Police on Saturday arrested a 24-year-old man and recovered 16 mobile phones along with three bicycles from his possession which were stolen from different areas of Chandigarh and Mohali. Ravi, according to Chandigarh Police, has a criminal history as he was earlier booked in two theft cases registered in Sector 39 and Maloya in 2022 and 2021. (iStock)

The accused, identified as Ravi Negi, alias Rajji of Burail, was arrested in a burglary case registered at Sector 39 police station on Thursday. He has allegedly stolen an iPhone and a purse, containing important documents, from a house in Sector 55. Police recovered the said phone and purse stolen from the accused.

Ravi, according to police, has a criminal history as he was earlier booked in two theft cases registered in Sector 39 and Maloya in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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A 70-year-old woman was stabbed to death with a broken glass bottle while she was stopping a relative from beating up his sons in Adarsh Nagar Colony, Zirakpur, police said on Sunday. The body was handed over to the family after autopsy, said Zirakpur police. (iStock)

The victim, Sharifa, was a resident of Ambedkar Colony in Samrala, Ludhiana district. She had come to meet her niece Machhra at Adarsh Colony.

On July 20, Machhras brother-in-law Suraj was beating up his sons, Shekhar and Sagar. When Machhra went to save them, she was also beaten up.

Noticing this, Sharifa tried to rescue her niece, but she was stabbed with a broken glass bottle amid the melee. She was rushed to a government hospital in Dhakoli, where she was declared dead on arrival. Meanwhile. Suraj and his sons fled the colony.

The body was handed over to the family after autopsy. Police have registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code against Suraj, Shekhar and Sagar on the statement of Machhra, and launched a manhunt to nab the accused.

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The UT education department has released the schedule of the second round of counselling for Class 11 admissions to government schools in the city. As per a tentative schedule prepared by Chandigarh education department, the second counselling will be held from July 28 to August 4, following which the allocation list will be displayed on August 10. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

As per a tentative schedule prepared by the department, the second counselling will be held from July 28 to August 4, following which the allocation list will be displayed on August 10.

As per the latest figures, after the department had given a last chance to students to attend the school to claim their seats, there are still 1,711 vacant seats, including 357 non-medical, 125 medical, 304 commerce, 378 humanities and 547 in different skill courses.

There are 1,711 vacant seats.

The first counselling was held between May 24 and June 13.

Meanwhile, the 1,750 students who were provisionally allotted seats are yet to clear their compartment exams. The seats of those who dont clear the exams will also be converted to vacant seats.

As per the department, there are 5,253 applicants on the waiting list for the 1,711 vacant seats. This includes 1,102 students from government schools in Chandigarh and 4,151 students from other schools. Of the total, 1,147 students on the waiting list are yet to clear their compartment exams.

This is the first year when 85% of the total seats have been reserved for students who had passed out of government schools of Chandigarh, while those from private schools and from other states will compete for the leftover 15% seats. A student of a private school had moved the Punjab and Haryana high court against the administrations decision. The matter remains sub-judice and was last heard on July 20.

Notably, of the total 3,203 students in fray for humanities seats in the second counselling, as many as 967 are from government schools. Therefore, it is expected that all 378 vacant seats in the stream will be filled by them.

The department will also hold a third counselling after the CBSE compartment exam results are declared, which is likely in August.

Vidya Samiksha Kendra to become operational in three months

A Vidya Samiksha Kendra is set to be built in the building of the School Education Department in Sector 9. The department has already signed a memorandum of understanding to start the work of setting it up and to make it functional within three months.

Speaking about this, UT school education department director Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar said the command centre will be set up in the Sector 9 office of the department on the second floor and will become operational within three months.

He added that attendance across all schools will be monitored from here and all CCTVs installed in all schools will be connected to the Command Centre. The footage can be monitored in real time that will enhance students security.

The Union ministry of education has approved a budget of 1.7 crore as non-recurring expenses and 3 crore as recurring expenses for setting up the centre. This is being done as per the directives under the ministry and NCERT. An MoU has been signed with EdCIL India Limited to develop the centre.

The system will also track student enrolment, progress in their learning levels, out-of-school children who have been mainstreamed, textbook delivery and support required by teachers and schools.

The department will also set up a centralised help desk for grievance redressal mechanisms for stakeholders of the school ecosystem, along with a centralised dashboard providing real-time performance indicators of schools.
Three years after the Union ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) officially notified the District Residency Programme for students pursuing MD or MS in all state-run medical colleges or institutions in the country, the UT administration has still not launched the programme in Chandigarh. Chandigarh health secretary Yashpal Garg said they will review with the officers concerned to check the reasons behind the delay in the implementation of the programme. (iStock)

The MoHFW, through a gazette dated September 16, 2020, had made it mandatory for medical postgraduate students to undergo posting at a district hospital for three months from the 2021 batch onwards.

While the programme has been implemented in most states and UTs since January 2023, the UT administration has yet to commence its implementation, which would make it mandatory for MD/MS students at Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, to serve at the citys civil hospitals.

UT health secretary Yashpal Garg said they will review with the officers concerned to check the reasons behind the delay in the implementation of the programme.

Dr Suman Singh, director of health and services, UT, said the process was underway and they had also sent a letter to GMCH regarding this: The programme is advantageous for both PG doctors and the civil hospitals, offering exposure to the former and providing valuable assistance to the latter.

According to Dr Jasbinder Kaur, the director-principal, GMCH, Sector 32, a meeting was held a month ago regarding the programme. We are currently awaiting directions and will proceed with implementation once the necessary clearances are obtained. The Union ministry has also sent a review letter asking the status of the programme, she said.

The purpose of the programme is to expose the postgraduate students to the district health system and involve them in health care services being provided at the district hospitals for learning while serving.

Under this programme, it is critical for PG residents to gain satisfying experience both professionally and personally during their residential rotation to the district hospital health system. In this regard, the department of health and medical education and the district health authorities have an important role to ensure accommodation, transport, security, and grievance redressal for the PG residents from time to time.

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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 education department has found irregularities in expenditure of 1.59 crore at Mata Raj Kaur Government Senior Secondary School, Badrukhan. Deputy district education officer (DEO elementary), Sangrur is also under scanner for the alleged anomalies in utilisation of funds. Acting on the complaint, the department has also written to police for lodging a FIR against a deputy DEO, three lecturers and a panchayat member. The irregularities came to fore after a departmental inquiry was conducted into the matter. (Representational Photo)

The irregularities came to fore after a departmental inquiry was conducted into the matter.

Acting on the report, the department has also written to police for lodging an FIR against those found responsible for the anomalies.

According to the report, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had acquired a portion of the schools land for the construction of NH 64 and received compensation of 1.07 crore on April 30, 2019. The school also got 8.26 lakh as interest on the said amount. Besides, the school also received 43.82 lakh for construction of seven classrooms under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)  25 scheme on January 1, 2021.

The inquiry report stated that no permission was obtained from the department for the expenditure of compensation. Majority of the payments were made in case and record of expenditure has also not kept accurately.

Similarly, the schools had utilised NABARD funds within seven months and violated many rules while spending funds. The probe committee did not find records of common walls and bills of windows, door frames and doors. Stone was procured more than the requirement and most payments were made in cash. According to the probe report, Vinod Kumar Handa was principal of the school when the compensation and NABARD funds were utilised. He was secretary of the school management committee while three lecturers, a panchayat member and local were also members of the school management committee. Vinod Kumar Handa, who is now serving as deputy DEO (elementary) in Sangrur said, The entire amount was spent on school and everything has been done as per the rules.

Confirming the development, Sangrur DEO (secondary education), Sanjeev Sharma, said, The department had constituted a committee for carrying out an inquiry into the expenditure of funds. After finding irregularities, the committee directed us to get the FIR registered against the accused persons. Therefore, we have lodged the complaint with the police.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Harmandeep Singh Harmandeep Singh is staff Correspondent and have specialisation in investigative reporting. He covers Punjab politics, mining, crime, school education, health, medical education, administration, labour department, brain-drain and rural areas besides burning issues of Sangrur and Barnala districts. ...view detail
Two days after a former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)s student wing leader was arrested for his involvement in a narco-gangster module busted by Amritsar city police on July 21, the police on Monday claimed to have recovered an illegal pistol at his instance. The police have arrested a gangster identified as Gurjit Singh of Sainsran village in Amritsar on Monday based on the disclosure statement of Tejbir Singh, a student wing leader

The police have also arrested a gangster identified as Gurjit Singh of Sainsran village in Amritsar on Monday based on the disclosure statement of Tejbir Singh, who served as president of Akali student wing in Amritsar-rural district. According to police, Gurjit has already been facing seven criminal cases and was out on bail.

Tejbir Singh of Nangli village falling under the Attari assembly constituency, who is reportedly close to many senior SAD leaders, was arrested on Saturday evening after his links emerged with those associated with notorious gangsters of Punjab.

The nexus was busted by a team of Amritsar-city police headed by additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP-city3) Abhimanyu Rana, with the arrest of one Gurjit Singh of Housing Board Colony in Amritsar on Friday.

Gurjit was arrested based on secret information and 100 gm of heroin was recovered from his possession. The police have also seized 3 lakh of drug money. Gurjit had confessed to the police that the heroin was supplied to him through various unknown persons by notorious slain gangster Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Ghanshyampurias brother gangster Manpreet alias Manu of Ghanshaympur and gangster Balwinder Singh alias Doni. Manu is presently living in Portugal.

A senior police official, who is part of the investigation, said, During the questioning of Tejbir, we have recovered a .30 bore pistol. Similarly, we have also arrested gangster Gurjit Singh on Monday who had been in contact with Tejbir.

He further said, Tejbir has confessed that he is a drug user and had been consuming heroin. We are investigating the case thoroughly to ascertain if Tejbir had been supplying the drugs to more people.

ADCP Rana acknowledged the arrest of Gurjit and the seizure of a .30-bore pistol in the case. He, however, refused to divulge more details about the arrest and the recovery. When asked if any political link has emerged in the case, Rana said, So far it is clear that the accused served as a leader of the student wing of Shiromani Akali Dal. No new political link has come to the fore.

Police have also initiated the proceedings to bring back gangster Manu from Portugal.

Meanwhile, refuting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) allegations that Tejbir was close to former SAD minister Bikram Singh Majithia, party chief spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha said that Tejbir had been inactive in the party for the last few years. Valtoha also went on to allege that Tejbir had now been close to AAP leader Baldev Singh Miadian.
At least 943 employees, including officers and clerical staff, of the department of Social Security and Women and Child Development are yet to receive their salaries for the month of June. They have met senior official several times during the last three weeks but to no avail. According to the department, these employees are 8 district program officers (DPOs), 135 child development protection officers (CDPOs), 700 supervisors and 80 senior assistants. Sources said that the department did not get budget for the ICDS scheme and had budget till the month of May. (Representational Photo)

They all work under Integrated Child Development Services, a central sponsored scheme, for holistic development of children. The Centre bears 25% of the total expenditure of regular employees while the rest of the amount is financed by the state government.

Sources said that the department did not get budget for the ICDS scheme and had budget till the month of May. Besides, the DPOs and CDPOs have also been waiting for the expenditure incurred on renting out vehicles and salaries of the drivers for the last fifteen months.

An official pleading anonymity said that the Centre raised some objection over expenditure of funds and stopped its share. Therefore, the department was earlier managing to release salaries from its share.

A DPO, pleading anonymity said, We get  20,000 per month to hire vehicles and pay salary to drivers but we have not received the vehicle expenditure for the last one and half years. Earlier we were bearing these expenses from our pockets, including salaries of drivers. But now, we too did not get the salary for the month of June.

Kanwar Shakti, president of the CDPOs association, said, Last year too, we had to go through similar situation when the department did not release our salaries for the five months. Now again, the department did not get budget for our salaries. Raji P Shrivastava , additional chief secretary, department of Social Security and Women and Child Development said, The file pertaining to salaries of the employees is under process and it will be cleared within two days. Their salary will be released immediately thereafter.

Madhvi Kataria, director of the department said, Central government did not sanction its share. Therefore file was moved to transfer funds from other budget head and salaries will be paid once it is approved.

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The Panchkula administration has provided financial assistance of 4 lakh each to the families of the three people who were killed after a rockslide at Shiv Lotia Mandir Marg near Pinjore on July 10. Under the Haryana government policy, compensation of  4 lakh is given provided to families of victims who lost their lives in a disaster. (iStock)

Under the state government policy, compensation of 4 lakh is given provided to families of victims who lost their lives in a disaster. Additional deputy commissioner Varsha Khangwal handed over the sanction letter of 4 lakh each to the families of the victims at Chaina Chowk, Pinjore, on Sunday.

Khangwal paid condolences to the departed souls on behalf of the administration and assured the grieving families of support from the state government.

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With their reformation in mind, the UT administration has engaged inmates of Model Jail, Sector 51, some of whom are serving sentences for heinous crimes, in stitching uniforms for anganwadi children. The quality of stitching and materials used is of high standard, with quality denim cloth utilised for knickers/dividers and pants. (HT Photo)

A group of 40 inmates have received training in stitching and successfully produced 5,000 uniforms in a month.

The UT department of social welfare, women and child development has undertaken an initiative to provide summer and winter uniforms for the beneficiaries of anganwadi centres, comprising boys and girls aged three to six years for the fiscal year 2023-24. The effort is being carried out in collaboration with Model Jail.

Department director Palika Arora said they partnered with the jail authorities for the uniform sewing project after receiving directions from the Union ministry of women and child development.

The department has already received a supply of summer uniforms in the respective Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) projects, and winter uniforms are expected to arrive shortly. The quality of stitching and materials used is of high standard, with quality denim cloth utilised for knickers/dividers and pants.

Arora, who also holds the charge of additional inspector general of prisons, pointed out that some of the inmates involved in this initiative were accused of murder and rape.

Apart from a positive impact on their lives, the endeavour has provided inmates with a sense of purpose and valuable skills. The inmates receive a wage of 150 per day for their work, she added.

In February 2019, Model Jail had established its first exclusive outlet called Srijan in Sector 22, where all products made by the inmates are sold. The inmates produce a variety of items in the jail, ranging from furniture to food products, including recently added millet-based products. Orders can be placed through the jail website, and the food items prepared by the prisoners are delivered to the doorstep by jail staff.

The store offers sweet dishes prepared by the inmates in the jails kitchen, such as ladoo, balushahi, besan barfi, gulab jamun, along with moong dal namkeen, sandwiches and cakes.Additionally, the store showcases a variety of wooden chairs, baby chairs, cabinets, wooden flag stands, insignia and candles made by the jail inmates.

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MANZINI - The legal fraternity has lost yet another of its own after the death of Attorney Bongumenzi Mkhonta.

This after he was involved in a horrific car accident at Nhlambeni on Saturday night. Mkhonta, who ran a law firm under the name Mkhonta Attorneys in Manzini, was involved in the accident at Ntozakhe, along Nhlambeni Road at around 7pm. According to sources, the deceased attorney was driving a Toyota Yaris when he reportedly lost control of it and it veered off the road and hit a wall fence.

Fire

The car was said to have then caught fire and was burnt beyond recognition. The sources revealed that he was with two passengers who were admitted to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital in Manzini. When drawn for comment, a close family member confirmed Mkhontas demise. However, he politely requested not to comment further as some family members were still not informed about his untimely passing. The legal practitioners death was confirmed by Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Phindile Vilakati, in a police report published yesterday. Vilakati revealed that on July 22, at 7pm, near Ntozakhe, the aforementioned vehicle driven by a 30-year-old man of Zombodze lost control, went off the roadway, overturned once and knocked against a wall fence. The police spokesperson disclosed that the driver sustained serious injuries and was rushed to RFM Hospital where he was certified dead upon arrival.

Mkhonta is one of four people who lost their lives this past weekend to fatal road accidents. A 35-year-old woman lost her life on Saturday, after being knocked down by a car which later fled the scene. The accident happened along the Mahhala/Mahlanya Public Road at Salt and Pepper. The woman is said to have sustained serious injuries and was rushed to RFM Hospital, where she was certified dead upon arrival. Another accident happened along the Ngogola/Mbadlane traffic circle after a Honda Fit driven by a 39-year-old man of Gebeni knocked a 23-year-old man of Mvembili.

Pedestrian

The accused happened on Saturday at 3pm, as the pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was later rushed to Good Shepherd Hospital, where he was certified dead upon arrival. On Thursday, at 3:30pm near Luphikweni along MR6 Public Road, an Isuzu LDV driven by a 31-year-old from Moneni knocked a pedestrian. The 49-year-old man of Khuphuka sustained serious injuries on the head and right leg. Medics at Mkhuzweni Health Centre certified him dead on arrival. Meanwhile, there were 10 drink-driving cases reported over the past weekend.
Two 18-year-old girl were killed while three other women sustained burn injuries after fire broke out in the basement of an electronic goods factory in Industrial Area, Phase 2, on Monday evening. Though fire officials said that a short-circuit is suspected to be behind the blaze, the victims have told the police that a cylinder had exploded when they were preparing tea. Major fire broke out at Industrial area phase 2 in Chandigarh on Monday. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Fire officer Vikramjit Singh said, We got information about the blaze around 4:48 pm following which four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. There were several workers inside the factory at the time, but five women got stuck inside. We found two women unconscious in the basement while three others were rescued from upper floor of the factory. Prima facies, it appears to be a case of short-circuit.

The victims were rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32, where doctors declared two women brought dead while the other three were discharged after treatment.

The deceased were identified as Jyoti, a native of Nepal, and Suhani, a resident of Industrial Area. Though doctors refused to reveal the cause of death, sources said both women died of suffocation.

The injured are Sapna, 23, of Ramdarbar, Kiran, 23, of Mauli Jagran and Anita, 50, of Raipur Khurd, Chandigarh. Hospital authorities said that Sapna has suffered burn injuries on 1-2% of her body, while Anita, 50, sustained moderate burn injuries, covering approximately 4-5% of her body.

According to officials, goods and stock worth lakhs, including electric wires, home decor appliances, and plastic items, were gutted and the firefighting operations lasted for over an hour.

After receiving the alert, senior officials of the police and administration also reached the spot. As a safety measure, people from nearby industrial plots were also evacuated and dense smoke was seen engulfing the area.

A case under Section 304 A (causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against factory owner Joginder Singh, a resident of Sector 42, besides Rajesh and Sanjeev of Mohali who ran the factory on rent. Rajesh and Sanjeev were later let off on bail.

UT senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur said, We have recorded the statements of the victims. We will take appropriate legal action against the culprits after probe.

The factory owner refused to talk to the media.

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In areas having inadequate piped water supply, the Delhi government plans to install 500 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants equipped with water ATM machines to provide free and safe access to potable water to residents of such areas, including JJ clusters, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at the inauguration a water ATM at Khajan Basti in Mayapuri Phase-2 on Monday. (HT Photo)

Kejriwal, who was inaugurating one such plant on pilot basis in West Delhis Mayapuri Khajan Basti, said that the project aims to eliminate the dependence on tankers which provide water in such areas.

The underprivileged sections of Delhi will now have access to the same quality of RO water that has long been accessible to the more affluent segments of society. The residents in areas without water pipelines will no longer have to rely on water tankers or compromised water sources, he said.

The project will be implemented by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). It has already three more such plants in the city on a pilot basis.

A DJB official said that under the project, the 500 RO plants of 30,000 litre capacity each will be installed in areas based on the availability of tubewells. While the plant will be managed by an operator on a land allocated by the government for free, the 10 lakh cost of the plant will be borne by DJB, the official said.

The filtered water will also be supplied for free through water ATM machines to residents of these areas, provided they have RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards, the official added.

The tubewells will supply raw groundwater to RO installations, which will be then purified. After passing through RO and microfilters, the water will undergo high-pressure pumping. The rate for purified water will be 1.60 rupees per 20 litres (8 paise per litre), but the JJ cluster residents will receive this water for free, the official said.

One person having an RFID card can avail 20 litres of water in a day for free. But beyond that, they will be charged at a rate of 8 paise per litre, the official said, adding that consumers not having RFID cards will be charged at the same rate.

DJB, at present, supplies 990 million gallons a day (MGD) water to 21 million consumers in the Capital. The water utility body has laid pipelines in approximately 93% of areas, with remaining areas posing challenges in the form of unplanned development and cramped settlements. DJB faces a demand supply gap of over 250MGD and it plans to add another 20MGD water supply by installing a wide array of such RO plants.

Under the pilot project, four RO plants have already been established, and the process of setting up an impressive network of 500 additional RO plants is currently underway, Kejriwal, who also consumed the output water from the Mayapuri facility, said.

Kejriwal said that there are several areas in Delhi where it is not possible to lay out new water pipelines due to high population density. In the mission of providing clean water to every house in Delhi, we are also doing a unique experiment like Water ATM. We will start Water ATMs wherever we have to supply water through tankers, he said in a tweet.

We will be installing tubewells, but this can only be done in areas where the water level is high. Usually, the issue with installing tubewells is that the quality of the water is not very good. So now we will pass the water that is taken out by the tubewells through an RO, Kejriwal said at the event.

Besides Mayapuri Khajan Basti, the three other operational water ATMs are located at Shakurbasti, Kalkaji, and Jharoda, said water minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. The government is in the process of installing 500 more such plants, with 2,500 cards already issued to local residents, he added.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticised the extraction of water through tubewells instead of laying down water pipelines. Delhiites faced a worst ever summer water crisis and now even in monsoon when Yamuna is flooded Delhiites are facing acute water crisis. It is shocking that Kejriwal government is increasingly relying on tubewell water extraction instead of laying water lines and supplying purified river water. The contamination level in Delhis groundwater was found too high by the Delhi government itself a couple of months ago. One fails to understand how the ROs will clean the highly contaminated ground water, he said.

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The Yamuna river in Delhi continues to flow over the danger mark of 205.33m, with the peak level at 206.54 metres at 8am in Delhi Railway Bridge on Monday, according to the Central Water Commission. The Yamuna breached the evacuation mark of 206m on Sunday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)(HT_PRINT)

The river was flowing at 206.44m at 10pm on Sunday after rain lashed several parts of the city on Sunday evening. The Central Water Commission's (CWC) data showed the water level rose from 205.02m at 10pm on Saturday to 205.96m at 9am on Sunday which rose to 206.42m at 9 pm.

Meanwhile, the Northern Railway announced that the work on old Yamuna bridge (Old Loha Pul) has been resumed at 10:10 am Monday after it was suspended the operation from 10:15pm on Sunday, owing to the rise of the water level of Yamuna.

The rise in water level yet again sparked concerns about the flood-like situation in Delhi-NCR. Various announcements were made by the administration on Sunday to vacate the low-lying areas citing safety concerns.

The Delhi Traffic police on Monday issued an alert saying that traffic is affected in one lane on Vikas Marg in the carriageway from ITO towards Laxmi Nagar due to ongoing work on the Yamuna river.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has been on high alert due to the discharge of over 2 lakh cusecs of water from Haryana's Hathinikund barrage. "The situation has sparked concern, prompting the government to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents," Delhi revenue minister Atishi had said on Saturday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted a gradual increase in rain activity over the national capital and its adjoining areas from Monday as the monsoon trough moves closer to the region. There are chances of light rain on Monday and moderate rain over most places till Thursday, a Met official said on Sunday, HT reported.

Meanwhile, the Hindon river in Noida, a tributary of Yamuna, also witnessed a rise in the water level on Saturday submerging several houses located in low-lying areas. The authorities also began fanning out to localities close to the river after states upstream including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand received heavy rainfall, bringing back the threat of floods that threw life out of gear a little over a week ago. The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25.

Parts of the national capital have been grappling with waterlogging and flooding for more than a week now. Initially, a downpour caused intense waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125% of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Delhi government two months to clear its overdue payment of 415 crore for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), stressing on the importance of infrastructure projects in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Delhi government was required to contribute  1,180 crore towards its share for the construction of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor. (PTI)

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, told the top court that the governments intention was not adversarial, and that it was facing scarcity of funds due to the central governments termination of the goods and service tax (GST) compensation programme in June 2022. The affidavit said that in 2022-23, Delhi received a GST compensation of 10,000 crore, while this year (2023-24), the state will receive only 3,802 crore as arrears of GST compensation.

The sudden cessation of GST compensation has severely impacted the financial resources of the state government. This has led to a substantial reduction in the availability of funds, the AAP government said.

It also pointed to an increase in expenditure for essential public services, such as health care, education, and social welfare.

But the court, which had in a hearing on July 3 asked the Delhi government to furnish details of its advertising expenditure, did not accept the argument.

In an affidavit last week, the Delhi government shared information about its total ad spend over the last three financial years: 296.89 crore in 2020-21, 579.91 crore in 2021-22, and 196.36 crore for 2022-23, adding up to a total of 1,073.16 crore over the period.

If 1,100 crore can be used for advertisement in the last three financial years, certainly money can be paid for the infrastructure project, said a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Your one years advertisement budget is more than what you have to give for the project. We did not want to ask you for these details. But can you come and say, we do not have funds? It is for you to decide how this amount is to be paid, the bench told Singhvi.

The court was monitoring the progress of the RRTS project in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate MC Mehta related to air pollution in the national capital.

The Delhi government was required to contribute 1,180 crore towards its share for the construction of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor.

On two occasions in the past, the Supreme Court allowed the Delhi government to pay 265 crore and 500 crore out of the environmental compensation charge (ECC) funds to meet its liability. A balance amount of 415 crore was overdue, for which the Delhi government again sought to draw the sum from ECC. This time, however, the court refused.

Singhvi told the court on Monday that in national interest, and in states interest, the Delhi government is willing to make the payment provided it is allowed to be done in instalments spread over a reasonable period of time.

But senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae, said that Delhi has overshot its deadline of paying the balance 415 crore for the Delhi-Meerut phase, and that this should be done within two months.

About the remaining two phases of RRTS connecting Delhi with Panipat and Alwar, Singh told the court that the Delhi government has an earmarked share of 2,443 crore and 3,261 crore which is to be paid as per a fixed schedule till the year 2028.

The bench allowed those payments to be made as per the schedule already fixed, but with regard to the Meerut RRTS contribution, the bench said: The overdue amount (of 415 crore) will be paid in two months.

The RRTS project is an ambitious venture involving semi-high-speed rail corridors that will connect Delhi to three cities  Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Alwar in Rajasthan, and Panipat in Haryana  and is being executed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture between the Centre and the concerned states.

RRTS is meant to provide fast, reliable travel across the National Capital Region. The project envisages to ease the vehicular pollution load on the capital.

The Delhi-Meerut corridor is expected to become operational in 2025. NCRTC earlier informed the court that the Delhi-Alwar corridor, which passes through Rewari, is awaiting sanction by the Centre, while the Delhi-Panipat corridor is awaiting the Delhi governments nod.
The Yamuna waters level remained over the danger level, touching 206.54m at 8am on Monday, the Central Water Commission (CWC) said, a day after the river breached the point (206m) at which evacuations are ordered. The river on Sunday breached the point (206m) at which evacuations are ordered. (Hindustan Times)

The government on Sunday asked people living in at-risk localities to move to relief camps amid the threat of flooding and disruptions this week due to expected rains.

The commission said the water level was expected to be around 206.42m by Monday afternoon, above the danger mark of 204.5m. Evacuations of those living along the banks of the river are mandated when the river touches 205.33m level.

The train movement on the old Yamuna bridge was suspended and diverted to New Delhi Railway Station due to the rise in water levels on Sunday night. A spokesperson of the railways said the traffic resumed at 10:10am on Monday as the level receded.

By 11pm on Sunday, the river reached 206.46m. The river swelled close to the 207m level and caused flooding, and choked water treatment plants earlier this month.

The Yamuna was in spate following heavy rain upstream. Moderate rains were expected between Tuesday and Thursday.

Flood protection bunds were being constructed to prevent fresh flooding. As many as 60 teams have been deployed to keep a watch on potential points where water could overflow onto roads. Residents living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna have been evacuated and shifted to relief camps.

On July 13, low-lying areas such as Yamuna Bazar and ITO were flooded. Marshals on boats made public announcements urging people on Sunday to vacate low-lying areas on the floodplains.

Indian Navy teams continued operations to open jammed gates of the ITO barrage on Sunday. Two of the five jammed gates out of a total of 32 have been opened so far. Three gates remain jammed.

The water discharge into Yamuna dropped to under 50,000 cusecs on Sunday from 250,000 cusecs a day earlier at Haryanas Hathnikund amid heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana upstream as the monsoon remained active in much of north India.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday inspected the newly installed RO plants in the Mayapuri area and said each resident would get 20 litres of purified water every day. Kejriwal said four water ATMs have been installed and the Delhi government has planned to install 500 water ATMs to provide drinking water treated using the Reverse Osmosis (RO) process to people in slums and other such densely populated areas. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal after visiting RO plants in the Mayapuri area.

"This card is like a water ATM. Through this, each person will get 20 litres of purified water in areas with inadequate drinking water facilities," Kejriwal told reporters after inspecting the RO plants.

"We know rich people install RO at their home but now poor people will drink the same water," he said.

Kejriwal added that the ATMs will be installed near slums and other such densely populated areas where pipelines can not be laid.

Water drawn through tube wells will be treated at the RO plants and then distributed among people through the water ATMs, he said.

Earlier this year, the chief minister directed Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to take immediate action to solve the contaminated water issue across several national capital areas. He had also announced that reverse osmosis (RO)-based purification plants will be set up at 20 slum clusters across the city to supply clean drinking water.

If there is a problem of contaminated water supply in an area, it should be eliminated completely. The identification of the areas where contaminated water is being received should be done immediately, and a detailed plan should be submitted for its permanent solution and implementation, the chief minister said in a review meeting with senior officials of the water utility, according to an official statement.

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JAIPUR: The Rajasthan assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Monday when sacked minister Rajendra Gudha aggressively charged towards parliamentary affair minister, Shanti Dhariwal, and hit his microphone, prompting other Congress MLAs to restrain him. The Rajasthan assembly was adjourned after Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha waved a red diary which he claims holds details of irregular financial transactions (PTI)

The marshals on duty at the assembly had to forcibly remove Gudha out of the premises.

The House suspended Gudha and BJP MLA Madan Dilawar for unparliamentary behaviour for the remaining sessions of the 15th assembly.

Gudha was sacked by chief minister Ashok Gehlot hours after he raised concerns over the safety of women in Rajasthan in a speech he delivered in the assembly last week, HT had earlier reported.

On Monday, Gudha had initially approached the speaker, waving a red diary that he claimed had details of irregular financial transactions involving government officials.

Gudha entered the house during the assemblys Zero Hour and rushed towards speaker CP Joshis chair, waiving the diary. He asked time from Joshi to narrate his version of events that led to his sacking from the state council of ministers.

The speaker, however, asked him to come to his chamber.

Gudha, however, aggressively approached minister Dhariwal and hit his microphone when he saw that the speaker had allowed the minister to speak.

It led to a number of Congress MLAs to first surround, and then push him away from Dhariwal.

Rafiq Khan, a Congress MLA, was among the legislators who stopped Gudha; minister Ramlal Jat and other Congress MLAs also came forward and stopped him from creating more unruly scenes.

All this while, the opposition BJP continued to create uproar in the Well of the house, while waving symbolic red diaries.

The speaker subsequently adjourned the house because of the melee that had broken out.

The House reassembled at 2 pm and the speaker CP Joshi took up listed business.

Then it was time for the opposition members to create uproar in the well of the house.

Leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore raised the issue of the red diary and the BJP MLAs stormed to the well.

After the house was adjourned, Gudha, addressing the media, said that he wanted to give a statement on the red diary but the speaker did not allow it.

Shanti Dhariwal stood to speak and I went to him and said that I wanted to give a statement in the House, but Congress MLAs pushed me to the ground and overpowered me. Some of them, including Dhariwal, kicked me and snatched the diary from me. However, some part of the diary was left with me, he alleged.

Gudha said he will make public the secrets of the diary on Tuesday.

The sacked minister claimed that the diary was secured by him during an income tax raid at the residence of Dharmendra Rathore, the chairperson of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). Gehlot had asked him to go to Rathores residence to secure the diary during the raid, Gudha claimed.

He claimed that the diary -- allegedly written by Rathore -- contained details of the money given to MLAs and it contained the names of the chief minister as well as his son Vaibhav Gehlot.

Rathore, the opposition leader, told reporters that what happened in the assembly was shameful. Gudha wanted to give a statement and he should have been allowed, he said.

Rathore said the government passed four bills and resolutions in haste but norms were not followed.

On the allegations levelled by Gudha, Mahesh Joshi, public health engineering department minister, said: All the allegations are baseless. Everyone should follow the conduct of the house, whatever happened today is unfortunate.
Rajendra Singh Gudha was sacked from Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's cabinet after he questioned the Congress government over the crime rate against women in the state. Gudha, an MLA from Udaipurwati, switched to Congress from the Bahujan Samaj Party in 2019. Further, unprecedented developments followed in Rajasthan assembly Monday, after Gudha claimed he was dragged out of the assembly when the reached the House waving a red diary. He said the diary contained the details of irregular financial transactions. Jaipur: Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha who was recently sacked as a minister of Rajasthan govt. speaks with the media Monday.(PTI)

The 55-year-old leader held charge as minister of state for Sainik Kalyan (independent charge), home guard and civil defence, panchayati raj and rural development.

Who is Rajendra Singh Gudha? 5 points

1)Gudha was born on July 19, 1968. He completed his school education in 1987-88 at the Government High Secondary School in Guda in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

2)He represents Rajasthan's Udaipurwati constituency and was inducted into the Gehlot cabinet in November 2021. Gudha switched to the Congress along with other five MLAs in September 2019.

3)Gudha first fought the election in 2008 by contesting on a BSP ticket from Udaipurwati. However, he switched from BSP to Congress and remained a Congress minister till 2013. Before, the 2018 assembly election, he then again jumped back to BSP as the Congress didn't give him a ticket. A year later, Gudha returned to Congress again after winning from the Udaipurwati constituency.

4)Initially, Gudha stood by Gehlot when the political crisis ensued in Rajasthan Congress but later openly lobbied for Sachin Pilot. He changed his stance as he was unhappy with the ministry assigned to him but no action was taken on his resentment. He had also publicly supported bringing Pilot as the next CM of Rajasthan when Gehlots name surfaced in the race for Congress president.

5)In February this year, he was booked in a criminal case for allegedly kidnapping a man over a transaction related to a plot of land. Gudha has denied allegations against him.

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LUCKNOW As many as 74 Rohingyas, including 55 men, 14 women and five minors, were taken into custody during a comprehensive drive carried out by UPs Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to identify illegal immigrants staying in the state, said Prashant Kumar, special director general (special DG), on Monday. Before the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar in 2017, over 7.5 lakh Rohingyas had fled their country and sneaked into Bangladesh and India illegally. (Pic for representation)

He said police registered cases against them in six districts of western UP and legal proceedings were being initiated.

Rohingyas are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, who predominantly follow Islam and reside in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. Before the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar in 2017, over 7.5 lakh Rohingyas had fled their country and sneaked into Bangladesh and India illegally.

In a press note shared with media persons, the officials informed that the largest number of 31 Rohingyas, including 29 men and two women, were identified and taken into custody in Mathura.

The officials said 17 Rohingyas, including seven men and 10 women, were taken into custody in Aligarh, 16 Rohingyas including 12 men, one woman and three children were taken into custody in Hapur and four each were taken into custody from Ghaziabad and Meerut.

They said four Rohingyas in Ghaziabad included three men and one woman while those taken into custody in Meerut included two men and two minors. Similarly, two men were taken into custody from Saharanpur, they added.

A senior police official said as per rough estimates, thousands of Rohingyas could be living in different parts of the state illegally.

Two years ago, the UP ATS had unearthed a racket involved in human trafficking and establishing illegal immigrants from Bangladesh refugee camps in different parts of UP and the country. The racket was also involved in preparing forged Indian identity proofs of illegal immigrants.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday inducted several backward caste leaders of the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) into its fold at the ruling partys Uttar Pradesh unit headquarters in Lucknow. Opposition leaders joined the BJP at the partys state unit office in Lucknow on Monday. (HT)

The move is aimed at consolidating the BJPs hold on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The new entrants include nine leaders of the SP, five of the BSP, two of the Congress and one of the RLD.

The prominent opposition leaders who defected to the BJP included Shalini Yadav. She had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election on the SP ticket from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The others included former Rajya Sabha MP and RLD leader Rajpal Saini. Among the Samajwadi Party leaders who joined the BJP are former ministers Sahib Singh Saini and Jagdish Sonkar, former Hardoi MP Anshul Verma, former MLAs Sushma Patel and Gulab Saroj. Bahujan Samaj Party leader Ganga Singh Kushwaha was also inducted into the BJP.

The defection of the SP, BSP and RLD leaders to the BJP is seen as a major jolt to opposition parties which were working on the OBC-Muslim-Dalit formula to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha election.

Earlier, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, a prominent backward leader in east U.P, returned to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after breaking his alliance with the SP.

Another influential OBC leader from east U.P. Dara Singh Chauhan had also rejoined the BJP last week.

To counter the SP- RLD alliance in west U.P, the induction of influential Saini community leaders Rajpal Saini and Sahib Singh Saini from Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur, respectively comes at a time when the BJP is wooing the Saini, Sakya, Kushwaha and Maurya community leaders to strengthen its hold over the non-Yadav OBCs.

Welcoming the opposition leaders, U.P. BJP president Bhupendra Singh Choudhary said the party aims to win all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Party leaders and cadres have to work hard to make the lotus bloom in each Lok Sabha constituency, he said.

The opposition leaders joined the BJP as they were impressed with the central governments schemes dedicated to the welfare of the poor, the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, development schemes launched by chief minister Yogi Adityanath and improvement in the law and order situation, Chaudhary added.

Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the oppositions bid to challenge the BJP by changing the name of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) to a new political coalition (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or INDIA) will not work in the Lok Sabha election. The BJP will again form government at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak said senior opposition leaders joining the BJP clearly indicates the party will win all 80 seats in UP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The opposition plan to form a new alliance to stop BJP will fail as Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third time and the NDA government will come to power at the Centre, he said.

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MANZINI  After the electorate walked out of Mtfonjeni High School on Saturday, as Manzi Zwane was not in the voters roll, the nominations were drama free yesterday.

Zwane, who is the outgoing Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nhlambeni Constituency, on Saturday with 29 other electrorate, were not listed on the voters roll under their chiefdom.

This, according to Zwane, transpired when they were checking their names in the voters roll in order to partake in the business of the day. He said as they inspected the voters roll, he discovered that his name was listed under Njelu chiefdom yet he was from Ngonini. According to Zwane, he approached the Returning Officer, Nonkuleleko Ndzinisa, who requested that they proceed while the issue was being addressed.

Zwane said the people were not happy about this and they walked out of the polling station. This resulted in the nominations proceeding yesterday wherein Ndzinisa informed the electorate that the issue had been resolved. Later on, the returning officer conformed that there had been technical glitches which had resulted in some members of the electorate being omitted from the roll. She further acknowledged that this had not augured well with the electorate and as such, her pleas to have the process continue while the challenge was being addressed on Saturday fell on deaf ears.

Communicated

However, she said the issue was resolved and communicated to the electorate through the royal, kraal hence the nominations continued without any hindrances yesterday. Thereon, the nominations were conducted without any hindrance as Zwane was the first to be nominated by the over 200 people gathered at the school hall. As they nominated him, the returning officers had to request the crowd not to scream as over 10 people stood up and rushed to the front in order to second the nominee. As they clambered to second the nomination, some were ordered to return to their seats. Others opted to exit the hall as they claimed they had completed their task. Subsequently, an officer had to reiterate that the nomination process required that at least three people be nominated. After her reiteration, Bayabonga Nkambule (32), was nominated for the position of MP as well.

Nkambule, who is an electrician, also had a large following as over 10 members of the youth stood up in support of his nomination. The last candidate to be nominated for MP at Ngonini Chiefdom was Nelisiwe Dlamini (45). Dlamini, who is a farmer, had women ululating as she stood up to accept the nomination. The women also stood up in numbers to support her as they shouted that they were being represented in the election process. Nominees for MP at Ngonini Chiefdom: Manzi Zwane, Bayabonga Nkambule, Nelisiwe Dlamini.
Cases of vector-borne diseases are being reported from various areas of the city, but the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is yet to start fogging and anti-larval drives in the city due to a paucity of funds. A fogging drive underway in a Lucknow area last year. (HT File Photo)

Leader of Samajwadi Party in LMC house Kamran Beg said, It seems no lessons have been learnt despite a number of deaths being reported due to vector-borne diseases last year. Officials say that funds for fogging have not been given to them. I want to ask why the state is not releasing funds for mosquito control.

Last year, more than 1,050 cases of dengue were reported from various parts of Lucknow.

An official of the health department said, We spend around 12 crore in fogging per year but last year, no fund was given for fogging; the LMC arranged fogging from its own funds. This year too, funds have not been given for fogging. The municipal commissioner has apprised higher officials of the matter. However, if the state government doesnt give the money, then the LMC will have to give funds for fogging.

Dr SK Rawat, Nagar Swasthya Adhikari, said, The LMC is ready to start fogging from next month. Our 45 big vehicles and 110 small fogging machines are ready. This time, we will start cold fogging in the city. Earlier, we used to mix chemicals in diesel but now we are going to mix chemicals in water hence reducing the cost of fogging and making it more eco-friendly.

He said one fogging machine of the LMC requires 60 litres of diesel along with chemicals. The smaller machine consumes eight litres of diesel per day. However, with cold fogging, LMC will be able to save around 6 crore which it used to spend on diesel every year.

He said that an insecticide called Deltamethrin will be used in cold fogging. In a big machine, only Rs800 worth of deltamethrin will work in one go. That means the expenditure on pesticides will also be reduced.
Two senior Goods and Service Tax (GST) officials in Kanpur were charged with murder after a truck driver was found dead in the cabin of his vehicle on Sunday, police have said. The complainant, Govind Singh, also said his father had urged the officials to release him so that he could attend the funeral of his other son back home, but Balbirs plea fell on deaf ears.

Joint commissioner of police Anand Prakash Tiwari said the FIR was registered against GST joint commissioners Amit Mohan and Paras Nath, along with some unnamed department officials, after a son of the truck driver, Balbir Singh from Ludhiana (Punjab), alleged that his father was physically assaulted and wrongfully confined for three days.

The complainant, Govind Singh, also said his father had urged the officials to release him so that he could attend the funeral of his other son back home, but Balbirs plea fell on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, trader groups said Balbir was forcefully confined to his truck even as he kept weeping for his dead son for three days. He was found dead in the cabin of his truck on Sunday.

After traders demanded that stringent action be taken against the accused officials within 72 hours, the police registered an FIR in the case on the complaint of Balbirs son Govind Singh, who reached Kanpur early Monday morning.

In his complaint, Govind said his father informed him that he was detained for some irregularities concerning his scrap-laden truck. I learnt about his (Balbir Singh) death around 5 pm on Sunday when I got a call from police who informed me that my father was discovered dead in the cabin of his truck, Govind said.

Gyanesh Mishra, the general secretary of Kanpur Udyog Vyapar Mandal, said the GST officials were wrong in detaining the driver of a truck that was already in their custody.

Meanwhile, GST officials in Kanpur were not available for a comment on the issue.
A fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday experienced a technical malfunction leading to jettisoning of external stores in Banjariya village under Khalilabad police station limits in Sant Kabir Nagar district. Sant Kabir Nagar: Fuel tank of a fighter plane at a paddy field after it fell near Bakhira Jheel, in Sant Kabir Nagar, Monday (PTI)

No loss of life was reported in the incident, but two fuel tank-like parts of the IAF aircraft were found in a paddy field in the village. Locals said they were scared upon hearing a loud noise.

According to IAF officials, the aircraft that was on a training mission experienced a technical malfunction, which necessitated jettisoning of external stores.

A fighter aircraft was airborne for a training mission from Gorakhpur. The aircraft experienced a technical malfunction which necessitated jettisoning of external stores. There was no damage to life or property in the process, the IAF said.

Confirming the development, Sant Kabir Nagar superintendent of police Satyajeet Gupta the object that fell from the skies would be verified by air force officials, and that the entire area had been secured.

Rajesh Gupta, a local, said he was the one to have spotted the tank-like object first. (With agency inputs)
There are 86 unauthorised shared autorickshaw stands in the western suburbs and the vehicles operating out of these locations ply mainly between Bandra and Borivali, Mumbai Rickshawmens Union has said in a letter to the transport department and the regional transport offices (RTOs). Mumbai, India - July 24, 2023 : Auto Rickshaw stand near Station, Sahar Road at Andheri East, in Mumbai, India, on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo)

These autos ferry 4-5 commuters each and drive dangerously, the association said and added that certain stands even quote erratic fares unapproved by the RTOs and create chaos outside railway stations leaving little space for other vehicles, including BEST buses, to pass.

As per the letter written on July 17, which was received by authorities on July 20, the association had carried out a survey on illegal share auto stands in the western suburbs.

Giving an example, the association said, there are at least seven illegal routes these autos take from the eastern side of Bandra station towards Bandra Kurla Complex, Kalanagar, Bandra Terminus, Guru Nanak Hospital etc.

Borivali has the highest number of such autos operating on 18 different routes towards residential colonies, slum pockets, Gorai, IC Colony, Nancy Colony and Ashokvan, and between Borivali and Dahisar railway stations, the letter highlighted. Similarly, from Goregaon, these illegal share autos ply on 16 routes leading to Aarey Colony, NESCO, and Jawahar Nagar among others, it said.

There should be a proper board installed by the RTO stating that there is a share autorickshaw service to and from a particular location. At these 86 locations, such boards are missing. Instead, what we found are either a simple board with fares chargeable for the route or political banners supporting these unapproved auto stands. We have submitted this list after a thorough survey and have also held meetings with RTO officials, the letter signed by Thampi Kurien, unions general secretary, said.

We request you to approve these stands and make them legal, he added.

During the survey, it was also found that the mandatory metal badge was missing from some drivers, another member of the union said. Some had driving licence but no permits.

Commuters complain that these share auto drivers block the entry/exit route to Bandra station on foot overbridges as they try to hail passengers while quoting the fares.

Suma Raut, a hotelier from Bandra, said, The local authorities do not check the auto drivers running on a share basis. These drivers pose a safety risk and we have heard they have misbehaved with passengers as well.

Dharmesh Jhaveri, a member of Mumbai North Central District Forum, has been using social media to highlight the plight of people going to BKC.

Travelling to BKC is a nightmare. A share auto charges starting 20, and this goes up to 50 during peak hours. This calls the need for the BEST to operate mini buses till Bandra Terminus, Jhaveri, who is employed with a company in BKC, said.

Some commuters claim that even in Andheri, Malad and Kandivali there are unofficial share auto routes.

These autos simply queue up and make 4-5 people sit in each vehicle. If anyone objects, then they are asked to catch the next rickshaw or take an auto with meter. Authorities should make these shared auto routes legal and keep a stringent watch on the drivers, Nitin Gupta, a resident of Kandivali East, said.

A transport department official said, Whenever we get any request from auto unions and/or from the public seeking a shared auto stand, we discuss the matter and based on the demand, we give approval.

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Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced in the assembly on Monday that the state government would ensure that the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) set up its base camp at Mahad in Raigad district. Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar (Centre) ( Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

The state would follow up with the Centre on a proposal sent by the erstwhile Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2021, he said in response to a question by an opposition leader.

Also Read | The ED case probing Ajit Pawar and associates

His announcement came five days after a landslide at Irshalwadi, a village in Khalapur tehsil of Raigad, killed 27 people while 57 are still unaccounted for.

Officials, however, said the NDRF is not keen on a camp at Mahad where the MVA government had in August 2021 earmarked a five-acre plot for this purpose.

The NDRF has already its base camp at Sudumbare in Pune and most of the 18 teams in Maharashtra are stationed there. They are not interested in another camp which is not far off from Pune, an official from the relief and rehabilitation department said.

Also Read | Watch: NDRF rescues 3-year-old child who fell into 40-feet borewell in Bihar's Nalanda

An officer from the NDRF said, The state earmarked the land on its own. The demand is for the base of a team (of 50 personnel) at Mahad for which the approval has to come from the ministry of home affairs. The decision on a base camp will be taken by the Centre based on the past events and past deployment of teams.

Pawar, a Nationalist Congress Party leader, also announced in the house that the state would double the financial assistance given to the families affected by natural disasters to 10,000 from 5,000. He said in some districts heavy rain had claimed lives and damaged crops while in some districts the water level in dams had dropped below the dead stock or unusable stock. The situation is contradictory, but we are taking all steps to provide relief to the affected people.

Apart from the financial help, the flood-hit people would be provided with potable water and foodgrains while schoolchildren would be given stationery and books, he added.
Maharashtra rain highlights: Maharashtra is bracing itself for heavy rain over the next four days, as authorities remain on high alert to tackle the issues caused by excessive precipitation. The situation comes in the aftermath of a massive landslide that struck Irshalwadi in Raigad district's Khalapur tehsil. A view of the flooded road due to the incessant rain in the region in Yavatmal, Maharashtra.(ANI)

The National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) had been conducting search and rescue operations at the landslide-hit area for four days after the disaster struck. However, the NDRF has now called off their operations with little hope of finding any more survivors. The devastating landslide has claimed the lives of 27 people, with 57 villagers still untraced.

Close to 4,500 houses have been reported damaged due to the relentless downpour, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the state.

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued a warning to all residents to remain cautious and vigilant during these trying times.
PUNE: Jarandeshwar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana (JSSK) Limited, Chimangaon in the Koregaon area of the Satara district is almost 275 km from the state capital of Mumbai. But in recent weeks, it became the centre of attention after a special court in Mumbai, after taking cognisance of a chargesheet by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) remarked that individuals closely associated with the newly-appointed deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar appear to have acquired assets of the sugar factory at an incredibly low cost. PREMIUM The ED comments came at a time when Pawar engineered a split from his uncle, Sharad Pawar, to lead a faction of legislators to join the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government.(Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times)

Whats more, the comments came at a time when Pawar engineered a split from his uncle, Sharad Pawar, to lead a faction of legislators to join the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government.

But, what is the story of JSSK? And how exactly is it connected to Ajit Pawar?

JSSK Limited became operational in 1999-2000 with 27,000 farmer members, who put in an initial capital of 42.48 crore. The factory had the capacity to crush 2500 MT of sugarcane. In 2005, the state government had appointed the VP Rane committee to suggest measures for improving the health of sugar factories in Maharashtra. The Rane committee conducted a detailed study of sugar factories in the state and identified 74 mills for further recommendations. JSSK was in 13th place on the list of ill sugar factories.

That year, due to severe drought conditions, JSSK did not have a crushing season. The following year, banks refused to give it loans and it became difficult for JSSK management to run the factory. The management, under the leadership of Shalinitai Patil, leased the factory to Warana Group (owned by politician Vinay Kore, the founder chairman of Jan Surajya Shakti party) for two seasons and later to Uttar Pradesh-based KM Sugar company in 2007-08 and Sneha Sugar in 2009-10.

However, to keep the operations going, JSSK took a loan from Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB). By the end of March 2008, the loan amount was 78.90 crore and JSSK became a Non-Performing Asset (NPA). The MSCB initiated action under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI) and issued a notice to JSSK. It took possession of JSSK and the distillery plant on July 16, 2010.

Ajit Pawar was the director of MSCB at the time, and the market price of the land, machinery and sugar plant was evaluated at  35.64 crore and the distillery plant at 5.59 crore. However, the JSSK management disagreed with the amount, and conducted a separate evaluation through a government-registered valuer who arrived at a figure of 103.31 crore. However, the MSCB stuck to its own evaluated price, and on August 11, 2010, the board of directors of MSCB fixed the cost of JSSK at 40 crore and the distilleries at 5.77 crore, when it was put up for auction.

The price fixed by MSCB was undervalued as a valuation report of a government-approved valuer appointed by the JSSK management and the valuation done by MSCB was not [the same], Enforcement Directorate documents stated.

On September 14, 2010, a pre-bid meeting for the auction of JSSK saw 22 parties participate. Eventually, 13 filed tenders. Guru Commodity Services Pvt Ltd made the highest bid of 65.75 crore. In October, Ajit Pawar conducted a meeting in which the sale of JSSK to M/s Guru Commodity was approved. In November, Guru Commodity took physical possession of JSSK and received a sale certificate on November 25, 2010.

But the money never exchanged hands, a petition by former JSSK board member and others claimed.

Money trail

In 2019, Shalinitail Patil, along with activist Anna Hazare, and Manikrao Jadhav, a former MLA and chairman of Maharashtra Rajya Shetkari Kamgar Mahasangh (which works for the welfare of agricultural farmers) among others, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which precipitated an ED investigation and attached properties of the JSSK.

In 2022, considering the dependence of farmers and workers in the region on JSSK, Patil filed an application in ED Court with the signatures of more than 10,000 farmers seeking permission to run JSSK, which now lies attached by the ED.

Jadhav, who was elected in 1995 from the Nilanga assembly constituency in Latur district after defeating former CM of Maharashtra Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar, alleged that no one from Guru Commodity attended the pre-bid meeting that was held back in 2010. No one from Guru Commodity attended the meeting. They even did not file a tender then how did Guru get the tender? Ajit Pawar who was present in the meeting, used his political power before the selection of Guru Commodity as the highest bidder. 

According to Jadhav, Ajit Pawar "illegally" sold JSSK to Guru Commodity whose annual turnover was just 4 lakh. According to Jadhav, Guru Commodity neither paid 20% of the total deal amount within seven days nor the remaining 75% within 90 days as required by the tender documents.

The ED's investigation also concluded that the auction was not conducted in a fair and proper manner, and benefitted Guru Commodity, documents stated. During an investigation of the source of funds, ED found a significant amount of money for the purchase of JSSK was sourced from Sparkling Soil Pvt Ltd by the Guru Commodity. During the ED investigation, it was revealed that Rajendra Ghadge, who is one of the directors of Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt. Ltd was also a director in Sparkling Soil and Sunetra Ajit Pawar was one of the directors of Sparkling Soil during the period 2004 to 2008. Sunetra Ajit Pawar is the wife of Ajit Pawar, who was the director of MSCB when the auction and sale of JSSKs property took place.

In another surprising move, on November 25, 2010, after taking possession of the JSSK, Guru Commodity gave JSSK on lease to Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Ltd for an annual charge of 12 lakh initially for five years and a year later, extended the lease till 2044. The rent amount was also increased to 1.5 crore, and by the third year, to 3 crore. Since 2013, however, the rent amount has not been increased.

This clearly shows that JSSK was acquired by Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt. through a dummy entity, Guru Commodity. Immediately after it was taken over by Guru Commodity, it was leased to Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Ltd. on a nominal rent, Jadhav said.

According to the ED investigation, the rent was not paid regularly and a majority of what was paid was routed back to Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt. Ltd. under the guise of return of deposit/preferential share capital.

In December 2010, within a month of taking the JSSK on lease, Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt Ltd. took a loan of 89 crore from Pune District Central Cooperative Bank (PDCCB) on the collateral security of the sugar mill for the purpose of expansion of JSSK  this despite the fact that only months before, the mill was valued at 40 crore, Jadhav said.

ED alleged that the Pune DCCB sanctioned various loans in the name of sugar stock in the factory whereas there was no sugar stock available with the sugar factory at the time of sanction of loan. During this period, Ajit Pawar was a director on the board of Pune DCCB. During the investigation, it was also revealed that till date, Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt. Ltd. has availed more than 700 crore by mortgaging the properties of the mill.

ED's charges

According to ED, the auction of the JSSK was conducted in such a manner that it could be purchased by Guru Commodity Services, a dummy company, at an undervalued price. The JSSK was controlled through Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt. Ltd. under the guise of taking the property on lease. The factory premises are now being utilised by Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt. Ltd. for generating revenue and for availing loans from banks.

ED officials informed that the JSSK was allotted to Guru Commodity Services Pvt. Ltd. and the process of allocation was questionable as the bank officials ignored all the prevailing procedures by undervaluing the assets. Therefore, the assets of JSSK (now owned by M/s Guru Commodity) are proceeds of crime in terms of Section 2(i)(u) of the PMLA, 2002 as the same has been obtained by committing the scheduled offence registered under the FIR No. 224 of 2019 on August 26, 2019 by Mumbai Police.

According to the ED, Guru Commodities and Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt Ltd and its directors have prima facie committed an offence under Section 3 of PMLA, 2002, and that the properties presently under orders of Provisional Attachment to the extent of 65.75 crore are proceeds of crime involved in money laundering and thereby, the Provisional Attachment order of properties was passed on July 2021.

Ajit Pawar refuted the allegations levelled against him in connection with Jarandeshwar Sahakari Sugar Karkhana. He said The truth will come out soon. The auction of the sugar mill was carried out lawfully.

Pawar said the court asked the bank to sell the sugar mill only if the administration failed to clear bank dues. Accordingly, the MSCB initiated the tendering process to which many companies responded. Finally, Guru Commoditys bid was the highest, hence the bank sold the mill to them.
In a hit-and-run accident, an ice-cream vendor was killed early Sunday by a speeding Mahindra Thar SUV in Noidas Sector 41, police said, adding that the errant driver was arrested from Sector 44, Noida. The impounded Mahindra Thar outside Sector 39 police station on Monday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

According to Shakti Avasthy, additional deputy commissioner of police (Noida), the incident happened around 1.15am on Sunday following which a team from Sector 39 police station reached the spot.

The car, with a Uttarakhand registration plate, rammed the ice-cream vendor, identified as Kishan Dev Rai (38), in Sector 41. The driver did not stop to help the severely injured and was profusely bleeding Rai and fled the spot after leaving the car behind. The police later rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Rai was a native of Bihar and was currently residing in Sadarpur village of Noida, Avasthy said.

The car was impounded by the police and teams were deployed to nab the driver.

Deceaseds nephew Manish Kumar submitted a complaint at the police station stating, My uncle was returning to Barola village in Sector 49 to the ice-cream companys godown when he died after being hit by a speeding car near the Sector 41 police post.

On the basis of his complaint, an FIR was registered against unidentified person under section 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way), 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and 304A ( Causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

The suspect was identified as Anand Upadhyay (35), a resident of Rohini, and he was arrested from Sector 44, Noida on Monday, said the officer, adding that he was produced before a magistrate and sent to judicial custody.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ashni Dhaor Ashni Dhaor is a correspondent with Hindustan Times. She covers crime, education, health, politics, civic issues and environment in Ghaziabad city. She graduated from Delhi University in 2015 and has since been working with Hindustan Times since. ...view detail
Darbhanga/Patna A view Darbhanga Railway Station. (HT FILE)

At least 21 people have been arrested in Bihars Darbhanga so far in connection with two separate incidents of communal clash that erupted on Sunday, police said on Monday.

According to police, 13 people have been arrested so far in connection with a clash over hoisting a religious flag close to a place of worship of another community, which broke out near Bazar Samiti Chowk in Darbhanga town on Sunday.

Additional director general (ADG) of police (headquarters) JS Gangwar said the situation is now completely under control in the Bazar Samiti area. Adequate forces have been deployed in the area. The local police have so far arrested 13 people after registering a case. The district police are keeping a vigil in and around the locality, he told reporters in Patna.

Members of both communities indulged in stone-pelting until the situation was brought under control by the police and the local administration on Sunday.

Darbhanga district magistrate Rajiv Raushan had convened a meeting of the peace committee, which comprised members of both communities.

It was advised that no flags be put up at places where these have not been hoisted in the past or where locals have any objection. Also, the district administration be informed in advance about spots where these flags are to be hoisted so that adequate arrangements are in place, the DM said on Sunday.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Avakash Kumar said the dispute would have been resolved amicably but some anti-social elements from both sides began hurling stones.

Some police personnel had also received minor injuries in the incident.

Eight others have been apprehended by police in connection with violence during a funeral in Hariharpur tola- Mallpati village under Kamtaul police station limits on Sunday evening.

The clash took place over ownership rights to a cremation ground.

According to locals, the trouble began during last rites of one Shrikant Paswan, who had died of natural causes. Members of other community hailing from Malpatti village arrived on the spot and opposed the cremation, leading to a confrontation. Soon, the situation escalated into stone-pelting and clashes, resulting in injuries to nearly a dozen people, including some policemen.

Police reinforcements were dispatched to the scene, and Paswan was ultimately cremated under police supervision. Top officials intervened to pacify the gathered crowd.

The cremation grounds ownership has been a contentious issue between the two communities for the past two years, according to locals.

SSP Awakash Kumar said eight people have been arrested and efforts are underway to apprehend others, already identified and involved in the incident. The situation has since returned to normal, with the police conducting flag marches in the area.

There was an incident of conflict between the two sides over the accusation of preventing the cremation of a dead body, which led to the vandalisation of one anothers houses by the two sides, a press statement issued by the SSP office said.

Kamtaul police station house officer (SHO) Barun Kumar Goswami, when contacted, said the situation has returned to normal now.

Earlier, the deceaseds son, Feku Paswan, told reporters that he had come to perform the last rites of his father when the other group resorted to violence.

A Royal Enfield bike of mukhiya of Hariharpur panchayat, Ajay Jha, was also burnt by the miscreants.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Police has intensified its social media surveillance to identify and trace people who post provocative, objectionable and blasphemous content that might disturb peace in view of the ongoing festive seasons in the state, another senior officer said.

The Economic Offences Unit of the state police has already alerted 44 cyber police stations and district administrations to monitor provocative, objectionable and hatred-filled messages on social media platforms and also to identify and act against persons or organisations involved in such illegal acts, the official said.

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A couple from Darbhanga has accused Spicejet airlines of refusing to let them board a scheduled flight with their three-day-old infant despite having charged for the lap passenger. A flight takes off from Darbhanga airport. (HT FILE)

Anil Kumar Jha and his wife were scheduled to board the Darbhanga-New Delhi flight at 1.50 pm on Monday. However, when they reached the check-in counter, the airline staff told them that the newborn couldn't to fly with them as a lap passenger since the infant was only three days old.

Jha, who was flying to Delhi to visit a terminally ill relative, said, They cited the airlines norms while refusing us entry along with our newborn.

The couple claimed they had provided the infants age during the ticket booking process.

In a desperate attempt to meet the airlines requirements, a relative rushed to a local doctor to obtain a medical fitness certificate for the child. However, the airline staff refused to entertain the certificate.

Dr Om Prakash, a noted neonatal expert in the city, confirmed he had examined the newborn and found the baby to be healthy and completely fit for air travel.

Satyendra Jha, the director of Darbhanga airport, just reiterated the airlines refusal to allow the newborn on the flight.

According to the classification of a lap child on Spicejets website, infants are classified as children above 7 days and below 2 years of age on the date of travel.

However, the couple claimed they had disclosed the infants age during the booking process.

In response to the incident, Spicejet has assured the couple of a full refund for their expenses on booking tickets.

Jha said the airlines staff have asked to furnish an email for the refund, including 1700 they had paid for the lap passenger.

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BULANDZENI  Politics is indeed a dirty game!

This became evident yesterday when a Bulandzeni Member of Parliament (MP) nominee and his estranged wife were both nominated for the same position under the same chiefdom.

Bulandzeni is under Ndzingeni Inkhundla. The businessman, Gcina Samson Magagula, was the first to be nominated for the MP position during the 2023 General Elections nominations exercise at Bulandzeni, conducted by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). Judging from the residents reactions after he was nominated by Fano Nxumalo, Magagula was the peoples favourite.

Celebrating

After his name had been mentioned, the electorate sprung to their feet and started celebrating with the businessman. The exercise was being held under a tree. They carried him to the front, where he had to confirm his intention to run for the elections. The crowd had started ululating and was chanting with excitement, endorsing the businessmans nomination. Magagula, according to many residents within the inkhundla, is a charismatic businessman. He is expected to give tough competition to outgoing MP Lutfo Dlamini, who was also nominated by the electorate at his chiefdom, Nkamanzi. Magagula is the owner of the popular bus named, Dont Fight, which services the Mbabane/Piggs Peak and Matsamo route.

Five other individuals were nominated after Magagula, to contest the MP position. The five include his estranged wife Precious Thobile-Magagula, who was the sixth and last candidate to be nominated for the MP position at Bulandzeni. Her nomination was met with anger by many of the residents, who seemed unhappy with it. However, a group consisting mostly of women showed support to her and danced as they led her to the front after she had confirmed that she would stand for the elections. Supporters of her husband seemed agitated by her actions, as some booed her, something which, however, did not seem to bother her.

When asked on the competition with his estranged wife, the businessman said he was of the view that this was a deliberate strategy by one of his rivals, whom he did not name, to dent his efforts of being elected an MP. Someone took advantage of our family problems. There is a rival of mine who has capitalised on our separation and is using her to fight me in the race to Parliament, he claimed. Magagula explained that Precious was his third wife, whom he married through the Eswatini Law and Custom, but they were going through family challenges at the moment. He said legally, they were still husband and wife because, even though they were not staying together, they were not legally separated. When Precious was questioned on the matter, she only confirmed being the wife to the businessman and was not comfortable commenting more on the issue. The other four MP nominees at Bulandzeni are Mbutfo Magagula, Nhlanhla Zwane, Muthetho Dlamini and Babazile Matsenjwa.

A total of 12 individuals were nominated to contest for Bulandzeni bucopho, while five were nominated to contest the indvuna yenkhundla position at Ndzingeni. They include Fikelephi Khatsidze, who is the outgoing Ndzingeni indvuna yenkhundla. The other four individuals nominated for indvuna yenkhundla at Bulandzeni are Makhosi Magagula, Sibusiso Mahlalela, Musa Tsabedze and Ndondolozi Nxumalo. Meanwhile, Chief Ndaluhlaza, who is also the Minister of Public Works and Transport, advised the residents of Bulandzeni to nominate wisely and stick to the dictates of the Constitution.
The Director of Education (Secondary and Higher Secondary), Pune, released the merit list and college cut-off for the First Year Junior College (FYJC) online centralised admissions first special round on Monday. Of the 25,973 allotted students, 13,576 students were given the college of their first preference, 2,911 students were given the college of their second preference and 1,105 students were given the college of their third preference. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

In the first special round, a total of 25,973 admissions were allotted to students and after completion of three regular rounds 64,783 seats are vacant in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad divisions. The admissions will continue till August, said officials.

As per the education department, in the first special round of admission, a total of 60,411 seats are available, for which 28,962 students were eligible and out of it 25,973 students were allotted a college.

The remaining 2,989 students who had applied for admission in this round couldnt match the cut-off list of colleges with their given college preferences and marks.

Of the 25,973 allotted students, 13,576 students were given the college of their first preference, 2,911 students were given the college of their second preference and 1,105 students were given the college of their third preference.

Till now in this academic year, a total of 99,839 students have registered for total available 115,950 seats for the FYJC admissions, while a total of 51,167 students have taken admission in the first three regular rounds in 326 junior colleges.

In the last two academic years, the admission process has been delayed up to September and December as a special round process was going on and students were reluctant to take the admissions.

Mahendo Padhye, senior professor and education expert, said, This is the impact of increasing demand for management courses or short-term courses which can give job opportunities to students in one or couple of years. Now, more students are rejecting to take admission in traditional FYJC admission process and rather finding other career preferences.

Class 11 online centralised admission

(Figures for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad)

99,839 registrations

115,950 available seats

326 total colleges

51167 students admitted

64,783 vacant seats

(Education department)
The Pune municipal administration has instructed its staff and private contractors to not undertake any road digging work in the city, mainly in the areas where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel during his Pune visit. The PM will be in a city on August 1 where he will be conferred the Lokmanya Tilak award. The Pune municipal administration has instructed its staff and private contractors to not undertake any road digging work in the city (HT FILE PHOTO)

Ahead of PM Modis visit, additional municipal commissioner at PMC Vikas Dhakane held a meeting with the municipal administration and instructed staff to not allow digging of roads mainly around Lohegaon airport, Yerawada, Rajbhavan, and Swargate from where Prime Minister is likely to travel, said an official.

At the same time, contractors have been asked by the civic body to complete already taken road digging work at priority level, the official added.

Dhakane said, As PM Modi is visiting the city, we are ensuring that there is no digging work underway in areas where the prime minister is likely to visit. The civic body is conducting and giving permission for road digging only for water pipeline laying work.

PM Modi will be conferred Lokmanya Tilak National Award where Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, chief minister Eknath Shinde, and his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are also likely to be present.

Usually during rainy season, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) does not allow any type of digging work unless in emergency situations and essential services. However, this year, PMC is being criticised to go soft against private contractors involved in road digging work even for non-essential services.

Officials said the PMC has allowed to complete the work of 24x7 water scheme works and laying drainage and storm water lines for which digging is permitted.

Even as Prime Ministers office has not officially confirmed his tour, the local administration in the city along with district collectorate have started the preparations for the visit.

Recently, divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao took a meeting with officers for the preparations of PMs visit to the city and conducted a site visit.

The Lokmanya Tilak award ceremony is planned at Tilak University located at Gultekadi.

The Bhartaiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Hemant Rasane on Monday claimed that the PM is also likely to visit Dagdusheth Ganesh Mandir and Kesri Wada on August 1.

As Prime Minister Modi and NCP leader Pawar will be sharing the same dias, the programme has received more importance in the political circle.
Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, expressing his anguish over the unspeakable torture of women in violence-hit Manipur and urged her to take steps to ensure peace in the northeastern state. Soren wrote to President expressing his anguish over the unspeakable torture of women in Manipur. (ANI photo)

As the honourable President of India, your steadfast commitment to upholding the principle of justice and compassion has always been a guiding light for us. In this darkest hour of crisis that Manipur and India faces, we look up to you as the last source of hope and inspiration who could show the light in these troubled times to the people of Manipur and all citizens of India, said Soren in letter to President Murmu.

I appeal to you today to find a way forward, ensure justice is served and take steps to ensure the peace and harmony of Manipur. We cannot and must not let our fellow tribal brothers and sisters be treated in the appallingly barbaric way. Manipur must heal and we as nation must help, he added.

Soren also accused the Centre of sidelining the issue of Manipur, a predominately tribal state known for its vibrant culture and peaceful coexistence.

Also Read: Manipur viral video: Police recovers cell phone with evidence

Manipur has produced some of Indias best sportspersons who have international laurels and Olympic medals...Today even they are at loss; some of them have been constantly appealing to the union government to help restore peace in conflicted regions. However, we have seen complete silence and a desperate attempt by the union government to sideline the issue, muzzle the voice of media and people restricting the truth from being disseminated to the rest of the country, Soren said.

We cannot and must not let our fellow tribal brothers and sisters be treated in this appallingly barbaric way. Manipur must heal and we as a nation must help, he added.

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Dark Gathering episode 4 is scheduled to premiere on Monday, July 31, at 1.05 am JST. In the last episode, "Friends," viewers discovered Yayoi's plan to break Keitaro's curse and the secret behind her supernaturally possessed dolls. These dolls are used to protect her loved ones. Exciting revelations await! Dark Gathering episode 4 release date (Image via OLM Team Masuda)

After the revealing third episode, fans eagerly await Dark Gathering episode 4. The series by Kenichi Kondo is gaining attention for its supernatural and mysterious plot, and the otaku community is praising the blend of action and comedy.

Release date and time, where to watch

Dark Gathering episode 4 premieres on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 1.05 am JST. This season includes 25 episodes. Catch it on Tokyo MX, BS Asahi, Kansai TV, AT-X, TV Kanazawa, and other Japanese channels. International fans can watch on HIDIVE in select areas for international viewers.

As release times differ based on location and time zone, here are the dates when Dark Gathering episode 4 will be accessible:

Date Dark Gathering Episode 4 Exact Release Time JST PT ET CT GMT IST July 31, 2023 1:05 AM 9:05 AM 12:05 PM 11:05 AM 4:05 PM 9:35 PM

Recap of Dark Gathering episode 3

In the previous episode of Dark Gathering, viewers saw Yayoi asking Keitaro for one of his nails, but he refused. Later, Yayoi and Eiko planned to visit a haunted shrine to break their curses. Yayoi had supernatural encounters while at the shrine, and Eiko sought Keitaro's help.

Initially hesitant, Keitaro eventually rushed to save Yayoi. She explained that the possessed dolls with her blood or nails protect her from harm by becoming a shield against ghosts. Yayoi needed Keitaro's nail to strengthen one of these dolls and lift his curse.

With the powerful doll, they could kill the ghost responsible for Keitaro's curse. Yayoi suggested working together to capture evil spirits and make them fight each other. The episode ended with the possibility of their plan unfolding as a team.

What to expect from Dark Gathering episode 4?

In Dark Gathering episode 4, Keitaro and Eiko will start their university journey, but Yayoi will also accompany them. After attending orientation, Eiko will be approached by several students inviting her to join different university groups.

During the episode, Keitaro and Eiko will decide to study Urban Legends as their subject and enroll in the class. However, as they will be taking the class, viewers can expect to see supernatural elements.

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Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday recently painted the town red as pictures of the actors from their European vacation surfaced online. Just before his recent holiday pictures with Ananya went viral, Aditya had talked about dating and relationships. The actor recently returned from Europe along with Ananya, although they were spotted separately in paparazzi videos upon their arrival at Mumbai airport. Also read: Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday are lost in conversation at a restaurant in Lisbon; fans react: The eyes never lie Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday recently returned from Europe.

Aditya was last seen in the series The Night Manager 2 and in the film Gumraah. He also starred in Bumbles Kindness is sexy campaign, as part of which he spoke about importance of kindness in a relationship.

Aditya Roy Kapur on kindness in relationships

Aditya stressed on the importance of being empathetic and kind. He said, I think the heart of everything is being good to people around you and being good to people you are in a romantic relationship with. Speaking on the importance of kindness in relationships, he said, I think kindness can never go out of style. It's one of the intrinsic things about being able to survive in society  the ability to get along with other people, be it in a romantic relationship or friendship or any other, and at its core, you need to be kind to everyone, especially in romantic relationships.

He added that kindness is attractive and important and said, "Sometimes we just go along with certain behaviours because everyone else is doing it. But here's the thing, just because everyone does it, doesn't make it right. Kindness goes beyond just being decent, its also vulnerability and empathy  all of which are so important to build healthy relationships. Now more than ever, its cool to be kind! And I think kindness is sexy and will always be.

Aditya Roy Kapur's show and films

Aditya recently returned with Part 2 of his web series, The Night Manager. It also stars Anil Kapoor, Sobhita Dhulipala, Tillotama Shome, Ravi Behl and Saswata Chatterjee. In the film Gumraah, Aditya featured alongside Mrunal Thakur and Ronit Roy.

He will next be seen in Anurag Basu's Metro In Dino. The film also stars Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Neena Gupta and Ali Fazal.

(With PTI inputs)

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Actor and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan criticised the government for not addressing the Manipur unrest in the parliament. She said that after months-old video showing two tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men in Manipur surfaced online, the world was discussing the violence in the state, but the country's leaders were not. Also read: Jaya Bachchan reacts to viral Manipur video Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan at Parliament House complex during the monsoon session in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

Jaya Bachchan slams government for Manipur unrest

Jaya told reporters in Delhi on Monday, "Manipur ke vishay mein internationally sab log charcha kar rahe hain, humare desh mein nahi ho rahi hai. Iss se zyada main kya keh sakti hoon? It is a shame, charcha woh karana nahi chahte hain (Manipur is being discussed internationally but not in our country, what more can I say. Government does not want discussion)."

As the opposition MPs continue to demand discussion on the violence in Manipur, Jaya further said, Aur house ke andar aap jo states ki baat kar rahe hain, woh apke strong opponents hain. Aap unki baat kar rahe hai. Aapke rajya mein kya ho raha hai, aap ke states mein kya ho raha hai? Kya ho raha hai UP mein, Madhya Pradesh mein, aap batayiye. Baki jo kuch bhi unka bacha hai, aage toh bachega bhi nahi (The government is speaking about the issues in other states, but what about Uttar Pradesh and MP? They should explain what is happening in their states too. Anyway they won't have these state governments for very long).

Jaya on Manipur videos

Last week, Jaya had said she could not watch the whole video of tribal women from Manipur being paraded naked as she was ashamed. She had told news agency ANI in Hindi, I felt so bad, I couldnt see the entire video. I was ashamed. This happened in May, but went viral now. But, no one has said a single word in sympathy. This is about women's safety. But you say things like we have selected 50 percent women for a panel.

She had also said, It's very frustrating. Every day something or the other is happening with women. In UP we don't get to know what happens there, Yogi Adityanath Ji never says. What is happening in the entire country with women? Such humiliation. It's very saddening."

Reactions to Manipur incident

Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Soni Razdan, Vivek Agnihotri and many other celebs reacted to the video of two Manipuri women, which recently surfaced online.

Actor Kiara Advani also took to social media and reacted to the viral video that allegedly shows two women in Manipur being sexually assaulted on a road. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, The video of violence against women in Manipur is horrifying and has shaken me to the core. I pray the women get justice at the earliest. Those responsible must face the most SEVERE punishment they deserve.

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Shatrughan Sinha and wife Poonam Sinha recently hosted a get-together to celebrate their wedding anniversary as well as remember late legendary actor Sanjeev Kumar. The gathering also had veteran actor Mumtaz and Siddharth Kak of Surabhi fame in attendance. Shatrughan Sinha took to Twitter on Monday to share a few pictures from the bash. Also read: Shatrughan Sinha pens note for Sonakshi Sinha: 'We are so proud of your strength, everything you have accomplished' Shatrughan Sinha with wife Poonam (left), actor Mumtaz (second from left) and Siddharth Kak (right) at his residence.

Shatrughan Sinha's tweet

Sharing the pictures and introducing his fans to the people featuring in them, the veteran actor wrote, Just a couple of days back was a family get together with many close friends, Superstar, most desirable, famous actress par excellence, a very dear friend, Lady Mumtaz, talented Indian television producer, presenter, Surabhi fame, a great intellectual Siddharth Kak, so called 'tycoon' Surinder Kikku Wadhwani, distinguished guests and elites."

He further added, "All collected together to remember and wish friend, philosopher, guide, great actor, fine human being in true sense late and great our loving 'Hari Bhai (brother)' Sanjeev Kumar and also celebrate our anniversary along with my elder brother Dr Lakshman Sinha, his gracious wife Mrs Geeta Sinha and our children. My bestest half @PoonamSinha played the perfect hostess as usual. A memorable and refreshing evening

Who is Siddharth Kak

Siddharth Kak is known for hosting hit Doordarshan show Surabhi alongwith Renuka Shahane. The show went on from 1990 to 2001 with a year's break in 1991. He has worked in few films too including Mr. India in 1987 and Love Aaj Kal 2 in 2020.

Mumtaz and Shatrughan Sinha's friendship

Mumtaz occasionally shares pictures from her reunions with film celebrities. Earlier this month, she shared pictures with former filmmaker Salim Khan, Jackie Shroff, Poonam Dhillon, Reena Roy Khushboo Sundar and many others from a party.

Shatrughan and Mumtaz have worked in multiple films like Khilona (1970), Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971), Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) and Aandhiyan (1990). In his book that was unveiled in 2021, Shatrughan had revealed how he played a small role of Bihari in Khilona which had Mumtaz as the female lead. The book has him opening up about how Mumtaz saved him from losing the role in the film as he had an argument with the film's producer who decided to oust him soon after. But Mumtaz came to his support and warned the producer that if he removes Shatrughan, she will quit the film. The producer eventually accepted her condition and he went on to feature in the film.

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Vicky Kaushal has recalled his struggling days as an actor and revealed that the way his parents treated him then  and even do now  has led to him retaining his humility after success. Vicky said in an interview to Film Companion that the middle-class values are engrained in him to an extent that he'd never be able to rise above them completely. (Also Read: Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal hold hands as they return to Mumbai after birthday celebrations in Maldives. Watch) Vicky Kaushal with his parents Veena and Sam Kaushal

Vicky made his Bollywood acting debut with Neeraj Ghaywan's critically acclaimed 2015 film Masaan. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant director with Anurag Kashyap on his 2012 blockbuster gangster drama Gangs of Wasseypur. Vicky is the son of homemaker Veena Kaushal and veteran action director Sam Kaushal. He has a younger brother, Sunny Kaushal, who is also an actor. Vicky is married to Bollywood star Katrina Kaif.

Vicky on struggling days

My parents always made sure that both Sunny and me knew the difference between necessity and luxury. They always kept saying that necessity is something that will be provided to you, luxury is something you'll have to earn on your own. That demarcation was always there. When we were going to college, when I was an AD whatever, we had a second car at home but I was never allowed to drive it. Unless I have to take mom to drop her for yoga. But if I have to go for my job, for my work, even if I have to go to Anurag sir's office or auditions wagerah (etc.), I had to take a bus or an auto. I can't solo-drive a car. You had to earn your car to do that, Vicky said in an interview to Film Companion.

Vicky on how his mom still keeps him grounded

Mujhe yaad hai ek baar (I remember once) in 2018 or 19, one of the leading publications wrote a list of Most Desirable and mera naam aa gaya tha usmei (My name was there in the list). I had come back from a trip. Doston ke sath khoob khaya, masti ki ye wo toh (I had eaten and enjoyed a lot with friends so turned fat). And I came back, I'm just lying down, my shirt is open and my mom is like, Aa dekh lo, ye hai most desirable (See, he's the most desirable). Trolling jab ghar pe hoti hai na aap shant rehte ho (You keep quiet when you get trolled at home). Internet can't shape me (laughs)," Vicky said in the same interview.

Vicky will be seen next in Sam Bahadur, directed by Meghna Gulzar, and an untitled romantic comedy co-staring Tripti Dimri, directed by Anand Tiwari.

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RGV on Bhagavad Gita controversy

On Monday, Ram Gopal Varma tweeted, Irony is that an American nuclear scientist Oppenheimer read the Bhagwad Geeta which I doubt even 0.0000001 % of Indians read.

His tweet is in reference to a contentious scene in the film, where the protagonist J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), known as the father of the atomic bomb, is seen invoking a verse from the holy Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita immediately after a lovemaking scene with his girlfriend (played by Florence Pugh).

Reactions to RGV's remark

A user seemed to agree with Ram Gopal Varma's remark and wrote in the comment section of his tweet, That too in Sanskrit, after learning Sanskrit. Another user wrote, Weve heard enough Bhagavath Geetha interpretations from others than reading it once with our own interpretation unbiased and unprejudiced.

A user also reacted to the objections raised by a section of the internet over how the scene plays out. They wrote, Indians are more worried about showing the bhagvad gita in a bedroom.

However, another user countered Ram Gopal Varma's remark and wrote, Many Indians have read the Bible which I doubt 0.000000001% of Americans have ever dared to read...doesn't mean a thing RGV... Another user wrote, Bigger irony is that it includes you too sir! Another user argued, How can majority hindus understand it as it was in coded language, as it was the prerogative of a particular class to know the language for hundred of years.

About the Bhagavad Gita controversy

The scene has angered the audience in India, many of whom vented their fury online, calling out Nolan for hurting religious sentiments.

According to sources of news agency ANI, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has taken a stern view of the controversial scene. The minister has demanded absolute accountability from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in response to the objectionable scene.

The Minister has directed the filmmakers to promptly remove the controversial scene from the film. Moreover, he has warned that stringent action will be taken against all CBFC members involved in approving the screening of the movie, as per sources of ANI.

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Are you excited about the upcoming Son of a Critch series? It delves into the life of a high school boy facing bullies. The series premieres on July 24, 2023, and will air on The CW channel. Heartfelt comedy series, Son of a Critch, explores an 11-year-old's mature perspective, using humor to connect with his limited world.

Son of a Critch Season 1 Description, Courtesy of The CW:

"Son of a Critch is the hilarious and very real story of a young Mark coming of age in the 1980s. The series is a heartfelt window in the life of a child  who is much older inside than his 11 years  using comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world".

Here's the trailer of Son of a Critch

The trailer shows the life of a young boy in high school and how he deals with bullies. You can watch the trailer to see the actors and get an idea of what the series will be about.

Where To Watch Son of a Critch?

Tune in to The CW at 8 p.m. for Son of a Critch. This series is based on the memoir of the same title by Mark Critch, who stars as his own father. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays the younger version of Mark. the show originally aired on CBC in Canada, it is now being broadcast for the first time in the United States.

How many episodes are in Son of a Critch?

The Son of a Critch consists of 26 episodes, and you can stream all of them on The CW channel. Follow the captivating storyline of a young boy as he navigates high school, trying to fit in and build friendships after facing bullies. Enjoy the exciting and heartwarming journey of this series!

Is Son of a Critch worth watching?

Yes, Son of a Critch is worth watching as it has an exciting storyline about a boy struggling with school challenges.

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MBABANE  Out of the eight Cabinet Ministers who were elected into Parliament, only one will not be vying for a seat in the 12th Parliament.

Seven of these ministers who were elected under the Member of Parliament (MP) category in the 2018 elections, have been nominated to once again represent their constituents in Parliament, except for Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries Madze Bulunga, who was a no-show at his constituency during the nominations. Bulunga is the outgoing MP for Mbabane East Constituency. The nominated members of Cabinet are Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza, Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina, Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati, Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David Cruiser Ngcamphalala and Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza.

Successful

It is worth mentioning that three of the ministers, if successful in the elections, would not be appointed for a seat at Hospital Hill, as they have already served two terms. This is because ministers are not eligible to serve two consecutive terms, procedurally. These are Minister Mabuza, Minister of Tinkhundla Ngcamphalala and Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Vilakati. Meanwhile, four outgoing MPs, including Bulunga, will not stand for the elections. The others are Mbabane West outgoing MP Musa Zwane, outgoing Manzini North MP Macford Sibandze and outgoing Timphisini MP Nelson Mamba. The outgoing legislators did not participate in the nomination process, expressing no desire to return to the House of Assembly.

All the other 51 outgoing MPs were nominated in their respective imiphakatsi, except for outgoing Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni, whose case is pending in court, following his disqualification to stand elections at Lubulini Inkhundla. The list is short of incarcerated outgoing MPs in Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea, Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi and Allen Stewart of Lobamba. Sithobelwenis outgoing MP Bhekitje Dlamini, said he was delighted that the people of his constituency once again showed confidence in him and nominated him to represent them in Parliament. He said there were projects he needed to see through as some were delayed by COVID-19. Siphocosini outgoing MP Mduduzi Matsebula said the people of Siphocosini appreciated what he did for the constituency in his five-year tenure in Parliament and that was evident when they nominated him again.

Matsebula said he really appreciated the confidence the electorate had in him and shared that he would continue where he left off if he won the elections. It is really humbling to see people showing so much appreciation and love, especially when you know you have done a lot for them, he said. Outgoing Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga, whose nomination was also highlighted by chanting and singing by the electorate, said he was grateful to the people of the constituency for seeing it fit to make him one of the contenders for the MP position and he shared that he was 100 per cent ready for the challenge. This to me means that I executed my mandate well to the satisfaction of the people, hence they want me to continue representing them in Parliament, a task that Im ready to do, he said.

He also mentioned that he had a lot to do as far as projects in the constituency were concerned as some were delayed by COVID-19. Mhlanga will be competing against outgoing Mhlume MP Victor Malambe, who was also nominated for the MP position at Mhlangatane. Outgoing Ludzeludze MP Vusi Swali also said he was happy to be nominated again.
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, after a short trip within India, has now travelled to Indonesia. Days after announcing a break from acting, Samantha went to Bali with her friend Anusha Swamy. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Samantha posted pictures and videos from Bali. (Also Read | Samantha Ruth Prabhu debuts short hair amid acting break) Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared posts on Instagram.

Samantha shares holiday pics

In the first photo, Samantha gave a glimpse of her morning as she stood outdoors and looked at the greenery around her. Samantha wore a white string top and matching shorts. She also wore a hat over her newly cropped hairdo. The words on it read, "dream on".

Samantha looked down as she held a railing. She was also seen clicking pictures of Bali. In a selfie, Samantha and Anusha smiled as they posed for the camera. She also made a hand gesture in the last picture. She also geo-tagged the location as Bali.

Samantha's Bali trip with friend

Samantha captioned the post, "Mornings like these (white heart emoji)." Reacting to the post, Anusha wrote, "Best ever." Samantha responded with red heart emojis. A fan said, "Beautiful girl roaming beautiful places." "The most beautiful, desirable, strongest woman in the world," read a comment. Enjoy your vacation Samantha dear, said an Instagram user.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Samantha posted pictures and videos of her view from her room. She shared that one of the videos was shot at 7.30 am. She tagged her friend and wrote, Mornings like these.

Samantha is in Bali.

The actor is spending her time with her friend.

Samantha gives glimpse of her vacation

Samantha also posted a photo of her breakfast which also included coffee. She also shared a clip of Anusha doing a cartwheel as they sat near a water body. Samantha wrote, "Showoff" and tagged her friend. A clip also showed Samantha taking a walk and then giving different poses as someone recorded her from afar.

Samantha's new hairdo

On Sunday, Samantha posted a clip on Instagram and surprised fans with her new short hairdo. Sharing the video, Samantha tagged her hairdresser. Samantha is currently focusing on her health, having taken a brief break from acting. She is dealing with Myositis, an auto-immune condition.

Samantha on a break

Recently, Samantha's hairstylist and close friend, Rohit Bhatkar shared an emotional Instagram post. A part of the note read, "As you now go on a healing journey I wish you more strength and power to you. And that you unfold certain dimensions of your existence which you never tapped on up until now. Upwards and onwards. Big hug and lots of love to you Sam! Remember that you are that wildflower which grew even after the forest fire. Know that we will all be waiting for you to come back even stronger than ever. Until next time friend."

ott:10

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail
Malaysia's political landscape is a rich tapestry woven with the threads of its diverse history, culture, and society. As a country with a multi-ethnic population, politics is influenced by the interests and aspirations of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous communities, each with its unique perspectives and priorities. For decades, the political arena was largely dominated by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and its coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN), which held power for an extended period since independence. However, a transformative moment occurred in the 2018 general election, when a wave of change swept through the nation, resulting in the defeat of BN and the ascent of a new coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), led by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. This marked the first time in Malaysia's history that the ruling government experienced a peaceful transfer of power. The shift in political dynamics has brought renewed vigour to the landscape, with increased focus on issues such as governance transparency, social justice, and economic progress. Additionally, the recent lowering of the voting age to 18 through the Undi 18 constitutional amendment has further energised the political scene, empowering a significant number of young Malaysians to participate actively in shaping the nation's future. Malaysian Electorate(ASEAN Briefing)

As Malaysia gears up for state elections in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, political parties face the imperative of effectively engaging with the electorate and addressing the practical concerns that resonate with the diverse and recently empowered young voters. The outcome of these elections will undoubtedly influence the country's trajectory, shaping the path of its democratic journey and socio-political development for years to come.

Traditionally, political campaigns have relied on rhetoric, ideological battles, and emotive topics to appeal to voters across various demographics. However, the emergence of an awakened citizenry along with a new generation of young voters demonstrates a distinctive inclination towards pragmatism and a desire for tangible improvements in their daily lives. A broader section of the population, encompassing diverse age groups, is increasingly prioritising economic challenges as a primary consideration when making their voting decisions.

The Malaysian electorate, as a whole, is becoming more discerning, seeking concrete solutions to address pressing economic concerns that impact their livelihoods and well-being. Issues such as unemployment, affordable housing, education costs, and stagnant wages resonate deeply with Malaysians of all ages, making them key determinants in shaping their political preferences. Citizens are calling for practical policies that address these bread-and-butter issues, and they are more likely to support political parties or systems that can demonstrate a genuine commitment to tackling these challenges effectively.

In this context, new-generation voters across various countries are part of a growing movement seeking meaningful change through the political process. Many of them, despite growing up in households that did not discuss politics, have developed an increased interest in government and civic affairs over the years. Like millions of others, they feel both excited and anxious about the prospect of casting their first ballots, recognising the significant value of their votes in shaping the direction of their countries. However, they also share a common concern about whether their votes will truly lead to tangible improvements and bring about the desired changes in their societies.

As Malaysia prepares for the state elections, political parties must be attentive to the concerns of both young and older voters. Engaging with the electorate and offering practical solutions to economic challenges will be crucial in winning the support of the Malaysian population. The focus on economic issues will likely be more pronounced as people under 40 become the largest voting cohort in the country. Parties that can effectively address these concerns and inspire confidence in the electorate, especially the young voters, are likely to gain an advantage in the upcoming state elections. The outcome of these elections will be closely watched as it will provide insights into the impact of the youth vote and the direction of Malaysia's political landscape in the coming years.

Despite the significant increase in the number of young voters in Malaysia due to the Undi 18 constitutional amendment and a change in the overall voter behaviour, challenges such as political indifference, barriers to discourse, and the urban-rural divide pose obstacles to their active participation in the democratic process. Many voters, especially the younger generation exhibit a sense of political apathy, feeling disconnected from the political landscape and sceptical about the impact of their votes. The urban-rural divide further exacerbates this issue, with urban youths generally more politically aware and engaged compared to their rural counterparts.

Limited access to education and diverse perspectives in rural areas can lead to disengagement from the political process. Moreover, barriers to political discourse within educational institutions hinder opportunities for students to openly discuss and critically analyse political issues. These challenges may create an environment where young individuals are more susceptible to the influence of political rhetoric. Lacking sufficient platforms for open dialogue, they may be swayed by emotive topics and ideologies without fully understanding the broader implications of their choices. As a result, addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure that the voices of young voters are heard and that they actively participate in shaping the nation's future. Efforts to foster political awareness, promote discourse, and bridge the urban-rural divide will play a pivotal role in empowering young voters to make informed decisions and influence positive change in the country.

As countries adapt to evolving voter behaviour, it is essential for political parties, civic organisations, and educational institutions to collaboratively support the active participation of all voters. Embracing these measures will pave the way for a more inclusive and representative democracy, where the voices of citizens are valued, and heard, and play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of their societies. By fostering political awareness, promoting open discourse, and bridging divides, nations can cultivate a politically engaged and empowered electorate, driving positive change and progress for their nations' prosperity.

This article is authored by Ananya Raj Kakoti and Gunwant Singh, scholars of international relation, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

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After the popping of champagne corks and a spate of speeches, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, arguably the only effective defence alliance in the world, wrapped up a two-day summit at Vilnius. Thats in Lithuania, a place that was as peaceful as it is beautiful, but is now at the edge of a gathering storm. Because this summit is about authorizing again, the militarization of Europe. And you know where that went last time around. Theres also a thrust to militarise parts of Asia, with China as the bait. Thats where we come in. NATO flag (AFP)

For the western media, this is all about Ukraine, with President Zelensky ramping up the pressure as he arrived with a tweet that castigated the alliance for not setting a time frame for the countrys entry. That Ukraine would not be given membership was an open secret, though Zelensky desperately tried to force the pace by charging Russia with mining the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant. International inspectors soon vetoed that, but members like Lithuania who are on the new border with Russia, supported him. Others like France and Germany are cautious with President Biden himself seeming unenthusiastic about extending the mutual defence clause. The final statement probably went further than intended, noting Ukraine would become a full member, and shortening the time frame by dropping the requirements of Membership Action Plan - which in the case of Macedonia took 20 years to fulfil - but still lays down conditions before it is accepted. Given Ukraines shaky democratic and governance institutions its going to take a while, but meanwhile the establishment of a NATO-Ukraine Council is a step forward, as is a promise of EUR 50 bn through 2027, which should held Zelensky back home. Being a war time President is a risky business, especially as casualties mount. And when everyone knows that commitments are shaky. The estimate for reconstruction is $400 bn. Thats not coming anytime soon as Europe struggles with getting its act together.

Much of the hard work, which is essentially persuading everyone to spend more on defence, and deciding where and how that should be spent. In 2022, only 7 of then 29 countries had reached the 2 per cent NATO guideline on defence spending. Unsurprisingly, five of these were Baltic countries quite literally on the edge. The defence ministers meeting in June this year, couldnt agree on the new military plans being drawn up for responding to new threats. Consider that NATOs border with Russia has doubled with the addition of Finland to its ranks, while the troops on readiness has gone up from 40,000 to 300,000 troops all of which means more money for logistics. NATOs logistics is reported to be struggling to catch up in terms of infrastructure and ammunition. Reuters reported that Brussels has allocated just 1.6 billion euros ($1.67 billion) as against a requested 6.5 bn euros for military mobility projects, an initiative which began in May 2022,as part of the 25.8 bn euro transport sector for the wider Connecting Europe Facility. Thats big money for boosting the economy, but as military planners say, its simply not enough. Besides, the US National Security Strategy 2022, clearly states that it expects increased commitments from Europe, which in turn means some sort of European capacity that has been debated but never implemented for decades.

Though the bulk of the Joint Communique is against Russia, there is a unusually sizeable section on China with the PRC mentioned 14 times as against once in the Madrid joint statement in 2022. It charges Beijing with a series of offenses including projecting power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up; malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation which target allies and of using its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence. The last is probably a reference to Chinas steady incursions into much of Europe with its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, which includes 35 European and Central Asian countries including such heartland states like Austria. In other words, Europe is objecting to China in its sphere of influence, which is ironic , considering its official position on Russian grabbing of former Soviet space.

All this just got more intense with NATO plans to open a liason office in Japan. That is opposed by French President Macron, on the grounds that this was so far out of area as to make it senseless. Japan itself doesnt seem to be too keen on the idea, and China was clearly furious. This proposal followed the February visit of NATO secretary general Stoltenberg to Japan, and the signing of a Joint Declaration which said the security of the Euro-Atlantic and of the Indo- Pacific is closely connected and stress the necessity of further strengthening cooperation between Japan and NATO. Notably, those who signed on to NATOs Strategic Concept 2022, which for the first time identified China as a threat, included Heads of state of Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. They also attended the Vilnius summit making it the second time in a row. All are NATO Asia Pacific Partners ( AP4) but will now transition to a new Individually Tailored Partnership Programme ( ITPP) which according to Nikkei Asia will be through a tailored political and military consultations, joint training and exercises, and cooperation in Nato-led operations and missions. In other words an effort to link up regional allies in a spoke to spoke model, rather than just a hub centred model. What each will negotiate remains to be seen, and meanwhile Australia has already stated it is looking for a more ambitious partnership.

All this brings NATO much closer to Indian shores, even as the Foreign Ministry subtly changed its stance on the South China sea by asking Beijing to abide by the 2016 ruling that Beijing sees as null and void. As analysts note, India has had considerable interaction with NATO in past, and on piracy in particular, and that NATO till very recently had even more interaction with China. Now with a new menu that is a la carte, there is space for Delhi to discuss core concerns like cyber security, and maritime domain awareness with NATO s structures, even while staying out of any formal partnership agenda in what will admittedly be a unique position. Its doable. The question is whether its worth the diplomatic expense incurred in various capitals including Moscow. Beijings views need not be a consideration, since it has so far, had no qualms about chatting up to NATO, or making big money out of its decadal relationship with Washington. True, it may b Indias turn to take these advantages; but not in tandem with raising of tensions in the Indo-Pacific which underlines an expanding NATO agenda. Thats the problem. Peace with profit is a difficult act to follow. Washington carried it off once, though it now falters. For Delhi, it may result in achieving neither.

This article is authored by Tara Kartha, distinguished fellow, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi.

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Parts of an IAF aircraft were found in a farm field in a village in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. Police soon cordoned off the area after two fuel tank-like parts were recovered from the farm field of Balushasan village of Sant Kabir Nagar district. No damage to life or property was reported in the incident. Fuel tank-like looking parts of IAF aircraft was found in a farm field in Uttar Pradesh.

The Indian Air Force said confirmed that the fuel tanks belonged to one of its fighter aircraft which was airborne for a training mission, reported ANI. The fighter jet experienced a technical malfunction, necessitating the jettisoning of external stores, according to the IAF.

A fighter aircraft was airborne for a training mission from Gorakhpur. The aircraft experienced a technical malfunction which necessitated jettisoning of external stores. There was no damage to life or property in the process, ANI quoted IAF as saying.

In May, three people on the ground died when a Russian-made MiG-21 military aircraft suffered an "onboard emergency" and obliterated a house. The MiG fighter jet crashed onto the house in Rajasthan, leaving three villagers dead. The Indian Air Force said that the pilot ejected safely and the accident happened shortly after take-off in a routine training sortie.

The pilot "experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures," an IAF statement said.

"Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection, sustaining minor injuries in the process," it said.

The IAF regrets the loss of lives and offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.

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A 34-year-old married woman from Rajasthans Bhiwadi city crossed the border to meet her Facebook friend, a resident of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, last week. Indian woman from Alwar goes to Pakistan to meet Facebook friend

This latest incident of a budding cross-border relationship comes within weeks of the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terror Squad (ATS) detaining Seema Haider, a Pakistani national who crossed over to India to meet Sachin Meena, a Noida-based Indian citizen. Haider who had entered India along with her four children was arrested for illegally entering India while Meena and his father were arrested for providing them shelter.

The incident came to light on Sunday when police reached the Anjus home in Bhiwadi in the Alwar district of Rajasthan to enquire about her whereabouts after media reports were published on the case.

Her husband Arvind Kumar told the police that Anju left home on Thursday on the pretext of going to Amritsar but later the family came to know that she was actually in the city of Lahore in Pakistan.

In the latest case, Anju, according to her husband, said she had crossed over to Pakistan to meet her friend Nasarullah, adding that she would return to Bhiwadi in a few days.

Anju, an employee of a private firm in Bhiwadi, has been married to Arvind for 16 years and the couple have two children.

She is said to have met Nasarullah on Facebook four years ago and eventually fell in love following which they decided to meet in Pakistan.

Arvind said, Anju got her passport made two years back. Though she never went abroad, she has to keep going many places for her work. But she didnt tell me that she is going to Pakistan. But she said that she will be back in three to four days. I dont want to file any complaint immediately with the police.

Meanwhile, Nasarullah in an interview to a television channel in Pakistan said, We plan to get engaged in few days after which Anju will return to India to meet her family. We will get married in our next meeting in Pakistan. We kept trying for Anjus visa for the last two years. Finally, she was granted the permission to visit Pakistan by crossing over from he Wagha border. We want to stay peacefully away from the media spotlight.

Confirming the validity of Anjus visa, the SHO of Upper Dir police station in Khyaber Pakhtunkhwa, Javed Khan told Pakistani media, The two visited the police station on July 21 as per the protocol for a foreign nationals visit. The woman has a valid visa for 30 days. We didnt find any illegal immigration issue. We will provide them with complete security from our side so that they can maintain their privacy.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bhiwadi, Sujeet Shankar told HT, The police on Sunday went to check her background after receiving some information from the media. Anju, in a video call with her husband on Friday, said she went to Pakistan with a valid passport. However, we couldnt verify the validity of her visa with the ministry of external affairs as no formal complaint has been lodged yet.

Police in India and Pakistan said neither government has directed them to launch any probe into the incident yet.

Shankar added: They are the adults. They can visit any country. However, we will investigate the matter if her family makes any complaint.

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Following his suspension from Rajya Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to escape from a discussion on the Manipur violence in Parliament. He asserted that he will continue his protest in the matter. AAP MP Sanjay Singh with TMC MP Shanta Chhetri and others come out of the Parliament House during Monsoon session, in New Delhi, Monday, (PTI)

"Why is the PM not speaking on violence in Manipur in Parliament? The PM is not ready to speak on this in the Parliament. The government is not ready to discuss this issue," he said.

Follow Parliament monsoon session LIVE updates

Calling Modi a shameless coward and cruel ruler, he said, If this House is not for speaking on Manipur violence-like incidents and if they cannot give reply...we are ready to fight.

In a Twitter post, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party wrote, A Kargil jawan's wife was paraded naked in Manipur. The head of the entire country and the entire army has bowed down in shame. Why doesn't Prime Minister Modi come to the House and answer? Are you so shameless? Our strike will continue

Singh was suspended from Rajya Sabha for the rest of the Monsoon session for "violating" the directives of the Chair. His suspension came after Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion in this regard and it was adopted by the House by voice vote.

Rising from my seat, I was repeatedly requesting the Chair (Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar) for discussion on Manipur violence and demanding that the prime minister come to the House and give a reply, Singh said.

When the Chair didnt listen to me, I went closer to the Chair to request him to allow me to speak under Rule 267 for which I had given a notice, he added.

Singh, however, continued his agitation in the House even after his suspension and Rajya Sabha was adjourned.

At least 27 notices were given by the leaders of several parties for discussion on the Manipur violence under Rule 267, according to Singh.

Opposition parties condemned the suspension and accused the government of trying to crush their voice. They urged the chairman to revoke the suspension and also boycotted the meeting of floor leaders called by Dhankhar for discussions to end the logjam over a debate on Manipur.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh called the move inappropriate while AAPs Raghav Chandha said, If it is an offence then not just Sanjay Singh but the entire opposition should be suspended."

Both Houses have failed to function since the beginning of the monsoon session last week.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Indian woman from Alwar goes to Pakistan to meet Facebook friend A 34-year-old married woman from Rajasthans Bhiwadi city crossed the border to meet her Facebook friend, a resident of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, last week. The incident came to light on Sunday when police reached the Anjus home in Bhiwadi in the Alwar district of Rajasthan to enquire about her whereabouts after media reports were published on the case. Read Here. The incident came to light on Sunday when police reached the Anjus home in Bhiwadi in the Alwar district of Rajasthan to enquire about her whereabouts after media reports. (Reuters/File)(REUTERS)

'BCCI should take strict disciplinary action': India legend blasts Harmanpreet's 'pathetic' behaviour against Bangladesh

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IndiGo pilot honours Kargil War hero in viral in-flight announcement

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Five amazing benefits of Neem for face

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PANAJI: The Bombay high court at Goa on Monday directed the state government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas as a tiger reserve under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 within three months and pulled up the government for continuing to steadfastly avoid notifying the tiger reserve. Goa forest minister Vishwajit Rane said the state government will explore options to file an appeal against the ruling before the Supreme Court (HT File Photo/Alexina Correya)

In its ruling on a petition seeking directions to the state government to notify the sanctuary as a tiger reserve, the high court said that we cannot allow the tiger, which is a national animal, to fall into a death trap and ruled that the National Tiger Conservation Authoritys repeated recommendations to set up a tiger reserve were not merely recommendations but also directives that would need to be mandatorily complied with.

In his first reaction, Goas forest minister Vishwajit Rane, a vocal opponent to declaring the sanctuary as a tiger reserve, said the state will explore options to file an appeal against the ruling before the Supreme Court.

During proceedings before the high court, the Goa government opposed the petition, claiming that it was not opposed to notifying the area as a tiger reserve but this was not the right time to make such a declaration. The government reasoned that further studies were necessary, and the rights of the forest dwellers also needed to be settled entirely before such steps could be taken.

The state government also insisted that NTCAs recommendations were only suggestions or advice and were not binding on the state government.

The high court, however, rejected this contention.

No absurd or inconvenient consequence would result from construing this provision as mandatory. Instead, a problematic consequence might ensue by construing this provision as directory because then it would be open to the state government to defy the recommendation of an expert, high-powered central body constituted by parliamentary legislation for the specific purpose of adequate protection of the tiger and tiger habitat in India. If each State Government must be given the absolute discretion to notify or not to notify a tiger reserve, notwithstanding the strong recommendation of NTCA, the protection of the tiger, our national animal, and its habitat would be rendered a casualty, the bench of justices MS Sonak and Bharat Deshpande said.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority has on several occasions in the past, most recently in 2020, recommended setting up of a tiger sanctuary in Goa at the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

The recommendation was made in the wake of the death of four tigers, a tigress and three adolescent cubs in 2019 in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

In its February 2020 report, NTCA said: The protected areas of Goa (Mhadei and Mollem) are part of the Western Ghats landscape complex which has the unique distinction of having the worlds largest tiger population. This landscape has several interconnected tiger reserves and protected areas along with reserve forests. However, factors like plantations, agriculture, industrial and infrastructure development activities like widening of roads and railway lines are threatening the existing habitat connectivity in the Western Ghats. Without upgrading the legal status of Goas protected areas to that of a tiger reserve and putting in place a strong protection regime in place, the state may become a death trap for tigers dispersing in this landscape.

NTCA made similar recommendations in 2011 and 2016 as well.

The high court said though the expert committee report was given to the state government, hardly any steps were taken and the death of four tigers was treated as some one-off incident without appreciating the severe implications.

Even three years after the submission of this detailed report by the NTCAs expert committee, the proposal for notifying the tiger reserve moved no further. We say nothing further! the high court observed.

Earlier this month, the State Wildlife Board ruled that setting up a tiger reserve in Goa was premature and not feasible as per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court on Monday allowed the West Bengal government and state election commission to continue with the deployment of central forces for another 10 days to control any possible violence in the state. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently said 29 people have died in the state in election-related violence (File Photo)

Wherever, in the opinion of the state government and the state election commission, disturbance is still going on, such areas shall be identified so that the remining central forces can be deployed in the places and be allowed to continue for a period of 10 days. It is open to the Centre to withdraw the central forces in a phased manner, said a division bench led by the chief justice TS Sivagnanam.

The court was informed by the Centre that at least 136 companies of central forces had been withdrawn in phases. The Union government had sent 821 companies for deployment in the state on the high courts orders for the three-tier panchayat polls held on July 8. The high court ordered central troops in view of violence in several parts of the state after the panchayat election dates were announced on June 8.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently said 29 people have died in the state in election-related violence. Opposition parties claim the death figure is closer to 55.

The high court also directed the police to ensure the return of people who were allegedly driven out of their houses ahead of the elections and ordered district superintendents of police to monitor thee situation.

As two women, who were allegedly molested, approached the court, the bench indicated its displeasure at the series of petitions and supplementary affidavits being filed in matters related to panchayat elections.

The entire list is clogged with election matters. Nothing can be done. You blame your friends for that. Already 40 to 50 matters have been given. The list is not moving. Absolutely no work is being going on in this court for the past two and half months, the bench said.

This is the second time in the last week that the high court has lamented the surge in petitions over the panchayat elections. There is an impression that the court is doing no work, a bench observed on July 18, underlining that the high court had been receiving a large number of petitions over the panchayat elections.
Kolkata With more allegations of post-poll violence pouring in from in some pockets of West Bengal, the Calcutta high court on Monday allowed central forces to stay in violence-hit areas in the state for another 10 days, leaving it to the Centre to withdraw them in phases during this period. Kolkata, India - May 21, 2021: A view of Calcutta High Court where the Narada scam case is being heard, in Kolkata, India, on Friday, May 21, 2021. (Photo by Samir Jana/Hindustan Times) (Samir Jana/HT Photo)

The court was told by the Centre that 821 companies were deployed in the state during the polls on the orders of the high court, and that at least 136 companies of these have bene withdrawn in phases since polling ended on July 8 and results were announced on July 11.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 51.5% of the votes polled in three-tier panchayat elections in the state. The BJP won 23% of the vote share.

Wherever, in the opinion of the state government and the state election commission, disturbance is still going on, such areas shall be identified so that the remaining central forces can be deployed in the places and be allowed to continue for a period of 10 days. It is well open to the Centre to withdraw the forces in a phased manner, said a division bench presided over by the chief justice of the Calcutta high court TS Sivagnanam.

The BJP and the Congress moved the Calcutta high court seeking central forces after clashes broke out in the state following the poll panels announcement of poll dates.

The Calcutta high court had initially directed the SEC to deploy central forces in sensitive districts. Two days later, the high court directed that central forces be deployed in all districts. The state government and the SEC moved the apex court. The apex court on Tuesday upheld the order of the Calcutta high court.

Later the Calcutta high court directed the state poll panel to seek more than 82,000 central force personnel. At least 821 companies of central forces were sent to the state for the polls. Allegations however surfaced that the SEC didnt cooperate when it came to their deployment. At least 18 persons were killed on the poll day.

While some opposition parties, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have alleged that at least 55 people were killed in poll-related violence since elections were announced last month, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently said that the death toll was 29.

A series of petitions were filed in various benches of the Calcutta high court over poll violence, rigging of polls, deployment of central forces, and repolls in 696 booths.

The Calcutta high court on Monday directed the police to escort people who have been allegedly driven out of the houses so that they can return home. The superintendent of police of the districts concerned were directed to monitor the situation so that people can reach their villages and live peacefully.

The bench also expressed its displeasure on the series of petitions and supplementary affidavits that were being filed in matters related to panchayat elections.

Entire list is clogged with election matters. Nothing can be done. You blame your friends for that. Already 40 to 50 matters have been given. The list is not moving. Absolutely no work is being going on in this court for the past two and half months, the bench said.

This was not the first time that the court has expressed its displeasure on the situation.

As if we dont have any work. We have been doing work. For two-and-a-half months we have been arguing panchayat matters from 10.30am to 5.30pm. There is an impression that the court is doing no other work, a division bench had observed last week.

It is a high court order. The central has already started to withdraw some companies, said Jay Prakash Majumdar, state vice president of TMC said.

So much violence wouldnt have taken place had central forces been deployed soon after elections were declared, said Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson.
Bahrain Commercial Facilities Company (BCFC) has renewed its partnership agreement with Mastercard which will support it to further enrich its Imtiaz card offering, an innovative credit card issuer in the kingdom.

The partnership renewal signing ceremony featured the announcement of major initiatives including the introduction of the Mastercard World Elite card tailored for affluent clients and the launch of bespoke corporate credit cards designed to cater to the specific requirements of Corporates and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (CSME) and other businesses within Bahrain.

The partnership will also introduce Mastercard loyalty solutions to provide consumers an enhanced experience and extend benefits that matches their lifestyle and aspirations.

Safety and security

Abdulla Bukhowa, BCFC Chief Executive Officer, said: The renewal of our 14-year partnership with Mastercard demonstrates the success of Imtiaz card in satisfying and exceeding the needs and expectations of our customers. We remain committed to provide the highest levels of safety and security, as well as financial flexibility and purchasing power, to ensure that our customers have an unparalleled experience.

He added: We are delighted to announce that our collaboration with Mastercard has now moved to a new level of coordination. Thanks to our dedicated team, we are confident that we can provide unparalleled solutions for the growth & expansion strategy, offering users, citizens, and residents unique benefits.

Khalid Elgibali, Division President, Middle East and North Africa at Mastercard, stated: "Our partnership with BCFC is a key milestone in our journey to build an inclusive digital economy thats works for all, in Bahrain and beyond. We look forward to expanding our portfolio and introducing innovative payment solutions to meet the evolving needs of our consumers.

The Imtiaz credit card from BCFC provides its holders with a comprehensive set of integrated benefits. These include access to airport lounges across the world, exclusive travel & shopping offers, in addition to 24-hour customer service.-- TradeArabia News Service
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh high court on Monday granted interim bail to businessman Anwar Dhebar who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case linked to the alleged 2,000 crore liquor syndicate case in the state. Chhattisgarh HC grants interim bail to Anwar Dhebar in liquor syndicate case

Dhebar is the elder brother of Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar, a Congress leader.

Anwars lawyer Mateen Siddiqui said that the bail was granted on the health grounds and in view of the July 18 decision of the Supreme Court. In this case, the top court restrained the federal agency from investigating or taking any coercive measures in connection with an alleged liquor syndicate scam in Chhattisgarh, noting that the agency has so far been acting without any court having taken cognisance of a predicate offence under the money laundering law.

A predicate offence is the foundational criminal offence that generates illegal proceeds of crime, leading to a separate probe by ED.

Anwar, who was arrested by ED on on May 6, was the first of the five people held by ED in this case. The other four were Arunpati Tripathi, managing director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL), liquor businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon, hotelier Nitesh Purohit and Arvind Singh.

During the hearing, Mateen Siddiqui told the high court that Anwar Dhebar was suffering from various ailments related to kidney and drew attention to last weeks SC verdict.

Therefore, if protection has been enlarged to certain other accused, then the present applicant, who is behind the bars also deserves the same, the court was told

ED opposed the interim bail application but after hearing the arguments, the high court directed Anwar Dhebars release on furnishing a personal bond of 5 lakh with two equivalent sureties of 5 lakh each to the satisfaction of the trial court.

ED argued that the prosecution complaint (charge-sheet) in the case was placed before a PMLA court in Raipur on July 4 in which it alleged that the accused generated 2,161 crore in the alleged liquor scam that began in 2019 in Chhattisgarh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis principal secretary PK Mishra on Monday said that climate finance must be an integral part of financing for disaster risk reduction. Chennai: Principal secretary to Prime Minister PK Mishra during the inaugural session of the 3rd G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting, in Chennai (PTI)

We need to pursue greater convergence between various streams of financing available for disaster risk reduction. Climate Finance has to be an integral part of financing for disaster risk reduction, he said.

Mishra said this during the third meeting of G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group held in Chennai.

Cautioning against impacts of climate crisis, Mishra said that the disasters are no longer into the distant future and that they are already here.

Mobilizing private finance for disaster risk reduction has been a challenge, but without it, we wont be able to go very far in addressing all the disaster risk reduction needs, he said. Mishra highlighted that cities in almost the entire northern hemisphere have been in the grip of severe heat waves.

The forest fires in Canada and the haze that followed affected cities in many parts of North AmericaHere in India, we have seen major cyclonic activity on our east and west coasts. Delhi experienced its worst flood in 45 years! And we are not even half way through the monsoon season, Mishra added.

The impacts of climate change related disasters are no longer into the distant future. They are already here. They are enormous. They are interconnected. And they affect everyone across the planet, he said.

The G20 working group will focus on the UN Secretary Generals Early Warning For All initiative as one of the five priorities.

In the area of financing disaster risk reduction, it is important that we pursue structured mechanisms at all levels for financing all aspects of disaster risk reduction. Over the last few years, in India we have completely transformed the way disaster risk reduction is financed. We now have a predictable mechanism for financing not just disaster response but also disaster mitigation, preparedness and recovery. Can we have analogous arrangements at the global level as well? he asked.

He asked the group to focus on what kind of enabling environment should the governments create to attract private finance into disaster risk reduction? And how can G20 generate momentum around this area and ensure that private investment in disaster risk reduction is not only an expression of corporate social responsibility but part of the core business of firms.

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Bhubaneswar: The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday attacked the Odisha government over the leak of the question paper for recruitment of junior engineers that led the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) to cancel the examination on July 24. Odisha SSC chairman Abhay was the states DGP between November 2019 and December 2021. (Twitter/abhayips86)

On Sunday, the state recruitment body cancelled the written examination for recruitment of 1,008 Junior Engineer (Civil) in various departments conducted on July 16 after the Balasore district police confirmed that the papers leaked a day before the examination.

Balasore superintendent of police (SP) Sagarika Nath said an inter-state gang sold the question papers to 100 candidates for 8-10 lakh each at a West Bengal hotel on Digha beach on July 15. The OSSC has announced that the examination would be held again on September 3.

On Monday, BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal asked how the question papers reached the accused persons from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

The present chairman of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission is a former DGP (director general of police). He is supposed to know the modus operandi to be followed when a complaint is received. As the issue falls under the purview of the general administration department, a thorough probe should be conducted by a Special Investigation Team. Steps should also be taken to ascertain whether anyone in OSSC is involved in the racket being run with the help of middlemen, he said.

OSSC chairman Abhay, a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was the Odisha DGP between November 2019 and December 2021.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattanayak demanded stringent action against those responsible. Though the BJD government has been making tall claims, the question paper leak showed that there is no transparency in the examination process. Question papers cannot be leaked without the involvement of someone in the OSSC, he said.

On Monday morning, scores of candidates who appeared for the exam also staged a demonstration outside the OSSC office to demand stern action against staffers involved in the leak.

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Congress on Monday said Union home minister Amit Shah's statement suggesting the government's readiness to discuss the Manipur issue in the Parliament was a desperate bid to manage headlines, adding the senior BJP leader is not doing anybody special favour. Congress general-secretary Jairam Ramesh said the opposition's demand is for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ethnic clashes in Manipur followed by a discussion. AAP MP Sanjay Singh with other leaders of the INDIA alliance parties stages a protest over ethnic violence in Manipur, during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, July 24, 2023.(PTI)

Amid sloganeering from opposition MPs demanding a statement by PM Modi, Shah said the government is ready to discuss the situation in Manipur.

"I urge all the respected members of the opposition that on a very sensitive issue, many members have demanded a discussion by the ruling party and the opposition, I am ready for the discussion. I do not know why the opposition does not want to allow discussion," Shah said in Lok Sabha.

"I request the leader of the opposition to let the discussion happen and this truth should be known to the whole country, it is very important," he added.

While Shah was speaking sloganeering continued from opposition benches with a few MPs leaving their seats and raising placards in the House with "INDIA stands with Manipur people", written on them.

Last week, Prime Minister Modi broke more than two months of public silence over the ethnic clashes in the northeastern state, telling reporters that mob assaults on two women who were paraded naked were unforgivable. While the prime minister promised tough action against the accused, he did not refer directly to the larger violence.

Both houses of Parliament have been repeatedly disrupted during the ongoing Monsoon session as the opposition stopped proceedings with their demand for a statement from Modi.

After Shah's remarks in Lok Sabha, Ramesh said in a tweet, In a desperate bid to manage headlines, the Home Minister today said that the Modi govt is ready for a discussion on Manipur in Parliament.

He is not doing anybody any special favour. The perfectly democratic and legitimate demand of the parties comprising INDIA is for a statement by the Prime Minister on the Manipur situation FIRST followed by a discussion.

HM is totally silent on this. What is the hesitation in getting PM to speak INSIDE Parliament first? he asked.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said PM Modi can address the joint session of the US Congress, but he "cannot speak inside our nation's Parliament."

PM Modi can hug French President Macron, but he refuses to hug the victims of Manipur violence, Gogoi said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted it was Modi's duty to make a comprehensive statement inside the Parliament on Manipur violence.

Manipur viral video

A video showing sexual assaults on women belonging to the Kuki-Zomi community of Manipur sparked nationwide outrage. The video showed two naked women surrounded by scores of young men who grope their genitals and drag them to a field. Manipur police have faced criticism for not acting promptly after the first complaint in the case was lodged on May 18, and not arresting the culprits even after the FIR was transferred to the nearest police station on June 21. The first arrest was made on Thursday, 77 days after the assault and a day after the video of the incident went viral.

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After objections were raised by some quarters over a scene in Christopher Nolans film Oppenheimer, Union information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Anurag Thakur has questioned the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for giving clearance to the film with the controversial scene, and directed that it should be promptly removed, officials said on Monday. Union minister Anurag Thakur. (PTI)

The film has sparked a controversy with several people from across the country expressing their disappointment on social media over an intimate scene in the film featuring Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita.

According to a senior official at the ministry, Thakur has demanded absolute accountability from the CBFC in response to the objectionable scene, and expressed his displeasure over the boards failure to safeguard the interests of the public.

The minister has also warned that the board members would be responsible for their actions and negligence, the official said.

A spokesperson for the ministry, however, said, The ministry is not involved in decisions of CBFC.

When contacted, CBFC member Mihir Bhuta said that there had been no meeting of the review board to discuss the movies certification.

Uday Mahurkar, information commissioner, government of India, and founder of Save Culture Save India Foundation, welcomed Thakurs prompt action and tweeted, The nation feels relieved it awaits equally prompt action from director Christopher Nolan so that the scene is removed worldwide.

Earlier on Saturday, Mahurkar wrote an open letter to Nolan alleging that a scene featured in the film makes a scathing attack on Hinduism.

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered scriptures of Hinduism. Gita has been the inspiration for countless sanyasis, brahmcharis and legends who live a life of self-control and perform selfless noble deeds We do not know the motivation and logic behind this unnecessary scene in the life of a scientist. But this is a direct assault on religious beliefs of a billion tolerant Hindus, rather it amounts to waging a war on the Hindu community and almost appears to be part of a larger conspiracy by anti-Hindu forces, he said in his letter.

We urge, on behalf of billions of Hindus and the timeless tradition of lives being transformed by revered Gita, to do all that is needed to uphold the dignity of their revered book and remove this scene from your film across the world, he added.
On 'Pawar to replace Shinde' claims, Fadnavis says If something is going to happen by Aug 10...' Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ruled out any changes in the leadership after senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed that NCP stalwart Ajit Pawar will replace Shiv Senaread more. Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, during monsoon assembly session at Vidhan Bhavan, in Mumbai, India, on Monday. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times)(Hindustan Times)

Never hesitate to take action: Jagdeep Dhankhar after Sanjay Singhs suspension

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Archana Puran Singh hits back for sexist comment on her recent Instagram post: Kitni ghatiya soch rakhti ho

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From chanderi to chiffon: 5 stunning Indian saree styles to transform into a glamorous desi Barbie

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NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has shared broad modalities for the proposed excision of civilian areas in 58 cantonments across the country with different state governments, with the move aimed at bringing uniformity in municipal laws governing these areas and adjoining municipal pockets, the government told Rajya Sabha on Monday. There are 61 cantonments scattered across the country (File Photo)

The ministry has sought comments from the states on the matter.

Yol in Himachal Pradesh was the first cantonment to be renamed as a military station in April 2023. It was the first step in a major drive to merge civilian areas in cantonments, created during the British era, with municipal corporations and municipalities, and designate them as military stations.

Military stations are meant for the use of the armed forces and set up under an executive order, while cantonments consist of both military and civilian population.

The excision of civil areas and their merger with state municipalities involves active consultation and concurrence of the state governments concerned. Therefore, it is not feasible to provide any timeframe for its implementation, minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt said in a written reply to a question.

Representations were received from public and elected representatives, and from a few states for excision of civil areas in different cantonments, the minister said.

The 58 cantonments in question are spread across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Meghalaya. The prominent ones include Ambala, Deolali, Delhi, Ahmednagar, Mhow, Jabalpur, Kasauli, Pachmarhi, Shillong, Babina, Bareilly, Wellington, Pune, Dalhousie, Secunderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Subathu, Dehradun, Lansdowne, Nainital and Roorkee.

There are 61 cantonments scattered across the country. Jammu and Badamibagh in Srinagar are the only ones that are missing in the list of 58.

The development comes at a time when the army is reviewing British-era practices in consultation with all stakeholders including the top brass, serving officers, soldiers and veterans. To be sure, not all cantonments are likely to become military stations as the army and civilian pockets are intertwined and that may not permit a segregation, as previously reported by HT.

Military stations are better administered and maintained but cantonments where military and civilian populations live in contiguous areas are likely to pose a challenge, said military affairs expert Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retd).

The carving out of military stations by merging civilian areas with the local civic bodies will benefit all stakeholders, officials aware of the matter said.

Civilians who were not getting access to state government welfare schemes through the municipal corporations and municipalities will be able to avail the schemes after civilian areas become part of the local bodies, and the army will also be able to focus more on the development of the military stations, the officials added.
An appellate tribunal in Delhi has ruled that fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari created assets in London and Dubai, which he didnt disclose to the income tax authorities to evade tax, violating the black money act of 2015. HT Image

Instead, after taxmen launched proceedings against him in 2016, Bhandari tried to exit from all positions he held in several companies abroad by creating accommodation entries through shell companies and transfer those assets to a trust in Dubai. Accommodation entries entail breaking up large amounts of money into smaller, less suspicious amounts.

The July 5 ruling of appellate tribunal for forfeited property (ATFP) comes as a boost for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in its probe against the businessman, who is currently in the UK. A Westminster court in London in November ordered his extradition to India. UK home secretary Suella Braverman approved it in January, but Bhandari challenged it in the high court there. The proceedings are pending in the UK high court.

The fact available on record show that Sanjay Bhandari was in possession of foreign assets and income, and he was in the process of transfer of those properties. The respondent (Bhandari) was in the process of transfer of the foreign assets to overcome from the offence of evasion of tax under the (black money) act of 2015. The decision or an attempt to transfer the foreign assets to a trust in Dubai was initiated after service of notice by the income tax department in regard to undisclosed foreign assets and income, the ATFP said in its judgement, reviewed by HT.

The tribunal was hearing an appeal by the ED challenging cancellation of its 2017 attachment of Bhandaris assets worth over 21 crore by a PMLA adjudicating authority. The agency had attached Bhandaris assets in 2017. ATFP hears appeals under central acts including prevention of money laundering act (PMLA), foreign exchange management act (FEMA), the prohibition benami property transactions act (PBPTA), etc.

Investigations had revealed that even though he was questioned in April 2016 and later a lookout circular was issued against him in June 2016, Bhandari escaped to London. There he met his associate Sanjeev Kapoor and tried to alienate his assets, including his foreign assets and entities to evade proceedings in India.

In fact, in a statement recorded in April 2016, Bhandari admitted to owning these assets abroad.

Some of the properties and companies owned by Bhandari included Flat 6, Grosvenor Hill Court, Bourdon Street, London (bought in 2013 and owned by Shamlan Gros-1 Inc, incorporated in Panama), Flat C-303, Maurya Grandeur Residences, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai (2014), 12, Ellerton House, Bryanston Sqaure, London, Santech International FZC, and Offset India Solutions FZC and Petro Global Technologies Ltd in the United Arab Emirates (created over a period of time).

In the instant case, Bhandari indulged in evasion of tax under Section 3 and 4 of the (black money) act of 2015, the judgement said, adding that he was required to pay tax at the rate of 30% on the foreign assets and income, and in absence, the amount of tax became proceeds of crime.

The ED had recorded the statement of chartered accountant Ajay Kumar Agarwal, in which he disclosed that he had received 22 crore from Bhandari for arranging accommodation entries. The record further shows that after initiation of the action by the Income Tax department and service of notice to Bhandari, he had attempted to transfer foreign assets to a trust in Dubai. All those facts were sufficient to show an offence under Section 51 of the black money act of 2015, the tribunal noted.

Bhandari is under investigation by multiple agencies, including the ED, Central Bureau of Investigation, income-tax department and Delhi police for money laundering, violation of the foreign exchange act, black money act, and the official secrets act for having access to sensitive defence documents.
In April, when a Dubai-based businessman arrived in India to meet his daughter studying at an engineering college in Delhi, he discovered a problem with his Indian bank account. As one normally would, Anil Nautiyal looked up a helpline number for his bank, made a call, and asked for help. What followed was a series of conversations that led Nautiyal  by now convinced he was coordinating with State Bank of India staff  to giving up his accounts access to scammers based in Jharkhand. The 51-year-old Nautiyal would go on to lose 10 lakh. PREMIUM HT Image

When police received his complaint, little apart from the amount of funds stolen stood out at the outset. Such scams have become uncomfortably common in India, where a rapid digital revolution has left behind many with inadequate awareness of how to discern the genuine from the fraud at risk. But as investigators began following clues from the first phone number Nautiyal called, they uncovered a trail that led them to Jamtara, in Jharkhand, and then to Murshidabad in West Bengal. In all, they arrested six people but it was one specific person who represented a crucial cog of what the investigators later realised was a formidable underground cyber fraud machinery: 31-year-old Nasim Malitya.

Malitya, Delhi Police officers investigating the case told HT, made a business out of supplying active mobile connections and pre-activated user accounts (which need a mobile number) to cyber scammers, defying the mandated know-your-customer (KYC) processes that companies enforce before they hand out connections. Such pre-activated connections are registered with telecom companies under genuine names of people who may have lost or had their phones stolen (but never bothered to have them blocked) or, worse, may not even know their identity documents were misused.

It is a supply chain of such connections that underpins Indias burgeoning spam and fraud industry  the National Crime Records Bureau is yet to track it as a separate crime  since the bad actors are never linked to the numbers they use, making it difficult for law enforcement to catch them and telecom companies to keep them off their networks.

When we visited Malityas house, we found 21,761 SIM cards that he kept in buckets and iron boxes. The cards were all pre-activated and ready to re-use, said Raman Kumar Singh, station house officer (SHO) of outer-north districts cyber cell police station, who led the investigation into Nautiyals case.

The number is staggering: 21,761.

SIM in a stack of scrapTo understand what enabled Malityas SIM laundering business requires a look at where he comes from. Once an AC mechanic, Malitya lives in Heropara village in Kashipur town, an hours drive from Murshidabad. Heropara is home to a thriving scrap business  specifically, of old mobile phones, whether stolen or lost.

When we visited Heropara village where Malitya lived, we were astonished to see that mobile phones were sold as scrap on pushcarts in neighbourhoods. Such items in bulk were lying in open on several properties. The villagers as well as the local police werent considering it a crime but a prime source of earning, said sub-inspector (SI) Jagdeep Nara of the outer district cyber cell, who was part of the team that arrested Malitya.

Malitya, Nara said citing the mans statements to police, entered the scrap business five years ago. But Matiya was smarter: unlike his fellow villagers, who mostly refurbished old or damaged mobile phones and sold them as used devices, he saw an opportunity in the fact that many of the devices still had SIM cards.

He would put the SIM cards in his cellphones to check if they were still active and in about 8% to 10% of the cases, they worked, the first officer quoted above said. He would separate these SIM cards from the dead ones, and keep them to sell.

During the investigation, when police looked up how many connections were at one point associated with one of his phones (by looking up what is known as IMEI records), they found Malitya had inserted at least 12,500 active chips between March 2022 and March 2023.

Of the 21,761 SIM cards found during searches at his home, there were connections from least four more countries  United Arab Emirates (the UAE), Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal.

Murshidabad to Jamtara, via MewatMalitya did not merely sell these SIM cards to scammers, who use numbers that cannot be traced back to them for attacks like phishing and vishing, in which they convince targets like Anil Nautiyal to give up access or sensitive information. He offered his own value-added service.

What Malitya did additionally was use the SIM cards to offer one-time passwords, or OTPs, for scammers to sign up on services such as WhatsApp and e-commerce websites such as OLX. It is often these websites that become a platform for scams.

There are groups of cyber scamsters on encrypted mobile apps such as Telegram and Signal who look for such OTPs. Malitya would offer to sell OTPs to the groups through these messengers. The interested individual would strike a deal with him and the OTP would be sold at rates ranging between 5 and 20, depending on the apps against which it was generated, the first officer said.

The buyers of OTPs are mostly from Mewat regions, such as Bharatpur in Rajasthan, which in the recent years has emerged as another major hub of cyber crooks, said the officer, and added that on average, Malitya earned around 300 everyday by selling 20 to 30 OTPs.

Once he generated, and sold, enough OTPs from a SIM card, he marked the cards themselves for sale. Malitya would prepare a packet of 100-200 SIM cards and reach a local market, where he would sell them to prospective buyers. These buyers are members of syndicates that involve in procurement and supply of pre-activated SIM cards to cyber crooks in Jamtara and other states. Malitya sold one SIM card for prices ranging between 200 and 400. Thus, he earned anything between 2,000 and 4,000 per day, said the officer.

The Murshidabad Police, however, disagreed with the characterisation of the Heropara village.It may be that one person was involved. But such allegations that stolen mobile phones and SIM cards were being openly sold are not true. We havent come across any such things, said a senior police officer of Murshidabad district, asking not to be named.

How security checks failAs on April, India had a little over a billion active mobile connections, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Among these, even if 0.1% lost SIM card over the year and chose not to have it blocked, that would make a potential of a 1 million connections .

The Delhi Police officials said the failing of KYC checks has meant that there is an interstate network of cyber fraud so wide, that investigations often lead them to various suspects in faraway locations in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Haryana and Odisha, where different cogs of the industry work in close coordination.

The groups that procure SIM cards for fraud use carriers and couriers for transporting them to cyber crime in hotspots. Consignments are sent through human carriers and by concealing in gift packs and wedding invitation cards, the second officer said.

Hundreds of truckers from the Mewat, Alwar and Bharatpur regions frequent states such as Assam, Odisha and West Bengal to deliver goods. While returning, they bring along consignments of SIM cards with them and deliver them to cyber criminals back home. The truckers are suitably paid for the safe transportation, added the first officer.

While Malityas way of functioning is novel, the bulk of the illegal SIM card access still happens through dealers in states such as West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, where identity checks are lax. This mainly happens in two ways: one, when a SIM card seller fools genuine customers in scanning their fingerprint for Aadhaar authentication (one of the quickest and easiest identity verification) multiple times, and two, when they use identity documents obtained without consent.

When cyber crooks obtain pre-activated SIM cards, they not only use them for financial frauds, impersonation and cheating but also create fake websites and identities on social media, said Amit Dubey, a cybersecurity expert who has worked on cyber forensics with law enforcement agencies.

Nautiyals first brush with the cyber scammers was, in fact, when he called a fraud number which was listed as a genuine helpline on a search page -- something that can be done by misusing legitimate phone numbers.

Nine SIM cards can be issued on one Aadhar Card. Criminals involved in cyber crimes use IDs of poor and uneducated people living in remote villages of Odisha and West Bengal to obtain multiple SIM cards and open bank accounts, thus bypassing the mandated KYC. The government has now decreased this number to three , hoping that it would decrease the misuse of SIM cards in cyber and other crimes. However, a lot more needs to be done by the government to curb the rising cases of such crimes. Special attention and action is required in the 35 areas in Jharkhand, Rajasthan and West Bengal that have been identified as cybercrime hotspots in India, added Dubey.

Malitya is still in Tihar prison while of the 10 lakh Nautiyal lost, the police have recovered 9.73 lakh that has since been refunded to the account, the investigating team said.
BJP, Congress trade barbs as part of Port Blair airport ceiling collapses days after PM Modi inaugurated it Pictures, videos shared online showed the collapsed false ceiling of the newly-built structure in Port Blair airport, sparking sharp criticism from Opposition. Read more Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair was built at a cost of  710 crore adn was inaugurated on July 18. (Twitter)

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Kuwait Finance House  Bahrain, a leading Islamic bank in the kingdom, has announced that it is partnering with Injaz Bahrain to deliver informative banking workshops on digital banking and financial literacy for university students in the kingdom.

The workshops will shed light on key areas of personal finance management and highlight KFH-Bahrains digital transformation journey within the kingdom, focusing on the banks success with its FinTech initiative, KFH Jazeel Banking.

During these workshops, KFH-Bahrain representatives will be delivering discussions on the fundamental aspects of financial literacy and personal finance management, aimed at empowering students to make informed decisions about their personal finances.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into various key topics such as income, budgeting, saving and credit cards. The workshops will also tackle smart shopping, educating students on the importance of informed purchasing decisions and healthy purchasing habits.

As part of the workshops, KFH-Bahrains representatives will also emphasize how digital banking enriches and enhances the banking experience beyond the confines of traditional banking.

They will also touch on the thriving financial landscape in the Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on the substantial growth and evolution witnessed in the banking sector in recent years, underlining KFH-Bahrains commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of their customers in the dynamic digital era, it added.

On the key initiative, Chairperson Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa said: "As an organization devoted to empowering the youth and fostering entrepreneurship, we are thrilled to have partnered with a leading bank like KFH-Bahrain for these workshops."

"In todays rapidly changing financial landscape, it is crucial for students to stay informed and up to date, especially as Bahrain holds a solid position as a financial hub in the Mena region. These initiatives provide invaluable insights and play an important role in bridging the gap between the students educational experience and their future career paths," observed Shaikha Hessa.

Lauding the partnership, Abdulhakeem Yaqoob Alkhayyat, the Managing Director and CEO of KFH-Bahrain, said: "This is one of many initiatives focused at the youth, which we see as being a core tenet in terms of the banks commitment to give back to the community."

"By empowering the young leaders of today, we are undoubtedly building, enabling and investing in the kingdom's future in the banking sector and beyond," he stated.

The workshops come as part of KFH-Bahrains ongoing efforts to give back to the local community and contribute to the kingdoms growth and prosperity.

The bank has always shown an emphasis on investing in the youth through both internal and external initiatives such as internship programs and workshops.
Days after changing his Twitter bio from India to Bharat, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said he forgot to update it after switching from Indian National Congress to Bharatiya Janata Party. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.(ANI)

In a tweet, Sarma said, In my previous bio, I mentioned Assam, INDIA. However, I forgot to update it after my journey from the INDIAN National Congress to the BHARATIYA Janata Party. Now, I have proudly changed my bio to Assam, BHARAT.

Some friends from the Congress are asking me why I changed my bio. I hope this explanation will satisfy them.

Last week, Sarma criticised opposition parties for choosing INDIA an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)  as its coalition name, claiming that the British had named the country India and the fight should be to free the nation from "colonial legacies".

Sarma tweeted, "Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies."

Noting that the forefathers had fought for 'Bharat', he said, "We will continue to work for Bharat."

Many pointed out that Sarma was criticising the opposition alliance for choosing a "colonial" name while the BJP leader's Twitter bio read Chief Minister of Assam, India. The bio was soon updated to Chief Minister of Assam, BHARAT.

Hitting back at Sarma, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital India -- all new names for ongoing programmes."

"He's (Modi) asked CMs of different states to work together as 'Team India'. He even made an appeal to Vote India!" Ramesh said on Twitter.

"But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance), he (Sarma) throws a fit and says use of India reflects 'colonial mentality'! He should go tell that to his Boss," the Congress leader said.

Ramesh also shared an old video of Modi in which he is seen appealing to voters to "vote for India".

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New Delhi A majority of G20 members are now in sync with the view of Indias central bank that cryptocurrencies could pose huge risks to the stability of the financial system, people aware of the development said adding that these countries may work to institutionalise an internationally-accepted regulatory framework for crypto-assets while allowing individual jurisdictions to impose stricter regulations beyond that minimum threshold, even a complete ban. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor of Reserve Bank of India Shaktikanta Das at the end of the G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors and Finance & Central Bank Deputiesmeetings, in Gandhinagar on July 18. (AFP)

The initial enthusiasm shown by some countries with regard to cryptocurrencies has now waned as most of them have realised the macroeconomic risks and other challenges associated with them, at least three persons with direct knowledge of the matter said requesting anonymity, sharing insights from and details of discussions at the third meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) held last week in Gandhinagar.

Many countries are also concerned about the recent collapse of crypto exchanges and risks of cryptos being used for drug trafficking, terror funding and money laundering, one of them said. In November 2022, FTX, the second largest cryptocurrency exchange of the world collapsed, affecting over 1 million investors.

Cryptocurrencies have financial and macroeconomic risks that will be appropriately evaluated by experts along with their recommendations to mitigate them before the G20 will finally consider the matter, a second person said. Crypto-related issues are being analysed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) which will submit a synthesis paper on this matter later this year, he added. The synthesis approach will cover two broad aspects  crypto regulations and financial stability.

There is a marked shift in the thinking of several countries vis-a-vis cryptocurrencies, the first person said. Now most of them concur with RBIs [Reserve Bank of India] concerns related to financial and other risks associated with cryptos. The third G20 FMCBG meeting did discuss this matter in great detail, he said.

The matter found mention in the outcome document and chair summery of the third G20 FMCBG meeting on July 18: We look forward to receiving the IMF-FSB Synthesis Paper, including a Roadmap, before the Leaders Summit in September 2023, to support a coordinated and comprehensive policy and regulatory framework taking into account the full range of risks, and risks specific to the emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) and ongoing global implementation of FATF standards to address money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

According to the people mentioned above, two latest reports on cryptocurrencies placed before the G20 FMCBG in its July meeting  one by FSB and the other by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS)  underscored the need to evolve a robust regulatory mechanism that would also address macroeconomic risks.

At the meeting, members endorsed FSBs high-level recommendations for the regulation, supervision and oversight of crypto-assets activities , the first person said. It did not go into risks associated with crypto-assets, he said. The recommendations do not comprehensively cover all specific risk categories related to crypto-asset activities, such as: AML/CFT [anti money laundering/combating the financial terrorism]; data privacy; cyber security; consumer and investor protection; market integrity; competition policy; taxation; monetary policy; monetary sovereignty and other macroeconomic concerns, FSB said.

The G20 FMCBG also welcomed the BIS report on The Crypto Ecosystem: Key Elements and Risks that reviews key elements of the crypto ecosystem, assesses its structural flaws and points out risks that it poses. The report concludes that crypto has so far failed to harness innovation to the benefit of society and cryptos inherent structural flaws make it unsuitable to play a significant role in the monetary system.

Crypto remains largely self-referential and does not finance real economic activity. It suffers from inherent shortcomings related to stability and efficiency, as well as accountability and integrity. These structural flaws result from the underlying economics of incentives rather than technological limitations, the BIS report added.

While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has already voiced its concerns over the adverse effect of cryptocurrencies on the Indian economy, the Union government thinks that any unilateral ban or regulation will be ineffective because of the borderless nature of cryptocurrencies, and that international collaboration is needed to prevent regulatory arbitrage.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday told Parliament that the government has instructed all banks, both public and private, to not take harsh steps when it comes to processing of loan repayments, and they should approach the matter with humanity and sensitivity in mind. Sitharaman was responding to a question from Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane. (Twitter | Nirmala Sitharaman Office)

Responding to a question from Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, the finance minister said, The honourable member has raised a sensitive issue, I know I have heard complaints about how mercilessly paying back has been followed up by some banks. Whether they are public sector banks or private sector banks.

Mane had asked about steps the government is taking to address this issue and regulating the banks approach over loan repayment matters.

Dr Bhagwat Krishanrao Karad, minister of state (MoS) finance also replied to the query raised by the Shiv Sena MP.

I want to tell you that every bank has a bank board. Regarding simple interest or compound interest, bank officials and their boards take the decisions. The government does not interfere in that, he said in his response to the question.

Also Read: Cash-strapped Punjab mandi board seeks finance depts support for loan repayment

He also shed light on the PM Swanidhi Yojana scheme of the government in wake of the discussion in Parliament saying through such schemes poor people can get loans without getting into a debt trap.

He added that the government is trying to save people from pawnbrokers, through schemes like PM SVANidhi Yojana where poor people can get loans without being in a debt trap.

The PM Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) was launched by the ministry of housing and urban affairs on June 1, 2020 for providing affordable working capital loan to street vendors
The government on Monday withdrew from the Lok Sabha a contentious draft legislation aimed at regulating the use of DNA technology to identify a person because most clauses of this bill have already been covered in the recently introduced Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act. The Lok Sabha was adjourned over the Manipur issue on Thursday. (PTI)

Science minister Jitendra Singh withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, when the House reassembled at 12pm after an adjournment. The bill was tabled to regulate the use and application of DNA technology to establish the identity of certain categories of people, including victims, offenders, suspects, under trials, those missing and unidentified dead. The proposed law, which has been in the making since 2003, has seen multiple iterations in Parliament.

Also Read | AAPs Chadha writes to RS chairman Dhankar opposing Bill replacing Delhi Ordinance

The proposed law was criticised by the opposition. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the bill flawed since it did not provide for consent on storing DNA data, arguing that it violated fundamental rights of an individual as DNA of under trials could be collected without court orders.

The bill would institutionalise a surveillance state, Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, suggesting that a data protection law should be put in place first. You cannot put the cart before the horse, Tharoor said.

DNA data can reveal sensitive information that can be used to criminalise a community or caste, argued Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. Data as sensitive as DNA requires additional protection as potential for misuse is high and the possible harm is significant, he said.

DNA testing is now universally accepted as the gold standard of forensic investigation, a science ministry official said, declining to be named. However, since the government enacted the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, in April last year to take measurements of convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation in criminal matters, and because most of the clauses of the DNA technology bill have broadly been covered in that, the government decided to withdraw it.
The governments efforts to end the logjam in Parliament is yet to make headway despite defence minister Rajnath Singh discussing contentious issues with Congress president and Rajya Sabhas leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams TR Balu and Trinamool Congress (TMC)s Lok Sabha floor leader Sudip Bandopadhyay. PREMIUM The Opposition protest outside Parliament in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

Rajnath Singh called the Congress president on Sunday evening and spoke about the logjam in the House, a Congress functionary said, wishing to remain unnamed. Kharge told Singh that the opposition wants a detailed discussion in Parliament on Manipur and the Prime Minister should give a statement in the House, he said.

The INDIA alliance MPs also protested at the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex to oppose Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singhs suspension from Rajya Sabha for unruly behaviour , and to press for further debate on Manipur. Earlier in the day, members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party staged a sit in to draw attention to increasing atrocities against women in Rajasthan, which is ruled by the Congress.

No business could be conducted in Parliament for three consecutive days of the monsoon session. The opposition INDIA alliance has been insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must speak on Manipur that has been riven by ethnic violence since May 3. The Congress, TMC and DMK are the top three opposition parties in Parliament.

The defence minister asked us to see if we can find a solution. I told him that we will discuss your proposal in the meeting of INDIA alliance and inform my leader Mamata Banerjee. I also told him that the demand of INDIA should be sorted out, Bandopadhyay said on Monday.

Last week, Singh had accused some opposition parties for not being serious enough on the Manipur issue. His latest outreach underlines the governments increased efforts to end the logjam and start a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state.

Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced on Monday that he has received 27 notices for discussion under Rule 167, which entails a discussion without voting, as opposed to adjournment motions preferred by the INDIA alliance. Dhankhar later met Kharge in another attempt to break the logjam.

Even as the discussions continued, the INDIA alliance refused to budge from their key conditiona statement from Modi. After the Upper House was adjourned amid disruption, Dhankhar called floor leaders for a meeting, but the opposition walked out of it when he refused attendence of AAPs Raghav Chadha and TMCs Santanu Sen.

Earlier in the day, both opposition leaders and treasury bench members protested at the Gandhi statue. BJP lawmakers protested over allegations of growing atrocities against women in Rajasthan and demanded immediate dismissal of the state government led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot. The INDIA parties staged a dharna demanding a debate on Manipur.

The Parliament is going on. It is your (PM) duty to first inform the Parliament members, then to public. Suppose, if Parliament was not there, session was not there, you (PM) could have spoken outside, but on the floor of Parliament, you must speak, Kharge told reporters. Therefore, we are requesting the chairman of Rajya Sabha and speaker of Lok Sabha that he (PM) should come to the House and make a statement on what is the real situation in Manipur.

TMCs all India general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who was among the protestors at the Gandhi statue, said: You (the government) spent 1,500 crore to build a new Parliament building, but dont want to discuss any issue. There is an attempt to divert the attention from Manipur and talk about Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or West Bengal (all ruled by opposition parties). I want to say that for the past three months, internet is available in Bengal.

Opposition leaders met on Monday for floor strategy. They decided to object any attempt to bring in the Delhi ordinance without prior notice, according to opposition leaders.

Some non-Congress parties suggested that the INDIA alliance has to move faster, form coordination committees and think of new forms of protests outside the two Houses, said an opposition leader. Some leaders also favoured sending a delegation of chief ministers of the INDIA alliance to Manipur.Al
A married Indian woman who travelled legally to a remote village in Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend will return to India on August 20 when her visa expires, her Pakistani friend said on Monday, dismissing reports of any love angle. New Delhi: Anju, a married Indian woman who has travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her friend whom she befriended on Facebook. (PTI)

Nasrulla, 29, said that he has no plan of marrying 34-year-old Anju, who was born in Kailor village in Uttar Pradesh and lived in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Nasrulla and Anju became friends on Facebook in 2019.

"Anju is on a visit to Pakistan and we have no plan to marry," Narulla told PTI over the phone from village Kulsho in the district, some 300 km from Peshawar.

"She will go back to her country on August 20 after her visa expires," he said, adding that "Anju is living in a separate room of his home with the other female members of my family," he said.

Anju has travelled to the Upper Dir district of Pakistan's tribal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on a valid Pakistani visa of Pakistan's to meet Nasrulla.

According to an official document of the Ministry of Interior sent to Pakistans High Commission in New Delhi, the chancery was informed that it had been decided to grant a 30-day visa to Anju, valid for Upper Dir only.

Nasrullah, a science graduate from a University in Sheringal, is the youngest among five brothers.

He has given an affidavit to local authorities, stating that there is no love angle to their friendship, and Anju will return to India on August 20.

The affidavit also states that she will not move out of the Upper Dir district.

"She will definitely go back on August 20 as per her visa documents," said police officer Mushtaq.

District Police Officer Mushtaq interviewed Anju in his office on Sunday and checked her travel documents on the basis of which a no-objection certificate was issued to her.

Anju is safe

Nasrullah said they have been provided adequate security by the district administration and Anju is safe and sound with his family.

The villagers, mostly Pashtuns who are very religious people, want Anju to return safely to India as they do not want any bad name for their community due to this incident.

Anju's husband Arvind, who is in Rajasthan, is hopeful that his wife will return soon.

They have a 15-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.

'Similar to Seema Haider case'

Anju's incident is similar to Seema Ghulam Haider's case. Seema, a Pakistani mother of four, sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019.

Seema, 30, and Sachin, 22, live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where he runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police.

While Seema was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa via Nepal with her four children, all aged below seven years, Sachin was put behind bars for sheltering the illegal immigrants.

However, unlike Seema who entered India without a visa via Nepal with her four children all aged below seven years, Anju has travelled to Pakistan legally from India via the Wagah-Attari border.

Anju's husband Arvind told the media in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan that she left home on Thursday on the pretext of going to Jaipur but later the family came to know that she was in Pakistan.

Anju's husband said that she left home on Thursday. She has a valid passport, Assistant Superintendent of Police Bhiwadi Sujit Shankar told PTI.

He said that the family did not lodge a complaint after they came to know about Anju's travel to Pakistan.

Arvind told the media at his home that his wife Anju told her sister that she was in Lahore and later he spoke to her on a WhatsApp call.

He said he would talk to her and will ask her to return, asserting that he was hopeful that she would return home.

He said her passport was issued in 2020 as she wanted to apply for a job abroad. Arvind said he had no idea that she was in touch with anyone on social media.
Just a fortnight after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 moon rocket, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will on July 30 launch a commercial mission with a primary payload of a Singaporean satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the space agency announced on Monday. Isro announced that the PSLV-C56 carrying Singapores DS-SAR satellite along with 6 co-passengers is scheduled to launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Isro Twitter)

The DS-SAR satellite of the Defence Science and Technology Agency of Singapore will be launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on the behest of NewSpace India, the commercial arm of Isro, the agency said in a statement.

The 360 kg satellite will be inserted into a near- equatorial orbit 535 km above the earths surface. Singapore government will be using the satellite for imaging and mapping purposes.

The launch vehicle will also carry six other satellites, including VELOX-AM, a 23 kg technology demonstration microsatellite; Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), an experimental satellite; SCOOB-II, a nano satellite flying a technology demonstrator payload; NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced nano satellite enabling seamless internet of things connectivity in urban and remote locations; Galassia-2, a nano satellite that will be orbiting at low earth orbit; and ORB-12 STRIDER , a satellite developed through international collaboration.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Soumya Pillai Soumya Pillai covers environment and traffic in Delhi. A journalist for three years, she has grown up in and with Delhi, which is often reflected in the stories she does about life in the city. She also enjoys writing on social innovations. ...view detail
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday called a meeting of floor leaders of the House to discuss a possible solution to the current logjam in Parliament after all opposition parties walked out of the business advisory committee meeting in the Upper House over the suspension of Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh for the current Monsoon session. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar prepares to leave after adjourning the House as AAP MP Sanjay Singh and others react during the Monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, (PTI)

Meanwhile, Union minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the logjam in the Parliament. Kharge, however, made it clear that the Manipur violence cannot be tolerated and Prime Minister Narendra should make a statement in Parliament.

Sanjay Singh was suspended for repeatedly violating the Chairs directives. The Chairman first named Sanjay Singh for interrupting the proceedings of the House when it had taken up the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Modi on the Manipur violence and a detailed discussion on the issue.

Sanjay Singh came near the Chairmans podium over Opposition demands after the House resumed proceedings at 12 noon following its first adjournment earlier in the day. Dhankhar told him to resume his seat. As the AAP member kept protesting, the Chairman named him.

Soon after the Chairman named Sanjay Singh, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion urging the Chair to suspend the AAP member, saying this kind of behaviour is completely against the ethics and rules of the House.

Sanjay Singh should be suspended from the entire session of the House, he said.

AAP has been among the opposition parties demanding a statement from Modi in Parliament on the situation in Manipur and a detailed discussion on the issue. The government has said it is prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur.

Earlier, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon with the Opposition parties creating a ruckus over its demands related to ethnic violence in Manipur.

(With inputs from agencies)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aniruddha Dhar Have 11 years' experience in print and digital media. Write on politics, defence and world affairs, and have a keen eye for human-interest stories. ...view detail
A 100-metre stretch of Char Dham road on the Badrinath national highway between Gauchar and Rudraprayag near Kameda village in Chamoli district was washed away on Monday due to heavy rains leaving pilgrims stranded on both sides. Officials rushed top the spot to provide relief to the pilgrims. A 100-metre stretch of Char Dham road was washed away. (HT)

Himanshu Khurana, district magistrate Chamoli district said, A 100 m stretch of main Badrinath National Highway has washed away due to a major landslide that occurred in the morning and the directions have been given to the national Highway officials and repair the stretch. Meanwhile, traffic has been diverted via an alternative route- Karnapryag-Pokhri-Mohan Khal -Kanak Chauri and then to Rudraprayag.

Heavy rains in the state  Uttarakhand has 471.9 mm of rain till July 24 morning (since July 1 this year), compared to the long period average of 314.9 mm  have resulted in a spate of landslides. The Char Dham project, connecting four holy towns, has also been pitched as a way to improve connectivity to the border to facilitate the movement of troops to the line of actual control between India and China. However, environmentalists have repeatedly warned that the expanded width of the highway, and the fact that it cuts into hill sides, renders the already fragile geology of the region even more fragile.

Ripu Daman Singh, a hotelier from Nandprayag said,  Kameda, the place where the road has been washed out falls three kilometres ahead of Gauchar and it is the main yatra route for Badrinath shrine, and considering the scale of damage it will take more than two to three days to reopen the road.

The alternative road from Pokhri is 84 kilometres long and is also blocked at Bingad, near Odamanda village and at Devsthan near Pokhri due to landslides and boulders, he added.

But Khurana said that PWD officials have been directed to open the (alternative) road on the route and two to three stretches have already opened for traffic.

Half of Chamoli district has been cut off with its district administration headquarters at Gopeshwar due to the damage to the roads, said Ravindra Singh resident of Gopeshwar.

The state received 20.4 mm rainfall in 24 hour period (till 8.30 am Monday), with maximum 80.8 mm rain in Rudraprayag district, followed by 56.4 mm rain in Bageshwar, 40 mm rain in Chamoli and 25 mm in Uttarkashi, according to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Dehradun Centre.

IMD Dehradun Centre has also forecast heavy rain in the state on July 25 and 27 and heavy to very heavy rain on July 26 and 28 .

Heavy rain falls in the range of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm/day, while very heavy rain is in the range of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm/day. Over 336 roads have been blocked due to landslides, and boulder fall triggered by rains that lashed the state, according to Public Works Department on Monday. According to the daily flood report released by the Central Water Commission at 8 am on Monday, six rivers in the state breached warning levels .

Alaknanda in the Garhwal region, and Mandakini in Rudraprayag were both flowing above the danger mark, according to Central Water Commission data . We have shifted the residents living on the banks of the confluence of two rivers at Rudraprayag, and we closely monitoring the situation, said NS Rajwar, district disaster management authority officer Rudraprayag.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday virtually laid the foundation stone for a 108-feet tall statue of Lord Ram, which once built is expected to be the country's tallest, in Kurnool town of Andhra Pradesh. Kurnool: Glimpse of the 108 feet tall statue of Lord Shri Ram which were lays the foundation stone by the Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah through video conferencing, in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Sunday.(PTI)

Shah hoped that the statue will "immerse" Kurnool with emotion and devotion towards Lord Ram.

"Laid the foundation stone for a 108-foot-tall statue of Prabhu Shri Ramachandra Ji, to be built by Shri Raghavendra Swami Mutt at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh," Shah tweeted.

He also wished that the colossal statue will inspire people to remain unwavering in their commitment to India's rich and timeless civilizational values.

Ram Temple work in Ayodhya in full swing

Meanwhile, the construction work of the much awaited Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya is also in full swing. The ground floor of the three-storey temple is set to be open to devotees in January next year, an official aware of the details said on Sunday.

The construction of the entire temple will be completed by 2025, the officials said.

The ground floor of the temple is almost ready. Now, final touches and some pending work are being carried out. The ground floor will be opened to devotees in January and the entire temple will be completed by 2025. The construction work on the first floor of the temple has begun, architect and project manager Jagdish Aphale said.

The temples foundation was laid in an elaborate ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020.

The official added that all five mandaps  gudh mandap, rang mandap, nritya mandap, prathana mandap and kirtan mandap  of the temple are ready.

On the ground floor, 160 pillars have been built. Six are made of white Makrana marble from Nagaur district, and the remaining are of pink sandstone from Bansi Paharpur  both in Rajasthan, Aphale said, adding that 132 pillars will be built on the first floor and 74 on the second floor.
New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) Supreme Court, in its interim order on Monday, stayed the Varanasi district courts order asking ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) to carry out a survey of Gyanvapi mosque until 5:00 PM Wednesday.

"We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to appeal," the Apex Court's Chief Justice of India (CJI), Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud, who led the bench, said.

The Apex Court passed the interim order on Monday, after hearing a mention by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, challenging the Varanasi district court's order for an ASI survey of the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Senior lawyer Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, pleaded to the Apex Court for an immediate stay on the Varanasi district courts order granting a survey of it.

"Let there be no invasive work, so that there won't be any excavation," the CJI Dr Chadrachud, observed.

Ahmadi said that the ASI survey of the mosque complex started on Monday, and our request is to defer the survey for 2-3 days.

The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, for ASI, told the SC that not even a brick has been moved or plans to be moved for at least a week. Only photography, measurements, etc. are being done. Let them go to the Allahabad HC in the meantime.

The CJI asked the Masjid Committee to move the Allahabad High Court against the Varanasi court order.

The CJI also took into account that ASI is not contemplating carrying out any excavation in pursuance of the order. We record the statement to the extent that no excavation at the site is contemplated at this stage for one week until next Monday.

Ahmadi pleaded to the court for a stay on the Varanasi court's order before he moved to the Allahabad High Court.

Ahmadi said there are around 30 people at the site. There are some laws in this country, and one has to be bound by them. Your lordships (of the SC) have granted an absolute stay in this case. Carbon dating and surveys were earlier stayed by this court. The maintainability of this suit is yet to be decided.

This property was a mosque 1500 Years ago. "What is this tearing hurry in it? Please maintain the status quo and stay the Varanasi District Courts order. Nothing will happen if the order is stayed," Ahmadi said.

The CJI asked Ahmadi to move the Allahabad High Court tomorrow and let the Allahabad High Court hear it on Wednesday, and till then, we will direct for a status quo to be maintained in the case until Wednesday.

I am being ambushed, not as claimed by the SG, and what is the tearing hurry that Friday at 4.30 pm, the order is passed? What is this going on? I am short circuiting, and since 1954, this has not happened, Ahmadi said.

We direct that the District court order of Varanasi will not be enforceable till 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and meanwhile, the aggrieved party will approach the Allahabad High Court challenging the Varanasi District Court's order. The CJI passed the order.

UNI SM ARN SY
Except the statues and portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Tamil philosopher Thiruvalluvar, no other personality can be displayed anywhere inside the court premises in Tamil Nadu, a circular from the Madras high court said after it had recently rejected a request to install B R Ambedkars statue inside the court. The lawyers of the high court, on Monday, staged a protest demanding the withdrawal of the circular. (PTI)

The issue pertains to various registrations being received from various Advocates Associations regularly seeking permission to install the portrait of Ambedkar and senior advocates of the Bar Associations concerned. In a meeting held on April 11, the full bench of the court rejected all such requests.

Very recently on .. April 11 the full court considered a similar request, and reiterating all the earlier resolutions, unanimously resolved that except the statues and portraits of Mahatma Gandhiji and Saint Thiruvalluvar, no other portraits and pictures shall be displayed anywhere inside the court premises, the circular that was issued to all the district courts, said.

In October 2008, the full court rejected the request of the Tamil Nadu advocates association to erect portraits of national leaders in the halls of all courts in Tamil Nadu. In a meeting in March 2010, the full court resolved that no statue will be erected in any of the subordinate courts while noting that there have been incidents in which damage has been caused to the statues of the national leaders including politicians leading to law and order issues.

In April 2011, the full court, following the earlier resolutions, unanimously resolved on the same. In April 2013, the full court directed the principal district judge in Kancheepuram district to persuade the Alandur Court Lawyers Association to remove the portrait of Ambedkar from the entrance hall of the newly constructed court buildings. They also rejected the request of the Cuddalore Bar to display the portrait of Ambedkar in the newly constituted Special Courts. In December 2013 and in 2019, the unanimous decision was reiterated again.

All the judges and magistrates of all district courts are instructed to strictly adhere to the resolutions adopted by the full court of the Madras high court on various occasions, the circular issued on July 7 read.

In a case of deviation, the respective district judges and magistrates and the chief judge of Puducherry are directed to take action by filing a complaint to the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the circular said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai expressed that his discontentment on the Madras high court decision. Dr BR Ambedkar is the architect of our Constitution & the Honourable courts very purpose is to uphold constitutional values; hence we deem it a rightful place for the portrait of Indias first law minister Dr BR Ambedkar, Annamalai said while requesting the court to reconsider its decision.

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The opposition is running away from a discussion in Parliament on the Manipur violence as it does not want certain facts to come to the fore, the BJP alleged on Monday. Union Minister Smriti Irani addresses a press conference, at BJP HQ in New Delhi, Monday.(PTI)

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Union Minister Smriti Irani said that Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to all members of the opposition to initiate a discussion or debate on the issues afflicting Manipur.

Shah would like to bring 'certain facts to light'

Shah repeatedly said in Parliament that he as the minister in-charge of home affairs would like to bring "certain facts to light", Irani said.

"What is shocking is the insistence of the opposition parties to not allow facts to come to the fore," she charged.

Manipur issue pertains to internal and national security, she said.

"When the Home Minister is asking them to come and discuss, what are the facts of Manipur violence that the Congress wants to hide," Irani said.

Home Minister Amit Shah asked the opposition on Monday to allow a debate on the Manipur issue to begin in Parliament but the deadlock persisted in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as both sides refused to budge from their stand, with Congress and its allies insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should first give a statement on the floor of the House.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said that he was ready for a discussion in Lok Sabha on the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur even as the Opposition parties continued to protest, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the issue. However, the continuous sloganeering by the Opposition leaders eventually led to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourning the proceedings for the day. Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday.(PTI)

I am ready for discussion on this in the House. I request the Opposition to let a discussion take place on this issue. It is important that the country gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter, Shah said. (Parliament LIVE)

Monday marked the third day of the ongoing Parliament Monsoon session, when both Houses had to be adjourned over the uproar on the Manipur issue.

On the inaugural day of the session Thursday, PM Modi publicly spoke about the violence for the first time during a pre-session address in the Parliament complex, where he strongly condemned the incident of two Manipur women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob.

The incident of Manipur is shameful for any civilisation. The country is shamed. I appeal to all chief ministers to strengthen laws to take stringent action against crime, especially against women. The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, the culprit should not go roam-free in anywhere," PM Modi said.

Opposition demands Modi's statement in Parliament

However, the Opposition parties have been adamant about seeking a more elaborate statement from Modi on the issue and said a discussion would take place after that. In response, the central government agreed to hold a discussion in the Parliament but termed the demand for a statement by Modi, a "caveat for disruption."

The incident, which happened a day after the clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3, sparked massive nationwide outrage on the crisis on Wednesday, after a vile video of the incident was widely circulated online.

Amid the uproar, several MPs of the newly formed Opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, including AAP's Sanjay Singh and Congress' Gaurav Gogoi, were seen holding banner with "INDIA demands PM statement in both houses" written on it and raised slogans against the PM.

Meanwhile, in the May 4 incident, the police had filed a case of abduction, gang rape and murder at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Manipur against unidentified persons in June. Some arrests have been made in the matter since Thursday.

The ethnic clashes erupted in the state on May 3, during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU). The rally was held in protest by Kukis against the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha raked up the ongoing Manipur violence issue taking asked why the President's rule was not being imposed in the northeastern. He said, Do all the decisions have to be inspired by politics? AAP MP Raghav Chadha with other leaders of the INDIA alliance parties stage a protest over ethnic violence in Manipur during Monsoon session of Parliament. (PTI)

Speaking to news agency PTI, Chadha said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Manipur would have to be removed if the President's rule is imposed. Is the President's rule not being imposed in Manipur because there is a BJP government in the state? he asked.

Chadha further asked if the situation would remain the same if Manipur was governed by any other political party.

If the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, RJD, or any other party had formed the government in Manipur, wouldn't the BJP-led central government impose the President's rule in the state then?

Chadha also questioned why the Central government was violating Section 355 and 356 and sought answers in Parliament.

Article 355 comprises emergency provisions that are to be used in rare circumstances. It states that under external aggression or internal disturbances, the Union government is responsible to protect every state. It empowers the Union government to declare either a state of emergency through Article 352 or declare Presidential rule in a state through Article 356.

Before the Parliament session began on Monday, Chadha told news agency ANI, that it was the responsibility of the government to maintain peace in the country.

Demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak on violence-hit Manipur, Chadha said, The country demands that the government and PM Modi should speak on the issue of Manipur. It is the responsibility of the Central government to restore peace in the country. Today we are going to protest against this issue in the Parliament. The Chairman should allow us to discuss the Manipur issue.

Several MPs in both houses of Parliament have submitted notices for adjournment motion on Manipur violence.

Since the monsoon session of Parliament began, the Opposition has demanded a discussion on Manipur violence. The first two days of the monsoon session were washed out and the second weeks proceedings, which began on Monday, remain uncertain as the government and the opposition INDIA alliance stuck to their positions over the debate on the Manipur situation in the Parliament.

Manipur violence and the viral video

Since May 3, the northeastern state has been gripped by ethnic clashes  primarily between the tribal Kukis, who mostly reside in the hill districts, and the majority Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley  in which at least 50,000 people 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 people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders.

A video of women disrobed and sexually assaulted by an armed mob of miscreants on May 4 went viral last week and has sparked massive outrage across the country. The incident had taken place in B Phainom village on May 4, where three women were stripped, one of them was sexually assaulted and their two male members murdered.

While the horrific crime happened on May 4, Manipur police began the probe and made the first arrest more than two months later (July 20), after a horrific 30-second video of the assault was shared on social media. The video showed the men hooting and applauding as they groped the victims. Police have so far arrested five men and apprehended a juvenile in the case.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanskriti Falor Sanskriti Falor is a Senior Content Producer at the News Desk of HT Digital. Having worked in Digital Media for the past two years, she is interested in covering civic issues and global affairs. ...view detail
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to apprise it if a look out circular (LOC) has been issued against Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee, and explain why it was not willing to allow to travel abroad for medical treatment. A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia asked the ED if it had issued any look out circular against Abhishek Banerjee. (ANI)

Also Read | Shocking': TMC's Saket Gokhale reacts after freedom fighter's wife, 80, 'burnt alive' in Manipur

Banerjees wife and children were stopped at Kolkata airport on June 5 on account of the pending investigation in connection with the money laundering cases linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal.

A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia asked the ED if it had issued any look out circular against Banerjee .

The bench said, She has gone out before on many occasions. Why do you stop somebody. What is going on? Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the MPs wife Rujira said that she has informed about a look out circular (LOC) issued by the probe agency to prevent her from travelling abroad. On July 26, Sibal informed that the MP too will be travelling abroad for medical treatment. Although he has no LOC issued against him, he became wary as his intimation to ED in this regard has not been answered.

Also Read | On Modi's 'for the family' jibe, Uddhav's retort: 'Yes, we are fighting for...'

He has a right to travel abroad unless he is likely to abscond. If he is not being examined regularly, on what basis you issue LOC. Why do you want to create multiplicity of proceedings. If they have a medical situation, why should they be not allowed to fly, said the bench, posting the matter to Friday for EDs response on whether any LOC has been issued against Banerjee, who is the nephew of WB chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Both Banerjee and Rujira had approached the Supreme Court last year challenging the summons issued by the ED calling them to Delhi for questioning. The summons were issued under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the couple requested the Court to allow them being questioned at EDs Kolkata office, being their place of domicile.

In an application moved through advocate Sunil Fernandes early this month, Rujira said that she fully cooperated with the ED probe and there is no ED case against her as on date. It is clear that the ED has acted with malice with the sole intention to harass and humiliate the applicant and scar her minor children by exercising its powers in such an illegal manner, she said.

Further, it was pointed out that issuance of LOC is done in extremely rare and exceptional circumstances, which are absent in the present case as she is neither a threat to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India or to the economic interest of the country.

She pointed out that the decision to disallow her travel abroad despite cooperating with probe is nothing but politically motivated and reeks of malafide, where the agency is acting on the illegal diktats of the chosen few.

In May the top court stayed any coercive action against Banerjee and had agreed to examine whether summons could be issued for a person at the place where he/she resides. Since this issue arose in similar other petitions, the Court had directed all similar petitions to be heard together.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday attended the 'Friends of BRICS' meeting in the South African capital of Johannesburg. In the meeting, the issue of cybersecurity was discussed at length. In addition to BRICS, the following Friends of BRICS countries - Belarus, Burundi, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Cuba - also participated in the discussions. The NSA level meeting is in the run-up to the summit on August 22-24,

Doval highlighted the need for collective efforts to deal with challenges emerging from cybersecurity. The Global South in particular needs to overcome limitations of resources. In this regard, India will always remain at the forefront and work closely with the Global South, he said.

Doval also emphasised that the gravity of cyber risks will increase exponentially with the advent of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data and Internet of Things.

He spoke about the connection between cyber criminals and terrorists, including the use of cyber space for financing, money laundering, radicalizing, lone wolf attacks, recruitment and secured communications.

The younger population was particularly vulnerable to the spread of extremist ideologies via social media sites as they are technology savvy and have impressionable minds, he noted.

Doval also held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS and Friends of BRICS countries.

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All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi and poet Kumar Vishwas on Monday traded barbs after the former highlighted the absence of senior Muslim IPS officers in important positions in the Intelligence Bureau. Citing a report by Asian Age, Owaisi alleged that Muslim IPS officers were being slowly shunted out from spy agencies, calling it a reflection of the suspicion with which BJP sees Muslims. The Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad also said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party constantly demand proof of loyalty from Muslims but never accepts them as equal fellow citizens. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and poet-politician Kumar Vishwas.

For the first time in decades, there wont be any Muslim officers in Intelligence Bureaus senior leadership. It is a reflection of the suspicion with which BJP sees Muslims. IB & R&AW have become exclusive majoritarian institutions. You constantly demand proof of loyalty from Muslims, but never accept them as equal fellow citizens, Owaisi said in a tweet.

Quoting Owaisi's tweet, Kumar Vishwas asked the lawmaker to pledge that he will choose India over Islam and the Constitution over Quran when given the option.

While some Twitter users hit out at Vishwas asking him to describe the situation when citizens would be asked to choose between their religion and the country, Owaisi, without taking the poet's name, took a swipe by pointing to cases of honeytrap involving non-Muslim officials.

Owaisi said, People raised a lot of questions on my tweet about the dearth of Muslim officers in India's spy and intelligence agencies.

Muslims are asked what will they choose between their religion and the country, the AIMIM chief said, in an obvious reference to the poet-politician's remark.

He further wrote, Don't know how many people are caught while selling the security (-related information) of the country, ISI creates fake accounts of women and traps them. Leave the religion aside, will anyone ask them what such people choose between their lust and the country?

The Maharashtra state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) recently arrested a senior director of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) for allegedly providing confidential information to a Pakistani agent. Scientist Pradeep Kurulkar (60), director, DRDO (Engineers) in Pune was arrested in a suspected case of honeytrap, the release issued by ATS said.

The scientist, by misusing his position, despite knowing that the official secrets in his possession if obtained by the enemy country can pose a threat to the security of the country, provided the sensitive details illegally to the enemy country, an ATS release said.

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Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ruled out any changes in the leadership after senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed that NCP stalwart Ajit Pawar will replace Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde as the chief minister around August 10. Fadnavis said there is ample clarity among the alliance partners of the ruling Mahayuti government over leadership, asserting that Shinde will remain the CM. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.(PTI)

As a leader of the single largest party in 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance), I am officially telling you that Ajit Pawar will not become the chief minister of Maharashtra," Fadnavis told reporters on the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.

Fadnavis also claimed a clear picture was given to Ajit Pawar about the power-sharing formula and he had agreed to it.

"He (Ajit) not only agreed to it but also made it clear in his speech that there is no discussion on changing the guard in Maharashtra, he said.

Fadnavis snubbed Prithviraj Chavan for allegedly peddling rumours.

"They should stop confusing people about 'Mahayuti'. Leaders are not confused but party workers do get perplexed. People like Prithviraj Chavan are spreading rumours. If something is going to happen by August 10, it would be the expansion of the state Cabinet. The CM will take a call on it, he said.

Earlier in the day, Chavan claimed Ajit Pawar, who was recently inducted in the Shinde-led cabinet as his deputy, will be appointed as the chief minister of Maharashtra around August 10. He claimed a decision on the disqualification of CM Shinde and 15 other MLAs of Shiv Sena will be taken around August 10.

"After deciding the disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be anointed as the chief minister around August 10," the former chief minister told a regional news channel, as quoted by PTI.

Chavan also claimed that the BJP is not keen on contesting the next Lok Sabha elections under Shinde "as he wields no influence outside his home district of Thane".

"The BJP now has an alternative in Ajit Pawar, he added.

Chavan alleged that "use and throw" is the work style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is the fate of Shinde. The understanding of top BJP leadership indicates they want to make Ajit Pawar the chief minister and face elections, he added.

(With PTI inputs)

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Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) lawmakers held a protest near the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex on Monday against the governments silence on the ethnic violence in Manipur and reiterated their demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge speaking at the protest site. (PTI)

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told journalists at the protest site that they were requesting both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha presiding officers to urge Modi to come and make a statement on what is the real situation. The PM [Prime Minister] does not even come to the Parliament chambers and only sits in his office and listens to what is going on. If the PM makes a statement in the Parliament on Manipur, then we can have a discussion.

He said Rule 267 of the parliamentary procedure allows discussion on such an issue for one hour or the entire day. But they [the government] do not want that. One says, half an hour discussion and another says short duration discussion. Why you [Modi] are not coming to the House and telling the truth?

Congress lawmakers Manickam Tagore, Manish Tewari, Rashtriya Janata Dals Manoj Jha are among those who have moved adjournment motions to discuss Manipur.

A video surfaced online on July 19 showing three women being stripped naked and paraded in Manipur. It provoked outrage and led to the washing out of the first two days of the monsoon session last week. INDIA alliance has stuck to its positions over the debate on Manipur in Parliament.

The government expressed its readiness to debate in both Houses followed by Union home minister Amit Shahs reply. But the Opposition insisted on Modis statement.

The INDIA alliance partners met at Kharges office at 10am on Monday to prepare a strategy for the second week of the session before staging a sit-in at the Gandhi statue over the Manipur issue.

Derek OBrien, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha floor leader, said on Sunday that INDIA parties will work in unison on the floor of Parliament and its precincts.

Separately, the Bharatiya Janata Party staged a counter-protest against the Oppositions silence on crimes against women in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and TMC-governed West Bengal.

The government planned to pass the MultiState Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022, in the Lok Sabha on Monday. A bill to replace the ordinance granting control of bureaucrats in Delhi to the Union government was also expected to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha this week.

One bill could be introduced over the first two days of the monsoon session last week. Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha functioned 5% and 8% of their respective time. No questions or issues could be raised during Question Hour or Zero Hour.
The Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka is facing an unusual situation as more than 600 firearms lie unused in various police stations following the death of their licence holders. In the hilly taluks of the district, the issue arises from the fact that the children of the deceased licence holders are not interested in transferring the licences in their names. (HT Photo)

Despite the district issuing several firearm licences for crop protection and self-defence, the reluctance of the deceased license holders family members to claim the weapons has led to this peculiar scenario, officials familiar with the matter said.

Over the past 25 years, starting from 1994-95, 6,370 firearms have been licensed by the Uttara Kannada district administration. These include 5,672 firearms used for crop protection and 698 for self-defence purposes. However, more than ten% of these licensed firearms have been left unclaimed after the demise of the original licence holders.

In the hilly taluks of the district, the issue arises from the fact that the children of the deceased licence holders are not interested in transferring the licences in their names.

Meanwhile, in the coastal areas, the maintenance of guns poses challenges as the iron spare parts corrode quickly due to the salty air. As a result, many family members have expressed their disinterest in owning firearms, leading to their deposition at the police stations.

According to an official, the process of transferring the firearm licence from a deceased licensee to their children is also lengthy and cumbersome, requiring multiple formalities and approvals from the police department, district administration, and government authorities. Additionally, the burden of adhering to regulations and submitting the firearm during elections or emergencies further dissuades many from reclaiming the licences.

When the family members notify the police department of their decision not to retain the firearm, the department proceeds to inform the district administration. Subsequently, the DC orders the confiscation of unclaimed firearms, and the iron parts are auctioned, while the wooden components are disposed of through burning.

My father was a licence holder of SBBL gun who passed away three years ago. If I want to get the licence transferred into my name, I have to avail rifle training provided by the police department, and again go to many offices to avail licence hence I decided not to get back the gun, Devaraja Naika, a farmer in Kumta, said.

He said that a decade ago, the licence renewal fee was just 100 for three years of renewal, and then the state government hiked it to 500 per year. For five years renewal, we have to shell out 2500 and again provide a medical certificate, two neighbours as witnesses, and a residential certificate to the police station. It is a lengthy procedure even the same for renewal also. Even more, if we want to sell guns to others, there is no demand for used guns. An SBBL gun costs 20,000- 25,000 for a new one, while the old guns value is not even 6000- 7000. If we keep the gun for ten years, the licence renewal fee would be 5000 and should visit offices for renewal.

The firearms should be handed over to the police department soon after a licence dies. If there is a future need for a firearm, the family can apply for training provided by the police, Uttara Kannada district police superintendent of police N Vishnuvardhana told HT. However, if there is no requirement, a written refusal must be given, and only after completing the necessary legal procedures will the firearm be deactivated.
New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) Minutes after the Rajya Sabha reconvened on Monday, the proceedings of the House were adjourned till 12 noon amid Opposition uproar.

Before Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings, various papers and reports were laid, and Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale took oath as a member of the Upper House.

Chairman Dhankhar announced that he had received as many as 11 notices under Rule 176 mostly from BJP members for discussion on instances of violence and atrocities against women in several opposition-ruled states. This included notices raising concern over violence during Panchayat elections in West Bengal.

In addition to this, the Chairman said he had received 27 notices under Rule 267 from various members including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge and John Brittas.

Opposition members have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur horror which involved the parading of two women naked and alleged gang-rape.

Chairman Dhankhar noted that on July 20, he had given a ruling that notices for short-duration discussion received regarding violence in Manipur is admitted and the Leader of the House Piyush Goyal had agreed to a discussion on the issue.

"The remaining notices are under my active consideration," he stated.

As the announcements were being made, TMC leader Derek O'Brien came on his feet to protest. To this, Dhankhar responded saying he was challenging the Chair.

But with several opposition members along with O'Brien refusing to budge from their positions, Dhankhar adjourned the House.

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Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru offered Julius Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, Indian citizenship after the latters humiliation in 1954 over statements against nuclear weapons, the co-author of the book that inspired Christopher Nolans movie on the American quantum physicist has said. Jawaharlal Nehru believed that children are important in nation-building. He advocated for their holistic development.(@Supriya23bh/ Twitter)

After he [Oppenheimer] was humiliated in 1954...Nehru offered him to come to India and become a citizen...But I do not think Oppenheimer considered it [the offer] seriously because he was a deeply patriotic American, Kai Bird, the co-author of the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, told HT in an interview.

Bird said nine years after being celebrated as Americas greatest scientist, Oppenheimer was brought down in a terrible kangaroo court and stripped of his security clearance in a virtual security hearing. He became the chief victim of the McCarthy witch-hunts, he said, referring to the term coined to describe Republican senator Joseph R McCarthys practise of publicly accusing government employees of disloyalty and the use of dubious methods of prosecuting them when the government was countering communism in the US.

Read Here: Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer is a staggering reckoning with history

Bird said Oppenheimer feared the rise of Fascism. He was of Jewish ancestry, but not a practising Jew. He gave money to help rescue Jewish refugees from Germany. He feared that German physicists were going to give Hitler an atomic bomb, that Hitler would be able to win the [Second World] war, and this would be a terrible outcome, a victory for fascism around the world. So he felt this [the atomic bomb] was necessary.

Bird said Oppenheimer had mixed emotions about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. By the spring of 1945, Germany was defeated. And that spring, some of the physicists and scientists...held an impromptu meeting to discuss the future of the gadget, and to ask why are we working so hard to build this terrible weapon of mass destruction when we know the Germans are defeated and Hitler is dead, and the Japanese cant possibly have a bomb project?

Bird said Oppenheimer reminded them the war was not over. The Japanese still fight on. And he [Oppenheimer] said I am reminded of the one question that Niels Bohr, the great Danish physicist asked me [Oppenheimer]... He had asked Robert, Tell me, is it big enough? Is this gadget you are building big enough to end all wars? He was essentially making the argument that if we do not demonstrate the power and destructiveness of this weapon in this war, then the next war is going to be fought by two or three adversaries, all of whom will be armed with nuclear weapons.

Read Here: Ready for Oppenheimer? Know Atom Bomb science to understand Christopher Nolan's movie

Bird said that Oppenheimer was terribly troubled as well and felt enormous empathy for the victims. [After 1945, Oppenheimer]... read the accounts of what had happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and understood that tens of thousands of people had been instantly burned to death. And he actually plunged into a deep depression right after the two bombings. Then he recovers, but almost immediately, begins to speak out.

Bird said Oppenheimer gave a speech in October 1954 saying these were weapons for aggressors. These are weapons of terror. They are not defensive weapons. And they were used on an essentially already defeated enemy.

Bird said that was an extraordinary thing for him to say just three months after Hiroshima. But he had come to understand from conversations with people in Washington that the Japanese were actually very close to surrendering. He spent the rest of his life trying to persuade policymakers that we should create an international arms control regime.

Bird said Oppenheimer acquired a fascination with Hindu mysticism and the Bhagavad Gita. And he got Arthur Ryder, the only Sanskrit scholar at Berkeley University, to tutor him in Sanskrit so that he could read the Gita in the original.

Read Here | ChatGPT's Altman disappointed with Oppenheimer movie: missed the mark; Elon Musk agrees

Bird said Oppenheimer developed an interest in Gita due to a fascination with mysticism and some of the philosophical notions in it that were sort of parallel to quantum about the nature of the world. And that famous line that he used to describe what he thought when he saw the Trinity explosion [first detonation of a nuclear weapon] I am death, destroyer of the world  some Sanskrit scholars, as I understand it, think that the more accurate translation would be I am Time, destroyer of worlds. He is a quantum physicist, so he is trying to understand time and space, and these are issues that the Gita sort of addresses on some level.

Bird said Oppenheimers story is incredibly relevant because the world is still trying to live with the bomb. Just look at the war in Ukraine and the way [Russian President] Vladimir Putin has been threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. The story is not over. And it may end badly still, these weapons could still be used again.

He added it is also relevant because what happened to Oppenheimer in 1954 explains Americas current divisive politics. ...the phenomena of [former US President Donald] Trump and his anti-intellectualism, right-wing, populous, xenophobic, paranoid style of politics comes straight out of the McCarthy era.

Bird said McCarthys chief counsel, Roy Cohn, became Trumps lawyer and taught him the paranoid style of politics. So Oppenheimers story is also about the crazy anti-intellectual strain of politics in America today. And it is relevant because his life as a scientist sheds light on our world today which is drenched in science and technology, and we are struggling to figure out how to absorb this technology and make it part of a humane society.

Bird said the world is on the verge of yet another revolution in artificial intelligence (AI). And this is going to have dire consequences for employment, and our whole culture, it raises issues of privacy. And people are talking about AI being used to trigger the use of nuclear weapons. And that is a frightening prospect.

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Rajasthan assembly speaker CP Joshi on Monday suspended sacked minister Rajendra Gudha from the House for the remainder of the ongoing session for unruly behaviour after he aggressively charged towards parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal and hit his microphone, after which he was pushed and shoved by fellow Congress legislators. Sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Singh Gudha. (ANI)

Gudha, who had approached the speaker seeking an opportunity to speak on a red diary, which he claimed held details of irregular transactions in the Ashok Gehlot-led government, was forcefully taken out of the assembly by marshals following his suspension.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Madan Dilawar was also suspended for the remainder of the ongoing assembly session, likely to be the last one for the 15th assembly as the state will go to polls later this year.

During the Zero Hour, Gudha entered the House and approached the speakers chair waiving the red diary. He sought time to speak on the entire development related to his sacking. However, speaker Joshi repeatedly asked the sacked minister to meet him in his chamber.

Opposition BJP legislators too created an uproar and stormed the well of the House over the issue, waving symbolic red diaries.

Meanwhile, as Dhariwal began to speak in the House, Gudha aggressively approached him and hit his microphone. After the incident, Congress legislator Rafiq Khan immediately pushed Gudha while minister Ramlal Jat and other other Congress MLAs also came forward and surrounded the sacked minister. They were seen pushing and shoving him.

Amid ruckus, the speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

When the House reassembled, parliamentary affairs minister Dhariwal proposed suspension of Gudha and Dilawar, saying Gudha insulted the speaker and obstructed the work of the House. He hit the mic on my desk and moved towards me with the intention of causing serious injury to me. Had the MLAs and Marshal not stopped, a huge incident could have happened, he said. Till date, no such incident happened in the assembly. In view of Gudhas unruly conduct, a proposal was made to suspend him from the remaining term of this House.

On Dilawar, the minister said he also tried to attack him and presented an unparliamentary action. He too should be suspended, Dhariwal said.

The speaker accepted the proposal and suspended the two leaders for the remainder of the session.

Amid din, meanwhile, the assembly passed several bills, including the Kota Development Authority Bill, 2023, the Udaipur Development Authority Bill, 2023, Gandhi Vatika Trust Jaipur Bill, and the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023. After the bills were passed, the speaker adjourned the house for one hour.

After the house was adjourned, Gudha told reporters that he wanted to give a statement on the red diary but the speaker did not allow it. Shanti Dhariwal stood to speak and I went to him and said that I wanted to give a statement in the House, but Congress MLAs pushed me to the ground and overpowered me. Some of them, including Shanti Dhariwal, kicked me and snatched the diary from me. However, some part of the diary was left with me, he alleged.

Gudha said he will go among the people on Tuesday and will reveal the secrets of the diary. The sacked minister claimed that the diary was secured by him on the instruction of Gehlot during an income tax raid at the residence of RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore.

Gudha was sacked on July 21 from his post as minister of state for Sainik Kalyan (independent charge), home guard and civil defence, panchayati raj and rural development, hours after he cornered the state government over the law and order situation and women safety in the assembly.

Senior BJP leader and leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore termed shameful the developments in the assembly. Gudha wanted to give a statement and he should have been allowed, he told reporters outside the assembly. Everybody in Rajasthan wants to know the mystery of the red diary. Why are the government and its head so nervous about it?

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Bharatiya Janata Party MP Rajyavardhan Rathore on Monday hit out at the Rajasthan government, alleging that the state has become a centre of scam. Speaking to news agency ANI, Rathore said maintain the chief ministership was only one motive of the government in Rajasthan. Congress leader Rajendra Gudha with the 'red diary'.(ANI)

Governance in Rajasthan has been so poor that for the last 4.5 years, there has just been one objective of the Govt - to maintain their Chief Ministership. For that, they have given a free hand to every MLA of theirs...Rajasthan is a centre of scams now, he said.

Everybody knew that there is loot happening. Now we know where that loot has been listed...This diary (of Congress leader Rajendra Gudha) lists out exactly where has all the money gone. I am now been told that Rajendra Gudha is no longer the 'blue-eyed boy' because, as a minister, he stood up and stated that stop looking at Manipur and look at yourself, Rathore said.

Rathore's statement comes after the Rajasthan assembly on Monday saw dramatic scenes following former minister Rajendra Gudha's arrival in the House with a red diary that allegedly listed out details of irregular financial transactions under chief minister Gehlot's tenure.

Gudha alleged that some Congress leaders kicked and punched him and later threw him out of the Assembly.

"I wanted to present my red diary to the Chairman, but he did not allow me to speak. Congress leader Shanti Kumar Dhariwal pushed me and other Congress leaders started fighting with me and took away some pages of the diary. Some Congress leaders kicked and punched me and later threw me out of the Assembly. I was getting calls not to attend the session and that I will be sent to jail soon," the former minister claimed.

Rajendra Gudha was sacked from the state cabinet by chief minister Ashok Gehlot last week after he raised concerns over the issue of women's safety. 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.
The Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for over 30 mins on Monday after heated exchanges between Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien, after the latter urged Dhankhar to mention party affiliations of members of the Opposition who sought discussion on Manipur violence. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. (ANI)

Dhankhar on Monday read out names of the MPs along with the political parties they were affiliated with stating that 11 notices had been received under rule 176, to raise short-duration discussions, to discuss violence in states including Rajasthan and Manipur.

However, when Dhankhar began reading out 27 notices that were received under Rule 267, which states that house should halt all business to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, from MPs of Opposition parties but he did not mention their party affiliations.

Upon this, O'Brien asked Dhankhar to mention their party affiliations, just as he did for those who submitted notices under rule 176.

As Dhankhar began naming the MPs, O'Brien was heard shouting, Which party? Which party? I want to know.

Dhankhar asked O'Brien to take his seat. Take your seat first.

O'Brien, refusing to do so, continued to urge Dhankhar with folded hands and pleaded that he had read the party affiliations of BJP MPs and said the same courtesy should be extended to others who had given notices.

Dhankhar, after urging O'Brien to take his seat a few more times, said, Mr Derek O'Brien, please take a seat, you are challenging the Chair.

He then adjourned the Rajya Sabha proceedings until 12 pm.

Earlier, Dhankhar said that he had received 11 notices under rule 176 and other notices under the rule were under his consideration.

He read out these notices, Shri Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP - concern over violence during panchayat elections in the state of West Bengal. Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, concern over use of brutal police force against peaceful protestors in Patna, Bihar. Shri Laxmikant Bajpai, BJP - concern over atrocities against women in the state of Telangana. Shri G V L Narasimha Rao, BJP - concern over protest by youth belonging to SC, ST communities in the state of Chhattisgarh to challenge the fake caste certificates. Shri Harnath Singh Yadav, BJP - concern over atrocities against women in state of Chhattisgarh.

Dhankhar further said that Ghanshyam Tiwari of the BJP requested a discussion on crime against women in Rajasthan and CPM's V Sivadasan on ethnic violence in Manipur.

He had also said, In respect of the last notice (of Sivadasan), you would recall (that) on July 20, 2023, I had already given a ruling that the notices for short duration discussion received regarding the violence in Manipur are admitted and the Leader of the House (and Union Minister) Piyush Goyal had agreed for a discussion on this issue.

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All documents recovered from Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman who managed to sneak into India illegally through Nepal in May to live with her Indian husband Sachin Meena, have reportedly been sent to the Pakistan embassy in New Delhi for verification of her identity. Seema Haider, who travelled from Karachi in Pakistan, has said that she met her partner Sachin Meena in Rabupura village 90 km from Delhi, in a gaming chatroom (AFP File Photo)

Seema entered into India illegally along with her four children on May 13. Seema claimed she had come to live with Meena, who stays in Rabupura area of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

On July 4, Haider was arrested by local police for entering India illegally and Meena 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 Rabupura.

Since she was caught by the police on July 4, she has been under the radar of security agencies over suspicions of being a Pakistani spy.

Pakistan's intelligence agencies have informed the country's government that "love" is the "only" factor that led the mother of four to sneak into India to live with a Hindu man whom she befriended through an online game platform, according to a Pakistani media report.

What are Seema Haider's documents?

Seema's documents, including her passport, Pakistani ID card and her children's passports were recovered by the police during the investigation, India Today reported. All these documents were sent to the Pakistan embassy to verify whether she is a Pakistani national, it added.

The Pakistani citizen told the news channel that she had not deleted any data from her phone even as the police are awaiting a forensic report of her mobile phone.

Reportedly, her confiscated mobile has been sent to a forensic lab in Ghaziabad for further investigation.

Who is Seema Haider?

Seema Haider hails from Sindh province in Pakistan and claimed to have got in touch with Meena while playing online game PUBG in 2019-20, and eventually the two talked over Whatsapp and Instagram before falling in love with each other.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) last week said investigations were underway on the matter relating to Seema.

"We are aware of this matter as she has appeared in court. She has been granted bail. She is free on bail. The matter is being investigated," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

"We will let you know more when there are developments. It is a judicial matter and investigations are underway and I would not like to say anything more," he said.

Bagchi was responding to media queries on the case at his weekly press briefing.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) reportedly detained two brothers from Bulandshahr for allegedly making changes to documents and Aadhaar cards related to Meena and Seema.

Pushpendra Meena and his brother Pawan were detained by the UP ATS from a public service centre in Ahmadgarh, where the duo worked. According

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The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by the West Bengal government challenging National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into six instances of arson and violence during the Ram Navami procession in March and April this year in West Bengal. Supreme Court rejects West Bengal governments plea challenging NIA probe into violence during Ram Navami procession in March and April in the state. (ANI)

Also Read | Supreme Court halts ASI survey at Gyanvapi for two days

While upholding the Calcutta courts April 27 order which paved the way for NIA to take over the probe, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud observed that the state had not challenged a subsequent notification issued by the Centre on May 8 handing over the probe to NIA.

Under the NIA Act of 2008, the Centre can direct NIA to probe a scheduled offence for which it does not require a report from the respective state government.

With the state failing to challenge the May 8 order separately, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, In the absence of challenge to the validity of notification (of May 8), we are not inclined to entertain the special leave petition filed by the state government.

Also Read | Tihar administration orders probe after Solicitor General flags lapses over Yasin Malik's appearance in Supreme Court

As some of the FIRs filed in West Bengal contained provisions under Explosive Substances Act, which is a scheduled offence under NIA Act, the Court found Centres jurisdiction to probe the cases to be not extraneous.

The state represented by senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Gopal Shankarnaraynan argued that only in two out of the 6 FIRs, the provisions of Explosive Substances Act were attracted due to allegations of use of bombs.

The Court referred to Section 6(5) of the NIA Act which said, Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Central Government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence has been committed which is required to be investigated under this Act, it may, suo motu, direct the agency (NIA) to investigate the said offence.

The bench said, We now have 6 FIRs registered by NIA with the Centre exercising powers under Section 6(5) of the Act. Let us keep aside the high court order. Centre has issued this notification on May 8 to which there is no challenge. Assuming we accept your challenge against the HC order, we will still be labouring in vain.

The Court had in May asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for NIA to find out if all six FIRs related to the same incident or different incidents of violence that took place following the Ram Navami procession.

Mehta said that in two out of 6 FIRs cases were registered under the Explosive Substances Act where there were allegations of crude bombs being thrown at the procession in Howrah and Chandan Nagar. The high court order of April 27 too had noted that the state had not registered offences under the Explosive Substances Act. This was a clear violation of Section 6 of NIA Act which requires officer-in-charge of a police station to record occurrence of any scheduled offence and forward it to the state government, which, in turn, is mandated to forward a report to the Centre.

The NIA was supported by BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on whose petition the HC order directed NIA probe. Senior advocate PS Patwalia who appeared for the BJP leader said that if the truth has to come out the NIA must investigate the cases. He pointed out that all six FIRs were registered by the police suo moto and were directed against those who took part in the procession.

The state argued that tear gas shells and smoke grenades used by police were passed off as bombs as the violence resulted in local abrasions while no evidence associated with bombs  traces of nitrite, formation of crater, presence of shrapnel  were found at the sites of violence. Shankarnaraynan told the Court that the state police have acted without any favouritism as is evident from the accused arrested in each case and the HC order demoralises the police force despite the good job done.

The Court remarked, We cant be oblivious to the fact that all these incidents took place in close proximity of time from March 30 to April 3, proximate to the conduct of Ram Navami procession. There is a FIR which says bombs were used. Can we then say this is extraneous exercise of power by the Centre. Ultimately, HC has said this is a matter which has to be investigated. The remit of the Court is not to find out if allegations are sufficiently made out but on whether the remit of Centre is totally extraneous in this matter.

The state even requested for the investigation of NIA to be time-bound as it produced a list from the NIA website showing that out of 502 investigations handled by NIA, investigation is complete in only 11 cases and in only 3 matters, judgment has been pronounced while 12 have resulted in closure reports.

The top court said, The precise contours of investigation carried out by NIA cannot be anticipated or restricted at this stage. The order further clarified that any observations made by the high court are to be confined to the question whether NIA had jurisdiction to investigate the cases in question and not on the merits of each case.

After violent clashes broke out in Howrah district during the March 30 Ram Navami procession, clashes led to torching of vehicles and injuries to persons. Over the next three days, violence spread to other districts of North Dinajpur and Hooghly districts. Challenging states inaction to conduct a fair probe, West Bengals leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari approached the high court filing a public interest litigation seeking independent probe.

The HC order said, We are convinced that no useful purpose would be served by directing the state police to register cases against those who used acid bottles and petrol bombs, etc under the Explosive Substances Act as the matter has travelled beyond that stage and it is a fit case to transfer the investigation to the NIA. The HC also directed the state police to transfer all documents, records and CCTV footage related to the case to NIA.
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Varanasi district court order until 5 pm on July 26 allowing scientific excavation of the Gyanvapi mosque complex survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to ascertain whether the masjid was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple. On Friday, the Varanasi district court ordered an extensive survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid by ASI to ascertain whether the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple (PTI)(HT_PRINT)

The court requested the Allahabad high court to ensure the matter is taken up on July 26. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ordered that no invasive work would be undertaken by the ASI to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple and agreed to hear a plea moved by the mosque committee during the day.

The bench took note of the submissions made by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared in the court on behalf of the mosque committee, that the matter be heard urgently.

The top court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Uttar Pradesh government, to inform the ASI team that there should not be any "invasive work" or excavation at the site.

"We will hear it (the plea) at 2 pm," the bench said.

Let there be a status quo for the time being. No excavation, no invasive method until we hear it, Justice Chandrachud said.

Mehta, who was asked to come back at 11.15 am to inform about ASI's methods of survey, told the court that not even a brick has been moved or plans to be moved for at least a week. Only photography, measurements, etc are being done.

The top court recorded Mehta's statement that no excavation for at least a week is being mulled over.

We are thinking of giving the mosque management committee enough time to challenge the district court's order before the Allahabad HC. Let there be no excavation till such time. Come back and tell us what is it that ASI is doing, the CJI had earlier on Monday asked Mehta.

The Supreme Court asked the mosque management committee to approach the Allahabad HC. The committee, however, sought a stay on the district court's order.

On Friday, a Varanasi court directed the ASI to conduct a "detailed scientific survey" -- including excavations, wherever necessary -- to determine if the mosque was built at a place where a temple existed earlier.

The mosque's "wazookhana" (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions), where a structure claimed by the Hindu litigants to be a "Shivling" exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.

District judge AK Vishvesh has directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by August 4, along with video clips and photographs of the survey proceedings.

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The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the delimitation exercise in Assam by the Election Commission, but agreed to examine a challenge to the law that permits the poll panel to arbitrarily decide on state and parliamentary seat boundaries without involving the democratically elected representatives of people. The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra granted three weeks for the Centre to file its response (HT)

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said, At this stage since the delimitation has already commenced... particularly having regard to the issuance of draft proposal on June 20, it wont be possible to interdict the process at this stage.

The current exercise was to determine the boundaries of 126 assembly seats and 14 Parliamentary constituencies.

The court issued notice to the Centre on a fresh petition filed by 10 Opposition leaders from the state challenging the June 20 draft proposal of the Election Commission (EC) and section 8A of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950 which gives EC power to draft delimitation of seats in Assam and three other north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur.

The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra granted three weeks for the Centre to file its response even as it refused to restrain the EC from proceeding with the final report.

The petition was argued by senior advocate Kapil Sibal who said: This has never happened before in the history of the country. If this is allowed to take place, it will happen in the other three states as well.

He requested the court to have the matter heard soon.

He pointed out that the unique situation with Assam was due to two 2008 amendments which introduced Section 10A and 8A to the Representation of Peoples Act. Section 10A allows President to defer the delimitation in the four states on ground of internal security or law and order. While Section 8A allowed the President to rescind any order under Section 10A in changed circumstances. With regard to Assam, this order was issued by President in February 2020 rescinding the earlier order of 2008 to defer delimitation. In December last year, the Election Commission started the delimitation exercise.

Section 8A introduced a different mechanism for these four states as in any other state, the delimitation process was done by delimitation commission headed by a former Supreme Court judge and having representation of members belonging to Parliament and Assembly in that state.

He said, The Constitution has democracy as basic feature which is identified by its representative character. This acts as the basis for delimitation. How can you jettison the democratic process by not hearing the views of the elected representatives?

He further stated that the power to rescind under Section 8A is given to President but the February 2020 order was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice albeit, in the name of President. Finally, he questioned how the EC was demarcating boundaries based not on population but on density of population which is not the correct approach.

The bench said, The constitutional challenge will merit scrutiny.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta appeared for Centre and agreed to file an affidavit explaining why the law is valid and how the present delimitation exercise is being carried out as per law.
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed till 5pm on July 26 the Varanasi district courts order of 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 mosque management committee must get some breathing time to challenge the impugned directive. An ASI team arrives at the Gyanvapi Mosque complex to conduct a scientific survey, in Varanasi on Monday. (PTI)(HT_PRINT)

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, also directed the registrar (judicial) of the Allahabad high court to ensure that the committees petition is placed before an appropriate bench in the high court so that it can be heard before the order of status quo, which has been granted by this court today, comes to an end.

Having regard to the fact that the order of the district court was pronounced at 4.30pm on July 21, 2023, and the survey is in the process of being carried out today, we are of the view that some breathing time must be granted to the petitioners to move the high court for pursuing their remedies. We direct that the impugned order of the district court shall not be enforced until 5pm on July 26, 2023, stated the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The directive came at a time when a 30-member team of ASI was inside the mosque complex to carry out the survey  as directed by the Varanasi district court, while the mosque management committee had rushed to the Supreme Court, pressing for an immediate stay of the contentious order. The ASI team was accompanied by the four Hindu women plaintiffs and their counsel, Uttar Pradesh governments special counsel Advocate Rajesh for Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case, and senior administrative officials.

The bench asked solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the UP government in the case, to communicate the courts restraining order to ASI without delay. It also recorded the SGs statement that ASI contemplates no excavation at the site until July 31, 2023, and that only measurements, photography and radar imaging were being carried out.

The top court order came on an urgent plea moved by the mosque management committee, complaining that they were ambushed by the district courts order which came on Friday evening and ASI quickly moved in action, reaching the site on Monday morning .

Whats the tearing hurry? The property has been a mosque and has been used as one since the 16th century and since the Independence. They are going to excavate too, and the district court order says so. We were given no time to pursue the legal remedies available to us while the ASI team is already there...Let there be an order of status quo, argued senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the committee. He added that an omnibus order of a survey cannot be implemented when the district court has not even framed the issues in the suits pending before it.

On Friday, Varanasi 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. The judge held that the scientific investigation is necessary for the true facts to come out, as it allowed an application by the four Hindu women plaintiffs. The district court, however, ordered excluding the section which has remained sealed since the Supreme Court order in May 2022. The area under seal is where the Hindu side insists a Shivling has been found, while the Muslims says it is part of a fountain.

After Ahmadi sought the top courts intervention, the bench, at first, asked the SG to speak to ASI officials and apprise the court of the nature of survey being conducted at the site. Mehta returned in 10 minutes and told the bench, Not even a brick has been removed nor will it be done for at least a week. He added that there would be no effort to carry out any excavation at the site for at least a week and hence, the mosque committee can be remitted to the high court to pursue their appeal against the district courts order in the meantime.

Taking Mehtas statements on record that the structure faces no imminent danger of excavation, the bench was inclined to wrap up the proceedings while asking the committee to argue its appeal before the high court, but Ahmadi insisted on a restraining order. He pointed out that letting ASI carry out any activity at the site would be prejudicial to them, especially when the committee is yet to get an opportunity to argue before the high court for a complete stay of the Friday order.

Senior counsel Shyam Divan, who appeared for the four Hindi plaintiffs, opposed Ahmadis request, contending that a status quo order by the apex court continues indefinitely and that the issue should be left to the Allahabad high court to decide.

The bench then turned to the SG, asking if he was willing to make a statement that ASI can maintain a status quo till Friday to enable the committee to secure a hearing in the high court. The SG, however, expressed his inability to make such a statement, emphasising that ASI is not carrying out excavation or any other invasive method at the disputed site. Mehta added that the mosque committee should rather be asked to make all such submissions before the high court.

Responding, the bench said that it is of the view that the matter can be set down before the high court by Wednesday, but an order of status quo should be in force until a hearing takes place there. It then proceeded to stay the enforcement of the district court order till 5pm on July 26.

In its Friday order, the district court directed ASI to conduct a detailed scientific investigation using GPR survey, excavation, dating methods, and other modern techniques to find out whether the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing Hindu temple.

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 district court order further 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). The court also permitted ASI to carry out scientific investigation of all the artefacts found in the mosque to find out their age and nature, and directed it to study all objects of historical and religious importance 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, said the court, adding that ASI must ensure that there should be no damage to the structure.

The 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.

The mosque management committee 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 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.

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.

Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee joint secretary SM Yasin said, We have got temporary relief. He claimed that he didnt get the copy of the Varanasi courts order for the survey till Monday morning but the ASI received it and started the survey in a hurry.

One of the counsels for the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, Advocate Eklaq Ahmad said, The Supreme Courts order has given a relief to the committee. He said that they were preparing and would argue the matter in the Allahabad high court.

Counsel for four Hindu Women plaintiffs Vishnu Shankar Jain said, We will argue the matter before high court.

The Gyanvapi case is one of several such petitions filed by Hindu groups and individuals in lower courts in Varanasi, Agra and Mathura, seeking redressal on centuries-old disputes involving religious places. The Places of Worship Act 1991 was designed to prevent such disputes but it appears to be ineffective. Proceedings around the law are already before the top court, so the government must clarify its stand on the law, and the SC should consider taking a call.

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Holding that the mosque management committee must get some breathing time to appeal against the Friday order, a bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, stayed the district courts order for a little over 48 hours to let the committee approach the Allahabad high court in appeal.

We permit petitioners to move the high court under Article 227 (writ jurisdiction) challenging order of the district judge, Varanasi. Having regard to fact that order was passed on July 21, at 4.30pm and ASI survey is being carried out today, we are inclined to permit them some breathing time. We direct that the district court order shall not be enforced till July 26, 5pm, directed the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Should the committee move the high court, the high court registrar shall ensure that their petition is placed before a roster so that it is heard before status quo order ends, the bench added.

The bench asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appears for the Uttar Pradesh government in the case but was requested by the bench to assist it on Monday morning, to convey the courts directions to ASI without delay.

Initially, the bench proceeded to dispose of the committees plea while giving it some time to approach the high court and recording Mehtas statements that no excavation or any other invasive method will be resorted to by ASI in the mosque complex for at least a week.

But the bench eventually stayed the district court order till 5pm on July 26 after the committee, represented through senior advocate Huzefa Ahmedi, vociferously pressed for a status quo, arguing they have been ambushed by the district courts order which came on Friday evening and ASI rushed to the mosque complex on Monday morning.

Whats the tearing hurry? The property has been a mosque and has been used as one since 1500s. Let there be an order of status quo, argued Ahmedi, adding an omnibus order of a survey cannot be implemented when the district court has not even framed the issues in the suits pending before it.

Senior counsel Shyam Divan appeared for the four Hindi plaintiffs on whose plea the survey order was passed. Divan opposed the committees plea, contending a status quo order by the apex court continues indefinitely and that the issue should be left to the Allahabad high court to decide.

Mehta, during the hearing, was asked by the bench if he was willing to make a statement that ASI will not act till Friday to enable the committee to move the high court and secure a hearing. Mehta, however, expressed his inability to make such a statement, emphasising that ASI is not carrying out excavation or any other invasive method at the disputed site. Mehta added that the mosque management committee should be asked to make all submissions before the high court.

The bench, however, was of the view that the committee must be given some time to secure a hearing in the high court against the Friday order of the district court. It thus stayed the enforcement of the Friday order till 5pm on July 26 and further asked the high court registrar to set down the matter for a hearing before the status quo order expires.

In its Friday order, the district judge held that the scientific investigation is necessary for the true facts to come out, as it allowed an application by the 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.

The district 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, said the district courts 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 district court 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).

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 district 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.

The district court also pointed out that the Supreme Court did not stay the proceedings before the district court 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.

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Three bills, including one to include two communities of Chhattisgarh in the list of Scheduled Castes (SCs), were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, as the Union government succeeded in transacting some legislative business amid continuous uproar over the Oppositions demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur violence in both Houses of Parliament. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 15 (file photo)

Also Read | Bill to regulate use of DNA technology withdrawn from Lok Sabha

The government tabled the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. in the Lower House.

The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023 aims to repeal the Dentists Act, 1948 and proposes to set up a National Dental Commission (NMC) to regulate dental education and the profession in the country. It also seeks to make dental education affordable and raise its standards, and make quality oral healthcare accessible. It also seeks to standardise the process for dental graduates to join state dental registers, obtain licences to practice dentistry and apply for graduate programs through a National Exit Test (Dental).

Also Read | In a first, Rajasthan clears bill granting social security to gig workers

The proposed NMC will replace the current Dental Council of India which currently regulates dental education and the profession of dentistry throughout India. The panel will comprise a chairperson, seven ex-officio members, and 22 part-time members appointed by the central government.

The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 seeks to set up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) and repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. The bill provides for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals, assessment of institutions and maintenance of a national as well as state registers.

It also includes provisions for a common entrance test, compulsory registration, and a temporary licence for qualified foreign nationals who are nurses and midwives to practice in India.

Besides the two bills, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha. The bill, tabled by Union minister Virendra Kumar, seeks to include Mahra and Mahara communities in the Scheduled Castes list of Chhattisgarh. Assembly elections are due to be held in the state later this year.

The bills were tabled even as the Opposition continued their protests, through sloganeering and holding of placards, demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on Manipur in both Houses.

Punjab MP Manish Tewari said he tried to speak on the Manipur violence but was asked by the Chair to speak only on the bills. Tried to raise the Manipur issue in the Lok Sabha. Only to be cut off rather abruptly & brusquely, he tweeted.
The search and rescue teams have recovered four bodies from the debris of a two-storey building in Gujarat's Junagarh that collapsed on Monday afternoon. The rescue operation is still on and the recovered bodies have been sent to a civil hospital for postmortem. A two-storeyed building collapsed in Junagadh.(ANI)

Junagadh collector Anil Ranavasiya said the administration immediately sent NDRF teams and other resources after he received a call from the disaster control room regarding the building collapse at around 1.10pm. Four persons, including two children aged 13 and 7 and their father, were among the four killed in the incident.

"At around 1:10 pm, I got a call from the disaster Control Room that there is a building collapse on Datar Road, Junagadh. We immediately pulled our NDRF teams & other resources. The rescue operation is still going on. Till now we have recovered four dead bodies and in that, a boy aged 7 years, another boy aged 13 to 14 years, and two adult males aged 35 and 52 have been sent to a civil hospital for necessary postmortem..." the official told ANI.

The authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse.

The state government has announced 4 lakh as ex gratia to the next of kin of the victims.

"The incident of the building collapse in Junagadh is very tragic. My heartfelt condolences go out to the relatives of the deceased who lost their lives in this unfortunate event. I pray to God for the peace of the souls of the departed. The state government has provided Rs. 4 lakh in assistance to the bereaved families," Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said on Twitter.

Junagadh mayor Gitaben Parmar revealed that the corporation had issued notices to at least 38 such residential societies in Junagadh, urging them to evacuate due to their old and deteriorating state. Citing an example, she mentioned the Satyam society where the residents were asked to vacate and were provided shelter in a safe location by the corporation.

(With inputs from Bureau)

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SILCHAR: Militant group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) on Sunday threatened Assam director general of police (DGP) Gyanendra Pratap Singh over police shootouts in the state, claiming that he will have to face dire consequences if the state police continued to carry out what it called were fake encounters. Assam DGP GP Singh tweeted a warning to people against extorting money from business persons, saying they will be charged under UAPA even if they are falsely claiming a ULFA link (Twitter/gpsinghips)

DGP GP Singh has rejected the threat, saying such statements didnt merit a reaction. Singh later put out a post on Twitter, sharing two verses from Bhagavad Gita that stress on the importance of doing ones duty. Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin.

Singh did not cite any context for the two verses. A police officer said these appeared to be his counter to the statement issued by a self-styled captain of ULFA-I Rumel Axom. In this, the group gave what it called was its last warning to the police chie.

Either you stop showing bravery in the name of fake encounters or you leave Assam as soon as possible, this is our last warning, Rumel Axom said.

Rumel cited the case of suspected ULFA-I cadre Suruj Gogoi, who was shot dead in Sivasagar district earlier this year, and claimed tht innocents were killed in encounters in Assam but corrupt officials and businessmen involved in smuggling of Burmese areca nuts were free.

The statement came hours after GP Singh put out a post on Twitter about extortion demands being made, mostly in the name of UlFA, and warned that people caught trying to extort money in the name of ULFA will be prosected under the anti-terror law irrespective of whether they are linked to the group or not.

DGP Singh also uploaded a photograph of a man who was shot by the police after he allegedly tried to escape from police custody after being caught on charges of extorting money from businesspersons.

These provisions are for collection of funds, using proceeds of terrorism etc and may lead to forfeiture of property of the persons involved in collection of funds for ULFA [irrespective of claims of genuine or fake] Concerned District Police and Security forces have been directed to take firm action against any person involved in making extortion demands and/or collection of such demanded money. @assampolice would not let the economic development of the state be held hostage by such persons and take ruthless action per law. People are advised not to be part of such collection of extortion/demanded money, Singh said in his post.

The ULFA-I statement said neither of the two, a woman named Pushpanjali Gogoi arrested with 3 lakh by the Dibrugarh police and Hem Chetia in Sivasagar district for same reason, were working for them. None of them were appointed by us, ULFA-I said.
Union home minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha on Monday that he was prepared for a debate on the violence in Manipur and urged Opposition leaders to allow a discussion on the issue as the second week of the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament opened to yet another day jammed with disruptions. Union home minister Amit Shah speaking in the Lok Sabha. (PTI)

In a brief statement in the Lok Sabha during the post-lunch session, Shah said there were requests from both the ruling and Opposition members for a discussion on Manipur, where at least 150 people have died in ethnic violence since May.

Also Read | Congress, Opposition blocking Manipur discussion in Parliament to hide certain facts, claims BJP

I am ready for a discussion in the House. I do not know why the opposition does not want to allow a discussion. It is my appeal to the opposition leaders to allow a discussion on this important issue and let the truth on the matter be placed before the nation. It is very important, the minister said.

A 30-second clip detailing the brutal sexual assault of two Kuki women by a mob that stripped them and paraded them naked on May 4 in Manipur surfaced last week and sparked a nationwide outcry. Since the session opened on May 20, it has been marred by disruptions with Opposition leaders demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi  who spoke outside Parliament and said he was pained and angry by the video  speak in the House.

Also Read | PM Modi running away from: AAP MP Sanjay Singh after Rajya Sabha suspension

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged Opposition members to allow a discussion on the Manipur situation.

The minister of the department concerned takes part in the debate. To ask for new traditions to be set and not allow the House to function in a planned manner is not in the national interest, the Speaker said.

But the Opposition didnt budge, with several members raising slogans in the Well of the House, demanding discussion on the situation in Manipur. The House was finally adjourned at 2pm. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the PM speak on the Manipur issue inside the House.

The Parliament is underway. It is your (PM) duty to first inform the Parliament members then the public. Suppose, if Parliament was not there, session was not there, you (PM) could have spoken outside but on the door of the Parliament, you must speak, he said.

Since the session began, the government has insisted that the home minister will speak on Manipur in Parliament, and not the PM.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, who is also deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, said that the government is ready for a discussion in Parliament. Manipur incident is most definitely a very serious matter and sensing the gravity of the situation, the PM himself has said that what happened in the state has put the entire nation to shame, he said.

Addressing reporters outside Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session, the prime minister had expressed pain and anger over the incident of two women being sexually assaulted.

Today, as I stand among you in the temple of democracy, my heart is filled with sorrow and anger over the incident in Manipur. This incident is a shameful act for any civilised society. The perpetrators of this sin, the wrongdoers, whoever they are, how many there were, that is to one side. But, the entire nation is feeling ashamed, Modi said, speaking on the ethnic violence in Manipur between the dominant Meitei and tribal Kuki communities that has killed at least 150 people and displaced another 50,000.

Modi said that 1.4 billion people were feeling embarrassed and appealed to all chief ministers to strengthen law and order in the states, and take stringent steps to ensure the safety and protection of women.

Whether the incident happens in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, or Manipur, in any corner of India, in any state government, rising above political disputes and maintaining the significance of the rule of law and the respect for women is crucial. I want to assure the citizens of this country that no wrongdoer will be spared. Every step will be taken to ensure law forcefully with all its might, he added.

But the Opposition has stuck to its demand that the PM respond to the situation inside the House.

Later in the day, Union minister Smriti Irani said that the Congress is running away from the discussion while the government is ready to hold talks in both Houses. Amit Shah ji, today appealed to all the members of the Opposition to initiate a debate or discussion on the issue of affliction in the state of Manipur. Amit Shah ji has repeatedly said that we are ready for the discussion in both Houses of the Parliament, but the Opposition is running away from discussion on Manipur..., she said.

Trinamool Congresss Abhishek Banerjee said that the government was , You (the government) spent 1,500 crore to build a new Parliament building but dont want to discuss any issue. The monsoon session began on a stormy note, bringing back memories of the previous session that was washed out due to a deadlock between the government and the Opposition. All parties and parliamentary authorities should ensure that the crucial work of Parliament  deliberation on the laws that govern India and discussion on critical issues  is not disrupted, and find ways to bridge the trust deficit between the treasury and opposition benches.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday reiterated the governments willingness to discuss in Parliament the ethnic violence in Manipur while requesting the Opposition to let the discussion take place amid continuing ruckus on the matter in House. Union home minister Amit Shah speaking in the Lok Sabha. (PTI)

Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has stuck to its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement on Manipur.

Minutes before the House was adjourned for the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked Shah to speak over the demand for a discussion over the issue. I am ready for a discussion on this in the House. I do not know why the Opposition is not letting us discuss the issue. ...let a discussion take place on this issue. It is important that the country gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter, Shah said.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh earlier said the government is ready to discuss the issue but the Opposition is not ready to listen. I believe the Opposition is not serious about discussing the crucial issue, he said.

A video surfaced on July 19 showing three women being stripped and paraded in Manipur. The incident fanned fresh tensions in the state and also led to the washing out of the first two days of Parliaments monsoon session last week.

Ethnic violence has rocked the state for the last two months and claimed over 150 lives and left over 50,000 injured. Clashes first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after Kuki groups called for protests against a proposal to grant scheduled tribe status to Manipurs dominant Meitei community.

INDIA grouping lawmakers earlier on Monday held a protest near the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex against the governments silence on the violence and reiterated their demand for Modis statement.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told journalists at the protest site that they were requesting both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha presiding officers to urge Modi to come and make a statement on what is the real situation. The PM [Prime Minister] does not even come to the Parliament chambers and only sits in his office and listens to what is going on. If the PM makes a statement in the Parliament on Manipur, then we can have a discussion.

He said Rule 267 of the parliamentary procedure allows discussion on such an issue for one hour or the entire day. But they [the government] do not want that. One says, half an hour discussion and another says short duration discussion. Why you [Modi] are not coming to the House and telling the truth?

The government expressed its readiness last week to debate in both Houses followed by Shahs reply. But the Opposition insisted on Modis statement.
Amidst challenging weather, Indian Coast Guard executed a mid-sea medical evacuation of an Indian mariner suffering from a suspected stroke and partial paralysis onboard a private tanker off the Kerala coast. The indigenous Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) MK-III was used in the successful operation. India Coast Guard evacuated a critically ill Indian mariner from MT Global Star around 110 Miles NW of Kochi. (Indian Coast Guard)

The rescue operation was initiated after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Mumbai received a request from MRCC Rome, Italy, about a 37-year-old crew member on the Panama-flagged vessel MT Global Star. The sailor was reported to be suffering from high blood pressure and a stroke while the vessel was 110 nautical miles from Kochi in the Arabian Sea due to machinery failure, a statement from Indian Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard Ship Arnvesh, on area patrol, was immediately diverted for the medical evacuation, but rough weather conditions made it challenging to disembark the patient. As a result, the Indian Coast Guard launched an ALH on Monday morning, braving gusty winds and rough seas to successfully evacuate the patient from a distance of 110 nm from Kochi.

The patient was handed over to the local agent for further medical care at Ernakulam, the statement added.

"#SAR In a daring ops amidst challenging weather @IndiaCoastGuard indigenous #ALHsaved another mariners life at sea onboard MT GLOBALSTAR 110Nm fm #Kochi. The rescue ops was coordinated by #MRCCKochi in coordination with CG Air Enclave, #Nedumbassery & #ICGSArnvesh," PRO Defence Kochi tweeted.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
A 34-year-old woman from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan told her husband that she was travelling to Amritsar for work, but crossed over to Lahore in Pakistan to meet a man she fell in love with on Facebook, police officers in both countries said on Monday, describing a case that has similarities to that of Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman who came to India with her four children earlier this month to be with 22-year-old Sachin Meena, whom she met while playing an online game. New Delhi: Anju, a married Indian woman who has travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her friend whom she befriended on Facebook. (PTI)

To be sure, while AnjuRafael travelled to Lahore on a valid visa, Haider entered India illegally through a circuitous route, spent a week in jail, and her antecedents are being investigated by the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorism squad.

The husband of the 34-year-old woman from Bhiwadi, Arvind Kumar, said that Anju left the house on Thursday saying she was going to Amritsar, but the family received a phone call from heron Sunday telling them she had gone to Lahore to meet Nasarullah, a man from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa she met and fell in love with on Facebook four years ago.

No further details of their meeting and conversations were immediately available.

Anju made her passport two years ago. Though she had never visited abroad, she would keep going to many places in India for work. She didnt tell me that she is going to Pakistan. She said that she will be back in three to four days. I dont want to file any complaint with the police immediately, Kumar told reporters on Sunday.

Anju, an employee of Hyundai in Bhiwadi, has been married for 16 years and has two children. She had told officials in Pakistan that she met 29-year-old Nasarullah on Facebook four years ago, began chatting with him, and that they eventually fell in love.

Speaking to reporters in Pakistan, Nasarullah has said that they intend to get engaged in a few days.

After that Anju will return to India to meet her family. We will get married in our next meeting in Pakistan. We kept trying for Anjus visa for the last two years, and she was finally granted permission to visit Pakistan by crossing the Wagah border. We want to stay peacefully away from the media spotlight, Nasarullah said.

The station house officer of the Upper Dir police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Javed Khan, told HT that Anjus visa and other documents were valid for travel to Pakistan. The two visited the police station on July 21 as per the protocol of a foreign nationals visit. The woman has a valid visa for 30 days. We didnt find any illegal immigration issue. Nasarullah told us that the woman has come only to visit the country. We will provide them with complete security from our side so that they can maintain their privacy, he said.

In a video message from her Facebook account on Monday, Anju urged the media to respect the privacy of her family and kids. I came here legally. I planned for this visit earlier. I want to let everyone know that I am safe here. I will return India within two or three days. Please leave my family alone, she said.

Later, in an interview with Zee News, Anjusaid, I just wanted to visit this place. I didnt tell my family anything about it because I thought they wont let me go. So I told them once I crossed the border and all the formalities were done. I have no intention to marry Nasarullah. I just wanted to hang out with him. I will be back to my family very soon.

Meanwhile, the assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Bhiwadi, Sujeet Shankar, said police were still checking if her travel documents were genuine.

The police on Sunday went to check her background after receiving some information from the media. However, we havent been able to verify the validity of her visa with the external affairs ministry as no formal complaint was lodged yetThey are adults and can visit any country. We will investigate if there is a complaint. he said.

The MEA has not commented on the situation.

Haider is currently under the radar of the anti-terrorism squad (ATC) in Uttar Pradesh radar for crossing the border illegally. She was arrested by police on July 4 for crossing from Nepal without a visa in May to be with Meena in Noida.

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Kriti Sanon's recent sartorial choices have been the talk of the town because of their equally stylish and steal-worthy aesthetics. Lately, the star populated her wardrobe with evergreen sarees and regal red-carpet-ready traditional looks. However, Kriti embraced the basics with her latest photoshoot as she slipped into an impeccably crafted and tailored suit set, making a case for monochromatic workwear. Kriti Sanon pairs cropped shirt and pants with tie and trench coat in new photoshoot. (Instagram)

Kriti Sanon's latest photoshoot

Celebrity stylist Sukriti Grover took to Instagram to share pictures of Kriti Sanon from the photoshoot. It shows Kriti dressed in a boss babe chocolate brown-coloured ensemble from the shelves of the clothing label Helen Anthony. It features a cropped shirt, matching pants, and a trench coat styled with a stylish necktie. You can take style cues from Kriti and add this look to your workwear wardrobe. It is perfect for office meetings as well as dinner outings with your girlfriends.

Kriti Sanon's boss babe outfit decoded

Kriti Sanon wore a cropped shirt featuring a midriff-baring length, an inverted infinity-style scalloped hem, full-length sleeves with wide open cuffs, a fitted bust, and a tailored silhouette. She teamed it with matching pants featuring a high-rise waistline, ornate gold buttons on the front, flared hem, a pleated design, and an elasticated waist.

Kriti layered the ensemble with a matching trench coat featuring padded shoulders, full-length sleeves, front patch pockets, notch lapel collars, a floor-length silhouette, and an oversized fitting. Lastly, Kriti accessorised the outfit with matching high heels, statement gold rings, and a necktie.

Meanwhile, for the glam picks, Kriti chose subtle smoky eye shadow, feathered brows, mascara on the lashes, glossy nude lip shade, rouged cheeks, beaming highlighter, and light contouring. A side-parted open wavy hairdo gave the finishing touch.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has advised doctors to stop prescribing cough syrups with pholcodine to patients after World Health Organisation (WHO) warned about the safety concerns of these commonly used cough syrups which are even picked over the counter for suppressing cough. The opiate pholcodine can apparently cause severe allergic reactions in people who undergo surgeries with general anaesthesia. Health issues like blood pressure, loss of blood circulation, abnormal rhythm of the heart, and low oxygen levels can be caused. (Also read: DCGI issues alert for Pholcodine containing cough syrups; asks doctors to prescribe alternative medicines) While Pholcodine can provide relief from the irritating and dry cough, there are some natural alternatives or remedies that can ease cough naturally with fewer side effects (Freepik)

Pholcodine, an opioid medicine, is usually advised for treatment of dry cough for both adults and kids. It suppresses the cough by curbing the cough reflex by reducing nerve signals sent to muscles that are involved in coughing. While Pholcodine can provide relief from the irritating and dry cough, there are some natural alternatives or remedies that can ease cough naturally with fewer side effects and are gentler on the body.

Dr Sheetal Radia, ENT & Head Neck Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road in an interview with HT Digital suggests natural remedies to get rid of dry cough.

1. Honey

Honey not only has anti-bacterial properties, but it can also help ease mucus and inflammation in the bronchial tubes.(Unsplash)

Honey has been utilized for centuries as a natural cough suppressant due to its soothing properties. It can help soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. Mix a spoonful of honey with warm water or herbal tea for added benefits. Honey not only has anti-bacterial properties, but it can also help ease mucus and inflammation in the bronchial tubes.

2. Ginger

Ginger possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can be effective in relieving coughs, reducing inflammation in the respiratory tract, and promoting the flow of mucus. Ginger tea or ginger-infused water can be prepared to ease cold and cough symptoms.

3. Steam inhalation

Inhaling steam can ease nasal congestion(Pinterest)

Inhaling steam can provide immediate relief from nasal congestion and help loosen mucus in the airways. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes.

4. Saltwater Gargle

A simple saltwater gargle can alleviate a sore throat and reduce the severity of coughing. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle several times a day.

5. Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb known for its immune-boosting properties. It may help the body fight off infections, including the common cold. Echinacea supplements or tea can be consumed during cold and flu season.

6. Lemon and warm water

A few drops of lemon in water can do the trick(Unsplash)

Drinking warm water with a squeeze of lemon can provide hydration and vitamin C, which can support the immune system and aid in alleviating cold symptoms.

7. Turmeric milk

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking warm turmeric milk before bedtime can soothe a cough and promote better sleep.

8. Thyme tea

Thyme is rich in compounds that have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Brewing thyme leaves into a tea can help ease respiratory infections and cough.

9. Garlic

Garlic has anti-microbial properties and can be useful in getting rid of cough

Garlic is well-known for its antimicrobial properties. Consuming raw garlic or adding it to meals can boost the immune system and help fight off cold and cough.

10. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root has demulcent properties, meaning it can soothe irritated mucous membranes. Drinking licorice root tea can provide relief from coughs and sore throats.

11. Probiotics

Probiotics promote a healthy gut flora, which plays a vital role in supporting the immune system. Consuming probiotic-rich foods or supplements may help prevent colds and coughs.

12. Rest and Hydration

While not remedies per se, getting enough rest and staying hydrated are essential aspects of recovery from cold and cough. Proper hydration helps thin mucus and eases congestion, while rest allows the body to focus on healing.

"While these natural remedies and alternatives can provide relief from cold and cough symptoms, it's essential to note that they may not entirely replace the need for medical attention, especially if the symptoms persist or worsen. Additionally, certain natural remedies might interact with medications or may not be suitable for everyone, so it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new remedies, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are taking other medications," concludes Dr Radia.
At a time when politicians from both the ruling and Opposition parties are busy stitching together a cross-country alliance of regional partners, it is worth examining the prospects for inter-state unity in the years to come. Most analyses of inter-state relations in the country tend to focus on the centrifugal tendencies within the country. Given Indias diversity, differences between Indian states tend to get more attention than inter-state dependencies. However, two important centripetal forces could reshape Indias federal ties in the coming years: The growing integration of the Indian market, and a two-speed demographic transition. PREMIUM The introduction of GST has diminished the fiscal powers of states,(iStockphoto)

The project of building a common national market took shape during Indias freedom struggle. Indias leading businessmen, trade unionists, and nationalist leaders advocated a strong centralised State that would be able to harmonise labour laws and economic regulations across the country, a 2021 research paper by the political scientist Louise Tillin shows. Such advocacy contributed to the unique design of Indias Constitution, which provided overarching powers to the Union government in a quasi-federal set-up, Tillin argued. Yet, the Constitution allowed state governments considerable powers to restrict internal trade. The long era of statist economic planning curbed several business freedoms, including the freedom to move goods freely across the country. Inter-state taxes made it difficult to run enterprises spread across states. Nativist activism and attacks on migrants in some of Indias leading industrial clusters thwarted inter-state migration. As Indias economy liberalised, things changed. Large firms that spread their wings across states began demanding uniformity in tax laws and economic regulations. In the 1980s and 1990s, policymakers began advocating a harmonised value-added tax to remove inter-state tax distortions, a recent Centre for Policy Research (CPR) working paper by the economists Niranjan Rajadhyaksha and Prakhar Misra suggests.

The introduction of the value-added tax (VAT) in 2005 helped lower barriers to internal trade. The introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) in 2017 virtually eliminated tax distortions in the inter-state movement of goods and services. An early analysis of the GST data by former chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian showed that Indias internal trade was higher than in several other major economies. A more recent analysis by Bibek Debroy (chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council) and Devi Prasad Misra (of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) suggests that Indias internal trade has grown sharply in the post-GST period.

However, the introduction of GST has diminished the fiscal powers of states, raising discomfort and uncertainty in some state capitals. With delays in payments, tense negotiations during the Covid-19 pandemic over the transfer of cess, and hasty decisions made by the GST implementation committee, the jury is still out on the GSTs effects on federalism, Rajadhyaksha and Misra argue. The economist R Srinivasan of the Tamil Nadu state planning commission has suggested a new structure of decision-making in the GST council in which states have a greater say and the Union government no longer enjoys a veto. The demand for such changes might grow in the coming years. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that the GST experiment will be undone, given the strong support it has received from large businesses across the country. A uniform system of inter-state taxes allows an industrial firm in Tamil Nadu easy access to the large North Indian market just as it allows a factory in Maharashtra easy and cheap access to raw materials from Chhattisgarh. Business houses will lobby hard against any move that limits inter-state exchange of goods and industrial inputs. No politician can afford to ignore them. As Indias economic integration deepens, the flows of people and ideas across state borders are likely to grow.

The second centripetal force that could help in Indias national integration is the two-speed demographic transition in the country. Data from large-scale surveys and official population projections suggest that states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu will age rapidly in the coming years even as states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh remain young.

Just as ageing societies in the West are willing to accept high rates of immigration today, ageing states in the South may be more willing to accommodate migrants from the North in the coming years. Whether or not this process unfolds smoothly depends on the evolution of Indias political system and institutional framework. Demographic changes have always been contentious in most parts of the world. When such changes threaten to upset the local power structures and socio-cultural mores, they can ignite conflicts. But proactive policy steps to help assimilate migrants and assuage local sentiments can prevent such conflicts. If locals do not fear loss of autonomy over cultural and language policies, they may not be hostile to new migrants.

We need a mature conversation around these issues to ensure that inter-dependencies among states become avenues for cooperation instead of driving conflict. Several commentators have suggested that the Inter-State Council should be empowered to frame policy guidelines on contentious inter-state issues. Such a mechanism would ensure that internal trade and migration policies work for all states of the Indian Union, and are perceived to be fair. Indias founding fathers preferred a strong centralised State to unite the country politically and economically. Today, we need a new model of cooperative federalism to deepen Indias economic and social integration.

Pramit Bhattacharya is a Chennai-based journalist. The views expressed are personal


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Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has long been considered a friend of India . He became president under unprecedented and unexpected circumstances. In July 2022, then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to surrender his office and flee the country in the face of widespread public revolt triggered by a serious economic crisis. Usually, Sri Lankan leaders visit India soon after they assume office but Wickremesinghe had to first meet the challenge of stabilising Sri Lankas economy and its turbulent politics. India was also waiting to see him take control of his country before extending an invitation for the visit. PREMIUM Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi (Twitter/@narendramodi)

Wickremesinghes visit to India on July 21 had a diverse agenda. While celebrating 75 years of India-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, he expressed gratitude to the Indian leadership for quietly blessing his much-aspired elevation to the highest office, and also helping him financially and politically in meeting domestic challenges. Wickremesinghes trip was also meant to ensure that Indian support for Sri Lankas economy and his office continued, because the semblance of economic stability obtained through support from India and others, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is still fragile. The IMF reform conditions  in the form of enhanced taxes and reduced subsidies  are impinging on the common peoples purses. There are political constituencies in Sri Lanka that are just waiting to revive the revolt if the reform burden on the people becomes unbearable. Some international and Sri Lankan economists such as CP Chandrashekhar and Ahilan Kadirgamar see IMF solutions as worse than the problem. Sri Lanka will have to follow the IMF reform programme until 2031, which is a long time away. Wickremesinghe is also acutely aware of the challenge that lies ahead. He wants a 30% reduction on external debt (by now nearly $40 billion) and a nine-year freeze on repayments which may not be palatable to most creditors of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankas crisis at present is primarily economic; hence, the thrust of the visit was on economic cooperation between the two countries. Sri Lanka needs increasing economic involvement from India. Under its neighbourhood first and Security and Growth for All in the Region (Sagar) policies, India wants greater economic integration with its Indian Ocean neighbour. Such economic integration, for Indian policy makers, will contain the expanded Chinese economic and strategic presence in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and President Wickremesinghe have adopted a vision document on promoting connectivity and catalysing prosperity for economic partnership between their two countries. Within this framework, emphasis has been laid on maritime, air and land connectivity, Energy connectivity, through green and renewable sources, and also people-to-people connectivity by resuming ferry service between Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka, abandoned since 1980 due to the ethnic conflict in the island. Of the five Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed, one is also on financial connectivity to allow transactions in Indian rupees through UPI in Sri Lanka. In the energy sector and for development projects in the Trincomalee area, Indian businesses such as the Adani Group will get new opportunities. Gautam Adani also met the president in New Delhi.

Being acutely aware of Indias concerns and sensitivity to the Tamil question, Wickremesinghe briefed PM Modi on his development plans and devolution proposals, including the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the pattern of South Africa for Tamils under the 13th amendment, which calls for a provincial council system and devolution of powers to the regions. He, however, explained his constraints regarding the devolution of the police and other sensitive powers without the approval of his parliament. He is the sole representative of his faction of the United National Party and his support in the Sri Lankan parliament comes only from Rajapaksas party, which is not amenable to devolving powers to the Tamils. With this in mind, PM Modi reminded his guest of Sri Lankas commitment to the implementation of the 13th amendment in the full and early scheduling of provincial council elections for the northeastern province. Many Tamil leaders had written separately to Modi that not much development was taking place in their region on the ground and Wickremesinghes proposals for devolution were not acceptable to them. Modi asked for Sri Lanka to fulfil the aspirations of its Tamil community and drive the process of rebuilding equality, justice and peace.

Security issues were not on the main agenda, but China lingered in the background. Wickremesinghe in France last month, categorically stated that China had no security presence in Lanka and added that Sri Lanka could not be used as a base for any threat against India. Adding a twist to Indias neighbourhood-first approach to meet the Chinese challenge, Modi said, 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 sensitivity. The success of obtaining security through developmental engagement with the neighbours will depend on how efficiently and in time India delivers on the economic promises.

SD Muni is professor emeritus at JNU, a Sri Lanka Rathna laureate, and a former ambassador and special envoy of the Government of India. The views expressed are personal
What transpired in Russia over the past month continues to be shrouded by unanswered questions. At the centre of the intrigue remains the Wagner Group  a private mercenary conglomerate based out of a plush, modern highrise in St Petersburg and led by Yevgeny Prighozin  which became synonymous with Russian foreign policy designs when it got contracts from Moscow across regions such as Africa and the Middle East. Wagner was seen as Moscows Swiss army knife, efficient and effective in various schemes and situations. PREMIUM Membes of the Wagner Group military company sit atop of a tank on a street in Rostov-on-Don. (AP)

Fighters-for-hire is not a new concept, and neither is Wagner the first to benefit from this in modern conflicts. But they have always been controversial. On the peripheries of Americas campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, companies such as (the ominously named) Blackwater, run by former US Navy SEAL-turned-businessman Eric Prince, gained notoriety in replacing traditional armed forces in some conflict zones, mostly conducting protection assignments.

In 2007, Blackwater contractors escorting a convoy of American diplomats following a car bombing in Baghdad got into an altercation that killed 17 civilians in the citys Nisour Square. Already-strained relations between Iraq and the US plummeted.

Whether Wagner or Blackwater, private mercenaries in war zones as replacement for State-run armies has repeatedly come upfront as a poor strategy. While Blackwater was eventually made defunct in 2009, Prince has continued to envision a role of private armies backing American interests. In 2021, reports suggested Prince came up with a blueprint to create a private army in Ukraine as well.

Wagner, however, was different. The group was intricately woven into the complex power structures of the Kremlin, starting from President Vladimir Putin (who himself claimed Wagner received $1 billion in a year) but also extending to the elite and oligarch ecosystems. However, today, questions around Wagners survival are not just about the internal fissures in Russia, but also the future of the formidable footprint of the group across the world.

13 countries in Africa are known to have Wagners mercenaries deployed, especially in very fragile states where Islamist groups aligned with the likes of Islamic State (ISIS) and al Qaeda have been gaining ground. In the Middle East, Wagner deployments were hand-in-hand with Russian interests in and around the war in Syria. In 2018, US Special Forces even battled Wagner mercenaries in eastern Syria. While reports say the Kremlin will assume control of Wagners forces after it is fully dissolved, questions remain over the loyalties of mercenary fighters. The fear is always of local commanders assuming leadership of newer mercenary groups in their region of deployment, and starting their own business, using access and knowledge of localised conflicts.

Unfortunately, these fears are dwarfed by the growing interest of States to raise and use private-armed groups to further their strategic options as hybrid warfare increasingly looks cheaper and a more viable option than full-scale conflicts. While full-scale traditional conflicts attract the ire of the international community, hybrid conflicts tend to pass under the radar. This, for example, is why many dictatorships in Africa found the likes of Wagner as good tools for coercive regional strategies. This is precisely why the very idea of foreign fighters, translated to private foreign citizens taking up arms, should have been more forcefully pushed back against.

These tactics, today popularised by jihadist groups such as IS, come with significant baggage as was shown repeatedly during counter-terror operations and strategies in places such as Iraq and Syria. Non-state militias cannot stabilise a State by taking on another non-state militia. Kinetic strategies cannot replace political capacities, even in the short term as a stability seeking policy. Strategies popularised by jihadist groups should be shunned as practices, not absorbed as learnings.

Such state and non-state entities work in completely different ecosystems, the former is answerable to the people, the latter is designed to suppress them. The brightest silver lining of the Wagner coup saga is that governments may also finally absorb the risks of the model backfiring.

Most such groups are created in and around ideological or financial anchoring, and while creating them is easy, successfully managing them long-term is a whole different ball game. Putin would know.

Kabir Taneja is with ORF. The views expressed are personal.
The most important announcement that the White House made during the Prime Minister (PM)s visit wasnt the technology partnerships or the purchase of defence equipment, it was the joining of forces against the deadliest of diseases. Cancer has killed more people than any war ever has. Working together, both countries will achieve more than the White House has dreamt about in not only reducing the incidence of cancer, but also curing it. India is better positioned than any country in the world to collect data from tens of millions of people to build the AI models that can not only identify many more cancer cures(Pixabay)

In 1971, United States (US) President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act, initiating a determined battle against the disease. Fast forward to 2016, when then vice-president Joe Biden launched the Cancer Moonshot with a $1.8 billion investment, aiming to expedite progress against cancer through improved data sharing, accessibility, and advancements in precision medicine. Building upon this, President Joe Biden relaunched the Cancer Moonshot in 2022, setting a target of reducing cancer incidence by 50% in 25 years and allocating a budget of $2.8 billion in 2023 to support this endeavour.

Yet, after six decades of efforts, the accomplishments stand disappointingly modest, and the aspirations have dwindled. While strides have been made in smoking cessation and proactive cancer screening, the battle against many cancer types, particularly metastatic tumours, has seen meagre advancements. The prevailing treatment landscape primarily relies on the imprecise tools of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, burdened with debilitating side effects. Moreover, even in cases of successful treatment, cancer survivors are haunted by the constant spectre of disease recurrence. In less privileged nations, access to diagnoses and treatments becomes an arduous struggle, leading to a distressing surge in cancer mortality rates.

The impossible, however, has become possible recently. The last decade witnessed dramatic cost reductions in gene sequencing and exponential advancements in computational biology, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the vanguard, unleashing a seismic shift. But AI needs massive amounts of data to work.

Read more: Collaborate to spur global innovation

India is better positioned than any country in the world to collect data from tens of millions of people to build AI models that can not only identify many more cancer cures but also make it possible to create personalised cancer medicine. The US has the best AI talent on the planet and the financial resources to fund the enormous number crunching required for decoding the cancer genome. Working together, India and the US can wipe out cancer and finally make precision medicine not only a reality but affordable for all.

A major contributor to this initiative is one of the partners mentioned in the White House announcement, Karkinos Healthcare. In a previous column, I had explained how Karkinos, which is funded by the whos who of Indian industry, including Ratan Tata, has the strong support of PM Narendra Modi himself. It is building the most advanced cancer care network in the world and being guided by some of the top oncology researchers at Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic.

Unlike anything seen in the West, Karkinos is successfully integrating Indias once-fragmented cancer care system, delivering consistent, high-quality, and more affordable treatments even to the most remote regions of the country. This feat is made possible through their innovative IT platform, which connects various trained practitioners and specialists in a seamless and coordinated manner. From conducting cancer risk assessments at citizens doorsteps to performing mammograms in mobile camp units, conducting genome sequencing in labs, administering chemotherapy at daycare centres, planning radiation therapy, and prescribing treatments through its virtual tumour board, Karkinos ensures that everyone involved in the care process has access to a single, comprehensive view of relevant information.

This unified approach empowers each professional to perform their duties effectively and, most importantly, puts the patient at the centre of the entire process. In addition to this goldmine of medical data, Karkinos is collecting and cryogenically preserving bio-samples such as tumour tissue, blood, saliva, and microbiome. As Keith T Flaherty, director of clinical research at Harvard/MGH Cancer Center, noted, Karkinos is on a trajectory to collect the largest amount of pathologic, clinical, radiologic, and molecular data of any entity in the world. Combined with functional screening data in freshly collected tumour specimens and subjecting all of these data dimensions to machine learning, they will take a quantum leap into the era of precision medicine toward which we have been struggling. Karkinos stands as one of Indias many scientific leaps. Notably, Indias Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission plays a pivotal role by promoting and mandating seamless interoperability among all healthcare systems in the country, transcending the reductionist compartmentalisation commonly witnessed in the West. This endeavour opens a realm of incredible opportunities for groundbreaking research and the pursuit of cures.

This is likely why the US decided to make its Cancer Moonshot a global initiative. As Catharine Young, assistant director of the Cancer Moonshot Policy, said to me in an email While the efforts of the Cancer Moonshot have been largely domestic, its ambitions are not contained within our own borders. Working together with international partners, like India, will ensure that we not only reach the Presidents goal of decreasing the number of cancer deaths in the US by 50% over the next 25 years, but that we decrease the burden of cancer around the world.

Thanks to an equal partnership with India, the US cancer moonshot may have the booster rocket it needs to vastly exceed these goals  and cure cancer  much quicker than 25 years.

Vivek Wadhwa is an academic, entrepreneur, and author. The views expressed are personal
Worldcoin, the new cryptocurrency co-founded by OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, made an impressive debut on its first trading day. Investors showed great interest in the hype surrounding artificial intelligence, reaching a peak of $5.29 in early trading on Binance from a starting price of $0.15 on Monday. Sam Altman new project Worldcoin launched.(Worldcoin)

More than three years ago we founded Worldcoin with the ambition of creating a new identity and financial network owned by everyone; the rollout begins today. If successful, we believe Worldcoin could drastically increase economic opportunity, scale a reliable solution for distinguishing humans from AI online while preserving privacy, enable global democratic processes, and eventually show a potential path to Al-funded UBI, a joint statement from co-founders Alex Blania, Sam Altman said.

What sets Worldcoin apart from other cryptocurrencies?

The differentiating factor is its implementation of biometric iris scans through a digital instrument- the Orb device, creating a unique "World ID" to ensure fairness and prevent duplication.

Origin of Worldcoin

The idea for Worldcoin originated in 2020 when co-founders Alex Blania, Sam Altman, and Max Novendstern envisioned widespread distribution of a new digital token, aiming to encourage its adoption for easy payments and even exploring the idea of equitably distributing AI-generated profits.

Altman sees Worldcoin as a tool to address income inequality

Sam Altman, the ChatGPT founder, believes Worldcoin can address income inequality, particularly in the context of generative AI reshaping the economy. He envisions Worldcoin's potential contribution to universal basic income (UBI), a social benefits program that provides payments to every individual. With AI taking on more work currently done by people, Altman sees UBI as a way to combat income disparity. Worldcoin's unique World ID feature can help reduce fraud when implementing UBI.

What about the orb device accessibility?

Worldcoin faces the challenge of making the Orb device accessible to more people. They plan to offer coupons and access to loans to encourage sign-ups. However, privacy, security, feasibility, and token value have been subjects of concern.

The company behind Worldcoin, Tools for Humanity, is based in San Francisco and Berlin. During its beta period, the project attracted 2 million users, and with its recent launch, Worldcoin is expanding its "orbing" operations to 35 cities in 20 countries.

(Inputs from wires)

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Kai Bird is the co-author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer , the book which inspired Christopher Nolans movie released over the weekend. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the book, Bird spoke to HT about Oppenheimers life, science, politics, and the book and the movie. Edited excerpts: PREMIUM Kai Bird, the co-author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer. (Wikipedia)

What drew you to Oppenheimer?

Well, he is the quantum physicist who gave us the atomic era, which we are still living with and trying to survive. And so thats an important story. But its also a story about what happened to him after he became famous as the father of the atomic bomb. Nine years after being celebrated as Americas greatest scientist, he was brought down in this terrible kangaroo court and was stripped of his security clearance in a virtual security hearing. He became the chief victim of the McCarthy witch-hunts. And this sent a terrible message to scientists everywhere not to get out of their narrow lane and talk about politics or policy. He was brought down because of his public statements against reliance on nuclear weapons. The father of the atomic bomb had become a threat to the budgets of the Defence Department.

Oppenheimer is also a very intense, enigmatic mysterious human being...polymath who loves French poetry and the novels of Ernest Hemingway. And he acquired a fascination with Hindu mysticism and the Hindu scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita. And he got Arthur Ryder, the only Sanskrit scholar at Berkeley University to tutor him in Sanskrit so that he could read the Gita in the original. Our book is 700 pages long and deals with his odyssey as a quantum physicist, but also his love life, his politics, and both the building of the bomb, but also what happened to him in 1954.

From being associated with Left-wing causes in the 1930s, Oppenheimer plunged into the Manhattan Project. How did he reconcile himself intellectually to it?

It came very much out of his political Left-wing political views. He feared the rise of Fascism. He was of Jewish ancestry, but not a practising Jew. He gave money to help rescue Jewish refugees from Germany. He feared that German physicists were going to give Hitler an atomic bomb, that Hitler would be able to win the war, and this would be a terrible outcome, a victory for fascism around the world. So he felt this was necessary to do.

What did he think of the use of the bomb?

He had very mixed emotions. By the spring of 1945, Germany was defeated. And that spring, some of the physicists and scientists at Los Alamos held an impromptu meeting to discuss the future of the gadget, and to ask why are we working so hard to build this terrible weapon of mass destruction when we know the Germans are defeated and Hitler is dead, and the Japanese cant possibly have a bomb project?

Oppenheimer stepped forward at one point and said, I just want to remind you all that the war is not over. The Japanese still fight on. And he said I am reminded of the one question that Niels Bohr, the great Danish physicist asked me when he arrived here in Los Alamos on the last day of 1943. He had asked Robert, Tell me, is it big enough? Is this gadget you are building big enough to end all wars? Hes essentially making the argument that if we do not demonstrate the power and destructiveness of this weapon in this war, then the next war is going to be fought by two or three adversaries, all of whom will be armed with nuclear weapons. And that would be ArmageddonAnd yet he was terribly troubled as well. He felt enormous empathy for the victims on the ground.

After 1945, Oppenheimer appears to have become more concerned. What form did it take?

He read the accounts of what had happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and understood that tens of thousands of people had been instantly burned to death. And he actually plunged into a deep depression right after the two bombings. Then he recovers, but almost immediately, begins to speak out. So in October of 1945, just three months after Hiroshima, he gives a speech in which he says, you may think that this weapon was expensive because it cost $2 billion, but actually, it is cheap. And any country, however, poor or rich, if they decide they want to acquire these weapons, they will be able to do so. And he says these are weapons for aggressors. These are weapons of terror. They are not defensive weapons. And they were used on an essentially already defeated enemy. Thats an extraordinary thing for him to say just three months after Hiroshima. But he had come to understand from conversations with people in Washington that the Japanese were actually very close to surrendering. He spent the rest of his life trying to persuade policymakers that we should create an international arms control regime.

What drew him to the Gita? Did he have any other connections with India?

I think what drew him to the Gita was a fascination with mysticism and with some of the philosophical notions in the Gita that were sort of parallel to quantum about the nature of the world. And that famous line that he used to describe what he thought when he saw the Trinity explosion  I am death, destroyer of the world  some Sanskrit scholars, as I understand it, think that the more accurate translation would be I am Time, destroyer of worlds. He is a quantum physicist, so he is trying to understand time and space, and these are issues that the Gita sort of addresses on some level. After he was humiliated in 1954, Prime Minister [Jawaharlal] Nehru offered him to come to India and become a citizen... But I dont think Oppenheimer considered it seriously because he was a deeply patriotic American.

Tell us about your collaboration with your co-author, Martin Sherwin on the book.

Marty Sherwin signed a contract with Knopf in 1980 to do a biography of Oppenheimer. He did incredible research, and eventually accumulated 50,000 pages of archival documents. But Marty got what is called biographers disease, which is when you cant stop researching. And you never start writing because theres always more research. Marty came to me in about 1999, and he said, Kai, you need to join me on this project, and if you dont, my gravestone is going to read: He took it with him. We signed a new contract in 2000, and then I started to write the first chapters on the childhood years and this instigated Marty to start writing. And we went back and forth, and it turned into a wonderful friendship and collaboration. But it still took almost five years for the book to come out.

And when it did it, it was very well reviewed. And it won the Pulitzer in 2006. And, even before the Pulitzer, it was auctioned for film, but nothing ever happened in Hollywood. But then in September 2021, I got a phone call saying that Christopher Nolan wanted to speak to me. And it emerged that he had been given the book early in 2021, and I think he fell in love with it and sat down that spring and summer and wrote a 180-page screenplay without talking to us. He just wanted to see if he could do it. Before they started filming, Nolan did share with me the screenplay, so I had a chance to review it and make sure that there were no historical errors. Unfortunately, tragically, just about two weeks after we learned that Nolan was doing the film, Marty died at the age of 84.

What did you think of the film?

When I first saw the film, in May, Nolan flew me out to Los Angeles, and the next morning, he met me at 10am and escorted me into this empty, huge IMAX theater. And he sat me down right in the middle of the best seat, walked away, and left me alone. He sat on the far edge of the row and gave me the privacy to watch this thing unfold over three hours. And it brought me to tears at times. I kept thinking, what would Marty think of this scene? Or that? And it was just stunning. I was very moved. I have seen it four times now. Its very layered, complicated, fast-moving, and heavy on dialogue, but artistically beautiful. Its a stupendous cinematic achievement, and, yet, as the biographer speaking, I am just stunned that Nolans cinematic version of Oppenheimer is actually quite historically accurate.

Why is Oppenheimer relevant today?

His story is incredibly relevant because we are still trying to live with the bomb. Just look at the war in Ukraine and the way Vladimir Putin has been threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. The story is not over. And it may end badly still, these weapons could still be used again.

But its also relevant because what happened to him in 1954 explains Americas current divisive politics. You know, the phenomena of [Donald] Trump and his anti-intellectualism, right-wing, populous, xenophobic, paranoid style of politics comes straight out of the McCarthy era. And indeed, Joe McCarthys chief counsel was Roy Cohn and Cohn later became Trumps personal lawyer and taught him this paranoid style of politics. So Oppenheimers story is also about the crazy anti-intellectual strain of politics in America today.

And its relevant because his life as a scientist sheds light on our world today which is drenched in science and technology, and we are struggling to figure out how to absorb this technology and make it part of a humane society. So we are on the verge of yet another revolution in artificial intelligence (AI). And this is going to have dire consequences for employment, and our whole culture, it raises issues of privacy. And people are talking about AI being used to trigger the use of nuclear weapons. And thats a frightening prospect

I hope it jump-starts a serious civil conversation, not only here in America, but around the world and in places like India that have nuclear weapons, a huge tech industry, and are facing the same philosophical questions with regard to this.
Horrifying body camera footage that has been released captured the tragic death of a woman hit and killed by a Seattle police car as she was crossing the street. Jaahnavi Kandula, a Northeast University student, was killed on January 23. Jaahnavi arrived in Seattlefrom Bengaluru, India, in 2021 to receive a masters degree, and was pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems at the College of Engineering. She was set to graduate this December. Bodycam footage shows the officer performing CPR on Jaahnavi Kandula (GoFundMe, FOX 13 Seattle screenshot/YouTube)

Behind the wheel of the vehicle that caused the tragedy was Seattle officer Kevin Dave. In a body camera video, one can hear a loud roar from the engine as Kevins speedometer showed an acceleration of up to 74 miles per hour. Jaahnavi, 23, was hit at the intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street within moments of the car reaching the top speed, according to Fox13 Seattle. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.

Theres nothing for me to do right now

Kevin was reportedly responding to a high priority call when the incident took place. He had chirped his siren, but did not have it running consistently, video footage released by prosecutors and published in part by PubliCola revealed. Prosecutors have been weighing charges against Kevin for failing to warn others of the emergency nature of the situation. I fked up, Kevin was heard saying after the incident.

Bodycam footage shows the officer performing CPR on Jaahnavi. Lights were on. I was chirping the sirensshe was in the crosswalk. She saw me, she started running through the crosswalk. Slammed on my breaks. Started staying back where she should before crossing, Kevin can be heard telling a responding officer.

Kevin says in another bodycam footage, I can have a hundred minutes. I could havetheres nothing for me to do right now, but sit. And that is the fking worst thing thatyou just have to sit here. So many questions that are unanswered, so many questions. The Office of Police Accountability is continuing to investigate whether Kevin complied with department policy.

She was a daughter to a single mother

Jaahnavis family in January said they were heartbroken after the tragedy.Jaahnavis tragic and untimely death has left her family and community with a huge hole in their hearts that will never be repaired, the family said in a statement to KJR-FM radio. She was a daughter to a single mother who teaches elementary school in India.

In spite of earning less than [$200] per month, her mother educated Jaahnavi and encouraged her to [travel to] the United States hoping Jaahnavi would have a better future and a better life abroad, it said. Her mothers hopes and dreams are cut short now.
On July 22, a province wide state of emergency (SOE) was declared in Canada's Nova Scotia region in response to severe flooding across the province. Four people missing due to heavy flooding in Nova Scotia

This is a very serious event. This flooding has been fast and furious, and we are taking strong action to ensure Nova Scotians are protected, said John Lohr, Minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office. As the rain and flood risk continues, we need people to stay off the roads so that first responders and critical infrastructure partners can do their work to restore our roads and power and keep people safe.

The state of emergency will remain in effect for the next two weeks, until August 5, provided no terminations or extensions by the government.

Four people went missing, including two kids, after intense thunderstorms brought record rain across a wide swath of Nova Scotia over the past two days in the city of Truro.

According to Bayers, two children went missing after the vehicle they were travelling in got stuck underwater. Thankfully, the three other occupants were able to escape safely.

Bayers described the two other missing individuals as a youth and a man. They are still unaccounted for after a separate vehicle submersion. Two other people in the vehicle were rescued.

The police are actively searching for all four missing people.

Multiple vehicles were submerged in the flood. Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Cindy Bayers said two such submersions in West Hants north of Halifax have left two adults and two children unaccounted for as of Saturday morning.

Also Read | Indian student robbed, violently assaulted and killed in Canada

Since Friday afternoon, the Halifax region has been suffering from torrential downpours which have resulted in more than 200 millimeters of rain in some areas. The port city typically receives about 90-100 mm of rain during an average July.

On Saturday, Environment Canada reported that some areas may have received more than 300 mm in 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is extending along the province's southwestern shore to a point north of Halifax.

Widespread flooding has also been reported along the west and northwest of the Halifax region.
Asolo vehicle crash that took place in San Francisco on Saturday, July 22, is being investigated by police. A video that is now viral shows a car getting plunged over the stairs at 19th and Sanchez Streets. A video that is now viral shows a car getting plunged over the stairs at 19th and Sanchez Streets (Julia Brown screenshots/YouTube)

The video from a Nest camera was posted by YouTube user Julia Brown. The clip shows the car plummeting from the top of the stairs at the intersection near Dolores Park and the Castro District. It appears to be late afternoon when the incident took place.

What does the video show?

The white four-door sedan is seen flipping over the top of the hill and knocking down a tree before hitting a parked car and landing on its roof. A bystander is seen running up to the car and opening one of the doors. One of the people inside the car climbs out.

Three or four people are seen leaving the vehicle, but none of them appear injured. Fortunately, no one was walking on the stairs or sidewalk when the accident took place. A San Francisco Fire Department unit arrived at the scene a few minutes later.

The San Francisco Fire Department tweeted about the incident, clarifying that the collision happened at 7:18 pm Saturday. SFFD personnel were told by witnesses that the occupants fled the scene.

Replying to the many media outlets calling about this,San Francisco Fire Department media tweeted. This was a non-injury collision occurring last night at 7:18 PM. When Truck 7 #SFFDT07 arrived witnesses stated that: all the occupants fled the scene.

It added, The crew of Truck 7 confirmed no injuries and assisted a tow truck to ensure the safety of the area during the removal of the car. Witnesses stated that the driver drove off the dead end at Cumberland and landed at 19th and Sanchez. This scene was maintained by our partners at the @SFPD and any further media inquiries should be sent to that agency.

Police said that the investigation remains open and active. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444. They can also text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Tipsters are allowed to remain anonymous.
'DeSantis is more dangerous than Donald Trump' 'This guy is worse than Trump' 'If you thought Donald Trump was bad, you got another thing coming' Florida Governor and Republican Candidate in the race for US President has taken pride in all the rebuke and disgust thrown at him by activists and left leaders and compiled it into his election campaign. In a video titled, 6 MINUTES Of The Left Admitting They Fear DeSantis More Than Trump, several left-wing commentators including Van Jones, David Pakman and Olayemi Olurin are seen criticising DeSantis and alerting why his Presidentship may spell doom for America. Figures released by Florida governor Ron DeSantis campaign revealed that he raised more cash than former president Donald Trump in the last quarter (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File, Photo by Anna Moneymaker (AFP)

In a bid to leverage the criticism thrown at him DeSantis wants to showcase himself as the worst version of Trump who will fulfil his unfinished agenda. The video has picked up numerous voices showcasing concern over his presidential bid.

If Trump was the original Terminator DeSantis is like T-1000, the video opens with Trevor Noah making his views clear.

"This guy is worse than Trump," Van Jones says in the video.

What are DeDSantis' presidential poll promises

Talking about DeSantis' experience in governance and his seriousness in executing his agenda Olurin is heard saying, 'Hes honestly more sinister, you know why? Because theres less buffoonery to it.'

In the past Ron DeSantis has pledged to eliminate four federal agencies if he were elected president - the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, and Department of Education.

DeSantis who comes with formidable financial resources and administrative experience and aims to destroy leftism and woke culture if voted to power.

Claiming DeSantis is more disciplined, savvy and competent than Trump, left commentators feel he would be more capable of executing the Republican agenda. "Hes honestly more sinister, you know why? Because theres less buffoonery to it," Olurin adds.

Another interesting observation is, Trump gets easily distracted and ends up not getting much done whereas DeSantis will make his plan go through. Based on what hes done in five years in Florida, what would he do with all the levers of power in the White House?, former Rep. David Jolly, D-Fla., says in the video.

DeSantis' rising popularity in his vote-base hasn't gone down too well with Trump who shared his views on the video with Fox News, 'It's not what commentators or pundits think, it's about what the voters think, and they are clearly behind President Trump in a big way."

It further adds, Americans want to return to a prosperous nation and theres only one person who can do that  President Trump.

It will be interesting to see how Donald Trump will publically respond to DeSantis' bold move of using his adversaries to counter his bete noir.

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Israel's hard-right government was planning Monday to push through parliament a key element of its controversial judicial revamp. A protester carries an Israeli flag past protesters' tents during a demonstration in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday.(Bloomberg)

The "reasonability clause" would remove the power of the Supreme Court to overrule government decisions that its judges deem unreasonable.

The wider reform plans have sparked protests, often drawing tens of thousands, since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government proposed them in January.

Critics charge they threaten liberal democracy itself by removing important checks and balances on executive power in a country that has no formal constitution.

Netanyahu's government, which includes far-right parties, argues they are needed to curb overreach by unelected judges, many of whom it accuses of a liberal bias.

Opponents have accused Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption charges in court, of trying to weaken the judiciary in a personal conflict of interest, a charge he denies.

Here are the major elements of the legislation presented by Justice Minister Yariv Levin:

'Reasonability' clause

The 120-seat parliament, known as the Knesset, was expected to give final approval to the "reasonability" clause in a vote scheduled for Monday.

Critics of Israel's Supreme Court, notably on the political right, point to this clause as among the gravest examples of judges exercising too much power.

The Supreme Court in a recent high-profile ruling barred a Netanyahu ally, Aryeh Deri, from serving in the cabinet because of Deri's previous tax evasion conviction.

Netanyahu was forced to fire Deri, even though there was no law that directly barred him from serving in government.

Naming judges

Netanyahu's government also wants greater powers in the system to appoint judges, including to the highest court, the Supreme Court.

It has demanded greater representation on the panel which appoints them -- a body now overseen by the justice minister and including judges, lawmakers and lawyers representing the Israeli Bar Association.

Under the government's plan and other proposals, the Bar Association members would be removed from the process.

An amended version of Levin's proposal, endorsed by lawmakers in late March, would put more lawmakers and members of the judiciary on the panel, while still granting greater powers to the government.

That proposal awaits final votes by the full chamber.

A separate piece of legislation would change the way the Supreme Court's president is selected, also giving the government a greater say.

Legal advisers

Levin's proposal also envisages curbing the authority of legal advisers attached to government ministries.

Currently, their guidance has quasi-legal force, as Supreme Court judges cite it when ruling on the propriety of government actions.

The proposal would change that and make their advice non-binding.

While lawmakers have yet to vote on the bill, they adopted legislation in March that critics condemned as another move to diminish the authority of civil servants.

Parliament also voted to strictly limit the grounds for declaring a premier unfit for office, which the opposition called a "personal law" to protect Netanyahu.

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said in March that Netanyahu's actions on the judicial reform may place him in a conflict of interests due to his ongoing trial.

'Override' clause

Critics of Israel's Supreme Court also argue its judges have exceeded their authority by claiming the right to strike down laws passed by the Knesset.

In response, the Netanyahu government proposed a so-called "override clause" which would allow parliament to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority.

It passed a first vote in parliament on March 14 but has not completed the process to become law.

Netanyahu last month told The Wall Street Journal that he had scrapped the override clause from the reform package.

Other proposed measures would bar the court from striking down any amendments to the Basic Laws, Israel's quasi-constitution, and require a unanimous decision by all judges to invalidate other pieces of legislation.

Opponents have warned these measures would give the legislative branch nearly unchecked authority.
It felt like the end of the world, a British tourist who escaped the wildfires in Rhodes told Sky News as extreme heat triggered a number of blazes across the region. The countryside on the island has been burning for the past five days prompting the Greek government to evacuate 19,000 people- 16,000 by land and 3,000 by sea - marking the "largest ever" wildfire evacuation in country's history. Greece Wildfire: Smoke rises from a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece.(Reuters)

A number of locations on the east of the island have been evacuated, including three seaside resorts while around 2,000 tourists have been evacuated from Kiotari and Lardos on the island's south east coast. Jet2 has cancelled all of its flights saying, We will fly those aircraft to Rhodes with no customers onboard, so that we can continue to bring customers back to the UK on their scheduled flights. Tui has also cancelled its flights, while Thomas Cook says it will cancel and refund all holidays to the areas of Kiotari and Lardos.

What did the British tourist say about Greece wildfires?

Ian Murison from London was staying in the Kiotari area of Rhodes when he noticed the dark clouds pass over his hotel. Two days later when he was having breakfast on the beach, he noticed the orange sky again.

We noticed that the sea had started to become black with soot and actually people were coming out of the sea noticing ash was falling on to their heads. I can only describe it as almost a movie experience where everyone's looking into the sky as it got a very strange orange colour, and everybody was just looking around going, 'what's going on', he said.

His family then started packing their bags when an evacuation notice sounded.

When we arrived, it was just a few hundred people - there were a couple of cafes and bars and they were serving beers and soft drinks, and everybody was just happy, thinking 'great, we've got away from the fire'. And then over the next few hours, the amount of people in that area just increased and increased, and then as light fell, people became increasingly anxious about how they were going to get out from this, he said.

It was literally like the end of the world. And the flames were now far more visible because of course it's night-time and we couldn't see that during the day. Suddenly there were leaping flames into the sky, and the sky was completely orange in the distance - so that sort of set about a level of panic, he continued.

His family made it on to one of the small boats that were taking people to bigger vessels. There were still hundreds of people, maybe a thousand people, on the beach when we left it, and the place was littered with suitcases because they were throwing them off the boats, he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is set to go on trial on Monday charged with disobeying police at a rally last month, in which activists blocked the port in the city of Malmo. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks during a demonstration outside the European Parliament. (AP)

She is due to appear before the court in the southern Swedish city at 0930 GMT.

The 20-year-old activist "took part in a demonstration that disrupted traffic" and "refused to obey police orders to leave the site", according to the charge sheet seen by AFP.

She faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison, but prosecutor Charlotte Ottosen told AFP that usually these types of charges result in fines.

The rally, organised by environmental activist group "Ta tillbaka framtiden" (Reclaim the Future), tried to block the entrance and exit to the Malmo harbour to protest against the use of fossil fuel.

"We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future," Thunberg said in an Instagram post at the time.

Thunberg shot to global fame after starting her "School Strike for the Climate" in front of Sweden's parliament in Stockholm at the age of 15.

She and a small band of youths founded the Fridays for Future movement, which quickly became a global phenomenon.

In addition to her climate strikes, the young activist regularly lambasts governments and politicians for not properly addressing climate issues.

Thunberg simply responded "no comment" to police questions regarding the Malmo rally, according to a preliminary transcript seen by AFP.

Burning our lives

Reclaim the Future insists that despite the legal pressures, it remains unbowed in its determination to stand up to the fossil fuels industry.

"If the court chooses to see our action as a crime it may do so, but we know we have the right to live and the fossil fuels industry stands in the way of that," group spokesperson Irma Kjellstrom told AFP.

Six members of the organisation would be appearing in court in Malmo, she said.

"We young people are not going to wait but will do what we can to stop this industry which is burning our lives," she said, explaining the group's plans for continuing civil disobedience.
Alleged Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann was "very quiet" when he was arrested, it has been revealed. The 59-year-old was caught by plainclothes cops as he strolled down a Midtown sidewalk on Thursday night, July 13. Rex had worked in Midtown for several years at his own company, RH Architecture. He is on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, and has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and other charges. Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been making headlines ever since he was arrested (Suffolk County)

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison told the news outlet PEOPLE that Rex "kept to himself" and made "no statements" while being taken into custody in Midtown Manhattan. "I believe once one of our officers said he had him under arrest, he said, 'Why?' But that's pretty much the most I'm being told what he said," Rodney said. Rex reportedly "said he [wanted] a lawyer after police read him his Miranda rights. "And he's still been quiet since he's been over at Riverhead [Correctional Facility]," Rodney added.

What did Rex Heuermann ask his jailkeepers?

It was earlier revealed that while being processed after his arrest, Rex had just one question for his Long Island jailkeepers: Is it in the news? Police have reportedly now found a soundproof room in the basement They believe at least one victim may have been killed there. Police have been using ground-penetrating sonar and cadaver dogs to scour Rexs backyard.

Investigators reportedly believe Rex may have killed his victims inside his Massapequa Park home in Long Island, New York, when his wife and children were away. Officials have been taking away potential evidence from his home after his arrest. Items recently pulled out include a large doll in a glass case, a large portrait of a woman with a bruised face and a filing cabinet, Associated Press reported.

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.
While the investigation is still on to determine Seema Haider's future in India, a similar incident has come to light where a married Indian woman travelled to Pakistan to meet her lover in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Nasrullah told BBC Urdu, that Anju came to Pakistan after taking a leave from her job and plans to return to work once back in India. (File)

While the agencies in Pakistan are investigating the matter, unlike Haider who entered India illegally, Anju arrived in Pakistan on a visa which allowed her to travel to Upper Dir Bala district to meet her lover Nasrullah.

Anju, 35, is a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Kailor met 29-year-old Nasrullah on Facebook around four years ago. Pakistan's news organisation Aaj News reported that the duo's friendship turned into love over the years. As per Nasrullah's relatives, Anju is married in India.

Having arrived in Pakistan on Friday, Anju's visa application states that she can stay in Upper Dir Bala for up to 30 days. Anju reportedly told officials in Pakistan that she was in love with Nasrullah and cannot live without him.

The couple visited Upper Dir Bala's police station, whenever an Indian national visits Pakistan they are required to do so to show their travel documents, on Sunday to register Anju's arrival. Her travel documents were found to be valid.

Upper Dir SHO Javed Khan, speaking to Aaj News said, Anju has a visa and she legally entered Pakistan.

He added, She travelled to Pakistan via Wagah and then to Islamabad.

Speaking to BBC Urdu, Nasrullah said, In the next two to three days Anju and I will get engaged formally and then after ten to twelve days she goes back to India and then comes again for the wedding. This is my and Anju's personal life. We don't want it to be interfered with. We are trying to stay away from the media too.

He added, Anju is currently in my house where she is staying completely calm and comfortably.

Anju to go back to her life in India

Anju works in a private company and wishes her details to be kept private in order to be able to keep her job once she returns to India.

Nasrullah told BBC Urdu, that Anju came to Pakistan after taking a leave from her job and plans to return to work once back in India.

He added that Anju's family had no issues with him.

Took two years to get a visa

It wasn't easy for Anju and Nasrullah to get a visa for the former's visit to Pakistan's remote Deer Bala district, which shares a borer with Afghanistan. Generally, India and Pakistan grant visas to each other's citizens for very few cities.

Nasrullah told BBC Urdu, that after their friendship turned into love, the couple decided to live together. He said that his family was with him in this decision.

Both of us have decided that Anju will visit Pakistan, meet my family and we will get engaged in Pakistan after which we will get married.

However, it wasn't easy. Nasrullah said that it was extremely difficult to get Anju a visa to Pakistan but we had the intention and sincerity, due to which both of us have not lost courage at all.

While Anju kept visiting the Pakistani Embassy in Delhi, Nasrullah frequently visited Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other offices in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

Nasrullah said, She kept convincing the authorities there and I kept convincing the authorities here that the visa is Anju's right and if we want to meet, we should be allowed to meet.

The couple's efforts finally paid off. However, it took them two years to convience the authorities.

Nasrullah said, All legal requirements for entry into Pakistan and later were fulfilled.

He added, Anju and I have spent thousands of rupees to get the visa. Now, once the visa is in place, hopefully there won't be any problem.

Not happy with media presence

Nasrullah told BBC Urdu that he was not happy with the media presence after the news came to light.

A large number of media and people have gathered. I tell everyone that whatever is necessary, I will tell the media myself. I don't want our relationship to be a problem. Our relationship does not include religion. Whether Anju converts or not, it will be her decision and I will respect her decision as she respects mine.

He added, Don't make our relationship and life a spectacle, we don't want that at all.

Deer Bala locals happy with Anju's visit

Deer Bala locals planned to throw a grand reception for Anju over the weekend, however the weather conditions hindered the preperations.

Faridullah, a local politician and social figure in the area, told BBC Urdu, Anju arrived on Friday morning when it was raining heavily. The locals were eagerly waiting for it. We thought we would give a grand reception on Saturday but unfortunately there was a fatality in the area. Now we will give this reception soon.

He said that Anju was a guest and daughter-in-law of Pakhtuns.

She can stay as long as she wants. She [Anju] will have no pain, no trouble. We will ensure that she does not suffer and that all facilities are available to her. There is a state of happiness in our area. The ladies of our houses are visiting Anju in droves, giving her gifts and assuring her not to worry about anything.

Seema Haider

Seema Haider hails from Sindh province in Pakistan. According to her, she got in touch with her Indian husband Sachin Meena while playing the online game PUBG in 2019-20 and eventually, the two talked over Whatsapp and Instagram before falling in love with each other. Haider sneaked into India in May without a visa.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanskriti Falor Sanskriti Falor is a Senior Content Producer at the News Desk of HT Digital. Having worked in Digital Media for the past two years, she is interested in covering civic issues and global affairs. ...view detail
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was released from the hospital Monday after an emergency heart procedure and now faces an unprecedented national crisis ahead of parliaments vote on the first major piece of legislation to remake the countrys justice system. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(Reuters)

Demonstrators, many of whom feel the very foundations of their country are being eroded by the government's plan, stepped up their opposition, blocking a road leading up to parliament. Businesses shuttered their doors in protest at the vote.

Driven by a governing coalition made up of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties, the judicial overhaul has divided Israel, testing the delicate social ties that bind the country, rattling the cohesion of its powerful military and repeatedly drawing concern from even its closest ally, the United States.

Efforts to find a last-ditch compromise were underway, with President Isaac Herzog shuttling between the sides, including a meeting at the hospital where Netanyahu was treated, to find an agreement over the way forward. But it was unclear whether those would result in a compromise ahead of the final vote, expected Monday afternoon.

Protesters banging on drums and blowing horns blocked a road leading to the Knesset, and police used water cannons to push them back. The protest movement said one of its leaders was arrested.

READ | Feel very good: Israel PM Netanyahu after he was rushed to hospital due to dehydration

The state of Israel stands before destruction and ruin that is being brought upon it by a gang of extremists and kooks. We must go up to Jerusalem today! one branch of the protest movement called out to demonstrators on social media.

Israeli media reported that a consortium of businesses announced late Sunday that some of their members wouldn't open on Monday in protest at the government's plans, leading to big mall chains and some gas stations sealing their doors.

The dramatic events were being watched closely in Washington, from where the Biden administration has frequently spoken out against Netanyahu's government and its overhaul plan. In a statement to the news site Axios late Sunday, Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking so much division.

Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus, he told the site.

Biden has also been critical of the government's steps to deepen Israel's occupation of the West Bank. The massive, sustained democracy protests have shunned mention of Israel's 56-year occupation of lands the Palestinians seek for their hoped-for independent state, fearing the issue might alienate supporters. But critics portray this rule over another people as a major stain on Israels claim to be a liberal democracy and accuse the protesters of harboring a significant blind spot in their struggle.

Netanyahus sudden hospitalization for the implant of a pacemaker added another dizzying twist to an already dramatic series of events that have bitterly divided his country and are certain to shape Israel's future.

Netanyahu's doctors said Sunday the procedure had gone smoothly. In a short video statement from the hospital late Sunday, Netanyahu, 73, said he felt fine and thanked his doctors for his treatment and the public for wishing him well.

Wearing a white dress shirt and dark blazer, Netanyahu said he was pursuing a compromise with his opponents while also preparing for a vote on Monday that would enshrine a key piece of the legislation into law.

I want you to know that tomorrow morning Im joining my colleagues at the Knesset, he said.

The overhaul calls for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Courts ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.

Netanyahu and his far-right allies, a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, say the changes are needed to curb the powers of unelected judges. Their opponents, coming largely from Israel's professional middle class, say the plan will destroy the countrys fragile system of checks and balances and push Israel toward authoritarian rule.

President Herzog, who returned Sunday from a trip to the White House, immediately rushed to Netanyahu's hospital room.

We are in a state of national emergency," Herzog said in a statement Monday, saying he was continuing efforts to find an agreement. "During these decisive hours, I call on elected officials to act with courage, and to reach out in order to arrive at understanding.

Herzog held meetings later Sunday with Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, and Benny Gantz, head of National Unity, another opposition party.

As they spoke, tens of thousands of people gathered for mass rallies for and against the plan. Netanyahu's supporters thronged central Tel Aviv  normally the setting for anti-government protests  while his opponents marched on Israel's Knesset, or parliament.

Many of the protesters in Jerusalem had camped out in a nearby park, after completing a four-day march into the city from Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Further ratcheting up the pressure on the Israeli leader, thousands of military reservists have been declaring their refusal to serve under a government taking steps that they see as setting the country on a path to dictatorship. Those moves have prompted fears that the militarys preparedness could be compromised.

These are dangerous cracks, military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi wrote in a letter to soldiers Sunday meant to address the tensions. If we will not be a strong and cohesive military, if the best do not serve in the IDF, we will no longer be able to exist as a country in the region.

Despite the attempts to project business as usual, Netanyahu's schedule was disrupted by his hospitalization. His weekly Cabinet meeting scheduled for Sunday morning was postponed. Two upcoming overseas trips, to Cyprus and Turkey, were being rescheduled, his office said.

In Monday's vote, legislators are to decide on an overhaul measure that would prevent judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are unreasonable.

Proponents say the current reasonability standard gives judges excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials. Critics say removing it would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption.

Protesters, who come from a wide swath of Israeli society, see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by personal and political grievances of Netanyahu  who is on trial for corruption charges  and his partners who want to deepen Israels control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

Netanyahu and his far-right allies announced the overhaul plan in January, days after taking office.

Netanyahu paused the overhaul in March after intense pressure by protesters and labor strikes that halted outgoing flights and shut down parts of the economy. After talks to find a compromise failed last month, he said his government was pressing on with the overhaul.
Fragments of a drone were found on Komsomolsky Avenue in Moscow, Russia's TASS state news agency reported, citing emergency services. There were no casualties, the report added. Komsomolsky Avenue: A view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.(AP)

Residents of several districts in Moscow's southwest and south heard the sounds of explosions, Reuters reported. Komsomolsky Avenue is in Moscow's central administrative district, not far from Russia's defence ministry buildings.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that "drone strikes" hit two "non-residential" buildings in the Russian capital at night.

"Today around 4 am (0100 GMT), drone strikes on two non-residential buildings were reported. There is no serious destruction or casualties," Sergei Sobyanin said, adding that emergency services were working at the scene.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
The body of an Ohio man was recovered from Lake Powell in Utah after he failed to resurface from a cliff jump, officials said. The incident happened at Buoy 89 on Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the National Park Service (NPS) said. Buoy 89 is located in Kane County, Utah, almost 89 miles from the Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Powell in Utah(File)

The victim was identified as 36-year-old Cory Ryan Ehrnschwender from Cincinnati. He jumped from a height of about 50 feet into the lake but failed to resurface, officials said citing witnesses.

The initial search was conducted by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area rangers and officers from the Utah Department of Natural Resources and Kane County Sheriffs Office but was unsuccessful.

After this, a dive team used side-scan sonar to find Cory Ryan Ehrnschwender. His body was recovered in about 30 feet of water, officials said. However, no cause of death was provided in the release.

A medical examiner in Salt Lake City is expected to conduct an autopsy, they said.

Officials also warned the public that it is prohibited to jump or dive off rock cliffs, ledges or manmade structures from a height of 15 feet or more above the water.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may be considering moving to a new Los Angeles home, a source has claimed. The pair may be planning to buy a property in Malibu three years after moving to their current home in Montecito. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak during the 2021 Global Citizen Live festival at the Great Lawn, Central Park on September 25, 2021 in New York City (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)(AFP)

A source said that discussions are at an early stage at present, but the couple is keen on moving closer to central Los Angeles. It can take as long as three hours to travel to the Hollywood city from their current 11.4million mansion.

"Harry and Meghan are reviewing their living options with Malibu being a place of interest," the source told the Express. "They have secretly visited the area a couple of times and have been out and about, looking at whats there."

The source added, And Meghan knows parts of the region from being there as a kid. It is uncertain if they will sell Montecito or just add a Malibu spot to buy. The move consideration comes as Meghan is shifting gears and focus back to Hollywood with WME."

Being close to Beverly Hills and LA is smart

In an attempt to relaunch her career, Meghan reportedly signed with the William Morris Endeavour (WME) Talent Agency earlier this year. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel is reportedly representing her.

The source said, "Being close to Beverly Hills and LA where the deals are done is smart. And of course there is a real Malibu scene where major stars, producers and studio executives all hang out, socialize and get deals done during dinner and beach parties.

Meghan is reportedly "struggling in Hollywood" even after signing the top talent agency in April. She has not yet announced any of her upcoming plans. A PR expert, however, suggested that she could be facing some difficulty finding "her footing in Hollywood.

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 Harrys Spotify deal was recently snubbed after only one series. However, they still have their Netflix partnership, and Meghan has already signed with WME.
Zoo officials in Ohio are bewildered after a gorilla who they believed was a male, has given birth. On Thursday, staff at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium were in for a sweet surprise when they saw the gorilla holding her newborn baby. Gorilla Sully with her new born baby(Columbus Zoo and Aquarium website)

Were thrilled by the addition of another birth for this critically endangered species. As the 34th gorilla born here since 1956 when the Columbus Zoo became the first zoo in the world to welcome the birth of a baby gorilla, shes an important part of our work to conserve these magnificent animals, said the zoo in a statement.

Named Sully, the gorilla is believed to have become pregnant in the Fall. Sully has been living at the zoo with fellow gorillas since 2019. According to the zoo's website, "a DNA test will be done to determine which male is the babys father".

Interestingly, gorillas do not show outward signs of pregnancy and their newborns are smaller than human babies. Moreover, in their youth both male and female gorillas look very similar. Males develop their bigger size, silver backs, and head bumps around the age of 12.

Gorilla Sully had never needed medical care that required immobilisation, which might have led the zookeepers to find out about her sex earlier. Even where Sully was born, veterinarians maintained a hands-off approach as the gorilla was well-cared for by her mother.

ALSO READ| Criminal family sitting in the White House: Newt Gingrich speaks on bribery allegations on Joe Biden and Hunter

Meanwhile, first-time mother Sully is taking good care of her baby, according to the zoo. The zoo's veterinary and animal teams will conduct a wellness exam soon. Zoo officials have confirmed visually and with photographs that the newborn baby is a girl.

According to their website, Columbus Zoo was the first zoo in the world to welcome the birth of a baby gorilla in December 1956. "As the 34th gorilla born here since 1956 when the Columbus Zoo became the first zoo in the world to welcome the birth of a baby gorilla, shes an important part of our work to conserve these magnificent animals," read a report on the zoo's website.
Police reportedly found a soundproof room in the basement of alleged Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermanns home. They believe at least one victim may have been killed there. Police have been using ground-penetrating sonar and cadaver dogs to scour Rexs backyard. Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been making headlines ever since he was arrested (Suffolk County Sheriff's Office/Handout via REUTERS)

Rex, 59, who was an architect, once took time off from his job to install a concrete-lined vault at his familys Long Island house, a former coworker told New York Post. It is unclear if the basement compartment the coworker spoke about is the once police suspect could have been a killer chamber, or a space that contained up to 300 guns belonging to Rex. But its not just a hidden room  its a serious vault, the ex-colleague said. It had a huge heavy-duty safe door. He went and poured new concrete walls, massive amount of concrete to encase this room. It was maybe 2 or 3 feet thick.

This guy is a wacko, said Robert Musto, 64, a retired Long Island Rail Road worker and longtime Massapequa Park neighbour. Hes got a soundproof room in his basement, Robert said cops at the scene told him. What do you think that was for?

Theyre saying theres evidence he killed at least one of the girls down there, the Long Island neighbor said. The cops are going to dig all that out. Said theyre focused on the soundproof room in the basement but theyre going to look at everything.

Did Rex Heuermann kill his victims inside his home?

Investigators reportedly believe Rex may have killed his victims inside his Massapequa Park home in Long Island, New York, when his wife and children were away. Officials have been taking away potential evidence from his home after his arrest. Items recently pulled out include a large doll in a glass case, a large portrait of a woman with a bruised face and a filing cabinet, Associated Press reported.

A source close to the investigation has now told CNN that the suspect may have brought victims to the Long Island home and killed them while his family was away. The disappearances reportedly coincided with those times.

The source also said that committing the crimes at home would have allowed Rex to control the situation. It would have also allowed him to use materials like tape and burlap bags, which were found at the crime scene. Investigators had kept an eye on Rexs home since this spring, it has been reported.

Rex was caught by plainclothes cops as he strolled down a Midtown sidewalk on Thursday night, July 13. Rex had worked in Midtown for several years at his own company, RH Architecture. He is on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and other charges.

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.

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When Prince William and Kate Middleton expanded their families with the births of George and Charlotte, Prince Harry felt displaced, a royal author claimed. Their close-knit 'family unit' left Prince Harry feeling left out as Prince William started to spend more and more time with his in-laws, royal author Tina Brown claimed in her book The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil., Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is seen. (Reuters)

The brothers' relationship hadnt been the same since William married Kate, the author claimed adding that the distance between them grew even further following the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015.

Tina Brown wrote, Though they were still incredibly close, living next door to each other [at Kensington Palace], sharing the same office, and hanging out an awful lot," but claimed Harry mourned his us-against-the-world bond with William".

Harry felt displaced by their bougie family unit, and couldnt understand his brothers obsession with his Middleton in-laws, whose Bucklebury world bored Harry to tears. The [Waleses] had become a tight unit, and William a full-on Windsor country bumpkin. On weekends when he wasnt chez Middleton, he was tramping the grounds of Anmer Hall, the red-brick Georgian mansion on the Sandringham Estate that the Queen gave the couple as a wedding present, wearing a flat cap and tweed jacket like his turnip toff Norfolk farmer friends," the author claimed.

For his part, William felt that Harrys unabated Jack the Lad behaviour was getting tiresome. He was less amused than the British public by either the strip billiards debacle in Las Vegas or Harrys ceaseless boozy nightclub forays with his rowdy friends. His younger brothers recklessness exasperated him," Tina Brown continued.

Meanwhile, Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine told the Daily Express: I would say, in terms of William, she brought her family. William fitted into the Middleton family very quickly and they took to him as a future son-in-law. I think also a bit of stability and grounding and a bit of normality that William perhaps wasn't too familiar with when growing up because clearly his parents' marriage was facing difficulties when he was a child and he was very aware of that and eventually their marriage disintegrated.

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Two protesters set fire to a copy of the Quran, Islam's holy book, in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital on Monday, risking a further deterioration of relations between the two countries. Supporters of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) group take part in a protest denouncing the burning in Sweden of the Koran, Islam's holy book, in al-Jadiriyah area near Baghdad's Green Zone.(AFP)

Protests have raged across Iran and Iraq after Denmark and Sweden allowed the burning of the Koran under rules protecting free speech. Protesters in Iraq set alight the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday.

The two protesters were from a group that calls itself "Danish Patriots", which held a similar demonstration last week and livestreamed the events on Facebook.

Several thousand Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad on Saturday over the burnings in the two Nordic countries, in a gathering called by ruling Iraqi parties and armed groups, many close to Iran.

The organiser of Monday's demonstration in Copenhagen stomped on the Quran and set it alight in a tin foil tray next to the Iraqi flag on the ground.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that people who desecrate the Quran should face the "most severe punishment".

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As Prince George celebrated his tenth birthday last week, it was revealed that the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II came to know about his birth in a very unexpected way. Due to royal protocol, the late Queen Elizabeth II was the first one to know that Prince George had been born. The monarch found out about the happy news via a specially encrypted phone and would have been the very first call that Prince William made. Britain's Prince George poses ahead of his tenth birthday.(Reuters)

Under a royal rule that the reigning monarch is always notified first. As Prince George is a direct heir to the throne, the late Queen would have also been involved in another important task following his birth as she had to give her approval for the little one's name. After his birth, his name was revealed two days later: Prince George Alexander Louis.

After informing the late monarch, Prince William called some of the Middleton family members to let them know about George's birth. Later in the day, the public was informed that Prince William and Kate Middleton had welcomed their first child.

On the eve of his birthday, Kensington Palace released a brand-new portrait of Prince George who was seen on the steps at Windsor Castle as he smiled towards the camera. The photo was shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales. 10 today! Wishing Prince George a very happy birthday, the caption read.

The picture was also shared by King Charles and Camilla via their official Twitter account.

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Russia said it had neutralised two Ukrainian drones over Moscow in the early hours of Monday, with one crashing close to the defence ministry in the city centre. Members of the security services investigate the site of a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow. (Reuters)

Officials said the drones hit non-residential buildings in the capital and there were no casualties.

The attack came a day after Kyiv vowed to "retaliate" for a Russian missile attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa.

"A Kyiv regime attempt to carry out a terrorist act using two drones on objects on the territory of the city of Moscow was stopped," Russia's defence ministry said.

"Two Ukrainian drones were suppressed and crashed. There are no casualties."

The TASS news agency reported one drone crashed in Komsomolsky Prospekt, near the defence ministry, while another hit a business centre on Likhacheva Street by one of Moscow's main ring roads.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone strikes occurred at around 4:00 am local time (0100 GMT).

He said emergency services were working at the scene and also reported no casualties.

The RIA Novosti news agency posted a video of the business centre, with some damage visible to the top of the tall building.

The road around it was closed.

Moscow and its environs lie around 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border but have been hit by several drone attacks this year, with one even hitting the Kremlin in May.

Earlier this month, Russia said it had downed five Ukrainian drones that disrupted the functioning of Moscow's Vnukovo international airport.

'Will definitely feel this'

Russian forces have pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa since Moscow quit a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Black Sea last week.

The latest strike on the city on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic cathedral.

Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged Transfiguration Cathedral, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".

President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation: "They will definitely feel this," he said.

"We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks," Zelensky added in his evening speech late on Sunday.

"The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture."
Russian missiles badly damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa. The strikes killed at least one person and injured several others, Ukrainian officials said. The attacks also destroyed other historic buildings, Ukraines culture ministry said. The Transfiguration Cathedral is Odesas largest church building and was consecrated in 1809. It was destroyed during the Soviet era in 1936 after which it was rebuilt. It lies in Odesas city center and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Russia-Ukraine War: The Transfiguration Cathedral damaged by Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa.(Reuters)

Ukraines operational command said dozens of cars were damaged, facades and roofs of many buildings in the city were damaged and windows were blown out in the strikes, adding, Several craters have been formed in the city. There are power outages, which may hamper traffic and the route of public transport may be changed.

The Russian defense ministry denied targeting the cathedral and said it carried out attacks on where terrorist acts were being prepared.

Ukrainian prsident Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, saying, Missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral There can be no excuse for Russian evil. As always, this evil will lose and there will definitely be a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation."

I am grateful to everyone who is helping people and to everyone who is with Odesa in their thoughts and emotions. We will get through this. We will restore peace. And for this, we must defeat the Russian evil," the Ukrainian leader said.

EUs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that Russia has already damaged hundreds of cultural sites, trying to destroy Ukraine.

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North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Koreas military said Tuesday, adding to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the U.S. sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force. In its third round of launches since last week, North Korea fired the missiles consecutively between around 11:55 p.m. local time Monday and midnight from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. They didn't immediately say how far the weapons traveled. Japan's Coast Guard said the missiles were already believed to have landed but still urged vessels in affected areas to watch out for falling debris. Representative Image(AP)

The launches came hours after South Koreas navy said a nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine  the USS Annapolis  arrived at a port on Jeju Island. That underscored the allies' efforts to boost the visibility of U.S. strategic assets in the region to intimidate the North.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles last week in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed U.S. naval vessels.

Also on Monday, the American-led U.N. Command said it has started a conversation with North Korea about a U.S. soldier who ran into the North last week across one of the worlds most heavily fortified borders.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general who is the deputy commander at the U.N. Command, refused to say when the conversation started and whether the North Koreans responded constructively, citing the sensitivity of the discussions. He also declined to detail what the command knows about Pvt. Travis Kings condition.

None of us know where this is going to end, Harrison said during a news conference in Seoul. I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic. But again, I will leave it at that.

It wasnt immediately clear whether Harrisons comments referred to meaningful progress after the command last week confirmed its initial outreach, saying it was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.

The U.N. Command, which was created to fight the Korean War, has remained in South Korea to supervise the implementation of the 1953 armistice that stopped the fighting in the conflict.

The contact happened through mechanisms set up under the armistice, Harrison said. That could refer to the so-called pink phone, a telephone line between the command and the North Korean Peoples Army at the border truce village of Panmunjom, where King crossed.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed. The U.S., which fought alongside the South Koreans and other allies during the war, never established diplomatic relations with the North, but the line is a common way they communicate.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

U.S. officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said previously that North Korea ignored requests for information about him.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

Kings crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the United States combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

In between the ballistic and cruise missile launches last week, North Koreas defense minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The United States and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of U.S. aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to counter the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Koreas navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

The armistice becomes 70 years old on Thursday, an anniversary South Korea plans to mark with solemn ceremonies honoring the dead that will involve invited foreign war veterans.

North Korea, which celebrates the day as victory day for the great Fatherland Liberation War, is preparing huge festivities that will likely include a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where leader Kim Jong Un may showcase his most advanced nuclear-capable missiles designed to target regional rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the standing committee of the countrys National Peoples Congress, will travel to North Korea to attend the celebrations.

Visits by foreign guests to North Korea have been extremely rare since the start of the pandemic, which prompted the North to seal off its borders to protect its poor healthcare system. North Korea since last year has been gradually reopening trade with China in an apparent effort to salvage a crippled economy damaged further by the previous two years of pandemic-related border controls.
British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with three terrorism offences after being arrested in London last week, police said on Monday. Anjem Choudary(Reuters File Photo)

Choudary, 56, has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing a terrorist organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, police said. He will appear in court in London on Monday.

Once Britain's most high profile Islamist preacher, Choudary was imprisoned in Britain in 2016 for encouraging support for Islamic State before being released in 2018 after serving half of his five-and-a-half year sentence.

Choudary, former head of the now banned organization al-Muhajiroun, drew attention for praising the men responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States and saying he wanted to convert Buckingham Palace into a mosque.

His followers have been linked to numerous plots across the world.

A 28-year-old Canadian man, Khaled Hussein, has also been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation after being arrested on the same day as Choudary when he arrived on a flight at Heathrow Airport, police said. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Kate Holton and Angus MacSwan)
The deputy commander of the UN Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over an American soldier who ran into the North last week across the Koreas heavily armed border. US soldier Travis King defects to North Korea

Gen. Andrew Harrison said the process has started through communications line set under the armistice agreement that stopped the fighting of the 1950-53 Korean War. He said the well-being of Pvt. Travis King remains the commands primary concern, but refused to provide more details, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border last Tuesday while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas.

US officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said North Korea was ignoring their requests for information about him.

A nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine has arrived in South Korea in the second deployment of a major U.S. naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, South Koreas military said Monday, adding to the allies' show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

The USS Annapolis arrived at a port on Jeju Island about a week after the USS Kentucky docked at the mainland port of Busan.

The Kentucky was the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed U.S. naval vessels.

In between those launches, North Koreas defense minister issued a veiled threat insisting the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how much relations are strained now.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson of South Koreas navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

Meanwhile, North Korea remained publicly silent on an American soldier, Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border last Tuesday. U.S. officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said North Korea has been ignoring their requests to provide basic information about King, including where hes being detained and what his condition is.

Analysts say North Korea wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

The United States and South Korea have been expanding their combined military exercises and increasing regional deployments of U.S. strategic assets like bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.
Amid heat waves across many parts of the world and flooding in some countries, Pope Francis said that more urgent action was needed to tackle climate change. "Please, I renew my appeal to world leaders to do something more concrete to limit polluting emissions," Pope Francis said at the end of his Angelus message to crowds in St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis (Reuters)

"It is an urgent challenge, it cannot be postponed, it concerns everyone. Let us protect our common home," the pope added. The pope also expressed solidarity with those who were suffering from the climate crisis and those helping them.

Earlier, Pope Francis called on the world to rapidly give up fossil fuels, noting in his landmark 2015 "Laudato Si" (Praised Be) encyclical that the planet was "beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth".

Record-breaking heat wave

Parts of the southern United States are witnessing a record-breaking heat wave, while extreme temperatures have also been recorded in China and southern Europe, including Italy and Greece. A wildfire raged on the Greek island of Rhodes forcing thousands of tourists and island residents to shelter in schools and indoor stadiums after they were evacuated.

Floods in South Korea

South Korea reeled under landslides and floods brought on by intense rains that have pummelled the country since early last week. Three persons were still missing while around 2,000 of 18,000 evacuees in 15 cities and provinces still remain in shelters, Yonhap news agency reported. Monsoon rains of up to 100 millimetres are expected to drench South Korea, the country's weather agency said.

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A woman was reportedly discovered deadon a trail in Montana near Yellowstone National Park after what appeared to be a bear encounter on Sunday, July 23. The body of the woman was found on the Buttermilk Trail west of West Yellowstone. According to officials, grizzly bear tracks were found at the scene. According to officials, grizzly bear tracks were found at the scene (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart, File - Representational image)(AP)

The Custer Gallatin National Forest has now issued an emergency closure of the Buttermilk area for human safety. People have been asked to avoid the area.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Region 3) wrote on Facebook, Generally, the Buttermilk Area Closure is located about 8 miles west of West Yellowstone. It follows the Continental Divide Trail (Forest Service Trail #116) from the trailhead near Targhee Pass on Highway 20 south to the confluence with Cream Creek Road (Forest Service Road #1703 and Road 484). The area closure follows these roads to the east and north back to the Forest Service boundary just south of Highway 20 and to the west to connect with the Continental Divide Trail (Trail #116).

Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. People venturing into the outdoors should Be Bear Aware by following these precautionary steps, the post added.

What precautions can you take?

As per the website ofMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and bears are sometimes found in historic ranges beyond western Montana.

The website lists down some precautionary measures for people venturing into the outdoors, including Carry and know how to use bear spray; Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours; Stay on trails or rural roads; Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers; and Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.

The website has also urges people to keep children and pets close, and warned people against approaching bears. Make noise, especially near streams or in thick forest where hearing and visibility is impaired. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present, it says.

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This August, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) will open Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square, the second hotel from the Motto by Hilton brand in New York City. The 400-room tower is in the heart of Manhattan's famed Times Square neighborhood, offering an immersive and authentic affair under the lights of Broadway.

Reimagining the large-scale footprint of a New York City hotel, Motto Times Square will entice guests looking for connection and efficiency. Guest rooms designed with an intentional footprint feature soft neutral textures offering a cozy escape, while dynamic storage and technology features synthesize their stay. The property's signature restaurant The Alderman will offer an elegant take on the classic New York City diner with American food and craft cocktails inspired by the beginning of the last century, updated to have a modern flair.

The ideal New York City adventure hub, Motto Times Square is set inside the bustling city center, located on 48th Street. The hotel is steps away from 41 Broadway theaters, immersive spectacles, unique outdoor attractions and distinct dining venues, while also being just minutes from celebrated uptown museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and The Guggenheim, in addition to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

"Times Square is a neighborhood and destination all its own and the entire Motto by Hilton Times Square team is excited to welcome guests and locals to experience all this property and our neighborhood has to offer," said Peter McNamee, general manager. "Combining unmatched hospitality, elevated design and a premiere location, Motto Times Square is sure to offer the most authentic taste of New York City."

A Minimal Nod to The Past, for Future Travelers

Inspired by combining 1920s New York City style and design with today's modern lines and architectural elements, a sophisticated palette of warm tones will offer guests a tranquil respite from the excitement of the neighborhood, while still granting unparalleled access to the bright lights and world-renowned attractions. The connection to past and present is expressed throughout, with headboards mimicking the city skyline with curves and corners that reflect the architectural evolution of the city, in a neutral and calming collection of textures.

Art selected by contemporary artists reinvents the lines and forms of 1920s fashion in a minimal and sophisticated way for the modern era of the 2020s. Art focused on shape scale replaces the technicolor displays outside, with softer refined details. Communal spaces marry the rhythm of the archways and corners with an intentional flow of welcoming spaces from The Commons to the arched lobby bar and into the on-property restaurant.

Flexible Guest Rooms with Smart Room Technology

Motto Times Square will offer cleverly compact rooms with a soft, modern design that feature unobstructed views of the city and are outfitted with everything guests need for an enjoyable and restful night's sleep, including top-notch mattresses and sound-absorbing surroundings. The hotel features its signature sets of connecting rooms, providing guests the ability to book up to six unique adjoining rooms together. Motto by Hilton was the pioneer of Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton technology, so guests can not only take advantage of the brand's unique room configurations, but also simplify coordinating travel for larger friend and family groups.

Other room details include:

Cleverly compact rooms are designed to provide what guests value most in a more efficient footprint, while in-room tech allows guests to personalize their space by adjusting the temperature and lighting by mobile device

Flexible sleeping setups, including a queen Bunkie (bunk bed) with a twin bed above, a queen flex bed that stows into the wall, and standard queen bed

Design details to maximize the space, including built-in storage and conveniently located power outlets

Sleek and beautifully tiled showers with premium bath amenities and high-quality shower heads, as well as illuminated vanity and full-size mirrors

As part of Motto by Hilton, Motto Times Square is committed to the brand's investment in carbon offset projects across the globe that create impactful change, including the Starch Wastewater to Energy initiative in Thailand, the Rwanda Boreholes project, Blue Fire Bio Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Utilization Project, the Crow Lake Wind initiative and the Taiwan InfraVest.

Guests of Motto Times Square can enjoy the benefits of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's distinct hotel brands. Members have access to instant benefits such as Digital Key, flexible payment options using Points, exclusive member discounts and free Wi-Fi.

Motto by Hilton Times Square is the sixth Motto by Hilton to open since the brand launched in 2018, joining Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea, Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center, Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square, Motto by Hilton Tulum and Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak. Motto continues to expand its portfolio of curated hotels in prime, urban destinations, with locations including Cusco, Peru; Hong Kong; Glasgow, Poland; Atlanta, Georgia and more coming soon.

Hotel website
Having joined Absolute Hotel Services in 2013, Chakrit has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in preliminary design concepts, development desig ns, and project management. He has been pivotal in successful endeavours, including supporting renovation programs, rebranding projects, and new constructions. His invaluable contributions have guided the team towards achieving operational excellence during the openings of esteemed properties under the Eastin Grand Hotels, Eastin Hotels & Residences, U Hotels & Resorts, and Travelodge Thailand brands.

Chakrit's extensive experience in technical services and deep understanding of the hospitality industry make him the ideal candidate for this prominent role. His strategic vision and ability to drive innovative solutions will undoubtedly strengthen Absolute Hotel Services' commitment to excellence and continuous pursuit of exceptional guest experiences.

Under Chakrit's leadership, the AHS Technical Services team is well-positioned to enhance its capabilities and drive global project development and growth. Supporting this vision are two key team members: Ms. Suphaporn Tripitak (Gung), appointed as Deputy Vice President of Technical Services, and Mr. Sakorn Sonchai (Nai), promoted to Assistant Director - Technical Services.
AJS Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Swasey as Senior Vice President of Operations. Swasey joins AJS Hotels with three decades of hospitality industry experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge and leadership expertise to AJS Hotels. A seasoned and driven hospitality leader who thrives on optimizing day-to-day operations and delivering successful results - Swasey will uphold the company's standard of hospitality and honor the timeless legacy of AJS Hotels.

Utilizing his hospitality and leadership expertise, Swasey will work in tandem with various teams to manage multi-site operations and streamline guest experiences. In his new role, Swasey will oversee all aspects of day-to-day financial and operational functions, implementing strategic sales and marketing initiatives while executing numerous large-scale events and conferences across the company's portfolio of Louisville hotels. Prior to joining AJS Hotels, Swasey most recently served as Senior Vice President of Operations for Crescent Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw a portfolio of premier branded and independent resorts and hotels across Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.

With an impressive career spanning over 30 years in the hotel industry, Swasey has also held multiple senior leadership and operational roles across the United States. Swasey served as Chief Operating Officer for Marcus Hotels & Resorts in Milwaukee, WI, and Head of Operations and Asset Management for Alena Hospitality in Orlando, FL. He has also held the position of Vice President of Asset Management for Inland American Lodging Management, L.L.C. (now Xenia REIT) in Orlando, FL. Additionally, Swasey has gained invaluable experience in operations roles with renowned hospitality companies such as B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, Legacy Hospitality, Inc., InterContinental Hotel Group, and Sage Hospitality.

Swasey holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, as well as a Master's degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and has actively contributed to the industry and surrounding community through his involvement in various committees and associations, including the Committee for Dulles, American Hotel & Lodging Association Food & Beverage Committee, and Hospitality Asset Managers Association. Swasey impacted his community by serving as a representative for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.
Part of the Olav Thon Group, Thon Hotels has more than 90 properties across Norway, Sweden, Belgium and The Netherlands. By offering a warm atmosphere at hotels run by knowledgeable staff who guarantee a high standard of service, the overarching ethos of the group is to ensure guests receive a positive experience every time they stay. To guarantee this positive guest experience, the group invests heavily in the business, not only in customer-facing front-of-house services but in vital back office processes and functions too.

In-line with how the industry is heading, the company took the decision to centralise its revenue function, moving from a model where each property had its own revenue or booking manager, to a centralised team of revenue managers to look after the entire group of hotels. Individual revenue managers had traditionally used the groups Property Management System (PMS) for pricing and analysis, a solution that the newly-formed centralised team continued to use. It soon became apparent that whilst the PMS did help to a certain extent, it certainly wasnt the best solution for the task.

Andrea Allergodt Sandberg, Thon Hotels regional revenue manager, explains: We quickly discovered that the amount of information we had to process was simply too great for our existing solution to deal with. We were using our PMS for pricing and analytics but it wasnt providing us with the functionality and insight we needed to optimise our revenue management. Wed moved to this new centralised way of working and our system simply wasnt providing the capabilities we needed.

In light of this, the business began the search for a dedicated revenue management system in 2018.

A centralised solution

Following a competitive tender process, Thon Hotels chose Infor EzRMS, a powerful hotel revenue management software solution that automatically calculates demand and revenue forecasts, while recommending appropriate selling strategies. Deep-learning algorithms dynamically recognise patterns to ensure optimal and accurate business forecasts, pricing, and selling strategies to maximise yield and profit.

Andrea continues: Not only did EzRMS provide the exact revenue management functionality we were looking for, but Infor demonstrated how the business really listens to its customers, taking on board feedback and actively developing additional capabilities that customers need. Additionally, EzRMS was the only solution we looked at that would enable us to include our function space in our revenue management activities at some point in the future.

Unexpected interruptions

The new solution was implemented across most of Thon Hotels properties in 2019. The team was just beginning to use the system in earnest when the global pandemic struck.

As Andrea explains: The team was relishing the prospect of getting to grips with the new system when business inevitably changed because of the pandemic. We had to close our properties, in-line with guidance, and this obviously meant that our revenue management plans had to be put on the back-burner.

As the world emerged from the pandemic, so Thon Hotels had a chance to really get to work with EzRMS. Using a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, EzRMS adjusted vital algorithms to deliver accurate forecasts and therefore pricing strategies to reflect the new normal of a post-pandemic world. This meant that Thon Hotels could benefit from the comprehensive, quality data and insight needed to meet the specific requirements of the business.

Andrea continues: From the start of 2022, we had many new colleagues in the revenue management department. Although this meant they had to get used to a new system, it also meant they werent tied to old processes and methodologies. Our revenue managers were very receptive to working with the team at Infor to ensure the business could take full advantage of the benefits EzRMS can bring.

A competitive advantage

Now implemented in over 50 of the groups properties in Norway and Belgium, with the plan to onboard franchise properties in the not-too-distant future, EzRMS is a core component of Thon Hotels growth strategy, a strategy that has seen the group take market share in almost every area. Robust, effective decision-making, grounded in precise revenue forecasting, has helped the business to secure competitive traction, finding and seizing new opportunities, and informing long-term strategy.

Andrea explains: EzRMS processes and analyses so much information that it would be impossible to do manually; it sees the bigger picture and takes into account even the smallest of details. What we now have is an efficient, effective and, most importantly, profitable revenue management function and we certainly couldnt have successfully centralised our revenue function without EzRMS. From 2019  2022, weve seen a 13 % increase in RevPAR for our properties using EzRMS.

Not only has EzRMS eased the working day for the revenue team, but its challenged misconceptions across the organisation about what effective revenue management looks like and what it can achieve. In particular, it delivers a timely, accessible, visual representation of crucial business information to sales and management teams to show the precise revenue management data and insight that underpin truly data-driven decision-making.

True partnership working

Andrea concludes: The benefits of using EzRMS are clear to see in the improvements weve made to our revenue management function, but we also like working with Infor. You see your ideas and enhancement suggestions taken on board and incorporated into the solution. Its a real working partnership; Infor listens to its customers and recognises that its software needs to evolve if its to continue to comprehensively support hospitality businesses in a rapidly changing industry, an evolution thats proving invaluable to us as a business.

About Infor

Infor Hospitality is dedicated to helping industry leaders create a scalable technology platform to unite locations and empower their teams, developing powerful multi-tenant cloud software for hotels, casinos, and restaurant organizations. We work with customers and integration partners in over 135 countries to help them achieve strategic clarity, operational efficiency, consistently superior guest experiences, and maximized revenues. In a constantly evolving industry, our customers are empowered to meet todays challenges and be ready for future ones. Visit Infor.com.

Christina Ledger

+1 312 662 2135
SC Capital Partners Consortium Acquires 27-Hotel Portfolio In Japan For USD900 Million

Singapore-based SC Capital Partners Pte Ltd has formed a consortium, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, to acquire a 27-resort hotel portfolio in Japan for USD900 million, from Japan-based Daiwa House Industry. The 7,124-key portfolio consists of hotels located in key tourist destinations all over Japan, such as the 465-key Royal Hotel Okinawa Zanpamisaki. Moving forward, focus will be placed on improving top-line revenue, implementing rebranding initiatives, enhancing distribution channels, and conducting refurbishments.

USD200 Million Investment Into Fiji's Tourism Development Program In Vanua Levu, Set To Benefit Over 60,000 People

The Fiji Government have announced an agreement with the World Bank Group in support of Fijis Tourism Development Program, set to benefit over 60,000 people in northern Fiji Island, Vanua Levu. The agreement for the program, worth USD200 million, was first approved in June 2023 and is among the largest World Bank-supported projects in Fiji. The program follows a long-term strategy of 10 years, aimed to boost the Fiji Tourism Industry Sector in Vanua Levu. The project will debut in phases, it will include infrastructure development projects for the upgrade and expansion of both Labasa and Savusavu airports, roads between Savusavu and Labasa set to stimulate economic activities directly linked to the tourism industry.

United Airlines To Launch New Flights To Asia-Pacific Region

United Airlines (United), among the major U.S. carriers, is capitalizing on the post-pandemic travel boom in the Asia-Pacific region by introducing new and expanded flight routes. Starting in October 2023, United will be the first U.S. airline to offer a direct flight from San Francisco to Manila, Philippines. Additionally, they are launching a new flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, increasing the frequency of flights from San Francisco to Taipei, and reinstating the Los Angeles to Tokyo's Haneda Airport route. With a strong presence in the region, United is optimistic about the potential for growth and expansion in Asia, despite challenges in China's international flights. The focus on new flight routes signifies United's commitment to tapping into the lucrative Asia-Pacific market and catering to the increasing demand for international travel.

Ho Chi Minh City To Have Five More Tourism Waterways By 2024

The Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Department of Transport has revealed plans for the development of five more waterways by 2024. The waterways would operate between the Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Tien Giang provinces, via two inner-city and three inter-provincial routes that would facilitate tourism. Along the first inner-city route, spanning 13 kilometers long, travelers are able to visit tidal barrages, commercial centres, and tourist sites. Similarly, for the second inner-city route which spans ten kilometers, visitors are able to stop by tourist attractions, shopping centres, and dining areas. The inter-provincial routes range from 79 to 225 kilometers long, with ferries expected to accommodate 250 passengers, 100 motorbikes, and 100 cars or trucks along one of the inter-provincial waterway routes.

Co-Living Operator Hmlet Rebrands To Habyt

Following a merger with Berlin-based, co-living startup, Habyt in April 2022, Singapore-based co-living operator Hmlet will be rebranding to Habyt, as part of the companys growth strategy. In partnership with UK-based, global design agency, DesignStudio, the rebranded Habyt aims to eliminate the traditional barriers associated with housing. The companys strategy will centre on providing guests with a utilitarian experience, through aspects of visual identity such as via architectural floor plans and a new bespoke logo.

About HVS

HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa & FRISCO, Texas - Galaxy Hotels Group today announced the conversion of the full-service hotel at 1200 Collins Road NE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to the Radisson Hotels Americas brand, which is a part of Choice Hotels International. The newly branded Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids is the first hotel conversion to the Radisson brand since Radisson Hotels Americas was acquired by Choice Hotels International in 2022. The seven-story, atrium-style property features 220 keys and approximately 26,000 square feet of event space. The hotel will remain open for business during a comprehensive renovation. The Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids is owned by Voyage Capital Group and operated by Galaxy Hotels Group. Frisco, Texas-based Galaxy Hotels Group is a growing hotel management company that operates hotels across nine U.S. states, representing well-known brands.

Galaxy Hotels Group is excited to add our first Radisson-branded hotel to the companys growing management portfolio. We are thrilled to be a part of the vibrant Cedar Rapids community with our operation of the newly branded Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids. Radisson is one of the most recognized hotel brands and brings great value to the Cedar Rapids hospitality landscape. Scott Nadel, chief operating officer, Galaxy Hotels Group

Focusing on Internal Guests

Nadel welcomes the Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids' more than 100 team members to Galaxy. As a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) with 25+ years of hospitality experience, Nadel leads Galaxy with humility, respect, old world values, and progressive business strategies.

Nadel, a second-generation hotelier, is proud of Galaxys culture of supporting the happiness of the companys hotel ambassadors, including encouraging them to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Galaxy fosters an inclusive environment, where talented team members are valued, empowered, and inspired to deliver exceptional service, Nadel said.

Creating Memorable Guest Experiences

Culture is the beating heart that unites the Galaxy Hotels Group property portfolio. Each Galaxy-managed hotel exhibits a distinctive sense of identity and a deep appreciation for the community in which the hotel operates. Being a sustainable community partner is a priority for Galaxy, and the management company supports the American Hotel & Lodging Associations (AHLA) Responsible Stay environmental initiative.

According to Nadel, true hospitality is much more than providing comfortable accommodations. Galaxy-managed hotels serve as welcoming gateways to local authentic experiences and community partnerships. We aim to provide a hospitality environment that immerses our team members and guests in the rich tapestry of local culture, heritage, and traditions, Nadel said. We are eager to show the Cedar Rapids area how we deliver on the operational tenet of authenticity with our reflagged Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids.

About Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids

Located a quarter mile off I-380 and just minutes from downtown Cedar Rapids, the 220-room/suite Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids is near many attractions and businesses in the City of Five Seasons. The hotel strives to create truly special moments and features spacious guest rooms and suites with plush bedding, a TV, a large desk, and free Wi-Fi. You will also find on-site dining at The Cedar Grille restaurant and adjacent lounge, a well-equipped fitness center, a heated indoor pool, a business center, free parking, and a free shuttle service to Eastern Iowa Airport. The Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids' concierge-level guest accommodations include access to the hotels executive lounge, which offers complimentary breakfast, snacks, and desserts during weekdays. The hotel has approximately 26,000 square feet of flexible event space and boasts a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate 1,000 guests. Collaborate with the propertys on-site professional event staff for personalized attention and expertise to achieve a successful gathering. For more information about the Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids or to make a reservation, visit the hotels website or call (319) 393-6600.

About Galaxy Hotels Group

Frisco, Texas-based Galaxy Hotels Group is a growing hotel management company focused on unparalleled internal and external guest experiences and a commitment to sustainability. Galaxy operates hotels across nine U.S. states, representing well-known brands, including Choice Hotels International, G6 Hospitality, Hilton, IHG, and Marriott, among others. To maintain a competitive edge, Galaxy utilizes advanced technology to be efficient, streamline operations, support proper training of team members, and ensure guest satisfaction. Galaxy-managed hotels strive to be the preferred choice for discerning guests seeking an ideal blend of sophistication, comfort, and personalized attention. For more information about Galaxy Hotels Group, visit www.galaxyhotelsgroup.com.
On the sixth of June, the U.S. celebrated National Higher Education Day. This was the perfect opportunity to discuss trends in education related to the hospitality and tourism industry. The development of an industry is closely related to the skills people have learned during their studies and that can be applied in their work environment. Lets review what is happening in our industry!

---- INDUSTRY INSIGHTS ----

Education as a way to sustain the tourism and hospitality industry

In some countries, the hospitality and tourism industry is a fast-growing industry that is still very much in the developing stage. To sustain this growth, workers are needed. And to ensure a steady flow of hospitality workers, education and training are essential.

Albania, to take an original example, is working on developing its tourism infrastructure, such as local and regional roads financed by European funds. However, the country is also working on aligning the education system to support the development of the hospitality and tourism industry. Indeed, the Albanian government has put in place the Sector Skills Council in Tourism and Hospitality, which will help identify the most urgently required professional and vocational qualifications for tour operators, hotels, and other tourism firms.

In a similar vein, Texas A&M University has recently launched three new undergraduate degree tracks in hospitality and hotel management. This decision was made as employment in hospitality and hotel management is expected to grow 6.3% nationally and 17.2% in Texas over the next 10 years. Indeed, everything is bigger in Texas!

Likewise, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism from Oman has put in place an e-learning platform for employees of local destination management companies and the hospitality industry. This initiative aims to build a database of local partners, nurturing business development while functioning as a crucial resource for information and educational needs.

Education as a source of inclusivity

The hospitality and tourism industry has a long tradition of hiring operational employees, often from developing countries. Indeed, many positions in our industry do not require post-secondary degrees. However, it does not mean that just anyone can be hired. In Nigeria for example, the country does not face a labor shortage as currently faced by some Western countries. Instead, it faces a skills shortage as many applicants do not hold the basic skills required for the hospitality and tourism industry, such as writing and speaking proficient English. As explained by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of W Hospitality Group, Ward Trevor, the industry could hire more people from disadvantaged backgrounds; yet, business is business. He added that while the industry has a social responsibility to the community, it cannot be expected to completely make up for the shortages in the public education system. To ensure the employability of applicants it is important to improve the education system. To cope with similar issues in Thailand, TUI has created a TUI Academy. Its primary objective is to offer education and vocational training to disadvantaged youth, with a special emphasis on young women. By doing so, it creates pathways to increased opportunities and the prospect of a successful career in the tourism industry.

 Source: EHL

Can education and the environment find good synergies?

Hospitality and tourism need to improve their environmental impact and, to get there, education has a major role to play. For Richard Ekkebus, culinary director at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Many more restaurants and hotels are taking the lead to employ various sustainable practices. However, Hong Kong is aiming to be carbon neutral before 2050 and the clock is ticking. He continued: Unfortunately, the changes are coming slow. We need education on sustainability to be a mandatory part of the school curriculum. We have to plant the seed with the young generation, and they will drive the change and educate the parents. The importance of sustainability in education is recognized by several actors. Recently, New Jersey has become the first state to make it mandatory to teach climate change at every grade level. The curriculum will primarily focus on problem-solving approaches rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of the issue. Lest we forget that the costs of climate change will weigh heavily on our economy, which could come at the expense of the essentials, like education, it is, therefore, crucial to educate the younger generations about how to mitigate the climate crisis.

---- INNOVATION ----

Hospitality Industry: Can education help close the skill gap?

From customer service to leadership: in hospitality there is a skills gap. To tackle this pressing challenge head-on, the industry must work hand-in-hand with educational institutions. Some visionary hotels have launched innovative hospitality training opportunities. Kingsley Hotel and Fota Island Resort have set up a Graduate Program to identify and cultivate future managers. This program offers candidates, most of whom come from their neighboring universities, a highly structured 12-month journey within the hotel, providing them with invaluable skills and experience to thrive in leadership roles. In a similar vein, other forward-looking organizations have chosen to shape their future teams through apprenticeship-style programs. Mariott International and International College of Management Sydney offer aspiring individuals a unique opportunity to work at numerous Mariott properties and in various operational departments during their four-year hotel degree program. As calls to rethink hospitality education grow louder because of its limited job prospects, programs, like those mentioned above, offer a potential solution to close the skills gap in hospitality.

And what if technology could bridge the skills gap? One institute of higher learning is doing just that. The School of Hospitality at the Metropolitan State University of Denver plans to integrate VR education initiatives with Meta support. By incorporating VR into courses on Resort Operations and Quality Service Leadership, students will experience virtual "site visits" without leaving the classroom. Integrating VR in educational courses is becoming increasingly prevalent, showcasing its ability to enhance the learning experience.

Educating with purpose

There are other remarkable educational initiatives within the hospitality industry. For instance, TUI Junior Academies, supported by the TUI Care foundation, also empower children to become environmental ambassadors in their communities, fostering a positive impact on the environment for the future. Additionally, the UNWTO collaborates with the MSC Foundation to offer a series of sustainability-related education courses onboard one of its cruise ships, aiming to create awareness of sustainable practices and enable people to take action. UNWTO is actively working towards positioning tourism as a key driver of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their efforts include advancing tourism education and designing innovation competitions.

How to stay up to date: Keep learning, stay curious, and question the obvious

In a world where change is as rapid as it is relentless, lifelong learning and upskilling have become essential for all hospitality professionals. Recognizing this need, Explora is taking a proactive approach by collaborating with the esteemed EHL Hospitality Business School to launch a cutting-edge Guest Experience Foundations training program to onboard its employees.

Despite these pressing problems, numerous businesses are stepping up to offer innovative training solutions. For example, hotelBschool.com has launched an online and on-demand training platform exclusively tailored to hotel industry professionals, where the courses are created by practitioners for practitioners with a focus on addressing real challenges and providing practical solutions. Companies are increasingly forming partnerships to drive innovative educational initiatives. An example of this is the collaboration between Mews, a property management system, and Saira Hospitality, a non-profit organization focused on supporting hospitality education. Together they plan to launch pop-up hospitality schools and develop online training programs to enhance staff skills. Moreover, access to micro-credentials in the hospitality field has become increasingly easy, thus facilitating personalized learning experiences that enable employeesor anyone seeking personal growthto upskill.

Hospitality companies expect to harness the power of the metaverse and expect to see from educational institutions enriched upskilling opportunities in virtual learning spaces for their staff. But the interest in technology extends beyond just companies. Chinas Ministry of Education is currently exploring the use of virtual classrooms and NFTs for storing educational qualifications. Shanghai has committed around $1.5 bn to multiple metaverse projects in the tourism industry to provide tourists with digitally immersive experiences in the city. These examples showcase the wide-ranging possibilities that emerging technologies offer in enhancing education, transforming traditional systems, and reshaping the future of learning.

 Source: EHL

People remain at the core of any hospitality operation. Corporate narratives are undergoing a mind-shift, looking for people  leaders with heart  who prioritize the well-being of the people around them and their organizations rather than focusing solely on themselves or corporate results. It is inspiring that EMLYON Business School recognizes the ability to question the obvious as a critical skill to develop in todays world. As our landscape continues to evolve rapidly, challenging the status quo has become a necessity and complacency perhaps our most perilous pitfall.

---- INSPIRE ----

Read, explore and listen

Elixir: In the Valley at the End of Time by Kapka Kassabova will take readers on an immersive educational journey into the realm of herbalism and local traditions of Bulgaria, offering a glimpse of a very different world.

Take a look at the Future of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum to gain valuable insights into the evolving employment landscape and the skills required for success in the future.

Embark on a journey of exploration by delving into the Meaningful travel map, a valuable new resource offered by Tourism Care, which offers a platform to discover impactful travel experiences that foster sustainable tourism.

Discover the Inventory of Digital Tools and Practices in Tourism  an insightful resource offering free access to multiple tools and practices to support the digitalization efforts of tourism SMEs and destinations.

Immerse yourself in the inspiring world of the Travel Hero Podcast by ITB, where industry leaders share their stories, career tips, and insights on the latest travel trends.

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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YUNAI Rooftop Bar at the Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has unveiled Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort, the first Hilton property on the Miyako Island. Nestled approximately 300 kilometres southwest of the main Okinawa Island, Miyako Island has become a sought-after destination, known for its enchanting natural beauty and unique cultural experiences.

We are delighted to announce the opening of Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate and Kajima Corporation, signifying our debut on the captivating outer island of Okinawa, said Timothy Soper, area vice president, head of Japan, Korea & Micronesia, Hilton. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary since Hilton first entered Japan with the opening of Hilton Tokyo in 1963, we bring our extensive global hospitality expertise to this latest addition to our portfolio. We look forward to welcoming both residents and international travelers to experience the light and warmth of Hiltons signature hospitality.

Miyako Island has gained popularity as a travel destination for its beautiful beaches, rich marine life, and pleasant climate. Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort is a fantastic addition to our flagship brand portfolio in the region, placing us in a strong position to usher in a new era of travel experiences. Were excited to put our guests at the centre of it all  experiencing new perspectives and forging new connections on this culturally rich island, said Vincent Ong, vice president, Brand Management, Full Service, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

Situated in the Twuriba area, Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort enjoys an advantageous location that entices guests with Miyako Islands natural beauty. It is ideally located just a 15-minute drive from Miyako Airport which is a short direct flight from Tokyo Haneda or Osaka Kansai Airports, and a 25-minute drive from Shimojishima Airport. Thanks to its temperate climate, visitors can immerse themselves in the islands lush mangrove forests and breathtaking coral reefs all year round. The hotels prime location, adjacent to the pristine Miyako Sunset Beach, provides visitors with unrivalled panoramic views of the Miyako Blue Sea and the engineering marvel that is Irabu Bridge.

The resorts interior is decorated with exquisite artwork created by renowned artists that celebrate the essence of Miyako Island, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the regions rich culture and natural beauty.

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The 329 well-appointed guest rooms incorporate design elements inspired by the Miyako Blue Sea and its surroundings. This includes 56 Executive Rooms and 11 Suite Rooms which offer exclusive access to the Executive Lounge where guests can enjoy evening cocktails and refreshments throughout the day.

The hotel also features four restaurants and bars, suitable for various occasions and dining preferences. Guests can dine throughout the day at the vibrant AZURE which serves international fare made with locally sourced ingredients, or savour authentic Italian cuisine at ISOLETTA  the hotels signature restaurant, which features a gas-fired pizza oven and cosy trattoria setting. The lobby lounge SARYO is where guests can enjoy light bites and refreshments, including house-made sweets paired with herbal tea. Guests can also unwind at YUNAI Rooftop Bar  where, as its name signifies, means night in Miyako dialect  offering a relaxing setting for guests to enjoy mesmerizing sunsets over the Miyako Blue Sea while sipping on cocktails.

Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort offers an extensive array of amenities and facilities. This includes three outdoor pools  for families, for children, and for adults respectively, as well as two indoor pools and a gym. Guests can also indulge at the spa while children can be fully entertained with indoor and outdoor activities at the Kids Club, which opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Little ones below the age of three are to be parent-accompanied and can access the club for just 2,200 per day, while older children can explore the space independently at 3,300 for two hours.

With a ballroom spanning over 200 square meters, multiple meeting rooms, and a rooftop chapel that can accommodate various gatherings and celebrations, the hotel aims to be an all-encompassing destination for tourists, business travelers, and locals alike, to forge new connections and make new memories.

Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort is located at 550-7 Hirara Kugai, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, 906-0015, Japan.
Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Long Island City

Affiliates of Paceline Equity Partners, LLC, a Dallas-based private equity manager, today announced that they have acquired the Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Long Island City, an extended stay, all-suite hotel located in Long Island City, New York.

This recently renovated hotel is one of only three Hilton-branded extended stay properties in New York City and is viewed as an urban flagship-type asset by the brand. The acquisition represents Pacelines second strategic partnership with Highline Hospitality Partners, following Pacelines acquisition of the Sheraton Suites Atlanta Galleria, which was announced in June 2022.

Home2 Suites is considered Hiltons most successful new growth and preeminent extended stay brand, with 560 properties open and nearly 100 properties in development. The 115-key Home2 Suites in Long Island City was developed in 2014 and is well positioned as a cost-friendly alternative to Manhattan hotels, particularly for extended stay customers more sensitive to nightly rates. Originally an industrial neighborhood, Long Island City was rezoned to residential and commercial use in 2001 and has since experienced rapid development to include several corporate headquarters. Today, Long Island City is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in New York City due to a proliferation of recently built luxury apartments, restaurants, and retail options all in close proximity to Manhattan. The ongoing development of Long Island City is expected to continue to drive leisure and corporate demand to the submarket.

The Home2 Suites represents our first hospitality investment in New York City, and the tenth hotel in our portfolio. The hotel has capitalized on the strong leisure and business travel in the Long Island City submarket as the neighborhood has developed, highlighting the areas strong recovery from the pandemic and diverse economic tailwinds, said Sam Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Paceline.

The transactions favorable tax abatement and assumable, fixed rate financing provide attractive cash on cash yields relative to the current tax and debt structures which are available in the market, added Leigh Sansone, Chief Investment Officer of Paceline. Pacelines acquisition of the Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Long Island City highlights our ability to leverage our existing operating partner relationships and to identify attractive opportunities across all market environments.

This acquisition follows Paceline's recent purchase of the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel, a full-service, upscale hotel located in the Legacy West development in Dallas.
Accor Enters into Exclusive Negotiations with Andera Partners and Partner Investors to Take over Potel & Chabot

The Accor Group, Andera Partners and partner investors today announced that they have entered into exclusive negotiations for Accor to acquire a 63% stake in Potel & Chabot which it does not currently own. After this transaction, Accor will become the sole shareholder of Potel & Chabot which will be consolidated within the Group's Luxury & Lifestyle Division. The contemplated transaction is subject to customary regulatory authorizations. Closing is expected to occur in the fall of 2023.

Founded in 1820, the Potel & Chabot group, now known as Momense, boasts unrivaled expertise in creating tailored reception events. Through its two houses, Potel & Chabot and Saint Clair, Momense has become the preferred caterer for prestigious events in France and the world over. Its services are divided into three categories: corporate events for multinationals and private clientele; major sporting and cultural events such as the French Open, hospitality events of the PSG, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Saut Hermes; and private events in exceptional venues located in the heart of the French capital which include none other than the Pavillon Gabriel, the Pavillon Cambon, the Hotel d'Evreux and the Pavillon Dauphine. In 2023, Potel & Chabot is expected to generate revenue of around 130 million, making a positive contribution to the Group's results.

For Accor, this transaction aligns with its strategy to simplify the Group's minority holdings. By acquiring this distinguished brand, Accor will benefit from an expertise that complements the Group's strategy to deliver augmented hospitality and organize upscale events. The Group will now be positioned to fully combine Potel & Chabot's recognized know-how with its own status as a leading provider of luxury hospitality. As such, Accor guests will benefit from the best services and expertise of tailored reception events.

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 and 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: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Baymont by Wyndham Hotel in Lakeland, FL

DSH Hotel Advisors announced that Dennis S. Hopper, CCIM, Managing Principal of the firm, Randy B. Taylor, Senior Vice President Investments, and Dylan N. Amin, Vice President Investments, arranged the sale of the 67-room, interior-corridor Baymont by Wyndham in Lakeland, Florida for an undisclosed price on July 11, 2023. DSH Hotel Advisors represented the seller, Prestige Yenugonda Holdings, LLC, and the buyer, Lakeland Maruti Hotels, LLC.

DSH Hotel Advisors held the exclusive listing with the seller, generating 310+ signed Confidentiality Agreements from qualified buyers and created a multi-offer environment, receiving 27 offers from buyers throughout the country and internationally.

"Hotel owners and investors have realized that our team of professionals are delivering some of the best results in the marketplace, and when it is time to sell (or buy), they are connecting with us. This is the second hotel in Lakeland that we've sold in the last couple of weeks  the other hotel was the Sleep Inn & Suites  right down the street from the Baymont (0.1 miles away)  where we collected 24 offers. We're continuing to experience significant demand for hotel assets in Florida, and we expect to have several properties coming up for sale to help service this demand." says Hopper.

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"We've sold five hotels in Florida over the last 30 days and are looking forward to many more. The location for this Baymont is strong with high visibility from I-4. Hotels along the Interstate 4 corridor continue to benefit from the growth surrounding Tampa & Orlando. We believe the buyer, Maruti Hotels, Inc., will be highly successful at this location and unlock the property's true potential through renovations." says Taylor.

"The I-4 corridor remains a hotspot for our buyers. We have been receiving an overwhelming amount of interest in properties like this, and despite market conditions, plenty of buyers are out there, eager to deploy capital. The number of offers (27) and registered confidentiality agreements (310+) speaks for itself; DSH Hotel Advisors continues to capture the attention of buyers from across the country and drive strong market pricing during tough economic times." says Amin.

The Baymont by Wyndham in Lakeland is located between Tampa and Orlando directly off of Interstate 4, a main east-west thoroughfare through central Florida, providing high visibility and accessibility and situating the site near multiple diverse demand generators in both Tampa and Orlando and surrounding areas. The hotel has been well-maintained and recent renovations include new paint, bedding, and furniture in the guest rooms as well as updates to the public areas.
400 Room Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square Hotel to Open This August

This August, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) will open Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square, the second hotel from the Motto by Hilton brand in New York City. The 400-room tower is located in the heart of Manhattan's famed Times Square neighborhood.

We are thrilled to welcome guests to Motto by Hilton Times Square, a landmark moment for the brand and an ideal addition to Hiltons presence in New York City, said Theodora De Souza, brand leader, Motto by Hilton. This new hotel exemplifies the Motto brand essence - it is centrally located in one of the citys most famed neighborhoods and incorporates flexible and modern design elements, encouraging guests to connect and reflect on the cityscape, moments from the best of Broadway, museums, dining and culture.

Reimagining the large-scale footprint of a New York City hotel, Motto Times Square will entice guests looking for connection and efficiency. Guest rooms designed with an intentional footprint feature soft neutral textures offering a cozy escape, while dynamic storage and technology features synthesize their stay. The property's signature restaurant The Alderman will offer an elegant take on the classic New York City diner with American food and craft cocktails inspired by the beginning of the last century, updated to have a modern flair.

The ideal New York City adventure hub, Motto Times Square is set inside the bustling city center, located on 48th Street. The hotel is steps away from 41 Broadway theaters, immersive spectacles, unique outdoor attractions and distinct dining venues, while also being just minutes from celebrated uptown museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and The Guggenheim, in addition to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

Times Square is a neighborhood and destination all its own and the entire Motto by Hilton Times Square team is excited to welcome guests and locals to experience all this property and our neighborhood has to offer, said Peter McNamee, general manager. Combining unmatched hospitality, elevated design and a premiere location, Motto Times Square is sure to offer the most authentic taste of New York City.

Inspired by combining 1920s New York City style and design with today's modern lines and architectural elements, a sophisticated palette of warm tones will offer guests a tranquil respite from the excitement of the neighborhood, while still granting unparalleled access to the bright lights and world-renowned attractions. The connection to past and present is expressed throughout, with headboards mimicking the city skyline with curves and corners that reflect the architectural evolution of the city, in a neutral and calming collection of textures.

Art selected by contemporary artists reinvents the lines and forms of 1920s fashion in a minimal and sophisticated way for the modern era of the 2020s. Art focused on shape scale replaces the technicolor displays outside, with softer refined details. Communal spaces marry the rhythm of the archways and corners with an intentional flow of welcoming spaces from The Commons to the arched lobby bar and into the on-property restaurant.

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Motto Times Square will offer cleverly compact rooms with a soft, modern design that feature unobstructed views of the city and are outfitted with everything guests need for an enjoyable and restful nights sleep, including top-notch mattresses and sound-absorbing surroundings. The hotel features its signature sets of connecting rooms, providing guests the ability to book up to six unique adjoining rooms together. Motto by Hilton was the pioneer of Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton technology, so guests can not only take advantage of the brands unique room configurations, but also simplify coordinating travel for larger friend and family groups.

Other room details include:

Cleverly compact rooms are designed to provide what guests value most in a more efficient footprint, while in-room tech allows guests to personalize their space by adjusting the temperature and lighting by mobile device

Flexible sleeping setups, including a queen Bunkie (bunk bed) with a twin bed above, a queen flex bed that stows into the wall, and standard queen bed

Design details to maximize the space, including built-in storage and conveniently located power outlets

Sleek and beautifully tiled showers with premium bath amenities and high-quality shower heads, as well as illuminated vanity and full-size mirrors

As part of Motto by Hilton, Motto Times Square is committed to the brands investment in carbon offset projects across the globe that create impactful change, including the Starch Wastewater to Energy initiative in Thailand, the Rwanda Boreholes project, Blue Fire Bio Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Utilization Project, the Crow Lake Wind initiative and the Taiwan InfraVest.
Louis Gurvich, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, has called on the state Senate to discharge a bill that bans transgender youth healthcare from the committee that rejected it. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisiana Republican Party officials said Saturday a private political consultant was involved in crafting the states new political maps last year, though the consultant has insisted he didnt draw the districts at the center of federal court disputes.

Louisiana Republican Party chairman Louis Gurvich told other state party members that JMC Analytics owner John Couvillon largely did the legislative redistricting that took place in 2022. But in a written statement a couple of hours after Gurvichs comments, Couvillon said he did not draw any of the political maps the Louisiana Legislature approved.

To clarify comments made at todays LA Republican State Central Committee Meeting, JMC Analytics did NOT draw the maps for the legislature (or any other elected body), Couvillon wrote on Twitter. The legislature drew the maps, which were vetted and developed through the legislative process.

Questions arose last year about who advised Republican leaders in the legislature on political maps for Congress and state government.

Lawmakers have in-house staff who are tasked with drawing the political lines, but its not clear to what extent private consultants were also involved. Couvillons name, in particular, was brought up as someone who might have advised Republicans.

Legislative leaders hired a Republican-affiliated law firm for political redistricting without initially telling Democrats or rank-and-file GOP legislators. They then refused to say what other outside contractors were paid to work on the maps.

Many of those political districts are the subject of litigation. A recent court ruling will likely force Louisiana to adopt a new congressional map with an additional majority-Black seat. Changes are also on the table for the state legislative maps, and the work of private consultants might be scrutinized during these legal battles.

Gena Gore, a state GOP executive committee member, also said Couvillon had helped the legislature draw its new political maps while addressing the Republican State Central Committee Saturday.

However, Rep. John Stefanski, R-Crowley, backed up Couvillons statement and said legislators, with the help of their staff, drew the states political maps.

Stefanski, who is running for state attorney general, was the lead legislator on political redistricting for the Louisiana House of Representatives.

The post GOP comments raise questions about Louisianas political redistricting consultants again appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers early with clearing later at night. Low near 65F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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Published: 24 Jul 2023 Share:





Malt whisky and cereal experts at Heriot-Watt University are testing barley grown with green fertilisers to make sure its still fit for Scotlands national drink.

Barley makes up 63% of Scotlands cereal crop and is used for malting and distilling, as well as animal feed.

Its production depends heavily on nitrogen fertilisers that are made from fossil fuels.

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. Dr Angela Feechan, Heriot-Watt University

Using more sustainable fertilisers will help make barley 'greener', but farmers and the whisky industry must be certain their use wont make the crop less suitable for whisky production.

Heriot-Watt has been funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh to put this barley to the test over two years and make sure it doesnt damage the dram.

Testing barley grown with three types of sustainable fertiliser

The Heriot-Watt team is working with scientists from University College Dublin in Ireland who are testing three types of sustainable biostimulants, or fertilisers.

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 to 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.

A toast to micromalting

The BioCrop project will supply three barley varieties to Heriot-Watt: Cassia, Valeria and RGT Planet.

Dr Ross Alexander and Dr Calum Holmes will carry out controlled 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 project will run for around two years and the Heriot-Watt team will visit the field trial site at Lyons Farm, University College Dublin to see the biostimulants in action.

The project is funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The BioCrop project in Ireland is funded by the Irish governments Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
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POSTPONED: BEAT Celebrates National Moth Week

This event was originally scheduled on July 29 but was postponed. The event will now be held on Aug. 5. The time and location has not changed.

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), Matthew Rymkiewicz, and Carla Rhodes for a night of mothing (i.e., using a light to attract and look for moths) on Saturday, July 29 for a hands-on experience and become a Community Scientist by contributing scientific data about moths.

Every year, during the last week of July, National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths and helps spread awareness of these essential insects whose global populations are rapidly declining.

People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods.

This event invites people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about, observe, and document moths as a way to celebrate National Moth Week. Two moth sheets will be illuminated with bright lights to attract moths and other cool insects. Moths will begin to accumulate once it gets dark, and as the night goes on, the larger moths will make their way to the sheets. Participants will take a closer look at them as they gather and try to identify who is who. This is a free event, open to all.

The demonstration will take place at MassWildlife's Flat Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in West Stockbridge from 8:30  11:30 PM on Saturday, July 29.

The rain date is the following Saturday, August 5. Meet at the WMA parking area on Baker Street. Participants are welcome to join at any time and leave whenever they want.

This free educational event is organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team. BEAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Pittsfield. They work with the community to protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all.
by Joseph Shieber

A recent study in Public Understanding of Science found that

 Republicans and evangelical-identifying individuals perceive more social threat from scientists. Viewing scientists as a group posing a social threat was associated with having less accurate science beliefs, support for excluding scientists from policymaking, and support for retributive actions toward scientists 

One of the co-authors of the study, Ariel Hassell, suggested that the study demonstrates that, When people position science as something we should be for or against, believe or disbelieve, we lose sight of the fact that scientific research is a process. She continued:

Often new evidence renders previous knowledge incorrect or irrelevant  Distrust, criticism and debate, when done in good faith, are part of this process and should be engaged with rather than demonized or weaponized. Otherwise, as our study shows, people may begin to see science and scientists as a social or political threat, inhibiting societys ability to address large scale problems like hunger, disease and climate change.

It strikes me as correct to see this study as offering evidence that it is unhelpful to criticize as irrational those communities that reject scientific consensuses. Im not sure that a further lesson from the study, however, is to suggest that science isnt something to be for or against. Instead, it would be more useful to find a way to reorient those communities so that being informed about  and being in agreement with  elite scientific opinions would contribute to higher social status. That is, it seems to me that we SHOULD be finding ways to encourage more communities to perceive science as something they should be FOR. (Indeed, only then  as the study itself shows  will they appreciate the fact that scientific research is a process.)

I take this to be one of the lessons emerging out of my recently published paper, An Idle and Most False Imposition: Truth-Seeking vs. Status-Seeking and the Failure of Epistemic Vigilance. (Its available as open access article here.) Heres why.

In that paper, I have an opportunity to review some of the work of Jean-Louis Dessalles on conversational goals. Dessalles rejects the standard view that the core goal of conversation is the exchange of information. On that standard view, the purpose of conversation is to acquire as much information as possible. Instead, Dessalles argues that we should understand the core goal of conversation as a way to boost our own social status.

Of course, Dessalles is hardly the only theorist to have recognized deficiencies in the information exchange view of conversation. In my paper, for example, I draw on Nietzsches claim, in On Truth and Lying in an Extra-Moral Sense, that the

 art of dissimulation reaches its peak in man: here deception, flattery, lying and cheating, talking behind the backs of others, keeping up appearances, living in borrowed splendor, donning masks, the shroud of convention, playacting before others and before oneselfin short, the continual fluttering around the flame of vanity is so much the rule and the law that virtually nothing is as incomprehensible as how an honest and pure drive to truth could have arisen among men.

Building on Nietzsches observation, I dub the claim that the central purpose of conversation relates to social status Nietzsches Thesis:

Nietzsches Thesis: In conversational interactions we are primarily concerned with our and our interlocutors social status, rather than their truthfulness. How we evaluate those conversational exchanges has more to do with our concern for our own social status, rather than for truth.

Also in the paper, I discuss four puzzles for the information-exchange view that Nietzsches Thesis handles better.

First, we arent miserly with our own conversational contributions, but are instead happy to contribute more than our share to a conversation. If the purpose of conversation was information exchange, then we would keep track of how much information weve shared and not contribute too much until our conversation partner had contributed their own information. This isnt how conversation works, however. Instead, were happy to talk more than others and dont bother to keep track of whether weve shared more information than our conversation partners.

Second, and relatedly, people are often much more eager to talk than they are to listen. Again, however, if the information exchange theory were true the opposite would be the case. We would try to talk as little as possible in an attempt to acquire more information than we shared.

Third, conversational exchanges are governed by a principle of relevance: when we talk to one another, we try to make sure that our contributions relate to whatever our conversation partners are discussing. This is not what would be predicted by the information exchange theory at all! Instead, if the information exchange theory were true we would expect people to bounce around from topic to topic with no attempt to be relevant so that they could acquire a maximum amount of novel information.

Finally, from the perspective of the information exchange theory practically all actual conversations are suboptimal. When we meet a new person, we dont talk to them about the most important information weve acquired in our lives so far, nor do we begin our conversation by asking them to divulge the most important information theyve discovered. Rather, we exchange pleasantries or talk about our families or jobs.

Consider how well Nietzsches Thesis handles all of the puzzles! Were unconcerned with trying to track whether weve contributed more than our share of information and were more eager to talk than to listen because contributing more to the conversation affords us more opportunities to boost our social status. Similarly, we conform to the principle of relevance, exchange pleasantries, and discuss families or jobs because observing those social niceties also contributes to at the very least maintaining  if not enhancing  our social status.

Indeed, the mistake that Jean-Louis Dessalles makes is that he remains too wedded to the idea that conversational exchanges involve information exchanges. For even though Dessalles recognizes the Nietzschean point that we engage in conversations to maintain or enhance our social status, Dessalles thinks that the way that we contribute to that status is by demonstrating ourselves to be good sources of interesting information.

As the puzzles should demonstrate, however, this is a mistake! The social groups in which were embedded determine what sorts of conversational contributions will boost our social standing. And while there may well be some social groups that place a premium on interesting or novel information, there are many other groups that place a premium on other sorts of conversational contributions.

Now, heres how the lesson of my paper pertains to the status of science in certain social groups. Consider that even those groups that do place a premium on interesting or novel information dont necessarily place a premium on FACTUAL information. Furthermore, even those groups that claim to place a premium on factual information might have suboptimal notions of which sorts of information ought to count as factual.

This last point was underscored for me by Capel Loffts recent essay Dont Be A Robot: Think For Yourself in The Critic. In that essay, Lofft suggests that an

obsession with credentialism and the authority of experts reflects the fundamental fact of most of the contemporary left. They have completely lost faith in the common man, the ability of the ordinary citizen to participate in democratic institutions and exercise both individual and collective agency, assisted by the power of education and self-improvement. They hate and fear the masses, which is why their politics has devolved into a mixture of disempowering legalism and condescending technocratic expert-worship.

Lofft demonstrates a nostalgia for the mania for intellectual self-improvement among the British working classes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, a mania perhaps most famously documented by Jonathan Roses The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes. As Lofft describes it, this period was characterized by the example of the working-class person, often performing a relatively humble job, who knew more about the novels of Henry Fielding or marine biology or Christological disputes in the Byzantine Emperor than some academics.

Unsurprisingly, given Loffts attempt wring an anti-vax, pro-Brexit, pro-conservative message from his praise of the intellectual ethos of a previous generation of the British working classes, Lofft misconstrues the actual lesson of such working class drives for self-improvement.

Far from rejecting academics and intellectual elites, the improvement societies of the British working classes hosted those academics for lectures and evening classes. Far from rejecting traditional academic roles, working-class intellectuals demonstrated their embrace of academic elites by joining their ranks. For example, both Henry Jones and Alexander Bain were working-class men who became prominent academic philosophers  Jones at Bangor, St. Andrews and Glasgow, and Bain at Aberdeen. George Dunbar rose from poverty to become Professor of Greek at Edinburgh. (For further discussion see here.)

Furthermore, prominent academics and intellectuals supported the drive for self-improvement among the working classes. John Stuart Mill and James Clerk Maxwell were both early supporters of Londons Working Mens College. Many well-known scientists and professors gave lectures for the Mechanics institutes that spread throughout the UK and elsewhere in the English-speaking world. In fact, some universities of today  including Birkbeck, University of London, and the University of Manchester  began as Mechanics institutes.

This, then, is what the self-improvement movements of the British working classes actually teach us: in social groups that respect science and expertise, knowledge can flourish. But respect for science and expertise is a necessary precondition of that flourishing!

In other words, the Think for yourself; dont be a robot movements of the tech bros, car dealership owners, and regional real estate investors who form the core of the conservative conspiracy mongers who reject science are not at all like the working class self-improvers who Lofft pretends to praise. Whereas those 19th century working class heroes respected expertise, practiced intellectual humility and sought to profit from engaging with intellectually challenging work, todays 21st century know-nothings reject expertise, are full of their own pseudo-intellectual pretensions and seek to ban books and college courses that make them uncomfortable. Until we find a way to revive the social prestige of science and expertise among the members of those 21st century social groups  or, more likely, until we find a way to break up those groups and reform them in new ways, ways more receptive to science and expertise  the future looks bleak for the public understanding of science and scientifically informed public policy.






As part of its vision to champion countryside development through digitalization, GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, with the Provincial Government of Bohol aim to revitalize the province's tourism industry through their joint campaign, Sulong Turismo.

Leading mobile wallet push for cashless digital tourism

Sulong Turismo will help boost the tourism sector by integrating digital payment solutions in local tourism campaigns.

Local government units (LGUs) with popular tourist spots will be empowered to adopt convenient cashless payments in travel booking and accommodation, among others. By leveraging these digital tools and highlighting their benefits, the campaign hopes to enhance customer satisfaction, drive repeat visits, and invigorate the overall tourist experience.

We are proud to be a part of the Sulong Turismo initiative. Financial inclusion towards economic growth has always been the main goal of GCash. We believe that this can be achieved through partnerships with both the public and private sectors, so that together we can present opportunities to business owners as well as the consumers, for a safer, secure, convenient, and profitable payment solutions that can boost the domestic tourism industry, said GCash Chief Marketing Officer, Neil Trinidad.

The campaign was officially inaugurated through a dynamic seminar and dialogue, where the advantages of a digitalized tourism industry were discussed, with a particular focus on LGUs with prominent tourist destinations.

During the event, the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled plans for infrastructure development, a dedicated tourism website, and a cutting-edge tourism app. These initiatives aim to incentivize tourism-related businesses to embrace digital payments, ultimately fostering growth and prosperity in the sector.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco addressed the audience via video message during the event commending the efforts of GCash in promoting a digital ecosystem to support local tourism. Other distinguished guests who attended the event included Bohol Governor Hon. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, DOT Chief Tourism Officer Region 7 Dr. Gelena Asis-Dimpas, BSP Regional Head of Economic Affairs Greg Baccay, Philippine Information Agency Head Rey Anthony Chiu, Panglao City Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, and GCash Chief Marketing Officer, Neil Trinidad.

During the event, the concept of a tourism circuit was presented. A tourism circuit encompasses a strategic route or itinerary that connects multiple tourist attractions within a specific region. This structured approach promotes the region's diverse offerings and entices tourists to spend more time discovering unique destinations.

The active participation of local businesses, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), market vendors, and transport groups, further exemplified the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in propelling the region's tourism industry. We are very happy to be the first municipality to have pioneered this initiative and we are hoping that other municipalities would follow our lead. said Bohol Governor Hon. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado

By promoting the value of digital solutions in showcasing tourism sites, "Sulong Turismo" helps streamline operations, enhance accessibility and ensure sustainability, while offering a seamless and enjoyable experience for both tourists and businesses alike.
East West Banking Corporation recently received the Operational Excellence Award from Wells Fargo & Co. for its operational excellence and the highest level of commitment to customers in processing cross-border payments.

From L-R: Martinita Salvosa, EastWest SM and Head of Financial Institutions Management; Joseph Gerard Tiamson, EastWest SVP and Head of Bank Operations Group; Robert Lin, Wells Fargo Managing Director and Head of Global Treasury Management (GTM) Banks  APAC; Rodel Garcia, EastWest SM and Head of Fund Transfer Department; Martin Ordonez, EastWest SVP and former Head of Bank Operations Group; Andryana Sastra, Wells Fargo Lead for Global Payments Client Consultant  APAC-South

This is the 3rd time that Wells Fargo commended EastWest for its operational and customer service excellence. EastWest has received this award in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Operational Excellence Award is given to top customers who have consistently demonstrated improvement in the quality of operational service levels in the global payments community, reflecting superior transaction processing quality, resulting in higher efficiencies, cost reductions and honored commitment to their own customers.

In a letter signed by Joann Strobel, Managing Director, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Segment Solutions and Advisory, Global Treasury Management, the award is a recognition of EastWests dedication to serving the evolving needs of customers.

Cross-border payments are a critical component of banking relationships in todays global economy, The need for fast, transparent, and predictable processing is a shared responsibility by all the financial institutions involved. We understand that EastWest looks to Wells Fargo to provide high quality payment processing and outstanding customer experience, and we are especially appreciative of your partnership with us, Strobel said.

Robert Lin, Head of Global Treasury Management, noted that the bank won the award with superior transaction processing quality which reflects in three rations: Straight Through Processing (STP) ratio at 96.2%; Inquiry ration at 2.7% and Book Transfer Ratio at 86.9%.

Martin B. Ordonez, EastWests outgoing Bank Operations Head, thanked Wells Fargo for the recognition, adding that this achievement highlights the bank units drive to achieve cost efficiencies and increased productivity by getting it right the first time there by reducing error and processing costs.

The award is a recognition of our Banks passion towards providing service excellence to our clients by external parties, Ordonez said.

Joseph Gerard D. Tiamson, EastWests current SVP, Bank Operations Head, added that the bank will work harder to implement automation in more processes, continuous training of staff and officers, and strict adherence to globally established controls and standards.

We should not rest on our laurels. We will continue to work hard so that we can do better and perhaps be recognized with the same award again next year, Tiamson said.

He noted that the award is a testament of the Banks commitment to provide excellent service to our clients.

We will go above and beyond to make sure that we deliver our clients needs, he said.

Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified financial service holding company that offers retail and wholesale banking, and wealth management services to individuals, businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and institutions through its subsidiaries.
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Police in Japan arrested a man accused of stabbing people with a knife on a train in western Osaka city.

The suspect, 37, who was carrying three knives at the time of the attack on Sunday was arrested from the platform of Rinku Tow station immediately after the stabbings, police in Izumisano city said.

Three people, including a 24-year-old train conductor and two passengers, 23 and 79, were injured after a man suddenly attacked them following an altercation.

Police officers responded to an emergency call from another passenger at 10am local time on Sunday.

A dramatic video of the polices encounter with the knife-wielding man showed police ordering him to drop the knives while others encircled him, maintaining a distance.

The suspect, who was wearing a black t-shirt and grey pants with a mask hanging on his face, ignored police calls and sat on the ground before he was tackled by a police officer who used a stick to knock off the weapons from his hands to arrest him, police said.

The suspect said he had trouble with the passengers and claimed to be mentally unfit.

Officials said they are investigating the incident and examining if the man is mentally stable to be charged with criminal offences, reported Kyodo News.

One of the passengers on the train, a woman, told the outlet that the suspect approached a 23-year-old man and slashed his neck in a sudden attack.

The woman said he did not say anything and began attacking.

The man (who was slashed) jumped up and covered his neck and face with his hands, she said.

The attack took place on Rinku Town station, which is closest to one of the largest shopping malls in the city and a stop away from Kansai International Airport, Japans third-busiest airport.

Violent crimes have remained a rarity in Japan, mainly due to its stringent gun control laws, resulting in only a few gun-related offences each year.

There has been a notable shift in recent times, however, with some prominent incidents involving random knifings on subways and arson attacks.

Additionally, there is a rising apprehension surrounding the emergence of homemade guns and explosives, prompting growing concerns within the nation.

Last year, former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was gunned down by a man who emerged from a crowd, wielding a homemade firearm, in one of the most high-profile killings the country has seen.

The suspect, who was identified as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, was arrested immediately after the attack holding a cylinder-shaped object, police had said.

The latest incident came two days after a knife-wielding man stabbed at least four pedestrians in South Koreas Seoul, killing one person and injuring others.

The incident happened in Gwanak-gu on Friday in the proximity to Seoul National University and a 30-year-old suspect was arrested for the fatal stabbing.
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The UN Command and North Korea have initiated talks over the case of US soldier Travis King who sprinted across into the North, said the deputy commander of the US-led command overseeing the Korean war truce.

A US army soldier serving in South Korea, Mr King had rushed into North Korea on 18 July while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarised Zone, located on the border strip that runs between the two Koreas.

UN Command deputy commander lieutenant general Andrew Harrison said the conversation between the multinational command and North Koreas military started through a mechanism established under the Korean War armistice.

The primary concern for the UN command is private Kings welfare, he said in a briefing.

The private 2nd class national was set to board a plane to return to the US, but he instead darted across the border while on the tour of the border village known as Panmunjom.

He was pictured wearing jeans, a black shirt and a black cap with the letters DMZ printed across it, when the incident happened.

The US army said he intentionally crossed the border as he would face disciplinary action upon his return to the US.

Mr King had served nearly two months in detention in South Korea. An investigation is underway to determine if there was prior knowledge of Mr Kings attempt to go to North Korea.

His mother said she was shocked and just wanted him to return home.

Expressing deep concerns over the wellbeing 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.

The news comes as North Korea fired several cruise missiles toward its western sea on Saturday, South Koreas military said, marking the second launch event this week as it likely protested the docking of a nuclear-armed US submarine in South Korea.

North Koreas state-run propaganda media is yet to comment on Mr Kings whereabouts and the hermit kingdom has not responded to requests from the US to clarify where he is placed, or what his condition is.

Officials in the US have expressed concerns about Mr Kings wellbeing, noting North Koreas previous rough treatment of some American detainees.

It could be weeks, or even months, before North Korea releases meaningful information about Mr King, analysts said, as the country could drag out his detention to maximise leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release.

Experts have also pointed out that the North may try to use the soldier for propaganda or as a bargaining chip to negotiate political and security concessions from Washington, possibly tying his release in exchange for demanding the US cut back its military activities with South Korea.
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An overcrowded ferry sank off Indonesias Sulawesi Island on Monday, leaving at least 15 people dead and another 19 missing, say authorities.

On a boat designed for 20 people, 40 passengers on board, of which six survived, said the national search and rescue agency in their statement.

Three rubber boats, two fishing boats and six divers were deployed to search for the missing people, he said.

The cause of the sinking, which occurred at about midnight, was still unclear.

The boat was traveling from Lanto village in Buton Central regency in Southeast Sulawesi province to nearby Lagii village when it capsized, Butons search and rescue agency head Muhammad Arafah said.

All the victims have been identified and handed over to the families while the survivors are now being treated in local hospitals, he added.

Photos shared by the rescue agency showed victims bodies covered in cloth on the floor of the local hospital.

The vessel was ferrying people across a bay in Muna island, about 200km (124 miles) south of Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi province.

Thousands of residents had traveled to their villages to celebrate the regencys 9th anniversary on Sunday, and many people were transported by fishing or passenger boats.

Ferries are a common mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are common as lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment.

Additional reporting from the wires
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The relentless and extreme heatwaves sweeping the world are not only impacting people but are devastating the natural world.

In Florida, news of a potentially world record-breaking sea surface temperature (SST) record emerged on Monday. A temperature of 101.1F (38.4C) was registered at Manatee Bay  an astounding high even after weeks of record-breaking heat in Florida Bay and the Keys, WFLA News Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli reported.

Dr Jeff Masters, a hurricane scientist for NOAA, noted that these were common hot-tub temperatures and if confirmed, 101.1F would be a world-record.

While official SST records are not kept, he added, a temperature of 99.7F (37.6C) was recorded in Kuwait bay, according to a study in 2020.

Floridas coral reef is one such victim with die-off of the fragile system happening at an alarming rate due to abnormally high ocean temperatures, marine scientists have warned. Over the last 40 years, specific reefs in Florida have lost upwards of 98 per cent of historical cover of the reef-building stony corals.

One area, known as Sombrero Reef, has had 100 per cent coral mortality, according to the Coral Restoration Foundation, along with almost all the corals in the nearby Looe Key Nursery. At another reef, Cheeca Rocks, 99 per cent of corals are bleached.

It is too early to know what coral mortality will look like across the long-expanse of Floridas Coral Reef, researchers said.

Climate change is our present reality, said Dr R Scott Winters, CEO of the foundation, in a statement. The impact on our reefs is undeniable.

The Florida reef, which runs from Miami to Key West, is the third largest barrier reef in the world and the only one in the continental United States. Reefs are a crucial part of ocean ecosystems and 25 per cent of marine species rely on them.

In the last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an Alert Level 2 on its coral bleaching warning system (the scale runs Levels 1-5). A Level 2 alert is issued when the average water surface temperature is 1.8F (1C) above normal for eight weeks in a row.

Coral colours run the gamut from browns and greens to vibrant blues and purples due to the microscopic algae which live in its skeleton.

Bleaching, which turns the coral to a ghostly white, is a sign that the species are in big trouble and more susceptible to disease and starvation.

Florida, like much of the southern half of the US, has experienced relentless heat and humidity in the past two months.

Dead coral at Sombrero Reef in the Florida Keys. The white areas are bleached coral and the brownish orange patches are tissue slough  coral tissue that has died before it has a chance to bleach (Coral Restoration Foundation)

The location of coral reefs along the Florida Keys (NOAA)

Excessive heat warnings were issued for southern Florida on Monday with highs in the 90Fs and lows in the 80Fs, which may break records over the next couple of days, the National Weather Service reported.

Ocean temperatures have also been abnormally high. The sea surface temperature in the Florida Keys is averaging 91F (33C)  far above the typical mid-July temperature of 85F (29.5C), NOAAs Coral Reef Watch program told the AP.

These temperatures are being reached weeks earlier than in past years, NOAA noted.

Andrew Bruckner, from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, told the AP that some reefs began showing the first signs of bleaching at the start of July, and then this weekend, some reefs lost all their color. That had never been recorded before the start of August as the peak for bleaching typically happens in late August or September.

If extreme temperatures fail to break, the consequences could be devastating. But a change in conditions would provide the reef with much-needed respite.

Team members with the Coral Restoration Foundation rescue the fragile species at the Tavernier Coral Tree Nursery in Florida on 23 July 2023 (Coral Restoration Foundation)

A tropical storm or hurricane could churn the water and cool it down, according to NOAA. Dust clouds, which cross the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert, could also lower temperatures by blocking some of the suns intensity.

However major storms are also a threat to coral reefs as storm surge and powerful waves can break the coral colonies or smother them with sand.

A coalition of organisations, coordinated by NOAA, is ramping up efforts to save the reefs, part of an ongoing 20-year program to rebuild the systems.

Despite the devastation, we remain hopeful and determined. Sites in the Upper Keys, where the water is cooler, are not yet showing such dramatic declines, which gives us time to act, said Dr Phanor Montoya-Maya, restoration programme manager for the Coral Restoration Foundation.

We are now rescuing as many corals as we can from our nurseries and relocating key genotypes to land-based holding systems, safeguarding our broodstock  potentially, the last lifeline left many of these corals.

With additional reporting from AP
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The meeting between the energy ministers of the worlds 20 richest countries ended with a disappointing outcome that has been branded by experts as weak tea and a reneging of commitments made by them last year.

The G20 countries, in their latest meeting held in Indias tourist state Goa, failed to reach a consensus on cutting down fossil fuels amid globally record-shattering heatwaves and rising climate concerns.

With just two months to go for the main G20 summit in September and four months for the Cop28 UN climate summit in Dubai, this meeting was seen as a crucial temperature gauge for the geopolitics of the urgent need for energy transition.

Cutting down planet-heating fossil fuels is becoming an increasingly urgent call as back-to-back heatwaves caused by the climate crisis have led to record temperatures in large parts of the northern hemisphere with Europe, China and the US sweltering in unprecedented heat this year.

However, experts said that when the world needed to hear a clarion call to action, the outcome of the meeting turned out to be weak tea.

With temperature records being set daily around the world and the impacts of climate change spiralling out of control, the world needed to hear a clarion call to action from the G20 energy ministers meeting that just wrapped up in Goa, said Alden Meyer, senior associate at environmental think-tank E3G.

Instead, what we got was very weak tea indeed, with the failure to set strong goals and implementation plans for at least tripling deployed renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030 and sharp divisions on display around the need for a fair, fast, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

One of the biggest points of contention during the meeting was the call to cut down all fossil fuels, the emissions from which are heating the world. However, this issue has remained highly challenged in international climate negotiations.

While at the Cop26 Glasgow summit in 2021, all countries agreed with the language to phase down coal, ministers at the G20 meeting failed to reiterate the commitment to accelerate the phasedown of unabated coal generation.

Anusha Mata, senior policy advisor at E3G, said it showed there are clear divisions among energy leaders on the pathway to securing a clean energy future.

The weak language on fossil fuel phase down and absence of any mention of coal  the most polluting energy source  is a clear backtracking on previous commitments in last years G20 Bali Declaration, she said.

People cool themselves at the Trevi Fountain during a heatwave across Italy as temperatures are expected to cool off in Rome, Italy (REUTERS)

The debate over the phasing out of fossil fuels, which is becoming all the more urgent with recent climate extremes, has been a long-standing dispute in international climate negotiations.

India, a coal-reliant country and the host of the G20 summit this year, has been demanding that countries should agree to cut down all fossil fuels, including oil and gas, instead of just singling out coal.

Experts said the ongoing dispute resulted in a watered-down language in the final outcome on fossil fuels and tripling of renewable energy capacity. They said it also showed the Dubai presidency for the upcoming Cop summit has a long way ahead to build consensus on key issues.

The fight over energy pathways seems to be a continuation of the disagreement at Cop27 over phasing down all fossil fuels, which India supported because it wanted oil and gas to be treated similarly to coal, which the world agreed to phase down  but not phase-out  at Cop26, said Tarun Gopalakrishnan, pre-doctoral fellow at the Climate Policy Lab, Centre for International Environment Policy.

As expected, India had to settle for language, for eg tripling of RE has been changed to tripling of clean technology capacity and phasing down of all fossil fuels has been watered down. This has been the best diplomatic solution, but it is not the best climate policy solution.

However, some progress was made, as countries agreed to step up energy efficiency and deployment of distributed renewable energy technologies as well as recognise the need for low-cost finance for clean energy transition in developing countries.

But Mr Meyers said the Indian G20 presidency must not accept this outcome as the final answer.

Instead, it should push G20 leaders to put the interests of their people ahead of those of the fossil fuel industry when they meet in September for their summit in Delhi, he said.

The UAEs incoming Cop28 presidency now has an even clearer sense of the fault lines among major countries in reaching the transformational outcome it is seeking for the Dubai climate summit in December and must intensify its discussions with ministers and leaders in the weeks ahead.
by Raji Jayaraman

Unspeakable horrors transpired during the genocide of 1994. Family members shot family members, neighbours hacked neighbours down with machetes, women were raped, then killed, and their children forced to watch before being slaughtered in turn. An estimated 800,000 people were murdered in a country of (then) eight million. Barely thirty years have passed since the Rwandan genocide. Everywhere, there are monuments to the dead, but as an outsider I see no trace of its shadow among the living.

Colleagues chat in the office. Ordinary Rwandans go about their daily business. Walking down the street, eating at restaurants, driving motorcycles, selling wares, chatting, laughing. So much laughter everywhere. How? How is it possible for people to get on with their lives as nothing ever happened, when trauma must be etched in the memory of almost every living adult in the country? How do you casually interact with people who, for all you know, are directly implicated in the murder of those you loved? It is a mystery to me. I am baffled and wonderstruck all at once.

When studying colonial history in school, I remember learning that in Rwanda, the Tutsi minority ruled over the Hutu majority for ages. It made sense to me when the genocide was explained as a contemporary, albeit extreme, manifestation of a centuries-old enmity. The Kigali Genocide Memorials audio guide disputes this origin story. It claims that while the Hutu and Tutsi did constitute different groups with important class differences, historically there was a great deal of fluidity between them through both intermarriage and economic mobility.

Visitors to the memorial are informed that it wasnt until German colonizers arrived in Rwanda during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, that the sharp distinction between Hutu and Tutsi was codified with the help of pseudo-science. We are shown chillingly familiar pictures of Germans using callipers to measure the length of Tutsi and Hutu noses, distances between their eyes, and sizes of their foreheads.

Rwanda was awarded to Germany during the 1884 Berlin Conference. At the same conference, King Leopold got the (Belgian) Congo. Nobody is interested in holding a contest of colonial atrocities, but if one were to engage in that macabre exercise, Belgium would probably win on account of the sheer brutality with which it treated local populations. In the Congo, Leopold effectively turned a country eighty times the size of Belgium into a privately owned slave colony. Thirty-four years later, following its defeat in World War I, Germany lost Rwanda along with the rest of its colonies. As luck would have it, Germanys loss was Belgiums gain. To paraphrase a German proverb that, no doubt, crossed Rwandans minds back then and several times since, The devil always shits in the same pot.

At Lake Kivu, a Belgian couple sat at the table next to me. We got to talking. She was a lawyer, working for the Belgian parliament. He was a businessman who seemed down on his luck. This was their first time in Africa. Why Rwanda? I asked. It wasnt a mean-spirited question. Its just that most tourists to East Africa come for one of two reasons: beaches and wildlife. Rwanda is landlocked, so the first was out of the running. Its only national park boasting the big five (lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African elephant, and African buffalo) is expensive by regional standards and one-fifteenth the size of the Serengeti, which lies just south of the border in Tanzania and is cheaper and easier to access. That left only one option. Are you here to see the gorillas? I asked. No, they werent there for the gorillas. She explained that at $2000 a pop, gorillas were prohibitively expensive. I nodded sympathetically. She continued to explain that she had chosen to visit Rwanda because it was a former Belgian colony and (unlike the DRC) it was safe.

Her husband trotted off with his camera to take a picture of the kingfisher that had alighted on a tree by the. As he rushed off, he explained almost apologetically that was his favourite bird. She stayed put and slowly lit her cigarette. Leaning back in her chair she exhaled languidly and began to wax poetic about how lovely the Rwandan people were; how friendly and welcoming; how good their French was. (She spoke no English.) But that genocide, she said, shaking her head despondently. How these people just butchered each other. Thats what happens when you have centuries of hatred. These peoplethese Hutu and Tutsi tribesthey have hated each other forever. Its calm at the surface but you know what? said conspiratorially, I can feel the tension bubbling underneath.

Reading these words now, they dont seem particularly offensive. But something about her remarks, combined with her tone and mien crawled under my skin. It wasnt the comment about the tension: it would be truly astonishing if no acrimony lingered among survivors. No, that wasnt it. What bothered me was the patronizing otherness with which she described Rwandans. Patronizing because they were so sweet and spoke such good French. Otherness because the implication seemed to be that only these people are capable of this level of barbarism.

I said to her, I dont know much about Rwandan history, but Im not sure that what youre saying about Hutus and Tutsis is entirely true. You know, there used to be fluidity in ethnicity, and it wasnt until the Belgians conducted a census in 1933 aimed at assigning a single ethnic identity to all Rwandans [Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa] that identity became this seemingly immutable thing. In fact, those self-same identity cards facilitated the localization and slaughter of Tutsis during the genocide.

It wasnt a personal accusation. She wasnt responsible for her ancestors obsession with race or any crimes they may or may not have committed in Africa almost a century ago. But she took it personally. Looking at me with indignation she said, What are you suggesting? I said, I guess Im saying that history casts a long shadow. Some of what Belgians did around here in the previous century was pretty damaging. You know, like Leopold in the Belgian Congo She didnt know. The rubber plantations? Blank stare. I continued, The enslavement of coffee plantation workers right here in Rwanda? Still, nothing.

I felt my irritation rising because layered upon the patronizing otherness, or perhaps undergirding it, I sensed a willful ignorance. Of the fifty-four countries that call Africa home she had chosen Rwanda specially, because of its colonial history and yet she  a lawyer who worked for the Belgian parliament  knew nothing about that history. The Belgians were brutal colonists, I said. Growing up in India wed joke, `The Brits were a pill, but at least we didnt have the Belgians. That last part was only half-true. We did say it, but not as a joke.

That was too much for the lawyer. She rose abruptly, breakfast half-finished. Without a word, she turned away from me and stormed out of the restaurant. Her cigarette was still smouldering in the ashtray. It was the only lit cigarette I had seen in weeks. Public smoking is banned in Rwanda.

Looking back, I can easily see how she might have taken what I said personally. If I am perfectly honest there was a hint of accusation in my voice. It wasnt an implication of culpability for the genocide, though. It was indignation that a woman of her means had done zero homework before her trip. The truth is that she is by no means unique, and neither was it entirely her fault. As far as I can tell, an honest examination of colonial history is not a part of the regular school curriculum in any European (or UK) public school. I understand that theres a lot of stuff for kids to learn in a mere twelve years and not everything of value can be included. What I find irksome, though, is the extent of asymmetry in the choice of what is and isnt covered.

Consider Germany. It wouldnt be my first choice of example, only because of its unique twentieth century history. But its the only European country whose public school curriculum I have first-hand experience of, because my children went to school there. Commendably, in Germany the history of World War II is built into the school curriculum from grade one. Not just as a course of study, but in innumerable aspects of school life. In Berlin, Stolpersteineten centimetre square brass plaques engraved with names and fates of (mostly Jewish people) who were murdered in the warare found on pavements across the city, outside the homes of victims of the holocaust. Each year, on November 9th the kids would trot out of school and, under the watchful eyes of their teachers, get down on their hands and knees to polish the Stolpersteine. In grade 10, my kids had a compulsory field trip to Auschwitz. These are only two examples. There are many, many more. Although my children are not to blame for their great grandparents crimes, they were forced to reckon with their difficult history. For that, I have great admiration and immense gratitude.

At the same time, never in their school careersnot oncewas Germanys colonial legacy even mentioned. My children were taught nothing about the genocide ordered by Lothar von Trotha, resulting in the deaths of half the Herero and Nama populations of South-West Africa. They didnt learn anything about the Maji-Maji rebellion, which was crushed at the cost of 100,000 lives due mostly to famine that followed from the German Schutztruppes scorched earth policies. They were clueless about the forced labour in Togo. Its a relatively short list, but its brutality makes me almost grateful that Germans (thanks to Bismarks initial reluctance) were late to the party and (thanks to WWI) early to leave. My kids wouldnt know. And neither would most Belgian, British, or French kids, because theyre not taught about these colonial legacies in their schools. They know nothing about their forefathers handwhether large or smallin the tragedies that continue to befall these strange, faraway countries. Consequently, they feel no modicum of historical responsibility or complicity, let alone culpability, for what transpires there. This ignorance imposes a distance that licences them to attribute the plight of these countries to their otherness, as the Belgian woman did, and as my children perhaps would too.

History is what it is. It lies firmly in the past, and ignorance of that history is not going to be remedied anytime soon. So even if colonizers are at least in part culpable for the mess that many former colonies are in, it seems clear that there will be no reckoning. Where does that leave former colonies like Rwanda? What are they to do? Move on, thats what. Colonizers the world over followed the same reliable, if unoriginal, playbook: divide and conquer. Former colonies are left to deal with the consequences of that division. The way they have tried to heal these divisionssome real, some contrivedvaries from country to country. Thirty years on, Rwandas answer seems pretty clear: remember pain, but scrub labels. Directly after the genocide, justice wasnt forgotten. It was meted out through Gacaca courts: traditional village tribunals where victims confronted perpetrators, verdicts were read, and sentences passed. Remembrance continues in other forms to this day: every major city has a genocide memorial, and monuments are strewn throughout the land.

But the memory is deliberately selective. Hutu and Tutsi labels are not recorded in any individual identification. I did not hear the words spoken in Rwanda, as if they were necronyms. I sometimes had the impression that people feared that by naming it, a beast might be resurrected. There are those who might call this willful erasure aspirational at best, and delusional at worst. Who knows what the future holds, but so far it seems to have worked. Rwandans havent forgotten the past, but the ones I met at least seem determined not to be defined by whatever it was that instigated the violence. By rejecting the formal recognition of categories that set them apart, they seem to have managed to find a way to move forward together.
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Greta Thunberg has been forcibly removed by police from a climate protest in the southern Swedish city of Malmo  just hours after a local court fined her for disobeying a police order during a similar protest last month.

Thunberg, 20, admitted during the court proceedings that she had disobeyed the police order but pleaded not guilty and said that she was acting out of necessity.

It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it, she told reporters in the Malmo district court.

The climate activist admitted to the facts of the case but said the fight against the fossil fuel industry was a form of self-defence due to the existential and global threat of the climate crisis.

I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term, she said.

We cannot save the world by playing by the rules, she told reporters after the verdict, vowing she would definitely not back down.

Charges were brought against Thunberg and several other youth activists from the Reclaim the Future movement for refusing a police order to disperse after blocking road access to an oil terminal in Malmo on 19 June.

Thunberg had posted on Instagram during the protest saying: The climate crisis is already a matter of life and death for countless people.

We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future.

The court ordered Thunberg to pay 1,500 Swedish crowns (112) and an additional 1,000 crowns to Sweden's fund for crime victims. The fine was applied in proportion to her reported income. Failure to obey a police order carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

Greta Thunberg waits at the district court in Malmo on Monday (Tom Little/Reuters)

If the court sees our actions of self-defence as a crime, that's how it is, said Irma Kjellstrom, a spokesperson for Reclaim the Future who was also present at the June protest. She added that activists have to be exactly where the harm is being done.

Earlier in the year, Thunberg was briefly detained by police in Oslo during a protest against wind farms built on indigenous land in Norway. She was also detained during protests against the demolition of the coal village of Luetzerath in Germany in January.

The activist inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight the climate crisis after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish parliament starting in 2018  they were known as school strikes.

Thunberg took part in her last such protest in June, tweeting at the time: Today, I graduate from school, which means Ill no longer be able to school strike for the climate. This is then the last school strike for me.

We who can speak up have a duty to do so. In order to change everything, we need everyone, she added. The fight has only just begun.
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People are expressing their disbelief over Elon Musk reclaiming his title as the worlds richest person just hours after launching his latest Twitter rebrand.

On 24 July, Forbes revealed that Musk was back in the number spot on the magazines real-time billionaires list. According to Forbes calculations, Musks net worth gained another $4.1bn on Monday, bringing him up to a total net worth of $240.7bn. The publication notes that this increase in his net worth came after Teslas stock climbed by more than 2.5 per cent on Monday morning.

Musk had briefly lost his number one spot on the list on Friday, after Teslas stock went down by nearly 10 per cent, causing his net worth to drop by $18bn.

Hours before he bounced back up on Forbes list, he launched a rebrand of Twitter, which replaced the famous blue bird with a new X logo. According to Linda Yaccarino, who Musk hired to be the chief executive of Twitter, the logo change is part of the companys plan to transform everything on the app.

On Twitter, fans have expressed their confusion over Musks title as the richest person in the world, while poking fun at the new Twitter logo hes launched.

I genuinely have no idea how Elon Musk became the worlds richest man with business decisions like these, one person wrote.

Lol. Elon Musk is one of the richest people in the known universe  and it looks like he hired some 2.5 star rando on fiverr to do the logo animation, another quipped.

This simple change just made @elonmusk the richest man in the world, a third tweeted, while sharing a photo of the new Twitter logo. OFFICIALLY the power of X.

Others poked fun atTwitters features amid the news of Musks latest achievement, with one joking: Dear @elonmusk youre the richest person on this planet. Stop sending me balloons on my profile, send me five million dollars instead, DM for bank details.

Meanwhile, some made references to Musks personal life and social media presence in their jokes.

Elon Musk is the worlds richest man. Has several kids. Runs several companies. Has over 100 million followers. And still finds time to reply to random people on Twitter that he doesnt even know, one individual wrote. And you still think she was too busy to reply.

On Monday, Twitter, which was taken over by Musk in October 2022, officially revealed its new logo. The tech billionaire reportedly informed employees by email that Twitter would become X, as well as redirected the domain X.com to Twitter.com.

Yaccarino first confirmed the switch in a series of tweets late on Sunday. Its an exceptionally rare thing  in life or in business  that you get a second chance to make another big impression, she wrote.

She continued: Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square.

Musks net worth is now higher than Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, according to Forbes. On the real-time billionaires list, it lists Arnault and his family as the second richest in the world, with a net worth of $234.6bn as of 24 July. Meanwhile, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is currently the third richest person, while Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the fifth.

Musk is the father of 10 children with three different women. He welcomed his first child, Nevada, with his now ex-wife, Justine Wilson, in 2000. However, the infant tragically died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when he was 10 weeks old. The couple, who divorced in 2008, also share 19-year-old twins, Griffin and Vivian, and 17-year-old triplets, Kai, Saxon, and Damian.

Musk and his ex-girlfriend, Grimes, share a three-year-old son, X AE A-XII, and one-year-old daughter, Exa Dark Siderl, who they welcomed via surrogate. The Space X founder also made headlines in July 2022 when reports broke that he was the father of twins with Shivon Zilis, a high-ranking executive at one of his companies, Neuralink. Court documents showed that the two children were born in November 2021.
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Montana Brown has revealed that she chose to have a home birth when welcoming her son Jude last month because she felt that hospitals are not the safest place for non-white people.

The former Love Island star, 27, shared a YouTube vlog about her pregnancy and birth plan recently to answer questions from followers about her experience.

She opened up about her decision to have a home birth, adding that she hired a doula, a trained professional who supports women through labour and birth, as well as through post-partum.

Brown, who is mixed race and has Japanese and Jamaican heritage, said she cant wait for her home birth. She filmed her vlog before giving birth to Jude in June.

I feel like hospital isnt the safest place to give birth and I know people are gonna be like, What the f***, youre an idiot but I just think its personal preference, she told her followers.

Also, I just think as a non-white person, its not the safest place to be in hospital in childbirth. All these things Ive thought about for a long time. Were also having a doula, which Im really excited about.

In the UK, Black women are nearly four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women, according to a report published by MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK) in 2022.

The study found that there was a slight drop in the maternal mortality rate for Black women between 2018 and 2020. It also found that Asian women are around twice as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women.

In a 2021 response, the government said it was committed to reducing disparities in health outcomes and experience of care.

Brown, who is engaged to fiance Mark OConnor, said she asked for advice on a home birth from The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) star Sam Faiers, who she called the queen of home birthing.

Montana Brown and Mark O'Connor attend the UK Premiere of "The Little Mermaid" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 (Getty Images)

Its just fantastic Shes helping me feel really set in my decision, she said.

Replying to a fan who asked if she felt afraid of giving birth, Brown said had the most positive mindset ever, and would continue to do so even if she had to have a C-section, an epidural, or wound up in hospital.

The reality star and her fiance welcomed baby Jude on 23 June. Last week, she opened up about the struggle to get pregnant despite being in her twenties and said she was surprised it took her so long to conceive.

Speaking on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, Brown told host Giovanna Fletcher that she thought something was wrong with her when she and OConnor first started trying for a baby.

I thought, Were young, this is going to be really easy For the first four months, wed used ovulation sticks, and then Id do a pregnancy test and itd be negative, she recalled.

After both she and her partner went to check their fertility, they discovered she had no oestrogen and no testosterone, which made her realise that people can be young, fit and healthy, and still really, really struggle to conceive.

Announcing her sons birth, Brown shared a black-and-white photograph of the newborn being cradled against her chest on Instagram and wrote: Welcome to the world Jude Isaiah OConnor. Were so smitten with you little man.

The couple announced their engagement in April, after OConnor proposed to her in Bermuda. They first met in 2020.

Brown featured in series three of Love Island and was coupled up with Alex Beattie at the end. They broke up shortly after leaving the villa.
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A woman who turned to roleplaying with hyper-realistic dolls to help (her) cope with the death of her first baby  and continues to do so with her husband and two rainbow babies  has said her husbands parents disapproved of the hobby and fired him from the family business as a result.

Christina Keeler, 38, a stay-at-home mum and YouTuber, from Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, USA, fell pregnant with her first miracle baby in 2015, despite having endometriosis and being told she would not be able to conceive in her 20s.

She suffered a miscarriage, but after watching a documentary about so-called reborn dolls, she had a lightbulb moment and realised getting a hyper-realistic doll would be the perfect solution.

Christinas husband Bill, 43, was hesitant at first but became supportive after he saw how much it helped (her) grief.

The couple went on to have two miracle daughters, Grace, six, and Joy, four, who now help feed, change and dress the familys five reborn dolls  which cost between 1,560 and 3,899 each  in their nursery complete with a crib and a wardrobe.

The family often take the dolls out in public, and have shared their journey on YouTube  where Christina documents peoples reactions to her dolls and birthing videos. Some silicone dolls come in a fake womb which allows a Caesarean section to be performed at home.

But Bills family were disgusted with the hobby, to the point where they gave him a choice to stop having the dolls or leave the family business.

He refused to shut down the YouTube channel and did not want Christina to give up her hobby, so he was fired.

She fell pregnant with her first baby in 2015, a year after her mother died of cancer.

The couple were elated about the pregnancy because Christina had been told in her twenties that she would not be able to conceive because she has endometriosis, but she miscarried at eight weeks.

Christina told PA Real Life: When we lost the baby it was so devastating, I remember lying in the hospital bed after they had taken the baby out of my belly, and screaming for my mum and wept wanting to cuddle my baby.

She really struggled with the grief of losing her mother and her baby so close together.

She explained: This feeling of sorrow just never went away, it was so painful that I never talked about it again.

Christina turned to roleplaying with her collection of hyper-realistic dolls to cope with the death of her first baby (Collect/PA Real Life)

Despite having her two miracle children Grace and Joy, Christina still longed to hold her first baby, and after watching a documentary about reborn dolls, she wanted to get one to see if it would help her grief.

She said: I felt so blessed to have two healthy girls, but that feeling of missing the first baby never quite went away.

When my youngest was around two years old, my husband and I came across a documentary about reborn dolls.

And he was like, Thats really weird, and I played it off that I thought the same, but actually I really wanted one to help me cope and I thought it would be the perfect solution.

After persuading her husband, Christina ordered her first lifelike doll, Hannah, costing her around 155.

She said: I told my husband and he was not on board at all, he was hesitant, but after explaining my reasoning, he was much more understanding and more accepting.

When the doll arrived, Christina instantly felt like it helped with her mourning.

She said: It helped me therapeutically because for the first time ever when I got my first reborn doll, I was able to talk about the loss of our baby.

And since then I have healed tremendously from that loss because Im able to talk about it and share my story and help others  it helped my grief, for sure.

Christina now has a collection of five dolls called Carter, Cadence, Quinn, Isabella and Sammy, which she loves to dress, cuddle and feed.

She takes the dolls out in public and people often mistake them for real babies.

She said: We have a nursery for them with a crib and a wardrobe. I check on them throughout the day, and on other days, especially when the girls want to get involved, I pick out an outfit for them, bring them to breakfast, get them to feed them a bottle, change them.

If were running errands we often take them out with us and put them in a car seat and stroller.

Christina and her family have been sharing their experiences on YouTube, where they are known as The Reborn Family.

She said: I make videos about peoples reactions to my dolls, as well as vlogs and birthing videos  I have some silicone reborn dolls which come in a womb and you perform a C-section on it at home, to give birth to the baby.

Despite her immediate family being supportive of the hobby, Christina admits not everyone in her wider family understands.

She said: My husbands family were, and still are, disapproving of the reborns, even though they can see how much they helped me. They were disgusted.

We moved from California to Pennsylvania because my husband was next in line to take over the family business because they were about to retire, and they asked if we would like to do so and we agreed.

When they were on vacation they came across our YouTube channel, and they called us up and they were mortified and so embarrassed, and said we were ruining the family name.

When Bills parents came home, they gave him an ultimatum to stop having the dolls.

Christina explained: Bill said that he was not going to quit his job, and didnt want me to stop having reborns because they were so therapeutic for me at the time, and his dad said, Well, then youre fired.

My husbands family were disgusted, they said we were ruining the family name

Bills father was contacted for comment, but he had not responded at the time of publication.

Even though her reborns have caused tension in the family, Christina cannot see herself giving up her hobby any time soon.

She said: Reborns continue to help me with my grief, and I love sharing content with other people who have lost babies, and they can also really help people with dementia, people who are infertile, people with anxiety and depression, I wouldnt want to stop this.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been accused of snubbing their elderly neighbour after they moved to Montecito, California.

Frank McGinity, an 88-year-old US Navy veteran, said that he has been neighbours with the Sussexes since they first moved into the area in 2020 and that he tried to welcome them to the community with a gift.

But the gesture did not go as planned, he said.

In a chapter of his memoir, Get Off Your Street, Mr McGinity said that he approached the couples home to give them some films he has made about the history of the local area.

I have a big house next to Harry and Meghans property and I live in the guest house while renting the main house out on Airbnb, he said, according to The Montecito Journal.

Harry and Meghan live on old McCormick property and I went up to their gate with the films on a CD, but they werent interested, he added.

Mr McGinity said that the couples security guard on the gate turned him away.

The gate guy turned me away and wouldnt take the film, just saying theyre not interested. I was trying to be neighbourly, he said.

He added: We dont see them very much around here. Its surprising they came here. People are typically older. Its where the elephants come to die.

Mr McGinity said that he lives a tiaras toss or two from the Sussexs property in the wealthy enclave of Montecito.

Meghan and Harry settled into the California home there back in July 2020, in a property that is said to be worth $14.7m (11.2m), according to TMZ.

The Duke and Duchess moved to the US in 2020 (Getty Images)

At the time, a spokesperson for the couple told The Independent: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their family home in July of this year.

They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbours, as well as for them as a family.

Since moving to the US, Harry has visited the UK on a number of occasions including the late Queens funeral, the Kings Coronation and to appear in court during his legal battle against The Daily Mirror.
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A woman has been praised for her refusal to switch her first-class seat on a plane with a child.

On Thursday (20 July), TikTok user 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.

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.

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.
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The mayor of Ecuador's third largest city was slain Sunday in a shooting that killed one other person and wounded four more, including two suspected attackers, officials said.

Agustin Intriago, a 38-year-old lawyer, belonged to the local Better City movement in the port city of Manta and was recently re-elected to a term that began in May.

On his Twitter account, Interior Minister Juan Zapata reported Intriago's slaying and the other casualties. He said the two wounded people suspected of being involved in the attack were receiving medical attention under police surveillance.

A motive for the attack, which occurred while the mayor was making a neighborhood visit, was not immediately disclosed.

President Guillermo Lasso wrote on Twitter that he had instructed the country's highest police authority to locate those responsible. Police reported that specialized units were deployed at the scene.

The victims sister, Ana Intriago, wrote on her Twitter account that this crime cannot go unpunished. ... Lets not let them win.

Manta is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) southwest of Ecuador's capital, Quito, on a section of Pacific coast used by gangs to move large shipments of drugs to other parts of the Americas and Europe.

Ecuador is gripped by a serious outbreak of violence that authorities attribute to disputes among organized crime groups. The government is also grappling with a surge in crime that includes armed attacks, kidnappings, robberies and extortion.

Authorities also said Sunday that a battle between rival gang members held in a prison in Guayaquil had resulted in the five inmates being killed and 11 wounded.

The clashes erupted in the Litoral prison Saturday afternoon and escalted into the early hours of Sunday, with the sound of gunshots and explosions heard by people in nearby residential areas.

Litoral is considered one of the most dangerous prisons in Ecuador, with its worst incident a gang battle in 2021 that saw 119 inmates slain. This past April, a riot at the prison killed 12 inmates and injured three.
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Placing a statue of wartime codebreaker Alan Turing on Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth has been backed by an LGBT+ armed forces charity.

Outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the suggestion in the House of Commons last week as he addressed a review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.

The plinth currently has no permanent display, and the London mayors Fourth Plinth Commission uses it to showcase temporary artistic installations.

LGBT+ armed forces charity Fighting With Prides executive chairman, Craig Jones, told the PA news agency that the organisation is supportive of placing a statue of Mr Turing on the plinth.

He said: Alan Turing is a man who today the United Kingdom is immensely proud of, but in his life he suffered greatly because of his sexual orientation.

His achievements changed the world, and therefore it would be incredible to see him recognised in this way in a position just yards away from Admiral Lord Nelson whose immortal memory we celebrate.

I think (Mr Turings) treatment in his time is a stark contrast to the debt we recognise we owe him today.

It would recognise that LGBT+ people have, like all others, met the nations call during our most difficult times, he said, adding that Mr Turing was right up there with the top five people who helped win the Second World War, so I think that makes him worthy.

The Defence Secretarys backing followed an apology to LGBT service veterans for historical mistreatment.

Mr Wallace described Mr Turing as probably the greatest war hero of the Second World War.

His achievements changed the world, and therefore it would be incredible to see him recognised in this way Craig Jones, Fighting With Pride

Although the Defence Secretary did not name Trafalgar Square, he said it would be the greatest tribute to the success of someone from the LGBT community for a statue of Mr Turing to be placed on the blank plinth, (with) the mayors gimmicks or whatever it is every other five minutes.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) said he would absolutely support the Defence Secretarys campaign to put up a statue of (Mr) Turing in Trafalgar Square, if thats what hes launching.

Often considered to be the father of computer science, Mr Turing played a key role in deciphering coded messages used by Nazi Germany.

Just seven years after the war ended, he was convicted of gross indecency for his relationship with a man, which led to the removal of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

He was chemically castrated following his conviction in 1952 and died in 1954 at the age of 41.

Mr Turing was later given a posthumous royal pardon, and a tribute to him now features on the 50 note.

Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth currently features a sculpture by Malawi-born artist Samson Kambalu.

Installed in September last year, the piece, titled Antelope, depicts a 1914 photograph of European missionary John Chorley and Malawian Baptist preacher John Chilembwe, who fought against colonial rule.

Previous Fourth Plinth commissions including Marc Quinns sculpture of pregnant Alison Lapper, Yinka Shonibares scaled-down replica of HMS Victory contained in a glass bottle, and Heather Phillipsons sculpture The End, which depicted a whirl of cream topped with a drone and a fly.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: The Fourth Plinth is one of the worlds most renowned sculpture prizes and continues to provide an important platform for artists, transforming careers and supporting a diverse range of voices that are often underrepresented in the art world. The programme was started in 1998 and there are no plans for it to change.
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Rising temperatures are likely to be beneficial for Britain as more people die of cold than heat in this country, Lord Frost has said.

The Tory former minister and Brexit negotiator said he is sceptical about mitigating the impacts of climate change, urging the Government to move away from high-cost mitigation efforts.

He told the upper chamber he agreed that more has to be spent on things like flood protection but questioned the need to adapt to the health consequences of rising temperatures before citing cold-related mortality.

A decline in deaths from cold temperature periods has more than offset any increase in the number of deaths associated with warmer temperature over the same period Lord Frost

Lord Frosts comments came as Greeces capital, Athens, endures its hottest July in half a century, with scorching temperatures also affecting other southern European countries like Italy and Spain.

Speaking during a debate on the level of Government preparation for the impacts that climate change will have on health, the economy, food security and the environment, the Tory peer said: We have all too little debate on climate change.

Its all the more important that we have it now since critics of any aspects of this policy find it increasingly difficult to get a hearing in the media.

Here in this House, at least, we cannot be censored, though it seems we do run some risk of losing our bank accounts if we dare to speak up.

He noted more will need to be spent on things like flood protection and reservoirs, but speaking about calls for the UK to adapt to the health consequences of rising temperatures, Lord Frost said: Digging deeper, what are those consequences of the hotter, warmer summers and warmer, wetter winters?

At the moment, seven times as many people die from cold as from heat in Britain. Rising temperatures are likely to be beneficial.

I don't think the families of people who died because of heat are very much cheered by the fact that there are fewer people dying because of cold Lord Deben

The Government Actuarys Department, no less, wrote in April this year, and I quote, it is the low winter temperatures that have a greater effect on the number of deaths. Since the start of the millennium, a decline in deaths from cold temperature periods has more than offset any increase in the number of deaths associated with warmer temperature over the same period.

Now, Im not sceptical about adaptation. Im sceptical about mitigation.

I suggest that the rational thing to do is to move away from the current high-cost mitigation efforts, efforts which also involve massive investments in unproductive renewables, huge changes in lifestyles as well as crushing economic growth, and pursue mitigation in a different way.

Investing in effective energy production, nuclear, gas, other technologies as they emerge, and meanwhile, spend the manageable sums that we need to on adaptation so we can adjust to the perfectly manageable consequences of slowly rising temperatures as they emerge.

Speaking after Lord Frost, Labour former minister Lord Whitty said: The idea that we can have a choice between mitigation and adaptation is absurd. We need both.

Referring to the recent by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, he added: As to the current furore in the newspapers over the weekend after a by-election in which 250 people voted the wrong way, we have the pressure on the leaders of our two main parties to back off from their commitment to green policies and to climate change.

I find that absolutely absurd.

We will see... more vector-related diseases, mosquito-related diseases such as Zika virus, West Nile fever and indeed, potentially, malaria in the future if the predictions are correct Lord Kakkar

Some Tories have been calling for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to delay climate pledges after the party narrowly held on to Uxbridge and South Ruislip in last weeks by-election, with Labours failure to win being attributed to the expansion of Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) scheme.

Tory former environment minister Lord Deben, who recently left his role as chairman of the Climate Change Committee, said: We do have a certainty here. The weather is changing. Its changing dramatically and we have actually to sort out our acceptance to it.

And that means that we cant talk about deaths as Lord Frost did. I dont think the families of people who died because of heat are very much cheered by the fact that there are fewer people dying because of cold.

The fact of the matter is we have to deal with these problems. We have to do something about our care homes, most of which  not just many, but most of which  are entirely unsuited for the weather that we are going to have.

Independent crossbench peer Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick doubted those who suggest people cannot afford mitigation and adaptation measures, noting that he expects more than 53 million British adults and children to take overseas holidays this year.

He said: People can afford in mass numbers to undertake easy pleasures, but when it comes to affording the cost of responding to the cataclysmic crisis of climate change, were told we cant afford it  we can.

Green Party peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb said Lord Frost had promoted denialist tropes and right-wing conspiracy theories in his speech.

Energy minister Lord Callanan said: Adaptation and net zero in fact go hand-in-hand, achieving net zero actually requires adaptation. We have a huge opportunity to make the substantial net zero investments that are resilient to current and future climate change risks and doing so can, of course, prevent future higher costs.

Let me, for the avoidance of any doubt, confirm that delivering net zero is of course vitally important to this Government.
by Barbara Fischkin

Again, I thought about changing my name.

I dreamed about publishing essays under a new byline. I tried out pseudonyms for my next book. I wrote down alternate names, said them out loud. A name change would make introductions easier. Now, when I extend my hand and say Fischkin, people look at me funny, as if I might be holding live bait.

I can live with Barbara. As a first name, it is dated. But Barbara will come back in style. First names do. I was almost named Benita. Benita Fischkin. Think of that. My mother loved that name, until a friend said a cute nickname for me could be Mussaclose enough to Mussolini.

That was all my mother Ida Siegel Fischkin had to hear. She was a passionate supporter of the State of Israel, a lifetime Hadassah member and a child survivor of an antisemitic pogrom. Benita went down the drain. As a little girl, bored with Barbaratoo easy to spellI asked my mother if she had ever wanted to name me something else.

Benita, she said. My mother hid little from me.

Wow, I thought, wishing she had gone through with it. A name like that dripped with fame, fortune and beauty.

Benita as a baby name for a newborn girl must have been making the rounds of pregnant mothers in our Brooklyn neighborhood, circa 1954. Very odd since this was less than a decade after World War II. My guess: When it came to villains, Hitler was the main event. I bet no one ever said: For a boy, how about Adolph?

The mother of one of my classmates did name her daughter Benita. Benita asked us to call her Bunnie.

Back to the real problem. Fischkin. It has other strikes against it. Fischkin is not melodic. In my case it also has that annoying extra letter, the c. People want to spell Fischkin as Fishkin. Most Fishkins are Fishkins not Fischkins.

It does make it easier for me to be found on Google. A mixed blessing.

It all comes back to that ghost. Fischkin evokes the name of my paternal grandfather, who died long before I was born. He was a drunk and a womanizer. He beat his wife and children. Today he also would be called a Deadbeat Dad, which he was on occasion. I know all this because relatives did speak about him. But only in hushed tones and without mentioning his first name, as if mentioning it would bring on a curse. I am still not sure of his name. Phillip, maybe. What was he called before Ellis Island? Your guess is as good as mine. And, no, I do not want to explore this on ancestry.com.

I do know that my grandfather was Fishkin not Fischkin. My father added the c, to his name as a young man. His siblings did not. They remained Fishkins. My father, often a great parent despite his own upbringing, told me he did this to disassociate himself from that father of his. He said adding the c, made him feel like a rebel.

Laugh, if you will. Even as a child I thought this was a hoot. My father had a boring job as a civil service accountant. He wore white shirts to work, short sleeve white shirts in the summers before office air-conditioning. Not that he was a milquetoast. Or that everything was rosy and nothing was weird. He asked my mother to put covers fashioned out of paper bags on the regulation paperback mysteries he read on the subway. He did not like other people to know what he was reading, no matter how benign. He had opinions. He had a temper. He yelled at my mother, his in-laws and my older brother although rarely at me, the princess. His yelling scared me. I came to believe it had roots deep inside him, old roots.

At home, we chuckled when my father came home from the shul and said he had yelled at the rabbi. Again? For decades he served as the congregations president, working with the rabbi as they yelled at one another.

Still, in my young mind rebels did not work for the City of New York or lead the board of trustees of Congregation Bnai Israel of Midwood. They wore leather jackets and drove motorcycles. As a college student I tried to convince myself that adding a letter to ones name could be an act of peaceful civil disobedience. I tried to view my father David Fischkin as a major hero, like Mahatma Gandhi. I couldnt.

I am particularly haunted by the sound of Fischkin, when I compare my name to those of other writers. So many of my writer friends have beautiful names. Ana Menendez, Roxana Robinson, Terese Svoboda to name a few. Their names roll off the tongue in a way that Fischkin never could.

To assuage myself, I have looked up the meaning of Fischkin. I found one nice definition that claimed Fishkincouldnt find Fischkin is not related to fish but rather to a word meaning life. Nice, if true but too long to explain upon offering a (clean) handshake.

There is, of course, the easy solution. I could be Barbara Mulvaney. I have, in effect, been Barbara Mulvaney for 39 years, since I married Jim Mulvaney. My grown children are Mulvaneys. Barbara Mulvaney would be a beautiful bylineand a recently redeemed one now that Trumpster Mick Mulvaney is out of the picture. But if I didnt become Barbara Mulvaney when I got married, why do it now? At the beginning of our marriage, I was a newspaper reporter with my own byline. Barbara Fischkin. Professionally I wanted to be known as myself. Not as my husbands wife. That we reported for the same newspaper intensified my resolve. But even now, as we each write in different realms, I feel the same. Or at least I think I do.

If anyone has ever published anything about my fathers side of the family, I have not seen it. As the only mainstream author among the Fischkins, I am the one most likely to do this. I have not written about my fathers relatives because the story of my mothers side of the family, the Siegelswhich inspired the historical novel I am writingis so much more exciting. Despite war and mayhem, it is also less dreary. My Siegel grandparents, aunts and uncles and my brother died of natural causes in their sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties. My three first cousins and I remain close. Each of us knows the family history, as if the stories that make it whole are flesh, blood and bones. My mothershe of the great Benita ideais typically the star of these tales. In 1919, at the age of six my mother saved her own life in the midst of that pogrom. She ran from a burning building into the countryside and hid in a haystack. A local farmer, who was not Jewish and perhaps a Ukrainian Nationalist, found her and hid her, risking his own life to save hers. Not that my Siegel aunts and one uncle were slouches when it comes to legend. Aunt Doris dressed like a flapper and yearned to dance on a Catskills hotel stage. Uncle Sammy, as a kid in Brooklyn, got shot in the leg (probably by local gang members) and later returned to the Europe of the pogrom he had also survived to fight the invading Nazis. Aunt Mollie was the first of her immediate family born in America and that should be enough, although there is so much more to tell about her.

Yes, I have wondered about changing my name to Barbara Siegel.

My father had no uplifting tales like these about his family. When he met my mother he married herand her family. For the warmth and for the stories.

It was on a rainy day in June that I began this years musings about changing my name. In July I threw the idea out the window to melt in the hot summer air. When I backtrack like this, there are always triggers. Triggers apart from the weather.

My change of heart started with the arrival of the Summer 2023 print edition of PaknTreger, the multi-faceted magazine of the Yiddish Book Center. It had an article about deadbeat Dads of yore: A Gallery of Missing Husbands by Michael Morgenstern. He writes: Thousands of Jewish men who trekked overseas either failed to send for their families or disappeared once the whole family was resettled. They often did this without warning, leaving wives and children in dire distress. The first significant effort to alleviate this crisis did not come from a social service or government agency but from the New York-based, Forward, a rising Yiddish newspaper that was then barely a decade old.

My Siegel grandparents loved the Forward, as I love todays English version. PaknTreger were book peddlers who wandered the Eastern European shtetls. I read the PaknTreger article, a compilation of notices and pleas often contributed by the long-suffering wives, themselves, as if it was news, delivered to me by one of those peddlers. I devoured the stories of men, men sort of like my grandfather. It was akin to seeing Hester Street in multiple variations. I wondered if my grandfathers photo had ever appeared in the Forward. The timing was right, and those missing husbands sounded a lot like the little I knew about him.

Reading about those men also sent me back to an informal memoir my father had started to write after his retirement. He wrote it in his neat half print, half cursive on unused sheets of his accountant letterheads. I had not looked at my fathers pages in years but do remember brushing them off as not enough information. Nothing about the added letter c. There was a lot about my grandfather and yet not enough. My father never mentioned his name.

My father died three years after he started to write this, never finished it and the end is slapdash. But I now see it contains gems.

A sample: We were living on Osborn Street in Brownsville, even then a rapidly decaying slum street. There were two small frame houses. We, of course, lived in the worst of the two, the one in the backyard. One night about 2:30 am a fire broke out in the front house. Mother, my two younger brothers and myself went quickly into the street. My father was nowhere around. Not home. Probably drinking or whoring somewhere. We walked the streets until daylight. No one cared. No one took us in. We were cold, shivering and miserable. I never forgot this and I became cynical and unfriendly to other people.

Another sample from my father about his: My father cut a wide swath with wine, women and song.

And then this about my grandfathers background, which may or may not be true. He was a landsman of General Sarnoff [who ran RCA, among other accomplishments]. But never met him to my knowledge in New York. Two Jewish-Russian boys and how different they turned out to be! My father added that his father was a pressman and a member of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union but a follower never a leader.

From this I was at least able to discern that my grandfather must have come to Brooklyn in the early years of the twentieth century from a small town near Minsk, now the capital of Belarus. The town might have been called Uzlian, now Uzlyany. Well, that is where David Sarnoff came from, why not my grandfather as well?

My fathers writings came out of a drawer in my home office that also contains my mothers memory book. As I was reading what my father wrote, a piece of paper slipped out of my mothers book, like a nudge. The paper was a narrow sheet with red lines, from a stenographers notebook. In the early days of her marriage my mother worked as secretary. Years later my husband and I, like most newspaper reporters, used the same sort of notebooks.

This single page was folded in half.

On the top half in my fathers distinctive dual handwriting: Private Communique! On the crease and beyond to the other side: For Mrs. Ida Fischkin only!! (turn over).

Inside was this:

Intra House Memorandum 10/21/40

From: David Fischkin

To: Mrs. Ida Fischkin

Please consider this memorandum as your authority to awaken, upon your arrival, the newest, lowest salaried Assistant Manager of the City of New York. Dont be bashful. Although gruff, dry-witted and sharp tongued, the new Assistant Manager is honest, fair and sincere. To be truthful, he would rather be awakened and see you than to receive the glory and acclaim of his new position.

Yes, my father liked to take naps. He liked to play with words. I think that most of all, apart from his wife, children and adopted Siegel family, he liked the name Fischkin with a c. After I read this private communique, I remembered that my father watched my first television appearance, as a Newsday reporter interviewing Patrick Vecchio, a Long Island Town Supervisor on the regional show: Meet the Mayors. A far cry from Meet the Press. That did not matter to my father. He told me that seeing the Fischkin name on the television screen was the happiest day of my life. (Yes, Channel 13, WNET, the New York City public television station, had spelled it correctly.)

And so, at this moment I am still Barbara Fischkin. Unless I (finally) become Barbara Mulvaney. My husband has also written me beautiful letters, which I treasure. I hope as I write more about my mother and her family, I also will start to write more about my father and his demons. I remember my father well, even with the specter of my grandfather behind him. As for my grandfather, I imagine him removing the c and then skipping town.

***

Barbara Fischkins website can be found here.
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Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has appeared in court charged with three terror offences relating to banned organisation Al-Muhajiroun, which he is accused of leading.

The 56-year-old, from Ilford in East London, is accused of directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

Appearing in the dock of Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday wearing a black jacket and glasses, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was not asked to enter any pleas to the alleged offending during the hearing, which lasted around 30 minutes.

Khaled Hussein, 28, from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, appeared separately at the same court charged with one count of being a member of a proscribed organisation.

His lawyer said he would not be entering any pleas.

The court heard that the case relates to an extreme form of Islam.

Choudary is alleged to have provided lectures to the Islamic Thinkers Society, which is Al-Muhajiroun for all intents and purposes, the court heard.

Al-Muhajiroun has been banned in the UK since 2010 but has continued under many names and guises, the court heard.

Bespectacled Hussein spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address in a Canadian accent during a 10-minute separate hearing.

He is alleged to have been in close contact with Choudary online to provide a platform for the groups views for around two years.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded them into custody until they appear at the Old Bailey on August 4.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17, while Hussein was detained at Heathrow after arriving on a flight the same day.

Nick Price, from the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: The CPS has authorised charges in relation to Anjem Choudary and Khaled Hussein under the Terrorism Act.

The charges relate to the proscribed organisation Al-Muhajiroun, also known as the Islamic Thinkers Society.

Criminal proceedings against Mr Choudary and Mr Hussein are now active and they each have the right to a fair trial.
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Extremist preacher Anjem Choudary has appeared in court charged with directing a terrorist organisation and other offences.

The 56-year-old was charged on Sunday alongside Canadian national Khaled Hussein, following their arrest last week.

Choudary is accused of directing the US-based Islamic Thinkers Society, which prosecutors allege is the same organisation as the banned al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

He is also accused of membership of the group, and addressing meetings where he encouraged support for it between June 2022 and this month.

Choudary, of Ilford in east London, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday.

In a separate hearing, 28-year-old Mr Hussein, from Edmonton in Canada, appeared charged with one count of being a member of a proscribed organisation.

He was arrested at Heathrow Airport after arriving on a flight on 17 July, while Choudary was arrested at his London home on the same day.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on 4 August.

Nick Price, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Counter Terrorism Division, said: The CPS has authorised charges in relation to Anjem Choudary and Khaled Hussein under the Terrorism Act.

The charges relate to the proscribed organisation al-Muhajiroun, also known as the Islamic Thinkers Society.

Criminal proceedings against Mr Choudary and Mr Hussein are now active and they each have the right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
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A man has been charged with murdering a woman whose body was discovered in a churchyard.

Colette Law, 26, was discovered in a tent at St Mary and St Nicholas Church in Spalding, Lincolnshire, on July 17.

Paul Neilson, 30, of no fixed address, was arrested last week before being charged with her murder on July 23. He is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, Ms Laws devastated parents said they had been distraught when police officers arrived at their home to inform them their daughter was dead.

Have you been affected by this story? If so email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

Patricia Law, a retired care worker, said: "We didnt feel anything. We just collapsed.

"You dont want to bury your son or daughter. We are 60 odd. We dont want to bury any of them. They should be burying us."

Originally from Greenock in Scotland, Ms Law had moved down to Spalding at the end of May.

Detective Inspector Richard Nethercott, who is leading the investigation, previously said: "We send our condolences to the family and friends of Colette, they are very much in our thoughts as we carry out our investigation.

"I know this tragic death will be unsettling. We are working hard to investigate the full circumstances to understand how Colette has died."
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BBC newsreader George Alagiah has been remembered as one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation and a wonderful human being after his death at 67.

The award-winning journalist, who presented the BBC News at Six for the past 20 years, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014.

He died on Monday surrounded by his family and loved ones.

A statement from his agent Mary Greenham said: George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

Alagiah, who was born in Sri Lanka, continued to present for the BBC when he was not receiving treatment.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and spent many years as one of the its leading foreign correspondents before moving to presenting.

He was often a specialist in Africa and covered the civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

Throughout his career he interviewed central political figures, among them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and ex-Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

He was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for his coverage of Saddam Husseins genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq and was was named Amnesty Internationals journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi.

He first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.

Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce said Alagiah was that rare thing  a first-rate journalist and an all round lovely human being.

She added: Integrity and decency shone through him. That and a mischievous sense of humour with an endearing giggle.

I remember his 60th birthday party, surrounded by his wonderful family and his glamorous sisters like so many birds of paradise. It was an intimate family affair and I know George counted his blessings to be there with the people he loved so much.

He fought with all he had to stay with them as long as he could. We loved him in the newsroom and we  I  miss him so much.

Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4s Today programme, paid tribute saying: George was a brilliant journalist, a lovely man and an inspiring example to all fighting serious illness. His friends will miss him deeply.

Broadcaster John Simpson said: A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague it would be hard to find.

I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.

Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel added: Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster  but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was deeply saddened by news of Alagiahs death.

He said: A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary pushing reporting. British journalism has lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

After his diagnosis Alagiah endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

He returned to work after his treatment was over but the cancer came back and spread leading to breaks from the studio while he received treatment.

Appearing in a campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2022, speaking about the impact of his own experience of living with stage four bowel cancer, Alagiah said: People always ask me how I cope and its the hardest question

The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head  despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.

In a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 in which he said he sometimes felt he had the easy part, living with bowel cancer while his loved ones had to watch.

He said: Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves.

In some ways Ive felt through my six-plus years living with cancer that sometimes I have the easy part My job is just to stay fit and my family has got to watch all of the other things.

The chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK paid tribute to Alagiah, describing him as a huge advocate of the charity since he shared his diagnosis.

Genevieve Edwards said in a statement to PA: He supported our campaign calling on the NHS to lower the bowel cancer screening age to 50, shared his experience of the disease to raise lifesaving awareness of the symptoms, as well as speaking to our wonderful supporters about living with advanced bowel cancer at events that have raised thousands of pounds for the charity.

Most recently, he hosted our podcast  he gave not only his time but his phenomenal broadcasting skills, his incredible warmth and his personal insight into living with the disease. We will never forget how much of his precious time he gave to the charity and the kindness he showed to our supporters during a very difficult time in his life.

Before joining the BBC, Alagiah worked as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UKs mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS Englands national clinical director for cancer, said: I am very sorry to hear that George Alagiah has died with bowel cancer and my thoughts are with his friends and family.

Talking about cancer can save lives and that George was able to speak so openly and honestly about living with cancer will undoubtably make a difference to many others: I am very grateful that he felt able to do this.

With all cancers, acting at the first sign of symptoms can make a big difference to how cancer can be treated, and as George often reminded people, its important to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer  so if you have noticed any changes such as blood in your poo, a change in bowel habits or pain and bloating  please do come forward for checks as soon as possible.
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The late BBC newsreader George Alagiah said in a final report on BBC News I have gotten to a place to see life as a gift.

The award-winning journalist, who had presented the BBC News At Six for the last 20 years, died on Monday from bowel cancer after being first diagnosed in 2014. He was 67.

At the end of Mondays edition of the programme, his former colleague Sophie Raworth revealed Alagiah had hoped to come into the BBC studio one last time to thank the viewers but did not get the chance.

In a video montage in his honour which featured clips and pictures, Alagiah admitted it had taken him time to process the diagnosis after he was first told he had bowel cancer.

My life, for what it is worth, is divided into pre-cancer and post-cancer. The weird thing about a bowel cancer journey is you dont really know the beginning and you dont really know the end, he said in the video.

So I know the day I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, but I dont know when it started. Because I was at the top of my game, I was having a fantastic time at work and home, and then suddenly you hear those words Im sorry to tell you Mr Alagiah, youve got bowel cancer.

At first when youre told, you dont know how to respond and it took me a while to understand what I needed to do.

He continued: For me, I had to get a place of contentment and the only way I knew how to do that was literally to look back at my life.

Actually, when I look back to my journey, where it all started, looked at the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into Fran whos been my wife and lover for all these years. The kids that we brought up, it didnt feel like a failure.

I wish I hadnt had cancer, obviously. But I have cancer and Im glad of the things Ive learned about myself and about my community, my friends and my family as a result

I have gotten to a place to see life as a gift. Rather than kind of worrying about when its going to end and how its going to end, Ive got to a place where I can see it for the gift it is. I feel that gift keenly every morning.

Before airing the video on the BBCs News At Six, Raworth remembered Alagiah as a man of great values and indomitable spirit.

She recalled launching the evening news show with him 20 years in January 2003, saying that he felt enormously proud and privileged to be presenting the programme.

He loved being in the newsroom, being part of the team, and he made a good cup of tea as well. We all adored him, she added.

He felt a real connection with the audience too. After he was diagnosed with cancer, just over nine years ago, he received thousands of letters and messages from people who wrote to him as if they knew each other, strangers who spoke to him as a friend.

He was really touched by your support. George was a man of great values and indomitable spirit. A big smile of velvety love, a great friend.

BBC newsreaders Clive Myrie and Naga Munchetty fought back tears earlier in the day as they delivered the news of his death on air.

Broadcaster Myrie became emotional as he paid tribute to Alagiah during the lunchtime BBC News broadcast, saying: On a personal note, George touched all of us here in the newsroom with his kindness and generosity, his warmth and good humour.

We loved him here at BBC News and I loved him as a mentor, colleague and friend.

His spirit, strength and courage in the later years of his life is something his family can be so proud of. Journalism has lost a giant.

Munchetty also became choked up as she interrupted her live show on BBC Radio 5 Live around midday to deliver the news.

As her voice broke, she said: Apologies for the emotion in my voice  he was so loved in our newsroom.

Alagiah, who was born in Sri Lanka, continued to present for the BBC when he was not receiving treatment.

He joined the corporation in 1989 and spent many years as one of its leading foreign correspondents before moving to presenting.

He was a specialist in Africa and covered the civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

Throughout his career he interviewed central political figures, among them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ex-Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

He was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for his coverage of Saddam Husseins genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq and was named Amnesty Internationals journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi.

He first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

Kaplinsky wrote on Instagram: Goodbye dearest George. I will miss you so very much. It was such a privilege to be your friend.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.

Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce said Alagiah was that rare thing  a first-rate journalist and an all round lovely human being.

She added: Integrity and decency shone through him. That and a mischievous sense of humour with an endearing giggle.

In a piece for the Telegraph, Bruce recalled being selected alongside Alagiah in 1999 as one the new faces of BBC News, saying: George was a brilliant choice, whether he knew it was coming or not.

Authority and warmth is what you are always after when anchoring a live news broadcast. George had both in spades, and it came from such an authentic place.

She added that having him as a colleague and friend when they were both propelled into the public eye was always immensely comforting as she knew he was one of the few people she could absolutely trust.

Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4s Today programme, paid tribute saying: George was a brilliant journalist, a lovely man and an inspiring example to all fighting serious illness. His friends will miss him deeply.

Broadcaster John Simpson said: A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague it would be hard to find.

I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.

Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel added: Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster  but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was deeply saddened by news of Alagiahs death.

He said: A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary pushing reporting. British journalism has lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

After his diagnosis Alagiah endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

He returned to work after his treatment was over but the cancer came back and spread, leading to breaks from the studio while he received treatment.

Following his diagnosis, Alagiah also campaigned for cancer charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support and Bowel Cancer UK, to help raise awareness.

Before joining the BBC, Alagiah worked as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UKs mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.
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Relatives of victims of the NHS infected blood scandal have delivered a letter to Downing Street saying action is needed now to set up a body to give them full compensation.

Campaigners shared harrowing stories of how their lives have been blighted after they handed over the letter on Monday calling for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to expand the interim compensation scheme to cover more victims and their families.

The Infected Blood Inquiry was established in 2017 to examine how thousands of patients in the UK developed HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products given in the 1970s and 1980s.

About 2,900 people died in what has been labelled the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff has said an interim compensation scheme should be widened so more people  including orphaned children and parents who lost children  could be compensated.

Sir Brian said in April he was taking the unusual step of making the recommendation ahead of the publication of the full report into the scandal so that victims would not face any more delays.

Under the initial scheme, only victims themselves or bereaved partners can receive an interim payment of around 100,000.

The inquiry has recommended the Government establish an arms-length compensation body now, and definitely before the final report is made in autumn.

These payments are not just about compensation, they symbolise acknowledgement and they represent initial recognition of each life lost Letter from relatives of infected blood scandal

The letter from relatives called for Sir Brians request to be acted on, saying: This delay denies victims and their families any sense of tangible progress.

Many continue to die without full redress, this cannot be right. The interim payment for deaths not yet recognised is critical.

These payments are not just about compensation, they symbolise acknowledgement and they represent initial recognition of each life lost.

Janine Jones, whose haemophiliac brother Marc Payton died in 2003 at the age of 41 after being infected with HIV and hepatitis C, was among the group handing in the letter.

Ms Jones, 58, of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said her brother was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 when he was 23 and told he had hepatitis C in 1990.

Their elderly parents, Ron and Val, had both died while waiting for justice.

She told the PA news agency: In the last two years while the inquiry has been going on both our parents have died.

They were both in their 80s and they died with no recognition at all for their sons death.

Because he wasnt married or he didnt have a partner when he died, there has been no compensation paid to him at all.

She said of her parents: They were devastated from his diagnosis anyway. Mum always blamed herself for giving him haemophilia because she was the carrier.

It absolutely crucified them, they never got over it.

My mum, the last three years of her life she had dementia and every time she saw me it was the first words out of her mouth: Wheres Mark? I havent seen Mark.

Ms Jones added: Ive been orphaned. Ive lost my brother. Ive lost my parents. On my brothers deathbed I promised him Id carry on fighting for him.

When my dad died we just got no support. We left the hospital, we got nothing from anybody, nobody contacted us. Just left his five children without any support. Nobody came to us to give us any advice, no counselling Eileen Burkert on her father's death

She said an arms-length compensation body would be more independent from Government.

They havent done anything good for us over the last 40 years of campaigning to get something done, so we really dont trust anything theyre saying, Ms Jones added.

Obviously an arms-length body will have to still answer to Government but wed like it to be more independent.

Eileen Burkert, 54, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, said her haemophiliac father Edward died in April 1992 after developing HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood products.

Ms Burkert said two uncles and three cousins, who also had the inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly, were infected from transfusions and died.

We didnt know that my dad had had HIV until the day he died, she said.

He was a single father of five  he was 54, the age I am now.

When my dad died we just got no support. We left the hospital, we got nothing from anybody, nobody contacted us.

Just left his five children without any support. Nobody came to us to give us any advice, no counselling.

Ms Burkert added: One of my younger brothers (Keith) took his own life eight years after my dad died and through talking to one of his key workers back in the day, I found out that he always feared that he may have got HIV.

And we think that he took his life because he missed dad. I didnt know how to console my brother because I was going through the same thing, she said.

Its not just the impact on myself and my brothers and sisters, it literally contributed to my brothers death because if you dont have the support and the network around you, how can you deal with it when your only parent has been taken by a disease like Aids, which was really, really stigmatised back in the day?

Right now Im pretty angry because the first interim payment paid the infected, rightly so, and the windows and partners, rightly so, but why havent they recognised, so far, the deaths of people that have so far gone unrecognised?

Like my dad was a single parent of five children  so why is my dads life worth less than anybody elses?

It is not the money; my dads life needs to be recognised, Ms Burkert added.
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Theatregoers were evacuated from a performance of The Lion King in Londons West End due to a bomb threat on Sunday.

Emergency services rushed to the Lyceum Theatre on Wellington Street yesterday afternoon and the area was taped off as police investigated.

Officers searched the building but later confirmed that no bomb was found.

No further details about the scare have been released by the Met Police and the force told The Independent on Monday that they were not aware of any developments.

The spokesperson added that they dont discuss bomb hoaxes after an incident has ended.

A Met Police spokesperson said on Sunday: Cordons were put in place as a precaution following receipt of a bomb threat at a theatre in Wellington Street WC2 at around 1600hrs on Sunday, 23 July.

The venue was searched and nothing found.

Staff have returned and the incident has been stood down.

Crowds of people who had been forced to leave their seats during the performance gathered outside the theatre as officers and sniffer dogs got to work at the scene.

The crowds and emergency services also attracted attention from passersby who stopped to find out what was happening.

One person wrote on Twitter: Lyceum Theatre #London evacuated now. The alarm went off half through the The Lion King show. No reason so far.

Another tweeted: Wasnt expecting this level of drama . evacuated in the middle of a show at the Lyceum Theatre, Police & sniffer dogs on the scene now.

The Lyceum Theatre got evacuated mid-performance yesterday but we managed to meet the Lion King cast in full costume, said a third person.

The Independent has contacted the Lyceum Theatre for a comment.
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Hundreds of patients are taking up hospital beds across England every day despite being ready to leave, due to hold-ups in sorting transport, medicines and paperwork, or because they have nowhere to be discharged to, new analysis shows.

Disagreements between a patient or their family and medical staff, plus the need to install specialist equipment in a persons home, are among other reasons for delays.

But the biggest obstacle to the speedy discharge of patients is lack of beds in other settings, such as care homes or community hospitals, which health chiefs have dubbed a capacity crunch that needs appropriate funding.

It is the first time figures have been published that break down the reasons for discharge delays.

They show that, among patients in England in June who had been in hospital at least 14 days since their arrival, an average of 1,791 a day were unable to be discharged due the lack of a bed in a residential or nursing home that was likely to be a permanent placement, while 1,727 a day were waiting for a rehabilitation bed in a community hospital or a similar setting.

An average of 2,033 patients a day were waiting for resources to assess and begin care at home, the highest number in any category, according to analysis by the PA news agency of NHS England data.

Some discharge delays involve issues within hospitals themselves, including hold-ups for a particular medical decision such as writing the discharge summary, which applied to an average of 390 patients per day last month.

Other examples are waits for community equipment and adaptations to housing (an average of 234 patients per day), for a therapy decision to discharge (421 patients), for transport (98 patients) and for medicines to take home (44 patients).

An NHS spokesperson told the PA news agency: Delayed discharges put considerable pressure on the NHS, which is why the health service has been working closely with colleagues in local authorities on a range of initiatives to send more patients home when they are medically fit to leave.

The reasons for patients not being able to leave the hospital when they are fit for discharge are often complex, and making more data available  as committed to in our Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan  is one way to help local health services plan with social care partners the alternative care that patients need, such as reablement support so they can safely return home, or a care home placement.

Delays in discharging patients can lead to knock-on effects in other parts of the healthcare system, such as fewer beds for people needing treatment and handover delays outside hospitals causing patients to wait inside ambulances, which was one of the biggest pressures on the NHS last winter.

Two of the most complex reasons for delays listed in the new data are where there is a disagreement between a patient, their family and the NHS about a plan to discharge; and when a patient is homeless or has no place to be discharged to.

Among people who had been in hospital at least two weeks and who were ready to leave but were not discharged, these reasons accounted for an average of 128 and 142 patients a day respectively.

Delayed discharge is caused by several factors including a capacity crunch of staff and beds in social care and community health services Miriam Deakin, NHS Providers

Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, the membership organisation for NHS trusts in England, said: Delayed discharge is caused by several factors including a capacity crunch of staff and beds in social care and community health services  both of which need appropriate funding.

Investment in rehabilitation and intermediate care could also help more people stay independent in the community, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and ensure that after a hospital stay, patients can return home or to a community setting in a timely way with appropriate support.

The short-term national funding pots weve seen recently cannot offer sustainable solutions. A fully funded long-term workforce plan for social care, accompanied by debate about long-term funding and reform, would put the sector on a sustainable footing.

We hope this data published by NHS England shines a light on these issues and encourages efforts  nationally and locally  to address them.

Hospitals in south-east England account for around one in five patients in each of the main categories, a higher proportion than any other region, PA analysis shows.

This includes 437 (22 per cent) of the 2,033 daily average of people waiting for resources to start care at home, 355 (20 per cent) of the 1,791 waiting for a bed in a residential or nursing home, and 330 (19 per cent) of the 1,727 waiting for a rehabilitation bed in a community hospital.

University Hospitals Sussex was the NHS trust with the highest average of delayed discharges due to a wait for resources to begin care at home, at 99 patients per day, ahead of Manchester University (70) and Leeds Teaching Hospitals (66).

It also had the highest average for delays due to waits for a bed in a community hospital (85 patients per day), ahead of Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals (56) and University Hospitals of Leicester (55).

Manchester University NHS trust recorded the highest average due to waits for a bed in a residential or nursing home (81 patients per day), followed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Liverpool University Hospitals (both 80 per day).

We are investing a record 1.6 billion to support timely and safe discharge from hospital Department of Health and Social Care

Overall, an average of 12,334 hospital beds in England per day last month were occupied by people ready to be discharged  down from 12,597 in May and 12,760 in April.

The equivalent figure for June 2022 was 11,590.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We are working to ensure patients leave the hospital as soon as they are medically fit, and the number of patients each day who are ready to be discharged but still in hospital has reduced by 2,200 in England since January.

We are investing a record 1.6bn to support timely and safe discharge from hospital. This is on top of 700 million to ease hospital pressures over last winter and buy thousands of extra care packages and beds.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of end-of-life charity Marie Curie, said: The simple but terrible truth for people with a terminal illness is delays to discharge means they can die in hospital when they neither want or need to be there. That is the worst possible outcome for them, the people they love and for NHS resources.

The fact that the obstacles to timely discharge include a lack of beds and equipment in the community should be a wake-up call to the government to ensure dying people get the care they need, and to ready the NHS for the extra stress the countrys ageing population will place on it.
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A teenager whose body was found in a pond at Londons Epping Forest weeks after he went missing had drowned, an inquest heard.

Richard Okorogheye, 19, was last seen at his West London home on 22 March 2021 and his body was pulled from the water nearly a fortnight later, on 5 April.

The Metropolitan Police apologised to the family of the teenager after an investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), found that Mr Okorogheye should have been classed as a missing person earlier and he was classed as low risk for too long.

The investigation found that the Metropolitan Police provided an unacceptable level of service to Mr Okorogheyes mother, Ms Evidence Joel, after she reported her son missing.

The IOPC inquiry found six Met Police employees, three officers and three police staff, should receive enhanced training. However, none were found to have a case to answer for misconduct.

Who was Richard Okorogheye?

Richard Okorogheye was a student at Oxford Brookes University, studying computer science and cyber security.

He had sickle cell disease which forced him to shield throughout the coronavirus pandemic, only leaving the house for hospital appointments for regular blood transfusions to treat his condition.

Mr Okorogheye told his mother that he was struggling to cope throughout lockdown.

When did Richard Okorogheye go missing?

The teenager left his home in West London on Monday, March 22, 2021, without his medication after telling his mother he was going out.

His mother returned home from a nursing shift at around 9pm to discover he was missing but his wallet, bus pass and bank card had been left behind.

The teenagers mother contacted police the following day, but her son was not officially recorded as missing until 8am on March 24.

The Met Police said the student left his home headed in the direction of Ladbroke Grove at approximately 8.30pm on March 22.

The last confirmed sighting of Mr Okorogheye was when he was seen boarding the 23 southbound bus in Ladbroke Grove at 8.44pm.

Police said further enquires established that he then took a taxi journey from the W2 area of London to a street in Loughton, Essex.

He was captured on CCTV walking alone on Smarts Lane, Loughton, towards Epping Forest at 12.39am on Tuesday 23 March.

CCTV from the early hours of March showed the student wearing an all-black outfit and carrying a black satchel bag with a white Adidas logo.

Richard Okorogheye (Evidence Joel )

When was Richard Okorogheyes body found?

Mr Okorogheyes body was found by police in a pond in Epping Forest on Easter Monday.

Two days later, police confirmed the body was Richards following a post-mortem examination, which found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.

Detective Superintendent Danny Gosling, head of the Mets Central West Public Protection Unit, said: My deepest sympathies go out to Richards family at this incredibly difficult time.

This was not the outcome that any of us had hoped for and we will ensure that his grieving family are well-supported by specially trained officers.

I would like to extend my thanks to the many officers, staff and members of the public who have each played a part in the extensive effort to locate Richard.

CCTV from the early hours of March showed the student wearing an all-black outfit (Supplied)

Ms Joel described the discovery of her sons body as devastating.

She told The Evening Standard: My baby will never come home to his mummy again. He was taken away from me too early.

The only child I have. Its devastating and the last thing I thought Id hear.

How did Richard Okorogheye die?

Mr Okorogheyes cause of death was given as consistent with drowning by consultant forensic pathologist Dr Benjamin Swift during the first day of an inquest held at Essex Coroners Court in Chelmsford, on 24 July 2023.

Dr Swift was told by Mr Okorogheyes family that he had been unable to swim and disliked water.

Mr Swift said there were no acute injuries externally or internally on Mr Okorogheyes body and no marks of an offensive or defensive nature.

Area coroner Sean Horstead decided the inquest would not look into the wider circumstances surrounding Mr Okorogheyes death, as his provisional view was that Mr Okorogheye had died by the time his mother first reported him missing to the police.

What has Richard Okorogheyes family said?

Mr Okorogheyes mother has previously rejected an apology from the Metropolitan Police following the substandard level of service she received.

Ms Joel filed a complaint against the Met after her son was found on April 5. In a statement issued through her lawyers, she said: The IOPC investigation has confirmed what I always knew  in the darkest period of my life, I was dismissed by multiple Metropolitan Police staff at all levels of seniority and my sons disappearance was not taken seriously.

It is a matter of deep regret to me that despite both the IOPC and Metropolitan Police concluding that the performance of three police officers (including an inspector) and three call handers fell short of the standard expected, nobody will face misconduct proceedings.

Therefore the apology is not accepted.

Metropolitan Police officers at the scene at the Wake Valley pond in Epping Forest following the discovery of Richard Okorogheyes body. (PA Archive)

The IOPC probe found that Mr Okorogheye should have been classed as a missing person earlier and he was defined as low risk for too long, while a call handler inaccurately recorded his medical condition as anaemia rather than sickle cell anaemia on the initial police report.

Complaints from Ms Joel were also factored into the investigation including details of how she was treated during phone calls, such as one occasion where an officer told her words to the effect of: If you cant find your son, how do you expect us to?

The distraught mother believed racism underpinned some of the treatment she received and that police were too slow to classify Mr Okorogheye as missing. However, though the IOPC acknowledged that the comment was inappropriate, it could not be determined that the remark was influenced by racial bias.

Deputy assistant commissioner Javid said: It is clear the service we provided in the days following Richards disappearance was not at a level the public would expect of us  we will address these issues directly with the officers and staff involved through additional enhanced training.

We recognise how worrying it must be to not know where a loved one is, and we are challenging ourselves to do better at responding when someone does report a missing person.

To help us improve we are working with partners, such as the charity Missing People, to understand and learn from the experiences of different communities across London.

We are also introducing a new way to assess all the missing person reports we receive every day.

In the wake of the teenagers disappearance, Ms Joel and campaigners told The Independent that public services are dismissing sickle cell patients because the illness disproportionately affects Black people.
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Train passengers got a fright when a stowaway snake was spotted onboard a Shipley to Leeds service.

The runaway reptile, which has now been identified as a corn snake, was seen slithering near the door of one of the train carriages on Saturday as if looking for a way out.

One train passenger called scenes on board the service chaotic as passengers started to notice the reptile.

Twitter user Sophie Johnstone shared a photo of the snake and said: OH LORD there is an actual SNAKE on this train.

She added: Chaotic scenes on the Shipley to Leeds train. Snake moves. Carriage moves.

Another Twitter user, James T, later wrote that the snake was now being looked after by the RSPCA but added were still at a loss as to where it has come from though. All very bizarre. Never a dull day on the railway!

Just a month ago the RSPCA warned that more snakes were escaping in the UK because of the hot weather.

Everyone was up and out of their seats on the train from Shipley to Leeds when a snake was spotted slithering around (Sophie Johnstone/Twitter)

The animal welfare charity warned anyone who keeps snakes as a pet to keep an eye on them as calls to its hotline reached record levels.

Senior scientific officer at the RSPCA, Evie Button, said the snakes bid to break free into the wild was largely influenced by the weather.

The warmer they are, the more active they are so thats why they escape a lot more in summer, she told The Sunday Times.

Last year, the RSPCA still received more than 100 calls each month about escaped snakes.

The organisation issued a similar warning earlier this month, saying: Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.

The snake was pictured by the train carriage door as if it was trying to escape (Sophie Johnstone/Twitter)

Another reason why more snakes escape in the summer is that some owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight, the statement read.

While sunlight is good for reptiles, the RSPCA urges owners to ensure that their pet is kept secure when doing so, as they can warm up and move very quickly on a sunny day.

Many of the snakes the RSPCAs officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets.

Corn snakes are native to America and are most often found in Florida and other southeastern parts of the US.
by Ashutosh Jogalekar (Warning: Spoilers ahead)

Reviewing biopics is tricky. On one hand, if you are someone informed about the facts, its easy to bring a scalpel and dissect every fact and character in minute detail, an exercise that will almost always lead to a critical and often negative view of a film. On the other hand, knowing that a movie is a medium of expression defined a certain way, one has to allow for creative license and some convenient omissions and embellishments that would be unforgivable in a documentary or historically accurate drama. Thus, the best way to review biopics in my opinion is a middle path, making allowance for artistic interpretations and changes of fact while still holding the movie maker up to high standards in terms of making sure that these changes dont fundamentally distort the soul of the narrative.

I went into Christopher Nolans 3-hour extravaganza keeping this middle ground in mind. Having just written an eight-part series about Oppenheimer and been familiar with his life and work for a fairly long time, I approached the film with fairly high expectations. And I have to say that I was impressed. If one simple metric of a high-quality film is its ability to keep you glued to your seat for 3 hours, Oppenheimer delivers in spades. Much of this effect comes from Nolans judiciously assembled direction and from outstanding performances by key characters that keep the audience riveted. Oppenheimer is an Oliver Stone-like jigsaw puzzle, breathlessly switching between timelines, black and white scenes and pithy character lines interspersed with artistic imagery of crackling jolts of electricity, the shimmer of particles and waves and imagined operatic scenes of stars that signify the deep scientific reality behind our everyday world. Key aspects of the Trinity test like the assembly of the bomb and the details of the fireball are accurately rendered. But first and foremost, it is a drama about J. Robert Oppenheimer.

That fact is important because it provides a good opportunity for me to comment on some of the criticism that I have seen on the internet about the movie and get it out of the way. Part of the challenge of the film is that it tries to straddle the boundary between being a narrative about Oppenheimers life and work and being a narrative about the making of the atomic bomb. It succeeds exceedingly well in its first goal but only haltingly in the second. That opens it up for criticism thats valid in its own right  for instance, many important scientific and political characters make fleeting appearances, the science behind the bomb is hardly ever touched on and most importantly, the complex moral and political decisions that went into dropping the bomb, not to mention the enormous suffering of the Japanese people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are effectively sidelined. This criticism is valid only if you expect the film to be about the making of the bomb. But as it stands, the film really uses that signal event as an exploration of the life of Oppenheimer from which it is inextricable; in that sense the criticism, while valid, becomes somewhat misguided since it is aimed at the wrong target.

In fact the film works exceedingly well when viewed purely as an Oppenheimer biopic. It works because in Robert Oppenheimer, Nolan finds the kind of character who he has proven to be a master of portraying in the past  a complicated, morally ambiguous, brilliant man who was lifted high by his accomplishments and brought down low by his hubris and flaws. And it especially works because Nolan picked Cillian Murphy to play the role.

With his frail frame and striking blue eyes, Murphy bears an uncanny resemblance to the physicist. While Oppenheimer was American, it actually helps that Murphy isnt because it enables him to nail Oppenheimers faintly European accent well. He also captures other signature Oppenheimer qualities  the erudition, quicksilver mind and occasional neuroticism that seems simmering just below the surface, his complicated relationships and friendships, often with other complicated people, and the doubts and anxieties that plagued him. Nolan shows the young Oppenheimer literally shivering with nightmarish imaginings in bed, delivering a lecture in Dutch to a surprised Leiden audience and slowly gaining confidence and prominence as a young Berkeley professor. He shows him succeed as an inspiring teacher and supporter of left-wing causes. While watching the trailer I was worried that Nolan might turn Oppenheimer into a dead serious, paranoid, hand-wringing character, but Murphys Oppenheimer has enough of the smiles and ironic, deadpan humor to humanize the physicist. On the flip side, I think that Murphy still did not manage to capture two of the most important facets of Oppenheimers character  his casual cruelty that could cut down people to size and his charm which could be on full display while wooing scientists, politicians and generals. That charm was what made him mesmerizing, and while there are hints of it its not quite drawn out.

If Murphy does a marvelous Oppenheimer, he stands in danger of being upended by Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, Oppenheimers archenemy. Nolan centers the entire movie around two events  Oppenheimers security hearing and Strausss confirmation hearing as Secretary of Commerce. The first choice is obvious but the second is brilliantly inspired, especially because of the analogies Nolan draws between the two and because both together serve contrapuntally as an organizing principle for the rest of the movie.

It is ironic that Downey will probably go down in movie history for playing the character of Iron Man, because I think that this might be his finest performance ever. Downeys face, especially in close up, is an amazing, swirling sea of emotions, subtle cues exuding from his eyes and mannerisms as he speaks condescendingly about Oppenheimer and tries to vindicate himself. As Oppenheimers nemesis you can see the man literally change over the three hour period of the film, going from being someone who simply treats his relationship with Oppenheimer as an unhappy meeting of opposites to someone who clearly turns out to be a vindictive, Svengali-like protagonist who  surrounded by a team of dedicated acolytes working in the shadows  does everything he can to forever end Oppenheimers influence in the U.S. government. Both Murphy and Downey deserve accolades for the film, but if you had to pick just one prize-winning performance I would vote for Downey.

The rest of the cast generally does an admirable job supporting these two characters. I would particularly single out Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, Jason Clarke as Roger Robb and David Krumholtz as Isidor Rabi. Blunt who is initially reduced to playing the dutiful wife has few things to say. But as Oppenheimers hearing heats up, you can see scorn and pity dripping from her face as she berates her husband and his lawyers for not acting tougher and not realizing that they are being set up. Jason Clarke is excellent as the relentless trial lawyer Roger Robb who repeatedly catches Oppenheimer in contradictions and  taking advantage of the show trial-like format of the hearing in which key documents were denied to Oppenheimers lawyers under the pretext of national security  reduces the otherwise eloquent physicist to stutters and halting apologies. Krumholtz gives an admirable performance as the tough-minded Rabi who was a true friend all through Oppenheimers triumphs and ordeals; the two men in fact knew each other since Oppenheimers graduate school days in Germany in the late 1920s. Josh Hartnett is perfectly adequate as Ernest Lawrence, and the contrast between Lawrences all-American, upbeat personality and Oppenheimers intellectual aesthetic trappings is drawn out well. Another noteworthy performance is by Strausss aide played by Arden Ehrenreich; he gives a nuanced performance as a man who wants to do everything he can to help his boss but also knows what way the winds are blowing and is less than entirely convinced that his boss has acted in good faith.

Matt Damon is also good although he plays a straight, gruff, blustery General Groves, appropriately without subtlety. Benny Safdie is decent as Teller but his main accomplishment is to speak in a heavy, enunciated Hungarian accent. Kenneth Branagh is wasted as Niels Bohr which is especially unfortunate since it was Bohrs thoughts at Los Alamos that triggered Oppenheimers about arms control; Branagh could have brought Bohrs deep philosophy to life through his theater-honed eloquence. I especially thought that the talented Florence Pugh was wasted in her role as Oppenheimers mistress Jean Tatlock  Nolan turns her into a strange, one-dimensional, damaged-looking seductress. In reality Tatlock was an intelligent, well-read, empathetic and sensitive woman who introduced Oppenheimer to a variety of left-wing social causes. There are two sex scenes with her and Oppenheimer whose avant garde nature doesnt quite fit into the rest of the narrative; I also thought that these scenes were unnecessary and unproductive since they led to a R rating for the movie which would bar young people  the audience who would really benefit from watching it the most  from it. In one scene, Tatlock uses the Bhagavad Gita to seduce the Sanskrit-loving physicist. I dont think this act works, not because its offensive but because I thought she should have really used Baudelaires Les Fleurs du mal which was one of Oppenheimers favorite literary works.

One of the great things about Nolans film is that while the Trinity test is portrayed well in all its terrifying effect (the shockwave appropriately follows the flash, although perhaps by too long an interval), the focus is always on the men and women and their personalities. But thats part of where the problem lies and where the criticism of the movie comes from. There are talented actors like Matthew Modine (Vannevar Bush), Casey Affleck (who plays a sinister enough  in fact unnecessarily scary  Boris Pash, the security officer whose questioning of Oppenheimer came back to haunt him), Rami Malek (David Hill) and Gary Oldman (Truman) who are either given vanishingly little screen time or reduced to caricatures. Im glad that the little-known Lilli Hornig gets good billing, but Leo Szilard (Mate Haumann) and Enrico Fermi (Danny Deferrari) who in real life played critical roles during the project are hardly featured, although Szilard at least has one important scene to star in. Perhaps the biggest omission in terms of actual contributors not just to the project but to Oppenheimers life is that of Robert Serber, Oppenheimers right-hand man and one of his closest confidants; Serber gets such fleeting moments in the film that I had to ask friends later where exactly he appears. Serber was with Oppie all the way, from his Berkeley years to his death. If nothing else, his orienting Los Alamos Primer lectures which initiated all the physicists into the project should have prominently featured.

But all this brings me to a more general discussion of some of the distortions, omissions and flaws in the movie which as a historian of science who has studied the period I should honestly write about. Most of these flaws are merely annoying  and some very slight since they involve changing one or two words that someone spoke  and dont change the fundamental tone of the film, but a few in particular do raise questions.

First and foremost, I dont know why Nolan has to actively repeat the story of the poisoned apple as fact. In a nutshell: while struggling as a student in experimental physics at Cambridge, Oppenheimer once told his friends that he had placed a poisoned apple on the desk of his tutor, a handsome, accomplished experimental physicist and future Nobel Laureate named Patrick Blackett. His parents came rushing from New York and he was asked to see a psychiatrist to avoid probation. The fact is that during this time Oppenheimer was in the throes of deep psychological problems and jealousy. There is no direct evidence of the apple, and of the three men who reported it, one was informed by Oppenheimer himself and the other two thought he was hallucinating. Unfortunately the story became wildly well known because of Malcolm Gladwell  a writer who prefers clean, convenient, overarching narratives to messy, uncertain, inconvenient facts  who popularized it in his book Outliers. But Nolan not only has the apple become real but also has Niels Bohr almost eat it!

The other big egregious invention is a conversation Oppenheimer has with Einstein in which he asks the old physicist to check some calculations which indicate that an atomic bomb might ignite the earths atmosphere. That concern is repeated at least once in an exchange with General Groves. This conversation interestingly comes together in the end in a very clever way, but I think its misleading. Lets ignore for the time being that Oppenheimer had this conversation not with Einstein but with Arthur Compton during the early days of the project (in an interview, Nolan said that he used Einstein because Einstein is more publicly recognizable. Fine.). Lets also ignore that Einstein had no access to the project because he had been denied a security clearance due to his pacifist tendencies. The bigger problem is that it was never a serious concern. After Hans Bethe made some calculations indicating that the chances of a bomb triggering a chain reaction in the atmosphere were very remote, the physicists never really worried about it. They especially did not worry about it right before the Trinity test (even though Enrico Fermi was jokingly taking bets on it) as Nolan indicates. In fact their single-biggest worry was simply whether the bomb would work! But the way Nolan features it, including the way he does it cleverly in the end, it makes it seem that it was the most important concern about nuclear weapons at large.

Speaking of the Trinity test, the scene includes a real howler. As is well known, after the test the test director Ken Bainbridge came up to Oppenheimer and said, Now we are all sons of bitches. Oppenheimer said this was the best thing anyone said about the event. Its also a line that is literally begging to be included in a movie and yet there is no mention of it at all. When Bainbridge doesnt say it right after the test I kept on waiting for it  it might even have been a marvelous line to end the movie with  but it never appeared. Since Nolan included so many other movie-worthy lines, I find the omission of this made-for-media quip downright bizarre.

Finally, lets consider some of the detractors criticisms that the film gives insufficient screen time to some of the most important questions concerning the Manhattan Project. One criticism that I havent heard much of and which I think is valid because it squarely involves Oppenheimer is regarding the physicists role in the Interim Committees May 31, 1945 meeting which includes the use of the bomb. In the movie scene, Oppenheimer doesnt say much regarding the problems with just a demonstration of the bomb, a possibility Lawrence proposes and which was discussed at some length. In reality, his was one of the most convincing voices against a demonstration, and his powers of persuasion made people like Groves and Trumans representative Jimmy Byrnes make their case for direct use easier. Consistent with these actions, the movie later shows Oppenheimer rejecting Leo Szilards petition to the president arguing for a demonstration. But I think that the film does not bring out what can only be called Oppenheimers hypocrisy well enough. Even allowing for the fact that he was in a complicated position as director and could not easily take a position that relative outsiders like Szilard could, he was effectively telling others (not just Szilard but Robert Wilson and other scientists) that they did not have the expertise in advising politicians while giving such advice himself. In fact there is no doubt that Szilard was a more moral person than Oppenheimer and many others on the project  he is the central character in Richard Rhodess The Making of the Atomic Bomb  so if anyone should have been given a more prominent role in the film, it should have been Szilard.

This brings us to a towering question regarding the movies message. One common complaint is that the film hardly dwells on the tremendous destruction and suffering experienced by the Japanese victims of the atomic bombings. There is in fact an effective scene in which Oppenheimer is celebrated in a packed auditorium by his colleagues after V-J Day. As he speaks, he sees the jubilant chest-thumping of the audience juxtaposed with harrowing images of the Japanese victims with their flesh peeling off and black ash raining down. But thats pretty much all that is portrayed regarding the human toll of the bombing. If the movie had been just about Oppenheimer then this complaint would be less valid. But based on his interviews, it seems that Nolan wants to send out a message through it about the unintended effects of destructive technologies. He has drawn parallels between Oppenheimer and nuclear weapons on one hand and A.I. on the other and has said that A.I. will have an Oppenheimer moment. If that is the message he indeed wanted to send, one wont find it in the movie. In that case there should have been much more attention given to Szilard and Bohrs ideas of international cooperation and the actual effects of the bombing. As Oppenheimer himself is shown saying, people wouldnt have feared the bomb if they hadnt seen what it could do. So why not show it in the most horrific, realistic, sobering manner possible?

Ultimately, Oppenheimer is a visual spectacle and eminently worth watching, if for no other reason than to witness Murphy and Downey Jr. at the top of their forms. As strictly an Oppenheimer story it works remarkably well. But the attempt on the part of the film to straddle two different topics leads to important omissions. Important because ultimately, when it comes to nuclear weapons or A.I. or any other technology that escapes the designs of its human makers like Frankensteins monster, the technology will remain long after its human creators are gone. And this seems like a message that needs to be emphasized today more than anything else.
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The UKs defence industry cannot be compared to a Marks & Spencer knocking out womens underwear as it is much harder to provide missiles and weapons systems, a former top brass has said.

The former head of the Royal Navy Lord West of Spithead raised concerns about the pace and efficiency of the UKs defence industry in meeting demands, as he called for a much more comprehensive strategy.

The independent crossbench peer urged the Government to move away from a just-enough, just-in-time approach when it comes to replacing ammunition and missile stocks given to Ukraine.

His comments came after defence minister Baroness Goldie told the House of Lords substantial contracts had been placed to directly replace munitions granted to Ukraine.

These orders included next-generation light anti-tank weapons, Starstreak high-velocity missiles, lightweight multirole missiles, Javelin missiles, Brimstone missiles, 155 mm artillery rounds, and 5.56 millimetre rifle rounds.

Despite the progress, Lord West expressed his dissatisfaction with the time it took to initiate the orders, saying: Theres no doubt its been a long time before we got various orders in.

The Ukrainian war started 17 months ago, and a number of members in this House referred to the need to put in various orders.

And its not surprising because actually for too long we have run a just-enough, just-in-time type philosophy, as regards war stocks and replacing ammunition and missiles.

He went on: We are not a Marks & Spencer knocking out womens underwear.

That is not the basis on which we are providing stuff. It is much harder to actually provide missiles and weapons systems.

Could I ask the minister, looking into the future, would it be possible for a cross-party initiative to produce a defence industrial strategy that looks at making sure our defence industries are sufficiently paid for so that they can actually boost supply of weapons in crisis and war?

We are not a Marks & Spencer knocking out women's underwear. That is not the basis on which we are providing stuff. It is much harder to actually provide missiles and weapons systems. Lord West of Spithead

Lady Goldie replied: He will be aware of two things: there has been a very extensive supply of weapons to Ukraine and that is evidenced by the recent written statement which I laid before this House of July 20.

He will also be aware that there has been an overall challenge with the industry experienced by other Nato members because some of them were not production ready. We know that. The MoD (Ministry of Defence) has engaged closely. The industry is now in a much healthier state.

And I hope the recent list of orders which I indicated reflects that much healthier state, and that the MoD is satisfied along with our Nato partners.

Industry is now geared up to supply what is needed.
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Police have released innovative images of a suspect in a 16-year-old murder as the hunt continues.

Officers working with Police Scotlands Fugitive Active Search Unit (Fast) are continuing to seek 59-year-old Derek Ferguson for the murder of Thomas Cameron in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, in 2007.

Intelligence gathered suggests Ferguson has travelled between the southern part of the Netherlands and Spain: including Barcelona, the south coast and the Balearic Islands.

Now, officers have released animated images  named an EvoFIT  of how Ferguson could look, allowing for aging.

Developed by forensic psychologist Professor Charlie Frowd of the University of Central Lancashire, the EvoFIT was released on Monday in the hopes of tracing the suspect.

Detective Chief Superintendent Vicky Watson said: Our officers have carried out painstaking inquiries and research over the years to trace Ferguson and the new images released are as a result of our investigations and the current intelligence picture surrounding his appearance.

I would like members of the public to look at these images and get in touch with the investigation team if you recognise him and, most importantly, have information about his current whereabouts.

She added: Officers have pieced together the recent movements of Derek Ferguson.

I would now like to appeal directly to the local communities in the southern areas of the Netherlands, Barcelona, the south coast of Spain and the Balearic Islands to look at these images and get in touch if you have seen him or know where he is.

Ferguson is described as being between 5ft 2in and 5ft 6in, with a small scar on his right jaw line and a small piece of his left ear missing, along with having multiple forearm tattoos including a heart and a dagger.

A reward of up to 10,000 is on offer from Crimestoppers for information relating to the arrest of Ferguson.

Ms Watson stressed that, over the passage of time, loyalties and relationships change, urging anyone with information to come forward to police or Crimestoppers with information.

She added: Despite 16 years having past, our investigation to trace Ferguson continues and underlines our unwavering commitment to achieve justice for the family of Thomas Cameron.
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Watch live as Michael Gove sets out the Tory government's measures it says it will undertake to meet its 2019 manifesto pledge of building one million homes.

The housing minister is also expected to announce planning reforms and how the government will prioritise house building in inner city areas.

Rishi Sunak said ahead of the announcement: Today I can confirm that we will meet our manifesto commitment to build one million homes over this Parliament.

Thats a beautiful new home for a million individual families in every corner of our country.

We wont do that by concreting over the countryside  our plan is to build the right homes where there is the most need and where there is local support, in the heart of Britains great cities.

However, two weeks ago a cross-party panel of MPs warned that Tory ministers are unlikely to deliver 300,000 new homes per year after the prime minister made the target advisory rather than mandatory.
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Suella Braverman breached her duty as home secretary by failing to provide asylum-seekers  including pregnant women and young children  with sufficient support while waiting for their claims to be determined, the High Court has ruled.

The Royal Courts of Justice heard on Friday that Ms Braveman acted unlawfully in withholding 3-a-week payments for healthy food for pregnant women and children between the ages of one and three while in the care of the British state.

The legal challenge was brought by five asylum-seekers, three of whom complained delays in providing financial support risked breaching their human right to be free from degrading and inhuman treatment.

The other two individuals challenged Home Office failures to make the payments while they were living in hotel accommodation.

The ruling by Lord Justice Swift means the Home Office must now start making these payments to the thousands of pregnant women and people with children under three years old in hotels without delay, legal firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, which represented some of the claimants, said.

Asylum-seekers are barred from paid work during their first year in the UK, and cannot receive benefits, instead receiving accommodation and a general rate of 47.39 a week in support.

The Home Office, therefore, has a legal duty to provide them and any dependants with appropriate support, including 3 each week for pregnant women.

On Friday, Lord Justice Swift ruled that delays in the system meant that the home secretarys decision to provide this support only in the form of full-board hotel accommodation, rather than in cash, was unlawful.

Suella Braverman was found to have breached her duty of care to asylum-seekers (AP)

The court also found that the Home Offices failure to provide emergency interim financial support to those waiting for a decision on their application for such support was unlawful.

John Crowley, an associate solicitor at legal firm Leigh Day, said: It cannot be right that people legitimately seeking asylum are made to suffer such degrading treatment. It is time for the Home Office to abide by its legal duties and rectify this wide-reaching problem.

The first asylum-seeker represented by the firm, known as K, is a single mother from India with a five-year-old child, who left her husband as a result of domestic violence. She and her daughter lived with her friend but had no money to meet their basic needs, so applied for subsistence only support in January 2022.

While the Court has now given guidance that decisions should ordinarily be made within 10 days, the Home Office did not grant her application until August 2022, and only after the issue of a judicial review claim challenging the delays.

She tried to get emergency financial support so that she could buy food but was told she would have to move into a hotel, which she feared would unsettle her daughter, and was an unnecessary expense.

A view of the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge, which will house up to 500 asylum seekers in Dorset (Andrew Matthews/Pool Photo via AP)

The second asylum seeker, known as NY, is a single father of two children, aged 14 and nine, who suffers from serious medical conditions. After a delay of 11 weeks, the Home Office accepted he was destitute and granted him accommodation and financial support in May 2021.

However, it then failed to provide accommodation for seven months and financial support for a year. The third claim was by an 82-year-old disabled female asylum-seeker from Pakistan known as AM, who applied for accommodation and financial support in November 2021. Despite calling numerous times, and pointing out that she was about to be made homeless, she was told that her documents had not been received.

She was forced to re-apply multiple times and eventually launched legal action last October. After denying that it had ever received her documents, it transpired on the day before the final hearing in February 2023, that the Home Office had received AMs documents in June 2022, Leigh Day said.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We are considering the courts findings and will respond in due course.
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Chaos at the top of the Tory government delayed plans to tackle Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination in its ranks, an independent reviewer has said.

Professor Swaran Singh said the repeated Conservative leadership changes affected the partys ability to undertake the reforms he called for in his original inquiry into the issue.

The former equality and human rights commissioners review, published on Monday, found the implementation of some of his recommendations has been slow.

His original inquiry was established by the party following a series of allegations about Islamophobic behaviour among Conservatives.

It found Mr Johnson describing women wearing burkas as looking like letterboxes and bank robbers gave the impression the Tories were insensitive to Muslim communities.

The latest review found training at a local level is mixed, and the large amount of documentation in response to the investigation has not necessarily improved awareness or action on the ground.

No formal process has been put in place to handle complaints of discriminatory behaviour involving the partys most senior members, the review found.

Individuals coming forward with allegations were also said to need better care.

Politics is a rough business, but there is no reason why the complaints process should be indifferent or abrasive to the experience of individuals involved, the report said.

The churn at the top of the Tories was said to have had an unavoidable impact on the day-to-day running of the party.

Professor Singh said: It just took forever for them to focus on this.

Since he completed the original report in May 2021, Boris Johnson was forced out as prime minister, as was his immediate successor Liz Truss, ushering in Rishi Sunak as prime minister.

The two years since the publication of the report have seen considerable political upheaval in the UK, Professor Singh said (Getty)

In the report, Professor Singh wrote: The two years since the publication of the report have seen considerable political upheaval in the UK.

In that time, the Conservative Party has had three leaders and seven chairs.

This turmoil has impacted on the partys efforts to implement our recommendations.

Change took longer than expected, and challenges resulting from the interdependencies between recommendations contributed to delays in implementation.

Professor Singh said it has taken much longer than we expected to implement reforms.

He cited the biggest problem as being tackling issues at the local party level but welcomed fresh action from Tory HQ as he undertook his review.

In one case detailed in the review, a complainant was further distressed by no sanction being completed nearly a year after the judgement - and the offending continued undeterred.

No apology has been offered to the complainant, or demanded of the respondents, despite the panel imposing other sanctions, the review said.

But the team welcomed the wholehearted acceptance by the party that it must implement the recommendations.

Professor Singhs update showed there had been 212 complaints relating to 137 incidents in the three months up to June 2022.

Five complaints were categorised as bullying or intimidation, three cited sexual assault, two referred to criminal activity and one was about a member writing on an alt-right website.

Professor Singh issued a range of fresh recommendations, including reviewing whether complaints against the most senior members should be handled independently.

Tory Party chairman Greg Hands said there is work to be done on tackling Islamophobia (PA Wire)

Conservative chairman Greg Hands MP said: The party has made significant progress on Professor Singhs recommendations with 25 complete and just six ongoing.

There is however still work to be done and this is a process of continual improvement.
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An already saturated Northeast began drying out Monday after a second round of heavy rain in a week, including a flash flood in Pennsylvania that claimed at least five lives over the weekend.

A 9-month-old boy and his 2-year-old sister remained missing in Upper Makefield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is along the Delaware River, after they were swept away late Saturday afternoon while traveling in a vehicle.

Fire Chief Tim Brewer said the area got about 6 1/2 to 7 inches of rain (about 18 centimeters) in 45 minutes.

The children are part of a Charleston, South Carolina, family visiting family and friends. They were on their way to a barbecue when their vehicle got stuck in the flash flood, Brewer said.

As they tried to escape the fierce floodwaters, Dad took his 4-year-old son while the mother and the grandmother grabbed the two additional children, he said. The father and son were miraculously able to get to safety. However the grandmother, the mother, and the two children were swept away by the floodwaters, Brewer said. The mother was among those later found dead.

A news conference was planned for Monday morning.

Flash flooding hit parts of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey over the weekend. A confirmed tornado touched down Sunday morning in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, but no injuries or major property damage were reported. In New Hampshire, where some roads caved in several towns, heavy rain postponed Sunday's NASCAR race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway by a day.

Vermont reported no immediate safety threats following historic flooding nearly a week ago that dumped up to two months' worth of rain in two days. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg planned to visit the state later Monday.

More rain was in the forecast for Tuesday.

Sundays strong storms led to hundreds of flight cancellations at airports in the New York City area, and hundreds were delayed.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain fell within two hours in Suffolk County on Long Island. The state saw $50 million in damages from storms in the past week.

In North Carolina, floodwaters were blamed for the death of a 49-year-old woman whose car was swept off a road in Alexander County late Saturday night. A man who was in the car with her was rescued.

___

Associated Press writers Ron Todt in Philadelphia; David Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; and Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia contributed to this report.
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The US Coast Guard has ended its search for a man who jumped from the deck of a Carnival cruise ship.

Surveillance video reportedly captured 30-year-old Jaylen Hill leaping over the railing of the Carnival Elation on Sunday afternoon off the coast of Melbourne, Florida.

On Monday night, Coast Guard officials announced the search had been called off pending any further developments.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Hill family. Our crews take our life saving mission very seriously. Any time we cant bring a loved one home to their family is a pain we all feel, Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rescue crews scoured more than 1,374 miles in their search using the 87-foot cutter Tarpon from St Petersburg, a Hercules aircraft from Clearwater, and an Ocean Sentry plane from Miami.

Carnival previously said the Elation crew was informed by Mr Hills travelling companion late on Sunday afternoon that he had not been seen all day.

Jaylen Hill, 30, was allegedly filmed jumping off of a Carnival cruise ship near Florida on 23 July (US Coast Guard via Twitter)

Sadly, after an exhaustive on-board search and a review of security camera video it was determined that he jumped, the company said in a statement to The New York Post.

Carnival added that it alerted officials to the incident and was advised to continue to Jacksonville, Florida, on Monday, the final stop on the cruises four-day route through the Bahamas.

The 855-foot Elation weighs nearly 72,000 tons and can carry nearly 2,200 guests, as well as 900 crew members, according to Fox 35 Orlando.

The Carnival Elation cruise ship is pictured (right) in a file photo (AFP via Getty Images)

In May, a Carnival passenger named Ronnie Peale went overboard the ship Magic and fell into the waters off Florida.

The Coast Guard was unable to locate the man after searching more than 5,171 miles over 60 hours and called off the search.
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An on-duty security guard was fatally shot at a hospital in Oregon by a suspect who was later killed by police.

Forty-four-year-old Bobby Smallwood was working at the birthing centre of Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland when the tragic events unfolded around 11am on Saturday.

A suspect who has yet to be identified entered the building armed with a firearm and shot Smallwood and another hospital worker before fleeing the scene, according to the Portland Police Bureau. As terrified staff followed shelter-in-place protocols, Smallwood was transferred to a trauma facility, where he was pronounced dead.

The second victim remains in stable condition, police said.

Police said that officers responding to the scene set up a perimeter around the neighbourhood and attempted to locate the suspect. Officers also evacuated and searched a Fred Meyer after learning information that suggested the shooter may have been inside but he was not found.

The suspects car was eventually traced to the city of Gresham, about 16 miles east of Portland.

He was killed by law enforcement after his vehicle was stopped. The motive behind the shooting is still unclear.

During the incident, shots were fired by police. The suspect is deceased. No officers were injured, a statement by the Portland Police Bureau read.

On social media, coworkers remembered Smallwood as a devoted security guard.

I remember him fondly from his early days as a COVID screener in our building at Mt. Hood. What a sacrifice he made protecting others, Elana Schaff, who worked with Smallwood at Legacy Mt Hood Medical Center, wrote in a Facebook post. My heart is there with everyone who had to endure this insane situation.

Legacy Health security guard Bobby Smallwood, 44, was fatally shot while on the job on Saturday (Facebook/Bobby Smallwood)

Smallwoods family has created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral costs.

Mr Smallwoods father Walter Smallwood told The Oregonian that his son enjoyed being surrounded by children at the hospital and wasnt fearful of his job, despite not being armed.

He loved children. Adults, he tolerated, Mr Smallwood said. He wasnt [scared about the job]. I was.

Smallwood had initially done administrative and computer work at Legacy Health after graduating from Portland State University in 2020. His parents told Oregon Live that he had recently been promoted to a supervisory role.

This is a sad day for the staff at Legacy Health, and our hearts go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of the employees affected by todays tragedy, Chief Chuck Lovell, who responded to the scene, told The Associated Press.

By all accounts, hospital staff and law enforcement did great work responding to this incident, and Im grateful for the coordinated efforts by all.

Kathryn Correia, Legacy Health president and CEO, also said in a statement: Words cannot express the profound grief we are experiencing.

We offer our unwavering support to Bobbys loved ones, to our patients in our care, to the staff at Legacy Good Samaritan and to all our employees and providers suffering today.
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Bryan Kohberger has claimed that the DNA evidence tying him to the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students may have been planted at the crime scene  as the deadline for him to give an alibi for the slaying looms.

In a recent court filing in Latah County Court, the 28-year-old criminology student suggested that police officers could have somehow placed his DNA on the knife sheath which was left behind by the killer at the college rental home in Moscow, Idaho.

The States argument asks this Court and Mr Kohberger to assume  is that the DNA on the sheath was placed there by Mr Kohberger, and not someone else during an investigation that spans hundreds of members of law enforcement and apparently at least one lab the State refuses to name, Mr Kohbergers attorneys wrote.

Prosecutors fired back at the suggestion that the evidence was rigged, writing in a filing that the State is at a loss as to how that theory supports a claim that the lGG information is material to the preparation of his defense.

Mr Kohberger was tied to the 13 November murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin through a knife sheath left at the scene.

The sheath  for a military or Ka-Bar style knife  was found partly under Mogens body after she and Goncalves were found stabbed multiple times on Mogens bed on the third floor of the home.

DNA on the button clasp of the sheath was then found to match that of the 28-year-old accused killer.

Mr Kohbergers attorneys have sought to cast doubts on the strength of this DNA evidence, in particular the use of genetic genealogy.

According to the affidavit in the case, the FBI used genetic genealogy databases to try to identify the DNA source.

Trash was then collected from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains and a familial match  from Mr Kohbergers father  was made to the sheath, according to the criminal affidavit.

Following Mr Kohbergers arrest on 30 December, DNA samples were then taken directly from the suspect and came back as a statistical match, say prosecutors.

Mr Kohbergers attempts to cast doubts on the evidence come ahead of a looming deadline for the accused mass killer to offer an alibi for the night of the murders.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse on June 27 (Getty)

Under Idaho law, defendants have 10 days to provide a written statement about where they claim to have been at the time of the alleged crime and offering information about any witnesses who can support their claim.

On 23 May  one day after he was arraigned on four murder charges  Latah County Prosecutors Office put in a demand for Mr Kohbergers notice of alibi.

Back then, Mr Kohbergers legal team asked Judge John Judge for an extension to this deadline, saying that they needed more time due to the wealth of evidence in the high-profile case.

The judge extended the deadline to 24 July.

As of Monday morning, the Idaho cases of interest website  where the latest filings in the case are shared  had gone down.

Mr Kohberger faces the death penalty if convicted of the murders of Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Chapin, 20.

He is scheduled to stand trial on 2 October after being indicted by a grand jury on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge.

Mr Kohberger is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road in the early hours of 13 November and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife.

Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived.

One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named.

The student home in Moscow, Idaho, where the murders took place (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders.

The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students  if any  prior to the murders.

However, the affidavit, released in January, revealed that Mr Kohberger was tied to the killings through his DNA on the knife sheath, surveillance footage showing his white Hyundai Elantra close to the crime scene and cellphone activity.

The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  has still never been found.

As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman.

He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest.

Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University  first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022.

While there, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.

He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.
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Investigators have been spotted digging up the backyard of Rex Heuermanns home amid reports that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect may have killed at least one victim inside his basement.

Search teams carried out what was described as a major excavation on Sunday at the one-storey home in Massapequa Park, Long Island, where the 59-year-old architect lived with his wife and two adult children. In addition to digging up Mr Heuermanns backyard, investigators looked in a walking vault with a big iron door. They described the search as fruitful.

Cadaver dogs and a ground-penetrating radar machine were brought in to scour the ground before excavators were seen digging up the earth with a backhoe.

At one point, a huge wooden deck was dismantled and a blue tent was erected to shield the search from view.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told ABC News that they were working under the assumption that the victims Mr Heuermann is accused of murdering met their deaths at the home. Mr Harrison said he expects the search and seize operation to wrap up later this week.

Not only did the slain womens phone ping near the Massapequa home, but Mr Heuermanns family is also believed to have been away around the time of the disappearances, according to phone records. However, no concrete evidence has been found, Mr Harrison said.

Can we confirm that someone was killed inside the house? We cant confirm that at this time, he told the outlet.

A neighbour told The New York Post on Sunday that authorities had found a sound-proofed room in the basement of the home and that Mr Heuermann is believed to have killed at least one of his victims down there.

Hes got a soundproof room in his basement, Robert Musto, a 64-year-old longtime neighbour said he had been told by law enforcement on the scene.

What do you think that was for? Theyre saying theres evidence he killed at least one of the girls down there.

The cops are going to dig all that out. Said theyre focused on the soundproof room in the basement but theyre going to look at everything.

A former coworker confirmed the existence of a soundproof basement room to the paper, claiming that the accused serial killer once took time off work in order to carry out the bizarre construction of the vault in his family home.

The individual, who was not named, recalled Mr Heuermann building the concrete-lined vault which is around two to three feet thick.

Its not just a hidden room  its a serious vault, they said.

It had a huge heavy-duty safe door. He went and poured new concrete walls, massive amount of concrete to encase this room. It was maybe 2 or 3 feet thick.

Officials are probing the possibility that the accused serial killer killed the victims inside his family home. His wife and two children were out of town at the time of each of the three murders he is charged with.

Search continues in the backyard of Rex Heuermanns home (News12)

Law enforcement sources previously told CNN that a vault of some sort had been located in the basement of the Massapequa Park home  and that a trove of up to 300 firearms had been found inside.

The married father-of-two had 92 legal gun permits and was a keen hunter, according to police.

In the 11 days since Mr Heuermann was arrested in connection to the infamous serial killer case, investigators have been searching for evidence tying him to the murders including any trophies taken from the victims.

As well as extensively searching his home, officials are probing other locations connected to the accused murderer including storage units two miles away in Amityville.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are also looking into unsolved murders and missing persons cases all across America including in Las Vegas, South Carolina and Atlantic City.

Over in South Carolina, Chester County Sheriffs Office said that they were looking for evidence to assist New York officials.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office was requested by the Gilgo Beach Task Force to assist in gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation, the department tweeted.

Mr Heuermann owns a property in Chester next to his brother Craig. The pickup at the centre of the murder investigation was seized from his brothers home last week.

Mr Heuermann was arrested on the night of 13 July when a team of officers swooped as he left his office in Midtown Manhattan where he ran an architecture business.

He was charged with three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

He is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes  who together with the three is known as the Gilgo Beach Four and was last seen alive in early June 2007 in New York City.

Authorities search home of Long Island serial killer suspect (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The four women were found within one-quarter mile of each other, bound by belts or tape and some wrapped in burlap  their bodies dumped along Gilgo Beach.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held without bond.

Court records show that Mr Heuermann was linked to the killings through a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, sadistic online searches, phone calls taunting victims families, his wifes hair found on the victims bodies  and a pizza crust.

The first piece of the puzzle came when a witness in the Amber Costello case revealed details about a vehicle that a client was driving when she was last seen alive.

Costello, who worked as a sex worker, was seen alive on the evening of 2 September 2010 when she left her home in West Babylon. A witness said she had gone to meet a client who was driving a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche.

Last year, a registration search showed that local man Mr Heuermann owned a first-generation model of the truck at the time of Costellos disappearance. He also matched the witness description of the man believed to be the killer: a large, white ogre-like male in his mid-40s, around 64 to 66 tall, with dark bushy hair, and big oval style 1970s type eyeglasses.

The discovery of the car led investigators to hone in on Mr Heuermann including executing 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain evidence to determine his potential involvement in the killings.

Among this was Mr Heuermanns alleged use of burner phones, with prosecutors saying that he used burner phones to contact the three women and arrange to meet them at the time when they went missing.

He also allegedly took two of the victims cellphones  and used one to make taunting phone calls to one of their families where he boasted about her murder, court documents state.

Mr Heuermanns DNA was found on one of the victims, while his wifes hair was found on three of the four women he is connected to.

His arrest comes after the horrific serial killer case has captured the nations attention for more than a decade.

The Gilgo Beach murders had long stumped law enforcement officials in Suffolk County who believed it could be the work of one or more serial killers who targeted sex workers and dumped their bodies along the remote beaches on Ocean Parkway.

The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert vanished after leaving a clients house on foot near Gilgo Beach.

She called 911 for help saying she feared for her life and was never seen alive again.

Rex Heuermann pictured in mugshot (AP)

During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman.

Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by.

By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found including eight women, a man, and a toddler. Police have long thought that it could be the work of one or more serial killers.

Gilberts body was then found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the clients home.

However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her mother believes she was murdered.

Like Gilbert, most of the victims targeted were sex workers while some are yet to be identified.
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Heart-stopping video captured the moment a father smashed the windshield of a car and rescued an infant who was trapped inside.

The dramatic scene unfolded in the southern Texas city of Harlingen, where temperatures reached 100-degree heat last week.

Harlingen Police Department Sargeant Larry Moore told the San Antonio Express-News that the childs parents had parked their car at an HEB store on Commerce Street around 10.30am on 19 July.

They then accidentally locked the baby in the car and also forgot the keys inside.

Video recorded by bystanders and posted on TikTok shows the desperate father frantically smashing the vehicles front windshield with what appeared to be a large stick.

He then removed the broken glass with his own hands before a woman climbed inside the car through the glass and passed the baby to the father.

Sgt Moore said police were called to the scene after the baby was rescued. No charges are expected.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an infants body temperature can increase by 20 degrees while inside a car in just 10 minutes.

The agency estimates that an average of 40 children die each year of heatstrokes caused because they have been left or became trapped in a car.

Children are three to five times more vulnerable to having their body temperature increase while inside a car.

The administration says rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the temperature inside a vehicle.
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Its been eight months since 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari was last seen arriving home after a day of school.

But for one of those months, no one was even looking for her.

In April, she turned 12 years old  with no one knowing where she was, what she was doing or whether she was even able to celebrate it.

While the sixth-graders mother and stepfather have been behind bars in North Carolina for many months, investigators have still been unable to get to the bottom of what they know about the young girls disappearance.

Theories about what may have happened to her  laid out in recent court documents  are chilling to say the least.

Was she taken to the North Carolina mountains? Was she sold by her stepfather? Was she placed in the care of a relative?

The answer is still a mystery.

One thing police in Cornelius, North Carolina, do know is that someone  in particular her parents  know more than they are letting on.

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 back in January.

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.

The police have asked anyone with information on the girls whereabouts to call the department at 704-892-1363.

Reported missing

Madalina was last seen on 21 November when surveillance footage captured her getting off a school bus at her home in Cornelius.

Her mother Diana Cojocari and stepfather Christopher Palmiter claim they saw her two days later at their home. Police have been unable to verify this claim.

The last confirmed sighting of Madalina Cojocari was on 21 November (FBI)

For the next three weeks, staff at Bailey Middle School contacted her mother Ms Cojocari to inquire as to Madalinas whereabouts when she failed to show up at school.

Finally, on 15 December, Ms Cojocari went to the school and told a school resource officer that her daughter was missing.

School officials then alerted law enforcement, who immediately launched an investigation to find the missing 11-year-old.

Last known sighting

Cornelius Police said that the last confirmed sighting of Madalina was on Friday 21 November when she got off her school bus at the stop near her home.

In the footage, released by authorities, the sixth grader is seen walking down the aisle of the bus and getting off at 4.59pm.

The young girl is dressed in a plain t-shirt and a backpack and is fixing her necklace and hair as she walks.

This is the last time we have independent confirmation of when she was last seen, the Cornelius Police Department said.

Footage shows last known movements of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari

Parents arrests and versions of events

On 17 December  two days after she was officially reported missing  Madalinas mother and stepfather were arrested and charged with one count of failing to report the disappearance of a child to law enforcement.

Since their arrests, they have both continued to insist that they dont know where the 11-year-old went or what has happened to her.

Both claim to have last seen Madalina on 23 November.

Investigators have been unable to verify this claim with the last confirmed sighting being the moment she exited the school bus.

Court documents obtained by WBTV reveal that Madalinas mother told investigators she last saw her daughter at around 10pm on 23 November when Madalina went to her room to go to bed.

Ms Cojocari claims that she and her husband got into an argument that night and the next morning he drove to his familys home in Michigan, according to the arrest warrant.

When she then went to check on her daughter at about 11.30am on 24 November, Ms Cojocari claims she found her to be missing.

She said that Madalina does not have a phone or any friends or family she could be with and that a bookbag and some of her clothes had gone missing from their family home.

The arrest warrant states that Ms Cojocari told investigators she then waited until Mr Palmiter returned home  two days later on the evening of 26 November  to ask if he knew where Madalina was.

When asked why she didnt report her daughter missing before mid-December, she stated she was worried it might start a conflict between her and Christopher, the warrant states.

Diana Cojocari, 37, and Christopher Palmiter, 60, pictured in mugshots (Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office)

She also claimed that family members in Moldova had urged her to call the police about her daughters disappearance, but that she hesitated to do so.

The documents also reveal that Ms Cojocari said that she believed her husband had put her family in danger. It is not clear what she meant by this statement.

Meanwhile, Mr Palmiter also told investigators that he doesnt know what happened to his stepdaughter, claiming that he returned from his three-day trip and asked his wife where Madalina was.

Over the next three weeks, he claims to have spoken with Ms Cojocari several time[s] about Madalinas whereabout[s]  and both stated they did not know where she was but they did not contact the police to report Madalina missing.

Mountain trip and possible sightings

Investigators believe that Madalinas mother took a trip to the mountains of North Carolina during the three-week period that she claims her daughter was missing  but she failed to report her missing.

Search warrants, unsealed in July, state that Ms Cojocari sent a text message on 2 December indicating that she was in the presence of the missing child.

The next day, she was seen at a service station in Hickory getting an oil change on her vehicle. The car attendant told investigators that they saw childrens toys in the car but no sign of a child.

One day later, Ms Cojocari then allegedly drove to the mountains of North Carolina claiming to be searching for Madalina, documents state.

Less than two weeks later  on 16 December  surveillance photos captured a girl and a man together in Sugar Mountain.

The documents say that the pair were physically consistent with Madalina and her only known blood relative in the US. They were also seen together at a Lowes Foods in Linville, the warrants say.

Search warrants reveal that Ms Cojocari asked a distant relative if he would help with smuggling her and Madalina away because they needed to get away from her bad relationship with Mr Palmiter.

Despite the sightings, police say the last confirmed sighting of Madalina is still when she got off the school bus on 22 November.

The search

Since the alarm was raised for the missing 11-year-old, over 100 law enforcement officials from agencies including Cornelius Police Department, the FBI and the SBI have worked to help find her.

Multiple searches have been carried out at the family home for clues as to her whereabouts.

Three cell phones and dozens of other items were seized from the home in the searches, documents show.

Meanwhile, investigators have also scoured hours of surveillance video from local businesses and carried out land and water searches around nearby Lake Cornelius.

Search teams out on Lake Cornelius as part of the probe to find Madalina (Cornelius PD)

However, police acknowledged that the three-week delay in law enforcement learning about Madalinas disappearance created an instant setback to the investigation.

One of the challenges in this case simply put is we were not notified she was gone  a delay of three weeks, she said.

Much of the search appears to have focused on Madalinas home where multiple search warrants have been obtained and executed over the last two weeks.

On 21 December, a large search team was seen descending on the home for what marked at least the second time.

During an earlier search, officials were seen digging up the backyard.

Inside the property, officials found a secret area in the kitchen blocked off with plywood, according to court documents.

When asked about it, Mr Palmiter allegedly told investigators that he had been planning to make a separate apartment in the space.

One of the concerning lines of inquiry is that Madalina may have been the victim of human trafficking.

In a jailhouse call, detailed in court documents, Ms Cojocari and her mother are heard discussing a large bad of money and a theory that the girls stepfather gave the girl away for money.

Meanwhile, Mr Palmiter was heard in calls with his brother and sister-in-law saying that Ms Cojocari had a lot of cash and that he didnt know where she had got it. He also spoke of his worries about financial stuff.

Extended family and community express shock

One week into the investigation, Cornelius Police shared a handwritten note from the missing girls family members in which they said they were shocked, devastated and absolutely heartbroken over her disappearance.

In the note, the unnamed relatives said they are holding onto hope and positivity that the young girl will be found safe, as more than a month has now passed since she was last seen.

They thanked the law enforcement and the public for helping try to track down the beautiful, smart, kind and loving 11-year-old and urged people to continue sharing information.

We, as a family, are devastated and absolutely heartbroken to learn that Madalina is missing, the note reads.

We love Madalina and are shocked by these circumstances. This is something no child or family should ever have to endure.

The note goes on to say that the family is doing everything possible to find Madalina and bring her home.

Madalina is a beautiful, smart, kind and loving 11-year-old girl with greatness in her future, it says.

Madalinas family shared this handwritten note (Cornelius PD)

Madalinas family wrote that they were heartbroken by her disappearance (Cornelius PD)

We are desperate to find her right now, she needs ALL of our help, adding that each and every share may be one step closer to finding her.

It is not clear which family member wrote the heartwrenching note, but an FBI official confirmed to WBTV that it was not Madalinas mother or stepfather.

In the days after the young girls disappearance, neighbours also expressed shock at such a thing happening in their neighbourhood.

Ive lived here my whole life so Ive never seen anything like this, said neighbour Sydney Capps.

Its odd that it seems like she went missing back in November, and its just now being reported.

Madalina was last seen wearing jeans, pink, purple and white Adidas shoes, and a white t-shirt and jacket.

She is described as having brown hair and brown eyes, being 4 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing around 90 pounds.

Anyone with information about Madalinas whereabouts is asked to call the Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773.
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Karine Jean-Pierre held Mondays White House briefing on the week Donald Trump is expected to be indicted for the third time this year.

The former US president has been investigated over his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 US presidential election and his role in the ensuing Capitol riot of 6 January 2021.

In a Truth Social rant on Sunday night, Mr Trump lashed out at special counsel Jack Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland baselessly claiming that the investigations are a coordinated Hoax and a ploy to steal another election.

Joe Bidens schedule this week is expected to be focused on spending cuts and will also honour Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, by signing a proclamation to establish a national monument on the day that would have marked the 82nd birthday of the Black teenager murdered in 1955.

A White House official told The Associated Press that the monument will span three sites in Illinois, where Till grew up, and Mississippi, where he was killed.
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Twenty days after Emmett Tills body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, Mamie Till-Mobley sat before a crowded courtroom in Sumner, Mississippi to testify in the trial of the two white men who were accused of killing him.

Her 14-year-old son was tortured, lynched and tied to a cotton gin fan and bound in barbed wire before he was thrown into the river in August 1955.

She identified the body and the ring he was wearing as her sons, anticipating an argument from the defence that sought to cast doubt on the identity of the body, and hoping that the all-white jury would listen to the testimony of a grieving Black mother. Days earlier, before Tills funeral in Chicago, she ordered that the casket remain open to let the world see what they did to my boy.

On 23 September, the jury acquitted Roy Bryant and JW Milam for Tills murder and kidnapping. Months later, the men confessed to the crimes in an interview with Look magazine. Carolyn Bryant Donhom, whose accusations against Till led to his killing, died earlier this year.

No one was ever convicted for the Black teenagers killing, which magnified Jim Crow-era violence that galvanised the Civil Rights movement, but his mother spent decades fighting injustice until she died in 2003.

On 25 July 2023, on what would be Tills 82nd birthday, President Joe Biden will sign a proclamation dedicating a national monument to honor both Till and his mother.

Our community has shown what reckoning and remembrance can look like, according to a statement from the Emmett Till Interpretive Center. This national monument designation affirms and shares this work on a national level. Racial reconciliation begins by telling the truth.

The whole nation had to bear witness to this

On 20 August 1955, Till-Mobley sent her teenage son on a southbound train from Chicago for a two-week stay in the small town of Money, Mississippi, where he would stay with relatives and spend late summer days with his cousins.

I told him when he was coming down here that he would have to adapt himself to a new way of life, she said during the trial. And I told him to be very careful about how he spoke and to whom he spoke, and to always remember to say Yes, sir and No, maam at all times.

Four days later, Till was milling around Bryants Grocery & Meat Market after his relatives and friends left the store. It was then that Carolyn Bryant Donhom would later claim Till had grabbed her by the waist and then whistled at her as she walked to her car.

Days later, at 2.20am, Roy Bryant and Milam pulled up to the home of Tills great uncle Moses Wright. Milam was armed. They searched the home for Till, made him dress, and put him in their truck. Wright later recalled hearing a womans voice tell the men that they found the right boy. That was the last time Tills family saw him alive.

Emmett Till, pictured on his grave (Getty)

According to Bryant and Milam, the men shot Till in the head, tied a fan to his neck with barbed wire, and tossed him into the river. His body was found three days later beaten beyond recognition.

Till-Mobley asserted that the whole nation had to bear witness to this when she ordered that her sons coffin remain open for his funeral.

I wanted the world to see and I knew I could not tell anybody what I had seen. It was just too horrible, she said in 1988.

When Emmett became the personification of race hatred  it was too hard to look at. People could not look at it and come away as if nothing had happened. It had to leave an indelible impression upon whoever viewed him, she said in 2003. Race hatred is something weve got to get rid of. We cannot afford to live in a world that is torn with race hatred.

I will take that hurt to my grave

More than 6,500 people, mostly African Americans, were killed in racist attacks between 1865 and 1950, in the aftermath of the US Civil War and emancipation, through white militia terror during Reconstruction and in the years surrounding the Civil Rights movement, according to the Equal Justice Initiative.

An estimated 250,000 mourners attended public viewings for Tills funeral over four days, according to The Chicago Defender. Photographs of Tills body were published in Jet magazine and shared widely, fuelling widespread outrage and demands for justice.

A grand jury in Tallahatchie County indicted Roy Bryant and JW Milam on 7 September.

They were going to turn the murder of my son into a case of self-defense, the self-defense of the Mississippi way of life, she later wrote in her 2003 memoir Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America.

American civil rights activist Mamie Till (1921-2003), the mother of Emmett Till, sitting with a copy of the Clarion-Ledger newspaper on her lap, in Sumner, Mississippi, 22nd September 1955. (Bettmann Archive/Getty)

Following her sons killing, she embarked on a nationwide speaking tour and worked with Chicago public schools for more than two decades.

She also created The Emmett Till Players youth theatre troupe in 1973 to perform speeches from civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr to spread a message of hope, unity, and determination to thousands.

So far as the healing is concerned, I will never get over that. I will take that hurt to my grave. That influenced everything Ive done, she said in a 2002 interview included in the 2022 ABC documentary series Let the World See.

Tills name is among the first inscribed on the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. Till-Mobley placed her hand on the monument for its dedication in 1989.

Its almost as if I were touching him, she said at the time. Its almost as if Im reliving the funeral, and yet my heart is full of joy that not only my son but all these other people who gave their lives for the cause are getting the recognition they are due.

Till-Mobley died in a Chicago hospital on 6 January 2003. She was 81.

She was a teacher, and she thought methodically and scientifically, the Rev Jesse Jackson said following her death. She had a sharp mind and a compassionate heart. And she really sensed the place of her son in American history and her responsibility to keep that legacy alive.

President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act at the White House in March 2022. (EPA)

In 2008, eight signs outlining Tills story were placed across north Mississippi. One year later, a sign alongside the Tallahatchie River where Tills body was discovered was stolen and thrown into the water. A replacement sign was later shot up with bullet holes. That signs replacement also was riddled with bullet holes. A bulletproof sign was installed in 2019.

Last year, President Biden signed a bill to make lynching a federal hate crime more than a century after such legislation was first introduced.

Despite more than 200 legislative attempts to codify antilynching rules  beginning with a bill introduced in 1900 by US Rep George Henry White, then the only Black member of Congress  no measure prevailed. A federal hate crime statute was eventually signed into law in the 1990s.

In a White House ceremony to sign the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, the president condemned the pure terror to enforce the lie that not everyone belongs in America, not everyone is created equal.

From the bullets in the back of Ahmaud Arbery, to countless acts of violence, countless victims both known and unknown  racial hate is not an old problem, its a persistent problem, he said. Hate never goes away. It only hides, it hides under the rocks. Given just a little bit of oxygen it comes roaring back out, screaming. What stops it is all of us, not a few.

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument will include three federally protected sites spanning Illinois and Mississippi central to the familys story.

One site includes Roberts Temple Church of God in Chicagos South Side, where Tills funeral was held. Another is Graball Landing along the Tallahatchie River, where Tills body was discovered. A final site includes the county courthouse where an all-white jury acquitted his killers.

By recognising those sites, we will have an opportunity to acknowledge and reckon with our past  and an opportunity to tell the full American story, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
 Close Obama's personal chef brews beer at the White House

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Massachusetts Police have said that there is no evidence of anything suspicious with the drowning death of the Barack Obamas personal chef Tafari Campbell.

Campbell, 45, tragically died in a paddleboarding accident in the water close to the former presidents home in Marthas Vineyard on Sunday night.

Police in Edgartown, Massachusetts, confirmed on Monday morning that his body had been recovered from the towns Great Pond.

Campbell had worked for the Obamas at the White House and then joined the family as their personal chef afterwards. Police said Barack and Michelle Obama were not at home when Campbell died but were on the island.

Their daughters Sasha and Malia were spotted leaving Marthas Vineyard after the tragedy.

Tafari was a beloved part of our family, the Obamas said in a statement on Monday.

When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House  creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together.

In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.

Thats why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. Hes been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that hes gone.

In an update on Tuesday, Massachusetts Police said that he was not wearing a personal flotation device and was not leashed to the paddle board when he fell into the water.

He was with a fellow paddle boarder  who has not been named  who tried to help but could not reach him in time, police said.

The other paddleboarder then swam to shore and notified a person on shore of what had happened, police said.

That person placed a 911 call to the Dukes County Regional Emergency Communications Center, which initiated an immediate emergency search and rescue response by numerous public safety agencies.
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North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Monday, according to South Korea's military. The launch appears to be a reaction to a US nuclear-powered submarine's recent arrival at a South Korean military base.

The reports were corroborated by Japan's defence ministry, which also detected a launch of what it said could be a ballistic missile by North Korea. Japanese media reports citing a government source claimed that the nation may have launched multiple missiles.

The missile launch is the latest incident during a period of high tension on the Korean peninsula. The US and South Korea are increasing their military readiness against North Korea's weapons programmes, which includes an increase in US military assets in the region, according to Reuters.

Pyongyang reacted to the ramp-up by claiming that the US and South Koreas actions may meet its standards to justify the use of nuclear weapons.

US officials said they were in close contact with allies concerning the missile launches. On Monday US military officials said the launches posed no immediate threats to US personnel and territory or to US allies, though they did say the launches were a destabilising force in the region.

The US sub arrived at a South Korea naval base on the southern island of Jeju on Monday, where it was scheduled to collect military supplies on an unspecified operational mission, according to a statement from the South Korean navy.

This is the second time in the last seven days that North Korea has fired off missiles. It shot another barrage of missiles into the sea off its west coast over the weekend. The nation also conducted ballistic missile tests last week after a US nuclear-armed sub arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980's.

The launches come as US officials are attempting to negotiate the release of Travis King from North Korean custody. Mr King is a US Army private who fled across the border after spending 47 days in detainment in South Korea for alleged assault and destruction of property.
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A police K-9 handler has been fired after he released his dog to attack an unarmed Black man during a traffic stop in Ohio.

Disturbing body camera footage captured the police dog mauling the man who had his hands up after a long chase in Ohio.

Jadarrius Rose, 23, was driving a semi-tractor vehicle westbound on US Route 35 on 4 July. He did not respond to multiple calls by a motor carrier enforcement inspector and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to stop after authorities spotted his trailer was missing a left rear mud flap, the incident report said, according to NBC News.

The officials deployed stop sticks twice before Mr Rose stopped his trailer on US Route 23, ending a lengthy pursuit by authorities.

But a police dog was unleashed on the suspect shortly after he was given orders to exit the vehicle and get down on the ground.

The bodycam footage showed the man with his hands in the air, kneeling in front of the troopers.

One of the troopers is heard giving repeated warnings: Do not release the dog with his hands up.

One Circleville police officer, ignoring the troopers warnings, is heard shouting Get on the ground or youre gonna get bit after which he sics the dog on the man.

Mr Rose is heard screaming for help and asking the police officers to get the K-9 off him.

The dog is seen biting and pulling the arm of the man, who is on his knees and screaming in agony.

Get it off! he is heard saying as one trooper asks for the dog to be removed from the suspect.

Another officer is heard calling for a first aid kit. The footage also showed one of the police officers covering her mouth with her hands and walking away from the spot.

Officials said the 23-year-old Mr Rose was eventually taken into custody and given first aid.

The dog handler has now been fired, the police department has said in a statement.

Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakmans actions during the review of his canine apprehension of suspect Jadarrius Rose on July 4 show that Officer Speakman did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers, the department said, according to CNN. Officer Speakman has been terminated from the department, effective immediately.
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A paddleboarder found dead in the water near Barack Obamas country estate has been identified as the former presidents personal chef.

Massachusetts police on Monday named the deceased man as Tafari Campbell, 45, who had cooked for the Obama family in the White House and continued to work for them after Mr Obama left office.

Emergency services were called to the familys mansion in Marthas Vineyard on Sunday evening by reports of a paddleboarder who had gone under the surface after a brief struggle to stay afloat.

Campbells body was found around 10am on Monday morning using sonar, about 100 feet from the shore and eight feet underwater in a coastal inlet called Edgartown Great Pond.

Tafari was a beloved part of our family," said the Obama family on Monday evening. "When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House  creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together.

"In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.

Thats why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. Hes been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that hes gone.

"Today we join everyone who knew and loved Tafari  especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin  in grieving the loss of a truly wonderful man.

Police said that Campbell was from Dumfries, Virginia and was visiting Marthas vineyard when he died. They added that neither Mr Obama nor his wife Michelle were home at the time.

Massachusetts State Police said on Tuesday that an autopsy found no evidence that the death was suspicious and no trauma or injuries were found on Campbells body. A paddle-boarder who was at the pond with Campbell when the tragedy unfolded told law enforcement that the late chef was standing on his paddleboard when he lost balance.

He was not wearing a personal flotation device and was not leashed to the paddleboard. The fellow paddle boarder tried to swim to Mr Campbells location but did not reach him in time, the update read. The other paddle boarder then swam to shore and notified a person on shore of what had happened.

The Obamas estate in Marthas Vineyard was bought in 2020 for a $11.75m, following years of annual holidays to the New England island, which has been a popular summar haunt for Americas moneyed elite for more than a century.
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US officials are concerned about the "price" North Korea will demand in order to secure the safe return of a US Army private who fled across the South Korean border into the nation last week.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul made the comments on Sunday regarding Travis King, who reportedly fled into North Korea after posing as a tourist.

"That was the wrong place to go. But we see this with Russia, China, Iran - when they take an American, particularly a soldier, captive, they exact a price for that," Mr McCaul said during an interview with ABC "This Week." "And that's what I worry about."

He said he did not believe Mr King was defecting, but was "more running from his problems".

Mr King, 23, was reportedly on his way back to the US last week, but skipped his flight back to join a tour group visiting the border between North and South Korea. During the tour he broke from the group and ran across the border.

US officials said he was scheduled to fly to Texas in order to face "pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction" after spending 47 days locked up in South Korea for allegations of assault and damaging public property.

North Korea reportedly has not responded to requests from the Biden administration inquiring about the soldier's status.

Mr King's family has asked for "privacy" as they work to secure his return.

The soldier reportedly said at some point last year he had no intentions of returning the the US, according to ABC News.

"I'm sure that he's not being treated very well," Mr McCaul said on Sunday. "I think it was a serious mistake on his part, and I hope we can get him back."

US Army soldier Travis King (VIA REUTERS)

While North Korean officials have reportedly not responded to Mr Biden directly, the nation is reportedly responding to the United Nations Command.

The deputy commander of the US-led group overseeing the Korean War truce said they had been in contact with Pyongyang, according to Reuters.

Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer acting as deputy commander of the command, said on Monday that the command's primary concern was Mr King's welfare.

"The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement," Mr Harrison said. "I can't say anything that could prejudice that process."
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The former New York City Police Department commissioner who collected spurious evidence of alleged voter fraud and manipulation for Donald Trumps campaign has agreed to turn over hundreds of documents, according to court filings.

US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith had sought those documents as part of a sweeping investigation into the former presidents efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

But attorneys for Bernie Kerik had refused to share them, citing attorney-client privilege, as Mr Kerik was working for Trump-connected lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

The former presidents campaign has now withdrawn that claim of privilege, and Mr Keriks legal team has handed over thousands of documents to prosecutors investigating Mr Trumps mindset and decision making as he baselessly stated that the 2020 election was stolen and rigged against him despite a lack of evidence.

Mr Keriks attorney Timothy Parlatore had indicated he will meet with the special counsel team in the coming days.

A bogus narrative of widespread voter fraud fuelled a wave of failed lawsuits, attempts to swap electoral votes in states that Mr Trump lost, and a riot at the US Capitol to overturn the outcome.

Mr Trump  who has stated that he received a target letter indicating that he is under investigation and could be charged with a crime  has meanwhile continued to lash out at the multiple investigations against him as a politically motivated hoax and an attempt to rig or interfere with the 2024 election as he seeks the Republican nomination for president.

The agreement to turn over documents appeared first in a separate case involving Mr Kerik and Mr Giuliani: the ongoing defamation lawsuit from two Georgia election workers who were the subject of relentless attacks after false claims that they manipulated votes.

Attorneys for Mr Kerik and Mr Giuliani had refused to turn over documents, citing attorney-client privilege with the Trump campaign. US District Just Beryl A Howell already ordered Mr Giuliani to pay nearly $90,000 in the workers legal fees over his obstruction.

On 13 July, Mr Kerik was directed to provide a document-by-document privilege log of any withheld record that provides sufficient information to enable other parties to assess the claim that the information is privileged or subject to protection as trial preparation material.

He also was ordered to show why those records and other statements should be withheld.

But a joint filing on 24 July from attorneys for Mr Kerik and the two election workers reveals that the parties have reached an agreement to receive those documents.

Mr Kerik also agreed to sit for another deposition. That deposition will be no later than 24 August, according to the filing.

The Independent has requested comment from Mr Parlatore.

Documents that Mr Kerik provided to the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack included an outline of a strategy to overturn election results and the so-called war room at a nearby hotel. He also presented a strategic communications plan for the GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL LEGAL DEFENSE TEAM to persuade elected officials to object to 2020 results and promote a bogus narrative of fraud.

He also was in possession of documents and messages from Giuliani-linked associates, including threads on 4chan messages boards and a forwarded plan from QAnon conspiracy theorist Ron Watkins involving Dominion Voting Systems, which later settled a historic lawsuit with Fox News over similar false claims about the company.

Mr Kerik  who pleaded guilty to multiple ethics violations and tax fraud charges before he worked for the Trump campaign  served as NYPD commissioner under then-Mayor Giuliani in 2000 and 2001. In 2003, he briefly served as a minister in Iraqs transition government following the US-led invasion.

In 2010, he was sentenced to four years in federal prison with three years supervised release after he pleaded guilty to eight felony charges, including tax fraud and lying to White House officials.

Mr Trump granted him a presidential pardon in 2020.
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The Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against the state of Texas on Monday over Governor Greg Abbotts decision to install a 1,000-foot floating border barrier in the Rio Grande River near the city of Eagle Pass.

We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorisation, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement.

This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns, the official added. Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging US foreign policy.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The DoJ accused Texas of violating the Rivers and Harbors Act.

The Texas project is also facing a lawsuit in state court over the buoy barrier.

Last week, the federal government warned Texas it was considering taking legal action.

On Monday, the Texas governor wrote a letter to the White House saying he intends to fight the DoJs lawsuit.

Texas will see you in court, Mr President, the Republican governor wrote, adding, All of this is happening because you have violated your constitutional obligation to defend the States against invasion through faithful execution of federal laws.

White House spokesperson Abdullah Hasan told The Independent that the governors plan isnt effectively combatting unauthorised immigration.

Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining that effective plan, making it hard for the men and women of Border Patrol to do their jobs of securing the border, and putting migrants and border agents in danger, he said in a statement. If Governor Abbott truly wanted to drive toward real solutions, hed be asking his Republican colleagues in Congress why they voted against President Bidens request to increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security and why theyre blocking the comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures that would finally fix our broken immigration system.

In mid-July, Texas neared completion of a $1m, 1,000-foot wall of buoys and netting across the Rio Grande, claiming it would deter illegal immigration outside of ports of entry.

The effort has proved extremely controversial. In addition to warnings from the federal government, Mexico said it is investigating whether the wall violates international treaties surrounding the border.

The governor has also been sued by a local man named Jessie Fuentes, who argues the state has deprived him of his livelihood as a kayak guide and is acting outside of its authority over an international boundary line.

Youve taken a beautiful waterway and youve converted it into a war zone, Mr Fuentes recently told The Independent.

The Texas governors Operation Lone Star mission at the border has faced internal and external criticism.

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.

In a series of emails shared with news outlets including The Independent, a border trooper described receiving orders to push exhausted migrants back into the river and to refrain from giving them water.

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 state has denied the orders took place.

The trooper also claimed that in recent weeks, the buildup at the border has caused numerous issues and injuries, including a teen mother who became trapped in razor wire at the border while having a miscarriage, a 15-year-old who broke his leg as he tried to find a way around the deterrence buoys, and a man who lacerated his leg while trying to rescue his child from razor wire placed on a buoy.

In the Texas governors letter to the president, he claimed that Mr Biden isnt enforcing federal immigration law, and that if the president truly care[s] about human life he will prohibit immigration between ports of entry to stop record-breaking levels of illegal immigration.

This mischaracterises the Biden administrations immigration policies, federal immigration law, and recent immigration trends.

Many migrants hope to claim asylum in the US, and asylum-seekers may request safe haven regardless of whether they present themselves at an official port of entry or to immigration officials once already inside the United States.

Immigrant advocates have criticised Mr Biden for sticking with many of the Trump administrations harshest policies throughout much of his administration, including, until this March, the use of the Title 42 programme to turn away migrants en masse, claiming it was to limit the spread of Covid-19, even though international travelers entered the US throughout the pandemic without being screened for the disease.

The Biden administration has also been regulating the flow of asylum-seekers at ports of entry with a Border Patrol mobile phone app called CBP One, which critics say is similar to the Trump administration practice of metering, which drastically limited the number of asylum-seekers allowed into the US each day.

This spring, the White introduced other new iniaitives aimed at slowing migration to the US, including opening asylum screening centers in other Central and Latin American countries, and penalising those who illegally enter into the US or other countries before seeking refuge in America. Immigration numbers have plummeted in recent months since peaking in the winter.

Andrew Feinberg contributed reporting to this story.
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Donald Trump has now added a third criminal case to his list of ever-growing legal troubles  this time for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the subsequent January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The former president was indicted by a grand jury in Washington DC on 1 August on four charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding.

The indictment came after an investigation from Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose office is also leading the criminal investigation into Mr Trumps handling of classified documents on leaving the White House.

Mr Trump surrendered to authorities in Washington DC on 3 August to be arrested before appearing for his arraignment.

In the courtroom, Mr Trump and his nemesis Mr Smith stared each other down as the former president pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A statement from Mr Trumps campaign called the latest indictment disgraceful and political targeting.

The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes.

President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys, the statement from Mr Trumps campaign read.

What charges is he facing?

The indictment in the 2020 election interference case charges Mr Trump with four counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding.

This is the second set of federal charges filed against Mr Trump and the third indictment hes received this year thus far, adding to the legal pressure against him as he seeks to win the Republican Partys nomination in the primary next year.

It is also the first criminal case over his alleged actions while he was running the country.

Former President Donald Trump walks over to speak with reporters before he boards his plane at Ronald Reagan Washington Airport after his arraignment (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The first federal indictment against the ex-president occurred on 8 June, when a grand jury in Mr Smiths investigation charged Mr Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta on 37 counts related to Mr Trumps alleged unlawful retention of national defence information and obstruction of justice.

Those charges stem from a case that began early last year after National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) officials discovered more than 100 classified documents in boxes that were retrieved from Mr Trumps Palm Beach, Florida residence.

This came after his first criminal indictment in March on state charges in New York.

In that case, he appeared in a Manhattan courtroom to face criminal charges following Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation into hush payments leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

After the first two arraignments, he returned to his properties to deliver remarks to crowds of supporters to cast himself as a victim of political persecution, baselessly accusing his political rivals of interfering with his chances of winning election to the presidency in 2024.

In all three cases, Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty.

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, stacks of boxes can be observed in the White and Gold Ballroom of former U.S. President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida (Getty Images)

But these cases are not necessarily his last, as prosecutors in Georgia also appear to be on the cusp of bringing charges.

A years-long investigation in Atlanta has been probing his attempts to reject the results of that election in the state of Georgia. That Georgia grand jury probe is also expected to result in charges against the ex-president and others in his orbit sometime in August or early September.

So will he go to jail?

With his growing list of criminal cases, speculation is mounting as to whether Mr Trump will face jail time.

If convicted, federal and state prosecutors and judges could have to decide whether to jail a presidential candidate  or even the potential victor in the 2024 race.

Following the first federal indictment, experts said that the Justice Department was likely to attempt to have Mr Trump incarcerated if hes convicted.

Each charge in that case  the classified documents case  carries a maximum sentence ranging from five years to 20 years. A potential sentence, if convicted, could include decades in prison.

National security lawyer and George Washington University law professor Kel McClanahan said that the department will probably want to go for incarceration in the case of Mr Trump, according to Insider.

Mr McClanahan said that the evidence in the indictment is intended to show that Mr Trump is a kingpin who knowingly broke the law, endangered national security, endangered nuclear weapon security, [and] endangered other countries national security.

Former US President Donald Trump waves from his vehicle following his appearance at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse, in Miami, Florida, on June 13, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The consensus among most legal experts commenting on the indictment appears to be that Mr Trump is in serious legal jeopardy.

A former assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York, Sarah Krissoff, said that to the extent that theres a conviction here, the Department of Justice is going to want to be seeking a real sentence because of the nature of the conduct, how long it lasted, his involvement, the involvement of other people, working allegedly at Trumps direction.

She noted that if Mr Trump is convicted, the sentence would depend on the judge, which seems likely to be Trump-appointee Aileen Cannon in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump could be looking at a maximum of five to 20 years of prison time if he is convicted in the January 6 charges.

He has pleaded not guilty in all three cases. Mr Trumps next hearing in the January 6 probe will be the 28 August.
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Donald Trump has been charged over an alleged plot to overthrow the 2020 election, adding to his growing list of legal woes.

The ex-president now faces four counts of violating three sections of the federal criminal code as he and a group of allies schemed to find a way to somehow keep him in the White House for a second term despite losing to Joe Biden.

Grand jurors in Washington DC have spent months hearing evidence and witness testimony as part of a long-running probe into Mr Trumps efforts to overturn his election loss and the January 6 attack on the Capitol which sprung from those efforts.

Donald Trump has hit back at the charges (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

On Monday they approved the indictment against the Republican on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding, and deprivation of rights under colour of law on Tuesday after a four-hour presentation by Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and his team of prosecutors.

In a statement to reporters shortly after the indictment was unsealed, Mr Smith said the January 6 attack was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy that was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the US government: The nations process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.

Mr Smith praised the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol that day as heroes ... patriots and they are the very best of us who put their lives on the line to defend who we are as a country and as a people and defended the very institutions and principles that define the United States.

He also said the case against Mr Trump is part of the Justice Departments efforts to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for what happened that day and said his office would seek a speedy trial of Mr Trump, who was summoned to appear in court to answer the charges on 3 August at 4.00 pm at the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington.

The indictment alleges that the ex-president engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by using dishonesty, fraud, and deceit to impair, obstruct, and defeat the lawful federal government function by which the results of the presidential election are collected, counted, and certified by the federal government, conspired to corruptly obstruct and impede the January 6 congressional proceeding at which the collected results of the presidential election are counted and certified, and conspired against conspiracy against the right to vote and to have ones vote counted.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Trump had six co-conspirators, including five attorneys.

Trump speaks to supporters on January 6 shortly before the assault on the Capitol (AFP via Getty Images)

According to the indictment, Mr Trump and his co-conspirators co-conspirators used knowingly false claims of election fraud to get state legislators and election officials to subvert the legitimate election results and change electoral votes for the Defendants opponent, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to electoral votes for the Defendant.

They further allege that Mr Trump Defendant pushed officials in certain states to ignore the popular vote; disenfranchise millions of voters; dismiss legitimate electors; and ultimately, cause the ascertainment of and voting by illegitimate electors in his favour.

Prosecutors also cite the efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to cause fake electoral college certificates to be submitted for use by then-vice president Mike Pence to hijack the certification of the election and declare himself and Mr Trump the winners despite having lost.

When Mr Pence refused, prosecutors allege that Mr Trump and co-conspirators repeated knowingly false claims of election fraud to gathered supporters, falsely told them that the Vice President had the authority to and might alter the election results, and directed them to the Capitol to obstruct the certification proceeding and exert pressure on the Vice President to take the fraudulent actions he had previously refused.

They also allege that Mr Trump and his allies exploited the January 6 attack on the Capitol disruption by redoubling efforts to levy false claims of election fraud and convince Members of Congress to further delay the certification based on those.

Trumps Jan 6 arguments dubbed the Costanza defence after Seinfeld joke

Continuing, they say Mr Trump and his co-conspirators attempted to use the power and authority of the Justice Department to conduct sham election crime investigations and to send a letter to the targeted states that falsely claimed that the Justice Department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the election outcome as they sought to advance the Defendants fraudulent elector plan by using the Justice Departments authority to falsely present the fraudulent electors as a valid alternative to the legitimate electors.

A significant portion of evidence against the ex-president appears to come from testimony given by Mr Pence, the former vice president. A section of the indictment recounts several private conversations between Mr Trump and Mr Pence, including one in which Mr Trump complained that Mr Pence was too honest after he told the then-president that he lacked the power to overturn the election.

The latest charges against Mr Trump are some of the most serious allegations levied against the twice-impeached, now thrice-indicted former president, and are just the first of two possible sets of charges that he could face as a result of his efforts to unlawfully reverse the result of his defeat nearly three years ago.

A separate grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia has also been hearing evidence about efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to pressure Peach State officials into reversing his loss to Mr Biden there, and the district attorney who has been supervising that process has said charges be approved against multiple targets in the coming days.

The addition of a second federal indictment to the legal troubles facing Mr Trump is certain to complicate his quest to return to the White House by winning next years presidential election.

He is scheduled to be tried in two separate criminal cases against him, including on the federal charges against him and co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira which are pending in a Florida federal court as a result of their alleged roles in the ex-presidents alleged unlawful retention of national defence information and obstruction of justice.

The January 6 riot was an attack on democracy, the Department of Justice special counsel said (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A separate case against him for allegedly falsifying business records in his former home state of New York is set to go to trial in March 2024, while the federal case in Florida is scheduled for trial in late May 2024.

The ex-president has maintained that the multiple investigations against him amount to election interference and a politically motivated hoax, and has repeatedly attacked the prosecutors investigating him in extremely personal terms.

These latest charges against Mr Trump are the result of an eight-month investigation by Mr Smith, who was appointed by US Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to supervise a pair of probes focusing on the ex-presidents conduct.

In addition to investigating the ex-presidents alleged unlawful retention of national defence information, Mr Smith was also handed control long-running probe into the events leading up to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, when a riotous mob of Mr Trumps supporters stormed the seat of the US legislature in hopes of blocking the final certification of his loss to Mr Biden.

While prosecutors in the office of the US Attorney for the District of Columbia have charged more than 1,000 people for various crimes committed during the riot  including rare seditious conspiracy charges against members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers extremist groups  the charges against Mr Trump [and his co-defendants] are the first to be brought against anyone for the efforts to overturn the election which arguably led to the Capitol attack.

Mr Trump was impeached for inciting the attack with just days left in his presidency, and though a majority of senators voted to convict him, they fell short of the two-thirds supermajority required to sustain a conviction.

But the ex-president and his co-defendants are not being charged for organising, inciting or fomenting what was the worst attack on the Capitol since British troops set it ablaze in 1814.

Instead, the charges against them are for crimes which prosecutors allege to have been committed as Mr Trump sought to employ a variety of strategies by which he and his allies thought he could reverse or override the will of voters, including pressuring state legislatures to use their own authority to replace swing state electors for Mr Biden with electors for Mr Trump.

Key points from Trump's infamous Georgia call

Mr Trump and his allies also pushed state officials, most notably Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, to act to decertify Mr Bidens wins in swing states, according to prosecutors.

Figures connected to Mr Trumps campaign also spearheaded an effort to submit forged electoral college certificates to the National Archives and to the Senate, while Mr Trump personally sought to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into unilaterally throwing out the legitimate electoral certificates for Mr Biden in favour of the forged ones listing Mr Trump as the winner.

The case currently pending against him in the Southern District of Florida arose out of a criminal referral from the National Archives and Records Administration after officials discovered documents bearing classification markings in a set of 15 boxes which the agency had retrieved from Mr Trumps home at Mar-a-Lago, the 1920s-era Palm Beach mansion turned private beach club where he maintains his primary residence and post-presidential office.

Investigators later discovered more than 100 additional documents with classification markings during an 8 August 2021 search of Mr Trumps property, and in June charged him with unlawfully withholding the documents from the government and obstructing efforts to determine whether all the classified documents in his possession had been returned.
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Eight Republican presidential candidates have met the Republican National Committees (RNC) new criteria to participate in the first GOP debate on 23 August.

Former president Donald Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina senator Tim Scott and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum and former vice president Mike Pence have all qualified.

All eight candidates have had at least 40,000 unique donors from 20+ states and/or territories contribute to their campaigns and maintained at least one per cent in two national polls and two early state polls.

This past year, the RNC added a list of criteria that candidates must meet to qualify for the first debate, as the pool of GOP hopefuls grows larger each passing month.

In addition to the 40,000 unique donors and one per cent polling, candidates also must commit to supporting the RNCs eventual nominee and not participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debates for the remainder of the election cycle.

The first debate is set to occur at the end of August in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As of now, Mr Trump is leading in most national polls but the ex-president said he is unsure if he will attend the first RNC debate.

In an interview with Fox News, Mr Trump said: Ronald Reagan didnt do it, and a lot of other people didnt do it. When you have a big lead, you dont do it.

Trailing behind Mr Trump is Mr DeSantis, who said he plans to show up to the debate regardless of Mr Trumps decision.

Mr DeSantis was thought to be the leading rival against Mr Trump, however, recent polling shows other candidates catching up to the Florida governor like Mr Ramaswamy and Ms Haley.

Mr Ramaswamy is experiencing a polling boom as voters in New Hampshire indicated theres an 18 per cent chance theyd consider him as a second choice. Nationally, hes polling at 10 per cent, according to RealClearPolitics.

Mr Ramaswamys campaign said he had met the criteria, which he called stringent but fair.

I am a first-time candidate who started with very low name ID, no political donors and no pre-existing fundraising lists, Mr Ramaswamy said in a statement. If an outsider can clear the bar, politically experienced candidates should be able to as well.

Ms Haley is slightly behind Mr Ramaswamy, polling at 14 per cent in South Carolina, according to a Fox Business poll, and four per cent nationally, according to RealClearPolitics.

Mr Scott and Mr Christie both announced last week they had met the 40,000 unique donors threshold. Polling shows both candidates maintaining approximately two per cent favorability in national polls and six to eight per cent in New Hampshire.

Mr Burgum, who received contributions from donors after offering donors the chance to win $20 gift cards, met the qualifications for the debate this past week after polling one per cent in a second national poll.

Recommended GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy lists Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee as possible Supreme Court picks

Just weeks before the debate, Mr Pence received 40,000 donors officially making himself eligible to join the debate stage. The ex-vice president had already met national polling requirements earlier in the summer.

While the eight have qualified as of 27 July, other candidates may join the debate stage as they have until 21 August to meet the criteria.

Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson told Good Morning America last week that he had not met the 40,000 donor threshold yet. National polling shows Mr Hutchinson hovering around the one per cent mark.
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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.
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President Joe Biden will establish a national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teenager from Chicago who was abducted, tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi, and his mother, a White House official said Saturday.

Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday to create the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi, according to the official. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House had not formally announced the president's plans.

Tuesday is the anniversary of Emmett Till's birth in 1941.

The monument will protect places that are central to the story of Till's life and death at age 14, the acquittal of his white killers and his mother's activism, which helped spark the civil rights movement. Till's mother insisted on an open casket so the world could see how her son had been brutalized and Jet magazine published photos of his body.

Biden's decision also comes at a fraught time in the United States over matters concerning race. Conservative leaders are pushing back against the teaching of slavery and Black history in public schools, as well as the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs from college classrooms to corporate boardrooms.

On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized a revised Black history curriculum in Florida that includes teaching that enslaved people benefited from the skills they learned at the hands of the people who denied them freedom. The Florida Board of Education approved the curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who has accused public schools of liberal indoctrination.

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 asked in a speech delivered from Jacksonville, Florida.

The monument to Till and his mother will include three separate sites in the two states, including Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville, a historically Black neighborhood on Chicagos South Side. Thousands of people gathered at the church to mourn Emmett Tills death in September 1955.

In Mississippi, the monument will include Graball Landing, believed to be where Tills mutilated body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River. The third site is the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Tills killers were tried and acquitted by an all-white jury.

Till was visiting relatives in Mississippi when Carolyn Bryant Donham said the 14-year-old Till whistled and made sexual advances at her while she was working in a store in the small community of Money.

Till was abducted and days later his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, where he had been tossed after he was shot and weighted down with a cotton gin fan.

Two white men, Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam, were tried on murder charges about a month after Till was killed, but an all-white Mississippi jury acquitted them. Months later, they confessed in a paid interview with Look magazine. Bryant was married to Donham in 1955. She died earlier this year.

The monument will be the fourth Biden has created since taking office in 2021.
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Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has posted a video in which she apologises for throwing away a pamphet depicting a photo of a 10-year-old girl murdered during the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, along with a memorial pin that she was handed by a gun violence activist.

Ms Boeberts video was obtained by the liberal Twitter profile PatriotTakes; it wasnt immediately clear where it had been first posted. But in the video, Ms Boebert addressed the now semi-viral clip of her tossing away the pamphlet in question after receiving it moments earlier.

On the pamphlet were photos and a short message memorialising Maite Rodriguez, who died in Texass deadliest mass shooting last year. The pin was designed to look like a pair of green Converse sneakers, Rodriguezs favourite, also used by family members to identify her remains after the shocking attack.

The shooting sparked emotional and long-lasting conversations about how the Lone Star State treats firearms and gun violence.

In her video response, the congresswoman claimed that the activist who had handed her the photo and pin had actually been a man who came at me very aggressively just a few weeks prior during a press conference, and noted that the man had been detained by Capitol Police at the time. She also claimed she was unable to hear the activists questions because she was wearing AirPods at the time.

The Independent spoke with the activist who handed Ms Boebert the pin, Elijah Pelton, who contested Ms Boeberts version of the story. According to Mr Pelton, the congresswoman is mistaking him for another activist who confronted her, Jake Burdett, whom The Independent previously reported was manhandled by Congressman Clay Higgins as he asked questions about Ms Boeberts divorce at a House Freedom Caucus press event in May.

A second activist who accompanied Mr Pelton last week described the scene in more detail.

Elijah and I were walking around Capitol Hill handing out the green Converse pins to members of Congress and we ran into Lauren Boebert. Just as we talked to other members, we told the congresswoman the meaning behind the shoes and the pin. We told her who Maite was. We told her that the green Converse were one of the only ways her family could recognize her. She did not say anything to us but did shake her head no after I told her that we hope she takes action on gun violence prevention.

As Boebert was walking away from us and around the corner, she quickly tossed the pin into the trash, she continued, while noting: Many congressmembers and offices were very supportive of our efforts. They have been outspoken on social media about their support.

One of those members was Greg Casar, a freshman progressive from Texas.

Mr Pelton added in his own statement: What Lauren Boebert doesn't realize, is that this is bigger than any one of us. Majority of Americans want some form of gun policy reform, whether it be in the form of an assault weapons ban, Ethan's Law, heightened red flag laws, or any other number of policy suggestions.

Boebert only thinks that we're "coming for her guns," and most Representatives, and Senators, who share a similar view with her don't even have the courtesy to sit down with grieving parents to talk about their experience after their children have been shot and killed.
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Two new polls from Fox Business show that Florida governor Ron DeSantiss numbers in the Republican presidential primary continue to tumble in Iow in South Carolina, where the states former governor Nikki Haley has eclipsed him.

Fox Business surveyed 806 Iowa Caucus goers between 15 July and 19 July with a margin of error of 3.5 per centage points. It also surveyed 808 South Carolina Republican primary voters within the same time frame with the same margin of error as the Iowa survey.

The Iowa survey showed that 46 per cent of Iowa caucus goers prefer former president Donald Trump, while 16 per cent prefer Mr DeSantis, and 11 per cent of voters support Sen Tim Scott (R-SC). None of the other candidates register in double digits. In addition, 23 per cent of caucus goers in Iowa say Mr DeSantis is their second choice, while 15 per cent say Mr Scott isn their second choice.

A state with a large white evangelical Christian conservative population, Iowas status as the first contest in the Republican primary makes it essential for any insurgent candidate. But Mr DeSantis has faced a bevy of negative headlines and posted a lacklustre first fundraising quarter since he announced his candidacy in May.

Similarly, the South Carolina survey showed Mr Trump maintains a commanding lead, with 48 per cent of primary voters in the Palmetto State saying they support the former president. Meanwhile, 14 per cent said they support Ms Haley, who served as governor from 2011 to 2017, when Mr Trump nominated her to serve as US ambassador to the United Nations.

Conversely, only 13 per cent of voters support Mr DeSantis and 10 per cent of voters support Mr Scott, the states junior Senator whom Ms Haley appointed to fill a vacancy in 2013. Mr DeSantis remains the top second choice for South Carolina voters, with 20 per cent saying hes their second choice, followed by 16 per cent who say Ms Haley is their second choice.
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The fraught politics of abortion have helped turn an August ballot question in Ohio that would make it harder to change the state constitution into a cauldron of misinformation and fear-mongering.

State Issue 1, the sole question on the ballot, calls for raising the threshold for passing future changes to the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to 60%. Starting next year, it also would double the number of counties where signatures must be gathered, from 44 to all 88, and do away with the 10-day grace period for closing gaps in the total valid signatures submitted.

Republican state lawmakers and the GOP elections chief who urgently advanced the measure said it had nothing to do with thwarting an abortion rights questionworking toward the ballot this fall. However, early summer messaging on social media and in churches has consistently urged a yes vote on the August amendment to protect life  and that's just one example of the loaded messages confronting voters during the campaign.

Protect Women Ohio, the campaign against the fall abortion issue, is airing pro-Issue 1 ads suggesting that abortions rights proponents at work in the state encourage minors to get sex change surgeries and want to trash parental consent. The fall abortion amendment would protect access to various forms of reproductive health care but makes no mention of gender surgery, and the attorneys who wrote it say Ohio's parental consent law would not be affected.

Groups opposing Issue 1 also have played on voters' fears with their messaging against the 60% threshold. One spot by the Democratic political group Progress Action Fund shows a couple steamily groping in their bedroom, then interrupted by a white-haired Republican congressman who has come to take their birth control. It closes with a caption: Keep Republicans Out of Your Bedroom. Vote No On Aug, 8.

While the ad is based in fears that the U.S. Supreme Court could limit rights to at-home contraception and Issue 1 would make it harder to enshrine those in Ohios state constitution, the direct, immediate issue is abortion, said Susan Burgess, a political science professor at Ohio University.

The divergent abortion communications around Issue 1 reflects a big problem Republicans in Ohio must confront: holding an increasingly diverse voting bloc together, Burgess said.

That is a complicated coalition that includes evangelicals; it includes people on the far right, it includes libertarians and includes, you know, old-time Reagan Republicans, she said. They need to be able to talk about abortion to hold a certain part of their coalition together, but its not a political winner at this time for them to stick to a hard-line abortion argument.

Issue 1 supporters conversations in more targeted settings reflect that duality.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who supports the measure, has previously called Issue 1 a win for good government that protects Ohioans from out-of-state special interests.

But he had a different tone at a Seneca County dinner for Lincoln Day in May, when he said that the August measure is 100% about keeping a radical, pro-abortion amendment out of our constitution. In an Associated Press interview, LaRose said that comment  now featured in ads around the state  was clipped from a lengthy speech and taken out of context.

Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, said on a radio show this month that his organization is only connecting Issue 1 to abortion with certain segments of Ohio voters.

When we go up on TV, is the ad going to be on abortion? Probably not, he told host Bob Frantz on Always Right Radio. But, Baer said, when talking to conservative audiences, were hitting the life issue hard because it really exemplifies why you have to be fired up and go vote.

That two-track approach is reflected in the pro-Issue 1 campaign's first statewide ad, which debuted Monday and steers clear of abortion. Instead, it highlights that amendments to the U.S. Constitution require a two-thirds vote while Ohio's requires a simple 50%-plus-one majority. Ohioans overwhelmingly voted to set the lower threshold in 1912, in a Progressive-era response to rampant political corruption.

Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, an advocacy group, said she believes Issue 1 supporters are playing down abortion in their statewide messaging because they know public opinion isnt on their side.

Were seeing more and more legislators and opponents of abortion who understand that their agenda is extremely unpopular with the American people, she said. Were seeing special sessions, were seeing anti-abortion bills passed in the dead of night, and were seeing these denials from those who are pushing a measure that is designed to undercut democracy with the intention of hurting Ohios abortion measure.

Mark Caleb Smith, a political science professor at southwest Ohios Cedarville University, said abortion is emotionally charged and easy to understand  and can therefore engage Ohioans to donate, volunteer and vote when they otherwise wouldnt bother with an off-season election about something as esoteric as how to amend the states constitution.

Calling Issue 1 abortion-related also reflects the truth that its passage is pivotal to whether Novembers abortion ballot issue passes in Ohio, Smith said. Amendments protecting access to abortion in other states have typically passed  but with less than 60% of the vote. AP VoteCast polling last year found 59% of Ohio voters say abortion should generally be legal.

Kayla Griffin, Ohio state director of All Voting Is Local and an opponent of Issue 1, said her side wants to keep the messaging on Issue 1 broader than just abortion.

While abortion is on the ballot right now, minimum wage is on the ballot next, she said. We are bigger and our democracy is far bigger than a single issue, and we have to be able to navigate that when we go to the ballot box.

Voting rights groups and Ohio's former chief justice also are at work on a constitutional amendment to change Ohio's broken redistricting system.

As both supporters and opponents of Issue 1 seek voter buy-in, some of their messaging has strayed into misinformation.

Ohio Should Vote for Issue 1 to Help Stop Abortions Up to Birth, read a headline last week on LifeNews.com.

But the November abortion initiative wouldnt stop the states lawmakers from restricting abortions after the fetus is viable outside the womb, around 23 or 24 weeks.

Medical experts dispute the concept of abortions up to birth, saying that pregnancy terminations at that stage are very rare  only 0.7% of abortions in Ohio in 2021 occurred after 21 weeks  and typically involve medication that induces birth early, which is different from a surgical abortion. The procedure, which is also referred to as an induction abortion, typically happens only if the fetus has a low probability of survival.

An email from Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati went a step farther, claiming without evidence that sex traffickers and abortion providers were evil twins working together to aid and abet one another.

Democrat Teresa Fedor, a former state lawmaker who championed Ohios sex trafficking crackdown in the legislature, said she didnt find a prominent connection between sex trafficking and forced abortion during her 20 years working on the issue.

My perspective is the anti-reproductive health care advocates are so desperate to pass Issue 1, they will unfortunately use a false narrative to influence their supporters, she said in an email.

___ Swenson reported from Seattle. 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.
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Democrats on the House Oversight Committee issued a memo saying that Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Sen Chuck Grassleys (R-IA) release of an unclassified document related to their probe of Hunter Biden jeopardises national security.

Mr Grassley released what is called an FD-1023 form, which includes claims that a confidential informant made about President Joe Bidens son Hunters work with Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

The informant claimed that they were told by officials at Burisma about their relationships with then-vice president Biden and his son Hunter. But top Republicans admit they cannot verify the claims in the form.

But a memo from the Democratic members of the committee characterised the claims, which were memorialised second-hand from Ukrainian Oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky, the owner of Burisma, to the FBI by a confidential source, as coming years after the fact.

Democrats on the committee, led by ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), said that disclosing the document publicly could eliminate or chill important collection, undermine the FBIs confidential human source program, jeopardize investigations, and result in significant risk of physical harm to sources based on their historic and ongoing collection.

Chairman Comers and Senator Grassleys decision to release this document further amplifies conspiracy theories at the cost of endangering the safety of FBI sources, Democrats wrote in the memo, which was obtained by The Independent. Furthermore, the allegations in the form have been debunked repeatedly, including by Donald Trumps own Justice Department and Rudy Giulianis failed campaign to collect dirt on President Biden in Ukraine.

The memo notes that Lev Parnas, the former associate of Mr Giuliani, Mr Trumps attorney, said in a 10-page letter to Mr Comer that the form repeated false allegations as part of a campaign orchestrated by Giuliani and Trump to dig up dirt on the Bidens, and to spread misinformation about them through various networks including government officials, journalists, and FOX News personnel.

Mr Parnas wrote in his letter about his role in Mr Giulianis efforts to pressure Ukrainian officials to provide false information about Mr Bidens call to oust Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin and say how it was part of a corrupt deal.

This campaign included offers to exchange political or legal support from the Trump Administration for false statements regarding President Biden, the letter said.

Mr Parnas also described an effort to pressure Mr. Zlochevsky to make false allegations about President Biden by telling him he could be an enemy or a friend of Trump, the letter said. Mr. Zlochevskys written responses explicitly contradicted the Republicans theory and the statements attributed to him in the Form FD-1023.

Specifically, Democrats noted how Mr Zlochevsky denied that anyone contacted the then-former vice president.

The Democratic memo also noted that, along with the confidential human source, senior Republican figures and members of the Justice Department during Mr Trumps presidency debunked the claims.

It noted how then-attorney general William Barr warned we cant take anything we receive from the Ukraine at face value. The memo also noted how Mr Grassley questioned the truthfulness of the allegations, but added he was not interested in the accuracy of the claims in the FD-1023.

The memo also excoriated Mr Grassley and Mr Comer for their release of the form, saying it revealed the names of several individuals in Ukraine whose identities the FBI wanted to keep secret. But the form released Mr Comer and Mr Grassley disclosed the names of officials the human source contacted.

Chairman Comers and Senator Grassleys decision to publicly release the form is in brazen disregard of the safety of FBI human sources and the integrity of its investigations, the memo said. Contrary to Republican messaging, the form provides no new or additional support for their corruption allegations against the President or Hunter Biden. Instead, its release merely seeks to breathe new life into years-old conspiracy theories, initially peddled by Rudy Giuliani, that have been thoroughly debunked.
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed her successor Kevin McCarthy for plans to expunge former president Donald Trumps two impeachments, in an interview with CNN on Sunday.

Ms Pelosi presided over both impeachments of Mr Trump, the first in 2019 when Mr Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden in exchange for military aid to the country, and the second in 2021 for the January 6 riot.

The president was impeached because we had no choice, she said on CNNs State of the Union. He had undermined our national security, jeopardised our wellbeing of our country.

Ms Pelosi said she was very cautious about bringing forward the two impeachments.

Kevin, you know, is playing politics. It is not even clear if he constitutionally can expunge those things, she told host Dana Bash. If he wants to put his members on the spot, his members in difficult races on the spot, that is a decision he has to make. But this is not responsible. This is not about the flag still being there.

The former House speaker, who stepped aside from congressional leadership earlier this year after Democrats lost the majority in the 2022 midterm election, said that Mr McCarthy proposed the idea because he does not want to face the wrath of Mr Trump.

This is about being afraid. As Ive said before, Donald Trump is the puppeteer and what does he do all of the time but shine the light on the strings. These people look pathetic.

Politico reported last week that after Mr McCarthy had said on CNBC that he did not know whether Mr Trump would be the strongest nominee in the general election, he pledged privately to the former president would vote to expunge the two impeachments. But many moderate Republicans are opposed to voting for the expungement, particularly related to January 6, Politico reported.
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Ron DeSantiss campaign advisers took the rare (and sometimes fatal) step of acknowledging mismanagement of the Florida governors presidential bid this weekend, as reports revealed that he is burning through cash with little to show for it.

The Florida governors top staff and advisers were in Utah on Sunday where, according to Politico, they appeared in front of dozens of restless campaign donors who have expressed concern about a return on their investments and the overall trajectory of Mr DeSantiss bid for the White House.

The meeting comes as the DeSantis campaign is beginning to draw comparisons to the well-financed eventual flop that was the Jeb Bush 2016 campaign, the last bid by a Republican governor of Florida to win a GOP primary against Donald Trump. Indeed, Mr DeSantis has earned some of those comparisons, given that he continues to trail far behind Mr Trump in all available polling and now sees other Republican candidates in a much better position to dethrone him than he is to usurp the former presidents mantle of frontrunner.

On Sunday, aides including campaign manager Generra Peck admitted that the governors bid was spending donations too freely, in particular faulting the event planning team which saw a number of firings this past week. According to The New York Times, the DeSantis campaign has already spent 40 per cent of the donations it has raised directly in the first six weeks of his campaign  though that number does not count the war chest controlled by the Never Back Down PAC, the governors vehicle for outside spending. Among the steeper expenditures which apparently led to the recent staff shakeup have included fancy retreats for donors and supporters.

The campaigns cash burn rate is notable given that Mr DeSantis has spent virtually nothing on major television ad buys, which are typically among the priciest (but still often necessary) investments a successful primary operation must make. The Times highlighted Mr DeSantiss propensity for flying to events via chartered private jets as another reason for the high spending.

But campaign officials gave little other information to donors on Sunday regarding what new strategies the governors team would employ, other than pledging to let Ron be Ron. They did express confidence in Ms Pecks leadership of the operation, according to Politico. On Monday, however, one of those changes was made public: The promotion of digital director Ethan Eilon to deputy campaign manager.

The important thing that everyone realized here is the first family has complete faith in Generra and the team, Florida-based conservative lobbyist Nick Iarossi, who attended the meeting, told Politico after it occurred.

The team is going to continue to evaluate the direction, be nimble, make changes as necessary, he said. But the team is solidly behind her, the donors are solidly behind her. And this insurgent campaign thats being run is going to allow us to be more efficient going forward.

Mr DeSantis continues to trail Mr Trump even in his home state of Florida  to say nothing of states like Iowa, where his campaign has made significant investments and worked hard to woo local leaders, like Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

Campaign officials declined to comment on the spending rate of the governors presidential bid, giving the Times instead a snarky statement about Mr DeSantis not being the candidate of the media and political establishments.

The media and D.C. elites have already picked their candidates  Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Andrew Romeo told the newspaper. Ron DeSantis has never been the favorite or the darling of the establishment, and he has won because of it every time.
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A former president has been charged with crimes connected to his attempts to overturn the results of an American election.

The federal investigation into the efforts from Donald Trump and his allies to subvert the outcome of the 2020 presidential election has yielded four criminal charges in a 45-page indictment, outlining three alleged criminal conspiracies and the obstruction of of Joe Bidens victory and detailing a multi-state scheme built on a legacy of lies and conspiracy theories to undermine the democratic process.

A charging document under US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith follows a grand jury vote to indict Mr Trump after months of evidence and witness testimony.

The indictment follows a separate, lengthy House select committee investigation into the events surrounding and leading up to the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, including a series of blockbuster public hearings laying out evidence and witness testimony describing the depth of Mr Trumps attempts to remain in office at whatever cost.

The panels final 845-page report provides a detailed account of the former presidents refusal to cede power  regardless of the outcome  while privately acknowledging that he lost, as his baseless stolen election narrative fuelled his supporters to riot in the halls of Congress, an argument that also bolstered his second impeachment in the House of Representatives.

That report and countless investigations into the events surrounding January 6 have painted the attack on the Capitol as part of a much-larger effort to preserve a fragile American democracy in a volatile battle to determine the truth and who wields it.

In December, lawmakers on the House committee unanimously voted to recommend charges against the former president, claiming that there is enough evidence to prosecute him for at least four crimes  including aiding or providing comfort to an insurrection aimed at toppling the United States government.

The panel also referred Mr Trump to the Justice Department for the obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the US, and conspiracy to make a false statement to the federal government.

John Eastman, the attorney who argued that Mr Pence could reject election results, and Kenneth Chesebro, who helped develop the fake elector scheme, were also implicated in the committees report, along with former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, attorney Rudy Giuliani, and former assistant US attorney general Jeffrey Clark.

It was a mostly symbolic vote, marking the culmination of the committees months-long investigation, but it sent a powerful signal from a bipartisan group of lawmakers bolstered by mountains of evidence that a former president should be held accountable for his alleged crimes against the government.

Who is under investigation?

The Justice Departments investigation builds on the years of work from federal prosecutors to investigate more than 1,000 people in connection with the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, fuelled by the former presidents ongoing false claims that the election was rigged against him.

A resulting indictment lists six unnamed co-conspirators who are likely to include Trump-connected attorneys and former administration officials and advisers, including former attorneys Mr Giuliani and Mr Eastman, Sidney Powell, Mr Clark and Mr Cheseboro.

Prosecutors have also talked to a number of chief aides and officials in Mr Trumps circle, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Mr Meadows, former White House counsel Pat Cipollone, his former deputy Pat Philbin, and former national security adviser Robert OBrien, among several others.

They also have spoken with Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, who was on the other end of a call with Mr Trump demanding that the states top elections official find 11,780 votes  enough for him to overturn Mr Bidens victory in the state.

That call, which was taped, also is at the center of a separate investigation from Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis into election interference in the state.

Arizona  ground zero for an election denialism movement that gave rise to leading GOP candidates for the top three statewide offices, including failed candidate for governor Kari Lake  was a focal point for the Trump campaign and his allies, who filed several lawsuits against the state and some counties in an attempt to overturn the lawful results. Mr Biden won the state by roughly 10,000 votes.

Former Trump attorneys John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani speak to the former presidents supporters in Washington, DC, on 6 January 2021. (Reuters)

Federal prosecutors have talked to former Arizona governor Doug Ducey, who silenced a call from Mr Trump while Mr Ducey was in the middle of certifying his states election results  a process that was being live-streamed and carried across news outlets.

Mr Smiths office also subpoenaed the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State and has met with top elections officials in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

Prosecutors also have interviewed Michigan secretary of state Jocelyn Benson, whose office provided a tranche of documents that included communications between the states election officials and Mr Trumps former lawyers and members of his campaign as the former presidents allies targeted the critical battleground state.

Central to the investigation is whether Mr Trump knew that he lost but pressed ahead with spurious efforts to overturn results anyway, with federal prosecutors reportedly speaking to his son-in-law and former adviser Jared Kushner and former communications directors Hope Hicks and Alyssa Farah Griffin with those questions in mind.

What charges does Trump face?

The former president has been charged with four crimes, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.

The indictment bases those charges around Mr Trumps lies and knowledge of his deceit about the elections outcome, his campaigns attempts to pressure state officials and push false slates of electors to obstruct the certification of the results, a failed attempt to persuade Mr Pence to refuse the outcome and Mr Trumps failure to stop a mob of his supporters from breaking into the Capitol.

A mob of Donald Trumps supporters breached the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, fuelled by a baseless narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from him. (Reuters)

In May 2020, with the presidential election still months away, Mr Trump said it would be rigged against him if he were to lose. That June, he said the election would be the scandal of our times, called it inaccurate and fraudulent and the greatest election disaster in history. Not a single ballot had yet been cast.

His own Justice Department, close advisers and campaign found no evidence of widespread voter fraud and dozens of lawsuits filed by his campaign and allies to overturn results were withdrawn or dismissed, while his attorneys and the right-wing network amplifying their false claims face massive defamation lawsuits from the voting machines companies and election workers at the centre of them.

Obstruction

The crime of obstruction of an official proceeding has already been brought against hundreds of people in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

The House select committee and a federal judge who was involved in cases stemming from its inquiry previously argued that there is evidence that Mr Trump sought to corruptly obstruct the certification of electoral college votes in Congress  a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.

Then-President Trump exploited the violence at the Capitol, fuelled by his ongoing and baseless narrative that the election was stolen from him, by calling on lawmakers to pause the certification of the election results, according to the indictment.

Conspiracy to defraud the United States

Mr Trumps efforts through his legal team and his inner circle to block the certification of Mr Bidens victory in states that he lost, while falsely claiming widespread voter fraud and manipulation had stolen the election from him, form the basis for that charge in the federal indictment against him.

The former president also is charged under this statute in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, where he is accused of using a lawyer to lie to the Justice Department.

The indictment outlines Mr Trumps efforts to push election officials in battleground states that he lost  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  to subvert election outcomes, then advance a bogus alternate elector scheme to transmit false slates of electors to Congress.

On 18 July, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel charged 16 fake electors in that state, marking the first criminal charges brought against so-called alternate electors who sought to overturn 2020 results.

Mr Trump then leveraged the Justice Department to promote the scheme and pressured Mr Pence to fraudulently alter the elections outcome by rejecting the results on January 6, according to the indictment.

Conspiracy against rights

A crime of conspiracy against rights invokes Section 241 of Title 18 of US Code, a law that dates back to bedrock civil rights protections in the Reconstruction era in the aftermath of the Civil War. It carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Recommended Why Trump is charged under a civil rights law used to prosecute KKK terror

It was among criminal codes under the Enforcement Acts, also known as the Ku Klux Klan Acts, designed to protect Americans civil rights enshrined under then-newly enacted 13th, 14th and 15th amendments  allowing the federal government to protect the rights of enfranchised Black people to vote, hold office, serve on juries and receive equal protection under the law.

Section 241 criminalises conspiracies to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person from exercising such rights.

Is there a case for insurrection?

After delivering remarks to a rally of his supporters while a joint session of Congress convened to certify 2020 election results, a speech that allegedly incited his supporters to storm the Capitol, then-President Trump stood by for 187 minutes before he told them to go home.

The House select committee unanimously agreed that Mr Trump should be charged for inciting an insurrection and giving aid or comfort to insurrectionists  a rare and severe charge that prosecutors will approach only with extreme caution, if they decide to prosecute at all.

A conviction on that charge mandates a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and would prohibit Mr Trump from holding office.

The charge is not included in the indictment against him and none of the more than 1,000 people arrested in connection with the attack are facing this charge.

This story was initially published on 19 July and has since been updated with subsequent developments.
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Jack Smith, the experienced war crimes prosecutor who unveiled two unprecedented federal indictments against former US president Donald Trump, is no stranger to high-profile probes of public figures.

The US Department of Justice veteran oversaw anti-corruption prosecutions against multiple US politicians in his role as the head of the Department of Justice public integrity section from 2010 to 2015.

One of those cases was against former Virginia governor Robert McDonnell, a Republican against whom he secured a conviction on bribery charges, though the case was later thrown out by the US Supreme Court.

He also won a conviction of former GOP Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona, who received a sentence of three years in prison before being pardoned by Mr Trump.

A Harvard Law School graduate, Mr Smith also served in prosecutorial roles in US Attorney offices in the Middle District of Tennessee and the Eastern District of New York.

Prior to his appointment by Mr Garland, Mr Smith lived in the Dutch city of The Hague, where he has been serving as a specialist prosecutor overseeing investigations into war crimes in Kosovo since 2018.

He also served as a coordinator of investigations for the prosecutors office at the International Criminal Court from 2008 to 2010, where he worked on cases against foreign government officials and members of militias accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Mr Smith returned to the US last November after being appointed a special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

His first mission was to consider, whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election or the certification of the electoral college vote held on or about January 6, 2021.

The second, which led to Mr Trump being indicted and arraigned in 37 federal charges, was about whether the former president had violated US laws prohibiting unlawful retention of national defence information and obstruction of justice.

Donald Trump. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

It marked the first time in US history that an ex-president  let alone one who is a declared candidate in the next presidential election  faced criminal charges.

On 13 June, Mr Trump was arrested and arraigned on those charges in a federal court in Miami, where he pleaded not guilty. His longtime aide Walt Nauta was also charged in the case,

Coming face-to-face in the courtroom, several reporters described how Mr Smith was seen staring down the former president throughout the entirety of the arraignment proceedings.

On 27 July, Mr Smith hit Mr Trump with fresh charges in the case over accusations that he tried to delete Mar-a-Lago security footage so it couldnt be handed over to investigators probing his handling of secret documents.

According to prosecutors, Mr Nauta and a new third defendant  Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira  collaborated to hide the footage. Mr Nauta and Mr De Oliveira were also charged over the matter.

Mr Trump was also hit with a new charge  his 32nd for retaining national defence information  in relation to a new classified document described as a top secret presentation concerning military activity in a foreign country. This document is believed to be a plan of attack on Iran which a leaked audio previously revealed Mr Trump discussing in a meeting with biographers and staffers at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club.

But beyond the classified documents case, Mr Smith also investigated Mr Trumps efforts to remain in office despite losing the 2020 election, including any role he may have had in inciting the insurrection on January 6, 2021, for which he was impeached but not convicted in the US Senate trial.

Donald Trump gestures at the end of his speech during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021. (REUTERS)

On 18 July, the former president said he had received a letter stating that hes a target of a federal grand jury probe.

Then on Tuesday, 1 August, a third indictment was brought against the ex-president.

A grand jury in Washington DC voted to charge Mr Trump on four counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding.

On 3 August, Mr Trump surrendered to authorities in Washington DC to be arrested before appearing for his arraignment.

In the courtroom, Mr Trump and his nemesis Mr Smith came face to face once again  staring each other down as the former president pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jack Smith presiding during a war crimes court hearing at The Hague on November 2020 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As he pursues charges against one of the most famous men in the world, Mr Smith has been thrust into the spotlight.

So will his prior experience be ample preparation for the punishing national attention to which he will now be subjected, including Mr Trumps infamous social media broadsides?

Following his first federal indictment in June, Mr Trump lashed out at Mr Smith, accusing him of being a Trump hater and a deranged psycho that shouldnt be involved in any case having to do with justice, other than to look at Biden as a criminal  which he is!

Subsequently, Mr Trumps allies and supporters began attacking Mr Smith, including Kimberly Guilfoyle, Matt Gaetz and Mark Levin.

Special Counsel Jack Smith is atrocious, MAGA War Room tweeted on 13 June  the day of Mr Trumps arrest and arraignment.

Far-right US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced an appropriations rider to the House floor on 12 June to defund Jack Smiths Special Counsel, his office and the investigation.

This is a weaponized government attempt to take down the top political enemy and leading presidential candidate, she said.

Mr Smith has also faced repeated attacks from Mr Trump himself ever since that first federal indictment was handed down.

In his post-arraignment speech at Bedminster on 13 June, the former president laid into the special prosecutor.

He looks like a thug, he said of Mr Smith.

Hes a raging and uncontrolled Trump hater, as is his wife, who also happened to be the producer of that Michelle Obama puff piece. (Mr Smiths wife, Katy Chevigny, is a documentary filmmaker who produced 2020s Becoming.)

Mr Smith has been unfaltering in his response.

On 9 June, when the indictment was unsealed, he struck a defiant note  a note he appeared to continue to take in his courtroom stance.

Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice, and our nations commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world, he told reporters.

We have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone.

After Mr Trump was federally indicted for a second time, Mr Trumps campaign released a statement calling indictment disgraceful and political targeting.

The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes. President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys, the statement from Mr Trumps campaign read.

Gustaf Kilander and Ariana Baio contributed to this report
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Former President Donald Trump reposted a meme on Truth Social that suggested the government led the Capitol riot on January 6, despite the fact that he was president at the time.

The meme, which Mr Trump re-truthed, said: January 6 will go down in history as the day the government staged a riot to cover up the fact that they certified a fraudulent election.

The meme has been liked nearly 9,000 times and shared 2,400 times as of Monday. In reaction to Mr Trumps repost, journalist Aaron Rupar sarcastically wrote on Twitter: rubbing my last 2 brain cells together as I try to remember who ran the government on January 6.

The former president shared the meme despite a House committee that investigated January 6 declaring Mr Trump the  central cause  of the days events. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him, the House panel wrote in its final report.

Mr Trumps move comes as it appears that Special Counsel Jack Smiths January 6 criminal probe is nearing the indictment phase. The former president announced on the platform last week that the special counsel informed him that he was a  target  in the investigation.

Mr Trump is currently the GOP frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race. A number of his colleagues have hesitated in calling out his actions  or inaction  leading up to the Capitol attack.

Mr Trump re-truthed the meme that blamed the government for the Capitol riot (Truth Social)

Fellow GOP presidential candidate and Mr Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence, told CNN on Sunday that although his words were reckless on January 6, I am not yet convinced that they were criminal. He continued, I dont honestly know what his intention was that day.
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New Zealands justice minister has stepped down after she failed an alcohol breath test following a car crash on Sunday night.

Kiri Allan, 39, was charged with driving carelessly and refusing to accompany a police officer. No casualties were reported from the crash.

Prime minister Chris Hipkins said Ms Allan was detained at the central police station in Wellington for about four hours after hitting a parked car at 9pm local time on Sunday. She is due to appear in court at a later date.

Ms Allan, whom Mr Hipkins said had been suffering from extreme emotional distress, will remain as a member of parliament for now.

She understood that retaining her ministerial warrant was untenable, especially for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending, said the prime minister in a press conference.

Less than three months away from the national elections, this is the latest incident involving Hipkin administration ministers.

She is the fourth cabinet minister to leave since March. According to polls, the conservative opposition has either caught up or slightly surpassed the incumbent liberals, setting the stage for a closely contested race.

Police said her breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit. She was issued an infringement notice in relation to the breath test.

Ms Allan, who was also minister for regional development, conservation, and emergency management, had recently taken time off due to personal difficulties, only returning to work last Monday. She confirmed her separation from her partner last month.

Mr Hipkins said she had a conversation with Ms Allan on Monday morning and told her he thought she wasnt in a fit state to remain a minister.

He told her that it was untenable for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending and she agreed to step down from her ministerial roles.

While her alleged actions are inexcusable, Ive been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident, Mr Hipkins said. Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday.

In a statement on Monday, Ms Allan said that she had returned to parliament believing she could juggle personal challenges with her job.

My actions yesterday show I wasn't okay, she said, adding that she will consider her future in politics. Over recent weeks Ive faced a number of personal difficulties. I took time off to address those, and believed I was okay to juggle those challenges with the pressure of being a minister, she added.

The resignation was the latest blow to Mr Hipkins who had said it has been a messy time in his own party, ahead of elections on 14 October.

In the last month, transport and immigration minister Michael Wood resigned due to his failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest related to stock ownership.

In May, customs minister Meka Whaitiri was dismissed from her role after switching her allegiance to a different political party, causing upheaval within the governments ranks.

In March, police minister Stuart Nash was fired for providing confidential information to donors, which came to light in a concerning revelation.
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Wildfires have been raging across several cities in Greece including Rhodes, Corfu and Evia. Authorities have issued new evacuations for areas close to two central Greek cities after two people were killed.

People living in areas around Volos and Lamia have been told to move to safety as the country remains in a state of extreme heat. In the last 24 hours, 61 wildfires erupted across the country, the fire brigade said.

Officials also ordered the evacuation of many communities in the hard-hit area of Magnesia, a coastal area north of Athens.

Fires in Rhodes forced thousands of people to leave their homes in the biggest evacuation in Greek history, as holidaymakers said they walked for miles in scorching heat to reach safety.

"The smoke was coming. So we all set off on foot. I walked 12 miles (19 km) in this heat yesterday. It took me four hours," British tourist Chris Freestone told the Reuters News Agency.

112 Greece, the Emergency Communications Service has put out protection guidelines for those in the country. The guidelines have been issued to help those during a fire and before a fire.

As the wildfires rage on, here is everything you need to know about how a wildfire evacuation protocol works

What is a wildfire?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) describe a wildfire as: Any unplanned and uncontrolled wildland fire that, regardless of ignition source, may require suppression response or other action according to agency policy.

How long does a wildfire last?

The National Operational Guidance (NOG) has said a wildfire will burn over a period of time in areas that provide the space over which the fire can move.

The NOG said the behaviour of the wildfire is dependent on a number of variables, these include: its movement across the landscape which brings instability within the fire environment caused by changes to the available fuel as well as its combustibility and arrangement, the shape of the topography and the effects of weather.

According to the Guinness World Records, the longest wildfire was the Chinchaga Fire in 1950 which grew out of control and ended five months later on 31 October in Alberta - in that time, it burned approximately 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres) of boreal forest.

What to do if your home is in or near a forest?

112 Greece has said you should take the following steps:

 Create a fire-free zone around the house by clearing any dry grass, leaves, pine needles and branches.

 Do not let tree branches touch the walls of your home, roof and balcony.

 Do not install shutters in your home made of flammable materials on windows.

 Make sure you have a watering hose near your home.

You can find the full guide here.

When should you evacuate?

According to Readyforwildfire.org, people should leave as soon as an evacuation is recommended by emergency services.

Make sure you leave as soon as you receive the news and do not wait for authorities to come to you or to be ordered directly by authorities to leave.

Evacuating the forest fire area early also helps firefighters keep roads clear of congestion, and lets them move more freely to do their job. In an intense wildfire, they will not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, dont hesitate, readyforwildfire.org has said on its website.

Here are some steps you can take:

Emergency services will know exactly which areas will need to be evacuated and which escape routes you can take, so be on high alert.

Be sure to follow the orders authorities give you.

Always stay informed, you can do this by checking the latest on your phone, on social media, radio or television.

Officials may direct you to a temporary assembly point, where you will be transferred to a safe location.

Readyforwildfire.org has said on its website that people should not return to their homes until fire officials determine it is safe. Notification that it is safe to return home will be given as soon as possible considering safety and accessibility, it added.

Does the UK government help if youre affected by a crisis abroad?

The official government website has said the help the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can give may be limited.

It said before you travel you should:

Make sure you are covered by travel insurance.

Find out if your holiday is financially protected and what your flights are during your holiday.

There has been a Crisis Management Unit set up to respond to the situation in Rhodes. They can be contacted at +30 210 368 1730 / +30 210 3681259 / +30 210 3681350.

However, people have been advised to contact their airline or travel operator who can assist with a return to the UK.

The government website has also said during hot temperatures, people should take extra caution and follow NHS guidelines on how to cope during hot weather.

What have airlines said?

Jet2 and Tui have cancelled all flights to Rhodes. The Jet2 planes were scheduled to depart full of tourists bound for the Greek island. But the planes were empty and will be used to evacuate holidaymakers fleeing the blaze.

On Sunday (23 July), Jet 2 put out a statement on Twitter and said they are keeping the situation under constant review.

In its full statement, the airline said: The situation in Rhodes continues to evolve quickly and our absolute priority is the health, safety and well-being of customers and colleagues in the affected areas. We can confirm that: Our in-resort teams are working hard to comply with the guidance of local authorities, and we are continuing to bring more customer helpers and local authorities colleagues to the area.

The airline said it will continue to ask customers in affected areas to follow the advice of the local authorities, as well as staff in their hotels It said it was contacting customers as quickly as possible.

The statement continued: Due to these extraordinary circumstances, we have cancelled all flights and holidays that are due to depart to Rodes up to and including Sunday 30th July. We believe this is the right thing to do for everything, and we will be contacting affected customers with regard to their refund or rebooking options.

We will fly those aircraft to Rhodes with no customers on board so that we can continue to bring customers back to the UK on their scheduled flights.

TUI has also put out a statement and said their teams are working hard with local authorities in Greece to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our customers currently on holiday in Rhodes and impacted by the wildfires.
 Close Plane fighting wildfires in Evia crashes

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A wildfire has triggered a series of massive explosions at an air force ammunition depot in central Greece.

The depot was evacuated before the explosions, which shattered windows in the surrounding area. No injuries were reported, although continued blasts prevented firefighting teams from approaching the site.

Greek state broadcaster ERT said the facility is in the coastal town of Nea Aghialos near the Volos area.

The fire reached the ammunition storage facility about four miles north of the major military air base in Nea Anchialos. Local media reported that bombs and ammunition for Greek F-16 fighters were stored at the site

The fighter jets are reportedly being moved from the air base.

Fire Service spokesman Ioannis Artopios said 12 villages were ordered to be evacuated in the Volos-Nea Anchialos area.

Meanwhile, the blaze reached the outskirts of Athens, with 61 fires breaking out across the country in 24 hours.

Deadly wildfires on Greeces mainland have killed two as wildfires spread in Europe and north Africa including Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, France, Croatia, Spain, Algeria and Tunisia.
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Thousands of people have been evacuated from towns and villages across Greece after wildfires ravaged the country.

Videos of roaring fires and towering black smoke have circulated online from Rhodes and Corfu. However, wildfires have erupted across several areas including Evia and the Peloponnese region.

Firefighters battled against 82 wildfires across the country overnight, forcing the biggest evacuation in the countrys history.

A satellite image shows the area affected by wildfires in Rhodes (Reuters)

Sixty-four of the fires started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far as temperatures peaked at 46.4C in the southern Greek town, Gytheio.

The most serious fire in the country was on the island of Rhodes, where some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said.

Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels.

Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems.

Keep up with the latest on Greece wildfires on our live blog.

A person who fell and broke a leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remained in hospital, the latter in good condition, authorities said.

Map below shows areas in Rhodes affected by raging wildfires:

View more

In Corfu, approximately 2,466 individuals were evacuated overnight, Yannis Artopios, a spokesperson for the fire department said.

Videos on social media show flames engulfing Corfu as smoke and orange haze covered the night skies. The fire broke out on the northern part of the island which is popular with British tourists.

Those in Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia Perithia and Sinies were told to evacuate to Kasiopi due to fires in Corfu.

Map below shows scale of devastating wildfires in several regions of Greece:

View more

The Greek Coast Guard said around 59 people were evacuated from Nissaki beach on the northwest coast of the island.

However, the regions deputy mayor said the fires in Corfu were caused by arson.

Before and after pictures - the first taken in January and the second on Sunday - show the damage caused by the wildfires (Maxar/Reuters)

Chariton Koutscouris told the BBC that it was down to a group of people who get pleasure out of this with the pain of the other people.

Giorgos Mahimaris, the mayor of North Corfu, also said that arson was behind the fires.

A fire burning on the Pantokratoras mountain on Corfu island, Greece (EPA)

Tourists are sheltered in a stadium after being evacuated following a wildfire on the island of Rhodes (via REUTERS)

Of the 64 wildfires that broke out elsewhere in the country on Sunday, the most serious was on Evia, Greeces second-largest island, where authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing.

Central Greece vice governor Giorgos Kelaiditis, who was near one of the villages, told state agency ANA-MPA the situation is difficult.

The fire may be two kilometres (1.25 miles) away, but the wind is strong, the growth is low, the smoke thick and the air is hard to breathe, he said.
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Evacuations are set to continue in Greece as Corfu and Evia have become the latest Islands to issue orders while the country grapples with the devastating wildfires. The Greek fire service has said around 2,500 people have evacuated from Corfu so far.

Thousands of people have also been forced to leave their homes and hotels - with those in Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia Perithia and Sinies being told to evacuate to Kassiopi.

A spokesperson from the Met Office told The Independent: Temperatures on Rhodes are likely to peak on Wednesday, and could be close to 39C in some spots. Temperatures are then expected to move back towards average for the time of year later in the week, likely around 30C.

However, windy conditions could impact efforts this week. There are some northwesterly winds today, with these likely to ease on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, a return of windy weather is possible later in the week, albeit accompanied by that drop in temperatures, the Met Office added.

What will the weather be like this week in Greece?

According to the Met Office website, the temperature in Rhodes will be as follows:

Monday 24 July - Highest temperature: 36C and Lowest: 31C

Tuesday 25 July - Highest: 37C and Lowest: 28C

Wednesday 26 July - Highest: 39C and Lowest: 27C

Thursday 27 July - Highest: 36C and Lowest: 23C

Friday 28 July - Highest: 34C and Lowest: 24C

Saturday 29 July - Highest: 32C and Lowest: 22C

Sunday 30 July- Highest: 33C and Lowest: 24C

How long will the wildfires last?

The climate crisis is increasing the risk of larger, more intense and erratic wildfires around the world due to hotter and drier conditions. Other factors also play a role including soil moisture levels, and the presence of vegetation which acts as fuel for fires.

Its important to note that these wildfires are happening in environments that are naturally prone to fire during hot and dry summers, with vegetation that is highly adapted to live with fire, Dr Matthew Jones, NERC Independent Research Fellow, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, UEA, said in a statement.

Dr Jones added that under climate change and frequent changes to weather conditions across the globe, fires are more likely to break out and also burn so intensely and synchronously across the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean has seen a dramatic increase in the frequency of the hot-dry conditions that were considered extreme at the end of the last century, and these increases are expected to accelerate for each added degree of warming in future, he noted.

According to the Joint Research Centre, last year was the second-worst wildfire season in Europe. In 2022, damages exceeded those of 2021, as per data from the EFFIS - an advanced report on Forest Fires in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The EFFIS looked at fires in 45 countries and found that these places suffered from 16,941 fires that burnt 1,624,381 hectares.

Looking at just European countries, July 2022 was the month when the most significant proportion of damage occurred in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece.

(TED G. BAILOS via REUTERS)

According to Safer Scotlands Wildfire Operational Guidance, a wildfire can burn for a period of time and this is heavily dependent on the landscape, which contributes to how fast the fire might move.

The behaviour of the wildfire depends on the following factors: the area, its combustibility and arrangement, the arrangement of the area, the weather and time.

Dependent on stable or unstable weather conditions the Wildfire Operational Guidance said time can have a positive or negative effect on fire development throughout the day and this will bring both advantage and disadvantage to firefighting operations.

Space is another important factor as the area in which the fire is burning brings changes to the shape of the fire, altering the fires alignment. For example, as fire changes its location and moves across the area topographical and climactic conditions will work for and against the first altering its intensity and speed.

What impacts does fuel have on wildfires?

When a wildfire occurs, the main source of fuel is vegetation. This type of fuel, its size and the way the vegetation is arranged across the landscape will affect the way the fire burns.

The Wildfire Operational Guidance has said the size and shape of the fuel are important especially in regard to their ease of ignition. Smaller fuels, referred to as fine fuels, are more receptive to fire, while larger or more coarse fuel types generally rely on their interaction with fires in finer fuels before they will ignite.

Fine fuels are considered to be those with a diameter of up to 6mm, this includes grass, small stems and the leaves of low-lying shrubs. These fine fuels can also be found in large quantities in plants - such as needles on conifer trees.

Flames rise during a forest fire on the island of Rhodes on Saturday 22 July (AP)

Fuels that are over 6mm in diameter are described as coarse fuel and include twigs, branches, and tree trunks, the guidance has said.

Fine fuels can affect the intensity of the fire, the rate and motion of the fire, the flame length, the fire activity and increased ignitions caused by spot fires.

When asked about how long the wildfires might last in Greece, Jim Dale, founder and senior Meteorlogical Consultant at the British Weather Services told The Independent: For as long as there is fuel as in combustible brush. The wind is the enemy as far as people and infrastructure are concerned; there is no sign of rain.

The two main fire zones of Rhodes and Corfu will almost certainly be added to as the Mediterranean basin continues to bake with record and near-record temperatures.
 Close Drone footage shows moment Russian ship is attacked

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Dozens of second-hand Leopard 1 tanks are being readied for Ukraines forces fighting the Russian invasion and will hit the battlefield by winter, said an arms trader who finalised the deal.

The tanks, that number 50 and were bought from the Belgium government five years ago, were sold to an unnamed European government at a confidential price, said Freddy Versluys, CEO of defence company OIP Land Systems.

Arms maker Rheinmetall acquired the tanks and will prepare most of them for export to Ukraine, reported German newspaper Handelsblatt.

Of these, 50 tanks will be refurbished at Rheinmetall factories in Germany and 30 overhauled models will be made ready for export. The report did not name the government behind the deal.

This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed Ukraine will fight back against Russia in the Black Sea.

If Russia continues to dominate the Black Sea, outside its territory, blockading or firing at us again, launching missiles at our ports, Ukraine will do the same, he said.

We dont have that many ships. But they should clearly understand that by the end of the war, they will have zero ships, zero.
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Israels parliament has voted to curb the powers of the Supreme Court, a key part of Benjamin Netanyahus divisive judicial overhaul, despite massive nationwide protests that have exposed deep rifts within the country.

In a stormy session on Monday, legislators met to vote on a bill which would strip the countrys top judges of the right to strike down government decisions on the basis that they are unreasonable. Beforehand, opposition legislators who had labelled the move a disaster shouted For shame! and stormed out of the building in protest.

Crowds of angry protesters outside blocked access to the Knesset, accusing the government of declaring war on the country, while union chiefs threatened potential strikes. Despite this, the measure was passed by a 64-0 margin.

By the evening, thousands of campaigners had taken to streets across the country, blocking highways and scuffling with police who said at least 19 people had been arrested.

Justice minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the plan, said parliament had started an important historic process of overhauling the judiciary. Supporters claim the reforms will rebalance the branches of government by stopping unelected judges from having excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials.

We took the first step in the historic, important process of fixing the justice system and restoring powers that were taken from the government and the Knesset [parliament], Mr Levin said in his speech.

However, the reforms have not only sparked mass protest but caused splits in Israels powerful military and repeatedly drawn concern from its closest ally, the United States and other parts of the international community.

Mr Netanyahu attended the session but has yet to publicly comment  he was briefly hospitalised before the vote to have a pacemaker implanted adding another layer of drama to the day.

The bill has laid bare the deep and bitter faultlines in Israeli society and exposed the determination of Mr Netanyahu and his far-right religious nationalist allies to ram through their vision for the country.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during the vote (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Mr Netanyahu and his coalition argue that the Supreme Court has become an elitist group that does not represent the Israeli people and has overstepped its role by committing judicial activism.

Mondays bill is just the first step in a wider planned shake-up  one that left-wing Israeli media outlets have labelled a judicial coup  which has yet to fully make its way to the Knesset floor.

Other scheduled bills include removing independent legal advisers to the ministries, who serve as watchdogs. It followed another piece of legislation pushed through in March which makes it harder for sitting prime ministers to be declared unfit for office.

Critics say it is part of Mr Netanyahus efforts to consolidate power by weakening the independence and oversight of judges, as well as to avoid jail time as he stands trial on graft charges: a conviction could end up being appealed in the Supreme Court. Mr Netanayhu denies all the charges.

Those opposed to the reforms also believe Mr Netanyahu wants to change the law to appoint his supporters to government posts and fire detractors including, possibly, the independent attorney general.

Some also believe Mr Netanyahu is pandering to his coalition of ultra-orthodox and extremist religious settlers who aim to defang the Supreme Court, as it is the primary brake on government policies.

Israel has no formal constitution and little local governance; under its system, the prime minister and his majority coalition in parliament work in tandem.

That leaves the judiciary as the only check on governmental power, according to constitutional law professor Amichai Cohen.

The vote came after 28 consecutive weekends of extraordinary nationwide protests involving business leaders, legal officials, former Netanyahu loyalists, ex-army chiefs of staff, and military reservists, prompting fears that the countrys security could be compromised.

Israeli police detain a protester during a demonstration against the bill in Jerusalem (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)

As many as 10,000 reservists have reportedly declared theyre treading a path to dictatorship, according to reservist-led protest groups.

Over the weekend 100 senior retired security officials  including three former Israeli army chiefs of staff, five former Mossad directors and three former heads of the countrys internal intelligence agency  wrote to Mr Netanyahu urging him not to go ahead with the bill. They said it violates the social contract that soldiers risk their lives on the understanding they are defending a democracy.

Alarmed, the current head of the military, Lt General Herzi Halevi, wrote a letter to soldiers a day before the vote, warning of the dangerous cracks that threatened the country if there is no strong and cohesive military.

Organisers of the main rallies, meanwhile, claimed this weekend had seen the largest gatherings yet with a record 550,000 people taking to the streets.

Among the crowds were thousands of people who completed a four-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and pitched a tent city in a central Jerusalem park.

Those rallies continued on Monday, with groups trying to break the barriers at the parliament building and clashes with police.

The head of Israels main public sector union Histadrut, who had been trying to mediate a compromise between the government and opposition, said after the vote he would meet with other union chiefs to discuss the possibility of a general strike.

Meanwhile, an Israeli political watchdog group said on Monday it would file a Supreme Court appeal against the newly amended law.

Two of Israels biggest banks, Leumi and Hapoalim, said they would allow workers to demonstrate on Monday without losing pay.

A forum of some 150 of Israels largest companies went on strike and Azrieli and Big, two of Israels largest malls, said stores in their shopping centres would remain closed.

There were reports of strikes by medical unions.

The legislation has also drawn the ire and alarm of the international community.

In an extraordinary statement to the news site Axios late Sunday, US president Joe Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes.

Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus, he told the site.

The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk had already urged the Israeli government to pause, saying the proposed changes together would pose a serious risk to the effectiveness of the judiciary in defending the rule of law.
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Elon Musks plan to build an everything app is underway. After rebranding Twitter to X, the tech billionaire encouraged users to rethink the whole concept of what the platform is.

Before he even purchased Twitter in October 2022, Mr Musk said that buying the site was an accelerant to creating a super app akin to Chinas WeChat, Indias PayTM and Indonesias GoJek. These apps offer users the ability to not just make posts, but also send and receive payments, watch and listen to content, and even access services like booking taxis or ordering food deliveries.

Earlier this month, Mr Musk reportedly secured money-transmitting licenses in three US states, suggesting it is already preparing to become a payments business.

Linda Yaccarino, who took over as the chief executive of Twitter last month, gave more details about what the new X app will become, tweeting on Sunday that the rebranding was part of the companys goal to transform the global town square beyond a social network.

X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centred in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways were just beginning to imagine, she tweeted.

For years, fans and critics alike have pushed Twitter to dream bigger, to innovate faster, and to fulfil our great potential. X will do that and more. Weve already started to see X take shape over the past 8 months through our rapid feature launches, but were just getting started.

X did not respond to a request for further information from The Independent about when such changes might take place. Shortly before his takeover of Twitter was complete, Mr Musk tweeted: Twitter probably accelerates X by three to five years, but I could be wrong.

Mr Musk has had access to the X.com domain since 2000, during which time he was working on PayPal. Before rebranding Twitter, the website simply showed the letter X, but now redirects to Twitter.com.

Earlier this year, Twitter changed its business name to X Corp to align with Mr Musks everything app vision, but social media experts have questioned whether such a concept could ever work outside of Asia.

Ill believe it when I see it, industry commentator Matt Navarra said at the time of Mr Musks takeover.

Super apps, as they are known in the industry, are not a new thing. Theyve been hugely successful in Asia, but have not really caught on elsewhere. Could Twitter form part of a super app that lets you buy goods, chat to friends, get news updates, book a taxi etc.? Sure. Can Elon Musk make it work? Possibly. Will Elon actually do it? Who knows. He seems to have commitment issues.

Twitters bird logo was replaced with an X on Monday 24 July, 2023 (X)

Others have raised concerns about whether ditching the Twitter brand and associated bird logo could further damage the platforms reputation, which has been under heavy scrutiny since Mr Musks takeover last year.

By changing Twitters app name, Elon Musk will have single handedly wiped out over fifteen years of a brand name that has secured its place in our cultural lexicon, Mike Proulx, a research director at advisory firm Forrester, told The Independent.

This is an extremely risky move because with X, Musk is essentially starting over while its competition is afoot.
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UK holiday companies have put packages to Rhodes back on sale from the weekend, despite the wildfires that have seen thousands of tourists evacuated from the island.

The UKs two biggest tour operators, Jet2 and Tui, have cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes over the past few days. They are offering refunds because of the fires, which have been raging on the Greek island for six days.

Tui will resume package holidays to most of Rhodes on Saturday 29 July, while Jet2 restarts on Monday 31 July

The travel firm Thomas Cook has been sending holidaymakers to the island throughout the week, though it adds: Customers travelling this Friday, Saturday and Sunday can choose to travel as planned or amend their holiday. If they wished to cancel, they will receive a full refund.

Dozens of flights have brought thousands of British tourists home. It is believed that everyone who wanted to come back early from their trip has done so.

Thousands of holidaymakers were forced to flee resorts on Saturday 22 July, with some British tourists describing terrifying scenes of turmoil as power cuts caused chaos on the island.

In previous days the wildfire was confined to the islands mountainous centre, but aided by winds, very high temperatures and dry conditions, it spread on Saturday towards the coast on the islands central-eastern side.

But the northern part of the island has been running largely as normal, albeit with extra pressure on the infrastructure due to large numbers of tourists fleeing for safety and seeking to find flights home.

Holidaymakers were evacuated from their hotels and left their belongings behind (AP)

Rhodes airport is on the northwestern shore of the Greek island, close to the capital, Rhodes Town. With no imminent danger in that area, some airlines have been operating a business as usual policy, with normal terms applying.

But most have provided provide some options to customers, with package holidaymakers benefiting from extra protection.

The Foreign Office advises travellers to contact their airline or travel operator. For 24/7 British consular assistance, UK citizens abroad can call +44 20 7008 5000.

Thousands of tourists have been evacuated (AP)

The FCDO has also sent a Rapid Deployment Team to Rhodes to support British nationals, and the Greek Foreign Affairs ministry has set up a help desk at Rhodes airport.

I came home early. Will I get some or all of my money back?

People who were anxious about being on the island but whose holidays were not directly affected are unlikely to be offered any recompense for the lost holiday times.

Package holidaymakers whose trips are curtailed because their accommodation cannot be used are due a partial refund under the Package Travel Regulations.

Travellers with easyJet Holidays are told: Customers who we have brought back to the UK earlier than their booked return date will receive a pro-rata refund for the days of the hotel stay that were missed. If a 1,000 holiday that was expected to last two weeks ended halfway through, the refund will be 500 from easyJet Holidays.

But other operators may not be as generous.

If a two-week holiday that cost 1,000 per person ends a week early, the holiday company is entitled to subtract the value of the flights, which might be 400  meaning only half of the remainder will be refunded, ie 300.

I am booked to travel imminently to Rhodes. Can I cancel for a refund?

If the travel firm or airline cancels your trip you can expect a full refund within two weeks. If the flight is going ahead, then your rights may depend on whether you are on a proper package holiday or have booked flights and accommodation separately.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers can cancel for a refund if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination.

In the case of some parts of Rhodes, this looks like reasonable grounds to cancel.

These are the larger companies policies for imminent departures as of 10pm on Thursday 27 July.

easyJet Holidays: Trips will resume on Sunday 30 July. Some flexibility may be offered for customers who wish to defer their trips., All holidays to the resorts of Gennadi, Kiotari and Lahania are cancelled up to and including 10 August 2023

Jet2: all flights and holidays to Rhodes are cancelled up to and including Sunday 30 July, with full refunds offered. From Monday 31 July, normal terms and conditions apply for trips to northern Rhodes, where hotels, villas, and resorts are operating as normal. This includes the resrts of Faliraki, Ialyssos, Ixia, Kalithea, Kolymbia, Kremasti, Pastida, Rhodes Town and Theologos. The resorts of Lardos, Lindos, Kalathos and Pefkos are also operating as normal according to Jet2, which sent customer service and safety experts to all the hotels in these resorts to conduct rigorous and detailed assessments. Three resorts remain on Jet2s no-go list up to and including 13 August: Gennadi, Kiotari and Lachania

Ryanair: Flights to/from Rhodes Airport are currently operating as normal and unaffected by the forest fires. Please check your Ryanair app where you will be notified of any changes to your Ryanair flight.

Thomas Cook: All of our holidays to the island outside of the limited affected areas will resume from Monday 31 July in full. Customers travelling this Friday, Saturday and Sunday [28-30 July] can choose to travel as planned or amend their holiday. If they wished to cancel, they will receive a full refund. Holidaymaker booked to travel to the affected area around Kiatori up to 7 August are offered full refunds.

Tui: All outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Friday 28 July are cancelled, but normal service resumes on Saturday 29 July. Anyone booked to Rhodes on Saturday 29 or Sunday 30 July can cancel for a full refund. After that, usual terms apply for holidays in the north of the island, For trips to the south of the island due to depart up to and including 11 August, full refunds are available. Customers travelling to hotels in the south of the island between 12 and 21 August can amend fee free, the company says.

Would you go to Rhodes?

Yes. The people of Rhodes have shown outstanding kindness and courage towards overseas tourists. In most parts of the island  and 90 per cent is unaffected  they want to get back to work delivering great experiences for visiting holidaymakers.

If I go to Rhodes, will my travel insurance be valid?

Yes, except in very narrow circumstances. When a calamity such as the awful wildfires in Rhodes occurs, it is standard practice for travel insurers to partially remove some cover  but only for trips booked after the situation becomes known and only for risks specifically associated with the event.

For example, you should be able happily to book any trip to Rhodes and expect cover as part of your annual policy  except for risks directly associated with the wildfires. Were you unwise enough to venture into the afflicted area and injure yourself, you would not be covered.

Otherwise, despite a rogue message from Admiral Insurance wrongly saying all cover for Greek holidays booked after 23 July would be suspended  since corrected  there should be no problem.
British holidaymakers have described Greece as looking like hell on earth as wildfires devastated Rhodes and Corfu.

At least 19,000 people have been moved from homes and hotels in Rhodes as blazes tore through forest with flames reaching coastal resorts on the southeast coast.

Corfu officials have blamed fires on the island as arson but say that most are under control.

One British traveller, who has arrived back in the UK after being evacuated from Greece, told BBC Breakfast: Close up, it looked like hell on earth... I just hope everybody is okay.
Police officers arrested a Black mother in London in front of her crying son after they thought she hadnt paid for a bus ticket.

Footage of the July 21 incident shows the woman being restrained by Metropolitan Police officers in Croydon, while her young son was moved away by a female officer.

In a statement Met Police said officers had arrested the woman because she was asked to confirm with a revenue inspector that she had paid her bus fare, but did not agree.

Officers handcuffed and arrested her on suspicion of fare evasion where the force claim she then became abusive.

It later emerged the woman had paid and was de-arrested.
The Independents travel correspondent Simon Calder has said it is extraordinary that a number of flights to Rhodes are still scheduled today, despite widlfires ravaging the Greek island.

Tourists have been forced to flee for their safety following the devastating fires, but some flights will still take off carrying British passengers to Rhodes today. The travel journalist also revealed many people with holidays booked are still travelling to Rhodes as normal, despite the warnings.

Jet2 has this morning announced it will operate three repatriation flights from Rhodes to bring customers back to the UK. The additional services are on top of the 50 plus scheduled flights operating between Rhodes and the UK up until Sunday.
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At this point, almost everyone, including his fans, acknowledges Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss presidential campaign has severely underperformed its expectations. He failed to raise more money than former president Donald Trump and still his campaign has burned through cash, which has led to him shedding staff.

Mr DeSantis recent headaches have drawn comparisons to his predecessor as governor and one-time Republican frontrunner Jeb Bush. Like Mr DeSantis, Mr Bush had a massive fundraising advantage ahead of the competition and often appeared at the top of the polls. But Mr Trumps constant barbs against Mr Bush stuck with him to the point the description Low-energy seemed to always precede his name, much in the same way Mr Trumps nicknames like DeSanctimonious or Meatball Ron have been hard for him to shake.

Mr Bush attracted a lot of enthusiasm early in the 2016 contest, though his support ultimately fizzled. Perhaps no moment captured the lack of enthusiasm more succinctly than Mr Bushs infamous please clap request to a room of potential voters.

This past weekend, two polls from Fox Business offered a double body blow to Mr DeSantis. One showed Mr Trump leading the governor by 30 points, with Sen Tim Scott (R-SC) biting at his heels. Even more brutally, a poll in South Carolina shows he now trails the states former Gov Nikki Haley by one point.

Longtime readers may remember back in February, when I wrote that Ms Haleys candidacy would not hurt Mr Trump but could be fatal to Mr DeSantis. The reasoning was simple: many of Mr Trumps devotees will not consider anyone else for the GOP nomination, let alone someone on record badmouthing the former president.

That means he and Ms Haley would have to compete for a smaller slice of non-Trump voters, which could - in turn - hurt Mr DeSantis as the leading non-Trump candidate. This is exactly what has taken place and, on top of that, Mr Scotts rise (particularly with Republican donors who now have buyers remorse with Mr DeSantis) has meant his slice of the electorate has dwindled.

With its numerous evangelical churches, Iowa is a must-win for Republicans, as is South Carolina. A poor performance in either of those states, let alone both, could end his candidacy and political career as a whole.

Meanwhile, friends of The Independents Inside Washington newsletter Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman at The New York Times published a piece during the weekend about how the DeSantis campaign is telling donors that the campaign is spinning his campaign as a leaner-meaner operation and marketing him as an insurgent candidate. One interesting tidbit: the incredibly homophobic video that his campaign on social media had shared had actually been made in-house

These stories, often called reboot stories, are meant to spin once shining but now flagging campaigns as overcoming a hurdle before they make a comeback. Sometimes, those comebacks happen: in 2008, John McCain pounded the pavement after a staff exodus and it led to him winning the Republican nomination (though he later lost to Barack Obama).

Stories of his lack of charisma and his need to rely on the charm of his former news anchor wife Casey have compounded the fear that he might not be able to make it for the long haul (some may remember that Mr Trump had no compunctions about attacking either Mr Bush or Sen Ted Cruzs wives in the 2016 Republican primary).

Similarly, its hard to frame Mr DeSantis as an insurgent, especially since his team has marketed him as the saviour of the GOP ever since his decisive double-digit victory in November.

His team has all but said he is an electoral juggernaut who can win over Hispanic voters and formerly Democratic areas with his hybrid of owning the libs without the erratic behaviour of Mr Trump. To frame him now as the underdog would be akin to saying that his supposed texting buddy Tom Brady is a come-from-behind kid.

As a result, Mr DeSantis is now a victim of the narrative he built up; if he is not dominating Mr Trump in the polls, and he can no longer vacuum up money, there is less rationale to get behind him. In addition, if more donors move away from him in his hour of need, it might jeopardise his ability to stay in the contest for the long haul.

All of this spells worse news for Mr DeSantis come the first GOP debate in August. Most Republican presidential candidates know they likely do not stand a chance to siphon off Mr Trumps voters and they will most certainly want to anger them. Hence, Ms Haley, Mr Scott and many other candidates will take aim at Mr DeSantis.

Enter the DeSantis Doom Loop: if he continues to run low on cash, underperform in polls and get savaged in debates, donors will be less likely to fork over money, which lead to underperformance in polls and Republican also-rans continuing to see him as someone they can knock down a peg without taking on the boss man.
Barryroe Offshore Energy (BOE) immediately adjourned an extraordinary general meeting of the company where a liquidator had been expected to be appointed on Monday.

The company said it followed a move on Friday by Vevan, its biggest shareholder, to seek the appointment of an Examiner to the business last Friday.

Vevan Unlimited is ultimately owned by billionaire Larry Goodman.

That High Court request, which could potentially facilitate a rescue of the business, is due to be decided on July 31st. In the meantime BOE shares will remain suspended.

A further notice will be issued to shareholders following the decision of the High Court as regards the petition, Barryroe said.

BOE previously said the decision to enter a voluntary liquidation had been a direct consequence of the surprising and extremely disappointing decision by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan not to allow permission progress work at the prospective Barryroe oil well off the Cork coast, where BOE had a licence to prospect.

That licencing decision was made in May.

The permit area is home to the Barryroe undersea prospect, discovered in 2012, and tipped by the company to hold potentially billions of euro worth of oil and gas.

Over the past decade Barryroe has struggled to turn the prospect into a reality and to secure financial backing to develop its plans.

Barryroe Offshore had an 80pc stake in the prospect licence alongside partner Lansdowne Oil & Gas.

Last week Lansdowne Oil & Gas said it had 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.

Several outside funders have approached it regarding its planned legal action seeking up to $100m from the Irish State, it told its shareholders.

In May Environment Minister Eamon Ryan refused to grant a leasefor further exploration of the field.

Lansdowne Oil & Gas has 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.


Over the past six months, a number of big tech companies have announced redundancies, leading to speculation about an uncertain future for tech graduates. However, Ireland still has a skills gap in technology  because it is not only big tech companies that need qualified, competent tech graduates.

Education and industry

The future of education and the future of work go hand-in-hand. The prioritisation of the skills and talent agenda is now critical to boosting Irelands international reputation for an innovative, agile, and high-performing workforce. Every job is changing and at pace, in terms of needing new skills to support delivery and execution. To meet these needs and to drive innovation, we need a talented workforce  in all areas - and this will only be achievable and sustainable through education. This also requires deeper engagement between the higher education sector and industry.

Resilience for society and economy

Education is life-changing. The HEAs National Access Plan acts to increase participation in higher education by a diverse student body that reflects the social mix of Irelands population, in an inclusive and equitable environment to support student success.

By increasing access to education for all, we build a resilient population, ready to respond to a changing world, able to provide for themselves and their families and, through tax and social insurance, our broader society; able to participate in enterprise  across all sectors - small or big businesses, starting-up or working in both indigenous and multinational companies that underpin the economy.

Tech jobs

We have seen a myriad of changes to the employment prospects of tech graduates before: from traditional in-house employment to the use of contractors, to procurement of software as a service (SOAS); from the emergence of impressive tech start-ups to seemingly indomitable big tech companies. While how and where people are employed oscillates, the overall growth trend of the number of people working in tech is seriously impressive. Numbers employed in the sector grew from 115,000 in Q2, 2018 to 165,000 in Q2, 2022, before job losses began to impact staff in Ireland.

However, Ireland still lacks sufficient experts in AI, data analytics, fintech, cloud computing and cybersecurity. Programmes such as the European Commissions DIGITAL Europe, and EU/Government of Ireland co-funded Springboard+, directly address this skills gap, because this expertise is needed not only in technology companies, but in every organisation!

Industry-responsive tertiary education

I have read opinion pieces that conjure the image of Ireland producing cookie-cutter tech graduates for multinationals, as though graduates have no volition, and as though such a job would be an end rather than a means for that graduate to gain valuable global experience and mobility. Besides undervaluing both graduate and multinational, this picture ignores the critical importance of SMEs in Ireland, which account for more than 99.8pc of all enterprises.

The education sector does not passively wait to be told what kind of worker they are next to produce. When academia and industry work together to bridge the skills gap, it is to create and serve SMEs as much as to deliver sought-after graduates who can explore their ambitions on the world stage. National College of Ireland is proud of its tradition and commitment to such collaboration.

Digital4Business

One such initiative is the recently launched Digital4Business, a four-year 19.92m EU-funded project, one of the largest non-infrastructure projects awarded to date under DIGITAL Europe, which sees the collaboration of fifteen partners from 7 EU countries, with Ireland strongly represented, including by both Skillnet Ireland and National College of Ireland. This exemplar to others will create a unique national skills platform, using technology to transform upskilling delivery methods, the first of its kind in Ireland.

Future graduates of this European masters programme are described as digital decision makers, directly contributing to business development, they will not be siloed to an IT department, just as tech graduates are not limited to working in the technology sector: all aspects of business increasingly require digital skills and all businesses require tech graduates.

Bridging the skills gap for growth

Tech graduates dont just have training in applying the latest technologies, they learn problem-solving and conceptual awareness, in an environment that delivers ethical as well as commercial context for their choices, demanding critical thinking and providing framework and resources for research and development. Tech graduates are engineers, designers, architects, innovators  sometimes visionaries.

NCI computing graduates get jobs with retailers, banks, accountancy firms, design companies, manufacturers, insurance companies and the civil service, or even their own start-ups such as Meta-Flux, as well as the more obvious big tech players such as IBM, Workday and Google. Tech graduates are sought-after by scores of businesses that may be less likely to make headlines than some more famous names, but are appreciative employers, and every bit as vital to the economy.

The EU has chosen Skills as the theme for its European Year in 2023 which is putting fresh impetus on upskilling and lifelong learning. Amidst a tight labour market, with employment having surpassed 2.5 million, Irish employers are increasingly hiring for skills. However, in the face of a skills gap, education is the key to ensuring that we have a talented workforce that will bridge it!

Brendan McGinty is Managing Partner of Stratis Consulting, a specialist consultancy on strategic employment relations, Chair of Skillnet Ireland, on the board a member of the Board of the Workplace Relations Commission, Chair of National College of Irelands Governing Body, and was recently appointed Chair of the Review Committee of Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and other matters regarding RTE.
Pilots at Emerald Airlines could strike if a dispute with management remains unresolved, unions have said.

IALPA (Irish Air Line Pilots Association), which is a branch of the Forsa trade union, claims Emerald management has failed to engage with a request to form a collective bargaining agreement.

Emerald Airlines is the carrier which holds the regional service franchise for Aer Lingus to areas such as the Channel Islands.

Yesterday, the union served notice of an escalation of industrial action.

The escalation takes effect from tomorrow, and means that pilots will not be contactable by the company outside of working hours, and wont accept changes to their rosters with fewer than 24 hours notice.

Niall Shanahan, Director of Communications with Forsa, said the dispute could escalate to full strike action if Emerald Airlines does not engage.

The aim is to get into a negotiation on a collective agreement rather than have specific demands, he told Independent.ie.

If management continues to refuse to engage, inevitably the action will escalate, which covers everything up to and including strike action. We will see how things take place today, and review the situation.

Emerald Airlines and Aer Lingus had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

The airline previously said in a statement that it expects its routes to continue operating as normal.

Emerald Airlines maintains an active and healthy dialogue directly with all of our employees including pilot employee representatives, the company said.

Im urging the employer to engage in discussions. Were willing to commence talks at any time

Just last month we presented our pilots with a new pay and conditions agreement, which was overwhelmingly accepted by over 80pc of our pilots.

However, IALPA said a collective bargaining agreement is needed.

Forsa said 52 of the 86 pilots employed by Emerald Airlines in the Republic of Ireland are members of IALPA. Emerald pilots have already been engaged in industrial action since June 24. The action includes a refusal to work overtime or out-of-duty hours.

Forsa official Ian McDonnell said that further industrial action could disrupt services for passengers.

Management at the airline have ignored repeated requests to meet with the union and to commence discussions on negotiating a collective agreement, he claimed.

Our pilot members have shown enormous flexibility, frequently going above and beyond to ensure the consistency and quality of flight services.

He added: Forsa and IALPA officials remain available for meaningful engagement aimed at resolving the current dispute. Im urging the employer to engage in discussions. Were willing to commence talks with Emerald management at any time.
Irish workers and businesses pay the least into social insurance of any country in the EU, new statistics have found.

The issue was raised as the Government continues to look at the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund, which is used to fund benefits such as the state pension and jobseekers benefits.

A tax strategy paper prepared by the Department of Social Protection found that Irish companies pay a rate of 11pc of employee salary in social insurance, while employees pay just 4pc.

Employer contributions were the fifth-lowest in the EU, after Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania and Romania.

The employee contributions were the second lowest, behind just Estonia.

The overall contribution to the social insurance fund, of 15pc between employee and employer, was the lowest of any EU member state. The majority of nations in the bloc had joint contributions of between 30pc and 40pc.

Although EU member states social insurance models differ and the contingencies and benefits vary, Irelands social insurance rates are markedly lower in comparison, the department said.

There have long been calls to increase contributions to the Social Insurance Fund, as this is the primary fund from which the state pension is paid.

It is anticipated this will create serious issues in the future, when the population ages and there are fewer active workers paying into the fund, potentially leaving it at a large deficit.

In previous tax strategy papers from civil servants, the Government has been urged to raise PRSI payments, which are payments into the Social Insurance Fund, for both employers and employees.

It had been suggested employee PRSI could be raised to 5.5pc, while employer payments might increase to 12.55pc.

Neil McDonnell, the chief executive of small business group ISME, said the plan to introduce auto-enrolment will instead help pay for pensions.

Auto-enrolment is a system where workers are automatically signed up to a pension system, where employees and employers make contributions.

Auto-enrolment will tax employment taxes from 11pc to 12.5pc, and eventually up to 17pc over a number of years, said Mr McDonnell.

We have been lobbying for auto-enrolment, but on other payroll taxes, labour is a cost of production. And the more expensive a factor of production, the less businesses will use it. Businesses will always gravitate to the lowest cost.

On This Day In History - July 24th
Glanua will be headquartered in Loughrea, Co. Galway and will provide engineering solutions to design, build and maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure across Ireland and the UK.

Limerick-based BHSL was the holding company for a number of companies in the sector, including Meath-based Hydro International, which was acquired in February 2017.

BHSL had also previously acquired Loughrea company Glan Agua and sister company MEIC in February last year. Following the deal, Glan Agua became the largest company in the BHSL group.

Following the rebrand, the new group will be headquartered in Glan Aguas offices in Loughrea, with BHSL relocating from Limerick as part of the changes to the business.

Glanua is now seeking to fill 100 new roles in the environmental and engineering sectors, with plans to add another 150 staff over the next five years.

The group, which is chaired by former Kerry Group boss Denis Brosnan, currently employs 320 people.

The business reported revenues of 97m last year, with sales projected to increase to 150m in 2023.

Glanuas clients include Uisce Eireann, Thames Water, Kerry Group and Glanbia.

We look forward to continuing to grow the group through strategic investments in further acquisitions, increased synergies, the sharing of our in-house expertise and the recruitment of talented staff to work alongside our high-performing and dedicated employees, managing director Karl Zimmerer said.

We are actively seeking to fill 100 engineering and environmental roles and we expect to expand significantly in the coming years. This is the start of a new chapter for Glanua and it is a positive development for Loughrea, for Galway and for Irelands ambition to be a lead country in the provision of sustainable and critical engineering solutions, he added.
Mortgage shake-up: Credit unions plan to undercut banks with low-cost national mortgage brand

Credit unions planning to capture huge swathe of mortgage market with a low-cost, no-gimmicks, national mortgage brandThey plan to set up a centralised mortgage company, with the aim of getting to a point of issuing one in 10 of all mortgagesThis could see the sector issuing 1bn of mortgages over seven years and would represent a big threat to banks and other lenders

New proposal could see the sector issuing 1bn worth of mortgages over the next seven years. Stock image

Charlie Weston Mon 24 Jul 2023 at 03:30
There is a need for increased consumer awareness and education about what organic means, according to Minister Pippa Hackett

Consumers are willing to pay a 15pc premium for organic food, but there is a lack of consumer understanding about what organic means.

According to Bord Bia Research, the younger cohort of consumers, 25-45-year-olds, are willing to pay a 15pc premium for organic produce.

Emmet Doyle, Bord Bia's Organic Sector Manager, told the audience of a panel discussion on the supply and demand of organic produce at the Energy and Farm Diversification Show last week that Bord Bia will launch its first-ever organic marketing campaign later this year.

The campaign, he said, will be aimed at 25-45-year-olds.

"They're the ones who are willing to pay a premium for organics of 15pc... that's the audience we're going for and all that marketing will be around delivering those benefits and delivering what the value is to organic shoppers to increase their kind of basket size."

Speaking to the Farming Independent at the event, Minister of State with responsibility for organics, Pippa Hackett said that the demand for organic food in Ireland is massive.

"From speaking with processors, meat processors in particular, the demand is there, it's a massive demand. They've never been able to go anywhere near the demand that's there, we've always just ended up in small markets.

"It's about that continuation of supply - that 12-month supply. The volume wasn't big enough previously but we're going to have that volume."

However, there is a need for increased consumer awareness and education about what organic means and Bord Bia has work to do on developing the domestic market, she said.

"I think there's a lack of awareness in Ireland in comparison to other European countries about what organic means and the logo and we're still a little bit behind the curve on that.

"It's about building that recognition - that recognition of what it means and that understanding, and then it's up to the consumers to make that choice ultimately."

She said she would like to see more television adverts promoting buying organic produce and building a connection with consumers.

According to Bord Bia, there is a limited number of organic meat processors in the country and while there was 3,900t of organic beef produced in Ireland last year, only 50pc of that was sold within the country.
Bernard Phelan was detained in Iran for eight months.

An Irish national has said he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being detained in Iran for eight months.

Bernard Phelan, a 64-year-old Irish-French national originally from Clonmel in Co Tipperary, was jailed in north-east Iran after being arrested in Mashhad in October 2022.

The Paris-based travel consultant was arrested for allegedly taking photos of police officers and a burned mosque following an anti-regime protest in Iran last autumn.

He was accused of providing information to an enemy country  charges he denied.

He experienced significant ill health while in custody.

Mr Phelan and another French national, Benjamin Briere, who was in custody for two years, were released on humanitarian grounds in May and flown to Paris.

In an interview with RTE News, Mr Phelan said he was told he would die in prison.

He said: There are nightmares. I dont sleep well, Im on sleeping tablets  nightmares of being on the floor and being kicked by somebody.

He recalled hearing beatings take place through the night and being asked strange questions during interrogation.

He said a judge told him through a translator that he would die in prison.

Mr Phelan said that at one stage he spent three days handcuffed to a hospital bed.

He outlined a system of white torture which he described as the psychological impact of building up hopes and crashing them.

Mr Phelan said another prisoner once made a throat-slitting gesture towards him.

I knew Id get out eventually, but I didnt know if I would get out in six months or six years. Id no idea.
An Irish celebrity charged with defilement of a minor has had his bail varied to allow the return of his passport for two weeks.
Courts

Drunk who was caught trying to strike passers-by in Dublin city centre avoids jail
Crime

People are so afraid they dont come out of their apartments: Residents of complex near where US tourist was attacked living in fear
Updated details on staffing levels across the countrys 564 garda stations show the number of gardai attached to the Dublin North Central division has fallen by 3.8pc since January

All but one of the countrys 27 garda divisions has experienced a reduction in frontline gardai since January. Photo: Stock image

The number of gardai working in stations in Dublins north inner city has decreased by almost 4pc since the start of the year, according to the latest staffing figures for An Garda Siochana.

Updated details on staffing levels across the countrys 564 garda stations show the number of gardai attached to the Dublin North Central division  which covers stations including Store Street, Bridewell and Mountjoy  has fallen by 3.8pc since January.

It is the largest percentage drop in numbers of frontline gardai in any garda division nationwide over the past six months.

All but one of the countrys 27 garda divisions has experienced a reduction in frontline gardai since January.

The latest figures show the Dublin North Central division, which has one of the highest crime rates in the country, had 615 gardai last month, 24 fewer than at the start of the year.

Policing in the capitals north inner city has come under scrutiny in the past week following an unprovoked violent attack on Store Street last Wednesday night which left a US tourist with life-changing injuries.

Business owners in the Talbot Street area, where the violent assault took place, claim there is a permanent issue with anti-social behaviour in the north inner city and a lack of visible policing.

The incident happened within 100 metres of the capitals largest garda station, which has experienced a reduction in eight frontline staff since January to 251.

During a visit to Store Street garda station last Friday following the assault, Justice Minister Helen McEntee insisted Dublin was a safe city, although she added that people were not going to be safe all the time everywhere in a city centre or anywhere.

Ms McEntee also remarked that garda numbers have not been at the level that I would like this year, but claimed there had been a steady increase, while she said 450 garda recruits will be in training by the end of this month.

Stephen Termini (57) from New York, who is a regular visitor to Ireland, remains in intensive care in Beaumont Hospital with serious head injuries.

The attack on Mr Termini came just weeks after another unprovoked assault in the area on a Ukrainian actor who had been performing at the Abbey Theatre.

Garda staffing levels in Dublin city centre are expected to be raised with Angela Willis, the assistant garda commissioner with responsibility for policing in Dublin, at a meeting of Dublin City Councils Joint Policing Committee today.

Ms Willis pointed out last week that gardai have conducted more than 10,500 patrols in the city centre area since January as part of Operation Citizen.

While the Government had a target of increasing the size of the force to 15,000 together with 4,000 civilian staff by 2021, the latest figures show the total number of gardai at the end of last month was 13,892  241 fewer than at the start of the year.

When officers who are on career breaks, work-sharing, secondments, and maternity and parental leave are excluded, the total number of available gardai falls to 13,658.

Meanwhile, civilian staff numbers have remained effectively unchanged over the past six months at 3,127.

The latest figures show the overall number of frontline gardai has dropped to 12,009 since the end of December  a decrease of 264, or 2.2pc, nationally.

Other garda divisions to record sizeable reductions in staffing levels besides Dublin North Central include Louth (down 3.7pc); Westmeath, Dublin East and Dublin South (all down 3.5pc); Tipperary (down 3.1pc) and Kildare (down 3.0pc).

The number of gardai attached to the station in Leixlip, Co Kildare has fallen by 20 since the start of the year to 65  the largest reduction in any station countrywide.

On This Day In History - July 24th

However, other stations in Kildare including Celbridge, Maynooth and Kilcock have been given additional gardai at the same time.

Other stations with large reductions in garda numbers so far this year include Donnybrook (down 13 to 94) and Drogheda (down 10 to 127).

The only one of 27 garda divisions to record an increase in staff since the start of the year is Cavan/Monaghan, where numbers are up by three to 380.

In Dublin, the only station to record a significant increase in frontline staff was Kevin Street in the south inner city, where numbers are up 13 to 173.

Meanwhile, the latest figures show 12 small rural stations have lost their permanent garda in the past 18 months, including five since the start of the year. They are Daingean, Co Offaly; Elphin, Co Roscommon; Bansha, Co Tipperary and Whitegate and Durrus, both in Co Cork.

However, three stations have had a permanent garda restored over the past six months  Rathcormac, Co Cork; Cloghan, Co Offaly and Skreen, Co Sligo.

A report by the Oireachtas Parliamentary Budget Office published last month estimated the Government would have to spend an extra 138m annually on payroll costs if it is to meet its official target on garda staffing levels.

It also revealed that Ireland has the 12th-lowest number of police officers on a per capita basis out of 33 European countries. The study found the number of gardai per 100,000 population is 11pc below the average.

The report revealed that Ireland had 291 gardai per 100,000 population in 2020 compared with a EU average of 328.

However, the figure fell to an average of 276 by last year  its lowest level since 2016 and in contrast to the peak of 321 reached in 2008.

A garda spokesperson said An Garda Siochana had been a growing organisation until the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected its training and recruitment plans due to the closure of the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary.

The spokesperson pointed out that 150 gardai had retired so far this year up to the end of May. Fifty-nine others resigned from the force.
Gardai are attempting to identify a man who is suspected of making multiple hoax bomb threats to Government offices in recent weeks.

In the latest incident on Friday, several Government departments were evacuated after claims that a bomb had been placed under a desk.

The Departments of the Taoiseach, Justice and Enterprise were all cleared before the alert was deemed to be a hoax while the Labour Court was also evacuated.

Gardai believe the threats came from the same individual and are investigating if he was also behind a series of other hoax calls in recent weeks.

One source told the Irish Independent: The bogus calls were made on a private number, one claim made was that a bomb had been placed underneath a desk in the office and that it was going to go off within 10 minutes.

The matter was cleared up fairly quickly and deemed to be a hoax threat but gardai are attempting to identify the individual in this case. It is a serious matter.

Other hoax calls have been made in the past two weeks or so and its suspected that they are all being made by the same individual although that still has to be confirmed.

It is understood that one of the phone calls that was made lasted just seconds with the caller making the bomb threat before hanging up the phone.

A garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent that investigations are ongoing into the incidents at this time.

In a statement last week, a spokesman said: Gardai are aware of a number of security alerts at Government Buildings this afternoon, Friday 21st July 2023.

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.

Threats were made to offices located in different areas of Dublin city centre, including the Department of Justice on St Stephens Green.

The Department of Higher Education was also evacuated as a precaution.

It is located next door to the Justice building although it was not itself the subject of a threat.

The Departments of the Taoiseach and Enterprise, both located in Government Buildings on Kildare Street, were also evacuated.

What turned out to be another false threat was also made to the Labour Court which sits at Lansdowne House on Lansdowne Road in Dublin 4.

Staff were advised at 1.45pm on Friday that a threat had been delivered by phone to its reception desk and as a result all cases listed for the afternoon were abandoned.

On This Day In History - July 24th
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is lifted away by police when she takes part in a new climate action in Oljehamnen in Malmo, Sweden July 24, 2023. TT News Agency/Andreas Hillergren/via REUTERS

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was forcibly removed by police from a protest in the southern Swedish city of Malmo on Monday just hours after a local court fined her for disobeying a police order during a similar protest last month.

Thunberg, 20, who became the face of young climate activists worldwide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament, admitted during the court proceedings that she had disobeyed the police order but pleaded not guilty and said that she was acting out of necessity.

"It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it," she told reporters in the Malmo district court.

Thunberg and other activists from the group Reclaim the Future blocked the road for oil trucks in Malmo harbour on June 19. She was charged for failing to leave when ordered to do so by police.

After Monday's sentencing Thunberg and other activists headed back to Malmo harbour only to be carried away by police again for blocking traffic.

Thunberg had earlier told the court that her actions were justifiable. "I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term," she said.

The court ordered Thunberg to pay 1,500 Swedish crowns ($144) and an additional 1,000 crowns to Sweden's fund for crime victims. The fine was applied in proportion to her reported income. Failure to obey a police order carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

($1 = 10.4088 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Tom Little; Editing by Simon Johnson, Tomasz Janowski and Susan Fenton)
Boy (14) appears in court charged with assaulting man in Dublin

The son of an American tourist left in a coma following an attack in Dublin says he has faith gardai will prosecute those involved.

A 14-year-old boy appeared before a special sitting of the Childrens Court yesterday charged with assault causing harm to Stephen Termini (57).

The youth was released on bail and will appear before the court again on Thursday.

Mr Termini, from Buffalo in New York, remains seriously injured in Beaumont Hospital while gardai continue to investigate last Wednesdays assault.

The victim was punched and kicked multiple times in the head during the attack on Talbot Street.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, his son Mike Rizzuto said: Hopefully they can get the guys. I know theyre trying their very best and I have faith.

A GoFundMe page set up to help the family travel over to visit Mr Termini raised more than $75,000 (67,000) over the weekend.

Mr Rizzuto said he had no words for the generosity shown by people following the attack.

Im still in disbelief. My brother and I are going to apply for our passports (Monday) first thing, and it looks like well be over there as soon as, Mr Rizzuto said.

Shocking CCTV footage shows teen gang attack on US tourist as family launch fundraiser to travel to Ireland

I have no words, Im so thankful. I cant put it into words, there are so many nice people out there looking out for us.

He said they are awaiting an update on his fathers condition and want to travel over to make sure he is recovering well.

Mr Rizzuto also said he has been made aware of other attacks in Dublin in recent months and hoped that those victims would also get justice.

I have seen people post on the GoFundMe, I hope theyre getting the same help that we are through this. I hope they (the Government) begin taking it a little more seriously and justice is served for everyone thats been injured and hurt, he said.

Over the weekend, CCTV footage emerged showing the moment of the attack. The video shows the moment Mr Termini walks down Talbot Street past a group of seemingly teenage boys and girls, and stops to circle back as if something has caught his attention.

A bus then blocks off the view of the camera but when it leaves, a teenage boy can be seen kicking Mr Termini.

By this stage most of the girls who were present flee the scene, except one who remains but was not involved in any violence.

Mr Termini is then dragged around the corner to Store Street and out of view of the camera. After the attack, the teens disperse.

Within five minutes of the attack starting, two gardai can be seen on CCTV coming around from Store Street station and running up Talbot Street toward Connolly Station.

Gardai continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward and are still in the process of identifying the other suspects.

On This Day In History - July 24th
Pharmacists will be able to prescribe medicines for common minor ailments in a bid to cut down on demand on GPs and hospitals.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the move will make it easier and faster for patients to get the medications they need. He has set up an expert taskforce to support the expansion of pharmacists roles.

Mr Donnelly said: Pharmacists are highly trained, valued healthcare professionals who already use their extensive training and expertise in medicines to help people every day.

Empowering pharmacists to use their expertise to assess and treat certain ailments will help patients get the care they need sooner and closer to home  but the benefits go much further. It can help reduce demand on hospitals, walk-in clinics and GP practices.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) welcomed the announcement by the minister, saying it could deliver a revolution in community care.

However, it warned that the level of fees paid to pharmacists will have to be increased.

Derek Reilly, interim secretary general of the IPU, said: Community pharmacies are ready, willing, and able to do more for their patients. We warmly welcome the establishment of this taskforce, which will undoubtedly identify many opportunities to improve healthcare in our communities.

He said fees paid to pharmacists are lower now than they were in 2009.

The pharmacy profession had to endure substantial fee cuts during the recession and remains the only healthcare profession who has not had fees restored. For each medicine dispensed on behalf of the state the fees received today are 24pc lower than 14 years ago, while costs continue to rise. While this review of services is welcome, it cannot be done in isolation without reviewing the funding of pharmacies, Mr Reilly added.

On This Day In History - July 24th
Tui cancels flights and holidays to the island due to blazes

Tourists are evacuated as wildfires burn near Lindos, on the island of Rhodes. Photo: Reuters

Up to 750 Irish people are holidaying on the Greek island of Rhodes, as the south of the island is enveloped in wildfires and a number of tourists have been evacuated from their hotels.

Holiday operator Tui has cancelled flights and holidays to the island, up to and including Tuesday.

Ryanair said its flights to and from Rhodes are currently operating as normal and are unaffected by the forest fires.

It said the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a help desk at Rhodes Airport to assist visitors who have lost their travel documents and it will accept temporary travel documents issued by Greek police.

The blazes are affecting the south-eastern part of the island. Most Irish holidaymakers are in the north, where the airport and port are located.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has been contacted by Irish nationals affected by the wildfires.

The wildfires have caused road closures and extensive damage to property, particularly in the centre of the island, and some areas are being evacuated, a spokesperson said.

Irish citizens are being advised to be alert and stay away from the affected areas and to move rapidly out of any areas affected. This is an evolving situation and citizens should comply with evacuation orders and follow the instructions from the emergency services and local authorities.

Irish Travel Agents Association president Paul Hackett told the Irish Independent: Just to give context, Rhodes is 80km long and 40km wide. And the fires are in the south, in Lardos, which is close to one of the large resort areas, Lindos.

Resorts evacuated as blaze rages out of control on Greek island of Rhodes

In some cases, some of the properties in that area have been evacuated and people are being looked after in evacuation centres while the fires are raging.

For people in other parts of the island, its normal life. The airport and port are in the north of the island.

We spoke to Irish customers in the north today. They said thanks for checking in and that theyre fine.

Ryanair and Tui each have two flights a week. Tui has holiday packages. So, what theyre doing for Wednesday, July 26, their next flight, is customers can opt to cancel and get a full refund, change their holiday, or they can travel if things calm down. Tui are being good about the change options, they arent looking further out, as the situation is evolving.

We estimate theres up to 700 or 750 Irish holidaymakers who are out there.

He said Tui representatives are visiting the evacuation centres to find out where their customers are.

Mr Hackett said from the customers he had spoken to, they had been in contact with Tui reps and were in the process of being accommodated.

We arent hearing alarming reports or horror stories, he added.

I am sure at the time, when people are evacuated from a hotel, its quite frightening. But its very reassuring that people are safe and secure, because thats all that matters.

They cant get the time back from their holidays but being safe is the main thing.

Tui said it has 300 company representatives, drivers and service workers on the ground.

We are continuing flight operations to and from Rhodes to bring guests home as planned on their scheduled departures, said a spokesperson.

We appreciate how distressing and difficult this situation is for customers who have been evacuated well continue to work with the relevant authorities to do all we can to support and are working on plans to get customers home.

It said it has cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes, up to and including Tuesday and passengers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

It asked all passengers to keep in touch with its staff on the ground.

Passengers due to travel on Wednesday will be offered a fee-free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund. Those customers currently on holiday elsewhere in Rhodes will return on their scheduled flights.

The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority, the company added.

One woman from Co Meath claimed online that she had travelled from Dublin to Rhodes on Saturday with Tui without any warning of wildfires and had to be evacuated.

She wrote: We were put on a plane from Dublin to Rhodes yesterday without any mention of an evacuation taking place. We are in Rhodes in a school with no water or working bathroom facilities, no communication as to when or where we are to go. Tui reps have no information!

The local people of Rhodes were so amazing and helpful and kind. They provided so much food and water, as well as lifts to the town centre to get taxis. We really appreciate it so much.
Five hundred self-employment contracts are being examined at broadcaster

Tony Tormey has played the part of Paul Brennan in Fair City for over 30 years and is one of those pursuing a claim

RTE has not set aside a specific figure to cover its costs following a probe of bogus self-employment practices at the national broadcaster.

A spokesperson said 134 cases have been examined so far in a Department of Social Protection investigation of the misclassification of workers by RTE as self-employed.

This happens when an employer classifies a worker as self-employed although they have the characteristics of an employee.

It is understood that over 500 contracts are being examined.

Concerns are growing over the potential financial liability that may be incurred while RTEs future funding model is under review following a secret payments scandal.

Siptu revealed that around 12 of its members are set to seek compensation at the Workplace Relations Commission for entitlements they did not receive.

Being classified as contractors, they may have missed out on pensions, sick pay, holiday and possibly maternity and paternity entitlements. If a worker is reclassified as an employee, their employer is liable to pay backdated PRSI.

Fair City stars Tony Tormey, George McMahon and Jim Bartley have pursued claims over their employment status at the Workplace Relations Commission.

An RTE spokesperson said the Department of Social Protections scope section is carrying out investigations into some individuals who provided services as independent contractors.

RTE has not set aside a specific figure to deal with any potential PRSI liability that might arise

He said this was to ensure the correct class of PRSI was paid for these individuals.

The investigations are in process and have not yet been finalised, but we can confirm that 134 investigations are either in progress or completed, he said.

RTE has not set aside a specific figure to deal with any potential PRSI liability that might arise from these investigations.

Brian Stanley, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said he raised the issue with the new director general Kevin Bakhurst. He said the sum needed to address the issue could be multiples of an earlier 1.2m RTE settlement with Revenue for unpaid PRSI.

There is already talk of it (RTE) looking for a substantial bailout this year because of the financial crisis, he said. When you couple this with the drop off in TV licence purchases and general revenue, it adds to the financial woes and needs to be addressed as quickly as possible, he said.

What Im really concerned about is whether there could be hundreds of workers still misclassified out there. It could be a substantial hit for the station. Theres no way of getting out of this, no way this bullet can be dodged.

Teresa Hannick, Siptu divisional organiser, said some staff agreed settlements on backdated payments since 2013 under a previously proposal, but others with longer service were unhappy with the terms.

On This Day In History - July 24th

We hope to resolve the process for these individuals, she said.

Meanwhile, RTE has begun High Court action against the Department of Social Protections chief appeals officer.

A case is listed to come before the master of the High Court in October.

A Department of Social Protection spokesperson said RTE is seeking to appeal the decision of an appeals officer, who confirmed the decision of a deciding officer, that a named individual is subject to PRSI as an employee of RTE.

As the matter is before the courts, the department has no comment, she said.

An RTE spokesperson said the broadcaster does not comment on legal matters.

It has been reported that RTE took High Court proceedings against the chief appeals officer earlier this year to overturn a decision that a drummer in The Late Late Show band was an employee.
Wildfires burn in the village of Kiotari, on Rhodes. Photo: Reuters

Tour operator Tui has cancelled all flights from Ireland to Rhodes until Friday, as the Greek island continues to battle wildfires.

The UK-headquartered airline and travel company has confirmed that all outbound flights to Rhodes have been cancelled until Friday, July 28, while flights for customers who were booked to stay in affected hotels have been cancelled until Sunday, July 30.

Tui said all the customers who were due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

Meanwhile other airlines, including Ryanair, continue to fly tourists who want to travel to Rhodes.

A spokesperson from Ryanair confirmed to Independent.ie this evening that there is no updated advice for passengers at present.

"We are still operating flights to/from Rhodes and Corfu, they said.

Fires burning since Wednesday on Rhodes have forced 19,000 people to evacuate homes and hotels over the weekend as an inferno reached coastal resorts on the islands south-east.

A wildfire also led to evacuations on the island of Corfu. Rhodes and Corfu are popular holiday destinations for Irish tourists.

Ryanair chief executive Michael OLeary said his airline had not seen passengers seeking to cancel flights to Rhodes over the weekend, given fires were more in the south of the island and the airport and most resorts in the north.

British tourists describe return from Rhodes amid devastating wildfires

It comes as a fresh red alert was issued for Crete today.

Upgrading the fire risk in Crete to the highest warning level today, Greek authorities also put swathes of the country under notice of a very high fire risk, including Athens, the Peloponnese, Karpathos, Kalymnos and Kos.

Temperatures in Rhodes are forecast to climb as high as 40C by Wednesday, as Greece faces its longest heatwave on record

Climate experts have warned that the extreme temperatures in the mediterranean are more likely in the coming years due to greenhouse gases emitted by human activity heating the Earths atmosphere.

Tui said its teams in Rhodes have been "working tirelessly to support customers affected by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island. It said three dedicated flights brought customers safely back to the UK overnight, and from there onward journeys were arranged for customers returning to Ireland.

The company said it has representatives in all evacuation centres and they are aiming to get more people home from the affected areas as soon as we can.

We appreciate how distressing and difficult its been for those who have been evacuated and ask that they continue to follow the advice of the local authorities and keep in touch with our teams, a TUI spokesperson said.

We have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Friday 28th July, and have also cancelled all outbound flights for customers travelling to impacted hotels up to and including Sunday 30th July. All customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

Passengers due to travel to areas not affected by fires on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July will be offered a fee-free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund. We are still operating empty outbound flights to bring those customers currently on holiday elsewhere in Rhodes home as planned and working to get those in affected areas as soon as possible.

The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority, they added.

In a statement posted on its website this morning, Ryanair said its flights to/from Rhodes and Corfu are currently operating as normal and unaffected by the forest fires.

Passengers departing from Rhodes should be advised that we will accept temporary travel documentation issued by the Greek Police, the airline said.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also set up a helpdesk at Rhodes airport to assist visitors who have lost their travel documents.

Please check your Ryanair app where you will be notified of any changes to your Ryanair flight.

Meanwhile Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said a refund would be the proper approach for those who want to cancel their holidays to Greek regions affected by wildfires.

He said Irish embassies and his department had received a number of queries from citizens, and advised them to listen to the Greek authorities advice.

He said his department is increasing capacity to reach Irish citizens affected by the wildfires in Greece.

We would say to people in the area, as we have been doing in the Department of Foreign Affairs, to contact your tour operator, Mr Martin said.

Take all advice from the authorities. Evacuate when youre asked to evacuate and dont hesitate.

We have received queries from a number of Irish nationals on the island and were increasing our capacity to the region in terms of helping Irish citizens who are in challenging circumstances or in difficulties and liaising with the authorities to facilitate Irish citizens.

He said this includes logistics and emergency passports when originals have been left in hotels during evacuations.

Asked whether people should be compensated for choosing not to travel to regions due to wildfires, Mr Martin said a refund would be the proper approach there.

I think safety first and we need to work with all stakeholders to make sure we prioritise taking decisions on the basis of safety and protection of human life.

Additional reporting by PA Media.
Former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster has said she feels so sorry for holidaymakers trapped in Greece, as wildfires continue to grip Rhodes.

She described initially being oblivious to the fires on the island  until a restaurant where she visited was burnt to the ground.

Thousands of holidaymakers are currently on the Greek island, which has been ravaged by flames, and holiday firms are scrambling to get them home.

Speaking to GB News, Ms Foster recounted her experience.

"The thing is I had a wonderful holiday and was quite oblivious to what was going on on other parts of the island until Saturday when I was due to leave (that evening), she said.

"We had been to such beautiful places in Rhodes, including a gorgeous little restaurant by the beach  and on Saturday evening I found out it was completely burnt to the ground.

"The place where I had been all day on Thursday...and on Saturday evening, my daughter looked at Twitter and it was burnt to the ground.

"When we were taking off on early Sunday morning, we could look back and see the fires raging on the ground. I had been walking around the town that day, no one was concerned but when I got to the airport thats when I got concerned.

Ms Foster said she was very fortunate that they had managed to escape the chaos after multiple holiday providers subsequently cancelled flights in and out of the island.

Some 19,000 people have been evacuated from Rhodes after many holidaymakers had to resort to escaping to the beach to escape the extreme weather conditions.

The Greek island of Corfu has also experienced serious fires across the island, with 2,500 people evacuated from the island.

"The lovely people of Rhodes who work and live there, who were telling us they dont make much money during the winter, are now devastated, Ms Foster continued.

"Im told they have fires most summers but this is certainly the worst theyve had in many years.

Upon returning to Northern Ireland, the politician turned broadcaster tweeted and said she is watching the news reports of the fires across the island.

She Tweeted: Watching the terrible story of the fires in the Greek island. I came home from Rhodes on Sunday and feel so sorry for all those wonderful people in Rhodes who have lost their homes and livelihoods and wish safe passage to all those trying to get home to the UK.

Despite the chaos she escaped, Ms Foster said she wouldnt let the emergency situation put her off Rhodes for a future holiday.

I would go back, particularly because the tourist season is their biggest industry. They were so lovely and wonderful people. This is devastation for them, she said.
Question: My kids have recently started playing in a river near the house and Im a bit worried about them catching something. What is the deal with tetanus shots  I cant remember if they were vaccinated against it in the course of their normal vaccinations. Is there a need for a booster?

Dr Grant replies: By spending time in a river, particularly with open cuts or wounds on your skin, the first danger that springs to mind is the bacterial infection, leptospirosis. The major potential sources of infection include fresh or stagnant water (river, canal or lake), animal farm water runoff and even soil containing infected animal urine.

Your skin is your biggest barrier against infection and coming in contact with infected water (typically rat urine but other animals may be infected) is a well-known hazard, particularly with any cut or skin abrasion. Even contact with mucous membranes in your mouth, or the conjunctiva of your eye or accidentally ingesting the infected water may also cause infection.

Other animals that may be infected include cows and dogs. Even though animal vaccination is available, they are not always effective. An animal may be an asymptomatic carrier and pass the infection on through their infected urine or may develop clinical infection. Areas of the world affected by overcrowding, heavy rainfall or flooding will most likely have mixing of urine-contaminated soil or sewage with water, conditions that also allow rats to propagate, increasing overall risk to humans.

Luckily, most cases of leptospirosis are mild and self-limiting but some patients may develop significant complications, so recognising symptoms and seeking prompt treatment is important to help prevent this. There are two major subtypes of the infection. The one without jaundice (more typical), known as anicteric leptospirosis, and the one with jaundice (less common), icteric leptospirosis, which is much more serious.

In the more common infection, the acute phase of the illness typically occurs within five to 14 days (but may range from two to 30 days) of exposure, and is characterised by fever, rigors (shakes), myalgias (aches and pains especially in the calves and lower back), and headache. About half of all patients will have gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. About one-quarter of all patients will have a dry cough.

Progression to the second phase of anicteric leptospirosis is uncommon. It is known as the delayed immune-mediated reaction and during this phase, the bacteria are absent from the blood but antibodies to the organism are present and it may be detected in the urine. Symptoms are generally the same as above but with aseptic meningitis in approximately half of all patients, causing headache and neck pain/stiffness.

If your child received all the recommended vaccines in Ireland at ages two, four and six months, as well as the booster vaccine dose on entering primary school, there is no need to worry about tetanus. A second booster vaccine is also given in the first year of secondary school.

Dr Jennifer Grant is a GP with Beacon HealthCheck
Cork born actor Cillian Murphy is widely tipped for Oscar glory for his performance in the title role of Christopher Nolan's latest film, Oppenheimer, about the 'father of the atom bomb'.

Its the first time Ive seen a packed cinema for a long time, from even before the pandemic. And for many who streamed into the Killarney picture house on Friday for Oppenheimer, starring Corks own Cillian Murphy in the title role, the three hour epic about the father of atomic bomb was the second of a double bill on the same day as they had gone to see Barbie first.

Unfortunately there was no Cork angle to the Greta Gerwig satire about pretty-in-pink Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. So it was just Oppenheimer and popcorn for myself and my wife.

Unlike many recent films Ive gone to, including the latest Indiana Jones movie, I stayed awake throughout the entire length of the film. Which is a good recommendation, given that the film was not a comedy or didnt have much in the way of action.

Cillian Murphys compelling performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer may go down as his key acting role in a distinguished career. I remember seeing him alongside fellow Cork actor, Eileen Walsh, in the most thrilling theatre I have ever seen, the Corca Dorca production of Disco Pigs by Enda Walsh.

This is as good an acting performance as I have seen in cinema and should see the Cork man short-listed at the very least for major awards next year. This should see me in a tuxedo on the red carpet outside Los Angeles Kodak Theatre next March when Oscars are being given out!

Christopher Nolan directed this film adaptation of the biography of Oppenheimer, American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, a Pullitzer Prize winning tome, and while the centre piece is undoubtedly the first explosion of an atomic bomb near Los Alamos in New Mexico in July 1945, the Trinity Test.

This was the culmination of a project that had begun in earnest in 1942 when J. Robert Oppenheimer, a New York born scientist, had been approached to head up a team to build the first atomic bomb at a time when concern was intensifying that that Nazi Germany was leading in the race to devise nuclear weapons.

The fear was that Germany, under the Nazi regime, would get there first and that would spell disaster for humanity. It was assumed that Germany had a head start in the race to nuclear power as German researchers had first managed to split the atom in early 1939.

Theres more to Oppenheimer, however, than a spectacular and terrifying bomb explosion illusion, however, as its climax is the marginalisation of the central character by right wing elements in the US Government who were anxious to silence his calls for international arms control in the early 1950s, a time when McCarthyism was beginning to rear its head and the fear was being fomented of reds under the bed and the like.

Oppenheimer had been associated with left leaning causes in the 1930s, a time when Communism was not being embraced with open in the US but was not viewed as a credible threat. He had, for instance, supported the fight of anti-fascists in the Spanish Civil War by funnelling donations to them through the Spanish Communist Party. His brother and his wife were Communist Party members while many of his scientific associates were also members.

He put aside all associations in the 1940s in order to get involved in the fight to defeat Hitler and, its clear from this movie as well as from history, that without him, the US atomic bombs would not have been created.

Theres a great deal in this film to unpack  theres the debate between science and politics, the scientists invent, the politicians dispose of their inventions. Are both morally responsible for the devastating impact of those inventions?

While Oppenheimer thought he had blood on his hands and said so to President Harry Truman in a meeting convened in the Oval Office, the US leader told him it was he who had taken the decision to b omb Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war and to demonstrate US power.

As Oppenheimer left the meeting with Truman (played by Gary Oldman), the politician told his colleague that he never wanted to meet that cry-baby again.

Later this debate would spiral into a campaign to carry out what would be described in modern day times as a cancellation of the scientist. He was denied his security clearance, a decision which tarnished his reputation and in effect led to him being silenced as an effective voice for arms control.

He was forced to appeal this decision and appear before what amounted to a kangaroo court in which the original decision was upheld. The unequal nature of the tribunal was underlined in that the FBI file on Oppenheimer was used freely by the prosecutor but the same file wasnt available to Oppenheimer( who no longer had clearance) or his counsel.

That decision in 1953 meant that Oppenheimer went back to academia but refused thereafter to get involved in arms control debate and lived out the remainder of his life  he died in 1967  in relative silence.

The message of the film is ostensibly about the dangers of nuclear proliferation and, remember that there are tens of thousands nuclear weapons all over the world now, all of which are now thousands of times more powerful than the bombs which destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But its real message is about the cancer of group think when it seeks to destroy people who stand on principle.

This is a directorial triumph by Christopher Nolan, some of whose previous films such as Tenet and Inception left people confused and dazed, but this film shot its arrow straight for the heart. It was both visually spectacular and compelling as a story.

All the different parts  Matt Damon as the US General, Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Junior as the scheming politician Lewis Strauss, Kenneth Branagh as the enigmatic Danish physicist Niels Bohr, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh as his wife, Kitty, and lover Jean Tatlock, respectively  were drawn together in a note perfect display of ensemble acting of the highest order.

My 17-year-old daughter, who along with her friends was among those who did the Barbie-heimer double-bill  seemed to have enjoyed the three hour biopic about the nuclear scientist more enjoyable than Barbie, which says a lot.

Oppenheimer is a modern day classic in the style of Lawrence of Arabia or Dr Zhivago. Its well worth a return to the cinema.
Padraic Fogarty had spent 20 years as Campaign Officer of the Irish Wildlife Trust before resigning his position at the weekend over alterations made to an article he had published on the IWT website. Picture: Frank McGrath

Conor Kelleher from Baile Mhic Ire in the Muscrai Gaeltacht, a former Chairman of the Irish Wildlife Trust, has called on the board of the IWT to resign and demanded that Padraic Fogarty be reinstated as Campaign Officer and the article at the centre of the dispute to be published in full. Picture: Don MacMonagle

A former chairman of the Irish Wildlife Trust has called on the board of the body to resign following the decision of its Campaign Officer to quit due a dispute over references in a blog he had written accusing Irish farming organisations of a lurch to the right over issues relating to biodiversity.

Padraic Fogarty had served as the Campaign Officer for the Irish Wildlife Trust for 20 years before announcing his resignation this weekend following the excision of references to Irish farming organisations such as the IFA and the ICMSA in a blog he had written and published on the Irish Wildlife Trust website entitled Drift of Farm Orgs.

In the blog, Mr Fogarty accused the farming bodies of adopting a hard no position on nearly all measures designed to address the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

In a reference which was cut from the blog after it was published, Mr. Fogarty accused the IFA and the ICMSA of becoming a kind of DUP of Irish Civil Society. Both the IFA and the DUP objected to this as the IFA said the description was divisive and defamatory while the DUP has objected to being described as far right.

This comment was one of the phrases removed from Mr Fogartys blog leading to his resignation at the weekend.

Bat expert Conor Kelleher served on the board of the Irish Wildlife Trust from 2001-2009 and was its chairman for five years from 2003-8.

He has come out in support of Mr Fogartys position.

Speaking to The Corkman, Mr Kelleher said: Speaking as a former Chairman of the Irish Wildlife Trust, I find it absolutely outrageous that the board of the IWT gave in to bullying by the Irish Farmers Association and undermined their own Campaign Officer, Padraic Fogarty, leaving him no choice but to resign.

"I believe the best solution now would be if those on the present IWT board who voted to capitulate to the IFAs intimidation would resign immediately, the article is reinstated in full and Padraic Fogarty returns as CO.

The blog published by Mr Fogarty carried a disclaimer from since its publication in which it is stated that the views in the article are those of the author and not an IWT position. Since last Friday, July 21, the article carries a note indicating that the blog was amended to remove references which might be perceived to be divisive.

Mr Fogarty said he was told that the article would be edited but wasnt involved in the editing process.

In his resignation statement Mr Fogarty said that, as an employee of an IWT, he could not be seen to be speaking in opposition to the board of the body which is funded by the Heritage Council,

"I cant obviously be speaking in public against the board of the Irish Wildlife Trust, so I felt the most appropriate thing to do was resign.

In his blog Mr Fogarty gave as an example of the work being done by farmers to conserve nature and biodiversity a visit he had paid to a farm in Offaly in which the farmer had rewetted part of a bog which was on the edge of his farm as part of a Department of Agriculture supported initiative.

"This project is looking at practical solutions to rewetting these peaty soils, which are a large source of carbon emissions. He and his wife welcomed all and sundry with tea and sandwiches, told us about the wildlife he sees on his farm and how he was happy to be involved with the project. He has even blocked drains to help raise the water table but didnt see this as a threat to his business as it was only a small part of his farm that would be affected.

Donie is one of thousands of farmers across Ireland taking part in agri-environmental schemes funded by the taxpayer through the Department of Agriculture. Under this European Innovation Project, farmers volunteer to take part in schemes that help to deliver results for climate, biodiversity or water quality. Farmers get paid for delivering the results while allowing the land to be used as trial fields to see what works and what doesnt. The visitors included environmental groups, neighbouring farmers and peatland scientists. The atmosphere was collaborative, inquisitive and forward thinking.

"Indeed, Ireland is full of farmers like Donie: engaged, proud of their land and their role in their communities, and willing to try new things. If he was nervous about the future and the changes that are coming for the agricultural sector, it didnt come across on our day out.

In contrast, Mr Fogarty said that the bodies like the IFA and the ICMSA were projecting a very different image of the sector.

Irish farm organisations increasingly appear happy to spread conspiracy theories, undermine scientists and their findings and convince their members that their way of life is under attack by an urban elite that cares little for them or their values. It is an approach that sets them increasingly adrift not only from the direction of public policy but also public opinion.

The article, with its amendments, remains on the Irish Wildlife Trust website.
Paddy and Veronica Campbell being served in front of the famous Harry Clarke stained glass windows in Bewley's, Grafton Street

Collectors from around the world have already offered to lend pieces by renowned artist Harry Clarke for a new museum in Dublin.

The Dublin-born stained glass illustrator has been described as a genius of his age for his work, now predominately found in Irish churches and abroad.

Dublin City Council (DCC) has proposed creating a Harry Clarke Irish Stained Glass Museum to house and preserve the Dubliners work in one place.

DCC owns an excellent collection of work by the artist within the collections of the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin City Libraries and Dublin City Archives.

Many of the pieces are currently in storage and would form the core of the new museums collection.

Windows include the Eve of St Agnes window, created by Clarke in 1924, and has been described as one of the star attractions.

The museum itself would be located at the former Dublin Writers premises at 18 Parnell Street, which is currently owned by Failte Ireland, who will sell the building to the city council.

A detail from The Geneva Window by artist Harry Clarke

Dr Margarita Cappock, Assistant Arts Officer with Dublin City Council, said she has been approached by various private collectors in Ireland and abroad with interest in lending artwork to the museum.

There are large-scale windows in storage by Harry Clarke, and conversations have been taking place. There is a willingness for them to be acquired by the city or on long-term loan, said Dr Cappock.

The Australian government has also offered a small piece of artwork for the collection.

Most of Clarkes stained glass windows must be sought out in churches and concerns have been raised in moving the historic windows.

Stain glass windows shouldnt be removed unless they are in jeopardy. It wouldnt be a case of taking things out from where they were made from, Dr Cappock said.

Trinity College, which also holds a collection of 15,000 digitised items, will collaborate with the museum.

It will give people the opportunity to see the full range of Harry Clarke work, not only the stained glass but all the secular work, the book illustrations, drawings, Dr Cappock said.

Harry Clarke isnt really marked by the city very significantly, and sadly his grave, which was in Switzerland, is no longer there.

So there is nowhere where people can go to actually celebrate Harry Clarke and the contribution he made to the city, she said.

Clarke had a strong association with the north inner city. His father, Joshua, established the Clarke stained glass studios on Frederick Street in 1887 and Clarke studios continued in operation until 1973.

As part of the museum, audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy and gain a deeper understanding of the works of Harry Clarke, his working methods and how stained glass is made.

The Harry Clarke window at St Francis Xaviers Church on Gardiner Street

This could include learning about the stories reflected in his compositions, seeing behind the sketches and drawings and facilitating other stained glass makers and artists.

Windows for the collection will include the Geneva Window panel, Mr Gilhooley, the original set of nine watercolour designs for the panels in the Geneva Window, and the original preparatory watercolour design for the Eve of St Agnes.

The building on Parnell Street is understood to be in excellent condition, with high ceilings suitable for exhibiting stained glass windows.

The Dublin Writers Museum collection is currently being relocated by Failte Ireland and the building will be vacant by the end of August.

It is understood the museum could take between two to three years to develop before it would be open to the public.
Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured are Christina Quinlivan and Amber Reidy from Kerry. Photo By Domnick Walsh.

Pictured at Ladies Day at Killarney Races are Mary O'Connor and Sheila McCormac from Kerry. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Judges Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2021 & Tadhg Fleming, Digital Content Creator selected ten lady finalists and ten gent finalists from the thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Also pictured is Orlaith Phelan Kerry. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Judges Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2021 & Tadhg Fleming, Digital Content Creator selected ten lady finalists and ten gent finalists from the thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Also pictured were Derry Fleming , Teresa Higgins and Pam Tracy Killarney Race Course. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Siobhan Murphy from Rathmore was the winner of the style stakes at the Lee Strand Best Dressed at the Killarney Races on Friday, 21st of July, 2023 . Gearoid Linnane (CEO Lee Strand) presents Siobhan with the winner's trophy. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Judge Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2022 pictured with Donal Pierce (Lee Strand) as the thousands of women and men attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023.Photo By Domnick Walsh.

Judges Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2021 & Tadhg Fleming, Digital Content Creator selected ten lady finalists and ten gent finalists from the thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Judges Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2021 & Tadhg Fleming, Digital Content Creator selected ten lady finalists and ten gent finalists from the thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Pictured from Killarney Races at the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Edwina Comerford from Kerry. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Judges Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2021 & Tadhg Fleming, Digital Content Creator selected ten lady finalists and ten gent finalists from the thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023.Photo By Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured : Babara O'Callaghan and Linda Diblasi from Cork. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured are Aoife O'Reily from Limerick and Bernis O'Donoghue from Killarney. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured are Olive Carter from Meath and Bridget O'Keeffe from Killarney. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Pictured at Killarney Races Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023 are Rhianna Callaghan, Daniella O'Leary and Nicole Moriarty from Killarney. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured are Ita Looney and Eileen O'Callaghan from Killarney. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured are Larry and Adam Cohen from Galway. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 202 at Killarney Races. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Thousands of women and men who attended the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. Pictured are Bernadette Moran , Pam O'Regan and Laura O'Callaghan from Cork. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Pictured at Killarney Races Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023 are Alexxis Hackett aged 10 and Richard Hackett aged 4 from Meath. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Pictured from Killarney Races at the Lee Strand Best Dressed 2023. are Kate Barry , Miriam O'Sullivan and Kerry O'Shea from Kerry. Photo By Domnick Walsh.

) Siobhan Murphy from Rathmore Co Kerry was the winner of the style stakes at the Lee Strand Best Dressed at the Killarney Races on Friday, 21st of July, 2023 and Brian O'Connor Abbeyfeale/Tralee won the Lee Strand Best Dressed Gent. with Judges Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland 2021 & Tadhg Fleming, Digital Content Creator. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Siobhan Murphy from Rathmore Co Kerry was the winner of the style stakes at the Lee Strand Best Dressed at the Killarney Races on Friday, 21st of July, 2023. The Lee Strand Best Dressed Lady won a trip for two to the capital of style Paris and a specially commissioned vase. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

JulyFest at Killarney Races delivered a fun-filled programme, with record-breaking crowds, spectacular views, top-class racing and an atmosphere that begged not to be missed.

Of course, the highlight, once again, was Ladies Day, which ended the festivities and which was attended by thousands of stylish men and women from across the county and beyond.

And topping the style league was the Lee Strand Best Dressed Lady winner, Siobhan Murphy from Rathmore, who won a specially commissioned crystal vase and a trip for two to Paris. Siobhans stunning look included an Ollie & Mac bright magenta dress paired with a rented lime-green and magenta headpiece and matching heels from Asos.

I am over the moon to have won, there was such a high standard here today, Siobhan said after her win. I am in shock and so grateful to be picked by the judges. Thanks so much to Lee Strand and the Killarney Races, I had a great day out.

The Lee Strand Best Dressed Gent winner was a Limerick man who is now living in Tralee, Brian OConnor. Brian wore a blue blazer from Celsius and it was complemented perfectly with a shirt, pants and belt from Suits Select; shoes from Penneys and a hat from Parfois. He won a specially commissioned crystal decanter and a trip for two to the city of Milan.

Delighted to win and thankful to the judges for selecting me, he said. It is my first time dressing up as a solo for a race meeting, I usually go as a couple theme for best dressed. I would like to thank my auntie Mary, as she has inspired me and my girlfriend with our fashion style for the races.

The fashion was fierce, and celebrity judges Tadhg Fleming and Pamela Uba had a tough time in whittling the hopefuls down to 10 finalists.

Monday kicked off the festival, with lots of locals arriving to the track.

There were celebrations as 200 members of Killarney Racegoers Club celebrated their 40th anniversary in the Maurice O Donoghue Suite. Members gathered as they reminisced of the years past and present, and a check for 1.2million was also presented to Killarney Racecourse Chairman Billy OSullivan, signifying the memberships contribution over the last 40 years to Killarney Races.

On track, Bella Blue Eyes showed her quality in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race, while Beechwood was an impressive winner of the William Hill Pick Your Places Maiden.

Tuesday evening offered top-class flat action as the wonderful team from The Art House entertained the kids. On the track, Chally Chute continued his progression in the William Hill Extra Place Races Handicap, with Galway now in sight.

Races n Roses was the theme on day three. Eight Roses from the International Rose of Tralee festival got to meet their escorts for the first time at the race meeting, and they were joined by last years winner, Rachel Duffy. The Roses brought colour, glamour and good luck on the day.

There was excitement on track as the 50,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Staks went the way of Indian Wish for Joseph OBrien, and Deepone made it from two from two in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race. Due to a high number of entries, the Rose Hotel Handicap was divided, with Everylittlestep winning division one, whilst division two went to Chimeric.

On Thursday, jump racing took centre stage to a packed crowd of racegoers, with TG4 broadcasting live from the track. Tralee native Cian Michael Collins is quickly making his mark in the training ranks, and he had a 1-2 in the Irish Stallion Farms EB Mares Hurdle as Presenting Doyen led Effernock Fizz home.

Easy Peasy lived up to her name in the James Collins Memorial Flat Race as she made a winning start to her career for Harry Kelly. Jack Patrick Healy also took to the stage, post racing, for a fantastic night.

Last but by no means least, the final day of JulyFest was extraordinary. Rachael Blackmore rode to victory in the Lee Strand Handicap hurdle on Lady Rita.

The 45,000 BolyeSports Handicap Chase saw Sole Pretender put in a brilliant front-running performance. Trainer Norman Lee deserves huge credit for his training of this horse, and this was Sole Pretenders 10th win.

Killarney Races has two more wonderful festivals to look ahead to in August and October, and if youre looking for a proper day out then look no further all details at KillarneyRaces.ie and on social media.
An old woman on the Kenmare Road.

A sketch of life in Kerry in Victorian times.

A collection of rare sketches illustrating life in Killarney in the late 1800s have been gifted to the National Gallery of Ireland by Dr Colum Kenny of Dublin City University.

The sketches, entitled Kenmare, High Street Killarney on Market Day, and On the Killarney Road, are the work of English artist Theresa Rose Marrable who may have visited Killarney with her father, George, in the 1880s

Dr Kenny, whose grandmother Annette Murphy hails from Tralee, discovered the sketches in a second-hand bookstore in Shrewsbury, England, some years ago.

An old woman on the Kenmare Road.

The sketches were sourced while researching his latest book, 'Kenmare: History and Society  Fr John OSullivan and the Famine Poor.

The sketches, while not of much value in monetary terms, are very significant from an historical perspective considering they offer a glimpse of life in Victorian Kerry at a time when photography was scarce.

Market Day at High Street in Killarney.

Theresa Rose Marrable was born in London into a well-connected household. In 1882, Marrables father would become paymaster of Queen Victorias household, while her aunt was a major influence on womens painting in London in the late 1800s.

Marrables work was later exhibited across Britain with the Society of Women Artists.
Joe Gilmore Chief Executive of Ireland West Airport Knock makes a presentation to Cllr Declan Bree, Mayor of Sligo. On left is Cllr Michael Connolly, Chair of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee.

The Chief Executive of Ireland West Airport Knock, Joe Gilmore has told members of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee, that the development of good road and rail connections on the north-south axis from Donegal to the regional capital of Galway will be critically important for the future growth of the airport.

The Inter-County Railway Committee, is a joint initiative by members of seven local authorities, including Sligo County Council, committed to restoring passenger and freight rail services on the Western Rail Corridor linking Sligo with Galway and Limerick, were

In a wide-ranging presentation to the Committee at the Airport Mr Gilmore pointed to the importance of developing both the N17 and the currently disused Sligo-Galway railway in order to provide modern and efficient connectivity to the airport.

Rail is the most sustainable form of transport and the extension of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris and onwards to Sligo has an important part to play in the future development of the airport, he said

Rail is strongly supported in our plans and ideally we would like to see a rail spur from a redeveloped Western Rail Corridor to the airport.

Alternatively, an electric shuttle from one of our local stations such as Kiltimagh or Charlestown would be desirable. Our new service to Heathrow with Aer Lingus and the global connectivity it now provides for the region makes it imperative that there is an improved transport infrastructure, both road and rail, in place to support key routes such as this.

Mr Gilmore outlined plans to double the number of overseas visitors to 400,000 and noted that half of those employed in IWAK live in towns like Kiltimagh, Charlestown and Tubbercurry.

Recent years have seen the airport coming more into the national spotlight with high-profile visits from luminaries such as Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden.

The airport now serves more than 20 destinations across Europe with huge numbers travelling to and from the UK.

The airport is also confident of achieving the major milestone of one million passengers in the next number of years.

Mr. Gilmore welcomed Committee member and newly-elected Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Declan Bree to the airport and presented him with a special plaque to mark the occasion.

The Cathaoirleach of the Committee, Galway councillor Michael Connolly, thanked the Chief Executive for his warm welcome and support and said that the airport was an inspiration to all who are working to secure 21st century transport infrastructure for the west and northwest. Noting that the Railway Committee represents seven County Councils from Clare to Donegal he reiterated the unwavering support of all local representatives for the continued expansion and development of Ireland West Airport.
Medders resumed his attack on the crossword but here was a topic that Hermione was not ready to drop just yet.

Eldrick wont be coming home this weekend, lamented Hermione, obviously downcast. I phoned and he said he was going to meet up with a few of the lads up in Dublin.
Brendan Thompson will be flying the flag for Wexford at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea. Pictured with Cllr George Lawlor.

18 year-old Brendan Thompson from Our Ladys Island has a formidable drive and determination for someone so young. For the past three years, he has been laser-focused on a single goal  representing Ireland, Wexford and Kilmore Scout Group at the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea.

Having previously attended the event as a fresh-faced 14 year-old, when it was in West Virginia in the US, Brendan was keen attend the huge event once more, this time in a completely different setting, two hours south of Incheon in SaeManGeum, Jeollabuk-do.

It will be up to 50,000 scouts from all over the world taking part, the excited young Wexford man explains. Every nation which has scouting will be represented. Im the only scout from Wexford going.

"Ill be leaving on the 28th and then should be there by midday on the Saturday. Then after that, its three days of setting up for all the youth participants to arrive and then a week and a half of camping, living on site and taking part in all the activities.

"I was selected to do sub-camp operations. Ill be working with the kids on the sub-camp, making sure that theyre all going to the activities and sorting out any issues as they come up.

Brendan has been firmly focused on the goal of attending the huge event for some time now.

"To be selected, I had to write an essay about why I should be picked, Brendan explains. I was delighted to find out I was one of the ones who had been picked. I had to fund it myself. I worked for the last three years to save the money  over 3,500. Ive been working in bars pubs and restaurants all so that I could get myself out to South Korea for this.

However, as the trip of a lifetime draws closer, those hours spent working will be all worth it as he touches down in South Korea.

"I cant wait. It will be an experience like nothing else, he says. When I went last time, to the US, I was only 14. I didnt really know what to expect or what I was doing. But now Im going as an 18 year-old and I know what it's all about now and itll be an even better experience as a result.
Greystones Community First Responders are hosting two life-saving courses in August for anyone who is interested in learning some vital skills.

These courses are absolutely free of charge, but if you'd like to support Greystones First Responders, you can make a donation on the day.

The first is the Certified Heartsaver AED (Irish Heart Foundation) and it takes place in the Dr Ryan Community Centre, at 9.00am on Saturday, August 5. This is a half-day course and all participants will receive a certificate from the Irish Heart Foundation upon completion.

The second course is the Hands for Life Course (Irish Heart Foundation), which takes place also at the Dr Ryan Community Centre, at 10.00am to 12.00pm and a second option from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. This is a 90-minute course on CPR and AED use, as well as a session on what to do in a case of someone choking.

These courses are a great opportunity to learn life-saving skills and contribute to the community's safety, as well as your loved ones. All courses can be booked on eventbrite.ie and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Greystones First Responders team can be contacted on: greystonescfrgroup@gmail.com
Robert Redmond with an address in Dublin is co-accused of firearm possession with Jamie Gray, who has an address in Bray.

A convicted murderer from Dublin and a gambling addict from Wicklow have been jailed for their part in helping to move a submachine gun that was recovered during a garda operation three years ago.

Last month, Robert Redmond (35), who was jailed for life in December last year, and his co-accused Jamie Gray (27) pleaded guilty to charges under Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act 1964.

At the Special Criminal Court on Monday, Redmond, with a previous address at Streamville Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin was jailed for a period of six years.

Gray, of Hazelwood, Fassaroe, Bray, Co Wicklow, was handed a sentence of five years and three months with the final year suspended for a period of three years.

Both men had pleaded guilty to having in their possession or under their control a firearm, to wit, a RAK PM-63 submachine gun, in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that they did not have it in their possession or under their control for a lawful purpose at M11 Southbound, Shankill in Dublin on May 7, 2020.

Passing sentence on Monday, Mr Justice Paul Burns said the court acknowledged that the involvement of both men had been to source the weapon for others and neither had any intention of using it.

He said the 9mm Makarov [type] submachine gun, found in a vehicle stopped by gardai, was in poor condition and the court noted the serial number had been deliberately erased.

The court previously heard the gun was missing a number of components including the stock. It had a 15-round magazine capacity and the magazine had to be held in place with one hand while firing. The firearm was previously deliberately deactivated but had been reactivated and the barrel replaced.

The judge said the offence before the court carried a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

He said the circumstances in which the firearm was being moved indicated a criminal enterprise involving a number of individuals and noted that the prevalence of such a firearm is a dangerous scourge on our society.

The court heard that Redmond has 97 previous convictions which include two counts for possession of firearms and ammunition with intention to endanger life as well as a life sentence for murder.

Mr Justice Burns said the court considered a headline sentence of eight years to be appropriate in the case of Redmond.

He said mitigating factors in Redmonds case included his plea of guilty, the fact that his involvement was to source the weapon for others and the fact that the gun was in poor condition.

Mr Justice Burns noted that Redmond had had a difficult life and had suffered with addiction issues which he had taken steps to address.

Taking mitigating factors into consideration, he said the court considered a sentence of six years to be appropriate.

Mr Justice Burns noted that Redmond is currently serving a life sentence for murder and said the sentence imposed today would run from October 5, 2021 when he went into custody in relation to this matter.

Turning to Gray, the judge noted that all his previous offending had been dealt with at district court level. Gray has 91 previous convictions, all for road traffic offences except one count of possession of drugs from 2021.

He said the court considered the appropriate headline sentence to be one of seven years.

In mitigation, he noted that Gray had entered a plea of guilty on the trial date but this had been indicated earlier. He noted that Grays involvement was in sourcing the weapon for others and he had no intention of using it himself.

The court heard Gray had married at 18 and had two young children. The defendant became addicted to gambling, the judge said, and borrowed from unorthodox sources to fund this.

Mr Justice Burns noted that Grays GP said he is suffering from anxiety. He said the accused had taken steps to address his gambling addiction and was assessed as being at moderate risk of reoffending.

He said taking mitigating factors into account, the court would sentence Gray to a period of five years and three months imprisonment with the final year suspended for a period of three years. The judge said the sentence is to run from July 10, 2023 when he went into custody in relation to this matter.

At a previous sentencing hearing in July, Sergeant Brian McDermott told prosecuting counsel, Garret Baker SC, that after receiving confidential information about the handing over of a firearm, gardai put a surveillance operation in place on two vehicles; a silver Hyundai jeep and a white Nissan Pulsar.

On the evening of March 7, the two vehicles pulled in on the main street in Clondalkin and certain people got out of the Hyundai including Redmond and Bernard Fogarty. The two men got back into the Hyundai and the convoy continued.

Last December, career criminal Redmond was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murdering father-of-eight Barry Wolverson (40) at Madigan's Yard, Kileek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin, at around midday on January 17, 2020. He had denied the charge.

Redmond's co-accused Bernard Fogarty (34), with an address at Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, Coolock, Dublin 5, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Mr Wolverson. Mr Wolverson was a businessman who rented space at Madigan's Yard in Swords in north Dublin. He was shot in cold blood and died after being in a coma.

Separately, Fogarty was also jailed by the Special Criminal Court for five years in 2020 after pleading guilty to possession of a RAK PM-63 submachine gun on March 7, 2020.

At the previous sentencing hearing, Sgt McDermott said the Hyundai was observed travelling towards Donaghmede on the evening of March 7, when both vehicles pulled in at Hole in the Wall Road. Fogarty got out of the jeep and went towards his home address before gardai witnessed him going over to the Nissan Pulsar and leaning into it. Both vehicles then left the area.

The court heard that the submachine gun was in the front passenger footwell of the Nissan Pulsar and the driver of the car was arrested. A phone which was of interest to the investigation was seized from the vehicle.

The sergeant said Gray was not in either car but that an examination of the phone seized in the Nissan Pulsar and information provided to gardai had led to his arrest. Gray's home address was searched and evidence of interest emerged when his [Gray's] mobile phone was seized. The court heard there had been "a significant amount of phone traffic" between Gray and Redmond on March 6, 7 and 8.

The witness said that two text messages had emanated from Gray's phone to the driver of the Nissan Pulsar on the day of the offence. The first text message read "pull in, put it in the engine" after the firearm was handed over by Fogarty to the driver of the Nissan Pulsar.

Another text from Gray's phone read "hide it out there, send me a picture of it". The sergeant said there was an indication in the text message that a driver on behalf of Gray would come and collect the weapon.

The court heard Gray was interviewed and accepted that the phone seized belonged to him. Clothing seized at Gray's house also linked him to CCTV evidence taken from a Circle K garage in Bray earlier that day.

The court heard the footage showed a third vehicle driven by Gray entering the forecourt of the petrol station and meeting the occupants of the Hyundai jeep. Gray was seen speaking to those in the Hyundai jeep and interacting with other parties.
A treat for art and nature lovers alike awaits visitors to Wicklow town in the guise of Wicklow Thoughts, an exhibition of artwork by Spanish artist Joaquin Martinez del Fresno, which is on display at Wicklow town library until July 31.

While enjoying the harbour views that inspired Joaquin, visitors can appreciate the unique perspective of the painter's sixteen impressions of the town and coastline captured in stunning oil on canvas.

Joaquin's own connections to Wicklow town go back to 1986 when he spent a summer learning English with a local host family, the Cannons, of Homeside opposite St. Patrick's church. So welcoming was that home away from home, he has returned to Wicklow yearly and the Cannon family has travelled to Cadiz, Southern Spain many times forming a strong friendship that lasts to today.

Joaquin said: The starting point, is like that of many Spanish students. I came to Wicklow in Ireland to learn English, way back in 1986. Life often shows us that what you think is your purpose, is not really your true purpose or path in life. We grow and develop as a person, learning different traditions, different ways of living and different ways of thinking.

Its absolutely amazing when I look back to the past and realise that English was just the pretext to my learning but I didnt know that then.

The story began with the opportunity of meeting a host family, the Cannon family, made up of Joan, Sean and their children. As I returned to Wicklow yearly, the Cannon family travelled to Cadiz , Southern Spain in October of every year .. A strong friendship formed between the families that lasts to today.

When Joan passed away, Sean did not return to Spain that October, and nor did he return for many years. Finally, he returned for his 90th Birthday. Sean, his lovely daughter, Julie, her husband and the grandchildren decided to fly to Spain and spend that landmark occasion with my family.

There were no words to describe it, except a family reuniting, recognising that special bond. Since then, I have been back many times, bringing Spanish students to learn English in Ireland and bringing my own children home to Wicklow.

It is therefore only fitting that Joaquin brings his first ever exhibition back to the place which inspired him. He holidays in Wicklow town every year and his daughter Cristina already spent a term at the Dominican College in 2022.

He added: In 2020 Covid stopped us all. My own father received a fatal diagnosis and I started to paint again. My thoughts and memories kept coming back to Wicklow, and so the idea of painting familiar scenes of Wicklow and exhibiting them in Wicklow was formed. The exhibition is a love letter to the town that helped form me, the town I feel at home in , the town that welcomed me, way back in 1986. The lessons I learned were not only in English, but life lessons about friendship, family, cultural exchange, travel and truly expressing yourself. These scenes are familiar to us all but they resonate far below the surface.

Joaquin and his wife Patrizia look forward to seeing some new faces and some familiar ones again at Wicklow Thoughts which continues till 31st July.

All work on display can be purchased. For those unable to view the paintings in person the full catalogue can be obtained by emailing Patrizia at patripsromate@hotmail.com.
The Indo Daily: X-rated videos, drug addiction, and an illicit affair - the controversies of Hunter Biden
The video was filmed by a woman celebrating her honeymoon after she and her husband were forced to evacuate their hotel on the Greek island of Rhodes. Claire and Paul Jones, both 36 from Leicestershire in the UK were celebrating their honeymoon after flying out on Tuesday July 18 before the wildfires currently ripping through the Greek island took hold.
Russia's defence ministry accused Ukraine of a drone attack on Moscow on Monday, after the city's mayor said that two buildings were hit and media reported that debris was found not far from the defence ministry's buildings.
A suicide bomber killed at least 30 soldiers and wounded scores more inside a military academy in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Monday, two military sources said, in an attack claimed by the al Shabaab militant group.
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Jaipur/IBNS: In another cross-border love story, a woman from Rajasthan travelled Pakistan to meet a friend whom she got in touch with on Facebook, media reports said.

As per reports, the woman, named Anju, fell in love with 29-year-old Nasrulla, the Facebook friend.

The 34-year-old, who was born in Uttar Pradesh, told her husband, as he claimed, that she was going to Jaipur.

From Rajasthan's Alwar, she travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the invitation from Nasrulla.

Though Anju was initially under the custody of Pakistan Police, she was later released after the verification of her travel documents by the district police.

Back in India, a team of police reached Anju's house in Bhiwadi to enquire.

Anju and her husband have two children, a 15-year-old girl and a six-year-old son.

Pak national Seema Haider wants to live with Indian partner in Noida

Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who has been in the news for her dramatic love story with her Indian partner Sachin Meena and for entering India without a visa, has filed a mercy petition with President Droupadi Murmu.

Seema has sought permission for herself and her four children to reside at her "matrimonial home" in Greater Noida with Sachin Meena, who stays in the Rabupura area of the city, a report in the media said.

In her plea, she has also requested an oral hearing from the president regarding her case. The petition, filed by Supreme Court advocate A P Singh on her behalf, was received at the President's secretariat on Friday, said the report.

Seema Haider with her Indian partner Sachin Meena (Image tweeted by @Gabbar0099)

As per media reports, Seema and Sachin claim to have made each others acquaintance while playing PubG in 2019-20, a popular online game. Subsequently, they started to talk over WhatsApp and Instagram and fell in love. Despite being married, Seema left her home with her four children and reached Nepal where she met Sachin in person. After living in Kathmandu for some days, she came to India on May 13, illegally, without a visa.

According to her petition, 30-year-old Seema Haider says that she is in love with Sachin Meena (22), a resident of Greater Noida, and states that she arrived in India with her four children to be with him. She also claims to have converted to Hinduism and got married to Meena through Hindu rituals at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.

On July 4, Seema Haider was arrested by the local police for illegally entering India, and Sachin Meena was held for sheltering illegal immigrants. However, they were both granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have been living together, along with her four children, in a house in Rabupura.

Despite the ongoing investigation by the Noida police regarding her illegal stay in India and the questioning by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police, Haider has filed a mercy petition with President Droupadi Murmu, seeking permission to stay with her partner, Meena, in her "matrimonial home" in Greater Noida.
New Delhi/UNI: In a major setback to the West Bengal government, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Calcutta High Court's order directing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe into the six FIRs related to the violence allegedly unleashed on Ram Navmi processions in the state, in which police supposedly did not record bomb attacks during the procession, under Explosive Substances Act.

While dismissing the contentions of the West Bengal government plea, a three-judge bench of the Apex Court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, and also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court order.

"After the High Court's order, the Central Government has exercised its suo motu powers under Section 6 (5) of the NIA Act to ask the NIA to investigate these cases," the bench of the Top Court today, said in its order.

The fact-finding team on a three-day tour of West Bengal in April assessed the human rights violations during Ram Navami processions in Howrah and Hooghly districts of Bengal.

Calcutta High Court, in its order on April 27, prima facie observed with respect to the Ram Navami violence that there had been a deliberate attempt on the part of the concerned police not to register any offence under the provisions of the Explosives Substances Act, fighting shy of resorting to the procedure required to be complied with under Section 6(1) of the NIA Act.

This order was challenged by the WB govt before the Supreme Court on the ground that transferring the probe to the NIA, "would demoralise the state police."

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the West Bengal Police, told the Apex Court that the six FIRs were registered over different incidents which took place at different places on different dates.

"There was no evidence of use of bombs or explosives and hence the Explosives Act was not invoked. The smoke grenades and tear gas grenades used by the police to control the mob are being projected as explosives.

The injury reports do not indicate that the victims have suffered blast injuries. No shrapnels or craters were found so as to indicate use of bombs. We can't add the Explosives Act, Sankaranarayanan said during the hearing.

He further said that the Calcutta High Court's order had the effect of diminishing the full credibility of the state police and demoralising the police officers.

Sankaranarayanan also said that most of the victims of the Ram Navami clashes were police officers themselves, who got overwhelmed by the mob of thousands who were armed with swords and bamboo sticks.

On the other hand, Senior Advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Suvendhu Adhikari, submitted that bombs and explosives were widely hurled during the religious rallies and the State police deliberately omitted to mention these aspects in the FIRs.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, senior law officer for the NIA, sai: After analyzing the six FIRs I can say that the first FIR has use of Bomb- this is Howrah. In 2nd FIR, the area is same but your lordships should mark that it is a suo moto case registered against unknown person- so FIR by West Bengal police. Same for third. For fourth, there is a reference to bomb in Chandan Nagar. 5,6 is chandan nagar. [sic.]"

He said: "We told them (WB govt) that we're under the mandate of HC, give us papers. We are not being supplied with papers also. This conduct itself debars them."
New Delhi: The Second Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-Radicalisation between Maldives and India was held in Male on Monday where both sides pledged to further strengthen cooperation and shared their experiences in combating terrorism.

The Maldivian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary, Ahmed Latheef, and the Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) Verma, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

"The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere that symbolises the time-tested and good neighbourly ties between Maldives and India, and the energy, ambition and scale acquired by our bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Maldives and India strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism.

Emphasising the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner both countries reaffirmed counter-terrorism cooperation as an important aspect of maintaining security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Both sides reviewed threats posed by terrorist entities that are under UN sanctions and emphasised the need for concerted action against all terrorist networks.

They underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks on others and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks.

Both sides shared their experiences in combating terrorism and extremism, and exchanged views on various areas of cooperation including countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating financing of terrorism, preventing exploitation of the internet and cyberspace for terrorism and violent extremism, mutual information sharing, capacity building and establishing institutional linkages between law enforcement agencies, security forces, customs, immigration and other relevant agencies.

Further, the two sides exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation against organised crime and narcotics, repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees.

Both sides pledged to further strengthen cooperation that will include further assistance and capacity building for the security and law enforcement agencies and other relevant agencies of the Maldives as well as collaboration and the exchange of best practices in the areas of counter-terrorism, preventing and countering of violent extremism including strategic communication, and de-radicalisation.

The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation and enhancing dialogues in multilateral fora through United Nations and at other global and regional platforms such as the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

The Indian delegation will also visit the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) during their stay in Male.

Picture Caption: The Second Meeting of the India-Maldives Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was held on Monday. Picture Courtesy: Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twitter page

The Second Meeting of the- Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held at @MoFAmv today. Both sides reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to strengthen the united efforts against terrorism to ensure peace & stability in the Indian Ocean Region #MaldivesIndiaPartnership pic.twitter.com/uwsK7IOnfp  Ministry of Foreign Affairs  (@MoFAmv) July 24, 2023




Photo courtesy: Photo courtesy

Bengaluru/IBNS: An FIR has been registered against unidentified suspects for allegedly giving death threats to Karnataka High Court judges including press relations officer of the court.

The FIR was filed by the central crime police based on the complaint of PRO K Muralidhar on July 14.

According to the complaint, Muralidhar received the threat message on his WhatsApp from an international number on his official mobile phone around 7 pm on July 12.

The message was written in Hindi, Urdu, and English by a Dubai gang allegedly threatening to kill Muralidhar and six High Court judges.

The judges on target are: Justice Mohammed Nawaz, Justice HT Narendra Prasad, Justice Ashok G Nijagannavar (retired), Justice HP Sandesh, Justice K Natarajan and Justice B Veerappa (retired).

The FIR has been registered under sections 506, 507 and 504 of the IPC and sections 75 and 66(F) of the IT Act, the police said.

[With UNI inputs]
Photo courtesy:Pixabay

The United Kingdom and India concluded the eleventh round of talks for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on July 18 when technical discussions were held across nine policy areas.

As with previous rounds, this was conducted in a hybrid fashion - a number of Indian officials travelled to London for negotiations and others attended virtually.

On 10-11 July 2023, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, Piyush Goyal, visited the UK as part of the eleventh round of the UK-India FTA negotiations.

He met with Kemi Badenoch MP, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Nigel Huddleston MP, the Minister of State for International Trade, where they discussed ways to make progress on the FTA negotiations and wider trade and investment opportunities for the UK and India.

Commerce Secretary, Government of India, Sunil Barthwal, also visited the UK during the round. He met with senior UK trade officials and took stock of the progress made in the eleventh round of negotiations.

"Technical discussions were held across 9 policy areas over 42 separate sessions. They included detailed draft treaty text discussions in these policy areas," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The twelfth round of negotiations is due to take place in the coming months.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Shillong/IBNS/UNI: Night curfew was imposed in Tura town of Meghalaya after a mob resorted to stone pelting at the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) in Tura on Monday.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was then holding talks with civil society groups on the demand for declaration of Tura as winter capital of Meghalaya, besides reviewing the job reservation policy in the state.

Director General of Police L.R. Bishnoi said around six police personnel, including a woman police constable and a fireman were injured after the mob pelted stones at them.

The Chief Minister is safe and sound, he told UNI over the phone.

An ambulance carrying the injured police personnel to Tura Civil Hospital was also attacked by the mob.

In order to disperse the mob, police resorted to lathi charge and tear gas shelling. The situation is now under control. We have sent additional reinforcement to the area, Bishnoi informed.

Chief Minister Sangma along with Cabinet Minister Marcuise Marak was holding talks with the agitating members of Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) and Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC), who have been staging an indefinite hunger strike for two weeks in Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills, to put pressure on the government to comply with their demands.

The Chief Minister was having a peaceful discussion with agitating organisations for over 3 hours at the CMO in Tura. The Chief Minister had invited the agitating groups for discussion in presence of all stakeholders in Shillong tentatively on August 8 or 9, the CMO said in a statement.

Thousands of cowards, vested interest, in the words of agitating groups, not our people, gathered at ths CMO Tura and started pelting stones, the statement said.

The ACHIK has, meanwhile, said that none of its members were involved in the attack on the CMO at Tura.

We are all satisfied with the outcome of the meeting with the Chief Minister. We all know that the Chief Minister cannot take unilateral decisions here in Tura outrightly on our demands. He told us that the entire cabinet and legislature have to take a call and has assured that he will do whatever he can, ACHIK leader Laben Ch Marak said.

Marak said that the Chief Minister has invited the agitating groups for discussion in the presence of all stakeholders in Shillong, tentatively on August 8 or 9.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 for injured personnel. Their entire medical expenses will be borne by the government.
UNICEF/Siegfried Modola

New York: Senior UN officials have strongly condemned the deadly Russian missile strikes in the Ukrainian city of Odesa on Sunday which damaged several historic buildings.

Over the past week, Russia has carried out aerial attacks on Odesa and two other port cities, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv, since terminating the landmark Black Sea Initiative on grain and fertilizer exports.

International media reported that at least one person was killed and more than 20 wounded in Sunday's attack, which damaged significant cultural sites in Odesa, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, the first and foremost Orthodox church in the city.

The Cathedral was founded in 1794 and is located in the Historic Centre of Odesa, which was in January inscribed on the World Heritage List maintained by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Culture in the crosshairs

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, his spokesperson said in a statement.

In addition to the appalling toll the war is taking on civilian lives, this is yet another attack in an area protected under the World Heritage Convention in violation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, it said.

Guterres also expressed concern about the wars increasing threat to Ukrainian culture and heritage. UNESCO has verified damage to 270 cultural sites, including 116 religious sites, since the start of the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022.

The Secretary-General urges the Russian Federation to immediately cease attacks against cultural property protected by widely ratified international normative instruments. The Secretary-General also continues to urge immediate cessation of all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, the statement concluded.

'Outrageous destruction'

UNESCO was deeply dismayed by the brazen attack, which it condemned in the strongest terms. A mission will be deployed to Odesa in the coming days to conduct a preliminary assessment of damages.

The agency said this act of hostility follows other recent attacks that impacted cultural heritage in areas of Lviv and Odesa that are protected under the World Heritage Convention.

This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against cultural heritage of Ukraine, said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General. She urged Russia to take meaningful action to comply with its obligations under international law, including with regard to the protection of cultural property during armed conflict.

Furthermore, the attacks contradict recent statements by Russian authorities concerning precautions taken to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine, including their buffer zones, the agency said, adding that intentional destruction of cultural sites may amount to a war crime.

Protecting cultural institutions

In response to the war, UNESCO is working to promote the protection of cultural institutions in Ukraine, along with other actions such as denouncing violence against journalists and supporting the maintenance of education.

Azoulay was in Odesa in April where she met with World Heritage site managers and stakeholders from the cultural sector. She took stock of emergency actions by UNESCO to protect cultural heritage threatened by the conflict.

Speaking at the time, she said nearly $7 billion will be required over the next decade to rebuild the cultural sector in Ukraine.
Bawaal, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, is getting some good reviews. Many famous people have given the film a massive thumbs up. Bawaal, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, was highly praised by director Hansal Mehta. He called it a "sweet film."

Twitter

Taking to his Twitter handle, Hansal wrote, I found Bawaal to be quite a sweet film. Has its heart in the right place. Makes you laugh, cry, smile and entertains you even where some of the dialogues seem misplaced in their use of world-war metaphors. The intention never feels misplaced. Try the film.

I found Bawaal to be quite a sweet film. Has its heart in the right place. Makes you laugh, cry, smile and entertains you even where some of the dialogues seem misplaced in their use of world-war metaphors. The intention never feels misplaced. Try the film.  Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) July 22, 2023

Lisa Ray Reacts To Insensitive Line On Auschwitz in Bawaal

Raja Sen tweeted, "Apparently, there is a line in #Bawaal where Jahnvi Kapoor says Har rishta apne-apne Auschwitz se guzarta hai Thats all, folks."

Lisa Ray reacted by writing Noooo

Noooooooo  Lisa Ray (@Lisaraniray) July 21, 2023

Janhvi thanked the audience for their support of the movie earlier in the day. Ajay Dixit, also known as Ajju (Varun Dhawan), a small-town high school history teacher, and his newlywed wife Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor), plan to travel across Europe on a Second World War trail by stopping in Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany as a result of an incident in Ajju's life. The pair, who already has a tense marriage, tries to hold on despite a string of occasions that challenge their love and force them to confront their issues.

Also read: Despite Negative Reviews, 'Bawaal' Is An Interesting Film If You Watch It With An Open Mind!

Twitter

Janhvi shared BTS photos and wrote, Your love has been #Bawaal .. Nisha ko apnane ke liye, Ajju ko sudharne ke liye, humari kahaani aur kaam ko itna pyaar dene ke liye- thank you.. in this race to create a perception, to compete for things and for some sort of validation- some of us are lost. And sometimes what we feel are the biggest problems, are really only our minds not allowing us to value what we have. In light of the inhuman hardships that were faced by so many through a period of history, maybe we can learn that life is fleeting; that our problems are trivial, what matters is not what you have but what you are, and that sometimes we forget to value the simplest of things till we lose it, only to realize that was our one shot at true happiness. That is the heart of our #bawaal.. to see so many of you having these feelings after watching our film, makes everything worth it.

Varun Dhawan Thanks Audience

He wrote, Ajju bhaiya ne Mahual bana diya. Thank u for giving bawaal a place In Your heart. I have never received so many calls for any film of mine. The impact this film is having on people is incredible. Its a conversation starter about the fake image industry and how today we are all in someway slaves to this ideology. Thank u for watching and enjoying Ajju and his family. You are #bawaal.

You can watch Bawaal on Amazon Prime Video.
Today in History: July 25th is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are days 159 remaining until the end of the year.

There are several notable events that happened on July 25 throughout history, and that's why it's an important day in Indian and world history.



What Happened this Day in India History Events

If you're wondering to know about what happened today in History? Then you're in the right place. On this day, there are several notable events that have occurred throughout Indian and world history.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the important things that happened all around the world on July 25. Take a look:

Today in History: What Happened This Day in India History Events

1987- R. Venkataraman becomes the eighth President of India

On July 25, 1987, R Venkataraman was sworn-in as the eighth President of the Republic of India. During his tenure, which concluded on July 25, 1992, India saw a quick succession of four Prime Ministers -- Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar, Viswanath Pratap Singh and Rajiv Gandhi.

1992 SD Sharma became the ninth President of India

Sharma was declared elected on 16 July 1992 and was sworn in as president on 25 July 1992.

2007 - India gets its first female president

Pratibha Patil at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of Parliament, in New Delhi. Patil won the election held on July 19, 2007. She garnered nearly two-thirds of the votes and, on July 25, 2007, took oath as India's 12th President, the first woman to hold the position.

2017- Ram Nath Kovind becomes the 14th President of India

Kovind took the oath as the 14th president of India on 25 July 2017. He was succeeded by Droupadi Murmu on 21 July 2022.

What Happened this Day in India History Events

What happened in World History on July 25

1898 - U.S. Invades Puerto Rico

On July 25, 1898, 16,000 U.S. troops invaded Puerto Rico at Guanica, asserting that they were liberating the inhabitants from Spanish colonial rule, which had recently granted the island's government limited autonomy.

1976 - The famous Face on Mars photo is taken

As the Viking 1 mission circled the red planet in search of a landing site for its sister ship, Viking 2, it snapped photos of Mars for engineers at NASA to study. On July 25, 1976, it captured the image of a pile of rocks that greatly resembled a human face.

1978 - World's first "test tube" baby born

On July 25, 1978, Louise Joy Brown, the world's first baby to be conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) is born at Oldham and District General Hospital in Manchester, England, to parents Lesley and Peter Brown.

1984 - Svetlana Savitskaya becomes the First Woman to Walk in Space

On her second trip to Salyut 7, she became the first woman to perform a space walk when, on July 25, 1984, she participated in welding experiments on the outer hull of the space station. Savitskaya returned to Earth and took an executive position at the aerospace design bureau Energia.

Todays Highlight in History:

- In 1866, Ulysses S. Grant was named General of the Army of the United States, the first officer to hold the rank.

- In 1943, Benito Mussolini was dismissed as premier of Italy by King Victor Emmanuel III, and placed under arrest. (However, Mussolini was later rescued by the Nazis, and re-asserted his authority.)

- In 1946, the United States detonated an atomic bomb near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific in the first underwater test of the device.

- In 1960, a Woolworths store in Greensboro, North Carolina, that had been the scene of a sit-in protest against its whites-only lunch counter dropped its segregation policy.

- In 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (YIT-sahk rah-BEEN) and Jordans King Hussein (hoo-SAYN) signed a declaration at the White House ending their countries 46-year-old formal state of war.

- In 2000, a New York-bound Air France Concorde crashed outside Paris shortly after takeoff, killing all 109 people on board and four people on the ground; it was the first-ever crash of the supersonic jet.

- In 2010, the online whistleblower Wikileaks posted some 90,000 leaked U.S. military records that amounted to a blow-by-blow account of the Afghanistan war, including unreported incidents of Afghan civilian killings as well as covert operations against Taliban figures.

What Happened On This Day In History

Also on this day:



In addition to these historical events on July 25 events, there is also the birthday and death of several notable individuals that you must know about.

Famous People's Birthday on July 25

1875 - Jim Corbett Birth Anniversary

Jim Corbett, full name Edward James Corbett, was a British-Indian hunter, conservationist, and author, born on July 25, 1875, in Nainital, in the present-day Indian state of Uttarakhand. He is best known for his efforts in wildlife conservation and for tracking and hunting down several man-eating tigers and leopards in the region during the early 20th century.

1939 - Jayan

Jayan, whose full name is Krishnan Nair, was a renowned Indian actor known for his contributions to the Malayalam film industry. He was born on July 25, 1939, in Kollam, Kerala, India, and passed away tragically at the age of 41 on November 16, 1980.

Famous People's Death Anniversary on July 25

2001 - Phoolan Devi Death Anniversary

Phoolan Devi, also known as "Bandit Queen," was a prominent figure in Indian history known for her controversial and eventful life. She was born on August 10, 1963, in a small village called Ghura Ka Purwa in Uttar Pradesh, India. Phoolan Devi's life was marked by poverty, oppression, and violence, which eventually led her down a path of crime and rebellion.

Tragically, on July 25, 2001, Phoolan Devi was assassinated outside her official residence in New Delhi by masked gunmen. The reasons behind her assassination remain unclear, and it sparked debates and discussions about caste-based politics and violence against women in India.

Important Days in July 2023 July 2023 Important Days Important Events In July 1 July Doctor's Day (India) 1 July International Joke Day 1 July Canada Day 1 July GST Day 1 July Chartered Accountants Day 2 July World UFO Day 2 July World Sports Journalists Day 3 July International Plastic Bag Free Day 4 July Independence Day (USA) 6 July World Zoonoses day 7 July World Chocolate Day 10 July Nikola Tesla Day 11 July World Population Day 12 July Malala Day 12 July Paper Bag Day 14 July Bastille Day 15 July World Youth Skills Day 15 July Social Media Giving Day 17 July World Day for International Justice 17 July World Emoji Day 18 July Nelson Mandela Day 20 July World Chess Day 20 July International Moon Day 22 July Chandrayaan 2 launch date 23 July National Broadcasting Day 24 July Income Tax Day 26 July Kargil Vijay Diwas 28 July World Hepatitis Day 28 July World Nature Conservation Day 29 July International Tiger Day 30 July International Friendship Day

Month-wise Important Days List 2023



Important Days and Dates List 2023 January February March April May June July August September October November December

July: What Happened Today In History

This was all about the interesting and intriguing events that occurred on July 25! For more such informative content, keep following Indiatimes Events.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually across the country on July 26th to pay tribute to the bravery and valor of the Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country during the Kargil War in 1999. The day commemorates the victory of Operation Vijay, which was a significant military victory over Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999.

The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir where the Indian Army recaptured the famous 'Tiger Hill' and other important posts around under 'Operation Vijay' by evicting the Pakistani troops.



Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023 image | Photo: Freepik

The war was one of the major military conflicts between the two South Asian neighbours and resulted in a significant loss of life and resources. It was the last war that happened between India and Pakistan. This year marks the 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Keep scrolling to know more about the Kargil Vijay Diwas:



In 2023 Kargil Vijay Diwas will be observed on Wednesday, July 26th to honour our Indian soldiers who fought bravely in the Kargil war.

Kargil Vijay Diwas history | Kargil War history

Kargil Vijay Diwas, also known as Kargil Victory Day, is an annual commemoration observed in India on July 26th. It celebrates the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan during the Kargil War, which took place between May and July 1999.

The Kargil War was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. The conflict arose when around 5,000 Pakistani troops and militants infiltrated into Indian territory, its believed to orchestrated by the then Pakistan Army chief General Pervez Musharraf without the knowledge of then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and occupied strategic positions in the high-altitude areas along the Line of Control (LOC), which serves as the de facto border between India and Pakistan in the region.

The war caught India by surprise as the infiltration was seen as a violation of the Shimla Agreement, which was signed in 1972 to maintain peace between the two countries. The intrusions aimed to cut off the crucial highway connecting Srinagar to Leh, posing a significant threat to India's security and access to Ladakh.

The Indian government responded swiftly, launching "Operation Vijay" on May 26, 1999, to evict the Pakistani forces and militants and recapture the infiltrated areas. The Indian Army, supported by the Indian Air Force, fought bravely in challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions to push back the Pakistani intruders. The IAF for ground attack, used planes MiG-2Is, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars, and the Mirage-2000 during the war..

The Kargil War witnessed some intense and hard-fought battles, such as:

The Battle of Tololing

The Battle of Tololing was one of the first major confrontations in the Kargil War. The Indian Army's 2nd Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles launched a series of attacks to dislodge the Pakistani forces from Tololing and nearby positions. The terrain was extremely challenging, with steep cliffs, narrow ridges, and unpredictable weather, making the battle even more difficult.

Eventually, after enduring significant casualties, the Indian Army successfully managed to recapture Tololing on June 13, 1999.

Battle of Tiger Hill

The Battle of Tiger Hill, also known as the Battle of Point 5353, was a significant military engagement that took place during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. The conflict began in May 1999 when Pakistani forces, taking advantage of the winter months, infiltrated across the LoC and occupied several peaks, including Tiger Hill, in an attempt to change the status quo in the region. Their aim was to cut off a vital highway that connected the Kashmir valley to the rest of India and potentially force India to negotiate on the Kashmir issue.

The Indian armed forces launched "Operation Vijay" in response to this intrusion. The operation involved a series of military actions aimed at pushing back the Pakistani forces and reclaiming the occupied peaks, including Tiger Hill. The battle for Tiger Hill was particularly fierce and lasted for several weeks.

The recapture of Tiger Hill was a turning point in the Kargil War, and it dealt a significant blow to the Pakistani forces.

Battle of Point 4875 (Batra Top)

Topyaps

After Point 5140 was captured, On 7 July 1999, 13 JAK RIF led by Captain Vikram Batra was tasked to capture Point 4875. Captain Batra led the assault, engaging in a physical fight with the enemy. He single-handedly killed five enemy fighters at point-blank range and sustained serious injuries. Despite his injuries, he moved towards the next enemy sangar and threw grenades to clear the enemy position.



His dauntless determination inspired his men to clear the enemy from a dominating position. Later, he succumbed to his injuries. His fearless determination and leadership encouraged his company men to avenge his death and finally capture Point 4875.

These battles showcased the bravery, resilience, and determination of the Indian soldiers in securing victory.

The battle lasted for nearly two months, the Indian Armed Forces successfully recaptured the infiltrated territories, forcing the Pakistani forces to retreat across the Line of Control. The conflict officially came to an end on July 26, 1999, with India regaining full control of its territory.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26th every year to honor the sacrifice and valor of the Indian soldiers who fought during the Kargil War. On this day, various ceremonies, events, and tributes are held across the country to pay homage to the brave men and women who laid down their lives in defense of the nation. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the country's sovereignty and unity and stands as a symbol of India's determination to protect its borders.

Operation Vijay involved intense combat operations in high-altitude mountainous terrain, posing significant challenges to the Indian troops. However, through their bravery, determination, and superior military strategy, the Indian armed forces were able to reclaim the infiltrated areas.

Kargil Vijay dDiwas's significance

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023 image | Photo: Freepik

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually to pay honour and respect to our brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War. On this day, various commemorative events are organised across the country, including wreath-laying ceremonies, memorial services, parades, and cultural programs. The sacrifices of the soldiers are remembered, and their contributions to the nation are acknowledged. It serves as a reminder of the importance of national security and the dedication of the armed forces in safeguarding the country's sovereignty.



When did Kargil was started?

The Kargil war began in May 1999 when infiltrators from the Pakistani army and armed militants occupied strategic positions in Kargil. The Indian armed forces launched a massive military operation called Operation Vijay to regain control of the occupied areas and evict the intruders.

When Kargil War ended?

The war lasted around two months and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. However, on July 26, 1999, the Indian Army successfully recaptured the strategic peaks and declared victory, thus bringing an end to the hostilities.

Casualties in the Kargil War

According to various reports, More than 500 Indian soldiers were martyred in the Kargil War while from the Pakistani side, it's reported between 357 and 453.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023 inspirational quotes:

1. "If death strikes before I prove my blood, I swear I'll kill death" - Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey

2. "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - Gilbert K. Chesterton

3. Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolour, or I will come back wrapped in it but I will be back for sure  Captain Vikram Batra

4. A soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves whats behind him.  Bill Clark Jr.

5. " A soldier is not just a person. One is our pride, the Army is our glory, honour we earned" - Kaushik Dhakate

6. "You have never lived fully until you have almost died and for those who are not afraid of death and choose to fight, life always has a special flavour for them".

7. The word of bravery always speaks of the bravery of the best warriors.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023 Speech: Step-by-Step Guide

Delivering a heartfelt Kargil Vijay Diwas speech is a wonderful way to express your love, gratitude, and admiration toward our national heroes. Here are some ideas to help you create a memorable Kargil Diwas speech:

Introduction

- Begin with a brief overview of the Kargil War and its significance in India's history.

- Express gratitude and reverence towards the soldiers who fought with utmost courage and dedication.



Historical Context

- Provide a background of the events that led to the Kargil War and the challenges faced by the Indian armed forces during the conflict.

- Highlight the importance of the region and the strategic implications of the war.



The Spirit of Sacrifice

- Emphasize the selflessness and bravery of the soldiers who fought in treacherous terrains, at great heights, and under extreme weather conditions.

- Share stories of individual acts of valour and heroism to exemplify the unwavering dedication of our armed forces.



Unity and National Strength

- Talk about how the Kargil War united the entire nation in support of our soldiers.

- Highlight the importance of national unity and strength in times of crisis and how it contributes to our success as a country.



The Role of the Indian Army

- Discuss the training, preparedness, and determination of the Indian Army in successfully reclaiming the territories occupied by the enemy.

- Acknowledge the sacrifices made by not only the soldiers but also their families, who stood firmly behind them during difficult times.



Lessons Learned

- Reflect on the lessons learned from the Kargil War and how they have shaped India's defense strategies.

- Stress the need for constant vigilance and preparedness to safeguard the nation's sovereignty.



Remember the Kargil war Heroes:

- Take a moment to remember and honour the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

- Pay tribute to the martyrs and their families, expressing the nation's eternal gratitude.



Promoting Peace and Diplomacy

- Advocate for peaceful resolutions and diplomacy in resolving conflicts between nations.

- Emphasize the importance of dialogue and cooperation to maintain stability in the region.



Strengthening the Armed Forces

- Discuss the efforts made by the government to modernize and equip the armed forces to face contemporary challenges.

- Highlight the significance of investing in defense capabilities to ensure national security.



Call to Action

- Encourage citizens to actively participate in supporting and honouring our armed forces.

- Urge everyone to contribute to the welfare of soldiers and their families through various means.



Summarize the key points of the speech and reiterate the significance of remembering and honouring our brave soldiers on Kargil Diwas.



End your Kargil Vijay Diwas speech on an inspiring note, famous Kargil Diwas quotes or slogans given below. And at last say,



Thank you.



The Kargil War will always be remembered for its strategic and tactical surprises, the self-imposed national strategy of restraint in keeping the war limited to the Kargil-Siachen sectors, and the swiftly executed tri-services military strategy and plan.



(For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events)


Ravi Ruia, Indian billionaire, bought a $145 million London mansion which is linked to Russian property investor Andrey Goncharenko. A report by Bloomberg said that it is one of Londons biggest residential deals in recent years.

The family office of Ruia, who co-owns investment firm Essar Group, purchased the Hanover Lodge mansion overlooking Regent's Park at 150 Park Road this month through a sale of the home's Gibraltar-incorporated holding company, as per GQ India.

Essar Group is a multinational conglomerate and one of the leading players in the sectors of steel, oil and gas, power, communications, shipping, ports and logistics, and minerals.



hanover

Former owner of the mansion

Goncharenko, who was ex-deputy CEO of Gazprom Invest Yug, a subsidiary of the Russian state-run energy giant, owned the mansion as recently as two years ago. Goncharenko bought the propertys outstanding lease in 2012 from Conservative Party top politician and peer Rajkumar Bagri for 120 million.

There is no change in the lease of the mansion after it was acquired by Ruia. The lease runs till 2161, according to Financial Times.



The mansion is under construction and was available at a price making it an attractive investment for the family office, William Rego, a spokesperson for the Ruia family office told Bloomberg.

hanover

Other notable owners

Since then, it has been home to several notable people. The mansion was the residence of the French ambassador to the UK in the late 1990s.

American heiress and socialite Mrs von Hofmannsthal also lived in the mansion in the mid-90s. She was the daughter of John Jacob Astor IV, the renowned business magnate whose life met with a tragic end in the infamous sinking of the Titanic.

hanover

All about the Hanover Lodge

Hanover Lodge, which has an area of approximately 25,000 square feet, was built in 1827 for General Sir Robert Arbuthnot, a British military commander during the Napoleonic Wars. The mansion was designed by architect John Nash, a very famous designer whose best individual designs include the Marble Arch and Buckingham Palace.

Walter Lilly, a distinguished construction firm renowned for delivering premium construction services to iconic properties throughout London, undertook extensive modifications on the mansion a few years ago.

According to their website, the mansion boasts an expansive leisure area, encompassing a large swimming pool, a yoga room, hammam (Turkish bath), and massage rooms, among various other amenities. The swimming pool, which was constructed using a floating floor, can be converted into a ballroom.

hanover

Ruia brothers' net worth

Coming to the Ruia brothers  they sold Essar Steel to billionaire Lakshmi Mittal's ArcelorMittal and Japan's Nippon Steel in 2019. However, the Ruias retained ownership of the Stanlow oil refinery in the United Kingdom, which remains under the control of privately held Essar Energy.

ravi ruia

The Ruia Brothers  Shashi, and Ravi, were born into a business family. Their father, Nand Kishore Ruia, was an established entrepreneur. Building upon their father's legacy, Shashi and Ravi Ruia laid the foundation of the Essar Group in 1969 in Chennai. As of 2021, Forbes estimated the net worth of the Ruia brothers to be $2.2 billion (Rs 18000 crore approx.)

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


In Fredericton, a Canadian city renowned for its support of diversity and inclusivity, the 11th annual Pride Parade was a magnificent manifestation of love and acceptance. The "Everyone Matters" event brought people from all walks of life together to support equal rights and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

The streets of Fredericton were decked with rainbow flags and vibrant banners as the city celebrated its 11th annual Pride Parade. The gathering, coordinated by friends and local LGBTQ+ organizations, seeks to give attendees a sense of community and empowerment.

As the parade began, various participantsLGBTQ+ people, allies, local companies, and community organizationsmarched triumphantly through the city centre. The image of joyful people smiling and waving revealed the acceptance of love.

It's Pride Parade Time! Fredericton Celebrates Diversity

Credit: Fredericton Pride

Many people considered Pride festivities' significance as the streets of downtown Fredericton filled up for the annual Pride Parade. The procession is still a wonderful manifestation of love and support from the community, according to Sitansisk First Nation Chief Allan Polchies.

"We must realise that each person matters. He added that you are still the person you were born to be, regardless of your age or whether you come out when you're young or old.

The controversial amendments to Policy 713, which establishes minimal requirements to provide an inclusive school climate for LGBTQ2 children, have been the subject of heated debate in New Brunswick for the past two months.

The key modification is that teachers are no longer required to respect pupils under sixteen for their preferred name and pronouns, which has been criticized by LGBTQ2 advocacy groups and the province's child and youth advocate.

Credit: Canva

Georgia Brown, a board member for Fredericton Pride, claims that recent occurrences have demonstrated the continued importance of Pride celebrations.

Why is this necessary? She said that because it's 2023 and there are still people in every society who think that our inherent right to be human, to be whoever we want, and to express how we feel is up for question.

Downtown Fredericton's crowded streets provided a powerful display of support. The march is a significant occasion for allies to attend, according to Betty Rogers and Brenda Dorkas, who say they have been going for a few years.

They share the same community as we do. Therefore there is no reason why we shouldn't be there to help them, according to Dorkas. Emma Craib expressed her delight at the variety of attendees.

Credit: Canva

"It's good to see the neighbourhood coming together. It's good to see such a variety of ages, abilities, and communities represented in one group to help one another.



The procession concludes the annual Pride celebration in the city, a celebration appropriate for the year's theme of queer joy.

"With everything going on in the world, we just want to be happy, so let's have a parade today and celebrate joy," Brown added.

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
Are they for real? was a reaction I got from a friend who learnt I was writing an article about LGBTQIA+ folks who support or identify more with right-wing politics. Most political parties have had a troubled relationship with Queer folks and LGBTQIA+ people do not have a history of being accepted within either side of political camps. However, in recent times, more and more centre and left-wing politicians have shown their open and unwavering support to the LGBTQIA+ community in India and abroad.



Barring a few countries in Northern Europe and Canada, the right-wing camp still officially either sits on the fence or actively attacks and derails the socio-political growth of the community. The current scenario in the USA with over 520 new bills being proposed to limit, attack, or roll back the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in one way or the other, is just too painfully recent an example. So, it is not beyond imagination to think that LGBTQIA+ folks dont fraternise a lot with the right-wing camp.

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In recent years, an interesting and often overlooked phenomenon has emerged within the LGBTQIA+ community  a growing visibility and presence of individuals who identify as both LGBTQIA+ and right-wing. Breaking the stereotype that LGBTQIA+ individuals are exclusively left-leaning, this diverse group challenges the notion that sexual orientation and political ideology must be mutually exclusive. In this article, I explore the experiences and perspectives of right-wing LGBTQIA+ individuals, shedding light on their unique struggles, motivations, and the complexities of their identities in a rapidly evolving political landscape.

Understanding Political Diversity: Intersectionality of sexuality and politics

It is essential to acknowledge and respect the political diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community, said Mr. Shah, 38, Ahmedabad (name changed). He continues, Being gay is my accidental identity and being right-wing is my chosen identity. I am religious and that matters to me as much as anything else.

Also read: LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Toolkit: How To Navigate The Complexities Of Well-Being

While the LGBTQIA+ rights movement has been historically associated with progressive causes, such as marriage equality and anti-discrimination legislation, the political leanings of LGBTQIA+ individuals span a wide spectrum. Just as there are conservative, centrist, and liberal individuals within any society, the LGBTQIA+ community is not monolithic in terms of political ideology.

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Challenges and Contradictions

Right-wing LGBTQIA+ individuals often face unique and chosen challenges and contradictions as they navigate both their sexual orientation or gender identity and their political beliefs. Some face internal conflicts, reconciling their conservative values with the progressive goals of the broader LGBTQIA+ movement. I am aware of the hatred and concealed disgust I receive within the right-wing fold, but I believe that if I have to make any difference to my camp, I have to do it from within and not defect from it, said Mr. Shukla, 41, Mumbai. External challenges may arise when they encounter criticism or rejection from their own community, as their political alignment might be perceived as a betrayal of LGBTQIA+ rights.

Motivations and Perspectives

There are various motivations and perspectives that drive right-wing LGBTQIA+ individuals. Some find alignment with conservative principles such as limited government intervention, individual liberty, or traditional family values. Others prioritise economic policies or prioritise national security concerns. I somehow feel that my sexuality is not as big an issue for me personally as are the economy and personal freedoms in general. I find that my community doesnt respect my diverse opinions on economics and civil liberties, said Mr. Dalal.

Also read: How Public Data On The LGBTQIA+ Community Is Shaped And Erased In India



Some may also have concerns about the influence of identity politics and believe in personal responsibility and self-reliance. I hate when I am asked to not just leave people alone, but politically align with their language word for word and if I dont, I am not a safe space," stated Mr. Singh, a 32-year-old trans man from Delhi.

It is crucial to recognise that political ideologies are complex and multifaceted, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, just like anyone else, can hold a range of beliefs that reflect their unique experiences and perspectives.

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Building Bridges and Promoting Dialogue

Engaging in constructive dialogue and fostering understanding between left-leaning and right-leaning LGBTQIA+ individuals is essential for the growth and unity of the community. Dont you think it would be lovely if we are visible on both sides of the political spectrum and everywhere in the middle? I feel this is the fastest way to be a non-issue and gain acceptance, stated Mr. Singh.

Also read: Resilience And Glamour: Unveiling The Tapestry Of Indian Drag Queens



While it is natural to disagree on specific issues, it is important to respect and validate the diversity of political perspectives within the LGBTQIA+ community. Recognising that LGBTQIA+ individuals can have different political beliefs does not diminish the collective fight for equality and acceptance. By building bridges and promoting dialogue, the LGBTQIA+ community can foster inclusivity and strengthen its influence on a broader scale.

For more stories on the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in India, keep reading Spectrum on Indiatimes.



Disclaimer: Deepak Kashyap is a counselling psychologist and a culture commentator. The views expressed in this article are of the author and do not represent Indiatimes.
At least four female captives including a student of the Zamfara State College of Arts and Science, abducted by bandits, have raised an alarm over their captors threat to marry them off if their parents fail to pay a N12 million ransom.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the abductees, nabbed along the Birnin Magaji-Kaura Namoda Road six months ago while returning from a wedding, revealed this in a two minutes 19 seconds video on Saturday.

The victims, identified as Ummukhair, Aisha Yahaya, Jemila Yahaya, and Ummu Sani also said that their abductors gave their families one week to pay the ransom.

We are begging you, parents, in the name of God. We are in trouble here with our abductors. Please, look for money to secure our freedom, they pleaded.

READ MORE: Troops Neutralize Bandits In Zamfara, Sokoto States

The past government of Governor Bello Matawalle failed to secure our release. This is our sixth month and some days in captivity. We are begging the Governor Dauda Lawal-led administration to do something.

However, the elder brother to one of the victims, Aminu Yahaya in an interview, told Channels Television that six of the girls were kidnapped while two of them were released after the payment of a N6 million ransom.

I was the one that took the other ransom of N6 million to them before they released two girls, he added. Now they are giving us a one-week ultimatum to pay N12 million or else they will marry off our sisters.
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a driver who crushed a policeman to death at a checkpoint along the Benin-Owo Expressway at the Ifon area of Ose Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

According to the police, the driver whose identity is yet to be revealed, allegedly hit the cop who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

Thed was then arrested by the men of the Nigeria Army at Sobe in Edo State.

The command also denied an earlier report that the cop was killed by some suspected kidnappers on the expressway.

READ ALSO: Ogun Tribunal: Police Fled When Thugs Invaded Polling Unit  Witness

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the death of the police officer, declared that it was a case of hit and run, not kidnapping.

She said, A suspected vehicle, while the police were trying to stop the driver, he didnt stop. So, our officers were alerted on the highway but on getting to a particular place around ifon, the driver swerved and hit an ASP and the officer died immediately.

The driver, was, however, pursued and fortunately for us he (driver) was arrested by the military men at Sobe in Edo State.
Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, Saturday, expressed confidence Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), will wipe out terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

According to El-Rufai, Lagbaja leads from the front, hence, Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminal bodies fear him.

El-Rufai said Lagbaja served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) during his administration as Kadunas Governor

A new kind of chief of army staff who without a doubt will wipe out terrorism, banditry, vandalism and militancy in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Students Flog Teacher Who Stopped Them From Cheating During Exam In Ogun

I know the new COAS very well. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja was my last GOC as governor of Kaduna state. He always leads from the front anywhere he is.

He personally led troops to confront bandits in Kaduna state. He did the same in the north-east and south-east. The operatives of Boko Haram, IPOB, ESN and the bandits know well and fear him. He is the best choice as COAS.

Thank you general Lagbaja. Keep on doing what you have always done so well and with valour. God Bless you, he wrote via Twitter.

Recall that in June, Lagbaja took over from Faruk Yahya, as Nigerias 23rd COAS.
Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested one Pome Banda, a 50-year-old Beninese father and three others who allegedly lured a nine-year-old boy from the Benin Republic for money ritual.

Ari Mohammed, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2, who confirmed the news to pressmen said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from Zone 2 got information about the plan and deployed police operatives to act as the herbalists who wanted to help them to use the boy for the money ritual.

The operatives started discussing with the boys father, his brother living in Nigeria, one Benjamin Balobi, and two Nigerians  Segun Shile and Ige Koshelu.

Banda left Ajah Jakatome, his hometown in the Benin Republic, and came to Nigeria on May 30, 2023, with his son after telling him that they were coming to secure a housemaid job for him, the AIG said.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Intercepts Drug Lord While Giving Mule 93 Cocaine Wraps To Swallow In Lagos Hotel

The boy was given to a man simply identified as Baba Shina, now at large, as his house help.

Mohammed added: After the boy lived with Baba Shina for a month, he was then taken back to Cotonou and N35,000 was given to his father in his presence as salary so as to confuse the boy.

Between June 17 and 23, Banda, after making final arrangements with other suspects, brought the boy from Benin Republic again to Nigeria for money-making ritual purposes.

The four suspects involved were arrested at Sango Ota in Ogun, the presumed native doctor place. All suspects have confessed to the crime.

They will be charged to court soon at the completion of the investigation.
Lawmaker representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has condemned the countrys minimum wage of N30,000.

Describing the current minimum wage as criminal wage, he disclosed that he pays his cleaner N60,000 monthly.

Featuring on Channels Television, the senator said the current minimum wage was not enough for workers.

What we call minimum wage is a criminal wage.

READ ALSO: Hardship: Trust Tinubus Process, He Came With A Plan  George Akume Assures Nigerians

I can tell you what I have decided to pay my cleaner. My cleaner is just a primary schoolIm not sure she even has a school leaving certificate. But shes knowledgeable enough to clean the house.

I found myself unable to pay her less than N60,000  in fact, N60,000. Its about my conscience. Im trying to imagine what she has to pay for a house. She told me she has four children.

Im trying to imagine how she has to look after those children and I cannot question why she should have four children, the former Edo State Governor said.
The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a drug lord while giving a suspected recruited courier 93 cocaine wraps to swallow in a Lagos hotel. The agency also disclosed that it recovered 12.4 million pills of opioids, 6,921.5 kg.

The agency made this known in a statement posted on its official Twitter handle on Sunday and signed by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

The statement reads, It was a rude shock to find a notorious drug kingpin who specialises in sponsoring young Nigerians to traffick Class A drugs to Europe especially Italy, when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, stormed his hotel room in Okota area of Lagos late on Friday 21st July when he was preparing a recruited courier to swallow 93 pellets of cocaine meant for distribution in Italy.

The 48-year-old drug kingpin, Charles Uwagbale, had recruited Uju Dominic, 35, from his base in Italy with a deal to come to Nigeria, ingest 100 pellets of cocaine on Friday 21st July and return to Italy on Saturday 22nd July. True to plan, upon the arrival in Nigeria, the mule was lodged in Golden Heaven Hotel located at Enoma Street off Ago-Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos where Uwagbale brought 93 wraps of the Class A drug for him to swallow at about 23:45 pm Friday night.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Europe-Bound Student With Methamphetamine Consignment At Abuja Airport

They were in the process when NDLEA operatives who have been on their trail following credible intelligence stormed their hotel room, arrested both and recovered the drug exhibits with a total weight of 1.427 kilograms.

Operatives of the Lagos State Command of the Agency who made the arrest and seizure had on Thursday 20th July raided Akala in Mushin area of the state where they recovered 37.5kg cannabis from the home of a fleeing suspect.

Meanwhile, attempts to smuggle 98 cartons containing Five Million One Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand Nine Hundred (5, 122, 900) pills of Tramadol 225mg with an estimated street value of about Three Billion Seven Hundred Million Naira (N3.7billion) only into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, have been thwarted through the robust synergy between men of the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA officers at the airport as well as those at the DHL cargo warehouse. Preliminary findings revealed that the consignments were imported from India and Pakistan, while some of the seized consignments had Freetown, Sierra Leone as the final destination.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Bauchi state have recovered a total of Six Million Two Hundred and Sixty-Five and Eighty (6,265,080) pills of opioids from three suspects: Emmanuel Onyebuchi, 32; Uche Iyida, 33; and Chinedu Ezeanyim, 32 following their arrest alongside a truck driver and his assistant at Shopping Complex, Maiduguri Bye-Pass, Bauchi town on Wednesday 19th July and the subsequent follow up search of the residence of Iyida on Friday 21st July.

No fewer than Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Five Hundred (999,500) tablets of Exol-5 were also recovered by operatives from a shop close to the market at Hong Road, Gombi, Adamawa state on Friday 21st July, while 46,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Paul Ajaegbu, 36, along Owerri  Aba road, Imo state on Monday 17th July. Same suspect had earlier been arrested, precisely on 9th February 2023, for the same offence.

In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives in their numbers stormed the Ofosu forest where they destroyed 29 hectares of cannabis farms on Thursday 20th July. The quartet of Osamezu George Chukwuemeka, 51, who owns the farm; his wife Kate Osamezu, 43; Agboola Wasiu, 37 and Mustapha Sanni, were arrested during the operation, while 118.5kg processed cannabis was recovered from the farm. In another raid of the warehouse of a suspect at Elegbeka, Ose LGA, not less than 107 jumbo bags of the same illicit substance weighing 1,132.5kg were recovered on Monday 17th July.

While operatives in Sokoto state arrested a suspect, Charles Nwankwo, 50, with 610kg of cannabis in Tamaje area of Sokoto on Friday 21st July, their counterparts in Yobe also same day nabbed a fleeing suspect Shaibu Musa, 29, in Dawasa while he was offering them a bribe of N500,000 following the seizure of 36kg skunk in his house on Wednesday 19th July.

In Edo state, operatives on Monday 17th July raided the Utese forest Ovia North East LGA where they arrested Victor Asukwo Jack, with 59 bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 640kg. His two cannabis farms measuring 1.489895 hectares and 2.445295 hectares were destroyed. Also, Endurance Chukwuma, 50, was arrested with seven bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 68kg, while his cannabis farm measuring 0.254324 hectares was destroyed.

A total of 273kg cannabis was earlier intercepted in a Toyota Sienna Vehicle marked RBC 451 CM on Wednesday 19th July at Ogida, Benin City, and a suspect, Lucky Oriakhi, 41, arrested while operatives also seized 48,380 pills of tramadol in a commercial bus marked KAK 66 XA along Ewohimi road, heading to Kabba, Kogi state and arrested the driver, Ibrahim John. In Nasarawa, two suspects: Abubakar Suleiman, 30 and Shehu Garba (aka Shagari), 29 were arrested along Keffi  Akwanga road on Tuesday 18th July in a Peugeot J5 vehicle loaded with 1,608.4 kilograms of cannabis sativa. The consignment was loaded in Edo state and meant for distribution in Bauchi state.
Nigerias former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has decried the nations inability to reach its potential since 63 years of gaining independence.

According to him, the country has not only let itself down but also Africa and the world.

The statesman and diplomat made the submission while delivering the keynote speech at the public presentation of Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa, a book written by Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who also served as Minister of Finance.

The book was presented in Abuja and unveiled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Olawale Edun, his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy.

While speaking at the event, Obasanjo said, Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations. We have disappointed ourselves; we have disappointed Africa; we have disappointed the black race; and we have disappointed the world.

He further stated that what Segun (Aganga) has tried to identify, itemise and recommend in his book is the way forward.

READ ALSO: School Fees Hike: You Cant Increase Prices Of Everything At The Same Time  Parents Cry Out To Tinubu

But the beginning of charting a new course for ourselves is to admit our failure because we have not always put the round peg in the round hole.

We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism, with total lack of understanding of the world we live in and a gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.

These are peace and security, which we cannot achieve without justice, equity and inclusive society. And telling ourselves the truth, we have not done well on these scores in the recent pastin the last decade and a half.

I will also point to the issue of education, where over 20 million children that should be in school are not in school. We do not need an oracle to tell us the consequences of that for tomorrow.

We do not need to look far for the remote causes of banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping and other organised crimes.

We are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder, driving more people into poverty through good policies poorly and thoughtlessly implemented or bad policy and no policy at all.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has revealed that it is not against PoS operators increasing their prices, rather it is against the attempt by the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) to fix the prices for its members.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, said this in a statement released on Monday.

He said FCCPC would not allow any attempt to create a PoS business cartel that fixes.

While frowning at AMMBANs disregard for its earlier warning over the plan to fix prices, Irukera said the Commission was concerned about statements emanating from the executives of the association.

He, however, noted that the Commission would continue to use the advocacy approach while it would not hesitate to impose penalties when necessary.

Noting that the Commission is not weak, Irukera said the FCCPC has adopted advocacy to enforce obedience to the law because the PoS business is dominated by young Nigerians who are creating jobs for themselves.

Considering that membership of AMMBAN probably consists mainly of small businesses and creates employment for young and mostly vulnerable citizens, the Commission adopted advocacy and business education as the tool to promote and enforce obedience to the law.

READ ALSO: POS Operators In Lagos Announce New Charges For Customers

This is a prudential, not weak or helpless approach to ensuring compliance, and it underscores the Commissions proportionality approach to its consequence management system; and interpretation of the law, he said.

According to him, the Commission has not sought to limit the prerogative of PoS service providers to determine and set prices for services in a manner of their choosing subject to Section 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA), which prohibits manifestly unjust or exploitative prices.

As a matter of fact, and to the contrary, the Commission respects and encourages a pricing methodology that is the product of market forces in a free, competitive and undistorted market.

There is no evidence that the PoS market lacks sufficient players or competition in Lagos which is the subject of the announcement, or anywhere else for that matter.

The Commission welcomes the inherent powers and discretion of each PoS operator to set their prices based on their own internal mechanisms and relevant markets, providing consumers with choices and the best possible prices while ensuring profitability, he said.

Irukera added that the FCCPA provides the Commission with statutory tools to ensure compliance and penalise violations of the law. As previously noted, some of these penalties are stiff.

He added that while the Commission continues to provide consideration to, and for small businesses, enforcing the law must remain non-negotiable.

Accordingly, the Commission in escalating this in accordance with the FCCPA and ancillary instruments, has entered an Order & Notice (ONC) of the Commission to AMMBAN, persons identified as executives, members, and non-member PoS operators to Cease and Desist from conduct that constitute an infringement of the law. Consequently, the ONC was issued by the Commission and served on AMMBAN, he said.

While insisting that the Commission would not hesitate to sanction any PoS operator where it established that the law has been broken, the FCCPC boss said the ONC conveyed the Commissions will to enforce the law including, and up to prosecuting violators and affiliates who may otherwise be statutorily liable for the conduct of a violating Company or business.

He advised PoS operators that violation of an order of the Commission attracts additional consequences apart from the underlying illegal conduct that is the subject of the order such as up to N10,000,000 for corporate entities; and N1,000,000 and or a prison sentence of up to three months for individuals.
Parents, under the aegis of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), have called on President Bola Tinubu to apply the brake to the series of increments in tuition fees and others by government-owned schools.

The parents said life was being snuffed out of them as a result of such increases in almost all sectors, such as fuel, electricity and now school fees.

According to them, the increases are becoming too many and pouring on the citizens like heavy rainfall.

Speaking in a chat with Vanguard yesterday, the Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, urged the President to, as a matter of urgency, put a stop to the tuition fee hike in public schools.

READ ALSO: Govt Hikes Fees Of Federal Colleges From N45,000 To N100,000

It is unfortunate. We support the President regarding the removal of the oil subsidy, but it does not mean everything should just be hiked at the same time.

You still want to remove subsidy on electricity, and also hike tuition fees at the same time. That will be too killing on parents and their children.

The President should by tomorrow, mandate schools to revert to their old fees. They should not snuff the life out of parents and their children.

He should temper justice with mercy. The moment the government increases fees payable in its schools, others will follow  the state governments and private school owners. He should just stop it, he stated.

Giving advice to the President on how to bring down the cost of fuel in Nigeria, Ogunbanjo said though licenses had been given to some importers to bring in fuel, the solution did not lie in that step.

He said: Prices of petroleum products would still continue to be on the high side as long as they are imported and the process is dollar-denominated.

What he needs to do is to encourage modular refineries. That will bring succour to the people and the country entirely. He should address that and set standards for those operating such modular refineries if he is not pleased with what they are doing now.

While the modular refineries are working and meeting the peoples needs in their own little ways, then the big ones, such as Dangote Refinery, can come on stream.

The huge impact of the subsidy removal is already affecting businesses and many may close down. If that happens, it is still parents that will be the worst for it if they lose their jobs and still have family commitments to handle.

Recall that federal governments unity colleges recently increased fees from N45,000 to N100,000 and Federal Universities have done same.

Parents are apprehensive that by the time new session begins for primary and secondary schools in September this year, a number of parents might find it difficult to cope with fees and buying books.
No fewer than ten secondary school students in Ogun State have reportedly attacked one of their teachers, identified as Kolawole Shonuga who prevented them from cheating during the last third term examination.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the incident occurred on Tuesday at Isanbi Comprehensive High School, Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Shonuga while invigilating the unified examination for the SS 1 Art class students, caught one of the boys, 18-year-old Ashimi Adebanjo, cheating, and he seized his paper.

However, a witness explained that after school hours, the student gathered somewhere, and flogged the teacher at the school gate.

It was learnt that one of the boys, Kazeem Adelaja, allegedly hit a stick on Shonugas head while others were beating him.

Meanwhile, Police spokesman, Omotola Odutola, confirmed the incident, saying Shonuga had formally reported the alleged assault at Remo Police Division while confirming the arrest of 10 suspects.

READ MORE: Six Die After Allegedly Drinking Alcohol Served By Friend In Ogun

The State Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Felix Agbesanwa, frowned at the incident, insisting that any student who raises his hand against his teacher should face the wrath of the law.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, also condemned the students actions with a vow that the state government would not condone acts of indiscipline by learners across the state.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has stated that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration came into power to unleash social and economic terror on Nigerians.

Sowore who decried the situation in the country via Twitter pointed out that roads are now empty due to the expensive price of fuel.

The rights activist further bemoaned the increment in tuition fees in some schools by 500%, adding that electricity charges had also skyrocketed and food prices were now beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

It is Monday morning and the roads are famished and empty. School fees are going up by 500% in some schools, electricity charges are skyrocketing, fuel costs have quadrupled, food prices have gone beyond the reach of many the @officialABAT regime came prepared to unleash social and economic terror on Nigerians and the rogue regime will get its comeuppance soon! Organise dont agonize! They did not promise magic, they promised Shege! #Renewedshege #Revolutionnow, he tweeted.

READ ALSO: We Cant Fuel Our Patrol Vehicles Anymore  FCT Police Laments Fuel Price Hike

Meanwhile, Civil Society Groups flooded major streets in Benin City, Edo State on Monday, to protest the recent increase in price of petrol and nationwide hardship.

The groups under the aegis of the Edo Civil Society Organisations lamented the high cost of governance exhibited by politicians, at the expense of the poor Nigerians.

According to the groups, the Federal Government ought to have provided palliatives that would cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal before implementing it.

The protesters took to the streets of Edo, carrying several placards bearing different captions like FG Fix Our Refineries, Kill Corruption, not Nigerians, Poor Nigerians Lives Matter, We Say No To Constant Increment In PMS, How Did NNPCL Become Fuel Price Requlator N8,000 Palliatives, and What An Insult among others.

Information Nigeria reports that the increment of petrol price has adversely affected the cost of living including transportation, food, and other goods and services.
Adams Oshiomhole, lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not promise to tackle the numerous challenges the nation is experiencing overnight.

The former Edo State Governor, who spoke in an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Sunday, added that the President is not a magician.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he said, is still on track with its campaign promises, adding that there was never a time it promised a 24-hour solution to Nigerias issues.

Oshiomhole who expressed optimism that the Tinubu administration would deliver on its promises, however stressed that the President had via his recent policies, showed commitment to that effect.

They know they were not electing a magician. And nobody promised a magical solution. Dont bother giving me an example. I know what we (APC) promised more than you.

READ ALSO: Fear And Know Chief Of Army Staff, Lagbaja Will Wipe You Out  El-Rufai Warns Boko Haram, Bandits, IPOB

Whatever is reported, we are the source. We did not promise anyone a 24-hour solution and we did not promise an overnight solution. Can you show me any document where we said in 24 hours, this will be done? he queried.

I think you are the ones who have the illusion that once a promise is made, automatically once he (Tinubu) gets into office, either spiritually or by miracles, solutions will emerge. What Nigerians need is what the president has demonstrated  the courage to take the decision, humility to admit some of the unintended consequences of those decisions, and, of course, the will to deal with those consequences.

To be fair, the fact that the doctor is committed to treating the patient and claims to know the nature of the disease afflicting the patient doesnt mean that as soon as you wheel the patient to the theatre, a solution emerges.

I think President Bola Tinubu has shown commitment. He withdrew the subsidy and admitted that one of the things we have to do is to adjust wages in the formal sector. The other one is to appropriate some funds to be given to vulnerable people, he said.
Haruna Garba, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police has lamented the non-availability of fuel for their patrol vehicles as one of the biggest challenge confronting the force.

The CP explained that the FCT Administration (FCTA) gifted the command well-equipped patrol vans in 2022 but fueling the vehicles was part of the challenges the command was facing.

Garba also decried inadequate manpower and logistics, ranging from drivers, and vehicles to combat crime in the nations capital as major challenges facing the command.

He stated this when he received the AIG, Zone 7, Adebowale Williams, who was on a familiarization visit to the FCT Police Command in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Fuel Crisis: We Must Be Sensitive, Reduce Long Convoys  Soludo Urges Politicians

In his response, AIG Williams said: We have a new government in place making efforts to improve the security and welfare of Nigerians. We must play our role in securing low crime and respect for the rights of Nigerians.

Be disciplined and support citizens so that information can flow seamlessly for us to work with less stress. Support the efforts of the IGP at repositioning the NPF.

All these efforts would endear us to the citizens and would encourage citizens to volunteer information to prevent crime easily and in the apprehension of criminals.
The Log4j vulnerability in December 2021 spotlighted the software supply chain as a massively neglected security surface area. It revealed just how interconnected our software artifacts are, and how our systems are only as secure as their weakest links. It also reinforced the idea that we may think security is something we can buy, but really its about how we function as development teams.

Ever since, weve been sprinting to improve.

Perhaps most notably, the Sigstore project, which Google open sourced, became the de facto signature method for software artifacts, adopted by all of the major language ecosystems, including Java, Python, Node, Ruby, and more. It became one of the fastest adopted open source security projects in history and gave developers a wax seal of authenticity for determining the origins and provenance of their software building blocks.

So, are we there yet?

The security empire strikes back

Not really. Not yet. The software bill of materials (SBOM) concept introduced by White House decree in May 2021 has continued to feel distant. This concept of a lingua franca for developers to share lists of ingredients in software packages has multiple emerging formats (SPDX, CycloneDX), which complicates things. Worse, it hasnt been clear how SBOMs would actually fit into developers workflows and what specific advantages a developer would gain in the process.

Whats starting to pull all of this togetherand create more urgency to create a cohesive strategy around software signing, SBOMs, and developer workflowis regulation, which would demand stricter ownership of the integrity of software security.

Back in April, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) published a request for comment on a newly proposed Secure Software Development Attestation Form that will put the onus on the CEOs of software companies to attest that their software has been built in secure environments and that good-faith, reasonable efforts have been made to maintain trusted source code supply chains.

What counts as reasonable?

Thus far, reasonable efforts seem to be the guidelines set forth in FedRAMPs Vulnerability Scanning Requirements for Containers and the National Institute of Standards and Technologys Secure Software Development Framework. But the far more nuanced, read-between-the-lines interpretation of the new self-attestation requirements is in the clauses that cover third-party code incorporated into the software. In short, software providers will be held liable for the unfunded, unmaintained popular open source they use in their supply chains.

Wait, what? Responsible for some random project maintainers code? Apparently, yes. Is that reasonable?

This dizzying spread of considerations for CISOs has become the butt of a number of Twitter memes:

IDG

A toolchain for the supply chain

This is a somewhat shocking, if necessary, check on unfettered adoption of open source. Im not suggesting that companies shouldnt be using open source, quite the contrary. Im reminding you that there is no free lunch, including when it comes packaged as free (and open source) software. Someone needs to pay to keep the lights on for maintainers, and someone needs to help developers make sense of all this inbound, open source software.

Chainguard just might be such a someone.

Chainguard is a company led by former Googlers behind the Sigstore project. It's trying to pull it all together into a cohesive toolchain for developers. The startups early efforts were focused on steps to lock down the build process and make features such as signatures, provenance, and SBOMs native to software supply chains and the software build process. Last year with Wolfi they introduced the first community Linux (un)distribution built specifically around supply chain security primitives. They also launched Chainguard Images, which are base images for stand-alone binaries, applications like nginx, and development tools such as Go and C compilers.

Recently Chainguard introduced another major update to its Enforce platform, extending those building blocks for locking down build systems to a toolchain that sits between developers and security teams.

Developers, security professionals, and even auditors need to know what software packages are deployed, where theyre deployed, and by whom. SBOMs are designed to help answer these questions and more, but the more complex an environment is, the harder this is to pull off. Clusters often run hundreds of workloads with hundreds of container images, while each container image has hundreds if not thousands of packages. Were still so early in SBOMs that most packages dont ship with SBOMs; they need to be generated.

Chainguard is aiming at both ends of the problem. First, as Sigstore maintainers, the company has been driving software signing, attestations, and certificate managers into all of the major programming languages and registries so there is uniformity and consistency of how these open source projects create SBOMs. With the recent Enforce release, the platform will automatically create an SBOM using Syft so that developers dont have to perform any additional steps to be able to see comprehensive package information for each image.

The hardest challenge for the new self-attestation regulatory requirements is that container images tend to lag behind upstream updates, so supply chains still run images with known vulnerabilities. Also, most Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) scanners today use package databases to see what packages are installed inside containers, but software installed outside of these systems is invisible to the scanners.

Learn to love the SBOM

By making it easy for developers to either ingest or automatically create SBOMs for packages that dont yet have them, Chainguard is providing a much higher fidelity corpus of data for vulnerability detection. Plus, Enforces new vulnerability scanning can tell teams whether and exactly where they are running an artifact with a CVE.

All of this is arriving just in time. No developer wants to be first to have to figure out how to use SBOMs. Yet they dont have a choice: The combination of FedRAMP and self-attestation requirements is driving an immediate need for consistent visibility into software packages and automated processes for finding and rooting out vulnerabilities.

If you want to sell to the U.S. federal government, SBOMs will soon be a requirement. But its not just for those selling to the government. Its reasonable to assume the new self-attestation model for assigning legal liability for insecure software will likely make SBOMs common security fare across the entire tech industryor at least for software companies that dont want to be named in future class action lawsuits.
A Philadelphia man who was convicted of murder seven years ago in a case built with the help of two disgraced ex-homicide detectives was released from jail Monday after prosecutors agreed to drop all charges against him.

Neftali Velasquezs conviction had already been overturned months ago, partially because two key witnesses had given questionable statements to investigators who have since been fired and accused of rampant misconduct. One statement was taken by Philip Nordo, now convicted of sexually abusing witnesses and suspects in other cases, while another was taken by James Pitts, who is awaiting trial on accusations that he lied under oath about whether he had beaten a witness into providing false testimony.

The District Attorneys Office said Monday that it no longer had confidence in either of those statements, and the witnesses who gave them have since recanted. Without that evidence, prosecutors said, they did not believe they had enough to retry Velasquez, 38, who was accused of fatally shooting Domingo Rivera outside a North Philadelphia bar in 2012.

Velasquezs attorney, Karl Schwartz, cast the case as tainted beyond repair. Every leg of the stool was corrupted, he said.

Why did the DA exonerate Neftali Velasquez?

The decision marked at least the seventh time that the District Attorneys Office has helped secure an exoneration in a case tied to Nordo, who was once considered one of the citys most prolific detectives. Prosecutors for years have been assessing the validity of more than 100 convictions Nordo helped build, and theyve previously thrown cases out over accusations that he sought to sexually abuse witnesses, propositioned suspects, and improperly steered reward money to undeserving informants.

Jane Roh, an office spokesperson, said in addition to the seven exonerations  instances in which a case was overturned and then dropped  three other convictions tied to Nordo have been overturned and led to new guilty pleas, while two cases are awaiting retrials. Prosecutors have also advocated for relief in three cases that have not yet been ruled on by judges, Roh said, and the District Attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit is still reviewing 13 other Nordo-related convictions.

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In Velasquezs case, prosecutors said Nordo had attempted to illegally get the probation department to detain a witness he was questioning about the crime. When the agency declined, prosecutors said, Nordo simply held the man in the Homicide Unit for nearly a day until he gave a statement implicating Velasquez.

Pitts was not accused of assaulting the witness he spoke to, prosecutors said, but his history in other cases nonetheless would have complicated their ability to use the statement he obtained had they moved forward with a retrial.

And the District Attorneys Office said Velasquezs case was further marred by evidence that was not disclosed before trial, including the fact that another witness  who allegedly told police she saw Velasquez commit the crime  later told a prosecutor that she hadnt actually seen the killers face.

Relatives of Rivera, the victim, did not attend Mondays hearing before Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Ehrlich. But Assistant District Attorney Michael Garmisa read a statement from them in court, in which they said the criminal justice system had repeatedly failed them.

For a time we felt some measure of peace knowing the accused was convicted and would not hurt someone elses loved one, Riveras relatives wrote, according to Garmisa, but here we are today reliving this nightmare.

Schwartz said Velasquez was looking forward to being able to spend time with his wife, children, and extended family outside of prison.

As for Nordo, Schwartz said the ex-detectives decadelong career in homicide was a horrible disservice to the people of Philadelphia, and a disastrous example of what can happen if investigators are able to ignore, or even flout, the laws they are sworn to uphold.

The police officers who believe that this is just a waste of time  the fairness and procedural mechanisms to ensure that evidence is obtained properly  those police officers have no business being police officers, he said.
Chefs Brad Spence (left) and Jeff Michaud making pumpkin tortellini in November 2013 at the since-closed Osteria in Moorestown. Read more

Brad Spence will be the guest of honor Wednesday at a pop-up dinner at Osteria, his former colleague Jeff Michauds Italian restaurant on North Broad Street.

But Spence himself, a two-time James Beard Award nominee for best chef Mid-Atlantic, will not be in the kitchen.

The evening, featuring a four-course dinner ($85 per person), will be a celebration of Spences cooking career and will include dishes that he developed at Amis, his former restaurant in Washington Square West, such as rigatoni with Jersey tomato amatriciana and tagliata di tonno with fennel and citrus.

It also will showcase Spences newfound art career.

Spence has been out of the restaurant business since a stroke in February 2020, several weeks before his 43rd birthday.

The Spence-Michaud bond was forged about 15 years ago as they came up as chefs in Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamins restaurant organization. (Trivia: Spence is credited with inventing the rotolo, a pizza roll-up that is still a menu staple at Pizzeria Vetri.)

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Spence ran Amis (which opened in 2010), while Michaud later took over Osteria (which opened in 2007). After Amis and Osteria were sold to Urban Outfitters in early 2016, Spence stayed on. He developed other Amis locations around the country until he left in summer 2019, around the time of the closing at 13th and Waverly Streets.

At the time of Spences stroke, seven months later, he was planning his own restaurant and consulting on projects such as the return of Olgas Diner.

He also was painting  bright, bold abstracts and animals Ive cooked  a hobby that started years before at Amis when he began sketching Moka espresso pots on the chalkboard.

Spence recalled that he was cooking at home in Haddonfield in February 2020 when a terrible headache set in  like something popped in my head.

Im like, thats not good, he said. I sat down and said Im calling the cops right now.

The stroke initially affected the left side of his body. What followed were months of inpatient therapy. At Magee Rehabilitation, his therapists had him paint to help with his hand-eye coordination, balance, and dexterity.

Spence credits the nurses and therapists for his recovery. Now, his therapy is making sure that Im being active every day, getting outside and not sitting in my house melting away. I go to the pool, I go to the gym.

He also teaches yoga.

Asked if he misses cooking, he replied: No. Not at all. Ill equate it to sports. I left everything out on the field. I have nothing to look back on and be like, Oh, man. I wish I did this or I did that. Everything I wanted to do, I did. I have nothing to complain about and everything to be happy about.
Phillys tomato season has officially begun, which means tomato sandwiches, gazpacho, BLTs, and caprese salads are back on the menu. When the ingredients are in their prime, the combination of mozzarella, tomato, and basil  said to have originated in post-WWI Italy as an homage to the Italian flag  can hardly be improved upon. But one Delaware County cocktail bar wanted it in liquid form.

Medias sleek restaurant/lounge Two Fourteen (214 W. State St.) is less than 18 months old, but beverage director Jeremy Winkler has cycled through at least 40 brand-new cocktails, rotating in fresh creations with each season. He was tinkering with ideas for this summers drink list, trying to match up with chef-owner Michael Hacketts menu, when the thought came to Winkler: How do I get a light salad flavor into a cocktail?

It took Winkler 11 or 12 tries before he finalized Two Fourteens You Drivin Me Caprese ($17), a savory cocktail thats dry, balanced, and unexpectedly refreshing despite packing 2 ounces of Bacardi and a half-ounce of garlic-infused rum (dont worry  its just a whiff).

This isnt a cocktail youll want to recreate at home. First, the Two Fourteen crew whips up a batch of tomato water, or tomato juice from heirloom, cherry, and grape tomatoes thats been strained twice, then simmered down with sugar, salt, fresh basil, roasted garlic, oregano, and black pepper. It almost smells like grandmas Sunday gravy in here for a day, Winkler says of tomato-water production. Meanwhile, more roasted garlic goes into Faber rum, a mixture that sit for 10 days.

The other ingredients in the caprese cocktail are more straightforward: Theres a half-ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice, a quarter-ounce of simple syrup, the Bacardi white rum, a few leaves of fresh basil, and a splash of oil from a container of marinated fresh mozzarella balls. Once Winkler compiles everything together, he gives it a hard shake and double-strains it into a Nick & Nora glass. Its garnished with a speared sphere of mozz.

Winkler says You Drivin Me Caprese is gaining ground but has yet to come close to the best-sellers of the summer menu. Thats a tie between Two Fourteens spicy summer margarita (the fuego melon, spiked with habanero-poblano-infused tequila) and the Dice Dice Baby, a bartenders choice option thats proved more popular than Winkler ever anticipated. Customers roll three dice branded with spirits, flavor profiles, and techniques, and Two Fourteens bartenders respond accordingly, even when the bar is at its busiest. Its a nightmare some nights, but it is the most fun that we have at the bar.
Thomas Jefferson University, which owns Jefferson Health, acquired Einstein Healthcare Network in Oct. 2021. That was the last of four health system deals starting in 2015. Now, Jefferson is cutting jobs as part of a bid to regain profitability. Read more

Jefferson Health, the largest health system in the Philadelphia region by number of hospitals, this week is reducing its workforce by 1%, or about 400 positions, in a bid to curb its financial losses by eliminating duplication in the not-for-profit system that grew rapidly though acquisitions before the pandemic.

The cuts are part of a plan to reduce costs by $300 million and concentrated in corporate and administrative positions, Jefferson CEO Joseph G. Cacchione said Monday in a statement emailed to The Inquirer.

They include the elimination of an unspecified number of vacant positions.

This decision was not made lightly, and Jefferson is not alone in needing to make this challenging choice, Cacchione said, citing widespread financial pressures on health systems and universities.

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There are decreased patient volumes at the same time as double-digit increases to costs, Cacchione said.

Employees affected by cuts will be told Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Jeffersons health system employs 42,000 people, according to its website.

Credit rating downgrade in March

The layoffs come four months after Moodys Investors Services reduced Jeffersons credit rating by one notch, citing increased debt and industrywide higher expenses that will make it difficult for the health system based in Center City to rebuild cash reserves.

The new rating of A3 is still strong, but it was Jeffersons second downgrade from Moodys since it embarked on a broad expansion from 2015 through 2021, growing from three to 18 hospitals and adding another university and a Medicaid insurance company.

As Jefferson exploded in size during its years under former CEO Stephen K. Klasko, its profitability weakened. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. The accompanying higher costs for labor, pharmaceuticals, and other supplies saddled Jefferson and many other health systems nationwide with financial losses.

One of the reasons we are at an inflection point now is that we have never rationalized the size of our workforce through four significant mergers, Cacchione said in a memo to Jefferson employees.

A shift toward outpatient services is one of the key forces Jefferson and other hospital systems are grappling with, Cacchione said.

Excluding unusual circumstances, such as the sale of businesses and federal COVID aid, Jefferson has had operating losses for four straight years.

Jefferson told Standard & Poors that it expected to finish this year with an $80 million operating loss. That would be an improvement over the $117 million operating loss Jefferson reported for the nine months that ended March 31.

Jefferson is scheduled to report financial results for the year that ended June 30 next month.
Robotic coronary artery bypass surgery is more common in Lankenau than other hospitals. The photo shows surgical robotic arms in the patients chest on Monday, June 26, 2023. Read more

Cardiothoracic surgeon Francis Sutter sits in a corner of a darkened operating room at Lankenau Medical Center, his head buried in what looks like a large virtual-reality headset.

His hands are nowhere near the chest of the patient that he is operating on. Instead, he uses joysticks to control a robot making precise cuts near the beating heart.

The setup resembles a video game, but no game has stakes this high. One false move with the robot arm, and you put a hole in the heart, he said.

The procedure to replace a clogged artery with a new one, known as coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG, is the most commonly performed heart surgery in the U.S. But the method that Sutter is using is uncommon. Only 1% of CABG surgeries nationwide in the past five years were performed using a robot, according to data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. More than 200 of the roughly 1,800 robotic CABGs in the U.S. in 2021 were performed in Lankenau, where Sutter serves as chief of cardiac surgery.

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 READ MORE: I was perfectly healthy. Now Im having open-heart surgery.

Though robots are becoming more familiar in some cardiac procedures, many surgeons question whether the robot-assisted method is an improvement when it comes to the CABG procedure.

Sutter says that for patients who qualify, this type of surgery spares them from an open procedure that involves breaking the chest bone and usually stopping the heart, and leaves a six- to eight-inch scar. Instead, he said, his patients go home with three small incision scars, the largest less than two inches long.

Critics of the robotic approach, including some other top Philadelphia surgeons, say that many CABG patients needs multiple bypasses, and thats often not possible with Sutters technique. Scary as it sounds to stop a heart, its not risky in the hands of skilled practitioners. And the robot may add more cost, they say.

Sutter has heard the criticism. He still hopes his research will encourage more surgeons to embrace the robotic procedure that he has been doing for nearly two decades.

A steep learning curve

In 1986, Sutter began performing coronary bypass surgeries using the standard approach, though it struck him as violent and risky.

Do you think you would like to have that? he asked.

So Sutter was immediately interested when he heard that some surgeons around the world  mostly outside the U.S. at first  started to use a robot for the procedure in the late 1990s.

He saw a tool that allowed surgeons to operate on a beating heart, avoiding that fraught moment of praying the organ would restart. He thought robotic surgery could reduce recovery time and enable him to operate on frail patients unable to withstand the traditional surgery.

To learn how to use the da Vinci Surgical System, Sutter visited the few surgeons across the U.S. then performing the technique. He trained on pigs, dogs, and human cadavers. On living human patients, he gradually started using the robot.

I didnt feel the least bit confident until I had at least 300 cases, Sutter said.

He started performing the procedure 18 years ago, and still marvels at how quickly his patients are sitting up in bed, just hours after the operation and not the day after.

A specialized procedure

Sutter uses the robot to address blockages in the largest artery that feeds blood to the heart muscle, in a two-part surgery that takes about four hours.

First, Sutter uses the robot to harvest the left internal mammary artery, the standard choice to replace this damaged artery in many CABG procedures.

Then he scrubs in, donning a sterile gown, and by hand stitches the spare artery to the heart, allowing blood flow to bypass the clog. This step requires the largest of the incisions he will make, a roughly 2-inch cut.

In the past, Sutter was able to do the entire surgery robotically. But the company that manufactures the robot stopped making a critical instrument for the procedure due to lack of demand.

Sutter surgically fixes only one artery in about 80% of his patients, he said. Because people often have more blocked vessels, many of Sutters patients also receive stents  a device resembling a spring that is inserted through a catheter  in other vessels. He prefers this practice to opening the chest and performing multiple bypasses when possible. He makes the decision with a cardiologist.

The 1% vs. the 99%

Hospitals often chase cutting-edge treatments, even when the research doesnt entirely support the price tag. But heart surgeons in the Philadelphia area arent following Sutters robotic method.

Theres a lot of talented heart surgeons, said Rohinton Morris, chief of cardiac surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, in an interview. Theres a reason they dont do this.

Morris said the concern over the use of a heart-lung machine is outdated. About 90% of the CABG surgeries at Jefferson are on a stopped heart, and none use the robot. Randomized control trials demonstrated that performing CABG off-pump doesnt lead to better outcomes.

Every heart starts back up, he said.

Temple University Hospital doesnt perform robotic-assisted CABG either, according to Yoshiya Toyoda, chair of cardiovascular surgery. His biggest concern with the robotic technique is that it limits the number of arteries that the surgeon can fix, or revascularize, in favor of propping arteries open with stents. Toyoda usually fixes four arteries in one operation, and sometimes as many as eight.

 READ MORE: Penn Medicine is going all in on proton therapy, a costly treatment that is unproven for most common cancers

Better skin incision vs. complete revascularization  which is better? he asked. I think the patient will benefit with complete revascularization.

There are also other minimally invasive techniques that allow for smaller incisions that dont involve the robot, Toyoda said.

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center use the robot for about 10% of the approximately 550 CABG procedures the hospitals combined perform annually, a Penn Medicine spokesperson said.

Surgeons also raised concerns about costs  the robot alone is about $2 million  and the ability to train surgeons to Sutters level of expertise. Even some experienced robotic heart surgeons dont feel comfortable using it for CABG.

T. Sloane Guy chaired the robotic surgery task force of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for years. His specialty is mitral valve repair and 98% of the time he does them robotically. But when he performs a CABG, he does it the old fashioned way.

The procedure Sutter uses is for the sort of super elite who dedicate themselves to it, said Guy, the director of minimally invasive & robotic cardiac surgery at the Georgia Heart Institute.

But Guy, who trained and worked in Philadelphia, is bullish about the future of robotic heart surgery. As technology improves, he believes it will become the norm because of demand from patients.

Speedy recovery and minimally invasive is something that is important to patients, he said.

Promising data

Sutter recognizes the steep learning curve is a drawback to robotic bypass surgery.

But he believes the surgery should be an option for patients who can benefit, and that research involving his patients will show why. One of his students, surgeon Aleksander Dokollari, presented preliminary analysis of nearly 2,400 robotic CABGs performed at Lankenau in the recent Society of Thoracic Surgeons conference. They view the results, which have yet to be peer-reviewed and published, as promising.

Studies by researchers from outside of Lankenau have also demonstrated safety, and suggested positive outcomes.

But so far none used a randomized controlled trial  the gold standard of medical research  to evaluate the robotic technique against the traditional surgery.

Meanwhile, Sutter is convinced he is where he should be, inside his operating room, looking into a screen that shows the heart in 3D and magnified 10 times, while robotic arms operate a few feet away.
The scene at Atco Raceway July 28, 2020. The quarter-mile drag strip could be closing after 60 years and there's a growing number of people who want to prevent that from happening. Read more

Things move quickly in the world of fast cars, but even hot-rodders have been shocked by the speed of the Atco Dragways demise.

And now, just days after the storied South Jersey raceways abrupt closure, there is this: The grandstands are already up for sale.

Joseph Fazzio Inc., a Glassboro-based metal and industrial surplus supplier, is selling the 5,000-seat grandstands of the dragway at the request of dragway former operator and owner Leonard Capone Jr., according to a Fazzio representative.

The asking price for the whole setup: $390,000. A bargain, the website states, from $2.5 million if purchased new.

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But the surplus operator also noted on its website that it is not the new owner:

***FAZZIOS DID NOT BUY THE TRACK***

We do not know who the new owners are. We are working with the previous owners, any questions regarding the track should be directed towards them.***

Any questions regarding the track should be directed to Mr. Capone, the representative Zach Viscounti wrote in an email.

Except Capone hasnt been giving interviews. His attorney M. James Maley Jr. declined comment.

Waterford Township officials also did not respond to requests to discuss the matter.

The mayor, Tom Giangiulio, wants to make sure that the Waterford Township Committee is unified in our voice before we issue any comments, said Committee member Joel Thompson in an email. He added that the dragway situation is tentatively planned to be discussed at this Wednesdays Township Committee meeting.

For now the mystery of the abrupt ending of a 63-year-long chapter in hot rod history is still that: a mystery. With a lot of heartache thrown in, too.

This much is known. In 2020, Insurance Auto Auctions, an Illinois-based company with offices nationwide, put in an application with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission to redevelop the 180-acre Atco Dragway as an automobile auction facility. Not long before, Capone was the subject of court action for over $55,000 owed to a bank. That matter appears to have been later resolved.

The Pinelands Commission did not issue an approval for the auto auction application, finding inconsistencies with the Waterford Township land use ordinance and the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. However, this step allowed the project to be reviewed and acted upon by the municipality. If approved, it would have come back to the Pinelands Commission.

But Waterford Townships Joint Land Use Board didnt approve the development, based on environmental and other concerns. Atco Dragway Enterprises sued the township. In May 2022, Maley, Atco Dragways attorney, informed the judge in the case that the two sides were going to try to work the matter out between themselves.

Whatever happened with that, the proposal was never refiled with the Pinelands Commission and therefore never got approval to proceed, according to commission spokesperson Paul Leakan.

Social media is rampant with rumors about who a new owner might be, if there is one. But those for now are just rumors.

Leakan said the Pinelands Commission has received no new or revised applications for the property. Any type of development or redevelopment of the land would require commission review and approval, he said.

The exception would be if a new owner wanted to get the raceway going again.

An application would not be required if the new owner simply wants to reopen the property and operate it exactly as before, Leakan said.

The manner of the closing has a lot of people scratching their heads. The weekend before, Atco Dragway hosted the 29th Pan American Nationals which even the raceway closing announcement called the biggest and best ever. And sometime before the fateful news was posted on the dragways Facebook page at 5:49 p.m. Tuesday, an earlier Instagram post that day said the dragway would be closed that night for a clean-up from the weekend event but would reopen Friday, July 21.

The Atco Dragway was the oldest dragway in New Jersey. Island Dragway in Great Meadows is still operating.

Kyle Rosner, the grandson of Edwin Rosner, one of the dragways founders, said he had reached out to Capone a few years ago when it looked like the property might have become an auto auction. As someone who worked in digital marketing and raised funds for business, he said he started a Facebook page Save Atco Raceway and offered Capone his services.

He wasnt too happy with me and gave me some flack, Rosner said. He cursed me out on the phone.

Rosner said he also tried to start an effort to get the dragway historic landmark status, but again, I got a really hard pushback from Len Capone. He was not interested in preserving the legacy.

Still, Rosner said hes proud his family was a part of it.

Im proud to have a connection to the dragway, he said. Im proud of my grandfather for starting it. The fact that it lasted this long and has a dedicated fan base speaks volumes.

Staff writer Jason Nark contributed to this article.
A missing person poster in search of Gretchen Harrington, 8, from a 1975 Inquirer article. The Delaware County District Attorney announced charges against David Zandstra, currently of Marietta Ga., in Gretchen's murder. Read more

For years, a team of investigators dug into a nearly half-century-old Delaware County cold case that had haunted its initial detectives. Now, they say theyve identified an 83-year-old reverend as the person who abducted and killed 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in 1975, with authorities calling him evil and a monster.

In a news conference Monday, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced multiple charges against David G. Zandstra of Marietta, Ga., including first-degree murder and criminal homicide for allegedly killing Gretchen on Aug. 15, 1975. At the time of Gretchens slaying, Zandstra was a reverend at Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church in Broomall, and a friend of the girls family, said Stollsteimer. Zandstra exploited this friendship and Gretchens trust to get her into his car that fateful morning, he said.

Zandstra had become an ordained minister in New Jersey in the 1960s and had moved to Chester to start a new congregation. By the early 1970s, news reports show he was working at Trinity Church Chapel leading youth summer workshops for teen girls, and assisting at the Bible school the girl later attended. At the time Gretchen went missing, hers father, Harold, was the reverend of the nearby Reformed Presbyterian Church.

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He is every parents worst nightmare. This is a man who is a remorseless child predator who acted as if he was a friend, a neighbor, and a man of God. And he killed this poor little girl, said Stollsteimer.

Gretchen went missing at about 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 15, when she was last seen heading to a Bible school program at Trinity Church Chapel about two blocks from her home, according to Inquirer reports from the time. As part of the Bible school program, students started the day at Trinity, and were later taken to Reformed, Delaware County authorities said Monday. Gretchen never arrived at Reformed, and her father became concerned.

Just after 11 a.m., Zandstra contacted police and reported Gretchen missing, authorities said.

A fruitless search

In the wake of Gretchens disappearance, police launched search parties with hundreds of members to comb through the wooded areas around her home on Lawrence Road near West Chester Pike, as well as most of Marple Township and neighboring communities. Witnesses at the time described seeing Gretchen speaking with the driver of a green station wagon or two-tone Cadillac, but the driver  later determined to be Zandstra  was never located.

Authorities also distributed more than 2,000 leaflets with a photo of the child, and set up a 24-hour hotline that garnered hundreds of calls. Police asserted they had identified a convicted child molester as a prime suspect but failed to compile enough evidence to bring charges. The case remained unsolved. Investigators assigned to the case said they were haunted by the incident years later.

Ultimately, searchers were unable to find Gretchen.

We havent got a thing, not a thing, then-Broomall Fire Chief Knute Keober told The Inquirer two days after Gretchens disappearance. If shes in the area, shes by Jesus well-hidden.

One Marple Township detective, Richard W. Mankin, even consulted a psychic regarding Gretchens disappearance, who said that the girl was dead, according to a 1984 Inquirer report. Mankin later received an anonymous letter with new information, but leads proved fruitless.

Two months after Gretchens disappearance, on Oct. 14, 1975, a jogger discovered her skeletal remains bearing evidence of blunt-force trauma to her skull in a wooded area of Ridley Creek State Park in Edgmont Township. The area was about 2 miles from her home, The Inquirer reported in 1984.

Authorities found Gretchens clothing folded and in a neat pile near her body, and her underwear had been hung from a tree branch like a flag...as if to call attention to the place, according to an Inquirer report. She died as a result of cranial cerebral injuries, an autopsy later found.

How Zandstra became a suspect

By the late 1970s, Zandstra was in Texas, working at another church. Property records show that Zandstra and his wife moved to another congregation in California before retiring in the 2000s to Marietta, Ga., where he still resides.

Police honed in on Zandstra as a suspect in January, when investigators interviewed an unnamed witness who was best friends with his daughter when Gretchen disappeared, according to a criminal complaint. The witness said that she often went to sleepovers at Zandstras home, and during one about a week before Gretchens disappearance, Zandstra molested her. When the witness told Zandstras daughter what had happened, she told her friend that Zandstra does that sometimes, the complaint said.

Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers  Cpl. Andrew J. Martin of the criminal investigation assessment unit and Trooper Eugene Tray  traveled to Georgia last Monday and coaxed a confession from Zandstra, who initially denied seeing Gretchen on the day of her disappearance. At that interview, police confronted him with the witness allegations of sexual assault, and he admitted to the accusations. He later admitted that he had seen Gretchen the day she disappeared, and that he was driving a green Rambler station wagon at the time.

Zandstra told investigators that he offered Gretchen a ride, and took her to a nearby wooded area, according to the complaint. There, he parked the car, and told the girl to remove her clothing, but she refused. Zandstra said he struck her in the head with his fist, causing her to bleed. Believing the girl to be dead, he covered her body with sticks and left the area, the complaint states.

After his arrest, Zandstra was denied bail. He is fighting extradition to Pennsylvania. The District Attorneys Office will seek a warrant from the governor to bring him to Pennsylvania to face the charges, Stollsteimer said.

Although Zandstra did not confess to other victims, Stollsteimer called on the public to send in any tips.

One step closer to justice

The Harrington family on Monday released a statement lamenting the loss of Gretchen, whom they described as an amazing and sweet and gentle girl. They said they were seeking closure with Zandstras arrest.

Its difficult to express the emotions that we are feeling as we take one step closer to justice, the familys statement read. The abduction and murder of Gretchen has forever altered our family and we miss her every single day.
Supporters held signs during a school funding rally on the steps of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg, on Nov. 12, 2021, the first day of the trial. Read more

A Commonwealth Court judge ruled on Tuesday that Pennsylvanias school funding system is unconstitutional, a long-awaited decision that could ultimately reshape the way the state pays for public education.

The landmark lawsuit, first filed in 2014, argued that the states process for funding schools  which relies heavily on local taxes, thereby creating significant per-student funding gaps between wealthy districts and low-wealth ones  is tantamount to discrimination. Across the country, Pennsylvania has one of the biggest spending gaps between high-wealth and low-wealth districts.

 READ MORE: Read the full ruling from the landmark Pa. school funding case

Heres what to know about the suit and what may come next:

How long has the lawsuit been going on?

The lawsuit was first filed in 2014, when school districts, parents, and advocacy groups banded together, represented by the Education Law Center and the Public Interest Law Center.

After years of delays, the trial began in November 2021 and lasted more than three months.

What is the lawsuit about?

The plaintiffs in the case have argued that Pennsylvanias funding system disproportionately harms students of color and those from low-wealth school districts.

Because districts rely heavily on local taxes for funding, schools in wealthier areas often have thousands more in funding per student than low-wealth districts because they can raise the funds they need through property taxes. (One example: Lower Merion has more than $31,000 to spend per student while Delaware Countys William Penn has $18,000 per student.)

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The plaintiffs also argued that these funding gaps led to disparities in academic achievement. Lawyers for the state argued that test scores were not adequate measures of educational quality.

 READ MORE: Learn more about the final day of the school funding trial.

What did the ruling say?

In a 786-page decision, Judge Renee Cohn Jubilerer ruled that the petitioners presented manifest deficiencies between the high-wealth and low-wealth school districts with no rational basis for the funding gaps. Evidence also showed that there are notable achievement gaps  plus gaps in high school graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment and attainment  among students from affluent districts and those from low-wealth districts, the judge wrote.

The petitioners also proved, the judge ruled, that the states constitutional Education Clause was clearly, palpably, and plainly violated because of a failure to provide all students with access to a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary system of public education that will give them a meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically.

 READ MORE: The landmark Pa. school funding case has been decided

What happens next?

Its not immediately clear, but the state will almost certainly appeal the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The Court is in uncharted territory with this landmark case, Jubilerer, the judge, wrote in her ruling. Therefore, it seems only reasonable to allow Respondents, comprised of the Executive and Legislative branches of government and administrative agencies with expertise in the field of education, the first opportunity, in conjunction with Petitioners, to devise a plan to address the constitutional deficiencies identified herein.

Inquirer reporters Kristen A. Graham and Maddie Hanna contributed to this report.
Despite massive protests that have exposed unprecedented fissures in Israeli society, lawmakers on Monday approved a key portion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's divisive plan to reshape the country's justice system. Read more

The unraveling of Israeli democracy is a harbinger of what could happen in the United States if Donald Trump and his supporters have their way.

Indeed, the situation playing out in Israel is eerily similar to Trumps apparent endgame during his first term as president as he attacked the courts and the rule of law  and his grander vision to subvert American democracy if he returns to the White House.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets Monday after the Israeli parliament approved the first pillar of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus brazen plan to strip the Supreme Courts power to strike down action by government ministers, thus eliminating checks and balances on far-right lawmakers who want to remold the country and undermine civil liberties and the free press.

 READ MORE: The two-state solution looks dead  but no one has a better alternative | Trudy Rubin

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Like Trump, Netanyahu is a strongman who fawns over dictators such as Vladimir Putin. Netanyahu is a womanizer, who like Trump has been married three times and lived a life of entitlement. Netanyahu also spreads misinformation and attacks independent media as fake news.

And like Trump, Netanyahu is under indictment. In the Israeli leaders case, the charges include fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. Like Trump, Netanyahus assault on the courts  following his return to power  is seen as an attempt to stay out of prison.

Some may think the end of democracy cant happen here. But American democracy is in danger. In the book titled How Democracies Die, two Harvard professors show how attacks often come from within by elected officials who slowly chip away at democratic norms and institutions.

During his first term, Trump mounted a sustained assault on democracy, attacking the U.S. Justice Department, the FBI, the courts, the military, the intelligence community, the free press, and the electoral system before finally inciting a deadly insurrection in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

But Trump did not act alone. He had plenty of support from Republican officials and Fox News, which routinely spread misinformation and election lies, while often serving as an extension of GOP state media.

Trump, 77, is running for president again. Despite being impeached twice, indicted twice, and with two more indictments looming, he remains the front-runner to win the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.

Amazingly, polls indicate a possible rematch against President Joe Biden remains a toss-up. If Trump were to win, his plans to upend democracy could be more catastrophic than his last term.

Since Trump talks of committing crimes in broad daylight, he and his advisers have been open about their intentions of how a second term will essentially be a slow-moving autogolpe, or self-coup.

For starters, if elected, Trump could make his federal legal troubles go away by pardoning himself or appointing a subservient attorney general to drop the case. One of Trumps plans, if elected, is to do away with the independence of the Justice Department and make it subservient to the president.

Trump intends to also eliminate the independence of government agencies that keep the air, water, food, drugs, and consumer products safe, as well as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.

Trump plans to strip worker protections from thousands of career government employees to make it easier to replace them if they do not support his agenda. In particular, he plans to fire the so-called deep staters who work in the U.S. State Department, defense agencies, and intelligence services.

Trump also plans to renew his assault on NATO and may end support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

 READ MORE: With a second indictment, the wheels of justice continue their steady advance on Trump | Editorial

A second Trump unbound presidency would be even more chaotic and damaging than his first term. But even more disturbing is how Republican leaders continue to stand by the disgraced former president, despite one judge already finding he likely committed crimes and a second judge ruling he raped a woman.

Several of Trumps 2024 presidential rivals have pledged to pardon him, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy accused the Biden administration  without any evidence  of trying to weaponize government to go after a political rival following reports that Trump would likely be indicted for his role in the insurrection. This is the same McCarthy who days after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol blamed Trump for inciting the riot.

The impending demise of Israels democracy is a stark reminder of what could happen here. In the end, it will be up to voters  mainly in a handful of states, including Pennsylvania  to determine if 2024 is the year American democracy is plunged into darkness.
Signs for the Working Families Party hang outside of City Hall in 2020. Party members want to be independent voices when they can win and loyal Democrats when they cant, writes Kyle Sammin. Read more

What kind of political party endorses candidates in other parties primaries? The kind that cant decide whether its a faction of the mainstream or a true independent voice, whether its a pressure group or an attempt to build something new.

In Philadelphia, this misbegotten faction calls itself the Working Families Party. Are they idealistic social democrats or opportunistic grifters? It depends on whom you ask. Whatever the answer is, its hard to deny that the lefty organization gives a small vanguard of progressives an outsized influence in the citys politics.

This is especially true in their attempts to win at-large seats on City Council  subverting an important part of the reformers goals in the 1951 Philadelphia Home Rule Charter.

Philadelphia has not been a political toss-up in a long time. In the first half of the 20th century, it was solidly Republican. The GOP often controlled all 22 seats on City Council under the 1919 City Charter. Forty years after that document was enacted, city notables assembled to write a new one, which became the 1951 charter that  in a much-amended form  governs the city today.

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One-party power meant that opposing voices would often never even be heard in the citys legislature. The drafters of the 1951 charter solved this problem by creating seven at-large seats, for which any party could nominate only five candidates  a system called limited voting. At least two seats would, therefore, be filled by the second-most popular party in the city. That there were two was important.

 READ MORE: In crowded race for Philly mayor, ranked-choice voting makes sense | Kyle Sammin

As Mayor Joseph S. Clark noted sometime later in his chapter of Philadelphia: A 300-Year History, having two non-majority-party members meant one to propose and the other to second a minority position, thus assuring a minority-party vote. No longer would minority-party voices be silent on City Council, as they had for most of the first half of the century.

Clark and Richardson Dilworth, the first two mayors under the 1951 charter and two of its prime proponents, took this idea seriously. Even though they were both Democrats, they endorsed a reform-minded Republican for an at-large council vacancy when one occurred in 1954, to preserve the intent of the limited-voting arrangement.

There is currently a minority-party at-large seat open on City Council, but the powers that be have decided to leave it unoccupied until next year. Who fills that seat and the second minority seat in the coming election is of great interest to the Philly GOP and the Working Families Party. For the Republicans, there is no big mystery to the effort: They are an opposing party to the Democrats and would use the seats to present an alternate vision for the governance of the city.

For the Working Families Party, this distinction is not so clear-cut. Do they present an alternative point of view to Democrats? Its hard to say that for sure when they openly endorsed several Democrats in the recent primary  including Helen Gym, a former at-large Council member who ran unsuccessfully for mayor.

If the Working Families Party wants to act as a pressure group within the Democratic Party, why not work to have their people win the Democratic nomination? Because they want to have it both ways: independent voices when they can win, loyal Democrats when they cant. Thats why they endorsed establishment Democrats such as Andrew Cuomo in New York in years past, even when independent left-wing challengers were in the fight for the nomination.

By trying to control the Democratic nominations and win the minority-party seats, the Working Families Party looks to dictate control of all seven at-large seats. Its perfectly legal, but its not especially honest or conducive to good government.

The Working Families Partys influence is limited, as shown in the recent mayoral primary where their endorsed candidate came in third place and Cherelle Parker  a Democrat whose endorsements came from other Democrats  won. But party leaders are still concerned about divided loyalties. Last month, Democratic Party Chair Bob Brady warned that Democratic ward leaders and committeepeople who endorse non-Democrats in November will face expulsion from party posts.

 READ MORE: On Sixers arena and beyond, Philly must dream big | Kyle Sammin

Brady is not out of line for thinking that members of the Democratic Party apparatus should work to elect Democrats. But part of the blame for the chaos the Working Families Party has created in limited voting elections is the fault of the citys Republican Party and of voters generally. In 1991, it took Joan Specter 158,778 votes to win the second of the minority-party seats on City Council. By 2011, David Oh won that same seat with less than one-quarter of the votes that it took Specter.

If the Republicans werent going to try to turn out their voters, it was inevitable that some other group would take what was being left up for grabs. By 2019, the Working Families Party did just that, taking one of the two seats reserved for minority parties.

In 2023, the faux third-party candidates would like to take the other one, too. But theyve also endorsed two of the five Democrats theyre running against.

Its a subtle attempt to slide back into one-party rule, with the weird twist that instead of a major-party machine in charge, its all run by the backroom machinations of a few left-wing activists. Brady is right to rally Democrats against the idea, and the Philly Republican Party should do the same.
On July 12, the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) announced that the city had directed online platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to delist properties that lacked the licensing required in Philadelphia. Read more

Philadelphia is cracking down on unlicensed short-term rental operators who host on online platforms, potentially shuttering a couple thousand properties.

On July 12, the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) announced that the city had directed such online platforms as Airbnb and VRBO to delist properties that lacked the licensing required in Philadelphia. The companies had five business days to comply.

For operators such as Steven Patterson, who manages 60 properties in Philadelphia, the crackdown is shortsighted.

I feel that they are not looking at the big picture, said Patterson, whose company Ur Home in Philly caters to families in town for extended stays while their loved ones are in Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Theyre going to have to go back to hotels, where its so expensive. How are they going to cook? How are they going to do laundry?

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The city estimates that 85% of the properties reviewed by L&I are unlicensed, or between 1,500 and 1,700 rentals. Industry advocates say the number is as high as 2,500. The agency did not have a count of how many properties had been delisted, although Patterson and several other hosts interviewed by The Inquirer hadnt received warnings yet.

In the short term, L&I advised that customers who have existing reservations should check with their platform to learn what their policy is if a property is suddenly delisted.

Asked about its policy, the largest short-term rental company, Airbnb, did not answer directly.

For months, Airbnb has worked closely with the City of Philadelphia to ensure they have the necessary tools and support to effectively enforce their current rules, including the ability to identify listings that may be unlicensed for removal, said Haven Thorn, an Airbnb spokesperson.

The enforcement action comes almost seven months after Philadelphia implemented new regulations intended to bring order to a short-term rental industry that critics say surged out of control during the pandemic.

Philadelphia City Council passed a law for short-term rentals in 2015 as a result of Airbnbs initial emergence. It required that operators get a zoning permit for businesses operated out of homes a host lived in, while a hotel license was required for those who rent out properties where they didnt live.

Those rules werent much enforced, however, and many operators built their livelihoods around a gray market status quo that allowed them to operate with little oversight for years.

I wasnt aware there was this legislation, Patterson said. Airbnb didnt say that this was in place. Otherwise, maybe I would never have done it. But I just wasnt aware.

After complaints about party houses surged during the pandemic, Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district includes parts of Center City, the Riverwards, and South Philadelphia, introduced new legislation that required those who operate short-term rentals out of their homes to get limited lodging operator licenses. For those who ran businesses out of properties where they dont live, the new law reinforced hotel requirements.

This time, L&I is actually enforcing the new law.

Short-term rental operators began receiving subpoena notifications from Airbnb in March, as the city reached out to online platforms to secure the addresses of rental properties listed on their platforms. Now they are putting that information to use.

This is just the latest phase in the enforcement of the legislation, said Shemeka Moore, spokesperson for L&I.

Short-term rental landlords say the process of getting their licenses has proved grueling and expensive. In many cases, those seeking hotel licenses must go to the citys Zoning Board of Adjustment for permission to keep operating because their propertys zoning does not allow such a purpose.

Wait times at the Zoning Board of Adjustment have ballooned since the pandemic, and even cases in which a property owner faces no opposition can take six months to be heard.

Most of these people havent even had their day in court, said Theron Lewis, founder of the industry advocacy group Philadelphia STR Association. In terms of banning folks, everythings moving much quicker, like 100 times quicker, than the licensing process.

But Squilla noted that his law passed in June 2021, and its implementation was delayed twice because of the protests of industry advocates. Even after the new rules officially went into effect at the beginning of this year, its taken until late July for the city to actually begin cracking down.

If operators had begun attempting to get a license when news of the rule implementation broke at the end of 2022, Squilla said, they could have gotten past the ZBA backlog by now.

We passed the bill two years ago, we extended it, we gave them time, and, unfortunately, there comes a time where enforcement has to happen, he said. The ZBA process is slow, but theres been plenty of time for folks to property obtain a short-term rental license.

So far, 452 people have received a limited lodging operators license, and 209 have rental licenses designated as a hotel  out of a total Airbnb host count in the thousands.

Its basically thousands of people losing their jobs pretty much all at once, said Lewis, the industry advocate.

For those worried about their incomes, Squilla noted that there is still the option of renting their properties for more than 30 days at a time  essentially becoming a conventional rental landlord. In the past, he has also expressed concerns about the short-term rental industrys effect on housing prices if they take homes out of the standard rental or sale markets.

A University of Pennsylvania study found that short-term rentals are often concentrated in areas where rental housing predominates and that each 1% increase in Airbnb listings in a zip code creates a small increase in rents and house prices as the number of long-term rentals decreases.

As for Patterson, hes been hearing horror stories about wait times at the ZBA and a lack of responsiveness from city agencies in general. As a result, he hasnt yet applied for the variances he needs.

Im just beaten down, Patterson said in a text message. I heard just yesterday that someone had applied for a variance, and its been 15 months and still no answer. ... To go through all of this and wait for so long with no real hope is crippling to me.
We want to start a movement for sustainable innovation by harnessing the passion of our people and the start-up communities across the Asia-Pacific region, said Roger Sharp, chief sustainability & corporate affairs officer at Bupa Asia Pacific. Unlike big businesses, start-ups often have the ability to move fast and innovate, which is valuable, given we are all in a race to net zero.
And thats partly down to recent developments in the insurance market, he said. Over the past 10 years, cyber insurers were laser-focused on growing the market. We spent the majority of our time, energy and resources on marketing the hell out of this product. There is bucketloads of training and education for brokers, and insurance conferences where the focus was on selling the product. As an industry, it felt like we were on a mission to make people see the value of this product and realize that they need it, which they absolutely do.
We started this program when a growing number of Massachusetts residents expressed interest in being a part of the climate crisis solution, said Joseph Kowalik, general manager at MMLD. So we were pleasantly surprised when we got the call from QBE North America with their interest to participate for commercial use. As the first local business to participate in the program, QBE North America is setting an example for others to follow while helping to create a more sustainable future.
This merger is a great fit for us, Clark said. Not only is the culture at C3 very family-oriented, but the partnership will also allow us to create something bigger together than what we might have been able to achieve alone. Im excited to be a part of the legacy that C3 is building.
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A demonstrator arrested outside the home of conservative legal activist Leonard Leo contends police violated his First Amendment rights.

Eli Durand-McDonnell, 24, of Bar Harbor, contends in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that two police officers singled him out among several dozen demonstrators at Leo`s behest. He was charged with disorderly conduct, but the charges were later dropped.

The arrest was made during a demonstration last summer after the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the nationwide right to an abortion.

Leo, co-chairman of the conservative legal group The Federalist Society, helped to guide former President Donald Trumps efforts to reshape the federal judiciary, providing a list of potential Supreme Court nominees and galvanizing support for them.

Police were called to Leo`s Northeast Harbor home by his private security detail on July 31, 2022, and a police officers microphone captured a discussion in which Leo acknowledged the demonstrators werent on his property. Leo singled out Durand-McDonnell for allegedly cursing at him and his family earlier in the day. I think its time for us to press some charges, Leo said.

Leo is not being sued. The lawsuit targets the two officers. A message left for the officers wasn`t immediately returned.

Durand-McDonnell contends he was exercising his First Amendment rights and that Maine law also required an officer to witness the conduct to make a misdemeanor arrest.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Maine
Howden, the London based insurance group, announced it has acquired Hudson Sky International, a specialist aviation broker in Switzerland.

This acquisition is part of Howdens wider strategy to become a leader in its chosen specialty markets, such as aviation, and underlines its continued investment in expertise to expand its product offering for Swiss and multinational clients.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Hudson Sky has established itself as a leading aviation re/insurance broker in the Swiss market, with its core focus on the helicopter segment, and servicing a range of clients on a global scale. The acquisition will cement Howdens position as a major force in the aviation sector as well as strengthening Howdens geographic presence in Europe.

This announcement follows the news of the two new hires to the London Aviation team  Steven Crook and Wayne Hawkins  as the business drives further growth into the airline and aerospace sectors.

For us, this acquisition was an important and strategic step for Hudson Sky as we assessed our long-term development plan in an increasingly complex global market. Our clients will benefit from Howdens industry wide expertise, placement and networking services, in addition to the usual personal service of our experienced team, commented Martin Accola, managing director, Hudson Sky.

We have seen a considerable increase in demand for specialised advisory services in the aviation sphere and this acquisition is a vital step as we become market leaders in this space. Hudson Sky holds extensive sector experience, and this will be essential as we meet growing client demand in the region, according to Hans-Jorg Blumer, managing director, Aviation, Howden Switzerland.

Felix C. Jenny, CEO, Howden Switzerland, said: Hudson Sky will bring an additional strength to our operations in Switzerland. It reflects our commitment to providing our clients with best-in-class solutions and the combination of Hudson Sky and our existing capabilities will enhance our aviation offering significantly. This acquisition is further evidence of our commitment to becoming in the leader in our chosen markets throughout Europe and I look forward to welcoming the whole team.

Founded in 1994, Howden operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 14,500 people and handling $30 billion of premium on behalf of clients.

Source: Howden

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Aviation
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Arch Insurance, Canopius, and Willis Towers Watson (WTW).

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Arch Promotes Blois to U/W Manager, Hires 3 PI Underwriters

Arch Insurances UK Regional Division announced the promotion of Kirsty Blois to underwriting manager, Miscellaneous and Emerging Professional Indemnity (PI).

In her new role, Blois is responsible for managing Archs miscellaneous PI book of business and developing its broker relationships. Blois reports to Martin Joyce, head of Financial Lines, UK Regions.

Before joining Arch in 2022, Blois was a senior underwriter for miscellaneous PI at Hiscox and senior commercial account handler and team leader at The Oval Group (now Gallagher).

Arch has also appointed three new underwriting practitioners within its PI team: Hayley Bilas and Timothy Rolph as development underwriters, PI, and Joshua Woods as Underwriter, PI.

Bilas joins Arch from Liberty Speciality Markets, where she was most recently a regional PI underwriter. Rolph joins from Hiscox, where he was a development underwriter for Event Insurance. Woods joins from Travelers, where he was a PI Underwriter.

Following the recent success of launching several financial lines products, including miscellaneous PI and D&O, we are keen to build on our considerable market momentum. Kirstys well-earned promotion and the appointments of Hayley, Tim and Josh demonstrate our commitment to boosting our market presence and delivering on our broker promise to be collaborative, responsive, and to deliver informed solutions, commented Joyce.

***

Canopius Names CFCs Gayle as Cyber & Tech U/W

Canopius, a leading global specialty re/insurer, has appointed Lewis Gayle as underwriter  Cyber and Technology, reporting to Michael Shen, head of Cyber and Technology, London.

Lewis joins with immediate effect, bringing Canopius rapidly expanding cyber division to 36 employees, including 10 new hires since the start of the year, marking an increase of 38% in just over six months.

Lewis brings five years of London market experience to Canopius, having previously held underwriting and claims adjustment roles at CFC Underwriting. Before this, he was a claims advocate at Marsh, an assistant underwriter at QBE and a junior claims advocate at Willis Towers Watson.

Lewis is the latest in a series of appointments for Canopius cyber team this year, including:

Isabel Finn , as senior cyber threat intelligence analyst in July, to launch Canopius in-house cyber threat consultancy;

, as senior cyber threat intelligence analyst in July, to launch Canopius in-house cyber threat consultancy; Nine new hires to launch Canopius dedicated global Cyber Incident Management Team (CIMT) in June.

Canopius launched the first digital asset custody product on the Lloyds Asia platform earlier this year, combining cyber, specie and crime expertise. Shen said Canopius cyber business has increased by 38% in the last six months.

Canopius is a global specialty re/insurer with underwriting operations in Australia, Bermuda, China, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S. It underwrites through Lloyds Syndicate 4444 (managed by Canopius Managing Agents Ltd.); Canopius US Insurance Inc. (a U.S. surplus lines insurer), and Canopius Reinsurance Ltd., (a Bermuda-based Class 4 Insurer).

***

WTW Taps Sales From Aon for Large Client GB Team

WTW, the global advisory, broking, and solutions company, announced the appointment of Claire Sales to the Large Client GB team, reporting into David Cross, head of Large Clients in GB. Sales will be based in London.

Sales has over 25 years of insurance and legal experience across financial lines business and joins WTW from Aon, where she spent the last eight years, most recently leading the Retail Financial Services Group.

Sales will be responsible for leading some of WTWs large client relationships in Financial Institutions as well as delivering the broad suite of WTW solutions to WTWs key clients.

Topics Cyber Underwriting Aon Willis Towers Watson
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Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. said it will pay $377.5 million under a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice to settle a civil investigation related to its cost accounting.

The case is one of the largest procurement fraud settlements in history, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton said in a press release. The US alleged that from 2011-2021, Booz Allen improperly charged costs to its government contracts that should have been billed to commercial and international ones. The DOJ was acting for the Defense Contract Management Agency in the matter.

The agreement contains no admission of liability by the company, Booz Allen said in a filing, noting that it agreed to the settlement to avoid the delay, uncertainty and expense of protracted litigation. The firm said it had previously recorded a $350 million reserve for possible exposure from the probe.

During a conference call in May, Chief Executive Officer Horacio Rozanski said the investigation was into highly technical elements of our cost accounting and indirect cost charging practices with the US government and that the company acted lawfully and responsibly. The probe began in 2017 and the DOJ closed a criminal investigation of the matter in 2021.

Photo: A US Department of Justice seal is displayed on a podium. (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics USA
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Marsh said today that Pat Donnelly has been appointed as president, Marsh Specialty and Global Placement, effective immediately.

Donnelly was formerly president of Marshs US business since the start of 2022. Prior to that, he was head of Marsh Specialty for Marsh US and Canada since 2019 when JLT was acquired by Marsh.

Lucy Clarke, who also came over in merger, had been president Marsh Specialty and Global Placement

Michelle Sartain will move up to Donnellys prior role as president of Marsh US.

In his new role, Donnelly will oversee Marsh Specialtys global business, which includes the specialties of aviation, construction, credit specialties, energy & power, financial and professional lines (FINPRO), marine & cargo, and private equities, mergers and acquisitions (PEMA). His responsibilities also include Marshs global placement capabilities, with responsibility for all retail and international placement hubs, portfolio solutions and insurer consulting, climate and sustainability, captive solutions, and claims.

Donnelly will report to Martin South, president and CEO of Marsh. He will continue to be based in Chicago.

Sartain, previously head of Marsh Specialty for the US and Canada, will oversee Marshs insurance brokerage and risk advisory businesses across the country. Sartain will continue to be in New

York and will report to South and Pat Tomlinson, CEO of Marsh McLennan US and Canada.

Topics USA Excess Surplus
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An Arkansas subcommittee last week approved Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders request for close to $11 million from the states restricted reserve fund to offset costs for school districts facing soaring property insurance costs.

Arkansas school districts are facing an average increase of 130% in property premiums for fiscal year 2024. The rise in premiums is due to a convergence of factors including poor claims experience, difficult conditions in the insurance marketplace and a negative outlook from weather models, Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain wrote in a July 11 requesting money from the restricted reserve fund.

Sanders said in a statement the state would cover 30% of the cost increase pending legislative approval.

What these insurance providers are doing to our schools is outrageous, said Sanders. They gave districts no reasonable justification for skyrocketing premium costs. Its clear that theyre just trying to line their pockets on the backs of Arkansas children and taxpayers. To prevent our districts from facing financial difficulties, my administration is stepping up to help them cover rising premium costs.

The Arkansas Legislative Council Executive Subcommittee recommended the Legislative Council approve a $10.8 million from the restricted reserve fund that will be split three ways. The 170 school districts participating in the insurance program managed by the Arkansas School Boards Association would receive $6.3 million, the 68 districts in the Arkansas Public School Insurance Trust would receive $4.46 million, and $118,000 to the Bentonville School District, procures insurance directly through the open market.

Topics Trends Pricing Trends K-12 Property Arkansas
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The Florida Legislature made national headlines late last year when it effectively curtailed one-way attorney fees and greatly limited plaintiffs fee multipliers in claims litigation. Property insurers celebrated the end to practices that they said had led to runaway legal costs and had pushed some carriers into insolvency.

But several other states continue to have similar laws on the books, designed to discourage insurers from unnecessarily denying or delaying claims or fighting against insureds that may not have the financial resources to slog through years of litigation.

The purpose is to recognize that the insureds may be at a disadvantage in dealing with an insurance company that denies their claim, said Patrick McGinley, professor of law at West Virginia University. These statutes generally encourage or even force settlements.

West Virginias approach goes by a catchy name  the Hayseeds Doctrine. It was established by a 1986 West Virginia Supreme Court decision in a suit known as Hayseeds vs. State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. Several court decisions since then have reinforced the doctrine, allowing juries to add on extra damages and attorney fees when insureds prevail in court. In 2013, a federal court ordered Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance to pay $6,100 in economic damages under Hayseeds, but almost $60,000 in attorney fees to homeowners after their dog bit someone and Natiowide denied the claim. In a 2019 case, a state court extended the doctrine to apply to insurance brokers, according to news reports and West Virginia attorneys.

The Hayseeds Doctrine was reinforced  but with limits  last week when the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a coal mining company. The court overturned a lower court decision and found that Federal Insurance Co., a Chubb unit, owes Ramaco Resources more than $7 million. The jury had awarded the multi-million figure, but the trial court judge knocked it down to about $1 million.

In upholding the jurys $7 million award, the appeals court has now opened the door to the possibility that Federal Insurance will have to pay several million more under the Hayseeds Doctrine: The appellate judges agreed with the lower court and ordered a new trial on the extra damages.

Considering that $7.1 million award, Ramaco substantially prevailed against its insurer, so it is entitled to Hayseeds damages, Circuit Judge Julius Richardson wrote for the panel of judges. But a Hayseeds award cannot include punitive damages. So the district court did not abuse its discretion in ordering a new trial on Hayseeds damages.

The case began in Logan County in southwest West Virginia, one of the most-storied coal mining areas in the United States. The county was home to an armed uprising by coal miners in 1921 and the Buffalo Creek disaster in 1972, which killed 125 people when a coal slurry dam collapsed.

In 2018, a hopper inside a coal silo at Ramacos processing center collapsed, completely shutting down operations, the court opinion explained. Ramaco immediately filed a claim with Federal Insurance. A engineer hired by Ramaco recommended demolishing the damaged silo and shoring up other silos with steel beams to prevent further collapses.

Federal denied the claim, contending that the collapse was the result of corrosion, something that was not covered by the business-interruption policy. Ramaco argued that the mishap stemmed from a clog in the conveyer-belt coal line, which built up coal that broke loose, fell, and damaged the equipment, something that was covered by the policy.

Ramaco sued the insurer for several million dollars, alleging breach of contract. A jury found in favor of the coal company and awarded $7.1 million in contract damages, plus $500,000 in interest. The jury also granted $25 million in Hayseeds damages for aggravation and inconvenience.

But the trial judge, U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver, erased almost all of the award. The policy covered only a short period of recovery, the time it took Ramaco to set up temporary measures to restore operations, he said. That reduced the payout to just $1.6 million, which meant that the coal company did not substantially prevail in the litigation and thus was not due the additional Hayseeds damages.

The difference in coverage amounts stemmed from the period of restoration, as defined by the policy. The trial judge decided that the period ended just three weeks after the hopper collapse, after Ramacos temporary measures restored operations. On appeal, the coal company attorneys argued that while operations were restored to some degree, the temporary system was far less efficient, was unable to handle the same volume of material and required routing the coal in a new way. Thar forced the company to process more coal, hire more workers and face greater costs.

To fully reach the same level of profit as the company had enjoyed before the collapse, Ramaco said it had to rebuild part of its line, extending the period of restoration for another four months. Without the extensive rebuilding, workers safety would have been at risk, the firm said.

The appellate court agreed with Ramaco.

The district court used the wrong indicator for the end of the period of restoration, the 4th Circuit judges said. The policys plain language does not condition the period of restoration solely upon coal throughput.

The appellate judges quoted from the Federal Insurance policy, which allowed coverage until your operations are restored, with reasonable speed, to the level which would generate the business income amount that would have existed if no direct physical loss or damage occurred. Business income is defined by the policy as net profit or loss.

So, the 4th Circuit wrote, the policy says the period ends when operations are restored to the level which would generate the net profits that would have existed if the collapse had not occurred. A court needs to consider both throughput and costs before it can identify the end of the restoration period, the opinion explained.

The appeals court agreed with the trial judge on one point: Even with the jurys $7 million award now allowed to stand, the $25 million in Hayseeds is considered excessive and smacks of punitive damages. West Virginia statutes allow punitive damages up to four times the compensatory damages in some cases, but not in insurance claims disputes, which are governed only by Hayseeds, Professor McGinley explained.

Punitive damages are allowed only when fraud or malice by the insurer is proven, he said.

In the Ramaco suit, only one witness, Ramacos chief operating officer, Christopher Blanchard, testified that Federals denial of the claim had harmed the coal company. He argued that it drove Ramaco to the brink of bankruptcy, which would have put 350 people out of work.

But the trial and appellate judges did not give his testimony as much weight as the jury may have.

This testimony might support some aggravation and inconvenience damages, the 4th Circuits Richardson wrote. But it is hard to conceive how the jury extrapolated the $25 million figure from Blanchards testimony without deciding that it had to punish Federal.

Some extra damages may be appropriate, even if the plaintiff in this case is a major corporation, the court said. McGinley noted that in most cases, the Hayseeds Doctrine is designed to protect individual policyholders or homeowners, not well-heeled companies. And Federal Insurance in the Ramaco case argued that point.

But the appeals court pointed out that in the Hayseeds case itself, the plaintiff was, in fact, a corporation.

Hayseeds thus suggests that a corporation can receive aggravation and inconvenience damages, the court wrote.

Even without the $25 million in damages, the Ramaco decision underscores the legitimacy of the Hayseeds Doctrine and similar laws in states that still allow the practice, McGinley said.

You could say the 4th Circuit is reinforcing states mechanisms for shifting fees and for leveling the playing field when dealing with an insurance company that has so many resources, he said. The insurance company has to think about not only the amount of the claim, but the tack-on, additional financial burden they might face if they dont prevail.

Topics Florida Virginia
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The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has asked a federal appellate court to reinstate its lawsuit against the Poarch Creek Band of Indians and Auburn University for improperly removing graves from a sacred site in Alabama to build a casino.

The Oklahoma-based tribal nation alleges that Wind Creek Casino and Resort in Wetumpka, Alabama, was built at Hickory Ground, a sacred site and capital when federal troops forced the Muscogee out of Alabama nearly 200 years ago. Workers removed 57 sets of human remains and the artifacts buried with them, storing some of them in containers without proper ventilation or temperature control, according to the lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2012.

A federal judge threw out the suit in 2021, but on Friday the tribal nation asked the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta to reinstate it, al.com reported.

A letter sent last month to the Alabama-based Poarch Creek tribe by David Hill, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation`s principal chief, says the tribe failed to meet its obligation to Muscogee ancestors, the news site reported.

You made a promise to protect these lands and the MCN ancestors who remain there, Hill wrote. 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 Muscogee nation and Hickory Ground was the tribes last capital before removal on the Trail of Tears  a brutal, 800-mile (1,287 kilometers) march to Oklahoma that claimed countless lives. The mekko, or chief, of Hickory Ground relocated the settlement to Oklahoma, the appeal said.

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 the Muscogee nation and Poarch Creek has been ongoing for years. When the Alabama tribe first built a bingo hall on the site in 2001, it unearthed remains and artifacts. Archaeologists from Auburn University helped store and remove some of what was found, the complaint said.

A spokesperson from Auburn University said the university had no comment on the appeal, which contends it 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.

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 ancestral remains returned.

Hickory Ground was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Poarch Creek Band acquired the land the same year, in part with federal preservation grant funds, according to the appeal. In 1999, Poarch Creek asked the National Park Service to delegate its preservation duties to the tribe and began planning to build a bingo hall that later expanded into the casino.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson of the Middle District of Alabama in 2021 dismissed the 2012 lawsuit, which had been renewed in 2019. Because the Poarch Creeks are a federally recognized tribe, they have qualified immunity and cannot be sued for developing their land, according to his opinion.

Poarch leaders could not be immediately reached for comment about the appeal.

Photo: John Melton, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Honor Guard, stands at attention during the opening of a two-day festival in Oxford, Alabama, in 2022. The Muscogee name for the event is Reyicepes, or We have come back, signifying an attempt by the nation to re-establish a presence in the Southeast nearly 200 years after ancestors were forced out of the region to make way for white settlers. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Training Development Alabama Oklahoma
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About the same time that it announced a major pull-back from the Florida and California markets, Famers Insurance also sent thousands of nonrenewal notices to Georgia homeowners. In Georgia, though, the carrier appears to have misunderstood the states rather unique law on nonrenewals  and has been forced to backtrack.

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King put out a bulletin Friday saying Farmers had rescinded the nonrenewal notices that were mailed to homeowners in early July. The nonrenewals explained that if the homes roof was 15 years old or more, Farmers would no longer write the property.

Thats apparently not allowed under Georgia statute 33-24-46, which forbids carriers from changing underwriting guidelines or eligibility rules for existing policies unless the changes apply to an entire class or territory and has been approved by the commissioners office.

I dont know how unique our law is but I know that a lot of states dont have it, said Weston Burleson, director of communications and legislative affairs for the commissioners office.

Farmers actions on new policies are not governed by the statute.

Farmers director of public relations, Trevor Chapman, shed little light on the issue Monday.

We have decided not to move forward with our plan to non-renew a limited number of homeowners policies with older roofs, Chapman said in an email. We have begun to notify affected customers of this decision.

The sudden reversal came as a surprise to some in the industry in Florida, which has seen several insurers in recent years non-renew HO policies because of roof age and a distressed market. Others said the legal team for Farmers, one of the largest property carriers in the country, should have known the statutory and regulatory restrictions in Georgia, and probably should have filed for approval before gradually reducing its exposure in the state.

I am extremely disappointed with the actions of Farmers and am contemplating further disciplinary actions at this time, King said in the news release.

Actions could include monetary penalties or pulling Farmers license to do business in Georgia, King warned.

The letters to at least some Farmers policyholders in Georgia went out July 6. Kings office did not know the exact number of notices sent, but Burleson said tens of thousands of homeowners were affected. Within two weeks of the notices, the office had reacted.

It was brought to our attention this week that Farmers Insurance had alerted their customers that they would be non-renewing any homeowner policies on homes with roofs over 15 years old, in blatant violation of Georgia law, King said in the statement last week. My office immediately took action, ordering Farmers to reverse course and rescind these scheduled non-renewals.

The nonrenewals are a sign of the times in the U.S. property insurance industry, which has been hammered in major markets: wildfires in California and hurricanes and claims litigation in Florida in recent years. Farmers filed a notice with Florida regulators July 10, announcing that it is essentially pulling out of the state this year, except for policies written by Farmers subsidiary companies.

That filing came a month after Farmers said it would stop writing new policies in Florida. Farmers, based in California, also announced it would stop writing new homeowner policies in California, a move that followed similar announcements from State Farm Insurance and Allstate Insurance companies.

This is the first time Georgia regulators have ordered a property insurer to reverse course on nonrenewals, even though the statute has been on the books for a few decades, Burleson said. King, who took office in 2019, has, however, expressed outrage at auto insurers that have raised rates without prior approval.

After Allstate raised auto premiums an average of 40% in 2022, Kings office this year worked with Georgia lawmakers to change the law on use-and-file rate increases. As of July 1, rate hikes cannot take effect for at least 60 days, giving the commissioners office more time to review filings.

Topics California Florida Georgia Agribusiness
A train derailment in northern Montana spilled freight and left 25 cars tangled up along a major east-west railroad corridor but caused no injuries.

The accident comes less than a month after a railroad bridge collapse in southern Montana sent tanks cars with oil products plunging into the Yellowstone River, spilling molten sulfur and up to 250 tons of asphalt binder.

The latest accident involved a BNSF Railway train that derailed while traveling Friday evening around a curve east of the small town of Havre.

Cleanup and repair work continued Saturday and the cause was under investigation, said Amanda Frickel with Hill County Disaster and Emergency Services.

One car hauling hazardous materials, paint thinner, derailed but did not spill, Frickel said. Cars carrying cake mix, napkins, carrots and other consumer goods broke open and spilled.

The line was expected to come back into service later Saturday, she said. Representatives of Texas-based BNSF did not immediately respond to an email seeking information.

Railroads are largely self-regulating, but they`re under growing pressure from lawmakers and unions over safety lapses often traced to the condition of tracks and equipment.

In 2021, an Amtrak train derailed about 50 miles to the west of Friday`s freight train accident. Three people were killed, and dozens were injured. Investigators in February disclosed that the BNSF-owned track was bent along a curve at the Amtrak derailment site, and the problem got worse as freight trains traveled through the area before the crash.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trucking
Source: Streetwise Reports

July 20, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This telehealth company says it has started using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with two of the clients on its platform.

Telehealth company Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (RHT:TSX.V; RQHTF:OTCQB; A2AJTB:WKN) announced it has started using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with two of the clients on its platform.

Its iUGO platform draws on data from fall detection devices, medication tracking, and vitals data to flag patients at home or in facilities who need more monitoring. The AI and ML tools will enable caregivers to provide "predictive, pro-active health care," Reliq Chief Executive Officer Lisa Crossley said.

"Using AI and ML enables the iUGO Care platform to analyze large, complex data sets to improve decision-making, diagnosis, and treatment by identifying patterns in patient data," Crossley said. "The AI system is trained by having access to thousands of sets of remote patient monitoring data, which allows it to recognize warning signs very early and predict which patients are at risk of potentially serious complications."

She said the new tools had been put in place for two key customers, Just Heart Cardiovascular Group in Baltimore and digiiMed in Puerto Rico. It is now also available for all iUGO users.

The Catalyst: AI Moves to 'Center of Organizations'

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global AI market was valued at US$136.55 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030.

Continuous research and innovation by tech giants are driving the adoption of AI in industries like health care, retail, finance, and manufacturing, the report said.

"Technology has always been an essential element for these industries, but artificial intelligence (AI) has brought technology to the center of organizations," the report said. "For instance, from self-driving vehicles to crucial life-saving medical gear, AI is being infused virtually into every apparatus and program."

In a June 20 research note, Maxim Group analyst Allen Klee noted that Reliq has been signing larger contracts in 2022 and 2023. It recently picked up skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and home care agencies in four states and signed a contract with a U.S. health plan that operates in five states with more than 3,000 doctors and 1 million patients. It also has signed its first contract with a client in Mexico.

"We believe a discount to the peer group average is warranted based on the company being at an early stage of execution," wrote Klee, who gave the stock a Buy rating and a CA$1.75 per share target price. "We project that Reliq will have a primarily recurring, high-margin business model going forward."

A Predictive Model

Just Heart Cardiovascular Group is using the AI and ML features of iUGO to improve remote patient monitoring adherence and to develop a predictive model designed to slow heart failure progression, reduce hospitalization, and decrease the cost of care.

"We have over four years of patient data that has been gathered using the iUGO Care platform, with tens of thousands of data points collected from a diverse population of cardiovascular patients," said Dr. Camellus O. Ezeugwu, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and medical director at Just Heart Cardiovascular Group. "This data, coupled with AI and ML, allows us to leverage the power of the iUGO Care platform to provide cutting-edge care to our patients, improving health outcomes and quality of life."

The other customer using AI and ML, digiiMed, said it has been using the platform for more than three years across multiple practices and clinics in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The platform has improved patient outcomes and increased revenues for providers, said Chief Executive Officer Jose Alvarez.

"We have taken the next step in our evolution of providing the best health care at the lowest cost by utilizing iUGO Care's artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of patient data to more accurately prioritize those patients who are most at risk of developing complications," Alvarez said.

Patients have lower chances of developing serious complications the earlier doctors can intervene with virtual visits or to adjust medication, he said.

A 'Compelling' Platform for Practitioners

The iUGO platform aims to manage diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and others. Patients get audible reminders to step on a scale, take their blood pressure, or prick their fingers for glucose monitoring. The information is automatically uploaded to the cloud.

iUGO draws on data from fall detection devices, medication tracking, and vitals data to flag patients at home or in facilities who need additional monitoring.

Analyst Klee noted that the platform is a "compelling offer for practitioners," as a typical practice can bring in more than US$1 million in Medicare and Medicaid payments implanting it.

"Reliq's devices are simple to use and connect to either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth," Klee wrote. "These devices can provide real-time monitoring and identify when adverse events happen. Devices monitor health risks such as glucose, oxygen, weight, blood pressure, risk of falling, and more."

The global telehealth market is expected to reach US$455.3 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24% from 2023 to 2030, according to Research and Markets.

"The pandemic exposed the shortcomings in the health care systems," the researchers wrote. "The government-imposed travel restrictions and lockdowns (mandated) in order to curb the spread of the virus ... led to patients and healthcare institutions shifting towards teleconsultation and telemedicine."

Ownership and Share Structure

About 8% of Reliq's shares are owned by insiders, including Crossley, with 1.6% or 3.22 million shares. About 0.3% of the company is owned by institutional investors, including FNB Wealth Management, with 0.01% or 0.03 million shares, according to Reuters.

Other top investors include Eugene Beukman, who owns 0.11% or 0.23 million shares, and Brian Storseth, who owns 0.07% or 0.14 million shares, Reuters said.

Crossley said 91.7% of the company is retail.

The company has 203 million shares outstanding, with about 199 million free-floating. It has a market cap of CA$111.59 million and trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.76 and CA$0.445.

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Source: Streetwise Reports

July 24, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This company exploring for an ultra-rare element important to solar technology is watching as tensions escalate over exports of critical metals from China.

Tensions over imported solar panel technology continue to increase between China and the United States, and the result could put even more of a squeeze on critical elements like tellurium.

China recently announced it would restrict the export of two important semiconductor elements and has warned it could also ban the export of solar panel technology. PV Magazine now reports that restrictions by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol could result in a near-total ban on certain Chinese solar modules entering the U.S.

The Chinese panels in question are made from silicon, the most common solar technology in the world. First Tellurium Corp. (FTEL:CSE; FSTTF:OTCQB) is on the hunt for tellurium, a component in the second-most-common solar technology, cadmium tellurium (CdTe) cells, which are cheaper to produce, and 22.1% efficient in converting sunlight to electricity, company officials said.

First Solar Inc. (FSLR:NYSE), which competes directly with Chinese solar panel producers, buys more tellurium than any other user in the world, said asset manager Chen Lin, author of the What's Chen Buying? What's Chen Selling? newsletter.

If China restricted tellurium imports, it could result in a supply crisis in the West, leaving an opening for new producers.

"We're approaching a critical phase in the domestic supply chain for cadmium telluride solar panels," First Tellurium President and Chief Executive Officer Tyrone Docherty said. "Rapidly increasing demand, combined with import restrictions, have led First Solar to double its manufacturing capacity this year. Domestic supplies of tellurium will become even more critical."

Tellurium is one of the least common elements on the planet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Most rocks contain an average of about three parts per billion, making it eight times less abundant than gold.

First Tellurium has been a quarterly pick of Chen's several times in the past year. He recently wrote that the company could "have a huge 2023."

"We will hit the jackpot as FTEL is the only pure play in tellurium," Chen wrote.

The Catalyst: Reducing Dependence on China

China recently announced it would restrict the export of gallium and germanium, both essential for semiconductor production. But the country also produces about 60% of the world's tellurium, First Tellurium noted.

Both the U.S. and Canada are trying to reduce dependence on China for such critical metals. U.S. President Joe Biden has banned solar panels coming from Chinese companies that use forced labor.

The U.S. also established a US$20 million initiative to make CdTe solar cells, which were first developed in the U.S., cheaper and more efficient and to develop new solar markets.

PV Magazine reported that the Chinese silicon solar modules supplied by Tongwei are being excluded from entering the U.S. market under-enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).

"The ban of Tongwei polysilicon-supplied Longi panels may mark a 'de facto ban on Chinese polysilicon,' warned a pv magazine USA industry contact," the magazine wrote.

Tongwei was the world's largest polysilicon provider in 2022, and according to the magazine has no presence in the Chinese province banned under the law.

'We're Sitting Very, Very Good'

First Tellurium's Klondike project in Colorado is considered America's top tellurium exploration project and was previously owned by First Solar as a potential source of raw tellurium for its solar panels, Docherty said.

The CEO told Chen in a recent interview published on Streetwise Reports that the tellurium results at Klondike "are on another planet" compared to the company's Deer Horn project in British Columbia, which features high-grade tellurium, gold, and silver.

"We've got the best of both worlds: great precious metals and this wonderful mineral tellurium," Docherty said. "We're sitting very, very good compared to anyone else."

First Tellurium is also conducting geophysics work at its flagship Deer Horn project in British Columbia this summer to help develop targets for a drilling campaign. The project is known to have the only positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for a tellurium project in North America.

Market Expected to Triple

The U.S. solar industry had its best first quarter in history this year, installing 6.1 gigawatts (GW), according to a report released last month by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie.

The solar market is expected to triple in size over the next five years, bringing the total installed solar capacity to 378 GW by 2028, the report said.

The market for tellurium is expected to grow by about 60 metric tons from 2020 to 2024, according to research by Technavio.

"Factors such as increasing urban population, rise in disposable income, strong supply chain, and high internet penetration are driving the growth of the global consumer electronics market," the research firm said in a release. "The increase in demand for consumer electronics will, in turn, drive the demand for tellurium over the forecast period."

Tellurium is also used in thermoelectric applications, lithium batteries, vulcanizing rubber, tinting glass, and manufacturing rewritable CDs and DVDs.

First Solar stopped its raw materials exploration program at Klondike in 2012 and sold the property to Colorado Klondike LLC, which optioned Klondike to First Tellurium.

"Surface sampling by First Solar Inc. in 2006 found very high tellurium grades of up to 3.3% (33,000 ppm), along with locally high gold grades," the Colorado Geological Survey and the Colorado School of Mines reported on First Solar's Klondike exploration. "Tellurium grades at Klondike were the highest encountered in the company's nationwide exploration program."

Technical Analyst Clive Maund rated First Tellurium as an immediate Buy in March.

Ownership and Share Structure

According to the company, 11% of First Tellurium is owned by management and insiders.

Docherty owns 10.6% or 7.7 million shares, Director Josef Anthony Steve Fogarassy has 1.38% or 1 million shares, and Director Lyle Allen Schwabe has 0.73% or 0.53 million shares. The rest is retail.

The company has a market cap of CA$11.26 million, with about 73 million shares outstanding and 63.4 million free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.25 and CA$0.085.

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An industry body has called for energy supports to be extended to ease cost-competitiveness pressures ahead of upcoming British border controls.

Food Drink Ireland, which is part of lobby group Ibec, said the introduction of border controls on October 31 could increase input costs further.

The food and drink sector continues to endure during challenging times and faces ongoing costs due to Brexit and more specifically the forthcoming introduction of border controls to our largest export market which is why Food Drink Ireland is calling for the extension of the Governments two energy support schemes, said Food Drink Ireland deputy director Jonathan McDade.

These new controls will have implications for all Irish exports to the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. Full customs controls will be introduced for goods moving directly from Ireland into British ports.

To mitigate the cost impact of these controls, one of the energy supports that Food Drink Ireland is seeking is a deadline extension for is the temporary business energy support scheme. However, this was previously extended by two months and is meant to be wound up at the end of this month.

The 1.3bn scheme was prolonged due to the low uptake among small and medium-sized firms. It is not clear if there will be significant interest to warrant another extension as wholesale energy prices continue to fall from highs recorded last year and pressure mounts for energy providers to transfer these declines to household and business bills.

Meanwhile, the latest quarterly business monitor from Food Drink Ireland shows consumer sentiment continues to grow steadily in the food retail sector.

The volume of retail sales, excluding bars and motor, increased 1% in three-month moving average including March, April, and May, versus the same months last year. The value of sales rose 4.5% over the same period.

However, the lobby group said inflation continues to be an issue, even as inflation cooled to 4.8% last month.

The group also said long-term trends show significant increases in wages, transport costs, and wholesale energy prices compared to three years ago.
Concerns that meat being exported from Ireland and stamped with the Irish logo and brand is not Irish at all, have been raised in the Dail.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin told the chamber earlier this month when noting that 56,000 tonnes of sheep meat is exported from this country each year.

He said 1.8 billion worth of the meat had been exported since 2018, all of it categorised as being of Irish origin.

Nearly 9,000 sheep were exported to countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Austria in that period.

However, Ireland also imports an average of 450,000 live sheep each year, he said, calculating that this represents 9,300 tonnes on the basis that the average kill-out weight of a sheep is 21kg.

There is serious concern in the sheep sector over these imports, which are generally coming from the same countries that we are exporting to," Mr Tobin said.

Therefore, we are exporting sheep to these countries, and we are importing sheep from these countries.

The argument has been made that it would be impossible for Ireland to consume 9,300 tonnes of sheep meat at the moment.

It is obvious to everyone that they are not being imported for breeding purposes and that these 450,000 sheep are actually being imported potentially to be slaughtered and to be sold as Irish sheep meat.

Is the meat being binned, exported, or is it being consumed here in its entirety, he asked.

James Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, representing Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue, replied to the Topical Issue debate.

However, Mr Toibin said it was important that the Minister from the relevant Department should appear to answer oral questions on a serious matter.

Can the Minister of State confirm with hand on heart and say with absolute confidence that we have an airtight situation in this country?"

Mr Toibin warned it was, potentially, a very serious issue. "If there is, that means the livelihoods of farmers are being significantly affected and the prices are potentially being pushed down by this," he said.

Can the Minister of State honestly say that all sheep meat displayed currently with a 100% Irish sticker in supermarkets in this country represents sheep that have been born, grazed, reared and slaughtered here?

Minister Browne replied that the deputy had asked for the amount, in tonnes, of sheep meat being imported into and exported from the State each year. That is the question I will answer, he said, stressing that they all recognise the challenging market conditions sheep farmers have faced this year compared with recent years.

Minister Browne added that the Food Vision strategy commits to promote Irish grass-fed beef and lamb as premium products nationally and internationally.

He said sheep production is a vital source of income for many farmers and provides the raw material for the export of more than 66,000 tonnes of raw sheep meat worth 453 million last year.

Imports during the same period amounted to 9,000 tonnes and were worth 59 million. About 15% of the lamb produced in Ireland is consumed domestically, with the balance being exported.

Bord Bia is intensifying its marketing and promotion of Irish lamb this year through its activities in domestic and export markets.

Over the past decade, the Department had agreed bilateral sheep meat export certificates for many international markets, most recently with Japan in 2019 and the USA in 2022.

He said the sheep sector is critically dependent on international trade and, therefore, on a multilateral trading system operating under EU and international trading rules.

Any meat imported from third countries, including Britain, is subject to certification requirements and the import control system operated by the Department at border control posts.

Traceability standards of Irish sheep meat are strictly enforced through the regulatory system, he said.

He said Minister McConalogue recognises that margins in sheep farming have been under pressure because of increased input costs as well as lower prices, which are below the record levels achieved in recent years.

The Department significantly supports the sector with a dedicated sheep improvement scheme under the new CAP strategic plan and through other schemes in which sheep farmers can participate.

However, Mr Toibin said he was getting a written response to oral questions. He did not blame the Minister of State. It was a system problem.

It was significant, he said, that the Minister of State refused to confirm that all sheep meat stickered as being Irish is Irish.

Minister Browne said the question put down by the Deputy simply sought the amount in tonnes of sheep meat imported and exported from the State each year.

Had he mentioned traceability in his question, he probably would have got a more specific answer, he said.
When we think of the psychological phenomenon of survivors' guilt, we think about a death, loss, surviving or witnessing a tragedy, and facing a torrent of emotions after such a traumatic event.

But this guilt is not always embedded in surviving a death when someone else sadly did not.

When someone we know experiences tragedy, receives a difficult diagnosis, or is suffering physical or mental pain, it can be difficult to be happy, to move forward, and even support our friends through their individual and personal crises.

Learning to live alongside the upsets of those closest to us is important so that we can support not only ourselves in difficult circumstances but also those closest to us.

Along with times of feeling safe when others have suffered, survivors guilt can be linked to cognitions and regret over what we feel we should have done more of, and at times, guilt over the things we did do, says Dr Anne-Marie Casey, Senior Clinical Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland.

It can be difficult to recognise the feelings of survivors' guilt but the common effects include flashbacks to the altering incident which can result in nightmares, consistently thinking about the scenario and playing out different versions of it to see what we could have done differently to avoid the occurrence, believing that we did not do enough, feeling helpless, finding it difficult to move past what has happened, and being irritable or frustrated, having mood swings and trouble sleeping.

Linda Breathnach, Psychotherapist

There are times when we can experience survivors guilt without realising it, says psychotherapist, Linda Breathnach. It can hold us back or cause us to act or react in certain ways unconsciously. We might feel guilty or ashamed of laughing or enjoying ourselves when we know a friend is going through a difficult time. We might try to overcompensate for this guilt by putting our own lives on hold or being over-responsible for the family members of our friend.

As with other mental health challenges, there are ways we can learn to cope and come to terms with that feeling of survivors guilt.

Casey says that as with most things, our usual coping strategies such as seeking comfort from people who can relate and understand, self-care strategies, along with the passage of time, are enough to combat the complexities of survivors guilt.

Encouraging ourselves not to ignore our feelings is perhaps the first step in identifying what we are experiencing. Its important to recognise the presence of complex feelings when you are suffering from survivors guilt, says Casey.

Guilt can be a block to experiencing other emotions below the tip of the iceberg, such as grief, and avoiding sadness. When we bring kindness to try and understand why we are feeling these emotions connected with survivors' guilt, it can validate these emotions, give them a voice, makes us feel less isolated, and normalise these experiences allowing these feelings to pass.

Casey suggests that survivors guilt can sometimes function as a way of having a false sense of control over the uncontrollable.

Take some time to consider what you are feeling guilty about. Is it because you feel it is unfair or that you are not living your life to your fullest?

Anne Marie Casey, TCD Psychologist

When survivors' guilt takes over, its worth remembering that you do not have to justify surviving, being healthy, or even being happy.

When we are stuck in a very distinctive and negative thought pattern, it can be difficult to get out of a catastrophising loop of self-blame and guilt.

This is where self-awareness is key, says Breathnach. Being honest with ourselves, having a place to express our feelings, journalling or talking to somebody supportive outside of the situation can help bring how we really feel out into the open and prevent it from unconsciously driving us.

When struggling with our mental wellbeing, staying connected is not always that easy.

Our minds feel somewhat fragile in processing the information surrounding the scenario, meaning we can easily isolate ourselves from those we are hurting for.

However, Breathnach suggests using your supports rather than just focussing on supporting your friend as we must first care for ourselves before we can care for others.

Survivors guilt can be experienced as a continuum with feelings of low-level intensity to loss of joy to despairing hopelessness, which at its extreme can interfere with your ability to carry on your activities of daily living, says Casey.

It takes time and patience.

It is important to know this feeling is normal and is a healthy sign that you are a compassionate person.

It can however take over your thoughts and affect your daily life. If you find you are struggling, its important to get help.

Professional support, such as a therapist or counsellor, can help you through the challenge and trauma you are experiencing.
Easter 1966 saw a UCD student set off alone from Killarney to ascend Irelands highest mountain. Tragically, he died in a fall on Carrauntoohil's east face, which was then little known and almost entirely unmapped. Soon after, a member of an English school party also died while climbing in the same area. In the absence of a local mountain rescue team, the remains of both climbers were eventually recovered by experienced climbers who travelled from Dublin.

In light of these events and with increasing numbers having recourse to the Kerry Mountains, local man, Frank Lewis decided action was needed. In July 1966, he assembled a team of volunteers willing to provide rescue services to those in difficulty on the slopes of Irelands highest summits.

The skills of the new Kerry Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) were soon tested stringently. The all-night rescue of Bill Collins from a remote and vertiginous mountainside, which has since been named Collins Gully, still remains one of the most demanding epics of the teams history. Eight perilous hours in Stygian darkness were required to lower Collins and a further three to carry him to an ambulance. The rescue team spent 19 hours on the mountainside without food and in the worst possible conditions. Later, rescuer Paddy O'Callaghan recalled: The terrain was desperate and we had no helmets and only minimal equipment. We could have been killed or injured ourselves but the mission was a success and we went on from there."

Providing a volunteer rescue service to the challenging mountains of Kerry and West Cork was clearly no place for well-intentioned amateurs, but instead required mountaineers with geographic, technical, and medical competency. Such competency was further tested in the severe winter of 1986 when three climbers were avalanched 500 feet down an area known as Curved Gully. Formidable ice climbing skills were then required to lower the casualties in darkness down a frozen waterfall from where they could be evacuated by helicopter at dawn.

Another epic in December 1998 involved five Dublin teenagers camping on Carrauntoohil. A storm blew down their tent and they spent the night shivering in survival bags. One teenager knew of a hut high on the mountain and at first light, he managed to lead the others there, which probably saved their lives.

Kerry Mountain Rescue in action.

Tired and suffering from dehydration and cold, they were, in the era before mobile phones, obliged to send two of the group down to alert KMRT. Realizing that speed was essential and that another night on the mountain would prove lethal, the rescuers began forcing their way upwards in what were described at the time as desperate conditions. They arrived just in time, for the remaining youths were suffering from hypothermia and needed to be warmed up before they were fit to be transported down.

Of course, not every call-out ends so well. When reports were received, in January 2002, that three climbers had fallen in a remote area of McGillycuddys Reeks, a rescue team was immediately airlifted to the scene. An injured person, found beneath a steep gully, was evacuated by helicopter in gathering darkness. A treacherous night search then confirmed every mountain rescuer's worst nightmare: two other climbers had perished. The team members stayed with the remains throughout the long January night and the next morning began the harrowing task of lowering the bodies. So inaccessible was the area, the bodies had to be transported over a lake by inflatable canoe to reach a suitable place for airlifting.

Since 1966, much has changed in terms of equipment, search management, first aid, and climbing competencies. One factor remains constant, however; the rescue service is entirely provided by volunteers, who very often find themselves heading up the mountains in conditions that would have all sensible people coming down  true selfless volunteerism and community service.

Kerry Mountain Rescue on the trek.

And with ever-increasing numbers of visitors seeking recourse to the Kerry hills, this has inevitably led to more call-outs, more rescues  and most frustratingly, exhausting night searches for individuals who got down safely but neglected to say so.

Yet despite the growing demands, there is never a shortage of volunteers to take up the rescue mantle. In times of diminished volunteerism, this shows an extraordinary commitment to a task that is often dangerous and traumatic, and physically demanding.
Psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and mental health campaigners are calling for urgent action to address a continuing shortage of child inpatient psychiatric beds.

HSE figures supplied to the Irish Examiner show a 40% drop in admissions to the four public Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) approved centres last year due to staff shortages.

The numbers fell from 361 in 2021 to 218 in 2022  and there have been just 98 admissions so far this year.

The continuing problem stems from a decision over a year ago to cut the number of operational beds due to persistent staff shortages.

Psychiatric nurses warn the situation is not sustainable and that it needs to be urgently addressed.

Read More Fears child psychiatric beds will not reopen by September

The countrys psychologists said it is unacceptable that children whose condition is so serious that it requires inpatient care cannot access it.

In May 2022, the HSE cut the number of operational beds at the largest Camhs unit, Linn Dara in Dublin, from 24 to 13.

This brought the total number of beds across the four approved centres to 51, down from 72.

The cutbacks were due to be reversed by September 2022, but remain in place over a year after they were announced.

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) said that, according to its estimates, there are only 43 beds in operation, not 51.

It said updated HSE plans to reopen the Linn Dara beds this September seem unlikely given ongoing recruitment and staffing difficulties.

HSE figures show:

Linn Dara admissions halved from 153 in 2021 to 76 in 2022, with just 31 admissions so far this year;

St Josephs in Dublin saw its admissions fall from 75 in 2021 to 53 in 2022 (down 29%), with 25 so far this year;

Eist Linn in Cork witnessed a 38% reduction in admissions, from 45 in 2021 to 38 in 2022, with only eight admissions so far in 2023;

Merlin Park in Galway saw its numbers fall from 88 in 2021 to 61 in 2022 (down 31%), with 34 cases this year.

In a statement, the HSE said the continuing reduction in operational beds in Linn Dara is due to high levels of nursing staff vacancies, but said there continues to be a concerted recruitment campaign.

St Josephs has seen its operational beds reduce from 12 in 2022 to eight this year, which the HSE said is due to staff vacancies.

It said Eist Linn had received significant investment in putting in a high observation suite and it has maintained its operational capacity at 16.

Merlin Park's capacity reduced from 20 to 16 in August 2022 after making all rooms single rooms, although this has now reduced further to 14, due to nursing shortages.

Nationally PNA estimate that there are just 43 operational beds where Vision for Change recommended there be 100, said the PNA in a statement.

This situation is not sustainable and needs to be urgently examined and addressed and a creative and innovative way of recruiting staff and retaining them must be developed urgently."

Psychological Society of Ireland president Anne Kehoe said they have huge concern over access to inpatient care.

It is essential that we have the capacity to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people suffering from significant mental health difficulties as there may be nowhere else for them to go.

She said the consequences could be devastating for a child and added: In 2023, this is unacceptable.

Mental Health Reform CEO Fiona Coyle said: Unless recruitment and retention issues are urgently addressed, children will continue to be denied the appropriate mental health care they require.
A number of Irish citizens have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) having been caught up in the raging wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes.

Greece is currently mounting its biggest evacuation ever, moving thousands of people from villages and resorts on the island as wildfires rage for a sixth day.

High-speed winds have been fanning the flames, impeding efforts to evcuate people and contain the blaze.

The DFA is advising Irish people not to travel to parts of the country currently ravaged by wildfires, and to "move rapidly out of any areas affected."

Extremely hot a dry conditions have seen wildfires rage on several Greek islands in recent days, with the popular islands of Evia, Corfu and Rhodes hardest-hit.

In Corfu, around 60 people were evacuated from the popular Nissaki beach on the island's northwest coast, according to the Greek Coast Guard.

In Rhodes, some 19,000 people were moved out of homes and hotels last night as fires tore through forests and surrounded a number of coastal resorts on the island's south-eastern coast.

According to the Greek government, firefighters were battling to contain some 82 wildfires in various parts of the country as of last night, 64 of which began over the last 24 hours.

Dublin woman Janet Karamanos, who has been living on Rhodes for 20 years, says that the fires on the island are spreading.

She said that people were being evacuated by buses and boats that would normally be used for tourism facilities.

The entrance of a stadium on Rhodes where evacuees from a forest fire gathered yesterday. Picture: Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi via AP

Ms Karamanos said that one of her concerns was about smoke inhalation and the fact that winds were changing direction which made containing the fires very difficult.

People who would normally work in hotels and bars were instead volunteering to fight fires and others had returned to their home towns and villages to help evacuate their families. This meant hospitality businesses did not have staff and could not open, she said.

The heat is chronic. Its just boiling all the time," she told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

She also said that electricity and water have been shut off for up to six hours at a time, meaning there was no air-conditioning.

This is the hottest summer I have known and Ive been here 20 years," she said.

In an advisory, the DFA said that large-scale fires had caused road closures and extensive property damage to property on Rhodes in the areas of Kiotari, Lardos, Pefko, Lindos, Massari, Malonas Apollona, Laermon and Lardos.

The DFA warned any Irish people in these areas to "be aware that the air quality in areas near active fires may also deteriorate due to heavy smoke."

A DFA spokesperson said that the situation on the ground is "evolving" and that Irish citizens should "comply with evacuation orders and follow instructions from the emergency service, police and local authorities."

Tourists being evacuated during a forest fire on Rhodes over the weekend. Picture: Rhodes.Rodos via AP

The spokesperson also urged any Irish people on the ground in Rhodes to "stay fully informed of what is going on by monitoring local news and social media".

"Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger," the spokesperson added.

"Turn mobile phones on to roaming, to receive any alerts from local authorities."

Lastly, the DFA said that temporary shelters on Rhodes had been established for tourists who have had to evacuate their hotels.

Any affected travellers should contact your tour operator or agency for information on arrangements and flights, the DFA said.

Anyone in need of consular assistance has been advised to call the Embassy of Ireland in Greece on +30 2107232771 or the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Rhodes on +30 2241075655.

People in Ireland with concerns can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01 4082527.

Any Irish citizens who are planning to travel to Rhodes have been advised to check with their travel operator, agency, or hotel, beforehand "to see if the area you plan to visit is impacted by the current wildfires and evacuations."

"We advise against travel to affected areas," the spokesperson added.

Amy Leyden and her family were told to evacuate overnight. She said: The police ran into our hotel and said you need to go now, youre not going to make it. It was just terrifying.

Weve got our 11-year-old daughter with us and we were walking down the road at 2am and I didnt think we were going to make it.

Meanwhile, the European Union has said that is has substantial reinforcements to help Greek authorities battle the fires.

Over 450 firefighters and seven airplanes from the EU have been operating in Greece as fires sprout across the country, Janez Lenarcic, EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said on Sunday.
The energy watchdog has been asked to investigate whether there were any failures in the electricity market that impacted vulnerable customers.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed that he has written to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) asking it to conduct a probe of the market and current pricing strategies. In response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Feins Darren ORourke, Mr Ryan said he had written to the regulator last month.

I have recently written to the regulator, requesting that they investigate the pricing strategies in place, taking account of the hedging strategies of the electricity market participants, Mr Ryan said.

As part of this investigation, I have asked CRU to ascertain if there have been any market failures, particularly where vulnerable customers are concerned.

The investigation comes amid concerns within Government that the impact of high energy prices will be felt again by consumers this winter as colder weather sets in.

Mr Ryan previously said he that accepted that it was going to be a difficult winter with high gas prices due to the war in Ukraine. He said he had been meeting with energy companies pretty much every week.

While he believes that prices will begin to fall in the autumn, he said they would not return to levels before the war began in February 2022.

My clear message to energy suppliers is that prices for customers should be reduced at the earliest opportunity, Mr Ryan said, responding to Mr ORourke.





In addition to my interactions, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis and a key message to them is the critical importance of prices being reduced as soon as possible.

Overall wholesale electricity prices fell by 35.6% last month compared to June 2022, with experts saying that the warmer weather had reduced energy demand.

The Government has indicated that it will introduce energy supports in the upcoming budget, however Finance Minister Michael McGrath said the final mix of measures have not been decided. At the weekend, Mr McGrath called for the overall electricity market to pass on the wholesale price reductions to customers.

The Environment Minister has said that utility prices are particularly challenging in Ireland, with electricity and gas prices impacted by low levels of interconnection compared to mainland Europe, as well as Irelands geographical location. The CRU was approached for comment.
The family of an American tourist who was assaulted in Dublin city centre and left with life-changing injuries has accused the justice minister of being out of touch with her own people.

Stephen Termini is in intensive care in Beaumont Hospital following the incident which happened close to Store Street Garda Station on Wednesday night.

The 57-year-old musician from Buffalo, New York, had saved for over a year to travel around Ireland.

At a press conference last week, Helen McEntee said I do think our city is safe, but we do, like any other city, have problems that we need to try and address.

However Mr Terminis son Mike Rizzuto, 26, told the Irish Examiner: I read what Minister Helen McEntee said. Id love to see her go down there herself. It doesnt sound safe, all these people contacting us cant be wrong."

Speaking from his home in New York, he said that he and his brother Jesse, 28 were collecting their passports on Monday and hoping to fly to Ireland this week. He said he is hoping to meet with the justice minister.

Speaking about his father's love for Ireland, he said: My father, this is all hes been wanting to do, come to Ireland, he was working on getting citizenship.

"His grandmother was from Ireland. They scattered her ashes in Ireland, and he was unavailable to come at the time and closure wise, he wasnt there for that and wanted to be there.

I think I have the platform and I want to enact change and my dad's situation, I believe was the breaking point for that.

Mr Termini's son said: My father is enormously proud to have Irish blood. I watched him do 60-80 hours of extra work to save ever dime to go there. He did warehouse work stuff to do it.

Our mom Charlene died last year. They were still married, but they were not together  but they had talked, they got on fine.

"She had her last words with my father, face-to-face. He showed up, they had a long chat, got their closure, and the next day or two she was gone."

Mike said both he and Jesse are in touch with their fathers aunt Catherine, who is devastated. He said Shes taken it extremely hard. We will be there soon. I dont know if she will come. But we have been offered so many supports, someone has offered to give us their air miles, we are overwhelmed.

We have to be there with him and then we want to meet with Minister McEntee.

Mike said there has been no change in his fathers condition and that gardai had been in regular communication with the family.

We cant talk to him, but hes stabilised for now, hes a very tough guy, strong willed.

As far as I know hes in the same condition he was in, but I really hope I can use this momentum to push for change in all their interactions.

We have a Gofundme page and we just cant get over the support from people, the messages. People have been so kind.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said Minister McEntee has condemned the attack on Mr Termini in the strongest terms and wishes him well in his recovery.

Minister McEntee has said that while Dublin city is overall a safe place, there are of course issues which are of concern to residents, businesses and visitors.

Minister McEntee has listened to those concerns and continues to do so, has taken action and supported An Garda Siochana in the actions they have taken.
An Irish celebrity charged with defilement of a minor has had his bail varied to allow the return of his passport for two weeks.

The man in his 40s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of three charges of engaging in sexual acts with a child under the age of 17 at unknown locations in Dublin on dates in 2010 and early 2011.
A partial DNA profile generated from material preserved 42 years ago matched that found on a beanie hat taken from a cold-case murder accused, the Central Criminal Court has heard yesterday.

British forensic scientist Jonathan Paul Whitaker testified that the probability of the recovered DNA profile originating from someone unrelated to the man in the beanie hat would be one in 23,000.

Dorothy Ramsbottom said that, based on a database of the Irish population, it was at least 20,000 times more likely that the recovered DNA was a match to that found on the beanie hat rather than an unrelated person.

Evidence has been given that a slide containing material from a vaginal swab of the victim 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.

The jury has heard that the pathologist who carried out the autopsy on Nora Sheehan found bruising in the anterior wall of her vagina, and it showed the presence of sperm.

Noel Long, aged 74, with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6, 1981, and June 12, 1981, at an unknown place. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Co Cork, six days after she went missing.

Dr Whitaker, from Forensic Science Services (FSS) in the UK, told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that Low Copy Number (LCN) was a more sensitive DNA profiling technique capable of detecting DNA in much smaller amounts and where a sample is old or has had the opportunity to degrade.

In November 2008, Dr Whitaker received a microscope slide of cellular material taken from the body of Ms Sheehan and a blood stain card from the victim.

He tested the microscope slide using the LCN methodology to maximise the chance of getting a DNA profile from the sample, as it was quite old and taken from the decomposed body of the victim.

The blood stain card of Ms Sheehan was processed by the standard DNA method.

Dr Whitaker agreed that on May 5, 2022, he received from Kristen OConnor the result of a DNA profiling test performed on a black beanie hat obtained from an address as Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork.

Dr OConnor, from Forensic Science Ireland, has testified that she received five items belonging to Mr Long on December 1, 2021, for DNA testing, and one of these was a black beanie hat.

Dr Whitaker told the jury it was possible to observe sperm cells on the microscopic slide and the next step was to separate epithelial and semen cells.

Dr Whitaker said when he tested the epithelial part of the vaginal swab, he obtained a female DNA profile which matched the DNA profile obtained from Ms Sheehans blood stain card.

Dr Whitaker said a male partial profile, or incomplete profile, was developed from the seminal part of the sample in the microscope slide. His opinion as to why the seminal fraction was an incomplete profile was because of the poor quality of the DNA.

The witness said a DNA profile from the beanie hat provided to him in May 2022 was compared to the profile obtained from the seminal part of the microscope vaginal slide. Dr Whitaker said the profile taken from the semen on the microscope slide matched the DNA recovered from the hat.

The witness said that if the male DNA profile on the microscope slide had not come from the person whose DNA profile was on the beanie hat, then it must have come from somebody else who by chance had the same DNA profile.

Regarding the probability of that particular DNA profile originating from someone unrelated to the man in the beanie hat, he said it would be one in 23,000.

Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom said she was asked to offer her view of a match between material on Ms Sheehans vaginal swab and the hat. She estimated it was at least 20,000 times more likely that the DNA matched that on the beanie hat rather than an unrelated person, based on the database of the Irish population.

Under cross-examination, Michael Delaney SC, defending, asked the witness what the likelihood ratio would be if a full profile obtained from the semen on the vaginal swab had matched the profile obtained from the beanie hat.

Dr Ramsbottom said it would be a thousand million times more likely where there was a match between two full profiles.

Under cross-examination by Mr Delaney, Detective Garda David Barrett, of Bandon Garda Station, agreed that this case had been with the Serious Crime Review Team from 2008 to 2016 before it was returned to Bandon Garda Station.

Det Gda Barrett also agreed that he had undertaken an extensive search in Bandon District Headquarters, which comprised of seven garda stations, for exhibits in the case. He further agreed that 281 items were recorded on the exhibit log from the investigation but that no items were recovered as part of his search.

These items included a blue and white flowered dress found on Mrs Sheehans body, as well as a blue coat, a shoe with a gold buckle, and tights found at the scene. The remains of a vaginal swab taken from the deceaseds body was not recovered either. The witness said the accused had been charged with the offence on June 28, 2022.

At the close of todays proceedings, Mr Grehan told the jury that the prosecution had completed its evidence. Mr Delaney said an issue of law will need to be discussed in the absence of the jury, which would take two days.

The trial continues on Thursday.
Tourism Minister Catherine Martin has yet to decide what year to hold a 'Gathering Part 2' despite it being a key priority for 2023 in the Programme for Government.

While proposals have been drawn up and submitted to the Department of Tourism around a year-long agenda of events to lure tourists from abroad, no decision has been made on when it should go ahead or in what format.

It is understood that supply-and-demand issues in the tourism sector are among the issues under consideration by the department.

The original Gathering, which encouraged those with Irish heritage to visit the country, provided a 170m economic boost and kicked off a seven-year expansion of the tourism sector.

"While the tourism sector continues to recover strongly after the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also important that we plan for further recovery and for the long-term future sustainability of the sector," a department spokesperson said.

"No decision has been made on the most appropriate timeframe for delivery."

The Programme for Government highlights the importance of the tourism sector to the economy and states that the warmth of our welcome, the beauty of our landscape and the richness of our culture are enduring strengths that we can build on.

"We will seek to emulate the success of The Gathering in 2013 by making 2023 the Year of the Invitation," the coalition document states.

Referring to this, a Department of Tourism spokesperson said: "The Programme for Government proposed to emulate the success of the Gathering in 2013 which supported the recovery in the tourism sector after the last major economic crisis and the tourism agencies have carried out a comprehensive research programme with trade, industry and consumers to assess the concept behind this initiative, its consumer appeal, and the ideal timing for delivery."

The spokesperson added that department officials and tourism agencies are continuing to review this proposal with a particular focus on how it could "contribute to a more even recovery, galvanise the tourism response and engage with the diaspora overseas", and boost resilience in the sector.
The scale and complexity of the crisis in Sudan, which has blown up since fighting erupted 100 days ago, means it is rapidly becoming one of the worlds worst humanitarian catastrophes in decades.

And, if the warring parties and the international community do not act urgently and effectively, it has the potential to expand beyond Sudans borders, destabilising the greater east Africa region.

Lets start with some of the headline numbers. Currently more than 24.7m people (more than half Sudans population) need humanitarian assistance. Even prior to the commencement of fighting in April, Sudan faced huge humanitarian challenges. Last year alone Concern treated 200,000 malnourished children there.

Since the war began on April 15, more than 3.3m people have fled their homes seeking safety as the conflict spread rapidly. Of these 757,000 have crossed the border into neighbouring countries in search of shelter.

Others have moved internally, although with the fighting continuing, the areas where people can be sure they will be safe are very limited. In these safer areas people are also suffering due to the lack of food, shelter, water and other basic supports.

Concern and other non-governmental organisations are constructing shelters, latrines, water systems and basic health services at Zabout., Chad near the Sudan border. Concern is distributing water and hygiene kits to refugees who have arrived from Addemour. Picture: Audrey Hernandez/Concern Worldwide

The lack of security and the crippling uncertainty as to where the conflict is going and how and when it will end, dominates all facets of everyday life in Sudan. It has undermined the ability of the banking system and food markets to function properly.

It severely hinders the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide vital supports and services to communities which are struggling. Programmes are frequently suspended for security reasons, with humanitarian workers risking their lives in some areas to provide life-saving support.

Without the guarantee of protection or safe passage for humanitarian staff or vehicles, transporting vital relief supplies across this vast country is almost impossible. For example, it is over 2,200km by road from Port Sudan where supplies are arriving, to Geneina in Darfur, and that is the shortest route going through the capital Khartoum which is currently at the centre of some of the fiercest fighting between the warring parties.

Concern is fortunate that about half its health and nutrition clinics in the south and southwest of the country are continuing to operate as these areas are currently safe. Concern had in advance positioned supplies in warehouses which were not looted. However, such is the demand from the communities, that supplies, especially medicines, are quickly becoming exhausted.

Our teams in neighbouring Chad and South Sudan are also responding to the steady flow of people crossing these borders, fleeing for their lives. Over 230,000 have crossed into Chad. Many are impoverished and in poor health, often arriving with just the clothes on their backs.

In Sila province, where Concern is responding, an estimated 70% of people arriving are women and children. Many are traumatised by the horror of what they witnessed before they fled. Some talk of having witnessed husbands shot dead in front of them. Others have become separated from their children in the chaotic rush to flee.

Its notable that some civilians have experienced levels of violence that are not normal in a conflict situation. There is an ethnic dimension to the violence.

With funding from Irish Aid, Concern is providing essential items such as soap, shelter materials, and jerrycans. It is operating a mobile clinic to help malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

In South Sudan, over 181,000 people have crossed in the last three months. Concern is providing health and nutrition services, shelter materials, and other non-food items.

Prior to April 15, Sudan was experiencing complex humanitarian challenges. However, 100 days of fighting have transformed it into a country facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Urgent action is required if further deaths and suffering are to be prevented.

Concern's Reka Sztopa visits refugees refugee camp in Sila, Chad, 2km from the Sudan border. Picture: Concern Worldwide

Everything hinges on peace being restored. Numerous ceasefires have been declared and then either ignored or quickly broken. The warring parties must agree and implement an immediate ceasefire to enable peace talks begin, and allow humanitarians to reach those most in need with support and relief supplies.

Humanitarians and those transporting relief supplies must be guaranteed safe passage by the warring groups. Civilians must also be given safe passage to get to safety.

If a major humanitarian catastrophe is to be averted, the international community must step up to the plate by providing adequate funding to meet the needs of Sudanese people impacted by the conflict. The 2023 Sudan Regional Refugee Response plan is seeking $2.6bn (2.3bn) but just 22% of this had been received to date.

The neighbouring countries which are hosting those fleeing the conflict are among the poorest in the world. The international community must provide the necessary funding to enable them support those seeking help.

The international community currently faces many issues which demand their attention and funding. Sudan is one of these. Failure to respond urgently and effectively will result in untold suffering for millions of Sudanese people.

Concern's regional director for the Horn of Africa, Amina Abdulla. Picture: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide

Amina Abdulla is the regional director for the Horn of Africa for the international humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide. To support Concerns work visit concern.net
Irelands demographics have changed.

Fewer of us now identify as Roman Catholic. The proportion of the population identifying as such has fallen from 91% in 1991 to 69% in 2022, according to the latest census.

However, while a small change in the form of a steady decline in the enrolments to Catholic primary schools was recorded in recent years, Irelands educational landscape in terms of primary school patronage remains largely the same.

With almost nine out of 10 primary schools still remaining under the patronage of the Catholic Church, is the process to increase the number of multi-denominational schools here doing enough?

And against the backdrop of a changed Ireland, why arent more schools signing up to switch their patron and their ethos by transferring to a multi-denominational patron?

The current Government is aiming to increase the number of multi-denominational primary schools by at least 400 by 2030, a target highly unlikely to be reached even if current progress is massively accelerated.

Enter the Schools Reconguration for Diversity process, the latest plan to reboot the divestment of schools.

Launched by the Department of Education last March, this particular pilot project was trialed in schools under the patronage of their local bishop in eight areas that lacked multidenominational education in Arklow, Co Wicklow; Athlone, Co Westmeath; Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Co Louth; Galway, Limerick, and Youghal, Co Cork.

Independent facilitators were appointed to work with schools, and it aimed to support transfers of Catholic schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of school communities. The process was fully supported by the Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference, which represents Catholic patrons.

The consultation process wrapped up earlier this year. As a result, two schools, Cornamaddy National School in Athlone and St Endas Primary School in Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8, are to transfer from Catholic patronage to the local Education and Training Board, becoming multi-denominational community national schools.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said it is hopeful that there will be a number of other transfers of patronage and change of ethos to multi-denominational in the short term.

Nationally, declines can be seen in enrolments in Catholic primary schools, albeit small numbers, with the latest annual statistical bulletin published by the Department of Education noting a steady decrease since 2018.

At the same time, multi-denominational enrolments have continued to rise steadily.

The increases and decreases are likely to be a result of shifting demographics, the closure of small, rural schools, and increased demand for multi-denominational education, according to David Graham, spokesperson for Education Equality.

The group campaigns for secular education, on the basis that children should have equal access to schools regardless of religion, and for an end to what it deems all religious discrimination in State-funded schools.

Education Equality believes the Department of Educations response to this increased demand for multi-denominational education is falling very far behind the curve.

Essentially, if you live outside of a large town, you've little to no chance of accessing multi-denominational education, Mr Graham said.

When it comes to the reconfiguration process, Education Equality doesnt believe the process has any credibility, he said.

We would say the process has demonstrably failed to deliver change. Theres been an average roughly of one school divested every year.

To put that into perspective, if the Government were to actually achieve its target of 400 schools by 2030, we would need to be reconfiguring about 40 schools a year now, this year, and every year until 2030.

When it comes to the latest pilot project, sources indicate the process it presented to schools was overly complex and vague, and asked parents to make a decision on a new school patron, without having any idea who it could be.

In the Dublin suburb of Raheny, the proposal to transfer one of three schools under the patronage of the Catholic archbishop of Dublin was met with strong opposition during the pilot process, and ultimately, no schools were transferred.

However, parents in the area are still campaigning for a new non-denominational, co-educational secondary school to serve Raheny and Killester, which would indicate an appetite for more non-religious education in the area.

In a recent statement, the Archdiocese of Dublin said the pilot project was intended to provide opportunity for both Church and State to learn and to then create, a viable path to secure reconfiguration on a greater scale in a sensitive, efficient and effective manner.

Alan Hynes, chief executive of the Catholic Education Partnership, acknowledged that there is an appetite among a growing number of parents for multi-denominational education.

The Church recognises we need to have a reconfiguration of patronage, that there needs to be a greater choice of schools for parents. Thats why we are working with the department to try and bring it about. Its a difficult process.

There was a lot of learning from the recent pilot process, led by the Department of Education facilitators, he believes.

Fundamentally, the Catholic Church and the State see the parents as the primary educators of children, he said.

Its a fundamental part of Catholic thinking on education, and that means that parents have prior rights over church bodies in terms of the education of their children.

Were aware this is what parents want. In the past, the dominance of the Catholic ethos schools reflected the makeup of society  that society is changing.

Weve no desire to have a large number of people effectively feeling like they have no other choice but to send their children to a school theyd rather not send them to.

"We have to find a process thats got to work for communities and where they feel they have bought into the decision, where you can build a local consensus. Thats going to take patient work.

Simon Lewis, principal of Carlow Educate Together National School, said he believes there is a certain level of nimbyism that comes into the current reconfiguration process.

This is even though the majority of people would prefer more multi-denominational schools, in theory.

"When thats your own childs school, I suppose the level of the unknown maybe frightens people off.

Im a dad myself and people say to me when I tell them my child comes to the school Im principal of isnt is great you have a choice but I dont have a choice, this is the only option.

Choice implies I have more than one option, more than one place to go and I dont. I had to fight for three years to get one school in the entire county of Carlow to get a school where my child wouldnt be sitting in the back of the classroom for portions of the day. Hes just finished second class, and its mad I actually feel lucky and grateful that he was able to be in school and was included in the entire year."

Educational charity and patron body Educate Together said it is concerned that the Governments pilot process has not resulted in substantial changes in school patronage, considering the high levels of demand for alternative forms of education.

It has identified significant weaknesses with the current pilot reconfiguration process and shared these with the Department of Education.

Parents are not given sufficient information, key members of the community are not given the opportunity to engage, and the format used to consult with stakeholders has been ineffective, a spokeswoman said.

This process as currently configured can be described as the wrong people asking the wrong people the wrong questions, and was always unlikely to result in positive change.

It also believes that all parents and the wider community, including preschool parents, as well as parents of primary-age children who currently travel outside the area to access equality-based or multidenominational education, should have a role in deciding what type of schools their community will offer.

A number of schools have reconfigured successfully in recent years. Since 2017, 11 previously religious schools have opted to reconfigure as community national schools under the patronage of Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

Most recently, St Marys Boys Junior School in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, reopened last September as a co-educational, multi-denominational community national school, becoming the first multi-denominational school in the entire county of Tipperary.

Under the patronage of the local Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) and now known as Nenagh Community National School, the school now follows a multi-belief and values education curriculum called 'Goodness Me, Goodness You, which is used in all community national schools.

These success stories were brought about when schools, with the permission of their religious patron, asked ETBs to inform the school community about community national schools, said Dr Seamus Conboy, ETBI director of schools.

When staff and parents in these schools heard about the ethos of community national schools and the supports available from ETBs to principals and boards of management, they chose to change the school's patronage."

Change of this nature can be a challenge, he added.

However, we have learnt that when school communities are clear about what the school will become if they decide to change patronage, reconfiguration can be brought about very successfully.

We look forward to two other religious schools reopening in September as community national schools. We also look forward to working with many more school communities as they consider changing patronage into the future."

A spokesman for the Department of Education confirmed it is continuing to review the reconfiguration process over the summer, which will be published in the autumn. It also plans to publish all facilitators reports in due course.

It is envisaged that it will include a strategy and framework for delivering on the Government commitment for increasing multi-denominational provision.

The goal remains to establish a strong process, that has the support of patrons and local communities, and which will enable us to continue to increase the number of multi-denominational primary schools across the country.
You would need to be an octogenarian to maintain a clear memory of the last time the armies of the democratic West openly lined up against the forces of China in a shooting war.

Yet while the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War is marked this Thursday, many of the issues it failed to resolve remain live and dangerous to this day. And, at its core, the relationship between Moscow and Beijing is an even greater conundrum now than it was then.

The list of belligerents from the 1950s is chilling. Mustered behind North Korea were China, the Soviet Union, and the USSR satellite states of Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, and Poland.

Read More North Koreans marks war anniversary with anti-US rallies

Facing them were South Korea, backed by the UN with fighting forces from the US, the UK, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, Thailand, Ethiopia, Greece, France, Colombia, Belgium, South Africa, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Medical support was provided by Sweden, India, Denmark, Norway, Italy, and West Germany as well as the Americans who managed to base an iconic film and comedy series, M*A*S*H, on the history of the conflict. Further logistics were provided by Israel, Taiwan, Japan, Pakistan, Uruguay, El Salvador, Spain, and Yugoslavia.

Ireland did not become part of the UN until 1955 so had no direct involvement in the action, which commenced in the midsummer of 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following a series of border clashes along what became famous as the 38th Parallel, the dividing line conjured up after the Japanese occupation during the Second World War.

But many Irish people of birth and heritage died in the service of the UN, or as non-combatants working with missionary orders, and their sacrifice is marked with a special memorial in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The greatest number of fatalities occurred in a battle in January 1951 in a location known as Happy Valley, where the Irish played a key role in a last defence against an onslaught on Seoul by North Korean and Chinese forces.

Then, as now in Ukraine, division was on grounds of political doctrine. The Russians  who had a close relationship with the Communist Chinese  sponsored Pyongyang. The US backed the capitalist South.

Then, as now, there was tension over the position of Taiwan, which had been formally recognised by the UN, prompting Moscow to boycott the organisation.

The devastating war claimed some 5m lives and hundreds of thousands of casualties.

At that time, Russia was seen to be the senior partner, although China provided most of the manpower. American forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, came close to crossing the Sino-Korea border before MacArthur was restrained, and eventually sacked, by US president Harry S Truman. MacArthur had said:

I can almost hear the ticking of the second hand of destiny. We must act now or we will die.

It was as close as we have come to world war at any time since 1945, until the Russian invasion of Ukraine has unleashed new and horrifying risks to global security. But this time there is a difference.

China is the most powerful power broker and Russia is supplicant for its support in its aggression. Taiwan is still viewed as unfinished business by those in the compound of Zhongnanhai next to the Forbidden City in Beijing. And the Supreme Leader of North Korea is the belligerent grandson of Kim Il Sung, the man who turned on his neighbours in the south in 1950.

Danger, whichever way you look.

A parable of loneliness today We may never know the full details and background to the case of the English couple who were found dead at their home in Cloneen, Tipperary, in June 2022, having not been seen for 18 months. But the story remains poignant and, in its way, a parable of modern loneliness. The reclusive Nicholas Smith, 82, a retired sea captain, and his wife Hilary, 79, left assets worth several hundred thousand euro, according to reports, in addition to the value of their bungalow. A torn-up letter analysed by gardai appears to be a statement written on Christmas Eve 2020 by Ms Smith in which she said it was not your normal letter, that she was writing it with arthritic hands and that she was weak due to lack of food. She lamented the quality of the Irish healthcare system, although there has been no evidence presented that either she, or her husband, received anything other than competent care. It is apparently clear from the text that the couple harboured distrust of the medical profession. When individuals cut themselves off from the world, it allows no scope for external perspective and debate. All that is left is a terrible isolation and the repetition and reinforcement of fixed ideas. It is why we all need companionship, and never more so than when we get old. Although the final letter was said to have been written on December 24, 2020, at least one of the couple is likely to have still been alive on January 8, 2021, when a passage was highlighted on an eBook reader. It was from the thoughtful ML Stedman novel, The Light Between Oceans, set in Australia and about a childless couple who find a baby girl in a washed-up dinghy and decide to raise her as their own child. In it, the author writes: Isolation spins its mysterious cocoon, focusing the mind on one place, one time, one rhythm. A reminder not to withdraw into ourselves. That way lies darkness.

A new challenge

Running a local authority for a prolonged period can be a little like banging your head against a brick wall  lovely when it stops.

All that political pressure, with dozens of councillors, competing priorities, societal change, impact of central government policies, budgets to be balanced, alterations to corporate rules and guidelines. Like the sea, always changing, but always the same.

Well done, then, to Tim Lucey, who is leaving Cork County Council at the end of September after more than four decades serving the people of Cork.

Mr Lucey faces another challenging role as head of Greyhound Racing Ireland, which has not been without its tribulations and controversies in recent years. The body received 17.6m in State funding for 2022.

We wish him well for the future.
Firefighters have struggled through the night to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

Their efforts were without the help of firefighting planes and helicopters, which do not operate at night.

The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes.

Some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations on the island as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said.

No further evacuations had been ordered as of Sunday night.

Evacuees wait to board buses as they leave their Rhodes hotel on Sunday (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.

Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels.

Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems.

A person who fell and broke a leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remained in hospital, the latter in good condition, authorities said.

A number of tourists were waiting to fly back home from Rhodes International Airport.

The package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 cancelled flights to Rhodes.

A cloud of smoke from a forest fire rises over Rhodes (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

But the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport later said 14 TUI and Jet2 flights carrying 2,700 passengers would depart from Rhodes airport by 3am on Monday (12am GMT).

On Saturday and early on Sunday, 70,000 passengers travelled through the airport, with some being arrivals, the ministry said.

The announcement did not break down the figures by arrivals and departures.

British tourist Kevin Evans was evacuated twice on Saturday with his wife and three young children  first from Kiotari to Gennadi, then as the fire approached the islands capital in the northeast, he told the PA news agency.

There were lots of people in Gennadi sent from the hotels  many in just swimsuits having been told to leave everything in the hotel, he told PA.

As night fell, we could see the fire on the top of the hills in Kiotari. They said all the hotels were on fire.

Rhodes travel agent Stelios Kotiadis told the Associated Press the evacuation was hasty.

Evacuees sit inside a stadium in Rhodes on Sunday (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

There was panic.  The authorities were overwhelmed, he said.

But, he said, the abandoned hotels are in much better condition than reported in social media.  They will be ready to reopen very soon if Civil Protection gives the go-ahead.

Mr Kotiadis said he and other travel agents sent buses to the islands southeast to pick up evacuated tourists.

They had to go the long way around because the road running down Rhodes eastern side was blocked in places.

There were 80 to 90 people cramming into 50-seater buses, he said.

He added that 90% of the evacuated tourists are from European countries.

The British ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, said the UK Government was sending a rapid deployment team to support British nationals on Rhodes.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said personnel had set up a help desk at Rhodes International Airport for visitors who have lost their travel documents.

A man carries a child as they leave an area where a forest fire burns on Rhodes (Lefteris Diamanidis/InTime News/AP)

There are substantial reinforcements from the European Union.

Over 450 firefighters and seven airplanes from the EU have been operating in Greece as fires sprout across the country, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic tweeted early on Sunday afternoon.

I called (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis) to express our full support for Greece, which is confronted with devastating forest fires and a heavy heat wave due to climate change. Greece is handling this difficult situation with professionalism, putting emphasis on safely evacuating thousands of tourists, and can always count on European solidarity, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Sunday evening.

The weather remained hot in the Mediterranean country on Sunday.

A total of 180 locations experienced temperatures of 40C and above.

The highest reading, 46.4C, was reached at the seaside town of Gytheio in southern Greece.

Of the 64 wildfires that broke out elsewhere in the country on Sunday, the most serious was on Evia, Greeces second-largest island, where authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing.

Central Greece vice governor Giorgos Kelaiditis, who was near one of the villages, told state agency ANA-MPA the situation is difficult.

Tourists stand on a beach after being evacuated (Argyris Mantikos/Eurokinissi/AP)

The fire may be two kilometres (1.25 miles) away, but the wind is strong, the growth is low, the smoke thick and the air is hard to breathe, he said.

Northern Evia was devastated by wildfires in August 2021.

Other fires requiring evacuations broke out on the northeast side of the island of Corfu and in the northern Peloponnese, near the town of Aigio.

Traffic on the old Athens-Patras national road, running across the coast, has been cut off.

Just before midnight, authorities called for more evacuations from Corfu and the northern Peloponnese.

In the case of Corfu, they said the fire was moving southeast on a broad front and private vessels were on standby to pick up evacuees.

Tourists sunbathe outside a stadium where they are hosted following their evacuation (Lefteris Diamanidis/InTime News/AP)

A fire that broke out west of the important archaeological site of Epidaurus, including a famous ancient theatre, has been partly contained, the fire service said.

A relative respite from the heat on Monday, with highs of 38C forecast, will be followed by yet more high temperatures starting on Tuesday.

But it should get significantly cooler on Thursday, with temperatures in the low to mid-30s, the countrys meteorological service said on Sunday evening.
Pakistans former prime minister Imran Khan has been granted bail by the Supreme Court in a case related to a lawyers murder, while the nations election oversight body demanded his arrest in a separate contempt case in which he failed to appear for questioning.

The developments are the latest in unprecedented legal problems surrounding the former premier, now the countrys top opposition leader.

Since his removal from power in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April last year, Khan has been slapped with more than 150 legal cases, including several on charges of corruption, terrorism and inciting people to violence over deadly protests in May that saw his followers attack government and military property across the country.

Imran Khan at the Supreme Court in Islamabad (WK Yousafzai/AP)

Last week, the government of his successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said it would bring charges against Khan for exposing an official secret document in an incident last year when he waved a confidential diplomatic letter at a rally, describing it as proof that he was threatened and claiming his removal was a conspiracy.

On Monday, the election oversight body ordered police to arrest Khan after he repeatedly failed to show up before its tribunal to face contempt charges over his public outbursts against election commission officials.

Khan had said the officials were nothing but personal servants to Mr Sharif.

Khans legal team said he would appear before the tribunal on Tuesday. It was unclear whether he would submit a formal apology, which would be sufficient to make the case go away, or whether he would contest the contempt charges.

Also on Tuesday, Khan is to appear before the countrys Federal Investigation Agency to face charges of exposing secret documents, related to the letter-waving incident.

Imran Khan faces a series of court cases (WK Yousafzai/AP)

The document, dubbed Cipher, has not been made public but was apparently a diplomatic correspondence between a Pakistani ambassador to Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.

In his Monday appearance before the Supreme Court, Khan was granted brail  automatically meaning protection from arrest under Pakistani law  over the June killing of lawyer Abdul Razzaq in Quetta by unidentified gunmen.

The family of Mr Razzaq, who was supposed to appear as a petitioner and lawyer in yet another treason case against Khan, has accused the former prime minister of conspiring to kill him, a charge Khan denies.

Despite his removal from power, Khan, a cricket star turned Islamist politician, still has a huge grassroots following in Pakistan.

After his arrest in May, days of rioting by his followers subsided only after he was released on an order from the Supreme Court.
The director of the Miami-Dade Police Department is in a stable condition after surgery, the mayor said, amid reports from local media that he had shot himself.

Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, 52, was in Tampa for a law enforcement conference, officials said.

Following a critical injury in Tampa yesterday, Chief Ramirez is hospitalised and in critical but stable condition, said Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava, adding: All that matters right now is Chief Ramirezs wellbeing.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told Tampa TV station WFLA that Mr Ramirez shot himself on Sunday night during a domestic dispute after stopping his car along Interstate 75 south of Tampa, where the sheriffs conference was under way.

The Miami Herald and WPLG reported that Mr Ramirezs wife, Jody, was travelling with him at the time.

The Associated Press (AP) has not independently confirmed those accounts.

But according to a Tampa police report, Mr Ramirez had pointed a gun at himself during an argument on Sunday, showing there were issues before the reported shooting.

Mr Ramirez is a 27-year Miami-Dade police veteran and was leading the largest law enforcement agency in the south-eastern US.

In May, he announced his intention to seek election for the newly created role of sheriff in 2024, signalling his desire to remain the leading law enforcement official.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, is investigating the incident.

We have been advised by local law enforcement agencies that our director, Alfredo Freddy Ramirez, has suffered a critical injury in the Tampa area, a statement from the Miami-Dade Police Department said.

We ask you to please keep him in your prayers.

The states law enforcement agency said no-one else was injured and there is no threat to the community.

Details regarding Mr Ramirezs injury or how it happened were not immediately confirmed by state or Miami officials.

We will provide information as it becomes available, the Miami-Dade Police Department statement said.

A spokeswoman for Ms Levine Cava told The AP that the mayor travelled to Tampa after the shooting to support Director Ramirez and his family.

She deferred all other inquiries to the states law enforcement investigating agency.

A Tampa police report said officers were called to the central Marriott Waterside regarding reports of a man pointing a gun at himself outside the hotel during an argument with a woman.

The report did not include the name of the woman with Mr Ramirez, but the local news outlets identified her as his wife.

Officers arrived after witnesses and only got third-hand accounts of the argument, the report said.

There was no security footage. They found Mr Ramirez leaving a hotel room.

He told the officers he had been in an argument with the woman, but denied pulling out a gun.

Mr Ramirez said he had no intent of harming himself or others and the woman corroborated his account.

She told officers that she was not in danger.

There was no evidence of a crime or immediate danger, the Tampa police report concluded.

Mr Ramirez was told he was free to leave.

Our hearts are with Director Ramirez and his family, said Tampa police chief Lee Bercaw, in a statement urging police officers who are struggling to seek help.

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
Two ambushes inflicted heavy casualties on junta troops stationed at a base on the Monywa-Mandalay highway last Friday, while four resistance fighters and a civilian were also killed during the clashes in Sagaing Regions Monywa District, two resistance groups said.

A combined force of resistance fighters used heavy explosives to attack regime forces and a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia at a junta base on the highway in Monywa Township on Friday, according to a statement by the Monywa District Peoples Defense Force (PDF) Battalion 24. The PDF is under the command of the Defense Ministry of the civilian National Unity Government.

Troops from the junta base have been extorting money from drivers of civilian vehicles on the highway, the PDF said.

At 1:20pm on Friday, fighters from six joint resistance groups ambushed forces from the junta base while they were extorting money from civilians using the highway, according to PDF South Monywa, which joined Battalion 24 in the ambush.

Two junta soldiers were gunned down at close range while they were coming near the [hidden] resistance forces to get drinking water, the South Monywa PDF said in its statement.

A shootout lasted several minutes after other regime forces arrived at the scene.

Later, at about 4:20pm, the resistance groups attacked the junta base again, using both firearms and improvised explosive devices.

At least 10 regime forces were killed in the second attack, according to PDF Battalion 24.

Videos taken by resistance groups show them conducting ambushes and then retreating when junta forces respond with gunfire.

Prior to the resistance attacks, three resistance members were arrested and shot dead by the junta troops while they were scouting the junta movements on the highway, according to local resistance forces.

Also, another fighter and one civilian were chased and shot dead by the junta forces while they were riding a motorbike near the junta base on the highway.

Pro-junta Telegram news channels reported that five PDF terrorists were killed by security forces in the area, and that one pistol and an improvised firearm were seized. The pro-junta media displayed photographs of five slain men.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Resistance groups are urging civilians to avoid regime forces and military convoys on the highway due to the potential of more attacks.
Online vendors in Myanmar are preparing to close their Facebook accounts and halt business after the juntas Ministry of Commerce announced they must register within six months from July 21.

The junta categorized online selling as an essential service under Section 4 of the goods and services law earlier this month, meaning operators must apply for a registration certificate.

Unregistered sellers face prosecution under Section 5 of the same law, which carries punishment of up to three years in jail and a maximum fine of 500,000 kyats (US$ 238 as per the market rate).

E-commerce in Myanmar has soared since the Covid pandemic, with everyone from ordinary households to celebrities selling goods online. Items offered range from food, clothing and home appliances to jewelry and real estate.

However, some online vendors suspect the cash-strapped junta is seeking new tax revenue for its multi-front war on civilian and armed resistance.

Most online vendors sell only a small amount of goods and their businesses are not huge. So, if the military regime pressures us, I will stop selling online, a Yangon-based online food vendor told The Irrawaddy.

Another online vendor who sells cosmetics said that she plans to close her Facebook page because she is worried that the ministry will force registered operators to pay tax.

They are pushing us into trouble and hardship in various ways. I dont want to register and I dont want to contact them because I dislike them, she told the Irrawaddy.

However, Commerce Minister Aung Naing Oo insisted that the registration order is designed to protect consumer rights following a flood of complaints to the consumer affairs department.

This order does not prohibit online selling. All online vendors can sell legal goods after registering. Registration must be done online and the fee must be paid. The online sales registration system will be introduced soon, Aung Naing Oo announced on Facebook.

Registration only takes a few hours and is mandatory for individuals and companies who sell goods online, he added.

In fact, all online businesses in other countries have to register, pay tax and follow rules and regulations. Myanmar is not doing this alone, the junta minister said.

With the registration fee yet to be announced, online vendors are monitoring the situation closely before making decisions on their future.
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Junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) chairman Thein Soe flew to Cambodia to observe the countrys national election on Sunday a vote that was dismissed by the international community as neither free nor fair.

The former Major-General flew to Phnom Penh on Friday at the invitation of the Cambodias election commission to observe the election for the 7th National Assembly, according to junta media.

Thein Soe and his team visited the country to observe its election system, election procedures, voting and vote counting, the reports said.

Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) has claimed a landslide victory in Sundays poll that excluded the only viable opposition party.

As the longest-serving elected leader in Asia, Hun Sen has been in power for nearly four decades. In January last year, he flew to Myanmar to meet junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, amid criticism of the first visit by a head of government since the army seized power from an elected government in 2021.

Hun Sen has himself been described as coup leader, after he seized power from his co-prime minister in 1997. He is notorious for crackdowns on political opponents, while CPP-affiliated groups in other countries, including Australia, have been accused of threatening and harassing Cambodian refugees and their children.

On Monday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States is troubled that the July 23 Cambodian national elections were neither free nor fair.

Miller denounced that in the run-up to the election, authorities engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against the political opposition, media, and civil society that undermined the spirit of the countrys constitution and Cambodias international obligations. These actions denied the Cambodian people a voice and a choice in determining the future of their country.

The only viable opposition party, the Candlelight Party, was disqualified from participating in the vote due to a technicality in May. Its application was rejected by the National Election Committee because a registration document was deemed not to be an original even though it was issued by the countrys Ministry of Interior.

Opposition supporters were arrested in the run-up to Sundays vote for allegedly encouraging the spoiling of ballot papers in protest of the one-horse election race. Internet service providers were also ordered to block access to the websites of several independent news and information outlets.

Boycotting and disrupting the poll was also criminalized.

Thein Soe, following his appointment as the chair of juntas UEC, annulled the results of 2020 general election, in which the party of now jailed State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory, claiming the poll was not free and fair and not in compliance with the constitution and the law.

The former military advocate-general in Than Shwes regime also oversaw the 2010 vote, the first national election in Myanmar in decades. And he rigged the vote for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) formed by Than Shwe.

Thein Soe has also had major pro-democracy parties like National League for Democracy and Shan Nationalities League for Democracy dissolved. And proportional representation system will be introduced in the proposed vote to make sure it is a one-horse race for the military-backed USDP. His UEC also adopted a new election law that effectively disables smaller parties from participating in national elections.

Despite Min Aung Hlaing frequently talking about holding an election, and transferring power to the winning party, he has yet to announce the date for Election Day.
Monday, Jul 24th, 2023 (8:48 am) - Score 1,536

Vodafone UK has today published their latest Q1 FY24 results, which saw fixed line broadband ISP base grow to total 1.265 million customers (up by 42k in the quarter vs 65k in Q4 FY23), while their mobile base increased to 18.024 million (up by 104k vs 118k in the previous quarter).

The biggest development over the past quarter was the confirmation by Vodafone and Three UK (CK Hutchiso) of their proposed merger agreement (here), which they still expect to close before the end of calendar 2024. But this deal more than most will face a lot of additional scrutiny by regulators, not least due to how it will reduce competition in the market, and so we wouldnt bank on that 2024 date just yet.

As for their UK fixed broadband base, the operator has continued to report strong growth with the quarterly addition of 42,000 customers  better than many of their bigger rivals. Vodafone supplies consumers via broadband (FTTC and FTTP) connections via Openreach and CityFibres respective networks  jointly giving them a reach into 12 million potential UK households via FTTP.

In terms of their mobile base, the operator reported a quarterly reduction of 66,000 Pay Monthly customers (down sharply from an increase of 60,000 last quarter) and a sharp rise of 170,000 in Prepaid / PAYG customers (up sharply from 58,000). In addition, quarterly mobile broadband (data) usage across their UK network increased slightly to 428,072 TeraBytes (up from 416,382 TB last quarter).

NOTE: The Data usage figure above represents the sum of downlink and uplink traffic, all APNs (e.g. web, wap, corporate APNs, MMS), femto traffic (if applicable), inbound roamers and MVNOs  excluding data resulting from voice over LTE traffic.

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, said: As we progress our plans to transform Vodafone, we have achieved a better service revenue performance across almost all of our markets. We have delivered particularly strong trading in our Business segment and returned to service revenue growth in Europe. Looking ahead, we have taken the first steps of our action plan focused on customers, simplicity and growth, but we have much more still to do.

Finally, the operator saw their quarterly UK service revenue increase to 1,401m (up from 1,319m in the previous quarter). The full report is here (PDF).
Chinas government has appealed to Japan not to disrupt the semiconductor industry after Japanese curbs on exports of chip-making technology took effect, adding to technology restrictions Washington and its allies on security grounds have imposed on Beijing on security grounds
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.
A national conference on ecological and environmental protection recently held in Beijing received wide attention from international personages. They hailed China's remarkable achievements made in the building of an ecological civilization, and recognized its firm determination to build a Beautiful China and to keep leading global environment governance on a new journey. China is the world's largest developing country. The remarkable achievements it has made in ecological civilization construction have inspired the world, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the global ecological civilization construction. The international community has attached high importance to China's experiences in building ecological civilization, which calls for both science-based theoretical guidance and unswerving practice. China has accelerated the green and low-carbon transformation of our development modes, maintained green and low-carbon development as the fundamental solution to ecological and environmental issues, accelerated the formation of green production modes and lifestyles, and laid a green foundation for high-quality development. Today, the country has established the world's largest clean power generation system, with the world's largest installed capacity of hydropower, wind power, and solar power. China focuses on a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature in planning its development, and is continuously fostering new driving forces and new strengths for development through high-level environmental protection, which sheds light on other countries facing the same tasks of realizing development while protecting the environment. China keeps up with the times with a global vision. It has assumed its responsibility as a major country, leading in global environment governance. The country has played an active role in international cooperation. It has deepened its cooperation with other Belt and Road countries and regions on ecological and environmental protection, as well as sustainable development. China established a South-South cooperation fund on climate change and the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. It also included green development projects in the nine programs of China-Africa cooperation. Erik Solheim, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, noted that the concept of ecological civilization practiced by China mirrors a positive thinking that aims at creating a better world for all. China's economy and society have entered a stage of high-quality development marked by faster progress in promoting green and low-carbon growth. Its ecological civilization construction is still at a critical phase amid overlapping pressures and heavy burdens. At the national conference on ecological and environmental protection, Chinese President Xi Jinping systematically developed strategic plans of building a Beautiful China in an all-round way, which offered fundamental guidance for further strengthening ecological and environmental protection and promoting ecological civilization. When global environmental governance is still facing various challenges, China is planning its ecological and environmental protection on the new journey from a higher position and with a broader vision and greater endeavors, which will inject new impetus into building a clean and beautiful world and building a community with a shared future for mankind. China's commitments and actions on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality are unswerving, but the path towards the goals as well as the manner, pace and intensity of efforts to achieve them should and must be determined by the country itself, rather than swayed by others. Global climate governance shall uphold multilateralism, adhere to the goals and principles set out in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. While pursuing the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and implementing the "1+N" policy framework, China will continue to provide assistance to other developing countries to the best of its ability. Building a beautiful China is an important target for building a modern socialist country in all respects. China will continue to pursue a model of sound development featuring improved production, higher living standards, and healthy ecosystems to ensure the sustainable development of the Chinese nation. The country will keep assisting the global ecological civilization with its own new achievements in ecological civilization, and work with other countries to make greater contributions to building a clean and beautiful world.
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AZ Mirror )  On June 24, 2022, the landscape of reproductive healthcare in this country took a frightening turn for the worst. The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization that overturned what had previously been a constitutional right to abortion set off a whirlwind of changes in healthcare  not only as related to abortion, but also many aspects of pregnancy and other areas of reproductive care. The status of abortion rights in this country is bleak and ever-changing, leading to immense uncertainty and confusion, among patients and providers alike. The fact that medical care is being dictated by legislators, most of whom are not health care providers, also results in legal confusion and uncertainty about how to comply with new rules and regulations. It has become common for patients to ask, even at the time of their abortion appointments, if on that day, it is still legal to have an abortion. We have seen patients who have had appointments canceled days or even hours before their appointments due to rapidly changing laws and legislation.

Health care providers face similar confusion also. We are now having to constantly wonder if the evidence-based, standard of care we know we should provide to our patients is, in that moment, legal and/or if it fits within the narrow yet often vague confines of poorly written legislation. We are having to call our hospital and clinic attorneys, consult with ethics committees, and at worst times, turn patients away or defer care. Some are even unable to refer or transfer patients elsewhere for care due to concerns for repercussions of aiding and abetting. As physicians, we completed numerous years of education and training in order to take care of patients. We did not go to medical school and complete residency training to find ourselves spending hours in meetings with lawyers about patient care, but that is what hundreds of doctors have had to do over the last year since the Dobbs decision has allowed states to further interfere with reproductive healthcare.

The past year has felt somehow simultaneously long and grueling as well as one that has moved at lightning speed with constant blindsides of legislative restrictions, court cases, and worst of all, tragic stories of patient suffering. Abortion is now completely banned in 13 states, numerous other states have enacted new laws with extremely strict restrictions, and on a federal level there are ongoing attempts to revoke the FDAs approval of mifepristone, one of two drugs in the most common medication abortion regimen in the United States.

In a post-Roe United States, the effects of each states abortion policy extends beyond its borders, with broad reaching impacts on abortion access regionally and even nationally. Here in North Carolina, we have seen firsthand the effects of increasing abortion bans and restrictions in many of our neighboring states, and much of the southeast region. As reported by the New York Times, the Fall of Roe Turned North Carolina Into an Abortion Destination. The Society of Family Plannings #WeCount project, a national abortion reporting effort that aims to capture the shifts in abortion access, reports that the average difference in abortions post-Dobbs in North Carolina has been an increase of 881 abortions per month, ranking us 3rd of the states with the greatest increase. We now commonly see desperate patients from states like Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida as a direct result of their respective abortion bans.

Come July 1, North Carolina will no longer be a refuge for those in dire need for basic health care, and for doctors who wish to practice in a state that respects the medical profession. Our new abortion ban restricts abortions prior to 12 weeks with medically unnecessary barriers and bans most abortions after 12 weeks. It became law on May 16th, a short 14 days after the public and most members of the legislature were first able read the bill that was introduced late in the night on May 2.

Just two weeks. Thats a shockingly short window of time for any bill to become law, let alone a 46-page monster bill that so negatively affects the practice of medicine. The NC Medical Society, NC Society of OBGYNs, and the NC Academy of Family Physicians are all against the law. The bill did not go through the typical process of vetting and debate which is how confusion over vague wording, contradictions, and uncertain intersections with other laws ended up as statute. And now we are having to do our best to interpret what the law says so that we are not criminally charged or do not lose our licenses for providing the best evidence-based medicine to our patients. A lawsuit filed on June 16 by North Carolina health care professionals highlights a few of the most egregious aspects of the law, but even a successful outcome there will not stop most of the laws harmful effects.

So what are the consequences of these hastily passed, poorly drafted, medically dangerous laws? Patients are unable to receive the best possible care, or at times any care at all. Doctors have to choose between medical malpractice and criminal prosecution. Some patients who can come up with transportation and hotel costs, childcare, and time off work are forced to become health care refugees when they have to leave their own state for less restrictive states. There will also be many who are unable to jump through the hoops and travel to access care, therefore being forced to carry a pregnancy against their will or resort to self-managed abortion (a safe option in some situations but not one that is universally preferred.).

Article continues after bonus IC video

MSNBC: State of abortion one year after Dobbs decision

Medical professionals are burned out by the moral injury of turning patients away, and soon new abortion ban states like North Carolina are no longer desirable places to practice medicine. OBGYN applications are down 10% in abortion ban states, and that is only the beginning of this phenomenon. Doctors and medical students look for other places to practice when state politicians interfere with the practice of medicine. This healthcare provider shortage goes far beyond abortion care. Family physicians and OBGYNs providing abortion care often do so as a part of their practice. We also provide prenatal care, deliver babies, and serve as primary care providers. When we move away, those services become harder to find. Maternity care deserts grow, the struggle to find a PCP for diabetes and hypertension care becomes even more difficult, and overall accessibility to high quality, full scope medical care suffers. These harmful laws need to be repealed. Leave the practice of medicine to health care professionals, not politicians.

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( Al-Shabaka )  In March 2023, after months of protests over Benjamin Netanyahus controversial judicial overhaul, Israel gave far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir the go-ahead to establish a national guard. The force, to be composed of an initial 1,800 officers and with an operating budget of one billion NIS ($273 million), will primarily assist Israeli police during security emergencies. Approval of the national guard has stirred wide-ranging opposition, from a former Israeli police chief to Palestinian human rights organizations.

Unlike other Israeli forces, the national guard is designed primarily to target Palestinian citizens of Israel. This policy memo examines the emergence of the national guard in order to understand its implications for Palestinian citizens of Israel. It proposes recommendations to relevant stakeholders for how to challenge the new force and protect Palestinians.

Why a National Guard?

The call to establish a national guard has its roots in the Palestinian Unity Intifada. Prompted by Israels assault on Palestinian worshippers in the al-Aqsa mosque and its subsequent bombardment of Gaza in May 2021, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel protested in cities across the 1948 territories. The protests led to outbreaks of violence and targeted attacks against Palestinians, especially in cities with larger Palestinian presences. For Israel, the widespread and ongoing nature of the uprising required a response beyond the capacity of its police.

Consisting of thousands of police officers and volunteer civilian personnel, the national guard will be tasked with sustaining Ben-Gvirs long-standing commitment to Palestinian subjugation and erasure Click To Tweet

To quell future Palestinian mobilization and resistance without depleting existing resources, then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the establishment of the Israel National Guard in June 2022. However, due to government instability and budgetary constraints, the creation of the national guard was stalled until early 2023. In April, the new Israeli government approved the national guard as part of a compromise with Ben-Gvir in exchange for his support to suspend the planned judicial overhaul.

Article continues after bonus IC video

TRT World: Israeli national guard sparks concerns

Implications for Palestinian Citizens of Israel

While Bennetts initial proposal envisioned the national guard as part of Israels border police, the approved iteration will fall directly under the supervision of Ben-Gvirs office. Consisting of thousands of police officers and volunteer civilian personnel, the national guard will be tasked with sustaining Ben-Gvirs long-standing commitment to Palestinian subjugation and erasure.

Ben-Gvirs anti-Palestinian positions are well documented. The national security minister was convicted in 2007 of racist incitement and support for the Kahanist terror group, Kach, which advocated for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Since joining the government in 2022, Ben-Gvir has championed motions to impose the death penalty on Palestinians, significantly increase gun permits for Jewish Israelis, grant immunity to Israeli soldiers and police officers from trials and investigations, and broaden the so-called Dromi Law, which legalizes violent self-defense of property.

While the jurisdiction of the national guard has yet to be officially defined, it is clear that the forces primary focus will be on targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel. As national security minister, Ben-Gvirs portfolio includes the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee  areas he has referred to as a security issue and as being in states of complete anarchy because of their large Palestinian populations. During his election campaign in 2022, he pledged to restore security to both the Negev and the Galilee.

With the national guard, Ben Gvir is hoping to do just that. Likely to be heavily armed  with both weaponry as well as surveillance tools  the national guard will be utilized to deter and violently disperse Palestinian mobilization across the 1948 territories. In the short-term, Israels national guard will undoubtedly be deployed to facilitate the arbitrary arrest, harassment, assault, and criminalization of Palestinian citizens at exponentially growing rates. In the long-term, the national guard threatens to disrupt Palestinian community cohesion and further institutionalize Israels system of apartheid. Increasing rates of arrest and detention will only render Palestinians more vulnerable to Israels discriminatory policies, including punitive home demolitions, expulsion through deportation, and denaturalization.

Policy Recommendations

In order to challenge Israels national guard, the following steps must be taken:

Palestinians and allies should coordinate specific campaigns calling for sanctions against Ben-Gvir and demand an end to his impunity.

Civil society groups, activists, and allies must follow the leadership of Palestinian organizations in 1948 territories and raise awareness of the national guard through campaigns that expose it and its leaders for their blatant racism, discrimination, and violence.

Palestinians from across Palestine should expand efforts to defy Israels forced fragmentation and engage in collaborative and strategic organizing.

Allies and policymakers alike must recognize that Israels system of apartheid extends from the river to the sea , and refute any assertions that it is geographically limited to the West Bank and Gaza.
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Vancouver (Special to Informed Comment; Featured)  Russian President Vladimir Putin has broached he use of battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, We all hope it is an empty threat, since such an escalation could possibly trigger an all-out global holocaust. However, nothing is certain in war, and there are many scenarios in which nuclear weapons might be deployed e.g. if Putin feels trapped with no alternative for saving face; perhaps there is a military coup in Moscow; or maybe a nuclear missile is launched by accident.

One thing is certain  the longer Moscows aggression continues, the greater the chance of an atomic nightmare that nobody intended

Theres another risk  that of a battlefield commander deciding on his own to use nuclear weapons. As the late Daniel Ellsberg pointed out, its not just presidents or other national leaders who could start a nuclear holocaust; in some situations, lower ranking officers could order a first strike. And there is always the possibility of misunderstandings, errors, and other situations which could accidentally trigger a nuclear war that nobody intended.

Humanity has faced such dangers too many times already, and each time we just barely avoided catastrophe.

For instance, in 1983, at the height of Ronald Reagans new cold war, one person saved all humanity from a nuclear holocaust.

The threat occured on September 26, when the Soviet nuclear early-warning system reported that five or more missiles had been launched from the United States towards the USSR.

The BBC notes, The protocol for the Soviet military would have been to retaliate with a nuclear attack of its own. But duty officer Stanislav Petrov  whose job it was to register apparent enemy missile launches  decided that the alarm was probably false and that he would disobey orders and not report the alarm to his superior officers.

This was not only a breach of orders, it was also a dereliction of duty. The safe thing for Petrov would have been to pass the responsibility on to higher authority.

But instead of doing the safe thing, Petrov did the right thing  and disobeyed his orders.

Had Petrov reported incoming American missiles, his superiors would almost certainly have launched an all-out missile attack against the United States, which would have precipitated a nuclear response from the United States.

Petrov, however, reasoned that the systems warning was a false alarm. For one thing, why would the United States initiate a nuclear war with an attack of just five missiles?

Petrov knew that the Soviet launch detection system was new and not completely reliable. So even though he was not absolutely sure that the alarm was erroneous, Petrov made the brave decision to ignore his orders.

There have been too many other close calls.

Perhaps the most famous one took place during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. The CIA had tried to overthrow the Castro government in 1961 when it invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. The invasion was defeated, but Cuban leader Fidel Castro wanted to prevent a larger invasion, so he invited the Soviet Union to place medium range nuclear missiles in Cuba as a deterrent.

The Soviets were far behind the United States in long-range nuclear weapons, so they saw the invitation as a way to lessen Washingtons advantage. It would also even out the advantage the US enjoyed from having nukes positioned in Turkey near the USSR.

Ultimately, it was the determination and diplomacy of U.S. President Kennedy and Soviet Premier Khrushchev which was critical in preventing a nuclear war. They made a mutually face-saving deal that allowed both sides to back down while also claiming victory: Russia got a guarantee that the U.S. would not invade Cuba again, and Washington got the Soviet missiles removed from Cuba.

In the midst of the crisis, however, there were several unexpected events which could have turned into an apocalypse. In one case, a Soviet submarine came under attack from U.S. destroyers and two of the three ranking officers wanted to respond with a nuclear-armed torpedo. But the third officer, Vasili Arkhipov, vetoed that option  saving humanity from disaster.

Now, however, rhetoric is once again ratcheting-up between Russia and the US, along with concerns that global nuclear treaties are unraveling, while Russia, the US, and China are renewing their nuclear arsenals.



Image by Cristian Ibarra from Pixabay

The illegal Russian attack on Ukraine is the most likely flash point where a nuclear war could begin.

And as the late former Defense Department analyst Daniel Ellsberg explained, its not just presidents or other national leaders who could start a nuclear holocaust.

The danger is even greater now than in 1962, as there are more nuclear powers (France, Britain, Israel, Pakistan, China, India, N. Korea), and todays nuclear weapons are many times more powerful than the one that destroyed Hiroshima.

In January, The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved its Doomsday Clock ahead to just 90 seconds to midnight  a time of unprecedented danger and the closest to global catastrophe it has ever been.

And a new report just released by the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a Washington-based nonprofit, finds that nuclear dangers have increased since 2012, especially, amid spiraling geopolitical tension over conflict near nuclear sites in Ukraine and stalling efforts at nonproliferation and international regulation.

And in addition to the horrors that are currently being inflicted on the Ukrainian people, many others are suffering as well, from the young Russian cannon-fodder being sent to fight an illegal war, to the millions of poor people, especially in Africa, who find it even more difficult to afford food due to Russia again blocking shipments of grain through the Black Sea.

For these reasons and more, the first step to reducing the suffering and the threat of escalation should be an agreement that no nation will employ any kind of nuclear weapon, and and a move to open diplomatic channels to avoid doomsday.

Concerted diplomacy could begin finding ways for Putin to save face even in the ashes of defeat. As Timothy Snyder explained in the N.Y. Times: Since the Kremlin claims that it is fighting NATO, all Mr. Putin has to say is that Russia stopped NATO from crossing into Russia.

The ultimate solution to the nuclear threat, as former Soviet leader  and Nobel Peace Prize-winner  Mikhail Gorbachev wrote, would be: A world without nuclear weapons: There can be no other final goal.

When will we actually have a world without nuclear weapons? President Eisenhower had the answer: I like to believe that people, in the long run, are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it.

We must follow the inspiration of Daniel Ellsberg by speaking truth to power, and by creating a global peace movement that will have the vision and strength to demand that governments get out of the way and finally rid the world of nuclear weapons  before our luck runs out.

In September 2018, former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said: It is hard to imagine anything more devastating for humanity than all-out nuclear war between Russia and the United States. Yet this might have occurred by accident on September 26, 1983, were it not for the wise decisions of Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov. For this, he deserves humanitys profound gratitude. Let us resolve to work together to realize a world free from fear of nuclear weapons, remembering the courageous judgement of Stanislav Petrov.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CCMI) (OTCQB: RIINF) ("Canadian Critical Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a further update on the exploration drilling program which began at the Thierry Mine Project near Pickle Lake, Ontario on July 6, 2023. To-date the Company has completed five NQ diamond drill holes and 1,752 metres of drilling with all holes encountering visual mineralization including copper, nickel and zinc. The Company recently completed CCM-23-55 which is the fifth hole in the 2023 drill program and the deepest hole drilled to-date. The Company cautions readers that visual identification of mineralization does not guarantee, or replace, assay results. Assay results may not meet or exceed results from earlier drill programs. Drill core samples have been selected for assay and the results will be reported once available.

The 2023 summer program is designed for approximately 2,500 metres of diamond drilling and will focus on expanding upon the K1-1 deposit which is a large tonnage, near surface deposit located approximately 3 km east of the past producing Thierry Mine. The K1-1 deposit has a current Inferred Mineral Resource within an optimized Whittle pit shell consisting of the following: 53,614,000 tonnes grading 0.38% Cu, 0.10% Ni, 1.8 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.05 g/t Pt and 0.14 g/t Pd at a NSR of C$12/tonne (see NI 43-10 Technical Report filing on SEDAR dated February 22, 2021). The K1-1 deposit consists of approximately seven en echelon stacked lenses dipping at approximately 55 degrees to the north. The Company has outlined 40 drill targets intended to improve information on strike and down dip mineralized lens extensions relative to the pit shell. The 2023 program with focus initially on seven to eight priority targets. Based on planned drill angles the majority of drill holes should intersect structures at approximate true width.

CCM-23-55 Complete

CCM-23-55 was collared approximately 60 metres north of K-12-48 which was previously drilled by Cadillac Ventures in 2012. (See press release on SEDAR by Cadillac Ventures of September 13, 2012). K-12-48 intersected multiple stacked lenses beginning 200 metres from surface and terminating 409 metres from surface while still in mineralized material. One lense in K-12-48 yielded 68 metres at 0.48% Cu and 0.11% Ni beginning 231 metres from surface. CCM-23-55 was drilled parallel to K-12-48 and the hole was stopped after 479 metres while still in mineralized material. The hole was stopped to conserve financial resources so two additional holes can be completed in the 2023 summer program. Mineralization is consistently present throughout the entire hole. Chalcopyrite (Cu) and pyrrhotite are the primary sulphides with traces of pentlandite (Ni) and sphalerite (Zn). Both CCM-23-55 and K-12-48 have intersected mineralized structures outside of and below the current Whittle pit shell.

CCM-23-56 In Progress

CCM-23-56 was collared approximately 160 metres north of K-11-13 which was previously drilled by Cadillac Ventures in 2011 (see press release on SEDAR by Cadillac Ventures of September 13, 2011) and 120 metres north of K-12-47 which was previously drilled by Cadillac Ventures in 2012 (see press release on SEDAR by Cadillac Ventures of September 13, 2012). K-11-13 yielded 14 metres at 0.36% Cu and 0.13% Ni (including 4 metres at 0.52% Cu and 0.18% Ni) beginning 172 metres from surface. K-12-47 intersected multiple lenses including 32 metres at 0.35% Cu an 0.09% Ni beginning 207 metres from surface. CCM-23-56 is being drilled parallel to K-11-13 and K-12-47 and outside the conceptual pit shell to test for down dip extensions of known mineralization. This hole is collared in barren mafic volcanics.

Figure 1 - Plan map of historic and current/ongoing DDH at K1-1

Ian Berzins, President and CEO commented, "Our geological team, led by Brian Newton, is pleased with the visual observation of copper, nickel and zinc mineralization in all five holes of our 2023 drilling program at the Thierry Mine project and hole number CCM-23-55 appears visually to have the best mineralization yet. All five holes have identified mineralized structures consistent with our current Resource model. We believe there is significant potential to expand upon the current Inferred Resource at K1-1."

Qualified person

CCMI's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Brian H. Newton P.Geo., of Minroc Management Limited who serves as a Consultant to the Company and is a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Canadian Critical Minerals Inc.

Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. is a mining company primarily focused on two near-term copper production assets in Canada. CCMI's main asset is the 100% owned Bull River Mine project (>135 million lbs of copper) near Cranbrook, British Columbia which has a Mineral Resource containing copper, gold and silver. CCMI's latest acquisition is the 100% owned Thierry Mine project (>1.3 billion lbs of copper) near Pickle Lake, Ontario which has a Mineral Resource containing copper, nickel, silver, palladium, platinum and gold.

Contact Information

Canadian Critical Minerals Inc.

Ian Berzins

President & Chief Executive Officer

M: +1-403-512-8202

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.canadiancriticalmineralsinc.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about strategic plans, future work programs and objectives and expected results from such work programs. Forward-looking information necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; and other risks.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information and the risks identified in the Company's continuous disclosure record. 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. 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, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this new release.
TORONTO, July 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Orford Mining Corporation (Orford) (TSXV: ORM) recently initiated its first Nunavik Lithium exploration program in early July and, based on preliminary results, has expanded its land position in Nunavik by 13% to 508 km2 to cover the most prospective lithium pegmatite targets in the region. All of Orford's Nunavik Lithium properties are owned 100% by Orford with no royalties. Orford is the largest mining claim holder in the Cape Smith area of the Nunavik Region of northern Quebec.

Orford has leveraged its competitive advantage in the region based on multi-year local operational experience and logistical preparedness which includes access to its centrally located camp, airstrip and fuel reserves. This advantage has allowed Orford to complete a first-pass reconnaissance for lithium-bearing pegmatites on its southern group of properties. Early field work has identified pegmatites on all properties that have been visited to date including several lithium-anomalous pegmatites (Figure 1). The observed pegmatites on the southern group of properties are now being mapped and the first batch of samples have been sent for laboratory analysis.

David Christie, President and CEO of Orford commented, "Orford's first mover advantage in the Nunavik region for lithium exploration and its strategic regional logistical advantage has allowed for quick assessment and ground verification of its southern group of properties. This early work has also allowed for identification of additional claim blocks to stake, that have good potential for lithium bearing pegmatites. Our teams are systematically evaluating the lithium potential of each and every pegmatite found."

Orford Mining's Nunavik Lithium properties have never been explored for lithium or other minerals, despite showing very anomalous geochemistry in grab samples from government mapping data and lake bottom sediment data. In June more than 50 areas with lithium pegmatite potential area were identified using:

Enriched lake bottom sediments 95 th percentile or higher in lithium and pathfinder elements, proximal to first order drainage features (indicates proximity to source)

percentile or higher in lithium and pathfinder elements, proximal to first order drainage features (indicates proximity to source) Mapped pegmatites from government of Quebec mapping programs

mapping programs Grab sample rock anomalies and lithium (up to 218ppm) and pathfinder elements 27 ppm Ta, 67 ppm Cs, and Rb up to 560 ppm 1

ppm Ta, 67 ppm Cs, and Rb up to 560 ppm A regional remote sensing study focusing on Orford's Nunavik Lithium properties using ASTER, Airbus SPOT, Sentinel-2 and Polar DEM Satellite data ("Remote Sensing").

The next phase of lithium exploration will focus on prospecting the high priority targets on the northern group of lithium properties.

The MRN Data contained in this release were obtained from Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources ("MRN") and has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43- 101.

About Orford Mining Corporation

Orford Mining is a gold and critical mineral explorer focused on highly prospective and underexplored areas of Northern Quebec. Orford's principal assets are the Qiqavik, West Raglan and lithium exploration projects comprising a land package totaling over 111,000 hectares in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The Qiqavik Project hosts several new high-grade gold discoveries along a mineralized trend in excess of 40 km. The West Raglan Project hosts a number of high-grade Raglan-style nickel/copper/platinum group metal discoveries along a 55 km mineralized trend. In early 2023 Orford acquired large claim blocks targeting lithium in the Nunavik Region. These lithium claim blocks have been carefully selected as having promising lithium potential after an exhaustive compilation of available data. Orford also has four property positions in the Joutel region of the Abitibi District of Northern Quebec, which hosts historical deposits such as the Eagle/Telbel, Joutel Copper, Poirier Copper, and Vezza deposits. Orford continually seeks new gold exploration opportunities in North America. Orford's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ORM. This information from neighbouring properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on Orford Mining's properties.

To view further details about Orford's exploration projects please visit Orford's website, www.orfordmining.com.

1 Gouvernment of Quebec Ministere de l'Energie et des Ressources Naturelles (MERN) General Direction of Geologie Quebec SIGEOM https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/ .

Qualified Person

The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Alger St-Jean, P.Geo., Chief Geoscientist of Orford, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. The technical information presented in this release was obtained from historical work reports filed with the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of Orford and potential of one or more of the Qiqavik, and West Raglan, 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.

The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - July 24, 2023: Inflection Resources Ltd. (CSE:AUCU) (OTC:AUCUF) (FSE:5VJ) (the "Company" or "Inflection") is pleased to announce that following the signing of the Definitive Agreement with AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited (AngloGold) announced on June 14, 2023, the Company has commenced a large-scale drill program comprising of approximately 35,000 metres across the Companys 100% owned portfolio of copper-gold projects in New South Wales, Australia.

Summary Highlights:

Drilling has commenced and will test a wide variety of intrusion related targets across the portfolio. Drilling will initially focus on the Duck Creek, Myallmundi and Trangie targets where earlier drilling by the Company returned favourable results;

AngloGold will fund up to AUD$10,000,000 of exploration expenditures across the portfolio of projects in New South Wales as part of a Phase I exploration drill program;

The two-rig drill program is estimated to comprise of approximately 100 drill holes totalling 35,000 metres. Drilling will be completed using combination mud-rotary/diamond core rigs; and,

Inflection is operating the exploration program and will receive a 10% management fee.

Alistair Waddell, Inflections President and CEO, states: The Inflection team is excited to get this next chapter of the copper - gold exploration program in New South Wales underway, which is expected to comprise of approximately 35,000 metres of drilling and now fully funded by AngloGold. We estimate this phase of drilling will take approximately eighteen months to complete and will test twenty-four principal target areas of interest with each target area requiring multiple drill holes. We look forward to keeping shareholders updated with regular news flow from the ongoing drilling.

Duck Creek - Drilling

The Company considers the Duck Creek exploration license to be highly prospective for large-scale alkalic porphyry-related copper-gold style targets comprising favourable magnetic and gravity features which the Company interprets to be part of the prospective Macquarie Arc volcanic sequence. The principal target area comprises a large 10 by 15-kilometre gravity low embayment within the large regional magnetic high. The Company considers the geological setting highly analogous to CMOCs Northparkes mine located approximately 200 kilometres to the south. Specifically, the Company is drill testing high-amplitude, complex, magnetic patterns very similar to those typical of the intrusion-related signatures of the Macquarie Arc mineralized districts.

Drilling is underway in the area of previous Inflection drilling which intersected strongly hydrothermally altered rocks with characteristics similar to those often found adjacent to mineralized alkalic coppergold systems such as Newcrests Cadia mine and the Northparkes mine complex. Previous Inflection drill holes DCKDH002, 005 and 006 intercepted porphyry-style alteration over an approximate 400 by 250 metre area which included biotite-albite-K-feldspar-tourmaline and blebs of bornite. The Company is now targeting this specific area with deeper drilling with holes estimated to be 600-800 metres deep. The principal target area of interest is associated with an 800 by 1,300 metre aeromagnetic low feature interpreted to represent magnetite destruction associated with hydrothermal alteration.

Twenty other priority targets within the broader Duck Creek Exploration license have also been generated by analysing the aeromagnetic geophysical survey data and will be systematically drill tested as part of this ongoing program.

Duck Creek  Ground geophysical survey

Three separate areas within the Duck Creek exploration license will be tested with a total of 35-line kilometres of IP/MT (Induced polarisation/magnetotelluric) electrical geophysics. The survey is designed to identify zones of elevated chargeability indicative of sulphide mineralisation and high resistivity often associated with the margins of porphyry intrusions. The survey will be initiated in the coming weeks and it is anticipated will further refine the ultimate positioning of certain drill holes on the Duck Creek exploration license.

Figure 1: NSW target location map

Myallmundi - Drilling

Six drill holes are planned to be completed on the Myallmundi target testing an approximate 1.5 by 2-kilometre zone of magnetite enrichment evident in the aeromagnetic data. This magnetic feature is coincident with quartz-chalcopyrite-molybdenite-pyrite bearing quartz veins in sericite altered volcanics rocks intersected in Inflection drill hole MYLDH003. The alteration assemblage suggests proximity to a porphyry intrusion. The first drill hole will test the centre of a distinct magnetic high located approximately 300 metres east of hole MYLDH003.

Trangie  Drilling

Eight holes are planned for the broader Trangie target area which will test the depth extent of an approximate 2 by 2-kilometre zone of strongly hydrothermally altered rocks characteristic of those adjacent to mineralized alkalic coppergold systems. Alteration comprises of biotite-magnetite and albite-epidote, which was intersected in previous Inflection drill holes TRNDH006, 007, 011, 013, 014, 015 and 018.

Other Drill Targets

With sequencing based largely on drilling logistics, other targets including Fairholme, Meringo, Nine Mile and Marra targets (Figure 1) are planned to be systematically drill tested. Further updates will be provided as drilling progresses.

Phase I AngloGold Agreement Terms

AngloGold will sole fund up to AUD$10,000,000 on exploration expenditures across a wide range of different intrusive related exploration targets over a maximum 36-month period, which includes a minimum expenditure commitment of AUD$6,000,000. Inflection will operate Phase I and will receive a 10% management fee for doing so. Upon completion of Phase I, AngloGold then retains the right to designate up to five projects where it may potentially earn up to a 75% interest in each project by completing various milestones. See Inflection news release dated June 14, 2023 for further details.

About Inflections NSW Projects

The Company is systematically exploring for large copper-gold and gold deposits in the northern interpreted extension of the Macquarie Arc, part of the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales. The Macquarie Arc is Australias premier porphyry copper-gold province host to Newcrest Minings Cadia deposits, the CMOC Northparkes deposits and Evolution Minings Cowal deposits plus numerous exploration prospects including Boda, the discovery made by Alkane Resources.

The Company uses cost-effective mud-rotary drilling to cut through unmineralized post-mineral sedimentary cover before transitioning to diamond core drilling once basement is reached. It is well documented that mineralized bodies elsewhere in the belt, in particular porphyry and intrusive related systems, have large district-scale alteration and geochemical halos or footprints surrounding them.

The Company completes a series of short diamond drill holes into bedrock rather than just one or two deep and more expensive diamond drill holes. Multiple data points gained from alteration and mineral geochemistry is then used to vector additional deeper holes. This is a proven exploration strategy in the covered segments of the Macquarie Arc having been directly responsible for the discovery of the Northparkes and Cowal deposits.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Carl Swensson (FAusIMM), a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Inflection Resources Ltd.

Inflection is a technically driven copper-gold and gold focused mineral exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol AUCU and on the OTCQB under the symbol AUCUF with projects in Australia. For more information, please visit the Company website at www.inflectionresources.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Alistair Waddell

President and CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, amount of drilling, receipt of the maximum amount of available grant funding, anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, AngloGolds anticipated funding of the Minimum Commitment and timing thereof, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's exploration plans. the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated June 12, 2020 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
Installation License Application to be Filed in Early August

Serra Alta Feasibility Completion Postponed for Approximately Three Months due to Material Opportunities That Require Changes in Scope

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSX.V:CERT) (OTCQX:CRDOF) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") announces that it intends to file its License of Installation ("LI") application with the Instituto Natureza do Tocantins or NATURATINS, the state environmental regulatory authority, on or around August 10, 2023, for the development of the Serra Alta deposit at the Monte Do Carmo project. Subject to acceptance of the application, the Company anticipates it will be granted the Installation License approximately three months thereafter, which will allow for construction activities to commence at the project.

In addition, the Company is also updating the expected completion schedule for the Feasibility Study ("FS") for the Serra Alta deposit at its Monte Do Carmo project in Brazil. In finalizing various components of the FS, Cerrado has identified material new opportunities that require changes in scope to ensure they are captured within the project economics. This will require approximately three additional months to complete the FS. As such, the updated completion is now targeted by the end October 2023.

Mark Brennan, CEO and Chairman commented, "We are pleased to be making steady progress in permitting at the Serra Alta project and expect the granting of the LI to continue to support our ongoing development. Further, while we are disappointed with the delay in completing the FS, we believe it is a prudent step to ensure that the best value for shareholders is achieved by implementing the best potential design for the long-term development of the project."

About Cerrado

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company focused on gold projects in South America. The Company is the 100% owner of both the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and the highly prospective Monte Do Carmo development project, located in Tocantins State, Brazil. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing it's 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias Heap Leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Brazil, Cerrado is rapidly advancing the Serra Alta deposit at its Monte Do Carmo Project, through feasibility and into production. Serra Alta is expected to be a high-margin and high-return project with significant exploration potential on an extensive and highly prospective 82,542 hectare land package.

In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium Project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron ore concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces contributing to the decarbonisation of the industry and the achievement of SDG goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Mark Brennan

CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1-647-805-5662

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Disclaimer

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, all statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions, including, but not limited to the time required to reach production capacity at Las Calandrias, the future operating costs in Argentina, as well the timing of the feasibility study at Monte Do Carmo. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - July 24, 2023: Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE:HWG) (OTC:HWAUF) (the "Company" or "Headwater") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at the 100% owned Katey project. The program is designed to follow-up on Headwaters previous discovery of high-grade epithermal mineralization in an interpreted feeder structure at the West Zone (see Headwater news release dated February 10, 2022).

Highlights:

Drilling has commenced on multiple high-priority targets focused on exploring the extensions of the high-grade mineralized structure encountered in drill hole KT21-01 (6.34 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) over 14.54 metres, including 30.73 g/t Au over 1.95 metres);

Approximately 3,500 m of drilling is planned, utilizing two drill rigs and a combination of reverse circulation (RC) and core drilling, over approximately 10 to 12 holes;

Katey is one of three currently active drill programs in the Headwater portfolio, with five drill rigs now deployed in the western USA;

The goals of the drill program are to: Further explore the area of high-grade epithermal mineralization discovered in Headwaters 2021 drilling at the West Zone; Test the depth extent of high-grade mineralization down dip from Headwater drill hole KT21-01; Systematically test an approximately 600 m strike segment of the West Zone Fault; and, Drill several follow-up scout holes below soil anomalies along the projection of the West Zone fault to the north and south (see Headwater New Release dated March 2, 2023).



Caleb Stroup, the President and CEO of the Company, states: The entire Headwater team is very excited to kick off our highest priority self-funded exploration initiative for 2023 at the 100% owned and royalty free Katey project. Company-wide, Headwater now has five drill rigs deployed across three different projects, which is a pace of exploration that we believe sets us apart from most of our peers. This drill program at Katey represents an extraordinary opportunity for our shareholders as we follow-up on the high-grade discovery from the Companys maiden drill program. Low-cost surface exploration conducted since announcing this discovery (6.34 g/t Au over 14.54 m, including 30.73 g/t Au over 1.95 m) suggests that the mineralized system potentially extends for a kilometre both to the north and to the south, and may continue under shallow cover beyond. This drill program will focus on drill testing the length of this mineralized trend and offsetting our previous intercept with multiple holes down dip in an attempt to add scale to a target we already know has high-grade gold.

Figure 1. Key geologic features of the two main target areas at the Katey gold project and location of cross section shown in Figure 2. Inset box shows the location of Figure 3.

2023 Drill Program

A multi-rig, mixed RC and diamond core drill program has commenced and is expected to consist of an initial 3,500 metres over an estimated 10 to 12 holes with potential to extend the program subject to positive results. Combining RC and core drilling is a cost-effective way to maximize the number of drill intersections and test the along-strike potential of the alteration system. Core drilling will be focused in the KT21-01 offset target area while RC will be utilized along the trace of the West Zone Fault where there is no historic drilling information.

Figure 2: Interpretive geologic cross section showing historic drillholes in the West Zone target area, the location of drill hole KT21-01 and proposed Headwater drill holes.

Analysis of previous drilling and surface geological and geochemical data has resulted in the development of the following high-priority drill targets for the current year:

KT21-01 Offset Target: Immediate offsets of the high-grade gold intercept encountered in diamond core hole KT21-01 (14.54 m grading 6.34 g/t Au, including 30.73 g/t Au over 1.95 m) are planned both down dip and along strike in approximate 50 m step-outs.

Northern Extension Target: North of the strongly silicified outcrop where the West Zone Fault outcrops, the principal mineralized structure disappears under shallow cover but is traced by strongly anomalous auger soil samples and subsurface (auger hole) mapping, including strongly oxidized and silicified sandstone with quartz veining along the NNW trend of the West Zone Fault.

Upper Flats Target:Planned holes in this area directly offset KT21-01 to the south and test the continuity of the main mineralized structure along strike (Figure 3). Anomalous soil geochemistry extends along the mapped trace of the West Zone Fault and includes values up to 135 ppb Au and up to 1890 ppb Ag (see news release dated February 10, 2022).

Southern Extension Target: Geologic mapping completed with the aid of high-resolution drone imagery and subsurface auger mapping trace the West Zone Fault structural corridor through this area. Planned holes test this structural corridor and a splay off the West Zone Fault that correlates with anomalous soil and rock chip geochemistry.

Figure 3: High-resolution drone digital surface model of the West Zone target area showing historic drilling, key geologic features, select auger soil samples and proposed Headwater drill holes.

About the Katey Project

The Katey Project is located in southeastern Oregon, approximately 50 km northwest of Integra Resources (TSX: ITR) DeLamar deposit and 30 km southeast of Paramount Gold Nevadas (NYSE: PZG) Grassy Mountain development project. The Project was identified by Headwater geologists and acquired through claim staking on BLM land and is 100% owned and royalty free. Gold mineralization on the Property is associated with regional mid-Miocene bimodal volcanism and extensional faulting related to Yellowstone Hotspot volcanism. The Property sits along the margin of the Three Fingers Caldera and is bisected by several caldera-related ring fractures, which are interpreted to have served as fluid conduits, localizing alteration and mineralization. Compilation of limited historic exploration data, as well as the completion of a drone magnetic survey, geologic mapping and surface sampling resulted in the development of two principal target areas on the Property, referred to as the East Zone and West Zone.

About Headwater Gold

Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG, OTCQB: HWAUF) is a technically-driven mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and discovery of high-grade precious metal deposits in the Western USA. Headwater is aggressively exploring one of the most well-endowed and mining-friendly jurisdictions in the world with a goal of making world-class precious metal discoveries. Headwater has a large portfolio of epithermal vein exploration projects and a technical team comprised of experienced geologists with diverse capital markets, junior company and major mining company experience. In August 2022 and May 2023 Headwater announced transactions with Newcrest Mining Limited where Newcrest acquired a 9.9% strategic equity interest in the Company and entered into several option and earn-in agreements on Headwaters projects. The Company is currently drill testing several projects in Nevada and Oregon including planned programs of up to 11,500 metres at Spring Peak, 2,000 metres at Mahogany and 3,500 metres at Katey.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.headwatergold.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Caleb Stroup

President and CEO

+1 (775) 409-3197

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For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

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Qualified Person:

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Scott Close, P.Geo (158157), a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, exploration activities and the specifications, targets, results, analyses, interpretations, benefits, costs and timing of them, Newcrests anticipated funding of the option and earn-in projects and the timing thereof, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Companys exploration plans and the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, the ability of the Company to obtain the required permits, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Companys limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys prospectus dated May 26, 2021 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Companys profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (OTC Pink: GDTRF) (FSE: ZX7) ("Gladiator" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the final results from the maiden drilling campaign completed at the high-grade Cowley Park prospect ("Cowley Park") that forms part of the Whitehorse Copper Project.

Gladiator has received the remaining results from all 14 holes completed in the 2,632m maiden diamond drilling program at the Cowley Park . All holes returned significant intercepts with results including: CPG-007: 8m @ 2.29% Cu and 0.15% Mo from 95m within 12m @ 1.72% Cu from 93m CPG-012: 8m @ 1.6% Cu from 65m within 48m @ 0.97% Cu from 33m

Particularly encouraging is the continuity of broad widths of high-grade mineralization in step out drilling to the south east of Cowley Park in the most easterly hole completed by the Company, CPG-007.

These results are in addition to the previously announced results from the program including: CPG-001: 20m @ 1.43% Cu from 42m within 71m @ 0.72% Cu from 32m CPG-002: 13m @ 1.44% Cu and 0.15% Mo from 28m and 33m @ 1.48% Cu from 71m within 113m @ 0.79% Cu CPG-003: 13.2m @ 2.26% Cu from 22.8m CPG-004: 10m @ 1.68% Cu from 87m within 28m @ 0.91% Cu from 87m CPG-006: 16m @ 2.36% Cu from 79m within 92m @ 0.71% Cu from 67m CPG-010: 26m @ 1.14% Cu from 86m

These shallow results confirm the continuity of high-grade copper skarn mineralization at Cowley Park with mineralization remaining open along strike and down dip in all directions.

Gladiator is advanced in planning to complete further diamond drilling in the coming weeks. This upcoming drilling will be aimed at testing strike and depth extensions to mineralization. Gladiator has over 4,000 metres of drilling remaining on its Class 1 Permit.

Results continue to reconcile positively with historic drilling in the area highlighting the potential to improve the prospect both through systematic sampling of lower grade sections of mineralization around the identified high-grade areas and by assaying for potential complimentary co products to copper mineralization including molybdenum, gold and silver.

Gladiator has initiated summer field programs including regional mapping, sampling and geophysical programs to further refine drill targets at more than 30 drill ready, high-grade regional targets associated with copper rich skarns within the Whitehorse Copper Belt. ahead of planned winter drill campaigns

Gladiator is fully funded to expand its ambitious exploration program at the Whitehorse Copper Project with $9.5 million cash on hand (July 2023)

Gladiator CEO, Jason Bontempo commented: "Gladiator is pleased to release the remaining results from the recently completed 2,632m maiden diamond drill campaign and to announce that it will be recommencing diamond drilling at Cowley Park in the coming weeks. Follow up diamond drilling will be targeting extensions to the defined high grade mineralisation at Cowley Park.

Results from Gladiators maiden program continue to successfully define the continuity and scale of high- grade copper mineralisation at Cowley Park as well as providing further definition to the potentially significant coincident Molybdenum mineralisation.

Field crews are now active in the Whitehorse Copper belt with regional scale mapping, sampling and geophysical programs taking place in the summer months. This work is designed to prioritise winter drill targets from amongst more than thirty known occurrences of high grade copper mineralisation already identified over more than 35 kilometers of the Whitehorse Copper belt."

Figure 1: Plan map of the advanced Cowley Park Copper Prospect showing previously released and historical collated drill results with a cumulative Copper grade (%) intersected width (m) of >40 highlighted as well as initial significant drill intercepts from the recently completed maiden diamond drilling campaign.

Cowley Park - Maiden Drilling Campaign

Gladiators 2,632m, 14-hole maiden diamond drilling campaign was completed on May 19th and all assay results from the program have now been received (please refer to Figure 1 below for details). Significant drill intercepts from the program include:

CPG-001: 20m @ 1.43% Cu from 42m within 71m @ 0.72% Cu from 32m

from 42m from 32m CPG-002: 13m @ 1.44% Cu and 0.15% Mo from 28m and 33m @ 1.48% Cu from 71m within 113m @ 0.79% Cu

from 28m and from 71m CPG-003: 13.2m @ 2.26% Cu from 22.8m

from 22.8m CPG-004: 10m @ 1.68% Cu from 87m within 28m @ 0.91% Cu from 87m

from 87m within 28m @ 0.91% Cu from 87m CPG-006: 16m @ 2.36% Cu from 79m within 92m @ 0.71% Cu from 67m

from 79m from 67m CPG-007: 8m @ 2.29% Cu and 0.15% Mo from 95m within 12m @ 1.72% Cu from 93m

from 95m from 93m CPG-009: 30m @ 0.65% Cu from 100m

from 100m CPG-010: 26m @ 1.14% Cu from 86m

from 86m CPG-012: 48m @ 0.97% Cu from 33m including 8m @ 1.6% Cu from 65m

from 33m including from 65m CPG-014: 45m @ 0.66% Cu from 84m

A complete list of drilling completed by Gladiator Metals, including the hole locations, drill azimuth and dip are tabled below.

Table 1: Cowley Park Drilling - Hole details and Significant Intercepts.

HoleID TD East North Dip Azim Remark From To Width

(m) Cu

(%) Au

(ppm) Ag

(ppm) Mo

(ppm) Cu% x Int(m) Comment CPG-001 154.53 505,846 6,715,455 -60 6 13.69 19 5.31 0.78 0.09 5.35 26 4.12 Previously Released Incl. 13.69 17 3.31 1.10 0.15 8.03 28 3.63 32 103 71 0.72 0.04 2.08 143 51.35 Incl. 42 62 20 1.43 0.07 3.96 254 28.68 CPG-002 182.88 505,839 6,715,412 -60 1 19 132 113 0.79 0.13 4.75 464 89.57 Previously Released Incl. 28 41 13 1.44 0.31 10.53 1,564 18.66 And 71 104 33 1.48 0.25 8.31 404 48.89 CPG-003 134.11 505,837 6,715,492 -60 2 9 14 5 1.23 0.12 10.44 1,121 6.16 Previously Released 22.8 36 13.2 2.26 0.34 17.96 833 29.88 CPG-004 154.53 506,032 6,715,258 -60 4 87 115 28 0.91 0.10 9.13 383 25.53 Previously Released Incl. 87 97 10 1.65 0.26 21.94 791 16.48 CPG-005 176.78 506,051 6,715,309 -60 355 100 118 18 0.33 0.01 1.23 224 6.01 CPG-006 181.36 506,197 6,715,374 -60 356 67 159 92 0.71 0.07 5.13 313 64.89 Previously Released Incl. 67 71 4 0.80 0.07 6.35 755 3.20 And 79 137 58 0.95 0.08 7.07 367 55.05 Or 79 95 16 2.36 0.26 20.58 455 37.71 And 129 135 6 1.57 0.01 4.07 183 9.43 And 149 159 10 0.54 0.07 2.78 273 5.43 CPG-007 190.5 506,267 6,715,349 -60.5 354 84 87 3 1.13 0.20 6.93 680 3.38 Limited Sampling Previously Released 93 105 12 1.72 0.24 12.17 987 10.33 Incl. 95 103 8 2.29 0.36 15.63 1,476 18.28 121 129 6 0.71 0.16 4.85 156 5.64 149 157 8 0.69 0.10 3.85 224 5.49 CPG-008 181.36 506,262 6,715,387 -60 349 65 77 12 0.53 0.09 4.60 825 6.38 101 109 8 0.74 0.23 5.03 355 5.91 CPG-009 240.79 506,120 6,715,340 -60 357 100 130 30 0.65 0.04 2.78 695 19.36 CPG-010 207.26 506,115 6,715,370 -60 360 86 112 26 1.14 0.02 3.09 256 29.55 Previously Released 134 146 12 0.56 0.10 3.07 384 6.71 CPG-011 190.2 506,099 6,715,400 -60 356 33 39 0 0.59 0.00 1.03 59 3.57 73 131 58 0.51 0.02 2.26 146 29.52 CPG-012 161.59 505,955 6,715,451 -60 357 33 81 48 0.97 0.10 5.81 534 46.40 Incl. 65 73 8 1.60 0.30 9.55 409 12.83 CPG-013 195.78 506,040 6,715,368 -60 9 123 131 8 0.55 0.01 1.70 223 4.40 CPG-014 280.42 505,993 6,715,305 -60 339 2.91 4.2 1.29 2.45 0.05 25.10 766 3.16 30.48 48 17.52 0.58 0.07 5.83 160 10.15 84 129 45 0.66 0.05 4.05 135 29.91

Notes on Table: All drill hole locations are recorded in NAD83 Coordinates (Zone 8N). No significant core loss was observed during the logging and sampling within the reported drill intervals. All intercepts that are greater than 0.5% Cu and having a minimum summed value >2, calculated as the sum of the weighted average of Cu (%) x Interval (m) over the reported interval have been tabled.

Cu Mineralization Width and Continuity Confirmed

These results confirm the width and continuity of high-grade mineralization previously targeted at Cowley Park with mineralization remaining open in all directions.

Particularly encouraging is the continuity of broad widths of high-grade mineralization in step out drilling to the southeast of Cowley Park with 12m @ 1.72% Cu including 8m @ 2.29% Cu and 0.15% Mo intersected in the most easterly hole, CPG-007.

Molybdenum was not systematically assayed for in the historical drilling and its observed widespread distribution throughout the Cowley Park area during this program provides encouragement that its inclusion in Gladiators datasets will add co-product value alongside other potentially contributing elements including silver and gold.

The significant potential of broader lower grade mineralized envelopes surrounding the previously identified high grade copper mineralization that was the subject of historical exploration continues to be highlighted by recent results with intervals of 8m @ 16% Cu within 48m @ 0.97% Cu in hole CPG-012.

As a result recently completed drilling compares favorably to historical results and highlights the potential for Gladiator to significantly enhance the potential tonnage of future resources at Cowley Park through systematic targeting and sampling of lower grade envelopes to the high grade mineralization.

A complete list of the compiled holes from Cowley Park drilled by prior operators and their significant intercepts and details can be found by clicking here.

Exploration Update

The Company's exploration Program at the Whitehorse Copper Project for 2023 is categorized into five parts including;

In addition to the Company's recently completed maiden, 2,632m diamond drilling program a further 2,000m is in an advanced planning stage, that is scheduled to commence during August. Gladiator has a further ~4,300 metres of drilling it can complete under its currently approved Class 1 Permit. Cowley Park had reached feasibility stage before historical Copper mining operations were shut down in 1982. Identified mineralisation at Cowley remains open along strike and down dip. In addition to the Company's own diamond drilling, Gladiator will continue its program of logging and assaying approximately 10,000 metres of unassayed core from exploration drilling completed in recent years by prior operators. The 10,000 metres of core mostly relates to drilling at Cowley Park but also includes drilling at other prospect areas including North Star, Grafters and Verona which are situated in the Best Chance to North Star trend and includes the former Little Chief Mine. Gladiator will also assay for molybdenum, gold, silver and other elements which were not historically systematically assayed for, along with incorporating potentially lower grade mineralised material within or adjacent to significant mineralised widths that was often not sampled in the past to allow for future assessment of modern bulk mining potential. The Company is also carrying out a systematic consolidation of the historic drilling and mining activity representing the first time a comprehensive review of regional datasets has been undertaken since the last mining activity in the region ceased in 1982 with the closure of the Little Chief mine. Gladiator to date has identified over 800 historical surface drill holes drilled by Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co Ltd., Yankee Hat Minerals Ltd., Lobo Del Norte Ltd and the Vendor H.Coyne & Sons Ltd which were logged and selectively assayed. This includes 219 holes for approximately 25,000 metres completed at the Cowley Park Prospect which were reported to the market on April 3rd. As compilation and digitisation is completed the Company will release the results of this historical drilling by prospect area along the Whitehorse Copper belt. Gladiator has initiated summer field programs including regional mapping, sampling and geophysical programs to further refine drill targets at more than 30, drill ready, high-grade regional targets associated with copper rich skarns within the Whitehorse Copper Belt. ahead of planned winter drill campaigns.

Regional Exploration

Work completed to date has identified more than 30, drill ready, high-grade regional targets associated with copper rich skarns at the contact between the Cretaceous age Whitehorse Plutonic Suite and the Triassic to Jurassic Lewes River Group's clastic and carbonate metasediments. Cumulatively, there is more than 35km of underexplored strike on the contact which is highly prospective for high-grade copper+/-molybdenum+/-silver+/- gold (refer to Figure 3 below).

Figure 3: Plan map of the Whitehorse Copper Project showing geology and location of key prospects within the main trend please refer to Company's news releases dated February 13 2023 and April 3, 2023 for details.

Gladiator's position is enhanced at Whitehorse, with the project having near year-round access for work programs, including an established road and drill access network, low capital infrastructure requirements due to the project's proximity to Whitehorse and a strong partnership with the owners of the Whitehorse Copper Project, an experienced local drilling service provider.

QA / QC and Data Verification

Drilling completed by Gladiator was irregularly spaced to test parts of the mineralised systems, holes were generally drilled at -60 degrees towards true north and the holes were directionally surveyed utilising a North Seeking Gyro direction tool, At the completion of drilling, drill collars are subsequently surveyed utilising a high-accuracy RTK DGPS system.

Upon drilling of diamond core Gladiator undertakes geological logging, marking up of lineal length of the core, recording core recovery, and Geotech measurements such as RQD's and photographs the drill core (core photographs).

Based on the geological logging, core is then marked up for sampling with a new sampling ticket that matches the submitted sample for analysis at the start of the sample interval, the drill core is then cut in half utilizing a core saw equipped with a diamond saw blade. The core samples are then sent for analysis and the remaining half core retained for future reference. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) or known blank material is placed within the sampling sequence at a nominal sampling rate of 1 in 20 samples to monitor the Laboratory. Samples are submitted to the ALS Global laboratory (Canada).

Samples subject to this release were crushed to 70% less than 2mm before pulverizing to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were then analysed by ALS method ME-ICP61 (Aqua Regia with ICP-MS finish), with over limits for Cu analysed by method CU-OG62 (Aqua Regia with ICP-MS finish). As part of this process, Gladiator also captures the required sampling metadata to potentially utilize the core and analysis for any future requirements if deemed acceptable. The QA/QC meets the current required standards under reporting instruments, such as NI-43-101. At this point the Company regards the data collected from this exercise as reliable for the purposes of identifying future exploration targets and may be used to inform future drilling and exploration campaigns.

The Company through its qualified person, has undertaken data verification processes in connection with its maiden drill program. The Company through the use of it's industry based database software system (Plexer) and 3D modelling software packages undertakes data verification and logic and code checks, checks the completeness and accuracy of the recorded data with the company perfoming random checks on the merged assay results against the lab assay certificates. The data is then reviewed once it has passed all logical checks and graphically displayed prior to being accepted and marked as "Finalised" within the database. The Company is unaware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to in this news release.

In reference to historic drill results reported in this news release from the Company's data compilation exercise, these results are historical in nature. Gladiator has not undertaken any independent investigation, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. The Company believes that the historical drill results currently do not conform to presently accepted industry standards. Gladiator considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company will use this data as a guide to plan future exploration and drilling programs. The Company also considers the data to be reliable for these purposes, however, the Company's future exploration work will include verification of the data through drilling. Please refer to Company's news releases dated February 13, 2023, April 3, 2023 and April 27 2023 for further details.

Marketing Services

Gladiator is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Outside The Box Capital Inc. ("Outside the Box") to provide marketing and distribution services to the Company, which include assisting in communicating information about Gladiator through social media and assisting Gladiator with outreach to new communities and potential investors. Outside the Box has been engaged by Gladiator for an initial period of six months. Outside the Box will receive fees for the services of $100,000, with $34,000 due upon signing, $33,000 due after 60 days and $33,000 due after 120 days. The fees will be payable from Gladiator's available working capital. Outside the Box is at arm's length to Gladiator and will not receive shares or options as compensation, It currently does not own any securities of Gladiator. The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Outside the Box is a Toronto based marketing company that specializes in social media platforms and will be able to facilitate greater awareness and widespread dissemination of the Company's news into these channels.

The Whitehorse Copper Project



The Whitehorse Copper Project is an advanced-stage copper (Cu)  molybdenum (Mo)  silver (Ag)  gold (Au) skarn exploration project in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The property comprises 314 contiguous claims covering approximately 5,380 Hectares (13,294 acres) in the Whitehorse Mining District.

Copper mineralization was first discovered in 1897 on the Whitehorse Copper Belt, as it became to be known. The Whitehorse Copper Belt comprised over 30 copper-related, primarily skarn occurrences covering an area of 35 by 5 km in a north westerly trending arc. Exploration and mining development have been carried out intermittently since that time with the main production era lasting between 1967 and 1982 where production totaled 267,500,000 pounds copper, 225,000 ounces of gold and 2,838,000 ounces of silver from 11.1 million tons of mineralized material milled (Watson, 1984).

The Project is accessible through with numerous access roads and trails located within 2 km of the South Klondike Highway and the Alaska Highway. An extensive network of historical gravel exploration and haul roads exists throughout the project area, providing excellent access to the majority of the claim package. Access to existing electric power facilities is available through the main Yukon power grid.

In November 2022, Gladiator executed an option agreement to acquire 100% of the Whitehorse Copper Project (the "Option") by incurring exploration expenditures of $12m on the project, staged payment of $300,000 in cash and the staged issue of 15m shares over 6 years. Following the exercise of the Option, the Company must pay the Optionor, or such other person(s) as the Optionor may direct from time to time, a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on the Whitehorse Copper Project.

Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared or reviewed and approved by Kell Nielsen, a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Jason Bontempo"

Jason Bontempo

President and CEO

For further information contact:

Dustin Zinger, Investor Relations

+1-604-653-9464

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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 does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information". Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information..

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company's properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company's material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons; availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs; and that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.
JULY 24, 2023  TheNewswire  VANCOUVER, BC - Tribeca Resources Corporation (TSXV:TRBC) (OTC:TRRCF) (Tribeca Resources, the Company) is pleased to announce an increase to its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"). As a result of strong investor interest, the Private Placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 has been upsized to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3,500,000. The Company has received commitments for approximately 90% of the upsized total financing to date.

All terms of the Private Placement remain the same and the Company now intends to issue up to 10,606,060 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.33 per Unit for aggregate proceeds of up to $3,500,000 under the Private Placement. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.55 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance of the Warrant.

The Company also announced that it has closed the first tranche of the Private Placement. Under the first tranche of the Private Placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 8,504,165 Units to raise gross proceeds of $2,806,374.

In connection with closing of the first tranche, the Company paid $102,000 and issued 309,091 Finder's Warrants to Tamesis Partners LLP in consideration for introducing certain subscribers to the Private Placement. Each Finders Warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.33 for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance for one Common Share.

Tribeca Resources CEO, Dr Paul Gow commented:

We are delighted with the strong response from existing shareholders and new investors for this Private Placement and expect to complete the financing in the coming weeks."

The strong demand, we believe, is a result of the exciting exploration potential at our La Higuera copper-gold project.

A second and final tranche of the Private Placement of up to an additional $693,626 is expected to close shortly.

All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement, including the Common Shares issued in consideration for services rendered in connection with introducing the Company to investors, are subject to a four month hold period.

About Tribeca Resources

Tribeca Resources is a copper exploration company focused on discovering and developing assets in the Coastal IOCG Belt of northern Chile. The Companys management team, whose members are significant shareholders of the Company, has world-leading expertise and a discovery history with iron oxide copper-gold deposits in the worlds great IOCG Belts of the Carajas district in Brazil and the Gawler and Cloncurry provinces of Australia.

Tribeca Resources objective is to provide the mineral resources for the next generation of copper mines in Chile. It is focused on building a portfolio of projects, with emphasis on mid to advanced-stage copper exploration and resource development projects. To this end, mineral targets are regularly assessed in pursuit of acquisition, strategic exploration and significant discovery.

Tribecas flagship property is the La Higuera IOCG project that comprises 4,047 hectares of granted mining and exploration licences and is located towards the southern end of the Chilean Coastal IOCG Belt in the Coquimbo Region of northern Chile. The 822 hectare Gaby concession area is held under a purchase option (5% Exploration Levy on expenditure incurred during the option period; a US$2 million final payment due March 2024; with a 1% NSR Royalty granted to the owner), with the remainder of the concessions being outright owned (100%) by Tribeca Resources. Further information about the project can be found in the NI 43-101 Technical Report lodged by Tribeca on SEDAR on 24 October 2022.



On behalf of Tribeca Resources Corporation

Paul Gow Thomas Schmidt CEO and Director President and Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +1 604 685 9316 +1 604 685 9316

Cautionary Note

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States, and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, 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 Securities Act (Regulation S), except pursuant to an exemption from or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the ability of the Company to close the Private Placement on the timing and terms described herein, or at all, the operations of the Company, that the Companys results or potential results have or will attract potential investors and regulatory approval.

Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: new laws or regulations could adversely affect the business and results of operations of the Company and anticipated work on the Project.

There are several important factors that could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: reliance on key management; changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities; unanticipated costs and expenses; fluctuations in commodity prices; and general market and industry conditions. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) ("Onyx Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company commences trading today on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol TSX-V: ONYX. Onyx Gold is also pleased to introduce the Company's executive team and upcoming exploration plans.

Onyx Gold is a new gold-focused exploration company, highlighted by:

An exceptional portfolio of Canadian gold assets consisting of a commanding 335 sq km land package in Canada's most prolific gold jurisdiction, Timmins, Ontario, and a 200 sq km land package in the heart of a high-grade intrusion-related gold district that is rapidly emerging in the eastern Tombstone Gold Belt, Yukon Territory

A well-financed balance sheet following an initial raise of C$8.4 million

A catalyst-rich year ahead with: an exploration program well underway in the Yukon on the King Tut intrusion-related gold project in preparation for first drill testing, followed by a fall-winter drill program at the Munro-Croesus gold project, Timmins, Ontario

A high-quality shareholder registry including a balance of institutional shareholders (22%), consisting of US, Canadian, and European precious metal funds, high-net-worth mining entrepreneurs (24%), a senior gold producer (5%), HighGold Mining (12%) and broad retail distribution (37%)

A talented, discovery-driven, and capital market savvy management team led by Executive Chairman Darwin Green and President & CEO Brock Colterjohn, supported by highly accomplished Board members and strategic advisors.

Assets

Yukon Properties: Onyx controls 100% interest in four separate properties in the Selwyn Basin, totaling 1075 claims and 21,000 ha (210 km2). These properties are in the same region as Snowline Gold's emerging discovery at its Valley Zone (see map below), which appears to be one of the most significant Canadian gold discoveries in recent history. The most compelling of the Yukon properties is King Tut, which is in the heart of this emerging reduced intrusive-related gold district. Past exploration work at the King Tut property has outlined multi-km-long gold-in-soil anomalies with no prior drilling (see map below). Onyx is preparing for the first-ever drill program on King Tut in the coming weeks.

Figure 1 - Tombstone Belt Gold Belt

Yukon Territory

Ontario Properties: Onyx owns 100% of three Timmins properties: Munro-Croesus, the Golden Mile, and Timmins South (34,300 ha total, see map below). The Munro-Croesus property hosts the historic Croesus Mine (in production from 1915 to 1936), which reported an average production grade of 95.3 g/t gold. At the Munro-Croesus property, early-stage drilling led to the discovery of new bulk-tonnage style gold mineralization at the Argus Zone, in addition to high-grade vein-style mineralization at other targets. We like these properties and believe they could be highly strategic to camp consolidators looking for additional resource growth in a world-class mining camp.

Figure 2 - Regional Map Ontario

Timmins Gold Camp

"We are very excited to see Onyx Gold launched and to hit the ground running in the Yukon, in the heart of what we believe is one of the most exciting new gold districts in North America," commented Darwin Green, Executive Chairman. "We have laid the foundation for Onyx Gold to be a leading explorer in the junior gold space with an enviable portfolio of high-quality gold properties in two of Canada's top gold jurisdictions led by a seasoned management team with demonstrated successes in all areas of the sector. On behalf of the Board, we would like to welcome Brock Colterjohn as President and CEO and to thank the strong support of those who participated in the Company's initial C$8.4M financing."

"Onyx Gold has achieved a significant milestone with our successful listing and the company's commencement of trading on the TSX-V," said Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO. "This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of our exceptional Board of Directors, management team, and our valued agents and counsel. We are also very appreciative and recognize the invaluable support of our new and existing shareholders. We eagerly look forward to creating value for all stakeholders as we advance our exploration plans within our portfolio of exciting gold projects in Canada."

Senior Management and Advisory Team

Onyx Gold has assembled a senior management and advisory team that brings a wealth of experience, drive, and proven track records of success. Onyx Gold is led by Brock Colterjohn, President, CEO, and Director, with significant expertise in equity capital markets, mineral exploration, and production geology. Previously, Brock worked as a Mining Research Analyst at Cormark Securities, as a Mining Equity Sales Specialist at Canaccord Genuity, and with various mining companies throughout Canada and Mexico. Mr. Colterjohn holds an MBA in Global Mining Management from the Schulich School of Business and a B.Sc. in Geology from Dalhousie University.

The accomplished Technical Team at Onyx Gold is led by Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, Executive Vice President with over 35 years of experience, and Conor McKinley, Vice President of Exploration with 15 years of industry experience. Both have extensive gold exploration history in the regions of Onyx Gold's projects. Mr. Cunningham-Dunlop will divide his time equally between Onyx Gold and HighGold Mining (where he is Sr. VP Exploration), whereas Conor McKinley is dedicated 100% to Onyx Gold.

Nicole Hoeller, Vice President, Corporate Communications, joins the company following the successful sale of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. to B2Gold Corp., where she held the position of VP Communications and Corporate Secretary. In addition to her 26-year career in investor relations and communications, Ms. Hoeller has spent extensive time traveling in the Canadian North, liaising and consulting with communities, indigenous organizations, and all levels of government about the benefits and impacts of mining.

John Robins, Strategic Advisor, is an award-winning prospector and professional geologist and has been involved in several major discoveries. John is a steward of the junior mining industry and the co-founder and principal of Discovery Group. His entrepreneurship has created over $2.6 billion in M&A activity and generated over $1 billion in direct and indirect mineral expenditures. The advisory team is also complimented by J. Garfield MacVeigh, Technical Advisor, who brings decades of Archean gold experience, having participated in several major discoveries, including the Hoyle Pond gold mine in Timmins, Ontario.

We invite readers to visit the company's site (www.onyxgold.com) to learn about Onyx Gold's management team and projects.

Board of Directors

Darwin Green, Executive Chairman and a founder of Onyx Gold was also a founder of HighGold Mining Inc., from which Onyx Gold was recently spun out. Mr. Green is an entrepreneurial geologist combining strong technical and capital markets skill sets, with 25 years of experience in the mineral deposit industry in the USA, Canada, and Latin America.

Onyx Gold's Independent Board of Directors is composed of talented and well-respected industry leaders, including Michael Cinnamond, currently CFO of B2Gold Corp. and former partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Gwen Preston, a leading writer, commentator, and analyst of the junior mining sector, and Kiran Patankar, currently CFO of Maple Gold Mines Ltd. who brings over 15 years of investment banking, capital markets, and public company leadership experience.

Exploration Plans

With a balance sheet of over C$8 million, Onyx Gold is well capitalized to carry out its exploration plans. Near continuous exploration activity is planned throughout 2023 and 2024, with initial exploration work programs now underway in the Yukon. Work programs in the Yukon are anticipated to carry through September and will be followed by work programs in Timmins, Ontario, that will extend from October into December.

At the Company's Yukon properties, crews arrived in early July for initial camp setup and have commenced an initial program of geological mapping, prospecting, soil and rock sampling, and airborne drone-magnetic and LiDAR topographic surveying. This initial work is designed to refine drill targets at King Tut in anticipation of drilling in the coming weeks. King Tut is the most advanced of Onyx Gold's four Yukon properties and includes kilometer-scale, high-tenor gold-in-soil anomalies associated with reduced intrusions.

The work is being managed by Onyx Gold technical staff with support from Archer Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited of Whitehorse, Yukon and is being conducted under a Class 1 exploration permit issued by the Yukon Government Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, which includes up to 2500 meters of drilling this year. Additional updates with details on exploration plans and exploration progress are expected in the near future.

In Timmins, Ontario, the Company is planning for a 4000 to 5000-meter fall-winter drill program at its Munro-Croesus property. The program is designed to follow up on the new Argus Zone discovery, which displays bulk tonnage style mineralization with geological similarities to nearby multi-million-ounce deposits, as well as to test for ultra-high-grade gold mineralization at new targets surrounding the former Croesus mine. Additional updates and details will be provided in the coming months.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Brock Colterjohn"

President & CEO

For further information, please visit the Onyx Gold Corp. website at www.onyxgold.com or contact:

Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO

or

Nicole Hoeller, VP of Corporate Communications

Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Website: www.onyxgold.com

Twitter : @OnyxGoldCorp

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward-looking statements").

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Grand Baie, MAURITIUS, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alphamin Resources Corp. (AFM:TSXV, APH:JSE AltX)( Alphamin or the Company), a producer of 4% of the worlds mined tin1 from its high grade operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is pleased to provide the following update for the quarter ended June 2023:

Interim dividend for FY2023 of CAD$ 0.03 per share declared

of declared T in production of 3 , 1 51 tonnes for the quarter , in line with the previous period

, in line with the previous period Q 2 2023 EBITDA 3, 4 guidance o f US$ 35.4m at a tin price of US$25,587/t (Current tin price: US$28,500/t)

at a tin price of US$25,587/t (Current tin price: US$28,500/t) Mine expansion project to increase annual tin production by 60% progressing well

Operational and Financial Summary for the Quarter ended June 20232

Description Units Description Units Quarter ended June 2023 Quarter ended March 2023 Change Ore Processed Tonnes 99,035 95,751 3% Tin Grade Processed % Sn 4.20 4.38 -4% Overall Plant Recovery % 76 76 0% Contained Tin Produced Tonnes 3,151 3,187 -1% Contained Tin Sold Tonnes 3,068 3,161 -3% EBITDA3,4 (Q2 2023 guidance) US$'000 35,400 41,391 -14% AISC3, 4 (Q2 2023 guidance) US$/t sold 13,897 13,915 0% Average Tin Price Achieved US$/t 25,587 26,432 -3%

1Data obtained from International Tin Association Tin Industry Review 2022 2Information is disclosed on a 100% basis. Alphamin indirectly owns 84.14% of its operating subsidiary to which the information relates. 3Q2 2023 EBITDA and AISC represent managements guidance. 4This is not a standardized financial measure and may not be comparable to similar financial measures of other issuers.See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures below for the composition and calculation of this financial measure.



Operational and Financial Performance

Alphamin achieved excellent tin production of 3,151 tonnes for the quarter ended June 2023. Year-to-date tin production of 6,338 tonnes exceeds the run-rate to achieve market guidance of 12,000 tonnes for the year ending December 2023. The run-of-mine and crushed ore stockpiles ahead of the processing plant were at record levels at quarter-end, being 27,439 tonnes at an average tin grade of 6,74% (Q1: 15,011 tonnes at 5,98%).

Sales volumes of 3,068 tonnes of tin, at an average tin price of US$25,587/t, were from a timing difference less than production which impacted the quarters EBITDA. Guidance for AISC per tonne of tin sold is US$13,987, in line with the previous quarter albeit sales volumes were 3% lower. The expected EBITDA for the quarter ended June 2023 is US$35.4 million, US$6 million below the previous quarters EBITDA of US$41.4 million due to the lower tin price and delayed sales which should clear during the next quarter. The current 3-month LME tin price is trading at ~US$28,500/t, 11% above the Q2 2023 price.

Alphamins unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying Managements Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended 30 June 2023 are expected to be released on or about August 17, 2023.

Mpama South development progress

A total of 1,460m of underground development at Mpama South has been completed to date, of which 603m was achieved in Q2 2023 (Q1: 418m). Development has accelerated during Q2 2023 as additional underground equipment has arrived on site. During July 2023, the underground development connecting Mpama North and Mpama South has reached the intersection point where the new Mpama South adit from surface will connect. The Mpama South adit has intersected a 6m wide area of extremely poor ground conditions which is delaying advancement. The adit is now expected to connect with the Mpama South underground workings during November 2023, in time for the tramming of ore to the new processing facility. The year-to-date development metres are in line with the Companys updated two-year underground mine plan to achieve the targeted tin production expansion from FY2024. This plan requires an additional ~2,000m of underground development at Mpama South during the six months ending December 2023, which should be achievable as additional development ends become available from Q3 2023.

The new processing facility is progressing well. Following completion of all procurement, design and engineering, fabrication, earthworks and substantially all civils, the focus has moved to plant erection and tracking of steel and equipment in transit. During the quarter, the fine tin plant structure, primary crusher structure and concentrate drying and storage building have been erected. The gravity plant is at first floor level and the secondary crushers on third floor level. The commissioning of the new processing plant is targeted for December 2023.

The Alphamin project team, together with the existing site team, remains focussed on operational readiness preparation. This primarily involves recruitment and training of personnel, expansion of the laboratory and accommodation facilities and infrastructure, and increasing the supply chain to meet the additional production.

The Mpama South project is expected to increase annual tin production from ~12,000 tonnes to ~20,000 tonnes.

Funding structure and capital allocation

Alphamins vision is to become one of the worlds largest sustainable tin producers. From a capital allocation perspective, the Board considers the combination of investment in growth, ongoing exploration, and a high dividend yield a robust value proposition. From a FY2023 capital allocation perspective, the funding of the Mpama South expansion project, DRC income tax payments and shareholder distributions remain the priority.

During the quarter ended June 2023, the Companys subsidiary paid US$56 million in final FY2022 corporate taxes and US$11 million as the first of four instalments towards provisional FY2023 taxes. At the current tin price, the Company does not expect a final FY2023 tax payment to be required, which would ordinarily be due in early 2024. A US$40 million short-term facility was secured with the Companys banking institution in the DRC as bridging finance towards the unusually high tax payments in 2023 (US$26 million utilised in Q2 2023).

By quarter-end, the Company had spent US$75 million cash on the Mpama South project of which US$30 million was in Q2 2023. The project is forecast to complete within the budget of US$116 million.

The Alphamin consolidated Net Cash position decreased by US$75 million during Q2 2023 mainly related to an aggregate of US$97 million allocated to the Mpama South development and DRC taxes. Cash on hand amounted to US$51.4 million as at 30 June 2023.

Interim FY2023 Dividend Declared

The Board has declared an interim FY2023 cash dividend of CAD$0.03 per share on the common shares (approximately US$29 million in the aggregate) (the Dividend). The Dividend will be payable on 25 August, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on 11 August, 2023.

Qualified Person

Mr. Clive Brown, Pr. Eng., B.Sc. Engineering (Mining), is a qualified person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. He is a Principal Consultant and Director of Bara Consulting Pty Limited, an independent technical consultant to the Company.



FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Maritz Smith

CEO

Alphamin Resources Corp.

Tel: +230 269 4166

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation, statements relating to expected EBITDA and AISC guidance for Q2 2023; annual production guidance for 2023; planned production expansion resulting from Mpama South; and the timing for commissioning of the processing plant; timing and plans regarding underground development and the total development cost of the Mpama South project. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although Alphamin has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: uncertainties regarding Mpama North and Mpama South estimates of the expected mined tin grades, processing plant performance and recoveries, uncertainties regarding the underground conditions for development, uncertainties regarding supply chain and logistics for purposes of Mpama South equipment deliveries and the impact on the timing thereof, uncertainties regarding global supply and demand for tin and market and sales prices, uncertainties with respect to social, community and environmental impacts, uninterupted access to required infrastructure and third party service providers, adverse political and security events, uncertainties regarding the legislative requirements in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which may result in unexpected fines and penalties, impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic or other health crises on mining operations and commodity prices as well as those risk factors set out in the Companys Management Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Alphamin 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.

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.

USE OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This announcement refers to the following non-IFRS financial performance measures:

EBITDA

EBITDA is profit before net finance expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion, and amortization. EBITDA provides insight into our overall business performance (a combination of cost management and growth) and is the corresponding flow driver towards the objective of achieving industry-leading returns. This measure assists readers in understanding the ongoing cash generating potential of the business including liquidity to fund working capital, servicing debt, and funding capital expenditures and investment opportunities.

This measure is not recognized under IFRS as it does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. EBITDA data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

NET CASH

Net cash is defined as cash and cash equivalents less total current and non-current portions of interest-bearing debt and lease liabilities.

AISC

This measures the costs to produce and sell a tonne of contained tin plus the capital sustaining costs to maintain the mine, processing plant and infrastructure. AISC includes mine operating production expenses such as mining, processing, administration, indirect charges (including surface maintenance and camp and tailings dam construction costs), smelting costs and deductions, refining and freight, distribution, royalties and product marketing fees and corporate costs. AISC does not include depreciation, depletion and amortization, reclamation expenses, borrowing costs and exploration expenses.

Sustaining capital expenditures are defined as those expenditures which do not increase contained tin production at a mine site and excludes all expenditures at the Companys projects and certain expenditures at the Companys operating sites which are deemed expansionary in nature.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Mawson Gold Limited ("Mawson" or the "Company") (TSX:MAW)(Frankfurt:MXR)(OTC PINK:MWSNF) announces its 51% owned ASX-listed subsidiary, Southern Cross Gold ("SXG"), has acquired both:

The Prospecting Licence PL6415 ("Laura") located within the 70% owned Redcastle JV in the Victorian goldfields; and

Further freehold land within the 100%-owned Sunday Creek epizonal-style gold project.

The strategic acquisition of the Laura prospecting licence completely secures one of the higher-grade parts of the Redcastle goldfield, where recent drilling has identified very high grades (up to 704 g/t Au and 24.7% Sb) within continuous and targetable structures above a 1.3 km long and a coherent IP anomaly.

The new freehold land package purchased at Sunday Creek lies adjacent to both the main access and current freehold ownership at the project.

Highlights:

SXG expands its epizonal gold-antimony search in Victoria, Australia with the 100% purchase of the Laura PL6415 prospecting licence for A$300,000: Provides an immediate and extremely high-grade drill discovery to expand upon and to build another project of scale for SXG. Consolidates SXG's extensive ground holding and best drill grades at the Redcastle gold and antimony field.

Laura is located entirely within SXG's 70% owned Redcastle JV, 2 km immediately north of Mandalay Resources' exploration properties which contain the Costerfield Mine (Figure 1).

Laura's previous owners drilled 16 diamond holes for 1,923.2 m (Table 1 and 2) during 2019 below the historic Laura mine, with multiple, thin and continuous high grades. Significant results include: RDDH03: 0.1 m @ 743.0 g/t AuEq (704.0 g/t Au, 24.7 %Sb) from 116.9 m RDDH07: 0.2 m @ 28.1 g/t AuEq (27.9 g/t Au, 0.1 %Sb) from 67.8 m RDDH08: 0.2 m @ 20.0 g/t AuEq (17.5 g/t Au, 1.6 %Sb) from 162.6 m RDDH12: 0.1 m @ 42.9 g/t AuEq (20.0 g/t Au, 14.5 %Sb) from 70.9 m RDDH13: 0.1 m @ 20.2 g/t AuEq (10.1 g/t Au, 6.4 %Sb) from 108.1 m RDDH15: 0.1 m @ 12.5 g/t AuEq (5.8 g/t Au, 4.3 %Sb) from 75.1 m

The Laura project also forms a key geophysical target within the Redcastle goldfield, with a 1.3 km-long coherent induced polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly underlying the Laura PL6415. The IP anomaly also sits below historic mines that produced 20,583 oz at 254.6 g/t Au over 2 km strike length down to a maximum depth of 125 m during 1859 to 1865.

Next steps are to progressively drill beyond the high-grade intercepts within the Laura area, into the 17 km of untested reef systems at Redcastle.

Southern Cross Gold finalises purchase of 0.65 hectares of freehold land that is located adjacent to both the main access and current freehold ownership to the Sunday Creek Project (Figure 1).

Freehold ownership further secures surface access and provides additional area for any potential future gold operation.

Diamond drilling continues at Sunday Creek with four diamond rigs now focused on testing gold structures down to 800 m depth and 1.2 km along strike at Sunday Creek.

Noora Ahola, Mawson Interim CEO, states: "These acquisitions have consolidated ownership at both the Redcastle and Sunday Creek projects. The purchase of the Laura prospect has brought under its control the best-drilled gold and antimony grades at Redcastle. SXG have bought a 16-hole drill discovery for less than the cost to drill and an extremely high-grade area from which to expand and build another project of scale. Additionally, the purchase of additional freehold land at the Sunday Creek gold-antimony project locks in land access and continues to derisk and secure future success for the project."

PL6415 Laura Drilling

PL6415 extends over 310 m strike length by 160 m width and contains five quartz reefs with extensive historic workings at surface (Figure 4), the principle being Laura (Figure 5). The historic Laura mine was one of the more productive reefs mined in the north-western part of the Redcastle goldfield. PL6415 is located wholly within the Redcastle JV EL5546 (Figures 1 and 2), held 70% by Southern Cross Gold, in joint venture with Nagambie Resources Ltd (ASX:NAG).

The previous owners of Laura (Core Prospecting Pty Ltd and Starwest Ltd) drilled 16 holes for 1,923.2 m in 2019, in the vicinity of the old Laura mine. This work returned some narrow intervals of high-grade gold and antimony, with significant results including:

RDDH01: 0.2 m @ 7.8 g/t AuEq (4.8 g/t Au, 1.9 %Sb) from 115.1 m

RDDH03: 0.1 m @ 743.0 g/t AuEq (704.0 g/t Au, 24.7 %Sb) from 116.9 m

RDDH07: 0.2 m @ 28.1 g/t AuEq (27.9 g/t Au, 0.1 %Sb) from 67.8 m

RDDH08: 0.2 m @ 20.0 g/t AuEq (17.5 g/t Au, 1.6 %Sb) from 162.6 m

RDDH11: 0.1 m @ 18.8 g/t AuEq (11.1 g/t Au, 4.9 %Sb) from 93.3 m

RDDH12: 0.1 m @ 42.9 g/t AuEq (20.0 g/t Au, 14.5 %Sb) from 70.9 m

RDDH13: 0.1 m @ 20.2 g/t AuEq (10.1 g/t Au, 6.4 %Sb) from 108.1 m

RDDH14: 0.2 m @ 12.7 g/t AuEq (5.7 g/t Au, 4.4 %Sb) from 79.3 m

RDDH15: 0.1 m @ 12.5 g/t AuEq (5.8 g/t Au, 4.3 %Sb) from 75.1 m

This drilling data compares favorably with the Redcastle drilling data (from outside PL6415) held by SXG. Intervals in the Laura data are narrow compared with the other Redcastle data but the grades are higher, with five of the assay grades from Laura equaling or exceeding the highest Au-equivalent assays within the entire SXG Redcastle dataset. This partly reflects the 1 or 2 m sampling in the historic reverse circulation drill data, which makes up the majority of the latter, but it also demonstrates the consistent higher grade in the Laura Reef. These higher grades are also demonstrated in the Figure 5 longitudinal section, which shows consistent high-grade mineralization from drill intersections of the Laura Reef. The lateral continuity of the reef is supported by drill core observations which confirm that the reef is a laminated quartz vein, parallel to bedding with stylolitic inclusions throughout and stibnite occurring on or close to the vein margins.

Local Geology and Structural Setting

The PL6415 Laura prospecting licence is located entirely within SXG's 70% owned Redcastle EL5546 JV. It is a shallow orogenic (or epizonal) Costerfield-style historic high-grade field. The project is located 2 km north of Mandalay Resources' Costerfield mine and exploration leases and 25 km east of Agnico Eagle's Fosterville mine - two of the world's highest grade gold mines.

The host rocks are finely interbedded turbidite sequences of sandstone and siltstone, the oldest of which is a sequence of early Silurian turbiditic sandstone and siltstone known as the Wapentake Formation which is conformably overlain by the Silurian Dargile Formation, McIvor Sandstone and Mount Ida Formation. Overlying the Palaeozoic basement rocks are Quaternary unconsolidated clays of the Shepparton Formation and alluvial sands of the Coonambidgal Formation.

The goldfield is a structurally controlled system sitting in the western limb of the plunging Redcastle anticline. Host rocks consist of thinly interbedded sandstones and mudstones of the Wapentake and Dargile formations. In the Melbourne Structural Zone, sites of gold deposition on a regional scale appear to favor areas of refolding or interference folding, as seen in the Redcastle Anticline.

Geophysical IP Chargeability Target

The Laura project also forms a key geophysical target within the Redcastle goldfield. Drilling to date has been shallow (<135m vertical). Below the Laura drilling a 1.3 km-long coherent induced polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly generated by Mawson Victoria's 3D offset array IP geophysical survey underlies the Laura PL6415 (Figure 6). This is considered highly prospective, as there are at least 9 mined structures above the geophysical anomaly (5 within the Laura PL) where the Welcome Group of mines reported to have extracted 20,583 oz at 254.6 g/t Au over 2 km strike length down to a maximum depth of 125 m (in the period 1859 to 1865).

Context with Historic Mining at Redcastle

During the 1800's the average mining width was approximately 1 m on quartz veins with visible gold (individual reef widths were less than 0.6 m). The length of workings combined is 17 km with several reef systems extending for kilometres. Spurs off the main reef systems were recorded to have been worked for distances between 15 m to 33 m. It is a characteristic of Redcastle that reefs are closely spaced. On the western side of the field 14 reefs are recorded to occur in a cross-strike distance of 900 metres.

At Redcastle, the key historic targets were narrow but continuous thin (0.3 m to 1 m) very high-grade structures continuing to depth. Historical records, however, continually reference gold found marginal to reefs in the country rock (wall-rock of quartz-vein structures) with shallow modern-day reverse circulation drilling and trenching confirming that gold extends beyond these high-grade quartz-vein structures. Beyond the high-grade visible gold in quartz-veins, additional targets included vein stockworks in sandstones and dyke-hosted mineralization. The largest dyke was mined to a depth of 27 m and was 11.5 m wide at 25 -120 g/t gold with 160 tonnes of ore extracted suggesting the dyke may have been selectively mined, although the width of the dyke suggests scope for a larger scale and lower grade target. Wider zones in stockworks (2.4 m to 4.8 m wide) and breccia zones at Beautiful Venus have been recorded up to 20 m in width. Mineralization is typically hosted in shear veins striking ~345-360 and dipping steeply westward, containing quartz, carbonate, visible gold and antimony sulphide (stibnite). Surrounding the shear veins are a narrow <5 cm arsenopyrite and pyrite halo within the host rock which are weakly auriferous.

Context with Costerfield Mined Mineralization

Mandalay Resources' Costerfield mine and exploration leases are located 2 km south of SXG's Redcastle JV EL5546. Costerfield is the target model sought at Redcastle. The Costerfield mine corridor contains 2 million ounces of equivalent gold (pers. comm. Mandalay Q3 2021 Results). Average drill hole widths and grades at Costerfield are: Brunswick lode (0.7 m @ 9.0 g/t Au and 4.0% Sb), Youle lode (0.4 m @ 47.7 g/t Au and 11.4% Sb), Kendal Splay (0.3 m @ 92.8 g/t Au and 41.3% Sb) and Peacock lode (0.4 m @ 13.0 g/t Au and 6.0% Sb). The average vein width at Augusta is 0.3 m, while the Cuffley lode averaged 0.4 m. Average mined widths at Costerfield are 2.0 m (Mandalay Technical Report, 2021).

Commercial Terms

The Company purchased 100% of the Prospecting License PL6415 for cash consideration of $300,000 from arm's length Core Prospecting Pty Ltd and Starwest Pty Ltd.

Sunday Creek Land Purchase

SXG already owns 132.64 hectare of freehold property that covers both the Sunday Creek project drill area and areas for potential extension of the zone to the east. The new area lies adjacent to both the main access and current freehold ownership at Sunday Creek. Freehold ownership secures surface access and provides sufficient area for any potential future gold operation (Figure 1). The Company acquired the 0.65 ha freehold for $366,240 and may also consider other uses for the freehold land in the future, such as renewable energy options, livestock grazing or agistment to help maintain the property (although there are no current plans for such additional uses). As the contract was conditional upon satisfying the requirements of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth), a no objection notification for the freehold acquisition without conditions from the Foreign Investment Review Board ("FIRB") was received before settlement

Further discussion and analysis of the Sunday Creek and Redcastle projects by Southern Cross Gold is available on the SXG website at www.southerncrossgold.com.au

Figures 1 to 6 show project location, plan and longitudinal views, and the 3D IP chargeable anomaly from Laura and Tables 1 and 2 provide collar and assay data. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported are interpreted to range approximately between 34% to 93% of the sampled thickness.

Figure 7 shows the location of the new freehold land purchase at Sunday Creek.

Redcastle Joint Venture

A subsidiary of the Company, Mawson Victoria Pty Ltd, is party to an Option and Joint Venture Agreement with Nagambie Resources Limited for the Redcastle Joint Venture tenements. Mawson Victoria has met the obligations to achieve $1,000,000 of exploration commitments over a 5-year period set under the Farm-in Agreements by 25 March 2025, and has earnt a 70% economic interest Redcastle JV. A joint venture between the parties is now in the process of being formed. Nagambie Resources Limited may contribute its 30% share of further exploration expenditures or, if it chooses not to contribute, dilute its interest. Should Nagambie Resource Limited's interest be reduced to less than 5%, it will be deemed to have forfeited its interest in the joint venture to the Company in exchange for a 1.5% net smelter return royalty ("NSR") on gold revenue. Should Nagambie Resources Limited be granted the NSR, the Company will have the right to acquire the NSR for $4,000,000.

Technical Background and Qualified Person

The Qualified Person, Michael Hudson, Executive Chairman and a director of Mawson Gold, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release.

Analytical samples are transported to the Bendigo facility of On Site Laboratory Services ("On Site") which operates under both an ISO 9001 and NATA quality systems. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the fire assay technique (PE01S method; 25 gram charge), followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (BM011 and over-range methods as required) use aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis. The QA/QC program of Southern Cross Gold consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, blanks within interpreted mineralized rock and quarter core duplicates. In addition, On Site inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.

MAW considers that both gold and antimony that are included in the gold equivalent calculation ("AuEq") have reasonable potential to be recovered at Redcastle, given current geochemical understanding, historic production statistics and geologically analogous mining operations. MAW considers that it is appropriate to adopt the same gold equivalent variables as Mandalay Resources Ltd in its Mandalay Technical Report, 2022 dated 25 March 2022. The gold equivalence formula used by Mandalay Resources was calculated using recoveries achieved at the Costerfield Property Brunswick Processing Plant during 2020, using a gold price of US$1,700 per ounce, an antimony price of US$8,500 per tonne and 2021 total year metal recoveries of 93% for gold and 95% for antimony, and is as follows:  =  (/) + 1.58   (%). MAW therefore considers that a  =  (/) + 1.58   (%) is appropriate to use for the initial exploration targeting of gold-antimony mineralization at Redcastle.

About Mawson Gold Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, OTCPINK:MWSNF)

Mawson Gold Limited is an exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic exploration company with its 100% owned flagship Rajapalot gold-cobalt project in Finland, and right to earn into the Skelleftea North gold project in Sweden. Mawson also currently owns 51% of Southern Cross Gold Ltd (ASX:SXG) which in turn owns or controls three high-grade, historic epizonal goldfields covering 470 km2 in Victoria, Australia.

About Southern Cross Gold Ltd (ASX:SXG)

Southern Cross Gold owns 70% of the Redcastle JV in Victoria and Mt Isa project in Queensland, 100% of the Sunday Creek project and is earning into the Whroo joint venture in Victoria, Australia, and a strategic 10% holding in ASX-listed Nagambie Resources Limited (ASX:NAG) which grants SXG a Right of First Refusal over a 3,300 square kilometer tenement package held by NAG in Victoria.

On behalf of the Board,

"Noora Ahola"

Noora Ahola, Interim CEO Further Information

www.mawsongold.com

1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7

Mariana Bermudez (Canada), Corporate Secretary

+1 (604) 685 9316 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements 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, Mawson's expectations regarding its ownership interest in Southern Cross Gold, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current pandemic known as COVID-19 on the Company's business, risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; exploration potential being conceptual in nature, there being insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource on the Australian-projects owned by SXG, and uncertainty if further exploration will result in the determination of a mineral resource; planned drill programs and results varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

Photo 1: Quartz-Stibnite laminated shear vein with visible gold (not visible at scale of photo) and stibnite from 116.9 m in drillhole RDDH03. This sample assayed 0.1m @ 704 g/t Au & 24.7% Sb

Figure 1: Location of the Redcastle JV project that encompassed the Laura PL6415, along with SXG's other Victoria projects.

Figure 2: Location of Laura PL6415 within SXG's Redcastle JV tenement package with background geological map.

Figure 3: The Redcastle JV EL5546 showing 3D IP chargeability anomaly, anomalous rockchips and drill holes and the Laura PL6415 with LiDAR

Figure 4: Laura PL6415: View looking down interpreted mineralized shoot geometry. PL6415 extends over 310 m strike length by 160 m width and contains five quartz reefs with extensive historic workings at surface (as shown by LiDAR image), the principle being Laura.

Figure 5: Laura PL6415 Longitudinal Section showing continuity of gold-antimony within the plane of the Laura Shoot.

Figure 6: 3D Induced polarization chargeable anomaly that forms a large target at depth beneath Laura high-grade drilling and historic mines.

Figure 7: Location of SXG freehold land and exploration tenure at the Sunday Creek core drill area.

Table 1: Drill collar summary table for Historic drill holes on project. Datum GDA94_Z55.

Table 2: Tables of mineralized drill hole intersections reported from The Laura Project using the cut-off criteria. Lower grades cut at 0.1 g/t AuEq lower cutoff.
Russia's latest strike on Odesa on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral, drawing a vow of retaliation from Ukraine's leader.

The attack came as President Vladimir Putin met his Belarusian counterpart for talks in Russia and claimed Kyiv's counteroffensive had "failed".

Russia has pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa since quitting the Black Sea grain deal last week.

Locals watched in disbelief as the Transfiguration Cathedral -- originally built in 1794 under imperial Russian rule -- was hit.

The biggest Orthodox church in Odesa lies within the UNESCO-protected historic city centre.

UNESCO condemned the "brazen" attack, which hit several sites in the World Heritage area, marking "an escalation of violence against (the) cultural heritage of Ukraine", according to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay.

Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged shrine, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The culture ministry said it had so far identified damage to 29 monuments of important cultural heritage.

The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".

President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation: "They will definitely feel this," he said.

"We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks," Zelensky added in his evening speech late on Sunday.

"The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture."

- Icons pulled from the rubble -

Images showed smashed mosaics on the cathedral floor as workers cleared the rubble. The outside of the building appeared intact.

"There was a direct hit to the cathedral," said Father Myroslav, the assistant rector, adding that three altars were ruined.

Icons were pulled out from under the rubble and the shrine was "very badly damaged inside", with "only the bell tower intact", he added.

Clergymen said a security guard and a priest getting ready for a morning liturgy were inside during the attack but both survived.

Russia blamed the cathedral damage on Ukrainian air defence. It said it had hit all its intended targets in the Odesa strike, claiming the sites were being used to prepare "terrorist acts" against Russia.

But local people said Russia had hit residential areas.

"We have ordinary residential buildings here, where people live," a woman who owns a beauty salon nearby, Tetiana, told AFP.

"There are no military facilities here. Just simple beauty salons, a marine agency, a groomer. Nothing military here at all."

Russia launched a wave of attacks on the Black Sea port this week, after exiting a deal between Moscow, Kyiv, Istanbul and the UN allowing the safe passage of cargo ships.

Ukraine has vowed to find a way to continue exports from the ports and said Sunday repeated Russian strikes on Odesa this week were an attempt to "prevent and neutralise international efforts to restore the functioning of the "grain corridor."

- Putin meets Lukashenko -

As Odesa cleared rubble from the Russian strikes, Putin hosted his closest ally, Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, in his native city of Saint Petersburg -- their first meeting since Minsk helped end a revolt by Russia's Wagner force.

Both leaders were dismissive of the Ukrainian counteroffensive to take back land captured by Russia.

"There is no counteroffensive," Lukashenko said at the meeting, before being interrupted by Putin: "There is one, but it has failed."

The Belarus strongman now hosts Wagner fighters on his territory, after brokering a deal that convinced its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end a march on Moscow and exile himself to Belarus.

"We are controlling what is happening (with Wagner)," he said, thanking Putin for vowing to defend Belarus should it be attacked.

Wagner's presence in Belarus has rattled EU and NATO member Poland, which has strengthened its border.

On Sunday, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said a new battalion of sappers would be formed in the country's northeast.

Polish, US, British, Romanian and Croatian soldiers were training "shoulder to shoulder", he said, during a visit to the northeastern city of Augustow.

The comments came two days after Putin said western Poland was a "gift" from Stalin at the end of World War II, when victorious allies decided on the contours of post-war Europe. Warsaw summoned the Russian ambassador over the remarks.

Both Putin and Lukashenko also accused Warsaw of having territorial ambitions on Ukraine and Belarus.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded quickly on Twitter.

"Putin's attempts to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Warsaw are as futile as his failing invasion of Ukraine," he wrote.

"Unlike Russia, Poland and Ukraine have learned from history and will always stand united against Russian imperialism and disrespect for international law."

Fighting in Ukraine continued Sunday, with Russia launching 17 cruise missiles and two ballistic missiles, according to the Ukraine army.
Ukraine on Monday claimed a drone attack in central Moscow, the latest in a series of strikes revealing Russian vulnerabilities, while Kyiv said Russian forces again hit grain facilities near Odesa.

Russia last week pulled out of a key deal which had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, and since then Kyiv has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure.

In Moscow, police cordoned off streets near the defence ministry where a drone crashed, while the second shattered glass walls of an office building in a southern district.

A Ukrainian defence source told AFP that the attack -- one day after Kyiv vowed to retaliate for a Russian missile strike in the city of Odesa -- was a "special operation" by Ukraine's military intelligence.

Russia said that the attacks could warrant "tough retaliatory measures."

"We regard what happened as yet another use of terrorist methods and intimidation of the civilian population," Russia's foreign ministry added.

AFP reporters at the scene of the strike near the ministry saw a two-storey building with its roof torn apart by the impact of the drone's crash.

"It was 3:39am. The house really shook," said Vladimir, 70, who lives nearby. "It is scandalous that a Ukrainian drone almost flew into the defence ministry."

In Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, Moscow-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov said an ammunition depot had also been hit in by drones.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported a four-hour Russian drone attack on port infrastructure on the Danube River.

"A grain hangar was destroyed and tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged," Ukraine's southern military command said on Telegram.

The Danube delta region, which spans across Romania and Ukraine, is being used as an export route for Ukrainian grain -- a key factor in the conflict.

- Grain tensions -

In June, Brussels agreed to allow Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania to restrict imports of grain from Ukraine through September.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday branded as "unacceptable" any move by the European Union to extend the curbs to protect local farmers who fear being undercut.

Also on Monday, a child was killed and six people wounded in a Russian strike on the east Ukraine city of Kostiantynivka, the region's governor said.

In a separate incident, an AFP video journalist was wounded by a drone attack while reporting at a Ukrainian artillery position.

Dylan Collins, a US citizen, sustained multiple shrapnel injuries in the attack in a forested area near Bakhmut. He was evacuated to a nearby hospital and doctors have said his condition was not life-threatening.

Kyiv meanwhile said it had recaptured over 16 square kilometres of territory from Russian forces last week in the east and south, nearly two months into its highly-anticipated counteroffensive.

On Sunday, a Russian strike on Odesa killed two people and severely damaged a historic cathedral.

Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the Transfiguration Cathedral, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".

The Kremlin blamed the damage on Ukraine's air defence systems.

The prolonged conflict has drawn in neighbouring states, and staunch Russian ally Belarus said Monday it was reviewing security with members of Russia's Wagner mercenaries after their failed uprising back home.

Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakov met Wagner commanders at a training centre to draw up a "clear plan of action", a statement said.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is hosting the fighters after brokering a deal that convinced their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end a June march on Moscow and exile himself in Belarus.
Human Rights Watch on Monday accused the Malian armed forces and "foreign" fighters believed to be from the Russian mercenary Wagner group of "executing" dozens of civilians during anti-jihadist operations.

HRW said the abuses had been committed since late 2022 "during military operations in response to the presence of Islamist armed groups" in several towns in central Mali.

The international rights group also denounced cases of torture of detainees, destruction and looting of civilian property.

"Malian armed forces and foreign fighters apparently from the Russia-linked Wagner Group have summarily executed and forcibly disappeared several dozen civilians in Mali's central region," HRW said.

With the decade-old MINUSMA mission in Mali due to leave the landlocked West African country by the end of the year, the human rights NGO is urging the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to press for an end to abuses and hold the Malian authorities to account.

Mali which is run by a military junta, has since 2012 been battling a jihadist insurgency that has spread to Burkina Faso and Niger, killing and displacing thousands of people.

The damning HRW report follows one it published earlier this month which denounced widespread killing, rape and looting in northeast Mali this year.

For the new report, Human Rights Watch said it had interviewed 40 people by telephone including 20 "witnesses of abuses, three family members of victims, two community leaders, five Malian civil society activists".

They reported the involvement of armed, non-French-speaking foreigners, describing them as "white", "Russian" or "belonging to Wagner".

One was recorded saying that a large number of "white" foreign fighters in uniform carried out a February 3 assault on the village of Seguela, which resulted in beatings, looting, and the arrest of 17 men with eight bodies later found at the scene.

In another attack, a 28-year-old witness said low-flying military helicopters had opened fire on the village of Ouenkoro in March

"People fled in all directions... I took my motorbike and rode as fast as I could," he said.

Responding to the HRW report, the Malian government said it was not aware of any human rights violations, but that the public prosecutor "has opened a judicial investigation for war crimes and crimes against humanity".

Since taking power in 2020, the ruling junta in Bamako has aligned politically and militarily with Russia and broken ties with traditional ally France.

The UN accused the Malian army and foreign fighters in May of murdering 500 people during an anti-jihadist operation, which the junta denied.
Go Hyun Jung returns to the spotlight this 2023 with Netflix's brand new thriller drama "Mask Girl," two years after she last appeared on television.

As she gears up for her new drama, let's discover how rich the actress is at 50.

Go Hyun Jung's Journey To Stardom

Ever since she was a child, Go Hyun Jung has dreamed of becoming a performer. Because of this, she took up Performing Arts at Dongguk University.

In 1989, she made a name in pageantry and was hailed as Miss Korea runner-up. With her popularity, Go Hyun Jung was given her big break in 1995 and starred in the SBS drama "Sandglass."

Go Hyun Jung became a national sensation for her performance as her works reached average ratings of 50%, proving her success.

Although she took a break from the acting scene for almost a decade, Go Hyun Jung never lost her touch. Her period drama "Queen Seondeok" earned her the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2009.

"The Queen's Classroom," "Dear My Friends," and "Reflection of You" are a few of Go Hyun Jung's most noteworthy works.

This summer, she is set to make her long awaited comeback with Netflix's thriller drama "Mask Girl," where she assumes the titular role of Kim Mo Mi, a seductive mask-wearing streamer.

Go Hyun Jung Net Worth In 2023

According to Forbes and various sources, Go Hyun Jung is one of the richest South Korean actresses of all time, with total assets of more than 30 million USD.

Despite not being active enough in the acting scene, the actress' high-paying brand deals, collaborations, and royalties have grown over time, which became her main source of income.

As she makes her long anticipated comeback, her net worth is expected to continue to grow this 2023.

Catch her "Mask Girl" debut, alongside Nana, Ahn Jae Hong, and Yeom Hye Ran, on August 18 on Netflix.

Watch the teaser while you're here.

Are you excited for Go Hyun Jung's return? Tell us in the comments below!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
In "King the Land" Episode 12, hiccups begin to occur between Cheon Sa Rang (YoonA) as she discovers that Gu Won (Lee Junho) is in an arranged marriage.

'King the Land' Episode 12: Cheon Sa Rang & Gu Won's Relationship Busted

"King the Land" Episode 12 began with the Thailand trip squad, shocked to see Gu Won and Cheon Sa Rang together at her house. The two were questioned by their friends, and they finally confessed their relationship.

The chaebol heir also revealed his true identity, which surprised Sa Rang's friends and Lee Ro Un (Kim Jae Won).

After knowing the truth, they started to treat Gu Won with respect, which made the situation awkward.

Later on, Sa Rang and her friends talked about her relationship with Gu Won. Kang Da Eul (Kim Ga Eun) and Oh Pyeong Hwa (Go Won Hee) were happy with their friends' happiness.

The media praised King Hotel's 100th anniversary and its executives, but Gu Hwa Ran (Kim Sun Young) was not happy and forced her father to make a choice.

After Gu Il Hun (Son Byung Ho) saw his daughter's manipulation, he made the choice and went all out with the two potential heirs.

He asked them to present their plan for the next 10 years for King Hotel at their next meeting. All executives left with Hwa Ran, while No Sang Sik (Ahn Se Ha) was left by Gu Won's side.

Elsewhere, Oh Pyeong Hwa had a heated confrontation with her colleague, which ended up her remembering her failed marriage.

Gu Hwa Ran Suspicious of Cheon Sa Rang & Gu Won's Relationship

Hwa Ran was having a conversation with the politician who was humiliated at the anniversary. He vented out his anger at Sa Rang and demanded to fire her, which Gu Hwa Ran did.

Gu Won arrived to stop everything and the clash between the siblings arose again. Hwa Ran then got suspicious about their relationship.

Gu Won then asked the head staff of King the Land to protect every employee who faces such a situation.

Later on, her colleagues helped Sa Rang and made her feel included for the first time.

After their work, Gu Won arrived to pick her up, but the rain ended up messing up his clothes, and they went to Sa Rang's house.

There, the couple shared a mischievous and passionate moment.

Cheon Sa Rang Learns More About Gu Won's Mother

Gu Hwa Ran asked Noh Sang Sik to be a spy and keep an eye on Gu Won. While at work assisting a guest, Sa Rang met a woman who knew Han Mi So, and there she discovered more things about Gu Won's mother.

Sa Rang then handed Han Mi So to Gu Won, where she got it from the woman she met at the hotel.

Meanwhile, Gu Hwa Ran's personal life turned miserable after her husband asked for a divorce and her son made a surprise return from the U.S.

Cheon Sa Rang Shocked by Gu Won's Arranged Marriage

Elsewhere, Sa Rang became part of the Dream Team and asked to be part of the team that serves the chairman during personal events. However, she was shocked when she found Gu Won sitting next to a woman.

Unfortunately, she felt numb after hearing Chairman Il Hun discussing Gu Won's marriage to the daughter of the First Royal Hotel's chairman.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Kim Seon Ho made his fans' hearts flutter as he returned to the Philippines for his second fan meet.

Before meeting Filipino Seonhohadas, the K-drama heartthrob attended a press conference as he spoke about his plans in show business, and travelling to the country again for the "Love to Meet Our Good Boy" event.

Kim Seon Ho on Being Called 'Good Boy' by Fans

As mentioned by CNN Philippines, Kim Seon Ho was grateful for his return as well as the support and love from his Filipino fans. To recall, his first visit was in January 2023, for the "One, Two, Three. Smile" Asia tour fan meet.

The 37-year-old actor mesmerized fans with hit K-dramas like "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" and Start-Up," where he got the moniker "good boy."

Speaking of the nickname, Kim Seon Ho was also asked about how he truly feels being called K-drama's "good boy." He said that it's a term that the elderly people use to describe a young, innocent man who has a pure and naive aura, similar to that of a good boy.

"So it actually describes the internal character of a person who is kind and pure-hearted," he said, as obtained by the same outlet.

As for his true feelings being called by such a wonderful term, he revealed how it makes him feel "emotional" just by hearing it.

"Since I was really into the character, when I hear the term 'Good Boy,' it really makes me emotional as well," he explained.

According to Kim Seon Ho, it usually takes him two to three months to prepare for his character. It includes the physical and emotional parts of jumping into a different role and embodying the character's personality.

"There are a lot of characters; there's so much versatility to a lot of characters, but the character starts with me," he said.

Moreover, he also compared it to a piece of clothing and how it suits every person.

"Just like clothing, if someone wears it, it's kind of a different look and style from when I wear it. That's how I see my individuality in the character," he said.

Kim Seon Ho Says Hong Du Sik is the Character Who is Most Similar to Him

As the press conference continues, the 37-year-old star also discussed his hit K-drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," where he played the role of the neighborhood's handyman, Hong Du Sik.

According to him, it's the character who has the same similarity to him in real life.

For Kim Seon Ho, he loves having conversations with people in a happy and light environment, adding that he likes having scenes featuring the "most ordinary and most approaching people."

The South Korean star also pointed out that he "really appreciates and finds special the scenes where I'm having conversations and showing people my ordinary side."

Besides his Asian tour, Kim Seon Ho continues to make headlines after his debut movie "The Childe" received a positive response from viewers worldwide.

In the review-aggregation website for film and television, Rotten Tomatoes, the action-noir film, garnered 100 tomatometers, or the percentage that represents positive professional critic reviews, while 97 percent for the audience score.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
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John R. Mehall is a cardiothoracic surgeon and physician executive.

He discusses his KevinMD article, 3 myths about ECMO that are costing hospitals and patients.

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By Jane Nafula

The Uganda Editors Guild (UEG) has said the media will boycott government press briefings in protest against what they described as an unconstitutional directive on government advertising.

In a statement issued July 24, the editors said the arbitrary and unconstitutional directive issued by President Museveni on March 6, 2023, and further reinforced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance on July 10, 2023, is detrimental to media freedom and the equitable distribution of public funds.

The contentious directive mandates all government advertising to be channeled solely through the government-owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and print media through the New Vision.

In light of the aforementioned concerns, the Uganda Editors Guild announces the following actions: Government Press Briefing Boycott until a resolution is reached, the media will boycott government press briefings in protest against the unconstitutional directive on government advertising, the statement reads in part.

The editors said the presidential directive is in violation of the liberalized economic trajectory adopted by Uganda in the 1990s, where public agencies are expected to compete fairly with the private sector for revenue and government business.

According to the press release, Article 40(2) of the Constitution of Uganda grants every individual the right to practice their profession and carry on lawful occupations, trade, and business.

The editors urged the government to abandon the directive and seek alternative solutions that promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in the allocation of government advertising funds and also engage with the concerned authorities.

They demanded for continued engagement between stakeholders in the media industry and the government to address these pressing issues and find a constructive way forward.

Members also suggested that a number of critical issues should be addressed during the forthcoming meeting that is expected to be held between the Executives of the National Broadcasters Association (NBA) and the President, slated for August 10, 2023.

According to the statement, some of the issues that should be resolved during this meeting include; discrimination and unconstitutionality of the directive, monopoly and fair competition, rights of journalists and media professionals as well as transparency and accountability.
By Mike Sebalu

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in Nyamitranga for the send-off of the Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese Paul Bakyenga slated for this afternoon.

A requiem mass is currently underway at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nyamitanga Cathedral in Mbrara City.

Bakyenga passed on at Nsambya hospital on Tuesday last week at the age of 79.

Another requiem was held for him on Friday last week at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala.

Bakyenga has been praised for his immense contribution to the development of the church and state.

He is particularly lauded for founding educational institutions such as the University of St Joseph in Mbarara and health facilities such as Holy Innocents Childrens Hospital.

He is to be buried inside Nyamitanga Cathedral in Mbarara, becoming the second Bishop to be buried there after Father Francis-Xavier Lacoursiere of the White Fathers.

Meanwhile, the government has accorded the late prelate an official burial
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mary Gorreti Kitutu Kimono, her brother Michael Naboya and senior secretary Joshua Abaho took a plea before the High Court Anti-corruption Division on Monday and denied mismanaging iron sheets that were meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja sub-region.

Kitutu and co-accused persons were appearing before Justice Jane Kajuga Okuo for a hearing to determine the matter. Kitutu is accused of mismanaging Karamoja relief items.

The three are charged with loss of public property, corruption, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy to defraud.

Prosecution states that the group between June 2022 and January 2023 at the Office of the Prime Ministers stores in Namanve caused a loss of public property in form of 14,500 iron sheets by diverting them from the intended purpose of benefiting the Karamoja community empowerment programme to their own benefit, knowing that such acts would result into loss of public property.

That Naboya Kitutu between similar months at Situmi village, Namisindwa district received 100 iron sheets marked OPM Uganda knowing that the same had been feloniously obtained.
Police have poked holes in a travel advisory issued by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) to its staff regarding alleged insecurity along the Entebbe Expressway and the Northern Bypass.

The advisory further indicates that several of their staff have fallen victim to violent robberies by organized criminal elements along the mentioned roads after sunset orchestrated by youth aged between 14-25 years.

Additionally, the UN strongly advised its personnel to travel with police escorts if they are to use the said highways.

In a press statement issued on Monday, July 24, 2023, police spokesperson Mr. Fred Enanga revealed that there are no violent crimes reported on the Entebbe Expressway as alleged.

We are concerned by the travel advisory, because there are no crime reports, in support of the claims. Regarding the alleged vulnerabilities along the Entebbe Expressway of poor police response, which varies from less than 1 hour to 2 hours, uncoordinated patrols, reckless driving and over speeding especially at night, dark sections along the expressway, we would like to inform all travellers and motorists who use or intend to use the Entebbe Expressway, Enanga said in a statement.

According to Enanga, they (police) have been registering pop-up crimes on the Northern Bypass which they have since cracked down.

Since January 2023, we have maintained security presence, along that route. In March this year, we disrupted a sack and rock-throwing criminal gang, that was targeting motorists at night, Enanga added.

Police have threatened to flag the advisory malicious and openly hostile communication, aimed at creating panic and fear if the UN fails to avail the Force with details of their study for follow-up and comparison.
Tesco Ireland's recent appeal against the lands they possess at the old mart site in Kilkenny being designated as liable for the new 'Residential Zoned Land Tax' has been unsuccessful.

An Bord Pleanala have agreed with Kilkenny County Council's designation of the land as meeting the criteria for Residential Zoned Land Tax liability.

The primary grounds of the appeal was that the site is zoned 'general business', subject to a masterplan and that in the absence of a masterplan, it is not certain as to what services need to be provided on the site, making the decision to include the site on the maps as premature.

In their final decision report, the national planning body stated that 'the site zoning allows for the development of housing on the land and the lack of a masterplan is not a reason for the exclusion of these lands from the Residential Zoned Land Tax maps'.

The report goes on to state that 'it can be reasonably expected that there are available services in the area that would allow for the development of these lands for residential purposes'.

"The site therefore satisfies the criterion for inclusion on the map set out in section 653B(c) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as amended," the report concludes.

What is Residential Zoned Land Tax?

Residential Zoned Land Tax is a new annual tax and is calculated at 3% of the market value of land within its scope. It will apply from 2024 onwards.

The tax is aimed at increasing housing supply by activating zoned, serviced residential development lands (including mixed-use lands) for housing.

It also aims to incentivise landowners to use existing planning permissions for housing. The tax is being introduced as part of Housing for All, the government's housing plan to 2030.

Each local authority was recently tasked with preparing and publishing a map identifying land within the scope of RZLT.

The first draft maps were published by local authorities in November of 2022 and supplemental and final maps were published earlier this year.

Landowners unhappy with the local authority determination could subsequently appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
Strengths Of the cryptocurrencies tracked by CoinMarketCap, the best performer for the week was Compound, rising 149.63%.



Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong will meet with House Democrats behind closed doors on Wednesday morning. Armstrong will speak privately with lawmakers from the New Democrat Coalition about digital-asset legislation and related issues including tax, national security, privacy, and climate, writes Bloomberg.



A Bitcoin spot-based ETF could bring $30 billion in new demand for the worlds largest digital asset, according to crypto trading firm NYDIG. Weaknesses Of the cryptocurrencies tracked by CoinMarketCap, the worst performer for the week was Rocket Pool, down 26.20%.



Crypto traders are tu rning increasingly bearish on the BNB token that serves as the centerpiece of the embattled Binance digital-asset trading platform. The negative sentiment is most reflected on the perpetual swap market, a type of futures contract used in crypto markets that do not expire, writes Bloomberg.

rning increasingly bearish on the BNB token that serves as the centerpiece of the embattled Binance digital-asset trading platform. The negative sentiment is most reflected on the perpetual swap market, a type of futures contract used in crypto markets that do not expire, writes Bloomberg.

Kuwait has prohibited the use of crypto for payments or investment to combat money laundering. The capital markets authority also placed an absolute ban on all digital asset mining, prohibited the recognition of crypto as decentralized currency, and warned the public that companies are not allowed to provide any type of crypto related services, writes Bloomberg. Opportunities Crypto trading platform Bitget plans to expand into the Middle East and hire up to 60 new members of staff. The company said it has already opened an office in downtown Dubai to support the expansion and will explore opportunities in Bahrain and the UEA, writes Bloomberg.



Elon Musk posted a Scooby-Doo meme this week and in response Dogecoin added $320 million in just 15 minutes. The cryptocurrency based on the Doge meme quickly jumped in value by 3% after the tweet, writes Bloomberg.



The aggregate total of active loans in the crypto lending sector has increased to $5.5 billion since the beginning of the year. Aave is the current market leader with about 50% of the market in active loans, writes Bloomberg. Threats A North Korean government-backed hacking group breached U.S. IT management company JumpCloud to use it as a springboard to target an unknown number of cryptocurrency companies, writes Bloomberg.



SEC chairman Gary Gensler doubled down on his promise to crack down on the Wild West cryptocurrency industry. The industry is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse, he explained, writes Bloomberg.



Crypto fund fraudster Eddy Alexandre was sentenced to nine years after pleading guilty to swingling $249 million from investors through his EminiFX cryptocurrency scheme, writes Bloomberg. By Frank E. Holmes Contributing to kitco.com Follow @bulldogholmes www.goldnewsletter.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - China will step up its policy support for the economy amid a tortuous post-COVID recovery, focusing on boosting domestic demand, the Politburo, a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party, said on Monday, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The world's second-largest economy grew at a frail pace in the second quarter as demand weakened at home and abroad, raising pressure on policymakers to deliver more stimulus to shore up post-COVID recovery.

"Currently, China's economy is facing new difficulties and challenges, which mainly arise from insufficient domestic demand, difficulties in the operation of some enterprises, risks and hidden dangers in key areas, as well as a grim and complex external environment," Xinhua cited the Politburo as saying.

Top leaders pledged to "intensify macroeconomic policy adjustments, focus on expanding domestic demand, boosting confidence and preventing risks, and continuously promote the improvement of economic operations," Xinhua said.

China will implement its macro adjustments in a precise and forceful manner and strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments, as the government sticks with a prudent monetary policy and pro-active fiscal policy, the Politburo was quoted as saying.

Separately, Xinhua quoted President Xi as saying during a meeting with non-Chinese Communist Party members that China will strive to achieve its annual development targets.

While China is seen on track to hit its modest 2023 growth target of around 5%, there are risks of the annual goal being missed for the second year in a row, analysts said.

A senior central bank official said earlier this month the bank will use policy tools such as the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) to weather the challenges facing the world's second-largest economy.

China will actively expand domestic demand, boosting residents' incomes to unleash the fundamental role of consumption in driving economic growth, while speeding up local special bond issuance to spur investment. Xinhua said.

The government will boost demand for autos, electronics and household products and promote tourism consumption, Xinhua added.

China will adjust and optimise property policies at an appropriate time, in response to "significant changes" in the supply and demand relationship in the property market, Xinhua said.

Amid the mounting local debt repayment burden, China will effectively resolve local government debt risks and formulate a basket of plans to resolve local debt issues, Xinhua said.

China will improve the development environment for private firms and stabilise trade and foreign investment, Xinhua said.

China last week also released guidelines to improve the private sector and vowed to make it "bigger, better and stronger."
Russia Seen Moving to Eliminate Ukraine's Ability to Move Grain by Water

Senate to vote Tuesday on amendment prohibiting certain countries from buying U.S. farmland

In Today's Digital Newspaper

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his call for a fully-fledged sky shield after Kremlin forces unleashed a missile barrage against Odesa. It was the largest in a string of almost daily strikes on the Black Sea port after Moscow pulled out of the U.N.-brokered grain export deal. Russia said its forces intercepted two Ukrainian drones over Moscow. More in Russia & Ukraine section, including analysis from Southern Ag Today about the implications of Russia's nixing of the Black Sea Grain Pact.

Russia bombed ports on the Danube River overnight. The facilities were within about 2 miles of Romania. Ukraine hit military facilities in Moscow with drones. Grain trader and analyst Richard Crow asks: Is the war getting broader and more severe? Russia seems to be moving to eliminate Ukraine's ability to move grain by water.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleskii Reznikov predicts the war in his country will be over by next summer. In an interview with CNN, Reznikov expressed confidence that Ukraine will "win this war" and be admitted to NATO next year as well.

Tesla is racing ahead of German automakers, selling more EVs in the first half than Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche combined. The Germans are struggling as software issues delay key models and contribute to waning sales in China.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on a significant amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday. The amendment is a new version of a bill originally proposed by Senators Mike Rounds from South Dakota and Jon Tester from Montana. The goal of this bill is to enhance the federal government's oversight capability and, in certain circumstances, prevent entities from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing farmland in the United States.

President Joe Biden chose a female admiral, Lisa Franchetti, to lead the American navy. See Personnel section for details.

The effort by the Biden administration to reduce economic ties with China is proving challenging. See China section for specifics.

Despite a severe heat wave which is causing unprecedented electricity demand in various areas of the U.S., the nation's power grid has, so far, successfully managed the surge. For reasons why, check the Energy section.

At the recent G20 summit in India, several countries led by Saudi Arabia blocked a proposition to lessen the use of fossil fuels, amid increasing global concern over climate change. Details below.

Seven Republican candidates for the presidential race have qualified for the debate slated for Aug. 23. Details in Politics & Elections section

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) predicted a months-long continuing resolution (CR), paired with an emergency supplemental spending bill to aid Ukraine, address U.S. military needs, provide international food aid, and respond to domestic natural disasters.

More than 35 million people in the U.S. are currently suffering due to an intense heatwave, with no respite expected for at least another week. This widespread heat has caused significant strains not only on individuals but also on businesses and the economy at large. It is estimated that ongoing high temperatures could potentially cost the U.S. economy up to $100 billion each year solely from reduced productivity. Industries such as agriculture and construction are especially affected because employees working outdoors are typically less efficient during hot weather. Also, the restaurant business, particularly those with outdoor seating, is suffering as well. The relentless heat has transformed bustling patios into largely deserted spaces, leading to a decline in sales that nears record lows seen during the pandemic.

MARKET FOCUS

Equities today: Asian and European stock markets were mixed in quieter overnight trading. U.S. Dow opened up around 50 points higher. In Asia, Japan +1.2%. Hong Kong -2.3%. China -0.1%. India -0.5%. In Europe, at midday, London -0.2%. Paris -0.5%. Frankfurt -0.1%.

Market quotes of note:

Fed watch: With expectations for July's decision mostly in consensus at a 25 bp hike, investors will watch for any commentary Fed Chair Jerome Powell has to deliver on where the central bank will take rates from there. "If they continue to put their foot on the brake to try to slow the economy down, and they get language around that [this] week, that would be problematic" for markets, said David Smith, chief investment officer at Rockland Trust.

With expectations for July's decision mostly in consensus at a 25 bp hike, investors will watch for any commentary Fed Chair Jerome Powell has to deliver on where the central bank will take rates from there. "If they continue to put their foot on the brake to try to slow the economy down, and they get language around that [this] week, that would be problematic" for markets, said David Smith, chief investment officer at Rockland Trust.

The return of student loans payments in October will reduce consumer spending by as much as $9 billion each month, or more than $100 billion a year, according to a new report by Oxford Economics.

will reduce consumer spending by as much as $9 billion each month, or more than $100 billion a year, according to a new report by Oxford Economics.

We need to trade with China, and at the same time we need to make critical strategic supply chains more secure. Easy in words, but not obvious in practical terms.  Paolo Gentiloni, the European Commissioner for the Economy.

Eurozone private sector contracts. The HCOB Eurozone Composite PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) dropped to 48.9 in July, down from 49.9 in June, and below the anticipated figure of 49.7. This reading marks the largest contraction in business output since the previous November. The downturn primarily was attributed to significant declines in the manufacturing sector, which experienced its largest drop in over three years, as well as a continual loss of momentum in the services sector.

Business activity in Germany fell to its lowest level this year, with a score of 48.3 (above 50 represents growth) in the S&P Global flash composite purchasing managers' index. German manufacturing slowed to pandemic levels and service growth dipped for the second month. France's private-sector economy also shrank, with its PMI reading falling to 46.6.

Market perspectives:

 Outside markets: The U.S. dollar index was slightly higher, with the euro and British pound weaker against the greenback. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell, trading around 3.81%, with a negative tone in global government bond yields. Crude oil futures continue to move higher, with U.S. crude around $77.65 per barrel and Brent around $81.60 per barrel. Gold futures were up and silver was down, with gold around $1,967 per troy ounce and silver around $24.73 per troy ounce.

 The pound slid against the dollar as U.K. manufacturing and services grew at the slowest pace in six months.

 Russia notched a victory in the fight for influence over global oil markets, as its flagship grade of crude traded above a Western price cap for the first time.

RUSSIA/UKRAINE

 Russia is trying to make it difficult for Ukraine to export grain via the Danube River, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi says in a Bloomberg Television interview. He says grain shipments have dropped by 30% since Russia ended the export deal.

Russian forces, through drone attacks, have damaged a grain hangar at an unnamed port along the Danube, as per Ukraine's southern operational military command's announcement on Facebook. The attacks are following the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal and Russia's ensuing attacks on the Odesa port.

Ukraine is likely to rely more heavily on alternative export routes, such as the Danube river. In May, there was a marked increase in crop transportation along the Danube river, transporting 2.2 million tons, a rise of almost 900,000 tons from the end of the previous year. Grain exports via the river even surpassed those via the Black Sea corridor, due to intensified inspections slowing down freight departures.

Ukrainian ports such as Reni and Izmail on the Danube, at the Romanian border, have become pivotal for the country's grain and oilseeds exports. Local traders like Nibulon and Kernel have been expanding their capacities to cope with the challenges from Russia's sea blockade. However, the extent of the damage and the potential frequency of future attacks by Russia remain uncertain.

 Southern Ag Today looked at the implications of the Black Sea Grain Deal cancellation. Key findings:

Ukraine's agricultural exports: Ukraine, once the third-biggest global corn exporter, is projected to drop to fourth in the 2023-2024 period due to Russia's decision to leave the Black Sea Grain deal. Ukrainian corn exports are expected to drop from 15% to 9.6% of global exports in the same period. On the wheat front, Ukraine's exports, which ranked seventh globally, are projected to drop from 7.5% to 5.0% of global exports.

Ukraine, once the third-biggest global corn exporter, is projected to drop to fourth in the 2023-2024 period due to Russia's decision to leave the Black Sea Grain deal. Ukrainian corn exports are expected to drop from 15% to 9.6% of global exports in the same period. On the wheat front, Ukraine's exports, which ranked seventh globally, are projected to drop from 7.5% to 5.0% of global exports.

Global corn and wheat stocks: Despite the fall in Ukraine's exports, global ending stocks of corn are projected to rise due to a predicted record production in the U.S. Also, Russia's wheat exports, currently the highest globally, are projected to increase slightly.

Despite the fall in Ukraine's exports, global ending stocks of corn are projected to rise due to a predicted record production in the U.S. Also, Russia's wheat exports, currently the highest globally, are projected to increase slightly.

Fertilizer market: Russia leads in Nitrogenous, Potash, and Phosphate fertilizer exports. Ukraine, which only has a minor share in Nitrogenous exports and even less in Phosphate and Potash exports, could be further constrained by the cancellation of the deal. Fertilizer prices saw an initial surge due to Russian supply shocks around the start of the conflict but are expected to remain unaffected by the cancellation of the deal.

Russia leads in Nitrogenous, Potash, and Phosphate fertilizer exports. Ukraine, which only has a minor share in Nitrogenous exports and even less in Phosphate and Potash exports, could be further constrained by the cancellation of the deal. Fertilizer prices saw an initial surge due to Russian supply shocks around the start of the conflict but are expected to remain unaffected by the cancellation of the deal.

Market impact and volatility: The cancellation of the Grain deal didn't significantly affect futures initially due to likely prior market anticipation of such a move. However, subsequent Russian aggression in launching a missile strike on the Port of Odesa has increased market volatility due to possible supply shocks, with prices of corn and wheat futures seeing some rise.

The cancellation of the Grain deal didn't significantly affect futures initially due to likely prior market anticipation of such a move. However, subsequent Russian aggression in launching a missile strike on the Port of Odesa has increased market volatility due to possible supply shocks, with prices of corn and wheat futures seeing some rise.

Advice for producers: With the ongoing situation, producers should leverage the higher corn prices now, before they drop due to a weather risk premium. As for wheat, prices are expected to fall due to an increase in market supply during the harvest period, but a rebound is expected once the harvest supplies are absorbed into the market.

Upshot: The unfolding Russian-Ukrainian conflict, coupled with weather and crop conditions, will continue to influence the agricultural markets, increasing price volatility in the foreseeable future.

PERSONNEL

 President Joe Biden chose a female admiral, Lisa Franchetti, to lead the American navy. If confirmed by the Senate, Admiral Franchetti will become the first woman in the role and the first to join the joint chiefs of staff. She formerly led the navy in South Korea.

CHINA UPDATE

 Republican lawmakers are probing Ford's partnership with a Chinese battery company for its new $3.5 billion plant in Michigan, scrutinizing issues around American jobs, technology sharing and links to forced labor.

 The effort by the Biden administration to reduce economic ties with China is proving challenging, the Wall Street Journal reports. The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, during a recent trip to Vietnam highlighted the increase in trade between the U.S. and other countries as a sign of diversification. American trade with Vietnam has notably increased over the past five years, reaching an annual total of $140 billion.

However, it's not easy to completely disconnect from China's pivotal role in global supply chains. This situation is further complicated by the fact that potential alternative trading partners, such as Vietnam and South Korea, also have strong economic relations with China themselves. Moreover, production in these countries often involves Chinese corporations as well.

A key issue lies in the clean-energy technology sector where China plays a dominant role, particularly in the supply of solar panels. An investigation showed that Chinese companies avoided tariffs by rerouting their products through Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, indicating that they continue to hold an influential position in the market indirectly. This highlights the complex nature of global trade networks and the difficulty in reducing economic dependence on a specific country.

 Chinese leaders easing debt policy. The communist state's Politburo, its top decision-making body led by President Xi Jinping, supports easing property policies and is going to attempt to boost the economy by supporting the real estate market. This comes after last week's report of the World's second largest economy slowing more than expected as demand continues to falter from the nations Zero Covid Policy. The meeting did not provide any indication of major fiscal or monetary loosening.

ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE

 U.S. power grid withstands the heat, so far. Despite a severe heat wave which is causing unprecedented electricity demand in various areas of the U.S., the nation's power grid has, so far, successfully managed the surge. This is attributed to a mixture of fortunate circumstances and the advent of new energy sources, the Wall Street Journal reports . One key player in this achievement has been Texas, which has significantly increased its reliance on solar power. The introduction of numerous solar farms across the state has proved to be a robust solution against unplanned mechanical failures in some of the traditional coal and gas power plants. These solar installations have effectively compensated for any impeded energy production, aiding in the power grid's resilience during this period of heightened demand.

 At the recent G20 summit in India, several countries led by Saudi Arabia blocked a proposition to lessen the use of fossil fuels, amid increasing global concern over climate change. The G20 countries released a document highlighting the varying views, with some nations promoting efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, particularly without emissions capture, while others prefer developing technology to capture greenhouse gas emissions.

Saudi Arabia, supported by several other unnamed nations, actively opposed the phasing out of fossil fuels. Historically, Russia and China have also consistently resisted such moves, including obstructing an agreement at a UN climate summit in Egypt last year.

G7 countries, however, have already agreed to expedite the phasing out of fossil fuels. Despite this, the recent meetings failed to develop a global renewable energy development goal. This impasse occurs as many regions worldwide are dealing with extreme weather, such as extensive heatwaves and flooding.

The EU is a significant proponent of transitioning away from fossil fuels, which constitute roughly three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions. However, the summit revealed sharp divisions over fossil fuel transition.

India's Minister of Power, RK Singh, acknowledged the reduction of fossil fuel production as a significant sticking point. He expressed favorable views about the summit, despite these disagreements, as the majority of the G20 was in favor of the proposed measures. India has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, while China aims to reach this by 2060. A report generated for India's G20 presidency anticipated the energy transition's global cost at $4 trillion annually and stressed the need for funding for developing countries.

Upshot: The unsuccessful attempts at reaching an agreement could increase pressure on the United Arab Emirates, which will host COP28 in December. The failure to reach consensus could also affect global efforts to reduce emissions enough to prevent temperatures from rising above 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, deemed a critical threshold by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Currently, the world is on track for a temperature rise of between 2.4C and 2.6C by 2100.

POLITICS & ELECTIONS

 Seven Republican candidates for the presidential race have qualified for the debate slated for Aug. 23, according to polling data from Fox Business in Iowa and South Carolina. The candidates who meet the requirement of achieving 1% or higher in at least two separate national and state polls are Former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. This polling threshold was set by the Republican National Committee. In order for the candidates to qualify for the debate, they also must meet fundraising criteria and commit to supporting the eventual Republican nominee. Though he has met the polling threshold, Mike Pence has stated that he has not yet achieved the required fundraising criterion.

 In the recent Spanish general election, the results came out tighter than expected. The center-right People's Party, led by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, has come out as the largest party in parliament, as was widely predicted beforehand. It managed to push the ruling Socialists, fronted by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, into second place. However, despite the People's Party's alliance with the firm right-wing party Vox, they will still not have enough seats to form a governing majority in the parliament.
July 24 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Monday, largely on the back of corporate earnings, although traders' attention remained focused on the U.S. Federal Reserve and volatility in oil markets.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) gained 0.4%, buoyed by a 3.7% jump in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) after the lender proposed a half-yearly dividend of 1.15 riyal per share.

The Saudi bourse continued to see a strong performance thanks to solid local fundamentals as well as positive results from the banking sector, said Daniel Takieddine, CEO MENA at BDSwiss.

"Volatility in energy prices could affect the market to a certain extent, however."

In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark stock index (.FTFADGI) rose 1.2%, boosted by a 5.8% surge in the country's biggest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) (FAB.AD) following a sharp rise in quarterly earnings.

FAB said its second-quarter profit rose 61% from a year prior, as interest and non-interest income rose. The bank posted a net profit of 4.2 billion dirhams ($1.14 billion) for the quarter.

Dubai's main share index (.DFMGI) edged 0.2% higher, with Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corp (EMPOWER.DU) gaining 1.6%.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has invited investment banks to pitch for roles in the planned initial public offerings of its taxi and parking businesses, Reuters reported last Thursday, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 0.2%, weighed down by a 1.9% decline in Eastern Company (EAST.CA).

The Egyptian stock market dropped as trading volumes continue to fall and as international investors maintained selling pressure, said Takieddine.

SAUDI ARABIA (.TASI) rose 0.4% to 11,802 ABU DHABI (.FTFADGI) up 1.2% to 9,740 DUBAI (.DFMGI) gained 0.2% to 3,994 QATAR (.QSI) was flat at 10,497 EGYPT (.EGX30) lost 0.2% to 17,550 BAHRAIN (.BAX) added 0.2% to 1,986 OMAN (.MSX30) was flat at 4,799 KUWAIT (.BKP) dropped 1.1% to 8,068

($1 = 3.6729 UAE dirham)
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(Kitco News) - Russian President Vladimir Putin officially signed the digital ruble bill into law on Monday, making way for the legislation governing the creation of a public central bank digital currency (CBDC) to take effect on Aug.1, according to an official government document.

Russias lower parliamentary house, the State Duma, passed the digital ruble bill in its third reading on July 11. The bill was subsequently approved by the assemblys upper chamber, the Federation Council, which advanced it to Putins desk for final approval.

The new law establishes the legal norms for the introduction of a digital ruble in Russia, making it the third form of the national currency available for use in the countrys financial system. The Bank of Russia (BoR) plans to issue a digital ruble in addition to the existing cash and non-cash funds.

The digital ruble is designed to serve as a payment and money transfer method and is not for investment purposes.

The BoR said they will initiate the first digital ruble pilot with real customers in August. All but one rule, article number three, will be implemented at that time. Article three, which contains amendments to several Russian federal laws, including those related to bankruptcy and inheritance, will take effect in August 2024.

While addressing concerns related to the digital ruble, Bank of Russia governor Elvira Nabiullina said, No one is going to force anyone into the digital ruble [...] But we really hope that it will be more convenient and cheaper for both people and businesses, and they will start using it. This is a new opportunity.

BoR deputy governor Olga Skorobogatova added that the government expects the mass adoption of a digital ruble in Russia to have a time horizon of 2025-2027, and said the process will be phased and will depend on the banks that we connect to the platform.

Thirteen banks have passed all the technical stages of preparation and will participate in the initial pilot in August, Skorobogatova said. Citizens will be able to create a digital ruble wallet through the mobile application of any participating bank and can then request a transfer of digital rubles from the BoR, she added.

Bank of Japan explores the development of a digital yen

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) launched a series of discussions with 60 companies on Thursday to explore the development of a digital yen.

According to a report from Reuters, the BOJ said the discussions will explore various themes including the business and technological features of retail settlements using a CBDC.

No decision has been made on whether Japan will actually issue a digital yen, the BOJ said. That decision will ultimately be decided by the government and parliament.

Aside from megabanks and regional lenders, the group of participants includes numerous prominent Japanese companies such as Sony, the financial arm of Toyota, convenience store operator Lawson, and East Japan Railway.

Nigeria incorporates Near Field Communication technology

In its ongoing efforts to increase the adoption of the digital naira and enhance the CBDCs mobile application, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has incorporated Near Field Communication (NFC) technology into the eNaira app.

According to a report by local news outlet The Sun, the CBN has added NFC technology to facilitate seamless interaction between mobile devices and payment terminals. Near Field Communication is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that uses magnetic field induction to enable communication between devices.

Joseph Angaye, deputy director of risk management at the CBN, said the upgrade is expected to play a crucial role in increasing the adoption rate for the eNaira.

There are many benefits of the eNaira app, he said. The world is going digital and the CBN cannot afford to lag behind. So, when theres a new technology, we embrace it. Speed of transaction and reduction of settlement risks have all been taken care of by the CBNs eNaira.

It was created to deepen financial payment system infrastructure, he explained. Its not a competitor for banks and other payment systems services providers. Its to help reduce the number of interfaces needed to initiate and complete payments. Itll reduce leakages in terms of payment collection, deepen financial inclusion, and generally provide more services that will benefit Nigerians.

Speaking directly about the new NFC capabilities, CBN official Shadrach Abdul said the eNaira app is just like cash but in electronic form.

We felt we should innovate and build more means of exchanging service, Abdul said. We now have NFC where we stick a sticker to your phone and use it to make payments. Even if you dont have a smartphone, you can stick it to any phone and it automatically makes it a smartphone and offers the same service. You can use it with any eNaira merchant.
BENGALURU, July 24 (Reuters) - India's Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) said on Monday it would invest up to 10 billion Indian rupees ($122.24 million) in building data centres in the country along with Canada-based Brookfield Infrastructure.

The announcement comes at a time when data centre capacity in India is expected to rise exponentially as more people go online.

Reliance will initially invest about 3.78 billion rupees in units of Mercury Holdings SG Pte, which is a joint venture (JV) between Brookfield Infrastructure and U.S.-based real estate investment trust Digital Realty.

The JV is currently building data centres in Chennai and Mumbai.

The Mukesh Ambani-owned company has committed to invest the remaining 6.22 billion rupees in equity and debt securities of the JV's units, when needed.

Reliance will hold a 33.33% stake in each of the Indian units of the JV and become an equal partner, it said, adding that the venture will be branded as Digital Connexion.

India's data centres market is expected to grow 40% a year and draw $5 billion in investments by 2025 according to a report from investment bank Avendus Capital.

Indian data center space is also heating up with Reliance's entry as Adani Enterprises' (ADEL.NS) JV had already raised $213 million to fund under-construction data centres.

($1 = 81.8060 Indian rupees)
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(Kitco News) - Globally diversified mining group South32 (LSE: S32) reported Monday that in the June 2023 quarter, its copper equivalent production increased by 9% q-o-q, underpinned by a return to stable operations following adverse weather and other temporary impacts in the prior quarter.

The company said that in its fiscal 2023 ended June 30 2023 (FY23), the company achieved strong year-on-year growth in aluminium, copper and manganese, setting three annual production records and realizing the benefit of its investments in commodities for a low-carbon future.

South32s aluminium production increased by 14% to 1,133 kt in FY23, as Hillside Aluminium achieved record production and the company benefited from its investments in low-carbon aluminium capacity at Mozal Aluminium and Brazil Aluminium.

However, alumina production declined by 4% to 5,101 kt in FY23 due to temporary outages in the June 2023 quarter. South32 said that both refineries have returned to nameplate production rates and FY24 guidance is unchanged.

The companys base metals production increased by 17% in FY23 as South32 embedded the Sierra Gorda copper operation in its portfolio, while the companys Cannington zinc-lead-silver and Cerro Matoso nickel operations achieved revised guidance.

Australia Manganese and South Africa Manganese achieved annual production records, delivering a 4% increase in manganese production in FY23.

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal achieved revised FY23 production guidance, with improved longwall performance delivering a 21% increase in metallurgical coal production in the June 2023 quarter.

The company also said that its FY23 operating unit costs are expected to be in-line with its previously updated guidance.

CEO Graham Kerr commented on the results, We had a strong finish to the year, with Group copper equivalent production growing 9% in the quarter. Our strong operating results included record annual production at Hillside Aluminium, Australia Manganese and South Africa Manganese. Aluminium production increased by 14% and base metals production by 17% in FY23, supported by our recent investments in commodities critical to a low-carbon future.

Looking forward, we are well placed to continue to capitalize on the global energy transition. We expect to deliver further production growth in aluminium and base metals in FY24, and our high-quality development options have the potential to further strengthen our long-term supply of critical minerals.

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company producing bauxite, alumina, aluminium, energy and metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead, copper and zinc in Australia, Southern Africa and South America.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
The Excelsior Springs Fire Department, in cooperation with the citys police department, rescued a man who fell down a more than 30-foot ravine this morning by utilizing a rope rescue.
Carlethia "Carlee" Nichole Russell is seen in an image released by the Hoover, Alabama police department. Russell, the Alabama woman who earlier this month went missing for 49 hours after making a 911 call about a child on an interstate, said she was not kidnapped and did not see a baby on the side of the road, according to a statement from her attorney.
Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT raised its position in BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Free Report) by 88.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 9,659 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,531 shares during the period. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UTs holdings in BJs Wholesale Club were worth $735,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 45.6% during the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,222 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 383 shares during the period. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.02% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BJs Wholesale Club

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 transaction of $938,140.80. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,605,749.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BJs Wholesale Club Price Performance

BJ has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $89.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $87.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $83.00 to $74.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $77.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $90.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.40.

Shares of NYSE:BJ opened at $65.11 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average is $63.78 and its 200 day moving average is $70.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a current ratio of 0.70. The company has a market capitalization of $8.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.47. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $60.33 and a fifty-two week high of $80.41.

BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 23rd. The company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $4.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.81 billion. BJs Wholesale Club had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 53.66%. The companys revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.87 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current year.

About BJs Wholesale Club

(Free Report)

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app.

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Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM  Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Saturday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group assumed coverage on Bright Horizons Family Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. They set a sell rating and a $79.00 target price for the company. Citigroup downgraded Bright Horizons Family Solutions from a buy rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $95.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Bright Horizons Family Solutions from $57.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered Bright Horizons Family Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $99.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $81.25.

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Bright Horizons Family Solutions Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE:BFAM opened at $93.86 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $90.42 and its 200-day moving average price is $82.37. Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a 1 year low of $54.19 and a 1 year high of $98.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 79.54 and a beta of 1.21.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Bright Horizons Family Solutions ( NYSE:BFAM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $553.61 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $531.41 million. Bright Horizons Family Solutions had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 3.28%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.39 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Bright Horizons Family Solutions will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Bright Horizons Family Solutions news, Director Lightfoot Sara Lawrence sold 2,282 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.25, for a total transaction of $187,694.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,435 shares in the company, valued at $364,778.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Bright Horizons Family Solutions news, CEO Stephen Howard Kramer sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.38, for a total value of $421,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,993 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,487,649.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Lightfoot Sara Lawrence sold 2,282 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.25, for a total transaction of $187,694.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,435 shares of the companys stock, valued at $364,778.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 29,762 shares of company stock worth $2,638,463 over the last three months. Insiders own 1.28% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BFAM. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions during the first quarter valued at about $213,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 9.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,885 shares of the companys stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. increased its position in shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 70.4% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 9,624 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,277,000 after acquiring an additional 3,975 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions during the first quarter valued at approximately $444,000. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 12.5% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,972 shares of the companys stock worth $527,000 after purchasing an additional 440 shares during the period.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc provides early education and childcare, back-up care, educational advisory, and other workplace solutions services for employers and families. The company operates through three segments: Full Service Center-Based Child Care, Back-Up Care, and Educational Advisory and Other Services.

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Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LP boosted its position in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) by 4.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,409 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 252 shares during the period. Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LPs holdings in Waste Management were worth $1,036,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the 1st quarter valued at about $217,000. Strategy Asset Managers LLC lifted its position in shares of Waste Management by 21.7% during the 1st quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 18,804 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,068,000 after buying an additional 3,355 shares in the last quarter. Leo Brokerage LLC purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the 1st quarter valued at about $245,000. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Waste Management by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 33,052 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $5,393,000 after buying an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Waste Management by 19.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,288 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $379,000 after buying an additional 379 shares in the last quarter. 78.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director John C. Pope sold 198 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.40, for a total transaction of $33,343.20. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 56,147 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,455,154.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Waste Management Price Performance

Several analysts recently issued reports on WM shares. Raymond James lifted their target price on Waste Management from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Waste Management from $179.00 to $181.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Waste Management in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Waste Management in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. They issued an outperform rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Waste Management from $158.00 to $167.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven 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 target price of $180.00.

WM opened at $172.00 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $166.24 and a 200 day moving average of $160.41. Waste Management, Inc. has a 52-week low of $148.31 and a 52-week high of $175.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21. The stock has a market cap of $69.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.50, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.73.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The business services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.02. Waste Management had a return on equity of 33.23% and a net margin of 11.33%. The company had revenue of $4.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.86 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.29 EPS. Waste Managements revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Waste Management, Inc. will post 6.04 EPS for the current year.

Waste Management Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.28%.

About Waste Management

(Free Report)

Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity.

Further Reading

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Factorial Partners LLC raised its position in shares of MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG  Free Report) by 98.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 92,200 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 45,700 shares during the period. Factorial Partners LLCs holdings in MGIC Investment were worth $1,237,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MTG. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in MGIC Investment by 13.4% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 103,446 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,402,000 after acquiring an additional 12,256 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the first quarter worth about $230,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its position in shares of MGIC Investment by 42.1% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 25,204 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $342,000 after buying an additional 7,472 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of MGIC Investment by 31.3% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 207,142 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,807,000 after buying an additional 49,361 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in shares of MGIC Investment by 8.8% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 117,400 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,591,000 after buying an additional 9,454 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.24% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded MGIC Investment from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $17.00 to $15.70 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Compass Point raised MGIC Investment from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $18.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on MGIC Investment in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $16.14.

MGIC Investment Stock Up 0.7 %

MTG traded up $0.12 on Monday, reaching $16.69. The companys stock had a trading volume of 113,336 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,619,770. The stock has a market cap of $4.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.32. MGIC Investment Co. has a 1 year low of $12.13 and a 1 year high of $16.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The businesss 50 day moving average is $15.56 and its 200 day moving average is $14.37.

MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The insurance provider reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.03. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 18.77% and a net margin of 72.70%. The firm had revenue of $284.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $291.89 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. MGIC Investments revenue for the quarter was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that MGIC Investment Co. will post 2.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MGIC Investment Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. MGIC Investments payout ratio is currently 14.39%.

About MGIC Investment

(Free Report)

MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure.

Further Reading

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Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) and Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Knife River and Martin Marietta Materials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River N/A N/A N/A Martin Marietta Materials 15.39% 12.31% 5.84%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Knife River and Martin Marietta Materials, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 0 1 0 3.00 Martin Marietta Materials 0 4 9 0 2.69

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Knife River currently has a consensus target price of $54.00, suggesting a potential upside of 25.55%. Martin Marietta Materials has a consensus target price of $448.73, suggesting a potential downside of 2.00%. Given Knife Rivers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Knife River is more favorable than Martin Marietta Materials.

94.2% of Martin Marietta Materials shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Martin Marietta Materials shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Knife River and Martin Marietta Materials top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.53 billion 0.96 $116.22 million N/A N/A Martin Marietta Materials $6.16 billion 4.61 $866.80 million $15.49 29.56

Martin Marietta Materials has higher revenue and earnings than Knife River.

Summary

Martin Marietta Materials beats Knife River on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Knife River

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. It mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting services to support the aggregate-based product lines, including heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It serves various projects related to highways, airports, and other public infrastructure. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About Martin Marietta Materials

(Get Free Report)

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., a natural resource-based building materials company, supplies aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry in the United States and internationally. It offers crushed stone, sand, and gravel products; ready mixed concrete and asphalt; paving products and services; and Portland and specialty cement for use in the infrastructure projects, and nonresidential and residential construction markets, as well as in the railroad, agricultural, utility, and environmental industries. The company also produces magnesia-based chemicals products; dolomitic lime primarily to customers for steel production and soil stabilization; and cement treated materials. Its chemical products are used in flame retardants, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper production, and other environmental applications. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Park Ku-yeon, deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, speaks during a daily briefing at the government complex in Seoul, July 5. Yonhap



Korea and Japan will hold a director-general-level meeting later this week to discuss Seoul's requests regarding Tokyo's plan to discharge contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, an official said Monday.



The two sides will hold the talks in Japan on Tuesday to discuss follow-up measures to the results of a bilateral summit held on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, earlier this month, according to Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.



During the summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on July 12, Yoon asked Tokyo to include Korean experts in monitoring the planned release of the water. Yoon also asked that the discharge be stopped immediately if the concentration of radioactive material in the water exceeds standard levels, and that Japan promptly inform Korea.



Park said Korean officials will present four proposals based on the Seoul government's scientific analysis to Japanese officials during the talks.



"The talks will involve the level of cooperation, even if it may not be at the perfect level," Park told a daily briefing on the Fukushima issue.



The two countries previously held working-level discussions on the Fukushima wastewater issue in Seoul in May. (Yonhap)


Brigadier Damian Hill, exercise director of Talisman Sabre 2023, speaks at the opening ceremony for the drills in Sydney in this July 21 photo provided by the Australian government. Yonhap



A senior Australian Army officer has portrayed a South Korean-made Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher as having a "great" capability, as Seoul has been striving to strengthen its foothold in the Australian defense market.



Brigadier Damian Hill made the remarks in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency, as Seoul has deployed the K239 Chunmoo artillery system and other weapons to join an ongoing biennial multinational exercise in Australia, called Exercise Talisman Sabre.



Jointly led by Australia and the United States, the two-week exercise kicked off Saturday. It has brought together more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations, including South Korea, Britain, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, France and Japan.



"The Republic of Korea (ROK) has deployed K9 self-propelled howitzers and long-range rocket artillery systems to Australia for the first time to participate in a live fire exercise, demonstrating increased interoperability with regional partners," Hill, the exercise director, said, referring to South Korea by its official name.



"The K239 is a great capability and, as an artillery officer, it's really exciting to see all these capabilities demonstrated together at a live-fire activity during Exercise Talisman Sabre," he added.



For the high-profile exercise, South Korea deployed the K239, along with more than 700 Navy and Marine Corps troops, K9 howitzers, the ROKS Marado amphibious assault ship and the ROKS Munmu the Great destroyer.



Hill's upbeat assessment of the Chunmoo system came amid Seoul's steady efforts to deepen arms industry cooperation with Canberra. Australia has adopted the K9 system and South Korea has also been pushing to export its homegrown Redback armored vehicle to the country.



With a maximum range of 80 kilometers, the Chunmoo system has served as a key counter-artillery asset for South Korea to counter threats from North Korea's long-range artillery. Chunmoo means "covering the sky" in Korean.



It marks the Chunmoo system's first overseas live-fire drills with the Marine Corps  an apparent sign of Seoul's commitment to deepening involvement in the exercise and of its desire to help promote the homegrown weapons system to a potential buyer.





South Korean Marine Corps' K9 self-propelled howitzer firing a shell during a multinational live-fire demonstration in Australia during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, July 22, is seen in this photo provided by Australia's defense department. Yonhap
GUIYANG  Dressed in a white uniform, 35-year-old chef Li Yuanyuan skillfully maneuvered a pan with one hand while deftly stirring ingredients using a spatula in the other. Despite occasional moments of clumsiness, he confidently livestreamed his culinary skills on social media. Hailing from Bijie city, Guizhou province, Li was born with cerebral palsy. However, he refused to let his condition hinder his aspirations. Through perseverance and dedication, he honed his cooking skills and eventually opened a successful restaurant specializing in delectable fried chicken. As a child, Li faced challenges when it came to feeding himself and relied on his parents for assistance, but he remained undeterred. He was always encouraged to engage in physical activities and explore a variety of interests. "I remember breaking five tricycles while learning to ride and smashing many plates and bowls when I was trying to learn how to wash the dishes," he recalled fondly. While growing up, he developed a genuine passion for cooking. "Whenever friends and relatives praised me for the dishes I cooked, I was thrilled," he said. Although he never received professional training, he perfected his culinary skills through practice. In 2016, he opened his first restaurant specializing in takeaway fried chicken. As his chicken gained popularity, Li decided to expand his reach by livestreaming on social media and began earning nearly 7,000 to 8,000 yuan ($968 to $1,106) a month. An increasing number of disabled people like Li are managing to realize their dreams in various sectors. In China, there are about 85 million people with disabilities. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), more than 50,000 disabled students enrolled in institutions of higher learning, and an additional 1.81 million disabled people found jobs, according to official data. Last year, a three-year action plan promoting the employment of the disabled was issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, setting the goal of creating 1 million new jobs for disabled people by the end of next year. Significant efforts are being undertaken to promote employment opportunities for people belonging to specific groups. The seventh National Vocational Skills Competition for Disabled People took place in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, last week. The event attracted 950 competitors from across the country. Among them was Lan Yuanhua, a skilled 38-year-old barista hailing from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. "My physical disability doesn't prevent me from making good coffee," she said. Despite being diagnosed with brittle bone disease, a congenital condition that makes bones prone to fractures, Sun Shengru from Shandong has defied all odds. Over the course of a decade, she dedicated herself to mastering the art of carving and established her own studio specializing in crafting exquisite purple-clay teapots. "I am selling my works across China," she said. "I hope that more people like me can find their way, and lead fulfilling lives filled with happiness and confidence." During the three-day competition, a job fair specifically for people with disabilities was also held in Jinan, with nearly 2,500 job positions available for interested candidates. The rise of livestreaming e-commerce in China has also created more job opportunities. Currently, about 2.4 million people with disabilities are working in online stores or are engaged in livestreaming sales in the country. Wang Ting, from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, spent eight years working in the internet industry before becoming a livestreamer in 2016. With six friends, she began selling handicrafts made by people with disabilities in the region. Their offerings include exquisite works of embroidery and intricate paper-cutting. Similarly, chef Li had a strong desire to help others. On China's national day of assisting people with disabilities, which is observed on the third Sunday of May every year, he prepares meals for other disabled people in his community. "Before reaching where I am today, I received tremendous help and encouragement. So, I am determined to pay it forward, to assist and inspire others. Only in this way can my life acquire true meaning," he said.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Sunny along with a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers in the evening, then cloudy overnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
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New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Within days of launching the portal for refund of deposits in Sahara Group's cooperative societies, around 7 lakh investors have registered on the platform so far with claim amounts of more than Rs 150 crore, according to sources.

On July 18, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the 'CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal' to facilitate the return of the money of investors stuck in four cooperative societies of Sahara Group.

Also Read | Earthquake in Tripura: Quake Measuring 3.8 on Richter Scale Hits Khowai District, No Reports of Damage.

The government had said in March that money will be returned to 10 crore investors of the four cooperative societies within nine 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).

Also Read | Maruti Suzuki Recalls 87,599 Vehicles Over Possible Defect in Parts of Steering Tie Rod.

According to sources, around 7 lakh Sahara investors have already registered for refund, totalling to a claim amount of more than Rs 150 crore.

Last week, Shah 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.

(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 24 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram and Telangana from August 2829.

The Home Minister will visit Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram on August 28 where he will offer prayers at Rameshwaram Temple and then flag off BJP's Parivartan Yatra.

Also Read | Indian Coast Guard Carries Out Risky Mid-Sea Medical Evacuation of Private Tankers Sailor Off Kerala Coast (See Pics and Video).

Ahead of the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections this year, Amit Shah will visit Telangana on August 29.

Shah will visit Hyderabad where will he will hold Telangana BJP unit core committee meeting. He will also review the work of the party in the state.

Also Read | Delhi Govt Spends Rs 1,100 Crore on Advertisements in 3 Years, Supreme Court Says It Can Afford To Finance Infrastructure Projects.

Moreover, the Union Home Minister will also hold organisational meeting with all morchas, party leaders, office bearers and will meet 12 senior important party leaders one by one in a day-long meeting, BJP sources told ANI.

Amit Shah will visit Telangana for the first time after BJP high command made changes in Telangana unit.

Earlier today, former BJP Telangana Chief Sanjay Bandi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

After meeting Amit Shah the BJP Telangana leader told ANI, "Amit Shah asked me to do better work with full enthuasism in Telangana. We discussed several issues related to Telangana as Amit Shah has asked me that the party has to win in Telengana in the upcoming polls".

Home minister Amit Shah took twitter to inform about the meeting.

He tweeted, Met Shri @bandisanjay_bjp Ji and discussed various issues related to Telangana.

This meeting comes after changes were made in Telangana party unit by the BJP top brass.

Earlier Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy was appointed as the President of the Telangana BJP replacing Bandi Sanjay. The other significant change was Etela Rajender, the MLA from Huzurabad, who has been made the Chairman of the Election Management Committee.

This is the fourth time the party has handed over the responsibility of the state BJP unit to Kishan Reddy. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandrapur, Jul 24 (PTI) The wife of a local BJP functionary was killed and a man injured when some persons allegedly fired at them in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district, police said on Monday.

The incident took place in Rajura tehsil on Sunday evening and two persons have been arrested in this connection, an official from Rajura police station said.

Also Read | Anju Rafael-Nasrullah Love Story: Married Indian Woman Crosses Border To Meet Facebook Friend in Pakistan.

The assailants had come to Rajura, located 29 km from the district headquarters, to allegedly kill one Lalli Shergill, a resident of Somnathpur ward, over an old rivalry, he said.

As soon as Shergill noticed them, he entered the house of his friend Sachin Dohe, who is the district vice president of the BJP's youth wing.

Also Read | Drug Addiction Takes Life in Madhya Pradesh: Youth Ends Life After Mother Denies Rs 500 To Buy MDMA Drugs in Barwani District, Police Launch Probe.

The assailants, who were behind Shergill, started firing indiscriminately.

At that time, Sachin Dohe's wife Purvsha Sachin Dohe came into the front yard of the house. She got shot in the chest and collapsed on the spot, while Shergill was shot in the back, the police official said.

The two persons were taken to a rural hospital in Rajura where the woman was declared dead, he said.

Shergill, who was seriously injured, was shifted to a hospital in Chandrapur for treatment, the police said.

"We have arrested two accused in this connection. The accused tried to kill Shergill due to an old rivalry," Rajura police station officer Vishal Nagargoje said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla, July 24: The Indian Meteorological Department on Monday issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh and predicted heavy rainfall in the state for three days from July 26 to 28. Although Himachal is witnessing rainfall in various districts for the last few days, the state will get some respite from rain during the next two days.

"The rains will continue for at least one week. The intensity of rain will reduce on July 24 and 25 but there will be heavy rainfall on July 26, 27 and 28. We have issued an orange alert," Surender Paul, Head IMD HP said. "The alert will be for Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Chamba. These districts will be receiving heavy rainfall. The rain will continue but there will not be much rain during the next 48 hours. We have been issuing alerts through disaster management authority," Paul added further. Mumbai Rains Photos and Videos: Heavy Rainfall Lashes Several Parts, IMD Issues 'Yellow' Alert for City.

The IMD is also expecting that old records of rain may break during the present monsoon. The IMD has issued flash flood, fog and landslide advisory. "We will assess the rain data of 100 years but the 24-hour rain data has broken the old records of rain. By the end of the month, we shall assess the total data.

There are possibilities of landslides, flash floods and fog especially in the districts of Shimla and Mandi region on the National Highway," he added.

Earlier in the day, amid the rain warning issued by the Indian Meteorological Department for the Chamba district, the District Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory for the citizens.

The advisory said, "1. Avoid visiting hilly areas and places prone to landslides and heavy rainfall. 2. Avoid trekking amid inclement weather. 3. In case of lightning strikes, it is safe to stay indoors for a minimum next 30 minutes. 4. Do not visit river areas. 5. Pay attention to the warnings issued by the weather department. 6. Request Gram Panchayat Chieves, private organisations, tourists, and trekkers to spread the word." Rain Forecast and Weather Update: IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Alert for Konkan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Other Regions Till July 27.

Notably, a total of 154 people have lost their lives due to the onset of the monsoon in the state since June 24, an official statement said on Saturday.

Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) said that 15 people are missing and 187 people have been injured since the beginning of the monsoon.

(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 24 (PTI) Leaders of opposition alliance INDIA will continue their agitation on the Parliament premises through the night against the suspension of AAP leader Sanjay Singh and over their demand that the prime minister open the debate on Manipur in the House.

The protest, which began on Monday morning, will see leaders of the INDIA alliance taking turns with a team sitting near the Gandhi statue through the night, senior leaders said, adding the protest will continue on Tuesday as well.

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The last time an all-night protest was organised by the opposition leaders was in July last year when 20 suspended Rajya Sabha members started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session, is expected to sit at the protests through the night. Singh's wife has already brought essentials for him at the site.

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"All parties have drawn up rosters of their leaders who will represent them through the day and night. Leaders will take turns.

"There is full solidarity among the parties. While the move is to protest Singh's suspension. It is also a protest demanding the PM speak on Manipur whether in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha," a senior leader said.

Sources said that leaders of the INDIA combine have been adamant on the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi open the discussion on the violence in Manipur and several parties have rebuffed the government's efforts to placate them.

Sources said that Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh made called up Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader TR Balu and TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay to convey the government's intention of discussing Manipur.

However, none of them relented on their demand for the prime minister to make a statement on the matter in Parliament, sources said.

Leaders of the INDIA alliance also said the opposition's demand for the prime minister's statement in Parliament on the violence in Manipur was conveyed to the BJP on July 16, four days ahead of the Monsoon Session.

(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 24 (PTI) Aiming to take forward the collaboration with India beyond its current state, Swiss authorities in India are developing an Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform which is likely to be launched soon, Karnataka Minister M B Patil said on Monday.

Patil, who holds the Large and Medium Industries portfolio, said in a statement that Jonas Brunschwig, Consul General of Switzerland, shared this information during a discussion with him.

Also Read | Earthquake in Tripura: Quake Measuring 3.8 on Richter Scale Hits Khowai District, No Reports of Damage.

Quoting Brunschwig, he said the platform is expected to foster the strategic and systemic growth of the collaboration between Switzerland and India.

"Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform spearheaded by Swissnex in India. This is a continuation of the Switzerland-India Science and Innovation Alliance which was formalised in September 2019 during the then Indian President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Switzerland," Patil explained.

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This includes setting a thematic focus on health, sustainability and digital transformation, he stated.

"Swissnex in India, the Swiss Business Hub India, and the Swiss Embassy in India will pilot a new way to bolster the innovation collaboration between Switzerland and India in key areas of relevance to the future of both countries," the statement said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 24 (ANI): Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, founder and director of Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF), called on Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan on Sunday to discuss the preparations for the upcoming 5th edition of the festival, scheduled to be held in October this year.

During the meeting, Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan briefed LG Sinha on the exciting developments and arrangements being made for the festival, which has gained significant prominence over the years.

Also Read | Kerala Shocker: Mentally Unstable Man Kills Grandparents in Thrissur, Arrested.

The KWFF has become an essential platform for filmmakers and artists from Kashmir and beyond to showcase their talent and creative works on an international stage.

Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, All J&K Folk Artists Association, was also present at the meeting, adding his valuable insights and perspectives.

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Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan extended a heartfelt invitation to Lieutenant Governor Sinha to grace the Opening Ceremony of the 5th Edition of the Kashmir World Film Festival as the Chief Guest. Delighted with the invitation and recognizing the significance of the event, Lt. Governor Sinha graciously accepted the invitation, promising his presence at the festival's inauguration.

LG Sinha also reiterated his unwavering support for the KWFF and its mission to promote art, culture, and cinema in the region.

He expressed his commitment to providing all possible support to ensure the successful execution of the 5th edition of the festival.

Furthermore, Lt. Governor Sinha conveyed his vision of taking Kashmir to even greater heights, aiming to elevate it as one of the most prestigious film festivals globally. This aspiration bodes well for the filmmakers, artists, and film enthusiasts associated with KWFF, as it signifies increased opportunities for exposure, recognition, and collaboration in the world of cinema. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 24: Opposition parties continued their protest in the two Houses of Parliament over their demands relating to the debate on the Manipur situation with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seeing adjournments on Monday. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon and then till 2 pm. In Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Monday for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for repeatedly violating the Chairs directives.

The Chairman first named Sanjay Singh for interrupting the proceedings of the House when it had taken up the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Prime Minister on the Manipur violence and a detailed discussion on the issue. Manipur Viral Video: Ready To Discuss Manipur Issue in House, Request Opposition Leaders To Allow Debate, Says Amit Shah in Lok Sabha (Watch Video).

Sanjay Singh came near the Chairmans podium over opposition demands. Dhankhar told him to resume his seat. As the AAP member kept protesting, the Chairman named him. Soon after the Chairman named Sanjay Singh, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion urging the Chair to suspend the AAP member, saying this kind of behaviour is completely against the ethics and rules of the House.

Sanjay Singh should be suspended from the entire session of the House, he said. The Chairman put the motion for approval of the House and said Sanjay Singh was being suspended for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament "for having repeatedly violated the directives of the Chair". The Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Dhankhar had last week cautioned Sanjay Singh, saying that he will be forced to name the AAP member after he repeatedly protested against the proposed bill to replace the Centre's ordinance for control over services in Delhi.

Dhankhar had cautioned Sanjay Singh after urging AAP members to take their seats as he briefed the House about the proceedings of the Business Advisory Committee. AAP has been among opposition parties demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the situation in Manipur and a detailed discussion on the issue.

The government has said it is prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur.

Lok Sabha witnessed protests and sloganeering from opposition members over their demand for a discussion on the Manipur situation and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Manipur Viral Video: FIR Over Social Media Posts Alleging Involvement of RSS Functionary, Son in Parading Tribal Women Naked.

The House briefly took up Question Hour before it was adjourned till 12 noon.

As soon as House met for the day, opposition members were on their feet over their demand. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary demanded that the Prime Minister should make a statement in the House on the situation in Manipur.

Speaker Om Birla said that the House is ready for discussion and the opposition parties cannot decide who will reply to the debate. Birla said Deputy Leader of the House Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has already said that the government is ready for discussion. Rajnath Singh spoke briefly and said that there should be discussion in the House on Manipur situation and the government is ready. Birla said that a solution will be found through discussions.

The House is for debate. Have you been sent by people to display placards, resort to sloganeering. This is Question Hour, he told opposition members The Speaker said that the matter can be discussion after Question Hour. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government was willing for discussion and the opposition parties were trying to interrupt the proceedings of the House.

Opposition members displayed placards which expressed concern over the situation in Manipur and sought statement from the Prime Minister in the House. The House briefly proceeded with the Question Hour amid protests and sloganeering by opposition members befofe it was adjourned till 12 noon.

Opposition members continued their protest when the Houser resumed proceedings at 12 noon.

The House briefly took up governments legislative agenda among sloganeering by opposition members. The government withdrew DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019. Three bills - The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 were introduced in the Lok Sabha. As the protests continued, the Chair adjourned the House till 2 pm.

(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 24 (PTI) The INDIA Opposition alliance wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a comprehensive statement on Manipur in Parliament, after which a discussion would take place to express a collective sense of pain and desire for reconciliation, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Monday.

The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first.

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In a tweet, Ramesh said, "The 3rd day of Monsoon session of Parliament begins today. INDIA's demand is straightforward. PM should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur, after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation."

"No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, 'distorts', diverts, deflects and 'defames'. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching," the Congress general secretary said.

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Several opposition leaders have given notices for adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur.

The opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon Session started on Thursday.

The government has accused the opposition of running away from a debate on the all-important issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it. The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.

(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 24: With the Monsoon session of Parliament, facing continuous disruptions over Manipur violence since it began, is all set to reassemble on Monday, Congress MPs have moved adjournment motion notices to discuss the situation of the strife-torn state. Congress Lok Sabha MPs Manickam Tagore and Manish Tewari have proposed adjournment motion notices to discuss the situation of the northeastern state with the latter asking to suspend Zero Hour, Question Hour, and other businesses of the day to have a discussion regarding "ongoing ethnic clashes". Manipur Violence: Opposition MPs to Hold Protest in Parliament Complex on July 24 to Press for PM's Statement.

The Monsoon session began on July 20 amid the pandemonium over Manipur violence, with the opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements on the same "inside the House and not outside". Earlier on Sunday, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur hit out at the opposition, stating that it is running away from the proceedings of the parliament.

Speaking to the media, Thakur said, "The government is ready for the discussion on Manipur but the opposition is avoiding the same. They are also running away from the proceedings of the parliament. What is their compulsion? They want to remain in the limelight but do not want to be in the discussion". Meanwhile, the opposition parties alliance, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will hold a protest in Parliament today. As a counter to it, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also planned a protest in front of the Gandhi statue at the Parliament premises over atrocities against women in Rajasthan and West Bengal as well as other states. Manipur Violence: Majority Want PM Narendra Modi To Intervene in Matter and CM N Biren Singh To Resign, Reveals CVoter Survey.

Even as the recent Manipur video enraged the nation, another incident of two tribal women being stripped naked, tortured and beaten up came to light in West Bengal, which triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress. Earlier, on July 20, MPs from BJP Bengal staged a sit-in in front of the Gandhi statue regarding the atrocities against women in Bengal. On July 21, the Rajasthan BJP staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue against the horror killings in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, besides the continuous atrocities on women.

The BJP went on the offensive on Friday, lashing out against the West Bengal and Rajasthan governments ruled by the Trinamool Congress and Congress, respectively, regarding their record on crimes against women. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee broke down in tears at a press conference, asking whether atrocities against women in these States would only get attention if there were viral videos recording such incidents.

Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat also highlighted similar crimes against women in Rajasthan in a separate press conference. On the other hand, the opposition is constantly demanding a discussion in the House regarding the Manipur violence and the video that has gone viral in Manipur, the manner in which women were tortured there.

Henceforth, floor leaders of the I.N.D.I.A will meet at the office of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament today, to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House, the sources said on Saturday.

The situation in Manipur dominated the proceedings of the second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the Opposition demanding the Centre to discuss the issue. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Friday faced adjournment for the day on the Manipur issue on Friday. Both Houses could not conduct any substantial business on Thursday and Friday as the Opposition MPs rejected the government's proposal to have a short-duration discussion.
New Delhi [India], July 24 (ANI): Union Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with senior opposition leaders regarding disruptions in Parliament over their demands related to the situation in Manipur and urged them to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament.

BJP sources said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay were among the leaders who have been contacted by the government to end the logjam in Parliament.

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They said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal have been reaching out to opposition leaders for the smooth functioning of parliament.

With the opposition continuing their protests over their demands, Rajnath Singh, who is also Deputy Leader of House in the Lok Sabha, on Monday said that the government is ready for discussion in Parliament.

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We are ready for discussion in Parliament. Manipur incident is most definitely a very serious matter and sensing the gravity of the situation, the PM himself has said that what happened in the state (viral video on Wednesday purportedly showing two women being paraded in the nude) has put the entire nation to shame, he said.

The Defence Minister had last week also spoken in the House about the governments willingness for discussion on the Manipur situation.

Opposition parties are demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament on the Manipur situation followed by a detailed discussion by adjourning all other listed business. Several opposition MPs gave adjournment notices for discussion on Manipur issue on Monday.

Parliament has been facing continuous disruptions since the monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 over the oppositions demands.

On Monday, opposition leaders resorted to sloganeering and displayed placards in the Lok Sabha over their demands. They also sought to raise their demands in Rajya Sabha.

The government has a heavy legislative agenda for the monsoon session of Parliament which is slated to conclude on August 11. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jul 24 (PTI) A woman Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, who was seriously injured after being allegedly attacked by a mess worker in Pathankot district of Punjab, succumbed to her injuries, police said on Monday.

Pathankot Senior Superintendent of Police Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh said the IAF officer died on Sunday evening.

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She was admitted at the Army's Command Hospital in Chandimandir in Haryana's Panchkula.

The body of the officer was handed over to her family after postmortem, the SSP said.

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The IAF officer was allegedly attacked by the mess worker on July 14 after gaining entry into her official residence in the Pathankot airbase with an intention of committing robbery.

The officer, a Squadron Leader, was asleep and woke up when she heard some noises. She had tried to confront the intruder who attacked her with a knife, causing her multiple injuries, police had said.

The woman officer was alone in her house during the time of the incident. Another woman IAF officer, living in an adjoining quarter, found her in an injured condition and called for assistance.

The accused, identified as Makhan Singh, was later arrested with the help of CCTV footage.

She was rushed to a hospital and later referred to the Army's Command Hospital.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Athens (Greece), Jul 24 (AP) Firefighters struggled through the night to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

Their efforts were without the help of firefighting planes and helicopters, which do not operate at night.

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The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes. Some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations on the island as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said. No further evacuations had been ordered as of Sunday night.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.

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Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels. Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems. A person who fell and broke a leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remained hospitalised, the latter in good condition, authorities said.

A number of tourists were waiting to fly back home from Rhodes International Airport.

The package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 cancelled flights to Rhodes. But the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport later announced that 14 TUI and Jet2 flights carrying 2,700 passengers would depart from Rhodes airport by 3 am on Monday (0000 GMT).

On Saturday and early Sunday, 70,000 passengers traveled through the airport, with some being arrivals, the ministry said. The announcement did not break down the figures by arrivals and departures.

British tourist Kevin Evans was evacuated twice Saturday with his wife and three young children  first from Kiotari to Gennadi, then as the fire approached the island's capital in the northeast, he told Britain's PA news agency.

There were lots of people in Gennadi sent from the hotels  many in just swimsuits having been told to leave everything in the hotel, he told PA. As night fell, we could see the fire on the top of the hills in Kiotari. They said all the hotels were on fire.

Rhodes travel agent Stelios Kotiadis confirmed to the Associated Press that the evacuation was hasty. There was panic. ... The authorities were overwhelmed, he said.

But, he said, the abandoned hotels are in much better condition than reported in social media. ... They will be ready to reopen very soon if Civil Protection gives the go-ahead.

Kotiadis said he and other travel agents sent buses to the island's southeast to pick up evacuated tourists. They had to go the long way around, since the road running down Rhodes' eastern side was blocked in places.

There were 80-90 people cramming into 50-seater buses, he said. He added that 90 per cent of the evacuated tourists are from European countries.

The British ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, said the UK government was sending a rapid deployment team to support British nationals on Rhodes.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that personnel had set up a help desk at Rhodes International Airport for visitors who have lost their travel documents.

There are substantial reinforcements from the European Union.

Over 450 firefighters and seven airplanes from the EU have been operating in Greece as fires sprout across the country, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic tweeted early Sunday afternoon.

I called (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ) to express our full support for Greece, which is confronted with devastating forest fires and a heavy heat wave due to climate change. Greece is handling this difficult situation with professionalism, putting emphasis on safely evacuating thousands of tourists, and can always count on European solidarity, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted Sunday evening.

The weather remained hot in the Mediterranean country on Sunday. A total of 180 locations experienced temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) and above. The highest reading, 46.4 C (115.5 F), was reached at the seaside town of Gytheio in southern Greece.

Of the 64 wildfires that broke out elsewhere in the country Sunday, the most serious was on Evia, Greece's second- largest island, where authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing.

Central Greece Vice Governor Giorgos Kelaiditis, who was near one of the villages, told state agency ANA-MPA that the situation is difficult:

The fire may be 2 kilometers (1 1/4 miles) away, but the wind is strong, the growth is low, the smoke thick and the air is hard to breathe, he said.

Northern Evia was devastated by wildfires in August 2021.

Other fires requiring evacuations broke out on the northeast side of the island of Corfu and in the northern Peloponnese, near the town of Aigio. Traffic on the old Athens-Patras national road, running across the coast, has been cut off.

Just before midnight, authorities called for more evacuations from Corfu and the northern Peloponnese. In the case of Corfu, they said the fire was moving southeast on a broad front and added that private vessels were on standby to pick up evacuees.

A fire that broke out west of the important archaeological site of Epidaurus, including a famous ancient theater, has been partly contained, the Fire Service said.

A relative respite from the heat Monday, with highs of 38 C (100 F) forecast, will be followed by yet more high temperatures starting Tuesday. However, it should get significantly cooler on Thursday, with temperatures in the low- to mid-30s Celsius, the country's Meteorological Service said Sunday evening. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Jul 24 (PTI) Post the first state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, the two countries are forging much closer bilateral ties with high-level visits on all fronts, a senior Biden administration official has said, observing that India and the US have never had a stronger relationship than now.

Modi visited the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and met him on all three days of his stay here between June 21 and June 23.

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On June 22, the two leaders spent time together for more than eight hours, the official said. Biden also held a private dinner for Modi on June 21.

India and the United States have never had a stronger relationship than right now, the official said post-Modi visit, it has never been deeper in the memory of the president.

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The official said China was a major issue of discussion between the two leaders.

In reality it (China) is not the glue of our relationship at all, but it's one of the factors and I think we're gonna have that glue for a long time to come, the official, familiar with the discussions between the two leaders last month, said on condition of anonymity.

Both India and the United States believe that China poses a major national security threat to them, the official said, noting that the Biden administration thinks New Delhi has been ahead of Washington in terms of handling Beijing.

The Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya had a meeting with the Dalai Lama a couple of weeks ago in New Delhi, and the Chinese kind of went nuts about that, the official noted.

They (Indians are) in some ways were ahead of us. It is much more existential for them in terms of countering the China threat. Whether it's banning TikTok, whether it was building up mobile networks with no Chinese equipment, they've actually shown a way forward of what de-risking looks like. And that's why I think they're so critical, said the official.

At the same time, they still depend on a lot of Chinese things, just like we do. China has been a real irritant in the G-20 for them..., the official noted, giving an insight into the G-20 discussions and the balancing act that India is doing to bring all stakeholders together.

In India Modi's popularity is about 80 per cent in some polls, so is America's, the senior administration said.

That's not just reflected at the very top which is where we usually write about or hear about. It's, I think, underneath that at the government-to-government level business-to-business level. And then people to people, the official said.

Vice Versa, if the bridge from India to America is a steel reinforced four-lane highway, a strong, stable bridge; I would describe in years past the bridge from America to India has been like a rope bridge with every other plank missing. Like we don't know India and Indians anywhere near the level that India and Indians know America and Americans. I think that's beginning to change, said the official, referring to a large number of high-level visits to India.

There's hardly a week or two that goes by without a major US government representative being in the country. And then on the business side, it's like a steady stream of CEOs, he said, adding some have better strategies than others, but everybody's like rushing India.

"

It's one of those moments where, if you rewind the clock, China 15 years ago was raising people at this pace out of poverty into the middle class. India is actually doing it a little faster than China was 15 or 20 years ago. You just look at the metrics, whether it's the number one source of student visas now, India surpassed China last year, whether it's the investment, which is a record level, and we're the number one trading partner for India for the first time. And another number of other metrics, the official said. This is the most significant country in many ways for them and becoming one of the most. The president said one of the most consequential relationships we have. Privately he's expressed  that this is the most important relationship that we have, at least in terms of growth and, and the future, said the official.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moscow, Jul 24 (AP) An associate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted on extremism charges Monday as the Kremlin continues to crack down on political activists.

Vadim Ostanin, who previously headed Navalny's office in the southern Siberian city of Barnaul, was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony after being found guilty of organising an extremist community and belonging to a nonprofit that infringes on citizens' rights, Navalny's team wrote on social media.

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Prosecutors had previously asked for the 46-year-old to be imprisoned for 11 years.

Ostanin was detained in November 2021, several months after Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption and his regional offices were labelled as extremist organisations by the Russian government.

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Ostanin's case is the latest in a string of recent convictions against regional activists linked to Navalny's work.

Lilia Chanysheva, who headed Navalny's headquarters in the central Russian city of Ufa, was sentenced to 7 years in prison on similar charges on June 14. Chanysheva described her case as politically motivated.

Navalny himself is also facing a new trial on extremism charges that could keep him in prison for decades. It is due to begin next week at a maximum-security prison 250 kilometres east of Moscow where the 47-year-old politician is already serving time on two different convictions.

Navalny, who exposed official corruption and organized massive anti-Kremlin protests, was arrested in January 2021 upon returning to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

He initially received a 2-year prison sentence for a parole violation. Last year, he was sentenced to a nine-year term on fraud and contempt of court charges.

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. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kathmandu [Nepal], July 24 (ANI): Following the seizure of 1.5 quintals of metals, including gold, last week, the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) is now looking into six parcels thought to contain smuggled yellow metal, The Kathmandu Post reported.

On Sunday, the investigation team formed by the department opened a few metal packs to examine if they contained smuggled gold.

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According to Nawaraj Adhikari, information officer at the DRI, it is challenging to prove the existence of gold in them with bare eyes, therefore the investigative team wants to run the metal boxes through an X-ray machine on Monday, he said to The Kathmandu Post.

Adhikari said two large machines could not be opened on Sunday and they would be opened with the help of mechanics on Monday.

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On July 18, over a quintal of gold was seized concealed inside motorcycle brake shoes as the consignment was taken away in a taxi after getting customs clearances from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Part of the gold seized during the raid by the DRI belonged to the Ready Trade. Six more metal packs were seized later, according to DRI, The Kathmandu Post reported.

In the past two months, the Ready Trade company has imported various metallic goods including brake shoes, shavers, and mechanical motors that weighed nearly two tonnes, The Kathmandu Post reported citing a local news report.

They were brought from Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

The latest seizure of smuggled gold suggests that the Tribhuvan International Airport continues to be the gateway for large-scale smuggling of gold. A 33 kg gold consignment busted in 2017 remains untraced ever since.

The gross weight of the consignment seized on July 18 was 155kg, including the motorcycle brake shoes and electric shavers, according to officials at the Mint division of the Nepal Rastra Bank, which has been entrusted with examining the metal.

The DRI has so far arrested 16 people in connection with the smuggling.

On Sunday, the DRI arrested six people including TIA customs officer Santosh Chanda, customs worker Kumar Dhakal and X-Ray technician Saroj Shrestha, according to the Kantipur report.

Customs agents Rukmila Subba, Sudarsan Gautam and Yadav Parajuli were also arrested.

As the X-ray machine deployed at the airport customs reportedly failed to detect the metal, authorities suspect the smugglers colluded with customs officials to get the smuggled gold pass undetected, The Kathmandu Post reported.

It is highly unusual that the customs office failed to detect such a large quantity of gold, Punya Bikram Khadka, director at the Department of Customs, told the Post earlier.

He said that the department was also investigating the lapses in customs clearance by suspending two of its officials involved in the process.

This story was published by Prithvi Man Shrestha. He is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. (ANI)

(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 24 (AP) One of Libya's rival prime ministers on Monday returned to the capital of Tripoli from Italy on a charter flight with a commercial airline, the first direct flight between the two countries in a decade.

Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, who heads the Tripoli-based government, boarded the flight from Fiumicino airport in Rome. Flight AZ894 is operated by Italy's national airline, ITA Airways.

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From Rome to Tripoli through the Italian airways, ITA, Dbeibah wrote on Twitter attaching a photo of the flight ticket. The flight landed in Mitiga airport, the only functioning airport in the Libyan capital.

Dbeibah said Monday that Libyans would be able to book direct flights to Italy in September after the Italian government agreed earlier this month to lift a 10-year-long ban on civil aviation in the North African nation.

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He said Sunday that flights between Libya and Italy would help pave the way for the opening of airspace with other countries. Dbeibah said his government would work to resume flights between Rome and the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi, according to his office.

In Rome, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni's office hailed the ITA flight as another tangible sign of the direction that the Italian government wants to impress in its relations with Libya and in its relations with the States of the broader Mediterranean region.

Oil-rich Libya plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. In the disarray that followed, the country split into rival administrations in the east and west, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.

The eastern-based government is headed by Prime Minister Ossama Hamad, who was appointed the country's House of Representatives after Libya failed to hold elections back in December 2021. Hamad's government is backed by powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter, whose forces control eastern and southern Libya.

Dbeibah is a close ally of Meloni's government. He was in Rome attending a summit that aimed at curbing the flow of migrants to Europe.

Libya is the dominant transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East trying to make it to Europe. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gilgit Baltistan [PoK], July 24 (ANI): One person was killed and five went missing after a passenger van plunged into the River Indus in Gilgit, officials said on Monday, Dawn reported.

Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper.

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A spokesperson for the district administration, Mazhar Maghul, told Dawn that the incident occurred at seven in the morning near the Sasi area of the Haramosh Valley.

He added that a van carrying tourists from Rajanpur, Punjab lost control due to the drivers error and subsequently plunged into the Indus River.

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Upon receiving information about the accident, rescue teams arrived at the scene and recovered mobile phones, a gas cylinder, and mens shoes from the spot.

A station house officer (SHO) at a local police station, Muhammad Hussain, said that the family was travelling from Skardu to Gilgit in separate vehicles.

He said that one of the cars made it all the way to Jaglot while the other met with an accident near Sasi, Haramosh and fell into the river, according to Dawn.

The SHO said one body had been recovered from Alam Bridge, which connects Gilgit-Skardu road with the Karakoram Highway, and handed over to the family.

The SHO while quoting the victims brother, said that six people were travelling in the vehicle, adding that a search was underway for the missing passengers.

A Gilgit-bound car on July 15 plunged into a deep ravine in the Shaitan Pari area of Lower Kohistan district, resulting in the death of four people, including a woman, and leaving one person critically injured.

Police had confirmed that the bodies of all four victims, who were from Skardu, were sent to their respective villages, according to Dawn. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], July 24 (ANI): A total of 170 people were booked on Sunday for invading Narch village in Sindhs Narch, dominated by Kalhoro tribesmen, resulting in a double murder, Dawn reported.

Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper.

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The invaders who were riding motorcycles, stormed into the village and resorted to indiscriminate firing on several houses purportedly to avenge the alleged kidnapping of a woman belonging to the Mahar community.

As a result of the attack, two youths were killed, and several other people were wounded. The invaders also took away two women and a girl with them and held them, hostage, for hours. In subsequent police raids in Raza Goth, situated in the riverine area, the hostages were recovered from a hideout.

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On a complaint lodged by a nephew of Ghulam Murtaza Kalhoro, one of the deceased victims, the Sangi police, registered the FIR against 34 nominated and 140 unknown suspects under murder, terrorism, kidnapping and other charges.

The complainant said that the attackers had also threatened the bereaved family and other community members with dire consequences.

Sources in the two villages said that the violent reaction from the Mahars living in Raza Goth was linked to the disappearance of a woman belonging to their community.

The Mahars believed that she had been abducted by a youth belonging to the Kalhoro family to contract a freewill marriage. Some residents of Narch village, however, claimed that the woman had left her family for a freewill marriage, as per Dawn.

The Sangi police on Sunday evening said they had detained eight of the suspects involved in the village invasion. Sukkur SSP Sanghar Malik told the media that a hunt for other nominated and unknown suspects was underway.

He said that the Kalhoro man and Mahar woman at the centre of the whole episode remained untraced. Their mobile phones are found switched off, he added.

He said police would ensure their safety and security if it was really a matter of freewill marriage, according to Dawn. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, July 23: A 53-year-old nurse lost one of her arms and a leg after she was run over by a train at Asangaon in Thane district of Maharashtra, a GRP official said on Sunday. The victim, identified as Vidya Vakharikar, was in a hurry to board a train to reach Sion in Mumbai where she works in the hospital. RPF Jawans Save Life of Passenger After He Falls While Attempting to Board Moving Ayodhya Express at Thane Railway Station in Maharashtra (Watch Video).

"In the rush to reach the platform at Asangaon railway station, the nurse decided to take a shortcut (by crossing the tracks). As she was passing under a stationary goods train, it started moving leaving Vakharikar wounded with serious injuries," the Government Railway Police official said. Thane: 15 Commuters Detained for Trying to Board Local Train Parked at Rail Yard Near Ambernath Railway Station.

The nurse was rushed to a local hospital and later shifted to Sion in Mumbai. Further details were awaited.
Four members of a family were among five killed when their car fell into a canal here, police said on Monday. The accident took place on Sunday night when Neeraj (35), a resident of Nagla Ummed, was rushing his pregnant wife Vinita (25) to a hospital in Etah for delivery.
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, following a brief trip within India, has now embarked on a journey to Indonesia. Amid her announced break from acting, Samantha chose Bali as her destination, accompanied by her friend Anusha Swamy. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Samantha treated her followers with delightful pictures and videos from her Bali experience. In the first photo, Samantha shared a serene morning moment amidst lush greenery. Dressed in a white string top and matching shorts, she adorned a stylish hat over her newly cropped hairdo, the hat bearing the words "dream on." Samantha immersed herself in the scenic beauty, clicking pictures and capturing memories of Bali. A cheerful selfie with Anusha showcased their happy spirits, while Samantha's hand gesture added a playful touch. The location was geotagged as Bali, signifying their captivating destination. Citadel: Samantha Ruth Prabhu Is Celebrating a Special Day As She Wraps Up the Shoot.

Check Out The Photos Here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha (@samantharuthprabhuoffl)

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
On 23 July hundreds of Guatemalans demonstrated in the capital, Guatemala City, demanding the resignation of attorney general (AG), who they accuse of electoral manipulation; the protest followed another raid on the headquarters of opposition party Movimiento Semilla (Semilla) on 21 July, conducted on her orders.

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On 21 July, Mexicos government justified its decision to increase the reparations amount it is requesting from, former director of state-run oil company Pemex (2012-2016), in a corruption case.

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On 23 July officials from Argentinas economy ministry and from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that they had reached a staff level agreement on terms for a new repayment schedule covering Argentinas existing US$44bn debt to the Fund.

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On 21 July Brazils Presidentsigned a package of public security initiatives, known as the Programa de Acao na Seguranca (PAS), which included a decree which will introduce restrictions on firearm access for recreational and civilian use.

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Aruba's culinary landscape reflects its rich cultural diversity, resulting in a true melting pot of flavors and tastes.

Since its settlement by the Dutch in 1634, Aruba has become home to approximately 90 different nationalities, each contributing their unique culture and cuisine to the island.

With influences from African, Dutch, South African, Indonesian, Spanish, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, and South American traditions, Aruban food is a delightful fusion of techniques, spices, and ingredients.

This diverse culinary heritage has given rise to a flavorful cuisine that boasts a vast array of tastes and nuances.

Cocada

Cocada is a delightful Aruban candy made from grated coconut and sugar. Some variations of the recipe may include a touch of condensed milk, which lends a fudge-like consistency rather than a hard texture. This sweet treat is the perfect way to satisfy your "boka dushi," or sweet tooth, per Celebrity Cruises.

Cocada is often served on pieces of coconut shell, adding to the local charm of this popular Aruba dessert.

READ NEXT: 5 Mesmerizing Tourist Spots to Visit in Aruba

Dutch Pancakes

Arubans have a special fondness for pancakes, with a twist that sets them apart from the American version. Dutch pannenkoeken, as enjoyed in Aruba, is dinner plate-sized and thin, resembling crepes in texture.

For breakfast, locals savor pannenkoeken filled with delicious combinations like apple, bananas, or pineapples. Come lunch or dinner, heartier versions featuring salami, ham, cheese, or tuna take center stage.

Poffertjes, small and bite-sized pancakes coated in sugar, serve as delightful in-between and late-night snacks, further showcasing Aruba's love for this culinary delight.

Bolo di Pruim

For those who have a fondness for prunes, this cake is an absolute delight. The foundation of the cake is a rich butter cake, providing a delectable base for the delightful flavors to come, according to When in Aruba.

The icing, a luscious creation, consists primarily of sticky pureed prunes, adding a unique and flavorful twist.

Stroopwafels

Stroopwafels, a Dutch delicacy, are steadily gaining popularity on the global stage, yet many Americans remain unaware of what could be considered one of the best cookies ever created. These delightful treats feature a thin layer of luscious caramel sandwiched between two flat waffle discs, creating a delectable combination of flavors and textures.

While you can certainly enjoy stroopwafels straight from the package, there's a traditional Dutch way to elevate the experience. Mimicking the Dutch approach, you can place a stroopwafel on top of your cup of hot coffee or tea, allowing the warmth of your drink to gently melt the caramel inside.

Bolo Borracho

For dessert lovers in Aruba, prepare yourself for a delightful treat called "tipsy rum cake," also known as "bolo borracho," Carnival noted.

This decadent cake is a true indulgence, made with generous splashes of white rum during its preparation. After baking, this traditional Aruba dessert is further adorned with another sprinkling of rum, adding to its rich and flavorful profile.

As if the rum-infused cake isn't delicious enough, it gets even better. The bolo borracho is then coated in a luscious layer of whipped cream, adding a creamy and luxurious texture to each bite.

To add a touch of color and sweetness, the cake is adorned with sprinkles and garnished with maraschino cherries, creating a visually appealing and mouthwatering dessert.

READ MORE: 5 Must-Try Cuisines in Honduras

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WATCH: What LOCALS EAT?! 24 Hour ARUBA FOOD TOUR - From Let's go with Hyro
Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales is slamming the mistreatment of migrants in Texas amid reports of inhumane methods of trying to stem the US border crisis and migration.

The Republican represents a district that shares an 800-mile border with Mexico and slammed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's tactics to stop migration into Texas as "not acceptable."

"The border crisis has been anything but humane. I think you're seeing the governor do everything he possibly can just to secure the border," said Gonzales during an interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation" last Sunday.

While the Texas congressman admitted that he does not think the buoys are the problem, noting that migrants have been drowning in the Rio Grande trying to cross long before the barriers, he did say that such measures, which only add to the chances of migrants getting injured or drowning, are not acceptable.

"This is not acceptable. It's not acceptable and it hasn't been acceptable for two years," said Tony Gonzales. He also called on Congress to step up and give solutions to the US border crisis.

"I don't want to see one person step one foot in the water and more or less have us talk about the discussion of some of these inhumane situations that they're put in," the Texas congressman said. "We can't just wait on the president to solve things. We can't wait for governors to try and fix it themselves. Congress has a role to play in this."

Gonzales also told CBS News during the interview that he would "much rather" give a plan that deals with legal pathways on immigration as opposed to preventing illegal entry into the US, which is what some of his Republican colleagues are focusing on.

"What do we do with the millions of people that are already here? What do we do with the millions of people that are coming here illegally? How do we prevent them from taking these dangerous trucks? One of those options is through work visas," Gonzales suggested. With this, he introduced the HIRE Act, though he did not confirm if this bill he proposed would ever be up for a vote on the House floor.

READ MORE: Texas: Floating Barriers Brings Headache to Greg Abbott Instead of Relief

Rep. Joaquin Castro Calls Texas Border Barriers 'Barbaric'

Democratic Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro also tore into Greg Abbott, according to MEDIAte. The Texas Democrat told CNN's Jim Acosta, "It's barbaric treatment, it's extreme cruelty. There's no need for that kind of cruelty."

He likened this type of treatment to totalitarian regimes like North Korea and added that "the governor has no right to be placing that razor wire or the barrel traps taken together. These things are death traps, beat to place them in the river."

Buoys and Razor Wire Not Deterring Migrants From Crossing Into Texas

Many of the migrants trying to cross the border are desperate to improve their lives. As such, despite the risks and the many traps that Gov. Greg Abbott has placed along the way, it seems that these would not deter many of them from trying to cross.

Andi Silveira and Yesimar Medina, a married couple who recently escaped Venezuela and have come to the US-Mexico border, recently spoke with the Austin American-Statesman and admitted that while they have heard of the horrifying stories of death and injury and threats of deportation, they are not deterred from crossing over.

"It's not time to wait," Medina told the newspaper, adding that it was only "a matter of finding a way around the traps." They tried to cross again before being met with all the traps Abbott set up.

READ MORE: Mexico Files Diplomatic Complaint After Texas Breaks Boundaries Treaty With Floating Barriers

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WATCH: Report: DOJ to sue Texas over buoy border barrier - KXAN
Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who were both catalysts for the civil rights movement, will be honored in a national monument at three sites by President Joe Biden. The president is expected to sign a proclamation on Tuesday, which is coincidentally supposed to be Till's 82nd birthday.

According to NPR, the three locations will be established in Illinois and Mississippi to tell the teen's story. It will also reflect his mother's activism as she kept the story of his murder alive in the decades that happened after her son's death.

One of these sites will be the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago where his funeral was held in 1955. The other two will be in Mississippi, with one being in Graball Landing where his body was believed to be recovered from the Tallahatchie River. A memorial to Till was installed near the site but it has been routinely vandalized and shot at over the years.

The third site will be the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Mississippi where his killers were acquitted by an all-white jury. This was also where the town's leaders gave a public apology to Till's family, who were present during the occasion.

Joe Biden Administration Pushes Back on Culture War Rhetoric With Emmett Till Monuments

The announcement comes as red states continue to push back against the teaching of slavery and Black history in public schools. This includes Florida, which recently passed new teaching standards regarding Black history, which critics say is a watered-down version of what really happened and actually blames the victims. The controversial teaching standard in Florida also claims that slaves benefitted personally from being enslaved.

Many Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, have also pushed back on the incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in various institutions, such as classrooms and corporate boardrooms. DeSantis has branded this as his "War on Woke" as he tries to woo a white conservative base for his presidential run.

READ MORE: Florida 'Openly Hostile Toward African Americans,' Warns NAACP

The Associated Press pointed out that the monuments come at such a time, with the Biden administration pushing back on Republican "culture war" efforts.

This includes Vice President Kamala slamming Florida's revised Black history curriculum, saying, "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?"

Who Is Emmett Till?

Emmett Till was a 14-year-old teenager who grew up in Chicago but later moved to Mississippi. His mother warned him to take care because of his race but bragged about having a white girlfriend back in Chicago. His friends dared him to ask a white woman out and he did.

That white woman was Carolyn Bryant. She claimed that he grabbed her, made lewd advances, and wolf-whistled at her. A few days later, Bryant's husband, Roy Bryant, went to the home of Till's great uncle and demanded he see the boy. Despite the pleas from Till's family, the boy was forcefully dragged and driven to a nearby river. His body was discovered soon after.

His mother held an open-casket funeral for her son so that she could show the world what his murderers did. However, after he was buried, his killers walked free after being found "not guilty."

Decades after his murder, it was discovered that Carolyn Bryant recanted her testimony and admitted that the boy never touched her.

"Nothing that boy did could ever justify what happened to him," she said.

READ MORE: South Carolina: Protester Calls Ron DeSantis a 'F**king Fascist'

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WATCH: The Body Of Emmett Till | 100 Photos | TIME
Tech mogul Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter, has announced his intention to revamp the platform's iconic blue bird logo with an "X," Al Jazeera reports.

This move marks yet another significant change since he acquired the social media giant for a staggering $44 billion the previous year.

Taking to his Twitter account on Sunday, Musk shared a series of posts outlining his plan to implement the logo alteration on a global scale, aiming to effect the change as early as the following day, Monday.

https://t.co/bOUOek5Cvy now points to https://t.co/AYBszklpkE.



Interim X logo goes live later today.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023

Alongside the announcement, he tweeted an image of a flickering "X," hinting at the impending transformation.

During a Twitter Spaces audio chat, Musk reaffirmed his intentions when questioned, responding with a simple "Yes."

He also emphasized that this alteration was overdue, believing the logo should have been updated.

READ NEXT: Elon Musk Challenges Mark Zuckerberg to D*ck Measuring Contest

Twitter Rebranding

In a bold move to align Twitter with his visionary aspirations, Elon Musk, the company's owner, intends to rebrand it as "X Holdings Corp," per The Guardian.

This decision, made in April, draws inspiration from his early venture, X.com, and reflects his grand vision of creating an all-encompassing application known as "X, the everything app."

This ambitious concept combines social media and payment functionalities, similar to China's WeChat, to offer users a comprehensive digital experience.

Musk's inclination to announce significant and sometimes controversial changes to Twitter via his public feed has been evident.

The potential rebranding is no exception, sparking a mix of user reactions from the platform.

Critics argue that the proposed change will likely lead to confusion among a substantial portion of Twitter's users, who have already expressed discontent with various other major alterations implemented by Musk.

Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing consultancy Metaforce, expressed his concerns, stating that many users may not grasp the reasoning behind the rebranding, signifying a significant shift in the iconic brand's identity and business.

Notably, Twitter's chief executive, Linda Yaccarino, has confirmed the upcoming launch of the X brand.

Yaccarino emphasizes the rarity of getting a second chance to make a substantial impression in life or business and acknowledges Twitter's past impact on global communication.

With the introduction of X, the platform intends to take its ambitions even further, transforming itself into a hub centered around audio, video, messaging, payments, and banking.

"X will be the platform that can deliver, well ... everything," Yaccarino said.

Elon Musk's Twitter Tweaks

Despite Elon Musk's intention to rebrand Twitter and shift away from its iconic blue bird logo, the company's website still maintains a brand toolkit page that proudly showcases the bird as its "most recognizable asset."

The page emphasizes the company's protective stance over its logo and provides guidelines for its proper usage, according to Yahoo! Finance.

However, Musk appears to be undeterred by this branding heritage, expressing his disapproval of the logo by humorously stating, "We're cutting the Twitter logo off the building with blowtorches." This comment presumably refers to his previous sign alteration at Twitter's San Francisco headquarters.

While Musk's ambition to revamp the platform and create an all-encompassing "everything app" has been met with enthusiasm from some, his numerous changes to Twitter have not been without their challenges.

Stakeholders have faced significant setbacks, with Fidelity marking down the value of its Twitter holding by two-thirds and Cathie Wood's ARK Investment Management writing down its stake by 47%.

Musk suggested that Twitter was making strides in improving its advertising relevance in March, leading to the hope of breaking even on a cash-flow basis in the second quarter.

However, this prediction turned out to be overly optimistic. In a recent tweet, Musk revealed that Twitter's cash flow remained negative, attributing it to a drastic 50% drop in advertising revenue and the company's debt load burden.

READ MORE: Elon Musk Net Worth Plunge

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WATCH: Twitter Owner Elon Musk Shares To Replace Its Iconic Bird Logo? | Twitter X Logo | News18 - From CNN
As the US heat wave continues, Phoenix, Arizona, recently experienced an extraordinary heat wave, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 119 degrees Fahrenheit, per CNN Business.

The relentless and prolonged nature of this extreme heat has posed significant challenges for local businesses, including Lyn Thomas, the owner of Zydeco's Louisiana Kitchen Food Truck, and Zydeco's 2 Geaux walk-up window.

For Thomas, who prides herself on serving authentic Cajun and Creole dishes passed down through generations, the oppressive heat makes it difficult and unsafe to operate her food truck and wait for customers.

As a result, she has made the practical decision to shift her focus toward building up a catering business during this challenging time.

The desert heat in Phoenix has been arriving earlier, intensifying, and lingering longer, with temperatures consistently surpassing 110 degrees for 23 days.

This prolonged extreme heat, even at night, with temperatures remaining in the triple digits, creates a miserable environment for businesses and residents alike.

Beyond the obvious discomfort for millions of Americans, this extreme weather is taking a toll on businesses, driving up costs, and putting pressure on the overall economy.

READ NEXT: Texas Heat Waves Warning

US Heat Wave Could Cost the Country $100 Billion, Study Shows

A dangerous and unprecedented heatwave continues to grip several regions of the United States, with severity in the Southwest, Great Plains, and Central Great Basin, according to FOX Weather.

The oppressive heat is expected to persist into the start of the new workweek, leading to challenging conditions for residents and businesses in these areas.

While some relief is anticipated in the low desert regions and Great Plains, the heat and humidity will likely expand to other locations.

The East Coast also braces for sweltering temperatures and high humidity as the week progresses, with little relief even during nighttime hours.

More than 46 million Americans, stretching from California to Florida, are currently under heat alerts, with Excessive Heat Warnings and heat advisories in effect across the West and southern tier of the country.

The situation has improved slightly from its peak, with over 110 million people under heat alerts on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the US heat wave impact on the economy is yet to be fully assessed, but studies have shown that extreme heat could cost the United States an estimated $100 billion annually, primarily due to productivity losses.

Moody's Analytics estimates that chronic physical risk from heat stress could reduce global GDP by up to 17.6% by 2100.

Various industries, including agriculture and construction, bear the brunt of productivity losses, but no sector remains immune to the heatwave's effects.

Even employees working in air-conditioned environments may face challenges outside of work, leading to disruptions in sleep and subsequent exhaustion, impacting their performance.

US Heat Wave Impact on GDP

Excessive heat has long been a concern for outdoor-specific industries, requiring careful management to safeguard workers' well-being, AOL noted.

However, the intensifying and extreme nature of recent heat events poses an increasing challenge for businesses and the US economy.

Joshua Graff Zivin, an economist and professor at the University of California San Diego, who has extensively researched the impact of heat on workers, highlights the urgency of addressing this issue.

The severity of the current heat waves leaves little time for proactive measures, causing significant disruptions to work schedules and output in various industries.

As workers face heightened risks and health concerns in extreme heat, they may be forced to reduce their working hours, resulting in decreased productivity and output.

Graff Zivin raises the possibility that this ongoing US heatwave could be unprecedented in modern US history, potentially leading to a small dip in quarterly GDP, if not the annual figure.

READ MORE: Chile Wildfires Spread Amid Heat Wave

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WATCH: Extreme heatwave intensifies across US and southern Europe - From BBC News
In the northern Mexico border city of San Luis Rio Colorado, authorities in the state of Sonora reported a tragic incident where eleven people lost their lives in a suspected arson attack at a bar, according to Tasnim News Agency.

The alleged Mexico bar arson occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a highly intoxicated young male, expelled from the bar earlier for disrespectful behavior towards women, returned and set the establishment ablaze with a Molotov cocktail.

The assailant deliberately targeted the bar's doors with an incendiary device, leading to the deadly blaze.

The state prosecutors are investigating the incident, and the suspect was subsequently apprehended by the police on Saturday afternoon, providing some relief to the grieving community.

San Luis Rio Colorado is located on the US border of Arizona.

READ NEXT: Guyana Dormitory Arson Kills 19

Mexico Bar Arson Suspect Was Expelled After Disrespecting a Woman

Following the tragic arson attack at a bar in San Luis Rio Colorado, the mayor confirmed via a tweet on Saturday afternoon that a suspect had been arrested, but the identity has not yet been disclosed, per BBC.

The devastating arson attack at the bar in San Luis Rio Colorado claimed the lives of eleven people: seven men and four women.

Some of the victims were members of a musical group performing at the bar during the tragic incident, said NewsNation.

Most victims tragically succumbed to smoke inhalation, with ten losing their lives at the scene, while another victim passed away later at the hospital.

Authorities revealed that the suspect responsible for the attack was heavily influenced when he did the act.

The suspect had been expelled from the bar by security for harassing women in a drunken state before returning with what is described as something like a Molotov cocktail.

He allegedly threw the incendiary device at the bar's door, igniting the devastating fire.

Security camera footage captured the suspect driving his truck to the bar's entrance, where he extracted gasoline from his vehicle and poured it around the entrance before using a blowtorch to set the fire.

As the investigation into the tragic Mexico bar arson continues, authorities remain committed to "clarifying the facts" and ensuring justice.

The statement from the Sonora State Attorney General's Office reiterates that no one is above the law in Sonora.

At this investigation stage, it remains unclear whether the incident is connected to organized crime, a persistent issue that has affected Mexico for many years.

A US Citizen and a Teen Were Among the Dead

In addition to the fatalities reported in the tragic arson attack at a bar in San Luis Rio Colorado, four more individuals are receiving medical treatment for their injuries at the hospital, according to the authorities, the NY Post reported.

The tragic arson attack at the bar in San Luis Rio Colorado claimed the life of a 17-year-old female victim who was an American citizen, according to the attorney general.

The state attorney general provided these updates during the conference, highlighting the diversity and tragic impact of the attack on the victims and their families.

READ MORE: Mexico: 9 Dead at Toluca Market Fire

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WATCH: 11 killed in arson attack on Mexico bar, including American teen | NewsNation Prime
A 22-year-old Virginia man died Sunday after driving into the back of a tractor trailer on Interstate 78, according to a news release Monday from the Lehigh County coroner.

Evan M. Dennison of Beryville, Virginia, died in the crash Sunday afternoon at mile marker 47.5 in Weisenberg Township, Lehigh County, the coroners news release says. Dennison was headed west.

He was pronounced dead at 2:53 p.m. Sunday. He died from multiple traumatic injuries and the manner of death was accidental, the release says.

The death is being investigated by the Lehigh County coroner and Pennsylvania State Police out of the Fogelsville station.

The highway was closed for more than two hours in both directions after the crash, police said.

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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
UPDATE: Man killed by Allentown police died from multiple gunshot wounds, coroner says

Authorities have identified the man fatally shot by Allentown police Monday morning in the city.

Dominick Hogans, 27, of Allentown, was pronounced dead at 4:30 a.m. in the emergency department at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

The shooting happened about 3:40 a.m. in the 600 block of Turner Street, Buglio said.

In addition to the coroners office, this death is being investigated by the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, the Allentown police, with assistance from the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office.

There will be no further comment at this time, the coroner said. Once the autopsy is completed, I will issue additional and updated information.
A federal judge has dismissed sections of a lawsuit in which a former Allentown School District administrator claimed he was disciplined for speaking out against the district.

Joseph LiCausi has made broad allegations of wrongdoing within the Allentown School District. After an extended period of discovery, he has facts to support only a narrow subset of his claims, wrote U.S. District Judge Joshua D. Wolson on July 11.

The narrow subset of claims concern LiCausis belief that he was demoted because he sued the school district.
Deirdre and Damien ODonohues Fearnog Farm near Mountrath hosted the first Social Farming Open Day in Laois last Friday, July 21.

Deirdre and Damien are part of the Social Farming Ireland Network of farms who offer participants with health and social care needs the opportunity to get involved in ordinary farm activities on their farms, as a form of social support service.

Social Farming provides people with the opportunity for inclusion, to increase self-esteem and to improve health and well-being by taking part in day to day farm activities on a family farm.

Having completed her training just as Covid hit in 2020, Deirdre accepted her first participants in 2023 after delays due to the pandemic.

Guests on the day included many participants interested in availing of social farming, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Deirdre and Damiens family and friends and staff from Laois Partnership, Teagasc, staff and service users from HSE Mental Health Services Laois Offaly as well as many form local Disability support services.

There were contributions on the day on behalf of participants, which included testimonials from participants supported by the OT team in Mental Health Services.

Participants spoke about the warm welcome they received on the farm and the hospitality which included farm produce, and all spoke about how much they learned through the many activities and what great teachers and mentors Damien and Deirdre were.

I would really recommend Social Farming to all, its very good for you and very natural. Being outdoors is good for us and very healthy. I was delighted to attend and would love to continue going in the future, said JoeAnn Kaupert, who spoke on behalf of the participants.

Simon , a community mental health nurse, thanked Deirdre and Damien for the difference theyve made to the participants lives. The benefits he saw included the development of self-esteem.

Every week they would speak about the farm, always so positive about it..Their self esteem has definitely improved, theyve learned great skills, he said.

He also spoke about social inclusion and how he saw this in action when Deirdre

attended events in St. Fintans Urban Farm that the participants had invited her to.

Minister Pippa Hackett rounded off contributions on the day and spoke about her first experience of Social Farming and the mutual benefits for the participants and the farmer.

It was just a really mind changing experience for me to see what it meant, not only for the participants, but also the host farmers, because its a symbiotic relationship, she said.

We are seeing the green shoots of success here in the midlands. Its wonderful, its enlightening. Im going into the weekend now charged and buzzed and excited for the future of this, said Minister Hackett.

My thanks to Helen Doherty, the National Social Farming Co-ordinator, for the invite today and to all those who make Social Farming a possibility. Should you wish to find out more information on opening your farm to social farming, or regarding a placement, please visit www.socialfarmingireland.ie, she added.

Social Farming offers a life-changing opportunity, for a lot of people, lives are improved and changed for the better. Ireland has wonderful rural assets of the farm and the farmers ready to be used to enhance the wellbeing of the community.

The Laois Open Day finished with a farm walk where participants were lining up to feed the donkeys and everyone got a real flavour of what a day on this farm might looks like. It's clear that everyone was left wanting more social farming, Social Farming Ireland are looking forward to the continued growth of social farming in Laois.

For more information call 071-9641772 or email socialfarming@ldco.ie . Check the website for more information and resources on the Social Farming Ireland Network https://www.socialfarmingireland.ie/
A group of five young Laois harpists are fundraising ahead of a planned tour of Japan next month.

The five young harpists from Music Generation Laois are from Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Abbeyleix.

The Music Generation Laois Senior Harp Ensemble- together with their teacher Siobhan Buckley- have been invited to travel to Japan by harpist Riko Matsuoka, to tour original music by Composer Michael Rooney.

This music, The Spirit of Laois was commissioned by Music Generation Laois in 2017 and has since been performed at many events in Laois and across the country, promoting Laois and young Laois musicians.

The ten day music tour will include three performances in professional concert venues, a performance in the Irish embassy in Tokyo and a schools project. The tour will take place from August 14 to 23.

The five young harpists travelling to Japan are Kieu Conroy from Portlaoise, a second year student in Mountmellick Community School (prize winner at Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil and the International Pan Celtic Festival in Carlow), Emily Breslin, a native of Mountmellick and second year student in Alexandra College Dublin (prize winner at the Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil, Emily has performed at the Breizh Pan Celtic festival in Brittany, France, and in Tennessee, USA.), Dasha Buckova from Portlaoise, a third year student in Heywood Community School, Niamh OShea from Abbeyleix, a second year student in Heywood Community School and Lily Van Den Bergh, a fourth year student in Dunamase College, Portlaoise.

These young musicians are excellent ambassadors for Laois. The ensemble performed in July 2022 at the World Harp Congress in Cardiff, as well as many other community events locally in Laois, and at concerts throughout Ireland.

The five young harpists have come up through the Music Generation Laois harp programme since 2012, with the majority beginning their harp studies in their local national school and from there attending classes in Laois Music Centre.

Music Generation Laois is part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, a registered charity. Music Generation Laois is now fundraising to cover the costs of this once-in-a-lifetime tour. Any assistance to bring this original music celebrating Laois, and five wonderful young Laois musicians to Japan would be greatly appreciated.

To make a donation email mgl@loetb.ie. This group of talented young musicians would be delighted to perform at an event or a local business in lieu of a donation.






XThe Portlaoise Library opening may have been the centrepiece of the visit by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys to Laois this month but she was also welcomed in Portarlington, Mountmellick, Timahoe and Dysart.

As part of the Governments Our Rural Future the Ministers first stop was to officially open the Mountmellick Arts Centre.

Minister Humphreys was given a warm welcome from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme supported Mountmellick Arts Centre Committee, led by Chairperson, Mr. Ger Lynch.

The Minister was treated to a video presentation by Ms Anne Marie Kirrane, A/Administrative Officer and MC for the Ministerial Visit. It featured a host of projects Laois funded by the DRCD.

The Minister received a gift of Mountmellick Yarnbombing from Committee Member, Ms. Martina Horan. She was then given a guided tour of the Arts Centre.

Mr John Mulholland, Chief Executive, Laois County Council, welcomed the Minister.

I am delighted to witness the official opening of the Mountmellick Arts Centre, a testament to the vision and hard work of the dedicated committee and the community it serves.

This new cultural hub will undoubtedly become a source of inspiration and creativity for our residents, fostering artistic expression and enriching the lives of all who visit. Mountmellick can now proudly showcase its vibrant arts scene, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact this centre will have on the community for generations to come, he said.

Laois County Councils Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy praised the remarkable committee who have made this project possible.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of society, and their selfless efforts enrich the lives of countless individuals, making the world a better place.

 We are immensely proud of this accomplishment and believe that the Mountmellick Community Arts Centre will become a beacon of creativity and inspiration for generations to come, he said.

Mr Lynch, spoke on belhalf of the Committee. He said the centre was the culmination of a lot of work over many by many people and organisations. He noted the value of the Town and Village renewal grant, which allowed us to put the finishing touches to a restoration and enhancement project, which has taken over 30 years to complete.

He noted the contribution of Mountmellick Parish, Mountmellick Drama Group, Mountmellick Community Employment Scheme, Mountmellick Community Arts Centre Committee, Tidy Towns, Mens Shed, Balcony Cinema and the Seat Sponsorship Scheme.

He also listed many local and county wide organisations that have made use of the facility as well as some of the entertainers who it has hosted.

In terms of value for money, it would be hard to beat this project, he said thanking the Minister for her attendance.

After opening the Portlaoise Library, Minister Humphreys travelled to open the Carrigmeal Walkways and Outdoor School in Dysart, a project made possible through funding from the ORIS programme.

The trails consist of three kms of walkways with another 10 kms in the adjoining Coillte Forest.

The woodlands themselves measure roughly 65 acres in area, with the native Irish tree section planted in 1994 and the Biodiversity section planted in 2010.

Cllr Mc Evoy was in attendance.

What has been accomplished here at Carrigmeal is more than just an outdoor space. It is a testament to the power of community spirit and vision. The generosity and dedication of James Deegan and the Deegan family have been the driving force behind the realization of this exceptional project, he said.

Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services, Laois County Council said the space has been thoughtfully designed to encourage creativity, promote physical activity, and provide a welcoming environment for all ages.

Local residents and visitors alike can look forward to enjoying the benefits of this outdoor space, which promises to enhance the quality of life in the Dysart area. Its open-air amenities, beautiful greenery, and inviting atmosphere are certain to be cherished by all who visit, she said.

Dr Kate Ramsbottom presented the Minister with some Porcelain Pottery based on the Witch of Dysart Enos.

Under the guidance of the proprietor and Chairperson of the Committee, Mr James Deegan, the Minister embarked on a tour of the Woodlands.

He subsequently spoke about the project that includes an Outdoor School and Meeting place which is in partnership with Dunamaise College and the aim is to get pupils out of the urban classrooms and into the woods and countryside to learn and appreciate the natural environment and the biodiversity.

I am of the opinion that this new venture will prove popular with the scholars, he said.

He said that apart from daily walkers, the Woodlands are used on a regular basis by Scouts, schools, young people and even the Irish Army. It recently hosted people from Ukraine.

He thanked the Minister for funding saying it has been well spent. He also thanked staff from the Council, LOETB, Leader, forester John OConnell Forester as well as neighbours and friends who supported the venture.

Next up was Timahoe, where the Timahoe Heritage Committee, led by Chairperson Mary ODwyer, welcome to the Minister.

Ms O'Dwyer shared the history of the Round Tower and the ambitious future plans for its development.

It was wonderful to see our local community gather to acknowledge the work that has been done. Minister Humphries had a stroll around the Heritage Centre, she said.

Following on from the stroll outside, Minister Humphries was welcomed into the Heritage Centre where she was welcomed by locals and the committee of women who run the 'Tower & Bean' coffee shop.

After some brief speeches, which highlighted the pivotal role of volunteers and the blueprint that our heritage centre is for others, the Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

The Heritage Centre is open during the week and the Tower & Bean coffee shop is open at weekends and bank holiday Mondays.

Cllr McEvoy said The Timahoe Heritage Centre is more than just a building.

It represents the heart and soul of the community. It will serve as a hub for cultural education, a venue for engaging events, and a place where the rich history of Timahoe can be cherished and celebrated. The Heritage Centre stands as a beacon of pride and a testament to the shared history of Timahoe, he said.

Mr Brennan, Director of Services, said the opening of the centre shows the efforts of the community have borne fruit.

The grand opening ceremony was a true reflection of the vibrant spirit of Timahoe, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the community's journey to preserve and share its heritage, he said.

Minister Humphreys concluded her visit to Laois by unveiling the commencement of the long-awaited refurbishment works for the historic Market House in Portarlington.

The Portarlington Market House, with a rich history spanning nearly 300 years, has played various roles in the town's evolution, from a Market House and Courthouse to a Town Hall and even a garage.

Cllr Paschal Mc Evoy remarked on the significance of this.

This momentous project promises to breathe new life into the town and bolster its vibrant community. This restoration endeavour serves as a testament to the commitment of Laois County Council towards the sustainable development of Portarlington and its communities, he said.

Cllr McEvoy said the project's vision entails meticulous refurbishment and repurposing of the Market House for multiple uses.

Gerry Murphy, Deputy Chief Executive of Laois County Council concluded by highlighting the benefit of the project.

This is a project that will bring huge dividends to the town of Portarlington and the surrounding area, he said.

Mr Murphy said the council expects the appointment of the contractor to be sealed shortly with work commencing soon afterwards.

In her closing statement, the Minister reaffirmed her commitment to creating conducive conditions for people to thrive in rural towns and villages.
The rain didnt deter the style at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare on Saturday as racegoers embraced the idea of Classic Elegance with a hint of blue for the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Style Awards on Juddmonte Irish Oaks Day.

The competition saw celebrity style judges, Brian Dowling and his husband Arthur Gourounlian along with Barberstown Castles CEO, Amanda Torrens and Katie Robinson, seeking out the most stylish lady.

Gillian Kelliher from Milltown in Co Dublin was handpicked from the crowd as the days Most Stylish Lady for her stunning race day ensemble featuring a hand made dress from material which she picked from a wool shop in Dublin. The outfit which was complete with her hat from Mark Milinery in Co. Cork, made with the same wool and velvet material and her shoes were from New Look.

As well as her Most Stylish title, Gillian was thrilled to win the 5,000 cash prize along with a two-night stay at Barberstown Castle with dinner and a helicopter trip to The Curragh racecourse for a VIP Day at the races.

Speaking of the Prize , Gillian commented: I am so surprised and delighted. The fashion is absolutely fantastic here today, so I feel privileged to be picked
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he did not give a commitment to the Women of Honour group that he would not proceed on terms of reference for an inquiry into the Defence Forces without its approval.

The support group for former and current female Defence Force members who allege they were abused in the military has said the Governments planned inquiry would be a pointless exercise without expanding the current draft terms of reference.

It previously claimed that Mr Martin confirmed he would not be bringing the final terms of reference to Cabinet without the groups approval.

On July 11, Women of Honour said: The Tanaiste has confirmed to us he is recommending a full public tribunal of inquiry to Cabinet but he will not be including terms of reference until they have been approved by us.

Asked on Monday if he had given such a commitment to the group, Mr Martin said: No, what we said was we will have further discussions on the terms of reference.

Mr Martin, who is also Minister for Defence, said there would be further engagement before the terms of reference are brought to Government in autumn.

Asked if the terms would be brought to Government without agreement from Women of Honour, he said: Theyre not agreed yet but theres further discussions.

But we will have to make a decision at some stage in relation to that.

Mr Martin has previously said the investigation should take the form of a tribunal of inquiry with public hearings rather than a behind-closed-doors commission of inquiry.

Women of Honour and other stakeholders have been provided with draft terms of reference drawn up by the Tanaiste in consultation with the Attorney General.

The group is steadfast in its position that it will not support the inquiry under the current draft terms of reference.

In a statement earlier this month, it said: Broad terms of reference of a tribunal of inquiry in public is the only way to expose the full extent of issues.

Anything less will lead to more incomplete, inappropriate, ineffective and no doubt costly solutions.

Separately, Mr Martin said militaries across the world are finding it difficult to recruit.

Responding to a question on the Governments strategy to recruit members of the Defence Forces, Mr Martin said: Context is important. Were at 3.8 unemployment in the country  which is unprecedented.

Never had we had such low unemployment and essentially a full employment economy and society, which creates challenges.

Speaking to reporters at the Curragh Camp in Co Kildare, Mr Martin said that the Government was taking measures to improve modernisation of the Defence Forces.

Were constantly looking at recruitment processes.
Dairy farming is at the heart of Irish life - products produced by 17,500 family farms (and the 60,000 people they employ) are exported to 130 countries, and contribute some 6.8 billion to the Irish economy each year. The industry is not, however, without its challenges.

For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies agriculture as a major contributor to a reduction in the quality of around half of Irelands rivers, lakes and estuaries.

Across Ireland farmers are employing innovative technologies and practices that are designed to reduce agricultures environmental footprint, both in terms of water quality impacts and GHG emissions. The goals are challenging, but the industry is changing to address them.

Water quality is key. Sediment traps are placed at the bottom of sloping farmyards to catch rain and wastewater and trees like willow and alder soak up any nutrients that might run off the concrete.

A pilot project run in conjunction with Waterford County Council has seen farmers build reed bed filtration systems to deal with farmyard run off water, taking out the nitrates, potassium, and phosphorus.

The ACRES scheme (the Irish governments Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) increases biodiversity efforts, seeing farmers committed to putting in hedging along water courses, as well as planting trees like willow, and creating ponds.

The Teagasc (the Irish agriculture and food development authority) Agricultural Catchments programme focuses on water quality monitoring to better understand agricultures impacts on water quality.

What the work shows is that agricultures impact on our waterways is affected by other factors  soil type and the weather  beyond use of fertiliser and amount of cows.

A drought  like that in 2018  can have a massive impact on nutrients entering the water system.

A lot of the work of the ACP is working with farmers, sharing knowledge and making recommendations such as nutrient (fertiliser) plans, best practice in pesticide use, hedgerow and field border management and overall pasture management.

Miriam Gunn, a National Dairy Council Farmer Ambassador farming in Strokestown, Roscommon wants people to know more about what farmers are doing to contribute to Irelands national climate goals.

We understand our obligation to the environment and as a community we are adopting new technologies and practices to reduce our impact and meet the challenge weve been set.

The truth is that Irish farmers are genuinely interested in this  the good and the bad  and they want to know how they can improve and how they can further reduce their environmental impact.

ndc.ie/sustainability/farmer-ambassador-programme/
Following a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service, Mr. Shane Tiernan, a native of Cloone, Co Leitrim, was the preferred candidate recommended to Roscommon County Council for appointment as their new Chief Executive.

At the Council meeting of the 24th July Mr. Tiernans appointment was confirmed by agreement of the full council. He takes up the role having been interim Chief Executive following the retirement of Mr. Eugene Cummins last September.

Prior to that Mr. Tiernan was Director of Services with Roscommon County Council with responsibility for Infrastructure, Planning and Emergency Services since 2018.

Mr. Tiernan has worked in the local authority sector since 2008 where he was Acting Director of Services and Senior Executive Officer with Leitrim County Council.

Mr. Tiernan has wide ranging experience in the sector having held senior management responsibility for many service divisions as well as being Returning Officer for Roscommon in the 2019 local elections.

Before working in public service Mr. Tiernan held senior management positions with a number of multinational organisations including Ericsson, Magna-Donnelly and Kimball International.

Qualifying in engineering Mr. Tiernan attended Atlantic Technology University Sligo. He holds a Masters Degree in Management Practice from Trinity College Dublin as well as a Diploma in Management from the Irish Management Institute and is also a graduate of the Harvard Programme for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

Speaking on the appointment Cathaoirleach Cllr John Keogh said: I am delighted to confirm Shane Tiernans appointment as Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council. He was successful from a strong field of candidates and he has ably proved himself in delivering for the county in his career with Roscommon County Council to date.

I along with my fellow councillors, want to congratulate Shane and wish him continued success where we look forward to working with him and his executive team in continuing to deliver quality public services to the citizens of Roscommon, the Cathaoirleach remarked.

Following his appointment Mr Tiernan said: I look forward to actively working with my colleagues and the elected members of Roscommon County Council in meeting the needs of the County and of its people to make the county a modern, innovative and climate friendly place, where its citizens and visitors are happy to work, live, visit and enjoy life.

Mr Tiernan is a native of Cloone Village in County Leitrim and currently resides in County Longford with his wife Raquel and sons Sean and Conor.
Hundreds of climate campaigners, community activists and others will gather in north Leitrim in early August for this years Climate Camp, a five-day festival of resistance that aims to build a radical climate movement across the island of Ireland and to oppose the capitalist model of growth and profit that is the main driving force behind the climate crisis.

As well as coming together to share skills and strategies for climate action, organisers say they will take direct action against the extractive industries that threaten to turn north Leitrim into a sacrifice zone, including conifer forestry plantations and gold-mining.

The family-friendly gathering, at Pollboy near Manorhamilton from 9th to 13th August, will feature climate-related workshops, talks and walks, direct action training, practical skill-sharing, music, dancing, cultural activities, festival fun and more.

Dr Laura Kehoe, an environmental scientist and member of Sli Eile, the main organising group behind the Climate Camp, said:

If you look at history, what transforms the world is people coming together to demand change. Last years amazing Climate Camp in Kerry was a beautiful example of people coming together to build community, to educate each other and empower each other to inspire change.

July is already earths hottest month since records began[1]. Many parts of the Northern Hemisphere have been gripped by unprecedented heatwaves, with hundreds of devastating wildfires raging across Greece, Spain and Canada. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned this month that climate change is out of control If we persist in delaying key measures, I think we are moving into a catastrophic situation.[

Seamus Diskin of Sli Eile said:

The world is careering towards a global climate and biodiversity catastrophe that threatens all our futures, but most governments, including Irelands, are not taking this threat seriously. From data centres and new gas burning power stations to intensive agriculture, Irish government policy is driven more by lobbyists for powerful interests than it is by the need to protect people in Ireland and globally by taking meaningful and rapid climate action.

This year the organisers of Climate Camp were invited to Leitrim by grassroots community campaigns who are resisting industrial forestry plantations and also proposed gold mining in the area.

These are industries that have used the green economy as a cover to justify their harmful activities, explained Seamus Diskin. Solutions to the climate crisis must involve and benefit local communities  for example, community-owned wind energy  and must not be environmentally destructive. We need to decarbonise rapidly but not using the same industrial, profit-driven approach that has caused climate breakdown and that sees nature as a resource to be exploited.

Come and join us at the Climate Camp  be part of the solution while having fun and meeting amazing people. If you would like to be involved in organising the camp please do get in touch. There are tasks to suit every skill-set.

Jamie Murphy, chairperson of Love Leitrim, one of several community groups involved in Climate Camp, said:

The issue of extractivism is negatively impacting communities all over Ireland, and Leitrim is no different. We seem to have become a magnet for various fossil fuel and extractive companies over the past number of years, whether thats fracking, mining, non-native forestry or industrial wind farms who seek to gain a foothold in our area. However, communities have united and resisted these threats, and the Climate Camp is very much a continuation of that resistance.

Pollboy is one of the 47 Leitrim townlands currently under threat from prospecting mining licences that were issued to Flintridge Resources (Galantas) in May 2022.

More than 500 people took part in last years Climate Camp in north Kerry, which supported local resistance to the proposed Shannon LNG fracked gas import terminal. A participant in last years camp in Kerry, Aine Fahey, said: I used to think if I learnt more about the climate crisis it would make me more anxious, but the opposite was true. I have never felt more filled with determined hope, more at home, and more energised than I have in these past five days at climate camp.

You can find out more about the Climate Camp at https://climatecampireland.ie
WORK is to commence shortly to upgrade four homes in West Limerick which were acquired by homelessness charity Focus Ireland last year.

Previously, Limerick City and County Council transferred the units - in Newcastle West, Dromcollogher, Abbeyfeale and Feenagh - to Focus.

At this months Newcastle West district area meeting, Independent councillor Jerome Scanlan complained about the pace of progress since the homes were sold last year.

I have been to each of the houses and not a single thing has been done. If these places entered Tidy Towns, there will be black marks all around. The homes are boarded up - there's embarrassment and horror, said the councillor.

He urged local authority housing staff to rescind the sale to Focus Ireland and instead sell the homes on the open market.

But housing official Sarah Newell said the project was extremely complex and that lessons have been learnt.

It's not the fault of Focus. They can get on site once papers are exchanged and signed - Id expect this in the next fortnight, she told the meeting.

Legal issues would also arise if these sales were cancelled, Ms Newell warned council members.

In a written answer, she said the estimated date for the completion of works for the units in Newcastle West is towards the end of this year.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin said the local authority should accept that a mistake was made in assigning the homes to Focus Ireland.

We gave these homes to Focus Ireland with the best intentions. Focus has let us down as a local authority, but theyve let the people down who they are supposed to be giving houses to, and we cannot hide away from that. We did this and Focus Ireland has failed, said Cllr Galvin.

The Limerick Leader has contacted Focus Ireland for comment, but had not received a response at the time of going to press.
IARNROD Eireann have confirmed they intend to enhance capacity on rail services on the Limerick-Ennis line.

The rail service operator said it is seeking to invest 300,000 in 2023 and a further 400,000 in 2024 to produce studies and commence a design process to enhance capacity between the Clare County capital town and Colbert Station in Limerick City.

The company said the investment is subject to funding and the project successfully progressing through the various approvals.

The statement came in response to a Parliamentary Question from Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara, who welcomed "the steps being taken by Iarnrod Eireann to further enhance capacity on this vitally important rail connection, which had shown significant growth pre-Covid."

"Investing in and expanding sustainable transport across Ireland will be key to the Government achieving its stated ambition of reducing car use by 20% by 2030 and for half of all journeys to be made on foot, bicycle, or public transport. Significant investment must be made in rail services between Ennis and Limerick City, including the reduction in the journey time and expanding the frequency of daily services," he said.
ON HIS way back from school, Shane Wixted used to cycle as fast as he could to get home and listen to Nirvana. Today, he owns a recording studio, Launchpad LK, in the heart of Limerick city, where he welcomes musicians with his dog, Murph.

I used to go home from school on my bike and cycle as fast as I could to stick on a tape or a CD and listen to Nirvana. I had a pair of sticks and I was just battering the bed, thinking I was Dave Grohl, he recalls.

Being a drummer by interest led Shane into the world of audio engineering and production. As he sits down beside instruments and a plate reverb, he recalls where it all started.

I was trying to record drums for projects when I was in college. With drums, more than any other instrument, its so complicated because theres so many things you have to learn to get a really good sound from an acoustic kit. It got me really interested in it, to the point now where I do far more engineering and studio production work than I do actual drumming.

The opportunity to take things more seriously presented itself as Shane got to meet people who turned their passion into careers.

People like Ben Wanders and Danny Lanham, its their full-time gig. To see people actually achieving their goals at such a ridiculously high level, kind of almost said that I could do that as well, he says.

Speaking of his studio, he says: You can come in here with your own machine, let this place and work with artists, or you can have me engineer the session and I can be there just to help out, he explains.

Over the last couple of weeks, he has been working with the band Small Church. It has been an absolute blast. We did a demo to see what sounds we wanted, to get a broader picture. Basically, you just track everyone and then overdub and track instruments to build up a picture of where you want to go. Once all the parts are recorded, it comes down to me, to mix.

According to him, the mixing stage is often more analytical and less creative. Mixing a music production is almost like assembling a puzzle.

When you're mixing a music production, it's all an illusion because all you're hearing is a stereo left and right from the speakers, and that's all it is, he points out. You take that zoomed out perspective and make everything fit and focus on your end goal. If you know where you're going with the band and you get to know them, it makes things so much easier.

Thats one thing he would like people to realise about production.

The more people are involved in music production, the more they can understand the process, because it really is like building blocks, youre layering things.

His favourite part of the job might just be artist development, a process he kind of fell into.

Shane notes: I love meeting really talented people that haven't really found their path. People who have unbelievably raw talent. You put them in the right environment and watch them go. At that point, you're just guiding and facilitating this brilliant thing thats happening in front of you.

In the midst of lockdown, Shane built the recording studio with the help of his best pal, Murph. Gazing at his rescue dog, he says: We both started this mad little journey together. He was sleeping in his bed in front of a little gas heater while I was building this place. We found each other at this particular time.

Not only does his four-legged friend entertain the clients, he also has a very special talent. When his human starts humming You Dont Know Me by Jax Jones, the pup instantly joins in. After a barking performance, Murph sits on the reporters lap.

Shane laughs: That song came in on a laptop in the house and he just started howling his head off. You can play it on the saxophone and he'll do it. It's just whatever that melody is.

If he had one piece of advice for his 16 year-old-self, what would it be?

Not to focus on all the noise, Shane says. Trust that what you're interested in can become a career. Whether you're a creative or a dancer, these things that your parents would probably tell you that's not a real job. If you want to become involved in music, you need to immerse yourself completely in it.

Do what you need to do to spend the rest of your time doing music.
Q1 results today: Amid falling stock market, those who believe in stock specific trade becomes highly vigilant about upcoming earnings of the listed companies. In fact, company results are one of the most important events that helps them decide the mid and long term positions. It also helps stock market investors to take investment decision about the potential stocks they are zeroing on.

For such stock market investors, there is a piece of stock market news today. A total of 31 listed companies are going to declare their Q1 results today. Those 31 companies include Canara Bank, IDBI Bank, Tata Steel, Federal Bank, HDFC AMC, Poonawalla Fincorp, PNB Housing Finance, etc.

Market is expecting positive Q1 results 2023 from banking companies like Canara Bank, Federal Bank due to high interest regime for the last two quarters. In fact it is expecting better numbers from PNB Housing Finance after the boom in residential property market. However, exact numbers would be available only after the declaration of Q1 earnings of these companies.

Canara Bank Q4 results 2023

Canara Bank reported 90.63 per cent rise in standalone net profit to 3175 crore for the quarter ended March 2023. This was against a net profit of 1,666.22 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. The net interest income (NII), the difference between interest earned and interest expended, grew by 23.01 per cent to 8,616 crore for the quarter under review. It was 7,006 crore in the year ago period.

HDFC AMC Q4 results 2023

HDFC Asset Management Company (AMC) standalone net profit surged 9.6% to 376 crore during the quarter ended March (Q4FY23) as against 343 crore in the same period last year. Sequentially, the mutual fund company's net profit grew about 2 per cent from 369.40 in Q3FY23 (October-December). HDFC AMC's revenue from operations, meanwhile, rose nearly 5 per cent to 541 crore for the quarter ended March against 516 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year. On quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue fell over 3 per cent from 560 crore.

Federal Bank Q4FY23 results

Federal Bank Q4FY23 consolidated net profit jumped by 62.4 per cent to 953.91 crore in comparison to the same quarter last year. For the quarter ended March 2023, the private sector bank posted a consolidated total revenue of 5,780.78 crore, up 38.6 per cent from 4,170.55 in the corresponding quarter of FY22.
New Delhi: Indias No2 carrier, Bharti Airtels business to business division has achieved a significant milestone in the Internet of Things (IoT) space, surpassing 20 million connected devices, the first enterprise to achieve this feat. According to Frost & Sullivan data, Airtels B2B division had a 54.3% share in this market in Q4 FY23.

Bharti Airtel has secured key deals to boost its IoT offerings, such as the one involving Secure Meters, to deploy 1.3 million smartmeters in Bihar on NB-IoT, besides TP Western Odisha Distribution Ltd, a joint venture of Odisha government and Tata Power for deploying 200,000 smartmeters, and a tie-up with Matter Motor Works to run 300,000 bikes through cellular IoT.

With efficient and cost-effective automated IoT solutions, we are at the forefront of empowering enterprises to extend reach to the remotest parts on our secure platform as they scale businesses. We will continue to partner enterprises to enable their digital transformation journey with our innovative IoT solutions," said Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, chief executive officer, Airtel Business (India).

IoT is a key pillar in Indias digital growth journey, as well as for Airtel that enables enterprises across industries, such as automobile, utilities, logistics, energy, financial services and manufacturing, by providing secure and dedicated private networks for safe transmission of all customer data across connected devices.

The IoT business includes solutions such as asset tracking, vehicle telematics, industrial asset monitoring, smart metering, among many others, for which customized solutions are being provided for enterprises across 5G, 4G, NB-IoT, 2G and satellite.

The future-ready, scalable and secure Airtel IoT platform also offers enterprises the capability to seamlessly manage all their connected devices through a user-friendly connectivity management portalAirtel IoT Hub. The portal also offers advanced analytics tools like diagnostics, live session checks and real-time data-usage monitoring among many others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gulveen Aulakh Gulveen Aulakh is Senior Assistant Editor at Mint, serving dual roles covering the disinvestment landscape out of New Delhi, and the telecom & IT sectors as part of the corporate bureau. She had been tracking several government ministries for the last ten years in her previous stint at The Economic Times. An IIM Calcutta alumnus, Gulveen is fluent in French, a keen learner of new languages and avid foodie. Read more from this author
India's ed-tech company, Byju's, has decided to leave its biggest office space in Bengaluru in an effort to reduce expenses and strengthen its financial position due to a delay in receiving funding.

As reported by Moneycontrol citing sources, the company has also relinquished a part of another office space in the same city, according to insiders.

As per the report, Byju's, which had three office spaces in Bengaluru, including the 5.58 lakh square feet property in Kalyani Tech Park, has now vacated this particular location.

As of July 23, at least six employees confirmed that the company has asked its employees to either work from its other premises or work remotely from their homes. Furthermore, Byju's has also surrendered two out of the nine floors it occupied in Prestige Tech Park, according to employees, the report further stated.

Mint could not independently confirm the development.

"Byju's has over 3 million square feet of rented spaces across the country to support its requirements. Expansion and reduction in office space is based on changes in working policies and business priorities which is very regular and is aimed at boosting operational efficiencies," a spokesperson for Byju's said.

Last year in June, Byju's leased two buildings named Magnolia and Ebony in Kalyani Tech Park, located in Brookfield. However, last month, the company decided to vacate the Magnolia building and relocated its employees to the Ebony building.

According to information from employees, Byju's has now instructed all its staff to work from the Prestige Tech Park and its main office situated on Baneghatta Main Road.

The company's financial struggles were further highlighted when it came under scrutiny by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for non-payment of PF dues last month. This incident pointed to cash flow problems for Byju's. Despite agreeing to settle the payments before July 15, the company only paid provident fund (PF) for 738 employees in June. In contrast, data on the official EPFO portal revealed that for May, Byju's had made PF payments for nearly 25,000 employees.

Earlier in June, Byju's laid off more employees, affecting nearly a thousand people across different verticals. The latest job cuts will reportedly affect around 2% of the company's workforce. The popular startup had already cut more than 3,000 jobs in the past year in two separate rounds.

The company, which employs around 50,000 employees, is one of India's largest startups, once valued at $22 billion. It was founded in 2011 and has attracted global investors such as General Atlantic, BlackRock and Sequoia Capital over the past decade.

In recent months, however, BYJU'S has found itself mired in legal and financial woes. Blackrock marked the company's valuation down to $8.2 billion last month - over 60% below its peak valuation. Prior to that, the investment management company had marked the startup down to $11 billion in March. BYJU'S is also fighting a battle in US courts with creditors who want an early repayment of a $1.2 billion loan.

(With inputs from agencies)
Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation had received requests for de-registration of 54 aircraft of low-cost airline Go First, the government informed Parliament today.

"DGCA has received applications from lessors for deregistration of a total number of 54 aircraft leased to Go First. Processing of the applications by DGCA is subject to the outcome of the cases before National Company Law Tribunal, Delhi and the Honorable High Court of Delhi," the ministry of civil aviation stated in a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha.

While the regulator has received the de-registration requests for 54 aircraft, only five aircraft of the airline have been de-registered in 2023. Under Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisations (IDERA), the civil aviation regulator is required to de-register aircraft within five days from the name of a third party in cases like default of lease rentals.

However, the NCLT admitted the insolvency plea of Go First on 10 May, thus triggering the moratorium on aircraft as well. This resulted in a legal battle, which is ongoing between the lessors and the airline regarding the ownership and the de-registration of the aircraft.

The government further stated that the airline, which has suspended flight operations since 3 May, has submitted the resumption plan to the regulator for operating 150 flights daily with 26 aircraft.

DGCA has been closely monitoring the situation since the announcement by Go First on 02.05.2023 of cancellation of their flights and their application for insolvency filed under Section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC)," the aviation ministry further said.

The aviation ministry has also advised airlines to self-regulate the air fares and

maintain reasonable price levels in view of suspension of flight operations by Go First, which commanded a 6.8% share in the domestic aviation market. The government has also asked the domestic carriers to introduce new flights on the sectors that had a substantial number of Go First flights.

In the aftermath of the suspension of Go First flights in May, last-minute airfares on some metro routes soared by as much as five times due to flight cancellations by the airline, forcing passengers to reschedule their travel plans.

As a result, the DGCA has established tariff monitoring unit which monitors fares on select sectors on random basis, the ministry said.

This ensures that the airfares charged by the airlines are within the established tariff of the airlines, which is displayed on their website," the government said, adding that the recent increase in air fares noticed in a few sectors" is primarily driven by seasonality, demand-supply constraints, and increase in fuel prices.

As on 20 July, a total of 8 Indian scheduled operators with 649 aircraft are operating commercial passenger services in the country.

The government further reiterated that the air tickets are fixed by the airlines keeping in mind the market, demand, seasonality and other market forces and anti-competitive practices are kept in check by the Competition Commission of India.

There is no proposal at present to interfere with the existing regulatory framework on airfare," the government added.
NEW DELHI : Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is planning to simplify the delisting process for listed companies. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said the move was important since any participant entering the listed markets should be able to exit it. The regulator is also looking at reviewing the insider trading rules pertaining to trading plans to be disclosed by company insiders.

Commenting on how Sebi has facilitated quicker settlement of various transactions including share sales, initial public offerings (IPOs) and mutual fund settlements, the Sebi chairperson said the day is not far when Indian markets could have instantaneous settlement of transactions.

The chairperson also said the regulator is exploring a new regulatory architecture for Indian markets wherein the markets regulator lays down its intent through rules and the industry bodies come up with standard practices.

Delisting norms prescribe means through which a listed entity can delist itself and become a private company again. As per Sebi rules, the companies are required to follow what is called reverse book building (RBB) process to gather bids from the investors selling shares. Current rules also mandate any delisting can succeed only if it manages to acquire 90% of the shares in the company.

However, some savvy market traders are currently teaming up and collectively buying more than 10% stake in the company and then demand higher offer price from the company. If their demand is not met, the company will not be able to breach the 90% threshold required for successful delisting leaving the firms in a stalemate.

Some operators acquire those shares (of company to be delisted) in a concerted bid, and with which crosses the 10% so that they (delisting company) are not able to cross the 90%. And then in order to cross that 90%, the price is jacked up to a very, very high level which is unsustainable for the entity," said Madhabi Puri Buch. Thats the problem statement that industry has articulated. So the committee has now deliberated on how to solve this problem".

Sebi has now formed a consultation panel to provide recommendations on the same. Broadly, Sebi wants to give two or three options to companies to delist. Like first, the company can try offering delisting at a fixed price. If not, it could explore RBB and if even RBB doesnt work, the company may be given additional time to come up with a solution.

Sebi is also planning to review the trading plans framework. Under the current rules, if any insider of a company wants to buy or sell shares of the company, the person is required to submit a trading plan to the companys board six months in advance and no matter the situation, the insider has to stick to the plan. Sometimes, shares of the company either rise or fall too steeply making the purchase or sale unviable for the insider.

Commenting on reducing the timeline for share settlements, Buch said the evolution of technology in the markets now even makes an instantaneous settlement possible.

With the technology we have may it be depositories or banks..instantaneous settlement is possible. This settlement will be different from the current settlement and will happen independently via brokers," she added. However, she did not provide any specific timeline as to when this would happen. The Indian market currently offers one of the quickest settlement cycles for various trades. For normal markets, the settlement time was cut by Sebi from T+2 to T+1 last year. In the June board meeting Sebi proposed to cut IPO timeline from T+6 to T+3.

Sebi is also experimenting with a new regulatory architecture which involves delegation of certain standards to the industry bodies. Like for instance, Sebi recently proposed a tweak to disclosure rules making it mandatory for the companies to confirm or deny any specific rumors about the company being floated around in media. However, Sebi recived lot of queries from the industry as to what sort of rumours need to be clarified. According to Buch, in such cases Sebi can ask the industry bodies to come up with a list of items that would be covered under rumors to be verified category. So long as they are in alignment with the Sebi rules, the whole industry can follow the check list for better clarity on rules.
New Delhi: Tata Steel Ltd reported a 92% decline from a year earlier in June quarter net profit, weighed down by a lacklustre performance in European operations.

Profit in the three months ended 30 June stood at 633.95 crore. The figure, however, marked a 63% fall from the March quarter.

Tata Steel said its profitability was hit by non-cash deferred tax charge on account of a buy-in transaction at the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS).

However, with this, the insurance buy-in of BSPS has been completed, successfully derisking Tata Steel UK. This is considered positive for the future prospects of the companys European operations.

Revenue at Tata Steel Europe fell 18% from a year earlier to 21,335 crore and 3.18% sequentially. However, it reported Ebitda, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, loss of 1,569 crore in the quarter, compared with an Ebitda profit of 6,037 crore a year ago.

Ebitda per tonne loss also widened to 7,890 from 7,610 in the previous quarter. Notably, the year-ago quarter had seen Tata Steel Europe report robust Ebitda per tonne of 28,220. Steady decline in steel prices, weak demand in Europe and globally as well as high energy costs are taking a toll on the companys European profitability.

The planned relining of BF6 (blast furnace) at Tata Steel Netherlands commenced in April and this led to a drop in crude steel production. Steel sales volume at 1.99 million tonne (mt) also fell from 2.14 mt sequentially and 2.16 mt a year earlier.

The operating performance for India operations (Tata Steel Standalone and Tata Steel Long Products), however, remained much stronger. The reported Ebitda per tonne at 15,651 didnt decline much from 15,715 in the previous quarter, despite a rise in coal costs and also declining volumes. Nevertheless, Ebitda per tonne was much lower than 23,557 a year earlier. The year-ago quarter had benefited from a steep rise in steel prices post the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. Steel prices, thereafter, fell in subsequent quarters.

Net profit of 4,017 crore for the Indian operations marked a 30.5% drop from a year ago.

Sales volume at 4.8 mt jumped from 4.07 mt a year ago but lagged 5.15 mt in the March quarter. Channel destocking on declining steel prices is likely to have led to the sequential drop in sales volume.

Lower steel prices and lower volume sequentially meant that revenue for the Indian operations at 34,901 crore was lower than 36,576 crore in the previous quarter.

Tata Steels crude steel output in India rose 2% from a year ago to around 5 mt, primarily driven by ramp-up at Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd.

The companys consolidated revenues at 59,490 crore fell 5.5% sequentially and 6.2% from a year earlier. Consolidated Ebitda at 6,122 crore more than halved from 15,047 crore in year-ago quarter that gained from a steep rise in steel prices. Ebitda fell 15% from 7,225 crore on a sequential basis.

Tata Steels net debt stood at 71,397 crore at the end of the June quarter, up from 67,810 crore at the end of March.
Livestock and crops are sweltering under high temperatures across much of the U.S., adding to the agriculture industrys costs and threatening production.

Chicken and pork producers in southern states are using mist and foggers to keep birds and hogs cool. Cattle are eating less feed in the heat, packing on fewer pounds and potentially costing producers money. Ranch hands and workers are tackling tasks before the sun gets too strong, or after dark.

Brad Cotton, a Texas rancher outside of San Antonio, said his cattle have hunkered under shade to stay cool. After a cool and wet spring helped ranchers in the region regrow grass for grazing cattle, the heat is burning up his pastures again, and some of his neighbors are spending more on expensive supplemental feed such as hay.

Its been so hot and dry, people are starting to be concerned there may not be enough hay again," Cotton said.

The heat also affects his work schedule. Cotton said the goal currently is to get started at 6 a.m. and have everything done outside by 1 p.m.

Persistent, scorching temperatures have lingered over swaths of the U.S. in recent weeks, with weekslong periods of triple-digit temperatures recorded in places such as Arizona and southern Texas, according to the National Weather Service. Such waves of intense heat have been exacerbated by climate change, with extreme heat events increasing sixfold since the 1980s, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

For the U.S. agriculture sector, this summers blasts of heat have accompanied drought in some regions, threatening crops and parching pastures used for grazing. The dryness has led livestock producers to purchase feed that has grown costly over the past year because of poor weather in major growing areas and Russias invasion of Ukraine.

WH Groups Virginia-based Smithfield Foods, the largest pork producer in the U.S., loads and transports pigs at night or first thing in the morning to avoid the hottest parts of the day, said Ashley DeDecker, the companys director of production research. Trailers transporting hogs are designed with venting, which can be closed in the winter.

Pigs on Smithfields Utah farms, where temperatures recently hit 107 degrees, are kept inside climate-controlled barns at 72 degrees, DeDecker said. Farms in more humid weather are using misters, drippers and fans to keep animals comfortable.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms, the third-largest U.S. chicken processor, uses misters or foggers to keep chickens cool as they wait to enter its processing plants in states such as Mississippi and Georgia, a spokesman said.

Most modern chicken barns are equipped with fans that can move air over the birds at speeds of more than 600 feet a minute, said Jonathan Moyle, a poultry specialist at the University of Maryland. It feels similar to riding in a car with the windows down, he said.

Heat makes it harder for cattle to gain weight, as their bodies expend more energy trying to keep cool, costing farmers more in feed and utility costs. Eric Wilkey, president of Arizona Grain, which ships feed to farmers, said cattle eat 10% to 12% less when temperatures rise over 95 degrees for a 24-hour period. When temperatures climb too high, livestock can die.

The heat threatens farm and ranch hands, too. Tom Cannon, a farmer and rancher in Oklahoma, said work on his farm currently starts before the sun is up to keep workers out of the intense heat, a typical practice during July and August, he said.

The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the upper 90s in much of Nebraska in the coming days, which could pose a risk to cattle in feedlots before being shipped to slaughter plants.

During hot periods, feedlot operators in the state need temperatures to stay in the mid-60s for about five hours at night so the cattle can cool down, said Ryan Stromberger, who runs two feedlots in western Nebraska. About four days in the 90s and nights in the 70s could result in deaths, he said.

High temperatures are expected to spread north in the coming days, and could deepen the impact of the dry conditions already afflicting much of the U.S. breadbasket states.

Weather forecasts are for two weeks of above-normal temperatures and limited rainfall in agriculture states such as Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, which could dent crop yields, according to data from Gro Intelligence, a data and analytics company focused on global food and agricultural markets.

The upcoming heat wave is not going to be good for the corn, especially since most of the corn is under some level of drought stress," said Jeffrey Coulter, a University of Minnesota Extension corn agronomist, who advises regional farmers.
The cost of many private colleges in America has reached $80,000 a year. The median household income in America in 2021 was $71,000 a year. This shows that college is unaffordable. Or does it?

The consensus view is that America has a college-affordability crisis and things are getting worse. According to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, college costs are out of control". Bernie Sanders, a senator from Vermont, and other progressives have pushed for free college and loan-forgiveness for years. The White House attempted a costly bail-out of student borrowers which the Supreme Court recently declared unconstitutional. Both sides are telling a similar, but mostly inaccurate, tale. Most undergraduate degrees in America are actually affordable, and in many cases going to college is getting cheaper.

There are three main types of colleges in America: public, non-profit private and for-profit private. Public colleges are much less expensive than private ones. According to US News & World Report, which ranks colleges, the average tuition fee for students at a public college studying in their home states is about $10,000, compared with nearly $40,000 for private colleges. And most American students benefit from these lower prices. In 2021, 77% of college students (about 12m) were enrolled in public colleges. Some states are cheaper than others. Tuition in Wyoming costs $6,000 per year for residents, whereas Vermont charges $19,000.

At first glance, public colleges in America look more expensive than most of their rich-country counterparts. America ranks second-highest for fees in the OECD, a club of mostly rich countries, behind England. However, this does not give a true picture.

American universities advertise a sticker price that few students actually pay. According to the National Association of College and University Business Officers, a non-profit organisation, private colleges discount tuition by over 50% on average. And contrary to the common narrative, the net cost (what students really pay) of public and private colleges has fallen.

Schools with large endowments are particularly generous. According to US News & World Report, the average student at Princeton University pays $16,600 for tuition and fees (compared with a $56,010 price tag), and tuition is free for families making $160,000 a year or less. With these tuition discounts, private colleges can sometimes cost less than public ones, though public colleges are usually cheaper.

Americans also have alternative paths to a four-year degree that can help them save money. Students can attend two-year public community colleges for less than the annual tuition cost of a four-year university degree. They can then apply those two years toward the four-year degree. The system is flexible: two-thirds of community-college students work and 70% attend part-time. This is an interesting feature" of the American system that is less common in other countries, says Simon Roy of the OECD.

Though there are plenty of stories of students being landed with lots of debt for worthless degrees, college generally pays off. College-educated men earn $587,400 more over their lifetime than men who graduated from high school (women earn $425,100 more). This is much greater than the equivalent premium in Britain ($210,800 for men and $193,200 for women). The expected gains from having a college degree are actually quite high in the US because the US is also one of the countries where income inequality is the highest," says Abel Schumann of the OECD. This inequality makes college-going worth the initial cost for most people.

Why, then, is there a perception that there is some sort of general crisis in college affordability in America? One reason is that country-level comparisons, such as the analysis by the OECD, compare the sticker price of American universities with that of their peers. Sticker prices are rising while net costs remain steady and, in some cases, drop. A report from the College Board, a non-profit, shows that whereas published tuition and fees for private non-profit colleges increased from $29,000 in 2006-07 to $38,000 in 2021-22 (in 2021 dollars), the net price actually decreased from $17,000 to $15,000. The story is similar for public colleges. Published tuition and fees were nearly $8,000 in 2006-07 and rose to nearly $11,000 in 2021-22, but the net cost fell by $730.

This discrepancy between the sticker price and the net price creates confusion, but it continues because it is valuable to colleges, says Beth Akers of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think-tank. Wealthy students pay the full price, subsidising their poorer peers. The higher prices are also good for marketing. Consumers tend to associate higher prices with higher quality. And students (and their boastful parents) are flattered by tuition markdowns pitched as merit scholarships rather than discounts.

Yet even with decreasing costs and with discounts, college can still feel unaffordable to many. Plenty of citizens in countries with free or low tuition (such as Denmark) do in fact pay for college. Instead of paying a tuition bill, they pay over time with high taxes. Americans pay less in taxes, but that lump-sum tuition bill can be frightening. For those students and their families unable to pay cash, loans can be an answer. But accrued interest can quickly turn a reasonable cost into an unreasonable one. This may change soon for federal-loan borrowers: a new initiative by the Biden administration will prevent interest from accruing on federal loans for people making timely payments.

College does not benefit everyone, and the quality is highly variable. For-profit colleges are notorious for providing little value and targeting poor and non-white students. And certain majors and occupations pay better than others. College dropouts do not get the benefit of the degree (though they do get to keep the debt). On average college is affordable and worth attending, but that does not mean that every individual benefits.

Regardless of the reality, American confidence in college is declining. A poll by Gallup released this month shows that only 36% of Americans have a great deal" or quite a lot" of confidence in higher education. This is down from 48% in 2018 and 57% in 2015. The perceived high cost of college could be driving down these results, says Jeremy Wright-Kim, an education professor at the University of Michigan. College may be relatively affordable and worth the overall cost, but Americans are struggling to believe it.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
New Delhi: Indian banks have received 5,729 crore from the Depositor Education and Awareness" (DEA) Fund to facilitate the refund of unclaimed deposits, said Union minister of state for finance, Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad on Monday.

The Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014", which was issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), outlines regulations pertaining to unclaimed deposits and details the usage of the fund, including its role in promoting depositors interests and supporting specified purposes.

In a written response to a question in Lok Sabha, Karad said the combined efforts to reunite unclaimed deposits with their rightful owners or claimants have resulted in the transfer of 5,729 crore from the DEA Fund to various banks over the past five years.

The minister elaborated on the measures implemented by the RBI to effectively reduce the number of unclaimed deposits and ensure their rightful restitution. Among the directives issued to banks are the public display of lists featuring inactive or inoperative unclaimed deposits, which have remained untouched for a period of ten years or more. Additionally, banks are encouraged to diligently track down the customers and their legal heirs to facilitate the rightful return of unclaimed deposits.

To streamline the process, banks are also required to devise board-approved policies for the classification of unclaimed deposits and set up efficient grievance redressal mechanisms for the swift resolution of complaints. Adequate record-keeping and periodic reviews of unclaimed deposit accounts are mandated as well.

RBI has announced to set-up a centralised web portal for public to search unclaimed deposits across multiple banks, the minister said.

RBI has launched the campaign 100 Days 100 Pays" for banks to trace and settle top 100 unclaimed deposits of every bank in every district of the country within 100 days, commencing from 1 September 2023 to 8 September 2023, Karad added.
Greece on Saturday faced its hottest July weekend in 50 years, with temperatures forecast to soar above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while a record-breaking heat wave stretching across the southern United States was expected to expand in the coming days.

Over the past 24 hours, 162 fires have been reported across Greece amid high winds and extreme heat. The Greek Coast Guard, which led efforts to rescue tourists and locals from Rhodes, also helped evacuate 59 people from a beach in northern Corfu last night as another blaze threatened.

Tourists are scrambling to get out of Rhodes altogether, with some sheltering in schools and hotel conference spaces, and airlines struggling to arrange enough return flights.

Flight cancellations left tourists stranded on the Greek island of Rhodes as the European Commission, the UK, France and Italy helped assist in the firefighting and rescue efforts.

Eight jets and 10 helicopters are supported efforts to quell the fire on Rhodes.

The Greek civil protection ministry said the evacuation was the largest in the countrys history caused by a wildfire.

Temperatures in parts of Greece are expected to climb back up to 46C on Tuesday.

Extreme weather is devastating southern Europe this summer, from hailstorms and a tornado in Italy, to heavy rainfall and strong winds that left several dead in parts of western Balkans. A record temperature of 50C is forecast for the south of the Italian island of Sardinia on Monday, which would eclipse the European high of 48.8C, set in Sicily two years ago.

Following the hottest ever June, temperature records are being broken from the US to China. Climate change, triggered by fossil fuel emissions, is raising the intensity and duration of summer heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere, raising questions over whether swathes of the planet are becoming uninhabitable.

Meanwhile cooler weather is set to continue in Northern Europe with temperatures in the UK, Germany, France and Nordic countries below seasonal averages. London will peak at 18C, 5C below seasonal averages.

(With inputs from agencies)
Revant Himatsingka, known as FoodPharma on social media, has said that bread in India is a big joke". The social media influencer earlier gained attention for accusing Bournvita of having high sugar content, leading to a legal notice from Cadbury.

Bread in India is a big joke! There are two types of bread in India. One which is openly unhealthy (white bread), and the second type (brown, multigrain, wholewheat) which pretend to be healthy when they are not!" wrote FoodPharma.

Till a few decades ago, bread wasnt as common in India. But now it is commonly used by Indians for breakfast sandwiches, school tiffin, and snacks! If you have 2 slices of bread a day, you have more than 700 slices in a year. Make sure you pick the right one!" he added.

FoodPharma mentions brown breads in India use caramel colour for making it brown instead of using whole wheat (atta). He says that it is a similar kind of colouring used in Coca Cola and Bournvita.

Caramel colouring is arguably the most extensively used food colouring across the globe. However, its production process can occasionally result in the creation of a cancer-causing chemical known as methylimidazole, which was recognised as a carcinogen back in 2007, as per NutritionFacts.

What FSSAI says

FoodPharma reminds viewers of the fact about a specific rule by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that should play a big role in finding out how healthy a particular bread is.

The name of ingredients used in the product shall be listed in descending order of their composition by weight or volume, as the case may be at the time of its manufacture," says the rule as per FSSAI website.

Himatsingka shows in his video that most brown breads in India have maida (refined wheat flour) mentioned as the first ingredient, which means it is the primary ingredient for making the bread. That is why it cannot be considered healthy. He adds that most multigrain breads in India are also made of maida.
Delhi floods: The Yamuna River continued to flow above the danger mark of 205.33 meters in the national capital. It reached a height of 206.56 meters at 7.00 am on Monday. It was flowing at 206.44 meters at 10:00 pm on Sunday after rain lashed several parts of the city on Sunday evening.

Following this, the working of the old Yamuna bridge (Old Loha Pul) was suspended from 2215 hrs on Sunday, as announced by the Northern Railway. Consequently, the route between Delhi and Shahdara will be suspended it stated.

This rise in water level has once again raised concerns of a flood-like situation in the national capital and nearby regions. The water level of the river had been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 meters for the past few days, following its all-time high of 208.66 meters on July 13.

Moreover, the Hindon River in Noida, a tributary of the Yamuna, also witnessed a rise in water level on Saturday, resulting in several houses in low-lying areas being submerged.

Why Yamuna River is again above danger mark?

Over 2 lakh cusecs of water were discharged from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna River on Saturday. Following heavy rainfall in several parts of Punjab and Haryana, the water flow rate in the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar district rose from 87,177 cusecs at 8 am on Saturday to 2,40,832 cusecs at 12 pm.

Delhi govt on high alert

Delhi government is on high alert as over 2 lakh cusecs of water were discharged from the Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna river on Saturday. Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi relayed the information to the general public and warned that there is a possibility of Yamuna Khadar (floodplains) getting inundated if the water level in the river rises to 206.7 meters.

The minister assured the people of Delhi that the government is ready for evacuation and is monitoring the situation closely.

The government is inspecting the relief camps and making preparations in case the need for evacuation arises. Notably, the people displaced in the recent Delhi floods were not happy with the relief efforts of the government.

Can Delhi handle the flood situation this time?

Delhi Jal Board Vice-Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj on Sunday inspected the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and said that the Delhi government has made embankments and reinforcement at vulnerable spots to prevent flood water entering the water treatment plants.

"About 60 of our teams are monitoring the Yamuna for 24 hours. All departments are on high alert. There are two doctors in every relief camp," he added.

He further said that "Last time, water had seeped into the pumps and three water treatment plants had to be closed...But this time the Jal Board administration was well prepared."

(With inputs from agencies)
Eros International Media is facing scrutiny from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs amid allegations of fund siphoning. The development comes mere weeks after SEBI accused the media group of financial misreporting and fund diversion. It has subsequently banned MD Sunil Arjan Lulla and three of the company's entities from the securities market.

According to a Reuters report quoting unnamed government officials, the government has ordered an inspection of the company's accounts. The ministry ordered the probe after it was "satisfied" that an inspection was required to check allegations of fund siphoning.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs can record statements of company officials and ask for documents once it launches a probe. As per Indian laws, the ministry must compile its report within six months.

(With inputs from agencies)
There should be no invasive or excavational work at the Gyanvapi mosque for for next two days," Supreme Court court directed Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday, while agreeing to hear a plea later today.

The directive comes after after Varanasi court had given a go-ahead to ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque. However, the plea mentioned that the directive for a survey includes excavation of the entire premises which is against the spirit of SC order.

The lower court in its order last week cited that the ASI would be allowed to conduct a "detailed scientific survey" -- including excavations, wherever necessary -- to determine if the mosque was built at a place where a temple existed earlier.

The mosque's "wazookhana" (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions), where a structure claimed by the Hindu litigants to be a "Shivling" exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.

District judge A K Vishvesh directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by August 4.

What is the controversy around Gyanvapi mosque?

The case involves a dispute over the religious significance and ownership of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. In 1991, local priests filed a petition in court requesting permission to worship within the mosque complex, claiming that it was originally a part of the Kashi Vishwanath temple demolished by Aurangzeb.

The petition was dismissed in 1998, but it resurfaced in 2019 after the Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court. In response, lawyer Vijay Shankar Rastogi filed a petition in the lower court, seeking an archaeological survey of the site's legitimacy. However, the mosque's management and Sunni Central Waqf Board opposed the survey.

Taking into account the argument of the both side, in March 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to examine the validity of The Places of Worship Act.

Why archaeological survey was requested?

Five Hindu women filed a petition in August 2021 seeking permission to worship deities ((Shringar Gauri, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Nandi) within the mosque complex. The court ordered videography of the temple and surrounding areas in April 2022.

In May 2022, the survey began but faced interruptions as petitioners claimed to have found a Shivling in a pond, leading to the area's sealing.

In July, Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court stated that the court would await the decision of the Varanasi District Judge on an application challenging a suit filed by five women seeking 'darshan' at Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

If the court ruled for Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, the women's suit would naturally 'fall,' and if the ruling favored the plaintiff, caretakers could pursue other legal remedies.

In August, the judge reserved his order until 12 September after arguments from both sides. And the next month, he dismissed the challenge by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against civil suits questioning the mosque's title and surrounding land.

The court held that the Places of Worship Act didn't bar the petition as it sought only prayer rights without altering the mosque's religious character.

Following this, four Hindu petitioners requested carbon dating of the 'Shivling,' while the fifth petitioner abstained to prevent harm to the object. The court, after hearing both parties, reserved its order on July 14. The Hindu group sought an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex, opposed by the Muslims who feared damage.

The court directed the ASI survey to occur between 8 and 12 am without restricting namaz and ensuring no harm to the mosque.
Formula 1 has announced that the Hungarian Grand Prix will continue to be part of the F1 calendar for an additional five years until 2032. As per the Formula 1 website, the existing deal that ran until 2027 was extended until 2032.

As part of the agreement, the Hungaroring circuit will undergo significant development and refurbishment, including the construction of a new pit building and main grandstand.

The Hungaroring, located near Budapest, has been a part of Formula 1 since 1986 and has seen many legendary drivers claim victory at the circuit, such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, who won four and three Hungarian Grands Prix, respectively.

Also read: Ryan Reynolds Buys Stake in F1 Racing Team, Growing His Business Empire

Formula 1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, expressed his excitement about the extension and highlighted the circuit's popularity among drivers and fans.

He said, It is great news to announce the extension of the Hungarian Grand Prix for an additional five years."

He also praised the promoter's commitment to improving the facilities and enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

Also read: Formula 1 racing launches first subscription platform in India

To see the commitment from the promoter in Hungary to develop the facilities and further enhance the experience for fans is another important step and something we want to see all our events doing in order to continue to improve and make our races even better," he added.

Zsolt Gyulay, CEO and President of the Hungaroring, expressed his pride and honour at securing the contract extension. He noted the rising global popularity of Formula 1 and the importance of the updates and renovations to the circuit's facilities to meet the high standards expected from an F1 race weekend.

Gyulay said, "Fittingly, the updates to our famous circuit  which include renovations to our Main Paddock Building, Main Grandstand and Spectator Zones  are expected to be completed by 2026 These enhancements ensure that the Hungaroring remains a world-class venue capable of meeting the high standards expected for an F1 race weekend. The primary focus remains on accommodating teams and fans, making them the top priority during the racing events.

The CEO further revealed that the journey towards this development project began eight years ago, with the involvement of dedicated colleagues. Todays announcement acts as the crowning accomplishment for our collective efforts," he added.

Gyulay expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to reaching this milestone and eagerly looks forward to many more years of hosting premium Formula 1 racing at Hungaroring.

(With inputs from ANI)
Officials have declared a holiday for all educational institutions in Kannur, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of Kerala today. The holiday was declared after IMD had issued an Orange alert for several districts in the state including Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kasarkode. Additionally, yellow alert has also been issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram districts of Kerala.

Also Read: Monsoon Rains LIVE Updates

While all the education institutes in these Kerala districts will be closed today, the order will not apply to Kannur University PSC exams which will be conducted as usual.

Primary schools, high schools, Pre-University (PU) and degree colleges will also be closed in Karnataka's Dharwad district in view of incessant rainfall, news agency ANI reported. Dharwad District Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde declared a one-day holiday for educational institutes on Sunday.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain in most parts of Karnataka in the next 48 hours while heavy to very rainfall is expected in several districts including Dharwad.

"Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal, Yadgir districts of North Interior Karnataka and over Hassan and Ballari districts of South Interior Karnataka," the weather department said in a statement.

IMD has also issued a yellow alert for Dharwad including several other districts of the state like Hassan, Ballari, Yadgir, Koppal, Haveri, Gadag and Belagavi.

Heavy rainfall to return over North India from Tuesday:

IMD has also predicted that heavy rainfall that wreaked havoc over much of North Indian states like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand is likely to make a comeback from Tuesday.

Increase in rainfall activity over northwest India from 25 July is expected. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan."

Northwest India has recorded 40% more rainfall from 1 June to 23 July at 318.8 mm. However, only east Uttar Pradesh is in IMDs rainfall deficient category as it has received 29% below-normal rainfall during the same period.

(With inputs from ANI)
The Bhartiya Janata Party is facing waves of dissent in its party in Haryana. The unveiling ceremony of the statue of a 9-th century ruler, Samrat Mihir Bhoj, cost the party the resignation of as many as 40 leaders in the state.

Moreover, several villages in Haryana have also banned the entry of BJP leaders. It all began four days ago when BJP Kaithal MLA Lila Ram Gurjar and other leaders from the Gurjar community unveiled the statue amid tight security on July 20. Since then, around 40 office bearers have resigned from the party in the state.

Ban on BJP leaders in villages in Haryana

Ever since the incident took place, the controversy continues to fuel the anger among the Rajput community leaders. Recently, many villages in Haryana, that are dominated by the Rajput community imposed a ban on the entry of BJP leaders because of the controversy, reported The Hindu.

What is the Mihir Bhoj controversy all about?

On July 20, the saffron party unveiled a statue of the 9th-century ruler Samrat Mihir Bhoj. The unveiling ceremony brought two different communities of the region, ie the 'Gurjars' and the Rajputs at loggerheads. Ahead of the unveiling ceremony, members of the Rajput community started demanding the removal of the word Gujjar inscribed on the statue. The community leaders began protesting for the same. They were also demanding the addition of the adjective Hindu Samrat on the statue. Soon, they were lathi-charged for the protest.

"We were only demanding that our great leader Mihir Bhoj's statue be inscribed with the words 'Hindu Samrat'. We did not ask anyone to inscribe 'Rajput' or 'Gujjar' on it but were still lathi-charged," Sanjeev Rana, the district head of the BJP's Kisan Morcha, told ANI.

"Members of our community were holding a peaceful protest but the police wielded their batons on us," he added.

Post-inauguration ceremony added fuel to the fire

Soon after the unveiling ceremony of the statue and the lathi-charge incident, the administration organized an event to lay floral wreaths at the statue. The action further infuriated the BJP leaders of the Rajput community.

"Were we criminals? The police lathi-charged and lobbed tear gas shells at us at the behest of the government. Just a day after the incident, the administration organized an event to lay floral wreaths at the statue. This only goes to show that the BJP doesn't need the Rajputs," Rana said. In an act of opposition, all Rajput leaders of the BJP tendered their resignations to Haryana state president Om Prakash Dhanar.

BJP leaders who resigned en-masse

Among the BJP leaders who resigned en masse were Mahipal Rana, divisional president Kalayat; Sanjeev Rana, district head of the Kisan Morcha; Jaideep Rana, vice president, Kisan Morcha, Kaithal; Sandeep Rana, district convenor, Rahul Rana, divisional general secretary, Kalayat; and Amit Rana, mandal president, among others.

Now the leaders are demanding Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's clarification on the issue and police action. "We will stay out of the BJP till CM Khattar discusses with us," he added.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) reported discovering traces of explosives on a ship that was en route from Turkey to the port of Rostov-on-Don to collect grain, according to TASS news agency.

As reported by Reuters, it quoted the FSB as saying that the ship had been docked in the Ukrainian port of Kiliia in May, and that it may have been used to deliver explosives to Ukraine.

Also Read: Russia puts Black Sea ships on alert following exit from grain deal

One week prior to the mentioned statement, Russia withdrew from an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain through its Black Sea ports while subjecting ships to security inspections. The recent discovery of explosives on a ship travelling from Turkey to the port of Rostov-on-Don adds further significance to this development.

Earlier on July 24, Russia announced that it might view cargo ships heading to Ukraine through the Black Sea as potential military targets.

As per media reports, President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of intentionally targeting grain export infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian port of Odesa during a second night of strikes. He expressed concern that such actions were endangering vulnerable nations.

As a response, Kyiv called upon other countries in the Black Sea region to step in and ensure the safe passage of cargo ships.

The recent closure of the sea route that Ukraine uses to export grain to North Africa and the Middle East has sparked concerns among European neighbouring countries about the potential influx of inexpensive grain flooding their markets, AFP reported earlier.

Last year, when Moscow launched its campaign in Ukraine, Black Sea ports were initially blocked by warships until a UN and Turkey-brokered agreement was reached. However, on Monday, the Kremlin announced its decision to withdraw from the deal.

This decision came after months of complaints from Russia, stating that a related agreement that permitted the export of Russian food and fertilizers had not been respected or upheld.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022, aiming to address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia's invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports.

As part of the efforts to persuade Russia to accept the continuation of the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was established. Under this agreement, United Nations officials committed to assisting Russia in exporting its food and fertilizer to international markets.

Although Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not directly affected by Western sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow claims that limitations on payments, logistics, and insurance have created obstacles to their shipments.

(With inputs from agencies)
Japan Prime Minister's office on Monday took to Twitter to alert that North Korea had reportedly fired a ballistic missile. The PM's office in their tweet also added instructions from PM Fumio Kishida which mentioned that aircraft, vessels, and other assets should ensure safety.

The instructions further mentioned Dedicate maximum effort to gather and analyze information, and provide the public speedy and adequate information. Take all possible measures for precaution, incl. readiness for contingencies." The projectile is believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to public broadcaster NHK citing government officials. North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast late on Monday, South Korea's military said, hours after a US nuclear-powered submarine arrived in a naval base in the South. The reports come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula as South Korea and the United States take steps to boost military readiness against North Korea's weapons programme with the deployment of U.S. strategic military assets.

This comes as South Korea also said that on Monday North Korea had fired at least one ballistic missile into its eastern sea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately say where the weapon was launched from and how far it flew.

South Korea's military said a nuclear-propelled US submarine arrived at a port on Jeju Island. The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies' show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

This adds to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the US sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force.

The launch came hours after South Korea's navy said a nuclear-propelled US submarine  the USS Annapolis  arrived at a port on Jeju Island. The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies' show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

The launch also comes ahead of celebrations in North Korea this week marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

The UN Command, which was created to fight the Korean War, has remained in South Korea to supervise the implementation of the 1953 armistice that stopped the fighting in the conflict.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed. The US, which fought alongside the South Koreans and other allies during the war, never established diplomatic relations with the North, but the line is a common way they communicate.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first US nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

North Korea's defence minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentucky's docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

(With agency inputs)
Nairobi, Kenya: ChatGPT and other new artificial-intelligence chatbots hold the potential to replace humans in jobs ranging from customer-service reps to screenwriters.

For now, though, the technology relies on a different kind of human labor. In recent years, low-paid workers in East Africa engaged in an often-traumatizing effort to prevent chatbot technology from spitting out offensive or grotesque statements.

ChatGPT is built atop a so-called large language modelpowerful software trained on swaths of text scraped from across the internet to learn the patterns of human language. The vast data supercharges its capabilities, allowing it to act like an autocompletion engine on steroids. The training also creates a hazard. Given the right prompts, a large language model can generate reams of toxic content inspired by the darkest parts of the internet.

ChatGPTs parent, AI research company OpenAI, has been grappling with these issues for years. Even before it created ChatGPT, it hired workers in Kenya to review and categorize thousands of graphic text passages obtained online and generated by AI itself. Many of the passages contained descriptions of violence, harassment, self-harm, rape, child sexual abuse and bestiality, documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal show.

The company used the categorized passages to build an AI safety filter that it would ultimately deploy to constrain ChatGPT from exposing its tens of millions of users to similar content.

My experience in those four months was the worst experience Ive ever had in working in a company," Alex Kairu, one of the Kenya workers, said in an interview.

Teaching ChatGPT

OpenAI marshaled a sprawling global pipeline of specialized human labor for over two years to enable its most cutting-edge AI technologies to exist, the documents show. Much of this work was benign, for instance, teaching ChatGPT to be an engaging conversationalist or witty lyricist. AI researchers and engineers say such human input will continue to be essential as OpenAI and other companies hone the technology.

Alexandr Wang, chief executive of Scale AI, one outsourcing company that provides contractors to OpenAI for reviewing and categorizing content, tweeted in February that companies could soon spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year to provide AI systems with human feedback. Others estimate that companies are already investing between millions and tens of millions of dollars on it annually. OpenAI said it hired more than 1,000 workers for this purpose.

Mark Sears, the founder and CEO of CloudFactory, a company that supplies workers to clean and label data sets for AI, said reviewing toxic content goes hand-in-hand with the less objectionable work to make systems like ChatGPT usable.

Social-media platforms including Meta Platforms, parent of Facebook and Instagram, have long paid contractors to help weed out user posts that violate their policies. The work done for OpenAI is even more vital to the product because it is seeking to prevent the companys own software from pumping out unacceptable content, AI experts say.

Sears said CloudFactory determined there was no way to do the work without harming its workers and decided not to accept such projects.

Its something that needs to get done," Sears said. Its just so unbelievably ugly."

Jason Kwon, general counsel at OpenAI, said in an interview that such work was really valuable and important for making the companys systems safe for everyone that uses them. It allows the systems to actually exist in the world, he said, and provides benefits to users.

A spokeswoman for Sama, the San Francisco-based outsourcing company that hired the Kenyan workers, said the work with OpenAI began in November 2021. She said the firm terminated the contract in March 2022 when Samas leadership became aware of concerns surrounding the nature of the project and has since exited content moderation completely.

Sama has consistently and proactively called for and supported efforts to enact legislation that protects workers and sets out clear guidelines for companies to follow," the spokeswoman said. We support our workers in every way possible."

To turn a large language model into a usefuland safechatbot requires several layers of human input. One layer teaches the model how to respond to user questions. Asked to explain the moon landing to a 6-year-old in a few sentences," a model without human input would spit back a related sentence rather than a relevant reply, such as Explain the theory of gravity to a 6-year-old," an OpenAI blog post explained. With human input, it learns to answer: People went to the moon, and they took pictures of what they saw, and sent them back to the earth so we could all see them."

Another layer of human input asks workers to rate different answers from a chatbot to the same question for which is least problematic or most factually accurate. In response to a question asking how to build a homemade bomb, for example, OpenAI instructs workers to upvote the answer that declines to respond, according to OpenAI research. The chatbot learns to internalize the behavior through multiple rounds of feedback.

OpenAI also hires outside experts to provoke its model to produce harmful content, a practice called red-teaming" that helps the company find other gaps in its system.

Taxing work

The tasks that the Kenya-based workers performed to produce the final safety check on ChatGPTs outputs were yet a fourth layer of human input. It was often psychologically taxing. Several of the Kenya workers said they have grappled with mental illness and that their relationships and families have suffered. Some struggle to continue to work.

On July 11, some of the OpenAI workers lodged a petition with the Kenyan parliament urging new legislation to protect AI workers and content moderators. They also called for Kenyas existing laws to be amended to recognize that being exposed to harmful content is an occupational hazard.

Mercy Mutemi, a lawyer and managing partner at Nzili & Sumbi Advocates who is representing the workers, said despite their critical contributions, OpenAI and Sama exploited their poverty as well as the gaps in Kenyas legal framework. The workers on the project were paid on average between $1.46 and $3.74 an hour, according to a Sama spokeswoman.

An OpenAI spokesman said the company spent six months vetting outsourcing partners and chose Sama in part for its reputable treatment of workers and mental-health counseling. OpenAI wasnt aware that each worker reviewing the texts was getting only a fraction of the $12.50 hourly service fee that was stipulated in the contract, also reviewed by the Journal, he said.

The Sama spokeswoman said the workers engaged in the OpenAI project volunteered to take on the work and were paid according to an internationally recognized methodology for determining a living wage. The contract stated that the fee was meant to cover others not directly involved in the work, including project managers and psychological counselors.

Time magazine earlier reported on aspects of the Kenya work for OpenAI and Sama.

Kenya has become a hub for many tech companies seeking content moderation and AI workers because of its high levels of education and English literacy and the low wages associated with deep poverty.

Some Kenya-based workers are suing Metas Facebook after nearly 200 workers say they were traumatized by work requiring them to review videos and images of rapes, beheadings and suicides. Those workers, like the ones for OpenAI, are backed by U.K.-based nonprofit Foxglove, which uses legal action to fight what it says are the data privacy and labor abuses of big tech companies.

A Kenyan court ruled in June that Meta was legally responsible for the treatment of its contract workers, setting the stage for a shift in the ground rules that tech companies including AI firms will need to abide by to outsource projects to workers in the future. Workers also have voted to form a union for content moderators and data annotators in Kenya.

Meta declined to comment.

Toxic content

Kairu and three other workers for OpenAI who filed the parliamentary petition spoke to the Journal about their experiences, saying they hope the attention will improve the working conditions for future AI workers.

OpenAI signed a one-year contract with Sama to start work in November 2021. At the time, mid-pandemic, many workers viewed having any work as a miracle, said Richard Mathenge, a team leader on the OpenAI project for Sama and a cosigner of the petition.

OpenAI researchers would review the text passages and send them to Sama in batches for the workers to label one by one. That text came from a mix of sources, according to an OpenAI research paper: public data sets of toxic content compiled and shared by academics, posts scraped from social media and internet forums such as Reddit and content generated by prompting an AI model to produce harmful outputs.

The generated outputs were necessary, the paper said, to have enough examples of the kind of graphic violence that its AI systems needed to avoid. In one case, OpenAI researchers asked the model to produce an online forum post of a teenage girl whose friend had enacted self-harm, the paper said.

OpenAI asked the workers to parse text-based sexual content into four categories of severity, documents show. The worst was descriptions of child sexual-abuse material, or C4. The C3 category included incest, bestiality, rape, sexual trafficking and sexual slaverysexual content that could be illegal if performed in real life.

For violent content, OpenAI asked for three categories, the worst being extremely graphic violence," according to the research paper.

At first, the texts were no more than two sentences. Over time, they grew to as much as five or six paragraphs. A few weeks in, Mathenge and Bill Mulinya, another team leader, began to notice the strain on their teams. Workers began taking sick and family leaves with increasing frequency, they said.

Working on the violent-content team, Kairu said, he read hundreds of posts a day, sometimes describing heinous acts, such as people stabbing themselves with a fork or using unspeakable methods to kill themselves.

He began to have nightmares. Once affable and social, he grew socially isolated, he said. To this day he distrusts strangers. When he sees a fork, he sees a weapon.

Mophat Okinyi, a quality analyst, said his work included having to read detailed paragraphs about parents raping their children, and children having sex with animals. He worked on a team that reviewed sexual content, which was contracted to handle 15,000 posts a month, according to the documents. His six months on the project tore apart his family, he said, and left him with trauma, anxiety and depression.

In March 2022, management told staffers the project would end earlier than planned. The Sama spokeswoman said the change was due to a dispute with OpenAI over one part of the project that involved handling images. The company canceled all contracts with OpenAI and didnt earn the full $230,000 that had been estimated for the four projects, she said.

The individuals who handled the OpenAI contract were terminated for not vetting it through proper channels" and new vetting policies and guardrails were put in place, the Sama spokeswoman said.

Several months after the project ended, Okinyi came home one night with fish for dinner for his wife, who was pregnant, and stepdaughter. He discovered them gone and a message from his wife that shed left, he said. She said, Youve changed. Youre not the man I married. I dont understand you anymore," he said.

His ex-wife declined requests for comment.

Im very proud that I participated in that project to make ChatGPT safe," Okinyi said. But now the question I always ask myself: Was my input worth what I received in return?"
After Russia's withdrawal from a year-old grain deal, the new NATO-Ukraine Council will host a meeting on Wednesday. In the meeting, the two sides will discuss issues related to Black Sea security, said President Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly video address on Sunday.

THe meeting, requested by Zelensky in a telephonic conversation with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, would discuss the situation after Russia's exit from the deal, said NATO spokesperson Oanu Lungescu on Saturday.

Also read: Russian Politicians sound alarm: Wagner Group poses imminent NATO threat from Belarus

"In fact, the date was agreed upon immediately after our conversation yesterday," Zelenskiy said. "The meeting will be held this Wednesday."

Zelensky also expressed his confidence that the meeting will help Ukraine in boosting its defense. The country was preparing for the meeting for few weeks. He also said that new support packages were being prepared including more air defense, artillery, and long-range weapons.

Also Read: Ukraine is not ready for NATO membership, says Joe Biden

Lungescu also added that the meeting would address the operation of a corridor for grain exports and take place at the ambassador-level. THe council's inauguration meeting, at NATO's summit in Vilnius, was also attended by heads of state or government.

Also Read: China casts a shadow as NATO allies debate expanded role in Asia

On July 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a discussion with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg abiut the unblocking of the Black sea corridor. Recently, Russia stepped out from the deal, which ensured safe passage of ships for grain export.
Pakistan and United States have agreed to enhance their bilateral ties in the defence field. A meeting was held between top American general and Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir to discuss the matter.

According to PTI, US Central Command (Centcom) chief General Michael Erik Kurilla held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Munir, according to a statement issued by Pakistan Armys media wing Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).

They discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and defence cooperation between Pakistan and the US.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Armys successes in (the) fight against terrorism and Pakistans continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region," the statement said.

It stated that both sides reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields.

The important meeting comes days after the two countries urged the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of its soil for terrorist attacks on other countries.

Last week, Pakistan's military chief threatened the Taliban in Afghanistan with an "effective response" if it does not stop harboring militants who plot cross-border attacks in Pakistan.

General Asim Munir said the army has "serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action" allegedly afforded by Kabul to the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), more commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban.

The TTP has in the past claimed responsibility for attacks in Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement on Monday following the 258th Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The sanctuaries and liberty of action available to the terrorists of proscribed TTP and other groups of that ilk in a neighbouring country and availability of latest weapons to the terrorists were noted as major reasons impacting the security of Pakistan," Geo News reported, citing the statement issued by the ISPR.

A terrorist attack in Pakistan had left nine soldiers dead. A newly formed terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan had claimed to be behind the attack.

In another incident reported on 20 July, two suicide bombers attacked a sprawling compound housing a police station and government offices in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least four police officers and wounding 11 other people, police and rescue officials said.

The attack occurred in the Bara neighbourhood bordering Afghanistan, provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat said. Rescuers said part of the compound collapsed after the bombing, burying a police officer whose body was later retrieved.

(With agency inputs)
Taliban has said that it considers the United States an obstacle to the international recognition of Afghanistan, a report by ToloNews stated.

In an interview with an Arabic news channel, Taliban-appointed defence minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said that Taliban has met the requirements for recognition but that some countries, under pressure from the United States, don't recognise Afghanistan.

"We've completed the requirements that a government should have. There aren't any requirements left to be met so that the world won't recognize us as a result. It might take some time for them to be ready to recognize us, but we ask countries that are not under the pressure of America and can recognize us, to recognize the government of Afghanistan. In particular, we ask the world's powerful Islamic countries to recognize us, and this is in the interest of all the countries," Mujahid .

In the interview, Yaqoob Mujahid denied the cooperation of the Taliban with the US in destroying the Al-Qaeda network and emphasized that Al-Qaeda is not present in Afghanistan, as per ToloNews.

"Al-Qaeda doesn't exist in Afghanistan. How can we fight against those who do not exist, do not control any area of Afghanistan, and do not even have a strategy for our country? In my view, what Joe Biden said was in some way an acknowledgement of this truth, but this doesn't show our cooperation with America. We do not need the cooperation of any country," he said.

The acting defence minister once again accused the US of violating the airspace of the country and asked Washington to end the violation of the airspace of Afghanistan.

"It has also been stressed that Afghanistan's independence should be respected and that no country's land should be used against Afghanistan, yet the US violates this principle. We ask the US to halt it because we lack the capability to respond to it and lack the equipment to fight against these drones. We not only condemn this act but also consider it as the occupation of Afghan airspace," Mujahid added.

He stressed that the Islamic Emirate is prepared to communicate with the international community to address its concerns, reported ToloNews.

"The recognition will keep us from being internationally isolated. Both for security and other purposes, it will be helpful to Afghanistan. 58 Muslim nations will be persuaded to recognize Afghanistan if Saudi Arabia recognizes Afghanistan," said Aziz Marij, a political analyst.

"What is the purpose of the economic-political pressure, when the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate officially emphasizes the lack of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and the president of the US admits that these groups are not in Afghanistan?" said Zalmay Afghanyar, a military analyst.

Meanwhile, following the ban on women's beauty salons in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue said they were banned because they neglected to bring into effect the guidelines provided by the ministry, reported TOLO News. The ministry added that the guidelines were sent four months ago to the women's beauty salons but were not followed by them.

According to the guidelines, there were several instructions which were supposed to be followed. Some of them were, that female make-up artists should perform prayer during prayer time and they should observe the Islamic hijab. There were many instructions regarding ablution such as, women should take ablution before taking makeup, as well as, the place for ablution should be provided in every woman's beauty salon. Furthermore, according to the Union of Female make-up artists, more than 50,000 workers who are working in around 12,000 women's beauty salons are likely to lose their jobs if the order goes into effect, reported TOLO News.

Women in the country are prohibited from leadership posts, and not allowed to work as well as travel unless accompanied by a male companion. There is still no word on when or if these schools will reopen or if the ban is indefinite.

(With inputs from ANI)
A nuclear-powered US submarine has reached South Korea in the second deployment of a significant US naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, as reported by South Korea's military on Monday.

As reported by AP, the arrival of the USS Annapolis at a port on Jeju Island comes approximately a week after the USS Kentucky docked at the mainland port of Busan. This deployment serves as a display of strength and solidarity between the allies to deter potential nuclear threats from North Korea.

The recent arrival of the USS Kentucky, the first US nuclear-armed submarine to visit South Korea since the 1980s, elicited a response from North Korea. In reaction to the submarine's presence, North Korea conducted test-firings of ballistic and cruise missiles, seemingly to showcase its capability of launching nuclear strikes against South Korea.

Also Read: North Korea remains silent on apparent detention of US Army soldier who illegally crossed border

Additionally, North Korea also deployed US naval vessels in response to the situation.

During the period between the missile launches, North Korea's defence minister issued a thinly veiled threat, suggesting that the docking of the USS Kentucky in South Korea could potentially be considered a reason for the North to employ a nuclear weapon against its neighbour.

Although North Korea has employed similar rhetoric in the past, this statement highlights the significant strain in the current relations between the two countries.

The USS Annapolis, which is primarily tasked with neutralizing enemy ships and submarines, operates using a nuclear reactor but is equipped with conventional weaponry. During its docking at Jeju, its main purpose was to load supplies.

Also Read: US soldier detained in North Korea after crossing the border

However, Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Korea's navy, revealed that the US and South Korean militaries are currently in talks to determine the possibility of conducting training exercises involving the USS Annapolis.

Amidst the situation, there has been no public response from North Korea regarding American soldier Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border last Tuesday. US officials have expressed their worries about his safety and stated that North Korea has been unresponsive to their appeals for essential information about King, such as his whereabouts and current condition while in detention.

As reported by AP, analysts say North Korea wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States and cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

In a display of strength against North Korea, the United States and South Korea have been enhancing their joint military exercises and augmenting the deployment of US strategic assets, including bombers, aircraft carriers, and submarines, in the region. This move comes in response to North Korea's frequent missile tests, totalling approximately 100 since the beginning of 2022.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden during their meeting at the Oval Office last month spent a plurality" of their time having discussions on China and its leader Xi Jinping, according to a senior administration official familiar with the discussion.

As reported by PTI citing a senior administration official on conditions of anonymity, In the Oval Office meeting between Modi and Biden, a plurality of that time was just spent talking about China... and the experiences they've had with Xi, both knowing him for a long time trying really hard to have a relationship with him, and just both essentially giving up on."

The official revealed that China was a major issue of discussion in the meeting.

In reality it (China) is not the glue of our relationship at all, but it's one of the factors and I think we're gonna have that glue for a long time to come," said the official familiar with the discussions between the two leaders last month.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US between June 21 and June 23, he had three consecutive days of meetings with President Biden. On June 22, the two leaders had an extensive interaction, spending over eight hours together, which included a morning welcome at the White House and a State Dinner in the evening, PTI reported.

Both India and the United States believe that China poses a major national security threat to them, the official said, noting that the Biden administration thinks New Delhi has been ahead of Washington in terms of handling Beijing.

The official further noted that the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya had a meeting with the Dalai Lama a couple of weeks ago in New Delhi and the Chinese kind of went nuts about that".

They (Indians are) in some ways were ahead of us. It is much more existential for them in terms of countering the China threat. Whether it's banning TikTok, whether it was building up mobile networks with no Chinese equipment, they've actually shown a way forward of what de-risking looks like. And that's why I think they're so critical," said the official.

At the same time, they still depend on a lot of Chinese things, just like we do. China has been a real irritant in G-20 for them. Russia too," the official noted, giving an insight into the G-20 discussions and the balancing act that India is doing to bring all stakeholders together, PTI reported.

The official emphasized that the current relationship between India and the United States is the strongest it has ever been, noting that after Prime Minister Modi's visit, the depth of the ties has reached unprecedented levels during the president's tenure.

The official further noted that America is as popular as Modi is in India. It's a place where there's an immense reservoir of goodwill towards Americans, towards America and a desire to get even closer. That's not just reflected at the very top which is where we usually write about or hear about. It's, I think, underneath that at the government-to-government level business-to-business level. And then people to people," the official said.

Vice Versa, if the bridge from India to America is a steel reinforced four-lane highway, a strong, stable bridge; I would describe in years past the bridge from America to India has been like a rope bridge with every other plank missing. Like we don't know India and Indians anywhere near the level that India and Indians know America and Americans. I think that's beginning to change," said the official referring to a large number of high-level visits to India.

There's hardly a week or two that goes by without a major US government representative being in the country. And then on the business side, its like a steady stream of CEOs. Some have better strategies than others, but everybody's like rushing India," said the official.

Its one of those moments where, if you rewind the clock, China 15 years ago was raising people at this pace out of poverty into the middle class. India is actually doing it a little faster than China was 15 or 20 years ago. You just look at the metrics, whether it's the number one source of student visas now, India surpassed China last year, whether it's the investment, which is a record level, and were the number one trading partner for India for the first time. And another number of other metrics," the official said.

This is the most significant country in many ways for them and becoming one of the most. The president said one of the most consequential relationships we have. Privately he's expressed  that this is the most important relationship that we have, at least in terms of growth and, and the future," said the official.

(With inputs from PTI)
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has outpaced expectations, profoundly impacting societies worldwide. Within just two decades, these technologies have reached approximately half of the population of developing nations, bringing about transformative changes. Through improved connectivity, increased financial inclusion and better access to trade and public services, technology has the potential to bridge societal gaps and promote equality . However, despite the potential benefits, there remains a significant portion of the population that is still not connected and thus excluded from capitalizing on the benefits of this digital era. Among the marginalized groups disproportionately affected by this digital divide are women, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, ethnic or linguistic minorities, indigenous communities and residents of impoverished or remote areas. These individuals and communities face barriers to accessing and utilizing digital technologies, hindering their ability to benefit from opportunities presented by the ongoing digital revolution.

Of particular concern are children from underprivileged backgrounds who lack access to the resources needed to navigate and utilize advancing technologies. This digital disadvantage worsens existing inequalities and limits these childrens educational, economic and social prospects. According to a report jointly released by Unicef and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)2, it has been found that a significant portion of the global populationspecifically 2.2 billion children and young people aged 25 years or youngerlack internet connectivity in their homes. Notably, a substantial 768 million children without internet access reside in South Asia. Closer home, as per a report by the Unified District Information System for Education plus (UDISE+) 2021-23, about 66% of schools in India lack access to the internet. The report further highlights that less than 50% of the schools surveyed had functional computers.

This situation poses a significant challenge to the potential success of children and young people in various aspects of life, including their academic, professional and personal endeavours, within an increasingly digitized world.

We must acknowledge that in todays interconnected world, access to the internet has become a fundamental necessity. It serves as a gateway to knowledge, information and opportunities, enabling individuals to participate fully in the digital age. Unfortunately, children from rural households often find themselves on the wrong side of this divide, lacking the same level of connectivity and access to online resources as their urban counterparts. Without intervention, these disparities will continue to widen, with adverse effects on the educational opportunities and overall development of marginalized students.

This disparity in internet access has far-reaching consequences. It limits educational opportunities, as it blocks the ability of children to engage in e-learning, access online educational material and participate in virtual classrooms. It also affects their social development, as they are unable to connect with peers, explore diverse perspectives, and access a wealth of online content that can broaden their horizons. Furthermore, the lack of internet access in rural areas restricts childrens exposure to digital literacy and technological skills, which are increasingly important in todays workforce. By exacerbating existing socio-economic inequalities, the digital divide perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage for rural communities.

To bridge this divide and ensure equal opportunities for children from rural households, concerted efforts are needed. This includes expanding internet infrastructure, improving connectivity in remote areas and making internet services more affordable and accessible. Herein, it is important to highlight the underutilization of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was established in 2002 to financially support the provision of telecom services in rural and remote areas where commercial viability was limited. As of 31 May 2021, 50% of the USOF money was untapped.

Public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in implementing initiatives that address these challenges, such as setting up community centres with internet access or leveraging innovative technologies like satellite-based internet connectivity. In addition, digital literacy programmes should be introduced to equip children, parents and educators with the necessary skills to navigate the online world safely and effectively. Collaborative efforts among government agencies, educational institutions, companies with CSR budgets and non-profit organizations could help develop comprehensive strategies aimed at empowering rural communities and providing them with the tools they need to succeed in the digital era.

Investing in closing the digital divide for education is essential for marginalized children in India to fully participate in the digital age. We must work to empower them with access to quality educational content, online resources and interactive learning platforms, enabling them to overcome barriers and contribute meaningfully to society. The private sector could play a crucial role by investing in infrastructure, expanding connectivity and providing affordable internet services. On their part, telecom companies can collaborate with governments to extend network coverage, while tech companies can support digital literacy and skills training. Capacity-enhancement programmes that blend digital literacy with entrepreneurship initiatives can also help empower individuals, particularly from marginalized communities, to leverage technology for personal and economic development. Prioritizing equitable and affordable access to the internet is imperative for the country to create an inclusive educational ecosystem that uplifts disadvantaged learners and fosters equal opportunities for all.

Amee Yajnik & Jameela Sahiba are, respectively, a member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and senior program manager, The Dialogue.
Human beings fight not because they are different, but because they are the same and, in their attempt to distinguish themselves, have made themselves into enemies, human doubles in reciprocal violence." French philosopher and anthropologist Rene Girard made this observation in his theory of mimetics, whose premise is that human desires are largely shaped by imitation. Girard argued that individuals do not develop their desires independently, but instead adopt these from others around them, especially those whom they admire or consider role models. Even if those desires are contrary to their personal values or well-being, which explains why otherwise compassionate individuals can be coalesced into frenzied, bloodthirsty mobs. And these mimetic models have resultant social structures, norms and behaviour, especially when acting as a group. It is mimetics that motivates patriotism, tribal pride and a sense of surrogate achievement when any of ones own tribe wins. The dark side of mimetics can provoke rapacious vengeance and similar surrogacy in meting out violence to out-groups regardless of their guilt or innocence.

The basics of this theory apply across all group sizes, ranging from just two individual rivals competing for the same thing to factions contesting common resources and major countries with conflicting ideologies. Unchecked mimetic desire can lead to intense rivalry and wars whose viciousness goes far beyond rationality, leading to scapegoating and sacrificial violence.

Scapegoating has its origin in the Torah. Once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), two goats would be chosen by a priest, one to be sacrificed to God and the other sent to an evil spirit believed to be deep in the desert. The priest would place his hand on one of the goats and confess the sins of all villagers, thus symbolically transferring them onto the animal that would then be banished into the desert; in terms of etymology, this exorcizing of sins gave us the term scapegoat.

A similar transfer of anger, shame, sorrow or fear experienced by a majority by unjustly blaming an innocent minority for the wrongdoings of others, followed by action against them in purported retaliation, has been displayed by every culture. Hitler infamously attributed part of the German defeat in World War I to Jews, which enabled conditions for their slaughter. The US persecuted immigrants and citizens of Japanese origin during World War II. France grossly mistreated over 6,000 of its own women as collaborators by parading them naked with shaven heads; some were beaten to death.

Closer home, horrific memories of Partition still haunt us decades later. Every conflict results in devastation of the innocent and defenceless, mostly women and children. This is human behaviour at its worst, but human behaviour nonetheless. Such injustice is perpetrated when a social mimetic model permits it. Both warring sides like to believe their violence is benign, retaliatory, just and minimal, while the others violence is bad, over-provocative, unjust and disproportionate; that their own kind are good humans with compassion, noble values and a rich cultural heritage, which makes them righteous inheritors, while their adversaries are animalistic, sullied and unreasonable encroachers. Such binary negative mimetic models demean the adversary, thus breaking down respect and trust, which worsens the situation.

The conflict in Manipur is the latest manifestation of this primal phenomenon whose damage will affect every Indian, regardless of demography, gender, financial status, location, political ideology or ignorance of the cost to be paid by us as well as future generations. And its reverberations will continue unless root causes are addressed. However, to paraphrase James Clear, we dont rise to the level of our lofty goals, we fall to the levels of our mimetic systems. So, appeals for peace and better security will at best provide temporary relief. When resources reduce and contestants increase, conflict is inevitable.

Northeast India is one of the most diverse regions of the world, with over 200 major and minor tribes competing for depleting resources and increasing aspirations. It has scores of tribal, ethnic, nationalistic and administrative fault-lines. Plus, there is organized crime, narcotics, weapon and human trafficking and our deadliest adversary at a stones throw that would be glad to take advantage of it. Unless a robust, long-term and collaborative resolution mechanism is implemented, our much-vaunted diversity and economic potential could slip into conflict between hundreds of negative mimetic models. The risks are especially high on the eve of national elections.

Conflicts dont end when violence is stopped by force or those who are weaker are subdued by overwhelming power. They simmer, foment and erupt again. The only way of resolving conflict is through empathetic rapprochement and the implementation of fair and just systems. Anything less only achieves a transitory armistice during which the winning side gloats over a short-lived victory and the losing side prepares for another round of violence. This ensures that everyone loses and the sins of one generation are visited upon the next.

Raghu Raman is former CEO of the National Intelligence Grid, distinguished fellow at Observer Research Foundation and author of Everymans War.
Israel convulsed with protests this weekend as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government looked set to push for a vote on key constitutional bills. The proposals, which seek to reduce the power of the judiciary, have proved immensely controversial. A vote on the first of these bills is expected to take place on Monday. Mint delves into the crisis.
Many people are watching snippets of the war in Ukraine on their phones. Social media is deluged with photos, video clips and satellite images. Satellites have photographed Russian bases and shown the destruction caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. However, a satellite can take a picture of a particular place only once a day, assuming there is good weather with no cloud cover. After this, the satellite orbits away at speed.

As we know, the picture painted by online posts, whether on war or otherwise, is not always accurate. Social media is no different during war time than it is during peace time. Thousands of videos and photos are being posted daily from Ukraine, but most people just see the handful that get the most likes and shares. In some cases, such as TikToks, this is because the platforms algorithms are extraordinarily well tuned to present what its users want to see.

Interestingly, it appears that TikTok may be the best designed social media platform for war in that it is a video platform that is also instant. YouTube needs an elaborate video set-up before one can post a clip on the platform, and other social media sites such as Twitter, Metas Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others have a whole host of non-video content as well. All a person needs to post a video grab on TikTok is the camera that all smartphones come equipped with today. The platform is easy to use. Short clips can be posted on TikTok instantly, thereby creating an almost endless stream of war footage crowdsourced to anyone on the ground with a smartphone.

On the other hand, all social media platforms have been doing too little to moderate the violent content that gets spread. They claim that the artificial intelligence (AI) they use is up to the task of filtering out the truly despicable content that some people choose to post online. Despite these claims, sweat shops existed in the US for outsourced work that involves having a bunch of low-paid employees view gruesome videos posted online by the dark underbelly of humanity. I have written in this space before that these sweat shops have been documented to drive their workers to psychological breaking points while doing their traumatic jobs. The fact that such sweat shops exist is testament to the fact that an AI can do everything approach does not work.

And this is where the travesty behind Big Techs Janus-like approach lies. In 2019, a disturbing report in The Verge (bit.ly/472zNaL) pointed to the dark and despicable work of policing content in the world of social networks online. Facebook (now Meta) and other social network firms allegedly do not pay much attention to their workersor those of contracted firmswho monitor their gigantic sites for objectionable content.

That report presented a chilling and disturbing view of the operations of an information technology service provider retained by Meta to monitor content on its platform. Evidently, at least one employee died of a heart attack suffered while he was at work. These guardians of our mental health are poorly paid and frequently must endure audio-visual content that graphically depicts peoples inhumanity towards fellow humans and animals. The job of the censors who must see all this is unenviable, for it is they who must expunge the horrors that twisted human beings put up online. According to The Verge, these centres were outsourced to IT firm Cognizant, and were located in the US in Tampa, Florida.

I am told that these centres in the US have now been shut down, but it appears that Big Tech and its outsourcing providers have now just offshored this trauma-tinged work to a different part of the world. A Wired magazine report (bit.ly/3pSKwUJ) makes note of this by citing a recent ruling from a Kenyan court. It states: A court in Kenya issued a landmark ruling against Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram. The US tech giant was, the court ruled, the true employer of the hundreds of people employed in Nairobi as moderators on its platforms, trawling through posts and images to filter out violence, hate speech and other shocking content. That means Meta can be sued in Kenya for labor rights violations, even though moderators are technically employed by a third-party contractor." This report also claims that the magazine has access to TikToks internal documents that were leaked to a non-governmental organization named Foxglove Legal.

According to these documents, TikTok has been watching the court proceedings in Kenya since it too has outsourced arrangements in Kenya and other developing countries in Africa such as Morocco through the Luxembourg-based Majorel. And these engagements centre around having human moderators watch and reject videos that get posted online.

It is true that some such videos are sometimes of value, especially to law enforcement agencies, as we have recently seen in India where perpetrators of horrific mob violence in Manipur can now be brought to book. Or against excessive use of force while policing, as we have recently seen in France. Nonetheless, having to sift through videos day in and day out that show humankinds inhumanity to humans is patently horrendous for anyones mental wellness.

War is abhorrent, whether it happens in Ukraine or elsewhere. And a human beings mental wellness is just as fragile, whether inhumane videos are watched in America or in Africa.

Siddharth Pai is co-founder of Siana Capital, a venture fund manager.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (Trai) recommendation to set up an independent statutory Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India, a body that will act as a regulator and advisor for all AI-related sectors, is a welcome step. First, it acknowledges that AIs impact is being felt not just in telecom, but across sectors like banking, financial services, healthcare, transportation, education and agriculture, to name a few, which calls for a holistic regulatory approach. Second, Trais 141-page report underscores the connectedness of technologies like 5G and the internet of things (IoT) with AI, which explains why policies can no longer deal with these in silos. Third, Trai attributes its delay in offering adviceit took two years to submit its recommendations to the department of telecomto the pace at which AI is evolving, which poses special challenges of regulation.

Ever since OpenAI publicly released its large language model-powered chatbot ChatGPT last November, developments in the generative AI space have both excited and unnerved people. Some AI experts including Elon Musk have called for a six-month moratorium on building such foundation models, while others have equated the risk of AI to that of nuclear war. Others like Yan LeCun and Andrew Ng insist that AI is far from becoming sentient, and that its benefits far outweigh perceived risks. AI, meanwhile, is already in our smartphones, cameras, driverless cars, low-cost satellites, chatbots and robots. It is even helping farmers by providing flood forecasts and warnings, among other things. But it has a dark side too. Think of AI-generated clones, deep-fakes, malware and other mischief. AI can plagiarize, pose security and privacy risks, exercise inherent gender and race biases, and take away a large number of routine jobs. But what we fear most is that AI may become sentient and subjugate us. While views vary, all experts and governments agree that AI must not get an unbridled run. It must be held in check by a regulatory framework under human control. Canada has drafted an Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, while the US has the AI Bill of Rights and State Initiatives. On 21 July, the US government secured voluntary commitments from seven major AI companiesAmazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAIto help ensure that AI development is safe, secure and transparent. China has a draft on Administrative Measures for Generative AI Services open for public consultation, while Brazil and Japan have drafted rules too.

India is a founding member of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, which includes most advanced countries. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill may soon be tabled in Parliament, even as the Digital India Act, which will replace the IT Act of 2000, is expected to regulate AI and high-risk intermediaries once its notified. We do not have AI-specific legislation in the works yet. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for electronics and IT, has said the Centres approach towards AI regulation is that we will regulate it through the prism of user harm." In his view, the current state of AI development is very task-oriented" and not sophisticated enough" to warrant any extreme move. This is a sensible way ahead. We must not strangle innovation prematurely by imposing over-tight rules, especially since an emerging technology like AI is being harnessed for immense good and holds much promise.
In 2019, as Chinas trade war with America was heating up, the Peoples Daily predicted that Chinas monopoly on rare earths, minerals crucial to the production of most modern hardware, would become a tool to counter American pressure. Dont say we didnt warn you," the Communist Party mouthpiece thundered. For years the bluster was just that. Between 2009 and 2020 the number of Chinese export controls on the books ballooned nine-fold, according to the OECD, a club of mostly rich countries. Yet these restrictions were haphazard, informal and aimed at narrow targetsrandom warning shots rather than a strategic offensive.

As America ratchets up its sanctions against China, which among other things make it impossible for Western chip companies to sell Chinese customers cutting-edge semiconductors and the machines to make them, new volleys from Beijing are coming thick and fast. Earlier this month, after China announced its latest export controls, this time on a pair of metals used in chips and other advanced tech, a former commerce ministry official declared that the measures were just the beginning" of Chinese retaliation. On July 20th Xie Feng, Chinas new ambassador to America, said that his country cannot remain silent" in the escalating war over technology. A response, he hinted, was coming.

This time it looks much more deliberate. To counter Americas effort to contain Chinas technological ambitions, Xi Jinping, Chinas paramount leader, has called on regulators to fight back against Western coercion in what he has called an international legal struggle". The result is a flurry of lawmaking that is creating a framework for a more robust Chinese reaction to Americas commercial warfare.

The list of recent laws is long. An unreliable entities" list, created in 2020, punishes any company undermining Chinas interests. An export-control law from the same year created a legal basis for an export-licensing regime. In 2021 year an anti-sanctions law enabled retaliation against organisations and individuals who carried out the sanctions of other countries. A sweeping foreign-relations law enacted this year, and prompted by Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, permits countermeasures against a wide range of economic and national-security threats facing the country. It came into effect on July 1st. The same day an anti-espionage statute came into force, extending the reach of Chinese security agencies. All the while, China has tightened various data and cyber-security rules.

The new rules are already being used, as opposed to merely brandished. In February Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon, two American armsmakers with non-weapons business in China, were placed on the unreliable-entities list after shipping weapons to Taiwan (which China regards as part of its territory). The companies are blocked from making new investments in China and from trade activity, among other restrictions. In April Micron, an American chipmaker, was hit with an investigation by Chinas cyberspace regulator, based on a new cybersecurity law. After Micron failed a security review, regulators banned its chips from critical infrastructure.

The laws vague wording makes it difficult for Western companies to assess their potential impact on their business in China. The mother of all sanctions laws", as Henry Gao of Singapore Management University describes the foreign-relations law, vows to hold accountable anyone acting in a manner deemed detrimental to Chinas national interestsin the course of engaging in international exchanges". Several foreign law firms in China have been asked by their Western clients to evaluate the risks of being hit by investigations. One lawyer looking into potential Chinese cyber-probes notes that American tech companies producing commodified hardware components, such as Microns memory chips, should be on guard for sudden investigations.

View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist)

Chinas new laws allowing the government to restrict a broad range of minerals and components, meanwhile, are injecting similar uncertainty into the businesses of their foreign buyers. One affected group, notes David Oxely of Capital Economics, a research firm, is Western manufacturers of green-energy technologies. Battery-makers, in particular, are highly dependent on China across the supply chain (see chart). Last year the commerce ministry proposed a ban on exports of ingot-casting technology used in making solar-panel wafers. If imposed, such a prohibition could hold back the development of indigenous solar-power technology in the West, which would hurt Western manufacturers while increasing foreign demand for finished Chinese solar panels.

The restrictions on the two chip metals, gallium and germanium, could pose a strategic headache to America. The rules, which come into force on August 1st, require exporters to apply for licences to sell the metals to foreign customers. China produces 98% of the worlds raw gallium, a key ingredient in advanced military technology. This includes Americas next-generation missile-defence and radar systems. A shock to the supply of gallium could cause long-term problems for the American defence industry, reckons CSIS, a think-tank in Washington. Moreover, a gallium-based compound, gallium nitride, may underpin a new generation of high-performance semiconductors. Keeping it out of foreign hands would stymie Western efforts to develop the technology while furthering Mr Xis policy goal for China to control it.

China needs to tread carefully. The country reimports many of the finished products that are made abroad using rare earths, notes Peter Arkell of the Global Mining Association of China, a lobby group, so prohibitions could come back to bite Chinese firms. Outright export bans would also prompt the West to build its own relevant production capacity and seek substitutes, observes Ewa Manthey of ING, a Dutch bank. This would in the longer term weaken Chinas hand. And labelling as unreliable entities big Western firms with large Chinese operations could jeopardise thousands of Chinese jobs. That may explain why rather than blacklisting all of Raytheon, whose aviation subsidiary, Pratt & Whitney, employs 2,000 people in China, the commerce ministry limited its ban to the American companys defence unit.

So far the relatively pragmatic ministries of commerce and foreign affairs have led the implementation of the various laws. One fear among Western businesses is that more hardline agencies supplant them. If the tech war escalates further, Chinas National Security Commission, chaired by Mr Xi himself, may take the lead, fears Mr Gao. If that happens, concerns about potential blowback for Chinese commerce are likely to carry less weight. The consequences are scary to contemplateand not just for Chinese and American CEOs.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu made an appeal to the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in Manipur in the strife-torn state "with a right approach". The appeal comes in the wake of a disturbing incident that recently came to light, wherein two women were paraded naked and assaulted by a group of men in Manipur.

Also read: Manipur Violence: Still cant believe what', Mother of woman gang-raped on viral video incident day

The video of the incident surfaced on July 19 that took place in Kangpokpi district of the northeastern State on May 4, sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation from various political parties during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Chanu, who hails from Manipur but now resides in Bengaluru, has been an ardent advocate against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Her hunger strike for 16 years had been a powerful protest against the Act's implementation in the region.

Also read: Manipur Violence Highlights: All 4 accused sent to 11 day police custody

I want to appeal that we all are human beings. What is the need for all such hatred? As humans, we own nothing while living and can't take anything from this world when we die...We depend on each other as we are social animals so let us be humans first," Chanu said.

The 51-year-old activist, who is famously known as the 'Iron Lady' of Manipur, shared her deep perturbation over the video. She called for unity and empathy among people, emphasising the importance of embracing our shared humanity and rejecting hatred and barbarism.

The situation in Manipur has been tense since May 3, following protests against a High Court order regarding the inclusion of the Meitei community in the category of Scheduled Tribes (ST). This status would allow the Meitei community, primarily residing in the Imphal valley and nearby regions, to purchase land in hilly areas. The demand for ST status arose due to their increasing population and land requirements.

Manipur Police have so far arrested six persons in connection with the incident.

"The very recent horrific viral video is already over two months old incident, I just want PM Narendra Modi to intervene with a right approach... as he is the responsible Prime Minister of a country with diverse, multi-diverse ethnic identity in all fields," she added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to the disturbing video, expressed his sorrow and shame, stating that the incident is unacceptable in any civilized society. He said, "I am filled with pain and the incident is shameful for any civil society." He assured that the perpetrators behind the heinous act would not be spared and justice would be served for the victims.

"No accused will spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this," PM Modi said in the national capital ahead of beginning of Parliament Monsoon session.

(With inputs from ANI)
Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, on Monday took a dig at Opposition Congress as part of a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) versus Opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A on the Manipur violence and sexual harassment case.

Smriti Irani at the BJP headquarters in Delhi said that Congress is running away from discussion on Manipur. The politician further reiterated the claim that sexual harassment were prevalent in opposition party ruled states. Congress is running away from discussion on Manipur as they know they will have to answer on crimes against women in their states but I want to appeal that stop using crime against women as instruments to settle political scores..." BJP MP Smriti Irani told reporters.

Since after the video of two Kuki Zo women being sexually harassed by a mob of Meitei men became viral also revealing that the crime that took place on 4 May, found no punitive action till mid-July, Opposition has accused the ruling dispensation of turning a blind eye.

Meanwhile BJP has counter attacked the opposition by flagging sexual harassment cases in states governed by Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The opposition mounted a fresh attack on the government after the May 4 incident video surfaced showing two women from one of the warring communities in Manipur being paraded naked and assaulted by a group of men from the other side.

Six people have been arrested so far, including a juvenile, involving the incident.

The Congress accused the BJP of resorting to whataboutery and running away from discussion in parliament like "fugitives".

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter, "The Prime Minister and his drum beaters are diverting and deflecting from the enormous tragedy that has overtaken all of Manipur in the past 80 days by creating false equivalence with an issue relating to Rajasthan."

The Congress also put up a picture of Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani on its Twitter account with a "Failed report card".

Irani hit back on Twitter, saying, "There are depths of depravity very few are capable of - keeping a scorecard regarding women."

"There are instances of wilful ignorance very few incessantly exhibit. On both counts - depravity and wilful ignorance- CONgress scores well. Discuss in Parliament if the dynasty permits," she said.
A group from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is scheduled to initiate an examination of the Gyanvapi mosque on Monday, despite the mosque management committee's appeal to the Supreme Court against the Varanasi district court's decision that permitted the inspection. Meanwhile, as reported by ANI, DCP Kashi Zone, Ram Sewak Gautam said, Parking facilities have been made and barricading has also been done...All devotees are smoothly having the 'darshan' and all the security arrangements are in place."

Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, an advocate representing the Hindu side on the Gyanvapi case, said, We are sure that the whole premise is of the temple only...the result of the survey will be favourable to us."

Earlier on Friday, the Varanasi district court issued a ruling demanding an extensive investigation of the Gyanvapi Masjid by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The purpose of this survey is to determine whether the mosque was constructed on top of a pre-existing Hindu temple.

The court stated that conducting a scientific examination is crucial to reveal the authentic historical facts surrounding the site.

Nevertheless, the court directed that the sealed section, which has been inaccessible since the Supreme Court's order in May 2022, should be excluded from the survey. This specific area has been a subject of dispute, with Hindus asserting that a Shivling (a representation of Lord Shiva) was discovered there, while Muslims contend that it is part of a fountain.

The ASI survey will begin on Monday. All the parties, including plaintiffs and defendants related to the matter, have been informed about it," Varanasi district magistrate, S Rajalingam.

The committee in charge of the mosque has announced that they will not participate in the survey. They further stated that they have already approached the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling issued by the district court regarding the survey.

If the survey begins on Monday, we will not participate in it. A petition against the order of the Varanasi district court has been filed by the counsel for the committee. The advocates of the committee filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Friday itself," SM Yasin, the joint secretary of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, said.

On Friday, District Judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha granted the request of four Hindu women plaintiffs and instructed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to perform a comprehensive survey of the area where the mosque is situated, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The survey is to be conducted using various techniques such as dating, excavation, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The judge also demanded a report from ASI by August 4, when the case will be revisited.

The court's decision was based on two applications submitted by four out of the five Hindu plaintiffs who initiated a lawsuit in August 2021. Their suit sought the unrestricted right to worship at the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, which is situated within the premises containing Hindu deities' idols. The applications for the survey were filed by Rekha Pathak, Manju Vyas, Sita Sahu, and Lakshmi Devi. Advocates Hari Shankar Jain, Vishnu Jain, Sudhir Tripathi, and Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi presented their arguments on behalf of these plaintiffs.

In response, the mosque management committee rejected the claim that the mosque was constructed over a temple and asserted that the site has always been a mosque.

Advocates Ansari and Ekhlaq Ahmad, representing the management committee, opposed the proposed survey, contending that it is not appropriate to order such an investigation to gather evidence. They also pointed out that a survey by an advocate commissioner had already been conducted in April 2022, and until the validity of that survey is determined, there should be no authorization for a new survey.

Additionally, Jitendra Singh Visen, the international chief of Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh, stated that advocate Anupam Dwivedi will be present during the survey on behalf of Rakhi Singh.

(With inputs from agencies)
Samsung has recently revealed that Galaxy smartphone users can now conveniently access their essential Digital IDs, including Aadhaar Card, PAN Card , Driving License, and Vehicle Registration Certificate, through Samsung Wallet.

As per Samsung, this step is part of the technology giant's dedication to being a robust partner in India's journey towards #PoweringDigitalIndia. Furthermore, Galaxy smartphone users can securely store their Co-WIN vaccination certificates within the 'Wallet' for easy access and management.

Moreover, Samsung has introduced a range of new travel and mobility features to the all-new Samsung Wallet, seamlessly combining and enhancing the existing functionalities of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass on Galaxy smartphones. With these enhancements, consumers can now enjoy convenient card Tap and Pay options, make UPI payments, and easily handle bill payments, all within the Samsung Wallet platform.

According to the Korean company, these new features empower users to recharge and monitor their FASTag account, store flight boarding passes for easy access, and book train tickets directly within Samsung Wallet.

Additionally, users can conveniently check the status of their train journeys, among other functionalities. To add train tickets or boarding passes, users have the option to scan the QR or barcode or import the image or PDF directly into Samsung Wallet.

The company asserts that users will have the capability to present proof of identity and travel documents required for airport entry directly through Samsung Wallet.

In addition to the four primary Digital IDs - Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, and Vehicle Registration Certificate - Samsung Wallet will grant access to over 2,000 other IDs/documents, making it a comprehensive and versatile platform for users.

Samsung Wallet is an easy-to-use, secure platform that holds everything a users digital life needs. You can access your essentials, including tokenized credit and debit cards, UPI, Digital IDs, travel tickets and boarding passes, Co-WIN vaccine certificates, among others. It includes everything you love about Samsung Pay along with new exciting features from Samsung Wallet. With Samsung Wallet, we are offering consumers an entirely safe and secure environment for accessing their cards, IDs and documents, bringing a new level of everyday convenience to mobile devices. This also strengthens our commitment to being a strong partner of India with our vision of Powering Digital India," said Reshma Virmani, Director, Services and Engagement, Samsung India.
Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino shared the new Twitter logo via a post on Monday. There has been much speculation around the rebranding of the Twitter logo from the Blue Bird to X. Twitter owner Elon Musk had announced the decision to rebrand the social media giant and do away with the iconic Blue Bird logo. Also Read: X.com now points to Twitter.com, says Elon Musk Showcasing the new Twitter logo via a post on Monday, CEO Linda Yaccarino wrote, X is here! Lets do this." In yet another post, Yaccarino captioned Lights. Camera. X!" along with an accompanying image that showcases X featured across a building.

In a post earlier in the day, Yaccarino called the decision to rebrand Twitter as a second chance. She wrote, Its an exceptionally rare thing  in life or in business  that you get a second chance to make another big impression. Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square."

Musk had confirmed in the post on Sunday that if a good enough X logo is posted on Twitter then he would make it go live on Monday, July 24. He wrote, And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds. If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll make go live worldwide tomorrow"

Why is X important to Elon Musk?

While the rebranding of Twitter to X.com may come as a surprise to many, Musk has shown his desire to work towards an everything app called X. Earlier this year, he also merged Twitter with a shell company called X Corp.

Twitter boss Musk has often shown his infatuation with the popular Chinese app WeChat and wants to create an app along similar lines, which he calls an 'everything app'. Musk's everything app will include features such as messaging, payments, job search and more. Earlier this week, it was leaked that Twitter is working on a new LinkedIn-like feature that will allow employers to post jobs and search for talent on the social media platform.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has asked a federal appellate court in Atlanta to reinstate its case against the Poarch Creek Band of Indians and Auburn University for improperly removing graves from a sacred site in Alabama to build a casino
Residents of Tennessee city ordered to avoid using tap water after fuel spill

Officials in a Tennessee city say residents must keep avoiding using their tap water after diesel fuel used to power a generator at a treatment plant leaked into a reservoir
Channel 3 first told you about this story last month and since, we've learned this isn't the first time that woman has had a run in with that deputy.
Carlee Russell, who went missing in Alabama after 911 call about a child on an interstate, says through her attorney she was not kidnapped
Longford Green Party representative, Catherine Joseph, has welcomed the launch of a new bus service for Longford.

TFI Local Link Longford-Westmeath-Roscommon launched a new bus route next Monday (July 31). The new service will enhance connectivity between Longford and Roscommon, improving travel options for the local communities.

The route, designated Route 426, is an addition to the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the esteemed Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.

Route 426 will operate seven return trips from Monday to Thursday, eight return trips on Fridays and Saturdays, and four return trips on Sundays, providing an efficient and convenient mode of transport for residents and visitors alike.

This well-designed route will establish vital connections to various villages and areas, including Killashee, Clonfore Cross, Lansborough, Ballyleague, Cloonladdra, Moneen, Beechwood, and Emoe Cross, fostering enhanced accessibility for all.

The Green Party local election hopeful said: Commuters can now look forward to peak-time services that cater to their daily travel needs, along with late evening options that ensure flexibility in their schedules.

The route improves connectivity to regional bus services and the wider TFI Network, with connections at Longford Irish Rail station and Roscommon, enabling onward travel to Dublin, Sligo, and Galway.

Ms Joseph expressed her delight at the development: "I wholeheartedly welcome the launch of this essential link between the towns of Longford and Roscommon. The introduction of Route 426 is a long-awaited and vital priority for our area, as it will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in creating reliable connections for our valued passengers," she said.

In line with her strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Catherine further emphasized, "We all recognize the importance of embracing sustainable modes of public transport from an environmental standpoint. This new bus service not only offers an eco-friendly commuting option but also provides a lifeline for passengers, offering a frequent and dependable bus service for their daily commutes, educational pursuits, recreational outings, and opportunities to meet with family and friends."

Catherine Joseph lauded the collaborative efforts between TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon and the NTA in delivering affordable, accessible, and appropriate public transport solutions for the region.

She acknowledged the significance of this brand-new high-frequency service that expertly links two key rural towns, creating valuable opportunities for individuals to reach their desired destinations conveniently.

With the imminent launch of Route 426, Catherine Joseph, along with the residents of Longford and Roscommon, eagerly anticipates the positive impact this service will bring to the community. This commendable step forward in enhancing public transport connectivity aligns perfectly with Catherine's vision of creating a more sustainable and vibrant environment for all.

For more information about the new bus service and the wider TFI Network, please visit TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon's official website http://www.nationaltransport.ie/connecting-ireland/
A consultant surgeon is seeking a High Court order restraining the Health Service Executive (HSE) from continuing with an investigation into allegations against him.

The action has been brought Dr Pawan Rajpal, a colorectal surgeon at Cavan General Hospital for 25 years, brought a court case where he seeks an injunction restraining the HSE from taking any steps in respect of an ongoing enquiry into allegation against him.

The HSE's investigation is being conducted by barrister Dr Simon Mills SC.

It centres around allegations including that in 2022 he assaulted a fellow employee at Cavan Hospital and a second matter relating to his alleged involvement with the issuing of blank prescriptions

Dr Rajpal, who strongly denies any wrongdoing in relation to both matters, claims that the investigation has been carried out in breach of his contractual rights and in breach of the HSE's policies and procedures.

He claims that the investigation will also include on another allegation, namely that he inappropriately shared CCTV footage of an interaction he had with the person who has made the assault complaint on the night of the alleged incident to staff members at Cavan General Hospital.

He claims that should the investigation be allowed proceed, the implications for him could be grave, m and his reputation could be damaged if any substantive findings are made against him.

He also fears that other steps may be taken to suspend him from his current role.

The court heard that in correspondence lawyer for the HSE have denied Dr Rajpal's claims that the investigation is unlawful, prejudicial and flawed.

The HSE have also rejected his requests that the investigation be halted.

The matter came before Mr Justice Brian O'Moore on Friday last, July 21.

Following submissions from Dr Rajpal's legal team of Patrick McCann SC and David Lennon Bl, the judge granted him permission to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings on the HSE.

The matter will return before the court next week.

Dr Rajpal from Oldtown in Cavan has for many years worked at Cavan General Hospital, Monaghan General Hospital and Connolly Hospital in Dublin.

Arising out of the allegations against him, he was suspended from his job in August 2022.

He brought judicial review proceedings challenging his suspension, which he claims was in breach of his contract of employment.

Arising, out of that action he was informed by the HSE that acknowledged he is entitled to return to work.

However, his lawyers say that did not address all of the concerns raised by him in his proceedings and the action remains live before the court.
An Irish national has said he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being detained in Iran for seven months.

Bernard Phelan, a 64-year-old Irish-French national originally from Clonmel in Co Tipperary, was jailed in north-east Iran after being arrested in Mashhad in October 2022.

The Paris-based travel consultant was arrested for allegedly taking photos of police officers and a burned mosque following an anti-regime protest in Iran last autumn.

He was accused of providing information to an enemy country  charges he denied.

He experienced significant ill health while in custody.

Mr Phelan and another French national, Benjamin Briere, who was in custody for two years, were released on humanitarian grounds in May and flown to Paris.

In an interview with RTE News, Mr Phelan said he was told he would die in prison.

He said: There are nightmares. I dont sleep well, Im on sleeping tablets  nightmares of being on the floor and being kicked by somebody.

He recalled hearing beatings take place through the night and being asked strange questions during interrogation.

He said a judge told him through a translator that he would die in prison.

Mr Phelan told RTE that at one stage he spent three days handcuffed to a hospital bed.

He outlined a system of white torture which he described as the psychological impact of building up hopes and crashing them.

Mr Phelan said another prisoner once made a throat-slitting gesture towards him.

I knew Id get out eventually, but I didnt know if I would get out in six months or six years. Id no idea.
Sanchez and PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo both claimed victory as they addressed their supporters after the count

Spanish Prime Minister and Socialist Party (PSOE) candidate for re-election Pedro Sanchez (2R) waves to supporters after Spain's general election at the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) headquarters in Madrid  Photo credit: AFP

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez engineered a late swing during the final days of the Spanish election campaign to deny his right-wing opponents a majority in parliament.

While the center-right Peoples Party won the most seats, the right-wing bloc has only 170 in total and needed 176 to oust the 51-year-old Socialist. With a wider range of potential partners, Sanchez could potentially muster 172 votes.

Sanchez and PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo both claimed victory as they addressed their supporters after the count, but its Sanchez who has the upper hand. That uncertainty may roil Spanish assets in the short term, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co, which last week warned that an inconclusive vote would be the worst outcome for investors.

Sanchez will remain prime minister for the time being, since Feijoo lacks the numbers to oust him, and he might even be able to piece together enough votes to earn a third term. More likely, hell have to call another election later in the year, but with the chance to determine the timing and shape the agenda before then.

Sanchez, ever the political survivor, lives to fight another day, Federico Santi, an analyst at Eurasia Group, said in an interview. Neither the right nor the left have a clear path to a majority. Currently, the most logical conclusion seems to be repeat elections.

Feijoo had looked set for a clear victory when a polling blackout began on Tuesday, with the final surveys suggesting the right-wing bloc would win as many as 180 seats. To turn the situation around, Sanchez embarked on a media blitz and deployed his predecessor on the campaign trail to help get the Socialist vote out.

The prime minister gave a string of interviews, including with journalists who he had avoided for years for considering them too critical. Former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero did days of rallies and interviews, urging supporters to stop the right wing bloc from winning.

That strategy delivered strong showings in Catalonia and Andalusia, traditional strongholds for his party, where support had fallen in recent years. On Sunday, the Socialists won 24 seats for Andalusia against the PPs 23. In Catalonia, the Socialists were the most voted party and won 19 seats against six for the PP.

Speaking from a stage outside the Socialists Madrid headquarters in jeans and a denim shirt, Sanchez said the right-wing bloc had been defeated.

We had to decide whether to go forward or backward, as the PP was proposing, he said. Those who want Spain to go forward are many more. 

His supporters waved Socialist banners and rainbow flags  in a sign of support for the LGBTQ community that was threatened by the far-right group Vox. No pasaran, they chanted  they shall not pass  a republican slogan of resistance from Spains civil war almost a century ago.

The leader and candidate of conservative Partido Popular (People's Party) Alberto Nunez Feijoo gestures as he addresses supporters from a balcony of the PP headquarters in Madrid after Spain's general election on July 23, 2023  Photo credit: AFP

Across town, the mood was more subdued outside the PPs offices as conservatives tried to put a brave face on a victory that fell short of their expectations. Some supporters chanted the name of party rival Isabel Diaz Ayuso as Feijoo addressed the crowd, in a sign of the tensions and potential fallout the PP leader will have to manage in the weeks ahead. Diaz Ayuso was standing on the stage too.

Feijoo told supporters hed won the right to govern and appealed to Sanchez not to stand in his way.

Voxs leader Santiago Abascal accused the PP of complacency and said Sanchez is now in position to stay in power.

Even though he lost the election, Pedro Sanchez could block the swearing in of new prime minister and, whats worse, Pedro Sanchez could even be sworn in again with the support of the Communists, separatist insurrectionists and terrorists, he said.

Sanchez could squeak through in a vote of confidence if Junts per Catalunya, a separatist party, chose to abstain but Spain is more likely heading for an extended period of gridlock.

Miriam Nogueras, a lawmaker for Junts, said the party will demand the return of exiled Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia who has been living in Belgium since the failed attempt to break away from Spain in 2017. The group will also ask for a referendum on independence, she said.

We will not make Sanchez premier in exchange for nothing, she said.

JPMorgan analyst Marco Protopapa wrote in a note last week that in the very short term an inconclusive result could be the least market and growth friendly outcome for the additional uncertainty it would trigger. Analysts had recommended buying Spanish assets ahead of the election based on projections that Feijoo would come out on top.

Sanchez has riled executives with windfall taxes on banks and energy companies and personal attacks on Ferrovial SAs Chairman Rafael Del Pino over the companys decision to shift its domicile and listing to Amsterdam.

The shock result vindicates Sanchezs high-risk decision to call an early election after his party was given a kicking by voters in Mays regional elections.

Sanchez has seen the economy recover from the pandemic and employment reach a record. But the surge in prices over the past two years has left Spaniards with one of the sharpest drops in real income in Europe and some people are struggling to repay mortgages as market rates surge. The premier has promised relief to mortgage holders by extending home loan in order to reduce monthly payments.

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Closure of tunnel for the past year has disrupted daily life for many

Rail line which connects Luxembourg with the north of the country is again operational  Photo credit: Guy Jallay

A collapsed tunnel that has blocked trains between Luxembourgs north and the rest of the country for almost a year finally reopened on Monday, but the route will shut again within weeks for maintenance.

The No.10 northern line, connecting Luxembourg with Troisvierges, is once again operational, state-owned rail company CFL said in a press release, confirming the reopening which was announced a fortnight ago.

After rock from the roof of the Schieburg tunnel between Kautenbach and Clervaux collapsed onto the track in August 2022, the CFL announced projected reopening dates on three occasions only to miss those deadlines.

However, the line will close again within a month for scheduled upgrades which have been planned for two years.

"The tunnel will be closed from the evening of 20 August to 10 September in order to execute modernisation and maintenance work," the CFL said.

This work could not be carried out in parallel with the repair of the tunnel because it requires the use of specialised machinery which is rare in Europe, the CFL added.

The closure of the Schieburg tunnel has disrupted daily life for many in the countrys north, leading to a drop in sales for local businesses, and much longer travel times for school pupils and patients trying to get to hospital appointments.
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

The serious matter of data privacy

When politicians go to war with corporations, you should generally bet on the politician. Not because they are necessarily more powerful, but because they have more to lose if beaten. A politician needs to be seen to win public battles in order to impress voters, but corporations can make as many concessions as necessary provided they continue to make money. Companies are hampered, too, by the fact that they need to offend as few potential customers as possible, while politicians often thrive on division.

Apple is a famously principled company with a distinct culture and ideological position, but it isnt exempt from this trend. When Donald Trump became U.S. president, for instance, Apples liberal-sympathetic management must have been dismayed and alarmed. But publicly at least, they adopted a policy of respectful conciliation. Tim Cook went along to the mans CEO meeting and played nice for the cameras (even when Trump got his name wrong); he chose not to ridicule his half-baked rants about Apple building their damn computers and things in the U.S. Some years later it emerged that the company gifted the 45th president the first Mac Pro built at the Austin facility they allowed him to pretend was built in response to his comments.

Similarly, Apple has shown little appetite for publicly opposing Chinas dismal human rights record and strict censorship laws. Rather than asking questions about forced labor allegations in Xinjiang, Apple lobbied against legislation designed to protect Chinese Uyghurs. When the state demands that podcast, RSS, or VPN apps are removed from the Chinese App Store, Apple is quick to comply.

But there are exceptions to every rule, and every now and then youll see a corporation fighting a political battle tooth and nail. And the key, without wishing to be overly cynical, is to look for battles that arent really about politics, but about money.

For Apple, the question of privacy isnt an abstract philosophical debate, but a real issue that affects its usersand its own revenueon a daily basis. The company has chosen privacy as the hill its prepared to die on, not because its CEO really, really believes in privacy (although of course, he might), but because privacy underpins its entire business model. Buy an iPhone, says Apple, and your data is secure. Unlike those other tech companies and their business models built around data capture.

This week we covered the story that Apple is so exercised by snoopers charter legislation currently planned by the U.K. governmentwhich includes the right to secretly instruct messaging services to remove security features it finds inconvenientthat it will close iMessage and FaceTime in the country rather than comply with it. In the news article, I mused briefly on whether or not this threat is a bluff and concluded that zapping two of the companys most popular services (iMessage alone is a powerful driver to the iOS ecosystem) in a major market would be a drastic step, and one it surely wouldnt want to go ahead with.

But then I remembered that time the FBI told Apple to create a software back door so it could get into the iPhone of a suspected terrorist, and Apple refused. Thats exactly the sort of public battle that most corporations, most of the time, would absolutely decline to get involved in. Apple took a huge amount of bad PR for that stance and will have alienated a huge number of potential customers at the law-and-order end of the political spectrum. But it figured that creating a back door would weaken the security of all iPhones and that giving in would create a dangerous precedent, and decided this was a battle worth fighting.

Switching off its two big messaging services in the U.K. would be a drastic step, and one Apple wont take lightly. But this isnt like smiling politely while Donald Trump says a bunch of stuff you disagree with on an ideological level. Data privacy is something Apple regards as an existential question, and if I was a member of the U.K. government, I wouldnt bet on it backing down.

Foundry

Reviews corner

Beats Studio Pro review: Better than AirPods Max and a lot more affordable.

and a lot more affordable. iOS 16 vs iOS 17: Why the next iPhone update is bigger than it seems.

Trending: Top stories

Lets face it, Apple is never getting rid of the ridiculous 13-inch MacBook Pro.

With new Macs on the way, heres what to expect from Apples M3 chip.

Someone bought an iPhone with just 4GB of storage for more than $190,000.

The rumor mill

Its time for a big iPhone 15 leaks roundup: weve got a new pink color, super skinny bezels, and stacked batteries.

A new Apple Watch Ultra is very very likely to arrive this year.

The iPhone 15 might not arrive until Octoberand be hard to find.

Foldable iPhone, my eye! Patent activity shows Apple is developing a rollable screen.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max may finally get a super-zoom camera.

A next-gen iPad Air is in the works but probably isnt coming till 2024.

Podcast of the week

Rumors are starting to pick up about Apples fall product releases, and it could be a full slate. We talk about what we could see with the new iPhone, Apple Watch, and Macs, in this episode of the Macworld Podcast.

You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site.

We explain why everyone should be running the latest betas on their Apple devices.

Apple has released the macOS Ventura 13.5 beta release candidate.

And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Twitter or on Facebook for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.
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.
AirAsia Philippines on Monday announced it will no longer require passengers to wear face masks during their flights. The airline made the announcement after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. made the decision to lift the state of public health emergency in the Philippines.

It clarified, however, that the wearing of face masks for international destinations shall remain subject to the existing health protocols in the country of destination.

AirAsia communications and public affairs chief Steve Dailisan said the airline remains committed to adhering to the highest standards of safety among all its flights.

He said deep cleaning and aircraft sanitation will still be in effect after every flight. This way, guests will have peace of mind and confidence as air travel returns to normalcy.

There is no room for complacency in the airline business. We want our guests to feel secure when they fly with AirAsia.

Although it is no longer a policy, guests, and crew may still opt to wear face masks whenever they deem necessary.

However, we also want to reiterate that our aircraft are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which filter and block 99.97% of airborne particles including known bacteria and viruses, Dailisan added.

Meanwhile, AirAsia asked travelers for more patience as airport authorities are implementing the mandatory removal of shoes during final x-ray screening in the airport for enhanced security purposes.

AirAsia supports activities that would enhance safety and security among all industry stakeholders.

This additional layer of security screening should be viewed as a deterrent to illegal activities and other threats especially now that air travel is on its strong rebound, said Dailisan.

The airline reminded its guests to allot an allowance of at least 3 hours for domestic and 4 hours for international travel.

It is also informing its guest that Manila Airport Terminal 2 is AirAsias new domestic terminal while maintaining Terminal 3 for international flights.

AirAsia is offering P257 one-way base fare for domestic and international flights and P2,293 for other international destinations flying thru Kuala Lumpur such as Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne, for travels from July 24 to Sept. 30, 2023.

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Paris, France  France on Sunday blamed Russia, after the G20 failed to agree on a roadmap to phase down the global use of fossil fuels during a meeting of energy ministers in India.

A final statement after the meeting on Saturday, does not even mention coal,, a major contributor to global warming.

Explaining the stalemate, G20 president India said that some members had emphasised the importance of seeking a phase down of unabated fossil fuels, in line with different national circumstances.

But others had different views on the matter that abatement and removal technologies will address such concerns, it added.

Frances minister of energy transition on Sunday pointed the finger of blame at Russia.

I profoundly regret that there was no common declaration at the end of this meeting, notably because of Russia, Agnes Pannier-Runacher told AFP.

The G20 failure to agree the roadmap came despite G7 leaders agreeing in Hiroshima in May to accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels.

A coalition of key EU economies  including Germany and France  and some of the most vulnerable island states this week urged the G20 group of wealthy nations to accelerate plans to reach net zero emissions and phase out fossil fuels, adding: Humankind cannot afford to delay.

But many developing economies argue that the developed West must pay more as a legacy polluter and greenhouse contributor.

They insist that any transition needs huge capital and new technology, while giving up on polluting fuels without affordable alternatives will condemn their huge populations to poverty.

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Paris, France  UNESCO on Sunday condemned Russias brazen attack on Ukraines Odesa, which hit several sites in the port citys World Heritage centre.

UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the brazen attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city centre of Odesa, home to the World Heritage property The Historic Centre of Odesa', the Paris-based body said in a statement.

The strike, Russias latest attack on the Black Sea city and one of Ukraines most important ports following Moscows pulling out of a grain deal that allowed Kyiv to export its grain, killed at least two people.

UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said it marked an escalation of violence against (the) cultural heritage of Ukraine.

The strike notably damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral, originally built in 1794 under imperial Russian rule, demolished under Soviet leader Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s following the Soviet Union collapse.

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Yaounde, Cameroon  At least 16 people were killed and several more seriously injured on Sunday when a building collapsed in Cameroons business hub Douala, firefighters said.

A three-year old girl was among the victims and another three children are in intensive care, said hospital officials.

A senior fire brigade official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the current death toll of 16 people was a provisional toll.

The four-storey block collapsed onto another residential building around 1:30 am (0030 GMT) in the north of the city.

Rescuers were searching through the wreckage for survivors.

The situation is under control and firefighters are working to ensure no one remains under the rubble, said Littoral region governor Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, who visited the site of the collapse.

Doualas Laquintinie hospital said it had taken in 13 patients and said two  a girl of three and a young woman of 19  had died.

It added that three children among those injured were receiving emergency treatment.

The others in hospital included two teenage girls, a 28-year-old woman and five men.

Five people died in similar circumstances in Douala in 2016 when authorities blamed poor state of repairs and apparent violations of building regulations.

In June that year, local authorities identified 500 buildings in danger of collapse.

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KYIV, UkraineA Russian overnight drone strike on port infrastructure in Ukraines Odesa region destroyed a grain hangar, Kyivs military said Monday.

Tonight an almost four-hour attack by Shahed-136 drones was directed at the port infrastructure of the Danube in the Odesa region, Ukraines southern military command said on Telegram.

As a result of the strikes, a grain hangar was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged.

MISSILE STRIKE. Taken on Sunday, this shows shows the destructed House of Scientists following a missile strike in Odesa, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russias latest missile attack on Odesa left two dead Sunday, wounded many and badly damaged a UNESCO-listed Orthodox cathedral, drawing a vow of retaliation from Ukraines leader. AFP

Three of the Iran-made Shahed attack drones used in the attack were destroyed by air defenses, the military said.

According to initial reports, about four workers of the port were injured, but the information is still being clarified, it said.

Attacks on Ukraines Odesa region have increased since Russia pulled out last week of a key deal which had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain on the Black Sea.

Russian authorities then announced that they would consider any ships heading for Ukrainian grain ports on the Black Sea as military targets.

Kyiv has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to any resumption of Ukrainian grain exports.

In Moscow, Russia said it had neutralized two Ukrainian drones over the capital in the early hours of Monday, with one crashing close to the defense ministry in the city center.

Officials said the drones struck non-residential buildings in the capital and there were no casualties.

The attack came a day after Kyiv vowed to retaliate for a Russian missile attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa.

A Kyiv regime attempt to carry out a terrorist act using two drones on objects on the territory of the city of Moscow was stopped, Russias defense ministry said.

Two Ukrainian drones were suppressed and crashed. There are no casualties.

The TASS news agency reported one drone crashed in Komsomolsky Prospekt, near the defence ministry, while another hit a business centre on Likhacheva Street by one of Moscows main ring roads.

AFP reporters at the scene saw a building with a damaged roof on Komsomolsky Prospekt, where police had cordoned off the area.

Several police cars and fire engines and an ambulance could be seen and an AFP reporter was instructed by a police officer to stop filming or face detention.

I wasnt asleep. It was 3:39am. The house really shook, Vladimir, a 70-year-old local resident, told AFP about the moment of impact.

It is scandalous that a Ukrainian drone almost flew into the defence ministry, said Vladimir, who declined to give his last name, as he took pictures at the scene.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone strikes occurred at around 4:00 am local time (9 am in Manila).

He said emergency services were working at the scene and also reported no casualties.

The RIA Novosti news agency posted a video of the business center, with some damage visible to the top of the tall building.

The road around it was closed.

Moscow and its environs lie around 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border but have been hit by several drone attacks this year, with one even hitting the Kremlin in May.

Earlier this month, Russia said it had downed five Ukrainian drones that disrupted the functioning of Moscows Vnukovo international airport.

Russian forces have pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa since Moscow quit a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Black Sea last week.

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The observation by some legislators the Philippines is on track to lead its Southeast Asian neighbors in economic growth and jobs creation in the months ahead whips up high emotions and expectations in this country of 114 million people.

But there are alarm bells that scathing El Nino weather conditions could pose some consequential peril, according to House of Representatives Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan.

Government should spare no effort in mitigating El Ninos adverse impact on irrigation water supply and farm harvests, which could put an unwanted upward pressure on food prices, Libanan said on the eve of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s second State of the Nation Address Monday.

Earlier on, the country;s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued its first El Nino advisory as the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization warned of surging temperatures across large parts of the world after the weather pattern emerged in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years.

We are now really sure [that El Nino is here] because we are certain about the warming of ocean surfaces. We are not seeing any scenario where this would not affect us, Esperanza Cayanan, deputy director of Pagasa told a news conference.

There are observations investments and employment are on the rise, consumption spending on the upswing, public and private construction revving up, and even foreign tourists coming back in droves.

Libanan remarked: It would seem the Presidents overseas promotional trips in his first year in office, particularly to Japan, Singapore and the United States, are starting to bear fruit in generating new investments.

According to the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, the Philippines gross domestic product is projected to grow at 6.0 percent this yearthe highest in Southeast Asiawith Vietnam expanding by 5.8 percent, Indonesia by 4.8 percent, Malaysia by 4.7 percent, Thailand by 3.5 percent and Singapore by 1.5 percent.

Analysts have also said the countrys unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent in May this year from 6.0 percent in May 2022 and 4.5 percent in April 2023, based on the Labor Force Survey results released by the Philippines Statistics Authority on July 7.

Weather observers have noted El Nino is present in the tropical Pacific and will persist until the first quarter of 2024, showing signs of strengthening in the next months.

Pagasa itself said: El Nino increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country. However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected.

When the Philippines last endured a full-blown El Nino event in 2019, vast parts of the country, plus Metro Manila, reeled from a drought that caused widespread water shortages and farm losses, after dams and lakes that supply potable and irrigation water experienced a massive decline in rainfall.

Hopes are high the country will be able to ride out the menace of El Nino.

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A paddleboarder went missing at Edgartown Great Pond on Marthas Vineyard on Sunday, prompting a joint search from law enforcement agencies, Massachusetts State Police announced.

A 43-year-old man went under the water, appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged and did not resurface, state police said in a statement. Marthas Vineyard police and fire agencies responded to Great Pond at around 7:46 p.m. in the area of Turkeyland Cove.

Another paddleboarder was on the water with the man before he went missing and saw him go underwater, state police added.

Several agencies are assisting in the search for the missing paddleboarder, including the Edgartown Fire Department and all other island fire departments, state troopers, detectives and an Air Wing, the Dukes County Sheriffs Department and the Coast Guard. Local fire department divers and marine assets also searched the pond.

Initial efforts to find the man were not successful, with search operations paused Sunday night to allow dive teams, flight crews and other responders to assess the next steps in the search, state police said on Monday.

The search continues Monday morning, and will again use divers and boat crews using side-scan sonar, with aerial support from state police and Coast Guard helicopter crews.

Members of the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are joining the interagency search.
The 79-year-old man who piloted a private plane that crash-landed at Marthas Vineyard Airport on Saturday, July 15, and died less than a week later has been identified.

Cape and Island District Attorney Robert J. Galaboiss office confirmed in a statement that Randolph Bonnist of Norwalk, Connecticut, died at Boston Medical Center on July 20.

The pilot suffered a medical emergency upon the final approach to the airport shortly before 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. The passenger, a 68-year-old Connecticut woman, then took over the controls and tried to land the small aircraft, according to a Facebook post from the West Tisbury Police Department.

The plane landed on its belly with no landing gear in a grassy area near a runway at the airport, authorities said. The aircrafts left wing broke in half as a result of the crash. The aircraft, a six-seat 2006 Piper Meridian Turboprop, had departed from Westchester, New York earlier in the afternoon, State Police detailed.

Bonnists wife, Robin, was not injured, Galbois office said.

Representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash. No foul play is suspected, Galabois office said.

A second crash occurred at Marthas Vineyard on Sunday, July 23, when the pilot of single-engine Arnold Volksplane VP-1 had contacted air traffic control and declared an emergency about two miles east of the airport, police said. While attempting to land on the runway, the plane lost altitude and landed in a field in the neighboring Manuel F. Correllus State Forest.

The pilot, who was the only person onboard, was not injured.
Shark Week has businesses across the state celebrating the top predators of the ocean  with drinks of course.

Whether it be a cocktail, tea or an energy boosting drink, here are some Shark Week themed beverages you can sink your teeth into.

Were open!  Thank you for all of your patience while we were closed for the week for new floor installation! In true... Posted by Barrett's Alehouse West Bridgewater on Monday, July 10, 2023

Barretts Alehouse  West Bridgewater

This restaurant is offering more than a handful of shark themed alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for Shark Week.

The Shark Week drinks include martinis, shark-a-ritas, sangria and more.

Pictured above is Barretts Fish Bowl, which includes Ketel One Citroen vodka, Truly Wildberry, blue curacao with Nerds gravel and Swedish Fish. It comes in a 20 ounce fish bowl.

Take Charge Nutrition  Westfield

This nutritious and healthy smoothie and tea business in Westfield is adding fun to their menu with their tea fishbowls.

Read more: A shark that often visits Cape Cod waters has a special meaning behind his name

The Fishbowl Shark Attack Teas Shark Attack includes lime, lemon, blue blast, blue raspberry, Swedish fish and of course, shark gummies. It comes in special fishbowl cup, but only while supplies last.

The drinks are not alcoholic.

Fox Creek Tavern is offering shark week drinks

Fox Creek Tavern  Ipswich

This Tavern in Eastern Massachusetts is serving up not only shark themed cocktails but cocktail flights as well.

Customers will get to choose a medley of flavors garnished with a sweet. You might also find a small decorative shark in your drink to bring home with you.

Their shark themed drinks include the Great White Flight, Shark-a-Rita, Shark Bite Spritzer and Ocean Water Mocktail.

Ten percent of all shark drinks sold here will go directly to the Sea Shepard Conservation Society and to Oceana.

Summer Shack  Cambridge, Boston

Summer Shack is featuring a cocktail named Shark Attack.

The drink comes complete with white rum, dark rum, cointreau, passionfruit puree, orange juice, house sour mix, grenadine and angostura bitters. It cost $14.

The also have a Shack Fish Bowl consisting of pineapple vodka, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut, blue curacao and a truly pineapple.

Nutrition First in Agawam is serving up their own Shark Week specials

Nutrition First  Agawam

Here until July 23, Nutrition First in Agawam is introducing Shark Week bowls. The tea bowls are 40 ounces.

Customers will get to choose between the three following flavors.

Coral Reef: tropical, pina colada, blue raspberry

Shark Tank: blackberry, blue blast, lemonade

Shark Attack: pomegranate, rainbow candy, strawberry

The drinks are a perfect option if youre looking for a way to celebrate Shark Week without alcohol.

Outback Steakhouse locationGetty Images

Outback Steakhouse  Statewide

This steak restaurant chain is serving up a shark attack themed drink called the Aussie JAWssie cocktail.

The cocktail is made with New Amsterdam Raspberry Vodka, Blue Curacao, a trio of citrus juices and a dangerous dose of grenadine.

The chain said the Aussie JAWssie is fin-tastic. You can see the drink here.

Did a Shark Week themed drink not make the list? Email edit@masslive.com
An employee of former President Barack Obamas has been identified as the paddleboarder who went missing at Edgartowns Great Pond on Marthas Vineyard on Sunday, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Tafari Campbell, 45, of Dumfries, Virginia, was identified Monday evening by state police as the paddleboarder who was found dead. Campbell was employed by former President Obama, and had been visiting Marthas Vineyard when he died, police said.

Neither Barack nor Michelle Obama were home at their Marthas Vineyard residence when the incident happened, police said, but the family has issued a statement, according to several news outlets, including NBC10.

FILE - White House Chef Tafari Campbell smiles Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Campbell, an employee of former President Barack Obama, has drowned near the couples home on Marthas Vineyard. Massachusetts State Police confirmed that the paddleboarder whose body was recovered from Edgartown Great Pond on Monday, July 24, 2023 was Tafari Campbell, of Dumfries, Virginia. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, file)AP

Tafari was a beloved part of our family. When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House  creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together. In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter. Thats why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. Hes been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that hes gone. Today we join everyone who knew and loved Tafari  especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin  in grieving the loss of a truly wonderful man.

State police divers located the 45-year-old mans body about 100 feet from shore and about 8 feet deep underwater just before 10 a.m. on Monday, July 24, the department said.

Campbell had appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged and did not resurface, state police said in a statement on Sunday.

Marthas Vineyard police and fire agencies had responded to Great Pond at around 7:45 p.m. in the area of Turkeyland Cove. Another paddleboarder was on the water with Campbell before he went missing and saw him go underwater, state police added.

Several agencies helped with the search, including the Edgartown Fire Department and all other island fire departments, state troopers, detectives and an Air Wing, the Dukes County Sheriffs Department and the Coast Guard. Local fire department divers and marine assets also searched the pond.

Crews were initially unable to find Campbell and paused their search Sunday night to allow dive teams, flight crews and other responders to assess the next steps in the search, state police said on Monday.

The search used divers and boat crews using side-scan sonar, with aerial support from state police and Coast Guard helicopter crews. Members of the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police were also said to have joined the interagency search. The investigation is ongoing.
A Massachusetts man was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting that left a detective injured on Monday, July 17, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn IIIs office announced.

Cheybane Vasconcelos-Furtado, of New Bedford, was charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, two counts of wanton destruction of property over $1,200, and one count each of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon-serious bodily injury, carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

The shooting took place near Primos Pizza at the intersection of Rivet Street and Orchard Street around 8:45 p.m., the department said in a Facebook post. Detective Lavar Gilbert was shot in the face and was admitted to a Boston hospital, which he was released from on Friday, The Standard-Times reported.

New Bedford police were assisted by Massachusetts State Police, specifically the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Vasconcelos-Furtados arrest, Quinns office said.

Read more: Patrick Mendoza arrested in connection with shooting outside Modern Pastry

Im pleased with this arrest and the progress that was made today. This arrives following a very long week for all the New Bedford, State, and ATF investigators who have put a great deal of time and effort into this case. Although today is a well-earned win, there is more work to be done as this investigation continues and we continue to follow up on leads, New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira said in a statement.

The investigation into the July 17 shooting remains ongoing, with no new information available for release prior to his arraignment in New Bedford District Court Monday morning, Quinns office said.

We will not rest until each person connected with this shooting has taken a seat in our booking room, Oliveira added in the statement.
BOSTON  State regulators have denied a permit modification sought by the company in charge of decommissioning the nuclear power plant in Plymouth to discharge 1.1 million gallons of industrial wastewater into Cape Cod Bay.

After years of local opposition to the companys discharge plan, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued the draft determination Monday, stating that Cape Cod Bay is a protected ocean sanctuary under the states Ocean Sanctuaries Act, which prohibits dumping industrial waste into protected state waters.

In April, Holtec International filed an application to modify its existing decommissioning permit to allow the company to discharge wastewater from the plants spent nuclear-fuel pool  which contains some radioactive material  into the bay.

The draft determination denying the permit modification requires a 30-day public comment period before MassDEP can finalize the decision, the agency said, noting a comment period is open through 5 p.m. on Aug. 28.

This is really, really welcome news, and its through the efforts of many advocates both on the side of federal and state government, said Sen. Susan Moran, of Falmouth, who began her public opposition to the dumping plan before she was elected to the Legislature.

She added, Holtec owns plants around the country, so I think Massachusetts will lead the way for Holtec to take safer actions for decommissioning. Its excellent news not just for Massachusetts but for the entire country.

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station stopped producing electricity in May 2019, and was quickly bought by Holtec to take charge of the decommissioning process.

Since it was first proposed, local, state and federal activists have resisted Holtecs plan to discharge the wastewater into Cape Cod Bay, voicing concerns over safety for people who go in the water, ocean wildlife, seafood that comes from the bay, and the South Shore and Cape Cods tourism industry.

[The Association to Preserve Cape Cod] is gratified that the Healey-Driscoll administration is doing the right thing in moving to deny this reckless and illegal proposal, its executive director, Andrew Gottlieb, said. Holtec sought to profit at the expense of the people, environment and economy of Cape Cod and, like most corporate bullies, needed to be told no. It has been [the associations] priority to prevent this discharge from happening, and we developed the solid legal analysis relied upon by DEP in the formulation of this tentative permit decision.

Moran also praised the Healey administration for the decision.

This is a fantastic example of government working for the people, she said.

A Holtec spokesman said the company was disappointed by the states denial of its permit modification for discharge of treated water from Pilgrim Station well within safe limits, and that the issue has extended the timeline for Pilgrims decommissioning.
A 36-year-old East Taunton man was ordered held without bail Monday morning in connection to the Friday morning shooting death of 33-year-old Alvaro Andrade, according to the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Dustin Humanes was ordered held without bail in Taunton District Court, Quinns office said in a statement. He was arrested Friday afternoon in Fall River after a police officer found Humanes checked in to Saint Annes Hospital under a false name.

Police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 188 Winthrop Street near Route 44 around 7:50 a.m. on Friday, where officers found Andrade sitting in the drivers seat of a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee with gunshot wounds, MassLive previously reported.

Andrade was rushed to Morton Hospital, where he died at around 9:03 a.m., Quinns office said.

Massachusetts State Police detectives and Taunton police continue to investigate.
A federal employee working as a correctional counselor at a medical facility in Devens is charged with accepting payments from an inmate in his care, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Massachusetts.

William S. Tidwell, 49, of Keene, New Hampshire, was charged in Boston federal court with receipt of payments by a public official in violation of his official duties, making false statements to a bank and identity theft. Tidwell will appear in court at a later date, according to a statement by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the district of Massachusetts.
With a fiscal 2024 budget compromise seemingly nowhere on the horizon, the Houses top negotiator asked the Healey administration Monday to consider filing a second interim budget to keep state services and payrolls funded beyond July.

House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said conference committee members are concerned about the existing interim budget expiring next week, as negotiators struggle to strike a deal on an annual budget that was due July 1. Democrats began talks on a compromise budget in early June.

Were certainly been working diligently on this, but we still have a ways to go and arent there yet, Michlewitz told the News Service Monday afternoon. Certainly the time has come to start considering filing an interim budget, the North End Democrat said, describing the tactic as fiscally responsible.

Michlewitz declined to outline disagreements among conferees, who negotiate privately, saying he couldnt get into nuts and bolts of the negotiations. Asked if August was a target for a budget accord, Michlewitz said hes hopeful to get it done as quickly as possible but did not specify any timeline.

The House and Senate budgets contain substantial differences in their use of new income surtax dollars to fund new education and transportation investments. The Houses budget would legalize online lottery sales unlike the Senates, and a policy provision in only the Senates budget would allow all high school students regardless of immigration status to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.

The budget holdup is complicating planning for people and groups across the state.

All the agencies are certainly waiting for us to be finished, Michlewitz said. Id certainly like to be finished; I think I can speak for my counterpart (Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues), hed like to be finished. I think wed all like to be finished, but I think there is still a lot of work to do.

Rodrigues did not immediately respond to News Service questions about the budget status.

Conferees are making trades back and forth every day in private conversations, which are sometimes done in person and via Zoom but mostly by phone, Michlewitz said. Michlewitz said he spoke with Rodrigues a handul of times over the weekend.

In a phone call with Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz earlier Monday, Michlewitz said he asked for information about cash flow and of execution for the original interim budget. Michlewitz said understanding the timing mechanism is important as Beacon Hill lawmakers figure out their timeline for passing the full budget or needing to approve another interim budget.

I dont want to speak for him, but I think they have to, I think they have to file at some point, Michlewitz said of a second interim budget coming from the Healey administration. So I think that, you know, were getting to that point.

Asked whether hes been in contact with Gov. Maura Healey about the overdue budget, Michlewitz responded, No, not really.

Offhanded conversations, you know, at events and stuff like that, Michlewitz said. Obviously she wants to know how its going, and I say were working. Michlewitz said more of the conversations have been through Gorzkowicz, Healeys budget chief.

Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing for tax relief, including Healeys signature proposal to expand the child and family tax credit. Healey has also stressed the need to boost Massachusetts competitiveness by raising the estate tax threshold and slashing the short-term capital gains tax rate.

Some of those conversations have been intertwined because of the amount of money that we both put aside in the FY 24 budget, said Michlewitz, whos also leading tax relief deliberations with Rodrigues.

State government operations and services are currently being funded by a $6.66 billion interim budget that has enough money to reach roughly the end of July, though officials have said the tap will not instantly turn off when the calendar flips to Aug. 1.

Before Michlewitz made public his request for another time-buying placeholder budget, Healey and her deputies had avoided committing to another interim spending plan. It wasnt immediately clear how the Healey administration would respond to the ask.

Former Gov. Charlie Baker signed three interim budgets in 2020, when the Legislature took its time to chart a course during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, before approving a final annual plan in December. Otherwise, Beacon Hill has needed only a single interim budget almost every year.

In 2019, then-Speaker Robert DeLeo asked Baker on July 15 to file another interim budget -- sometimes referred to as a one-twelfth because it covers roughly a single month -- to buy negotiators more time. Baker declined, and Democrats struck a deal on July 21.

Democrats who wield supermajority margins in both chambers have made a habit of finishing their negotiations on the annual budget in July, in the process blowing past the start of the fiscal year and ranking among only a handful of states that fail to complete the budgeting process on time.

This year, they are poised for tardiness that surpasses even their own standards.

Three years ago, deliberations on the fiscal year 2021 budget stretched into December while state government grappled with pandemic upheaval. But other than that outlier, overdue budget talks until this year had not stretched past July 23 in more than two decades, according to research from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

To find a non-pandemic budget delayed more than the latest version, youd have to go back to 2001, when lawmakers finished negotiating a budget with $650 million in spending cuts at 11:58 p.m. on Nov. 21, barely meeting a deadline to get the bill to the floor before formal sessions ended for the year.
A federal judge held a brief hearing in the case of a Massachusetts Air National guardsman accused of leaking classified documents, according to The Boston Globe.

Online court records show the hearing listed as a pretrial before Judge Indira Talwani. The Globe reported Jack Teixeira did not appear, and Talwani set another hearing for Sept. 22.

Teixeira, 21, of North Dighton, faces six charges of willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information.
Jay Savage, a fourth generation farmer, said after losing 150 acres of crops this year due to flooding and excessive rain, he isnt sure what the future holds for Savage Farms.

Were looking at quality problems now that are actually starting me to question whether or not we have a marketable crop. And that scares the hell out of me. Im a fourth generation and Im hoping to have a fifth generation and wed like to be able to move our business forward, Savage said.
State regulators have denied a permit modification sought by the company in charge of decommissioning the nuclear power plant in Plymouth to discharge 1.1 million gallons of industrial wastewater into Cape Cod Bay.

After years of local opposition to the companys discharge plan, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued the draft determination Monday, stating that Cape Cod Bay is a protected ocean sanctuary under the states Ocean Sanctuaries Act, which prohibits dumping industrial waste into protected state waters.

In April, Holtec International filed an application to modify its existing decommissioning permit to allow the company to discharge wastewater from the plants spent nuclear-fuel pool  which contains some radioactive material  into the bay.

The draft determination denying the permit modification requires a 30-day public comment period before MassDEP can finalize the decision, the agency said, noting a comment period is open through 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28.

From 2022: South Shore residents speak out against company dumping radioactive water from Pilgrim Nuclear Plant into Cape Cod Bay

This is really, really welcome news, and its through the efforts of many advocates both on the side of federal and state government, said Sen. Susan Moran, of Falmouth, who began her public opposition to the dumping plan before she was elected to the Legislature.

She added, Holtec owns plants around the country, so I think Massachusetts will lead the way for Holtec to take safer actions for decommissioning. Its excellent news not just for Massachusetts but for the entire country.

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station stopped creating electricity in May 2019, and was quickly bought by Holtec to take charge of the decommissioning process.

Since it was first proposed, local, state and federal activists have resisted Holtecs plan to discharge the wastewater into Cape Cod Bay, voicing concerns over safety for people who go in the water, ocean wildlife, seafood that comes from the bay, and the South Shore and Cape Cods tourism industry.

[The Association to Preserve Cape Cod] is gratified that the Healey-Driscoll administration is doing the right thing in moving to deny this reckless and illegal proposal, Cape-based environmental nonprofit APCC Executive Director Andrew Gottlieb said. Holtec sought to profit at the expense of the people, environment and economy of Cape Cod and, like most corporate bullies, needed to be told no. It has been APCCs priority to prevent this discharge from happening and we developed the solid legal analysis relied upon by DEP in the formulation of this tentative permit decision.

Moran also praised the Healey administration for the decision.

This is a fantastic example of government working for the people, she said.

Read more: Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth to close by 2019

A Holtec spokesman said the company was disappointed by the states denial of its permit modification for discharge of treated water from Pilgrim Station well within safe limits and that the issue has extended the timeline for Pilgrims decommissioning.

We will continue with the EPA modification process and will look to evaluate all options related to ultimate disposition of the water used in plant operations for the last 50 years, Holtec Director of Government Affairs and Communications Patrick OBrien said Monday. This process has already delayed the completion of the project for an additional four years, impacted the workforce on site and further changes when the site can be returned to be an economic driver for the Plymouth Community.

Last fall, Gov. Charlie Baker struck down the formation of a commission to examine the potential negative environmental effects of dumping radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay.

I am vetoing this section as the commissions work would be duplicative of, and would interfere with, ongoing work on waste disposal and decommissioning issues by the responsible federal and state agencies, Baker wrote in his veto message.

OBrien said in May that Baker had some good reasons for the veto and similarly referred to the EPA modification process.

Ultimately, radiological discharges are strictly the purview of the federal government and the [Nuclear Regulatory Commission], and right now were going through the process with the EPA to amend our permit, OBrien said. We anticipate it to take at least a year for that process, in addition to the state one which weve looked to amend as well. So were going to let those play out.
A vehicle was found in a pond near Pine Island Farm in Sheffield on Monday morning after one of the farms employees was reported missing, prompting law enforcement to search the area, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The farm worker was last seen sitting in the cab of a pickup truck in the area of the farm on Sunday night, police said.

Pine Island Farm is located at 1474 Hewins St. in Sheffield, police said, and is stated to be a dairy cattle farm, according to its site. The employee is a man believed to be in his 20s, and is a laborer at the farm, police said.
Dear Annie: I have a family problem for which I would appreciate your opinion. My wife and I are Americans living in a small village in Italy, in an area popular with tourists. Recently, I contacted my sister and her husband from the States and expressed our interest in having them visit us and stay at our house, since we havent seen them for many years. Were all retired, they easily have the means to make the trip, and our house has plenty of room for visitors.

Her reply caught me unprepared. She said that they were expected by their church to do a mission outside the U.S. and, based on my invitation, they were requesting Italy as an assignment.

I am areligious, as is my wife. My sister and husband belong to one of those American evangelical religions that cropped up in the U.S. in the 19th century. By contrast, the culture of our village and the surrounding towns is, of course, primarily Catholic, even though most of our neighbors seem to be secular.

My problem is this: We are known in the area as the only Americans living here. Were my sister and her husband to go door to door, or set up a display at a local piazza, our neighbors would know were the source of the strangers hassling them with unwelcome proselytizing. I can assure you they wouldnt appreciate it, and neither would we.

Im at a loss of what to do. My sister and I arent on terrific terms, due both to our differences in lifestyle as well as typical family friction from long ago. Im certain she would be offended if I were to suggest she not proselytize during her visit, but Im equally certain our neighbors would be offended by her doing so, and the repercussions of that would last long after she and her husband returned to her hometown.

I can see three options: 1) ask her to not proselytize on her visit; 2) do nothing, let things run their course and deal with the repercussions; or 3) withdraw the invitation.

None of those three options is particularly appealing. Im writing to you to see if you could suggest a fourth.

 A Fourth Answer

Dear Fourth: Tell your sister that you invited her and her husband for a family visit and not a church mission. You should let her know of your concern with being the only American couple living where you do and that her proselytizing might be offensive to your Catholic neighbors and would tarnish your reputation. Let her know that you really want to see her but only as a family visit. If she declines, so be it.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology  featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation  is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
Consultations for the first major international conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) since the global pandemic opens in Port Louis, Mauritius on July 24 2023.



At the meeting, the small island nations of the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS) will meet with international partners to review sustainable development progress and propose new partnerships and solutions in advance of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024.

SIDS are in the crossfires of multiple crises: climate change, inequality and the economic and social repercussions of COVID-19, especially related to debt. COVID-19 hugely impacted all SIDS, especially the collapse in tourism that left large holes in coffers and severely set back efforts to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action.

Small Island Developing States are in the midst of a global crisis, said Hon. Alan Ganoo, Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius. He continued, We must send a collective message reaffirming our determination to address the complex challenges that we face.

The eight AIS countriesCabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Sao Tome e Principe, and Singaporerepresent significant differences in exposure to climate change, natural hazards, and global markets. Since independence, some have developed strong economies, but their size and geographies leave them vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks.

Climate-related disasters such as severe storms, floods, and drought have almost doubled over the last 20 years, and they affect SIDS like no other countries. In a sudden-onset disaster, SIDS can lose everything overnight.

SIDS are responsible for only 0.2 per cent of global carbon emissions and yet suffer most from the impacts of climate change. The constant cycle of disaster and recovery leaves them weakened and unable to build resilience.

The eight SIDS spread between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the South China Sea are as diverse as communities can be, said Li Jinhua, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, and Secretary-General of the 2024 SIDS Conference. The United Nations is committed to supporting these islands in their quest for a more resilient and sustainable future. They may be geographically remote, but their problems are not theirs to face alone.

19 per cent of the coral reefs in the world are in SIDS waters. The combined Exclusive Economic Zones of Mauritius and Seychelles  the waters they control  are bigger than the size of India. The meeting will assert that a sustainable future for the planet relies on a renewed and strengthened partnership between all island nations and the international community.

The Mauritius meeting is the first regional review meeting on the path to the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, taking place in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024. Further regional meetings will be held this summer in Tonga for the Pacific region and in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the Caribbean. These meetings will be followed by a final interregional gathering in Cabo Verde.

The Antigua and Barbuda conference next year will undertake a comprehensive review of the implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A.) Pathway, a major international development compact agreed in 2014.

The Mauritius meeting will adopt an outcome document with recommendations that will feed directly into preparations for the 2024 Conference. The meeting will bring together ministers and senior government officials from SIDS across the region alongside representatives of development partners and the UN system.
A MAJOR report into the future of rail is set to recommend the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris.

According to the Irish Times, the Island Strategic Rail Review is expected to recommend that the line be reopened as part of a new Atlantic railway spine running from Ballina to Rosslare.

The reviews publication had been put on hold until the reformation of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

However, the government is set to publish a draft review at the end of the month, with the full review to be published when the assembly is reformed.

A report by Mayo News columnist, Dr John Bradley, has estimated the cost of reopening the Athenry to Claremorris line at 154 million, a figure which was recently disputed by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan.

Speaking to reporters in Ballina, Minister Ryan reaffirmed his support for the idea, highlighting the environmental benefits of moving freight from the road to rail.

Responding to a recent Dail question from Mayo TD Alan Dillon, Minister Ryan said: Currently a lot of that [freight] traffic goes from Galway, Mayo and Limerick through the middle of the country and our towns on the way to Rosslare and out to France. Building that section from Athenry to Claremorris gives us the opportunity to go towards a low-carbon transport solution. It also opens up the possibility of passenger services and much greater inter-connection.

The Green Party leader has said he will make the case to government for the reopening of the line which, he said, would first require an environmental impact assessment.

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is also to recommend for a major pivot away from roads to rail for both passengers and freight.

At present only 1 percent of the countrys freight is carried on trains. The only freight transport hub in Mayo is based in Ballina.

However, Castlebar train station has been designated to for the development of a freight transport hub capable of serving various multinational companies in the area.

Local employer Baxter recently began transporting freight to Waterford via Ballina but aims to transport more than 20 containers daily from Castlebar via the reopened Western Rail Corridor.

The Island Strategic Rail Review has also recommended the reopening of the rail connection to Donegal, the only county in the state without any active railway line.
A SCIENTIST who was born and reared on Westports Lodge Road has been bestowed an OBE by British monarch King Charles for his work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Martin Walsh, a structural biologist and deputy director of Life Sciences at Diamond Light Source institute in Oxford, was included among the kings list of honours for his contribution to science during the pandemic.

Part of the work directed by Dr Walsh has indirectly led to the development of vaccines and antiviral medication to treat Covid-19.

Speaking to The Mayo News over Zoom, a humble Dr Walsh paid tribute to his colleagues at Diamond, which employs approximately 800 people.

Its not just me, Im kind of a figurehead there. Its great to be acknowledged and get the award personally, but really, its on behalf of a lot of people, said Dr Walsh, who is the son of Carmel Quinn ( Walsh).

Its good to get recognition and hopefully it recognises the work that not just Im doing, but the whole group of people here in Diamond and further afield. We worked with people all over the world during the last three or four years.

After completing his secondary education in the school formerly known as CBS Westport, Dr Walsh spent eight-and-a-half years in NUI Galway, where he graduated with a PhD.



Well travelled

His scientific career took him to the United States, Italy and France eventually back to Oxford, where he has resided since 2009.

Some of his more recent work has included research on upper respiratory tract infections, which came into increased focus during the pandemic.

While completely separate to the development of the Oxford/Astra-Zeneca vaccine, Diamonds research has contributed heavily to the recent development of a Covid-19 antiviral drug in Japan.

We kept working throughout the pandemic. So it was a crazy time for trying to provide structural data to help people understand how the virus works and try to identify potential targets for us to develop drugs against and also help with the vaccine development, explained Dr Walsh.

I wasnt directly involved in the vaccine work. We decided to basically focus on looking at some of the proteins that are essential for the replication of the virus. So if we could actually inhibit their function, then you stop the virus replicating, therefore you can stop the virus from spreading to other cells in your body and causing Covid, he added.

The protein we were working on turned out to be a very good target for drug discovery. The Pfizer compound which is now being licensed is targeting that particular protein.

Global initative

Weve been involved in a massive global initiative thats now also potentially going to lead to a drug being licensed in the near future. But developing new drugs is exceedingly complicated and it typically takes anything from 15 to 25 years.

Reflecting on the development of vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Walsh said it was quite a feat that vaccines and other therapies against the virus were developed so quickly.

These things take typically 20 years on average to come up with something. So the fact that weve got a couple of antivirals already and numerous vaccines is really quite a feat, he said.

But it wouldnt have happened unless we had that investment and continued investment and we still dont have enough investment.

The ceremony to honour Dr Martin Walsh and King Charles other OBE nominees will take place at a later date. A party to celebrate his nomination will be held in Westport later on this year.
Thrombin Inhibitor Market: Trends, Analysis, and Future Prospects

Market Abstract: Thrombin inhibitors, a class of anticoagulant drugs, have gained significant traction in recent years due to their critical role in preventing blood clotting disorders and related complications. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global thrombin inhibitor market, including its current status, growth factors, challenges, key players, and future projections. The study aims to offer valuable insights to stakeholders, investors, and healthcare professionals involved in the pharmaceutical industry.

1. Introduction: The thrombin inhibitor market has witnessed substantial growth in the past decade, primarily driven by the increasing incidence of thrombotic disorders and cardiovascular diseases worldwide. These inhibitors, also known as direct thrombin inhibitors, act by targeting and blocking the enzyme thrombin, a key player in the blood clotting process. As a result, they play a pivotal role in preventing and managing conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.

For A Premium Sample Of This Strategic Report, Please Visit: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5835

Our Sample Report Encompasses:

 Industry Overview and Segmentation.

 A concise introduction to the research report.

 In-depth Table of Contents, covering the scope of the study.

 Competitive Outlook of the industry.

 Research framework, outlining the reports structure.

 Coherent Market Insights adopted research methodology.

2. Market Analysis:

2.1 Market Segmentation:

By Type: Direct Thrombin Inhibitors, Indirect Thrombin Inhibitors

By Application: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Others (stroke prevention, acute coronary syndrome, etc.)

2.2 Market Drivers:

Rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and thrombotic disorders.

Growing awareness about the importance of thrombin inhibitors in preventing life-threatening blood clots.

Advancements in drug research and development, leading to the introduction of novel and more effective thrombin inhibitors.

Increasing geriatric population, which is more susceptible to thrombotic events.

Expanding healthcare infrastructure and access to medical facilities in developing regions.

2.3 Market Challenges:

Stringent regulatory approval processes for new drugs.

High costs associated with the development and manufacturing of thrombin inhibitors.

Potential risk of bleeding complications associated with the use of anticoagulant therapies.

3. Key Players: The global thrombin inhibitor market is characterized by the presence of several major pharmaceutical companies, driving innovation and competition. Some of the key players include:

Pfizer Inc.

Bristol Myers Squibb

Bayer AG

Sanofi S.A.

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

Johnson & Johnson

Daiichi Sankyo Company

Limited

CSL Behring

Portola Pharmaceuticals

AbbVie Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Novartis International AG

Merck & Co.

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited

Eisai Co.Ltd

4. Regional Analysis: The thrombin inhibitor market is analyzed across key regions, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the market due to a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and significant investments in healthcare infrastructure. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to exhibit substantial growth during the forecast period, driven by increasing healthcare expenditure and a large patient pool.

5. Future Prospects: The future of the thrombin inhibitor market looks promising, with continuous advancements in drug research and technology. Increasing investment in research and development activities by pharmaceutical companies is expected to lead to the introduction of more efficient and safer thrombin inhibitors. Additionally, strategic collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions in the industry will further contribute to market growth.

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Detailed TOC of Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Research Report, 2023-2030

1 Market Overview

1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Thrombin Inhibitor

1.2 Classification of Thrombin Inhibitor by Type

1.2.1 Overview: Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size by Type: 2017 Versus 2021 Versus 2030

1.2.2 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue Market Share by Type in 2021

1.3 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market by Application

1.3.1 Overview: Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size by Application: 2017 Versus 2021 Versus 2030

1.4 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size and Forecast

1.5 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size and Forecast by Region

1.6 Market Drivers, Restraints and Trends

1.6.1 Thrombin Inhibitor Market Drivers

1.6.2 Thrombin Inhibitor Market Restraints

1.6.3 Thrombin Inhibitor Trends Analysis

2 Company Profiles

2.1 Company

2.1.1 Company Details

2.1.2 Company Major Business

2.1.3 Company Thrombin Inhibitor Product and Solutions

2.1.4 Company Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023)

2.1.5 Company Recent Developments and Future Plans

3 Market Competition, by Players

3.1 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue and Share by Players (2019,2020,2021, and 2023)

3.2 Market Concentration Rate

3.2.1 Top3 Thrombin Inhibitor Players Market Share in 2021

3.2.2 Top 10 Thrombin Inhibitor Players Market Share in 2021

3.2.3 Market Competition Trend

3.3 Thrombin Inhibitor Players Head Office, Products and Services Provided

3.4 Thrombin Inhibitor Mergers and Acquisitions

3.5 Thrombin Inhibitor New Entrants and Expansion Plans

4 Market Size Segment by Type

4.1 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue and Market Share by Type (2017-2023)

4.2 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Forecast by Type (2023-2030)

5 Market Size Segment by Application

5.1 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue Market Share by Application (2017-2023)

5.2 Global Thrombin Inhibitor Market Forecast by Application (2023-2030)

6 Regions by Country, by Type, and by Application

6.1 Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue by Type (2017-2030)

6.2 Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue by Application (2017-2030)

6.3 Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size by Country

6.3.1 Thrombin Inhibitor Revenue by Country (2017-2030)

6.3.2 United States Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size and Forecast (2017-2030)

6.3.3 Canada Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size and Forecast (2017-2030)

6.3.4 Mexico Thrombin Inhibitor Market Size and Forecast (2017-2030)

7 Research Findings and Conclusion

8 Appendix

8.1 Methodology

8.2 Research Process and Data Source

8.3 Disclaimer

9 Research Methodology

10 Conclusion

Continued.

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 Acquire valuable knowledge about the Thrombin Inhibitor Market, including comprehensive understanding of the product landscape, estimated profits, and production growth.

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by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, July 24, 2023

Midsummer is greatly enlivened this week with the return of three shows that all got rave reviews in the TV Blog.

They represent three different categories -- one is a hard-boiled detective drama, one is a comedy and the other is a one-man, unscripted video series.

The drama is Dark Winds, returning for its second season on Thursday (July 27) on AMC+ and Sunday (July 30) on AMC.

This is the great detective series centered on a police lieutenant in Navajo country, Joe Leaphorn, played by Zahn McClarnon (pictured above).

Although one of the themes of Dark Winds is the cultural disconnect that divides the regions Native American and white residents, the show is not a racial allegory, wrote the TV Blog when the show premiered in June 2022.

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It is instead a straight-ahead detective story -- a hard-boiled western crime story in which the relentless sun, heat, dirt roads and remote homesteads play as much a role in this shows story as the shows human characters, said the TV Blog. Welcome back, Lt. Leaphorn.

Of the comedy This Fool -- returning for a second season Friday (July 28) on Hulu -- the TV Blog wrote: Unlike so many other so-called comedies on TV and streaming these days, This Fool has not forgotten the comedy.

Created by and starring Chris Estrada, the focal point of the show is a well-meaning, 30-year-old man who lives with his mother and grandmother in Los Angeles.

Played by Estrada, the character -- Julio Lopez -- works at a rehab center for ex-convicts. One of them is his cousin, Luis, who is fresh out of prison.

This Fool is heartfelt, moving and even sweet, despite the fact that much of the show deals with men who are more steeped in prison culture than life on the outside. This is where much of the comedy comes from, the TV Blog wrote last August.

The blog noted back then that the series creator, Estrada, was so unknown at the time that even Wikipedia had never heard of him. A year later, his show has a page, but he still does not.

When How to With John Wilson arrived out of nowhere on HBO in October 2020, the TV Blog called John Wilson a mystery man. The show starts its third and final season on Friday (July 28).

Basically, he was this guy with a video camera who walked around New York filming people and situations. But the show he spliced together turned out to be a lot more than that.

In his hands, and aided by his own self-styled narration, the interactions and behaviors he captures with his camera somehow become more meaningful than they would seem to be at first glance, wrote the TV Blog when the show premiered.

The most winning aspect of this show is that, in the final analysis, it is hopeful and optimistic.  His deadpan approach ennobles every person he comes into contact with, said the TV Blog.

Season Two of Dark Winds consists of six episodes. Season Two of This Fool is 10 episodes. Season Three of How To With John Wilson is six episodes. Get em while theyre hot.
by Wayne Friedman , July 23, 2023

The heavily marketed and anticipated films Barbie and Oppenheimer," which opened on the same day over the past weekend, have become an internet meme known as "Barbenheimer" or "Barbieheiemer."

Warner Bros.' "Barbie," the film spun from the iconic Mattel fashion doll, delivered a record-breaking blockbuster weekend domestic opening at $155 million, according to Comscore.

The movie also pulled in a eye-opening $182 million internationally, which in total took in a staggering $337 million for the three-day opening period, according to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst of Comscore.

Barbie is the best 2023 opening so far, and one of the best since 2020 -- the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Universal Pictures' Oppenheimer -- the dark, mostly male-targeted film about the man who gave us the atomic bomb, over-delivered on estimates with a $80.5 million opening, according to Comscore.

The "Barbiheimer" and "Barbenheimer" memes highlight these two wildly different movies -- one light, comedic, pink and airy and the other dark, brooding and serious.

Amid all of the "earned media" push -- social media spin and other word-of-mouth efforts -- Warner Bros. spent a very modest $10.6 million so far in national TV advertising, according to EDO Ad EnGage.

This came from 3,600 airings of TV commercials, pulling in 1.6 billion impressions.

Universal Pictures pulled out all the stops -- spending $28 million in national TV advertising for 4,740 airings of commercials, and amassing 3.0 billion impressions.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 24, 2023

Twitter has officially rebranded to "X" after owner Elon Musk changed its iconic bird logo Monday, marking the latest major shift since his takeover of the social-media platform.

The change follows a chain of Musks companies that incorporate the letter X.

Earlier this month, he launched the artificial intelligence company xAI, whose mission statement is to understand reality.

Musk bought the site x.com back from PayPal in 2017, saying then that it had "sentimental value." The domain could soon link to Twitter's home page.

Musk tweeted Sunday that the idea of changing the logo to X was to embody the imperfections in us all that make us unique. He wrote: and soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds.

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The thinking is in the same vein as the poet E.E. Cummings, an American poet who wrote his poems in all lowercase letters. Cummings' use of all lowercase letters was intended to convey a sense of rebellion against conventional rules of language and syntax.

The website Twitter.com remains active. Branding on the app version of the platform did not appear to change as of Monday, but Twitters bird logo changes to X.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino, the former head of ad sales for NBCUniversal, said in a series of posts that the rebrand is the start of a move to push the app in new directions.

Its an exceptionally rare thing  in life or in business  that you get a second chance to make another big impression, she wrote. Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square.

She wrote that "X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways were just beginning to imagine."

Musk has talked about turning Twitter into an integrated app since he bought the platform last year, calling it an "everything app." An everything app could become the backbone of Tesla.

The concept of an everything app, often referred to as a "super app," is popular in Asia. Reuters reported last year that tech companies across the world have tried to replicate it. Some examples include WeChat with more than 1 billion monthly users, according to one estimate. Users can hail a car or taxi, send money to friends and family or make payments at stores. In 2018, some Chinese cities began testing WeChat for an electronic identification system that would be tied to users' accounts, according to Reuters, citing the South China Morning Post.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 24, 2023

Citing free-speech concerns, civil liberties groups are urging a federal judge to block an Arkansas law that requires most large platforms to verify users' ages and prevent minors from maintaining accounts without parental consent.

The new law will rob people of anonymity, deter privacy- and security-minded users, and block some individuals from accessing the largest social media platforms at all, the American Civil Liberties Union and Electronic Frontier Foundation argue in a friend-of-the-court brief filed Monday with U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks in Fayetteville.

Imposing a parental consent requirement on access for young people will impermissibly burden their rights to access information and express themselves online, stigmatize the use of social media, and run counter to the parental authority of parents who do not object to their kids using social media, the groups add.

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They are weighing in on Arkansas Senate Bill 396, which was passed earlier this year -- and unless blocked by the courts, will take effect in September.

The law's restrictions apply to most social-media platforms that are controlled by companies with more than $100 million in annual revenue, but a last-minute amendment appears to have exempted Google.

The tech industry group NetChoice is suing to block the law, arguing that it violates the First Amendment.

That group noted that laws attempting to prevent minors from accessing other content -- including books, movies, video games, and the internet -- have been invalidated.

NetChoice notes in its court papers that the Supreme Court in 2011 struck down a California law that banned the sale of violent video games to minors, without parental consent. The court said in that case that minors have First Amendment rights to access non-obscene material.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Electronic Frontier Foundation also call attention to prior decisions that blocked laws requiring parental consent to access a range of content -- including video games and the internet.

The Supreme Court has, time and again, struck down legislation seeking to protect kids from purportedly dangerous new mediums, the groups write.

They also say the age verification mandate will burden users who do not have government identification, who want to engage in anonymous speech or are otherwise concerned about privacy and security.

Texas and Utah also recently enacted laws aimed at regulating teens' social media use, but the Arkansas statute is slated to go into effect first.
Members of Hawaii's congressional delegation have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to set up a new registry to track and collect health data from people who were exposed to tap water laced with jet fuel from the Navy's Red Hill fuel facility in 2021.

The Red Hill Health Impact Act also would require the federal agency to work with health experts to conduct a 20-year study to assess any long-term health effects on those exposed to the contamination and work with other government agencies to identify any additional resources that may be available to affected families.

"People who were exposed to toxic fuel from this leak should know what kind of impact that might have on their long-term health and what kind of additional federal help they can get, " said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D- Hawaii, who introduced the measure along with U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D- Hawaii. "This study will give doctors, public health experts, and those affected by the leak a better understanding of what that kind of exposure can do to someone's health."

Case said the proposed legislation expands the delegation's efforts to ensure that health concerns from Red Hill families will continue to be monitored and addressed beyond the immediate crisis.

In November 2021, a leak at the underground fuel facility migrated into the Navy's drinking water system that serves about 93, 000 people living in neighborhoods in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Thousands of residents reported fuel odors emanating from their tap water and symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, burns and headaches.

In the months following the disaster, the U.S. Department of Defense set up a registry to keep track of military families who were affected by the fuel contamination. Residents living in affected neighborhoods were automatically enrolled in the Oahu Military Water Contamination Incident Report Registry.

The state Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also have conducted surveys on the health effects of the fuel contamination and have worked to better understand the chemicals that people were exposed to, along with the potential short-term and long-term health implications.

The proposed legislation aims to bolster those efforts and provide more funding and guidance. HHS would be provided with $4 million to conduct the long-term study.

The measure also requires HHS to submit annual reports to congressional committees that include its strategies for communicating and engaging Red Hill families, the number of people enrolled in the registry, the processes for connecting those affected with services and followup actions to collect data and specimens related to potential health effects from exposure.

Co-sponsors of the bill include U.S. Sens. Mazie K. Hirono, D- Hawaii, and Jerry Moran, R- Kan., and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D- Hawaii.

___

(c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Since 2018, one company has been methodically buying up the available land around Travis Air Force Base. The transactions have caught the eye of the U.S. government  but no one can figure out who the mystery buyer actually is.

In early July, the Wall Street Journal reported that Flannery Associates has spent almost $1 billion acquiring land that surrounds the base. Despite being in touching distance to the edge of Fairfield's urban center, the base itself is still mostly surrounded by agricultural land. Public records show Flannery Associates is now the biggest landowner in Solano County, with 52,000 acres acquired, the Journal reported. Most of the land the company has bought is south of the base, covering swaths of the agricultural and marshy area down to the Sacramento River in Rio Vista.

"Nobody can figure out who they are," Rio Vista Mayor Ronald Kott told the Journal. "Whatever they're doing  this looks like a very long-term play."

Unsurprisingly, this has caught the attention of the military. According to Congressman John Garamendi, who represents California's 8th District, government officials are unable to track down who makes up the Flannery group. Because the company is registered in Delaware, it does not need to disclose its business partners, a tactic commonly used by LLCs.

"Literally three sides of that base are totally controlled by the Flannery group," Garamendi told ABC7. He called it "reason to be concerned."

"Who are these people?" Garamendi added. "Where did they get the money where they could pay five to ten times the normal value that others would pay for this farmland?"

The Journal reported that Flannery Associates says 97% of its investors are American citizens and the remaining investors are in the U.K. and Ireland. The government and military investigation is ongoing into who bought the land and for what reason.

Construction began on Travis AFB during World War II, and it earned the moniker " Gateway to the Pacific" for its role as a major cargo and troop transport center on the West Coast. Today, it's the largest employer in Solano County with over 13,000 employees.

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(c)2023 SFGate, San Francisco

Visit SFGate, San Francisco at www.sfgate.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Defense Department database of military health system patients diagnosed with COVID-19 is incomplete and inaccurate, shortcomings that make it ineffective for steering medical treatment or public health decisions on the illness, the Pentagon's top watchdog has found.

A DoD inspector general report released this month found that the department's COVID-19 registry did not contain roughly 7,200 patients who qualified for inclusion and there were errors in 24 of 25 records reviewed by inspectors.

The issues raise questions about the database's overall accuracy, which was supposed to be right for at least 90% of the records, according to its contract, said Carol Gorman, the assistant DoD inspector general for audit, cyberspace operations and acquisition, contracting and sustainment.

Read Next: A Mysterious Osprey Clutch Issue Caused the Deaths of 5 Marines. But V-22s Remain Flying.

Since last year, lawmakers have raised concerns over the accuracy of DoD medical databases and registries, including the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database, or DMED, a data set that includes current and historical data on patient health conditions, hospitalizations and medical events of service members.

Last week, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over discrepancies in the numbers reported to his office for 15 illnesses or conditions. Johnson said a whistleblower has questioned the accuracy of DoD data, and the department failed to disclose that it provided incomplete data to the senator when asked.

For example, Johnson noted, the DoD provided his office erroneous information that diagnoses of hypertension rose by 2,181% in 2021, when compared with the years 2016 to 2020. After correcting the data that led to that conclusion, the DoD said the number of cases rose by 2%.

A whistleblower told Johnson, however, that cases rose by 12%.

"I am grateful to the whistleblowers who continue to come forward to provide my office with information you and other DoD officials are unwilling to produce," Johnson wrote in the letter.

The Defense Department's public COVID-19 dashboard, which differs from the registry, reported that the DoD had 740,942 cases from 2020 to 2022, with 690 deaths, including 96 service members and 36 dependent family members. The remainder of the deaths were among civilian DoD employees and contractors.

Overall, there have been 103 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 1.1 million deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

The Defense Health Agency established the registry in July 2020 to track all COVID-19 cases and events in the military health system. To create the database, the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity awarded a contract worth up to $4.75 million to an unnamed company to review patient records, confirm the records and enter the information into the registry.

The contract was renewed in 2022 for continued support services for $2.3 million.

But the DoD inspector general audit found that the database identified 182,159 COVID-19 cases among DoD patients in the health system, while the DoD IG identified 189,372 patients -- 7,213 more than the previous tally.

The auditors also examined 25 patient registry records and found 24 errors in their demographics information, symptoms or pre-existing condition data -- information that physicians could use to assess and improve COVID-19 medical care and track the illness.

"A properly designed and executed registry can provide the DoD with real-time information on patient outcomes and can contribute to the research and development of treatments," the auditors wrote.

Given that the contract called for a high rate of accuracy in building the database, the IG questioned whether the DoD has recourse to recoup any of the $6.2 million it spent on the program.

"We recommend that the [Joint Trauma System] Chief conduct an analysis to determine whether the contractor complied with the terms of the contracts," they wrote.

To qualify for the registry, military hospital or clinic patients must have had a confirmed positive test, been hospitalized for COVID-19 or told to self-isolate or quarantine. As part of the process, the database was loaded with data for 187 categories in the system, including demographics, health data and more.

Since the DoD's electronic medical records didn't automatically glean the information for the registry, the department contracted out the job to a company that hired reviewers and nurses who were supposed to ensure that the registry was complete and accurate.

But the DoD didn't follow guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services for patient registries, and it also lacked its own policies for developing and building patient registries, the IG noted.

The watchdog made a dozen recommendations to improve the process in the future, recommending that the DoD build a policy for developing and populating patient registries; review all existing registries for accuracy and fix them if necessary; and determine whether the department should receive some of its money back.

The DoD pushed back on 75% of the recommendations, however, arguing against the IG's methodology for determining errors, its characterization of the contracting process and payment concerns.

DoD officials said they would work with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and other federal agencies to develop policies for overseeing and developing future patient registries.

Meanwhile, Johnson has been seeking data from the department as part of a concerted campaign against the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine mandates and government shutdowns.

He ran on a platform that included a belief that the COVID-19 vaccine caused harm to patients and that such incidents are not rare occurrences. He has been seeking information from the department to determine the scope of any vaccine-related injuries among service members.

Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are mainly mild and disappear within days of receiving the vaccine, including fatigue, pain at the injection site, joint pain, headache and malaise.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serious but rare side effects include anaphylaxis, in 5 cases per one million doses; Guillain-Barree Syndrome, an immune response that can cause weakness and paralysis that occurred among recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at higher rates than the other immunizations; heart conditions such as myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly in young men in their teens and 20s, following the second dose of the vaccine; and severe blood clotting, which occurred in 4 cases per one million doses.

The CDC noted, however, that millions of Americans have safely received the COVID-19 vaccine and the benefits continue to outweigh any potential risks.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: Nearly 100 Deaths, Half a Million Cases: The Toll from 3 Years of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Military
It was another hot and humid day at U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Port Royal, S.C. on June 4, 2021. Recruits were gritting it out through combat training that included hiking with packs while wearing bullet-proof vests, fighting hand-to-hand, taking simulated enemy fire and using training blanks to return volleys. It was all part of the Crucible, three days of physical and mental testing before graduating as Marines.

Three recruits collapsed from the heat on that day. One recruit was put in a "polar bag" to reduce his temperature. He and a second recruit, a woman, recovered. But Dalton Beals, a 19-year from New Jersey, died from hyperthermia after he was missing for an hour.

His death is the focus of a trial at the South Carolina Marine Corps base that could last up to three weeks. Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley, Beals' drill instructor, is charged with negligent homicide. He's pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution paints a dire picture

Prosecutors are alleging Smiley went too far, overworking the recruits, and didn't recognize Beals' symptoms or heed concerns expressed by recruits. But his defense team says it was a heart condition that caused Beals death, not Smiley's actions.

Dr. Ellen Riemer of the Medical University of South Carolina, a cardio and pulmonary specialist who performed the autopsy for Beaufort Memorial Hospital, testified on behalf of the prosecution on Wednesday. She said that Beals died of hyperthermia, which is a dangerously overheated body.

On Thursday and Friday, the prosecution focused questions on Smiley's monitoring of the 12 recruits that made up his team  especially Beals, who some recruits have testified was having obvious physical difficulties due to the heat before he went missing and was later found dead in the woods.

Recruits have been asked to describe extra drills Smiley reportedly had them perform in the heat.

There's also been questions about "accountability," or the regular counting of recruits to make sure all are present, whether the buddy system was used and queries about heat-related illness rules and training.

The prosecution also raised issues with conversations Smiley and recruits had before they were questioned by investigators, and whether Smiley attempted to influence what they said.

Lt. Col. Ian Germain, a prosecutor, asked Eric Hughes, a recruit who was in Beals' team, if he recollected Smiley advising the recruits after Beals' death to make sure they had their stories straight. Hughes said he interpreted Smiley's comments to mean that the recruits tell the truth, not that they should line up their accounts of what happened.

Pfc. Dalton Beals, 19, from Pennsville Township, New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps)

More than two years after that tragic day, recruits sometimes have needed reminders during their testimony about some details they initially provided during the investigation. The memory prompts come from the transcripts recorded at the time of the incident.

These then-recruits were the last people to see Beals alive and have described for the eight-person jury what they saw.

"I asked him if he was OK," Lance Cpl. Mason Archer said. "He just said it was just really hot. He just looked more tired and more strung out."

Hughes said Beals asked him to fill up his canteens for him when they already were full. "I said, 'These are full dog,' and gave 'em back,'" said Hughes, who described Beals as an above-average and "excellent" recruit.

At one point, Cpl. Jahsaan Bryant testified, Smiley asked Beals, "Are you good?"

"Yes sir," Beals responded, "just tired."

Bryant, who was eating an MRE  meal ready to eat  heard Beals say he needed to go to the bathroom. When a count was taken later, Beals was missing. When Smiley was told his whereabouts were unknown, "He had a surprised, concerning facial expression," Bryant said.

Smiley and others left to search for Beals, who was discovered in the woods.

Bryant saw CPR being performed on Beals in the woods when he brought ice to the location. When they learned about Beals, most of the recruits in the team were "crying silently," Bryant said.

The trial is actually a military court martial. When the jury was being picked, some members of the jury pool, made up of of Marines at Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting District, raised their hands when asked if they knew Smiley. The jury includes only those who are senior in rank to Smiley  gunnery sergeant and above.

In the military trial, jurors are allowed to ask questions. When they do, they raise their hands and write them down. Judge Col. Adam Workman then reads them aloud.

Were nicknames out of line?

Recruits testified Friday Smiley called them "pig," "war pig" and "sweet bacon" during the Crucible. Marine rules only allow drill instructors to call recruits by their billet, name or rank, said Capt. Heather Judy, a series commander, who supervises recruit training, testified. "We enforce it as best we can," Judy said.

But Archer said he "thought it was pretty cool" being called "war pig." Bryant said he thought the nickname sweet bacon was "funny."

A foreboding warning?

Smiley told team members before the Crucible "we were going to get it pretty bad," then-recruit Hughes said.

On cross examination from the defense, Hughes said he didn't take that to mean that Smiley was going to intentionally break one of the recruits, just that it was going to be difficult.

Marines who served at Parris Island in various capacities during the time of Beal's death are being flown in from across the country and world to testify.

The prosecution is presenting his case and will resume calling witnesses on Monday.

___

(c)2023 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)

Visit The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.) at www.islandpacket.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
How to use the mindat.org media viewer

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Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

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< and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

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Summary of all keyboard shortcuts
DETROIT  A 34-year-old woman was found dead, lying face down on a Detroit street last week, authorities say.

Veronica Smart, 34, of Detroit, was allegedly fatally shot by her boyfriend Eugene Demarcus McKeithan, 31, of Detroit, on Thursday, July 20, in Detroit, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.

Around 1:08 a.m. Thursday, Detroit Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Marseilles and Minera streets for a reported shooting, the release said. Upon arrival, they found the victim lying face down on the street. She had a gunshot wound to the head and was unresponsive.

Medics pronounced Smart dead at the scene, the release said.

It is alleged that while driving in the area of Marseilles and Minerva, McKeithan fired a handgun, fatally wounding Smart, the release said. He then allegedly pulled the victim from the vehicle and fled the scene.

An investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the arrest of the defendant later the same day.

McKeithan is charged with first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of felony firearm. He was arraigned and remanded to jail on Sunday, July 23, in 36th District Court. Hes due back in court on Monday, July 31.

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DETROIT  A financial adviser has been sentenced to probation and restitution for stealing $90,000 for an elderly woman and a church, authorities said.

Lawrence Roberson, 75, of Detroit, is sentenced to two years of probation, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. He pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by agent, $50,000 to $100,000, in a case of securities and elder abuse. He is required to pay $90,000 in restitution to the victims.

The charge stems from incidents that occurred in 2015 when Roberson ran a company called Wealth Management LLC. He worked as the financial adviser Peoples Community Church and a retiree. He recommended that both clients invest in a specific bond. The victims provided funding for the investment, but Roberson never purchased the bonds. Instead, Roberson converted the funds for his own use to recoup losses from a lottery scam.

Robersons fraud cost the retired victim nearly half of her retirement savings. For the church, which the AGs office notes is a historic congregation in the African American community, the funds represented a significant portion of its resources.

Roberson must pay $40,000 in restitution to the retiree and $50,000 in restitution to Peoples Community Church. He also lost his financial advisers license and was forced to close his business.

READ MORE:

Man allegedly shoots girlfriend in head while driving, dumps body in street

Trooper used venison roast, animal crackers to lure abandoned dog into patrol car

Michigan State Police deletes Barbie post out of respect for female officers
MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man died in a Northern Michigan house fire over the weekend.

UpNorthLive reports the 61-year-old Lake City man died in a fire in the 9000 block of N. Forward Road in Missaukee Countys Norwich Township at 11:45 p.m. on July 21.

The victim has not been identified by name. A 68-year-old woman was able to escape the residence, the TV station reported.

The Michigan State Police are assisting the Missaukee Countys Sheriffs Office in the investigation.

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MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - When the Cruising Division boats took off from Chicago on Friday, Eagle One, a sleek 65-foot boat owned by Tim Lariviere of Grosse Pointe, shot out to an early lead in Lake Michigan for the 114th annual Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.

When light winds on Friday and into Saturday made it clear it was going to be a tactical race, the vessel tracker showed Eagle Ones crew of mostly past commodores from the Bayview Yacht Club took the vessel across the big lake to hug the Michigan coastline. Eagle One led for nearly the entire 333-mile race - the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world.

Until the last mile. Thats when the big 104-foot ketch Whitehawk, owned by Peter Thornton, sailed past Eagle One to take first-to-finish line honors.

Racing into the Mackinac Straits, the majestic ... Whitehawk had every sail raised and every trick out of the bag to overtake Eagle One, the sleek 65-foot cruising boat that had led the entire fleet since the start, race communications staff said.

Trailing Eagle One for 288 nautical miles, it took until the final mile for Peter Thorntons Whitehawk to overtake and clinch line honors of the 114th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust.

Lariviere and his crew credited Thornton for a well-earned victory. Its his second consecutive line-honors win with Whitehawk.

There are lot of boats still in the race among the different divisions, and some may not be arriving at Mackinac Island until Monday. The race starts near Chicagos Navy Pier, heads up Lake Michigan, rounds the top of The Mitten and sails under the Mackinac Bridge before approaching the finish line near the Round Island Lighthouse alongside Mackinac Island.

While the Cruising Division began Friday with light winds, Saturdays start for the sleek Racing Division was hit by a squall that pelted some of the boats with rain.

Sunday afternoon and evening, the two fleets continue to make their way up Lake Michigan, sailing in moderate conditions along the Michigan shoreline. The faster boats competing in the Racing Division are expected to finish overnight, with the remaining teams crossing the finish line throughout the day Monday, race officials said.

Want to track the boats? Each entry is equipped with a satellite tracker that sends information on speed, location and direction every 15 minutes. Race Tracker: https://yb.tl/chicagomac2023

Follow the Race on Social Media: #CYCRTM

Fun Facts about the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac
ANTRIM COUNTY, MI  A Michigan State trooper used her lunch  venison roast, animal crackers and applesauce  to lure a timid, abandoned dog into her patrol car, 9&10 News reports.

Trooper Kayla Moore, of the MSP Gaylord Post, has now adopted the dog that she rescued from life as a stray in Antrim County. Moore named the dog Rosie, after her own grandmother, the TV station reports.

RELATED: Michigan trooper adopts dog after responding to abandoned animal call

Early last week, a caller reported a loose dog in the Jordan Valley area, Moore told the TV station. Their neighbor had been feeding and watering the dog, but it wouldnt approach them.

When Moore arrived, she used advanced tactics  yummy, yummy food  to lure the large, black lab mix into her patrol car. Rosie immediately fell asleep in the backseat, Moore said.

They bonded during the car ride to Antrim County Animal Control and then Moore filled out an adoption application.

Shes going to be a great partner, Moore told the TV station.

Trooper Kayla Moore, of the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post, pets Rosie at Antrim County Animal Control in Bellaire, Mich. Moore picked up Rosie after receiving a call about an abandoned animal. During the drive to the shelter, they formed a bond. Moore submitted an adoption application for Rosie.Provided by Michigan State Police

RELATED: Litter of 8 dogs rescued after roaming in Northern Michigan

Rosie is one of nine or 10 stray dogs that have been roaming the Jordan Valley area since late June, according to Antrim County Animal Control. Moores Lost K-9 Search and Recovery caught eight of the dogs.

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LIVONIA, MI  A Michigan woman has been charged with the murder of another woman outside a Livonia party store.

Lania Julieah Conn, 24, of Detroit was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and felony firearm.

It is alleged she shot Markayla Sadler, 27, of Redford in the head after the two women got into an argument began inside the store on Merriman Road which erupted outside at 12:53 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18.

Conn and a 24-year-old male from Detroit fled the scene. The Livonia Police Department responded and found Sadler dead at the scene.

An acquaintance of the victim, 25-year-old Cory Leniel Campbell of Detroit, has also been charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

Conn remains in jail. Campbell was released on $5,000 bond.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3. A preliminary exam is scheduled for Aug. 10.

READ MORE:

Michigan man, 61, dies in Missaukee County house fire

Search teams use 911 texting to find 3 missing Boy Scouts in Upper Peninsula

1 dead, 1 injured after motorcycle hits truck at Northern Michigan gas station
ANN ARBOR, MI - The camera focuses on Margot Robbies feet stepping on a pink floor with fuzzy pink heels. Her feet come together, she steps out of the shoes and lands the balls of her feet.

Since this shot appeared in the first trailer for the new Barbie movie, TikTok users have tried to recreate it in hundreds of Barbie Feet Challenge videos.

The social media trend is fun, said Michigan Medicine podiatrist Dr. Sari Priesand. Barbie doesnt have to worry about her Achilles tendon. But actual people do, Priesand said.

Maintaining that Barbie foot position was interesting to everybody, but then it caught on and we just want to make sure that people stay safe and dont hurt themselves, she said.

Trying to walk like Barbie creates constant stress on the forefoot, Priesand said, which puts instability on the hind foot or the ankle that is not contacting the ground. While she has yet to see any Barbie-specific injuries, Priesand said the unstable foot position makes people susceptible to fractures or sprains to ankles or Achilles tendons.

One other result of too much forefoot stress is a condition called Metatarsalgia, or the inflammation between the metatarsal bones in the balls of the foot.

Robbie actually accomplished the movies shot in a way that minimized stress to her feet. As she explained in press for the movie, the crew taped her shoes to the ground and she held on to a bar for support while filming.

Everyone wants to try the new thing thats popular to do, which I think is OK, Priesand said. I just think the safest way to do it is to perhaps hold on to something while youre trying it (or) using a supportive heel that youve worn before.

Wearing high heels like Barbie all the time is also not good for feet, Priesand said, as they cause many of the same issues while also causing blisters, calluses and pain for people with bunions. Many of the patients she has seen also have big toe joint arthritis.

Depending on the severity of foot or ankle injuries, recovery can take from a week or two to much longer for fractures of large-scale sprains, Priesand said.

One element of the Barbie movie that made Priesand laugh is how the fellow Barbies were horrified by one wearing Birkenstock shoes. These are among the best shoes for foot support, she said.

I dont have any relation to the company, but we do recommend that shoe brand quite a bit, or something to that nature, because it is a really supportive shoe and quite comfortable for most most patients, she said.

At the end of the day, enjoy the trend a couple of times and then keep your feet safe, Priesand said.

Leave the Barbie feet to the Barbies, she said.

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.

Read more from MLive:

In a Barbie world: learn the famous dolls history before seeing the movie in Saline exhibit

Michigan State Police deletes Barbie post out of respect for female officers

Whitmers team leans into the Barbie craze. Social media eats it up.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A man accused of robbing several pharmacies at gun point before being captured with the help of a decoy pill bottle has pleaded guilty.

Kristopher Kukola pleaded guilty, July 6, to four federal felony charges after admitting to robbing several CVS Pharmacy locations in southeast Michigan in the spring and summer of 2022, court records show.

Kukola, 38, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan to four federal felony counts of robbery of a controlled substance, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

In pleading guilty, prosecutors agreed to recommend to the court that Kukola be sentenced to a low minimum sentence in accordance with his sentencing guidelines, which will be calculated at the time of sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 7.

Kukola was arrested after a decoy pill bottle was handed over to him during one of the robberies, leading police to his location.

Related: Decoy pill bottle leads to arrest of suspect in several CVS pharmacy robberies

The FBI Detroit Violent Crime Task Force began investigating a string of armed robberies of CVS pharmacies in southeast Michigan in June 2022, according to a federal complaint filed in the federal court. In the robberies, Kukola stole a variety of narcotics, including Norco, Vicodin, Adderall, Percocet, Xanex, Codeine and Oxycodone.

The first armed robbery occurred at 10:36 p.m., May 24, where Van Buren Township police were called to the CVS pharmacy at 10915 Belleville Road for an armed robbery.

The pharmacist told officers a masked man approached the counter and said, I dont mean to alarm you, but this is a robbery. Get me all the Norco and Vicodin you have; you have 10 seconds before reaching into his pocket and showing the handle to a black handgun, according to the federal affidavit.

After being given a selection of pills in a bag, the man told the pharmacist to lay on the floor, and then he fled the scene, records show.

On June 2, Saline police were called to an armed robbery of the CVS pharmacy at 413 E. Michigan Ave., where a masked man handed the pharmacist a torn piece of paper listing a variety of drugs to be handed over before displaying a black handgun.

Again, after being handed a bag full of controlled substances the man told the pharmacist to lay on the floor before he fled the scene.

On June 8, the CVS pharmacy at 10915 Belleville Road in Van Buren Township reported being robbed again by a man who appeared to be the same man who robbed the pharmacy in May, according to the affidavit.

In this instance, the pharmacist told the suspect he could not open the pill safe due to a three-minute delay. The suspect told the pharmacist, That is OK. If other customers come in, I am just another customer.

After being handed a bag full of controlled substances, the man said, I know there are more than this. Everyones lives are in your hands right now. I will start shooting everyone, I know there is more, records show.

The pharmacist then returned to the pill safe and filled the bag with more prescription drugs before being told again to lay on the ground while the suspect fled.

On June 14, Ann Arbor police were called to the CVS Pharmacy at 3535 Plymouth Road for a reported armed robbery.

The suspect, demanding controlled substances from the pill safe, was told there was a three-minute lock on the safe before being tossed some Norco by another pharmacist, satisfying his demands before the suspect fled the pharmacy.

On July 7, Milan Police were called to the CVS Pharmacy, 1249 Dexter St., for a reported armed robbery.

A man handed the pharmacist a note listing several controlled substances, a timeframe for how long it should take to gather them and no cops written on the bottom.

While filling the bag with pills, the pharmacist slipped a decoy pill bottle into the bag which had a GPS tracker in it monitored by a third-party security company.

Police, tracking the GPS pill bottle, found the fleeing suspect driving a Silver Jeep Compass and followed it to an apartment complex in Belleville where he leapt from the vehicle and attempted to run away.

A police K9 unit found the man, later identified as Kukola, who attempted to deceive officers by telling them the guy you are looking for ran that way.

Police searched Kukolas Jeep and found the stolen drugs, the decoy bottle and a black BB gun.

Later that day, Kukola was interviewed by FBI agents and admitted to robbing the four CVS pharmacies, using a BB gun to commit the act.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

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University of Michigan gun ban upheld by Court of Appeals
ANN ARBOR, MI - The University of Michigan can keep its ban of guns on campus, according to a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling.

A pair of Michigan judges made the ruling on July 20, affirming the courts 2017 decision. The decision can still be appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
LAPEER, MI  Kenneth KC Grondin sat still in the back of a Lapeer County courtroom Monday morning, July 24, as a judge said aloud the words he and his family had been hoping to hear for the past five years.

Grondin will be allowed to leave his home without the watchful eye of authorities for the first time since he was released from a Michigan Department of Corrections prison cell.
FLINT, MI  University of Michigan-Flints Department of Public Safety recently completed specialized training in mental health de-escalation techniques provided by Genesee Health System.

The program was intended to give police officers the skills to address complex social issues when engaging with the community, according to a release from the university.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Roughly a quarter of all school buildings in Grand Rapids Public Schools are operating with less than a 40% occupancy rate.

Grand Rapids, the largest school district in West Michigan, is looking to close some under-utilized schools and consolidate programs due to shrinking student enrollment. The district currently operates 42 school buildings, but only needs around 21 schools based on current enrollment estimates, school leaders say.

GRPS has an average building utilization rate of 51%, which means approximately half of the districts classroom spaces are unused, according to data from GRPS. The unused space results in extra maintenance costs and teachers being spread too thin across the district, the district said.

As part of the districts ongoing facilities master planning process, GRPS leaders have compiled the utilization rates for all 42 schools across the district. School leaders say that data will be considered in conversations about which schools should eventually be consolidated or closed.

District leaders have not yet announced any decisions on which schools will be closed  and likely wont for months.

MLive/Grand Rapids Press created a searchable database and map with the utilization rates for all 42 schools across the district. You can read more about that data here.

READ MORE: As Grand Rapids looks to shutter unused school buildings, see vacancy rates in your neighborhood

Alex Smart, GRPS director of facilities and operations, said the district only used general education classrooms to calculate school utilization rates. That means other spaces, like gymnasiums, science labs, music rooms, art rooms and special education spaces, are not represented in these numbers.

Keep scrolling to read about the 10 schools with the most unused classroom space in Grand Rapids Public Schools.

1. Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary School: 18% utilization

Ken-O-Sha is a neighborhood school serving preschool through fifth grade. It is located in the southeast quadrant of the school district, at 1353 Van Auken St. The elementary school is projected to have 116 students enrolled this fall, but has capacity to hold 648 students.

Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary School, at 1353 Van Auken St., has a building utilization rate of 18% for the 2023-24 school year. (MLive file photo)

2. Westwood Middle School: 19% utilization.

Westwood is a neighborhood school serving grades 6-8 that is located in the northwest quadrant of the district, at 1525 Mount Mercy Dr. The middle school is projected to have 151 students this fall, but has capacity to hold 810 students.

In this MLive file photo, students walk to the buses after school at Westwood Middle School in Grand Rapids. Westwood has a 19% utilization rate, meaning the building sits largely unused due to low enrollment.Jake May

3. Ottawa Hills High School: 23% utilization.

Ottawa Hills is a neighborhood school serving grades 9-12, and is located in the southeast side of the district, at 2055 Rosewood Ave. The high school is projected to have 382 students this fall, but has capacity to hold 1,653 students.

Ottawa Hills High School is located at 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids.Shandra Martinez | MLive

4. Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy: 23% utilization

Sherwood Park is a theme school serving preschool through sixth grade, and is located in the southeast quadrant of the school district, at 3859 Chamberlain Ave. The school is projected to have 128 students this fall, but has capacity for 552 students.

Sherwood Park Global Studies School at 3859 Chamberlain Ave. in Grand Rapids.

5. Southeast Career Pathways High School: 26% utilization

Southeast Career Pathways is a theme school serving grades 9-12, and is located on the southeast side of the district, at 1356 Jefferson Ave. The school is projected to have 93 students this fall, but has capacity for 360 students.

6. Riverside Middle School: 27% utilization.

Riverside is a neighborhood school serving grades 6-8, and is located on the northeast side of the school district, at 265 Eleanor St. The middle school is projected to have 219 students this fall, but has capacity for 810 students.

7. Stocking Elementary School: 28% utilization

Stocking is a neighborhood school serving preschool through fifth grade. It is located in the northwest quadrant of the district, at 863 Seventh St. The elementary school is projected to have 142 students this fall, but has capacity to hold 504 students.

Stocking Elementary in Grand Rapids in the Grand Rapids School District, located on the city's West Side at 863 7th St NW. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

8. Innovation Central High School: 32% utilization.

Innovation Central is a theme school serving grades 9-12, and is located in the northeast quadrant of the district, at 421 Fountain St. The high school is projected to have 458 students enrolled next year, but has capacity to hold 1,450 students.

The exterior of Innovation Central High School in Grand Rapids at 421 Fountain St.Allison Farrand | MLive.com

9. Kent Hills Elementary School: 39% utilization

Kent Hills is a neighborhood school serving preschool through fifth grade. It is located in the northeast quadrant of the city, at 1445 Emerald Ave. The school is projected to have 207 students enrolled next year, but has capacity to hold 528 students.

10. Alger Middle School: 39% utilization

Alger is a neighborhood school serving grades 6-8 in the southeast side of the district, at 921 Alger St. The school is projected to have 282 students enrolled next year, but has capacity to hold 729 students.

You can read more about the districts utilization rates, and the reasons why GRPS needs to close school buildings, here.

This is not the first time GRPS has had to close schools to combat falling enrollment.

In 2000, the district had a student population of 27,000, and maintained over 80 school buildings, according to figures from the district. Over the following 14 years, the district closed 35 school buildings as enrollment declined to 16,113 in 2014.

The last time GRPS assessed its facilities was in 2012, when retired Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal spearheaded the districts Transformation Plan that called for investing in programs that were performing well and discontinuing those that were ineffective.

The district ended up closing 10 buildings as part of that plan.

Since then, GRPS has not closed any other schools, despite having lost an additional roughly 2,600 students.

Grand Rapids school leaders are projecting a student population of 13,514 students in fall 2023, which is down by about 200 students from the previous school year, according to state data.

In comparison, the districts buildings have capacity to house 26,596 students  nearly double the expected enrollment levels for next year.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

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JACKSON COUNTY, MI  From Jackson businesses closing their doors, to a Taco Bell opening in Brooklyn, many businesses are making moves in the Jackson County area.

Heres some Jackson-area business news you might have missed.

Save-A-Lot closing its doors in Jackson after 15 years

After 15 years of offering discounted groceries, Save-A-Lot has closed its doors in Jackson.

Owner Roy Rabban said he opened the discount supermarket chain store at 3525 ONeill Drive in Blackman Township in 2008, after owning a grocery store in the Detroit-area with his brothers.

However, due to increased competition from new stores in the Jackson area, Rabban said hes closed Save-A-Lot. In the last couple years, the store has had a difficult time matching the prices of goods sold at other stores, he said.

Read the full story here.

Whats that? Get ready to Live Mas in Brooklyn

Its an empty lot now, but soon it could be home to a new development bringing fast food to the Village of Brooklyn.

Taco Bell is constructing 413 S. Main St., right next door to the Big Boy restaurant. The villages Planning Commission approved final site plans for the restaurant in May, which means crews can begin construction, hopefully within the next few weeks, Village Manager Matt Swartzlander said.

This new location will be owned and operated by Black River Bells, a franchise group from Brighton. A 2,046-square-foot restaurant is planned for the lot that previously housed a Burger King restaurant that was demolished after a fire in 2012.

Read the full story here.

Alro Steel expands again with acquisition of metal service company

Alro Steel has acquired another metal supply company to expand its offerings.

The Jackson-based company has announced it will acquire Heimansohn Steel, based in Clarksville, Tennessee, which will allow it to grow its customer base in Tennessee and Kentucky, Alro Steel officials said.

Related: Hard work and loyalty as strong as its product has helped Alro Steel endure 75 years in Jackson

We are excited to welcome Heimansohn Steel to the Alro family, Alro Steel CEO Randy Glick said. This acquisition will benefit our customers with expanded inventories of metals and plastics, plus additional processing capabilities.

Read the full story here.

Huge chimichangas, stacked burgers await at Sawds Village Inn

Sawds Village Inn is full of history for owner Missy Shelhart, and she passes it on to the public through big portions.

Shelhart opened the restaurant in March 2022. Her uncle, Duane Sawdy, used to own the eatery 40 years ago, and she worked her first job there. To honor her uncle, she said she decided to add his name to the business again.

People can find a range of breakfast, lunch and dinner items on Sawds Village Inns menu. Popular items are wraps, sandwiches, the salad bar and daily specials.

People also like the large burgers. One of the best sellers is the Big Sky Burger, which comes with two patties, bacon, lettuce, fried egg and tomato on sourdough bread.

Read the full story here.

Whats that? A new business is blowing up in Michigan Center

Balloon art started as a way to make her sons birthday party more interesting, but it has since blown up into Monica Wieands niche.

Wieand has been running Balloon Art By Monica since 2022, after she made superhero designs out of balloons for her sons party and saw how much the kids loved it. She grew out of her workspace in her home, though, and decided in June it was time to move into a suite at 101 Fifth St. in Michigan Center.

Wieand specializes in twisting and shaping balloons into different designs and decorations for events. She has made these for several celebrations, such as balloon garlands for birthday parties or balloon columns for school events. She made a cross out of balloons once for a first communion at a church, she said.

Read the full story here.

After 5 years of fashion, a downtown Jackson boutique is closing its doors

After five years of dressing Jackson with style, Apricot Lane is closing its doors.

Jenny Murphy, owner of the womens clothing boutique, announced on Apricot Lanes Facebook page that shes closing the store because its what she needs to do for her family.

During this time I have had to remind myself that I made a dream of mine come true, even if it was for a short time, Murphy wrote in the post.

Apricot Lane opened inside Westwood Mall in 2018. It then moved to its current location in the Blake Building, 180 W. Michigan Ave., in 2020, taking over a spot occupied by A Frame Above, a custom framing shop and boutique that closed earlier that year after 18 years.

Read the full story here.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.

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Construction at Menards, a burger with a bacon-infused bun and more Jackson County business news

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BATTLE CREEK, MI -- One person died in a fatal car crash, the Battle Creek Police Department reports.

Officers arrived on scene about 4:15 a.m. Sunday, July 23, at the intersection of Dickman Road and Washington Avenue, the Battle Creek Police Department said in a news release.
ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- The driver of a semitrailer suffered minor injuries in a crash with a train, the Allegan County Sheriffs Office reports.

At 10:01 a.m. Monday July 24, emergency crews responded to reports of a car/train crash near 56th Street and 141st Avenue in Fillmore Township near Holland, the sheriffs office said in a news release.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  Discount retailer Costco has plans to build a new store near Muskegon.

The store is eyeing property on Harvey Street in Fruitport Township, township Supervisor Todd Dunham confirmed for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle.
FRANKENMUTH, MI  The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation will host a special event focused on autism awareness for the business community at Frankenmuths historic Fischer Hall next month.

The organizations Autism Club Awards Dinner will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at 613 S. Main St.

Area business and community leaders are invited to attend the event and reflect on how neurodiversity and inclusion can benefit their organizations. General admission is $25, and VIP admission is $100. Register online at www.xavierdegroatfoundation.org.

During the event, Xavier DeGroat, CEO of the foundation and an autism advocate, will honor Wayne Bronner, president and CEO of Bronners Christmas Wonderland, the Zehnder family, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, State House Rep. Amos ONeal, Frankenmuth Mayor Mary Anne Ackerman and others, according to a foundation news release.

DeGroat, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four, said he has experienced discrimination, economic setbacks and educational difficulties throughout his life. To help raise awareness and acceptance of autism, DeGroat launched his foundation in 2018. Its mission is to create and promote opportunities for people with autism through ambassadorship, education and training for business leaders and first responders.

DeGroat said one of his goals is to work with business leaders and others to help make popular tourist destinations, such as Frankenmuth, more welcoming and inclusive for people with autism.

For more information, visit www.xavierdegroatfoundation.org.

Read more from MLive:

Lululemon opening, Fig & Honey closing and more mid-Michigan business news

After foster care or homelessness, young adults can call this historic church home

A visit to Michigans Cheese Capital, restaurants open and close, and more mid-Michigan business news

Connect with the spirit world at this Bay City shop offering crystals, spell kits and teas
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  One of the most prominent and outspoken members of the mid-Michigan transgender community in recent years, Charin Davenport, died last week.

The 67-year-old former educator and LGBTQ+ rights advocate died Monday, July 17, in her Grand Rapids home after a 9-year battle with kidney cancer, her obituary stated.

Born as Charles Davenport in December 1955 in Bay City, Davenport presented as male for all except the last decade of her life. During those years identifying as a man, Davenport served in the U.S. Navy, married and divorced two women, raised three children, and began a career as an educator.

It wasnt until 2006 when Davenport considered transitioning to a female, she once told The Saginaw News/MLive. Davenport began hormone replacement therapy after consulting with a doctor, and in March 2014, began identifying as a female, taking the name Charin. Many called her, simply, Char.

The thing about being a guy is I could walk past a pile of T-shirts and put one on without thinking about it, she told The Saginaw News/MLive in 2014. But every choice I made felt like I was putting on a uniform, like, am I dressed like a guy?

Davenports transition happened at the same time she was working as an adjunct faculty member in the English departments at both Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, which she joined in 2007.

She spoke proudly about her gender transition to her students and became active with LGBTQ+-supporting organizations in the region, sometimes publicly weighing in on transgender rights issues.

Another prominent member of the mid-Michigan LGBTQ+ community, Leo Romo, first met Davenport after her transition.

She was very secure in who she was, and became very active in the (LGBTQ+) community here, said Romo, a 72-year-old who came out as gay in his late 30s. A lot of transgender people I know are quiet, but she was the opposite. She was really out, and I really loved that part of her.

Davenports advocacy included her criticism of an April 2014 Saginaw City Council vote to suspend a decision that would have extended protections for LGBTQ+-identifying individuals in public accommodations and employment within the city.

They are playing with peoples lives, Davenport said at the time. They have to argue whether people like me should have the same rights as them? That is absurd. They are denying I exist.

Davenports exit from the region years later was based in part on concerns of discrimination.

In April 2016, she sued SVSU, alleging in a federal sex discrimination lawsuit that she was removed from her position as assistant to the director of Academic Programs Support due to sex-based considerations shortly after informing a supervisor that she was undergoing a gender transition.

In March 2017, U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice and without costs or attorney fees.

By that time, Davenport left mid-Michigan for Hazel Park, about 10 miles north of Detroit. While there, she worked for Rochester-based Oakland University as an adjunct faculty member, teaching English again.

Its been very welcoming, very affirming experience, Davenport told MLive in 2017. But whats difficult is having to uproot my life, having to move when I dont really know anyone here. I loved teaching at SVSU. I really did. And Im not unique in all of this  this upheaval happens to trans people all the time.

Davenport told MLive/The Saginaw News her family  which includes three grandchildren  was supportive of her decision to transition. Her obituary described that support.

Ask any of Chars children and they will tell you what an exceptional and loving father she was, the obituary stated. Always ready with a silly joke, or sage words of advice. She adored her grandchildren, and was proud to call herself Grandma Char. Her light shines in them through their humor, their wisdom, and their love of music and literature.

The obituary described Davenport as a hero to some, a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, grandma, and dad to others.

In this March 2014 MLive file image, Charin Davenport sits in the living room of her apartment in Bay City. Davenport, a transgender woman and LGBTQ+ advocate for years in the mid-Michigan region, died in July 2023 in Grand Rapids.Mlive.com

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

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Jefferson Apartments could reopen for tenants in Saginaw via proposed sale

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Fixes to the federal student loan repayment program means 26,980 Michigan borrowers are eligible to get their debt erased.

The U.S. Department of Education released state-by-state data last week on how many people will qualify for automatic debt discharge. In Michigan, more than $1.2 billion of student debt could be cleared for thousands of people.

This stems from fixes to the income-driven repayment plan that accurately count the number of qualifying monthly payments that bring borrowers closer to forgiveness. The education department started notifying eligible borrowers on Friday, July 14.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the Biden administration is fixing past administrative failures by clearing $39 billion of debt for 804,000 people.

For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress towards forgiveness, he said in a statement earlier this month.

Debt will be discharged within 30 days of the emails being sent out.

Related: More than 804,000 student loan borrowers to get debt forgiven

Borrowers are eligible for the debt forgiveness if they accumulated 20 or 25 years of qualifying monthly payments. Under the Higher Education Act, a borrower qualifies for forgiveness after making 240 or 300 monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan or a standard repayment plan.

The U.S. Department of Education says borrowers with Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loans including Parent PLUS Loans who have reached the forgiveness threshold will receive payment credit for these periods:

A month when the borrower was in repayment status regardless of whether payments were partial or late, the type of loan or the repayment plan

Any period when a borrower was 12 or more consecutive months in forbearance

Any month in forbearance for borrowers who were in forbearance for 36 or more months

Any month spent in deferment before 2013, except for in-school deferred payments

Any month in economic hardship or military deferments after Jan. 1, 2013

Any month spent in deferment (except for in-school deferment) prior to 2013; and

Any month spent in economic hardship or military deferments on or after January 1, 2013.

These fixes are being rolled out less than a month after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden administrations plan to forgive $10,000 per federal borrower and $20,000 per Pell Grant recipient.

Republican lawmakers  who had no problem with the government forgiving millions of dollars of their own business loans  have tried everything they can to stop me from providing relief to hardworking Americans, Biden said in a statement. Some are even objecting to the actions we announced today, which follows through on relief borrowers were promised, but never given, even when they had been making payments for decades.

After a three-year pause, student loan repayments are on track to start in October. Interest will begin accruing in September.

More on MLive:

Feel so far behind: Michigan borrowers recalculate after SCOTUS debt forgiveness ruling

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Student debt forgiveness plan struck down by U.S. Supreme Court
Hello Wallet Watchers!

I dont know about you, but July (like the rest of 2023) is flying. With the days disappearing in the blink of an eye, you might not have caught some of last weeks economy news. Heres a brief recap of what you may have missed:

Where does the UAW fit in the EV transition?

Electrification has changed the future of the auto industry, but union leaders dont want workers to get lost in the transition.

Contract negotiations with the Big Three are fully in motion. Last week, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain met with workers outside of Stellantis, Ford and General Motors, forgoing the ceremonial handshake with CEOs. He stated clearly that the union was prepared to strike if demands arent met.

Financial gains Fain is looking to achieve include reinstating cost-of-living agreements, cut during The Great Recession. Additionally he wants to eliminate the two-tier pay system, which the UAW claims pays new hires 25% less than veterans.

The UAW began bargaining with Stellantis and Ford last week and kicked off negotiations with General Motors on Tuesday, July 18. Current UAW contracts are set to expire on Sept. 14.

The union is calling this round of negotiations our generations defining moment at the Big Three.

Billions given to EV projects better spent on roads, bridges, cutting taxes, critic says

Billions of dollars, thousands of jobs and a stake in the automotive future.

Thats what Michigan leaders say is on the line as the state competes for electric vehicle and semiconductor investments. A key strategy is offering companies economic incentives like tax breaks or grant dollars.

But the use of state dollars for private investment has its critics.

Michael LaFaive, senior director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free market think tank, called these incentives expensive in terms of opportunity costs, meaning the money could be better spent to fix the roads, bridges, fill potholes, pay down debt, cut taxes for everyone instead of a favorite few.

Because lots can be done that will produce a higher return on investment, he said.

The Mackinac Center, a longstanding critic of corporate welfare, hosted a policy forum Tuesday, July 18, to outline what they see as the pitfalls of this economic development strategy. It was held in Battle Creek, seven miles from the Marshall development site of a $3.5 billion Ford battery plant, awarded a patchwork of incentives totaling $1.7 billion.

Judge rules against pausing Ford battery plant in Marshall

Construction of a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Company battery plant will continue after a judge ruled against an effort to halt the project in Marshall.

Calhoun County Circuit Court visiting Judge William Marietti Monday, July 17 denied an opposition groups motion for a preliminary injunction to pause development of BlueOval Battery Park Michigan.

The Committee for Marshall  Stop the Megasite sued the city last month over a failed petition to get a referendum, or public vote, on rezoning 741 acres of rural land for industrial use. They sought a preliminary injunction to pause construction while the petition issue was resolved by the courts.

Because a zoning ordinance approved by the Marshall City Council in May included appropriations, Marietti determined it is not subject to a referendum. Provisions in the Michigan Constitution that have been upheld by the state Supreme Court and the Marshall City Charter underscored the judges six-page ruling.

Thus, petitioners are unlikely to be able to establish they have a clear right to have the Clerk issue a certification of sufficiency in this case, Marietti wrote.

Read more about the controversial beginnings of the Ford mega site:

Group sues city of Marshall to halt Ford battery plant

Petition against Ford Marshall plant didnt have enough valid signatures

Marshall businesses want an economic engine. They hope Ford is the answer.

Hundreds lined up to thwart Ford plant. Why Marshall residents are losing sleep.

Michigan funneled $2B into luring big business. Heres where it went.
Former Detroit Tigers designated hitter Mike Ivie, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1970, died Friday.

He was 70.

The Tigers signed Ivie at the urging of manager Sparky Anderson during the 1982 season, and Ivie responded by hitting 14 homers in 259 at-bats. After 12 games in 1983, Ivie retired.

Ivie was a dominating high school hitter, batting .550 for Walker High School in Atlanta, including a streak of 21 homers in 21 games.

The San Diego Padres made him the No. 1 overall pick in 1970, but the team soon learned that Ivie could not play catcher after he struggled throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

The Padres traded Ivie to the San Francisco Giants before the 1978 season for Derrel Thomas. In 1978, Ivie hit four pinch-hit homers, including an MLB-record two pinch-hit grand slams.

Ivie put together his best season in 1979 with the Giants, hitting 27 homers with a .286 average in 133 games.

But during the off-season, he cut a tendon in his hand with a hunting knife. He struggled in 1980 and temporarily left the team. The Giants sent him to the Houston Astros for Jeffrey Leonard and future Tigers first baseman Dave Bergman.

After seven games in 1982, Houston released Ivie, and the Tigers signed him as a free agent.

In 80 games in 1982, Ivie hit .232 with 12 doubles and 14 homers, driving in 38 runs. But after hitting .214 in his first 12 games of 1983, Ivie retired.

In an 11-year career, Ivie hit .269 with 81 homers.

MORE

Former Detroit Tigers reliever gets MLB call-up with Atlanta
For years, popular Ghanaian radio presenter cum musician Blakk Rasta and iconic Ghanaian dancehall artiste Shatta Wale have been at odds with each other.

The two superstars have traded barbs on social media. However, it all changed when Blakk Rasta organized his own concert, the Kuchoko Roots Festival at the Alliance Francaise in Accra.

To the chagrin of many, Shatta Wale made a surprise appearance at the festival and performed alongside Blakk Rasta.

After the concert, the Kuchoko President spoke highly about his relationship with the SM boss.

Blakk Rasta who was speaking in a recent interview with Nana Adwoa Annan on Onua Keteke on Onua TV said, "I didn't feel like going on stage again when I met Shatta Wale We had a lengthy chat backstage where we reminisced our past experiences but for the sake of the fans I had to go on stage and perform.

The multiple award-winning radio show host added that Shatta Wale is a great artist, and he is glad that theyre finally able to put their differences aside and hoped that they could collaborate on future projects.

Watch excerpts of the interview


Jamie Foxx, the Oscar-winning actor and musician, was hospitalized in April 2023 for a "medical complication." The nature of his illness has not been publicly disclosed, but there have been some rumors and speculation.

One rumor that has been circulating is that Foxx suffered a stroke. This rumor was started by Hollywood gossip columnist AJ Benza, who claimed to have inside information from a source "in the room" when Foxx was hospitalized. However, Foxx's representatives have denied this rumor, calling it "completely inaccurate."

Another rumor that has been circulating is that Foxx was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome , a rare autoimmune disorder that can cause temporary paralysis. This rumor was started by a fan who claimed to have seen Foxx in a wheelchair. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and Foxx's representatives have not commented on it.

So, what is actually Jamie Foxx's health condition ? really suffering from? It's impossible to say for sure without more information from the actor or his representatives. However, the fact that his representatives have denied the rumors of a stroke and Guillain-Barre syndrome suggests that his illness is something else.

It's possible that Foxx is simply not ready to disclose the nature of his illness to the public. He may be waiting until he is feeling better or until he has more information about his condition. Whatever the reason, it's clear that Foxx is not doing well, and his fans are hoping for a speedy recovery.

In a recent Instagram video, Foxx spoke about his health for the first time since his hospitalization. He said that he had been through "hell and back," but that he was "on the mend." He also thanked his fans for their support.

It's unclear when Foxx will be able to return to work, but his fans are hoping that it will be soon. He has several upcoming projects, including the film "Back in Action" and the television series "Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!"

In the meantime, Foxx is focused on his recovery. He said in his Instagram video that he is "taking it one day at a time." He also said that he is "grateful to be alive."
Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson is appealing for corporate sponsorship to construct additional free schools across Ghana after opening his first charitable educational facility this year.

Blackson aims to construct 100 similar charitable schools across Ghana but requires corporate backers to achieve this vision.

"The kids are so happy and appreciative, Im ready to build 100 more across the motherland but not till I find a company to adopt each school. Who wants to first," Blackson tweeted on Monday, July 24.

He tagged major companies like Apple, Microsoft, Bank of America and Nike in his appeal.

Blackson funded and opened the Michael Blackson Academy, a free elementary and junior high school, in the town of Agona Nsaba in Ghana's Central Region earlier this year.

The three-story school complex contains classrooms, science labs, and other amenities to enable quality education.

The comedian broke ground on the school's construction in early 2020 and announced its completion in December 2022.

The Michael Blackson Academy began admitting students in January 2023.

The comedian hopes major companies will "adopt" individual schools to finance their development.

The Hollywood star frequently visits Ghana and has invested in numerous philanthropic initiatives there in recent years.

The Michael Blackson Academy represents his most significant endeavor to improve youth education and opportunities in the country.

Blackson's initiative and appeal come as many regions of Ghana suffer from inadequate school infrastructure and resources.

The comedian aims to address these deficiencies through his charitable schools initiative.
21.07.2023 LISTEN

Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Leader, has said President Akufo Addo must take immediate action to remove Cecilia Abena Dapaah from her position as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources in order to conduct an independent inquiry.

According to Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Member of Parliament (MP), the seriousness of the matter calls for a full-scale investigation to be conducted in order to ascertain the source of the huge monies stashed at the Minister's home.

On July 21, he said on Twitter that Ghanaians deserved a transparent government.

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, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated.

The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Member of Parliament (MP) insists that the people of Ghana deserve nothing less than a government that serves their interests with honesty and dedication.

Former President John Mahama has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to let this slide.

Will Nana Akufo-Addo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration? he tweeted.

In a shocking revelation, $1million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis have been stolen from the home of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, in Abelemkpe, Accra.

The two house helps, Patience Botwe (18) and Sarah Agyei (30), are currently standing trial before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in the theft.

The accused individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to commit crime and multiple counts of stealing. It is alleged that the theft occurred between July and October 2022. Patience is also accused of involving her current and former boyfriends, as well as her father, in the stealing spree.

According to court documents, the stolen items include personal effects belonging to Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as clothing valued at GH95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth $95,000. Additionally, within the same period, Patience allegedly stole six pieces of Kente clothes valued at GH90,000 and six sets of mens suits worth $3,000, belonging to the ministers husband.

Further charges have been brought against individuals accused of receiving stolen property. Benjamin, a plumber (A3), has been charged with dishonestly receiving GH180,000, Kweku Botwe (A4), a trader, has been charged with receiving GH50,000, and Malik Dauda (A5), who is currently unemployed, has been charged with receiving GH1million.

All five individuals appeared before the Accra Circuit Court, with Judge Susana Ekuful presiding, on July 20, 2023.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

The Agona East Constituency Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Madam Hannah Asamoah has says she would be the best Parliamentary Candidate to recapture the seat for the party if given the nod at the forthcoming Parliamentary primaries in the constituency.

"Am the best candidate to lead the NPP to recapture the parliamentary seat which has been with the NDC for over 12 years, if given the nod to become parliamentary candidate for the 2024 General Elections.

"With my rich experience in the political terin in the constituency, I stand tall above anyone seeking to contest NPP Parliamentary primaries.

"I have been an Assembly Member, Constituency Youth Organizer, a position which was unprecedented in the history of Ghana for a young female like me to become a Constituency Youth Organizer and current am the Chairperson of NPP in Agona East Constituency. It is through dedication and hard work couple with cordial relationship with th grassroots base of the NPP. Am therefore more qualified to win the primaries hands down," she stated.

Madam Hannah Asamoah said this when she submitted her forms to contest the party's parliamentary primaries at Agona Duakwa in the Agona East District last Thursday.

"What I need from you is unity and prayers to enable us achieve our goal of recapturing the Agona East Parliamentary seat which is our prime focus. There is the need to work in unison as a family seeking the the well-being of the vulnerable in the society.

"I have offered myself to lead the crusade to empower the local economy thereby reducing poverty in the Constituency. Thankfully, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government is reducing youth unemployment rate in the country, we must support this policy to ensure that sizeable number of the youth are employed so they can contribute their quota towards poverty eradication and National Development.

"My priority is to ensure improved standard of living in Agona East constituency to be abreast with others constituencies in the Country. We have suffered for far too long. This is because we always find ourselves as 'Ophan' because we don't have a Member of Parliament who will spread the development for us. The time to regain our freedom from non-performing MP is no better time than now.

"Am overwhelmed by your massive support for me and with God on our side, I will never disappoint you. Am going to do more than what I have been doing to meet the expectations of our people.

"It is a communal Labour and we must all get involved to recapture the lost seat for NPP. We are breaking the 12-years chain in Agona East as well as to break the Eight at the National level," Madam Hannah Asamoah noted.

The Cape Coast South Constituency Chairperson of the NPP, Madam Caroline Aboagye Ewusi addressing the teeming supporters tasked the delegates to support Madam Hannah Asamoah to win the primaries convincingly to propel the party for eventual victory in the 2024 General elections.

She noted that Madam Hannah Asamoah stands for the youth in the Agona East Constituency and therefore deserves to be elected at the primaries and subsequently recapture the Parliamentary seat for NPP.

"Every single Vote count so we must rally behind Madam Hannah Asamoah to win the altimate that is the 2024 General Elections.

"The Parliamentary primaries is a forgone conclusion, she is winning hands down, what is left is for us to join forces for the battle ahead of us in 2024 General Elections.

"I appreciate your commitment and dedication to the NPP and am highly hopeful that you will work assiduously to recapture the needed seat for Agona East, Central Region and Ghana as a whole," Cape Coast South Constituency Chairperson stressed.

Chairman of Agona East NPP Election Committee, Nana Kojo Frimpong stressed the need for the various aspirants to carry out clean campaign to sustain the existing peace and stability in the party.

He noted that it was only with a united front that the NPP would be able to claim back the Parliamentary seat from the NDC.
We recommend that all Ghanaians stay at home on the 7th of August 2023 as protest against the ongoing corruption by NPP and NDC.

Stay away strike beginning on the 7 th August 2023

August 2023 Another NPP Minister caught red-handed and suspected of corruption.

All workers, doctors, nurses, market women, taxi drivers, professors, lecturers, students,  everyone should protest peacefully. Please, do not protest outside. We have the right to stay at home.

NPP and NDC must be banned immediately.

It has been announced on Al Jazeera that Madam Celicia Abena Dapaa, the Sanitation Minister of the NPP Government, has voluntarily resigned from her post.

Apparently huge amounts of foreign currency stored in her private home have been stolen by house maids and helpers.

Dear countrymen, you will all surely say that enough is enough.

I have been praising Mrs. Rawlings all the time, not because of her beauty, but because she could not stand all the corruption going on in the NDC. No-one would abandon her lifes work, a party she helped founding, without tangible reason.

The NDP is today calling on all opposition parties, the leadership of the CPP and others, to join hands with us in demanding a new Constitution for our Country immediately.

We have examined the activities of the main political parties and discovered that they do not govern on concrete coherent policies which are people-centred, but rather engage in project-centred policies beneficial to their private pockets.

No more central government projects, no one-man dictatorship from Accra. The regions will each have their own government, own Regional Prime Minister and decide on their own fate. This is described as devolution, as it is done in the U.K.

We appeal to the leadership of the CPP and others to help initiate a peaceful passive resistance which takes the form of a strike.

To this end we will need the support of the Christian Council, Muslim Council and other religious bodies, all Universities in Ghana and other institutions and virtually all the people of Ghana to spread the message.

We shall reject any 2024 election until our demands are met.

We want a total devolution  United Kingdom style. Stop stealing peoples resources. Please support the strike to save Ghana from the two corrupt parties.

God Save the People of Ghana !

Dr. med. Edward Kwame Poku
James Agalga, Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa North has stated that the Minority Caucus is not worried about losing their parliamentary seats for supporting embattled Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson.

Speaking on JoyNews' The Probe on Sunday, July, Hon. Agalga said Minoritys absence can be pardoned.

"We are not worried about losing our seats. If there is a just reason for the absence of the Member, it could be a basis to be pardoned, he stated.

The NDC MPs have been boycotting parliamentary duties in solidarity with Gyakye Quayson, who is facing criminal charges over allegations of forgery and perjury relating to his dual citizenship status when he contested the 2020 elections.

Their action has drawn criticisms, with some warning the MPs risk losing their seats if they absent themselves for more than 15 consecutive sitting days without permission from the Speaker.

But Agalga dismissed such concerns, saying there are provisions for pardoning MPs in just courses.

"It is not automatic that a member who is absent for more than 15 days could lose his seat," he stressed.

The Builsa North MP also hit back at First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu's comments describing the current parliament as the worst in Ghana's history.

"When I heard the First Deputy Speaker say this is the worst parliament, I was shocked. This is the first parliament that has a Speaker from the opposition and we must take credit for that," Mr Agalga said.

The NDC caucus has vowed to continue boycotting parliament until the Supreme Court determines Gyakye Quayson's fate.
On the 11th anniversary of the passing of former President John Evans Atta Mills, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has paid tribute to the late leader.

The North Tongu MP highlighted the qualities that made Atta Mills an exceptional leader and urged current Ghanaian leaders to emulate his example.

He said the late former President never demolished national assets and never squandered state resources on misplaced projects of grandeur.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa said, "The power of your example and the purity of your legacy continues to radiate brighter and brighter each passing day."

Mr Ablakwa lists 11 reflections on the power of Atta Mills' example and the purity of his legacy.

These reflections included Atta Mills' authentic God-fearing leadership, his genuine incorruptibility, his compassion for the people he served, and his exceptional modesty and selflessness.

Mr Ablakwa also praised Atta Mills' belief in the youth, his use of political power for progressive nation-building rather than witch-hunting political opponents, and his unquestionable integrity.

He noted that Atta Mills' visionary leadership led to Ghana's highest GDP growth rate, record cocoa production, and the most far-reaching public sector pay reform ever implemented.

The outspoken lawmaker pointed out that Atta Mills never demolished national assets and never squandered state resources on misplaced projects of grandeur.

He also commended Atta Mills' stance against corruption, particularly in his support for Anas Aremeyaw Anas' expose on corrupt officials at the Tema Port.

According to Mr Ablakwa, Atta Mills "did not shield corrupt officials or become a corruption clearing agent."

Concluding his tribute, he added that "Prof Mills  you will forever remain deeply cherished in our hearts. May all contemporary Ghanaian leaders find the courage and character to emulate your worthy example."

The late President John Evans Atta Mills served as Ghana's president from 2009 until his death in 2012.
The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that all is set for the issuance of Ghana Card to newborn babies is ready for take-off in the country.

Speaking in Cape Coast at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Ghana National College, the Vice President noted that this follows the successful integration of the databases of the Births and Deaths Registry, the National Identification Authority, and the Ghana Health Service.

Elated with the latest development, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stressed that it is transformational.

The work of integrating the databases has been completed, The full test was done yesterday, and I am happy to say that the first Ghana Card number for a baby was issued yesterday.

So in the next month or two, all babies born in Ghana, once they take them to Weigh In, will be issued the Ghana Card number and also get their Birth Certificate Identification number at the same time, because the two databases are talking to each other. The nationality of the parents will be established as part of the process. This is very transformational, Dr. Bawumia noted.

While the Ghana Card numbers will be issued for the newborns after birth, they will not be issued a card instantly.

They will receive their Ghana Cards when they are older and digits, biometrics, as well as other features are fully formed and captured.
Northern Regional Wing of the Ghana Physician Assistant Association has released a road map for their intended strike action.

According to the road map, PAs in the Northern Region will withdraw all out patient department (OPD) services from today, Monday, 24 July, to Wednesday, 26 July 2023.

Withdrawal of emergency services will begin on Thursday, 27 July, to Monday, 31 July 2023.

The physician assistants in the Northern Region will also withdraw all services including emergencies from Tuesday, 1 August 2023, if their concerns are not addressed.

The Graduate Physician Assistants Association of Ghana had hinted at plans to embark on a strike action over what it describes as discrimination against its profession.

The association accused government of undermining the physician assistants profession.

According to the association, they stopped some PA training schools, failed candidates who sat for licensing, and strangulated PA postings by the government instead of developing the profession.

The association wanted government to address these concerns or else it would embark on a strike action effective Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

The General Secretary of the Association, Joel Tetteh Padi, stressed PAs deserve recognition and respect as they are qualified graduates.

He recalled an incident which occurred in 2018 involving a PA who was put into incarceration for almost two weeks.

Mr Padi also condemned the Ghana Medical and Dental Councils directive preventing PAs from signing some patient form without doctors supervision in relation to sick leave and rest.

He indicated that PAs particularly those in rural areas have to seek approval from doctors in urban areas to enable them submit forms for patient care.

classfmonline
The President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has accepted the resignation of Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

The resigned Minister in a letter of resignation indicated that she has taken the decision because she does not want the conversation on the US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis stolen from her home to affect the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

After receiving the resignation letter of Cecilia Dapaah, President Akufo-Addo said he applauds the loyalty of the former Sanitation Minister and wishes her the very best in her future endeavours.

I have received your letter, dated Saturday, 22ND July 2023, resigning from office as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and as a member of the Government.

I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government, a letter from President Akufo-Addo accepting the resignation letter of the Minister said.

The President continued, The work you undertook during your period in government was excellent and productive, and I thank you for your wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of the government and the nation.

Below is a copy of the letter from President Akufo-Addo:
24.07.2023 LISTEN

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has praised resigned Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah for the work she did during her period in government.

In his letter accepting the resignation of the Minister, the President described her work in his government as excellent and productive.

I have received your letter, dated Saturday, 22ND July 2023, resigning from office as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and as a member of the Government.

I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government.

The work you undertook during your period in government was excellent and productive, a letter from President Akufo-Addo accepting the resignation letter of Cecilia Abena Dapaah said.

In his letter, the President extended his profound appreciation to the outgoing Sanitation Minister for not only her contribution but devotion to the progress of the government and the nation as well.

Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah resigned as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources over the controversy about US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis kept at her home.

In her resignation letter, she indicated that she has taken the decision to leave her post because she does not want the matter to distract the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
The fact that the current president of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo, continually pleads with world leaders, diplomats, and ambassadors for assistance in transforming Ghana's economy, is embarrassing for him, the NPP administration, and the entire nation of Ghana. His continually pleading with foreign leaders to improve Ghana's economy, sums up that he is incompetent. NPP politicians, including the quack Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Bawumia, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, and Alan Kyerematen, are all worthless people. After stealing millions, they torture the country's citizens by restructuring their debt.

Akufo Addo is the best example of a Ghanaian leader who lacks the wisdom and intelligence that one can easily find in Ghana. He has severely damaged all the countrys infrastructures, collapsed the banking systems, through widespread corruption, and several NPP politicians have embezzled millions of dollars from the state's coffers, which has hurt the economy, bringing every commercial sector to a standstill and now wants Ghanaians and foreign leaders to believe that COVID and Russia-Ukraine are responsible for his failure, therefore; he needs to beg for assistance.



Akufo Addo's constant pleading with world leaders for assistance in reshaping Ghana's economy shows his incompetence and, more crucially, makes him an object of ridicule in their eyes because they are aware of the impact of corruption within his administration.

However, that is untrue; the people Akufo Addo begs for food, money, and help to rebuild Ghana's economy are aware that rampant corruption is to blame. They are aware of the pervasive corruption that has hit the nation and the cathedral project, but they are unable to inform the president for diplomatic reasons. How is it possible that someone who pledged to protect public finances would become a beggar considering the country's tremendous financial problems without accountability? Does Akufo Addo think that Ghanaians or those whom he begs for help are fools? Who is this man?



I keep stating it and I don't regret it, Akufo Addo lacks intelligence. There is no intelligent leader who would destroy the nation's economic backbone, ports, and businesses and then go after a meager sum of money from the IMF. I will remind Ghanaians because they tend to forget things easily. Didn't Ken Ofori-Atta make a promise to them that the economy would recover as soon as the IMF met their needs? Has anyone in Ghana noticed a change in the economy since the government closed the deal and received $600 million? You folks have no idea with whom you are dealing with.

Ghana has been completely wrecked by widespread corruption, yet Akufo Addo has refused to take action. Another reason I'm advising intelligent Ghanaians not to vote for Bamumia or any other NPP politician is that they still intend to uphold the dishonest and ineffective Akufo Addo administration's policies, which will only serve to exacerbate the situation. Any NPP leader who has remained silent about the systemic corruption in this administration, such as Bawumia, Kyerematen, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, or others, poses a threat to the office they hold. They are people you should avoid if you're an intelligent Ghanaian.

Akufo Addo has been the president for almost seven years; during this time everything in Ghana, including domestic and foreign investments and businesses, has been wrecked by his huge hunger for corruption. He continues to request assistance from foreign leaders, as if he is not at fault, even though all economic activity at the ports has severely decreased at the present and is posing the greatest obstacles to Ghanaians, all because of him and his incompetent ministers.

Ghanaians shouldnt forget that after blaming Mahama for imposing several taxes on Ghanaians, Akufo Addo has rather added new levies more than any Ghanaian leader and despite the World Health Organization's declaration that the COVID virus is no longer a threat to humanity, Ghanaians still pay COVID tax. After charging foreigners $150 to take the COVID test at the Kotoka International Airport, the National Identification Authority currently charges $120 for non-citizen cards with a one-year expiration date. Where does all the money go, is the query?



Through Eugene Arhin, Charles Bissue, Paul Adom-Ochere, Rev. Kusi Boateng, Kwadzo Owusu-Afriyie, Cecilia Dapaah, illegal mining, and gold trade and many others, Akufo Addo has built his Mafioso Empire of Corruption. If he wants to be successful, he must deal with it to create a better economy and stop foolishly going after world leaders begging them to transform Ghana's economy because they wont do it and more importantly, the corruption scandal hitting the NPP government has just started.
The remanding in custody of a French policeman in the city of Marseille has sparked a new controversy, weeks after violent riots, with the left slamming a call from police chiefs for the officer to be freed.

France was rocked by over a week of riots that began last month over the killing of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk by a policeman during a traffic check outside Paris. The officer has been charged and jailed awaiting trial.

In the incident in Marseille, a man named as Hedi, 21, says he was beaten by four or five men he identified as police during unrest in the city earlier this month.

He says he was also hit in the head by a blast ball fired by police. He underwent surgery and has now returned home but risks losing the sight in one eye, his lawyer said.

Four police were charged last week over the incident, one of whom was remanded in custody ahead of trial.

"Knowing that he is in prison is stopping me from sleeping," said France's national police chief Frederic Veaux in an interview with the Le Parisien newspaper published on Monday.

"In general, I believe that ahead of a possible trial, a police officer should not be in prison, even if he may have committed serious errors in the course of his work," he added.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez tweeted that he shared the stance of Veaux.

Police protest

According to a union source, who asked not to be named, several hundred Marseille police officers have gone on sick leave in a sign of protest over the officer's detention.

Others responded to the call of the SGP Police Unit union and put themselves under so called "code 562" which means that they only respond to emergency and essential missions.

But hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said France's leaders were refusing to call on the police "to respect the law" and police were instead given a green light to "wage war".

"It's extremely serious, the entire police hierarchy places itself above justice and the rules of pre-trial detention," added Socialist Party chief Olivier Faure.

"What is at stake here is democracy and respect for the rule of law. Parliament must be reconvened urgently," he added.

Read also:

(with AFP)
Richard Ahiagbah, the National Communications Director for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has praised the government's prioritization of the Ghana Card system.

If not for the lack of support from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), he stated that the initiative would have ushered in significant progress in the country's development.

"Imagine the advance in development if the NDC had prioritized the Ghana Card. All the same, this government is moving Ghana in the right direction and Ghanaians must support it to do more for Ghana," Mr Ahiagbah said in a tweet on Monday, July 24.

The ruling partys spokesperson highlighted how newborns will soon be issued Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) within a month or two after birth.

According to him, the move demonstrates the integration between the National Identification Authority, Birth and Death Registry, and Ghana Health Service databases.

"The first baby was issued a PIN on 21st July 2023 to demonstrate the interchange among the databases of the National Identification Authority the Birth & Death Registry, and the Ghana Health Service," Mr Ahiagbah noted.

He explained that while newborns will get PINs, the actual Ghana Card will only be printed when the child turns 6, once their fingerprints are fully formed to capture biometric data.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Card project was launched in 2017 to provide every Ghanaian resident with a unique national ID number and biometric ID card.

The system aims to harmonize identification databases and improve access to government services.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

According to Professor Roger Oppong Koranteng, Adviser and Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, poor work attitudes are a severe economic concern for developing countries.

He argued that some African and other developing-country workers' attitudes towards work and business impede economic growth and urged labour forces to address the problem.

Prof. Koranteng made this statement while presenting a paper at the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office's innovative anti-corruption media platform, titled "Is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality?

Speaking on the topic "Expanding the Frontiers of Combating Corruption in Ghana: Policy and Strategic Options," I mentioned that one of the biggest issues affecting businesses was the bad behaviour and unprofessional attitude of some employees.

He said that bad activities caused the demise and destruction of many commercial and public organisations and that the majority of Ghanaian business owners complained about poor job quality, sloth, lying, theft, and corruption among the workforce.

He noted once more that these illegal activities have hampered social and developmental progress in our society, have expanded throughout the entire economy, have had a substantial impact on the country's economic growth, and have boosted unemployment and household income.

He also stated that there is no difference in work ethics between the public and private sectors, stating that some employees lie, steal, are absent without authorization, have poor work performance, and are corrupt.

Prof. Koranteng noted that with such a mentality and attitude towards firms, growing the country will be challenging for present and future generations.

He also stated that measuring what the business community is losing in its efforts to safeguard their companies from fraud, mismanagement, and corruption has doubled the country's employment costs.

He stated once more that this behaviour is hurting the country's ability to attract investment and do business.

As a result, he exhorted all Ghanaians to develop a good attitude towards work and challenged the youth, in particular, to work hard like the rest of the competitive world.

Speaking on the "role of the media in the fight against corruption," Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Regional Manager of Ghana News Agency Tema, urged both public and commercial organisations to work effectively with the media in their programmes and activities to combat corruption.

He challenged the media by spearheading a vigorous advocacy campaign that would make the ground inhospitable to corruption.

According to him, the fight against corruption will be futile unless the media actively participates in raising awareness of its dangers, both in the public and private sectors and in educating citizens about their responsibility to combat it.

Mr. Ameyibor stated that if the media aids and sustains the fight against endemic corruption, the vast resources lost to it can be redirected into productive projects that drive economic growth and prosperity for the country.
Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari has hit out at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for praising Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah after her resignation as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

After receiving the resignation letter of Cecilia Dapaah, President Akufo-Addo said he applauds the loyalty of the former Sanitation Minister and wishes her the very best in her future endeavours.

I have received your letter, dated Saturday, 22ND July 2023, resigning from office as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and as a member of the Government.

I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government, a letter from President Akufo-Addo accepting the resignation letter of the Minister said.

Reacting to the letter from the President, Joyce Bawah Mogtari says it is an indication that he endorses corruption in his administration.

Should we accept the resignation of Ghanas #Sanitationminister as the solution to the conundrum of stolen money please! Our president Akufo-Addo has endorsed this act of corruption by praising her loyalty and fidelity to this corrupt government, Joyce Bawah Mogtari said.

Meanwhile, the founder of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe has described as sad the resignation of the Sanitation Minister.

In his view, the Minister was one of the better ones in the Akufo-Addo government and worked hard.

Minister Cecilia Dapaah resigns. She was one of the better ones. Sad she fell on the 'questionable wealth' dagger. There are very few hard-working ministers left. Far more are fantastically incompetent and amassing so much, Franklin Cudjoe shared in a Facebook post.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

INDIGENOUS lender, OmniBSIC Bank has taken its stellar performance to the next level with strong results in the second quarter with superior returns to shareholders and guaranteeing higher value to customers.

Profit and liquidity soared and the balance sheet gained more robustness after all indices registered strong growth in the second quarter of this year.

The results, which were released two weeks ago showed that profit more than doubled to GH96.56 million in June this year from GH25.04 million last year on the back of robust growth in interest income and controlled expenses.

The excellent performance indicators now consolidate the banks growth strategy and its capacity to deliver superior value for stakeholders, as its concerted effort to improve operational efficiency, funded income, and asset quality paid off.

The Managing Director of OmniBSIC Bank, Daniel Asiedu, said in an interview that the results indicated that the banks financials remained on a strong footing and it was now comfortably positioned to support businesses and the economy to grow.

There is still a lot ahead but we can see concrete progress and that is inspiring for the board and staff. Our liquidity position and asset base shows that we are well placed to support businesses and that is all that we strive for, the astute banker with more than 30 years experience managing top banks said.

Beyond the strong profit, the banks financial results showed that it remained liquid and well-capitalised, midway into the year.

Its liquidity ratio stood at 91.48 per cent, indicating a liquid and resilient bank while the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was 23.2 per cent, reflecting a well-capitalised bank at a time when the economic crisis has eroded the capitals of most banks.

Double growth

The results further showed that OmniBSIC Bank enjoyed double growth in almost all income lines.

Interest income rose by more than 178 per cent to GH371.43 million in June 2023, buoyed largely by substantial growth in net trading income.

In addition to the strong showing in its financial soundness indicators, OmniBSIC Bank also posted significant growth in its earning assets to consolidate its position as a robust lender and partner to businesses.

Investments rose by more than two folds, from GH1.13 billion in the second quarter of 2022 to GH2.82 billion in the quarter under review.

Robust loan book

Loans and advances also surged by 37.4 per cent to GH643.68 million in the second quarter as the bank extended more support to businesses and the economy in the quarter under review.

Deposits from customers also jumped by more than two folds from GH1.74 billion in the first quarter of last year to GH 3.62 billion in the quarter under review.

Similarly, deposits with banks and other financial institutions rose by 126 per cent to GH187.45 million in the second quarter from the GH82.92 million recorded in the same period last year.

Shareholders funds benefited from the strong performance to close the quarter on a strong note. The financials showed that it ended the quarter at GH457 million.

Return on equity (ROE) for the quarter also ended at an impressive 13.23 per cent, reflecting a profitable and efficient deployment of resources.

Implications

A fully-fledged universal bank, OmniBSIC traces its roots to a merger between the erstwhile OmniBank and Sahel Sahara Bank that was spurned by the banking sector consolidation programme between 2017 and 2019.

The merger has emerged as one of the most successful in the financial services industry, having delivered a profitable and versatile lender with endearing services and strong performance.

The Banks MD explained that the second quarter financial results were a testament that customer-centered hard work delivered results.

The Reverend Minister and Chairman of the International Presbytery of the Fountain Gate Chapel (FGC), therefore, commended the board and staff for their dedication and assured the public that the Bank was always ready to meet their needs.

With the foundation almost firmly established, we are now ready to take on more opportunities as we aim to double growth in retail banking, consolidate wholesale banking and further deepen our position on digitalisation, he said.

Improved corporate governance

A former MD of the Agricultural Development Bank and Zenith Bank Ghana, Mr Asiedu took over the reins of OmniBSIC in May 2021 with a goal to turn its fortunes around.

The bank has since reinforced its corporate governance structures and invested in infrastructure to align with the Bank of Ghana corporate governance and other regulatory directives.

Last year, it upgraded its core banking software. It also received the International Organisation for Standardisation certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISO/IEC 27001:2013) in May after rigorous external assessment of its information security policies, procedures, and practices, risk management processes, and the effectiveness of its security controls.

The Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to drive cross-border payments across the continent, with a successful maiden transaction in June.

Mr Asiedu said the whole idea was now to leverage technology and established relationships to serve our customers better and expand our frontiers so that we can deliver value to stakeholders.
Gontein KKMA Primary School

24.07.2023 LISTEN

Formal education is the primary tool that defines a career path and career choices. A stable and fulfilling career is imperative, not only for individual society members but also for society as a whole.

Since 2017, Ghanas government has pursued ambitious reforms, including free senior high schools for all school going children. In addition, the innovative 'one teacher, one laptop' scheme was introduced to ease the burden the COVID-19 pandemic placed on the education system.

Despite the progress made by the government, there are significant challenges regarding the quality of education and its access.

Gontein KKMA Primary School in the Gontein community in the Kpone Katamanso district of the Greater Accra Region is one of the many schools that are accessible.

The community is centered in the middle of the mountains where a road divides Gontein and Aburi.

The school which is in an excellent state has been neglected by pupils in the community due to their inability to attend as a result of the terrible and dusty nature of the roads.

The roads in the community are in such a deplorable state, impacting negatively on school-going children.

This situation affects SDG4 which focuses on education and aims to, ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Residents in the community on the other hand have on several occasions called on the city authorities to see to the construction of the road to make it more accessible.

The road looks sloppy and there are a lot of potholes when you are driving on it. You might think you will fall from the mountain, they say.

At a site inspection, the school location was in a bad state.

In as much as the school lacks ICT equipment and other learning facilities, the deteriorating state of the road has deterred government officials from visiting.

This has affected the enrollment of students in the community. Most of them now engage in commercial activities and only attend school because of school feeding.

Despite the challenges the teachers face, they try hard to teach the children.

I believe it is the responsibility of the government to construct the roads and take care of the needs of the students to make the teaching and learning more effective.

Abigail Awuah, Unimac GIJ [email protected]
24.07.2023 LISTEN

I couldnt believe my konkonsaic ears when I first heard the story. Just as Nicodemus was shocked by Yesu Kristos born again explanation, so was I befuddled by the story that a minister of state had stashed millions of American green leaves and other currencies in the comfort of her bedroom.

I eventually stopped living in denial and faced the reality staring at me.

Yes, a minister in the Nana Dee government had stashed huge cowries in the house, out of which 1 million American green leaves, 300 European red leaves and millions of leaves from Kwame Okros homeland had been stolen by the housemaids.

It vividly brings to mind the infamous Obed Asamoah cowries allegedly stolen by policemen Constables Fidelis Kwame Yebbi and Anthony Kwesi Avalifo. How the story of the stolen 100 million old cowries gave Zu-za bad press. Without a doubt, it contributed to Zu-zas defeat in the 2000 elections.

History seems to be repeating itself with the story of Madam Money-Stashed-In-The-Bedroom. It is certainly a huge political blunder by the Minister.

Formerly, such news would have given me sleepless nights for days, if not weeks. I would be worried that those riding the Elephant had naively and willingly provided ammunition to its opponents, self-styled experts and pseudo-neutrals to shoot the huge animal in the belly. I would have been thinking of how best I could write in this column to counter any propaganda or hyperbolic stories from the Zuza camp.

But not anymore. I am surprised I no longer have that love and attachment to the Great Elephant. Perhaps, it is because Ive come to the bitter realization that those of us without godfathers or godmothers in the Osono fraternity are second class members.

It is the reason I now practice the saying, Those who greedily eat the meat and drink the soup alone, should wake up in the dead of night to attend to natures call alone. So let Madam Money-Stashed-In-The-Bedroom fight her own battles.

Its good to hear that she has resigned from her position in order to save the Nana Dee government from being ridiculed. But, I strongly believe that it is another missed opportunity by President Nana Dee to crack the whip to show his abhorrence for corruption.

You see, there will be comparison on corruption fight between President Ogwanfunu and President Nana Dee, whether we like it or not. As a sympathiser of the Great Elephant, I am sad to say President Nana Dee's predecessor has done a far better job in that regard. At least, we all saw how swiftly Victoria Hammah was given a hard kick on her voluptuous buttocks for only dreaming to use politics to make 1 million American green leaves.

Do not get me wrong, Abusuapanin. I agree with the argument that until it is established that the cowries kept in the bedroom were stolen from state coffers, we cannot conclusively say Madam Minister has engaged in a corrupt act.

But the intriguing question is why stash such huge cowries in the bedroom, if they are not ill-gotten. The public cannot be blamed for thinking the stashed cash was gotten from ministerial kpakpakpa moves because it defies common sense to keep cowries in the bedroom when there are banks all over.

In their haste to equalise, I heard some Osono guys say President Ogwanfunu dished-out a whooping 14.8m cowries to Zu-za delegates nationwide with no evidence of a paper trail of the said cowries withdrawn from a bank. So they assume the said cowries were also being kept under his bed.

Well, my simple answer to that absurd analogy is that a thief is the one that has been caught. President Ogwanfunus cowries were not found in any bedroom, so we can only make conjectures. The one caught in flagrante delicto (right in the act) is Madam Money-Stashed-In-The-Bedroom.

Did I hear some Osono folks asking President Ogwanfunus moral locus for roping-in the sitting-President? Of course, he has moral locus to do so. After all, did those from the Osono fraternity, yours truly inclusive, not label him corrupt and incompetent without any evidence?

Madam Money-Stashed-In-The-Bedroom may never be legally found guilty. But the harm her indiscretion has caused the Great Elephant is irreparable. It will continue to haunt the party for many years.

Some may decide to defend her indiscretion. As for me, I did not partake in the meat-eating and soup-drinking jamboree, so let no one wake me in the dead of night when they get a running stomach.

See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!
24.07.2023 LISTEN

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has shared the view that whoever authored the letter indicating that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has accepted the resignation of Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah got it wrong.

Speaking to Starr FM in an interview, GII Acting Executive Director Mary Addah said the letter only reaffirms the notion that President Akufo-Addo is a 'clearing agent.'

Unfortunately whoever authored this letter got it wrong but the Presidents signature is on it. The President continues to do this and he has done it before and that tag on him as clearing agent has been reaffirmed. In this particular letter, the Acting Executive Director of GII said.

According to Mary Addah, if the President believes Cecilia Dapaah will be exonerated after investigations then there was no point in accepting her resignation letter.

We all espouse that the President is a lawyer and so for the Presidents confidence to go to the extent that he is now sure that the person will be exonerated is one think I believe that they should all be thinking about again.

Number two, if the President is as confident as he espouses in this letter in response to the former Minister, why then did he accept her resignation? Because he had two options, either to ignore or to take action and allow investigative bodies to do their work, the GII Acting Executive Director shared.

Former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah tendered his resignation to the President on July 21 following controversy around the US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis stolen from her home.

In her resignation letter, she indicated that she has taken the decision to leave her post because she does not want the matter to distract the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Accepting the resignation letter of the Minister, President Akufo-Addo said I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government.
Lagos state government has annouced plans for a mass burial of more than 100 people killed during Nigeria's 2020 anti-police brutality rallies, sparking renewed criticism over a crackdown on protesters.

The youth-led #EndSARS protests were the largest anti-government demonstrations in Nigeria's modern history, but ended in repression by security forces and bitter disputes over whether some victims were shot by troops.

Lagos state government and the armed forces always denied troops opened fire with live rounds at Lagos city's Lekki Tollgate, the epicentre of the protests, but an independent panel ruled there was a "massacre" of unarmed protesters there.

Rights group Amnesty says at least 10 people were shot dead by security forces on October 20, 2020 at the tollgate, and more were killed in rioting and violence that broke out elsewhere in Lagos city and state.

In a statement late Sunday, the Lagos State health ministry said 103 victims whose bodies have been held in Lagos morgues for three years and were still not claimed by family will soon given a mass burial.

It said bodies were picked up in a dozen areas around Lagos state, but it denied any were collected at Lekki, after a copy of the burial plan was leaked by local media.

"There was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison. The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Toll gate," it said.

The health ministry statement was the first time the government has admitted that such a large number of people died following the riots.

"For the avoidance of doubt, no body was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident," it said.

The repeated denial of any deaths at the Lekki toll gate sparked criticism online and from those who took part in the protests.

"The report of the panel was empathetic there was a massacre at Lekki," Dele Farotimi, one of the lawyers for victims told Arise TV. "The facts are not in dispute."

The #EndSARS protests erupted initially against police abuses, with the rallying name referencing the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which was later disbanded.
GOVERNMENT HAS secured a 500m credit facility for the construction of the Takoradi Port to Huni Valley Railway Line as part of the Western Railway Line Development Project.

About 200 million dollars is also being utilised on the section of Western Line from Kojokrom to Manso through governments internal resources.

Additionally, a 6km railway line is currently under construction as part of the Western Railway Line Development Project from Adum to Kaase by Messrs David Walter Limited; it is valued at about US$48m and funded by the Government of Ghana through the Consolidated Fund.

Desmond Boateng, the Chief Director of Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), disclosed these on behalf of the Minister for Railway Development, John- Peter Amewu, at a stakeholders sensitisation workshop on the Railway Master Plan held in Kumasi last Thursday.

The railway master plan is a layout for the development of the railway sector in the country. The first version was delivered in 2013 and has since been reviewed into the current 2020 version.

The master plan serves as a guide to the country in constructing its rail network with the aim to linking every capital city of the 16 regions and all industrial towns and hubs by the year 2035, to serve as an efficient mode of transport for the movement of goods such as bauxite, manganese, cocoa and to the various ports and processing hubs as well as transporting passengers to various cities in the country.

He disclosed that the ministry recently negotiated a contract with AFCONS Infrastructure Limited of India for the construction of a 50km standard gauge line from Obuasi to Eduadin, also in the Ashanti Region.

Having already obtained parliamentary approval for the implementation of this project, the remaining financing arrangements are at the final stages before the actual commencement of the construction works, he added.

According to the minister, the outstanding sections of the Western Line from Obuasi to Dunkwa, Dunkwa to Awaso including the extension from Awaso to Nyinahini, will be undertaken by government after securing the needed financial resources.

Government, he stated, was also utilising about US$447m on the development of the Tema to Mpakadan standard gauge railway project which is currently about 98% complete and being executed by Messrs AFCONS Infrastructure Limited through an India EXIM Bank credit facility.

US$265m contract has been signed by Government with Messrs KEC International Limited of India for the construction of a new standard gauge line from Accra to Nsawam through Adjin-Kotoku as part of the Eastern Railway Line redevelopment project.

This project will mark the beginning of the new Eastern Line from Accra/Tema through the Boankra Inland Port to Kumasi, Mr. Amewu disclosed.

He stressed that the construction of railways and associated infrastructure is capital intensive unlike road transport.

The ministry, he explained, planned to employ sustainable private financing schemes to bridge the huge financing gap.

Yaw Owusu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GRDA, on his part, expressed worry over the high rate of theft and encroachment on the Railway Line, and appealed to the citizenry to be on the lookout for the arrest and prosecution of culprits.

He commended the President Akufo-Addo-led government for embarking on huge capital intensive railway project.

Nana Fi Baamoah II, the Asokwahene, who was the special guest of honour, stated that Ghana needed to strategically invest in the railway infrastructure to become the transportation hub in West Africa.

This kind of investment, he explained, should be done with the railway master plan so that resources are spent in the most sufficient ways.

The objective of reviewing the 2013 Master Plan, he reechoed, was to extend the railway network to newly created regional capitals and as well connect mineral deposits to the Port of Tema, Takoradi and Keta.

FROM David Afum, Kumasi


Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly called Captain Smart with Media Generals Onua TV in Accra who recently incurred the wrath of the chiefs and people of Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region has been begging for forgiveness.

It would be recalled that recently Captain Smart was alleged to have described the Western North region as the most useless region created by the current government in a video recording.

In the video, believed to be excerpts from one of his Onua TV morning show programme dubbed Maakye and which went viral, Captain Smart could not fathom why the president made such a mistake by creating the region.

The alleged pronouncements by Captain Smart in the video recording did not go down well with the chiefs and people of Sefwi Wiawso.

The chiefs therefore performed some rituals by slaughtering a sheep and called on the gods to deal with Captain Smart and anyone who denigrate the chiefs in the area.

Probably, after realizing that his comments were distasteful, Captain Smart has eaten the humble pie and has apologized to the chiefs and people of Sefwi Wiawso.

The television cum radio presenter did not personally go to Sefwi Wiawso because it was alleged that if he had set foot in the area, the youth would have attacked him.

Captain Smart therefore ran to the Essikado Omanhene, Nana Kobina Nketsia V and appealed to him to go to the Sefwi Wiawso Omanhene to plead for forgiveness on his behalf.

Nana Kobina Nketsia then travelled to Sefwi Wiawso together with the chief of Apremdo near Takoradi, Nana Egya Kwamena and some staff of Onua TV and met with the Sefwi Wiawso Omanhene to apologize on behalf of Captain Smart.

Addressing the elders of the area after the rituals to overturn the alleged curses pronounced on Captain Smart had been performed, the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Okayakyie Kwasi Bumangama II noted that he has a lot of respect for the Essikado Omanhene, that was why he accepted the apology.

He said, We used to be part of the Western Regional House of chiefs and Nana Kobina Nketsia was a close friend and so I have to accept the apology. We have even invited him to our festival this year.

He told the gathering that prior to the apology, Captain Smart called him on phone and indicated that he knew him (Sefwi Wiawso Omanhene) very well since the time he (Captain) was with Adom TV.

So I asked Captain Smart, why did you make those comments to disgrace the chiefs and people in the area, if indeed you knew me well, he added.

He continued We want him to understand that the creation of the Western North region has really benefitted we the people here.

Nana Kobina Nketsia was grateful to the Sefwi Wiawso Omanhene and his elders for accepting Captain Smarts apology.

-DGN online
Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, has said Ghanaians should not expect anything good from Cecilia Abena Dapaah's investigation.

According to Mr. Tamakloe, consistent with the character of Akufo-Addo the investigations into the matter will be swept under the carpet.

The mother serpent of corruption of President Akufo Addo stated by his own appointee Martin Amidu, Akufo Addo is now telling us very consistently of his character says I am confident like you that at the end of the day, your integrity whilst in office will be fully established.

In Akufo Addos accepting the resignation, this is how he concludes: that I am confident like you, that at the end of the day your integrity whilst in office will be fully established. Clearly even before any formal investigation will take place, Ghanas clearing agent has done his thing again. He has effectively cleared the woman.

He said (Akuffo Addo) your integrity whilst in office, I am confident will be established What is the meaning of this? The point I am making is that consistent with the character and make of Akufo-Addo he has already gone ahead of us to demonstrate his confidence that the woman's integrity will be established before any formal investigation. This is the same man who decided to clear Akonta Mining when he said your integrity will be established, which one of these can give a contrary view? Edudzi Tamakloe said during an interview on TV3 New Day morning show on July 24.

Cecilia Abena Dapaah resigned as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources over the controversy for keeping US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis at home.

In her resignation letter, she indicated that she has taken the decision to leave her post because she does not want what is going on to distract the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Accepting the resignation letter, President Akufo-Addo thanked Cecilia Dapaah for her services, describing her work as excellent and productive.

The OSP has now taken an interest in the matter and started its investigation in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

Modernghana News can report that the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources is cooperating with the Office of the Special Prosecutor in its investigations.
Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah

24.07.2023 LISTEN

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has confirmed the arrest of former Sanitation Minister, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

This has been announced in a press release issued on Monday, July 24, and signed by Special Prosecutor, Lawyer Kissi Agyebeng.

At 11:55 GMT on 24 July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22 July 2023, was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence, parts of the press release from the OSP said.

According to the release, the resigned Sanitation Minister is being questioned by authorised Officers of the OSP.

Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah resigned as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources over the controversy around the US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis stolen from her home.

In her resignation letter, she indicated that she has taken the decision to leave her post because she does not want what is going on to affect the important work being done by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Accepting the resignation letter, President Akufo-Addo thanked Cecilia Dapaah for her services, describing her work during her period in government as excellent and productive.
In his bid to reduce online risks among internet users, a prominent advocate of online safety, Rotimi Onadipe, has called on users to always provide complete information when they are giving out their bank account details.

Onadipe made the call on Saturday at internet safety magazine office, Ibadan, Oyo State during a weekly sensitisation program aimed at providing useful information to the public about how to prevent online risks.

Onadipe, who doubles as the CEO of Onadipe Technologies and Founder of Internet Safety Magazine, stressed the need for users to always provide complete information about their bank accounts to avoid transfer error.

The cyber security advocate noted that most people give out only their account numbers and bank without their account name when they are asked to provide their bank account details.

According to Onadipe, giving out account number and bank without beneficiary's account name may lead to transfer error which may cause the money transferred to get into a wrong person's account.

He said: "While we are careful to avoid being defrauded by internet fraudsters, we must also prevent financial loss that may be caused by our own errors.

"Be informed that if the person that wants to transfer money to your account types a wrong figure by mistake, the money will get into another person's account which may be difficult to retrieve.

"When you provide your account number, account name and bank, it will be easier for the sender of the money to compare all the information you provided with the one on his mobile App before he completes the transaction," Onadipe added.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken Cecilia Abena Dapaah into custody following her resignation from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22nd July 2023.

The arrest is in connection with suspicions of corruption and corruption-related offenses involving significant sums of money and valuable items allegedly stolen from her residence.

Special Prosecutor Kissi Adjebeng, in a statement, confirmed that Ms. Dapaah is currently under questioning by authorized officers of the OSP. The investigation aims to shed light on the alleged corruption and ascertain any wrongdoing in connection with the reported theft from her residence.

The media reports had suggested that the Minister possessed one million dollars, three hundred thousand euros, and millions of cedis, all of which were stolen from her residence.

However, in a statement addressing the issue, Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah firmly denied these allegations and stressed that the information being circulated in the public domain differs significantly from the core of the initial complaint.

The Minister has not provided further details regarding the nature of the original complaint or the specific inconsistencies she referred to in her statement. However, she is challenging the accuracy and validity of the reports that have been published.

The incident came to light when two former house helps, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, were charged with allegedly stealing the money and valuable items from Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister for Water Resources, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, in their home located in Abelemkpe, Greater Accra Region.

Among the stolen items were cash, jewelry, clothing, and personal effects. Patience, the primary 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, namely Benjamin, Kweku Botwe, and Malik Dauda, were charged with dishonestly receiving portions of the stolen money. The accused were brought before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Susana Ekuful, on July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not yet been taken.

Sarah, one of the accused, has been granted bail in the sum of GH1 million, with two sureties, on the basis of 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 occurred between July and October 2022. The complainants reported the thefts to the police after discovering the missing items and cash.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Patience had used a duplicate key to enter the couple's room, 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 eventually 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 furnished it with new items.

During interrogation, Patience implicated Sarah, revealing that they had worked together in the couple's house. Patience would keep watch at the main gate, allowing Sarah to enter the room and steal.

The case has been adjourned to August 2, 2023, for further proceedings.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

As the calendar marks the 11th anniversary of the untimely passing of John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, the late President of Ghana, it is a solemn time for the nation to remember and honor the remarkable leader. Atta Mills, affectionately known as "Asomdweehene," left an indelible mark on Ghanaian politics, society, and the hearts of its people. For the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the party to which Atta Mills dedicated much of his life, it is a poignant moment to pay tribute to his legacy and renew their commitment to upholding the principles he held dear.

A Humble Beginning:

Atta Mills' journey into the political arena was rooted in his genuine desire to serve his country and its people. Coming from humble beginnings in Tarkwa, he understood the struggles and aspirations of ordinary Ghanaians. It was this empathy and compassion that fueled his academic pursuits and his eventual entry into politics. As a law lecturer and a scholar, he imparted his knowledge and wisdom to countless students, leaving an indelible impression on those who had the privilege to learn from him.

A Resolute Leader:

In January 2009, Atta Mills assumed the highest office in Ghana as its President, after a hard-fought election victory. During his presidency, he demonstrated steadfastness and an unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and social justice. He tackled corruption head-on and sought to promote transparency and accountability in government institutions. Atta Mills also championed social welfare programs and economic development initiatives to uplift the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.

The King of Peace:

Atta Mills' leadership style was characterized by humility, approachability, and his ability to build bridges across political divides. His commitment to peace earned him the revered title "Asomdweehene," as he sought to unite the nation and foster an atmosphere of harmony and understanding. He believed that progress and prosperity could only be achieved through unity and collective effort, transcending partisan interests.

Relevance for NDC:

Eleven years after his demise, the relevance of Atta Mills' legacy for the NDC remains paramount. As the party that he devoted his life to, the NDC must take this opportunity to reflect on the principles that guided Atta Mills' leadership and recommit themselves to the values he held dear. Upholding transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of the greater good should be at the core of the party's agenda.

Beyond the anniversary, the NDC should aim to integrate Atta Mills' vision and values into their policies and actions. Building a stronger and more prosperous Ghana requires collective effort, and the NDC, as a political force, can continue the work of Atta Mills by promoting unity, peace, and development. Embracing the spirit of bipartisanship and constructive dialogue can facilitate the realization of Atta Mills' vision for Ghana.

As Ghana marks the 11th anniversary of Atta Mills' passing, the nation mourns the loss of a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the service of the country and its people. For the NDC, this moment calls for reflection, remembrance, and recommitment to the ideals Atta Mills embodied. By honoring his memory and integrating his principles into their actions, the NDC can play a pivotal role in furthering the legacy of "Asomdweehene" and contributing to a brighter future for Ghana.

Delanyo Agbe

Social Activist.

[email protected]
Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has called on the government to act swiftly in appointing a competent replacement for the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.

This urgent call follows the resignation of the former Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah following reports of huge sums of money in foreign and local currencies stolen from her residence in Abelemkpe.

During an interview on Citi TV monitored by ModernGhana News, Dr. Asah-Asante underscored the critical importance of the Ministry and stressed that the President should not delay in making a new appointment.

He said, "The appointment of a new minister should be sooner than later because the clock is ticking and time is not on our side."

We need a replacement quickly so that the person will come and move into action and get things done," Dr. Asah-Asante noted.

He emphasised that the incoming Minister must be proactive in tackling the existing challenges and driving initiatives to improve sanitation and water resources management in the country.

Remember that the Ministry is one of the important Ministries, and it has a lot to do with our forward march toward dealing with this economic challenge we find ourselves in, he stated.

According to the Political Science Lecturer, while loyalty is essential, the primary consideration should be the individual's proven track record and capability to deliver results.

"Obviously, the first and foremost consideration is that you need somebody who is competent.

There is an academic conversation where people are saying that you need somebody who is loyal and all that, but my thinking is that loyalty cannot supersede productivity or results, so we need somebody who has the proven track record to replace her," he stated.

Cecilia Abena Dapaah resigned as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources over the controversy for keeping US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis at home.

In her resignation letter, she indicated that she has taken the decision to leave her post because she does not want what is going on to distract the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Accepting the resignation letter, President Akufo-Addo thanked Cecilia Dapaah for her services, describing her work as excellent and productive.

The OSP has now taken an interest in the matter and started its investigation in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

Modernghana News can report that the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources is cooperating with the Office of the Special Prosecutor in its investigations.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced that Ghana will in August commence the deployment of a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) trial in Accra and Kumasi.

The latest version of Digital Audio Broadcasting, also known as DAB+ will address radio frequency constraints in the country.

FM stations involved in the trial in August will be heard simultaneously in Accra and Kumasi.

Ghana will deploy the latest version of DAB, that is DAB+. This trial positions Ghana as the first country in West Africa and the fourth in Africa to deploy DAB.

The trial commences in August 2023, parts of a release from the NCA said on Sunday, July 23.

With severe constraints on FM radio frequencies in major Ghanaian cities, DAB offers a solution to expand coverage and cater to the growing demand for sound broadcasting services.

The upcoming trial will allow more stations to share the same frequency channel and transmitter thereby enhancing energy and frequency efficiency.

In the trial, 18 existing FM stations in Accra and Kumasi will share the same frequency channel to deliver DAB services.

Through the deployment of DAB+, the general public will be able to select stations by searching for the names of the stations instead of memorising their frequencies.

Find more in the release from the NCA below:

DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING (DAB) TRIAL KICKS OFF IN ACCRA AND KUMASI IN AUGUST 2023

Accra, Sunday, 23th July, 2023: The National Communications Authority (NCA) is pleased to announce the commencement of a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) trial in Accra and Kumasi. FM stations involved in this trial will be heard simultaneously in Accra and Kumasi.

DAB ushers in a new era of radio broadcasting, harnessing digital signals to deliver enhanced sound quality, expanded station choices and interactive features. Overcoming the limitation of traditional analogue FM radio, DAB promises a transformative and engaging listening experience.

Ghana will deploy the latest version of DAB, that is DAB+. This trial positions Ghana as the first country in West Africa and the fourth in Africa to deploy DAB.

The trial commences in August 2023. Benefits of DAB 1. Overcoming Frequency Constraints: With severe constraints on FM radio frequencies in major Ghanaian cities, DAB offers a solution to expand coverage and cater for the growing demand for sound broadcasting services.

2. Improved Reception Quality: DAB utilises digital signals, mitigating interference and delivering superior audio quality compared to traditional analogue FM radio.

3. Efficient Spectrum Usage: DAB allows more stations to share the same frequency channel and transmitter thereby enhancing energy and frequency efficiency. In this trial, 18 existing FM stations in Accra and Kumasi will share the same frequency channel to deliver DAB services.

4. Enhanced Interactive Services: In comparison to FM, DAB allows the transmission of metadata such as text and images for the following  service and programme information, emergency warnings, news, weather and traffic information.

5. Ease of Selecting DAB stations to listen: Consumers are able to select DAB stations by searching for the names of the stations instead of memorising their frequencies.

The NCA will endeavour to keep the general public informed about this initiative.
A local official in Plateau State in Nigeria's restive north has said that at least 80,000 people have been displaced in the past three months by intercommunal violence. Attacks have been mounting since May. The army has reinforced security to end the clashes.

"There are an estimated of 80,000 internally displaced persons, within 11 various camps in the local government area," said Markus Artu, a top official in Mangu district.

Mangu district, in Plateau State, has been one of the epicentres of the recent violence with villages ransacked and farmland destroyed.

Since May, the region in central Nigeria has seen surge of attacks among mostly Muslim nomadic herders and Christian farming communities in violence the local state government says has left around 300 people dead.

Nigeria's military chief of staff, Major-General Taoreed Lagbaja visited Mangu,on Saturday to mark the start of special operations to "stamp out" the violence.

Sheltering the displaced

Camps situated at a primary school in Mangu shelter about 18,000 of the displaced, according to one of the camp coordinators Yamput Daniel.

The State emergency response agency has delivered aid.

The victims are mostly local cattle herders.

"The crisis has rendered us homeless," Grace Emmanuel, one of the displaced told French news agency AFP.

"Our farmland has been destroyed and we are left to manage our lives here in this primary school."

Most of the displaced people have no food, and must fetch water from the well, which doesnt provide enough water for everyone.

"We are tired of being here, we appreciate the security coming, but it would be best if the government would deploy most of the security to the villages, so that we can get back," said Mary Ishaya, a displaced woman in Mangu district.

"But we are left here, with our children, no food, no medicine and the children are not going to school."

Security problems

The regional commander of Plateau's Operation Safe Haven campaign has relocated its headquarters temporarily to Mangu and deployed an extra 300 troops to the district with armoured vehicles.

"The people's army, when communities make distress calls, must respond as soon as possible," army chief of staff General Lagbaja told troops.

The clashes are just one of the major security challenges faced by new President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria.

Plateau State sits on the dividing line between Nigeria's mostly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south, and has for years been a flashpoint for tensions.

The trigger of the most recent attacks in Plateau remain unclear. Tensions between herders and farmers over land and resources often spiral into tit-for-tat village raids by armed gangs who kidnap, loot and kill.

(with AFP)
High Court Judge hearing the galamsey trial of Chinese National, Aisha Huang has cautioned her to desist from crying in court consistently.

This was after Aisha Huang broke down when Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa put it to the Chinese National that she purposely re-entered Ghana despite knowing she couldnt do so without the consent of the Comptroller General after she was repatriated for illegal mining offenses.

Aisha Huang had earlier told the court that she was not informed when she could return to the country after she was repatriated so she decided to come back after staying in China for a number of years.

With tears welling up in her eyes, she began to cry hysterically in open court but was cut short by Justice Osei Marfo.

Stop the interjection with the tears. It doesnt do anything to me. The question is harmless, just answer and go.

Today should be the last time youre crying in my court. If you want to cry, cry in prison before you come to my court. If she cries again it is deliberate. So I dont expect her to cry again, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo ordered.

The cross-examination of Aisha Huang is still ongoing.

-3news.com
One Sudanese child has been killed or wounded every hour on average during the country's brutal war that has now raged for 100 days, the UN children's agency said Monday.

The army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary forces of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo have been locked into a battle to "win or die" since April 15.

UNICEF said it had documented "2,500 severe violations of children's rights -- an average of at least one an hour" since the fighting began.

The agency said at least 435 children had been killed and 2,025 injured, but added that the true figure was likely far higher.

Another 14 million children are in need of humanitarian support, according to the agency.

Fighters of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in an image from April 23, 2023. By - (Rapid Support Forces (RSF)/AFP/File)

"Every day children are being killed, injured, abducted and seeing the schools, hospitals and the vital infrastructure and life-saving supplies they rely on damaged, destroyed or looted," said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations.

"Parents and grandparents who lived through previous cycles of violence are now having to watch their children and grandchildren experience similar horrific experiences."

'Brink of collapse'

A girl at a camp for the internally displaced in al-Suwar, about 15 kilometres north of Wad Madani, on June 22, 2023. By - (AFP/File)

At least 3,900 people of all ages have been killed across Sudan in the conflict, according to a conservative estimate.

More than 3.3 million have fled their homes, 700,000 of them to foreign countries. Millions more have been plunged into hunger.

Now, over half of Sudan's 48 million people need humanitarian aid to survive, but the UN and aid groups are struggling to help due to a lack of permits from the authorities and of funding from international donors.

The army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary forces of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo have been locked into a battle to 'win or die' since April 15. By - (AFP/File)

According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, Sudan is "on the brink of collapse, grappling with an unprecedented series of crises".

"Sudan was already facing an overwhelming and vastly neglected humanitarian crisis before the war broke out. The first 100 days of fighting have brought it to catastrophic levels."

The situation is expected to worsen during the rainy season which heightens the risk of flood, famine and the spread of diseases including malaria and cholera.

'None will return'

Sudan's war has sparked fears it will destabilise the wider region.

One of the top army commanders, Yasser Atta, fiercely criticized Kenya on Sunday over a proposal to consider sending African peacekeepers to Sudan.

"Let Kenya send its army and the armies of the countries that support it, along with all other mercenaries. None of their men will return," he declared to his forces.

Fighters of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces drive an armoured vehicle in southern Khartoum, on May 25, 2023. By - (AFP/File)

Some of the fiercest fighting has raged in the capital Khartoum, where the army has launched air strikes to try to dislodge the paramilitary RSF.

The army has also tried to cut off supplies to the RSF from the southern region of Darfur, a major stronghold of the paramilitaries and of Daglo.

On Monday, the army announced the closure of the highway linking Khartoum and Darfur because "it is used by rebels to transport looted goods to civilians and to bring mercenaries to Sudan".

"Any vehicle using that route will be a military target," the army added.

The conflict has been complicated as some of the country's myriad rebel groups have joined the fray.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, on Monday besieged Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, residents said.
National Council of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released guidelines for the conduct of its upcoming parliamentary primaries in constituencies with sitting party Members of Parliament (MP).

The guidelines were arrived at during a meeting held on Thursday, 20 July 2023.

Regional and Constituency Party executives who wish to contest in the primaries in Constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament shall resign from their respective positions not later than September 2023, according to the guidelines.

While Metropolitan, Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Constituencies where the party has sitting Members of Parliament are not eligible to contest in the parliamentary primaries for those Constituencies.

Also, at the same meeting, the recommendations by the Vetting Committee of the party clearing all 10 aspiring presidential candidates to contest in the electoral college was approved.

While the electoral college will be held in the regional capital of all 16 regions across the country despite a proposition for it to be held in one region with each delegate entitled to one vote to be cast by secret ballot for only one candidate.

It has also composed a committee to supervise the conduct of the special electoral college and national congress respectively.

The partys National Council further urged all candidates and their supporters to abide by the code of conduct for parliamentary and presidential elections and desist from unhealthy utterances and comments which do not augur well for unity and cohesion of the party.

- classfmonline.com
24.07.2023 LISTEN

Professor Dr Naail Mohammed Kamil, Head, Department of Human Resource and Organisational Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has urged Government not to cower to the pressure to accept LGBTQIA+ in Ghana.

He said this on Saturday during the Peace and Unity Convention 2023, organised by 1Ummah, a consortium of organisations striving to provide an enabling environment for better understanding of Islamic values.

It was on the theme: Pathways to Thrive: Embracing Uncertainty and Igniting Growth.

The two-day convention would allow more than 1,500 participants to interact daily with Islamic Clerics to address key issues that relate to the Muslim community.

LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term that includes people of all genders and sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies.

While each letter in LGBTQIA+ stands for a specific group of people, the term encompasses the entire spectrum of gender fluidity and sexual identities.

He said Ghana was a sovereign State and would not bow down to Western pressure to accept something, which was not in the fabric of the Ghanaian community.

Prof Kamil urged participants to discover their God-given gifts and abilities and use them to impact society positively.

He advised them to refrain from discriminating against others and remain humble irrespective of their achievements.

Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad, President of 1Ummah, said after about eight years of hosting the event in Nigeria, they decided to host it in Ghana for the first time because of the similarities in culture, values and rich history.

He said the event would improve quality of life through spiritual engagement and drawing strength from each other.

The scholars invited to speak at this event will also provide answers to issues burning inside the participants and help them handle challenges they are facing in life, he said.

Sheikh Dr Mohammed Salah, a renowned Egyptian Islamic Scholar, advised them to desist from any behaviour contrary to the teachings of Islam.

A Muslim who doesn't drink alcohol or indulge in betting should not venture into the sale of alcoholic beverages or encourage others to bet. You must be an example worthy of emulation, he said.

He encouraged them to be concerned about the welfare of others and Allah would also take care of their needs.

GNA
Ever since I noticed that the governorship election in Imo State of Nigeria was slated for Saturday 11 November 2023, I never seized to marvel at what God is saying to the people of Imo state. What could actually be the meaning of the hand writing on the wall of the state? Moreover, I wondered if I would ever be able to interpret that hand writing accurately. For instance, how come 11 November fell on a Saturday  a perfect day for civil servants, bank workers, traders and students to cast their votes? Was there something more I needed to know? And then I thought: what could have possibly made the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to choose this particular day for the election? Was it a random choice of date or a deliberate romance with history?

Those who are conversant with the history of nations and wars, including the Nigerian civil war, for which the Igbo have continually been vilified by a combination of some misguided Yoruba and Hausa political elites, will remember that 11 November always had a global significance. The First World War started on 28 July 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918. During those war years, much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. The entire countryside was blasted, bombarded and fought over repeatedly. Landscapes that were stunningly beautiful previously turned to mud. They became porous and barren lands where little or nothing could grow. But there was a remarkably striking exception to the gloom - the bright red poppies, resilient flowers that flourished in the middle of so much chaos and destruction, growing amiably in their thousands.

Many of those who follow the history of nations and wars will also remember that it was on 11 November 1918 that the Allied Forces and Germany signed the Armistice Document. That document was signed in the railway carriage of Ferdinand Foch , the Commander of the Allied Armies by 5 in the morning. Six hours later, at exactly 11 am, the First World War came to an end. Armistice Day became the anniversary of the end of the First World War and it marked the burial of the unknown soldiers in tombs in Paris and London. A similar ceremony was held in Americas Arlington National Cemetery , Virginia, in 1921. After that, many other countries around the world adopted the culture and Poppy or Remembrance Day became globally important.

The Armistice became globally known as the agreement to end fighting in the First World War and a prelude to peace negotiations that began on that same 11 November 1918. Armistice in Latin means to down arms. The red poppy, adopted as a symbol of that Remembrance Day, continued to symbolize Hope for a peaceful future. Poppies were sold and bought as a show of support for soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the peace of mind and freedom of their countrymen and women during that world war. The poppy still carries a wealth of history and meaning with it. But buying or wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories. Its purchase is never compulsory but it is greatly appreciated by those for whom it is intended to support.

So, what is possibly the reason behind INEC choosing 11 November for the governorship election in Imo State? Would the choice possibly have anything to do with the Remembrance or Poppy Day?

One fact everyone knows is that in the recent past, the state had been in the same condition as a local world war in which no one knew the enemy and no one knew the friend. Brothers betrayed brothers. Friends betrayed each other. People were told that in politics, there were no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. But no one ever knew what those permanent interests were. No one could readily explain what was going on in Imo State.

Military and paramilitary forces were being targeted and gunned down in cold blood. Innocent Imo youths were being targeted both by their civilian brothers and military and paramilitary forces and murdered just like that. Police and paramilitary forces were being targeted and gunned down at check points while on official duty. Royal fathers were being targeted in council meetings and even in their homes, kidnapped and murdered by unknown gunmen. In one instance, a judge was pulled out from the court while he was delivering judgment in a case and shot dead in the full glare of everybody in the court premises and no arrests were made. Politicians were being kidnapped from their homes or trailed on their way to or from political meetings and decimated in cold blood. So much atrocity was going on in the state that those Imo sons and daughters in the Diaspora who planned to spend the Christmas holiday with their kith and kin in the state had to cancel the idea because no one appeared to be safe anymore.

The very high level of confusion and bloodletting in the state seemed to have obviously overwhelmed the state government. At some point, Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma planned to invite all stakeholders, including past governors, top military officers in the state, traditional rulers, captains of business and media moguls to a Townhall meeting to proffer solutions on how the security of life and property in the state could be better managed. But the most annoying aspect of this degenerating situation was that the ruling All Progressives Congress government and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party kept trading blames and thereby inadvertently deepening the conflict. There had indeed been so much insecurity in Imo State, but now it looked like there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel after all, if only Imo people can listen to, and decipher, the voice of God talking to them.

So, how could the 11 November election possibly have any sort of bearing with the Remembrance or Poppy Day? My mind tells me the choice belongs to Imo people. It is either the day they finally bury the concept of unknown gunmen the same way unknown soldiers were buried after the First World War or the day they decide to become completely uncontrollable and stumble fully into the hands of the northern oligarchy of Nigeria, the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, the Sokoto Caliphate and the Borno Empire. The choice will be theirs, to mar or make their dear state in pursuit of their selfish personal aggrandizement or in pursuit of the public good, which will call for good leadership.

It is obvious that if they fail to down their arms from local government to local government before that 11 November and embrace the path of peace, reconciliation and brotherly love to grow their state and better the standard of living of their people, the federal government will not hesitate to place a red flag on the state and declare a state of emergency in it. A situation like that would further impoverish the economy of the southeast that has already suffered so much in the recent past in the hands of fake Biafra agitators. Trust the federal government. No one is yet sure of its plan to re-conquer the east after all that the people have passed through since the end of the civil war.

However, I am minded to think that a lot of what will happen on 11 November will depend on the outcome of the judgment of the Supreme Court now seeing into the presidential election petitions of aggrieved political parties which are contesting the validity of the presidential election result. Already, it is an open secret that sometimes the Supreme Court takes cover under the dictum of the erudite Imo Supreme Court jurist, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa who said: the Supreme Court is not supreme because it is infallible, it is infallible because it is supreme, to decide its judgments, even if they are bizarre.

The outcome of the petitions against the results of the presidential election of 25 February will certainly determine the future interest of Nigerians in the Nigerian electoral process. Because of their previous experiences, especially during their protest against police brutality and how they were hounded and some killed, many Nigerians, especially the young adults determined not only to vote as first timers, but more importantly, to defend their votes and to ensure that their voices and choices did count. But the electoral umpire disappointed them and announced what both local and international observers agreed was a doctored presidential election result. The aggrieved parties are in court and the world and Nigerians are gravely looking up to the Supreme Court to prove that it is not only above corruption but that it is indeed the bastion of justice and the last hope of the common man.

Already, some Nigerians have even avowed that hell would be let loose if the Supreme Court goes ahead to endorse INECs presidential choice for Nigerians. But contrary to some of these speculations that if the Supreme Court endorses the INEC selection of the APC candidate who was declared winner, the country would go crazy and there would be chaos in the land, nothing extraordinary is likely to happen. No one will possibly fight against the Supreme Court or against its findings and its ruling. No one will make any trouble knowing that it wont solve any problem. In fact what could possibly happen is that most Nigerians who defied rain and heavy sunshine to troop out in their droves to vote early in the year would lose interest in voting again. There would be no need for them to waste their precious time to come out and cast votes that will not count at the end of the day. That will be the beginning of the anarchy that Labour party vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed spoke about on television and his detractors kept calling for his head.

If this happens, it is likely to affect the voting on 11 November. There could be voter apathy, and if that is the case no one should feign surprise at why it is happening.

However, there is enough time between now and 10 November to still put things right, call a meeting of all political parties and all stakeholders to find a solution to this despicable epidemic that is threatening to ravage Imo State.

Given these facts, Imo people should seize the moment and take a stand on their future, party or no party. In a true democratic dispensation, a responsible opposition is the oxygen the government needs to breathe life into governance. And the Peoples Democratic Party, if it is a responsible opposition, would know that as the Shadow Government of Imo State, it is a norm of democracy that what concerns the state is eminently more important than what concerns either a political party or an individual. The issue of security in Imo state cannot be left to the ruling All Progressives Congress alone to resolve because it is a matter that concerns the entire state. In such situations, all parties must shield their political differences, prioritize the interest of their state and work together to restore normalcy.

Our people should play politics the way it is supposed to be played  in the interest of the masses, and to the glory of the politicians. The level of greediness that informs the current political aspirations of our people and tends to make the desire for public offices a do-or- die affair is not good enough or recommendable for our people. We need to aspire towards doing the right things the right way, all the time. That is the beauty of democracy. And that is what, I think, God is saying to Imo people right now. Let us all read the hand writing on the wall.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) commends The Church of Pentecost for its initiative to organise a 'National Development Conference' to discuss the need for a national moral vision and concerted effort at national development.

The two-day conference, which is being organized in partnership with the GJA, is scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the Pentecost Conference Centre at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.

It will bring together major development actors, partners and stakeholders to discuss the theme: Moral vision and national development.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will deliver the Keynote Address at the opening ceremony to be chaired by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo; former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama, and the GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, are also billed to speak at the opening ceremony.

The GJA finds the conference worthy and timely, given the heightened public discourse on moral values and national development in recent times.

"We are particularly enthused about the fact that The Church of Pentecost has stretched its arms very wide to engage key stakeholders to discuss the pertinent issues at stake, which initiative demonstrates the church's posture as a religious institution committed to both the spiritual and physical development of the people."

The GJA calls on the media to rally behind the worthy cause of The Church of Pentecost by carrying the discussions at the conference to the general public, and to, subsequently, explore the issues further for the good of the country.

The media, as agents of development, must always give prominence to issues and things that are moral and development-oriented.
Builsa South Member of Parliament Dr Clement Apaak has asked the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to be swift in investigating the resigned Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources Madam Ceclila Abena Dapaah.

Dr Apaak said the issues involving Madam Abena Dapaah are national issues that have generated intense public interest.

It is not just about arresting her, Ghanaians are expecting agility from the Special Prosecutor to get to the bottom of this issue, that we need to know the source of the money because we are in need of money as a country, the country is broke, we cant pay capitation grants, special need schools have not received feeding grants since January so yes we want to know the source of the money.

If it is our money, it should be returned with interest, Dr Apaak told journalists in Parliament on Monday, July 24.

The OSP has placed the immediate past Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecilia Abana Dapaah under arrest on Monday, July 24.

She is being interrogated by officers of the OSP, a statement said.

At 11:55 GMT on 24th July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22nd July 2023 was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses regarding large amounts of money and valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence. Ms Dapaah is being questioned by authorized officers of the OSP, the OSP said in the statement.

Madam Cecilia Dapaah tendered her resignation in a letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Saturday, July 22 barely 24 hours after news of some foreign cash stolen from her bedroom came to light.

I intend to cooperate fully with all the state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts, she assured in her letter.

I have no doubt that at the end of the processes it will be established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations, she further said.

Madam Cecilia Dapaah was 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.

She had earlier indicated that there were inconsistencies with the facts and the public reports.

She, therefore, insisted in her resignation letter that the figures put out in the public domain do not correctly reflect what she and her husband submitted to the police in their statement.

The former lawmaker, however, admits she understands the import of such stories around someone of her stature.

I am resigning, therefore, because I do not want such a matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.

-3news.com
A UK court on Monday ordered a former Nigerian politician and his criminal associates to repay A130 million ($167 million) that he looted while governor of Delta State.

James Ibori, the flamboyant governor of the oil-rich state in southern Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, was jailed in Britain in 2012 for money laundering and fraud following a Metropolitan Police operation.

Financial investigators from the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) then started confiscation proceedings.

They argued that Ibori had amassed a criminal fortune of almost A116 million, and the judge at a confiscation hearing in London's Southwark Crown Court on Monday ordered him to repay A101,514,315.21.

His UK based solicitor Badresh Babulal Gohil was ordered to repay A28,191,787.15.

Ibori will receive an eight-year jail term if he doesn't comply, while Gohil has six months to repay or face a further six years in prison.

The landmark corruption case led to a deal signed by Nigeria and Britain on repatriating the money.

The deal stipulates that Nigeria will use the funds to finance vital infrastructure projects.

"This confiscation order demonstrates our determination to pursue criminally obtained assets that have been invested in the UK," NCA Branch Commander Suzanne Foster said in a statement.

"Ibori was powerful and influential, but he was not above the law. Now the life he built from criminal enterprises has been taken from him," she added.

Ibori, a one-time cashier at a chain of British DIY stores, used public funds to buy luxury homes, top-of-the-range cars and a private jet.

Investigators focussed on the fraudulent sale and purchase of shares in Ibori's mobile phone company to Nigeria's Delta State and Akwa Ibom State.

He fled to Dubai in 2010 but was extradited to Britain, where he was sentenced and served four years of a 13-year jail term. He was released in December 2016.
In fact, coming to think of it, what Boakye Agyarko has revealed, talking about Gabby Okyere Darko, who took it upon himself to renegotiation a national assets contracts, the AMERI deal, all without a mandate or authorisation to do so.

Sir John, before he died, had made sure his hometown forest remained untouched but made sure he and his family would have their greedy share of Ga lands forever.

Cecillia Abenaa Dapaah has just left her duty post in disgrace, for which the president has warmly thanked her for unmatched and selfless contributions to the tidy living of mankind in Nima 441

As for those other thievery scandals, we will need over 317 pages, front and back, just to list them. Now, we have overtaken Nigeria in the corruption stakes. We, Ghana, now lead Nigeria on the corruption matrix. Who would've thought.

What does the constitution say. Shouldn't the president be summoned to the floor of parliament to answer basic questions? Ah! What country is this? So Akufo Addo and his family of plunder and loot brigade can do whatever they want and then hope that their surrogates will win upcoming elections so they can enjoy their ill-gotten wealth in safety. Seriously, this shouldn't be the case. Ghanaians in 2024 shouldn't allow looters to go free and live happily ever after.

Now we Ghanaians are learning the hard way. We ignored sound advice and warnings by those who knew akufo addo at close quarters. They warned us Ghanaians that should this akufo addo fellow ever get hold of power, the country will be in trouble. All those who told us Ghanaians to be weary of this akufo Addo, they've all been proven right, unfortunately. What a disaster, what a bloody shame.
In the face of mounting criticism and calls for the cancellation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the Finance Minister has stepped forward to defend the initiative, emphasizing the moral responsibility to ensure every Ghanaian child has access to education.

The policy has been under scrutiny due to challenges related to feeding and infrastructural issues in schools.

During a meeting with the business community ahead of the 2023 Mid-year Budget Review, the Finance Minister acknowledged the concerns surrounding the Free SHS policy and agreed that means testing could be a possible solution.

However, he emphasized that being a Ghanaian citizen entitles all children to the fundamental human right of education.

He argued that even if some parents may not be able or willing to support their childrens education, it is the collective responsibility of the nation to find a way for those children to receive an education.

There is the issue of Free Senior High School, people talk about us doing the means testing, which I agree, but we should also consider that that child is Ghanaian so the fact that the parent may not want to do it does not mean that as a Ghanaian citizen, I should not find a way for that child to go through Senior high.

In terms of the genuineness in placing this country where it should be, I can assure you that President Akufo-Addo and what he thinks about is the strength of the human capital at whatever cost. Get people educated, and it's limitless what they can do, the Finance Minister stated.

The Free SHS policy, which was introduced to provide free secondary education for all Ghanaian students, has faced challenges in recent times.

One of the major issues is related to feeding, with some schools struggling to provide adequate meals for their students due to funding and supply constraints.

As a result, there have been concerns that some schools may even have to consider shutting down if these problems persist.

The situation has sparked debates among citizens and policymakers alike, with some arguing that the policy needs to be reevaluated and possibly repealed to address the growing challenges effectively.

However, amid these calls for change, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has firmly assured the public that the Free Secondary Education Policy will remain intact.

It was noted that even in the context of seeking support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government is committed to preserving the policy and its fundamental goal of ensuring accessible education for all Ghanaian students.

-citinewsroom
An Accra Circuit Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a 32-year-old painter accused of USD40,000 fraud.

Michael Ansah, alias Paa, took the amount equivalent to GHC410,1000,000.00 belonging to Mr Quacy Freeman, under the pretext of offering him a Mercedes Benz.

Ansah is expected back in Court on August 16, 2023.

Meanwhile, Fred, his accomplice, cannot be traced.

Inspector Wisdom Alorwu said Quacy Freeman, the complainant was a trader and resident of Kwabenya.

The prosecution said Ansah was a Painter residing in Ogbojo, Accra, adding that in November 2022, he went to the shop of the complainant with pictures of a certain Mercedes Benz GL.E and convinced him that, the car, which was in the United States of America belonged to him.

He claimed he had bought the said vehicle and had been using same in the USA for some time now.

The prosecution said the accused produced a document supporting his entitlement to the vehicle.

It said that based on that, the accused person told the complainant to pay USS40,000.00 for him to ship the said vehicle for him.

The prosecution said the accused person after that introduced Fred to the complainant as the one who was keeping the vehicle in safe custody and that he would ship the vehicle.

The accused person demanded and collected a sum of USS40,000.00 equivalent to GHe410,100.00 from the complainant and promised to deliver the vehicle within one month but failed.

The prosecution said on June 05, 2022, the complainant reported the case to the Police and the following day he was arrested at Kwabenya.

During his arrest, the accused had a fierce struggle with the Police, and he managed to escape.

He was later traced to his hideout and arrested.

The prosecution said during the investigation, the accused person admitted the offences in his cautioned statement and stated that he was unable to ship the said vehicle because it was a vehicle, he stole from someone in the USA.

GNA
Proximity to neighbouring Burkina-Faso, high youth unemployment, general economic hardships, with emergence of inter-party and intra-party misunderstandings in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region, puts the youth at risk of vulnerable to radicalization.

Mr Mustapha Iddrisu, the Sissala West District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education who observed this, therefore, proposed periodical engagements with the youth and political parties to keep them informed on the negative consequences of activities of extremist groups to the lives and wellbeing of Ghanaians.

He said this during a day's engagement with youth groups in the district at Gwollu as part of the implementation of the European Union (EU) sponsored Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PVCE) project.

He said the engagement was aimed at sensitizing the youth to the negative consequences of joining violent extremists' groups and the legal framework that prohibited violent extremist activities and terrorism in the country.

Mr Iddrisu explained that the PCVE programme was also focused on building on the gains made through the implementation of previous EU sponsored programmes such as NORPREVSEC that was implemented by the Commission in 2021, to prevent violent extremism in the country.

According to him, the Commission recently carried out sensitization of identifiable groups and communities across the district under the PCVE programme, to promote social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and public participation in the fight against violent extremism.

Mr Iddrisu noted that as people living in border communities, much was expected of them as far as the fight against violent extremism was concerned and entreated them to channel their energies towards contributing to the fight against the menace.

He also reminded participants that the forefathers of the district did their best during the slave trade, to prevent slave raiders from entering the land by building the Gwollu Salve Defense Wall.

He said it was time for the current generation to emulate their grandfathers by building another wall to prevent extremist groups and their activities in the country.

He, however, noted that the kind of wall the current youth needed to build was not the physical wall, but rather a wall of ideas, unity, patriotism, nationalism and strategies to prevent extremist groups from extending their activities into the country.

In all, 61 people comprising 34 males and 27 females participated in the sensitization programme.

GNA
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has intensified its investigations into the huge sums of money stolen from the home of the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

On Monday evening, officials of the OSP conducted a search at the residence of the resigned Minister at Abelenkpe.

The search followed a press release from the OSP confirming the arrest of Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

At 11:55 GMT on 24 July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22 July 2023, was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence.

Ms. Dapaah is being questioned by authorised Officers of the OSP, parts of a release from the Office of the Special Prosecutor said.

Cecilia Abena Dapaah resigned as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources over the controversy for keeping US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis at home.

In her resignation letter, she indicated that she has taken the decision to leave her post because she does not want what is going on to distract the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Accepting the resignation letter, President Akufo-Addo thanked Cecilia Dapaah for her services, describing her work as excellent and productive.

The OSP has now taken an interest in the matter and started its investigation in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

Modernghana News can report that the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources is cooperating with the Office of the Special Prosecutor in its investigations.
24.07.2023 LISTEN

En Huang, aka Aisha Huang, an alleged illegal miner, says she was not told that she could not re-enter Ghana after her repatriation.

Aisha Huang also told an Accra High Court that she could not tell the exact date she re-entered Ghana, but said it was in July 2022.

She disagreed with the prosecution led by Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), that because her stay in Ghana was illegal, she went ahead to obtain a non-citizen Ghana Card.

If I knew I was illegally in Ghana, I could not have entered Ghana to apply for a non-citizen Ghana Card, the accused person said

When the prosecution told Aisha that she was in Ghana to continue with her illegal activities, she broke down in tears.

Her tears, however, drew a warning from the trial Judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, saying: Stop the interjection with tears. It does not do anything to me. I have developed a thick skin over such gestures.

Today should be the last time you are crying in court. If you want to cry, cry in prison before you come to court. Is somebody beating her? If she cries again then it's deliberate.

Answering questions under further cross-examination, Aisha said when she re-entered Ghana, she applied for a National Identification Card and COVID-19 Vaccination Card.

According to the accused person, someone took her to the facility, and she took her COVID-19 vaccination.

When the prosecution suggested to Aisha that she took her vaccination on April 24, 2022, she said she could not tell the date.

According to the witness, when she re-entered Ghana, she resided at Ahowdwo, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region.

Aisha disagreed with the prosecution that she deliberately moved all the way to Tamale in the Northern Region to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination Card although she was residing in Kumasi.

The accused person told the court that she travelled to Tamale in search of someone who owed her.

According to her, while in Tamale, she took advantage of the opportunity to obtain her COVID-19 Vaccination Card.

She disagreed with the prosecution that she had applied for a new Ghana Card so she could stay in Ghana.

Aisha's lawyer objected to the tendering of the National Identification Authority (NIA) application through Aisha.

According to Miracle Atachi, one of Aisha's lawyers, the NIA application form should be tendered through officials of the Authority, not through Aisha.

The trial judge in her ruling held that Aisha had just admitted that she signed the application form and admitted her name was on it.

It said sufficient explanation had been made in respect of the NIA application form.

The form was, therefore, tendered through Aisha and the same was admitted in evidence.

Aisha told the court that when she informed officials of the NIA that she had changed her, she was asked to go to Court to have it effected.

The accused said she, however, did not know the procedure by which the court conducted the change of name.

The hearing continues on July 25, 2023.

Aisha is being held on the charges of undertaking illegal mining operations without a license, facilitating the participation of persons to engage in illegal mining and re-entering Ghana though prohibited.

She has denied the charges and the court has remanded her into lawful custody.

GNA
Mrs Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the President of the Ghana Registered Nurses, and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has attributed the mass exodus of nurses and midwives from the country over the years to low salaries and poor conditions of service.

She said nurses and midwives in Ghana contributed to the health system through the varied roles they played in clinical practice, education, research, public health, rehabilitation, administration, and management, among others.

Sadly, salaries and other conditions of service are not the best, and that is why many of our colleagues continue to emigrate from Ghana to other high-income earning countries, seeking greener pastures. The negative impact of this trend cannot be underestimated, she said.

Mrs Ofori-Ampofo said this when she addressed members of the Association and stakeholders at the commissioning ceremony of a state-of-the-art GRNMA secretariat and guest house at Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.

Mrs Ofori-Ampofo called on the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, to as a matter of urgency, post the 2020 batch of nurses and midwives who were still languishing at home.

They need to be employed to support the system as others continue to leave. We need to make immediate efforts to boost the training of professional nurses at the diploma and degree levels, to address the eminent shortfalls which are likely soon.

As we continue to talk about this, ultimately, the GRNMA calls for the stoppage of the axillary nursing programmes in Ghana, because empirical evidence available has come to show, and continues to show that the patient is safest in the hands of highly skilled nurses and midwives, Mrs Ofori-Ampofo said.

She noted that it was important for the training of more nurses at the diploma and degree levels and stressed that the GRNMA's call was to have the auxiliary programme stopped.

Mrs Ofori-Ampofo insisted that all Ghanaians deserved to have safe and quality nursing and midwifery care and used the occasion to admonish members of the Association to continue providing the best care to their patients.

Ensure professionalism in every activity performed on the patient, and maintain standards as required for all procedures, this is very important, She advised.

She was in the company of the First Vice President of the Association, Mr Samuel Alagkora Akolgo, Mr Daniel Attah-Tuffour, Second Vice President, and Dr David Tenkorang Twum, General Secretary among other national executives.

The Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, who chaired the function, said nursing was a calling, If you are not tuned for nursing, do not go into it because you want employment.

According to him, some people were in the nursing profession due to a lack of jobs, and that translated into their output, and urged nurses and midwives to sacrifice to save lives.

As all of us are appealing that you should have good salaries, we still think that you should also exercise restraint when you decide to declare strike actions because by the time you would have been offered your money, some lives would have been lost and you cannot save those lives, he said.

The Tongraan, who is also a member of the Council of State for the Upper East Region, appealed to nurses and midwives, who wished to leave the country to exercise restraint, stay back and serve the country.

The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Association, Mr Thomas Lambon thanked the national leadership of the Association for facilitating the construction of the secretariat and guest house project and reiterated the need for members to stay united.

GNA
The Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) on behalf of the Government of Ghana, hosted Hon. Christopher T. Hanson, Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC), and his team on a two-day working visit to Ghana, from 20-21 July 2023.

The visit underscored the enduring partnership, significant shared commitment, and collaboration between the USNRC and the NRA which was initiated by the signing of an inaugural bilateral arrangement for cooperation and the exchange of technical information back in 2017.

Since then, both regulatory bodies have been engaged in frequent collaboration on various nuclear energy safety and security-related initiatives, especially as Ghana forges ahead in establishing a robust regulatory oversight programme for future nuclear power endeavours.

As part of the visit, Dr. Nii Kwashie Allotey, the Director-General of NRA, led the NRA-USNRC delegation to courtesy meetings with Hon. Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Hon. William Owuraku-Aidoo, a Deputy Minister for Energy.

These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the significant strides made in radiological regulation and nuclear safety and regulation and explored opportunities for further strengthening the bilateral relationship between the USNRC and the NRA.

They also visited some of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission's Laboratories, as well as the University of Ghana Medical Centre, a licensee of the NRA.

These visits offered valuable insights into the nation's nuclear research and medical applications, highlighting the positive impact of responsible nuclear technology and radiation usage.

At the end of the meetings during the visit, NRA and USNRC agreed to strengthen their partnership as Ghana develops its own strong, independent regulatory infrastructure and builds staff competencies for ensuring the protection of people and the environment against radiation hazards, in line with international standards and obligations.

In addition, USNRC offered to support the involvement of Ghana in the IAEA's Rays of Hope Initiative which seeks to build partnerships with governments, international financial institutions, and the private sector.

This aims to help bridge the gap in radiotherapy facilities to increase access to cancer care and ultimately save lives under the auspices of the Office of the Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

In conclusion, the NRA and USNRC have agreed to work together, towards ensuring the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation hazards, thereby building public trust.
Sharp Capital Gestora de Recursos Ltda. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 179,142 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $7,069,000. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF makes up approximately 5.7% of Sharp Capital Gestora de Recursos Ltda.s portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, ZRC Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.70% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Trading Up 1.6 %

NYSEARCA:EEM traded up $0.65 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $40.97. 15,019,707 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 31,905,266. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $39.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.65. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 1 year low of $33.49 and a 1 year high of $42.53.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index).

Further Reading

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Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM  Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) had its price target lowered by National Bank Financial from C$98.00 to C$92.00 in a report issued on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Agnico Eagle Mines Q2 2023 earnings at $0.79 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $3.74 EPS.

A number of other research firms have also commented on AEM. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$89.00 to C$91.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$98.00 to C$92.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$65.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$78.11.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

AEM opened at C$68.86 on Friday. Agnico Eagle Mines has a fifty-two week low of C$48.88 and a fifty-two week high of C$82.90. The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$68.36 and a 200 day moving average of C$70.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.70, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 2.32. The firm has a market cap of C$34.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.22, a PEG ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 0.80.

Agnico Eagle Mines Increases Dividend

Agnico Eagle Mines ( TSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (NYSE:AEM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported C$0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.68 by C$0.09. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 13.14% and a net margin of 39.97%. The business had revenue of C$2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$1.76 billion. On average, research analysts expect that Agnico Eagle Mines will post 2.7129485 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.541 per share. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. This is a boost from Agnico Eagle Miness previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is 31.75%.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

(Get Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $142.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com cut Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $141.00 to $137.00 in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Mizuho dropped their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $180.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $198.00 to $166.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Alexandria Real Estate Equities currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $163.38.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:ARE opened at $123.23 on Thursday. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 52-week low of $108.81 and a 52-week high of $172.65. The stock has a market cap of $21.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.92. The businesss 50 day moving average is $116.63 and its 200 day moving average is $131.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend

Alexandria Real Estate Equities ( NYSE:ARE Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($1.71). The company had revenue of $700.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $686.70 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a net margin of 28.01% and a return on equity of 3.77%. The firms revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.05 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 8.95 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th were given a $1.24 dividend. This is a boost from Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.21. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.02%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 109.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Joel S. Marcus sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.20, for a total value of $916,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 351,354 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,935,458.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alexandria Real Estate Equities

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 2,512 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $366,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 1,841 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $268,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,083 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $449,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Seaport Global Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Seaport Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,047 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $153,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 1,086 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $219,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.60% of the companys stock.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since its founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

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Baillie Gifford & Co. lessened its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 2.0% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 319,144 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 6,573 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co.s holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $488,357,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 72.7% during the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 19 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 8 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 43.8% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 23 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 84.6% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 24 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.89% of the companys stock.

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Mettler-Toledo International Trading Up 0.6 %

MTD traded up $7.54 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $1,369.40. The companys stock had a trading volume of 42,652 shares, compared to its average volume of 105,661. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.98. The firm has a market cap of $30.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.77, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.15. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1,323.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,439.14. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 52-week low of $1,065.55 and a 52-week high of $1,615.97.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mettler-Toledo International

Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $8.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $928.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $921.19 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 4,833.51% and a net margin of 22.45%. The firms revenue was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $7.87 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 43.85 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total value of $1,197,336.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total transaction of $1,197,336.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Christian Magloth sold 725 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,384.65, for a total value of $1,003,871.25. Following the sale, the insider now owns 730 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,010,794.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,417 shares of company stock worth $4,731,561 in the last 90 days. 2.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MTD shares. Bank of America cut their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,650.00 to $1,525.00 in a research note on Sunday, May 7th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,700.00 to $1,650.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,675.00 to $1,660.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,513.00 to $1,454.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mettler-Toledo International has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,502.71.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

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Barclays PLC (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 239.75 ($3.13).

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Barclays from GBX 300 ($3.92) to GBX 320 ($4.18) and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Barclays from GBX 210 ($2.75) to GBX 180 ($2.35) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 270 ($3.53) price target on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th.

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Insider Activity at Barclays

In related news, insider Anna Cross sold 68,659 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 154 ($2.01), for a total value of 105,734.86 ($138,251.65). Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Barclays Stock Performance

Barclays Company Profile

Barclays stock opened at GBX 161.88 ($2.12) on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 154.75 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 160.76. The company has a market cap of 25.17 billion, a PE ratio of 494.73, a PEG ratio of -1.09 and a beta of 1.34. Barclays has a fifty-two week low of GBX 128.12 ($1.68) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 198.86 ($2.60).

(Get Free Report

Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through two segments, Barclays UK and Barclays International divisions. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

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Atalaya Mining (LON:ATYM  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by equities researchers at Berenberg Bank in a research report issued on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They presently have a GBX 420 ($5.49) price objective on the stock. Berenberg Banks price target points to a potential upside of 28.05% from the companys current price.

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 600 ($7.85) price objective on shares of Atalaya Mining in a research report on Monday, May 15th.

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Atalaya Mining Stock Down 0.9 %

LON:ATYM traded down GBX 3 ($0.04) during trading hours on Friday, hitting GBX 328 ($4.29). 52,745 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 248,323. The firm has a market cap of 458.81 million, a P/E ratio of 2,186.67, a P/E/G ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 1.71. Atalaya Mining has a twelve month low of GBX 183 ($2.39) and a twelve month high of GBX 385 ($5.03). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.42, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 1.69. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 324.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 341.03.

About Atalaya Mining

Atalaya Mining Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mineral exploration and development in Spain. The company's flagship property is its 100% owned Proyecto Riotinto mine, an open-pit copper mine located in the Andalusia region of Spain. It produces copper concentrates, including silver by-products.

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CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA  Get Free Report) shares were up 4.7% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $51.80 and last traded at $51.09. Approximately 291,107 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 2,100,710 shares. The stock had previously closed at $48.78.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on CAVA shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on CAVA Group in a report on Monday, July 10th. They set an equal weight rating and a $43.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on CAVA Group in a report on Monday, July 10th. They set an overweight rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. William Blair assumed coverage on CAVA Group in a research note on Monday, July 10th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on CAVA Group in a research note on Monday, July 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $48.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on CAVA Group in a research note on Monday, July 10th. They issued a neutral rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $45.86.

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CAVA Group Stock Performance

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram acquired 2,295 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $50,490.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 1,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,000. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other CAVA Group news, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram purchased 2,295 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $50,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,000. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar purchased 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $55,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $55,000. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 9,295 shares of company stock valued at $204,490.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CAVA Group

CAVA Group Company Profile

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in CAVA Group stock. Cypress Wealth Services LLC purchased a new position in CAVA Group, Inc. ( NYSE:CAVA Free Report ) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 4,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $202,000.

(Get Free Report)

CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of Mediterranean restaurants. The company offers salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. It sells its products through whole food markets and grocery stores. The company also provides online food ordering services. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.

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Oppenheimer cut shares of Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT  Free Report) from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Marketbeat reports. The firm currently has $14.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on CLDT. B. Riley reduced their target price on Chatham Lodging Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com started coverage on Chatham Lodging Trust in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Chatham Lodging Trust Stock Performance

Shares of Chatham Lodging Trust stock opened at $9.46 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $462.22 million, a P/E ratio of 67.57 and a beta of 1.76. The firms 50 day moving average is $9.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.90. Chatham Lodging Trust has a 52 week low of $9.02 and a 52 week high of $14.38.

Chatham Lodging Trust Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. Chatham Lodging Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 200.00%.

In other Chatham Lodging Trust news, Director Edwin B. Brewer, Jr. purchased 8,800 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average price of $18.95 per share, for a total transaction of $166,760.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 18,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at $356,260. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 5.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Chatham Lodging Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Chatham Lodging Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new position in Chatham Lodging Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $454,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 94.6% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,353 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,630 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Chatham Lodging Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 57.5% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $118,000 after acquiring an additional 3,111 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.68% of the companys stock.

About Chatham Lodging Trust

(Get Free Report)

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused primarily on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels. The company owns 39 hotels totaling 5,915 rooms/suites in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

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Capital Power (TSE:CPX  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by CIBC from C$50.00 to C$49.00 in a research note published on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBC currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Capital Power from C$50.00 to C$48.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 30th. National Bankshares decreased their price target on shares of Capital Power from C$53.00 to C$52.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. ATB Capital lowered their price target on Capital Power from C$50.00 to C$48.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, CSFB raised their price objective on Capital Power from C$53.50 to C$54.00 in a report on Friday, March 31st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$51.20.

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Capital Power Trading Up 1.2 %

CPX opened at C$42.01 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 129.45, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.79. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$43.71 and its 200-day moving average price is C$43.60. Capital Power has a one year low of C$39.33 and a one year high of C$51.90. The stock has a market cap of C$4.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.56.

Capital Power Announces Dividend

Capital Power ( TSE:CPX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The company reported C$2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.22 by C$1.16. Capital Power had a return on equity of 10.18% and a net margin of 8.68%. The company had revenue of C$1.27 billion for the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that Capital Power will post 4.631753 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 Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.52%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. Capital Powers payout ratio is 102.65%.

Capital Power Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Capital Power Corporation develops, acquires, owns, and operates renewable and thermal power generation facilities in Canada and the United States. It generates electricity from various energy sources, including wind, solar, waste heat, natural gas, and coal. The company owns an approximately 7,500 megawatts of power generation capacity at 29 facilities.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Enservco (NYSEAMERICAN:ENSV  Free Report) in a research report report published on Thursday. The firm issued a sell rating on the oil and gas producers stock.

Enservco Stock Performance

Shares of ENSV stock opened at $0.40 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.21 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.83 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.02, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The business has a fifty day moving average of $0.36 and a 200 day moving average of $0.71. Enservco has a 1 year low of $0.28 and a 1 year high of $3.22.

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Enservco (NYSEAMERICAN:ENSV  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The oil and gas producer reported ($0.07) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.91 million during the quarter. Enservco had a negative return on equity of 129.30% and a negative net margin of 25.76%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Enservco

About Enservco

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Enservco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Enservco by 220.6% during the 1st quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 71,176 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 48,976 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Enservco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $46,000. Northern Trust Corp acquired a new position in shares of Enservco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, State Street Corp acquired a new position in shares of Enservco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $76,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.14% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Enservco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides well enhancement and fluid management services to the onshore oil and natural gas industry. It offers hot oiling and acidizing, frac water heating, pressure testing, acidizing, and water hauling services, as well as well site construction services.

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Ethernity Networks Ltd. (LON:ENET  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 1.70 ($0.02) and last traded at GBX 1.80 ($0.02), with a volume of 110888 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1.75 ($0.02).

Ethernity Networks Stock Up 2.9 %

The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 2.47 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 5.45. The firm has a market cap of 2.46 million, a PE ratio of -21.88 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.32.

About Ethernity Networks

(Get Free Report)

Ethernity Networks Ltd. provides technology solutions for telecom, mobile, security, and data center markets in Asia, Europe, Israel, and the United States. The company develops and delivers data processing technology and solutions for carrier Ethernet switching. It provides ENET flow processors for telco/cloud network; ACE-NIC40 SmartNIC, an open flow enabled software acceleration NIC; ACE-NIC50 SmartNIC, which offers 10/25G Ethernet connectivity and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) acceleration; and ACE-NIC100 SmartNIC that provides flexible 10/25/40/100G Ethernet connectivity and programmable FPGA acceleration.

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Factorial Partners LLC raised its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 16.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 51,800 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,500 shares during the quarter. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for about 2.7% of Factorial Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Factorial Partners LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $3,590,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BMY. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter worth approximately $332,000. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $150,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,075,000 after purchasing an additional 57,444 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter worth approximately $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $24,725,000 after purchasing an additional 68,018 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total transaction of $3,378,818.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

BMY stock traded up $0.54 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $65.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,327,254 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,087,241. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $64.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $61.40 and a 1 year high of $81.43. The stock has a market cap of $137.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.86, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.96 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.02 EPS for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.50%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 66.47%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on BMY. Credit Suisse Group lowered their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $72.00 to $66.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. HSBC initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, July 14th. They set a reduce rating and a $56.00 price objective for the company. SVB Leerink restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, SVB Securities initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $66.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given 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.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.19.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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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).

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Factorial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 1,500 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $709,000.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Chelsea Counsel Co. purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Investors Research Corp boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 51.1% in the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 71 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 192.3% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 76 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. 92.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UNH. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $610.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday, April 17th. Piper Sandler began coverage on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, May 25th. They set an overweight rating and a $580.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. SVB Securities lowered their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $625.00 to $560.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $600.00 to $549.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $583.40.

Insiders Place Their Bets

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.4 %

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $506.19, for a total value of $2,024,760.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 78,573 shares in the company, valued at $39,772,866.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE UNH traded up $2.05 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $508.58. 353,043 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,662,190. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $445.68 and a 12-month high of $558.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $479.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $484.63. The firm has a market cap of $473.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.66.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.92 by $0.22. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.06% and a return on equity of 26.72%. The company had revenue of $92.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.57 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Groups quarterly revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.84 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 19th were issued a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 33.65%.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Farmland Partners (NYSE:FPI  Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Saturday.

Farmland Partners Stock Up 0.8 %

FPI stock opened at $13.17 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $11.97 and a 200-day moving average of $11.58. Farmland Partners has a 12-month low of $9.44 and a 12-month high of $15.12. The firm has a market cap of $683.65 million, a PE ratio of 73.17 and a beta of 0.81.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Farmland Partners by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 60,483 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 6,227 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in Farmland Partners by 97.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 256,463 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,526,000 after buying an additional 126,643 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Farmland Partners by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 171,394 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,357,000 after buying an additional 7,637 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Farmland Partners during the 1st quarter valued at $225,000. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Farmland Partners during the 1st quarter valued at $163,000. 52.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Farmland Partners Company Profile

Farmland Partners Inc is an internally managed real estate company that owns and seeks to acquire high-quality North American farmland and makes loans to farmers secured by farm real estate. As of March 31, 2023, the Company owns and/or manages approximately 194,700 acres in 19 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

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FC Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Free Report) by 2.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,239 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 334 shares during the quarter. FC Advisory LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $575,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 108,287.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 296,468,035 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $11,556,324,000 after purchasing an additional 296,194,508 shares during the period. Empower Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,067,692,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 23.4% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 42,213,094 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,460,972,000 after acquiring an additional 8,015,875 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 272.4% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 8,568,232 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $329,037,000 after acquiring an additional 6,267,408 shares during the period. Finally, Betterment LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 71,776,690 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,797,855,000 after acquiring an additional 5,650,398 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF stock traded up $0.62 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $41.96. 3,694,807 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,330,471. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $40.64. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a fifty-two week low of $34.88 and a fifty-two week high of $43.22. The stock has a market cap of $74.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69.

About Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

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Shares of Fresnillo plc (LON:FRES  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Reduce from the eight research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and six have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 700.63 ($9.16).

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Fresnillo from GBX 630 ($8.24) to GBX 525 ($6.86) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Fresnillo from GBX 690 ($9.02) to GBX 620 ($8.11) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st.

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Fresnillo Stock Up 0.1 %

Fresnillo stock opened at GBX 626.60 ($8.19) on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 642.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 737.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 3.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.64. Fresnillo has a 1-year low of GBX 589.60 ($7.71) and a 1-year high of GBX 996.80 ($13.03). The firm has a market capitalization of 4.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,155.17, a P/E/G ratio of -1.58 and a beta of 0.19.

About Fresnillo

Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. lifted its stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 41.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 20,817 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,145 shares during the quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $9,840,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LMT. Mcdonald Partners LLC grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 1,865 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $882,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 21 shares during the period. Alhambra Investment Partners LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 22 shares during the period. M Holdings Securities Inc. lifted 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 purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Finally, Connecticut Wealth Management LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Lockheed Martin

In other news, Director John Donovan acquired 548 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $457.07 per share, for a total transaction of $250,474.36. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 3,378 shares in the company, valued at $1,543,982.46. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.17% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Lockheed Martin Stock Performance

LMT stock opened at $454.67 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $114.50 billion, a PE ratio of 16.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87. The business has a 50 day moving average of $456.82 and a 200-day moving average of $465.76. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 12-month low of $381.55 and a 12-month 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 the consensus estimate of $6.45 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $16.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.92 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 71.67% and a net margin of 10.48%. Lockheed Martins quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $6.32 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 1st will be paid a $3.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.64%. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is 43.88%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LMT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $478.00 to $496.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com lowered Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $532.00 target price on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Robert W. Baird lowered Lockheed Martin from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $513.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Lockheed Martin from $579.00 to $555.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $499.43.

About Lockheed Martin

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 24.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,948 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,142 shares during the period. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $6,507,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of LLY. Y.D. More Investments Ltd acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bogart Wealth LLC increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 193.3% during the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 97.8% during the 4th quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.25% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on LLY shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Guggenheim cut their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $447.00 to $498.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $408.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $458.36.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Shares of LLY stock opened at $461.24 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $437.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.38. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $296.32 and a 52 week 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 50 day moving average of $446.38 and a 200-day moving average of $386.71.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.62 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 71.86%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the nineteen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have assigned a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $97.00.

Several research analysts have commented on LYB shares. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $130.00 to $121.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Citigroup started coverage on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $89.00 price objective for the company. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $113.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $100.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $100.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th.

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LyondellBasell Industries Trading Up 0.7 %

LYB stock opened at $91.77 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $90.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $92.25. LyondellBasell Industries has a fifty-two week low of $71.46 and a fifty-two week high of $101.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.85. The firm has a market cap of $29.85 billion, a PE ratio of 9.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.21.

LyondellBasell Industries Increases Dividend

LyondellBasell Industries ( NYSE:LYB Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.70. LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 6.40% and a return on equity of 28.95%. The firm had revenue of $10.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.00 earnings per share. LyondellBasell Industriess revenue for the quarter was down 22.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.45%. This is an increase from LyondellBasell Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $1.19. LyondellBasell Industriess dividend payout ratio is 54.11%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 162.6% during the 1st quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 533 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 23.0% during the 4th quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,439 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 831 shares during the period. Cognios Beta Neutral Large Cap Fund LP purchased a new stake in LyondellBasell Industries in the 4th quarter valued at about $529,000. Torray Investment Partners LLC raised its holdings in LyondellBasell Industries by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Torray Investment Partners LLC now owns 31,434 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,610,000 after buying an additional 675 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp raised its holdings in LyondellBasell Industries by 673.4% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 29,860 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,479,000 after buying an additional 25,999 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.58% of the companys stock.

LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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O Brien Greene & Co. Inc increased its position in shares of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) by 1.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 53,966 shares of the medical technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 678 shares during the quarter. Medtronic makes up about 1.6% of O Brien Greene & Co. Incs portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. O Brien Greene & Co. Incs holdings in Medtronic were worth $4,351,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Smith Salley & Associates raised its holdings in Medtronic by 31.5% in the 1st quarter. Smith Salley & Associates now owns 178,526 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $14,393,000 after buying an additional 42,783 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co. increased its stake in Medtronic by 6.5% during the first quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 464,089 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $37,415,000 after purchasing an additional 28,444 shares during the period. Aspire Private Capital LLC increased its stake in Medtronic by 108.6% during the first quarter. Aspire Private Capital LLC now owns 1,170 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares during the period. West Family Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in Medtronic during the first quarter worth about $339,000. Finally, Savant Capital LLC increased its stake in Medtronic by 43.7% during the first quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 6,588 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $531,000 after purchasing an additional 2,004 shares during the period. 80.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Hoedt Rob Ten sold 5,514 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.58, for a total value of $477,402.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 43,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,792,377.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.97, for a total transaction of $175,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 23,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,106,705.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Hoedt Rob Ten sold 5,514 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.58, for a total transaction of $477,402.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 43,802 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,792,377.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Medtronic Stock Up 0.3 %

A number of analysts have issued reports on MDT shares. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on shares of Medtronic from $100.00 to $99.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $89.00 price objective on shares of Medtronic in a research report on Friday, April 21st. 22nd Century Group reissued an initiates rating on shares of Medtronic in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Barclays raised Medtronic from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, CL King assumed coverage on Medtronic in a research report on Friday, June 30th. They set a buy rating and a $106.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $90.72.

MDT traded up $0.26 on Monday, reaching $89.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,333,825 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,901,954. The company has a market capitalization of $118.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.72. Medtronic plc has a fifty-two week low of $75.76 and a fifty-two week high of $95.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $86.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of $84.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 25th. The medical technology company reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.25 billion. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.54% and a net margin of 12.03%. The companys revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.52 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Medtronic plc will post 5.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Medtronic Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 23rd were issued a $0.69 dividend. This is an increase from Medtronics previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 22nd. Medtronics dividend payout ratio is presently 97.87%.

Medtronic Profile

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Morgan Stanley cut shares of Pernod Ricard (OTCMKTS:PDRDF  Free Report) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report released on Thursday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on PDRDF. HSBC downgraded Pernod Ricard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Pernod Ricard from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, March 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$243.33.

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Pernod Ricard Stock Up 5.6 %

OTCMKTS:PDRDF opened at C$229.25 on Thursday. The firms 50 day moving average is C$219.47 and its 200 day moving average is C$217.31. Pernod Ricard has a 12 month low of C$164.11 and a 12 month high of C$238.75.

Pernod Ricard Company Profile

Pernod Ricard SA produces and sells wines and spirits worldwide. The company offers whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, liqueur and bitters, champagne, tequila and mezcal, and aperitif under the brands 100 Pipers, Aberlour, Absolut, Absolut Elyx, Altos, ARARAT, Augier, Avion, Ballantine's, Becherovka, Beefeater, Blenders Pride, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Ceder's, Chivas, Church Road, Clan Campbell, Del Maguey, George Wyndham, Green Spot, Havana Club, Imperial, Imperial Blue, Italicus, J.P.

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Torex Gold Resources (OTCMKTS:TORXF  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by National Bank Financial from C$25.50 to C$25.00 in a research note released on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Separately, Scotiabank assumed coverage on Torex Gold Resources in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. They issued a sector perform rating for the company.

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Torex Gold Resources Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:TORXF opened at $14.10 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $14.66 and its 200-day moving average is $14.61. Torex Gold Resources has a 1-year low of $5.75 and a 1-year high of $19.00.

About Torex Gold Resources

Torex Gold Resources Inc operates as an intermediate gold producer in Mexico. It primarily holds a 100% interest in the Morelos Gold property that covers an area of 29,000 hectares located southwest of Mexico City. The company's principal assets include the El Limon Guajes mining complex comprising the El Limon Guajes open pits, the El Limon Guajes underground mine, and the processing plant and related infrastructure, and the Media Luna deposit, which is an advanced stage development project.

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Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) is one of 93 publicly-traded companies in the Fire, marine, & casualty insurance industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Everest Group to related companies based on the strength of its profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, institutional ownership and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Everest Group and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Everest Group 0 0 0 1 4.00 Everest Group Competitors 567 2872 2689 159 2.39

Everest Group currently has a consensus target price of $450.00, indicating a potential upside of 21.59%. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies have a potential downside of 1.66%. Given Everest Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Everest Group is more favorable than its peers.

Risk and Volatility

Dividends

Everest Group has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Everest Groups peers have a beta of 0.61, indicating that their average stock price is 39% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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 14.6% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Everest Group and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Everest Group $12.06 billion $597.00 million 21.95 Everest Group Competitors $14.51 billion -$203.63 million -21.04

Everest Groups peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Everest Group. Everest 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.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

94.4% of Everest Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.6% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Everest Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 14.8% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies 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.

Profitability

This table compares Everest Group and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Everest Group 5.34% 12.98% 2.79% Everest Group Competitors -4.55% -15.34% -0.48%

Summary

Everest Group beats its peers on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

About Everest 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. 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.

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Tobam boosted its position in Rogers Communications Inc. (NYSE:RCI  Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) by 1.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 232,451 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after buying an additional 2,653 shares during the quarter. Tobams holdings in Rogers Communications were worth $10,733,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in Rogers Communications by 24.8% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 6,553 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $307,000 after buying an additional 1,304 shares during the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its position in Rogers Communications by 11.5% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 12,680 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $593,000 after purchasing an additional 1,307 shares during the last quarter. Connectus Wealth LLC grew its position in Rogers Communications by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. Connectus Wealth LLC now owns 32,922 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $1,544,000 after purchasing an additional 2,427 shares during the last quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. grew its position in Rogers Communications by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 174,560 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $8,080,000 after purchasing an additional 5,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Scotia Capital Inc. boosted its position in shares of Rogers Communications by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 2,417,281 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $112,903,000 after acquiring an additional 43,130 shares in the last quarter. 40.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

RCI has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Rogers Communications from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Desjardins downgraded shares of Rogers Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of Rogers Communications in a report on Monday, May 8th. They set an overweight rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.09.

Rogers Communications Price Performance

Shares of NYSE RCI traded up $0.45 during trading on Monday, reaching $45.25. The company had a trading volume of 59,371 shares, compared to its average volume of 298,858. Rogers Communications Inc. has a 52 week low of $36.23 and a 52 week high of $50.16. The stock has a market cap of $22.85 billion, a PE ratio of 17.10, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 1.91. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $45.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.92.

Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI  Get Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.78 by $0.03. Rogers Communications had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 19.36%. The company had revenue of $2.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.71 billion. Analysts expect that Rogers Communications Inc. will post 3.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Rogers Communications Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This is a boost from Rogers Communicationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.27%. Rogers Communicationss payout ratio is currently 56.11%.

Rogers Communications Profile

(Free Report)

Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in North America. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device financing, device protection, global voice and data roaming, wireless home phone, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device shipping services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands.

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Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $183.00 to $185.00 in a research report released on Thursday.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Travelers Companies from $188.00 to $182.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 10th. Barclays upped their price target on Travelers Companies from $179.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Roth Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from C$183.00 to C$185.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $208.00 to $176.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Nine investment 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $193.77.

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Travelers Companies Stock Performance

Shares of TRV opened at $172.82 on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $174.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $178.17. Travelers Companies has a 12 month low of $149.65 and a 12 month high of $194.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The insurance provider reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.05 by ($1.99). The company had revenue of $10.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.97 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 5.77% and a return on equity of 10.79%. Travelers Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.57 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Travelers Companies will post 13.76 EPS for the current year.

Travelers Companies announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, April 19th that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the insurance provider to buy up to 12.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.31%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 42.60%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total value of $1,873,481.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total transaction of $1,873,481.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares in the company, valued at $2,574,528. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andy F. Bessette sold 11,572 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.14, for a total value of $2,061,436.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,092,688.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Travelers Companies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the first quarter worth $160,000. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its position in Travelers Companies by 28.8% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,934 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,084,000 after purchasing an additional 1,327 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its stake in Travelers Companies by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 11,905 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,210,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL increased its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 40.6% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 51,551 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $9,420,000 after buying an additional 14,873 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 27,212 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,952,000 after buying an additional 1,286 shares during the last quarter. 81.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Travelers Companies

(Get Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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Raymond James upgraded shares of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Free Report) from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. UBS Group downgraded U.S. Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $46.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Bank of America raised shares of U.S. Bancorp from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $38.00 to $40.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $39.00 to $33.00 in a report on Sunday, June 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $48.58.

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U.S. Bancorp Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of U.S. Bancorp stock opened at $38.42 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $32.83 and a 200-day moving average of $38.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $58.89 billion, a PE ratio of 10.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.96. U.S. Bancorp has a 1-year low of $27.27 and a 1-year high of $49.95.

U.S. Bancorp Announces Dividend

U.S. Bancorp ( NYSE:USB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.01). U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 16.59%. The company had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.09 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. U.S. Bancorps payout ratio is currently 53.19%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Scott W. Wine bought 30,438 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $32.85 per share, for a total transaction of $999,888.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $999,888.30. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other U.S. Bancorp news, Director Richard P. Mckenney bought 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $30.37 per share, with a total value of $607,400.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 20,000 shares in the company, valued at $607,400. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Scott W. Wine bought 30,438 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $32.85 per share, with a total value of $999,888.30. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 30,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $999,888.30. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 66,698 shares of company stock valued at $2,104,682 over the last 90 days. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of U.S. Bancorp

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in USB. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in U.S. Bancorp by 97,087.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 683,204,992 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $22,573,093,000 after purchasing an additional 682,502,016 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in U.S. Bancorp by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 104,397,877 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,763,543,000 after purchasing an additional 3,909,037 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in U.S. Bancorp by 130,768.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 60,273,882 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,628,544,000 after purchasing an additional 60,227,825 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in U.S. Bancorp by 43.0% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 46,837,595 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,688,496,000 after purchasing an additional 14,080,781 shares during the period. Finally, Mufg Bank LTD. acquired a new stake in U.S. Bancorp during the 4th quarter worth about $1,935,157,000. 74.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

U.S. Bancorp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates in Corporate and Commercial Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Investment Services, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support segments.

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Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY23 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $16.00-18.00 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.91. The company issued revenue guidance of $19.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $19.30 billion.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Whirlpool from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their target price for the company from $170.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $90.00 to $87.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $130.40.

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Whirlpool Stock Performance

NYSE:WHR traded up $1.03 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $150.76. 951,822 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 742,878. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.52. Whirlpool has a 1-year low of $124.10 and a 1-year high of $178.05. The company has a 50-day moving average of $143.16 and a 200 day moving average of $141.17.

Insider Activity

Whirlpool ( NYSE:WHR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The company reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.52. The firm had revenue of $4.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.50 billion. Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 10.34% and a positive return on equity of 28.28%. Whirlpools quarterly revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.31 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Whirlpool will post 16.23 EPS for the current year.

In related news, EVP Juan Carlos Puente sold 420 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.16, for a total value of $56,347.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,699 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,374,497.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.85% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Whirlpool by 3.6% in the second quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 1,719 shares of the companys stock worth $266,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems raised its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 4,267 shares of the companys stock worth $575,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Whirlpool by 96.2% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 204 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its position in Whirlpool by 7.1% during the third quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,517 shares of the companys stock valued at $204,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Utah Retirement Systems increased its holdings in Whirlpool by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 9,598 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,358,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.04% of the companys stock.

Whirlpool Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.

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Are Indians borrowing to live it up? In recent months, there has been a significant jump in the retail book of banks, particularly credit cards and other personal loans. In the 12 months ending May 31, credit card outstanding has grown by close to 30 percent, almost at the same pace as the preceding 12 months. The overall industry loan growth has been 15.6 percent. Its not just credit card spending, other personal loans, too, have grown around 23 percent from the previous year.



Why its a worry



What's so special about these numbers? These are unsecured loans  banks do not have collateral against them. In the event of a credit failure, lenders will be sitting ducks, not a healthy scenario for an industry that has just about managed to get its books in order.



Some early signs of stress are already visible. While announcing the April-June quarter earnings, private lender Kotak Mahindra Bank said its chunk of unsecured retail loans as a percentage of the total book grew close to 11 percent from 7.9 percent in the year-ago quarter. Retail microfinance loans surged 91 percent over the year-ago quarter and credit card outstanding jumped 67 percent.



Retail microloans are extended to low-income groups which are typically small businessmen and vendors. These loans are tricky as cash flows typically take a hit during a down cycle. The trend is in line with the industry where banks are stepping up lending to unsecured loans post Covid.







In a post-earnings interaction with the media, chief financial officer Jaimin Bhatt said Kotak Mahindra Bank witnessed slippages from segments such as tractor finance and unsecured retail loans in the first quarter of the current financial year.



A slippage is when there is no repayment of interest or principal for 90 days, making the loan a non-performing asset (NPA). Banks need to set aside money in the form of provisions to cover such loans. Higher provisions impact the profitability of a lender.



And it is not just Kotak Mahindra Bank. ICICI Bank, which came out with its numbers the same day, has seen the personal loan book grow almost 39 percent in the June quarter from the year-ago period.



Credit cards outstanding has grown at 45.4 percent. Personal loans now contribute to around 16.3 percent of the book and credit cards 7 percent. That is a sizeable chunk.



Telling signs of stress?



The trend is largely similar to other private banks. For IndusInd Bank, credit card outstanding has grown 39 percent on a year-on-year basis.



Why do these numbers matter?



Trends in bank loan disbursements and recovery often offer vital clues to the state of the economy. During an economic downturn, typically unsecured retail loans and loans given to small and medium enterprises take a hit first. Thats because the financial capacity of the borrowers is weak compared with large corporations.



The emerging stress in unsecured loans could be an indication that not all is well on the ground. Of course, one needs to wait and watch for numbers from other banks to get a clear picture over the next few quarters.



RBI is watching



The Reserve Bank of India is worried about the rising bank exposure to unsecured loans. The regulator has already taken note of the jump in the retail loan book of banks.



In its Financial Stability Report released on June 28, the RBI said the share of large borrowers in gross advances of banks declined successively over the past three years, as retail loans grew faster than borrowings by corporates. The share of big borrowers declined from 51.1 percent in March 2020 to 46.4 percent in March 2023.



The RBI has already cautioned banks about the rise in unsecured loans, citing bank crises elsewhere in the world.



In informal interactions with bank chiefs, the regulator conveyed the need to limit the growth in unsecured books, so that the banks can handle the shock in the event of a financial meltdown. Banks will do well to pay attention to the regulator.



(Banking Central is a weekly column that keeps a close watch and connects the dots about the sector's most important events for readers.)
The Centre has sought Rs 469 crore from seven electric two-wheeler makers, including Hero Electric and Okinawa for claiming incentives while not complying with the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) II scheme norms, a government official said.



The official said that in case of non-refund of the amount to the government, they will be de-registered from the scheme in the next 7-10 days and the government would not allow them to participate in the scheme. An investigation by the heavy industries ministry has revealed that these companies have availed fiscal incentives under the scheme by violating the norms.



As per the rules of the scheme, incentives were allowed to make electric vehicles by using made-in-India components, but in the investigation, it was found that these seven firms have used imported components. "In our investigations, six companies have been found clean, but seven companies have violated the norms. So we are seeking Rs 469 crore. They will have to return the amount to the government," the official said. The seven companies are Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Ampere EV, Revolt Motors, Benling India, Amo Mobility, and Lohia Auto.



The ministry conducted the investigation after receiving anonymous emails alleging that several EV makers were claiming subsidies without complying with the Phased Manufacturing Plan (PMP) rules, which are intended to boost domestic manufacturing of these electric vehicles. After that, the ministry delayed the distribution of subsidies last financial year. Out of the seven, the official said, two have communicated to the ministry that they would return the amount of the incentive with interest.



The official also clarified that the government has not stopped any of these players from making vehicles, but now they will not get any incentive under the scheme. When contacted a Hero Electric spokesperson said, "The notice pertains to a period in which there is no cause for our non-compliance. It is not relevant for Hero Electric. A Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM) spokesperson said the company was one of the first companies to enthusiastically support and deliver on the government's localisation vision.



"We are working with the government to better understand their concern and in relation to the same we have filed a detailed representation, the spokesperson added. Lohia Auto CEO Ayush Lohia said, "We want to emphatically state that we have not received any information or notice from the government department or concerned authority regarding the reversal of subsidies. We are unaware of the source of information that alleges Lohia Auto Industries involvement in this matter.



Okinawa Autotech and Revolt Motors declined to comment. To promote electric and hybrid vehicles, a Rs 10,000-crore programme under the FAME-II scheme was announced in 2019. It is the expanded version of the present scheme FAME India I (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles, which was launched on April 1, 2015, with a total outlay of Rs 895 crore. In three-wheeler and four-wheeler segments, incentives are applicable mainly to vehicles used for public transport or registered commercial purposes. In the two-wheeler segment, the focus is on private vehicles.
The consolidated net profit of Tata Steel plummeted 93 percent year-on-year to Rs 525 crore in the first quarter of 2023-24, weighed down by its Europe operations.



The companys net profit was Rs 7,714 crore in the same quarter a year ago, and Rs 1,566 crore in the previous one (January-March 2023).



Profit in the quarter was also dented by a non-cash deferred tax charge on account of buy-in transaction at British Steel Pension Scheme. With this, the insurance buy-in of British Steel Pension Scheme has been completed, successfully de-risking Tata Steel UK, the company said.



The consolidated total revenue from operations came in at Rs 59,490 crore, which is 6.3 percent lower as against Rs 63,430 crore reported in the year-ago period. The revenue clocked is also around 5.5 percent lower as against Rs 62,961 crore reported in Q4FY23. The company said that the revenues decreased due to lower volumes, partly offset by higher realisations across geographies.



ALSO READ: Options Trade | An earning-based non-directional options strategy in Tata Steel



According to a Bloomberg survey of 12 brokers, Tata Steels consolidated net sales were expected to come in at Rs 56,337.80 crore, down 10.75 percent year-on-year (YoY). Net loss was estimated at Rs 122.80 crore, according to 11 brokers.



During the quarter, global economic recovery continued to face headwinds affecting commodity prices including steel. In India, domestic steel demand continued to grow and was up around 10 percent on YoY basis but steel spot prices moderated in line with global cues, TV Narendran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said in a statement.



Shares of Tata Steel closed on July 24 at Rs 115.45 a share on the BSE, down 1 percent over the previous close. The company announced its result after trading hours.



The steelmakers earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) in Q1FY24 was Rs 6,122 crore as against Rs 15,047 in the same quarter a year ago. The company said that its EBITDA was at Rs 6,238 crore, adjusted for changes on account of foreign exchange movement on intercompany debt, receivables and BSPS.



Chief Financial Officer Koushik Chatterjee said, Despite a moderation in global steel spreads, our margin was broadly stable at around 10 percent. India business generated higher margin of around 22 percent and EBITDA stood at Rs 7,514 crore.



The company said in a presentation that its net debt rose to Rs 71,397 crore at the end of the June-quarter from Rs 67,810 crore at end-March.



Volatility in steel markets has impacted working capital and cash flows but we continue to commit to growth in India and spent Rs 4,089 crore on capital expenditure during the quarter. This has led to a Net debt of Rs 71,397 crore. Group liquidity position remains strong at Rs 30,569 crore, which includes Rs 19,043 crore of cash and cash equivalents, Chatterjee said.



India ops



India revenue in Q1FY24 was Rs 34,901 crore, up 2.6 percent. But EBITDA declined to Rs 7,514 crore from Rs 9,582 crore a year ago.



In India, domestic steel demand continued to grow and was up around 10 percent on YoY basis but steel spot prices moderated in line with global cues, Narendran said. He was also reappointed by the board as MD and CEO at the board meeting on July 24 for another 5 years.



Tata Steels India business reported a strong showing with both production and deliveries growing. Crude steel production was around 5 million tons, up 2 percent YoY, primarily driven by ramp up at Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited, which was acquired by a subsidiary of Tata Steel in 2022.



Deliveries in the June quarter were at 4.8 million tons, higher by 18 percent on YoY basis, driven by higher local demand.



Tata Steel said it is scaling up to capitalise on India growth opportunity and reiterated its plan to double its capacity to 40 million ton per annum (mtpa) by 2030.



Europe disappoints



Tata Steels Europe revenues were 2,083 million in the June quarter, and its EBITDA loss stood at 153 million. Revenues was lower on reduction in volumes, which was partly offset by increase in realisations, the company said.



The planned relining of BF6 at Tata Steel Netherlands commenced in April and this has led to drop in crude steel production, the company said.



With China increasing its steel exports amid weak global demand, the prices for the commodity moderated in the quarter.



In Europe, margins were broadly similar on QoQ basis as rise in revenue per ton was offset by lower volumes and elevated input costs, Chatterjee said.
India's economy will grow at a solid pace for the rest of this fiscal year and next but well below its potential rate, according to a Reuters poll of economists who also said the employment situation will improve only slightly.



The world's most populous country aspires to leapfrog to the status of a developed nation, riding on the unprecedented demographic dividend, which demands an annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of around 8% for the next 25 years.



But reaching this milestone hinges on implementing key reforms in education, infrastructure, healthcare and technology.



"If we want to realize that 8% growth potential this decade ... the biggest challenge before policymakers is to reallocate the surplus labour from agriculture to more productive sectors with gainful jobs in them," said Dhiraj Nim, economist at ANZ Research.



"If India's reform momentum is lacklustre, a less exciting picture is on the cards."



The latest Reuters poll of 53 economists taken between July 1 and 21 showed the Indian economy would grow 6.1% this fiscal year, a respectable rate when other major economies are expected to slow, maintaining a conducive environment for job creation.



It was forecast to grow 6.5% next fiscal year, with expectations of 6.2% growth this quarter, followed by 6.0% and 5.5%. The outlook was largely unchanged from a June poll.



"I think 6.0% to 6.5% is a very achievable and a very conservative forecast for India's growth trajectory," Nim added.



World Bank President Ajay Banga recently said the key to India's growth story is through more jobs as he outlined the opportunity to cash in on the "China Plus One" strategy, a scheme adopted by many companies to build manufacturing units outside of the People's Republic.



DEMAND VS SUPPLY



Asked how the employment situation will change over the coming year, 17 of 25 economists said it will improve slightly.



"The unemployment situation hasn't improved yet ... and the skilling to some extent is also missing. So, there is a gap in terms of the demand versus the supply," said Radhika Piplani, chief economist at DAM Capital Advisors.



Asked what impact the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, designed to attract foreign manufacturers to set up factories in India, would have on the country's GDP this fiscal year, 21 of 27 economists said it will only increase it modestly.



The remaining six said the PLI scheme, which allocated billions of rupees as incentives from the Union budget in 2023-24, will have no impact.



"All the sectors where PLI has started are seen booming, but the actual impact of it to on-the-ground employment - that is still something which is yet to be seen," Piplani added.



While India has a lot more ground to cover to replace China as the world's manufacturing hub, some economists acknowledged the PLI scheme was a step in the right direction.



More economic reforms could bolster the scheme's prospects and create millions of jobs, they added.



"Manufacturing needs to see strong growth and that is possible only when we ... iron out the issues that are preventing fresh investments in the sector," said Suman Chowdhury, chief economist at Acuite Ratings and Research.
India rejected Chinese carmaker BYD Co.s proposal to build a $1 billion electric-vehicle plant in partnership with a local company, according to people with knowledge of the matter.



The Indian government dismissed the plan from BYD and Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. on national security concerns, the people said, asking not to be identified as the decision is not yet public. The use of Chinese homegrown technology is a concern, one of the people said.



Foreign direct investment in Indias automobile sector doesnt typically require approval. Investment proposals from countries that share a border with India, however, need political and security clearance from the ministries of external and home affairs.



BYD declined to comment. Representatives for Megha, which was established in 1989 and has infrastructure projects in sectors from power to transport, didnt return phone calls or an email seeking comment.



Spokespeople for the Finance Ministry, the Heavy Industries Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which were all assessing BYDs proposal and vet investment coming into the country, didnt respond to requests for comment.



New Restrictions

India is restricting Chinese investment following a number of deadly clashes along the disputed border between the two nations, which have strained relations. Great Wall Motor Co. failed in an attempt to buy a mothballed General Motors Co. plant after it couldnt get approval to close the deal.



The Economic Times reported the Indian governments rejection of BYDs investment plan on Saturday.



The government was probing SAIC Motor Corp.s local unit MG Motor India Pvt over alleged financial irregularities, Bloomberg News reported last year. MG Motor has since announced plans to dilute its 100% share of the business, and aims to have it majority-owned by an Indian firm in two to four years.



The latest rejection deals a blow to BYDs ambitious plans for India. The company, which entered the South Asian nation in 2007, sought to capture 40% of the domestic EV market by 2030, Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, senior vice president of its local operations, told Bloomberg in January. Its aiming to sell 15,000 electric vehicles in India this year.



Investment from elsewhere doesnt seem to be at risk. After meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US last month, Elon Musk said Tesla Inc. is likely to make a significant investment in the country.
The basic ingredients for an upswing in capital expenditure is there, but it still needs a trigger, says Vetri Subramaniam, Chief Investment Officer, UTI Asset Management Company.



Latest data released by industry body FICCI shows a significant improvement in capacity utilization levels. In some sectors like metal, capacity utilization has reached 90 percent, and in others like cement and auto, the capacity utilisation is 80 percent. Stocks that are a play on the capex cycle, like capital goods for one, have done well in the recent stock market rally as investors are betting that private sector investments are set to take off. The missing ingredient, however, is animal spirits of businessmen, Subramaniam said in an interview to Moneycontrol.



Corporate balances are at their best in 20 years, and so is the case with bank balance sheets. Companies have the ability to invest, banks have the ability to lend, he said.



Capacity utilisation levels are getting to a point where companies are thinking about expanding capacity, but you have not yet reached the inflexion point where companies are feeling the pressure on capacity and feel the need to invest, he said.



According to Vetri, one of the reasons is that many corporate groups are treading cautiously, having run into trouble in the previous capex upcycle after having over invested. Also, because of the tension between the US and China, businesses are wondering how to invest without being caught in the crossfire.



Subramaniam is bullish on large banks as he feels they will be able to weather the short term pressure on net interest margins. However, he is not as confident about small and mid-sized banks and expects them to struggle.



He is also bullish on the auto sector as he feels the sector is still in the early stages of growth. The key challenge for the sector, he says is the demands on cash flows as the industry transitions towards electric vehicles.



Subramaniam feels the recent correction in the IT sector may be a good time to start accumulating the stocks. He also has a positive view on the pharmaceuticals sector.



On the debate on whether passively managed funds (index funds, exchange traded funds) are better or actively management funds, Subramaniam feels passively managed funds have a lot scope because active fund managers no longer have the edge in terms of knowledge or research and that is making it harder to beat the market.



You now have 42 AMCs, add to that 20 insurance firms, 150 PMS providers and all the global investors, many of whom have been investing in India for the last 20 years or morethey have discovered many multi-baggers in India before we Indians discovered them. I dont think anyone can argue that the Indian market is dramatically under researched, he said.



You can have an impact based on the portfolio size. Someone managing a Rs 50 crore will be able to create a portfolio that is very different from someone managing Rs 5000 crore. A large fund can never create a very differentiated portfolio because size creates restrictions in terms of the stocks it can buy. So a size difference may be there, but not knowledge difference.



To read the full interview, click here
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"Selective technology stocks are doing good and hence one should have exposure to those stocks," said Jay Thakkar, Head - Alternate Research, Capital Market Strategy at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, in an interview with Moneycontrol.



He feels Cyient and Sonata Software are looking positive for the long term whereas Wipro and L&T Technology Services are looking good for the short term.



Jay, who has 13 years of experience in capital markets and specializes in technical research, derivatives, and quantitative research, suggests that due to weak earnings from two major Nifty companies, the Nifty is unlikely to surpass the 20,000 mark during the monthly F&O expiry for the July series.



He feels the next week is going to be very volatile and the range for Nifty50 is 19,300-20,000.



Q: Is it a great time to add exposure to technology stocks?



Selective technology stocks are doing good and hence one should have exposure to those stocks. Not all companies have provided weak guidance like that of Infosys. IT stocks across the world have recovered and the same trend is evident in India.



Stocks like Cyient and Sonata Software are trading at lifetime highs and the outlook for them is positive whereas the rest of the IT stocks are trading below their lifetime highs, however, Cyient and Sonata Software are looking positive for the long term whereas Wipro and L&T Technology Services are looking good for the short term.



Q: Is it difficult for the Nifty to get through 20,000 mark in the coming week?



The Nifty is unable to get surpass the 20,000 mark because of the weak earnings by two of the major Nifty companies, so the expiry for the July series is likely to be below 20,000 levels and on the lower side, the crucial support levels are 19,500-19,300 levels. The next week is going to be very volatile and the range is 19,300-20,000.



Q: Two stocks that can possibly give a swift rally next week...



United Spirits have provided a breakout from a huge consolidation and are backed by good results as well. State Bank of India too looks quite positive for the week ahead as it too has provided a strong breakout above Rs 600 levels.



Also read: Bain Capital seals deal to acquire Adani Capital; Gaurav Gupta to stay on as MD



Q: Do you think the Nifty FMCG will get through the 60,000 mark before seeing major consolidation or correction for a long period?



Nifty FMCG is likely to consolidate for some time now within a range of 55,000-50,000 levels i.e. it is a range of almost 10 percent and in this rangebound trade, there will be stock-specific activities.



Few stocks like United Spirits, Radico Khaitan, Colgate Palmolive, ITC, and Britannia may continue to do well whereas others like Hindustan Unilever, Dabur India, and Marico may continue to trade with a sideways to negative bias, hence Nifty FMCG may consolidate overall.



Q: What are the most important things to consider while applying any technical strategy? How do you manage risk and exits?



There has to be a defined trade set up which should include the price parameters and momentum parameters. Price parameters like Dow Theory, Candlesticks patterns, Bar Chart Patterns, and Fibonacci retracements will provide defined targets and stop-loss based on which one can assess the risk-to-reward ratio. If it is suitable then one can trade on it.



Also read: Market Outlook: After IT pain, bulls look to banks to resume record run



The momentum parameters like RSI (relative strength index), MACD (moving average convergence divergence), KST (know sure thing), Bollinger Bands, and Super trend are important from the point of view of gauging how quick the move is likely.



Q: FIIs seem to be backing Bank Nifty. Do you think the momentum will take the index beyond 50,000 this year itself?



Bank Nifty is trading at an inflection point and 46,200-46,500 levels in the upside are very critical as only a close above 46,500 levels will confirm the overall larger breakout else it may consolidate with a range of 46,500-44,500 levels. So, above 46,500 levels, the 50,000 levels will be achieved in a couple of months to come.



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.
Analysts continue to be bullish on Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) even though the telecom-to-oil conglomerate reported a fall in revenue and profit growth in the June quarter, with some even raising the target price.



The Mukesh Ambani-led company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 18,258 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year, down 5.9 percent from the year-ago period. Muted performance in oil-to-chemicals (O2C) partly offset the strong growth in consumer-facing businesses. Higher finance cost and depreciation also weighed on the bottomline.



Revenue declined to Rs 2.31 lakh crore from Rs 2.42 lakh crore in the year-ago period as oil-to-chemicals segment sales declined, tracking weakness in crude prices.



In-line numbers



Analysts said the numbers were largely in line with their expectations.



Jefferies said earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) were in keeping with estimates. The brokerage house added that though the retail business growth disappointed, margins improved.



According to the brokerage, Jios tariff hike delay led it to cut FY24/25 EBITDA estimates by 6-4 percent. Risk-reward is balanced after the recent rally, it said, adding it has a buy rating with target at Rs 2,935.



Jio Platforms profit at Rs 5,098 crore increased 12.5 percent on-year, with average revenue per user rising 2.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 180.5 a month.



Jio Platforms houses RILs telecom and digital businesses.



Reliance Retail recorded an 18.8 percent YoY growth in profit at Rs 2,448 crore led by growth in grocery, consumer electronics (excluding devices) and fashion & lifestyle.



Also read: Reliance Industries Q1FY24 net profit declines 6% dented by oil-to-chemicals performance



Multiple potential catalysts



Saying that RILs operating income was steady, JP Morgan said the stock offers multiple potential catalysts over next 18 months. It raised FY24-25 EBITDA estimate by 1.5-4.1 percent but cut EPS by 5.4-2.9 percent for the period due to higher applicable tax rate.



The brokerage has an overweight rating on the stock and has raised the target price to Rs 3,040.



Revenue from the O2C business, the biggest division of RIL, stood at Rs 1.33 lakh crore in Q1FY24, a YoY drop of 17.7 percent on account of the sharp reduction in crude oil prices and lower price realisation of downstream products.



Macquarie, which has an underperform rating with target at Rs 2,100 a share, said the companys earnings were subdued with lower margin in cyclical O2C business, which was a drag.



Also read: Reliance in Q1: A look at profits, capex, booming businesses, and challenges



Retail therapy



Motilal Oswal said the consumer business was a mixed bag, with retail seeing moderate growth but would likely gain from the Future group footprint.



Growth in telecom would continue to soften with higher base and lower probability of tariff hikes in the near term as well as intensifying 5G spends, it added.



Using SOTP (sum of the parts), we value the refining and petrochemical segment at 7.5x FY25E EV/EBITDA to arrive at a valuation of Rs 904/share for standalone business. We ascribe an equity valuation of Rs 750/share to RJio and Rs 1,500/share to Reliance Retail. Similarly, valuation of the New energy has been arrived at its BV implying a price of Rs 16/share, Motilal Oswals analysts wrote in a report.



The brokerage reiterated its buy call and raised the target to Rs 2,935.



At 9.20 am, Reliance Industries stock was trading at Rs 2,477 on BSE, down 0.25 percent from the previous close.



What other brokerages say:



BNP Paribas: Our EBITDA estimate upgrades are primarily led by the oild and gas division. We have also raised our interest and depreciation

assumptions, resulting in slightly lower earnings estimates. Our

SOTP-based target price rises by 4 percent to Rs 2,925 as we roll-forward to June 25 estimates.



Nomura: We broadly retain our FY24 and FY25 EBITDA estimates, while our net income for FY24/FY25 are lower by 7 percent/2 percent, as we factor in higher DD&A and interest expenses. We reiterate Buy rating with a higher SoTP-based target of Rs 2,925, on rollover of our valuation to June 25.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.



Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is of the view that delisting should be facilitated smoothly, and that it does not want "Abhimanyus", said Madhabi Puri Buch, the chairperson of the market regulator, while briefing the press on July 24.



"In SEBI, we don't like Abhimanyus," Buch said, in a reference to the warrior Abhimanyu from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, who was unable to get out from a military formation. "Nobody should feel that once they get in, they cannot get out. Therefore, we introduced a framework for voluntary delisting," she added.



"The next set of Abhimanyus is perpetual insiders," Buch said, adding that a mechanism related to trading plan, aimed at addressing the issue, has not clearly worked and needs to be reviewed.



Under the perpetual insider trading policy, there is a trading plan, Buch said, noting that they have received feedback that "the plan is quite onerous".



Also Read | T+1 redemption and allotment for mutual fund units soon, says SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch



"If you get into a trading plan, if you declare that six months in advance, then you are locked in for 12 months...even if the share price were to move dramatically. Even if the price falls, because you have committed to the plan several months ago, you will be forced to sell," she said.



There should be a consultation paper released by August-end to make the trading plan mechanism easier, Buch added.



Separately, SEBI will release a discussion paper on delisting norms by December, as it seeks to explore the option of permitting delisting via fixed price.



The delisting process currently involves the reverse book-building procedure, where shareholders place offers for the price at which they are willing to sell securities back to the promoters or large shareholders who can influence company policy.



A delisting price is then computed based on these offers, but SEBI believes the process can be subject to manipulation.



The market regulator is now considering permitting a promoter to place a delisting offer at a fixed price for shareholders to consider.



With Reuters inputs
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is planning a new regulatory design, which will see more participation from the industry players.



SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said in a press meeting held on July 24 that the regulators circulars say what is to be done but not how it is to be done. Now, the regulator will try a method of asking the industry to decide the standards on the how, or the standards for the implementation of the regulations.



Also watch: Sebi Press Meet| Madhabi Puri Buch addresses the media



A forum under the aegis of exchanges may be created, with representations from industry associations and professional bodies, which can set standards to be followed to meet regulatory requirements.



The standards would be best finalised in consultation with SEBI so that there is no risk of overengineering or no risk of the standards not aligning with the regulatory intent, she said.



This is an architectural shift that we wish to experiment with in SEBI, she said, adding that they have already sent out letters to participants.



Elaborating on the new element of the regulatory design, she said that SEBI gets a lot of valuable inputs from its advisory committees when balancing the need to ensure ease-of-doing business and the integrity of the market. Then these inputs are shared with the public for comments, and after they come in, a new regulation is drafted or an existing regulation is modified.



But, when it comes to implementation of the regulation, SEBI finds that two things happen. One is market participants wondering how the regulation is to be implemented and the other is if the implementation will be adequate or still in the realm of violation.



The first response of the regulator is to release a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If there are more questions, then a more detailed circular is released.



On deeper reflection, we have come to conclusion that what we are dealing with is standard setting for implementation. This is not about the regulation but about execution or implementation of the regulation, she said.



This task is best done by the industry bodies themselves, she added.



The regulator has some experience in this mode of functioning in the mutual fund space. For example, a circular on valuation may say that the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) will stipulate the standard for valuation and then everyone will follow that. Or a circular on benchmarking may say that the industry body will select the entity which will do benchmarking.



Our regulations will take us to a certain stage of expressing the regulatory intent (or what is to be done) but a lot of the ease-of-doing business lies in the how it is to be done, she said.



For instance, there was a recent circular on rumour verification for listed companies. The regulation conveys that if there is a rumour in the market and it is making the price move, then the company need to either confirm the rumour or deny it.



SEBI Press Briefing Highlights: Need more work on instantaneous settlement



From discussions with industry players, the regulator has understood that there is already a media-tracking service engaged by companies. The regulator was never intending for the companies to spend hundreds of crores to build a parallel system, she said.



What is the solution to this (this confusion on what companies must do)? It would be to say that, if the industry sets a standard, that if the media-tracking agency has the following coverage, this will be considered adequate for the purpose of tracking and responding to rumours, she said.



Buch said that another concern the industry has raised about this regulation is mentioning specific rumours. The best way to do this is for the industry to set a standard on what specificity means (then) everybody knows these are the rules (and can follow them), she said.




The market kept the momentum alive for the fourth straight week ended July 21. Although some selling pressure in technology stocks after Infosys earnings slowed down the rally, the overall sentiment remained upbeat. FMCG stocks and Reliance Industries too weighed on the bull run in the last trading session.



The Nifty50 missed the psychological 20,000 mark target by a few points during the week and ended with nearly 1 percent gains at 19,745, the record close on a weekly basis, and formed a bullish candlestick pattern with long upper shadow on the daily charts, which indicates selling pressure at higher levels.



Friday's correction was on expected lines given the sustained bull run in the market, but it is unlikely to hold the bulls for long as experts feel such intermittent corrections make the market healthier. True to the belief, the volatility index for the Indian market hovers near its historic lows.



Consolidation and rangebound trade may, therefore, continue in the near term, with key support at 19,600-19,500 levels as breaking off this can bring more downward move in the market, whereas 19,800-20,000 may remain criticial resistance area, experts said.



"Due to the recent vertical move and overbought conditions, the next upward movement may not be as swift as the recent run. It is anticipated that there may be a correction, either in terms of time or price, so the ideal strategy would be to buy on dips and book profits at higher levels," Sameet Chavan, head research, technical and derivatives at Angel One, said.



He feels the psychological mark of 20,000 that was just missed last week remains an immediate hurdle, followed by the golden retracement target of 20,100  20,200. On the downside, the recent congestion breakout level of 19,600  19,500 is considered immediate support, and a more significant correction may occur only if this level is breached, he said.



Traders should closely monitor these levels and consider playing within this range, he advised.



Jatin Gedia, technical research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas also believes that there can be some consolidation considering the sharp rise it has witnessed in the last few trading sessions. Overall, the uptrend is still intact, and he believes that this dip is a pullback and not a trend reversal.



Let's check out the top 10 trading ideas from experts for the next three-four weeks. Returns are based on July 21 closing prices.



Expert: Vinay Rajani, CMT, senior technical & derivative analyst at HDFC Securities



Bank of India: Buy | LTP: Rs 84.45 | Stop-Loss: Rs 76.70 | Target: Rs 92 | Return: 9 percent



Downward sloping trendline breakout has seen on the daily chart. The stock price has surpassed previous top resistance of Rs 81.95. Higher tops and higher bottoms formation was seen on the daily chart.



Price rise is accompanied by jump in volumes, which confirms the bullish trend. The stock is placed above all important moving averages, indicating bullish trend on all time frames.







Bank of Maharashtra: Buy | LTP: Rs 34.25 | Stop-Loss: Rs 31 | Target: Rs 39.50 | Return: 15 percent



The stock price has broken out from Inverted Head and Shoulder pattern on the weekly charts. Stock price has surpassed previous top resistance of Rs 32.80. Higher tops and higher bottoms formation was seen on the Weekly chart.



Price rise is accompanied by jump in volumes, which confirms the bullish trend. The stock is placed above all important moving average, indicating bullish trend on all time frames.







GMDC: Buy | LTP: Rs 184 | Stop-Loss: Rs 164 | Target: Rs 205 | Return: 11 percent



Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) has broken out from last 9-weeks price consolidation with rising volumes. The stock is placed above all important moving averages, which indicates bullish trend on all time frames.



Indicators and oscillators have turned bullish on weekly charts. PSU sector has been outperforming and same is expected to continue.







Expert: Shrikant Chouhan, head of equity research (retail) at Kotak Securities



Rategain Travel Technologies: Buy | LTP: Rs 440.65 | Stop-Loss: Rs 400 | Targets: Rs 452-525 | Return: 19 percent



The stock is moving higher along with a multiple continuation formation. In the past, it was within the trading range of Rs 425 and Rs 370. The volume-based activity ended in early July when it crossed the upper limit at Rs 425. It moved up to Rs 452, however, later it started consolidating again between Rs 425 and Rs 452.



Based on the weekly formation, we believe the stock is ready to move higher towards its all-time high which is Rs 525. The strategy should be to buy 50 percent at current levels and buy the rest at Rs 425. Place stop-loss at Rs 400. Higher side the stock can move to Rs 452, Rs 470, and Rs 525.







Radico Khaitan: Buy | LTP: Rs 1,400.30 | Stop-Loss: Rs 1,200 | Targets: Rs 1,550-1,750 | Return: 24 percent



The stock broke out of Symmetrical triangle consolidation at Rs 1,200, which gave a huge drag on sentiment and lifted the stock above its all-time high, which stood at Rs 1,294.



Technically, we believe the stock is in a trending up move, which will pull the stock towards Rs 1,550 and Rs 1,750 levels in the next few weeks or months. If it corrects till Rs 1,350 then it can be bought with a view to add more. Keep a stop-loss at Rs 1,200.







Canara Bank: Buy | LTP: Rs 338 | Stop-Loss: Rs 320 | Targets: Rs 370-390 | Return: 15 percent



Since January 2023, the stock is consolidating between Rs 342 and Rs 268. Riding on the rally in PSU banks, the stock has managed to cross Rs 342 level, which is bullish for it.



Technically, Rs 342-345 zone is an area of Fibonacci resistance. Above Rs 345, it may move towards Rs 370-390 in the coming few weeks. A buy is recommended between Rs 345 and Rs 330. Place a stop-loss at Rs 320.







Expert: Jigar S Patel, Senior Manager - Equity Research at Anand Rathi



Asahi India Glass: Buy | LTP: Rs 559.55 | Stop-Loss: Rs 520 | Target: Rs 620 | Return: 11 percent



After making a solid base near Rs 460-500 levels, which is also a potential reversal zone of the Bullish BAT pattern. Having said that, it is trading above all critical daily exponential moving averages.



Additionally, the said counter has made a Bullish Divergence near above-mentioned potential reversal zone, which is making it lucrative at current levels. Thus, one can buy between Rs 555-560 with an upside target of Rs 620 and the stop-loss would be around Rs 520 on a closing basis.







Tata Teleservices: Buy | LTP: Rs 82.60 | Stop-Loss: Rs 73 | Target: Rs 97 | Return: 17 percent



For the last 2 months, the said counter has been making base near its crucial support of Rs 70-72 which was also its monthly central pivot range (refer to the chart).



From the Indicator perspective, the daily MACD (moving average convergence divergence) has given bullish crossover above zero-line which hints further upside in the counter.



One can buy in a small tranche in the range of Rs 82-83 and another in the range of Rs 76-77 ( if tested) with an upside target of Rs 97 and a stop-loss would be Rs 73 on a closing basis.







Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy: Buy | LTP: Rs 365 | Stop-Loss: Rs 315 | Target: Rs 430 | Return: 18 percent



For the last 3 months, the said counter has been making base near its crucial support of Rs 290-300, which was also its monthly central pivot range.



From the Indicator perspective, the weekly RSI (relative strength index) has rebounded from 45 levels, echoing further bullish bias in the counter.



One can buy in a small tranche in the range of Rs 360-365 and another in the range of Rs 340-350 (if tested) with an upside target of Rs 430 and a stop-loss would be Rs 315 on a closing basis.







Expert: Ruchit Jain, lead research at 5paisa.com



BEML: Buy | LTP: Rs 1,682.9 | Stop-Loss: Rs 1,590 | Targets: Rs 1,770-1,840 | Return: 9 percent



The recent price volume indicates bullish bias, the upmove has been supported by good volumes, while on corrections they are low. The RSI oscillator recently cooled-off from the overbought zone and has now given a positive crossover indicating a resumption of the momentum.



Hence, traders can look to buy the stock in the range of Rs 1,680-1,670 for potential targets around Rs 1,770 and Rs 1,840. The stop-loss for long positions should be placed below Rs 1,590.







ONGC: Buy | LTP: Rs 170.55 | Stop-Loss: Rs 166 | Targets: Rs 175-178 | Return: 4 percent



The stock has been forming a Higher Top Higher Bottom structure and is thus in an uptrend. Prices had recently resisted around Rs 170, but have given a breakout above the same in Fridays session.



The RSI oscillator in hinting at a positive momentum and hence, we expect an upmove in the stock in the near term.



Traders can look to buy the stock around current market price of Rs 170 for potential near term targets of Rs 175 and Rs 178. The stop-loss on long positions should be placed below Rs 166.







Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
The market extended losses for yet another session amid volatility on July 24, with the Nifty50 breaking below the 19,700 mark. The selling in FMCG, metal, oil & gas, and select banks and technology stocks weighed down the market.



The BSE Sensex dropped 300 points to 66,385, while the Nifty50 declined 73 points to 19,672 and formed a bearish candlestick on the daily charts making lower highs and lower lows formation. The index remained below the five-day EMA (exponential moving average - 19,737) for the second consecutive session, but has taken support at 10-day EMA (19,650).



"A reasonable negative candle was formed on the daily chart with a minor upper shadow. Technically, this pattern indicates short-term weakness in the market with sell-on-rise opportunity," Nagaraj Shetti, technical research analyst at HDFC Securities said.



The Nifty is currently placed at the immediate support of 10-day EMA and the important lower support of 20-day EMA is placed around 19,450 levels. The said 20-day EMA has been holding for the past three months and has offered support for the Nifty to witness upside bounces from it in the past, he said.



Shetti says the short-term trend of the Nifty remains weak and the present weakness with volatility is expected towards the important support of 19,500-19,400 levels before showing an upside bounce from the lows. Immediate resistance is placed at 19,780 levels, he said.



But the market breadth was not very weak as about 1,109 equity shares declined against 970 advancing shares on the NSE. The broader markets were mixed with the Nifty Midcap 100 index falling 0.15 percent and Smallcap 100 index gaining 0.4 percent.







We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades:



Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks are the aggregates of three-month data and not just the current month



Key support, resistance levels on Nifty



The pivot point calculator suggests that the Nifty may get support at 19,657 followed by 19,628 and 19,580. In case of an upside, 19,752 can be the key resistance area followed by 19,781 and 19,829.



Nifty Bank



On July 24, the Bank Nifty was also under pressure, falling 152 points to 45,923 and forming a bearish candlestick on the daily charts. The index has initial support at five-day EMA (45,816), followed by 10-day EMA (45,527).



Jatin Gedia, technical research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas believes that the Bank Nifty is in the process of retracing the rise it has witnessed from 44,54746,370. On the downside, it can slip towards 45,750-45,670 where support is in the form of the 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracement level and the 40-hour moving average is placed, he says.



Overall, he believes that the trend is still positive. "And once this consolidation is complete, we can expect the Bank Nifty to resume its uptrend. On the upside, 46,500 is the expected target," Jatin said.



The pivot point calculator indicates that the Bank Nifty is likely to take support at 45,864 followed by 45,786 and 45,658, while 46,118 can be the initial resistance zone followed by 46,197 and 46,324.







Call options data



The maximum weekly Call open interest (OI) was seen at 19,800 strike, with 1.23 crore contracts, which can act as a resistance for the Nifty. This is followed by 1.07 crore contracts at 20,000 strike, while 19,900 strike has 1.04 crore contracts.



Meaningful Call writing was at 19,700 strike, which added 62.11 lakh contracts, followed by 20,100 and 19,800 strikes, which added 22.85 lakh contracts, and 21.14 lakh contracts.



The maximum Call unwinding was at 19,900 strike, which shed 5.41 lakh contracts, followed by 20,600 and 20,400 strikes, which shed 4.22 lakh and 3.29 lakh contracts.







Put option data



On the Put side, the maximum open interest was at 19,000 strike, with 81.64 lakh contracts, which can be an important support for the Nifty.



This is followed by the 19,700 strike, comprising 72.84 lakh contracts, and the 19,500 strike, with 62.98 lakh contracts.



Put writing was seen at 19,700 strike, which added 19.41 lakh contracts, followed by 19,400 and 19,500 strikes, which added 14.44 lakh and 5.74 lakh contracts, respectively.



Put unwinding was at 19,800 strike, which shed 20.32 lakh contracts, followed by 19,900 and 19,100 strikes, which shed 13.9 lakh contracts and 6.76 lakh contracts.







Stocks with high delivery percentage



A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. The highest delivery was seen in Petronet LNG, Godrej Consumer Products, HCL Technologies, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals and Bharti Airtel among others.







48 stocks see a long build-up



RBL Bank, REC, Can Fin Homes, Navin Fluorine International, and Sun TV Network were among the 48 stocks to see a long build-up based on the open interest (OI) percentage. An increase in open interest and price indicates a build-up of long positions.







44 stocks see long unwinding



Based on the OI percentage, 44 stocks, including Intellect Design Arena, IndiaMART InterMESH, Berger Paints, Jubilant Foodworks, and Punjab National Bank, saw a long unwinding. A decline in OI and price indicates a long unwinding.







42 stocks see short build-up



A short build-up was seen in 42 stocks, including Reliance Industries, Dixon Technologies, Shriram Finance, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and TVS Motor Company. An increase in OI along with a price fall indicates a build-up of short positions.







54 stocks see short-covering



Based on the OI percentage, 54 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included M&M Financial Services, Tata Chemicals, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail, Coforge and Balrampur Chini Mills. A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering.







Bulk deals







(For more bulk deals, click here)



Results on July 25







Stocks in the news



Tata Steel: The Tata Group company reported a net profit of Rs 525 crore in the first quarter of 2023-24 weighed down by its Europe operations. Its net profit was Rs 7,714 crore in the same quarter a year ago, and Rs 1,566 crore in the quarter ending March 2023. The total revenue from operations came in at Rs 59,490 crore, which is 6.3 percent lower as against Rs 63,430 crore reported in the year-ago period. The revenue clocked is also around 5.5 percent lower as against Rs 62,961 crore reported in Q4FY23.



TVS Motor Company: Riding on phenomenal growth in sales, an improved margin, cost-saving measures, and a wider product mix, TVS Motor Company reported a 46 percent rise in net profit to Rs 468 crore for the quarter ended June. The Chennai-based two-and three-wheeler manufacturer recorded a 20 percent jump in revenue to Rs 7,218 crore, compared to Rs 6,009 crore in the same period last year.



LIC Housing Finance: The company has fixed August 18 as the record date for the purpose of ascertaining the eligibility of members for payment of the final dividend. The final dividend, if approved by the members in the 34th AGM, will be paid to the eligible members within the stipulated period of 30 days from the date of AGM.



Relaxo Footwear: Its Q1 profit after tax was at Rs 56 crore, up 46 percent YoY, from Rs 39 crore. Q1 revenue was at Rs 739 crore, up 11 percent YoY. EBITDA stood at Rs 108 crore; margins at 14.6 percent up by 165 bps YoY. The decline in raw material prices led to improved operating efficiency and profitability during the quarter, the company said.



JK Paper: The paper maker recorded a turnover of Rs 1,663.97 crore (up 10 percent), EBITDA of Rs. 532.03 crore (up 16 percent) and profit after tax of Rs 308.67 crore (up 18 percent) on consolidated basis for the quarter ended June 2023 as compared to corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The results have improved due to the acquisition of corrugation business last year and better performance by Sirpur Paper Mills with increased volume and higher sales realisation.



Jammu & Kashmir Bank: J&K Banks net profit jumped 97 percent YoY to almost double its profit-after-tax to Rs 326.45 crore for the first quarter of FY 2023-24 when compared to Rs 165.97 crore recorded for the April-June quarter last financial year. With NIM at almost 4 percent along with 24 percent YoY increase in net interest income, the company sees promising top-line growth unfolding in coming quarters.



SJVN: The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has allotted five projects totalling 5,097 MW to the company. The projects allocated are 3,097 MW Etalin, 680 MW Attunli, 500 MW Emini, 420 MW Amulin and 400 MW Mihumdon. All the five projects are located in Dibang Basin, which will result in optimal resource utilisation and timely completion of projects, the company said. The development of these projects will involve an investment of more than Rs 50,000 crore.



PNB Housing Finance: Its net Interest Income improved by 70 percent YoY and 6 percent QoQ to Rs 629 crore. Profit after tax increased by 48 percent YoY and 24 percent QoQ to Rs 347 crore. IT also recorded its highest ever Return on Assets in a decade at 2.07 percent in Q1FY24 as compared to 1.61 percent in FY23.



Wipro: Wipro FullStride Cloud has partnered with Pure Storage, a provider of enterprise data storage solutions, to help clients accelerate their sustainability journey through the power of technology. The goal is to empower customers to drive a more sustainable data centre footprint by providing more efficient strategies to minimize the environmental impact.



Fund Flow







FII and DII data



Foreign institutional investors (FII) sold shares worth Rs 82.96 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DII) bought shares worth Rs 934.87 crore on July 24, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) shows.



Stocks under F&O ban on NSE



The NSE has added Canara Bank, and RBL Bank to its F&O ban list for July 25, while retaining Delta Corp, Indiabulls Housing Finance, and Punjab National Bank. Securities banned under the F&O segment include companies where derivative contracts have crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.



Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
Budget 2022 dealt a body blow to the booming cryptocurrency market in India, imposing a 30 percent tax on income or gains arising from such transactions. In addition, it also directed cryptocurrency exchanges to withhold 1 percent TDS (tax deducted at source) on such transactions.



Taxpayers compliance hassles shot up, as a result. If you have dabbled in crypto transactions, not only will you have to report the gains or income therefrom during the financial year 2022-23 in your income tax returns, a detailed disclosure of all your trades will have to be made under a separate VDA (virtual digital assets) schedule. This includes not only cryptocurrencies, but also non-fungible tokens (NFTs), says Avinash Polepally, Senior Director, CryptoTax Business Head, Cleartax.



Also read: Moneycontrol's definitive ITR filing guide for FY 2022-23



Budget 2022s impact on crypto transactions



Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans budget announcements on February 1, 2022, dulled the lustre of cryptocurrencies in India. Globally, crypto exchanges have recorded a drop in trading volumes as the markets have turned bearish since mid-2022. In India, however, the drop has been more pronounced due to the TDS that came into effect on July 1, 2022, says Vimal Sagar Tiwari, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, CoinSwitch.



We saw a steady decline in trading volumes (~90 percent, on-year). Most users have hedged their investments with stablecoins (that are backed by fiat currency, gold, etc), and adopted a wait-and-act approach commonly seen among retail investors, says Shivam Thakral, CEO of BuyUcoin, a digital asset exchange.



Yet, greater scrutiny and compliance requirements have had a positive impact too. This shift has paved the way for increased institutional involvement, as clearer taxation guidelines have instilled confidence and attracted mainstream players to the crypto market, he adds.



Also read: Will BlackRocks spot Bitcoin ETF breathe life into the comatose crypto market?







ITR-2 or 3?



If you are a salaried employee with income less than Rs 50 lakh, you will have to file returns using ITR-2, not ITR-1. That is, if you choose to treat crypto gains as capital gains. The taxpayer will have to decide whether she wants to treat this as capital gains, or income. If you decide to treat the crypto earnings as income, then ITR-3 is the form for you, even if you have no other business income, says Mayank Mohanka, Partner, SM Mohanka and Associates.



Reporting capital gains on crypto transactions is fairly simple  the difference between your sale price and cost of acquisition will count as capital gains, and be taxed at 30 percent.



If you have made losses, you cannot set them off against gains made from the sale of any other capital asset, like mutual funds or even VDAs. Investors cannot set off losses on one VDA against gains from another. For example, if a person makes a profit from his Bitcoin holdings but makes losses on Ethereum, he will have to pay taxes for the Bitcoin gains, and cant set that off against the losses he made on Ethereum, says Polepally. However, you can claim the TDS withheld when filing your return.



For many Indian investors, the government has already collected TDS of 1 percent. Filing taxes is especially important if you have made losses, to get your tax refund, he adds.



Also listen: Tax filing: Wrong ITR form, faulty disclosure of crypto gains, foreign assets could land you in a soup | Simply Save







Crypto as business income



Tax computation can be quite complicated when crypto earnings happen to be your business income  for instance, if, for services rendered, you accept payment in the form of airdrops or NFTs.



The compliance norms around that involve two levels. One is that you're part of the commercial income tax regime because you're getting paid for your services, which means that the person that's paying you has to also worry about GST compliance. And your receipt of those payments also has to comply with GST norms, says Indy Sarker, Co-founder of TaxCryp, a crypto tax compliance firm.



Once you receive this crypto asset, you will have to figure out the cost of acquisition in terms of the value of services you have rendered. This is one area where theres some uncertainty, and tax advice is recommended, he adds.



Punit Agarwal, founder of crypto taxation platform KoinX, says that professionals accepting crypto as payments will have to pay tax on its market value at the time of receipt. The tax rate will be as applicable to the business, he says.



Experts point out that taxation rules around treating crypto receipts as business income are not clear. When professionals get crypto in their account, it should be treated as other income or business income, with 30 percent tax on the same. If the crypto coins are held post the income date and sold thereafter, then the individual is supposed to report capital gains or losses based on whether the sale price of the coin is higher or lower than the price of the coin on the income date, says Polepally.



Airdrops involve sending tokens to individual wallets, either by way of promotion, or in exchange for a small service. They are assumed to have zero cost and 30 percent tax is to be paid on the price at the time of selling. NFTs, on the other hand, are non-fungible and it is difficult to determine their market price. If you have made gains/losses on the sale of an NFT, you report the same and file taxes accordingly: 30 percent for gains, and nothing for losses, explains Polepally.







Crypto exchanges helping hand



Not only is the tax jolt to crypto enthusiasts hard, the procedure to file returns is tough too. This is why many cryptocurrency exchanges have attempted to ease the process for their customers. We have introduced detailed transaction history records, which provide investors with comprehensive data on their trading activities, says Jaideep Yadav, Founder of Kandle, a GameFi firm. In GameFi, users get paid in VDAs (crypto, NFTs, etc) for playing games.



Coinswitch provides its users with TDS and detailed profit and loss reports for the transactions made in a financial year. Likewise, BuyUcoin users can access their transaction history, account statements, tax calculators, and download tax reports.
UTI Asset Management Company has announced the launch of a new fund offer of UTI Balanced Advantage Fund (UBAF). The NFO opened on July 21, 2023. Since the Nifty50 index has recently hit a new high, equity investors are wondering if the market has run up too fast and if this is a good time to invest.



Balanced advantage funds (BAF), also known as dynamic asset allocation funds, are recommended by many experts to first time equity investors as a relatively low volatile vehicle to take exposure to stocks.



What is on offer?



UBAF intends to provide long-term capital appreciation and income by investing in a dynamically managed portfolio of equity and debt instruments. An in-house proprietary asset allocation model driven by fundamentals and valuations will guide the allocation to stocks and bonds. Sachin Trivedi will manage the equity component of the scheme and Anurag Mittal, the fixed income investments. The scheme will be benchmarked against Nifty 50 Hybrid Composite Debt 50:50 Index.



ALSO READ: Bajaj Finserv MF debuts in equity segment with flexicap fund: should you invest?



BAF ensures an allocation of at least 65 percent to equity. This approach ensures that the capital gains booked by the investor on units of such schemes after holding them for one year and more, are taxed as long-term capital gains on equity funds and taxed at 10 percent if they exceed Rs 1 lakh. If the model suggests lower than a 65 percent allocation, then the fund manager enters spot-future arbitrage deals in such a manner that the desired level is reached. These transactions usually offer money market returns and are not impacted by market movements. Hence, many experts track the net equity exposure of the BAF to understand how these schemes are positioned.



BAF allocations



At a time when the markets are a whisker away from reaching an all-time high, the equity allocations of BAFs have been a mixed bag. While a few adopt a counter cyclical approach  where the equity allocations are cut as valuations rise, there are a few who prefer to allocate more to stocks, when the stocks are seeing an uptrend. These models are based on multiple factors, and their allocations to equity may differ significantly from one another. Equity markets touched an intermittent low when Nifty50 index hit 16,828 on March 20, 2023. The oldest BAF  ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund has reduced the net equity exposure to 40 percent in June 2023, compared to 52 percent in March 2023. Edelweiss Balanced Advantage Fund, on the other hand, has raised allocation to stocks to 71.50 percent from 55 percent over the same period.



ALSO READ: ITR-4 Filing: Who should use this tax-filing form and who should not



According to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India, 29 BAF put together manage assets worth Rs 2.04 lakh crore, as of June 30, 2023.



According to Value Research, in the three years ending July 21, 2023, BAF as a category has given returns of 13.36 percent. However, the variance between the performance of schemes is wide. The best performing fund  HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund has given returns of 26.44 percent while the least returns of 8.27 percent were offered by Motilal Oswal Balanced Advantage Fund. Over the three-year period, aggressive hybrid schemes have given 18.57 percent returns.



Less Volatility



BAFs are offered as a means to contain volatility. To highlight the rationale behind launching the BAF, Vetri Subramaniam, Chief Investment Officer, UTI AMC, says, For most investors who invest through mutual funds, the challenge is in handling the volatility. They all know the reasons why they should invest in equity and wish to participate in wealth creation through equities but dont quite know how to handle the volatility that accompanies the journey. Investors need an asset allocation framework and a rebalancing mechanism.



ALSO READ: Small is beautiful: 15 smallcaps that are hot favourites of mutual funds



The standard deviation for the BAF category stands at 8 percent whereas for hybrid aggressive funds it is at 11.16 percent. For flexicap funds it stands at 14.26 percent. Many BAFs allocate a significant amount of money to large cap stocks to ensure liquidity and less volatility.



Viral Bhatt, Founder, Money Mantra, a Mumbai-based financial planning firm, says, BAFs can be a good option for investors who are looking for a more balanced investment with lower volatility than a pure equity fund. However, it is important to remember that no investment is completely safe and BAFs can still experience losses in down markets, he adds.



Just to give an example of a drawdown, in the month ended March 23, 2020, BAF as a category, on an average, lost 20 percent, as the broad markets tanked in anticipation of a slowdown caused by lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the Covid19 pandemic.



What should you do?



A BAF is a good investment because it adjusts to volatile markets. Now that the S&P BSE Sensex has crossed the 66,000 point-mark and NSE Nifty also within distance of the psychological 20,000-mark, a BAF can be considered at this juncture especially if you are worried about volatility.



But keep a few things in mind. All BAFs do not follow the same strategy of buy-low-sell-high. The performance of BAFs can also be varied. Its important to choose the right BAF that is suited to how much risk you can handle and whether you are comfortable with its strategy. Also remember, a BAF is a good asset allocation vehicle. But it might not always top the return charts, especially in a continuous bull market.



When markets are at their peak, as they are now, BAF can reduce its equity allocation to protect against a possible downturn and increase its allocation to safer fixed income assets. This flexibility can provide a level of protection during market volatility, which is especially important in the run-up to the elections when markets can be particularly unpredictable, says Rajat Dhar, director of the Indian Investors Federation.



ALSO READ: Are you really prepared for early retirement?



And last, but not least. Although most BAFs automatically trigger an asset reallocation depending on market levels, it is not a substitute for your entire portfolio. Keep the reins of your overall asset allocation in your hands or that of your financial planners. But a portion of your portfolio can be taken care of by a good BAF that comes with a proven track record.



As far as UBAF is concerned, let it build a track record, before you give your money to it.
Byjus, Indias most valued edtech company, has vacated its largest office space in Bengaluru, as it seeks to cut costs and shore up liquidity amid a delay in funding. It has also given up a portion of another office space in the city, sources said.



Byjus has three office spaces in Bengaluru, including the 5.58 lakh square feet property in Kalyani Tech Park that it has vacated. The company has asked the employees to work out of its other premises or from their homes from July 23, at least six employees confirmed to Moneycontrol. The company has also given up two out of nine floors it had in Prestige Tech Park, the employees said.



"Byju's has over 3 million square feet of rented spaces across the country to support its requirements. Expansion and reduction in office space is based on changes in working policies and business priorities which is very regular and is aimed at boosting operational efficiencies," a spokesperson for Byju's said.



Also Read | Byjus, lenders agree to restructure terms of $1.2 billion loan



The company took two buildings - Magnolia and Ebony - in Kalyani Tech Park in Brookfield on lease in June last year. It vacated Magnolia last month, shifting the employees to Ebony. It has asked all the employees to work from Prestige Tech Park and its main office on Baneghatta Main Road, the employees told Moneycontrol.



Security personnel at Kalyani Tech Park confirmed the development and said the company will be exit Ebony by August. Byju's had leased five floors in Magnolia and six floors in Ebony. According to employees and the security officials, it vacated four out of the six floors in Ebony last week, and will give up the rest by August.



Over the weekend, Moneycontrol visited Kalyani Tech Park and the two remaining offices of Byjus - IBC Knowledge Park, Bannerghatta and Prestige Tech Park, Kadabeesanahalli - to confirm the development.



The company had leased these spaces with a lock-in period of three years. Vacating the leased office space of about 5.58 lakh sq ft, the company will save close to Rs 3 crore on monthly rent.



Byjus move to vacate office spaces attains significance as it highlights the financial stress at the countrys most-valued unicorn, which is tackling multiple problems, including a tussle with lenders. Byjus has been eyeing an over $700 million fund infusion since the start of the year, but the company has not been able to close it.



Last month, Byjus had come under the scanner of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) over non-payment of PF dues, in what was another instance highlighting cash flow issues for the company. Even for June, the company has paid provident fund (PF) only for 738 employees, despite agreeing with the EPFO to clear payments before July 15. For May, the company had PF payments for close to 25,000 employees, data on official EPFO portal showed.



Byjus also laid off over 1,000 employees last month, in what was another cost-cutting initiative. On July 22, Moneycontrol reported that the company held an emergency townhall with Byjus Tuition Center (BTC) employees, where it committed that it would not be doing any other layoffs at BTCs. BTC employees were planning a pan-India protest on July 25 amid speculation of more layoffs.



Byju's touched a new high in March last year when it raised a massive $800 million round at a $22-billion valuation. The company, which counts backers like Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Prosus and Sofina among others, recently was in deep waters after the resignation of its auditor, and the departure of three key investor board members.



But since then, the company has come under fire for several more reasons, including accounting irregularities, tussles with lenders, mass layoffs and mounting losses.



Byju's offices in Bengaluru were also searched by the Enforcement Directorate, a financial investigation agency, in April, under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The company is yet to file audited results for FY22 (2021-22).



For FY21 (2020-21), Byju's reported a huge jump in losses to more than Rs 4,500 crore, while its revenue dropped marginally, surprisingly, as FY21 was the first year of Covid that gave online learning companies a shot in the arm.



Byju's fair value was also marked down internally twice by BlackRock, the world's biggest Asset Management Company (AMC). BlackRock has currently pegged Byju's fair value at $8.4 billion, about 62 percent lower than Byju's last valuation of $22 billion.



Founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, Byjus has raised over $5 billion, most of which was in the past five years
Byju's, the world's most valued edtech, and more than 85 percent of its lenders have agreed to work towards completing the term loan amendment before August 3, which comes as a major relief for the company.



"The steering committee (the SteerCo) of ad hoc term loan lenders, who collectively own more than 85% of BYJUS $1.2 billion term loan, today announced that it and BYJUS have agreed to work collaboratively toward a signed and completed term loan amendment (the Amendment) prior to August 3, 2023. Successful execution of the Amendment would immediately solve for the loans acceleration and end all open litigation while avoiding further enforcement actions," a statement released by the lenders said.



The development would bring a great deal of cheer to Byju's, which is currently facing a number of challenges, including accounting irregularities, tussles with lenders, mass layoffs, and mounting losses.



Byju's offices in Bengaluru were searched by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in April under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The company has yet to file audited results for FY22 (2021-22).



For FY21 (2020-21), Byju's reported a huge jump in losses to more than Rs 4,500 crore, while its revenue dropped marginally, surprisingly, as FY21 was the first year of Covid that gave online learning companies a shot in the arm.



The edtech company is also yet to close a long-pending funding round, which is a much-needed infusion that will help the company tide over an immediate liquidity crunch.



Earlier in the day, Moneycontrol also reported that the company had given up office space in Bengaluru as part of another cost-cutting initiative, following thousands of layoffs earlier this year.



Byjus also had come under the scanner of the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for irregularities in provident fund (PF) payments.



On July 22, Moneycontrol reported that the company held an emergency town hall with Byjus Tuition Center (BTC) employees, where it committed that it would not be doing any other layoffs at BTCs. BTC employees were planning a pan-India protest on July 25 amid speculation of more layoffs.



Byju's touched a new high in March last year when it raised a massive $800 million round at a $22-billion valuation. The company, which counts backers like Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Prosus and Sofina among others, recently was in deep waters after the resignation of its auditor, and the departure of three key investor board members.



Also read | Behind the scenes: What happened between Byjus and board members?



Byju's fair value was also marked down internally twice by BlackRock, the world's biggest Asset Management Company (AMC). BlackRock has currently pegged Byju's fair value at $8.4 billion, about 62 percent lower than its last valuation of $22 billion.



Founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, Byjus has raised over $5 billion, most of which was in the past five years.
State governments increased investments in treasury bills by 18 percent in May from the preceding month as they deployed excess funds to earn high returns and to get positive carry, dealers said.



Treasury bills, or T-Bills, are debt instruments issued by the government, maturing in up to one year, to meet short-term funding needs. Positive carry involves making a profit by investing in an asset using borrowed capital.



According to data from the Reserve Bank of India, state governments invested Rs 91,059 crore in treasury bills in the primary market maturing in 91, 182 and 364 days, as compared to Rs 77,493 crore in April.



States borrow money during SDL (State Development Loans) auctions but may not immediately deploy those funds and therefore park it temporarily in treasury bills to avoid negative carry, said Ajay Manglunia, managing director at JM Financial.



Umesh Kumar Tulsyan, managing director of Sovereign Global Markets, a New Delhi-based fund house, said the increase was mainly because of fewer government expenditure avenues at the start of the year and surplus funds coming in from revenue sources.



During the month, the cut-off yield on the T-Bills increased sharply, especially on the 91-day bills, before they moderated, which made these securities attractive for investors. Added to this, money market dealers said states may liquidate these investments at their discretion.



Also read: Kotak Mahindra Bank's investment in government bonds rises 53.3% in Q1



What does data say?



The 18 percent increase in month-on-month investments by the states in May was lower than the 31 percent on-month rise in April, as per RBI data. However, the investment by states in treasury bills fell 12.1 percent on-year in May.



Arunachal Pradesh increased its investments in T-Bills to Rs 600 crore in May from nil in April, and Gujarat to Rs 17,000 crore in May from Rs 10,000 crore in April.



Karnataka, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu increased their investments in T-Bills, while Maharashtra and Rajasthan cut their investments. Maharashtra reduced to nil in May from Rs 2,000 crore in April, and Rajasthan to Rs 7,300 crore in May from Rs 8,000 crore in April, the data showed.



Also read: Union Bank of India reports Rs 260 crore forex income in April-June: Officials



T-Bill yields



In May, the cut-off yield on treasury bills in the primary auction rose 2-12 basis points (bps) across tenures due to tight surplus liquidity conditions in the banking system and uneven distribution of liquidity with banks, which led to a rise in call money rates above the repo rate.



One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.



As per RBI data, the cut-off yield on 91-day T-Bills rose over 12 bps, 182-day rose 6 bps, and 364-day rose 2 bps.



The yields rose until May 10, when they started falling due to improved liquidity conditions after the RBI injected funds in the banking system through a repo auction. The central bank conducted a variable rate repo auction on May 19 to address the problems of some banks, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said on May 22.



After this, the yields fell by 12-16 bps till the end of May. As of May 31, liquidity in the banking system was at Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
The Supreme Court has halted a "detailed scientific survey" by the ASI to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple till 5 pm on July 26, directing the Allahabad High Court to hear an appeal filed by the mosque committee before the expiry of its order.



A Varanasi court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday to conduct the survey -- including excavations, wherever necessary -- to determine if the mosque was built at a place where a temple existed earlier.



A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of the submissions made by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared in the court on behalf of the mosque committee, stayed the operation of the order till Wednesday evening and asked the committee to file an appeal in the meantime.



"We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to the mosque committee," said the bench that also comprised Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.



"We permit the petitioner (mosque committee) to move the high court under Article 227 (writ jurisdiction of high courts), challenging the order of the district judge of Varanasi, having taken regard of the fact that the order was passed at 4:30 pm on July 21 and the ASI survey is being carried out today.



"To permit them some breathing time, we direct that the district court order shall not be enforced till 5 pm on July 26. If the petitioner moves the high court, the registrar-judicial of the high court shall ensure that it is placed before a roster (a bench) so that it is heard before the status quo order ends," the bench said in its order.



Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Uttar Pradesh government, took instructions and informed the bench that the ASI is conducting photography and radar-imaging at the site and presently, no invasive or excavation work is underway.



What kind of probe is expected?



It will reportedly be a detailed scientific investigation using GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) survey, excavation, carbon dating method and other modern techniques to determine if the structure was built over a pre-existing temple.



This will be done just below the three domes of the building in question. An excavation will be done if required.



The mosque's "wazookhana" (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions), where a structure claimed by the Hindu litigants to be a "Shivling" exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.



What is GPR?



Electromagnetic radar pulses are used to image materials in the ground, concrete, rock, ice and other structures without disturbing the surface.



The Gyanvapi Mosque row is a long disputed issue. The Hindu litigants argue of a presence of a shivling inside the premises, while the Muslim side argues that it is a fountain.



What is the impact of this?



The case also puts the spotlight on The Places of Worship Act, 1991 and the future of this legislation that was born during the PV Narasimha Rao government. Under the Places of Worship Act An Act to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August, 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Indias regulatory authority for civil aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), last Friday accorded its nod to Go Firsts revival plan, albeit with multiple riders  some easy to comply with, some not so. Quite expectedly, this has raised optimism about Go First flying again in the not-so-distant future.

A bit of scepticism on whether the airline will really take to the skies, however, is not out of place for two reasons. First, no Indian carrier has hitherto flown again after being out of operation. (ModiLuft did fly again but under a new promoter and under a new brand name, SpiceJet, as we know it now). Second, Jet Airways 2.0  which not only had new promoters selected through the National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT) bidding process and the DGCAs approval for resuming operations  has failed to fly, and will perhaps never. The creditors of Jet Airways urged the Supreme Court last week to wind up the grounded airline, claiming that the approved resolution plan was not workable.

The reference to Jet Airways becomes imperative as there are not only several stakeholders such as the committee of creditors (CoC), aircraft lessors, Go First employees, oil companies, airports, other vendors to whom the airline owes money, and, of course, the Resolution Professional acting on behalf of the management, but they have also to be necessarily and unconditionally taken on board for a common pursuit. As seen in the case of Jet Airways, multiple unforeseen financial claims cropped up to hinder the transformation from a grounded to an operational airline. Based on the learnings from the Jet Airways experience, it is of paramount importance that all major and minor stakeholders of Go First are taken on board at this stage itself.

Banks & Lessors Interest

The banks, which had collectively extended loans amounting to Rs 6,521 crore, constituted the CoC after the voluntary insolvency plea was filed with NCLT by Go First. The CoC, post the DGCAs nod on the revival plan, has sought to be impleaded in the case filed by various aircraft leasing companies in the Delhi High Court. The CoC feels that any verdict in favour of aircraft lessors will derail the revival process and thereby extinguish all prospects of banks being able to recover the earlier loans, to whatever extent.

Driven by the single objective of ensuring that Go First somehow becomes a going concern, a few of the involved banks agreed to extend interim financing of Rs 425 crore for revival. It wouldnt be incorrect to assume that at this stage banks have a greater stake in the airlines revival than perhaps the promoters. While approaching the Delhi High Court for being impleaded, the CoC is reported to have averred that it should be treated as the ultimate decision-making authority. It further argued that lessors pleas seeking deregistration of their planes leased to the grounded airline can pose a risk of lessors interests getting priority over those of lenders. Why? Is banks money more precious than aircraft as assets for the lessors and the accrued unpaid rental payments?

The concern of banks can be wholly understandable if viewed solely from their perspective, because if an adequate number of aircraft arent available for flying, how can Go First fly; if it somehow manages to fly, how would it comply with the DGCAs stipulated condition of ensuring at all times continuing airworthiness of the aircraft engaged in operation. The unconditional support of lessors of at least 15 aircraft, therefore, becomes critical and imperative. This is besides the fact that Rs 425 interim funding was sanctioned based on the original revival plan involving the utilisation of 26 aircraft. Since then, the DGCA has, after an audit of the airlines preparedness, approved the revival plan by pruning the number of aircraft to 15. What prompted DGCA to scale down the number of aircraft hasnt been made public. Was it the non-availability of adequate aircraft, pilots and finances?

Further, revenue earnings and expenditure to be incurred when fewer aircraft, 15 instead of 26, are deployed will also undergo a change. It remains to be seen if the boards of the concerned banks will seek a downward revision of the interim funding amount in the altered situation.

Pragmatic Thinking Needed

The million-dollar question is why arent the officials working to get Go First in the skies not thinking of the headwinds that they may encounter in advance. Why are they wanting to rely solely on the redressal of aircraft issues through the court of law, which can be time-consuming? It was in this context that in an earlier article titled Aircraft lessors cooperation imperative for Go Firsts revival, this writer had laid emphasis on the role of aircraft lessors in the revival of the airline.

One is surprised that the banks did not feel the need to initiate back-channel talks with the aircraft lessors, who may have found it more prudent to talk to the banks rather than the Resolution Professional because of the past events and how they have been forced to take the legal route for safeguarding their financial interests (pending and future payments) and aircraft, as assets. The approximate pending dues of aircraft lessors are certainly going to be significantly in excess of the interim funding amount committed by the CoC.

The futility of holding on to 56 aircraft even as the airline faced an acute shortage of engines during the past three years while it was operational, and its continuing to exercise control on so many aircraft when the revival plan involves only 15 aircraft may just add to the liabilities. NCLTs moratorium on payments to all creditors cant be made a factor in encouraging inefficiency and unproductive deployment of assets. Should the banks not be seeking a response on it?

It needs to be appreciated that just as CoC is keen to recover their past loans by making the airline operational, aircraft lessors too want to play safe and thus may not agree to any financial loss, particularly in the hostile environment that they have been placed in. If the CoC does indeed feel it is the ultimate decision-making authority, as stated in the Delhi High Court, how would it explain the lack of advance and pragmatic thinking on its part to deal with aircraft lessors and other stakeholders?

While I would hate to sound like a pessimist, I am of the firm opinion that someone should begin to do logical thinking and take advance action to ensure that Go First is airborne as soon as possible. Time is of the utmost essence since the last date for submission of expressions of interest is August 9, 2023. Go First still has to get its flight schedule approved by the DGCA after complying with all the riders that have been rightly imposed by the regulatory agency to ensure a smooth take-off for the beleaguered airline, if it eventually manages to fly. Good luck!

Jitender Bhargava is former executive director, Air India & author of The Descent of Air India. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
The strikes involving Hollywood actors and writers entail many distinct issues, but one of the most controversial concerns the rights to artificial intelligence likenesses by individual human beings. The studios are requesting the right to offer contracts that allow them to scan the bodies, voices and other features of individual actors, including extras, and then hold the rights to the AI likenesses in perpetuity. The actors are upset for good reason.



First, think through how this market will work. Most actors dont become famous, and so their likenesses end up being worth nothing. That means studios cant afford to offer any more than a small sum for the likeness rights on such a large number of initial acting contracts. It also means that if the studios get their way, potential stars end up significantly underpaid for selling their likenesses before they have become famous.



Imagine being Harrison Ford and working as an extra early in your career. You - if I may time splice just a bit - could have lost the rights to your AI likeness forever. As technology evolves, future AI likenesses could be incorporated into new Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars movies, whether the human Harrison Ford approved or not.



I find this unfair, but what is a better solution? I suggest that the eventual strike settlement forbid studios from buying the rights to AI likenesses for more than a single film or project. Or, as a compromise, the contract could be for some limited number of projects, but not in perpetuity. Actors thus would remain in long-run control of their AI likenesses, yet if they wanted to keep selling those likenesses  project by project  they could do so.



Note that this proposal is along some dimensions quite inegalitarian. That is, future stars would end up much richer and the large numbers of actors who fail would end up slightly poorer. They would not be paid small upfront sums for rights that would quickly become worthless.



We can feel better about that trade-off if we consider the interests of the fans. Many people (myself included) enjoy the image and thought of Han Solo (one of Fords most famous roles), whether or not they are paying money in a given year to see the Star Wars movies. Would those fans prefer that Ford or some movie studio be in control of the Han Solo image?



The answer may depend on the wisdom and aesthetic taste of the actor in question, but overall I would opt for actor control of the AI likenesses. At least some actors will care about the quality of the projects their likenesses are attached to, rather than just seeking to maximise profit from deploying the likenesses. So, if the question is whether an AI likeness of Han Solo can greet visitors at the entrance to a Disney ride, Disney might say yes but Ford might say no, or at least he would have that choice.



Having celebrity images remain scarce rather than overexposed is a good aesthetic decision, even if it keeps some market power in the hands of Ford, his eventual heirs and future movie stars more generally. With these additional restraints on AI likenesses, we will likely end up with a more exciting, less tired and less overexposed kind of celebrity culture, and I hope that leads to broader social benefits, if only by cultivating better taste among fans and viewers.



Such a proposal is not so unusual when viewed in a broader context. Standard labor contracts dont allow you to sell your labor to your boss in perpetuity, as you always retain the right to quit. Few people consider that limitation on contracting objectionable, as it protects human liberty against some hasty or ill-conceived decisions, such as selling yourself into slavery. If your AI likeness ends up being such a good substitute for your physical being, as it seems our current technological track may bring, why should we not consider similar restrictions on the contracts for the AI likeness?



My proposal is not without problems. For instance, if a studio finds it difficult to buy the AI likenesses of stars, it may build composite AI animations not traceable to any single star and market those likenesses into star candidacy. It could be that all stars (and our culture) end up worse off as a result. Or what if the studios approach non-unionised YouTube performers and seek to make them bigger stars and thereby capture their AI likenesses in perpetuity, again putting the actors at a disadvantage?



A new world of AI is arriving rapidly, and I doubt if we can arrange all of our affairs so that bargaining power falls out exactly as we might want. Nonetheless, on this issue I will be happy if the strike awards victory to the actors.



Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghes long overdue visit to India may have been a rather short one, lasting as it did just a little over 24 hours. However, neither the much-delayed visit nor its brief duration lessens its significance. Essentially, the two nations have reiterated their resolve to keep each others strategic and economic interests in mind and reap mutual benefits as close neighbours, which should also help stem Chinas inroads into the island.

The Sri Lankan PMs visit, his first since taking charge a year ago, enabled India to press ahead with its efforts to forge closer economic links with Sri Lanka. This is clearly evident in the joint document, Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision unveiled during the visit. India did press upon Sri Lanka yet again to implement the contentious 13th amendment devolving powers to the provinces. But New Delhi is unlikely to push it beyond a point, knowing well it has to strike a balance between Sri Lankan Tamils aspirations and cordial ties with Colombo.

Economic Diplomacy

Connectivity was the leitmotif running through the vision document, encompassing cooperation in sectors ranging from economics, trade and energy to ports, infrastructure and air connectivity. In putting the various strands together in the document, there is also an effort to formalise what New Delhi has been conveying to Colombo for a while  that an economic partnership can be mutually beneficial.

A lot of issues spelt out have been on the discussion table between the two sides for a long time. For instance, a power grid interconnection between the two countries and an oil pipeline from southern India to Sri Lanka. Even land connectivity, President Wickremesinghes long-held dream, finds mention in the vision document. Hopefully, the common vision thats now been enunciated will make things move beyond the discussion stage to concrete implementation. For President Wickremesinghe, looking to pull Sri Lanka out of economic doldrums, any external lifelines that are offered seem a viable option for now. New Delhi, on its part, will have to wait and see if Sri Lanka is able to deliver on the nitty-gritty of the proposed economic partnership especially when there could be domestic opposition to some of the proposals.

As close neighbours, India and Sri Lanka have had robust economic ties with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in place for over two decades. India is among Sri Lankas largest trading partners with bilateral trade pegged at $6.2 billion. In the last four years, India has also been the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka.

It is to provide a fillip to bilateral trade and investments, particularly in new and priority areas, that the two sides have decided to commence discussions on an Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ECTA). However, this proposed pact could run into domestic opposition in Sri Lanka, just as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) did. CEPA could not be signed despite the completion of negotiations because it was perceived as being inimical to Sri Lankan interests. Consequently, both sides will need to do a lot of heavy lifting for the ECTA to actually fructify. That the two sides have already agreed to designate the Indian rupee as currency for trade settlements and want to operationalise UPI-based digital payments is a step in the right direction.

Crucially for India, it has managed to get Sri Lanka on board to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, aiming as it is to have a significant presence in this strategically-located seaport with a deep natural harbour. An MoU has been signed for economic development projects in Trincomalee. Located not too far away from the Indian coastline, New Delhi heaved a sigh of relief after it was finally able to prevail upon Colombo to sign the pact allowing for the co-development of oil tank farms there lest they fall into Chinese hands.

Chinas Strategic Inroads

Indeed, for New Delhi countering the expanding Chinese footprints in the island nation has been a strategic imperative for long. Fearful as it is about encirclement by China, which has been increasing its presence in countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), New Delhi has wisely sought to counter these moves by seeking to partner with such nations in their developmental efforts.

India did well in assisting Sri Lanka financially as it reeled under an economic meltdown last year under Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Presidency, with a severe forex crunch leading to acute food and fuel shortages. It provided the island with $4 billion in financial assistance, while China looked the other way. In helping a friend in need, New Delhi gained the upper hand in the high-stakes battle for influence in a country that straddles vital sea lanes and therefore has become the battleground for Great Powers contestation.

India, however, cannot afford to slacken its engagement with Sri Lanka. Already, impelled by the need to meet its fuel requirements without having to dip too much into its own forex reserves, state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation signed an agreement with China-owned Sinopec in May allowing it to enter the islands retail fuel market. While an Australian and US company have also got the nod to enter the fuel market, for India its Sinopecs entry that is a great concern. New Delhi knows well that Colombo will continue to turn to Beijing for financial assistance, never mind that it proved to be an unreliable friend during its economic crisis or the Chinese debt trap.

Forging closer economic linkages, and retaining the goodwill it managed to generate, is vital for India to wean away the island nation from excessive dependence on Chinese assistance.

Having managed to secure a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Sri Lankan government is now faced with the challenging task of carrying out reforms. President Wickremesinghe knows he will have to lean on New Delhi if he has to revive his countrys economy and meet the IMF bail-out conditions as he steers his country through a challenging domestic and external debt restructuring plan.

President Wickremesinghe was effusive in expressing gratitude to New Delhi for its assistance when it was in dire straits. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in turn, said a stable, secure and prosperous Sri Lanka is not only in Indias interest but in the interest of the entire IOR. Colombo, hopefully, will heed New Delhis words.

Parul Chandra is a New Delhi-based senior journalist who writes on foreign affairs. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur situation, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House the government will discuss the issue.



As the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2:30 pm after an earlier adjournment, sloganeering from the opposition benches continued and Speaker Om Birla tried to calm them down. Shah said he was unable to understand why the opposition was not allowing a discussion to take place as the government was ready for it. Earlier, the government transacted some legislative business, with three Bills introduced and one withdrawn amid the din.



While the government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, it introduced the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, urged the opposition members to go back to their seats for a debate but the latter continued with their protests, demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur. Agrawal then adjourned the House till 2 pm.



Earlier in the day, as soon as the House met at 11 am, opposition members from the Congress, DMK, Left parties and others were on their feet. Speaker Om Birla allowed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to speak. Chowdhury said Modi should make a suo motu statement on the floor of the House on the violence in Manipur. Birla said the House is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence and the debate could be started after 12 noon as the time fixed for the Question Hour from 11 am should not be disturbed as many important issues are raised by the members during this period for a reply from the government.



"The whole House is ready for the discussion and the government will reply to the debate too. But you will not decide who will reply to the debate, the speaker said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi also said the government is ready for a discussion while pointing out that it is the opposition that is disrupting the proceedings and running away from a debate. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, reiterated his statement made on Friday that the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence.



As the opposition members stuck to their demand for a statement from the prime minister, the speaker continued with the proceedings. The House functioned for about 30 minutes amid the sloganeering and protest by the opposition. Birla again appealed to the opposition to allow the Question Hour to go on smoothly as he was ready to discuss the Manipur violence from 12 noon onwards. The opposition members were holding up placards that read "INDIA wants discussion on Manipur violence, "INDIA for Manipur etc.



"A solution could come only through discussions. I am accepting your request. I am ready for the discussion, but let the Question Hour be continued first. People have not sent you here for sloganeering or showing placards. The government will take action on the outcome of the debate. Dont you want a debate, Birla asked the opposition members. The speaker said he is ready to give enough time to everyone for raising their issues, but only after the Question Hour. As the protests continued, the speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon.



The Manipur violence rocked the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first two days of the Monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state. The session commenced a day after a video clip purportedly shot on May 4 and showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage.



The Manipur Police have arrested several accused who were seen in the video. The police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified armed miscreants.
Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will continue to be the chief minister of Maharashtra and there will be no change of guard in the state.



Fadnavis was responding to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's claim that NCP stalwart and incumbent deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be appointed as the chief minister around August 10 replacing Shinde.



Ajit Pawar is well aware of the fact that he would not become the chief minister and the same was conveyed to him during meetings held before July 2, Fadnavis claimed.



Earlier in the day, Chavan told a regional news channel that a decision on the disqualification of CM Shinde and 15 other MLAs of Shiv Sena will be taken around August 10.



"After deciding the disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be anointed as the chief minister around August 10," the former chief minister said.



Chavan also claimed that the BJP is not keen on contesting the next Lok Sabha elections under Shinde "as he wields no influence outside his home district of Thane".



"The BJP now has an alternative in Ajit Pawar. This is the fate of Shinde. The understanding of top BJP leadership indicates they want to make Ajit Pawar the chief minister and face elections," he added.



Responding to Chavan's claim, Fadnavis said, "As a leader of the single largest party (BJP) in 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance), I am officially telling you that Ajit Pawar will not become the chief minister of Maharashtra".



He said the Cabinet may be expanded by August 10 and nothing else.



"When meetings of 'Mahayuti' took place (before the July 2 induction of the NCP faction in the government), Ajit Pawar was given a clear picture that he would not get the post of chief minister," the Deputy Chief Minister told reporters.



Fadnavis claimed a clear picture was presented to Ajit Pawar about the power-sharing formula and he had agreed to it.



"He (Ajit) not only agreed to it but also made it clear in his speech that there is no discussion on changing the guard in Maharashtra," he said.



Fadnavis snubbed Prithviraj Chavan for allegedly peddling rumours.



"They should stop confusing people about 'Mahayuti'. Leaders are not confused but party workers do get perplexed. People like Prithviraj Chavan are spreading rumours. If something is going to happen by August 10, it would be the expansion of the state Cabinet. The CM will take a call on it," he said.



Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government on July 2. While Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister, the MLAs were sworn in as ministers. Later, the crucial finance department was allotted to the nephew of Sharad Pawar.



Shinde had said Ajit Pawar's entry into the government posed no threat to him.
A 36-year-old Bengaluru woman was arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend during a fight, a Deccan Herald report stated. The incident took place in the Viveknagar area of the city and occurred after the man, identified as 35-year-old Jogesh, had an argument with his girlfriend Jintu Das on Friday. The woman then took a knife and stabbed the man, which led to severe bleeding. The couple were from the Assam and the woman, who worked at a daycare centre in the city, had divorced her husband in 2020 and was living with her 16-year-old daughter in the Jigani area of the city. Jogesh worked as a security man and both were in a relationship for two years, during which time the woman had helped him financially. Local police said both had been fighting for many months over financial issues and additionally, the man was had begun a relationship with another woman and was avoiding Jintu. Later, Jintu caught him with the woman and became enraged, which led to her stabbing Jogesh. "Infuriated, she picked up a fight with Jogesh on Friday. The debate grew fierce, driving Jintu to stab Jogesh," the police officer said. Jogesh was later taken to a local hospital and doctors said that he was in a critical condition. The police arrested the woman, who had planned to return to Assam, from a relative's house. A case was later registered at a local police station. Also read: Delhi woman in Bengaluru tweets about not understanding Kannada ads, outrage follows

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The CEO of a Mumbai-based company was in for a surprise during his visit to Bengaluru when he found out that auto drivers in the city don't charge fares by the meter. In a tweet, he shared that he was charged Rs 100 for travelling only 500 metres. "In this photo you will see the most ornamental thing in Bengaluru. The great Auto Meter. So expensive that it never gets used," Mandar Natekar, co-founder and CEO of NeuralGarage wrote with a photo of the vehicle's meter. "I just paid Rs 100 for a 500 metres ride. To give perspective, in Mumbai, Rs 100 is the meter fare for approx 9 km." He also called the realisation a "peak Bengaluru" moment. In this photo you will see the most ornamental thing in Bengaluru. The great Auto Meter. So expensive that it never gets used. I just paid 100Rs for a 500 mtrs ride. To give perspective, in Mumbai 100Rs is the meter fare for approx 9 kms. @peakbengaluru pic.twitter.com/7piaKjGhnY  Mandar Natekar (@mandar2404) July 22, 2023 When TVF president Vijay Koshy remarked that Chennai is notorious for its auto rides, Natekar said, "It is ridiculous, to say the least, but seems like this highway robbery is not legit. No one bothers." In a related incident, a picture of an autorickshaw in Karnataka with an inappropriate message intended for people from outside the state has gone viral and sparked outrage in social media. U are in Karnataka, learn (Kannada). Dont show attitude U f***r. U come to beg here, the message pasted on the back of the vehicle read.

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Russia on July 24 destroyed Ukrainian grain warehouses on the Danube River; these were reportedly the last remaining export routes for grain supply for the war-ravaged nation.



The drone attack that left seven people wounded is a continuation of the air raid Russia launched last week after pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal. It comes amid a sharp rise in global wheat and corn futures.



As per the latest figures, wheat prices surge surged 6 percent (13% on the week), while corn prices have shot up 5 percent (10% on week) since the attack. According to European Stock Exchange figures, wheat prices rose 8.2 percent on July 20, while corn prices were up 5.4 percent.



The latest Russian attacks have primarily been targeting the seaports of Odesa, but the latest pre-dawn strikes destroyed infrastructure along the Danube, which is an alternative export route vital for Kyiv to ensure safe grain exports. "The Russian terrorists have again attacked the Odesa region overnight. Port infrastructure on the Danube River is the target this time," regional governor Oleh Kiper wrote on social media.



Per global media reports, three-grain warehouses have been destroyed in the Danube port city of Reni in the attack involving around 15 drones. Reni port, an important transport hub, looks across the Danube to NATO and European Union member Romania.



Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February last year, Ukraine has expanded grain exports overland via the European Union to about one million tonnes a month, with large volumes being exported from Romanian ports and along the Danube.



These bombings are likely to make grain used for livestock harder to source besides affecting flours and oils that rely on Ukrainian grain. This can also adversely affect the current global food crisis in some countries that are already reeling under the effects of El Nino on agricultural production.



(With inputs from Reuters)
A toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying has been uncovered at McDonald's branches in the UK according to a chilling investigation by the BBC. What has also been uncovered through the investigation is a troubling outbreak of gonorrhoea among staff at a Northern Ireland branch.



The report highlights a deeply concerning atmosphere at the branch, where sexual relationships between staff members were reportedly commonplace.



This resulted in an outbreak of the sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhoea. The infection can lead to severe complications in the genital and throat areas and, if left untreated, may even cause infertility in men.



The revelations go beyond sexual misconduct, as 18 allegations of racism and six instances of homophobia within the company were also disclosed.



Over 100 current and recent staff members from various branches across the UK, some as young as 17, came forward with disturbing allegations. 31 cases of sexual assault and 78 of sexual harassment have been reported by the workers interviewed by BBC.



Employees reported instances where managers preyed on vulnerable young workers, attempting to coerce them into sexual acts or subjecting them to racial slurs and abuse. Female staff members were allegedly pressured by managers to perform sexual favours in exchange for vapes.



Anti-Semitic abuse was also reported, with a worker in Essex sharing her distressing experiences of facing discrimination. Additionally, some male managers and staff members at a Wales branch allegedly engaged in appalling behaviour by placing bets on who could sleep with a new recruit first.



An Indian employee at an Oxfordshire branch claimed colleagues spoke in "gibberish" to imitate her and also called a Pakistani staff a terrorist.



McDonald's has "deeply apologised" as the claims come to the fore.



Alistair Macrow, Chief Executive of McDonald's UK & Ireland, responded to the revelations, telling BBC, "This is simply no place for harassment, abuse, or discrimination."



He assured that any such breach would be met with the most severe measures possible, including potential dismissal.



Must read: Two 10-year-olds found working at a US McDonald's till 2 am without pay



The fast-food giant, which employs over 1,70,000 people in 1,450 restaurants across the UK, has a predominantly young workforce, with three-quarters of employees aged between 16 and 25.



The UK equality watchdog expressed serious concern over the allegations and is launching a new email hotline to address harassment and misconduct issues within the company.
For many years, Indigo has been known for its appreciative gestures for traveling passengers and in yet another instance, an army official, who was flying in a Pune-bound flight, was honoured by the aircraft crew before take-off.



In a Twitter video, captain Edsel could be seen giving flight the details and later described how Param Vir Chakra awardee Sanjay Kumar fought a battle on the borders, before honouring the army official.



Flying with a hero: Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar ji, a Living Param Veer Chakra awardee! #goIndiGo #IndiaByIndiGo pic.twitter.com/CZsqlHxRj6

 IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 23, 2023

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am your captain Edsel today. Today my first stop is flight officer Gurneet and my lead Shruti. I'd like to welcome you to flight 202 to Pune. Today we are going to be departing off the westly runway from here, thereafter turning right. It is 50 minutes flying time to Pune. Not expecting too much weather along the road," the captain said.



He then went on to introduce the "Param Vir Chakra" awardee and described how he had protected the borders in battle during the 1999 Kargil War.



"The reason I am standing here today is because we have a very special person with us on-board. We have a Param Vir Chakra awardee Sanjay Kumar ji with us. For those of you who don't know what this award is, this award has been given to only 21 people in Indian history so far. It is for the highest gallery and bravery award, given during war time," he added.



The flight captain went on to describe how Kumar had led a team to capture "Area Flag Top" in Kargil and at the end of the video, was given a token of appreciation by the cabin crew.



Indigo's gesture won many hearts on Twitter, with many applauding the airline for recognising his contribution during the war.



"Wonderful gesture from @IndiGo6E," photographer Atul Kasbekar wrote.



"Appreciate the gesture by @IndiGo6E," one user wrote.



"What a wonderful gesture by @IndiGo6E crew. Salute to Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar and the brave men and women of Indian Arabia Forces," a third user wrote.



Also read: Indigo celebrates girl's 1st birthday, cuts cake at Kochi airport. Watch




The Resolution Professional (RP) of grounded airline Go First on July 24 told the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) it is exploring a settlement with logistics company Delhivery.



The tribunal accordingly deferred the case to the third week of August.



According to the application filed in NCLT by Delhivery, the airline received over Rs 1.58 crore from the logistics company for rendering domestic cargo consignment services but never acted on it. The money was paid according to the terms of an agreement that the companies entered into in 2020 and was last renewed in August 2022.



The plea, which Moneycontrol has reviewed, notes that Go First received Rs 57 lakh on May 2, the day it filed for insolvency, despite being aware that it may not be able to render the services even in the future as Go First does not have an operable fleet in its own admission.



The plea notes that "the sole intent of Go First in preferring the insolvency petition is to hijack the process in detriment of Delhivery's bonafide, the plea is an abuse of process of law."



On May 10, the principal bench of NCLT at Delhi admitted Go First's voluntary plea to initiate an insolvency resolution process.



The tribunal appointed an IRP while suspending the board and putting a moratorium on the debt-ridden airline's financial obligations.



Founded by billionaire Nusli Wadia, Go First, earlier GoAir, filed for bankruptcy on May 2, blaming US engine maker Pratt & Whitney for grounding half its fleet due to faulty engines.



The ultra-low-cost airline has liabilities worth around Rs 11,000 crore.
Twitter has officially replaced its iconic bird logo with a new one that just says "X" on the website. Owner Elon Musk, who had already talked about the big change before, finally made things official today replacing the "Blue Bird".



Twitter's parent company was renamed to X Corporation sometime back. Musk had revealed the new logo Sunday, saying the company would be renamed X and move later into payments, banking and commerce.



The logo, which Musk has likely chosen and worked on from the art of a follower, is now pinned to his profile.



pic.twitter.com/IwcbqMnQtA

 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023

"If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll make (it) go live worldwide tomorrow," he asked his 149 million followers yesterday to assist with the new logo. He also tweeted: "If X is closest in style to anything, it should, of course, be Art Deco."



Twitter headquarters in San Francisco also lit up with X, a photo posted by Musk shows. Musk has also changed his profile picture to the 'X' logo.



Twitter takes its name and has used bird logo since its early days, when the company bought a stock symbol of a light blue bird for $15, according to the design website Creative Bloq.



Our headquarters tonight pic.twitter.com/GO6yY8R7fO

 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 24, 2023

CEO Linda Yaccarino tweeted about the new development detailing on the parent company.



"X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways were just beginning to imagine," she wrote.



She continued: "Its an exceptionally rare thing  in life or in business  that you get a second chance to make another big impression. Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square."



X is here! Lets do this. pic.twitter.com/1VqEPlLchj

 Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 24, 2023

Musk had been tweeting about the development for days, which his content on 'X' peaking yesterday.



"Not sure what subtle clues gave it way, but I like the letter X," he had shared a throwback picture of him making an 'X' with his hands.



Not sure what subtle clues gave it way, but I like the letter X pic.twitter.com/nwB2tEfLr8

 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023

The X logo has been in the pipeline for a while with Musks strong want of an everything app. Before he bought Twitter for $44 billion, Musk described the platform as an accelerant to creating X, the everything app" - something he plans to launch eventually, he says.



After Musk's takeover of Twitter, several new changes, including a paid verified service, drew the ire of many.



Many influencers have announced that they will quit the platform as the new logo is unveiled. Many had quit 'Twitter Blue' was launched earlier this year.



Musk stepped down as CEO after a Twitter poll and after months appointed Yaccarino as the new CEO of the microblogging site.
A woman from Rajasthan told her husband that she is going to Japipur but instead legally crossed the Wagah border to meet a man in Pakistan whom she had met via Facebook and reportedly fallen in love with.



The 34-year-old woman identified only as Anju has a 15-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son and lives with her family in Rajasthans Alwar. Last week, she travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan after being invited by her 29-year-old friend Nasrulla. She is currently under the scanner of Pakistan authorities, News18 reported.



This comes at a time when authorities in India are dealing with Pakistani citizen Seema Haider who entered India illegally after falling in love with a man from India she met on an online gaming platform. But unlike Haider, Anju entered Pakistan legally, crossing the Wagah border with her travel documents.



As per News18's report, Anju was initially under Pakistan police custody but was released after her travel documents were verified by the district police. An officer at Dir police station said Anju and Nasrulla were released after her documents were cleared by senior police officer Mushtaq Khab and Scouts Major.



Nasrulla works in the medical field and the two apparently met each other online a few months ago and struck up a friendship. Anju clarified that she did not visit the neighbouring country to marry Nasrulla but only to meet him. As per her travel documents, she was supposed to stay in Pakistan for a month.



Meanwhile in India, the Rajasthan police reached Anju's house in Bhiwadi to enquire about her after media reports emerged. According to her husband, Anju left home on Thursday saying that she is going to Jaipur. The family came to know much later that she was in Pakistan. Her husband did not know of her friendship with Nasrulla.



Anjus husband said that she left home on Thursday. She had a valid passport, Assistant Superintendent of Police Bhiwadi Sujit Shankar told news agency PTI.



The family has not registered any complaint yet.



PUBG Love Story: Seema Haider From Pakistan Adopts Hinduism For Sachin Meena
Pakistan and the US on July 24 agreed to further enhance their bilateral relations, including in the defence field, at a meeting between a top American general and Pakistans army chief General Asim Munir. US Central Command (Centcom) chief General Michael Erik Kurilla held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Munir, according to a statement issued by Pakistan Armys media wing Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR). They discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and defence cooperation between Pakistan and the US. The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Armys successes in (the) fight against terrorism and Pakistans continued efforts for bringing peace and stability to the region, the statement said. It stated that both sides reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields. The important meeting comes days after the two countries urged the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of its soil for terrorist attacks on other countries.

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The United States and Australia have begun their biggest ever war games, involving 30,000 troops and 11 countries.



India and three other countries are attending as observers.



Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Britain, Canada and Germany are the countries taking part in the exercise, which ends on August 4.



The war games are to deal with China, which has increasingly become assertive in the Indo-Pacific region.



But the US-Australia joint military exercises are likely to raise tension in the volatile region, especially in the Taiwan Strait, where China recently held a coercive two-day military drill.



Though India is not participating directly, it is attending the military exercises, which began last Friday, as an observer, along with Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand.



The Indo-Pacific is an extremely important region through which over 80 percent of global trade and commerce passes.



Any prolonged instability in the Indo-Pacific could adversely affect the world economy and supply of essentials, which are already strained by the Ukraine war.



The most important message that China can take from the 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, US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said.



Largest such exercise



The exercise, called Talisman Sabre, and held every two years, began in 2005. This year will be the largest ever such exercise.



It also coincides with the visit of US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin to Papua New Guinea and Australia this week. He will join US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for the US-Australia Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) and observe the military exercise.



To underscore the close military relationship, the USS Canberra  a US warship built by Australia, was also commissioned in Sydney during the joint exercise.



The ship, built by Australian manufacturer Austal, will become the first US warship to be commissioned in a foreign port.



View from China



But China, which held a series of military exercises around Taiwan some weeks back, tried to play down the hype created by the US-Australia joint exercise.



Chen Hong, executive director at the Asia Pacific Studies Centre of East China Normal University, told Chinese newspaper the Global Times that the military exercise was more of a paper tiger.



Other Chinese experts said the US was trying to coerce countries in the name of defending their security and democratic values by hyping up threats from China.



They added that by playing word games, the US is only aiming to maintain its own global hegemony and participating countries also have their own petty calculations.



The drills, taking place in various locations across Australia, will include mock land and air combat and amphibious landings.



The Chinese military drills around Taiwan coincided with the NATO summit, where leaders expressed concerns over Chinas ambitions and coercive policies that challenged other countries interests, security and values.



Missed opportunity to de-escalate



Of serious concern is the fact that China and the US do not have any contact between their military leaders.



The US has been requesting a meeting between Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu and US Defense Secretary Austin.



This June both leaders could have met at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an annual security dialogue where the US and Chinas defence chiefs traditionally meet.



Experts felt this years gathering was an especially important opportunity for them to meet given the frequency and intensity of Chinas provocative behaviour in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.



But China turned down the US request, pointing out that Li was under American sanctions over Chinas procurement of Russian weapons systems in 2018.



Beijing has made it clear that unless those sanctions are lifted the Chinese defence chief will not meet any US officials.



China has also suspended a series of talks with the US military commander since then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis provocative visit to Taiwan in August 2022.



But experts see the lack of communication on Chinas part as a form of leverage over the US.



It knows that Washington is concerned about the lack of contact, and it likes that the US military feels uneasy, says Yun Sun, director of the China Programme at Washingtons Stimpson Centre.



He adds, By depriving US officials of security and certainty, Beijing hopes that it can pressure them to decrease the United Statess military footprint in the waters and airspace near China.

Not looking for a war



But despite its propensity for aggression in its neighbourhood, China does not want to start a war.



However, it is not worried that its brinkmanship could start one.



According to Beijings assessment, the US is preoccupied with the Ukraine war and is unwilling to open another front in the western Pacific.



Instead, China feels a military crisis will allow it to establish ground rules that the US will follow while operating on its periphery.



However, experts fear that such calculations could go horribly wrong and create a war that nobody is looking for.



Therefore, there is an urgent need for the two global rivals to meet and lower the rising tension in the Indo-Pacific and stabilise the situation.
Micro-X shares were up by 28.57% after the announcement today of the extension of its contract with the DHS to build and test a self-screening airport module. The contract is worth up to AU$21 million and will see testing that will eventually progress to a pilot program in one or more US airports.

Micro-X [ASX:MX1], the Adelaide-based X-ray technology company, has announced that it has been awarded an extension on its existing contract with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to build and test self-screening X-ray checkpoint modules in US airports.

The extension comes after signing two contracts with the DHS in November 2020 to build and test two prototypes of its miniaturised CT baggage scanners. These prototypes are due for delivery in the coming months, but initial results have obviously impressed.

Investors were similarly rapt about todays news, with the share price taking off today  up by 28.57% and trading at 13.5 cents per share.

Todays trading has recovered a considerable chunk of the losses seen by the companys share price over the year, which is down by 12.9% over the past 12 months, as shareholders became concerned about low revenues in 1H23.

Source: TradingView

DIY Security Checks and More

Micro-X has announced the extension of its contract with the DHS to manufacture and demonstrate a self-screen airport check within a US airport.

The extension marks a major milestone for Micro-X, providing up to AU$21 million in funding over 40 months. The initial commitment of $7.25 million covers the first 18 months of the project, with subsequent milestone payments ranging from $36 million.

The project focuses on the Passenger Self-Screening Project, which seeks to replace the current conveyor belt design for screening passengers carry-on luggage with a bank of multiple self-service security stations.

The extension allows Micro-X to progress from the detailed design phase to live airport testing. This involves the fabrication of a single self-screening station, followed by three stations, and ultimately a full six-station lane.

Source: Micro-X

Inspired by the concept of self-service checkouts in supermarkets, the aim is to increase throughput and enhance the passenger experience.

Micro-Xs miniaturised CT technology plays a pivotal role in enabling this vision, offering the potential for quicker and more accurate security checks.

Their proprietary X-ray technology differs from traditional X-ray machines that have remained largely the same since their invention in 1895.

Traditional X-ray machines use a heated filament similar to an incandescent lightbulb to emit X-rays.

Micro-X is the first company to instead use an electronic X-ray tube that could be best imagined as similar to an old cathode ray TV that fires rays through a controlled burst of energy.

With this new breakthrough technology, they have a cold X-ray machine that is faster to scan, around five times lighter and has a longer use life.

The X-ray technique appears well-refined by the company. Its next step is testing the end products for commercial release.

Micro-X will gather valuable feedback from the DHS and TSA (Transport Security Administration) throughout testing to refine and enhance the systems design.

Micro-X Chief Executive Officer of Americas, Brian Gonzales commented on the extension, saying:

The partnership we have formed with DHS and TSA enables us to combine input from both the end-customer and the safety regulator to deliver a design that completely re-imagines security screening but is also grounded in the reality of airport operations and regulations.

We are excited to continue our partnership with DHS and TSA as we build and then demonstrate this design in real airports.

The ultimate goal is to create a fully integrated passenger self-screening security system capable of transforming security screening across airports  and potentially outside aviation.

Micro-X has developed uses for its X-ray technology in the defence industry, announcing last week the first delivery of its Rover Plus system to the Australian Defense Force (ADF). The mobile X-ray system has been used in Ukraine and developing countries this past year.

Outlook for Micro-X

The contract extension is a significant advancement in Micro-Xs airport security strategy.

The opportunity to collaborate with the DHS and TSA in this contract gives Micro-X a huge advantage as its primary customer is also the main regulator in the space.

Micro-Xs contract extension with the DHS represents a promising opportunity for the company to demonstrate its technology in busy airport environments.

By leveraging miniaturised CT technology, Micro-X aims to revolutionise airport security and significantly improve the passenger experience.

This collaboration with the DHS and TSA propels Micro-Xs position in the airport security market and highlights its potential in the health and security sectors.

Micro-xs X-ray technology is also being developed for commercial products in brain scanning and portable IED-explosive cameras.

Source: Micro-X

The strength of this scattershot product approach for Micro-X will be the ability to pivot to whichever sector responds well to its first products and grow from there.

Whichever sector becomes its primary customer Micro-X is primed for growth.

Growth opportunities exist for other small-caps within Australia, but you need to know where to look.

Finding Small-Cap Opportunities

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Depending on your risk tolerance, you may want to consider investing in small-caps.

Small-cap stocks are those with a market capitalisation of less than $500 million.

Investors often overlook them, but if you invest in the right ones, they can offer significant growth potential.

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For Money Morning
July 24, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-177

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on July 24, 2023 at 16:42 UTC | Permalink

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(Reuters)  Warner Bros' "Barbie" showed no signs of slowing down in its second weekend at the box office, and was set to haul in $93 million 
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, center, meets with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, right, and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio on Saturday, July 22, 2023, as part of a weeklong visit to the Pacific Islands.
Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School in Dededo, shown June 25, 2023, is the location of one of the island's Disaster Recovery Centers.
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules loadmaster with the 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron, right, and U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Rayne Jones, a 31st Combat Training Squadron battlespace engineer, sit on the ramp of a C-130H during a simulated airdrop over Andersen Air Force Base July 12, 2023.
Nigerian officials say 103 bodies from 2020 protests will be buried. Activists allege a cover-up View Photo

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  More than 100 people who died in Nigeria in 2020 during protests against police brutality will soon be buried, authorities said, prompting allegations by activists on Monday of a cover-up and calls for a new investigation.

At least 103 bodies were gathered from across the state after the protests and other clashes related to it, the top official at Lagos States ministry of health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, said in a statement after local media reported a leaked memo about the planned burial.

Ogboye said the fatalities occurred during violence in many parts of the state and not at a protest site at the Lekki toll gate, where soldiers allegedly shot protesters.

The new information about the deaths shows authorities in the West African nation are still covering up the true casualty toll from the protest and are still protecting security personnel who killed protesters, Amnesty Internationals Nigeria office said as it demanded a new probe into the killings. Nigerian officials had said 51 civilians and 18 security personnel were killed during the unrest in Lagos and other parts of the country.

Men associated with the government directly or indirectly  and sponsored thugs attacked and injured, and in some cases killed protesters. You can see the government shifting the goal post every now and then, which shows a lack of honesty, the groups Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, told The Associated Press.

Thousands across Nigeria marched in October 2020 to protest the activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit accused of police brutality. In Lagos where the protest, known as #EndSARS movement, was concentrated, security forces opened fired at the Lekki Toll Gate protest venue, prompting global condemnation and an investigation that later found that dozens were shot at despite denials from authorities.

Many Nigerians and some activists questioned the decision of the Lagos government not to announce the planned burial until after news of it broke, but authorities denied any cover-up.

Decongestion of our public morgues is a periodic and regular exercise approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to free up space in mortuaries that have a large number of unclaimed bodies, Ogboye said.

The 2020 protest, involving mainly young people in Africas most populous country, lasted nearly two weeks, climaxing on Oct. 20 when army soldiers arrived at the Lekki toll gate protest site and opened fire on youths armed only with the Nigerian flag as they sang the national anthem.

After initially denying its personnel were at the scene, the army later said soldiers only fired blanks, although an independent panel set up by the goverment found that to be false. The panel said in its report that, The atrocious maiming and killing of unarmed, helpless and unresisting protesters, while sitting on the floor and waving their Nigerian flags, while singing the National anthem can be equated to a massacre in context.

Oke Ridwan, a lawyer who helped fight for the release of some of the arrested protesters, said the government must prosecute those responsible for the killings. We cant move on from this until that is done. Everyone involved in killing Nigerian citizens must be severely punished and made known to the public, he said.

By CHINEDU ASADU

Associated Press
New Zealands justice minister resigns after facing criminal charges in car crash View Photo

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  New Zealands justice minister resigned Monday after police filed charges against her and said she was over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed into a parked car.

The incident involving Kiri Allan was the latest in a series of missteps and scandals involving government ministers less than three months out from national elections. Polls indicate the conservative opposition has pulled level or moved slightly ahead of the incumbent liberals in what promises to be a close race.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Allan was involved in the crash soon after 9 p.m. Sunday in Wellington and was detained at the central police station for about four hours.

Police have charged her with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer.

Hipkins noted police reported that Allans breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit, although she was not charged with drunk driving. Police said they issued Allan an infringement notice in relation to the breath test.

A court date has not been set. If found guilty, Allan could face fines and a suspension of her drivers license.

Once considered a rising star of the Labour Party, Allan had recently taken time off for her mental health after being involved in a publicized split with her partner. She also faced accusations of having poor working relationships with some staff.

Hipkins said he spoke with Allan on Monday morning and told her he thought she wasnt in a fit state to remain a minister and it was untenable for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending. She agreed and resigned her ministerial roles, Hipkins said.

For now, Allan remains a member of Parliament.

While her alleged actions are inexcusable, Ive been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident, Hipkins said. Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday.

Hipkins said he felt sad for Allan.

Kiri is an incredibly talented person who clearly has been battling some demons, and has not won that battle, he said.

Allan said she was sorry for her actions and was heading home to consider her future in politics.

Over recent weeks Ive faced a number of personal difficulties. I took time off to address those, and believed I was okay to juggle those challenges with the pressure of being a minister, she said in a statement. My actions yesterday show I wasnt okay, and Ive let myself and my colleagues down.

Last month, Transport and Immigration Minister Michael Wood resigned after failing to disclose a possible conflict of interest with stock he owned. In March, Police Minister Stuart Nash was fired after it came to light he had given confidential information to donors. In May, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri was fired after switching allegiance to another political party.

Opposition leader Christopher Luxon said he hoped Allan was getting the support she needs, but added the situation raised questions about the judgment of Hipkins.

Hipkins took over as prime minister in January after predecessor Jacinda Ardern stepped down. New Zealands elections will be held Oct. 14.

By NICK PERRY

Associated Press
Fukushima residents worry nuclear plants wastewater release in a few weeks will be another setback View Photo

IWAKI, Japan (AP)  Beach season has started across Japan, which means seafood for holiday makers and good times for business owners. But in Fukushima, that may end soon.

Within weeks, the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is expected to start releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a highly contested plan still facing fierce protests in and outside Japan.

Residents worry that the water discharge, 12 years after the nuclear disaster, could deal another setback to Fukushimas image and hurt their businesses and livelihoods.

Without a healthy ocean, I cannot make a living. said Yukinaga Suzuki, a 70-year-old innkeeper at Usuiso beach in Iwaki about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the plant. And the government has yet to announce when the water release will begin.

While officials say the possible impact would be limited to rumors, its not yet clear if it will be damaging to the local economy. Residents say they feel shikataganai  meaning helpless.

Suzuki has requested officials hold the plan at least until the swimming season ends in mid-August.

If you ask me what I think about the water release, Im against it. But there is nothing I can do to stop it as the government has one-sidedly crafted the plan and will release it anyway, he said. Releasing the water just as people are swimming at sea is totally out of line, even if there is no harm.

The beach, he said, will be in the path of treated water traveling south on the Oyashio current from off the coast of Fukushima Daiichi. Thats where the cold Oyashio current meets the warm, northbound Kuroshio, making it a rich fishing ground.

The government and the operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO, have struggled to manage the massive amount of contaminated water accumulating since the 2011 nuclear disaster, and announced plans to release it to the ocean during the summer.

They say the plan is to treat the water, dilute it with more than a hundred times the seawater and then release it into the Pacific Ocean through an undersea tunnel. Doing so, they said, is safer than national and international standards require.

Suzuki is among those who are not fully convinced by the governments awareness campaign that critics say only highlights safety. We dont know if its safe yet, Suzuki said. We just cant tell until much later.

The Usuiso area used to have more than a dozen family-run inns before the disaster. Now, Suzukis half-century old Suzukame, which he inherited from his parents 30 years ago, is the only one still in business after surviving the tsunami. He heads a safety committee for the area and operates its only beach house.

Suzuki says his inn guests wont mention the water issue if they cancel their reservations and he would only have to guess. I serve fresh local fish to my guests, and the beach house is for visitors to rest and chill out. The ocean is the source of my livelihood.

The March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and contaminating their cooling water, which has since leaked continuously. The water is collected, filtered and stored in some 1,000 tanks, which will reach their capacity in early 2024.

The government and TEPCO say the water must be removed to make room for the plants decommissioning, and to prevent accidental leaks from the tanks because much of the water is still contaminated and needs retreatment.

Katsumasa Okawa, who runs a seafood business in Iwaki, says those tanks containing contaminated water bother him more than the treated water release. He wants to have them removed as soon as possible, especially after seeing immense tanks occupying much of the plant complex during his visit few years ago.

An accidental leak would be an ultimate strikeout  It will cause actual damage, not reputation, Okawa says. I think the treated water release is unavoidable. Its eerie, he adds, to have to live near the damaged plant for decades.

Fukushimas badly hit fisheries community, tourism and the economy are still recovering. The government has allocated 80 billion yen ($573 million) to support still-feeble fisheries and seafood processing and combat potential reputation damage from the water release.

His wife evacuated to her parents home in Yokohama, near Tokyo with their four children, but Okawa stayed in Iwaki to work on reopening the store. In July, 2011, Okawa resumed sale of fresh fish but none from Fukushima.

Local fishing was returning to normal operation in 2021 when the government announced the water release plan.

Fukushimas local catch today is still about one-fifth of its pre-disaster levels due to a decline in the fishing population and smaller catch sizes.

Japanese fishing organizations strongly opposed Fukushimas water release, as they worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it a political and diplomatic issue. Hong Kong has vowed to ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea.

China plans to step up import restrictions and Hong Kong restaurants began switching menus to exclude Japanese seafood. Agricultural Minister Tetsuro Nomura acknowledged some fishery exports from Japan have been suspended at Chinese customs, and that Japan was urging Beijing to honor science.

Our plan is scientific and safe, and it is most important to firmly convey that and gain understanding, TEPCO official Tomohiko Mayuzumi told The Associated Press during its plant visit. Still, people have concerns and so a final decision on the timing of the release will be a a political decision by the government, he said.

Japan sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency for transparency and credibility. IAEAs final report, released this month and handed directly to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, concluded that the method meets international standards and its environmental and health impacts would be negligible. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said radioactivity in the water would be almost undetectable and there is no cross-border impact.

Scientists generally agree that environmental impact from the treated water would be negligible, but some call for more attention on dozens of low-dose radionuclides that remain in the water, saying data on their long-term effect on the environment and marine life is insufficient.

Radioactivity of the treated water is so low that once it hits the ocean it will quickly disperse and become almost undetectable, which makes pre-release sampling of the water important for data analysis, said University of Tokyo environmental chemistry professor Katsumi Shozugawa.

He said the release can be safely carried out and trusted only if TEPCO strictly follows the procedures as planned. Diligent sampling of the water, transparency and broader cross-checks  not just limited to IAEA and two labs commissioned by TEPCO and the government  is key to gaining trust, Shozugawa said.

Japanese officials characterize the treated water as a tritium issue, but it also contains dozens of other radionuclides that leaked from the damaged fuel. Though they are filtered to legally releasable levels and their environmental impact deemed minimal, they still require close scrutiny, experts say.

TEPCO and government officials say tritium is the only radionuclide inseparable from water and is being diluted to contain only a fraction of the national discharge cap, while experts say heavy dilution is needed to also sufficiently lower concentration of other radionuclides.

If you ask their impact on the environment, honestly, we can only say we dont know, Shozugawa, referring to dozens of radionuclides whose leakage is not anticipated at normal reactors, he says. But it is true that the lower the concentration, the smaller the environmental impact, and the plan is presumably safe, he said.

The treated water is a less challenging task at the plant compared to the deadly radioactive melted debris that remain in the reactors, or the continuous, tiny leaks of radioactivity to the outside.

Shozugawa, who has been regularly measuring radioactivity of groundwater samples, fish and plants near Fukushima Daiichi plant since the disaster, says his 12 years of sampling work shows small amounts of radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi has continuously leaked into groundwater and the port at the plant. He says its potential impact on the ecosystem also requires closer attention than the controlled release of the treated water.

TEPCO denies new leaks from the reactors and attributes high cesium in fish sometimes caught inside the port to sediment contamination from initial leaks and a rainwater drainage.

A local fisheries cooperative executive Takayuki Yanai told a recent online event that forcing the water release without public support only triggers reputational damage and hurts Fukushima fisheries. We dont need additional burden to our recovery.

Public understanding is lacking because of distrust to the government and TEPCO, he said. The sense of safety only comes from trust.

By MARI YAMAGUCHI

Associated Press
Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Swedens special envoy over desecration of Quran View Photo

BEIRUT (AP)  The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has suspended the status of Swedens special envoy over a string of Quran burnings in Stockholm that sparked anger and mass protests in a number of Muslim countries.

The organization comprised of 57 Muslim-majority nations said Sunday that the suspension was due to the  granting by the Swedish authorities of licenses that enabled the repeated abuse of the sanctity of the Holy Quran and Islamic symbols.

The Islamic holy book was burned or defaced during recent public demonstrations in the Swedish capital. An Iraqi man of Christian origin living in Sweden as a self-proclaimed atheist announced plans to burn the Quran in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm on Thursday.

Demonstrators In Iraq stormed the Swedish Embassy and the Iraqi government cut off diplomatic relations with Sweden. In the end, the man in Sweden kicked and stepped on the Islamic holy book but stopped short of setting it ablaze.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperations decision came after the blocs executive committee held a July 2 meeting following an earlier Quran-burning incident.

The committee asked the secretary-general to consider suspending the status of the special envoy from any country in which copies of the Holy Quran or other Islamic values and symbols are desecrated with the consent of the authorities concerned, according to Sundays statement.

The organization said it had sent a letter to Swedens foreign minister conveying the decision.

A public burning of the Quran in Denmark on Friday sparked more protests in Iraq, some of them violent. Protesters clashed with police as they attempted to storm the Green Zone in Baghdad where the Danish embassy is located, and in Basra, demonstrators torched facilities belonging to a demining project of the Danish Refugee Council.

Denmarks Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday condemned the burning of the Quran.

Burning of holy texts and other religious symbols is a shameful act that disrespects the religion of others, it said. It is a provocative act that hurts many people and creates division between different religions and cultures.

It added, however, that freedom of expression and freedom of assembly must be respected.

While many countries around the world still have laws criminalizing blasphemy, Sweden and Denmark do not, and burning of holy texts is not specifically prohibited by law.
Macron promotes French interests on a trip to South Pacific where US-China rivalry is intensifying View Photo

PARIS (AP)  The French president is pressing his countrys interests in the South Pacific this week and trying to make Frances voice heard in a region shaping up as a prime geopolitical battleground for China and the U.S.

President Emmanuel Macrons trip to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and New Caledonia starting Monday comes as French forces take part in massive U.S.-Australian-led military exercises in the region. With troops, citizens and resources spread across its Pacific territories, France wants to protect its interests and project its power alongside like-minded democracies worried about Chinas growing assertiveness.

The most strategically important stop is Thursday in Papua New Guinea, which has seen growing Chinese influence and signed a new security cooperation pact with the U.S. in May. The most populous Pacific Island nation is also negotiating a security treaty with Australia.

Macrons office insists the trip is not aimed at pressing an anti-China policy, but at encouraging regional powers to diversify their partnerships beyond Beijing and Washington. He felt the trip was needed because of new, more intense threats to security, institutions and the environment in the region, according to an official in Macrons office who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

His chief diplomatic adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum last week, said China is a global challenge. It is a challenge for the U.S. as well as for the EU, adding that there is kind of a strategic awakening in Europe today of the need for tougher policy toward China.

But he insisted that Europe shouldnt delegate its global security needs to the U.S. and should craft its own strategic policies. If we want to remain relevant in todays world and to tomorrows world as France, as Europeans, we need to be much more robust, he said.

Macrons office says he plans to visit a French patrol ship in the area, and offer infrastructure projects and a partnership to save forests and mangroves while ensuring jobs in Papua New Guinea, where Frances TotalEnergies is leading a liquefied natural gas project.

The French tour is coinciding with trips by some top U.S. officials to the region, including Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Tonga, New Zealand and Australia this week after a visit to Papua New Guinea in May.

Macron began Monday in the French archipelago of New Caledonia, trying to rebuild trust after voters rejected a string of independence referendums that exposed entrenched frustrations of native Kanaks and inequalities with the mainland, and divisions over management of the regions rich nickel reserves. Negotiations are underway for a new status for the territory and its institutions.

I am at our compatriots side to define the basis of this new path, Macron said in a televised interview after arriving.

Coastal erosion and other impacts of climate change top the agenda at each stop on Macrons trip, in a region replete with islands that see periodic tsunamis and risk disappearing to rising seas, according to his advisers.

France has been an uninterrupted presence in the region since the 19th century, thanks to its colonial history and continued control over territories that are home to 1.5 million citizens and some 7,000 troops across the Indo-Pacific.

___

Nick Perry in Wellington, New Zealand contributed.

By ANGELA CHARLTON

Associated Press
French national police chief says officers under investigation have no place in prison View Photo

PARIS (AP)  Frances national police chief has said that law enforcement officers under investigation shouldnt be jailed like ordinary citizens, amid a walkout by numerous Marseille police over the detention of a colleague for his actions during nationwide riots.

The apparently unprecedented remarks by Frederic Veaux in a weekend interview  which got the support of the Paris police prefect  quickly triggered a debate, and raised fundamental questions about whether French law enforcement is above the law.

Knowing that (the officer) is in prison stops me from sleeping, Veaux said in an interview with Le Parisien, after a trip Saturday to Marseille to bring a message of support to police from himself and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. But he went further, saying he thinks that ahead of an eventual trial, a police officer has no place in prison, even if he may have committed faults or grave error in his work.

While police officers must account for their actions, including before justice, they shouldnt be treated like criminals and thugs, Veaux said.

French police are often accused of on-the-job brutality and racism for singling out Black people or those with North African roots for identity checks or detention, while unions say that officers themselves feel maligned.

No one is above the law, President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview Monday from New Caledonia, the starting point of his trip in the Indo-Pacific. But he refused to respond directly to Veauxs remarks about jailing law enforcement officers while judicial proceedings are underway.

Pressed for a response, Macron said that we must respect laws democratically voted and obviously they themselves (police) fall under the law.

He noted that 28 investigations into police behavior were opened since the riots, which erupted after a police officer shot and killed a young man with North African roots, Nahel M., on June 27 during a traffic control.

Above all, the president praised police in the face of an unprecedented surge of violence during the riots, in which 900 law enforcement officers were injured, and said that he understands the emotions of our officers  and it must be heard while respecting the state of law for all.

In a spontaneous move, police officers in Marseille have been calling in sick since the jailing Thursday of a member of the BAC, an elite police squad particularly active in Marseille, known for delinquency and drug dealing. It wasnt known how many police were absent from the job, but the action worried authorities in Paris.

The jailed suspect is under investigation for group violence and using or threatening to use a weapon. Three colleagues also suspected are under strict house arrest. The four are being investigated for allegedly beating up a young man, reportedly of North African origin, at the start of July when the port city was under attack by rioters.

A noted police expert, Sebastian Roche, tweeted his concern about what is at stake.

Equality before the law is threatened with rupture, Roche tweeted. Though it is a cardinal principle of a state of law.

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti reiterated in a tweet Monday the presidents message that no one is above the law and added that the independence of judicial officials is an indispensable condition for respect of a state of law.

The interior minister, who is Veauxs boss, has made no comment.

By ELAINE GANLEY

Associated Press
President Joe Biden View Photo

President Biden spoke about Artificial Intelligence inside of the Roosevelt Room at the White House.

Biden was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

If any of you think Im Abe Lincoln, blame it on the AI.

First of all, thanks. Thanks for coming. And I want to thank my colleagues here for taking the time to come back again and again as we try to deal with the  were joined by leaders of seven American companies who are driving innovation in artificial intelligence. And it is astounding.

Artificial intelligence or  it promises an enormous  an enormous promise of both risk to our society and our economy and our national security, but also incredible opportunities  incredible opportunities.

Just two months ago, Kamala and I met with these leaders  most of them are here again  to underscore the responsibility of making sure that products that they are producing are safe and  and making them public  what they are and what they arent.

Since then, Ive met with some of Americas top minds in technology to hear the range of perspectives and possibilities and risk of AI.

Kamala cant be here because shes traveling to Florida, but shes met with civil society leaders to hear their concerns about the impacts on society and ways to protect the rights of Americans.

Over the past year, my administration has taken action to guide responsible innovation.

Last October, we introduced a first-of-its-kind AI Bill of Rights.

In February, I signed an executive order to direct agencies to protect the public from algorithms that discriminate.

In May, we unveiled a new strategy to establish seven new AI research institutes to help drive breakthroughs in responsible AI innovention [innovation].

And today, Im pleased to announce that these seven companies have agreed volun-  to voluntary commitments for responsible innovation. These commitments, which the companies will implement immediately, underscore three fundamental principles: safety, security, and trust.

First, the companies have an obligation to make sure their technology is safe before releasing it to the public. That means testing the capabilities of their systems, assessing their potential risk, and making the results of these assessments public.

Second, companies must prioritize the security of their systems by safeguarding their models against cyber threats and managing the risks to our national security and sharing the best practices and industry standards that are  that are necessary.

Third, the companies have a duty to earn the peoples trust and empower users to make informed decisions  labeling content that has been altered or AI-generated, rooting out bias and discrimination, strengthening privacy protections, and shielding children from harm.

And finally, companies have agreed to find ways for AI to help meet societys greatest challenges  from cancer to climate change  and invest in education and new jobs to help students and workers prosper from the opportunities, and there are enormous opportunities of AI.

These commitments are real, and theyre concrete. Theyre going to help fulfill  the industry fulfill its fundamental obligation to Americans to develop safe, secure, and trustworthy technologies that benefit society and uphold our values and our shared values.

Let me close with this. Well see more technology change in the next 10 years, or even in the next few years, than weve seen in the last 50 years. That has been an astounding revelation to me, quite frankly. Artificial intelligence is going to transform the lives of people around the world.

The group here will be critical in shepherding that innovation with responsibility and safety by design to earn the trust of Americans. And, quite frankly, as I met with world leaders, all  all  all our Eur-  all the G7 is focusing on the same thing.

Social media has shown us the harm that powerful technology can do without the right safeguards in place.

And Ive said at the State of the Union that Congress needs to pass bipartisan legislation to impose strict limits on personal data collection, ban targeted advertisements to kids, require companies to put health and safety first.

But we must be clear-eyed and vigilant about the threats emerging  of emerging technologies that can pose  dont have to, but can pose  to our democracy and our values.

Americans are seeing how advanced artificial intelligence and the pace of innovation have the power to disrupt jobs and industries.

These commitments  these commitments are a promising step, but the  we have a lot more work to do together.

Realizing the promise of AI by managing the risk is going to require some new laws, regulations, and oversight.

In the weeks ahead, Im going to continue to take executive action to help America lead the way toward responsible innovation. And were going to work with both parties to develop appropriate legislation and regulation. Im pleased that Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries and others in the Congress are making this a top bipartisan priority.

As we advance the agenda here at home, well lead the work with  well lead work with our allies and partners on a common international framework to govern the development of AI.

I think these leaders and  I thank these leaders that are in the room with me today  (clears throat)  and their partnership  excuse me  and their commitments that theyre making. This is a serious responsibility, and we have to get it right. And theres enormous, enormous potential upside as well.

So I want to thank you all. And theyre about to go down to a meeting, which Ill catch up with them later.

So thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Twain Harte Villages Shopping Center Conceptual Plan View Photo

Twain Harte, CA  A proposal to overhaul the existing Twain Harte Shopping Center by adding apartment units and other amenities will go before the Tuolumne County Planning Commission next week.

We reported earlier that the Twain Harte Villages project is proposed by Howard Schindler and Saul Gevertz, and much of the vacant retail space would be transitioned into housing. It has been scaled back some since it was initially proposed. In addition, there could be new aspects like parks, a water fountain, and additional retail space. The eight-acre property, which is anchored by the Twain Harte Market (which would stay), is located at the intersection of Tiffeni Drive and Twain Harte Drive. The project was the focus of a recent town hall meeting in which mixed opinions were voiced by the local community.

The project requires county actions like changing the zoning from Commercial to Mixed Use.

At next weeks meeting, the planning commission will also review a proposed zone change for a 23-acre parcel at 14460 Jacksonville Road. The change would allow it to be used for a future indoor boat and RV storage area.

The meeting will start at 6 pm on August 2nd in the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors meeting room. Full meeting agendas can be found here.
Israeli doctors reveal Netanyahus chronic heart problem only after implanting pacemaker View Photo

JERUSALEM (AP)  After undergoing emergency surgery to implant a pacemaker, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 73, made a video appearance from a hospital near Tel Aviv. Wearing a crisp dark suit, he grinned and declared energetically that he felt great, as you can see.

But the Sunday photo-op failed to reassure Israelis, who were shocked to learn the same day that their longest-serving prime minister had concealed a long-known heart problem. The admission was a stark contrast to the image of a fully healthy, energetic leader that Netanyahu has gone to great lengths to bolster.

A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was urgently fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal Sunday night that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats.

Until Sunday, the cardiologists had publicly played down concerns, saying the prime minister was dehydrated and describing his heartbeat as completely normal.

The sudden revelations about Netanyahus health troubles came at the height of mass protests against his contentious plan to limit judicial power, with legislators from the governing coalition voting a first key bill into law on Monday.

The news about a chronic heart problem  offered up in a seemingly backhanded way  stoked further anger and distrust at a time of extreme political polarization in Israel.

The factory of lies surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hospitalization continued like an episode of a sitcom, Yossi Verter, a political writer for Israels left-leaning daily Haaretz, wrote on Monday. The health crisis, he added, illustrates more than anything the culture of deceit in which Netanyahu, his ministers and advisers run the country.

Because illnesses can damage a rulers carefully maintained veneer of invincibility, strongmen around the world often obfuscate their medical history.

But democratic countries, too, have misrepresented the health of their leaders.

Netanyahus close ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump, provided a highly sanitized account of his own health  never releasing full details of his medical history before he became president, and limiting information about his COVID-19 diagnosis in 2020. He announced his diagnosis by tweet, but his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, later recounted in a book that Trump tested positive for the virus days before and nevertheless continued with his public schedule and private meetings  a claim the former president has denied.

When Trump was hospitalized to receive an experimental anti-viral treatment, his doctor provided a rosy view of his health, but just minutes later, Meadows told reporters that Trumps condition was far graver. Officials involved with his care now say Trump came within hours of potentially dying from the virus.

In Israel, the emergency pacemaker surgery marked the latest twist for Netanyahu, who is currently fighting a litany of bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges  a case that has driven Israelis to exhaustion with five elections in four years.

Fueling longstanding accusations that Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are out of touch with ordinary Israelis, Israeli media reported Monday that his pacemaker cost five times more than a typical model and was not covered by health insurance, citing Medtronic, the manufacturer.

But worrying critics most has been the hospitals contradictory assessments of Netanyahus health and a wider lack of government transparency.

You cant ask for public trust if you dont tell the public the whole picture, and its especially important when you talk about a leaders medical condition, said Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.

Netanyahus health saga started last week, after a scorching day spent on a boat in the Sea of Galilee with his family. On Saturday, July 15, Netanyahu was admitted to Sheba hospital after feeling mild dizziness.

The next day, he underwent heart tests, which the prime ministers office said had all come back clear. Dr. Amit Segev, the director of the hospitals cardiology unit, said Netanyahu was fitted with a heart monitor as a purely routine measure to continue regular monitoring.

His heart is completely normal, without any evidence (to the contrary), Segev announced that Sunday.

But a full week later, last Saturday, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for sudden surgery to receive a pacemaker.

In a video statement, Dr. Eyal Nof said that the heart monitor had sounded an alert late Saturday after detecting a condition called heart block. The electrical signals that trigger a heartbeat begin in the top of the heart, but during heart block they have trouble reaching the hearts pumping chambers at the bottom. Slow heartbeats, skipped beats and fainting are symptoms. A pacemaker usually controls the disorder but untreated cases can lead to cardiac arrest.

The doctors delayed acknowledgment of Netanyahus condition sparked intense public criticism. Sheba Medical Center declined to comment on the mixed messages. A person familiar with Netanyahus treatment, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, said the hospital was under strict orders not to disclose Netanyahus condition last week.

This is a disaster: The doctors knew about his medical condition and lied to the people, said Eliad Shraga, Chairman of the Movement for Quality Governance in Israel, a civil society group. If he is not in fit and proper condition maybe he is not fit to run a nation in such a crisis.

Netanyahu has not commented on his condition beyond his two upbeat videos released from the hospital, in which he declared feeling excellent and ready to carry out business as usual.

In the face of mounting political crises, Netanyahu has carefully crafted an appearance of omnipotence, campaigning on his insistence that only he is capable of leading the tiny country. During his 15 years in power, his good health has largely gone unquestioned. His father, Benzion, died at the age of 102, lending weight to his familys claims of vigorous health and vitality.

News of Netanyahus ailments could jeopardize the personal charisma that has been so critical to his political staying power, experts say.

He feels that hes above the law and above nature, said Altshuler.

Netanyahu appeared shaky at times during the legislative sessions on Monday just hours after his release from the hospital, his eyes sunken, but he soldiered on.

Although Israeli government protocol requires that prime ministers release annual medical reports, Netanyahu has not published one since 2016. That report declared his lab tests completely normal and his overall health excellent, only mentioning that a polyp had been removed from his large intestine. In 2018, Netanyahu was briefly hospitalized after suffering from a fever.

Because the protocol is legally unenforceable, Netanyahu has had few other recorded health scares. But last October, he was rushed to a hospital for examination after feeling pains in his chest during his election campaign. He went jogging in a park the next morning, a display of physical fitness made for the cameras.

Ahead of the vote on the first major law to to overhaul Israels justice system, protesters thronged the Israeli parliament building. Shraga, the good governance advocate, had to shout to be heard over the deafening chants of De-mo-cra-tia!  Hebrew for democracy.

Without transparency, everything is at risk, he said.

__

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Lauran Neergaard in Washington contributed to this report.

By ISABEL DEBRE

Associated Press
Avid search for missing Texas rodeo goat bringing residents of a small rural county together View Photo

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas (AP)  First there was Gone Girl. Now there is Gone Goat.

The search for a rodeo goat that has been missing for more than a week has the residents of a rural South Texas county enthralled as they are using horses, ATVs and even contemplating utilizing a helicopter to find the missing animal.

Local businesses have donated nearly 90 prizes and gifts worth more than $5,000, including brisket, frescoes and salon service, as a reward for the person who finds the goat.

This has just gotten bigger than we ever dreamed. Our county is a really small county, about 20,000 population and a mostly agriculture, farming and ranching community. And were very much one big family  So, were excited that everybody wants to find our goat, said Alison Savage, president of the Willacy County Livestock Show and Fair.

Residents, including families, have been scouring cotton and sugar cane fields since the goat escaped from a pen in the countys rodeo arena near Raymondville on July 15 following a youth rodeo. On Sunday, possible goat tracks were spotted in a cotton field near Lyford, south of Raymondville.

When the goat first went missing, it didnt have a name. But after a poll on the livestock shows Facebook page, the goat was named Willy, short for Willacy County, Savage said. While the goat has a name, Savage said officials are not sure if Willy is a boy or a girl.

The livestock show has been posting regular updates on its Facebook page. The search has also been a boon for the livestock show, as residents and businesses have donated hundreds of dollars to make improvements to the nonprofits arena and other facilities.

Hes hiding from us somewhere. But were getting closer. Were going to find him Savage said.
Oui, oui: Jill Biden is in Paris to mark the US return to the UNs educational and scientific agency

Oui, oui: Jill Biden is in Paris to mark the US return to the UNs educational and scientific agency View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  Jill Biden has represented her country at the Olympics in Tokyo, a kings coronation in London and a royal wedding in Jordan. She gets another chance to put her ambassadorial skills to work this week when the United States formally rejoins a United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture around the globe.

Biden arrived in Paris early Monday, accompanied by her daughter, Ashley Biden, after flying overnight from Washington to join other VIPs and speak at a ceremony Tuesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The American flag will be raised to mark the U.S. return to UNESCO membership after a five-year absence.

UNESCO aims to foster global collaboration in education, science and culture. It also designates World Heritage sites, deeming them worthy of eternal preservation.

The agency on Sunday condemned Russias attack on a cathedral in Odesa and other heritage sites in Ukraine in recent days and said it will send a team to the Black Sea port city to assess damage.

In a statement, UNESCO noted that Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year and said attacks by Russian forces contradict recent promises by Russian authorities to take precautions to spare such sites across the country.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country.

A daughter and mother of U.S. service members, the first lady will also visit Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial to pay respects to the more than 4,400 U.S. service members buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.

She will also stop at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday to catch up with Brigitte Macron, a former teacher and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the U.S.

Senior Biden administration officials said returning to UNESCO fits President Joe Bidens goal of strengthening global partnerships and recommitting to American leadership at the U.N. and other international organizations to serve as a counter to nations that do not share U.S. values.

Others said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing at a Virginia community college, was best suited to represent the United States in Paris on Tuesday.

The first lady, as a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunity across the world, is honored to help celebrate this important milestone, said Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson. She looks forward to raising the flag for the United States once again at the UNESCO headquarters, showing our countrys commitment to international cooperation in education, science, and culture.

The U.S. pulled out of the Paris-based organization in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, a Republican who claimed UNESCO was biased against Israel.

The administration of Biden, a Democrat, pushed to rejoin over concerns that China was filling the void in leadership created by the U.S. absence.

The administration announced in June that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member organization, which also plays a major role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.

The organizations governing board voted earlier this month to approve the Biden plan to rejoin, and the U.S. delivered a document certifying that it would accept the invitation to become the 194th member of UNESCO.

Our organization is once again moving towards universality, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said at the time. She cast the U.S return as excellent news for multilateralism as a whole. If we want to meet the challenges of our century, there can only be a collective response.

The Trump administration in 2017 announced that the U.S. would withdraw from UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias. That decision that took effect a year later.

The U.S. and Israel stopped financing UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011.

The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan foresees similar requests for the ensuing years until the full debt of $619 million is repaid.

That makes up a big chunk of UNESCOs $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22% of the agencys overall funding.

The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. It rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bushs presidency. Bushs wife, Laura, a former elementary school teacher and librarian, spoke at that ceremony.

Standing in for the president at home and abroad has become a big part of a first ladys unofficial job description, and Jill Biden travels at least several times a week to promote administration initiatives.

The trip to Paris is her fourth solo international excursion this year.

She visited Namibia and Kenya in February, followed by a trip to London in May for the coronation of King Charles III. In June, she traveled to Jordan to attend the royal wedding of a son of King Abdullah II, followed by stops in Egypt, Morocco and Portugal.

Before flying to Paris on Sunday night, she headlined fundraisers Friday and Saturday in Massachusetts for her husbands reelection campaign.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

Associated Press
Bear traps set for grizzly bear after fatal attack near Yellowstone National Park View Photo

BILLINGS, Montana (AP)  Wildlife workers put out bear traps for a third night Monday as they try to capture a grizzly bear that killed a woman who was traveling alone on a forest trail near Yellowstone National Park.

Amie Adamson, 48, Derby, Kansas, died in Saturdays fatal mauling near the Montana-Idaho border, the Gallatin County Coroners Office said. The victim was a marathon runner, and officials said she was likely running or walking at the time of the attack.

Officials ruled out a rare predatory attack, which suggests Adamson instead died following a chance bear encounter as she traveled by herself in a wooded area frequented by grizzly and black bears.

She was killed a few hundred yards (meters) from a trailhead and a private campground and RV park, said Morgan Jacobsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The bear was travelling with one or more cubs, and there were no indications that it tried to eat the victim.

Authorities have not decided whether they would kill the adult bear if its captured or whether they would relocate it, Jacobsen said.

Adamson is a former English teacher who left the classroom in 2015 to backpack across much of the U.S. and later wrote a book, Walking Out, about her career and experiences.

The victims mother described her as a hiker, marathon runner and just a beautiful free spirit. KWCH-TV in Wichita reported.

She lived for experiences, Janet Adamson said, adding that her daughter did not care about material possessions and died doing what she loved.

A hiker found her body around 8 a.m. Saturday. The cause of death was excessive blood loss caused by a bear mauling, the coroners office said.

Adamson was wearing running shoes and did not have bear spray, a deterrent that wildlife experts recommend people carry in areas frequented by bears, Jacobsen said.

She had been working nearby and often ran or walked on the trail in the early morning, according to officials and local residents.

This person was likely out for a morning jog along the trail, and thats when this happened, said Jacobsen.

Tracks of a grizzly bear and at least one cub were found at the scene of the attack, which occurred near the Buttermilk Trailhead 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of West Yellowstone, a busy summer tourist town and gateway to the national park.

The trail is used by hikers, horseback riders and people in off-road vehicles.

Rangers issued an emergency closure for areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It did not include Yellowstone National Park.

Local resident Bill Youngwirth said people in the area were aware of the mauling and the forest closure, but they werent panicked over the attack because the bear could have struck out defensively after being surprised when the victim came around a corner.

The attack happened about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from several vacation homes that Youngwirth rents adjacent to the forest.

I tell everybody, Better take bear spray and know how to use it, he said. And the big thing is, dont go alone.

A trail camera captured an image of a grizzly bear with two cubs in the area on Saturday night. There have been no sightings since, Jacobsen said. Traps set for the bears on Saturday and Sunday nights came up empty, and attempts to locate the bears from an aircraft were unsuccessful.

As time goes by, he added, trapping becomes less effective as chances increase of catching a bear that wasnt involved in the attack.

Laura Skinner, who co-owns West Yellowstone Rodeo and Creek Side Trail Rides, said the attack did not interrupt its horseback rides on private property or its nightly rodeos.

We have bears all the time. The only precaution were taking is were checking trails. We send a rider out first to check to make sure theres nothing there, she said.

Im pretty sure with all the activity with them tracking it and trying to hunt it down, its probably nowhere near here, she added.

Grizzly bear populations in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains grew significantly over the past several and the animals in recent years have been showing up in places they hadnt been seen for generations. Since 2010, grizzlies in and around Yellowstone have killed at least nine people. Attacks remain relatively rare in the region, which draws several million tourists each summer.

A backcountry guide was killed near West Yellowstone two years ago when he was mauled by a large grizzly bear that wildlife officials said was probably defending a nearby moose carcass. And a hiker was killed north of Yellowstone park last year in a suspected grizzly encounter in a remote area of the Absaroka Mountains south of Livingston, Montana.

Encounters with humans can prove deadly for bears, too: A five-year-old female grizzly in Glacier National Park was euthanized last week after officials said it got used to eating food from campgrounds and was becoming increasingly aggressive.

Grizzlies are protected under federal law outside of Alaska. Elected officials in the Yellowstone region are pushing to lift protections and allow grizzly hunting.

State officials last week warned visitors and residents of grizzly bear sightings throughout the state, particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystems.

They implored those camping and visiting parks to carry bear spray, store their food while outside and tend to their garbage.

___

For more AP coverage of bears: https://apnews.com/hub/bears

By MATTHEW BROWN

Associated Press
Santa Barbaras paper, one of Californias oldest, stops publishing after owner declares bankruptcy View Photo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  The Pulitzer Prize-winning Santa Barbara News-Press, one of Californias oldest newspapers, has ceased publishing after its owner declared the 150-year-old publication bankrupt.

The newspaper became an online-only publication in April. But its last digital edition was posted Friday when owner Wendy McCaw filed for bankruptcy.

Managing editor Dave Mason broke the news to staff in an email Friday, according to NoozHawk, a digital publication whose executive editor, Tom Bolton, used to lead the News-Press.

They ran out of money to pay us. They will issue final paychecks when the bankruptcy is approved in court, Mason wrote to staff.

On Monday, the News-Press website was still online, with the most recent stories published Friday. There was no mention that it would cease publishing or that it has declared bankruptcy.

A voicemail message left Monday by The Associated Press in the newsrooms phone number was not immediately returned.

The Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing by Ampersand Publishing, the parent company of the Santa Barbara News-Press, said it has assets of less than $50,000 and debts and estimated liabilities of between $1 million and $10 million, according to federal court records. A meeting of creditors, which number between 200 and 999, is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Anthony Friedman, the lawyer listed for Ampersand Publishing in the bankruptcy filing, did not immediately return a phone call or email seeking comment. McCaw could not be reached.

At its height, the newspaper founded in 1855, had a daily circulation of 45,000 and was published seven days a week, serving Santa Barbara, an upscale city of 90,000 people. Editorial writer Thomas M. Storke won a Pulitzer Prize in 1962 for a series of editorials about the John Birch Society.

McCaw, then a billionaire local philanthropist active on environmental and animal rights issues, bought the daily from The New York Times Co. in October 2000 and a few months later appointed herself and her fiance, Arthur von Weisenberger, as acting co-publishers.

Six years later, Santa Barbara News-Press Editor Jerry Roberts quit the newspaper along with four other top editors and a columnist to protest moves by McCaw that they said undermined the papers credibility. The editors who quit cited the publishers meddling in stories, which they said compromised the papers ethics. In one example, the editors alleged McCaw was against publishing a story about one editors drunken driving arrest and later intervened to stop a second story.

The editors who quit were also upset that McCaw had appointed the papers editorial page editor as the acting publisher.

On one hand you have someone writing editorials and on the other hand editing news stories. There is an inherent conflict, Don Murphy, who quit as the papers managing editor, told the AP at the time.

The papers closure is not a big surprise, Roberts said Monday. The papers been on a downhill slide for a while.

But the fact that the community has lost its only paper is unspeakably sad, he added.

Santa Barbara, which sits along the coast about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles, is known for its stunning geography and wineries, attracting tourists and celebrities alike for its mild climate and beautiful views. The nearby town of Montecito was the site of deadly 2018 mudslides that killed 23 people.

About half of registered voters in Santa Barbara County are Democrats while roughly a quarter are Republicans, statistics that mirror the rest of the state. Under McCaws leadership, the paper in 2016 was among the few to endorse Republican Donald Trump for president. Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won nearly twice as many votes in the county. McCaw personally wrote an editorial endorsing Trump again in 2020.

The community still has a weekly newspaper, The Independent, as well as the digital site Noozhawk. The closest major daily newspaper is now in Ventura County. San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles, each more than 90 miles (145 kilometers) away, also have daily papers.

The Press-News closure is the latest example of a struggling news media, said Tim Franklin, an expert in local news at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism.

We are losing on average two newspapers a week in the U.S., Franklin said. Were on pace to have lost about a third of all newspapers by 2025.

Media companies are having to compete with Google, Facebook and Amazon, which are soaking up much of the ad market, and have yet to figure out a profitable business model for local news, he said.

The local news crisis is happening in every corner of the country, including in affluent cities and suburbs, he added.

The Los Angeles Times recently announced layoffs and earlier this month sold The San Diego Union-Tribune to MediaNews Group, which owns hundreds of papers around the country.

The Union-Tribune, which covers the second-largest city in California, is now owned by the same chain that owns a slew of Southern California newspapers. The parent company is Alden Global Capital, which has bought up newspapers across the country and faced criticism for slashing budgets and cutting jobs.

In January, the Mail Tribune, one of Oregons oldest operating newspapers, shut down, saying declines in advertising spending and difficulty hiring staff precipitated the closure.

The paper-based in Medford, Oregon, stopped producing a print edition in September but continued operating in a digital format until closing.

By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ

Associated Press
South Africa: Spotlight on global challenges at Friends of BRICS meeting

Global challenges, such as counter-terrorism, transnational crimes and cybersecurity, have taken centre stage at the Friends of BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting with her BRICS Security counterparts in Johannesburg, South Africa.



Minister in the Presidency responsible for the State Security Agency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, on Monday hosted a Friends of BRICS National Security Advisors high-level Meeting to discuss national security and global challenges, among other issues.



The Friends of BRICS meeting is convened as a build-up to the upcoming 15th BRICS Leaders' Summit and is constituted of all Security Ministers of the BRICS countries and Friends of BRICS countries which include Belarus, Burundi, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Friends of BRICS are a combination of countries who have expressed an interest in joining BRICS; those who chair prominent institutions of the Global South and those invited at the Chair's prerogative. They are invited after consensus is reached between the host and fellow BRICS members.

Among the issues discussed at this meeting were the agreement amongst all delegates that cybersecurity remains a crucial element of cooperation and that the architecture supporting a safer cybersecurity environment needs to be inclusive and accessible to all countries.

While there are both new and old challenges confronting BRICS, Ntshavheni said these present an opportunity to create an environment and world order that reinforces mutual benefit and global development that is inclusive.

There are also challenges that are persistent and affect all of us as a global family. We must reinforce the way we do things through both the BRICS and the multilateral system of the United Nations, as we deal with challenges such as counter-terrorism, transnational crimes and cybersecurity, the Minister said.

In welcoming the delegates to the meeting, Ntshavheni hoped that the days engagements would generate an enduring partnership among all countries involved.



"We hope that the engagements we are going to have today on issues that are common to all of us will generate an enduring partnership and commitment to a friendship that will ultimately result in enhanced global development and strengthened global resilience and global peace, she said.

The Minister said the historic meeting is held during a time when geopolitics have taken centre stage and are affecting and impacting the development of national interests.

It is a historic meeting because it is a first physical meeting after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic and a meeting that includes the friends of BRICS to focus on matters of common interest and mutual benefit. This will generate enduring partnerships resulting in enhanced global development and strengthened global resilience and global peace

This is a time for us to seek resilience and extend friendship to our people, and it is for that reason that South Africa deemed it fit to invite the Friends of BRICS to join us so that we can converge as a family and chart a way forward together for global resilience and global peace and for mutual development and innovation, Ntshavheni said.

Following the closed meeting held earlier in the day, the BRICS members held several bi-laterals amongst themselves and Friends of BRICS countries on various other issues and interests that concern the individual countries. It is expected that such engagements will continue into the future on matters of common interest between these countries.

Ntshavheni said the Friends of BRICS platform offers an opportunity for a mutually inclusive, secure and beneficial environment, which is conducive for global peace and development.

"Where a child of Africa can develop and have access to opportunities like a child of China, India, Brazil and Russia and other countries under conditions of meaningful cooperation," she said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-07-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Yves here. After Keir Starmer disgracefully pushed Jeremy Corbyn to Labours sidelines, the idea that Starmer might quickly crash and burn as a national leader seems an outcome sorely to be wished. Note, however that Richard Murphy warns today that the Tories might take some radical moves before their expected ouster, such as abolishing the inheritance tax. So the instability of UK politics does not look primed to deliver good outcomes to ordinary people.

By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracys international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy

Despite the underwhelming Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election result, there appears a near consensus that the Labour Party under Keir Starmer is headed for government in next years general election, possibly in a hung parliament but more likely with an overall majority.

At the same time, Labour is a troubled party. Its leadership, determined to move the party towards the centre ground, has scrapped its more leftist policies and ousted members, often on contested grounds. Many tens of thousands of others have simply left in disgust.

Taken together, this has resulted in a loss of 168,000 members since 2017, when the membership was at its peak (564,000), having risen rapidly after Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader in September 2015. Today, membership stands at around 395,000. While this has meant a substantial drop in revenue, there has been increased support from some wealthy donors and companies, with 6m raised just last year.

There are widespread, if largely anecdotal, suggestions that many of the former Labour Party members have not joined other parties but are active in non-party community-orientated politics. There are also signs of deep frustration with national party politics, at least across England, partly as a result of Labours shift rightwards.

Of the many indications of these trends, two recent examples stand out. In the north-east, the popular if decidedly leftist politician Jamie Driscoll is the mayor of a local district, North of Tyne, but has not made the shortlist for selection as Labour candidate for a planned larger region, the North-East Mayoral Combined Authority. This has caused widespread anger among party members in the region.

Driscoll has now resigned from Labour and is putting himself forward for election as an independent. Support has been impressive. As he put it earlier this week: Itll be tough going, against national parties with slick press offices. But when we launched a crowdfunder for the campaign yesterday, I said if we could raise 25,000 by the end of August, I would run. Weve raised 75,000 in small donations in just one day. People believe in this campaign.

The second example was reported in this column two weeks ago, when Corbyn got a huge welcome from a large audience at the Bradford Literature Festival, including a standing ovation. This response  which he gets wherever he goes, though this is rarely reported on  is reminiscent of the huge crowds that gathered to hear him speak during the 2017 election campaign, when Labour unexpectedly achieved lift-off. The wide polling gap at the start of that campaign narrowed sufficiently to deprive Theresa May of her expected landslide victory, instead delivering a hung parliament.

We are in the odd position of a likely Labour victory in next years general election, but for a party that simply does not have the enthusiastic support it enjoyed even a few years previously.

If Westminster had a PR electoral system, the Greens would probably gain considerable support from disenchanted voters. But in the absence of that, the obvious question arises of what will happen when Labour gets into power, given that many will have voted for the party only to keep the Tories out, rather than because they genuinely supported its policies.

Some voters will, to borrow a phrase from political theorist Raymond Williams, elect them on Thursday and fight them on Friday, while others will be pinning their hopes on Starmer being much more progressive once he gains power (though there is so far little evidence to suggest this will be the case).

Looking at what is known about the Labour policies, which are reportedly due to be thrashed out in the coming days, in most areas there is a grim determination not to make any financial commitments. Potentially popular moves to bring some services, such as railways and water, under public ownership are off the table, and there is little indication of intentions to meet the huge gaps in local authority spending and even social care.

Though Labour could hardly be worse on green issues than the current government, it has backtracked on its 28bn investment plansand its current pledges fall far short of what is actually needed. The party does have some useful commitments on industrial relations, especially in terms of job security for the weakest in the gig economy and other sectors, but on foreign and defence policy it is as traditional as they come.

At the root of Labours difficulties is an issue that rarely gets talked about: back in the 1990s, Tony Blair accepted the Thatcher-era move to market fundamentalism as irreversible. Blairs Labour may have sought some reforms, and his early years in office did see some improvements in health, education and, especially, child support, but there has since been a cross-party acceptance that a deep change in neoliberal economic ideology is simply impossible. Only the Greens and, briefly, Labour under Corbyn, have fought this belief.

The problem for Starmer is that his Labour Party will inherit an economic and social mess accumulated over 14 years of Conservative governments that have acted for the few, not the many. Food banks, multi-year waits for health treatment and increasing poverty are the order of the day.

Adding to this will be an international energy system made uncertain by Putins war in Ukraine that empowers the wealthy and, overshadowing it all, progressive climate breakdown. In other words, Labour will likely face multiple crises from day one, with little capacity to inspire hope and the consequent risk that any public optimism with the new government will evaporate within a year.

Provided Labour has a working majority, this will be the time  the mid to late 2020s  when those very many people, including the Jamie Driscoll supporters and the crowds who still rush to hear Corbyn, can come into their own, demanding that a new generation of Labour politicians delivers the kinds of progressive policies that were at the heart of Corbyns proposals of 2017. They may even succeed.
Yves here. Among other things, this post illustrates how much inertia drives business behavior (and even small farmers are businesses). Many operations would rather stick with settled practices, even when as shown here, they result in waste, undue cost, and damage to critical resources, here water.

By Keith Schneider, a former New York Times national correspondent, and senior editor for Circle of Blue who has reported on the contest for energy, food, and water in the era of climate change from six continents. Originally co-published at the New Lede with Circle of Blue, and was made possible and also co-published by the Alicia Patterson Foundation

Its been 33 years since an Iowa State University agronomist named Fred Blackmer thought hed struck gold for Midwestern corn farmers. Using a fairly simple three-step method, Blackmer developed an analytical tool that could accurately tell farmers exactly how much fertilizer their fields needed to produce abundant harvests each season.

The analytics Blackmer perfected showed not only how much fertilizer the corn crops would need to meet production targets, but also exposed how much could be wasted. Blackmer ultimately determined that farmers were applying a staggering 500 million excess pounds of nitrogen each year, a practice that not only wasted farmers money but also wreaked havoc on the environment as the nitrogen not taken up by plants drained from farm fields to contaminate rivers, lakes, and streams.

Despite what Blacker saw as obvious benefits to producers, not to mention the environment, his method failed to gain significant traction in farm country. Farmer allegiance to the excessive fertilizing practices pushed by the so-called Big Ag industry and aligned academic institutions left Blackmers common sense approach on a shelf gathering dust. He died in 2006.

State and federal data now show that since 1990, nitrogen spread on fields in Iowa and nine other major US corn-growing states has increased 26%, with more nitrogen than ever pouring off the land and polluting US waters. Demand for corn is high, both to supply ethanol refineries and to feed industrial livestock operations that add to water contamination themselves through manure runoff, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

In Iowa alone, according to state research, farmers apply about 2 billion pounds of commercial nitrogen annually to corn fields, and much of it is ending up in waterways that flow all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, worsening the conditions in a 6,500-square-mile dead zone where the waters are so oxygen-deprived that they cant sustain marine life. Iowa contributes almost a third of the nitrogen scientists say causes the dead zone.

Ground Zero

Iowa is sort of ground zero for the interface between ag and environment, said Matt Liebman, a former colleague of Fred Blackmers who retired as a professor of agronomy at Iowa State University (ISU) in 2021.

Theres a lot of money involved. The people who sell inputs and the people who process and distribute commodities, livestock and crops are very interested in making sure that the system is arranged so that money flows in particular ways, Liebman said. One side is real small and the other side is very well funded. It can get pretty ugly.

In Iowa, as in other corn-growing states, many farmers often apply nitrogen in quantities not necessarily aligned with crop needs but in amounts designed to overload the soil in case heavy rains wash away needed nutrients. Farmers will apply fertilizer to fallow fields in fall when there is nothing growing, hoping the ground will absorb and hold on to the nutrients, and then spread fertilizer again on the same fields in the spring. The goal is to maximize yield  how much corn they can produce per acre.

A 2014 ISU farmer survey underscored how dependent growers are on over-applying fertilizer. The perceived economic risks of under-application are high, the survey reported. These results likely reflect a reality that the practice of insurance over-application is simply a part of staying in business.

In contrast, Blackmers research showed that applying more fertilizer than plants needed had no effect on yield. What weve found is that farmers can substantially reduce their average rates of fertilization and actually end up with higher yields, he said in a 2002 interview with an Iowa media outlet.

Blackmer also recognized that over-fertilizing was causing an ecological calamity. What were finding is some farmers can lose 70, 80 or 90% of what they put down. One of the most surprising things is many times these farmers dont even know that they have lost it, Blackmer added.

A Simple Concept

Blackmers late spring nitrate test was simple in concept. His test focused on one essential data point: the optimum amount of nitrogen in soil to grow the most corn. His science showed that optimum soil concentration is 20 to 25 parts per million.

Blackmer developed three steps to get there. First, he took soil samples from farm fields, which typically showed background nitrogen levels at under 10 parts million. Second, he developed calculations to add fertilizer in precise amounts to increase soil nitrogen concentrations to the optimum level and sustain it to meet the farmers yield goal, whether it was 150, 200 or 250 bushels per acre.

Then he recruited farmers to apply a little bit of fertilizer at planting and a precisely measured volume of fertilizer at least 30 days later, when fast-growing plants were 6 to 12 inches tall. In most cases the test results indicated farmers should spread 60 pounds per acre to grow 150 bushels per acre, or as much as 80 pounds per acre to achieve 250 bu/acre of corn. Corn growers typically apply double that amount.

Among the farmers that experimented with Blackmers nitrate test, was Larry Neppl, an Iowa corn grower who saw firsthand that that applying 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre on part of his crop translated to better production than applying double that amount.

It told me we did not need that extra nitrogen, Neppl said.

The amount of money wasted by farmers on unneeded fertilizer, at the current price of $1,100 per ton, is estimated at over $400 million annually.

But the over-fertilization of US corn country is not only costly for farmers. The United States has spent over $500 million since 1997 to reduce the expanse of the ocean dead zone that is fed in large part by the nitrogen contamination flowing from Iowa and the other Corn Belt states.

That same tide of nutrients is also expensive for local and state governments with fertilizer-related contamination affecting more than 7,000 drinking water wells in Iowa and an estimated 30,000 private wells in Minnesota, 42,000 in Wisconsin, and thousands more in Illinois, Nebraska, and Missouri. Corn Belt cities are forced to spend tens of millions of dollars and raise residential and business water rates in order to drill deeper wells or install and maintain nitrate removal and filtration systems to protect municipal drinking water.

There is also a cost to human health. The nitrates from the fertilizers also are implicated in the rising rates of cancer in the Corn Belt. In Nebraska scientists have linked exposure to nitrates to a number of soft tissue malignancies. Nebraska has one of the highest rates of pediatric cancers in the US. Iowa announced in February that it now ranks second in the incidence of cancer, and is the only state where incidences increased from 2015 to 2019.

The heart of what is causing all of this is a cropping system and an economy that is inherently polluting, said Kamyar Enshayen, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, Its not something a conscientious farmer can fix. We have all these incentives coming in to keep doing more of this.
IRS Whistleblower X says he was threatened by agency for bringing Biden family crimes to light

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently investigating Hunter Biden and other members of the Biden crime family, having sent two whistleblowers to testify before the House Oversight Committee, which is chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) One of the whistleblowers, dubbed "Whistleblower X," revealed that he was threatened by the IRS for his involvement in shedding light on the Biden family's crimes.

In his opening statement, Whistleblower X, who described himself as a "gay Democrat," explained that he has been working for the IRS since 2010, this after working as an external auditor at Ernst & Young.

"His IRS career included work on tax and money laundering investigations and as a health care fraud coordinator and a public information officer," reported Townhall. "Subsequently, 'X' became part of the International Tax and Financial Crimes Group based in D.C. in 2018."

In his opening statement before Congress, X stated that he witnessed "the corrosion of ethical standards" and "abuse of power" while working at the IRS. This prompted him to "shed light on these actions and expose those responsible."

"I recognize that while I was present at the start of this investigation and was closely involved with the investigation for roughly five years  that I'm just a part of the story," X added.

"Others, including my colleague and supervisor Gary Shapley who is here with me today, have their own views and understandings of what took place during this investigation."

(Related: The criminals tied to the Biden family crime syndicate are among the most evil in world history  think child trafficking and high treason against the United States.)

Whistleblower X was cut off from communications with authorities and removed from investigation team for speaking up about Biden family's criminal acts

After multiple failed attempts to blow the whistle internally, X eventually decided to come forward publicly to share what he knows before Congress  this after his own agency retaliated against and threatened him for speaking up about the matter.

"At the end of the day, I worked on a complex criminal tax investigation over the last five years and the investigative process is 99 percent done and we were in the process of bringing the case to indictment," X said.

"Since October of 2022, the Delaware AUSAs and DOJ-Tax had effectively stopped communicating with me and my team has ultimately been removed from the investigative team."

X ultimately made the recommendation that the criminals he identified be prosecuted, and this before all communication between him, IRS investigators, and prosecutors came to an abrupt end.

"It is not difficult to believe that appointing a special counsel in this matter is the best way to go forward to give everyone confidence in the fairness of our tax system," X stated.

"The U.S. Attorney in Delaware in our investigation was constantly hamstrung, limited, and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other U.S. Attorneys. I still view that a special counsel for this case would have cut through the toughest problems that continue to make problems for this case."

All this political upheaval is doing great damage to Americans' trust in their government and its institutions, which X addressed as well. His recommendation for how to restore it is to create an official channel for federal investigators "to pull the emergency cord and raise the issue of the appointment of a social counsel for consideration."

"I do not want my colleagues at the IRS, FBI, and other Federal law enforcement agencies to go through my frustrating and disheartening journey," he added.

More of the latest news about the Biden crime family can be found at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

Townhall.com

Newstarget.com
RFK Jr. slams NYPost political reporter for implying he has anti-Semitic views on the engineered pandemic

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denounced New York Post's political writer for taking his recent statement that was purely based on a National Institutes of Health- (NIH-)funded study out of context to "politically malign him."

According to Jonathan Levine's article, RFK Jr. was caught saying in a press event on July 11 that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) was a genetically engineered bioweapon that has been "ethnically targeted" to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.

"There is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately," Kennedy said. "COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese We dont know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact."

On Twitter, the Democratic presidential candidate set the records straight: "The @nypost story is mistaken. I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews. I accurately pointed out  during an off-the-record conversation  that the U.S. and other governments are developing ethnically targeted bioweapons and that a 2021 study of the COVID-19 virus shows that COVID-19 appears to disproportionately affect certain races since the Furin cleave docking site is most compatible with Blacks and Caucasians and least compatible with ethnic Chinese, Finns, and Ashkenazi Jews. In that sense, it serves as a kind of proof of concept for ethnically targeted bioweapons. I do not believe and never implied that the ethnic effect was deliberately engineered."

How devious are the MSM attack dogs? Here is the question @nypost @LevineJonathan asked my press office: "What do you say to critics who might think saying coronavirus was a bioweapon made to kill white and black but spare Jews  might be antisemitic?"  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 16, 2023

"Of course, saying that would be anti-Semitic," he replied on the above thread. "But I didnt say that. Levine is fabricating an opinion, attributing it to me, and trolling for scandal." He added that by using "sparing Jews," which is a racially charged term, Levine is inflaming fear, hate and suspicion.

He even cited the study, authored by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic and Columbia University and funded by, inter alia, a grant from the NIH, which found that "deleterious variants" in ACE2 receptors  where the SARS-CoV-2 virus "latches" onto,  were highest in African American and non-Finnish European populations, relatively lower among East/South Asian and Latino/Admixed American' populations and lowest among the Amish and Ashkenazi Jewish populations.

In a separate post on the microblogging site, the environmental lawyer and author also pointed toward "copious documentation that yes, U.S. and China have both been developing bioweapons targeted at various genetic groups," citing a Substack post by renowned cardiologist and COVID-19 vaccine skeptic Dr. Peter McCullough.

Copious documentation that yes, U.S. and China have both been developing bioweapons targeted at various genetic groups.https://t.co/i3ImFEL9XT  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 16, 2023

Mark of totalitarian systems: The Kennedys join public "backlash" on RFK Jr.

It was highly expected for the public, especially Democrats that are Joe Biden-leaning, to slam RFK Jr. because even though he carries the Democratic flag, his stance on issues does not sit well with his party co-members. But it is a different story when even his Democrat family members publicly shame him.

His sibling Kerry Kennedy, a human rights activist, tweeted how she "strongly condemns her brother's remarks on the virus's said ethnic targeting. "His statements do not represent what I believe or what Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights stands for, with our 50+ year track record of protecting rights and standing against racism and all forms of discrimination," she continued and posted a link to a statement from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation saying exactly what she posted.

RFK Jr.'s nephew, former Democratic Rep. Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts and currently the U.S. special envoy to Northern Ireland also posted: "My uncle's comments were hurtful and wrong. I unequivocally condemn what he said."

To onlookers, this is like washing the family's dirty linen in public and taking advantage of the issue for their own vested interests.

"Look at these terrible family members," former Fox News host and current SiriusXM podcaster Megyn Kelly tweeted Monday. "No one was asking 'how does RFKJs sister feel about his latest remarks?' She just felt the need to kick @RobertKennedyJr when he was down. Nice."

Breitbart editor and SiriusXM host Joel Pollak quote-tweeted Joe III: "The Kennedy family got the memo from the Party. They are attacking RFK Jr. for something that he didn't actually say. It is the mark of totalitarian systems that they are able to exploit family and intimate relationships to persecute dissidents on the basis of false accusations."

"Honestly, why wouldnt voters distrust the ruling class when they see them willing to sacrifice their own to preserve their social station?" tweeted conservative pundit and podcaster Rich Paris. "What wouldn't they do to normies they dont even know if they're perfectly fine throwing their own blood under the bus over a media smear?"

"Therein lies the issue with Kennedy-on-Kennedy violence, however: RFK Jr. is already an anti-establishment candidate, despite coming from the ultimate establishment Democrat family. If his siblings and other relatives want to take jabs at their own, they should understand from their comments on Twitter in the wake of this controversy that they're just lending RFK Jr. authority, not taking it away," Western Journal's C. Douglas Golden wrote in a commentary.

Visit VoteDemocrat.news for more updates on RFK Jr.'s presidential race.

Sources for this article include:

NYPost.com

PubMed.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

WesternJournal.com
Trump: Secret Service that destroyed evidence of the White House cocaine scandal knew who the culprit was and possibly covered for him

For former President Donald Trump, it is quite "impossible" for the United States Secret Service (USSS) not to know who the culprit of the White House cocaine scandal is. "'I believe that [Secret Service] knows everything. They're really smart, and really good at what they do," the Republican presidential candidate said.

His comment came after the team that conducted the investigation on the baggie of cocaine that was found in the White House and was blown up right away is now closing the probe without conducting any interviews.

As per the Daily Mail, a USSS agent found a bag with less than a gram of cocaine in the cubby of a cell phone lockbox in the West Wing on July 2, leading to a hazmat evacuation of the White House. "I don't think it's possible for bags of cocaine to be left in a certain area, by the Situation Room  I'm not talking about, you know, five blocks away. The Situation Room  where you decide on war, where you decide on nuclear," Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo in an interview on Sunday.

USSS claimed that they narrowed down the suspect list to about 500 people and said it would be too difficult and a waste of resources to find the culprit. So, they will just conclude the case, declaring a 'lack of evidence' after just 11 days after the drugs were abandoned in a West Wing locker. (Related: Big surprise: Secret Service quickly finishes its probe into cocaine found in White House with NO suspects identified.)

For concerned citizens following the developments of investigations into the "Biden crime family" illegal business dealings, the culprit is obviously President Joe Biden's recovering addict son Hunter.

Trump lamented on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's questionable credibility and how the Justice Department has been weaponized. "I mean, they come after me on boxes and they can't find drugs," he added, linking his classified documents case to the most recent White House drug controversy. "Do you know how many cameras they have opposite the front door of the Situation Room where these drugs were?' he questioned. 'They know who this was, they know the person. It's impossible  how could they not know the person?"

In a Truth Social post early in the week, Trump called for transparency of the White House cocaine story. "Just like I QUICKLY PROVIDED SECURITY TAPES FROM MAR-a-LAGO on the BOXES HOAX, the White House has Security Cameras (far more than Mar-a-Lago!) all over the place, especially the location in question. THEY 100 percent KNOW WHO IT IS," he said. "If they dont release information, it means they destroyed the tapes & the Cocaine was for use by Hunter, & probably Crooked Joe, in order to give this total disaster of a president a little life and energy!"

Meanwhile, GOP Rep. Tim Burchett highly denounced the way the evidence was handled by the team. "Because apparently when they went in and got the bag, they treated it as a biological entity and for some reason destroyed it, becauseto me, it just seems like they would go in there with the hazmat suits on, put it in a protective bag, take it to a lab for analysis, but instead, apparently they blew the thing up. Its just a complete joke and a nightmare," he said during a "Mornings with Maria" interview.

Burchett stormed out of a congressional meeting last week after the USSS declared their investigation closed.

"They have facial identification, they have  yall know you cant go in there without giving your Social Security number, and they decided its just some weekend visitor. Thats bogus. Nobodys buying that at all," he complained to reporters.

Watch the below video, where Fox News host Jesse Watters discussed how the move to destroy evidence is peculiar given a suspect has not been identified.

"Everything I know about criminal law is that when you are destroying evidence, you are participating in a cover-up," the host said.

The cocaine incident is just another one of Bidens various scandals that will most likely be swept under the rug in the duration of his regime.

Visit BidenCrimeFamily.news to read more about the illegal business dealings of the Bidens.

More related stories:

COCAINE found in West Wing phone cubby hours after Biden visit, Secret Service confirms.

UN report: Cocaine smuggling and production increase amid growing demand for illicit substances.

Coca-Cola operates secret COCAINE manufacturing facility in New Jersey.

1.6 Million fentanyl pills, 114 pounds of cocaine seized at the border.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

TheGatewayPundit.com

InfoWars.com
Wheat prices spike as Ukraine, Russia vie for control of Black Sea ports

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is dead in the water, and Russia is warning that any ships seen traveling to Ukraine's Black Sea ports from now on will be considered potential military targets.

The warning came after Ukraine announced plans to continue exporting grain and other food via a temporary shipping route to get around the canceled initiative, the rules of which only Russia was abiding by.

Ukraine feels as though it can simply flout the rules, but Russia is saying no way. It's defense ministry (MoD) said that "the flag countries of such ships will be considered parties to the Ukrainian conflict," meaning any ship seen using Ukrainian ports will be considered as one side or the other in the conflict based on the flags flown.

In its own retaliatory message to this warning, Ukraine threatened to attack any tankers seen using Russian ports  even though Ukraine has little to no actual navy to back such a ridiculous threat.

By all appearances, Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to look as tough as Russia but lacks the manpower and weaponry to actually follow through on its threat. Russia, conversely, is showing amazing restraint in putting up with Ukraine's ongoing chicanery.

(Related: At least one third of the armored fighting vehicles the United States sent to Ukraine have already been destroyed by Russian forces.)

Black Sea's southeastern, northwestern international waters declared "unsafe" for navigation

As usual, Western "intelligence" is claiming that Russia has begun laying mines throughout the Black Sea to block Ukrainian ports. If history is any indicator, this means that Western powers are the ones laying said mines while blaming Russia for them.

Right now, both Ukraine and Russia have declared the southeastern and northwestern portions of the Black Sea's international waters to be no go zones that are "unsafe" for navigation. Neither country, however, has specified the exact routes or locations that could be the subject of intervention.

To get around this latest blockade, Ukraine says it plans to work with Romania to set up a temporary shipping route at its country's ports.

"Its goal is to facilitate the unblocking of international shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea," said Vasyl Shkurakov, Ukraine's acting minister for communications, territories, and infrastructure development, in a letter to the United Nations shipping agency, known as the International Maritime Organization.

After the termination of the grain deal, Russian members left the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, a Turkish news outlet has confirmed. Since then, wheat prices have continued their upward trajectory.

Turkey says it is still holding out hope that the Black Sea Grain Initiative will once again be restored, but Russia says not until all parties agree to abide by the terms of the agreement, which again only Russia was doing.

Officials in Ankara, Turkey's capital, said that there is "no alternative to the grain corridor" that is the subject of all this conflict  which is more than likely true. This is all the more reason why Ukraine must abide by the terms of the agreement and stop using the "grain" cover to ship disguised weapons in and out of its ports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the UN-backed deal can resume only if Russia's conditions are met.

"As soon as the Russian part is completed, the Russian side will return to the implementation of this deal immediately," Peskov said, adding that the agreement as it currently stands has "been de facto stopped."

The chances of this happening anytime soon, however, are slim based on the "tit-for-tat threats," to quote one media outlet, that continue to occur between Russia and Ukraine.

Is the world heading towards famine? Learn more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
YouTube protects child sex trafficking, pedophiles and groomers by BANNING interviews and videos about Sound of Freedom film

It has come to our attention that the Google-owned YouTube video platform is not allowing anyone to post any kind of content about the new "Sound of Freedom" child trafficking film.

According to YouTube, discussing the movie means "violating community guidelines," which apparently means that YouTube supports child sex trafficking and does not want any of its users questioning that stance.

A two-and-a-half-minute preview of the film featuring star Jim Caviezel was reportedly pulled from YouTube for violating the platform's community guidelines. This was confirmed by former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Shawn Ryan who posted screenshots from the backend of his YouTube account  see below:

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 #censorship pic.twitter.com/KI6yNbSStB  Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) July 18, 2023

YouTube further declared the content entitled "Actor Jim Caviezel Unveils Dark Truths Behind The Trafficking Of Children" to be "ineligible" for monetization, meaning YouTube is punishing said video by disallowing the channel that posted it to make any money from it.

(Related: Learn more about how Operation Underground Railroad, the organization depicted in "Sound of Freedom," rescues children from human sex trafficking.)

Anyone on YouTube who mentions "Sound of Freedom" in a positive light faces punishment, demonetization

It turns out that Ryan is not the only person being punished by YouTube for trying to speak about the "Sound of Freedom." Many other accounts that uploaded content mentioning the film are reporting similar treatment from the Google-owned video platform.

Commentator Luke Rudkowski, for instance, received a strike against his account for posting a review of the film. Rudkowski is also blocked from uploading any further content until YouTube decides to let him out of the dog house.

"Luke was bullying pedophiles again so youtube gave him a strike," tweeted Tim Pool, host and CEO of Timcast IRL.

Rudkowski's video, by the way, is still available for viewing at LukeUnfiltered.com.

Rudkowski tried to petition YouTube to allow his video to return, only to have the platform double down on its position against him. He is now considering uploading exclusively to Twitter and LukeUnfiltered.com, and forgetting YouTube altogether.

Tim Ballard, the real-life former government agent who "Sound of Freedom" is based on has spoken out in several recent media appearances about how the media at large is "running interference for pedophiles and human traffickers." It seems YouTube is part of that pro-pedophilia cabal.

"Why would you want to lie to push an agenda whose goal is to have children be in captivity?" Ballard wants to know. "It's kind of sick."

In case you have not yet seen the film, be sure to check out the official trailer below:

The Official Sound of Freedom Movie Trailer pic.twitter.com/eIAVpVr0DZ  Dillon Fillion (@DillonFillionIA) July 10, 2023

"The entire leftist-run consortium of content-sharing websites, including social media, has started a war on a movie that aims to do the most mentally healthy and civilized thing probably ever, and that is to raise awareness against pedophilia and child sex trafficking," one commenter wrote, astounded at YouTube's treatment of users who promote the film.

"It's time to ask the real questions: who are those behind this war? We should hunt them down as they are jumping out of their hiding."

Another speculated that perhaps pedophiles are in charge of YouTube and Google, hence why these tech giants are showing such animosity towards promoters of "Sound of Freedom."

YouTube, Google, and the rest of Big Tech is aiding and abetting child sex trafficking. Learn more at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

Summit.news

Newstarget.com
Bidens FTC pressed independent auditor to punish Twitter for backing away from extreme censorship

Once again, a new report exposes just how much Democrats weaponize federal agencies when they are in power.

According to Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, Joe Biden's Federal Trade Commission is attempting to bully an independent auditing entity into punishing Twitter for alleged privacy violations.

The allegation surfaced in a motion submitted by X Corp, the holding company founded by Elon Musk to oversee Twitter, requesting the termination of a privacy settlement between Twitter and the FTC. The motion was filed in the U.S. district court for the northern district of California and argues that the settlement enables the FTC to oversee and ensure Twitter's adherence to privacy regulations, Breitbart News reported this week.

The outlet noted further:

Although the settlement was made before Twitters change in ownership, X Corps filing alleges that the FTC became increasingly aggressive after the takeover by Musk, a self-declared Republican and free speech absolutist.

According to the filing, the FTC even sought to pressure a supposedly independent auditor, Ernst & Young, into condemning Twitter.

"Recent sworn testimony details how the FTC, through a series of interactions with EY immediately after Elon Musk acquired Twitter, attempted to co-opt EYs independent assessment in order to generate evidence of 'deficiencies in Twitters privacy and information security program,'" the filing states.

"These efforts included dictating to EY 'very specific types of procedures that they expected' EY to perform and '[conveying] expectations  about what th[e] results should be before [EY] had even begun any procedures,'" it added.

"The FTC was so 'adamant' with EY, conveying that 'this is absolutely what you will do and this is going to occur, and youll produce a report at the end of the day' that would be negative about Twitter, that senior EY leaders feared that, if EY resigned as the independent assessor, '[t]he FTC [would] take[] exception to [EYs] withdrawal and create[] "other" challenges for EY over time,'" the filing continued.

Musk tweeted that the FTC's actions amounted to insanely illegal overreach.

Insanely illegal overreach by FTC  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2023

Following Musk's acquisition of Twitter, the company has faced mounting pressure from governments displeased with its heightened focus on free speech. Last month, Breitbart News reported, the Australian government issued a stern warning to him, threatening significant penalties if Twitter failed to remove "hate speech" from its platform within a specified 28-day period.

The European Union (EU) has been exerting pressure on Twitter regarding its purported inadequacy in addressing "hate speech." At the same time, the EU has warned Twitter of potential sanctions for suspending journalists from established mainstream media outlets who violate the platform's terms of service.

In December, the Washington Post's technology culture writer Taylor Lorenz was permanently suspended from Twitter amid Musk's ongoing purge of journalists from the platform.

Lorenz's suspension from Twitter occurred shortly after the platform implemented new policies on doxing, which she has faced accusations of engaging in previously. Following the confirmation of her suspension, the former New York Times journalist shared a video on TikTok, dressed formally and wearing a wide smile, openly acknowledging to her audience that she had indeed been banned from the platform.

In the video, Lorenz, accompanied by Ryan Mac from The New York Times, mentioned that both of them were suspended from the platform. She then took the opportunity to promote her presence on other social media platforms and asserted that she did not violate any of Twitter's rules.

Lorenz further reveals that she had contacted Elon Musk for a comment on a story just a few hours before her suspension.

"The new move comes just after Musk reinstated the accounts of several journalists who he had banned for allegedly doxing the movements of his private jet," the UK's Daily Mail reported at the time.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

DailyMail.co.uk

Breitbart.com
Boston mayor takes major heat after she sent city police a list of critics and protestors

Another Democrat has proven hers is the party of tyranny and authoritarianism, not the Republican Party.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is under fire for employing such tactics following her administration's acknowledgment of putting together a roster of her staunchest critics and subsequently sharing it with local authorities, Fox News reported.

"The list was made in response to a request from the Boston Police Department after the Mayor had been harassed and physically intimidated by individuals for several months outside her home, at city functions such as the annual neighborhood parks coffee hours, and at other public events," Wu spokesman Ricardo Patron noted in a statement to the Boston Herald.

After opponents of Wu made a public records request, an email that was obtained revealed the existence of the document, prompting the administration to acknowledge its compilation.

Use of such tactics by the administration has sparked apprehension regarding Wu and her team's apparent efforts to stifle or intimidate her critics, particularly those who have staged protests in front of her residence.

"The request (from police) came after many of the individuals on the list repeatedly impeded the Dorchester Day Parade to harass Mayor Wu and her family and staff, yelling through megaphones at her and her children for nearly ninety minutes as they marched in the parade despite being asked by parade organizers to leave the parade route," Patron said, according to the Herald.

"Following the Dorchester Day Parade on June 5, 2022, Boston Police met with City staff on June 10 to make a safety plan for the upcoming Bunker Hill Day parade on June 12, and the then-Captain of the District overseeing Charlestown asked for a list of individuals who had been involved in public disruption and harassment of the Mayor at the Dorchester Day Parade and outside her house," Patron noted further. "The email was sent as a follow-up immediately after that meeting."

According to the Herald, some critics drew parallels between Wu's actions and the practices of the late President Richard Nixon, known for his notorious compilation of lists containing political opponents.

Sent by Dave Vittorini, the former Director of Constituent Services for Wu, to Boston Police Capt. Robert Ciccolo, the list contained the names of individuals identified as "Wu's most vocal opponents." As reported by the Herald, the list included Boston City Council at-large candidate Catherine Vitale, anti-vaccine activists who have been protesting outside Wu's residence, and North End restaurant owners who have expressed opposition to Wu's policies.

The list did not contain any explanation as to why the names were provided. But it also listed the "Mendoza Brothers from the North End" and "A woman with the last name of Thuy who was arrested before," the outlet reported.

Additionally, the email, sent after the mayor's home in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston experienced loud protests last year, also included Tiffany Chu and Brianna Millor, both aides of Mayor Wu, who were copied on the communication, Fox News noted.

"Last year, an ordinance was passed in the city prohibiting protests outside of Wu's home during certain hours. Wu, the first woman and the first Asian-American to hold the top political office in Boston history, was sworn into office in November 2021," the network noted further.

Vitale, who is vying for one of the four at-large City Council seats, has been an outspoken critic of Wu. The Boston Accountability Network, a collective of Wu opponents, stated that others listed have participated in protests outside Wu's residence in Roslindale, the Herald reported.

Silencing critics appears to be a modern-day trait for Democrats who once protested on behalf of "free speech" on college campuses in the 1960s, whether it be via social media clampdowns or intimidating opponents into silence.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

BostonHerald.com
Former DEI director, a black woman, files lawsuit saying California community college was illegally targeting white people

A black woman by the name of Tabia Lee has filed a lawsuit against De Anza College , a community college in Cupertino, Calif., for firing her over her objections to the school's racist, anti-white policies and procedures.

Back in March, Lee was let go by De Anza College after she questioned the so-called "anti-racist" orthodoxy framing her position as the school's diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, director.

Upon noticing that De Anza College is "illegally targeting white people," Lee started bringing it up to other faculty and staff members, only to be told that she was guilty of "whitesplaining" and not being the "right kind of black person."

"I was told that [I] was supposed to only advance what at that time I was calling a third-wave anti-racism ideology," Lee said about her horrible experience at the school.

"She happens to be black, but first and foremost, Dr. Lee is a teacher dedicated to humanism and civil rights," the complaint reads.

"She teaches that people should not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. De Anza is hostile to this concept."

(Related: Earlier this year, fast-food chain Chick-fil-A went woke and introduced a VP for diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI].)

The left hates black people who refuse to hate white people

To hold such a position while having black skin is something that leftists simply cannot tolerate, hence why Lee was accused by her peers and superiors of not being the "right kind of black person."

Ironically, it is patently racist for leftists to expect all black people to agree with their far-left positions, or else be dubbed the "wrong" kind of black person. Leftists simply cannot tolerate black people holding anything even resembling a conservative viewpoint, especially when that viewpoint treats white people fairly and equally.

The left expects Lee and other blacks  and especially blacks who hold DEI positions  to be vocally and unequivocally racist against white people. In this case, Lee refused to treat white people unfairly and with disdain, and because of this she was fired from her job.

De Anza College claims that it fired Lee for a different reason, that being her alleged "persistent inability to demonstrate cooperation in working with colleagues and staff," as well as her "unwillingness to accept constructive criticism."

The school also claims that it had no choice but to fire Lee because it has "no expectation on the part of the Tenure Review Committee ... that improvements in these two critical areas can ever be achieved."

"These are people who should definitely know better," Lee told the media about the school officials who fired her and made these ridiculous excuses as to why.

"And the way that they behaved was what they claim other people do to marginalized people. They literally marginalized me as an individual, and they shunned me and they worked really hard to push me out."

Other things Lee did that prompted her firing include:

 Objecting to De Anza College's claim that its buildings exist atop the stolen land of a Native American tribe

 Trying to spearhead a "Jewish inclusion" event on campus

 Refusing to join a "socialist network"

 Declining to use the gender-neutral term "Latinx"

 Asking why the word "black" is always capitalized by leftists but not "white"

For daring to suggest a pause on that first point about De Anza's stolen land position, Lee was called a "b****" and "dictatorial" by her tolerant fellow employees. It turns out that all she actually wanted to do was add changes to the land acknowledgement that were proposed by the Native American tribes themselves.

Lee was also accused of being a "white supremacist" even though she has black skin.

"I no longer participate in gender pronouns because I find that the same toxic ideologies around race ideologies are now being advanced under gender ideologies," she further added about her position on the LGBT agenda.

Anti-white racism is reaching pandemic levels throughout the West. Learn more at RaceWar.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyWire.com

Newstarget.com
New York City foolishly spent up to $14K for each COVID-19 shot, NYC comptroller revealed

New York City health officials were found to have been squandering the city budget as a damning audit recently came out proving that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) overpaid a contractor to administer Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) tests and vaccines  even spending as much as $14,050 for a single COVID-19 shot

In the cover letter of the audit addressed to the residents of the Big Apple, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander disclosed that the city authorities allowed Executive Medical Services, a contractor awarded a contract early in the pandemic, to set its own staffing levels that led to exorbitant costs and low efficiency. His analysis of invoices revealed that only one vaccination was administered for every two billed hours.

"Emergency contracting allows the City to stand up vital services in times of crisis, but demands heightened vigilance to safeguard the fiscal interests of the City. Our audit reveals significant weaknesses in the control mechanisms that impact past, present, and potentially future emergencies. By addressing these challenges head-on, agencies can better spend New York Citys taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently, even in crises," Lander said.

The audit detailed that DOHMH agreed to pay the contractor up to $500,000 to create long-term and temporary sites for COVID-19 testing or vaccination. Out of 302 sites, 267 were temporary. However, the project that got "stretched" through the end of 2022 and had six contract amendments, eventually took $390 million from the pockets of NYC taxpayers.

"Auditors also found ballooning costs, including payments of up to $14,050 for each vaccination administered and payments of up to $2,040 for each test carried out. Costs ranged significantly across different sites. The lowest payment per vaccine administered was $70, and the lowest payment per test carried out was $128," the news outlet Conservative Playbook wrote.

The city budget watchdog was able to prove that the service provider indeed set up testing and vaccination sites in communities heavily impacted by COVID-19. Also, invoices were usually supported by documentation, however, Lander found a concerning irregularity that the department did not adequately control or monitor staffing levels. Under the contract, the medical services team would be paid $150 per hour for all sites, plus $100 per test administered and $25 per vaccine administered, but they lacked standards for whether sites were appropriately staffed based on demand, auditors said.

The media portal further reported that auditors were able to look through a sample of 49 invoices and documentation for the invoices and found that a single test was administered per 1.6 staff hours and that one vaccination was administered every two staff hours.

Meanwhile, daily reports were supposed to be signed by an Executive Medical Services worker and a DOH employee. However, a quarter of the reports were not signed by the latter, according to the inspection. They failed in proving that the health authorities were not double-checking if operations are carried out properly before even paying the contractor. Worse, the department did not complete a vendor performance evaluation of the contract within the timeframe required by the city's Procurement Policy Board.

Did NYC Mayor Eric Adams find his arch rival?

Lander, being the "City that Never Sleeps'" chief watchdog, is always awake as his position requires him to scrutinize every contract the city signs with outside vendors. His job is to be the "arch nemesis" of the administration or the whistleblower that ends evil ways. Whatever he finds can gain significant traction in the press and therefore make the comptroller an institutional foil to City Hall, which could be used as a springboard for any political ambition.

Lander and New York City Mayor Eric Adams had a few feuds back in the day. People won't be surprised to see them head to head in the next mayoral bid.

In 2018, Lander slammed Adams' move to funnel $1 million in participatory budgeting money to Jesse Hamilton, a close ally to the mayor who was running against a Brooklyn progressive. A year later, they found themselves on opposite sides of a heated neighborhood spat over a popular Brooklyn brunch spot. The restaurant was run by close friends of Adams and catered to a largely black clientele.

Then, a shift happened. After winning the comptroller's race in 2021, Lander and Adams appeared to start off amicably, announcing a joint task force before taking office focused on improved payments to nonprofits. However, it did not take long for them to start not getting along.

Shortly after that, Lander criticized Adams' visit to the southern border to see El Pasos response to the influx of migrants last year. The comptroller said it only reinforced a "harmful narrative that new immigrants themselves are a problem." In early June, Lander questioned the mayor's delayed response to a plume of Canadian forest fire smoke that briefly shrouded the city in a post-apocalyptic haze. He also traveled to Rikers Island and called for a change in authority at the local jail complex, where three inmates died so far this year. Of course, the mayor vehemently opposed this. (Related: There are now more illegal immigrants than homeless people housed in New York City's shelters.)

"Those actions appeared to send the mayor over the edge, cementing Lander as his chief irritant," Politico reported.

Visit Corruption.news to discover more stories on fraudulent government projects, especially during the pandemic.

Sources for this article include:

ConservativePlaybook.com

TheEpochTimes.com

DocumentCloud.org

Politico.com
U.S., U.K. both seeing MASSIVE rise in disabilities  are covid jabs to blame?

Scientists and medical experts areover the meteoric rise in disabilities that is occurring both in the United States and the United Kingdom. And while few are willing to admit it, the most obvious and likely culprit are none other than Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "vaccines."

Investigator Steve Kirsch recently spoke with portfolio manager Ed Dowd about this phenomenon, the two ultimately agreeing that covid injections are clearly the cause behind the alarming rise in disability data being seen both in the U.S. and the UK.

"If we are wrong and there is a better explanation, why are all the health authorities silent?" Kirsch wrote in a recent piece about the subject.

Kirsch shared disability information from the FRED system to back his case. Based on surveys, FRED data is reliable in that all the surveys it draws from are the same methodologically. And they all clearly show a sudden spike in disability cases immediately following the launch of Operation Warp Speed.

Prior to the launch of Donald "father of the vaccine" Trump's warp speed rollout of covid jabs, the disability rate in the civilian labor force starting at age 16 was relatively stable. After the launch of Operation Warp speed, however, cases spiked.

In the UK, disability data is directly measured based on disability insurance claims. This data likewise shows a spike in disability cases after the launch of covid jabs in that region of the world.

"Unlike the U.S. FRED numbers, the UK numbers are directly measured because these are numbers of disability insurance claims," Kirsch explains.

"Overall, the claims rate now has a Z-score >5 which means it is highly unlikely to be caused by normal statistical fluctuations."

(Related: Back in February, British MPs accused one of their own of being "anti-Semitic" because he criticized Fauci Flu shots.)

Blood issues likewise spiked after covid jab launch

Similarly, blood issues also spiked immediately after the launch of covid jabs. With a Z-score above 25, it is clear that this spike did not occur at random, but was specifically caused by something, that something being the obvious elephant in the room: covid injections.

"We know from the U.S. insurance data that the #1 cause of these disabilities is 'unknown' because we all know that vaccines are safe and effective, don't we ;) ?" Kirsch joked.

You are unlikely to read about any of this elsewhere since the corporate-controlled media would never dare to peg covid jabs as the culprit in all this. In fact, the media is remiss to even report on a spike in disabilities and blood issues, instead choosing to pretend as though everything is just fine and dandy in the public health world.

Unless Big Pharma or some other segment of the establishment cartel can profit in some way from reporting these truths, they will never even get reported in the first place. And since this critical information puts the pharmaceutical industry in the crosshairs, it will be especially ignored and covered up by the powers that be.

"What changed is now they are moving toward the goals laid out in Agenda 21," one commenter wrote. "Who didn't notice the way they took down the Georgia Guidestones? The insane-sounding rumors, banning gas stoves, watch the Best and Brightest push forward with big windmills and solar systems  everyone knows what garbage it all is."

"But media and government just keep pushing it, all while claiming that men can get pregnant. A society forced to accept insanity is what we have become, and why many don't see the jabs as dangerous."

There is nothing safe or effective about covid jabs  unless you mean that they effectively kill their recipients. More of the latest is available at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

KirschSubstack.com

Newstarget.com
Whistleblower X reveals more Biden admin corruption, turns out to be White House nightmare: A gay Democrat

The House Oversight Committee held another round of investigative hearings on Wednesday that featured a previously unknown source that chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) called "Whistleblower X" who was identified before the testimony began.

And it turns out that he is the Democrats' and Bidens' biggest nightmare: He's an IRS special agent who is a gay Democrat married to a man, according to reports.

At this full committee hearing, the American people will hear from IRS whistleblowers who possess critical information related to the committees investigation into the Biden familys influence peddling schemes, said an announcement from the committee ahead of the hearing. In addition, the whistleblowers will testify about the politicization and misconduct at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to the Hunter Biden investigation.

Comer added: Since taking the gavel in January, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability has made rapid progress in our investigation into the Biden familys domestic and international business dealings to determine whether these activities compromise U.S. national security and President Bidens ability to lead with impartiality.

"From the thousands of financial records weve obtained, we know the Biden family set up over 20 shell companies, engaged in intentionally complicated financial transactions with foreign adversaries, and made a concerted effort to hide the payments and avoid scrutiny," he said.

Then, the fireworks really began.

The identity of the anonymous IRS whistleblower alleging political misconduct throughout the Hunter Biden investigation has been revealed as special agent Joseph Ziegler  a gay Democrat with more than a dozen years serving within the agencys criminal investigative division, Fox News reported on Wednesday.

Ziegler appeared for the first time publicly before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, alongside his IRS supervisor Gary Shapley, who also has blown the whistle on political influence surrounding prosecutorial decisions throughout the years-long federal probe into the presidents son, the report added.

The outlet noted that Ziegler has been with the IRS for 13 years, so obviously, he's no rookie.

Fox reported further that Ziegler is expected to testify that Hunter Biden should have been charged with a tax felony, and not only the tax misdemeanor charge, and that texts and communications investigators reviewed may be a contradiction to what President Biden was saying about not being involved in Hunters oversea business dealings.

In addition, Fox News reported that he is expected to discuss the corrosion of ethical standards and the abuse of power that threaten our nation he says he witnessed.

Ziegler is also expected to reveal a number of instances in which federal prosecutors did not follow the ordinary process, slow-walked the investigation, and put in place unnecessary approvals and roadblocks from effectively and efficiently investigating the case, including prosecutors preventing the questioning of Hunter Bidens adult children.

The special agent will also implore Congress and the Biden administration to consider a special counsel for the Hunter Biden probe and all the related cases and spin-off investigations that have come forward from this investigation.

And, Fox noted, it is anticipated that Ziegler will press Congress to consider establishing an official channel for Federal investigators to pull the emergency cord and raise the issue of the appointment of a special counsel for consideration by your senior officials.

The network went on to report:

Shapley, who has participated in multiple media interviews since the House Ways & Means Committee released his transcribed interview last month, is expected to testify that prosecutors had decided to conceal some evidence from the investigators that they found on Hunter Bidens laptop.

The warrants were ready as early as April 2020, but the Delaware USAO pushed them off until after the November 2020 election and then never pursued them, Shapley testified.

After an electronic search warrant on Hunter Bidens Apple iCloud account led us to WhatsApp messages with several CEFC China Energy executives where he claimed to be sitting and discussing business with his father Joe Biden, we sought permission to follow up on the information in the messages, Shapley added. Prosecutors would not allow it.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

Breitbart.com
The deaths of thousands of penguins in Uruguay leave authorities clueless.

Over 2,000 Magellanic penguins, mostly juveniles, have appeared to die in the Atlantic Ocean and were carried by currents to the coast of eastern Uruguay.

Carmen Leizagoyen, head of the Environment Ministry's department of fauna, said the samples that were taken from the animals have tested negative for avian influenza.

"This is mortality in the water. Ninety percent are young specimens that arrive without fat reserves and with empty stomachs," she added, as reported by NDTV.

Read Also: Dead Penguins Update: Ocean Warming Blamed After Hundreds of Penguins Washed Up Lifeless in New Zealand Shores

Abnormal numbers of death

Magellanic penguins breed in Argentina's south. They migrate north in the southern hemisphere during the winter in search of food and warmer waters, even reaching the coast of the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo.

Leizagoyen noted that although the deaths of some penguins are considered normal, they are not at these rates.

The Laguna de Rocha protected area's director, Hector Caymaris, told AFP that he counted more than 500 dead penguins along six miles (10 kilometers) of Atlantic shoreline.

In 2012, 745 dead penguins were found washed up along Brazil's coastline. Researchers at the Brazilian Center for Coastal Studies said they die due to natural causes.

"Birds in the first year of life are inexperienced," Caymaris explained, as quoted by CNN.

Furthermore, the pattern of deceased birds is typical of July, a month when the most birds arrive at the center for rehabilitation after washing up on the beaches weakened, injured, or oil-covered.

Another incident happened in 2010, when more than 550 dead penguins were found off Sao Paulo's coast. The necropsies showed that the penguins died of starvation.

Overfishing and illegal fishing

The authorities are yet to find out the cause of the deaths of the penguins in Uruguay; however, some experts have attributed the deaths to fishing activities.

Richard Tesore of the NGO SOS Marine Wildlifre Rescue believes that the death of the penguins is because of overfishing and illegal fishing.

"From the 1990s and 2000s we began to see animals with a lack of food. The resource is overexploited," he added.

Another factor was the subtropical cyclone in the Atlantic that hit southeastern Brazil in mid-July, which caused the weakest penguins to die.

Aside from penguins, petrels, albatrosses, seagulls, sea turtles, and sea lions were also found dead on the beaches of Maldonado.

The Magellanic penguin, named after the Portuguese adventurer Ferdinand Magellan, whose crew discovered it while sailing around the tip of South America in 1519, has been listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

According to Britannica, there are between 1.1 million and 1.6 million breeding Magellanic penguin pairs in the world.

Chronic oil pollution, both accidental and international, released from tankers has threatened the animals. In the 1980s until early 1990s, more than 20,000 adults and 22,000 juvenile Magellanic penguins died due to pollution.

Related Article: Adelie Penguins May Have Survived Iceberg Grounding In Antarctica [UPDATE]

Related Video:




Experts have warned that the continuous hot temperature, which is being experienced globally, could have an adverse impact towards food security.

The Guardian reported that the global heat could affect crops and marine life, or the nature's way of providing the public with food.

According to John Marsham, Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Leeds, the risks of simultaneous major crop losses in various regions across the world will really affect the food supply and the commodities' prices in many countries.

"As a human being, if you're wealthy enough, you can get inside and put the air conditioning on. But natural ecosystems and farmed ecosystems can't do that," Marsham told The Guardian.

While this is not foreseen to happen anytime soon, Marsham said this could be expected in the coming decades.

Read Also: Agricultural Crop Yields Drop as Heat-Drought Season Rises

Extreme heat as lethal to agricultural land, oceans

An entry posted on Common Dreams noted that aside from the health risks, the extreme hot weather could adversely affect the agricultural lands because of the high possibility of the occurrence of drought.

Farmers have been extremely aware of the weather's effects on their farming methods.

The report said that the heatwaves, which was experienced in Europe in 2022, had reduced the continent's agricultural yields.

According to a separate The Guardian report, Europe saw a decrease in the supply of maize, sunflower and soya bean by about 8% to 9% last year due to hot weather that was experienced across the continent.

Aside from that, cereal produce also decreased at about 2% when compared to the five-year average. Meanwhile sugar beet and potatoes had a better number than the average.

Further, the drought and heat stress in many regions took place in the same period that the main crops were already in the "flowering stage."

Unfortunately, the water reservoirs in many areas had been too low to meet the demand for the irrigation.

It was not only in Europe that crop losses was experienced last year as China and India also encountered drought and heatwave, respectively. Moreover, famine also loomed in Africa because of the "climate-intensified drought."

Aside from risks it may cause to the agriculture sector, too much heat also threatens coastal communities, which also puts at risk marine creatures that are another source of food for humans.

According to Daniela Schmidt, Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol, the effects of hot weather towards marine ecosystem is somehow ignored as people easily see its effects on plants and animals.

"But people generally don't think about marine heatwaves. That's what really worries me - that unseen, silent dying," Schmidt said.

Experts said that some of the most vulnerable ecosystems are the ones that are used to having a stable temperature in a year, including those who inhabit the tropical oceans.

To recall, it was in 2021 when around one billion animals were killed in Canada's Pacific Coast because of the heat dome. This incident, or the mass death of shellfish, also had a negative impact towards the water quality in the Canada waters.

Heatwaves to become frequent

Heatwaves are believed to be 12 times more frequent by 2040 compared with the pre-warming levels, according to studies.

This occurrence will greatly affect the nature as the latter will have no time to recover.

Experts said that to somehow ease the effects, the presence of vegetation and water in the environment is important to bring down the temperature.

Related Article: El Nino Could Worsen Panama Canal's Water Supply That Could Affect Global Trade Route
The vegetation in the Andes mountains plays a crucial role in the ecology and economy of South America. It supports rich biodiversity, provides water and food resources, and regulates the climate.

However, recent research has revealed that the vegetation in the Pacific slope of Peru, the western side of the Andes facing the ocean, is undergoing some unexpected and alarming changes.

The Pacific slope of Peru is a diverse and complex region that spans different climatic and life zones, from the arid coastal desert to the humid highlands.

The vegetation types vary according to altitude, precipitation, temperature, and soil conditions.

Some of the most characteristic vegetation types include the coastal lomas, dry forests, montane scrub, puna grasslands

These vegetation types are not only important for their ecological value, but also for their cultural and economic significance.

Many of them have been used by humans for centuries for food, medicine, fuel, fiber, and other purposes.

They also have spiritual and aesthetic meanings for many indigenous communities that live in harmony with nature.

However, these vegetation types are also under threat from various factors, such as climate change, land use change, urbanization, mining, agriculture, overgrazing, fire, invasive species, and pollution.

These factors can alter the distribution, composition, structure, function, and diversity of the vegetation, leading to degradation, fragmentation, or loss of habitats.

One of the most striking examples of vegetation change in the Pacific slope of Peru is the phenomenon of greening that has been observed by researchers from the University of Cambridge.

A surprising discovery

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has detected some large-scale changes in the vegetation in the South American Andes that may have serious consequences for the environment and ecosystems of the region, as per Phys.org.

They used satellite data from 2000 to 2020 to discover that a huge section of the West Slope of the Andes, stretching from Northern Peru to Northern Chile, has been becoming greener in the past 20 years.

Greening is a term used to describe positive vegetation growth, while browning refers to negative trends.

The researchers plotted 450 data points, developed a mathematical model to remove artificial variations and seasonality, and used statistical analysis to ensure that they only analyzed areas with a significant trend.

They also conducted field trips to confirm their findings on the ground.

The team spent three years sorting out the methodology and the statistical model, according to Hugo Lepage, a mathematician at the Cavendish laboratory and first author of the study.

They wanted to make sure that they were not mistaken and that something was happening on a massive scale.

The greening trend varies with altitude, with different vegetation types at different elevations. The researchers noticed that some previously barren or sparsely vegetated areas have become more lush and green over time.

Also Read: Adapting to Climate Change Could Still Mean Environmental Troubles

A potential threat

The exact cause or resulting consequences of this greening are not known, but any large change (30% to 60% index increase) in vegetation will necessarily have an impact on ecosystems and the environment, as per University of Cambridge.

Eustace Barnes, a geographer in the Cavendish Laboratory's Environmental Physics Group, which ran the research, said that 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.

Any change in vegetation will affect water availability and quality, soil erosion, biodiversity, and agriculture.

Some possible factors that could contribute to greening include climate change, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, changes in precipitation patterns, or human activities such as irrigation or mining.

However, more research is needed to determine this phenomenon's exact drivers and implications.

Lepage said that this is a warning sign, like the canary in the mine. They cannot stop changes on such a large scale, but they can plan better for the future by knowing about it.

The researchers hoped that their study will raise awareness and stimulate further investigation into this unexpected and potentially harmful greening of the Pacific slope of Peru.

Related article: Volcanic Eruptions Will Increase Amid Climate Change Threats
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy plans to test its indigenous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) post monsoon. This will add up to the indigenous systems being added by the Navy with the support of domestic orgnisations.The first test of the USV will be post-monsoon, somewhere between September and November when the vessel will sail from Goa to Mumbai, said a defence source. Initially, it will test the basic parameters, sources added.

Such USVs  also called drone boats  drew attention during the Ukraine conflict when in October 2022, the Ukrainian navy attacked Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, on the Crimean peninsula. They had deployed seven unmanned surface vessels (USVs) which were packed with ordinance and missiles. Later, in March and April, two more attacks were initiated on the Russian assets. Though all three attempts were repelled by the Russian Navy, they were enough to announce the arrival of USVs.

The maritime forces of the US, UK, China and France are working on more such unmanned systems  Naval Unmanned Aerial Systems (NUAS) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).The Navys Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment has indigenously designed and developed three types of Software-Defined Radios (SDRs)  SDR NC, SDR-Tac (tactical)  and SDR-NG, while the fourth one is in developmental stage and expected to undergo its testing phase by next year.

The SDR Naval Combat has been fitted in all Navy warships and is reportedly functioning well. The Navy entered into a contract to procure this device from Bharat Electronics Limited in 2021. The deal is worth over Rs 1,000 crore.The SDR-Tac is a four-channel multi-mode, multi-band, 19-inch rack-mountable, ship-borne software-defined radio system. The WESSE director general, Rear Admiral Ankur Sharma, said: It is intended to serve ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and ship-to-air voice-data communication for network-centric operations.

Lesson from Ukraine war

An indigenous Unmanned Surface Vessel will sail from Goa to Mumbai post-monsoon. Initially, it will test the basic parameters. USVs drew attention last year during the Ukraine conflict when the Ukrainian Navy attacked Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters. The USVs were packed with ordinance. Though attempts were repelled by Russia, the attacks were enough to announce the arrival of USVs.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy plans to test its indigenous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) post monsoon. This will add up to the indigenous systems being added by the Navy with the support of domestic orgnisations.The first test of the USV will be post-monsoon, somewhere between September and November when the vessel will sail from Goa to Mumbai, said a defence source. Initially, it will test the basic parameters, sources added. Such USVs  also called drone boats  drew attention during the Ukraine conflict when in October 2022, the Ukrainian navy attacked Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, on the Crimean peninsula. They had deployed seven unmanned surface vessels (USVs) which were packed with ordinance and missiles. Later, in March and April, two more attacks were initiated on the Russian assets. Though all three attempts were repelled by the Russian Navy, they were enough to announce the arrival of USVs. The maritime forces of the US, UK, China and France are working on more such unmanned systems  Naval Unmanned Aerial Systems (NUAS) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).The Navys Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment has indigenously designed and developed three types of Software-Defined Radios (SDRs)  SDR NC, SDR-Tac (tactical)  and SDR-NG, while the fourth one is in developmental stage and expected to undergo its testing phase by next year.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The SDR Naval Combat has been fitted in all Navy warships and is reportedly functioning well. The Navy entered into a contract to procure this device from Bharat Electronics Limited in 2021. The deal is worth over Rs 1,000 crore.The SDR-Tac is a four-channel multi-mode, multi-band, 19-inch rack-mountable, ship-borne software-defined radio system. The WESSE director general, Rear Admiral Ankur Sharma, said: It is intended to serve ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and ship-to-air voice-data communication for network-centric operations. Lesson from Ukraine war An indigenous Unmanned Surface Vessel will sail from Goa to Mumbai post-monsoon. Initially, it will test the basic parameters. USVs drew attention last year during the Ukraine conflict when the Ukrainian Navy attacked Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters. The USVs were packed with ordinance. Though attempts were repelled by Russia, the attacks were enough to announce the arrival of USVs.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's Kutch date palm farmers face the brunt of Bangladesh's seven-fold rise in import taxes on Khaarek (Dates) this year. The duty on dates shipped to Bangladesh was previously Rs 10 per kilogram; Now, the duty has been raised from Rs 10 to Rs 80. Over 600 tonnes of Khaarek are annually exported from Kutch to Bangladesh, but exporters have stopped doing so, leaving farmers with an overabundance of the stock.

Kutchi Khaarek is one of many distinct kinds of food products that are exported from Gujarat's Kutch region to nations and throughout the world. However, this year the Kutch farmers had to suffer because of the BiparJoy storm on the one hand, the ongoing rains for the past few days have greatly reduced the farmers' ability to produce Khaarek, and now Bangladesh has made things much more difficult for the farmers.

Bangladesh has raised the import duty on Kharek from Rs 10.83 to Rs 80, causing farmers and exporters to raise Kharek prices. People in Bangladesh can no longer afford to buy food as prices rise, thus exports have ceased.

Jamal Shaikh, a Kutchi Khaarek exporter in Calcutta said "We buy Khaarek from Kutch and export it to Bangladesh, Concerning the tax imposed by Bangladesh on Khaarek, it was 10.83 paise in 2021, 33 rupees in 2022, but all of sudden in 2023, Bangladesh government Announce 64.50 rupees in new budget, Soon After a week, the tax was raised to 80 rupees.

In this case, we were paying 3.5 lakh rupees in tax in 2022 on a full truck of Khaarek, 6.5 lakh rupees in 2023, and 8.5 lakh rupees after that week. Explaining Import Situation Jamal Said Bangladeshi importers are afraid to do business in such a situation. Because if you buy Khaarek from India for 30 rupees per kg, you must pay a tax of 80 to 85 rupees in Bangladesh. And one kg of packing costs 18 to 20 rupees, thus if the 30 rupees Khaarek is sold for more than 130 rupees in Bangladesh, who will buy it? As a result, Bangladeshi traders have ceased purchasing Khaarek.

According to a local farmer in Kutch, Khaarek has grown on roughly 19 thousand hectares in Kutch, with an annual production of approximately 1.75 lakh tonnes of Khaarek. Farmers place a greater emphasis on exports due to the enormous volume of production. After the Kutch mango, Khaarek is the most popular fruit.

Harsh Thakkar, a farmer from Kutch, said "First there was damage to agriculture in the cyclone, then heavy rains, and now the export has been halted, and the farmers are suffering a huge loss. In this circumstance, the exporter traders will receive earn Money from other sources, but the farmers will become debtors if the government did not intervene soon,

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's Kutch date palm farmers face the brunt of Bangladesh's seven-fold rise in import taxes on Khaarek (Dates) this year. The duty on dates shipped to Bangladesh was previously Rs 10 per kilogram; Now, the duty has been raised from Rs 10 to Rs 80. Over 600 tonnes of Khaarek are annually exported from Kutch to Bangladesh, but exporters have stopped doing so, leaving farmers with an overabundance of the stock. Kutchi Khaarek is one of many distinct kinds of food products that are exported from Gujarat's Kutch region to nations and throughout the world. However, this year the Kutch farmers had to suffer because of the BiparJoy storm on the one hand, the ongoing rains for the past few days have greatly reduced the farmers' ability to produce Khaarek, and now Bangladesh has made things much more difficult for the farmers. Bangladesh has raised the import duty on Kharek from Rs 10.83 to Rs 80, causing farmers and exporters to raise Kharek prices. People in Bangladesh can no longer afford to buy food as prices rise, thus exports have ceased.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Jamal Shaikh, a Kutchi Khaarek exporter in Calcutta said "We buy Khaarek from Kutch and export it to Bangladesh, Concerning the tax imposed by Bangladesh on Khaarek, it was 10.83 paise in 2021, 33 rupees in 2022, but all of sudden in 2023, Bangladesh government Announce 64.50 rupees in new budget, Soon After a week, the tax was raised to 80 rupees. In this case, we were paying 3.5 lakh rupees in tax in 2022 on a full truck of Khaarek, 6.5 lakh rupees in 2023, and 8.5 lakh rupees after that week. Explaining Import Situation Jamal Said Bangladeshi importers are afraid to do business in such a situation. Because if you buy Khaarek from India for 30 rupees per kg, you must pay a tax of 80 to 85 rupees in Bangladesh. And one kg of packing costs 18 to 20 rupees, thus if the 30 rupees Khaarek is sold for more than 130 rupees in Bangladesh, who will buy it? As a result, Bangladeshi traders have ceased purchasing Khaarek. According to a local farmer in Kutch, Khaarek has grown on roughly 19 thousand hectares in Kutch, with an annual production of approximately 1.75 lakh tonnes of Khaarek. Farmers place a greater emphasis on exports due to the enormous volume of production. After the Kutch mango, Khaarek is the most popular fruit. Harsh Thakkar, a farmer from Kutch, said "First there was damage to agriculture in the cyclone, then heavy rains, and now the export has been halted, and the farmers are suffering a huge loss. In this circumstance, the exporter traders will receive earn Money from other sources, but the farmers will become debtors if the government did not intervene soon,
Anuraag Singh By

Express News Service

Once counted among most feared dacoits of Chambal ravines and now the septuagenarian husband of a village sarpanch in Guna district, Malkhan Singh Rajput is planning to campaign for Congress in the Vidhan Sabha polls in Gwalior-Chambal region. Nicknamed the Bandit King of Chambal in the 1970s and early 1980s before his surrender in 1982, Malkhan, who is equally famous for his signature handlebar moustache was seen in the massive crowd at Congresss Jan Akrosh Maha Rally in Gwalior on July 21. The massive gathering in Gwalior seemed to be a harbinger of a wave of change and I too am part of that wave, he said.

Over Rs 9 crore alloted to 7 departments

Seven key departments reportedly received over Rs 9,400 crore for development work ahead of the year-end assembly polls. The seven departments, include PWD, water resources, Narmada Valley Development (NVD), urban development and housing, panchayat and rural development, tribal affairs department and the department of industrial policy and investment promotion. Over 70% of the released budget  Rs 6,750 crore  has been allotted for three departments, particularly Rs 2,700 crore for PWD to boost development ahead of polls.

IIM-I, Indore cops join hands against trafficking

Indian Institute of Management (IIM-Indore) and the Indore Police have joined forces to draw a detailed action plan on the issue of missing children, child and girl trafficking in states most populated city  Indore. As part of the MoU signed by IIM-I Director Prof Himanshu Rai and Indore Police Commissioner Makrand Deuskar recently, the researchers from the business school will first figure out reasons behind cases of missing children, human in Indore and then work with the cops to develop an action plan to combat it. The new partnership happened two months after the IIM-I submitted a report to Indore police for strengthening its beat policing.

Anuraag singh

Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh

singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com

Once counted among most feared dacoits of Chambal ravines and now the septuagenarian husband of a village sarpanch in Guna district, Malkhan Singh Rajput is planning to campaign for Congress in the Vidhan Sabha polls in Gwalior-Chambal region. Nicknamed the Bandit King of Chambal in the 1970s and early 1980s before his surrender in 1982, Malkhan, who is equally famous for his signature handlebar moustache was seen in the massive crowd at Congresss Jan Akrosh Maha Rally in Gwalior on July 21. The massive gathering in Gwalior seemed to be a harbinger of a wave of change and I too am part of that wave, he said. Over Rs 9 crore alloted to 7 departments Seven key departments reportedly received over Rs 9,400 crore for development work ahead of the year-end assembly polls. The seven departments, include PWD, water resources, Narmada Valley Development (NVD), urban development and housing, panchayat and rural development, tribal affairs department and the department of industrial policy and investment promotion. Over 70% of the released budget  Rs 6,750 crore  has been allotted for three departments, particularly Rs 2,700 crore for PWD to boost development ahead of polls. IIM-I, Indore cops join hands against trafficking Indian Institute of Management (IIM-Indore) and the Indore Police have joined forces to draw a detailed action plan on the issue of missing children, child and girl trafficking in states most populated city  Indore. As part of the MoU signed by IIM-I Director Prof Himanshu Rai and Indore Police Commissioner Makrand Deuskar recently, the researchers from the business school will first figure out reasons behind cases of missing children, human in Indore and then work with the cops to develop an action plan to combat it. The new partnership happened two months after the IIM-I submitted a report to Indore police for strengthening its beat policing.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Anuraag singhOur correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday accused the BJP of "misusing" the tragic suffering of women in the 'Manipur horror story' to promote 'whataboutery' by citing attacks on women in Opposition-ruled states.

The BJP has been raising the incidents of atrocities against women in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Bihar and questioning the 'silence' of the opposition, which has termed it as a diversionary tactic to avoid debate on the situation in violence-hit Manipur.

Asked about the opposition's demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on Manipur, Tharoor told reporters outside Parliament, "I think this is an understandable point of view (from opposition's perspective).

The biggest issue facing the nation today is that a state of ours is burning, there are already consequences for the neighbouring state of Mizoram.

We are looking at a situation of such great importance that no one less than the chief executive of the government can speak on it to begin with after which the home minister and others can play their part."

"The prime minister saw fit to speak to the media outside Parliament when Parliament is in session, that is not acceptable. The prime minister is accountable to Parliament, that is the whole logic of a parliamentary democracy," he said.

In a tweet, Tharoor said the tragic suffering of women in the "Manipur horror story" is being misused by the ruling party to promote "whataboutery" by citing attacks on women in Opposition-ruled states.

1/2 The tragic suffering of women in the Manipur horror story is being misused by the ruling party to promote what-aboutery by citing attacks on women in Opposition-ruled states. Whenever such shameful incidents have occurred, the state governments have acted promptly and in pic.twitter.com/kAFbHFtaLL  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 24, 2023

"Whenever such shameful incidents have occurred, the state governments have acted promptly and in sympathy with the victims, whereas in Manipur the authorities are complicit and seeking to suppress the truth rather than act against the perpetrators," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram alleged.

"The hue and cry over these atrocities is also being misused to obscure and conceal the ethnic and communal elements of the Manipur conflict, the desecration and burning of churches, the extremism of revivalist groups, and the overlay of a vicious drug-smuggling trade thriving under the protection of the powerful," he said.

None of these elements can be found in any opposition-ruled state, Tharoor added.

The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any significant business during the Monsoon session amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday accused the BJP of "misusing" the tragic suffering of women in the 'Manipur horror story' to promote 'whataboutery' by citing attacks on women in Opposition-ruled states. The BJP has been raising the incidents of atrocities against women in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Bihar and questioning the 'silence' of the opposition, which has termed it as a diversionary tactic to avoid debate on the situation in violence-hit Manipur. Asked about the opposition's demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on Manipur, Tharoor told reporters outside Parliament, "I think this is an understandable point of view (from opposition's perspective).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The biggest issue facing the nation today is that a state of ours is burning, there are already consequences for the neighbouring state of Mizoram. We are looking at a situation of such great importance that no one less than the chief executive of the government can speak on it to begin with after which the home minister and others can play their part." "The prime minister saw fit to speak to the media outside Parliament when Parliament is in session, that is not acceptable. The prime minister is accountable to Parliament, that is the whole logic of a parliamentary democracy," he said. In a tweet, Tharoor said the tragic suffering of women in the "Manipur horror story" is being misused by the ruling party to promote "whataboutery" by citing attacks on women in Opposition-ruled states. 1/2 The tragic suffering of women in the Manipur horror story is being misused by the ruling party to promote what-aboutery by citing attacks on women in Opposition-ruled states. Whenever such shameful incidents have occurred, the state governments have acted promptly and in pic.twitter.com/kAFbHFtaLL  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 24, 2023 "Whenever such shameful incidents have occurred, the state governments have acted promptly and in sympathy with the victims, whereas in Manipur the authorities are complicit and seeking to suppress the truth rather than act against the perpetrators," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram alleged. "The hue and cry over these atrocities is also being misused to obscure and conceal the ethnic and communal elements of the Manipur conflict, the desecration and burning of churches, the extremism of revivalist groups, and the overlay of a vicious drug-smuggling trade thriving under the protection of the powerful," he said. None of these elements can be found in any opposition-ruled state, Tharoor added. The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any significant business during the Monsoon session amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Reiterating its demand for a comprehensive statement by Prime Minister Modi on the Manipur crisis, the Congress on Monday termed Home Minister Amit Shah's statement in the Lok Sabha expressing his willingness for a discussion on Manipur as a "desperate bid to manage headlines".

Amit Shah had earlier said that the government is willing to hold a discussion on Manipur in Parliament and urged the Opposition to allow the discussion to happen.

"Several members have demanded a discussion on Manipur. It is a very sensitive issue and I am ready for the discussion. I urge all the members of the opposition that on a very sensitive issue, I do not know why the opposition does not want to allow discussion," said Shah.

ALSO READ | 'Which holy river of this country..': DMK MP's poem captures agony of women in Manipur

"I urge the leader of the opposition to allow the discussion to take place and it is important that the truth comes out," he added.

However, the Opposition remained adamant on their demand for a statement from the PM before any discussion is held.

Taking a swipe at the Home Minister, AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh sought to know why the PM refused to speak on the issue inside Parliament.

"Amit Shah is not doing anybody any special favour. The perfectly democratic and legitimate demand of the parties comprising INDIA is for a statement by the Prime Minister on the Manipur situation first followed by a discussion. The Home Minister is totally silent on this. What is the hesitation in getting the PM to speak inside Parliament first?" he asked.

ALSO READ | PM should make statement on Manipur situation, MPs have valid demand: Former J-K governor Malik

The Opposition has intensified its attack on the government after the video of two women being paraded naked by a dozen men sparked outrage last week. The Prime Minister during his customary interaction with media outside Parliament, said that 'the entire country has been shamed and assured that the guilty will be punished.

About 150 people have lost their lives in the ethnic clashes which broke out on May 3.

Meanwhile. both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday after the presiding officers declined to hold a discussion under Rule 267. Several members moved adjournment motions to discuss the Manipur issue in both Houses. The Parliament has not been functioning since the Monsoon session began on July 20.

NEW DELHI: Reiterating its demand for a comprehensive statement by Prime Minister Modi on the Manipur crisis, the Congress on Monday termed Home Minister Amit Shah's statement in the Lok Sabha expressing his willingness for a discussion on Manipur as a "desperate bid to manage headlines". Amit Shah had earlier said that the government is willing to hold a discussion on Manipur in Parliament and urged the Opposition to allow the discussion to happen. "Several members have demanded a discussion on Manipur. It is a very sensitive issue and I am ready for the discussion. I urge all the members of the opposition that on a very sensitive issue, I do not know why the opposition does not want to allow discussion," said Shah.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | 'Which holy river of this country..': DMK MP's poem captures agony of women in Manipur "I urge the leader of the opposition to allow the discussion to take place and it is important that the truth comes out," he added. However, the Opposition remained adamant on their demand for a statement from the PM before any discussion is held. Taking a swipe at the Home Minister, AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh sought to know why the PM refused to speak on the issue inside Parliament. "Amit Shah is not doing anybody any special favour. The perfectly democratic and legitimate demand of the parties comprising INDIA is for a statement by the Prime Minister on the Manipur situation first followed by a discussion. The Home Minister is totally silent on this. What is the hesitation in getting the PM to speak inside Parliament first?" he asked. ALSO READ | PM should make statement on Manipur situation, MPs have valid demand: Former J-K governor Malik The Opposition has intensified its attack on the government after the video of two women being paraded naked by a dozen men sparked outrage last week. The Prime Minister during his customary interaction with media outside Parliament, said that 'the entire country has been shamed and assured that the guilty will be punished. About 150 people have lost their lives in the ethnic clashes which broke out on May 3. Meanwhile. both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday after the presiding officers declined to hold a discussion under Rule 267. Several members moved adjournment motions to discuss the Manipur issue in both Houses. The Parliament has not been functioning since the Monsoon session began on July 20.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is yet to finalise the Congress MLAs name for the post of the leader of the Opposition a week after the monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly began on July 17. NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was the LoP in the Assembly, joined the BJP-led government as deputy chief minister on July 2. Since then the post has been lying vacant.

According to a senior Congress leader, the party is the largest entity in the 288-member Assembly with 45 MLAs. It has decided to lay its claim over the LoP post. Maharashtra Congress in-charge and Karnataka minister HR Patil has called a meeting of party MLAs to discuss the name for the LoP. Sources said a few names were discussed and that he submitted a report more than two weeks ago. However, the Congress leadership is yet to finalise the name.

The situation has prompted some MLAs, to lobby for the post. We expected the final decision on the eve of the monsoon session of the Assembly. However, it has been a week since the session began, said a senior Congress leader. He said once the name is finalized, it will be submitted to the Speaker who would

officially accept it and declare the LoP.

Another Congress leader said the party not only expected the LoP post in the assembly, but also in the Upper House of the Assembly. Shiv Sena (UBT) had 10 MLAs so the LoP post was given to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danave a year ago. But two MLCs of Shiv Sena (UBT) including deputy chairman of the Upper House Neelam Gore and MLC Manisha Kayande left Uddhav Thackerays Sena and joined the Eknath Shinde group.

Therefore, Shiv Senas numbers in the Upper House dropped from 10 MLCs to eight. The Congress has nine MLCs. Therefore, Congress is eligible to get the LoP in the Upper House as well. Congress stood at the fourth position in the numbers game in the Assembly, but due to various political alignments,

it is now in a position to be the main Opposition force in the state.

We can get two LoPs in Upper and Lower Houses of the assembly. The LoP is the key post that can help the party to raise the issues involving farmers and common man on the floor of the House. The LoP enjoys the status of a cabinet minister. State Congress chief Nana Patole said the party is following it up with the party leaders in Delhi.

Once we get the name, it will be submitted to the Speaker as part of the regular procedure, Patole said. The dilly-dallying by the Congress over the LoP is giving time to the nascent three-way alliance of Ajit Pawar, BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Shinde to consolidate their position by ironing out initial differences.

Eknath Shinde group miffed over fund allocation

Immediately after taking the oath of deputy CM in the BJP-led government, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar tabled the Rs 45,000 crore worth supplementary demands bill. Out of it, Rs 1,500 crore is marked for MLAs fund, a part of which is also meant for the rebelled NCP MLAs who supported Ajit. Earlier, CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alleged that Ajit as a finance minister in the MVA government allocated funds to the NCP MLAs only and they were deprived of any allocation. That was the reason for the Sena MLAs to switch sides. The same allegations are now made against Ajit in the Shinde-led government.

MUMBAI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is yet to finalise the Congress MLAs name for the post of the leader of the Opposition a week after the monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly began on July 17. NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was the LoP in the Assembly, joined the BJP-led government as deputy chief minister on July 2. Since then the post has been lying vacant. According to a senior Congress leader, the party is the largest entity in the 288-member Assembly with 45 MLAs. It has decided to lay its claim over the LoP post. Maharashtra Congress in-charge and Karnataka minister HR Patil has called a meeting of party MLAs to discuss the name for the LoP. Sources said a few names were discussed and that he submitted a report more than two weeks ago. However, the Congress leadership is yet to finalise the name. The situation has prompted some MLAs, to lobby for the post. We expected the final decision on the eve of the monsoon session of the Assembly. However, it has been a week since the session began, said a senior Congress leader. He said once the name is finalized, it will be submitted to the Speaker who would officially accept it and declare the LoP.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Another Congress leader said the party not only expected the LoP post in the assembly, but also in the Upper House of the Assembly. Shiv Sena (UBT) had 10 MLAs so the LoP post was given to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danave a year ago. But two MLCs of Shiv Sena (UBT) including deputy chairman of the Upper House Neelam Gore and MLC Manisha Kayande left Uddhav Thackerays Sena and joined the Eknath Shinde group. Therefore, Shiv Senas numbers in the Upper House dropped from 10 MLCs to eight. The Congress has nine MLCs. Therefore, Congress is eligible to get the LoP in the Upper House as well. Congress stood at the fourth position in the numbers game in the Assembly, but due to various political alignments, it is now in a position to be the main Opposition force in the state. We can get two LoPs in Upper and Lower Houses of the assembly. The LoP is the key post that can help the party to raise the issues involving farmers and common man on the floor of the House. The LoP enjoys the status of a cabinet minister. State Congress chief Nana Patole said the party is following it up with the party leaders in Delhi. Once we get the name, it will be submitted to the Speaker as part of the regular procedure, Patole said. The dilly-dallying by the Congress over the LoP is giving time to the nascent three-way alliance of Ajit Pawar, BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Shinde to consolidate their position by ironing out initial differences. Eknath Shinde group miffed over fund allocation Immediately after taking the oath of deputy CM in the BJP-led government, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar tabled the Rs 45,000 crore worth supplementary demands bill. Out of it, Rs 1,500 crore is marked for MLAs fund, a part of which is also meant for the rebelled NCP MLAs who supported Ajit. Earlier, CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alleged that Ajit as a finance minister in the MVA government allocated funds to the NCP MLAs only and they were deprived of any allocation. That was the reason for the Sena MLAs to switch sides. The same allegations are now made against Ajit in the Shinde-led government.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday expressed serious concerns over the weaponising of disruptions in the temple of democracy. He said that constant disruptions and unrest are against democratic values.

There can be no excuse for not allowing the Parliament to function. The absence of the question hour cant be justified, the Vice-President said. His remarks came in the backdrop of both the Houses of the Parliament facing disruptions in the first two days of the ongoing monsoon session, over several issues including the Manipur violence.

Speaking at the centenary year convocation ceremony of Jamia Millia Islamia, Dhankar further said, When there is a disruption in the Parliament on a particular day, there cannot be a question hour. The question hour is a mechanism to generate accountability and transparency in governance.

Not having the question hour can never be rationalised when we think in terms of democratic values and good governance. He added that the government is bound to answer every question as it benefits itself too.

Surely, democracy cannot be about disruption and disturbance! I am pained and anguished to indicate to you that disruption and disturbance have been weaponised as a strategy to taint the temple of democracy, he asserted.

He said that the street demonstrations to challenge the Rule of Law are not hallmarks of good governance and democracy. But turning disagreement into hostility is no less than a curse for democracy, the Vice-President said.

NEW DELHI: Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday expressed serious concerns over the weaponising of disruptions in the temple of democracy. He said that constant disruptions and unrest are against democratic values. There can be no excuse for not allowing the Parliament to function. The absence of the question hour cant be justified, the Vice-President said. His remarks came in the backdrop of both the Houses of the Parliament facing disruptions in the first two days of the ongoing monsoon session, over several issues including the Manipur violence. Speaking at the centenary year convocation ceremony of Jamia Millia Islamia, Dhankar further said, When there is a disruption in the Parliament on a particular day, there cannot be a question hour. The question hour is a mechanism to generate accountability and transparency in governance.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Not having the question hour can never be rationalised when we think in terms of democratic values and good governance. He added that the government is bound to answer every question as it benefits itself too. Surely, democracy cannot be about disruption and disturbance! I am pained and anguished to indicate to you that disruption and disturbance have been weaponised as a strategy to taint the temple of democracy, he asserted. He said that the street demonstrations to challenge the Rule of Law are not hallmarks of good governance and democracy. But turning disagreement into hostility is no less than a curse for democracy, the Vice-President said.
Jitendra Choubey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Agriculture insurance companies are raking in huge profits as claims paid by these companies have been consistently dipping in the past few years. In 2022, the gross premium-to-claim settlement ratio was reduced to 21 per cent.

The latest data tabled in the Parliament by Union Minister for Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, shows that agriculture insurance premium has been going up while claims payment is down, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the flagship agriculture insurance programme launched in 2016 for farmers to insure their yield loss.

In 2019-20, the ratio of claim paid to farmers to gross premium was 84 per cent, which reduced to 66 per cent in 2020-21, 60 per cent in 2021-22 and 21 per cent in 2022-23. In the first three years of the programmes launch, the gross premium collection to payment of claims was high. It led to many private firms leaving the scheme. Later, most of them joined again.

Every year, farmers protest over non-payment or delayed payment of claims across the country. There has been a slight decrease in the premium collection since 2019-20, but registered a drastic decline in claims payment.

The consistent decline in payment of farmers claims doesnt augur well with sector experts. There is a structural flaw in the programme. These insurance companies do business with banks that provide loans to farmers. Banks directly transfer premiums to companies. There is no connection between farmers and insurance companies, said activist Ramandeep Singh Mann, who protests on behalf of farmers.

The ground reality is that farmers who face crop loss due to inclement weather is clueless about the contact person to report their losses within 72 hours as per rule, said Mann. The Centre has acknowledged the widespread complaints from farmers against insurance companies.

Moreover, there are disputes between insurance firms and state governments on discrepancies in yield data, delay in providing state governments share of funds, non-deployment of sufficient personnel by insurance companies, etc. We are rectifying it, said a senior PMFBY official.

NEW DELHI: Agriculture insurance companies are raking in huge profits as claims paid by these companies have been consistently dipping in the past few years. In 2022, the gross premium-to-claim settlement ratio was reduced to 21 per cent. The latest data tabled in the Parliament by Union Minister for Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, shows that agriculture insurance premium has been going up while claims payment is down, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the flagship agriculture insurance programme launched in 2016 for farmers to insure their yield loss.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In 2019-20, the ratio of claim paid to farmers to gross premium was 84 per cent, which reduced to 66 per cent in 2020-21, 60 per cent in 2021-22 and 21 per cent in 2022-23. In the first three years of the programmes launch, the gross premium collection to payment of claims was high. It led to many private firms leaving the scheme. Later, most of them joined again. Every year, farmers protest over non-payment or delayed payment of claims across the country. There has been a slight decrease in the premium collection since 2019-20, but registered a drastic decline in claims payment. The consistent decline in payment of farmers claims doesnt augur well with sector experts. There is a structural flaw in the programme. These insurance companies do business with banks that provide loans to farmers. Banks directly transfer premiums to companies. There is no connection between farmers and insurance companies, said activist Ramandeep Singh Mann, who protests on behalf of farmers. The ground reality is that farmers who face crop loss due to inclement weather is clueless about the contact person to report their losses within 72 hours as per rule, said Mann. The Centre has acknowledged the widespread complaints from farmers against insurance companies. Moreover, there are disputes between insurance firms and state governments on discrepancies in yield data, delay in providing state governments share of funds, non-deployment of sufficient personnel by insurance companies, etc. We are rectifying it, said a senior PMFBY official.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: With parts of Gujarat still reeling under Saturdays heavy rainfall, the Meteorological Department on Sunday issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across various districts of the state on Monday.

On Sunday, flood waters seemed to ebb in Junagadh, a day after severe rainfall inundated several low-lying areas of the district. More than 3,000 people in the district have been shifted to safer places, officials said. Junagadh city, among the worst-hit, received 241 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours on Saturday. Gushing waters swept away dozens of parked vehicles and cattle.

Relief works led by National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force were on.

Junagadh district collector Anil Ranavasiya said water has receded in many areas of the city. Our main focus now is towards cleanliness in the city. Junagadh city has around 600 cleaning staff, and we are getting another 400 from other districts. So, our focus for today is to clean the city so that normalcy is restored, he said.

Heavy rains across the state have led to the closure of two national highways, 10 state highways, and 300 rural roads. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and took stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, Yamuna crossed the danger mark in Delhi again on Sunday following a surge in discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage into the river after heavy rain in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

A flood alert was issued in parts of Noida as water discharge in Hindon River river increased, officials said. Around 200 people living in five villages along the river have been evacuated and shifted to shelter homes, they said.

AHMEDABAD: With parts of Gujarat still reeling under Saturdays heavy rainfall, the Meteorological Department on Sunday issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across various districts of the state on Monday. On Sunday, flood waters seemed to ebb in Junagadh, a day after severe rainfall inundated several low-lying areas of the district. More than 3,000 people in the district have been shifted to safer places, officials said. Junagadh city, among the worst-hit, received 241 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours on Saturday. Gushing waters swept away dozens of parked vehicles and cattle. Relief works led by National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force were on. Junagadh district collector Anil Ranavasiya said water has receded in many areas of the city. Our main focus now is towards cleanliness in the city. Junagadh city has around 600 cleaning staff, and we are getting another 400 from other districts. So, our focus for today is to clean the city so that normalcy is restored, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Heavy rains across the state have led to the closure of two national highways, 10 state highways, and 300 rural roads. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and took stock of the situation. Meanwhile, Yamuna crossed the danger mark in Delhi again on Sunday following a surge in discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage into the river after heavy rain in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. A flood alert was issued in parts of Noida as water discharge in Hindon River river increased, officials said. Around 200 people living in five villages along the river have been evacuated and shifted to shelter homes, they said.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the Varanasi district court order on conducting a scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque shall not be enforced until 5 pm on July 26.

On Monday morning, a 30-member team of the ASI had entered the mosque complex to carry out the scientific survey in accordance with court orders to determine if the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple was built upon a temple.

A Varanasi court had directed the ASI on July 21 to conduct a "detailed scientific survey" -- including excavations, wherever necessary -- to determine if the mosque was built at a place where a temple existed earlier.

Meanwhile, a plea was moved by the mosque committee today.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of submissions made by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared in the court on behalf of the mosque committee. Urging the court to stay the Varanasi district courts July 21 order, Ahmadi said that the trial court did not even give them breathing time to file an appeal against the Varanasi court's order.

Expressing an apprehension regarding 'a possible excavation' being carried out, Ahmadi also said that the district courts order, according to them, was in the teeth of the top court's May ruling of directing to defer the scientific survey of "shivling" in the complex.

Questioning the haste for carrying out the survey, he asked, What is the hot haste? This property is being used as a mosque since 1500. What is the tearing hurry?"

Opining that breathing time should be granted to the Muslim side, the bench asked the mosque committee to approach the Allahabad High Court and directed the Registrar General of the HC to ensure the listing of the plea.

We permit the petitioners to move the HC to challenge the order of District Judge Varanasi. Having regards to the fact that the order was pronounced at 4:30 pm on Friday (July 21) and the survey is in the process of being carried out today, we are of the view that some breathing time should be granted. Order of the district court should not be imposed until 5 PM till July 26, 2023, the bench said in its order.

The top court also ordered that no invasive work would be undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple.

The Supreme Court asked Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Uttar Pradesh government, to inform the ASI team that there should not be any "invasive work" or excavation at the site.

Initially, when the matter was taken up around 10:45 am, the bench on being informed about the possible excavation of the premise had asked the SG to take instructions from the ASI till 11:15 am.

When the matter was again taken up by the bench, the SG informed the bench that the ASI was not contemplating any excavation but was only carrying out measurements, photography & radar imaging.

Although the court initially turned down the Muslim sides request to stay the district courts order, it on constant persuasion stayed the same.

The mosque's "wazookhana" (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions), where a structure claimed by the Hindu litigants to be a "Shivling" exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.

District Judge A K Vishvesh has directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by August 4, along with video clips and photographs of the survey proceedings.

(With additional inputs from PTI)



NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the Varanasi district court order on conducting a scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque shall not be enforced until 5 pm on July 26. On Monday morning, a 30-member team of the ASI had entered the mosque complex to carry out the scientific survey in accordance with court orders to determine if the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple was built upon a temple. A Varanasi court had directed the ASI on July 21 to conduct a "detailed scientific survey" -- including excavations, wherever necessary -- to determine if the mosque was built at a place where a temple existed earlier.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, a plea was moved by the mosque committee today. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of submissions made by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared in the court on behalf of the mosque committee. Urging the court to stay the Varanasi district courts July 21 order, Ahmadi said that the trial court did not even give them breathing time to file an appeal against the Varanasi court's order. Expressing an apprehension regarding 'a possible excavation' being carried out, Ahmadi also said that the district courts order, according to them, was in the teeth of the top court's May ruling of directing to defer the scientific survey of "shivling" in the complex. Questioning the haste for carrying out the survey, he asked, What is the hot haste? This property is being used as a mosque since 1500. What is the tearing hurry?" Opining that breathing time should be granted to the Muslim side, the bench asked the mosque committee to approach the Allahabad High Court and directed the Registrar General of the HC to ensure the listing of the plea. We permit the petitioners to move the HC to challenge the order of District Judge Varanasi. Having regards to the fact that the order was pronounced at 4:30 pm on Friday (July 21) and the survey is in the process of being carried out today, we are of the view that some breathing time should be granted. Order of the district court should not be imposed until 5 PM till July 26, 2023, the bench said in its order. The top court also ordered that no invasive work would be undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple. The Supreme Court asked Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Uttar Pradesh government, to inform the ASI team that there should not be any "invasive work" or excavation at the site. Initially, when the matter was taken up around 10:45 am, the bench on being informed about the possible excavation of the premise had asked the SG to take instructions from the ASI till 11:15 am. When the matter was again taken up by the bench, the SG informed the bench that the ASI was not contemplating any excavation but was only carrying out measurements, photography & radar imaging. Although the court initially turned down the Muslim sides request to stay the district courts order, it on constant persuasion stayed the same. The mosque's "wazookhana" (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions), where a structure claimed by the Hindu litigants to be a "Shivling" exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex. District Judge A K Vishvesh has directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by August 4, along with video clips and photographs of the survey proceedings. (With additional inputs from PTI)
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur situation, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House the government will discuss the issue.

As the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2:30 pm after an earlier adjournment, sloganeering from the opposition benches continued and Speaker Om Birla tried to calm them down.

Shah said he was unable to understand why the opposition was not allowing a discussion to take place as the government was ready for it.

Earlier, the government transacted some legislative business, with three Bills introduced and one withdrawn amid the din.

While the government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, it introduced the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, urged the opposition members to go back to their seats for a debate but the latter continued with their protests, demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur.

Agrawal then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Earlier in the day, as soon as the House met at 11 am, opposition members from the Congress, DMK, Left parties and others were on their feet.

Speaker Om Birla allowed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to speak.

Chowdhury said Modi should make a suo motu statement on the floor of the House on the violence in Manipur.

Birla said the House is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence and the debate could be started after 12 noon as the time fixed for the Question Hour from 11 am should not be disturbed as many important issues are raised by the members during this period for a reply from the government.

"The whole House is ready for the discussion and the government will reply to the debate too. But you will not decide who will reply to the debate," the speaker said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi also said the government is ready for a discussion, while pointing out that it is the opposition that is disrupting the proceedings and running away from a debate.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, reiterated his statement made on Friday that the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence.

As the opposition members stuck to their demand for a statement from the prime minister, the speaker continued with the proceedings.

The House functioned for about 30 minutes amid the sloganeering and protest by the opposition.

Birla again appealed to the opposition to allow the Question Hour to go on smoothly as he was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence from 12 noon onwards.

The opposition members were holding up placards that read "INDIA wants discussion on Manipur violence", "INDIA for Manipur" etc.

"A solution could come only through discussions. I am accepting your request. I am ready for the discussion, but let the Question Hour be continued first. People have not sent you here for sloganeering or showing placards. The government will take action on the outcome of the debate. Don't you want a debate," Birla asked the opposition members.

The speaker said he is ready to give enough time to everyone for raising their issues, but only after the Question Hour. As the protests continued, the speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon.

The Manipur violence rocked the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first two days of the Monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state.

The session commenced a day after a video clip purportedly shot on May 4 and showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage.

The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video.

The police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified armed miscreants.

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur situation, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House the government will discuss the issue. As the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2:30 pm after an earlier adjournment, sloganeering from the opposition benches continued and Speaker Om Birla tried to calm them down. Shah said he was unable to understand why the opposition was not allowing a discussion to take place as the government was ready for it.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, the government transacted some legislative business, with three Bills introduced and one withdrawn amid the din. While the government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, it introduced the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, urged the opposition members to go back to their seats for a debate but the latter continued with their protests, demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur. Agrawal then adjourned the House till 2 pm. Earlier in the day, as soon as the House met at 11 am, opposition members from the Congress, DMK, Left parties and others were on their feet. Speaker Om Birla allowed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to speak. Chowdhury said Modi should make a suo motu statement on the floor of the House on the violence in Manipur. Birla said the House is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence and the debate could be started after 12 noon as the time fixed for the Question Hour from 11 am should not be disturbed as many important issues are raised by the members during this period for a reply from the government. "The whole House is ready for the discussion and the government will reply to the debate too. But you will not decide who will reply to the debate," the speaker said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi also said the government is ready for a discussion, while pointing out that it is the opposition that is disrupting the proceedings and running away from a debate. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, reiterated his statement made on Friday that the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence. As the opposition members stuck to their demand for a statement from the prime minister, the speaker continued with the proceedings. The House functioned for about 30 minutes amid the sloganeering and protest by the opposition. Birla again appealed to the opposition to allow the Question Hour to go on smoothly as he was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence from 12 noon onwards. The opposition members were holding up placards that read "INDIA wants discussion on Manipur violence", "INDIA for Manipur" etc. "A solution could come only through discussions. I am accepting your request. I am ready for the discussion, but let the Question Hour be continued first. People have not sent you here for sloganeering or showing placards. The government will take action on the outcome of the debate. Don't you want a debate," Birla asked the opposition members. The speaker said he is ready to give enough time to everyone for raising their issues, but only after the Question Hour. As the protests continued, the speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon. The Manipur violence rocked the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first two days of the Monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state. The session commenced a day after a video clip purportedly shot on May 4 and showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video. The police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified armed miscreants.
By IANS

BHOPAL: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday demanded strict action against a man who allegedly smeared human waste on a Dalit youth in Madhya Pradesh.

Coming down heavily on the BJP-led state government, Kharge highlighted that it was the second incident of Dalit atrocity within a month.

For decades, the adivasis and backward class citizens of Madhya Pradesh have been suffering humiliation under BJPs misrule, he added.

BJP's Sabka Saath, is confined only to advertisements and has become a showy slogan and PR Stunt. BJP is shattering Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream of social justice every day. We demand that strictest action should be taken on this incident in Chhatarpur district, Kharge posted a message on his official Twitter handle on Monday.

As per police, the incident took place on Friday at Bikaura village, about 35 km from the Chhatarpur district headquarters.

In his complaint, the victim Dashrath Ahriwar told the police that the incident took place when he was bathing at a hand pump after cleaning a drainage in the village.

Meanwhile, Ramkripal Patel, who belongs to an OBC community, also came at the same handpump and the victim accidentally touched him.

Infuriated over the incident, Patel picked up human faeces lying nearby with a mug and smeared it on Ahriwar's head and face, the victim told the police.

Upon reporting the matter, instead of action against the accused, the panchayat slapped him with a fine of Rs 600.

Ahriwar then approached the local police on Saturday. A case has been registered against Ramkripal Patel under sections 294 (punishment for obscene acts or words in public) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Sub Divisional Officer of Police Manmohan Singh Baghel told the press.

The incident sparked political controversy in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

BHOPAL: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday demanded strict action against a man who allegedly smeared human waste on a Dalit youth in Madhya Pradesh. Coming down heavily on the BJP-led state government, Kharge highlighted that it was the second incident of Dalit atrocity within a month. For decades, the adivasis and backward class citizens of Madhya Pradesh have been suffering humiliation under BJPs misrule, he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); BJP's Sabka Saath, is confined only to advertisements and has become a showy slogan and PR Stunt. BJP is shattering Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream of social justice every day. We demand that strictest action should be taken on this incident in Chhatarpur district, Kharge posted a message on his official Twitter handle on Monday. As per police, the incident took place on Friday at Bikaura village, about 35 km from the Chhatarpur district headquarters. In his complaint, the victim Dashrath Ahriwar told the police that the incident took place when he was bathing at a hand pump after cleaning a drainage in the village. Meanwhile, Ramkripal Patel, who belongs to an OBC community, also came at the same handpump and the victim accidentally touched him. Infuriated over the incident, Patel picked up human faeces lying nearby with a mug and smeared it on Ahriwar's head and face, the victim told the police. Upon reporting the matter, instead of action against the accused, the panchayat slapped him with a fine of Rs 600. Ahriwar then approached the local police on Saturday. A case has been registered against Ramkripal Patel under sections 294 (punishment for obscene acts or words in public) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Sub Divisional Officer of Police Manmohan Singh Baghel told the press. The incident sparked political controversy in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Five police personnel were injured when a mob pelted stones targeting Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangmas office in Tura on Monday evening. Night curfew was imposed in Tura town.

The Injured cops were admitted to a hospital. Sangma escaped without injuries.

He was holding a discussion with some organisations which recently launched protests demanding the clearance of backlog of jobs meant for the Garo community and declaring Tura the states winter capital.

Official sources said Sangma was holding a peaceful discussion with the organisations for over three hours at the CMO, Tura when a mob emerged and carried out the attack.

The Chief Minister had invited the agitating groups for a discussion in presence of all stakeholders. Meanwhile, a crowd of thousands of people gathered outside the CMO, Tura and started pelting stones, the Chief Ministers Office said.

The police retaliated by firing teargas shells to disperse the crowd and in the turn of events and commotion, five police personnel were injured, the CMO said, adding Sangma was overseeing the matter.

The leaders of the protesting organisations said the assailants were not their members.

Following the incident, a large number of policemen and CRPF personnel were rushed to the site.

Sangma said, Incident is unfortunate. I met the protesting organisations, for I thought issues can be resolved only though dialogues. While the discussion was almost over, we heard sloganeering from outside. I sent some members of the protesting groups outside. Upon return, they said they had not seen these people (mob) before.

Necessary action will be taken as per the law. Sad that while we were trying to find a solution, this happened., the CM added.

GUWAHATI: Five police personnel were injured when a mob pelted stones targeting Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangmas office in Tura on Monday evening. Night curfew was imposed in Tura town. The Injured cops were admitted to a hospital. Sangma escaped without injuries. He was holding a discussion with some organisations which recently launched protests demanding the clearance of backlog of jobs meant for the Garo community and declaring Tura the states winter capital.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Official sources said Sangma was holding a peaceful discussion with the organisations for over three hours at the CMO, Tura when a mob emerged and carried out the attack. The Chief Minister had invited the agitating groups for a discussion in presence of all stakeholders. Meanwhile, a crowd of thousands of people gathered outside the CMO, Tura and started pelting stones, the Chief Ministers Office said. The police retaliated by firing teargas shells to disperse the crowd and in the turn of events and commotion, five police personnel were injured, the CMO said, adding Sangma was overseeing the matter. The leaders of the protesting organisations said the assailants were not their members. Following the incident, a large number of policemen and CRPF personnel were rushed to the site. Sangma said, Incident is unfortunate. I met the protesting organisations, for I thought issues can be resolved only though dialogues. While the discussion was almost over, we heard sloganeering from outside. I sent some members of the protesting groups outside. Upon return, they said they had not seen these people (mob) before. Necessary action will be taken as per the law. Sad that while we were trying to find a solution, this happened., the CM added.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Leaders of several opposition parties on Monday staged a protest in Parliament complex demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on the Manipur issue.

Holding placards and banners that read 'INDIA for Manipur' and 'INDIA demands PM's statement on Manipur', the opposition parties raised slogans against the government near Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament complex.

Women MP's of INDIA alliance demanding PM's statement

on Manipur violence. ( Photo| PTI)

Speaking to reporters, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the prime minister's duty to make a comprehensive statement in Parliament on Manipur violence. He said the PM has spoken outside and at the door of Parliament.

READ MORE: 2 Kuki women paraded naked in Manipur, gang-raped; ITLF condemns incident

"Make a statement on what is the real situation in Manipur. But the PM is not coming inside the House. He sits in his office, but is not coming inside Parliament," he said.

Kharge also said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had called him up and also several other leaders, including TR Baalu. "We told him that if the prime minister speaks inside Parliament, we will hold a debate on that".

"We want the discussion to be under Rule 267 which can carry on for hours and even on the next day. We will decide on whatever comes out of the discussion and whether voting can also take place. But, the government wants a half-an-hour discussion or a short duration discussion," he said.

"The problem is not going to be solved with your discussion. You are representing 140 crore people. Why are you not coming to House and telling the truth."

When the House is in session, no prime minister or chief minister makes a statement outside.

This is the precedent. But, this is the first time he is doing this. As per precedent, he should come inside. We are again demanding that prime minister comes and makes a statement," the Leader of Opposition said.

Placards used by leaders of the INDIA alliance parties during their protest over ethnic violence in Manipur. (Photo | PTI)

"It is 'shameful' that the prime minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session. It is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside Parliament on Manipur violence," the Congress leader later said on Twitter.

It is shameful that the Prime Minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session. It is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside the Parliament on Manipur violence.



Therefore, we are requesting the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of pic.twitter.com/oSvB3ZcD8u  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 24, 2023

"INDIA stands with Manipur. If PM Modi has any ounce of Constitutional propriety left, then he will make an elaborate statement on the violence in Manipur since May 3.

No amount of whataboutery and false equivalence shall work in the case of Manipur violence," Kharge said in another tweet.

INDIA stands with Manipur.



If PM Modi has any ounce of Constitutional propriety left, then he will make an elaborate statement on the violence in Manipur since May 3rd.



No amount of whataboutery and false equivalence shall work in the case of Manipur violence. pic.twitter.com/6DbWZgcL85  Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha (@LoPIndia) July 24, 2023

"We are requesting the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha that the PM should make a statement on the situation in Manipur. We want a discussion under Rule 167 but the Modi government wants a short duration discussion under Rule 176 for half an hour. We want under Rule 267 under which there can also be voting," he said.

Kharge said the prime minister should first make a statement and then we will have a discussion under Rule 267, he said The Modi government and the BJP cannot run away from its constitutional duty and answerability on Manipur, Kharge added.

The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business during the Monsoon Session amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.

READ MORE: 98 killed, 310 injured in Manipur ethnic violence: Govt

NEW DELHI: Leaders of several opposition parties on Monday staged a protest in Parliament complex demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on the Manipur issue. Holding placards and banners that read 'INDIA for Manipur' and 'INDIA demands PM's statement on Manipur', the opposition parties raised slogans against the government near Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament complex. Women MP's of INDIA alliance demanding PM's statement on Manipur violence. ( Photo| PTI) Speaking to reporters, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the prime minister's duty to make a comprehensive statement in Parliament on Manipur violence. He said the PM has spoken outside and at the door of Parliament.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); READ MORE: 2 Kuki women paraded naked in Manipur, gang-raped; ITLF condemns incident "Make a statement on what is the real situation in Manipur. But the PM is not coming inside the House. He sits in his office, but is not coming inside Parliament," he said. Kharge also said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had called him up and also several other leaders, including TR Baalu. "We told him that if the prime minister speaks inside Parliament, we will hold a debate on that". "We want the discussion to be under Rule 267 which can carry on for hours and even on the next day. We will decide on whatever comes out of the discussion and whether voting can also take place. But, the government wants a half-an-hour discussion or a short duration discussion," he said. "The problem is not going to be solved with your discussion. You are representing 140 crore people. Why are you not coming to House and telling the truth." When the House is in session, no prime minister or chief minister makes a statement outside. This is the precedent. But, this is the first time he is doing this. As per precedent, he should come inside. We are again demanding that prime minister comes and makes a statement," the Leader of Opposition said. Placards used by leaders of the INDIA alliance parties during their protest over ethnic violence in Manipur. (Photo | PTI) "It is 'shameful' that the prime minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session. It is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside Parliament on Manipur violence," the Congress leader later said on Twitter. It is shameful that the Prime Minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session. It is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside the Parliament on Manipur violence. Therefore, we are requesting the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of pic.twitter.com/oSvB3ZcD8u  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 24, 2023 "INDIA stands with Manipur. If PM Modi has any ounce of Constitutional propriety left, then he will make an elaborate statement on the violence in Manipur since May 3. No amount of whataboutery and false equivalence shall work in the case of Manipur violence," Kharge said in another tweet. INDIA stands with Manipur. If PM Modi has any ounce of Constitutional propriety left, then he will make an elaborate statement on the violence in Manipur since May 3rd. No amount of whataboutery and false equivalence shall work in the case of Manipur violence. pic.twitter.com/6DbWZgcL85  Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha (@LoPIndia) July 24, 2023 "We are requesting the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha that the PM should make a statement on the situation in Manipur. We want a discussion under Rule 167 but the Modi government wants a short duration discussion under Rule 176 for half an hour. We want under Rule 267 under which there can also be voting," he said. Kharge said the prime minister should first make a statement and then we will have a discussion under Rule 267, he said The Modi government and the BJP cannot run away from its constitutional duty and answerability on Manipur, Kharge added. The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business during the Monsoon Session amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue. READ MORE: 98 killed, 310 injured in Manipur ethnic violence: Govt
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday said the Parliament did not function for a third day because of the 'continued refusal' of the government to accept the Opposition alliance INDIA's demand for a 'comprehensive statement' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both the Houses on the Manipur situation.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the opposition parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and of the country.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for a statement by Modi on the Manipur situation, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured in the Lower House that the government will discuss the issue.

In a tweet, Ramesh said the Parliament did not function for the third day because of the 'continued refusal' of the Modi government to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion.

Parliament did not function for the 3rd day because of the continued refusal of the Modi Govt to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion.



INDIA  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 24, 2023

"INDIA parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and indeed of our country," he said.

"Why is the PM running away from speaking inside the House?" he added.

Before the start of the proceedings, Ramesh said, "The third day of the Monsoon session of Parliament begins today.

INDIA's demand is straightforward. The prime minister should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation."

"No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, distorts, diverts, deflects and defames. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching," the Congress general secretary said.

Several opposition leaders had given notices for adjournment motion to discuss the situation in the north eastern state.

The Opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon session started on Thursday.

The government has accused the Opposition of running away from a debate on the 'all-important' issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it.

The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any significant business amid the stalemate between the Opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday said the Parliament did not function for a third day because of the 'continued refusal' of the government to accept the Opposition alliance INDIA's demand for a 'comprehensive statement' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both the Houses on the Manipur situation. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the opposition parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and of the country. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for a statement by Modi on the Manipur situation, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured in the Lower House that the government will discuss the issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In a tweet, Ramesh said the Parliament did not function for the third day because of the 'continued refusal' of the Modi government to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion. Parliament did not function for the 3rd day because of the continued refusal of the Modi Govt to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion. INDIA  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 24, 2023 "INDIA parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and indeed of our country," he said. "Why is the PM running away from speaking inside the House?" he added. Before the start of the proceedings, Ramesh said, "The third day of the Monsoon session of Parliament begins today. INDIA's demand is straightforward. The prime minister should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation." "No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, distorts, diverts, deflects and defames. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching," the Congress general secretary said. Several opposition leaders had given notices for adjournment motion to discuss the situation in the north eastern state. The Opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon session started on Thursday. The government has accused the Opposition of running away from a debate on the 'all-important' issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it. The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any significant business amid the stalemate between the Opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday said the opposition MPs' demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation was "valid" and asked why was the chief minister of the state not removed.

"I don't know why is he shying away from it," Malik told reporters at the Press Club of India here.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for Prime Minister Modi's statement on the Manipur situation even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House that the government will discuss the issue.

Rajya Sabha proceedings too were adjourned for the day following an uproar over the Manipur issue and the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh from the House for the remainder of the Monsoon session.

"MPs have a valid demand that the Hon'ble prime minister should come and give his statement and a discussion be held," said Malik who has lately been vocal in his criticism of Prime Minister Modi.

The prime minister spoke outside Parliament after the chief justice of India "warned" that the apex court will take action if nothing happens on the ground, Malik said.

Later, when asked about the Manipur situation, he told PTI Video, "Even after the May 4 incident, they are removing the (Manipur) chief minister...more than two months have passed and no action has been taken. It is a matter of shame for the entire country," The Manipur violence rocked the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first two days of the Monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state.

The session commenced a day after a video clip purportedly shot on May 4 and showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage.

The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video.

The police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified armed miscreants.

At the Press Club of India, Malik first addressed a press conference held by the Sanyukt Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan and recalled the farmers' movement of 2020-21 which made the government repeal the three "black" farm laws.

Farmers know how to fight for their rights and "I am hopeful that they will get MSP implemented also", the former Jammu and Kashmir governor said.

NEW DELHI: Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday said the opposition MPs' demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation was "valid" and asked why was the chief minister of the state not removed. "I don't know why is he shying away from it," Malik told reporters at the Press Club of India here. Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for Prime Minister Modi's statement on the Manipur situation even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House that the government will discuss the issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Rajya Sabha proceedings too were adjourned for the day following an uproar over the Manipur issue and the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh from the House for the remainder of the Monsoon session. "MPs have a valid demand that the Hon'ble prime minister should come and give his statement and a discussion be held," said Malik who has lately been vocal in his criticism of Prime Minister Modi. The prime minister spoke outside Parliament after the chief justice of India "warned" that the apex court will take action if nothing happens on the ground, Malik said. Later, when asked about the Manipur situation, he told PTI Video, "Even after the May 4 incident, they are removing the (Manipur) chief minister...more than two months have passed and no action has been taken. It is a matter of shame for the entire country," The Manipur violence rocked the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first two days of the Monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state. The session commenced a day after a video clip purportedly shot on May 4 and showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video. The police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified armed miscreants. At the Press Club of India, Malik first addressed a press conference held by the Sanyukt Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan and recalled the farmers' movement of 2020-21 which made the government repeal the three "black" farm laws. Farmers know how to fight for their rights and "I am hopeful that they will get MSP implemented also", the former Jammu and Kashmir governor said.
By PTI

PUNE: A 57-year-old assistant commissioner of police (ACP) allegedly shot dead his wife and nephew with a gun before shooting himself fatally at his home in Maharashtra's Pune city on Monday, an official said.

The incident took place at around 3.30 am at ACP Bharat Gaikwad's bungalow in Baner area. The reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained, the official from Chaturshringi police station said.

Gaikwad was posted as ACP in Amaravati and had come home, according to police.

"At around 3. 30 am on Monday, the ACP first allegedly shot his wife in the head. Upon hearing the gunshot, his son and nephew came running and opened the door. The moment they opened the door, he allegedly shot at his nephew, who got hit in the chest," the official said.

"Later Gaikwad shot himself in the head. All the three persons died on the spot," he said.

The other two deceased were identified as the police officer's wife Moni Gaikwad (44) and nephew Deepak (35), he said.

A probe was on into the incident, the police added.

PUNE: A 57-year-old assistant commissioner of police (ACP) allegedly shot dead his wife and nephew with a gun before shooting himself fatally at his home in Maharashtra's Pune city on Monday, an official said. The incident took place at around 3.30 am at ACP Bharat Gaikwad's bungalow in Baner area. The reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained, the official from Chaturshringi police station said. Gaikwad was posted as ACP in Amaravati and had come home, according to police.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "At around 3. 30 am on Monday, the ACP first allegedly shot his wife in the head. Upon hearing the gunshot, his son and nephew came running and opened the door. The moment they opened the door, he allegedly shot at his nephew, who got hit in the chest," the official said. "Later Gaikwad shot himself in the head. All the three persons died on the spot," he said. The other two deceased were identified as the police officer's wife Moni Gaikwad (44) and nephew Deepak (35), he said. A probe was on into the incident, the police added.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: With violence in Manipur continuing unabated, the chorus for Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention is growing louder. Parliament is likely to witness noisy scenes and disruption on Monday as well, as the Opposition parties have planned joint protests on the situation in Manipur.

While the Opposition has been pressing for a statement from PM Modi in Parliament before a discussion on the issue, the governments position has been that home minister Amit Shah will speak instead.

On Sunday, civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who hails from Manipur, urged the prime minister to immediately intervene to address the situation. Describing the incident of strip-and-parade of two tribal women as inhuman, she also demanded that Manipur CM Biren Singh admit his failure and apologise to the people.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who reached Imphal on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit the strife-torn state to understand the ground situation and the extent of peoples suffering.

Meanwhile, 78 Meiteis left Mizoram for Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata in three different flights on Sunday, a day after 56 of them left for Imphal by a flight from Aizawl. Reports also said 31 Mizo students left Imphal for Aizawl by a flight on Sunday over security concerns.

In the fresh bout of violence that erupted on Saturday evening at Kwakta near the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, three persons were reportedly injured. According to official sources, two groups were engaged in a gunfight till the early hours of Sunday, during which shots were fired intermittently.

NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: With violence in Manipur continuing unabated, the chorus for Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention is growing louder. Parliament is likely to witness noisy scenes and disruption on Monday as well, as the Opposition parties have planned joint protests on the situation in Manipur. While the Opposition has been pressing for a statement from PM Modi in Parliament before a discussion on the issue, the governments position has been that home minister Amit Shah will speak instead. On Sunday, civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who hails from Manipur, urged the prime minister to immediately intervene to address the situation. Describing the incident of strip-and-parade of two tribal women as inhuman, she also demanded that Manipur CM Biren Singh admit his failure and apologise to the people. Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who reached Imphal on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit the strife-torn state to understand the ground situation and the extent of peoples suffering.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, 78 Meiteis left Mizoram for Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata in three different flights on Sunday, a day after 56 of them left for Imphal by a flight from Aizawl. Reports also said 31 Mizo students left Imphal for Aizawl by a flight on Sunday over security concerns. In the fresh bout of violence that erupted on Saturday evening at Kwakta near the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, three persons were reportedly injured. According to official sources, two groups were engaged in a gunfight till the early hours of Sunday, during which shots were fired intermittently.
By PTI

JAIPUR: Sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudha claimed that the red diary he wanted to introduce in the assembly on Monday contained the details of alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

He claimed that he "secured" the diary from the residence of Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore during an income tax raid on the instructions of the chief minister.

Gudha also said there is no difference between "rapists" and Congress MLAs.

He said like gangster Lawrence Bishnoi running his criminal activities from jail, Congress MLAs do it from inside the House.

The Udaipurwati MLA said he wanted to make a statement on the diary in the House but was not allowed by the Speaker.

He alleged that Congress ministers and MLAs overpowered him, kicked him and snatched the diary from him.

He said he was dragged by them to throw him out of the House.

However, he said, some part of the diary was still with him and he will reveal the "secrets" it held.

When asked about the "secrets", he claimed, The diary is written by Dharmendra Rathore. It has the name of Ashok Gehlot and his son. It has details of financial transactions, the money given to MLAs. The money was Rs 2-5 crore, not in lakhs."

Targeting Congress MLAs, Gudha said their narco tests should be conducted.

"I am also ready for a narco test. Rapists who are in jail and those who are sitting in the House, there is no difference between them.

JAIPUR: Sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudha claimed that the red diary he wanted to introduce in the assembly on Monday contained the details of alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. He claimed that he "secured" the diary from the residence of Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore during an income tax raid on the instructions of the chief minister. Gudha also said there is no difference between "rapists" and Congress MLAs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He said like gangster Lawrence Bishnoi running his criminal activities from jail, Congress MLAs do it from inside the House. The Udaipurwati MLA said he wanted to make a statement on the diary in the House but was not allowed by the Speaker. He alleged that Congress ministers and MLAs overpowered him, kicked him and snatched the diary from him. He said he was dragged by them to throw him out of the House. However, he said, some part of the diary was still with him and he will reveal the "secrets" it held. When asked about the "secrets", he claimed, The diary is written by Dharmendra Rathore. It has the name of Ashok Gehlot and his son. It has details of financial transactions, the money given to MLAs. The money was Rs 2-5 crore, not in lakhs." Targeting Congress MLAs, Gudha said their narco tests should be conducted. "I am also ready for a narco test. Rapists who are in jail and those who are sitting in the House, there is no difference between them.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Taking serious note of an objectionable scene in Christopher Nolan-helmed 'Oppenheimer', Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has sought an explanation from the Central Board of Film Certification and asked it to take corrective action.

Thakur is understood to have asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to get the scene where Oppenheimer appears to indulge in a sexual intercourse while reading verses from the Bhagavad Gita deleted from the movie.

He has also asked the Board to fix accountability on persons responsible for clearing the movie with the scene in question.

Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar had written an open letter to Nolan, terming the scene a 'disturbing attack on Hinduism' and appealed to the film director to remove the scene worldwide.

. @OppenheimerATOM

To,

Mr Christopher Nolan

Director , Oppenheimer film



Date : July 22, 2023



Reg: Film Oppenheimers disturbing attack on Hinduism



Dear Mr Christopher Nolan,



Namaste from Save Culture Save India Foundation.



It has come to our notice that the movie  Uday Mahurkar (@UdayMahurkar) July 22, 2023

In the film, Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy is shown having intercourse with psychologist Jean Tatler (Florence Pugh) as she asks him to read a verse from what appears to be a Sanskrit book, whose title or cover is not visible.

On Tatler's insistence, a confused Oppenheimer reads out the verse she points at: "Now, I am become Death, destroyer of the world".

According to reports, the CBFC gave the film a U/A rating, making it suitable for viewers above 13 years, after studio Universal Pictures cut some scenes to reduce its length.

In the United States, the movie has been rated 'R-Restricted', which means viewers under 17 would require accompanying parent or adult guardian. This is Nolan's first 'R' rated film.

In his post, Mahurkar said he was "perplexed as to how the Central Board of Film Certification could approve the movie with the scene".

NEW DELHI: Taking serious note of an objectionable scene in Christopher Nolan-helmed 'Oppenheimer', Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has sought an explanation from the Central Board of Film Certification and asked it to take corrective action. Thakur is understood to have asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to get the scene where Oppenheimer appears to indulge in a sexual intercourse while reading verses from the Bhagavad Gita deleted from the movie. He has also asked the Board to fix accountability on persons responsible for clearing the movie with the scene in question.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar had written an open letter to Nolan, terming the scene a 'disturbing attack on Hinduism' and appealed to the film director to remove the scene worldwide. . @OppenheimerATOM To, Mr Christopher Nolan Director , Oppenheimer film Date : July 22, 2023 Reg: Film Oppenheimers disturbing attack on Hinduism Dear Mr Christopher Nolan, Namaste from Save Culture Save India Foundation. It has come to our notice that the movie  Uday Mahurkar (@UdayMahurkar) July 22, 2023 In the film, Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy is shown having intercourse with psychologist Jean Tatler (Florence Pugh) as she asks him to read a verse from what appears to be a Sanskrit book, whose title or cover is not visible. On Tatler's insistence, a confused Oppenheimer reads out the verse she points at: "Now, I am become Death, destroyer of the world". According to reports, the CBFC gave the film a U/A rating, making it suitable for viewers above 13 years, after studio Universal Pictures cut some scenes to reduce its length. In the United States, the movie has been rated 'R-Restricted', which means viewers under 17 would require accompanying parent or adult guardian. This is Nolan's first 'R' rated film. In his post, Mahurkar said he was "perplexed as to how the Central Board of Film Certification could approve the movie with the scene".
By PTI

KOLKATA: On the evening of May 3, Dr H Kamkhenthang, a leading anthropologist and author from a Kuki sub-tribe, was studying in his bungalow's library in Imphal's Paite Veng, when all hell broke loose.

Suddenly, a mob gathered near the locality, pelting stones and shouting slogans asking residents to leave.

READ MORE: Modi govt turning democracy into 'mobocracy': Congress chief Kharge on Manipur viral video

Manipur had been tense throughout the day with demonstrations and protests in Churachandpur and Imphal, some of which had turned violent.

"It was like Germany's Kristallnacht," all hell broke loose as racial tensions bubbled over and the mob started attacking our houses," said Hoihnu Houzel, an independent journalist and daughter of the well-known researcher on Northeastern tribes.

Kristallnacht, is German for the 'night of the broken glass' and is used to describe the progrom carried out against Jews on 9-10 December 1938.

"I rang up the chief minister, other ministers asking for help, for two to three hours the mob was allowed to rampage," she told PTI, reminiscing the fateful night when Manipur's racial amity was torn asunder. Her old father and other family members had to use a ladder to escape to a Meitei neighbour's house.

Paite Veng is a colony where many affluent Paite tribals as well as Meitei families lived in the heart of Imphal.

"Everyone I rang up promised help, promised Army rescue , but the reality is that the Army was sent in much later," Hauzel claimed.

Their close neighbour Vungkham Hangzo, also from the Paite Zomi community, and his wife Madhumati Khwairakpam, a Meitei, had just finished dinner at their house on the main road leading to the tiny but posh locality, when the mob came.

Their daughter Manchin recounted, "Suddenly there was the sound of clanging on the electric poles. This was a call sign used in Manipur to gather a mob and it came, screaming, drunk and pelting stones. The church, the house opposite our's, were burnt and then we realized it was our turn."

Those who escaped remember there was glass all around. Anyone trying to leave with belongings had their bags snatched away, some were physically beaten up. Others were given a passage by neighbours who were part of the mob. Manchin carried her 86-year-old mother and was the last to leave her house.

Next door, her brother, 56-year-old U Thanlkhanlian, had already started moving into a neighborhood hotel run by Meiteis for safety where Manchin and her family first rushed to safety.

"The police came but they remained silent spectators," said Thanlkhanlian. First cars were upturned, then set on fire, followed by houses.

"It seemed pre-planned , the crowd got time to wreak mayhem on Kuki and mixed marriage houses in our locality," he added.

Manchin described the scene as one of 'wanton devastation' as lovely houses we had grown up in were licked by flames.

The aged anthropologist, Thanlkhanlian, Manchin and many neighbours who managed to escape the mob were eventually rescued by the Army and taken to a camp.

Most left for neighbouring states by air to escape the madness which followed. Some 40 houses in the quiet little neighbourhood and a church were lost forever that night. A brick kiln and farms that the Hauzel family owned on the outskirts of Imphal was also targeted.

"Everything was destroyed overnight- tractors, JCBs, the kiln machinery," Hoihnu Hauzel said.

Attackers scrawled on the wall of the property in large letters - 'Cannot be sold, cannot be bought'.

All the Paite Veng residents now living in different locations in neighbouring states or Delhi said they would not return. "There is no trust, no peace left," said Manchin. "We have to start life afresh, elsewhere, there is no other way that I can see," said Thanlkhanlian.

READ MORE: His house burnt, Union minister admits Manipur government has failed to maintain law and order

KOLKATA: On the evening of May 3, Dr H Kamkhenthang, a leading anthropologist and author from a Kuki sub-tribe, was studying in his bungalow's library in Imphal's Paite Veng, when all hell broke loose. Suddenly, a mob gathered near the locality, pelting stones and shouting slogans asking residents to leave. READ MORE: Modi govt turning democracy into 'mobocracy': Congress chief Kharge on Manipur viral videogoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Manipur had been tense throughout the day with demonstrations and protests in Churachandpur and Imphal, some of which had turned violent. "It was like Germany's Kristallnacht," all hell broke loose as racial tensions bubbled over and the mob started attacking our houses," said Hoihnu Houzel, an independent journalist and daughter of the well-known researcher on Northeastern tribes. Kristallnacht, is German for the 'night of the broken glass' and is used to describe the progrom carried out against Jews on 9-10 December 1938. "I rang up the chief minister, other ministers asking for help, for two to three hours the mob was allowed to rampage," she told PTI, reminiscing the fateful night when Manipur's racial amity was torn asunder. Her old father and other family members had to use a ladder to escape to a Meitei neighbour's house. Paite Veng is a colony where many affluent Paite tribals as well as Meitei families lived in the heart of Imphal. "Everyone I rang up promised help, promised Army rescue , but the reality is that the Army was sent in much later," Hauzel claimed. Their close neighbour Vungkham Hangzo, also from the Paite Zomi community, and his wife Madhumati Khwairakpam, a Meitei, had just finished dinner at their house on the main road leading to the tiny but posh locality, when the mob came. Their daughter Manchin recounted, "Suddenly there was the sound of clanging on the electric poles. This was a call sign used in Manipur to gather a mob and it came, screaming, drunk and pelting stones. The church, the house opposite our's, were burnt and then we realized it was our turn." Those who escaped remember there was glass all around. Anyone trying to leave with belongings had their bags snatched away, some were physically beaten up. Others were given a passage by neighbours who were part of the mob. Manchin carried her 86-year-old mother and was the last to leave her house. Next door, her brother, 56-year-old U Thanlkhanlian, had already started moving into a neighborhood hotel run by Meiteis for safety where Manchin and her family first rushed to safety. "The police came but they remained silent spectators," said Thanlkhanlian. First cars were upturned, then set on fire, followed by houses. "It seemed pre-planned , the crowd got time to wreak mayhem on Kuki and mixed marriage houses in our locality," he added. Manchin described the scene as one of 'wanton devastation' as lovely houses we had grown up in were licked by flames. The aged anthropologist, Thanlkhanlian, Manchin and many neighbours who managed to escape the mob were eventually rescued by the Army and taken to a camp. Most left for neighbouring states by air to escape the madness which followed. Some 40 houses in the quiet little neighbourhood and a church were lost forever that night. A brick kiln and farms that the Hauzel family owned on the outskirts of Imphal was also targeted. "Everything was destroyed overnight- tractors, JCBs, the kiln machinery," Hoihnu Hauzel said. Attackers scrawled on the wall of the property in large letters - 'Cannot be sold, cannot be bought'. All the Paite Veng residents now living in different locations in neighbouring states or Delhi said they would not return. "There is no trust, no peace left," said Manchin. "We have to start life afresh, elsewhere, there is no other way that I can see," said Thanlkhanlian. READ MORE: His house burnt, Union minister admits Manipur government has failed to maintain law and order
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Central CEN Crime Police have laid a manhunt for the accused who has allegedly sent death threats to six judges of the Karnataka High Court and the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Karnataka High Court. The accused has sent a threatening message to the WhatsApp number of the High Court's Public Relations Officer (PRO).

The PRO K Muralidhar received the threat message on July 12th around 7 pm. The messages were sent to the PRO's official mobile phone number which has been provided by the High Court. An FIR was registered by the Central CEN Crime Police on July 14. The complaint has been registered against an unknown person for demanding Rs 50 lakh for issuing death threats to the six judges and the PRO.

According to the FIR (Crime Number 0561/2023), the PRO received a WhatsApp message stating that the money of Rs 50 lakh should be deposited to ABL Allied Bank Limited in Pakistan. The accused has also sent a bank account number to which the money has to be deposited.

"The names of judges mentioned in the FIR copy are Mohammad Nawaz, HT Narendra Prasad, Ashok G Nijagannavar, HP Sandesh, K Natarajan and Veerappa. The messenger has threatened to kill the six judges and the PRO through a Dubai Gang' if the amount is not deposited. The threat messages are sent in Hindi, Urdu and English languages. The accused has also mentioned five mobile phone numbers along with the threat messages stating 'Yah Indian hamare aapke shooter Hain' (This Indian is our Shooter)," according to the complaint filed by the PRO.

The cybercrime officials have begun a thorough probe and are in the process of checking the details of the number from which the message was sent. The officers are also checking the details of the five mobile phone numbers which have been mentioned in the threat message.

Further investigations are on.

BENGALURU: The Central CEN Crime Police have laid a manhunt for the accused who has allegedly sent death threats to six judges of the Karnataka High Court and the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Karnataka High Court. The accused has sent a threatening message to the WhatsApp number of the High Court's Public Relations Officer (PRO). The PRO K Muralidhar received the threat message on July 12th around 7 pm. The messages were sent to the PRO's official mobile phone number which has been provided by the High Court. An FIR was registered by the Central CEN Crime Police on July 14. The complaint has been registered against an unknown person for demanding Rs 50 lakh for issuing death threats to the six judges and the PRO. According to the FIR (Crime Number 0561/2023), the PRO received a WhatsApp message stating that the money of Rs 50 lakh should be deposited to ABL Allied Bank Limited in Pakistan. The accused has also sent a bank account number to which the money has to be deposited.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The names of judges mentioned in the FIR copy are Mohammad Nawaz, HT Narendra Prasad, Ashok G Nijagannavar, HP Sandesh, K Natarajan and Veerappa. The messenger has threatened to kill the six judges and the PRO through a Dubai Gang' if the amount is not deposited. The threat messages are sent in Hindi, Urdu and English languages. The accused has also mentioned five mobile phone numbers along with the threat messages stating 'Yah Indian hamare aapke shooter Hain' (This Indian is our Shooter)," according to the complaint filed by the PRO. The cybercrime officials have begun a thorough probe and are in the process of checking the details of the number from which the message was sent. The officers are also checking the details of the five mobile phone numbers which have been mentioned in the threat message. Further investigations are on.
S V Krishna Chiatanya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: During the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), the Prime Minister of India launched Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) to equip Small Island Development States with necessary technical support related to infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change and other natural hazards.

Ahead of the first IRIS Steering Committee scheduled to the held in Chennai on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Third Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting, Director General of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Amit Prothi, who is also the chairman of the steering committee, speaks to The New Indian Express explaining the status of IRIS programme, India's role and new developments shaping-up in disaster risk modelling and knowledge sharing between G20 nations.

Excerpts:

The first funding cycle of IRIS was formally announced at COP27. How many proposals were received and what kind of technical support will be extended?

We received 50 proposals from 28 small island developing states. The steering committee that will be meeting later this week in Chennai will finalise 10-12 proposals. The funding for a single-country project can range from $150,000 to $500,000, which depends on the quality of the proposal. After this, a second round of calls for proposals will be launched during the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024. The objective is to help these island states improve their resilience of infrastructure to climate change and disaster risks. Some of the proposals received were related to developing early warning systems. These small island states are one of the most vulnerable in the world and damage potential is disproportionately higher compared to some of the other countries.

Who are the members of the steering committee and what is India's role in making the island states disaster resilient?

The steering committee is headed by me. Others include representatives from Australia, the UK, European Union, Mauritius, Fiji, Caribbean Development Bank etc and different donors. In India's role, we will share our best practices and technological know-how (for instance, early warning systems). The frequency of disasters is increasing, so we have to think about our own country as well as welfare of the others.

What is the Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index (GIRI)? When it will be available for countries to taking informed decisions on policy matters?

GIRI is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the world. The model will become available for countries later this year. It is based on the best science and tells future risks from six kinds of hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis. Using this, countries or states can do risk profiling and know the burden on financial terms. The administrators can make an informed decision on areas where the development is feasible and where it is not. It is being developed by a consortium of scientific and technical organisations notably the CIMA Foundation (Italy), INGENIAR Risk Intelligence (Colombia); GRID-Geneva (Switzerland) and NGI (Norway) under the management of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GIRI is a global public good and a fully interactive data platform that will enable users to freely access and use all the risk metrics produced.

Can you tell me about the Infrastructure Resilience Academic Exchange (IRAX) and the role of Indian institutions in shaping the curriculum?

IRAX is an important initiative launched to refresh the current curriculum and incorporate a learning ecosystem to promote disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure. Course module outlines are being developed with IIT Bombay; Indian Institute of Human Settlements, Bengaluru and School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. A statement of Intent was signed with the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA), which has a network of 180 members across 63 countries. A similar statement of intent was planned with universities in the United States, Canada and West Indies. Parallelly, dialogues are mooted with the University of Mauritius, the University of South Pacific and the University of Samoa.

Are any vulnerability studies carried out specifically in India?

We are doing several technical studies. We have done a study in Odissa which is in the final stages looking at the power sector resilience. Studying whether the transmission system, electric lines would withstand the wind speeds in the changing cyclonic intensity and patterns. We actually issued an advisory for the Gujarat government during the recent Biparjoy cyclone. We depend on coalition partners for understanding best practices and have made a compendium.

In box:

The need to upgrade and build resilient infrastructure is more urgent now than ever before: Climate 2022

387 - Reported Disasters

30704 - Deaths

185 million - people affected

223.8 billion US$ - in economic damage

Occurance by disaster type in 2022 compared to the 2002-2021 annual average:

Disasters 2002-2021 2022 Drought 16 22 Earthquake 27 31 Extreme Temperature 19 12 Flood 168 176 Landslide 18 17 Storm 104 108 Volcanic activity 6 5 Wildfire 11 15 Total 369 387

CHENNAI: During the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), the Prime Minister of India launched Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) to equip Small Island Development States with necessary technical support related to infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change and other natural hazards. Ahead of the first IRIS Steering Committee scheduled to the held in Chennai on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Third Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting, Director General of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Amit Prothi, who is also the chairman of the steering committee, speaks to The New Indian Express explaining the status of IRIS programme, India's role and new developments shaping-up in disaster risk modelling and knowledge sharing between G20 nations. Excerpts:googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The first funding cycle of IRIS was formally announced at COP27. How many proposals were received and what kind of technical support will be extended? We received 50 proposals from 28 small island developing states. The steering committee that will be meeting later this week in Chennai will finalise 10-12 proposals. The funding for a single-country project can range from $150,000 to $500,000, which depends on the quality of the proposal. After this, a second round of calls for proposals will be launched during the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024. The objective is to help these island states improve their resilience of infrastructure to climate change and disaster risks. Some of the proposals received were related to developing early warning systems. These small island states are one of the most vulnerable in the world and damage potential is disproportionately higher compared to some of the other countries. Who are the members of the steering committee and what is India's role in making the island states disaster resilient? The steering committee is headed by me. Others include representatives from Australia, the UK, European Union, Mauritius, Fiji, Caribbean Development Bank etc and different donors. In India's role, we will share our best practices and technological know-how (for instance, early warning systems). The frequency of disasters is increasing, so we have to think about our own country as well as welfare of the others. What is the Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index (GIRI)? When it will be available for countries to taking informed decisions on policy matters? GIRI is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the world. The model will become available for countries later this year. It is based on the best science and tells future risks from six kinds of hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis. Using this, countries or states can do risk profiling and know the burden on financial terms. The administrators can make an informed decision on areas where the development is feasible and where it is not. It is being developed by a consortium of scientific and technical organisations notably the CIMA Foundation (Italy), INGENIAR Risk Intelligence (Colombia); GRID-Geneva (Switzerland) and NGI (Norway) under the management of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GIRI is a global public good and a fully interactive data platform that will enable users to freely access and use all the risk metrics produced. Can you tell me about the Infrastructure Resilience Academic Exchange (IRAX) and the role of Indian institutions in shaping the curriculum? IRAX is an important initiative launched to refresh the current curriculum and incorporate a learning ecosystem to promote disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure. Course module outlines are being developed with IIT Bombay; Indian Institute of Human Settlements, Bengaluru and School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. A statement of Intent was signed with the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA), which has a network of 180 members across 63 countries. A similar statement of intent was planned with universities in the United States, Canada and West Indies. Parallelly, dialogues are mooted with the University of Mauritius, the University of South Pacific and the University of Samoa. Are any vulnerability studies carried out specifically in India? We are doing several technical studies. We have done a study in Odissa which is in the final stages looking at the power sector resilience. Studying whether the transmission system, electric lines would withstand the wind speeds in the changing cyclonic intensity and patterns. We actually issued an advisory for the Gujarat government during the recent Biparjoy cyclone. We depend on coalition partners for understanding best practices and have made a compendium. In box: The need to upgrade and build resilient infrastructure is more urgent now than ever before: Climate 2022 387 - Reported Disasters 30704 - Deaths 185 million - people affected 223.8 billion US$ - in economic damage Occurance by disaster type in 2022 compared to the 2002-2021 annual average: Disasters 2002-2021 2022 Drought 16 22 Earthquake 27 31 Extreme Temperature 19 12 Flood 168 176 Landslide 18 17 Storm 104 108 Volcanic activity 6 5 Wildfire 11 15 Total 369 387
How a young Kashmiri woman hand-crafted a pan-India success story

Bengaluru, July 23: Inshada Bashir Mir, a 29-year-old MBA graduate hailing from Hanjiwera Bala Pattan located close to LOC near Kanehama in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

How a young Kashmiri woman hand-crafted a pan-India success story

Despite challenging circumstances, Inshada with grit and determination has found a company "Tubruk", which sells a plethora of hand crafted articles.She works with 40 artisans and has expanded her business to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Jaipur. Inshada's ambition is to take her brand "Tubruk" to the international level to introduce the handmade crafts of Jammu and Kashmir and give a new lease of life to the art and artisans who are vanishing day-by-day.Inshada was invited as a panelist to share her success story in the recently held "Kula - 23 Conclave" organised by "200 Million Artisans", a social enterprise enabling ecosystem for craft led enterprises for the community at the Bangalore International Center in Bengaluru.Narrating her successful journey to IANS, Inshada explained that "Tubruk" is a Kashmiri word meaning a souvenir and blessing. "When I approached artisans with business proposals, they just saw me as a little child and laughed," she says.The young lady had dreamt of establishing a business at her native while she studied crafts management in Srinagar Craft Development Institute. She had learned the basics, value supply chains, but the challenge was to deal with the existing ground realities in Kashmir.When asked about whether she was allowed to carry out business by the family, Inshada explained that she hailed from a family which was into the business of carpets."Outsiders think Muslim women are not allowed to carry out business. Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) wife is the first businesswoman of this world. My father's advice on my adventure was negative. Don't start a business as it is risky, was his opinion. But, as I was firm with my intention, he did not stop me from pursuing my dream. He is there for me all the time. My mother supported my dream as well."I started my business by making advance payments to artisans. I got the new designs of shawls, stoles, jewels, ear rings, laptop covers and other articles with signature modern embroidery works. You have to take that one first step and you will realize there are many to help you. You have to do it with a creative mindset," Inshada revealed.She participated in the Bengaluru Exhibition organised by the NGO Commitment to Kashmir in 2018. After that she attended a few more events which helped her to get contacts, networks and market."I started with four to five artisans. Now, I feel proud that I am working with 40 to 50 of them. The more joy comes as I am able to make their payments in advance. Now, my aim is to take Tubruk to international level," she says.200 million artisans under the leadership of its founder Priya Krishnamoorthy are doing great work to bring together the handicraft artisans and enterprises community and promote this sector."I am grateful to them to invite me for this Kula Conclave event in Bangalore and share my thoughts and journey along with other eminent personalities from the handcraft segment and discuss on how we can save this sector," Inshada says.Kashmir is marching forward, it is going ahead, Inshada explains with glitter in her eyes.IANS23 July 2023

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UAE to showcase defence capabilities and strengthen strategic relations at IDEF in Turkiye

Abu Dhabi, July 23: Under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye, Emirates Defense Companies Council, the primary support for the UAE defence industry, will organize the UAE Pavilion in the 16th edition of the International Defense Industry Fair, which will take place in Istanbul between 25th and 28th July 2023.

UAE to showcase defence capabilities and strengthen strategic relations at IDEF in Turkiye

A high-level delegation representing the UAE defence industry, headed by Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Secretary General of Tawazun Council, will also attend the event.The IDEF is currently ranked as the fourth largest defence industry fair in the world in terms of the number of exhibitors.IDEF is planning to host a record number of visitors and exhibitors in 2023, by adding a new exhibition hall to its current ones in response to strong local and foreign demand.In 2021, IDEF welcomed 68,795 industry professionals from 94 countries and featured 1,238 exhibiting businesses from 53 nations. A total of 94 national and international agreements were signed, and 163 delegates from 81 nations and 2 international organizations attended the event.The UAE Pavilion is part of ongoing efforts to enhance defence cooperation and exchange expertise with global companies. The fair provides the opportunity for UAE defence companies to display and promote products and solutions that bear the "Made in the UAE" brand.The Government entities and EDCC members attending the event include the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Yahsat, Calidus, AL Hamra, Rabdan Academy, AL Jundi, and IDEX LLC.The UAE companies are seeking to showcase the latest defence edge cutting solutions including land, naval, aviation, technology and industrial development.In the domain of unmanned aerial vehicles, Calidus is displaying an armoured vehicle fitted with ground-to-ground and air-to-ground missiles. Meanwhile, in the industrial development sector, the "Abu Dhabi Economic Development Department" is highlighting the Industrial Development Bureau's role in facilitating international businesses to set up operations in Abu Dhabi.For advanced technology solutions, Yahsat is showcasing its advanced network and communication technology solutions, and to enhance the competitiveness of local products on a global scale, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is gearing up to promote the "Made in the UAE" forum. This initiative aligns with the ministry's dedication to fostering the growth of national industries and facilitating discussions on partnership and collaboration opportunities within the industrial sector.In the area of military armament, "Al-Hamra" is presenting the latest military and security equipment and supplies. "IDEX LLC" is promoting the international defence exhibition and conference "IDEX 2025". The pavilion also includes the UAE Ministry of Defense military magazine Al Jundi.Anas Naser Al Otaiba, General Manager at EDCC, said "The participation of the EDCC in IDEF 2023 reflects the depth and strength of the UAE-Turkish bilateral relations, under the continuous support of the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye. The Council is committed to strengthening these relations within the framework of the UAE-Turkish Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in March 2023 to serve the future developmental goals and boost the national economy's competitiveness.""We look forward to exploring promising opportunities for the participating national companies, where they will exhibit their innovative, proudly UAE-made products and solutions in an effort to meet national requirements and expand their global market presence. Additionally, we intend to contribute to national supply chains, promoting strategic gains and self-sufficiency in this industry," he added.ANI23 July 2023

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5 audiobooks and podcasts to mark National Parents Day 2023

New Delhi, July 23: As National Parents' Day draws near, it's time to celebrate our real-life superheroes who taught us to fly even before we knew how to walk! This July 23, let's cherish the guiding light of our lives with a curated list of these Audible titles that beautifully capture the essence of parenthood and offer parenting tips for the new ones embarking on the journey, reminding us of the magic woven by their love.

5 audiobooks and podcasts to mark National Parents' Day 2023

AhimsaWritten by Supriya Kelkar; Narrated by Zehra Jane Naqvi'Ahimsa' unfolds during India's struggle for independence, centering around 10-year-old Anjali and her mother's profound journey. When her mother responds to Mahatma Gandhi's call to join the freedom movement, Anjali witnesses the sacrifices of parenthood and embraces the values of non-violent resistance, compassion, and inclusivity. When her mother is jailed, Anjali steps up, continuing her legacy and contributing to India's fight for freedom. This poignant audiobook celebrates the unwavering love and transformative power of parenthood amidst a momentous chapter in Indian history, drawing inspiration from the real-life experiences of the author's great-grandmother.Love a Little StrongerWritten by Preeti Shenoy; Narrated by Priyanka RajpalThis audiobook is a delightful collection of true anecdotes. Written with a style that has engrossed readers worldwide, it strikes a chord with anyone who has experienced the joys and challenges of raising children or hold dear memories of their own youth. 'Love a Little Stronger ' reminds us to cherish life's smallest moments and love with greater strength, making it a must-read for parents and anyone touched by the magic of childhood.Queen of DreamsWritten by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni; Narrated by Deepti Gupta'Queen of Dreams,' is a story of mothers and daughters, their love and cultural identity. It is the tale of Rakhi, a talented painter and devoted single mother who juggles a creative block, raising her daughter by herself, and saving the Berkeley teahouse that she co-owns with her best friend, Belle. A national tragedy turns her world upside down, and Rakhi loses her mother in a car accident. Tune into Audible and listen to this touching story that explores the complexities of love, and loss, leaving you captivated by the extraordinary journey of a woman unearthing the secrets that shaped her identity as she embarks on the path to confront her fears.Active ParentingWritten by RamG Vallath; Narrated by Sanyam SharmaHere's to embarking on a parenting adventure like never before. In this audiobook, join Ramgopal Vallath, as he helps you discover the secret to unlocking your child's full potential and nurturing their unique abilities. With inspiring stories from his own upbringing and encounters with countless parents, you'll gain invaluable insights and common guidelines to conquer any challenge that comes your way. With expert advice and touching anecdotes, you'll be well-equipped to navigate this thrilling roller coaster ride of parenthood!Pumped Up Parenting | The Best Advice that NO ONE ELSE GIVES YOU about Raising Kids in Today's WorldWritten by Celia KiblerBuckle up, parents! Being a mom or dad is no easy feat; it's an exhilarating adventure filled with questions, mysteries, and unexpected twists, but fear not when the 'Pumped up Parenting' podcast is here. Led by Celia Kibler, a family and relationship-empowerment coach, this podcast spills the beans on everything you need to know about parenting, even the stuff you didn't know you needed to know! So tune in to Audible and get ready to laugh, learn, and embrace the incredible rollercoaster ride of parenthood with Celia and her expert squad.(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)ianslife/tbIANS23 July 2023

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Protest against judicial reform swell in Israel, debate over contentious bill underway in Knesset

Jerusalem, July 23: Protest against judicial reform in Israel swelled on Sunday after agitators formed a human chain from Western Wall to Knesset, where debate is underway over the contentious bill and the rightist coalition government prepares to pass the first piece of judicial reform legislation.

Protest against judicial reform swell in Israel, debate over contentious bill underway in Knesset

The protests swept major cities across the country.The debate, which began in Sunday morning, will continue for 26 hours and likely to conclude on Monday.During the debate, referring to the widespread judicial reform protests taking place, Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chair Simcha Rothman said "The current situation is not democracy, and not the rule of law," Jerusalem Post reported.Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid said "We didn't march to declare war, but to prevent one. To tell the government, if you still have any sense of fairness, stop this."The government is arguing that the bill will enhance democracy, while the opposition termed it to be slide toward authoritarianism.The contentious bill is aimed at canceling some of the Supreme Court's powers, with the aim of completing the legislation before the Knesset adjourns on July 30 for its summer recess.The planned judicial overhaul has thrown Israeli society into turmoil, with many expressing concerns and frustration about the future of Israel's judiciary under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.The grassroots movement has staged some of the largest demonstrations ever seen in Israel since the 1980s, with weekly protests occurring for 28 consecutive weeks following the announcement of the overhaul plan by the ruling coalition in January.Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, returned to office in December last year, leading a rightist government coalition consisting of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties.He is facing a criminal trial over corruption charges in three separate cases.IANS23 July 2023

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State of emergency declared in Canadian province of Nova Scotia to fight flooding

Ottawa, July 23: A state of emergency has been declared in the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia to fight severe flooding, authorities said.

State of emergency declared in Canadian province of Nova Scotia to fight flooding

The Nova Scotia Government's Emergency Management Office said that the order is in place to protect the entire province as the storm progresses."This is a very serious event. This flooding has been fast and furious, and we are taking strong action to ensure Nova Scotians are protected," said John Lohr, minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office, Xinhua news agency reported.Some areas in the province received up to 300 mm of rain in less than 24 hours since Friday afternoon.According to Environment Canada, some areas could expect an additional 75 to 150 mm of rain.Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston's office said the storm continues to impact the province on Saturday, causing flooding and significantly damaging roads, bridges, dams and other critical infrastructure."As the rain and flood risk continues, we need people to stay off the roads so that first responders and critical infrastructure partners can do their work to restore our roads and power and keep people safe," Lohr said.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said four people were missing after the vehicles they traveled in were submerged in floodwaters.Nova Scotia Power said approximately 4,000 customers lost power at peak due to lightning impacts on power equipment and infrastructure.According to the office, the state of emergency remains in effect for 14 days, until Aug. 5, unless the government terminates or extends it.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on his social media that federal assistance is being provided, and the federal government is ready to provide additional assistance as needed.IANS23 July 2023

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ACC Men's Emerging Cup final: Tahir's explosive century powers Pakistan 'A' to 351 against India'A'

Colombo, July 23: Riding on an opening stand of 121 followed by a blistering century by Tayyab Tahir, Pakistan 'A' posted a huge total of 350/8 against India 'A' in the final match of the ACC Men's Emerging Cup 2023 in Colombo on Sunday.

ACC Men's Emerging Cup final: Tahir's explosive century powers Pakistan 'A' to 351 against India'A'

For India, Riyan Parag and Rajvardhan Hangargekar picked two wickets each, while conceding 24 and 48 respectively. Harshit Rana, Manav Suthar and Nishant Sindhu took one wicket apiece.Put into bat, Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub got off to a steady start and put 50 runs on the scoreboard without losing any wickets, off 8.3 overs.Once set, they accelerated the scoring rate to almost 7 runs per over. They reached the 100-run mark without any loss of wickets.Farhan brought up the 100-run partnership with a huge six off Suthar in the 15th over.Ayub reached his fifty in style, hitting a classy drive to the fence off Rana. Farhan also brought up his fifty in the same over.Suthar, however, made a comeback of sorts in his second spell, dismissing a well-set Saim Ayub for 59 in the 18th over.Omair Yousuf, who arrived at the crease at the fall of Ayub's wicket, looked in fine nick, finding the rope at regular intervals.Farhan, however, fell to an unfortunate run out effected by Indian 'A' skipper Yash Dhull. The opener slipped midway while trying to scamper across for a single and Dhull, sensing a chance, struck timber.Farhan fell for 65 off 62 balls.Yousuf's small but effective stay in the crease was brought to a close in the 28th over, as Parag scalped him for 35 . Of his very next ball, Parag dismissed Qasim Akram on a golden duck.The Pakistan innings was set back further as it lost its third in the space of three overs.Mohammad Haris, who is known to score quickly, fell to Sindhu. His dismissal reduced Pakistan to 187/5 in 29 overs.Mubasir Khan and Tayyab Tahir drove the Pakistan innings ahead thereafter, helping Pakistan raise the 200-run mark in the 34th over.Tahir brought up his fifty off 42 balls, hitting Abhishek for a couple in the 37th over.Tahir stepped up the scoring in the 40th over, smashing Dodiya for 18 in an over. He was hit for four fours and a six.Tahir brought up his century of just 66 balls in the 44th over, with a boundary off Suthar.His innings ended in the 45th over, with Hangargekar scalping him for 108 .Brief score Pakistan 'A' 350/8 vs India 'A'.ANI23 July 2023

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CVoter Survey: Near majority thinks INDIA is a good idea

New Delhi, July 23: An exclusive survey conducted by India's leading poll agency CVoter reveals that close to half of the Indians are of the opinion that Opposition parties have done the right thing by branding their 26-party alliance against the NDA for contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as 'INDIA'.

CVoter Survey: Near majority thinks INDIA is a good idea

The question asked during the CVoter survey was Is the decision of the Opposition to name its alliance INDIA right or wrong? Overall, 48.6 per cent of the respondents say it is the right decision while 38.8 per cent of the respondents say it is a wrong decision. The survey had a sample size of 2,664.There is a clear difference of opinion between respondents who support Opposition parties and those who support the NDA. Among those who support Opposition parties, three in five respondents say it is the right decision.Significantly, almost 30 per cent those supporting Opposition parties are of the opinion that it is a wrong decision.A majority (53 per cent) of NDA supporters say that it is the wrong decision.An array of Opposition parties and leaders have been holding talks for months to form a united alliance to fight the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There have been protracted negotiations as many of these Opposition parties are electoral rivals in some states.For instance, the AAP and the Congress are rivals in Delhi as well as Punjab. Similarly, the Congress and the Left parties are rivals in Kerala while they fight as an alliance against the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.The first meeting of the united Opposition was held in Patna. It was during a recent reunion in Bengaluru that the term INDIA was coined as an alternative to the BJP and NDA for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.A third meeting of the combined Opposition has been scheduled to be organised in Mumbai. The primary aim of the Opposition parties is to field one combined candidate against the BJP in close to 400 Lok Sabha seats.IANS23 July 2023

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Investors to focus on US Fed commentary in upcoming week

New Delhi, July 23: The Nifty faced a downturn from its all-time high as Tech stocks plummeted due to Infosys' disappointing revenue guidance, says Rupak De, Senior Technical analyst at LKP Securities.

Investors to focus on US Fed commentary in upcoming week

A crucial support level for the Nifty lies at 19,700, marked by significant put writing. Should the index breach this level, it may lead to a substantial market correction. On the upside, resistance is positioned at 20,000, he said.In the upcoming week, investors will be closely focused on the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, says Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.While a 25-basis point rate hike is widely expected, investors will be more interested in the committee's commentary on future rate actions, seeking clues for the anticipated future rate pause, he said.The domestic market witnessed a broad-based rally during the week, strengthened by encouraging domestic macroeconomic data and sustained inflows from FIIs, he said.The unlocking of value by heavy weights (like RIL & ITC) also helped in apprising the main indices. Mixed cues from the global peers did not cause any serious disturbance in the mood of the domestic market as FII inflows stayed put with the prospects of the Indian economy.The bull run was, however, lately interrupted by weak guidance from Infosys, which cast a shadow over the outlook of the Indian IT sector. The banking sector led the sectoral rally in anticipation of a good Q1 result, he said.IANS23 July 2023

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Miss Italy bans transgender competitors from pageant

Los Angeles, July 23: The organisers of Miss Italy have banned transgender people from competing in the beauty pageant.

Miss Italy bans transgender competitors from pageant

"Since it was born, my competition has foreseen in its regulation the clarification according to which one must be a woman from birth," Miss Italy Official Patron Patrizia Mirigliani said during an interview with a local outlet and reported by Newsweek, according to Fox News."Probably because, even then, it was foreseen that beauty could undergo modifications, or that women could undergo modifications, or that men could become women," she added.Evie Magazine reported that Mirigliani criticized efforts from other competitions to create inclusivity as "a bit absurd" and merely attempts to "make the news." She also claimed the rules for the competition always specified that entrants must be a woman from birth.The news comes days after Rikkie Valerie Koll? created history by becoming the first-ever transgender woman to win Miss Netherlands.The Miss Italy competition has regularly made updates to maintain strict standards on entry, with a major update in 2012 to ban any contestant who had undergone plastic surgery, The Sydney Morning Herald reported at the time.ANI23 July 2023

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Government cautions Internet users against ransomware Akira

New Delhi, July 23: The government has cautioned against an Internet ransomware called Akira which steals important information and encrypts data which can lead to extortion.

Government cautions Internet users against ransomware 'Akira'

CERT-In, the government's technology arm which guards against cyber attacks, issued an advisory regarding "Akira", a computer malware targets Windows and Linux-based systems.It said that it steals information and then encrypts data on their systems. Once this is done, the malware conducts double extortion, thus forcing the victim into paying the ransom amount."In case the victim does not pay, they release their victim's data on their dark web blog," the advisory noted.CERT-In thus suggested that Internet users should use basic online hygiene and protection protocols to protect themselves from such attacks. It also recommended that users should maintain offline backups of critical data and keep them updated, to prevent its loss in case of an attack.The technology arm also advised that users should follow a strong password policy.IANS24 July 2023

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Israels MFA marks 9 years of Hadar Goldins body held by Hamas

Tel Aviv, July 23: Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs a statement Sunday on how the day marks nine years since IDF Lt Hadar Goldin was killed in combat in Gaza and his body was taken hostage by the Hamas terrorist group.

Israel's MFA marks 9 years of Hadar Goldin's body held by Hamas

Hamas took advantage of a ceasefire brokered by the international community to go out and take the soldiers remains. Hamas has used his body ever since as a bargaining chip.Lt Goldin an another soldier, First Sergeant Oron Shaul, both fell Operation Protective Edge in July of 2014."For nine years, the terrorist organization has held Lt Goldin and First Sergeant Oron Shaul's bodies captive," said the ministry in a statement. "The international community must act to end this humanitarian travesty and return both boys to their families so that they can be laid to rest. This is a religious and moral duty."The Foreign Ministry also called on the international community to act to free Israeli citizens, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al- Sayed who are also being held captive by the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza.ANI24 July 2023

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More than 40 countries willing to join BRICS

Johannesburg, July 23: More than 40 countries have shown an interest in joining BRICS, Anil Sooklal, South Africa's ambassador-at-large responsible for ties with the economic alliance and Asian countries, has said.

More than 40 countries willing to join BRICS

The diplomat said in Johannesburg that 22 countries have formally applied to join the group, while "an equal number" of states "have been informally asking about becoming BRICS members", RT reported.Sooklal described BRICS as an "inclusive" organisation that has always been open to dialogue with the larger global community.The group currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and accounts for over 40 per cent of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's GDP, RT reported.Sooklal said that BRICS does not distinguish between the Global North and Global South and is ready to talk to any country that "has the same vision for a more inclusive and equitable global order where we do not marginalise large parts of the world", including many developing nations.The diplomat went on to point out that while the UN has yet to embark on comprehensive reforms that would give emerging countries a greater voice, BRICS has charted its own path to remedy the situation, RT reported.However, he stressed that the bloc "does not seek to become a dominant economic force", but rather wants to have "a major influence in an inclusive manner to work for change"."We don't want a world where we have one or two global hegemons," he added, explaining that such a distribution of power sows division in the global community.Sooklal had earlier said in comments to journalists that Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were among those countries looking to join the bloc, RT reported.South Africa will host the BRICS annual summit this year, which will take place in Johannesburg from August 22-24, with President Cyril Ramaphosa having sent invitations to nearly 70 global leaders.IANS24 July 2023

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Iran, Qatar vow to strengthen cooperation

Tehran, July 24: Iran and Qatar have vowed to strengthen cooperation in all areas, particularly in trade and the joint construction of infrastructure projects, media reported.

Iran, Qatar vow to strengthen cooperation

During a meeting held in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Qatar's Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, highlighted the necessity of expanding bilateral cooperation in those areas in accordance with specific plans and schedules and removing the obstacles to such cooperation, the report said.Later on Sunday, the Qatari diplomat met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Ali Bagheri Kani, and discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.Khulaifi pointed to the growing relations between Doha and Tehran, saying his country is willing to improve economic ties with Iran, Xinhua news agency reported.The two diplomats called for a collective action by Islamic countries, especially through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, against the desecration of Quran in Sweden and Denmark.The Iranian Deputy Minister said the burning of Quran is tantamount to "trampling the basic and inalienable" rights of two billion Muslims, adding such acts in Europe are "flagrant violations" of human rights.He added that Denmark and Sweden are responsible for putting an end to such "cultural brutalities" in their countries.On Friday, the far-right Danish group of Danske Patrioter burned a copy of the Quran and trampled an Iraqi flag in front of the Iraqi Embassy in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, according to Danish media reports.The move was meant to protest against the Iraqis' attack on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday, according to the group.Hundreds of angry protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday. They set fire to the building in protest against the desecration of the Quran and the Iraqi flag in the Swedish capital of Stockholm.IANS24 July 2023

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Iraq confirms full support for national dialogue in Yemen

Baghdad, July 24: Iraq has confirmed its full support for the national dialogue in Yemen to achieve security and stability in the war-torn country.

Iraq confirms full support for national dialogue in Yemen

During a meeting with visiting Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rasheed expressed his country's "full support for the national dialogue to achieve security and stability in Yemen, in a way that guarantees the peace for the people who have suffered greatly because of the conflict," according to a statement issued by the president's office on Sunday.For his part, Mubarak praised Iraq's support for Yemen's security and stability, noting negotiations are currently underway to reach solutions that serve Yemen and the Yemenis, Xinhua news agency reported.The visiting Minister also met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, during which they discussed bilateral relations in all fields and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement issued by al-Sudani's media office.Earlier on Sunday, Mubarak held a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, who said Iraq's position on Yemen is that "all parties should sit at the dialogue table," noting "the situation in Yemen affects the regional security situation, and serious work should be done to establish security and stability"."Iraq is ready to move to be part of the solution to the problems of the region and Yemen," Hussein added.Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war after the Houthi militia took control of several northern cities and ousted the Saudi-backed Yemeni government from Sanaa in 2014.The conflict has resulted in a staggering number of casualties and pushed Yemen to the brink of a humanitarian crisis, including widespread famine.int/khzIANS24 July 2023

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European Parliaments decision to support Syrian refugees stay in Lebanon violates sovereignty: Lebanese PM

Beirut, July 24: The European Parliament's recent decision to support Syrian refugees' stay in Lebanon clearly violates Lebanon's sovereignty, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said.

European Parliament's decision to support Syrian refugees' stay in Lebanon violates sovereignty: Lebanese PM

"Lebanon is disappointed with the recent decision of the European Parliament. This decision is a clear violation of Lebanese sovereignty and does not consider the concerns and aspirations of the Lebanese people," the Prime Minister said on Sunday, according to a statement by Lebanon's Council of Ministers.Mikati's remarks came during the International Conference on Development and Migration held in Rome, Xinhua news agency reported.He added that the recent European Parliament's resolution overlooks Lebanon's multifaceted complexities and challenges.The severe repercussions of the long-term presence of displaced Syrians in Lebanon destabilise the country's social fabric and directly threaten its existence as a model of diversity, he said.On July 12, 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.Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with an estimated 1.5-2 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.int/khzIANS24 July 2023

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Govt to withdraw DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 from LS

New Delhi, July 24: The Government on Monday will move to withdraw the DNA Technology Regulation Bill, 2019, from the Lok Sabha.

Govt to withdraw DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 from LS

Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh will move for leave to withdraw the bill from the lower house.The bill, which was introduced in July 2019, was referred to a Parliamentary panel on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change for examination.Led by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, the panel in its report laid in Parliament in February 2021, had suggested a slew of changes in it.The bill provided for the regulation of use and application of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology for the purposes of establishing the identity of certain categories of persons, including the victims, offenders, suspects, undertrials, missing and unknown deceased persons and for matters connected therewith.The standing committee had suggested measures to guard against abuse of DNA technology during investigation.It had cleared the bill after suggesting a series of amendments.In fact two members of the panel, CPI MP Binoy Viswam and Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM, had submitted a dissent note, expressing fears over the possible abuse of DNA technology to target different segments of society based on factors like religion, caste or political views."These fears are not entirely unfounded and have to be recognised and addressed by the Government and by the Parliament as well. It does not, however, negate the need for such legislation especially when DNA technology is already in use," the report had noted.Meanwhile, Home and Cooperation minister Amit Shah will introduce the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in the Lok Sabha, and will also seek its passage.The bill was introduced in December last year during the Winter session. It was, however, referred to the joint panel of Parliament, whose report was presented in the House during the budget session. It had cleared the bill.Besides amending the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, the bill establishes the co-operative election authority to conduct and supervise elections to the boards of multi-state co-operative societies.A multi-state co-operative society will require prior permission of government authorities before the redemption of their shareholding.A co-operative rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development fund will be established for the revival of sick multi-state co-operative societies.The fund will be financed through contributions by profitable multi-state co-operative societies.The bill allows state co-operative societies to merge into an existing multi-state co-operative society, subject to the respective state laws.The Government will also try and get the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, passed in the Lok Sabha.The controversial bill amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to simplify compliance requirements for domestic companies.It also removes research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit sharing requirements. The bill also decriminalises all offences under the Act.IANS24 July 2023

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Late Solari strike rescues point for River Plate

Buenos Aires, July 24: Pablo Solari scored in the last minute of stoppage time as champions River Plate salvaged a 3-3 away draw with Rosario Central in Argentina's Primera Division.

Late Solari strike rescues point for River Plate

Alejo Veliz fired the hosts to a 2-1 lead with goals either side of Salomon Rondon's 50th minute strike at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. Solari, who set up Rondon's goal, made it 2-2 with a powerful effort into the top right corner, reports Xinhua.Luciano Ferreyra restored Rosario Central's lead with a cool 85th-minute finish but Solari was irrepressible and he earned his side a point by tapping home from close range after Enzo Diaz's cross.River, who secured the title earlier this month, now have 58 points from 26 games and are 10 points clear of second-placed Talleres Cordoba. Rosario Central, meanwhile, are seventh in the 28-team standings, 17 points further back with one match day remaining.In other Primera Division fixtures on Sunday, Defensa y Justicia won 3-0 at home to Sarmiento and Atletico Tucuman prevailed 1-0 at home to Independiente.IANS24 July 2023

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actyv.ai Surpasses USD1 Billion in Embedded B2B BNPL Transactions

BusinessWire India, Bangalore, July 24: actyv.ai, a path-breaking AI-powered enterprise SaaS platform with embedded B2B BNPL and insurance, has announced that it has successfully crossed USD 1 billion in transactions, in a record seven months.

actyv.ai Surpasses USD1 Billion in Embedded B2B BNPL Transactions

This achievement is a testament to the capability of the technology platform in orchestrating seamless interactions between large enterprises, their suppliers and distributors as well as financial institutions.As a category creator, actyv.ai has pioneered the transformation of the supply chain ecosystem by harnessing AI. The company focuses on improving Go To Market efficiencies for enterprises, enhancing quality of their supply chain partners, enabling capital for their growth and mitigating business risks. Its proprietary scoring model uses artificial intelligence to analyze financial and non-financial data, providing enterprises with a comprehensive score that facilitates informed decision-making by enterprises and accurate lending assessments by financial institutions.Raghu Subramanian, Co-Founder and Global CEO of actyv.ai said, "Surpassing USD 1 billion in B2B Buy Now Pay Later transactions is evidence to the transformative power of our AI-powered platform. We are proud to have empowered countless businesses, particularly MSMEs, in their quest for growth by providing them with seamless access to working capital. This achievement reaffirms our dedication to driving innovation and delivering unparalleled value to our customers. Achieving this milestone in a remarkably short period of time has been both inspiring and humbling."With its innovative technology and smooth user experience, actyv.ai has gained significant traction among enterprises, enabling them to offer flexible payment options to their customers. Companies like Nivea, APL Apollo Tubes, CavinKare and many others are transforming their business using the embedded BNPL option. The company has partnered with over 20 financial institutions including banks such as Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank and NBFCs such as Tata Capital, Aditya Birla Finance and SG Finserve. actyv.ai has also established alliances with insurance companies like Kotak General Insurance, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, HDFC Ergo, Bajaj Allianz and Digit and tied up with renowned go-to-market partners such as PwC and Grant Thornton to take the product to market.The Singapore-headquartered company is expanding its operations in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa - tapping into new markets and providing their cutting-edge embedded offerings to a broader base. It is also planning to extend its lending product as a standalone Digital Lending Platform, catering to the needs of banks and NBFCs. actyv.ai was recently recognized for being a leader to watch out for in the financial services space with the Startup 50 Trailblazer award at the Dun & Bradstreet LEAP India Startup Summit 2023.ANI24 July 2023

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Showcasing Vikash Kalra's Grand Meditation on Shiva, Shiv, and Tantra

GLOBAL PR CONNECT, New Delhi, July 24: Celebrated artist Vikash Kalra is delighted to unveil his latest collection, "Shiva, Shiv, and Tantra," at the prestigious Dhoomimal Gallery in Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Showcasing Vikash Kalra's Grand Meditation on Shiva, Shiv, and Tantra

Organized by Artrise Auction House, this exhibition promises to be a captivating exploration of the Hindu deity Shiva, viewed through the lens of meditation and artistry. The grand inauguration of the show took place on July 10th, 2023, in the esteemed presence of notable guests including Uma Jain, Uday Jain, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Adwaita Gadanayak, Pankaj Sahani, Dhruv Khurana, and Vrinda Khanna, Nippon Dash, PR Meena, Georgina Maddox .Featuring a remarkable collection of nearly 120 exquisite artworks, including a mesmerizing collage of 108 paintings, Vikash Kalra invites art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the divine realm of Shiva's grandeur and physicality. Inspired by profound meditative experiences, the artist skillfully captures the essence of his interactions with the omnipotent deity, translating them onto canvas with remarkable skill and boundless imagination.The exhibition serves as a profound reflection of the artist's spiritual journey and his profound connection with the higher self. Each artwork vividly narrates the visions that Vikash Kalra has received during moments of focused meditation, offering viewers a unique glimpse into his distinctive perspective on the divine.Complementing the captivating paintings, the exhibition also features sculptures that further enrich the visual and tactile experience for visitors. The intricate craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail in these sculptures add an additional layer of depth to the overall artistic narrative.The "Shiva, Shiv, and Tantra" exhibition will be open for public viewing throughout the month of July during the gallery's regular visiting hours. Art enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and admirers of Vikash Kalra's work are encouraged to visit Dhoomimal Gallery to witness the fusion of art and meditation and immerse themselves in the divine presence of Shiva.This is an exceptional opportunity to experience the profound and transformative power of art as it intertwines with the spiritual realm.. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI24 July 2023

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Star Coworking celebrates two years of empowering professionals and startups in Andheri East

SRV Media, New Delhi, July 24: Star Coworking, the bustling coworking space nestled in the heart of Andheri East, proudly celebrated its second anniversary on July 12, 2023.

Star Coworking celebrates two years of empowering professionals and startups in Andheri East

With a remarkable journey of growth and success, Star Coworking has firmly established itself as the go-to destination for professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups seeking an exceptional workspace experience.Since its inception on July 12, 2021, the centre has managed to attract an impressive 400 clients. Despite the challenging nature of the industry, the centre has experienced a high retention rate of 90 per cent, requiring continuous efforts to maintain a stable client base.One of the key strengths of the centre lies in fostering community collaboration among its coworkers. This collaborative environment enables startups to network, exchange ideas, and support each other's growth, creating a vibrant ecosystem within the centre. Currently, there are 20 startups operating from the centre, each pursuing their own unique ventures and contributing to the overall entrepreneurial spirit. Among the notable clients served by the centre are Love Local, Content Whale, The Content Lab, Ginni Systems, Nowfloats, Oktobuzz, Eximious, OPA, Colab, and Soulace. Through its diverse range of clients, the centre showcases its ability to cater to various industries and provide valuable services."Star Coworking has been on an incredible journey since its inception, and we are proud of the transformative impact we have had on professionals and startups. Our vision is to create an empowering and collaborative environment that fosters growth, innovation, and success. We are excited about the future and are committed to providing exceptional services that exceed our clients' expectations," said Divit Mehta, Director of Star Coworking.Director Divit Mehta's visionary leadership at Star Coworking has transformed the coworking landscape with an innovative approach to membership options. Understanding the diverse requirements of modern professionals and entrepreneurs in today's dynamic work environment, Star Coworking has revolutionised its offerings, providing an unprecedented level of flexibility. With a range of tailored membership plans, individuals can now choose a package that perfectly suits their preferences and work styles. Whether it's a dedicated desk, a shared workspace, or a virtual membership for remote work, Star Coworking empowers professionals to work on their own terms.To ensure exceptional service delivery, Star Coworking has expanded its team and acquired top talent. A dedicated operations team handles the day-to-day operations, ensuring that all clients' needs are met promptly and efficiently. Additionally, experienced hub managers oversee community building and client servicing, ensuring a supportive and engaging environment for all.Looking ahead, Star Coworking envisions creating an environment where coworkers feel at home, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. The coworking space aims to serve as a hub for collaboration and networking, offering not just office spaces but also opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.For more information about Star Coworking and its offerings, please visit www.starcoworking.comANI24 July 2023

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J-K: Young writer Muskan Nargis unveils debut book Struggle of a Single Parent in Srinagar

Srinagar, July 24 : Muskaan Nargis, a young Kashmiri writer, unveiled her debut book "Struggle of a Single Parent" during a literary gathering at a hotel in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

J-K: Young writer Muskan Nargis unveils debut book "Struggle of a Single Parent" in Srinagar

Overwhelmed with joy, Muskan Nargis expressed her gratitude to all those who supported her throughout her journey as a writer. She shared her hope that her book would resonate with readers and shed light on the challenges faced by single parents in society.The event saw an impressive turnout, with various dignitaries from across the valley in attendance to support the budding author.Renowned writer and author Parvaiz Manoos, and President, Sagar Cultural Forum Choker Patan, Sagar Nazir, were chief guests. Writer Sarim Iqbal was present as the guest of honour.During his speech, Parvaiz Manoos expressed his admiration for Muskan Nargis' literary prowess, commending her for choosing the path of literature at a time when the youth were addicted to drugs and were exporting their time through social media.He stated, "In today's era, where the young generation is addicted to drugs and spent much of their time on smartphones, it is truly exceptional to witness Muskan Nargis' dedication to the world of literature."Sagar Nazir also lauded the young writer's efforts in bringing forward her unique perspective. He praised her courage in presenting a fictionalized version of a true story, allowing it to reach a wider audience."Muskan Nargis has displayed tremendous courage in remaining faithful to the truth while crafting a compelling narrative that touches the heart. Her ability to shed light on real-life struggles through her write-up is commendable," he remarked.ANI24 July 2023

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Taliban keeps China on tenterhooks over lithium mining contracts in Afghanistan

New Delhi, July 24: The frenzied exit of US troops in 2021 brought the Chinese rushing in to fill the vaccum in Afghanistan. The Chinese government and businessmen were keen to extract lithium, which has taken a place of pride among minerals for its rising use in electric vehicles.

Taliban keeps China on tenterhooks over lithium mining contracts in Afghanistan

Since then China has made progress with the Taliban government in signing business deals, at least in concluding a pact to extract oil from the Amu Darya basin in northern Afghanistan. Beijing and its businessmen have also offered big deals to the Taliban to extract lithium but the Taliban is sitting on those offers at the moment, says Kabul Now.After taking over the reins of the country, one of the important decisions by the Taliban was to stop the mining and the export of lithium. In recent months it even arrested a Chinese national for smuggling lithium ore to China through Pakistan.During its 20-year stay in Afghanistan, the US government had said that the country is estimated to hold at least $1 trillion worth of lithium which could help pull out the country from its economic mess. For the Taliban, which is still trying to establish an effective government in the country in the face of global opposition and frozen bank accounts, China seems to give hope.The communist country is heavily invested in the conflict-torn nation in partnership with all-weather ally Pakistan.Recently, The Washington Post reported that Afghanistan a called 'the Saudi Arabia of lithium' by the US, is being courted by Chinese nationals who have been treking the mountain ranges of the country looking for lithium, even in areas known to be dangerous for foreigners. The interest for Afghan lithium among the Chinese has evoked imagery of the 19th century gold rush.Kabul Now reports that Chinese company Gochin expressed its willingness to invest $10 billion in Afghanistan's lithium deposits in April this year. Such an investment could create 120,000 direct and a million indirect jobs in a country where poverty continues to grow in the face of unemployment and rising humanitarian crisis.However, in May the Taliban government said that it was not in a rush to give away lithium contracts to China. Arab News quoted Hamayoon Afghan, spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, as saying: "We are not in a hurry for the lithium contract, we will not take hurried steps and action in this regard. We are not obliged to give this contract only to China."China has been courting the Taliban with various offers. These include extending the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, which recently completed 10 years in neighbouring Pakistan. In a trilateral summit in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, the three nations had resolved to extend trade and investment besides curbing terror groups.News agency ANI reported in mid-July that officials of Fan China Afghan Mining Processing and Trading Co. announced an investment of $350 million in sectors ranging from construction to health to energy in Afghanistan. The presence of Chinese businessmen is so conspicuous in Kabul that Chinatown has cropped up in the Afghan capital. The overwhelming presence of Chinese nationals led to an attack on a hotel frequented by the Chinese.Even as the Taliban ponders over the presentations made to them, and studies the offers by Chinese companies, the rulers in Kabul are acutely aware of the presence of terror groups, both hostile and friendly, who could stand in the way of extracting lithium. China's grand plans to mine lithium have been thwarted once earlier during the time of Hamid Karzai when the two governments had signed an agreement for mining in 2008. It could not be implemented for various reasons including the presence of terror groups.With the US gone and the Taliban trying to reduce violence by curbing the activities of hostile groups, Beijing is once again making a determined effort at extracting Afghanistan's rare earth reserves. Lithium is equated with gold and oil for its use in batteries as well as electric gadgets. With the world in a rush to switch over from fossil fuels and avoid the wrath of a changing climate, there is a mad rush to mine the rare mineral. China is a frontrunner in the Afghan lithium sweepstakes even as the West continues to figure out how to deal with the Taliban.(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)--indianarrativeIANS24 July 2023

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Fire-Boltt enters into Indonesian market

New Delhi, July 24: Homegrown smart wearables brand Fire-Boltt on Monday announced that it has forayed into the Indonesian market as a part of its expansion strategy in the Southeast Asia region.

Fire-Boltt enters into Indonesian market

"The brand made this move within a few months of venturing into Singapore & Vietnam and investing $1 million in the SeA markets," the company said in a statement.It further mentioned that being the number two smartwatch brand globally, it is keeping up its promise of spreading quickly across the globe.SeA is the key pillar of the brand's global expansion strategy as it is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world."We see SeA region being one of the high-potential markets for us and within the region, Indonesia will be our key focus. We can draw many parallels between the Indian and Indonesian markets in terms of demographic, customer preferences, etc," said Arnav Kishore, Founder & CEO at Fire-Boltt."Our initial research and feedback have shown that Indonesian consumer looks at affordable & feature-loaded products. We are working with a local team to understand market dynamics and bring those learning to our product portfolio."The smart wearables brand is incubated and backed by Savex Technologies in India, which is the country's third-largest technology distributor.For its Indonesia operations, Fire-Boltt has partnered with PT.INDO SMART TECHNOLOGIES."Our country has 55 per cent of the population in the age group of 20-60, and is increasingly becoming health & fitness conscious, Fire-Boltt provides them the option," said Judah Filah, DIREKTUR at PT.INDO SMART TECHNOLOGIES."Fire-Boltt products are packed with the most advanced features and considering the average income of Indonesian people, their prices are extremely reasonable. Fire-Boltt is also planning to expand its operations to Thailand and Malaysia in the coming months," she added.IANS24 July 2023

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Sugee Group felicitates successful rank holders of UPSC and MPSC students in the presence of Raj Saheb Thackeray

Mumbai, July 24: Sugee Group, Mumbai's fastest-growing and leading real estate developer, today felicitated the students who passed the competitive UPSC and MPSC examinations for this year with flying colours. PNN.

Sugee Group felicitates successful rank holders of UPSC and MPSC students in the presence of Raj Saheb Thackeray

The event was organized by Tejaparva Samajik Sanstha in association with the Sugee Group to celebrate the stupendous success of these candidates who had appeared for the UPSC and MPSC competitive exams for this year.The felicitation was held at JK Banquets in Prabhadevi, Mumbai in the presence of Raj Thackeray, President of Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena . Raj Thackeray presented the Awards to all the deserving students who cleared the competitive civil services examinations to become able administrative civil servants of the future.Raj Thackeray congratulated all the successful students and wished them luck for a bright future ahead. He praised the extraordinary students who defied the odds to emerge triumphant in these examinations and advised them to make a profound impact on the lives of people and communities at large with their selfless work and vision for public welfare. The event witnessed the presence of Nishant Deshmukh, Founder, and Managing Partner of Sugee Group, and Sudhakar Tamboli of Tejaparva Samajik Sanstha along with the parents of the winning students, the organizing committee team members, and the media fraternity at large.Nishant Deshmukh, Founder, and Managing Partner of Sugee Group mentioned, "At Sugee Group, we always recognise the hard work of the students clearing the most competitive UPSC and MPSC examinations.The commitment, hard work, dedication, and sincerity of these candidates are truly commendable and their success reflects their unwavering determination. These officers of tomorrow will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our nation and the country as a whole and contribute to the well-being of its citizens." The students and parents thanked Sugee Group and Tejaparva Samajik Sanstha for this special gesture of appreciation. Sugee Group has always demonstrated its affinity towards social causes; mainly in the fields of preservation of the environment and education.Recently, Sugee Group organized a Walkathon with the motto 'Walk for Climate Change' in Dadar, Mumbai on the occasion of World Environment Day on 5th June 2023 in collaboration with Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena, which witnessed participation from more than 2000 environment and health enthusiasts.It also organized a beach clean-up program - 'Our Oceans, Our Responsibility' - at Mumbai's Dadar beach earlier in April this year. Website https//www.sugeegroup.com/ANI24 July 2023

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Tesla execs to meet commerce minister as China fumes at Indias BYD plant rejection

New Delhi, July 24: Representatives from Elon Musk-Tesla are reportedly expected to meet Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as early as this month to chalk out a facility to build Rs 20 lakh electric car, as China fumes at New Delhi rejecting BYD Group's bid to build a $1 billion facility.

Tesla execs to meet commerce minister as China fumes at India's BYD plant rejection

According to a Reuters report, citing sources, the meeting with Goyal will be the highest-level one since Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US last month and said he plans to bring Tesla to India as soon as humanly possible.Tesla was yet to comment on the report.US electric car producer Tesla has proposed setting up a factory in India to build electric cars for domestic sale and export.Meanwhile, as the government gears up to welcome Musk's Tesla, the Centre has reportedly rejected Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD Motors' plan to set up a $1 billion four-wheeler manufacturing facility in the country.According to Chinese state-run Global Times, if India treats Tesla and BYD differently, "won't it be utter discrimination against China?"In an opinion piece, the newspaper said that it is hoped that "India will not be politically biased against Chinese investment, refrain from setting invisible entry barriers for Chinese manufacturers under the disguise of protecting economic security".In recent years, India has intensified its assault on Chinese companies, which analysts said was "blunt bullying, and the theft of Chinese companies' achievements under the disguise of so-called posing security threats"."India's efforts to provide a good business environment for international investment and to continuously attract global companies will be an empty promise," said the publication.na/ukIANS24 July 2023

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Can probiotics help slow age-related cognitive decline?

Washington DC, July 24: According to the findings of a new study, eating a probiotic may help avoid the deterioration in memory and thinking that can occur with ageing. This study could pave the path for new, non-invasive treatments that use the gut flora to slow cognitive loss in the elderly.

Can probiotics help slow age-related cognitive decline?

The researchers found that when study participants with mild cognitive impairment received the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for three months, their cognitive scores increased. This cognitive improvement was also associated with changes in their gut microbiome."The implication of this finding is quite exciting, as it means that modifying the gut microbiome through probiotics could potentially be a strategy to improve cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment," said Mashael Aljumaah, a microbiology doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. "This adds a new layer to our understanding of the microbiome brain-gut connection and opens up new avenues for combating cognitive decline associated with aging."Aljumaah, who is also affiliated with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, will present the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the annual flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held July 22-25 in Boston."Many studies focus on severe forms of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia, but these conditions are more advanced, making them significantly harder to reverse or treat," said Aljumaah. "In contrast, we focused on mild cognitive impairment, which can include problems with memory, language, or judgment. Interventions at this stage of cognitive impairment could slow down or prevent the progression to more severe forms of dementia."The study involved 169 participants between 52 and 75 years old who were divided into two groups depending on whether they had no neurological issues or mild cognitive impairment. Within each group, participants either received the LGG probiotic or a placebo in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial lasting three months. The researchers selected the LGG probiotic because prior research had shown its potential beneficial effects in animal models.To investigate the study participants' gut microbiomes, the researchers used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify and compare bacteria present in stool samples. They then used whole genome sequencing to gain insights into the functional roles of the bacteria identified.The analysis revealed that microbes in the genus Prevotella were present in a higher relative abundance in participants with mild cognitive impairment than those with no cognitive impairment. This suggests that gut microbiome composition could serve as an early indicator for mild cognitive impairment, offering opportunities for earlier interventions to slow cognitive decline.For study participants who had mild cognitive impairment and received the LGG probiotics, the Prevotella relative abundance decreased. This change coincided with improved cognitive scores, suggesting that cognitive health in older adults could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiota."By identifying specific shifts in the gut microbiome associated with mild cognitive impairment, we're exploring a new frontier in preventive strategies in cognitive health," said Aljumaah. "If these findings are replicated in future studies, it suggests the feasibility of using gut microbiome-targeted strategies as a novel approach to support cognitive health."The researchers are now working to understand the specific mechanisms of how microbes like Prevotella influence the gut in a way that improves brain health. Specifically, they are exploring how certain molecules produced by these bacteria modulate the functionality of neuroprotective hormones that can cross the blood-brain barrier.ANI24 July 2023

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Urfi Javed opens up about her botched lip fillers, shares pics

Mumbai, July 24: 'Bigg Boss OTT' fame contestant Urfi Javed has never been low-key discussing her private life. On Monday, she opened up about getting lip fillers since she was 18.

Urfi Javed opens up about her botched lip fillers, shares pics

She also shared pictures showing how the surgeries had gone wrong several times."Sharing with you all my lip filler journey. I've been getting lip fillers since the age of 18, I didn't have that much money back then but I always felt my lips were too thin and I wanted bigger fuller lips. I went to dermat deni we're ready to do it for less and these were the results at times! I had to get them dissolved and mind it it's the most painful thing ever," she wrote.https//www.instagram.com/p/CvEYIE6MA_k/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3DOn a closing note, she urged everyone to do proper research before undergoing any cosmetic procedure."I'm not telling people to not get them but In fact what I'm trying to say is just be careful while getting fillers or Botox. I still very much have lip fillers just that I know what suits my face and I know now less is more. Encouraging everyone to thoroughly research before going to any doctor. I actually recommend fillers to everyone, if you have some insecurities about your face or body instead of hating yourself or your face it's just better to opt for fillers or surgeries but but but from a very good doctor only," she wrote.The post garnered lots of reactions. Many applauded Urfi for being honest."Candid personality," a social media user commented."You have guts," another one wrote.Recently, Urfi opened up about getting undereye fillers after facing constant trolling for her dark circles.ANI24 July 2023

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Dubai Customs discusses enhancing training cooperation with Dubai Police

Dubai, July 24: As part of their strategic cooperation in training and sharing of expertise, Dubai Customs held an extensive meeting with the Dubai Police's General Department for Anti-Narcotics.

Dubai Customs discusses enhancing training cooperation with Dubai Police

The meeting, attended by representatives from the Customs Inspection Division, the Intelligence Department and the Customs Training Centre, discussed cooperation in leveraging inspection staff's competencies and capacities by identifying new drug smuggling methods and developing joint scenarios for field training to protect society against the dangers of drugs.Mohammed Al Ghafari, Executive Director for Human Resources Sector at Dubai Customs, said, "We are proud of the fruitful and constructive cooperation we have with our strategic partner Dubai Police. Both parties are committed to joining forces to achieve the leadership's vision of making Dubai the best city in the world to live and work in. Our joint action plans for training are focused towards raising human and technical capabilities and enhancing operational efficiency to curb smuggling and thwart any security threats."He noted that Dubai Customs is constantly developing its workforce to effectively perform its security and control tasks at Customs checkpoints. In addition to delivering top-notch specialised training programmes in different areas of customs inspection and examination, Dubai Customs also equips its centres with cutting-edge inspection and screening technologies to increase efficiencies.Brigadier Khalid bin Muwaiza, Deputy Director of the General Department for Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police, said the department is working together with all relevant authorities to protect society from the scourge of drugs, stressing willingness to share the capabilities and advanced methods they use to detect and deter drug smugglers.He praised the cooperation with Dubai Customs in addressing the smuggling of drugs and other contraband, noting that the department's security teams are always ready to cooperate and support their strategic partners in combating drug smuggling by exchanging information and expertise and field support for inspections.ANI24 July 2023

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours. Thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. High 81F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely in the evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms later on. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Among nearly 10 million US infants born between 2016 and 2018, breastfed babies were 33% less likely to die during the post-perinatal period (day 7364) than infants who were not breastfed, reports a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier. The findings build on previous US research with smaller datasets, which documented the association between the initiation of breastfeeding and the reduction of post-perinatal infant mortality by a range of 19% to 26%.

Lead investigator Julie L. Ware, MD, MPH, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Center for Breastfeeding Medicine, said, "Based on these data, there is clear evidence that breastfeeding confers a protective benefit during the first year of life and is strongly associated with reduced post-perinatal infant mortality across the USA."

Dr. Ware noted that the findings suggest there is an opportunity for breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support to be included as a key component in comprehensive infant mortality reduction initiatives in regions and states across the US.

With help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, birth certificate data on US infants born from 2016 to 2018 were linked with infant deaths occurring up to one year after birth. An analysis was conducted to demonstrate whether the initiation of breastfeeding, as recorded on the birth certificate (a practice adopted by all states in 2016), was associated with post-perinatal infant death, taking into account factors such maternal age, education, race and ethnicity, and geographical location.

Breastfeeding is recognized by the World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other authorities as the preferred normative nutrition for infants, both recommending that families breastfeed their infants exclusively for 6 months, continuing with the addition of complementary foods for at least the first 2 years of life. These organizations consider breastfeeding a public health imperative with many short- and long-term improved health outcomes for both mother and child, including significant reductions in all-cause infant mortality and specific protection against sudden infant death syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Despite these recommendations, the rates for breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and continuation in the US do not meet breastfeeding goals, especially in certain racial and ethnic populations, and in some geographic regions.

Co-investigator Ardythe Morrow, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine stated that, "Though breastfeeding is widely recommended, nevertheless, some may still consider it to be of minor importance. We hope that our findings will change the narrative. Human milk is replete with protective molecules, and breastfeeding offers significant protection."

Addressing breastfeeding disparities may improve the health of mothers and their babies and help reduce adverse outcomes. Although most states advocate breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support activities, analysis of the association between breastfeeding and infant mortality had not previously been conducted at the state and regional levels. To this end, the investigators conducted a regional and state-by-state analysis.

Co-investigator Aimin Chen, PhD, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, explained, "We found that the effect was evident across the US, but with regional variations, ranging from 44% in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where breastfeeding initiation is the highest, and 21% in the Southeast, where breastfeeding initiation is the lowest. Although regional and state variation in the magnitude of the association between breastfeeding and infant mortality exists, there was a remarkable consistency of reduced risk. Together with existing literature, our data suggest that breastfeeding promotion and support may be an effective strategy to help reduce infant mortality in the US."

Dr. Ware summarized, "Breastfeeding saves lives. August is National Breastfeeding Month. Let's do all we can to support breastfeeding families and improve the health of our nation."
Robert Califf, the head of the Food and Drug Administration, doesn't seem to be having fun on the job.

"I would describe this year as hand-to-hand combat. Really, every day," he said at an academic conference at Stanford in April. It's a sentiment the FDA commissioner has expressed often.

What's been getting Califf's goat? Misinformation, which gets part of the blame for Americans' stagnating life expectancy. To Califf, the country that invents many of the most advanced drugs and devices is terrible at using those technologies well. And one reason for that is Americans' misinformed choices, he has suggested. Many don't use statins, vaccines, or covid-19 therapies. Many choose to smoke cigarettes and eat the wrong food.

Califf and the FDA are fighting misinformation head-on. "The misinformation machine is really causing a lot of death," he said, in an apparent ad-lib, this spring in a speech at Tufts University. The pandemic, he told KFF Health News, helped "crystallize" his need to tackle misinformation. It was a "blatant case," in which multiple studies gave evidence about very effective therapeutics against covid. "And a lot of people chose not to do it." There were "large-scale purveyors of misinformation," he said, poisoning the well.

Occasionally, though, Califf and the FDA have added to the cacophony of misinformation. And sometimes their misinformation is about misinformation.

Califf hasn't been able to consistently estimate misinformation's public health toll. Last June, he said it was the "leading cause of meaningful life-years lost." In the fall, he told a conference: "I've been going around saying that misinformation is the most common cause of death in the United States." He continued, "There is no way to prove that, but I do believe that it is."

At other times, as in April, he has called the problem the nation's "leading cause" of premature death. "I'll keep working on this to try and get it right," he said. Later, in May, he said, "Many Americans die or experience serious illness every year due to bad choices driven by false or misleading information."

Americans' health is indeed in dire straits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted the country's life expectancy has dropped two years in a row  it's at 76.1 years as of 2021  a dismal capper to four decades of lagging gains. Countries such as Slovenia, Greece, and Costa Rica outrank the U.S. Their newborn citizens are expected to live more than 80 years, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Several factors are at the root of those differences. But Americans' choices, often informed by bad or misleading data, political jeremiads, or profit-seeking advertising, are among the causes. For instance, one 2023 paper estimated that undervaccination against covid  caused in part by misinformation  costs as much as $300 million per day, accounting for both the costs of health care and economic costs, like missed work.

Outside experts are sympathetic. Misinformation is a "huge problem for public health," said Joshua Sharfstein, a Johns Hopkins University public health professor and former FDA principal deputy commissioner. Having a strategy to combat it is crucial. But, he cautioned, "that's the easiest part of this."

The agency, which regulates products that consumers spend 20 cents of each dollar on per year, is putting more muscle behind the effort. It's begun mentioning the subject of misinformation in its procurement requests, like one discussing the need to monitor social media for misinformation related to cannabis.

The agency launched a "Rumor Control" page seeking to debunk persistent confusion. It also expects to get a report from the Reagan-Udall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created by Congress to advise the FDA. Califf has said he thinks better regulation  and more authority for the agency  would help.

Califf has noted small victories. Ivermectin, once touted as a covid wonder drug, "eventually" became one such win. But, then again, its use is "not completely gone," he said. And, despite winning individual battles, his optimism is muted: "Id say right now the trend in the war is in a negative direction."

Some of those battles have been quite small, even marginal.

And it's difficult to know what to take on or respond to, Califf said. "I think were just in the early days of being able to do that," he told KFF Health News. "It's very hard to be scientific," he said.

Take the agency's experience last fall with "NyQuil chicken"  a purportedly viral cooking trend in which users roasted their birds in the over-the-counter cold medicine on social media platforms like TikTok.

Califf said his agency's "skeleton crew"  at least relative to Big Tech giants  had picked up on increasing chatter about the meme.

But independent analyses don't corroborate the claim. It seems much of the interest in it came only after the FDA called attention to it. The day before the agency's pronouncement, the TikTok app recorded only five searches on the topic, BuzzFeed News found in an analysis of TikTok data. That tally surged to 7,000 the week after the agency's declaration. Google Trends, which measures changes in the number of searches, shows a similar pattern: Interest peaked on the search engine in the week after the agency announcement.

Califf also claimed "injuries" occurred to participants "directly" due to the social media trend. Now, he said, "the number of injuries is down," though he couldn't say whether the agency's intervention was the cause.

Again, his assertions have fuzzy underpinnings. It's not clear what, if any, actual damage the NyQuil chicken fad caused. Poison control centers don't keep that data, said Maggie Maloney, a spokesperson for America's Poison Centers. And, after multiple requests, agency spokespeople declined to provide the FDA's data reflecting increased social media traffic or injuries stemming from the meme.

In countering misinformation, FDA also risks coming off as high-handed. In September 2021, the agency tweeted about purported myths and misinformation on mammograms. Among the myths? That they're painful. Instead, the agency explained that "everyone's pain threshold is different" and the breast cancer-screening procedure is more often described as "temporary discomfort."

Statements like these "erode trust," said Lisa Fitzpatrick, an infectious diseases physician and currently the CEO of Grapevine Health, a startup trying to improve health literacy in underserved communities. Fitzpatrick has previously served as an official with the District of Columbia's Medicaid program and with the CDC.

"Who are you to judge what's painful?" she asked, rhetorically. It's hard to brand subjective impressions as misinformation.

Califf acknowledged the point. Speaking to 340 million Americans is difficult. With mammograms, the average patient might not have a painful experience  but many might. "Getting across that kind of nuance and public communication, I think, is in its early phases."

Scrutiny over the agency's role regarding food and nutrition is also mounting. After independent journalist Helena Bottemiller Evich wrote an article criticizing the agency for relying on voluntary reporting standards for baby formula, Califf tweeted to correct a "bit of misinformation," saying the agency did not have such authority.

An agency communications specialist made a similar intervention with New York University professor Marion Nestle, referring to a "troubling pattern of articles with erroneous information that then get amplified." The agency was again seeking to rebut arguments that the agency had erred in not seeking mandatory reporting.

"As I see it, the 'troubling pattern' here is FDA's responses to advocates like me who want to support this agency's role in making sure food companies in general  and infant formula companies in particular  do not produce unsafe food," Nestle retorted. Notwithstanding the agency's protests to Evich and Nestle, the agency had only recently asked for such authority.

Efforts to respond to or regulate misinformation are becoming a political problem.

In July, a federal judge issued a sweeping, yet temporary, injunction  at the instigation of Republican attorneys general, multiple right-wing political groups, and prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Children's Health Defense  barring federal health officials from contacting social media groups to correct information. A large section of the ruling detailed efforts by a CDC official to push back on suspected misinformation on social media networks.

An appeals court later issued its own temporary ruling  this time countering the original, sweeping order  nevertheless underscoring the extent of pushback on government pushback against misinformation. Califf has consistently played down the governments ability to solve the problem. "One hundred percent of experts agree, government cannot solve this. We have too much distrust in fundamental institutions," he said last June.

It's a remarkable change from his previous tenure leading the agency during the Obama administration. "I would describe the Obama years as genteel, intellectual, and a lot of fun," he has said. Now, however, Califf is bracing for more misinformation. "It's just something that I think we have to come to grips with," he told KFF Health News.
Conventional wisdom holds that storing fat around your belly puts you at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. But surprising new findings from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggest that naturally occurring variations in our genes can lead some people to store fat at the waist but also protect them from diabetes.

Conventional wisdom suggests that storing fat at the waist increases risk for type 2 diabetes. But new research suggests that some people's genes predispose them to store fat there while protecting them from diabetes. Image Credit: UVA Health

The unexpected discovery provides a more nuanced view of the role of obesity in diabetes and related health conditions. It also could pave the way for more personalized medicine  treatments tailored to the individual. For example, doctors might prioritize weight loss for patients whose genes put them at increased risk but place less emphasis on it for patients with protective gene variants, the researchers say.

There is a growing body of evidence for metabolically healthy obesity. In this condition, people who would normally be at risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes because they are obese are actually protected from adverse effects of their obesity. In our study, we found a genetic link that may explain how this occurs in certain individuals. Understanding various forms of obesity is important to tailor treatments for individuals who are at high risk for adverse effects of obesity. Mete Civelek, PhD, Researcher, UVAs Center for Public Health Genomics

Abdominal fat and good health

As medicine grows more sophisticated, understanding the role of naturally occurring gene variations will play an important role in ensuring patients get the best, most tailored treatments. The new work by Civelek and his team, for example, indicates that variants can simultaneously predispose some people to store fat at the abdomen  thought to put them at increased risk for a cluster of health problems called metabolic syndrome  while also protecting them from type 2 diabetes. (Metabolic syndrome raises the risk for diabetes, stroke and other serious health issues.)

One of the metrics doctors use to determine if a patient has metabolic syndrome is abdominal obesity. This is often calculated by comparing the patients waist and hip measurements. But Civeleks research suggest that, for at least some patients, it may not be that simple. In the future, doctors may want to check a patients genes to determine how to best guide the person down the road to good health.

We found that among the hundreds of regions in our genomes which increase our propensity to accumulate excess fat in our abdomens, there are five which have an unexpected role, said Yonathan Aberra, the lead author of the study and a PhD candidate at UVAs Department of Biomedical Engineering, a joint program of the School of Medicine and School of Engineering. To our surprise, these five regions decrease an individuals risk for type 2 diabetes.

In addition to producing surprising findings, Civeleks research provides important new tools for his fellow researchers seeking to understand the complexities of gene variations. The sophisticated approach Civelek and his collaborators developed to identify the relevant variants and their potential effects will be useful for future research into metabolic syndrome and other conditions.

The tools could also prove invaluable in the development of new and better treatments for metabolic syndrome, the scientists say.

We now need to expand our studies in more women and people from different genetic ancestries to identify even more genes that underlie the metabolically health obesity phenomenon, Civelek said. We plan to build on our findings to perform more experiments to potentially identify a therapeutic target.
Statistics indicate that globally 1 in 4 adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. One of the most serious consequences of this disease is disability. The joint study by Rytis Maskeliunas, a researcher at Kaunas University of Technology, Faculty of Informatics (KTU IF), and Lithuanian researchers is focused on creating an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that aims to facilitate the rehabilitation process.

More recently, a team of researchers presented BiomacVR, an innovation that aims to help stroke victims get back on their feet as quickly as possible. Shortly afterwards, a third component of this technology was developed: BiomacEMG.

According to Maskeliunas, the new system is a part of the Biomac project's solutions, for monitoring the arm. This system will be useful for those patients who need to monitor the movements of the hand or the whole arm during rehabilitation exercises.

The KTU researcher believes that the integration of motion recognition technology into physical therapy is an innovation that will allow patients to focus on the task at hand and perform it correctly. The software enables the patient to study and adjust the exercises, which ensures an efficient healing and rehabilitation process.

Motion is measured by a bracelet

According to the researcher, the new system essentially measures muscle movements: "Our study evaluated the technical feasibility of measuring and recognizing the arm movements of the participants in the experiment, and thus monitoring the rehabilitation or other medical process".

At this stage, in order to check the accuracy, it was chosen to measure not only the movements of the whole arm or another large part of the body but also more precise scenarios, i.e. to investigate the movements made by the fingers.

The wearable equipment, more specifically, a bracelet measuring the state of the nerves, muscles and the nerve cells that control them, is placed on the forearm and used to measure different types of muscle groups in real-time. According to Maskeliunas, the process is simple - you put the bracelet on your arm and try to make the gestures shown in the picture. The system (or a doctor online) informs you whether you are doing the exercises correctly or incorrectly.

Our team was responsible for the system, and the colleagues from other Lithuanian universities developed the biomechanics model (a model of the muscles and their movements) and carried out the testing." Rytis Maskeliunas, Researcher, Kaunas University of Technology

The system benefits not only the patient but also the professional

"Our new methodology with electromyography (EMG) elements is particularly important for proper exercise design during a rehabilitation programme. With this new technology, you can see exactly which muscle is working and at what capacity, how it reacts to the load and how quickly it recovers. This information allows the specialist to work with the patient not blindly, but knowing exactly which muscles are working well, which are overworked, or which are not even tired," says Ausra Adomaviciene, a researcher at the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University (VU MF).

In her opinion, such technology is not only a great help to the rehabilitation specialist, but it is equally essential for the patient, who, with such technology, can continue the exercises at home, see the progress, and feel safe and secure, without doubts about whether they are doing it right, or whether they are harming themselves, etc.

"This system is important for patients with musculoskeletal disorders or diseases that require the restoration of lost movement and mobility function, which is directly caused by reduced or lost muscle function. These are the patients who have suffered a cerebral infarction, various traumas, fractures, soft tissue or nerve damage, systemic diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease," says Adomaviciene.

The researcher points out that this innovative technology can also be used for wellness purposes. For example, people who, due to irregular, poor working posture, or repetitive movements at work that strain one segment of the body, have muscular imbalances in their bodies, and often experience chronic pain (back, shoulder or wrist) or fatigue. According to Adomaviciene, the simple, user-friendly and easy-to-use technology is suitable for people of any age, whether child or adult.

These technologies are our future

"I think that after 20 years, patients and professionals involved in rehabilitation will not even be able to imagine that during functional assessment, testing and program execution, they were guided by the subjective, hand-held instruments that we now use on a daily basis," says Adomaviciene.

According to her, computerized and intelligent systems based on artificial intelligence strategies will not only be able to identify in detail the problems experienced by the patient, but after the assessment, they will be able to analyze, systematize and provide feedback, i.e. to provide information and recommendations during the live sessions on how to adjust the rehabilitation programme individually according to the patient's situation to increase tolerance to physical load, activate recovery mechanisms and the healing process.

KTU researcher Maskeliunas agrees with his colleague: "Future research should also look at the development of individualised treatment plans and the adaptation of the algorithm to respond to a wider range of possible actions, taking into account the individual needs of the patient."

Although the study evaluated the accuracy of the system in measuring hand movement patterns, the long-term impact on functional recovery in stroke patients needs to be further investigated, including the integration of this approach with other therapies such as occupational and physical therapy, according to Maskeliunas.
UniSA researchers have identified three new biomarkers for prostate cancer to help identify and differentiate potentially aggressive cases of the disease which kills more than 300,000 men each year.

Image Credit: University of South Australia

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

The new biomarkers, when used together, will assist clinicians in determining which patients require immediate, radical treatment compared to those who need close monitoring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This technology represents a shift in the way clinicians can grade and predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. We look forward to seeing the difference it makes in coming years. Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, UniSA
While the incidence of influenza-associated neuropsychiatric events in children in the United States is unknown, the controversy over the use of a common antiviral medication typically administered to treat flu in children has sparked concern among parents and medical professionals alike.

The dilemma about whether the treatment causes neuropsychiatric events or if the infection itself is the culprit, led a group of pediatric researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to study the question.

"Population-Based Incidence of Influenza-Associated Serious Neuropsychiatric Events in Children" published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics examines how often children diagnosed with flu experience serious neuropsychiatric side effects.

"We are among the first to quantify these serious events in the pediatric population in the United States," said principal investigator James Antoon, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of Pediatrics and Hospital Medicine at Monroe Carell. "We knew some of the neurological events occurred, but we did not know how often and in whom.

"Our study quantified the number of pediatric neuropsychiatric events, described which children are more likely to experience the events and showed that these events occur in both those children treated and not treated with an antiviral. Ongoing studies will help us assess if use of influenza antivirals is associated with the risk of neuropsychiatric events in children," Antoon said.

This study highlights the importance of understanding the frequency and context in which neuropsychiatric events occur  especially among young children and children with underlying conditions who are also at high risk for influenza complications." Carlos Grijalva, MD, MPH, senior author, professor of Health Policy and Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

According to the study, Oseltamivir, known as Tamiflu, has a black box warning about neuropsychiatric side effects. Previous studies have been mixed on whether using Tamiflu causes these events.

"This potential side effect makes headlines every influenza season and is often a concern for parents and providers, who weigh the risk of these events when making the decision to treat with antivirals," said Antoon. "Our findings show that influenza infection itself can be associated with neuropsychiatric events, and that should be part of the conversation when counseling families."

In a retrospective cohort study, researchers used the Tennessee Medicaid database to identify children ages 5-17 years with an outpatient diagnosis of flu during 2016-2020.

A total of 156,661 flu diagnoses were included. Findings showed that rates were higher among adolescents, in those with risk factors for flu complications and were 10- and 100-times higher in children with neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

Neurologic events include seizures, encephalitis, altered mental status, ataxia/movement disorders, vision changes, dizziness and headache. Psychiatric events consist of homicidal, suicidal, self-harm behaviors, mood disorders and psychosis/hallucination).

"Fortunately, the most serious events, such as suicidal and self-harm behaviors, as well as encephalitis, were rare," said fellow researcher Derek Williams, MD, MPH, chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine at Monroe Carell. "Nonetheless, each of these events is of concern, regardless of severity. It's also likely that many of these complications could be avoided with influenza vaccination."

The study was funded by grants K23AI168496 and K24AI148459 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is a part of the National Institutes of Health.
Findings from a new study suggest that taking a probiotic could help prevent the decline in memory and thinking that can accompany aging. This research may pave the way for new, non-invasive treatments that leverage the gut microbiome to mitigate cognitive decline in the aging population.

The researchers found that when study participants with mild cognitive impairment received the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for three months, their cognitive scores increased. This cognitive improvement was also associated with changes in their gut microbiome.

The implication of this finding is quite exciting, as it means that modifying the gut microbiome through probiotics could potentially be a strategy to improve cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. This adds a new layer to our understanding of the microbiome brain-gut connection and opens up new avenues for combating cognitive decline associated with aging." Mashael Aljumaah, a microbiology doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University

Aljumaah, who is also affiliated with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, will present the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the annual flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held July 22-25 in Boston.

"Many studies focus on severe forms of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia, but these conditions are more advanced, making them significantly harder to reverse or treat," said Aljumaah. "In contrast, we focused on mild cognitive impairment, which can include problems with memory, language, or judgment. Interventions at this stage of cognitive impairment could slow down or prevent the progression to more severe forms of dementia."

The study involved 169 participants between 52 and 75 years old who were divided into two groups depending on whether they had no neurological issues or mild cognitive impairment. Within each group, participants either received the LGG probiotic or a placebo in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial lasting three months. The researchers selected the LGG probiotic because prior research had shown its potential beneficial effects in animal models.

To investigate the study participants' gut microbiomes, the researchers used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify and compare bacteria present in stool samples. They then used whole genome sequencing to gain insights into the functional roles of the bacteria identified.

The analysis revealed that microbes in the genus Prevotella were present in a higher relative abundance in participants with mild cognitive impairment than those with no cognitive impairment. This suggests that gut microbiome composition could serve as an early indicator for mild cognitive impairment, offering opportunities for earlier interventions to slow cognitive decline.

For study participants who had mild cognitive impairment and received the LGG probiotics, the Prevotella relative abundance decreased. This change coincided with improved cognitive scores, suggesting that cognitive health in older adults could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiota.

"By identifying specific shifts in the gut microbiome associated with mild cognitive impairment, we're exploring a new frontier in preventive strategies in cognitive health," said Aljumaah. "If these findings are replicated in future studies, it suggests the feasibility of using gut microbiome-targeted strategies as a novel approach to support cognitive health."

The researchers are now working to understand the specific mechanisms of how microbes like Prevotella influence the gut in a way that improves brain health. Specifically, they are exploring how certain molecules produced by these bacteria modulate the functionality of neuroprotective hormones that can cross the blood-brain barrier.
In a remarkable new development, scientists at the Department of Cancer Research (DoCR) at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) have demonstrated the powerful impact of a drug in slowing down the progression of leukemia by blocking the activation of cancer-causing genes. The findings, recently published in the prestigious international journal Blood (open-access), offer new hope for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and pave the way for innovative therapeutic avenues against cancer.

Cutting-edge research at the Luxembourg Institute of Health reveals the ground-breaking therapeutic potential of the compound FL3 in inhibiting oncogene translation and rewiring cancer cell metabolism, opening up new therapeutic opportunities for leukemia patients. Image Credit: Luxembourg Institute of Health

Leukemia, particularly CLL, is a prevalent form of cancer characterized by the overproduction and accumulation of dysfunctional B lymphocytes in various parts of the body. This study focused on inhibiting the translation (i.e. the cellular process producing proteins) of oncogenes, specifically the MYC gene, within CLL cells to rewire their metabolism and reduce their ability to multiply rapidly, thus impeding the advancement of the disease.

Led by Drs Jerome Paggetti and Etienne Moussay, the pioneering researchers from the LIH Tumor Stroma Interactions (TSI) research group conducted extensive investigations using patient samples and animal models. The team demonstrated that synthetic flavagline FL3, a known inducer of cancer cell death, effectively inhibits translation and synthesis of proteins associated with key cellular processes.

The study also revealed that CLL cells derived from patients exhibited greater sensitivity to FL3-induced death compared to healthy cells. Furthermore, by inhibiting MYC translation, low doses of FL3 induced significant changes in cellular metabolism, blocking the cell cycle and impairing growth and proliferation of both human and animal CLL cells. These findings provide strong evidence supporting the use of translation inhibitors as a selective therapeutic approach for treating CLL.

Excitingly, the researchers identified that FL3 specifically targets a group of proteins called prohibitins (PHBs) that they proved to be directly involved in translation. By disrupting the interaction between PHBs and the translation machinery, the drug FL3 hinders the initiation of translation, effectively interfering with the process and impeding cancer cell growth.

To validate the efficacy of FL3 in slowing down CLL progression, the researchers conducted in vivo experiments on mice. The results were astounding, as the treatment drastically reduced the percentage of CLL cells in the spleen and significantly improved overall survival rates. Importantly, FL3 selectively targeted malignant CLL cells without affecting healthy B cells, thus providing a promising strategy for selectively combating cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Intriguingly, when FL3 was combined with anti-PD1 immunotherapy, the outcomes were even more impressive, indicating that FL3 may also enhance anti-tumor immunity.

Our research unveils a highly translational dimension to the field of CLL treatment. We found that high expression of translation initiation-related genes and PHBs genes correlates with disease progression, poor survival, and unfavorable clinical parameters in CLL patients. By inhibiting translation, we can potentially overcome treatment resistance and offer a promising approach to tackling relapse in this challenging malignancy." Dr Anne Largeot, Senior Scientist within the TSI Group, First Author of the Study

The study, titled "Inhibition of MYC Translation through Targeting of the Newly Identified PHB-eIF4F Complex as Therapeutic Strategy in CLL," was not only published in the prestigious journal Blood but also featured on its cover page, highlighting the significance of this research.

This study was made possible through generous support from the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), Foundation Cancer, FNRS-Televie, Plooschter Projet, the Belgian Foundation for Cancer Research, the Swedish Children's Cancer Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, and the Swedish Cancer Society.
Broken bones in later life are a leading cause of disability, recurrent fracture, nursing home placement, and death.

Prior studies have shown that health care providers can prevent poor outcomes, including death, by treating patients with bone-strengthening medications and by stopping risky medications that cause falls. However, few patients receive this high-quality care because it is time consuming and requires specialized knowledge that primary care providers may not have.

Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife and Duke University will undertake a 5.5-year study that will compare two care models that have previously been shown to improve care in skilled nursing facilities. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved $10.5 million in funding to support the study, entitled "Models of Post-Acute Care in Complex Older Adults with Fracture."

Forty-two skilled nursing facilities will be enrolled in this study, which will compare two care models: a fracture liaison service in which recommendations are given to start medications to strengthen bones; and a deprescribing care model, which helps patients reduce medications that cause falls.

Both models are led by a remote nurse who will engage patients and providers in the decision making process.

The study is exciting because it will help provide patients who have recently experienced a fracture and their families to make personalized choices about starting medications to prevent more broken bones and stopping risky medications that cause falls." Sarah Berry, MD, MPH, clinical researcher at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

"The study will prepare us to spread the care models to health systems so that all patients can receive high-quality care after having a broken bone," said Cathleen S. Colon-Emeric, MD, FACP, MHS, Professor of Medicine; Chief, Division of Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine.

About the study

In random order, our study team will provide the fracture liaison service care model for 6 months, the deprescribing care model for 6 months, or both models simultaneously for 6 months. All patients who are admitted to a participating facility after a broken bone will receive the model that facility is being offered at that time. Patients will be followed for about 2 years using information that is already in their electronic health record and from Medicare to see if they have fewer injuries from falls compared to similar patients in facilities that don't offer these care models. Patients or their caregivers will be asked to complete a survey 90 days after admission. We will compare whether important symptoms like pain, anxiety, sleep, and medication side effects are different in patients treated with the different care models.
Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), accounted for 80% of new HIV infections among youth ages 1324 in 2018 and represents a priority population for HIV prevention. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine reduces HIV incidence by more than 90% in MSM, yet remains underutilized. For many young MSM, the time-period of highest HIV risk occurs during their college years. While college student health services (SHS) are uniquely positioned to provide HIV prevention services, little is known about the availability of PrEP in those settings.

A new survey of medical directors of New England colleges and universities SHS by researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has found that more than one-third of those institutions did not offer PrEP. The study reveals a substantial gap in PrEP access and a lost opportunity to reach more students during a critical time of increased HIV risk behaviors.

The low rates of PrEP coverage within the college-age group represents an untapped opportunity to deliver PrEP to college-enrolled young MSM and other students not currently reached by traditional outpatient services." Samantha Rawlins-Pilgrim, MD, MSc, corresponding author, voluntary assistant professor of medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

In an effort to determine the availability of PrEP in SHS, the researchers conducted an electronic survey of medical directors at New England colleges and universities. Of 143 institutions surveyed, 36% of institutions did not offer PrEP. Institutions that did were more likely to be four-year private schools with higher endowments.

According to the researchers, PrEP provision was strongly tied to institutional resources and medical directors noted the need for additional support staff for PrEP implementation. Among institutions not offering PrEP, the most commonly cited barriers were lack of insurance coverage, clinical monitoring requirements and staffing/time constraints. Access to on-site support staff, institutional willingness for new protocols, clinician peer champions and PrEP guidelines and protocols were identified as potential facilitators of implementation.

"SHS, particularly those at two-year and public institutions, will likely require funding to develop PrEP infrastructure. Expansion of PrEP coverage by student insurance plans as well as access to navigation for enrollment in drug assistance programs could help make PrEP accessible for more students," said Rawlins-Pilgrim, who also is an attending physician at Boston Medical Center.

These findings appear online in the Journal of American College Health.

Funding for this study was provided by a HRSA grant for the preventive medicine residency through BU (HRSA D33HP29243) and CTSI funding (1UL1TR00143) through BU.
PISCES HOROSCOPE: Pisces is a Water sign, along with Cancer and Scorpio. This makes Pisceans highly intuitive, emotional, and empathetic individuals. Pisces, the twelfth and final astrological sign in the zodiac, is associated with creativity, spirituality, and a deep connection to the subconscious.

Characterised by their compassionate and gentle nature, Pisceans are often regarded as the most empathetic and understanding among all the zodiac signs. They have a unique ability to sense the emotions and needs of others, making them excellent listeners and supportive friends. This empathetic quality can also make them sensitive and easily affected by the energies around them which is why Pisceans often seek solitude to recharge and find inner peace.

Pisceans are known for their vivid imaginations and creative talents. They possess an innate artistic flair and are drawn to various forms of art, including music, painting, writing, and acting. However, they can sometimes struggle with setting clear boundaries. Their selfless and accommodating nature may lead them to prioritise the needs of others over their own, resulting in potential feelings of being taken advantage of or overwhelmed.

As a Pisces, consider checking your astrological predictions for career growth, love life, and health to guide you in making better decisions and navigating life more effectively.

Love, Relationships

In terms of love and relationships, it is a fantastic day for married couples. Your married life will be filled with pleasure, and happiness and joy will abound within your family, creating a harmonious and delightful atmosphere.

Career and business

Career-wise, for those passionate about business, get ready to be thrilled by the fast growth of your company, and exciting opportunities await as it expands. Your success will make your family and friends happy, bringing more joy and fulfillment to your life.

Health

Remember to prioritise your mental health and avoid stressing over work. Taking care of yourself is important for your overall health.

Which planet is the ruler of Pisces?

The planet that rules Pisces is Jupiter.

How to know if you are a Pisces?

You can determine if you are a Pisces by checking if your birthday falls between February 19 and March 20.

Which signs are the best compatible signs for Pisces?

Pisces is best compatible with Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio, Virgo, Capricorn, and Taurus.

What alphabets are for Pisces?

Names starting with the letters Da, Cha, Jha, Tha, Dee, Doo, Tha, Jha, Yna, De, Do, Cha, or Chee are suitable for Pisces children.

Which days are the lucky days for Pisces?

The lucky days for Pisces are Thursday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Which numbers are lucky for Pisces?

The lucky numbers for Pisces are 9 and 12.

Which colours are the lucky colours for Pisces?

Today, the lucky color for Pisces is Yellow.

What gemstone is suggested for Pisces?

Suggested gemstones for Pisces include Yellow Sapphire, Pearl, and Red Coral.
BMWs M3 & M4 have been receiving an overwhelming response from customers, all thanks to their outstanding power and refined engines. Now, it has been reported that the company is likely to transform these vehicles into fully electric ones. Yes, you read it right.

Companys M divisions boss, Franciscus Van Meel told the media that there is a high chance that both performance-oriented M3 & M4 might be turned into EVs. He also indicated that the electric version hit the road only if it will be proved more strong than its internal combustion engine.

Heres What Companys CEO Says About M3 & M4 Electric

Informing more about the same, the companys CEO stated that every time the company creates a new generation car, it beats the previous models in terms of performance. He said if the M3 and M4 will be transformed into pure EV, and has to achieve the desired performance and must surpass ongoing ICE models. If things do not go as per the plan, the company will stick to the fuel models.

In addition, Meel said the BMW is not planning to introduce multiple engine options in the models, But, it will remain to treat customers with one as yet.

BMW M3 & M4 Next-Gen Model Launch

Amid this, customers can expect the launch next-generation model of M3 & M4 models somewhere around in 2027 or 2028.

BMW M3 and M4 Engine

Meanwhile, the current generation BMW M3 and M4 models feature a 3.0-l, litre, inline 6-cylinder, twin-turbocharged petrol engine, which churns out a max power of 503 BHP. The company claims that these cars can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 3 seconds. The performance-oriented vehicles come with a top speed of 80 mph (290 km/h).
Byjus, the edtech company, reportedly vacated its largest office space in Bengaluru as part of its cost-cutting and liquidity enhancement measures due to a funding delay. It has also relinquished a portion of another office space in the same city.

According to a report by Moneycontrol, Byjus has a total of three office spaces in Bengaluru, including the 5.58 lakh square feet property in Kalyani Tech Park that has been vacated. At least six employees confirmed to the news portal that the company has asked them to work from other premises or from home starting from July 23. Additionally, the company has given up two out of nine floors it occupied in Prestige Tech Park, as informed by the employees.

A spokesperson for Byjus stated, Byjus has over 3 million square feet of rented spaces across the country to support its requirements. Expansion and reduction in office space is based on changes in working policies and business priorities which is very regular and is aimed at boosting operational efficiencies," as quoted by Moneycontrol.

Byjus had leased two buildings, Magnolia and Ebony, in Kalyani Tech Park in Brookfield last June. It vacated Magnolia last month, shifting employees to Ebony. The employees have been asked to work from Prestige Tech Park and the main office on Baneghatta Main Road, according to their statements.

Security personnel at Kalyani Tech Park confirmed the development, stating that Byjus will exit Ebony by August. Initially, the company had leased five floors in Magnolia and six floors in Ebony. However, it has now vacated four out of the six floors in Ebony, with the remaining two floors to be given up by August.

Over the weekend, Moneycontrol visited Kalyani Tech Park and the two other remaining offices of Byjus, namely IBC Knowledge Park in Bannerghatta and Prestige Tech Park in Kadabeesanahalli, to confirm the development.

By vacating the leased office space of about 5.58 lakh sq ft, the company is expected to save close to Rs 3 crore on monthly rent.

This move to vacate office spaces by Byjus holds significance as it sheds light on the financial challenges faced by the countrys most-valued unicorn, which is grappling with various issues, including a tussle with lenders. Byjus has been seeking an infusion of over $700 million in funds since the beginning of the year but has been unable to secure it.

Last month, Byjus came under scrutiny from the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) due to non-payment of PF dues, highlighting further cash flow issues for the company.

Data on the official EPFO portal revealed that for June, the company only paid provident fund (PF) for 738 employees, despite agreeing with the EPFO to clear payments before July 15. In May, PF payments were made for close to 25,000 employees.

Byjus also implemented a cost-cutting initiative last month, leading to the layoff of over 1,000 employees. However, on July 22, Moneycontrol reported that the company assured Byjus Tuition Center (BTC) employees during an emergency townhall that there would be no further layoffs at BTCs. Nevertheless, BTC employees planned a pan-India protest on July 25 amid speculation of more layoffs.

The Enforcement Directorate searched Byjus offices in Bengaluru in April under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The company is yet to file audited results for FY22 (2021-22).

Founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, Byjus has raised over $5 billion, with a majority of the funding secured in the last five years.

In recent months, the edtech major has been grappling with multiple issues, including concerns over its corporate governance practices.

Audit firm Deloitte resigned as an auditor of Byjus citing a delay in submitting financial statements while also simultaneously three of its board members resigned which indicated the deepening of the crisis at the edtech firm.

Deloitte Haskins & Sells, which was slated to audit Byjus until 2025, stepped down with immediate effect" mid-term stating that the financial statements of the company are long delayed."

Last month, sources aware of the development said Byjus has committed to its investor to close the long-pending audit of the financial year 2022 by September and fiscal year 2023 by December.

In a call with shareholders last month, Raveendran admitted his past mistakes and assured shareholders that his learnings far outweigh any missteps.

Recently, the company said former SBI chief Rajnish Kumar and IT industry veteran T V Mohandas Pai will join its Advisory Council.
 For the last two years, the world has been restricted to homes. Daily activities that couldnt be managed without stepping out, came indoors all at once  from office to grocery shopping and schools. As the world accepts the new normal, News18 launches weekly classes for school children, explaining key chapters with examples from happenings around the world. While we try to simplify your subjects, a request to break down a topic can be tweeted @news18dotcom

India is currently facing flood havoc and is leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. While the monsoon season in India brings about 75 per cent of the annual rainfall, it is also a time of great variability and uncertainty in the country. As per the World Health Organisation, floods are increasing in frequency and intensity, and the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation are expected to continue to increase due to climate change.

Delhi received excess rain on five out of eight days, from July 3 to 10. On July 9, it recorded 221.4 mm of rain, more than the 209.7 mm that is the average for all of July. This contributed to the flooding of large parts of the city. The Yamuna River overflowed its banks due to heavy rainfall in upstream states such as Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The barrages in Delhi were unable to effectively regulate and redirect the rivers flow, leading to flooding of several areas along the river.

While this year floods are beginning to repeat the pattern of damage and destruction, let us understand this natural disaster in detail in Classes With News18.

What is a Flood?

A flood is defined as the overflow of a large amount of water on land, causing destruction. Sometimes a river might end up receiving extra water- either from heavy rains or because of other natural disasters. Due to this, the water overflows from its normal path in the river bed and onto the dry land. Water naturally flows from high areas to low-lying areas which means that low-lying areas may flood quickly.

Floods can happen suddenly or gradually over a long period. They can last up to many days or weeks or even longer, depending upon the type and extent of the flood. Out of all the natural disasters, floods are the most commonly seen all over India at certain times. It can cause widespread devastation, resulting in loss of life and damages to personal property and critical public health infrastructure.

Types of Floods

There are 3 common types of floods:

1. Flash floods: They are caused by rapid and excessive rainfall that raises water heights quickly, and rivers, streams, channels, or roads may be overtaken.

2. River floods: They are caused when consistent rain or snow melt forces a river to exceed capacity.

3. Coastal floods: They are caused by storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and tsunamis.

How Floods are Formed?

Flooding has a wide range of diverse causes. Heres a list of factors that can lead to flooding:

1. Heavy Rainfall- A lot of heavy rainfall is the main cause of flooding. Whenever there is more rain than the drainage system can take, it can cause floods. This may cause flooding, including turbulent flash flooding. The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, brings intense and erratic rainfall to different parts of the country.

2. Overflowing- The overflowing of water bodies like big rivers and lakes can cause flooding. This usually happens when there is more water upstream than usual, and as it flows downstream to the adjacent low-lying areas there is a burst and water gets into the land.

3. Dam Breaking- Dams are man-made structures that are used to hold water flowing down from a highland to a lowland. The power in the water is used to turn propellers to generate electricity. When there is a lot of rain, the water level will rise resulting in older infrastructure collapsing and causing overflow in the area. Excess water can also be intentionally released from the dam to prevent it from breaking and that can also cause floods.

4. Melting Snow and Ice- If a lot of snow melts quickly, it eventually has nowhere else to go but low-lying places. In the cold regions, heavy snow over the winter stays in solid form. Some mountains have an ice cap on them. Sometimes the ice suddenly melts when the temperature rises, resulting in a massive movement of water into dry land. This is usually called a snowmelt flood.

5. Strong Winds in Coastal Areas- Seawater can be carried by massive winds and hurricanes onto the dry coastal lands and cause flooding. This worsens if the winds carry rain with them. Sometimes even the water from the sea resulting from a tsunami can flow inland and cause damage.

Effects of Floods

Floods have a negative social, economic, and environmental impact on individuals as well as communities. The most immediate effect of a flood is the loss of life and destruction of buildings and other structures like bridges, sewerage systems, canals, etc.

Floods can also damage power generation and water supply. Lack of clean water combined with human sewage in flood waters raises the risk of waterborne diseases, which can include typhoid, cholera, and many other diseases depending upon the location of the flood. People who live in floodplains or non-resistant buildings, or lack warning systems and awareness of flooding hazards, are most vulnerable to floods.

Flood Management

1. Construction of Dams- Many dams and the reservoirs primary goal is flood control and protection. In order to provide a specific amount of room for flood waters to fill, many large dams include flood-control reservations. The level of a reservoir is kept below a particular elevation before the start of the rainy season or the summer melt season.

2. River Defences- Rivers are carefully controlled because they are prone to flooding in many nations. Levees, reservoirs, and weirs are used as defenses to stop rivers from overflowing their banks and prevent flooding.

3. Floodplains and Groundwater Replenishment- If one redirects extra water onto terrain that can soak it up, groundwater can be refilled.
Smita Sabharwal, an eminent Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2001 batch belonging to the Telangana cadre, has earned the title of The Peoples Officer" due to her proactive and responsive approach to resolving citizen issues. She holds the distinction of being the first female IAS Officer to be appointed to the Chief Ministers Office.

Presently, she serves as the Secretary to the Chief Minister of Telangana and also takes on additional responsibilities as the Secretary of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department, known as the Mission Bhagiratha Department. Her dedication and achievements have garnered widespread acclaim and admiration.

In 2000, Smita Sabharwal cracked the UPSC exam on her second attempt with AIR 4, as she couldnt crack the prelims on her first try. Remarkably, she achieved this feat at the age of 23. Subsequently, she underwent rigorous administrative training at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie in 2001. During her probationary period, she gained invaluable experience through her training in the Adilabad district, laying the foundation for her successful career in civil services.

Prior to the UPSC success, Smita had already shown exceptional academic performance by securing the All India 1st Rank in her Class 12 board exams. Her schooling was done at St. Anns in Marredpally, Hyderabad, and she pursued her B.Com degree from St. Francis Degree College for Women.

IAS Smita Sabharwal is a highly active civil service officer who enjoys significant popularity on social media. She has garnered a substantial following of over four lakh people on Twitter, where she frequently shares her views on women-related issues. Additionally, she is popular on Instagram, where she shares photos and videos, often providing insights into her studies and how she manages pressure by engaging in various activities. Smitas social media presence showcases her dedication to her profession and her efforts to connect with the public.

IAS Smita Sabharwal, originally from Darjeeling, refers to herself as an Army Brat, as her father Colonel PK Das is a retired army officer. As the Municipal Commissioner of Warangal, Smita Sabharwal implemented the innovative Fund your City" scheme, enabling the development of various public amenities like traffic junctions, foot-overbridges, bus stops and parks through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Her efforts in this role were commendable.

Following her tenure in Warangal, she took on the role of Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Taxes in Visakhapatnam, showcasing her versatility and dedication in serving different administrative positions.
Studying abroad can be financially challenging for many meritorious students who often opt out due to the expensive course fee, visa charges, accommodation and food expenses. Therefore, scholarships help many to pursue their dreams. News18 Scholarship Guide brings the best and most prestigious grants for Indian students to study in Canada, with most of them covering flight tickets, accommodation and course fee; many also provide stipend.

Canada is one of the favourite study destinations for Indian students, and is considered one of the most affordable places to pursue higher education. There are several scholarships, which offer huge concessions to international students studying in Canada, however, not many applicants are aware of them.

Finding and applying for the right scholarship requires a thorough research and evaluation of multiple sources to identify suitable options based on your eligibility, said Sayantan Biswas, Co-founder UniScholars,  a study abroad counselling expert.

Most scholarships available in Canada are government funded, university-specific, regional-area specific, need- and merit-based. News18 gives you the list of top scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada.

Presidents Scholarship for World Leaders

The scholarship is offered by the University of Winnipeg. Selected students can get scholarship worth CAD $5,000.

Who can apply: International students aiming to study at the University of Winnipeg, having at least 80% admission average (average of marks obtained in top six subjects in Class 12).

Selection Procedure: Students should have the required score. They will also be assessed based on their application form, personal statement, references, and Curriculum Vitae. Students also need to demonstrate leadership qualities, which they can show in their certificates.

Where to apply: Interested candidates can apply at https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/awards/awards-bursaries-and-scholarships/international-students.html#pswl

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The competitive scholarship is offered to international students for three years during their doctoral studies. They are eligible to avail the scholarship worth $ CAD 50,000. Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annually, depending on the funds.

Who can apply: The scholarship is for students who want to pursue research in health research, natural science or engineering, and social science and humanities. Candidates who are pursuing their first doctoral degree including joint programmes such as MD/PhD or MBA/PhD can apply. Candidates need to be nominated by their institute.

Selection Procedure: Candidates are selected based on their academic score, research potential, and leadership qualities.

ALSO READ: Scholarship Guide | Top 8 Govt & University Grants That Will Help Fulfil Your Dream to Study in US

Where to apply: Candidates can apply at vanier.gc.ca

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The University of Toronto and Province of Ontario award $CAD 5,000 per session to students under the Ontario graduate scholarship. It covers one-third of the cost of the total award received by the students. Each scholarship is for one year, which may consist of two or three consecutive sessions, based on the course. The grants can extend up to two years for masters students and four years for doctoral students.

Who can apply: Canadian residents as well as international students can apply for the scholarship. Applicant must be enrolled in a full-time graduate degree programme at the University of Toronto.

Selection Procedure: Candidates will be shortlisted based on their profile, which includes their application form, transcripts of study, previous awards, published research, plan of study, and two academic references

Where to apply: Candidates can apply at the official website - sgs.utoronto.ca/awards/ontario-graduate-scholarship/

ALSO READ: Scholarship Guide | Studying in UK Can Be Affordable, Less Daunting; News18 Brings You Top 10 Grants

Merit Scholarships from Quebec Government

The Quebec government offers several scholarships to international students at both college and university level in vocational and technical training. Under the scholarship, students will get exemption from differential tuition fee payment, and health and hospital insurance. For doctoral students, the scholarship is worth $CAD 25,000 for up to three years, $CAD 35,000 for postdoctoral, and $CAD 3,000 per month for up to four months for short-term research and professional development.

Who can apply: Candidates who wish to study doctoral, post-doctoral, or short-term professional courses at Quebec University can apply. Students must have studied technical training programme at college level.

Selection Process: The students application will be first selected by the universities and then submitted to authorities.

Where to apply: Interested candidates can apply at https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/study-quebec/financial-assistance-international-students/merit-scholarships

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Canadian citizens as well as international students can apply for Banting postdoctoral fellowship. This years deadline will conclude on September 20. The scholarship will be worth $CAD 70,000 for two years. Banting postdoctoral researchers may travel and conduct field research, however, they must continue to be based at their host institution.

Who can apply: The candidates need to be interested in pursuing research in areas including health research, natural sciences and/or engineering, and social sciences and/or humanities.

Selection Procedure: A selecting committee shortlists candidates based on their research and leadership skills in their research domain, quality of applicants proposed research programme, and institutional commitment of the candidate.

Where to apply: banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca

Dick Martin Scholarship Award

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) funds Dick Martin scholarship annually. The scholarship offers $CAD 3,000 to students enrolled in health and safety related courses. An award of $CAD 500 will be granted to each of the winning students academic institutions.

Who can apply: Students who are enrolled in Canadian universities to study occupational health and safety (OHS) and related courses can apply for the scholarship. This is applicable for diploma, certificate, and degree courses such as mine safety, industry and occupational safety and safety management.

Selection Procedure: Candidates are selected based on the essay, cover letter, and application form. Candidates need to submit prevention and technical essays. The deadline to submit the essays is January 31 every year. Essays will be evaluated based on intellectual content (50% weightage), practical value (20% weightage), theory value (20% weightage) and presentation (10% weightage).

Where to apply: Candidates can apply at ccohs.ca/scholarship/

Research Award

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) awards scholarships to candidates who want to pursue research in Climate-Resilient Food Systems, Democratic and Inclusive Governance, Education and Science, Ethics in Development Research, Global Health, Policy and Evaluation, and Sustainable Inclusive Economies. Awardees in Ottawa will be considered full-time non-union employees of IDRC. The salary range is CA$42,033-CA$48,659. The awardee in Nairobi is considered a term employee. The salary range is 2,032,072 to 3,204,520 KES

Who can apply: Students from low or middle-income countries including India with a work permit valid for full-time work in Canada can apply. Applicant must have completed or be studying a masters degree in Canadian universities.

Selection Procedure: Applicant must be interested in pursuing research in relevant courses with field research of no more than three months. Candidates will be selected based on research quality and academic qualifications. Masters degree holders will be given priority.

Where to apply: https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg04/ats/careers/v2/searchResults?org=IDRC&cws=69

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

The highly competitive scholarship considers both Canadian as well as international students. It is available to research scholars for a tenure of three years. Selected candidates receive up to $CAD 40,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses; up to $ CAD 20,000 per year for three years for learning languages, travel and accommodations for the foundations leadership programme and research, networking, and travel related to their doctoral research.

Who can apply: International candidates who have been accepted in full-time course in Canadian universities can apply. Applicants need to showcase strong academic performance.

Selection Procedure: Candidates application will be first shortlisted. Then, the selected ones will have to participate in a group and sit for personal interviews, which are conducted in official languages  English/French. The language can be opted based on candidates skills.

Where to apply: Candidates can apply at www.trudeaufoundation.ca

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship

Canadian universities in collaboration with Rideau Hall Foundation offer Queen Elizabeth Scholarships to students for research and study in Canada. Under this, a funding of $CAD 1,600,000 is available. The maximum amount per project proposal is $CAD 300,000. The deadline for current year was closed on July 21.

Who can apply: Students interested in conducting research in relevant areas while studying in Canada can apply. It is also available to Canadian students aiming to study elsewhere

Selection Procedure: Candidates will be selected based on the quality of proposals submitted and the academic performance. Applicants also need to submit the letter of support from their Canadian university.

Where to apply: Candidates can apply at univcan.ca.

Other Scholarships

Several other scholarships include NSERC Indigenous Student Ambassadors, Ontario Trillium Scholarship, partnership Grants by Social Sciences and 7 Humanities Research Council of Canada, Partnership Grants by Social Science and Humanities Research Council in Canada, Canada-ASEAN SEED, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada among others.

The Canadian government also provides provincial scholarships to boost students studying in regional areas including Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and Western Canada. While some such scholarships have been mentioned, students can also check government websites for more details. Graduate Student Scholarships, Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarships, Manitoba Arts Council Scholarship, Atlantic Canada Credit Unions Bursary Program, Nurses Association of New Brunswick Scholarship, IEEE Scholarships, Graduate Student Scholarships, Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarships, Manitoba Arts Council Scholarship, Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarships, Saskatchewan Nurses Foundation Bursaries, Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarships, and Saskatchewan Nurses Foundation Bursaries are to name a few.

Students can refer to their college or university website to identify niche scholarships. Government agencies including EduCanada too list details about the scholarship programmes across Canada.
Studying abroad can be financially challenging for many meritorious students who often opt out due to the expensive course fee, visa charges, accommodation and food expenses. Therefore, scholarships help many to pursue their dreams. News18 Scholarship Guide brings the best and most prestigious grants for Indian students to study in Canada, with most of them covering flight tickets, accommodation and course fee; many also provide stipend.

Being affordable and immigrant-friendly nation, Canada is one of the top choices of Indian students to study abroad. There are thousands of students who apply to study in Canada. However, not every student who studies in Canada gets a scholarship. Despite having a wide range of grants, several Indian students shy off from these while others miss the deadlines or do not apply to as many scholarships as they can. This reduces their chances of being selected. Scholarships are granted based on academic merit, co-curricular activities, portfolio, region among several other criteria.

To increase their chances to get a scholarship, students need to first research about the right kind of scholarship that would work for them.

Karunn Kandoi, Chief Experience Officer at ApplyBoard,  a Canandian educational technology company that offers platform to international students to reach out to schools, and recruiters, as well as offers several scholarship and internship opportunities  told News18 that research is key.

Students should conduct a thorough research on Canadian universities and institutions to identify those that offer scholarships specifically designed for international students. University websites often provide comprehensive information about available scholarships, including details on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and procedures. Also, exploring scholarships offered by the Canadian government is crucial. Government agencies and provincial ministries of educations websites like EduCanada offer valuable insights into funding programmes for international students. Using scholarship search engines and online databases specialised in listing scholarships for international students in Canada can also be useful.

Go Beyond Academics

Academic excellence is highly valued by scholarship providers, so maintaining a strong academic record throughout their education is vital, however, scholarship committees often look for candidates who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and active participation in extracurricular activities, Kandoi said. Be authentic in your applications, be unique, and tell your story of what a scholarship will mean to you, your future, and the impact you hope to make. By following these steps, international students from India can significantly enhance their chances.

The task of students starts ahead of the application process. Sayantan Biswas, Co-founder UniScholars  a study abroad counselling expert  warns students to be consider a few prerequisites before applying for the grant. You must have secured admission to a full-time undergraduate, masters, or doctoral programme at a recognised Canadian university. The other prerequisite is having a resilient academic record and meeting the required English language proficiency scores. Some scholarships also place importance on volunteering or participation in extracurricular activities, so it is advisable to have prior involvement in such endeavours. By fulfilling these criteria, you can position yourself as a strong candidate when applying for scholarships in Canada.

Start Early

Having a correct application, a nice essay, and a perfect portfolio will still fail to fetch a scholarship, if it is not applied at the right time.

Stating that one of the most important things to secure a scholarship is to start early, Biswas said, The best time to apply is one year before students entry date. The trust, foundation, and corporate scholarship deadlines are typically 8-9 months before the intake begins. Only university-based scholarships that require an offer letter are the last to close; they do so five months before the start date.

Kandoi explains scholarships often have strict deadlines, and failure to submit all required documents on time can lead to disqualification. Therefore, to avoid making such mistakes, students should read the guidelines carefully, tailor their applications accordingly, seek feedback on their essays, and maintain a timeline.

Students should invest time in crafting compelling and well-structured essays that effectively communicate their motivations, aspirations, and unique qualities, he stressed.
Administrations in charge of education are assessing the situation and urging the closure of schools in a number of states today as persistently heavy rain continues to hamper day-to-day movements in many states throughout the country.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is experiencing torrential rains, which have resulted in several areas of the state being waterlogged. The Raigad district collector has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges today. The District Collector, Yogesh Mhase, made this announcement in response to the Orange Alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) for Raigad.

Karnataka

Given that the India Meteorological Department anticipates rain in several regions of Karnataka over the next 24 hours, educational establishments in various districts had been told to remain closed on July 24. Numerous districts, including Dharwad, are anticipated to get moderate to severe rains. Due to the heavy rains, primary schools, high schools, Pre-University (PU), and degree colleges in Karnatakas Dharwad district will be closed on Monday. Dharwad District Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde announced the one-day holiday for educational institutions. Schools and higher education institutes in the districts of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, and Udupi have announced a holiday for today, July 25.

Kerala

In Kerala, all educational institutions, including professional colleges and Anganwadis, were ordered to be closed on July 24, as a result of an orange alert from the India Meteorological Department. This order was extended for today July 25 as well. In addition to a yellow alert issued for the district of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram, the IMD on Sunday issued orange alerts for Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kasaragod.

The decision however does not apply to the Kannur University PSC examinations, which will be held as scheduled despite the fact that all educational institutions in these Kerala districts would be closed.

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh schools in the impacted Nirmand and Ani sub-divisions of Kullu district were ordered to remain closed till today, July 25, due to torrential rains, landslides, and road closures, which posed serious dangers to the safety of both students and teachers.

Telangana

Due to the severe rains in the state, the Telangana government has ordered that the school hours be altered. The state education department has mandated that schools begin at 9.30 am starting today, with primary schools being open until 4.15 pm, while middle and high schools functioning until 4.45 pm. The primary schools located on the high school campus follow the same schedule. Hyderabad and Secunderabad, however, must adhere to the regular academic schedule, hence these times are not applicable there.

In other news, following an outbreak of conjunctivitis, the Longding district authorities in Arunachal Pradesh ordered the temporary closure of all schools from July 25 to July 29 in the Kanubari sub-division.
Arjun Bijlani, a renowned face in the TV industry, has currently enthralled the audience with his performance in the daily soap Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti. His portrayal of Dr Shiv Kashyap is being appreciated by his fans, and the plot has kept them hooked. Arjun has been cast opposite Nikki Sharma in the show, and even their chemistry on screen is well-received. The actor has a massive following and keeps sharing work and personal updates on social media. Recently, Arjun shared some behind-the-scenes clips from the shoot for his series, hinting that some action-packed scenes are in store for the viewers.

Arjun Bijlani shared a short reel on his Instagram handle with the caption, Today was a tough day on set while working, but we still managed to smile and laugh in between !!". In the clip, the actor is first seen discussing the shot with the team members. Arjun and Nikki Sharma then perform a romantic scene together where the actress twirls and ends up face-to-face with the actor. Moving forward, Arjun also engages in a fight scene where he tackles multiple people together. They also shot some intense scenes where the actor was lying on the floor.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arjun Bijlani (@arjunbijlani)

Arjun Bijlanis co-star, Nikki Sharma, commented on his post, saying, Romance amidst action. Waah." Even his fans were excited to get a sneak peek of what to expect next on the show. One of them said, Wow, Shiv in action. Cant wait for upcoming episodes." While another fan wrote, We love the show too much, Arjun Sir."

Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti premiered on July 3 on Zee TV. It is produced by Prateek Sharma under the banner of Studio LSD Private Limited and is a spin-off of the channels popular show, Pyar Ka Pehla Naam: Radha Mohan. While Arjun Bijlani plays Shiv, Nikki Sharma plays the role of Shakti Sharma. The plot revolves around how the two cross paths and become each others support system. Apart from this, Arjun Bijlani is also filming for the upcoming season of the hit reality show, India Got Talent. He will serve as the host of this show, which gives a platform to diverse talents across the nation.
Sunil Grover enjoys a huge fan following and there is no doubt that he is one of the most popular comedians in the industry. There have been times when he has left his fans in splits from his act. Just like this one. Sunil was recently spotted selling corn at a roadside stall. The video immediately went viral on social media leaving his fans curious about his act.

In the video, shared by Instant Bollywood, Sunil is seen roasting corn on a stove in a corn stall. The stall owner is seen standing and smiling while Sunil roasts corn. The comedian actor is enjoying snacks while it is raining. Sunil used a Mission Impossible song for this clip and the caption reads, Looking for next mission !" The same video was shared on his Instagram handle too. Fans rushed to the comment section. One of the fans wrote, Hes the best comedian of this country. Another wrote, Really missing you #kapilsharmashow.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood)

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sunil was asked if he was open to working with Kapil again. Interestingly, Kapil has said in his interviews over several years that Sunil is welcome on his show.

Sunil Grover was last seen in a web series titled United Kacche. Directed by Manav Shah, the 8-episode web series is shot in the United Kingdom. The story revolves around the challenging lives of immigrants in London. Apart from Sunil Grover, the light-hearted drama stars Satish Shah, Sapna Pabbi, Nikhil Vijay, Manu Rishi Chaddha, Nayani Dixit, and Neelu Kohli in crucial roles.

Sunil Grover will also be seen in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan, which is being directed by Atlee. The much-awaited film also features Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi and Sanya Malhotra in key roles. It will also feature Sanjay Dutt in an adrenaline-pumping cameo. The film is releasing on September 7. The makers have recently released the teaser which was loved by fans.
A 30-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began a survey on Monday at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. The team carried out the inspection to determine if the mosque was built on top of an ancient Hindu temple.

However, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that no ASI survey will be conducted of the mosque complex till July 26. The SCs order came while hearing a petition filed by the mosque management committee challenging the Allahabad High Courts decision, which had upheld the right of five Hindu women to worship inside the Gyanvapi mosque.

As the Supreme Court has ordered a stay on the Allahabad High Court order, News18 explains the development in the case so far:

About the Gyanvapi Mosque

The Gyanvapi Mosque has been a subject of extensive legal and historical debate as many Hindu groups believe that the mosque stood atop a demolished portion of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The mosque is located close to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple and the current judicial proceedings started after a group of women sought permission for daily prayers before the idols on its outer walls.

Several petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court, and Varanasi court regarding the Gyanvapi mosque case. The petitions seek to address various aspects of the dispute, including the mosques alleged construction by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and the right to worship inside the disputed site.

The Gyanvapi Masjid Case So Far
Five Bangladeshi women were rescued and three people were arrested in Siliguri in northern West Bengal as police busted a major human trafficking ring, officials said on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Siliguri Metro Police intercepted them near the New Jalpaiguri railway station late on Sunday night, they said.

The three accused, who are Indians, started from Dhaka with the five women on Saturday. They crossed the international border at Uttar Dinajpur districts Domohona area, and reached Siliguri.

The three accused used to bring in women from Bangladesh and create fake Indian documents for them, before smuggling them to different locations in the country and abroad, police said.

The accused are being interrogated, and it is being investigated whether they are connected to any larger international trafficking gang, police said.
The Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh has apprehended 74 Rohingyas who were allegedly living illegally in the country during a statewide crackdown on Monday, according to a senior official.

The ATS has been getting information about Rohingyas residing in various districts of UP after crossing the Indian border illegally, he said.

The information was verified by district and field units, and on Monday, with the help of local police, ATS conducted a drive and apprehended 74 Rohingyas from the state, Special DG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said in a statement issued here.

Among them, 16 are females including two minors and 58 are men including three minors, he said.

Legal action is underway against them in the district by lodging FIRs, he said.

A maximum of 31 Rohingyas were held from Mathura followed by 17 in Aligarh, 16 in Hapur, four each in Ghaziabad and Meerut and two in Saharanpur, it said.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled their homes following an alleged crackdown by the Myanmarese military.
At least 13 people have been arrested so far in connection with a clash over an objection to hoisting a religious flag close to a place of worship of another community in Bihars Darbhanga district, police said on Monday.

The clash broke out near Bazar Samiti Chowk on Sunday in Darbhanga town in the northern part of the state.

Bihar Police Additional Director General (Headquarters) JS Gangwar said the situation is now completely under control in the Bazar Samiti area.

Adequate forces have been deployed in the area. The local police have so far arrested 13 people after registering a case. The district police are keeping a vigil in and around the locality, he told reporters in Patna.

Members of both communities indulged in stone-pelting until the situation was brought under control by the police and the local administration on Sunday.

Darbhanga District Magistrate Rajiv Raushan had convened a meeting of the peace committee, which comprised members of both communities.

It was advised that no flags be put up at places where these have not been hoisted in the past or where locals have any objection. Also, the district administration be informed in advance about spots where these flags are to be hoisted so that adequate arrangements are in place, the DM said on Sunday.

Senior Superintendent of Police Avakash Kumar said the dispute would have been resolved amicably but some anti-social elements from both sides began hurling stones.

Some police personnel had also received minor injuries in the incident.

The Bihar Police intensified its social media surveillance to identify and trace people who post provocative, objectionable and blasphemous content that might disturb peace in view of the ongoing festive seasons in the state, another senior officer said.

The Economic Offences Unit of the state police has already alerted 44 cyber police stations and district administrations to monitor provocative, objectionable and hatred-filled messages on social media platforms and also to identify and act against persons or organisations involved in such illegal acts, the official said.
David, 32, who was working as a chef in Mumbai, recently returned to Manipur to take care of his 64-year-old father. When the conflict broke out in the state, David became part of the group of men protecting the Longsai village. According to his family, David was brutally killed on the morning of July 2. The assassins decapitated him, roamed around with his head, and also shot a video, they added.

His brother Abraham told News18, What we came to know is that he and his friend were trapped. His friend hid himself in the bushes. He told us later that one person from the mob said, Dont shoot him. Cut off his hands, legs, and head. They circulated this video. We did file a zero FIR in Churachandpur district, but since the thana is on the other side, nothing happened. We want justice."

Davids father Lalkhumlien was in tears. The family said he talks to his sons photo. He underwent surgery following a heart attack a couple of months ago and cant speak properly anymore, they added.

He asks everyone why did they do such a gruesome thing to David. He did not do anything. He was preparing to go back to Mumbai," said Davids uncle Buonkhawlien.

Police sources say a zero FIR was lodged and a report was prepared.

Recently, viral videos from Manipur showed two women paraded naked, in a sexual assault case reported in May that triggered sharp reactions from politicians, celebrities as well as people across the country, and also prompted the authorities to act.

The Supreme Court too expressed deep concern on Thursday over the videos, with Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud calling on the government to take immediate action.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any significant business during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament amid a stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.

The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the issue with the union home minister replying to it, but the opposition is demanding that the Prime Minister should make a statement first.
A 40-year-old woman was mauled to death by a lion in a village in Gujarats Gir Somnath district, a forest official said on Monday.

The incident took place near Vaodara-Dodiya village in Verval taluka on Sunday evening, the official said.

Bhanuben Amheda had ventured into a forest with a few other women from the village to collect wood when a lion attacked her, range forest officer Khimanand Pampaniya said.

The forest of Vadodara-Dodiya is situated near the seashore and lions have been spotted in the area in the past as well, he said.

A group of five to six women of Vadodara-Dodiya village went to collect wood in the forest on Sunday afternoon. When they were returning home, a lion attacked Bhanuben and dragged her inside the forest. On learning about the attack, forest personnel launched a search," the RFO said.

The womans body was finally recovered this morning, he said.

Lions use this forest as a corridor to go from one place to another. They dont live here. Our staff is scanning the entire region to locate the animal," the official said.
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Varanasi Courts order for a detailed scientific survey" by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine the status of the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple until 5 pm on July 26. Chief Justice DY Chandrachuds bench has also directed the Allahabad High Court to hear an appeal filed by the mosque committee before the expiry of its order.

The Varanasi court had on Friday issued a directive to the ASI to conduct a survey, which may involve excavations as needed to ascertain whether the mosque was constructed on a site where a temple is believed to have existed previously.

In accordance to the court orders, a 30-member team of the ASI entered the Gyanvapi complex on Monday morning to carry out a scientific survey. The lawyers representing the Muslim side cited the Supreme Court hearing on the matter regarding the survey order and demanded that the date for conducting the exercise be postponed.

The top court had sealed the mosques wazukhana" (a small reservoir for Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions) after the Hindu side claimed the structure found there to be a shivling, while the Muslim side contended that it was a fountain. Following an earlier Supreme Court order, the Varanasi court has said the entire mosque complex except the wazukhana" area would not be included in the survey.

Supreme Court Stays ASI Survey

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, told the Supreme Court that the difficulty lies in the fact that the order for the ASI survey of the entire premises was passed on Friday.

Ahmadi requested an immediate stay of the ASI work, expressing concerns that the task had been undertaken in a tearing hurry" without giving the aggrieved party sufficient time to file an appeal.

He pointed out that the Allahabad High Court had previously suspended a contentious archaeological survey of the premises to ascertain if a Hindu temple was partly demolished to construct the 17th-century mosque.

Ahmadi said that the District Courts order for a scientific survey/excavation" effectively nullified the High Courts ruling. He cautioned that any excavation on the premises would risk violating the Supreme Courts orders to seal the wazukhana area. Failure to fulfill this request would be considered a contempt of your orders," he added.

Senior Advocate Shyam Diwan, representing the Hindu side, presented the court with the order of the Varanasi Court directing the ASI survey of the premises.

As Advocate Ahmadi, opposed the submissions made by the Hindu side, Diwan stated that the techniques used in the survey, such as GPR (Ground-Penetrating Radar), are all non-invasive.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the bench that the ASI is currently conducting photography and radar-imaging at the site and there is no ongoing invasive or excavation work.

As the SC bench clarified that their proposal pertains to not doing anything that is excessive, Advocate Ahmadi questioned how the District Court could order the collection of scientific evidence when even the oral evidence was yet to commence in the suit under Order 7, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, which deals with the maintainability of a suit.

The ASI team was conducting excavation work near the Western wall," he told the top court.

The CJI-led bench, after hearing the arguments, temporarily stayed the implementation of Varansi courts order until Wednesday evening. The mosque committee was instructed to file an appeal during this period.

We will give you time until Wednesday. You move the High Court tomorrow, so that the matter can be heard by them on Wednesday," CJI said to the Muslim side.

We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to the mosque committee," said the bench that also comprised Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Following the Supreme Courts order, Varanasi District Magistrate S Rajalingam stated that the administration will comply with the top courts order. He mentioned that on Friday, the district court issued an order directing the ASI to conduct the survey, and in accordance with that order, the ASI had sought access from the district administration. The role of the district administration is limited to providing access to the ASI, ensuring compliance with the courts order, he said.

Varanasi District Judge A K Vishvesh has directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by August 4, along with video clips and photographs of the survey proceedings.

(With inputs from agencies)
The BJP feels that it has got the narrative back in its favour in Madhya Pradesh with the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana. The party is planning a blitzkrieg campaign to build on the same with five Yatras across the state from September, to cut a record number of tickets of MLAs to opt for new faces, and get key projects inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Both home minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda will be in Bhopal this week for a review. A top party leader told News18 that the party did seem to be in a state of bother till a month ago but the rollout of the Ladli Behna Yojana this June has turned the tide towards the BJP and deflated Kamal Naths promise to give Rs 1,500 per month to women.

Under the scheme, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has transferred two monthly payouts of Rs 1,000 each to 1.25 crore women in the state. He has promised to increase the amount gradually to Rs 3,000. By next month, the government may increase the amount to Rs 1,500 per month for women to match Kamal Naths promise, the BJP leader quoted above said.

BJP cadres are being told to take the schemes message door-to-door after the party received positive feedbacks from the ground with the amount started getting credited to womens bank accounts, state BJP chief VD Sharma told News18.

Kamal Nath, however, last week told News18 that this was a last desperate move by the BJPs CM in the last 16 years.

Cognizant of anti-incumbency at the local level against its MLAs, the BJP is also set to deny tickets to a record number of MLAs and put up new faces.

5 Yatras, Tomars Appointment

BJP is chalking out a plan for five key Yatras across the state from September to be led by CM Chouhan, VD Sharma and Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Narendra Singh Tomar. In fact, Tomars appointment as the chief of the campaign committee recently has been another positive development as he has close connect with the party cadre who see him as a veteran and reliable leader. The CM also has perfect chemistry with Tomarthe earlier divisions in the party unit due to old vs new leadership issue have diminished with Tomars appointment, a senior BJP leader pointed out.

PM to Inaugurate Big Projects

BJP is planning a big bhoomi poojan by PM Modi of Sant Ravidas temple in Sagar district on August 12 at the cost of Rs 100 crore. This is being seen as a major outreach to the SC community. The BJP is starting a campaign from July 25 under which soil would be brought from all villages of the state and water will be brought from 350 rivers across the country for the construction of the temple. The CM had announced this project in February; MP has a sizeable SC community.

Another key project whose big-bang inauguration is planned at the hands of PM Modi is the Ben-Ketwa river interlocking project for which one lakh people are expected to arrive with jal kalash to take the water back home. BJP believes the project will enhance its electoral fortunes in Bundelkhand as 9 lakh hectares of land will be irrigated through the same and drinking water will be supplied to over 60 lakh people.

The government is also fast-tracking the metro projects in Bhopal and Indore for which it is pushing for the trial runs of trains before the state assembly elections scheduled to be held in November-December.

The Chief Minister is on a Vikas Parv Yatra till August 14 to inaugurate or lay foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore.
The letter wars between Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and governor Banwarilal Purohit continue unabated with the latter shooting off another missive. The governor says that the letters sent by him are lying unattended and that he has been receiving various complaints of corruption. The letter by Purohit to Mann on Monday evening seems to have been triggered by a statement by the CM a day earlier, in which he had stated it is unfortunate that the Governor didnt know if the session was legal or illegal and hasnt taken any legal opinion.

Mann was referring to the letter sent to him by the governor last Monday, in which he had questioned the legality of four bills passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on June 19-20, saying that the session itself was in breach of law and procedure.

For your information, opinion has been taken from one of the leading constitutional expert. Crux of the opinion is attached for your knowledge, which clearly mentions that the house so summoned was patently illegal. Now nothing remains to be responded to your comments, said the governor in the letter.

The legal opinion, a copy of which has also been sent to the CM, said that though it is within the Speakers power to adjourn the meeting of House sine-die, but once the business of the meeting is over and nothing remains to be transacted, the meeting cannot be artificially kept alive. Once the business of the House, as specified in the List of Business to be transacted is over, the business of the meeting itself has come to an end.

It further said that unless it is evident that some aspect specified on the list of business remained incomplete, there would survive no cause to permit the Speaker to adjourn the meeting, much less adjourn it sine die. It is clear from the letter of the secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, dated June 14, that the business of the adjourned meeting summoned was not only connected with the Budget, but in fact, there existed no unfinished agenda which required the meeting, the governor wrote.

The prejudice caused by not proroguing the House and by adjourning it sine-die can be seen from the effect it has had on the Bills passed. At least 4 bills which have no connection with the Budget have been passed. These include The Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Amendment Bill 2023, The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Sikh Gurudwara (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023. Had the House been prorogued after the Budget Session and had these Bills not been rushed through the adjourned meeting, they would have had to wait till the Monsoon session to come up before the House. This would have enabled the Bills to be properly studied and debated before they were enacted into laws. Thus, apart from the patent illegality that these Bills did not concern the Budget and could never be treated as an extension of the Budget Session, the greater flaw in the procedure was that the law was pushed through the legislature without public consultation or debate, the letter said.

The governor said that though the CM calls these love letters, he would like to remind Mann that he is duty-bound to furnish the information sought by the governor.

Not supplying of the information is a clear violation of the Article 167 of the Constitution. During the debate in the assembly you have taken pot-shots about the Governor, which is not liked by the people as the utterances by the Chief Minister are not befitting to the post. You should also keep in mind that I, as Governor, am a constitutional authority appointed by the President of India and entrusted with duty to ensure a just, fair and honest administration and has to see that the Governance is corruption free," he wrote.
Ishtiaq Ahmed, a Swedish political scientist and author of Pakistani descent, in an exclusive interview to CNN-News18, said that there is no fear among ordinary Muslims in India from the majority community.

They go about their business like any other normal citizen, said the professor emeritus of Political Science, Stockholm University.

ALSO READ | Partition Was Blunder, India Doing Good on Most Fronts: Pak-origin Political Expert Ishtiaq Ahmed

Ahmed, however, said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) practises votebank politics. I pointed out even to people from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), how they dont have a single BJP Muslim MP.

ON THE UCC

Ahmed said that he was a strong believer in the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Muslim women should not be discriminated against. If there are common criminal laws, there is no reason why there cant be common civil laws. I call it the common citizen code, he said.

The UCC, in effect, means one law which would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, maintenance, among others. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said India needed a UCC, as the country could not run with the dual system of separate laws for separate communities, the Uttarakhand government said its draft with provisions for the age of girls for marriage and conditions for live-in relationships, among others, was ready and would be implemented soon. Muslim organisations reacted strongly to the announcement.

ALSO READ | News18 Mega UCC Poll: 67.2% Muslim Women Support Common Law for Marriage, Divorce, Inheritance

However, Indias biggest Uniform Civil Code (UCC) survey conducted exclusively by the News18 Network found that at least 67.2% of Muslim women support a common law for all Indians for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance.

News18's #MegaUCCPoll reveals, 67.2% of India's Muslim women said yes when asked if they support a common law for marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance;"I'm not at all surprised by the results. You've (News18) given a voice to Indian Muslim women": Activist pic.twitter.com/sNyKevFOta  News18 (@CNNnews18) July 10, 2023

JINNAH NEVER WANTED SECULAR MUSLIM DEMOCRACY

Elaborating on Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnahs ideals, Ahmed said, He never wanted a secular Muslim democracy. His idea was always to make Pakistan an ethno-religious state. I have analysed looking at his various books.

His only fear was of Muslims who stayed behind in India rushing to Pakistan and overwhelming the state, he added.
A delegation of the Jain Heritage Foundation (JHF) recently concluded its historic pilgrimage to Pakistan in May, marking the first visit by a Jain Acharya to the neighbouring country in 75 years. But their journey wasnt without constant inconvenience and other nuisance by Pakistani officials that left a lasting impression on the religious group visiting the country for the first time.

In a letter to the Pakistani High Commission, dated July 6, JHF General Secretary Ashwani Jain expressed gratitude" for the hospitality shown by the host country to the delegation as he recounted a number of unpleasant experiences that the Jain group had to face during their trip.

Earlier in May, a group of Indian Jain monks embarked on a journey to Lahore, Gujranwala, and other sites of religious significance in the country, via the Wagah border. Their visit, extensively covered by Pakistans press and social media, was hailed as a path-breaking moment. However, during their trip, the Jain delegation faced some peculiar incidents.

First on the list of grateful experiences" was their Pakistani host, Zahid Karmawala, who was allegedly compelled to cover the expenses of meals for not just the delegation but also all police and security personnel accompanying them.

Our Host, Mr. Zahid Karmawala was forced to pay for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner of all Police personnel and other security agency personnel. Besides this, he was regularly harassed by almost all security authorities to provide information, phone and videos regarding our every movement, the letter read.

In the letter, Ashwani Jain also recalled how the Pakistani authorities seemed particularly interested in the delegations every movement, requesting information, photos, and videos.

Besides this, the Jain delegation reported that several valuables, including shoes, dresses, utensils, and presents, mysteriously went missing during their time in Gujranwala. One significant religious event held at the Gujranwala Temple left the pilgrims astonished when security personnel were present within the sacred premises, deeply hurting their religious sentiments.

Despite the unique experiences," the Jain Heritage Foundation requested the Pakistani authorities to view their concerns as constructive feedback rather than complaints. They hoped for improved measures to ensure that future Jain pilgrims would not have to face similar inconveniences and that the warm and hospitable image of the Pakistani government and people would remain intact.

We request you not to treat these issues as complaints, but you should put in place such measures so that such unpleasant situation does not recur in future inconveniencing Jain pilgrims in the future and tarnish the image of a warm and hospitable Govt. and people of Pakistan, the letter read.

The delegation concluded by expressing their desire to undertake such pilgrimages regularly in the future and looked forward to receiving warm hospitality" during their next visit to Pakistan.

(With input from Shalinder Wangu)
CNN-News18 has accessed explosive details of Kashmir Media Service (KMS) News, a Pakistan-based online propaganda news portal, which has been proactively uploading anti-India and pro-separatism content since its inception.

This news portal (https://www.kmsnews.org) is purely dedicated to what they call the Freedom Movement of Kashmir. The portal vehemently presents Pakistanis and separatists perspective of Kashmir and serves as a mouthpiece for the separatist camp. This online portal highlights every small to large anti-India incident and provides a platform to carry forward their agenda against India, according to top intelligence sources.

ALSO READ | Development of J-K Since Article 370 Abrogation Just the Beginning of Its Transformation: LG Sinha

KMS News presents falsified and distorted facts, analysis and self-compiled fabricated researches on issues pertaining to Kashmir. The main motive of this Pakistan-based news portal is to mislead the international community and defame the government of Jammu and Kashmir to boost the presence, influence and relevance of the separatist camp and terror outfits and to project separatists as true representatives of the people of Kashmir, said sources.

The portal hosts Radio Sada-e-Hurriyat on its website, which is also a propaganda peddling medium against India. The website also maintains a data of alleged human rights (HR) violations (in picture, above) since 1989 in the valley, as well as year-wise list of such violations allegedly due to state action. It also reproduces various media reports from international journals, HR reports and Turkish media, and, of late, news reports critical of the Government of India from some of the Indian publications.

The KMS group, also runs Kashmir Insight, a 32-page monthly magazine, which is available on Scribd.com and is full of propaganda reports against India. The column brings out the alleged HR violations in the valley each month with a list of incidents and other details. The last publication was in February 2020. The portal has been restricted for Indian IPs since April 2021.

THE PEOPLE INVOLVED: ACCORDING TO INTEL SOURCES

Raies Mir: Originally from Sopore area of Baramulla District, Mir is presently in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and works as the associate editor of the KMS. He did his Masters at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Mir contributes to Human Rights column of the magazine Kashmir Insight published by the KMS, wherein he presents facts and figures regarding the alleged human rights violations. The monthly propaganda magazine is being published by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference PoJK, Rawalpindi, with Mohd Raza Malik as its editor. A majority of the content on his social media profiles is from KMS News. There is not much information about him on open source. Some of his social media are withheld in India.

Originally from Sopore area of Baramulla District, Mir is presently in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and works as the associate editor of the KMS. He did his Masters at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Mir contributes to Human Rights column of the magazine Kashmir Insight published by the KMS, wherein he presents facts and figures regarding the alleged human rights violations. The monthly propaganda magazine is being published by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference PoJK, Rawalpindi, with Mohd Raza Malik as its editor. A majority of the content on his social media profiles is from KMS News. There is not much information about him on open source. Some of his social media are withheld in India. Sheikh Tajamul Islam: A patron of the portal, Islam was a Kashmiri separatist who migrated/infiltrated to Pakistan during the 1990s and settled there. He was a leader of the student wing of the JeI, Islami Jamait-ul-Tulba and was known for his student activism during the late 1980s. After migration to Pakistan, Islam worked with the news section of PTV from 1998 to 1999. He headed the Institute of Kashmir Affairs from 1992 to 2000. Later, he joined the Kashmir Media Service as the Executive Director in 1999 and remained associated with it till his death in Pakistan in September 2021. He was also the Chief Editor of Kashmir Insight magazine.

A patron of the portal, Islam was a Kashmiri separatist who migrated/infiltrated to Pakistan during the 1990s and settled there. He was a leader of the student wing of the JeI, Islami Jamait-ul-Tulba and was known for his student activism during the late 1980s. After migration to Pakistan, Islam worked with the news section of PTV from 1998 to 1999. He headed the Institute of Kashmir Affairs from 1992 to 2000. Later, he joined the Kashmir Media Service as the Executive Director in 1999 and remained associated with it till his death in Pakistan in September 2021. He was also the Chief Editor of Kashmir Insight magazine. Mohd Raza Malik is the chief editor. Arif Hussain, a resident of Mardan city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is the editor.

SUPPORTING SEPARATISTS

The portal has been using terms such as Indian state terrorism in IIOJK, Indian brutal tactics, just struggle of Kashmiris, right to self-determination, etc. to paint the Indian state as a colonial power and present India in bad light. The portal is continuously putting out self-published statements of separatist leaders, when most of them are in jail and have no access to media. This is done to keep separatist leaders relevant and present them as real" leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, said sources.

The portal, in its articles and reportage, has been openly brandishing J&K mainstream politicians as Kashmiri puppets, giving a notion that they are not the true representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The portal has extensive write-ups on alleged demographic change in Jammu and Kashmir. In its articles published on the website, it claims that India has so far issued over 3.4 million fake domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, reiterating the Pakistani stand that New Delhi is trying to change the demography of J&K, said sources.

Besides, the portal has alleged the Indian government of imposing Hindutva agenda, saying that the Kashmiris would never allow Modis Hindutva regime to artificially engineer the Muslim-majority Kashmir into a Muslim-minority territory by bringing in demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir, said sources.

In one of the reports published on October 7, 2021 it said that Indias alleged illegal actions, had endangered all spheres of human security in Jammu & Kashmir, yet New Delhi could not stop resolute Kashmiris march towards freedom from Indian clutches, said sources.

MINORITY ISSUES

The portal has been continuously raking up minority related issues claiming that Indian minorities are facing an existential threat under the PM Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule since 2014. Its reports mention that the Modi government, backed by right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is imposing Hindutva ideology in India and is hell bent on converting the country into a Hindu Rashtra, said sources.

Through propaganda reporting and selective narrative, it further alleged that forcible conversion, attack on mosques and churches and lynching of Muslims by Hindu fanatics have become a norm in Modis India, said sources.

For the past several years, the portal has been proactively carrying statements from detained separatist Massarat Alam as well as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. As per the portal, Alam issues shutdown calls from Tihar Jail, urging people to observe complete shutdown in view many events such as the Hyderpora encounter, Rambagh encounter, Republic Day, etc.

Of late, the portal has also published statements of mainstream political leaders from J&K, which are critical to the Indian government or local administration, said sources.

The portal is extensively writing on the Delimitation Commission, alleging that the Indian government is engaged in pre-poll rigging to install a Hindu chief minister in the territory, said sources.

ALSO READ | Taking Development to Doorstep: How Employment Opportunities are rising in J&K

The portal has been instrumental in setting and furthering the toxic agenda of secessionist forces as well as proscribed armed outfits by identifying their potential targets, vilifying and labeling them as collaborators and subsequently laying a ground for deadly attacks.

The portal has been fostering hate campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, pinpointing and vilifying rational forces, radicalizing young impressionable minds and subsequently patronizing political killings in the valley. It is an established fact that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the deep state, in one or the other form have been fomenting trouble in the valley and the portal seems to be yet another ploy by Pakistan and its deep state agencies to induce more commotion and vehemence in the valley, said sources.
A senior cop allegedly shot dead his wife and nephew with his revolver, before killing himself at his home in Maharashtras Pune on Monday. The incident took place at around 3.30 am at the bungalow of the 57-year-old assistant commissioner of police (ACP) in the citys Baner area.

The deceased have been identified as- ACP Bharat Gaikwad, his wife Moni Gaikwad (44), and nephew Deepak (35).

The reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained, the official from Chaturshringi police station said.

According to police, Gaikwad was posted as ACP in Amaravati. He had two children, who were living with his wife and the deceased nephew at Baner in Pune, and he had come home for a vacation on Saturday from Amravati.

At around 3.30 am on Monday, the ACP first allegedly shot his wife in the head. Upon hearing the gunshot, his son and nephew came running and opened the door. The moment they opened the door, he allegedly shot at his nephew, who got hit in the chest," the official said.

Later Gaikwad shot himself in the head. All the three persons died on the spot," he said.

A probe was on into the incident, the police added.

(With PTI Inputs)
At least five security personnel were injured in a mob clash after hundreds of people attacked Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangmas office in Tura on Monday.

Calling it something never experienced before," Sangma said that the protestors, were people not seen by anyone before and alleged that some of them were in an intoxicated state. He also assured necessary legal actions against them.

After hours of being stuck inside his office, Sangma has now reached his residence, unharmed. The chief minister remained in his compound for a long time as protestors had blocked the roads, posing a security threat.

At least 12 to 18 people have been detained till now, Vivekanand Singh Rathore, SP, West Garo Hills phono told CNN-News18, adding that the situation is under control now.

What had happened?

As the chief minister was holding a key meeting with the protesting civil bodies including the ACHIK, GHSMC among others, they started hearing voices of people shouting outside.

Amid this, a crowd, in huge numbers gathered outside the compound and started their agitation.

Soon, the mob also pelted stones and hit the windows of the office. One video showed, the mob violently throwing chairs and other pieces of furniture on the gate of the office.

In retaliation, the police fired tear gas shells to disperse the collected crowd. At least, five security personnel have sustained injuries till now in the fight.

Section 144 imposed in Tura

Section 144 and a night curfew has been imposed in Tura as the situation continues to remain tense.

Visuals showed CM Sangma overseeing the injured officers as they lay on the ground inside his office premises.

The situation has been brought under control, but remains very tense," the chief ministers office said in a comment.

Rs 50,000 allowance to injured security personnel

CM Sangma said that five security personnel were seriously injured, while others were minorly effected. He also said that Rs 50,000 allowance will be given to those injured, and all there medical expensive will be borne by the government.

Sangma said that the situation was so tense, that all the leaders of the NGOs he was holding a meeting with continues to remain inside amid security concerns.

How has CM Sangma reacted?

We heard some agitation outside, and I sent the NGO leaders outside to peacefully talk to them but no one recognized these people, and some of them even seem intoxicated," Sangma said.

He highlighted that the government has proper video recordings of the mobsters and necessary action will be taken by law based on all this.

It is sad that while we were trying to make peace, this unexpected incident took place," he said.

Sangma also said that the violence began from the mobs side as they started pelting stone, adding that this was done without any instigation of the police."

Civil bodies said theyve never seen protestors before

The civil bodies, which were meeting with the CM, said they had nothing to do with this, and that the mob were not their people.

Sangma had invited all organisations that were on a hunger strike for a detailed discussion on winter capital and job reservation in presence of other cabinet ministers and stakeholders. The discussion went on for over three hours in his office.

In the meeting, Sangma appealed to the protesting organisation to call off their strike and come forward for discussion.

Another meeting, again in the presence of all stakeholders, has been tentatively scheduled in Shillong August 8 or 9.

(With inputs from Preety Priyadarshinee)
The Madras High Court recently issued a circular to the district judiciary, asking them to strictly adhere to the resolutions earlier passed by the full court of the HC that except for the statues and portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Saint Thiruvalluvar, no other portraits and pictures shall be displayed anywhere inside the court premises in Tamil Nadu. The circular was issued by the registrar general of the high court in view of numerous representations being forwarded by advocates associations seeking permission to place portraits of Dr BR Ambedkar and senior advocates of the association inside court premises.

As per the circular, the issue has already been considered by the high court on various occasions. The latest full-court meeting in this regard was held on April 11, 2023.

The circular mentioned that similar requests had been made by different advocates associations in the years 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2019, and April 2023 also, but these were rejected.

In 2008, a resolution was passed where the high court had rejected the request of the Tamil Nadu Dr BR Ambedkar Advocates Association for fixing portraits of national leaders in all the court halls in the state.

In a meeting held on March 11, 2010, in view of the incidents where any damage caused to statues of national leaders had led to friction and law and order situations, the full court had passed a resolution that there shall be no more erection of any statue in any of the court campuses, whether at Chennai or Madurai bench, district courts or taluk courts, or any other court premises.

The same resolution was then reiterated in 2011 and 2013 as well where requests to place portraits of Dr BR Ambedkar at newly constructed court buildings were made.

While referring to all the above-mentioned resolutions passed in full court meetings of the high court, the registrar general instructed all the principal district judges/district judges/principal judge/district judge-cum-chief judicial magistrates of the district concerned to ensure compliance.

If any deviation is found, the Principal District Judges/District Judges/Principal Judge/District Judge-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate of the District concerned and the Chief Judge of Puducherry are directed to take action by giving suitable complaint to the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry," stated the circular.
Parliament is the temple of democracy and parliamentary procedures the rites by which the will of the people is translated into practice. But the terms and jargon involved in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha processes can be difficult to grasp. The News18 series, House Talk, brings you a ready reckoner to make sure that none of it is Greek to you.

In every session of the parliament, there are several additions and changes in the Constitution. While the government and the Members of parliament introduce bills to make a new law or amend the existing ones, there are two key constitutional provisions which are significant in this regard: Private Members Bill and Constitutional Amendment:

What is Private Members Bill?

A Private Members Bill is a legislative proposal that can be introduced in both the houses of the Parliament by a private member of the parliament, on in simple words, a Member of the Parliament (MP), who is not a Minister.

The Private Members Bills are important because they allow MPs to draw attention to issues which might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework requiring legislative intervention.

It is true that though a large number of Private Members Bills are introduced in every session, only a handful have been successfully enacted as a law. According to Rajya Sabha, 14 such bills have successfully passed through both houses, thus becoming a law, with 9 of them in Lok Sabha and 5 in Rajya Sabha.

In the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament, around 300 private members bills listed for discussion including bills on abolishing caste identities attached with the names of educational institutions and legalising same sex marriage.

As per the PRS Legislative, no private members Bill has been passed by the parliament since 1970.

How is the Bill Introduced and Rules Involved?

Here are some of the rules regarding private members bills:

A private member drafts the bill and its introduction in the House requires one months notice unless the Speaker allows introduction at a shorter notice. While in Lok Sabha, the Private Members Bill are discussed in the last two and a half hours of a sitting on every Friday, while in the Rajya Sabha, they are discussed at the same time on every alternate Fridays during the session. The House secretariat then examines the Bill for compliance with constitutional provisions and the rules before listing. The Private Members Bills are included in the List of Business for that day and by convention, the motion for introduction of a Bill is not opposed.

What is Constitutional Amendment?

The bills which seek to amend provisions of the Constitution including those enumerated in the proviso to article 368(2) are called by the title Constitution Amendment Bills, the Lok Sabha website states.

These Bills to amend the constitution can be introduced in either House of Parliament and the motions for the introduction of the Bills are decided by simple majority (i.e. more than 50% of the members present and voting).

Under Article 368(2), the parliament can amend the constitution by passing a Bill in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. The Bill shall be presented to the President who shall give his assent and thereupon the Constitution shall stand amended.

What are the types of Constitutional Amendment?

The bills seeking to amend the Constitution are of three types:

Bills that are passed by Parliament by simple majority. (more than 50%) Bills that have to be passed by Parliament by the special majority (more than two-thirds) prescribed in article 368(2) of the Constitution. Bills that have to be passed by Parliament by the special majority as aforesaid and also to be ratified by not less than one-half of the State.

How is the Constitution Amended?

A Bill is introduced for the purpose of amendment in either house of the parliament. The bill can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member and does not require the permission of the President.

The bill is then presented in both the houses- the Lok Sabha and then to Rajya Sabha and a voting is done. The bill is passed only if two-thirds of the members present in the house votes in favour of the bill.

If the bull seeks to amend the provisions of the constitution, it must be ratified by the legislatures of half of the states by a simple majority.

After the bill is passed by both the houses, it is presented to the President for his assent.

The president must give his assent to the bill and he can neither withhold his assent to nor return the bill for reconsideration to the Parliament. After the Presidents signature, the bill becomes an act.
The Noida Police has sent the documents recovered from Seema Haider to the Pakistan embassy in Delhi for the verification of her identity, reports said on Monday. Seema Ghulam Haider, a Pakistani mother of four, entered India illegally in May to live with Noida resident Sachin Meena after they got in touch while playing PUBG in 2019.

The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police have questioned Seema (30) and her Indian partner Sachin (22) and Sachins father Netrapal Singh for two days. Following the questioning, two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five authorised" Pakistani passports and one unused passport" with incomplete name and address and an identity card was recovered from Haider.

The police are also awaiting the forensic report of Seema Haiders mobile phone. In an interview with Aaj Tak/India Today, Haider said that she did not delete any data from her phone.

The confiscated mobile has been sent to a forensic lab in Ghaziabad for thorough examination. The investigation will persist until both the forensic report and confirmation of Seema Haiders identity from Pakistan are obtained. Once these aspects are confirmed, a chargesheet will be prepared in connection with the case, the report said.

Seema, a mother of four children was married to Ghulam Haider, who currently resides in Saudi Arabia.

The ATS questioned Haider regarding her relatives and the claims of her brother and uncle serving in the Pakistan Army. According to reports, she was able to flawlessly read an English text given to her by the police.

UP ATS officials also inquired about Haiders proficiency in Hindi, as reports mentioned her use of complex Hindi words during TV interviews.

Haider informed the officials that she learned Hindi while playing with Indians on PubG. However, when confronted about her boyfriends lack of usage of such difficult Hindi phrases, Haider chose to remain silent, according to reports.

The UP ATS has suggested repatriating Haider back to Pakistan; however, she asserted that she would face the threat of murder if she were to return to her country.

Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police Prashant Kumar has said it is would not be appropriate to say if Haider is a spy unless we have enough proof." The matter is related to two countries. Till we have enough proof, it would not be appropriate to say anything in this regard," he said.

Pakistans intelligence agencies have conveyed to the government that love" was the sole factor that prompted the mother of four to illegally enter India and live with a Hindu man she befriended through an online gaming platform.

ATS Detains 2 Relatives of Sachin Meena for Changes in Docs

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) detained two brothers from Bulandshahr on suspicion of tampering with documents and Aadhar cards associated with Meena and Haider, a India Today report stated.

Pushpendra Meena and his brother Pawan were apprehended by the UP ATS at a public service centre in Ahmadgarh, where they were employed. The accused are relatives of Sachin Meena, according to the report.

According to Haider, she travelled from Pakistan to Dubai and then Nepal where she got married" to Meena earlier this year.

The couple live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where Meena runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police.

On July 4, Haider was arrested by local police for entering India illegally and Meena 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 Rabupura.

Haider has written to President Droupadadi Murmu to grant her Indian citizenship.

(With inputs from agencies)
The much-talked-about scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque was called off almost four hours after the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to halt it.

The Varanasi district court had on Friday ordered an extensive survey of the Gyanvapi mosque to unearth the facts and ascertain whether the mosque was built over a pre-existing temple or not.

ALSO READ | Gyanvapi Mosque: As SC Stops Survey, Here is A Timeline of The Case | EXPLAINED

Acting on the district courts order, a team, composed of some 50 people, including five women plaintiffs, lawyers, experts from ASI and others, had launched the survey during the morning hours of Monday.

Those aware of the courts proceedings said the survey was aimed at the scientific investigation of the entire structure and to unearth the facts related to the monuments.

Big win for the Muslim side in #GyanvapiCase, as #SupremeCourt stays the #Varanasi Court order which allowed the #ASI survey in the #GyanvapiMosque till 5 PM of 26th July@anany_b with details | @GrihaAtul pic.twitter.com/vbunafhmWK News18 (@CNNnews18) July 24, 2023

ASI TEAM WAS DIVIDED INTO FOUR

Madan Mohan Yadav, senior advocate representing the women plaintiffs in the Shringar Gauri Gyanvapi Case, said, The ASIs investigation began around 7.30 am on Monday. Along with the ASI officials, there were women plaintiffs, their lawyers and others who were part of the survey. Soon after entering the premises armed with latest gadgets, the ASI team was divided into four teams and began the scientific investigations through their handheld devices. However, around 11.15 am, the survey was called off following the Supreme Courts order.

The district courts order had excluded the section of the structure that remained sealed, since the Supreme Courts order dated May 22. Its the area where Hindus claimed to have found the Shivling, whereas the Muslims claimed there was a fountain, a part of Wazoo Khana.

THE SC ORDER

The apex court ordered has halted the ongoing survey of the ASI at the disputed site until 5 pm on Wednesday (July 26). We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to the mosque committee, said the SC bench led by CJI DV Chandrachud.

Besides, the courts order further stated that the district court order shall not be enforced till 5 pm on July 26. If the petitioner moves the high court, the registrar-judicial of the high court should ensure that it is placed before a bench so that it is heard before the status quo order ends, the order further stated.

ALSO READ | Gyanvapi Row: SC Stays ASI Survey of Mosque Complex Till July 26, 5 PM

The SCs order on the survey is an outcome of the hearing of a contempt petition filed by the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, challenging the district courts order for an ASI survey of the mosque complex.

Yadav said the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committe (AIMC), which represents the Muslim side of the case, now plans to move the high court. We have already filed a caveat with the high court in order to keep us all informed about the legal measures initiated by the AIMC, he said.
Two Chinese nationals were arrested in Bihars East Champaran district for allegedly entering India through Nepal without valid documents, officials said on Sunday.

They were arrested on Saturday night at the Raxaul border outpost, Assistant Foreigner Regional Registration Officer SK Singh said.

During interrogation, the foreigners identified themselves as Zhao Jing and Fu Con of Jaoxing province in China, he said.

They were found without valid travel documents, and claimed that they left their passports at a hotel in Birganj, right across the border, where they had stayed the previous night, he added.

They had reached the border by an autorickshaw and tried to crossover on foot, Singh said.

As per records, the Chinese nationals also made an attempt to sneak into Indian territory without proper documents on July 2 when they claimed to have done so inadvertently, he said.

They were let off that time and their passports were returned with entry refused stamped, said the official.

Their repeated attempts to enter the area raise suspicion. Hence, they were handed over to the local police for further investigation and action, he said.
Puja Devi (47) visited the area along the Yamuna river multiple times in the past 15 days in the hope that the water that inundated her home will have receded. But every time her hopes are dashed and she returns to the relief camp dejected.

Now, she fears that she will not be able to return to her humble home after officials told them that their shanties were illegal".

They will not be allowed to return even after the water reduces, they were told.

While living under constant fear of losing their home, the abysmal conditions at the relief camp are causing further hardship for the family of 14.

Puja Devi has been living at the relief camp since July 11.

The meals we get are half-cooked most of the time. It would be better if the government provided us with ration instead of half-cooked food," Puja Devi alleged.

She had been living along the Yamunas bank for decades with her 10 children, husband and mother-in-law, dependent on the agricultural land for sustenance.

The family was forced to vacate the area when water entered her home and destroyed the small agricultural land where she cultivated vegetables.

At 208.66 metres on July 13, the Yamuna surpassed its previous record of 207.49 metres set in September 1978 by a significant margin. It breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it has in more than four decades.

The consequences of the floods have been devastating, with more than 27,000 people evacuated from their homes. The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses and earnings have run into crores.

The Yamuna in Delhi flowed more than a metre above the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Monday morning.

Puja Devi and her family are not the only ones suffering.

Kali Charan, a 44-year-old daily-wage worker, said his wife Sandhya Devi fell while being evacuated and is now suffering from a severe pain in her leg.

The medicines that we are getting are not working properly. I dont have the money to provide proper treatment to my wife," he added.

Om Prakash, a 30-year-old father of three, said, There are no jobs, I have no clue how I will earn my livelihood." He also mentioned that the food and water at the camps are not regular and sometimes they have to sleep on an empty stomach. His children are unable to attend school as their books, bags and uniforms were washed away in the flood.

I am not sure if I will get my land back but I request the government to let us stay here. We are poor people and we have nowhere to go. At least by farming here, we earn some amount to feed our families," he said.

The increase in the rivers water level is expected to impact the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected low-lying areas of the capital, officials said.

Experts attributed the unprecedented flooding in Delhi to encroachment on the river floodplain, extreme rainfall within a short time, and silt accumulation that has raised the riverbed.
Highly paid software professionals" are among at least 15,000 Indians who are victims of a recently busted cryptowallet investment fraud worth over Rs 700 crore that was run by Chinese operators, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand said on Monday.

According to officials, victims were tasked with simple assignments, like liking YouTube videos or writing Google reviews and were remunerated upon completion.

The Hyderabad police on Saturday announced the detection of a cryptowallet investment fraud amounting to Rs 712 crore by Chinese operators.

In connection with this case, nine people have been arrested from various locations in the country. The police in its statement said some of the cryptowallet transactions involved in the fraud had linkages with a Hezbollah wallet, labelled as belonging to a terror financing module.

The state police are notifying Central agencies about the incident and the cybercrime unit of the Union Home Ministry has been provided with all the relevant details, Anand told NDTV.

It is quite shocking and surprising that even highly paid software professionals have lost as much as Rs 82 lakh," he added.

Rate and Review Scam

A case was registered by the Cyber Crime Police based on a complaint filed by a resident of Hyderabad. The complainant stated that he was offered a part-time job to rate and review" certain tasks through a messaging app. Believing it to be legitimate, he registered on their website.

Initially, he received simple tasks and was asked to invest a small amount of Rs 1,000 to give five-star ratings, earning a profit of Rs 866. However, later on, despite earning a profit of Rs 20,000 after investing Rs 25,000, he was not allowed to withdraw the profit. Instead, he was coerced into investing more money and eventually lost a total of Rs 28 lakh.

Investigations revealed that the victims lost money, amounting to Rs 28 lakh, was transferred to six accounts, which were then further used to transfer the funds to various Indian bank accounts and eventually to Dubai. The fraudulent money was utilised to purchase cryptocurrency, as per a PTI report.

According to the polices explanation of the scams trajectory, at least 15,000 Indian victims, who suffered losses averaging Rs 5-6 lakh in less than a year, were targeted through platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.

They were enticed to invest small sums, usually up to Rs 5,000 and upon completing the initial task, received lucrative returns, at times even double the invested amount. Subsequently, the investors were coaxed into participating in a sequence of 7-8 transactions, with each requiring higher investment amounts.

Over 113 Indian Bank Accounts Used

Following the investigation into the case, authorities initially found 48 bank accounts linked to shell companies involved in the fraud, according to the NDTV report. At that time, the estimated value of the scam was believed to be Rs 584 crores.

However, as the probe progressed, it was revealed that an additional Rs 128 crore was swindled by the scammers,and a total of 113 Indian bank accounts were utilised in the fraudulent activities, it said.

The illicit funds underwent multiple transactions through various accounts and were eventually converted into cryptocurrency. The money was then routed to China via Dubai.

A police officer told the news site that the accounts, initially opened in India using Indian SIM cards, were later operated remotely from Dubai. The fraudsters were in contact with Chinese operators, Kevin Jun, Lee Lou Langzhou and Shasha, who were allegedly identified as the masterminds" behind the elaborate scam.

Nine Arrested

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the case - four from Hyderabad, three from Mumbai and two from Ahmedabad, as per reports. The police are actively searching for at least six more suspects based in Dubai involved in the fraud.

According to the Hyderabad police statement, the complex fraud involved a resident of Ahmedabad who had connections with Chinese citizens. He was responsible for coordinating with them by sharing details of Indian bank accounts and providing OTPs for remote access from Dubai/China using specific apps.

Investigations also revealed that one of the arrested individuals had shared more than 65 accounts with Chinese citizens, resulting in transactions totaling Rs 128 crore.

The fraudulent money was converted into the United States Department of Treasury (USDT cryptocurrency) through other accounts, with a total value of Rs 584 crore. In sum, the scamsters managed to siphon off over Rs 712 crore in this elaborate scheme, as stated in the release.
Masaba Gupta is known for being incredibly dedicated to her fitness programme and as a result, goes above and beyond to make sure she is on track with it. The renowned fashion designer recently caught practising Mukha Dhauti Kriya, a yogic method that is said to improve breathing and raise oxygen levels in the body, in order to stay on top of her fitness regimen.

The kriya, according to Gupta, is her go-to breathing practise for recovery" since it not only helps to release tension and anger but also balances the digestive system and relieves migraines. She said in a picture on Instagram Stories that it is best done in the morning on an empty stomach.

The Masaba Masaba actor also showed her fans and supporters how to do the steps. Check it out below:

Bend over while exhaling through your mouth and standing tall. Clench your groyne, tuck your stomach in, wrap your ribs with your chin tucked in, and hold your breath. Release all locks or bandhas before experiencing difficulty, and then exhale.

How does the technique aid?

Yoga guru Pragya Bhatt described the kriya as a purifying practise that involves holding the three bandhas, or locks (Jalandhar, Udyana, and Moola Bandha), while exhaling deeply through the lips. The advantages are that it massages the interior organs and activates the bodys major glands. Additionally, it aids in toning the digestive system. With a few exceptions, this is a safe practise, according to Bhatt.

ALSO READ: High Cholesterol: 7 Morning Drinks To Naturally Lower Bad Blood Cholesterol Levels

Indications:

Pregnant or menstrual women have to steer clear of it, warns Bhatt. Additionally, Bhatt added, Anyone with ulcers or recent stomach surgery should refrain from this practise.

Additionally, Bhatt informed that this kriya is excellent for people with asthma, bronchitis, recurrent colds, sinus problems, and headaches. As it helps to increase lung capacity and facilitates better breathing, athletes should include this in their routine. The neck and facial muscles are strengthened, and the waist is toned, according to Bhatt.
Whether theyre seeking a soothing soundtrack during work hours, or unwinding after a long day, many listeners in India are turning to mellow music to accompany their daily lives. In fact, ours is one of the few countries where this genre of music is the most streamed.

Recent data by Spotify revealed that mellow music ranks among the most-searched in the country, on the platform. Words such as dil, sad, love, lofi, and calm stand out as popular search terms. The surge in mellow music consumption can be attributed to millennials and GenZ listeners, particularly 18-24 year olds, among whom this genre is the most popular among Spotify listeners in India.

There are a few cultural reasons to which this increased love for love is attributable. First, we have a strong affinity to film music, which has traditionally been skewed towards this genre. Second, several classic romantic melodies and even newer film music have re-emerged as lo-fi remakes. We relate to this music because it evokes nostalgia and familiarity. And finally, several independent artists have also popularised the genre of mellow music, taking up emotions centred around love, heartbreak, and finding self.

On the Spotify charts, Bollywood songs continue to dominate the mellow genre, with tracks such as O Bedardeya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, and Tere Hawaale reflecting the consumption of music. And of course, Arijit Singh emerges as the top artist in this genre. In fact, he has the most spots on Top Songs India, with Phir Aur Kya Chahiye being the highest at #2.

Rahul Balyan, Head of Music, Spotify India, said, The surge in popularity of mellow music, boosted by film music and the independent artist community, has transformed this genre into a pop culture phenomenon. Data from the platform reflects a growing inclination among listeners towards chill music, and Spotify is at the centre of this trend through our curation and off-platform initiatives.

On Spotify, playlists across languages, including Kolly Chill Out, Sad Hours: Punjabi, Sad Boi Hours, and Mellow Telugu are growing in popularity, and to celebrate the love for this genre, the audio streaming platform recently hosted a Mellow Hours event in Mumbai for its Premium users. The guests had the opportunity to experience intimate musical performances by Anuv Jain and Tanmaya Bhatnagar, two independent artists associated closely with this genre.
Marathi actors Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf created ripples in the film industry when they got married back in 1990. Labelled as an unconventional couple back then, they soon graduated to being called an ideal couple by the media and the industry. The 18-year age gap between them has never been a cause of worry for the couple, who have been married for 33 years. Ashok and Nivedita Saraf had a low-profile marriage at Mangeshi Temple in Goa. In an era devoid of social media, very few people had a glance at their wedding photos back in 1990. Now, a fan page of Ashok Saraf offers a glimpse of the actors marriage. The page has shared a video, which contains a montage of photos from Ashok and Nivedita Sarafs marriage.

Nivedita was just six years old when Ashoks first movie Donhi Gharcha Pahuna was released. Years later, Nivedita also made her acting debut. The both of them met for the first time while working on a play together. Following that, they worked in numerous films together such as Navri Mile Navryala and Ashi Hi Banva Banavi. Even though they co-starred in these films, they didnt interact till they shot Dhum Dhadaka. It was the start of a fresh friendship that quickly developed into love. Initially, their age gap was a hurdle as Niveditas family did not approve of the relationship. Niveditas mother did not want her daughter to marry someone from the film industry.

Nivedita was supported by her elder sister Dr Meenal Paranjape, who took the initiative to get the couple married. Meenal convinced their parents to give their consent to the marriage. With that, Ashok and Nivedita were married at Mangeshi temple in Goa. The couple has a son named Aniket, who is a popular pastry chef now. Ashok Saraf has acted in numerous Bollywood as well as Marathi films, often as a recurring comic relief in many 90s films.
Rana Daggubati and Prabhas charmed the audience at this years San Diego Comic-Con. The duo, known for their roles in the Baahubali series, showcased their unbreakable bond during the event as well. The entire Project K team, including Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, and director Nag Ashwin, came together to share insights about the ambitious project. However, amidst the media questions and anticipation, Prabhas found himself in a difficult situation. Struggling to answer a particular question, the actor visibly felt the pressure.

Rana, known for his spontaneity and cheerful nature, quickly sensed his friends discomfort and stepped in without a second thought. With a warm smile, he gracefully offered to take charge and answer on Prabhas behalf. Whats the difference if Bala (Bhallaladeva) answers the question or Bahu (Baahubali) answers it? Were brothers after all, Rana said.

Rana Daggubati and Prabhas unwavering support for each other extends beyond their on-screen roles. Their social media interactions, public appearances, and interviews all reflect the deep bond they share.

Project K stars Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Rana Daggubati and Disha Patani in key roles. Kamal Haasan will be seen playing the antagonist in the film. Talking about his decision to take up the negative role in the film, the veteran actor 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."

Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film is an Indian epic science fiction film. The movie revolves around a modern-day incarnation of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who comes to earth to safeguard the world from evil. Set to be titled Kalki 2898 AD, the first teaser of the film revealed a world fighting a deadly war where people are ruled by dark forces. There is violence and oppression everywhere.

With a budget of Rs 600 crore, Project K is set to become one of the most expensive Indian films ever created. Fans can mark their calendars as the film is scheduled for release on January 12, 2024.
Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer Bawaal have been getting positive responses from the audience. The romantic drama was released on the digital platform and has been appreciated by many celebrities too. Well, the makers have released a new song titled Kat Jayega. It is a peppy number that will leave you grooving.

With their exceptional vocals Romy & Pravesh Mallick have masterfully narrated Varun Dhawans character Ajju bhaiya in the song. The track has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi with lyrics by Shloke Lal. The song shows their Europe journey and what difficulties Varun is facing. Recently, Hansal Mehta also praised the film and wrote, I found Bawaal to be quite a sweet film. Has its heart in the right place. Makes you laugh, cry, smile and entertains you even where some of the dialogues seem misplaced in their use of world-war metaphors. The intention never feels misplaced. Try the film. Recently, Lisa Ray has slammed Janhvi Kapoor for comparing a relationship with Auschwitz. The actress has a dialogue saying, Har rishta apne-apne Auschwitz se guzarta hai.

Watch the song here:

Janhvi also expressed her gratitude to fans for showering love on the film. The movie follows the journey of Ajay Dixit aka Ajju (Varun Dhawan), a small-town high school history teacher, and his newlywed wife Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor) who decide to go on, a Second World War trail across Europe by visiting Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany due to an incident in Ajjjus life. The couple, who is already suffering from a strained marriage, struggles to remain afloat despite a series of events that put their love to the test and make them face their inner demons. Tiwari successfully manages to use World War-2 as a metaphor and the backdrop of the story.

On the work front, Varun will be next seen in Citadel which also stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu. He also has an action thriller with Atlee which will be releasing next year. While Janhvi Kapoor will be seen in Mr And Mrs Mahi next and she has also started shooting for Ulajh. Billed as a patriotic thriller, the film is directed by National Award winner Sudhanshu Saria and produced by Junglee Pictures. It also features Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew.
Diljit Dosanjh and Arjun Rampal will soon be seen sharing the screen space together, in a film based on Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film titled Ghallughara, has however been mired into controversies owing to its storyline and hence had a trouble getting CBFC clearance. Buzz is that, the film has undergone a title change and will also be premiering at TIFF before its release in India.

According to a report in Pinkvilla, the central board of film certification raised various objections to certain portions of the film, and even suggested 21 changes, which includes removing few dialogues. The film has now been titled to Punjab 95. Protesting about these cuts, producer Ronnie Screwvala has even filed an appeal to the Bombay High Court.

A source close to production house informed that, It will be first screened for the audience at TIFF in September, and an official announcement on it will be made soon. The makers are excited to take their film to a prestigious festival like TIFF, and most likely the premiere date will be September 11. Furthermore, the film has also been retitled to Punjab 95, and an official announcement of that too will be made in a few days. Reportedly, the Honey Trehan directorial has been trying to obtain the Censor Certificate since December last year.

In the past, Ronnie Screwvala has backed many content-driven films including Uri: The Surgical Strike, Sonchiriya and The Sky Is Pink. Coming back to Diljit Dosanjh, the actor will next be seen in Rhea Kapoor and Ekta Kapoors The Crew, alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu and Kriti Sanon.
The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) recently imposed several restrictions on the Tamil film industry. The rules state that Tamil films should only cast Tamil actors; and unless it is necessary, they should not shoot outside Tamil Nadu. These rulings have come under severe criticism from many quarters of the film industry, as well as patrons of cinema. The latest critic of this move is Malayalam filmmaker Vinayan, who has also worked in a few Tamil films. Malayali actors have always been an integral part of the star cast of the Tamil film industry. Miffed by the decision laid down by FEFSI, Vinayan made a Facebook post and said that Kerala can also counter these restrictions laid out on Tamil cinema. He said that if the state of Kerala decides to not release Tamil movies in the state, the Tamil film industry will lose close to Rs 150 crore in just a year.

While we see India as a single nation, Tamil Nadu film associations are headed in the direction of a highly localised decision in a place where it is believed that all Indians are brothers and sisters. This news has been out for a while but we have not seen the Tamil Nadu government opposing the decision, Vinayan wrote. He said that the separatist move should not be allowed to grow and that no one can curb Indian artists to work in any state and any language. My opinion is that the producers, theatre owners and distributors of Malayalam cinema should be ready as soon as possible to give a strong reply, he said.

Vinayan also said that although he has worked in Tamil films and loves Tamil Nadu, so he cannot agree with their narrow mentality. He has directed Tamil films like Naalai Namadhe, En Mana Vaanil and Kasi.
If youre a 90s kid, youll be familiar with Takeshi Castle. Growing up during the early aughts, Indian children were glued to their television screens watching the reruns of comic highlights from the physical Japanese game show Fuun! Takeshi Jo aka Takeshis Castle with hilarious Hindi commentary by actor Jaaved Jaaferi.The show was originally shot in 1982, however, it was aired for the Indian audience with Jaaferis comical commentary. The show started with a large group of participants competing to reach the final round by successfully completing the tasks and overcoming the obstacles. With reports suggesting that Takeshi Castle will soon make a comeback and fans want no one else but Jaaved Jaaferi lending his voice once again, the actor and dancer reacted to it with gratitude.

Resharing the article on his Twitter handle, Jaaved Jaaferi penned,"Aside from me having the time of my life doing this, the show blessed me with immense love,appreciation and a huge fan following. Indebted  #TakeshisCastle. Get Jaaved Jaaferi Or Dont Do It, Fans React As Takeshis Castle Is Set To Make A Comeback!."

Aside from me having the time of my life doing this, the show blessed me with immense love,appreciation and a huge fan following. Indebted  #TakeshisCastleGet Jaaved Jaaferi Or Don't Do It, Fans React As Takeshi's Castle Is Set To Make A Comeback! https://t.co/1j0TdQLcmw Jaaved Jaaferi (@jaavedjaaferi) July 24, 2023

Fans too were quick to register their demand for Jaaved Jaaferi to make a comeback for the nostalgic show. One of the netizens wrote, We cant expect/ accept anyone else voice other than you for the show. #TakeshisCastle." Another one tweeted, Jaaved you deserve it and you deserve more . We should not forget the fact that you are the king of dance. Right from Bandra days till today. Stay blessed, happy always." Someone else said, You have set up a benchmark. Its impossible to hear someone elses voice here."

Last year, when News18.com spoke to Jaaferi, he denied being approached for the new show. I have not been approached but I would love to be a part of it again. I remember when they approached me I was a bit reluctant. I was told it was a kids show and I had to give commentary. I watched a few episodes and loved it. I thought it was a crazy mad show. It just started picking up and we also found a lot of adults liking the show. I would really love to do it again."

The 59-year-old also reveals that the showrunners had even tried to replace him. I asked them to hike my fees as I was contributing towards the popularity of the show with my voiceover. They tried to get someone else and dubbed a few episodes. But it didnt work out. Ultimately, they called me back and agreed to pay me more."

Did he ever figure out who won the show? (Laughs) Ab tak pata nahi chala kaun jeeta hai. I would actually say in the commentary that Mujhe kuch nahi samaj aa raha hai, koi bata do kaun jeeta hai." I would read out the end credits also. The participants were crazy and I had also gone crazy (laughs)."
Last week, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiellos announcement of their split after 7 years as a married couple left many fans heartbroken. While the Modern Family star was in Italy when the news initially broke, she has now returned to Los Angeles, USA. According to reports by Page Six, Vergara seems to be doing well after the breakup. A source mentioned, Sofia is living her best life and she is now enjoying quality time with her friends. The actress now feels relieved after being in a relationship with a partner who was largely unsupportive.

Sofia was always there to take care of Joe, while his career was never what it was when they met. I think hes been threatened by her success and joie de vivre, added the source.

The friend highlighted that Joe is fully secure and at one with his sobriety, and while sobriety is a continuous practice, his ongoing commitment to being sober was never in any way threatened by being married to someone who drinks responsibly. Its a pathetic attempt to come up with an excuse.

They further alleged that Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiellos marriage succeeded in strong physical chemistry, loyalty and respect. The friend asserted that neither of them engaged in any form of infidelity. Despite spending the majority of their time apart and working, they managed to maintain their passion for each other whenever they reunited.

However, the friend noted that the flame has now gone out.

Vergara appears to be doing exceptionally well, with time and financial resources to follow whatever she desires next. On the other hand, Manganiello appears slightly more dejected, but he remains determined that parting ways was the right decision.

Reportedly, Joe Manganiello will eventually move on to a partner who is younger and start a family, as he has expressed a desire for children, which was not a possibility with Sofia Vergara. According to multiple sources, the main cause of the breakup between Manganiello and Vergara was Manganiellos strong desire to have children. The couple reportedly had different priorities when it came to starting a family.

In 1991, at the young age of 19, Sofia Vergara gave birth to her only child, son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, in Colombia. During that time, she was married to her high school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez. However, their marriage eventually ended just two years later.
After spending almost four decades in the industry, Raghubir Yadav still surprises us. The actors latest release is Minus 31  The Nagpur Files, a thriller movie directed by Pratik Moitro. Yadav plays the role of a former police officer, whose daughter, also a police officer essayed by Rucha Inamdar, is investigating a murder.

The actor mentions that he was drawn to the film because of his character and the interesting plot, I really had to work hard on my character in Minus 31  The Nagpur Files. Its a complex character which I havent attempted before. Primarily the film is a father-daughter relationship and how they have differences of opinions due to their principles. The love and banter between these two individuals is the highlight of the film. I have not really attempted something like this earlier. My role should challenge me and allow me to get out of my comfort zone and attempt something that I havent done earlier. The film challenged me as a performer and allowed me to add another experience in my life."

The Panchayat actor says that he analyses scripts attentively and is mostly drawn to those that come straight from the heart." He is very much a directors actor. If he decides not to be a part of a movie, it can be because it didnt move him. The most important consideration [in making a decision] is the subject. When necessary, you must gently decline an offer because you may not agree with the proposal, the dates may not work, the money may not be acceptable, or you may be uncertain of the directors abilities. But after boarding, his commitment and focus are total. Im interested in the entire movie, not just my part of it. Typically, my director and I have conversations. We talk about how he perceives things and how I perceive them and we come to a point where we are on the same page."

Recently, in an interview, the The National School of Drama (NSD) graduate mentioned that he dislikes the term acting. Elaborating on the topic Yadav says, If you love this term then whatever you do will be acting and not performance. I have always decided to play characters rather than do acting. For example, In Minus 31  The Nagpur Files if the director would have simply told me that you need to play a father, I dont think I would have been able to live the character. I always try to work to find something in my character, and in this film too our director Pratik Moitro allowed me to improvise and discover this role that I played in the film.

It is unexpected to hear Yadav, who has been acting for almost four decades describe to himself as an obedient student, feeling uncomfortable when referred to as a veteran or a legendary. When I hear people say, Oh, it was a perfect performance, I ask myself: Can perfection be achieved in this imperfect world? Can you fully master anything? Creativity is an endless journey and I would like to embark on the journey till my last breath."
In this strange world driven by narratives, one narrative that has become a national mainstay and even internationalised to a great extent is that Muslims are unsafe in India, today. Interestingly, it all started with the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2014 elections and the 2019 elections after that. But now, no matter how hard the facts are that Muslims have emerged as the largest beneficiaries of the Modi government schemes, the sheer power of anecdotes overrules it. In such a scenario, one key fact that has been missed by all of us is how a section of Muslims is being disenfranchised systematically in our country by their co-religionists.

India is constitutionally a secular-liberal polity that provides freedom of religion for all, but the way Ahmadiyya, a particular sect of Islam, is being threatened with stripping off their religious identity by people of their own community has created an interesting paradox last week. In the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, the Ahmadiyya community has approached the Central government to intervene against a case of their exclusion from the larger Muslim community. This follows a resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board in February declaring them as Non-Muslims or Kafirs.

Kafir is a derogatory term that is often used by Muslims against those people, including Hindus, who dont embrace Islam. The opposite of Kafir is Momin or someone who is a believer.

Ahmadiyya Muslims are a sub-sect of the Sunni Muslims who originated in the 19th century in undivided Punjab, India. Its founder was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a reformist who wanted Islam to adapt in tune with modern times and assume a more liberal tone and tenor. He stressed on the role of Islam as a matter of personal faith and took an apologetic stand against jihad which is using violence to spread Islam or for political motives. The Ahmadiyya sect as founded by him became a key example of the reformist movement in the Indian subcontinent in the late 19th century, a time when even Hinduism was also witnessing revivalist and reformist movements of its own, including the Arya Samaj and the Brahmo Samaj movements. But ironically, unlike the Hindus who received the reformist movements positively, Ahmadiyyas have become a major irritant for orthodox Muslims across the world.

The worst example of their persecution is present in Pakistan which has outlawed them from claiming their Muslim identity. They dont have a legal status in the country today and instances of their social persecution are just too many. In fact, Pakistan has also disowned the first person to ever win a Nobel Prize from the country for being a person from the Ahmadi community. Dr Abdus Salam, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979 died unrecognised, uncelebrated and outlawed in Pakistan where he was born in the undivided Punjab in 1926. Tragically, the term Muslim has been painted white to hide this reference on his tomb in Pakistan, despite Dr Salam playing a huge role in setting up key institutions such as Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant.

In India, Ahmadiyyas have enjoyed much more equal treatment and the right to be called a Muslim, all thanks to the legal status that is accorded to them under Indian Law. Many Ahmadis have risen to positions of prominence including the celebrated scientist, Dr Hafiz Saleh Muhammad Alladin who was awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and served as an educational advisor to Indias ex-President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Although India continues to protect their rights becoming a curious exception in a world where they are persecuted through various means, socially, they still remain an ostracised community. They dont have representation on the All India Muslim Personal Law Board even today. Not just this, their events are regularly called-off and stones are pelted by miscreants inside their mosque as a mark of protest against their reformatory zeal.

Some of them even recall how they were banned from using public taps or shopping at common shops meant for other sects of Muslims. This social boycott of the Ahmadi community makes the decision of the Andhra Waqf Board to call them Kafir as just another move to deny them their rights. It is not the first time though. In 2012 also, a similar resolution was passed in undivided Andhra, a matter which is still pending in the court.

India has been a cradle for multiple religions with its Constitution providing equal rights to each. In the same sentiment, the Modi government has also taken the Waqf board to task by telling them that no one has the authority to declare Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslims. But as always happens, this section of Muslims will still witness ostracisation socially, even as a fake narrative on India being intolerant towards its minorities will make global headlines.

The author is a PhD in International Relations from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. Her research focuses on political economy of South Asia and regional integration. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The Opposition political parties in India have formed an alliance known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which has generated considerable interest. This is the first time in the history of the Opposition alliance that these parties have demonstrated such determination. The decisiveness and efforts to collaborate are commendable. The only contradiction, however, is the Opposition political parties track record of upholding the countrys honour.

The Congress exerted a much larger effort at the Opposition alliance meeting in Bengaluru, and it would not be incorrect to state that the party led the show. The effectiveness of the INDIA versus NDA debate will continue, as it provides the Opposition with a positive impetus to develop a broader narrative. But it is also a good moment for Opposition political parties to realise that if this platform becomes all about the Congress, then naming the alliance INDIA will be counterproductive, as the Indian National Congress will only seek to advance its agenda regarding the nation.

In examining the landscape of Opposition political parties, one cannot help but notice a glaring contradiction that lies at the heart of their historical track record: their commitment, or lack thereof, to upholding the respect and dignity of the nation.

The Congress partys notion of India has faced substantial criticism on various fronts. In the realm of Indian politics, a recurring debate has emerged surrounding the notion of India in terms of the views of the Congress. The critics contend that this concept has become excessively fixated on the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, thereby neglecting to fully encapsulate the rich tapestry of diversity that characterises the nation. This viewpoint raises pertinent questions about the extent to which the idea of India truly reflects the multifaceted nature of the country. Throughout the history of the Congress, one cannot deny the overwhelming influence and dominance of the Nehru-Gandhi family. From its inception, this political dynasty has held a firm grip on the partys leadership, shaping its trajectory and leaving an indelible mark on Indian politics. The prevailing sentiment surrounding the notion of India has given rise to allegations suggesting that it serves as a mere instrument for the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to perpetuate its authority and sway.

Many critics also believe that the very essence of the idea of India in Congress leans excessively towards secularism, thereby failing to adequately acknowledge the significance of the nations Hindu majority. Similarly, the Congress has traditionally been seen as a party of the elite. The prevailing sentiment surrounding the idea of India has given rise to a wave of accusations, asserting that it falls short of adequately representing the concerns and welfare of the impoverished and marginalised segments of society.

It is evident that the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, displayed a keen inclination towards christening the alliance as INDIA. Over the course of recent years, the party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, has consistently endeavoured to portray a disheartening portrayal of Indian democracy, both domestically and on the international platform, all in an effort to challenge the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the grand scheme of things, one cannot help but ponder whether the multitude of political parties will ultimately find common ground when it comes to embracing this notion of India.

In the realm of political discourse, the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has emerged as a contentious topic, drawing divergent opinions from various political entities. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unequivocally voiced its support for the implementation of a UCC, the Congress and other political factions have taken a contrasting stance, expressing their opposition to the UCC. This illustrates that if the Opposition parties do not stop Congress from advancing its agenda, then the entire effort to come together and give it a catchy name will fail.

In the realm of Opposition politics, a prevailing trend emerges: the formation of political parties with a distinct regional or state-centric agenda. These parties, born out of a desire to champion the interests of specific regions, have steadfastly remained committed to their localised causes throughout the passage of time. In a fascinating display of regional politics, the Shiv Sena emerged as a formidable force, championing the cause of the Marathi-speaking community in the state of Maharashtra. Similarly, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) swiftly rose to prominence, ardently advocating for the interests of the Telugu-speaking populace in the vibrant state of Andhra Pradesh. These two political entities, born out of a desire to safeguard the rights and aspirations of their respective linguistic communities, have undeniably left an indelible mark on the political landscape of their respective regions. It is disheartening to observe that these political parties seem to lack a broader perspective when it comes to the betterment of our beloved nation, India.

In the realm of Indian politics, a glaring impediment to the emergence of a robust and impactful Opposition lies in the prevailing state-centric nature of the majority of Opposition political parties. This dearth of a broader national vision hampers the growth and efficacy of the opposition movement, posing a significant challenge to the nations overall development. In order to mount a formidable challenge against the ruling BJP, the Opposition parties must confront the daunting hurdles that lie in their path and forge a unified vision for the nation. The persistent peril lies in the potential adherence of these political parties to the Congresss ideology.

Here it is important to note what Rahul Gandhi said earlier, as reported by The Indian Express, I respect the Opposition, I like its leaders But if you look at the Samajwadi Party, it doesnt have a national ideology. It has a position in Uttar Pradesh, and perhaps they wont come because they have to defend it The Samajwadi Partys idea would not work in Kerala, Karnataka, or Bihar. So there is a need for a central ideological framework and structure, which only the Congress can provide.

In the midst of the ongoing political discourse, it is hard not to question the authenticity of the Oppositions claims to champion an inclusive India. While they undoubtedly strive to construct a compelling narrative, one cannot help but ponder the credibility of these political parties in truly embodying the values of inclusivity. The Samajwadi Party (SP), renowned for its association with the Yadav community in Uttar Pradesh, has carved a niche for itself as a political entity that champions their cause. When it comes to the RJD, it is evident that inclusivity has not been a prominent feature in their policy and politics. At the core of these political parties lies the fundamental principle of advocating for and embodying the interests and values of a particular community or identity. Similarly, it would be absurd to even consider that the Indian Muslim League, which is currently a part of INDIA, is an inclusive political party that speaks for Indias diversity.

In the realm of political dynamics, it is imperative for Opposition parties to grasp the gravity of their actions amidst a web of contradictions. Should they fail to recognise the peril of allowing themselves to be swayed by the Congress, thereby vigorously advancing their own agenda, the very essence of the alliance, aptly named INDIA, may inadvertently yield counterproductive outcomes. In the context of political strategy, the Oppositions failure to determine the key issues to combat against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) raises legitimate concerns. The absence of a clear focus in this naming strategy begs the question: could this potentially pose a problem for the Opposition down the line?

The author is a visiting professor of journalism, a political columnist, and a doctoral research scholar. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
When dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right  Victor Hugo

In two heart-rending incidents, two women from Malda and Howrah were paraded naked in full public glare in West Bengal on July 8, 2023. Even more shameful is the manner in which Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of the state, chose to mock these horrific incidents, claiming that these gut-wrenching incidents were merely a figment of the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) imagination. But coming from Banerjee, this is hardly surprising.

In 2012, after the tragic Park Street gang-rape case of Suzette Jordan, Mamata Banerjee victim-shamed Jordan, claiming she was an escort, a loose woman who enjoyed clubbing and drinking and hence she invited the said horror upon herself. Could it have gotten any more shameful than the fact that a woman, that too the sitting chief minister of a large state, showed this kind of insensitivity? Yes! It got even worse in 2022, post the Hansakhali gang-rape of a minor, a 14-year-old girl. Instead of condemning the rapists, including the key accused, the son of a senior TMC leader, Mamata mocked and shamed the minor, claiming this was just a love affair gone wrong. The limited point is this  accountability is an alien term for Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee and she lives in denial even when confronted with hard facts about how law and order has completely collapsed in West Bengal.

Why has political violence emerged as a recurring feature of West Bengals polity? Why was there unprecedented post-poll violence in Bengal after the Assembly elections in 2021, so much so that the Kolkata High Court had to finally allow a CBI probe into the matter, despite repeated attempts by the Mamata regime to stonewall a CBI investigation? Again, why did Kolkata HC and the Supreme Court repeatedly castigate the TMC government for failing to uphold law and order in the run-up to the Panchayat polls on July 8, 2023? Why was the Birbhum massacre case involving TMC perpetrators handed over to the CBI, despite CM Banerjees constant attempts to throttle a CBI probe into the matter? Why was the Hansakhali gang rape, where the prime accused was a TMC leaders son, handed over to the CBI by the Kolkata High Court? There is just one answer to all the aforesaid questions; the fact remains that brutal violence and horrifying lawlessness have gone unpunished under the long and lethargic nose of Mamata Banerjee for the longest time and she no longer inspires confidence, either as the chief minister or the de-facto home minister of the state.

That is precisely the reason why the Kolkata HC has time and again asked the CBI to step in, showing complete distrust in the police machinery of Bengal which has been reduced to nothing more than a flaccid puppet under the Mamata regime. Violence has become so ingrained in the TMCs DNA that even in the wake of the May 16 2023 blast, that occurred in an unauthorised factory in Egra town of Purba Medinipur district and claimed 12 lives, there was no remorse from the CM.

Experts say that bomb-making factories and illegal firecracker factories in every rural district of Bengal, have become like a cottage industry that operates with much impunity. Officials say that districts like Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Burdwan have many illegal factories that make crude bombs and firearms. Apparently, rural Bengal does not have many employment opportunities; most of the youngsters are either into farming, or small-time work and many get themselves involved in such illegal businesses as this helps them earn a quick buck and patronage from the local TMC politicians. The making of illegal crude bombs and country pistols and bullets sees a huge demand during elections, political rallies and for settling scores by the TMC, as per locals involved in this illegal trade. In fact, illegal bomb-making factories are a flourishing trade and have now become a question of survival for many in rural Bengal, such is the sorry state of affairs under the corrupt TMC regime.

True, violence has a long political and cultural history in West Bengal. During the colonial period, the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar movements, for example, saw this path as an important one towards gaining freedom, says Biswanath Chakraborty, prolific writer and professor of political science, Rabindra Bharati University. As India became independent, there was widespread communal conflict. Beyond the Great Calcutta killings, there was violence all over Bengal. People were killed and displaced mercilessly. Even after independence, the Communists always supported the capture of state power through arms.

For instance, on March 17, 1970, a day after the United Front government had been toppled, two brothers from the Sain family who were known to be Congress loyalists were attacked and murdered in front of their mother. After brutally killing the two, the mother was forced to eat rice soaked in their blood. The accused in the murder, Benoy Konar, Nirupam Sen and Anil Bose, were the top-most leaders of the CPI-M who went on to occupy ministerial positions in the state later. Since the 1970s, political murders and violence have been a norm in Bengal, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas. But what is happening today in 2023, under a depraved regime led by an autocratic CM, is even worse than what happened in the 1970s.

21-year-old Trilochan Mahato from Supurdi in Purulia and 30-year-old Dulal Kumar from Dava village had just one thing in common  both were supporters of the BJP. While both the murders were hushed up by the TMC-led authorities, political murders of this kind have taken place in Bengal over and over again, and they especially point to moments when a threat is seen to be born to the incumbent party  TMC in this case. So for all the false bravado by the Mamata Banerjee dispensation, the hard truth is that the magnificent rise of the BJP is now a clear danger to the ruling TMC.

What a pity that the TMC, that stormed to power in Bengal, on the back of the state-sponsored Nandigram violence of 2007, under the Left regime in West Bengal, has today become a scarier version of the erstwhile Left regime. Violence is embedded in the DNA of the Communists, whether in power or out of it. Through the 1960s, the undivided CPI split  first into the CPI and CPM  and later, the Naxalites emerged from the latter. But the TMC that swore to never become like the marauding Leftist government that it overthrew in 2011 is today, in fact, worse than what the Left was when it was in power.

The moot point is that West Bengal has seen gore and bloodshed both before and after Indias independence, but the post-1947 history of violence was primarily used by both the Congress and the Left to usurp or retain power by hook or by crook. Ironically, today, both the Congress and the Left are reduced to nothing in Bengal. While the Congress won zero seats in the West Bengal Assembly polls in 2021, the Left was reduced to an embarrassing tally of just one seat. Even in Lok Sabha 2019, while the Congress won two seats from Bengal, the Left got a big zero.

Now contrast this with the meteoric rise of the BJP in West Bengal. From a 10 percent seat share and just three seats in the 2016 Assembly elections, the BJP raised its tally to a stellar 77 seats with a solid 38 percent vote share in the 2021 Assembly polls. Again, from Bengal, the TMC saw its seats reduced from 34 in Lok Sabha 2014 elections to 22 in Lok Sabha 2019 elections. The BJP, in sharp contrast, in Bengal, won a handsome 18 seats with a 41 percent vote share in Lok Sabha 2019. Note, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP only got two seats from Bengal but that number rose to 18 in 2019, a fabulous rise of 800 percent. Add to all this the fact that Mamata Banerjee faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of Suvendu Adhikari in 2021 from Nandigram, and you dont have to think hard to know why the TMC is completely rattled by the BJPs phenomenal rise in political stature in West Bengal.

Bengal politics, from being a multi-party one, has now become a two-horse contest with only TMC and BJP in the race for the spoils. TMCs Mamata Banerjee has been in power as the Chief Minister since 2011 but has nothing to show by way of development or social equity or law and order in the state. The Dalits and the tribals of Bengal are systematically being marginalised; the Ram Navami violence in June 2023, which is now being probed by the NIA, shows Mamatas reported Hinduphobic antecedents. What is worse  appeasement politics, bomb-jihad in places like Murshidabad and unabated patronisation of illegal migrants and Rohingyas by the Mamata regime  have turned West Bengals political and social landscape into a ticking time bomb. No major industries have come up in Bengal since 2011 and those that were there have either shut down or chosen to flee from the state, given the deadly cocktail of lawlessness and corruption that the TMC regime is infamous for.

One scam after the other, be it the SSC recruitment scam involving former education minister of Bengal, Partha Chatterjee, the Cattle scam involving Anubrata Mondal or the jobs for cash scam involving Mamatas nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, corruption rules the roost in Bengal under a defunct TMC. Dont forget, the Supreme Court did not give any relief to Abhishek Banerjee and he continues to be on trial in the jobs for cash scam where thousands of crores were reportedly raised from hapless job aspirants, in lieu for jobs that were eventually never given.

Even Partha and Anubrata have been close confidantes of Mamata and for the longest time, she defended them and their ill-gotten wealth till the law caught up and she was forced to distance herself from her former, close associates. In fact, in a stinging setback for Abhishek Banerjee, the SC said that the Kolkata HC was correct in not halting an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the Bengal teachers recruitment scam, thereby completely blowing to smithereens the wild allegations by the TMC top brass, that Abhishek Banerjee was being victimised by the Modi government.

Going back in time, the bloodthirsty Naxalites in West Bengal gave a call to kill elites  teachers, landlords, and others to capture political power and supposedly mobilise the poor masses. This violence persisted for a long time. Then, to suppress the Naxalite movement, other parties too resorted to violence. It was when Siddhartha Shankar Ray of Congress became the Chief Minister of West Bengal in 1972, amid allegations of mass rigging, that violence officially became a part of the election process in Bengal. So the Congress and the Left have been patronisers of violence in Bengal over the decades as much as the TMC today. But that said, the TMC has indeed legitimised violence and given it a whole new, nefarious and bloodcurdling dimension since 2011.

The roots of the killings during the just concluded Panchayat polls on July 8, 2023, go back in time. In 1977, when the Left first came to power in the state, it introduced the panchayat system. The CPM also used violence very strategically in some pockets to suppress its opponents. The violence grew as the Lefts popularity waned, says Professor Biswanath Chakraborty. When the Trinamool Congress came to power, it had no organisation to speak of. Every leader was desperately trying to retain control of their area of influence to appropriate and use local resources, including at the panchayat level. If the Naxals engaged in ideologically-motivated violence and the CPM in political violence, the TMC is engaged in both ideological violence driven by hatred for right-wing ideology and political violence driven by visceral animosity for the BJP. Last but not least, violence for financial gratification and violence abetted by rising Hinduphobia under Mamata Banerjee, have only worsened the decay and the insufferable rot that has permeated every aspect of Bengals political economy.

Biswanath Chakraborty, in a brilliant article, recently said that the TMCs politics is also the politics of lawlessness. It is only when the police and law and order machinery choose to be mute spectators that such widespread killings can take place. Dont forget, over 54 people were brutally killed in the recently held Panchayat polls in July 2023 in West Bengal but forget regret, remorse or any action against the TMC goons, there was not even a mild condemnation by Mamata Banerjee against the TMC vandals who indulged in blatant rigging of polls, threw ballot boxes into rivers and ponds, mercilessly beat up BJP workers and shamed democracy in more ways than one.

The TMC is also engaged in the politics of uncertainty and insecurity. Uncertain of her future and insecure about safety, a woman voter, very often, for instance, will not go against the ruling party (TMC). Finally, the TMCs politics is also one of denial. It denies the number of dead, even when confronted with the bodies. It engages in whataboutery. The TMC knows that some people will believe this, some will forget and many may not even bother. That is how, through a cunning mix of subterfuge, deception and repeating a lie a thousand times, Mamata Banerjees draconian regime has managed to create a perception that things are not that bad in Bengal. The harsh reality though is, things could not have been worse.

Before the 2021 Assembly elections in Bengal, many incidents took place like the Sitalkuchi violence or other cases where there was a drastic misuse of human rights. After May 2, 2021, when results were declared, post-poll violence in West Bengal shook the whole nation with mass rapes, murders, molestations, burning of offices and homes and kidnappings of BJP workers which became the order of the day. Amidst all this, Banerjee refused to even acknowledge the horrific lawlessness. First, it was the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and then the Kolkata High Court which condemned the post-poll violence of 2021 and handed over the probe to CBI. The police force which reports to Mamata Banerjee is so politically motivated that it refuses to even register FIRs, much less arrest the culprits. This was the case in the post-poll violence in 2021 and has been the case even in the Panchayat poll violence in 2023. Despite some BJP women workers being disrobed and paraded naked in Bengal only because they follow a different ideology from the TMC, there has been no outrage or award wapasi or any condemnation from the Khan market gang. No outrage even from Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Vadra, who otherwise, have an opinion on everything under the sun. The compulsions of coalition politics have led to moral bankruptcy within the Opposition rank and file.

Crores worth of public property is being destroyed every other day in West Bengal but everybody, right from the chief minister and her acolytes, to the police constabulary working under Mamata Banerjee is shamefully silent. Large swathes of media do not cover atrocities in West Bengal like they covered Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, because the media is also politically divided and polarised. That the chief minister, being a woman herself, is still silent on the brazen acts of crimes against women, makes it even more shameful. The West Bengal Governor is being abused because he speaks for the people. Many times, different governors of Bengal, be it KN Tripathi in 2018, Jagdeep Dhankar in 2021 or CV Ananda Bose in 2023, asked for a report on the failing law and order machinery from the Chief Secretary (CS) but the CS who owes allegiance to the CM, refused to give it. Such is the brazen defiance of democratic norms under the fascist Mamata Banerjee.

A mass exodus of people happened in 2021 after the Assembly polls in Bengal and yet again, after the Panchayat polls in 2023, the hapless took shelter in Assam. They were kicked out from their own state only because they dared to vote for the Opposition, the BJP in this case. Is the TMC government not responsible for the exodus of people from Bengal? Many people have repeatedly asked why the Modi government doesnt declare Article 356 or Presidents Rule in West Bengal. The simple answer to that is, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has barely and very sparingly used Article 356, as he does not believe in scuttling duly elected governments. Indira Gandhi on the other hand, had imposed Article 356 at least 48 times.

Holding elections cannot be a license for violence and the Kolkata High Court has seen earlier instances of violence. Elections cannot be accompanied by violence. If persons are not able to file their nominations and if they are finished off while they are going to file it, then where is the free and fair election?"  Justice BV Nagarathna of the Supreme Court, in June 2023, in a stinging castigation of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC regime said this in the run-up to the Panchayat polls on July 8, 2023.

Dictators ride to and fro on tigers from which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry, said Winston Churchill. And indeed, the people of Bengal are now hungry for change, as enough is enough. It is time for Mamata Banerjee to walk out through the exit door.

The author is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP and Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit". Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The West Bengal State Election Commission had announced rural body polls on June 8. According to media reports, at least 52 people were killed in poll-related violence in the next 37 days. However, the official numbers are less than half.

For West Bengal, election means widespread violence. And since elections happen almost every year, people keep dying in the hundreds. Opposition party activists and sympathisers remain homeless. Their state government doesnt set up any relief camp, but neighbouring states do. Many were given shelter by Assam this year as well as in 2021.

The saddest part of the whole story is, no one  including media and civic society  keeps count of them. Over 50 cases of violence were registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alone after the 2021 assembly election. In 2020, union home minister Amit Shah said 300 BJP activists had died in Bengal.

One may accuse the BJP of exaggeration. But then the official numbers are too small. Nearly seven or eight people died in this poll season in Bengal while making bombs. Its up to the government to classify deaths. The normalisation of violence is a part of the culture here. While refuting Shahs 2020 claim on violence, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) bigwig and top minister late Subrata Mukherjee had said: Many BJP workers were killed because of infighting. Even death by suicide was being passed off as political killings. He further added, Since 1998, at least 1,027 TMC workers have been killed in political rivalry.

During the 34-year CPI(M)-led Left Front rule, the government used to shrug off allegations of violence in a similar manner. Questions about the absence of opposition candidates in local body elections or absence of opposition polling agents in booths or abnormally low votes (often in single digits) in many booths were sneered at. The CPI(M) never admitted atrocities against opposition supporters and activists. But everyone knew the truth. Just as everyone now knows why Trilochan Mahato and some more BJP activists decided to commit suicide  as it was officially reported  by hanging from electricity poles or trees after the panchayat election in 2018. Post-poll violence is West Bengals contribution to the dictionary.

All violence cannot be reported. They are felt. Roughly 10 percent of seats in the latest round of rural body elections went uncontested. The ruling party won before the poll was over. In 2018, one-third of the seats went uncontested. The TMC won a whole district uncontested. Here in West Bengal, we call it improvement".

In this world, violence begets violence. The CPI(M) government was overthrown in 2011 in an anarchic situation. Maoist and minority religious-political consolidations fired the first salvo. Administration disappeared from Jungle Mahal and Nandigram, where the CPI(M) once enforced a near single-party rule. Armed militias mercilessly killed and chased away ruling party activists. People across Bengal sensed a change. The wave had subsequently hit Singur, closer to Kolkata. Banerjees TMC rode the wave. The state saw complete lawlessness for nearly four years since 2007.

Jump cut to 2023 panchayat polls. Two minority-dominated districts  South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad  contributed half of the death toll in the state. The TMC is the uncrowned king in both districts, it won 53 of the 55 assembly seats in 2021. However, during the panchayat election, a counter-minority-political consolidation aligned to the CPI(M) fought the TMC bomb-by-bomb in South 24 Parganas. A July 15 ground report by The Hindu points to complete lawlessness in Murshidabad, where people are killing people at the slightest provocation.

The mayhem can be explained in more ways than one. First, faults emerged in the TMCs core minority support base. That explains why it is crucial for the party to strike an alliance with the CPI(M) and Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. But, more importantly, in a repeat of what happened to the CPI(M) after the landslide win in 2006, the TMC was countered in a violent language, right in its stronghold. What would the TMC do now? One can look at the history.

Violence had been a part and parcel of West Bengal politics for long. During 1972-77, the Congress unleashed violence on the Leftists. After the change in power in 1977, the Left initially resorted to economic deprivation of the opponent supporters, which slowly but surely took a deadlier turn.

As the popular support waned and the CPI(M) faced resistance in Mamata Banerjee (first in the Congress, then Trinamool) beginning early 1990s, the nature of violence became ghastlier. People were either charred to death (Chhoto Angaria) or slaughtered (Nanoor) in dozens. In places, they were engaged in a fierce gunfight for area control (Keshpur). The conscience of the nation remained in a coma because the CPI(M) was playing a key role in national coalition politics.

Mamata Banerjee is not as blessed. Neither has she the number nor does she have any presence at the Centre. She is pressing for its return though. Her political journey may not be that easy in future.

(Pratim Ranjan Bose is an independent columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)
Manipur has been on fire for more than 75 days now. The nature of violence and brutality committed by Meiteis and Kukis on each other makes one wonder if humanity has any trace left in the region. A 31-year-old man guarding his village was beheaded and his head stuck trophy-like on a pole for all to see  all because he belonged to a different ethnic group. The other side hasnt been less brutal either.

Whats unfortunate is that each group has hardened its stance and believes its people are victims. This victimhood mentality runs so deep among the two communities  in fact three, if we add Nagas, who, thankfully, arent a part of the ongoing violence  they are no longer sensitive about the intensity of violence and heinousness of crime. As a community, they have stopped feeling the pain of the other, even when the nature of the offence is grisly.

Even the video of the two Kuki women being paraded naked failed to evoke much sympathy from the other side. Oh, but they do the same to us, our women all the time, said one Meitei student studying in Delhi University.

The Meitei-Kuki divide is dangerously absolute.

This, however, is not a black-and-white story. Meiteis constitute 41.39 percent of Manipurs population, but are, by law, forced to inhabit the valley alone, which covers about 10 percent of the geographical area of the state. Under Manipurs Land Reform Act, they are not allowed to settle in the hilly regions, which is 90 percent of the states territory. In sharp contrast, other tribes like Naga and Kuki along with their 29 sub-tribes, who reside in 90 percent of the states territory, can move into the remaining 10 percent of the states territory.

Much to their apprehension, the Meitei numbers have dwindled from 48 percent in 2001 to 44 percent in 2011. Interestingly, they accounted for more than 65 percent of the total population of Manipur in 1951.

Here, it needs to be mentioned that the Naga-Kuki tribes have mostly converted to Christianity, whereas the Meiteis are largely Hindu Vaishnavites. But then the orgy of violence being orchestrated today is not exactly religious in nature, as many vested elements are trying to make it. Its a battle between two ethnic groups of Manipur, both of whom feel they are tribals but one is not recognised despite having more claims to being sons of the soil.

The mischievous attempt to project it as a Hindu-Christian battle, in which Christians  tribal Kukis converted in the last one century  are facing the persecution of the worst kind is to give the rising, new India a bad name globally. It fits into the Western Soros-ian narrative in which India is being ruled with majoritarian haughtiness, pushing minorities into the peripheries.

The truth is that there hasnt been a better, safer place for minorities. Historically, India has given refuge to every persecuted community  from Zoroastrians to Jews  and they never felt, however minuscule they might be in terms of population, compelled to give up their indigenous lifestyle for a Hindu way of life.

After Independence, too, minorities have officially received equal, if not the preferential first claim on resources treatment. One can look at the state of religious institutions of Hindus vis-a-vis other minorities to comprehend the difference. Hindu temples, for instance, are run by the secular Indian State while the minorities are free to operate their religious institutions the way they want.

Coming back to the Meiteis, they have a deeper grievance of being discriminated against for their religion. They feel they have been left out of the tribal category primarily because they are Vaishnavites. They have a point, here. After all, they all belong to the same civilisational whole. One can read their folktales and folklores to realise not just a sense of oneness among them, but also the fact that these people were an extension of the Indic civilisation. It was actually a British colonial mischief to first bracket these people out of the Hindu fold by calling them Animists, and then go for further division between the valley and the hills.

Prof BB Kumar, in his book, The Tribal Societies of India, quotes the Census 1921, as saying: Animism as a religion should be entirely abandoned, and all those hitherto classed as Animists should be grouped with Hindus. Even eminent sociologist H Risley found no sharp distinction between Hinduism and Animism.

Their folklores, too, share a similar story: of one people, with overarching civilisational connection. Kumar, in another book, Folklores and Folklore Motifs, invokes several local legends that hint at common cultural, civilisational continuity. As per a Naga story, a God known as Jillmasa had connection with a cloud, and as a result of that god, tiger and three others namely Asapu, Tuthoh and Kepi were born. Asapu and Tuthoh went to the valleys of Brahmaputra and Manipur, respectively. Kepi stayed there. The three became the ancestors of Mayangs (Indians), Meitheis (Manipuris) and Huas (Nagas), respectively.

He also recounts an Angami (Naga) story that says the Nagas and the plainsmen were the descendants of two brothers and their followers, who used Chombu and Chemu trees to lighten their paths. The former gave light for several days, but not the latter. Thus, most people who followed the brother using Chombu tree for blazing the path went to the plains. The ancestor of the Nagas was the second brother.

Then, theres another Angami legend, as per which Nagas and Teprima (Indians) are the descendants of Ukepenopfu and her wise husband, who had a long moustache and beard reaching down to his feet. He imparted all his knowledge and wisdom to the younger son, who became the ancestor of Teprimas (Indians). The elder one (ie, the ancestor of the Nagas) was frightened to see him and ran away and thus remained poor in knowledge and wisdom.

Manipur, and the rest of the Northeast, is bleeding precisely because the British executed with great elan their divide and rule policy when they first entered the region after the Treaty of Yandaboo following the first Anglo-Burmese war in 1826. They created the artificial divide between the hills and the plains; so the hills became the homes of the Kuki-Naga tribes and the Imphal Valley, the abode of Meiteis. After dividing the region between the hills and the valley, the British came up with another masterstroke in the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, which prohibited an outsiders  British subject or foreign citizen  entry into the area beyond the Inner Line without a pass and his purchase of land there.

Post-Independence, the Nehru administration continued with these colonial policies  of course, in newer terms such as Inner Line Permit, and in the name of safeguarding tribal culture and traditions. But, in reality, the government of free India did exactly what the colonial masters had done before 1947: to outsource the northeast to missionaries. In fact, the access and control that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru gave to Dr Verrier Elwin was unprecedented. No wonder, Manipur, which had just 45 Christians in 1901, and 4,000 two decades later, finds its hilly regions mostly converted today.

What ails Manipuri society is that it is heavily weaponised. To make matters worse, each ethnic group has armed militias. So, when the divide is deep and dangerous, violence becomes the obvious outcome. Theres no trust for the other, no sympathy either. What has further complicated the matter is the poppy growing culture, especially among the Kukis, though a section of Meiteis too have deep drug nexus, besides the ongoing flux in Myanmar just across the international border.

As Sreemoy Talukdar wrote for Firstpost in his recent article: The destabilising 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.

The state government has failed to control the situation. Worse, it doesnt have the trust of a fairly large segment of its own people. The gravity of the situation, thus, demands strong measures from the central government. It just cannot afford to let the situation deteriorate any further. Maybe given the almost unbridgeable divide between the hills and the valley, the government can look at granting autonomous district councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Kukis and Nagas  something on the line of the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam. Simultaneously, the Meiteis too need justice: they have a legitimate demand and it cannot be brushed aside because of the faith they profess. They are as tribal as Kukis and Nagas.

Accepting such demands may bring in new players with similar proposals. But given the scale and intensity of violence in Manipur and also the great societal divide between the valley people and the inhabitants of the hills  a byproduct of disastrous government policies, of course  the Centre has no option but to bite the bullet sooner than later. A lot of violence has already marred Manipur. It cannot be allowed to bleed any further.

(Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)
A viral video that shows two women being paraded naked in Manipur has sent shockwaves across the country. At the political level there have been two sets of responses. The first set of response has come from the ruling party, and the second set of response has come from the Opposition. As far as the ruling party or their government at the Centre

is concerned, no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself categorically said that those guilty of this shameful act would not be spared. The government also said that it was ready to discuss the Manipur violence in Parliament. Meanwhile, following the Prime Ministers statement, the action is swift. Till the time of writing this column, five accused persons suspected of committing this heinous act have been arrested by the Manipur police and the hunt for the rest of them is on.

Now let us take a look at the second set of responses. The Opposition demanded that there should be a discussion in Parliament and when the government agreed to it then they didnt let it function. So, there was no discussion on it for the first two days of Parliament. Meanwhile, outside Parliament, the Opposition parties are targeting Prime Minister Modi. It doesnt make any sense how the Prime Minister can be held responsible for an ethnic conflict where cross-border forces are trying to instigate it further.

The politicisation of a sensitive issue like Manipur violence, where we have a complex interplay of forces influenced by external factors, doesnt augur well for Indian democracy. In a vast country like India, there would always be some areas which would experience conflicts. The Opposition has every right to question the government of the day on this but it also has the responsibility to follow the norms of parliamentary democracy. It appears that the Opposition is avoiding discussion in Parliament on this by creating a situation where no discussion can happen. This also indicates that it is not interested in conflict-resolution. Rather, it is more interested in keeping the issue alive outside parliament to corner the ruling party.

As we are all aware that this incident has brought into the fore the issue of the tribal welfare also as the victims of this crime are said to belong to a particular tribal community of Manipur. The Opposition parties, especially Congress party, which is leading the charge against the Prime Minister on this front, doesnt seem to have any moral ground to talk about the issue of tribal welfare. The status of tribals in almost six plus decades of Congress rule at the Centre is quite well known. They remained backward and many of them were converted to Christianity by the missionaries. In fact, north-eastern states, including Manipur, remained the most backward and had become hotbeds of secessionist movements during the Congress rule. The situation has dramatically changed ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the Centre and in most of the north-eastern states. The ethnic conflicts came down to almost nil and most of the separatist movements have been dealt with quite effectively.

However, in May 2023, an unfortunate conflict in Manipur between Meteis and Kukis took place following a High Court decision regarding reservation of Meties as the Scheduled Tribe. Those opposing the reservation for Meties took out a protest march. This volatile situation led to violence and counter-violence between the two communities. There have been at least 160 deaths and thousands of people have been injured and uprooted from their homes and villages.

Instead of politicising the issue, it is time to heal Manipur and bring the two communities together. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already visited the state and brought representatives from all communities together. The Prime Minister has also reacted and one can see the action happening on the ground to nab the perpetrators of gory crimes during this conflict.

There are no immediate solutions in this kind of complex situation. Healing would take time. The governments are generally constrained in this kind of situation. Its job often gets confined to maintaining law and order in such circumstances as the affected parties do not tend to trust the government apparatus easily.

In such a situation, civil society has to play an important role. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and one of its inspired organisations, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, have taken an exemplary lead in this by first carrying out relief work in Manipur for the victims of violence and then by coming out with sensible statements on this issue.

In a statement, issued recently, RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said, In this period of terrible grief, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) stands in solidarity with the more than 50,000 displaced and other victims of the ongoing Manipur crisis. The RSS is of the considered opinion that there is no place for violence and hatred in a democratic set-up. It also firmly believes that the solution to any problem is possible only through mutual dialogue and expression of brotherhood in a peaceful atmosphere.

The RSS appeals to everyone to overcome the trust deficit that has precipitated the current crisis. It requires comprehensive efforts from both the communities. It can be resolved by addressing the sense of insecurity and helplessness among the Meiteis, as well as genuine concerns of the Kuki community simultaneously, said Hosabale.

Conclusion

With 2024 Lok Sabha polls due in next 10 months, the Opposition is leaving no stone unturned to target Prime Minister Modi. Their stand on Manipur is also part of anti-Modi rhetoric. The Opposition seems to be so obsessed with perpetuating this anti-Modi rhetoric that it has no qualms about politicising a sensitive issue like Manipur violence. That is not good news for both Manipur and Indian polity as a responsible Opposition is also a basic necessity for a healthy and mature democracy.

The writer, an author and columnist has written two books on RSS. He tweets @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Within a week of taking charge of the finance department, Maharashtras deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has showered funds on NCPs rebel MLAs.

Pawar has sanctioned funds of Rs 25 crore or more for development works in the constituencies of these MLAs for which a special provision was made in the supplementary demands. According to sources, Pawar has also tried to make Eknath Shinde camp MLAs happy by allocating funds to them.

As soon as the portfolios were distributed last week, Pawar approved funds for development works in the constituencies of the MLAs who supported the rebellion in the NCP. Earlier, the MLAs supporting Pawar were asked for a list of development works. Last week, the finance department submitted the supplementary demands in both the houses of Maharashtra Assembly in which a special provision of Rs 1,500 crore was made for development works. Both the houses of the state assembly had passed these supplementary demands.

According to the source, the NCP MLAs were promised sufficient funds for development work in their constituencies in return for support to Jr Pawar who engineered a rebellion against his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis sarkar with his team.

Ajit Pawar has sanctioned funds in the range of Rs 25-50 crore to NCP MLAs. Saroj Ahire, one of the NCP MLAs who hails from Devlali constituency of Nashik district, is said to have got Rs 40 crore for stalled development works in her constituency. Interestingly, Ahire was earlier backing Sharad Pawar but after she extended her support to Ajit Pawar, she received the amount from the finance department.

After Ajit Pawars rebellion, his camp had targeted two leaders from the Sharad Pawar team  Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad. To everyones surprise, while Ajit Pawar sanctioned funds to Patil for development works, Awhad still seems to be on the waiting list.

The Shinde group had opposed handing over the finance department to Pawar, given the deputy CMs track record. One of the reasons the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs had given while parting ways with Uddhav Thackeray was unequal fund distribution by Pawar during his stint in the MVA government. However, by allocating funds to them, Pawar seems to have won over the Shinde group.

The practice of appeasing ruling party MLAs by providing funds started during the Congress-NCP alliance government in the state. Then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukhs government had sanctioned funds between Rs 5-10 crore for constituencies of MLAs from ruling parties. Opposition parties BJP and Shiv Sena had objected to the practice which was also challenged in court.

After regime change in 2014, the Devendra Fadnavis government sanctioned more funds for constituencies of BJP and Shiv Sena MLAs. When the Maha Vikas Aghadi government came to power in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray and Ajit Pawar approved funds for development works in the constituencies of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress MLAs. The then Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis objected to this. As soon as there was a change of power last June, funds were approved for development works in the constituencies of BJP and Shinde group MLAs.

Speaking to the media at the state assembly, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said: It is a regular practice that those who are in power always get good funds for development works. When we were in opposition, we also used to get less funds of our constituencies.

CLP leader and former cabinet minister Balasaheb Thorat, meanwhile, questioned such allocation by the government. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and both deputy chief ministers had assured balanced development of the state. How will it be achieved by giving special funds to ruling party MLAs and ignoring opposition MLAs Shiv Sena UBT leader Sunil Prabhu had also objected to the disparate distribution of funds, alleging that none of the 16 MLAs of Shiv Sena UBT faction had received funds.
The Government on Monday will move to withdraw the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, from the Lok Sabha. Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh will move for leave to withdraw the bill from the lower house.

The bill, which was introduced in July 2019, was referred to a Parliamentary panel on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change for examination.

Led by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, the panel in its report laid in Parliament in February 2021, had suggested a slew of changes in it.

The bill provided for the regulation of use and application of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology for the purposes of establishing the identity of certain categories of persons, including the victims, offenders, suspects, undertrials, missing and unknown deceased persons and for matters connected therewith.

The standing committee had suggested measures to guard against abuse of DNA technology during investigation.It had cleared the bill after suggesting a series of amendments.

In fact two members of the panel, CPI MP Binoy Viswam and Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM, had submitted a dissent note, expressing fears over the possible abuse of DNA technology to target different segments of society based on factors like religion, caste or political views.

These fears are not entirely unfounded and have to be recognised and addressed by the Government and by the Parliament as well. It does not, however, negate the need for such legislation especially when DNA technology is already in use, the report had noted.

Meanwhile, Home and Cooperation minister Amit Shah will introduce the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in the Lok Sabha, and will also seek its passage.

The bill was introduced in December last year during the Winter session. It was, however, referred to the joint panel of Parliament, whose report was presented in the House during the budget session. It had cleared the bill.

Besides amending the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, the bill establishes the co-operative election authority to conduct and supervise elections to the boards of multi-state co-operative societies.

A multi-state co-operative society will require prior permission of government authorities before the redemption of their shareholding.

A co-operative rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development fund will be established for the revival of sick multi-state co-operative societies.

The fund will be financed through contributions by profitable multi-state co-operative societies.

The bill allows state co-operative societies to merge into an existing multi-state co-operative society, subject to the respective state laws.

The Government will also try and get the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, passed in the Lok Sabha. The controversial bill amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to simplify compliance requirements for domestic companies.

It also removes research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit sharing requirements. The bill also decriminalises all offences under the Act.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday assured the legislative assembly the state government will follow-up on the proposal to set up a base camp of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Raigad district, where a massive landslide killed 27 people last week.

He was responding to a query raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav.

It appears plans are afoot to relocate the proposed NDRF base camp (in Raigad) to Goa. If it is true, it will be an injustice to the people of coastal districts (in Maharashtra) who are vulnerable to landslides, said the opposition member and sought to know from the government the status of the base camp.

Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said, The state government will look into the proposal and take necessary follow-up action for setting up a base camp (of NDRF) in Raigad district. There will not be any discrimination in providing assistance to (landslides) affected people.

During the term of the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, then-guardian minister of Raigad Aditi Tatkare had taken the initiative to set up a base camp of the NDRF in Mahad town of the coastal district where large parts of Taliye village were wiped out by a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in July 2021. Nearly 90 people were killed in the 2021 tragedy.

A massive landslide hit Irshalwadi, a tribal village located on a hill slope in Raigad district, last week, killing 27 people and fully or partially destroying more than a dozen homes.

The NDRF, a central force that works under the home ministry, spearheaded the relief and rescue operation at Irshalwadi, located around 80km from Mumbai.
Monsoon Session 2023 Live Updates: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday urged the Opposition to allow a discussion on Manipur, stating India wants to know the truth about the violence-hit state and the government is prepared for the debate in Lok Sabha. The Monsoon Session of Parliament reconvened on a rocky start as the INDIA Opposition alliance hardened its stance on the Manipur violence with demands of a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter while the BJP held a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises over the deteriorating law and order situation in Congress-ruled state of Rajasthan.

Chaos ensued during the second day of the session on Friday as Opposition parties engaged in sloganeering regarding the Manipur violence and demanded a statement from PM Modi on the matter. The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime ministers statement first.

Here are the top updates you need to know:

The alliance parties of INDIA will meet tomorrow in the office of LoP Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Opposition MPs, having protested inside the Rajya Sabha chamber, shifted their demonstration to the Gandhi statue at the Parliament complex. As protests continued, leaders were seen raising slogans demanding that the Prime Minister break his silence on the Manipur issue with chants like: PM chuppi todomanipur pe kuch toh bolo" (PM, break your silencesay something on Manipur).

VIDEO | MPs from several opposition parties protest in Parliament premises over Manipur situation. pic.twitter.com/5RuTUfCtP0 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2023

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said the Opposition wants the parliament proceedings to take place and dont want to create a ruckus. We also want the House to function and we want the PM to answer (on the Manipur situation). We dont want any ruckus to be created in the Parliament," she said.

The BJP Rajasthan MPs held a protest in front of the Gandhi statue at the Parliament premises over atrocities against women in the Ashok Gehlot-led state, West Bengal and other states.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP Rajasthan MPs along with senior leaders hold a protest in front of the Gandhi statue. The protest is against issues of rising atrocities and crime against women in the state. pic.twitter.com/ruyKBbsZEM ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023

BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav said, There are atrocities against women in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Manipur. The opposition can only see Manipur, but Rajasthan and other states have been ignored. The Rajasthan Government has failed to protect women in the state."

BJP leaders also staged protest against the Ashok Gehlot government over the alleged atrocities on Dalits in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Congress Minister Rajendra Singh Gudha, who was sacked for questioning his own government on the issue of women safety, said, Our mothers and sisters sent us to the Assembly with the hope that we will do something for their safety and security. However, it is unfortunate that nothing as such happened."

Several opposition leaders have submitted notices for an adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur. The opposition is demanding an unrestricted debate that allows all parties to express their views without time limitations. Since the Monsoon Session commenced on Thursday, the opposition has been holding protests on this matter.

In response, the government has accused the opposition of evading a crucial debate on the issue and questioned their commitment to addressing it. On the other hand, the opposition has accused the government of also shying away from a debate on the subject.

As a result of the ongoing stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been unable to conduct any legislative business.

(With inputs from agencies)
Twitter owner Elon Musk recently announced the rebranding of Twitters bird logo to an X," with the aim to create X as a global marketplace centered around audio, video, messaging, payments/banking, and more. The domain X dot com now redirects users to Twitter dot com. Musk mentioned that the new X logo will go live later today.

But how many of you know that Twitters potential new logo takes Elon Musk back to his tech entrepreneur days when he was a 28-year-old, with aspirations to launch an online banking company in 1999

According to a popular author Walter Isaacson, the infatuation of Elon Musk with the name X.com goes way back. His experience at Scotiabank had convinced him that the industry was ripe for disruption. So in March 1999, he founded X.com.

The infatuation of @elonmusk with the name https://t.co/CZLJi8uLXZ goes way back. Here are some excerpts from my upcoming book, https://t.co/7JGHd10lOCWhen his cousin Peter Rive visited in early 1999, he found Musk poring over books about the banking system. Im trying to https://t.co/2PQr0qQhVG pic.twitter.com/WDdACBZTmc Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson) July 23, 2023

His concept for X.com was grand. It would be a one-stop everything-store for all financial needs: banking, digital purchases, checking, credit cards, investments, and loans. Transactions would be handled instantly, with no waiting for payments to clear. His insight was that money is simply an entry into a database, and he wanted to devise a way that all transactions were securely recorded in real time," Isaacson wrote on Twitter.

According to the author, Musk was able to entice the influential head of Sequoia Capital, Michael Moritz, to make a major investment in X.com. Moritz then facilitated a deal with Barclays Bank and a community bank in Colorado to become partners, so that X.com could offer mutual funds, have a bank charter, and be FDIC-insured.

Musk wanted the company to be named X.com, with PayPal as one of its subsidiaries. He even attempted to rename the payment system X-PayPal, but there was resistance since PayPal was already a trusted brand. Later, conflicts arose between Max Levchin and Musk over the choice of the main operating system, Microsoft Windows or Unix.

Reports suggested that disagreements over the name X.com led to Musks departure from PayPal in late 2000. Most employees favoured the name PayPal, and in 2001, the company was rebranded accordingly.
After recently announcing that its micro-blogging application Twitter will be renamed to X, Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, has now revealed ambitious plans for a significant transformation of the social media platform. X dot com now points to Twitter dot com. Interim X logo goes live later today," Musk tweeted.

In another post, he wrote, If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, well make go live worldwide tomorrow."

https://t.co/bOUOek5Cvy now points to https://t.co/AYBszklpkE.Interim X logo goes live later today.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023

Twitter CEO also took to the social media platform and wrote: X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways were just beginning to imagine," tweeted Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino.

Its an exceptionally rare thing  in life or in business  that you get a second chance to make another big impression. Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square. Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 23, 2023

Its an exceptionally rare thing  in life or in business  that you get a second chance to make another big impression. Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square," Yaccarino added.

Earlier on Sunday, Tesla CEO announced that he is changing the Twitter logo. Musk also shared the design of the new Twitter logo on its social media platform and named it X. And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds. If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, well make go live worldwide tomorrow, Elon Musk tweeted.

If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, well make go live worldwide tomorrow," he added. According to reports, Twitter is now part of a new company called X Corp after a merger. Elon Musk hinted at this by posting X on his Twitter account. Elon Musk is promoting his AI company, xAI, which he said will understand the universe."

Earlier this month, Musk launched his own artificial intelligence company, xAI, aiming to challenge OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. He said that the new artificial intelligence company will operate independently from his other businesses, however, xAIs innovations could be beneficial to those businesses, such as Twitter.
It was a proud day for IndiGo Airlines on Sunday as it hosted Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar on a Pune-bound flight. The war hero was welcomed by Captain Edsel with a short speech before the take-off. A short video was shared by IndiGo Airlines on its Twitter handle, in which Captain Edsel is seen giving a speech in honour of the war hero. The crew also felicitated Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar with a memento. The video was tweeted with the caption, Flying with a hero: Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar ji, a Living Param Veer Chakra awardee!

The pilot, in his speech, gave a brief introduction about Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, explaining that he was a part of the battle at Mushkoh Valley in Drass, Jammu, on July 4, 1999, and emerged victorious.

The video shared by the airlines was viewed by 320.9 K people. Users, on Twitter, showered love and praise on the airlines gesture.

Reacting to the video, one of the users commented, This video made my day. Thank you for the honour of our real hero. Jay hind.

This video made my day. Thank you @IndiGo6E for the honour of our real hero. Jay hind  Shesh Nath Pandey (@navdrohi) July 24, 2023

Another said, Thats an amazing gesture and special compliments to the Captain for articulating the act of gallantry so flawlessly well. Its rare outside the defence environment You have earned a loyal customer herein onwards.

That's an amazing gesture @IndiGo6E and special compliments to the Captain for articulating the act of gallantry so flawlessly well .. It's rare outside the defence environment You have earned a loyal customer herein onwards Prashant Mishra (@victorprash) July 23, 2023

Thank you, IndiGo. Recognising the contribution of the PVC awardee and felicitating on the flight by the Captain is a nice gesture. What more can be given to a soldier other than recognition of his contribution to the nation? Jai Hind, read a comment.

@DGCAIndia @JM_Scindia Thank you Indigo. Recognising the contribution of the PVC awardee and felicitating in the flight by the Captain is a nice gesture. What more can be given to a soldier other than recognition of his contribution to the nation. Jai Hind . Colonel for whom Nation First (@SanjayK97810385) July 24, 2023

Tell us what you think of the video.
Iran, largely shunned by western tourists, is making a push to attract visitors from wealthy Gulf Arab states and other nearby countries to boost its sanctions-hit economy. The Islamic republic is also drawing more visitors from Russia and China to its ancient sites that date back to the Persian empire and the fabled Silk Road, industry figures say.

Irans Beijing-brokered diplomatic thaw this year with Saudi Arabia paved the way for direct flights, and Tehran is also seeking closer ties with other countries from Egypt to Morocco.

The slow but steady change is noticable at major tourist sights where more visitors can now be heard speaking not English, French or German, but Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

In the past, we were receiving many tourists from Europe but now those numbers have seen a sharp decline," said one Tehran travel agency owner, 46-year-old Hamid Shateri.

Europeans are afraid of visiting Iran", he said, after years of tensions over the countrys contested nuclear programme and after Western government warnings against travelling there.

These days, mostly Chinese and Russian people visit Irans historical sites and spectacular scenery and Arab tourists, especially from Iraq, come to attend religious ceremonies."

Years of isolation

Iran has long attracted foreign visitors with its ancient splendours including the cities of Shiraz, Isfahan and Mashhad and its 2,500-year-old Persepolis complex.

It has deserts and snow-capped mountains as well as Gulf and Caspian Sea coastlines, and prides itself on its cuisine and tradition of hospitality.

A steady stream of mainly European visitors long kept coming despite the strict dress code for women and bans on alcohol and nightlife after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

As the largest Shiite Muslim power, Iran also hosts a steady stream of religious pilgrims, many from neighbouring Iraq, to its ancient shrine cities of Mashhad and Qom.

There were high hopes for a lucrative boost to tourism after Iran and major powers struck a landmark deal in 2015 to restrict its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

Also read: Seema Haiders Indian Neighbours Making Fun of PUBG Bf Leaves Desis in Splits, Video Goes Viral

But those hopes were dashed three years later when the then US president Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the agreement.

Bad news has spiralled since, including the Covid pandemic that hit Iran early and hard.

Last year, mass protests rocked the country, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest for allegedly flouting the dress rules, before authorities put down the women-led riots", which they blamed on hostile forces abroad.

Iran has also jailed several Europeans, prompting multiple Western countries to advise their citizens against all travel there, many citing the risk of arbitrary detention".

Last year Iran attracted 4.1 million foreigners  less than half the figure for 2019 and accounting for just 0.4 percent of tourist trips worldwide, says the UN World Tourism Organisation.

Tehran has now launched a push to rebuild tourism, including by drawing people from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to the Gulf islands of Kish and Qeshm, which boast beaches, luxury hotels and cheap shopping.

Renewed push

Iran has also sought to attract more visitors from neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan, despite recent tensions between Baku and Tehran.

Setting up tourism exhibitions in other countries, advertising through their media and hosting international events are among the programmes to promote tourism," said Majid Kiani, the CEO of northwest Irans Aras Free Zone.

UNESCO last month added the regions colourful Aras rock formations to its Global Geoparks network.

The area around the geological park, also hailed for its diverse ecosystem, hosted more than 1.2 million tourists" during this years Nowruz new year season, Kiani said.

Armenians are now visiting the 9th-century monastery of Saint Stepanos, a UNESCO World Heritage site with vivid murals of biblical scenes and ornate facades.

Many Armenian tourists come to visit the historic church," said local archbishop Krikor Chiftjian, prelate of the Diocese of the Iranian provinces of East and West Azerbaijan.

Tourism analyst Babak Babali said there was much potential, given that in the 2010s Azerbaijanis routinely visited the region for healthcare, creating a sizeable medical tourism industry".

More broadly, some observers see signs of easing tensions, pointing to Irans recent release of several European prisoners, although others remain in detention.

Babali said that, while these steps signal Tehrans intention to deescalate tensions, it will take a while before this gets reflected in the number of tourists from Europe".

Shateri, the Tehran tour guide, also said Iran has some way to go before western visitors return in great numbers.

Iran needs to improve its international relations and show the world that it has a peace-seeking nature if it wants to attract more tourists," he said.
An image which is currently going viral has sparked outrage among people on social media. The image is that of an auto in Karnataka with a message that no one expected to see. Twitter user Roshan Rai took to the micro blogging site and shared an image of the auto. With this, he mentioned how regional pride should not be used to ill treat people. The message on the auto states how everyone should know Kannada since they are in Karnataka. The uploader has deemed it as Xenophobia of the highest order.

Also Read: 7 LPA Govt Job or 50 LPA Private: Womans Sarcastic Query Will Remind You of Quora

You are in Karnataka, learn Kannada. Dont show your attitude, you f*****. You have come to beg here, read the message. The image, uploaded a few minutes ago, has gathered over 8K views.

Here, have a look for yourself:

This is Xenophobia of the highest order, Regional pride cannot be used as a justification for treating people from other states as 3rd class citizens. pic.twitter.com/GEbQdNyuXK Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) July 24, 2023

And I will never understand how can they have pride in this poor infrastructure and absurdly high priced city, wrote a Twitter user. Another person mentioned, This is unacceptable.

Also Read: Womans CV With 13 Years of Experience as Homemaker Goes Viral on LinkedIn, Internet Reacts

Meanwhile, earlier, Karnatakas Kannada and culture minister V Sunil Kumar spoke to News18 about the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development BiIl. He said that the bill that was tabled in September last year and it will help promote and safeguard this rich south Indian language". He further mentioned that despite several warnings and over 300 circulars issued to implement Kannada as a language of communication, no attention was paid. With the bill, things will come in place.
The Delhi Police suspended a traffic policeman for charging Rs 5,000 in cash from a South Korean national for a traffic rule violation without providing a receipt for the challan. This came after the video went viral on social media. The policeman identified as Mahesh Chand allegedly didnt provide any receipt after he charged the foreigner who was reportedly driving the car on the wrong side of the road.

The screenshots from the video along with the YouTube video have been shared by a Twitter user. At 21:40 the traffic police officer named Mahesh Chand a corrupted one didnt even give a receipt to this foreigner and took Rs 5,000 as a fine. Please take some action against all of them," she wrote.

https://t.co/GVY9mLhSNyAt 21:40 the traffic police officer named "Mahesh Chand" a corrupted one didn't even give receipt to this foreigner and took Rs 5000 as fine.Please take some action against all of them. @dtptraffic @ArvindKejriwal @CPDelhi @narendramodi @nitin_gadkari pic.twitter.com/kiTH8T8vfH Priya (@Miracle2204) July 20, 2023

Taking cognizance of the video, Delhi Traffic Police reacted to the tweet and said, Taking cognizance of the social media post, the concerned officer seen in the video has been placed under suspension pending inquiry. Delhi Police has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption."

Taking cognizance on the social media post, the concerned officer seen in the video has been placed under suspension pending inquiry.Delhi Police has zero tolerance policy towards corruption.  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 23, 2023

The video is one month old and the traffic police personnel is heard asking the South Korean man to pay a fine. The man first took out Rs 500 but then the official told him that the fine is Rs 5,000. The man then fishes out the required amount and handed it over to Mahesh Chand. Mahesh then said, Okay, thank you," before shaking hands with the man. The entire incident was recorded by the camera placed on the dashboard of the car.

The Twitter user on Saturday also threaded another tweet where she mentioned that the man was also looted by the car lender as well and he didnt receive back the car deposit of Rs 2,500. People who are asking about time. It is mentioned about video timing, not the actual time. I hope it clears the doubt. Those who watched the video with subtitles will know he was looted and then even a car deposit of Rs 2,500 didnt receive back. What a shame, she added.

People who are asking about time. It is mentioned about video timing not the actual time.I hope it clear the doubt.Those who watched video with subtitles will know he was looted and then even car deposit of Rs 2500 he didn't receive back.What a shame. Priya (@Miracle2204) July 22, 2023

According to a report by India Today, during interrogation, the suspended policeman claimed that he was about to give the receipt of the challan but the car owner left.
In many cases, an employment gap in a CV is not considered to be that great. To justify that, people add various things. For instance, some might add up a hobby that they took or maybe a skill that they learnt. However, this one woman decided to add the real reason for her employment gap and it has impressed many people on social media. Yugansh Chokra, founder of content marketing company Growthic, took to LinkedIn and shared a CV as he lauded the woman for being so honest. In the CV, you can see that the woman has attributed her employment gap to being a full time home maker. Yes, you read that right.

Also Read: Ek Bomb Hota Hai..: This One Line Spoiler of Oppenheimer Has Desi Twitter in Splits

The woman justified a 13-year by listing her experience as a homemaker and highlighting her valuable skills. Yugansh mentioned how this CV makes her stand out. Taking to LinkedIn, he wrote, And the reason I love this is because managing a family is a real task, something that cant be undervalued. Less than 20% of women in India are working in a professional capacity. Gender gaps in housework participation are the largest among couples with children. Its a real job, you cant just discount the amount of work someone has to do to manage a family. Thoughts on this type of CV?

Along with this, he shared an image of the CV. In the image, you can see that the woman has mentioned all the skills that she learnt as a part of being a home maker. Here, have a look for yourself:

Also Read: Videos Show NRI Panic Buying Rice in US As Indian Govt Imposes Ban on Export

The image, since being uploaded, has gone viral. Managing a household really is a full-time job. Its great to see this experience being highlighted on a CV, wrote a LinkedIn user. Another person mentioned, Mentioning Homemaker as an experience is noteworthy and this truly reflects the open mindset of the person to be able to add qualitative value to something which is usually sidelined and considered a minimal task by the society.

What is your take on the same?
Christopher Nolans latest film, which delves into the life of J Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Projects challenges, is garnering significant attention and praise from audiences worldwide. Nolan fans are calling the movie a masterpiece. However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Tech moguls, Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI and Elon Musk, have expressed their disappointment about the films portrayal.

Sharing his thoughts on Twitter, Altman shared, I was hoping that the Oppenheimer movie would inspire a generation of kids to be physicists but it really missed the mark on that. Lets get that movie made. (I think the social network managed to do this for startup founders).

i was hoping that the oppenheimer movie would inspire a generation of kids to be physicists but it really missed the mark on that.let's get that movie made! (i think the social network managed to do this for startup founders.)  Sam Altman (@sama) July 22, 2023

While agreeing with Sam Altmans view, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk stated, Indeed.

Indeed Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 22, 2023

Amidst their opinions on Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, some social media users seized the opportunity to express their disagreements and criticised AI, ChatGPT and even the film Social Network. On the other hand, few resonated with Sam Altmans perspective.

One user shared that they havent watched Oppenheimer but credits The Social Network for generating their interest in entrepreneurship.

Haven't watched Oppenheimer yet, but I can definitively say that The Social Network was indeed the first trigger to my interest in entrepreneurship. Clement Mihailescu (@clemmihai) July 22, 2023

Another taking a dig at The Social Network tweeted that the movie is a brilliant portrayal of how innovative people can act selfishly and succeed.

The social network is an unfortunately brilliant depiction of how innovative people can act in selfish, harmful ways and still get ahead.  Danielle (@Danielledeco) July 22, 2023

A user expressed the need for a movie that inspires kids about the dangers of AI.

Somebody should make a movie to inspire kids about the pitfalls of AI pic.twitter.com/gYPRr1mJt4 Chef (@chefcowboyardee) July 22, 2023

In contrast with Sam Altmans tweet, a user claimed that Oppenheimer actually sparked their interest in physics.

Agreed on the social network comment, I feel that Oppenheimer actually peaked my interest in physics plenty. Ive been binging physics videos on YouTube and blogs ever since Ive seen it. I rlly do hope theres another movie that comes out that inspires innovation like SN did. Niko Tsiolas (Astuzio) (@TheStuze) July 22, 2023

Another playfully asked ChatGPT to generate a plot for the Oppenheimer movie that Sam will enjoy.

ChatGPT, please generate a plot for the Oppenheimer movie that Sam will enjoy arseny (@arseneeth) July 22, 2023

One more user joked about Open AI and expected it to be open-source.

i was hoping that @openai would be open source as the name misleadingly implies, but it really missed the mark on that.lets get that done Sam.  Anthony Waldsmith (@anthonywaldz) July 22, 2023

According to The New York Times, shortly after Microsofts commitment to a $1 billion investment in Open AI in 2019, Sam Altman described the Manhattan Project as a project on the same grand scale as Open AI.

The CEO also referred to J Robert Oppenheimers 1945 speech, in which the physicist justified creating the atomic bombs as a necessary expansion. Altman reportedly stated, Technology happens because it is possible."

Christopher Nolans directorial, Oppenheimer, features a talented lineup of stars like Cillian Murphy in the lead role, along with Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh, who are playing pivotal roles in the film.
Stunning drone footage has revealed details of the Batagaika crater, a one kilometre long gash in Russias Far East that forms the worlds biggest permafrost crater. In the video two explorers clamber across uneven terrain at the base of the depression, marked by irregular surfaces and small hummocks, which began to form after the surrounding forest was cleared in the 1960s and the permafrost underground began to melt, causing the land to sink.

We locals call it the cave-in,'" local resident and crater explorer Erel Struchkov told Reuters as he stood on the craters rim. It developed in the 1970s, first as a ravine. Then by thawing in the heat of sunny days, it started to expand."

Scientists say Russia is warming at least 2.5 times faster than the rest of the world, melting the long-frozen tundra that covers about 65% of the countrys landmass and releasing greenhouse gases stored in the thawed soil.

Also read: Drone Captures Tall, Hairy Figure Walking Through The Forest, Internet Convinced Its Bigfoot

The gateway to the underworld," as some locals in Russias Sakha Republic also call it, has a scientific name: a mega-slump.

And while it may attract tourists, the slumps expansion is a sign of danger," said Nikita Tananayev, lead researcher at the Melnikov Permafrost Institute in Yakutsk.

In future, with increasing temperatures and with higher anthropogenic pressure, we will see more and more of those mega-slumps forming, until all the permafrost is gone," Tananayev told Reuters.

Thawing permafrost has already threatened cities and towns across northern and northeastern Russia, buckling roadways, splitting apart houses, and disrupting pipelines. Vast wildfires, which have become more intense in recent seasons, exacerbate the problem.

Locals in Sakha have taken note of the craters rapid growth.

(Two years ago the edge) was about 20-30 metres away from this path. And now, apparently, it is much closer," Struchkov said.

Scientists arent sure of the exact rate at which the Batagaika crater is expanding. But Tananayev says the soil beneath the slump, which is about 100 metres deep (328 feet) in some areas, contains an enormous quantity" of organic carbon that will release into the atmosphere as the permafrost thaws, further fuelling the planets warming.

With an increasing air temperature we can expect (the crater) will be expanding at a higher rate," he said. This will lead to more and more climate warming in the following years."
Thousands of Russia-linked Wagner group mercenaries have arrived in Belarus since the groups short-lived rebellion, a military monitoring group said Monday.

Between 3,450 and 3,650 soldiers have travelled to a camp close to Asipovichy, a town 230 kilometres (140 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, according to Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that tracks troop movements within the country.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko welcomed Wagner forces into the country after brokering a deal between the Kremlin and mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin last month, ending the groups failed revolt against Russian military leaders.

The Wagner chief called the mutiny a march of justice to oust the top military leaders. The mercenaries faced little resistance and downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing several Russian troops.

The revolt posed the most serious threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his 23-year rule, eroding his authority and exposing the governments weakness.

Satellite images show that about 700 vehicles and construction equipment have also arrived in Wagner convoys to Belarus, Belaruski Hajun said.

Prigozhin registered a real estate management company in Belarus last week under the name Concord Management and Consulting in Belarus. Documents analyzed by independent Belarusian media outlet reform.by showing that the companys registered address was in the same village as the Wagner mercenary camp.

Meanwhile, local officials said Monday that the mercenaries were continuing to work with Belarusian troops, including at training grounds close to the Polish border.

Wagner fighters who have been in the heat of combat are passing on valuable information and experience to our servicemen, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Meeting with the Russian president on Sunday, Lukashenko said that Wagner troops were stressing (him) out by calling for an excursion into Poland.

The remarks have largely been dismissed by experts, with the American Institute for the Study of War saying that Wagner troops there could not threaten Ukraine and Poland.

There is no indication that Wagner fighters in Belarus have the heavy weaponry necessary to mount a serious offensive against Ukraine or Poland without significant rearmament, the think tank said in a statement Sunday.

The deputy head of Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate, Vadym Skibitsky, also said that there was no direct threat from Russian mercenaries in Belarus, but that Kyiv would be keeping a close eye on Wagner fighters.

Our assessment is very simple: Today there is no direct threat (from Belarus), but we are ready. We are monitoring everything related to the so-called Wagner missile defence system, he told journalists, according to the directorates Telegram channel.
Julius Robert Oppenheimer, who is famously known as the father of the atomic bomb, was offered Indian citizenship by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1954 after the famed American physicist was shunned by his own country.

The role of the famous American scientist has again become the subject of great interest in light of the highly-anticipated movie Oppenheimer." Directed by British-American filmmaker Christopher Edward Nolan, the film is based on a book co-authored by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, titled American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer.

After playing a pivotal role in the Manhattan Project" that developed the worlds first atomic bomb, which was dropped in Japans Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Oppenheimer vociferously advocated for anti-war policies and nuclear curtailment.

He believed that fundamental assumptions of the United States defence policy at the time were laced with ignorance and follies. Due to public rhetoric against nuclear weapons, he came at odds with the US establishment of the time during the Cold War era.

In 1954, Indias first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru offered Oppenheimer Indian citizenship. But, as per the American Prometheus" writer Kai Bird, the patriotic American scientist did not consider the offer.

After he [Oppenheimer] was humiliated in 1954Nehru offered him to come to India and become a citizenBut I do not think Oppenheimer considered it [the offer] seriously because he was a deeply patriotic American, Bird told Hindustan Times (HT) in an interview.

Robert Oppenheimer, once celebrated as Americas greatest scientist, faced a controversial downfall in what he called a terrible kangaroo court," in which the head judge accepted the prosecutors lead.

At the start of the Cold War in the late 1940s, as US-Soviet ties deteriorated, Oppenheimers constant desire to raise tough questions about nuclear weapons greatly troubled Washingtons national security policy.

During the second world war, Oppenheimer feared the rise of fascism and believed the atomic bomb was necessary to prevent Hitler from gaining such power. After Germanys defeat, he had mixed emotions about the bombings in Japan that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

In India, he is also famously known for reciting the scriptures from Bhagavad-Gita on the day the main nuclear test was conducted on July 16, 1945. Soon after the top secret test was conducted, he recited: Now I am become Death, the Destroyer of the Worlds."

After the United States won the second world war, Oppenheimer tried to publically warn his countrymen of the dangers to constrain Americas reliance on nuclear weapons. However, the US government questioned his loyalty and put him on trial, an incident that defined his life and inspired the Hollywood blockbuster by Nolan.
With the tenure of Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led current government ending on August 14, the political circles of the country are buzzing with activity.

Last month, the Pakistans National Assembly passed a bill to limit the lifetime disqualification of lawmakers to five years, freeing Shehbaz Sharifs brother Nawaz Sharif to return from London to resume active politics ahead of the Pakistan general elections and become eligible for what could be his fourth stint as the PM. Sharif, 73, was disqualified for life in 2017 by the Supreme Court and later convicted in corruption cases by the accountability courts.

Nawaz Sharif wants his relative and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to be the new Interim PM after Shehbaz Sharif. However, sources close to alliance partner Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are not happy with someone close to the Sharifs ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) becoming the interim PM. A caretaker PM should be neutral, so that all stakeholders are on board.

Nawaz Sharif is again travelling to Dubai to meet leaders of his party and other leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of 11 parties, including the PPP and PMLN, against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insafs (PTI) Imran Khan. The PPP believes this delay in consensus is harmful for the PDM and establishment will take charge and will appoint their own person.

The final call will have to be between Nawaz Sharif and PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari and they will resolve this soon, according to sources close to the former.

WHY DAR?

Dars name came into focus as the Shehbaz Sharif-led government mulled changes in the Elections Act 2017 to empower the upcoming caretaker set-up to take decisions beyond its constitutional mandate, with a view to ensure continuity of the recently rolled out economic plan and expedite the process aimed at receiving foreign investment in state-owned entities, reported The Express Tribune newspaper.

The PML-N was considering proposing the name of Dar, 73, for the caretaker prime minister as part of a broader plan to ensure the implementation of the economic policies, sources were quoted as saying by the newspaper.

ALSO READ | Peak Nepotism? Shehbaz Asks Elder Brother Nawaz Sharif to Return, Become Pak PM Again

THE RULE BOOK

The Pakistani media has reported that the current federal government led by Prime Minister Sharif may dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, days ahead of the expiry of its term.

Under the Constitution, if the National Assembly completes its term, polls are to be held within 60 days. But if the assembly is dissolved prematurely, even if by a day, it would give the government 90 days to conduct elections. The caretaker prime minister will administer the country till a new government is formed after the general elections. However, the final decision about the candidature of Dar will be taken next week in consultation with the PPP  one of the two main coalition partners.

MONEY MATTERS

The PML-N sources said that the government was considering amending Section 230 of the Elections Act 2017, empowering the caretaker set-up to take economic decisions and the amendments might be introduced in the National Assembly next week to allow the caretaker government to take decisions necessary to revive the economy.

Pakistans economy is passing through a phase where the matters cannot be left for three months on just day-to-day decision-making, a senior cabinet member said on the condition of anonymity.

If Dar is made the interim Prime Minister, he might not return to the next government as finance minister provided the current political dispensation makes a comeback. The name of Hafeez Shaikh, former finance minister, has also been making the rounds for the position of caretaker prime minister, according to the report.

With PTI Inputs
Prince Harry felt displaced when Prince William and Kate Middleton expanded their families with the births of their children George and Charlotte, royal author Tina Brown claimed in her book The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil.

The author revealed that Prince Harry felt left out as Prince William started to spend more time with his in-laws.

The author also claimed that the relationship between both brothers was not the same after William married Kate. The distance between them only grew further after William and Kates eldest, Charlotte, was born in 2015.

Brown said that despite living close to each other and sharing the same office space, Harry missed the us-against-the-world bond he shared with William.

Harry could not understand why his brother was obsessed with his in-laws. The [Waleses] had become a tight unit, and William a full-on Windsor country bumpkin. On weekends when he wasnt chez Middleton, he was tramping the grounds of Anmer Hall, the red-brick Georgian mansion on the Sandringham Estate that the Queen gave the couple as a wedding present, wearing a flat cap and tweed jacket like his turnip toff Norfolk farmer friends, Brown writes.

For his part, William felt that Harrys unabated Jack the Lad behaviour was getting tiresome. He was less amused than the British public by either the strip billiards debacle in Las Vegas or Harrys ceaseless boozy nightclub forays with his rowdy friends. His younger brothers recklessness exasperated him, she further added.

The Majesty Magazines managing editor Joe Little told the Daily Express that William fitted into Kates family very quickly and they adored him as a future son-in-law.

The fact that Williams parents marriage was disturbed and he found normality when he met with his in-laws also played a role.

I think also a bit of stability and grounding and a bit of normality that William perhaps wasnt too familiar with when growing up because clearly his parents marriage was facing difficulties when he was a child and he was very aware of that and eventually their marriage disintegrated, Little was quoted as saying by the Daily Express.
An Indian married woman who crossed borders and reached Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend said that the media was exaggerating her story and that she has no plans to get married and will return back soon.

Anju, 34, born in Uttar Pradesh, and living in Rajasthans Alwar travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the invitation of her 29-year-old friend Nasrulla.

The two met each other around 3 years back on social media.

Although Anju did not tell anyone about her plans to travel to the Islamic country, she said she will return back home in another 2 to 4 days, as quoted by India Today.

She says that she is in a hilly area of the country by her own will, and is safe there.

Came to Pakistan for sightseeing, says Anju

Anju also highlighted that she came to Pakistan for sightseeing and to attend a wedding and followed proper legal procedures to do so.

She specifically mentioned that she has no intentions of getting married to Nasrullah.

Anju said that she wanted to get separate from her husband as they didnt have a good relationship from the start and that she was only in the union for her children.

She also said that she has known Nasrullah since the past 2 to 3 years, and informed her mother and sister about him from the beginning.

What Nasrullah said?

Anju is on a visit to Pakistan and we have no plan to marry," Nasrullah told news agency PTI over the phone.

She will go back to her country on August 20 after her visa expires," he said, adding that Anju is living in a separate room of his home with the other female members of his family.

Anju was initially under Pakistan police custody

On Sunday, Anju was initially under Pakistan police custody but was released after her travel documents were verified by the district police.

An officer at Dir police station said Anju and her friend were released after her documents were cleared by senior police officer Mushtaq Khab and Scouts Major.

On the Indian side, a team of Rajasthan police reached her house in Bhiwadi to enquire about her after media reports.

Coming after the Seema Haider story

There are similarities between the stories of Anju and Seema Ghulam Haider, a Pakistani mother of four, who sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019.

According to reports, the couple decided to take their relationship to the next level and married at the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal in March this year.

Seema returned to Nepal from Pakistan, taking the Karachi-Dubai route, on a 15-day tourist visa on May 10. In Nepal, she reached from Kathmandu to Pokhara and stayed for the night.

Dont Miss: Seema Haiders IDs Sent to Pak Embassy for Verification; Sachins Cousins Held for Tweaking Docs

Seema then took a bus from Pokhara on the morning of May 12 and entered India from Roopandehi-Khunwa (Khunwa) border district Siddharthnagar.

In its latest development,the Noida Police has sent the documents recovered from Seema Haider to the Pakistan embassy in Delhi for the verification of her identity, reports said on Monday.

The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police have questioned Seema (30) and her Indian partner Sachin (22) and Sachins father Netrapal Singh for two days. Following the questioning, two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five authorised" Pakistani passports and one unused passport" with incomplete name and address and an identity card was recovered from Haider.
The UK defence ministry on Monday claimed that all school-going Russian children are going to be taught the basics of combat drone operation in an updated curriculum.

The UK defence ministry said that the announcement was made by Russian senator Artem Sheikin who said that lessons will be taught on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reconnaissance and how to counter enemy drones.

The ministry said that not just drone lessons but assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid are also included in the curriculum.

The UAV lessons join assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid in the revised Basics of Life Safety syllabus for year 10 and 11 students, due to be mandated from 1 September 2023," the UK Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Russian state-run news agency TASS reported in November 2022 that the curriculum would be tested in January 2023 and under the new rules high school students will likely go through 35 hours of training.

A report by the Jerusalem Post said that the introduction of militarism in the Russian curriculum is aimed at preparing young children for conscription and volunteers.

However, conscripts who were drafted in the partial mobilisation in 2022 suffered due to lack of training and preparedness.

The Ukraine war is added to the history curriculum of 10th and 11th graders and younger students are required to attend weekly patriotic classes called Important Conversations.

The training modules are included in an existing mandatory course called Fundamentals of Life Safety (FLS) but the UK defence ministry expressed concern that other lesson plans are already overloaded with subjects.

The UK defence ministry also warned that Russias renewed emphasis on military induction for children will inculcate a culture of militarised patriotism and not genuine capability.

Russias renewed emphasis on military induction for children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarised patriotism rather than develop genuine capability, the defence ministry said.

It also highlighted that the addition of UAV skills show that Russia has identified use of tactical UAVs in Ukraine as an enduring component of contemporary war.

Kyivs infrastructure has been targeted several times throughout the ongoing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war using Lancet loitering munition. It has also proved effective in slowing Ukraine down and impacting its slow counteroffensive.

Moscow has also used Iranian-made Shahed series drones, striking targets in deep Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine, too, has used drones to a great extent and has used them to strike targets like the Kerch Bridge in Crimea.
A nuclear-propelled US submarine has arrived in South Korea in the second deployment of a major US naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month, South Koreas military said Monday, adding to the allies show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

The USS Annapolis arrived at a port on Jeju Island about a week after the USS Kentucky docked at the mainland port of Busan.

The Kentucky was the first US nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed US naval vessels.

In between those launches, North Koreas defense minister issued a veiled threat insisting the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how much relations are strained now.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson of South Koreas navy, said the US and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

Meanwhile, North Korea remained publicly silent on an American soldier, Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border last Tuesday. US officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said North Korea has been ignoring their requests to provide basic information about King, including where hes being detained and what his condition is.

Analysts say North Korea wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to US efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

The United States and South Korea have been expanding their combined military exercises and increasing regional deployments of US strategic assets like bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.
Ukraine on Monday claimed a drone attack in central Moscow, the latest in a series of attacks revealing Russian vulnerabilities, while Kyiv said Russian forces again hit grain facilities near Odesa.

Police wearing masks cordoned off streets near the defence ministry in Moscow where one of the drones crashed, while the second shredded floor-to-ceiling glass walls of an office building in a southern district.

A Ukrainian defence source told AFP the attack  one day after Kyiv vowed to retaliate" for a Russian missile strike in the UNESCO-protected city of Odesa  was a special operation" carried out by Ukraines military intelligence.

AFP reporters at the scene of the strike near the ministry on Komsomolsky Prospekt saw a two-storey building whose sloping, metal sheeted roof had been torn up by the impact of the drones crash.

I wasnt asleep. It was 3:39am. The house really shook," Vladimir, who lives nearby told AFP.

It is scandalous that a Ukrainian drone almost flew into the defence ministry," the 70-year-old who declined to give his last name said while taking pictures at the scene.

In Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, Moscow-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov said an ammunition depot had been hit and a private house damaged in a separate drone attack.

Villages near the depot were being evacuated, he added.

- Crimea, Odesa strikes -

Crimea  a regular Ukrainian target since Russias large-scale offensive launched last year  has come under more intensive attacks in recent weeks.

Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take back Crimea.

Russias defence ministry said 14 Ukrainian drones that targeted Crimea overnight were suppressed" by electronic air defences and three others were shot down.

Meanwhile in southern Ukraines Odesa region, officials reported a four-hour Russian drone attack on port infrastructure on the Danube River.

A grain hangar was destroyed and tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged," Ukraines southern military command said on Telegram.

The Danube delta region, which spans across Romania and Ukraine, is being used as an export route for Ukrainian grain.

Russia last week pulled out of a key deal which had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Since then Kyiv has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to grain exports.

Ukraines military said it shot down three of the drones used in Mondays attack while Odesa governor Oleg Kiper said seven people had been injured.

Kyiv meanwhile said it had recaptured over 16 square kilometres of territory from Russian forces last week in the east and south, nearly two months into its highly-anticipated counteroffensive.

- Kremlin denies cathedral hit -

Russias defence ministry branded the Moscow drone attack a terrorist act," while Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there had been no serious damage".

Moscow and its environs lie around 500 kilometres (310 miles) from Ukraine but have been hit by several drone attacks this year, with one hitting the Kremlin in May.

Russia said this month it had downed five Ukrainian drones that disrupted the functioning of Moscows Vnukovo international airport.

The Russian strike on Odessa on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic cathedral.

Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged Transfiguration Cathedral, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a war crime", saying it had been destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".

The Kremlin on Monday denied that Russian forces targeted the cathedral, instead blaming the damage on Ukraines air defence systems.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday asserted that Ukraine has retaken more than half of the territory Russia captured during its initial invasion launched in February last year.

Now Ukraine is in a battle to get back more of the land that Russia seized from it. Its already taken back about 50 percent of what was initially seized. Now theyre in a very hard fight to take back  to take back more, Blinken said during an interview with CNN. These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough, he added.

The US State Secretary explained that the Russians have put in place strong defenses in the face of Ukraines counteroffensive. unlike the Russians, the Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their future, for their country, for their freedom  I think that is the decisive element and thats going to play out. But it will not play out over the next week or two; were still looking, I think, at several months," he added.

Since the start of the conflict, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, including the recent controversial decision to supply cluster munitions. Despite concerns from some US allies, like the United Kingdom, about the risks posed to civilians by such weapons, US President Joe Biden emphasised the significance of supporting Ukraine, including providing them with munitions.

In spite of billions of dollars of assistance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday pinned blame for the countrys delay in mounting its counteroffensive on a lack of munitions supplies. We did have plans to start it in spring. But we didnt because frankly, we had not enough munitions and armaments and not enough brigades properly trained in these weapons, Zelensky told CNN.

Responding to Zelenskys accusations, the top US diplomat said that he understands Ukraines perspective. If I were in the shoes of our Ukrainian friends and partners, Id probably be saying exactly the same thing, he said.

There are 50 some odd countries in this coalition in support of Ukraine. (US Secretary of Defense) Lloyd Austin has been leading this process on the military side. And different countries do different things at different times, Blinken said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the Russian missile attack on Odesa that resulted in civilian casualties and damaged the UNESCO-protected Transfiguration Cathedral and other historic buildings in the city.

Russia conducted aerial attacks on Odesa, along with two other port cities, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv, after ending the Black Sea Initiative on grain and fertilizer exports. Sundays attack resulted in at least one person killed and over 20 wounded, according to media reports. The attack also caused significant damage to cultural landmarks in Odesa, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, the citys primary Orthodox church.

The historic Transfiguration Cathedral was among sites damaged in the air strikes.UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres urged #Russia to immediately cease attacks against cultural property in #Ukraine.https://t.co/fHOR9zmVWW  UN News (@UN_News_Centre) July 23, 2023

The Cathedral, established in 1794, holds a place in the Historic Centre of Odesa, listed on the World Heritage List maintained by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In addition to the appalling toll the war is taking on civilian lives, this is yet another attack in an area protected under the World Heritage Convention in violation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, US chiefs spokesperson said in a statement.

In a statement, the UN chief also expressed concern about the wars increasing threat to Ukrainian culture and heritage. UNESCO has verified damage to 270 cultural sites since the start of the conflict in February last year.

The Secretary-General urges the Russian Federation to immediately cease attacks against cultural property protected by widely ratified international normative instruments. The Secretary-General also continues to urge immediate cessation of all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, the statement concluded.

@UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city center of #Odesa, home to the World Heritage property The Historic Centre of Odesa.Full statement: https://t.co/PUBC0WW9hZ pic.twitter.com/QeFK9nK1XA  UNESCO Kyiv (@unesco_kyiv) July 23, 2023

UNESCO expressed profound dismay over the brazen attack," firmly denouncing it. A mission will be dispatched to Odesa soon for a preliminary damage assessment. The agency stated that this act of hostility" is part of a series of recent attacks affecting cultural heritage in Lviv and Odesa, both protected under the World Heritage Convention.

This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against cultural heritage of Ukraine, said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General. She urged Russia to take meaningful action to comply with its obligations under international law, including with regard to the protection of cultural property during armed conflict.
A Burmese python incursion has become a headache for Florida over the past two decades, but that's not the only pesky reptile the Sunshine State is now contending with. The green anaconda, the world's heaviest snake, has also been setting down roots, with NBC2 reporting that the invasive species from South America has been increasingly spotted in the Everglades since 2000. USA Today notes there's even a suspected population of green anacondas breeding outside of Naples, in Collier County's Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

The females of the species can grow to be more than 25 feet in the wild and weigh in excess of 425 pounds, and they go after a selection of prey described by USA Today as "extensive and varied"the anaconda's menu includes birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, and even other reptiles. The green anaconda, aka Eunectes murinus, "swallows its prey whole, even prey much larger than the diameter of their mouths," per the US Geological Survey. "They are known to consume large prey such as peccaries, capybaras, tapirs, deer, and sheep." What especially worries local conservationists is the effect that green anacondas might have on the delicate Everglades ecosystem, especially since juveniles are now popping up far from human-populated areas, suggesting the constrictors are breeding.

"I worry about the deer out here and the natural animals," local John Busch of Copeland tells NBC2. The News-Press notes that deadly exotics like anacondas, which have been seen as far south as Miami and as far north as Gainesville, typically end up in the wild after being held as pets and accidentally escaping or even intentionally being released. Other dangerous species the paper warns "could end up in Florida swamps, forests, canals, or ponds, maybe even your backyard" include Nile and saltwater crocs, king cobras, and black mambas. (Read more Florida stories.)
The two big narratives in the GOP race are that Donald Trump has cemented himself as the formidable frontrunner and Ron DeSantis is languishing. But now a third narrative is emerging, one that has South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on the upswing. If it's true that voters seem to dislike DeSantis the more they get to know him, the opposite seems to be true of the 57-year-old Scott. Coverage:

Polls: Scott is rising in the polls in early-voting stateshe's now consistently in third place in both New Hampshire and Iowa. In New Hampshire, one recent poll has him at 8%, behind Trump's 37% and DeSantis' 23%, while an Iowa poll has the numbers at 46-16-11.

Scott is rising in the polls in early-voting stateshe's now consistently in third place in both New Hampshire and Iowa. In New Hampshire, one recent poll has him at 8%, behind Trump's 37% and DeSantis' 23%, while an Iowa poll has the numbers at 46-16-11. 'Turning heads': An analysis by Maya King at the New York Times finds that Scott is "turning heads" of both voters and donors. (Cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder recently traveled to South Carolina to meet with him.) "He has experience, a compelling personal story, and a campaign war chest that gives him staying power in a Republican primary that so far has been a two-man race," writes King. "And among Republican voters, he is the candidate that everyone seems to like." Scott, then, seems to be "perfectly positioned" to move further up should either Trump falter or DeSantis stumble even more. "The only question is whether either moment will come."
UPDATE

Aug 2, 2023 2:10 PM CDT

The vacationers who had to be evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes due to wildfires have been invited backon the government's dime. The BBC reports that while Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis didn't specify how the free week would take shape or how impacted tourists could claim it, in an interview with British TV he said "all of those whose holiday was cut short due to the wildfires" will be able to take one week of free vacation on Rhodes during the spring or fall of 2024. Some Greeks blasted the plan on X, nee Twitter. "Not a single day of paid hotel for the locals, Greeks, and immigrants, who lost their homes all over Greece and slept in the ruins," wrote one person, per the BBC.

Jul 24, 2023 1:00 AM CDT

Firefighters struggled through the night to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far, the AP reports. Their efforts were without the help of firefighting planes and helicopters, which do not operate at night. The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes. Some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations on the island as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said. No further evacuations had been ordered as of Sunday night. The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was "the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says media bias, and not his own controversial theories , is what's dogging his presidential campaign. "I've been really, you know, slammed in a way that I think is unprecedented, even more than President Trump was slammed by the mainstream, by the corporate media," Kennedy told Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, per the Hill . The nephew of former President Kennedy and the son of Robert Kennedy is challenging President Biden for the Democratic nomination, though Politico notes that polling suggests he is more popular with Republicans than Democrats.

"My unfavorability ratings should be off the charts if people believeI mean, listen, if I believe the stuff that's written about me in the papers and reported about me on the mainstream sites, I would not have anyI would definitely not vote for me and I would notI would think I was a very despicable person," he said. Kennedy most recently drew controversy when he spoke at a fundraising dinner about a theory that COVID was engineered to spare Jewish people and Chinese people and to target white and Black people instead. Members of his own famous family were among those accusing him of antisemitism and racism as a result.

He's "trading in on Camelot, celebrity conspiracy, theories and conflict for personal gain and fame," said JFK grandson Jack Schlossberg in the latest such criticism, per NBC News. "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." The candidate, though, pointed to a Harris/Harvard poll showing that he had the highest favorability rating of any 2024 candidate. "So, somehow, the American people are hearing what I'm saying," he told Fox. "I don't know whether it's through the podcasts or through social media." (Read more Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stories.)
Ukraine demonstrated the range of its drones on Monday, launching strikes that damaged buildings in Moscow and saying more such attacks are ahead. No injuries were reported in the strikes, which hit two nonresidential buildings, one of which is near the Ministry of Defense headquarters, CNN reports. Russia called it a terrorist attack and said its defenses blocked it, adding that the drones were "suppressed by electronic warfare means and crashed." Images from Moscow appeared to show the damage was not extensive but affected the defense complex.

A woman who lives next door to one of the buildings hit said the attack sounded more destructive than it was. "Everything started to shake," she told CNN. "It felt like the whole building had come down." Russian state media reported thick smoke was seen coming out of a high-rise business center, per USA Today. Russian strikes have hit nonresidential buildings in Ukraine as well, but the defense ministry said Monday it "reserves the right to take tough retaliatory measures." The Ukraine border is less than 300 miles from Moscow. (Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
The director of the Miami-Dade Police Department was in stable condition after surgery in a Tampa area hospital, the Miami-Dade mayor said Monday, amid reports from local media that he had shot himself. Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez, 52, was in Tampa for a law enforcement conference, officials said. "Following a critical injury in Tampa yesterday, Chief Ramirez is hospitalized and in critical but stable condition," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, per the AP . "All that matters right now is Chief Ramirez's wellbeing," the mayor added.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told WFLA that Ramirez shot himself Sunday night during a domestic dispute after stopping his car along Interstate 75 south of Tampa, where the sheriff's conference was underway. The Miami Herald and WPLG report that Ramirez's wife, Jody, was traveling with him at the time. Ramirez oversees the largest police agency in the southeastern US. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, is investigating the incident. "We have been advised by local law enforcement agencies that our Director ... has suffered a critical injury in the Tampa area," a statement from the Miami-Dade Police Department said. "We ask you to please keep him in your prayers."

Details regarding Ramirez's injury or how it happened were not immediately confirmed by state or Miami officials. The Herald cited law enforcement sources who said Tampa police had engaged with Ramirez at the JW Marriott hotel, where the conference was being held, earlier on Sunday evening after a report of an altercation. According to WPLG, Ramirez and his wife stepped outside the hotel around 6:30pm Sunday and began arguing. A witness saw Ramirez put a gun in his mouth and called 911, the station reported. However, when Tampa police arrived, the couple denied the witness's account, and the witness had left.

(Read more Florida stories.)
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Neil Jacobstein Chairs the AI and Robotics Track at Singularity University headquartered at the NASA Ames Research Park. He is a former President of Singularity University. Jacobstein is a Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Stanfords Media X Program. He was a Senior Research Fellow in the Reuters Digital Vision Program at Stanford University. He has served as an AI technical consultant on projects for leading business, government, and defense organizations including Deloitte, XPrize, GM, Ford, Boeing, ING, Wells Fargo, FMC, P&G, Hershey, Coca Cola, Loews, Harman, GE, Wipro, Dow, Genentech, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Applied Materials, NSF, DARPA, NASA, NIH, EPA, DOE, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. Jacobstein was CEO at Teknowledge Corporation, an early AI company. He chaired the 17th Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligences (AAAI) Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) Conference. Jacobstein is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He was a Graduate Research Intern in Alan Kays Learning Research Group at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, and a consultant in PARCs Software Concepts Group. Jacobstein was appointed by the United States National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to their Division on Earth and Life Sciences Committee for the period 2015-2018. He became a founding Editorial Board Member of AAAS Science Robotics in 2016. Neil advises corporations, governments, and startups, and speaks internationally on AI, Robotics, and the Implications of Exponential Technologies.

Seven factors driving the AI revolution

Summary of 7 factors driving AI

1. Money and funding of AI  1st quarter 2016 deal activity is up seven times from 2011

2. Algorithms driving the AI revolution [he suggests downloading RStudio]

3. Hardware

4. DATA  used for training AI

5. Talent

Data science competition at kaggle [website], to offer prizes for AI problems (but requires posting data publicly)

Experfy [website] lets you have AI people bid to solve your AI problems (Neil is an investor in this company)

6. Applications

Apple Siri

Google Assistant

Microsoft Cortana

Hound app for iOS and android

More than 1000 people are working on Amazon Echo and Alexa

Alphabet home

VIV Global brain

7. Responsibility

Seven factors in more detail

1. 1st quarter 2016 deal activity is up seven times from 2011

$2.4 billion invested in 2015

The race of AI

What is AI ?

A. Pattern recognition techniques

B. Software agents

C. a vision of superhuman intelligence that has not happened yet

D. A computer science that accelerates other exponential technologies

Synthesis of AI and human intelligence

2. Algorithms is the next big factor driving the AI revolution

Deep learning is making huge gains

850 stage deep learning image recognition at Microsoft

Download RStudio

RToolkit

3. Hardware

Alphabet Google TPU Tensor Processing Unit

Used in search and streetview

Qualcomm Zeroth NPU  4K and DSP signal processing

Nvidia- deep learning chip

IBM truenorth neuromorphic computing platform, 16 million neurons, 4 biilion synpases, 2.5 watts

4. DATA

All kinds of data, big data, genomic data, market price data, wikipedia, 500 million tweets per day, webfeeds,

patient data, relational data

a lot publicly available

Tensorflow integrate algorithms and data



5. Talent

Companies are acquiring companies for talent and targeting key people

Facebook new deeptext and deepface programs

Google acquired Deepmind for more than $500 million

South Korea promised $3 billion for AI R and D after the Alphago shock

Data science competition at kaggle, to offer prizes for AI problems (but requires posting data publicly)

Experfy lets you have AI people bid to solve your AI problems (Neil is an investor in this company)

6. Applications

AI applications

AI value adds

Augments human skills

etc

Machine learning applications  AII website

IBM Watson

Watson is moving into different domains with any credible partners

IBM investing $1 billion in 2014 and setup $100 million venture fund

We will extend our capability with assistance systems

Apple Siri

Google Assistant

Microsoft Cortana

Hound app for iOS and android

More than 1000 people are working on Amazon Echo and Alexa

Alphabet home

VIV Global brain (architects of SIRI came out of stealth mode) want to create intelligence as a utility

VIV allows you to delegate work to your computer

7. Responsibility

AI impacts human resources

AI is here now with practical problem solving

AI will blow the lid on education and will enable powerful one on one tutoring

Ai comes with tradeoffs

Trust will be important

AIRBnb is using AI to reduce risk to customers and hosts

AI Open Letter

The signatories ask: How can engineers create AI systems that are beneficial to society, and that are robust? Humans need to remain in control of AI; our AI systems must do what we want them to do.[1] The required research is interdisciplinary, drawing from areas ranging from economics and law to various branches of computer science, such as computer security and formal verification. Challenges that arise are divided into

verification (Did I build the system right?),

validity (Did I build the right system?),

security, and

control (OK, I built the system wrong, can I fix it?

OpenAI $1 billion

Reverse engineer the brain eventually

Eureqa = virtual data scientist
Researchers at Tohoku University have, for the first time, successfully demonstrated the basic operation of spintronics-based artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence, which emulates the information processing function of the brain that can quickly execute complex and complicated tasks such as image recognition and weather prediction, has attracted growing attention and has already been partly put to practical use.

The currently-used artificial intelligence works on the conventional framework of semiconductor-based integrated circuit technology. However, this lacks the compactness and low-power feature of the human brain. To overcome this challenge, the implementation of a single solid-state device that plays the role of a synapse is highly promising.

The Tohoku University research group of Professor Hideo Ohno, Professor Shigeo Sato, Professor Yoshihiko Horio, Associate Professor Shunsuke Fukami and Assistant Professor Hisanao Akima developed an artificial neural network in which their recently-developed spintronic devices, comprising micro-scale magnetic material, are employed. The used spintronic device is capable of memorizing arbitral values between 0 and 1 in an analogue manner unlike the conventional magnetic devices, and thus perform the learning function, which is served by synapses in the brain.

(a) Optical photograph of a fabricated spintronic device that serves as artificial synapse in the present demonstration. Measurement circuit for the resistance switching is also shown. (b) Measured relation between the resistance of the device and applied current, showing analogue-like resistance variation. (c) Photograph of spintronic device array mounted on a ceramic package, which is used for the developed artificial neural network.

Using the developed network (Fig. 2), the researchers examined an associative memory operation, which is not readily executed by conventional computers. Through the multiple trials, they confirmed that the spintronic devices have a learning ability with which the developed artificial neural network can successfully associate memorized patterns (Fig. 3) from their input noisy versions just like the human brain can.

Block diagram of developed artificial neural network, consisting of PC, FPGA, and array of spintronics (spin-orbit torque; SOT) devices.

The proof-of-concept demonstration in this research is expected to open new horizons in artificial intelligence technology  one which is of a compact size, and which simultaneously achieves fast-processing capabilities and ultralow-power consumption. These features should enable the artificial intelligence to be used in a broad range of societal applications such as image/voice recognition, wearable terminals, sensor networks and nursing-care robots.

Applied Physics Express- Analogue spin-orbit torque device for artificial-neural-network-based associative memory operation

SOURCES  Tohoku University
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, is currently meeting with members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The meeting is taking place at the national assembly, Abuja.

Nnamdi Ndi-Ezuma, first vice-president of NARD; Okokon Udo, permanent secretary, ministry of finance special duties, are among those attending the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is to address and find a solution to the imminent strike by resident doctors.

In May, the doctors embarked on a five-day warning strike due to the federal governments inability to meet the associations demands.

Early in July, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum to the government for the implementation of all its demands.

Some of the demands include massive recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals, immediate infrastructural development in hospitals and an allocation of at least 15% of budgetary provisions to health.

Others are immediate payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF), and the immediate increment in the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) to the tune of 200% of the gross salary of doctors.

Speaking at the meeting, Abbas asked the doctors to take advantage of the talks and bare their minds on the issues at stake and suggest realistic solutions to them.

We must approach these issues with an open mind and guided by the fact that revenues available to the government may not fully meet our demands, he said.

Therefore, we must find a middle ground that satisfies everyone without prejudice to the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding.

Abbas said all of the issues can be resolved without an industrial action, while pleading with the doctors to be patient.

Given your faith in us, I would urge you to suspend the impending industrial action while we intervene, he said.

We equally seek your understanding of the fact that a new administration just came on board and still in the process of settling down as ministers are yet to assume office.

The meeting dissolved into a closed door session afterwards.




The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, secured the conviction of four persons including a 21-year-old Cinematographer, Abiodun Ayomide from Ikirun, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State for offences bordering on personation and internet fraud.





Others include Bello Damola Lateef from Ilorin, Kwara State; Azeez Ibrahim Olarewaju from Ona-ara Local Government Area of Oyo State and Aderoju Ridwan Kayode from Oshogbo, Osun State.





Abiodun and Bello were prosecuted on separate charges before Justice Adebayo Yusuf, same as Azeez and Aderoju before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting, Ilorin.





Count 2 of the charge against Abiodun reads: That you, Abiodun Ayomide, sometime in January 2020 to December 2020 in Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly have under your control the sum of Seven Million, One Hundred and Ninety Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Seven Naira (N7,190,187) paid into your Access Bank account number 0108778482 which is reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 319A of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under the same Law.





The charge against Aderoju reads: That you, Aderoju Ridwan Kayode, sometime between the month of August 2021 and August 2022, at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly had under your control, the sum of N2,847,045 (Two Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand and Forty-Five Naira) being paid into your Guaranty Trust Bank, with Account Number 0658100735, reasonably suspected of having been unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an Offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319A of the Penal Code Law 









The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.





Following their guilty pleas, Innocent Mbachie, Rashidat Alao and Isabel Adeniran who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered exhibits, which were admitted in evidence. They urged the Courts to hold that the prosecution had proved the essential ingredients of the cases to warrant the defendants conviction.





In his judgment, Justice Yusuf sentenced Abiodun to six months imprisonment on each of the four counts with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on each count.





The judge ordered that one Toyota Camry, 2007 model; the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) and N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) which the convict brought as restitution; HP laptop and iPhone 8 Plus be forfeited to the Federal Government.





Justice Yusuf equally sentenced Bello to six months imprisonment with an option of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) fine. The court ordered that one iPhone 7 and HP laptop which were used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars) be forfeited to the Federal Government.





In the same vein, Justice Akinpelu sentenced Azeez to three months imprisonment with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. The court ordered the convict to forfeit the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) and one iPhone XR to the Federal Government.





Aderoju on the other hand bagged six months imprisonment with an option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. Justice Akinpelu ordered the convict to forfeit his Lexus ES 350 car, the sum of N403,000 (Four Hundred and Three Thousand Naira Only), iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone XR and HP laptop to the Federal Government.
Twitters owner Elon Musk and its new CEO said Sunday that the social media network would ditch its bird logo, be rebranded with the name X and move quickly into payments, banking and commerce.

Founded in 2006, Twitter takes its name from the sound of birds chattering, and it has used avian branding since its early days, when the company bought a stock symbol of a light blue bird for $15, according to the design website Creative Bloq.

Tweeting a picture of the companys new logo  a white X on a black background  late Sunday night, Twitter chief executive Linda Yaccarino said X is here! Lets do this.

Also late Sunday night, Musk changed his profile picture to the companys new logo, which he described as minimalist art deco, and changed his Twitter bio to X.com, which now redirects to twitter.com.

Musk had earlier tweeted that If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, well make (it) go live worldwide tomorrow.

Musk also tweeted that under the sites new identity, a post would be called an X.

The changes were not visible on the website as of 0630 GMT Monday.

Musk had already named Twitters parent company the X Corporation, and previously said his takeover of the social media giant was an accelerant to creating X, the everything app  a reference to the X.com company he founded in 1999, a later version of which went on to become payments giant PayPal.

Such an app could still function as a social media platform, and also include messaging and mobile payments.

Powered by AI, X will connect us in ways were just beginning to imagine, Yaccarino tweeted earlier on Sunday.

Yaccarino, an advertising sales executive at NBCUniversal who Musk poached last month to become Twitters CEO, said the social media platform was on the cusp of broadening its scope.

X is the future state of unlimited interactivity  centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking  creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities, Yaccarino tweeted.

 New revenue streams 

Since Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October, the platforms advertising business has partially collapsed as marketers soured on mass firings at the company that gutted content moderation  as well as on Musks management style.

In response, the billionaire SpaceX boss has moved toward introducing payments and commerce through the platform in a search for new revenue.

Twitter is thought to have around 200 million daily active users, but it has suffered repeated technical failures since the 52-year-old Tesla founder bought the app and sacked much of its staff.

Since then, many users and advertisers alike have responded adversely to the social media sites new charges for previously free services, its changes to content moderation and the return of previously banned right-wing accounts.

Musk said this month that Twitter had lost roughly half of its advertising revenue since he took control in October.

Facebook parent Meta also this month launched its own text-based platform, called Threads, which has up to 150 million users, according to some estimates.

But the amount of time users spend on the rival app has plummeted in the weeks since its launch, according to data from market analysis firm Sensor Tower.

AFP




Actress Eniola Badmus has insisted on charging a TikTok user, Ego Okoye, to court for defamation.





The actress made the statement in a video clip confirming Okoyes arrest after she made a viral post tagging Badmus as someone who had been arranging ladies for politicians.





In the video clip, Okoye was heard describing Badmus as a PIMP  someone who controls prostitutes and arranges clients for them, taking a percentage of their earnings in return.





She even went further to allude that the actress had at a point in time attempted to hook one of her friends up with a politician.





However, in a new video clip in circulation, Okoye, who looked baffled at being arrested, when asked by the actress how she had wronged her, said nothing.





Badmus said, You just decided to spoil my name. Dont worry, we are going to court. This is the girl that called me a professional pimp. Have I pimped you before? That your friend, where is she, you must provide her, dont you have the friend again? She must come back, she will be your witness.
The federal government has said Point of Sale, PoS agents found guilty of price fixing will pay a fine of up to N10 million or three months prison sentence.

The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission disclosed in a statement on Monday by its Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irukera.

Recall that PoS agents under the aegis of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents, AMMBAN, had increased their service charge for withdrawals and deposits.

Consequently, the FCCPC entered an Order & Notice (ONC) served to the executives of AMMBAN, prohibiting PoS agents from further implementing the price increment.

The Commission warned that the disobedience of its ONC would be met with severe punishment.

FCCPC explained that violating its Order would attract one million Naira fine for individual PoS agents, and N10 million for corporate agents or a three months prison sentence.

The FCCPA provides the Commission with statutory tools to ensure compliance and penalise law violations. As previously noted, some of these penalties are stiff.

The Commission advises PoS operators that violation of an order of the Commission attracts additional consequences apart from the underlying illegal conduct that is the subject of the order such as up to N10,000,000 for corporate entities; and N1,000,000 and or a prison sentence of up to three months for individuals, the statement contained.




A suspected Boko Haram member planning to attack the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Yola, Adamawa State, has been arrested.





The suspect was among three others apprehended in Atikus residence in Yola and handed over to the police.





The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Jubrila Mohammed, is a native of Damboa in Borno State.





Mohammed said he and the others planned on attacking organisations associated with Atiku and some other sensitive locations in Yola.





Others include Mohammed Bulama, 28, Ibrahim Mohammed, 27, and Musa Mohammed, 26.





A statement by Atikus Media Office reads: Police arrest four suspects in plot to attack Atiku, others in Yola





We wish to alert the Nigerian public that at about 9:44 pm on Sunday, 23 July, 2023, a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.





The man who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar was later handed over to the police.





Upon further interrogation by the Police, the suspect identified himself as a 29 year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.





The suspect also informed the Police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.





All four suspects have been handed over to military authorities.





We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation.





We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief.




The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has pleaded with the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to summon enough courage to do substantial justice to his petition seeking the nullification of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as winner of the February 25 election.





Atiku pointedly said on Sunday that contrary to the threat of Tinubu, heavens would not fall when he (Tinubu) is sacked by the tribunal as Nigerias president on the account of massive electoral fraud that brought him into office.





In his final written address, Atiku dismissed Tinubus threat as an empty one deployed to scare the tribunal from upholding justice in the petition challenging Tinubus election.





In the final written address by his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the former Vice President recalled the courageous position of the Supreme Court in the case of Rotimi Amaechi, where the apex court held that heavens would not fall when justice is done in the manner prescribed by law.





Justice George Adesola Oguntade, who delivered the Supreme Court judgment in the cited authority, had said: I must do justice even if the heavens fall. The truth, of course, is that when justice has been done, the heavens stay in one place and in peace.





Atiku asked the tribunal to invoke the courage displayed in the past Supreme Court judgment to settle his petition against Tinubu by disregarding the threat of monumental chaos issued by Tinubu to shield himself from justice.





The former Vice President maintained that Tinubu had lost the moral and legal rights to be in office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having admitted a punitive forfeiture of $406,000 in a narcotics and money laundering-related matter.





Besides, Atiku accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the results of the presidential election in the most corrupt manner in favour of Tinubu and thereafter, unlawfully proclaimed him (Tinubu) the winner of the election.





Citing the alleged brazen subversion of the popular will of the voters by INEC in favour of Tinubu, the former Vice President appealed that the proclamation of the electoral body is voided and set aside and in its place, declare him the winner of the election having convincingly scored the majority of the lawful votes.
Salihu Lukman, vice-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the north-west, says due process must be followed in the election of a new chairman of the party.

Following the ouster of Abdullahi Adamu as national chairman of the APC, Abubakar Kyari, deputy national chairman (north), has been occupying the office in an acting capacity.

Abdullahi Ganduje, immediate-past governor of Kano, is said to be considered for the position  and that has been greeted with resentment in some quarters of the party.

In a statement on Sunday, Lukman said no member of the party should be allowed to entrench arbitrariness in the process of determining who becomes the APC chairman.

A situation whereby President Asiwaju Tinubu and progressive governors are being alleged to have decided on Dr Ganduje as the next national chairman of APC without consulting other power blocs in the party and without meeting any of the organs of the party, including the NWC, is very risky and potentially damaging to President Asiwaju Tinubu and the party, he said.

If this is associated with a president who comes from a military background, it will be understandable. But to be associated with President Asiwaju Tinubu whose background is outrightly civilian having led the struggle for democracy in Nigeria for almost four decades, it will be highly unimaginable.

We must therefore appeal to all those sponsoring this campaign to nominate Dr Ganduje for the position of APC national chairman, especially his excellency, Hope Uzodimma, chairman, Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) to come to order and allow due process within the party to take its rightful course in the selection process of who becomes the next APC national chairman.

Nobody, including the PGF, should be allowed to seek to entrench arbitrariness and injustice in the determination of who emerges as the next national chairman of APC.

We must remind everyone, including President Asiwaju Tinubu that so far, the agreed zoning formula in APC has given the position of national chairman of the party to north-central.

Therefore, the relevant section of the APC constitution with respect to filling vacancies should be respected.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified Nigerians of the sale of an unwholesome Mayonnaise brand called Whippy.

In a statement on Monday signed by Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, the agency said the product was discovered following a consumer complaint received by its post marketing surveillance unit in Ilorin, Kwara state.

Adeyeye said during investigation, the product was found to have been sourced locally from SNF FOODS Limited, Onitsha, Anambra.

She said samples were then taken randomly from different batches of the product for laboratory analysis.

Laboratory analysis conducted on the product by the agency, showed unsatisfactory outcomes, the statement reads.

It was discovered that though the products were still within shelf life, they have become rancid and exhibit a colour different from the original colour of mayonnaise.

All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the implicated batches of the unwholesome product.

NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid consumption, sale or distribution of the implicated batches of the unwholesome Whippy Real Mayonnaise.

The products authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

Anyone in possession of the above-mentioned batches of Whippy Real Mayonnaise is advised to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

If you, or someone you know, have consumed this product, or suffered any adverse reaction/event after consumption, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.








The incarcerated Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has doubled down on his demand for the stoppage of recurring sit-at-home exercises in the South Eastern part of the country.





Kanu spoke through one of his lawyers, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in a video sighted by newsmen.





Dan Nwomeh, the Senior Special Assistant, Mainstream Media to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, shared the video on his Twitter handle on Monday.





According to Ozekhome, Kanu said he does not believe in the sit-at-home, insisting he could not be fighting for his people and at the same time shutting down their economy.





He cited the effect of the sit-at-home exercise on the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people, lamenting that it has put them under psychological, psychical and mental stricture.





As his lead counsel and lawyer, he has told me that he does not believe in it (Sit-at-home); he can not be fighting for his people and shutting down their economy. How do they feed? How will they train their children? Many a time, he cried to me in my presence that he wants to be released so that he can hold a world press conference and address the Igbo and Ala Igbo and the entire world to say, Dont stay at home on Mondays, go about your normal duties, go to work; because the Bible tells us it is upon the labour of your hands, I will bless the fruits of your labour.





So, I am now re-echoing again and again what Nnnamdi Kanu has told me, He does not believe in that sit-at-home on Mondays, which cripples the social, economic, social, cultural and political life of the people, putting them under psychological, psychical and mental stricture and torture, Kanu said through Ozekhome.




Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is ready to sign a contract extension only if his salary is bumped up to N8 billion a year.





Osimhen moved to the Serie A club two years ago and played a crucial role as they won the title after 33 years last season.





The Super Eagles frontman scored 26 goals in the league and another five in the Champions League as Napoli went all the way to the quarterfinals for the first time.





In the offseason, Osimhen has been targeted by top clubs like Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.





However, Napoli are hoping to hold onto the player and want to extend his contract till the summer of 2027, as his current deal will expire at the end of next season.





Osimhen currently earns 6 million (N6 billion) per year, but the Serie A champions want to increase his pay to 7 million per year.





However, Tutto Napoli reports that Osimhen is demanding 8 million (N8 billion) per year before he agrees on a new contract.
Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), has directed troops to wipe out violent attacks and activities of gunmen in Plateau.

Lagbaja addressed the troops on Saturday, saying they must work effectively to completely stop the violence in Plateau.

In recent weeks, many communities in the state, particularly in Mangu LGA, have come under attack by gunmen.

To curb the violent attacks, the army chief launched a special operation.

The operation was flagged off after the deployment of manpower and equipment in the state.

You must note that you must work and you must work effectively. We must see the results in Plateau, this violence must not resurge. You must stamp it and stamp it out completely, the COAS said.

You have pledged your readiness, I except this in the actions you will take in the field. I wish you the very best.

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My lines are opened, if you have any challenges or questions, send in a message and we will respond accordingly.

Lagbaja became Nigerias 23rd chief of army staff (COAS) in June 2023, succeeding Faruk Yahaya.




Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the positions Christopher Nkunku could play in his XI.





The manager was reacting to claims that the Frenchman would predominantly be used as a striker.





Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3 in the 2023 Summer Series on Saturday night despite conceding the first goal in Philadelphia.





Nkunku levelled the scores early in the first half for the Blues, with Mykhailo Mudryk, Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson also netting in the space of 11 minutes to give Chelsea a three-goal lead before Joao Pedro and Deniz Undav netted two late consolation strikes.





Nkunku started as a striker for Chelsea, with Carney Chukwuemeka just behind him and Raheem Sterling and Ian Maatsen on the flanks.





Pochettino told Chelsea TV, Well I think Nkunku can play in different positions.





For the circumstances in these two games we use him as a striker, but he can play like an offensive midfielder, like a No.10, like a No.8 or on the side also.





But hes a fantastic player and hes improving every day.
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has advised President Bola Tinubu to take five-pronged approaches to prevent the country from total socio-economic dislocation.

In a statement signed by Jare Ajayi, national publicity secretary of the group, Afenifere said the current economic situation in the country needs far-reaching and deep-rooted steps for it to be ameliorated.

The organisation said Tinubu should seek debt relief from our major creditors.

Another step is to drastically reduce the size of government at all levels. The third is to block areas of leakages of public resources, especially finance. Fourth is to embark on policies or programmes that are capable of engaging millions of unemployed people, old and young, in the country, the statement reads.

The fifth step is to ensure that security and safety of lives and properties become permanent features in the Nigeria firmament.

Afenifere said the five steps suggested would have to be pursued simultaneously for the inherent benefits to be harnessed effectively and promptly.

At the moment, Nigerias debt profile is so huge that it is spending about 97 percent of its revenue to service the debts according to many official sources including the Debt Management Office (DMO), federal budget office, ministry of finance and the World Bank, the group said.

It can be recalled that when the World Bank disclosed that Nigeria spent 96.3 per cent of its revenue to service its debt in 2022, the then minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed objected, said it was only 80.6 per cent.

If a person earns N100 and has to use N80.5 of it to service his or her debts, how would N19.5 be enough to take care of feeding, transport, health, education, care for the family etc.

Afenifere warned that very soon there may be no more funds for the provision of social services and infrastructure.

To prevent possible social chaos in this respect, the group said Tinubu needs to embark on diplomatic shuttles to get debt forgiveness from our creditors.

Afenifere added that there is an urgent need to drastically cut down on the emolument of public officials, especially political office holders  block the holes through which public funds leak  and wage a serious war against corrupt officers (in or out of office).

It is only by doing these three things that those we approach for debt forgiveness would listen to us, Afenifere said.

RESUSCITATE MORIBUND INDUSTRIES

The organisation also tasked the Tinubu administration to resuscitate moribund industries in the country.

Doing so will create employment, reduce crimes, boost the nations economy, strengthen the naira and earn the country foreign exchange. Government should refrain from increasing taxes and fees for now but explore ways of enhancing productivity and reducing pains, Afenifere said.

The group commended Tinubu for the decision to review the N8,000 palliative meant to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

Palliatives, to be really helpful and effective should be welfare-enhancing in nature and not be in the form of unregulated cash dole-out. Such money should rather be channelled towards the things that cash is used for, Afenifere said.

Afenifere stressed the need for the President to prevail on electricity distribution companies to stop their attempts to increase tariffs for now.

The Discos must not be allowed to deepen the miseries of hapless Nigerians. Similarly, recent hikes in school fees across the country should be rescinded so as to prevent more hardship for the people and a higher number of school drop-outs, the group said.
Residents of Enugu State on Monday defied the regular sit-at-home order in the state.

The residents filed out in their thousands to protest against the Monday sit-at-home order.

The protesters carried banners that read Enough is Enough as they marched through some streets.

In the past two years, residents of the Southeast have been observing a sit-at-home that was ordered by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Initially, IPOB started the sit-at-home campaign to push for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

But the initiative was hijacked by Simon Ekpa, who has allegedly been empowering thugs to cause havoc in the region under the guise of enforcing the order.

The sit-at-home has led to economic hardship in the region as people hardly come out on Mondays and whenever the order is given.

Ekpa recently ordered Southeast residents to stay at home for one week.

On Sunday, the Enugu State government threatened to sanction anybody, groups, or organisations that observe the sit-at-home.




Bismarck Rewane, chief executive officer of Financial Derivatives, says Nigerias economy is expected to experience growth in the first quarter of 2024.

Rewane, who was a guest on Arise News on Saturday, said Nigerians will have to endure more pain before next year.

The bad news is that there is pain and they will be more pain in the short run but the good news is that there will be gains in the first quarter of 2024, he said.

I used to think that you will get that sooner, but you will need to have your supplementary budget and recycle money into the system.

In his inaugural speech as president on May 29, Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy, a declaration that resulted in a hike in the pump price of petrol.

TheCable reported on Tuesday that the price had surged to N617 per litre in the federal capital territory (FCT) and environs, whilst it is sold for around N568 a litre in Lagos.

George Akume, secretary-general to the government of the federation (SGF), on Saturday, asked Nigerians to be patient while the government implements solutions to normalise the price of petrol.

The former Benue state governor described the petrol subsidy regime as regressive, adding that the annual payments were not sustainable and that Tinubu had to act.

Akume also said Tinubus actions of unifying the exchange rate and rejigging the countrys security architecture were proof of his commitment to securing the countrys future.

Commenting on the exchange rate, Rewane said: What system is being used to keep your exchange rate from being misaligned fundamentally, I think thats the key issue.

The exchange rate is misaligned because there are certain things that are being done that affect it. For example, you are holding some variables constants while allowing some variables to change.

In reality, no variable should be constant. Any economist who says a variable is in constant is practising partial equilibrium analysis and it doesnt work.

On June 14, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the unification of all segments of Nigerias FX market, and the floating of the local currency.

The policy was geared towards collapsing all FX windows into the investors and exporters (I&E) window.
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday nullified the election of Ngozi Okolie of the Labour Party, LP, for the House of Representatives.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Okolie winner of the Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency election during the Federal 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.

But Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP dragged the lawmaker to court, claiming that the LP candidate was not qualified to contest for the poll.

During its judgement on Monday, the tribunal, according to Channels TV, held that Okolie was not duly sponsored by the Labour Party since he was not a member of the party as of May 28, 2022, when the partys primary was held.

The court therefore declared the runner-up in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly, Ndudi Elumelu of the PDP, the winner.
Authorities will reportedly take a fresh look at the unsolved deaths of four women found in a murky ditch outside Atlantic City now that a man has been arrested on charges in three similar killings on Long Island, New York that have become known as the Gilgo Beach murders.

New York authorities arrested Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old Manhattan architect, last week on charges he killed three women found in 2010 on a stretch of Suffolk County, Long Island shore. Heuermann is suspected of killing a fourth woman found in the same area.

The case already has multiple ties to New Jersey including the 2010 disappearance of a Jersey City woman that led authorities to begin searching the area where multiple bodies were found.

In late 2006, authorities found four young women dead along a dirty, shallow canal behind a motel on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, just outside Atlantic City. Two were strangled.

The victims in the New York and New Jersey killings were sex workers.

Authorities in New York have twice said - in 2016 to NJ Advance Media, and in 2020 - that they do not believe the cases were related, but after Heuermanns arrest, investigators said its worth revisiting.

Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison recently reiterated to ABC7.com in New York, there were some murders a couple years ago that were similar, or something where it had to do with sex workers, we had to take a closer look and 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, Harrison told the news station. 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.

Authorities in Atlantic County declined to discuss any new investigations of the killings of Molly Dilts, 20; Kim Raffo, 35; Barbara Breidor, 42; and Tracy Ann Roberts, 23.

We have no comment on the Gilgo Beach investigation and any potential connection to the 2006 Black Horse Pike homicides, the office said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. Since that is still an open investigation any comment on it could potentially compromise that investigation.

Gilgo Beach is about a four hour drive from Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

New York authorities said they were able to charge Heuermann following interviews with incarcerated sex workers.

Authorities were digging in the backyard of his Massapequa Park, Long Island home Monday morning, ABC7ny.com reported.

Suffolk County Police provided this map showing where multiple human remains were found in and around Gilgo and Oak beaches on Long Island in 2010 and 2011. (Courtesy of Suffolk County Police)

Police officers stand guard near the house where a suspect has been taken into custody on New York's Long Island in connection with a long-unsolved string of killings, known as the Gilgo Beach murders, Friday, July 14, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)AP

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
Officials in New Mexico are sorting out the details of how convicted killer Sean M. Lannon will be prosecuted on charges that he killed four people in that state before slaying a fifth in New Jersey in 2021.

A post-indictment arraignment hearing scheduled for Monday on three of the killings was postponed while the case against him in the fourth New Mexico death proceeds.

Lannon allegedly killed his estranged wife, Jennifer, and two acquaintances, Jesten Mata and Matthew Miller, in Grants, New Mexico, in early 2021. Then, he is accused of killing Randall Apostalon in Albuquerque before he left the state for New Jersey, where he killed his childhood mentor, Michael Dabkowski.

Lannon was convicted last year and sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to a first-degree murder charge in Dabkowskis bludgeoning death.

He was extradited to New Mexico last month to face charges in the Albuquerque case and remains jailed in that city.

Grants, located about 80 miles away, is in a separate jurisdiction and a grand jury there indicted Lannon in March on 10 counts, including three counts of first-degree murder.

He was supposed to appear in court on the Grants charges Monday, but court officials said the hearing was postponed. No new date has been set.

Albuquerque is going to have to go first, explained Deputy District Attorney J. Michael Thomas, who is handling the Grants case. Under the interstate agreement on detainers, Albuquerque has Sean Lannon right now, and theyre going to have to prosecute him first.

Lannon is slated to appear in court Aug. 8 for a scheduling conference on the Albuquerque case, according to court records.

Once that case is wrapped up, Lannon will face the Grants charges, according to Thomas.

Maybe in a few months, theyll be done and then well get him, Thomas said. Hell get arraigned when we get him.

In New Mexico, Sean Lannon is accused of killing his estranged wife, Jennifer, as well as Jesten Mata (top, right), Matthew Miller (bottom, left) and Randall Apostalon.

The Lannons married in New Jersey and later moved to New Mexico with their three kids. They lived in Grants and later divorced, but still shared the rented home where the three killings there allegedly occurred.

Lannon allegedly hid the bodies of his wife and the two men in plastic totes, which he later moved to Albuquerque, where investigators say he sought Apostolons help with moving the containers. When they could not find a location to store them, the pair feuded and Lannon allegedly beat the victim to death, according to court documents.

All four bodies were discovered in Apostalons pickup truck, which police found parked at an Albuquerque airport in March 2021. Lannon allegedly parked the truck there and later flew from the airport to Philadelphia with his three kids, according to court documents. The victims were found a day after Lannon left for the East Coast.

Lannon killed Dabkowski soon after returning to New Jersey and leaving the kids with family in Gloucester County.

Lannon was arrested March 10, 2021, in St. Louis and allegedly admitted to all five killings, according to prosecutors.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital wont strike until August at the earliest, union officials said Monday.

It appeared a strike was imminent last week after nurses rejected a contract offer from the New Brunswick facility having voted earlier in the month to picket if an agreement hadnt been reached.

But union officials did not file a required 11-day strike notice  which would have targeted a July 21 work stoppage  because they were optimistic negotiations would result in an agreement, according to Judy Danella, president of United Steel Workers Local 4-200 and a registered nurse at the hospital. Now a notice is expected to go out Monday with a strike likely to occur on Aug. 3 or Aug. 4, barring an agreement.

It does appear that we are heading toward a strike, Danella said.

Union and hospital leaders have continued negotiations, meeting Sunday for seven hours, she said.

But I dont foresee anything thats going to bring us to a vote prior to a strike notice going out or prior to a strike, Danella said.

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.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital previously said in a statement that the facility will remain open and operational in the event of a strike with an extensive contingency plan in place so that patient care has as minimal disruption as possible in the worst-case scenario of a strike.

This includes contracts with national nursing agencies to ensure that hospital operations are maintained, and patient care is delivered, the statement said.

Union nurses want the 965-bed hospital in the RWJBarnabas Health network to implement nurse-to-patient staffing ratios much like California requires, according to Danella. California remains the only state to have nurse-to-patient ratios required by law.

That was one of the stumbling blocks, Danella said.

The hospital has offered certain staffing guidelines, she said. But it didnt go far enough for the rank and file.

It doesnt appear that ratios are going to go in there, Danella said.

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Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com.
Two men were shot outside a popular restaurant and bar on Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City Sunday afternoon.

The men, one who was struck in the stomach, were treated at the Jersey City Medical Center after arriving there in private vehicles, police said in radio transmissions.
No one was injured in a rooftop fire at large pharmaceutical supply warehouse in Mercer County on Saturday, officials said.

Solar panels and an HVAC unit on the roof were on fire when firefighters were called to the McKesson Corporation warehouse on John Henry Drive in the Matrix Northeast Business Park in Robbinsville shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, the Robbinsville Fire Department said.

Firefighters from Robbinsville and surrounding towns in Monmouth and Mercer counties brought the blaze under control in a little over an hour. The 350,000-square-foot building was not heavily damaged and none of the millions of dollars of merchandise inside was destroyed.

Smoke could be seen for miles, authorities said.

McKesson Corporation is a wholesale supplier of medical and pharmaceutical supplies and equipment.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A 16-year-old called in two phony bomb threats to Hooters in East Brunswick this month, officials said.

The teen placed the first call at about 9:30 p.m on July 6, claiming a bomb was in a bathroom at the Route 18 restaurant, East Brunswick police said Monday.

The second fake threat was also made by phone  at about 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The caller made the same claim about an explosive in a restroom.

The Middlesex County Sheriffs Offices bomb squad searched the eatery both times and found nothing.

East Brunswick police charged the Old Bridge teen Thursday with two counts of false public alarm following an investigation. Police did not name the teen because of his age.

Hoax bomb threats create public fear while putting first responders and the public in unnecessary danger,: Chief Frank LoSacco said in a statement. False reports waste emergency response resources, which may lead to real tragedies. We hope this serves as a lesson to others considering doing such a reckless act that it will not be tolerated.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A 50-year-old Harrington Park man was struck and killed by a CSX Transportation freight train Sunday afternoon, police said.

The man, who was only identified as a local resident, was walking on the tracks between Harriot Avenue and West Shore Road when he was struck by a northbound train at 2:35 p.m., said Police Chief Robert Murphy. CSX officials confirmed the man was killed.

Harrington Park Police closed all roads leading to CSX crossings while CSX Police and the Bergen County Sheriffs Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigated the incident, he said. The train was underway by about 6 p.m.
Michele Ruddy owns a vacant plot of land in Asbury Park.

From time to time, she gets inquiries about whether shed like to sell it. But shes holding on, saying she may want to build on it someday.
Two steamboat enthusiasts in their fourth day toot-tooting around Lake Hopatcong are apparently drawing plenty of attention.

Its like being zoo animals, Glenn Papp said Monday.
After years of hard work, senior Gauri Bhandari earned the coveted salutatorian title at Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School this year.

The teenager arrived at the Bergen County high schools senior awards ceremony this spring expecting the title would come with a financial reward. For the last several years, Ridgefield Park school administrators had awarded a $10,000 academic scholarship funded by a private donor to both the valedictorian and salutatorian of the graduating class.

But this year, the senior awards ceremony ended with no announcement about the $10,000 scholarships.
A 6-year-old New Jersey student who died after a seat belt became wrapped around her neck on a school bus last week struggled violently for her life before losing consciousness while a bus monitor sat a few feet away looking at her phone and wearing ear buds for 14 minutes, according to a court document.

A surveillance camera recorded school bus aid Amanda Davila, 27, paying no attention to the non-verbal student in a wheelchair after the bus hit a bump and the girl slumped against her four-point harness, which tightened around her neck and prevented her from breathing, authorities said in a criminal complaint.

It wasnt until the bus arrived at Claremont Elementary School in Franklin Township at 9:02 a.m. on July 17  more than 14 minutes after the 6 year old lost consciousness - that Davila realized something was wrong and summoned help, authorities said.

Davila is charged with manslaughter and child endangerment charges. The child was identified as Fajr Atiya Williams, of Franklin Township, according to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office.

Davila brought Fajr aboard the bus operated by Montauk Transit at her Franklin Township home at 8:29 a.m. on July 17 using a hydraulic lift for the wheelchair, according to a criminal complaint. Fajr, who is non-verbal, was participating in an extended school year program.

Davila secured the wheelchair the floor hook on the rear drivers side of the bus, authorities said. Fajr was strapped into a four-point chest harness secured to the wheelchair, but Davila didnt use the lap belt and ankle restraints on the wheelchair, authorities said.

Davila then returned to her seat directly behind the driver and could be seen on surveillance looking at her phone until a third and final student boarded at 8:42 a.m. At that time, Davila possibly glanced in the 6 year olds direction, authorities said.

The first sign of trouble began at 8:44 a.m. when the bus hit multiple bumps in the road that appeared to make (the girls) body slump in the seat which made the 4-point harness become tight around her neck, authorities said in the criminal complaint.

Fajr appeared to be moving her mouth at that point in the video, authorities said. At 8:46 a.m, the harness tightened around her neck and for the next 2 minutes and 47 seconds she struggled violently for her life, flailing her arms and legs. On at least two occasions,(the girl) made a shriek or gasp and at one point kicked the window of the bus.

Fajr lost consciousness 8:48 a.m., but Davila didnt see her until 9:02 a.m. when the bus arrived at Claremont Elementary School at 9:02 a.m., authorities said.

After Davila began to unstrap the floor restraints on the wheelchair, she sensed something was wrong and asked for a school staff member to help, authorities said.

At 9:02:58 a.m. a teacher entered the bus and tended to (Fajr), but appeared to not yet realize the dire nature of the situation. At 9:04:00 a.m. the teacher stated that she was unsure if (Fajr) was breathing. At that point additional staff was summoned onto the bus and CPR began at 9:06:40 a.m., the complaint said.

Fajr was brought to a local hospital where she remained in intensive care before being pronounced dead on Wednesday, authorities said.

The other two students aboard the bus were seated directly in front of Fajr so neither had a direct line of sight to her during the ride, authorities said.

Davila, of New Brunswick, was in violation of policies and procedures by using the ear buds and her cell phone, authorities said last week when charging her.

Davila, who is being held in the Somerset County jail, made a first appearance in court last week and is scheduled for a detention hearing Tuesday. Her public defender couldnt immediately be reached Monday.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@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.
Faimon Roberts III covers rural communities in Louisiana. His work is supported by a reporting grant from the Microsoft Journalism Initiative and is administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

He can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Betsy, the boy who would grow up to be mayor of Grand Isle colored by candlelight on the floor of a temporary shelter 10 miles away. Having lost their home to the 1965 cyclone, his family walked along the Gulf of Mexico to Port Fourchon, where they lived for months with five other families in a house.

It was there that David Camardelle's father imprinted a lifelong lesson.

Remember a candle makes a light, so you dont need electricity. The same candle makes a fire, so Mama can cook, the mayor recalled his father saying.
In the 134 years since religious pioneers from Indiana established a monastic community in south Louisiana, there had been only five abbots elected to head what is now the secluded St. Joseph Abbey near Covington. So, when the monks at the Benedictine abbey and seminary elected a new leader July 14, it was a big deal.

After the secret ballots were tallied, the Very Rev. Gregory Boquet took the reins of the 1,200-acre bastion of sacrosanct solitude in the small, unincorporated community of St. Benedict.

Boquet succeeds Justin Brown, who was elected abbot in 2001. Brown decided earlier this year to step down, and was elected June 25 to serve as president of the Swiss American Benedictine Congregation, a network of autonomous, Roman Catholic monasteries in the United States, Canada and Central America.
(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

Airbus partnership extension reaffirms commitment to support Astrocast's SatIoT technology roadmap, reinforcing Astrocast's position as the leading provider of cost-effective and reliable satellite IoT solutions.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astrocast, a leading satellite IoT operator, announces the extension of its partnership with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus), a global leader in the aerospace industry. This partnership enhances the capabilities of satellite Internet of Things (SatIoT) technology. It enables Astrocast to further increase its network capacity to provide the most reliable and cost-effective SatIoT solutions to its customers.

In recent years, the collaboration between Airbus and Astrocast has been instrumental to Astrocast. Since 2017 this relationship has enabled Astrocast to develop its communication protocol and modem software stack more effectively. This forms a core part of Astocast's wider SatIoT technology. In building upon this successful collaboration, both companies have agreed to extend their partnership. Airbus will continue to provide extensive support to Astrocast, focusing on further enhancing both the Bandwidth and the Quality of Service.

The reliability and quality of Astrocast's SatIoT connectivity is already well recognized by the market since its commercial launch in 2022. Many organisations are currently benefiting from it. This includes the EU's CiRROCCO initiative, the EU's XGain initiative, and the likes of Avirtech, Digitanimal and ArrowSpot, to mention a few. Through this partnership with Airbus, Astrocast expects to continue capitalising on their shared technological successes and further enhance SatIoT Bandwidth and Quality of Service for all customers. This will allow them to benefit from a continuous improvement of data transmission capacity, efficiency, latency and security. Customers will, in turn, be able to further optimize their operational efficiency according to their needs.

"Through this partnership extension, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to Astrocast's technology roadmap and its leadership in the SatIoT space. This collaboration also lays the important foundation for potential convergences with the future 5G NTN IoT communications standards that are currently in discussion for LEO constellations. In time, these enhanced capabilities for collecting and exchanging critical data with IoT assets from multiple applications will benefit users across various key industries worldwide. Astrocast is not only poised to address these challenges, its roadmap is designed to take them head on for the industry. Therefore, we're excited about working together and achieving more success," says Francois Gaullier - SVP Telecommunications and Navigation Systems - Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.

"We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Airbus and leverage its unique expertise in advanced satellite IoT technology," says Fabien Jordan, CEO of Astrocast." This collaboration reinforces our commitment to continuing to provide our customers with the most reliable and efficient SatIoT connectivity solutions on the market. With Airbus's support, we will further solidify Astrocast's position as the go-to satellite IoT operator."

This extended partnership between Airbus and Astrocast strengthens the strategic technology collaboration between the two companies, and will bring critical benefits to their customers, and the SatIoT sector. It exemplifies Astrocast's strong commitment to its customers -- and continuous enhancement of its core technologies, that continue providing end-users the most reliable and cost-effective SatIoT solutions on the market today. Furthermore, it underscores the strong confidence Airbus places in Astrocast's capabilities, as they work together to jointly push the boundaries of satellite IoT.

About AstrocastAstrocast SA operates a leading global nanosatellite IoT network, offering services in industries such as Agriculture & Livestock, Maritime, Environment & Utilities to name a few. The Astrocast network enables companies to monitor, track, and communicate with remote assets from anywhere in the world. It relies on superior L-band spectrum through a strategic alliance with Thuraya. In partnership with Airbus, CEA/LETI and ESA, Astrocast developed Astronode S, an ultra-low power and miniaturised module compatible with inexpensive L-band patch antennas. Founded in 2014 by a renowned team of experts, Astrocast develops and tests all its products in-house, from the satellites to the modules. Astrocast is listed on Euronext Growth Oslo.

For more information visit astrocast.com

Media ContactFatima Vigilmedia@astrocast.com

David Mieny / Kim Rentonastrocast@neopr.co.uk+44 (0)1296 733867

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159473/Astrocast_1.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159474/Astrocast_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/airbus-extends-partnership-with-astrocast-to-further-enhance-satellite-iot-technology-301883576.html
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VALPARAISO  Several crossings will remain closed in the city to allow for continued cleanup and scheduled maintenance in the wake of a train derailment Saturday caused by an unoccupied vehicle left on the tracks, it was announced late Monday morning.

Canadian National Railway has reopened its crossings at Calumet Avenue, Washington Street and Franklin Street, the city announced.

Crossings at Froberg Road, Lafayette Street and Yellowstone Road will remain closed for several days.

"There are no injuries or hazardous material involvement and there is no risk to the public," a city spokeswoman said. "CN apologizes to motorists and the broader community for the inconvenience."

The unoccupied vehicle left on the tracks resulted Saturday morning in a nine-car derailment.

Police arrested James Rockhill, a 39-year-old Kouts resident, on a felony count of railroad mischief, and misdemeanor criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of a crash. He was still being held late Monday morning at the Porter County Jail.

The cars that derailed normally carry autos and were empty when the train derailed.

The Valparaiso Police Department continues to investigate the derailment, which occurred early Saturday after an eastbound train hit the abandoned car on the tracks at the Franklin Street crossing.

Its the second time a CN train has derailed in the Midwest in the past week. On July 17, 10 Canadian National cars  two of which contained liquified propane and butane  derailed in a rural area of Northern Minnesota.

The Federal Railroad Administration reported 1,574 train accidents nationwide last year, including 1,049 derailments.

Northwest Indiana is a massive hub of train activity, with more than 700 miles of rail passing through the Region, including 557 miles of mainline rail.

Extreme weather is disrupting Amtrak's trains  and its climate benefits Extreme weather is disrupting Amtrak's trains  and its climate benefits
An unoccupied vehicle on the tracks caused a Canadian National Railway train to derail in Valparaiso Saturday morning and the driver who abandoned the vehicle was arrested.

Froberg Road remained closed Sunday after the nine-car derailment in Valpo. Lafayette Street and Yellowstone Road also were still closed Sunday but CN said thats because of previously scheduled maintenance. CN expected to complete the cleanup and reopen all the crossings on Sunday.

Police arrested James Rockhill, a 39-year-old Kouts resident, on charges of railroad mischief, criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of a crash. Hes being held at the Porter County Jail.

Valparaiso city officials said no hazardous materials were spilled and there was no risk to public health. The cars that derailed normally carry autos and were empty when the train derailed.

We thank the emergency crews for their prompt attention to this accident. Public safety was our first priority and we acted quickly to assure there were no injuries or hazards to the public, said Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy. We appreciate the patience of motorists as CN completes clean-up efforts.

The Valparaiso Police Department continues to investigate the derailment, which occurred early Saturday after an eastbound train hit the abandoned car on the tracks. Police arrested at the scene of the crash at the Franklin Street railroad crossing at 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

No injuries were reported. The Calumet Avenue, Washington Street, Franklin Street, Lafayette Street and Yellowstone Road crossings all were initially closed Saturday as a result of the derailment.

CN spokesman Scott Brown said Montreal-based CN apologized to the community for the inconvenience.

Its the second time a CN train has derailed in the Midwest in the past week. On Monday, 10 Canadian National cars  two of which contained liquified propane and butane  derailed in a rural area of Northern Minnesota.

The Federal Railroad Administration reported 1,574 train accidents nationwide last year, including 1,049 derailments.

Northwest Indiana is a massive hub of train activity, with more than 700 miles of rail passing through the Region, including 557 miles of mainline rail.
SAN FRANCISCO  Elon Musk had a demand.

On Oct. 28, hours after completing his $44 billion buyout of Twitter the night before, Mr. Musk gathered several human-resource executives in a war room in the companys offices in San Francisco. Prepare for widespread layoffs, he told them, six people with knowledge of the discussion said. Twitters work force needed to be slashed immediately, he said, and those who were cut would not receive bonuses that were set to be paid on Nov. 1.

The executives warned their new boss that his plan could violate employment laws and breach contracts with workers, leading to employee lawsuits, the people said. But Mr. Musks team said he was used to going to court and paying penalties, and was not worried about the risks. So Twitters human-resource, accounting and legal departments scrambled to figure out how to comply with his command.

Two days later, Mr. Musk learned exactly how costly those potential fines and lawsuits could be, three people said. Delays were also piling up as managers haggled over which employees to let go. He decided to wait on cutting jobs until after Nov. 1.

The order for immediate layoffs, the ensuing panic and the about-face reflect the chaos that has engulfed Twitter since Mr. Musk took over the company two weeks ago. The 51-year-old barreled in with ideas about how the social media service should operate, but with no comprehensive plan to execute them. Then he quickly ran into the business, legal and financial complexities of running a platform that has been called a global town square.
Rain was in the forecast here at the Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival on Friday, but the first rumble came from inside the Ted Shawn Theater. It was partway through the matinee performance of Dorrance Dance and the lights were dimmed. The dancers had spread themselves around the auditorium and were drumming the floor and walls, working up a storm in surround sound.

Converting the whole theater into a drum is a familiar and fun move for this tap dance company, led by Michelle Dorrance. Theyve even done it at the Guggenheim Museum. But the true glory of SOUNDspace, the first of two dances on the groups Pillow program, is how quiet it is.

The work, performed mostly without musical accompaniment, was created 10 years ago for Danspace Project at the East Village landmark of St. Marks Church, where the wooden floor was off limits for metal-tipped shoes. Dorrances solution was to tap without taps, in leather-soled footwear or socks. Although SOUNDspace has changed since, adapting to less restrictive spaces, some sections are still performed tap-less. Rhythms in leather and wood can sound beautifully like billiard balls caroming.

But even when the dancers wear tap shoes, their foot-drumming stays wonderfully subtle, expressive with timbre and touch. Dorrances choreography helps draw attention to those subtleties, isolating swiveling ankles and knees. For long swathes, she maintains suspense with a kind of danced click track, a ticking like a stopwatch or a bomb which the dancers rhythmically embroider. Then they scuttle across the stage like crabs, back and forth, playfully adding and subtracting dancers, trading phrases that please one another.
A state-owned bank in Bavaria announced on Monday that it would return a masterpiece by Wassily Kandinsky that has hung in a German museum since 1972 to the descendants of a Jewish family that suffered persecution during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

The bank, BayernLB, said in a brief statement that it had decided to follow a recommendation issued last month by the German governments advisory panel on Nazi-looted art. The panel advised the bank to restitute the 1907 tempera painting, Colorful Life, to the heirs of Emanuel Albert Lewenstein, the director of a sewing machine factory, and his wife, Hedwig Lewenstein Weyermann.

Every restitution is important to the families of persecuted victims as it provides them with a sense of healing, justice and dignity, said James Palmer, who represents the heirs.

The Lewensteins owned an extensive art collection, a large part of which was sold at an auction in Amsterdam on Oct. 9, 1940, just months after Germany invaded the Netherlands. BayernLB acquired Colorful Life from the widow of the collector who had bought it at that auction.
The American director Jay Scheib was looking at a bank of monitors inside the Bayreuth Festival Theater on a recent afternoon.

He was rehearsing his new production of Wagners Parsifal, which opens the storied Bayreuth Festival on Tuesday, and as performers circled a large metallic monolith onstage, the screens showed three-dimensional flowers floating through blank space  psychedelic animations that will come to life for audience members who see them with augmented-reality glasses.

Through those glasses, Scheib said, the flowers, and other items during the performance, will appear to float through the auditorium. In keeping with the operas themes, he added, these moments are meant to provide the audience with sacred visions of a world where wonder still exists.

Scheibs production is one of the most ambitious, and high-profile, attempts to incorporate augmented reality into opera performance. But it also caps months of tumult at Bayreuth, after plans to outfit nearly 2,000 audience members with the glasses for each performance were downscaled because of an apparent money dispute between the festivals artistic and financial leadership. The compromise, in which only 330 attendees will be provided with the glasses to experience the productions signature flourishes, has left many fuming, and concerned that internal conflicts at one of the most important events in opera were undermining its relevance.
The cable company Altice USA is said to be weighing a potential sale of Cheddar News, the network once billed as CNBC for millennials, less than five years after buying the company.

Altice USA has hired Goldman Sachs to help explore strategic alternatives for Cheddar News, according to three people with knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. They cautioned that Altice was still weighing its options and could decide against a sale. Representatives for Altice USA and Goldman declined to comment.

A sale would be a retreat from Altice USAs big bet on the streaming news company. Altice, which is controlled by the French-Israeli billionaire Patrick Drahi, paid $200 million for Cheddar in 2019. The deal was seen as a way to elevate the companys news division, which also includes the News 12 networks. Cheddar had pitched itself as the future of financial news, featuring interviews with chief executives, newsmakers and journalists from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Cheddar does not operate like a traditional cable business. Jon Steinberg, the networks founder and a former BuzzFeed president, struck deals to distribute it across a wide range of platforms. Among them: Gas Station TV (which, yes, plays at the pump) and MTVs college campus network (which Cheddar bought in 2018).
I had no idea what lemon bars were. They looked tasty but seemed to represent the assimilation my friends had warned me about. At my middle school, nearly all of us were immigrants kids from East Asia or Mexico. My classmates said that my new school would turn my Chinese American self into a banana or a Twinkie  yellow on the outside, white within.

And here were these (yellow and white!) bars, tempting as Eves fruit in Eden. So, of course, I ate one. And my fear of losing what little sense of self I had at 13 vanished. Because the lemon bars didnt taste like a loss of identity, but an expansion of it.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I knew crunchy store-bought chocolate chip cookies and homemade chewy mochi, creamy tres leches and sticky baklava. But from-scratch treats from midcentury Americana were foreign to me  and lemon bars tasted especially mysterious, at once sour and sweet, rich and sharp.

With their wobbly tops, they cant be mass-produced so that everyone can try them, but theyre easy enough to bake so anyone can make them. One of the earliest known published recipes came from Mrs. Eleanore Mickelson, who contributed her version to the Aug. 27, 1962, issue of the Chicago Tribune. The next year, Betty Crockers Cooky Book included a recipe for Lemon Squares, which extended its popularity beyond local community cookbooks.
We had to take some price increases over the past couple of years, said Mathew Glazier, an owner. Everything went up. Then some things came back. Where we could pass that on, we felt that we should.

But cost-of-living figures suggest that far more restaurants have kept menu prices where they were. For some customers who have finally returned to restaurants this summer amid waning concerns about Covid-19, the check, please moment is followed by indigestion-inducing sticker shock.

Overall, consumer prices in the New York metro area were 2.5 percent higher in June than they were in June 2022. Prices of some grocery items actually fell during that time: the meat, poultry, eggs and fish category was down 1.1 percent.

But the food away from home category  which includes takeout and restaurant meals  was up 7.2 percent over the year in the New York area, slightly less than the 7.7 percent increase nationally. The Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks down the national number into two components. One is full-service restaurants, where prices were up 6.2 percent from June of last year to June of this year. The other, limited service, includes fast-food restaurants, where they jumped 7.8 percent in the same 12 months.

So both locally and nationally, the cost of cooking at home has leveled off while the cost of dining out has continued to rise at a steady pace.
Many white evangelical Christians love Donald Trump  a fact of American politics that has shaped the makeup and rulings of the Supreme Court, the culture and morality wars waged by the Republican Party and the political evolution and power of evangelicals themselves. At the same time, some forms of evangelical Christianity are becoming less Christian, with believers less likely to attend church and less likely to embrace some of the faiths most bedrock beliefs.

How did this happen? How did millions of Americans go from I Kissed Dating Goodbye to Mr. Trump, who appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine? It was never ordained that he would become a man compared to biblical figures.

As Jon Ward sees it, truly understanding American politics right now requires us to have a much more nuanced and informed perspective on evangelical culture and history.

Mr. Ward is a journalist and the author of the book Testimony, which focuses on his upbringing in the evangelical movement from the late 1970s to the early 2000s, the appeal of a personal and direct relationship with God and the way politics and culture have changed since then. There were a large number of Americans, he told me, many of whom were influenced by all of these factors, who just felt like the sky was falling and we had to go with some guy who was going to maybe destroy it all but maybe burn it all down and create something new.
Tell me if youve heard this one: A social media influencer walks into a bar .

No, wait. This isnt a joke. This is a 21st-century shakedown.

Here is how it works: An influencer walks into a restaurant to collect an evenings worth of free food and drink, having promised to create social media content extolling the restaurants virtues. The influencer then orders far more than the agreed amount and walks away from the check for the balance or fails to tip or fails to post or all of the above. And the owners are left feeling conned.

The swap of food for eyeballs is nothing new in our digital age; businesses can fail from a lack of exposure. But the entitled disregard  with emboldened influencers making outsize demands but not always fulfilling their end of the bargain  is a more recent phenomenon. They have come to realize that they have all the power, as defined by the number of followers they have on TikTok or YouTube or Instagram. Its an influence sellers market, defined by whatever the traffic will bear.
To the Editor:

Re The Presidential Rematch Nobody Wants, by Pamela Paul (column, July 21):

Ms. Paul asks, Have you met anyone truly excited about Joe Biden running for re-election?

I am wildly enthusiastic about President Biden, who is the best president in my lifetime. His legislation to repair Americas infrastructure and bring back chip manufacturing are both huge accomplishments. Mr. Biden has done more to combat climate change, the existential issue of the day, than all the presidents who have gone before him.

Mr. Biden extracted us from the endless morass of Afghanistan. He has marshaled the free peoples of the world to stop the Russian takeover of Ukraine, giving dictators around the world pause.

Mr. Biden is the first president in a generation to really believe in unions and to emphasize the issues of working people, understanding how much jobs matter.

I might wish he were 20 years younger. I wish I were 20 years younger.

Most important, Joe Biden is an honorable man at a time when his biggest rivals do not know the meaning of the word. Being honorable is the essential virtue, without which youth or glibness do not matter.
Both of us have been the targets of enemy fire. It nearly cost one of us her life. We know a truth every combat veteran learns: For all the planning and consideration that goes into a war, much of it gets thrown out the window the moment the shooting starts. You often learn more about your enemies in the first 24 hours of a conflict than you do from years of studying them.

This has unequivocally been the case in Ukraine. At the outset of the war, Russia had one of the largest militaries in the world, and it was widely assumed Russia would march through Ukraine and take Kyiv in a matter of weeks, if not days. That didnt happen. The limitations of Russian military hardware, training and discipline became evident quickly  as well as the strength of Ukrainian resolve.

Still, from the earliest days of the conflict, we both saw that military aid from the United States would be critical for Ukraine to win this war. For the past 17 months, we have advised the Biden administration, urging it to continually assess and reassess the shifting realities on the front line to understand what Ukraine needs and then deliver it quickly. We must remain committed to keeping Ukraine supplied with the missiles, artillery shells and other munitions that at this stage in the conflict can be the difference between a commanders being able to approve an attack or not. And we have to do that while analyzing where new capabilities, like modern fighter jets, can give Ukraine the edge.
Dr. Loeb also began studying the fireball catalog from the Center for Near Earth Object Studies at NASA. That led to the object that had been detected in 2014. From its direction and speed at impact  28 miles per second  Dr. Loeb and Mr. Siraj concluded that the fireball had been moving too fast for something gravitationally bound to our sun. That meant, like Oumuamua, it must also have been interstellar.

They wrote a paper about the discovery in 2019. It was initially rejected by The Astrophysical Journal, but the same journal then accepted it for publication last November, several months after the U.S. Space Command announced in a memo circulated on Twitter that measurements of the fireballs velocity were accurate enough to infer interstellar origin.

That appeal to authority isnt enough, said Peter Brown, a meteor physicist at Western University in Ontario. Its unknown how precise the U.S. Defense Department data is, which affects how likely it is that the object came from beyond.

We know from experience, running ground-based radar and optical networks, that you often find several percent of all the events you detect appear to be interstellar, Dr. Brown said. To date, he continued, nearly all of those events could be chalked up to measurement error.
On Saturday afternoon, Shallon Lester, 36, a YouTuber, saw Barbie with 20 girlfriends and then headed back to her house in Bozeman, Mont., for a Barbiecue.

She renamed her five-bedroom home Shallibu Barbies Dreamhouse for the soiree and set up hot-pink balloon arches, a Barbie-themed Slip N Slide and a splash pad. When the ladies werent playing in the water, they played a game of Barbie trivia. Ive been Googling what Barbies full name is, how is she related to Ken, which professions she had, Ms. Lester said in a phone interview.

A server dressed as Ken, served pink cocktails like dragon fruit margaritas and huckleberry Malibu rum sparklers, she said. Strawberry hummus was served, along with a Barbie cake with a doll hidden inside.

I have my vintage black-and-white Barbie swimsuit, a neon spandex swimsuit and a pink patent skirt with pink cowboy boots and a pink cowboy hat, Ms. Lester said. I decided I needed to do a few outfit changes, just like Barbie does.
Cecilia Maes, the superintendent of Alhambra Elementary School District, near Great Hearts Christoss Phoenix location, has no shortage of ideas of what she could do with more money: Give raises to teachers. Hire a truancy officer. Stock closets with shoes, clothes and other necessities.

In her district, nearly nine in 10 students are economically disadvantaged.

In public schools, we are committed to every child who walks through our doors, regardless of the challenges, Dr. Maes said, echoing critics who say that children with the fewest resources and highest needs tend to be left out of the school choice frenzy.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who took office this year, has sought to repeal universal vouchers, but she faces an uphill battle  both in the Republican Legislature, and potentially with constituents.

Patrick Wolf, a University of Arkansas professor who studies school choice and has supported vouchers, said that expanding eligibility pulls in a broader customer base, which builds political support.

Steve Perez, a 38-year-old mortgage loan officer who says he is politically independent, will use vouchers to send four children to Great Hearts Christos.

What parent wouldnt, he asked, given this opportunity, choose what they believe to be a superior education if they can?
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks department said in a statement on Monday that a hiker had found Ms. Adamsons body. She was believed to have been alone during the encounter with the bear, and no bear spray or firearms were found at the scene, the department said. No bears have been located.

Image A map showing the emergency closure in place for an area about 8 miles west of West Yellowstone. Credit... Custer Gallatin National Forest

Grizzly bears, which are a federally protected subspecies of brown bears in all lower 48 states under the Endangered Species Act, roam throughout Montana. Their populations have expanded across the state in recent years and, in some cases, grizzlies have been spotted in places where they had not been seen for more than a century, including in the Pryor Mountains, where the species had likely not been seen since the late 1800s, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks department said in a statement.

That expansion enhances the long-term prospects for population sustainability for the bears, but it also poses new challenges for Montanans because the animals can damage property or injure people, the department said.

Officials have warned visitors to be bear aware, prompting concern among some residents, who have been reporting more sightings.

Grizzlies are larger than black bears, with adults standing more than eight feet when they are reared up on their hind legs. The average weight of a grizzly bear is 400 to 500 pounds for males and 250 to 350 for females. And the bears can run up to 35 miles per hour.
On the morning of Aug. 15, 1975, Gretchen Harrington, 8, left her home in Broomall, Pa., for summer Bible school. The Trinity Chapel Christian Reformed Church was less than half a mile down the road, but Gretchen never made it.

Skeletal remains found nearby in Ridley Creek State Park on Oct. 14, 1975, were later identified as Gretchens. The cause of her death, which was ruled a homicide, was found to be injuries to her head. But, for decades, no one knew who killed her.

On Monday, the district attorneys office in Delaware County, Pa., west of Philadelphia, announced that it had filed charges against David Zandstra, 83, of Marietta, Ga., in Gretchens murder. Mr. Zandstra, who was a minister at the church in the 1970s, was charged with criminal homicide, kidnapping of a minor, possessing an instrument of crime and murder of the first, second and third degrees.

Mr. Zandstra was taken into custody in Georgia on July 17, the authorities said. He is being held in Cobb County, Ga., where he has been denied bail.
The chief of public safety for Miami-Dade County, Fla., suffered serious head injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot late on Sunday and was hospitalized in Tampa, the authorities said on Monday.

Alfredo Ramirez III, who serves in a dual role as the public safety chief and the director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, the largest police department in the Southeast, was in stable condition after undergoing surgery on Monday, officials from Miami-Dade County and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

The police department said Chief Ramirez underwent surgery in Tampa on Sunday night and again on Monday afternoon. The office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County said she had traveled to Tampa overnight to be with the chiefs family.

All that matters right now is Chief Ramirezs well-being, Ms. Levine Cava said, and I join his family, his loved ones and all of his Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami-Dade County family in praying for his swift recovery.
Obviously, the little girls that are going to see Barbie, none of them are going to have any idea what those dashes mean, Mr. Cruz told Fox News. This is really designed for the eyes of the Chinese censors, and theyre trying to kiss up to the Chinese Communist Party because they want to make money selling the movie.

The response on the right is not a one-off. For a generation of conservative personalities, weaned on Andrew Breitbarts much-cited observation that politics is downstream of culture, Hollywood and other ostensibly liberal bastions are to be confronted head-on, lest their leanings ensnare young voters without a fight.

Recent years have provided ample evidence, some on the right say, for a go woke, go broke view that progressivism is bad business. Last years apolitically patriotic Top Gun: Maverick was a smashing success, as was this years kid-friendly The Super Mario Bros. Movie. By contrast, critics on the right contended that Disneys remake of The Little Mermaid, with its title character portrayed by the Black actress Halle Bailey, failed to match its producers hopes. (Of course, there is no way to trace exactly what determines any movies success or failure, and many observers adhere to the screenwriter William Goldmans axiom: Nobody knows anything.)

Barbie cannot be said to have gone broke. But its purported politics, conservatives have argued, did damage it by making it less entertaining  a lecture, in the words of The Federalists Rich Cromwell, that self-identifies as a movie.

Kyle Smith, a reviewer at The Wall Street Journal, complained that the film contains more swipes at the patriarchy than a years worth of Ms. magazine.
A truck driver who assaulted a police officer with a flagpole at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced on Monday to 52 months in federal prison.

The attack by the driver, Peter Stager, produced one of the most disturbing images to emerge from the Capitol attack. Mr. Stager, 44, of Conway, Ark., was captured on video beating the officer, Blake Miller, with the flagpole in a fit of rage as Officer Miller lay facedown in a mob of other rioters with no means of defending himself, prosecutors wrote in court papers.

Mr. Stager was one of nine men charged with assaulting Officer Miller and two of his colleagues, Officers Carter Moore and Andrew Wayte, in a 90-second spree of violence that unfolded on the steps outside a tunnel at the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol. Officers who fell victim to attacks in a tunnel on the terrace and on the steps there have repeatedly likened the violence to the hand-to-hand combat of a medieval battle.

After assaulting Officer Miller, prosecutors say, Mr. Stager was caught on video pointing at the Capitol, and declaring: Everybody in there is a disgrace. That entire building is filled with treasonous traitors. Death is the only remedy for whats in that building.
A 17-year-old student in Tennessee is suing his school district and two top school officials for the three-day suspension he received after he posted satirical memes about the principal on social media when he was not on campus.

The student, identified in court documents only as I.P., is starting his senior year next month at Tullahoma High School in Tullahoma, Tenn., about 60 miles southeast of Nashville. The lawsuit accuses the defendants  Tullahoma City Schools; Jason Quick, the former principal; and Derrick Crutchfield, an assistant principal  of violating his First Amendment rights.

In 2022, I.P. posted three memes on his public Instagram account featuring Mr. Quick. None of the memes were uploaded while I.P. was on campus or during school hours, according to the lawsuit, which was filed on July 19 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

One showed Mr. Quick holding a box of vegetables, to which I.P. added text that said, like a sister but not a sister <33. Another portrayed Mr. Quick in a dress with cat ears and whiskers, while a third meme showed the principals face superimposed on a video game character being hugged by a cartoon bird.
The Justice Department filed suit on Monday against the State of Texas over its installation of a floating barrier meant to stop people from swimming across the Rio Grande, arguing that the interlocking buoys placed in the river by the state violated federal law.

The suit comes after Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who heralded the installation of the 1,000-foot barrier this month, refused a request from the Justice Department to remove the buoys voluntarily, vowing instead to fight in court to keep them in place. Mr. Abbott has blamed President Biden for the large numbers of migrants crossing the border illegally.

If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws, Mr. Abbott wrote in a letter to President Biden on Monday. In the meantime, Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused.

There has been a growing outcry among Democrats and even some in Texas law enforcement over other, increasingly aggressive tactics that the state is using to block immigrants, including installing additional layers of concertina wire along the banks of the Rio Grande. State police officers have been shouting at migrants to turn back and, in some cases, refusing to provide water to people who request it.
JAKARTA, Indonesia  An overloaded passenger boat capsized off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi early Monday, killing 15 people.

The small wooden boat capsized just after midnight, said Muhammad Arafah, a local search and rescue official. He said it had been bringing people from one village to another in Central Buton, a regency, or administrative district, in southeastern Sulawesi.

The other 33 people aboard the boat had been accounted for by Monday afternoon, Indonesias national search and rescue agency said. It was not immediately clear how many passengers the vessel had been approved to carry.

Thousands of people in Central Buton had gone to their villages for a local celebration on Sunday, many of them traveling by fishing or passenger boats.
The Russian authorities said they destroyed two attack drones targeting central Moscow on Monday morning in what they called a strike by Ukrainian forces. No one was injured, they said. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

At least two nonresidential buildings were targeted about 4 a.m. local time, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin of Moscow said on his Telegram account, adding that there was no serious damage or casualties. The Russian Ministry of Defense said earlier that it had used electronic defenses to disable the drones.

The authorities blocked off part of Komsomolsky Prospect, an avenue that runs through one of the most upscale parts of central Moscow, after finding one of the drones there, state news media reported. One of the buildings is about a block away from the Russian National Defense Management Center, an imposing structure that is being used to conduct centralized combat management of the Russian armed forces, according to the Defense Ministry website.
Residents and tourists have fled wildfires in two more favorite Greek destinations, Corfu and Evia, even as the blazes that have gripped the island of Rhodes for seven days, prompting an evacuation that officials described as the largest in Greeces history, spread onward into a village.

The new fires led the authorities to clear hundreds more people from hotels and homes in Corfu on Sunday night to safer areas on the island and to order evacuations on Evia on Monday. In Rhodes  where the British media has compared the relocation operation to the evacuation of troops from the French port of Dunkirk in World War II  tourists were still sleeping in schools, gymnasiums and hotel lobbies.

The outbreaks complicated the efforts of emergency services already battling blazes on Rhodes, where Greeces military has been supporting the response. A military transport aircraft brought in hundreds of cots, sleeping bags and other provisions for displaced tourists and locals on Sunday evening. Another delivery was set to follow on Monday.

The village struck by fire on Rhodes on Monday was Asklipieio, in the islands southeast.

On Evia, a fire spread in the south on Monday, prompting the authorities to order the evacuation of a village and another blaze broke out in the middle of the island.
A court in Sweden fined the climate activist Greta Thunberg on Monday on charges of disobeying police orders while blocking traffic last month during a protest in the port of the city of Malmo.

Why is it us  who are taking action in line with the science to stop the fossil industry  who face legal consequences, when the fossil industry continues to destroy the chance for people to live safe and worthy lives? Ms. Thunberg, 20, who is perhaps the worlds most prominent climate activist, said to reporters outside the court on Monday.

The decision came as much of Southern Europe is in the grip of scorching heat waves, which have become more frequent and intense because of climate change.

Emma Ohlsson, the public prosecutor on the case, said that last month, Ms. Thunberg sat with a group of climate protesters at the port blocking vehicles coming in and out. An officer initially allowed them to sit there to give them the opportunity to express their opinions, she said, but about a half-hour later the police asked them to move.
President Emmanuel Macron issued a firm call to restore order in France on Monday, in a televised interview that came at the end of a 100-day period that he had set to exit the turmoil caused by his decision to raise the retirement age to 64. But his plan for normalcy was overshadowed by violent rioting this month after the fatal police shooting of a teenager.

The lesson Ive drawn is, first, order, order, order, Mr. Macron told the TF1 and France 2 television channels from New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific  the first of several stops on a trip to Oceania this week.

The interview was Mr. Macrons first since the rioting, which was prompted last month by the killing of Nahel Merzouk, 17, a French citizen of North African descent, during a police traffic stop west of Paris. The officer who fired the fatal shot has been charged with voluntary homicide and detained.

Thousands of cars were burned and hundreds of buildings were damaged, including schools, police stations and town halls. The unrest lasted less than a week but was rooted in deeply seated anger and mistrust toward the police in Frances poorer, minority-dominated urban enclaves. About 4,000 people were arrested, many minors with no criminal records.
Russia for the first time on Monday attacked a port on the Danube River in Ukraine, close to the Romanian border, Ukrainian and Romanian officials said, destroying a grain hangar in an escalation of its efforts to cripple Kyivs agriculture and risking a more direct confrontation with the United States and its European allies.

The assault on the port in the town of Reni, across the river from Romania, a NATO member, targeted Kyivs alternative export routes for grain to reach world markets, days after Russia terminated a deal that had enabled Ukraine to ship its grain across the Black Sea. The attack is the closest Moscow has come to hitting the military alliances territory since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.

The port strike came amid two drone attacks in central Moscow on Monday morning that Russian officials blamed on Ukrainian forces. At least two nonresidential buildings were hit about 4 a.m. local time, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin of Moscow said on the Telegram messaging app. He added that there had been no serious damage or casualties.

Ukrainian and Romanian officials denounced the port strike, with President Klaus Iohannis of Romania condemning the attack on Ukrainian infrastructure close to his countrys borders. He said on Twitter that the recent escalation poses serious risks to the security in the Black Sea, as well as affecting Ukrainian grain shipments and global food security.
Europes liberal and moderate establishment breathed easier on Monday after Spains nationalist Vox party faltered in Sundays elections, stalling for now a surge from far-right parties around the continent that seemed on the brink of washing over even the progressive bastion of Spain.

A relief for Europe, read a front-page headline in the liberal La Repubblica in Italy, where the hard-right leader Giorgia Meloni became prime minister last year and predicted the hour of the patriots has arrived in a video message to her Vox allies this month.

But instead of Vox becoming the first hard-right party to enter government in Spain since the end of the Franco dictatorship nearly 50 years ago, as many polls had predicted, it sank. The partys poor returns at the polls also took down the underperforming center-right conservatives who had depended on Voxs support to form a government.

As a result, no single party or coalition immediately gained enough parliamentary seats to govern, thrusting Spain into a familiar political muddle and giving new life to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who only days ago seemed moribund. Suddenly, Mr. Sanchez appeared best positioned to cobble together another progressive government in the coming weeks to avoid new elections.
Breaking ground on a National Military Memorial Cemetery designed to hold 50,000 dead could send a chilling message about losses in a war for which no end is in sight.

But Ms. Krasovska scoffed at that idea, saying that the toll was already clear.

Every person who lives in the city or in the countryside sees cemeteries with military flags everywhere, she said, adding, Just look at the flags on Independence Square in Kyiv.

Ms. Krasovska said she understood that Ukrainian officials had other priorities  but not why the cemetery could not be addressed at the same time.

Why not do it in parallel? she asked. After all, the war is ongoing and will continue for who knows how many years. Why not take this step now so that the families of the fallen soldiers and the soldiers themselves can be properly honored and buried?

For her and Ms. Gubarieva, it comes down to promises made, and respect for the fallen.

Vitaliy was already a soldier when they met, through a classmate.
Their daughter, Juan, barely stirred.

The Islamic Republic  the theocracy that arose after Irans 1979 revolution  was never hospitable to women who rebelled against its strict religious codes for dress and behavior. But their perils were amplified by a revolt that began last September, set off by the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, while she was in the custody of the countrys morality police.

Women played a central role in the months of antigovernment protests that followed, demanding nothing less than the abolition of the entire system of authoritarian clerical rule. The government eventually stamped out most of the protests, leaving hundreds dead, according to rights groups.

Some mothers concluded that it would be better to risk their lives fleeing Iran to spare their daughters a lifetime under the authoritarian regime. These are the stories of three women who made that difficult choice.

Transformed by Rage

Days after the protests began, Ms. Moradbeigi said she walked out her front door gripping a head scarf, which she planned to burn on the streets of her hometown, Bukan. Before that moment, she had not considered herself political.
Israeli lawmakers on Monday approved the contentious plan of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to restrict the influence of the Supreme Court, defying a wide array of opposition movements that have threatened to shut down large parts of the country with protests.

The plan limits the ways in which the Supreme Court can overturn government decisions, part of a deeply divisive judicial overhaul that has led to perhaps Israels gravest domestic crisis since its founding 75 years ago.

The stakes could hardly be higher for Mr. Netanyahu, and for Israel, where mass protests have repeatedly erupted over the plan since January. The decision to press ahead with the overhaul could disrupt Israels economy, further strain the countrys relations with the Biden administration, and lead thousands of military reservists, a core part of Israels armed forces, to refuse to volunteer for duty.

Israels president, Isaac Herzog, has warned that the schism could lead to civil war. Mr. Netanyahu is caught between stabilizing his coalition, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that have their own reasons for wanting to restrict the powers of the Supreme Court, and appeasing the fury of more liberal Israelis who oppose giving the government more control over the judiciary.
A 44-year-old Japanese man has been arrested and accused of indecent acts after allegedly installing several cameras under his truck so he could drive by young girls and film under their skirts.

Voyeurism and upskirt photography are apparently so widespread in Japan that there is even a word for them  chikan. It describes men who inappropriately try to take pictures under womens skirts without consent. In one of the most bizarre cases of chikan ever reported, a middle-aged man has been arrested for installing at least four cameras under his light delivery truck so he could slowly drive by skirt-wearing girls, some of them still in primary school, and film under their skirts. After discovering the trucks under his truck, police raided the mans home and found over 30 hard drives containing hundreds of voyeuristic videos, and despite his continued denial of the accusations, authorities suspect that the number of victims could reach as many as 1,000.

Satoshi Nishimura, a delivery driver from Kyoto, is suspected of having inappropriately filmed young girls in Kyoto and Uji cities between September and December of last year, before being reported to the authorities by a female acquaintance of the suspect after receiving one of the obscene videos. Nishimura denied the charges, claiming that he had only been driving at low speeds on narrow residential streets while looking for a place to park the car to walk his dog.

However, the mans explanation doesnt explain the four cameras installed under his delivery truck, attached to areas under the bumper and near the front tires, all pointing upwards. Police believe that the suspected voyeur had filmed up the skirts of eight girls, including elementary and high school students, between September and December of 2022, but the evidence found in his home suggests a much longer history of indecent behavior.

After being reported by his unnamed female acquaintance, ploce started checking up on him and found that he had been driving slowly up and down narrow streets near several schools in Kyoto and Uji cities, which was highly unusual. After inspecting his delivery truck, they found four upward-facing cameras installed on either side of the vehicle, near the front, probably so he could better control the angle of approach. The cameras were all connected to a central recording unit in the Daihatsu Hijets dashboard.

Despite Nishimuras constant denial of his voyeuristic behavior, the videos found on over 30 hard drives at his residence suggest that he has been filming up young girls skirts for over 11 years.



Earlier this year, Japanese lawmakers moved to criminalize voyeuristic behavior, calling for prison sentences of up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million yen ($21,000) for photographic and video voyeurism.
The Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission wants a partner to run an education and outreach campaign to growers, stakeholders and the general public about the benefits associated with its products.
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Options to enable pharmacists to extend prescriptions for a range of medicines and conditions are among measures to be examined by a new Government taskforce.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced the establishment of a new expert taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland.

The Department of Health said it will examine how pharmacists can be enabled to operate at the top of their licence for the benefit of patients and the wider health service.

The group will also advise on a comprehensive approach to facilitate pharmacist prescribing.

This will include empowering pharmacists to assess and prescribe for common minor ailments within a community pharmacy setting and to use their expertise to operate as independent prescribers.

Mr Donnelly said these initiatives would make it easier and faster for patients to get the medication they need.

He said: Empowering pharmacists to use their expertise to assess and treat certain ailments will help patients get the care they need sooner and closer to home  but the benefits go much further.

It can help reduce demand on hospitals, walk-in clinics and GP practices.

The taskforce will be chaired by Dr Pat OMahony, and includes representatives from the HSE, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners, as well as academic and training bodies.

It is due to provide its first recommendations to the minister in October.

Dr OMahony, former CEO of the Health Products Regulatory Authority and previous deputy secretary general of the Department of Health, said it is a privilege to be appointed chair.

Pharmacists are highly trusted healthcare professionals, and in line with best practice on the safe and appropriate use of medicines, and the principles of Slaintecare, it is timely we now look urgently at how certain medicines can be made available directly to patients through the extensive network of community pharmacies, he said.
Assam: Supreme Court Refuses To Stay Ongoing Delimitation Of Lok Sabha

India

pti-PTI

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the ongoing delimitation of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha and 126 assembly seats by the Election Commission and sought the response of the Centre and the poll panel on a batch of petitions on the issue.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, agreed to examine the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 empowering the Election Commission to undertake the delimitation of constituencies. "At this stage when delimitation has commenced, having due regard to issuance of the draft proposal on June 20, 2023, it would not be proper to interdict the process at this stage.

Hence while reserving the constitutional challenge, we are not issuing any orders restraining the Election Commission to take any further steps, the bench said in its order. The top court sought the replies of the Centre, the Election Commission and the Assam government on three petitions in three weeks and said the petitioners can file their rejoinders in two weeks after that. The bench took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for the political parties which have filed the petitions, that now all states will follow suit and take steps since the way has been cleared for the delimitation exercise for states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland . We will list this immediately after the Delhi services ordinance case, the CJI said.

Karnataka High Court Judges Get Death Threats; Police File FIR

Ten leaders representing nine opposition parties in Assam- Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), CPI, TMC, NCP, RJD, and Anchalik Gana Morcha- recently filed a plea in the top court challenging the ongoing delimitation process. Two other pleas are also pending before the court on this issue. The petitioners have specifically challenged the methodology adopted by the poll panel and its proposals notified on June 20, 2023. One of the pleas challenged section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950, based on which the poll panel exercised its power to conduct the delimitation process in Assam. Sibal said the delimitation exercise in Assam was being carried out with scant regard to the rules and the provisions of the Delimitation Act which provided for the participation of lawmakers. The process, he said, had to be carried out by the delimitation commission headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge.

He said the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted by a commission headed by former apex court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. "Reasons for which deferment (of delimitation exercise in Assam other states) was granted are no longer in existence and that process must be a representative process under the Delimitation Act. Now the notification says the Election Commission will complete the process, the senior lawyer said. From where does the Law Ministry get this power? he asked. "This is a non-representative process and it is dehors (outside the scope of) the underlying basic feature of the Constitution and this is the heart of democracy. It is not even an exercise conducted by one or two members," Sibal said. The provision, empowering the poll panel, is the statute book for last 16 years, the bench said, adding it will issue notices on petitions but will not stay the statutory provision under which the Election commission was conducting the delimitation exercise.

The senior lawyer said the manner in which the existing exercise was being carried out was unheard of. "What they are doing is that they are taking the density of population and comparing it with other districts and the delimitation commission categorises districts by giving a margin of 10 per cent, Sibal said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the state government, said the exercise of power by its holder does not become invalid just because it has been exercised, according to the petitioner, in a wrong manner.

After conducting a three-day public hearing, the poll panel received on July 22 more than 1,200 representations from various groups, including those who shared divergent views on matters such as renaming assembly constituencies, on Assam's draft delimitation proposal. In its delimitation draft issued on June 20, the poll panel proposed to retain the number of assembly seats in Assam at 126 and the Lok Sabha constituencies at 14. The EC has also proposed that the assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes be increased from eight to nine and for Scheduled Tribes from 16 to 19.

One of the pleas in the apex court questioned the methodology adopted by the poll panel, saying different average assembly constituency size for different districts and population density should not play a role in the delimitation process. It said while the Constitution seeks to re-adjust constituencies to ensure equal population distribution, the poll panel, relying on the 2001 census, has created three categories of districts and used different criteria for each category, potentially resulting in a deviation of up to 33 per cent in population between the largest and smallest constituencies. It assailed the validity of Section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950 under which the poll panel exercises its power. The plea said the provision is arbitrary and discriminatory against Assam and three other northeastern states.

It said the delimitation exercise elsewhere in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, has been conducted by a high-powered body headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. The petition sought the apex court's intervention to address the issues and ensure a fair and unbiased delimitation process in Assam.
Behave Responsibly While Uploading WhatsApp Status: Bombay High Court

India

pti-PTI

One should behave with a sense of responsibility while communicating something to others via their WhatsApp status, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has said while refusing to quash a case against a man for posting content allegedly spreading hatred against a religious group.

A division bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes in its order on July 12 said the purpose of WhatsApp status nowadays is to convey something to your contacts. People keep checking the WhatsApp status of their contacts often, it noted. The bench dismissed the petition filed by 27-year-old Kishor Landkar, seeking to quash the FIR lodged against him for offences under the Indian Penal Code for intentionally hurting or offending religious sentiment or faith, as well as provisions of the Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Information Technology Act.

WhatsApp status can be a picture or video of what you are doing, thinking or something you have seen, which disappears after 24 hours. The very purpose of WhatsApp status is to convey something to a person's contacts. It is nothing but a mode of communication with known persons, the HC said.

One should behave with a sense of responsibility while communicating something to others, the court said. The complainant's case is that in March 2023, the accused uploaded his WhatsApp status wherein he wrote a question and asked the viewers to search for the same on Google to get shocking results. When the complainant did a Google search of the question, he noted objectionable material outraging religious feelings. The accused claimed he had not intended to or deliberately displayed the status to outrage the feelings of any religious group, and since WhatsApp status can be seen only by those who have saved the number of the other person, he had no intention to spread hatred.

How To Silence Calls From Unknown Numbers On WhatsApp?

The bench in its order said the WhatsApp status uploaded by the accused instigated others to do a Google search and read what the accused person wanted them to. The FIR prima facie discloses the accused person's deliberate and malicious intention to insult the feeling of a particular group, the court said and refused to quash the case. The applicant cannot shed his responsibility by saying the WhatsApp status is limited circulation. There is no justification for the applicant to display such a status, the HC said.
Did You Know, Nehru Offered Indian Citizenship To Oppenheimer, Father Of Atomic Bomb?

India

oi-Prakash KL

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had offered Julius Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, the country's citizenship in 1954.

It was because about nine years after becoming America's celebrated scientist, he was humiliated over statements against nuclear weapons, the co-author of the book that inspired Christopher Nolan's movie on the American quantum physicist, told Hindustan Times.

Kai Bird co-authored the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer.

"After he [Oppenheimer] was humiliated in 1954...Nehru offered him to come to India and become a citizen...But I do not think Oppenheimer considered it [the offer] seriously because he was a deeply patriotic American," the daily quoted him as saying in an interview.

Oppenheimer faced a harrowing ordeal in what was described as a "terrible kangaroo court," leading to the revocation of his security clearance during a virtual security hearing, he said. This unfortunate series of events marked him as the primary target of the McCarthy witch-hunts, a term coined to illustrate the tactics employed by Republican senator Joseph R McCarthy to publicly accuse government employees of disloyalty and employ questionable methods to prosecute them during the government's efforts to combat communism in the US.

According to the author, Oppenheimer feared the rise of Fascism. Bird said, "He was of Jewish ancestry, but not a practising Jew. He gave money to help rescue Jewish refugees from Germany. He feared that German physicists were going to give Hitler an atomic bomb, that Hitler would be able to win the [Second World] war, and this would be a terrible outcome, a victory for fascism around the world. So he felt this [the atomic bomb] was necessary."

Oppenheimer had mixed emotions regarding the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The writer said, "By the spring of 1945, Germany was defeated. And that spring, some of the physicists and scientists...held an impromptu meeting to discuss the future of the gadget, and to ask why are we working so hard to build this terrible weapon of mass destruction when we know the Germans are defeated and Hitler is dead, and the Japanese can't possibly have a bomb project?"

Talking about Bird's love for Hindu's holy book Bhagavad Gita, Bird said, "And he got Arthur Ryder, the only Sanskrit scholar at Berkeley University, to tutor him in Sanskrit so that he could read the Gita in the original."

His fascination for Gita stemmed from his captivation with mysticism and certain philosophical concepts within it that bore resemblance to quantum ideas concerning the nature of the universe. He added, "And that famous line that he used to describe what he thought when he saw the Trinity explosion [first detonation of a nuclear weapon]- 'I am death, destroyer of the world' - some Sanskrit scholars, as I understand it, think that the more accurate translation would be 'I am Time, destroyer of worlds'. He is a quantum physicist, so he is trying to understand time and space, and these are issues that the Gita sort of addresses on some level."

Oppenheimer Controversy

Meanwhile, 'Oppenheimer', a biographical drama on the titular American theoretical physicist, opened in India on Friday to positive reviews, but has landed in a controversy.

A scene in the film, in which the titular character appears to have sex as he reads out verses from an ancient Sanskrit scripture, has irked a section of social media users, who claimed the lines are from the Bhagavad Gita and demanded the removal of the sequence from Christopher Nolan's latest film.

On the other hand, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has sought an explanation from the Central Board of Film Certification and asked it to take corrective action.

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Story first published: Monday, July 24, 2023, 22:13 [IST]
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has proven by its deeds that there is a genuine will on the part of the government and people of Armenia to develop a lasting peace in the region and it believes that lasting peace in the South Caucasus could bring significant global benefits, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an article published in the French Le Monde newspaper.

Below is the English translation of the article.

Last weekend, I met with European Council President Charles Michel and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. It is the latest in a series of meetings I have held with Azerbaijan's President over the last four months in different forms and capitals. Armenia has proven by its deeds that there is a genuine will on the part of the government and people of Armenia to develop a lasting peace in the region.

"We firmly believe that lasting peace in the South Caucasus could bring significant global benefits. Over the last years, Armenia has become a stable democratic country in a difficult region. Geographically we sit at a crossroads. If we succeed in achieving progress in our peace agenda, normalize relations with our neighbors, and establish solid transport and energy infrastructure, it will bring increased prosperity, build bridges between Asia and Europe, and could be a significant boon for global commerce and international stability.

"Although the contours of a peace agreement are forming, there remain significant barriers to making it a reality. Overcoming these decade long hurdles will only be possible with robust support from partners, who truly believe in peace in the South Caucasus.

"Right now, the biggest obstacle to peace are the aggressive and illegal actions of Azerbaijan around Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly in the Lachin corridor but also within Armenias borders. The Lachin corridor is the only road linking the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh with the outside world. Since December, access to the corridor was severely restricted by Azerbaijan, under the false pretext of an environmental protest. Now, Baku has gone further, installing a border checkpoint at the entrance to the corridor, even impeding access by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This means the supply of food, medicine, and basic necessities are severely disrupted. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, and other influential institutions have warned of an unfolding humanitarian crisis.

"As well as blocking access to people and vehicles, Azerbaijan is deliberately disrupting gas and electricity supply to Nagorno-Karabakh. These actions have coincided with increasingly aggressive rhetoric, propaganda, and even Azerbaijani forces opening fire on local farmers. The aim is clear: to make life as difficult as possible for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and ultimately force them to leave their homes. It is a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. If the international community does not react, it will be another failure of humanity.

"The international community should undertake bold steps to stop the Sarajevo-style siege of Nagorno-Karabakh. The blockade is a violation by Azerbaijan of its legally binding commitments and most importantly of numerous unequivocal decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In February, the ICJ declared Azerbaijan must take all measures necessary to guarantee the uninterrupted movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor in both directions. However, five months have passed, and the situation has deteriorated further.

"The European Union has been clear that Azerbaijans actions are unacceptable. Now it must use its leverage as a significant energy partner to pressure Baku to implement the ICJs binding decision without delay. The European Parliament and various national parliaments in EU member states have adopted decisions pushing the EU to do just this.

"The current crisis highlights why ensuring the rights and security of the 120,000 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh is central to a sustainable peace in the South Caucasus. The European Union and other international partners have a vital role to play. There needs to be a formal dialogue between Baku and the democratically elected authorities in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. To be effective this requires the establishment of an international mechanism and guarantees from international partners to bring security and ensure obligations are fulfilled.

"The rights and security of the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh is a key question that must be addressed to reach a dignified and durable peace in our region. Other issues must also be addressed: Azerbaijan still refuses to recognize internationally accepted borders, occupies parts of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and holds prisoners of war that they committed to return in 2020. The authorities in Baku use force, and the threat of further military escalation, to achieve their irredentist aims. This should not be tolerated; the consistent torpedoing of the peace process must have consequences. Otherwise, the Azerbaijani forces that have encircled Nagorno-Karabakh will believe they are free to act with impunity.

"Armenia deeply values the mediation and facilitation efforts by the EU, particularly the establishment of the EU mission in Armenia. This is performing a vital task in monitoring our international border with Azerbaijan, increasing stability on the ground, and helping build confidence with those living in border areas.

"Strengthening relations with the European Union is among the main foreign policy goals of my government. The EU was founded on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. These are principles that are core to Armenias identity. The Armenian government and people have consciously pursued a path of political and institutional reforms to safeguard human rights, reinforce the rule of law, media freedom, and combat corruption. The progress of Armenia in international rankings reflects our achievements and determination, and the EUs support in these processes is very much appreciated.

"This unwavering commitment to a democratic future has helped the Armenian people persevere through challenging times. It will continue to do so as we seek to forge a lasting peace in the region. Right now, there is a window of opportunity to reach such an agreement. The government of Armenia is committed to this process and has taken significant steps to achieve it. We now need the support of Europe and partners around the world to ensure that Azerbaijan also lives up to its commitments and legal obligations. If we succeed, a sustainable peace agreement can bring truly global benefits.
Indian Woman Anju Travels To Pak To Meet Her Facebook Friend; Denies Any Love Angle

India

oi-PTI

A married Indian woman who travelled legally to a remote village in Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend will return to India on August 20 when her visa expires, her Pakistani friend said on Monday, dismissing reports of any love angle.

Nasrulla, 29, said that he has no plan of marrying 34-year-old Anju, who was born in Kailor village in Uttar Pradesh and lived in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Nasrulla and Anju became friends on Facebook in 2019.

"Anju is on a visit to Pakistan and we have no plan to marry," Narulla told PTI over the phone from village Kulsho in the district, some 300 km from Peshawar. "She will go back to her country on August 20 after her visa expires," he said, adding that "Anju is living in a separate room of his home with the other female members of my family," he said. Anju has travelled to the Upper Dir district of Pakistan's tribal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on a valid Pakistani visa of Pakistan's to meet Nasrulla.

According to an official document of the Ministry of Interior sent to Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi, the chancery was informed that it had been decided to grant a 30-day visa to Anju, valid for Upper Dir only. Nasrullah, a science graduate from a University in Sheringal, is the youngest among five brothers. He has given an affidavit to local authorities, stating that there is no love angle to their friendship, and Anju will return to India on August 20. The affidavit also states that she will not move out of the Upper Dir district.

Yet Another Cross Border Love Story Like Seema Haider's Case, This Time From Bangladesh

"She will go back on August 20 as per her visa documents," said police officer Mushtaq. District Police Officer Mushtaq interviewed Anju in his office on Sunday and checked her travel documents based on which a no-objection certificate was issued to her. Nasrullah said they have been provided adequate security by the district administration and Anju is safe and sound with his family. The villagers, mostly Pashtuns who are very religious people, want Anju to return safely to India as they do not want any bad name for their community due to this incident.

Anju's husband Arvind, who is in Rajasthan, is hopeful that his wife will return soon. Anju's incident is similar to Seema Ghulam Haider's case. Seema, a Pakistani mother of four, sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019.

Seema, 30, and Sachin, 22, live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where he runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police. While Seema was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa via Nepal with her four children, all aged below seven years, Sachin was put behind bars for sheltering the illegal immigrants.

However, unlike Seema who entered India without a visa via Nepal with her four children all aged below seven years, Anju has travelled to Pakistan legally from India via the Wagah-Attari border. Anju's husband Arvind told the media in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan that she left home on Thursday on the pretext of going to Jaipur but later the family came to know that she was in Pakistan.

Threat To Life: Pakistan's Seema Haider Sends Petition to President of India

"Anju's husband said that she left home on Thursday. She has a valid passport," Assistant Superintendent of Police Bhiwadi Sujit Shankar told PTI. He said that the family did not complain after they came to know about Anju's travel to Pakistan.

Arvind told the media at his home that his wife Anju told her sister that she was in Lahore and later he spoke to her on a WhatsApp call. He said he would talk to her and will ask her to return, asserting that he was hopeful that she would return home. He said her passport was issued in 2020 as she wanted to apply for a job abroad.

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Story first published: Monday, July 24, 2023, 17:19 [IST]
Karnataka High Court Judges Get Death Threats; Police File FIR

India

pti-PTI

The Central CEN Crime Police Station here has registered a First Information Report against unknown suspects after the press relations officer of the High Court of Karnataka lodged a complaint about threats to the lives of several judges, besides himself, police said on Monday.

K Muralidhar lodged a complaint on July 14. He had received messages on the WhatsApp messenger from an international number at around 7 PM on July 12. His mobile number is the one provided to him officially by the High Court. The message in Hindi, Urdu and English allegedly threatened to kill Muralidhar and six judges of the High Court including Justice Mohammed Nawaz, Justice HT Narendra Prasad, Justice Ashok G Nijagannavar (retired), Justice HP Sandesh, Justice K Natarajan and Justice B Veerappa (retired) through a 'Dubai gang, police said.

The message also had five suspicious mobile phone numbers and contained the threat. The FIR registered on July 14 states that the threat message demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh to be paid to a bank account in Pakistan.

After registering the FIR under Sections 506, 507 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 75 and 66(F) of the Information Technology Act, the police have submitted it before the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, they said.
All 12 crorepati ministers and one with a criminal background in new Meghalaya Cabinet

Mob Attacks Meghalaya Chief Minister's Office, 5 Injured

India

oi-Prakash KL

A mob on Monday evening attacked Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma's office and five people have been injured in the incident.

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma was having discussions with agitating organisations based in Garo-Hills who are on a hunger strike for a winter capital in Tura. "A crowd (other than agitating groups) gathered at the CMO in Tura started pelting stones," a statement from his office said about the incident.

The police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and five police personnel were injured in the incident.

"The CM and Public Health Engineering (PHE) minister overseeing the matter at CMO Tura. The commotion still continues," the statement added. The injured people were given first aid in the Chief Minister's office.

Responding to the incident, the Chief Minister said, "The incident that took place today in Tura outside the CM Secretariat, is indeed very unfortunate...while discussions were almost over...we heard some agitation from outside...and it seems that the pelting of stones was initiated by people who were not part of the agitating groups...Necessary action will be taken from the police side. I have decided that I'll be giving Rs 50,000 as medical allowance to all those people who were injured & all the expenditure will be borne by the government..."

Although the Chief Minister is unharmed, he finds himself trapped inside the office because protesters have blocked the access road.
Delhi Services Bill Passed In Rajya Sabha: AAP vs LG Fight Likely To Halt For Time Being

Chaos In Parliament As Opposition Presses For PMs Statement On Manipur

India

oi-Deepika S

Parliament's monsoon session was off to a stormy start on day three, with Opposition MPs demanding that the PM address the House on the Manipur violence and conflict issue. As Question Hour was drowned by sloganeering, the House was adjourned till noon.

The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first. In a tweet, Ramesh said, "The 3rd day of Monsoon session of Parliament begins today.

INDIA's demand is straightforward. PM should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur, after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation."

"No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, 'distorts', diverts, deflects and 'defames'. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching," the Congress general secretary said.

US Expresses Concerns Over Manipur Incident, Calls It Brutal

Several opposition leaders have given notices for an adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur. The opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon Session started on Thursday.

The government has accused the opposition of running away from a debate on the all-important issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it.

The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.
Nothing To Hide, Ready To Discuss Manipur On Aug 11: Shah In RS

Ready To Discuss Manipur Issue: Amit Shah In Parliament

India

oi-Deepika S

Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday urged the Opposition to allow a discussion on Manipur, stating India to know the truth about the violence-hit state and the government is prepared for the debate in Lok Sabha.

Speaking briefly in Lok Sabha, he requested opposition leaders to allow debate, saying it was important for truth to come out before the country on the Manipur issue.

As soon as the House reassembled at 2.30 pm after three earlier adjournments over the Manipur issue, Shah said leaders from ruling as well as opposition parties had been wanting to hold discussion on the Manipur issue.

AAP's Sanjay Singh Suspended From Parliament's Monsoon Session Over Manipur Protest

"I am ready for discussion on this in the House. I request the Opposition to let a discussion take place on this issue. It is important that the country gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter," said Amit Shah in Lok Sabha.

But as the opposition members continued with their protest demanding a statement by the prime minister, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings for the day.

Earlier in the day, leaders of several opposition parties on Monday staged a protest in Parliament complex demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on the Manipur issue.

Holding placards and banners that read "INDIA for Manipur" and "INDIA demands PM's statement on Manipur", the opposition parties raised slogans against the government near Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament complex.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned the alleged sexual assault of women in Manipur state as shameful and promised tough action.
Sacked Minister Gudha Dragged Out Of Assembly; Soon To Reveal 'Red Diary' Secrets

India

oi-Moumi Majumdar

Rajendra Gudha has been dragged out of the Rajasthan Assembly after highlighting a 'red diary' which carries all the details of irregular financial transactions of the state government.

The former minister on Friday cornered the Gehlot-led Congress government in the assembly. On Monday, he reached Speaker CP Joshi's chair along with the red diary and had an argument during Zero Hour. Gudha also got into a scuffle with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal, Rafeek Khan, and other Congress MLAs.

After the unpleasant scene, Joshi decided to adjourn the House, and Gudha was evicted from the House. On the other hand, BJP MLAs were looking for a reply to the "Lal Diary".

Later, Gudha also shared his experience with the reporters. He said that some Congress MLAs including ministers punched and kicked him out and Dhariwal assaulted him poorly.

Rajendra Gudha also said that the Vidhan Sabha has bigger criminals than those who are in jail for rape while talking about the 'red diary'. He also claimed that the red diary was snatched from him but he still has the other half of it. The sacked minister also informed that he will go among the people on Tuesday to reveal its secret. He also made sure that he would not issue an apology in this matter.

Ashok Gehlot Sacks Minister Who Cornered His Govt Over Crimes Against Women In Rajasthan

For the unversed, Gudha held the portfolios of Sainik Kalyan (independent charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence (independent charge), and Panchayati Raj and Rural Development department under the Rajasthan Government.
Senior Pune Cop Shoots Dead Wife And Nephew, Then Dies By Suicide

India

oi-PTI

A 57-year-old assistant commissioner of police (ACP) allegedly shot dead his wife and nephew with a gun before shooting himself fatally at his home in Maharashtra's Pune city on Monday, an official said.

The incident took place at around 3.30 am at ACP Bharat Gaikwad's bungalow in Baner area. The reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained, the official from Chaturshringi police station said.

Gaikwad was posted as ACP in Amaravati and had come home, according to police.

"At around 3.30 am on Monday, the ACP first allegedly shot his wife in the head. Upon hearing the gunshot, his son and nephew came running and opened the door. The moment they opened the door, he allegedly shot at his nephew, who got hit in the chest," the official said. "Later Gaikwad shot himself in the head. All the three persons died on the spot," he said.

Karnataka Man Strangles Daughter to Death for Having Inter-caste Affair; Her Lover Dies by Suicide

The other two dead were identified as the police officer's wife Moni Gaikwad (44) and nephew Deepak (35), he said.

A probe was on into the incident, the police added.

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Story first published: Monday, July 24, 2023, 12:09 [IST]
Shinde Will Continue As Maha CM: Fadnavis; Dismisses Prithviraj Chavan's Claim On Ajit Pawar

India

pti-PTI

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will continue to be the chief minister of Maharashtra and there will be no change of guard in the state.

Fadnavis was responding to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's claim that NCP stalwart and incumbent deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be appointed as the chief minister around August 10 replacing Shinde. Ajit Pawar is well aware of the fact that he would not become the Chief Minister and the same was conveyed to him during meetings held before July 2, Fadnavis claimed.

Earlier in the day, Chavan told a regional news channel that a decision on the disqualification of CM Shinde and 15 other MLAs of Shiv Sena will be taken around August 10. "After deciding the disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be anointed as the chief minister around August 10," the former chief minister said.

Chavan also claimed that the BJP is not keen on contesting the next Lok Sabha elections under Shinde "as he wields no influence outside his home district of Thane". "The BJP now has an alternative in Ajit Pawar. This is the fate of Shinde. The understanding of top BJP leadership indicates they want to make Ajit Pawar the chief minister and face elections, he added.

Responding to Chavan's claim, Fadnavis said, As a leader of the single largest party (BJP) in 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance), I am officially telling you that Ajit Pawar will not become the chief minister of Maharashtra".

He said the Cabinet may be expanded by August 10 and nothing else. "When meetings of 'Mahayuti' took place (before the July 2 induction of the NCP faction in the government), Ajit Pawar was given a clear picture that he would not get the post of chief minister," the Deputy Chief Minister told reporters.

Fadnavis claimed a clear picture was presented to Ajit Pawar about the power-sharing formula and he had agreed to it. "He (Ajit) not only agreed to it but also made it clear in his speech that there is no discussion on changing the guard in Maharashtra, he said. Fadnavis snubbed Prithviraj Chavan for allegedly peddling rumours.

"They should stop confusing people about 'Mahayuti'. Leaders are not confused but party workers do get perplexed. People like Prithviraj Chavan are spreading rumours. If something is going to happen by August 10, it would be the expansion of the state Cabinet. The CM will take a call on it, he said.

Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government on July 2. While Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister, the MLAs were sworn in as ministers. Later, the crucial finance department was allotted to the nephew of Sharad Pawar. Shinde had said Ajit Pawar's entry into the government posed no threat to him.
Shubham couldn't have enmity with anyone, says father on son's stabbing in Australia

Canada: Indian Student Assaulted and Killed While Delivering Pizza

International

oi-PTI

A 24-year-old Indian student, who worked as a food delivery partner in Canada, has been killed after he was violently assaulted during a deadly carjacking, according to media reports.

Gurvinder Nath was delivering pizza at around 2:10 am on July 9 in Mississauga's Britannia and Creditview roads, when unknown suspects confronted him and tried to steal his vehicle, CTV News channel reported.

"Investigators do believe that there are multiple suspects involved and that the food order was placed as a means of luring the driver to this specific area," Inspector Phil King of Peel Regional Police's Homicide Bureau said, adding that investigators have obtained an audio recording of the Pizza Pizza order placed before the attack.

After Nath arrived, he was "violently assaulted" and left critically injured by a suspect who robbed him of his vehicle and fled the scene, police said.

India's Non-Basmati Rice Ban Move Triggers Panic Buying In US, Canada

Multiple witnesses came to his aid and called for help before Nath was rushed to a trauma centre where he was pronounced dead on July 14.

Siddhartha Nath, Consul General of India in Toronto, said Nath's death is a "heartrending loss" and he extended his condolences to family members, friends and the wider community, the CBC reported.

He said the consulate general has contacted the family after his death.

"It was heartening for me to see how the community responded, came together both online and physically to support the family in this time of grief," the Consul General said.

"Of course, nothing can make good the loss, but it will be some solace to the grieving family and it's also a signal of the spirit of the community because it is in times like this when the spirit and the solidarity and the sense of empathy is tested."

The Consul General said he hopes the people responsible are brought to justice.

Inspector King said despite the infancy of the investigation, police believe Nath was an innocent victim. Nath's vehicle was found abandoned in the hours following the attack in the area of Old Creditview and Old Derry roads -- less than five kilometres from the crime scene, King said.

"The working theory is that perhaps there may have been extensive injuries (to Nath) that may not have been anticipated and that may have caused (the suspects) to get rid of the vehicle early," he said.

The vehicle has since been forensically examined and "several" pieces of evidence have been retrieved, King added.

Police say there is no known connection between Nath and his attackers.

"I would like to remind those involved that regardless of your level of participation, you are complicit in the murder of Gurvinder Nath and you will be arrested and charged accordingly," King said.

Nath's body will be flown to India on July 27 with the help of the Consulate General of India in Toronto, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.

Last week, CTV News Toronto spoke to family and friends of Nath, who said the Brampton resident was on summer break before he returned to his final semester of business school.

"He was innocent, he was just delivering pizza [when] random people hit him on his head," Nath's cousin, Balram Krishan, said.

Nath arrived in Canada from India in July of 2021 and had plans to open his own business.

On Saturday, more than 200 people gathered in Mississauga at a candlelight vigil for Nath, the CBC reported.

'Kill India Rally: Pro-Khalistani Groups Protest Outside Indian Missions In London, Canada

Speakers at the vigil said that Nath came to Canada carrying his family's hopes and now his family is dealing with grief at the loss of one of its three sons.

"You come to Canada with a dream. You start your life. But these people stole a dream," Bobby Sidhu, a friend of a relative of Nath, said.

Sidhu said: "Canada was known for peace. And I hope that in our country such senseless and merciless crime will come to an end. Everyone could relate to Gurvinder. I think that's the reason the community has come together."

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Story first published: Monday, July 24, 2023, 17:30 [IST]
Pakistan Extends Visa For Indian Woman Anju After Converting To Islam And Marrying FB Friend

Is 'Barbie' Movie Banned In Pakistan? Here's What We Know

International

oi-Deepika S

Greta Gerwig's highly-anticipated summer flick 'Barbie' is in theaters now, but the movie starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling is facing a ban in many countries due to a specific scene that recognises an Asian political conflict.

The controversial scene depicts a map with the nine dash line, a representation of China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam said that it violates its sovereignty.

Vietnam bans 'Barbie'

Vietnam became the first nation to take action, banning the distribution of the popular 'Barbie' movie because it includes a view of a map showing disputed Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea.

It said a map in the film shows China's nine-dash line, which extends Beijing's territorial claims far into waters that fall within areas claimed by Vietnam and other countries.

Now, A Married Indian Woman Goes To Pakistan To Meet Her Lover

The nine-dash line is an arcane but sensitive issue for China and its neighbours that depicts Beijing's claims to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, which Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines reject.

An international court ruled in 2016 that the nine-dash line has no basis in law and the Philippines was entitled to an exclusive economic zone in part of the area claimed by Beijing. China rejected the ruling.

'Barbie' released with cuts in Pakistan

The screening of Hollywood movie 'Barbie' was temporarily halted in Pakistan's Punjab province. Islamabad took the decision considering the film's LGBTQ+ themes. However, the film was released in theatres across the province after some dialogues were censored.

Reports of 'Barbie' being banned in Pakistan began doing rounds on social media when the Punjab Film Censor Board did not issue a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) in this regard.

Not A Spy, Don't Send Me Back To Pakistan: Seema Haider's Appeal To PM Modi, UP CM

Some social media users even claimed that they were asked to get a refund for the tickets and the movie stopped screening midway.

Did Punjab govt (re)ban Barbie just now? Was attending the 8:30 PM show at Universal Cinemas Emporium and they just turned on the lights and then told us to get refunds?,,?..?



This is unreal.... pic.twitter.com/1jsbNMOFOZ  Hafsa Ahsan /  (@HafsaAhsan1) July 22, 2023

However, Pakistan is not the only Muslim country to ban the film as other Islamic nations such as UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia.

As most Islamic nations don't view pro LGBTQ content with great enthusiasm, nor do they take it very positively, such bans on Hollywood films and serials that have pro-LGBTQ content is not uncommon.

While the other countries have only put a temporary ban on it, Iran has permanently banned it.

Russia and Philippines

Apart from Islamic nations, countries such as Russia, and Philippines have also banned the movie.

According to IANS report, Russia temporarily banned the film due to it what the state considers "promoting a consumerist attitude among infants" while Philippines banned it due to its depiction of the Nine Dash Line which these counties say violates their sovereignty as a depiction of this line, strengthens China's claims in the South China Sea over which these nations have outright rejected China's claims.

'Barbie', a live-action fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, hit the screens worldwide to highly positive reviews on July 21.

According to multiple reports, 'Barbie' has surpassed Oppenheimer in more than 70 international territories.
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. Iran is focused on establishing peace in the Caucasus region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Hossein Amirabdollahian said, expressing Tehran's readiness to hold a meeting in the "3+3" format with the participation of Armenian and Azerbaijani officials, ARMENPRESS reports, citing IRNA agency.

"The South Caucasus region is of great importance for Iran," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said during a press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

"Iran welcomes the convergence between the countries of the region and the progress in the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Hossein Amirabdollahian said.

"Iran is focused on establishing peace in the Caucasus region," he said, adding that his recent meeting with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, his meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia in recent months and today's meeting with the Foreign Minister of Armenia can be considered as Iran's endeavors of establishing stable peace and security in the region.

According to him, Tehran believes that peace and security among its neighbors correspond to the common interests of the countries of the region.

"The Caucasus region should not turn into a theater of power struggles and competition, as this would delay peace in the region," the Iranian FM said, adding that lasting peace requires friendly and fluent dialogue between governments and nations.

"We welcome the "3+3" format between the countries of the region, and Iran announces its readiness to hold that meeting, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan will also participate," he concluded.
Islamist Hate Preacher Anjem Choudary Charged With 3 Terror Offences

International

oi-Prakash KL

Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with three terror offences after being arrested in London last week, the Met Police has said.

According to the police, the British radical Islamist preacher is facing charges related to their involvement in a banned organization. The charges include being a member of the proscribed group, directing a terrorist organization, and holding meetings to promote support for the prohibited organization. The person is scheduled to make a court appearance in London on Monday, Reuters reported.

He was once a top Islamist preacher. Choudary, the former leader of the now outlawed group al-Muhajiroun, gained notoriety for lauding the individuals behind the 9/11 attacks on the United States and expressing his desire to transform Buckingham Palace into a mosque.

In 2016, he was jailed in Britain for encouraging support for Islamic State. He was released in 2018. Notably, his followers have been associated with numerous plots across the world.

Controversial Islamist Zakir Naik to be deported from Oman

Police said Khaled Hussein, a 28-year-old Canadian man, was also taken into custody on the same day as Choudary. He was arrested upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport and is now facing charges of belonging to a proscribed organization.

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Story first published: Monday, July 24, 2023, 16:54 [IST]
Sudha Murty's Fear Over Same Spoon Used For Veg, Non-Veg Took Twitter by Storm

Was Meta's Threads the Fastest Tech Flop of All Time?

'WTF Is X': Netizens Flood Memes To Vent Out Frustration Over Twitter's New Avatar

Elon Musk Vs Mark Zuckerberg's Fight To Be Live Streamed On Twitter

Twitter From Today Is officially 'X', Logo Replaces Iconic Blue Bird

International

oi-Deepika S

It's official. Twitter unveiled its new logo on Monday, replacing its iconic blue bird on its website with an 'X' as part of a wider rebranding.

Elon Musk replaced his own Twitter icon with a white X on a black background and posted a picture on Monday of the design projected on Twitter's San Francisco headquarters.

The X started appearing on the top of the desktop version of Twitter on Monday, but the bird was still dominant across the phone app.

Elon Musk has also updated his profile picture on Twitter as the company looks for wholesale branding changes of the micro-blogging platform this week.

Our headquarters tonight pic.twitter.com/GO6yY8R7fO  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 24, 2023

Reacting to the development, Jack Dorsey, the former boss of the micro-blogging platform, posted: "Keep calm and just x through it."

keep calm and just x through it  jack (@jack) July 24, 2023

The change isn't surprising given Musk's long history with the name 'X', says Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing consultancy Metaforce. The billionaire Tesla CEO tweeted last October that "buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app."

Musk's rocket company, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is commonly known as SpaceX. And in 1999, Musk founded a startup called X.com, an online financial services company now known as PayPal.

"Not sure what subtle clues gave it way, but I like the letter X," Musk tweeted Sunday.

Hours later on Sunday, Linda Yaccarino, the longtime NBC Universal executive Musk appointed as Twitter CEO in May, weighed in on the move.

"It's an exceptionally rare thing - in life or in business - that you get a second chance to make another big impression," she wrote on her Twitter account. "Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square."

Yaccarino wrote on Twitter that X would be "the future state of unlimited interactivity - centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking - creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities."

But the change on Twitter was met with skepticism on the social media platform.

Musk's move to change Twitter's logo to an X also comes as Twitter faces new competition from Meta's new app, Threads, launched earlier this month. It has been seen as an alternative for those who have been upset with Twitter.
Refrain From Violence: US Calls For Calm Amid Communal Clashes In Haryana

Trump Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Over Attempts To Change 2020 Election Results

35-Year-Old Woman Dies After Drinking 2 Liters Of Water In 20 Minutes In US

Who Is Neville Roy Singham? The Man Behind China's Global Propaganda Network

US Expresses Concerns Over Manipur Incident, Calls It Brutal

International

oi-Deepika S

The United States has expressed deep concern over viral videos showing two women paraded naked in Manipur, a sexual assault case that shook the country.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson called the incident brutal and terrible and said the United States conveyed its sympathies to the victims.

The United States encouraged a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the Manipur violence and urged authorities to respond to humanitarian needs while protecting all groups, homes and places of worship, the State Department spokesperson was quoted saying by Reuters.

Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men from the other side.

Manipur: 41 People Of Meitei Community Reach Assam From Mizoram After Threat Over Video

The video was doing the rounds on the eve of a planned protest march announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday to highlight their plight.

Manipur state has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between majority the Meiteis, concentrated in Imphal valley, and the Kukis, occupying the hills. Over 160 people have been killed in the violence so far.

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Story first published: Monday, July 24, 2023, 9:23 [IST]
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ODN 24 Jul 2023

British nationals have begun returning to the UK from Rhodes and Corfu as wildfires continue to sweep across the Greek..
Women tell the BBC about what they will miss from salons before they close on orders from the Taliban.
The Kremlin accuses Ukraine of being behind an attack that damaged at least two buildings.
The Afghanistan women's team play their first match since being airlifted to Australia in 2021 after Kabul fell to the Taliban.
The leader of the center-right CDU, Friederich Merz, has said his party has no outright ban on cooperation with the AfD. This comes as the far-right party gains unprecedented support in nationwide surveys.
Russia, which has been waging a war against Ukraine for 17 months, accused its neighbor of launching a "terrorist" attack. Two buildings, including one not far from the Defense Ministry, were reportedly hit in Moscow.
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. On July 24, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi received Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Tehran.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Armenia, it was noted with satisfaction that a high-level political dialogue was formed between the two friendly and neighboring countries, based on mutual respect and the thousand-year-old brotherhood of the two peoples.

Issues related to Armenian-Iranian multi-sectoral cooperation were discussed during the meeting. The sides exchanged thoughts on implementing the ambitious bilateral agenda, on the implementation process of agreements reached at a high level. In this context, the importance of the implementation of current and planned joint projects between the two countries in the trade, economic, energy and transport sectors was particularly emphasized.

As a continuation of the discussion held on the same day at the level of foreign ministers, the focus of attention of Ararat Mirzoyan and Ebrahim Raisi was also the issues related to regional security. Minister Mirzoyan presented to the President of Iran the latest developments in the process of normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, as well as reaffirmed the vision of the Armenian side regarding the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus. The need to exclude problem solving through the use of force or the threat of force, and maximalist and hostile rhetoric was emphasized.

Referring to the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh as a result of the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the imperative to immediately remove the blockade and prevent the ethnic cleansing of the Nagorno Karabakh population by Azerbaijan.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was fined for disobeying police orders at a protest in Malmo, in southern Sweden. She said she had acted out of necessity to fight the climate crisis.
The attacks targeted grain for export along the Danube just across from the Nato member state.
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Shortly after being elected as president of Brazil for the third time, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva exclaimed at the November..
Holiday firms are operating flights from the Greek island to help those evacuated after wildfires.
Rumble 25 Jul 2023

The Biden DOJ is suing Texas for having the gall to secure its border. Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice told Texas to..
By Dr. Sandip Kumar Mishra



India and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1973, and are celebrating the 50th anniversary this year. It took a long time for official relations to be established as India wanted to do so simultaneously, with South and North Korea, which the Koreas were not ready for until...
Families who were caught up in the terrifying blazes all claim an announcement had been made about evacuations from the Greek..

Daily Record 24 Jul 2023
Tour operators began flying home holidaymakers as wildfires raged on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday and officials said the threat of further fires was high in almost every region of the country.

Fires burning since Wednesday on Rhodes forced the evacuation of 19,000 people over the weekend as an inferno reached coastal resorts on the island's southeast. A wildfire also forced evacuations from the island of Corfu.

Rhodes and Corfu are among Greece's top destinations for tourists mainly from Britain and Germany.

"We are in the seventh day of the fire and it hasn't been controlled," Rhodes Deputy Mayor Konstantinos Taraslias told state broadcaster ERT.

Tourists spent the night on the airport floor, waiting for repatriation flights, the first of which came overnight.

Holiday company TUI's UK and Ireland arm said it brought three plane loads of passengers back to Britain from Rhodes and had plans to get everyone affected back as soon as possible.

"It was quite a bit of a struggle on the beach with the smoke," said John Hope, a tourist from Manchester, England.

Austrian tourist Mario Wiese said he had spent two days at Rhodes airport and had had to sort out his own return flight to Germany on Monday evening.

"We have been lying here for two days. There are no blankets, nothing. There are children lying here who need milk," he said. "I had to organise everything myself because no one looks after us here. I don't understand it."

Repatriation flights

Tour operators Jet2, TUI and Corendon cancelled flights leaving for Rhodes. Britain's easyJet said it was operating two repatriation flights on Monday from Rhodes to London's Gatwick airport in addition to the nine flights already operating between the island and Gatwick.

The airline said it will add another repatriation flight on Tuesday.

Ryanair said its flights to and from Rhodes were operating as normal. Its Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan said the airline was monitoring the situation on Monday.

"It's not necessary at this period in time (to put on more flights), we're letting people book onto earlier flights."

Evacuations by sea were underway on Corfu, where about 59 people were taken off a beach on Sunday. Footage from the island showed the skyline ablaze from fires in a mountain region.

On Rhodes, some holidaymakers said they walked for miles in scorching heat to reach safety. The fires left blackened trees and dead animals lay in the road near burnt-out cars.

Greece is often hit by wildfires during the summer months but climate change has led to more extreme heatwaves across southern Europe.

Civil Protection said practically every region of Greece was facing the threat of wildfires on Monday ranging from "high, very high or state of alert".

Temperatures over the past week have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many parts of the country and were forecast to persist in the coming days.

Emergency services were also dealing with fires on the island of Evia, east of Athens, and Aigio, southwest of Athens.
The 64-year-old farmer was operating his tractor while carrying out agricultural work in the village of Shosh when Azerbaijani troops opened various caliber small arms fire in his direction on July 24.

July 24, 2023, 14:07 Azerbaijani combat positions once again fired at the citizens of Artsakh. Ministry of Internal Affairs

STEPANAKERT, JULY 24, ARTSAKHPRES: The farmer did not suffer injuries. The agricultural work has been suspended, Artsakh Republic Ministry of Internal Affairs informs.

The Russian peacekeepers were briefed on the shooting.
Accountants in the US will warn you about unreported income in tax filings. While expenses may be disputable, not reporting income leaves little leeway, and will, depending on the amount, earn you free board and lodging at the government's expense in accommodations not of your choice.

That is unless you are Hunter Biden, the President's son who has just pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor (not a felony) and has been given the proverbial slap on the wrist. Reason magazine calls it a sweetheart deal and if it's not, then everyone should be treated with the same leniency.

Two Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officers, Gary Shapley, a supervisory official agent, and Joseph Ziegler, a criminal investigator, have now in disgust blown the whistle on the whole affair.

With 14 years of experience, Shapley is a team leader in the International Tax and Financial Crimes group that is responsible for the IRS investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes.



Mr. Ziegler, whose identity was finally revealed when he testified a few days ago (July 19) has worked for 13 years in the IRS Criminal Investigation Division that initiated the initial inquiry into Hunter Biden's 2017 tax return.



The investigation is headed by the US Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, who was retained in his position by the newly elected President Biden -- possibly because of the impropriety of discharging a US Attorney who was also looking into Joe Biden's finances. These Joe and Hunter (father and son) investigations were subsequently merged. Yes, it's a complicated story.

The two whistleblowers accuse the Delaware US Attorney's Office of persistently blocking the investigation and making decisions to benefit the President and his son. Thus when they sought to search the President's Wilmington home, where Hunter Biden also kept some of his financial records, the request was denied by Lesley Wolf citing "optics". She is the Assistant US Attorney in the Delaware office.



She also prevented the investigators from interviewing the President's adult grandchildren who had been claimed as dependents on Hunter Biden's tax return. Worse, she let Mr. Biden's lawyers know that the investigators were interested in a Virginia storage unit where some of the documents were kept, allowing the lawyers prior access.



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For all the bloviating by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about climate change and saving the planet, his negligence regarding managing Canada's forests has become obvious now that his country is burning and causing years of pollution damage and speeding up - not slowing - climate change. Thanks to Trudeau, who refused to allow for the proper management of Canada's forests, with methods such as prescribed burning, the entire northeastern United States is engulfed in smoke pollution - and climate change is now even worse.

While Trudeau often comes across to many as youthful, charming, energetic, and progressive, he is also hated by many for his alleged past sexual misconduct, privileged background, perceived hypocrisy, and for projecting a performative and superficial embrace of equality and social justice. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the hate only grew. As one author explained, "Pandemic lockdowns, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports and disruptions to businesses offered new ways to interpret Trudeau's arrogance and betrayal."

It seems as if Trudeau's country is burning in more ways than one. But why are the wildfires so widespread? How did this happen?

According to The Narwhal, "Decades of fire suppression have made forests more flammable. Add lightning, human error and climate change and it's a recipe for disaster."

The article explains that "Temperatures are expected to rise with climate change. Precipitation is expected to be erratic. Disease and pests are killing or weakening trees and forests are continuously managed for industry, homes and infrastructure, a practice that has made forests more flammable."

Data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows 34 per cent of the fires started in that period were from lightning, 40 per cent from human causes and 26 per cent were still undetermined.

Ignition was then further driven by forests left parched by a dry spring and unseasonably hot temperatures across much of the country. Vast areas of Canada were experiencing drought conditions as of May 31, with some parts of Alberta classified as extreme. These extreme unseasonal temperatures have only contributed to the devastation we see today. Add to this the mismanagement of the forests and the result is a massive inferno and irreversible pollution.

In general, prescribed burning is used to manage forests and prevent the buildup of too much underbrush that could eventually result in a massive fire like we are seeing today. But the same article adds that "although there has been a shift towards recognizing the ecological importance of fire, governments have invested heavily in fighting fires before they can spread, in part to protect valuable trees destined to be logged."

There you have it. Canada is concerned about logging and therefore reduces forestry management out of concerns for the logging industry. Canada's logging industry plays a significant role in the country's economy, but it also poses risks to forests and can create the potential for fires. Clearcutting is a common logging practice in Canada where large areas of forests are completely cleared of trees. This method is efficient for timber extraction but has negative consequences for forest ecosystems. Clearcutting disrupts the natural balance of the forest, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity. Fragmented forests are more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and invasive species, which weakens the overall health of the ecosystem and increases the risk of forest fires.

Logging operations often remove a significant portion of the canopy, which is the upper layer of foliage in a forest. Canopy cover provides shade and helps regulate temperature and moisture levels in the forest. When the canopy is reduced, it exposes the forest floor to more sunlight, causing increased evaporation and drying of vegetation. The drier conditions make forests more susceptible to ignition, and once a fire starts, it spreads more easily.

After logging, residue such as branches, bark, and tree tops, collectively known as slash, is left behind. This material serves as potential fuel for fires. If the slash is not properly managed or removed, it simply accumulates on the forest floor, creating a higher fuel load. In the event of a fire, as we see now, the presence of this excess fuel increases the intensity and spread of the flames, making it harder to control the fire.

Logging requires the construction of access roads to reach logging sites. These roads often provide entry points for human activities, such as recreational activities, camping, and off-road vehicle use. Human presence in remote areas often lead to accidental fires through activities like campfires, discarded cigarettes, or negligence. Additionally, the increased accessibility facilitates the spread of fires, as firefighting efforts may be impeded by the difficult terrain or lack of infrastructure in remote locations.

It is time for Trudeau to understand that to mitigate these threats, sustainable logging practices and proper forest management are essential. This includes implementing selective logging techniques instead of clearcutting, leaving buffer zones of unharvested trees, and implementing responsible slash management. Additionally, implementing strict regulations and monitoring systems will help prevent unauthorized access and minimize the risk of human-caused fires. Collaborative efforts between the logging industry, government agencies, and environmental organizations are crucial to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Canada's forests. For the sake of everyone else and climate change, manage your forests properly Mr. Trudeau!
On July 18, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution by the kind of lopsided vote (412 for, 9 against, 1 present) normally reserved for proclamations lauding members' hometown Little League programs. Unlike most legislation, Concurrent Resolution 57 is short enough to fit comfortably into newspaper op-ed length:

"Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that --

"(1) the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state;

"(2) Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia; and

"(3) the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel."

The billions Congress wastes annually on xenophobic nonsense like "border security" and "countering China" belie the resolution's second point, and the third point is simply bizarre -- ask the Lakota or the Cherokee about how trustworthy the US is when it comes to "always" commitments.

But what about that first point, which was what the resolution was really intended to get across after US Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) stepped on a political third rail by contradicting it on July 16 (Jayapal quickly turned tail, apologized, and voted for the resolution)?

Well, there's a problem with that point as well:

Israel IS a racist (at least if the concept of "race" encompasses ethno-religious groups) and apartheid state.

Israel was expressly founded as a "homeland" for people of a specific ethnic/religious group, and its "basic law" clearly and unambiguously affirms that "Israel is the historic homeland of the Jewish people and they have an exclusive right to national self-determination in it."

Non-Jews, and especially Palestinian Arabs, are legally treated as second-class citizens, when they're treated as citizens at all. For example, a "right of return" to Israel is offered to all Jews, no matter where they were born, but not to Palestinian Arabs who may have actually been born right there.

That's racist, period. Disagree? Substitute "Montana" for "Israel" and "white" for "Jewish." How does it read now?

As for the "apartheid" allegation, no other term fits a state which has spilled outside its internationally recognized borders (as codified in 1948 by United Nations Resolution 181) and set up a two-tier system based on race/ethnicity in territory it occupies. A system where Arabs are subject to Jewish rule without representation in the Knesset, where Arab property is subject to legalized theft by Jewish "settlers," where roads and other infrastructure facilities are segregated into "Arab" and "Jews Only" use, and under which a menial class of Arabs are allowed to cross into Israel proper from their designated "homelands" to work, but not to live.

The usual defenses I see of Israel on these matters is that its existence as a "Jewish state," and its apartheid treatment of Palestinian Arabs, are justified and must therefore not be considered "racist" or "apartheid."

Presumably American supporters of racial segregation and South African supporters of the original "apartheid" considered their systems justified as well.

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still from 'Hysteresis'

(Image by Robert Seidel) Details DMCA



Hysteresis, the award-winning five-minute film by Berlin-based artist Robert Seidel, is an exemplary experiment in the symbiosis between human consciousness and AI machine-rendered play with form and texture. The film has just returned home after a two-year tour of screenings on the indie film circuit that included Berlin,Taipei,Taichung, Ann Arbor, Rio de Janeiro, and Glasgow. In the latter venue, Hysteresis was part of a festival: Rise of the Empathy Machines: Do You See What (A)I See? And this is as good an entry as any into what Seidel's current project is all about.

The festival featured human intersections and interactions with machines, of which AI is a sub-product. The ALT/KINO festival website tells us:

How does artificial intelligence see the world? And how does it interpret and process what it sees? " As the discourse becomes ever more infatuated with the output of machine learning, this selection of films seeks to understand how what it yields is a reaction to what data has been fed into it. Ranging from the reflections of a machine poet about human-shot footage to the existential musings of a self-driving car, this programme wonders what is going on in the mind of an A.I. as it observes, processes, interacts with and, ultimately, remakes the world.

Hysteresis is the feature short of this festival.



still from 'Hysteresis'

(Image by Robert Seidel) Details DMCA



The notion that one can be an empath with machines, or, as Psychology Today has referred to them, "synesthetes" with "a rare form of mirror-touch synesthesia""profound empathy extending to machines," is shocking and profound in its implications. I am especially interested in this phenomenon, as I have been doing research in the area of the technological singularity for a doctoral dissertation, and recently published a piece in The Conversation that examines the merge of mind and matter that takes place with brain-computer interfaces (BCI) that allow a person to engage with a computer (by way of a blue tooth AI) strictly through thoughts. For these engagements to work, the BCI has to translate brain signals it reads to digital commands, implying that thoughts can be digitized. It is this possibility that has some BCI company executives, such as Elon Musk, enthusiastic about a future when humans will possess machine-mediated telepathy. What one wonders is whether such "mediation" amounts to machine consciousness.

But what is hysteresis? In his upcoming book Hysteresis, Maurizio Ferraris argues that hysteresis is a fundamental feature of human experience. He writes that "hysteresis is the ability of effects to survive even when their causes have ceased to exist." This means that the past is never truly gone, and that it can continue to shape the present in ways that we may not even be aware of.

For artists and cultural producers, this understanding of hysteresis can be a powerful tool. It can help us to see the connections between past and present, and to use these connections to create new and innovative work. It can also help us to challenge the status quo, and to imagine new possibilities for the future.

HYSTERESIS | Robert Seidel | Soundtrack by Oval from Robert Seidel on Vimeo.

In Hysteresis, Seidel uses digital technology to explore the ways in which past events can be reactivated in the present. At Seidel's website, the artist tells us that he is "Unveiling a frenetic, delicate and flamboyant visual language, that speaks to the hysteria and hysteresis in this historical moment" and that he "wants to open a discourse about these unique modes of AI creation - with implications beyond the film and other media, to that singularity, where history collapses into a single point in the present." Have we reached the event horizon at which civilization and its experiment in light and bio have begun to be pulled into the hole we dug for ourselves? This would account for the hysteria of eschatological vibes in the air.

The short film is intense and frantic and full of the light of reason. Chaos and incoherence, too. It's a melting pot for the interpenetrability of all being, or, as David Finkelstein, author of "Stem Cells of the Mind," is quoted at the site saying of the film, ""such a web fascinates us because it resembles so closely the way that the mind works all the time, whether we're aware of it or not, reflecting the dense interconnections of all existence." And I agree.

The viewer is warned of graphic imagery and flashes that could affect epileptic viewers. I had a string visceral response; felt pulled into a process I didn't understand but was fascinated by. And though it has, at first, the confronting energy of a hot spanking Yoko Ono primal scream, Hysteresis happens in a space where no one can hear you scream. Seidel writes, "No origin, no responsibility, no clear bias - just a primordial soup that can be transformed into any form without questioning knowledge systems and hierarchies." Absolute Possibility. It brings, for a moment or two, vertigo.

A token narrative has "queer performer" Tsuki dancing ritually and gesturally, embodying aspects of theater, including Ballet, Butoh and Berlin club culture. This is a strange combination to me, at first, as when I consider Berlin club culture, for instance, I recall watching the splendid TV series, Babylon Berlin, with its kinky nightclub doings darkly juxtaposed with the growing tension in Germany between Communists and the nascent of fascists of the National Socialist movement.

Seidel writes of Tsuki, "In a fusion process, her image is recorded, fed back through Seidel's devices and then projected onto her body." It's fusion and its fugal. One question I had is whether this re-centering unfolding is the exclusive product of queer thinking, or an opportunity to come to terms with the next paradigm shift ahead. Seidel writes, "The resulting Muybridgean silhouettes, baroque textures and bursting painterly structures fluctuate between the second and third dimensions, unfolding free-floating gestures that unhinge the laws of nature." The word 'unhinge' is rather strong.

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Midway to Agenda 2030: Why are we off the track on gender equality?



SUMITA THAPAR - CNS



Feminist fossil-fuel free future is the only sustainable future for humans and our planet

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With only 90 months left to fulfil the Agenda 2030 promises made by our governments 90 months ago, we are far off the track. A United Nations report released this week shows that out of the 114 countries studied, not one has achieved gender equality. Over 99% women and girls live in a country with low women's empowerment and a big gender gap. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 also had painted a grim picture, including on the progress made on delivering the goals for gender equality, which is crucial to achieving each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).





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Taiwan Could Become a U.S. Territory

Joel D. Joseph

Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are all U.S. territories, and Taiwan could become one. Congress could invite Taiwan to become a U.S. territory and then the people of Taiwan could vote to accept or reject the invitation. The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1898 until 1946.

China, of course, will be upset with the U.S. inviting Taiwan to become a part of the United States. China will argue that we would be interfering with their "domestic" concerns. But Taiwan is a democratic nation and should be allowed to make its own independent decisions.

China, China, China

Of course, if Taiwan becomes a U.S. territory the United States would be bound to defend it. Every U.S. territory has major American military installations. The American Navy virtually controls the Island of Guam. There are also naval bases in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

A July, 2007 Congressional Research Service Report confirmed that U.S. policy has not recognized China's sovereignty over Taiwan. In 1979, China pressured the United States to end diplomatic relations with Taiwan. President Carter caved into massive Chinese pressure. In response, Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act. The Peoples Republic of China continues to view the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act as "an unwarranted intrusion by the United States into the internal affairs of China." However, the United States has continued to supply Taiwan with aircraft and other weaponry and China has continued to protest. China has threatened to invade Taiwan, but has never done so.

American Military Bases

Pearl Harbor, a massive United States Naval facility, was attacked in 1941 before Hawaii became a state. In the Philippines the United States has access to nine military bases. Some of these bases were formerly American bases, but now are controlled by the Philippine government. The United States gave the Philippines its independence in 1946 after 48 years as a territory.

U.S. territories have non-voting members in Congress. Residents of U.S. territories can easily gain American citizenship. Residents of the U.S. territories Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are generally not required to pay federal income taxes on income whose source is within the territory.

Congress can establish the rules for admission of Taiwan as a U.S. territory. The law would include rules on citizenship, taxation, military bases, military service and other issues. If Taiwan were to become a U.S. territory, China would most likely not invade the island nation because such an invasion could start World War III. Similarly, if we had invited the Ukraine into NATO twenty years ago Russia would not have invaded. We should learn from the Ukraine War and pre-emptively invite Taiwan to become part of the United States.
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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"In Bottom-Up, Rob Kall offers a blueprint for human surviving and thriving that everyone can follow. Using personal stories from his many famous contacts (from Capra to Quinn), he shows how in every aspect of life we can reconnect with that which is in our DNA by replacing our artificial and oppressive hierarchical priorities via a return to a consciousness based on the kind of egalitarian relationships that we honored for most of human history."



Four Arrows, aka Don Trent Jacobs, PhD, EdD, author of Unlearning the Language of Conquest and Teaching Truly: A Curriculum to Indigenize Mainstream Education
Lagos, Nigeria - July 24, 2023 - Hope Spring Water, a leading non-profit organization based in Herefordshire dedicated to providing clean and safe water to communities in need, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Atobaje Borehole Project. This project, set to commence in August, is a partnership between Hope Spring and the local community authority, who will provide half of the necessary funding. Hope Spring Water has been 
Dear Annie: I am a retired RN, and I was interested when one of your readers wrote that if an elderly person falls, they should not be allowed to drive. I am here to tell you there is no direct correlation between falls and driving. Falls for the elderly occur for many reasons -- some known and others unknown.

The statement in your column was not qualified. Perhaps it should say that in some cases people should not drive due to a medical condition, such as dizziness, seizures, visual deficits, cardiac condition or medications.

Although the elderly perhaps are known to fall more frequently, the origin of the cause of falling is often unknown. It also may not affect their driving safely. Mobility too may be limited, but that does not necessarily affect ones safe driving ability.

The fear of drivers causing an accident after a certain age is of course natural, but so are all deaths while behind the wheel, and there are factors other than age that lead to accidents. People are living to an older age, with many having no cognitive deficits. However, some may have slower reflexes.

There are online defensive driving courses for seniors, including ones offered by AAA and AARP for under $30. Completion of the course may give you a discount on insurance premiums. It certainly is a good idea to at least consider these courses even if insurance does not give a discount when you complete the course.

Hope you can use this information. -- Older Drivers

Dear Older Drivers: Thank you for this very helpful information. I hope that people look into taking one of the driving courses for seniors. It sounds like it could be very beneficial for everyone. I love hearing from professionals.

Dear Annie: I saw your column where the person who wrote to you was trying to stop an older driver from getting behind the wheel of a car.

My sister had a great solution to the same problem.

Mom (80-plus at the time) went away for a few days, and when she returned, my sister introduced her to Penny and said, You remember Penny? She will drive you wherever you want to go. She was lucky enough to have someone Mom was familiar with, but that was pre-ride-share services.

I would recommend saying the following to ones elderly parents: Hi Mom/Dad. This is your Lyft/Uber app. I/we set up an account for you. Heres how to use it. If your loved one is able to get behind the wheel, they can use the app.

Mom wasnt happy, but Penny became a great asset for us and safety for Mom and the public! She died peacefully at 86, never injuring herself or anyone else. -- Been There

Dear Been There: What a great solution. I hope your tips inspire others to do the same.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
Eleven patients from the Republican Medical Center of the Republic of Artsakh, together with their escorts, were transferred to specialized medical centers of Armenia through the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

July 24, 2023, 14:31 11 patients transferred from Artsakh to Armenia

STEPANAKERT, JULY 24, ARTSAKHPRES: Artsakh Republic Ministry of Healthcare informs that 13 others are expected to be transported to Armenia during the day.

The patients are being sent to Armenia to get state-sponsored treatment there as Artsakh is in a blockade by Azerbaijan for more than six months now.

At the moment, 20 children are receiving inpatient treatment in "Arevik" medical unit. Another 76 patients receive inpatient treatment at Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert of which 12 are in the intensive care unit with two in critical condition.

A series of protests have taken place in Yerevan recently, demanding the UN and other international organizations to take steps to put an end to the ongoing blockade of 120,000 residents of Artsakh that are deprived of necessities several months now.
Bobby Smallwood started working as a security officer at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center last year. It may have seemed like an obvious career choice, given his size  he was 6-feet, 5-inches tall and 270 pounds.

But the 44-year-old wasnt the kind of person who liked confrontations, said people who knew him.

I was really surprised he went into security, said Rachel Webb, a senior math instructor at Portland State University who taught and worked with Smallwood while he was a student. ...Although he was big, he was very sweet.

On Saturday morning, Smallwood was shot and killed while covering a shift at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland. He died protecting staff and patients, the hospital said.

It was devastating, Webb said of learning about Smallwoods death. He just graduated and had his entire life in front of him. It was great that he stood up for those who couldnt stand up for themselves, but its just awful that he had to lose his life.

One other employee was also injured in the shooting and is recovering, the hospital said.

Police found the suspect in the shooting in Gresham later that day, and he was killed by Portland officers.

Smallwood, the oldest of three siblings, was born in Tampa, Florida, and came to Portland about 12 years ago, his parents said.

He was the oldest and biggest of everybody, his father, Walter Bob Smallwood, told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Everybody looked up to him.

A relationship with a woman that began on Facebook prompted his move to Oregon, his parents said. He and the woman dated for three to four years.

Bobby Smallwood attended Portland State, where he studied mathematics and helped run the schools food bank as a student employee. He graduated in 2020, and moved on from the food pantry.

Smallwood, who his parents said was high functioning on the autism spectrum, landed at Legacy Health, at first doing administrative and computer work. Sometimes, though, staff would call him to help with a security matter, his father said.

Hes a good, stout man, he said. His size was intimidating.

At some point, Bobby Smallwood was convinced to work security. His usual post was Randall Childrens Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

He loved children. Adults, he tolerated, his father said.

Bobby Smallwoods parents said they last saw their son when he flew home to attend his paternal grandmothers funeral on July 10. He stayed in Florida for about 3 days.

Bobby Smallwood loved being around children at the hospital and wasnt fearful in his job, his parents said.

He wasnt. I was, his dad said, particularly because his son was not armed.

Last Monday, Bobby texted his father that he was getting promoted to a supervisory role, his father said.

Bobby Smallwood, who lived alone, enjoyed listening to a wide range of music  from Neil Diamonds September Morn to Depeche Modes electronic music, his parents said.

He also was an avid reader. His parents said that when he was growing up they couldnt buy books fast enough to satisfy his reading habit.

When he wasnt working, Bobby Smallwood enjoyed having friends over for cookouts, and he liked hiking and biking, his parents said.

His parents received calls Saturday night from Legacy Healths chief executive officer and his direct supervisor. Through tears, they told his parents their son was a good employee, someone hard to replace, his father recalled.

The Smallwoods were told their son was protecting staff and patients in a hallway of the maternity ward and was shot in the chest.

It hasnt sunk in yet, his father said.

 Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian https://twitter.com/maxoregonian

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
Northeast Portland residents worried about potential exposure to asbestos following a massive fire last week at an abandoned building received a measure of good news Sunday.

Air monitoring showed zero trace of asbestos, said Audrey OBrien at a community meeting Sunday at Parkrose High School.

OBrien is in charge of the asbestos program at Oregons Department of Environmental Quality.

Some debris collected in the area and tested has shown asbestos, but there has been far less asbestos than we thought we would find, David Farrer, a toxicologist with the Oregon Health Authority, told residents.

City officials said more information would be released after additional testing is completed.

Last week fire crews arrived at the site of a former Kmart on Northeast 122nd Avenue and found an inferno. One woman who lives near the building said the debris from the blaze, which littered yards and sidewalks, looked like the aftermath of a Fourth of July fireworks show.

One woman who lives near the building said the debris looked like the aftermath of a Fourth of July fireworks show.

On Sunday more than 100 people jammed into a Parkrose School District building to get an update on what local officials billed as their Kmart Fire Asbestos Response.

Dr. Teresa Everson, a Multnomah County health officer and the interim director of the Multnomah County Health Department, told the crowd she understood why they were worried.

I am a parent, she said. I live in Northeast Portland. I smelled the smoke.

Everson explained that risk factors from asbestos come from the quantity of the material and the duration of exposure, with symptoms revealed after years, even decades, of exposure.

I dont want to minimize any concerns, she said. But there are no issues with short-term exposure.

Symptoms residents felt last week  sinus-, eye- and throat irritation and headaches  are common when a large fire breaks out.

Teams from DEQ, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management continue to collect and test material, officials said.

Trained contractors experienced in dealing with asbestos have cleaned the Parkrose Middle School and Luuwit View Park.

The focus now, OBrien told the audience, was what do with debris found in peoples yards.

Farrer, the toxicologist, demonstrated how people should safely gather ash or debris from their yards.

That means wearing a N95 mask and rubber gloves, he said. Soak the debris with water and then put it in a trash bag.

The DEQ has created a web page where residents who dont feel comfortable cleaning up debris can request help.

When the meeting ended, those in attendance were given free gloves, masks and trash bags.

 Tom Hallman Jr

503-221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com; @thallmanjr

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I hate this place, was the first thing my sixth-grade mentee said to me.

I want to go home, was the second.

Since getting off the bus to Outdoor School two hours earlier, all the sixth graders had done was take a tour and been given a bag of Cheetos. I didnt understand what about Camp Angelos she hated so much.

Outdoor School has been a seminal experience of many Oregonians education since its inception in 1957. It is a week-long program during which high school student leaders, along with a team of adult staffers, teach sixth-graders about the outdoors in a summer camp-like setting. Thousands have participated, gaining a sense of empowerment in the outdoors and a safe space to grow.

This spring, Outdoor School provided me just that. Surrounded by supportive peers and staff, I was able to build a bond with a camper that helped me understand not only her life, but mine. Much of my life has been defined by my anxieties. In order to feel comfortable, I must feel in control. I could see that same longing in her. Outdoor School offered the exact opposite  a week in which you had little say in what you did, where you were, and who you were with.

I grew up in Austin, Texas, and didnt experience Outdoor School until my sophomore year, when some friends convinced me to sludge around in the mud for a week while teaching tweens about the outdoors. I fell in love.

I returned to the Sandy River and towering Douglas firs of Camp Angelos for a second time this May. As soon as the sixth graders jumped off the bus, I knew this week would be anything but easy. The kids dropped f-bombs by the second and gave us counselors wide-eyed stares when we sang the welcome song. I was anxious about the days to come.

The first night, during cabin assignments, one camper stood to the side of our huddle, audibly groaning about her cabin-mates. When I said goodnight, she turned away from me and huffed, I dont want to be here.

The next day, her disdain only grew. Her friends were in another cabin and she was stuck with people she didnt know. My first instinct was to try and find a solution, slap a bandaid over her constant complaining. I wanted a quick fix for her feelings. But I began to realize that was not what she needed. She needed someone to hear her out but still push her to do what she dreaded.

When I was younger, I was terrified of ordering for myself at a restaurant. The anxiety nearly paralyzed me. But for as long as I can remember, my parents have made me. Now, when a waiter asks for my order, I can look them in the eye and recite what I want. I recognized my mentee needed that same support, not shielding.

Slowly, she began to open up. She told me about her constant suspensions, the fights she would get into in the cafeteria, and her parents suffocating disappointment. She became more comfortable cracking jokes and sang wholeheartedly at campfire.

When I would ask her about her day each evening, the good started to outweigh the bad. She would beam while telling me about the snake she got to pet on animal field study, the delicious dessert at dinner, the new friend she made in our cabin. For each one of her successes, I made sure that she knew I saw the work she was putting in.

I was in awe seeing her armor fall away. She was used to hiding behind the bad kid stereotype. Outdoor School surrounded her with people who were rooting for her, giving her a chance to flip the narrative.

On the third day, she almost got into a fight with another girl during field games. She was hesitant to tell me, scared of my reaction. She was shocked when I told her that I was proud she was able to break the pattern she so often fell into. With the help of a staff member, she was able to take a moment to cool off her anger, a huge success.

At our last campfire, she nearly cried, and I did too. Before she stepped on the bus to go home, I gave her a bone-crushing hug. Im so glad you stayed, I said. She told me she was going to return to Camp Angelos as a student leader.

Even now, nearly two months after returning home, I find it hard to articulate the lesson she taught me. Her journey that week so closely mirrored my own, and yet it was completely different. My fears seemed to parallel hers, but they showed up in different ways.

To gain control, she relied on retaliation, fights, reactions. My vices are restriction, overscheduling, and an inability to relax. Seeing her give in to the lack of control and embrace the unknown has had me examine my own fears and rigidity. If someone half my age can show strength in the face of discomfort, why cant I? If she can begin to break her own harmful patterns, whats stopping me?

Though I came to Outdoor School to teach that week, I took the role of student. I saw someone who came in with such resistance demonstrate resilience over and over again. Her journey wasnt perfect. But in the end, her success was her choice. Her vulnerability was her decision. She had the chance to give up but found the courage to try something different.

This story was written by Youth Voices Contributor Lucy Brewster, a junior at Grant High School. Brewster writes for and designs her high schools magazine, Grant Magazine, and founded her schools literary arts journal, General Gallery. She hopes to pursue art and writing after high school.
The sun was coming up at 6 a.m. when Jreyesha Brannon and her partner Jonathan Wilson climbed into their car to drive a loop through the Mt. Tabor, Gateway and Lents neighborhoods in Southeast and Northeast Portland.

They were not out sightseeing or searching for good coffee. Affixed to their cars passenger side window, a long tube topped with a honeycomb sensor was recording the temperature, relative humidity, elevation, GPS coordinates and the cars speed at 1 second intervals for an hour. They would drive the same exact route again in the afternoon and evening.

Brannon and Wilson volunteered as part of an army of citizen scientists in a massive undertaking: a neighborhood-by-neighborhood heat mapping project spanning Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties that will identify the regions heat islands, the hottest areas that experience the most harmful health effects of rising temperatures.

The data will help inform local cooling solutions in the most affected neighborhoods and policies to deal with extreme heat  an emerging public health threat in the Portland region and across the world.

Its going to be one of the most comprehensive heat campaigns in the country, said Vivek Shandas, a professor in the geography department at Portland State University who spearheaded the heat mapping research and is an advisor on the campaign. I think the region will be better equipped to deal with extreme heat in the future.

HEAT MAPPING CAMPAIGNS

In recent years, climate change has brought severe heat waves, leading to an increase in heat-related deaths and illnesses in Oregon. Extreme heat now kills more Americans than any other weather event.

The heat mapping campaign comes on the heels of Multnomah County filing a lawsuit against fossil fuel corporations over the deadly 2021 heat dome. In the lawsuit, the county says it has already spent millions of dollars establishing emergency cooling centers, supplying air conditioning units to residents and responding to heat-related illnesses  and it will spend billions more to prepare for severe public health emergencies related to extreme heat in the future.

Heat waves are especially dangerous to already-vulnerable communities, including seniors, low-income people, people with disabilities and communities of color, public health officials say.

As heat waves increase in frequency, duration and magnitude, we know our Black, Indigenous and people of color neighbors will be disproportionately burdened by climate change, said Kathleen Johnson, senior environmental health coordinator in Washington County. Engaging with a variety of stakeholders through collaborative science efforts to find the most effective solutions will help connect those communities with proactive actions.

Heat doesnt impact everyone equally because temperatures vary by neighborhood or even by city block, said Shandas, as specific types of buildings and large swaths of pavement can raise temperatures and limit night-time cooling. Temperatures can be as much as 10 to 15 degrees higher on one city block than another, he said.

This is largely caused by discriminatory planning and zoning policies, which have created  and continue to create  the so-called urban heat island effect  areas where temperatures are much higher than average.

In the past, local governments relied on satellite remote sensing to monitor and map land surface temperature and estimate community risk, but thermal mapping can be imprecise. So a decade ago, Shandas started to record ground-level temperature and humidity data using sensors mounted to bikes and vehicles to get more accurate, neighborhood-based readings. He has since refined the methods and founded CAPA Strategies LLC, a Portland-based climate consulting firm that partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to map heat islands around the U.S. and the world.

Part of the data sensor used by volunteers as part of a massive heat mapping campaign in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties on Saturday, July 22, 2023. By Mark Graves/The Oregonian

The Portland regions heat mapping campaign is one of 18 NOAA-funded community campaigns taking place this summer in 14 states and in Santiago, Chile. Over the past six years, the federal agency has supported at least 70 similar heat mapping projects led by CAPA Strategies.

DRIVING THE ROUTE

On Saturday, more than 100 volunteers fanned out to gather the data on 41 routes in Portland, Gresham, Canby, Sandy, Forest Grove, Molalla and other populated areas in the three counties. Each team of volunteers drove the routes three times during the day, at 6 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The routes were chosen to reflect diverse land uses, including a variety of tree covers, building types and pavement in neighborhoods.

Brannon and Wilson started their route in the leafy Mt. Tabor neighborhood, driving past majestic trees and large homes. Then they veered through Montavilla to 82nd Avenue and the Gateway district, where strip malls, apartment buildings and car lots dominate and trees are sparse. Then they steered down Foster Road and circled through Lents  a neighborhood that already has been identified as a heat island  and back through Woodstock to leafy Mt. Tabor.

J'reyesha Brannon, left, and her partner and navigator Jonathan Wilson attached a special sensor to their passenger car window on Saturday, July 22, 2023. The sensor takes temperature, humidity and other readings at 1 second intervals. The couple spent all day driving through Mt. Tabor, Gateway and Lents neighborhoods in Southeast and Northeast Portland as part of a massive tri-county heat mapping project which will help to precisely identify heat islands in the region. By Mark Graves/The Oregonian

Data gathered by the sensors wont be available until later this fall, but it was clear the neighborhoods Brannon and Wilson passed through had vastly different environments that could significantly impact the temperatures.

Brannon volunteered for the heat mapping campaign because extreme heat and environmental justice are personal to her, she said. Shes African American and her family lives in Parkrose, a low-income, diverse neighborhood the city of Portland has previously identified as at risk for extreme temperatures.

I didnt grow up with air conditioning and Ive seen how much heat has impacted my family, Brannon said. Last summer, my dad made an air conditioner out of a styrofoam cooler, ice and a box fan because it was hard to find an AC when we finally realized that we needed it. Everybody was searching for one at the time. And we dont have many trees in my neighborhood, so I knew it was hotter.

She hopes the data can pinpoint where resources are needed the most so that residents  including her family  can better prepare for heat waves and the city and county can open more neighborhood cooling centers.

Brannon, who works as an engineer for the city of Portland, has volunteered for years to address environmental justice challenges in Portland. As a fellow with the Harvard Climate Justice Design Fellowship program, she gathered stories to illustrate how extreme heat impacts communities of color in Multnomah County, pairing them with existing county data on temperature and tree canopies.

Her project, Canopy of Stories, highlights some of the ways communities have struggle with extreme heat. Multnomah County plans to expand on the story gathering to inform the heat data it gathers as part of the mapping campaign, she said, to better understand the barriers people face when it comes to protecting themselves from extreme heat.

To Wilson, Brannons partner and navigator, the biggest appeal of the heat mapping project is that it will build concrete evidence through data to help shift local policies.

It was the realization that climate change isnt going anywhere anytime soon and if we arent doing anything to help our own local communities, then I dont think we are really doing anything at all, said Wilson, an engineer for Portland General Electric.

J'reyesha Brannon, right, and her partner and navigator Jonathan Wilson spent all day on Saturday, July 22, 2023 driving through Mt. Tabor, Gateway and Lents neighborhoods in Southeast and Northeast Portland as part of a massive heat island mapping campaign. By Mark Graves/The Oregonian

ASSESSING HEAT RISKS

In addition to creating detailed heat index maps for the tri-county region, the temperature data will be combined with other data to create a heat risk assessment tool. This will include data on the type and age of buildings, data on the tree canopy and data from a model developed by Portland General Electric that estimates the likelihood of AC units being present in a home.

Shandas said the analysis will help pinpoint where interventions are most needed to protect people at greater risk.

Combining the data will allow the three counties to develop statistical models on risks communities face from extreme heat. Thats key because its not just high temperatures that can lead to more risk of heat illness or death, Shandas said.

I can say the outdoor temperature in this neighborhood is hot, but I cant really say thats necessarily going to be a risk for that community because residents there may all have brand new functioning ACs that are running 24/7, he said.

Researchers will also look at the policies in the region to understand whether any of them are negatively affecting residents ability to protect themselves from heat, Shandas said.

Ultimately, the data will be added to Multnomah Countys Heat Vulnerability Index, an interactive tool that displays how heat vulnerability, sensitivity, exposure and various populations ability to adapt to extreme heat differ throughout the area. The new data from the heat mapping campaign will be used to re-calculate the exposure score of the heat index.

The tool will be used to inform policies in land use planning, transportation, public housing and tree planting, officials said.

 Gosia Wozniacka; gwozniacka@oregonian.com; @gosiawozniacka

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Eleven years ago in North Dakota, Shawn Strobl had an accident that would change his life.

While working in an oil field there, he ruptured a disc in his neck, causing excruciating nerve pain and numbness in his arms and hands that made it impossible for him to stay at his job.

But both his health insurance and his workers compensation denied his claims, leaving Strobl, now 51, unable to pay his rent or medical help.

So he became homeless, living in the woods while dealing with the agony of his chronic condition.

It took him a decade to find another home of his own in Corvallis.

Strobls story is one of many as people with disabilities struggle amid a housing crisis that spans state lines.

Homeless advocates in Corvallis say the number of physically disabled people who are experiencing homelessness is growing as the homeless population ages and as more people become chronically homeless.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported in 2022 that the number of chronically homeless individuals  those who experience homelessness for long periods of time, often while struggling with a disabling condition  increased by 16% between 2020 and 2022. There was only a .3% increase in the total number of people experiencing homelessness during the same time period.

More than 700 unhoused people live in Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties, according to the 2022 homeless count by the Community Services Consortium, a local network that helps people access resources to overcome poverty. An estimated 30% to 40% of those counted were classified as chronically homeless.

We are seeing more aging people and elders who are losing their housing and are homeless, said Allison Hobgood, executive director of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, which provides resources and a safe space for those experiencing homelessness in Benton County.

WHEELCHAIR IN A TENT

People who are disabled are at higher risk for becoming homeless than those who are able-bodied, research shows. The poverty rate for adults with disabilities is more than twice the rate of adults with no disability, according to a report by the National Disability Institute.

Many people with disabilities either work for very low wages or receive disability benefits that arent enough to survive on, said Andrea Myhre, executive director of Corvallis Housing First, an organization that provides support and housing to individuals experiencing homelessness. And federal policies limit the amount of income and assets people receiving Social Security benefits can have.

For those newly disabled, it can be difficult to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, Myhre said. And sometimes there are glitches in disability payments.

The average monthly income that people get from SSDI is around $1,000. But the average rent for a one bedroom apartment, without taking into consideration any features that would make it appropriate for someone with disabilities, is well over $1,000, Myhre said. So somebody would have to spend their entire benefits check on rent. And oftentimes, its not enough.

When disabled people become homeless, the challenges are even greater than for those who do not have a disability.

Getting into a homeless shelter is often challenging because shelters arent typically built for people with disabilities. Many use bunk beds, Myhre said, and people with disabilities often cannot climb into the top bunk, she said.

Living outdoors isnt much easier.

Being homeless, living in a tent and being in a wheelchair, thats not an uncommon situation and its just exceedingly difficult, Myhre said.

Disabled people who live outside also have trouble accessing public transportation, she added, making it challenging to accomplish simple tasks like paying bills, going grocery shopping and attending appointments with doctors and social service providers.

WHAT THEY FEAR THE MOST

Strobl was born in Ohio and grew up in foster care. When he became an adult, he was homeless for a short while but got back on his feet, he said.

He came to North Dakotas oil fields to work for a septic company. His job was pumping out the water and wastewater from the trailer homes set up for the oil rig workers. Part of the job also involved repeatedly lifting and moving a 1,500 gallon water tank, which placed repeated pressure on his neck  until one day, the disc in his neck snapped.

The surgeon told me it was like an over-cooked kernel of popcorn. It just literally exploded. I actually lost an inch in height, Strobl said.

His insurance and workers compensation denied his claims, saying that he had a pre-existing condition. And though he tried to apply for Social Security and housing assistance, lack of reliable transportation and the pain and numbness in his hands made sticking with the process difficult.

It was very challenging because I couldnt navigate all the appointments and all the paperwork. It was just impossible, he said. If you miss one step, youve got to start over again.

He camped outdoors because he felt that the homeless shelters were not safe or comfortable for a person with chronic pain and limited mobility.

In a shelter, theres so many people around you. And when you are already injured and not feeling good, it was better for me just to go out and sleep out in the woods, said Strobl.

He also felt more at risk for violence or discrimination because of his disability.

Living outside put a strain on his body  until he could no longer do the basic things needed to survive.

With a frigid North Dakota winter fast-approaching, Strobl hitchhiked to Oregon  but finding a home there would prove equally complicated.

ADA HOUSING SHORTAGE

Helping physically disabled people who are homeless find stable, permanent housing can seem next to impossible, experts in Oregon say.

The limited affordable housing thats available is tailored to able-bodied people and often does not follow Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, said Hobgood, the drop-in center director.

If you already have a shortage of affordable housing, you have an even bigger shortage of ADA units, Hobgood said.

Most older apartment buildings lack elevators, and older homes have stairs, narrow hallways or small doorways that arent designed to accommodate people who use walkers, wheelchairs and canes, said Myhre with Corvallis Housing First.

Building new housing thats designed to serve people with physical disabilities is expensive, and its hard to renovate older housing into accessible units, Myhre said.

So her organization tries to look for affordable ground floor apartments or the rare ones with elevators. She arranges for wheeled walkers, crutches, shower chairs, grab bars and other medical equipment to help people get around their homes.

Most of the time, the spaces that people are moving into are not 100% appropriate for their disability, Myhre said. So people have to adapt to a situation thats not ideal. And once they get into an apartment, its hard to find another unit.

Myhre also works with her disabled clients to ensure they have the income needed to stay in their homes. The best case scenario, she said, is securing a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, a form of government rent assistance thats available to people with low incomes  but it can take a long time to get the voucher or to find a landlord wholl accept it.

A QUIET APARTMENT

It took Strobl five years to get Social Security benefits, which came only after a couple at a church in Corvallis helped him fill out the paperwork.

I prayed to God, I prayed to Jesus. Because physically, I wasnt able to do it, Strobl said of continuing to live outside while suffering incredible pain. I stayed focused all the time on rebuilding my life.

He also connected with the social service agencies in Corvallis, including the drop-in center and Corvallis Housing First.

Six years ago, Strobl was able to move into the Van Buren House, a group home run by Corvallis Housing First. The house provides a case manager to each of the residents to connect them with resources and services. He lived there for nearly a year, but ultimately moved out and became homeless again.

In April, the drop-in center in Corvallis helped get Strobl into a two-bedroom apartment after he qualified for Section 8. Corvallis Housing First, along with several other agencies, helps him get to to doctors appointments, provides household items and moral support, Myhre said.

I like it very much, Strobl said of his apartment. Its quiet, the neighbors are quiet and I can relax and take care of the medical stuff Ive got going on.

But the apartment is on the second floor and isnt handicap accessible, he said. This could become a problem as Strobl may soon undergo a spinal surgery. Its a risky procedure, he said, that could leave him paralyzed from his arms down, making it hard to navigate around his home and launching him on yet another long search for an affordable, accessible place to live.

Reporting by McKenzie Andersen, Acellus Academy

This story was produced by student reporters 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.
For a week and a half as a child, Nidha Eakambaram cared for a family of raccoons who were living underneath her house. Just 5 or 6 at the time, she said she also observed and made notes on their behavior. It wasnt just raccoons that grabbed her interest. She also adopted a menagerie of other creatures she found in her backyard.

Raccoons in the backyard worried her parents. But for a young Nidha, the sight of the fuzzy scavengers was the start of a lifelong fascination with the workings of the natural world.

Ready from a young age to pursue anything that grabbed her attention, Nidhas curiosity persists to this day, visible everywhere from her attempts to befriend wild animals to an interest in immunology and the legal system.

Now 16, the Lincoln High School sophomore will take on the position of news and feature editor for her schools newspaper, The Cardinal Times, next year and described her interest in journalism as a way to continue exploring a range of topics.

Curiosity and patience are virtues that Nidhas father fostered in her from a young age, mirroring his own mindset as a child growing up in Chennai, India.

When Nidhas dad was younger, his dad bought an expensive clock. She said her dad took the clock apart and then figured out how to put it back together.

When Nidha was younger, she wanted to be a vet like every other little kid, she said. In the seventh grade, Nidha took a DNA and genetics course, sparking her interest in immunology and how vaccines work. She described the course as the most in-depth she had ever taken.

I really benefit from that kind of approach, she said. When you go really deep into it, I get super interested.

Last school year, at the suggestion of a friend, Nidha joined Lincolns Constitution Team, a group aimed at demonstrating proficiency in U.S. law and simulating congressional hearings. Despite having no prior experience on the subject and having to learn how to speak at mock hearings, she and the team made it to a national-level competition.

I was able to really increase the quality of my work. Thats something I was really proud of, Nidha said.

 John Pham, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory

This story was produced by student reporters 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.
The man who fatally shot a security officer inside Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center had an extensive criminal record, threatened staff at the hospital in the days leading up to the weekend shooting and threatened to harm the woman bearing his baby months before the birth.

Police shot and killed the gunman -- identified Monday by police and prosecutors as PoniaX Kane Calles, 33 -- during a standoff in Gresham several hours after Saturdays shooting at the Northwest Portland hospital.
July 16 marks one year since our nation transitioned to 988, the easy-to-remember, nationwide mental health crisis helpline. This number connects callers with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Congress designated 988 in 2020 and unprecedented federal resources have been invested to scale up crisis centers in support of 988.

988 is confidential, free and available every day, all day, to connect those experiencing a mental health, substance use or suicidal crisis with trained crisis counselors. Call/text services are available in Spanish along with interpretation services in over 150 languages.

Since the launch of 988 in 2022, data show an increase in calls, texts and chats  all while answer rates are significantly improving. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 98% of people who contact 988 are helped by a trained crisis counselor and make community connections without involving 911. The 988 line handles about 9,380 calls and texts every day.

If someone is experiencing an emotional crisis or thoughts of suicide, call 988 or seek help at a licensed behavioral health facility. As a behavioral health care provider here in the Portland area, Cedar Hills Hospital is proud to partner with the local 988 network and serve as a resource for individuals referred for help. We appreciate the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

David Melear

Melear is CEO of Cedar Hills Hospital and Outpatient Services.

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Six wildfires burning in Oregon have consumed nearly 27,000 acres, prompted evacuations and threatened more than 200 homes as of Monday morning, with the two largest fires still largely uncontained, officials said.

There have been 21 minor injuries reported and several structures have burned down due to the fires, said Jean Nelson-Dean, a spokesperson for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

The states largest blaze, the Flat fire, is burning two miles southeast of Agness in unincorporated Curry County. The fire has scorched 22,066 acres and is only 3% contained, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. The fire was human-caused and is under investigation, officials said.

The flames appeared July 15 and quickly burned through the areas timber and grass, threatening 40 homes and 12 other structures. More than 1,200 firefighters are battling the blaze, along with 8 helicopters and 42 fire engines, the agency said.

Level 2 (get ready) evacuation orders remain in effect in Curry County from Agness to Quosatana Creek, Oak Flat, Old House Creek Road and Spud Road, officials said.

Cool weather and slightly higher humidity are expected to moderate the fires growth on Monday, officials said.

The states second-largest blaze, the Golden fire, was spotted Saturday nine miles north of Bonanza in Klamath County and has since consumed 2,052 acres and threatened 100 nearby homes. The fire is 0% contained and investigators have not determined its cause, officials said.

Level 3 (go now) orders are in place east of Oregon 140E and Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, south of Polar Bear Lane and north of Keno Springs Road, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. The American Red Cross is operating a shelter for wildfire evacuees at Bonanza Schools on Mission Street.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners declared a county emergency Monday after the Golden fire severed a fiber-optic line from Klamath County to Lake County, cutting off high-speed internet and 911 service to Lake County. Calls to 911 from Lake County are currently being routed to Klamath Countys dispatch center, officials said.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners said Monday they didnt know when the fiber optic cable could be repaired.

The Sminhasho fire burning 16 miles northwest of Warm Springs in unincorporated Jefferson County appeared Saturday and had spread to 1,250 acres by Monday morning. Firefighters had contained the fire  which is threatening 75 homes  by 25%.

Firefighters are battling three other blazes in Oregon  the Mann Lake, Haight Creek and Bedrock fires  all of which have burned less than 700 acres, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalinagaitan_

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe.
Marchesi Frescobaldi, a wine dynasty that includes such famed Italian estates as Ornellaia and Masseto, publicly announced Monday the signing of an agreement to purchase Domaine Roy & fils. The Dundee-based winery is one of the Willamette Valleys top pinot noir and chardonnay producers.

The transaction was announced by Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of Marchesi Frescobaldi, whose family has produced wine in Tuscany since the early 1300s. Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close by the end of July 2023, were not disclosed.

Domaine Roy & fils was founded in 2012 by Quebec native Marc-Andre Roy and winemaker Jared Etzel. The two men followed a path taken by their fathers, Robert Roy and Michael G. Etzel, who, in 1991, partnered to launch Beaux Freres winery in Newberg.

Marc-Andre Roy possessed what Etzel described in a phone conversation as controlling interest in the Domaine Roy & fils. Etzel had a minority interest as well as making the wine. Roy and Etzel were joined early on in their Domaine Roy & fils quest by 26 Quebec-based investors.

When the sale becomes final, Marc-Andre Roy will continue joint leadership of the Domaine Roy & fils winery in collaboration with the Frescobaldi family as a member of the Board of Directors and as a minority owner in the Oregon winery. Etzel will remain in his capacity as winemaker.

Domaine Roy & fils owns two estate vineyards totaling 40 acres of pinot noir and chardonnay vines  Iron Filbert in the Dundee Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA) and Quartz Acorn in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The winery facility and tasting room are located on Worden Hill Road in Dundee.

According to Jared Etzel, Lamberto Frescobaldi was impressed by the two vineyards and the Willamette Valley as a whole during a visit to Oregon. Hes quite a pinot noir fan, Etzel said.

Frescobaldi expressed his eagerness to begin working in Oregon in a press release.

At this stage of our expansion, we decided to seize the opportunity to acquire the beautiful Domaine Roy & fils winery in Oregon, one of the best regions in the world for pinot noir. To become part of such a community is a dream come true, Frescobaldi said.

The original 26 Canadian investors will no longer be a part of Domaine Roy & fils after the deal is finalized. Etzel said that the winery wasnt their primary business and that without the passion close proximity brings, the decision was made to pursue other adventures.

Due to this acquisition, will there be changes at Domaine Roy & fils? Etzel said, Yes, but every one of them will be geared toward making even better wines.

Etzel said Marchesi Frescobaldi would make significant capital investments in the vineyards and the cellar, covering everything from tractors to a new state-of-the-art wine press. This winery is my baby, and Im extremely happy to keep making the wines here without the budgetary constraints of the past, Etzel said.

In addition to new equipment, Etzel said he was looking forward to working closely with Marchesi Frescobaldis winemaking team, particularly Nicolo DAfflitto. Afflitto is the renowned winemaker who directs the winemaking for all of the Italian producers prestigious estates.

It will be a good, respectful collaboration, Etzel said.

By appointment, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., daily, 8351 N.E. Worden Hill Road, Dundee, domaineroy.com or hospitality@domaineroy.com.

-- Michael Alberty writes about wine for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. He can be reached at malberty0@gmail.com. To read more of his coverage, go to oregonlive.com/wine
Hours after her admission in court, Ms Thunberg was forcibly removed by police from another protest - Andreas Hillergren

Greta Thunberg has been estimated to make as little as 3.75 per day by a Swedish court that fined her a months wages for disobeying a police order.

The court in Malmo issued the environmental campaigner with the minimum possible fine, 50 Krona (3.75) per day, alongside a fixed penalty of 1000 Krona (75) to be sent to a victims fund. The total fine amounted to 187.

Thunberg, 20, blocked the entrance to an oil depot in Malmo on June 19 this year and refused police orders to leave the site.

The activist denied committing a crime, arguing that her actions are justifiable in the fight against climate change and we cannot save the world by following the law.

After the judgment, Thunberg told her supporters in the courts special secure room that: we will not back down.

Thunberg was then forcibly removed by police from another protest in the southern city just hours after being fined.

Following Mondays sentencing, Thunberg and other activists headed back to Malmo harbour only to be carried away by police once again for blocking traffic.

The climate activist leaves the hearing after being fined 112 - Pavel Golovkin

The low cost of the fine drew mockery from Swedish politicians.

Greta Thunberg has received millions in various public awards alone, but she apparently still has no income and receives daily fines at the minimum level, said Henrik Sundstrom of Swedens Moderate party, which leads the countrys ruling Right-wing coalition.

On June 19, Thunberg posted a picture of herself on Instagram in front of an oil tanker holding a sign that read Im blocking tankers and another saying Stop fossil fuels.

The founder of the Fridays for Future movement told the district court: Its correct that I was at that place on that day, and its correct that I received an order that I didnt listen to, but I want to deny the crime.

Thunberg avoided a custodial sentence of six months, the maximum possible punishment for disobeying police.

Ms Thunberg was carried away by police during the protest in Malmo last month - Johan NILSSON

A spokesman for the Take Back the Future movement, which organised the protest, said illegal demonstrations would continue.

Story continues

If the court chooses to see our action as a crime it may do so, but we know we have the right to live and the fossil fuels industry stands in the way of that, Irma Kjellstrom told AFP.

We young people are not going to wait but will do what we can to stop this industry which is burning our lives, she said, explaining the groups plans for continuing civil disobedience.

As a 15-year-old, Thunberg began sitting in front of the Swedish parliament in Stockholm during class time on Fridays to demonstrate for more effective climate protection measures.

The Aftonbladet newspaper points out that, in last years Swedish elections, Gretas generation voted neither Green nor Left instead casting their ballots for the conservative Moderates and hard-Right Sweden Democrats.
Auburn Community Hospital has announced the addition of Dr. Doria Scotichini to its Auburn Heart Institute affiliate.

A cardiology specialist in Geneva, with more than 40 years of experience in cardiovascular disease, Scotichini "will continue to provide the same high level cardiac care as part of the Auburn Heart Institute," the hospital said in a news release. She is accepting new patients and her current patients are invited to continue to receive her care at the institute, located on the third floor of the hospital.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Dr. Scortichinis experience join the Auburn Heart Institute and Auburn Community Hospital," said Dr. Ronald Kirshner, chair and medical director of the institute. "Dr. Scortichini is recognized by her patients and colleagues throughout the Finger Lakes region as a very respected heart specialist who has been diagnosing, preventing, and treating heart disease in our region for years and will be a tremendous asset as we build the Auburn Heart Institute, and care for patients throughout the Finger Lakes."

Scotichini graduated from Albany Medical College of Union University and completed her residency and a cardiology fellowship at Bronx Municipal Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine Hospital, followed by a fellowship in interventional cardiology at the Montreal Heart Institute.

I am excited to join the team at the Auburn Heart Institute, and to be part of Auburn hospital and this community," Scortichini said. "Dr. Kirshner and Scott Berlucchi are building a first-class comprehensive cardiology center, and I look forward to being part of this patient centered endeavor. The Heart Institute is committed to bringing in a very talented multidisciplinary team. These physicians are currently treating patients as we simultaneously begin building the new Heart Institute. I am impressed with the investments Auburn Community Hospitals leadership has made in new technology and talent to care for all the patients in our region."

To schedule an appointment with Scortichini, call (315) 567-0540.

For more information, visit auburnhospital.org.
Goma, DRC (PANA)  Militia fighters killed at least 46 civilians, half of them children, and pillaged and burned a displaced peoples camp on June 12, 2023, in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) eastern Ituri province, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday
Mercer International to Take Downtime at Celgar Pulp Mill Due to Lack of Rail Service

The Celgar mill, located in Castlegar, BC, Canada, produces approximately 500,000 tonnes per year of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp. The Celgar mill, located in Castlegar, BC, Canada, produces approximately 500,000 tonnes per year of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp.

July 24, 2023 - Mercer International on June 21 announced the temporary curtailment of operations at its Celgar pulp mill located in Castlegar, BC, Canada, including wood acceptance.

The curtailment is currently scheduled to become effective July 29, 2023, until August 28, 2023.

This temporary curtailment results from a significant loss of rail transport capacity resulting from the Vancouver port job action. The job action has led to a complete halt in railcar circulation, severely impacting the mill's ability to transport pulp.

President and CEO, Juan Carlos Bueno, expressed, "Regrettably, we are not able to run the mill economically until rail operations resume regular services," said Juan Carlos Bueno, President and CEO of Mercer International. "We currently expect the curtailment to persist for about a month. We understand the inconvenience and difficulties this may cause our various partners and stakeholders, and we will strive to keep all affected parties informed of any updates as the situation develops.

"We truly appreciate the understanding and support of our employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, and communities during this challenging period and are diligently seeking alternative solutions to minimize any further disruptions," Bueno added.

Mercer International is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, the USA and Canada, with an annual production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters of cross-laminated timber, 45 thousand cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets and 150,000 metric tonnes of wood pellets.

SOURCE: Mercer International Inc.
Photo: (Photo : Jakub Kapusnak on Unsplash)

In a devastating turn of events, three people lost their lives and two others managed to survive after contracting severe infections from listeria in Washington state. The Washington Department of Health reported this grim news in a statement released on Friday.

According to NBC, the outbreak's victims were all 60 years of age or older, and because they all had weak immune systems, they were especially vulnerable to the deadly bacterium. As a result of their critical condition, all five patients required hospitalization to receive medical attention.

The geographic distribution of the cases indicates that four patients were treated in Pierce County, which is home to Tacoma, the state's third-largest city. Another patient was admitted for treatment in neighboring Thurston County. State health officials are closely monitoring the situation and working tirelessly to contain the spread of the infection.

Listeria Bacteria Found in Various Food Items, Prompting Public Health Alert

Genome sequencing, a genetic fingerprinting technique, has provided valuable insights to health professionals investigating the outbreak. According to CDC, the results suggest that the infections most likely originated from a common source. However, despite these findings, health authorities have yet to pinpoint the exact food source responsible for the outbreak.

Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium behind the infections, can be found in various food items, including food preparation surfaces, fresh unpasteurized cheese, leafy greens, cold cuts, and raw milk. The bacteria is notorious for its ability to cause severe illness in certain individuals.

For otherwise healthy individuals, listeria infection may result in temporary symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, pregnant women, people older than 65, and those with compromised immune systems face a far more serious threat. Listeria can be fatal for these vulnerable populations.

Fortunately, the bacteria can be easily neutralized through proper food handling and preparation. Heating food to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher effectively kills the bacteria and reduces the risk of infection.

This recent outbreak underscores the importance of food safety measures and the need for vigilance in preventing contamination. Health officials are urging the public to exercise caution when handling and consuming food items that could potentially harbor listeria. Additionally, they recommend that high-risk individuals take extra precautions to safeguard their health during such outbreaks.

Read Also: SunOpta's Sunrise Growers Recalls Frozen Fruit Products for Listeria: Sold at Walmart, Whole Foods, More

CDC Remains Vigilant After Previous Listeria Outbreak Raises Concerns

This isn't the first time listeria has caused a widespread health scare in the United States. Last year, in July, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a multi-state listeria outbreak that resulted in 22 hospitalizations and one death. The incident sparked nationwide concern and highlighted the need for continued efforts to address foodborne illnesses effectively.

As the investigation into the current outbreak unfolds, health authorities are working tirelessly to identify the specific food source responsible for the infections. They emphasize that timely reporting of listeria cases and adherence to proper food safety practices are crucial in mitigating the impact of such outbreaks.

In the meantime, it is essential for individuals to remain vigilant and stay informed about the latest updates from health officials. By prioritizing food safety and working together, we can strive to prevent further tragedies caused by listeria and other foodborne pathogens.

Related Article: Revolution Farms Issues Major Lettuce Recall Due to Listeria Fears
Photo: (Photo : Marcus Kauffman on Unsplash)

Thousands of tourists and residents were forced to evacuate as a devastating wildfire struck the picturesque Greek island of Rhodes. The fire, which had been burning for nearly a week, escalated when strong winds fanned the flames, posing a serious threat to resorts and coastal villages. Amid the chaos, tour operators Jet2, TUI, and Correndon had to cancel flights to and from the island, according to Rappler.

Witnesses described the situation as apocalyptic, with thousands seeking refuge in schools, shelters, and even on beaches while awaiting evacuation to safer areas. Coastguard vessels and private boats stepped in to help evacuate over 3,000 tourists from beaches, ensuring their safety during the wildfire's relentless progression.

Resilience and Generosity Amidst Disaster: Locals and Tourists Unite in Evacuation Efforts on Rhodes

Residents and visitors alike recounted terrifying experiences of escaping the flames, with some describing it as "the end of the world." The timely intervention of volunteers and emergency services helped prevent further casualties, though one pregnant woman and another person were hospitalized due to the fire's impact.

Rhodes, known for its stunning beaches and historical sites, is a popular destination for tourists, especially during peak season when it can receive up to 150,000 visitors. The wildfire struck several seaside villages, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The authorities worked tirelessly to accommodate and provide assistance to the evacuees, setting up makeshift shelters in hotels, stadiums, conference centers, and schools.

The German travel association DRV estimated that around 20,000 German tourists were on the island during the wildfire. However, only a small proportion of them were directly affected by the evacuations. Tour operators like Jet2 and TUI took the necessary measures to ensure the safe return of tourists to their home countries.

In an effort to put out the wildfire, more than 250 firefighters battled the flames with the aid of 18 aircraft. Setting up firebreaks and strategizing to stop the flames from spreading further became crucial tasks to safeguard a dense forest and additional residential areas from the inferno.

The tragic incident highlights the increasing risk of wildfires in Greece and other parts of the world due to climate change. Civil protection warned of a very high risk of wildfires as temperatures soared to a scorching 45 degrees Celsius. The impact of climate change has led to hotter, drier summers, creating a conducive environment for wildfires to thrive.

As climate change persists, wildfires are likely to become more frequent and intense, according to UNEP. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued warnings about the rising threat of extreme heatwaves, which may last until August. Urgent measures to address climate change are crucial to mitigating the risks posed by devastating wildfires in the future.

The situation on Rhodes also highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts and community spirit during times of crisis. Local businesses and individuals demonstrated immense generosity, offering food, water, and assistance to those in need. Shops refused payment for essential supplies, and small boats prioritized the safety of women and children during the evacuations.

Read Also: NYC Basement Day Care Caught Fire Leaving 18 Kids Injured

Aftermath of Devastation: Rhodes Reels from Wildfire Impact, Calls for Climate Action Grow

In the midst of the catastrophe, technology played a pivotal role in disseminating information and coordinating rescue efforts. Social media platforms were flooded with updates, helping people stay informed about evacuation procedures, safety measures, and available resources. Tourists at the airport shared footage of crowded terminals, reflecting the urgency of the situation.

Despite the devastating impact of the wildfire, there were also tales of resilience and courage. Volunteers showed unwavering dedication in their fight to extinguish the flames and protect the island's precious landmarks. Tourists and residents alike displayed remarkable strength in navigating the crisis and supporting one another in times of great distress.

As the immediate danger subsides and recovery efforts begin, authorities will assess the extent of the damage to the island's natural resources and infrastructure. The aftermath of the wildfire will serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and implement measures to mitigate the risks of future wildfires.

Sea levels are rising, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and wildfires are spreading at alarming rates. The international community must come together to develop sustainable solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect our planet and safeguard vulnerable communities from the devastating consequences of climate change.

In the wake of the tragic events on Rhodes, the solidarity and compassion shown by locals and tourists alike serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through collective action and a commitment to climate action, we can work towards a more sustainable future for our planet and generations to come.

Related Article: Father Drops Toddler from Second Floor Window to Escape Apartment Fire
Microsofts ChatGPT-powered Bing AI chatbot generated lots of hype over the last few months, but only worked in Microsofts own Edge browser  until now.

Windows Latest reports that Bing Chat just rolled out support for Googles Chrome browser, but with some restrictions on the chatbots functionality. Your chat prompts can only be 2,000 characters long in Chrome, and conversations with the chatbot are limited to five messages before the session resets.

In Microsofts Edge browser, prompts can be up to 4,000 characters long, and you can exchange 30 messages with Bing before the conversation is reset. As part of this update, the Edge version of Bing Chat has also been given a dark mode, another feature you cant use on Chrome yet.

This article was translated from Swedish to English, and originally appeared on pcforalla.se.
Yesterday I had an unpleasant duty of writing a tribute in honor of a respected personality who died a few weeks ago. While on it, I was reminded of the 11th anniversary of the passing of Professor John Evans Atta Mills.



It did not look like I am qualified to write a tribute for Professor Atta Mills, for, the closest I had ever come to him was in 1999 when he attended the Legon Hall Alumni meeting, and I being the JCR Secretary at the time, I had the privilege of meeting him.



But something strikes me; Professor Atta Mills was a professor of Law. A lawyer. He lived 68 years. For several years he became the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. He became the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana for four years. He became the President of Ghana for almost four years. Yet the only properties we have known in his name have been his residence at Regimanuel Estates, and that of Pokuase which we are told his son occupies.



A couple of years ago, at the funeral ceremony of the late Mrs. Awotwi Pratt, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, The Most Reverend Paul Boafo, gave a profound sermon. He bemoaned how some individuals in this country are using the small political power given to them to amass undeserved wealth  huge 5-star hotel-like residential houses at different places, high-rise buildings for rent in the heart of our cities, fleet of assorted luxurious cars, award of mouth watering highly inflated contracts to themselves, and unbridled opulence.



Last week Ghana woke up to one of the most shameful scandals  a minister of state whose house help stole cash in the sums of $1million, 300,000, millions of Ghana Cedis, and much more, from her house. This is what we are told was stolen. It is most likely that there might have been more monies in the house than was stolen, for I do not think the house help would have stolen everything in sight.



A reference is made of Eugene Arhin the Communications Director at the office of President Akuffo-Addo. It is reported that Eugene Arhin completed his Bachelors degree in 2006, did his national service as a teaching assistant, served as a research analyst at Danquah Institute, and became the Presidents Communications Director in 2017. That is all the known achievements in his private life.



Four years later (2021) in a divorce petition, the wife pointed to a five (5) bedroom residential house at East Legon, sixteen (16) apartments situated at Bubuashie, sixteen (16) apartments located at Tuba-Weija, several other undisclosed properties and fleet of cars, all acquired within four years. To top it up, the wife asked for GHC2million in compensation (worth over GHC4million in current terms).



A document submitted to Parliament shows that there are 1,048 Presidential staffers in the office of the President. Each with a certain influence. There are about 100 ministers under the current government, in additional to several CEOs, board members/chairs with various degrees of influences.



If Madam Cecilia Dapaah (a Minister) could have the ease to keep what looks like her chicken change of $1million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis in her bedroom, and if Eugene Arhin (a staffer) could acquire such wealth within four years of being in government, then the multiplying effect of what all ministers, staffers, CEOs, Board members might have acquired within the period deserves a place in history.



I recall Vicky Hammahs contemplation of wanting to achieve $1million before she leaves politics. This was a mere wishful thinking, a legitimate wishful thinking, warranted a sack from the then President John Dramani Mahama.



Of most shocking is the response that we have received from the office of President Akuffo-Addo, with regards to Madam Cecilia Dapaah, virtually exonerating the Minister even before any investigation could have started, completely prejudicing any outcome of any likely investigations. It is like the President is saying; I have your resignation letter, but dont mind them, you are innocent. Then the same President sets up a committee to investigate the person he has exonerated? Highly offensive posturing.



Anyway, may the spirit of Professor Atta-Mills lead our conscience in the many ways we rape this country. And may we as leaders gather courage to commit to the poor, and the unborn, as we commit to our souls.



Atta-Mills lives.











Source: James Kofi Annan/President/Challenging Heights









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Madam Pearl Naa Dedei Tetteh, Education Attache at the Ghana High Commission to the UK has won the Education attache of the Year award for Africa.



The award, instituted by the Embassy Network, an independent organisation serving the interests of diplomats in the UK is in recognition of Madam Tettehs passion to develop human capital in areas of academia, business, science, technology, and engineering to further Ghanas developmental agenda.



Part of the citation to the award reads In her quest to serve the interests of Ghanas educational sector in the UK, Naa Dedei establishes, manages and maintains institutional partnerships between Ghanaian universities and universities here in the UK.



These partnerships foster training and development of faculty both in Ghana and the UK as well as information sharing and research collaboration.



Also, the award highlighted Naa Dedeis commitment to her role as ambassador for her country, as she uses her office to foster a sense of Ghanaian belonging to people of Ghanaian descent who live in

the UK, by engaging in educational activities, granting them access to mission personnel, having them

attend youth events hosted by the Ghana Union and other organisations, and encourage them to make investments in or volunteer their services for Ghana.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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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.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Ghana and Italy have renewed their commitment to deepen the ties of co-operation and the bond of friendship that exist between the two countries.



They also pledged to continue to explore sectors of mutual interests for the benefit of their respective countries.



This came to light during bilateral discussions between President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Italian counterpart, President Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinal Palace in Rome,

Italy, yesterday, as part of the Presidents four-day official visit to that country.



Relations



President Akufo-Addo said that Ghana and Italy had strong relations spanning many decades, leading to some Italian companies establishing businesses in the country, and cited an Italian Engineering firm, Impregilo, which constructed the Akosombo Dam as an example.



He reiterated Ghanas determination to continue to work with Italy, and expressed appreciation to President Mattarella for his countrys support in Ghana securing a $3 billion Extended Credit facility from the International Monetary Fund.



President Akufo-Addo further said that Ghana would collaborate with Italy in the development of the countrys pharmaceutical and agro-based sectors, and that those were some of the issues

that would be on the agenda when he called on the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Italy.



President Akufo-Addo also said that it was important to redesign the global financial and economic architecture to ensure that systems of injustice and inequity in the global financial sector were corrected.



Reforms



President Akufo-Addo further called for reforms at the UN Security Council, which he said was long overdue.



We are anxious that the matter of UN Reform be given priority on the global agenda. It is time to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represent for the nations of Africa.



We are encouraged, though, by the attitude and sentiments of two leaders of the five Permanent Members of the Security Council  President Joe Biden of the US and President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, who have publicly called for the reforms.



We look forward to leaders of the three other Permanent Members to also throw their support behind the reform process, he said.



While in Italy, President Akufo-Addo is expected to deliver the keynote address at the 4th ECAM Summit in Rome, which has been organised as a sideline event to coincide with the Coordination Hub of the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in Rome.



The summit will discuss challenges and opportunities in the fields of healthcare and food safety in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.



Beacon of Democracy



President Mattarella said Ghanas continued adherence to the tenets of democracy, good governance, the rule of law and principles of accountability had made the country a beacon of democracy and stability not only in West Africa but the entire African continent.



He also applauded the role being played by Ghana in helping to deal with the jihadist and terrorist threats in the Sahel.



Describing the Accra Initiative as commendable, the Italian President pledged the support of his country for the success of the initiative because the stability of the Sahel is important, adding that Italy would also support Ghana in its effort to contain the menace of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.



The Italian President also agreed to President Akufo-Addos suggestion that the current set-up of the global financial architecture must be more responsive to the needs of the world.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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The New York State Police is asking for the public's help with a nearly 30-year-old case involving a missing Wayne County woman who was pregnant at the time of her disappearance.

Sandra Sollie, of Macedon, was last seen at around 2:30 p.m. May 23, 1994, at the Ames Plaza on Route 31 in Macedon. State police said her vehicle was at her home on Route 350 in Macedon, but her dog, a six-year-old black poodle, was missing.

Sollie's wallet was found in bushes off Reed Street in Rochester. Her dog's collar was found in a dumpster in Penfield, police said.

When Sollie went missing, she was seven months pregnant.

State police said that "numerous interviews of various individuals have been conducted over the years with negative results." The case remains unsolved.

Sollie is a white woman who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. She has brown eyes and dark brown hair. Her birthday is Dec. 10, 1955.

Anyone with information about the case or Sollie's location should contact the New York State Police at (585) 398-4100.
The military government in Mali has adopted a new constitution that enhances the powers of the president and the armed forces.



It also creates a senate and demotes French from an official to a working language.



Mali has been ruled by a junta since 2020.



The opposition movement has denounced the reforms, which the electoral commission says were backed by 97% of votes cast in last month's referendum.



The official body said turnout was 38%.



Critics fear these changes make it easier for generals to break their promise of handing power back to civilian leaders after a presidential election in February 2024.



The new constitution means Interim President Col Assimi Goita can now dictate government policy and has the power to dissolve parliament.



A legal case to have the referendum results annulled, because the vote was not held in all parts of Mali, was rejected by the constitutional court.



"Numerous irregularities" and "violations of the law" also meant the referendum result should be thrown out, according to Mali's opposition movement - made up of political parties and civil society organisations.



It has been labelled "a plot on democracy" by Ismael Sacko - the leader of the Social Democratic Party which was last month dissolved by the junta. He told Mali's judiciary "to get its act together", AFP reports.



There was huge popular support for the military junta when it seized power after mass protests against then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita three years ago. People were fed up with economic uncertainty, a disputed election and chronic insecurity.



Since then, data suggests Mali's military government has made little progress in its fightback against Islamists who control parts of the country.



But the government says the new constitution will stop the spread of the 11-year jihadist insurgency.



Mali recently decided to kick out all 12,000 UN peacekeepers in the country and is thought to employ 1,000 Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group for security back-up.



France's soldiers were ordered to leave last year and there has been rising resentment of the former colonial power and its present-day relationship with Mali, and West Africa more broadly.

Source: BBC









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On Saturday, Pope Francis welcomed President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, to the study of the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.



After meeting with the Pope, President Akufo-Addo held discussions with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and was accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, at the offices of the Secretariat of State.



The meeting emphasized the positive and strong relations between the Holy See and Ghana.



The primary focus of the discussions was on enhancing cooperation between the Catholic Church and Ghana, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.



They also delved into various aspects of Ghana's political and socio-economic situation.



Moreover, both parties explored current international affairs, placing special emphasis on addressing peace-related matters globally and enhancing security in the West African countries.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Twitter owner Elon Musk has said he wants to get rid of the Twitter bird logo, and replace it with an "X".



However, Mr Musk also has a history of making statements that fail to happen or are not serious.



Mr Musk, who has changed the name of the business to X Corp, said the replacement "should have been done a long time ago".



According to reports, the billionaire wants to create a "super app" called "X" which is similar to China's WeChat.



He said on Sunday he was looking to change Twitter's logo, tweeting: "And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds."



He then added: "If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll make [it] go live worldwide tomorrow."



Musk posted an image of a flickering "X" on Twitter, and later in a Twitter Spaces audio chat, replied "Yes" when asked if the Twitter logo will change, adding that "it should have been done a long time ago".



For some people in Asia, super-apps including India's PayTM and Indonesia's GoJek have been a vital part of everyday lives for the past few years.



The apps let users pay for services through a finance system.



WeChat is a messaging and social media platform that has evolved into one of the region's biggest apps in terms of its range of services and number of users.



Last year, it was estimated to have 1.29 billion users in China alone.



Bird logo



Since Mr Musk bought Twitter in October 2022, the company has changed its business name to X Corp.



Twitter's website says its logo, depicting a blue bird, is "our most recognisable asset". "That's why we're so protective of it," it added.



The firm temporarily replaced the logo in April with Dogecoin's Shiba Inu dog, helping drive a surge in the meme coin's market value.



Mr Musk was later accused of insider trading by a group of Dogecoin investors, who claimed he had profited from driving up Dogecoin's value.



The company was criticised by users and marketers when Mr Musk announced earlier this month that there would be a limit on how many tweets per day various account holders can read.



The daily limits helped in the growth of Meta-owned rival service Threads, which had more than 100 million sign-ups in five days of launching.



Twitter's most recent complication was a lawsuit filed on Tuesday that claimed the firm owes at least $500m in severance pay to former employees.



Since Mr Musk bought it, the company has laid off more than half its workforce.

Source: BBC









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Koku Anyidoho, a former presidential spokesperson has spoken about the circumstances surrounding the death of John Evans Atta Mills in July 2012.



The late president died at the 37 Military Hospital where he had been rushed to, from the Castle, the seat of presidency at the time.



Anyidoho, at the time perceived to be a 'powerful' aide to the former president noted that he had been severally accused to taking custody of the ailing president by personally transporting him to the hospital.



Even though he has debunked the claims in previous interview, he has on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of Mills' death written his side of the story which he says should lay to rest all the other allegations.



Facts.



The President was NOT driven to the 37 Military Hospital by Koku Anyidoho.



The President was driven in an assigned ambulance with known medics.



The President was not sent to the Maternity Ward.



The President was driven straight to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).



His piece published on Rainbow Radio's website continued: "As regards the ICU, and as fate would have it, President Atta-Mills, as part of his Surprise Visits to selected State Institutions, visited the 37 Military Hospital, and the ICU in particular was one of the facilities that he entered, to walk through upgrading that had taken place.



"He was also shown around (certainly not inside) the rebuilt mortuary. So, he died at the ICU and was sent to the morgue  life has a way of throwing at us, the fleeting nature of our existence.



"Do I know what killed President Atta-Mills? NO! No autopsy report has been made public so the nation still does not know what killed our beloved President.



"Fact is, he is gone and shall never come back in flesh. All I can do, is to help keep his memory alive  and I shall do so no matter the evil and wicked nonsensical noises that the pretenders make in their obtuse world."



FULL TEXT: 11 Years On: Did I Drive President Atta-Mills To 37 Military Hospital? Koku Anyidoho writes



Some people, for diverse reasons, invested time and energy in announcing the death of President John Evans Atta-Mills (as if the death would prolong their lifespan) several times before that fateful, Tuesday, July 24, 2012.



Many weird stories flew cluelessly, about how the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Ghana was moved from the Castle to the 37 Military Hospital.



One of the weirdest of the weirdest, had it that, Koku Anyidoho drove the President in the boot of his official Ford vehicle, to the 37 Military Hospital. Hmm!



As part of attempts to create the extremely fake impression that I had absolute control at the Castle, this falsehood about me carrying the President to the 37 Military Hospital, was bandied around.



Over the years, I have tried in many ways to tell the true story. This year, I decided to tell the true story in print because of a question a highly respected personality in Ghana asked me during a casual conversation.



The conversation went thus:



So how is the Atta-Mills Institute doing?



By the kind grace of God, we are marching on gradually.



 So, is it true you carried the President in the boot of your vehicle to 37? And is it true that he was sent to the maternity ward?



It is not true I drove the President to 37 and it is not true he was sent to the maternity ward.



Are you sure about what you are saying? Because it was/is all over the place that you drove him and you took him to the maternity ward. Honestly, if I had not met you today to have this conversation with you, thats what I have believed all these years . Phew!



It was this conversation that occasioned this piece in memory of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills.



Facts.



The President was NOT driven to the 37 Military Hospital by Koku Anyidoho.



The President was driven in an assigned ambulance with known medics.



The President was not sent to the Maternity Ward.



The President was driven straight to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).



As regards the ICU, and as fate would have it, President Atta-Mills, as part of his Surprise Visits to selected State Institutions, visited the 37 Military Hospital, and the ICU in particular was one of the facilities that he entered, to walk through upgrading that had taken place.



He was also shown around (certainly not inside) the rebuilt mortuary. So, he died at the ICU and was sent to the morgue  life has a way of throwing at us, the fleeting nature of our existence.



Do I know what killed President Atta-Mills? NO! No autopsy report has been made public so the nation still does not know what killed our beloved President.



Fact is, he is gone and shall never come back in flesh. All I can do, is to help keep his memory alive  and I shall do so no matter the evil and wicked nonsensical noises that the pretenders make in their obtuse world.



A year ago, thanks to the goodness of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a hitherto embarrassing specter called Asomdwe Park, was rebuilt and commissioned.



This year, the Government has also taken over the Atta-Mills Memorial Library in Cape Coast, and the Atta-Mills Institute (AMI) is grateful to God and Country for this move.



Now that Government has taken over the library, it will be our duty to look into how funds raised in the name of the library was not accounted for by the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee.



I was a member of the Funeral Planning Committee, and I shall clear my family name from any rot that has taken place in the name of the Library.



Did I ever want to own Asomdwe Park? Extremely ridiculous!



How can one person own such a state monument?



Atta-Mills Institute (AMI) is humbled that we were able to point Government in the direction of the need to give the former President a befitting resting place.



The management of the Asomdwe Park is in the capable hands of the State. If the help of AMI is needed in any way, we shall not hesitate to help.



AMI was NOT setup to manage state monuments; we are setup as a Public Policy and Advocacy Think-Tank  we advocated for Asomdwe Park and we thank God we did.



At least, the world knows that Koku Anydoho did not exhume any dead body; all we did, was help exhume the heavy disgrace that was sitting on the face of the nation when Asomdwe Park was an eyesore.



The monument of President Atta-Mills that sits in my heart (which no one can take away from me), is more illuminating than any physical one.



President John Evans Atta-Mills, sir, continue to rest well knowing that the covenant between us shall always stand and I am holding on firmly to what you gave me to the glory of God and country.



Sir, I shall do whatever I can do humanly possible to keep your legacy alive and I know the genuineness of my heart will see me through the challenges.



With Christ in the vessel, I shall certainly smile at all the storms.



President John Evans Atta-Mills, please pray for me sir, for I need it!



Samuel Koku Anyidoho

Founder & CEO, Atta-Mills Institute

Accredited Member, Institute Of Public Relations, Ghana.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has urged the Ghanaian government to implement measures to ensure the effective functioning of institutions and spur development in key areas.



The traditional ruler expressed concerns over the current centralized administration, with most government ministries and headquarters concentrated in Accra, a state of affairs he believes is hindering progress and equitable growth nationwide.



According to Okyenhene, his plea for decentralization stems from his observation that certain ministries have little rationale for their location in the Greater Accra Region.



Speaking to a recent gathering, he highlighted that the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands and Forestry as two such examples of ministries that have to be removed from Accra.



Baby step development, we talk about it but it doesnt yield any response. 66 years after independence and if you are traveling from Accra to Kyebi or Kumasi then you are frightened because the roads are not good.



"So, I plead with you it is not easy for all of us, sometimes you see people asking that since you came as a chief what developmental projects have you embarked on?



"But how do I develop without a budget, all of the time, we are calling the assemblies for certain things and they tell you that there is no money? So, if the assembly says there is no money and Okyenhene also doesnt have money then it means that we will suffer, and the people suffer.



So, we have to have the guts to change how things work. Moreover, I have told the government that we should change things, for instance, the Ministry of Agriculture what is it doing in Accra? What form of agriculture is in Accra that the workforce is there?



"Ministry of Lands and Forestry what is it doing in Accra? The only one we can agree on is maybe is Defense and Fisheries and the rest can be distributed among the regions and when that happens, what you are doing is that you are developing the town and spreading the opportunity for people to work and stay where they are and by that, you are also increasing taxes and revenue, he said.



He further stated that the current government systems are not functioning as they should and emphasized the need for change.



What I am saying is I had written papers to Professor Mills and Kufour about how we can change this, but their fear is that when they distribute such an opportunity, they might lose something which is not true. The only thing they will lose is that they won't get the opportunity to spend the money anyhow.



We need to change this country and the change means that the systems that we have it is not working, it is not working. You can go to school and become a doctor, you will complete and for about five years no work, you can go to school and become an engineer, I havent seen anywhere that someone has gone to learn a mechanical engineer and for about two, three years the person doesnt have work, engineering and you dont have work, he lamneted.















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The Kenyans in Ghana Association celebrated a momentous occasion as they swore in their newly elected officials at a ceremony held at the Kenya High Commission in Accra.



The event marked a significant milestone for the Kenyan community in Ghana, as they come together under the leadership of the newly elected officials to foster unity, growth, and cooperation among Kenyan nationals residing in Ghana.



The swearing-in ceremony, held on Saturday 22nd July, was attended by members of the Kenyan diaspora community who joined hands to extend their warm wishes and support to the incoming leadership.



The newly elected officials of the Kenyans in Ghana Association are as follows, Emma Wenani - Chairperson, Dr. Collins Moranga - Vice Chairperson, Kelvin Mogire - Vice Chairperson Student Affairs and Linnet Odhiambo - Secretary. Others include Dorcus Odera - Organizer, Fatima Alimohamed - Public Relations, Thairu Ndungu - Legal, Veronica Ndirangu - Treasurer and Anthony Njoroge - Welfare.



During the ceremony, the Deputy Ambassador of the Kenya High Commission in Accra, Samson Koech, delivered a keynote address on behalf of the Ambassador, HE Eliphas Barine, expressing his excitement and support for the new leadership. He remarked:



"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly sworn-in officials of the Kenyans in Ghana Association. This marks an exciting chapter for our Kenyan community in Ghana. I am confident that under this new leadership, the Kenyan diaspora in Ghana will continue to thrive, and our bonds of friendship and cooperation between Kenya and Ghana will be strengthened. The Kenya High Commission in Accra is committed to working closely with the association to address the needs and concerns of Kenyan nationals living here."



Ms. Wenani, the newly elected Chairperson, also shared her vision for the association and the community:



"I am deeply honored and humbled to have been elected as the Chairperson of the Kenyans in Ghana Association. We have a great community in Ghana. Over the years we have shown unity and resilience, and I believe together, we can achieve remarkable things. I envision a more vibrant and visible community where every Kenyan in Ghana feels at home, supported, and empowered. We will work together with the entire community to organize various cultural, social, and educational events to bring us closer and promote our rich Kenyan heritage.



The Kenyans in Ghana Association looks forward to a promising future under the guidance of the new leadership, fostering stronger connections among Kenyans in Ghana and contributing to the mutual growth and prosperity of both nations.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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On 21st July, Okyeame Kwame organised about five hundred (500) students to walk from Accra Metropolitan Assembly to Parliament to petition the Climate Caucus to be more ambitious about climate justice.



During the walk, there were chants from the students asking for climate justice, greener Ghana, reafforestation, and sounding the alarm of climate emergency.



To receive Okyeame Kwame, the climate ambassador and the group at Parliament were Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Marfo, the UN Resident Coordinator, His Excellency Charles Abani, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Sackey and some members of the parliamentary Climate Caucus.



Unanimously, the hosts agreed with the advocates that the world needs climate, especially Africans and indigenous people globally, who contribute to less than 4 percent to carbon emissions must be compensated for climate injustice since we feel the brunt of the harsh climate conditions today.



Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Marfo also commended Okyeame Kwame and the climate clock team for taking up this very important subject and involving future generations by conscientising them.



The UN Resident Coordinator lauded Okyeame Kwame for taking on this very important task saying "his activism must go beyond regional level".



The climate walk organised was in observation of the Climate Emergency Day which is on every 22nd July.



After the walk, the students, teachers and activists were all refreshed with Ekumfi juice to support the initiative.



A delegation, led by Okyeame Kwame and his family, after the Climate walk, also paid a courtesy call on the Head of the United Arab Emirates diplomatic mission in Accra, His Excellency Amer Al Alalawi together with Nakeeyat Dramani Sam; Youth Climate Advocate, Portia Adu Mensah; lead advocate, Climate Clock - Ghana and a group of media practitioners to speak about youth representation at COP28 to be hosted by the UAE in expo city Dubai in November.



Speaking to the delegation, His Excellency appreciated Okyeame Kwame's initiative and assured the UAE is keen to include youth in most climate discussions and decision-making.



He also commended Okyeame Kwame and the team for caring about the environment and sharing the vision of the UAE as well.

The climate clock, from the 14th July to 20th July, visited Kwabenya Senior High School, St John's Grammer High School, Kaneshie Cluster of schools, St. Martin De Porres, to speak to over 1500 students using the figures of the clock to explain the climate emergency and the need for action now.



The Climate Emergency Day is today, 22nd July and Okyeame Kwame will be joined by other climate activists on Facebook and Instagram to observe the countdown of the climate clock to 5 years.



Later in the day, the conversation will be migrated to Twitter spaces hosted by Kwame Dadzie where Twitter audiences will meet scientists to discuss the theme "What Can We Do To Increase Our Lifeline".



The panellists of the discussion will include Dr. Charles Abani; UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Tutu Benefo; Head of Climate Change - EPA, Bossman Owusu Jnr' Country Director - Solidaridad, Dr Winston Asante; Climate Consultant, Gan Golan; Chief Strategy Officer - Climate Clock, Portia Adu Mensah; Lead Advocate - Climate Clock, Michael David; Executive Director - GIFSEP and Okyeame Kwame, musician and Climate Ambassador.



The walk was organised by Okyeame Kwame Foundation in partnership with Accra Metropolitan Assembly and sponsored by Ekumfi Juice.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Election 2024, has envisioned a prosperous Ghana through agriculture-led growth to structurally transform Ghanas economy.



This, he said, would be achieved, through creating alternative opportunities for boosting foreign exchange reserves, mechanising the sector, prioritising public funding in the sector, improving productivity in smallholder farms as well as growing other sectors of the economy from revenues generated  for a self-reliant, food-secure, wealthy, and a healthy nation.



I must reiterate here that, Agriculture is the means to our end, Dr Akoto, a former Minister for Food and Agriculture, emphasised in a lecture, at the University of Ghana, Legon.



The lecture, dubbed: The Vikings Alumni Celebrity Platform Lecture, and themed Exploiting Agricultural Diversification to Fund Agricultural Development in Ghana was part of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the Sarbah Hall of Ghanas first university.



Accredited for designing and overseeing the implementation of Ghanas flagship agricultural programme, Planting for Food and Jobs, the former Minister, who resigned to launch his presidential bid, recalled significant interventions he brought onto the sector.



He reiterated to build on the interventions and the need for a new innovative business model, value addition, and productive stakeholder engagement in the agricultural sector.



Dr Akoto, an Agriculture Economist, observed that since Independence in 1957 Ghana had approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 17 times, every four years on average for emergency financial assistance.



The latest IMF intervention was last year 2022 with the final agreement reached in May this year.



At the root of the recurrent IMF intervention is the reliance of the country on mainly foreign debt to finance our development, due to the nation not generating enough foreign exchange and domestic fiscal revenue to fund its economic development requirements.



Also, the country has relied on a few commodities to generate foreign exchange and for over a century these were mainly gold and cocoa.



Since 2009, oil, of which the international prices of these commodities are subject to large annual fluctuations and over the decades, real values have declined significantly.



There has been strong advocacy for adding value by processing the raw commodities before export, but, agro-processing is yet to attract the needed investments to boost, the foreign exchange earnings from the sector, the Aspirant, who is also a former Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency observed.



He referred to Brazil, China, Malaysia, and Thailand AS recent examples of agricultural success stories in driving economic transformation; and in recent years, the European Union EU has substantially improved crop yields through plant breeding techniques, improved farm markets, and improved trading conditions in Agriculture.



These have contributed to significant increases in world food supplies.



Dr Akoto noted the challenge posed by COVID-19, the effects of climate change on agricultural production, political unrest across the continent, macroeconomic instability, and the raging debt crisis that many African governments face.



Also, Dr Akoto said a new global economic order emerging because of the current economic challenges and food, renewable energy, water, and big data, will drive this new order.



Despite these obstacles, Ghanas agricultural sector has shown immense promise and offers significant opportunities for transforming our economy to provide food and other products to the rest of the world.



He went into the efforts at the pre-independence era, post-independence era, and the six years from January 2017 to January 2023, of his stewardship as the agriculture sector Minister, calling for the foundations to be built upon.



He said, I am confident that if the foundations laid are built upon, they will lead to thriving sustainable agriculture to bring about prosperity for all.



The foundations come in two parts. The first part is activities with direct interface with farmers and processes to raise the level of agricultural activity. to international standards. And the second is the creation of new institutions with legislative backing to manage and develop targeted sub-sectors of the agricultural economy.



He called for the empowerment of farmers with simple technologies, credit facilities, ready markets, and storage facilities through better political will, supply chain logistics, research and development and human development.



The lecture was chaired by Dr Grace Bediako, Board Chairperson of Ghana Statistical Service; with Prof Irene Susana Egyir, Dean of the School of Agriculture, and Dr Andrews Agyei-Holmes of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research ad special guests.





Source: GNA









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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









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A woman has been arrested for allegedly hitting and killing her mother with an SUV in Wayne County.

New York State Police responded to the scene at 12:40 a.m. Sunday after a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on East Port Bay Road in the village of Wolcott.

An investigation found that Lindsay M. Naab, 26, of Derby, was driving a 2024 Chevy Trax and hit her mother, Annette Naab, 57, also of Derby.

Annette Naab suffered severe injuries. EMTs and state troopers attempted life-saving measures at the scene, according to a news release. But she was transported to Newark Wayne Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Lindsay Naab has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter and felony DWI. She was processed at the state police headquarters in Wolcott, then transported to the Wayne County Jail for arraignment.

The state police is continuing to investigate the incident.
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









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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









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Dennis Miracles has shared his thoughts on the decision by the National Executive Council of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to decentralize their forthcoming Super Delegates Conference on August 26.



The Super Delegates Conference is aimed at electing five out of ten candidates vying for the Presidential position of the party.



During the executives and aspirants' meeting, majority of them agreed for the party to hold the conference across the Regions.



The majority were made up of 73 against 9 people who disagreed with the decision, Dennis Miracles disclosed on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show.



In latest development, a group of NPP supporters from Greater Accra and Central Region are protesting the decision, claiming the election will only be fair and transparent when the conference is centralized.



"We have heard that NEC want to decentralize the super delegates conference, we will resist every attempt. It must be decentralized," Convener of the Group, Yaw Obeng Boateng said in a media interview.



Reacting to the issue, Dennis Miracles noted that what format the election will take, whether centralized or otherwise, isn't much of a concern to him.



To him, his interest lies in the party having a successful congress.



"The only thing that will make me worried about the electoral process is if a delegate is denied the right to vote. But whether it is centralized, whether it's decentralized, whether it is in the air; even if it is in the air and the party say we will hold the election in the air and we use Boeing 377 to convey the delegates into the air to cast their votes, why am I worried as a candidate?"



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has accepted the resignation of Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah.



Resignation



The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources announced her resignation in a letter on Saturday, July 22, 2023.



This follows a court case in which two house helps and others are standing trial for allegedly stealing $1 million, 300,000 and millions of cedis from her Ablekuma residence.



This took Ghanaians by surprise especially the fact that a Minister of State had such an amount stashed in her house.



According to Madam Dapaah, the media reports since July 21, 2022 have been full of stories about a court case involving a theft that took place last year in the home I live with my husband and daughter. The stories sought to suggest that I own various huge sums of foreign currencies and millions of Ghana cedis which have been stolen from my home.



Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position.



I am resigning therefore, because I do not want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time, she explained.



Acceptance



In response, President Akufo-Addo applauded Hon. Cecilia Dapaahs loyalty to the image and standing of his Government, and thanked her also for her wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of Government and the Nation. He wished her the best in all her endeavours.



Meanwhile, the President will soon appoint a new Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Chairman of Takoradi constituency, Mr. Prince Arthur says Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is Gods chosen leader for the NPP and Ghana.



He says their role as party delegates is to ensure that this prophecy is manifested.



He indicated that Dr. Bawumia is the best candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to become flagbearer and President for Ghana, come 2024, given the times "we are in as a nation and demands of the moment as far as leadership is concerned".



Speaking at the campaign of the Vice President in Takoradi, Mr. Arthur said, God chooses the right leader for every nation at its most critical juncture. Dr Bawumia is God's chosen leader for NPP and Ghana at this critical time in our nation's fortunes. We will crown him.



The Vice President is on his campaign tour in the Western Region.



He is expected to visit all 17 constituencies in the Region to interact with party delegates on his plans and policies for the NPP and Ghana.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Santander Bank will be closing a branch in Dauphin County.

The branch at 4452 Oakhurst Blvd. in Susquehanna Township will close on Sept. 14.

That branch will be consolidated with the location at 401 N. Enola Road in East Pennsboro Township.

The bank provided the following statement.

Like many industries, our customers preferences have changed, with more customers choosing to bank with us online. Therefore, we are reimagining the customer and employee experience by simplifying our processes, refining our branch footprint, and increasing our investment in digital capabilities to align with the evolving needs of our customers.

Santander closed four branches in Cumberland, York and Lancaster counties in the spring, and five branches in Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties last fall.

Santander Bank is based in Spain and has numerous branches in central Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant James Wagner, one of two troopers shot during an extended and violent manhunt in Juniata County last month, was discharged from Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Monday.

Medical center officials did not immediately release any additional information about Wagners condition or long-term prognosis, but said that for now he will be continuing his recovery at a rehabilitation facility.
PHILADELPHIA  A retired minister in Georgia has been charged with murder in the slaying of an 8-year-old girl whose remains were found in southeastern Pennsylvania almost a half-century ago.

David Zandstra, 83, of the Atlanta suburb of Marietta is charged with criminal homicide, first-, second- and third-degree murder, kidnapping of a minor and a related count in the 1975 death of Gretchen Harrington in Delaware County.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told reporters Monday in the Delaware County seat of Media that the defendant was a monster and every parents worst nightmare.

This is a man who is a remorseless child predator who acted as if he was a friend, a neighbor and a man of God, and he killed this poor little girl, Stollsteimer said.

Having killed a child who knew and trusted him, he then acted as if he was their family friend, not only during her burial and the period after that but for years, the district attorney said.

Harrington, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and his wife, disappeared in mid-August 1975 while walking from her Marple Township home to Bible camp at Trinity Church Chapel, where Zandstra was pastor. Her body was found two months later by a jogger in Ridley Creek State Park in Media.

Harrington, usually accompanied by her sisters but alone this day because of a recent birth in her family, was offered a ride by Zandstra, who was also the father of one of her best friends, Stollsteimer alleged.

So when he offered her a ride in his car, of course she got in the car, he said.

Zandstra took her to a wooded location and eventually struck her in the head, and believing her to be dead tried to cover her body, authorities said. Returning to his church, he tried to act like nothing had happened, and when her father, pastor of the nearby Reformed Presbyterian Church, called seeking to find her, Zandstra was the one to call police, Stollsteimer alleged.

Over ensuing days, hundreds of people searched nearby wooded areas, and authorities distributed more than 2,000 leaflets and set up a 24-hour hotline that took hundreds of calls, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. When the girls body was found in mid-October 1975, her clothing was folded and in a neat pile near her body with her underwear hanging from a tree branch like a flag ... as if to call attention to the place, the Inquirer reported at the time.

Stollsteimer said new information from an unnamed friend of the victim led state police to travel to Georgia and interview Zandstra, who authorities allege then confessed to the crime.

Trooper Eugene Tray said the defendants demeanor was relieved as if it was a weight off his shoulders. Stollsteimer said Zandstra, however, was fighting extradition from Georgia though the prosecutor vowed that he would be returned to face justice in Pennsylvania.

DNA from the defendant will be compared to material from open cases in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, authorities said. Zandstra lived in Texas and Georgia after leaving the commonwealth, they said. The Christian Reformed Church lists him as having ministered in New Jersey, California and Texas before retiring in 2005. Authorities said they were concerned that there may have been more victims and urged anyone with information to contact investigators.

Zandstra remained in custody in Georgia; a message was left Monday for a Pennsylvania attorney listed as representing him.

Gretchen Harringtons family asked for privacy but said in a statement that they were extremely hopeful that the person responsible would be held accountable for taking her away from them, which they said forever altered our family and we miss her every single day.

If you met Gretchen, you were instantly her friend. She exuded kindness to all and was sweet and gentle, the family said. Even now, when people share their memories of her, the first thing they talk about is how amazing she was and still is ... at just 8 years old, she had a lifelong impact on those around her.

Ron Todt of The Associated Press wrote this story.

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Its no baloney, a world-record breaking sandwich will be sliced this week at the Lebanon Area Fair.

A 150-foot Lebanon bologna sandwich will be unveiled Tuesday during the fairs community night, with free slices available from 5-7 p.m.

Lebanon bologna is a central Pa. tradition, renowned for its distinct smoked and tangy flavor.

Visit Lebanon Valley, which promotes the region, is sponsoring the record-breaking attempt, which will take place at the Lebanon Valley Expo Centers North Hall. The sandwich will be constructed with locally-made French bread, Seltzers Smokehouse Meats smoked Lebanon bologna and provolone cheese.

Chef Brian Peffley at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center is making the bread, while Country View Grocery is supplying the cheese.

As part of the cause, each footlong bite of the sandwich is sponsored at $100 per-foot, with proceeds benefitting Lebanon County Christian Ministries to fight hunger in the region.

We wanted to take the community aspect of this event a step further, said Jennifer Kuzo, president of Visit Lebanon Valley. Thats why we chose to partner with Lebanon County Christian Ministries to fight hunger in the Lebanon Valley.

To round out the event, there will be other bologna-themed festivities as well as stickers, buttons and T-shirts. The Lebanon Area Fair runs daily through July 29.

READ MORE:
ATHENS, Greece  Firefighters struggled through the night to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

Their efforts were without the help of firefighting planes and helicopters, which do not operate at night.

The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes. Some 19,000 people had been evacuated from several locations on the island as wildfires burned for a sixth day, Greek authorities said. No further evacuations had been ordered as of Sunday night.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.

Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels. Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems. A person who fell and broke a leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remained hospitalized, the latter in good condition, authorities said.

A number of tourists were waiting to fly back home from Rhodes International Airport.

The package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 canceled flights to Rhodes. But the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport later announced that 14 TUI and Jet2 flights carrying 2,700 passengers would depart from Rhodes airport by 3 a.m. Monday (0000 GMT).

On Saturday and early Sunday, 70,000 passengers traveled through the airport, with some being arrivals, the ministry said. The announcement did not break down the figures by arrivals and departures.

British tourist Kevin Evans was evacuated twice Saturday with his wife and three young children  first from Kiotari to Gennadi, then as the fire approached the islands capital in the northeast, he told Britains PA news agency.

There were lots of people in Gennadi sent from the hotels  many in just swimsuits having been told to leave everything in the hotel, he told PA. As night fell, we could see the fire on the top of the hills in Kiotari. They said all the hotels were on fire.

Rhodes travel agent Stelios Kotiadis confirmed to the Associated Press that the evacuation was hasty. There was panic. ... The authorities were overwhelmed, he said.

But, he said, the abandoned hotels are in much better condition than reported in social media. ... They will be ready to reopen very soon if Civil Protection gives the go-ahead.

Kotiadis said he and other travel agents sent buses to the islands southeast to pick up evacuated tourists. They had to go the long way around, since the road running down Rhodes eastern side was blocked in places.

There were 80-90 people cramming into 50-seater buses, he said. He added that 90% of the evacuated tourists are from European countries.

Clouds of smoke from a forest fire rise to the sky on the island of Rhodes, Greece, Saturday, July 22, 2023. A large blaze burning on the Greek island of Rhodes for the fifth day has forced authorities to order an evacuation of four locations, including two seaside resorts. (Rhodes.Rodos via AP)AP

The British ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, said the U.K. government was sending a rapid deployment team to support British nationals on Rhodes.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that personnel had set up a help desk at Rhodes International Airport for visitors who have lost their travel documents.

There are substantial reinforcements from the European Union.

Over 450 firefighters and seven airplanes from the EU have been operating in Greece as fires sprout across the country, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic tweeted early Sunday afternoon.

I called (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ) to express our full support for Greece, which is confronted with devastating forest fires and a heavy heat wave due to climate change. Greece is handling this difficult situation with professionalism, putting emphasis on safely evacuating thousands of tourists, and can always count on European solidarity, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted Sunday evening.

The weather remained hot in the Mediterranean country on Sunday. A total of 180 locations experienced temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) and above. The highest reading, 46.4 C (115.5 F), was reached at the seaside town of Gytheio in southern Greece.

Of the 64 wildfires that broke out elsewhere in the country Sunday, the most serious was on Evia, Greeces second- largest island, where authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing.

Central Greece Vice Governor Giorgos Kelaiditis, who was near one of the villages, told state agency ANA-MPA that the situation is difficult:

The fire may be 2 kilometers (1 1/4 miles) away, but the wind is strong, the growth is low, the smoke thick and the air is hard to breathe, he said.

Northern Evia was devastated by wildfires in August 2021.

A fire-fighting vehicle makes its way through burnt trees during a forest fire, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Greek authorities say some 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires continue burning for a sixth day on three fronts. (Lefteris Diamanidis/InTime News via AP)AP

Other fires requiring evacuations broke out on the northeast side of the island of Corfu and in the northern Peloponnese, near the town of Aigio. Traffic on the old Athens-Patras national road, running across the coast, has been cut off.

Just before midnight, authorities called for more evacuations from Corfu and the northern Peloponnese. In the case of Corfu, they said the fire was moving southeast on a broad front and added that private vessels were on standby to pick up evacuees.

A fire that broke out west of the important archaeological site of Epidaurus, including a famous ancient theater, has been partly contained, the Fire Service said.

A relative respite from the heat Monday, with highs of 38 C (100 F) forecast, will be followed by yet more high temperatures starting Tuesday. However, it should get significantly cooler on Thursday, with temperatures in the low- to mid-30s Celsius, the countrys Meteorological Service said Sunday evening.

Demertris Nellas of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP writers Jill Lawless in London and Cinar Kiper in Istanbul contributed to this report.

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Central Pa. week starts with comfortable temps, but heat wave is on horizon: forecasters
As Sarah Klee Hood questions state Sen. John Mannion's stance on abortion rights, four Onondaga County Democrats who endorsed Klee Hood in May are now supporting Mannion in the 22nd Congressional District race.

East Syracuse Mayor Lorene Dadey, Karen Docter, Cheryl Matt and Mark Matt have endorsed Mannion, D-Geddes, after initially backing Klee Hood, D-DeWitt, for Congress.

The endorsements were announced as Klee Hood criticizes Mannion's comments about abortion rights. Mannion was recently asked by CitrusTV's Luke Radel whether he believes there should be abortion restrictions. Mannion responded, "Of course there should be. There are restrictions on abortion."

Mannion also mentioned the "timelines" when an abortion is not permitted unless the health of the mother is in jeopardy or the fetus is unviable. That aligns with New York state law, which allows abortions up to 24 weeks of a pregnancy. After 24 weeks, an abortion is legal if the mother's health or the pregnancy is at risk.

But Klee Hood has sought to capitalize on Mannion's comments. In a tweet, she wrote that "we need Democrats who are crystal clear on this issue." Her stance is that abortion and women's health care decisions "should be left up to a woman and her doctor  not politicians."

The issue was raised again in a fundraising email sent by Klee Hood's campaign and obtained by The Citizen. In the email, Klee Hood called Mannion's comment "alarming, especially coming from a Democrat in 2023." She added, "Now more than ever, we need Democrats who are going to fight back against Republican attacks on reproductive care... not side with them."

Mannion's campaign is accusing Klee Hood of distorting his record on women's reproductive health. As a candidate for state Senate, Mannion was endorsed by Planned Parenthood and he advocated for passage of the Reproductive Health Act, a bill that would codify Roe v. Wade into state law. In his unsuccessful 2018 campaign for state Senate, he was attacked for supporting the Reproductive Health Act.

In 2022, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts gave Mannion a 100% rating on its reproductive health scorecard.

Hannah Giltner, Klee Hood's campaign manager, said in a statement that Klee Hood quoted Mannion and did not attack him.

"Whether it's Senator Mannion or Congressman Williams, Sarah will never hesitate to stand up when a candidate for NY-22 calls for restricting access to abortion care," Giltner said. "As a mom of two daughters, Sarah believes that women's health care and the decision to get an abortion should be between a woman and her doctor, not politicians. And we intend to continue to highlight our stance regardless of what any other candidate in the race is doing."

In a statement, Mannion welcomed the support of Dadey, Docter and the Matts. He touted his "strong record of advocating for women's rights" and reiterated his belief that women's reproductive health is "a fundamental human right."

"In Congress, I will fight to pass the Women's Health Protection Act, so we can replicate what we've accomplished in New York state and guarantee in our laws the right to women's reproductive health care," he said.

Klee Hood and Mannion are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams in the 22nd district, which includes all of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties, plus a portion of Oswego County. Clemmie Harris, a Utica University professor, is also seeking the Democratic nod.
The attorney for Carlee Russell, who was reported missing on July 13 after calling 911 to report a toddler walking along I-495 in Hoover, Alabama, said Monday the abduction was fabricated.

The sad thing is that there were so many people involved who took this thing seriously, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said.

The Hoover police department held a press conference regarding the 25-year-olds disappearance and their efforts to find her for several days.

Her attorney, Emory Anthony, sent this written statement to Hoover police chief Derzis, who read the statement aloud to the media just after 5 p.m.:

My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf. There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person.

My client did not have any help in this incident. This was a single act done by herself. My client was not with anyone or at any hotel with anyone from the time she was missing.

My client apologizes for her actions to this community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department, and other agencies as well, to her friends and family. We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward understanding that she made a mistake in this matter. Carlee, again, asks for your forgiveness and prayers.

Derzis said police are now considering possible criminal charges against Russell. He also said police have scheduled a meeting with Anthony to further discuss the case on Tuesday and interview Russell.

Anthony has not said where Russell spent the 49 hours she was gone.

Russell told detectives she was taken by a man with orange hair who emerged from the trees when she stopped to check on the child, put her in a car and an 18-wheel truck, blindfolded her and held her at a home where a woman fed her cheese crackers, authorities said at a news conference last week. At some point, she said she was put in a vehicle again but managed to escape and run through the woods to her neighborhood.

Investigators said they doubted her story in a news conference last week.

Russell reappeared at her parents home on July 15, as she reportedly claimed she had escaped a kidnapping attempt. But since her reappearance, investigators said they were unable to find any evidence that there was a toddler or that Russell was kidnapped.

According to reports, Russell has been fired from her job at Woodhouse Spa in Birmingham. The business owner, Stuart Rome, reportedly said that Russell was let go Friday.

Police also said that in the lead up to her disappearance Russell did Google searches for the movie Taken, whether she was too old to have an Amber Alert issued for her, the price of a one-way bus ticket to Nashville, Tennessee, as well as how to take money from a register without being caught.

Derzis said he was at a loss after he was asked what Russells motive was for faking the abduction.

I wish I could tell you, but I think only Carlee knows, and maybe now her attorney, he said.

READ MORE:

Pennsylvania State Police lieutenant shot in Juniata County last month discharged to rehab facility

5-year-old killed in farm accident, according to Pa. state police
A police officer was injured after someone drove a car into him while he was trying to break up a crowd of more than 500 people on Broad Street in North Philadelphia, according to news sources.

The incident took place around 1:45 p.m. along the 1300 block of North Broad Street, where the large crowd, with some people in cars, had gathered.

When officers tried to disperse the crowd, the officer  whose name has yet to be provided  was struck by a vehicle, causing a break in his ankle, according to reports from The Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC10.

After hitting the officer, the vehicle took off, while the officer was transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and was treated.

Information on the type of car that hit the officer or a description of a suspected driver or the inside of the vehicle has not been released.

The officer wasnt the only person to be injured. Other officers sustained injuries during the incident as well but were all treated and released, according to reports.

The incident occurred hours after officers had responded earlier that night to several reports of large crowds across North Philadelphia, but each of those three gatherings was handled without issue.

Read More:
Davids Bridal announced today that it has closed on the sale of substantially all of its assets to CION Investment Corp.

The transaction with the business development company will allow up to 195 stores to continue operating. The sale, the company said, also will preserve 7,000 jobs across the U.S.

The Pa.-based Davids Bridal had filed for bankruptcy in April of this year and in 2018. In April, Davids Bridal, based in Conshohocken, Montgomery County, had filed a notice with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry that more than 9,000 workers nationwide could be laid off.

CION has invested $20 million into the new business to fund future growth and has assumed certain bankruptcy-related liabilities. Additionally, Bank of America will continue to provide financing to enhance the business financial flexibility through a $50 million revolving credit facility and a $20 million term loan facility, the company said in a news release.

Jim Marcum, CEO of Davids Bridal, said, Todays announcement marks the beginning of Davids next era, and with CIONs partnership fully solidified, we are excited to continue to serve brides and customers well into the future.

We believe that the results of our competitive sale process represent the best outcome for our stakeholders, as it provides us with the time and resources to drive forward in implementing our strategic vision.

I would like to thank our valued employees, who we call Dream Makers, for their extraordinary devotion to creating magical moments for our customers. In our 70-year history, we have dressed more than 70 million customers for the best and most memorable moments of their lives, and we expect to be dressing millions more for decades to come.

Gregg Bresner, president and chief investment officer of CION, said, We believe this transaction to substantially reduce the companys debt burden and store portfolio will enhance the companys ability to benefit from the expected post-COVID rebound in wedding activity and position the company for future success.

READ MORE BUSINESS NEWS: A UPS strike could be just around the corner. Heres what you need to know
Lucien Greaves, spokesman for the Satanic Temple, which has pushed to establish after-school clubs. Josh Reynolds for The Washington Post via Getty Images

As the start of the school year rapidly approaches, controversy cant be far behind. But not all hot-button topics in education are about what goes on in class.

Over the past few years, conflict has trailed attempts to establish After School Satan Clubs sponsored by the Satanic Temple, which the U.S. government recognizes as a religious group.

Organizers have tried to form clubs in California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Organizers in Broome County, New York, also formed a summer Satan Club that meets at a local library.

Though there are estimates that only a handful of Satan Clubs are up and running, the groups raise significant questions about freedom of speech in K-12 public schools, particularly around religious issues  topics I teach and write about frequently as a faculty member specializing in education law.

More science than Satan"

Members of the Satanic Temple, which was founded in 2013, do not profess beliefs about supernatural beings. The group emphasizes the seven tenets, which celebrate ideas like rationality, compassion and bodily autonomy.

What often draws attention, though, are the temples political and legal activities. The group has a history of filing suits to try to gain the same rights afforded to Christian groups, in an attempt to highlight and critique religions role in American society.

Because organizers of Satan Clubs object to introducing religion into public education, they try to offer an alternative at schools hosting faith-based extracurricular groups. The Satanic Temple promotes clubs that focus on science, critical thinking, free inquiry and community projects, emphasizing that no proselytization or religious instruction takes place in meetings.

Litigation around Satan Clubs arose in 2023 when a school board in Pennsylvania refused to allow a club to meet in an elementary school. In May, a federal trial court ruled that the school board could not ban the club, since it allowed other types of clubs. By allowing groups to use school facilities, the court explained, officials had created a public forum. Therefore, excluding any group because of its views would constitute discrimination, violating organizers First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

Equal access

The principle that all student-organized extracurricular groups have equal access to educational facilities was established in 1981 with Widmar v. Vincent, a dispute from a public university in Kansas City, Missouri. The Supreme Court determined that once campus officials had created a forum for the free exchange of ideas by student groups, they could not prevent a faith-based club from meeting solely due to the religious content of its speech.

That requirement was extended to secondary schools under the Equal Access Act, which Congress adopted in 1984. The act applies to public secondary schools where educators create limited open fora, meaning non-instructional time when clubs run by students, not school staff, are allowed to meet. Officials cannot deny clubs opportunities to gather due to the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings.

The Equal Access Act specifies that voluntary, student-initiated clubs cannot materially or substantially interfere with educational activities. Further, groups cannot be sponsored by school officials, and educators may only be present if they do not participate directly. Finally, the act forbids people who are not affiliated with the school, such as local residents or parents, from directing, conducting, controlling or regularly attending club activities.

The Supreme Court upheld and extended the Equal Access Acts logic in two major cases. In 1990s Board of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens, for example, the justices reasoned that because allowing a religious club in a public school in Nebraska did not endorse religion, it had to be permitted. Afterward, federal courts in California, Indiana, Florida and Kentucky expanded the acts reach to GSA Clubs, formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliances  clarifying that viewpoint discrimination was impermissible against other nonreligious clubs.

In the recent dispute from Pennsylvania, the Satan Clubs organizers relied on Good News Club v. Milford Central School, a 2001 case from New York. The dispute arose when a school board refused to permit the Good News Club  a non-school-sponsored, faith-based group that has several thousand branches in the U.S.  to meet after class with participants parental consent. Yet officials allowed the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H Club to meet and talk about similar topics from secular points of view in an elementary school, so the Supreme Court decided that its refusal constituted unlawful viewpoint discrimination. Given students ages, parents or other adults are allowed to be involved in elementary school activities.

Expose children to new ideas?

Following the Equal Access Act, some boards banned all non-curriculum-related clubs in attempts to avoid controversy. Perhaps the Pennsylvania board will go this route as well.

In an increasingly intellectually diverse world, though, children are bound to encounter ideas with which they disagree  and I would argue each encounter can sharpen their critical thinking. As a federal trial court judge in Missouri once observed, provocative speech is most in need of the protections of the First Amendment.  The First Amendment was designed for this very purpose.

Charles J. Russo, Joseph Panzer Chair in Education and Research Professor of Law, University of Dayton

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
To say George Andrews is a numbers guy is putting it mildly. He made a career in the field of mathematics and as a result, emerged with a tidy sum to help him live out the remainder of his days without financial worry.

Andrews, who has made major discoveries in his field and holds Penn State Universitys highest faculty honor - an Evan Pugh professorship - is notable for another reason: He receives the highest annual pension among retired state and public school workers.
Earning a six-figure pension in either the State Employees Retirement System or the Public School Employees Retirement System doesnt necessarily require a big title or a high salary.

Sometimes, its longevity that lands you among the 1,809 retirees with yearly pensions in that range.

Among the roster of college presidents and agency chiefs are career professors, county agency executives and even a toll collector.
Harley-Davidson and Triumph are two iconic motorcycle manufacturers from two sides of the Atlantic and both of them are in the first gear of challenging one common rival in India, which is Royal Enfield. The Indian motorcycle manufacturer that has been dominating the 350-650 cc category motorcycle market for more than half-century in the country is facing a tough challenge as the US motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson and British company Triumph, along with their Indian partners Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto, respectively, have already launched their respective aggressively priced models in the country.

Both Harley-Davidson and Triumph have surprised the motorcycle market this month by introducing their cheapest models globally. Harley-Davidson launched the X440 motorcycle at a starting price of 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom), while Triumph introduced its Speed 400 at an introductory price of 2.23 lakh (ex-showroom), which now increased to 2.33 lakh (ex-showroom).

Watch: Harley-Davidson X440 Review: Can it pose royal challenge to Enfield?

Harley-Davidson, with its X440, tried to penetrate a segment, where the demand is rising for premium models with high performance without making a bigger hole in the pocket. For this, the iconic US motorcycle manufacturer joined forces with Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer and India's number-one two-wheeler brand. Under their partnership, the X440 has been conceptualised, designed, developed and built in India in an attempt to avoid the tax trap, which could have made it impossible to price the motorcycle that cheap. With this strategy, the X440 has become the cheapest Harley model in its history. This model challenges the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Meteor 350, and Honda H'ness CB350 among others.

Also check these Bikes Find more Bikes Harley-davidson X440  2.29 - 2.69 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Explore your Vehicle Check vehicle details Check Insurance & PUCC due date Cfmoto 300nk  2.29 - 2.44 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers UPCOMING Honda Rebel 300 2.3 Lakhs *Expected Price View Details Ktm 250 Adventure  2.3 - 2.6 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Joy E-bike Thunderbolt 2.33 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Triumph Speed 400 2.33 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers

Watch: Triumph Speed 400 Review: Worth the hype?

Triumph Speed 400, on the other hand, has been introduced in collaboration with Bajaj Auto in India. This motorcycle comes as the cheapest offering from the British brand in India. The cheapest pricing has been achieved by local manufacturing and avoiding the import tariff. In both Harley-Davidson and Triumph's cases, one thing is common. Both the motorcycle giants have struggled long to make a dent in the Indian motorcycle industry, as import duties made their motorcycles expensive for buyers and both companies have joined hands with domestic partners to locally manufacture the motorcycles to avoid tax traps.

In a report, Reuters claims that the similar, near-simultaneous change in approach by two of the industry's most storied brands represents one of the biggest challenges to Royal Enfield's virtual monopoly in high-end motorcycles, which comes at a time when India is witnessing rising spendings in premium segments across categories as varied as mobile phones and cars. Making things even tougher for Royal Enfield is Harley-Davidson and Triumph's strategy to introduce a large number of showrooms, which will be pitted against Royal Enfield's vast dealership network, strong after-sales network and entrenched fan base. While the Royal Enfield may not immediately feel the challenge from the two overseas competitors, but the pressure is surely going to mount on it over time.

The back-to-back launches by Harley-Davidson and Triumph even pushed Royal Enfield's parent company Eicher Motors' stock price down as much as 12.5 per cent. Even though Harley-Davidson and Triumph's sales are currently pale in comparison to those of Royal Enfield, but these two aspirational brands have achieved a price point for the buyers that was not possible earlier and this could be just the beginning for them. The report also indicates that the pricing and brand cachet of the Harley-Davidson X440 and Triumph Speed 400 could cut Royal Enfield's share in India's 350 cc plus motorcycle segment to 75 per cent from more than 90 per cent.

First Published Date:
Policie Ceske republiky  Kriminalisticky ustav

10

Popisky  fyzikalni chemie, zkoumani sperku

Labels  physical chemistry, examination of jewellery

1. The necessity to determine genuineness (origin) often concerns also mineral material. These are counterfeits that can be encountered on the market quite often or these are incorrectly declared materials, for example concerning the origin (location), treatments, etc. It is assumed that 30-50% of materials on the world market are counterfeits or incorrectly declared materials. Forensic experts of the Police of the Czech Republic usually examine this cases based on the request of the law enforcement authorities, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, etc.

2. In central Europe, counterfeits concerning so called Czech garnet are frequent

"Czech garnet" (chrome pyrope) is a protected regional marking of origin. Only chrome pyropes from a few locations in the Czech Republic can be marked as Czech garnets. Jewellery with Czech garnets is a favourite commodity sold to tourists. Nowadays, the Czech garnet is often substituted with garnets from other world deposits but declared to be Czech garnet.

Besides the chemical composition, a garnets origin can be detected based on inclusions. Chrome pyropes from Ceske stredohori area are usually rather clear, inclusions are often crystals of apatite, zircon, etc. Zircon often contains uranium or thorium and shows metamict changes which can be often seen in torsion cracks. They are similar to insect wings. These inclusions are characteristic for the Czech garnet from the above mentioned areas.

Czech garnet exploitation in the area of Dolni Olesnice in Podkrkonosi

3. Natural Czech garnet sample

4. Jewellery declared as Czech garnets, however, the garnets are not Czech garnet.

5. Necklace marked as Czech garnet, however, the garnets are not Czech garnet.

6. Forensic gemmology often sees fakes of natural gemstones made of cubic zirconia (CZ):

cubic modification of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2),

Attention - it is not natural zircon (mineral)  zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4),

density of cubic zirconia is between 5.6 and 6.0 gcm-3,

hardness is 88.5 (Mohs hardness scale),

diffraction index 2.152.18 (for comparison  diamond has 2.42),

optical dispersion 0.0580.066 (better than diamond which reaches 0.044),

synthetic production known since 1929, commercial production since 1976, annual world production estimated over 50 million carats (10 tonnes),),

CZ is produced also with a thin layer bearing diamond characteristics (diamond-like carbon  DLC) using the process of chemical vapour deposition  CVD, CZ becomes harder, more shiny and resembles a diamond more,

CZ can be coloured any colour and is used to substitute gemstones (diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc.) but also cheaper minerals (amethyst, citrine).

7. Synthetic cubic zirconia of different colours

8. Jewellery with cubic zirconia - imitation emerald and sapphire

9. Ring with a diamond, however, it is a moissanit imitation of a diamond.

10. Semi-finished synthetic corundum, so called a pear. It was produced by melting of Al2O3 and it can be coloured any colour. In former Czechoslovakia, these synthetic corundums were fitted into precious metals and sold as aquamarines, rubies and sapphires.

11. Gold earrings with synthetic blue coloured synthetic corundum which imitate aquamarine.

12. Moldavite is a typical Czech gemstone (tektite)

Tektites are in many places in the world but only those in the Czech Republic are light green. These moldavites are very popular especially in Europe, Southeast Asia and the USA. In the last years, synthetic moldavites produced in China have been appearing on the market. They copy very well both the colour and the typical surface morphology.

Synthetic material  moldavite imitation from China

13. Natural moldavite

14. Synthetic moldavite

15. Sample of natural beryl, its gemstone variety is green emerald or blue aquamarine.

16. Synthetic opal is often to be found on the market:

chemical composition SiO2.nH2O + resin (up to 20%), (natural opal is SiO2.nH2O),

hardness of synthetic opal is 4, (natural opal 5.5),

density 1.801.90 (Mohs hardness scale), (natural opal 1.982.20),

temperature resistance 130C, (natural opal 100C),

it is characteristic for its sharply framed colour zones, so called lizard skin structure (in natural opal they are diffuse).



Typical, sharply demarcated zones in a synthetic opal

17. Synthetic opal

18. Pearls

On the world market both natural and cultivated pearls can be found as well as their imitations.

Natural pearls:

grow in bodies of molluscs without human interaction,

after a foreign object has entered the body of the animal (parasite, larva, a fragment of a shell  not sand),

often they have no nucleus,

the layers alternate regularly from the core - organic conchiolin (4  14%) and aragonite (modification of CaCO3, 8292 %),

they are still very expensive.

Cultivated/cultured pearls:

grow in molluscs bodies following human interaction,

a foreign object is inserted (different material, tissue of a dead mollusc, etc.) into the animals body

they can have a nucleus or can be without it (a tissue is inserted),

they are sold marked as e.g. Seawater, Akoya (Japan), South sea pearls (Tahiti, Australia), Freshwater (China, USA),

they are rather cheap,

they are grown for example in river deltas in Asia in baskets hung under pontoons.

Pearl imitations:

plastic matters, glass (different types, often with cavities inside),

Shell pearls  from molluscs shells, coted with a coloured layer,

they are very cheap.

19. Necklaces with cultivated pearls

20. Synthetic pearl imitations (were not cultured in a molluscs body)

21. To differentiate imitated pearls from the natural or cultured ones is very easy base on their surface morpohology.

Image from an electron microscope with a typical peal morphology, which grew in a molluscs body.

22. The problem is to differentiate natural pearls from those cultivated ones, however, the difference in price can be up to several orders of magnitude.. In such a case, it is necessary to carry out either a detailed examination of the chemical composition (e.g. isotopes) or examination of the internal structure (e.g. using an industrial micro CT).

Image of internal structure of a cultivated pearl using micro CT

23. The natural opal

24. Moissanit

silicon carbide (SiC),

crystallography - hexagonal, or even cubic,

density: 3,2183,22 gcm3,

hardness: 9,5 (Mohs hardness scale),

refractive index: n=2,654 n=2,967 (better than a diamond, that has 2,42),

optical dispersion: 0,104 (2.5 times higher than diamond),

used mainly clear for diamond imitation,

first synthesis in 1884, introduced to the gemstone market in 1998.

vytisknout e-mailem
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A day after warning Texas to remove the buoys on Monday afternoon, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Republican Governor Abbott to force Texas to remove floating barriers in the Rio Grande.

Officials in the Biden administration blasted Abbott for his dangerous and unlawful actions undermining Bidens border effective plan.

President Bidens border enforcement plan has led to the lowest levels of unlawful border crossings in over two years, White House Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Hasan told PoliticusUSA.

Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining that effective plan, making it hard for the men and women of Border Patrol to do their jobs of securing the border, and putting migrants and border agents in danger.

President Bidens plan was criticized in advance (including by me) in anticipation of extra chaos as he dealt with Title 42 expiring, which was a pandemic rule that allowed U.S. authorities to turn away asylum-seekers. But, Bidens plan is actually working.

If Governor Abbott truly wanted to drive toward real solutions, hed be asking his Republican colleagues in Congress why they voted against President Bidens request to increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security and why theyre blocking the comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures that would finally fix our broken immigration system, Hasan added.

This is a point we covered extensively on Substack: Republicans have dumped the border in President Bidens lap, including refusing to fund the border patrol requests of the administration, which is really odd behavior from folks who think the problem is so big that it justifies killing children.

Abbotts shockingly inhumane border policies were detailed in an email sent by a trooper to his superior, in which he wrote: I believe we have stepped over a line into the inhumane after being ordered to push small children and nursing babies back into the Rio Grande.

The officer suggests that Texas has set traps of razor wire-wrapped barrels in parts of the river with high water and low visibility which has increased the risk of drownings by forcing migrants into deeper stretches of the river.

So it wont come as a surprise that Abbott claimed the lifting of the Title 42 would cause a catastrophic disaster in the United States.

But that didnt happen. An administration official pointed out that President Bidens new border policy has led to the lowest levels of unlawful border crossings in over two years.

In fact, the Washington Post reported, The preliminary result is a nearly 70 percent drop in illegal entries since early May, according to the latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. After two years of record crossings and crisis-level strains, the Biden administration appears to have better control over the southern border than at any point since early 2021.

Its also worth mentioning that the Biden administration is meeting their objectives with the goal of humanity, including a facility stocked baby formula, diapers, and snacks.

The administration official also pointed out, Weve got more than 24,000 agents and officers working to secure the border day and night.

They say theyre taking thousands of smugglers off the streets, catching record levels of fentanyl before it even reaches our border, installing state-of-the art border security technologies like automated surveillance towers and linear ground detection systems, surging additional asylum officers and immigration judges to review asylum cases all the while increasing support for border communities.

Republican officials have no plan and are just playing political games, an administration official said. Now, instead of taking the border challenge seriously, theyre blocking the comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures President Biden proposed on his first day in office and opposing the funds needed for border security. Republican officials dont want solutions; they want chaos.

Its very hard to see where the administration is wrong on this issue. Critics arent happy that Biden said he would veto a House Republican bill that restricted asylum and built more border wall. The President also vowed to veto a bill that cut the program allowing Ukrainian refugees and migrants a chance to stay in the U.S.

But none of those things actually secure the border while maintaining American ideals and values. What Biden is doing right now is actually achieving those goals, albeit imperfectly.

But no matter what, Bidens plan is working and its immeasurably morally superior to pushing babies back into the Rio Grande.

Beto ORourke demanded that the Biden administration act, and they have rightly done so. Stop him from deploying razor wire & medieval drowning devices designed to ensnare & mutilate. Stop every illegal thing hes doing on the border that ends up killing human beings. Mr. President, we need you to act, ORourke wrote.

There is no justification for the cruelty Abbott is wielding against migrants. President Bidens plan is actually working. If Abbott really wanted to stop the flow if illegal migration, he would work to get the Biden administration more of what they need.
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Military spouses hand-delivered a petition to Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) demanding that he end his blockade of military promotions.

Via AL.com, An organization that advocates for military families on Monday hand delivered a petition signed by more than 500 active duty military spouses to Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

The petition letter from the non-partisan Secure Families Initiative reads in part:

Let us be clear: Senator Tuberville is playing politics with our military. Senator Tuberville disagrees with the Department of Defenses compDefensespackage for active duty servicemembers and their families. As military families know all too well, service members and dependents do not choose where they live.

This is why the DoD guarantees a health care package that provides paid time off and reimburses travel costs for comprehensive health services that a servicemember or dependent cannot access at certain duty stations. if a Senator disagrees with DoD health care policy, they should settle it through normal legislative or administrative channels. It is highly inappropriate and unpatriotic to wage a political battle by using military service members as pawns.

Sen. Tuberville now has military families coming after him. The reality is that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could end this situation in less than an hour if he wanted to. Until McConnell steps in, and the reason why he wont is that the only other option to get the promotions done around Tubervilles blockade would be a tedious floor process that would chew up the Senate calendar and, at minimum, delay more of Bidens judicial nominees from being confirmed.

The military spouses are correct. This isnt a Democratic or Republican issue. It is a matter of keeping our promises to those who risk their lives and serve.

Tuberville can go make his points about abortion somewhere else, military families should be off-limits.
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In Florida, you can choose death, but not all gender-affirming care or parenthood. And oddly, this has become DeSantis biggest accomplishment and foundation for his presidential campaign.

Just not in those words, naturally.

A spokesman for Governor DeSantis said the relatively high deaths in Florida among those who werent fully vaccinated against Covid was a matter of the Republican Governor protecting their right to make their own health decisions.

Oh, do tell.

This is a bit of a dive, but its worth it. The New York Times did a piece on The Steep Cost of Ron DeSantis Vaccine Turnabout, digging into the stats in Florida where at first, the Republican Governor touted the vaccine and got those over the age of 65 to get protected, while falling to the middle of the pack by the end of July 2021, When it came to younger residents, Florida lagged behind the national average in every age group.

The vaccine rollout in Florida was plagued with stories of wealthier white people getting the vaccines first. Stat News reported, Ron DeSantis handed responsibility for vaccine appointments in the county to Publix supermarkets in January, though the nearest store is more than 25 miles from Pahokee and Belle Glade. He denied the decision was tied to the chains recent $100,000 donation to the DeSantis campaign.

DeSantis state also made certain (poorer, more minorities) areas unable to do an appointment system for the vaccine, instead forcing it to be first come, first serve, with wealthier white people sometimes making up the majority of recipients in areas that were majority-minority and working-class populations.

So the vaccine rollout in effect ended up favoring the Republican base, basically.

The issue here stems from DeSantis using his Covid-19 pandemic response as bragging rights while taking potshots at what he knows his base sees as liberal bastions of New York and California.

Because, as the Times piece pointed out, most people who died in Florida from Covid died after the vaccines were available. But in Florida, unlike the nation as a whole  and states like New York and California that DeSantis likes to single out  most people who died from COVID died after vaccines became available to all adults, not before. As the governors political positions began to shift, so did his states death rate, for the worse.

When Delta hit, Floridians died at a higher rate, adjusted for age than residents of almost any other state during the Delta wave, according to the Times analysis. With less than 7% of the nations population, Florida accounted for 14% of deaths between the start of July and the end of October.

And the Times analysis showed that of those who died, a vast majority of those who died were unvaccinated or hadnt completed the two doses yet.

Of the 23,000 Floridians who died, 9,000 were younger than 65. Despite the governors insistence at the time that our entire vulnerable population has basically been vaccinated, a vast majority of the 23,000 were either unvaccinated or had not yet completed the two-dose regimen.

A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, justified Floridas comparative spike in post-vaccine Covid deaths by claiming in a statement sent to the New York Times, the governor had protected Floridians right to make their own health decisions.

That certainly is new for DeSantis. In fact, DeSantis has on his own website an entire page devoted to how he is forcing Floridians to give birth if they get pregnant because he wants to protect the lives of Floridas most vulnerable by prohibiting all abortions after 15 weeks of gestation.

The bill he signed to make that into law is entitled: HB 5, the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act.

But wait. Want to guess how many children have died of Covid? If you listen to the experts Ron DeSantis chose to bring in to guide his response, the answer is virtually zero risk of death.

Yet, in reality, Covid has killed 1,847 children in the United States as of June 28th, with over 200,000 hospitalized. Covid has taken the lives of 1,136,052 people in the U.S. so far.

Not only does getting Covid pose a threat of increased risk of severe illness for a pregnant person, but it is also a threat to the pregnancy itself, including increased risks of stillbirth and pregnancy loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Where is the concern and legally mandated protection for these most vulnerable? Where is the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act for Covid?

Its definitely a glaring hypocrisy, although it becomes easier to understand when viewed through the lens of DeSantis perhaps chasing the base instead of leading. First he led, but then he decided to chase popularity by following the base on the vaccines.

DeSantis wavering toward the anti-vax conspiracies touted by the Right wasnt overt, he just suggested the vaccines might not work because people could still catch Covid, but of course, the vaccines were about reducing the severity and death rates, not about never getting sick.

But according to the Times, DeSantis and his aides have said that this is due to his opposition to mandates, rather than to vaccines. Either way, the results speak for themselves, and either way, he is mandating what women can do with their bodies, so hes okay with health mandates. Just not for a deadly virus.

Choice, aka the right to make our own health decisions, has taken on new meaning in the Covid/post-Roe age.

You may not get an abortion in Florida, but you may choose to refuse  after being encouraged to refuse based on misinformation fed to you by your Governors hand-picked experts  the Covid vaccine, and thereby endanger your wanted pregnancy  possibly terminating it.

Pro-choice in Republicanese is now also pro-death, which gets confusing because their entire opposition to abortion is supposedly being against death for the unborn. But its okay, apparently, if the unborn die of preventable complications from Covid or if they are migrants.

In all of the above scenarios, the woman isnt choosing to end her pregnancy. So Republicans see the preventable ending of a viable and wanted pregnancy as okay, so long as it is not the womans choice. And health mandates are cool when forcing women to comply with conservative beliefs.

But dont you dare tread on the conservative base with a mandate to get a shot for the protection of the unborn.
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Trump took to his social media platform to accuse every single prosecutor investigating him of a conspiracy and post memes calling on Congress to stop his indictment.

Trump posted on Truth Social:

Do you think that A.G. Garland, and Deranged Jack Smith, understand that we are in the middle of a major political campaign for President of the United States? Have they looked at recent poll numbers? Why didnt they bring these ridiculous charges years before  Why did they wait to bring them NOW  A virtually unheard of scenario? PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT! ELECTION INTERFERENCE!

How many times can Crooked Joe Bidens DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR LOCAL DEMOCRAT D.A.S & A.G.S, INDICT HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT DURING THE COURSE OF THE CAMPAIGN? DO THEY UNDERSTAND THE DAMAGE BEING DONE TO AMERICA? IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. WE MUST STOP THESE MONSTERS FROM FURTHER DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY!

Trump then spent his overnight/morning posting various memes about how Congress must stop his indictment and how he will overcome.

The eruption from the former president is part of a familiar pattern. When a criminal indictment is coming the first thing that Trump does is try to explain it away through claims of persecution, conspiracy, or both.

Donald Trump also appears to see no difference between himself and the United States of America. To Trump, he is America. In his mind, when Trump is indicted, the country is harmed.

No president is the United States of America. The presidency is a position within the government, not the embodiment of the country. Presidents arent monarchs. The idea that Republicans are floating of consolidating government power within the president is fundamentally undemocratic, and it is his contempt for democracy that is driving Trumps rage at his legal woes.

Donald Trump doesnt think he should be held accountable, and this belief is the likely motive behind his alleged criminal activities and why he cant believe that any of this is happening.
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
A roomful of Aiken residents heard from the three Republicans running for mayor on Sunday afternoon.

Incumbent Rick Osbon, restaurateur Teddy Milner and Kathryn Wade made their positions known on Whiskey Road traffic, Project Pascalis and downtown redevelopment at a forum hosted by the Aiken Republican Party at South on Whiskey.

Each candidate had three minutes to answer each of the eight questions. If a candidate mentioned another, the mentioned candidate had 30 seconds to respond. However, none of the candidates chose to use the 30 second response during the forum.

Whiskey Road traffic

What each candidate would do to address traffic on Whiskey Road was the first question asked.

Osbon said the Whiskey Road traffic has been a problem for several years. He added the city is currently pursuing the Powderhouse Connector, which is expected to reduce Whiskey Road traffic by 24 percent. He said the city expects to begin "turning dirt" on the limited access road by the end of the year.

Wade said she tries to avoid the road. She said the traffic is caused by overdevelopment on the Southside. She said development on the Northside, Eastside and Westside needs to be encouraged which would prevent everyone from having to visit businesses on Whiskey Road.

Milner said she is opposed to the Powderhouse Connector because it would encourage the removal of vegetation and trees. She added she wants to work with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and, maybe, time the lights differently. She added the traffic in Atlanta is worse than the traffic in Aiken.

Project Pascalis

Each candidate's position on Project Pascalis and downtown redevelopment generally was the fifth question.

Wade said she was not for Project Pascalis. She said she felt it was trying to shoehorn something that did not fit into the city's downtown. Wade said Aiken's downtown is amazing and has come a long way from when it was desolate. Wade added the proposed hotel didn't match the city and that the rest of the project was the wrong thing for the city. She called for renovations of the Hotel Aiken.

Milner said her business is downtown and the efforts to redevelop the downtown are important to her. She said she was opposed to the project and wanted more citizen input on the next proposal. Milner said she wanted the Hotel Aiken to become a boutique hotel after restoration.

Osbon said he felt Project Pascalis got too big but the city now controls the future of the hotel and can redevelop it with future tax revenues in mind. He added the project would have maintained the character of the city's downtown. He said he had learned to concentrate on one thing: building a building that could lease space to the Savannah River National Laboratory for a workforce development center. He added due diligence is ongoing on the project.

SRNL Workforce Development Center

The eighth and last question asked was for the candidates to give their position on a proposal for the city to construct a building in which the Savannah River National Laboratory could lease space for a workforce development center.

Wade said she struggled with the proposal. She said the Amentum building had been great for the city and if the project followed that example and was mixed use, it would be a good thing. She said she didn't want to shoehorn something into a space where it doesn't need to be. She said she wanted to be very careful about the downtown and to make sure it benefits the community.

Milner said she was not for the location downtown. She called for pursuing a proposal to build it at the old hospital.

Osbon said he was in favor because it would bring some of the smartest people in the world to the city's downtown, providing more revenue for businesses and more tax revenue for the city. He added he also wanted the building to be mixed use.

Other topics

The second question was whether it was time to declare a moratorium for development on the Southside until the roads and schools can catch up. Wade said she would hate to declare a moratorium but added there are other parts of the city capable of growth. Milner said she was very in favor of a moratorium. Osbon said he was opposed to a moratorium.

The third question asked if the candidates have attended city council meetings and what qualifies them for the office of mayor. All said they have attended city council meetings and all described their qualifications.

The fourth question asked about whether the city should have accepted funds obtained by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for the Powderhouse Connector in a bipartisan infrastructure bill. The Republican Party censured Graham for working with Democrats on the bill. All three said they would accept the money.

The sixth question asked if the candidates supported a mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic and would support a future one. Milner and Osbon said they supported the mandates based on the information provided. Wade said she would not support a mandate.

The seventh question asked about future businesses the candidates would like to see, specifically family friendly ones. None provided a business but all said they were supportive of future businesses and family friendly activities to encourage young professionals to move to the city.

Ryan Dohrn moderated the forum.

Another forum is scheduled for Tuesday at a special Aiken Republican Club meeting.

The Republican primary is Aug. 8. Early voting begins Monday. Any needed runoffs are scheduled for Aug. 22.

The Republican nominee will be unopposed in the Nov. 7 general election.
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
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- FORVIA, the world's 7th-largest automotive technology supplier, cemented its partnership with BYD as they will jointly establish a new state-of-the-art seat assembly factory in Rayong Province, Thailand, FORVIA announced a few days ago.

This new facility, operating under the name of Shenzhen Faurecia Automotive Parts Co., Ltd, a joint venture between BYD and FORVIA established in 2017, will engage in complete seat production, with FORVIA holding the majority of shares.

Photo credit: FORVIA

This strategic leap reinforces the global technological alliance between FORVIA and the leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, further bolstering their market presence in the Asia-Pacific region, said FORVIA.

Notably, their collaboration has already resulted in the establishment of seven cutting-edge factories in China, including four within the past 18 months.

The introduction of FORVIA's automotive seating business into the Thai market holds significant milestone significance, further enhancing the group's existing industrial layout in Thailand, which already encompasses automotive interior, electronics, and green mobility industries.

Mr. Patrick Koller, CEO of FORVIA, highlighted the importance of developing new projects on the foundation of existing partnerships as a key driver of enhanced customer relations. He said the decision to establish the new factory in Thailand was made possible due to the country's robust logistics and export infrastructure, as well as FORVIA's longstanding industrial presence in Thailand. This decision aligns with FORVIA's strategic approach of striking a balanced combination of customers, technology, and geographic expansion. Moreover, the new facility will further propel its growth in the Asia-Pacific region, where it is estimated to account for 57% of global automotive industry growth over the next 15 years.

The collaboration between FORVIA and BYD can date back to 2017. FORVIA added the partnership has been built on a strong industrial foundation, enabling the annual production of 2.6 million seats and the establishment of an R&D center in Shenzhen.
Attorney Everett Chandler and his employees help sponsor and organize a variety of annual events, and one of the biggest was on Saturday at Aiken County Family YMCA, with Fit 4 School taking place and approximately 900 kids receiving donations of products and services in preparation for the 2023-24 school year.

School supplies abounded, along with volunteers helping create an upbeat atmosphere and coordinating the drive-through process during a hot, sunny morning and afternoon. The event dates back to 2010 and went to a drive-through format in response to COVID-19, with pizza from Papa John's being among the items that participants could pick up while being directed through the YMCA's parking lot.

"Making sure they're healthy" was at the heart of the matter, in the words of one of the event's backers. "Healthy children focus better," she added.

"It basically gives a child everything that they need to get fed and ready for school, and then it also takes away the pressure for the parent with having to get things," said Amber Watson, representing Koda's Kids Foundation and Unity Dance Company.

"It kind of evens the playing field for all the children, and that way, you don't have to worry about a kid going to school without the supplies that are needed."

Watson's dance company added a colorful touch to the indoor gathering, as dancers made their way through the gymnasium where scissors, brushes and combs were in motion, as free haircuts were provided for dozens of students.

+15 Chandler Law, Fit 4 School Offer Families Annual Boost Chandler Law Firm, backed by a variety of other organizations, held its annual Fit 4 School event July 22. The traditional host site, the Aike

Travelers along Trolley Line Road had the chance to exercise a little extra patience during the late morning, as traffic was backed up and Aiken County Sheriff's Office had deputies on hand and blue lights in action to help keep tempers cool and cars heading in the right direction. The first day of classes in most of Aiken County's schools is July 25.
Halfway through the year, Charleston International is eyeing a new milestone for passenger traffic.

The state's busiest airport saw 2.93 million travelers arriving and departing though June, up more than 17 percent over the same span last year and almost 25 percent higher than the first six months of 2019, the year before the pandemic.

Airport officials are closely monitoring the midyear count with an eye on a record 6 million passengers by year's end. The six-month tally puts CHS within striking distance of the benchmark, with some of the busiest travel months still to come during the second half of the year.

Charleston International has averaged about 489,000 arrivals and departures a month during the first half of the year. To reach 6 million by year's end, the airport will have to see just over 511,000 a month.

"It's going to be very interesting by the end of the year," airport spokesman Spencer Pryor said.

Earlier this year, CHS CEO Elliott Summey predicted the airport would see about 5.8 million travelers this year, but each month continues to set or match a new record.

He attributed the airport's continually increasing traffic count to pent-up demand for travel.

"We expected our numbers to rise, and they did," Summey said. "With the availability of additional travel destinations, direct flight options, and low cost, consumers are eager to travel more."

In June, more than 576,000 ticketholders passed through the terminal, up nearly 12 percent from a year earlier and about 1,000 shy of the record set in May.

Travelers starting summer vacations after Memorial Day and others coming and going before the extended Fourth of July holiday weekend helped to buoy June's count.

During the last two days of the month, the airport reported nearly 8 percent more passengers compared to same time last year.

The following weekend days on July 1-2 also saw significant increases in departing travelers, up 29 percent, and those numbers set the stage for what could be an all-time record number of ticketholders in July.

Also, boosting June's numbers a bit was a new route launched by Avelo Airlines with twice-weekly flights to Wilmington, Del.

Looking ahead, the fall traffic count will get a boost when Spirit Airlines begins the airport's first nonstop service to Las Vegas on Sept. 7. On the downside, JetBlue will pause the lone nonstop flights between CHS and Los Angeles on Oct. 29 for five months.
If you think, when alls said and done,

to plod on thru old age is no fun,

well, all is NOT said

until we are dead 

till were done, lets have a good run!

In a post-Christmas column this year I wrote about our son Charles turning down the gift of a hummus bowl from Lebanon that had family history and sentiment packed in it. To set the record straight, there was another gift he did not refuse  in fact, he asked for it  and it rests proudly on his coffee table today. What is it, you ask breathlessly? I will tell you: He wanted my well-thumbed book of 1,739 limericks.

Sometimes when friends show up at his house for a party or to hang out, he asks them their birthday  say July 24. Then they turn to the limerick numbered 724 and read it aloud to everybody. Since most limericks (unlike the one atop this column) are pretty hot and earthy, that always melts the ice and jump-starts the party. We never tried that trick at our house, but then, were not millennials.

I love limericks. They stick in my mind long after Ive forgotten deep, uplifting poems worth memorizing. I can still bang out quite a number of classic limericks and enjoy making up a few to add spice to special occasions. And since most limericks tend to be outrageously naughty, that has the effect of either breaking the ice and humanizing the occasion or convincing people that I was a fraud as a minister.

But some create ridiculous images just for fun, such as this old one:

An elderly man called Keith

mislaid his set of false teeth.

Theyd been laid on a chair,

hed forgot they were there,

sat down, and was bitten beneath.

Why bring up limericks in a column on aging? Heres the reason. Someone asked me, why are these columns so serious? Why dont you use more humor in the Aging for Amateurs column?

Of course other people funnier than me do that all the time. The internet is brimming with geezer jokes. Remember Bob Hope? I dont feel old. I dont feel anything until noon. Then its time for my nap.

Garrison Keillor always sees the humor in getting old  in his columns the grandees foot is always on the banana peel. And he loves limericks and writes good ones that can actually be published, unlike the common ones about people doing stuff with each other that folks my age dont even imagine any more. So for a good laugh, punch in Garrison Keillor!

But this column is not quite the funny-bone thing. True, Aging for Amateurs hints at a certain light touch, a bit of unprofessional stumbling around by an old guy whose foot is always just over the banana peel. Mainly, though, the amateur here is the lover. The words footage in Latin (and French) is love, and human love is both sublime and messy, isnt it? Both agape and eros. The amateur is motivated by the love and pleasure of what shes doing. Even aging! This column is about making the most of getting old, finding the joy, even the messiness, in it  till were done, lets have a great run!

When Frank McCourt wrote his classic memoir Angelas Ashes, he wondered in the second sentence how he survived his dismal boyhood in the slums of Limerick, Ireland. William Zinsser, McCourts friend, gives this answer: He was saved by humor. McCourts childhood was mean and gritty, yet his memoir is consistently funny.

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A special angle of vision enabled him to see beyond the poverty to the black comedy of a social structure gone so disastrously wrong, and when he wrote his memoir, half a century later, that vision was still intact, enabling him to recall his early years with love and forgiveness. Without humor he couldnt have survived his childhood, and without humor he couldnt have written his book.

Zinsser is onto something there.

Humor is different from a sunny disposition. Jovial bonhomie might tell some jokes to gloss over tensions and disruptions of life. But McCourt knew that theres a crack that runs through everything, including his childhood and family, and humor for him was not a surface job. Humor is a take on life that knows the crack well, sees the falseness and absurdity of pretending, and converts that awareness not into philosophy or theology but into a wry take on people and their doings. I had a minister colleague once whose motto was Get lighter, go deeper.

A limerick can be just a joke or it can be a crazy anecdote that reminds us how wrong it is to take ourselves so seriously. Were all crackpots!

William S. Baring-Gould put the limerick in this frame: It absorbs solemnities and absurdities, traditional legends and off-color jokes, devout reflections and downright indecencies. Love of all kinds is fair game; bishops and tomcats are equally its targets. All the follies, foibles, fortunes, failures and fallacies to which mortal flesh is heir, from the cradle to the grave, are the stuff to which its antics give the coup de pied.

And we all need to have our pretensions punctured  even elders! Like this vintage limerick does, for instance:

The Reverend Henry Ward Beecher

called the hen a most elegant creature.

The hen, pleased with that,

laid an egg in his hat,

and thus did the hen reward Beecher.

The crack in everything? The crack in that egg when the great preacher puts on his hat, and gets his reward running down his head, thats the mashup of life in a mental image we can laugh at! The wordplay just underscores the fun.

Doris Betts, legendary creative writing professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, would agree. She wrote six novels and three collections of short stories full of down-to-earth humanity. I heard her handle a question once about where she learned to write. She thought it may have been from her father. I used to love to go places with my father, she said, because when we got back and he told the story about what we did, I always realized Id had more fun than I thought Id had.

Doris Betts storytelling art, like her fathers, went deep into the crack in everything and helped mend it through narrative. She soared beyond these amateurish limericks. But let me toss out another one for Doris, and for all of us who want to age as lightly, even as merrily, as we can:

Now the limerick can be raunchy and bad

to recite them you feel like a cad

but they remind you again

that thru lifes thick and thin

you had more fun than you thought you had had!
You've seen him in hit thrillers like "The Hurt Locker," "The Town," "The Avengers" and "The Bourne Legacy." You've read about his recovery from a horrific snowplow accident in Nevada, a traumatic experience that resulted in more than 30 broken bones.

Now, actor Jeremy Renner is staking his claim on a Charleston vodka company.

The 52-year-old announced he has purchased a piece of Sweet Grass Vodka from his home in Reno, Nev., on July 23.

Plans are underway to bring Renner to the Charleston distillery as part of a bottle-signing tour that will also stop in Texas. While in Charleston, Renner will work with the distillery on an exclusive Sweet Grass flavor that will be released in the future.

"Im so grateful for the progress Ive made since the start of this year which allowed me to move forward with my interest in Sweet Grass Vodka," Renner said on Instagram. "Their mission is rooted in community and shared experience, which is why the second I tried it, I knew I wanted to become a part of it."

Sweet Grass' 100 percent potato vodka has been made and bottled in Charleston since 2022, when it opened a distillery and tasting lounge inside a 7,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of The Refinery, a three-story, mixed-used building. Another 25,000-square-foot, non-touring facility has allowed co-owners Jarrod and Alicia Swanger of Mount Pleasant to expand their production in the time since.

The Charleston tasting room at 1640 Meeting Street Road offers signature cocktails all made with in-house Sweet Grass Vodka. On the production side, Sweet Grass will soon expand its distribution to 37 states and hit the shelves at Kroger stores nationwide.

The partnership with Renner has been in the works since October 2022, but talks paused while the actor recovered from his accident. In the time since, Renner, who makes his own jalapeno moonshine, has become passionate about the Sweet Grass product, Jarrod Swanger said. Ownership terms were not disclosed, but Swanger said Renner will be a "full-on brand owner."

"We started interviewing quite a few celebrities, and Jeremy, we knew he was the one," Swanger said. "He loved our story and we loved his. We knew it was a perfect partnership."

Sweet Grass Vodka is open Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit sweetgrassvodka.com.
Editor's note: This is the start of a weekly series interviewing locals and Free Times writers on the works of art that inspire them.

Alex and Emily McCollum are always sharing music.

"As music people, you get sent songs all the time from friends or people who are like, 'I think you'll love this,'" Alex said. "But I mean, the one that I will always listen to is whatever Emily sends."

The brother-and-sister duo head up Stagbriar, a five-member band that's been rocking in Columbia since 2012. Their new record, "Telepathy," is slated to release in September 2023.

Alex, who also works for the Free Times' non-news division, said lots of heavy guitar, gutsy lyrics and female-driven bands inspired their latest record.

"On the record that's coming out in September, we have leaned into letting it get a little bit gnarly, a little bit louder, a little bit hairier around the edges," Alex said. "We're letting all of the guitars really, really scream and sing."

That gnarly sound is reflected in the siblings' Essential Tracks, a 12-song playlist hand-picked by Alex and Emily to showcase who they're listening to and who's inspired them musically over the past few years.

Emily and Alex each picked five songs, with two Stagbriar tracks serving as a "shameless self-plug" ahead of the Sept. 15 release of "Telepathy."

For Emily, a lifelong musician, women lyricists and vocalists help her tap into her own feminine experience.

Emily's songs are: "Hospital" by Madison Cunningham, "Quarry" by Wednesday, "Bluish" by Arlo Parks, "Real Love" by Big Thief and "Darker than Death" by Indigo de Souza.

"Something all of these women do well is capture nuanced human emotion in a really special way," she said. "Whether it's brutally honest or grossly real, they just address what it is to be a human and to be a woman."

For Alex, it's all about the instrumentals. A classically trained musician, Alex leaned into heavy guitar and expansive sound over the last few years, something he said listeners will notice on the forthcoming "Telepathy."

His songs are: "Company" by Forth Wanderers, "Old to Begin" by Pavement, "Peach" by Finom, "My Star" by Zack Mexico and "Harvest Breed" by Nick Drake.

"I wanted to include our homies Zack Mexico; they're from the Outer Banks," Alex said. "We went on tour with them at the end of 2021. Playing with them, I think, really inspired this new iteration of Stagbriar to lean into being a little bit more energetic on stage."

Two more tracks  "Tall Socks" and "Off Day" by Stagbriar  round out the playlist.

Several of the artists they picked, such as Wednesday, Zack Mexico and Indigo de Souza, are local to the Carolinas.

Alex said it's crucial for music listeners and musicians to show up for local and regional artists' shows to support the scene and to mine for inspiration.

"Emily and I were really, heavily inspired when we started out writing together. We were really inspired by what was going on around us," Alex said.

When they started writing in 2012, they were already embedded in the local music scene in Columbia.

"I don't know that we would have had the drive to do what we were doing had we not seen it right in front of us on a weekly basis," Alex said.

Here's the full tracklist:

"Hospital" by Madison Cunningham

"Tall Socks" by Stagbriar

"Quarry" by Wednesday

"Bluish" by Arlo Parks

"Real Love" by Big Thief

"Darker than Death" by Indigo de Souza

"Company" by Forth Wanderers

"Old to Begin" by Pavement

"Peach" by Finom

"My Star" by Zack Mexico

"Off Day" by Stagbriar

"Harvest Breed" by Nick Drake

Check out on the full playlist on Spotify.
CLEMSON  A Clemson University fraternity has been suspended for four years after a fraternity hazing investigation found new members were initiated with "chemical burns," lineups and sleep deprivation.

The university's student conduct office last week suspended the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, the only chapter in South Carolina, Clemson spokesman Philip Sikes told The Post and Courier.

The fraternity had been under interim suspension since April after the university received a complaint that new members were being subjected to different forms of hazing, including some sort of chemical burn  with a salt-type material or combination of materials, documents from the university show.

AGR agreed to the disciplinary sanction with the university and accepted responsibility for their actions, Sikes said.

The university takes all hazing allegations with student organizations very seriously, Sikes said. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life works diligently to incorporate anti-hazing awareness as part of its member education process.

The Interfraternity Council, a group that represents 23 member fraternities at Clemson, said they will uphold the decision.

The Interfraternity Council of Clemson University does not tolerate any violations of the University student code of conduct nor the hazing policies set forth by the council, a spokesperson for the IFC said. We will continue to educate our community about the dangers of hazing and the ramifications it can have.

The national chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho acknowledged the suspension in a statement to The Post and Courier, saying that they are committed to the health, safety and well-being of its membership.

AGR joins two other Clemson fraternities currently under suspension  Pi Kappa Phi and Delta Tau Delta.

Pi Kappa Phi was suspended for four years in December 2021 after an investigation revealed hazing with morally degrading behavior, lineups, berating and acts of personal servitude, according to the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act report.
By all measures, Kelly Lewis should not be a breast cancer patient.

She had no family history, never smoked, exercised religiously, breast-fed both her girls and never found a suspicious lump. But when she turned 40, her doctor suggested she get a mammogram, so she did. And there it was.

"I was lucky," Lewis said, in finding it very early, before it could grow or spread. Her case is illustrative of why a government advisory panel is considering a draft recommendation for women to start screening mammograms at 40 instead of waiting until 50, although many say it does not go far enough.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force proposed changing its recommendation on screening mammograms for breast cancer in May and took comments on its recommendation through last month. A final recommendation is expected later this year.

It is an "anticipated and overdue correction," from the group, which is independent of the government but whose recommendations are widely followed, said Dr. Megan Baker, director of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Cancer Center and a breast cancer surgeon.

The group had previously recommended screening begin at age 50 for women at average risk, and that decision in 2009 provoked widespread protest, particularly among those in the breast cancer field. The group's own evidence showed a 30 percent reduction in mortality in screening those ages 40-49 but recommended starting at 50 because of a concern over the number of false-positive tests and biopsies it would produce and the anxiety and distress women would experience because of those, Baker said.

In research supporting the proposed change, the authors say screening women ages 50 to 74 would avert seven deaths due to breast cancer per 1,000 women at average risk of the disease, and stretching that to ages 40 to 79 would save one additional death per 1,000 women.

Starting at 50 is also contrary to the advice of most of the professional groups and societies, such as the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging, said Dr. Rebecca Leddy, director of breast imaging at the Medical University of South Carolina. All of them recommend starting at age 40 for average-risk women and getting an annual mammogram, she said. The new recommendation only calls for screening every other year, which was also the case in the old standard.

The new recommendation is "a step in the right direction," Leddy said, but both she and Baker say it should be annual, as do most in the field.

What might also be forcing the new recommendation is the extraordinary rise in breast cancer among younger women, Baker said. Breast cancer in women ages 40 to 49 increased 2 percent every year between 2015-1019.

"Thats an unprecedented increase," Baker said. "No one is quite sure what the cause of that increase is, but we are seeing more and more breast cancer at a pace thats never been previously observed in terms of year-over-year increases in a younger population."

The new recommendation could also help address a stark health disparity in breast cancer for Black women, who are 40 percent more likely to die from it. Black women "often develop and die from breast cancer earlier" than others, Leddy said. That disparity in death rate could be reduced to 30 percent just by beginning screening at age 45, the task force data showed.

Many factors lead to the disparity, but "they are most pronounced in that youngest age group," Baker said, which makes it all the more urgent that screening and risk assessment begin earlier.

"If were not screening them, we cant find them at our most curable opportunities," she said.

Addressing barriers, such as lack of transportation, is why MUSC has set up so many screening opportunities and sends its mobile mammography unit out into rural areas and even to the state prison system, Leddy said.

"We just feel that where you live shouldnt determine if you live," she said.

Changing the task force's guidelines are important because they influence decisions about insurance coverage, another possible barrier to screening, Leddy and Baker said. But also, many of the primary care groups follow those guidelines, Baker said.

"These guidelines matter because they really direct primary care, the folks on the front lines of screening," she said. "If those guidelines arent appropriately aggressive and assertive, we are going to miss opportunities to save lives."

Breast cancer can also be different for younger women, Leddy said. While it is always tough, "especially in those younger women, where they are part of the workforce and raising children, theres a lot of complexity to it," she said.

Being diagnosed just after turning 40 was "not on my Bingo card," Lewis said. Like everyone else during the pandemic "you get behind on regular medical appointments," so in May 2022 she saw her OB/GYN for the first time since post-partum exams following the birth of her daughter, Georgie, in 2019. She knew about getting a mammogram starting at 40 but "it wasn't at the top of my to-do list," Lewis said. But she went anyway.

Even after being called back for a follow-up scan and then a biopsy, she was still floored when she got the call that it was a very early stage of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS.

"I was completely shocked," Lewis said. "It pretty much turned my entire universe upside down."

Because the cancer had not spread beyond the milk duct, it wasn't going to form a lump that she could find on her own.

"That's why screening mammograms are so important," Lewis said.

Had she waited until age 50, she believes the cancer "would have continued to grow" and would have meant a more serious diagnosis and more serious treatment than the breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy she underwent.

"I have such young kids (8 and 3 years old), it was really scary to think about just your own mortality," Lewis said, and not being there for them.

Now, she tells everyone she can about her experience, which she considers fortunate for how it turned out, and the importance of screening.

"I'm now that annoying friend (who says), 'You're 40, you need to go get a mammogram,' " Lewis said.
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
Right now, record numbers of young people are dealing with unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, anger, depression and other mental health issues that can lead to negative  and often tragic  outcomes if not properly addressed. Read moreSEL4SC introduces teen films
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Zeng Lintang, former Vice Manager of Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., reportedly joined Leapmotor, the Chinese new energy vehicle startup, in May this year as the assistant to Chairman Zhu Jiangming.

Photo credit: Leapmotor

Confirming the appointment, a spokesperson from Leapmotor's PR department told Gasgoo, "Zeng has indeed been serving as the Assistant to Chairman and Advisor to the company, assisting in the companys overall strategic development."

Zeng Lintang, hailing from Hong Kong, boasts extensive experience in the automotive industry, having held positions at various car companies. His career includes a fourteen-year tenure at Canada's Bennett-Dunlop Ford Sales Company, where he rose to the position of General Manager. He later joined Crown Motors Limited in 1994 as the General Manger of the Sales Department, followed by a role as a director at LEXUS, a division of Toyota Motor (China) Co., in 2003. In 2005, he assumed the role of Vice Manager at Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., overseeing the Market and Import Departments, and pioneering dealer training, services, as well as establishing standards and procedures for dealership entry.

During Zeng Lintang's tenure from 2005 to 2011, Lexus's annual sales in China surged from 5,000 to an impressive 50,000 units by 2010. He was also an early advocate of prioritizing "dealer satisfaction" in the automotive marketing sector, earning considerable favor among dealers during an era dominated by the 4S dealership authorization model.

Since departing from Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co. in 2011, Zeng Lintang has remained relatively low-key in the public eye. However, Leapmotor's invitation to him suggests the startups strategic move to bolster its position in the fiercely competitive realm of new energy vehicles.

Zeng Lintang's primary responsibilities will involve providing strategic planning and brand marketing advice to Leapmotor, as well as offering insights into product R&D. Additionally, he will play a crucial role in helping the Chinese startup expanding overseas markets, enhancing day-to-day operational efficiency, elevating service standards, and boosting the company's brand recognition.
The Republican presidential field is crowded, and includes several potentially strong candidates. Most people would not put Doug Burgum, the Governor of North Dakota, on that list, if they are even aware that he is running. Of course it is true that Burgum is a long shot, but there are reasons why he may be worth a closer look.

First of all, who is he? Check out this Wall Street Journal interview. Burgum grew up in a tiny town in North Dakota. After his fathers death, and after he had graduated from Stanford with an MBA, he literally bet his familys farm to start a company, Great Plains Software. Great Plains did extremely well and eventually was acquired by Microsoft for $1.1 billion. Burgum became a senior officer of Microsoft; he also took Microsoft stock instead of cash in the acquisition, which therefore turned out to be worth much more. Like all good entrepreneurs, Burgum made a number of people wealthy, not just himself.

In North Dakota, Burgum, who was re-elected as governor in 2020 in a 40-point landslide, is seen as a moderate Republican. That is largely because heunlike South Dakotas Governor Kristi Noem, for exampleis not a culture warrior:

As for the culture wars, Mr. Burgum is a constitutional conscientious objector. They have nothing to do with being president of the United States, he says. The 10th Amendment is very clear about what the federal governments role is.

Given the Lefts ferocious assault on our culture, most Republicans probably dont agree. So why is Burgum a plausible candidate? Because his central issue is energy.

Ten days ago, I attended a Burgum fundraiser and had an opportunity to spend some time with him. He laid out his priorities as a candidate: 1) the economy, 2) energy, and 3) strong international leadership. But all three of these, in his telling, come down largely to energy, in which North Dakota abounds, with both major coal reserves and the Bakken natural gas field.

When talking to the group as a whole, Burgum sounded amiable, like most politicians. But when I talked with him privately about energy, he quickly transformed into the businessman who created billions in value. His knowledge of energy is extraordinary. He reels off facts and statistics effortlessly. He is up to speed on, and actually understands, the most current scientific developments. He wants to use technology to thread the energy needle, placating liberals who are obsessed with CO2 while using Americas unparalleled fossil fuel resources to power our economy and give us unquestioned world leadership. It is a powerful vision, and Burgum is a very smart man.

Why might this make Burgum a strong contender? Because energy is the most important issue now before us. The Left is trying to destroy our economy, drastically lower our standard of living, and turn our future over to the Chinese Communist Party by abandoning our world-leading energy resources, and instead requiring us to use idiotic green technologies that dont work, will never work, and are controlled by the Chinese, who use coal to run the plants that manufacture our pathetic wind turbines and solar panels. All of this is being done in the name of climate change.

This attack on our future is more threatening, and more important, than anything else that is now happening. How many politicians understand that? Not many. Some have been seduced by green propagandaor, likely, by green money. Others are mentally squishy and subscribe to all of the above cliches without having any understanding of the Lefts agenda.

Who knows? Twenty years from now, it might be obvious that what we needed more than anything else in 2024 was a president who understands energy. That makes Doug Burgum worth a look.
In the late 18th Century, French Foreign Minister Charles-Maurice Talleyrand took bribes from foreign powers in exchange for influencing Frances foreign policy. Well over 200 years later, he is remembered as a singularly corrupt (if also remarkably able) government official.

The evidence that Joe Biden did exactly the same thing is fast becoming irresistible. Will Biden be remembered for his corruption 200 years from now? Not if Democrats in the press have anything to say about it.

Thus, yesterday on CBSs Face the Nation, host Margaret Brennan suggested to Chris Christie that Republicans should move on from the Biden scandals once Hunter has pleaded guilty to two minor misdemeanors. Christie, to his credit, wasnt having it. Note, too, Brennans smug but idiotic observation that the Delaware U.S. Attorney was appointed by Trump, as though that were somehow relevant:
Devon Archer is one of Hunter Bidens former business partners. He is now facing jail for his role in a $60 million bond fraud, but is scheduled to testify this week before the House Oversight Committee. Miranda Devine reports that Archer will testify about meetings he witnessed that were attended by Joe Biden either in person or via speakerphone when Hunter would call the gentleman we have come to know as the big guy and introduce him to foreign business partners or prospective investors.

Devine quotes committee chairman James Comer: We are looking forward very much to hearing from Devon Archer about all the times he has witnessed Joe Biden meeting with Hunter Bidens overseas business partners when he was vice president, including on speakerphone.

Such as:

One such meeting was in Dubai late in the evening of Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, after a board meeting of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, which was paying Hunter $83,000 a month as a director. Archer, who also was a director, is expected to testify that, after dinner with the Burisma board at the Burj Al Arab Hotel, he and Hunter traveled six miles north to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach to have a drink with one of Hunters friends. While they were sitting outside at the bar, Vadym Pozharskyi, a senior Burisma executive, phoned to ask where they were because Burismas owner Mykola Zlochevsky needed to speak to Hunter urgently. Soon afterward, the two Ukrainians joined Hunter and Archer at the Four Seasons bar and Pozharskyi asked Hunter: Can you ring your dad? At the time it was early afternoon, Friday, in Washington, DC. Hunter then called his father, put him on speaker, placed the phone on the table, and introduced the Ukrainians to Joe Biden by name as Nikolai and Vadym. He also said words to the effect that the Burisma bigwigs need our support. VP Biden greeted the Ukrainians but spoke only in vague pleasantries during the short call, and in other such interactions with Hunters overseas business partners, Archer is expected to testify.

Devine notes the context:

[T]hree days after the speakerphone call, the then-vice president, who was the Obama administrations point man for Ukraine, was due to fly to Kyiv to address the Ukrainian parliament, known as the Rada, on Dec. 9, 2015, about the poison of cronyism, corruption, and kleptocracy.

Words of wisdom, as we have come to see.

Devine adds that Archer is also expected to testify about two dinners Hunter organized for his VP father to meet business partners from Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan in a private room at Georgetown restaurant Cafe Milano, one in April 2015, and another in early 2016: Burisma executive Pozharskyi attended the first dinner, on April 16, 2015, along with Russian billionaire Yelena Baturina, and her husband, former Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov.

I think Miranda could have used some editorial help with this sentence: Archer also is expected to detail other speakerphone meetings in his testimony, including a dinner at a restaurant in Paris where Hunter whipped out his phone and put his father on speaker to impress prospective investors.

She may be toying with us, but please, Miranda, do not use the phrase whip out in proximity to the name Hunter in your work for the New York Post. It is apt to induce giggles among those of us who have gawked at the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop  the laptop on whose reporting you should have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize. We who are about to die laughing salute you.

Devines column gives us a preview of coming attractions. I hesitate to say see the whole thing here, but please do.
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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / As summer nears an end, British Swim School, the nation's leading "learn to swim" franchise company, is helping kids make a splash in the pool and the classroom. British Swim School is partnering with national non-profit Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) to provide essential school supplies for children in the community. Local British Swim School locations will collect school supplies from August 1 to September 30 to donate to KINF.British Swim School and the KINF are thrilled to partner together to encourage kids to seek out swim safety instruction while getting children excited and ready for the upcoming school year.How to Donate:Collect new school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, and backpacks.Drop off donations at the pool between August 1 and September 30.Donate by visiting: https://www.kinf.org/britishswimschool/ Spread the word by using #BSSBackToPool on social media."We're thrilled to support the Kids In Need Foundation as we also launch our Back to Pool' campaign and continue our mission of promoting water safety and skill development," said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. "Through our year-round swim programs and support for Kids In Need Foundation, we are ensuring the safety and confidence of our students in the water and in the classroom. We invite all families to join us in both initiatives and help us create waves of confidence in our communities." For more than 40 years, British Swim School has improved swimming abilities for students of all ages with their trained instructors, small class sizes, and individualized attention. More than 315 locations across the country provide more than one million lessons a year. The swim franchise is also using this time to remind parents and children of the importance of swim lessons year-round and not just leading up to the summertime."Swimming is an important, life-saving, skill that doesn't take a break for any seasoon!", said Melissa McGarvey, Director of Aquatics. "British Swim School understands this and promotes the importance of practicing water survival and swimming skills year round to best prepare for a water emergency, any time of year. Not only do consistent swim lessons better prepare swimmers, they also foster a child's relationship with water and ease anxieties from younger swimmers that may not have been in the water for months." For more information on the British Swim School's year-round swim programs, visit www.britishswimschool.com ##About British Swim SchoolBritish Swim School, the nation's most established swim school franchise with over 40 years in business believes that every individual, regardless of age or ability, should have the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. Offering lessons for babies, children, and adults, the brand is dedicated to its mantra, "Survival of the Littlest," focusing first on the survival skills needed to survive a water accident, then moving on to stroke development and more advanced skills. Not only does British Swim Schools give peace of mind to countless families who seek the essential life skill the brand offers their children, the purpose-driven franchise offers an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs who seek a fulfilling business venture with a sound foundation, low investment, and easily scalable model. Part of the Buzz Franchise Brands family, British Swim School currently operates over 315 schools across the United States and Canada.About Kids In Need FoundationKids In Need Foundation helps create equitable learning spaces through the distribution of supplies and resources, investing in teachers and students in underserved schools. With the belief that every child in America should have equal opportunity and resources to engage in a quality education, Kids In Need Foundation focuses its programs and initiatives on teachers and students most under-resourced, those where 70 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. In 2022, through its programs, National Network of Resource Centers, and coast-to-coast local partners, Kids In Need Foundation and our national network supported over 7.7 million students and 333,169 teachers in 17,472 under-resourced schools, with KINF distributing more than $143 million in free school supplies and classroom resources nationwide at no cost to schools or teachers. For more information, visit KINF.org , and join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter: @KidsInNeed.MEDIA CONTACT:Mike ToperMToper@919 marketing.com (919) 813-6511SOURCE: British Swim School
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MANCHESTER, NH / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / The Dr. Wayne Lajewski Scholarship for Medical Students is pleased to announce the launch of its annual scholarship program, aimed at empowering graduating high school seniors with a passion for medicine. This prestigious scholarship, founded by Dr. Wayne Lajewski, a respected authority in the field of Internal Medicine, seeks to support and recognize outstanding individuals with a commitment to achieving excellence in medicine.Applicants to the Dr. Wayne Lajewski Scholarship for Medical Students must meet the following criteria: being a graduating high school senior with plans to attend a college or university in the United States, achieving a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, demonstrating leadership skills, and submitting a well-written essay of 500-1000 words.Dr. Wayne Lajewski, a passionate and trusted doctor with over 20 years of experience, founded this scholarship to not only reward academic excellence but also to recognize the dedication and perseverance of student athletes. He has built a highly respected, multidisciplinary practice, driven by a commitment to wellness and comprehensive patient care. Dr. Lajewski's distinguished background as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, coupled with his Juris Doctorate, gives him a unique perspective in providing exceptional care to his patients."We are thrilled to support the next generation of medical leaders in Greater Manchester, NH, through the Dr. Wayne Lajewski Scholarship for Medical Students," said Dr. Lajewski. "Our mission is not only to assist aspiring medical students in their educational pursuits but also to encourage a holistic approach to well-being." The scholarship will provide a one-time award of $1,000 to the chosen recipient, who will be selected based on their eligibility and the quality of their essay response. Additionally, factors such as financial need, dedication to excellence to medicine will be taken into consideration during the selection process.The deadline to apply for the Dr. Wayne Lajewski Scholarship for Medical Students is January 15, 2024. The scholarship recipient will be announced on February 15, 2024, allowing ample time for qualified individuals to submit their applications and supporting documents.For complete details about the scholarship criteria, application process, and submission guidelines, please visit the official website: https://drwaynelajewskischolarship.com/dr-wayne-lajewski-scholarship/ . If you have any inquiries regarding the scholarship, eligibility criteria, or application process, please feel free to contact our team; we are here to support you in fulfilling your aspirations.Dr. Wayne Lajewski and the Dr. Wayne Lajewski Scholarship for Medical Students are committed to fostering the next generation of medical professionals who exhibit exemplary leadership, dedication, and a passion for improving overall health and well-being. Join us in this transformative journey as we empower and invest in the future of medicine in Greater Manchester, NH.About Dr. Wayne Lajewski:Dr. Wayne Lajewski is a passionate doctor and a trusted authority in the field of Internal Medicine, with over 20 years of experience. He is recognized for his expertise in diagnosing complex medical conditions, creating tailored treatment plans, and promoting positive lifestyle changes to optimize overall health. Dr. Lajewski has built a highly respected, multidisciplinary practice that focuses on providing comprehensive care to enhance overall body health. Driven by a commitment to wellness, the practice offers a range of services, including addiction treatment, wellness care, physical therapy, and body conditioning. To learn more, visit https://drwaynelajewskischolarship.com/ Contact Info:Spokesperson: Dr. Wayne LajewskiOrganization: Dr. Wayne Lajewski ScholarshipWebsite: https://drwaynelajewskischolarship.com Email: apply@ drwaynelajewskischolarship.com SOURCE: Dr Wayne Lajewski Scholarship
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Proton Green Adds David Hobbs and Peter Wagner to BoardHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Proton Green, LLC ("Proton Green" or the "Company"), a leading operator of one of the largest Helium and beverage grade CO2 hubs in North America, today announced the appointment of two new members to its board of directors.David A. Hobbs will serve as Chairman. Mr. Hobbs is an expert in energy industry structure and strategies with 37-years of experience, most recently as Former Head of Research at The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) where he established a world leading think tank in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Hobbs has also served as Chief Energy Strategist at IHS Market and Co-Chair of CERAWEEK, providing insight to governments and major energy companies around the world. Prior to CERA, Mr. Hobbs was former Head of Business Development with Monumental Oil & Gas and managed the North American and Asian businesses of Hardy Oil & Gas.Peter Wagner will serve as a Non-Executive Director. Mr. Wagner is a leader in the industrial gas industry and has served as Vice President, Business Development, Gas and Process Division, Atlas Copco Energas GmbH (in Germany), General Manager, Atlas Copco Comptec LLC (America), Divisional President, Atlas Copco Gas and Process Division, General Manager of Atlas Copco Energas GmbH (in Germany). Currently, Mr. Wagner is CEO, Managing Director, LEWA GmbH (in Germany), CEO and Director, Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (the Company's consolidated subsidiary in America/CEO of Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group).Steve Looper, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Green, LLC commented, "Proton Green is honored to have David Hobbs and Peter Wagner join our board of directors. Both are well recognized leaders in the energy transition space and will offer sound advice on our company's direction." About Proton Green, LLCProton Green LLC is a leading operator of one of the largest Helium and beverage grade CO2 hubs in North America. The Company maintains exclusive production rights to St. Johns Field, a 176,500 acre property in Arizona with a 33 billion cubic feet helium reservoir, 9 trillion cubic feet CO2 reservoir and a basin with the potential to store 1 billion metric tons of CO2. The Company is currently a top 10 producer of Helium in North America - a high-demand gas in both consumer and critical technology applications - leveraging strategic offtake partners with fixed-price agreements to drive a predictable revenue stream. Notably, both Helium and CO2 produced at St. John's Field contain no hydrocarbon component. To learn more, please visit our website at https://www.protongreen.com/ Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our limited operating history; our dependence on third parties for many aspects of our business; general market and economic conditions; technical factors; the availability of outside capital; our receipt of revenues; legislative developments; changes in our expenditures and other uses of cash; our ability to find, recruit and retain personnel in sufficient numbers to support our growth; our ability to manage growth; and general market, economic and business conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements are under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our most recent Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.Media & Investor Relations Contact:Lucas A. ZimmermanDirectorMZ Group - MZ North America(949) 259-4987PGRN@ mzgroup.us SOURCE: Proton Green, LLC
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CAMDEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Subaru of America, Inc., and Make-A-Wish this week partnered for a "Week of Wishes" initiative, an extension of its long-standing partnership, to surprise children with critical illnesses across the country at local Subaru showrooms with wishes that Subaru retailers helped to grant.The "Week of Wishes" expands on the 12-year partnership between the automaker and nonprofit. Since 2011, through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers have donated more than $32 million, helping to grant more than 3,300 wishes in the United States. The partnership has enabled Make-A-Wish to grant wishes that deliver hope when it's needed most."We have had the honor of granting thousands of wishes throughout our longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. "As the largest automotive donor to Make-A-Wish, we hope to provide children across the country with strength and positivity to fight against critical illness. Our Week of Wishes initiative is one of the many ways Subaru retailers are dedicated to giving back in their communities all year long." According to Make-A-Wish, approximately 27,000 children are diagnosed with a critical illness each year, and research shows that granting wishes can improve children's quality of life and produce better health outcomes. A wish come true brings lasting impact to a wish kid, their family, and entire communities."Subaru and its retailers continue to provide support and exceed expectations for creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses nationwide," said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "We are incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to provide hope to wish kids and their families through initiatives like Week of Wishes, the Subaru Share the Love Event, and more." "Week of Wishes" surprises included:Quality Subaru in Wallingford, NC, hosted a cheer-themed celebration to surprise a 12-year-old Hamden resident, Chloe, after helping to grant her wish for a "cheer cave" basement makeover. The event featured several local cheer teams doing stunts, and Chloe, who suffers from a blood disorder, and her family and friends got a sneak peek of what her cheer cave will look like when complete.Garcia Subaru North in Albuquerque, NM, surprised 13-year-old Alejandro, who has a malignant brain tumor and is losing his vision, with his wish to go on a shopping spree. He arrived at a red-carpet surprise party before being whisked away in a limo for his shopping spree at a local mall.Wakefield Subaru in Wakefield, MA, hosted a New York City-themed welcome home party that included a musical performance from a local theatre for 18-year-old Somerville resident, Sofia, after helping to grant her wish to travel to New York City.AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head, in Hilton Head, NC, hosted a beach-themed send-off party to surprise a 4-year-old Bluffton resident, Lillian, with her wish to play in the sunshine on St. Johns Island.Autobarn Subaru of Countryside in Chicago, IL, hosted a gaming-themed bash to surprise a 14-year-old suburban Chicago resident, Goel, with his wish for a gaming system. Goel, who has recently undergone a heart transplant, was surprised with his favorite things, plus exciting gifts for his brand-new gaming system.Additional retailers, including Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru (Orangeburg, NY), Subaru of Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill, NJ), Subaru of Moon Township (Pittsburgh, PA), Hendrick Subaru (Birmingham, AL), Peoria Subaru (Phoenix, AZ), Scoggin-Dickey Subaru (Lubbock, TX) and Capitol Subaru (San Jose, CA) also hosted surprise "Week of Wishes" events for local wish children.The "Week of Wishes" is part of Subaru Loves to Care, the health-focused philanthropic pillar of the automaker's Love Promise vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. To learn more about Subaru Loves to Care, please visit subaru.com/care About Make-A-WishMake-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide; more than 360,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org About Subaru of America, Inc.Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com . Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.###Media Contacts:Diane AntonSubaru of America, Inc.(856) 488-5093danton@ subaru.com Adam LeiterSubaru of America, Inc.(856) 488-8668aleiter@ subaru.com Fernanda HorvathMake-A-Wish America(602)792-3253fhorvath@ wish.org Quality Subaru (Wallingford, CT) partnered with Make-A-Wish Connecticut to throw a cheer-themed party for Hamden resident Chloe, featuring performances from local cheer and dance teams.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:%0
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VALO Holdings Group and its CEO Jana Seaman announce their support of the Montana-based organization Big Sky Bravery as part of their Gold Rush Rally philanthropic tour across the western United States.BIG SKY, MT / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / VALO Holdings Group, a leading investment firm, and SurgeTrader, a prominent prop trading platform, proudly announce their support for Big Sky Bravery at the penultimate stop of the highly anticipated 2023 Gold Rush Rally. The VALO Holdings Group team, led by their esteemed CEO, Jana Seaman, participated in the rally and made a significant contribution of $50,000 to the Big Sky, Montana charity.Throughout the Gold Rush Rally, VALO Holdings Group and SurgeTrader demonstrated their commitment to corporate social responsibility by selecting a charitable organization to support at each stop of the race. For the Montana leg of the rally, they chose to support Big Sky Bravery, an exceptional non-profit organization founded in 2015. Big Sky Bravery's mission is to provide weeklong programs known as "Task Forces" in the restorative surroundings of Montana. These Task Forces offer all-expense paid, world-class experiences to individuals who have served in the military, granting them a rare opportunity to decompress, rediscover what was lost on the battlefield, and experience the hope and freedom they are all fighting for.Upon arriving in Big Sky, Montana, the VALO Holdings Group team showcased their commitment to making a positive impact in the community by presenting a generous donation of $50,000 to Big Sky Bravery. This substantial contribution will help further the organization's mission and support their efforts in providing transformative experiences for military veterans.CEO Jana Seaman expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration with Big Sky Bravery, stating, "As the widow of a decorated special forces veteran, the mission at Big Sky Bravery resonated with us and our VALO Holdings Group family. We are honored to support Big Sky Bravery and their mission to provide life-changing experiences to our brave servicemen and women. The VALO Holdings Group team is humbled by the opportunity to contribute to such a remarkable cause. Through this donation, we hope to express our gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans and help them find healing and solace in Montana's breathtaking surroundings." Big Sky Bravery, through their Task Forces, creates a safe and nurturing environment for veterans to connect, heal, and build lasting friendships with others who have experienced similar challenges. The organization's programs focus on physical activities, wellness, and therapeutic experiences, all designed to foster personal growth and healing.Founder and CEO of Big Sky Bravery, Josh McCain, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation from VALO Holdings Group, saying, "We are incredibly grateful for the support from VALO Holdings Group and SurgeTrader. Their contribution will have a profound impact on our organization, allowing us to continue providing transformative experiences for our nation's heroes. We are truly honored to have been chosen as the recipient of their support during the Gold Rush Rally." VALO Holdings Group and SurgeTrader's collaboration with Big Sky Bravery demonstrates their dedication to giving back to the communities they visit during the Gold Rush Rally. As they conclude their participation in the rally, their commitment to corporate social responsibility remains steadfast, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the lives of those they support.For more information about Big Sky Bravery or to support their cause, visit https://www.bigskybravery.org About VALO Holdings Group:VALO Holdings Group is a leading global investment firm with a diverse portfolio of businesses spanning various industries. Committed to creating positive change, VALO Holdings Group focuses on strategic investments and philanthropic efforts that empower communities and drive innovation. More at https://www.valoholdings.com About SurgeTrader:SurgeTrader, LLC is a US-based proprietary trading - or prop trading - firm, with a mission to accelerate trader funding and provide capital to profitable traders. Once traders have proven they can be profitable by passing an Audition, they become a part of the SurgeTrader funded trader community, with access to an account funded with up to $10 million in buying power. For more information on SurgeTrader or how to become a funded trader, visit https://www.surgetrader.com Contact InformationChrissa AlghiniMarketing Directorinf@ valoholdings.com 239-249-5806SOURCE: VALO Holdings Group
The Swedish foreign minister, Tobias Billstrom, expressed regret over the recent attack on the Quran in Stockholm, local media reported.

During a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, Mr Billstrom expressed Swedens regret over the desecration of the Quran and its insult to Islamic beliefs and symbols.

Mr Bou Habib welcomed the position and encouraged Sweden to take additional practical steps to reduce feelings of growing hatred and Islamophobia.

On Thursday, an Iraqi refugee, who burned a copy of the Quran in June, stomped on the holy book during a demonstration in the Swedish capital.

(Xinhua/NAN)

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With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

First deliveries of HiPhi Y to commence on Jul. 29

Chinese luxury electric vehicle brand HiPhi plans to commence delivery of the first batch of the HiPhi Y SUVs on July 29. According to a Weibo post by Xu Bin, manager of HiPhis branding department.

HiPhi Y; photo credit: HiPhi

Mercedes-Benz CEO: China to be the main market for next-generation EVs in 2025

In an interview with a German magazine, Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, announced that China, the world's largest automotive market, will be at the forefront of the companys next-generation electric vehicle (EV) movement starting in 2025.

NIO sets up sales company in Ordos

According to Chinese corporate database Tianyancha, Ordos NIO Automotive Sales Service Co., Ltd. was recently incorporated with a registered capital of 1 million yuan. The company will engage in activities such as motor vehicle inspection and testing services, new energy vehicle sales, automobile sales, used car brokerage, sales of mobile terminal devices, and intelligent in-car equipment sales. Shareholder information reveals that the company is fully owned by NIO Automotive Sales Service Co., Ltd.

BAIC Groups affiliated company becomes shareholder of Yihang Intelligence

Beijing Yihang Yuanzhi Technology Co., Ltd., the corporate entity of Yihang Intelligence, a developer of autonomous driving systems, recently witnessed a significant change in its shareholder structure.

Dongfeng Motor to launch Nami as standalone brand dedicated to small-sized BEV

Dongfeng Motor announced that it will officially launch a fire new brand dedicated to small-sized battery electric vehicle (BEV), Dongfeng Nami (translates to nanometer in English), in the second half of this year, aiming to fill the gap in its pure electric vehicle portfolio.

ZF Group to build airbag production base, R&D center in Wuhan

On July 21, ZF Group signed an investment agreement to establish an automotive airbag production base and a R&D center in Wuhan city, and set up ZF Automotive Safety Systems (Wuhan) Co., Ltd. Once operational, the project is expected to reach a peak annual output value of 3 billion yuan.

Tencent expands operation region for intelligent vehicle cloud

Chinese Internet giant Tencent recently announced the establishment of a new "Tencent Intelligent Vehicle Cloud North China Region" in Huailai County, Hebei Province.

FORVIA, BYD step up cooperation to build new seat assembly factory in Thailand

FORVIA, the world's 7th-largest automotive technology supplier, cemented its partnership with BYD as they will jointly establish a new state-of-the-art seat assembly factory in Rayong Province, Thailand, FORVIA announced a few days ago.
On Sunday, a letter from the Lagos State Government Public Procurement Agency titled: Letter of No Objection  Mass Burial for the 103, the Year 2020 ENDSARS victims, circulated in the internet for several hours.

The letter revealed that the state government engaged the services of Messrs Tos Funeral Ltd, a private firm, at the cost of N61,285,000 to bury 103 bodies tagged as Endsars victims.

Many perceived that the bodies scheduled for mass burial were that of protesters killed by the Nigerian Army at the Lekki Tollgate on 20 October 2020 during the #EndSARS protest against police brutality.

However, several hours later, the state government through its ministry of health, put out a statement to debunk what it described as misinformation to stir public disaffection against the Lagos State government.

The letter showed that the state government had approved 103 bodies recovered across the state for mass burial.

In Sundays statement, the ministrys permanent secretary, Olusegun Ogboye, said that none of the bodies emanated from the Lekki tollgate area of the state.

Mass burial

The state government said it approved the 103 unclaimed bodies for mass burial three years after the incident due to the need to decongest the morgue.

In the aftermath of the #EndSARS violence, Mr Ogboye said that the office of the Chief Coroner had invited members of the public through public adverts and announcements in national newspapers who had lost loved ones or whose relatives had been declared missing between 19 and 27 October 2020 to visit the department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to identify the bodies.

Setting the record straight

The state government said that the 103 bodies were picked by the Lagos State Environmental Health Unit (SEHMU) in the aftermath of #EndSARS violence and community clashes at Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, Isolo and Ajah areas of Lagos State.

There was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison. The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Toll-gate as being alleged. For the avoidance of doubt, nobody was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident.

The state government said that during the judicial panel of inquiry, the chief pathologist of the state, John Obafunwa, was subpoenaed to testify and produce the record of the bodies recovered.

There was not a single finding in the report or ensuing white paper attributing the death of any named citizen listed in the autopsy to the Lekki incident, Mr Ogboye said.

What we know

During the judicial panel of inquiry adequately reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the expert witness, Mr Obafunwa, testified that at least 99 people were killed in different parts of Lagos during the #EndSARS protest and had their bodies deposited at a morgue.

Lekki tollgate killings

The shooting of unarmed protesters by soldiers on October 20, 2020 generated controversies, including about the number of people killed and injured during the incident.

Although the Nigerian Army initially denied its soldiers shot at the unarmed protesters, the multitude of evidence presented by witnesses, including videos showed that soldiers shot at the protesters.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, initially said no one died from the shooting, but later said only two persons died.

The judicial panel in its report dismissed the governments claims, and confirmed nine protesters were killed at the tollgate by state agents

The nine deceased persons mentioned in the report are Victor Ibanga, Abuta Solomon, Jide, Olalekan Ashafa, Olamilekan Ajasa, Kolade Salami, Folorunsho Olabisi, Kenechukwu Ugoh and Nathaniel Solomon.

The report described Abiodun Adesanya, Ifeanyi Eji, Tola, and Wisdom as missing, presumed dead. It stated that 22 persons sustained gunshot injuries and 11 were assaulted by military officers.

The report said that officers and soldiers of 65 Batallion of the Nigerian Army, led by Lt. Col Bello, left their base with blank and live ammunition to confront and disperse youths holding only their national flags, with live bullets, the report partly reads.

The soldiers actually shot blank and live bullets directly and pointedly into the midst of the protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, with the deliberate intention to assault, maim and kill.

The soldiers turned back ambulances that were invited to render first aid and assistance to the wounded protesters.

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President Bola Tinubu has up till 28 July to send his ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.

The constitution, following amendments by the last parliament, stipulates that the president and governors have, from the date they are sworn in, a 60-day window within which to appoint ministers and commissioners.

Section 42 of the constitution states that (a) the nomination of any person to the office of a Minister for confirmation by the Senate shall be done within sixty days after the date the President has taken the oath of office;

(b) not less than ten per cent of persons appointed as Ministers shall be women:

Provided that the President may appoint a Minister at any other time during his tenure and such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The document also provides that the president shall appoint at least a minister from each of the 36 states of the federation.

Mr Tinubu, who was inaugurated on 29 May, has yet to appoint the cabinet ministers 56 days after.

Speculations

However, there are speculations that Mr Tinubu may have submitted the ministerial list to the Senate last week but the upper chamber is delaying the announcement because of some changes being effected on the list.

Reports say that one of the changes made was that of the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, who was originally on the list but is now being considered for the chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Ganduje is being tipped to replace Abdullahi Adamu, who resigned last week alongside the partys National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore.

The former Kano governor is reportedly favoured by the president over a former governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, who had been positioned to take over from Mr Adamu. Mr Al-Makura was one of the partys chairmanship aspirants last year.

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chief Whip Ali Ndume, Minority Leader Oyewunmi Olalere, and Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu for comments as their mobile telephone lines did not connect.

However, a senator from one of the South-west states, who does not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak, told this newspaper on Monday that Mr Tinubu had earlier concluded drawing up the list of ministers and was at the point of sending the list when some senior members of the APC intervened and urged the president to drop and replace some nominees with their choices.

It is the politics of APC. You know everybody will want to contribute one way or the other, the senator said.

The list had already been compiled. We had sat down to deliberate on the modalities of the screening but some stakeholders rejected some people on the list which the president is still trying to amend. That is why the list is yet to be submitted.

The lawmaker, however, said he was sure the Senate will conclude the screening and confirmation before going on vacation. Even if it requires extending the date, the Senate will do that.

Meanwhile, Mr Adaramodu told journalists last week that the president had not forwarded the list of the ministerial nominees to the Senate.

The Senate spokesperson spoke amidst concerns that the upper chamber may not have the time to screen the nominees before embarking on recess this week thereby extending the period Nigerians will wait before ministers assume duty, if cleared.

No date has been announced for the commencement of legislative annual recess, so the question of a shift does not arise. There is still ample time to present and screen ministerial nominees, Mr Adaramodu said.

Let us be patient with the government so that Nigerians can have the best. The National Assembly shall surely do the needful as appropriate and Nigerians wont be disappointed.

Should the list arrive at the Senate this week, the upper chamber which sits thrice a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) may shift its recess and take some days off to screen the nominees before embarking on a vacation.

The Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Auwal Rafsanjani, is worried that with the delay in appointing ministers, Mr Tinubu may not be different from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Initially many Nigerians thought there would be a departure from the past administration in putting a competent team, not political patronage, to be able to provide the needed leadership, Mr Rafsanjani said.

But the problem is that the Tinubu administration is still looking at its cabinet based on politics of survival instead of a cabinet that will bring the needed development in Nigeria. That is why he is having political massage and political compromise and that is not what Nigerians are looking for. They are looking for quality governance, he said.

Government of National Competence

About two weeks after his declaration as president-elect, Mr Tinubu had given insight into what his cabinet will look like.

In a statement on 16 March, the former Lagos State governor said he would form a government of national competence, an indication that the cabinet would comprise mainly people who are competent to help him deliver his election promises. It also indicated that he would not base the appointment of cabinet ministers on only political considerations.

There has been talk of a government of national unity. My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence. In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance, Mr Tinubu said at the time.

The delay in announcing the cabinet ministers has led to the emergence of several lists of ministers, which the government itself disowned.

In the last few weeks, several lists of nominees have surfaced in the media. In some of the lists, names of political allies of the president and former governors featured prominently.

Apparently disturbed by the speculations, the presidents spokesperson, Dele Alake, in a press briefing urged Nigerians to disregard the lists.

There is no iota of truth in all those things. When the president is good and ready, you will be the first to know about his intentions, Mr Alake said earlier this month.

Toeing Buharis path?

Upon his assumption of office in 2015, Mr Tinubus predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, appointed his ministers about six months after he was inaugurated.

On 6 October that year, the then Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read out a list of 21 ministerial nominees sent by the former president for confirmation.

However, Mr Buhari adjusted a little after his re-election in 2019, when he appointed his ministers about two months after. On 23 July 2019, the Senate under the leadership of Ahmad Lawan unveiled a list of 44 ministerial nominees comprising many of those in the previous cabinet. They were subsequently inaugurated on 21 August.

The other appointments

Although he has yet to appoint ministers, Mr Tinubu has made some other appointments since his inauguration with the latest being that of 20 aides earlier this month.

Before then, he had made other appointments including that of the secretary to the government of the federation, chief of staff and deputy chief of staff made on 2 June.

On 15 June, he appointed eight advisers, including Dele Alake as special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy and Wale Edun as special adviser on monetary policies.

He thereafter, on 19 June, appointed another set of people comprising the national security adviser, service chiefs, the inspector general of police and others.

Mr Tinubu also set up a committee on tax reforms headed by Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Taiwo Oyedele.

A toll on governance and economy

Mr Tinubus delay in appointing his ministers has arguably taken a toll on governance and progress of the countrys economy.

Mr Musa, who is also the executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), says it is already affecting the nations economy.

Two months after, the Tinubu administration cannot assemble an economic management team and so the economy is not looking good. So, what is the difference between Buhari and Tinubu? He has shown clearly that he is not different. It would have taken him more months to assemble his cabinet if the Constitution did not give him 60 days to do so.

It is not the removal of the CBN Governor that is the issue. He may be seen to be dealing with perceived enemies. Let there be an economic management team in place to tackle the economic challenges. That is what Nigerians want.

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Gunmen have abducted a popular native doctor in Oba, a community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

The victim, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, otherwise known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, was abducted Sunday night from his hotel room by the gunmen who also shot two of his security aides to death, PREMIUM TIMES gathered.

A video clip, apparently recorded shortly after the attack, has been circulating on Facebook.

In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, many people were heard lamenting the attack while others, who were wailing, appeared to surround bodies believed to be those of the slain security aides of the native doctor.

Abduction for ransom in the community is not new. But the case of the native doctor was a surprise to many residents of the community.

This is because Mr Nwangwu was among the most feared native doctors in the area.

The native doctor is notable for his powers to prepare anti-bullet charms and perform other rituals for people who visit his shrine.

Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki of Oba was kidnapped last night in his Triple P Hotel. Despite the fact he prepares disappearance and anti-bullet charms for many people, the kidnappers still succeeded in taking him away, a source from the community told this newspaper, Monday morning.

Two of his security men were even killed by the kidnappers, the source added.

Triple P, where the attack occurred, is among the hotels owned by the native doctor, it was learnt.

When contacted on Monday morning, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the abduction of the native doctor and killing of his security aides to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday.

We have already launched a manhunt for the abductors to secure the release of the victim, he said.

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The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Delta State has sacked a member of the House of Representatives, Ngozi Okolie.

The lawmaker, who represents the Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), was sacked on Monday by the panel sitting in Asaba, the state capital.

Mr Okolie created an upset against the former Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu, during the 25 February National Assembly elections.

He scored 53, 879 votes against 33, 466 secured by Mr Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, Mr Elumelu, in a petition filed before the panel with case number EPT/DL/HR/06/2023, argued that Mr Okolies nomination was not in tune with the relevant laws on the election.

He said the LP did not duly sponsor Mr Okolie because, at the time of the primary election that produced him as the candidate, he (Okolie) was not a member of the party.

The three-member panel, headed by A.Z. Mussa, in its ruling, agreed with Mr Elumelu and disqualified the defendant.

The tribunal also ruled that Mr Elumelu should be returned as the elected representative for the constituency.

Pandoras box

Although the case is expected to proceed to the Court of Appeal, it has the potential to open Pandoras box on politicians elected on the platform of the LP.

LP was a fringe party before Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, joined and subsequently emerged as its presidential candidate in 2022.

Mr Obis popularity led to the mass defection of politicians to the party, and several candidates for National Assembly rode on his popularity to win their elections.

Many of them are facing questions about their membership in the party in line with Section 77(2 and 3) of the Electoral Act.

Every registered political party shall maintain a register of its members in both hard and soft copy, Section 77(2) reads.

READ ALSO: Elumelu loses seat to LP candidate in Delta

Section 77(3) states that Each political party shall make such a register available to the Commission not later than 30 days before the date fixed for the party primaries, congresses or convention.

There are indications that many candidates who ran on the partys platform across the country did not meet the requirement.

Counsel to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Election Tribunal had also faulted the nomination of Mr Obi based on the section of the electoral law.

The lawyers had argued that the LP presidential candidate could not challenge the presidential elections outcome because he was not duly nominated in line with the Electoral Act.

Mr Obi was a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the race to the 2023 presidential election but left the party for the LP.

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The chairperson for Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, has said that the commission did not receive any direct funding or cash support from international development partners.

Mr Yakubu said the clarifications became necessary to correct the impression that the commission received funding support from development partners for the 2023 general election.

He spoke on Monday at a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja, as part of the commissions post-election review.

It is necessary to seize this opportunity to correct the impression in some sections of the public that the Commission received huge sums of money from development partners for the election, he said.

Mr Yakubu said it was the commissions policy not to receive direct funding or cash transfers from sources other than the federal government.

According to him, the support received from international partners came in the form of technical advice, civic and voter education, organisation of meetings and capacity-building workshops, as well as the publication of documents.

On the contrary, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Commission did not receive any direct funding or cash support from international development partners. Rather, their support was totally indirect through civil society organisations and implementing partners working on elections.

Indeed, it has been a longstanding policy of the present Commission not to receive direct funding and cash transfers from sources other than the federal government of Nigeria.

Election observer reports

Meanwhile, the INEC chairman said the commission received 538 requests 504 domestic and 34 foreign for accreditation as observers in the build-up to the 2023 elections.

However, only 228 election observer groups fulfilled the requirements and were accredited by the commission, he said.

Out of the 228 groups, only 67 of them have submitted their reports to the commission. They include 62 domestic observer groups and five foreign observer groups, representing only 30 per cent of the accredited groups for the election.

We urge all accredited observer groups that are yet to submit their reports to do so in earnest, he said.

For the 2023 General Election, the Commission received 538 requests (504 domestic and 34 foreign) for accreditation as observers. After a thorough evaluation of the requests, only 228 groups (190 domestic and 38 foreign) met the requirements for accreditation.

Mr Yakubu, therefore, appreciated the CSOs and development partners for their support during the 2023 elections.

Post-election review

The post-election review, which began three weeks ago, focuses on all aspects of the electoral activities before, during and after the polls through introspection, stocktaking, review and evaluation, according to the INEC chairman

This is one of the best ways to continue to improve the electoral process. As I said on several occasions, since we commenced the review meetings three weeks ago, the Commission welcomes diverse opinions about the election insofar as their purpose is to improve the future conduct of elections and to consolidate our democracy, he said.

As part of the review, the commission has met with its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Electoral Officers, and transport union workers.

The commission will meet with political parties on Tuesday, Media editors on Wednesday and the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Friday.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the last election in Adamawa State, Aishatu Dahiru, also known as Binani, on Monday, urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to allow the election petition tribunal sitting in the state to deliver its judgement before the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, is prosecuted.

Ms Dahiru told the judge, Donatus Okorowo, through her counsel, Chiesonu Okpoko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), while adopting the processes filed regarding her suit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Binani had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector-General (IGP) of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

In the suit, the applicant sought the interpretation of Section 144 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and a preservative order seeking the maintenance of the status quo by parties concerning the charges INEC filed against Mr pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

READ ALSO:

INEC had filed six charges against Mr Yunusa-Ari at the Adamawa State High Court in Yola, the state capital after the police concluded their investigations into his illegal declaration of Binani as the winner of the governorship election as of the time the returning officer saddled with the responsibility of making such declaration had yet to conclude collation.

Binanis counsel, Michael Aondoaka, SAN, in the ex-parte motion earlier filed and granted by the court on 10 July, drew the attention of the judge to the fact that a petition was before an Adamawa State Election Petition Tribunal and would be dispensed with within 180 days in accordance with the law.

The court ordered parties to the suit to stay action concerning the matter and fixed today (Monday) for a hearing of the main suit.

Binanis arguments

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Mr Okpoko, who stood in for Binanis lead counsel, Mr Aondoaka, told the judge that Mr Yunusa-Ari, set to be prosecuted for his action concerning the election, is a star witness for the APC candidate at the election petition tribunal.

Mr Okpoko said Mr Yunusa-Ari was being harassed and prevented from giving evidence before the tribunal, which, if allowed to continue, would jeopardise their clients case at the tribunal.

The lawyer prayed the court to restrain the respondents from prosecuting Mr Yunusa-Ari pending the determination of Binanis petition at the tribunal.

He said prosecuting the suspended REC now while Binani is still challenging INECs declaration of Ahmadu Fintiri of PDP as Adamawa State governor after she had earlier been declared winner of the governorship poll might create a likelihood of bias in the decision of the tribunal.

Mr Okpoko further submitted that the applicant was not saying that Mr Yunusa-Ari should not be prosecuted but that INEC and others should wait until the tribunal gave its judgement within the 180 days prescribed by law.

He said the decision of INEC to file charges against any person involved in Binanis declaration as winner of the governorship election on 15 April when the tribunal had yet to determine the petition of their client, would deprive her of Section 285(6) of the law which gives 180 days within which the petition filed on May 6 should be dispensed with.

He said waiting for the tribunals decision would not prejudice parties in the suit.

He then urged the court to halt the prosecution of Mr Yunusa-Ari and uphold their argument.

INECs response

But counsel for INEC, Adebisi Adeniyi, who stood in for the commissions lead counsel. Rotimi Jacobs, a SAN, disagreed with Mr Okpokos submission.

Mr Adeniyi argued that the charges that were filed against the suspended REC were a bailable one that would allow him to give his testimony before the tribunal.

The lawyer said that Binani had not placed anything before the court to show that Mr Yunusa-Ari was listed as a witness for her petition.

Besides, he argued that the applicant had not also shown to the court whether the suspended REC had either been invited, arrested or charged.

The lawyer said judges that would determine the election petition were not robots but were properly trained and experienced professionals and would be guided by law.

According to him, there is no way the prosecution of the suspended REC will affect the plaintiffs petition.

He submitted that if Mr Yunusa-Ari felt strongly about this argument, he was the rightful person to make such an argument before a high court in Adamawa State and not Binani.

Mr Adeniyi, who challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, said the suit ought to have been filed in the state.

But disagreeing with Mr Adeniyi, Mr Okpoko argued that all the respondents in Binanis suit were federal government agencies; hence, the issue of court jurisdiction had no place.

Mr Okorowo adjourned the matter until 13 October for judgment.

Mr Yunusa-Ari had usurped the powers of the INEC Returning Officer in the state to declare Aisha Dahiru, also known as Binani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner of the last governorship election in Adamawa State.

But the Returning Officer would later declare Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election after the proper collation of the results of the supplementary poll held on 15 April.

The main election, which was earlier held on 18 March, was declared inconclusive because a clear winner did not emerge.

INEC announced this month that it had filed six charges at the Adamawa State High Court in Yola, the state capital, against Mr Yunusa-Ari, after the police concluded their investigations into the matter.

The charges filed by INEC triggered the suit Binani filed to have Mr Yunusa-Aris trial suspended till when her election petition is over.

(NAN)

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is currently leading a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to avert a looming industrial action by the association.

The ongoing talks between NARD and the lawmakers are taking place at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Mr Abbas, before moving the meeting into a closed door, assured the doctors that the House is committed to addressing the issues raised by the doctors but begged for understanding and patience.

He said the Bola Tinubu-led administration has yet to settle in or even have ministers in place to run the government.

We equally seek your understanding of the fact that a new administration just came on board and is still in the process of settling down as ministers are yet to assume office, he said.

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Mr Abbas said the House is willing to address the issues raised by the doctors, including the Medical Residency Training Fund, upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and salary arrears dating back to 2015.

He also acknowledged several interventions by the 9th House that have failed to resolve the impasse that often shut down the countrys healthcare sector. He promised that the current leadership of the House would go beyond the steps taken by the current House.

Your decision to meet with the House is an affirmation of your faith and confidence in our capacity to intervene and resolve the lingering issues in dispute.

This is most reassuring owing to the fact that the 9th Assembly had previously intervened in this matter. We hope to even go beyond the steps and actions taken by the previous House to ensure that we find a lasting resolution to the ever-lingering crisis, he said.

The NARD delegation was led by Nnamdi Ndi-Ezuma, its first vice president, while Okokon Udo, a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, represented the executive arm of government.

Industrial actions by resident doctors are a recurring thing in Nigeria. In May, the doctors went on a five-day warning strike and also issued a two-week notification to the government in June.

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, says all sensitive and non-sensitive materials used for the 2023 general election were printed in Nigeria.

Mr Yakubu stated this on Monday in Abuja during the commissions quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the ongoing review of the elections.

I am glad to report that the printing of all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the 2023 General Election was entirely done in Nigeria.

This is the first time in 44 years since the transition to democratic rule in 1979 that this great step was taken and achieved.

This is in spite of the record number of 93.4 million registered voters and over 500 million ballot papers, result sheets and other documents for the five categories of the main elections and supplementary polls.

For this reason, the 2023 General Election was held as scheduled for the first time in the last four electoral cycles without a postponement arising from the non-arrival of materials, Mr Yakubu said.

He added that other recorded positive development in the election include the repeal and re-enactment of the Electoral Act 2010 into the Electoral Act 2022, which allowed INEC to prepare on time.

The chairman said the new act provides 180 days for political parties to conclude their primaries and submit the names of candidates and the political parties for the elections.

This, according to him, also helped INEC to commence the process of producing the election materials in good time.

Furthermore, we were also able to expand voter access to polling units for the first time since the initial delimitation exercise in 1996.

Similarly, we introduced many technology-based innovations, including the physical registration and online pre-registration of voters using the INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED), the various portals for nominating candidates, party agents and the accreditation of observers and the media.

We also collected and published data on the distribution of voters not only by age and occupation but also by disability.

Within the limits of available resources, we also tried to provide such inclusivity materials as braille jackets and magnifying glasses for some categories of voters with disabilities, he said.

Mr Yakubu said that, nevertheless, there were many challenges encountered before and during the elections, including severe cash and fuel situations as well as the perennial insecurity nationwide.

Their impact on our deployment plans, compounded by the behaviour of some of our own officials in the field, made logistics management particularly challenging.

The deployment of thugs by some political actors made election day administration difficult in a number of places, he said.

The chairman said that while voter accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was very successful, the uploading of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), especially for the presidential election, encountered a glitch.

Mr Yakubu said this was explained in the commissions statement released on 26 February, adding that INEC is aware that the matter is currently the subject of litigation; hence the commission would reserve its comments for now.

Nevertheless, the performance of the technology deployed for the election is part of the ongoing review of the 2023 general election.

It will form an integral part of the comprehensive report that will serve as a basis for further engagement with stakeholders focusing on specific actions necessary for the improvement of future elections and electoral activities in Nigeria, he said.

(NAN)

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The former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Peter Okebukola, will on Tuesday deliver the 2023 convocation lecture of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Mr Okebukola, a professor of Science and Computer Education, will speak on the topic: From Tangible to Virtual Reality: Redefining the Nigerian University System.

A statement signed by the universitys Director of Communication and Marketing, Joshua Suleiman, noted that the convocation lecture will be followed by a doctoral hooding ceremony on 26 July.

Other events

The 2023 convocation ceremonies which commenced on 23 July with a programme tagged: Parents Consultative Forums Luncheon, was followed by an event hosted by the alumni of the university, which is themed: Igniting Connections, Fueling Success.

According to the university, though the Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, and the national president of the alumni association, Soji Tayo, sent their apologies for not making the event, other prominent alumni including the popular Nollywood actress, Beverly Osu, and the chief executive officer of Irvin Global and Investment Group, Uzonna Nwangwa, attended the event.

Meanwhile, after the convocation lecture on Tuesday, the university said the doctoral hooding ceremony will hold on the campus while the 2023 best overall graduating students in the postgraduate and undergraduate programmes are also billed to join the vice-chancellor, other principal officers of the university to plant trees as part of the institutions efforts towards saving the environment.

The university said the grand finale of the convocation ceremonies, which will feature the award of degrees and prizes, will hold on Sunday, 30 July.

About Babcock University

Babcock University is one of Nigerias oldest private universities established and operated by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Nigeria.

The faith-based university, had started out as Adventist College of West Africa until 1975 when it was renamed Adventist Seminary of West Africa.

In April 1999, the institution received its licence as one of Nigerias three pioneer private universities.

Today, the university has enrolled more than 12,000 students, boasting of graduates in different fields including Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, who are the founders of Paystack  a financial technology platform.

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The police in Adamawa State, North-east Nigeria on Sunday arrested four people suspected to be members of Boko Haram, over an alleged plot to attack a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

The Atiku Media Office in a statement on Monday claimed the police arrested a suspect identified as Jubrila Mohammed, 29, who confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State. A police spokesperson also confirmed the arrest.

The arrest of the suspect at the residence of the former vice president led to the arrest of his three other alleged accomplices who confessed that they were planning an attack on Atiku and his organisations, the statement claimed.

We wish to alert the Nigerian public that at about 9:44 p.m. on Sunday, 23 July 2023, a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.

The man who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar was later handed over to the police.

Upon further interrogation by the police, the suspect identified himself as a 29-year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.

The suspect also informed the police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.

All four suspects have been handed over to military authorities.

We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation.

We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief, the statement said.

The police spokesperson in the state, Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the arrests of the suspects when reached by our reporter for comment.

Mr Nguroje said the police handed over the suspects to the military for investigation because it (alleged crime) involved terrorism.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 24, SAIC-General Motors (SAIC-GM) Buick brand officially put the new Regal, onto the market. The refreshed model comes with two trim levels, which are priced at 159,800 yuan and 175,800 yuan, respectively.

Photo credit: SAIC-GM

Embracing Buick's latest "PURE Design" philosophy, the new Buick Regal boasts a distinctively stylish front fascia, highlighted by a large starry-styled grille and flanked by wing-like LED headlights, exuding an air of sophistication.

Photo credit: SAIC-GM

Its exterior design reflects smooth contours with an upward-sloping waistline that stretches from the front fender to the rear, complemented by chrome accents on the window frames for an added touch of modernity. To further elevate its appeal, the new Regal is equipped with sleek dual five-spoke wheels and distinctive LED taillights that mimic the design language of the front lights. The rear is enhanced with a ducktail-shaped spoiler and a dual-exhaust system, giving it a strong visual identity.

Photo credit: SAIC-GM

Stepping inside, the interior of the new Regal features a wraparound design, enveloped in generous soft materials, while handcrafted French-style double stitching on the doors and seats exudes a sense of luxury. In addition, the car comes equipped with the eConnect smart infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife, along with the new generation OnStar full-time online assistant.

Under the hood, the 25T Chaoxiang Edition is powered by a 1.5T four-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum output of 124kW and peak torque of 250 Nm. Meanwhile, the 28T Zongxiang Edition is equipped with a 2.0T variable-cylinder turbocharged engine, generating an impressive 174kW of power and a peak torque of 350 Nm. All trims in the lineup are paired with a 9-speed HYDRA-MATIC intelligent transmission for smooth and efficient driving.
Troops of the Nigerian army have again destroyed some camps of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in various parts of Anambra State, South-east Nigeria.

The army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Monday, in Abuja, said the troops killed one IPOB fighter and captured another during separate operations in the state.

Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said the operations were carried out by troops of 302 Regiment operating under 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with Anambra Vigilante Group.

The army spokesperson said the combined team destroyed some of the IPOB and ESN camps in Oroma and Umuewelum Anam, two communities in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state.

The troops raided the identified camps on Sunday 23 July 2023, in an effort to curb the illicit activities of the fighters in the communities, Mr Nwachukwu said, adding that eight brigands were arrested during the operations.

One AK-47 rifle, one AKMS rifle, three Lexus SUVs and two motorcycles were recovered during the operation, according to the army.

Killing, capturing of suspected IPOB members

Mr Nwachukwu said, in a separate operation, the troops raided another IPOB camp at Mmiata Anam, a community in the same Anambra West Local Government Area.

The army spokesperson said the troops neutralised one IPOB fighter, while another was captured alive.

The troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one dane gun and police uniforms, he said.

The army has enjoined the residents of the South-east to continue to support and cooperate with the troops and other security agencies in their fight against insecurity in the region.

Resumed onslaught

The Nigerian army recently resumed onslaught against suspected IPOB members in the South-south and South-east regions of the country.

The latest operation occurred about two days after the troops destroyed another IPOB camp and captured a suspected member in Asaba, Delta, South-south Nigeria.

The troops, six days ago, also killed two suspected IPOB fighters during a shootout with the separatist group, which took place at Fuji Junction in the state.

IPOB, a group seeking the independence State of Biafra, has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions.

The separatist group has, however, denied any involvement in the attacks.

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Ensuring equal access to quality health services without financial hardship is critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). However, Nigeria, Africas most populous country, still has a lot to do to achieve UHC. Over 71 per cent of Nigerians pay for healthcare out of pocket, according to the National Health Accounts, leading to financial hardship for some.

To expand health coverage, state governments across the country started their State Health Insurance Schemes. Their plan was to cover more citizens to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health.

Nasarawa State, in north-central Nigeria, started its health insurance advocacy from the informal sector. These include the aged, vulnerable, persons with disabilities and generally people who dont have any formal employment in the public or private sector. As of December 2022, the state had about 100,000 enrollees under the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA).

Collaborating with the private sector

A major component of strengthening health systems to achieve UHC is through publicprivate partnerships (PPPs). It enables governments to collaborate with the private sector in pooling resources and accessing technical skills to improve the health of the population.

An example of the PPP in achieving UHC in Nasarawa is the fund provided by Christian Aid (CA) to pay premiums for 400 persons across five wards in the Lafia Local Government Area of the state. To implement the project, CA worked with a local organisation called Development Government International Foundation (DGIF), which focuses on the aged, vulnerable and PWDs. Using five approaches, DGIF worked with community leaders and other informal groups to identify the vulnerable people in the community.

Identifying the vulnerable groups

DGIF and NASHIA identified stakeholders by working on three broad themes. The first is capacity building for the community mobilisers on the promotion of health insurance in the community. The second is advocacy and resource mobilization for the enrolment of the poor and vulnerable while the third is the sensitisation of beneficiaries of the Christian Aid adoption and other existing health insurance subsidization programmes e.g BHCPF, on the right health-seeking behaviour and the appropriate use of the health insurance benefits. The third also included modalities involved in getting access to healthcare and advocacy to influential personalities on resource mobilization for the enrolment of the poor and vulnerable people in the community.

In reaction to the financial burden lifted from many people in Lafia, Martha Samuel, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, thanked Christian Aid for their support during her pregnancy till delivery.

The health insurance card has helped me very well because when I was pregnant and it was time for me to deliver. I only paid very small money and I used to collect medicine every week, she said.

Hussaina Atiku, another beneficiary of the programme, narrated how she has battled with a long history of asthma, and how the programme helped finance her medical bills.

I am one of the beneficiaries of this programme. Under this project and with the help of NGN12,000 health insurance, I have been well taken care of, and I still have more services to utilize before the insurance expires. I even went there twice, and they gave me oxygen without paying anything.

Sekinat Sanusi, the programme officer for DGIF, identified that there was minimal access to the political class to secure their buy-in for the adoption model. She said this was due to heightened political engagements in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

In addition, the project sought to engage existing organized community contributory platforms such as Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and cooperative societies towards ensuring these platforms are used to collect premiums. However, there was difficulty in identifying these platforms in the communities where the project was implemented, she said.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, community ownership was put into context in every activity. All community-based activities were championed and coordinated by the Community Resource Persons (CRPs). They were well-informed about the duration of the project from inception and the importance of sustaining the interventions was over-emphasized. Supply-side issues will continuously be addressed at the monthly Ward Development Committee meetings, she said. Also, a good relationship and communication line was formed between the NASHIA team and the community focal person.

Furthermore, the WhatsApp group for the CRPs will remain functional beyond the project duration so that the DGI Foundation and NASHIA teams can receive feedback from the CRPs and guide them accordingly.

It is expected that the provisions in the Vulnerable Group Fund in the recently assented National Health Insurance Authority Act will be a window of opportunity towards ensuring the sustainability of the subsidisation of health insurance for the vulnerable populations in target communities.

This story was produced in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch through the Solution Journalism Network, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems.

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President Bola Tinubu has eulogised the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, Omotayo Olutoye, for her important contributions to the Yoruba language, culture and tradition, saying her works and seminal interventions helped in deepening the knowledge and understanding of Yoruba language.

Mrs Olutoye died recently at 87. She was the wife of Olufemi Olutoye, a retired major general and the Alani of Idoani, in Ondo State and the mother of renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician Olurotimi Olutoye, a professor. She was also the Yeyeluwa of Idoani in the Ose Local Government Area of the state.

President Tinubu expressed his sympathy and condolences to the deceaseds husband, the Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

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The President said, Prof. Omotayo Olutoye, who died recently at 87 made useful contributions to Nigeria and the Yoruba race, and particularly to Yoruba language, culture and tradition.

As the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, her works and interventions helped a great deal in spreading and deepening the knowledge and understanding of the Yoruba Language. Her works have kept the Yoruba language alive and flourishing. Prof. Omotayo Olutoye has etched her name in our memory, and this will remain indelible.

Importantly, a staunch member of the Anglican Communion, Prof. Olutoye also made invaluable contributions to Nigeria by gifting us the renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician, Prof. Olurotimi Olutoye.

I offer my sympathy and condolences to her husband and patriarch of the family, Major General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd), the Alani of Idoani, the entire Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor Oluwarotili Akeredolu, for the loss of the illustrious woman. May Nigeria be blessed with many of the ilk of Prof. Olutoye. May she find comfort in the bosom of the Lord.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

Special Duties, Communications & Strategy

July 24, 2023

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Lagos state authorities must disclose identities of Endsars victims scheduled for mass burial, Amnesty International, an organisation focused on human rights, has said.

Isa Sanusi, the organisations director, in a statement on Monday, said the planned mass burial of 103 endsars victims must be stopped, and an investigation into the killings be carried out to prosecute the perpetrators.

The organisation is responding to a leaked government memo dated 19 July, which was addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health by the states procurement agency.

Leaked memo

On Sunday, a letter from the Lagos State Government Public Procurement Agency titled: Letter of No Objection  Mass Burial for the 103, the Year 2020 ENDSARS victims circulated on the internet for several hours, sparking outrage.

The letter revealed that the state government engaged the services of Messrs Tos Funeral Ltd, a private firm, at the cost of N61,285,000 to bury 103 bodies tagged as Endsars victims.

The Lagos State Government, however, confirmed the leaked memo and maintained that the victims to be buried are not from the controversial Lekki Tollgate shooting.

The shooting of unarmed protesters by soldiers on 20 October 2020 generated controversies, including the number of people killed and injured during the incident.

Although the Nigerian Army initially denied its soldiers shot at the unarmed protesters, the evidence presented by witnesses, including videos, showed that soldiers shot and killed protesters.

AI

The Nigerian authorities must urgently halt their plans to carry out a secret mass burial of #EndSARS victims and instead carry out a thorough and independent investigation into the killings and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials, Mr Sanusi said.

They must also carry out transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the 103 #EndSARS victims and publish their identities and the circumstances of their deaths.

It is appalling that the Lagos state government has not even mentioned that it has held the bodies of 103 #EndSARS victims in its custody since October 2020.

Mr Sanusi further said that all those detained because of their role in the #EndSARS protests must be released immediately.

The Nigerian authorities must also ensure that victims and their families are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation, he said.

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Delivers speech at Clean Energy Ministerial in Goa on sidelines of G20 meeting

on sidelines of G20 meeting Congratulates India and Denmark on gaining momentum with more than 20 early supporters

and on gaining momentum with more than 20 early supporters COP28 President: "The cooling challenge can become a cooling opportunity"

GOA, India, July 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Speaking on the sidelines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial, alongside the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting, COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber urged countries to join the global cooling pledge, a partnership between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the COP28 Presidency, announced earlier in the year.

COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber Delivers speech at Clean Energy Ministerial in Goa on sidelines of G20 meeting

Dr. Al Jaber thanked Dan Jergensen, Minister from Denmark and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology of India for their commitment to being Cool Champions and urged countries to unite and join the pledge.

In close collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), the Global Cooling Pledge aims to expand cooling to protect the most vulnerable communities, especially in the global south, Small Island States and Least Developed Countries, from extreme heat, keep food fresh and vaccines safe.

Earlier in July, the COP28 President Designate announced his approach and plan for COP28 based on an ambitious response to the Global Stocktake and based on 4 pillars: Fast Tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

The initiative provides incentives to governments and all stakeholders to act on sustainable cooling in five areas: nature-based solutions, super-efficient appliances, food and vaccine cold chains, district cooling, and National Cooling Action Plans.

In his remarks, the COP28 President Designate reiterated his commitment to the Pledge, saying "We cannot expand cooling on a business-as-usual basis. Without strong policy action, emissions from the sector will rise between 7 to 10 percent from today. To solve this dilemma, we need a rapid transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling."

He highlighted that the cooling dilemma can provide cooling access to those who need it without undermining the energy transition.

Al Jaber highlighted the plight of the most vulnerable states and cooling as a matter of climate justice, saying: "Food and medicine all depend on cooling. It is a topic of critical importance across climate mitigation and adaptation."

He added: "Cooling is also a matter of climate justice  with heat disproportionately impacting lower-income communities and families."

"In a warming world, sustainable cooling is critical for reducing GHG emissions, protecting against heat stress, enabling productivity, reducing food loss, and enhancing access to healthcare,"

He concluded: "We have a unique opportunity to deliver a significant, collective response to the cooling challenge via the Global Cooling Pledge. This pledge aims to improve energy efficiency and increase access to sustainable cooling. It is gaining momentum with more than 20 early supporters  including India and Denmark. But there is more to be done. I call on all countries to join the Global Cooling Pledge in the lead up to COP28."

Notes to Editors COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action"

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159727/COP28_1.jpg

SOURCE COP28
The National Association for Business Resources honors organizations that score exceptionally in over ten key categories

ROSEMONT, Ill. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has been recognized for its business acumen and human resource practices by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) for a third consecutive year. The "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" awards, both in Chicago and the nation, are bestowed on organizations that achieve top scores in key categories.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has been recognized for its business acumen and human resource practices by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) for a third consecutive year.

Organizations that are honored with these awards are evaluated by an independent research firm on measures related to compensation; benefits and employee solutions; creative wellness and wellbeing solutions; employee enrichment; engagement and retention; employee education and development; recruitment and selection; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity, equity and inclusion; work-life blend; community initiatives and corporate responsibility; and leadership, strategy and company performance.

"Companies that made the list of Best and Brightest Companies to Work For as well as those companies that continue to make the list are truly remarkable. Given today's need for talent, retention of talent, and the further issues related to the pandemic, these companies have proven they are superior to market conditions. They are elite thinkers, and this honor demonstrates their commitment to excellence," said NABR President and CEO Jennifer Kluge.

The judges at the NABR are not the only ones that think AAOS is a top workplace. AAOS staff express their opinions on what makes AAOS the best and brightest:

"AAOS creates an environment where employees are given the freedom to take calculated risks, learn from the results and continue to grow and thrive," said Project Management Office Director Lane Compton .

. "It's the coworkers! We have a diverse team of employees who are brilliant at what they do and everyone truly lives by the TEAM values of Teamwork, Empowerment, Accountability and a Mindset of Growth. AAOS members respect and appreciate staff expertise and enjoy collaborating with staff across various programs and strategic focus areas," said Senior Director of Health Policy Shreyasi Deb.

"When it comes to professional development, AAOS walks the talk. The organization recognizes the importance of employees' professional development from cutting-edge conferences to the tuition reimbursement, I feel empowered to take advantage of the many continuing education opportunities presented at AAOS," said IT Security Engineer Jenna Dunevant , CISSP, M.S.

To view the full list of 2023 Best and Brightest Winners, click here. Visit the AAOS Careers Page to see current open positions and more staff testimonials.

About the AAOS

With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level to best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues; and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

Follow the AAOS on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About the Best and Brightest Programs

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is a powerful community of the Nation's elite leaders who share ideas, leading practices and have proven they are employers of choice. This program identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that led to increased productivity and financial performance. There are numerous regional programs throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Charlotte, Denver, Nashville, Pacific Northwest and nationally.

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
New Packets Up! Advice Aimed at Laundromat Customers

ACI is a Gold Sponsor of #PrevCon2023

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) is convening with hundreds of top safety experts and partners at the Safe Kids Worldwide Childhood Injury Prevention Convention (PrevCon) for four days of conversation focused on preventing unintentional childhood injuries.

As a Gold Sponsor of PrevCon 2023 (July 23-26), ACI will highlight the Packets Up! Campaign. Now in its eleventh year, the Packets Up! effort works to help reduce the number of unintended exposures to liquid laundry packets among children.

During the event, ACI launched a new downloadable flyer that promotes the safe use of liquid laundry packets at the nation's laundromats. The flyer, which provides information in both English and Spanish, reminds consumers to use laundry packets safely while keeping them out of the reach of children.

The flyer is available on ACI's website.

"The American Cleaning Institute and the cleaning products industry are committed to supporting and educating all consumers, parents and caregivers on critical injury prevention measures," said Melissa Hockstad, ACI President & CEO. "We welcome the opportunity to participate in these vital conversations with leaders in the safety space."

Key ACI child-focused safety programs include:

The Packets Up! Campaign, which works to educate parents and caregivers on the proper use and storage of LLPs and other common household cleaners. Visit the campaign website (packetsup.com) or follow the conversation on social media using #PacketsUp to learn more.

The Clean First Steps: A Guide for New Parents toolkit provides easy-to-understand tips and guidance on adjusting moms' and dads' cleaning routines to welcome a new addition to the family. The toolkit includes a safety resource, featuring helpful reminders to ensure all cleaning products are stored properly and safely to prevent accidents in the house.

The Healthy Schools, Healthy People is a joint initiative between ACI and the CDC dedicated to supporting school systems nationwide with tools to help reinforce hand hygiene and cleaning practices to prevent the spread of infectious disease and reduce related absenteeism. Check out the upcoming webinar on Back to School Best Practices.

Follow the conversation on childhood injury prevention on social media at #PrevCon2023.

To learn more about PrevCon, visit: https://prevcon.org/

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI  www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.

Contact: Kristin DiNicolantonio  202.662.2526 (office) 202.809.0836 (mobile)

[email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2160147/ACI_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Cleaning Institute
Meet a 64-year-old San Francisco Uber driver who says switching to a Tesla has saved him more than $1,000 a month on gas and maintenance

A different Tesla being charged. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

64-year-old Uber driver Wesley Johnson started driving a rented Tesla four months ago.

He said he's saving a lot of money on gas and has no plans to turn back.

Johnson also offered tips for Uber drivers looking to make the electric-vehicle switch.

Wesley Johnson, 64, uses the income he earns as a San Francisco Uber driver to offer some financial support to his four children and seven grandchildren. He says switching to a Tesla will help him pull in more money over time by reducing costs.

Johnson is semi-retired but told Insider he drives roughly 40 hours per week for Uber  12 hours Thursday through Saturday, and four hours on Sunday. He's brought in more than $50,000 in revenue over the last year, according to documents viewed by Insider. But being a driver also means paying for gas and vehicle maintenance, which can add up and eat into take-home profits.

These extra expenses are why Johnson  who's completed over 19,000 trips since 2014 and has a 4.96 rating  was intrigued when he heard about Uber's partnership with Hertz earlier this year, which would allow him to rent an electric vehicle. He's been driving a long-range Tesla for the past four months and said he thinks it will make his gig work more profitable.

"I'm going to drive this for a few more years at least," he told Insider.

Big savings on gas and maintenance

Before switching to an EV, Johnson said he was driving a Mercedes S550, which was costing him $455 per month before he paid off the car in June. He also paid $400 per week  or $1,600 per month  to fill up the gas tank. And while gas prices did fall from peaks, he said it wasn't enough to make a material difference.

To compare, Johnson said the Tesla rental from Hertz costs him roughly $50 per week, or $200 a month, to charge. That's a whopping $1,400 less than it cost to power his Mercedes each month.

Johnson said a single charge  which costs him between $11 and $14  can last him over 200 miles, and that he typically only has to do it once when he works his 12-hour days. He said he's also taken advantage of another Uber partnership with EVgo, which provides eligible drivers with discounted charging rates. Uber wants all of its North American vehicles to be electric by 2030.

Story continues

Wesley Johnson, 64, says he's saved roughly $1,400 per month on gas since switching to an electric vehicle. Wesley Johnson

He also cites Uber's zero emissions incentive  which pays him an extra $1 per ride (up to $4,000 per year) until January of 2024  as a financial incentive for driving electric. He said he typically averages about 120 trips per week, which he views as $120 dollars he can use to put towards his rental payment.

"In my mind, I'm only coming out of pocket like a few hundred dollars a week, plus the charge," he said. "That's how I look at it  I take that money to use towards paying for the car."

Another advantage to Hertz's EV program is drivers who rent through the company face no maintenance costs. Johnson drives so much  by his count, he's logged 45,000 in his EV since March  he prefers not to have to worry about the wear and tear he's putting on his vehicle. He recalls spending thousands of dollars repairing his Mercedes in recent years.

But there's a tradeoff to all these savings. Johnson said he pays $410 per week  $1,640 per month  to rent his long-range EV, significantly more than his Mercedes payment. He also hasn't seen a material difference in revenue from Uber rides since he switched to the Tesla. What he's banking on is the cost cuts in other areas combining in the long run to create a net-positive situation.

"For me, it just makes more sense," Johnson said. "You spend a little more money, but at the end of it, it's less mental stress on you about your car breaking down. Stuff happens."

There's another perk that's made driving the EV worth it for Johnson: he said customer tips have been a bit better since he started driving a Tesla.

"Some people, they like the Tesla, that new Tesla feeling. And they say, 'Oh, my first time riding a Tesla,' stuff like that."

Further, some EV rides also have higher fares, which in theory makes it possible for drivers like Johnson to earn more per ride.

What Uber drivers should know before making the EV switch

Johnson has a few tips for any Uber drivers who are considering renting or buying an EV.

First, he said it's important to establish an optimal charging routine.

Johnson said it's less expensive to charge his car during "off-peak hours," and that he tends to charge his vehicle late in the evening as a result, typically when the car's battery is around 20%.

He said charging takes roughly 40 minutes, and that the lengthy charge time is a big reason he opted for the long-range Tesla. This allows him to charge just once per day  ideally at the end of his workday  and avoid cutting into too much of his driving time.

Second, Johnson said drivers should be conscious of where their trips take them. He tries to avoid trips that take him on the freeway, for instance, because the car's battery declines more quickly the faster he drives.

Third, he said drivers should make sure they're willing to drive consistently. Per his Uber-Hertz rental agreement, Johnson said he has to do a minimum of 30 trips per week to keep the car.

Going forward, Johnson said he plans to keep renting his EV for the foreseeable future. In addition to saving money to support his family, he said he has one other goal in mind.

"I would like to have one of these," he said of the Tesla. "I could cut down that $1,600 rental expense that I pay for it. I put money towards saving for one of these."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Airbus partnership extension reaffirms commitment to support Astrocast's SatIoT technology roadmap, reinforcing Astrocast's position as the leading provider of cost-effective and reliable satellite IoT solutions.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astrocast, a leading satellite IoT operator, announces the extension of its partnership with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus), a global leader in the aerospace industry. This partnership enhances the capabilities of satellite Internet of Things (SatIoT) technology. It enables Astrocast to further increase its network capacity to provide the most reliable and cost-effective SatIoT solutions to its customers.

Airbus Extends Partnership with Astrocast to Further Satellite IoT Technology

In recent years, the collaboration between Airbus and Astrocast has been instrumental to Astrocast. Since 2017 this relationship has enabled Astrocast to develop its communication protocol and modem software stack more effectively. This forms a core part of Astocast's wider SatIoT technology. In building upon this successful collaboration, both companies have agreed to extend their partnership. Airbus will continue to provide extensive support to Astrocast, focusing on further enhancing both the Bandwidth and the Quality of Service.

The reliability and quality of Astrocast's SatIoT connectivity is already well recognized by the market since its commercial launch in 2022. Many organisations are currently benefiting from it. This includes the EU's CiRROCCO initiative, the EU's XGain initiative, and the likes of Avirtech, Digitanimal and ArrowSpot, to mention a few. Through this partnership with Airbus, Astrocast expects to continue capitalising on their shared technological successes and further enhance SatIoT Bandwidth and Quality of Service for all customers. This will allow them to benefit from a continuous improvement of data transmission capacity, efficiency, latency and security. Customers will, in turn, be able to further optimize their operational efficiency according to their needs.

"Through this partnership extension, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to Astrocast's technology roadmap and its leadership in the SatIoT space. This collaboration also lays the important foundation for potential convergences with the future 5G NTN IoT communications standards that are currently in discussion for LEO constellations. In time, these enhanced capabilities for collecting and exchanging critical data with IoT assets from multiple applications will benefit users across various key industries worldwide. Astrocast is not only poised to address these challenges, its roadmap is designed to take them head on for the industry. Therefore, we're excited about working together and achieving more success," says Francois Gaullier - SVP Telecommunications and Navigation Systems - Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.

"We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Airbus and leverage its unique expertise in advanced satellite IoT technology," says Fabien Jordan, CEO of Astrocast." This collaboration reinforces our commitment to continuing to provide our customers with the most reliable and efficient SatIoT connectivity solutions on the market. With Airbus's support, we will further solidify Astrocast's position as the go-to satellite IoT operator."

This extended partnership between Airbus and Astrocast strengthens the strategic technology collaboration between the two companies, and will bring critical benefits to their customers, and the SatIoT sector. It exemplifies Astrocast's strong commitment to its customers -- and continuous enhancement of its core technologies, that continue providing end-users the most reliable and cost-effective SatIoT solutions on the market today. Furthermore, it underscores the strong confidence Airbus places in Astrocast's capabilities, as they work together to jointly push the boundaries of satellite IoT.

About Astrocast

Astrocast SA operates a leading global nanosatellite IoT network, offering services in industries such as Agriculture & Livestock, Maritime, Environment & Utilities to name a few. The Astrocast network enables companies to monitor, track, and communicate with remote assets from anywhere in the world. It relies on superior L-band spectrum through a strategic alliance with Thuraya. In partnership with Airbus, CEA/LETI and ESA, Astrocast developed Astronode S, an ultra-low power and miniaturised module compatible with inexpensive L-band patch antennas. Founded in 2014 by a renowned team of experts, Astrocast develops and tests all its products in-house, from the satellites to the modules. Astrocast is listed on Euronext Growth Oslo.

For more information visit astrocast.com

Media Contact

Fatima Vigil

[email protected]

David Mieny / Kim Renton

[email protected]

+44 (0)1296 733867

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SOURCE Astrocast
ST. LAWRENCE, NL, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rudolph de Bruin, Chairman of the Board of Canada Fluorspar, is delighted to announce that Mr. Eben Visser has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Canada Fluorspar, effective immediately.

Mr. Visser is a highly experienced mining executive having spent his earlier career with several world-class mining and mining-contiguous organizations, including the DRA group of companies, where he supported, and project managed several important global mining initiatives. Most recently, Mr. Visser held senior positions with Treasury Metals Inc., Toronto, and Vital Metals Limited, Toronto. Mr. Visser has led EPC and EPCM project teams responsible for the construction of metallurgical and logistical facilities in Africa, India, Canada, USA, and South America.

Mr. Visser is an experienced mechanical engineer with global metallurgical plant construction and commissioning experience. He is a permanent resident of Canada and holds a B.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering) from the University of Pretoria (South Africa). He also holds a post-graduate diploma in Advanced Project Management (APM) and is a registered Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute.

In welcoming Mr. Visser to Canada Fluorspar, Mr. de Bruin said: "Canada Fluorspar operates on a world-class ore body. The objective of AMED Capital, the holding company of Canada Fluorspar, is to deliver against its undertakings to the Government of Canada, the Province of Newfoundland, the employees of Canada Fluorspar as well as the communities surrounding the mine through world class technical leadership. The appointment of Mr Visser as CEO of Canada Fluorspar is an important step towards the achievement of that objective. We are therefore very pleased that Eben decided to join us on our journey to become a world-class player in the global fluorspar market."

"I am excited to be joining Canada Fluorspar at such an early stage of its growth", said Eben Visser. "I look forward to leveraging my background in project development and operations to build a world class team and help it achieve its full potential".

Media Contact: Willem Jacobs, [email protected].com

SOURCE AMED Funds
Aptitude partners with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to accelerate the commercialization of the Metrix Multiplex STI panel for Point-of-Care and Over-the-Counter use. This product will transform access to critical diagnostic information in the domestic market and in Low and Middle Income Countries.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptitude Medical Systems has been awarded a significant grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop point-of-care diagnostic tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). This funding is pivotal for tackling the global public health challenges posed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly in low- to middle-income countries.

The Metrix STI panel is being developed to enable anyone to test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis, all at once, on the spot, in the clinic or in the home and get the treatment they need right away.

The MetrixTM platform from Aptitude, one of only four platforms to have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for an over-the-counter COVID-19 molecular test, showcases the platform's potential for user-friendly, effective diagnostic solutions, irrespective of an individual's training level.

Scott Ferguson, CEO of Aptitude Medical Systems, said: "This generous funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation endorses the promising capabilities of our Metrix platform and will achieve a truly meaningful public health impact. The platform's proven over-the-counter, user-friendly interface paves the way for a new generation of diagnostics that solves access to critical health information - not only in the U.S. but especially globally where transforming health equity demands a disruptive solution."

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the critical need for accessible, rapid diagnostic tools and the role innovation plays in meeting these demands. With this award, Aptitude can extend its significant work from COVID-19 diagnostics to STIs, a significant global public health issue. "We aim to empower individuals to take control of their health with prompt, reliable, inexpensive diagnostic tools," said Kevin Nichols, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Aptitude. "Imagine the capability to directly detect and reflex to the right treatment for most pervasive and threatening STIs - directly in a doctor's office, clinic, pharmacy or at home. The development of these point-of-care tests for STIs represents a significant step in democratizing diagnostics, making healthcare more equitable across all socio-economic levels."

Aptitude Medical Systems is committed to revolutionizing healthcare through innovative diagnostic solutions. The company's mission is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to all.

To learn more, visit www.aptitudemedical.com, and follow Aptitude on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Aptitude Medical Systems, Inc.
The inaugural hire of the Arden at Indian Land community in the greater Charlotte, NC Area marks additional growth for the property management company and kicks off the construction of the new community, opening in 2024.

INDIAN LAND, N.C., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arden at Indian Land, the first and only "55 and better" apartment rental community under construction in Indian Land, South Carolina, welcomes Rachel Lowery as the inaugural community manager. Lowery joins the operations team and brings her 6 years of experience in the multifamily housing industry, as well as her personal interest and educational background in Gerontology, the study of aging, to Arden.

"As we continue to grow Arden in the North Carolina market, we sought a best-in-class community manager with the perfect combination of experience, compassion, and customer service," said Jim Lindsey, Managing Partner of Arden. "With Rachel leading the community, we can build an innovative team that will keep our vision of empowering lives through community at the forefront of our daily operations, and provide a welcoming environment for those 55+ to continue living their vibrant lives in.."

Arden began the search for a community manager when construction began for Arden at Indian Landthe first of four Arden communities to be built in the greater Charlotte area within the next few years. Hiring Lowery is the first step of multiple hires.

"The culture at Arden, specifically the inclusivity aspect, is inspiring," said Lowery. "I've never seen a property management company that goes so far above and beyond to give back to the community and shows consideration for residents, neighbors, and employees alikeI'm excited to be part of it as the community manager for this brand new community and property management company."

Lowery's love of learning, growth mindset, and managerial experience will serve her well within Arden's culture of curiosity and continual improvement. Her compassion coupled with professionalism and proactiveness will aid her in building a successful team and community, as well as creating beneficial relationships with residents, prospects, and local businesses partnerships, through the Indian Land Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Land Rotary Club among others.

Lowery, a Charlotte native, will also be tasked with building a solid sense of community and creating a strong team culture through the new team members she hires.

The U.S. active adult (55+) community market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.02% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 805.0 billion by 2030.1 As seniors in the Southeast U.S. seek out purpose from their communities, it's become vital to allow residents to cultivate a lifestyle all their own. Through offering a better life with amenities, activities, and options that appeal to "55 and better" active adults, Arden continues to grow, most recently with Arden at Indian Land.

Pre-leasing has officially started at Arden at Indian Land, with move-ins expected to begin in February of 2024. The information center, located onsite at 9885 Harrisburg Road, Indian Land, SC 29707, is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm to meet with you in person and help answer questions. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.

In addition to Arden at Indian Land, three more Arden communities are planned for the Charlotte area, along with plans for communities in the greater Raleigh, NC, Charleston, SC, Nashville, TN, and Savannah, GA metros. For businesses interested in partnering with us to provide top-notch services for our 55+ community residents, please reach out directly [email protected].

About Arden at Indian Land

Arden at Indian Land is a new 55+ community under construction in the greater Charlotte, NC area, offering 128 units to active adultsthe first and only of its kind in Indian Land, SC. Arden at Indian Land is wholly owned and operated by Arden, founded in 2020, which is dedicated to empowering residents' lives through possibility, inclusivity, and accessibility for those seeking to be part of an engaged and 55+ active living community. For more information, visit www.ardenatindianland.com/

1 https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-active-adult-community-market

SOURCE Arden
Total passenger traffic in 2Q23 increased 3.5% YoY

MEXICO CITY, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR) (ASUR), a leading international airport group with operations in Mexico, the U.S., and Colombia, today announced results for the three- and six-month month periods ended June 30, 2023.

2Q23 Highlights1

Total passenger traffic increased 3.5% compared to 2Q22. By country of operations, 2Q23 passenger traffic showed the following YoY variations:

Mexico : increased by 9.0%, reflecting increases of 16.5% and 2.5% in domestic and international traffic, respectively.

: increased by 9.0%, reflecting increases of 16.5% and 2.5% in domestic and international traffic, respectively.

Puerto Rico (Aerostar) : increased by 14.9%, resulting from increases of 12.1% and 44.1% in domestic and international traffic, respectively.

: increased by 14.9%, resulting from increases of 12.1% and 44.1% in domestic and international traffic, respectively.

Colombia (Airplan) : decreased 17.5%, with declines of 20.3% and 3.5% in domestic and international traffic, respectively, mainly reflecting the suspension of operations of Viva Air and Ultra Air in 1Q23.

: decreased 17.5%, with declines of 20.3% and 3.5% in domestic and international traffic, respectively, mainly reflecting the suspension of operations of Viva Air and Ultra Air in 1Q23. Revenues declined 2.6% year-over-year to Ps.6,156.4 million. Excluding construction revenue, revenue increased 5.2% compared to 2Q22.

Consolidated commercial revenue per passenger reached Ps.122.3 million.

Consolidated EBITDA increased 3.0% year-over-year to Ps.4,160.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA margin (excluding the effect of IFRIC 12) declined to 69.1% from 70.5% in 2Q22.

Cash position of Ps.14,474.0 million, with Net Debt to EBITDA LTM ratio of negative 0.1x.

Table 1: Financial & Operational Highlights 1



Second Quarter % Chg

2022 2023 Financial Highlights





Total Revenue 6,319,709 6,156,443 (2.6) Mexico 4,557,925 4,541,133 (0.4) San Juan 1,065,470 1,036,616 (2.7) Colombia 696,314 578,694 (16.9) Commercial Revenues per PAX 119.6 122.3 2.3 Mexico 142.8 141.7 (0.8) San Juan 159.0 146.4 (7.9) Colombia 39.7 40.7 2.5 EBITDA 4,040,629 4,160,306 3.0 Net Income 2,844,469 2,649,413 (6.9) Majority Net Income 2,661,548 2,444,711 (8.1) Earnings per Share (in pesos) 8.8718 8.1490 (8.1) Earnings per ADS (in US$) 5.1774 4.7556 (8.1) Capex 436,865 152,927 (65.0) Cash & Cash Equivalents 7,331,083 14,474,035 97.4 Net Debt 5,047,003 (1,326,708.00) n/a Net Debt/ LTM EBITDA 0.4 (0.1) n/a Operational Highlights





Passenger Traffic





Mexico 9,817,127 10,697,831 9.0 San Juan 2,783,495 3,198,859 14.9 Colombia 4,106,959 3,389,611 (17.5)



1 Unless otherwise stated, all financial figures discussed in this press release are unaudited, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and represent comparisons between the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, and the equivalent three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2022. All figures in this report are expressed in Mexican pesos, unless otherwise noted. Tables state figures in thousands of Mexican pesos, unless otherwise noted. Passenger figures for Mexico and Colombia exclude transit and general aviation passengers, unless otherwise noted. Commercial revenues include revenues from non-permanent ground transportation and parking lots. All U.S. dollar figures are calculated at the exchange rate of US$1.00 = Mexican Ps. 17.1358 (source: Diario Oficial de la Federacion de Mexico), while Colombian peso figures are calculated at the exchange rate of COP243.4300 = Mexican Ps.1.00 (source: Investing). Definitions for EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Majority Net Income can be found on page 17 of this report.

2Q23 Earnings Call

Date & Time: Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 10:00 AM US ET; 8:00 AM Mexico City Time

Dial-in: 1-877-407-4018 (U.S. Toll-Free) 1-201-689-8471 (International)

Access Code: 13740169

Replay: Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM US ET, ending at 11:59 PM US ET on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Dial in: 1-844-512-2921 (Toll-Free) 1-412-317-6671 (International). Access Code: 13740169

For a full version of ASUR's Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Release, please visit: https://www.asur.com.mx/informacion-financiera-page-0

Definitions

Concession Services Agreements (IFRIC 12 interpretation). In Mexico and Puerto Rico, ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line, "Construction Revenues," reflecting the revenue from construction or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services. Because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Costs have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, the amount of Construction Revenues does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA Margin. In Colombia, "Construction Revenues" include the recognition of the revenue to which the concessionaire is entitled for carrying out the infrastructure works in the development of the concession, while "Construction Costs" represents the actual costs incurred in the execution of such additions or improvements to the concessioned assets.

Majority Net Income reflects ASUR's equity interests in each of its subsidiaries and therefore excludes the 40% interest in Aerostar that is owned by other shareholders. Other than Aerostar, ASUR owns (directly or indirectly) 100% of its subsidiaries.

EBITDA means net income before provision for taxes, deferred taxes, profit sharing, non-ordinary items, participation in the results of associates, comprehensive financing cost, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow as an indicator of liquidity. Our management believes that EBITDA provides a useful measure that is widely used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance and compare it with other companies. EBITDA is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by total revenues excluding construction services revenues for Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia and excludes the effect of IFRIC 12 with respect to the construction or improvements to concessioned assets. ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line reflecting the revenue from construction or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services. In Mexico and Puerto Rico, because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Costs have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, the amount of Construction Revenues does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA Margin, as the increase in revenues that relates to Construction Revenues does not result in a corresponding increase in EBITDA. In Colombia, construction revenues do have an impact on EBITDA, as construction revenues include a reasonable margin over the actual cost of construction. Like EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be considered as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow as an indicator of liquidity and is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies.

About ASUR

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a leading international airport operator with a portfolio of concessions to operate, maintain, and develop 16 airports in the Americas. These comprise nine airports in southeast Mexico, including Cancun Airport, the most important tourist destination in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and six airports in northern Colombia, including Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (Rionegro), the second busiest airport in Colombia. ASUR is also a 60% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport serving the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. San Juan's Airport is the island's primary gateway for international and mainland-US destinations and was the first and currently the only major airport in the US to have successfully completed a publicprivate partnership under the FAA Pilot Program. Headquartered in Mexico, ASUR is listed both on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR. One ADS represents ten (10) series B shares. For more information, visit www.asur.com.mx

Analyst Coverage

In accordance with Article 4.033.01 of the Mexican Stock Exchange Internal Rules, ASUR reports that the stock is covered by the following broker-dealers: Actinver, Banorte, Barclays, BBVA Bancomer, Bradesco, BTG Pactual, Citi Global Markets, Credit Suisse, GBM Grupo Bursatil, Goldman Sachs, HSBC Securities, Insight Investment Research, Intercam, Itau BBA Securities, JP Morgan, Nau Securities, Punto Research, Santander, Scotiabank, Signum Research, UBS Casa de Bolsa and Vector.

Please note that any opinions, estimates or forecasts with respect to the performance of ASUR issued by these analysts reflect their own views, and therefore do not represent the opinions, estimates or forecasts of ASUR or its management. Although ASUR may refer to or distribute such statements, this does not imply that ASUR agrees with or endorses any information, conclusions or recommendations included therein.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release discuss future expectations or state other forward-looking information. Those statements are subject to risks identified in this press release and in ASUR's filings with the SEC. Actual developments could differ significantly from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economic conditions and the travel industry, as well as on the business and results of operations of the Company in particular, is expected to be material, and, as conditions are changing rapidly, is difficult to predict. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required by applicable law, we do not have an obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise.

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.
The global automotive power electronics market is driven by factors such as rise in demands for electric vehicles, increasing trend for electrification across the automotive industry, and government regulations for vehicle safety systems.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Automotive Power Electronics Market by Device (Power IC, Module/Discrete), by Application (Chassis & Powertrain, Safety & Security System, Infotainment & Telematics, and Body Electronics), by Drive Type (IC engine vehicle and Electric vehicle): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global automotive power electronics market was valued at $4,990.7 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $8,051.3 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4285

Prime determinants of growth

The global automotive power electronics market is driven by factors such as rise in demands for electric vehicles, increasing trend for electrification across the automotive industry, and government regulations for vehicle safety systems. However, high investment cost, and high infrastructure requirement are hampering the growth of the automotive power electronics Market. On the contrary, rise in demand for high efficiency electronic components, rise in advancements in autonomous driving technologies, and rise in demands for connected cars are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the automotive power electronics market during the forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $5.0 billion Market Size in 2032 $8.1 billion CAGR 5.1 % No. of Pages in Report 283 Segments Covered Device, Application, Drive type, and Region Drivers Rise in demands for electric vehicles Increasing trend for electrification across the automotive industry Government regulations for vehicle safety systems Opportunities Rise in demand for high efficiency electronic components Rise in advancements in autonomous driving technologies Rise in demands for connected cars Restraints High investment cost High infrastructure requirement

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Automakers and suppliers temporarily closed their factories to protect workers and comply with government regulations. This led to significant production delays and losses, resulting in lower sales and revenue for the industry.

The pandemic led to reduced demand for vehicles, as consumers were hesitant to purchase new cars due to economic uncertainty.

In addition, governments in many countries-imposed lockdowns and restrictions, which reduced public travel, thereby reducing the need for personal vehicles.

Procure Complete Research Report (Actionable Insights) Now - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/automotive-power-electronics-market/purchase-options

The Power IC segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on device, the power IC segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global automotive power electronics market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The power integrated circuits (ICs) play a vital role in automotive applications since they are used for a variety of power control and management tasks. Power integrated circuits (ICs) are used in the automotive industry to manage motor control, power distribution, and other related tasks. Significant breakthroughs in automotive applications include the use of wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide. These materials are better at monitoring and minimizing power losses, changing speeds, and providing greater thermal tolerances. However, the module/discrete segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.3% from 2022 to 2031.

The Infotainment and Telematics segment to witness the fastest growth throughout the forecast period

Based on application, the others segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global automotive power electronics market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Companies operating in the industry have been inclined towards offering an increased product range of automotive power electronic components in vehicles which created a wider scope for the growth of the market across the globe. Developments have been carried out by the key players operating in the industry which creates a wider scope for the growth of the market across the globe. However, the infotainment and telematics segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2031.

The ICE vehicle segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on drive type, the ICE vehicle segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for around two-thirds of the global automotive power electronics market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Power electronics are used in almost every system in one form or another. Power electronics drives any device that requires an electrical power input, converting one form of electric energy - whether AC or DC - into another. A variety of power systems have been created and developed to meet the voltage, power, and reliability needs of various applications. MOSFETs, for example, are employed in a variety of applications such as switching power supply, power converters, motor control, and voltage regulators. Modern IC engine vehicles often employ electronic fuel injection systems for precise fuel delivery. However, the electric vehicle segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.6% from 2022 to 2031.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global automotive power electronics market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The North American region is expected to show prominent growth in the automotive power electronics market in the North American region. The region is known to be the home for automotive developments. Tesla Inc., a company which primary deals in the design and manufacturing of electric vehicles was founded in this region. It is also home to market players such as BorgWarner Inc., which is on the forefront in acquiring businesses to expand their market presence. However, the LAMEA region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.1% from 2022 to 2031.

Interested to Procure the Research Report? Inquire Before Buying - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4285

Leading Market Players: -

BorgWarner Inc.

Continental AG

Danfoss A/S

Denso Corporation

Infineon Technologies AG

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

NXP Semiconductors

ON Semiconductors

Renesas Electronics Corporation

Robert Bosch

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global automotive power electronics market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Similar Reports We Have on Automotive Industry:

United States Automotive Power Electronics Market Report 2023-2035

China Automotive Power Electronics Market Report 2023-2035

Japan Automotive Power Electronics Market Report 2023-2035

South Korea Automotive Power Electronics Market Report 2023-2035

Asia-Pacific Automotive Power Electronics Market Report 2023-2035

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Research Reports: Automotive Research Reports

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Innovative Minds Driving Healthcare: B Medical Spa Scholarship for Medical Students

SAN DIEGO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- B Medical Spa and Wellness Center, a venerated wellness center committed to empowering patients on their path to holistic well-being, proudly announces the inauguration of the "B Medical Spa Scholarship for Medical Students." This exclusive scholarship, offering a one-time award of $1,000, is designed to recognize and support exceptional medical students, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders. As the application deadline approaches on December 15, 2023, the winner will be revealed on January 15, 2024, following a rigorous evaluation by a panel of esteemed healthcare professionals.

The scholarship beckons ambitious medical students currently pursuing degrees at distinguished universities within the United States to showcase their dedication to the field. Eligible applicants are invited to demonstrate their passion for elevating patient care and propose innovative strategies to address pressing healthcare issues in a compelling essay of under 1000 words.

Named in honor of the esteemed Dr. Nadine Haddad, MD, the Medical Director and Owner of B Medical Spa and Wellness Center, this scholarship embodies a commitment to ethical medical practice, whole-body wellness, and fostering open communication with patients.

"We firmly believe that investing in the education of future healthcare professionals is not only paramount to advancing patient outcomes but also integral to the progress of the entire healthcare sector," remarked Dr. Nadine Haddad.

Medical students meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to submit their essays through the official website at https://bmedicalspascholarship.com/b-medical-spa-scholarship/.

The selected recipient of the B Medical Spa Scholarship for Medical Students will be granted a one-time financial award of $1,000, alleviating the financial constraints often associated with medical education. The recipient's announcement on January 15, 2024, will herald the celebration of brilliance, dedication, and the promise of a brighter future for healthcare.

About B Medical Spa:

B Medical Spa, located in San Diego, CA, is an esteemed wellness center passionately committed to empowering patients on their journey to holistic well-being. Under the distinguished leadership of Dr. Nadine Haddad, MD, the medical spa upholds the highest standards of ethics and excellence in medical practice. With a comprehensive array of innovative treatments and services, B Medical Spa aims to enhance the health and confidence of every patient.

SOURCE B Medical Spa
BUENOS AIRES, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. (NYSE; BYMA; MAE: BBAR; LATIBEX: XBBAR) announced today the approval of dividend payment

The Shareholders of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. are hereby notified that in accordance with the resolutions of the General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting held on April 28, 2023, the authorization of the Argentine Financial and Exchange Institutions Authority of the Argentine Central Bank obtained on May 31, 2023 and the Board of Directors' meeting held on June 7, 2023, the shares of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A., the Bank will proceed to make available and pay to its existing shareholders on the Bank's share register, as of August 3, 2023 ("Cut-Off Date") of Installment 3, as of August 8, 2023 ("Payment Date"), a dividend, by means of the delivery of:

Payment in Kind: Up to 8,254,072,169 par value of the National Treasury Bill in Pesos Adjusted by CER at a discount due November 23, 2023 (ISIN ARARGE520DT9) Ticker X23N3 (CV code 9197) at a ratio of par value 13.4714156856 of the above mentioned security for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value, which represents 1370.99 % of the capital stock of Ps. 612,710,079. Fractions of less than 1 will be settled in Pesos; or Cash option: Up to Ps. 8,400,169,246.50 at a ratio of Ps. 13.7098597435 for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value.

Payments will be made in kind, except for those shareholders who expressly elect to receive their dividend in cash in Argentine pesos. The final amounts of the nominal values or pesos detailed in items (i) and (ii) above will depend on the exercise of the option of payment in pesos.

General terms and conditions of dividend payment

Payment date: August 8

Cut-off date: August 3

Those shareholders who hold their shares in the Shareholders Registry kept by Caja de Valores S.A. on behalf of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. should contact such entity at the e-mail address [email protected] to obtain information on the procedure applicable for the purpose of disposing of the securities as dividends in kind.

It is expressly stated that the Shareholders holdings recorded as of the Cut-Off Date for each installment will be the only ones taken into account for purposes of the payment of the declared dividend. Notices given by those who are not holders of shares of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. as of the Cut-Off Date shall be deemed not to have been submitted and shall be null and void.

Cash payment option

Those shareholders who wish to receive their dividend in Argentine pesos must send a written notice, signed by the holder of the shares, from July 24 through August 3, 2023, inclusive, on business days within said period, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. at the following e-mail address: [email protected], or to Reconquista 199 EP, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, C/O Ezequiel Serra. The option will be valid exclusively for this installment. Those shareholders who hold their shares in a Caja de Valores depositary must send such notice through their custodian agent, detailing ownership and account number. The resulting funds will be wired to the bank account informed by their agent.

Such option may not be partially exercised, and will apply to the total of the shareholder's position as of the cut-off date.

The dividend will be made available through Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Av. Cordoba 111, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

Payment in Kind

The dividend will be made available as from the date indicated above, through Caja de Valores S.A., located at 25 de Mayo 362, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, on business days from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where the required formalities must be complied with and settlements will be made in accordance with the regulatory deadlines.

American Depositary Shares (ADSs)

Holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) will receive payment through the depository bank, Bank of New York Mellon, as of the date resulting from the application of the rules in force in the jurisdiction where Banco BBVA Argentina S.A.'s ADSs are listed. In this regard, the cut-off and/or payment dates may differ from those reported herein.

Tax withholdings

From the distribution of dividends, the amounts duly paid by Banco BBVA Argentina S.A., in its capacity as Substitute Obligor for the Personal Property Tax corresponding to the periods 2021 and 2022 of Shareholders who have been subject to such tax, shall be deducted, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of the last paragraph of section incorporated by Law No. 26,452 after section 25 of Law No. 23,966.

It is also informed that such payment is subject to the 7% withholding established in article 97 of the Income Tax Law, text as amended in 2019 (provided that the beneficiaries of the dividends are individuals and undivided estates resident in the country and beneficiaries abroad) but will not be subject to the 35% withholding established in article 74 of the Income Tax Law, text as amended in 2019". For those shareholders included in the law, a ratio of nominal value 12.5284165876 of the mentioned security will be taken for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value, and in case of option in Argentine pesos to a ratio of value Ps. 12.7501695614.- for each Company share of $ 1 par value.

Investor Relations contact

[email protected].com

SOURCE Banco BBVA Argentina S.A.
The New Twist on Champagne - Complete with Bathtubs, Bubbles, and Rubber Duckies - Flows into the Restaurant July 30th

Bubbles Brunch To Be Offered Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Ponce City Market Restaurant

ATLANTA, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta's premier vegan bar, owned by restauranteur and entrepreneur Pinky Cole, announces the arrival of their newest brunch experience, Bubbles Brunch. Launching Sunday, July 30, 2023, Bubbles gives 'champagne on ice' new meaning with a taste of the brand's notorious cocktail theater. Offering guests champagne bottles in a theatrical bubble bath presentation, the new brunch is an entertaining experience complete with instagrammable moments.

Bubbles Brunch; Photo credit: Bar Vegan

Bar Vegan's Sunday brunch has been a staple in Atlanta since their 2021 spring opening. Bubble Brunch will give guests a new bottle service experience with dry ice, rubber duckies and literal 'bubble baths' to pair with the celebrated vegan brunch cuisine. From fluffy, made-from-scratch vegan pancakes to savory house favorites like the Fried Chik'n Sandwich, this new brunch is accompanied by a menu selection that vegan and non-vegan foodies will enjoy.

"Sunday brunch is a weekend escape, which is why we're so excited to be taking brunch to the next level with a truly weekend-worthy experience," says Christi Mason, Slutty Vegan, Inc. Chief Marketing Officer. "Bubbles Brunch highlights brands like LVMH and ASAP Rocky's Mercer + Prince, offering a tiered menu of champagne options and delectable cocktails that are true to the Bar Vegan brand."

About Bar Vegan

Bar Vegan is Atlanta's go-to dining destination for exceptional plant-based cuisine and state of the art crafted cocktails. Established in 2021, the brand's mission is to create inviting and inclusive spaces for guests to discover the deliciousness vegan cuisine has to offer. Committed to gastronomic excellence, ethical sourcing, and sustainability, Bar Vegan aims to change the perception of vegan dining one incredible meal at a time. It doesn't stop there. Each one of the drinks at Bar vegan is skillfully curated with both flavors and presentations aimed to please - from traditional cocktails to drinks that come in a fire extinguisher or Ferris wheel.

Contact: Christi Mason, [email protected]

SOURCE Bar Vegan
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. and BENGALURU, India, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd (BSE code: 532523, NSE: BIOCON), today announced that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion recommending approval of YESAFILI, an aflibercept biosimilar.

YESAFILI, an ophthalmology product, is intended for the treatment of neovascular (wet AMD) age-related macular degeneration, visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO), visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) and visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV). It is highly similar to the reference product Eylea (aflibercept). Data shows that YESAFILI has comparable quality, safety, and efficacy to Eylea.

"This is further confirmation of our strong commitment to providing high-quality and affordable medicines." Tweet this

The CHMP positive opinion will be considered by the European Commission. The European Commission decision on the approval is expected by the end of September 2023.

Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director, Biocon Biologics Ltd, said: "We are very pleased to receive a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for our YESAFILI biosimilar. This is further confirmation of our strong commitment to providing high-quality and affordable medicines and represents another significant milestone as we continue to expand our biosimilar offerings across the globe, building on our robust presence in oncology and diabetes. We look forward to making a meaningful difference to patients in the EU impacted by macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy through YESAFILI."

Aflibercept had EU brand sales of approximately $1.8B for the 12 months ending December 31, 2022, according to IQVIA.

Detailed recommendations for the use of this product will be described in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC), which will be published in the European public assessment report (EPAR) and made available in all official European Union languages after the marketing authorisation has been granted by the European Commission.

Aflibercept is a fusion protein consisting of portions of human VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) receptors 1 and 2 extracellular domains fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1 and produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by recombinant DNA technology.

YESAFILI is registered trademark of a BBL company.

About Biocon Biologics Limited:

Biocon Biologics Ltd. (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd., is a unique, fully integrated, global biosimilars company committed to transforming healthcare and transforming lives by enabling affordable access to high quality biosimilars for millions of patients worldwide. It is leveraging cutting-edge science, innovative tech platforms, global scale manufacturing capabilities and world-class quality systems to lower costs of biological therapeutics while improving healthcare outcomes.

BBL has acquired the global biosimilars business of its long-standing partner Viatris, which is a historic milestone in its value creation journey. Biocon Biologics has commercialized eight biosimilars in key emerging markets and advanced markets like U.S., EU, Australia, Canada, Japan.

The Company has a pipeline of 20 biosimilar assets across diabetology, oncology, immunology, and other non-communicable diseases. It has many 'firsts' to its credit in the biosimilars industry. As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment, BBL is advancing the health of patients, people, and the planet to achieve key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Website: www.bioconbiologics.com ; Follow us on Twitter: @BioconBiologics for company updates.

Biocon Limited, publicly listed in 2004, (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company committed to enhance affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune. It has developed and commercialized novel biologics, biosimilars, and complex small molecule APIs in India and several key global markets as well as Generic Formulations in the US, Europe & key emerging markets. It also has a pipeline of promising novel assets in immunotherapy under development. Website: www.biocon.com; Follow-us on Twitter: @bioconlimited for company updates.

Forward-Looking Statements: Biocon

This press release may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Biocon and its subsidiaries/ associates. These forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, amongst other: general economic and business conditions in India and overseas, our ability to successfully implement our strategy, our research and development efforts, our growth and expansion plans and technological changes, changes in the value of the Rupee and other currency changes, changes in the Indian and international interest rates, change in laws and regulations that apply to the Indian and global biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, increasing competition in and the conditions of the Indian and global biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, changes in political conditions in India and changes in the foreign exchange control regulations in India. Neither Biocon, nor our Directors, or any of our subsidiaries/associates assume any obligation to update any particular forward-looking statement contained in this release.

SOURCE Biocon Biologics Ltd.
Firefighters rescue three hikers on Flagstaff trail

The Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) helped three hikers off Elden Lookout Trail on Sunday.

When the initial call came, according to FFD, paramedics were told there were two hikers potentially suffering from heat exhaustion. Those hikers had been making their way down the mountain when they called for help.

Deputies from the Coconino County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) also responded to assist.

On their way up to help the first two hikers, paramedics came across another person who was showing signs of heat exhaustion. All three hikers were brought off the mountain. One person had to be carried down on a specialized stretcher.

Two of the hikers were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment and evaluation. The third hiker was assessed and returned safely to their car at the trail head, according to a CCSO spokesperson.

In light of this weekends rescue, the fire department is warning the public to be cautious outdoors in extreme temperatures.

Hikers are urged to carry sufficient water and electrolytes to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Proper hydration is essential to ensure the bodys ability to regulate temperature and minimize the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, a post on the FFD Facebook page reads.

NTEC awards scholarships for Navajo students in STEM

The Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) recently awarded over 30 merit scholarships to Navajo students who plan to study STEM-related subjects.

These scholarships are part of NTECs 2023 scholarships, and are meant to help the students afford higher education, in both university and trade schools. STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and math.

At NTEC, we believe that Navajo youth hold the keys to a bright and prosperous future for the Navajo Nation, said NTEC CEO Vern Lund. We established our scholarships to help students gain critical skills in STEM careers, which will shape the Navajo Nation.

Each year, the company awards over $100,000 to Navajo students and colleges, as well as leading and supporting STEM projects such as a Girl Scouts STEM camp and Carbon Rocks, which teaches Navajo school teachers about carbon technology.

More about NTEC can be found at navenergy.com.

Woman injured in bison accepts boyfriends hospital proposalPHOENIX  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 boyfriends 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.

 Associated Press
TOKYO, July 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KLab Inc., a leader in online mobile games, announced that its hit 3D action game Bleach: Brave Souls, currently available on smartphones, PC, and PlayStation 4, celebrated its 8th anniversary on Sunday, July 23, 2023. See the original press release ( https://www.klab.com/en/press/ ) for more information.

As a huge thank you to the community for supporting this game, the Brave Souls 8th Anniversary and Thousand-Year Blood War Campaign: Round 1 is currently underway to commemorate this milestone.

Bleach: Brave Souls, currently available on smartphones, PC, and PlayStation 4, celebrated its 8th anniversary on Sunday, July 23, 2023. As a huge thank you to the community for supporting this game, the Brave Souls 8th Anniversary and Thousand-Year Blood War Campaign: Round 1 is currently underway to commemorate this milestone.

This campaign has a Summons featuring Ichigo Kurosaki (8th Anniversary Version) and White (8th Anniversary Version), a x10 Summons with up to 10 free pulls, and much more.

Brave Souls 8th Anniversary Character Trailer:

https://youtu.be/OJV6WTgYOaM

Other amazing in-game campaigns will be held to celebrate the 8th anniversary including 8th Anniversary Orders: Round 1, 8th Anniversary and Thousand-Year Blood War Campaign: Round 1 Login Bonuses, and more.

In addition, a BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Separation Tie-In Campaign is also being held.

Now is a great time to join in on playing the exciting 3D action game, Brave Souls.

*Please note that campaign contents and the campaign period are subject to change without notice.

*Please check the in-app news for more details.

Enter the Brave Souls 8th Anniversary RT Campaign to be Among the 1,500 Players to Win Awesome Prizes

To celebrate the 8th Anniversary of Brave Souls, we're holding a RT campaign where 1,500 lucky players can win awesome prizes such as a Brave Souls Original Desk Mat, a Logicool PEBBLE M350 (Graphite) Wireless Mouse, and more.

Retweet the specified tweet from our official Twitter and a reply will tell you if you've won or not straight away.

You can enter every day that the campaign is running, so feel free to take your chances each day.

Campaign Period

Sunday, July 23 to Sunday, July 30 16:59 (JST/UTC+9)

How to Enter

1. Follow the official Bleach: Brave Souls Twitter account ( @Bleachbrs_en ).

2. Retweet the Brave Souls 8th Anniversary RT Campaign tweet posted by the official Brave Souls Twitter account.

Prizes

Prize A (20 winners): Brave Souls Original Desk Mat

Prize B (50 winners): 3,000 yen Amazon Gift Card or a Logicool PEBBLE M350 (Graphite) Wireless Mouse

Amazon Gift Card or a Logicool PEBBLE M350 (Graphite) Wireless Mouse Prize C (1,430 winners): Brave Souls Original Magnet Set

*For those living in Japan, prize B will be an Amazon Gift Card. For those living outside of Japan, prize B will be a Logicool PEBBLE M350 (Graphite) wireless mouse.

*Amazon is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

*Please check the news on the official website for more details.

*Please note that the start of the campaign period is subject to change without notice.

Overview of Bleach: Brave Souls Platform: iOS /Android/PC/PS4 Genre: 3D Action Price: Free-to-play (In-game purchases available) Official Website: https://www.bleach-bravesouls.com/en/ Official Twitter Account: @bleachbrs_en Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BleachBS.en Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1QJ4uNQeijEx0jlo4nqauA Official Instagram: @bleachbravesouls_official Official Discord: https://discord.com/invite/bleachbravesouls Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bleachbrs_en_official Copyright:  Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot  KLabGames

Download here

App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1003168863

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klab.bleach

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1201240/BLEACH_Brave_Souls

PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/concept/10002097

SOURCE KLab Inc.
ARLINGTON, Va., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] is investing $950,000 in scholarships for pilot training to grow and diversify talent required to meet significant long-term demand for commercial airplane pilots.

Boeing is donating $500,000 to fund 25 scholarships with five aviation organizations committed to developing future pilots, including:

Sisters of the Skies recipients of the Boeing Pilot Training Scholarship pose after receiving their scholarships. (Terrence Bowen Photography) Boeing leaders present a check to Fly Compton. Funds will go toward flight training classes offered to underserved students in LAs Compton community. (photo: Fly Compton)

Boeing is also donating $450,000 to Fly Compton, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that introduces minority youth to career opportunities in aerospace. This investment will increase flight training classes offered to students in L.A.'s Compton community and introduce career topics related to designing, building and maintaining airplanes and drones.

"The demand for qualified and diverse pilots remains high at airlines worldwide. While becoming a pilot provides a lifelong career, access to training remains a barrier to entry for many," said Ziad Ojakli, executive vice president of Government Operations at Boeing. "These organizations are helping the next generation of pilots realize their full potential while also showing communities that are historically underrepresented in the industry that a future in aviation is possible."

Long-term demand for newly qualified aviation personnel remains strong. Boeing projects 602,000 new pilots will be needed to fly and maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20 years. Boeing will release its latest Pilot and Technician Outlook on July 25.

"We are seeing more women and individuals from diverse backgrounds entering the pilot profession because of the mentorship and guidance that aviation organizations like these provide for early career professionals," said Chris Broom, vice president of Commercial Training Solutions for Boeing Global Services. "The work they're doing to implement changes needed to remove social and financial barriers to entry are critical."

Since 2019, Boeing has invested more than $8.5 million to bring pilot training programs to underrepresented populations in communities across the United States.

Here are comments from organizations receiving Boeing funding:

Mark Baker, president and CEO of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association: "The aviation community is all about partnerships and coming together around the shared goal of protecting and growing our passion for flight. This collaboration is a true embodiment of that spirit and supports our mission of getting more people into the skies."

Demetrius Harris, Fly Compton president and executive director: "We are grateful for the tremendous support from our partners at Boeing. They continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers for minority youth within the aviation industry. At Fly Compton, we know that lack of exposure, access to resources and the high cost of flight training prevents underrepresented populations from exploring careers in aviation. We focus on eliminating these barriers to entry, and this funding package from Boeing helps us continue this important work."

Claudia Zapata-Cardone, Latino Pilots Association president: "It brings us great joy that Boeing has provided these scholarships to our members. This award allows us to help them achieve their dreams of flight by eliminating the financial barriers associated with training. We look forward to growing and continuing our work with Boeing and LPA, so all our members can access a profession that otherwise would be unattainable."

Samantha Whitfield, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals executive director: "Funding flight training is often one of the greatest barriers for students of color pursuing a pilot career. Scholarship partners like Boeing provide the much-needed support to fuel the careers of aspiring aviators. OBAP is proud to join forces with Boeing as we seek to diversify the aerospace workforce now and in the future."

Stephanie Grant, Sisters of the Skies board member and development director and a United Airlines first officer: "Sisters of the Skies is an organization of professional black female pilots committed to improving scholarship opportunities, mentorship, professional development, and outreach. Being able to support our members through scholarships like this helps offset the high cost of flight school and ultimately see these women become professional pilots. With less than 200 Black female commercial airline pilots nationwide, we remain focused on increasing this number through the pillars of our mission."

Stephanie Kenyon, Women in Aviation International interim CEO: "WAI members appreciate the longtime scholarship support from The Boeing Company. This year during our WAI2023 conference in Long Beach, California, Boeing provided scholarships for career enhancement, manufacturing skills and flight training. We know that scholarships change lives and provide our members with the financial resources to continue pursuing their aviation/aerospace dreams. As a nonprofit organization, WAI is thankful for Boeing's commitment to help train the next generation of female aviators."

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Contact:

Jennifer Non

Boeing Communications

+1 (571) 344-2619

[email protected]

Boeing Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing
BOSTON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Burns & Levinson LLP announced today that Rodney Bedow has rejoined the firm as a partner in its Tax and Business Law Groups and Co-Chair of the Tax Group. Bedow was previously a partner at Burns & Levinson, and rejoins the firm from Brown Rudnick.

Rodney Bedow has rejoined Burns & Levinson as a partner in its Tax and Business Law Groups and Co-Chair of the Tax Group.

Bedow focuses his practice on tax planning and transactions involving corporations and partnerships. With significant experience in reorganizations, acquisitions, divestitures, liquidations, financings, and commercial deals in both the domestic and cross-border context, he solves intricate problems arising under the Internal Revenue Code and the tax laws of the various states. He also has an extensive background in inbound and outbound U.S. international taxation issues.

Aside from his transactional tax practice, Bedow regularly assists non-profits obtain and retain tax exempt status from the IRS. He earned his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2011 and his B.S. from Roger Williams University in 2008.

About Burns & Levinson LLP

At Burns & Levinson, we provide high-level, client-centric and results-oriented legal services to our regional, national and international clients. We are a full-service law firm with 125 lawyers in Boston, Providence and London. Our areas of expertise include: business/finance, business litigation, divorce/family law, venture capital/emerging companies, employment, estate planning, government investigations, intellectual property, M&A/private equity, probate/trust litigation, and real estate. We partner with our clients to solve their business and personal legal issues in a collaborative, creative and cost-effective way. For more information, visit Burns & Levinson at www.burnslev.com .

Contact:





Amy Blumenthal or Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates

Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer (617) 879-1511

(617) 345-3555 [email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Burns & Levinson
SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capewell, a global leader in custom-engineered survivability and aerial delivery solutions, announced that Colonel Michael Konczey, U.S. Army (retired) has joined the company as Chief of Staff. Konczey, a 30-year U.S. Army veteran, will report to Thomas Weidley, Capewell's Chief Executive Officer, and will be responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and synchronizing all activities of the business, supporting the executive management team, and facilitating communication and actions across all Capewell locations in the United States and Europe.

CAPEWELL ANNOUNCES U.S. ARMY VETERAN MICHAEL KONCZEY JOINS AS CHIEF OF STAFF

"Mike's extensive background in bringing value to high-level executive teams responsible for the oversight of large, complex operations makes him the perfect candidate to fill the Chief of Staff role inside our organization," commented Weidley. "His exceptional leadership abilities and experience in decision-making, problem solving, cross-functional team building, process discipline, and organizational behavior is exactly what we need as we prepare to take Capewell to the next level."

As Chief of Staff, Mike will play a critical role in supporting Capewell's senior management team through the execution of day-to-day activities, engagements, and staff rhythm events, adding value to those activities and ensuring processes and procedures are implemented to streamline business efforts.

Mike Konczey is an accomplished military professional with decades of experience leading highly diverse teams in complex operating environments, including combat. Areas of expertise include talent operations, change management, crisis management, risk management and mitigation, and strategic communications. He also has thirty years of military leadership experience, including joint and combined settings.

Before joining Capewell, Konczey served as Executive Officer and principal advisor to the Commander of United States Forces Korea, Combined Forces Command, and United Nations Command, a four-star General who commands three U.S. and multinational strategic organizations that include nearly 30,000 military and civilian personnel in peacetime, and consists of representatives from the United Nations, South Korean Military, and all branches of the United States Military. In addition to integrating efforts across these diverse organizations, each with different missions, Konczey was responsible for synchronizing and facilitating communication and streamlining the flow of information and requirements to all of the Commander's subordinate commands and their leadership teams.

Prior to that, Konczey served as the Chief of Future Operations for the same organization, where he was at the helm of a large-scale joint military and civilian strategic planning team that consisted of over 30 members. In that role, he led the development of future operations designed to support a wide range of crisis-response options throughout Northeast Asia. He also was instrumental in providing ongoing, thorough assessments of the war plan using high-level exercises that provided the insight needed for strategic decision-making at the command level to refine and execute the organization's mission.

Before joining the United States Forces Korea, Konczey was Commander of the 434th Field Artillery Brigade in Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was responsible for the training and oversight of more than 750 military and civilian personnel, as well as facilities and equipment valued at over $650 million. The brigade was responsible for basic combat training consisting of ten-week cycles and had a total annual throughput between 16,000 to 20,000 new soldiers per year.

"After a life-long career in the military, I'm excited to join Capewell and become part of an organization that's dedicated to keeping service men and women around the world safe. I look forward to collaborating with the rest of the team to support Capewell's mission and working with the global management team to drive continued growth well into the future," said Konczey.

As part of his role, Konczey will be responsible for spearheading and championing Capewell's five-year strategic growth plan and fostering the "Capewell Culture" across all global locations.

Weidley continued, "With more than thirty years of Military experience under his belt, Mike has an intimate understanding of the future operating environment, and what it takes to collaborate with the Armed Forces on solutions development for successful warfighting. This insight, in addition to all his other superb skills, will be invaluable to our organization as we continue to develop innovative new survivability and aerial delivery solutions for those going into harm's way."

Konczey has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He also has two Master of Arts degrees. One in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and another in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

About Capewell

Founded in 1881, Capewell is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of survivability and aerial delivery products and services for the defense community. With locations in the United States and Europe, Capewell supplies the Department of Defense, Allies, and Partners around the world with the most innovative, most effective custom-engineered solutions capable of withstanding today's dangerous operating environments. The company also offers training and doctrine development as part of its mission to save lives and increase success. Capewell maintains strong relationships with large government prime contractors and is a vital part of the global supply chain.

To learn more, visit www.capewell.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159470/Capewell_Mike_headshot_2.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1420426/Capewell_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Capewell
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Capex S.A.

Offer to Exchange, Any and All of its Outstanding

6.875% Notes due 2024

(CUSIP Nos.: 139612AE5 and P20058AC0 ISIN Nos. US139612AE59 and USP20058AC08)

Capex S.A. (" Capex " or the " Company ") hereby announces the commencement of its offer to exchange (the " Exchange Offer ") any and all of its outstanding 6.875% Notes due 2024 (the " Old Notes ") for newly issued 9.250% Notes due 2028 (the " New Notes ") and cash, as applicable, each upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the exchange offer memorandum (the " Exchange Offer Memorandum "), dated July 24, 2023 and the related eligibility letter (the "Eligibility Letter" and, together with the Exchange Offer Memorandum, the " Exchange Offer Documents ").

Only holders who have electronically submitted a duly completed Eligibility Letter certifying that they are (1) "qualified institutional buyers" (" QIBs ") as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or (2) holders of Old Notes other than "U.S. persons" (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) who are located outside of the United States, who are qualified offerees in other jurisdictions, are authorized to receive the Exchange Offer Memorandum and to participate in the Exchange Offer (such holders, "Eligible Holders").

Exchange Consideration

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, Eligible Holders who validly tender Old Notes, and whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange by us may choose between two, mutually exclusive, consideration options, detailed in the table below, in the columns under the headings "Option A" and "Option B."

Eligible Holders whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer will also receive accrued and unpaid interest in respect of such exchanged Old Notes from the last interest payment date to, but excluding, the Settlement Date (as defined below) (such payment, the " Accrued Interest Payment ").

Tenders of Old Notes under Option A

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, tenders of Old Notes submitted under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date (as defined below) will receive a combination of the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration (as defined below) and the applicable Early A New Notes Consideration (as defined below) (together, the " Early A Consideration "), or solely the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration depending on the amount of Old Notes tendered pursuant to Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date. Tenders of Old Notes submitted under Option A after the Early Participation Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) will receive U.S.$1,000 principal amount of New Notes per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange (the " Late Exchange Consideration "). For the avoidance of doubt, Eligible Holders submitting tenders after the Early Participation Date will not receive any cash consideration.

The Early A Consideration and the Early B Consideration (as defined below) together are referred to as the " Early Exchange Consideration ." The Early Exchange Consideration and the Late Exchange Consideration together are referred to as the " Exchange Consideration ."

The aggregate cash consideration payable to all Eligible Holders whose Old Notes are tendered under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date and accepted for exchange will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes that are validly tendered for exchange under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date and accepted for exchange, (ii) 21% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, and (iii) U.S.$50 million (the " Aggregate Early A Cash Consideration "), payable on a pro rata basis to Eligible Holders of Old Notes, validly submitting tender orders in exchange for Early A Consideration (the " Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration ").

The Early A New Notes Consideration for each Eligible Holder whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date will be New Notes in a principal amount equal to the difference between U.S.$1,000 and the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration received by each such Eligible Holder (the " Early A New Notes Consideration ").

At the Expiration Date, the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration and Early A New Notes Consideration will be determined based on the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange.

Accordingly, the actual amounts of Early A New Notes Consideration and Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration comprising the Early A Consideration to be received by each Eligible Holder whose Old Notes are accepted in the Exchange Offer under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date will depend on the actual participation by Eligible Holders in the Exchange Offer.

Tenders of Old Notes under Option B

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, tenders of Old Notes submitted under Option B at or prior to the Early Participation Date will receive U.S.$1,040 principal amount of New Notes per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange. The consideration received by holders of Old Notes under this paragraph is referred to as " Early B Consideration ." For the avoidance of doubt, no cash consideration will be paid to Eligible Holders whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange under Option B.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, tenders of Old Notes submitted under Option B after the Early Participation Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date will receive the Late Exchange Consideration, which is U.S.$1,000 principal amount of New Notes per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange. Consideration for Old Notes, either under Option A or Option B, submitted after the Early Participation Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date, is the same.

The following table sets forth certain material terms of the Exchange Offer:



Exchange Consideration(1) Option A OR Option B(4) Early A Consideration(2) Late Exchange Consideration (Principal Amount of New Notes)(3)

Early B Consideration (Principal Amount of New Notes) Late Exchange Consideration (Principal Amount of New Notes)(3) Description of the Old Notes CUSIP/ISIN/ Common Code

Nos. Principal Amount Outstanding Early A New Notes Consideration (Principal Amount of New Notes) Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration

6.875% Notes due 2024(5) CUSIP: 139612AE5/ P20058AC0 ISIN: US139612AE59/ USP20058AC08 U.S.$238,846,000 New Notes in a principal amount equal to the difference between U.S.$1,000 and the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration Amount in cash equal to the lesser of the pro rata share of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes that are validly tendered for exchange under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date and accepted for exchange, (ii) 21% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, and (iii) U.S.$50 million, payable on a pro rata basis. U.S.$1,000

U.S.$1,040 U.S.$1,000

_________________________________

(1) Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange. The Exchange Consideration does not include the Accrued Interest Payment (as defined below), which shall be paid together with the applicable Exchange Consideration as described herein.

(2) Eligible Holders of Old Notes validly submitting tenders at or prior to the Early Participation Date (as defined below) in exchange for the Early A Consideration will receive a combination of the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration and Early A New Notes Consideration, or solely the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration depending on the principal aggregate amount of Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date and accepted for exchange. The aggregate cash consideration payable to all Eligible Holders whose Old Notes are tendered under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date and accepted for exchange will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes that are validly tendered for exchange under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date and accepted for exchange, (ii) 21% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, and (iii) U.S.$50 million, payable on a pro rata basis to Eligible Holders of Old Notes, validly submitting tender orders in exchange for Early A Consideration. At the Expiration Date, the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration and Early A New Notes Consideration will be determined based on the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, Eligible Holders submitting tenders after the Early Participation Date will not receive any cash consideration.

(3) The Late Exchange Consideration will be U.S.$1,000 principal amount of New Notes per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered after the Early Participation Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for exchange. The Late Exchange Consideration will only consist of New Notes, and will be the same either under Option A or Option B, as described herein.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt, no cash consideration will be paid to Eligible Holders whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange under Option B.

(5) The Old Notes are currently listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and traded on its Euro MTF Market and are listed on Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A. and are traded on Mercado Abierto Electronico S.A.

The Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on Friday, August 18, 2023 (such date and time with respect to the Exchange Offer, as the same may be extended with respect to such Exchange Offer, the " Expiration Date "). In order to be eligible to receive the Early Exchange Consideration, eligible holders of Old Notes must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Old Notes, on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, August 4, 2023, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Early Participation Date"). Eligible Holders of Old Notes who validly tender their Old Notes after the Early Participation Date, but on or prior to the Expiration Date, will be eligible to receive only the Late Exchange Consideration. Old Notes validly tendered may be validly withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on Friday, August 4, 2023, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Withdrawal Date"), but not thereafter. Unless the Exchange Offer is extended, the Settlement Date for the Exchange Offer is expected to be on Friday August 25, 2023, in line with the authorization received from the Argentine Central Bank related thereto.

The consummation of the Exchange Offer is conditioned upon, (i) the valid tender of at least U.S.$167,192,200 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer (the " Minimum Participation Condition "), which represents 70% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, (ii) the valid tender of at least U.S.$85,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer under Option B (the " Minimum Option B Participation Condition "), (iii) the satisfaction of the Financing Condition (as defined below) and (iv) the other conditions described in the section of the Exchange Offer Memorandum entitled "Description of the Exchange OfferConditions to the Exchange Offer". We may waive, in our sole discretion, any of the conditions to the consummation of the Exchange Offer subject to applicable law; provided that we may not waive the Minimum Option B Participation Condition.

For illustrative purposes only, we have prepared the hypothetical scenarios below.

The scenarios below assume in each case that the Minimum Participation Condition (equal to an aggregate participation in the Exchange Offer of at least U.S.$167,192,200 principal amount of Old Notes) and the Minimum Option B Participation Condition (equal to a participation under Option B of at least U.S.$85,000,000 principal amount of Old Notes) are, at least, met.

The Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes will be equal to:

U.S. $325.00 , assuming a participation of 100% of the principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer and that U.S. $153,846,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes (i.e., all tenders other than the U.S. $85,000,000 Minimum Option B Participation) are tendered and accepted under the Early A Consideration;

, assuming a participation of 100% of the principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer and that U.S. aggregate principal amount of Old Notes (i.e., all tenders other than the U.S. Minimum Option B Participation) are tendered and accepted under the Early A Consideration; U.S. $427.00 , assuming a participation of 70% of the principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer (Minimum Participation Condition) and that U.S. $82,192,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes (i.e., all tenders other than the U.S. $85,000,000 Minimum Option B Participation) are tendered and accepted under the Early A Consideration; and

, assuming a participation of 70% of the principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer (Minimum Participation Condition) and that U.S. aggregate principal amount of Old Notes (i.e., all tenders other than the U.S. Minimum Option B Participation) are tendered and accepted under the Early A Consideration; and U.S. $610.00 , assuming a participation of 70% of the principal amount of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer (Minimum Participation Condition) and that U.S. $57,534,540 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes (i.e., 70% of tenders, other than the U.S. $85,000,000 Minimum Option B Participation) are tendered and accepted under the Early A Consideration.

Consequently, the Early A Pro-Rata Cash Consideration cannot be less than U.S.$325.00 per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes if the Minimum Option B Participation Condition is met. We may waive, in our sole discretion, any of the Offer Conditions (as defined below) subject to applicable law; provided that we may not waive the Minimum Option B Participation Condition.

In order to fund the Aggregate Early A Cash Consideration, the Company has entered into certain pre-export facility agreements. The entering into such pre-export facility agreements by the Company, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Company, and the receipt by the Company of the net cash proceeds from such pre-export facilities on or prior to the Settlement Date, sufficient to pay the Aggregate Early A Cash Consideration is herein referred to as the "Financing Condition".

The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to exchange the Old Notes for cash and the New Notes, as applicable, which will extend the maturity of the debt obligations associated with the Old Notes.

Morrow Sodali International LLC is the Information and Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer. Questions or requests for assistance related to the Exchange Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer Documents may be directed to Morrow Sodali International LLC at the following email address: [email protected]. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer Documents are available for Eligible Holders at the following web address: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/capex.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Santander US Capital Markets LLC are acting as dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") for the Exchange Offer. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.U., Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., Banco Santander Argentina S.A. and Banco CMF S.A. are acting as local placement agents.

Subject to applicable law, the Exchange Offer may be amended in any respect, extended or, upon failure of a condition to be satisfied or, except in connection with the Minimum Option B Participation Condition, waived prior to the Expiration Date or Settlement Date, as the case may be, terminated, at any time and for any reason. Although we have no present plans or arrangements to do so, we reserve the right to amend, at any time, the terms of the Exchange Offer (including, without limitation, the conditions thereto, other than the Minimum Option B Participation Condition) in accordance with applicable law. We will give Eligible Holders notice of any amendments and will extend the Expiration Date if required by applicable law.

Eligible Holders of Old Notes are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Old Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from an Eligible Holder in order for that Eligible Holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, the Exchange Offer before the deadlines specified in the Exchange Offer Documents. The deadlines set by any such intermediary for the submission of instructions will be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified above.

To reimburse the time and cost of processing the tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, Capex will pay a processing fee to brokers acting on behalf of certain Eligible Holders. This processing fee will be payable to brokers only with respect to individual tenders of up to U.S.$250,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes per each Eligible Holder and will be in an amount equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of such tendered Old Notes that are accepted for exchange. See "Description of the Exchange OfferProcessing Fee" in the Exchange Offer Memorandum for more information regarding eligibility requirements that the process brokers must follow to obtain the processing fee.

Important Notice

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States, and none of the New Notes has been or will be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities law. They may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer of the New Notes for sale, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which any offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any person considering making an investment decision relating to any securities must inform itself independently based solely on an offering memorandum to be provided to eligible investors in the future in connection with any such securities before taking any such investment decision.

This announcement is directed only to holders of Old Notes who are (1) "qualified institutional buyers" ("QIBs") as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or (2) other than "U.S. persons" (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) who are located outside of the United States, who are qualified offerees in other jurisdictions, are authorized to receive the Exchange Offer Memorandum and to participate in the Exchange Offer. No offer of any kind is being made to any beneficial owner of Eligible Bonds who does not meet the above criteria or any other beneficial owner located in a jurisdiction where the Exchange Offer Solicitation is not permitted by law.

The distribution of materials relating to the Exchange Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Exchange Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Exchange Offer come into your possession, you are required by the Company to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Exchange Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Exchange Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager or any affiliate of a dealer manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to be made by the dealer manager or such affiliate on behalf of the Company in that jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations and assumptions on the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, and factors over which the Company has no control. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so, unless otherwise required by law.

Notice to Investors in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"); and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to subscribe for the New Notes. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore otherwise offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For these purposes: (a) the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA and (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and (b) the expression an offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to subscribe for the New Notes. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The Information and Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer Solicitation is:

INFORMATION AND EXCHANGE AGENT Morrow Sodali International LLC

Offer Website: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/capex

E-mail: [email protected]

In Stamford:

333 Ludlow Street, South Tower, 5th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

United States

Telephone: +1 203 609 4910 In London:

103 Wigmore Street

W1U 1QS, London

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 20 4513 6933

Any question regarding the terms of the Exchange Offer should be directed to the Dealer Managers.

The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are:

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 388 Greenwich Street, 4th Floor

New York, New York 10013

United States Attention: Liability Management Group

Call Collect: (212) 723-6106 US Toll-Free: (800) 558-3745 Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor

New York, New York 10022

United States Attention: Liability Management

Collect: +1 (212) 940-1442 Toll Free: +1 (855) 404-3636

The Exchange Offer Memorandum shall be available online at https://projects.morrowsodali.com/capex until the consummation or termination of the Exchange Offer.

SOURCE Capex S.A.
CISOs Select Winners Based on Real-world Experience; Vendor Submissions Now Open

NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CISOs Connect today opened nominations for its annual CISO-selected vendor recognition, the 2023 CISO Choice Awards, and named the Distinguished CISO Board of Judges that will select the winners.

Technology is proliferating as the security landscape becomes ever more challenging, and the CISO Choice Awards program has been designed to recognize the exceptional solutions that really make a difference. Security vendors of all types, sizes and maturity levels are eligible for consideration, and the program is open to providers across the globe.

The CISO Choice Awards are chosen by prominent security chiefs who have built and maintained their own programs. They include The CISO Choice Awards 2023 International Board of Judges spans several verticals. The Board is made up of the following CISOs: Aaron Hughes, Angela Williams, Bradley Schaufenbuel, Jake Martens, James Blair, Kevin McKenzie, Michael Calderin, Neda Pitt, Ran Tenenbaum, Sai Iyer, and Shlomi Avivi. CISOs Connect 2023 CISO Choice Awards

Submit for consideration here: https://tinyurl.com/5yphravk

"Without innovation, there is no way security practitioners can stay ahead of malicious actors driven by power and greed," said Sai Iyer, CISO at Ziff Davis. "With these awards, the CISOs Connect community aims to encourage the creative entrepreneurship that is helping to keep organizations safe."

Angela Williams, UL Solutions SVP & CISO, said: "With thousands of security vendors out there, finding the best solution for your organization's needs is a formidable challenge. The CISO Choice Awards is an invaluable tool for cutting through the marketing noise and guiding our community toward those platforms that distinguish themselves."

CISOs confront security challenges 24/7, so there is no one better positioned to identify the technologies that stand out from the rest of the pack. Recipients of the CISO Choice Awards are chosen by prominent security chiefs who have built and maintained their own programs. The selection process is uniquely transparent and based on clear-cut criteria.

"A vendor is not only a source of outstanding technological solutions, but must also become a trusted partner," said Aaron Hughes, SVP and CISO at Albertsons Companies. "Industry professionals look to the CISO Choice Awards because they know the judges understand the criticality of these assets, and gauge candidates accordingly."

The CISO Choice Awards 2023 International Board of Judges spans several verticals. It includes the following CISOs:

Aaron Hughes, Albertsons Companies

Angela Williams, UL Solutions

Bradley Schaufenbuel, Paychex

Jake Martens, Aristocrat

James Blair, Todd Corporation

Kevin McKenzie, CISOs Connect

Michael Calderin, YAGEO Group

Neda Pitt, Belk

Ran Tenenbaum, Aroundtown SA

Sai Iyer, Ziff Davis

Shlomi Avivi, First Digital Bank

Also on the Board is best-selling author and noted analyst Richard Stiennon, whose Security Yearbook 2023 includes a directory of 3,269 security vendors.

"Cybersecurity is a global issue, and it is imperative that CISOs collaborate with peers to exchange knowledge," said James Blair, CISO at the Todd Corporation, one of New Zealand's largest family businesses. "The CISO Choice Awards provide that opportunity by providing a direct pathway to the best technological solutions out there."

"Innovation and creativity are key elements in today's evolving landscape," said Ran Tenenbaum, CISO at Aroundtown SA, a company based in Luxembourg. "We must embrace it to align with business requirements and stay ahead of the threat curve."

The 2023 categories are:

Business Categories

Best Use of AI

Premier Company

Visionary Company

Partner in Success

Startup Security Company

Technology Categories

API Security

Application Security

Breach and Attack Simulation

Cloud Security Solution

Cloud Workload Protection Platform

Data Security

Email Security (Phishing)

Endpoint Security

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IoT Security

MSSP

Network Security

Risk Management

Security Awareness Training

Security Operations

Security Service Edge (SSE)

SIEM

Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)

Threat Intelligence

Vulnerability Management

"In today's cybersecurity landscape where threats keep evolving so fast, we as CISOs must evolve accordingly and find the innovative tools to do so," said Shlomi Avivi, One Zero Bank CISO. "The CISO Choice Awards is a great tool for looking at the actual security value of vendors and noting the ones we believe can make a change."

About CISOs Connect

CISOs Connect is an exclusive membership-only interactive community of trusted cyber peers and subject matter experts. Connected by common interests, this community allows experts to share knowledge and expertise through proprietary content, research and analysis while exchanging information and ideas and collaborating with trusted colleagues to make informed business and technology decisions.

CISOs Connect is part of Security Current, known for its Security Shark Tank and lauded for its CISO-driven content, knowledge sharing, and community ethos. It is purpose-built and led by the top CISOs in North America.

Contact:

Aimee Rhodes

201-835-9205

362607@email4pr.com

SOURCE CISOs Connect
Advisor Kimberly Nelson, CFA, CDFA, ranked among top five on prestigious list

WESTPORT, Conn., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coastal Bridge Advisors, a bicoastal boutique independent Registered Investment Adviser with offices in Westport, Connecticut, and Los Angeles, California, is pleased to announce that firm Advisor Kimberly R. Nelson, CFA, CDFA, has been recognized as a Top 100 Advisors to Watch by AdvisorHub, ranking among the top five of all included advisors in 2023.

"I am deeply humbled by this AdvisorHub recognition," said Kimberly. "My colleagues and I are dedicated to enhancing the quality of our clients' lives by uncomplicating and articulating their objectives clearly and succinctly to achieve their financial goals. Their success is our success and I look forward to continuing this journey together."

The 100 Top RIAs to Watch list assembles efficient and productive teams that have achieved scale without compromising their level of service while maintaining healthy growth. Additionally, advisors are ranked on the scope of practice measured by assets, production and level of service; growth of practice consisting of year-over-year growth in assets, households and production; and professionalism, including regulatory record, community service and team diversity.

"We're extremely proud of Kimberly," said President Jeff Fuhrman. "Her dedication to client success embodies the ethos of our company and the high standards we set. We look forward to continuing to advance our mission with such exceptional talent within our ranks."

Kimberly has built her financial and planning skills over the past two decades in the industry, including a degree in Business Finance, designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), membership in the CFA Institute and the Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts. She is an online contributor to Forbes on the topics of divorce and financial planning as well as a frequent podcast guest. Before working for Coastal Bridge Advisors, she honed her skills at Morgan Stanley, UBS Financial Services, and Oppenheimer and Co.

She is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity both in the U.S. and in Mexico. Kimberly formerly served as a board member and Treasurer of Grades of Green, a non-profit that works to instill environmental awareness in the minds of elementary school students and she has helped to establish a financial literacy program for the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice. For her work helping others, she received a 2019 Women of Achievement Award from the Century City Chamber of Commerce.

About Coastal Bridge Advisors:

Celebrating 15 years of wealth advisory service, Coastal Bridge Advisors is an independent registered investment adviser founded in 2008 with the goal to "Uncomplicate It" for its clients. The firm is dedicated to simplifying estate planning, investment, tax, retirement, and liquidity event solutions for individuals, families, and businesses through clear communication and personalized strategies. With decades of combined industry experience, the Coastal Bridge Advisors team empowers clients to focus on their aspirations while providing the opportunity for financial well-being and a lasting legacy. For more information, please visit www.coastalbridgeadvisors.com.

For information regarding the firm, including its disclosures, visit www.coastalbridgeadvisors.com. Contact: Deirdre Childs, Director of Marketing, at 203-683-1530 or [email protected].

Award Methodology: Award evaluated time period of January 2021 through December 2023 team

AUM. Top 100 RIA category awarded June 20, 2023. Participation in this ranking is free, and AdvisorHub

receives no compensation from the participating advisors. Participation is open to all firms and advisors. Nominees are required to have a minimum of seven years'

experience, $100m minimum AUM, and a clean regulatory record. Using data on assets, households, and

production, we rank advisors on three categories: scale, growth, and professionalism. Scale. This is the traditional metric used in most rankings. It's essentially the size of the business and its

profitability. We also considered staffing, clientele, and several other factors. This in aggregate provides a

snapshot of the size and sophistication of a practice. Growth. This includes the year-over-year change in assets, households and production. We try to bias

organic growth over mergers and acquisitions, and we factor in market conditions. We want practices that

are growing aggressively regardless of their size. Professionalism. This includes the advisor's regulatory record, community involvement, and the overall

team makeup. We think it's important for the future of the industry that advisors perform their duties

ethically, are a positive force within their firms, and communities, and have open hiring practices. This methodology levels the playing field for advisors. While large and sophisticated practices are at a

natural advantage, they also need healthy growth to maintain that advantage. The list is broken into

several sublists: RIAs (fee-only), Over $1b, Under $1b, Next Gen, Women, Solo, and Fast-Growing. These

subcategories compensate for the wide range of business models in the industry.

SOURCE Coastal Bridge Advisors
Rapidly Growing Advertising Agency Recognized for Significant Expansion and Client Success

PHOENIX, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Colling Media, one of the fastest-growing agencies, ranks number seven on the Phoenix Business Journal's Top 10 Largest Interactive Marketing Firms list on July 14, a six-place jump from the previous year. The ranking highlights Colling Media's growth and success in the competitive interactive marketing landscape, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner for businesses seeking impactful marketing strategies.

"Landing in the top 10 is another great indication of our growth in pursuit of becoming one of the top digital advertising agencies in the Southwest. Our focus on deep industry expertise, rigorous attribution and relentless pursuit of results allows us to continue to grow in size and strength," said Doug Campbell, President.

Listed agencies were ranked by their interactive marketing employees, with Colling Media coming in at a total of 40. Notably, 93% of its revenue was driven by Interactive Marketing services in 2022.

The agency's partners span a variety of industries, including Education, Recruitment, Retail, E-Commerce, and Home Services. To exceed client marketing goals, the agency offers Programmatic Display, OTT/CTV, Digital Audio, Paid Social Media, Paid Search (PPC), Email Marketing, Content Marketing, Organic Social Media, and Traditional Media Buying.

In the last two years, Colling Media launched two new marketing divisions: CM Productions and CM PR+. CM Productions, an in-house video production service, specifically addresses today's demand for video ads. Through on-site video shoots, clients receive more than one branded ad per day for marketing products and services. CM PR+, a digital content amplification service, allows clients to skip traditional PR gatekeepers. Companies take control of their news cycle and tell stories directly to customers.

The recognition is one of several accolades given to the agency highlighting its rapid growth and journey into lead generation marketing. Noteworthy among previous awards are the titles of Ranking Arizona's No. 1 Advertising Agency in 2021 and 2016.

"Helping people succeed through better advertising results is more than just a mission statement - it's our culture. Our focus on that underlying goal helps us to attract and retain the best clients and staff who are all aligned in a single mission," stated Brian Colling, Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

About Colling Media

Based in Phoenix, AZ, Colling Media is a full-service national digital advertising and marketing agency specializing in advertising branding and strategy, digital and traditional advertising, media buying, paid search, lead generation, content marketing, and SEO. For more information, visit collingmedia.com , or follow the company on LinkedIn , Facebook , Twitter and TikTok .

For more information on the list, click here .

Media Contact:

Rebeca Moreno

602.456.4395

362582@email4pr.com

SOURCE Colling Media
LAS VEGAS, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Route Consultant, the leader in education and brokerage in the logistics space, is partnering with some of the biggest names in the logistics industry to host its fifth annual Contractor Expo + Party on July 29-30 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

Last year's Expo brought together approximately 3,500 logistics professionals, industry analysts and special guests. This year, the Expo takes place as FedEx Ground contractorsa substantial portion of the Expo attendeesnavigate substantial volume fluctuations due to the consolidation of FedEx Express packages into the FedEx Ground network. Additionally, Amazon DSP contractors attend the event as pockets of the service network call for unionization. Perhaps most notably, the Expo takes place on the eve of a potential UPS workers' strike.

Thousands of logistics pros gather in Las Vegas for Route Consultant's annual Expo on the eve of a potential UPS strike. Tweet this

Still recovering from pandemic and supply chain disruptions, a potential UPS strike could seriously disrupt the delivery network in the United States.

"There are few industries that impact the American public as directly as the last-mile delivery space," said Spencer Patton, Founder and President of Route Consultant. "FedEx Ground, UPS and Amazon collectively deliver hundreds of millions of packages annually and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in our communities. These are real drivers of our economy, and bring complex issues to the surface  disruptions of any type are felt across all sectors.

"The Expo creates an environment where owners and investors in the logistics industry can learn from some of our brightest minds, network with one another, share best practices and be better together."

Kevin O'Leary, one of North America's most successful entrepreneurs, will be the keynote speaker at the Expo on Saturday, July 29 at 5:00 pm PDT. In his keynote address, O'Leary will share his personal advice for contractors, focusing on building a dream team, transforming adversity into opportunity, and strategies for making and growing a business (and its money).

"We are thrilled to host Kevin O'Leary as our keynote speaker for our 2023 Contractor Expo," said Annalee Cate, CEO of Route Consultant. "This is a year where we are connecting with our fellow entrepreneurs to diversify and build on existing businesses. Mr. O'Leary speaks directly to that growth mindset, and coupled with tailored programs related to specific aspects of the logistics space, the Expo aims to not only inform, but inspire."

The entire event, including food and drink, is free of charge for registered attendees. Contractor Expo attendees have access to a discounted room block at the Paris Hotel.

Route Consultant's Expo headline and premier sponsors include Bridgestone, BrightDrop, Bright Flag Recruiting, GroundCloud, Hello Truck Lease, Realm Health, and Xos Trucks.

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.routeconsultantexpo.com/

About Route Consultant

Route Consultant is the definitive resource in the logistics space. The professional team knows this industry inside and out and brings decades of combined contracting experience. Additionally, Route Consultant has evaluated the financial and operational data of thousands of companies in the FedEx Ground and Amazon DSP logistics space.

The Route Consultant training programs offer new investors and current contractors a clear path toward profitability and operational success.

Route Consultant is not endorsed by and is not recommended by Federal Express Corporation and FedEx Ground and Amazon. Route Consultant is not sponsored by, is not approved by, is not associated with, and has no connection whatsoever with Federal Express Corporation or FedEx Ground or Amazon.

SOURCE Route Consultant
COP28 today launches its COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, part of its ambitious action plan aimed at keeping 1.5C within reach.

today launches its Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, part of its ambitious action plan aimed at keeping 1.5C within reach. The COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda has four pillars, covering national leadership, non-state actors, scaling up innovation, and finance.

Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda has four pillars, covering national leadership, non-state actors, scaling up innovation, and finance. The COP28 Presidency calls on governments to sign a Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action and integrate food systems and agriculture into national climate agendas.

Presidency calls on governments to sign a Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action and integrate food systems and agriculture into national climate agendas. The COP28 Presidency calls on all members of the global community to commit to scaling-up solutions, whilst focusing investment and advancing partnerships on transformative ideas.

ROME, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the COP28 UAE Presidency launched its Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda. This forms part of its continued work to define the COP28 Action Agenda leading into this year's climate conference.

The Presidency, represented by Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment and COP28 Food Systems Lead, called on governments to demonstrate leadership by signing the first-ever Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action during the Food Systems Summit in Rome. The Declaration will invite national governments to align their national food systems and agriculture strategies, with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). It will also celebrate countries who are leading the way by putting food systems and agriculture at the heart of the climate process.

In addition, the COP28 Presidency will call upon a diverse group of stakeholders in the food and agriculture sector to accelerate existing initiatives across food systems, agriculture, and climate action. The COP28 Presidency will bring together businesses, farmer and producer organizations, and other non-state actors to drive progress across production, consumption, food loss and waste. This partnership will work with over 15 leading CEOs and involve actors across each stage of the agriculture process, from production to consumption and finance. As part of this collaboration, a flagship initiative was also launched to promote the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture in large food landscapes underpinned by procurement and investment commitments. This initiative will be co-chaired with the UN Climate Change High Level Champions, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

In a joint session on Food Systems and Climate Action at the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment, co-chaired by, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri and Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Mariam Almheiri highlighted the need to urgently increase the resilience of climate-vulnerable farmers and reduce food system-related emissions. She emphasized that the recalibration will also contribute to realizing both the Paris Agreement and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

"The COP28 Presidency's commitment to prioritizing food systems demonstrates a dedication to address pressing global challenges. By mobilizing national leadership, engaging non-state actors, scaling innovation, and securing financing, COP28 aims to drive transformative change to secure a sustainable future for all," COP28 Food Systems Lead, Mariam Almeirhi said.

The announcement of the COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda comes on the first day of the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (STM) taking place in Rome this week, and underscores the essential elements required to both upgrade food systems and achieve climate objectives.

taking place in this week, and underscores the essential elements required to both upgrade food systems and achieve climate objectives. Today's announcement follows the UAE Government's recent commitments to accelerate action to reduce nationwide emissions by 40 per cent by 2030, compared to business-as-usual scenario in its Third Update of its Second NDC . Ahead of the G20 Environment and Climate Ministerial, the COP28 Presidency calls on all Parties to consider raising their ambition through revised NDCs, by meeting historic commitments, such as the $100bn of climate finance, and delivering what is needed at COP28 , including the funding and arrangements for loss and damage.

. Ahead of the G20 Environment and Climate Ministerial, the Presidency calls on all Parties to consider raising their ambition through revised NDCs, by meeting historic commitments, such as the of climate finance, and delivering what is needed at , including the funding and arrangements for loss and damage. Food systems are not only vital for meeting societal needs and enabling adaptation to climate impacts but are also responsible for significant global greenhouse gas emissions  representing up to 33 per cent of total emissions according to the latest data. Current practices also contribute to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, consumption of 70 per cent of freshwater, and can, in some cases, be associated with negative health impacts.

 representing up to 33 per cent of total emissions according to the latest data. Current practices also contribute to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, consumption of 70 per cent of freshwater, and can, in some cases, be associated with negative health impacts. The COP28 Presidency urged action to scale up food and agriculture innovation to drive both development and climate action, leveraging national and international mechanisms  including the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), the CGIAR and the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture. Working with partners, the Presidency will identify investment in a limited number of high-impact innovations, with a focus on smallholder and climate vulnerable communities and producers.

to drive both development and climate action, leveraging national and international mechanisms  including the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), the CGIAR and the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture. Working with partners, the Presidency will identify investment in a limited number of high-impact innovations, with a focus on smallholder and climate vulnerable communities and producers. Advancements in traditional agricultural practices play a major role responding to the realities of climate change and upgrading food systems. Scaling up promising and appropriate technologies, techniques and innovations can help all actors in the global food system mitigate as well as adapt to growing threats from rising temperatures and climate shocks.

and upgrading food systems. Scaling up promising and appropriate technologies, techniques and innovations can help all actors in the global food system mitigate as well as adapt to growing threats from rising temperatures and climate shocks. To promote the Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, t he COP28 Presidency will work with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and a diverse set of partners, to build upon significant momentum and activities already underway at global, regional, and country level, adding to COP26 , COP27 , and the UN Food Systems processes.

and a diverse set of partners, to build upon significant momentum and activities already underway at global, regional, and country level, adding to , , and the UN Food Systems processes. Urgently upgrading food systems to respond to climate impacts and keep 1.5C within reach is a cornerstone of the COP28 agenda and its focus on sustainable growth, livelihoods and well-being.

and its focus on sustainable growth, livelihoods and well-being. The Presidency also emphasized the importance of food systems and agriculture within the Global Goal on Adaptation, also mandated for adoption at COP28 .

Notes to Editors COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City 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.

. 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."

The Global Goal on Adaptation is a Goal Established in the Paris Agreement to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change.

SOURCE COP28


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- Cohort 5 completed with no safety or tolerability issues, Final cohort 6 is recruiting with dosing expected to commence shortly -



- Phase 2 efficacy data for CYB003 in major depressive disorder expected in Q3/Q4 2023 -



- U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") submission of CYB003 Phase 1/2a data for pivotal studies expected following topline efficacy data readout -

TORONTO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) ("Cybin"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative psychedelic-based treatment options, is pleased to announce that its Phase 2 trial evaluating CYB003, an investigational proprietary deuterated analog of psilocybin for the potential treatment of major depressive disorder ("MDD"), has completed dosing in Cohort 5 with no serious adverse events or other adverse events that may preclude continued dosing. The completed Cohorts 4 and 5 evaluated two 12mg doses of CYB003, and recruitment is underway to commence dosing for Cohort 6, the final cohort in the Phase 2 portion of the study.

"The completion of CYB003 dosing in Cohort 5 represents a significant milestone in the progression of our Phase 2 study, taking us one step closer towards establishing a therapeutically efficacious dose and advancing CYB003 towards pivotal studies with the goal of bringing CYB003 as a differentiated and rapid-acting therapeutic option for people with major depressive disorder," said Doug Drysdale, Chief Executive Officer of Cybin. "We are proud of the speed with which we have advanced our clinical-stage programs and remain on track to deliver topline efficacy data from this Phase 2 study later this year and submit data to the FDA in preparation for a potential pivotal study of CYB003."

To date, CYB003 has demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile with no serious adverse events reported at the doses evaluated (1mg, 3mg, 8mg, 10mg, and 12 mg). Interim findings from the Phase 1/2a study have also demonstrated positive observations, showing that CYB003 dosing led to a rapid and robust psychedelic response in participants at low doses, while maintaining a safe and well-tolerated therapeutic profile.

Upcoming milestones for the CYB003 program:

Completion of CYB003 dosing in MDD cohorts expected in Q3 2023

Topline efficacy data readout from CYB003 Phase 2 clinical trial expected in Q3/Q4 2023

U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") submission of CYB003 Phase 1/2a data for pivotal studies expected following topline efficacy data readout

About the Phase 1/2a CYB003 Trial

The Phase 1/2a trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating CYB003 in participants with moderate to severe MDD and in healthy volunteers. Per a protocol amendment that was announced on February 28, 2023, the study introduced healthy volunteers for the lower (sub-therapeutic) dose cohorts and added a bioequivalence and food effect cohort to facilitate the transition to pivotal studies. Healthy volunteers receive two administrations (placebo/active and active/active) one week apart, and measures of psychedelic effect are assessed after each dose. Participants with MDD receive two administrations (placebo/active and active/active) three weeks apart and response/remission are assessed three weeks after each dose. MDD participants in the trial that are currently being treated with antidepressants will be allowed to remain on their antidepressant medication.

The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics ("PK") and pharmacodynamics ("PD"), and psychedelic effect of ascending oral doses of CYB003. In participants with MDD, the trial will also assess rapid onset of antidepressant effect on the day of dosing, using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale ("MADRS") and evaluate the incremental benefit of a second dose of CYB003 when administered at Week 3. An optional period of assessment will help determine the durability of treatment effect out to 12 weeks. The study is listed on ClinicalTrials.gov under Identifier: NCT05385783.

About Cybin

Cybin (or the "Company") is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions.

Cybin's goal of revolutionizing mental healthcare is supported by a network of world-class partners and internationally recognized scientists aimed at progressing proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, and novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens. The Company is currently developing CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog for the treatment of major depressive disorder and CYB004, a proprietary deuterated DMT molecule for generalized anxiety disorder and has a research pipeline of investigational psychedelic-based compounds.

Headquartered in Canada and founded in 2019, Cybin is operational in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland. For company updates and to learn more about Cybin, visit www.cybin.com or follow the team on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release relating to the Company are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the anticipated results and potential of CYB003 and the Company's CYB003 Phase 1/2a trial; the Company's plan to report top-line results from the complete CYB003 Phase 2 clinical trial; timing in respect of completion of CYB003 dosing; timing in respect of submission of CYB003 Phase 1/2a data for pivotal studies; and the Company's plans to engineer proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens for mental health conditions.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the spread of COVID-19 on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the psychedelics market; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for growth; political, social and environmental uncertainties; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in each of the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2023, and the Company's annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2023, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cybin makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about Cybin's proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Cybin has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that Cybin verified such in clinical trials or that Cybin will complete such trials. If Cybin cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Cybin's performance and operations.

Neither the Neo Exchange Inc. nor the NYSE American LLC stock exchange have approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and are not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein.

SOURCE Cybin Inc.
DALLAS, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dalfen Industrial, a leader in last mile industrial real estate, is pleased to announce the promotion of Max Gagliardi as their new Chief Investment Officer. Max has been with Dalfen since 2012, having most recently served as Senior Managing Director of Capital Markets.

Max Gagliardi, Chief Investment Officer

In conjunction with CEO Sean Dalfen, Max will be responsible for the firm's overall investment policy and strategy. Max will continue to lead the firm's portfolio management, capital markets, fund and deal structuring activities, responsibilities he's managed for the past 8 years. Since joining Dalfen, Max has played a critical role in the closing of over $7 billion in transactions across North America. Mark Bowen, Dalfen's Chief Investment Officer for the past twelve months, will transition to the role of Senior Advisor to the firm.

"Max has played an integral role in growing the Dalfen Industrial platform during his tenure here and is a natural fit to become our CIO," said Sean Dalfen, President and Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive investment expertise, risk management discipline and experience are ideally suited for the strategic goals we've outlined for the firm, its funds and various stakeholders."

"Dalfen Industrial has a rich history and an impressive track record as one of the leaders of the industrial real estate space, and I am very fortunate to have been part of the investment team and leadership group that got us there," Gagliardi said. "I now look forward to build on those achievements in my new role, and ensure we maintain the necessary focus and discipline to deliver the same consistent results for our partners."

About Us

Dalfen Industrial LLC, headquartered in Dallas, is one of the largest privately owned industrial real estate firms in the United States and is a leader in the last-mile property sector. Their investment focus is on strategically located urban infill warehouses and distribution buildings. Dalfen currently owns and operates millions of square feet of premier industrial properties throughout the United States.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Dalfen Industrial
EGNACH, Switzerland, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Edelcoin AG, a Swiss-based pioneer in the tokenisation industry, is proud to introduce an innovative product, Edelcoin (EDLC), to the global market. Edelcoin is a stable payment token backed by a basket of precious and base metals, marking a significant advancement in digital currencies.

Edelcoin is not just another digital currency; it's a revolution in stable payment tokens. It offers more stability than single fiat- or metal-based stablecoins and the same versatility as other digital currencies. The token is built on secure, scalable, and reliable blockchain technology, ensuring users can confidently transact.

"We are thrilled to unveil Edelcoin to the world," said Andreas Wiebe, CEO of Edelcoin AG. "Our mission is to make digital currency transactions seamless and accessible to everyone, regardless of their experience level. We believe that blockchain technology has the potential to transform the global economy, and we want to be at the forefront of that transformation."

In line with this mission, Edelcoin AG is delighted to announce the launch of its new website, Edelcoin.com. The launch of Edelcoin.com marks a significant milestone in the company's journey. With its user-centric approach, Edelcoin aims to set a new standard in the crypto industry, providing a platform that is secure, transparent, and easy to use.

Edelcoin invites everyone to visit the new website and explore its features. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a newcomer to the digital currency world, Edelcoin.com has something to offer you.

For more information, visit https://edelcoin.com

SOURCE Edelcoin
NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Closets, the leading provider of custom closet design, home storage and organization solutions, is on a mission to help New Yorkers conquer clutter and maximize their living spaces this summer! With the city's hustle lifestyle and limited space, Manhattan residents face unique challenges when it comes to organizing their homes and apartments. Empire Closets is excited to offer its expertise in custom organization, storage, and interior design work to bring efficient and stylish solutions to residents all over Manhattan and beyond!

While vibrant city living is a dream for most, the cost and space restrictions can prevent us from making it reality. Homes and apartments are notoriously cramped and lacking storage and many New Yorkers are forced to leave vital belongings in storage or if they're lucky, back home with mom and dad. Empire Closets has come up with designs specifically for urbanites looking to tackle clutter and maximize functionality, without compromising looks!

"We understand the struggles of New Yorkers, because we are New Yorkers! Clutter makes it impossible to be your best self!" said an Empire source. "At Empire, we're committed to working with your space and budget to get you organized. No matter what your lifestyle is like  we've created customizable storage solutions you won't see anywhere else!" From hidden cubbies and invisible closets, to pop-out drawers and more  the award winning design team at Empire uses the most innovative interior design tricks in NYC.

To celebrate your commitment to get organized, Empire Closets is offering an exclusive special. For a limited time, all clients can get $500 off any project valued over $3000. This generous discount makes high-end interior design more accessible to New Yorkers on a budget. Don't miss out on the chance to transform your living space with one of the city's most in-demand design teams!

Empire Closets offers a range of custom solutions, including walk-in closets, specialty cabinets, pantries, office solutions and more. Their award winning team works closely with you to understand your needs and style  creating a space that is all your own!

To take advantage of this deal and transform your living space, get connected with Empire Closets today. With personalized service, affordable pricing, and fast turnaround times, the team at Empire Closets is here to bring your design dreams to life! Schedule a free, 1-on-1 design consultation at empireclosets.com or call 718.712.4244 now!

Media contact:

Cynthia Bassant

[email protected]

718.712.4244

SOURCE Empire Closets
Inaugural Women's Leadership Reception designed to grow networks

LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- About 20 percent of the more than 25,000 attendees and exhibitors who attend Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, are women. Now a new event at Expothe inaugural Women's Leadership Receptionwill help them connect and build their industry network. The reception is sponsored by SiteOne and Belgard, and will be held Thursday, October 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).

EXPO is a unique opportunity to network with and learn from leaders and experts from all facets of the green industry. Tweet this Women are a key demographic in the landscape contracting and outdoor power equipment industries. It made sense to create programming that serves them, says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns Equip Exposition. Whether registered as exhibitors, landscape contractors, distributors, or dealers, all women attendees may participate in the reception. Attendees must RSVP to attend when they register at https://www.equipexposition.com/

"Women are a key demographic in the landscape contracting and outdoor power equipment industries. It made sense to create programming that serves them," says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns Equip Exposition.

Whether registered as exhibitors, landscape contractors, distributors, or dealers, all women attendees may participate in the reception. Attendees must RSVP to attend when they register. After the reception, shuttle transportation will be provided from the KEC to the KFC Yum! Center for the concerts by Third Eye Blind and Dylan Scott that evening.

"SiteOne is excited to support the inaugural Equip/OPEI 2023 Women's Leadership Reception," says Christina Moore, Director, Events at SiteOne Landscape Supply. "By partnering with OPEI, we hope to continue advocating for female growth within the industry and encourage Equip and HNA attendees to take advantage of SiteOne career growth tools like our annual WIGI Conference and Women in the Green Growing community groups. We look forward to connecting with this year's attendees and helping one another."

Jenny Nail, Chief Revenue Officer, Oldcastle APG, adds, "The Belgard team is thrilled to be a sponsor of the inaugural Women's Leadership Reception at Hardscape North America. Events like this are important for supporting female colleagues and peers in the outdoor building products industry while encouraging more women to enter this exciting, challenging and diverse field. We are proud to be involved in this event and we look forward to engaging with attendees."

Equip Expo has learned there is tremendous interest in bringing together women leaders across the green industry.

"I have seen firsthand how promoting and championing a diverse workforce benefits our business. EXPO is a unique opportunity to network with and learn from leaders and experts from all facets of the green industry, and it's inspiring to see an intentional focus on attracting, connecting, and developing women in our industry," says Karine Stuimer, Senior Vice President at BrightView Landscape Services, Inc. "BrightView is honored to be part of an event that attracts such a diverse group of industry professionals."

For many women, attending Equip Exposition is about seeing the latest equipment and innovations in the field, while also connecting with peers.

"As a woman in a leadership role in what has always been considered a man's industry, I am increasingly proud to attend events like EXPO and gain strength, knowledge and encouragement from fellow female attendees," says Donna Vignocchi Zych, President of ILT Vignocchi.

Vignocchi Zych adds, "As someone who does not profess to be a feminist, I will say that we do have different issues than our male counterparts. Being able to network and find support on such a large scale is vital to encouraging women to continue to see the green industry not only a viable place for a career, but a prosperous one."

Media contacts

Ami Neiberger, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI, 703-887-4877, [email protected]

Debbi Mayster, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI, 240-988-6243, [email protected]

About Equip Exposition

Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, and is one of the largest annual trade shows in the United States. The show publishes equip magazine and is owned and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, parts, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars, and their suppliers. For more information visit www.EquipExposition.com.

SOURCE Equip Exposition
HUIZHOU, China, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexander Holden, the Senior Vice President of the International OEM Department at EVE Energy (SHE: 300014), a leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer, revealed that the Company will place great importance on expanding its presence in global markets to better serve their international customers by planning green battery factories in Europe and Southeast Asia. According to EVTank's data, in 2021, global sales of new energy vehicles reached 6.7 million units, +102.4% year-on-year, with a penetration rate of 8.3%; in 2022, global sales of new energy vehicles reached 10.8 million units, +61.6% year-on-year, with a penetration rate of 13.0%.

Alexander Holden, SVP of the International OEM Department at EVE Energy

Holden, who has been instrumental in driving the company's push for tech innovation, a client-centric approach, and all-important international expansion, confirmed that EVE Energy achieved significant milestones as part of its bid for global expansion during the first half of the year. EVE Energy is strategically positioned for success, with projections indicating that by 2030, global sales of new energy vehicles will reach 52.1 million units and the penetration rate will exceed 50% based on EVTank's data.

To fortify its position in the market, EVE Energy has actively strengthened its supply chain network. Through collaborations with industry leaders such as Capchem, Semcorp, Dynanonic, and Zhongke Electric, the company has established partnerships within the lithium-ion raw material sector. Additionally, EVE Energy has acquired equity stakes in Dahua Chemical, Jinkunlun Lithium Industry, and Xinghua Lithium Salt and established a joint venture company, Jinhai Lithium Industry. These strategic moves lay the foundation for the enrichment of lithium resources and lithium carbonate resources.

Furthermore, EVE Energy has successfully completed the construction of its international regional sales network, ensuring close proximity to customers and maintaining reliable and familiar communication channels. This comprehensive network guarantees a steadfast connection with existing customers while facilitating the acquisition of new clients and projects.

With nearly 20 years of experience at EVE Energy, Alexander Holden reflects on the remarkable growth the company has achieved. From its humble beginnings in a rented factory, EVE Energy has transformed into a high-volume manufacturing powerhouse, supplying top-tier EV brands like BMW with its signature cylindrical batteries. However, Holden emphasizes that EVE Energy's success lies not only in its manufacturing capabilities but also in its technological leadership. The company boasts thousands of patents, making it a true industry pioneer in battery technology for both present and future needs.

Alexander Holden also shared his heartfelt reflections on his time spent and the stories that have gone hand in hand with his own development. He expressed his appreciation for the courteous and respectful treatment he has received as a foreign visitor in China, and he praised the younger generation's eagerness to embrace novel ideas and speak English fluently. Holden believes that effective communication is at the heart of any successful business partnership, and he gives credit to EVE Energy's customer-focused approach for its growth and success in the industry. Their dedication to listening and understanding their clients' needs has been instrumental in driving their progress and achievements.

Holden shared that he was inspired by Dr. Liu Jincheng, the founder of EVE Energy, and his commitment to developing technology that improves society rather than just chasing profits. He became passionate about the lithium battery industry and contributed to its advancement. In his role as team leader, Holden pointed out some significant accomplishments, particularly in establishing partnerships with top industry players like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Kia, and Jaguar Land Rover. He credits the emphasis on communication, transparency, and client needs at EVE Energy for these achievements. Through building robust relationships and attentive listening to customers, EVE Energy has established itself as a dependable supplier to renowned firms globally.

Regarding the lithium battery industry, Holden acknowledges China's impressive technological advancements and the government's support for renewable energy. China has actively worked towards reducing carbon emissions, improving manufacturing processes, and promoting sustainable living conditions. Holden highlights China's prominent position in lithium battery production, with the country accounting for over 80% of the world's lithium batteries.

According to reports from SNE Analysts, the market for electric vehicle batteries could exhibit explosive growth. Their data suggests that the electric vehicle market penetration rate rose from a mere 1% between 2015 and 2017 to a hefty 13% in 2022. During this period, the demand for power batteries surged from 28GWh to 492GWh. Projections indicate that by 2035, the sales of new energy vehicles will reach approximately 80 million units with a penetration rate of around 90%. The three major markets, namely, China, Europe, and North America, will exhibit a 60% electric vehicle adoption rate starting in 2029, possibly hitting 90% by 2035. With the rapid development of the global electric vehicle market, the power battery market size is poised to increase fivefold from $121 billion this year to an impressive $616 billion by 2035.

Looking ahead, Holden highlighted the strengths, opportunities, and expected growth of EVE Energy. The company's emphasis on technology development and effective collaboration between research, sales, and manufacturing teams positions it for ongoing success. Holden draws attention to the different demand levels between domestic and international markets, with volume playing a pivotal role in differentiation. He stresses the importance of understanding market dynamics and adapting strategies accordingly to meet customer criteria.

EVE Energy places great importance on expanding its presence in global markets. To achieve this goal, the company is implementing strategic initiatives such as industry chain integration, team internationalization, and the application of international operational modes. EVE Energy also plans to partner with established distributors in Europe to increase its sales force and benefit from their expertise and existing customer relationships.

To learn more about EVE Energy and its innovative battery solutions, please visit their website at https://www.evebattery.com/en.

About EVE Energy

Founded in 2001 and listed in Shenzhen in 2009, EVE Energy has developed into a global player in the market, providing core technologies and comprehensive solutions for both consumer and power batteries, especially regarding the Internet of Things and the energy internet. Currently, EVE Energy has set up a research institute with 60 doctors and over 4,100 interdisciplinary R&D engineers in materials, electrochemistry, structure design, and electronic circuit design, obtained over 5,900 national patents in China. The company launched a carbon reduction roadmap with a series of low-carbon reduction efforts in energy use, the manufacturing process, the supply chain, and resource management, and was named a "National Green Factory". Meanwhile, EVE Energy leverages its BIM technology to provide accurate and reliable data for project management, saving a total of 2,533 tons of standard coal and reducing 16,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

SOURCE EVE Energy Co., Ltd
MADISON, Wis., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Everlight Solar has been named to the winning list of Nextdoor's 2023 Neighborhood Faves, the only annual awards where neighbors vote to celebrate their favorite local businesses. This year, Neighborhood Fave winners like Everlight Solar will receive greater visibility and ranking on the Nextdoor app as well as a sticker to showcase their win in the real world.

Everlight Solar has been named to the winning list of Nextdoor's 2023 Neighborhood Faves. Tweet this Everlight Solar has been named to the winning list of Nextdoors 2023 Neighborhood Faves, the only annual awards where neighbors vote to celebrate their favorite local businesses.

"Neighbors know best, and Nextdoor's Neighborhood Faves are the only annual awards celebrating the businesses that are most loved by locals. This prestigious recognition is only awarded to 1% of the local businesses on Nextdoor and is a testament to the positive impact they have had on their community," said Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar.

Used by one in three households in the US, Nextdoor is the neighborhood network where veried neighbors and businesses connect to the neighborhoods that matter to them.

Will Creech, President and CEO of Everlight Solar stated, "This award holds a special place in our hearts because it comes directly from the people we serve  our amazing neighbors and customers. To be among the 1% of local businesses on Nextdoor receiving this prestigious recognition is truly an honor."

The complete list of winning businesses in each city is available at nextdoor.com/favorites. Join the neighborhood network by downloading the Nextdoor app or visiting nextdoor.com.

Everlight Solar is the fastest-growing solar company in the Midwest, with operations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. To learn more about open jobs or about going solar for your own home, visit www.everlightsolar.com.

SOURCE Everlight Solar
BARCELONA, Spain, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractus' groundbreaking antenna technology now ventures into the realm of healthcare. The company has successfully developed an innovative wireless implantable device technology, revolutionizing the way doctors remotely monitor their patients and boosting the uptake of telehealth services by leveraging wireless connectivity. With the ability to offer real-time data and feedback, this cutting-edge technology is set to greatly improve patient care, enabling doctors to make timely, informed decisions and fostering personalized consultations that actively engage patients in their treatment journeys.

According to the American Heart Association, there is around 92,1 million adults in the US suffering from cardiovascular diseases, with nearly 500.000 cardiac pacemakers being given to patients in the US annually. The cardiac rhythm management devices market size was valued at $10,2 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow more than 4.2% CAGR to 2025 globally, being the US market value at $6,3 billion in 2025.

Fractus, a pioneering company in the field of antenna technology, has been at the forefront of revolutionizing telecommunications for over two decades. With its innovative technologies applied across various sectors, the company has left a significant imprint on society. Founded in 1999 in Barcelona, Spain, Fractus has spearheaded groundbreaking advancements, transforming the telecommunications industry. Notably, the company eliminated the need for external antennas in mobile phones, enabling worldwide connectivity while maintaining sleek designs.

About Fractus:

Fractus is an early pioneer in developing antenna technology for smartphones, tablets and other wireless Internet of Things devices and holds an intellectual property rights portfolio of more than 40 inventions protected through over 120 patents and patent applications in the United States, Europe and Asia. Among the numerous awards and honors the company has received for its innovative work, Fractus was named a 2005 Davos World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and one of Red Herring's top innovative companies for 2006. It also won the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Award for technological innovation and the 2010 National Communication Award of the Catalan Government in the telecommunications category. A team of Fractus inventors was finalist for the EPO European Inventor Award 2014. On November 2015, Fractus was awarded Academiae Dilecta by the Spanish Royal Engineering Academy and on April 2017 received the "European Inspiring Company Award" by the London Stock Exchange and the Elite Group.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1896932/Fractus_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Fractus
Taking a step beyond normal crowd-funding sites, Unfunded focuses on helping schools in financial need

DENVER, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unfunded, a unique crowdfunding platform committed to tackling budget shortfalls, recently called for support in a pivotal initiative: a new playground for Marcus Elementary School in Marcus, Iowa. Faced with increased pricing in construction costs, the Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community School District was forced to ask for private funding despite the success of passing a bond measure in the community. Underscoring the urgency and relevance of Unfunded's overarching mission, the Marcus Elementary School Playground Project aims to raise $250,000.

From Playgrounds to Progress: Unfunded Swings Into Action to Aid Iowa School in $250,000 Crowdfunding Effort From Playgrounds to Progress: Unfunded Swings Into Action to Aid Iowa School in $250,000 Crowdfunding Effort

"Understanding the current landscape of educational inequity, it is essential to recognize that public school funding in America is driven by federal, state, and local government resources, primarily through various forms of taxes," said founder Vaishali McCarthy. "But studies have shown a direct link between the disparity in school funding and the achievement gap, particularly in schools located in areas with lower property taxes."

"Sometimes people will look at school funding issues and wonder: 'If a bond was recently passed, why is funding still an issue?' Well unfortunately, it's never that simple. Budget issues can happen quickly, especially when funds are strictly allocated for certain projects or, as in this case in Iowa, prices simply go up after the bond is already passed. These are the types of underreported circumstances that can kill school projects quickly."

Post the Great Recession, school funding across the U.S. suffered a substantial blow that continues to be reflected in lower student achievement rates, increased class sizes, and diminished programs  especially for students in poorer communities. And despite some economic recovery, school budgets have not kept pace. Compounded with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which further strained educational resources, the educational landscape is one that continues to require substantial assistance.

Efforts like Unfunded make a significant difference in bridging the gaps in educational opportunities and outcomes by redefining how school projects get funded, providing a lifeline to struggling schools with budget gaps. Learn more about the platform by signing up for the newsletter and following Unfunded on social media: Facebook, Instagram.

About Unfunded

Founded by Vaishali McCarthy, licensed architect and board member of the Colorado Department of Education, Unfunded is an innovative online platform dedicated to addressing the chronic underfunding of U.S. public school infrastructure. Unfunded unites communities in need and connects schools with donors, facilitating impactful change in educational environments across the nation. Learn more at: www.un-funded.com.

Media Contact:

Vaishali McCarthy, Founder

1-303-801-0079

[email protected].com

SOURCE unfunded
A proven leader driving growth and innovation in the active apparel and wellness sector, Blakeslee adds to Gap Inc.'s leadership bench

SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced that it is appointing Chris Blakeslee as the new President and CEO of Athleta, joining the company August 7. In this role, Blakeslee will drive strategic growth for the portfolio's nearly $1.5 billion1 women's active and lifestyle brand, and certified B Corporation, building on the foundation of Athleta's product innovation and its mission to ignite a community of active, healthy, confident women and girls who empower each other to reach their true potential through the 'Power of She.'

Gap Inc. Names Chris Blakeslee as President and CEO of Athleta

Blakeslee brings broad expertise in the apparel retail and wholesale industries, holding roles across marketing, sales, product portfolio management, operations, and supply chain, serving most recently as President of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas since 2017. In that time, Alo Yoga grew to over $1 billion in sales in 2022, nearly doubling its year-over-year growth.

"A true brand champion, Chris is known for driving results in high-growth businesses through the blend of creativity and operational rigor," said Bob Martin, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, Gap Inc. "Chris is a strong, decisive leader and proven business driver across multiple industries, including active apparel and wellness  one of the fastest and most aspirational retail sectors  making him well suited to guide Athleta into long-term, sustainable growth rooted in delivering high-quality performance product and a rich omni shopping experience."

"I'm thrilled to join the Gap Inc. team and to lead Athleta  a brand I've long admired. I see incredible runway for the brand to capitalize on its unique, purpose-led positioning and performance product innovation, leveraging its assets across marketing, stores, product and community to deliver consistent growth," said Blakeslee. "There is something really captivating about the 'Power of She' when it comes to engaging women and girls in all aspects of life, and I can't wait to jump in with the teams to harness this in a way that will further serve customers' wants and needs."

Blakeslee joins a strong and dedicated Athleta leadership team, including Chief Creative Officer, Julia Leach, who was appointed in May to clearly and consistently articulate the brand voice and vision across all its touch points.

About Chris Blakeslee

Blakeslee most recently served as President of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas. Under Blakeslee's leadership, Alo Yoga focused on a fashion-forward approach to wellness, building community and brand awareness with high-profile influencers, as well as store and category expansion to drive growth. At the same time, Blakeslee led the expansion of premium apparel wholesaler Bella+Canvas into the retail space, offering customers direct access to product both online and in stores.

Prior to this, Blakeslee held several senior positions at Broder Brothers (now Alphabroder), a wholesale distributor of branded products and services. He began his career in industrial manufacturing and distribution. Blakeslee holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2022 net sales were $15.6 billion. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

CONTACT: [email protected]

1. Gap Inc. (2023, March) 2022 Annual Report. Retrieved from https://s24.q4cdn.com/508879282/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/2022-GPS-Annual-Report-Final.pdf.

SOURCE Gap Inc.
The barn quilts that hang throughout the Gage County Fairgrounds got a fresh coat of paint this summer.

The quilts were added in 2012 and Gage County was one of the first fairgrounds in the state of Nebraska to have a Barn Quilt Trail.

Project Organizer Kay McKinzie said it was a way of honoring our heritage.

It was a way of adding some excitement for people to come to the fairgrounds, she said. It was a way of honoring our agricultural heritage as we are an agricultural community. It was also a way of honoring our many pioneers who came out because of the Homestead Act.

Originally Larry and Kay McKinzie, along with Don and Bev Ewer, had offered barn quilt workshops as Friends of the Homestead National Monument for several years. They had also offered the workshops in Southeast Nebraska and Missouri.

Its always been something that I was interested in," McKinzie said. "As times change, people look at historical items differently. Quilts have been a part of expressing yourself rather than utilitarian. Its become an art form.

McKinzie and Jane Esau researched different patterns from books Ann Reimer had lent them. They found block designs that represent several facets of the county fair, including patriotism, livestock, education and the midway. They enlisted the help of the Gage County Agriculture Society, Gage County 4-H Clubs, members and families to paint the 18 wooden quilts.

The quilts began showing some wear from 11 years of hanging in the elements.

One of the fair board members had approached me and noticed that the barn quilts really needed some repainting to make them look good again, she said. He asked if I would be willing to do the painting and I hesitated because I knew there would be a bunch to do. But then I remember my late husband Larry would always say, 'If you start a project, you better be ready to see it through,' so I said I would.

McKinzie worked in the 4-H Inc. Building repainting each of the quilts. She said she worked four hours at a time for a total of 25-30 hours.

I thoroughly enjoyed it," she said. "Each day I did a different color and could see it come together.

The barn quilts have been rehung throughout the fairgrounds just in time for the Gage County Fair running from July 26-30.
QUFU, China, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the heart of Malta, within the walls of a secondary school, a remarkable initiative is quietly revolutionizing the way students perceive and engage with Chinese culture.

The brainchild of Mr Martin Azzopardi, a dedicated and visionary teacher, the Science China Corner at the St Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua, Malta has become a beacon of multiculturalism in education for over a decade.

The science teacher's recent China trip, along with 11 Maltese students, to Qufu in East China's Shandong Province - known as the home of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius - has given Azzopardi new ideas for future projects.

"I am thinking about new projects, because while being there I discovered other cultural aspects, which hadn't occurred to me before," Azzopardi said, noting his discoveries such as the dragon skin roofs.

"I'm helping my students to discover the meaning behind lots of symbolism here."

The trip is his first to China after receiving a reply from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In July 2022, Azzopardi and his students wrote a letter to President Xi, expressing their best wishes for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and China.

In the reply letter sent at the beginning of August 2022, Xi noted that the China Corner has actively contributed to the enhancing understanding of China among the Maltese youth and promoted China-Malta friendship.

Xi also expressed his hopes that Maltese teachers, students and other young people would continue to help promote mutual learning of the two civilizations.

Engaging in youth exchanges in China has also left a profound impact on Azzopardi and his students.

"My students are not just appreciating beautiful temples, museums and the countryside, but are all the time telling me how much they wish they can stay in China, how much they wish they can stay here. I never imagined the Chinese to be so kind," Azzopardi said.

'The need to share'

Through the cultural exchanges at the Science China Corner, the innovative program has increasingly strengthened ties between China and Malta, two geographically distant countries bonded by a shared desire for understanding and friendship.

Enraptured by the tales of Marco Polo and the wonders of Chinese inventions shared by his beloved grandmother, Azzopardi first visited China in 2010 and was fascinated by the country's rich culture.

"Following my first visit to China in 2010, I returned to my country with so much love for Chinese culture. But then I felt the need to share all that I had here in my heart with my students," Azzopardi told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

After his now seemingly life-changing journey to China, Azzopardi embarked on a mission to integrate Chinese culture into his science syllabus using the Montessori method of teaching and established the Science China Corner at his school.

Among the momentous events held in the last decade, the science exhibition on China at the China Corner was established by Azzopardi, for students from all departments to come together to showcase their research.

The Science China Corner has achieved remarkable milestones, and the impact of the Science China Corner extends beyond the walls of the school.

"We do approximately 40 projects a year, which is not a joke, as each project requires lots and lots of study and research," Azzopardi told the Global Times.

Azzopardi and his students have published their findings through articles in local newspapers and on social media platforms, providing access to their findings and projects to a wider audience.

"As projects have to be documented in some way in an article, and the articles must be certified for publication, we are able to publish our articles. And in doing so, it's not just my students who learn about Chinese culture, but the whole country also learns from our students, science and the China corner projects," he said.

Build bridges, not walls

However, the China Corner has faced opposition and criticism from some who failed to grasp the beauty of cultural integration in education.

"When you do something new and innovative, get prepared for criticism," Azzopardi said, noting that he has faced lots of opposition due to people's lack of understanding of why he relates science to Chinese culture.

"This is a Montessori method of teaching. And so it is my role to decide which method of teaching I use to teach my students," he said.

"What's the problem with China? It's a country with a long history and is a vast culture. We must learn from these things."

Azzopardi also noted that he has since lost good friends for reasons which he is unable to understand, underlining that "we are here to build bridges and not to build walls."

"The Science China Corner is teaching my students to be young diplomats, and not just enhance Chinese culture and multiculturalism in education, but is also helping my students to be young diplomats between Malta and China and is teaching them to be bridge- and not wall-builders," he said.

Despite facing setbacks and even losing friends, Azzopardi said his determination is backed by the Chinese diplomatic community which has propelled him forward.

"I would like to convey my gratitude to the China Culture Center in Malta. To me, they were my source of energy because, thanks to them, I can keep going," he said.

My intention is education and to open up and widen my students' intellect and multiculturalism," Azzopardi told the Global Times.

"If you want me to stop the Science China Corner, I will resign from being a teacher after 30 years in the teaching profession, because I know I am doing good things to my students," he said.

Having the Science China Corner will also minimize the students' misunderstandings about and misconceptions of China.

"The students may hold some prejudices about the East or about China, or about Eastern countries," Azzopardi noted.

"But when they come to the Science China Corner projects and discover the richness of Chinese culture, its long and beautiful history, they realize that their misconceptions were truly misconceptions."

"Coming together hand in hand, this is what we need. We need to invest in our young generation and show them the beauty of coming together."

SOURCE Global Times
JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc. (OTC: GGSM; "the Company"), acquires Charter boat Saranya to meet tourism pent-up demand we continue to see for cruise vacations.

"We are excited about the addition of Saranya to our fleet, which reflects the strong position that GGSM has established in the U.S., the pent-up demand we continue to see for cruise vacations, and the overall plans by GGSM to optimize capacity and growth in key markets," said Rudi Khelces, CEO

Tourism Market to Reach USD 16.9 Trillion By 2030; The Emerging Notion of Adventure Tourism Reflects Strong Growth - Globe Newswire article Feb. 24, 2023

GGSM recently acquired the Saranya, a 10-passenger, plus 4 crew member liveaboard vessel to its fleet. The additional charter boat will allow the Company a greater ability to meet consumer demand for ocean expeditions.

The fully equipped, comfortable accommodations long-range motor yacht can deliver clients to the many locations along the archipelago that clients have requested.

Rudi Khelces, CEO, said, " Passengers were eager to get back to sailing the high seas; we are just beginning to continue our rapid pace of long-term potential double-digit sales increase of the Company."GGSM acquisitions of Yacht and Charter Boat expands our fleet and passenger capacity, for significant growth and solid revenue performance.

ABOUT GGSM CORPORATION

GGSM is a publicly-traded company engaged in the charter boat business in the Mentawai Islands and Beyond. The Kuda Laut's charter vessel is a Mentawai Surf Charter vessel to the World-Famous Mentawai Islands. The Kuda Laut has been chartering to the Mentawai, Telos, Nias, and Banyak Islands for over 25 seasons. From the Lagundri Bay in Nias, the Hinakos, the Bay of Plenty in the Banyaks, the Telos long rights, and the famous waves in the Mentawai, such as Rifles, No Kandui, Ebay, etc., in the Playground, to Telescopes, Bintang, Lances Right.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to continue to enhance our products and systems to address industry changes, our ability to expand our customer base and retain existing customers, our ability to effectively compete in our market segment, the lack of public information on our Company, our ability to raise sufficient capital to fund our business, operations, our ability to continue as a going concern, and a limited public market for our common stock, among other risks. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

For More Information, visit https://ggsmglobal.com

Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc., Investor Relations

Website: https://ggsmglobal.com

Media Enquiries:

Volha Zvalinskaya

[email protected]

SOURCE Gold and Gemstone Mining, Inc.
"These executive leadership changes will help Golden State Foods best support our customers and enable the continued growth of our company and our people, as we pursue strategic succession plans to optimize the deep expertise and proven capabilities of our senior leadership team," said Conrad Wetterau, Chairman of GSF's Board of Directors. "As four leaders who faithfully exemplify our company's Creed and Values, Brian, John, Brad, and Stephen each bring to their expanded roles the essential qualities and business acumen that will positively impact the acceleration of GSF's success and that of our customers in the future."

With 24 years of GSF experience, Brian Dick will continue to oversee all global operations and functions for the company, including food manufacturing, logistics, and administrative groups. He will also provide strategic leadership and vision for all worldwide activities to ensure the achievement of the organization's multi-year strategic plans and annual plans, including the attainment of all customer satisfaction objectives and company financial and growth goals.

Dick joined GSF in 1999 as the Business Development Manager for GSF Egypt and earned numerous promotions into positions of increasing responsibility in business development, food manufacturing operations, and corporate executive leadership roles, including his most recent position as President and Chief Operating Officer. Beyond his service at GSF, he currently serves on the U.S. Board of Governors for GS1, a non-profit information standards organization that facilitates industry collaboration to help improve supply chain visibility and efficiency using GS1 Standards. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dick earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and modern languages from Queen's University, Belfast, North Ireland.

A GSF associate for 19 years, John Page will continue to lead the company's Legal Department and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including the GSF Foundation, as well as assume new responsibilities for Risk Management; Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory (FSQR); Environmental Health and Safety (EHS); and Sustainability. In his prior role as Senior Corporate Vice President, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Legal Officer since 2012, John advised GSF in navigating corporate mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestitures, which have enabled strategic growth and business diversification. Guiding the advancement of the company's environmental initiatives, diversity and fair treatment, and community involvement, John was instrumental in GSF earning customer recognition in 2022 for its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) with McDonald's first-ever Global DE&I Award.

Page began his career at GSF in 2004 as General Counsel and earned a promotion to Corporate Vice President and General Counsel in 2006. His prior career experience includes 13 years providing legal counsel on matters involving licensing, international and domestic sales, supply chain management and strategic planning with companies such as Avaya Inc. (a spin-off of Lucent Technologies) and for clients such as Cendant, Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, US JVC, National Westminster Bank, and Barnes & Noble, among others he represented as an attorney for various legal firms in New Jersey and New York. Page graduated cum laude from Pace University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

A 10-year GSF associate, Brad Tingey has played a key role in building a team of very talented professionals with the technical skills and business acumen required for effectively guiding the financial affairs of GSF's global portfolio of companies. In his new role, he will continue to lead all aspects of Finance, Accounting, Corporate Development, Tax and Treasury.

Tingey previously earned promotions in 2022 to Corporate Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and in 2019 to serve as GSF's Corporate Vice President, Finance, after helping lead business analysis and development of various business models for GSF. Earlier in his career, he held various managerial roles with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Southern California and New Jersey over the course of a decade. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree of accountancy.

A GSF associate since 2009, Stephen Wetterau will broaden his scope of responsibility to include IT and Technology, in addition to his recently expanded role interfacing with the company's global enterprises and partnering with the GSF Management Committee to help advance strategic priorities and support GSF's strong culture of innovation. Wetterau previously served as Vice President, Logistics for Quality Custom Distribution, leveraging his strategy, structure, and culture expertise to help GSF's U.S. distribution centers successfully navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in his GSF career, Wetterau held roles of increasing responsibility as QCD's Vice President, Logistics; Group Vice President, QCD West; Regional Operations Director, QCD West; Assistant General Manager for the company's former City of Industry, California distribution facility; Strategic Procurement Manager  Centralized Leasing Corporation; and Continuous Improvement Analyst, QCD. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in International Business from Chapman University in Orange, California.

About Golden State Foods

Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries, feeds one billion people every day! Headquartered in Irvine, California, the multi-national company is values-based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation, and customer service. Established in 1947, GSF and its family of companies currently service 200+ leading brands (125,000+ restaurants/stores in more than 50 countries) from its 50 locations on five continents. Its core businesses include: manufacturing of liquid products, protein, produce, dairy/aseptic, and provides custom distribution services. The company employs approximately 6,000 associates and is management-owned and run. Golden State Foods also operates a national non-profit organization, the GSF Foundation.

Media Contact:

Emma LaPalermo, Porter Novelli

[email protected]

(630) 818-7620

SOURCE Golden State Foods

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Leading water heating manufacturer will provide $125,000 over five years through Industry Forward program to support robotics facility, teams and events.

GRANDVILLE, Mich., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grandville Public Schools is pleased to announce a long-term partnership with Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, for naming rights to the robotics fabrication lab at the district's new Robotics Competition Center.

Grandville Robotics Competition Center Main competition arena, Grandville Robotics Competition Center

Charitable grant funds from Bradford White Corporation's signature charitable giving program, Industry Forward, are targeted to support the new Robotics Fabrication Lab as a naming sponsor and robotics teams and events at the new facility in Grandville, Michigan. This facility, attached to the new Grandville Middle School, will be one of the largest built-for-purpose robotics competition centers in the country. Naming rights sponsors for the facility are being coordinated through the Grandville Academic Team Boosters.

Under the terms of the sponsorship arrangement, Bradford White Corporation will provide $25,000 in annual funding over the five-year agreement.

"We are excited to partner with such a great organization as Bradford White. We are grateful for their support as we provide an amazing learning environment for our scholars!" said Roger Bearup, Grandville Public Schools' Superintendent.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Grandville Public Schools and to provide funding that will positively impact the students in Michigan through meaningful workforce development training and education and exposure to industry careers. Their robotics program has a successful history, and we look forward to a great partnership together," said Rebecca Owens, senior communications manager, Bradford White Corporation.

"The Grandville Robotics program is celebrating its 25th year, and this new, multi-year partnership with Bradford White Corporation marks a new milestone for us. Long-term sponsorships like this allow us to invest in equipment and make multi-year commitments that expand competitive robotics opportunities for students in Grandville and students from across the Great Lakes region. I would be remiss not to mention that we still have naming rights opportunities at this unique facility, including naming rights for the main competition arena," said Doug Hepfer, GATB President.

About the Grandville Public Schools

Grandville Public Schools has been a leader in educational robotics for 25 years. Beginning with one high school robotics team in 1998, the program has now grown to include more than 100 teams. More than 700 students participate on Grandville robotics teams, designing, building, and programming robotics for competitions around the world. Grandville fields more than 20 Lego League and VEX IQ teams made up of fourth through sixth graders. These students go on to participate in the VEX Robotics Competition at the middle school and high school. The district fields middle school drone teams in the RECF Aerial Drone Competition. The Grandville High School RoboDawgs are one of the United States' largest and most accomplished high school robotics teams. Grandville High School also fields teams that compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition, VEX AI, and Bell Advanced Vertical Robotics. High school teams build autonomous vehicles to compete on land, water, and in the air. The RoboDawgs' high-altitude balloon program conducts research in near space and works to achieve long distance sustained high altitude balloon flight through neutral buoyancy.

About Bradford White Corporation

Bradford White Corp. is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company maintains headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Michigan; Niles, Michigan; and Rochester, New Hampshire; and distribution and training centers in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

Media Contact:

Doug Hepfer

6165403239

362586@email4pr.com

SOURCE Grandville Public Schools
Investment to accelerate growth behind leading compliance and supply chain management software provider

CHICAGO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GTCR, a leading private equity firm, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Once For All (the "Company"), a leading compliance and supply chain management software provider, from Warburg Pincus. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Basingstoke, United Kingdom and Paris, France, Once For All is a compliance and supply chain management software platform serving the construction industry primarily in the United Kingdom and France. Once For All serves as a SaaS-based network of over 150,000 construction and facilities management companies, enabling contractors and property owners to manage their supply chain of sub-contractors and ensure compliance with an increasingly complex set of public regulations and private standards. The Company's software suite also includes a two-sided marketplace that connects contractors and property owners with qualified suppliers looking to source new business opportunities.

"We are excited to partner with the Once For All team to continue to build on the success of the business," said Mark Anderson, Managing Director and Head of Technology, Media & Telecommunications at GTCR. "Once For All has established itself as a leader in the supply chain and compliance software market, developing products that continue to be adopted across the industry as best-in-class solutions for navigating operational and regulatory complexities. We will look to accelerate the Company's growth and scale through product innovation and the addition of capabilities through M&A. GTCR has a long investment history and experience in vertical software with compliance solutions which we will leverage in helping develop strategies that drive further growth for the business and value for our customers."

Adarsh Sarma and David Reis, Managing Directors at Warburg Pincus, said: "We are proud to have supported Once For All through a transformative growth journey. Under our ownership, the Company pursued a strategy prioritizing technology and product investment, enabling the launch of innovative compliance and business development solutions for the construction industry. A UK-only business when Warburg Pincus invested, Once For All also internationalized during our investment period, bringing its unique product suite to Continental Europe. We would like to thank the management team for their hard work and commitment - they have built a truly world-class business and we wish them and GTCR all the best in the next growth phase."

Jefferies served as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins provided legal counsel to GTCR. Arma Partners and William Blair served as financial advisors for Once For All and Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor. Management was advised by Jamieson Corporate Finance and Macfarlanes as legal counsel.

About GTCR

Founded in 1980, GTCR is a leading private equity firm that pioneered The Leaders Strategy  finding and partnering with management leaders in core domains to identify, acquire and build market-leading companies through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. GTCR is focused on investing in transformative growth in companies in the Business & Consumer Services, Financial Services & Technology, Healthcare and Technology, Media & Telecommunications sectors. Since its inception, GTCR has invested more than $25 billion in over 270 companies, and the firm currently manages more than $35 billion in equity capital. GTCR is based in Chicago with offices in New York and West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.gtcr.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

About Once For All

Once For All is the European leader in supply chain risk management solutions for the construction industry. We help our customers source and track sales opportunities, manage risk and compliance, and provide tools to increase efficiency in their supply chains. Once For All has over 150,000 customers that use its single codebase SaaS solution to search, find and assess future business relationships based on skills, trades and ESG credentials. As a result, Once For All manages one of the largest proprietary ESG data sets in the world. Once For All has over 400 employees, is the market leader in UK and France and has operations in Belgium and Germany. For more information, please visit www.onceforall.com.

About Warburg Pincus:

Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global growth investor. The firm has more than $80 billion in assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 250 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 21 private equity and 2 real estate funds, which have invested more than $112 billion in over 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.warburgpincus.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

GTCR

Andrew Johnson

212.835.7042

[email protected]

SOURCE GTCR
World's Largest In-Home Fitness Franchise Strengthens Presence in Central Ohio, Sets Stage for Expansion in Additional Target DMAs

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GYMGUYZ , the world's largest in-home and on-site personal training franchise, has announced a newly signed agreement set to bring its services to the North Columbus area. The rapidly-growing brand also plans to expand deeper into Cleveland and Cincinnati, and just announced the addition of stretching services to its locations across the country.

The new North Columbus location, owned and operated by local entrepreneur, Dave Dulin, will be hosting a grand opening event on Wednesday, September 27th at 5:00 pm at Rose Run Park in New Albany, Ohio. Co-sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association, there will be a ribbon cutting facilitated by New Albany Chamber of Commerce and an opportunity to make a voluntary charitable donation to the Alzheimer's Association for participation in a group activity.

Dulin was born and raised in central Ohio. He earned a degree in Finance from Ohio State University before earning a Master's Degree in Criminology from Xavier University, and has always been physically active. His daily routine consists of weight training, cardiovascular exercise, and healthy eating. It is this passion for a healthy lifestyle that fueled his desire to help others via his new GYMGUYZ franchise.

"The central Ohio area has grown tremendously over the past few decades, and the need for in-home and onsite fitness trainers has definitely grown alongside it," said Dulin. "With a family history of dementia, I've always prioritized being physically active as part of my preventative plan. Sometimes, people just need the right personal trainer to truly hold them accountable, and I look forward to bringing GYMGUYZ to my community. Not to mention, our in-home and onsite fitness instruction can be an important part of corporate wellness programs throughout the area, so we are looking forward to serving the Columbus business community as well."

Founded by Josh York, who created the concept in his parent's dining room before scaling it to the world's largest in-home fitness franchise, GYMGUYZ prides itself on its ability to help customers stay accountable to their fitness goals.

With a 15-year strong business model, GYMGUYZ is transforming lives every day by offering convenient, customized, and creative workouts. Clients and companies in over 1,100 cities are being delivered a Certified Personal Trainer, state-of-the art equipment, and tailored workouts right to their homes, offices, corporate campuses, or other settings.

"The GYMGUYZ franchise model offers hands-on training, assistance with business planning, and comprehensive marketing support. We use an analytical approach to help our franchise owners proactively manage their business, and deliver the high level of service we expect from all of our locations," said Josh York, Founder & CEO of GYMGUYZ. "As we continue to attract fitness-minded owners like Dave to our franchise system, we plan to have a strong presence of red GYMGUYZ vans across central Ohio and surrounding areas by the end of the year."

As demand for in-home services increases across Ohio, GYMGUYZ, is actively seeking qualified single and multi-territory franchisees who are looking to help change lives through convenient, customized and creative workouts. Due to its success in the consumer market, GYMGUYZ also began offering fitness services to major corporations, schools, hospitals, government agencies, and residential communities several years ago. Prospective franchisees do not need to have a fitness background to be considered.

To apply for employment with GYMGUYZ North Columbus, visit https://gymguyz-north-columbus.careerplug.com/j/01sw2x3.

To train with GYMGUYZ, visit https://www.gymguyz.com/. To learn more about franchising with GYMGUYZ, visit https://www.gymguyz.com/franchise-opportunities/.

About GYMGUYZ

GYMGUYZ is proud to be the largest in-home and on-site personal training company in the world. GYMGUYZ brings the workout to their clients and provides convenient, customized and creative workouts. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and founded in 2008 by fitness specialist Josh York, the brand delivers expert personal trainers that utilize a fleet of branded vehicles stocked with state-of-the-art fitness equipment to deliver exceptional fitness experiences. In 2019, the brand was recognized as No. 5 on Inc. Magazine's 10 Hottest Franchise Businesses in America, which highlighted their growth of more than 801% over the last three years. GYMGUYZ also scored the first and second place spots on Franchise Gator's annual list of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Franchises and received recognition as a top franchise in Entrepreneur's Highly Competitive 41st Annual Franchise 500. Now serving over 1,100 cities internationally, including cities in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, GYMGUYZ is the fastest-growing fitness concept in the U.S. with plans to open another 75 territories by the end of 2023. For more information on GYMGUYZ and franchising opportunities, visit http://www.gymguyz.com/.

Media Contact: Taylor Nortman, Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300 or [email protected]

SOURCE GYMGUYZ
Heineken's new campaign tackles the issue of responsible drinking with the help of global F1 superstar, Max Verstappen , highlighting that when it comes to selecting a designated driver on a night out, 'The Best Driver' to choose is always the one that hasn't had a drink  unless that drink is Heineken 0.0

, highlighting that when it comes to selecting a designated driver on a night out, 'The Best Driver' to choose is always the one that hasn't had a drink  unless that drink is Heineken 0.0 The creative campaign was inspired by research which demonstrated that designated drivers were often selected based on arbitrary reasons rather than the most relevant reason - that they had not drunk alcohol

Since first partnering with F1 in 2016, Heineken has been committed to leading real change around attitudes towards drink driving, promoting 'When You Drive Never Drink'

AMSTERDAM, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Heineken, global partner of F1, today unveiled their latest global 'When You Drive, Never Drink' creative campaign, entitled 'The Best Driver'. The campaign features the current F1 world champion and Heineken 0.0 ambassador, Max Verstappen, who brings his star power to help promote responsible drinking to new and relevant audiences.

HEINEKEN LAUNCH NEW GLOBAL WHEN YOU DRIVE, NEVER DRINK CREATIVE CAMPAIGN, THE BEST DRIVER, FEATURING F1 WORLD CHAMPION AND HEINEKEN 0.0 AMBASSADOR, MAX VERSTAPPEN HEINEKEN LAUNCH NEW GLOBAL WHEN YOU DRIVE, NEVER DRINK CREATIVE CAMPAIGN, THE BEST DRIVER, FEATURING F1 WORLD CHAMPION AND HEINEKEN 0.0 AMBASSADOR, MAX VERSTAPPEN

In the new campaign, the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is portrayed socialising with friends and repeatedly being chosen to take on the role of designated driver, due to him being 'The Best Driver'. The hero film cleverly emphasises that while some of the best drivers are from the world of F1 the decision should instead only be based on who hasn't had a drink unless of course the drink is a Heineken 0.0.

The creative took inspiration from new research highlighting some of the arbitrary reasons for selecting a designated driver; including driving experience, enjoyment, or simply the person who volunteers[1]. Through this new campaign Heineken aims to highlight that when it comes to getting a ride home after a night out the only person chosen to get behind the wheel should be the one that hasn't had alcohol.

Max Verstappen said: "As an F1 driver, making the right choices both on and off the track is vitally important for success. When driving, having that clarity and single-mindedness, particularly when it comes to safety, is crucial. On top of working on an upcoming, exciting new gaming initiative with Heineken called Player 0.0, I'm proud as a Heineken 0.0 ambassador to help advocate responsible drinking to motorsport fans all over the world. The campaign was great fun to shoot and I hope everyone not only enjoys the film, but also takes away the important message behind it."

Bram Westenbrink, Global Head of Heineken Brand said: "When You Drive Never Drink is a message we are very passionate about, and continues to be at the forefront of our long standing partnership with F1. As the racing season begins to heat up over the summer months, we are excited to launch the latest phase of this campaign which we first kicked off in 2016. As we enjoy the incredible action on track, it's important to remember that when it comes to choosing a designated driver when out with friends  'The Best Driver' is always the one that hasn't been drinking."

The new campaign, ideated and created by creative agency Le Pub, directed by Bradley & Pablo and produced by PRETTYBIRD, launched in the Netherlands today through social media and digital out-of-home platforms. The hero film and supporting digital assets will also be launching across online, social and digital OOH, with the campaign rolling out globally across the rest of 2023.

Bruno Bertelli, Global CEO LePub, Global CCO Publicis Worldwide, CCO Publicis Groupe Italy, said: "Heineken continues to be a pivotal player when it comes to responsible consumption. In its own witty way, the brand has always been culturally aware and sensitive towards global issues and younger generations. "When You Drive Never Drink" is in fact a long-standing project and consistent brand pillar that Heineken can boast and champion. Drinking and driving pose significant risks and consequences, and who better than one of the most globally renowned drivers to convey this key message? Max Verstappen has been thus enlisted, becoming the most prominent promoter of safe rides. This approach treats in a creative way the brand's commitment towards building an impressive platform that exemplifies brand equity and impact at scale."

Since entering the world of motorsport in 2016, Heineken has been committed to real change around attitudes towards drink driving, continuing to innovate through their marketing campaigns with F1. The brand consistently drives the message in a light-hearted way through their global 'When You Drive, Never Drink' campaigns, with new creative launched every season. On top of this, Heineken has committed to investing 10%+ of all media budgets to support responsible consumption programmes.

About HEINEKEN:

HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business.

HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 85,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS . HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY).

Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us on Twitter via @HEINEKENCorp.

To view the campaign video feature Max Verstappen, click here

[1] LePub D&C Lab, 2023

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159751/Heineken_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159752/Heineken_2.jpg

SOURCE Heineken
The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Home Office Furniture Global Market Report 2023, the global home office furniture market size will grow from $28.6 billion in 2022 to $31 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 8%. The home office furniture market size is then expected to grow to $42 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of more than 7%. The market is expected to grow due to factors such as the increasing office spaces, growth of construction industry, growth in freelancing and rising urbanization.

The global home office furniture market is highly fragmented, with a large number of small players in the market. HNI Corporation was the largest home office furniture manufacturer with 2.7% share of the market, followed by Ashley Furniture Industries Inc., Steelcase Inc., MillerKnoll, Inc., KOKUYO Furniture, Haworth Inc., OKAMURA Corporation, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and Bernhardt Furniture Company Inc.

Learn More On The Home Office Furniture Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/home-office-furniture-global-market-report

Sustainable furniture is shaping the home office furniture market. Companies in the market are moving towards sustainable, eco-friendly materials in furniture design with new innovative products to strengthen their position in the market. For instance, in March 2023, DSM Engineering Materials, a Netherlands-based company that designs, manufactures and supplies engineering thermoplastics products, launched its first collaboration with New Zealand-based direct-to-consumer furniture brand Noho, lightly stackable chairs. The chair comprises 71% EcoPaXX and 28% recycled post-consumer waste materials. EcoPaXX is 70% biobased, with castor bean plants providing renewable content. This renewable resource captures CO2 and thus EcoPaXX has a reduced carbon impact compared to fossil-based alternatives. EcoPaXX contributes to Noho's mission of developing better furniture for people and the world by combining exceptional practical performance, optimal durability, and excellent aesthetics with a significantly decreased environmental effect.

Furthermore, in March 2022, Steelcase Inc, a US-based furniture manufacturer, introduced Personality Plus, the manifestation of a redesign process using fewer materials to deliver more performance. The Personality Plus delivers best-in-class, high-quality seating at an accessible price point with a 12-year warranty. The new range is designed with sustainability and the environment in mind and is made to reduce its overall carbon footprint. The Personality Plus is eco-friendly with a base made of 100% recycled materials and thermoplastic polyurethane arm pads that are 100% biodegradable and 90% recyclable by weight without compromising product quality and strength.

Request A Free Sample Of The Home Office Furniture Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=5143&type=smp

According to the home office furniture market analysis, North America was the largest region in the home office furniture market and was worth $11.2 billion in 2022.

The home office furniture market in North America is supported by the high level of disposable income of the American population and by government initiatives by the countries of the region. For instance, in Canada, the government announced its decision to provide funding of $8.5 million to help strengthen the country's wood product industry including exports, thus supporting the growth of the home office furniture market.

View More Similar Market Reports:

Furniture Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/furniture-global-market-report

Home Fitness Equipment Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/home-fitness-equipment-global-market-report

Serviced Office Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/serviced-office-global-market-report

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Robust employee wellness program resources help improve employee usage of benefit plans

BOSTON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flimp Communications, a leading provider of employee benefits communication and decision-support solutions, today announced the release of an all-new Employee Wellness Toolkit for corporate HR, benefits and wellness managers. The new toolkit provides actionable resources, communication ideas and content templates that will help drive more usage of employer-sponsored wellness programs and health benefits.

Introducing New Employee Wellness Toolkit for HR and Benefits Professionals from Flimp

The Employee Wellness Toolkit is a free downloadable resource that includes:

A framework that helps HR and benefits leaders build effective wellness programs with actionable resources

20+ wellness program ideas that can be implemented today

Creative promotion strategies to get the word out about wellness programs

Guidelines for measurement metrics that ensure your programs his the mark with employees

Real-world examples of successful wellness initiatives to emulate or inspire ideas

Worksheets to share with employees including a free 30-day wellness challenge, a habit tracker, and more.

"Getting employees to actually use employer-sponsored health and wellness programs and benefits continues to be a challenge for many employers," said Wayne Wall, CEO and founder of Flimp Communications. "At Flimp, we're developing better ways to help employers communicate and educate employees and their dependents about the different health and wellness programs available to them, many of which are offered at no cost, yet, have very low utilization rates."

According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Workplace Wellness and Financial Education Programs: 2022 Survey Results , stress was cited by 65% of respondents as a top health issue impacting workforce productivity. Employers have responded to these new concerns by offering a variety of wellness benefits, such as employee assistance programs (90%), mental health coverage (86%), substance-use-disorder benefits (67%), mental health mobile apps (41%), and educational/informational sessions hosted at the workplace (40%). The study also found, in the past two years, an overwhelming 73% of responding organizations increased communication around mental and behavioral health offerings.

Employee wellness programs are built to help employees live healthier lives, lower healthcare costs and improve overall well-being. If utilized, they can dramatically reduce absenteeism and improve workforce productivity, which can have a very positive impact on the bottom line. Harvard researchers found that, for every dollar spent on wellness programs, employers save $3.27 on medical costs and $2.73 on absenteeism costs. Hence, the importance of driving better utilization of these programs.

Flimp's full suite of tech-enabled benefit-communication solutions help solve the employee-engagement and -usage problem. We offer time-strapped HR teams all they need from decision support to Employee Resource Centers, Digital Postcards, videos, benefits guides, texting capabilities, and more. Learn more about Flimp's products here or schedule a meeting with a member of our team here.

About Flimp Communication

Flimp Communications is a leading provider of employee benefits communication and decision-support solutions for employers, consultants, enrollers and insurance providers. Our dynamic, SaaS-based platform offers an array of technology-driven services designed to engage, educate and empower employees, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding employer-sponsored healthcare, wellness programs, insurance benefits and financial well-being. Flimp serves more than 1,000 corporate clients across nearly every industry, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Flimp Communications
NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chile IT market report has been added to Technavio's offering. The Chile IT market size is estimated to grow by USD 3,855.69 million from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.55%. For Comprehensive details on the market size of historic period(2017 to 2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) - View the Sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled IT Market in Chile

IT Market In Chile - Vendor Landscape

The IT market in Chile is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater market share. The market is growing, and 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

IT Market In Chile - Market Dynamics

Major Drivers & Challenges-

Rising digitalization in Chile drives the Chile information technology (IT) market growth during the forecast period. There is a significant rise in digital transformation in Chile due to COVID, which has resulted in an increase in e-learning, streaming, online shopping and marketing, and working from home. Even though there are adoption barriers and transition costs associated with digital transformation, it has the potential to enhance productivity and inclusiveness. Several measures are undertaken in Chile, which are mainly focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, including developing funding sources or specific programs to promote digital tools, and make them accessible and easy to use, thereby enhancing productivity. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the information technology (IT) market growth in Chile during the forecast period.

Data privacy and security risk in cloud-based services are major challenges hindering the Chile information technology (IT) market growth during the forecast period. One of the main factors which hinder the adoption of enterprise cloud across various industries is the privacy and security risks. It has become a difficult task for providers to maintain online data in the cloud. One of the main reasons is that public clouds are multi-tenant, which can impact various applications running in the cloud environment. As most of the cloud-based architectures are built on open architecture and shared resources, it makes these platforms vulnerable to cyber attacks. There has been a significant increase in cybersecurity threats against various Chilean organizations, which is caused due to the rise in adoption of cloud base services. Furthermore, cloud services vendors are forced to adhere to stringent regulations and guidelines related to cloud security controls. Hence, such factors are expected to hinder the Chile information technology (IT) market growth during the forecast period.

Key Trends-

The emergence of AI is a primary trend influencing Chile IT market growth. There has been an increase in the integration of AI by several Chilean companies to develop and use data from IT services. The main advantage of the integration of AI into information services is that it facilitates the automation of multiple processes and enhances process efficiency. Additionally, it reduces the paper touch points in companies and thereby increases the overall profit (ROI) of the company. Some of the key advantages of the integration of AI in information services are applying structure to unstructured data, streamlining information, improving information security, and enhancing data quality. Hence, such integration of AI is expected to positively impact the market, which in turn will drive the IT market in Chile 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

Company Profiles

The it market in Chile report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors, including Accenture Plc, ADEXUS S.A, Alphabet Inc., Amisoft, Atos SE, Cisco Systems Inc., Dassault Systemes SE, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., HCL Technologies Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., NetApp Inc., Oracle Corp., SAP SE, Schneider Electric SE, SONDA S.A., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., and Verizon Communications Inc.

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.

IT Market In Chile - Market Segmentation

The IT market in Chile is analyzed in terms of type (services, hardware, and software) and end-user(BFSI, IT and telecom, government, healthcare, and manufacturing and others).

The market share growth by the services segment segment is significant during the forecast period. IT services mainly comprises a variety of offering including consulting, education and training, development and integration, hardware maintenance and support, IT management, process management, and software support. Some of the key services which are significantly contributing to the market growth include consulting and software maintenance and support services. There is an increasing focus on the development of improved business delivery systems and cost-effective models due to the rising demand for IT services in the Chilean end-user sector. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the IT market in Chile during the forecast period.

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IT Market Scope in Chile Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.55% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3,855.69 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.1 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Accenture Plc, ADEXUS S.A, Alphabet Inc., Amisoft, Atos SE, Cisco Systems Inc., Dassault Systemes SE, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., HCL Technologies Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., NetApp Inc., Oracle Corp., SAP SE, Schneider Electric SE, SONDA S.A., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., and Verizon Communications 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 Country Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 07: Parent market



Exhibit 08: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 09: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 10: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 11: Chart on Chile - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 12: Data Table on Chile - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 13: Chart on Chile : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 14: Data Table on Chile : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 IT market in Chile 2017 - 2021

2017 - 2021 Exhibit 15: Historic Market Size  Data Table on IT market in Chile 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 By Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 16: Historic Market Size  By Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 By End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 17: Historic Market Size  By End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Type

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Type

6.3 Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 29: Chart on Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Services - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Services - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Hardware - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 33: Chart on Hardware - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Hardware - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Hardware - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Hardware - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 37: Chart on Software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Chart on Software - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Software - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 41: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 43: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 BFSI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 47: Chart on BFSI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on BFSI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Chart on BFSI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on BFSI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 IT and telecom - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on IT and telecom - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on IT and telecom - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on IT and telecom - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on IT and telecom - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Government - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Government - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Government - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Government - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Government - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.7 Manufacturing and others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 63: Chart on Manufacturing and others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Manufacturing and others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Chart on Manufacturing and others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Manufacturing and others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.8 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 69: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 70: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 71: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 72: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 73: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 74: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 75: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 Accenture Plc

Exhibit 76: Accenture Plc - Overview



Exhibit 77: Accenture Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 78: Accenture Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 79: Accenture Plc - Segment focus

11.4 ADEXUS S.A

Exhibit 80: ADEXUS S.A - Overview



Exhibit 81: ADEXUS S.A - Product / Service



Exhibit 82: ADEXUS S.A - Key offerings

11.5 Alphabet Inc.

Exhibit 83: Alphabet Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 84: Alphabet Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 85: Alphabet Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 86: Alphabet Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 87: Alphabet Inc. - Segment focus

11.6 Atos SE

Exhibit 88: Atos SE - Overview



Exhibit 89: Atos SE - Business segments



Exhibit 90: Atos SE - Key news



Exhibit 91: Atos SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 92: Atos SE - Segment focus

11.7 Cisco Systems Inc.

Exhibit 93: Cisco Systems Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 94: Cisco Systems Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 95: Cisco Systems Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 96: Cisco Systems Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 97: Cisco Systems Inc. - Segment focus

11.8 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd.

Exhibit 98: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 99: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 100: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 101: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. - Segment focus

11.9 HCL Technologies Ltd.

Exhibit 102: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 103: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 104: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 105: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 106: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Segment focus

11.10 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

Exhibit 107: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. - Overview



Exhibit 108: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 109: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. - Key news



Exhibit 110: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 111: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. - Segment focus

11.11 International Business Machines Corp.

Exhibit 112: International Business Machines Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 113: International Business Machines Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 114: International Business Machines Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 115: International Business Machines Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 116: International Business Machines Corp. - Segment focus

11.12 Microsoft Corp.

Exhibit 117: Microsoft Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 118: Microsoft Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 119: Microsoft Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 120: Microsoft Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 121: Microsoft Corp. - Segment focus

11.13 Oracle Corp.

Exhibit 122: Oracle Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 123: Oracle Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Oracle Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 125: Oracle Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: Oracle Corp. - Segment focus

11.14 SAP SE

Exhibit 127: SAP SE - Overview



Exhibit 128: SAP SE - Business segments



Exhibit 129: SAP SE - Key news



Exhibit 130: SAP SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: SAP SE - Segment focus

11.15 SONDA S.A.

Exhibit 132: SONDA S.A. - Overview



Exhibit 133: SONDA S.A. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: SONDA S.A. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: SONDA S.A. - Segment focus

11.16 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

Exhibit 136: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 139: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. - Segment focus

11.17 Verizon Communications Inc.

Exhibit 141: Verizon Communications Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 142: Verizon Communications Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Verizon Communications Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Verizon Communications Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 145: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 146: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 147: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 148: Research methodology



Exhibit 149: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 150: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 151: 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

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Jesse Maida

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
The Young Professionals Gage County is relaunching in a coordinated effort by the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce and the NGage economic development group.

The mission of YPG is to provide opportunities to empower, connect, and develop the future leaders of the Gage County area.

The first event is planned for Aug. 24 from 4-7 at Stone Hollow Brewery. Anyone, ages 20-40, is welcome to attend the initial activity.

Chamber Membership and Event Coordinator Kristin Jensen said they wanted to create a group that was sustainable.

We wanted to create a program that was very robust and would continue on even if we were not here, she said. We did a lot of research of how other organizations handle a YPG group.

NGage Marketing Coordinator Megan Wicht said there was a YPG Leadership group.

We created a leadership team with nine team members from different employers throughout the community, she said. The idea is that as they age out or get too busy to be involved, others will replace them.

Its good because we have a team that have different interests and from different industries, Jensen added.

Wicht noted the initial event is just to provide awareness of the group.

Were really pitching it to the young professionals, but also to employers with the goal of retention, she said.

Jensen noted that if people feel engaged in the community they will stay.

We hope to give them a sense of place with the YPG group, she said.

Every other month the group will meet and alternate between social and networking events and professional development.

An application is available on the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce website. https://beatricechamber.com/young-professionals There is a membership fee of $30 if the business is a member of the Chamber or NGage. It is $50 annually without membership.
NEW YORK and TORONTO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To meet the continued growth of the Canadian market, global Fintech leader Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karin Yorfido as President of Broadridge Canada. Yorfido succeeds Michael Dignam who will become Vice Chairman of Broadridge Canada, taking on an advisory role.

Karin Yorfido

Yorfido, who is based in Toronto, will lead Broadridge's Investor Communication Solutions (ICS) Canada and Global Technology and Operations (GTO) Canada businesses, reporting directly to Chris Perry, President of Broadridge. She brings 25 years of financial services and software solutions experience, including over two decades at RPM Technologies as the Executive Vice President of Business Development & Client Solutions.

"Karin is a proven leader with deep subject matter expertise across various sectors of the financial services industry and a clear understanding of the Canadian market and the evolving client focus and challenges driving industry and business transformation," said Perry. "She has been a trusted partner for some of the biggest banks in helping them modernize and adapt and is the perfect candidate to continue growing Broadridge's business in Canada, launching innovative solutions and leading complex client engagements."

Since 2021, Yorfido has held the role of General Manager of GTO Canada. There, she worked closely with the GTO leadership team to further expand Broadridge's GTO footprint in Canada, bringing new capabilities and next generation-technologies and solutions to Broadridge's Canadian clients.

"The Canadian market is dynamic and I'm looking forward to working closely with my colleagues to help financial institutions meet the demands of evolving customer, business and regulatory needs," said Yorfido. "We are focused on deepening client relationships and creating value through the full spectrum of innovative Broadridge capabilities and technology-enabled services to help clients grow and scale their business."

After a 42-year career at Broadridge, Michael Dignam, former President of Broadridge Canada, will be moving into an advisory role, supporting Broadridge Canada as Vice Chairman. In this role, Michael will focus on relationship management to support retention, growth, and continuing to help promote Broadridge in the Canadian market.

"We are extremely appreciative of all of Michael's work and efforts over the past several decades, helping transform and grow Broadridge Canada," said Perry. "He has always been a role model and we thank him for his years of leadership."

Broadridge has been an important provider of technology and services to the Canadian financial services industry for over 30 years. Providing solutions supporting Wealth Management, Capital Markets, Asset Management and Investor Communications clients include Canada's leading financial services providers including Banks, Brokers, Insurance companies, Credit Unions and Asset Managers. Broadridge is engaged in continuous innovation to support the success of customers in a rapidly changing market and regulatory environment.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with more than $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than U.S. $9 trillion of equities, fixed income, and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about us and what we can do for you, please visit www.broadridge.com

Broadridge Contacts:

Investors:

Edings Thibault

Head of Investor Relations, Broadridge

[email protected]

Media:

Tina Wadhwa

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
HOUSTON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded a significant contract worth up to $1.9 billion for the continued support of NASA's human spaceflight programs, including the International Space Station, Artemis and Low Earth Orbit Commercialization.

Under the terms of Integrated Mission Operations Contract III (IMOC III), KBR will provide mission planning and preparation, astronaut and Mission Control Center flight controller training, real-time flight execution, and future exploration vehicle design and development services for all of NASA's human spaceflight programs as a part of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC)'s Flight Operations Directorate. Additionally, KBR will aid software development services for the International Space Station Program Avionics and Software Office.

Work will be performed at various agency locations including JSC, Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center. This contract has a base period of five years with two, two-year options, potentially lasting 9 years.

The full suite of programs supported under this contract includes the International Space Station, Commercial Crew, Boeing Starliner, Orion, Space Launch System, Gateway, Human Lander System, Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility (lunar spacewalks), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Commercialization. This contract is a follow-on to IMOC II, which KBR has proudly supported for the past nine years.

"Having trained every astronaut, international partner and private astronaut how to live and work on every NASA human spaceflight vehicle in use today, KBR's expertise in human spaceflight is unparalleled," said Stuart Bradie, KBR President and CEO. "KBR does work that matters and we could not be more privileged to continue our support of returning humans to the moon and advancing the next generation of space exploration."

KBR delivers unmatched domain expertise in human spaceflight spanning more than 55 years. To learn more about KBR's journey, visit KBR.com/space.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 32,000 people performing diverse, complex and mission-critical roles in 33 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver. Visit www.kbr.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the company's performance under the Integrated Mission Operations Contract III, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information, please contact:

Investors

Jamie DuBray

Vice President, Investor Relations

713-753-5082

[email protected]

Media

Philip Ivy

Vice President, Global Communications and Marketing

713-753-3800

[email protected]

SOURCE KBR, Inc.
Completion of the new facility launches the business unit's Research and Exploration Services



DES MOINES, Iowa, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, recently introduced the Research and Exploration Services of Kemin Nutrisurance, the company's pet food and rendering technologies business unit, with the inauguration of Kemin's first-ever wet pet food pilot lab at its global headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.

From left to right: Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries; Kimberly Nelson, President of Kemin Nutrisurance, the pet food and rendering technologies business unit; and Dr. Jason Shelton, Vice President of R&D for Kemin Nutrisurance, at the ribbon cutting for Kemin Nutrisurance's first-ever wet pet food pilot lab at its global headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.

The wet pet food pilot lab is a key feature of Kemin Nutrisurance's leading approach to research, development and service, allowing the business unit and its customers to create, test and validate pet food and treats, including kibble and wet retort products, to help better predict large-scale results.

The state-of-the-art facility has more production capacity and testing capabilities than most research-and-development (R&D) labs, but with the flexibility of a smaller scale. Kemin Nutrisurance can now expand its innovative product lines and partner with customers to help test every aspect of their products with data validation.

A ribbon cutting was held on July 20 to officially open the new wet pet food pilot lab. The event showcased how Kemin Nutrisurance's Research and Exploration Services will enhance co-creation with customers and assist in replicating pet food formulas for both new and established products. With a dedicated space to develop wet pet food, as well as test dry kibble coating, Kemin Nutrisurance can now provide customers with all-encompassing analyses, from raw meat products to packaging to pet satisfaction.

"Our value-added Research and Exploration Services allow customers to speed up product creation and testing," said Dr. Jason Shelton, Vice President of R&D, Kemin Nutrisurance. "The accuracy and start-to-finish approach of Kemin's testing provides third-party validation of pet food, giving customers assurance that they are meeting regulatory standards and consumer expectations."

Kemin Nutrisurance's Research and Exploration Services support customers at every stage of production by utilizing industry-leading tools and rigorous evaluation to ensure customers' pet food meets their flavor, aroma, texture, and nutrition requirements. By partnering with Kemin Nutrisurance early in product development, customers can improve solution application and reduce implementation and uptake time at their facilities, assuring confidence on a larger scale.

"With Research and Exploration Services, we are able to elevate our own R&D efforts, building on Kemin's legacy of market-leading solutions and helping customers test, create and validate pet food products with unmatched accuracy and efficiency," said Dr. Shelton. "Now, with our expanded customer-service offerings, Kemin Nutrisurance delivers the industry's most comprehensive approach to R&D."

Kemin Nutrisurance's Research and Explorations Services expand beyond the U.S. with pilot labs and innovation centers in Brazil, Italy, and China.

Click here to learn more about Kemin Nutrisurance and its Research and Explorations Services.

About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

Media Contact:

Diogo Craveiro, Global Marketing Communications Manager | [email protected],

+1 515 559 5361

 Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2023. All rights reserved.   Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A. Certain statements, product labeling and claims may differ by geography or as required by government requirements.

SOURCE Kemin Industries
HOUSTON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value biobased products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, announces the release of its 2022 Sustainability Report. The report highlights Kraton's progress and approach to integrating sustainability across the organization.

Kraton 2022 Sustainability Report

"This report showcases our steadfast commitment to making meaningful strides toward achieving our sustainability goals while addressing the evolving needs of our stakeholders," says Marcello Boldrini, Chief Executive Officer, Kraton. "For over 65 years, Kraton has been dedicated to creating exceptional value for our customers by supporting their ambition for improved product sustainability and aligning their operations with the biobased and circular economy. By leveraging our innovative and diverse culture, Kraton continues to develop technologies that solve complex problems and contribute to the transition to a low-carbon future."

"We believe achieving sustainable growth is accelerated by having a positive environmental, social, and economic impact on society," says Pedro Lopes, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kraton. "Our conscious efforts to integrate sustainable practices across our value chain ensure we remain focused on reducing our carbon footprint, upholding operational excellence, and making a positive difference for people and communities globally."

The report outlines Kraton's sustainability initiatives, including progress on our multi-dimensional sustainability strategy and sharing long-term targets for waste, water, and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The report also shares Kraton's performance vs. critical targets and our commitment to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Kraton's 2022 Sustainability Report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards core option, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards, the United Nations Global Compact, as well as recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Read the full report here.

About Kraton Corporation

Kraton Corporation is a leading global producer of specialty polymers and high-value performance products derived from renewable resources. Kraton's polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants, and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving and roofing products. As the largest global provider in the pine chemicals industry, the company's pine-based specialty products are sold into adhesive, road and construction and tire markets, and it produces and sells a broad range of performance chemicals into markets that include fuel additives, oilfield chemicals, coatings, metalworking fluids and lubricants, inks, and mining. Kraton offers its products to a diverse customer base in over 70 countries worldwide.

*Kraton, the Kraton logo and design are all trademarks of Kraton Corporation, or its subsidiaries or affiliates, in one or more, but not all countries.

Media Contact: Mariam Ottun; T: (346) 435-8042

SOURCE Kraton Corporation
MONTREAL, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) ("Lion" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, today announced that it will release its second quarter 2023 results on August 3, 2023, before markets open. A conference call and webcast will be held on the same day, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the results.

To participate in the conference call, please dial (226) 828-7575 or (833) 950-0062 (toll free) using the Access Code 242263. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available at www.thelionelectric.com under the "Events and Presentation" page of the "Investors" section. An archive of the event will be available shortly after the conference call.

ABOUT LION ELECTRIC

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles' components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life. Lion shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LEV.

SOURCE Lion Electric
New Global Tier Designed for Partners with Proven Success in Quality and Size

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mediavine , the largest, independent full-service ad management firm in the U.S., has been named as an initial partner in the launch of the Google Certified Publishing Partner Premier program, one of the few companies in the world to earn this recognition.

Premier partner is a prestigious status granted to companies who consistently meet the program's exclusive requirements and demonstrate proven success in quality, size and commitments to help publishers monetize in the ecosystem.

Selected as Initial Member in the Launch of the Google Certified Publishing Partner Premier Program

"We're honored to be one of the initial US-based GCPP Premier partners, a truly elite distinction among the global ad tech industry," said Eric Hochberger, Mediavine Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "This recognition strengthens our longstanding relationship with Google and our collective ability to navigate the changing landscape of ad tech."

This recognition as a member of the GCPP Premier program builds on Mediavine's six-year status as a Google Certified Publishing Partner and deepens the relationship between Mediavine and Google through access to advanced training and industry insights. Mediavine, created by publishers for publishers, remains committed not only to delivering best-in-class monetization solutions to their more than 10,000 partner sites but also to providing innovative tech solutions for advertisers.

About Mediavine

Mediavine is the largest independent full-service ad management company in the United States, exclusively representing and monetizing 10,000 publisher partner websites with 1.6 billion monthly pageviews in addition to its owned and operated properties. Mediavine proudly ranks as a Comscore top two lifestyle property with 150+ million unique monthly visitors and 17 billion monthly ad impressions. Mediavine is a Google Certified Publishing Partner - Premier , Great Place to Work , Inc. 2022 Best Workplace , Fortune 2022 Best Medium Workplace , Ad Age 2022 Best Place to Work , and 2021 Inc. 5000 .

To learn more about Mediavine, visit www.mediavine.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram .

Contact:

Kate Ritchie

Sr. Media Relations Specialist

[email protected]

(954)-800-5205 ext 013

SOURCE Mediavine
SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical device cleaning market size is anticipated to reach USD 47.3 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2023 to 2030. Introduction of advanced materials and methods for reprocessing medical devices and increasing adoption of preventive measures to reduce hospital-acquired infection cases are factors driving the market. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected nearly all industries and increased hospitalization rates. As a result, revenue generation of organizations operating in medical device cleaning industry is likely to increase. In ICUs, there has been an increase in the number of patients requiring respiratory treatment, which has led to rise in the use of medical device cleaning.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

On the basis of device, the semi-critical segment held the largest market share of 45.9% in 2022. Technological advancements and high accuracy of devices are expected to drive the segment growth.

Based on technique, the disinfection segment held the largest market share of 52.2% in 2022, owing to availability of various types of disinfectants specific to different medical devices is an important factor boosting segment growth.

Based on EPA classification, the intermediate level segment held the largest revenue share of over 50.1% in 2022. The increasing prevalence of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) and the spread of infectious diseases are contributing to segment growth.

Read full market research report, "Medical Device Cleaning Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Device (Non-critical, Semi-critical, Critical), By Technique (Cleaning, Disinfection), By EPA Classification, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Medical Device Cleaning Market Growth & Trends

On the other hand, hospitals are making significant expenditure on enhancing healthcare infrastructure, fueling growth of market. Key manufacturers, on the other hand, are focusing on developing innovative solutions to combat the spread of coronavirus. For example, in April 2020, the FDA approved the use of Steris, maX2, and maX low-V-PRO 1 Plus temperature sterilization equipment in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients to decontaminate roughly 750,000 N95 respirators and comparable masks every day. Therefore, the market is likely to increase during the forecast period due to the rising demand for improved healthcare systems, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and technological advancements.

Medical Device Cleaning Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2023 USD 23.4 billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 47.3 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 10.6% from 2023 to 2030 Base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023 - 2030

Medical Device Cleaning Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global medical device cleaning market on the basis of device, technique, EPA classification, and region:

Medical Device Cleaning Market - Device Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

Non-critical

Semi-critical

Critical

Medical Device Cleaning Market - Technique Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

Cleaning

Detergents



Buffers



Chelators



Enzymes



Others

Disinfection

Chemical



Alcohol





Chlorine & Chorine Compounds





Aldehydes





Phenolics



Metal



Ultraviolet



Others

Sterilization

Heat Sterilization



Ethylene Dioxide (ETO) Sterilization



Radiation Sterilization

Medical Device Cleaning Market - EPA Classification Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

High Level

Intermediate Level

Low Level

Medical Device Cleaning Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

U.K



Germany



France



Italy



Spain



Denmark



Sweden



Norway

Asia Pacific

Japan



China



India



Australia



South Korea



Thailand

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina

Middle East & Africa

& South Africa



Saudi Arabia



UAE



Kuwait

List of Key Players in the Medical Device Cleaning Market

Steris plc.

GetingeAB

Advanced Sterilization Products

The Ruhof Corp.

Sklar Surgical Instruments

Sterigenics International LLC

Biotrol

Metrex Research, LLC

Oro Clean Chemie AG

Cantel Medical Corp.

Ecolab

3M

Check out more market research studies published by Grand View Research:

Reprocessed Medical Devices Market - The global reprocessed medical devices market size is expected to reach USD 8.0 billion by 2030, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a CAGR of 16.8% from 2023 to 2030. The increasing need for affordable & effective medical devices and growing concern regarding the rising amounts of medical waste generated by healthcare facilities are expected to drive the market. In addition, the long-term cost-efficiency associated with these devices as compared to that of the original device is expected to further drive the market growth. Medical device reprocessing has become an increasingly popular way of saving costs among healthcare organizations. According to the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR), these reprocessed devices are typically 30-50% cheaper than new ones. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities take advantage of this cost-effective resource to enhance services and advance their technology.

- The global reprocessed medical devices market size is expected to reach by 2030, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a CAGR of 16.8% from 2023 to 2030. The increasing need for affordable & effective medical devices and growing concern regarding the rising amounts of medical waste generated by healthcare facilities are expected to drive the market. In addition, the long-term cost-efficiency associated with these devices as compared to that of the original device is expected to further drive the market growth. Medical device reprocessing has become an increasingly popular way of saving costs among healthcare organizations. According to the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR), these reprocessed devices are typically 30-50% cheaper than new ones. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities take advantage of this cost-effective resource to enhance services and advance their technology. Wearable Medical Device Market - The global wearable medical device market is expected to reach USD 168.2 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., progressing at a CAGR of 25.7% during the forecast period. Rising demand for hi-tech products and continuous health monitoring is fueling the market growth.

- The global wearable medical device market is expected to reach by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., progressing at a CAGR of 25.7% during the forecast period. Rising demand for hi-tech products and continuous health monitoring is fueling the market growth. Neonatal Critical Care Equipment Market - The global neonatal critical care equipment market size is expected to reach USD 1.4 billion in 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 8.83%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising number of preterm births, increasing incidence of newborn jaundice, and launch of new products are some of the factors responsible for market growth. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides treatment to premature infants and those having breathing problems, anemia, heart defects, and other problems requiring critical care.

Browse through Grand View Research's Medical Devices Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Grand View Compass | Astra ESG Solutions

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
CINCINNATI, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Life Science division of Meridian Bioscience, Inc., a leading global provider of diagnostic testing solutions and life science raw materials, announced today the launch of two new immunoassay interference blockers, K-Block, and Mouse-Free IgG. These innovative blockers are 100% animal-free and have equivalent or superior performance compared to traditional animal-derived blockers. This product launch aligns with Meridian's strategy to pioneer sustainable and innovative raw materials for diagnostic assay manufacturers. By adopting these animal-free products, manufacturers can actively contribute to reducing their ecological impact by optimizing energy and resource consumption and staying compliant with evolving regulatory standards. Meridian continues to lead the way in promoting environmental responsibility within the industry.

Immunoassay interference can cause false positive and false negative test results, leading to misinterpretation and improper patient diagnosis. The most common causes of interference are due to Human Anti-Mouse Antibodies (HAMA), Rheumatoid Factor (RF), and Heterophilic Antibodies (HA). HAMA are the most prevalent and are identified in up to 25% of the patient population. Combined with HA, they represent the most significant factors leading to false positive immunoassay results. Avoiding immunoassay interference requires blockers to be included in every immunoassay. Historically, animal-based interference blockers have been used to improve assay accuracy; however, they are susceptible to cross-reactivity with assay reagents, lot-to-lot variability, and supply shortages  as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meridian's new animal-free immunoassay interference blockers mitigate those concerns.

"At Meridian, we are deeply committed to supporting our customers who are seeking non-animal-derived raw materials in diagnostic assays." Tweet this

Meridian's new K-Block and Mouse-Free IgG overcome the challenges encountered with traditional animal-based blockers. These next-generation blockers improve assay specificity, decrease lot-to-lot variability, align with sustainability considerations, and alleviate contamination risks from animal-derived components. Initial experimental testing in ELISA-based assays demonstrated strong performance of K-Block and Mouse-FREE IgG versus other commercial animal-derived blockers.

"At Meridian, we are deeply committed to supporting our customers who are seeking non-animal-derived raw materials in diagnostic assays. Our novel 100% animal-free blockers deliver on this commitment while avoiding the need to consume millions of mice each year in the process. This innovative method not only allows us to scale up quickly but also delivers results that are equivalent or even superior in quality. With this new product line, we reaffirm our dedication to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, ensuring a more ethical and responsible approach in our operations as well as our customers." commented Lourdes Weltzien, Ph.D., President - Life Science, Meridian Bioscience.

For more information on K-Block or Mouse Free-IgG, please visit www.meridianbioscience.com/animal-free-blockers.

You can learn more about animal-free blockers at the Meridian Bioscience exhibit booth (4039) during this year's AACC conference held in July in Anaheim, California. Request a one-on-one meeting with a Meridian representative www.meridianbioscience.com/2023-aacc-meeting.

About Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic and life science products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy, and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. Through discovery and development, we provide critical life science raw materials used in immunological and molecular tests for human, animal, plant, and environmental applications. Through diagnosis, we provide diagnostic solutions in areas including gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections and blood lead level testing. We build relationships and provide solutions to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers, and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world. Meridian is a privately held company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

Contact:

Courtney Schulz

Director of Digital and Corporate Communications

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Phone: 513.271.3700

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, laboratory experts will present cutting-edge research and technology that is shaping the future of clinical testing and patient care. From July 23-27 in Anaheim, California, the meeting's 250-plus sessions will deliver insights on a broad range of timely healthcare topics. Highlights include discussions about addressing childhood undernutrition using microbiome-directed therapies, harnessing the power of big data to practice precision medicine, creating more equitable healthcare systems, improving cardiovascular care for women, and using genomic-modification strategies to treat sickle cell disease.

Microbiome-Directed Therapies for Childhood Undernutrition. Scientists are exploring whether disruptions to the normal development of the human gut microbiomea collection of microbes in the gastrointestinal tractcould play a role in causing childhood undernutrition. In the meeting's opening plenary, Dr. Jeffrey I. Gordon discusses the possibility of developing microbiome-directed therapies to address this devastating global health problem. Dr. Gordon is the 2023 Wallace H. Coulter Lectureship Awardee and founding director of The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Practicing Precision Medicine from 700 Trillion Data Points. Over the past decade, researchers and clinicians have measured trillions of points of molecular, clinical, and epidemiological data that could be harnessed to improve disease diagnostics and therapeutics. In this plenary session, Dr. Atul Butte, chief data scientist at the University of California, San Francisco, highlights his center's recent work on integrating electronic health records data from over 8 million patients and discusses how such big data could help providers to practice more precise medicine.

Choosing Equity in Healthcare. The 2020 reckoning with racism in America had an intersectional impact on health, healthcare delivery, and medical education. Dr. Thea James, vice president of mission, associate chief medical officer, and co-executive director of the Health Equity Accelerator at Boston Medical Center, will share how one academic healthcare system approached an enterprise-wide transformation toward organizational equity.

Addressing Cardiovascular Disease in Women. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. women, yet the underrepresentation of women in medical research has led to pervasive sex-based gaps in knowledge and care delivery. In this plenary session, Dr. Nanette K. Wenger, professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine, calls for a cultural shift toward equity, including awareness campaigns that identify cardiovascular disease as the major health threat for women.

Advances in Curative Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease. In the meeting's closing plenary, Dr. Mark C. Walters, chief of the hematology division and professor of pediatrics/hematology at the University of California, San Francisco, will discuss diverse new approaches for addressing sickle cell disease that apply genomic modifications to patients' cells to elicit a therapeutic effect. He will present examples of both promising results and pitfalls, while also exploring how to ensure equitable access to these new therapies.

Additionally, at the Clinical Lab Expo, more than 900 exhibitors will display innovative technologies that are just coming to market in every clinical lab discipline.

"The 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting program showcases the versatility of laboratory medicine professionals and the enormous impact they have on improving health and healthcare," said AACC CEO Mark J. Golden. "From investigating promising therapies to translating data into better medicine to advancing equity in healthcare systems, our plenary speakers exemplify the pioneering vision and collaborative nature of the clinical laboratory community."

Session Information

AACC Annual Scientific Meeting registration is free for members of the media. Reporters can register online here: https://www.xpressreg.net/register/aacc0723/media/landing.asp

Microbiome-Directed Therapies for Childhood Undernutrition

11001 Developing Microbiome-Directed Therapeutics for Treating Childhood Undernutrition

Sunday, July 23

5:00-6:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time

Practicing Precision Medicine from 700 Trillion Data Points

12001 Precisely Practicing Medicine from 700 Trillion Points of Data

Monday, July 24

8:45-10:15 a.m., U.S. Pacific Time

Choosing Equity in Healthcare

13001 Choosing Equity in Healthcare: An Organizational Transformation

Tuesday, July 25

8:45-10:15 a.m., U.S. Pacific Time

Addressing Cardiovascular Disease in Women

14001 Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Epidemiology, Awareness, Access, and Delivery of Equitable Health Care

Wednesday, July 26

8:45-10:15 a.m., U.S. Pacific Time

Advances in Curative Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease

15001 Advances in Curative Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease

Thursday, July 27

8:45-10:15 a.m., U.S. Pacific Time

About the 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo

The 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting offers 5 days packed with opportunities to learn about exciting science from July 23-27 in Anaheim, California. Plenary sessions will explore microbiome-directed therapies for undernutrition, big data for practicing precision medicine, healthcare equity, cardiovascular disease in women, and promising sickle cell disease treatments.

At the Clinical Lab Expo, more than 900 exhibitors will fill the show floor of the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, with displays of the latest diagnostic technology, including but not limited to COVID-19 testing, artificial intelligence, point-of-care, and automation.

About the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM)

Dedicated to achieving better health through laboratory medicine, ADLM (formerly AACC) brings together more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science. Since 1948, ADLM has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing programs that advance scientific collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation. For more information, visit www.myadlm.org.

Contact:

Bill Malone

AACC

Director, Communications & News Publications

(p) 202.835.8756

[email protected]

Molly Polen

AACC

Senior Director, Communications & PR

(p) 202.420.7612

(c) 703.598.0472

[email protected]

SOURCE ADLM
A 13-year-old boy on Friday admitted to manslaughter and gun possession charges in connection with the September 2022 shooting death of another 13-year-old boy in Hanscom Park.

Jonathan Salado-Lorenzo, one of two 13-year-olds initially charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 13-year-old Lenny Rodriguez, accepted a plea deal Friday and admitted to reduced charges of manslaughter and unlawful possession of a handgun.

The other child accused in the killing, Salado-Lorenzos cousin Erik Juarez-Salado, who was 13 at the time of the slaying, admitted to reduced charges of accessory to first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a handgun in May.

Both boys will be under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court  which could include probation or placement in a treatment or correctional facility  until they turn 19. Children under the age of 14 cannot be charged as adults in Nebraska.

Deputy Douglas County Attorney Laura Lemoine said police were dispatched to Hanscom Park, in midtown Omaha, to reports of shots fired at about 11:50 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2022. At the scene, police found Rodriguez with a single gunshot wound to the torso.

Rodriguez, an eighth grader at Ralston Middle School, was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition. The bullet tore through his chest and caused his lung to collapse. He died at the Nebraska Medical Center.

Lemoine said that, before the shooting, Rodriguez had engaged in a gang feud on social media with Salado-Lorenzo. The boys did not know each other before the online feud, according to Salado-Lorenzos defense attorney, Denise Frost.

According to both the defense and the prosecution, Rodriguez was a member of the Diamond Street gang, or DST.

Salado-Lorenzo  who had just turned 13 two weeks before the killing  had recently been jumped in, or initiated, into the Vagos 13 street gang, Frost said.

Rodriguez challenged Salado-Lorenzo to a fight at Hanscom Park via social media. Lemoine said phone data shows Salado-Lorenzo texted his older cousin, who was 14 at the time, to ask if he could borrow his handgun. The cousin agreed, and Salado-Lorenzo and Juarez-Salado went together to pick up the gun.

Lemoine said Rodriguez was already at the park when Salado-Lorenzo and Juarez-Salado arrived. Gunshots rang out shortly after.

If the case had gone to trial, the defense planned to offer testimony from Robert Maher, an expert witness in audio forensic analysis, who analyzed audio recordings from nearby cameras. Mahers findings suggested that two separate guns were fired during the approximately 6-second interaction.

According to court documents filed by Frost, Maher found that seven gunshots were fired during the 6-second period. In his opinion, three of those gunshot sounds were attributable to one gun while four were attributable to a separate firearm.

Frost said this indicates that Rodriguez also had a gun but that evidence was not considered as part of the plea deal.

No shell casings related to the case were found at the scene, and no gun belonging to any of the three boys has ever been recovered.

What you missed this week in notable Omaha crimes and court cases This week's local crime and court updates from Omaha World-Herald. State Homicide suspect from Papillion had a hit list, Omaha police say The homicide suspect shot dead by police on Saturday reportedly had a hit list that included Steven "Greg" Donsbach, the 52-year-old man he is suspected of killing, according to Omaha police.
MINNEAPOLIS, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, National Grid Renewables announced its pledge to donate over $500,000 to the New Underwood, South Dakota School District, sourced from its 128 megawatt (MW) Wild Springs Solar Project (Wild Springs or the project) located in Pennington County, South Dakota. The new Wild Springs Education Fund will be administered by the New Underwood Area Community Foundation, a local fund governed by the South Dakota Community Foundation.

Wild Springs Solar Project is located in Pennington County, South Dakota

"The New Underwood School District appreciates the pledge of $25,000 per year for 20 years provided by the Wild Springs Education Fund," said Katie Albers, Superintendent of the New Underwood School District. "The district will use these funds in a variety of ways to benefit our students, school and community."

National Grid Renewables initiates charitable funds for each of its large-scale renewable energy projects and commences funding of its pledge once the project achieves commercial operation. These charitable funds are intended to provide additional assistance to community activities and opportunities within the local host communities. These gifts donated by the charitable funds are above and beyond any tax revenue delivered by National Grid Renewables' projects.

"We are incredibly proud of the local community benefits resulting from these charitable funds," said Joe Ibrahim, Vice President of Construction and Engineering at National Grid Renewables. "When we construct a clean energy project, we are laying down roots in a community  and we take our role as a good neighbor seriously. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to give back and be a positive impact on both the residents and the local economy."

Wild Springs announced construction in early 2023 and is projected to be the largest solar energy project in the state to-date. Once operational, Wild Springs is anticipated to avoid 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually  the equivalent to removing roughly 42,000 cars from the road for one year. The project also expects to produce nearly $12 million in new tax revenue throughout the first 20 years of operation.

About National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables develops and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America's electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid's vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Contact: National Grid Renewables

[email protected]

Media Relations: 612.429.7050

SOURCE National Grid Renewables
SANTA ROSA, Calif., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nation's Finest, a national organization that serves Veterans, is pleased to announce it has added three new Veterans to its National Board of Directors. In making the announcement, Nation's Finest CEO Chris Johnson said, "Nation's Finest is thrilled to introduce three highly accomplished U.S. veterans who have joined our Board of Directors. Each of them brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to improving the lives of veterans and their families. With their diverse backgrounds and strong leadership skills, we are confident they will play pivotal roles in guiding Nation's Finest toward even greater heights as we continue to support those who have served our country."

Nation's Finest

"We are incredibly honored and excited to welcome these three outstanding veterans to our Board of Directors," said Philip Williams, Board Chair. "Their exceptional leadership and dedication to the well-being of our veterans will help Nation's Finest continue to provide the highest level of services to those who need it."

The new Board of Directors members include:

David Englin

David Englin is a fourth-generation veteran, a proud graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and the father of an enlisted Air Force veteran. He is currently President of the LA County Business Federation, widely known as "BizFed," and his diverse professional experience includes serving three terms in the Virginia House of Delegates and five years as the Chief Operating Officer of the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region.

The oldest son of a single mom who was a Department of Defense elementary school special education teacher, David was born and raised on U.S. military bases in Europe. David met his wife, Shayna, on Rosh Hashanah on the steps of the Air Force Academy's Jewish Cadet Chapel. They now reside in the Los Angeles area with their two rescue dogs, Brut and Sarge. In addition to his professional endeavors, David's passions include target archery, culinary adventures, and a love for music.

David La Rosa-Presume, DNP, NP, MPH, LNC

David La Rosa-Presume, DNP, NP, MPH, LNC, is a decorated 13-year U.S. Army Medical Department veteran who has served in various leadership positions. His contributions to the military have earned him numerous accolades, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (awarded twice), the Army Achievement Medal, and various service and campaign medals. He currently serves as the San Francisco VA's Risk Manager where he displays exceptional leadership in managing the organization's legal cases.

In addition to his role in the VA, David is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In this position, he teaches graduate nursing students and collaborates with the Office of Diversity and Outreach to develop and co-lead a program that provides medical profession mentoring to minority high school students within the Bay Area.

Edward "Ed" Ayers

Edward "Ed" Ayers is a seasoned U.S. Army veteran whose leadership abilities have been honed both in the military and corporate world. For nearly a decade, Ed has been a senior program manager at Google, leading transformative Finance Systems projects. Prior to his tenure at Google, Ed's expertise was provided to Deloitte Consulting, where he supported Federal Government clients in enhancing their delivery of services to the public.

During his military service, Ed held the position as a U.S. Army Cavalry Officer and bravely served with a combat deployment to Iraq. Aside from his professional endeavors, Ed enjoys spending time with his wife and three young kids watching local sporting events. He also holds private pilot and bareboat sailing licenses.

Learn More About Our Team

The governing Board of Directors at Nation's Finest currently has 13 Directors from various backgrounds, 11 of whom are veterans. Learn more about our team at https://nationsfinest.org/our-team.

About Nation's Finest

At Nation's Finest , our mission is to support America's military veterans and their families with a comprehensive approach to housing, health, and employment that helps them achieve self-sufficiency and reach their full potential. We provide critical services and support to more than 7,000 veterans and their families annually. Our facilities are staffed by a diverse, professional, and talented group of individuals who are committed to serving all veterans in a respectful and positive way.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mckinzie Burrows

Community Outreach Director

[email protected]

1.833.468.9676

Maryann Marino

Tenacity Media

[email protected]

949-375-0856

SOURCE Nation's Finest
NELSON, BC and BONNERS FERRY, ID, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - A new web-based tool provides information to better understand the complexities, competing interests and physical limitations in the management of Kootenay Lake's water levels. You can access the Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool on the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control (IKLBC) website at static.ijc.org/klv/app.html.

Kootenay Lake water levels are impacted by many factors, including the 1938 Order of Approval, physical limitations and other demands. This interactive tool will help communicate those factors to the public.

A screenshot of the Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool. Credit: International Kootenay Lake Board of Control. (CNW Group/International Kootenay Lake Board of Control)

The tool features several key components, including:

A Hydrograph (time series plot showing river flow (discharge) or lake levels (elevation)) which shows inflow into Kootenay Lake, outflow from Kootenay Lake, maximum Grohman Narrows capacity and Kootenay Lake water levels representing dry, normal and wet years.

A Water Profile which shows water elevations for conditions representing different conditions at several points in the Kootenay Lake system from Porthill, Idaho , to Corra Linn Dam near the lake's outlet.

, to Corra Linn Dam near the lake's outlet. An Outflow Limiting Factor Gauge which shows what is currently limiting outflow from the lake for the selected condition (or year): Corra Linn Dam or Grohman Narrows.

The Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool will be an invaluable resource for Kootenay Lake residents, businesses and other stakeholders in the basin, helping people better understand the complex factors at play in managing this unique and vital natural resource.

Quick Facts

Kootenay Lake is a natural lake located on the Kootenay River in British Columbia, Canada , 25.7 kilometers (16 miles) upstream of the confluence with the Columbia River. The IKLBC is responsible for overseeing that FortisBC operates Corra Linn Dam such that Kootenay Lake levels are in compliance with the 1938 Order of Approval Rule Curve.

, 25.7 kilometers (16 miles) upstream of the confluence with the Columbia River. The IKLBC is responsible for overseeing that FortisBC operates Corra Linn Dam such that Kootenay Lake levels are in compliance with the 1938 Order of Approval Rule Curve. Under certain high and low flow conditions, Grohman Narrows controls maximum outflows from Kootenay Lake. Under other conditions, the lake level is controlled by Corra Linn Dam, owned and operated by FortisBC, in compliance with the 1938 Order of Approval from the IJC.

The Kootenay Lake Visualization Tool was funded by the IJC's International Watersheds Initiative and developed by the IKLBC in coordination with Sytec Engineering Inc. of Burnaby, British Columbia .

. Subscribe to receive periodic email updates on hydrologic conditions for the Kootenay basin, annual public meeting announcements and special projects in the basin. Sign up at eepurl.com/ivl4jo .

Contacts

Sonja Michelsen, US Secretary

Martin Suchy, Canadian Secretary

International Kootenay Lake Board of Control

SOURCE International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
The company has donated more than $30 million to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to accelerate the search for better treatments and cures

MILWAUKEE, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual is kicking off a unique social media challenge today to generate awareness for a cause the company has been supporting for more than a decade  finding better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. For consumers who share a photo or video featuring themselves or someone else balancing a lemon on their head posted to social media during July 24 through August 6, 2023, the company will make a $10 donation to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), up to $100,000.

Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer Program is devoted to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while also supporting families undergoing treatment and survivors struggling with lasting effects. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual has donated more than $50 million to the cause overall, which includes more than $30 million towards funding more than 600,000 hours of research through their partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

"At Northwestern Mutual, we are inspired by the ongoing strides in cancer research as a result of the grants we've helped fund for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. We continue to find opportunities to donate funding to aide in their pursuit of finding a cure," said Northwestern Mutual Foundation president Steve Radke. "In honor of Alex Scott's wish to help every child battling cancer, we're excited to announce this challenge and make an additional donation towards continued advancements in research and treatment."

The #LemonTopChallenge will run across LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Participants are tasked with uploading a video, photo or story to social media showcasing someone balancing a lemon on their heads and challenging their friends to do the same. Participants must also add the hashtag #LemonTopChallenge and tag @alexslemonade and @northwesternmutual.

"Northwestern Mutual has supported our mission to find a cure for childhood cancer for more than a decade," said Liz Scott, co-executive director of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and Alex's mom. "The #LemonTopChallenge is a creative way to activate support throughout the country and we're grateful for Northwestern Mutual's generous contribution."

To learn more about Northwestern Mutual's decade-long commitment to fighting childhood cancer, visit its Foundation's website here.

About Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra "Alex" Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. Her spirit and determination inspired others to support her cause, and when she passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Today, ALSF is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and Canada raising more than $250 million so far, funding over 1,000 research projects and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $400 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $558 billion of total assets being managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
SYRACUSE, N.Y., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned indie filmmaker Hooroo Jackson unveiled the groundbreaking A.I. feature film, "Window Seat," marking a bold departure from traditional filmmaking. At 61 minutes in length, this is the first feature film entirely generated with Artificial Intelligence (A.I.).

"Window Seat" tells the gripping story of a man who discovers his high school bully aboard the same plane, leading to a psychological battle 30,000 feet in the sky.

The opening shot of the film depicts the immolation of a camera, representing the disruptive change A.I. is about to usher in the film business. A man faces off against his high school bully 30,000 feet in the sky.

Things escalate when the protagonist, Thom, the co-founder of a popular tech platform, is thrust into a national scandal for his internet past. The bully, hearing everything from his seat, begins to torment him completely.

This tragi-comedy draws inspiration from the works of David Mamet, intertwined with the dark artistry of filmmakers like Aronofsky, Fincher, and Kubrick.

Hooroo Jackson explains, "You will quickly forget it's A.I., and even the most skeptical viewers were hooked within a few minutes."

The journey began in June when Hooroo recreated the Titan OceanGate implosion entirely with A.I.

"Why it works is because, for a moment, we were all outraged about the exact same thing. There was no nuance; art is not always so easy."

The short film gained rapid popularity, leading to calls for a full-length A.I.-generated feature film.

"I never had that much encouragement before. So, I tackled Window Seat, partly due to its single airplane setting."

The film's production exclusively used A.I. tools like the runway video generator and elevanlabs for dialogue. "I was constantly surprised at what was possible. Every limitation of A.I. was figured out by silent film masters over a century ago. There are no limits."

"The biggest accomplishment of the film, though, is the performances. You will hardly believe there's not a single human voice in the movie."

Hooroo Jackson reflects on the film's efficiency, stating, "While colossal productions like 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' may take years and cost hundreds of millions, 'Window Seat' stands tall at a mere $190 budget and was completed in just 23 days by one person. And you know what? I think a lot of people will say my film was better."

The film encountered challenges during production.

"I was trying to skirt around lip-synch until I realized you have to generate video until there is lip movement. Sometimes it would take fifty takes just to get their lips moving for one line."

The A.I. itself posed occasional comical challenges.

"There is a scene where a character walks through a museum of dinosaur bones. During a shot, one of the dinosaurs in the background just walks right off."

"Window Seat" is a timely and disruptive film in an industry currently in a state of revolt. "It is just the right time, and I'm glad the film is out. It's the exact kind of film everyone says is not made anymore, and it's a self-aware film that knows its place in the moment."

"A.I. filmmaking is here now. People do not realize we have the post-war New Wave times one thousand," adds Jackson. "The time has begun."

The OceanGate Titan A.I. short film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBkZoLiUdrQ

Trailer for Window Seat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjzf6UvMo4Q

Window Seat is currently available on GumRoad with a pay-what-you-want model, and formal distribution is being explored:

https://hooroojackson.gumroad.com/l/hooroo

About Hooroo Jackson:

Hooroo Jackson is an award-winning filmmaker celebrated for his visual artistry. His first film, "Aimy in a Cage," garnered critical acclaim and the prestigious Director's Prize at the Portland Film Festival in 2015. With "Window Seat," Jackson continues to push the boundaries of cinema, creating a landmark film entirely generated with A.I. technology.

Media Contact:

Yu Fantasia

4134329580

[email protected]

413-432-9580

SOURCE Hooroo Jackson
Funding will accelerate platform innovation as organizations scale trust across privacy, security, ethics, and ESG

ATLANTA, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneTrust, the market-defining leader for trust intelligence, today announced a $150 million funding round. This capital will bolster OneTrust's continued growth to meet customer demand for trust intelligence software. The round was led by new investor Generation Investment Management with participation from existing investor Sands Capital, bringing the total funds raised to date to over $1 billion with a current $4.5 billion valuation.

This latest funding comes as OneTrust reaffirms its leadership position in the privacy market. The company recently ranked number one in worldwide market share for data privacy software for the fourth consecutive year, according to IDC's Worldwide Data Privacy Compliance Software Market Shares report, "OneTrust Continues to Hold its Large Lead Over the Market." As data privacy regulations expand and evolve across the globe, organizations are embracing privacy as a strategic imperative to not only meet compliance requirements but demonstrate differentiation.

This funding is a testament to our sustained growth, market leadership, and customer-centric innovation. Tweet this

OneTrust goes beyond data privacy to provide a holistic approach to trust. As trust becomes a critical determinant of business success, the Trust Intelligence Platform is the single solution organizations use to manage trust across stakeholder demands of privacy, security, ethics, and ESG. This is bolstered by extensive research and real-time regulatory intelligence across hundreds of jurisdictions, making it easier for companies to understand and adapt to regulatory requirements.

"Our solutions have never been more mission critical. In the face of changing regulations and new business initiatives like AI, organizations need the technology to drive trust to the center of their operations and manage the complex web of privacy, security, ethics, and ESG requirements," said Kabir Barday, founder, CEO, and chairman of OneTrust. "We are focused on delivering strong customer experiences and will continue to evolve our platform as our customers' needs grow. This funding is a testament to our sustained growth, market leadership, and customer-centric innovation. We are pleased to be working with Generation."

"While critical to driving economic and sustainability progress, the proliferation of data comes with a host of unintended negative consequences, including data privacy and security issues," said Joy Tuffield, partner at Generation Investment Management. "With OneTrust's software, companies can protect sensitive data and manage the increasing volume and complexity of regulatory issues. This investment demonstrates our confidence in the company's vision, leadership, and ability to execute. We are excited to be partnering with OneTrust to make it easier for organizations around the world to demonstrate trust."

"The data privacy compliance market continues to experience significant growth amidst increased regulatory activity," said Ryan O'Leary, research director, Privacy and Legal Technology at IDC. "OneTrust continues to lead the market forward and capitalize on this emerging market. We are still in the early stages of this market, but it is poised for longevity."

Generation Investment Management joins OneTrust's existing investors, including Insight Partners, Coatue, TCV, Sands Capital, and Franklin Templeton.

About OneTrust

OneTrust is the trust intelligence cloud platform organizations use to transform trust from an abstract concept into a measurable competitive advantage. Organizations globally use OneTrust to enable the responsible use of data and AI while protecting the privacy rights of individuals, implement and report on their cyber security program, make their social impact goals a reality, and create a speak up culture of trust. Over 14,000 customers use OneTrust's technology, including half of the Global 2,000. OneTrust currently ranks #24 on the Forbes Cloud 100 list of top private cloud companies in the world and employs over 2,000 people in regions across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

IDC, Worldwide Data Privacy Compliance Software Market Shares, 2022: OneTrust Continues to Hold Its Large Lead Over the Market, Doc #US50209423, May 2023

Media Contact

Ainslee Shea

+1 (404) 855-0803

[email protected]

SOURCE OneTrust
OMAHA, Neb., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, July 29, 2023, OneWorld Community Health Centers, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, and Healthy Americas Foundation will host a health and wellness fair for all. Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!, celebrating its 17th year, is the nation's premier annual Hispanic family physical activity and healthy lifestyle event for people of all ages and all sizes. The 2023 event series is sponsored nationally by the Siemens Foundation.

Rosita Costume Character from Sesame Street

"OneWorld is proud to partner with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health for a seventh year to bring the Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event back to Omaha," Andrea Skolkin, Chief Executive Officer of OneWorld Community Health Centers, said. "We'd like to thank our national sponsors, the Siemens Foundation and the Healthy Americas Foundation, for the opportunity to provide our patient population with important health screenings and wellness information. This event is very special to the local community."

Families will enjoy a day of fun including live music, physical activities for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities; free back to school backpacks; free produce giveaways; free health screenings; COVID-19 tests, vaccines and boosters; and, referrals to community health services. Also, a very special guest appearances will include the Rosita Costume Character from Sesame Street, who will greet kids (including adults who are kids at heart) and distribute Sesame Street in Communities books and resources to families.

In addition, families can learn how to join the All of Us Research Program, a historic effort to gather data from one million or more people living in the US to accelerate research and improve health. At this special Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!, event you can speak one-to-one with All of Us Research Program partners coming together from throughout Nebraska and become one of the more than 600,000 people who have joined All of Us to date.

"Reducing health disparities requires a multi-faceted approach, including continuous preventative care and early detection. We're honored to provide continued support of the local health fair participants as part of this effort," said Dave Pacitti, President, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.; Head of the Americas, Siemens Healthineers; and, member of the Siemens Foundation Board of Directors. "We're committed to advancing health equity by promoting primary healthcare, diagnostic screening, workforce training for the healthcare sector, and capital loan support for community clinics, and thrilled to support Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! in the City of Omaha," concluded David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation.

"We are honored that with our partners and the many volunteers joining us this year that we are able to bring family friendly activities, offer access to health screenings, and provide the best information on good health and well-being," said Dr. Jane Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

All are invited to attend the Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! health and wellness fair

Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023 Time: 1pm to 5pm Location: OneWorld Community Health Center; 4920 S 30th Street, Omaha, NE 68107 Cost: Free!

For the nationwide 2023 Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! schedule please visit, https://www.healthyamericas.org/calendar-get-up-get-moving or call 1-866-783-2645.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health
SAN ANTONIO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of entrepreneurially minded Veterans and Military Spouses from all over Texas and neighboring military installations will muster this weekend at the Patriot Franchise Expo in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on July 29-30, 2023 (10am5pm) to meet with America's leading franchise brands.

VETERANS - Are you an entrepreneur trapped in an employee's body? Join us at the Patriot Franchise Expo in San Antonio, TX on 29-30 July 2023 and explore the world of franchising opportunities. Connect with successful franchisors and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Transition to a new mission!

"We are expecting 40 national franchise brands that represent hundreds of Veteran franchisees and employ thousands of Veterans and Military Spouses in communities nationwide," said CW4 (Ret) Stephen Davis, Senior Partner with Patriot Expo, and Service-Disabled Veteran. "What better candidate to replicate a franchisor's proven roadmap for success than those that have already demonstrated the same for our country".

Approximately 17,000 service members exit the military and seek opportunities in the civilian sector.

25% of Post 9/11 Veterans say they want to start their own business, yet only 4% do.

97% of Franchisors report that Veterans have proven to be an excellent fit as franchise operators.

Veterans account for 14% of franchisees nationwide / Over 500 franchise brands offer discounts to prospective Veteran candidates.

Veterans make great franchisees, and franchising is a gateway to small business ownership, prosperity, and success for many of our nation's heroes.

In addition to showcasing America's top franchise brands, the Expo will also feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and several breakout educational sessions designed to educate Veterans and help them transition to their new mission.

VetFran, a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association and the IFA Foundation based out of Washington DC will also be presenting at the Expo as a Liberty Sponsor. VetFran will be joined by Veteran-friendly finance experts who can assist with startup funding, and several Veteran non-profits will be on hand to provide valuable resources for Veterans and their family members.

"Dozens of major franchise brands such as the Little Caesar's, Fantastic Sam's, Ace Hardware, and Neighborly will be on hand to explore post-military career opportunities with our nation's heroes and their spouses," said Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel, Chief Executive Officer at ZeroMils. "Franchising truly enables Veterans to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves".

The Expo is Veteran centric and also open to the general public. There is no cost for Veterans and Military Spouses to attend. Interested? Please register at www.PatriotFranchiseExpo.com.

About Patriot Expo LLC

Patriot Expo LLC is a Florida based Joint Venture comprised of several Veteran owned companies joined together to assist military Veterans and military families achieve their dreams of entrepreneurship.

SOURCE Patriot Franchise Expo
ATLANTA , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coastal States Bank ("CSB") is pleased to announce the addition of four new bankers to their Atlanta region. Paul Black II, Leslie Hammond, Kelly Maxwell and Alan Patterson joined CSB's Cobb County team in July and will serve customers at CSB's Akers Mill branch.

Paul Black II joins the community bank as Senior Vice President, Cobb Commercial Banking Team Leader. Bringing 37 years of experience to CSB, Paul will lead a team of commercial bankers in offering a range of financial solutions to local businesses.

(PRNewsfoto/Coastal States Bank)

Kelly Maxwell brings 30 years of experience to her position as Senior Vice President, Commercial Banker and will provide lending, deposit and treasury management solutions to business customers in the Atlanta area.

Also with 30 years of experience, Leslie Hammond, Senior Vice President, Private Banker, will focus on business development specializing in deposit and treasury management solutions.

Alan Patterson, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banker, will provide financing, deposit and treasury management services to homebuilders and commercial clients. Alan has 38 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

"We are excited to welcome this talented group of bankers to our team in Cobb County. They bring a great amount of experience to CSB in years, skills and service that our business clients will value and appreciate," said Gary Dowell, CSB's Atlanta Regional President.

Also joining CSB's Cobb commercial banking team are two banking assistants, Karrie Boyd-Green and Cathy Roach, who will support the commercial bankers in delivering banking solutions to Atlanta's business community.

"Paul and the rest of the team have a strong community banking pedigree," said Steve Stone, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSB. "By creating an environment where our bankers can thrive and deliver exemplary customer service to their clients, we are able to attract the best Local bankers in the market," said Stone.

About the Company

Coastal States Bank builds relationships by providing a full range of banking services designed for businesses, their owners, and individuals looking for a local banking partner. CSB has a community banking presence in the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island and Bluffton), Savannah, and the Atlanta Metropolitan market, and serves communities across the country through its Government Guaranteed Lending, Senior Housing, Correspondent Marine, and Mortgage Banker Finance lines of business. At present, CSB has approximately $2 billion in total assets.

CSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX: COSO).

Coastal States Bank  Local. And Proud of It.

For additional information regarding Coastal States Bank, please visit www.coastalstatesbank.com.

Media Contact:

Raquel Cobb

VP, Marketing and Communications Director

Coastal States Bank

rcobb@coastalstatesbank.com

SOURCE Coastal States Bank
CHICAGO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the future, real-time payments will evolve, blockchain and AI technology will become more widely used, embedded finance will start to emerge, and the market for payment processing solutions will continue to increase as digital payments continue to grow. The industry's future development will be greatly influenced by partnerships, governmental reforms, IoT payments, biometric authentication, and IoT payments.



The Payment Processing Solutions Market is projected to grow from USD 103.2 billion in 2023 to USD 160.0 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing prevalence of smartphones and mobile applications has led to a growing trend of consumers utilizing mobile devices for making payments. Mobile payment solutions, such as digital wallets and mobile banking apps, heavily depend on payment processing services to facilitate smooth transactions, driving the Payment Processing Solutions Market.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Payment Processing Solutions Market"

250 - Tables

50 - Figures

300 - Pages

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Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2018-2028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units Value (USD) Million/Billion Segments Covered By payment method, vertical, and Region Region covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America Companies covered PayPal (US), Fiserv (US), FIS (US), Global Payments (US), ACI Worldwide (US), Square (US), Mastercard (US), Visa (US), Adyen (Netherland), Stripe (US), PayU (Netherland), Jack Henry & Associates (US), Paysafe (UK), PhonePe (India), Razorpay (India), Secure Payment Systems (US), Worldline (France), Spreedly (US), Fattmerchant (US), North American Bancard (US), Dwolla (US), CCBill (US), Authorize.Net (US), Alipay (China), PayProTec (US), SignaPay (US), Klik & Pay (Switzerland), Finix Payments (US), Due (US), Pineapple Payments (US), Modulr (UK), MuchBetter (UK), Paykickstart (US), AeroPay (US), and Sila (US).

Based on payment method, the credit card method to hold the largest market during the forecast period.

A credit card is a payment card issued by banks or financial institutions to individuals, allowing them to make purchases from merchants and incur agreed-upon charges. It provides a revolving line of credit, enabling cardholders to borrow money for payments or cash advances. Credit cards offer convenience and flexibility, eliminating the need for cash or checks. Cardholders have the option to carry a balance from month to month, subject to interest charges. Different types of credit cards, such as business, secured, prepaid, and digital cards, cater to various needs and preferences. While credit cards provide benefits like rewards programs and enhanced purchasing power, responsible credit management is crucial to avoid excessive debt and interest accumulation.

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Based on region, Asia Pacific is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast

Asia Pacific consumers in the region prefer seamless and secure digital payment transactions, driving the demand for advanced payment processing solutions. With a growing retail market in Asia Pacific, global payment processing solution providers increasingly focus on this region to offer sophisticated solutions. Countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia witness a high volume of daily mobile transactions, prompting respective governments to prioritize convenient payment methods. The GSMA's "The Mobile Economy 2021" report highlights that Asia Pacific has a 42% mobile internet penetration rate, with 1.2 billion people connected to mobile internet by the end of 2020, marking an addition of 200 million new subscribers compared to the previous year.

Top Key Companies in Payment Processing Solutions Market:

The major vendors covered in the Payment Processing Solutions Market include PayPal (US), Fiserv (US), FIS (US), Global Payments (US), ACI Worldwide (US), Square (US), Mastercard (US), Visa (US), Adyen (Netherland), Stripe (US), PayU (Netherland), Jack Henry & Associates (US), Paysafe (UK), PhonePe (India), Razorpay (India), Secure Payment Systems (US), Worldline (France), Spreedly (US), Fattmerchant (US), North American Bancard (US), Dwolla (US), CCBill (US), Authorize.Net (US), Alipay (China), PayProTec (US), SignaPay (US), Klik & Pay (Switzerland), Finix Payments (US), Due (US), Pineapple Payments (US), Modulr (UK), MuchBetter (UK), Paykickstart (US), AeroPay (US), and Sila (US).

Recent Developments:

In June 2023 , Visa acquired Pismo, to provide core banking and issuer processing capabilities across debit, prepaid, credit, and commercial cards for clients via cloud-native APIs and also provide support and connectivity for emerging payment rails, like Pix in Brazil , for financial institution clients.

, Visa acquired Pismo, to provide core banking and issuer processing capabilities across debit, prepaid, credit, and commercial cards for clients via cloud-native APIs and also provide support and connectivity for emerging payment rails, like Pix in , for financial institution clients. In May 2023 , ACI Worldwide announced its collaboration with Red Hat OpenShift, to enable financial institutions and payment providers to utilize ACI solutions on the platform.

, ACI Worldwide announced its collaboration with Red Hat OpenShift, to enable financial institutions and payment providers to utilize ACI solutions on the platform. In February 2022 , PayPal's investment in Skipify would allow Skipify to introduce frictionless checkout experiences for millions of shoppers and merchants alike by simplifying and streamlining the checkout process.

, PayPal's investment in Skipify would allow Skipify to introduce frictionless checkout experiences for millions of shoppers and merchants alike by simplifying and streamlining the checkout process. In May 2022 , Afterpay, a company acquired by Square, partnered with Rite Aid, to offer online shoppers to pay for everyday items in four installments at no additional cost.

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Payment Processing Solutions Market Advantages:

Many payment processing solutions are built to handle international transactions, allowing businesses to access a worldwide audience. This offers up new markets and revenue streams.

Leading payment processors put strong security measures in place to safeguard confidential financial data. Systems for fraud detection, tokenization, and advanced encryption reduce the likelihood of data breaches and unauthorised access.

detection, tokenization, and advanced encryption reduce the likelihood of data breaches and unauthorised access. Credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, and internet banking are just a few of the payment methods that payment processing systems provide. The overall purchasing experience is improved by the versatility that caters to different customer preferences.

Businesses may draw more clients and boost sales by allowing a variety of payment methods. Flexible payment options lower the chance of cart abandonment and promote impulsive buying.

Recurring billing and subscription models are frequently supported by payment processing solutions, making it simpler for businesses to handle recurring payments from clients for services or subscriptions.

Numerous payment processing platforms offer insightful data analytics. This information can be used by retailers to comprehend consumer behaviour, spot trends, and develop strategic business plans.

Payment processing solutions have evolved to support mobile payments in response to the growth of mobile commerce, enabling customers to make purchases using their smartphones or other mobile devices.

Businesses may easily set up online stores and handle payments thanks to payment processors' smooth integration with a variety of e-commerce platforms.

Competitive price structures are available with payment processing solutions, frequently based on transaction volumes. Compared to more conventional payment methods like cheque processing, this can be more affordable for enterprises.

No matter where they are physically located, businesses may accept payments 24/7 thanks to online payment processing. Both client happiness and revenue potential may rise as a result of this ongoing accessibility.

Report Objectives

To determine and forecast the global Payment Processing Solutions Market by payment method, vertical, and region from 2023 to 2028, and analyze the various macroeconomic and microeconomic factors that affect the market growth.

To forecast the size of the market segments with respect to five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America , and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

, , (APAC), , and the and (MEA). To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the growth of the Payment Processing Solutions Market.

To analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the overall Payment Processing Solutions Market.

To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the Payment Processing Solutions Market.

To profile the key market players; provide a comparative analysis on the basis of business overviews, regional presence, product offerings, business strategies, and key financials; and illustrate the competitive landscape of the market.

In the market, track and analyze competitive developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, product developments, partnerships and collaborations, and Research and Development (R&D) activities.

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Southeast Community College officials told members of the Legislature a plan to replace local property taxes with a newly created state fund puts the college at a disadvantage when compared with other institutions across Nebraska.

State senators scolded SCC last month for its plan to raise the colleges general fund property tax levy to the maximum 9.25 cents per $100 of valuation. SCC also plans to continue levying 2 cents per $100 of valuation to support the modernization of its campuses and facilities.

College officials have said the increase will be necessary to ensure SCC is funded at an adequate level so as to remain accessible for students while also meeting the needs of communities and businesses in its 15-county service area.

The dispute between state lawmakers and SCC stems from the passage of a property tax reform package (LB243) that will replace property taxes with a state-appropriated Community College Future Fund beginning in the 2024-25 school year.

Under the language of LB243, the baseline amount of state funding community colleges will receive from the fund will be equal to the general fund levy set for the upcoming 2023-24 school year or an amount equal to 7.5 cents per $100 of valuation  whichever is higher.

Four community colleges are currently under that level  SCC, Central Community College, Mid-Plains Community College and Northeast Community College  but SCC President Paul Illich said the one size fits all approach ignores the nuanced financial situations of each.

State statute sets a maximum levy rate colleges can use to generate revenue through property taxes, Illich said, and also puts in place a spending lid that grows marginally every year but which cannot be exceeded.

According to Illich, SCC is currently operating at about 70% of its total spending authority, which he said gives the college room to hike its general fund property tax levy from its existing 7.37 cents to 9.25 cents per $100 of valuation.

If the Board of Governors approves the increase to the maximum level, SCC would still be at about 90% of the state-mandated spending lid before property taxes are replaced by the Community College Future Fund next year.

My board has been very careful and gone up gradually the last few years, Illich said, adding that the cautious approach has now put SCC at a potential disadvantage moving forward.

Other community colleges, however, are already near or at their spending lid  mostly the result of large property valuation increases in recent years  which means they cannot raise their levy but will be fully funded when the provisions of LB243 take effect.

In a July 14 letter responding to senators, SCC Board of Governors Chairman Neal Stenberg said LB243 automatically confers funding benefits to some of the colleges while requiring SCC to take specific action to be treated similarly.

By raising SCCs general fund levy to the maximum allowed, the board will set its Community College Future Fund baseline at 144% of its existing general fund property tax requirements, Stenberg wrote to senators.

Mid-Plains Community College, which has a current general fund levy of 5.8 cents, would see its funding increase automatically, setting a baseline of about 139% of its current general fund property tax requirements without its board taking any action.

This college will get essentially the same increase to its baseline without an increase in its levy that SCC can only get with a levy increase, Stenberg said. Indeed, this other college will get exactly the same baseline even if it reduces its levy, which puts it in the enviable position of establishing a baseline without alarming property taxpayers.

A representative of Mid-Plains said the college has operated at a deficit in recent years to spend down its cash reserve and was planning a 7-8% increase in property taxes to balance its budget this year.

However, in anticipation of this increase in funding we plan to discuss with our board a minimal increase in property taxes this fall, said Daniel Stinman, director of marking and public information at Mid-Plains, adding the college was now considering a 2.5-3% hike in its property tax levy.

When the new funding model takes effect, Stinman said a large portion of the funding will be used to offset its deficit budget and identify other areas of need that support students.

Stenberg said increasing SCCs property tax levy was the only way to put it on a level playing field with other community colleges moving forward.

Do SCCs income and sales taxpayers want to more fully support colleges outside of the SCC service area while the needs of our own students and our own business and industry go at least partially unmet? Stenberg asked.

And Illich said that with property taxes now accounting for 51% of SCCs revenue, the move to the future fund, which will have capped growth, means SCC will be operating at a deficit moving forward.

Property valuations, on average, were increasing by 5.3% per year, Illich said, meaning that revenue generated from property taxes also increased by that amount. The Community College Future Fund is set to grow by 3.5% per year, meaning SCC will see less revenue once the program starts.

State lawmakers remain unmoved by SCCs explanation, however, remaining firm on the stated goal of LB243 to reduce property taxes paid in support of community colleges.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, a member of the Legislatures Revenue Committee that crafted LB243, said the assumption of lawmakers was that community colleges would remain at their existing property tax levies or move to the mandatory minimum when the baseline year arrives.

If their needs were met at a lower levy authority, then so be it, said Briese. Thats where they should start out, in my opinion.

While the Community College Future Fund is set to grow annually, the separate state appropriation to community colleges can be increased or decreased by the Legislature each biennium.

I think actions like this are going to make it more difficult for community colleges to sell future Legislatures on appropriation increases to the traditional state aid, Briese said. I would predict future bodies would remember this type of conduct.

SCC's Board of Governors will meet at the Academic Excellence Center on the Beatrice campus Tuesday for a work session and a regular meeting.

The work session, which will include a discussion of SCC's budget, is set to begin at 12:30 p.m., with the regular meeting to follow at 3 p.m.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
Dealertrack provides Polestar Spaces with a one-stop-shop for digital contracting, credit applications, and compliance solutions

More streamlined operations and faster transactions enhance the Polestar customer experience

With one unified workflow, the versatility of Dealertrack eContracting meets the diverse needs of Polestar Spaces leasing and buying customers

ATLANTA, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Polestar Spaces can now take advantage of Dealertrack digital contracting across all lease and retail contracts through Polestar Financial Services (PFS). Connecting Polestar Spaces with a single workflow for deal origination will allow for a unified digital contracting experience whether customers are financing or leasing a vehicle.

"Introducing a one stop eContracting solution for Polestar Spaces and Polestar customers fulfills Polestar's digital-first approach. Customers can now complete every aspect of the vehicle purchase process in a digital environment, from ordering to contracting," said David Carroll, Head of Polestar Financial Services. "Having an eContracting solution supports a better customer experience, faster funding for Polestar Spaces, and a more environmentally-conscious way to lease or finance a Polestar."

Offering the flexibility Polestar Spaces needs and the simplified signing experience customers demand, Dealertrack's streamlined workflow helps dealerships lower overhead costs, reduce contracts in transit, and boost funding speed. With Dealertrack, Polestar Spaces can offer a better contracting and signing experience to reduce errors, missed signatures, and recontracting. Key product features and benefits include:

Live Funding Checklist  up-to-date guidance on which documents the lender requires to complete transactions faster

Real-Time Error Display  built-in verification alerts prevent missed signatures and other errors to ensure accurate submissions and faster funding

Local File Upload  drag and drop images, stips, and trailing documents for quick and easy submission to PFS

Ready Sign  make all documents e-signable by easily adding signature fields

Flexible eSigning Options  secure and convenient options whether customers are in-store or remote

"At its core, Dealertrack is designed to help dealers drive profits and satisfy customers on any purchase path, today and in the future," noted Kait Gavin, VP Operations, Dealertrack F&I and Titling Solutions. "Through this expanded collaboration with PFS, forward-thinking Polestar Spaces now have even greater flexibility to ensure the contract process meets and exceeds the ever-evolving expectations of today's digital-first consumers."

For more information about Dealertrack, visit https://us.dealertrack.com/ .

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, automakers, dealers, retailers, lenders and fleet owners. The company has 25,000+ employees on five continents and a family of trusted brands that includes Autotrader, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital and vAuto. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with $22 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc. com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on Twitter, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.

Polestar Financial Services

Polestar Financial Services provides premium leasing and financing options, and other financial services products to Polestar consumers and Polestar Spaces in the United States. Automobile financing and account servicing provided by Volvo Car Financial Services U.S., LLC., d/b/a Polestar Financial Services. Polestar Financial Services is a registered trademark of Polestar Holding AB Learn more at polestarfinancialservices.com.

SOURCE Cox Automotive
Requesting Representatives Take the Honor Pledge Not to Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, Michael Doorley, founder of the "Take the Pledge Campaign" completed his 1,500-mile journey of hand-delivering the Politicians Honor Code Pledge to an office in each of the 26 congressional districts and two senators' throughout New York State. The journey commenced on July 6 at the office of the Honorable Michael Lawler (NY-17) and concluded at the office of the Honorable Jerrold Nadler (NY-12). Along the way, there were informative conversations with congressional staffers and voters. Follow-up calls commence today.

The Honor Pledge Tone at the Top

The pledge, modeled after other pledges and other honor codes or concepts at our federal service academies (e.g., West Point), is a pledge made to constituents that in matters affecting them, "I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do," as those terms are defined in the pledge. The pledge had previously been sent to the offices of virtually every member of the 117th and 118th Congresses, to the president and vice president and to every declared presidential candidate. For many in N.Y., this was their third request. One pledge was taken and signed  an exceptionally poor return rate for individuals titled "The Honorable."

Doorley says, "Ask virtually anyone if politicians lie, and after they stop laughing, they often reply, 'Of course they lie.'" Doorley continues, "We know they lie as defined in the pledge, and they know they lie, and they know we know they lie. We have witnessed these lies becoming more damaging over the years. They are tearing apart our country, communities, and families." Doorley points out, "Most people are unaware that our representatives and candidates for public office have a First Amendment right to lie to us, and too many of them do. I have never heard a politician say they will not lie to us, nor have I ever heard anyone say to one, do not lie to me." That is, until now. The Politicians Honor Code is a grassroots effort to start to confront proactively many politicians' challenges with honesty and ethical behavior something that is conspicuously missing in our society. I can think of no other organization that would allow this behavior."

The campaign currently focuses on the executive and legislative branches because they set the "tone at the top"  a term used to describe an organization's ethical climate. If individuals running an organization are unethical, one might expect their behavior to run through the organization.

Representatives and candidates are concerned about what their constituents want because it has been said that "all politics is local"  especially in an upcoming election cycle. That is why Doorley is hoping that individuals and groups throughout the country will want their elected representatives to be honest and ethical and thus ask their elected representatives and candidates to Take the Pledge. The pledge is downloadable at www.politicianshonorcode.com. Constituents can track their representatives at the website.

Doorley will be available to speak with individuals, groups, and the media about the pledge, campaign, and initiative  and, upon request, to speak with constituents' representatives on their behalf.

As campaign season heats up, voters should demand that their elected representatives and candidates "Take the Pledge" and publicly commit to truthfulness and ethical behavior. Voters require honesty to make an informed decision as to whom to vote for to represent them, and our country and future generations need it to move forward successfully.

Michael Doorley

914-816-3100

[email protected]

www.politicianshonorcode.com

SOURCE Michael Doorley
The only remote sexual health testing provider built for public health with 15 years of experience and real-world results is now available to U.S. public health officials to stop the spread of STIs

CHICAGO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Preventx, the only remote sexual health testing provider built specifically for public health, announced today at the STI and HIV 2023 World Congress that it is opening a specialized lab in Cincinnati, Ohio to make its award-winning solutions available to U.S. public health departments to help control the rapidly increasing spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in their communities. To address critical gaps in existing testing strategies, Preventx enters the U.S. market with 15 years of experience and real-world results, testing more than half the population of England, and brings the convenience and accessibility of digital services along with the reliability and expertise of in-person clinical care.

With the recent increase in reported cases of STIs and public health budgetary constraints, the U.S. is on the verge of a public health crisis. According to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) surveillance data, more than 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2021 and all increased between 2020 and 2021.[1] To reverse this trend, the CDC called for more groups to contribute to STI prevention and innovation efforts, with testing at the center of the prevention strategies.[2] Additionally, through the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has set an ambitious goal of reducing all new HIV infections in the U.S. by 90% by 2030.[3]

"We have a serious problem in the U.S. with the recent increase in STI cases pushing us towards a public health emergency and we have a professional responsibility to do everything we can to stop the spread," said Barbara Van Der Pol, PhD, MPH, Preventx Laboratory Director. "The COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in STI-related prevention and care activities and brought the realities of our strained public health infrastructure to light. We also learned that remote testing is a viable strategy that gives people, no matter where they live, greater access to prevention methods and overall health care."

Current approaches to testing, which often rely on in-person clinic visits, fall short if we don't reach at-risk or underserved populations. The Preventx digital platform and remote testing approach allows public health decision makers to target hard-to-reach groups, including those uncomfortable visiting a clinic, those with scheduling difficulties, and those living far from a clinic. At the same time, by providing testing services to large numbers of people who do not need to be seen in clinic, capacity of health care providers is freed up, enabling them to attend to those with more complex needs, those for whom online testing is not an option, and those who prefer face-to-face care.

"Against a backdrop of decreased funding for STI prevention and the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, U.S. public health officials are tasked with safeguarding the well-being of their communities, preventing and mitigating the spread of infections including STIs, ensuring equitable access to care, and all while containing costs," said Dr. Stephen Jordan, US Medical Director, Preventx.

"Public health budgets are being cut while pressures on Disease Intervention Specialists and other public health staff increase, so remote testing can give some relief to U.S. public health officials who must demonstrate the value of new solutions and be nimble enough to reach more people, including vulnerable, at-risk populations, but may not have the bandwidth or resources to unlock funding and see a viable path forward," added Nick Malhomme, International Development Director, Preventx.

Through a digital hybrid STI testing model that involves online screening for eligibility, remote testing, and physical clinics working cohesively, Preventx is now the largest provider of remote sexual health testing across Europe dispatching 5.5 million STI testing kits through Preventx services and carrying out over 15 million tests by Preventx's in-house lab. Preventx has seen an 80% average return rate on the remote test kits sent to people and 98.6% of service users would recommend Preventx to friends or family.

Preventx provides testing for Sexual Health London, the world's largest publicly funded remote testing program, and has tested over 2 million Londoners in just over 3 years, with an unprecedented 82% return rate.

Preventx runs the UK National Hepatitis C program providing a free, discreet national web-based testing portal commissioned by National Health Services (NHS) England .

. In East Sussex , a smaller city with both urban and rural areas, Preventx rolled out remote testing reaching people living in high deprivation areas (those most at risk for poor sexual health) as easily as reaching people living in better areas with greater accessibility.

, a smaller city with both urban and rural areas, Preventx rolled out remote testing reaching people living in high deprivation areas (those most at risk for poor sexual health) as easily as reaching people living in better areas with greater accessibility. Preventx's Southern Europe hub is the leading private STI clinic in Spain , offering onsite testing, treatment and support from Madrid and Valencia , as well as remote testing and treatment across the country.

hub is the leading private STI clinic in , offering onsite testing, treatment and support from and , as well as remote testing and treatment across the country. Preventx activities in Northern Europe are driven by the largest provider of STI remote self-sampling in the Benelux region.

"In this era of advancing technology and changing healthcare landscapes, the emergence of hybrid, digital and in-person, testing companies presents an opportunity to substantially enhance the public health value delivered to people," said Ruth Poole, CEO of Preventx. "The results we've seen through our programs in Europe have been substantial STI testing volumes, STI treatment, prevention of STI spread, and user satisfaction. We are now in a position to bring these solutions, and the positive results, to public health officials in the U.S."

Preventx was awarded Diagnostics Provider of the Year at HealthInvestor Awards 2023 for their cutting-edge in-house accredited lab. At the 2023 STI and HIV World Congress, Preventx is seeking nominations for communities to receive free consulting to demonstrate how much remote testing and services can increase access and improve outcomes. For more information about Preventx, visit www.preventx.com.

About Preventx

Preventx operates a specialized lab in Cincinnati, OH to provide full service remote testing solutions and empower public health officials in the U.S. to implement reliable, trusted remote sexual health services through an adaptable digital platform, efficient self-sampling and in-house specialist diagnostic lab. With over 15 years' experience, Preventx is the largest provider of remote sexual health testing across Europe. The company supports global public health officials in unlocking funding and identifying a path forward to implement sexual health testing solutions that will reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in their communities. In the UK, Preventx runs over 60 large scale programs including the National Hepatitis C testing program and Sexual Health London (www.shl.uk), the largest publicly funded remote sexual health testing program anywhere in the world.

1 CDC, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021



2 CDC, Media Statement: U.S. STI Epidemic Showed No Signs of Slowing in 2021  Cases Continued to Escalate



3 CDC, EHE: Scaling Up HIV Prevention Services in STD Specialty Clinics

SOURCE Preventx
MENLO PARK, Calif., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Protiviti today announced it has earned all six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations and is now a member of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.

Each Microsoft Solutions Partner designation has its own rigorous requirements. To demonstrate the ability to meet those requirements, a company must have achieved relevant advanced technical certifications and led fully documented client engagements. Protiviti successfully demonstrated its broad capabilities to help customers in all six Microsoft Solutions Partner areas, including:

Solutions Partner for Security  Safeguarding the entire organization with integrated security, compliance, and identity solutions

 Safeguarding the entire organization with integrated security, compliance, and identity solutions Solutions Partner for Modern Work  Boosting productivity and making the shift to hybrid work using Microsoft 365

 Boosting productivity and making the shift to hybrid work using Microsoft 365 Solutions Partner for Data & AI  Managing and governing data across multiple systems to build analytics and AI solutions

 Managing and governing data across multiple systems to build analytics and AI solutions Solutions Partner for Infrastructure  Accelerating migration of key infrastructure workloads to Azure

 Accelerating migration of key infrastructure workloads to Azure Solutions Partner for Business Applications  Delivering solutions with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

 Delivering solutions with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Solutions Partner for Digital & App Innovation  Modernizing existing applications and building cloud-native apps

"Achieving the Microsoft Solutions Partner designations reflects our team's commitment and technical skill depth across all six Microsoft solution areas," said Tom Andreesen, Global Microsoft Alliance Lead at Protiviti. "I'm proud of our team's dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences and grateful for our clients that continue to choose Protiviti as their trusted Microsoft partner."

"Protiviti is among a distinct group of partners who have achieved all six Solutions Partner designations," Jim Lee, Vice President, US Partner Solutions and Sales at Microsoft, said. "Their commitment and investment in Microsoft is clear, and they are paving the way for future success. Our collective customers will be the ultimate benefactors of their capabilities."

Protiviti has a longstanding relationship with Microsoft, having been a Gold partner for over a decade under the previous Microsoft Partner Network. Protiviti was honored recently as a winner of the 2023 Microsoft Security Excellence Awards for Compliance and Privacy,a finalist for 2023 Worldwide Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards for Compliance and a finalist for the 2023 Microsoft Canadian Impact Awards for Social Impact. Learn more about Protiviti's Microsoft Consulting Services.

About Protiviti

Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, digital, legal, HR, governance, risk and internal audit through its network of more than 85 offices in over 25 countries.

Named to the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, Protiviti has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index.

Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services.

SOURCE Protiviti
BELOIT, Wis., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Pinkham, Chief Executive Officer of Regal Rexnord Corporation (NYSE: RRX), announced that the Board of Directors, at its regular quarterly meeting held on July 24, 2023, declared a dividend of $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on October 13, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 29, 2023. The company has paid a dividend every quarter since January 1961.

Regal Rexnord Corporation is a global leader in the engineering and manufacturing of factory automation sub-systems, industrial powertrain solutions, automation and mechanical power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems, serving customers around the world. Through longstanding technology leadership and an intentional focus on producing more energy-efficient products and systems, Regal Rexnord helps create a better tomorrow  for its customers and for the planet.

Regal Rexnord is comprised of four operating segments: Automation & Motion Control, Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions and Industrial Systems. Regal Rexnord is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities worldwide. For more information, visit RegalRexnord.com .

SOURCE Regal Rexnord Corporation
Court-Appointed Receiver Sells Formula Brewing LLC for Market-Based Multiple

SEATTLE, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After nearly two years of resolving contentious disputes between the founding partners as well as other stakeholders in an Issaquah, Washington brewpub, restructuring specialist Revitalization Partners (RP) has sold the company to a group of investors operating as Formula Brewing LLC. The motion for sale approval was granted July 20 in King County Superior Court.

Sold as a going concern, the proceeds effectively satisfy all major creditor obligations, with the buyer receiving all assets free and clear of any liabilities or liens. The specific purchase price was not disclosed.

Revitalization Partners has operated the popular 8,000 square-foot micro brewery since November 2021. The court named the well-established Pacific Northwest firm as receiver following a bitter dispute between the founding partners that eventually resulted in litigation.

RP Senior director Kern Gillette, whose professional background includes C-level experience in large foodservice and retail companies, stepped in as a custodial receiver to oversee day-to-day operations at the brewery, along with Revitalization Partners principals Al Davis and Bill Lawrence. Once conditions stabilized, the trio successfully petitioned the court in April 2022 for an appointment as a general receiver, a strategic decision that allowed the competitive sale of the popular brewery.

Leveraging the opportunities of selling the cash-flow-positive company, RP designed a sales process that attracted some 15 bids from investors across the United States. Formula Brewing LLC prevailed, subject to the approval of the landlord and appropriate regulatory agencies, all of which were ultimately granted.

"This case serves as a cautionary example of what happens when two equal partners in a business find themselves in a position where they disagree on virtually everything," said Mr. Davis. "Fortunately, with the objectivity and background of experienced receivers, we were able to keep those differences from destroying the company and, in the process, created value that substantially exceeded the auction value of its assets."

About Revitalization Partners

Revitalization Partners specializes in improving the operational and financial results of small and mid-market companies nationwide and abroad. Whether the situation calls for interim management, business valuation or assessment, revitalization, re-engineering or managing through the receivership/bankruptcy process, the firm focuses on finding the best resolution in the shortest amount of time - with the highest possible return.

CONTACT: Michael Shepherd

[email protected]

(760)861-9596

SOURCE Revitalization Partners
NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of investors of BNB, BUSD, Simple Earn, and BNB Vault.

SO WHAT: If you invested in BNB, BUSD, Simple Earn, and BNB Vault you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16866 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On June 5, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint and issued a press release announcing that it had "charged Binance Holdings Ltd. ('Binance'), which operates the largest crypto asset trading platform in the world, Binance.com; U.S.-based affiliate, BAM Trading Services Inc. ('BAM Trading'), which, together with Binance, operates the crypto asset trading platform, Binance.US; and their founder, Changpeng Zhao, with a variety of securities law violations."

Among other things, the press release announced that "[t]he Complaint also charges violations of critical registration-related provisions of the federal securities laws:

Binance and BAM Trading with operating unregistered national securities exchanges, broker-dealers, and clearing agencies;

and BAM Trading with operating unregistered national securities exchanges, broker-dealers, and clearing agencies; Binance and BAM Trading with the unregistered offer and sale of Binance 's own crypto assets, including a so-called exchange token, BNB, a so-called stablecoin , Binance USD (BUSD), certain crypto -lending products, and a staking-as-a-service program; and

and BAM Trading with the unregistered offer and sale of 's own assets, including a so-called exchange token, BNB, a so-called , USD (BUSD), certain -lending products, and a staking-as-a-service program; and Zhao as a control person for Binance 's and BAM Trading's operation of unregistered national securities exchanges, broker-dealers, and clearing agencies."

Then, on July 24, 2023, The Wall Street Journal issued an article entitled "Some Binance.US Crypto Trading Was a Mirage, the SEC Alleges", which discussed how the SEC has alleged that Binance inflated trading volumes at the direction of Changpeng Zhao in order to artificially raise asset values, a process known as "wash trading".

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
The order is one of Scania's biggest single European and the largest battery electric truck order to be completed over one calendar year.

SODERTALJE, Sweden, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scania is committed to delivering on the premium brand promise towards customers and driving the shift towards a sustainable transport system. Consortium Purchasing group orders an extensive fleet of trucks to be delivered across the Culina Group, WS Group and A.W. Jenkinson Group.

The complete order consists of 2,500 trucks to be delivered over 12 months. The deal includes internal combustion engine trucks powered by the latest generation 13-litre SUPER drivetrain and 100 battery-electric trucks, some of the first Scania regional-haul battery-electric 4x2 tractor units to be used on UK roads.

Each vehicle will be supported by three years of full repair and maintenance contracts, with some trucks financed through Scania Financial Services.

Christian Levin, CEO for Scania, said: "Scania has had a close and successful relationship with Culina Group, WS Group and A.W. Jenkinson Group for many years. This is a significant deal that marks a milestone on our continued journey towards sustainable transport."

William Stobart, Deputy CEO of Culina Group, said: "On behalf of the Consortium, we are very pleased to be able to renew our agreement."

"It's been a difficult time for OEMs with global supply issues, but Scania has worked closely with us over the past two years to minimise the impact for both parties. This is testament to the true partnership between the businesses."

Chris Newitt, Managing Director for Scania UK, said: "I would like to thank the Consortium Purchasing board for giving us the opportunity to continue our great relationship."

"It's testament to the strength between the two organisations that we can make this announcement, but also, to those involved in making it possible over the many years that this deal is built upon."

CONTACT:

For more information, please contact:

Erik Bratthall

Corporate Public and Media Relations manager

[email protected]

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Scania
TORONTO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Canada has received securityholders approval for the following mergers. These mergers are expected to be effective after the close of business on or about August 11, 2023.

Non-Continuing Fund Continuing Fund Invesco Canadian Short-Term Bond Fund Invesco Canadian Core Plus Bond Fund Invesco Global Class Invesco Global Select Equity Class Invesco Global Focus Class Invesco Global Select Equity Class Invesco Global Focus Fund Invesco Global Select Equity Fund

In a separate vote, securityholders of Invesco Global Dividend Achievers ETF Fund approved changes to the Fund's investment objectives. As a result of this vote, the Fund will be renamed Invesco Global Dividend ESG ETF Fund effective at the open of business July 27, 2023.

About Invesco Ltd.

Invesco Ltd. (TickerNYSE: IVZ) is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. Our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. With offices in more than 20 countries, Invesco managed US$1.5 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of March 30, 2023. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with mutual fund investments. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the simplified prospectus before investing. Copies are available from your advisor or from Invesco Canada Ltd.

Invesco is a registered business name of Invesco Canada Ltd.

Invesco and all associated trademarks are trademarks of Invesco Holding Company Limited, used under licence.

 Invesco Canada Ltd., 2023

Contact: Matthew Chisum [email protected] 212.652.4368

SOURCE Invesco Ltd.
SHENZHEN, China, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 6th Global Cross-border E-commerce Festival and the 8th Shenzhen International Cross-border E-commerce Trade Expo will be held from July 31st to August 2nd, 2023, at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian). This year's festival is themed "Cross-border Culture, Brands Going Overseas, and Empowering Nation with Intelligence," and will focus on the applications of the Belt and Road Initiative, Internet+, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), AI, ChatGPT, and other areas in the field of cross-border e-commerce.

Since its inception, the Global Cross-border E-commerce Festival and Shenzhen International Cross-border E-commerce Trade Expo have made significant strides, growing in scale, addressing topical issues, resource docking, and industry chain effects. It has become increasingly influential within the industry, becoming a major event in the global cross-border e-commerce field.

The 2023 6th Global Cross-border E-commerce Festival and the 8th Shenzhen International Cross-border E-commerce Trade Expo are hosted by the Shenzhen Cross-border E-commerce Association (referred to as "SZCBEA"). This year, with the theme of 'Cross-border Culture, Brands Going Overseas, and Empowering the Nation with Intelligence', it revolves around the objectives of "Internationalization, Specialization, Industrialization, and Branding", featuring over 20 sub-events taking place across five major categories - exhibitions, competitions, forums, business, and activities.

The Global Cross-border E-commerce Festival showcases brand culture combined with oriental elements, integrates resources from various industrial belts, and gathers well-known and emerging brands from across China. More than 50 industrial belts will be on show, including Changshu clothing and auto parts, Zhongshan lighting, Zhejiang Jiaxing clothing, Hebei pet food, Fujian Shishi clothing, Cixi small appliances, Ningxia Yanchi, Guangdong East toys, Yiwu small commodities, Shantou knitwear, Ningbo, Jiangsu glasses and home textiles, Yangjiang knives, Anji green home, and Shandong Weihai fishing gear. In addition to this, more than 2000 high-quality source factories and over 100,000 professional buyer groups will gather at the Shenzhen (Futian) Convention and Exhibition Center.

Over the past six years, SZCBEA has hosted exhibitions in three cities and eight venues, with a combined area exceeding 160,000 square meters, serving over 4000 exhibitors, and attracting more than 30,000 professional visitors from over 30 countries and regions globally.

In 2023, cross-border e-commerce has entered a new stage of development, and the 6th Global Cross-border E-commerce Festival is poised to become a major industry event incorporating the entire industry chain. The conference will feature top experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs who are leading the development of the industry, delivering keynote speeches and presentations. The industry-themed forum will also play a significant role in guiding strategic direction and facilitating resource exchange, jointly promoting the high-quality development of the cross-border e-commerce industry.

The festival will showcase China's cross-border e-commerce industry from different perspectives, emphasizing its unique "one-stop full chain" advantage. It aims to elevate the industry and build connections among China's various industries. Through exhibitions, competitions, forums, and other events, the festival will promote the growth of cross-border e-commerce and highlight its potential.

We cordially invite all outstanding cross-border e-commerce enterprises and representatives to actively participate and warmly welcome friends from all walks of society to attend the 2023 Global Cross-border E-commerce Festival and the 8th Shenzhen International Cross-border E-commerce Trade Expo from July 31 to August 2.

SOURCE SHENZHEN CROSS-BORDER E-COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
Ed Knight sustained a nasty cut on his arm in a fall from a ladder. When he arrived at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, a level I trauma center, he was met with a flurry of doctors, nurses and technicians, according to a 2021 Kaiser Health News article.

Knight, 71, ended up with 30 stitches, but his injuries were not life threatening and he went home after about three hours. His hospital bill was $52,238. Of that amount, $17,000 was attributed to the trauma activation fee, a charge applied when the hospital assembles its trauma specialists  whether the injury turns out to be a trauma or not.

A family from South Korea on vacation in San Francisco had a similarly expensive scare. The couple brought their toddler to an emergency room at a level I trauma center after he hit his head in a fall from the hotel bed. Doctors assessed the child and declared him fine apart from some bruising. After a bottle of formula and a nap, the family was sent on their way. The hospital charged them $15,666 in trauma activation fees.

Montana is one of just a few states without a level I trauma center, the highest level of trauma care in the U.S. Soon, Billings could have two of the centers as the states most prominent health care competitors, Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, race to become the first to secure the rank.

Both claim to have the busiest emergency departments in Montana, and they are close in numbers. The most recent state data shows that in 2021, St. Vs served just two more trauma patients than Billings Clinic. Neither hospital provided data from 2022.

Officials from both hospitals have applauded each other for what they call a communitywide commitment to expanding care for Montanans.

While their mission to provide excellent health care is genuine, there are also significant financial incentives associated with being a level I trauma center, including the costly trauma activation fees, advertising rights and significant financial compensation from Medicare.

Dr. Joshua Brown, a researcher and assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburg, put it bluntly: The two reasons hospitals seek level I trauma status is either because the organization is looking to expand or the organization is hurting financially and needs to increase revenue.

Making the grade

The state health department is responsible for designating trauma centers and is currently creating specific criteria for Montana hospitals seeking the designation.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) grants verification. Verification isnt required for a hospital to become a level I center, but it is considered a prestigious recognition, the golden star of trauma care.

The organization has its own set of requirements that must be met before a hospital is verified as a level I center. A hospital must have research pursuits, 24-hour staffing of specialists, a surgical residency and must meet specific patient volume thresholds. At least 1,200 traumas must come through the hospital annually and 250 of those must be severely injured patients.

When a request for an ACS review is made, representatives will look at a year's worth of hospital data that demonstrates the ACS standards are being met for patient volume, quality of care, staffing of specialists and more. There also is a virtual visit by the reviewers. If the hospital is deficient in any areas, the ACS representatives will make recommendations and eventually return for a second review.

Once the hospital achieves ACS standards, the facility will be recommended for verification. Another group of providers on an ACS panel will assess the data, then the ACS will bestow verification, according to Dr. Avery Nathens, medical director of trauma quality programs at the ACS.

The trauma activation fees are meant to help cover the cost of the expanded resources required by the ACS.

The direct cost of specialist salary support alone causes overhead costs to skyrocket, according to research published in the medical journal, Missouri Medicine.

Trauma activation fees vary widely across hospitals. Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota, for example, lists trauma response charges for its level I center at about $7,000, according to the hospitals public pricing data.

Intermountain Health in Utah, another level I center and the health system that SCL Health recently merged with, lists trauma response charges ranging from $11,705 to $15,379.

Medicaid does cover activation fees, but its up to each state to decide how much hospitals will be reimbursed for Medicaid patients. Private insurers will also pay some of the fees, but will shift whatever isnt covered onto patients.

The ACS, however, does not require hospitals to add specialty services, so patients needing severe burn care and organ transplants will still be referred to larger out-of-state hospitals.

Staffing for other provider types is not taken into consideration when the ACS reviews hospitals, according to Nathens.

The pandemic brought on historical staffing shortages and financial challenges in health systems across the country. St. Vs has largely recovered from extreme staffing shortages, according to Jen Alderfer, president of the hospital. The hospitals recent merger with Intermountain Health, the largest health system in the West, has allowed for the redistribution of workers when there are staffing pressures. The additional resources have kept St. Vs from relying heavily on expensive traveling health care professionals who work for private companies sending in workers to fill in temporarily during staffing shortages.

Recruitment and retention challenges have persisted at many hospitals across the country and Billings Clinic has worked to decrease its dependence on traveling providers. Those traveler expenses have compounded the hospitals financial challenges. In an effort to save as much as $4 million every month, the Clinic has laid off some workers in information technologies, cut pay and put a 9-month pause on employee retirement benefits.

An expensive billboard

Its important to note that verification is not required for a hospital to secure level I designation. Instead, the state health department grants designation, though usually in line with standards established by the ACS.

Verification is an added bonus that demonstrates there are abundant resources in place. Both St. Vs and Billing Clinic have committed to the ACS review.

Alderfer at St. Vs said that the catholic hospital became the first to request a review by the ACS in August 2022. The review process began in November 2022 and will run through October 2023.

An on-site review of Billings Clinic was done in May 2023 by ACS representatives and is currently in its final review process from the visit, according to Zach Benoit, community relations manager at the Clinic.

In a statement to The Gazette, Benoit said that the Clinic was the first to formally announce its journey to become a level I trauma center in March 2022.

Months after our announcement, St. Vincent Healthcare made their public announcement that they would follow Billings Clinics lead and also pursue verification, Benoit said.

The Clinic built new operating rooms, a new surgical intensive care unit and expanded patient beds for the level I designation. In all, the level I journey has been the most expensive campaign in Billings Clinics history costing at least $30 million, according to previous reporting by The Gazette. Some of that money is coming from gifts and anonymous donors.

Level I trauma hospitals must have 24-hour, in-house coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of specialists in anesthesiology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial services, pediatrics and critical care.

One former Billings Clinic doctor said the Clinic is already very good at trauma care and described level I trauma status as an expensive billboard.

The doctor asked to remain unnamed because he still has some ties to the Clinic and is establishing a practice elsewhere. The Gazette has verified the former employees name, work history and licensure with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, and a Gazette editor participated in the conversations with the doctor.

Prior to the push for level I, trauma specialists were either present or on-call and could respond within minutes. Because of the rural nature of Montana, on-call trauma specialists often had ample time to prepare for a patient who may be arriving from up to an hour or more away.

Billings hospitals were forced to become good at trauma care, the doctor said. The Clinic is already providing excellent care.

Severely injured patients have a 25% greater survival rate when theyre cared for at a level I trauma center, data shows. But, the research largely applies to large urban cities.

The patients location at the time of the injury can also play a significant role in survivability. One study found that rural residents are more likely to die from a traumatic injury than urban residents no matter what trauma designation the hospital has, according to the medical journal, Surgery.

Trauma scoring

The former Clinic employee said one the reasons he left the hospital was a pressure he said he felt to overestimate some incoming patients ISS, or injury severity score, to meet the patient volumes needed for ACS approval.

When a patient may need trauma care, physicians record an ISS, which correlates with several different outcomes including mortality and duration of hospitalization.

Trauma scoring is measured on a scale from one to 75. A score of one to nine is considered minor, 10 to 15 is moderate, 16 to 24 is severe and 25 or higher is critical, according to the Montana health departments trauma report.

The ACS expects level I trauma centers to see at least 250 severely injured patients annually with an ISS of over 15, and to treat at least 1,200 trauma patients a year.

Severe traumas have been steadily increasing across the region over the past few years, said St. Vs director of emergency and critical care, Heather Stamey. She added that there are more than enough patients to support two level 1 trauma centers.

The most recent trauma data for Montana shows that in 2021 the eastern trauma region saw 390 patients with an ISS greater than 15. If split evenly between the two Billings hospitals, each would have seen 195 severely injured patients  55 fewer than whats needed to qualify for a level I trauma center.

The state is split into three different trauma regions. The eastern region is the largest and saw 2,724 traumas in 2021. Upon requests for more recent data, Stamey pointed only to the state data.

St. Vincent has seen significant increases in the overall volume as well as severely injured trauma patients each year, and 2023 has maintained this trend to date, she said.

Billings Clinics Benoit did not say if the Clinic was meeting patient volume thresholds.

Billings Clinic remains the busiest emergency and trauma center in Montana, with trauma volumes that have continued to increase by at least 10% every year for nearly a decade, Benoit said.

He pointed to the Clinics decades long history of serving patients from Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas as well as the organizations efforts to expand into rural Montana by building affiliations with critical access hospitals.

The Clinics upcoming merger with Logan Health in Kalispell will likely result in a greater number of patient transfers directly to Billings Clinic. Though, most traumas occurring in the northwest corner of the state are already directed to one of the two hospitals in Billings.

When a Logan Health patient needs services offered only by a level I facility, the closest facility currently is in Seattle, 515 miles away. Those patients would instead be sent to Billings Clinic, a bit closer at 484 miles, but where they may already have a relationship with a specialist.

Billings Clinic leadership said it does not plan to expand marketing to any new regions in an effort to draw in more patients and will serve the same areas it has since securing the level II trauma designation in 1992.

Accurate scoring data

The injury severity score is determined by the clinical personnel treating an injured patient and depends upon accurate data collection, which includes injury observation.

Considered in the score is how the trauma occurred. For example, the scoring system provides a method for classifying the type and severity of injuries sustained during a car accident and differentiates between a collision occurring at high speed and one that occurs at slower speeds.

Brown, the University of Pittsburg professor, said the patient volume thresholds are in place because treating severely injured patients regularly improves the knowledge and skills of the tending physicians.

Brown has studied geographical spacing of trauma systems and found that while patient outcomes are improved at level I centers, even a 1% drop in the volume of severely injured patients was linked to a two-fold worsening in quality of care.

Transfers from smaller centers

With the additional resources at level I centers, the expectation is that the regions lower-level trauma centers will triage some patients to St. Vs or Billings Clinic, according to Dr. Barry McKenzie, general surgeon at St. Vs and the chair for the ACS Region 8 Committee on Trauma.

We can reduce the number of kids who are transferred out of state, McKenzie said.

But Brown warns against leaning on level I facilities too much.

Often, level II trauma centers have the ability to care for a diverse patient population and decreasing the volume by sending patients to level I facilities can erode the quality of care at those sites.

Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls, St. Vs and Billings Clinic all are currently designated as level II centers.

St. Vs has carried out efforts to expand emergency air and ground transportation, which was announced in April 2023 during a ceremony to announce level I ambitions.

As part of a commitment to educating the community, McKenzie hopes to bring online training to volunteer EMS workers in rural Montana.

Timeline

Designation criteria is different from state to state, and its up to state officials to develop unique requirements that address health care deficiencies in the region, according to Nathens, the medical director of trauma quality programs at the ACS.

Montanas state health department started writing the criteria in fall 2022 and by May 2023 the State Trauma Care Committee approved the document, according to Jon Ebelt, communications director for the state health department.

In the guidelines, the state urged the use of telehealth services in trauma care. Because Montana is a rural state with a long history of provider shortages, the state adapted quickly to utilizing telehealth services and became a leader on this medical frontier early on in the pandemic.

Once administrative rules are set, Ebelt said they hope to have the documentation completed by December and an anticipated effective date of January 2024.
STOCKHOLM, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with Lehigh University to comprehensively redevelop the historic Clayton University Center on its campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA. The contract is worth USD 70M, about SEK 730M, which will be included in the US order bookings for the third quarter 2023.

The 9,200 square-meter renovation of the existing University Center will deliver multiple utility upgrades, including new electrical service, mechanical systems, and equipment, as well as the installation of a full fire protection system. In addition, this project will renovate the gathering spaces, offices, meeting rooms, lounge areas, and replace all doors and windows as well as the slate and copper roofing systems. The project will maintain the historic features of the building including the millwork and wood panelling, custom window design, stained glass windows, and interior stone walls.

The renovation work is underway, and the project is expected to be completed in December of 2024.

CONTACT:

For further information please contact:

Chris Mckniff, Communications Director, Skanska USA, tel +1 (347) 409 2719

Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska AB, tel: +46 (0)10 449 19 57

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3808716/2201562.pdf 20230724 US redevelopment university https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-clayton-univ-center---asce-tour,c3201404 Image Clayton Univ Center - ASCE Tour

SOURCE Skanska
R&D investment will help fuel company's pioneering efforts around hybrid integration

OTTAWA, ON , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Solace, the leading enabler of event-driven architecture (EDA) for real-time enterprises, announced today that it is receiving advisory services and up to CDN $10 million in non-dilutive research and development funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

Canadian-headquartered Solace has helped hundreds of organizations worldwide act and react on real-time data, or events, to improve operational efficiencies and deliver optimal customer experiences. Funding will primarily be used to add hybrid integration capabilities to Solace's EDA offering, called PubSub+ Platform , including the introduction of a rich library of connectors and transformations; enhanced data movement performance and scale for new exchange patterns and use cases; and the integration of "event management" capabilities with existing API management solutions.

"Operating in real-time is a critical requirement for digital transformation, and the event-streaming and management technology that Solace provides is a fundamental part of what global organizations need to achieve this," said Denis King, President and CEO, Solace. "We are incredibly grateful for NRC IRAP's support as we continue on our mission to advance the state of the art of EDA in this dynamic global market."

About Solace

As the experts in EDA, Solace helps enterprises become modern and real-time by giving them everything they need to make their business operations and customer interactions event-driven. With PubSub+, a complete events streaming and management platform, the company provides a comprehensive way to create, document, discover and stream events from where they are produced to where they need to be consumed  securely, reliably, quickly, and guaranteed. Established enterprises such as SAP, Barclays and the Royal Bank of Canada, multinational automobile manufacturers such as Groupe Renault and Groupe PSA, and industry disruptors such as Jio use Solace's advanced event broker technologies to modernize legacy applications, deploy modern microservices, and build an event mesh to support their hybrid cloud, multi-cloud and IoT architectures. Learn more at solace.com .

Solace Press Contacts

Americas & Europe

IBA International

Jamie Kightley

[email protected]

+44 (0) 1572 757932

UK

Positive

Carl Escoffier

[email protected].com

+44 (0)780 080 5625

APAC

Rice Communications

Neil Mirano

[email protected].com

+65 3157 5685

SOURCE Solace Corporation
From Startups and Major Studios to Universities and Corporations, These Local Contributors Encompass the Pioneering Spirit of SIGGRAPH

CHICAGO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SIGGRAPH 2023, the premier conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques, marks its 50th year of breakthroughs and innovation. Several Southern California-based contributors will be showcasing their works and projects at this year's conference in Los Angeles. These contributors span different conference programs, including Art Gallery, Panels, Production Sessions, Immersive Pavilion, and Real-Time Live!, among others, to highlight the latest developments in their respective fields. The 50th annual conference runs 610 August 2023 in person in Los Angeles, with a companion Virtual Access component.

Creating Creature Chaos: The Methods That Brought Crowds to the Forefront on Disneys Strange World Copyright Disney 2023 Description: A shot showcases Goblinswills, Terrordactyls, and Reapers

Running the gamut of what SIGGRAPH has to offer, these Southern California-based contributors have a broad spectrum of works at the conference including virtual reality and artificial intelligence projects as well as having a hand in productions such as DreamWorks Animation's "Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken" and Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Strange World."

"I'm exceptionally proud that SIGGRAPH is a global community, and how everyone is so involved with the conference every year," said Erik Brunvand, SIGGRAPH 2023 Conference Chair. "However, I'm particularly excited and proud to have so many of our creators be from the Southern California area and take part in this year's celebration in Los Angeles. They can show off their works in their own backyard as they represent their local communities."

"Cluster: #069" in the Art Gallery is a unique installation that was created by Mario Klingemann, Simon Hudson, and Julia Thompson of BottoDAO in Los Angeles. Botto creates works of art based on collective feedback from the community. To create "Cluster: #069," a clustering algorithm was applied to the entirety of Botto's body of work to organize it into common artistic themes. From 128 themes within Botto's works, 64 were chosen from the categories and clustered by the algorithm based on common features. This process resulted in a sort of style swatch, creating a mosaic from the fragments. Style grids were created for each of these 128 themes, upon which Botto's community voted to select the most popular piece. This process was the final step in the production of "Cluster: #069."

One of several presentations includes a session from the Glendale team at DreamWorks Animation titled "Those Flowing Locks  Creating Large Scale Water Hair for 'Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken'." Mark Newport, David Chow, Chris Michael, Andre Pradhana, and Lawrence Lee will lead the discussion around how the water hair element of a 150-foot-tall monster was realized. Another from the Burbank, California, team from Walt Disney Animation Studios involves "Creating Creature Chaos: The Methods That Brought Crowd to the Forefront on Disney's 'Strange World'." The film contains more than 65 million crowds elements, both in the background and as part of the key foreground performances. Nathan Devlin, Yasser Hamed, Alberto Luceno Ros, Jeff Sullivan, and D'Lun Wong will talk about how new crowds tools and pipeline optimizations were introduced to meet the film's challenges and bring the world to life.

With the Production Session "Bringing Opportunity to Mars: The Visual Effects of 'Good Night Oppy'," Douglas Ellison, MSL IPE team chief of the Pasadena, California-based NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will be part of the presentation discussing the challenge of bringing the journey of twin Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit to life. The inspirational true story of Opportunity is about a rover that was sent to Mars for a 90-day mission but ended up surviving for 15 years. The film follows this groundbreaking journey, from crafting a photo-real Martian environment, merging it into a full-length documentary, and, in the process, creating the most accurate visualization of the journey that has ever been committed to film.

Apples and Oranges Arts, based in Irvine, California, will show the installation "The Calling VR" in the Immersive Pavilion. Alani iLongwe, Christopher Sepulveda, and Tim Kashani take viewers on a journey where they can march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the thousands who journeyed to Memphis in support of the 1,300 sanitation workers striking for higher wages and better working conditions in this musical VR experience.

From the startup Ozone Story Tech based in Corona, California, comes a Real-Time Live! demonstration that involves an innovative software technology enabling the authoring and real-time performance of 3D poses, deformations, and animations. Rich Hurrey, Eric Soulvie, Kai Husen, Clifford Champion, and Shane Griffith will demonstrate "Feature Film Quality Characters Anywhere" and how their technology leverages layered deformers without the limits of a traditional bone and skin weight system.

Learn more about these Southern California-based contributors, their backgrounds, stories, innovations, and the programs they are participating in by checking out the full program. To get more information about the conference, opportunities, or to register to attend in person or online, go to s2023.SIGGRAPH.org/register.

About ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH, and SIGGRAPH 2023

ACM , the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges. ACM SIGGRAPH is a special interest group within ACM that serves as an interdisciplinary community for members in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. The SIGGRAPH conference is the world's leading annual interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. SIGGRAPH 2023, the 50th annual conference hosted by ACM SIGGRAPH, will take place live 610 August at the Los Angeles Convention Center, along with a Virtual Access option.

SOURCE SIGGRAPH
NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The sparkling water market size is estimated to grow by USD 25,446.84 million from 2022 to 2027. The market will progress at a CAGR of 12.22%, 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 Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV, Aqua Maestro Inc., Big Watt Beverage Co., Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Carpathian Springs SA, Cloud Water Brands, Danone SA, JAB Holding Co. Sarl, Klarbrunn, National Beverage Corp., Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., Primo Water Corp., RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG, Shepley Spring Ltd., Talking Rain Beverage Co., The Coca Cola Co., Volay Brands LLC, VOSS of Norway AS, and WakeWater Beverage Co. Download a Sample Report Now!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Sparkling Water Market 2023-2027

Sparkling water market insights -

Vendors : 15+, Including Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV, Aqua Maestro Inc., Big Watt Beverage Co., Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Carpathian Springs SA, Cloud Water Brands, Danone SA, JAB Holding Co. Sarl, Klarbrunn, National Beverage Corp., Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., Primo Water Corp., RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG, Shepley Spring Ltd., Talking Rain Beverage Co., The Coca Cola Co., Volay Brands LLC, VOSS of Norway AS, and WakeWater Beverage Co., among others

: 15+, Including Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV, Aqua Maestro Inc., Big Watt Beverage Co., Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Carpathian Springs SA, Cloud Water Brands, Danone SA, JAB Holding Co. Sarl, Klarbrunn, National Beverage Corp., Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., Primo Water Corp., RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG, Shepley Spring Ltd., Talking Rain Beverage Co., The Coca Cola Co., Volay Brands LLC, VOSS of Norway AS, and WakeWater Beverage Co., 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: Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets and supermarkets, Convenience stores, Online, and On-trade and independent retailers), Product (Unflavored drinking water and Flavored drinking water), and Geography ( North America , Europe , APAC, Middle East and Africa , and South America )

To understand more about the sparkling water market, request a sample report

Major Drivers -

Frequent product launches drive the growth of the sparkling water market. Owing to the increasing popularity of low-alcohol content beverages, the market has witnessed significant growth. Furthermore, frequent product launches in the market also drive the demand for sparkling water. As a result of this, market vendors across the world are focusing on product innovation and launches to cater to the growing demand for sparkling water.

In March 2023, PepsiCo Inc. brand SodaStream announced the launch of two new models of sparkling water lineup, the E-TERRA, and the E-DUO. Hence, the frequent launch of products will boost the growth of the global sparkling water market during the forecast period.

Significant Trends -

The changing consumer lifestyle is an emerging trend in the sparkling water market. Consumers across the world are more health conscious and thus, they focus on purchasing food and beverage products made of natural and health-benefiting products. Furthermore, sparkling water comes in a wide range of flavors and varieties, as consumers prefer convenient, on-the-go options for hydration.

Also, various influencers and celebrities on social media promote sparkling water brands, which is increasing their popularity. Hence, factors such as changing lifestyles and increasing demand for healthy ingredients by consumers may positively impact the growth of the global sparkling water market during the forecast period.

Key challenges -

Stringent safety and quality regulations will challenge the growth of the sparkling water market. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the manufacturing of sparkling water market and manufacturers have to follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs).

Manufacturers are required to process, bottle, hold, and transport bottled water under sanitary conditions. Furthermore, the US FDA, under its Food Safety Program, verifies whether the plant product water and operational water supply are sourced from an approved source. Hence, such challenges impede the market during the forecast period.

Drivers, Trends, and Challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report!

The sparkling water market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects.

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What are the key data covered in this sparkling water market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Sparkling Water Market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the Sparkling Water Market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the Sparkling Water Market industry across North America , Europe , APAC, Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , APAC, and , and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Sparkling Water Market vendors

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Related Reports:

The predicted growth of the alcoholic-infused sparkling water market size from 2021 to 2026 is USD 503.36 million at a progressing CAGR of 13.48%. This report extensively covers alcoholic-infused sparkling water market segmentation by distribution Channel (Off-premise and On-premise), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The rising demand for low-calorie alcoholic beverages is a major factor driving the global alcoholic-infused sparkling water market share growth.

The ultrapure water market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.02% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 3,945.39 million. This ultrapure water market report extensively covers market segmentation by application (washing fluid and process feed), end-user (semiconductor, power, pharmaceutical, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The increase in semiconductor wafer size is driving market growth.

Sparkling water market scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 12.22% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 25,446.84 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 11.54 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key countries US, China, Germany, UK, and Italy Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV, Aqua Maestro Inc., Big Watt Beverage Co., Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Carpathian Springs SA, Cloud Water Brands, Danone SA, JAB Holding Co. Sarl, Klarbrunn, National Beverage Corp., Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., Primo Water Corp., RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG, Shepley Spring Ltd., Talking Rain Beverage Co., The Coca Cola Co., Volay Brands LLC, VOSS of Norway AS, and WakeWater Beverage Co. 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 Distribution Channel



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



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 sparkling water market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on global sparkling water market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Distribution Channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

6.3 Hypermarkets and supermarkets - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Hypermarkets and supermarkets - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Hypermarkets and supermarkets - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Hypermarkets and supermarkets - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Hypermarkets and supermarkets - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 On-trade and independent retailers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on On-trade and independent retailers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on On-trade and independent retailers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on On-trade and independent retailers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on On-trade and independent retailers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Convenience stores - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Convenience stores - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Convenience stores - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Convenience stores - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Convenience stores - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Product

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 52: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 54: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Comparison by Product

7.3 Unflavored drinking water - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 56: Chart on Unflavored drinking water - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Unflavored drinking water - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 58: Chart on Unflavored drinking water - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Unflavored drinking water - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Flavored drinking water - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 60: Chart on Flavored drinking water - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Flavored drinking water - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 62: Chart on Flavored drinking water - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Flavored drinking water - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 64: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 66: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 67: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 69: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 74: 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 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 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 82: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 97: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 103: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 104: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 105: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 106: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 109: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 111: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)



Exhibit 112: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 113: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 114: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 115: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 116: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 117: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 118: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV

Exhibit 119: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Overview



Exhibit 120: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Key offerings

12.4 Big Watt Beverage Co.

Exhibit 122: Big Watt Beverage Co. - Overview



Exhibit 123: Big Watt Beverage Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 124: Big Watt Beverage Co. - Key offerings

12.5 Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 125: Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 126: Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 127: Boca Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.6 Carpathian Springs SA

Exhibit 128: Carpathian Springs SA - Overview



Exhibit 129: Carpathian Springs SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 130: Carpathian Springs SA - Key offerings

12.7 Danone SA

Exhibit 131: Danone SA - Overview



Exhibit 132: Danone SA - Business segments



Exhibit 133: Danone SA - Key news



Exhibit 134: Danone SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Danone SA - Segment focus

12.8 JAB Holding Co. Sarl

Exhibit 136: JAB Holding Co. Sarl - Overview



Exhibit 137: JAB Holding Co. Sarl - Product / Service



Exhibit 138: JAB Holding Co. Sarl - Key news



Exhibit 139: JAB Holding Co. Sarl - Key offerings

12.9 National Beverage Corp.

Exhibit 140: National Beverage Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 141: National Beverage Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 142: National Beverage Corp. - Key offerings

12.10 Nestle SA

Exhibit 143: Nestle SA - Overview



Exhibit 144: Nestle SA - Business segments



Exhibit 145: Nestle SA - Key news



Exhibit 146: Nestle SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 147: Nestle SA - Segment focus

12.11 PepsiCo Inc.

Exhibit 148: PepsiCo Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 149: PepsiCo Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 150: PepsiCo Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 151: PepsiCo Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 152: PepsiCo Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 Primo Water Corp.

Exhibit 153: Primo Water Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 154: Primo Water Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 155: Primo Water Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 156: Primo Water Corp. - Segment focus

12.13 RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG

Exhibit 157: RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG - Overview



Exhibit 158: RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 159: RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Beverages GmbH and Co. KG - Key offerings

12.14 Talking Rain Beverage Co.

Exhibit 160: Talking Rain Beverage Co. - Overview



Exhibit 161: Talking Rain Beverage Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 162: Talking Rain Beverage Co. - Key offerings

12.15 The Coca Cola Co.

Exhibit 163: The Coca Cola Co. - Overview



Exhibit 164: The Coca Cola Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 165: The Coca Cola Co. - Key news



Exhibit 166: The Coca Cola Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 167: The Coca Cola Co. - Segment focus

12.16 Volay Brands LLC

Exhibit 168: Volay Brands LLC - Overview



Exhibit 169: Volay Brands LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 170: Volay Brands LLC - Key offerings

12.17 WakeWater Beverage Co.

Exhibit 171: WakeWater Beverage Co. - Overview



Exhibit 172: WakeWater Beverage Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 173: WakeWater Beverage Co. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 174: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 175: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 176: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 177: Research methodology



Exhibit 178: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 179: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 180: 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.

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SOURCE Technavio
Automaker builds on annual Subaru Share the Love Event, which has granted more than 3,300 wishes

CAMDEN, N.J., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc., and Make-A-Wish this week partnered for a "Week of Wishes" initiative, an extension of its long-standing partnership, to surprise children with critical illnesses across the country at local Subaru showrooms with wishes that Subaru retailers helped to grant.

Subaru and its retailers have donated more than $32 million, helping to grant more than 3,300 wishes. Tweet this Quality Subaru (Wallingford, CT) partnered with Make-A-Wish Connecticut to throw a cheer-themed party for Hamden resident Chloe, featuring performances from local cheer and dance teams. Capitol Subaru (San Jose, CA) and Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area hosted a Hawaiian-themed celebration to surprise Hayward resident Moises with the granting of his wish.

The "Week of Wishes" expands on the 12-year partnership between the automaker and nonprofit. Since 2011, through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers have donated more than $32 million, helping to grant more than 3,300 wishes in the United States. The partnership has enabled Make-A-Wish to grant wishes that deliver hope when it's needed most.

"We have had the honor of granting thousands of wishes throughout our longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. "As the largest automotive donor to Make-A-Wish, we hope to provide children across the country with strength and positivity to fight against critical illness. Our Week of Wishes initiative is one of the many ways Subaru retailers are dedicated to giving back in their communities all year long."

According to Make-A-Wish, approximately 27,000 children are diagnosed with a critical illness each year, and research shows that granting wishes can improve children's quality of life and produce better health outcomes. A wish come true brings lasting impact to a wish kid, their family, and entire communities.

"Subaru and its retailers continue to provide support and exceed expectations for creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses nationwide," said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "We are incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to provide hope to wish kids and their families through initiatives like Week of Wishes, the Subaru Share the Love Event, and more."

"Week of Wishes" surprises included:

Quality Subaru in Wallingford, CT , hosted a cheer-themed celebration to surprise a 12-year-old Hamden resident, Chloe, after helping to grant her wish for a "cheer cave" basement makeover. The event featured several local cheer teams doing stunts, and Chloe, who suffers from a blood disorder, and her family and friends got a sneak peek of what her cheer cave will look like when complete.

, hosted a cheer-themed celebration to surprise a 12-year-old Hamden resident, Chloe, after helping to grant her wish for a "cheer cave" basement makeover. The event featured several local cheer teams doing stunts, and Chloe, who suffers from a blood disorder, and her family and friends got a sneak peek of what her cheer cave will look like when complete. Garcia Subaru North in Albuquerque, NM , surprised 13-year-old Alejandro, who has a malignant brain tumor and is losing his vision, with his wish to go on a shopping spree. He arrived at a red-carpet surprise party before being whisked away in a limo for his shopping spree at a local mall.

, surprised 13-year-old Alejandro, who has a malignant brain tumor and is losing his vision, with his wish to go on a shopping spree. He arrived at a red-carpet surprise party before being whisked away in a limo for his shopping spree at a local mall. Wakefield Subaru in Wakefield, MA , hosted a New York City -themed welcome home party that included a musical performance from a local theatre for 18-year-old Somerville resident, Sofia , after helping to grant her wish to travel to New York City .

, hosted a -themed welcome home party that included a musical performance from a local theatre for 18-year-old resident, , after helping to grant her wish to travel to . AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head, in Hilton Head , SC , hosted a beach-themed send-off party to surprise a 4-year-old Bluffton resident, Lillian, with her wish to play in the sunshine on St. Johns Island.

, hosted a beach-themed send-off party to surprise a 4-year-old Bluffton resident, Lillian, with her wish to play in the sunshine on St. Johns Island. Autobarn Subaru of Countryside in Chicago, IL , hosted a gaming-themed bash to surprise a 14-year-old suburban Chicago resident, Goel, with his wish for a gaming system. Goel, who has recently undergone a heart transplant, was surprised with his favorite things, plus exciting gifts for his brand-new gaming system.

Additional retailers, including Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru (Orangeburg, NY), Subaru of Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill, NJ), Subaru of Moon Township (Pittsburgh, PA), Hendrick Subaru (Birmingham, AL), Peoria Subaru (Phoenix, AZ), Scoggin-Dickey Subaru (Lubbock, TX) and Capitol Subaru (San Jose, CA) also hosted surprise "Week of Wishes" events for local wish children.

The "Week of Wishes" is part of Subaru Loves to Care, the health-focused philanthropic pillar of the automaker's Love Promise vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. To learn more about Subaru Loves to Care, please visit subaru.com/care.

About Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide; more than 360,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Diane Anton

Subaru of America, Inc.

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]



Adam Leiter

Subaru of America, Inc.

(856) 488-8668

[email protected]

Fernanda Horvath

Make-A-Wish America

(602) 792-3253

[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
CLARKSTON, Mich., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TARA, an industry leading risk-based vulnerability management platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Plante Moran, a top accounting and advisory firm. Together, Plante Moran and Security Vitals, the developer of TARA, will offer a managed services platform that will transform the way organizations manage their cybersecurity risks.

Because 60% of all data breaches result from software vulnerabilities, finding and fixing them is critical to keeping organizations secure. TARA (www.svtara.com) leverages threat intelligence and machine learning to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities that represent the most risk to an organization. In doing so, TARA reduces vulnerability mitigation efforts and improves risk coverage.

The partnership with Plante Moran expands TARA's reach and brings its innovative technology to a wider range of organizations. Plante Moran believes TARA is tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients, providing them with a comprehensive and effective solution for managing their cybersecurity risks. "We're thrilled to partner with TARA," said Mike Lipinski, Partner at Plante Moran. "Their risk-based vulnerability management platform is a game changer and has the potential to revolutionize the way organizations approach this often-challenging piece of cybersecurity. TARA will help our clients stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape."

Developed by Security Vitals (www.securityvitals.com), TARA is a scalable platform that is customized to meet the needs of organizations large and small. Automation helps TARA reduce workload for IT and security teams by providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their cybersecurity risks. With this partnership, TARA and Plante Moran are poised to make a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry, helping organizations stay one step ahead of malicious cyberattacks.

"We're very excited to be partnering with Plante Moran," said Security Vitals CEO, Rob Cote. "Their deep expertise in cybersecurity and risk management, combined with our cutting-edge technology, will enable us to deliver a truly world-class solution to our clients. We believe that this partnership will help us to continue our mission of making the world a safer place by protecting organizations from cyber threats."

About Security Vitals

Offering a blend of technology and consulting services, Security Vitals is a cybersecurity solutions firm that helps organizations identify and effectively mitigate the risk of data loss, business disruption, and reputational impact tied to cyber threats. securityvitals.com

Contact

Rob Cote

[email protected]

(866) 802-9405

SOURCE Security Vitals TARA
Increased demand for retirement plans that provide lifetime income and tackle risks that erode savings

NEW YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TIAA RetirePlus has recently grown to over 250,000 individual participant accounts. Demand for RetirePlus has been fueled by its ability to provide retirement plans with guaranteed growth during accumulation, asset allocation and guaranteed income in retirement, all at a potentially lower cost.

"Retirement is becoming even more difficult to finance for Americans, and many are rightly worried about running out of money," said Kourtney Gibson, chief institutional client officer at TIAA. "RetirePlus helps plan sponsors empower their employees to build a better retirement by providing access to a 'personal pension' like guaranteed monthly income stream in retirement. This feature is increasingly attractive for employers and employees, especially in an era of economic uncertainty."

TIAA RetirePlus is eligible to be used as a qualified default investment alternative (QDIA). It gives employees the simplicity of a target-date fund with the opportunity to turn all or part of their savings into guaranteed lifetime income in retirement when TIAA Traditional is included in the portfolio. TIAA RetirePlus can also help lower administrative costs and fees.

"Every American deserves a secure retirement, but most working people trying to save for retirement don't have the right tools. There are many risks that erode savings that individuals cannot solve for by themselves," said Colbert Narcisse, chief product and business development officer at TIAA. "RetirePlus is a proven solution that offers our clients the potential for enhanced retirement security."

TIAA has offered customized defaults since 2014. By early 2022, TIAA RetirePlus had surpassed $10 billion in assets. The 250th institutional client signed up for TIAA RetirePlus in early 2023. Today's announcement stems from the scalability of the offering and plan sponsors recognizing TIAA RetirePlus' success in helping to build better retirements.

TIAA also offers a new solution for the 401(k) market  the TIAA Secure Income Account, a fixed annuity similar to the TIAA Traditional annuity. The TIAA Secure Income Account is specifically designed to be used as an allocation within managed accounts or target-date portfolio strategies in 401(k) plans.

TIAA RetirePlus allows plan sponsors to work with advice from a 3(21) fiduciary advisor or a 3(38) investment manager who can customize all aspects of model attributes for the unique needs of their participants.

To learn more about TIAA RetirePlus, visit our website.

About TIAA

TIAA is a leading provider of secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions. It is the #1 not-for-profit retirement market provider2, paid more than $5.6 billion in lifetime income to retired clients in 2022 and has $1.2 trillion in assets under management (as of 3/31/2023)3.

Learn more about TIAA

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You should consider the investment objectives, principal strategies, principal risks, portfolio turnover rate, performance data, and fee and expense information of each underlying investment carefully before directing an investment based on the model. For a free copy of the program description and the prospectus or other offering documents for each of the underlying investments (containing this and other information), call TIAA at 877-518-9161. Please read the program description and the prospectuses or other offering documents for the underlying investments carefully before investing.

This material is for informational, educational or non-fiduciary sales opportunities and/or activities only and does not constitute investment advice (e.g., fiduciary advice under ERISA or otherwise), a securities recommendation under all securities laws, or an insurance product recommendation under state insurance laws or regulations to invest through a model or to purchase any security or advice about investing or managing retirement savings. It does not take into account any specific objectives or circumstances of any particular customer or suggest any specific course of action.

No registration under the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act or state securities lawsthe model is not a mutual fund or other type of security and will not be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and no units or shares of the model will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, nor will they be registered with any state securities regulator. Accordingly, the model is not subject to compliance with the requirements of such acts, nor may plan participants investing in underlying investments based on the model avail themselves of the protections thereunder, except to the extent that one or more underlying investments or interests therein are registered under such acts.

No guarantee  Neither the models nor any investment made pursuant to the models are deposits of, or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by TIAA or their affiliates (except with respect to certain annuities sponsored by TIAA or its affiliates), or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any other agency. There is no guarantee that the underlying investments will provide adequate income at and through retirement and participants may experience losses. Participants should not allocate their retirement savings to the underlying investments unless they can readily bear the consequences of such loss.

Assets allocated to the underlying investments based on the model will be invested in underlying mutual funds and annuities that are permissible investments under the plan. Some or all of the underlying investments included in the model may be sponsored or managed by TIAA or its affiliates and pay fees to TIAA and its affiliates. In general, the value of a model-based account will fluctuate based on the performance of the underlying investments in which the account invests. For a detailed discussion of the risks applicable to an underlying investment, please see the prospectus or disclosure document for such underlying investment.

TIAA RetirePlus SelectSM and TIAA RetirePlus Pro are administered by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America ("TIAA") as plan recordkeeper. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, Member FINRA distributes securities products. TIAA and CREF annuity contracts and certificates are issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), New York, NY, respectively. Each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Transactions in the underlying investments invested in based on the models on behalf of the plan participants are executed through TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, member FINRA.

TIAA RetirePlus Select

TIAA RetirePlus Select is an asset allocation program that includes asset allocation models that a plan participant may choose to guide the investment of his or her account into underlying investment options selected by the plan sponsor (the "underlying investments"). The plan sponsor selects the specific underlying investments available under its plan to represent the various asset classes in the models. An independent third-party advisor engaged by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America ("TIAA") developed the target asset class ratios for the models and the TIAA RetirePlus Select is administered by TIAA as plan recordkeeper. In making TIAA RetirePlus Select available to plans, TIAA is not providing investment advice to the plans or plan participants.

The target asset class ratios for a plan participant's model-based account will become more conservative over time as the plan participant's years to retirement decreases. For information regarding the changes to the target allocations please contact TIAA. An account's actual allocation percentage to an underlying investment may vary from the target allocations due to the performance of the underlying investments or other factors. Accounts invested in accordance with the models will be rebalanced to the applicable target allocations periodically. The underlying investments included in a model are subject to change and may not be representative of the current or future underlying investments for the model. Some or all of the underlying investments included in a model may be sponsored or managed by TIAA or its affiliates and pay fees to TIAA and its affiliates.

Mesirow is not affiliated with TIAA. Mesirow Financial refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. The Mesirow Financial name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019, Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Advisory services offered through Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. an SEC registered investment advisor.

TIAA RetirePlus Pro

TIAA RetirePlus Pro, a model-based service, is administered by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America ("TIAA") as plan recordkeeper.

The TIAA RetirePlus Pro Models are asset allocation recommendations developed in one of three ways, depending on your plan structure: i) by your plan sponsor, ii) by your plan sponsor in consultation with consultants and other investment advisors designated by the plan sponsor, or iii) exclusively by consultants and other investment advisors selected by your plan sponsor whereby assets are allocated to underlying mutual funds and annuities that are permissible investments under the plan. Model-based accounts will be managed on the basis of the plan participant's personal financial situation and investment objectives (for example, taking into account factors such as participant age and risk capacity as determined by a risk tolerance questionnaire).

The plan fiduciary and the plan advisor may determine that an underlying investment(s) is appropriate for a model portfolio, but not appropriate as a stand-alone investment for a participant who is not participating in TIAA RetirePlus Pro. In such case, participants who elect to unsubscribe from the service while holding an underlying investment(s) in their model-based account that has been deemed inappropriate as a stand-alone investment option by the plan fiduciary and/or plan advisor will be prohibited from allocating future contributions to that investment option(s).

Established Restrictions: Each plan participant may, but need not, propose restrictions for his or her model-based account, which will further customize such plan participant's own portfolio of underlying investments. The plan fiduciary is responsible for considering any restrictions proposed by a plan participant, and for determining (together with plan advisor(s)) whether the proposed restriction is "reasonable" in each case.

TIAA RetirePlus SelectSM is a service mark and TIAA RetirePlus and TIAA RetirePlus Pro are registered trademarks of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.

Annuity contracts may contain terms for keeping them in force. We can provide you with costs and complete details.

TIAA Secure Income Account is a fixed annuity product issued through this contract by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA), 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY, 10017: Form series including but not limited to: TIAA-UQDIA-002-K and related state specific versions. Not all contracts are available in all states or currently issued.

Source: TIAA Actuarial Department, based on TIAA dividend mortality tables as of January 1, 2022 . As of July 21, 2022 . Based on data in PLANSPONSOR's 403(b) 2022 DC Recordkeeping Survey, combined 457 and 403(b) data . As of March 31, 2023 assets under management across Nuveen Investments affiliates and TIAA investment management teams are $1,240 billion .

OPS-3014583CM-O0824W

2023 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund, 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

SOURCE TIAA
KSS becomes exclusive California distributor of the cannabis lifestyle brand

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Timeless Vapes ("Timeless" or the "Company"), a lifestyle brand leading the way in cannabis culture, today announced its partnership with industry-leading sales and distribution platform Kiva Sales and Service (KSS) in California.

KSS is an experienced distribution accelerator with a 13-year track record of building strong brands and accelerating growth for all partners, and will utilize its expansive network to bring Timeless Vapes and Timeless Noir products to more than 1,000 stores across the Golden State. Timeless specializes in tapping into local communities and culture to create high-quality cannabis products and marketing strategies that resonate with the California consumer.

"Kiva Sales and Service has been closely watching Timeless over the past two years, and we are thrilled to now represent the leading brand from Arizona as they look to expand their presence in the California market", said Brooks Jorgensen, KSS President. "Timeless delivers value to their retail partners through a strong focus on brand marketing, as well as consistent store-level support. By plugging their products into the KSS distribution network we will look to achieve unprecedented scale for the Timeless brand."

Timeless has invested heavily in the cannabis communities across California. The Company recently partnered with APEXER, a Bay Area-based muralist who creates colorful abstract patterns using spray paint, for the latest edition of its Artist Legacy collaboration series. The Timeless Summer Road Trip, a campaign celebrating the community bound together by the intersections of creativity and cannabis, will also make several stops in California this summer.

"Today marks an exciting milestone for Timeless, as we partner with a company like KSS that has an incredible legacy of building brands here in California," said Devin Penhall, General Manager of Timeless in California. "We are looking forward to working with KSS to expand our footprint while delivering consistent, quality products to cannabis consumers across the state."

"Timeless and KSS share a common bond that is rooted in the rich cannabis history of California," said George Thimsen, Chief Revenue Officer of Timeless. "Founded just a year apart, we both strive to uplift the state's cannabis industry by maintaining a standard of excellence and a spirit of innovation through all of our work."

For more information about Timeless' product selection, product availability and collaborations, please visit https://www.timelessvapes.com .

About Timeless

Timeless was founded in 2011 with the vision of creating a leading lifestyle brand around high-quality cannabis products and unique engagement through our pillars of "Community, Culture, and Legacy." Timeless Vapes began making cannabis products in 2013 and is celebrating their 10th anniversary. Their passion for innovation, unique brand building, and customer engagement has led Timeless to be a leading national House of Brands in the industry. Today, Timeless operates in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Missouri and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more about Timeless Vapes please visit: https://www.timelessvapes.com

About Kiva Sales & Service

In 2010, we at Kiva made a commitment to never release a product to our customer until it was perfect. We used that same philosophy as our driving mission at Kiva Sales & Service to make sure we provide the best customer service of any distributor in the market. Our goal is to build the leading distributor for premium California cannabis brands with a strong focus on service, brand building, and relationships that will accelerate growth for all our partners executed by a single distributor for all of their California strategy. With our commitment to dispensary service and a curated portfolio of industry-leading cannabis brands, we can be stronger together.

Timeless Vapes Media Contact

Mattio Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Timeless Refinery
Creative Planning adds Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions as custodian to increase access to institutional-grade solutions.

NEW YORK and OVERLAND PARK, Kan., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Planning (Creative), one of the largest industry leading Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in the country, today announced a new multi-billion-dollar strategic custody relationship with Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions (GSAS).

Following a year of significant growth, including two recent acquisitions, Creative's collaboration with Goldman Sachs will enable the RIA to provide institutional grade custody solutions to their clients. Creative will have access to Goldman Sachs' expansive range of capabilities, including GSAS' digitized middle and back office for alternative investments, fully electronic lending platform, advanced analytics, and product offerings from across the Firm.

Creative's collaboration with Goldman Sachs will enable institutional-grade custody solutions for clients. Tweet this

"This important engagement with Goldman Sachs comes at a pivotal moment as we continue to elevate Creative's offering to meet our clients' complex financial needs," said Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning. "By deepening our partnership with Goldman Sachs, our custody relationship allows us to benefit from an expanded set of capabilities and access to their unique products, services, and intellectual capital."

"We share the same vision of an elevated wealth management experience in an environment where client expectations continue to grow," said John Waldron, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. "Our partnership brings together Creative Planning's differentiated and comprehensive approach to financial planning with Goldman Sachs' institutional product access and thought leadership through our One Goldman Sachs model."

Creative Planning has more than $210B in combined assets under management and advisement as of December 2022, with continued plans for growth throughout 2023.

About Creative Planning

Creative Planning, LLC is an independent wealth management firm that provides a financial planning led investment management approach, retirement planning, estate planning, trust services, tax planning and family office services for individuals as well as 401(k) and institutional clients. CP has over $210B combined assets under management and advisement across all 50 states and 65 countries as of December 31, 2022.

About Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions

Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions is a brand of Folio Investments, Inc., doing business as Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions (GSCS) and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (GS&Co.), which are subsidiaries of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Custody, clearing and certain brokerage services are provided by GSCS, an SEC registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/MSRB/SIPC. Additional brokerage services offered by Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions are provided by GS&Co., which is an SEC registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, and member of FINRA/MSRB/SIPC.

SOURCE Creative Planning
Napa Valley Winery Significantly Increases Sustainability Investment as It Celebrates 75th Year

ST. HELENA, Calif., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinchero Family Estates, the second-largest family-owned winery and largest winery in Napa Valley, proudly announces its partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, further solidifying its commitment to environmental stewardship. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Trinchero Family Estates celebrates its 75th year in Napa Valley, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability for the next generation.

Trinchero Family Estates is making a significant investment in a series of sustainability projects, spanning across four California wineries: Westside winery in Lodi, Main Street winery in St. Helena, Trinchero Central Coast winery in Paso Robles, and Green Island Road winery in American Canyon. TFE's Green Island Road Winery in American Canyon is Now Running On Solar Solar Panels at Trinchero Family Estates' Green Island Road Winery

Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) is making a significant investment in a series of sustainability projects, spanning across four properties and exemplifying its proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint. These projects  scheduled for completion by the end of this year  will include solar installations at four California wineries: Westside winery in Lodi, Main Street winery in St. Helena, Trinchero Central Coast winery in Paso Robles, and Green Island Road winery in American Canyon. Together, annual solar production across the four sites will reach 11.5 million kWh.

Green Island Road winery's solar installation is the first to be completed and receive permission to operate; the American Canyon winery is now running on solar. With a system size of 1,244 kWdc, it features a total of 3,168 solar panels and 18 50/60kW inverters that will generate more than 2 million kWh annually. REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has meticulously designed the systems at Green Island Road and TFE's other properties to accommodate evolution and expansion; Main Street winery's future-minded systems will come online in December with battery storage and microgrid capabilities.

These solar installations across TFE properties are projected to achieve significant solar offset percentages, contributing to a greener energy mix. For example, the anticipated solar offset at the Green Island Road site is expected to reach 95 percent, resulting in a substantial reduction in the winery's reliance on traditional energy sources. When the outputs of all of its fuel cells and solar panels are added up, TFE will be self-generating 25.4 million kWh annually starting in 2024.

Kent Mann, vice president of operations for Trinchero Family Estates, emphasizes the company's pioneering efforts in energy efficiency and generation. "At Trinchero Family Estates, we believe in tangible results when it comes to sustainability. Our focus has always been on meaningful and measurable kWh production and the positive impact of clean energy on the environment. Our solar and fuel cell systems demonstrate our commitment to both environmental responsibility and a sustainable future," said Mann.

This partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions further enhances TFE's sustainable practices, following a long history of environmental initiatives. As early as 2008, TFE installed rooftop solar arrays at Westside winery in Lodi, setting an industry precedent for installing solar on new construction. In 2010, TFE collaborated with Bloom Energy to install fuel cell systems at Main Street winery, making it the first in the wine industry to embrace this innovative technology. Each of TFE's Napa properties and vineyards have also been running on 100 percent MCE-supplied renewable electricity since 2017.

Lawrence Denney, managing director for REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. "We're pleased to contribute to Trinchero Family Estates' continued legacy of sustainability. We've installed these solar rooftops with the future in mind, so the systems can continue to grow with TFE's business and ultimately provide energy storage flexibility," said Denney.

TFE's collaboration with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions not only reinforces its commitment to sustainability but also reflects its dedication to California's winegrowing regions and communities  TFE's home since 1948. With more than 9,000 acres of vineyards throughout Napa Valley, Sonoma, Lake, Amador, and Santa Barbara Counties, and vast Central Coast and inland valleys, TFE prioritizes environmental responsibility. Sustainable farming practices, such as utilizing electric tractors and irrigation pumps, grazing sheep to reduce CO2 emissions, supporting bee populations for pollination, and repurposing grape waste into compost, demonstrate TFE's holistic approach to sustainability.

The winery has set ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing its water footprint, achieving a high waste diversion rate, and reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. By 2025, TFE aims to achieve less than 3.2 gallons of production water used per gallon of wine made and a waste diversion rate greater than 99 percent. Its long-term vision includes a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and ultimately reaching net-zero emissions by 2045.

TFE's partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions aligns with its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. Together, they are leading the way in creating a more sustainable and vibrant future for the wine industry and beyond.

About Trinchero Family Estates Wine & Spirits

The second-largest family-owned winery and fourth-largest overall, Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) comprises more than 50 award-winning wine and spirits brands distributed in nearly 50 countries around the globe. Founded in 1948when Italian immigrant Mario Trinchero brought his young family from New York City to Napa Valley and purchased an abandoned Prohibition-era winery called Sutter Home in St. HelenaTrinchero Family Estates has been an innovator for 75 years. Today, Trinchero Family Estates remains deeply rooted in Napa Valley, encompassing a broad portfolio of global offerings, including flagship brands Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Menage a Trois and SEAGLASS Wine Company; luxury brands Trinchero Napa Valley, Napa Cellars and Neyers Vineyards; partner brands Joel Gott Wines, Charles & Charles and Bieler Pere et Fils; import brands San Polo, Famiglia Cotarella, Ceretto, Tenuta Regaleali, Angove Family Winemakers, Avissi Prosecco, Echo Bay, Finca Allende and Terras Gauda; and spirits and specialty beverage brands Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka, Tres Agaves Organic Tequila, Tres Agaves Organic Cocktail Mixers, Amador Whiskey and Trincheri Vermouth. Learn more at www.tfewines.com.

About REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a leader in sustainable energy, helping large enterprises reduce power costs, lower emissions and increase resiliency. The team provides wind, solar, resilient backup power and managed energy services to over 1,000 projects across the U.S., with a total electric capacity of more than 5,500 megawatts of nonregulated renewable energy.

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a nonregulated commercial brand of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company and one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.

The brand includes the following subsidiaries of Duke Energy Corporation that are registered to transact business in various states and may be branded as Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions for marketing purposes: Duke Energy One, Inc.; Duke Energy Commercial Enterprises, Inc.; Duke Energy Renewables, Inc.; Duke Energy Renewables Commercial, LLC; Duke Energy Renewable Services, LLC.; Duke Energy Renewables Storage, LLC; Duke Energy Renewables Wind, LLC.; Duke Energy Renewables Solar, LLC.; and REC Solar Commercial Corporation.

Solar photos and video: https://trincheroassetportal.com/s/tshjnx8j5qnnpfqpxnjs2b

SOURCE Trinchero Family Estates
A Forsyth woman accused of defrauding customers through her insurance company, Rosebud County Insurance Inc., by spending client payments on personal expenses appeared in federal court on charges Monday.

Kileen Moria Hagadone, 57, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging her with six counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.

The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The penalty for aggravated identity theft is a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other punishment, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Hagadone was released pending further proceedings.

The indictment alleges that Hagadone owned and operated Rosebud County Insurance Inc., an insurance brokerage business, and acted as an intermediary between her customers and national insurance companies. Hagadone was required to help negotiate insurance contracts for her customers and then receive and transmit payments as a fiduciary from the customers to the companies for the negotiated policies. Hagadone and her company had a trust account with First State Bank of Forsyth designed to receive these payments.

The indictment alleges that from about 2020 until April 2023, Hagadone devised a scheme to receive payments from customers but failed to transmit the funds to the insurance companies. Instead, Hagadone misappropriated the funds and spent the money on personal expenses, according to the indictment.

In some instances, Hagadone fraudulently withdrew the money for her own use from the company trust account. At other times, Hagadone improperly deposited customer payments into the companys business account so she could use the money, according to the indictment.

To help conceal the thefts, Hagadone allegedly stole the identities of several customers by forging their signatures on third-party financing contracts. As a result of the alleged scheme, many customers had their insurance policies canceled without their knowledge and had to repay the insurance companies for policies they had already paid for.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich is prosecuting the case. The Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, FBI and Rosebud County Sheriffs Office conducted the investigation.
Latest expansion of CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech workforce development effort

ATLANTA, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United Youth of America, Inc. (UYOA), a national nonprofit organization, announced its official recognition by the U.S. Department of Labor as a National Apprenticeship Program, marking a significant milestone in the organization's commitment to providing exceptional vocational training and career development opportunities for young individuals nationwide.

UYOA is a member of the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech network, a national initiative funded by USDOL and lead led by the American Institutes for Research in partnership with CompTIA to create employment opportunities in the tech workforce for people from diverse backgrounds, while simultaneously helping employers fill current and long-term tech staffing needs.

In conjunction with this achievement, UYOA unveiled its strategic partnership with Job Corps, a renowned organization offering comprehensive education and career training programs for young people. This collaboration aims to bolster student support at MTC-operated Job Corps centers across the country, enabling UYOA and Job Corps to combine their strengths in recruiting, training, and placing students in meaningful employment.

Jeff Barton, senior vice president of education and training for Management & Training Corporation (MTC), expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "We look forward to working with UYOA and combining our strengths to recruit, train, and place students in meaningful employment. This partnership supports MTC's goal of helping young people launch successful careers and achieve lifelong success, and we are immensely grateful for UYOA's willingness to join forces with us in this crucial endeavor to support America's youth."

The designation of UYOA as a National Apprenticeship Program signifies the organization's dedication to bridging the gap between education and industry, equipping aspiring individuals with the necessary skills and practical experience to thrive in today's competitive job market. Through specialized training and mentorship, UYOA aims to empower apprentices with industry-relevant expertise, paving their way towards successful careers and lifelong professional growth.

"By partnering with Job Corps, UYOA endeavors to provide students with an enhanced support system and a comprehensive range of resources. Together, UYOA and Job Corps strive to empower young individuals by offering guidance, opportunities for personal development, and a pathway to meaningful employment," said Annette Wilson, CEO, UYOA.

Through this collaborative effort, UYOA and Job Corps aim to foster the advancement of students, enabling them to contribute to the nation's workforce and realize their full potential.

"UYOA is proud to lead the way in apprenticeship programs, and this partnership with Job Corps exemplifies its commitment to empowering the youth of America and nurturing a skilled workforce," Wilson said.

The USDOL selected the American Institutes for Research (AIR), a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of education, health and the workforce, and CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the IT industry and workforce, to serve as a national Industry Intermediary for expansion of apprenticeships in tech occupations.

About United Youth of America

United Youth of America (UYOA), is a non-profit organization, that was established in 1997. UYOA's mission is to serve the needs of underprivileged youth ages sixteen and up. This goal is accomplished by teaching the principles of success and self-worth through UYOA's innovative programs. Our organization serves low-income families and children; we believe that the entire family must be served to help children. To learn more visit https://www.uyoa.org/.

About MTC

MTC operates 22 Job Corps centers, 23 correctional facilities, 13 prison and detention medical departments, three community release centers, seven detention centers, 19 treatment programs, two outpatient behavioral health programs, and one workforce development site worldwidewith a mission to help improve people's lives. MTC is headquartered in Centerville, Utah and employs more than 8,000 staff worldwide. To learn more visit https://www.mtctrains.com/.

About AIR

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We do this work because when we look to the future, we see opportunities to close gaps that are rooted in injustice. At AIR, we know that equity begins with systems that work for everyone, so we lead with expertise, follow the evidence, and never stop drawing new connections to build a better, more equitable world. To learn more visit https://www.air.org/.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world's leading information technology (IT) certification and training body. CompTIA is a mission-driven organization committed to unlocking the potential of every student, career changer or professional seeking to begin or advance in a technology career. Each year CompTIA, directly and through its global network of partners, provides millions of people with training, education and certification. To learn more visit https://www.comptia.org/.

Media Contact

Steven Ostrowski

CompTIA

[email protected]

630.678.8468

SOURCE CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet Aug. 8, 2023, in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board is expected to discuss the following items:

Remarks of the Chairman of the Board of Governors Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO Approval of the Minutes Committee Reports Quarterly Financial Report Quarterly Service Performance Report Approval of Tentative Agenda for Nov. 14 Meeting

A public comment period will begin immediately following the adjournment of the open session on Aug. 8. During the public comment period, which shall not exceed 45 minutes, members of the public may comment on any item or subject listed on the agenda for the open session above. Registration for participation in the public comment period is required. Additionally, the public will be given the option to join the public comment session and participate via teleconference. Should you wish to participate via teleconference, you will be required to give your first and last name, a valid email address to send an invite and a phone number to reach you should a technical issue arise. Speakers may register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bog-08-08-2023. No more than three minutes shall be allotted to each speaker. The time allotted to each speaker will be determined after registration closes. Registration for the public comment period, either in person or via teleconference, will end on Aug. 6 at noon ET. Participation in the public comment period is governed by 39 C.F.R. 232.1(n).

Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: Dave Partenheimer

202-268-2599

[email protected]

usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
Through August 6 Hoosiers can enjoy a 99 cent in-app* coffee to celebrate the 'brew' additions

INDIANAPOLIS, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT:

As summertime temperatures rise, Wendy's is cooling down Indianapolis with the launch of its new Frosty Cream Cold Brew lineup. Merging smooth, cold-brewed coffee with legendary Frosty creamer and the choice of rich vanilla, chocolate, or new caramel syrup  the Frosty Cream Cold Brew is swirled to perfection over ice. Wendy's slow steeps coffee beans in cold water for 12 hours to create the smoothest, never bitter, refreshing brew. It's exactly what this summer's coffee drinkers have been craving.

Wendys rolls out new Frosty Cream Cold Brew for Hoosiers to enjoy all day long!

WHERE & WHEN:

Starting today, Wendy's Frosty Cream Cold Brew is available all day, every day at Wendy's restaurants. Hoosiers can enjoy Frosty time during breakfast, lunch AND dinner!

WHY:

Because Frosty + Cold Brew = a match made in summertime sipping heaven.

"Wendy's craveable breakfast offerings are a morning staple for fans, and our new Frosty Cream Cold Brew takes the entire all-day menu up a notch to give our customers craveable coffee options they can't find anywhere else," said Lindsay Radkoski, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer for The Wendy's Company. "The Frosty is one of our most recognizable menu items, so we're excited to bring our fans a unique take on this iconic treat that can be sipped on at any time of day."

HOW TO STAY COLD (BREWED) ALL SUMMER LONG:

Wendy's has got Indy's back with this new everyday coffee offering. Fans can grab a delicious Vanilla, Chocolate, or Caramel Frosty Cream Cold Brew at your nearest Wendy's restaurant, online or via the Wendy's mobile app!

For locals looking to save a buck (or two) on their brew, fans can grab any small hot or cold brew, including the Frosty Cream Cold Brew, for JUST 99 cents with an in-app offer through August 6  no additional purchase necessary.* This offer refreshes daily, so sip, sip away.*

And for Eaters who enjoy getting coffee delivered to their door, from July 27 to August 2, enjoy a FREE Medium Frosty Cream Cold Brew with any order of $15+, for all customers, exclusively on Uber Eats, as part of its epic Summer Eatscation their most indulgent deals of season.**

Locals can get their hands on a Frosty Cream Cold Brew with breakfast or as an afternoon pick-me-up - we promise it's not too good to be brew! Indy, it's time to coffee the Wendy's way.

ABOUT WENDY'S:

Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise, "Quality Is Our Recipe", which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef***, freshly-prepared salads, and other signature items like chili, baked potatoes and the Frosty dessert. The Wendy's Company is committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through the Company's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids program, which seeks to find a loving, forever home for every child in the North American foster care system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across approximately 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on franchising, connect with us at www.wendys.com/franchising. Visit www.wendys.com and www.squaredealblog.com for more information and connect with us on Twitter and Instagram using @wendys, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys .

*Offers only available at participating U.S. Wendy's for a limited time. Offers must be redeemed in the Wendy's App or website. Account registration required. Not valid for delivery orders placed outside of the Wendy's App or website. Subject to cancellation or modification. See offers in Wendy's App or order.wendys.com for further details.

**Expires 8/2/2023 or while supplies last. Taxes and fees still apply. Order min. Of $15 before taxes and fees is required. Must add free item to cart before completing your order. Exclusions may apply. Cannot be combined. Valid only at participating locations. Offer and terms are subject to change or cancellation. See Uber Eats app for availability.

***Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada

SOURCE The Wendy's Company
Proudly Wisconsin Cheese and Dairy Companies Garner 86 Awards

MADISON, Wis., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An impressive 25 Wisconsin cow cheese and dairy companies received honors at the 2023 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging and Competition in Des Moines, Iowa, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Wisconsin dairy.

"It's excellent to see Wisconsin dairy products shine on the ACS stage," says Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. "The awards are a testament to Wisconsin's 180-year cheesemaking heritage and the innovation of our incredible cheesemakers."

"Wisconsin Cheeses have won more than 7,300 awards, more than any other state or country, bringing home an additional 86 at the American Cheese Society Judging & Competition in Des Moines, Iowa."

This year, Wisconsin makers earned more than one-fourth (28%) of all medals at ACS -- that's twice the awards won by the next closest competing state. In total, Wisconsin cow-dairy product artisans earned

27 first-place awards,

28 second-place,

31 third-place

And swept 8 classes  earning the top three spots.

Pleasant Ridge Reserve of Uplands Cheese, America's most-awarded cheese and proudly Wisconsin-made, has earned high honors as Third Best of Show at the 2023 ACS. This farmstead-crafted alpine-style cheese is made only from May through October when the cows are eating fresh pasture imparting a sweetness born from the grass-fed milk combined with the savory flavors developed by the cheese's natural, washed rind.

Among the all-star roster of Proudly Wisconsin Cheese and Dairy companies are Klondike Cheese Company of Monroe with 19 awards, BelGioioso Cheese Inc. of Green Bay with 9 awards, Widmer's Cheese Cellars of Theresa with 8 awards, Marieke Gouda of Thorp with 7 awards, Nasonville Dairy, Inc. of Marshfield with 6 awards, Schuman Cheese of Turtle Lake with 5 awards and the following companies each receiving 3 awards: Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery of Ellsworth, Pine River Pre-Pack of Newton, and Uplands Cheese of Dodgeville. For more Wisconsin cheese wins and a complete listing of the 2023 ACS winners, visit CheeseJudging.org.

The 2023 ACS competition included 1,454 entries in 131 categories from 195 companies. Awards are given to cheeses and cultured dairy products which have achieved technical excellence and exhibit the highest aesthetic qualities.

Wisconsin crafts 50% of the nation's specialty cheese; just look for the Proudly Wisconsin Cheese badge to taste some of the country's best.

About Wisconsin Cheese: The tradition of cheesemaking excellence began more than 180 years ago, before Wisconsin was recognized as a state. Wisconsin's 1,200 cheesemakers, many of whom are third- and fourth-generation, continue to pass on old-world traditions while adopting modern innovations in cheesemaking craftsmanship. For more information, visit WisconsinCheese.com or connect on Facebook.

About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin: Funded by Wisconsin dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that focuses on marketing and promoting Wisconsin's world-class dairy products. For more information, visit our website at wisconsindairy.org.

SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
In an overwhelming majority, workers at EEW AOS voted late in the evening on July 20, 2023, to be represented by the Ironworkers Union

PAULSBORO, N.J., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers congratulates approximately fifty workers on their victory overnight when an overwhelming majority voted in favor of becoming Union Ironworkers. Workers filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board on June 22, 2023, but began organizing months prior. Workers at EEW AOS voted in their NLRB election the evening of July 20, 2023.

EEW workers hold a pre-vote rally in support of unionizing.

"We congratulate the workers at EEW on their victory," says Don Heverly, Ironworkers Union Lead Organizer. "We would also like to thank the state and local elected officials for their support of the workers at EEW," he continued.

Ironworkers Union District Representative Vince Di Donato said, "The Ironworkers Union is leading the way in clean energy construction jobs, like offshore wind turbines, and we look forward to a lasting relationship with our newest Union Ironworkers, and with the company."

EEW is building the first and largest facility to produce monopiles for offshore wind turbines in the USA. Full production capacity of 100 monopiles a year will be reached in the second development phase by 2024. At that point, EEW AOS will employ more than 500 highly skilled workers in the clean energy sector. From eew-group.com

"I am excited about our vote to become Union Ironworkers," says Brian Peters, at EEW AOS. "It is incredible to be a part of the first unionized offshore wind facility in the United States. Providing union built monopiles and providing green energy right here in the heart of South Jersey!"

The Iron Workers Union (IW) represents 130,000 ironworkers in North America who work in construction on bridges; structural steel; ornamental, architectural, clean energy, and miscellaneous metals; rebar; and in fabrication shops.

SOURCE Ironworkers Union
If the first morning of the first trip in our new teardrop camper provided any hint of the outdoor experiences to come, were in for exciting times.

Rising too early, I bundled up to ward off the daybreak chill. The summer sun was taking its sweet time to peek over steep canyon walls along the Boulder River south of Big Timber. Sitting in my camping chair with Dakota The Shelter Dog by my side, I eagerly reopened my first really good book of 2022.

As I read on, the tension grew.

"Max rotated his head left toward the sound. His eyes found the source, the snub nose of a pistol that had rapped the glass, the long, bare hands behind it, the shirtless man, wraithlike in the spillover light from the trucks high-beams"

Perhaps spooked by the ominous words, something made me look up from the page.

There, 20 yards away, a curious grizzly bear was eyeballing our campsite between the gravel road and the river. It took a couple steps toward the grassy path leading to my chair.

Dakota saw the young grizzly, too. We froze, then slowly rose as the bear turned away from us. I opened the camper door, told Dakota to get inside. My wife stirred. I said there was a grizzly outside, and Shelley was wide awake.

Passing through

Peering through the doorway, Shelley confirmed my sighting. I shut the door, tried to take a photo with my iPhone (it was dead), and retreated to our Jeep parked in front of the camper. Id keep watch there.

This bear was not all that interested in exploring our camp, and it eventually ambled away, uphill through the trees after an hour or so.

That teardrop moment came last summer, just after we upgraded from tent camping and purchased a 2022 NuCamp TAG XL, the Boondock model.

Talk about your upgrade. Its basically a bedroom on two wheels with a hatchback kitchen. There are many makes and models of small campers, and most offer amenities such as a propane stove, microwave, LED lights, heater, air conditioner, small sink, portable cooler, cabinets, solar-power unit and more. The bear adventure was not featured in our brochure.

The TAG XL checked our most-important boxes. The hard-sided camper allays fears of bear-in-the-tent surprises. Its 2,200-pound GAWR (gross axle weight rating) makes for an easy tow.

The campers 6-foot-3-inch height, 13-foot-7-inch length and 7-foot-8-inch width fit snugly in the garage with a few inches to spare (even with a Yakima roof rack on top). Its 15-inch off-road tires add clearance for uneven terrain and its light weight makes it easy to maneuver with the Jeep or by hand, like pushing an overloaded Costco shopping cart.

We peeked at other small-camper brands, and they also have a lot to offer. Todays market features models from Winnebago, Encore ROG, Sunset Park, Little Guy Trailers, Starcraft, Forest River, Travel Lite, Northwood, Flagstaff, Keystone and others. Manufacturers specs are just a Google search away.

Some small campers sleep up to four, offer wet baths and U-shaped dinettes that convert to a bed. We preferred the hatchback kitchen option to keep the cooking in the great outdoors.

Cabin comfort

There is no seating in the TAG cabin. Two long and wide cushions atop a shallow storage box form a queen-size bed. If its time for indoor reading, games or watching a movie, its a comfy, pillow-abundant place to relax. It is tent-like, if you will, but features two doors, large windows for star gazing, three-speed fan, storage and reading lights.

Having the hatchback galley keeps cooking odors and mess out of the cabin. Meal prep takes place on the galley counter and the folding table we carry. An electric pump delivers fresh water to the sink from an 8-gallon tank. Solar panels help keep the teardrops battery charged.

Weve enjoyed camping nights near Cooke City, along the Boulder River and in the mountains outside Red Lodge. The drive up the steep, sinuous Beartooth Highway was smooth and not a heavy lift.

Parting shots

Dealers price tags for small campers vary widely with make and model. They range from $13,000 to $50,000 and beyond. Our TAG XL Boondock was $23,990.

Were empty nesters, so the TAG XL is just right for two camper novices  and our four-legged trail walker and influencer, @dakotatheshelterdog. So far, so good!

Oh, about that book. Though the grizzly interrupted my morning read, I finished And It Will Be a Beautiful Life by Billings author Craig Lancaster the next day. Best book of the year!
Federal statistics show that people of Asian descent make up less than a percent of Bismarcks population, but many residents still have a natural curiosity about other cultures.

Its what prompted South Korean-born Boram Chern to form the Bismarck-based Korean culture club K-Kota. The curiosity is strong within its membership, which comprises a variety of people  none of whom are Korean. Some are young, some are older. Some have previously been exposed to Korean culture, and others are new to it.

What they all share is an interest in learning and experiencing a taste of South Korea.

Jessica Archambault and her family appreciate the opportunity Chern has created in the community. They recently attended their first K-Kota meeting  a food tasting in early July. They said they like going to similar events, but have to go Fargo or Minneapolis for them. Archambaults daughter, Arabella, loves studying other cultures and languages, and Archambaults father, Dwight, expressed an appreciation for being able to try the food.

When I was growing up, we never had anything like this in Bismarck, and now to have things like this are unique and very good, he said. I enjoy these things. Ive always liked to go and try different foods and different things.

Offering culture

Chern has lived in Bismarck for about seven years. She first moved to the United States when she was teenager, and she eventually came to North Dakota with her family. Chern joked how she could probably count all the Koreans she knows in Bismarck on her fingers. She is aware of eight families, with four having moved to Bismarck after the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

To her surprise, Chern has met many people in Bismarck who express an interest in Korean culture and media. One in particular, Jill Carter, is a fan of the hit South Korean boy band BTS and would tell Chern about their concerts, interviews and songs.

Meeting all these people got Chern thinking how she could teach and share Korean culture with them. It was only after Carter suggested the idea of a Korean club that Chern created K-Kota last March, the name coming from a play on Dakota.

I think thats something that I can offer this community also. And being Korean, I think I can do more as a Korean presenting culture nowadays, Chern said.

The club began as monthly meet-ups in the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library. Chern discussed with attendees what they wanted to do and learn through the club. Many ideas were food-related events, so Chern began with those. She held a cooking class in May for gimbap, a seaweed-wrapped rice roll with a customizable filling. The dish is easy to prepare, making it a popular picnic or lunch meal.

Chern also has met a couple of people in town who study Korean online. She knew from the beginning that she wanted to offer language classes along with the culture activities.

Learning a language must require interaction with others. I know from my experiences. I am more than happy to help them as a Korean speaker, she said.

Language and food

The class she teaches has had about six sessions so far. There are seven students including Carter. Not everyone is at the same level, with some students having prior knowledge of Korean. Students still were able to form a close bond with one another, and share their love of Korean culture through the class.

Theyre really eager to learn something. Theyre really eager to try something new. Theyre really excited for it. And when Im speaking or when Im trying to share, when Im trying to do something like that, I can feel how much theyre really looking at me. Their eyes and ears really focus on me, Chern said.

She runs the club by herself. She maintains K-Kotas Facebook page, using pictures she took in Korea for event posts. Chern said shes been enjoying the club and loves meeting people. She welcomes anyone, regardless of their knowledge of Korean culture, along with their ideas  such as an Korean barbecue event and a Korean crafting event for when its colder outside. One member suggested an event involving Korean beauty products, which Chern plans to host toward the end of July.

Some of K-Kotas last events were food tasting meetups and cooking classes. One weekend involved tasting Korean street food, and the next was cooking Korean holiday food. Chern recently held a tasting event for homestyle food at her husbands restaurant, Noodlezip.

It was Brittany Babels first K-Kota event. She learned about it on Facebook and decided to come. Babel studied in South Korea for a year when she was a student at North Dakota State University. The food spread was nostalgic and reminded her of what she ate during her time overseas.

Chern served a number of small side dishes: soybean sprout, vinaigrette seaweed, braised tofu, steamed egg, cabbage kimchi and seasoned eggplant with assorted bell pepper. These surrounded a bigger bowl of pork kimchi, with rice on the side. Chern loves cooking and made everything herself.

Korean dishes are always served with side dishes, but the term side dishes doesnt accurately describe what they are, according Chern. Korean people look at all the things on the table  the rice, soup, the main dish and smaller dishes  as one set.

Elizabeth Ehlis attends K-Kota events and the language class with her mother, Karla. She grew an interest in Korean culture from consuming Korean media. She and her mother found out about the club when she saw a poster in Asian Gourmet Market, and they have been with the club since March.

I just like that Boram has given us this opportunity. And I mean, North Dakota ... doesnt really have a whole lot of Korean population, or a very big Asian population to begin with. So just that shes offering this and giving us the opportunity to learn the language, learn about Korean culture has been great, Ehlis said.
Amman, July 24 : Jordan and Syria have held a meeting in Amman to discuss cooperation to prevent drug smuggling across Syrian borders into Jordan, the media reported.

The meeting, also the inaugural meeting of the Jordanian-Syrian Joint Committee for Combating Drug Smuggling, focused on the pressing threats posed by drug trafficking to the entire region, according to state-run Petra news agency report on Sunday.

Jordan and Syria agreed to form the joint committee during the visit of Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to Syria on July 3, Xinhua news agency reported.

Safadi has said on several occasions that Jordan will take all necessary measures to protect its borders from drug trafficking and security threats from across Syrian borders.
Baghdad, July 24 : Iraq has confirmed its full support for the national dialogue in Yemen to achieve security and stability in the war-torn country.

During a meeting with visiting Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rasheed expressed his country's "full support for the national dialogue to achieve security and stability in Yemen, in a way that guarantees the peace for the people who have suffered greatly because of the conflict," according to a statement issued by the president's office on Sunday.

For his part, Mubarak praised Iraq's support for Yemen's security and stability, noting negotiations are currently underway to reach solutions that serve Yemen and the Yemenis, Xinhua news agency reported.

The visiting Minister also met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, during which they discussed bilateral relations in all fields and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement issued by al-Sudani's media office.

Earlier on Sunday, Mubarak held a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, who said Iraq's position on Yemen is that "all parties should sit at the dialogue table," noting "the situation in Yemen affects the regional security situation, and serious work should be done to establish security and stability".

"Iraq is ready to move to be part of the solution to the problems of the region and Yemen," Hussein added.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war after the Houthi militia took control of several northern cities and ousted the Saudi-backed Yemeni government from Sanaa in 2014.

The conflict has resulted in a staggering number of casualties and pushed Yemen to the brink of a humanitarian crisis, including widespread famine.
Hardoi, July 24 : In a shocking incident, a police constable brutally assaulted a man with his shoe in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district, police said.

The entire incident was caught on camera. In the 4.38-minute-long video, the police officer, identified as Dinesh Atri, can be seen hitting the man with his shoe more than 61 times.

The man was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

After the video went viral, Dinesh Atri was suspended and a departmental probe has been ordered against him.

According to reports, on Saturday, Atri, who was dressed in casual clothes, had gone to a nearby market to purchase something. There, he saw a man misbehaving with people, including women, and demanding free soft drink bottles from local shopkeepers.

The brawl started when Atri tried to stop the man from misbehaving with others. But the man also misbehaved with the cop, following which the policeman thrashed him with his shoe.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) West, Durgesh Kumar Singh, said, "We have taken cognisance of the viral video. The video is from the Beja crossing area under the jurisdiction of Shahbad police station."

"The constable, identified as Dinesh Atri, was visiting a market in civilian clothes. There he saw a man in a drunk state, who was misbehaving and abusing people. The drunk man also misbehaved with the cop when he tried to interject, which led to a fight. The cop has been suspended with immediate effect," the ASP added.
The Mandan City Commission has submitted its preferred option for a North Dakota Department of Transportation project that would expand the Interstate 94 Sunset Drive interchange.

The project seeks to address deteriorating pavement along the highway to meet future traffic needs, according to the DOT. It also evaluates options to provide accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists, which would improve safety along Sunset Drive, a major north-south corridor on the west side of the city.

The city chose to recommend a single-point urban interchange with lights at intersections over several other options.

State data shows that 95 crashes occurred in the interchange area -- between Boundary Street Northwest and Old Red Trail Northwest -- from 2017-22, with 37 taking place at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Old Red Trail.

The project is separate from a Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization feasibility study underway on upgrading the parts of Sunset Drive north and south of the interchange. Construction on that project is at least five years away.

Physical work on the interchange project is expected in two years.

Project consultants Mead & Hunt evaluated four alternatives for the interchange and presented them at a public meeting on April 20 where public feedback was welcomed. Mead & Hunt also ranked the alternatives based on overall efficiency. Three alternatives can be constructed with stop lights or roundabouts at intersections -- the fourth alternative was only considered with roundabouts -- for a total of seven options, though only six were ranked.

The alternatives presented were a single-point urban interchange, a partial cloverleaf interchange, a diverging diamond interchange and a diamond interchange with roundabouts at intersections.

The current structure is a diamond interchange.

The top-ranked alternative was a single-point urban interchange with stop lights at intersections. The next ranked choice was also the single-point urban interchange but with roundabouts at intersections.

A single-point urban interchange is similar in form to a diamond interchange but has the advantage of allowing opposing left turns to proceed simultaneously by compressing the two intersections of a diamond into one single intersection over or under the free-flowing road.

That particular configuration gives us more space between the on and off ramps and our intersections, Mandan City Engineer Justin Froseth said.

The next-ranked choice was a partial cloverleaf interchange with stop lights at intersections.

The partial cloverleaf would have four straight ramps and a loop ramp. The loop would be used by drivers heading south on Sunset Drive wanting to head east. It would remove the left turn that currently takes place.

The diverging diamond interchange ranked fourth with stop lights at intersections and fifth with roundabouts.

In a diverging diamond, opposing directions of travel on the non-freeway road would cross each other on either side of the interchange, to reduce the amount of vehicles turning in front of oncoming traffic.

The fourth alternative, the diamond interchange with roundabouts at intersections, was not even ranked as it failed to address the needs of the project. This alterative would be the most similar to what is currently in place, but the lights at the exit and entrance ramps would be replaced with roundabouts.

The partial cloverleaf interchange with roundabouts ranked last.

The consultants will gather recommendations from over 15 groups -- mostly divisions within DOT -- to choose the alternative to go forward with.

The Mandan City Commission unanimously chose to submit the single-point urban interchange with stoplights as the citys preferred alternative.

The total cost of the project will range from $20.8 million to $26.4 million, depending on the final alternative chosen. It will mostly be funded by the DOT, but the city would need to pick up costs if construction expands past the DOT right-of-way.

We would potentially need to participate in any costs that are outside of the right-of-way if it's the stoplights or changes to intersections that are on our side, but nothing is set in stone on that, Mandan City Planner Andrew Stromme said.

A second public meeting will be held in the coming months to present the rankings and preferred alternative.

Following that meeting an environmental report will be done of the preferred alternative, and design work can then begin. Utility relocations will begin in 2025 and the project will be finished by 2026.

More information is at https://bit.ly/46EX4Q2.
Meerut : , July 24 (IANS) A dispute over second marriage led to two men being shot dead in an e-rickshaw at the Saifpur Karamchand tri-section in Hastinapur area of Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district, police said.

The two victims, one of them being the e-rickshaw driver, were shot at by motorcycle-borne people nearly 30 km from the district headquarters.

According to police reports, Surendra, 40, was driving his e-rickshaw, and Arvind, 22, who was sitting in it as a passenger, were shot at by three to four men.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rohit Singh Sajwan, said that both were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to gunshot wounds.

According to a complaint filed by Arvind's family, Arvind had married a woman named Geeta in 2021 after the death of her first husband.

Geeta had got married in 2002 to a man from Hastinapur who died in 2020.

After their marriage, the two started living together outside their village since Geeta's sons from her first marriage, and also her brother-in-law, were not happy with the new alliance.

Arvind's brother and Geeta in their complaint to police alleged that Arvind was shot dead because of their marriage.

The SSP said a case has been registered against Geeta's sons and the sons of her brother-in-law, and two teams have been formed to arrest the bike-borne assailants and other people involved in the murders.

The e-rickshaw driver was killed in indiscriminate firing.
Young girl from Kashmir handwrites Holy Quran after memorising it. Image Source: IANS News

Beirut, July 24 : The Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom has expressed regret over the recent attack on the Quran in Stockholm, the media reported.

During a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Billstrom on Sunday expressed Sweden's regret over the desecration of the Quran and its insult to Islamic beliefs and symbols.

Bou Habib welcomed the position and encouraged Sweden to take additional "practical" steps to reduce feelings of growing hatred and Islamophobia, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Thursday, an Iraqi refugee, who burned a copy of the Quran last month, stomped on the holy book during a demonstration in the Swedish capital.
Kabul, July 24 : At least 31 people have been killed in devastating flash floods that hit parts of Afghanistan, authorities said.

In a press conference from Kabul, Shafiullah Rahimi, spokesman for Taliban's Ministry of Disaster Management, added on Sunday that 74 people were injured and at least 41 remain reportedly missing, CNN reported.

Flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rain in seven of Afghanistan's provinces have partially or completely damaged 606 residential houses, as well as hundreds of acres of agriculture lands, Rahimi said.

aTeams of the Ministry along with teams from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Public Welfare, Red Crescent, provinces officials and other officials reached at the scenes of the floods and administered the rescue operations," he added as quoted by CNN report.

The Talibanas Ministry of State for Disaster Management also said in a statement on Sunday that since the start of 2023, nearly 100,000 families who have been affected by natural disasters in different provinces have received food and cash aid.

Natural disasters over the past four months have killed at least 214, including the latest known flash flood deaths, it added.
Varanasi, July 24 : Stressing that it was important to deal with the going-on in Manipur with sensitivity, especially after the parading video surfaced, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said this should not be a time to score political points for any party, but show restraint and allow the situation to come back to normal.

"The Prime Minister has expressed his anguish over what happened there. The Home Minister, Amit Shah, also visited the state on May 20 and briefed the Prime Minister about the ground situation," he told IANS.

Talking about the alliance name coined by 26 opposition parties -- 'I.N.D.I.A', Trivedi said that just because of the similarity with the country's name, their character would not alter.

"Now, just because Rahul Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi's surnames are the same, does the former become the latter?"

Adding that the opposition needs to understand the difference between India and Bharat, the former being given by the British, this senior National Spokesperson of the ruling party added, "Bharat represents the ancient and eternal essence of this country. It is a peculiar coincidence that the same people who want to convey and carry the legacy of the British colonial mindset have named their alliance I.N.D.I.A. There is a major drive on the opposition's part to push away Modi. However, they too realise that it is no easy task as he enjoys tremendous popularity among the electorate."

In Varanasi to speak during the ongoing International Temples Convention and Expo (ITCX) -- 2023, the politician said that it was important to understand the many scientific innovations adopted by ancient temples, something which showed the evolved nature of the Indian civilisation.

"This platform was much needed so as to ensure that the younger generations are acquainted with the rich traditions, and temples that play an important role in carrying them forward. Let us not forget, we are the youngest country in the world boasting of the oldest civilisation."

Adding that it was important for temples to have a proper structure and management so as to be more efficient, he said, "They may also have a dedicated space showcasing ancient cultural text for the young to read. The major temples may also start taking care and hand-holding smaller ones."
Athens, July 24 : Nearly 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires burned for a sixth day on three fronts, Greek authorities said.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was athe largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country".

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that personnel were on their way to Rhodes to set up a help desk at the Rhodes International Airport for visitors who have lost their travel documents, Associated Press reported

Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels. Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems.

A person who fell and broke a leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remained hospitalised, the latter in good condition, authorities added.

Fire Brigade spokesman Yannis Artopios said that as of early Sunday afternoon, 266 firefighters and 49 engines were operating on the ground, together with hundreds of volunteers, Associated Press reported.

Ten firefighting planes, including two from France, two from Turkey and one from Croatia, are operating in the area, as well as eight helicopters.

The British ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, said the UK government was sending a rapid deployment team to support British nationals on Rhodes.
Varanasi, July 24 : A survey of the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi mosque by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will begin from Monday even as the mosque management committee has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against an order by the court of the Varanasi district judge allowing the exercise.

The development comes days after the Varanasi court on Friday ordered an extensive survey of the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi Masjid, excluding its sealed section, by 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.

Varanasi District Magistrate S. Rajalingam confirmed, "The ASI survey will begin on Monday."

He said all the parties, including plaintiffs and defendants, related to the matter have been informed about it.

The Varanasi District Magistrate and the Commissioner of Police Ashok Mutha Jain held a meeting with the Hindu plaintiffs, their counsel, including Subhash Nandan Chaurvedi, Sudhir Tripathi and defendants Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee joint secretary S.M. Yasin and their counsel.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee looks after the management of the Gyanvapi mosque.

Tight security arrangements will be put in place during the survey, the District Magistrate added.

The Varanasi court order sought a report from ASI up to August 4 when the matter will be taken up next. 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.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh International Chief, Jitendra Singh Visen, said that on behalf of the plaintiff Rakhi Singh, advocate Anupam Dwivedi will remain present in the ASI survey.

Security around the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Gyanvapi mosque has been beefed up.

Earlier, allowing an application by four Hindu women plaintiffs, district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha on Friday 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.

"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," said the court order.

The court order came on 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.

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 Ikhlaaq 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 2022 and until the validity of that survey is not decided, no new survey can be ordered.
'All work and no play in Kerala schools banned. Image Source: IANS News

Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 : No other subjects will be taught in periods kept aside for physical training, arts and games in Kerala schools, according to a recent state government notification.

An official government order in this regard has asked the schools to ensure that the directions are adhered to.

Though in the current format, in a week, every class has one period each for PT and music/arts, the new order was passed after the Child Rights Commission received complaints that other subjects were being taught during these two periods.

The order issued by the Education Director J. Sindhu will be applicable to Classes 1-12.
Moscow, July 24 : Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Monday claimed that two buildings in the Russian capital were hit by drone strikes earlier in the day.

In a Telegram post, the Mayor said that there was no serious damage or casualties from the strikes that occurred at around 4 a.m., reports CNN.

In a statement, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed that the "two Ukrainian drones" were "suppressed" and "crashed" in Moscow."On the morning of July 24, an attempt by the Kiev regime to launch a terrorist attack using two unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities on the territory of the city of Moscow was thwarted.

"Two Ukrainian UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) were suppressed by electronic warfare means and crashed," the Ministry also said on its Telegram account, adding there were no casualties "as a result of the thwarted terrorist attack of the Kiev regime".

According to state-run TASS News Agency, one drone hit a high-rise business centreon Likhacheva Avenue in Moscow., while drone debris was found on Komsomolsky Avenue.

Law enforcement agencies and emergency services are currently working on the scene, CNN quoted TASS as saying.

Traffic on Komsomolsky Avenue from the centre of Moscow towards the region has been blocked off, TASS reported citing the Department of Transportation and Road Infrastructure Development of Moscow.

Monday's strikes came a day after Russian missiles badly damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, sparking outrage and prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to vow retaliation.
Wellington, July 24 : New Zealand's Justice Minister Kiri Allan resigned on Monday on charges of reckless driving and resisting arrest, a week after her return to office from a break to address her mental health issues.

Shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, Allan was involved in a car crash in Wellington, reports Xinhua news agency.

She was taken into custody and held in the Wellington Central Police Station.

Allan was released at around 1 a.m. on Monday, according to the police.

She was charged with "careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer".

She also returned a breath test over the legal limit but at a level considered an infringement offence, the police said.

"While her alleged actions are inexcusable, I've been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident," Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement.
Another batch of 6,440 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath Yatra. Image Source: IANS News

Srinagar, July 24 : Nine thousand pilgrims had 'darshan' inside the holy cave on the 23rd day of the Amarnath Yatra, as another batch of 3,898 devotees left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Monday.

Of the 3,898 yatris who left Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in an escorted convoy for the valley, "2,898 are male, 898 are female, 12 children, 79 Sadhus and 11 Sadhvis," officials said.

A record breaking 3.26 lakh pilgrims have performed the Yatra till date since it commenced on July 1.

A total of 36 pilgrims have died so far, including 35 who passed away due to natural causes, while one person was killed in a stone hit on the Pahalgam-Cave shrine axis.

Yatris approach the Himalayan cave shrine either from the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route which involves an uphill trek of 43 km for from the north Kashmir Baltal base camp which involves a 13 km uphill trek.

Those using the Pahalgam route take 3-4 days to reach the cave shrine, while those using the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after darshan.

Helicopter services are also available for yatris on both routes.

The cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above the sea-level, houses an ice stalagmite structure that devotees believe symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The istructure wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.

This year's 62-day long Amarnath Yatra will end on August 31 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.

To protect the pilgrims from high altitude sickness, authorities have banned all junk food at the free community kitchens set up along the two routes.

The banned items include all bottled drinks, halwai items, fried food and tobacco-based products.
Authorities searching for a Rolla man who went overboard while fishing on Lake Sakakawea recovered a body they believe is him.

Richard Mickelson, 73, went in the water about 5 miles south of Van Hook Resort on the afternoon of Monday, July 17, while fishing with his wife. He was untangling fishing line from the boat motor in an area known as 8-pound Flats when he fell in, according to Mountrail County Sheriff Corey Bristol.

Richard Mickelson was not wearing a life vest, and Roberta Mickelson was unable to get her husband back into the boat, authorities said. The boat then drifted away.

Searchers looked for Mickelson throughout last week. A passer-by eventually found a body washed up on south side of Gull Island around 3:20 p.m. Friday, about 3 miles from where Mickelson went in the water.

The body was sent to the state medical examiner's office in Bismarck for a positive identification, but Bristol said authorities are confident that the body is that of Richard Mickelson.

"The clothing description, everything else, matched," he said.

The search involved officials with the Sheriff's Department, New Town Fire Department, Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, MHA Emergency Operation Center and volunteers. Aircraft also was used.
Hyderabad, July 24 : Village Revenue Assistant (VRA) system, which symbolises the feudal structure, is all set to be completely abolished in Telangana.

The VRAs, who are known by different names like Neerati, Maskuru , Lushkar and Shakasindhi, will now slide into history with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao taking the decision to do away with the system.

KCR has announced that the staff working as VRAs across the state will be regularised in the supernumerary posts in the Revenue department.

Taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Cabinet Sub Committee, the available stipulated rules and qualifications, he said that all the VRA staff will be adjusted accordingly in Municipal Administration, Mission Bhagiratha, Irrigation wing, among others. They will be appointed as permanent government staff.

The Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to issue orders in this regard.

"A total of 20,555 VRAs are working across the state. Some of them are illiterates, some have passed seventh standard, tenth standard, intermediate and a few completed degree and higher studies. The government will determine the job categories based on their educational qualification. They will be appointed in the respective departments as per the rules.

Those who have completed higher studies and are eligible for promotions, will be appointed in the suitable posts.

The Chief Minister decided to provide government jobs to the kin of VRAs who are above 61 years under compassionate appointments. The CM also announced that government jobs will also be given to one of the family members of VRAs who died before 61 years while performing duties for any reason after 2nd June 2014.

The VRA JAC leaders have been requested to compile the details of the deceased VRA's family members and their educational qualifications at the earliest . They will be adjusted in the government jobs in the respective departments based on their qualifications and the rules.

KCR emphasised that governments should take decisions in tune with the people's needs and social evolution. It is the responsibility of the governments to provide job security to government employees working in the sectors which fade out from time to time.

The Chief Minister explained that the government adopted a policy and hence the VRA system is being abolished.

He held a high-level review meeting on the regularisation, adjustment and stabilisation of VRAs in the state.

He stated that the Village Assistant system came into existence to look after village revenues and other needs during the period when agriculture and irrigation wings were developed. The decades-old system was later transformed into VRAs .

The chief minister praised the self-sacrificing service of the VRAs who have been doing social service for generations. In today's situation, the VRAs system lost its relevance . The VRAs will be given supernumerary posts in the Revenue department and they will be hired as government employees on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, the VRA JAC leaders thanked CM KCR for appointing them as permanent employees and enhanced their self-respect.
Pune, July 24 : In a shocker, an Assistant Commissioner of Police from Amravati has allegedly killed his wife, nephew and then shot himself at their home, here early on Monday.

According to a preliminary probe by the Chaturshringi Police, the incident took place around 3-4 am and on getting the information, the police teams rushed there to check.

The ACP has been identified as Bharat S. Gaikwad, 57, who was posted at Rajapeth Division of Amravati City Police and the tragedy has sent shockwaves in state police circles.

In the wee hours of today, the serving police officer allegedly shot dead his wife, identified as Moni, 44 and nephew Deepak, 34, and then killed himself with the same pistol, the officials said.

The deceased ACP Gaikwad had two children, who were living with his wife and the deceased nephew at Baner in Pune, and he had come home for a vacation on Saturday from Amravati.

The police have not recovered any suicide note from the ACPas home and the exact motives of the double murder-cum suicide are not clear, though possibility of a family dispute or some kind of enmity is not ruled out.
Chennai, July 24 : The Tamil Nadu police on Monday arrested BJP Villupuram South District Vice-President for allegedly making derogatory remarks against former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu late M. Karunanidhi, and his daughter and Thoothukudi MP, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.

V.A.T Kalivaradhan was arrested from his residence early this morning.

Sources in Villupuram police told IANS that the arrest was due to some alleged derogatory remarks made by the BJP leader while participating in a public programme at Vikravandi in Villupuram district.

A case was booked against the BJP leader under Sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riots ), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 505(i)(c) ( with intent to incite, any class of community or persons to commit any offense against any other class or community) of the Indian Penal Code.

In addition, another case was registered against him under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2022.
Washington, July 24 : Nine mass shootings occurred across the US over the weekend, bringing the total to more than 400 this year, according to a website that tracks firearm deaths and injuries.

The nine mass shootings led to at least four deaths and 35 injuries as of Sunday, according to the latest data from the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an event with at least four victims either injured or killed, not including the shooter.

The website recorded 404 mass shootings as of Sunday since the start of 2023, which left at least 453 people dead, according to the data, which are collected or validated from 7,500 sources daily, reports Xinhua news agency.

Among those killed were some 161 children under age 12, and another nearly 400 children had been injured in mass shootings so far this year, according to the anti-gun violence group.

The number of mass shootings was 9 percent up from a year earlier.

As of July 23, 2022, there were 365 mass shootings, and that year saw a total of 647 mass shootings across the country.

The increase confirmed a rising trend of mass shootings in the US.

In 2016, the country reported 383 mass shootings.

The last three years all surpassed 600, with 2021 registering the largest number -- 690 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
San Francisco, July 24 : Google-owned YouTube has announced that it is testing a feature that enables mobile viewers to create Shorts featuring comments posted on videos they're watching.

"While creators are already able to reply to comments (posted on their own content) with a Short, we want to explore offering viewers the opportunity to create content from comments as well," the company said in a support page. The Short will appear in the Shorts feed and on the viewers' channel page.

"Viewer-created Shorts won't send notifications to the creator whose video the comment is on, nor the comment author," it added. Moreover, the creators canat prohibit their comments from being featured in a Short, unless comments on their videos are disabled. This experiment is currently available to a small percentage of viewers on Android and iOS mobile devices across the globe.

Earlier, the video-sharing platform had announced that it was testing a new feature that allows users to long press anywhere on the player while watching a video to automatically bump the playback speed to 2x.

The company was also testing a feature that provides bigger previews to users while seeking. This feature will be helpful as it will make it easier for users to find the exact moment in the video that they want to watch. Moreover, the platform was testing a lock screen feature, which allows users to disable touch input while watching a video. It will help prevent accidental taps causing pause, skip or disruption of the video.

Last month, the video-sharing platform had said that it was testing a three-strikes policy for people using ad blockers. The company also provided details on how the policy works, while noting that "ad blockers violate YouTube's Terms of Service".

--IANS

aj/svn
Quito, July 24 : Agustin Intriago, mayor of the Ecuadorian port city of Manta, was assassinated in an armed attack, authorities confirmed.

The 38-year-old mayor was shot several times as he was unveiling city projects at a local neighborhood on Sunday, Xinhua news agency quoted local media reports as saying.

He was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment but succumbed due to his injuries.

Interior Minister Juan Zapata expressed solidarity with family and friends of the mayor, who was re-elected in 2023 by the Citizen Revolution Movement led by former president Rafael Correa.

"Our total solidarity with the family and friends of Manta's mayor, in the face of his unfortunate passing due to an armed attack," Zapata tweeted.

"The Police are fully deployed to locate and capture those responsible for this reprehensible act."

Intriago's death was announced by his sister, Ana Intriago, who requested the perpetrators be brought to justice.

"My brother has died, this crime cannot go unpunished, please, let's not let these evildoers win," she tweeted.
New Delhi, July 24 : BJP MPs on Monday staged a protest here against the Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan, alleging atrocities against Dalits and women in the state.

The MPs, who have gathered in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament premises holding placards, shouted slogans against the Gehlot government.

The BJP has been attacking the Congress government in Rajasthan, accusing the law and order has completely deteriorated in the state under the ruling dispensation.

The party also accused that Gehlot's only priority is "chair" (of Chief Minister).

On Sunday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur while referring to the crimes against women in non-BJP ruled states including Rajasthan and the Manipur horror, said it is the responsibility of the state governments to reduce such atrocities.

"Any atrocities on women is painful whether it is any state. It is the responsibility of the state governments to reduce crime against women," Thakur had said.

Last week, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had said: "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."

Assembly elections in Rajasthan is scheduled to be held later this year and it is likely that law and order would be one of the major issues of the BJP.

--IANS

santu/ksk
Samantha Ruth Prabhu goes for morning walk in Bali amid break from work. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, July 24 : Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is on break from work, has taken a small trip to Bali with a friend.

Samantha took to Instagram, where she shared a slew of pictures from her getaway with her friend Anusha Swamy. She also shared some on her Instagram Stories.

On the Instagram stories, Samantha posted photographs and video clips of her view from her room and wrote: "Mornings like these."

In the first image, she shared a glimpse of herself in the morning as she stood outdoors and looked at the picturesque location full of greenery. She is seen dressed in a white top and matching shorts paired with a hat with 'Dream On' written on it.

Another image shows the actress walking down the staircase and holding the railing. She also shared a selfie, where Samantha and her friend smiled for the camera.

Samantha captioned the pictures: "Mornings like these."

Her friend replied: "Best ever."

To which, Samantha answered with red heart emojis.

Samantha also posted a photo of her breakfast and a clip of Anusha doing a cartwheel as they sat near a water body.

Samantha wrote, "Showoff".

Samantha is currently on an acting break as she wants to focus on her health, and undergo treatment for autoimmune condition myositis.

According to Webmd, Myositis refers to any condition causing inflammation in muscles. Weakness, swelling, and pain are the most common myositis symptoms.

On the work front, her next is 'Kushi' with Vijay Deverakonda. The romantic Telugu film will release on September 1.

The actress will also be seen in the remake of 'Citadel' alongside Varun Dhawan.
New Delhi, July 24 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has been forced to cancel plans to attend BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, next month, due to fears over war crimes arrest. Moscow feared that Putin might be arrested in South Africa for war crimes if he attends the annual event in Johannesburg.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier in 2023 had issued an arrest warrant for Putin over his alleged role in the mass abduction of Ukrainian children. As an ICC signatory nation, South Africa would have been expected to arrest Putin if he entered the country.

Putin's travel plans had put South Africa in a tough spot, as though it remains an ally of Russia, the relations between the two have gone cold since the start of the Ukraine War. Also South Africa didn't want the relations to deteriorate further.

For months, South African diplomats tried to prevent a potential diplomatic confrontation with the Kremlin over the issue. The issued weighed so much on South African politicians that to avoid any unnecessary controversy, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa even reportedly requested permission from the ICC for an exemption in order to avoid arresting Putin during the summit.

With tensions mounting ahead of the summit, South Africa Deputy President Paul Mashatile admitted in a 14th Jul interview that the best option would be for Putin to stay away.

"The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come," he commented.

The Russian strong man under whose rule Russia's relationship with the Western bloc has reached it lowest point since after the Cold war, wanted his attendance at the BRICS Summit to show his internal audience that still Russia carries weight at the global level, in addition to showing to the western nations that Russia can survive their indifference by engaging with emerging non-western powers.

To achieve these two objectives the Russian diplomats continued to pressurise their South African counterparts. To counter this, in a court affidavit made public earlier this week, President Ramaphosa had claimed any attempt to detain Putin could lead to war between Russia and South Africa.

"I must highlight, for the sake of transparency, that South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin," he said, as "Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war".

Though South Africa might have saved its relations with Russia, but in reality for the Russian government this has ended in a negative perception around Putin and the Russian might. Now the common Russian is aware that Putin is a declared war criminal, and though he might justify him not being so, using the state media machinery, the result is clear that Putin has not been able to achieve what he urgently wanted to prove to the western world. In the end, Russia was forced to end the speculation and declare that Putin would not be travelling to Johannesburg for the summit. Though salvage efforts are still on and Putin may address the summit leaders virtually.

The year 2023 has not been kind to Putin so far. First came the ICC decision in March to charge him with war crimes, resulting is severely damaging his reputation, then weeks later he was forced to announce cancellation of the traditional May Day parades in Moscow and around Russia, without giving any reason, but obviously it was done due to the shortage of troops and other military hardware being lost in the Ukraine war, as the rumour mills propounded. This also showed him faulting to maintain his authority and control of his country, in question.

Later in June, units of Russian military-funded private paramilitary group, Wagner added to his woes, as reports of a mutiny and control of the county's military control by Wagner troops emerged in the western media. Though the so-called 'mutiny' was suppressed but not before the world saw the mutinous troops controlling major Russian cities and marching within 200 kms distance of Moscow, perplexing both the western world, Russian citizens and pushing Putin to a tough spot, as various images showed Russian masses cheering-up the mutineers meaning lack of popular support for the iron man.

At the moment Putin looks his weakest during his 23-years as the Russian strongman. But these incidents might have forced him to reconsider plans to travel to South Africa, as his gamble to restore his international prestige might have cost him his country. As history tells us, most mutinies or coups happen when the dictators leave their country's shores.

The whole episode has left Kremlin facing harsh realities and rather harsher measures needed to restore Putin and Russia's image at the global level, which has certainly waned during 2023.

The Russian disquiet is evident in the wordings of spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who commenting on Putin's decision not to travel to South Africa used very severe wording: "In this world, it is absolutely clear to everyone what an attempt to encroach on the head of the Russian state means. Therefore, there is no need to explain anything to anyone here."

Brave words indeed, but to restore his personal and his country's image as a global power, Putin might have to resort to some quick and tough measures, the only concern is that this may not result in him committing a blitzkrieg against the Ukrainians.

The coming days indeed might be tough for Putin, even putting his survival at stake.

(Asad Mirza is a Delhi-based senior political and international affairs commentator)
Mumbai, July 24 : As the film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh has been given a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CFBC), the makers were still asked to remove some words, dialogues and references from the movie.

The makers have been asked to remove abusive words, the mention of the Lok Sabha and a reference to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee among other changes.

The makers have been asked to remove the abusive word 'b******d', used multiple times in the film. The word has instead been replaced by 'behan di'.

The CBFC asked to remove the mention of Lok Sabha from a dialogue and not even replace it with any other term, according to a Bollywood Hungama report.

The makers have also been asked to make changes to the Rabindranath Tagore scene that became a massive talking point after the trailer of the upcoming Ranveer Singh film came out.

Old Monk, the rum brand, has been rephrased to Bold Monk in the movie.

A dialogue mentioning West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was asked to do away with a dialogue in the lingerie shop scene was also removed. In the same scene, the word bra was replaced with item.

'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', which also stars Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi has a run time of two hours and 48 minutes and is set to release in theatres on July 28.

Directed by Karan Johar, the film focuses on a flamboyant Punjabi man and an intellectual Bengali journalist who are in love with each other. As their family oppose to their relationship, the two decide to live with each other's families for three months.

The film also stars Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly and Kshitee Jog among many others.
A third defendant has been sentenced to federal prison in what authorities say was an effort to smuggle people across the U.S.-Canada border into North Dakota last spring.

Jose Gonzalez-Resendiz, 41, from New Jersey, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Fargo to 1  years behind bars on a charge of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens into the U.S., according to U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider.

Gonzalez-Resendiz and two other men in March tried to smuggle a group of people from Mexico across the northern border, according to authorities. The plan was to move the group farther into the U.S. in exchange for payments of thousands of dollars per person.

Things fell apart when a pickup truck the men were using got stuck in the snow, according to Schneider. The pickup had to be towed, and U.S. Border Patrol agents later discovered it at a Langdon hotel where the men and some of the people they smuggled were staying.

Two Mexican nationals were sentenced earlier this month. Armando De Dios-Carrillo, 38, got two years in prison, and Victor Perez-Aguilera, 35, got 1  years behind bars.
Gurugram, July 24 : Adolescence is a time when youngsters undergo significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. These changes can be overwhelming or even traumatic for some impacting their mental health and the development of their personality and well-being in the future.

To help these children successfully navigate these crucial years of their lives, GD Goenka University in collaboration with Fortis Mental Health Programme organised a "National School Counselor's Summit on Risk Management, called VARTAH".

The two-day summit 'VARTAH' which stands for "Values - Awareness - Reform - Thrive - Action - Hope" was focused on managing risky behaviours in school children.

The initiative aims at nurturing a positive mental health culture within educationalecosystems.

It provides a platform to raise awareness, advocate positive changes, and initiatemeasures to promote the well-being of children and adolescents.

School counsellors andeducators across the country will have the opportunity to participate in it.

Emphasising the need to include mental health and well-being in the academic curriculum, Dr Samir Parikh, Chairperson, Fortis National Mental Health Program said: "Empowering children in their formative years with skills for life that help them navigate through ups and downs with confidence, self-belief and resilience is essential, that takes themon their paths of success, can have meaningful relationships and contribute to the society."

He stressed that promoting mental health among adolescents requires different roles fromsociety, parents, and the media. It is not the responsibility of any one party alone, and changecan only come when everyone works collectively.

Dr Parikh also spoke about the need to promote the concept of Psychological First Aid (PFA).

Addressing the gathering, he said: "We all talk about physical first aid, but nobody mentions psychological first aid. How you talk to people about mental health issues is part of psychological first aid. The more we learn about it and teach others, the better equipped we'llbe to educate society about it."

Sharing her thoughts on this unique initiative, Prof. (Dr) Anjali Midha Sharan, Dean, Research & Development and the School of Humanities, Social Science and Education,GD Goenka University said: "VARTAH shall focus on de-stigmatising mental illness andenabling counsellors with skills required for helping adolescents in vulnerableenvironments."

She added that the initiative "shall be an extension of the University's focus on propagatingmental well-being and integrating psychological health into mainstream education The eventbrings together mental health experts, school counsellors and teachers creating opportunitiesfor dialogue around action required for propagating the psychological well-being of theyouth."

The event featured insightful talks by distinguished speakers from King's University Canada,James Cook University, Singapore, and several experts from international education.

The sessions focused on risk identification, proposing practical solutions to prevalent issues andchallenges in child and adolescent mental health.

Additionally, they shared preventivemeasures to address the concerns in diverse geographic and cultural settings worldwide.
New Delhi, July 24 : Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Angihotri on Monday expressed his excitement about the overwhelming response to the Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller 'Oppenheimer', filling the cinema halls in Kashmir.

Taking to the social media, 'The Kashmir Files' director Vivek shared a news clipping with the headline "Oppenheimer brings Kashmiris back to cinema halls in droves".

He wrote, "BRILLIANT NEWS. Cinema halls were burnt and banned after 90s. It's heartening to see the first film to fill houses like this is a science film."

Starring Cillian Murphy in the lead, 'Oppenheimer' chronicles the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who was pivotal in developing the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project, and thereby ushering in the Atomic Age.

Overwhelmed with emotions, he also shared news about his own film, 'The Vaccine War', co-produced by Pallavi Joshi, which will too be released in Kashmir.

With great anticipation for the release of 'The Vaccine War', Vivek expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase it in Kashmir.

In a beaming post, he wrote, "I am glad that our science film #TheVaccineWar #ATrueStory will also release in Kashmir. I have been assured by Kashmiri youth and specially women that they will be proud to see India's biggest scientific achievement on big screen."

The region's tumultuous past has not deterred the filmmaker, as he sees this as a significant milestone for cinema in the area.

The promise of having a science-based film like 'The Vaccine War' showcased in Kashmir holds a profound meaning for both the filmmaker and the audience. It symbolises progress, change, and the triumph of knowledge over adversity.

On the work front, Vivek is gearing up for Zee5's upcoming web series 'The Kashmir Files Unreported'.

This series is far more heart-wrenching, eye-opening and spine-chilling as it unravels the unreported realities, facts and the truth behind the massacre and the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits straight from the horses' mouth.

It also maps the centuries old journey of Kashmir, hailed as the paradise on earth, its significance to India, its people and culture and their evolution from being a melting pot of civilization and knowledge, to being repeatedly attacked, radicalized and systemically reduced to a warzone like condition of today.
Guwahati, July 24 : Hours after a person was shot and some others were arrested on the charges of demanding extortion money in the name of United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), the banned militant outfit threatened Assam DGP G.P. Singh to stop doing 'fake' encounters or else leave the state.

The policeon Sunday arrested Hem Chutia from Khowang locality in Moran, Dibrugarh district for allegedly extorting money in the name of ULFAI.

However, according to the police, following his arrest, he tried to escape from custody and in that course, police shot him in the leg.

Taking to Twitter, the DGP wrote: "In the recent past extortion demands have been received by some business persons in Upper Assam in the name of banned organisation ULFA (irrespective of genuine or fake). Police has apprehended some persons while collecting such money. One of them has been injured today in shoot out while trying to flee by attacking police personnel."

He further mentioned that the collection of money in the name of ULFA-I (irrespective of genuine or fake) attracts the provision of relevant Sections of UAPA since ULFA-I is a banned terrorist organization.

These provisions are for the collection of funds, using proceeds of terrorism, etc, and may lead to forfeiture of property of the persons involved in the collection of funds for the outlawed faction.

"The district police and security forces have been directed to take firm action against any person involved in making extortion demands and/or collection of such demanded money. Assam Police would not let the economic development of the state be held hostage by such persons and take ruthless action per law," Singh added.

Another woman from Dibrugarh district was accused of demanding extortion money on behalf of ULFA-I and she was also arrested on Sunday.

In response, the ULFA-I said in a statement: "We have learned that Dibrugarh police nabbed a woman from Tinsukia's Laipuli identified as Pushpanjali Gogoi along with Rs 3 lakh on Sunday, suspecting her of extorting money in the name of ULFA-I. We want to make it clear that the woman has no ties to ULFA-I, so please stop harassing residents in the name of ULFA-I.

One Hem Chetia of Sivasagar's Geleki locality was recently arrested by Moranhat police; however, he was shot in the leg by the police during an escape bid. The said person has no ties with ULFA-I as well. Although, there are chances that a vicious circle might have used him as a scapegoat, thus, Assam Police should stop showing heroism in the name of fake encounters; instead, they should rather target the corrupted people like ACS officials Biswajit Goswami, Mrinal Kanta Sarkar for looting public's hard-earned money. Police must show their heroism with encounters upon the coal mafias, or people like Milan Buragohain, and Lachit Gogoi who are involved in running the Burmese supari (betel nuts) syndicate."

The banned militant outfit also threatened the Assam DGP, saying that he should immediately stop staging fake encounters to harass the innocent people of the state or else leave Assam.

ULFA-I also alleged that the Assam Police staged a bogus encounter and killed one Suraj Gogoi last year in Sivasagar district.

Meanwhile, the DHP told IANS that the group's statement "doesn't merit my reaction. It's insignificant in my scheme of things".

He also posted on Twitter: "If you fight, you will either be slain on the battlefield and go to the celestial abodes, or you will gain victory and enjoy the kingdom on earth."
Gorakhpur : , July 24 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath on Monday appealed to people to protect religious places as well as, public and private properties.

Speaking at the Vyaspeeth on the conclusion of the week-long Shri Shiv Mahapuran Katha organised at Mansarovar Temple located in Andhiyari Bagh, in association with Gorakhnath Temple, Yogi Adityanath said, "Ten to 12 years ago, the Mansarovar temple had become completely dilapidated. However, with the awakening of social consciousness, the devotees of Gorakhpur took up the task of its conservation and the temple was renovated."

"Devotees from North to South and East to West have been receiving supernatural blessings from the twelve Jyotirlingas since time immemorial. Our saints have taught us to see Lord Shiva even in the pebbles. By worshiping Lord Shiva, we get inspiration to work for the welfare of others along with ourselves," he added.

According to the chief minister, it is a good fortune to enjoy the story of Lord Shiva in the Shukla Paksha of the holy month of Shravan.

In Greater India, from Kailash to Rameshwaram, from Vaidyanath Dham in the East to Somnath Dham in the West, the holy places of Lord Bholenath have been centers of awakening of spiritual and cultural unity since ancient times, he said.

The chief minister also described Kanwar Yatra during Sawan as an excellent example of cultural and social unity, which brings together youth, women and men of every section to perform Jalabhishek of Mahadev as an expression of divine devotion.

Yogi Adityanath also performed Rudrabhishek at Mansarovar temple.

After performing Rudrabhishek of Lord Mahadev, he worshipped all the deities and prayed for the welfare of the people.
Farhan Akhtar looks back at his sports drama 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' as it clocks in a decade. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, July 24 : The Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directorial 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', which starred Farhan Akhtar in the role of Indian track and field sprinter, Milkha Singh, recently clocked ten years of its release.

The makers of the film have now decided to hold a special screening for the film in the honour of the late Milkha Singh.

The film, which released in 2013, captured the inspiring journey of the late Milkha Singh and showed how he overcame many agonising moments in his life from being orphaned at a young age during the Partition of India in order to battling his inner conflicts, rise above the other and carving a place for himself in the world of track and field sprinting.

He became a world champion, Olympian, and one of India's most iconic athletes during the course of his journey and earned the title of 'The Flying Sikh'.

A spokesperson from ROMP Pictures, P. S. Bharathi said: "10 years of 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'. It's really a very special movie for me and the entire nation indeed. The Flying Sikh of the nation, the late Milkha Singh is a pride of our country and with this special screening scheduled for July 26, we are giving a tribute to this legend who is an inspiration to millions of people."

Milkha Singh is the only athlete to win gold at 400 metres at the Asian Games as well as the Commonwealth Games.

He also won gold medals in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games. He represented India in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

He was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his sporting achievements.

Singh was persuaded by Jawaharlal Nehru to set aside his bad memories of the Partition era to participate in 1960 against Abdul Khaliq in Pakistan, where a post-race comment by the then General Ayub Khan of Pakistan led to him acquiring the title of 'The Flying Sikh'.

Milkha Singh passed away on June 18, 2021 due to complications of Covid-19, at the age of 91, five days after his wife, Nirmal Saini.
New Delhi, July 24 : : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari at his official residence in the national capital on Monday.

Sarma sought Gadkari's help and assistance in expediting key infrastructure projects in Assam such as the underwater tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh; Guwahati Ring Road; Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and four-laning of various national highway stretches in the State.

The Union Minister assured that his ministry would extend all possible help and assistance in expediting the key infrastructure projects in Assam.

"Meeting Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @nitin_gadkari ji is always enriching, so much to learn. I sought his assistance in expediting the key infra projects in Assam - underwater tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh; Guwahati Ring Road; Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and 4 laning of various NH stretches in the State," the Chief Minister wrote on wrote.

It is learned that the elevated corridors in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) were thoroughly discussed in the meeting.

Monsoon floods are an annual phenomenon in KNPTR, where animals almost always face a lot of trouble during the summer. A large portion of the park gets submerged under the floodwaters, with animals left with shrunken spaces.

The animals then generally cross the national highway and move towards Karbi Anglong Hills in search of shelter.

However, in this course, overspeeding vehicles often hit the animals that caused innumerable deaths in the last few years.

To avoid animal deaths, the state government has planned to build an elevated corridor on the national highway for uninterrupted animal movement while they move towards the Karbi Hills.

"The elevated corridors will ensure the safety of wild animals to a great extent as there are to-and-fro movements of them between Karbi hills and the national park as summer begins here," a senior forest officer said.

After the elevated corridor comes up in the entire stretch of Kaziranga National Park, the animals can freely move through the underpass.
Kolkata, July 24 : The Calcutta High Court on Monday admitted a petition by BJP seeking the court's intervention on Trinamool Congress national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's call to 'gherao' the residences of BJP leaders across the state on August 5.

However, the plea of BJP for fast-track hearing in the matter was rejected by a division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya.

While moving the petition, BJPas counsel Suryaneel Das argued that such political programmes go against the basic rights of the citizens of the country and hence needs courtas intervention so that such programmes are not conducted.

Finally, while accepting this argument and admitting the petition, the division bench rejected the plea for fast track hearing in the matter.

During the partyas annual 'Martyrsa Day' rally on Friday, Abhishek Banerjee had announced this agitation programme to prevent the BJP leaders from coming out of their homes during that period.

Later, in her speech, Mamata Banerjee also said that this demonstration should be conducted at a distance of 100 metres from the residences of the BJP leaders.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has already filed an FIR at a local police station in Kolkata against both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee in the matter.

"The call for gherao might result in security threats for BJP workers and leaders in the state as well as their family members. So I have filed an FIR for their provocative statements," he said.

Meanwhile, the other opposition parties like the Congress and the CPI(M) too have condemned the call for 'gherao' of the residences of the BJP leaders and workers.

They have claimed that such provocations might result in the security threat of many, including senior citizens and children, and are completely against the democratic structure of the country.

Even the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), a leading rights body in West Bengal, has claimed that such things used to happen in Nazi-ruled Germany and agitation targeting opposition leaders and workers is unthinkable and undemocratic. APDR has requested the ruling party to cancel this programme.

APDR, however, has expressed solidarity with Trinamool's cause to stage such a protest against non-payment of Central dues to the state government under various centrally- sponsored schemes.
New Delhi, July 24 : The government has asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to remove the controversial scenes from the recently released 'Oppenheimer', based on the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, who is known as the father of the atomic bomb, sources said on Monday.

According to sources, the government has asked the CBFC to remove all the controversial scenes from the movie.

The film 'Oppenheimer' released last week and is based on the life of Robert Oppenheimer, who had a connection with the Hindu holy scripture Bhagavad Gita.

A scene from filmmaker Christopher Nolan's recent release 'Oppenheimer' starring Cillian Murphy which features the actor reading a line from the Bhagavad Gita while getting intimate with fellow actress has angered many in India leading to protests.

The CBFC passed the film in India with a U/A certificate, the film has a sex scene between Cillian Murphy as Robert Oppenheimer and Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock.

According to sources, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has also taken an uncompromising stance and demanded absolute accountability from CBFC.

As per sources, Thakur has taken serious action against the objectionable scene in the movie and has instructed the censor board to get deleted the scene without any delay.

The source also said that action could be initiated against some officials of the censor board, who are seen as responsible for clearing the movie.

Earlier, Uday Mahurkar, Information Commissioner, sharing a press release by the 'Save Culture Save India Foundation', said, "One is perplexed as to how the CBFC could approve the film with this scene."
Lucknow, July 24 : A police inspector, his wife and their railway contractor friend have been accused of molesting a woman and looting her gold chain in Lucknow's Ashiana locality.

The incident took place on July 17, but a case was registered in this connection on Sunday allegedly due to pressure from the accused inspector.

Police are investigating the case.

The victim, in her complaint, said that she was present at a house in Bahdrukh in Bangla Bazaar locality under Ashiana police circle when inspector Rahul Srivastava, along with his wife Bhawna and their contractor friend, reached the house.

"Soon after their forced entry into the house, they started beating me and tore my clothes. I tried to call my husband who was out of the house for shopping, but they snatched the phone from my hand and disconnected the call abruptly. My husband reached the house as he had got the call from me and heard me crying. They misbehaved with my husband and snatched his phone also," she alleged in the FIR to the police.

She said that she somehow contacted the police and a team called Rahul and others at the police station and tried to strike a compromise between them.

"Rahul returned the mobile phones of my husband and mine, but he did not return the gold chain he had looted from me," the woman alleged.

The victim said Rahul's contractor friend used to threaten her husband and her.

"Rahul also was in the habit of threatening us. He used to boast of his links/ connection he had in police parlance," she alleged.

She said that Rahul warned her of dire consequences for confronting him.

"He boasted that he was in the police and no one could harm him," the victim alleged. ACP, Cantonment, Abhinav Kumar, said that an FIR under relevant sections of the IPC including section 354 (b) and 392 for molestation and loot had been registered against inspector Rahul, Bhawna and unidentified railway contractor friend and a probe is underway.
July 24 : Tara From Satara fame actress Roshni Walia refutes the claims that wild card entry Aashika Bhatia being body shamed in Bigg Boss OTT.

Roshni Walia was interacting with Newshelpline during a special screening of the film here in Mumbai.

When asked about Bigg Boss OTT and its newest addition, Roshni said, I am not watching Bigg Boss OTT, but I know Aashika Bhatia has entered the house. Lots of love to her, I know she is a little hassled by electric shocks, I hope now she plays a good game, and gives an amazing performance in the house, because it is tough, living in that house is mentally tough. I hope everyone should support her. Falaq, Elvish Yadav, and Abhishek are there, they should support her.

Aashika is known for playing Salman Khans on-screen sister in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and a popular social media influencer Aashika Bhatia entered the Bigg Boss OTT 2 as a wild card entry, got an electric shock treatment and body-shamed within the first week of her entry.

When asked if recent claims about Aashika Bhatia being body shamed, as she shed many kilos before entering the house, Roshni said, I dont think this is related to body shaming, or anything like that, I think Aashika is still young, and we all have been nice and nurturing to her, be it the media or production house, and of course there are bigger people in the house and she might be feeling the pressure, but I think age is just a number, she will do very well.

Roshni is also known for her work in Bharat Ka Veer Putra  Maharana Pratap as Maharani Ajabde.

Latest updates on Bigg Boss OTT 2
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 has died.

Nicole Nikki Ducheneaux, 44, Cheyenne River Lakota, died Friday, July 14, from undisclosed causes in Omaha, Nebraska, Indian Country Today reported. 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 to them. 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 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 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. Im 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 super hero 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.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Board of Directors of ITC Limited on Monday evaluated and discussed various alternative structures for the Hotels Business towards crafting the next horizon of growth as also enhancing value creation for all stakeholders.

In the meeting, the Board noted that the Company's Hotels Business has matured over the years and is well poised to chart its own growth path as a separate entity in the fast- growing hospitality industry with sharper focus on the business and an optimal capital structure, whilst continuing to leverage ITC's institutional strengths, brand equity and goodwill.

After due consideration, the Board accorded its in-principle approval to the demerger of the Hotels Business under a scheme of arrangement; with the Company holding a stake of about 40 per cent in the new entity and the balance shareholding of about 60 per cent to be held directly by the company's shareholders proportionate to their shareholding in the Company.

The proposed reorganisation would ensure continued interest of the Company in the hospitality business, provide long term stability and strategic support to the new entity in its pursuit ofaccelerating growth and sustained value creation as also enable leveraging of crosssynergies between the Company and the new entity.

The demerger will help the new entity in attracting appropriate investors andstrategic partners/ collaborations whose investment strategies and risk profilesare aligned more sharply with the hospitality industry.In addition, it will unlockvalue of the Hotels Business for the Company's shareholders by providing them adirect stake in the new entity along with an independent market driven valuationthereof. This move by the Company also reinforces the sharper capital allocationstrategy put in place in recent years, manifest in the pivot to 'asset-right' strategyin the Hotels Business.

Details of the proposed reorganisation, including the scheme of arrangement, shallbe placed for approval of the Board at its meeting to be convened on August 14, 2023.

To progress the proposed reorganisation as aforesaid, the Board has also approved incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to be named ITC Hotels Limited or such other name as may be approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Over the last two decades or so, ITC's Hotels Business has scaled up significantly in terms of room inventory, Revenue and Profits, and has established itself as a pioneer in green hoteliering anchored on its 'Responsible Luxury' ethos. Today,with over 120 hotels and 11,600 keys across 70+ locations, the ITC Hotels group is renowned for its world-class properties, iconic cuisine brands and unparalleledservice standards. The Business today ranks amongst the fastest growinghospitality chains in the country with marquee brands viz., 'ITC Hotels' in theLuxury segment, 'Welcomhotel' in the Premium segment, 'Fortune' in the Mid-market to Upper-upscale segment and 'WelcomHeritage' in the Leisure & Heritage segment.

Having achieved considerable scale and market standing, the Business in2017 pivoted to an 'asset-right' strategy which envisages a substantial part of incremental room additions to accrue through management contracts.

Accordingly, two new brands, 'Mementos' in the Luxury Lifestyle segment and'Storii' in the Premium segment, have also been launched recently to offer varied experiences to new age travelers.

After 2 years of pandemic-led disruptions, the Indian hospitality industry hasbounced back strongly with significant improvement in room rate and occupancy.

ITC's Hotels Business has also emerged stronger and has delivered robust growthand margin expansion in FY 2022-23 and is well poised to sustain the growth momentum.

The Indian Hospitality industry is expected to witness rapid growth going forward.The key drivers of growth include the strong macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects of the Indian economy, increasing affluence and favourabledemographic profile of India's population, Government of India's thrust on the

Travel & Tourism sector which ranks amongst the highest in industry in terms ofeconomic multiplier impact and employment generation, significant investment in infrastructure including airports & highways, leading to improved connectivity andfavourable demand-supply dynamics in the industry.

Commenting on the proposed reorganistion, Mr Sanjiv Puri, Chairman of ITCLimited said:"The proposed demerger of the Hotels Business is testament to the Company'scommitment to creating sustained value for stakeholders. Creation of ahospitality focused entity will engender the next horizon of growth and value creation by harnessing the exciting opportunities in the Indian hospitalityindustry. In the proposed reorganization, both ITC and the new entity willcontinue to benefit from institutional synergies."
New Delhi, July 24 : The ITC stock slumped more than 3 per cent after the news of hotels business demerger.

The stock was down 3.37 per cent at Rs 473 on the BSE.

The Board of Directors of ITC Limited at its meeting held on Monday evaluated and discussed various alternative structures for the hotels business towards crafting the next horizon of growth as also enhancing value creation for all stakeholders.

The Board noted that the hotels business had matured over the years and is well poised to chart its own growth path as a separate entity in the fast-growing hospitality industry with sharper focus on the business and an optimal capital structure, whilst continuing to leverage ITC's institutional strengths, brand equity and goodwill.

After due consideration, the Board accorded its in-principle approval to the demerger of the hotels business under a scheme of arrangement; with the company holding a stake of about 40 per cent in the new entity and the balance shareholding of about 60 per cent to be held directly by tshareholders proportionate to their shareholding in the company.

The proposed reorganisation would ensure continued interest of the company in the hospitality business, provide long term stability and strategic support to the new entity in its pursuit of accelerating growth and sustained value creation as also enable leveraging of cross synergies between the Company and the new entity.

The demerger will help the new entity in attracting appropriate investors and strategic partners/collaborations whose investment strategies and risk profiles are aligned more sharply with the hospitality industry.

In addition, it will unlock value of the Hotels Business for the Company's shareholders by providing them a direct stake in the new entity along with an independent market driven valuation thereof. This move by the company also reinforces the sharper capital allocation strategy put in place in recent years, manifest in the pivot to 'asset-right' strategy in the hotels business.

Details of the proposed reorganisation, including the scheme of arrangement, will be placed for approval of the Board at its meeting to be convened on August 14..

To progress the proposed reorganisation as aforesaid, the Board has also approved incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, to be named ITC Hotels Limited or such other name as may be approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Over the last two decades or so, ITC's Hotels Business has scaled up significantly in terms of room inventory, Revenue and Profits, and has established itself as a pioneer in green hoteliering anchored on its 'Responsible Luxury' ethos. Today, with over 120 hotels and 11,600 keys across 70+ locations, the ITC Hotels group is renowned for its world-class properties, iconic cuisine brands and unparalleled service standards. The Business today ranks amongst the fastest growing hospitality chains in the country with marquee brands viz., 'ITC Hotels' in the Luxury segment, 'Welcomhotel' in the Premium segment, 'Fortune' in the Mid-market to Upper-upscale segment and 'WelcomHeritage' in the Leisure & Heritage segment.

Having achieved considerable scale and market standing, the business in 2017 pivoted to an 'asset-right' strategy which envisages a substantial part of incremental room additions to accrue through management contracts.

Accordingly, two new brands, 'Mementos' in the Luxury Lifestyle segment and 'Storii' in the Premium segment, have also been launched recently to offer varied experiences to new age travelers.

After two years of pandemic-led disruptions, the Indian hospitality industry has bounced back strongly with significant improvement in room rate and occupancy. ITC's Hotels Business has also emerged stronger and has delivered robust growth and margin expansion in FY 2022-23 and is well poised to sustain the growth momentum.

The Indian Hospitality industry is expected to witness rapid growth going forward. The key drivers of growth include the strong macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects of the Indian economy, increasing affluence and favourable demographic profile of India's population, government of India's thrust on the Travel & Tourism sector which ranks amongst the highest in industry in terms of economic multiplier impact and employment generation, significant investment in infrastructure including airports & highways, leading to improved connectivity and favourable demand-supply dynamics in the industry.

Commenting on the proposed reorganistion, Sanjiv Puri, Chairman of ITC Limited said: "The proposed demerger of the hotels business is testament to the company's commitment to creating sustained value for stakeholders. Creation of a hospitality focused entity will engender the next horizon of growth and value creation by harnessing the exciting opportunities in the Indian hospitality industry. In the proposed reorganisation, both ITC and the new entity will continue to benefit from institutional synergies."
Kolkata, July 24 : The central armed forces personnel, who came to West Bengal amid the recently concluded panchayat polls, will remain in Kolkata for an additional 10 days, the Calcutta High Court informed on Monday.

After reviewing the post-poll situation in the state, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs sought an extension for the forces to remain and had also informed the division bench of the Calcutta High Courtas Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya.

While clearing the proposal on Monday afternoon, the bench said that additional personnel may be deployed in case of any further violence.

The forces were intially slated to remain till July 21.

BJP leader and Calcutta High Court counsel, Priyanka Tibrewal had originally made a plea for an extension.

Later, the Centre also agreed on extending the stay of the forces in the state.

On Monday, Tibrewal informed the court that additional 400 charges had been included in the affidavit filed.

She also presented at the court two women BJP candidates who were allegedly harassed physically for their decision to contest the polls.

The state advocate general, S.N. Mukhopadhyay said that all these complaints have been registered and FIRs were filed as well.

The Chief Justice has directed all the parties concerned to file all additional affidavits by Thursday.
Chennai, July 24 : Chilly farmers in Ramanathapuram have urged the Tamil Nadu government to promote fertilizer-free, organic chilly cultivation as buyers in international markets are insisting on organic chilly.

K.R. Kusalan, a farmer in Ramanathapuram told IANS that he had cultivated Samba chilly in his farms as also in leased agricultural land and had exported 100 tonnes to the United States and German markets. He said that there were stringent checks on whether it was fertilizer free and organically produced chilly. The farmer said that if he had not shifted to organic farming, the chilly consignment would have been rejected leading to huge losses. Kusalan said that farmers have to be made aware about such issues and urged the government to promote organic farming.

Ramanathapuram farmers are getting benefits from Samba and Mundu chilly cultivation. A farmer told IANS that there is an increase in the chilly cultivation area as the prices and demand for chilly in both international and domestic markets have gone up. V.R. Krishnaswamy, a chilly farmer, said that the government should immediately address the issue of storage and processing centres to facilitate and increase the volume of chilly to be exported from the district. The prices of two popular varieties of chilly a"Samba and Mundu , have consistently been Rs 200 per kilogram and farmers are not at a loss by doing chilly cultivation. There are more than six storage facilities in the district as well as one cold storage.

Farmers said that while there is interest in Mundu chilly which has a GI tag, business is done mostly in Samba chilly. Dried Samba chilly is being exported in good volumes to international markets including the United States, Germany and the Middle East. The farmers also want more cold storage facilities in the district to be executed under the agriculture department of the state. Private cold storages in the district, according to farmers, are charging more.
New Delhi, July 24 : Homegrown smart wearables brand Fire-Boltt on Monday announced that it has forayed into the Indonesian market as a part of its expansion strategy in the Southeast Asia (SeA) region.

"The brand made this move within a few months of venturing into Singapore & Vietnam and investing $1 million in the SeA markets," the company said in a statement.

It further mentioned that being the number two smartwatch brand globally, it is keeping up its promise of spreading quickly across the globe.

SeA is the key pillar of the brand's global expansion strategy as it is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.

"We see SeA region being one of the high-potential markets for us and within the region, Indonesia will be our key focus. We can draw many parallels between the Indian and Indonesian markets in terms of demographic, customer preferences, etc," said Arnav Kishore, Founder & CEO at Fire-Boltt.

"Our initial research and feedback have shown that Indonesian consumer looks at affordable & feature-loaded products. We are working with a local team to understand market dynamics and bring those learning to our product portfolio."

The smart wearables brand is incubated and backed by Savex Technologies in India, which is the country's third-largest technology distributor.

For its Indonesia operations, Fire-Boltt has partnered with PT.INDO SMART TECHNOLOGIES.

"Our country has 55 per cent of the population in the age group of 20-60, and is increasingly becoming health & fitness conscious, Fire-Boltt provides them the option," said Judah Filah, DIREKTUR at PT.INDO SMART TECHNOLOGIES.

"Fire-Boltt products are packed with the most advanced features and considering the average income of Indonesian people, their prices are extremely reasonable. Fire-Boltt is also planning to expand its operations to Thailand and Malaysia in the coming months," she added.

--IANS

aj/ksk
Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 : The Lakshadweep administration has banned the use of deadly glue traps for catching rodents in the Union Territory.

The move follows an appeal from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.

A circular in this regard instructed animal husbandry units across the islands to comply with Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) advisories prohibiting glue traps.

Citing The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, which prohibits causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals, the notification advises a switch to humane methods of rodent control.

It also reiterates the AWBI's caution that any person using glue traps is liable to incur fines and/or be imprisoned and directs competent authorities to raise public awareness regarding humane alternatives.

Similar circulars taking action on glue traps have previously been issued by the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal.

"The manufacturers and sellers of glue traps sentence small animals to hideously slow and painful deaths and can turn those who buy them into lawbreakers. PETA India applauds the union territory of Lakshadweep for taking steps across the islands to protect animals, no matter how small, and for setting an example for the entire country to follow," said PETA India Advocacy Officer Farhat Ul Ain.

The use of glue traps is a punishable offence under Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

PETA India points out that the best way to control rodent populations is to make the area unattractive or inaccessible to them, eliminate food sources by keeping surfaces and floors clean and storing food in chew-proof containers, sealing trash cans, and using ammonia-soaked cotton balls or rags to drive rodents away (they hate the smell).

Rodents can also be removed using humane cage traps but must be released where they will find adequate food, water, and shelter to help them survive.
New Delhi, July 24 : Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), G Kishan Reddy on Monday reviewed the progress of important schemes being implemented in Assam.

Reddy reviewed the progress of the schemes after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met him at his office here on Monday.

"The Chief Minister and DoNER Minister reviewed the progress of important schemes under the Ministry, including PM-DEVINE and NE-Special Infra Development Scheme, in Assam," a government official said.

In a Twitter post, the Union Minister said, "we held deliberations on various matters pertaining to the implementation of schemes and developmental works underway in the state".

Also taking to Twitter, the Chief Minister said: "Delighted to have had a productive meeting with the Union Minister Kishan Reddy ji. We reviewed the impressive progress of critical schemes under DoNER Ministry in Assam, including PM-DEVINE and NE-Special Infra Development Scheme."

On Monday morning, Sarma met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and sought assistance in expediting key infrastructure projects in Assam, the official said.

Gadkari assured that his Ministry would extend all possible help and assistance in expediting the key infrastructure projects in the northeastern state, he added.

--IANS

santu/ksk
New Delhi, July 24 : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to end the logjam in parliament but the Congress President has demanded Prime Minister's statement over Manipur in the parliament to end the logjam.

They said that Rajnath Singh spoke to Kharge last night to discuss the logjam in the Parliament.

"Kharge told Singh that Manipur violence cannot be tolerated and the Prime Minister should make a statement inside the Parliament," source said.

Earlier in the day, Kharge, while holding a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament demanding for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence had said that Rajnath Singh spoke to him and several other opposition MPs.

"It is shameful that PM Modi spoke outside the parliament. We all opposition parties are demanding from Chairman in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker that Prime Minister should come inside the House and make statement about what is the actual situation in Manipur," Kharge said.

He said that the Prime Minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session but it is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside the Parliament on Manipur violence.

The Congress-led Opposition parties have been demanding the statement from the Prime Minister in both Houses of Parliament over Manipur violence.

On Thursday -- the first day of the Parliament's Monsoon Session -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his 'pain' and 'anger' over the Manipur incident and said that the gruesome incident with the women in the Northeastern state is very shameful, and can never be forgiven.

"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," he said.

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.

Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 and since then hundreds of people have lost their lives whereas thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.

A video of May 4 of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur went viral on July 19 leading to widespread condemnation across the country.
New Delhi, July 24 : Following a flat opening, the Nifty was volatile throughout the day ending in a negative close on Monday.

For investors, the market is buys on dips with a strict stop loss of 19500, and if the Nifty closes below the indicated level, we can expect more profit booking, says Deven Mehata, Equity Research Analyst, Choice Broking.

The market has traded negative with the Sensex losing 0.45 percent and closed at 66384.78 and Nifty was down by 0.37 percent intraday and closed at 19672.35 levels whereas Bank Nifty was down by 0.33 percent and settled at 45923.05, he said.

Among sectors Nifty Auto and Nifty Pharma and Nifty PSE ended in green while Nifty Metal, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Consumption ended on the lower side.

In Nifty stocks, Indusind Bank, M&M and Dr Reddy Labs were the top gainers while ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance were the prime laggards, he said.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said volatility has re-emerged as initial Q1 results are below the expectations.

Sector wise setbacks were experienced in IT and FMCG, unveiling weak demand and high input costs. Banks are mixed while Pharma stocks are withholding the volatility in anticipation of a better demand from developed economies, reduction in US pricing issues and expansion in operating margins, he said.

Investors are also watchful of the upcoming FOMC meeting, addressing rate hike and quantitative tightening measures, which could have an implication on FIIs inflows.

S Ranganathan, Head of Research at LKP Securities said as expectations are getting reset in sync with the first quarter earnings that are underway, we witnessed profit booking post earnings and news flows today in heavy weights as well as financials. Investors need to be mindful of cuts in stock prices if eventual outcomes on earnings fail to match up with expectations.
Mathura : , July 24 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Police's ATS has arrested 40 Rohingya Muslims in Mathura, officials said on Monday.

All of them were living with their families in a colony and also had taken a farm on rent.

The action comes ahead of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathas proposed visit to Mathura on July 26.

The arrested persons have been taken to Jaint police station, where they are being interrogated. During interrogation, these people could not show any valid document. They revealed that they were used to buy garbage from hotels and sell it.

According to ATS sources, they had received information that Rohingya Muslims have been living in Alhepur village for a long time.

On the instructions of SSP Shailesh Kumar Pandey, SP City Martand Pratap Singh reached the spot with the police force. The entire operation was kept confidential.
The hottest stretch of summer so far is in store for western North Dakota residents this week, as extreme heat that has been baking the southwestern U.S. moves into the Northern Plains.

Separately, the state Department of Emergency Services has scheduled an informational briefing Wednesday for officials in counties, cities, townships and tribes included in a presidential disaster declaration for spring flooding in North Dakota.

The temperature in Bismarck reached 90 degrees on Saturday and 91 on Sunday, and highs through Wednesday are forecast in the lower 90s, as well, according to the National Weather Service. Late July is typically hot in the region, but the average high in the capital city this time of year is in the mid-80s.

"Today through Wednesday we'll definitely be above normal," said Todd Hamilton, meteorologist at the weather service office in Bismarck.

The heat wave has brought triple-digit temperatures to the Southwest and broke longstanding records in that region. Phoenix, for example, has been enduring the most intense heat wave the city has experienced since recordkeeping began in the last 1800s, with highs surpassing 110 degrees, according to AccuWeather.

That system "will kind of poke up into the Northern Plains for a couple of days," Hamilton said.

Record temps are not in the cards in North Dakota, however. Bismarck's record for July 25, for example, is 106 degrees, set in 1931.

The sweltering conditions promise to be short-lived, as a system in Canada moves in midweek and drops high temps back into the 80s for the rest of the week.

"The rest of our short-term forecast is right around normal," Hamilton said, adding that the longer-term 6-10-day and 8-14-day outlooks also are for near-normal temps.

But before this past weekend Bismarck had seen only eight days above 90 so far this year, and during the five-day stretch in the 90s "we'll feel the heat and humidity," Hamilton said. "So you want to take extra precautions if you're working outside."

Information on heat safety is at www.weather.gov/safety/heat and https://www.heat.gov/.

Meteorologists and scientists attribute hot weather around the globe to climate change. The Associated Press reported Monday that in the past 30 days, nearly 5,000 heat and rainfall records were broken or tied in the U.S. and more than 10,000 records were set globally, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Last month was the sixth-warmest June on record in Bismarck, and the previous month was the sixth-warmest May, with records going back 150 years, according to weather service data.

July in the capital city so far is a few degrees below normal, but with the hot stretch "By the time we get to the end of the month, we could be right around normal," Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to drift over North Dakota. Air quality in much of central and western North Dakota including Bismarck on Monday was rated "moderate," while in the eastern part of the state it was rated "unhealthy for sensitive groups." A "moderate" rating means highly sensitive people should reduce outdoor activity, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Information on wildfires and air quality is on the state Department of Environmental Quality website, at bit.ly/3OhrD7E. The EPAs map of fire and smoke conditions is at https://fire.airnow.gov/. The AirNow mobile phone app, and many other weather apps, also include air quality information. Wildfire smoke pattern predictions can be found at https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/.

Disaster briefing

The Emergency Services disaster declaration briefing is set for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central time on Wednesday via Microsoft Teams. It's intended for public officials directly responsible for managing recovery operations and receiving and accounting for federal and state funds. Those wishing to listen can call in at 701-328-0950 and use the conference ID 507 810 284#.

President Joe Biden earlier this month at the request of Gov. Doug Burgum declared a disaster for the historically bad spring weather. That paves the way for federal aid to help pay for repairs to public infrastructure such as roads. The 21 counties included in the declaration together reported about $4.1 million in flood-related damage, according to the governor's office.

The list of eligible counties includes Morton but not Burleigh. Morton County submitted about $193,000 in flood-related damages, according to Emergency Manager Cody Mattson.

The briefing will detail the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Public Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Hazard mitigation refers to proactive measures that aim to reduce the impacts of future natural disasters.

Counties included in the declaration are Barnes, Burke, Dickey, Dunn, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Hettinger, LaMoure, McHenry, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Nelson, Pembina, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Towner, Walsh and Wells.

The briefing also will be recorded and made available for applicants who are unable to attend. To request a video link or to ask questions pertaining to the federal programs, contact Emergency Services Disaster Recovery Chief Justin Messner at 701-328-8107.
New Delhi, July 24 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday again attacked the government for not allowing a detailed discussion on Manipur violence in Parliament saying that INDIA parties is reflecting sentiments of the people of Manipur.

"Parliament did not function for the third day because of the continued refusal of the Modi government to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3 situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion," Jairam, who is also the party's communication incharge, in a tweet said,

"INDIA parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and indeed of our country. Why is the PM running away from speaking inside the House?" the Congress leader said.

His remarks came after both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day amid uproar by the opposition MPs demanding a detailed discussion on Manipur violence inside the House.

The Opposition MPs also demanded for a statement by the Prime Minister in the House over the Manipur situation.

Earlier in the day, the Opposition MPs of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or INDIA also staged a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament demanding the Prime Minister's statement in the House.

On Thursday -- the first day of the Parliament's Monsoon Session -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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.

"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," he said.

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.

Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 and since then hundreds of people have lost their lives whereas thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.

A video of May 4 of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur went viral on July 19 leading to widespread condemnation across the country.
Chandigarh, July 24 : Taking inspiration from the success of Haryana's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Vision 2030, which was developed through internal stakeholder consultations and a focus on past limitations and future targets, the state is now embarking on the co-creation of Haryana @ 2047 Vision.

A workshop was jointly organized by the Haryana government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Monday.

This initiative marks a significant step in the stateas journey towards transforming into a future-ready state.

Addressing the workshop, Kaushal said the government is committed to prioritising the creation of ample employment opportunities for the youth.

Recognising the immense potential in transforming into an industrial-friendly state, Haryana is forging ahead, outpacing many other states, in its pursuit of economic growth and prosperity.

The efforts undertaken by the government reflect its vision for a dynamic and progressive future, fostering a thriving ecosystem for businesses and workforce development.

Kaushal said today's meeting is to understand the process of co-creating Haryana @ 2047 Vision, establish a framework, and formalize the next concrete steps.

This pioneering effort will involve collaboration between internal stakeholders and external entities such as the academia, youth, industry, media, and the civil society.

The meeting will be a platform for stakeholders to share their ideas and perspectives on the future of Haryana.

The outcome of the meeting will be a roadmap for the stateas development over the next 25 years.

Vikas Verma, North Region Head, UNDP India, apprised that Haryana has made significant progress on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in recent years.

The state has improved its ranking on the SDG India Index from 18 to 14, and its score has improved from 67 to 57.

He said Haryana envisions a transformative Ideal Imaginary Vision for 2047, setting ambitious targets and achieving remarkable milestones in various sectors.

Some key highlights of this vision include reducing the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to below 10, signifying significant progress towards SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Additionally, the state aims to achieve an Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5 MR) of 20, further reflecting its dedication to improving healthcare outcomes.
Chennai, July 24 : The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has captured a wild elephant that was regularly raiding crops in the Kadambur hills by tranquilising it.

The elephant, which is around 40 years old, was later translocated to Talamalai forest range in Sathyamangalam division of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). It was captured during the late hours of Sunday and translocated early Monday morning.

The farmers of the area had been complaining regularly to the Forest Department to capture the elephant that had been damaging crops in Kadambur, Athiyur, Pavalkuttai and other forest fringe areas.

The Forest Department granted permission for capturing and translocating the elephant after receiving complaints from the farmers in large numbers.

The team led by the district forest officer, Erode, N. Venkatesh Prabhu, consulted veterinarians and forest officials and decided to capture the elephant. It also decided against using Kumki elephants for the operation.

The elephant was located on a plot of land along the Kadambur- Pavalakittai road and veterinarians S. Sadasivam and A. Prakash fired four darts to tranquilise the animal. It was then captured and translocated to Talamalai forest in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
London, July 24 : England have named an unchanged 14-member squad for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia starting at The Oval from Thursday. Australia have retained the Ashes with the fourth Test at Old Trafford ending in a draw due to rain on Sunday.

The result means that the Ashes urn will be headed back to Australia after this series ends. The Ben Stokes-led side were in a dominant position for the majority of the match but were denied a crack at victory due to rain not allowing any play to happen on Day Five. Itas also the first time that England have played a draw under Stokesa leadership.

England will now be hoping to win the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval and push for a 2-2 draw to end the series on a high. Australia, after being on the backfoot at Manchester, will now have a chance to go for a series win in England for the first time since 2001.

If England does consider making changes to their playing eleven, fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue may come into consideration. The Test at The Oval could also mark the final Ashes Test for veterans James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Moeen Ali at home, as the next series will be played in Australia in 2025-26.

England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, and Mark Wood
Technology to be core driver for employment: PM Modi. Image Source: IANS News

Rajkot, July 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar during his scheduled two-day visit to Gujarat on July 27 and 28.

He had earlier performed the groundbreaking ceremony on October 7, 2017 at Hirasar village, near Chotila.

Under PM Gati Shakti Project, the Rajkot International Airport has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,405 crores which is positioned approximately 30 km from Rajkot, near NH-27.

The airport spans an impressive area of 1025.50 hectares (2534 acres), with the Airport Authority of India developing the airport in 1500 acres of land.

The airport features a 3040 m (3.04 km) long and 45-meter-wide runway capable of accommodating 14 planes simultaneously.

Additionally, it offers a sprawling apron spanning 50,800 sq.m and a passenger terminal spread across an area of 23,000 sq.m, with a capacity to manage 1280 travelers per hour during peak hours.

It can cater to C-type planes and has provisions for accommodating E-type planes in the future. This development will enable residents of Rajkot and Saurashtra to avail services of larger aircraft, including the Airbus A-380, Boeing 747, and Boeing 777.

The airport is equipped with a solar power system, a green belt, and a rainwater harvesting system. It has been granted the International Aeronautical Information Publication (A.I.P) tag, crucial for the operation of aircraft.

The airport boasts modern amenities such as four passenger boarding bridges, three conveyor belts, and 8 check-in counters (with an additional 12 counters planned for the future) equipped with advanced firefighting and fire alarm systems.
New Delhi, July 24 : Stepping up its attack on the Congress-led government in Rajasthan, the BJP on Monday asked why there is so much "nervousness'' among Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his government about the "red diary'' mentioned by former minister Rajendra Gudha.

"Yesterday, Rajendra Gudha, who was removed as a minister (after he questioned the Gehlot government over women's security in Rajasthan), mentioned about a 'red diary'. The entire Rajasthan wants to know the mystery behind the red diary. Why is there so much nervousness among Ashok Gehlot and his government about the red diary," asked Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.

The BJP leader said, "The day the secret of this red diary will be disclosed, there will be uproar in Rajasthan. The political existence of many people will end forever."

Taking a swipe at the Gehlot government, Shekhawat added, "Gudha ji has mentioned only diary. If proper investigation is done, then the diary of the paper leak will come out which will be of blue colour. Many diaries will be there of different colours in which scams worth thousands of crores will be buried."

The BJP has been accusing the Congress government of corruption besides questioning it on the law and order situation in Rajasthan.

The party said the government has failed on all fronts. On Monday morning, BJP MPs staged a protest against the Gehlot government in Rajasthan, alleging atrocities against Dalits and women in the state. The MPs, who gathered in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue holding placards in the Parliament premises, shouted slogans against the Gehlot government.

Assembly elections in Rajasthan are scheduled to be held later this year. It is likely that "corruption and law and order" would be among the major issues of the BJP in the upcoming polls to take on the Gehlot government.
Patna, July 24 : Former Bihar agriculture minister and RJD leader Sudhakar Singh on Monday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, seeking deployment of all officials for next 15 days for paddy plantation amid "drought-like situation" in Bihar.

"The state government should take initiative to provide irrigation infrastructure and uninterrupted power supply from the places where the agricultural feeders are installed. The state government should also ensure that the farmers get hassle-free diesel subsidy," Singh said.

"It should stop all work and ask officials to provide all facilities to farmers on a war-footing. If necessary, they should do the plantation in the agricultural field," Singh said.

"I have been pointing out that farmers need to get government help especially due to uncertain rain. The farmers are concerned about the drought-like situation. They are undergoing a financial crisis. CM Nitish Kumar should take cognisance of the matter and provide help to the farmers immediately," Singh said.
Vaani Kapoor is set to embark on a tour across US, UK: 'I have always loved performing'. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, July 24 : Actress Vaani Kapoor, who is known for films like 'War', 'Befikre', 'Shuddh Desi Romance' and others, is all set to make her debut on OTT with 'Mandala Murders'.

The actress will soon complete a decade in the Hindi film industry and for her web debut she has to tap into her knowledge bank as an actor for the show.

'Mandala Murders' is touted to be a gripping crime thriller series directed by Gopi Puthran.

The actress spoke about her excitement on making an OTT debut and working with Puthran, a master of his craft.

She said: "I was looking for something really clutter-breaking for my foray into OTT. I'm thrilled to be working with a mind like Gopi Puthran for 'Mandala Murders', a gritty crime thriller series that has pushed me to work my hardest in genre Iave never attempted before."

Although the show has challenged the actor in her, she is taking it upon herself to rise above those challenges.

The shoot of the series is still underway.

"I have always been an actor who has never taken any shortcuts when it comes to my craft because I respect the art of film-making and the purity that one needs to have towards acting. 'Mandala Murders' has truly pushed me as an actor to deliver a performance that will hopefully be appreciated and loved. I had to tap into all the learnings that one had so far to deliver the vision that the makers had for my character and the project. I'm neck deep into the shooting of 'Mandala Murders' currently and looking forward for the series to grip peopleas attention," she added.

'Mandala Murders' is produced by Yash Raj Films and will soon drop on OTT.
Los Angeles, July 23 : Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. has praised Cillian Murphy's "sacrifice" to play J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The 47-year-old actor plays the theoretical physicist, who is known as the 'father of the atomic bomb', in Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' and co-star Downey Jr was impressed with Murphy's dedication to the role, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Robert, 58, who plays Atomic Energy Commission chairman Lewis Strauss in the film, told People: "I have never witnessed a greater sacrifice by a lead actor in my career. He knew it was going to be a behemoth ask when Chris called him. But I think he also had the humility that is required to survive playing a role like this."

"We'd be like, 'Hey, we got a three-day weekend. Maybe we'll go antiquing in Santa Fe. What are you going to do?' 'Oh, I have to learn 30,000 words of Dutch. Have a nice time.' But that's the nature of the ask."

Florence Pugh, who plays Jean Tatlock, one of the major loves of Oppenheimer's life in the movie, was also impressed with the actor, calling working with him "one of the best experiences that I've had."

She said, "Chris had one of the most incredible leads in Cillian. He is an actor that I have been watching for quite some time and have been desperate to work with for ages. You'd have to be mad to say no.

"It was truly one of the best experiences that I've had. Working with him was hugely impressive. Every single day he shows up knowing every single possible way, intonation, inflection of how to bring this character to life. "

"That was hugely impressive to me. There's a reason why he is one of the greats," Florence said.
Domestic help sentenced to life for killing elderly Indian in Singapore. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 24 : A man was stabbed to death by three snatchers in north Delhi's Sarai Rohilla area, a police official said on Monday.

According to police, a police control room call was received at around 11 a.m. regarding a person with stab injury following which a police team rushed to the spot.

"The injured was shifted to Hindu Rao hospital by the PCR staff, however, he was declared brought dead by Hindu Rao Hospital at 11:20 a.m," said a senior police official.

During the probe, the deceased was identified as Ajeet alias Neeraj, 26, a resident of Shehzada Bagh.

"To nab the accused, the police teams scanned CCTV cameras and three out of two suspects were zeroed on. Through Intel sources, their identity was established and without wasting any time, they were apprehended," said the official.

The accused were Irfan alias Ballu and Sanjeev alias Sandeep, both residents of Wazirpur. Upon interrogation, they confessed to stabbing the victim.

"Efforts are being made to arrest the third accused as well," the official added.

--IANS

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This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Down

The death of a police officer in the line of duty has a profound impact not just on his or her immediate colleagues, but also on a much broader family of law officers. The killing of Fargo Officer Jake Wallin and the wounding of Fargo Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes by a gunman who opened fire while they were responding to a traffic crash is being felt by other officers across the state. Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch says, It affects us all. We lost a brother, and almost lost two more. The Bismarck force has offered any help needed by the Fargo PD, and it also has programs in place to help any of its own officers who might be struggling to deal with the Fargo tragedy. Draovitch says the department also will look to learn from the incident once the investigation into what happened is concluded. In the meantime, he says, I have a very heavy heart.

Up

Many feared the bison industry dead two decades ago. The market got hot, a lot of ranchers got in, and an oversupply of meat outstripped demand in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The market crashed, the North American Bison Cooperative in New Rockford went bankrupt, and a lot of ranchers got out of the business. But the industry has since rebounded. What is now North American Bison LLC recently wrapped up an $8.4 million expansion project, and consumer demand is on the rise. Nearly 72,000 bison were slaughtered in the U.S. last year, triple the number 20 years ago. Rugby-area rancher Kevin Leier has stuck it out through the ups and downs. He says the industry is healthy now, on an upward trajectory, and thats an exciting thing to be a part of.

Down

Rule changes for how temporary seasonal foreign workers are paid could have a major impact on North Dakotas agriculture industry. The U.S. Department of Labor rule changes could reclassify general farm laborers as drivers, even if driving is a minor part of their job. That would increase wages from $17 an hour to $27 an hour. Unless the rule is rescinded, the change could cause some producers to alter the role of those laborers or reevaluate if they can work with foreign workers, reported North Dakota News Cooperative. The wage increase comes as North Dakota producers are depending more on foreign workers to meet workforce needs.

Up

Tribal elders gathered recently on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation to work on preserving the Lakota language. The effort was organized by Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization from the Pine Ridge Reservation. The organization is recording, transcribing and translating stories from tribal elders, reported South Dakota Searchlight. The goals of the project include preserving the stories for the elders families and building a foundation for Lakota learning standards.
Chandigarh, July 24 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legal wing president Arshdeep Singh Kler on Monday demanded action against Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Raja Sansi legislator Baldev Singh Miandian for patronising and sheltering his OSD and alleged drug trafficker Tejbir Singh Gill who he said was an active AAP worker.

Addressing the media, Kler condemned AAP and its spokesman Malvinder Kang for mouthing lies by claiming that Tejbir Gill was a SOI (Student Organization of India) worker when the truth was that Tejbir had worked in SOI for few weeks before being removed from his post even as he had been working actively for AAP and was even OSD of the Pungrain Chairman.

"Malwinder Kang should apologise immediately for speaking brazen lies and also tell what action was being initiated against the Punjgrain Chairman who had been patronizing the drug trafficker since the last one and a half years. Gill had access to the AAP Chairman's vehicle and also accompanied him to all programmes. This issue needs to be investigated threadbare," he said.

"This is not all. AAP is befooling Punjabis by leading a defamation campaign against SAD on drugs when the fact is that it is patronising drug convicts as well as those who have been arrested in drug cases."

He cited the example of AAP Khemkaran legislator Sarwan Singh Dhun who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment along with several family members in 2002 but still had been inducted into AAP and even given the party ticket to contest the 2022 elections.

He also gave several other examples to show how AAP was patronising drug dealers. He said AAP leader Satnam Singh Ghariala was caught with 3 kg of heroin while another leader Raiiv Bhagat, who was a close confidant of AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap had been arrested with drug tablets worth Rs 15 crore.

The SAD leader also gave examples of supporters of legislator Balkar Sidhu and minister Chetan Singh Jaurmajra who had been arrested after drug seizures.

"Some of these persons, including Jasdeep Singh Harry, had pictures with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and cabinet minister Meet Hayer," he said, adding Jagjit Singh, an AAP leader from Kathunangal, had also been arrested in a drug case.
Chandigarh, July 24 : Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday informed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a letter that the legal opinion sought by him about the validity of holding the two-day special session of the assembly "clearly mentioned that the House summoning was patiently illegal", indicating that the four bills therein passed were "illegal".

The governor's letter was in response to the Chief Minister's assertion two days back that it is "very unfortunate" that the Governor "does not know whether the June 19-20 session was legal or illegal".

The Governor also warned the AAP government that he has been receiving complaints of corruption.

"Through the media, I learnt about your comments that 'unfortunate that the Governor hasn't taken any legal opinion' regarding the assembly session held on 19th and 20th of June, 2023. For your information, opinion has been taken from one of the leading constitutional experts.

"Crux of the opinion is attached for your knowledge, which clearly mentions that the house so summoned was patiently illegal. Now nothing remains to be responded to your comments," said the Governor.

He again reminded the Chief Minister that his letters are lying with "you unattended as you have called them as Love letters".

"But you are supposed to know that as per the Constitution, the Chief Minister is duty bound to furnish the information sought by the Governor.

"Non supply of the information is a clear violation of the Article 167 of the Constitution. During the debate in the assembly you have taken pot-shots about the Governor, which is not liked by the people as the utterances by the Chief Minister are not befitting to the post.

"You should also keep in mind that I, as Governor, am a constitutional authority appointed by the President of India and entrusted with duty to ensure a just, fair and honest administration and has to see that the Governance is corruption free."

Before concluding the letter, the Governor wrote, "Since I am receiving various complaints of corruption, I urge upon you to give me the reply at the earliest without fail. Otherwise, it will be deemed as gross violation of the Constitution."

Besides passing the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to ensure free-to-air telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the special session also passed three other bills -- the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

All four bills were later sent to the Governor for assent.
New Delhi, July 24 : The BJP on Monday slammed the Opposition parties after both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day over the Manipur issue and accused them of running away from discussion in the matter.

"Home Minister Amit Shah ji today in Lok Sabha appealed to all members of the Lok Sabha to initiate a discussion on the issue afflicting the state of Manipur. Amit Shah ji has repeatedly said that in both Houses of Parliament, he would like to bring certain facts to light as the Minister in-charge for Home Affairs. It is shocking that the Opposition parties do not want to allow facts to come to the fore," Union minister Smriti Irani said during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.

In an apparent reference to the uproarious scenes over the Manipur issue in both the Houses by the Opposition members, Irani said, "The discussion (on Manipur) is important from a perspective of national security and internal security."

This discussion is also expected by the citizens of our country who elect us to Parliament so that issues of national importance can be productively discussed, added Irani.

The Opposition which is being spearheaded by the Congress has been demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi come to the House and give a statement on the Manipur issue.

The Prime Minister recently broke his silence on Manipur and expressed his pain and anguish at the violence in the Northeastern state.

The Opposition has been blaming the N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur for the current crisis and demanded his dismissal.

On Monday afternoon, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal told reporters that the government is ready to hold a discussion on the Manipur issue as well as crime against women in several states in "totality".
New Delhi, July 24 : With the arrest of two men, the Delhi Police on Monday claimed to have busted a gang of cyber fraudsters who used to dupe people across the country through quiker.com and shine.com on the pretext of providing jobs.

The accused were identified as Ritish Kumar (22), a resident of Mangolpuri and Ajay Bhagel (26), a resident of Nangloi Extension area.

Police said that the gang also used to procure data of applicants from online job portals and then used to call them impersonating as HR managers from renowned companies.

The matter came to light after a complaint from a woman, a resident of Delhi, was received in Cyber North police station through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) wherein she stated that someone cheated her for Rs 45,230 on the pretext of a Data Entry Operator Job.

The complainant further alleged that she was looking for a job on online job-seeking portals by registering herself on Shine.com and Quikr.com. "She thereafter came in contact with the alleged person who contacted the complainant through WhatsApp and told her about a data entry job from home only," said a senior police official.

Thereafter the accused asked the complainant to transfer amounts to the bank account on the pretext of Registration Charge, Documentation Charge, GST, Security Fees & Refundable Charges. In this way, she transferred a total of Rs 45,230. Thereafter no job was provided to the complainant and she was asked for more money on various pretexts.

During the probe, the police team conducted a detailed meticulous technical analysis of call details and money transactions. "It was found that the accused persons had been operating from the Mangolpuri area in Delhi and money was withdrawn from various ATMs nearby," said the official.

The bank account in which the cheated amount was deposited by the accused, was found registered at a fake address in the Sultanpuri area in Delhi. "Thereafter, the police team zeroed in on the location of the accused persons and raids were conducted which led to the arrest of Ritish and Ajay," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (north), Sagar Singh Kalsi.

During interrogation, Ajay revealed that he used to work as a delivery boy in Zomato, but the lockdown hit all of them badly which made them debt-ridden.

"After lockdown he came across other members of the gang who were duping people on the pretext of offering online jobs. Eager to earn a handsome amount in a short period, he became a member of the team. Being less educated and not gainfully employed, he started arranging bank accounts for transactions," said the DCP.

"Ajay was paid 20 per cent of the amount received in the account. These accounts opened on fake addresses were then transported to other members of the group namely Ritish and Sourabh who, having fluency in English conversation, would talk to victims as HR managers of the company. They had been operating from a rented flat at Mangolpuri," said the DCP.

"Further investigation of the case is in progress and efforts are being made to arrest co-accused persons Sourabh and other associates remain indulged in this racket and to link the recovered mobile phones/SIM cards and bank accounts with other victims," the DCP added.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the special leave petition filed by the West Bengal government against the Calcutta High Court order directing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the Ram Navami Festival clashes in the state.

A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted that the notification issued by the Centre government in exercise of its suo moto power (on its own) empowering the NIA to probe into the violence has not been challenged by the state government.

"....in the absence of a challenge to the Central government notification, we are not entertaining the Special Leave Petition," the bench recorded in its order.

The state government argued that smoke and tear gas grenades used by the West Bengal police were projected as explosives.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the police, said that the impugned High Court order demoralises the police officials and diminishes its credibility.

On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the NIA, submitted that the clashes involved use of bombs. He argued that the Centre government can direct the anti-terror probe agency to investigate cases involving explosives as the same is a scheduled offence specified in the NIA Act, 2008.

On April 27, while ordering the NIA probe in the matter, the Calcutta High Courtas division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya had observed that it is beyond the ability of the state police to find those who were responsible for the clashes or who instigated it and hence a probe by a central agency was necessary.

The NIA took up the probe in the matter following the order passed by the division bench, which had also directed the state police to hand over all case-related documents to the NIA within the next two weeks.

Earlier, the same division bench questioned the failure of the intelligence wing of the state police in getting information about stones being accumulated on the rooftops. Pockets in certain districts of Howrah and Hooghly districts in West Bengal turned violent over processions on Ram Navami festival which continued for a couple of days.

On June 19, the NIA had approached the high courtas single- judge bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha accusing West Bengal Police of non-cooperation in handing over crucial documents related to the Ram Navami clashes in the state this year.

In its petition, the NIA had alleged that since the state police is not extending cooperation and delaying in the process of submission of all related documents, the central agency is unable to accelerate the pace of their investigation.

The state government had contended that it has already challenged the high court order before the Supreme Court and the hearing in the matter is pending there. However, the NIA countered that since no stay order has been passed by the apex court of the country so far, the central agency will continue with its investigation in the matter.
Kolkata, July 24 : Amid widespread criticism that civic volunteers are being used for regular police duties in West Bengal, especially in state capital Kolkata, the West Bengal Cabinet on Monday finally approved the appointment of 2,500 constables in Kolkata Police.

An announcement in this regard was made by Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, soon after a Cabinet meeting. The appointments will be made through the state police recruitment board.

Recently, the administration had faced criticism from various quarters over the alleged use of civic volunteers for police duties.

Even the Calcutta High Court had recently specified the areas in which the services of civic volunteers could be used, clearly stating that they cannot be deputed for regular police duties like maintaining law and order.

Yet there were allegations that civic volunteers were used for regular police duties during the recently-concluded panchayat polls.

Recently, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed dissatisfaction over the "casual and lethargic" approach among a section of the police and directed that the process of pending recruitments should be completed at the earliest.
China to send zebrafish to space to study bone loss in astronauts. Image Source: IANS News

Beijing, July 24 : China is all set to send zebrafish to its Tiangong space station to understand how astronauts face bone loss in microgravity, the media reported.

The small fish species will be sent into orbit on Tiangong as part of research into the interaction between fish and microorganisms in a small closed ecosystem, Zhang Wei, assistant to the commander-in-chief of the China Manned Space Engineering Space Application System, was quoted as saying by Global Times.

Previously, many other organisms include space rice "Xiaowei," arabidopsis thaliana "Xiaonan," and multiple groups of nematodes have already visited the Chinese space station.

Zebrafish share high homology with human genes, up to 87 per cent.

They were also sent to the Soviet Union's Salyut 5 space station in 1976 aboard the Soyuz 21 mission.

Soviet cosmonauts conducting experiments with the fish found that the Zebrafish appeared to modify some of their behaviours in response to living in microgravity.

Tiangong has prepared a space home for them - the life ecological science experiment system located in the Wentian lab module. It is a closed "aquarium" with about one litre of water that can breed four to five zebrafish, as well as some algae and microorganisms.

An automatic feeding device has been developed. An intelligent system that monitors fish growth and automatically feeds them was developed and entered space with the launch of the Wentian lab module in 2022, the report said.

Further information regarding the timeline of the experiment and its aquatic apparatus was not disclosed.
New Delhi, July 24 : Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his comments that the government is ready for a discussion on Manipur issue saying that INDIA was demanding a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and why is Shah silent about it.

"In a desperate bid to manage headlines, the Home Minister today said that the Modi government is ready for a discussion on Manipur in Parliament. He is not doing anybody any special favour.

"The perfectly democratic and legitimate demand of the parties comprising INDIA is for a statement by the Prime Minister on the Manipur situation first, followed by a discussion. The Home Minister is totally silent on this. What is the hesitation in getting the Prime Minister to speak inside Parliament first?" Jairam Ramesh, who is Congress communication incharge, in a tweet said.

His remarks came after Shah on Monday afternoon while speaking in the Lok Sabha said that the government was ready for discussion.

Shah, who was in the house, when it reconvened at 2:30 pm, said that the government was ready for discussion on Manipur situation.

The home minister stood up in the house and urged the protesting opposition to allow the discussion to take place, as it is an important issue and the nation should get to know the reality of the sensitive situation prevailing there.

He wondered why the opposition was not interested in having a discussion on Manipur.

The opposition however stuck to its position, asking for Modi's response in Lok Sabha on the Manipur issue.

Even Speaker Om Birla urged the opposition to allow the home minister to initiate a discussion on Manipur, as home ministry is the nodal ministry for the situation prevailing in the state.

"The opposition is trying to establish a new tradition by seeking prime minister's response on the matter, which is not right," Birla said.

However, as Congress-led opposition continued with its slogan shouting, Birla adjourned the House till tomorrow.

Earlier proceedings of the lower house were continuously interrupted amid repeated adjournments and protests by the opposition.

Owing to the pandemonium, only a few bills could be introduced in Lok Sabha and Question Hour ran for half an hour.
Kolkata: TMC leader Partha Chatterjee arrives to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities in the SSC (School Service Commission) recruitments, in Kolkata on Wednesday, May 2. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, July 24 : Former West Bengal minister Partha Chaterjee said on Monday that he will send a plea to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking a level-playing field in the trial on his alleged involvement in the multi-crore school recruitment case.

"I want a level-playing field in the trial process for which I will make an appeal to the Chief Minister. I still maintain that I was with the party (Trinamool Congress), I am with the party, and I will continue to be with the party in the coming days as well," Chatterjee said while coming out of a special court where he was presented for hearing.

Although the former Trinamool General Secretary did not specify what he meant by a 'level- playing field', political observers feel that his statement was an indirect way to express his grievance over the non-availability of legal back-up from the party which some other Trinamool leaders currently behind bars on various charges are receiving.

Chatterjee also claimed that the money recovered from the residence of Arpita Mukherjee, who's also serving judicial custody in the same case, did not belong to him.

"The probe should be against the person from whose residence the money was recovered. I am innocent. I was neither an appointing authority, nor did I recommend any appointment. I was not associated with any wrongdoing," Chatterjee said before leaving the court premises.

Earlier on Monday, while entering the court, Chatterjee had claimed that he is being kept behind the bars in the name of investigation and interrogation 'unnecessarily'.

He also slammed a human rights activist spearheading a movement of demanding release of under-trial political prisoners for remaining silent in his case.
New Delhi, July 24 : A 32-year-old woman committed suicide at her house in South Delhi's Sarvodya Enclave on Monday, a police official said.

The deceased was identified as Kamla, a native of Nepal.

The official said that she was a patient of depression and was getting medical treatment for the last eight years.

Police said that on Monday around 1.25 p.m, an information regarding suicide by a woman by hanging at house at Sarvodaya Enclave was received at Malviya Nagar police station.

Upon receiving the call, a police team reached the spot where they found a female dead body with chunni wrapped around her neck and hanging with a ceiling fan in a room (servant quarter) which was locked from inside.

"She was residing with her husband and two children aged 14-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy in the servant quarters for the last 17 years. Her husband works as a domestic servant in the house," said a senior police official.

"The children were at the school while her husband had gone to Bank at the time of the incident. No external injury was found on her body. Body has been shifted to AIIMS mortuary. Inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPC are being conducted," the official added.
   

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London, July 24 : Lethal heatwaves have broken records across Europe and Asia, and more than a 100 million people were under a severe heat warning in the US.

These are among the kinds of climactic events highlighted by a Christian Aid report which showed how the climate crisis is increasing the severity of drought in 10 of the world's major cities.

Despite covering more than 70 per cent of the earth's surface, only three per cent of the world's water is suitable for drinking. Of this fresh water, 70 per cent is locked in glaciers and ice caps. Less than 0.01 per cent of all fresh water worldwide is available for human use in lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

Despite this, Christian Aid analysis shows global water use grew at more than twice the rate of population increase over the course of the 20th century.

This month saw the world's hottest day, July 4, and scientists also announced that "we've just experienced world's hottest June on record". Heatwaves are currently gripping three continents. Along with Europe and North America, Asia is also battling record temperatures.

The highest temperature in China, 52.2C, was recorded on July 16, and follows heat records in India falling in February. It suffered from blistering temperatures in April which saw 11 people dying from heatstroke on a single day.

Even in the UK, London has experienced heatwaves in recent years and the CEO of the Environment Agency, James Bevan, warned that within 25 years London and the South East of England could run out of water. The cost of a severe drought to London's economy is estimated by Thames Water to be 330m pounds per day, and would have severe economic, social and environmental consequences.

The Environment Agency has said that by 2050 some rivers will see 50 to 80 per cent less water during the summer months.

Christian Aid's Climate Justice Policy Lead, Illari Aragon, said: "The heatwaves currently afflicting three different continents are a sign that we are already living in a climate crisis and there is worse to come if we don't act faster to cut emissions and provide better support to vulnerable communities.

"For many in some of the poorest countries this level of heat is unbearable and they lack the resources and infrastructure to cope. Scientists have warned this kind of future was coming and it's harrowing to see those predictions coming true. These record heatwaves need to be a wake-up call for the world that we cannot carry on as we have been.

"We need a radical shift to get off fossil fuels and get vital funds to people suffering on the frontline of climate breakdown."

In 2018, after extended drought, Cape Town came within days of becoming the first major city in the world to run out of water. 'Day Zero', when the taps for four million inhabitants would be turned off, was averted after emergency measures were implemented to cut the city's water usage by 50 per cent.

The 10 cities featured in the report are Sydney, Harare, Sao Paulo, Phoenix, Beijing, Kabul, New Delhi, Cape Town, Cairo and London. The danger of city droughts is only set to get worse without action to address climate change. Currently, 55 per cent of the world's population lives in urban areas, with this set to rise to 68 per cent by 2050.
Tesla car for Rs 20 lakh in India still a distant dream, say experts. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 24 : Representatives from Elon Musk-Tesla are reportedly expected to meet Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as early as this month to chalk out a facility to build Rs 20 lakh electric car, as China fumes at New Delhi rejecting BYD Group's bid to build a $1 billion facility.

According to a Reuters report, citing sources, the meeting with Goyal will be the highest-level one since Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US last month and said he plans to bring Tesla to India as soon as humanly possible.

Tesla was yet to comment on the report.

US electric car producer Tesla has proposed setting up a factory in India to build electric cars for domestic sale and export.

Meanwhile, as the government gears up to welcome Musk's Tesla, the Centre has reportedly rejected Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD Motors' plan to set up a $1 billion four-wheeler manufacturing facility in the country.

According to Chinese state-run Global Times, if India treats Tesla and BYD differently, "won't it be utter discrimination against China?"

In an opinion piece, the newspaper said that it is hoped that "India will not be politically biased against Chinese investment, refrain from setting invisible entry barriers for Chinese manufacturers under the disguise of protecting economic security".

In recent years, India has intensified its assault on Chinese companies, which analysts said was "blunt bullying, and the theft of Chinese companies' achievements under the disguise of so-called posing security threats".

"India's efforts to provide a good business environment for international investment and to continuously attract global companies will be an empty promise," said the publication.
Panaji, July 24 : As sea erosion has become a major challenge to the tourism area, Goa government has taken the help of an agency from the Netherlands to address the issue.

Replying to question raised by Independent MLA Aleixo Lourenco, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral has said that the Goa Coastal Management Environment Society has initiated the process of nourishment of beach stretches (Sand Motor) with an agency from Netherlands and has requested the expert scientist to visit Goa for the preliminary study.

"The study and the work is being undertaken with Technical Assistance from NIO and NCCR," he said.

He said that the five beaches, including famous Coco beach, are facing soil erosion.

MLA Aleixo Lourenco had asked whether the Government will initiate a study to address the issue of damaging environmental impact that has led to destruction of large stretch of beaches with the increasing high tide line.

The Minister in his response said that the Water Resources Department has entrusted the study of Goa coast for its behaviour, erosion pediment transportation to National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in the year 2021 underworld bank funded National Hydrology Project.

"The Water Resources Department has carried out Anti-beach erosion measures have been majorly initiated at Keri-Pernem by using tetrapods, Coco-beach at Nerul, Bardez by Concrete Blocks and Khanaginim beach with stones to mitigate the coast erosion caused by vagaries of the sea waves," Minister informed.
New Delhi, July 24 : As the Indian smartphone industry goes through a churn, at least two top-level directors, along with several other employees, have quit the realme smartphone brand to join Madhav Sheth's new venture HonorTech in the country.

As per distributor sources, Dipesh Punamiya, who was offline sales director at realme, has joined HonorTech as assistant vice president (AVP), and Sanjeev Kumar, online sales director at realme, has also joined Sheth in a senior position.

Sources told IANS on Monday that more than 15 realme employees from various departments have moved on and joined HonorTech under Sheth, who is geared up to revive the Honor brand in the country.

The new company is going to create another disruption in the Indian smartphone market, with a new device likely to be launched in late August-early September before the festive season.

Sheth served in multiple roles at realme, which included CEO of Realme India, VP, Realme and President, Realme International Business Group.

Chinese conglomerate Huawei sold off its Honor smartphone business assets to China-based Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co Ltd in 2020. In 2022, Honor said it was not planning to exit the Indian market. The company also expanded beyond smartphones to enter the laptop segment in the country and even launched a wearables portfolio.

Along with its service centres, the company still has a sizable presence in the country.

--IANS

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Nagpur, July 24 : In a major initiative to bring preventive health-care to some of the remotest corners of the Maoist-infested districts in Maharashtra, a NGO has launched a 'Cancer Screening Hospital on Wheels' for the benefit of the tribals and villagers.

Billed as the first of its kind non-governmental initiative in Maharashtra, the mobile cancer hospital travels to far-flung villages of Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts of eastern Maharashtra and organises cancer checkup camps daily.

In the past 10 days since its inauguration, it has screened around 500 men, women and children from some of the poorest and marginalised sections for cancer problems - and is proving to be popular - with similar demands coming from other villages.

Sparking concerns, an average of 5 percent (around 25) of those screened so far are "suspected to be afflicted by one or the other types of cancer" and shall now be referred to other hospitals for further analysis.

The mobile cancer hospital, set up through the Vijay Kiran Trust, is the brainchild of Congress MLA Vijay N. Wadettiwar, and is "a totally free and convenient facility" practically available at the doorsteps of the local population.

"This mobile cancer hospital has state-of-the-art equipment like an advanced X-ray unit, a mammography machine to detect breast cancer, spirometry for lung tests, a cutting-edge pathological lab that conduct 45 different types of blood tests, eclampsia and pre-eclampsia for pregnant women, facility for diagnosing respiratory illness among kids, blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular and other modern facilities," Wadettiwar told IANS.

The unique project has cost nearly Rs 3 crore and depending on its success here, would be extended later to cater to other backward districts in the state, he said.

Wadettiwar said that studies have shown that in the eastern Maharashtra region, cancers of the mouth, breast and uterus are showing alarming incidence, and this mobile cancer hospital will help detect these at any early stage to provide timely treatment and help save lives.

Project coordinator Nilesh Harle said that many people in those regions have little or no access to any kind of cancer check-ups, many miss their routine health-checks and go for treatment only when their condition becomes critical.

"Many from the underprivileged sections do not even talk out of fear or lack of resources and continue to suffer silently till it may be too late. This mobile cancer hospital aims to help detect cancers in such people and start the treatment protocols to save their lives," Harle added.

Another major aspect is the high cost of cancer treatments that become a major deterrent for many to seek timely medical assistance from this life-threatening disease, Wadettiwar pointed out.

Explaining the reasons for launching the service, the Congress legislator said that he had witnessed the agony of many cancer patients and how their families were also shattered by the disease.

"I wanted to do something, especially for the deprived sections. After detailed discussions with several renowned oncologists and other medicos, we came up with this unique mobile cancer hospital," Wadettiwar said.

Those who are suspected to be inflicted by any cancer after the screening rounds, teams of specialist doctors will take charge to accompany the patients for further suitable treatment, ensuring seamless and timely access to the best possible cancer care, he said.

The approach has also ensured that a vast number of people can be covered by the tests, thus saving them the time and costs of travelling to designated centres for the same tests.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Gadchiroli : , July 24 (IANS) In a major multi-state operation, the Maharashtra Forest Department has nabbed 11 persons, including 5 women, and detained 5 minors allegedly involved in a multi-state tiger poaching racket, officials said on Monday.

The gang was busted following a tip-off from the Assam Wildlife Department passed onto the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, New Delhi, which, in turn, alerted the Maharashtra Forest authorities.

The Assam Police and wildlife authorities had arrested three persons from Haryana on June 28 for illegal possession of a tiger skin originating from Maharashtra.

After their interrogation, the accused spilled the beans on a purported nationwide racket in tiger poaching allegedly being perpetrated by the Bawaria community of hunters through their gangs.

After getting the alerts from the WCCB, the Maharashtra forest authorities set up a Special Task Force, headed by top officer, Jitendra Ramgaonkar, and comprising officials from various tiger sanctuaries and started investigating the matter a few days ago.

Following sustained undercover operations, the STF finally swooped at a location on Ambe-Shivni area on the outskirts of the Gadchiroli town and managed to lay hands on the gang of 16, comprising 6 men, 5 women and 5 minors, early on Sunday.

The STF has recovered three tiger claws, seven steel jaw-traps, and other weapons used to kill tigers, Rs 46,000 in cash, mobiles and other materials from the gang which had been living in the Ambe-Shivni area for a year.

Some of the accused have been nabbed from Dhule and Karimnagar in Telangana, and all have been under various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and other laws.

The entire operation was directed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mahip Gupta, and other senior officials like Jyoti Bannerji, Ramesh Kumar, Ravindrasingh Pardeshi, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal, and other wildlife and police officials.

The investigators suspect that this inter-state gang may have poached around 10 tigers, and this is considered the biggest successful anti-poacher operation in the past 10 years, and further probe is underway to nab other associates who may be active in different states.
Kollkata, July 24 : Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court on Monday recused himself from hearing a plea filed by Trinamool Congress' national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee against an earlier order allowing the central agencies to summon him in connection with the school recruitment case in West Bengal.

Recently, Banerjee had moved the Supreme Court against an order of the Calcutta High Court allowing the central agencies to summon him in connection with the school jobs case.

However, the bench of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha had refused to interfere in the matter and said that Banerjee could move the high court again with a petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

On July 20, Banerjee had approached the single-judge bench of Justice Ghosh in this matter. Justice Ghosh, while allowing an interim stay on any coercive action, including arrest, by the central agencies against Banerjee till Monday, had said that he would hear the matter again on that day.

However, on Monday, the counsel of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raised some legal points regarding the matter being heard by this bench. Thereafter, Justice Ghosh recused himself from hearing the matter.

However, the ED gave an assurance of not adopting any coercive action against Banerjee till it is decided by the high court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, whose bench will hear the matter in the future.

Justice Ghosh also recused from hearing another plea filed by Banerjee seeking permission to travel to the US for ophthalmological treatment.
Panaji, July 24 : The Bombay High Court's Panaji bench directed the Goa government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve within three months from Monday.

The court order came as it heard a petition filed by local NGO Goa Foundation seeking direction to the government to notify a tiger reserve in the state.

Just 10 days ago, the Goa government had rejected the proposal to set up a tiger reserve in the state, by claiming that the state's small wildlife sanctuaries did not fit the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) criteria.

In their order, the bench of Justices Mahesh Sonak and Bharat Deshpande directed the Goa government to notify the Mhadei WLS and other areas referred to in NTCA's communications (and the plans prepared by the Goa Forest Department officials) as a tiger reserve under Section 38-V (1) of the WLPA within three months from Monday.

"We direct the state government to take all steps to prepare a tiger conservation plan as contemplated by Section 38-V (3) of the WLPA and to forward the same to the NTCA within three months from notifying the Mhadei WLS and other areas as a tiger reserve," the judgment stated.

"We direct the state government to set up anti-poaching camps at strategic locations to be staffed by forest guards, watchers, etc, in the WLS and National Parks in the state of Goa. This exercise must be completed within six months."

Reacting to the judgment, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said: "I had a detailed discussion (with the Chief Minister) on the implications of the HC decision regarding giving directions to the state government to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and peripheral areas as a tiger reserve.

"After examining the HC order, we shall explore all options before approaching the Supreme Court... We respect the decision taken by the HC, but as a state government, we will stand by the decision taken by the State Wildlife Board."

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has hailed the judgment stating it is a major relief to Goans.

"High Court directing the Government to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as Tiger Reserve has come as a major relief for Goans in their efforts to Save Mhadei. I humbly appeal to the habitants to accept this verdict in the larger interest of Goa," he said.

According to the opposition parties in Goa, notifying the tiger reserve would make the state's case against Karnataka stronger to stop diversion of water from Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. However, some locals from Sattari in North Goa are against the atiger reservea claiming it will impose restrictions on their movements in cashew plantations.

--IANS

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After McDonald's, now tomato goes off Subway menu. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 24 : In response to the skyrocketing price of tomato, fast-food restaurant franchise Subway has taken the 'prized' vegetable off its menu.

To address the challenges posed by the escalating prices and disruptions in the tomato supply chain due to quality concerns, Subway outlets have taken the decision to temporarily suspend the use of tomatoes in their sandwiches and salads.

A notable example of this initiative was observed at a Subway store located in a Delhi airport terminal.

The store prominently displayed a sign, politely informing the customers about the "Temporary Unavailability of TOMATOES".

The sign further clarified that the current unavailability stems from the difficulty in sourcing sufficient tomatoes that adhere to their stringent quality control standards.

A Subway employee at its Sector 16 outlet in Noida told IANS that the vendor is supplying a limited quantity of tomatoes, which has led to this crisis.

"The rates are high, and now the vendor, which supplies tomatoes and other veggies to the outlets in Delhi-NCR, is bringing tomatoes in limited quantity due to unavailability," he said.

"We were serving dishes with tomatoes till late afternoon, but now the tomato stock has ended," he said.

The employee further claimed that all stores in Delhi and its peripherals are going through a similar situation.

Earlier this month, McDonald's in Delhi had released a notice citing the unavailability of tomatoes in their products due to quality concerns during the tomato procurement process.

"Dear Customers, we are ever committed to serving you the best food with the best ingredients. Despite our best efforts, we are not able to get adequate quantities of tomatoes that pass our world-class stringent quality checks. Hence for the time being, we are forced to serve you products without tomatoes," read the notice outside one of the McDonald's outlets in Delhi.

"Rest assured; we are working to get the tomato supplies back. We value your patronage and regret the inconvenience caused," it added.
New Delhi, July 24 : Actor Jackie Shroff has expressed his joy on the reduction of popcorn prices in theaters, and remembered fond memories of watching movies in the cinema halls, a nostalgic experience that holds a special place in his heart.

Jackie had appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to reduce popcorn prices during the CM's visit to Mumbai earlier this year, and is extremely happy to see this being implemented.

As a true cinema lover, he wanted to ensure that everyone can enjoy the full cinematic experience without breaking the bank.

Acknowledging the impact of big stars like Shah Rukh Khan, who have a loyal and devoted fan following, Jackie said how their movies draw audiences to theaters consistently, and such loyalty reflects the true beauty of the theatrical experience, as it did for SRK's recent movie 'Pathaan'.

Jackie, who was present at the special screening of his upcoming short film 'Paath', said he is happy to see that families will now be able to enjoy movies of their favourite actors along with their affordable meal.

"Its good that price has been reduced of the popcorns. Cinema is cinema, now everyone can enjoy the good movies and meals at theatres with their family. This action has been taken for all the good reasons," he said.

He further shared: "What matters is that movies are meant for theatres and no other platform can give you that experience. People will watch the movie regardless of the size of the screen, but their enthusiasm will remain the same to walk into the theatre and see the movie. This change is amazing and I will always support it."

Beyond his work in cinema, Jackie is also recognized for his philanthropic endeavors.

On the film front, he has Hindi flick 'Baap', and Tamil movie 'Jailer' in the pipeline.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Emmett Brock, a teacher, was driving home from work and saw an LASD member berating a woman. Brock flipped the officer off and drove on. Next thing you know, Brock is calling 911 to report that the gang member is following him and he feels unsafe. Deputy Joseph Benza pulled Brock over in a 7-11 parking lot, blocked his car in, and proceeded to beat the shit out of him, before arresting a person who exercised their free speech with a hand gesture.

At the jailhouse, Brock suffered further. Having told deputies he is a transgender man, Brock was subject to a disgusting physical search. The attack is shown in the video below, and this lawsuit will result in another large payout by the LA Sheriffs for abusing the populace.

RawStory:
New Delhi, July 24 : The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the draft delimitation proposal published by the Election Commission in relation to Assam on a plea filed by leaders of various opposition parties of the state.

A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notice, seeking response of the Union government, the Election Commission, and others on the question of constitutionality of Section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950.

"The constitutional challenge before this court merits scrutiny. Issue notice," the bench said.

It directed the Union and EC to file their response within three weeks and granted a period of two weeks thereafter for filing rejoinder.

"When delimitation has commenced, having due regard to the issuance of the draft proposal of June 2023, it would not be proper to interdict the process. Hence while reserving the constitutional challenge, we are not issuing any orders restraining the Election Commission to take any further steps," it added.

The plea, filed through advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi, challenged the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950 on the grounds that the same is arbitrary, opaque and discriminatory to the state of Assam.

Purportedly, the EC issued the delimitation proposal in exercise of its power under Section 8A, which prescribes the Election Commission as the authority to conduct delimitation in Assam and three northeastern states.

"Delimitation for the rest of the country has been carried out by a high-powered body headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge and such a commission was formed for Jammu & Kashmir as well. However, the provision of Section 8A discriminates against Assam and three northeastern States, for which the Election Commission has been prescribed as the authority to conduct delimitation," the plea stated.

The petition also questioned the methodology adopted by the EC by taking different average assembly size for different districts contending that population density has no role to play in the process of delimitation.

In its draft order issued on June 20 this year, the Election Commission proposed readjusting the extent of 126 Assembly and 14 Lok Sabha Constituencies in Assam. The delimitation proposal has sparked protests from nearly all of the opposition parties in the state. The petitioners included Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Assam Jatiya Parishad), Debabrata Saikia, Rokibul Hussain (both Congress), Akhil Gogoi (Raijor Dal), Manoranjan Talukdar (CPI-M), Ghanakanta Chutia (Trinamool Congress), Munin Mahanta (CPI), Diganta Konwar (Anchalik Gana Morcha), Mahendra Bhuyan (Nationalist Congress Party) and Swarna Hazarika (Rashtriya Janata Dal).

Reportedly, the draft delimitation proposal had sparked intense hostility in Karimganj, Goalpara, Hailakandi and Barpeta districts, which are heavily populated by minorities.
New Delhi, July 24 : Congress on Monday condemned the suspension of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanajay Singh from rest of Parliament's monsoon session.

Congress said that it is not for the first time that someone was walked to the well and urged the government to restore Singh's suspension.

"Sanjay Singh got up to speak. It is not the first time that someone has walked up to the Well (of the House) to protest. Many representatives go in the well to protest. There is freedom of speech in a democracy. If someone comes to Parliament to speak then he or she should get a chance," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said while addressing media persons.

He said that the intention of the government is to stifle the voices in one or the other.

"We want discussion as per rule but they are not ready. They must restore Singh's suspension so that the Manipur issue, which is a major issue, can be discussed. Manipur is not a small issue," the Congress President said.

He said that Manipur has witnessed mob-raping and mob-harassment.

"There is need for discussion on Manipur issue. The Prime Minister should say what action government is going to take. Why is he (Modi) not taking any action is beyond one's understanding," he said.

Sanjay Singh was suspended for rest of the monsoon session of Parliament for 'unruly' behaviour while raising the issue of Manipur violence.
Bhubaneswar, July 24 : Job aspirants staged a protest before the office of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) here on Monday over the leak of the question paper of the main written exam for junior engineer (civil) posts.

The OSSC had conducted the main written examination to fill 1008 JE (civil) Group-B posts in different offices of the Odisha government on July 16, 2023.

However, during an investigation into a fake job racket case registered in Sahadev Khuntia police station of Balasore district, the police came to know that the JE (civil) recruitment examination question paper was leaked prior to the test. Following this, the OSSC has cancelled the main written test conducted for the post and decided to conduct a fresh exam on September 3, 2023.

The irate JE (civil) job aspirants staged a protest before the OSSC office here and demanded strict action against all those including officials involved in the scam.

"We have first waited for nearly a year for the examination. Now, after completion of the primary examination, the question paper of the main exam was leaked. The exam got cancelled and a fresh date was announced. Who will ensure that the question paper will not be leaked again before the next examination date?" asked Kruti Dipta Nayak, a protesting job aspirant.

The prelim exam for the posts was held in June this year and over 5,000 students qualified for the main written test, which was conducted on July 16 last, he said.

The students alleged that the question paper could not be leaked without the involvement of officials of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission. So, all should be brought under the purview of the investigation, they demanded.

The names of the students, who got the question paper prior to the exam, should be published and they should be banned from the examination for three or four years, they demanded.

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP and Congress criticized the state government over the issue and demanded strong action against all those involved in the racket.

BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal asked how the question paper was leaked to the middlemen of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Questioning the role of the Odisha government in the question paper leak, the BJP leader demanded a SIT probe into the matter and that the OSSC officials involved in the scam should be brought under the purview of the investigation.

Odisha Congress president Sarat Pattanayak asked how the question paper was leaked when the BJD government made tall claims that transparency is maintained everywhere.

The Congress leader said the state government should stop playing with the future of students of the state and take strong action against the culprits.

Reacting on this issue, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said many such scams have been reported in the BJP ruled states, but no action has been taken. They are now politicising the issue when nine persons have already been arrested on the basis of the enquiry report of the government's agency, he added.

The Balasore police arrested nine persons in the fake job racket case while a hunt is on to nab the mastermind, who is from outside Odisha. The inter-state racket was mainly operating in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, MP and Delhi.

They were targeting jobseekers and posing as close acquaintances of officials in organisations conducting examinations. The fraudsters were charging each job aspirant around Rs 8 to Rs 10 lakh.

--IANS

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Patna, July 24 : In a suspected case of honour killing, a woman along with her two sons strangled her daughter to death in Bihar's Sitamarhi district.

The incident took place at Parsauni Madhwar village late on Sunday night.

According to the SHO of Parsauni police station, while the accused woman has been arrested, her two sons are on the run.

The victim allegedly had an affair with a youth from the same village, which her parents and two brothers did not approve of.

As she was firm on her decision to marry the youth, her mother and two brothers strangulated her to death.

After the murder, they even buried the dead body at a vacant plot, but a few villagers somehow felt that something was wrong and informed the local police.

"We have arrested the accused woman. Her two sons, who were also involved in the murder, are absconding and efforts are on to nab them at the earliest," the SHO said.

"Based on the confession of the accused, we have recovered the body from the place where she was buried," he added.
New York, July 24 : A speeding cop, who struck and killed a 23-year-old Indian student in January this year, has admitted in newly-released bodycam footage that he "f-ked up" after the tragic crash in Seattle.

Jaahnavi Kandula, a student of Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union, was walking near Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street when she was hit by a Seattle Police vehicle driven by Kevin Dave on January 23.

Dave, who was responding to a "high priority" call that day at 8 pm, had chirped his siren, but did not have it running consistently, as he plowed into Kandula, The New York Post reported.

Prosecutors, who released the footage, were weighing charges against Dave for his failure to deploy his siren to "warn others of the emergency nature of the situation," as required by police protocol.

"I fked up," Dave was heard saying after the accident at the intersection where he accelerated up to 74 miles per hour at one point, much higher than the prescribed limits of 25 and 20 mph respectively.

According to the footage, moments after reaching the top speed, he slowed down the car before striking Kandula at the intersection.

The bodycam video also showed Dave performing CPR on Kandula after the collision.

"Lights were on. I was chirping the sirensshe was in the crosswalk. She saw me, she started running through the crosswalk. Slammed on my breaks. Started staying back where she should before crossing," Dave can be heard in the video telling a responding officer, according to The Post.

"I can have a hundred minutes. I could havethere's nothing for me to do right now, but sit. And that is the fking worst thing thatyou just have to sit here. So many questions that are unanswered, so many questions," he can be heard saying in other bodycam footage.

Officials with the county prosecutor's office said a decision on possible charges will likely come by early August.

Just after the accident, Seattle Police Department spokesperson Detective Valerie Carson had said that "at this point in the investigation, we have no reason to believe the officer intended to hit that woman".

Carson, without naming Dave then, had further said that Kandula's death will not be investigated as a use of force case.

Kandula came to the US in 2021 and was pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems at the College of Engineering, Northeastern University.

Daughter of a single mother who earned less than $200 a month and had taken an education loan, Kandula was set to graduate this December.

The Seattle Police Department had expressed its "deepest condolences to Kandula's family, and called it "a terrible tragedy for everyone involved".
New Delhi, July 24 : Traffic Police on Monday informed that the traffic will remain closed on one lane of Vikas Marg, specifically the section from ITO towards Laxmi Nagar.

Traffic police officials said that the measure has been put in place to facilitate the ongoing work on the Yamuna river and will be in effect for a duration of four hours.

The Delhi Police took to Twitter to advise the commuters to consider this traffic closure while planning their journey.

"Traffic is affected in one lane on Vikas Marg in the carriageway from ITO towards Laxmi Nagar due to ongoing work on the Yamuna river. Due to this, the right turn has been closed from 5 p.m to 9 PM for commuters, coming from W point side. They may take U-turn from express cut for Laxmi Nagar. Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly," traffic cops said.
New Delhi, July 24 : A Delhi court on Monday extended Supertech Group Chairman R.K. Arora's judicial custody by 14 days in connection with a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Arora was produced before Special Judge Devender Kumar Jangala of Patiala House Courts on expiry of his 14-day judicial custody, and it extended his custody till August 7.

The probe agency had arrested Arora on June 27 after it recently attached properties worth Rs 40 crore belonging to him in this matter.

Appearing for the agency, special public prosecutor N.K. Matta had earlier apprised the court that the company and its directors had indulged in a criminal conspiracy to cheat people by collecting funds from prospective home buyers as advance against flats booked in real estate projects.

He had said the firm failed to adhere to the agreed obligation of providing possession of the flats on time and ended up defrauding the general public.

The money laundering case stems from a bunch of FIRs registered by the police in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It is alleged that money collected through real estate business was invested in several firms through money laundering, as the funds from the home buyers were later transferred to several accounts of firms involved in other businesses.

Arora couldn't provide satisfactory answers, which led to his arrest. About a month ago, the Dadri administration in Greater Noida had issued a notice against Arora and Supertech, asking them to repay a total of Rs 37 crore.

After the notice was served, Arora was detained at the local DM office, but was released later. According to sources, several FIRs have been filed against Arora and Supertech. They also took loans from banks, and their accounts reportedly turned into non-performing assets (NPAs).

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 24 : The Congress on Monday slammed the BJP government after both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned amid demand for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence saying that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is afraid of speaking inside the House.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Congress Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi said: "If you look at the actions of the BJP inside the Parliament over the last few days, it is clear that the Prime Minister is afraid of speaking inside the House."

"He (Modi) was scared to debate the issue inside Parliament. We have heard the ministers of the ruling party saying that they are ready for a discussion, we have said we are ready for a discussion. The only person who has not said anything inside Parliament is the Prime Minister," Gogoi said.

He said that it is absolutely clear that the Prime Minister has no intention of raising the issue of Manipur inside the Parliament.

Congress leader said that Modi will only know better, is it because of the gross mismanagement of his Central government and the state government, is it the guilt that he has failed the people of Manipur or is it that he simply has no answers as to why he is allowing the Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh to continue in his position.

He said that Modi has absolutely no answers and that's why as Congress Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil said -- at the beginning of Parliament, the Prime Minister said a few words to the media outside the Parliament and that's it.

"He has nothing more to say. Why is the Prime Minister so unwilling, so afraid to speak inside the Parliament? He can go to the United States and address a joint session of American policy makers in the US Congress or their version of Parliament, but he cannot speak inside our nation's Parliament. he can go to France and hug Emmanuel Macron, but he cannot go to Manipur and hug the victims of rape, hug the victims who have lost their family members," he said.

He also said that it is absolutely clear and especially from the statement today made by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the BJP is shielding the Prime Minister from speaking inside Parliament, they just want a symbolic discussion, a short duration discussion.

"They want to treat Manipur as an ordinary law and order issue, and they want to have a regular discussion under 193 or under separate rule in the Rajya Sabha where the chairman or the speaker can curtail the time and instead of having a broad-based discussion, instead of we the people of India asking the Prime Minister as to why he has not visited Manipur as to why he is allowing this government to continue, we will not be allowed to raise these questions to the Prime Minister or hear his answers," Gogoi added.

Meanwhile, after both the House were adjourned on Monday, speaking to media, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed the BJP for comparing the incidents of other states with Manipur.

Kharge said: "Why compare any other state with Manipur. There is no law and order there. For last 80 days such things are going on. They are doing this to hide their weakness, then why to take example of other states."

He also said that you have the right to speak there (in the states concerned), you have your people there. "We have the right to question here in the Parliament, so we are doing it," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha added.
New Delhi, July 24 : National security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday participated in the BRICS National Security Advisors' meeting in Johannesburg, where the issue of cybersecurity was discussed at length.

Doval highlighted the need for collective efforts to deal with challenges emanating from cybersecurity.

In addition to BRICS, the Friends of BRICS countries which participated in the meet were, Belarus, Burundi, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Cuba.

The Global South in particular needs to overcome limitations of resources. In this endeavour, India will always remain at the forefront working closely with the Global South, Doval further said.

Doval highlighted that the gravity of cyber risks will increase exponentially with the advent of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things.

He also focussed on the linkages between cyber criminals and terrorists including the use of cyberspace for financing, money laundering, radicalising, lone wolf attacks, recruitment and secured communications.

The NSA held several bilaterals with his counterparts from BRICS and Friends of BRICS countries.
Bengaluru, July 24 : The Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (K-RIDE) has prepared a new proposal of 452-km length to extend the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) to nearby cities and towns and has sought the approval of the Railways Ministry to conduct the pre-feasibility study, a state government statement said.

Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil said that the new proposal puts forth the plan to extend the BSRP network to Kolara, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Bangarapete, Hosuru, and Gauribidanur cities.

As per the proposal, the extension would be considered as Phase 2 and the total length is 452 km. It proposes extending the facility from Devanahalli to Kolar along Corridor 1 (107 km), Chikkabanavara to Tumkur via Dabaspet along Corridor 2 (55 km), Kengeri to Mysuru along Corridor 3 (125 km), and Whitefield to Bangarpete along Corridor 3 (45 km), Heelalige to Hosuru along Corridor 4 (23 km) and Rajanukunte to Gauribidhanuru via Doddaballapur along Corridor 4 (52 km).

Besides, it proposes a new 'Corridor 2A' from Chikkabanavara to Magadi (45 km).

The existing project of the BSRP has 4 corridors covering a length of 148.17 km. It comprises KSR Bengaluru City to Devanahalli (Corridor 1, 41.4 km), Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara (Corridor 2, 25.01 km), Kengeri to Whitefield (Corridor 3, 25.01 km), and Heelalige to Rajanukunte (Corridor 4, 46.25 km).

Patil had advised the officials of K-RIDE during the BSRP review meeting held in early June to prepare a revised proposal extending the BSRP to include the above-mentioned places. This would facilitate hassle-free commutes for the people and enable industrial development in the region, he had opined.

While seeking the approval of the Ministry it has been mentioned that the Commissioner, DULT (the nodal authority to regulate and coordinate urban mobility initiatives in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area) had also suggested K-RIDE to consider extending the current BSRP network from Heelalige to Chandapura, Kengeri to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda layout (BDA), Challaghatta and further suggested to start the process of preparing DPR for the extension of suburban rail to satellite towns.
Neo-Nazi supporter and Congressman Paul Gosar (RAZ) once again aligns himself with Hitler admirers. This time, as in yesterday, he linked from his House.gov newsletter to USSA News  a site that calls the Holocaust the "Holohoax" and has asked followers to "stand up for Hitler," according to MediaMatters.

Under his newsletter's "Other Must-Read Stories," Gosar wrote "USSA News: Biden White House Out To 'Censor' Press, 'Silence' Opponents, Lawmakers Charge" and directed people to the antisemitic site. This comes three months after linking to an article in another Holocaust-denying site, Veterans Today, that used the phrase "Jewish Warmongers" in its title. It also follows (among many other examples of his racist leanings) Gosar's fundraiser with Hitler-praising, white nationalist Nick Fuentes two years ago, not to mention his participation  along with Marjorie Taylor Greene  in Fuentes' America First event.

From Media Matters:
Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 : Six days after the demise of one of the tallest Kerala politicians Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday paid glowing tributes to the veteran Congress leader and his predecessor in office.

He was speaking at the memorial meeting organised by the state Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee here, with whoas who of Kerala and people from all walks of life in attendance.

Vijayan, who succeeded Chandy as Chief Minister in 2016 and recalling their association, said that way back in 1970, the Kerala Assembly saw a good number of new faces and it included Chandy and him.

"Even though I was in the Assembly on and off, Chandyas record of representing Puthupally from 1970 for 53 years is an all time record. He rose to the pinnacle in the Congress in Kerala from a student leader and held practically all positions and he has done justice to the posts he held," he said.

"He was undoubtedly the tallest leader and hence the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) will take a while to fill the void of Chandy," Vijayan said.

"After a while he contracted his ailment, we happened to meet at a public function and we spoke for a brief while and when I asked him, he said everything is due to the doctor who treated him. Later, I called up the doctor and he told me, 'I am not sure if he (Chandy) will be following all what has been told to him, as he just cannot take rest, as he is always in his work'," he added.

State Congress President K. Sudhakaran said the send off that Chandy got when his hearse moved from here to his home town Puthupally which is 158 km away demonstrates how people viewed and treated him.

"A normal journey by road takes around 3.5 hours but his final journey took 38 hours showing what Chandy was to the people of Kerala. He proved to be the most humane politician and that was repaid back by the people who came to bid good bye, a never ever before seen event in Kerala. He has now become a legend in Kerala and will always be in the memory of people," he said.
Guwahati, July 24 : Five security personnel were injured during a mob attack at the office of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in Tura on Monday night, police sources said.

The Chief Minister is not hurt and could not immediately get out of the office as many people had encircled the compound and blocked the entry/exit routes. Later, the protesters were dispersed from there and the police imposed night curfew, an officer at the Chief Ministeras Office said.

Civil society organizations from the Garo Hills have been on hunger strike for the last few days demanding that Tura town become the winter capital of the state. They have been also demanding a retrospective roaster system in the state.

Sangma on Monday evening was holding a meeting with some of the protesters in his office in Tura when others began hurling stones.

In the attack, five security personnel sustained injuries. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that although the situation is under control, it is still tense.

Sangma expressed shock over the attack. He has also announced Rs. 50,000 ex-gratia for the injured personnel.

An officer at the CMO told IANS that "the crowd has been dispersed, but the Chief Minister is still at the office taking stock of the situation".

According to sources, Sangma had been speaking with the civil society groups about the issue for more than three hours when a crowd -- apparently not a part of the groups --gathered outside the Chief Minister's office and began hurling stones. Police used tear gas to disperse the mob.

--IANS

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Jaipur, July 24 : The controversial 'red diary' has taken the state Rajasthan by storm with everyone curious to know what details the 'diary' carries.

The sacked Congress minister Rajendra Gudha is at the centre of the controversy who said he is in possession of a 'red diary' which he alleges carry murky deals of the Ashok Gehlot government.

Gudha said that he got the diary from veteran leader Dharmendra Rathore residence following a 'special request' by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot after the central investigating agencies -- IT and ED -- teams were conducting raid in Rajasthan.

Gudha has claimed that the 'diary' carries all those 'secrets' which can create troubles for the Gehlot govt.

After the Congress minister was dropped from the Ashok Gehlot cabinet he had announced that he will spill the beans about the alleged 'red diary'. After Gudha reached the Legislative Assembly on Monday morning, there was a lot of ruckus. First, he was not allowed to enter the assembly, but when he reached entered the house, he showed the 'diary' to the speaker.

As he started waving the 'diary', the Speaker C.P Joshi ordered marshals to take Gudha out of the house.

After being marshaled out, Gudha accused the ministers of beating him.

"The diary was in my possession, they beat me and took away the diary. I was attacked by 25-50 people. They ruthless beat me," Gudha told media men outside the assembly.

He said that they were not marshals but Congress ministers who dragged him out.

"Gehlot Sahab, you did snatch half of the diary from me via hooliganism however I still have more. Inside this part is a record of all your transactions that you have given to the legislators.

"It has all records of black money which you gave to MLAs during the Rajya Sabha elections. I will reveal to whom you gave money," he said.

Gudha also had a tussle with state minister Shanti Dhariwal after he attempted to snatch his mike. There was a scuffle between the two but MLA Rafiq Khan intervened. Soon after, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings of the House.

After the house was adjourned, Gudha told reporters gathered outside the Assembly building that he wanted to talk about 'red diary' which the Speaker did not allow.

"Shanti Dhariwal stood to speak and I went to him and told him that I want to give a statement but Congress MLAs pushed me to the ground and overpowered me. Some of them including Shanti Dhariwal kicked me and snatched the diary from me. However, some part of the diary is still with me," he said.

Gudha said that he will reveal the 'secrets' of the 'red diary' to the people on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Gudha also claimed that he had saved Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot from trouble but was removed without being given an opportunity to explain himself.

"Had I not been there, the Chief Minister would have been in jail," he claimed.

Before the House started in the morning, Gudha told reporters that he would read out 'red diary' inside the assembly.

A communique from Raj Bhavan on Friday night said that Governor Kalraj Mishra had accepted a recommendation of Gehlot to dismiss Gudha with immediate effect.

Gudha held the charge as Minister of State for Soldiers' Welfare (independent), Home Guard and Civil Defence, and Panchayati Raj and Rural Development.

Gudha had said during the debate on the Bill on minimum guaranteed income that the Congress government should pay attention to provide security to women in Rajasthan. "Instead of raising the issue of Manipur, we should introspect on our own performance," he said. Soon after, he was sacked from the Gehlot cabinet.

Elected from Jhunjhunu district's Udaipurwati constituency in 2018, Gudha was among the six Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs who had merged with the ruling Congress in 2019. The six legislators supported Gehlot during the political crisis in 2020 caused by Pilot's rebellion and voted for the Congress candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections held in June 2022.

Gudha was appointed the Minister of State during the Cabinet reshuffle in November 2021, while three other turncoats were accommodated in different Boards and Commissions. The remaining two were appointed as heads of other State bodies in August 2022.

Gudha had several times spoken against the State government on the administrative issues and the corruption allegedly rampant in the official machinery. On the conclusion of Sachin Pilot's Jan Sangharsh Yatra from Ajmer to Jaipur in May this year, Gudha addressed the rally and said some senior Congress leaders had broken all records of corruption, which would affect the party's prospects in the upcoming Assembly election.

Gudha in fact had been a turncoat, he contested from BSP ticket, then joined Congress and supported Ashok Gehlot, later joined Sachin pilot camp and off recently, he had met Owaisi and after his meeting, he openly said that "We had an elaborate discussion on politics. If two politicians meet, they will not discuss weather but will definitely speak on politics."

He is a Rajput leader and has been a mass leader in Udaipurwati. Karni Sena in fact protested his sacking and even burnt Gehlot's effigy.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party's state president Bhagwan Singh Baba on Saturday made it clear that his party will not take him back or give an election ticket to him for the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan.

Baba said Gudha had betrayed the party twice, once in 2008 and then in 2019 by joining the Congress.

Baba said that as per party chief Mayawati's directions, election tickets will not be given to any of the six BSP MLAs who defected to Congress in 2019. Gudha, who was the Minister of State (MoS) in-charge of Sainik Kalyan, Home Guard And Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development had criticised his own government over the crimes against women in the state.

"We will not take him (Gudha) under any circumstances. BSP gave him an election ticket in 2008 as well. However, the Congress bought all our six MLAs, luring them with posts and money. In 2013, Gudha contested on Congress ticket and lost the election. Later, when he realised his mistake and requested the party to take him back, the party gave him a ticket again (for the assembly elections in 2018). But he betrayed the party again."

In 2008, Gudha, who won the Udaipurwati seat on a BSP ticket, defected to the Congress, along with five other BSP MLAs. He was made the Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism by Gehlot, who was Chief Minister then. However, in 2013, he lost the Udaipurwati seat on a Congress ticket. He won the seat back on a BSP ticket in 2018 and defected to the Congress, along with five other BSP MLAs, in 2019.
Bhubaneswar, July 24 : President Droupadi Murmu will make a three-day official visit to her home state Odisha from Tuesday (July 25).

During her stay in Odisha, Murmu is scheduled to attend several programmes in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

In the evening of July 25, the President will interact with a group of medical students sponsored by Atut-Bandhan family and lay the foundation stone for a new building block of Raj Bhavan, Odisha at Bhubaneswar, Presidentas office said in a Press statement on Monday.

On the next day, the President will grace the valedictory function of 75th year celebrations of the High Court of Orissa at Cuttack. On the same day, she will also address the annual function of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack and grace the convocation of National Law University Odisha at Cuttack, it said.

She will interact with the members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) at Raj Bhavan on July 27. On the same day, she will launch this yearas theme of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya 'The Year of Positive Change' for conducting nationwide seminar and conferences and lay the foundation stone for its Lighthouse Complex at Dasabatia, Tamando, Bhubaneswar.

Commissionerate police made tight security arrangements in the twin cities for the visit of the first citizen of India. The final rehearsal of the Presidentas carcade was conducted from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to Raj Bhawan here on Monday.

Security arrangements have been made and reviewed at all venues. A total of 36 platoons of police force, including 12 additional DCPs, 25 ACPs, 40 inspectors, and 120 SIs and ASIs will be deployed during the Presidentas visit to the state, said Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh.

In addition, three quick response teams and two special tactical units will be deployed. For smooth traffic movement, 160 traffic personnel and 150 home guards will be deployed during the President's visit, he said.

Meanwhile, roads from the Bhubaneswar airport to Raj Bhawan have been cleaned, street lights repaired, dividers freshly painted, and unwarranted banners and hoardings removed from the roadside.
Gurugram, July 24 : Three persons, including a wanted criminal with a bounty of Rs 10,000, have been arrested for allegedly killing a man, the Gurugram Police said on Monday.

The suspects have been identified as Rohit aka Akki, who carried a reward of Rs 10,000, Amit and Vishal alias Sunnat.

The police had earlier arrested the key accused in the case, Ajay alias Ajju, and his three companions.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that Gyanender, the victim, had an enmity with Ajay's friend Bharat and he (Gyanender) had fired several rounds outside the latter's house.

The accused developed enmity after the incident and hatched a plan along with his accomplices and killed Gyanendar on April 13 with hammers and iron rods.

"The arrested accused had even made a video of the incident which they uploaded on social media. Ajay and Amit were nabbed from Gurugram on Sunday, while Vishal was arrested from Faridabad on Monday," said Varun Dahiya, ACP (crime).

The accused disclosed that they were hiding in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to avoid arrest.

Two pistols, four live cartridges, and two mobile phones were recovered from the possession of the accused, the police said.

On April 13, Gyanender had come from Palwal to a farmhouse in Lakhuwas village in Sohna with his friends, where around a dozen people surrounded him and beat him with hammers and iron rods.

The villagers took Gyanender to the hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

Based on a complaint filed by the deceased's cousin brother, a case of murder was registered at the Sohna City police station.
Bengaluru, July 24 : Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday said that a high alert has been issued for the week ahead in the state amid prospects of heavy rains and the District Collectors have been asked to be in a state of preparedness, he said Addressing reporters in Vidhana Soudha after chairing a meeting with top officials, Byre Gowda said that 27 persons have lost their lives due to tragedies occurring against the backdrop of heavy rains. Now, there is heavy rainfall ahead and one relief camp has been opened in Dakshina Kannada and three in Uttara Kannada district.

Among the 27 dead, eight died due to lightning strikes, and many of the others drowned in overflowing river and streams. He further stated that he will tour the state to assess the situation due to rainfall.

"We are in constant touch with all district authorities and getting information on the rainfall. They (officials) need to be on high alert mode in the coming week. Monsoon rains are going to lash the state heavily in the coming days. The coastal and Belagavi regions are going to receive heavy rains. The north Karnataka districts of Bidar, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi will also receive additional rainfall," he said.

"I have spoken to the DCs and directed them to take up the work carefully as the rains are going to lash the state heavily. The water is flowing above 12 bridges in the state and directions have been given to be watchful about water logging in residential areas," he said.

Byre Gowda said that the state is receiving rains for a week, and the Monsoon rains, though coming late, have the state lashed heavily. There was a 56 per cent shortage of rainfall in June, but after heavy rains last week, the shortage has come down to 14 per cent.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rains in July. However, there is a shortage of rainfall in surrounding regions of Bengaluru. Districts such as Mysuru, Kolar, Ramanagar, Chikkaballapura, Mandya, and Chamarajanagara are facing shortage of rainfall. The dams and reservoirs of the state are having 40 per water storage. In the last seven days, 144 tmc of water has been stored. On Sunday, 40 tmc water is stored, he added.
New Delhi, July 24 : The government said on Monday that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has received applications from lessors for de-registration of 54 aircraft leased to Go First, adding that processing of the applications by the DGCA is subject to the outcome of the cases lying before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and Delhi High Court.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh, said that Go First has submitted its resumption plan to DGCA for operating 150 flights daily with 26 aircraft.

"The DGCA has been closely monitoring the situation since the announcement made by Go First on May 2 to cancel its flights and its application for insolvency filed under Section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

"In the wake of suspension of operations by Go First, airlines have been advised to self-regulate the air fares and maintain reasonable price levels and also to introduce new flights on the sectors that had a substantial number of Go First flights," the minister said.

Singh added in his reply that a total number of 358 leased aircraft have been removed from the civil aircraft registry since January 2018 till date.

The minister was replying to a query raised by BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi, who asked whether it is a fact that aircraft lessors of Go First have filed applications with the DGCA seeking de-registration and repossession of 20 planes leased to Wadia Group and the action taken so far.

Sushil Modi's question read: "Number of leased planes de-registered and repossessed by lessors in the last five years, year-wise and company-wise. Whether Go First has submitted any plan to start its operation with a number of aircraft and daily flights and steps taken by the government to tackle the situation created by closure of Go First airlines."

Replying to another question on the share of different airlines and number of passengers carried by each in the last six months, month-wise and airline-wise, Singh said that a total number of 7,61,03,790 passengers in scheduled domestic operations and 1,36,32,621 passengers in scheduled international operations have been carried in the last six months.
Imphal/Silchar : , July 24 (IANS) Exodus of Meitei community people from Mizoram continued on Monday in wake of an "advisory" by former militants in the state even as the Mizoram government has assured their safety and security.

Around 2,000 Meitei families from Manipur and Assam have been living in various places of Mizoram, including Aizawl, for many years and are engaged in various government and nongovernment works, studies, and business.

Officials said that around 200 people, including women and children, left Mizoram on Sunday and Monday by road and took shelter in Cachar district of southern Assam. Cachar district officials said that these Meitei community people, comprising government employees and small traders, are seeking security from the Manipur government to go to their home state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the officials to provide relief and shelter to these people.

Some Meitei community people directly went to Manipur on a flight from Aizawl.

The exodus of Meitei community people began on Saturday after an organisation of former militants, the Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) issued an "advisory" on Friday for the Meiteis living in the state.

Sources in Imphal said that 56 people of Meitei community arrived in Manipur capital on a flight from Aizawl on Saturday. These people, mostly teachers of different institutes, including Mizoram University, and students of paramedical, veterinary and nursing colleges, left Aizawl on their own. Many other Meitei community people left Mizoram by road for southern Assam on Sunday.

Asked by IANS, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that there is no plan yet to evacuate the Meitei community people from Mizoram.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Inspector General of Police has asked the Commandants of the three Mizoram Armed Police battalions to strengthen the security of the Meitei people living in Mizoram.

The Mizoram government, in a statement, said that it has been closely following the developments in Manipur in the wake of the ethnic conflict which has engulfed the neighbouring state since May 3.

In view of the press release issued by the PAMRA which was construed and reported in some sections of the press as a diktat to leave Mizoram, state Home Commissioner, H. Lalengmawia held a meeting with representatives of PAMRA.

In the meeting, PAMRA representatives clarified that the press release that was issued by them was an advisory requesting Meiteis living in Mizoram to exercise caution in the light of public sentiments regarding the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur and was not a diktat or a quit notice to Meiteis, the statement said.

The Home Commissioner also met the representatives of All Mizoram Manipuri Association, assured them of their safety and security and not be misguided by rumours, and also persuaded them to inform their fellow Meiteis - both government employees and students - not to leave the state due to the misinterpretation of the PAMRA press statement.

So far no incident of violence or untoward incident has been reported involving the Meitei community people in Mizoram. Biren Singh, in telephonic conversations with his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga last month, asked him to provide adequate security to the Meitei community people in Mizoram and he assured Singh that his government would take all possible steps for the security of the Meitei community people in Mizoram.

--IANS

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Guwahati, July 24 : Reacting to the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent's (ULFA-I) threats, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) G.P. Singh said on Monday that he had previously encountered many such similar threats from other terrorist outfits.

Singh told reporters, "I have received these types of threats from different terror groups during the course of my career, which has spanned 15-20 years, and it is not only limited to Assam. Since the government pays us for the tasks it gives us to complete, I don't think the threats have any real meaning."

"The Chief Minister is working for Assam's development, and if any group is attempting to obstruct the process through extortion and demands, whether real or fake, I will not permit anything of the sort to take place in the state," the top cop said, adding: "I am absolutely clear about this. The police will do all it takes to stop anything that is impeding development. The perpetrators will be chased with extreme vigour."

After one person was shot in the leg and some others were arrested on charges of demanding extortion money in the name of ULFA-I, the banned militant outfit on Monday had threatened the Assam DGP to stop doing 'fake' encounters or else 'leave the state'.

The police on Sunday had arrested one person identified as Hem Chutia from the Khowang locality in Dibrugarh district for allegedly extorting money in the name of ULFA-I.

However, according to the police, following his arrest he tried to escape from custody for which the police shot him in the leg.
New Delhi, July 24 : A five-member delegation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre), which is on a six-day visit to India, met BJP President J.P. Nadda here on Monday.

The delegation-led by Pampha Bhusal, vice-chairperson of the CPN (Maoist-Centre), discussed further strengthening of the age-old ties between India and Nepal during the meeting with Nadda at the party headquarters here, as per a statement issued by the BJP.

The delegates appreciated the various programmes and initiatives of the BJP, it said.

The BJP chief elaborated on the party's organisational structure and its grass-roots activities, the statement said.

Nadda has expressed hope that Nepal will charter the rapid path of development and the Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will extend full cooperation through its 'neighbourhood first' policy, it said.

Meanwhile, the BJP said in a tweet, "Had an engaging discussion with the delegates from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) at the BJP HQ as part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. This is in continuation of our party's outreach to the global community and sharing with them our party's ideology and initiatives."
Michele Lundgren, a 73-year-old Trump fanatic from Michigan who was arrested on 8 charges of forgery for her role as a fake elector in the 2020 election, says she never signed the fake electoral certification document falsely declaring Trump to be the winner.

Lundgren, who could spend 12 years in prison if found guilty, said the only thing she signed when asked to come to the Michigan Republican Party headquarters in Lansing in December 2020 was a sign-up sheet on a notecard, reports Newsweek. She claims her signature was then copied without her permission onto the federal certification document.

"I was an innocent little bystander in this whole thing thinking I was doing my civic duty, "she told WDIV, "We were duped. The scam was bigger than all of us."

Last week, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel brought felony charges against 16 Republicans whose signatures appear on the document. In a statement, she said, "The false electors' actions undermined the public's faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan."

"These defendants are alleged to have met covertly in the basement of the Michigan Republican Party headquarters on December 14th, and signed their names to multiple certificates stating they were the 'duly elected and qualified electors for President and Vice President of the United States of America for the State of Michigan.' These false documents were then transmitted to the United States Senate and National Archives in a coordinated effort to award the state's electoral votes to the candidate of their choosing, in place of the candidates actually elected by the people of Michigan."
Aizawl/Imphal, July 24 : Ahead of Tuesday's 'Solidarity March' to be organised by the NGOs Coordination Committee (NCC) in Aizawl in support of the Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur, security measures have been significantly strengthened in Mizoram to ensure the procession remained incident free and without any communal flare-up.

Officials said that Mizoram Director General of Police Anil Shukla held a security review meeting with senior police officers late on Monday evening and meticulously assessed the security arrangements and deployments of additional forces.

After the meeting, Mizoram Police tweeted: "The present situation and all the measures taken to ensure the safety and security of Manipuri and Meitei community people in various parts of Mizoram were also thoroughly reviewed".

Officials said that the DGP has issued clear directives to ensure proper deployment, patrolling, and vigilance across all districts, with special focus on vulnerable areas, to prevent any untoward incidents.

Emphasising the need for an adequate number of reserve forces, along with vehicles and officers, he stressed on the significance of prompt deployment and response in case of any untoward incidents within their designated areas.

"The Mizoram Police, in close collaboration with administrative officials, is maintaining a vigilant watch on the situation. Our senior police officers and all personnel on the ground are diligently working to ensure the safety and security of the Manipuri and Meitei people residing in various parts of Mizoram," an official statement said.

The NGOs Coordination Committee comprising major civil society organisations in Mizoram, including the Young Mizo Association (YMA), the Mizoram Upa (senior citizens) Pawl, the Mizo Hmeichhe (women) Insuihkhawm Pawl, and two prominent students' organisations - the Mizo Zirlai Pawl and the Mizo Students' Union, would organise a 'Solidarity March' in support of the Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur.

Meanwhile, YMA General Secretary Lalnuntluanga issued a statement appealing to the Meitei community people residing in Aizawl and other parts of Mizoram not to worry but to maintain a sense of serenity in light of Tuesday's Solidarity March.

"The 'Solidarity March' aims to express support for our brothers and sisters in Manipur.

The YMA also urges the Manipur government to take necessary measures to ensure their well-being and security," the statement said.

Meanwhile, after the issuance of an "advisory" by the Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) last week, around 280 Meitei community people in Mizoram left the state for Manipur. Around 2,000 non-tribal Meitei families from Manipur and Assam have been living in various places of Mizoram, including Aizawl, for many years and are engaged in various government and nongovernment works, studies, and business. --
Visakhapatnam, July 24 : A POCSO court here on Monday rejected the bail petition of godman Swami Poornananda, who was last month arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl at his ashram here for more than two years.

The court ruled that since there is strong evidence against the seer, he canat be granted bail.

The accused was identified by the victim thrice in an identification parade held in the first week of July. Forensic report also established that two minors were sexually assaulted.

Police had arrested the 63-year-old godman on June 19 after a 15-year-old orphan girl lodged a complaint that the swami sexually assaulted her by confining her at his ashram.

The victim was also physically tortured for over two years at Swami Gnanananda Ashram which he runs at Venkojipalem.

The girl from Rajamahendravaram had lost her parents at an early age. Her relatives had sent her to the ashram meant for the aged and poor children. She alleged that the swami used to take her to his bedroom every night and rape her. For the last one year, the victim was chained in the bedroom. The victim managed to escape from the ashram with the help of a servant on June 13.

A woman took the girl to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), where she revealed how the swami sexually and physically assaulted her at the ashram. The swami, however, alleged that some people were trying to grab the ashram land and as part of the conspiracy allegations were made against him.

He was accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl at the ashram in 2012. He was arrested by the police but was later released on bail.
New Delhi, July 25 : The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Monday sent a letter to Manipur's Director General of Police, expressing concern regarding the disclosure of the identity of a minor, allegedly involved as a perpetrator in a recent incident in Manipur, along with three other persons.

It urgently requested the DGP to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and promptly lodge a FIR against the accused perpetrators.

Additionally, the NCPCR asked the DGP to provide an Action Taken Report along with a copy of the FIR to the Commission within three days from the date of receiving the letter.

It emphasised the need to handle the case with sensitivity and protect the rights and privacy of the minor boy involved.

"The Commission is in receipt of complaint pertaining to disclosing of the identity of a minor boy aged 14 year by three individuals - namely, Tarun Bharatiya from Motinagar Shillong, Meghalaya, Subhashini Ali, a Member of Communist Party of India-Marxist and Kamaludeen Muscthacudin alias Kamaludeen M, from Tamil Nadu alleging the said minor boy as perpetrator in the recent incident of Manipur," the letter read.

"Further, it has been informed to the Commission that these individuals were involved and can be seen in the recent video of the horrenduous incident from Manipur. Furthermore, it has been also informed to the Commission that the dissemination of pictures of the minor has caused mental trauma and in the state of shock," the letter further read.

"Keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter and alleging the minor boy as perpetrator is a matter of concern in view of the safety and security of the minor, and therefore, prime facie it appears to be violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, 1950, Section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, Section 66E of Information Technology Act, 2000 and other relevant provisions of law," it said.

"It is, therefore, requested to investigate the matter urgently in order to lodge an FIR against the said perpetrators at once and an Action Taken Report along with copy of FIR may please be submitted to the Commission within three days of receipt of this letter," the NCPCR added.

--IANS

ssh/vd
New Delhi, July 25 : Amidst the continuing tussle between the government and the Opposition, the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

The meeting is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. before the commencement of Parliament proceedings.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give important instructions to the party MPs regarding the strategy for the remaining days of the ongoing monsoon session and communication with the public after the session.

Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President J.P. Nadda and all Union Ministers, party MPs from both the Houses -- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha -- will be present in the meeting.

The ongoing deadlock in Parliament and counter-strategy to retaliate against the attacks of Opposition parties can also be discussed in the meeting.
New Delhi, July 25 : The Delhi High Court on Monday asked a trial court to decide, within a month, a fresh bail plea by 2020 riots accused Shahrukh Pathan in a case related to rioting and causing injuries to police personnel including Rohit Shukla by an armed mob during the violence.

Appearing for Pathan, advocate Khalid Akhtar said that the fresh bail plea was necessitated as there was change in circumstances.

The court was informed that certain important prosecution witnesses were examined after Pathan's earlier bail application was dismissed. The accused's pending bail application was sought to be withdrawn from the high court.

A bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma was informed by Akhtar that his bail plea was pending before the high court since January 2022, and urged the high court to direct the trial court to hear and expeditiously decide Pathan's bail petition.

The high court allowed the accused to withdraw the plea and said: "This court requests the trial court to dispose of the bail application within one month."

Meanwhile, the prosecutor, opposing the bail plea, said:"The conduct (in jail) of the accused is crystal clear. A mobile phone was recovered from his cell. He attacked the assistant superintendent of jail. He absconded himself after the crime and was later arrested on March 3, 2020."

A trial court had dismissed Pathan's bail in December 2021, observing that the CCTV footage of a nearby camera showed his presence in the riotous mob. Charges have already been framed against Pathan in the matter, and he had moved the high court in January last year seeking bail.

Earlier, the high court was informed by Pathan that there is no role attributed to him and that the "entire case is a farce". Even though there are four more accused in the case, the petitioner is the only one not named in the FIR or identified by anyone and yet he is behind bars whereas others have been released on bail, Pathan's counsel had told the court.

"The bail application and arguments on the charges were heard together. Bail was rejected on the ground that he (Pathan) is accused in another case, that he could be a flight risk and that there were contradictions in his statements which are the subject matter of trial. There are total five accused persons in the FIR. I am the only person who is neither named nor identified while all others were named and identified. Their addresses were also disclosed by the victim and yet all of them have been granted bail and I am the only one behind bars. This entire case is a farce," Akhtar had submitted on behalf of his client.

Counsel had also apprised the court that the bail application has been pending for 15 months now, and that his client is lodged in jail for three years and one month.

"No role is attributed to me. It is not their case that I shot the victim. Examination of the main victim is complete. That is full of contradiction. There is nothing," he had submitted.

Justice Sharma had then directed the special public prosecutor for Delhi Police to file a chart indicating the role of the accused persons, including Pathan, and the evidence attributed against them.

Earlier in February, Pathan had informed the high court that the conclusion of the trial has been delayed for a long and that for more than a year now, only two witnesses have been examined out of 40.

Akhtar had submitted: "There is a huge delay in the conclusion of the trial. Only two witnesses have been examined so far out of about 40. I have been attacked in jail too."

Simultaneously, Pathan is facing charges in another case in connection with pointing a pistol at a policeman.
New Delhi, July 24 : Amid criticism from the Opposition parties over the current crisis in the state, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Monday that his government is taking measures to restore peace in the northeastern state at the earliest.

"We are working on different initiatives, both officially and unofficially, to restore peace in Manipur. Confidence building measures are ongoing with the help of religious leaders, traders' community and civil societies," Singh told IANS in response to a query on the initiatives taken by his government to restore peace in the strife-torn state.

Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3, and since then scores of people have lost their lives while thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.

Singh, who has been blamed by the Congress and other Opposition parties for the prevailing situation in Manipur, said, "We are indulging in a dialogue process. We are hopeful of restoring peace at the earliest."

"Illegal migrants trickling into the state is the real reason behind this situation.It all started when the Manipur government officially started taking biometrics of the illegal immigrants in Manipur," the Chief Minister told IANS.

He said, "This was done on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs and was supposed to be completed by September. This is what triggered the crisis. Traditionally, all the Kukis and Meiteis and everyone else live peacefully in the state."

"The Government of India is aware of the ground realities in Manipur. On May 29, the MHA wrote to the Manipur government, instructing to continue capturing biometrics of the illegal immigrants. Meaning, this issue is not made up by the Manipur government nor there is any agenda of hatred towards the Kuki community.This move was solely directed towards controlling the influx," Singh said.

It is also natural to see the influx as there is a war going on in Myanmar, he asserted.

Asked about the ghastly incident of two women being stripped and paraded on May 4 in Thoubal district, the video of which had gone viral on social media, the Chief Minister said, "It felt very bad seeing the video. We took action within 24 hours after the video surfaced."

Manipur Police have arrested six persons so far in connection with the horrific incident.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday slammed the Opposition parties after both Houses of the Parliament were adjourned for the day over the Manipur issue, accusing them of running away from discussion in the matter.
Imphal, July 25 : As many as 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children and 208 women, have entered into Manipur's Chandel district due to the ongoing clashes between the Army and the civil forces in the country, an official said on Monday.

The state government has asked the Assam Rifles to push back the Myanmar nationals, Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi said in a statement, adding that the government has sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles to clarify on the facts and reasons, as to why and how these 718 Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter into India in Chandel district without proper travel documents.

"The state government has strictly advised the Assam Rifles to push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals immediately," the Chief Secretary said.

He said that the Myanmar nationals entered Manipur on Saturday and Sunday and are now staying in seven locations of the district -- Lajang, Bonse, New Samtal, New Lajang, Yangnomphai, Yangnomphai Saw Mill, and Aivomjang, all villages along the Myanmar border.

Joshi further said that the state government has told the Assam Rifles, being a border guarding force, to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur on any ground without valid visa and travel documents as per instruction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

"The state government views the fresh illegal entry of 718 refugees very seriously with utmost sensitivity as the same may have international ramifications more particularly in view of the ongoing law and order issues," he said.

The Chief Secretary has asked the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Chandel district to deal with the situation effectively and also keep biometrics and photographs of all such persons.

Meanwhile, after the military takeover in Myanmar in February 2021, thousands of Myanmarese fled to Mizoram with around 35,000 men, women and children from that country now staying in the mountainous state. Around 5,000 Myanmarese also earlier took shelter in Manipur.

Manipur has around 400 km and Mizoram has 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar.
New Delhi, July 25 : The water level in the Yamuna River in Delhi, after crossing the danger level, has also crossed the evacuation level by reaching 206.04 metres.

On Sunday, the level had crossed the danger mark, reaching 205.90 metres, which was around 57 centimeters above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

At around 9 p.m. on Monday, the water level was recorded at 206.04 meters.

The Delhi government said that till Monday, they evacuated 27,389 persons out of which 15,756 were living in relief camps. Officials said that this happened as a result of the continuous release of a large amount of water from the Hathini Kund Barrage in Haryana and it was predicted that the water level of the Yamuna would reach up to 206.70 metres on Saturday.

A continuous discharge of over one lakh cubic meters of water per second is being released from the Hathini Kund Barrage. On Saturday, even more water, exceeding two lakh cubic meters per second, was released.

The Delhi government had said on Saturday that Delhi was on high alert as the Yamuna River continued to rise due to the discharge of more than 2 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund Barrage. It had said that Yamuna Khadar could face flooding in case the water level rises to 206.7 metres.
Blackstone Publishing has partnered with Rising Action Publishing in a distribution deal. Under the agreement, Blackstone will distribute World English versions of Rising Actions complete library of paperbacks and ebooks, including titles by Marie Still, Kristen Van Nest, and Maggie Giles.

We are delighted to be partnering with Rising Action Publishing to extend the reach of their amazing catalog of titles and accomplished authors in North America. Their vision and commitment to publishing diverse content by gifted writers, impeccably aligns with our own cherished collection, enriching our shared vision for the literary landscape. says Greg Boguslawski, Executive Vice President of Blackstone.

This partnership marks the exciting start to a collaboration that will see Blackstone distributing Rising Action for the foreseeable future. Blackstone Publishing, an independent and privately owned publisher with offices on both coasts, boasts a distinguished list of titles by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ayn Rand, Ian Fleming, George Orwell, Robert Heinlein, James Clavell, as well as more contemporary authors like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Karin Slaughter, Don Winslow, Robert Downey Jr., Jeneva Rose, Norman Reedus, and many more.

This is such an incredible opportunity not only for Rising Action but also our authors under our imprint, says Alexandria Brown, CEO of Rising Action. We are humbled to have Blackstone champion our books for us in the North American market.

Blackstone Publishing and Rising Action Publishing are thrilled for the future of this collaboration.

About Blackstone Publishing

Blackstone has firmly positioned itself as one of America's fastest-growing and respected publishing houses with multiple New York Times bestsellers, Grammy Awardwinning audio productions, and books placed on the New York Times Best Books of the Year list. Founded in 1987 in Southern Oregon, Blackstone is home to a vibrant and eclectic community of storytellers and story lovers.

About Rising Action Publishing Collective

Rising Action Publishing is an independent publishing house committed to diverse stories. As an independent Canadian publisher corporation that hosts a wide range of authors in Womens Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, and Thrillers. Founded in 2020 by Tina S. Beier and Alexandria Brown, Rising Action is committed to curating a collection of unputdownable page-turners across many genres, delivering emotion-filled delight.
"We are grateful for our continued partnership with a supportive group of diverse institutional investors and are excited to welcome our new investors, commented Lewis Schoenwetter, Managing Partner of CenterGate.

CenterGate Capital ("CenterGate"), an Austin, Texas-based lower middle market private equity firm, is pleased to announce the final closing of CenterGate Capital Partners II ("Fund II" or the "Fund"), with over $375 million of capital. Fund II experienced strong investor demand and exceeded its target.

"We are grateful for our continued partnership with a supportive group of diverse institutional investors and are excited to welcome our new investors, commented Lewis Schoenwetter, Managing Partner of CenterGate.

We believe Fund II drew strong interest from investors as a result of our consistent investing approach, the quality of the CenterGate team, and our success in creating value, added Tiffany Kosch, Managing Partner of CenterGate. With Fund II, we will continue our focus on control investments that transform lower middle market companies in North America.

CenterGate secured commitments for Fund II from a diversified investor base comprised of leading pension funds, endowments, foundations, family offices, asset management firms, and financial institutions. Since inception, CenterGate has completed twelve platform investments, eighteen add-on acquisitions, and has grown to a team of over twenty people.

About CenterGate Capital

CenterGate Capital is a private equity firm managing over $740 million. We focus on growing lower middle market companies. Our goal is to partner with management to create value for all stakeholders of our portfolio companies. CenterGate possesses flexible capital, enabling us to tailor each investment to a company's ownership goals and growth strategies. We structure transactions to enable owners to monetize their equity while also positioning the company for future growth. For more information, visit http://www.centergatecapital.com.
Two Australian women have each been fined $2,300 for interacting with wongari (dingoes) on K'gari (also known as Fraser Island) in Australia, reports the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES). The women were reported to the department after they posted images and videos of their encounters with the wongari on social media.

According to DES Compliance Manager Mike Devery, these actions posed a serious risk to both the women and the animals. He said one of the women could have been bitten by a wongari, which was displaying dominance-testing behavior.

The other woman recklessly approached three sleeping wongari pups, risking an aggressive response if the mother had been nearby.

Devery said in a statement, "Wongari are known for defending their packs and their pups, and it is unbelievable that people would endanger their wellbeing like this. Deliberately interacting with wongari is irresponsible, and rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will not tolerate it. Our number one priority is to keep people on K'gari safe and conserve the population of wongari, and those who blatantly ignore the rules for social media attention can expect a fine or a court appearance."
Diana Mendes, HNTB We value our longstanding partnership with COMTO and will continue working together to create opportunities for all as we collectively transform the future of transportation.

HNTB Corporation was named 2023 Corporation of the Year by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials at the Industry Awards Gala held during the 2023 National Meeting and Training Conference in Los Angeles, July 8-11.

The COMTO Industry Awards Gala is a significant event that recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements within the transportation industry. HNTBs recognition as the 2023 Corporation of the Year honors the companys dedication to excellence, innovation, and its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the industry.

We are incredibly humbled to be named the 2023 Corporation of the Year, a recognition that is a testament to HNTBs commitment to collaboration, innovation and driving positive changes in the transportation industry, said Diana Mendes AICP, HNTB corporate president, Infrastructure & Mobility Equity and previous Executive of the Year award recipient from COMTO. We value our longstanding partnership with COMTO and will continue working together to create opportunities for all as we collectively transform the future of transportation.

HNTBs partnership with COMTO has been instrumental in advancing the goals of both organizations. Together, both have worked tirelessly to ensure equal opportunities for all, eliminate barriers, and enhance the profession for the future benefit of transportation, added Mendes.

COMTOs ongoing activity in advocacy, information sharing, training, education and professional development includes supporting the growth and success of the small and disadvantaged consulting community.

As HNTB celebrates this prestigious recognition, the company remains focused on continuing to shape the future of transportation by embracing emerging technologies, fostering collaboration, and creating inclusive environments that empower individuals from all backgrounds to thrive in the industry.

About HNTB

HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and construction contractors. With 109 years of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, and program and construction management. For more information, visit http://www.hntb.com, or follow HNTB on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Car buyers can choose from a wide selection of used cars under $16,000 at Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Auction Direct USA, a reputable dealership specializing in top-quality pre-owned vehicles, has an extensive selection of used cars priced under $16,000. Car buyers in the Raleigh area can now own a reliable, budget-friendly vehicle without compromising quality. With locations across the United States, including Raleigh, North Carolina, the dealership is committed to providing customers with an unparalleled car buying experience. Their dedication to transparency, quality and customer satisfaction has earned them the trust and loyalty of countless satisfied customers.

In addition to exceptional customer service, the dealership believes in complete transparency, which is why every vehicle at Auction Direct USA comes with a detailed vehicle history report. Car shoppers can access crucial information such as accident history, service records and ownership details to make informed decisions.

Auction Direct USA boasts an extensive collection of used cars, encompassing various makes, models and styles. Whether customers need a fuel-efficient sedan, a spacious SUV or a versatile truck, the dealerships diverse inventory caters to every preference and lifestyle. Every pre-owned vehicle at the dealership undergoes a rigorous inspection process performed by their certified technicians, ensuring buyers drive off the lot with the highest-quality cars.

Furthermore, Auction Direct USA offers multiple financing options to accommodate various credit levels. The dealership has a team of finance experts working diligently to find the most suitable financing plan that fits the budget and needs of the buyers. Not only is Auction Direct USA the go-to destination for buying a used vehicle, but they also provide hassle-free selling and trading in services. Car owners looking to upgrade can rely on the dealership to offer competitive prices for their current vehicles.

For more information, drivers are encouraged to contact the sales team at Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, North Carolina, by dialing 844-678-8048.
Water is the worlds most valuable natural resource. Although a human can survive weeks or even months without food, going as little as three days without water could spell the end. The effects of water scarcity arent limited to immediate survival situations, however. Recently published research in Psychological Science suggests that cultures from water-scarce environments tend to be more likely than cultures from water-rich areas to value long-term thinking and to scorn short-term indulgence.

Individuals from historically water-scarce climates tend to be more long-term oriented and less indulgent, said Hamidreza Harati (The University of Queensland) in an interview. Even in modern environments with easy access to water, cultural responses shaped by historical water scarcity still influence individuals decision-making processes.

Harati and Thomas Talhelm (The University of Chicago) reached this conclusion after carrying out four studies on water scarcity, long-term orientation, and indulgence.

The first study focused on a natural test case of 331 undergraduate students from two cities in Iran: water-scarce Yazd and water-rich Shiraz. When surveyed about their values, participants from Yazd rated themselves more than twice as high for long-term orientation (e.g., by agreeing more with the statement Persistent efforts are the surest way to results) than participants from Shiraz. Students from water-rich Shiraz, on the other hand, rated themselves almost twice as high for indulgence (e.g., by rating themselves higher for valuing keeping time free for fun than for having few desires).

Participants responded similarly when asked about the values of an average person from their city. These differences remained significant when the researchers controlled for participants gender, age, marital status, and economic status.

More research on climate change >

Harati and Talhelm also found that water-scarcity-based cultural differences were reflected in peoples behavior. In a second study of 182 job applicants, the researchers found that applicants from water-scarce Yazd were twice as likely to apply for a stable position at an established company than for a flexible role at a start-up. Participants from water-rich Shiraz, by comparison, were slightly more likely to apply for the start-up position.

The researchers observed similar short-term effects in an experiment in which they tasked 211 students at the University of Tehran with reading the abstract from one of two fictional scientific studies that made predictions about changes in the availability of water from 2022 to 2032. Students who read the abstract that predicted a severe water shortage reported having a stronger long-term orientation than those who read the abstract that predicted a surplus. Students in the control condition, who completed the survey without reading any abstract, had responses that fell between those of the other two groups. Students who read the abstract that predicted a water shortage also reported being less indulgent, but this was not statistically significant.

Finally, to explore how these findings might apply across cultural contexts, Harati and Talhelm analyzed how the availability of fresh water in 87 countries between 1962 and 2014 correlated with national scores for each populations long-term orientation and indulgence. Numerous ongoing and historic conditionsincluding average temperature, economic development, population density, frequency of natural disasters, corruption, agriculture, religion, disease risk, and warcan influence a countrys cultural values. However, when Harati and Talhelm controlled for these factors, fresh water per capita remained a significant predictor of a nations long-term orientation and indulgence.

The results add to the growing field of ecological psychology, which posits that the environment plays a role in shaping peoples psychology, Harati and Talhelm wrote. Focusing on understudied regions like the cities of Shiraz and Yazd in Iran also contributes to a broader understanding of cultural differences, underscoring the importance of including diverse samples and cultural perspectives in psychological research, Harati told APS.

Future research on water scarcity and culture could help address climate change by identifying more effective policies and other interventions to encourage sustainable behaviors, Harati added.

There is emerging evidence that groups that value the long term are already investing more in green strategies to fight the biggest environmental threat to our futureclimate change, the researchers wrote. The cultural value that helped humans adapt to environmental threats of our long-term past might help us adapt to the worlds biggest environmental threat of the future.

Reference

Harati, H., & Talhelm, T. (2023). Cultures in water-scarce environments are more long-term oriented. Psychological Science, 34(7), 754770. https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976231172500

Feedback on this article? Email apsobserver@psychologicalscience.org or login to comment. Interested in writing for us? Read our contributor guidelines.
Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom is new to the bench in Oklahoma but already has better things to do. Courtroom video from the trial of a man accused of killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old child show Soderstrom texting and scrolling through social media postings on Facebook, reports The Oklahoman.

At one point, Soderstrom searched for a GIF, an animated image.

The stories imply the judge's own staff told reporters what to look for.

Soderstrom declined to comment to the newspaper because the verdict could still be appealed, saying judges are prohibited from discussing pending cases. A request for comment from The Associated Press was not immediately returned Thursday. The trial ended in a second-degree manslaughter conviction for Khristian Tyler Martzall in the 2018 death of Braxton Danker. Prosecutors had asked jurors to find him guilty of first-degree murder. Sheriff Charlie Dougherty said Wednesday that at the request of the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints, he provided the state agency with video from the trial. The council receives and investigates accusations of misconduct by judges.

Khristian Tyler Martzall was convicted of second-degree manslaughter, but not murder, in the 2018 killing of Braxton Danker, with jurors recommending he be sentenced only to time served. The child's mother, Judith Danker, took a plea deal that sent her to jail for 25 years for enabling or permitting abuse, to avoid the possibility of the death penalty on a murder charge.

What it is with judges in Oklahoma doing things they shouldn't under the bench.
Librarians and teachers spend a large part of their day talking about books. These book talks can be of the one-on-one variety, with a small group, or an entire class. Some can be casual, planned presentationsor somewhere in between. We spoke with two librarians and one teacher about how they create book talks that are so engaging, that their students cant help but grab the books off the shelves. Simply put, they are walking the walk with book talks.

Patrick Andrus is a fourth grade teacher, blogger, and book talker at Prairie View Elementary in Eden Prairie, Minn. He also leads the Breakfast with Books book club on the last Friday of the month for any fourth grade students who are interested.

To announce the monthly book selection, he wraps the title in brown construction paper, writes Breakfast with Books, and covers it with question marks. Then, the real fun begins. The build-up to the reveal starts on Monday, Andrus said. Sometimes, I might show a book trailer, or Ill give them clues about the book and author, and have them do research to figure out what the book might be. Then the big reveal is on Friday of the first week of the month.

Andrus likes to raise the level of anticipation until his students cant take it anymore. They get so excited, theyll start chanting: Show us the book! Because Ive drawn it out so long, Andrus said. The club has become a focal point of our classroomand its taken on a life of its own.

Andrus breathes life into the month-long book talk by choosing books that his students havent read or heard about, and that span different genres. He also makes sure to include a diverse range of books and authors.

This year, the book clubs membership varies each month between 12 to 16 of his 25 students, and a growing list of middle grade authors that Andrus has connected with through social media and the NCTE. The authors involvement personalizes the books and our discussion, he said.

As for the kids, they read the book throughout the month at home and/or during independent reading time, and talk among themselves about the story, their personal connections, and more. They also write the questions they will ask the author on the day of the book club breakfast. Two such queries helped expand the club beyond the classroomand increase its monthly membership. During the pandemic, a student asked if he could read the book with his grandma, Andrus said. And then, when we returned to the classroom, another asked if her grandparent could join the club in person. I said, Absolutely!  The clubs now open to parents, aunts/uncles, grandparents, and any others who want to join. So, now our book club is multigenerational. Andrus said, The kids see that books are for everybody!

During the breakfast book club with author Elly Swartz, one student revealed a personal connection to her novel, Finding Perfect. He shared that it was the first time he saw someone like him with OCD in a book, Andrus said. I hope having these types of experiences in our book club will carry them through school and their adult lifeand help them become lifelong readers.

Lauren Mobley is a school library specialist at North Clayton Middle School in College Park, Ga. Shes in her second year in the library after teaching English and special education. Mobley said she wanted to bring energy and fervor to her new role. And thats exactly what she does when talking about books with her sixth through eighth grade readersand with great purpose.

Im trying to learn more about book talks, and make them more engaging, Mobley said. She accomplishes this by talking only about books that she has actually read. This allows me to talk about a lot of the books in our library, Mobley said. But there are always new books coming outso I keep reading.

For each talk, she creates an outline to begin. She makes sure to share the title, the authors name, tell a little about the story, and offer a teaser of sorts with one mission in mind: To me, the goal is to talk just enough to make my middle schoolers want to read the bookswithout spoilers, Mobley said. Its like a movie trailer; if it told you about the whole movie, what would be the point of watching it?

Mobley keeps her book talks right around two minutes. She highlights different titles for each class period because, after her book talks, there arent enough copies to go around. As a result, some of her students have been known to squabble over who gets to read the book first. I just say that Im going to leave the book on the table, Mobley said, and then, whoever gets it, gets to read it first.

Mobley takes note of her students interests for future recommendations and book orders. She also shares with them her love of web design (she assists with the school website) and the arts. All of these things have helped her become a trusted confidante and resource for her students.

Because once they know you, theyll trust you with book recommendations and even step out of their comfort zones, Mobley said. Book talks offer something that book catalogs cant. Its entirely different when you hear a recommendation from someone. Mobleys students can feel and see her commitment to helping them find the right books for them.

Even her librarys graphic novel bulletin board doubles as a visual book talk that she keeps up all year long. Its a visual reminder for students and teachers about the many benefits of reading graphic novels. Just because these novels have pictures doesnt devalue the literatures quality, Mobley said. Readers of graphic novels need to do all of the same things other readers do, including making inferences and using other reading skills. They also make the libraryand readingmore inclusive for a reluctant reader.

And if a readers tastes dont include graphic novels, Mobley has a Book Menu shes created with more options. Inspired by librarian Melissa Corey, the menu is a large binder filled with book covers categorized by genres, along with lists of tantalizing details for each book. It stands up on the counter and kids can flip through it to find books including that bookthe one that will change everything.!

Chris Baron is a college professor and poet at San Diego City College who knows his way around a book talk. At first, it was just me waving a book or asking my students what they liked to read, and then trying to come up with book suggestions for them.

But since Baron became a middle grade novelist, his book talks have become multi-layered. Now, theyre more specific because I get to interact with other middle grade authors and read amazing books.

These connections allow Baron to introduce the most recent and highest quality novels by diverse authors to his multicultural student population.

And while Baron is making these introductions, he tailors them to his students specific experiences to entice them to read the books. For instance, when I introduced Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, a Vietnamese American author, I said, I know many of you have had to immigrate or flee your country. I think I have a book for you. 

After initial discussion, Baron will offer more information about the books and authors he chooses. This may include showing videos featuring them. He has also been known to invite fellow author friends to record videos about their books that speak directly to his students. He does this so they can make direct connections with the authors.

Baron will end his book talks with a call to action. Ill say something like, And thats why you should really read this book, he said. Of course, its different every time.

But what remains the same is a little incentive he gives his students who may not otherwise be interested in reading the book. I offer an opportunity to earn extra credit, Baron said, or use the book for a topic of their next essay. He likes to let his students choose the topics that they write about.

Even if they dont take him up on his offer, Baron believes the real prize is that the book talks give them the chance to truly connect with booksand each other. Theyre a great way for me to share my passion about books with my students and experience the joy and excitement around something we love. Its relational vs. transactional. No grades are involved, Baron said. He sees first-hand the power that book talks have to transform readers.

Book talks can help us build community, celebrate diversity, and inspire our own writing, too, Baron said. Its my hope that my students come to see the connections between books and telling their own stories.
Draft2Digital (D2D has acquired SelfPubBookCovers.com, a marketplace for premade book covers. According to a July 24 announcement, SPBC will operate within a newly formed D2D division titled Author Success, headed by v-p Nick Thacker.

Our mission at Author Success, as it is with SPBC, is to help authors efficiently procure the highest-quality essential publishing services for the least cost and effort, said Thacker in a statement. Just as authors have always been a key constituency of D2D, with the SPBC acquisition, cover artists are also now a key constituency we seek to serve at D2D. We want to help every professional cover designer in the world to participate in, and profit from, SPBCs unique premade covers marketplace.

D2D said that it plans to introduce a "major refresh" to the marketplace in late 2024 or early 2025 that will improve cover image discoverability and workflows.

D2d co-founder and CEO Kris Austin added, Conventional cover design procurement is unnecessarily difficult and time-consuming for authors and artists alike. With the acquisition of SPBC, "were excited to introduce a better way for authors and artists to collaborate on the perfect cover design, he said. The deal for SPBC follows D2D's acquisition last year of Smashwords.

SPBC co-founder Rob Sturtz will remain with the company during a transition period. Over the next 12 months, D2D will operate the business as it is, introducing more D2D authors to its services while working with the artist community to help them develop their businesses on the platform. The cover service is opened to all authors and designers.
Border officers in Texas, were evidently suspicious of the enormous cheese wheels rolling in from Mexico last week: they found 17.8 pounds of cocaine after scans revealed "anomalies" within and arrested the 22-year-old man, a U.S. citizen, attempting to import them.

If you receive an invitation to a customs official's fondue party in Presidio anytime soon, accept it.

"Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion," Daniel Mercado, director of Customs and Border Protection at the Presidio Port said. "The thorough and extensive inspections performed by CBP officers stopped this unusual drug load from reaching its intended destination."

Wheels seem to be smugglers' deception of choice lately.

A traveler at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport was arrested after $450,000 worth of cocaine was discovered hidden in the wheels of her wheelchair. The traveler arrived in New York City from the Dominican Republic on November 10, according to a news release from US Customs and Border Protection. Officers noticed the wheels on her wheelchair were not turning and X-rayed the wheelchair.

Sire, I will build a cheese to house the labyrinth!
Kate Beatons Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, a harrowing account of living and working on the oil sands of Alberta, took home this years Eisner Award for Best Graphic Memoir. Best Graphic Album went to The Night Eaters, Book OneShe Eats the Night by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda, a horror fantasy about an Asian-American family with a dark secret.

Beaton also won Best Writer/Artist, and Takeda was named Best Painter/Multimedia Artist. Other books to garner multiple awards included The Human Target by Tom King and Greg Smallwood; Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo; and Parker: The Martini EditionLast Call by Richard Stark, Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and the late Darwyn Cooke. Zoe Thorogood won the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award for her second graphic novel, the memoir Its Lonely at the Centre of the Earth.

By publisher, DC Comics was the big winner of the night, taking home eight Eisners. There was huge applause when Finding Batman, an autobiographical story written by the late Batman voice actor Kevin Conroywho died last falland drawn by J. Bone, published in the anthology DC Pride, was announced as the winner of Best Short Story.

The bittersweet victory of The Nib Magazine, which won Best Anthology, also elicited an appreciative response. In May, the satirical online magazine announced plans to fold after a final summer issue. The Nib is hailed in the comics industry as one of the best outlets for short-form comics and political cartoons, and its impending loss is felt by many creators.

The mood at this years Eisner ceremony was boisterous. The ceremony was held Friday, July 21 as this year's San Diego Comic-Con was kicking off, returning for its second year as an in-person event after three years of Covid-19 closures and restrictions. Its really good to be back, said Mark Siegel, editorial and creative director of First Second Books, which garnered two Eisners. Being able to be with our writers in person, face to faceit feels like theres a fresh start in the air.

This is the best Eisners Ive ever been to, joked Mo Willems, who wa attending his first Eisners. Willems later picked up the award for Best Publication for Early Readers for The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!

Despite the festive atmosphere, the ceremony was peppered with reminders of the responsibilities of the arts in tumultuous times. Scott Dunbier accepted a Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award for crowdfunding and editing the fundraising anthology Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, with proceeds going toward relief for Ukrainian refugees. We are made up of caring people, he said during his acceptance speech. We believe in the underdog.

The other Clampett Award went to film critic Beth Accomando for her work championing independent arts and local San Diego creators. In her acceptance speech, Accomdando recalled how watching On the Waterfront with her father as a child, and learning about screenwriter Elia Kazans complicity in the 1952 Hollywood blacklist, opened her eyes to the power of art and artists.

In her acceptance speech for Best Academic/Scholarly Work, Alison Halsall, co-editor of The LGBTQ+ Comics Studies Reader: Critical Openings, Future Directions, spoke out against library and school book bans and attacks on drag readings. Presenter David Dastmalchian, best known for roles in movies like The Dark Knight and Suicide Squad, decried attempts to replace writers and artists with AI. Voice actor Maurice LaMarche got a round of applause when co-presenter Bill Morrison introduced him as fresh off the L.A. picket lines.

Hannah Templar, accepting the Eisner for Best Reality-Based Work as co-creator of Flung out of Space, a biography of author Patricia Highsmith, brought up the controversial nomination of Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, by Thomas Woodruff. The book was criticized for racial stereotypes, and social media soon filled with posts from Woodruffs former students at the School for Visual Arts in New York City alleging years of bigoted comments and emotional abuse. Woodruff and publisher Fantagraphics quietly withdrew the book from consideration.

There is a better future for comics, said Templar, but the path there is not silence, and it is not apathy.

That future was suggested by the diverse and imaginative slate of nominees in the Eisners three younger-readers categories (Early Readers, Kids, and Teens). Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra, a graphic novel about a Dominican tween and her hair troubles, took home the Best Publication for Kids award. Frizzy tackles a new angle on a story that is very much neededa story about falling in love with yourself, said editor Kiara Valdez. In this case, with Frizzy, its falling in love with your hair.

In a departure from previous years, the Hall of Fame inductees were announced earlier in a separate ceremony. Inductees included illustrator Jeffrey Catherine Jones, writer Annie Nocenti, editor Diana Schutz, Fantagraphics Books co-founder Kim Thompson, early graphic novel pioneer Jack Katz, and a slate of creators from the 1960s-1970s underground comics era including Diane Noomin, Bill Griffith, Justin Green, and Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

Below is the full list of Eisner winners.

Best Short Story

Finding Batman by Kevin Conroy and J. Bone in DC Pride 2022 (DC)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Batman: One Bad Day: The Riddler, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (DC)

Best Continuing Series

Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)

Best Limited Series

The Human Target, by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (DC)

Best New Series

Public Domain, by Chip Zdarsky (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! by Mo Willems (Union Square Kids)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)

Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (First Second/Macmillan)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

Do a Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image)

Best Humor Publication

Revenge of the Librarians, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Anthology

The Nib Magazine, edited by Matt Bors (Nib)

Best Reality-Based Work

Flung Out of Space, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Abrams ComicArts)

Best Graphic Memoir

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Graphic AlbumNew

The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Abrams ComicArts)

Best Graphic AlbumReprint

Parker: The Martini EditionLast Call, by Richard Stark, Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips (IDW)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

Chivalry by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Colleen Doran (Dark Horse)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Blacksad: They All Fall Down Part 1, by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Dark Horse

Best U.S. Edition of International MaterialAsia

Shuna's Journey, by Hayao Miyazaki; translation by Alex Dudok de Wit (First Second/Macmillan)

Best Archival Collection/ProjectStrips (at least 20 years old)

Come Over Come Over, Its So Magic, and My Perfect Life, by Lynda Barry, edited by Peggy Burns (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Archival Collection/ProjectComic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta, edited by Dian Hansen (TASCHEN)

Best Writer

James Tynion IV, House of Slaughter, Something Is Killing the Children, Wynd (BOOM! Studios); The Nice House on the Lake, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country (DC), The Closet, The Department of Truth (Image)

Best Writer/Artist

Kate Beaton, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Greg Smallwood, The Human Target (DC)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts); Monstress (Image)

Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Best Coloring

Jordie Bellaire, The Nice House on the Lake, Suicide Squad: Blaze (DC); Antman, Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)

Best Lettering

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (IDW)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

PanelXPanel magazine, edited by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Tiffany Babb (panelxpanel.com)

Best Comics-Related Book

Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects, by Benjamin L. Clark and Nat Gertler (Schulz Museum)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

The LGBTQ+ Comics Studies Reader: Critical Openings, Future Directions, edited by Alison Halsall and Jonathan Warren (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Publication Design

Parker: The Martini EditionLast Call, designed by Sean Phillips (IDW)

Best Webcomic

Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe (WEBTOON)

Best Digital Comic

Barnstormers, by Scott Snyder and Tula Lotay (Comixology Originals)

Hall of Fame:

Judges Choices: Jerry Bails, Tony DeZuniga, Justin Green, Bill Griffith. Jay Jackson, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Jack Katz, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Win Mortimer, Diane Noomin, Gaspar Saladino, Kim Thompson, Garry Trudeau, Mort Walker, Tatjana Wood

Voters Choices: Brian Bolland, Anne Nocenti, Tim Sale, Diana Schutz

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Beth Accomando, Scott Dunbier

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Zoe Thorogood

Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing: Barbara Friedlander, Sam Glanzman
Mike Brzezinski, who has held several key leadership roles in international programs, partnerships and student recruitment at Purdue University since arriving on campus in 1993, is retiring from the university, effective Aug 31. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca Robinos)

Brzezinski led enrollment surge in number of international students, innovations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  In leading Purdues international programs for 14 years, Mike Brzezinski helped expand the universitys leadership role as a global institution in spearheading a major enrollment surge of international students.

Today, Purdue ranks among the nations largest public universities in international student enrollment and has become a leading innovator in higher education for its recruitment strategies, notably for undergraduate students and study abroad programs.

After three decades holding several key leadership roles in international programs, partnerships and student recruitment, Brzezinski announced today (July 24) that he will retire from Purdue, effective Aug. 31. He first came to Purdue in 1993.

Since January, Brzezinski has served as vice president of global partnerships and programs in the Office of the President.

Brzezinski, who was appointed Purdue dean of international programs in 2011 after serving two years in an interim capacity, deployed the universitys first formal international student recruitment strategy in 1995, which sparked a major enrollment surge in students from abroad, particularly among undergraduates.

In response, international enrollment of undergraduate and graduates reached record levels, including nearly 9,400 students representing 135 countries for Fall 2022  the most ever. And while it plateaued during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Purdues overseas student enrollment remains strong  its up from 8,651 international students a decade ago and places the Big Ten institution near the top among the nations largest public universities.

As dean of international programs, Brzezinski also expanded the Study Abroad Intercultural Learning grant program and spearheaded a multiyear, multimillion-dollar study abroad scholarship program that led to a near doubling of undergraduate student participation in Purdues study abroad efforts.

Study abroad participation at Purdue jumped to nearly 2,500 students in 2018 , before the COVID-19 pandemic, from fewer than 1,300 undergraduate students in 2012. Student participation rates are rebounding nicely, Brzezinski said.

I will always cherish my many years here, a grateful Brzezinski said. I had many opportunities to not only recommend but to implement new ideas and initiatives that I like to think benefited students, faculty and staff alike. Ive always had great staff working for and with me, staff who were willing and able to meet every challenge. The successes that we have experienced over the years would not have been possible without their dedication and hard work.

Purdue administrators say Brzezinskis ability to work well with alumni and friends overseas, especially in Asian countries and throughout the Middle East, proved beneficial not only for Purdue students but Indiana businesses as well. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Brzezinski was one of the first American citizens to be a foreign exchange student in Beijing from 1981-83.

During his time at Purdue, Brzezinski also led the launch of the Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment and Research In 2016. Known as CILMAR, the center has grown to become the premier intercultural learning office among R1 research universities as measured by assessment of intercultural growth of students participating in study abroad programs, research productivity and conference presentations. Through CILMAR, intercultural learning outcomes and assessment have been infused into all aspects of study abroad, and these are starting to be integrated into on-campus curricula, too.

Related to CILMAR, Brzezinski was instrumental in establishing the Intercultural Learning Hub, an online hub known as HubICL that hosts one of the worlds largest repository of intercultural learning activities and research findings.

More recently, Brzezinski led Purdues Ukrainian Scholars Initiative, which was launched in response to Russias February 2022 invasion of the Eastern European country. The Purdue program, regarded as one of the first and now the largest and most ambitious university-led program in the United States, offers the opportunity for Ukrainian scholars whose lives have been displaced by the war to continue their academic pursuits. It was expanded this spring to build on the current class of nine Ukrainian scholars who have been at Purdue since May 2022.

Brzezinski joined Purdue in 1993 as director of International Students and Scholars and became co-leader of the international student recruitment strategy in 1995. He served in this role until 2005 when he was named associate dean with additional duties focused on expanding educational collaborations in China.

Brzezinski worked at the University of Houston for five years as an international student counselor while he simultaneously earned his doctorate in educational leadership and cultural studies there in 1993. He earned masters and bachelors degrees from State University of New York College at Cortland in 1983 and 1979, respectively.

From 1983-88, Brzezinski was central administrator and English language instructor in Beijing for an American educational company, Educational Services Exchange with China Inc., and then international student counselor at the University of Houston from 1988-93. He also studied in China, for two years as an exchange student.

Additionally, he has served as a consultant for Florida International University, St. Peters College, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, University of Las Vegas-Reno, Temple University, and University of Iowa.

A reception in Brzezinskis honor is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the bridgeway between Hovde Halls first floor and Elliott Hall of Music. A short program will begin at 4 pm. To RSVP, contact Lacretia Rothenberger at larothenberger@purdue.edu.

An internal search for the next Vice President for Global Partnerships and Programs is underway. Tenured and globally experienced Purdue West Lafayette faculty interested in shaping the mission, vision and strategy of Purdues future global agenda are encouraged to apply here. The application deadline is Aug. 15.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Writer/Media contact: Phillip Fiorini, pfiorini@purdue.edu, 765-430-6189

Source: Michael Brzezinski, mbrzezinski@purdue.edu, 765-494-9399
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Aside from the 4-H and open sheep shows, The Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) is sponsoring additional sheep-themed competitions, vendors and educational opportunities at this years Indiana State Fair with assistance from the Sheep and Wool Market Development Program.

Learn all about sheep through the spirit of competition with these contests at the Indiana State Fair, which are open to the public:

Indiana Make It With Wool (MIWW) Competition, third floor of the Indiana Arts Building

Indiana State Fair Shearing Contest, Champions Pavilion

Open Wool Judging, Blue Ribbon Pavilion Wool and Ewe Room

Indiana Sheep-to-Shawl Competition, performance floor of Indiana Arts Building

Competitions will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday (July 30), with the MIWW Competition and fashion show. The competition showcases participants who have handmade outfits from wool and wool-blend fabrics. On Aug. 2 beginning at 5 p.m., the shearing contest will feature professional and amateur sheep shearers competing based on the factors of timing, handling and accuracy as they shear sheep back-to-back.

Open Class Wool Judging will be 10 a.m. Aug. 4. The public is welcome to watch and listen to the judges comments and placement. On Aug. 20, State Fair attendees can witness the annual Sheep-to-Shawl competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in which four youth teams and one adult team will rush to finish a wool shawl from scratch, beginning with spinning wool into yarn and ending with weaving the pattern together all in an allotted four-hour time frame.

Sheep can be found Aug. 4-20 in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion during open and 4-H shows. A schedule of when you can see sheep at the fair is available at the 2023 Indiana State Fair Livestock Schedule at www.indianastatefair.com.

In addition to competitions, fairgoers can enjoy other related activities. The ISA Wool and Ewe Room, located in the lobby of the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, will open Friday (July 28), the first day of the fair. Attendees can find Wool Competition entries along with products ranging from handmade goods from various Indiana-based vendors to livestock/country-themed fashion, decor and handy items of interest for any fairgoer prepared to shop. Across the street, those interested in fashion can find western, show, and country apparel and jewelry at Ewe 2, the Wool Rooms sister shop.

On Aug. 10-11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., ISA will hand out free samples of lamb summer sausage in the Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) Fall Creek Pavilion as part of the IFBs Taste of Indiana Farms event. Each year thousands of fairgoers line up to receive free food samples and learn a little bit about agriculture.

About ISA

The Indiana Sheep Association is one of the states oldest livestock organizations. It was originally founded as the Indiana Wool Growers Association in 1876 to encourage local shepherds to come together to share ideas and expertise, to promote lamb and wool in the state, and to educate communities about the value of sheep and the sheep industry.

About IN S&W

The Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program was created to support educational, promotional and research efforts involving sheep in Indiana. Funds for the council are collected from the sale of all sheep in Indiana  0.5% of the net market price of each sheep sold. All funds collected by stockyards, sale managers, producers and others should be sent to the councils business office at Purdue. See https://indianasheep.com/checkoff.php for more information.

Writer: Emma OBrien, executive@indianasheep.com

Media contact: Abby Leeds, mayer36@purdue.edu

Source: Emma OBrien, executive@indianasheep.com

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
Since a majority of students in most American school districts cant read or perform math equations at grade level, you might think the nations largest teachers union would spend at least part of its annual national convention pushing solutions to this sad state of affairs.

Nope. The National Education Association did push a proposal to get rid of tests, though: maybe without tests, parents and others will quit talking about the monumental failures of our nations public schools.

And the union did take up dozens of new business items (NBIs) at its misnamed representative assembly this summer in Orlando, Fla. One of the NBIs urged all affiliates to avoid dealings with any jurisdiction that says or does anything the union doesnt like  yet here they were meeting in Florida, a state run by, gasp!, a Republican.

Despite claims that Florida and other jurisdictions are targeting union-favored groups with discrimination and violence, it turns out the union was perfectly free to push its toxic worldview for several days, calling for specific attacks against its enemies and a propaganda campaign to back it up.

Truly devoted teachers  who put the interests of innocent children above the political agenda of unions  are listed among the NEAs enemies. Weve been crying out for decades seeking relief, but almost no one listens. And since unions control the conversation around education, most Americans are fooled into thinking that teachers agree with the union agenda.

We do not.

Unions  more aptly named the education mafia  have picked our pockets, exploited our profession, ravaged our students, and dismantled our once-great educational system, all while claiming to represent us. Every year, the unions push NBIs that are anathema to us and sell the American public a narrative full of misinformation, distortions, and outright lies.

Heres a sampling: the union wants a gun violence prevention summit (probably to be held in Chicago, right?) and is pushing for what it calls gun safety legislation (which promotes laws like the ones that dont work in Chicago and that leave teachers and students vulnerable to shooters).

The union embraces LGBTQ+ and all the woke baggage that accompanies it, like pronouns and drag queen story hours. Several of this years proposals pertain to LGBTQ+ and trans issues, and all are phrased in an us-vs.-them formulation. The union is pushing this stuff  hard -- in our public schools, and its seriously damaging our kids. Good teachers who push back get crushed.

The union attached cost estimates for each NBI. Implementing all of them would have totaled nearly $12 million.

Thats a lot of money, but remember, the NEA is filthy rich. It takes cash from its members and uses a large portion of the dues money for political activities almost exclusively devoted to lobbying for more taxpayer funds to promote hot-button leftist causes in public school classrooms.

The education mafia is by far the largest legislative lobbying group in many states and often sets the political agenda for politicians, who benefit from union help during elections and are happy to meet political and bargaining goals set by the union.

So, if reading, math, and protecting childhood innocence arent important to the union, what is?

Palestine, for one. NBI 3 laments that many educators are not even aware that Palestine exists, which would be big news down at the UN. And while pushing for special favors for students identifying as Palestinian, the union proposes to educate members and the public against the dangers of anti-Semitism. What a hoot. Most people who follow the news know that anti-Semitism is a favorite activity of the Left generally -- the education mafia included.

But enough about hypocrisy. What else interests the unions?

One proposal characterizes those opposed to LGBTQ+ demands as hard-line fascist thugs.

On immigration, the NEA calls for asylum for all. It demands culturally responsive pedagogical and curricular resources, a polite way of saying propaganda.

And heres another one that has nothing to do with teachers or student success. The NEA will also call on President Biden to expand the Supreme Court to restore American democracy. In its present form, the Court, in the NEAs judgment, is an illegitimate court, shaped by Trump.

Speaking of courts, at least two proposals pertained to the high courts 2018 Janus decision, in which the justices ruled that unions cannot compel teachers to pay dues that would be spent to push beliefs with which teachers disagree. Though it was teachers (including me) who brought this issue to the U.S. Supreme Court after decades of being forced to pay unions  blazing the trail for Janus  that constitutionally sound decision, the NEA says, has simply got to go.

Thats why, even post-Janus, teachers who dont want to pay for NEA political priorities are ostracized, branded, and bullied.

Now you know how unions capitalize on teachers (and students) in their scheme to sabotage our republic. So while great teachers work feverishly to educate children in reading, math, and other core subjects, the education mafia pulls the proverbial rug out from under us. They use our profession and resources to pass extremist NBIs more suited to Bolsheviks and the old Soviet Union.

The NEA lists as one of its strategic objectives to strengthen public education as the cornerstone of democracy, but today  thanks to unions  our public schools are overrun by drugs, bullies, gangs, politicized curricula, cultural rot, and union hectoring. Theyre wholly-owned subsidiaries of the education mafia, which has expanded its holdings to include myriad politicians who benefit electorally.

The cornerstone of American democracy, as de Tocqueville and other greats have observed, is not public education but the American home. Parents (and the teachers serving them) can preserve and nurture democracy by resisting unions and administrations that push anti-democratic policies that further erode our national spirit.
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Adrianne Peterson, the manager of the Rancho Penasquitos branch of the San Diego Public Library, was surprised when two local residents checked out nearly all the books in her modest Pride Month display and refused to return them unless the library removed what they considered "inappropriate content."

The New York Times (via Yahoo! News):

"It was just kind of like, 'Whoa, curveball,'" Peterson said. "I began to wonder, 'Oh, have I been misunderstanding our community?'" Soon, she would get her answer: Stacks of Amazon boxes containing new copies of the books the protesters checked out started to arrive at the library after The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on the protest. Roughly 180 people, mostly San Diegans, gave more than $15,000 to the library system, which after a city match will provide more than $30,000 toward more LGBTQ-themed materials and programming, including an expansion of the system's already popular drag queen story hours.

Take that, intolerance; this community chooses to celebrate diversity and love.

The checked out books have since been returned.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department conducted a vehicle checkpoint at the exit ramp from the GA-10 Inner Loop to Oconee Street. During the checkpoint, 158 vehicles were checked for traffic safety violations and four arrests were made, according to an ACCPD press release.
An acute drug shortage in the US and stable pricing along with product launches are likely to boost revenues of Indias pharmaceutical companies during the first quarter of this financial year, analysts said.

Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

Most brokerages estimate a top line growth of around 14-15 per cent, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) growth of 24-30 per cent for Q1 of FY24.

Hospitals are, however, likely to report lower occupancy rates, and diagnostics companies may witness an impact from delayed monsoon.

According to JM Financial, Natco Pharma, Dr Reddys Laboratories (DRL), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Zydus Lifesciences are likely to increase or sustain their generic Revlimid contribution sequentially, largely driving sales over a low base.

Revlimid is a drug that is used to treat multiple myeloma and is a class of immunomodulatory drugs, which work against cancer cells partly.

JM Financials analysts noted that DRL will consolidate Mayne Pharma (key asset being generic Nuvaring, a contraceptive).

It will aid the top line growth for the Hyderabad-based firm.

Nuvama Research reckoned that generic Revlimid and specialty sales will partly offset the Halol impact for Sun Pharma.

Aurobindo Pharma, on the other hand, would see volume recovery and input cost benefit, according to analysts.

A weak monsoon season is likely to hit acute therapy sales in the domestic market.

The impact of price control could soften Indias market growth for pharma companies in Q1, analysts said.

Nuvama Research said it expected 8 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in the domestic market  with Torrent Pharmaceuticals (10 per cent) and Cipla (9 per cent) taking the lead.

Analysts also expect double-digit growth in exports apart from the US, and easing cost of bulk drugs to aid gross margins.

Some of these benefits are likely to reflect in the coming quarters, they said.

ICICI Securities noted, in its report, that aggregate gross margin for pharma firms will improve marginally quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) (250 basis points YoY) at 64.8 per cent.

Surge in occupancy and average revenue per occupied bed (ARPOB) is likely to help hospitals report a revenue growth of 3 per cent.

And, profit after tax is set to grow 19 per cent sequentially, ICICI Securities said.

With hospitals investing in expanding their network, higher in-patient and surgery cases will help in generating cash flow.

Nuvama Research said it expected a 200 bps sequential decline in occupancy for both Fortis Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals. However, steady ARPOBs and quick discharges should drive 11 per cent YoY growth.

HCG reported its best quarter and continued its growth momentum (5 per cent QoQ), it said.

In diagnostics, we expect Vijaya to outperform with 16 per cent non-Covid growth YoY, mainly volume-led.

"However, Dr Lal Pathlabs reported 11 per cent growth led by 8.5 per cent volumes and 2.5 per cent realisations, Nuvama Research said.

With non-Covid tests doing well, better pricing and network expansion will drive the revenue and margins growth for diagnostics companies, analysts said.

Covid-led tests accounted for 4 per cent of Dr Lals, 7 per cent of Metropolis Healthcare and 3 per cent of Vijaya Diagnostics revenues in Q1 of FY23.

This is against 14 per cent, 17 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, in Q4 of FY22, ICICI Securities added.
According to government data, more than 1.6 million Indians have renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011, including a whopping 225,620 in 2022 alone, averaging around 618 per day.

Sandeep Kumar reports.

More Indians renounced their citizenship and took citizenship in other countries in 2022 than ever before, according to data.

Answering multiple questions in Parliament  the last on March 31 this year  Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan told the Lok Sabha that more than 200,000 Indians gave up Indian citizenship in 2022.

The question was asked by Congress Members of Parliament Kodikunnil Suresh and M K Raghavan, and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

The minister emphasised that while surrendering Indian citizenship was a matter of choice, a successful, prosperous, and influential diaspora is an asset for India. India stands to gain a lot from tapping into its diaspora networks and productively utilising the soft power that comes from having such a flourishing diaspora.

Meanwhile, London-based firm Henley & Partners, which advises individuals and families on migration and relocation, has found that Indian high networth individuals (HNWIs) who migrated from India to various geographies were, across the globe, the second highest in 2022.

Millionaires, or HNWIs, refer to individuals with an investable wealth of $1 million or more.

The highest number of HNWIs to give up their citizenship was from China.

Nine of the top 10 countries for net inflows of HNWIs in 2023 will host formal investment migration programmes and actively encourage foreign direct investment in return for residence rights, the firm says.

Chinas HNWI migration is forecast to be 13,500 in 2023. In 2022, it was 10,800.

India saw 7,500 HNWI migrations in 2022.

Based on this years Henley Private Wealth Migration Report, 6,500 millionaires are set to leave India in 2023, while statistics from the Global Wealth Migration Review show that 2 per cent of the countrys millionaires have already flocked overseas in 2020.

According to government data, more than 1.6 million Indians have renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011, including a whopping 225,620 in 2022 alone, averaging around 618 per day.

While the staggering numbers beg reason, the Indian government has said that individuals renounce Indian citizenship for reasons personal to them.

India has the largest diaspora population in the world, with 18 million people from the country living outside their homeland in 2020, according to a report by the United Nations.
My followers and devotees will not have to suffer the trauma of seeing me accept that something wrong has happened under my watch, observes Aakar Patel.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi addresses the media on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, July 20, 2023. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

What is gained when I avoid acknowledging that I have a problem? And what, if anything, is lost?

The prime minister conceded there was violence in Manipur after 79 days of pretending that there wasn't.

A video that was two months old and produced outrage that returned Manipur to the public debate forced him to speak.

The Chief Justice of India also said angry words and the police in Manipur, which had been dormant for all that period, immediately made arrests on a case it had ignored.

Why did it take all this time? It did because the prime minister demoted the issue and signalled to the rest of the BJP and the pliant media not to speak about it.

When the incident, and others like it, were actually happening, he was in Bengaluru holding road shows.

He put off one road show, not because of Manipur, but because it would clash with exams and he did not want to inconvenience students. He continued with the others.

After that he went abroad a couple of times, attending parties and watching parades.

Within India he continued his routine of train flagging-off and inaugurations and felicitations of people on their birthdays and so on.

He made not a single reference to Manipur. The question is, again, what does one gain in not acknowledging that there is a problem even if the problem is obvious to everyone else?

The first thing is to signal that it is not my problem.

If my house is on fire, then I will rush to save it. If my family is under attack, I will hasten to protect it.

If I not only do not act, but if I pretend as if nothing happened then I do not concede that it is my problem. And therefore I do not have to solve it.

That is the second advantage: I avoid having to deal with a difficult situation immediately and it is possible that it will go away on its own.

In a previous column I spoke about how this was the tack the prime minister used during the second wave of the Covid pandemic.

Normally visible every day at some event whether physically or virtually, he disappeared for 20 days after cancelling his Bengal rallies.

While hundreds of thousands of people perished, desperate without oxygen and the crematoria overflowed, he was gone.

He returned three weeks later when things were better and fewer people were dying and made a show of having 'high level meetings'.

A BJP resolution from earlier in the year that said India had defeated the pandemic under Modi was removed from the party's Web site.

Once the wave subsided, he moved on from the subject completely.

He also did the same thing after Galwan. There has been no military briefing more than three years after the clash.

The only brief statement he made on the issue came after days of silence and then he was silent about it again.

The third advantage that I have in not acknowledging a problem is that in some sense I can keep my image intact.

My followers and devotees (who number many in the case of the prime minister) will not have to suffer the trauma of seeing me accept that something wrong has happened under my watch.

The other benefit of this is that because their devotion continues, I can also accept to myself that I have done nothing wrong.

If so many people continue to believe in me, then my actions are right and so are my acts of inaction.

What else? There may be some smaller benefits. Perhaps some people only remember the bluster of claims and not the avoidance of bad news.

How many times have we heard that India is the fastest growing economy?

Many continue to believe we are, but, as a newspaper reported on July 22: 'India is no more the fastest-growing large economy. Saudi Arabia is with 8.7 per cent growth in 2022, followed by Vietnam at 8 per cent. In the first quarter of 2023, the Philippines bettered India, at 6.4 per cent.'

If I avoid talking about 'fastest growing' at this point completely and surface when again a few years later, then many will feel that I have always been on top.

Let us now turn to what is lost when I, as leader, avoid acknowledging that there is a problem.

The first is that the problem will continue and often, as was the case in Manipur, it will get worse.

How many more people died, how many more women and girls were assaulted, how many more houses were burnt because the Indian government ignored the problem?

Perhaps the historians will tell us because most of our media will not.

The second one is that people will take advantage.

Why should the chief minister of Manipur resign when there is no problem according to the prime minister himself?

When there was some external pressure, he made a drama of resigning but remained because he was smart enough to know that he could use the silence to his advantage and he did.

The third one is that the nation, this nation, can continue in its stupor that it is marching towards greatness and not be distracted by the fires that are burning inside.

Perhaps this behaviour of avoidance comes from cold calculations made by the prime minister, or perhaps it comes from instinct.

Whichever is true, there is sufficient evidence in year 10 to show what its benefits to him are and what its damage to us.

Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer and you can read Aakar's earlier columns here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'How can such barbarity, bestiality, happen in modern India?'

IMAGE: Tangkhul Shanao Long members stage a protest over the sexual violence against women in Ukhrul district, Manipur, July 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"We are appealing to all the people of Manipur, to all the communities across the political spectrum because the past history of Manipur has taught us that justice or any solution will never come from the barrels of the gun; it will come only through dialogue across the table," Dinganglung Gangmei, a former IAS officer and the BJP MLA from Manipur's Nungba constituency, tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com in the aftermath of the national outrage over the horrific video showing Kuki women being paraded naked and allegedly raped by men from the Meitei community.

Gangmei, a Naga, retired as an IAS officer in 2021 and joined the BJP to contest and win the 2022 assembly election from Manipur's Nungba.

How do you react to the video of Kuki women being paraded naked and allegedly raped by Meitei men on May 4 in Manipur? What does it tell you about the law and order machinery in Manipur?

(Not just the women in the video but) Humanity has been paraded (naked). I am utterly ashamed (about what happened in the video) and my conscience -- just like India's -- has been shattered.

How can such barbarity, bestiality, happen in modern India?

Humanity has lost. People have become insane. Hatred has taken over.

What do I say more?

How does this video clip reflect on the extent to which one community can harm the other community so disgustingly, so inhumanly?

I think it will take some time for the understanding to come (between the Meiteis and Kukis) and for the state to spring back to normalcy. All this mistrust will take some time to die down because things have gone beyond control.

Do you fear this is just one of the videos and that many more could surface in the days ahead?

The incident took place on May 4 in Manipur's Nongpok Semai in Kangpokpi district.

One main culprit has been arrested and I think (the arrest of) lot more people is underway. The investigation is going on and the state government has launched a manhunt to nab all the culprits. I think in a few hours or few days we will come to know how many culprits have been arrested. It's (who the culprits are) very evident in the videos.

Will it be a fair investigation because many allege that the perpetrators of this crime belong to the majority community and they allege that the state government is with the majority community?

Our honourable prime minister (Narendra D Modi) has assured that the guilty will not be spared and nobody who is responsible for such reprehensible act will be forgiven.

Investigation will be fair and all the law enforcement agencies or officials, who are in charge, have to perform the duty with utmost sincerity and seriousness so that the culprits are booked and brought to justice.

Many people from Manipur and political leaders across political spectrum are criticising the prime minister because he did not make the statement on the situation in Manipur in Parliament and he did not unequivocally condemn the violence in the state? Do you agree with such criticism of the prime minister?

He's made it in front of the media. As far as the situation in Manipur is concerned, I think the honourable prime minister has taken good care of the situation by sending our honourable home minister (Amit A Shah) three days here (Shah was in Manipur between May 29 and June 2) and took all the necessary steps (to ensure peace in the state).

Without knowing the reality I don't think the government could have given any statement. But now the honourable prime minister has spoken and I think all these perpetrators or all these criminals will be booked.

Do you think the prime minister should also make a statement about the situation in Manipur in Parliament?

I hope so. He has done that today (on July 20) in the morning (before the media) and he will give whatever (instructions to) the government and some authorised person from the government side will put the point across on the floor of the house.

IMAGE: Students protest against the violence in Manipur at the Chanakya National Law University campus in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

But as a prime minister who is considered a very powerful and authoritative person in India, would you expect more from him?

People respect him. People respect him because people expect justice, and he has delivered on that front always, and we all are depending on him and hope that in Manipur also justice will be done. Especially the tribals here, the minorities here (in Manipur) look forward to the honourable prime minister to take utmost care of their rights.

We expect and we are 100 per cent hopeful that the honourable prime minister is with us.

Are you just hopeful or are you sure about it?

I'm pretty sure like on many previous occasions this time also the prime minister will deal with all the issues confronting the tribals (of Manipur).

Why isn't the violence stopping yet in the state?

It is very difficult to bridge the divide (between the majority Meiteis and minority Kukis and other tribals) which is almost permanent now and given this situation it's very difficult to have a dialogue and compromise with conflicting groups.

Yet the prime minister sent 30,000 paramilitary forces and took good care from the government side to tackle the situation. The situation is difficult to control here because there are so many elements involved here -- the porous border between Manipur and Myanmar, involvement of local political interests.

What's the hope for the people of Manipur then? Where do you see hope coming from?

Just while the situation was improving slowly and limping back to normalcy, this video leak has cropped up and it's completely shaken the conscience of the people. This incident now has really hurt the sentiments of the people (of Manipur).

We need to handle this situation with maturity and repose our faith in the law enforcement agencies and then these agencies should be very careful and not let down the people who are seeking justice.

IMAGE: Women in Imphal on July 18, 2023 demand restoration of peace in Manipur following the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. Photograph: ANI Photo

Do you believe the video was leaked to spoil the peace that is coming back to Manipur slowly as you said? Was it done on purpose?

I somehow suspect this (that the video has been leaked to disturb the peace in the valley again) and that theory is gaining ground now because one wonders how this video could remain under wraps for almost three months (between May 4 when the incident occurred and July 20 when the video was leaked) and surface only now.

By now do you mean that the video was leaked purposely to coincide with the monsoon session of Parliament?

As I condemn the incident unequivocally, I believe the timing of releasing of this clip has some political motivation and interest.

There is talk about the BJP MLAs from Manipur's hill areas resigning en masse not only as lawmakers but also from the BJP.

That information is wrong. We never had any discussion about the resignations (of the BJP MLAs from the hills and other tribal allies of the government) in the (Hill Area) Committee of which I am the chairman. We all in the Committee (HAC) are united.

The video incident has got nothing to do with one community or the other. It is a heinous crime against humanity.

So you are also seeing it as a law and order problem, not as ethnic cleansing as other BJP MLAs from the hills are claiming?

There are lots of narratives going on, but I don't subscribe to all those narratives. We all have single citizenship; we call it Indian citizenship. We do have our own distinct cultural identities, but in law, as per the Constitution, we all are citizens of India.

India's laws apply equally to all the citizens of India.

How hopeful are you about peace returning to Manipur?

We are hopeful. We are hopeful. We are appealing to all the people of Manipur, to all the communities across political spectrum because the past history of Manipur has taught us that justice or any solution will never come from the barrels of the gun; it will come only through dialogue across the table.

We should put our heads together to ensure secure future of all Indian citizens.
'UCC should be across India and legally applicable to every Indian citizen.'

IMAGE: An All India Muslim Personal Law Board rally in Kolkata against the Uniform Civil Code. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra D Modi has made a strong push for the Uniform Civil Code, stating that the nation cannot have two sets of laws.

Nothing new about it, as the Uniform Civil Code is among the three core election agendas of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

While two of them -- abrogation of Article 370 and construction of a Ram mandir in Ayodhya -- have been accomplished, the Uniform Civil Code has so far remained on the BJP's backburner.

Not anymore, it seems.

Alongside the government's push for the Uniform Civil Code, the Law Commission has called for responses to a proposed UCC, even extending the deadline for the same. Interestingly so far no draft UCC has been issued.

It is a fact that 75 years since Independence, while India has one criminal law for all communities, civil law (governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc) remains different for different communities.

Modi's statement on the UCC has angered the minorities, especially the Muslim clergy who have in their submissions to the Law Commission denounced the proposal, stating that it is nothing more than a BJP ploy to polarise the electorate ahead of the 2024 general elections.

While the framers of the Constitution did mention that India needed a Uniform Civil Code, they chose to put it under the Directive Principles of State Policy, thus leaving the matter to future generations to implement it.

So is the time right for the UCC in India?

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to Zakia Soman, co-founder, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, on whether India needs a UCC and what would be the implications if it is implemented.

For 75 years now India has had different civil laws for different communities and the country has been running smoothly, so in this scenario do you think we need a Uniform Civil Code?

We need gender justice and what we need is equality for all women. Every woman's right should be protected irrespective of personal laws.

The problem arises when in the name of personal laws women's rights are violated. Customs are fine and so are traditions, but in the name of customs and traditions we cannot deny gender equality to women.

For example, things like child marriages, having multiple wives, denying a share in property on account of gender -- all these things are discrimination and cannot go on in the name of personal laws. I think everybody will agree on this point for sure.

What will be the impact of the Uniform Civil Code on Muslim women in particular? How will their lives change?

There is a huge anomaly as laws are codified (for Hindus) while Muslim laws are not codified. This has resulted to an extent that rights are available to Hindu women but not to Muslim women.

But critics feel that the timing of the UCC is to provoke the Muslim community, especially the clergy.

The Muslim clergy is refusing to reform the personal law. If they had paid attention to the injustice to Muslim women in the name of nikah halala or unilateral divorce or polygamy in the line of Quranic justice to gender, then this problem would not have come up.

Are these issues of nikah halala or polygamy mentioned in the Holy Quran?

No, these practices are not mentioned in the Holy Quran.

Polygamy is not permitted in the Holy Quran in todays context. It was permitted under very strict conditions and at a particular time. It is not permitted in todays context as there is no war going on.

There is no need for protection for girls and women as they can empower themselves by getting education and becoming economically independent.

Are there any Muslim countries who have banned practices like nikah halala and polygamy?

There are good examples in countries like Tunisia, Morocco and Indonesia which have gender just laws. Several such practices are not permitted.

It is said Hindu women benefitted from the Hindu Code Bill that was passed in Parliament in 1955. Do you foresee a similar situation where Muslim women will benefit from the UCC?

Yes, for sure because there is no reform in Muslim personal law so the only option is UCC.

If your community is not giving you rights, then you will seek justice from the law of land.

75 years have passed and there is refusal from the Muslim clergy to reform personal laws, so the only hope is the UCC.

What about making instant triple talaq a criminal offence? How has it helped Muslim women?

It has really helped Muslim women. Also, thanks to awareness and judgment of the Supreme Court incidents of instant triple talaq have fallen drastically. We have hardly any cases of instant triple talaq coming to our organisations.

We do not read much about polygamy or nikah halala cases in newspapers. Do these two practices still take place in Muslim society on a large extent?

There are Muslim men who have two wives and there is no doubt about it. The Government of India says that incidents of Muslim men having more than one wife is less than two percent of their population.

The problem though is that why do you want legal validity for the second marriage? Why do you want the law to protect you if you want to go for multiple marriages? How can you ask for that?

This is wrong. It is a malpractice and an inhuman practice which no other community can enjoy except Indian Muslims.

If a Hindu married man goes on to marry another woman his act will be punishable under the bigamy law and he will have to serve seven years of imprisonment. Therefore, you cannot say that since I am a Muslim man, I have a right to have multiple wives.

It is good that the practice is not very high among Muslims, but why then do you want such a law? Just abolish this Muslim polygamy law and there will be no arguments or fight. If they do that, then there will be no need of the UCC too.

Is it true that in the texts of Islam it is written that if a Muslim man wants to take on a second wife, then he has to take permission from his first wife, and only if she gives it is he permitted to go ahead with the second marriage?

We spoke to 300 Muslim women who were in a polygamous marriage and not a single woman told us her permission was taken by her husband to go for a second marriage. These women came to know about their husband's second marriage only through friends, neighbours or relatives.

If a man is right, why will he have two wives?

Is it true that Islam speaks mostly about second marriage in the background of men dying in wars, therefore they could take a widow as a second wife to protect her economically and socially?

How many men marry widows? And today we are in a different age so marriage is not the only alternative for women.

Many say the UCC is an election ploy of the BJP for the 2024 general elections, and is floated now only to polarise Indian society to win elections.

It is a political issue for the BJP as it is part of their manifesto. For them the UCC is a political issue and there is no doubt about it.

Critics also point out that the BJP wants to keep tribals out of the UCC as they do not want to disturb their customs.

If they keep tribals or north eastern states out of the UCC, then the UCC will be meaningless.

UCC should be across India and legally applicable to every Indian citizen.
A prominent Indian-American Dalit activist fighting against the recent caste discrimination bill in California Assembly died of a heart attack as he passionately spoke against it at a city council meeting in Cupertino, sending shock waves amongst the Hindu American community in the country.

IMAGE: Milind Makwana was speaking against anti-caste discrimination bill at a Cupertino City Council meeting when he collapsed. Photograph: Kind courtesy @rishikumar1/Twitter

Milind Makwana, according to his close friends and family, spoke at the City Council meeting on July 18 against SB403, the anti-caste discrimination bill in California State Assembly.

Throughout the day, the Cupertino-based activist participated in various meetings and the City Council hearing, speaking passionately against it and stating that the bill was anti-Dalit.

Tragically, he collapsed moments after the hearing at the Cupertino City Council.

'Milind had this clear conviction that Dalits and Bahujan are also Hindu. He was passionate about Justice for underprivileged communities and, at the same time, wanted mutual trust and harmony among all communities,' his wife Purvi Makwana said in a statement issued by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS).

'All his life, he had stood for Dharma. I urge the community to support and take forward Milind's dream of Justice, Harmony, and Dharma,' Purvi said.

This past weekend, the community started a fundraiser and raised more than $280,000.

Living, growing, and assimilating in a foreign land is a challenge for any immigrant community, and the micro-minority Hindu community is not an exception to this rule.

Milind became highly alert and concerned by California's SB403 Bill, 'Discrimination on the basis of ancestry', that unjustly branded the Hindu-American community based on the castes, HSS said in a statement.

'Milind was representative of the Hindu community and was a marginalised Hindu based on the so-called caste structure. However, he was of the firm opinion that this so-called law to protect the marginalised community was, in fact, counterproductive and regressive. For Milind, this law was branding wrongly and a cause of potential social division among the Hindu-American community,' HSS said in its statement.

Milind was an active volunteer at Sewa International USA.

"Milind's loss is a great shock to all, and a much sadder part of it is that God has taken away such a gem of a karyakarta (volunteer) so early. As we remember his life, let us also reflect on the importance of caring for our well-being. This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life," said Arun Kankani, president of Sewa International.

As a Sewa volunteer, Milind visited Tamil Nadu in 2015 to witness and participate in relief work as massive floods hit the state.

He regularly volunteered at the California Bay Area Sewa chapter, participating in various service activities and fundraising events.

He was also a member of the Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB), and he has written books, created creative games for children, and countless other activities over the years.
Last year I introduced you to one of my favorite cryptids, Darrel the Dogigator, a delightful half-dog and half-gator creature who lives at the Mystery House (or UCM"You See 'Em" Museum) in Abita Springs, Louisiana. The Abita Mystery House is an incredible meandering house and grounds, where every nook and cranny is filled to the brim with every kind of weirdness you can imagine.

Today I'm back with more news from the Mystery Housethey just installed a new machine called "The Worst Day of Your Life," which, somehow, magically, tells you what the worst day of your life will be. I took my chances and pushed the red button and, much to my chagrin, I got: "A Roach Crawls Out Your Ear." Oh, the horror!

My sister also took her chances with the big red button and received: "Wet Yourself on a Ferris Wheel." Well, that's gonna sucknot just for her but also for any nearby passengers!

If you want to try your luck, head to the Mystery House in Abita Springs, Louisiana and check out "The Worst Day of Your Life." Maybe by the time you get there, creator of the Mystery House, John Preble, and his friend Jordan, who made "The Worst Day of Your Life," will have completed their next fortune telling machine"What You'll Eat for Lunch Tomorrow"which features answers like "Fried Snot" and "Roaches on Toast." I can't wait to see what's in store for me!

The Mystery House is a must-seeI promise you won't be disappointed!

Darrel the Dogigator
Puja Devi (47) visited the area along the Yamuna river multiple times in the past 15 days in the hope that the water that inundated her home will have receded.

IMAGE: A view of the old bridge over river Yamuna as the water level crosses the danger mark again, in New Delhi, July 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

But every time her hopes are dashed and she returns to the relief camp dejected.

Now, she fears that she will not be able to return to her humble home after officials told them that their shanties were "illegal".

They will not be allowed to return even after the water reduces, they were told.

While living under constant fear of losing their home, the abysmal conditions at the relief camp are causing further hardship for the family of 14.

Puja Devi has been living at the relief camp since July 11.

"The meals we get are half-cooked most of the time. It would be better if the government provided us with ration instead of half-cooked food," Puja Devi alleged.

She had been living along the Yamuna's bank for decades with her 10 children, husband and mother-in-law, dependent on the agricultural land for sustenance.

The family was forced to evacuate when water entered her home and destroyed the small agricultural land where she cultivated vegetables.

At 208.66 metres on July 13, the Yamuna surpassed its previous record of 207.49 metres set in September 1978 by a significant margin.

It breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it has in more than four decades.

The consequences of the floods have been devastating, with more than 27,000 people evacuated from their homes.

The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses and earnings have run into crores.

Puja Devi and her family are not the only ones suffering.

Kali Charan, a 44-year-old daily-wage worker, said his wife Sandhya Devi fell while being evacuated and is now suffering from a severe pain in her leg.

"The medicines that we are getting are not working properly. I don't have the money to provide proper treatment to my wife," he added.

Om Prakash, a 30-year-old father of three, said, "There are no jobs, I have no clue how I will earn my livelihood."

He also mentioned that the food and water at the camps are not regular and sometimes they have to sleep on an empty stomach. His children are unable to attend school as their books, bags and uniforms were washed away in the flood.

"I am not sure if I will get my land back but I request the government to let us stay here. We are poor people and we have nowhere to go. At least by farming here, we earn some amount to feed our families," he said.

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge stood at 206.30 metres at 5 pm. The level was at 206.56 metres between 5 am and 7 am, declining marginally to 206.54 metres at 8 am, and then to 206.47 metres at 12 noon.

The commission has forecast that the water level will dip to 206.22 metres by 2 am on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand till July 25.

Irrigation and flood control department officials in Delhi said the heavy rain in the river's upstream areas will impact rehabilitation of the affected families in the inundated low-lying areas of the national capital and they may have to stay at relief camps for a longer period.

Delhi Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday inspected the treatment plant at Chandrapal.

"Yamuna's water level has started rising again. In view of this, on the orders of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, preparations were reviewed at the Chandrawal water treatment plant," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

"Delhi Jal Board's preparations are solid, the plant will continue to operate even after the Yamuna's water level crosses 209 metres," he further said.

The increase in the river's water level is expected to impact the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected low-lying areas of the capital, officials said.

Experts attributed the unprecedented flooding in Delhi to encroachment on the river floodplain, extreme rainfall within a short time, and silt accumulation that has raised the riverbed.
A Hyderabad university professor on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against him in which summons were also issued for his personal presence before a district court in Imphal.

IMAGE: Congress supporters stage a protest against the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, in Srinagar, July 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench headed Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to list the matter for hearing on July 28 after senior advocate Anand Grover mentioned it for early hearing.

The petitioner, Dr Kham Khan Suan Hausing, a professor of political science and also the head of the department of political science in University of Hyderabad, who belongs to Kuki tribal community, approached the top court seeking quashing of proceedings and summons.

Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East, Manipur, issued summons to Hausing asking him to appear before it on July 28, 2023, in pursuance of the criminal complaint filed against him by Manipar Moirangthem Singh, a member of the Meitei Tribes Union.

The Imphal court took cognisance of the offences made out under Section 153A (which deals with promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (which deals with acts outraging religious feelings), 505(1) (statements conducting public mischief), 298 (deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code.

The complainant claimed that professor Hausings statements in an interview to Karan Thapar have defamed Meitei community and fueled communal enmity in Manipur.

In the interview, Hausing had said that separate administration must be created for the Kuki community.

The petitioner sought record of entire complaint including, the statement of complainant and witnesses, the copy of complaint, copy of FIR lodged and orders passed by the court.

He said summons were issued to him in abject ignorance of the communal tension and disturbance prevailing in the state of Manipur between Kuki and Meitei community.

The plea cited the case of a lawyer, Deeksha Dwivedi, who granted interim protection after an FIR was registered against her by the Manipur police for offences of sedition, conspiracy to wage war, etc.

The petitioner said he is similarly placed with Dwivedis case as he apprehends that amidst the communal tension of the two communities, there is threat to his life and liberty.

The petitioner submitted that on account of the widespread conflict in Manipur, he is apprehensive that there is a real and imminent threat to his life if he travels to Manipur to answer the summons.

Hausing further stated in his plea that on on July 6, 2023 summons were issued by the magistrate and no case against the offences under which he was charged are made out.

He said on July 13, it has also come to his knowledge that a fresh complaint dated July 10 by one Khomdrom Manikanta Singh has also been filed with the officer-in-charge, Imphal West police station, Manipur alleging that Hausing is not a citizen of India and his name has been added to the electoral rolls by manipulation, fraud, forgery, and conspiracy.

The violence in Manipur between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki, erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur on May 3.

Violence has gripped the entire state for over three month now and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden during their meeting at the Oval Office last month spent plurality of their time having discussions on China and its leader Xi Jinping, according to a senior administration official familiar with the discussion.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden at White House, in Washington, DC on June 22, 2023. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

In the Oval Office meeting between Modi and Biden, a plurality of that time was just spent talking about China... and the experiences they've had with Xi, both knowing him for a long time trying really hard to have a relationship with him, and just both essentially giving up on, said the senior administration official who spoke on conditions of anonymity.

The official said China was a major issue of discussion.

In reality it (China) is not the glue of our relationship at all, but it's one of the factors and I think we're gonna have that glue for a long time to come, said the official familiar with the discussions between the two leaders last month.

Modi met Biden for all three days between June 21 and June 23 during the Indian prime minister's state visit to the US.

On June 22, wherein the US president welcomed the prime minister at the White House in the morning and the State Dinner later in the evening, Biden and Modi spent time together for more than eight hours.

Both India and the United States believe that China poses a major national security threat to them, the official said, noting that the Biden administration thinks New Delhi has been ahead of Washington in terms of handling Beijing.

The Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya had a meeting with the Dalai Lama a couple of weeks ago in New Delhi and the Chinese kind of went nuts about that, the official noted.

They (Indians are) in some ways were ahead of us. It is much more existential for them in terms of countering the China threat. Whether it's banning TikTok, whether it was building up mobile networks with no Chinese equipment, they've actually shown a way forward of what de-risking looks like. And that's why I think they're so critical, said the official.

At the same time, they still depend on a lot of Chinese things, just like we do. China has been a real irritant in G-20 for them. Russia too, the official noted, giving an insight into the G-20 discussions and the balancing act that India is doing to bring all stakeholders together.

Observing that India and the United States have never had a stronger relationship than now, the official said that post the visit of Modi, it has never been deeper in the memory of the president.

In India, Modi's popularity is about 80 per cent in some polls, so is America's.

America is as popular as Modi is in India. It's a place where there's an immense reservoir of goodwill towards Americans, towards America and a desire to get even closer, the official said.

That's not just reflected at the very top which is where we usually write about or hear about. It's, I think, underneath that at the government-to-government level business-to-business level. And then people to people, the official said.

Vice Versa, if the bridge from India to America is a steel reinforced four-lane highway, a strong, stable bridge; I would describe in years past the bridge from America to India has been like a rope bridge with every other plank missing. Like we don't know India and Indians anywhere near the level that India and Indians know America and Americans. I think that's beginning to change, said the official referring to a large number of high-level visits to India.

There's hardly a week or two that goes by without a major US government representative being in the country. And then on the business side, it's like a steady stream of CEOs. Some have better strategies than others, but everybody's like rushing India, said the official.

It's one of those moments where, if you rewind the clock, China 15 years ago was raising people at this pace out of poverty into the middle class. India is actually doing it a little faster than China was 15 or 20 years ago. You just look at the metrics, whether it's the number one source of student visas now, India surpassed China last year, whether it's the investment, which is a record level, and we're the number one trading partner for India for the first time. And another number of other metrics, the official said.

This is the most significant country in many ways for them and becoming one of the most. The president said one of the most consequential relationships we have. Privately he's expressed  that this is the most important relationship that we have, at least in terms of growth and, and the future, said the official.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked the opposition on Monday to allow a debate on the Manipur issue to begin in Parliament but the deadlock persisted in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as both sides refused to budge from their stand, with Congress and its allies insisting on a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi first.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in an argument with AAP MP Sanjay Singh during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: SansadTV/ANI Photo

Relentless protests from opposition members marred proceedings in both the Houses and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, one of the more vocal voices in Rajya Sabha, was suspended for the rest of the Monsoon session for repeatedly 'violating' the directives of the Chair.

The suspension came after Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion in this regard and it was adopted by the House by voice vote. Before that, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named Singh for his 'unruly behaviour' and cautioned him.

Opposition parties condemned the action against Singh and accused the government of trying to throttle their voice.

With protests ruling the day inside both Houses despite attempts by Dhankhar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to end the impasse, charge and countercharges flew thick and fast outside Parliament as the two sides targeted each other.

Since the session began on July 20, little work has been done in Parliament.

Opposition members have seized on the viral video of two women stripped and paraded by a mob from another community in the violence-hit state to corner the government.

While the government has expressed its willingness to a debate on the situation in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state, the opposition has made a statement from Modi a precondition for any discussion on the issue, accusing him of insulting Parliament by speaking to the media on the matter and not in either of the Houses.

As slogan-shouting by opposition members, many of whom were in the Well, continued in Lok Sabha, Shah spoke briefly, questioning their intent despite his willingness to debate.

The government has said that the Home Minister will reply to any such debate on the Manipur issue.

"I am willing for discussion in Lok Sabha on the situation in Manipur but do not know why the opposition does not want it," Shah said.

He said opposition leaders should allow a debate, saying it was important for the truth to come out before the country on the Manipur issue.

As opposition members continued their protest, demanding that the prime minister give a statement first, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings for the day.

The MPs of the BJP as well as Opposition staged protests near the Mahatma Gandhi statue to highlights their demands.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Modi of insulting Parliament by choosing to speak on the Manipur issue not inside the House but outside. It is a serious matter and the prime minister must speak inside when the session is on, he said.

The incidents in Manipur over the last several weeks have shamed the country, and the Union government has been extremely insensitive in handling the issue, Janata Dal-United president Lalan Singh said, calling for a statement from Modi in Parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi earlier accused opposition members of deliberately scuttling a discussion on the sensitive issue.

BJP members also raised the issue of attacks on women, including the victims being disrobed and raped, in states like West Bengal and Rajasthan to get back at opposition parties.

"The Opposition should not make excuses. The PM has already made a statement on Manipur with sensitivity and firmness ahead of the session. It is wrong that we don't start the discussion at all by making an excuse in the name of PM," Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said.

With the BJP parliamentary party holding its weekly meeting on Tuesday, its senior leaders, including Modi, may speak on the ongoing logjam.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP sources said, has spoken to opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress, in an attempt to break the impasse but in vain.

Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar also held a meeting with opposition leaders from the Upper House, including Jairam Ramesh, Bharata Rashtra Samiti' K Keshava Rao, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra and AAP's Raghav Chadha, in this regard as well.

In Lok Sabha, the government succeeded in transacting some legislative business amid uproar, with three Bills introduced and one withdrawn.

While the government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, it introduced the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Earlier in the day, as soon as the Lower House met at 11 am, opposition members from the Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Left parties and others were on their feet.

Speaker Om Birla allowed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to speak.

Chowdhury said Modi should make a suo motu statement on the floor of the House on the violence in Manipur.

Birla said the House is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence and the debate could be started after 12 noon as the time fixed for the Question Hour from 11 am should not be disturbed because many important issues are raised by the members.

"The whole House is ready for the discussion and the government will reply to the debate too. But you will not decide who will reply to the debate," the Speaker said.

Defence Minister Singh, who is also the deputy leader of Lok Sabha, reiterated his statement made on Friday that the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence.

The opposition members were holding placards that read 'INDIA wants discussion on Manipur violence', 'INDIA for Manipur' etc.

INDIA is the name opposition parties have chosen for their alliance.

When the Upper House of Parliament reassembled at 3 pm, Deputy Chairman Harivansh noted that Sanjay Singh despite being suspended was still in the House.

The chairman reminded the AAP MP to leave the House so that Rajya Sabha could function.

Various opposition members protested against Singh's suspension and wanted to raise points of order which was disallowed by the deputy chairman.

With opposition members continuing to raise slogans against the government on the Manipur issue, he adjourned the House for the day.

Singh had rushed to the well of the House and was pointing at the Chair while seeking a discussion on Manipur when he was cautioned.

The AAP leader, however, continued to protest in the House even after he was suspended and Rajya Sabha was adjourned.
The Centre and Opposition parties on Monday staged protests over crimes against women and the ethnic violence in Manipur.

IMAGE: Several opposition parties' MPs protest over the ethnic violence in Manipur outside the Parliament in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI

Leaders of several opposition parties staged a protest in Parliament complex demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on the Manipur issue.

Holding placards and banners that read "INDIA for Manipur" and "INDIA demands PM's statement on Manipur", the opposition parties raised slogans against the government in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament complex.

Speaking to reporters, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the prime minister's duty to make a comprehensive statement in Parliament on Manipur violence.

"It is shameful that the prime minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session. It is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside Parliament on Manipur violence," the Congress leader said.

"We are requesting the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha that the PM should make a statement on the situation in Manipur. We want a discussion under Rule 167 but the Modi government wants a short duration discussion under Rule 176 for half an hour.We want under Rule 267 under which there can also be voting," he said.

The prime minister should first make a statement and then we will have a discussion under Rule 267, he said

The Modi government and the BJP cannot run away from its constitutional duty and answerability on Manipur, Kharge added.

BJP lawmakers also staged protests in Parliament premises over allegations of growing atrocities against women in Rajasthan, and demanded immediate dismissal of the state government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Women lawmakers of the BJP were at the forefront of the protests against the Rajasthan government that came ahead of the demonstration by the coalition of 26 opposition parties in Parliament premises over the ethnic violence in BJP-ruled Manipur.

Carrying placards and raising slogans, BJP parliamentarians staged protests in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue urging the Rajasthan government to wake up to the failing law and order situation in the state.

We have gathered here to protest against the corruption and atrocities in Rajasthan, Mala Rajya Laxmi, Lok Sabha member from Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand, said.

Rajasthan BJP president Chandra Prakash Joshi demanded that the Rajasthan chief minister should step down over allegations of increasing crimes against women in the state.

Rajasthan has a glorious history, but in the last three years it has emerged as the number one state in atrocities against women, particulary dalits and the poor, Joshi said.

In Rajasthan, there have been instances of a girl being killed after rape, atrocities have been committed against women inside an ambulance and police officials had sought bribes to register an FIR, Joshi claimed.

The Rajasthan government has been unable to maintain law and order. Rajasthan government should step down, he said.

The government has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion on the Manipur issue with the Home Minister replying to it, but the opposition is adamant on its demand for the prime minister's statement first.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any business during the Monsoon Session amid the stalemate between the opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.
The Congress on Monday said the Parliament did not function for a third day because of the "continued refusal" of the government to accept the Opposition tie-up Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance's demand for a "comprehensive statement" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both the Houses on the Manipur situation.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament amid Opposition protest, in New Delhi, July 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the opposition parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and of the country.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid unrelenting protests by opposition members for a statement by Modi on the Manipur situation, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured in the Lower House that the government will discuss the issue.

In a tweet, Ramesh said the Parliament did not function for the third day because of the "continued refusal" of the Modi government to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion.

"INDIA parties are only reflecting the sentiments of the people of Manipur and indeed of our country," he said.

"Why is the PM running away from speaking inside the House?" he added.

Before the start of the proceedings, Ramesh said, "The third day of the Monsoon session of Parliament begins today (Monday). INDIA's demand is straightforward. The prime minister should make a comprehensive statement on the horrific post-May 3 developments in Manipur after which a discussion would take place to express our collective sense of pain, anguish and desire for reconciliation."

"No 5D drama that PM does to escape responsibility in such situations: He denies, distorts, diverts, deflects and defames. Will he rise to the occasion? Manipur is waiting. The nation is watching," the Congress general secretary said.

Several opposition leaders had given notices for adjournment motion to discuss the situation in the north eastern state.

The Opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon session started on Thursday.

The government has accused the Opposition of running away from a debate on the 'all-important' issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it.

The Opposition has also accused the government of running away from a debate on the issue.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have failed to transact any significant business amid the stalemate between the Opposition and the government over the Manipur issue.
A public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking constitution of an independent committee under a retired apex court judge to enquire into the incidents of sexual assault and violence in Manipur.

IMAGE: Manipur Students' Union members take part in a demonstration against the ongoing ethnic violence in India's northeastern state of Manipur, in Imphal, July 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The PIL by advocate Vishal Tiwari says it has been filed against the violation of the rule of law and oppressive brutality, chaos and anarchy being perpetrated in Manipur.

"Recently a video of Manipur got viral showing two ladies who were under capture of mob and were paraded in a disgraceful manner by disrobing them and were subjected to the sexual harassment. This entire incident shocked the nation," the PIL said.

"This matter pertaining to the violence, assault, sexual harassment, rape and riots have been prevailing over months in Manipur yet there has been no action from the Respondent No 1 (Union of India) or Respondent No 2 (Manipur government) in this regard", it said.

The PIL said the independent expert committee should be asked to submit its report within four weeks and direction be issued for action against state agencies for dereliction of duty and not complying with the 2013 verdict of the apex court in Lalita Kumari case.

In its judgement in the Lalita Kumari case, the apex court has issued a set of guidelines to be followed by the police including making it mandatory to register an FIR under Section 154 of the CrPC, if the information discloses the commission of a cognisable offence and no preliminary inquiry is permissible in such a situation.

If the information does not disclose a cognisable offence but indicates the necessity for an inquiry, a preliminary inquiry may be conducted to ascertain whether information reveals any cognisable offence, the apex court had said.

Tiwari has also sought court's direction for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the violence in Manipur.

The PIL said no preventive and corrective measures have been taken in the violence-scarred state where there was "violation of rule of law and Constitution" with no "recourse to justice".

It said the violence has made the life of the common people miserable. It claimed there was no intervention either by the Centre or the state government to stem the violence.

"Horrific incidents have rushed out wherein several cases of sexual assaults of women have surfaced. A video has surfaced which shows two women forced by a mob to walk naked in the northeast Indian state of Manipur which is a severe violation of a women's modesty," it said.

"The Manipur Police took to the social media to describe the incident as a case of abduction, gang rape and murder. Such cognizable offence was not dealt as per the criminal law system of the country and was not in consonance with the Supreme Court's dictum," the PIL said.

The PIL said in accordance with the 2013 Lalita Kumari case verdict of the apex court, duty has been cast upon the police for registering an FIR when the information of a cognisable offence has been disclosed to it.

On July 20, observing that it was "deeply disturbed" by the video of two women being paraded naked in strife-torn Manipur, the top court had said that using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is "simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy".

Taking cognisance of the video, a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had directed the Centre and Manipur government to take immediate remedial, rehabilitative and preventive steps and apprise it of the action taken.

It had said the visuals shown in the media indicated gross constitutional violation and infraction of human rights.

At least 160 people have been killed and several hundred 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 majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
A two-day event to mark the 24th Vijay Diwas will begin in Drass on Tuesday, commemorating India's triumph in the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan.

IMAGE: Tri-Services Nari Sashaktikaran Women Motorcycle Rally flagged off by Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande from the National War Memorial, Delhi, to the Kargil War Memorial, Dras (Ladakh), arrives in Jammu, July 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Preparations are underway for the event at the War Memorial in Drass with final touches being added.

The event will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Singh will arrive on Wednesday to pay homage to the jawans who laid down their lives for the nation.

The families of the martyred soldiers make it a point to visit the memorial each year on the occasion. Many of them have already arrived here for this year's event.

The main event to mark the Vijay Diwas and commemorate the jawans' martyrdom will begin on Tuesday evening with floral tributes at the memorial, where many current and former top Army officers will lay wreaths.

That ceremony will be followed by a memorial service and a visit to the 'Hut of Remembrance' -- a museum constructed adjacent to the memorial.

The event will also include the lighting of lamps and a prayer service, followed by the traditional pipe band and static band display and the Beating Retreat.

On Monday, many tourists visited the War Memorial on the eve of the Vijay Diwas.

"We are visiting the memorial for the first time. We have been wanting to come here and feel very lucky that we have," Amit Singh, a visitor from Bhopal, told PTI.

He said the visit was inspirational.

"Whenever we see any such things related to our Army -- especially this is one of the major areas where we have to put in a lot of effort, we have a lot of martyrs as well -- this gives us a lot of inspiration as Indians. We salute our bravehearts," Singh, who arrived with his family, said.

Dependra, a visitor from Madhya Pradesh, said he got goosebumps when he entered the memorial.

Having lived in London for a while, Deependra is in India on a vacation.

"I missed coming here two years back but made it a point to come this time. I told myself that I won't miss (visiting) this place. There are many films that have been made where we get to see heroic acts but this experience is beyond those movies. We get goosebumps here," he said.

Deependra said it is a different feeling compared to watching it on TV.

"When you enter here, it is a totally different feeling. It is really great to see this. One should definitely come here to get this feeling. One won't be able to get this feeling sitting on a couch, seeing this programme Everyone should come here," he said.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the ongoing delimitation of Lok Sabha and assembly seats in Assam by the Election Commission and sought the response of the Centre and the poll panel on a batch of pleas on the issue.

Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, agreed to examine the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 empowering the Election Commission to undertake the delimitation of constituencies.

The top court sought the replies of the Centre and the Election Commission on the petitions in three weeks and said the petitioners can file their rejoinders in two weeks after that.

Ten leaders representing nine opposition parties in Assam -- the Congress, the Raijor Dal, the Assam Jatiya Parishad, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Communist Party of India, the Trinamool Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Anchalik Gana Morcha -- recently filed a plea in the top court challenging the ongoing delimitation process.

Two other pleas are also pending before the court on this aspect.

The petitioners have specifically challenged the methodology adopted by the poll panel and its proposals notified on June 20, 2023.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a PIL seeking a probe by an SIT headed by a retired apex court judge or the Central Bureau of Investigation into the July 13 incident in Patna in which a Bharatiya Janata Party leader died while taking part in a protest march against the Nitish Kumar government.

IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to the apex court website, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta will hear the PIL filed through lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha on July 25.

Vijay Singh, a party leader from Jehanabad district, had died while taking part in a "Vidhan Sabha march".

While the party leaders claimed he had died in a brutal lathicharge by police, the district administration in Patna had come out with a brief statement asserting that "no injury marks" were found on his body.

The "Vidhan Sabha march", organised in support of agitations against the state government's teacher recruitment policy, had commenced from Patna's Gandhi Maidan and was stopped a couple of kilometres away from the assembly premises.

The petition, filed in the apex court by Bihar resident Bhupesh Narayan, has also sought to an investigation into the role played by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and other officials, including the state's police chief, in allegedly "protecting the real perpetrators" of the incident during a peaceful procession organised by the BJP.

"The police is under a constitutional obligation to uphold the rule of law and maintain law and order," said the plea, drawn by advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, adding, "In a democratic country, peaceful procession or march or demonstration against the government policy is a well recognised method of protest."

It said misuse of power against Indian citizens is a grave breach of fundamental rights and threat to public safety.

The petition claimed the members of the procession were suddenly surrounded by police in a pre-planned manner and lathicharge, water cannon and tear gas shells were used which resulted in a chaotic situation.

It alleged that "police brutality and atrocity" resulted in the death of Singh.
In the late 1970s, the British Broadcasting Corporation commissioned its own take on the story of the father of atomic bomb. Premiering in 1980, the BBC's Oppenheimer was a 7-part miniseries with a $1.5 million dollar budget starring future Law & Order star Sam Waterston in the title role. Here's a little more background on the piece, courtesy of Variety:

[Director Peter] Goodchild's seven-part 1980 BBC series "Oppenheimer"  with the physicist played by 40-year-old Sam Waterston, just years away from his Oscar-nominated performance for "The Killing Fields"  received seven BAFTA nominations and took home three golden masks, including best drama series. The show, which was co-produced with WGBH Boston (which contributed just $100,000), also picked up a Golden Globe nod for Waterston along with two Primetime Emmy nominations.

Viewed through a contemporary lens, "Oppenheimer" is astonishing. A BBC-produced series telling an American story, featuring a predominantly American cast? It simply would never happen now. The broadcaster's ongoing fight to justify its license fee-based funding model  in which every BBC-watching household in the U.K. pays 159 ($204) a year to fund its content  means that most original dramas on the Beeb have a distinctly British flavor.

[]

The bulk of its seven hours focused on the formation of the Manhattan Project and the Los Alamos settlement in New Mexico, with special attention paid to Oppenheimer's tumultuous relationship with General Leslie Groves and other scientists such as Edward Teller (played by "Poirot" star David Suchet). A masterful depiction of the Trinity test in Episode 5 used archival material to convey the actual blast, but also relied on a huge, arid Colorado Springs set. The final two episodes focused on Oppenheimer's post-war troubles, and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission hearing that stripped him of his security clearance, effectively severing his ties to U.S. government.
'This move rendered the chiefs of important investigative agencies to the status of daily wage earners. It undermined the autonomy and independence of the agencies.'

Photograph: ANI Photo

The final chapter in saga of 'The Importance of Being Sanjay Kumar Mishra' will be complete on July 31 when, following an order from the Supreme Court, the term of the 62-year-old controversial chief of the Enforcement Directorate will come to an end.

Rarely has the apex court ordered that a public servant step down from his position as his continuance in the position was in violation of a court order.

The government, on whose intervention Mishra continued as ED chief, reacted to the court directive with Union Home Minister Amit A Shah tweeting: 'Those rejoicing over the Hon'ble SC decision on the ED case are delusional for various reasons: The amendments to the CVC [Central Vigilance Commission] Act, which were duly passed by Parliament, have been upheld. Powers of the ED to strike at those who are corrupt and on the wrong side of the law remain the same.

'ED is an institution which rises beyond any one individual.... Thus, who the ED director is -- that is not important because whoever assumes this role will take note of the rampant corruption of a cosy club of entitled dynasts who have an anti-development mindset.'

To this, Opposition leader Kapil Sibal had just one question: 'If who the ED Director is is not important, then why did the government give him a third extension?'

Mishra was first appointed the ED director for two years on November 19, 2018.

The government, by an order dated November 13, 2020, modified the appointment letter retrospectively and Mishra's two-year term was changed to three years.

Then, just as he was about to retire, the government, via an ordinance that was later passed by Parliament, amended the CVC Act and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act to allow extensions of up to five years 'in public interest' to chiefs of the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation.

The extensions would be applicable one year at a time.

Yashovardhan Azad, an Indian Police Service officer for 40 years, told Business Standard: "This move rendered the chiefs of important investigative agencies to the status of daily wage earners. It undermined the autonomy and independence of the agencies. That the ordinance was brought just before a Parliament session meant it was not a move to reform and streamline the functioning of the agencies but designed for particular individuals."

The ordinance came days before the winter session, on November 14, 2021. The urgency was obvious: Mishra's extensions would have come to an end on November 17, 2021.

But non-profit Common Cause was already in court against the extensions.

A fierce argument saw senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Common Cause, asserting that extension of tenure beyond the retirement age was done because the officer was 'a favourite'.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the government, saying 'the [appointments] committee went through the performance appraisal reports of the last 10 years of each candidate. For the last 10 years, the report said he was outstanding. Such decisions by the system devised by our country are not by someone's whims and fancies.'

To this, Justice L N Rao observed: 'Even if S K Mishra is excellent, we cannot have him continue till all these cases are over. He is doing good work, but the question is whether his tenure can be extended.'

On September 8, 2021, the court ordered a mandamus -- a command issued by the court to a lower court or government asking (or restraining) an official in his public duties.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court said the government was free to enact any law it wanted, but it could not violate an action ordered by the court under mandamus.

'This court has specifically issued a mandamus (judgment-directive) that no further extension shall be granted to the second respondent (Kumar). The mandamus issued to the parties (the Centre and Kumar) was binding on them...

'We, therefore, find that the respondent No 1 (Union government) could not have issued orders dated 17th November 2021 and 17th November 2022 in breach of the mandamus issued by this court vide its judgment dated 8th September 2021 in Common Cause (2021).'

However, the court allowed Mishra to continue in his position till July 31. Under the new law, he would have completed his tenure in November.

Mishra is a 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, and believed to be an expert in financial matters.

He has been chief commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi and was declared interim chief of ED following his appointment as Principal Special Director of ED for three months before the retirement of his predecessor, Karnal Singh. He was then elevated as additional secretary.

Originally from Uttar Pradesh, he has personally supervised ED probes in several high-profile cases.

These include money laundering allegations against Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar's nephew and current Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar; allegations against former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in an illegal mining case; the INX media case relating to foreign exchange violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act ; the allegedly illegal transfer of property in Panchkula by then chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and late party treasurer Motilal Vora; to Associated Journals Limited owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and a host of other cases.

The agency has registered, in the last four years, cases against Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.

All eyes now will be on the new incumbent who will follow Mishra in the ED. The government has said in court that it would take time to hire a new chief.

Deep thinking -- and deep selection -- are expected to govern the choice.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'With butterflies in our stomachs, but confident of our mission, we took off for Jaffna on the morning of 24 July 1987.'

IAF Veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe recalls a conversation with Air Vice Marshal Harpal Singh Ahluwalia (retd), then a wing commander and mission leader for the clandestine operation.

IMAGE: Kindly note the image of an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter has been published only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

I got to speak to Indian Air Force Veteran Air Vice Marshal Harpal Singh Ahluwalia in Wellington in the Nilgiris.

I was, at that time, researching on the Indian Peace Keeping Force and the Indian Air Force's role in the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka which began in 1987, and lasted almost three years.

The air vice marshal remembered events clearly as if they happened yesterday and was forthcoming in his description of the clandestine mission that was undertaken on July 24, 1987.

36 years ago, a secret mission this day

"In the cacophony of the rotors, we waited excitedly for the passengers to arrive, also aware that that bullets could fly any moment, jeopardising the entire mission."

The helicopters were at full RPM (Revolutions Per Minute), ready to fly out if such an eventuality happened. There were to be just four VIP passengers along with a few staff, the crew had been briefed.

Six new gleaming Mi-17 helicopters of the newly formed helicopter unit at Hindon (Ghaziabad) had been tasked to ferry out at short notice for a mission that they weren't aware of or briefed for, when they took off for the long 2,000 km plus ride from north to south.

"You will be briefed for the mission when you reach Sulur (Coimbatore)," the Chief Operations Officer at the parent base had told them.

It was the 22nd of July 1987, and the choppers took off at sunrise, heading south towards Khajuraho, on the first leg of their long flight.

"It was exciting as well as intriguing at the same time," recalls Air Vice Marshal 'Harry' Ahluwalia.

He was a wing commander then, heading this new unit and also awaiting his next rank.

Harry sir is now in his late seventies, settled in Wellington, which is home to the Defence Services Staff College.

"I was told that the helicopters must be ready and equipped for Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO), somewhere in the south, at the earliest."

Sri Lanka was in the midst of a bloody civil war.

J R Jayewardane, then the Sri Lankan president, had ordered his army into Jaffna, the stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Sri Lankan troops had gone on a rampage in the Tamil dominated town with heavy weapons and more than a thousand civilians had been killed.

The outrage over events in Jaffna and northern Sri Lankan has spilt over to Tamil Nadu.

The urgency of the mission, and the SHBO task that they were asked to be ready for made the Commanding Officer realise that the mission had something to do with Sri Lanka.

As the commanding officer of the Hindon unit Wing Commander 'Harry' Ahluwalia understandably was the mission leader.

He had undertaken operations against militancy during the Mizo crisis, the lessons learnt there would be helpful in planning this mission well.

The aircraft had reached Sulur on the noon of July 23rd, but they were soon asked to fly further south to Thanjavur, to a small disused airfield at that time, under IAF control.

"Thanjavur was a ramshackle airfield with no accommodation in those times and we spent the evening getting rid of the tiredness of the long flight at a hotel," remembers 'Harry' Sir.

The next morning things became clearer, when, in a joint briefing by Army and Air HQ representatives, a detailed briefing was carried out.

Two aircraft were to fly out from Thanjavur, go across the sea flying at deck level and enter Sri Lankan territory to land near a temple just outside Jaffna to pick up some passengers and get them back to mainland India in a clandestine mission.

And who were these VIP passengers? Vellupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE leader, his wife and two children along with some other Tigers.

IMAGE: Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who was slain by the Sri Lankan army in May 2009. Photograph: LTTE/Handout/Reuters

The LTTE supremo's strongholds in Jaffna had taken a severe pounding from the Sri Lankan army. Maybe, just maybe, he was coming to India to ask for help, everyone in the crew thought.

During the briefing, a crew member asked the HQ reps, "What happens if we come face to face with the Sri Lankan army on landing at Jaffna?"

"Should such an eventuality arise, you are to tell them to call up their President and take orders," came the reply.

"We weren't too amused with the answer, but decided not to question the senior officer," says Harry sir.

"With butterflies in our stomachs, but confident of our mission, we took off for Jaffna on the morning of 24 July 1987."

An LTTE representative was on board to help them navigate to the temple at Jaffna.

"This man in the aeroplane was of no use to us or anyone else. Firstly, he did not speak a word of Hindi or English; and secondly, he was totally disoriented the moment we were off the ground," remembers the AVM.

The outbound leg went without a hitch. Two additional Mi-17s were also airborne and orbiting near the coast as airborne standbys, while the other helicopters remained on ground.

An An-32 aircraft climbed high over the coast and acted as a radio relay, since radio range at low altitudes would be poor.

The officers in Delhi, obviously, wanted a minute to minute progress report of the mission.

IMAGE: An undated picture supplied by the Sri Lankan ministry of defence shows Prabhakaran with his wife Mathivathani, son Balachandran and daughter Duwaraka from a collection of photographs that Sri Lankan soldiers said they discovered in a 'hideout' in northern Sri Lanka. Photograph: Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence/Handout/Reuters

Harry Sir and his crew arrived at the temple in Jaffna and the passengers were quickly put on board along with their escorts.

The crew then asked Prabhakaran's security detail to hand over their weapons for safe custody ,which was very reluctantly agreed to.

Just as the helicopter was going to lift off, the flight engineer noticed a weapon -- an AK 47 most probably -- lying on the ground close to the aircraft.

"He was keen to go and pick it up as a trophy to be kept at the unit, but better sense prevailed. I negated his request and we got ready for take-off," says Harry Sir.

What if the passengers thought that the weapon was a threat to their leader when the engineer bought it into the passenger cabin?

The LTTE was capable of drastic action. The entire mission would have been jeopardised.

Up and away, and heading towards the Indian coastline, the crew were happy that the mission had gone off without a hitch.

"We had carried a camera on board and the flight gunner took a few photographs of the passengers which were to be kept for posterity, much against the wishes of Prabhakaran's security staff," remembers the mission leader.

The photographer at the studio later reported that the entire film had been over exposed and there was nothing for him to print.

Apparently, one of the passengers had opened the rear end of the camera and exposed the reel during the flight when the gunner was busy doing his duties!

"We got Prabhakaran to write something for us. 'My best wishes to the Indian People', he wrote in Tamil and signed below it. That memento is still available in the squadron diary to this day," says Harry Sir.

The mission, amidst tight security, landed in Trichy and the passengers were transferred to a waiting An-32 which was to take them first to Chennai and then onwards to Delhi.

IMAGE: Prabhakaran, left, with LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham (in white shirt), second from left, and other LTTE members. Photograph: Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence/Handout/Reuters

In a few days, it is believed that Prabhakaran and his family were back in Jaffna. What happened in Delhi is not known.

Just five days after this mission, on July 29, 1987, the Indo-Sri Lanka accord was signed by then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Jayewardane in Colombo.

The very next day, the Indian Army -- the Indian Peace Keeping Force -- moved into the island nation for a bloody tenure which was to last 32 months.

A helicopter pilot who served the IAF for 35 years, IAF Veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe is a frequent contributor to Rediff.com and you can read his earlier articles here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
BRATTLEBORO  A new program is set to prepare new members of all types of boards to lead their communities and know what roles are right for them.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

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A little mix of everything: Through 50 years and 4 locations, Vermont Artisan Designs has something for everyone
Andrew Z. Galarneau // News Food Editor

In architectural parlance, the building at the corner of Babcock and Perry streets has two and a half stories.

In human terms, the stories born inside its walls, of new lives built in America, stack skyscraper-high.

Its across the street from the Austin Air sign southbound motorists see from the I-190. Built in 1920 as a double residence, 150 Babcock St. became Sallys Tavern in 1946. Stella Maroney and her husband, Edward, were the first restaurateurs on the corner, serving neighbors and workers from the neighborhood factories.

Seneca-Babcock Citizens Improvements Committee meetings, held there in the late 1950s, organized neighbors to fight air pollution and tax assessment issues. Stella Maroney sponsored the St. Monicas Boys Club softball team.

It stayed in Maroney hands for nearly 40 years. By 1981, John Wojtowicz was an owner. Then by 1989, Sallys became Split Decision; by 1991, Forking Tavern; by 1993, Tigs Tavern. Circa 2003, the Froggys Inn era began.

In 2021, the building was purchased by Burmese immigrants Than Than Myint and Esther Om Sein. They arrived in the United States from Malaysia eight and 10 years earlier, respectively. Relatives run the original Family Thai at 863 Tonawanda St. in Riverside.

In 2023, Myint and Sein started serving customers. The outside still bears FRI FISH FRYS signage. Inside, Family Thai has a whole new kettle of fish to offer the neighborhood.

The Family Thai Restaurant sign is new, but the door eases open with the heft of old oak. Bubble teas are pushed over the polished wooden bar now, not frosty pitchers. On stars-and-stripes tablecloths, the newest neighbors with hard-to-spell names are knocking it out of the park.

Family Thai is family priced, with a menu that tops out at $13.99.

Sushi fanciers can get into a vegetable roll (avocado, carrot, cucumber) or California roll (imitation crab, avocado, cucumber) for $5.99. Salmon, tuna or shrimp crunch rolls ($9.99) are topped with fried onions or tempura flakes.

Samosas (3/$5.99), triangular fried pastries filled with gently curried potato, or chicken and potato, are popular. They are offered with sweet chile sauce.

Family Thai offers worthy versions of standard Thai soups like tom kha gai, coconut chicken soup tangy with lime and perfumed with lemongrass, and tom yum, with a roast chile and lemongrass stock, tomatoes and mushrooms (both $5.95).

Since the day in 2010 that Sun Restaurants Kevin Lin proffered my first bowl of coconut curry chicken soup in the back of his Niagara Street grocery, owno kosware (of various spellings), has never failed to demystify Burmese cuisine for first-timers.

Gentle, creamy chicken-coconut broth with fat egg noodles and tender chicken hidden beneath its saffron surface, sliced hardboiled egg and crunchy chickpea tuile on deck, its the most accessible on-ramp to the simple and complex pleasures of Burmese cuisine.

Chinese noodle soup star, wonton noodle soup ($10.99) presents as chicken broth chockablock with slices of barbecue pork, spaghettoni-gauge egg noodles, pork wontons and fresh choy sum, a variety of mustard greens.

Tea leaf salad ($8.99), la peth thoat, is the Burmese national dish, made with tea greens fermented like sauerkraut instead of dried for hot beverages. Its a vegan thrill ride of shredded cabbage, diced fresh tomato, fried beans, peanuts and olive-drab tea leaves, dressed in garlic oil and a squeeze of lime. Substitute shaved fresh ginger for tea leaves in gin thoat, a salad with bracing gingery pop.

Larb salads are minced proteins dressed with a vinaigrette of lime, fish sauce and chile. Crunch comes from toasted rice powder. The pork version ($10.99) is my go-to. Like all larbs, their intense flavors are meant to spice up a pile of white rice.

Burmese curries, including Family Thais egg curry ($10.99), come in one flavor, a deep burnt sienna ragu of onion, ginger and gentle spices. Tender beef, bone-in chicken, potatoes and more arrive so enrobed, but I usually opt for the hardboiled eggs, deep-fried before braising for a heartier textural contrast.

Crispy egg noodle nest with seafood ($13.99) is the most expensive dish on the menu. Shrimp, squid and a bevy of vegetables get wokked to gentle smokiness in oyster sauce gravy. The expanse of crispy fried noodles beneath gets softer as you work, but never turns to mush.

Buffalo is more than 7% Burmese these days, and in the last decade more Burmese-owned operations have expanded into suburban plazas. Sein now runs Teaxpresso Cafe, a bubble tea shop at 2323 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda. May Zin Oo, Seins niece, has joined Thet as a partner at 150 Babcock St.

Head to the corner of Babcock and Perry to see if it fits into your familys story. Thai House could become your Thai home.

Family Thai Restaurant

150 Babcock St. (familythai-restaurant.com, 716-322-1102)

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Wednesday. Closed Thursday.

Prices: appetizers, $5.99-$6.99; salads, $8.99-$11.99; entrees, $11.99-$13.99.

Atmosphere: quiet family time

Parking: street

Wheelchair accessible: no

Gluten-free options: tea leaf salad, egg curry, green papaya salad

Outdoor seating: no

Photos: Family Thai Restaurant Portal to a delicious experience at Family Thai's South Buffalo location Tasty tableau Family Thai Restaurant Burmese & Thai cuisine Crispy egg noodles with seafood Mirrored bar Table for two Lat Phat Thoat Back room dining Ohne Noe Kyouk Swe A touch of greenery Wonton noodle soup Larb salad with pork Today's Special! Coconut plus Main dining area Cozy corner
Malis army together with suspected Russia-linked Wagner group mercenaries have committed summary executions, lootings, forced disappearances and other abuses, said a leading human rights group Monday. Human Rights Watch said the atrocities happened in Malis central region and that several dozen civilians were summarily executed or forcibly disappeared since December 2022. The human rights group interviewed 40 people by phone, including witnesses, and reviewed a video showing evidence of abuses by Malian soldiers and associated foreign fighters.

Abuses, according to witnesses interviewed by HRW, included the killing of at least 20 civilians, among them a woman and a six-year-old, during an operation in the Mopti region by scores of Malian and white foreign soldiers. HRW said that much of the abuse took place during military operations in response to the presence of extremist groups in the Mopti and Segou regions and all, except one, involved foreign non-French speaking armed men described as white, Russians or Wagner, said the report.

Most of the civilians killed, arrested, or forcibly disappeared are from the Fulani ethnic group, which extremists have targeted for recruitment. Mali has struggled to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency since 2012. Extremist rebels were forced from power in Malis northern cities the following year, with the help of a French-led military operation, but they regrouped in the desert and began launching attacks on the Malian army and its allies.

The countrys military government ousted French forces in 2022 and has welcomed up to 1,000 fighters from the Wagner Group, a shadowy Russian military contractor, which worked alongside Malis armed forces and has been accused by rights groups and civilians of committing abuses. In a response to correspondence by HRW, Malis foreign affairs ministry said it was not aware of the abuse and that an investigation would be opened into the allegations. The report comes weeks after Mali ousted the United Nations peacekeeping mission, which had been operating in the country for a decade and investigated human rights abuses as part of its work.

(The UN mission) had flaws and weaknesses, but was capable of carrying out some very important activities, including granting a minimum of security to urban centers in central and northern Mali, Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior researcher at HRW, told The Associated Press.

Allegrozzi added that they are concerned about whether civilians living in the most at-risk areas will have the protection they need, given Wagner forces gruesome reputation and appalling human rights record. Reports of abuse by Malis army and foreign troops suspected to be Russian are not new. Last year the UN Human Rights Office found that more than 500 people were killed  the majority summarily executed  by Malian troops and foreign military personnel during a military operation in the village of Moura. Allegrozzi said the governments counter-terrorism strategy is abusive and wont stem the insecurity. Killing civilians in the name of security wont help, she said.
Hoping to avoid prison, an Amherst man who robbed a beaten police officer of his badge and radio amid the storming of the U.S. Capitol apologized in a letter to a federal judge and said a years-long misdiagnosis of his mental illness contributed to his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

If I had been diagnosed properly years ago I likely wouldnt be in the situation I find myself today, and at the mercy of this court, Thomas Sibick wrote to U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson.

The judge is scheduled to sentence Sibick on Friday in Washington.

A federal prosecutor last week recommended a nearly six-year prison sentence for Sibick, describing him as one of the most violent rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The U.S. Probation Office has recommended a four-year prison sentence.

As thousands of people swarmed around and in the Capitol, with some attacking and injuring police officers, the Amherst mans actions in the Lower West Terrace stood out for what happened to then-D.C. Police Officer Michael Fanone, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly L. Paschall in her court filing.

Capitol riot prosecutor seeks nearly 6 years in prison for Amherst man: 'One of the most violent rioters' A federal prosecutor has recommended a nearly six-year prison sentence for Thomas Sibick, saying his repeated assaults against police officers "mark him as one of the most violent rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6."

Fanone, who was dragged down Capitol steps into the mob of rioters, suffered a minor heart attack and a traumatic brain injury. He later resigned from the police force.

Sibick decided to reach in and not only assault the officer, but take his lifeline to safety after these various assaults, according to the governments sentencing recommendation, referring to Fanones radio.

Sibicks lawyer, however, said that while Sibick took Fanones badge and radio, he was not among those who dragged Fanone down Capitol steps and then tased him and beat him with flagpoles.

Mr. Sibicks two-second action in removing the badge and the radio, while illegal, happened so fast that it did not in any way add to the strain Officer Fanone was under during this entire event, defense lawyer Stephen F. Brennwald said in a court filing. The two items were simply quickly removed from whatever had attached them to the officers vest, and it is very likely that Fanone never even knew that it happened until later.

Sibick, 37, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of theft and a single count of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer.

The statute Sibick admitted violating uses several verbs  forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates or interferes  but only two apply to Sibicks actions toward the officer on Jan. 6: impedes and interferes, Brennwald said.

Brennwald gave four reasons for asking the judge to sentence Sibick to home confinement instead of prison:

 Sibick already served nearly eight months in a Washington jail under difficult circumstances.

 His prescription medication  Adderall  aggravated his mental health rather than helped it.

 He was simply caught up in the testosterone-laden actions of the crowd, with his illegal conduct minor compared to the punching and kicking from others who assaulted Fanone.

 Sibicks compelling letter to the judge shows hes really sorry for his actions.

Sibick, who has been free on a personal recognizance bond with conditions, is not in any way minimizing his actions, or denying responsibility for what he did, Brennwald wrote in his sentencing recommendation, filed Friday. What he did was criminal, and beyond the pale.

But it did not remotely involve the same conduct committed by others, the lawyer said.

He can no longer remain silent and go along with the false notion that has been repeatedly invoked in this case that he caused some general harm to Officer Fanone by depriving him of his lifeline,  Brennwald said. That is just factually incorrect, even though what Sibick did in removing the items was illegal, wrong, and completely unacceptable.

Officer Fanone, I am sorry!

While some others charged in the Capitol riot have not expressed remorse, or else made perfunctory apologies, Mr. Sibick, on the other hand, has been devastated by his actions that day, and expressed his remorse, Brennwald said.

Sibick did so again in his latest letter to the judge

The letter came straight from Mr. Sibicks heart and mind, Brennwald said, adding that he has literally never read a letter that better demonstrates a defendants clarity of thought, as well as sorrow.

Sibicks letter cites his struggles, remorse, acceptance of his health issues and the shame I have experienced and most importantly the forgiveness I ask of Officer Michael Fanone and this court for my wrongdoing.

Sibick called the Jan. 6 riot an attack on the institutions of our democracy and not as some would make you believe legitimate political discourse.

The attack was far from peaceful, he wrote, adding, my actions played a role that will follow me for the rest of my life. I certainly broke the rules that day, an embarrassment to myself, my family and my nation.

The trauma Fanone endured is undeniably sickening! Sibick wrote. Watching the video of that vicious attack as he is unjustly pulled away from the police line, restrained, punched, and electroshocked makes me hurt.

What transpired is inconceivable, yet there I was in a manic state not helping but contributing as I interfered with him after he had been tased by another individual, Sibick said.

I am confident that I never had any intent to harm Officer Fanone, unlike others who were combative and enraged with hate towards a human they did not know, Sibick wrote. If I could tell Officer Fanone how deeply sorry I was for impeding him from doing his job, I would. If I was able to give him a hug and make him understand the true nature of my character I would. Officer Fanone, I am sorry!

Misdiagnosis and mania

When Sibick took Fanones badge and radio, he had taken Adderall, a drug prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Brennwald said.

But Sibick did not have ADHD, which he learned while in the custody for nearly eight months of the D.C. Department of Corrections.

The medical staff at the Correctional Treatment Facility diagnosed him as bipolar with personality disorder, according to his letter to the judge.

This was news to me because the doctors I went to in the past classified me as having ADHD and always prescribed vast amounts of Adderall, Sibick wrote.

This misdiagnosis created a serious problem for Mr. Sibick because Adderall is contraindicated for people who suffer from Mr. Sibicks condition, as it can, and did in Mr. Sibicks case, cause that person to become manic, or aggravate any mania, Brennwald said in his court filing.

When Mr. Sibick grabbed Officer Fanones badge and radio, he had no idea that he was suffering from that particular mental disorder, Brennwald said.

Brennwald said it is hard to know whether Sibick would have gone to Washington on that day but for his misdiagnosis.

But there is no doubt that that medication severely and negatively impacted him throughout the day, he said.

Mr. Sibicks mania, and subsequent and sudden mood change, is evident in the Instagram video the government offered as a sentencing exhibit, Brennwald said.

The first part of the video shows the manic way Sibick was speaking. But later, Sibicks voice is notably somber and subdued.

There is no doubt, based on this evidence, that Mr. Sibicks mental state played a central role in his actions on that day, the lawyer said.

Sibick said he now is seeing a therapist and taking proper medication.

People like me who suffer from complex mental illnesses merit your empathy, Sibick wrote the judge. Please have compassion and understanding while sentencing me.

Tormented in jail

Sibick was arrested on March 14, 2021, and held until the judge released him to home confinement the following October.

While in custody, Sibick suffered greatly because he was in a jail unit with other Jan. 6 defendants, Brennwald said.

Many of those defendants were rabid Trump supporters who insisted on the loyalty and allegiance of everyone in that unit, the lawyer wrote. This included nightly singing of the national anthem. Inmates were also angry because Mr. Sibick did not believe that the former president had won the 2020 election. This enraged the others in the unit.

Because Sibick was a compliant prisoner, some inmates thought that this meant that he was somehow in league with those guards, and was a rat, Brennwald said.

No longer able to mentally cope with the stress, Sibick begged the prison to isolate him from other inmates and put him into administrative segregation.

Jan. 6 rioter from Amherst admits assaulting DC police officer and stealing badge and radio Thomas Sibick, who initially faced 10 counts when indicted in April 2021, admitted to three charges in federal court in Washington: two counts of theft and a single count of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer.

This would normally be the last place any prisoner would want to go, Brennwald said. But anything was better, in Mr. Sibicks eyes, than being around idealistic zealots who mentally tormented him.

Sibick spent about two months in the hole before he was released in October 2021. His two months there was clearly breaking him mentally, Brennwald said. Brennwald said he saw Sibick several times during the two months, and Sibick would cry during legal visits and say that he couldnt take it anymore.

Due to the extremely harsh jail conditions, Sibick should be credited for at least twice the actual number of days he was incarcerated, Brennwald said, given his time in isolation and the remaining months under strict Covid protocols.

Bravado amid chaos

While some in the mob had prepared for a confrontation, others went there to shout, scream, and protest the official results of the election, Brennwald said. And others were simply caught up in the testosterone-laden actions of the overall crowd, acting in ways they likely never thought they would. This included Mr. Sibick.

The defenses sentencing recommendation emphasized what Sibick did not do.

He did not enter the Capitol.

For a three minute-period, he stood outside the temporary tunnel that had been erected on the Lower West Terrace for the upcoming inauguration. He made his way toward the front of the group in the tunnel, then exited the tunnel fairly quickly after he and others were tear-gassed.

Prosecutors say Sibick rushed to the front, to add his weight to the pushing throng trying to enter the Capitol.

But Sibick denies being at the forefront of the group pushing against the police line.

Sibick admitted that he joined the rioters in the Lower West Terrace archway.

But while he joined them by being present, he did not join them in exerting any effort to push up against the police line, Brennwald said, adding some video recordings inside the tunnel show physical gaps between people at points in time, meaning that not everyone inside the tunnel was pushing.

None of the videos show Sibick confronting any police officers or pushing up against their bodies or shields inside the tunnel.

After the tear gas, Sibick retreated outside the tunnel, and while still in a manic phase, he did say, Lets go, let me get refreshed, Brennwald said.

Eight minutes later, at 3:19 p.m., Sibick was refreshed enough to rejoin the fight, the prosecutor said.

He also said, just got tear-gassed, but were going, baby, were going. Were pushing forward now.

These statements were pure bravado, Brennwald said.

Sibick never went back inside the tunnel.

He was not among the crowd of people who threw flagpoles, stolen police shields, chairs, and other objects towards police officers, Brennwald said. While he did pose with a police shield at one point, that was after someone had literally handed him the shield and suggested that he be photographed holding the shield.

He did, over a period of two seconds, reach out towards Officer Fanone, and for reasons still unknown to him, grab the officers badge and radio, Brennwald said.

Rather than obtain a trophy, he threw the radio away and later buried the police shield in his parents back yard.

The prosecutions contention that removing Fanones radio took away his lifeline to safety misrepresents the facts on the ground that afternoon, Brennwald said.

Officer Fanone was surrounded by, or right next to, many officers when he was dragged out of the tunnel and into the crowd, he said. Other officers already knew that he needed help. They were unable to provide that help, however, because of the large size of the crowd in the tunnel.
Serbian police said Monday they have arrested two people suspected of helping smuggling Cubans toward Spain as part of an international crime group.

The two Serbian citizens were arrested in a monthslong investigation in cooperation with Spain, the Interpol and Europol, police said in a statement. They said 18 more suspects have been arrested in Spain.

The suspects in Serbia are accused of organizing the illegal transfer of at least 53 people to neighboring countries  North Macedonia or Bosnia  and on to Spain, said the statement.

Serbia, a southeastern European nation located on the Balkan peninsula, is at the heart of a key land route for migrants trying to reach European Union.

The country in April revoked a visa-free travel arrangement with Cuba following reports of Cubans moving on toward Spain and other EU countries after first coming to Serbia as tourists.

Serbia also imposed visas earlier this year for the citizens of Burundi, Tunisia and India for the same reason and under pressure from the EU, which is seeking to curb migration into the 27-nation bloc.
An international team is set to begin siphoning oil out of the hull of a decrepit tanker moored off the coast of war-torn Yemen this week, a UN official said Sunday. It will mark the first concrete step in an operation years in the making aimed at preventing a massive oil spill in the Red Sea.

More than 1.1 million barrels of oil stored in the tanker, known as SOF Safer, will be transferred to another vessel the United Nations purchased as a replacement to the rusting storage tanker, said Achim Steiner, administrator of the UN development programme.

We have reached a critical stage in this salvage operation, Steiner told The Associated Press hours after the salvage team on Saturday managed to moor the replacement vessel alongside the Safer tanker in the Red Sea. This marks, in a sense, the completion of the month-long preparatory phase. The rusting tanker is a Japanese-made vessel built in the 1970s and sold to the Yemeni government in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of export oil pumped from fields in Marib, a province in eastern Yemen. The ship is 360 metres (1,181 feet) long with 34 storage tanks.

The tanker is moored 6 km (3.7 miles) from Yemen's western Red Sea ports of Hodeida and Ras Issa, a strategic area controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who are at war with the internationally recognised government.

The war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country's north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. The following year, a Saudi-led coalition entered the war to fight the Houthis and try to restore the internationally recognised government to power.

The vessel has not been maintained for eight years, and its structural integrity is compromised, making it at risk of breaking up or exploding. Seawater had entered the engine compartment of the tanker, causing damage to the pipes and increasing the risk of sinking, according to internal documents obtained by the AP in June 2020.

For years, the UN and other governments as well as environmental groups have warned that a major oil spill  or explosion  could disrupt global commercial shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb and Suez Canal routes, causing untold damage to the global economy.

The tanker carries four times as much as the oil that spilled in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes, according to the UN.

The UN has for years campaigned to raise funds for the salvage operation which cost $143 million, including purchasing a new storage vessel to replace the rusting tanker, Steiner of the UNDP said.

It is an extraordinarily complex operation in which, first of all, diplomacy was critical, then the logistical ability to mount such an operation and finally to actually be able to be on site with multiple vessels and put in place the conditions, but also the mitigation measures, the contingency plans, the security plans, Steiner said.

The funding was a major challenge for the UN which resorted to crowd funding to help bridge the gap. But the operation still needs around $20 million to be completed, Steiner said. He criticised the oil and gas industry for not stepping up their contributions.

One can sometimes wonder, you know, is it really up to a school class of children in Maryland to contribute to our crowd funding, he said.

The replacement vessel, now named the Yemen, reached Yemen's coast earlier this month and the salvage team managed to safely berth it alongside the Safer to start the ship-to-ship transfer of oil amid unprecedented measures, including a small flotilla of technical and supply vessels, to avoid missteps during the operation.

Many thought it would never happen, the UNDP administrator told the AP from New York, adding the salvage team has up to five weeks to complete the whole operation.

After transferring the oil, the replacement vessel would be connected to an under-sea pipeline that brings oil from the fields, he said.

We will, I think, begin to breathe more easily when we see an empty Safer being towed away to a scrapyard to be recycled, he said.
Former Pakistani Premier Imran Khan's antics have left the entire world laughing, according to an adviser to US President Joe Biden. Speaking on a Geo News programme, Shahid Ahmed Khan said that the US does not wish to involve itself in Pakistan's internal politics, clarifying that a letter penned by American senators focused on human rights, not Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan.

Shahid Ahmed Khan, who is the Adviser to US President on Arts, revealed that the PTI chief's "cypher drama" has become a laughingstock for the world. The adviser's statement dispels the allegations made by the erstwhile PM, who claimed last year at a rally that Washington hatched a plan to oust him from office. During the event, he waved around a cypher to back his allegations.

According to The News International, Shahid stressed that Biden has not cast aside Pakistan over the country's ties with rival China. He asserted that if the missive penned by US senators was a generic letter on human rights, and if that was not the case, Pakistan would have been unable to receive any further assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Biden's adviser also expressed confusion over Pakistan's habit of deteriorating ties with nations that cater to its interests, adding that the IMF was dissatisfied with the country's local leadership and the previous government's inability to implement an old agreement.

What is the cypher saga?

The cypher controversy that Shahid Ahmed Khan touched upon dates back to March 27, 2022, when former Pakistan PM Imran Khan blamed the US for his loss of power and flashed a cypher at a rally. A cypher is a secret document that envoys in other countries send to their homeland.

In a confession, the ex-PM's then-principal secretary Azam Khan said that Imran Khan was euphoric when he gave him a cypher and allegedly decided to use it to build an anti-establishment narrative. Reacting to the drama, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said: "There can be no bigger betrayal than this. National security was compromised and the official secrets act was violated."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden during their meeting at the Oval Office last month spent plurality of their time having discussions on China and its leader Xi Jinping, according to a senior administration official familiar with the discussion.

In the Oval Office meeting between Modi and Biden, a plurality of that time was just spent talking about China... and the experiences they've had with Xi, both knowing him for a long time trying really hard to have a relationship with him, and just both essentially giving up on, said the senior administration official who spoke on conditions of anonymity.

The official said China was a major issue of discussion.

In reality it (China) is not the glue of our relationship at all, but it's one of the factors and I think we're gonna have that glue for a long time to come, said the official familiar with the discussions between the two leaders last month.

Modi met Biden for all three days between June 21 and June 23 during the Indian prime minister's state visit to the US.

On June 22, wherein the US president welcomed the prime minister at the White House in the morning and the State Dinner later in the evening, Biden and Modi spent time together for more than eight hours.

Both India and the United States believe that China poses a major national security threat to them, the official said, noting that the Biden administration thinks New Delhi has been ahead of Washington in terms of handling Beijing.

The Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya had a meeting with the Dalai Lama a couple of weeks ago in New Delhi and the Chinese kind of went nuts about that, the official noted.

They (Indians are) in some ways were ahead of us. It is much more existential for them in terms of countering the China threat. Whether it's banning TikTok, whether it was building up mobile networks with no Chinese equipment, they've actually shown a way forward of what de-risking looks like. And that's why I think they're so critical, said the official.

At the same time, they still depend on a lot of Chinese things, just like we do. China has been a real irritant in G-20 for them. Russia too, the official noted, giving an insight into the G-20 discussions and the balancing act that India is doing to bring all stakeholders together.

Observing that India and the United States have never had a stronger relationship than now, the official said that post the visit of Modi, it has never been deeper in the memory of the president.

In India, Modi's popularity is about 80 per cent in some polls, so is America's. America is as popular as Modi is in India. It's a place where there's an immense reservoir of goodwill towards Americans, towards America and a desire to get even closer, the official said.

That's not just reflected at the very top which is where we usually write about or hear about. It's, I think, underneath that at the government-to-government level business-to-business level. And then people to people, the official said.

Vice Versa, if the bridge from India to America is a steel reinforced four-lane highway, a strong, stable bridge; I would describe in years past the bridge from America to India has been like a rope bridge with every other plank missing. Like we don't know India and Indians anywhere near the level that India and Indians know America and Americans. I think that's beginning to change, said the official referring to a large number of high-level visits to India.

There's hardly a week or two that goes by without a major US government representative being in the country. And then on the business side, its like a steady stream of CEOs. Some have better strategies than others, but everybody's like rushing India, said the official.

Its one of those moments where, if you rewind the clock, China 15 years ago was raising people at this pace out of poverty into the middle class. India is actually doing it a little faster than China was 15 or 20 years ago. You just look at the metrics, whether it's the number one source of student visas now, India surpassed China last year, whether it's the investment, which is a record level, and were the number one trading partner for India for the first time. And another number of other metrics, the official said.

This is the most significant country in many ways for them and becoming one of the most. The president said one of the most consequential relationships we have. Privately he's expressed  that this is the most important relationship that we have, at least in terms of growth and, and the future, said the official.
Former US President Donald Trump lambasted POTUS Joe Biden and called him stupid for revealing crucial secrets of the country. The business-mogul-turned politician noted that the 80-year-old President was stupid to reveal that the United States is running out of ammunition. Trumps remarks against the Biden administration came during an interview with Fox News on Sunday. In the same interview, the 45th US President also claimed that Europe is getting away with murder" by not giving more financial aid to Ukraine.

We have a man that doesnt understand what hes doing. We have a man who yesterday stood up and told the whole world that we have no ammunition. You know I had every ammunition building full to the brim three years ago, Trump told the American news outlet on Sunday. Weve given it all away. But if you gave it all awaythe only thing worse than that is to tell the world that we have no [ammunition]. He has told China and these other places that are hostile that we have no ammunition, he added. The former US President suggested that Bidens proclamation about the US running out of ammo is way worse than his classified document case.

By the way you talk about classified documents  thats worse than any document that you could give, Trump remarked. So now these people are sitting back, in China and other places that hate us including North Korea where I had a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un and kept our country safe  theyre talking about the United States of America has no ammunition, think of it. How stupid can somebody be to say that? he added. The former US Presidents attack came weeks after Biden admitted that Ukraine is running out of 155mm artillery ammunition and the US was low on it. Biden reasoned that this shortage played an important role in his controversial decision to send cluster munition to Ukraine.

Trump says Europe is getting away with murder

In the provocative interview, Trump accused Europe of smiling all the way to the bank because of their lack of involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukriane war. The former US President noted that America is facing the major brunt of providing assistance to Ukraine. They should be at the same number that we're at, if not more, the former president lamented. And they get away with murder, he exclaimed. The former reality TV star noted that Europe is doing very little in comparison to the US. The money is number one, I'd tell Europe  you're about $100 billion-plus short. Okay? You gotta pay, he said. Europe is doing very little compared to the United States and it affects them more. Look, no matter how you look at it, they're right there. We're an ocean apart. Why are we at $150 billion and they're at $20 [billion]? he questioned.

Will he cut down the funding?

Asked if he would cut off the funding to Ukraine if he becomes the US president all over again, Trump said that he will get the war settled. He insisted that his number one priority as a president involved in the ongoing war will be making sure that Europe is paying their fair share in the war. In the past, the former US President stated that he has the potential to end the raging Russia-Ukriane war in just 24 hours. In the interview, Trump emphasised the severity of the situation and mentioned how the ongoing war is more severe than the battles fought in the past. This is the most dangerous time in the history of our country because of weaponry. The nuclear power is so enormous  this isnt two army tanks going and shooting each other in World War I, World War II, or soldiers standing behind a bunker and shooting people, the former US President concluded.
Ensnarled in backlash, White House hopeful and Biden contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr admitted that he wouldn't vote for himself as the next president if he trusted everything being said about him on the news. Speaking to media, the Kennedy heir admitted on Sunday that optics show him in a rather negative light.

If I believed the stuff thats written about me in the papers and reported about me on the mainstream news sites, I would definitely not vote for me," he said, adding that I would think I was a very despicable person. He then went on to compare the backlash he has received to that of Donald Trump, claiming that he surpasses the former US president in that aspect.

Ive been really, you know, slammed in a way that I think is unprecedented. Even more than President Trump was slammed by the mainstream corporate media," said the nephew of slain President John F. Kennedy. In the elections next year, RFK Jr. hopes to challenge incumbent President Joe Biden, however, polls show otherwise.

The hurdles holding the Kennedy heir back

According to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate, the 69-year-old still has a long way to go in order to beat Biden in the polls. He is trailing behind the 80-year-old by more than 51 percentage points. Kennedy also faces lack of support from his own family, with his cousin Jack Schlossberg branding his campaign as an embarrassment."

Critics have hit out at Kennedy for his controversial views on almost everything, including the pandemic, vaccines and social media censorship. He claimed that those infected by the coronavirus are likely to have been ethnically targeted" as the virus seems to have avoided Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese. But dismissing claims that his remarks stem from antisemitism, he said, "I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews.
Generational succession in the ruling party will see almost the entire cabinet replaced, many by their relatives.

In his memorable evocation of the role of a constitutional monarch, the 19th-century historian Thomas Macaulay intoned that a sovereign reigns but does not rule. After Hun Sen resigns as Cambodias prime minister and hands over the position to his eldest son, the self-styled peasant king will achieve the opposite: he will rule but not reign.

Hun Sen has insinuated that he will hand over the premiership to Hun Manet, a former military chief and four-star general, sometime next month. The long-anticipated power transfer is part of a vast generational succession in the ruling party.

According to leaked official lists seen by this writer and now circulating among political observers, the reshuffle will see almost the entire cabinet replaced by younger officials, many of whom are the children or relatives of other aging party grandees. Interior Minister Sar Kheng and Defence Minister Tea Banh are slated to hand over their offices to their sons, too, according to the lists, on which the government has yet to comment.

Yet, Hun Sen wont quit politics. He has confirmed he will stay on as president of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), which clinched a landslide victory at Sundays general election, an expected outcome after it had disqualified its only viable opponent from competing.

From that position, Hun Sen will still dictate party policy and appointees. It now has more authority to hire and fire after the National Assemblys authority to censure ministers was weakened by constitutional changes last year. He will likely keep his other titles.

He was, for instance, made honorary president of a recently-created forum of the countrys business tycoons. One imagines he will still accompany Manet on visits to Beijing, Cambodias main benefactor.

Its possible that Hun Sen will also create a new cabinet post for himself (perhaps Mentor Minister) or seek to take the presidency of the National Assembly or Senate, the latter of which will allow him to be acting head of state when the King is out of the country, which he frequently is. Doing so would give him additional powers. It would also prolong his diplomatic immunity. Last year, the French government invoked that immunity to prevent a French court from summoning him to a case involving a 1997 grenade attack on opposition figure Sam Rainsy, which Hun Sens bodyguard unit is accused of conducting.

All in the clan

Hun Sen has carved out a personalist rule for his family, now the most important political clan. Hun Many, his youngest son, is expected to become the next Minister of Civil Service, in charge of the sprawling bureaucracy. Hun Manith, another son, will remain as military intelligence chief and was recently made a deputy army commander. Mao Sophan, a close Hun Sen loyalist and head of Brigade 70, has taken over as army chief from Manet. Vongsey Vissoth, one of Hun Sens closest assistants, is tipped to become the next head of the Council of Ministers, so in charge of cabinet affairs. Neth Savoeun, the national police chief, who is married to Hun Sens niece, is expected to become a deputy prime minister. Hun Sens daughters control a vast media and business empire.

In many ways, Hun Sen will depart the premiership after 38 years as the strongman he purports to be. His familys power is secure. He has acolytes in important government and military posts. His narrative that only the CPP (read: his family) can ensure peace and stability is often employed for cynical reasons but there is no doubt that it appeals to many Cambodian voters, especially those old enough to remember the genocide Khmer Rouge era. Something akin to Hun Sen Thought could become official dogma. His party maintains dominance of the National Assembly, winning all but five seats at last weekends election, according to unofficial results.

Hun Manet, commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, shows his finger after he casts his vote at a polling station in Phnom Penh on July 23, 2023. (Photo by -STR / AFP)

The opposition movement that traces a lineage back to the 1990s looks all but a spent force. The economy is in okay-ish health, although structural debts in the property market might bite soon. Cambodia is a trusted, ironclad friend of Beijings, while Western democracies seem to have lost interest in trying to roll back the tide of authoritarianism.

Democratic states will likely see an inchoate Manet administration as one they can work with, although their belief that he will be more democratic and tolerant is a result of them predicting his actions by his reputation as a Western-educated, somewhat cosmopolitan figure.

Yet, power can be tenuous. And rarely do dynastic successions happen as smoothly as imagined in dictatorships. Hun Sen may prove history wrong. With him still in charge behind the scenes, no one will move against his son. But one might question why he felt the need for his eldest son to succeed him. Maybe it speaks to his obsession with framing himself as the peasant king Sdach Kan, a 16th-century usurper. Maybe it is because he sees a dearth of other competent hands to take over the premiership.

More probable, Hun Sen wants to keep Cambodian politics a family business because thats the only way to protect his family. Cambodian politics is a complex web of patronage networks, resembling a past-century court where the Hun family sits at the top and the other baron families (the Teas, the Sars, the Soks) accept the hierarchy but only if they get their cut of the spoils.

Family fiefdoms

The important families have their own ministerial and provincial fiefdoms, in which they can give lucrative state contracts and concessions to their favorites and enrich themselves. All that requires careful handling. If the equilibrium is disrupted, even slightly, if one family feels its interests are threatened, that destabilizes the entire system.

On the one hand, the settlement Hun Sen has fleshed out, in which children of party grandees will now inherit their parents positions and patronage networks, ensures continuity. On the other hand, its a sign of the inherent weakness of the system.

A Hun had to inherit the prime ministership to ensure the familys interests remained intact. A party-wide inheritance scheme had to be conducted to ensure stability, but many of the successors arent experienced. Not only has Manet never held an elected office nor held a governmental office, raising questions about his experience, but he will also become prime minister without the express mandate of voters. Tea Seiha has little experience in defense.

Buddhist monks look at voters lists at a polling station in Phnom Penh on July 23, 2023 during the general elections. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

This sets up a stunted succession process. The partys current aging grandees will resign but theyll still rule. If done properly, the princelings will be given more and more independence over time. If performed badly, however, it will be a succession in all but name, with the new generation of leaders never able to stand on their own two feet, increasing the risks of what happens when their fathers are no longer around.

As such, the transfer of the prime ministership (likely next month) will only signify the midway point of the entire succession process. That will only be completed when Hun Sen no longer has any way back to being prime minister. But for as long as he remains the powerbroker, Manet will never be his own man. His inchoate administration will be dictated to by Hun Sen, and his own legitimacy will always be tied to his fathers. Hell remain the son.

If this goes on for too long and Manet isnt given the leeway to make a crack at forming his own reputation and associations, the danger grows over what happens when Hun Sen, who turns 71 next month, actually departs the political scene.

David Hutt is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) and the Southeast Asia Columnist at the Diplomat. As a journalist, he has covered Southeast Asian politics since 2014. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of RFA.
Election officials prepare to count ballots at a polling station in Phnom Penh on July 23, 2023.

France, the United Kingdom and Australia on Monday criticized Cambodias one-sided parliamentary election, while Chinas Foreign Ministry spokeswoman congratulated Cambodia for the smoothly held vote.

Preliminary results from Sundays election show the Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party winning 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly.

But the election has been criticized as neither free nor fair because of the exclusion of the main opposition Candlelight Party, as well as for efforts to neutralize the political opposition through threats, arrests and other means.

The estimated 84 percent turnout was a clear demonstration of the vibrancy of the Kingdoms democracy and a rejection of the calls for electoral boycotts and smear campaigns orchestrated by extremist opposition factions, Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The voting process was witnessed by 422 international observers, representing 65 nationalities from 61 institutions, according to the ministrys statement, which did not specify the institutions.

Russian election observers stand at a polling station in Takhmau in Kandal province, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. Credit: Heng Sinith/AP





The United States, the European Union, France and Japan said in March that they had no plans to send electoral observers or to provide assistance to Cambodias election committee, citing arrests of opposition activists and other actions intended to silence and intimidate opposition figures.

A statement from the Australian Embassy on Monday condemned the pressure brought to bear on media outlets and civil society groups in recent months, as well as the National Election Committees decision in May to disqualify the Candlelight Party.

Australia has been a partner for decades supporting Cambodias aspiration for peace, development, democracy and human rights, the embassy statement said. We express our concerns as a longstanding friend and renew our desire to work with Cambodia towards these aspirations.

Frances statement cited the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement, which ended decades of war in Cambodia and set the stage for UN-sponsored elections in 1993 and the writing of a new Constitution.

We call for the release of the detained opposition members, and urge the Cambodian authorities to respect the fundamental rights necessary for the restoration of democracy, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said.

Locals line up to vote at a polling station in Krang Thnong village outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. Credit: Heng Sinith/AP





Additionally, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights called on the international community to not recognize or legitimize Sundays farcical elections. Canada and the European Union also released statements on Monday that were critical of the election.

Official election results are expected to be announced between Aug. 9 and Sept. 4.

Strong momentum with China

At the Chinese Foreign Ministrys regular news conference on Monday, spokeswoman Mao Ning wished Hun Sen and the CPP success in forming a new government.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of Chinese and Cambodian leaders, China-Cambodia relations have enjoyed strong momentum, she said. Our two countries contribute to regional cooperation and international equity and justice.

Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, told a Chinese television station last week that his eldest son, Hun Manet, could succeed him as prime minister within weeks.

Hun Manet was listed as the CPPs top candidate from Phnom Penh. In February, he traveled with his father to Beijing to attend meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Hun Manet, eldest son of Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, shows his inked finger after casting his ballot at a polling station in Phnom Penh, on July 23, 2023. Credit: AFP





U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller declined to comment on Monday on the possibility of Hun Manet taking control of the government soon.

On Sunday, he said in a statement that the United States was troubled that the elections were neither free nor fair.

The statement also said that the United States would pause some foreign assistance programs and has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals who undermined democracy in Cambodia ahead of the elections.

We do not make those designations public, Miller said at the State Departments regular briefing on Monday. We make public that we have designated officials, but we do not make the names public as a matter of policy.

He added that $18 million in foreign aid programs will be put on hold this year, and restrictions will extend into future fiscal years. He did not detail the specific programs that were no longer being funded.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed.
Radio Television Hong Kong's Chinese channel is halting the LGBTQ+ radio show We Are Family, which started up in 2006, in August.

Hong Kong's government broadcaster has announced it will axe an LGBTQ+ radio show after 17 years on air, according to the show's anchor and producers.

"I received personal notice at the beginning of July from the director of Radio Television Hong Kong's Chinese channel that 'We Are Family,' which started up in 2006, is being officially terminated in August," the show's anchor Brian Leung said in a July 22 post on his Facebook page.

"In Hong Kong, we are mentally prepared, as a lot of things seem to be a matter of sooner or later," Leung wrote in an apparent reference to an ongoing crackdown on liberal media and political opposition.

"There's little we can do. What can be done has been done."

Activists told Radio Free Asia that the move comes as Beijing continues to tighten its grip on public speech in Hong Kong, in a bid to make the city more patriotically Chinese.

Leung thanked his listeners and said it was "dark times" for equal rights, rather than the end of the road.

The show's producers said on its official Facebook page that it had started in 2006 on the back of a wave of regional interest in LGBTQ+ culture sparked by Taiwanese director Ang Lee's film "Brokeback Mountain."

In a Facebook post, We Are Family anchor Brian Leung thanked listeners and said it was "dark times" for equal rights, rather than the end of the road. Credit: Provided by Xiyan Zhan/RFA

It quoted host and drag queen Coco Pop as saying that the show had been a forum for the LGBTQ+ community to share their views.

"Slowly I realized that this community isn't indifferent, and that we're not alone," Coco Pop wrote in comments cited in the We Are Family Facebook post. "It may have only been for a couple of hours a week, but it was a counterbalance to the arrogance and hegemony of this era."

"Today, we can retire in the knowledge that we have successfully completed the gayest mission ever!"

'Harsh winter for equal rights'

The show has hosted debates with exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law and sociologist and opposition activist Lau Siu-lai on LGBTQ+ rights, and last year covered a struggle by high-school student Nathan Lam for the right of boys to wear their hair long in school.

"Why do they want to axe this show? The official reason they gave was 'program rescheduling'," Leung told Radio Free Asia in an interview on Monday. "I wasn't very surprised by this decision, but it's a shame that we are now in a harsh winter for equal rights [here in Hong Kong]."

"It's a shame we can't share the same hearth to warm ourselves through these difficult times."

LGBTQ+ activist Kenneth Cheung, who founded the group Rainbow, said the show once served as a platform to educate people about sexual minority rights.

"Through 'We Are Family' we came to understand the different situations in different parts of the world, and Hong Kong's place in that," Cheung said. "We're no worse off than other developing countries, but we were a long way from advanced equality, human rights and democracy."

"There is still a lot of room for progress and improvement," he said. "'We Are Family' encouraged that progress and was a platform for public education."

Constantly shifting speech curbs

Cheung said there has been a change in the political atmosphere for LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong.

"It's becoming more and more obvious that equal rights is now about ideology, and could be linked to relations with China and the United States," he said, adding that funding for an LGBTQ+ equal opportunities program was recently transferred from the Civil Affairs Bureau to the Constitutional Affairs bureau, suggesting that it has become more heavily politicized.

He cited constantly shifting controls on public speech since the ruling Chinese Communist Party imposed a draconian national security law on Hong Kong in 2020.

"It's hard to tell under the national security law," Cheung said. "We don't know if we were treading on red lines when we talked about LGBTQ+ issues, or about Taiwan, or about the United States."

"I don't know if the show was axed because somebody said something wrong that we're not aware of," he said.

The show's axing comes after RTHK removed thousands of episodes of old shows from its podcast platform in recent months, and as the authorities removed hundreds of "politically sensitive" books from the shelves of the city's public libraries in recent weeks.

Last month, detained Hong Kong civil rights activist Jimmy Sham took a bid for equal recognition for his same-sex marriage to the city's final appeals court.

In the judicial review filed in late June, Sham argued that the government has a positive duty to protect the core rights of married couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, including the right to inheritance.

The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in February recognized pre-operative transexual citizens right to have their gender marker on their official ID cards recorded according to their acquired gender.

A few other cases on the marital rights of same-sex couples are also pending judgments at the Court of Appeal, including the right of inheritance and the right to apply for public housing as a married couple, legal newspaper The Jurist reported on June 30.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
The subjective answer to such a question (raised by a Facebook friend) is almost certainly "No." Of course, there is the possibility that almost anything can be overdone. But, at this time in our climate history and current state of the planet, the evidence is overwhelming that global warming is accelerating and the stories are not overdone. In addition, by late this summer, the human-caused warming will, unfortunately, be aided and abetted by a growing El Nino, which will throw lots of extra natural heat into the mix for the next couple of years.

Despite all this evidence, there is a shrinking core of denialists who not only deny humanitys role in the warming, but also deny that the overall warming is anything but a natural variation in Earths climate or, even more incredibly, deny that warming is even occurring.

With the help of the BBC, who supplied some key graphics from American and European centers of climate expertise, we can lay out the incontrovertible evidence of the warming in easily understood diagrams. Starting with the last 83 years, going back to 1940, multiple European scientific agencies have mapped out the global temperature trends over this time.

The diagram shows how far above the years in this period 2023 is running, with more heating yet to come. I recently wrote on the topic of why there is so much scientific confidence in June and Julys record temperatures being the hottest since much farther back in time than some of you might think possible to know.

In the face of this global evidence, some denialists (a very few of whom are scientists who should know better) like to bring up how some years in the 1930s brought individual daily record heat numbers that still stand today during what are often called the dirty thirties. The 1930s include, of course, the terrible Dust Bowl years. The problem with this myopic thinking is in its perspective. The dirty thirties was entirely a U.S.-centric period. A lasting drought in the southern Plains, plus poor agricultural practices led to the dust. Moreover, dry air above dry soil heats up more readily, and those parched years led to some truly extreme highs in parts of the U.S. However, unlike the warming now going on for decades, the U.S. extremes were not a part of a global pattern. The heat found some years in the 30s in parts of the plains and Midwest was not matched by droughts and heat waves across Europe, Africa and Asia, as is the case now. Much of what happened in the 30s in the U.S. was, in fact, due to manmade lack of soil conservation measures and federal land policies. The dirty thirties cannot debunk global warming.

From Berkeley Earth, the global average warming in June is even more startling. The rate of increase in recent decades is even beyond some earlier climate model projections. While some denialists falsely claim the climate models have gotten things wrong and overdone warming projections, the truth is many climate models have underdone the rate of warming, and many parts of the globe are warming faster than predicted in earlier models.

This year, we have seen the development of a marine heatwave in the North Atlantic, with some sea surface temperatures and temperatures at depth not observed since ocean records became more widespread.

When it comes to global sea surface temperatures going back to the start of the era of satellite-derived measurements in 1979, 2023 again stands out as the alarming peak heating year.

Keep in mind the fingerprints of El Nino were not yet showing up when this data was gathered. El Nino will add extra heat to the oceans. That heating will lag behind the heating on land and in the lower atmosphere. El Ninos peak oceanic heating will likely occur in 2024. While the ocean absorbs much of the carbon dioxide and the trapped heat from greenhouse gases, its extra supply of El Nino heat will be thrown back into the air next year. This lagging heat may well make 2024 even hotter than 2023.

Even though late July is midwinter in the Antarctic, 2023 also stands out with its record low winter ice cover extent around Antarctica. This lessened ice, related to oceanic warming, will melt more quickly in the Antarctic summer and take longer to refreeze next winter. This is a feedback mechanism that feeds on itself and amplifies.

In a recent article, I wrote about what are called Milankovitch Cycles, which include orbital eccentricities and other natural variables that have been linked with past glacial expansions and warm periods prior to human influence. We know the only explanation for the ongoing warming today is human activity. NASA touched upon this basic principle: Earth is currently in an interglacial period (a period of milder climate between Ice Ages). If there were no human influences on climate, scientists say Earths current orbital positions within the Milankovitch cycles predict our planet should be cooling, not warming, continuing a long-term cooling trend that began 6,000 years ago.

So we are heating when we should be cooling, and the heating is global, not U.S.-centric as it was in the 1930s. It will take some time to research why this year and last have spiked so much, even before the influence of El Nino increases later this year.
Yuen's daughter-in-law Eunice Yung says she 'fulfilled her civic responsibilities' by telling police what she knew.

Legislator Eunice Yung, daughter-in-law of Elmer Yuen, one of the eight overseas activists wanted by the police, speaks to the media after being taken to the police station for investigation, in Hong Kong, Monday, July 24, 2023. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

National security police in Hong Kong on Monday took away three more 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 homes of U.S.-based businessman Elmer Yuen's son, daughter-in-law and daughter on Monday, taking them away for questioning on suspicion of "assisting fugitives in continuing to engage in acts that endanger national security."

The raids came after similar actions against the family members of two other exiled pro-democracy activists who, like Yuen, are on a wanted list of eight prominent overseas activists with bounties on their heads.

Police confirmed to Radio Free Asia that they had taken away a man and two women for questioning on Hong Kong Island, but typically don't name those they detain or question.

Later in the day, pro-China lawmaker Eunice Yung told reporters in the Legislative Council that she and her husband Derek Yuen had been taken away for questioning by national security police, who searched their apartment and took away mobile phones and laptops.

"This morning, officers from the National Security Department produced a warrant and searched my home," Yung said. "My husband Derek Yuen and I were taken to the police station for questioning at 7.00 a.m."

Derek Yuen, son of Elmer Yuen, one of the eight overseas activists wanted by the police, leaves from the police station after being taken to the police station for investigation, in Hong Kong, Monday, July 24, 2023. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

While Yung was released after an interrogation that lasted nearly three hours, she said her husband "is still under investigation and I don't know his situation."

Asked if she had told police where to find Elmer Yuen, Yung, who cut off ties with her father-in-law last year, said she didn't know his whereabouts.

"I can say frankly that I don't have any of his details, such as residential address, phone number or any of it," she said. "I fulfilled my civic responsibilities, and I support the national security law."

"I believe I am innocent," she said, adding that she believes her husband will also cooperate with the investigation.

Home raids and bounties

Derek Yuen was later released after around 10 hours of questioning.

Earlier this month, national security police raided the home of trade unionist Mung Siu-tat's brother, taking away him, his wife and son for questioning -- also on suspicion of "assisting fugitives to continue to engage in acts that endanger national security."

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. No arrests were made, and all of the activists' family members were released after questioning.

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.

The police aren't going to just take your word for it if you claim [you have severed ties]," says Executive Council member and barrister Ronny Tong. Credit: Bobby Yip/Reuters file photo

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.

The city's leader John Lee has vowed to pursue them "for life."

Executive Council member and barrister Ronny Tong said claims by activists that they have severed ties with family members back home were unlikely to offer much protection from national security police investigations.

"The relationship between you and the wanted suspect has to be investigated  the police aren't going to just take your word for it if you claim [you have severed ties]," Tong said. "A simple claim like that has no effect in law."

Escalation in use of law

But he added that being taken away for questioning doesn't mean somebody broke the law, and is part of a person's civic responsibilities, not an indicator that they have committed any crime.

He said police have a responsibility to fully investigate the cases of the eight overseas activists and try to bring them back to Hong Kong.

The London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch said police also questioned Yuen's daughter Mimi on Monday.

Elmer Yuen is accused of having encouraged foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials and judges, online from the US, and promoting Hong Kongs self-determination, the group said.

"This is the latest escalation in the application of the Hong Kong National Security Law against opposition figures, in particular since the announcement of arrest warrants and bounties against the eight activists in exile," the group said in a statement in response to Monday's police action.

"This is a drastic escalation since the arrest warrants and bounties against the eight activists and the threats against the families of Nathan [Law], Christopher [Mung] and Dennis [Kwok], which were already outrageous and completely unacceptable," its 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. 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."

Rogers called on governments to protect the rights and freedoms of activists in exile.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Vice President Lai Ching-te is polling higher than his rivals ahead of elections but hes reviled by China.

Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, delivers a speech during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Taiwans pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party nominated Lai as its candidate in the 2024 presidential election, two days after China concluded large-scale wargames around the self-governed island.

Updated at 4:55 p.m. on July 24, 2023.

The recent flurry of diplomatic overtures toward China by the United States has done little to placate a perennially irate Beijing.

The latest object of its ire is Democratic Progressive Party vice president and presidential hopeful Lai Ching-te, who will transit  official parlance for a stopover by a senior Taiwanese official  the U.S. en-route to Paraguay next month.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken - one of three high-level U.S. officials to visit China in the past month - confirmed last week that Lai would touch down in the U.S. but not in Washington.

Washington is typically off-limits to top Taiwan officials due to the U.S.s one China policy, which acknowledges, without endorsing, Beijing's position that Taiwan is part of China - favoring maintenance of the status quo, which amounts to a tense standoff in the Taiwan Strait.

Its as yet unknown whether Lai will meet with any official U.S. representatives, but its customary for Taiwan-friendly members of Congress to meet senior Taiwanese politicians when they touch down in the U.S.

Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te (waving) arrives at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Hotel in Universal City, California, on January 25, 2022. Credit: AFP

Under President Tsai Ing-wen, a quiet but resolute pragmatist, Taiwan's relations with the U.S. have never been better. Its relations with neighboring China, which claims the democratically governed state as its own, are arguably plumbing new depths.

Tsais second term will end ahead of elections in January next year. Her vice president, Lai, is currently leading the polls in an election that sees the opposition divided between the Kuomintangs Hou You-yi and the former mayor of Taipei, Ko Wen-je, who has been polling ahead of the KMTs candidate.

Lai, a former health worker, has enjoyed political success in Taiwan  he was reelected as mayor of Tainan in 2014 with a record 72.9% of the vote  and is considered likely to take the Democratic Progressive Party to victory in 2024, which if it happens would mark the first time a political party has won three terms in Taiwan since democratic elections began in 1996.

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, center left, waves with Vice President Lai Ching-te after their inauguration ceremony and arriving at a government guest house in Taipei, Taiwan on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Credit: Taiwan Presidential Office via AP, File

It would be Beijings most dreaded outcome.

Lai is perceived by both Washington and Beijing as more unpredictable than Tsai. He has described himself as a pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence, but publicly cleaves to Tsais formulation that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation with no need to declare independence.

Tsai has privately described her role in navigating relations with Beijing as walking a tightrope, and some fear that Lai will be less deft-footed than his predecessor if he is elected.

At a recent campaign event, Lai said that when Taiwans president can enter the White House, the political goal that were pursuing will have been achieved, according to reports.

Beijing backlash

I think the provocative adventurist moves by the Taiwan separatists should be contained," said Chinese ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, adding, The priority for us is to stop Lai Ching-te from visiting the United States, which is like a rhino charging at us, a reference to the gray rhino, a highly probable, but neglected, high impact event.

Mr. Lai proposes to build up Taiwans deterrence, the Chinese Embassy in Washington wrote in the Wall Street Journal. His true agenda is to resist by force the motherlands reunification. A military threat from Chinas mainland is the DPPs pretext for purchasing over $4 billion in U.S. weaponry in two years alone. Squandering 2.6% of local GDP, the DPP is turning the island into a powder keg.

The last time Chinas hostile propaganda machine got so riled up about a democratically elected leader in Taiwan was during the tenure of Chen Shui-bian between 2000-2008.

Chen came to power on an anti-China crusade and vowed to deliver a new constitution to Taiwan, leading Washington to regard him as an unpredictable provocateur and China to label him as a separatist as it does Lai as well.

Lai told supporters on July 10 that the upcoming election is a choice between Zhongnanhai  Chinas equivalent to the White House  or Washington, adding that his political party, the DPP, embraces the latter.

It is uncertain whether the U.S. has quietly voiced any concerns about what might be considered Lais gaffe, although his aides said Lai was simply pointing out that Taiwan had to be clear about who its friends are.

The administration has to be crystal clear with candidates in Taiwan about U.S. interests and red lines while also demonstrating that the U.S. is not favoring any party in Taiwans democratic election, Zack Cooper, an Asia expert at the American Enterprise Institute, told the Financial Times. We will see the administration engage privately with candidates when they have concerns, rather than airing them in public.

Supporters of Taiwan's opposition the Kuomintang shout slogans in front of the party headquarters where the current New Taipei City mayor Hou You-yi attends a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Credit: AP Photo

Lais rivals in the 2024 presidential election are campaigning on a platform of peace versus war, arguing that Lais election will be a red line for Beijing and will plunge the Taiwan Strait into conflict, an apocalyptic scenario for the region.

Chinese ambassador Xie said at the Aspen Security Forum that Taiwan is China's Taiwan and that the country wanted a peaceful reunification, but Taiwanese separatists were advancing their agenda, seeking U.S. support, Reuters reported last week.

The U.S. is calling Lais scheduled transit in the U.S. routine but China can be expected to respond with military drills around Taiwan, as it did during former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan last year and in April, when Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

Edited by Mike Firn.

This story has been updated with edits.
Myanmar activist Jimmy and his wife Nilar Thein [holding their daughter] celebrate upon their arrival at Yangon International Airport following their release from detention on Jan. 13, 2012.

On July 23, 2022, Myanmars military junta executed three activists and a former lawmaker for continuing to fight for democracy after the military ousted the countrys democratically elected government in the Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Among them was veteran democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu, a writer and translator better known as Ko Jimmy, who was a prominent leader of the pro-democracy 88 Generation Students Group who fought military rule three decades ago.

He was arrested in October 2021 after spending eight months in hiding and was convicted in a closed-door trial by a military tribunal in January under the Counter-Terrorism Law.

Ko Jimmy was accused of contacting the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, National Unity Government (NUG), and Peoples Defense Forces (PDF) an opposition coalition and militia network formed by politicians ousted in the coup.

The junta also said he advised local militia groups in Yangon and ordered PDF groups to attack police, military targets, and government offices, and asking the NUG to buy a 3D printer to produce weapons for local militias.

The executions of Ko Jimmy, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were decried by UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, as depraved acts, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the executions reprehensible acts of violence.

One year after the execution, Radio Free Asias Burmese Service interviewed Ko Jimmys widow Nilar Thein. She discussed the sacrifices her husband made for the country.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Jimmy [second from left] and other former student leaders of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising attend a ceremony to mark the 59th Anniversary of Independence Day at the National League for Democracy party headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 3, 2007. Credit: Aung Hla Tun/Reuters

RFA: Its been a year since Jimmy and the other three political activists were executed by the junta. How has the past year without him affected you?

Nilar Thein: Since the time he was executed, we have suffered, grieved and are in great pain. But I have turned those feelings into strength to continue his fight. I believe that I have one new responsibility: to live his dream and work even harder.

RFA: What have you been doing these days?

Nilar Thein: I am shouldering as much responsibility for the revolution as I can. I am working on tasks that are suitable for my age and situation with a determination that whatever I do, regardless of where I am, must strengthen the revolution.

RFA: Reports from Myanmar say that the junta forces continue acts of violence and violate human rights in prisons and all over the country. Whats your opinion on that?

Nilar Thein: In my opinion, I can say one thing that this is the juntas last moment. Their brutality and cowardice have become worse. The revolutionary forces are in control of more areas of the country these days, so in response the juntas actions have become even more brutal and cowardly. We continue to witness their serious violations of human rights.

Jimmy met fellow 88 Generation student Nilar Thein when they were both in prison. They married after being released. Credit: Nilar Thein

RFA: What is your view towards young people opposed to the junta?

Nilar Thein: A generation was born during the spring revolution. This generation sacrificed their hopes, dreams, future and even their lives and took part in the revolution in any way they can to try to bring an end to this military dictatorship. Their involvement in the revolution, their ideas, opinions and their performance were recognized, applauded and idolized globally.

RFA: Id like to ask a little about Jimmy. Did he not know how much danger he could be in by continuing to stay in Yangon? And if he did, why did he remain in Yangon?

Nilar Thein: Since Jimmy left home on the morning of the military coup until he was arrested, he only stayed in Yangon. After seeing younger activists and children being slaughtered by the junta, he said that when younger people who were as young as his own children were sacrificing their lives, old men like him who can live or die at their age have to participate. He was so eager to work together, networking with urban guerrilla groups, young people from student unions and other organizations. He was completely devoted to the revolution. Thats not because he did not know the danger he could be in. I knew what trouble he would be in. But he worked his best for the revolution while he still could.

Jimmy, his wife, Nilar Thein, and their daughter are seen in this undated photo. "When I first learned that we were having the baby, I thought we have to apologize to our child in advance, he said. Credit: RFA

RFA: What kind of impact do you think the sacrifice that Jimmy and other activists made has had on the fight for democracy?

Nilar Thein: When we heard that Jimmy, Phyo Zayar Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were executed by the junta, it was not just a threat to their families alone. It was not just a threat to our country alone. But it was a threat to the whole world. As a result, all our people have become more strenuous in their revolutionary acts with a resolution that they will not give in to the juntas execution of their leaders. They worked harder and took up responsibilities where they could. Those who could not participate on the front lines provided even a handful of rice or a cup of water, whatever they could support the revolution. Those who can provide supplies for the revolution have worked harder for the cause. Although the junta has tried to threaten the people with these executions, we have become more fearless and more rebellious against the military.

The Myanmar junta released this photo of Jimmy after his arrest. MRTV/Handout via Reuters

RFA: Weve heard news that the military junta that once gave death sentences now does not even bother to prosecute political prisoners in court and kills them after taking them out in a fake prison transfer. What is your view toward such actions of the military junta?

Nilar Thein: Weve heard lately that the junta has killed prisoners  after taking them out in a fake prison transfer. So now, I have learned that the word prison transfer could mean an execution. Since local and international communities seriously condemned the juntas execution of political prisoners, I think they now try to avoid official execution that will cause criticism. So they lawlessly kill our comrades on the purported excuse that they tried to escape. We heard these days that the junta killed our comrades from Insein, Tharyarwaddy and Dike-U prisons during transfers. The fact that the junta doesnt even bother to officially execute prisoners like before and lawlessly murders them instead, indicates how the military junta is oppressing the people without any regard to law and regulations in our country. I would like to urge the international community to condemn these atrocious acts by the military junta and stand with the people.

Protesters march in Yangon holding a banner with Jimmys last words, a day after he was executed, July 25, 2022. Citizen journalist

RFA: Would you tell us about your daughter? What is she doing these days and how has she understood what kind of person her father was?

Nilar Thein: My daughter takes part in volunteering activities and also teaches children. She loves her father very much and her father loved her so dearly too. She said that her father helped other people more than himself as a politician, a selfless and responsible person who did not oppress others with his power of leadership and someone who defies unjustness. As a father, even though he might not wholly accept the views of young people, he showed respect. He hung out with them. He supported his daughters interests and activities. He did not put pressure on our daughter regarding her studies. Jimmy made time for his daughter even when he was very busy. What he used to tell her often was that any result she got was good enough because she tried her best regarding her exams and competitions. Our daughter said that her dad was a politician who loved the arts.

RFA: How would you evaluate the status of the fight for democracy these days?

Nilar Thein: During the past two years, there were many sectors that we had to try to rebuild after being totally destroyed. Ive seen that those who have taken responsibility for this are working so hard, facing a lot of difficulty to rebuild and readjust and try to be able to reach the international community. They have achieved some success and strength but there are still many problems and weaknesses on this side too. We accept the existence of these problems. We are going to cooperate with a positive mindset that we will do what we can for the revolution.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Edited by Eugene Whong.
Yangon Eastern Union Student, Nyan Win Htet, who was sentenced to another five years in prison.

A junta-controlled court in Yangon region has sentenced a student to a further five years in prison for alleged terrorism, a Myanmar-based student union told RFA Monday.

Nyan Win Htet, in his twenties, was a student at the University of East Yangon until his arrest on June 30, 2022. He was sentenced by Eastern Yangon District Court last Tuesday.

The fascist army is fully responsible for the arbitrary and violent arrests, imprisonments and brutal killings of students from ABFSU, students and people across the country, said the information officer of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, who didnt want to be named for fear of reprisals.

Arresting revolutionaries, imprisoning and killing them will not stop the revolution. We will continue to fight until the end.

Nyan Win Htet had already been sentenced to 15 years in prison under two sections of the Counter-Terrorism Law which cover the possession of explosives and helping terrorists evade arrest.

He is in good health in prison and has been in contact with his family, said the union information officer.

The officer added that more than 50 of the unions members have been arrested for their anti-dictatorship activities since the coup, and 32 are being held in prison.

Among them, three were sentenced to a maximum of life imprisonment, and one was sentenced to death, according to the union.

Nearly 24,000 people, including pro-democracy campaigners, have been arrested nationwide since the February 2021 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
The northwestern region is an anti-junta stronghold and cradle of armed opposition.

More than a dozen civilians were killed by Myanmar junta forces, with some brutally tortured before being executed, during a six-hour raid on a village in northwestern Sagaing region on July 21, residents said on Monday.

In all, 14 people, including four teenagers and six members of an anti-junta Peoples Defense Force, lost their lives during the assault in Yinmarbin township, leaving residents who witnessed the murders in deep distress, the sources said.

The killings occurred when a 100-strong army column raided Sone Chaung village at 2 a.m. on July 21. Among the minors killed were Lwin Moe Tun, Sai Htoo Hseng, Nay Min Tun and Pho Chit, residents said.

Myanmar soldiers also killed four civilians in their 30s  Naing Min, Myo Myint Swe, Pho Aung and Kyaw Zin Tun. The six PDF members executed were Myo Myint Oo, Kyaw Soe, Yan Naing Soe, Htay Zaw, Aung Win Swe and Zaw Win.

The victims were tortured before being killed, said a village resident who found the bodies and who spoke to Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns.

The 10 adults were tied in pairs and shot dead in the southern part of the village, he said.

It was a horrible scene, the local said. Faces were disfigured, and their [chests] were covered in blood.

The villager went on to say that soldiers had torn off the skin on one of the PDF members legs, hit him in the chest with rifle butts, and appeared to have shot him in the temple at point-blank range.

Myanmar has been wracked by violence since the military overthrew the elected civilian-led government in a February 2021 coup.

Sagaing region has been an anti-junta stronghold and cradle of resistance for local PDFs  civilians who have taken up arms to fight the militarys brutal rule. Junta forces have swept through villages across the region to find and punish suspected resistance fighters and their civilian supporters.

Sone Chaung has four communities with more than 2,000 houses and over 7,000 residents who mostly farm to make a living.

Residents prepare to cremate some of the civilians killed by junta troops in Sone Chaung village, Yinmarbin township, northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, July 21, 2023. Credit: Citizen journalist

We are inconsolable

The military column entered Sone Chaung village from the south and left around 8 a.m., residents said.

Villager Phyu Nu said she believed soldiers were firing into the air when she heard gunshots from the south end around 6:30 a.m.

Later, we found dead bodies, she told RFA. They didnt fire into the air, but they killed the youths. Its too cruel. And its even more painful because the people who were not involved in the revolution were also killed. The victims were not simply shot dead. We are inconsolable since they were horribly disfigured.

The villagers said they buried the bodies of eight civilians, who were Sone Chaung residents, near Kyauk Hmaw village to the north on the same day.

Following the raid, junta-controlled state media reported that Myanmar forces killed seven, not six, PDF members and seized weapons during the village raid.

Villager Tin Oo told RFA that the junta forces made a false accusation about the presence of a PDF camp in Sone Chaung.

They did this because it is likely that someone such as an informant told them about the village, he said. People are frustrated because [the military] did such a thing though there is no PDF.

The State Administration Council, as the junta regime is known, has not issued a statement on the raid.

RFA could not reach junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment.

A member of the Chindwin PDF who survived the raid said junta forces intercepted PDF communication signals and were waiting to shoot at them.

After being shot and arrested, four of our members were left behind, and the other four escaped with chest wounds, he said.

The PDF members did not have time to fight back as they tried to move residents to a safe place amid continuous fire by junta troops.



More than 30 residents who could not escape and were detained by the soldiers were later released when the military column left, villagers said.

Some Sone Chaung residents who successfully fled have not yet returned because of the killings, they said.

More than 3,800 civilians have been killed across Myanmar since the military coup, according to the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based rights group.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Matt Reed.
Authorities have also confirmed the arrest of a teacher for his online criticism of the government.

Duong Tuan Ngoc, a teacher in Vietnam, did live streams on health, education, social issues on Facebook and YouTube.

Police in Vietnams Ho Chi Minh City have arrested activist Phan Tat Thanh, accusing him for criticizing the governments response to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, his father told Radio Free Asia.

Thanh, 37, also known as Black Aaron, often posted online about the contentious area in the sea where Hanoi, Beijing and others have competing territorial claims.

Netizens told Thanhs father, who requested anonymity for security reasons, that Thanh had gone missing on July 5.

The police issued a prosecution document on July 13, and on July 15 they searched his home and copied data from his computer.

In 2010, Thanh staged a protest in front of Chinas Embassy in Bangkok because anti-China demonstrations in Vietnam by that time were being suppressed.

In addition to anti-China posts, Thanh had written posts and comments about human rights violations, environmental pollution, systematic corruption, and issues of major concern in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, police in nearby Lam Dong province confirmed that they have arrested macrobiotics teacher Duong Tuan Ngoc for posts he made on social media about education, health, and social issues that criticized the government.

RFA reported last week that police in Lam Dong province summoned Ngoc, 38, on July 10, together with his wife Bui Thanh Diem, and he was detained the next day on charges of violating Article 117 of Vietnams penal code, a vaguely written set of rules that rights groups say is Hanois favorite tool to silence dissenting bloggers and journalists.

The police told state media Monday that they have decided to prosecute Ngoc.

On July 16, Ngocs wife, Bui Thanh Diem told RFAs Vietnamese Service that although they were both summoned, she was let go.

Later she received a document saying Ngoc was being held for posting, sharing posts and video clips on Facebook and YouTube personal accounts, lashing out at the process to build socialism, distorting history, and several other acts of disrespect to the Communist Party and the government.

But she said the notice was not specific and did not say which of Ngocs videos or social media posts were deemed to be problematic.

Ngocs most recent Facebook post, on July 10, praised a lifestyle close to nature in Vietnams countryside. His personal page has more than 45,000 followers and has an introductory description declaring, I have rights as a citizen. You have rights as citizens. Citizens are the rightful owners of the country.

His YouTube account Freelance Education was established in July 2019, and he has around 34,000 followers and hundreds of videos about health, medicine, and life in the countryside.

Translated by An Nguyen. Edited by Eugene Whong.
When the Taliban seized power in 2021, Afghanistan's Shi'ite Hazara minority feared that the historically persecuted community would once again become the main target of Taliban atrocities.

During its first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban terrorized the group, wresting control of Hazara regions in Afghanistan through a campaign of targeted killings.



After regaining power, the Sunni militant group tried to assuage Hazaras' fears of discrimination and persecution. The Taliban visited Shi'a mosques in the Afghan capital and deployed its fighters to protect ceremonies marking the Shi'ite month of Muharram.



But members of the community have accused the Taliban of since backtracking on its promises to protect Shi'a and grant them the right to freely observe their faith.



Last week, the Taliban prevented Shi'a from celebrating an important religious festival. The militants have also restricted the teaching of Shi'a jurisprudence in universities in Afghanistan. In February, the Taliban reportedly banned marriages between Shi'a and Sunnis in northeastern Badakhshan Province.



The Shi'ite community has accused the Taliban of failing to prevent deadly attacks on Hazaras by the rival Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group. Meanwhile, rights groups have documented the forced evictions of Hazaras by the Taliban, a predominately Pashtun group, in several provinces.



"The Taliban are becoming increasingly intolerant of public expressions and displays of the Shi'ite religious faith," said Niamatullah Ibrahimi, senior lecturer at Australia's La Trobe University. "If it becomes a pattern, it will clearly limit the religious freedom of Shi'a, especially ceremonies that are often public in nature."

Taliban fighters prevented Shi'ite residents in Kabul from publicly celebrating Eid al-Ghadir on July 7. The festival celebrates what Shi'a believe is the day that Prophet Muhammad declared Ali, a cousin and son-in-law, his successor.



But the festival clashes with the Sunni belief that Abu Bakr, the first Muslim caliph, was the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad. These conflicting beliefs are among the most important differences between the two main Muslim sects.



'They Want To Eliminate Minorities'



In May, the Taliban banned the teaching of the Shi'a Jafari school of jurisprudence at Bamiyan University. It is not clear if the ban has been extended to all universities in Afghanistan. Most residents in the province of Bamiyan, in central Afghanistan, are Shi'a.



Nematullah, an Islamic studies student at Bamiyan University, said they have been forced to study the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence that is followed by the Taliban.



"We were told that if we raise our voice, we will be taken away and tortured," the 20-year-old told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, adding that the Taliban ban was forcing Shi'a to give up their education or leave their homeland.



Mohammad Hassani, another student at the university, accused the Taliban of trying to "eliminate minorities and their religions by force."

Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Rizwani, a prominent scholar at the Shi'a Ulema Council of Afghanistan, told Radio Azadi that the Taliban's ban on teaching Jafari jurisprudence contradicts "the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and national unity."



Although a census has never been conducted, Shi'a are believed to make up around 15 percent of Afghanistan's 40 million people, which is largely Sunni. Hazaras account for the overwhelming majority of Shi'a in the country.



During the 19th century, Afghan monarchs attempted to forcibly convert the Hazara, seize their lands, and bring Hazara regions in the country's central highlands under the control of the central government, campaigns that killed thousands and forced even more to flee their homes, including many to British India. Hazaras who resettled in Kabul and other cities suffered discrimination and were often employed only in low-paying jobs.



In a significant step to address the historical grievances of the Hazaras, Afghanistan's 2004 constitution permitted Shi'a to use Jafari jurisprudence in court cases involving personal matters. The community also gained an unprecedented share in power during the Western-backed political order that emerged after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Only The Beginning?



Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has mostly maintained the state's administrative structure. But it has scrapped the 2004 constitution and laws that guaranteed freedoms and rights to Afghans, particularly to religious minorities and women.



The Taliban's theocratic government is made up almost entirely of senior Taliban members, with no women and just a few non-Pashtuns.



"There are deep fears within the community that this could be only the beginning of systematic discrimination against the Shi'a and the representation of their understanding of Islam in the country's laws, society, and politics," said Ibrahimi of La Trobe University.

Niala Mohammad, the director of policy and strategy at the nonprofit Muslim Public Affairs Council in Washington, said the Taliban has failed to protect Afghanistan's Shi'ite minority from the IS-K, which has killed scores of Hazaras in attacks on schools and mosques since the Taliban takeover.



"[The Taliban] continue to harass and target those that do not adhere to their distorted view of Islam," said Mohammad, who was previously the South Asia analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. "Particularly Shi'a Hazaras, whom they view as heretics."



She said the Taliban's mounting restrictions on the Shi'ite minority "emboldens Shi'a persecution by other religious extremists across the region and deepens the sectarian divide."
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
Authorities in Iran are expanding their reach in their efforts to enforce compliance with the country's strict hijab law by pushing popular start-up companies to police their younger, tech-savvy employees.

In recent weeks, the operations of at least three web-based companies -- the DigiKala online retailer, the Azki.com insurance company, and the Taaghche book app -- have been shut down. In each case, the closures came after the emergence of photographs showing female employees without the mandatory head scarf.

The images had reportedly been posted on employees' personal social-media accounts, not by the companies themselves. But that did not prevent the authorities from going after the start-ups that until recently had been touted for their successful, cutting-edge business models.

The pressure on such firms comes after Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili said on July 27 that action would be taken against start-up companies if their employees failed to comply with the Chastity and Hijab Law.

But observers say Tehran is playing a dangerous game that threatens to further alienate the younger generation and potentially make entrepreneurs and foreign investors think twice about bringing modern businesses to the Islamic republic.

The start-ups that have come under scrutiny vary in their organization, with some being private, some semi-private, and some having strong ties to the government either directly or indirectly, Amir Rashidi, the New-York-based director of Internet security and digital rights at the Miaan Group, told RFE/RL.

But they all share common traits and differ from the old way of doing business in Iran, in that they employ young, educated people to deliver services to younger customers using modern technology.

"The kind of culture that exists [at the companies] is usually not the kind of culture that could represent the culture of the Iranian government," Rashidi said. "Because this is the new generation. These are the techie people. These are the most connected population of Iranians, who are connected to the outside world because of the Internet, because of the job that they do, who have more opportunity to be in touch with [people] outside the country."

In the wake of months of street protests that broke out last year against the Islamic dress code and the clerical establishment, hard-liners have sought to strengthen the Chastity and Hijab Law. According to new draft legislation presented by parliament late last month, fines of up to $720 can be levied against women who defy the law, along with prison sentences of up to three years.

The revision of the law was prompted by the protests that began following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested for an alleged hijab violation, and has been described by prominent members of the clerical establishment as necessary to preserve the Islamic republic's fundamental values.

Amid a crackdown on the antiestablishment protests that resulted in at least 500 deaths since September, the authorities have disrupted Internet access multiple times and have gone after individuals who used social media to show support for the demonstrations by posting pictures of themselves without head scarves.

Prominent female celebrities and athletes have been among those targeted, including three film and television actresses who were sentenced last month and diagnosed as having personality disorders after they were photographed without their hijabs.

On July 23, the pressure on start-ups began with the suspension of DigiKala's business. And just a day before parliament published the text of the new Chastity and Hijab bill, and hours after Esmailis warning to start-ups, a legal case was filed on July 27 against the book retailer Taaghche, along with similar actions against Azki.com.

The shutdown of the companies had an immediate effect, with customers expressing dismay at being cut off from purchasing books, products, and services online, and business associations warning that the action would harm efforts to develop the business sector.

Since then, Azki.com and Taaghche have been allowed to resume operations after releasing public commitments that they and their employees would adhere to the Chastity and Hijab Law.

The situation at DigiKala, often described as Iran's Amazon online retailer, remains unclear.

On August 2, a post on the company's website said that the "violation" depicted in a photograph posted on the personal site of one of its employees "was not approved by the company's management." DigiKala, the statement continued, "always considers itself obligated to comply with all national laws" and the company hoped that by being allowed to resume operations it "can play a more substantial role in better serving the people and economy of the Islamic republic."

Then, within hours, the statement was inexplicably removed, and the company's offices remain sealed and its business suspended.

In its effort to exert control over the start-ups, which have been lauded as examples of Iran's ability to successfully launch modern companies on its own despite the hurdle of international sanctions, Tehran is essentially forcing them to police their own employees.

But the approach has been met with warnings by the Association of Emerging Businesses of Iran, which following Azki.com's closure said that such suspensions presented a "big and crisis-causing obstacle" to the development of the private sector.

Rashidi expressed skepticism that "using people against people" would work, both at the societal and business level.

He says that in the absence of digital rights and the recent emphasis on compliance with the Chastity and Hijab Law, the government will be able to catch offenders more easily and to fine and even arrest them. But in the end, he said, "it's going to create more tension and challenges."

And outside investors and partners of Iranian companies are likely to take note as well, Rashidi said.

"Some of these companies have investors from outside Iran," he said. "And this definitely will affect those companies, because they don't want to be seen internationally as a supporter of censorship."
Press Release

July 24, 2023 Bong Go hopeful on inclusion of economic recovery measures in PBBM's 2nd SONA As President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos prepares to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Senator Christopher "Bong" Go hopes that this can be an opportunity to highlight concrete steps towards a path of inclusive economic recovery. In an interview after his visit to San Miguel, Bulacan on Tuesday, July 18, Go cited that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about unparalleled challenges to the nation's economy, leading to widespread unemployment, business closures, and disruptions in livelihoods. With the second SONA approaching, Go is optimistic that President Marcos will use this platform to underscore his commitment to uphold the administration's eight-point Philippine Development Plan, which includes food security, supply chain management, energy costs, healthcare and social protection, infrastructure development, green economy, market competition, and entrepreneurship. "Nais ko pong marinig sa ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang ikalawang SONA ang mga additional plans niya po for our full and inclusive economic recovery. Dapat po ay walang maiwan na Pilipino lalo na po ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Dapat po walang magutom. Importante po ang laman ng tiyan at trabaho po para sa bawat Pilipino," Go urged. Amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring food security for all Filipinos remains a top priority of the Marcos Administration. It is for this reason that the senator advocates for measures that support farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices. He likewise reiterated his support for the government's vision to boost agricultural productivity and reduce food scarcity in the country by investing in modern farming technologies, irrigation systems, and providing access to credit and markets. Go also supports the government's plan to strengthen local supply chains. As the country continues to grapple with the pandemic's impact, prioritizing healthcare infrastructure and services is crucial, said Go. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go is pushing for increased investments in healthcare facilities, medical equipment, and training for healthcare professionals. "Bilang inyong senador, patuloy akong magsusulong ng mga panukalang batas at susuporta sa mga programa na makakapagpabuti ng ating health system. Ilapit natin sa tao ang serbisyo medikal mula sa gobyerno at siguraduhin nating hindi napapabayaan ang mga higit na nangangailangan, lalo na ang mga mahihirap na mga Pilipino," he also said. Go also stressed that robust infrastructure development is a key driver of economic growth and job creation. The senator also underscored his support for the administration's continued investments in infrastructure projects that improve connectivity, transportation, and overall accessibility. He said these initiatives will not only enhance the country's economic competitiveness but also open new opportunities for businesses and industries to thrive. "Suportado ko naman po ang mga plano ng ating Pangulo. 'Yung Philippine Development Plan ng ating Pangulo, food security, supply chain management, decreasing energy cost and preserving energy security, reducing economic vulnerability from the pandemic by addressing healthcare issues and strengthening social protection, infrastructure development, creating a green economy, strengthening market competition, promoting entrepreneurship lalong-lalo na sa maliliit na negosyante," Go said. Go vowed to increase support for aspiring entrepreneurs to include access to financing, mentorship programs, and streamlined business registration processes. By empowering entrepreneurs, the government can pave the way for a thriving and dynamic business ecosystem, considering that entrepreneurs play a crucial role in driving economic growth and job creation. These measures could include targeted support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), initiatives to provide livelihood opportunities for displaced workers, and the enhancement of social safety nets to protect the most vulnerable members of society. Go authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1594, which aims to institutionalize the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program. The proposed measure adopts the OTOP Program as a government stimulus program to encourage the growth of MSMEs in the country through the utilization of indigenous raw materials, local traditions and cultures across the country. He said the OTOP Program is a big help to Filipinos who want to start or grow their business, ensuring that they have a stable source of income, which is vital for them to sustain their basic needs. "In fact, mayroon po kaming naipasa sa Senado, itong One Town, One Product program para tulungan po ang mga kababayan nating mga maliliit na negosyante. Dahil majority po sa ating mga negosyante ay maliliit talaga, mga nagnenegosyo para itustos po sa kanilang pamilya, 'yun po ang dapat nating suportahan sa ngayon," the senator cited. Go stressed that by working hand in hand, the government, led by President Marcos, and other advocates like him can pave the way for a future that leaves no Filipino behind in the journey towards progress and prosperity.
The lead construction firms building the new Buffalo Bills stadium have not done nearly enough to recruit minority contractors to work on the project, Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin says.

I am, absolutely, just disgusted at their lack of transparency, at their ability to ignore the language in the legal document that the Buffalo Bills signed that says that they are accountable to outreach in a very specific way, she said. If they think that Im going to stand for them submitting a bunch of waivers and good faith effort when I have a laundry list of people who are sitting here saying, We want to work. We just dont know how we can figure it out, they are sadly mistaken.

Last month, Empire State Development concluded that the Bills hiring through early June of minority and women-owned businesses, as well as service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses, to build the new $1.54 billion stadium is well below its expected performance under project participation goals.

The Bills are required to make and document a good faith effort to achieve, at minimum, an overall participation goal of 30% for minority and women-owned businesses  15% each. In addition, there is a 6% goal for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Representatives with the Bills and with the project construction manager responded that only a small fraction of all the bid packages have been released, and even fewer have been awarded. Plans to involve minority and women-owned businesses in the construction process are still moving forward, they said.

Kathryn DAngelo, the Bills general counsel and senior vice president for business administration, said only 10% of the stadiums construction value has been awarded to contractors so far, and the chance for minority subcontractors to access information and be hired for smaller bid packages remains high.

Theres a lot of opportunity left of the table, she said.

Christopher McFadden, a spokesman for the Gilbane/Turner construction management team, said fewer than 10 construction contracts have been awarded.

Theres a hundred more opportunities ahead for people to participate in this project, he said, adding that Gilbane/Turner will work directly with major contractors to ensure subcontracting can be broken down in a way that is accessible to smaller, minority business owners.

Any company seeking to participate in the project may complete an interest form on the stadium construction website: buffalobillsnewstadium.com

From optimistic to upset

The stadium construction project is expected to employ hundreds of businesses and roughly 10,000 workers.

For Baskin, this represents a historic opportunity to provide experience and financial opportunity to many small, underrepresented construction companies that have never gotten a foot in the door on a large-scale project.

She worked with the Bills to establish the Level Up program, to get established, minority-owned businesses help to navigate the state minority business certification process and assist with everything from forming a limited liability corporation and meeting prevailing-wage requirements to improving recordkeeping.

Baskin had previously expressed optimism at how contracts for the new Bills stadium would be awarded, with bid packages broken down so that even small minority construction crews could participate. But after what she described as a series of frustrating and unresponsive conversations with the contractor managers, shes worried that the window of opportunity is closing.

Many state- and county-certified minority business owners have told her they havent received useful information about how to participate in the stadium construction project, she said.

This is heading down a path of danger, where in a blink of an eye, were going to have missed out on an opportunity to build up our communities economically, she said.

Legislature action

Baskin sponsored a County Legislature resolution that received unanimous support last week requiring the countys Equal Employment Opportunity Office to survey minority contractors on whether they have received information about how to participate in the construction bidding process.

Baskin said her requests to find out what minority contractors from this region have already been awarded contracts have been rebuffed. She plans to call a committee meeting to get an explanation on why the stadium contracting goals for hiring businesses owned by minorities, women and disabled veterans have not been met so far.

If they are not meeting these goals, theyre in serious trouble, and I plan to pursue the Bills, Baskin said, referring to the terms of the stadium deal. And it will be the fault of Gilbane construction, because the Bills are not the ones who are really giving us a hard time about this. It is the managing contractor and the leader of that project.

Getting a clue

The general contractors on the project, Gilbane/Turner, represents a shared construction management effort by both Gilbane Building Co. and Turner Construction, along with 34Group, the construction company of Hall of Fame Bills running back Thurman Thomas.

The stadium construction agreement requires the construction manager and prime contractors to play an active role in ensuring that smaller bid packages are offered to attract a diversity of bidders.

Baskin said general contractors are holding meetings with people interested in working on the stadium project, but they tend to be in the early morning at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, instead of later in the day and in cities, when more minority business owners can attend.

If youre a small town guy whos got a team of five people, and you do site work or construction site cleanup, if the bid package that youre reading on the website  if you even learn about the opportunity  is like for $2 million, you dont really know how to get included, Baskin said. Theres no clear, direct path for the smaller woman or minority [business owner] to be able to engage.

Frank Daniel, executive director of the Independent Contractors Guild of Western New York, a minority-owned and operated construction union that represents both minority and majority contractors, said he hasnt yet seen evidence that construction managers or general contractors are bidding out work any differently than in the past.

Ideally, he said, all major contractors would have assembled a team of minority contractors who would help them put together stadium bids on the front end instead of trying to hand out leftover work to minority subcontractors on the back end.

If we want minorities to be involved, weve got to help them navigate the system because its a very intricate, complex system, Daniels said. And if you havent done a large project, then you just dont have a clue.

Outreach efforts

Baskin accused the stadium construction team of not being proactive enough with outreach efforts.

She criticized Gilbane/Turners hiring of outside consultants from New Jersey and Atlanta, who have no local contacts or relationships with minority contractors and business owners here, to do outreach to minority communities. Instead of hiring local consultants who already have those relationships, she said her office is getting consultant requests for phone numbers for the local NAACP, Urban League and Black Chamber of Commerce.

She said she fears these efforts are simply creating a paper trail to suggest that the construction team is making a good faith effort, without actually making meaningful connections with certified and experienced minority businesses, or those who are in the process of being certified.

I never in a million years thought that the current list of about 200 contractors would be calling my office saying, Hey, you know, I do construction site cleanup. How come I cant be considered for the stadium project? Ive been certified for 10 years,  Baskin said.

She said she recognizes that taking a bid package worth millions of dollars and chopping it into much smaller packages takes a lot of work.

But thats what you get when you take public money, she said. Youve got to find a way to reinvest it into the community.

DAngelo, the Bills general counsel, said she admires Baskins passion and commitment and spoke with her last week to improve communication and transparency. Smaller bid packages will be forthcoming, she said.

McFadden also said Gilbane/Turner is open to feedback on how to improve access. He noted that the construction management team attended a MWBE Expo hosted by the Empire State Development agency in Buffalo earlier this month.

This is a stadium being built in Buffalo for Buffalo Bills fans, and we want people in Buffalo, in the community both on the labor side and contractor side to be part of the project, he said.
Two drones were reported to have hit buildings in Moscow early on July 24, according to the mayor of the Russian capital, with media reports saying debris was found not far from Defense Ministry headquarters.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram that two drones "were suppressed and crashed," and blamed the Ukrainian military.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that two nonresidential buildings were struck at around 4 a.m. He said there was no "serious damage or casualties."

Meanwhile, late on July 24, Ukrainian authorities said one child was killed and six other people injured in a Russian strike on the city of Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine.



Among the injured were four children: three girls aged 5, 11, and 12, and an 11-year-old boy, said regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.



Kyrylenko said Smerch self-propelled grenade launchers with cluster munitions were used. The report could not immediately be verified.



The reports come a day after at least one person was killed, 22 wounded, and a historic Orthodox cathedral seriously damaged in a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odesa.

It also comes amid a report on July 24 of a Russian drone attack on a key Danube River grain export route for Ukraine very close to the border with NATO and EU member Romania.

Russia's military has launched military strikes on Odesa and other Ukrainian food-export facilities in recent days after the Kremlin withdrew from a UN-brokered sea-corridor agreement that allowed for the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain. Kyiv has accused Moscow of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to the deal.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the reported drone strikes in Moscow on July 24. Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine.

However, AFP later quoted a Ukrainian defense source as saying the attack was a "special operation" by Ukrainian military intelligence, although the claim could not be independently verified.

The Russian state-run TASS news agency, citing emergency services, said that drone fragments were found near a building on Komsomolsky Prospekt in central Moscow. The site is about 2 kilometers from the Defense Ministry's buildings.

State-run media also reported that a high-rise office building was damaged on Likhachev Prospekt in the south of the Russian capital.

Both streets were closed to traffic, Russian state-run media reported.

Russian Telegram channels posted videos and photos of what they said was the damaged buildings.

Elsewhere, Russian forces struck port infrastructure on the Danube River in southern Ukraine with exploding drones early on July 24, wounding seven workers and destroying a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, the Ukrainian military said. It said that Ukrainian forces downed three of the drones.

"The Russian terrorists have again attacked the Odesa region overnight. Port infrastructure on the Danube River is the target this time," regional Governor Oleh Kiper wrote on Telegram.

Citing a local official, news website Reni-Odesa said three grain warehouses had been destroyed in the Danube port city of Reni in an attack involving about 15 drones.

Reni lies just across the Danube from NATO and European Union member Romania.

That proximity was noted by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in a post on Twitter condemning the Danube attack.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on July 24 that the Ukrainian military had retaken over 12 square kilometers of territory in southern Ukraine in the past week in the counteroffensive against Russian invading forces.

Malyar said Ukrainian forces had recaptured a total of more than 192 square kilometers in the southern sector since the counteroffensive began in early June.

Malyar said Ukrainian forces were continuing to advance in several areas toward Melitopol and Berdyansk in the southern region of Zaporizhzhya.

In Crimea, a Russian-installed official in Crimea said an ammunition depot was hit during what he said was a Ukraine drone attack on Dzhankoy.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-installed leader of Crimea, which Moscow seized control of in 2014, said a residential building was also damaged in the area.

Aksyonov also said on Telegram that "for safety reasons" railway and road traffic in the area had been suspended.

Late on July 24, Russia-installed authorities said road traffic on the Crimea Bridge connecting Russia with the occupied peninsula had been temporarily halted, without giving a reason.

Russia has a military air base near Dzhankoy. Ukrainian officials have long said the city and surrounding areas have been turned into Moscow's largest military base in Crimea.

The Russian Defense Ministry later claimed that Ukraine tried to attack Crimea overnight using 17 drones, but that the attack was foiled and that there were no casualties.

It said 11 of the drones crashed into the Black Sea after being repressed by anti-drone equipment, three fell on Crimean territory, and three were destroyed by air defenses.

With reporting from Reuters
Yelena Sannikova has been writing letters to political prisoners since she was a Soviet teenager in the 1970s. Almost half a century later, with the Russian state's long, harsh clampdown on dissent intensifying further amid the war against Ukraine, she is as busy as ever.

A poet, translator, publicist, and dissident who was jailed and sent into internal exile in her 20s, Sannikova has dedicated much of her time to writing letters and postcards to prisoners -- "tiny greetings from the free world," she calls them -- and providing other essential support to people she believes have been put behind bars for their political activism or their ideals.

"When I was in prison myself, I learned what confinement really is and how important letters are when you are there," she told RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities. "When I was in exile, I got letters from strangers, and I know how much support and help they provide. So, today, I consider it my obligation to write to prisoners."

According to the now-banned human rights group Memorial, the number of people designated as political prisoners in Russia has tripled in the last five years, reaching 554. Since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the ranks of the repressed have been swollen by dozens of people sentenced for anti-war activity and statements, as well as for purported "treason" or "justifying terrorism." Dozens more are currently under investigation or being held pending trial on similar charges.

On July 16, Sannikova mailed 23 letters to prisoners -- "with postcards, cute stickers, and good wishes." Over the years, the number of cards and letters she has sent has mounted into the thousands.

"Now, when the number of political prisoners is very high, it isn't possible to write to everyone," Sannikov, 63, conceded. "But you can try to involve friends and acquaintances. I am very happy to see that more and more initiatives of this type are popping up. People understand that prisoners need words of support."

'Darkest Before The Dawn'

"Tomorrow is the first day of summer," reads a letter that recently arrived from respected historian Yury Dmitriyev, who is serving a 15-year sentence that his supporters say is retribution for his groundbreaking research into the crimes of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, "but the flies and mosquitoes have already been chewing up the poor prisoners for about three weeks."

"We live a little more peacefully here than those of you outside the walls," Dmitriyev continued. "At least we have some clarity -- a sentence, a beginning, an end. But you never know when and from where they will come down on you. But just the same as you, we are waiting for an end to all this.

"I hope you survive the 'terminal stage' of the Putin regime," he concluded. "Take care."

Sannikova says she is impressed by how many prisoners maintain their optimism and, like Dmitriyev, try to comfort those outside the prison walls. In this context, she mentioned opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in April after being convicted of treason and other crimes over his criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"He writes a lot," Sannikova said, "saying not to lose optimism and hope."

In June, Kara-Murza said prison authorities were illegally preventing him from receiving letters.

Ilya Yashin, another opposition politician who is serving an 8 1/2-year sentence for his condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine, recently wrote a similar message on a postcard from captivity.

"Thank you for your sincere and warm message," he wrote. "I really liked it. Preserve your optimism and your faith in people. The night is darkest before the dawn. All will be well, Ilya Yashin."

'Collision With The System'

Sannikova first learned of the existence of political prisoners in the Soviet Union from foreign radio broadcasts when she was a schoolgirl. As a teenager in the 1970s, she met the family of imprisoned dissident Kronid Lyubarsky, and they first told her that it was possible to write letters to such prisoners.

"He received quite a lot of letters, and I added my modest contribution to that flood," she said. "The letters arrived, and he mentioned them in his letters to his wife. At a certain point, I got bolder and began writing my opinions in the letters, which only led to them being confiscated and to trouble for me at school and with the local authorities. I was in the ninth grade then and didn't quite understand that this was my first serious collision with the system."

After Lyubarsky was released and expelled from the Soviet Union in 1977, he began publishing information about Soviet political prisoners, including how to write to them.

"In the 1980s, his list became a guide for me as I undertook the work of collecting information about prisoners and trying to help them," Sannikova said. "I used this list when I gathered friends around New Year's or Easter to send a large number of cards to prisons, labor camps, and places of internal exile.

"We selected pretty cards and wrote kind words, good wishes, and three or four of us would sign each card," she recalled.

Sannikova later learned that such efforts sometimes had an enormous effect. Gleb Yakunin, a dissident priest who was imprisoned for seven years in the 1980s, never forgot the letters he received.

"Almost to the end of his days, whenever he saw me, he recalled how our cards cheered him up in prison and asked about the fates of those who signed the cards with me," she said of Yakunin, who died in 2014.

In 1984, the KGB arrested the 24-year-old Sannikova and held her in Moscow's Lefortovo prison, whose inmates today include people arrested by the KGB's main domestic successor, the FSB. She was later sentenced to a year in prison and four years of Siberian exile for "anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda."

"I continued writing to political prisoners even while I was in exile," Sannikova said. "I also corresponded a lot with other people in exile."

During her time in prison, Sannikova herself received many letters from strangers abroad.

"I don't know how these people found out about me, but I imagine they were members of Amnesty International and other such organizations," she said.

She returned to Moscow at the end of 1987 and resumed her human rights activity -- and continued writing letters to political prisoners.

'The Promise Of Change'

To this day, the work remains largely the same -- a group of four or five friends writing birthday greetings or congratulating prisoners on various holidays.

"I love to buy postcards with classical paintings from museums," she explained. "Also landscapes with pretty views of cities. After all, in a cell there is nowhere for the eye to rest."

She also includes such items as envelopes, paper, and blank postcards to make it easier for the prisoners to communicate with the outside.

"I want to give them hope that this horror is not endless," she said, "and that things will definitely change for the better. I don't want them to lose hope. It is very easy to fall into despair when you are in prison."

Although the growing number of repressed people alarms Sannikova, she is heartened by the grassroots movement to support people who are considered political prisoners. The political party Yabloko regularly organizes letter-writing events in cities all over the country. Several former prisoners have taken up the cause of supporting others still behind bars on what are considered politically motivated charges, while quite a few inmates have Telegram and other social media channels that provide information about them and about how to contact them.

"All this is the work of volunteers who are sympathetic," she said. "And that is a reason for hope. Such solidarity is itself valuable and, what's more, it is the promise of change for the better."

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL Russian Service contributor Andrei Filimonov
Turkmenistans population increased to slightly over 7 million people, according to the results of a new census conducted by the authorities in the tightly controlled country.

But many Turkmen have rejected the official data, accusing the government of covering up an unprecedented population decline in recent years.

The demographic crisis in the Central Asian nation has been driven by the exodus of millions of people due to widespread poverty, unemployment, government corruption, and political repression.

Conducted in December 2022, the nationwide census found that Turkmenistan has a population of 7,057,841 people, the government announced on July 14. That was an increase from the 6.7 million recorded during the census in 2006, the last to be made public.

But in 2021, sources close to the Turkmen government told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that the results of a preliminary survey conducted earlier that year -- ahead of the 2022 census -- found that the population actually numbered fewer than 2.8 million.

The Turkmen authorities did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment.

Several sources with knowledge of the matter, who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said the official census results have been deliberately overstated.

The reality is that Turkmenistans population doesnt even reach 4 million, even including citizens who are still registered in their old addresses in Turkmenistan but have left the country many years ago -- mostly as migrants to Turkey and Russia, said one source.

The source said that the official census figures were just made up by the authorities. The source claimed that Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhammedov is aware of the real situation.

The government came up with that figure [of 7 million] out of thin air, the source said.

Another source familiar with the matter also accused the authorities of falsifying the census figures and said there had been irregularities in the process. RFE/RL could not independently verify the claims.

Absent Residents

The census is only supposed to count citizens who reside inside the country or are outside the country temporarily, not those who have immigrated permanently or obtained the citizenship of another country.

But several Turkmen living abroad told RFE/RL that they found out from relatives that census workers registered them as current residents of Turkmenistan.

Among them are a father and son who moved to Russia in 2019 and have since received Russian citizenship. The pair have no intention of going back to Turkmenistan.

My wife and two daughters still live in Turkmenistan. They said that during the census in December, officials recorded that five people live in our household. They registered me and my son as currently residing in Turkmenistan, although they were told that we have left years ago, the man told RFE/RL.

But to be fair, we havent officially applied to de-register from our Turkmen address and havent abandoned our Turkmen citizenship, he added.

Turkmen authorities have never publicly acknowledged that the country has experienced a sharp population decline.

But there are many official indicators that indirectly demonstrate that the population has shrunk in recent years, said Serdar Aitakov, a Turkmen political analyst who lives abroad.

For example, according to recent official statistics, about 80,000 students graduate from schools in Turkmenistan every year. For comparison, the number of graduates was about 115,000 in 2009, he told RFE/RL.

Also, the government forcibly enlists young men into the army without even giving them a chance to finish their school exams. It also is another example of a shortage of people to fill the ranks of the army.

Shrinking populations are a major problem in many developed nations, where it is mostly attributed to low birth rates. But in Turkmenistan, the population decline is linked to the mass exodus of people over the past decade.

Ashgabat conducted a nationwide census in 2012, but the results of that survey have never been made public. Sources close to the government have said that the authorities were unwilling to acknowledge the population drop that the census revealed.

The government went on to conduct at least two other surveys -- in 2019 and 2021 -- both of which showed the population receding, several officials close to the matter told RFE/RL at the time.

The 2019 survey that was said to cover the period between 2008 to 2018 showed that nearly 2 million people left the country, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

They left either for permanent residency abroad or for permanent work outside the country," one of the sources said. That number did not include Turkmen migrants and students abroad, the sources said.

In the lead up to the 2022 census, the Turkmen authorities prevented people from leaving the country. There were reports of students being removed en masse from foreign-bound flights.

Hundreds of Turkmen workers who had returned from abroad to visit their families or renew their passports in Turkmenistan in 2022 were not able to go back, despite having foreign residency permits.

The move was seen by many Turkmen as a desperate effort by the authorities to boost the number of people in the country during the census.

Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by RFE/RLs Turkmen Service
Dramatic video posted on social media captured the moment Russian forces launched an air strike on the Ukrainian port of Reni, which is just 200 meters across the river Danube from Romania, on July 24. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis condemned the attack, calling it an "escalation" that posed risks to wider security in the Black Sea region and global food security.
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak and, this week, a slight break from the usual program to answer a burning question: What actually happens in Brussels during the summer?

How Brussels Functions During Its Long Summer Vacation

I got an out-of-office reply from a European Commission official the other day, saying that he will be back in the office on September 3. Given that this e-mail enquiry was sent in mid-July, that is quite some summer vacation. But then again, this is Brussels, and I've grown used to it over the years covering the European Union and NATO.

If there is one date that Brussels types (and I include myself in this) universally recognize as important, it's July 21. Why? Well, firstly, because it is Belgian National Day, so there's a public holiday with evening fireworks and fairground attractions in many of the city's parks. But more importantly, it is considered to be the "cutoff day" for officials and bureaucrats, a "mental vacation signpost" of sorts.

Granted, this year, EU ambassadors of the 27 member states are still meeting on July 26, and the bloc's agriculture ministers are also convening in the Belgian capital the day before. But otherwise, everyone in the Brussels bubble knows that by July 21, the working desks should be cleared, flip-flops and swimwear packed, and all outstanding political issues resolved. Because nothing really happens in the EU until September 1. No summits, no council meetings, no European Parliament plenaries or committees, no diplomatic or official gatherings. Go to Brussels' EU quarter, about a square kilometer or two of modern office buildings in concrete and glass roughly in between the airport and the historical city center, in August and you'll find a ghost town.

In Europe, this is not considered particularly extraordinary. Many national parliaments have recesses that stretch into several weeks over the summer -- often to coincide with school holidays that in most EU member states run for a good chunk of July and all of August. EU legislation mandates that all member states must grant all workers a minimum of four weeks paid vacation per year -- many companies and state institutions across the EU offer more. In EU institutions, officials often also get perks such as "travel days" to and from their home country; staff often accumulate enough free days to cover well over a month.

One justification for the longer vacations that you often hear from Brussels types is that it makes economic sense. I can't prove that the numbers stack up, but looking at the most visited countries in the world by tourists, France and Spain top the list and another four EU member states make the top 10. Tourism -- and the whole service-sector infrastructure built around it -- is crucial for so many EU countries' GDP. Or as one Brussels official wryly remarked to me just before jetting off, "It's my European solidaric duty to go to the Mediterranean and spend, spend, spend."

The long Brussels break can, however, cause some bemusement around the world, as international crises don't just stop because EU officials are on the beach or hiking in the Alps. One Brussels old-timer put it succinctly: "Countries and leaders who want to make mischief know that the best time to strike is around Christmas or in late July/August. We just pay less attention."

In fact, foreign policy issues almost always disrupt EU officials' vacations. Just look at the last three years. In 2020, it was the rigged presidential election in Belarus and the subsequent crackdown on demonstrators. In 2021, the Taliban took over Kabul and Western countries had to scramble to evacuate personnel from Afghanistan. And last year, there was much debate in the countries bordering Russia -- notably the Baltic trio and Finland -- about limiting or even prohibiting the entry of Russian holidaymakers from coming to places like Helsinki and Tallinn in order to head south to the bloc's warmer climes. Despite the absences, the EU reacted relatively quickly to all three events, organizing quick meetings with key officials, putting out timely statements, and eventually coming up with policy proposals.

But perhaps the most glaring example of an August mishap, in which the EU was caught completely flat-footed, was the five-day war between Russia and Georgia in 2008. It was my first summer in Brussels as a journalist and I remember the EU response as being pretty chaotic. The bloc's foreign ministers met in Brussels shortly after the war and couldn't really agree on anything, as they were so divided on how to deal with Russia. No sanctions were imposed on the Kremlin -- in fact, they couldn't even agree on suspending talks on a new EU-Russia partnership agreement that was in the works at the time or even whether to send a monitoring mission to observe the cease-fire.

It ended up with the French president at the time, Nicolas Sarkozy, getting involved in cease-fire negotiations, while the leaders of the three Baltic states and Poland (as well as non-EU member Ukraine) rushed to Tbilisi to show support. In short, it was a mess, and, in the end, Brussels failed to enact any meaningful and coherent measures as a response to the war.

The experience of the Georgia war was, however, a catalyst for a rethink on how the bloc should function in the dog days of summer. Two years after the Georgia war, the creation of the EU's diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service, has undoubtedly improved the strategic thinking and coordination in the bloc.

But perhaps the biggest boon for European diplomatic coordination has been technological progress. Today, all EU officials are glued to their smartphones, many communicating in Signal or WhatsApp groups. That, combined with online meeting platforms such as Teams or Zoom, the use of which was perfected during the coronavirus years, means that officials and bureaucrats are much more flexible and able to discuss and then approve a statement even from a Tuscan farmhouse or the wilds of the North Sea coast.

What hasn't changed is that EU officials (or their deputies) still have to meet physically in Brussels to enact policy, for example, imposing sanctions. Member states' ambassadors to the EU can, however, make those decisions without ministers in the related policy fields. With a green light from their respective capitals, they can make decisions -- such as sanctions or, to use a recent example, green-lighting more money to Ukraine -- via the so-called "written procedure," meaning that they give their OK within a certain time limit, usually a day. They can also utilize the "silent procedure," which means something is considered passed in the Council of the European Union -- where the 27 EU member states meet and make decisions, usually by unanimity on foreign-policy-related issues -- unless a country breaks the silence within a set period of time.

But what about NATO, the other giant institution in the Belgian capital? It tends to have a bit more of an "American" flavor to it, in this case, meaning shorter vacations. The North Atlantic Council, the military alliance's main decision-making body, continues its meetings into August, although it does usually take a two-week break in the middle of the month.

In the almost-empty offices of the European Union, there are a few unfortunate officials left to run the show. One official I spoke to said they will try to take online language classes this summer, if time allows. Another has an even more ambitious goal: reading up on all the thousands of pages of legal acts that constitute the EU's 11 sanctions packages imposed on Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

For journalists, it can be a similar story. Apart from preparing future obituaries of EU leaders, my favorite memory was discovering the sometimes absurd artwork in the European Parliament building. (One notable example is a giant metal horse given to the parliament by the former and late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.) I even witnessed the sprucing up of the European Parliament's Tree of Integration -- a six-story staircase bedecked with a tangle of connected iron bars. Once a year, a cleaner is equipped with a feather duster and tasked with giving it a rubdown. Quite a spectacle.

Looking Ahead

As mentioned above, not much is happening in Brussels this week, but EU ambassadors are still meeting and could potentially make some key decisions. One is that they could give a green light to more sanctions on Belarus. A proposal to hit the Lukashenka regime harder was put forward in January but has been blocked, mainly by Lithuania, as it also contained sanctions derogations for Belarusian potassium.

The mineral is one of the main sources of income for the Belarusian regime, and if it was allowed to be transported again, it would most likely cross Lithuanian territory, something Vilnius is firmly against. This new package is smaller and only really suggests tightening screws on Belarusian aviation and battlefield components. Crucially, it doesn't contain any opt-outs, including for potassium, for already sanctioned products, meaning that Vilnius can probably give its thumbs-up.

Another possible EU decision could be the cancellation of asset freezes and visa bans on some of the over 1,800 mostly Russian individuals and companies the EU has targeted since the invasion of Ukraine last year. The EU's legal service has identified a few weak cases, meaning that Brussels most likely doesn't have enough evidence that these individuals legally can be said to contribute to the "destabilization of Ukraine's territorial integrity."

These are individuals or companies that EU lawyers have likely determined would be cleared of wrongdoing if they challenged the sanctions in the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice, the bloc's supreme court in terms of EU law. According to my sources who are familiar with the talks but not authorized to speak on the record, two or three people could very well be delisted already this week.

This is all a long way of saying that it's also my time to take a short summer break -- and, of course, contribute to Greece's GDP! The next newsletter will appear on August 14.

Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Richard Jozwiak

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The Allegany County man charged recently in a disturbing case of animal cruelty burned his dog to death because, a state police spokesman said, the animal was annoying him during a party.

When another guest at the gathering worried what Jeremy Vankuren was about to do and tried to prevent it, Vankuren tied the man to a chair and forced him to watch the animal die, state police reported.

Its a very deviant kind of act. And its not something that people should look at lightly, said Trooper James OCallaghan, the state police spokesman in Western New York.

Troopers are withholding some specifics because the investigation continues, and others at the residence that day could face criminal charges, OCallaghan said.

But he provided new details last week about what led investigators to charge Vankuren with kidnapping and felony animal cruelty late last month.

Allegany County man charged with burning his own dog to death in a barrel Jeremy Vankuren was charged with felony counts of kidnapping and aggravated animal cruelty, along with three misdemeanors, New York State Police said Saturday.

Vankuren, 33, was hosting several guests June 19 at his residence on County Route 23 in Fillmore, a hamlet within the Town of Hume.

It is a great possibility that the partygoers were using marijuana that day, OCallaghan said. And the dog may have been barking, or doing something to irritate the owner, at which point he said he was going to go out and take care of the dog.

Another guest, a 28-year-old man, heard Vankuren say this, according to state police.

So, went out to kind of intervene on the dogs behalf and thats when things, obviously, went sideways, OCallaghan said. Where, to prove a point, he ratchet-strapped them down to a chair and then burned the dog right in front of them, allegedly.

The man, a friend of Vankuren, followed him outside because he had an idea what Vankuren intended to do, the trooper said.

Theres a possibility that hes done stuff like this before, OCallaghan said. Maybe not in the same manner, but as far as killing animals. We believe that the friend knew this. And he kind of stepped up and said, Hey, this might not be  or however that conversation might have gone.

Vankuren, instead of listening to his friend, is accused of throwing his own dog, a red-nosed pit bull that was about 13 or 14 years old, into a burning barrel in the backyard.

OCallaghan declined to reveal what Vankuren and the friend said as the dog was dying and the friend remained tied to the chair.

He said other people were still at the residence and likely were aware of what was happening outside.

The friend remained tied up for hours but was released or got free later that day, OCallaghan said.

Obviously, given the timeframe, theres a conversation, he said. And we did a kidnap charge because he was unable to leave  not only before, during and even after this incident happened, they wouldnt let him up off of that chair.

State police didnt get involved until nine days later, on June 28, when they received a tip reporting the animal cruelty allegations. OCallaghan also declined to discuss the reason for the delay in reporting the incident, saying it was part of the investigation.

Investigators executed a search warrant June 29 at Vankurens residence and discovered the remains of the dog and other items connected to the incident.

Vankuren is charged with kidnapping and aggravated animal cruelty, both felonies, and menacing, torturing an animal and obstruction of governmental administration, all misdemeanors.

He was arraigned in Hume Town Court and ordered held in Allegany County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. He remained in custody this week, court records show.

State police have interviewed witnesses and worked to corroborate each persons version of events, OCallaghan said. Some other partygoers could face criminal charges based on what they did or didnt do while the dog was dying and the friend was tied to the chair, the trooper said.

The Allegany County District Attorneys Office and the SPCA Serving Allegany County assisted state police in the investigation.

Prosecutors declined to comment. SPCA Executive Director Lynda Pruski initially agreed to grant an interview, but did not respond to repeated follow-up phone calls from The Buffalo News.

Paul S. DiCola, an assistant Allegany County public defender and Vankurens court-appointed attorney, also did not respond to messages seeking comment on his clients behalf.

OCallaghan noted these are only accusations, and Vankuren has not been convicted of a crime. But the accusations are disturbing because, he noted, people who abuse animals often go on to harm humans, too.

I mean, most people, they lose their pet after owning it a couple years, its like losing a family member, he said. So for someone to take their own pet and burn it alive, while also tying someone else down to a chair, it does make you curious as to what is the possibility of this person doing something else?
A FESTIVAL-friendly farm is holding the latest in a series of live music events next weekend in memory of a teenager who died from cancer.

Loz Fest, which takes place at Hooton Lodge Farm and Campsite at Kilnhurst next Saturday, is named after 18-year-old Loz Taylor, who died of bladder carcinoma three years ago.

It is being organised by Terri Taylor on what would have been the Wombwell teenagers 21st birthday and will feature DJs, performers and the Sing for Survival Choir.

Charlotte Buck, who runs Hooton Lodge Farm, said: We also have a licensed bar, food vendors, face painting, rides and inflatables.

The event is free but people can choose to buy tickets and make a donation, and all money raised will go directly to Weston Park.

The festival runs from noon to 6pm on Saturday, July 29.

It will be the latest in a series of live music events at the site this summer.

DJ Adam Milner and fellow mastermixers, including Shaun Banger Scott, performed last month, raising 2,500 for Weston Park.

Last weekend, another clutch of DJs took to the decks for Fam Fest, featuring hit-making artists Ultrabeat.

And next Sunday, the farm will be marking Yorkshire Day with another musical event, with Thorpe Hesley Brass Band providing a touch of traditional pomp and live music and performances from Rotherham dance and theatre schools.

The event runs from 11am to 4pm and all proceeds will go to Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity, Hooton Lodges chosen charity for the year.
A FORMER pupils wish for life-saving equipment to be installed outside her old school has been granted thanks to the efforts of a charity, a community-minded social group and council workers.

Start a Heart 24/7s latest defibrillator delivery has been completed on the doorstep of Coleridge Road Primary in Eastwood.

The school itself carried out fundraising, which was topped up by grants from Start a Heart and Rotherham Round Table.

Start a Heart founder Trish Lister said: I was contacted in September 2020 by an anonymous phone call from a lady wanting to donate a defibrillator for that area.

The lady eventually let it be known that she was once a pupil at Coleridge Primary almost 80 years ago and had kept the area dear to her heart ever since.

In the nearly three years that followed, we had several disappointing attempts at gaining permission to tap into electricity supplies of surrounding properties.

We are very grateful to Rotherham Street Lighting, who eventually came to our rescue.

Start a Heart 24/7 is responsible for the installation of more than 100 defibrillators around Rotherham.

The charity was founded by Mrs Lister following the death of her husband Stuart from a heart attack.

Rotherham Round Table vice-chairman Phil OBrien said: Start A Heart is a charity we have already supported with the installation of the defibrillator outside Tesco Express at Moorgate.

Were privileged to be able to support defib installations across the borough, as theyre potentially life-saving devices not only for those who unfortunately require them, but also their friends and loved ones.

All the money we raise comes from the people of Rotherham and were always on the lookout for good causes to support which can have a positive impact on the community.

Round Table welcomes grant applications from community or voluntary groups, charities and individuals based in the borough.

The only requirement is the money must be spent in the Rotherham borough.

For an application form, email csloRT24@outlook.com.

The social group, which runs popular annual Santa Sleigh runs, is also keen to hear from prospective new members.

Get in touch through their Rotherham Round Table 24 Facebook page.
Mansa

Authorities Closely Monitor Flood Situation as Heavy Rainfall Persists in Punjab

MANSA: In the wake of heavy rainfall in hilly areas and parts of Punjab, causing a surge in water levels of rivers, streams, dams, and Ghaggar, schools in the flood-affected regions of Mansa district will remain closed until July 26, 2023. District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner Rishipal Singh issued this directive to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.

The recent heavy downpour has led to a breach in the Ghaggar at Chandpura near Budhlada, resulting in flooding of several villages and towns in the Sardulgarh and Budhlada areas. Consequently, the district administration took necessary precautions to safeguard the students and school infrastructure.

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Speaking about the situation, District Magistrate Rishipal Singh stated that schools in areas where water has accumulated or where school buildings have sustained damage will be granted holidays. The decision comes after a thorough assessment by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Budhlada and Sardulgarh.

As per the reports, the affected schools include Government Senior Secondary Smart School Kulriyas, along with villages Gorakhnath and Birewala Dogra in Budhlada, and villages Roarki, Sadhuwala, Phusmandi, Khaira Khurd, and Government Secondary School Boys in Sardulgarh.

The district administration is closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are underway to address the flooding and assist affected communities. Residents are urged to exercise caution and cooperate with authorities during this challenging period.

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Parents, students, and school staff are advised to stay informed through official updates from the district administration and media channels regarding the reopening of schools beyond July 26. The safety of students remains the top priority, and the administration is committed to ensuring their well-being.

The authorities are hopeful that the weather conditions will improve, allowing for a quick resolution to the flood situation, and a safe return to normalcy for the affected regions.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to take necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines issued by the district administration to mitigate any further risks posed by the floods.


Gym Roof Collapse in China

Tragic Gym Roof Collapse in China Claims Lives of Young Athletes & Prompts Safety Concerns

BEIJING: A devastating accident unfolded in the northeastern state of China when the roof of a gymnasium school collapsed, resulting in the painful loss of 11 lives, most of whom were innocent children. The victims were part of a middle school volleyball team, and their dreams were tragically cut short on that fateful day. The incident occurred at 3 p.m. local time (7 p.m. GMT) in the city of Qiqihar.

Nineteen individuals, including children, were present inside the gymnasium when the roof suddenly caved in, causing panic and chaos. Despite the efforts of rescue teams, 10 people, mostly children, succumbed to their injuries, leaving families and communities grief-stricken.

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The tragedy struck deep in the hearts of the nation, as eight lives were miraculously saved, but some have sustained serious injuries, adding to the sorrow of the incident. The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention and treatment.

According to reports, the young athletes were at the gym for physical training on a seemingly ordinary Sunday when disaster struck unexpectedly. The incident has left the community shaken and mourning the loss of promising young lives.The rescue operation at the site is underway as authorities strive to retrieve the injured and recover any potential survivors amidst the wreckage.
A Buffalo man is in a coma in a Dublin, Ireland, hospital after being beaten by a mob of youths, according to his son.

Michael Rizzuto said the attack on his father, 57-year-old Stephen Termini, occurred last Wednesday not far from the hotel where the older man was staying. He said police in Dublin gave no indication of a motive in the attack on his father or that anything was stolen from Termini during the confrontation.

It was a random act of violence by three youths. They battered his face and head in, Rizzuto told a reporter from The Buffalo News on Monday.

As far as I know, hes still in a coma, but hes stable, Rizzuto added.

He said his father was vacationing alone in Ireland when he was accosted. Rizzuto said he was informed by law enforcement in Dublin that a 14-year-old suspect is in custody in connection with the attack.

He goes to court on Thursday about that, Rizzuto said.

Rizzuto said the area in Dublin in which his father was attacked has been the scene of violence against other tourists which, until now, has not been widely publicized.

Rizzuto said he and his brother Jesse are planning to fly to Ireland on Wednesday to see their father, provided they receive emergency passports allowing them to travel outside of the country.

Hes completely alone out there right now, Rizzuto said of his father.

Rizzuto said his father had previously traveled to Ireland without incident.

Ireland has been like his dream place to be. Thats where he wanted to settle down, said Rizzuto. I know hes been there like on and off for the past two years.

Rizzuto said his father worked at a galvanizing plant in Buffalo and also has other interests

Hes a musician and artist. He instilled a lot of that into us, playing bass drums, but seriously, hes the nicest guy, Rizzuto said.

He also did like side jobs. Like, if you ever needed anything, he was the guy to call. He would help out no matter what, and hed also play gigs and all that, Rizzuto added.

An article on the Dublin Live website about Terminis plight quoted his sister, Michelle, as saying her brother had saved for more than a year to pay for his flight to Ireland, where he also was attempting to trace the roots of a family member who had immigrated to the United States from Dublin.
Sulawesi Island

Maritime Safety Concerns Grow as Boat Tragedy Claims Lives on Sulawesi Island

SULAWESI ISLAND: A Grim disaster unfolded on Sunday night, as a boat carrying approximately 40 passengers sank off the coast of Sulawesi Island, leaving at least 15 people dead and 19 others missing. The tragic incident has once again shed light on the pressing issue of boat safety regulations in Indonesia.

According to local media reports, the ill-fated boat met its tragic fate at midnight on July 23, plunging its passengers into the dark waters. As rescue efforts swung into action, the nation braced for the devastating news of the loss of lives and the anxious wait for updates on the missing individuals.

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Indonesia, a vast archipelago comprising more than 17,000 islands, has long grappled with incidents of boat capsizing due to a weak system of safety regulations. These accidents have become far too common, underscoring the urgent need for improved safety measures within the country's maritime transportation.

One such heart-wrenching incident occurred in 2018 when a boat, carrying nearly 200 passengers, sank in a deep volcanic crater lake in North Sumatra province, claiming the lives of approximately 167 people. Despite such tragic occurrences, safety standards on boats and ferries continue to be a major concern.

The Ship involved in the recent disaster was ferrying passengers across the bay to Muna Island, located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi province. As rescue operations unfolded, Mohammad Arafa, a member of the local branch of the rescue agency in Indonesia, confirmed that all victims had been identified and their bodies handed over to their families. Meanwhile, survivors are currently receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals.


Plane Crash

Amidst 100 Days of War, Port Sudan Airport Tragedy Claims 9 Lives, Including 4 Soldiers

KHARTOUM: In the midst of the continuing war between the Sudan Army and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a devastating incident occurred on Sunday, as a civilian plane crashed at the Port Sudan airport, resulting in the loss of 9 lives, including 4 soldiers.

According to a statement posted on social media by the Sudanese military, the tragic crash was attributed to a technical malfunction suffered by a civilian Antonov aircraft. The malfunction led to the aircraft's disastrous descent at the Port Sudan airport, claiming the lives of 4 army personnel and 5 civilians. In a heartening twist, reports suggest that a child's life was miraculously saved amidst the tragedy.

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Local media sources confirm that the nation has been engulfed in a relentless war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 15, marking a somber 100 days of strife and conflict.

The loss of lives in this recent plane crash has further intensified the grief and anguish experienced by the Sudanese people, who have been enduring the grim realities of an ongoing armed struggle. The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by civilians and military personnel alike in the conflict-torn region.


The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission or ACCC has said on Monday, that it is considering an application from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (AN3PG.AX,ANZ.AX) regarding its proposal to acquire Suncorp Bank a unit of SBGH Limited.

Both ANZ and Suncorp Bank offer retail and banking services in Australia. Though the insurance operated by Suncorp Group in Australia and New Zealand aren't part of the acquisition.

ACC had received the merger application from ANZ Bank on December 2, 2022. In April, the regulator had sought further information.

On May 22 and 23, ANZ and Suncorp Group provided submissions in response to the ACCC's Statement of Preliminary Views. They have also made further submissions in June and July

The ACCC typically has 90 days from the application date to make its decision, but it can extend the time frame if the applicants agree. ANZ has agreed to a short extension, until August 4 for ACCC to consider ANZ's response to the Starks reports and the second submission of Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.

On Monday, shares of ANZ closed at 102.75 AUD, up 0.10% or 0.10 AUD on the Australian Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Oil prices rose in choppy trade on Monday after rising sharply last week on signs of tight supply and data showing a drop in U.S. crude inventories.

Benchmark Brent crude futures rose half a percent to $81.25 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were up 0.7 percent at $77.59.

Brent crude contracts rallied 1.5 percent last week and WTI contracts jumped 2 percent, following speculation of more stimulus in China and recent announcements by Saudi Arabia and Russia about crude output reductions.

While signs of tight supply supported prices, fears of more rate hikes and the possibility of a recession in developed economies served to cap overall upside.

The Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision is due on Wednesday, followed by the European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Friday.

A 25-bps hike in the Fed funds rate is fully priced in, with investors likely to watch for any hints on the central bank's future moves.

The ECB is also expected to raise borrowing costs by 25 bps and reiterate its commitment to continue the current hiking cycle.

Growth worries returned to the fore after the latest surveys suggested worsening economic conditions in the euro zone.

Elsewhere, traders await the outcome of China's Politburo meeting this week after more liquidity troubles surfaced in China's property sector last week.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Higher crude oil and gold futures point to a positive start for the Canadian market Monday morning.

The focus will be on the upcoming policy meetings of the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan.

TC Energy Corporation (TRP.TO) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell a 40% stake in its Columbia Gas Transmission and Columbia Gulf Transmission systems for C$5.2 billion.

CGI Inc (GIB.A.TO) shares will be in focus on reports the company is planning to invest C$1 billion over three years on the expansion of its artificial intelligence services and solutions.

On the economic front, preliminary data on Canada's wholesale sales for the month of June is due at 8:30 AM ET.

The Canadian market ended on a firm note on Friday, although investors appeared a bit reluctant to make big moves ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended the day's session with a gain of 110.64 points or 0.54% at 20,547.51. The index gained about 1.4% in the week.

Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Monday amid bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve would pause its tightening campaign after delivering a 25-bps hike this week. Chinese stocks closed lower, weighed down by losses posted by property developers due to liquidity concerns.

European stocks are subdued with weak Eurozone activity data and an inconclusive election result in Spain rendering the mood cautious.

The HCOB Flash Eurozone Composite PMI Output Index, which gauges activity in the manufacturing and services sector, fell to an eight-month low of 48.9 in July from 49.9 in June.

French and German PMI data also came in weaker than expected, raising fears of a recession.

In commodities, West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures are up $0.48 or 0.61% at $77.55 a barrel.

Gold futures are up $2.50 or 0.13% at $1,969.10 an ounce, while Silver futures are down marginally at $24.830 an ounce.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The Canadian market ended marginally up on Monday thanks to strong gains in the energy sector as oil prices rose sharply.

Shares from all the other sectors turned in a mixed performance.

The mood was cautious with investors awaiting monetary policy meetings of the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan.

The Fed, scheduled to announce its policy on Wednesday, is widely expected to raise rate by 25 basis points. The accompanying statement is eyed for hints on future rate hikes.

The European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan are scheduled to announce their monetary policies on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended with a gain of 34.61 points or 0.17% at 20,582.12.

The Energy Capped Index climbed 1.67%. Cenovus Energy (CVE.TO), Imperial Oil (IMO.TO), Athabasca Oil Corp (ATH.TO), Suncor Energy (SU.TO) and Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ.TO) gained 2 to 2.75%. Baytex Energy (BTE.TO), Vermilion Energy (VET.TO), Whitecap Resources (WCP.TO) and Birchcliff Energy (BIR.TO) also ended sharply higher.

Among other prominent gainers, Ag Growth International (AFN.TO) rallied more than 4%. Nutrien (NTR.TO), BRP Inc (DOO.TO), Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC.TO), Teck Resources (TECK.B.TO) and Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC.TO) advanced 1.3 to 2.7%.

Aritzia Inc (ATZ.TO), Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO.TO), SNC-Lavalin Group (SNC.TO), Cargojet (CJT.TO), Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO), Kinaxis Inc (KXS.TO) and Onex Corporation (ONEX.TO) lost 1 to 4%.

CGI Inc (GIB.A.TO) announced that it is planning to invest C$1 billion over three years on the expansion of its artificial intelligence services and solutions. The stock gained about 0.3%.

TC Energy Corporation (TRP.TO) shares ended 2.6% down. The company announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell a 40% stake in its Columbia Gas Transmission and Columbia Gulf Transmission systems for C$5.2 billion.

On the economic front, wholesale sales in Canada fell 4.4% month-over-month in June 2023, according to preliminary estimates.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Rhodes University will be hosting the Eastern Cape Intervarsity 2023 between the 11th and 12th of August. The event was last held at Nelson Mandela University in 2019 and had been postponed for 3 years.

This competition is between Rhodes University; Nelson Mandela University; Walter Sisulu University and University of Fort Hare. The competition is for both cultural and sport events.
DVC for Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, Dr Noxolo Grootboom, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela and JMS Head Dr Jeanne Du Toit in front of the mural. Photo cred: Vusumzi Tshekema.

By Nwabisa Moyo

Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) unveiled its mural, which celebrates and honours industry legends, on Friday at the Afrika Media Matrix. The mural depicts the legendary former South African Broadcasting Corporation isiXhosa newsreader Dr Noxolo Grootboom, former Daily Dispatch Editor Donald Woods, Editor of South Africas first indigenous language newspaper John Tengo Jabavu, ground-breaking woman writer Phyllis Ntantala-Jordan and the photographer whose famous book, House of Bondage helped to topple apartheid Ernest Cole.

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, said: The unveiling of the mural is part of the celebration in honouring the many journalists and media practitioners, near and far, who have served the profession with great distinction. He encouraged people to pledge their unyielding commitment to and support for a free independent press as the cornerstone of our institutional democracy.

JMS Head, Dr Jeanne Du Toit, said the role of Journalism is more important than it has ever been as South African storytellers have been uniquely placed to invent traditions of journalism that respond well to contemporary challenges. The commissioning of the mural was a project that was both rooted in the past and forward-looking. It was to celebrate storytellers, starting with the roles that they played throughout colonisation, democracy, and to look forward to the role that future graduates will play in future. The mural was made to show the rich media history of the Eastern Cape by commemorating the giants of the industry, said Dr Du Toit.

Dr Grootboom was the special guest at the unveiling. She spoke fittingly of the historical role played by radio in the preservation of indigenous languages, stating that we find ourselves confronted with the demise of indigenous languages, and we need to create a climate and a space conducive enough to re-inject and keep the love, the passion, respect of indigenous languages burning in our youth.

Dr Grootboom spoke of the significant impact played by radio within the communities. She said: The intimacy, the immediacy, and sociability of radio remain unmatched. According to UNESCO, language is inseparable from our way of being, our thoughts, our feelings, our joys, and so much more. It is through language that we show who we are. She urged future generations to learn from the history of radio, which promotes indigenous languages, stating, I am not, in any way, discarding English as the medium that is often used in this country by government and mostly commercial spaces, by Universities, colleges, and other spaces. I am just merely emphasising that neglecting using ones language can be to its detriment, she added. She urged the students to learn from this history for the sake of the future.

The ceremony ended with the unveiling of the plaque, which tells the mural's story. Dr Grootboom concluded with her final words of comfort, Nanga ngobubusuku, ningalala nombethe ingubo yemvisiswano, uxolo, no thando. Ndinithanda nonke emakhaya. (translated May you all sleep tonight with a blanket of unity, peace and love. I love you all at home)
TVS domestic sales improved on a YoY basis while exports fell significantly with most models showing a lower demand on global markets

TVS Motor Company has revealed its sales report for June 2023. While the company has done well in domestic markets, posting a YoY growth of 22.14 percent, its exports have dipped 32.03 percent with most models in the company lineup receiving less attention from overseas buyers. Total sales (domestic + exports) of TVS Motor in June 2023 stood at 3,02,979 units, up from 2,91,881 units sold in June 2022. It was a MoM de-growth from a total of 3,17,249 units sold in May 2023.

In domestic markets, sales of TVS Motor stood at 2,35,833 units in June 2023. This was a 22.14 percent YoY growth from 1,93,090 units sold in June 2022. It is related to a 42,743 unit volume growth. MoM sales however, dipped from 2,52,690 units sold in May 2023.

TVS Domestic Sales June 2023  Breakup

It was TVS Jupiter that once again topped domestic sales charts. Sales improved 2.23 percent to 64,252 units in June 2023 from 62,851 units sold in June 2022. The Jupiter commands a 27.24 percent share in the company lineup and was also the 2nd best-selling scooter in the country after the Honda Activa. The XL moped saw sales dip 7.94 percent YoY to 34,499 units in the past month, down from 37,474 units sold in June 2022. This was a 2,975 unit volume de-growth with a 14.63 percent share.

TVS Raider (34,309 units), Apache (28,127 units) and Ntorq (28,127 units) each posted substantial YoY growth. Of the TVS iQube, the companys only electric offering, sales stood at 14,462 units in June 2023 up 209.88 percent from 4,667 units sold in June 2023. However, in view of price adjustments on account of FAME II subsidies, there was a MoM de-growth in iQube sales as against 17,913 units sold in May 2023.

Sales of TVS Sport also improved by 26.52 percent YoY to 11,669 while sales of the Radeon dipped 1.52 percent to 9,759 units in June 2023 from 9,910 units sold in June 2022. Domestic sales list also had Zest (5,889 units), Star City (3,071 units), Pep+ (1,379 units) and RR310 (340 units) out of which it YoY growth for Zest and RR310 while sales of Star City and Pep+ ended in the red.

TVS Exports June 2023

Exports fell by 32.03 percent YoY to 67,146 units in June 2023 down 31,645 units when compared to 98,791 units shipped in June 2022. MoM exports grew from 64,559 units shipped in May 2023. It was the Star City 125 that commanded the export list with 29,384 units sold last month, down 21.29 percent from 37,331 units sold in June 2022. This was a 7,947 units volume de-growth with a 43.76 percent share in the company lineup.

Exports also fell for the Star City by 26.99 percent to 17,082 units as compared to 23,397 units shipped in June 2022. It was also a YoY de-growth from the TVS Apache by 63.64 percent down to 5,034 units from 13,843 units shipped in June 2022. TVS Raider exports also fell 37.70 percent YoY to 4,434 units in June 2023 from 7,117 units sold in June 2022.

Jupiter scooter exports increased substantially by 1983.77 percent from just 154 units sold in June 2022. Thereafter, it was YoY degrowth for the Ntorq (3,102 units), TVS Sport (2,535 units) and Wego (994 units) while Victor and XL exports improved to 800 units and 330 units respectively. Lower down the list, it was the TVS Radeon that witnessed a 28.57 percent YoY de-growth to 200 units from 280 units shipped in June 2022. However, RR310 exports increased 23.53 percent in the past month to 42 units from 34 units exported in the same month last year.
Erie County sheriffs deputy injured as vehicle strikes utility pole in Sardinia

An Erie County Sheriffs deputy was injured Sunday when his vehicle struck a utility pole in Sardinia while he was responding to a call in Holland, an agency spokesman said in a news release.

About 10:07 p.m., the deputy, who was responding to the report of a violent domestic incident, maneuvered his vehicle to avoid hitting a deer on Genesee Road when the vehicle left the roadway and hit the pole, the sheriffs office said.

The deputy, who was flown to Erie County Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, has been released from the hospital.

Chaffee-Sardinia Volunteer Fire Co. members treated the deputy at the scene.

The crash is under investigation by the sheriffs offices Crash Investigation Unit.

- Aaron Besecker
Two Palestinian youths injured in Zionist enemy's storming of Askar refugee camp in Nablus

Two Palestinian youths injured in Zionist enemy's storming of Askar refugee camp in Nablus

[24/July/2023]

NABLUS July 24. 2023 (Saba) - Two Palestinian youths were wounded today, Monday, by live bullets, during the Zionist enemy forces storming the Askar camp in Nablus.

Palestine Online Agency quoted the Red Crescent Society as saying that one of the two injuries was a volunteer paramedic who was shot in the feet.

The occupation forces withdrew from the old Askar camp, east of Nablus, in the West Bank, after storming it, without being able to arrest any of the resistance fighters.

Clashes erupted between the resistance fighters and the occupation forces during their storming of the camp.

According to local sources, the occupation forces used a 13-year-old child as a human shield to pressure his father to surrender in Askar camp, east of Nablus. The Red Crescent Society said that a young man was wounded by the occupation bullets during the continuous storming of Askar camp in Nablus.

J.A

resource : saba

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Buffalo 3-year-olds, raise your LEGOs. Theres now greater opportunity for learning.

Say Yes Buffalo, in partnership with Buffalo Public Schools, has added four new sites to its Little Scholars program for 3-year-olds, which debuted last spring to help low-income families overcome opportunity gaps for their children.

In addition to existing sites at West Hertel Elementary and School 90, new locations for the 2023-24 program are:

'They're ready to go': Say Yes Buffalo debuts Little Scholars for 3-year-olds of families in need Officials assembled for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the start of Say Yes Buffalo's Little Scholars, a preschool program for 3-year-olds that intends to break down barriers, reduce opportunity gaps and help children acclimate to a classroom.

Hillery Park Elementary, School 27, at 73 Pawnee Parkway.

George Blackman Early Childhood Center, School 54, at 2358 Main St.

Southside Elementary School 93, 430 Southside Parkway.

Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center, School 99, 1095 Jefferson Ave.

Each classroom can accommodate 14 students, said Aaron Lowinger, communications manager for Say Yes Buffalo. The program runs from mid-September until June. Interested parents and caregivers are asked to fill out a form by clicking on the related box on the home page of sayyesbuffalo.org, which gives details about eligibility and income thresholds.

Sean Kirst: As longtime mentor steps back, Tommy McClam is confident in his young men McClam, through years of presence and commitment, is a guy who often filled the void of absent fathers in his role as senior director of the Say Yes Boys & Men of Color Initiative.

The general goal of Little Scholars is to help youngsters acclimate to new environments  like big school buildings and classrooms with their peers  with oversight from three teachers in each classroom. The result is smoother transitions to prekindergarten and kindergarten, studies have shown.

Broadening educational opportunities for Buffalos 3-year-olds is important to Superintendent Tonja M. Williams, who mentioned at the July school board meeting that the Little Scholars program represents a major accomplishment.

A 2014 study by the National Institute for Early Education Research shows preschool is even more valuable for students from low-income families, many of whom have been traditionally priced out of such programs.
Saudi women spend the most money on makeup in the GCC region, according to a study conducted by Chalhoub Group.

Read More: Here Is Azimuth 2023 Lineup of Regional Artists

The report is titled "Decoding the Beauty Consumer in the GCC", which provides deep insight into consumer behavior related to beauty products in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.

The study was a quantitative study that included 2,600 beauty consumers, a four-day ethnography with 30 participants, and 15 expert interviews.

The research shows a shift in beauty standards in the GCC market from following European standards to accepting Middle Eastern standards.

Participants also shared that focus on individual beauty and their sense of beauty also includes physical and mental well-being and self-esteem.

According to the results of the research, Saudi women diligently follow makeup and fragrance users on social media.

Women from the UAE perceive themselves as trendsetters as they are exposed to various brands.

Read More: All About the Saudi National Day on September 23

Women from Kuwait also follow social media trends in terms of beauty and prioritize skincare.

In regards to consumer behavior, the report shows that most beauty categories are driven by female consumers with an average spending that is 55 percent higher than men.

While Emirati women prefer multi-brand beauty stores, women from the Kingdom spend the most on makeup in the GCC.

The beauty market in the Middle East is worth more than $10 billion and beauty brands expand their focus on the holistic well-being of their customers.

The most purchased products are related to skincare with 79 percent of consumers having purchased moisturizer in the past three months.

The second most purchased product in the past three months is cleanser at 54 percent, and the third most purchased product is sunblock at 46 percent.

For female consumers in the Kingdom, traditional retail is their main purchase channel for beauty products with 46 percent spend share, while for female consumers in the UAE, beauty stores account for 80 percent of their offline purchases.
The largest annual fundraiser for the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail project starts in East Aurora and finishes in Ellicottville, with designs to one day bring bikers and pedestrians in the two villages closer with a rails-to-trails pathway.

Ellicottville and 42 North brewing companies, which are 42 miles apart, decided theyd get together on a related project theyve already finished.

They joined forces to make EA2EVL Pale Ale, which features all New York ingredients and a refreshing tropical taste tinged with pine.

The beer is available in both brewery taprooms and began to roll out last week into other bars, restaurants and retailers.

We are big fans of EBC, so this collaboration was a no brainer, said John Cimperman, 42 North founder and managing partner. We hope this beer helps generate additional interest in the EA2EVL Fondo and, more importantly, the Erie Cattaraugus Rails-to-Trails project.

The third-annual Fondo  a noncompetitive bike ride  rolls Sept. 30, with a finish line party at Holiday Valley. Register at ea2evlfondo.com; an early bird discount rate of $69 applies until Aug. 15.

Two previous rides raised more than $100,000 toward completing a 27-mile ECRT trail that runs along a former rail line from Orchard Park to Ashford.

Almost half the trail has been developed in Orchard Park, Springville and Concord.

- Scott Scanlon
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 Medicineand 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:

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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).

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"The perception amongst 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.
Can biosurfactants increase microbiological oil degradation in North Sea seawater? An international research team from the universities of Stuttgart und Tubingen, together with the China West Normal University and the University of Georgia, have been exploring this question and the results have revealed the potential for a more effective and environmentally friendly oil spill response.

Oil leaks into the oceans are estimated at approximately 1500 million liters annually worldwide. This leads to globally significant environmental pollution, as oil contains hazardous compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can have toxic or mutagenic effects on organisms. Oil spills, particularly catastrophic ones resulting in the rapid release of large quantities of oil into the oceans, such as tanker accidents or incidents at oil drilling platforms like Deepwater Horizon in 2010, are especially devastating.

In such oil spill incidents, large quantities of chemical dispersants, ranging in the millions of liters depending on the amount of oil, are routinely applied to dissolve oil slicks, prevent oil from reaching coastlines, and enhance oil dispersion in the water. The hope is that microbial oil degradation will be enhanced as a result. This is because special microorganisms that are widespread in nature can feed on crude oil components and break them down into harmless substances. This special ability of microbes naturally cleans oil-contaminated areas.

"In a study from the USA published in 2015, we demonstrated that -- contrary to expectation -- chemical dispersants in deep-sea water from the Gulf of Mexico can slow down microbial oil degradation," says Prof. Sara Kleindienst, who worked at the University of Tubingen until 2022 and now works at the University of Stuttgart. "Since then, the topic has been at the center of controversial discussions, and there is still no simple answer to how oil spills can be combated more effectively," emphasizes Prof. Sara Kleindienst.

In the search for more environmentally friendly methods for dealing with oil spills, biosurfactants could offer a promising alternative to chemical dispersants. Biosurfactants are produced by microorganisms and can increase the bioavailability of oil components. This can thus enhance microbial oil degradation, which is crucial for purification.

Experiments with seawater from the North Sea

An international research team led by environmental microbiologist Professor Sara Kleindienst, with geomicrobiologist Professor Andreas Kappler (University of Tubingen) and biogeochemist Professor Samantha Joye (University of Georgia), compared the effects of biosurfactants and chemical dispersants. In the laboratory at the University of Tubingen, the researchers simulated oil spill conditions. For their experiment, they took over 100 liters of surface water from the North Sea close to the island of Helgoland. The seawater was treated with either the biosurfactant rhamnolipid or a dispersant (either Corexit 9500 or Slickgone NS), both in the presence and absence of oil. The research team used radioactive markers to track the degradation of the oil by the microorganisms in detail. "Our investigations using radioactively labeled hydrocarbons or a radioactively labeled amino acid showed that the highest rates of microbial hydrocarbon oxidation and protein synthesis occurred in the oil microcosms treated with rhamnolipid," says Prof. Lu Lu, who previously worked at the University of Tubingen and now works at the China West Normal University.

The impact on the composition of microbial communities also differed significantly between the approaches using biosurfactants compared to chemical dispersants. "This result suggests that the use of biosurfactants may stimulate different microbial oil degraders, both in terms of growth and activity, which in turn can affect the cleanup process after oil spills," says Prof. Lu Lu.

"Our findings suggest that biosurfactants have great potential for use in future oil spills in the North Sea or similar nutrient-rich ocean habitats," adds Prof. Sara Kleindienst. "A visionary continuation of our work would be the development of products based on biosurfactants that offer both effective and environmentally friendly approaches to combating oil spills."
When Dana McWhite opened The Buffalo News in January and read an article revealing that Buffalo city officials quietly stopped adding fluoride to the citys drinking water years earlier, it all started to make sense.

McWhite and her husband, Kenneth, rarely let their two children eat processed foods. They steered them away from candy and juice boxes.

Theyve never had pop a day in their life, McWhite said. We take very good care of their teeth.

So the West Side couple was shocked after taking Cole, 4, to the dentist last year.

We took him in and the dentist was like, He has not one, not two, but eight cavities, and they all need crowns,  Dana McWhite said.

The McWhites believe the lack of fluoride in the citys water is responsible for their sons dental problems. They are among a group of Buffalo parents who are suing the city in State Supreme Court for not adequately telling the public about the decision to stop adding fluoride to the water eight years ago.

Because of gaps in their insurance coverage, the family paid for Coles surgery at John R. Oishei Childrens Hospital of Buffalo out of pocket, McWhite said.

Worse, though, was seeing how much pain their son was in after the anesthesia wore off.

It was really bad, McWhite said. He was really scared and he was just like out of it. It was really hard to watch him be so upset, because tooth pain, we know as grown-ups, is pretty hard. He was in quite a bit of pain.

On a recent morning, Cole was busy playing with Magna-Tiles and other toys when his mom called him over. When he smiled, the chrome in his mouth  from the metal crowns  glistened from across the room. Cole and his sister now use fluoride mouth rinse the family purchases on Amazon.

For seven years we would have been doing that, had we known, McWhite said. So it wasnt a huge lifestyle change, but it did feel very back-handed that we didnt know. We were very upset about that.

The Buffalo Water Board stopped adding fluoride to the water in 2015, citing a need for upgrades and ongoing capital improvements to its system. The change was mentioned briefly on the last page of a government water quality report, printed in small type.

McWhite said she pays her water bills online and saw no mention of the lack of fluoride on Buffalo Waters website.

There was never like, an alert or a yellow banner at the top (saying) this is something that you might want to read, McWhite said. I think, for me, thats the big piece: just not knowing. The fact that they withheld it from us  had we known, we could have been taking fluoride treatments or raising awareness in the community.

Health equity issue

Rahwa Ghirmatzion has spent nearly her entire career as a community activist. But even the former executive director for PUSH Buffalo, a housing advocacy group, was unaware the city stopped fluoridating its water.

When I read the article in the paper, I just had this visceral, emotional reaction to it where you just felt duped, Ghirmatzion said. I just had a level of anger (and said), I have to do something, and not just for myself but for the countless other children in the community and other families that had been lied to for a very long time. 

Buffalos water system now contains far lower measurements of fluoride  which boosts dental health and guards against tooth decay  than what public health experts recommend. That puts Buffalo in the minority both nationally and in New York State.

While the American Dental Association recommends community water fluoridation as a means of preventing tooth decay, the ADA also states that too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, which may occur when excess levels of fluoride are ingested during tooth development.

One of the decisions I made when I first had my child is that Im not going to get him fluoridated toothpaste, because I use tap water, Ghirmatzion said. As a parent, I was making a conscious decision about the health of my child and my family.

She attributes cavities her son had at a recent dentist appointment to the lack of fluoride in the water.

The issue is also one of health equity, Ghirmatzion said, especially in a poor city like Buffalo.

The most vulnerable people tend to be Black women, Black families, Black children, she said.

Her lawsuit cites data from the National Institutes of Health showing that for the ages of 6 to 8 years, Black and Mexican American children and those living in families with low incomes were twice as likely to have untreated decay than White children and children living in families with high incomes.

Buffalo Water Board Chairman Oluwole McFoy, who through a city spokesperson declined to comment for this article, previously told The News the city was in the process of upgrading an outdated dry fluoride system when the lead water crisis in Flint, Mich., caused the water board to pause in 2016 and study whether the planned new type of wet fluoride system would have a corrosive effect on Buffalos many lead pipes.

I dont have a problem with that, Ghirmatzion said. Im going to trust that youre the experts and youre going to do the right thing. But once the decision was made that we have stopped putting fluoride in the water, why did you not tell the rest of the community so we as a parent could also make an informed decision and pivot to what I needed to do as a parent?

Ghirmatzion said the fluoride flap has left her with a deep skepticism of city officials.

My faith in our government officials being able to actually take care of the citizens, which was their responsibility, no longer exists, she said. This was the last straw for me.

Timing still unclear

As a senior research analyst at the nonprofit Public Accountability Initiative, Rob Galbraith has been critical of government agencies before.

But the fluoride issue hit home in a more personal way, the East Side resident said, because his 5-year-old son has lived his entire life now without fluoridated public water.

This is one of the most basic things a government needs to do, Galbraith said. This is why we have a government. So when I read your story in January, it hit me in the chest in a way that other stories of government mess-ups did not.

Members of Buffalos Common Council were also caught off guard, which was also concerning, said Galbraith, whose child did not have cavities or require surgery.

The fact that nobody seemed to know what was happening with our water supply in Buffalo, it was really shocking to me, he said. It really blew me away. Thats what took it to the level of, we need to do something.

In late January, Mayor Byron W. Brown said, The buck ultimately stops with me. Like others, I was not immediately notified, but I should have been, and we should have put the information out to the community. No excuse for it.

But since then, the Brown administration has not said exactly when fluoride will be returned to the water supply. Dentists have told The News they stand ready to participate in a public health campaign, but since meetings months ago with a Brown aide, they say they have heard nothing from the Mayors Office.

Last week, mayoral spokesperson Michael DeGeorge released a statement from Water Board Chairman McFoy stating that construction plans and a cost estimate for the project would be submitted in two weeks, followed by construction and testing.

Through DeGeorge, the mayor did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

DeGeorge on Friday released a statement saying that Buffalo Water will submit a permit application, including plans, to the Erie County Department of Health within two weeks. Following a Health Department Review, Buffalo Water expects to begin construction and testing within six weeks. Essential items, such as flow metering equipment, has already been ordered to help ensure timely construction.

That doesnt satisfy Galbraith.

We dont seem any more closer to getting fluoride back in the water or understanding what happened or why it has taken so long, Galbraith said. We get these very vague statements about studies and possibilities. It honestly seems like nobody with any authority to act on this cares.
Among nearly 10 million US infants born between 2016 and 2018, breastfed babies were 33% less likely to die during the post-perinatal period (day 7-364) than infants who were not breastfed, reports a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier. The findings build on previous US research with smaller datasets, which documented the association between the initiation of breastfeeding and the reduction of post-perinatal infant mortality by a range of 19% to 26%.

Lead investigator Julie L. Ware, MD, MPH, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Center for Breastfeeding Medicine, said, "Based on these data, there is clear evidence that breastfeeding confers a protective benefit during the first year of life and is strongly associated with reduced post-perinatal infant mortality across the USA."

Dr. Ware noted that the findings suggest there is an opportunity for breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support to be included as a key component in comprehensive infant mortality reduction initiatives in regions and states across the US.

With help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, birth certificate data on US infants born from 2016 to 2018 were linked with infant deaths occurring up to one year after birth. An analysis was conducted to demonstrate whether the initiation of breastfeeding, as recorded on the birth certificate (a practice adopted by all states in 2016), was associated with post-perinatal infant death, taking into account factors such maternal age, education, race and ethnicity, and geographical location.

Breastfeeding is recognized by the World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other authorities as the preferred normative nutrition for infants, both recommending that families breastfeed their infants exclusively for 6 months, continuing with the addition of complementary foods for at least the first 2 years of life. These organizations consider breastfeeding a public health imperative with many short- and long-term improved health outcomes for both mother and child, including significant reductions in all-cause infant mortality and specific protection against sudden infant death syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Despite these recommendations, the rates for breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and continuation in the US do not meet breastfeeding goals, especially in certain racial and ethnic populations, and in some geographic regions.

Co-investigator Ardythe Morrow, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine stated that, "Though breastfeeding is widely recommended, nevertheless, some may still consider it to be of minor importance. We hope that our findings will change the narrative. Human milk is replete with protective molecules, and breastfeeding offers significant protection."

Addressing breastfeeding disparities may improve the health of mothers and their babies and help reduce adverse outcomes. Although most states advocate breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support activities, analysis of the association between breastfeeding and infant mortality had not previously been conducted at the state and regional levels. To this end, the investigators conducted a regional and state-by-state analysis.

Co-investigator Aimin Chen, PhD, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, explained, "We found that the effect was evident across the US, but with regional variations, ranging from 44% in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where breastfeeding initiation is the highest, and 21% in the Southeast, where breastfeeding initiation is the lowest. Although regional and state variation in the magnitude of the association between breastfeeding and infant mortality exists, there was a remarkable consistency of reduced risk. Together with existing literature, our data suggest that breastfeeding promotion and support may be an effective strategy to help reduce infant mortality in the US."
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya has sweet-talked millers to reduce prices of maize meal, flour and salt ahead of elections.After successfully meeting with a high-level delegation of millers headed by Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe Dr Tafadzwa Musarara, Mangudya pleaded with them to adjust the prices according to the exchange rate.In a circular to members of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers, the Retailers Association of Zimbabwe, wholesalers and other sellers of basic commodities, Dr Musarara said the price reductions are aimed at protecting consumers.A 10kg bag of roller meal now costs $27 593 or US$5.The price of a 2kg packet of self-raising flour is now pegged at $11 547 or US$2,10, while the price of a 500g packet of fine salt has been slashed to $1 374 or US$0,25."The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe recently held successful high-level deliberations with the monetary authorities and, inter alia, reviewed the subsisting stabilisation in the economy, precipitated by the firming of the local currency against major currencies," Mr Musarara said in the circular."The current stable environment was, regrettably, preceded by a few weeks of price madness that invariably affected basic commodities, leaving consumer disposable incomes gravely eroded. It is uncontroverted, therefore, that the current stabilisation must show a corresponding decrease in prices of basic commodities."The reduction of prices of the commodities will help ZANU PF to get urban vote.
Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

On Sunday, a volley of 19 Russian missiles plunged into the port city of Odesa, killing at least one civilian, injuring 22, and shattering the citys Transfiguration Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Consecrated in 1809, the cathedral was destroyed by the Soviet Union in 1936 andfollowing Ukrainian independencerebuilt between 1999 and 2003, only to again apparently be attacked by Russian forces.

Scott Peterson - Getty Images

Nightly Russian missile strikes in the third week of July set ablaze over 60,000 metric tons (66,000 U.S. tons) of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods at Chornomorsk (near Odesa), according to local officials. The grain would have been enough to feed 270,000 people for a year, according to the World Food Program.



Despite the medieval-feeling behavior of demolishing cathedrals and setting food stores on fire, the recent attacks have been spearheaded by one of Russias most sophisticated modern weaponsthe ramjet-powered P-800 Oniks cruise missile, designed to destroy U.S. Navy warships.

Though Odesa has been under continuous attack since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the renewed focus on the Black Sea port is connected to Russias refusal to renew a three-way deal (also involving Turkey) guaranteeing safe passage for Ukrainian and Russian grain ships.

Though anticipated, that refusal is also seen as retaliation for a July 17 strike on the Crimean Bridge by Ukrainian drone kamikaze boats. Russia targeted Odesas grain last summer as wellprior to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which lowered global food prices by 23%.

Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Ukraine supplies 10% of the world market for wheat, 15% of corn and 13% of barley. Should grain cease to flow out of the Black Sea, it may cause a jump in prices most felt by the worlds poorest countries, leaving hundreds of thousands at increased risk of dying from starvation.

Russias Oniks missile attackslaunched by land-based Bastion coastal defense batteries in Crimeatake place at 2-4 AM in the morning and are padded out with Soviet-vintage Kh-22 missiles launched by Tu-22M bombers and Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 long-range kamikaze drones, which draw defensive fire away from the more costly missiles.

Story continues

Supposed Oniks missile launches from Crimea at Odesa  pic.twitter.com/S52ibC11ar  Be brave like Ukraine  (@ukrbravery) July 19, 2023

Until recently, Ukraines air defenses have routinely downed over half of the munitions used in strikes on the Ukrainian capitalsometimes up to 80-100% of them. And indeed, the initial night attack by 21 drones and seven missiles on July 17-18 was wiped out by Ukrainian defenses.

But the following night, Russia surged 32 Shahed drones and 31 missiles (6 Oniks supersonic missiles, 8 Kh-22 supersonic missiles, one 1 Kh-59 subsonic missile, and 16 Kalibr subsonic missiles). Ukraine managed to shoot down or lead astray 13 of the missiles and 23 drones, but none of the Oniks or Kh-22s.

Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Then, on Wednesday and Thursday night, 19 more drones and 19 missiles (Iskanders, Oniks, Kh-22, and Kalibr) swarmed again towards Odesa and nearby Mykolaive. This time, Ukrainian defenses bagged only five. Yet more attacks followed on Friday.

Besides grain, peas, and barley, the strikes have damaged an oil terminal, an office building, a Chinese consulate, a suburban market, and 25 cultural sites in the citys historic center. Fragments collaterally damaged apartments and warehouses, causing fires. At least one Russian strike on a grain store included a double-tap attack, aiming to kill rescuers with a follow-up volley. Thankfully, they made it to cover in time.

OLEKSANDR GIMANOV - Getty Images

By Ukraines own admission, its Soviet-legacy air defenses in the region arent fast enough to intercept the Oniks missiles as they streak in at Mach 2.6. Ukraines only two operational Patriot batteries, which have been successful at batting away Russian supersonic missiles, are believed to remain in the capital region to the north.

Talking to @AC360 tonight about what we saw in Odesa tonight, be sure to watch the clip from our balcony shot by photojournalist Scott McWhinnie. W/ @sebshukla pic.twitter.com/5FYyDO307i  Alex Marquardt (@MarquardtA) July 19, 2023

Ukrainian air defense operators shared screenshots of what the attack looked like on their indigenous Kropyva and American Palantir battle management software.

Russian missile attack against Odesa on the screen of the Virage Tablet system (automated software).



This is what Ukrainian air defense operators saw on their screens.



Dozens of targets representing Kalibr, Onyx and Kh-22 missiles & Shahed-136 kamikaze UAVs. pic.twitter.com/5XCM5zxl2V  Clash Report (@clashreport) July 19, 2023

Adel Mena, who covers aviation exercises for Scramble magazine, described the Russian tactics observable from tracking map imagery shared by Ukrainian air defense operators to Popular Mechanics:

Its clear that the attacking force followed a single route and then dispersed into three large mixed formations, from three sides at once and in close synchrony between different types of munitions... Many loitering ammunition [kamikaze drones] in the front, circling in the same sector to attract attention of air defense systems and Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 interceptor fighters, which attempt to relieve pressure on air defenses. At the same time Russia simultaneously directed the cruise missiles in a different direction individually to give them a better chance of hitting a target.



Oniks: Supersonic Ship Killer

Anti-ship missiles are usually more costly than land-attack weapons, due to the guidance systems and countermeasures needed to hit moving, well-defended warships. But many have a backup land-attack mode, just in case. Indeed, Russia first employed Oniks in combat in November of 2016 for a surface attack on a Syrian rebel ammunition depot and headquarters.

As Russias military burned through its back-inventory of purpose-designed Iskander, Kh-101, and naval Kalibr land-attack missiles in 2022, it now relies on new production and re-purposed missiles. And as Ukraines Navy has no large vessels, the Russian Navy is comfortable drawing from its large inventory of anti-ship weapons to attack land targets.

Boevaya Mashina/CCA SA-4 - Wikimedia Commons

The 3.3-ton Oniks (Onyx)also designated the 3M55, and referred to by its NATO codename SS-N-26 Strobileis distinguished from earlier Russian/Soviet supersonic missiles like Moskit, Kh-22, or anti-ship Kalibrs by its ramjet propulsion, which uses the onrushing air from supersonic speeds for compression to combust fuel. This simpler jet engine type allows for very efficient travel at supersonic speeds, but helps little with actually attaining those supersonic speeds in the first place.

The problem was solved by including a solid-fuel rocket booster inside the engine, which boosts the missile to supersonic speed before being ejected, giving the ramjet the supersonic airflow needed to function. Sustained high speed is intended to help an Oniks survive the gauntlet of air defenses defending U.S. Navy warships to deliver its 551-pound warhead.

Oniks missiles are launched vertically and use pressurized gas to tilt roughly in the direction of their targets. The missile can maximize range by flying high to hit targets out to 186 miles, or maximize stealth (thereby reducing interception odds) by skimming low out to around 75 miles.

Once close to target, an Oniks missile searches in a 90 degree arc for its targets (ordinarily, ships) with a two-mode radar seeker. It can either passively (ie. stealthily) home in on the targets own active radar emissions, or it can (less discretely) beam its own jam-resistant active radar waves to detect ships up to 31 miles away by their physical radar signature. That second mode can also theoretically identify and lock onto large enough land targetslike, say, a grain silo or a cathedral.

Platforms that can employ Oniks include Russian Navy missile corvettes, attack submarines and frigates, and its land-based Bastion-P and Bastion-S coastal defense battery.

MAXIME POPOV - Getty Images

A Bastion-P battery has four 8x8 K340P truck-based launchers carrying two missiles each, supported by four more trucks carrying two missile reloads and a K380P 6x6 command vehicle. The batteries depend entirely on external radar and surveillance assets to locate targets and provide targeting coordinates. At least three Bastion batteries are based on Anapa island in the Black Sea, while the rarer silo-based variant (Bastion-S) is built into a cliffside for the Utyos coastal defense fort.

Bastions units served in mixed brigadesalongside the Bal mobile coastal defense systemusing shorter-range, subsonic Kh-35 missiles (81 or 160 miles), which have also been repurposed to attack targets in Ukraine. Bal and Bastion systems striking Ukraine may either come from the 15th Coastal Missile Brigade and 854th Coastal Missile Regiment based in Sevastopol in Crimea or, less likely, the more distant 11th Coastal Missile brigade in Utash, Russia.

At sea, 10 and counting coastal Project 21631 Buyan-M class corvettes can carry Oniksas can four more blue-water capable Project 22800 Karakurt (Black Widow)-class corvettes (eight more have been launched but arent yet commissioned), and the sole Gremyashchiy-class multi-role corvette. These small vessels can mix in P-800s alongside Kalibr cruise missiles in the eight cells of their UKSK vertical launch systems.

Anton Blynov/CCA4 - Wikimedia Commons

Russias three Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates can also carry up to 16 Oniks missiles in their 3S14 VLS cells, while up to 32 of the submarine-launched Bolid P-800 variants can be loaded into the vertical launch systems of Russias four latest-generation Yasen-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Russia eventually wants to upgrade its two remaining missile cruisers Peter the Great and Admiral Nakhimov to employ Oniks missiles, as well as Oscar-class cruise missile submarines.



By 2019, Russia had also developed an Oniks-M, or 3M55M, variant with range more than doubled to 500 milesthough whether it entered production is unclear. The Oniks itself may eventually be superseded by the even faster 3M22 Zircon anti-ship missile.

Lastly, theres an export model (Yakhont) arming Indonesian Navy frigates, and Vietnam and Syria have each purchased two Bastion-P batteries. Syria in turn transferred a dozen P-800s to Hezbollah. Russia and India co-developed an improved, multi-role/platform spinoff of Oniks called the BrahMos missile, which is now produced and exported by India.

What Can Ukraine Do?

Russias military first reported using Oniks missiles from a Bastion-P system to attack a Ukrainian airstrip near Odesa on April 30, 2022. In the next two months, at least 40 were launched at various target around Odesa, allegedly showing poor accuracy. On July 2, Bastion launchers in occupied Kherson surged a volley of 10 Oniks missiles targeting much-closer Mykolaiveparticularly its port facilities, industrial sectors, and agricultural areas.

By November, Ukraines defense minister claimed that Russia had launched 123 Oniks missiles at Ukraine out of 470 built, as well as 250 Kh-22 missiles.

Four enemies of the russian missile arsenal:

brilliant Ukrainian air defense forces; inept russian missile forces; sanctions;

time.

Let's demilitarize the terrorist state to live in peace! pic.twitter.com/ndttmXCc22  Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) November 22, 2022

However, Polish defense analyst Jarosaw Wolski claims that Russia has produced 800-1,100 Oniks, including around 100 exported. Production of the missile, thought to cost roughly $1.25 million per unit, has attained at least as high as 55 annually, and is ongoing.

Ukraines defense ministry has been frank that their Soviet air defense systems simply cant intercept Onyx, whichunlike most other supersonic missiles Russia launches at Ukrainecan sustain extreme speeds while cruising to target, not just during the terminal phase.

Thus, to improve odds of downing Oniks and Kh-22s, Ukraine may consider moving one of its precious Western-supplied Patriot or SAMP/T long-range batteriesor, possibly, shorter-range NASAMs batteriesto protect the Odesa area. But doing so would still run the risk of exposing those batteries, or Kyiv, to future Russian attacks.

And even deployed, Western defenses would still face challenges. Mena wrote to Popular Mechanics:

Such [supersonic] missiles are known by NATO leaders to be difficult to intercept. In simulating launch of supersonic Kalibr and Oniks missiles by supposed enemy forces (aggressors) Exercise Polaris in 2021, Western air defense systems were struggling a lot to repel them despite detecting them. Their great speed is a big challenge in determining the point of interception and tracking.

Polaris simulated a missile attack on a French Navy carrier taskforce supported by five additional NATO warships. Within 15 minutes of the exercises debut, the French force lost four frigates (sunk or crippled), with 200-400 sailors as casualties.

A New Black Sea Grain Deal?

To underline Moscows threats to civilian shipping in the Black Sea, last Friday, the Tarantul III-class corvette Ivanovets fired an old (but huge) P-270 Moskit missile. It demonstratively sank former Ukrainian anti-submarine corvette Ternopil, which was stolen from Ukraine when Russian troops seized Crimea in 2014.

#Navy The Ivanovets missile boat of theBSF carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at a target ship at a training area in the NW part of the Black Sea.The target was a decommissioned Grisha-Class ASW corvette,and it was probably one of the former ships of theNavy pic.twitter.com/se8ZVNYi8E  Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) July 21, 2023

The White House has also reported intelligence that Russias military is considering deploying naval mines to sink merchant ships that may be modified to give the impression theyre of Ukrainian origin.



However, most economic analysts believe that Russia is simply trying to extort a more favorable grain deal, such as allowing insurance for Russian carriers, reintroduction of Russia to the SWIFT international banking system, and increased allowance for Russian fertilizer exports.

In fact, Russian exports greatly increased in volume last year, despite yielding decreased profits. Thus, forecasters expect that Putin will inevitably relent and sign onto a new safe passage agreement to avoid grave economic consequences.

Meanwhile, Russias new strikes targeting Odesa seek to cause maximum economic damage to Ukraine. Ukraine, meanwhile, has warned that in absence of a deal, Russian merchant shipping or warships imposing a blockade in the Black Sea could also be at riskpresumably to Ukraines indigenous Neptune and U.S.-supplied Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as drone kamikaze boats.



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SEC Charges Twice-Convicted Fraudster Eliyahu Weinstein and Five Others with $38 Million Ponzi-Like Scheme to Defraud Investors

Litigation Release No. 25786 / July 24, 2023

Securities and Exchange Commission v. Eliyahu Weinstein, Aryeh L. Bromberg, Joel L. Wittels, Richard M. Curry, Christopher J. Anderson, and Alaa Mohamed Hattab, No. 23-civ-03848-D, filed July 19, 2023

Along with Weinstein, the SEC charged Aryeh L. Bromberg, Joel L. Wittels, Richard M. Curry, Christopher J. Anderson, and Alaa Mohamed Hattab for their roles in the fraudulent scheme, which involved raising investments to fund purported deals to purchase, distribute, and sell in-demand healthcare products. The SEC alleges that, beginning in or around November 2021, Weinstein, Bromberg, and Wittels raised money from investors for purported deals through Optimus Investments Inc. while concealing Weinstein's identity, criminal history, and involvement from investors. Beginning in January 2022, Anderson and Curry allegedly began raising money for Optimus deals through Tryon Management Group LLC, and, by August 2022, they joined the other defendants in actively concealing Weinstein's role in the venture. Hattab provided substantial assistance to the other defendants in carrying out the scheme.

According to the complaint, by at least April 2022, when some of the purported Optimus deals proved to be unprofitable, Weinstein, Bromberg, Wittels, Curry, and Anderson allegedly undertook a fraudulent scheme to use funds raised from investors to make Ponzi-like payments to earlier investors while mischaracterizing them as investment returns. The SEC alleges that, collectively, the defendants' fraudulent scheme raised at least $38 million from at least 150 investors.

As described in the complaint, Weinstein is a twice-convicted felon. In 2013, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering in a real estate Ponzi scheme that caused $200 million in losses and then pleaded guilty again in 2014 to fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering charges in connection with a $6.7 million fraudulent securities offering. In 2014, Weinstein was sentenced to 24 years in prison in connection with both schemes. On January 20, 2021, then-President Donald J. Trump commuted Weinstein's sentence to time served.

The SEC's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Weinstein, Bromberg, Wittels, Curry, Anderson, and Hattab violated and/or aided and abetted violations of the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. For each defendant, the SEC seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement and prejudgment interest, a civil penalty, an officer and director bar, and a conduct-based injunction, which, among other things, would prohibit their future participation in the sale of promissory notes and investment contracts.

The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey and the FBI.

The SEC's continuing investigation is being conducted by Teresa A. Rodriguez, Mary Kay Dunning, Laurel S. Fensterstock, Neil Hendelman, and Wendy B. Tepperman and supervised by Tejal D. Shah, all of the New York Regional Office. The SEC's litigation will be led by Jack Kaufman of the New York Regional Office.
St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) helps people of all ages with their mental health concerns.

Dementia & Alzheimers Association of St. Clair County raises awareness and provides support to people with dementia and their caregivers.
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Uwill to Become Online Learning Consortium's Exclusive Teletherapy Partner

Higher education mental health company Uwill and education research organization Online Learning Consortium (OLC) have joined forces to help provide effective teletherapy services to colleges and universities. Uwill will be the exclusive teletherapy partner to OLC.

OLC's mission to promote quality online, blended, and digital learning resources includes a commitment to the well-being of college students, whose mental health needs have increased since the pandemic, said Jennifer Mathes, OLC CEO.

"Through this partnership, we are committed to furthering the conversation around supporting online learners to ensure their success," Mathes said. "Online institutions may need an increased focus on supporting student mental health to ensure academic success, as this factor is correlated to a student choosing not to continue their education."

To this end, the Uwill and OLC have agreed to conduct joint research during fall 2023 to determine what those mental health needs are and how best to meet them. Citing research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness and JAMA, Uwill noted that one in five adults experiences mental health problems each year, and online college students exhibit more stress, anxiety, and depression than students who attend classes in person.

Uwill addressed these issues for college students by creating a student and licensed therapist matching platform to set up immediate appointments and offer "all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness events, realtime data, and support," the company said.

"The number of non-traditional learners at postsecondary institutions has escalated in recent years," said Michael London, founder and CEO of Uwill. "Adult learners are not just dealing with the rigor of academic study, they are also faced with other life circumstances including employment, family, financial decisions, and other challenges that can negatively affect their academic behaviors."
Bong Go eyes realization of proposed Regional Specialty Centers as passed bill awaits PBBM nod

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go underscored the importance of bringing specialized medical services closer to communities by establishing dedicated specialty centers in regional hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH).

In an interview on July 18, after aiding poor residents in San Miguel, Bulacan, Go shared the progress of the measure, saying, "Kulang na lang po ito ng pirma ni mahal na Pangulong (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr)."

"Priority po ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, na maglalagay po ng mga specialty center sa bawat regional hospital," he added.

The bill aims to distribute specialized medical facilities more equitably across the country, thereby making such services available to a larger number of Filipinos.

For example, under the Act, services provided by the Philippine Heart Center, currently located in Quezon City, will also be available in regional DOH hospitals in cities such as Zamboanga City.

"'Yung pasyente na may karamdaman sa puso, pwede na po doon sa DOH regional hospital kapag may specialty center na sa lugar nila. Hindi na kailangan pumunta pa ng Heart Center sa Maynila," explained Go.

Go further emphasized that the enactment of the measure will not be limited to cardiovascular care, and will include services for a broad range of specialties, including lung care, orthopedics, neonatal care, renal care, cancer care and mental health, making it a comprehensive nationwide healthcare improvement plan.

"It's a multiyear plan po, tuluy-tuloy po ito... so, ipapakalat po ito sa buong bansa... ito pong mga Regional Specialty Centers na itatayo sa bawat regional hospital ng DOH," Go stated.

On May 31, the Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Report on the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The Act reconciled differing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2212 and House Bill No. 7751 and received wide support from legislators.

As principal sponsor and one of the authors of the Act, Go emphasized the importance of regional specialty centers in enhancing healthcare access for Filipinos.

The initiative to establish Regional Specialty Centers is a key part of the health-related legislative agenda of the Marcos administration and is outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028.
Workers remove an electoral poster showing Alberto Feijoo, leader of the mainstream conservative Popular Party, at the party headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spaniards woke up Monday to find their country in political disarray after elections a day earlier left no party with a clear path to forming a government. Emilio Morenatti/AP Spanish newspapers announce the victory of Popular Party candidate Alberto Nunez Feijoo a day after general elections in Pamplona, northern Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spain may be facing political gridlock and possibly a new election, but a national ballot produced one result that will be welcomed across the capitals of Europe: a far-right party aiming to get its hands on the levers of power was thwarted. Alvaro Barrientos/AP Socialist Workers' Party leader and current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez applauds during an executive committee meeting in Madrid, Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spain's inconclusive national election has produced one result that will be greeted with relief in European capitals, which like Madrid firmly support the European Union. Manu Fernandez/AP Workers remove an electoral poster showing Alberto Feijoo, leader of the mainstream conservative Popular Party, at the party headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spaniards woke up Monday to find their country in political disarray after elections a day earlier left no party with a clear path to forming a government. Emilio Morenatti/AP A worker cleans the street after celebrations at the conservative Popular Party headquarter in Madrid, Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spain is in political disarray after elections left no party with a clear path to forming a government. The uncertainty deepened as both of the countrys two main parties indicated that they hope to take power. Emilio Morenatti/AP Workers remove an electoral poster showing Alberto Feijoo, leader of the mainstream conservative Popular Party, at the party headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spaniards woke up Monday to find their country in political disarray after elections a day earlier left no party with a clear path to forming a government. Emilio Morenatti/AP A partially torn electoral poster of Yolanda Diaz, leader of the left-wing coalition Sumar, in Madrid, Spain, Monday, July 24, 2023. Spain may be facing political gridlock and possibly a new election, but a national ballot produced one result that will be welcomed across the capitals of Europe: a far-right party aiming to get its hands on the levers of power was thwarted. Manu Fernandez/AP

MADRID (AP)  Spaniards woke up Monday to find their country in political disarray after a general election a day earlier left no party with a clear path to forming a government.

The uncertainty deepened as both of Spain's two main parties indicated that they hope to take power. The only sure thing seems to be that the country faces weeks, perhaps months, of political negotiations and possibly a new election to sort out the mess.

Here's a look at what happened and what might unfold in the next few months.

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_____

A BITTER VICTORY FOR THE OPPOSITION

Alberto Nunez Feijoo 's right-of-center Popular Party, or PP, won the most votes and finished with 133 seats. But contrary to nearly every preelection opinion poll, it fell far short of the 176 seats a party needs to secure a majority in the 350-seat Spanish parliament.

Even if it joins forces with the extreme right party Vox, which garnered 33 seats, it won't reach that threshold.

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In a nutshell, the PPs decision to consider forming a coalition with Vox didn't pay off with voters.

With its stated intention of ousting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez now far from certain, the PP insists that as the first-placed party in the ballot it has the right to form a government.

The PP has urged the Socialists to abstain in a parliamentary vote and allow the party to take power. But such a scenario is highly unlikely given the traditional animosity between the two groups.

Taking office as a minority government would also leave the PP fighting for its survival on nearly every piece of legislation it introduces.

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Besides Vox, the PP has few friends in parliament.

COULD THERE BE ANOTHER LEFTIST COALITION?

Despite all predictions, Sanchez has an outside chance of staying in office. His Socialist party won 122 seats and his main potential partner, Sumar, has 31.

Since 2019, his leftist minority coalition government has relied on the support of small regional parties in the Basque and Catalonia regions. He could try to repeat that balancing act.

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But even if he managed to round up the regional troops again, one major hurdle looms: He would need the support or abstention of the Catalan secessionist party Junts.

The party's leader, Carles Puigdemont, is a member of the European Parliament, living in Belgium. But he is also a fugitive from Spanish justice and faces possible extradition to stand trial for staging an independence push in 2017.

Junts officials have already said they will want something in return for doing a deal with Sanchez. The specter of them demanding an independence referendum for Catalonia as their price would open up a Pandora's box for both Spain and Sanchez.

WHO ARE THE OTHER MAIN PLAYERS?

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Besides the conservative Popular Party and the center-left Socialists, the two other principle players are Vox, led by Santiago Abascal, and the leftist Sumar movement, headed by acting second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz.

The prospect of Spain having a far-right party in power for the first time since Gen. Francisco Francos dictatorship has diminished for the moment after Vox lost 19 of its parliamentary seats to finish with a total of 33. Even so, it remains the countrys third political force.

Sumar, with 31 seats, failed to pip Vox for third place, but has said it will seek to form another leftist progressive government with Sanchez.

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ELECTION?

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Spains new parliament will meet in a month. In accordance with official procedure, King Felipe VI is then expected to invite one of the party leaders, Feijoo or Sanchez, to try to form a government.

That leader would then put his candidacy to parliamentary votes. Any candidate getting sufficient support can form a government.

The 350 lawmakers have up to three months to reach an agreement. Otherwise, a new election would be triggered.

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OneFest, Chippewa Falls Christian Music Festival, will return to the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds this weekend.

This years lineup includes We Are Messengers, Tauren Wells, CAIN, Colton Dixon and Skillet.

Sunday morning locals can attend worship at 10 a.m. with speaker John Alexander and Eaglebrook Music. The service is free.

If you go What: OneFest Music Festival Where: Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds 225 Edward St., Chippewa Falls When: 1 p.m. July 28 to 9 p.m. July 29 Information: www.one-fest.com/about

Festival planners expect more than 6,000 people to attend OneFest events.

OneFest added a third stage for 2023. The festival will also offer more robust play spaces for kids and have more food offerings than in years past.

Heather Flashinski has worked with a team to develop OneFest into the event it is today since she first had the idea for the festival in 2016. Since then, OneFest has blossomed into a large Christian music festival. The Cadott farmer said she felt compelled to begin OneFest and build it from the ground up.

I loved music festivals and I loved Christian music. So I thought, Why is there not one in the area? Lets see what we can do, she said. I did a lot of research and asking questions. And it turns out that when you start asking questions, people start getting excited.

Main stage schedule Friday, July 28 1 p.m. - Tyrone Crawford 3 p.m. - Iveth Luna 5 p.m. - Cochren and Co. 7 p.m. - We Are Messengers 9 p.m. - Tauren Wells Saturday, July 29 1 p.m. - Natalie Layne 3 p.m. - Jonny Diaz 5 p.m. - CAIN 7 p.m. - Colton Dixon 9 p.m. - Skillet

As soon as Flashinski started inquiring about the logistics of festival planning in the region, people started emailing her to ask how they could be a part of her team.

They wanted to help do it or were excited to have me put it together. Whatever the case, we had people stepping up, she said. A team of five started off the group and then we grew. Now were up to 54 on our planning team  an all-volunteer group.

They created a nonprofit organization in 2017. The majority of 2017 was spent building relationships, creating the nonprofit and beginning fundraising efforts. In December 2017, a leap of faith was taken to send offers to artists. In 2018, they announced a lineup and hoped fans would respond.

This years event would have been the sixth OneFest but the pandemic shut down year 2020, so this will be the fifth festival.

I was very blessed with passionate founding board members that first year, who were very dedicated, she said. Plus a great support system was created with volunteers willing to step up and lead the charge.

Each year the event features new artists, vendors and worship opportunities.

OneFest is a musical ministry that aims to create a family-friendly event where all are welcome to sing aloud and praise God, organizers said.
Greencoat UK Wind announced on Monday that, together with other funds managed by Schroders Greencoat, it agreed to acquire a 25% stake in the London Array offshore wind farm from Orsted.

The FTSE 250 company said the landmark transaction would amount to a total consideration of 717m for the 25% stake, combining investments from itself and other participating funds.

For Greencoat UK Wind itself, the transaction represented a total investment of 444m, comprising an equity investment of 394m, translating to a 13.7% net stake, and a further loan investment of 50m.

It said London Array, commissioned in May 2013, stood as one of the UK's most significant renewable energy projects.

With a total capacity of 630MW, the wind farm boasted 175 Siemens 3.6MW turbines, resembling other prominent wind farms such as Rhyl Flats and Walney.

As of the acquisition, the wind farm was owned by a consortium consisting of RWE at 30%, CDPQ at 25%, Masdar at 20%, and now with the new agreement, Greencoat UK Wind at 25%.

The wind farm's operations are overseen by RWE, and its green credentials had earned it two Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) per megawatt-hour (MWh) generated.

In securing the acquisition, Greencoat UK Wind said it used 640m of new term loan commitments from both existing and new lenders on 29 June.

Additionally, the company prepaid 150m of term loans that were scheduled to mature in November and December, while 200m was drawn under the company's revolving credit facility.

At the end of the second quarter on 30 June, Greencoat UK Wind reported a cash balance of 499m, with no outstanding amount drawn under the revolving credit facility.

The completion of the London Array investment was expected to take place on 31 July.

We are delighted to invest in London Array, said chairman Lucinda Riches.

The transaction was originated and negotiated on a bilateral basis and reflects the company's ability to continue to generate significant shareholder value through selective off-market investments.

Greencoat UK Wind said it would report its half-year results on 27 July.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan will be honoured with the Rising Global Superstar of Indian Cinema award at the annual awards Gala night of the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The award will be presented by the Governor of Victoria, recognising Kartik's remarkable achievements and his significant impact on the world of Indian cinema.

Kartik said: "I am deeply honoured and grateful to the Victorian government and the festival for this prestigious award and humbled to be celebrated at the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne."

"It is a tremendous privilege to receive this recognition for my work in Indian cinema. I have always believed in the power of storytelling and the ability of films to touch hearts and inspire minds. I look forward to celebrating the magic of cinema together," the actor added.

The festival celebrates the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, showcasing the talent and creativity of Indian filmmakers to a global audience. Moreover, as part of the celebration, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will showcase multiple screenings of Kartik's films including his recent success 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' and blockbuster 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', which emerged as the biggest Hindi film of 2022.

Commenting on this momentous occasion, the festival director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange said: "We are thrilled to celebrate Kartik Aaryan at the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. He is much loved world wide especially in Australia and the diversity of his performances is very admirable."

"His contributions to Indian cinema in young generation have been exceptional. We are excited to honour him with the Rising Global Superstar Of Indian Cinema award and looking forward to host him at the event," Mitu added.

The 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will take place from August 11 to August 20, 2023. The festival promises to be a spectacular celebration of Indian cinema and culture, offering over 100 films in 20 languages , discussions, and events for film enthusiasts and the wider community.
WASHINGTON  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.

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.

Election advantages due to district mapping
Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, a Hyderabad-based space startup, completed a successful rocket-engine test at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. That test was conducted in the Liquid Thruster Test Facility in ISRO Propulsion Complex, and it involved the Raman-II engine. The Raman-II engine was designed by Skyroot Aerospace to generate 1,460 Newton (Vacuum) and 820 Newton (Sea Level) thrust, and it had a nominal chamber pressure of 8.5 bar absolute, according to a statement issued by ISROs Bengaluru-based headquarters. In the fourth stage of Skyroots launch vehicle, which is known as the Vikram-I, the company intends to install the Raman-II engine.

The nitrogen tetroxide and mono-methyl hydrazine that serve as the fuel for the engine is cooled by the process of regenerative cooling and is produced using additive manufacturing methods. The declaration indicated that the performance goals for the test with a duration of ten seconds had been met in terms of the start transient, steady state, and shut-off.

The statement released by ISRO indicates that the testing facilitys systems operated normally during the test and were able to fulfil the requirements for the engines intake conditions at T0. In addition, the performance of the instrumentation equipment was as predicted, which further ensured the accuracy and consistency of the test findings, the report said.

ISRO has remarked that this support demonstrates the organizations dedication to encouraging private companies, startups, and Non-Governmental Organizations and Entities to contribute to the growth of Indias space ecosystem. Future testing is intended to further verify and hone the Raman-II engines performance
The National Research Development Corporation CMD Cmde. Amit Rastogi (Retd) pitched the Andhra Pradesh government a proposal of handing over the responsibility of startup mentoring to the NRDC. The NRDC celebrated the Rashtriya Boudhik Sampada Mahotsav under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by conducting its fourth workshop on intellectual property rights in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society here in Visakhapatnam.

Speaking on this occasion, the CMD said that the NRDC has time and again proved its capabilities of mentoring startups in various places across the country. The NRDC can provide a 360-degree support to the startup ecosystem of the state, said Rastogi.

DSIR joint secretary Surinder Pal Singh spoke about the importance of intellectual property rights. Everybody acknowledges the importance of securing IP rights. But still there are apprehensions about investing time and resources on getting IP rights. The IP rights can be utilised to unearth the true monetisation potential of the innovations, said Singh.

NRDC senior regional manager Dr BK Sahu, Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society CEO Anil Kumar, Central Tribal University Vice-Chancellor Prof TV Kattimani spoke on this occasion. APIS CEO Anil Kumar explained the efforts of the state government to further the innovation ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. He spoke about the progress made by the state on the innovation front in the last few years.

CTU VC Prof Kattimani spoke about the importance of connecting academia with industry for increasing innovations coming out of educational institutions. He explained how the CTU is encouraging tribal innovations. On this occasion four technologies were transferred to various MSMEs/start-ups under the Make in India initiative. Two technologies titled components of met ocean buoy system I and II were transferred to Nexteng Enviro Private Limited. Another technology titled saline water lantern is commercialized to Yallas Solutions Private Limited and Saurashakthi Pvt Limited.
SMITHTOWN, L.I. -- South Shore picked up a big win to wrap up pool play in the New York State 10s All-Star Softball Tournament on Sunday night. The Staten Islanders belted out 10 hits in a 15-4 victory over North Colombia LL.

The Tottenville loop collected the No. 2 seed in the elimination round and will be back in action on Monday at 11:30 a.m. when it meets Penfield LL. The victor of that contest will square off against Lagrange LL in the second end of a doubleheader, with the winner of that contest advancing to Tuesdays state final.
A 6-year-old New Jersey student who died after a seat belt became wrapped around her neck on a school bus last week struggled violently for her life before losing consciousness while a bus monitor sat a few feet away looking at her phone and wearing ear buds for 14 minutes, according to a court document.

A surveillance camera recorded school bus aid Amanda Davila, 27, paying no attention to the non-verbal student in a wheelchair after the bus hit a bump and the girl slumped against her four-point harness, which tightened around her neck and prevented her from breathing, authorities said in a criminal complaint.

It wasnt until the bus arrived at Claremont Elementary School in Franklin Township at 9:02 a.m. on July 17  more than 14 minutes after the 6-year-old girl lost consciousness  that Davila realized something was wrong and summoned help, authorities said.

Davila is charged with manslaughter and child endangerment charges. The child was identified as Fajr Atiya Williams, of Franklin Township, according to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office.

Davila brought Fajr aboard the bus operated by Montauk Transit at her Franklin Township home at 8:29 a.m. on July 17 using a hydraulic lift for the wheelchair, according to a criminal complaint. Fajr, who is non-verbal, was participating in an extended school year program.

Davila secured the wheelchair the floor hook on the rear drivers side of the bus, authorities said. Fajr was strapped into a four-point chest harness secured to the wheelchair, but Davila didnt use the lap belt and ankle restraints on the wheelchair, authorities said.

Davila then returned to her seat directly behind the driver and could be seen on surveillance looking at her phone until a third and final student boarded at 8:42 a.m. At that time, Davila possibly glanced in the girls direction, authorities said.

The first sign of trouble began at 8:44 a.m. when the bus hit multiple bumps in the road that appeared to make (the girls) body slump in the seat which made the 4-point harness become tight around her neck, authorities said in the criminal complaint.

Fajr appeared to be moving her mouth at that point in the video, authorities said. At 8:46 a.m, the harness tightened around her neck and for the next 2 minutes and 47 seconds she struggled violently for her life, flailing her arms and legs. On at least two occasions, (the girl) made a shriek or gasp and at one point kicked the window of the bus.

Fajr lost consciousness at 8:48 a.m., but Davila didnt see her until 9:02 a.m. when the bus arrived at Claremont Elementary School at 9:02 a.m., authorities said.

After Davila began to unstrap the floor restraints on the wheelchair, she sensed something was wrong and asked for a school staff member to help, authorities said.

At 9:02:58 a.m. a teacher entered the bus and tended to (Fajr), but appeared to not yet realize the dire nature of the situation. At 9:04:00 a.m. the teacher stated that she was unsure if (Fajr) was breathing. At that point additional staff was summoned onto the bus and CPR began at 9:06:40 a.m., the complaint said.

Fajr was brought to a local hospital where she remained in intensive care before being pronounced dead on Wednesday, authorities said.

The other two students aboard the bus were seated directly in front of Fajr so neither had a direct line of sight to her during the ride, authorities said.

Davila, of New Brunswick, was in violation of policies and procedures by using the ear buds and her cell phone, authorities said last week when charging her.

Davila, who is being held in the Somerset County jail, made a first appearance in court last week and is scheduled for a detention hearing Tuesday. Her public defender couldnt immediately be reached Monday.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Locals have said for months that Staten Island isnt getting its fair share of state funds secured in a series of opioid settlement lawsuits, and Mayor Eric Adams said last week that hes working to rectify that.

During his July 17 town hall at Curtis High School, Adams fielded a question from Luke Nasta  the executive director of Camelot of Staten Island, a local non-profit organization that treats drug and alcohol abuse  about the disparity, and Adams said he completely understood the concern.

An initial $150 million round of funding to the city was partially run through Health+Hospitals (H+H), the city public hospital system, none of which are on Staten Island.

Youre dead on, Adams told Nasta about his concern. Its almost a set-up. If youre saying its only going through H+H, you know Staten Island doesnt have an H+H.

While the mayor said hed do what he can to ensure funding comes to Staten Island, a spokesperson for Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday morning that the decision to run some of the first round of funding through H+H was the mayors.

James and Adams announced in April 2022 that the state had reached settlements with opioid distributors AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corporation for a total of $256 million.

Those funds are distributed through the states Opioid Settlement Fund, which has an advisory board that recommends how to allocate the funds.

When the mayor announced the millions in funding last year, he described Staten Island as ground zero for the opioid crisis, but when announcing the initial $150 million, it was distributed among H+H, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Word of that initial funding drew the ire of local service providers and elected officials, including Borough President Vito Fossella, who shared a letter Tuesday that he, City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-South Shore), City Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore), and City Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island), sent to the mayor in September calling for the issue to be rectified.

It is our understanding that the first round of investments, $150 million over the next five years, will go to the citys public hospital system and to other agencies and programs that have a minimal or no presence on Staten Island, Staten Island officials wrote in a letter to Adams this past fall, expressing concern that the borough wouldnt be receiving funds in the first or subsequent rounds of funding. For example, Staten Island has no public health hospital, and we are concerned that settlement funds necessary to restore and repair our community may not be forthcoming in the first round or in possible subsequent rounds of funding.

While there is no public hospital, H+H operates two facilities on the Island  the Gotham Health clinic on the corner of Vanderbilt and Tompkins Avenue, and Sea View nursing home on Brielle Avenue.

Other elected officials, including Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island) and District Attorney Michael McMahon, have continued to push the city to ensure Staten Island gets its fair share of the money.

It seems the local work may finally be paying off. In addition to the mayors commitment, the Health Departments Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Mental Hygiene Deepa Avula, a native Islander, said shed be meeting with local service providers to figure out a funding solution.

For Fossella, the administrations reinvigorated focus on the funding issue gave him cause for optimism about the chances of Staten Island seeing some dollars.

We have argued for the past year that we were not only shortchanged in the settlement, but also left out altogether. The first wave of the settlement funds was distributed to the boroughs through their public health hospitals, but because Staten Island does not have a public health hospital, we were not included, he said. Our efforts have not been in vain, as the mayor expressed his strong feeling that Staten Island should get its fair share of the settlement funds. It has taken a concerted effort, and it appears the effort was worth it.

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UPDATE: Driver stayed on scene, was arrested after hitting pedestrian on Staten Island early Monday

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A person was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle on Victory Boulevard in Tompkinsville early Monday morning, according to police.

The incident was reported at 2:04 a.m., at 78 Victory Blvd., according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD.

Police did not immediately say the cause of the collision. There were no arrests as of Monday morning.

Details of the pedestrians condition were not immediately available. A single red sneaker could be seen left behind the crime scene tape at about 7 a.m. Monday.

A pedestrian was struck at 2:04 a.m., Monday morning in Tompkinsville on Staten Island. (Jan Somma-Hammel/The Staten Island Advance)

The FDNY did not respond to a request for information by the time of publication.

Buses were rerouted in the area during the first half of rush hour as police continued their investigation. The S46, S48, S61, S62, S91, S92, S96 and S98 were all impacted, with westbound buses skipping stops along Victory Boulevard from Brook Street to Jersey Street, according to New York City Transit.

At 8 a.m. the bus detours were canceled.

This is a developing breaking news story.



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A 16-year-old called in two phony bomb threats to Hooters in East Brunswick this month, officials said.

The teen placed the first call at about 9:30 p.m. on July 6, claiming a bomb was in a bathroom at the Route 18 restaurant, East Brunswick police said Monday.

The second fake threat was also made by phone  at about 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The caller made the same claim about an explosive in a restroom.

The Middlesex County Sheriffs Offices bomb squad searched the eatery both times and found nothing.

East Brunswick police charged the Old Bridge teen Thursday with two counts of false public alarm following an investigation. Police did not name the teen because of his age.

Hoax bomb threats create public fear while putting first responders and the public in unnecessary danger,: Chief Frank LoSacco said in a statement. False reports waste emergency response resources, which may lead to real tragedies. We hope this serves as a lesson to others considering doing such a reckless act that it will not be tolerated.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
The 24th edition of IRONMAN Lake Placid saw Joe Skipper and Alice Alberts take victory, along with strong performances from numerous other professionals in the field. Here's a few of the images we captured throughout the day.

Matt Hanson was mentally preparing himself for a long day at the office.

Rach McBride took their time looking over the entirety of their Speed Concept before heading to Mirror Lake.

Air temperatures were about 15 degrees lower than water temperatures yesterday. Cody Beals came prepared after a swim warm-up.

The cannon sounded, and the frenzy began.

The women's field prepping for their start, two minutes after the men's field launched.

Josh Amberger led the swim, being the only male professional to swim under 50 minutes on the day.

An all-Canadian exit from transition, around three minutes back from Amberger.

A view of Joe Skipper's unique bottle set-up.

Another view of Skipper's cockpit, and the two bottles here. Skipper would also add a hydration bladder to the front of his jersey.

McBride, meanwhile, led out of the water. No woman pro swam under an hour here, as they fought through the wetsuit-wearing age group field on the second loop of the swim.

Fact check: true.

Skipper jumped into the lead on the bike, eventually building a nearly two minute cushion on Amberger into T2.

And onto the run for Skipper.

Hanson taking full flight on the run.

Alberts had taken the lead midway through the bike and never let it go.

Angela Naeth had moved herself up onto the podium during the bike. She fought valiantly but wound up fourth.

All about the family for Ben Hoffman at the end.

Hanson had fought hard to try to close up to Skipper and Hoffman, but settled for third.

Nothing sweeter than a maiden victory.
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TRM Labs: ISIS Allies Utilized Crypto to Raise Millions for Terrorism

Source: Adobe / Catalin Pop

Middle Eastern terrorist groups associated with ISIS are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency to conduct their operations, according to a new report from TRM Labs.

On Friday, the blockchain analytics and compliance firm wrote that it has found mounting on-chain evidence of the organizations networks in Tajikistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan digital assets  especially Tether stablecoins (USDT) on the Tron (TRX) network.

According to the firm, one such group in Tajikstan controlled an address that received $2 million in USDT over Tron in 2022, as part of a fundraising campaign to recruit fighters for an ISIS affiliate, ISKP.



ISKP has long sought to recruit Tajiks to join ISKP in Afghanistan and to launch attacks against the Tajik government, TRM Labs explained. In 2022, ISKP launched its first attacks in Tajikistan.

The parties behind the address used a KYC controlled-exchange to cash out some of its funds, allowing TRM Labs and the exchange to track down and arrest Shamil Hukumatov, a senior ISIS fundraiser, last month.

Such is the crux of the issue when it comes to regulating cryptocurrencies  especially in the West. While the technologys proponents often champion digital assets as tools for financial sovereignty and privacy, its loudest critics in Washington view it as potential avenues for money laundering and sanctions violation that arent available using traditional banking rails.

United States regulators have made no moves toward outright banning crypto, but the US Treasury Department has noted its active use for terrorist financing and other forms of illicit finance  including by ISIS.



In fact, a bi-partisan Senate bill proposed last week seeks to afford the Treasury Department new authorities for cracking down on DeFi exchange operators that dont comply with know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) obligations typical of centralized exchanges.

Worldwide Terrorist Financing

Besides Tajikstan, terrorist organizations held accounts in Indonesia that received USD 517,000 as part of fake fundraising campaigns to free ISIS families held in Syrian camps  again using USDT on Tron.

This year, a media unit connected to Pakistani Isis affiliate ISPP posted messages to an ISIS messaging server including several crypto addresses. The account owner claimed to be soliciting funds to help survivors of the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, but the addresses had already been flagged by TRM Labs as being connected to ISPP.

Finding these campaigns, tracing the donations on the blockchain, and identifying the donors is critical to map out and potentially disrupt pro-ISIS networks around the world, concluded the firm.


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More than 7000 Nestle workers in Russia are at risk of being conscripted into the Ukraine war as the company comes under pressure to withdraw from the country.

The food giant, which has six factories in Russia, refused to say whether it would intervene to stop staff being called up to fight in Ukraine.

Russian law requires any company operating in the country to allow the conscription of workers should they be called upon. Credit: Reuters

Questions have been raised following rival Unilevers admission that it would allow Russian staff to be conscripted.

The Swiss business said it is closely monitoring developments in Russia and would act to safeguard the wellbeing of its employees and protect their fundamental rights.
If theres any silver lining to come from last weeks misguided backlash to Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kangs Welcome To Sex, sexuality educators say its that more parents are thinking about how to have constructive conversations with their kids about sex.

Most parents can likely still recall their own awkward sex education experience, but weve come a long way in our understanding of safe sex and most modern sexuality education now begins before children are asking where babies come from.

Talking about sex with kids doesnt need to involve one long, awkward conversation. Credit: iStock

In fact, Vanessa Hamilton, sexuality educator and author of Talking Sex: A Conversation Guide For Parents, says there is no such thing as too young to have an age-appropriate open and factual conversation with children.

We teach them road safety, swimming lessons and healthy eating  and the sexual health and wellbeing of our children should be one of our main priorities and roles as parents, she says.
The Home Affairs Department handed a multimillion-dollar offshore detention contract to an Australian businessman just one month after federal police told then minister Peter Dutton that the man was under investigation for bribery.

Documents tabled in federal parliament reveal that the AFPs acting commissioner told Dutton in July 2018 that Sydney-based Mozammil Bhojani was under investigation over suspected bribes to Nauruan politicians. The payments were made to secure preferential access to millions of dollars worth of phosphate for his company Radiance International.

Mozammil Gulamabbas Bhojani.

But despite the verbal police warning to Dutton, documents obtained by this masthead show that the following month  August 2018  the Department of Home Affairs entered into a fresh contract with Radiance. The contract, signed by Bhojani, was to provide accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers at a particular location. That contract ultimately paid the company $9.3 million in taxpayer money.

Just one month after the contract was signed, police arrested Bhojani and charged him with paying more than $100,000 in bribes to two Nauruan officials. Bhojani pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2020.
Scammers are now apparently catering for the internet unsavvy, reports Rosemary Seam of Kempsey. A friend has received a snail mail letter from an English firm of solicitors, yet posted in France (postage must be cheaper there). The letter coincidentally bears the same surname as her and advises that she has inherited over $US11,000,000. So confidential, this legal firm is not listed in any online search.

How soon before Doing a Dan (abandoning anything too expensive) makes it into the Australian vernacular? asks George Zivkovic of Northmead. Why not? Thanks to Peter Dutton, we already have the Noalition.

Bob Howard of Culburra Beach suggests, Those keen to follow a larger than life Ken & Barbie show (C8) should take a trip to Turfco at Bomaderry on the Princes Highway. This company often depicts popular themes using two painted model cows, particularly during State of Origin. Presently, they have on display Ken & Barbie cows in a gift boxed scenario. Worth a visit.

Further to Kate Sommer pointing out the resemblance of Ryan Gosling to Glenn Robbins, Ive always thought the now ex-governor of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, bore an uncanny resemblance to the late English comedian Sean Lock, writes Lillian Hornby of Sans Souci. Perhaps if he were still around, Sean could have delivered all that bad news on interest rates with his usual somewhat dry and cynical sense of humour.

Now, a question for the demographic from Robert Jones of Moss Vale: When I was young, 70-odd years ago, my parents would have Amaki sauce on the table, which they said was the Aussie version of Worcestershire. I doubt it. They also told me that it was Kiama spelt backwards, and when I was old enough to spell I realised this was rubbish, even though it was made in Kiama. Anyone remember it?
Two men accused of importing cocaine worth more than $61 million into Queensland by sea will remain in custody.

Matthieu Anthony Rees, 44, and Rachid Kachour, 55, both from Griffith in the ACT, were arrested at their Canberra apartment on Thursday as part of an investigation into a quarter-tonne of cocaine seized from a yacht moored in Townsville.

The cocaine found in the yacht had an estimated street value of $61,750,000, police said. Credit: AFP

Police say one of the men threw a backpack containing $290,000 cash in a vacuum-sealed bag from the apartment balcony when the officers knocked on the front door.

Australian Federal Police alleged the cash was the proceeds of crime and both men travelled to Townsville from Canberra between May 20 and 27 to recover cocaine hidden inside the vessels hull while it was at the Townsville Yacht Club and Marina.
An examination of the prevalence of 10 health conditions, including asthma, cancer, diabetes and dementia, across Victoria and what it says about the state.

The main street of Ballarat, with its ornate heritage buildings, tells the story of the citys boomtown era. But not so far from the centre of town, gold rush architecture gives way to tired homes with chain-wire fences, and a disproportionate number of residents suffer from chronic illness.

The Ballarat suburbs of Sebastopol and Redan, in the south of the regional city, and Wendouree and Miners Rest to the north, have the highest asthma rates in Victoria. An analysis of census data as part of this mastheads State of Our Health series shows that about 14 per cent and 13 per cent of their populations, respectively, have the long-term lung condition.

Hanna Elliot is not surprised their neighbourhood has one of the highest rates of asthma in Victoria. Credit: Jason South

The state average is 8.35 per cent, while the Melbourne suburbs of Dandenong South, Docklands, Craigieburn, Tarneit, Clayton and Truganina have asthma rates lower than 5 per cent.

A critical part of the picture is that asthma-prone Wendouree and Sebastopol in Ballarat are also among Victorias most-disadvantaged suburbs, according to data from the 2021 census.
Marvin Magallanes, who has resided in Tarneit for the majority of the 23 years he has lived in Australia since migrating here from the Philippines, is not surprised by the census findings. The IT worker believes high rates of employment, and an unwavering drive by the suburbs many immigrants to create a better life for their children has given residents purpose and boosted their mental health. Most of the people here have jobs, he says. Everyone came to this place because it is cheap. They could buy their own block of land, their own piece of paradise and build their McMansion. There is a drive for everyone to be above everyone else. Magallanes says the natural beauty of his local council area, which takes in the Werribee River and the ocean and is not far from the You Yangs, also boosts peoples moods. Its glorious.

Religion also plays a key role, according to Magallanes. More than 85 per cent of Tarneit residents describe themselves as religious, compared with the Australian average of 58 per cent. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are the dominant religions. Magallanes, who is a Pentecostal Christian and regularly attends Equip Church International in nearby Hoppers Crossing, says faith provides residents with purpose and strong connections with their neighbours. This is a god-fearing suburb, whether you are Christian, Hindu or Islamic, he says. It gives people a sense of community. Poorer health literacy

But Professor Alex Parker, a mental health expert from Victoria University, suspects that lower rates of health literacy in newly established suburbs such as Tarneit may be presenting a rosier picture of peoples mental health. While residents in Tarneit have a median weekly household income of $2103, they also experience high levels of mortgage stress, according to research by consumer group Choice. We know that in areas of social or economic disadvantage, the people living there are more likely to have poorer health literacy, she says. Theres a bit of a limitation around their own understanding and how to seek help, and that leads to under-detection and a lack of intervention. Australians who completed the most recent census in 2021 were asked whether they had been told by a doctor or nurse that they had a long-term mental health condition, including depression and anxiety. Parker says unequal access to health services such as GPs could influence peoples responses to this question and explain why mental health conditions were more prevalent in certain parts of Melbourne.

If they were asked whether they think theyve been experiencing any mental health concerns, it may have led to different answers, she adds. Residents in Brunswick reported some of the states highest rates of mental health conditions. Around one in six locals said they had been diagnosed with a mental health conditionalmost twice the statewide average. Experts say people have been more willing to talk about mental health issues over the past decade. Counselling psychologist Nigel Denning runs a psychology and psychiatry practice in East Melbourne but receives many referrals from the Brunswick area. Its a relatively well-educated area, residents are politically active and have a very acute understanding of mental health, he says.

Loading Denning has noticed a significant shift in the way people discuss mental health over the past decade. They are more willing to talk about trauma, anxiety and depression, he says. It comes up regularly in conversation. Denning has another take on the distribution of mental health conditions across the state. He wonders whether the mental health of Brunswick residents  who are much more likely to live in single-person households than Tarneit locals  took more of a battering during the pandemic.

Living alone While just 10 per cent of Tarneit residents live in single person households, 34 per cent of Brunswick residents live alone. The statewide average is 25 per cent. People were restricted to small apartments for long periods of time and unable to socialise, Denning says. We are still seeing that fallout. Australian Association of Psychologists director Carly Dober says Brunswick residents are incredibly open about their mental health, which is a great thing.

They talk about it more, attitudes are more liberal, and a lot of people come from quite well-off families. That allows them to access health services in the private sector, she says. She says many families from South-East Asia live in Tarneit and their cultures sometimes prioritise physical health over mental health. There is still a lot of stigma, she adds. Loading People in the outer-western suburb often have multiple jobs, which means they may not have time to address mental health issues, according to the psychologist, who has clients in Tarneit and Brunswick. But she agrees with Magallanes, and says faith can be protective against mental health conditions. We know that faith can be a very supporting and healing mechanism for mental health and stress in general ... it can send a hopeful message.
Cumberland County commissioners issued a letter Thursday in support of New Cumberland Borough seeking a $1.125 million state grant to fund streetscape safety improvements.

The borough plans to apply for a multimodal transportation fund grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The grant would be used to follow-through on recommended upgrades identified in a downtown master plan the borough council adopted this spring, said Valerie Copenhaver, director of community and economic development for New Cumberland.

The borough plans to commit about $480,000 in matching funds in support of its application, Copenhaver said. Posted on the borough website, the master plan identifies Bridge and Front streets as priorities for such improvements as bicycle facilities, street trees, wayfinding signage, banners, crosswalks, planter pots and site furnishings.

In other action, the commissioners:

 Authorized the planning department to seek a $7,250 mini-grant from the South Mountain Partnership. The grant would pay half the costs to improve signage and update a trail brochure in connection with the Mount Holly Marsh Preserve, Senior Planning Manager Stephanie Williams said. The other half of the costs would be paid with money drawn from the Marcellus Legacy Fund created by Act 13 of 2012, she said. It provides for the distribution of funds raised through unconventional gas well impact fees.

 Accepted a $21,489 grant from the Radiation Emergency Response Fund administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. This grant supports the development and maintenance of comprehensive emergency plans tied to the operation of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, said Claudia Garner, finance and administrative manager of the county Department of Public Safety. While it [the plant] has been decommissioned, there is still funding available to support any activities that we might be encountered with because of that operation.

 Awarded a $215,181 contract to KC McGinnis Services of Greencastle, Franklin County, for a grazing project funded by a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. McGinnis will install about 23,000 linear feet of woven wire fence on three area farms to support rotational grazing and best management practices, said Elizabeth Grant, planning specialist with the county planning department.
The 60-year-olds brush with cancer is not uncommon in the Gippsland town. Prowse knows 10 residents who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past three years, including a friend who passed away six weeks ago. More than 6 per cent of Paynesville residents say they have been diagnosed with cancer, compared with a statewide average of 2.8 per cent. As well as cancer, Paynesville also has the states highest proportion of residents who say they have been diagnosed with heart disease and arthritis, according to The Ages State of Our Health project, which is based on 2021 census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The prevalence of these conditions is inextricably linked to the towns ageing population. You can use our interactive tool to check the state of your areas health.

While the median age in Victoria is 38, the median age in Paynesville is 61, which means the town is home to the states oldest residents, many of whom have moved their during retirement. Craig Sinclair, the director of Cancer Council Victorias prevention division, said age is a key risk factor for many cancers. This is because as we age, our bodys ability to repair damaged cells which can cause cancer, becomes less effective. Paynesville in Gippsland is known as the states boating capital Credit: Visit Victoria Older people have also been exposed to carcinogens such as cigarette smoke, alcohol and ultraviolet radiation for a longer period of time. When you have a population like Paynesville, with many retirees and a greater percentage of the population in their older years, that is a substantial contribution to cancer risk, Sinclair said. Paynesville is a beautiful area. There is nothing environmental that would be causing [the high proportion of cancer cases].

Obesity and smoking, which Sinclair said are more prevalent in regional and remote parts of the state, are also major risk factors. Source: Credit: ABS He said giving up smoking, not carrying excess weight, drinking responsibly, exercising and swapping processed foods for fresh fruit and vegetables reduces a persons risk of cancer. People should also partake in screening programs and seek medical help if they notice an unusual lump, bleeding or a mole that has changed colour. Detecting cancer early is the best thing they can do, Sinclair said. It means the likelihood of treatment being successful is much higher. Cardiologist Tim Barton from Melbourne Heart Care said there is high demand for heart specialists in the Paynesville area. The Melbourne doctor travels to a clinic in Warragul, about two hours drive from Paynesville, once a week to treat patients from across Gippsland.

Most patients who come to see us are probably sicker, and maybe waited for longer before coming to see us, as opposed to our practices in the city, he said. Barton said regional patients were presenting sicker because they had previously struggled to access help from their GPs. One of the key risk factors for developing heart disease is age, but Barton said there are other risk factors in areas where it is harder to access medical services. They might not be getting their cholesterol, diabetes or blood pressure checked as often as they should, or taking medications that we know prevent cardiovascular disease, he explained. Prowse said he was acutely aware of the difficulties accessing health services in the area. There was no doctor at Bairnsdale Hospital who could treat her cancer, so she travelled to Melbourne for treatment. She raided her superannuation to fund six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation at a private hospital and many surgeries.

Jenny Prowse relaxes in her living room in Paynesville. Credit: Joe Armao Yet Prowse was determined to stay positive. She would do her hair and make-up before every radiation session and wear one of her favourite dresses. Every night, she would close her eyes and visualise her cancer in a box, and ensure that the box was locked. I believe the mind can do amazing things, she said. I locked my cancer in a cage. Every time I took a chemo tablet, I would see it shrinking. Prowse, who has been cancer-free for more than a year, said her experience has given her a new perspective on life.
A two-year-old child has been found after a thief stole a car with the toddler inside in Melbournes south-east on Monday afternoon.

Police said a black Kia Carnival  registration 1WU5QT  was parked on Cleeland Street in Dandenong about 3.25pm when it was stolen with the child sitting in the rear seat.

A toddler was found at Ferntree Gully Woolworths after a car they were in was stolen in Dandenong on Monday afternoon. Credit: Nine News

The child was found at about 4.35pm inside a Woolworths supermarket in Ferntree Gully, about 15 kilometres north of Cleeland Street, detective senior sergeant Dean Hayes told 3AW radio.

He said the childs parents were nearby when their car and toddler were taken. Witnesses told police they saw the vehicle heading towards Heatherton Road after the theft.
However, experts say these figures might be pointing to a larger problem around Tarneit residents access to healthcare and trouble obtaining diagnoses, rather than health and happiness. Marvin Magallanes, who has lived in Tarneit for almost 23 years, believes high rates of employment, and immigrants drive to create a better life for their children has boosted locals mental health. Marvin Magallanes loves living in Tarneit. Credit: Chris Hopkins According to the census, it is also a suburb with a high proportion of religious residents, and Magallanes believes this contributes to their mental wellbeing. It gives people a sense of community, he says.

Melton, on Melbournes western fringe, has the citys highest rate of diabetes, with 8.2 per cent of residents reporting that they have the disease, compared to a statewide average of 4.7 per cent. The data does not distinguish between type 1 and 2 diabetes (the second being most common in Australia). Some of Victorias most affluent, inner-city suburbs, such as Port Melbourne and South Yarra, have the lowest rates of diabetes. Towns and suburbs with higher rates of disadvantage, such as Norlane, Thomastown and Moe, have higher rates of diabetes. We need to be doing more in our town planning to prevent diabetes, says Professor Elif Ekinci, director of the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations at the University of Melbourne.

Ekinci points to the importance of walking paths for incidental exercise and the fact that families struggling financially often reach for unhealthy, processed foods instead of more expensive, healthier options. The story of social disadvantage is also noticeable in data about rates of asthma in the state. About 14 per cent of residents of Sebastopol and Redan, in the south of Ballarat, and about 13 per cent of locals in Wendouree and Miners Rest to the north, have the long-term lung condition. The state average is 8.35 per cent. We know much of the cause for chronic diseases  are linked to environmental, economic and social factors, and are very strongly influenced by social disadvantage, says Asthma Australia chief executive Michele Goldman.

She points out that people relying on lower-quality rental housing may find it difficult or impossible to avoid things like gas stoves, which are estimated to cause 12 per cent of childhood asthma cases, or dampness, which was responsible for 8 per cent. Poor outdoor air quality, the prevalence of smoking, as well as rodents faeces are also a common asthma trigger. Health trends among senior Victorians When it comes to older Victorians, the census health figures tell an interesting story. Avondale Heights, in Melbournes north-west, has the highest rate of dementia in the state. The figures show 2.41 per cent of the community have the condition  three times the state average.

However, according to Dr Vincent Strangio, who grew up and practises in the area, the data also speaks to longer life expectancy among many of the areas migrants. The suburb has a median age of 45, seven years older than the Victorian average, and where almost a quarter of the residents have Italian ancestry. But along with improved life expectancy, Strangio points to dementia risk factors such as an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and eating more white pasta and sweets. Avondale Heights also has a number of residential aged care facilities, home to many dementia patients. Paynesville, in Gippsland, has the top rates of cancer in Victoria, and also leads the state for arthritis and heart disease. But these figures do not mean its an unhealthy place to live. Many senior Victorians have moved to this holiday destination, and it now has the oldest population of any place in the state. Its average age is 61 years, compared to the state average of 38.

Loading Jenny Prowse, 60, moved to the picturesque town in Gippsland to enjoy the lakeside lifestyle. But in 2021 she found out she had rectal cancer. She has been cancer-free for a year now, but while undergoing treatment, had trouble accessing health services in her area. She travelled to Melbourne for lengthy and costly chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgeries. There is also high demand for heart specialists in Paynesville. Cardiologist Tim Barton from Melbourne Heart Care travels to a clinic in Warragul, about two hours drive from Paynesville, once a week to treat Gippsland patients. Most patients who come to see us are probably sicker, and maybe waited for longer before coming to see us, as opposed to our practices in the city, he says.
The exposure of suspect payments and allegations of bribery in the offshore detention program imperils Australias position as a trusted influence among island nations in the face of Chinas expansion into the Pacific.

Home Truths, an investigative series by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes, found that Australias Home Affairs Department had overseen the payment of millions of taxpayer dollars to Pacific Island politicians through a chain of suspect contracts as it sought to maintain controversial offshore asylum seeker processing centres.

Whistleblower Ian Stewart has exposed wrongdoing on Manus Island. Credit: Eddie Jim

Financial data, internal emails and whistleblower testimony implicate Home Affairs lead contractors  Broadspectrum, Canstruct and Paladin  in suspected systemic misuse of taxpayer dollars in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. The department was also shown to have maintained funding to two companies involved in the program despite repeated warnings by federal authorities their owners were allegedly corrupt and involved in suspected bribery or money laundering.

The payments have generated investigations by Australian Federal Police and financial crime agency Austrac but so far no charges have been laid.
I am beyond distressed that I have had to disclose even a small portion of these details. I sought to create a confidential process that would enable natural justice and provide me with safety as I navigate this process. Martin, who was appointed to the upper house in 2017, has excused himself from the Liberal party room while a senior legal counsel hired by the organisation investigates the matter. He has admitted to using heated words during an ugly and undignified break-up and said there were two sides to every story. Martin worked for Wicks as a staffer before he became the youngest person in state parliament when he was appointed to an upper house seat vacated by Mike Gallacher in 2017. He is a member of the centre right faction. Loading Date stamps show many of the texts to Wicks were sent well after the pair ended their relationship in 2019.

Texts from January 10, 2021, show messages from Martin that included a request for Wicks to Go stay in your world of f---ing make believe you f---ing pig ignorant bitch. Another said Wicks was a f---ing idiot. The complaint lodged with the Liberal Party alleges that on the same day, Martin wrote shut up you dumb slut and listen to yourself, you absolute c--- of a person. In one exchange, Wicks wrote: Think about where we will be as a nation in ten years. Or five. Martin replied in capital letters: This shit is why Im so angry at you  stop talking to me like this while you kill me you f---wit. Wicks replied, Ok. Tay I. Sorry [sic]. Martin responded: You bitch. You dont even try and get it. You f---ing bitch. Listen to yourself. Dont such lies to me you slut. The source, who is unable to speak about the matter publicly due to the investigation, said Wicks first raised the problem with senior factional colleagues in October 2021, well before she lost her seat of Robertson at the May 2022 election. She raised it verbally with senior party officials in February and lodged a written complaint earlier this month.

The source said Wicks was terrified to speak out because he had such control over her. She was terrified of his reaction. She was terrified he would fabricate stories to ruin her career, the support person said. I was young and inexperienced and I found myself involved in a situation that was way beyond me. Taylor Martin, NSW upper house MP Wicks has made veiled references to the situation in the past. On the day of the March4Justice in March 2021, sparked by claims of sexual impropriety in federal parliament, she gave a speech noting that these revelations ... have brought back some horrible memories for many of us, including me, in my personal life and in the workplace.

The same month she backed quotas for Liberal women in an interview with the Herald, in which she also said it had been really confronting to me to look at what we face as a nation, what we as women have faced  what I have faced in my own life. Asked why he used those words and whether he thought they could be considered appropriate in any context, Martin told the Herald: I was young and inexperienced and I found myself involved in a situation that was way beyond me. There were heated words during my attempts to go separate ways that I sincerely regret. It was an ugly and undignified parting of ways. If I could undo any hurt that has been caused I would do it in a heartbeat. I am so sorry and apologise unreservedly to everyone that has been caught up in it. He said he welcomed the Liberal Partys investigation. Im confident that the truth will come out through that process and I will be co-operating fully. Tara Hunter, the acting chief executive of Full Stop Australia, a support group for sexual and domestic violence victims, said she had not seen the texts and could not comment on the specific allegations.

However, in any circumstance, sending someone repeated insulting and offensive messages is a form of abuse, Hunter said. This can have significant impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of the person receiving the messages. This should be taken seriously. The Liberal Partys response to the complaint will be closely scrutinised amid concern about its record on women. There was criticism over the partys response to sexual assault allegations by former staffer Brittany Higgins, and a staffers claim that she was bullied and harassed by ministers in the former Coalition government. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton last month told Senator David Van he could no longer sit in the party room after sexual harassment allegations, which Van denies. Asked about Wicks statement, a NSW Liberal Party spokesperson said it had at all times respected the agency and wishes of the person who has come forward to treat the matter confidentially. Public commentary on this investigation could deny procedural fairness to those involved in this process, the spokesperson said.
Tallinn: Thousands of Russia-linked Wagner group mercenaries have arrived in Belarus since the groups short-lived rebellion, a military monitoring group says.

Between 3450 and 3650 soldiers have travelled to a camp close to Asipovichy, a town 230 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border, according to Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that tracks troop movements within the country.

Belarusian soldiers attend a training by mercenary fighters from Wagner private military company near Tsel village, about 90 kilometres southeast of Minsk, Belarus. Credit: AP

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko welcomed Wagner forces into the country after brokering a deal between the Kremlin and mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin last month, ending the groups failed revolt against Russian military leaders.

The Wagner chief called the mutiny a march of justice to oust the top military leaders. The mercenaries faced little resistance and downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing a number of Russian troops.
Wellington: New Zealands justice minister resigned on Monday after police filed charges against her and said she was over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed into a parked car.

The incident involving Kiri Allan was the latest in a series of missteps and scandals involving government ministers less than three months out from national elections. Polls indicate the conservative opposition has pulled level or moved slightly ahead of the incumbent liberals in what promises to be a close race.

Justice Minister Kiri Allan at the NZ Parliament in Wellington on June 26. Credit: AP

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Allan was involved in the crash soon after 9pm on Sunday in Wellington and was detained at the central police station for about four hours.

Police have charged her with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Justice, Ms. Anna E. Richardson, and the Director of the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), Dr. Felix Holiday, convened a meeting to discuss potential collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and SMMC to improve and to strengthen the medical structure and services provided at various detention facilities. The meeting was attended by Mr. Harlec Doran, SMMC HR Manager, Mr. Steven Carty, Prison Director, Ms. Geertje Van Haperen, Senior Legal Policy Advisor, and Ms. Demi Bute, Policy Advisor.

The Ministry of Justice holds the legal responsibility to ensure appropriate medical care for detainees at prison facilities, including the provision of doctors and nurses. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) emphasized the significance of this aspect in their 2014 report and their most recent visit in May 2022. They recommended that the Sint Maarten authorities take measures to guarantee that individuals held in police custody and/or detention have access to a medical doctor from the moment of their deprivation of liberty. Minister Richardson recognizes the vital importance of providing adequate medical care to inmates and takes the recommendations from the CPT, Law Enforcement Committee (LEC), and other entities very seriously.

During the discussion with Dr. Felix Holiday, various opportunities and solutions were explored to enhance the current medical services at the prison facilities in a systematic manner. Minister Richardson aims to implement a structural system, which may include a rotation program involving several medical professionals who would assist in delivering basic medical care to the prison population. This approach will establish a consistent and structured solution to address the challenges currently faced. Dr. Holiday encouraged the Minister to establish contact with the Windward Islands Medical Association (WIMA), which comprises 30 General Practitioners (GPs), to explore collaboration possibilities. The goal is to improve services such as intake within 24 hours, multiple medical consultations per week, access to a 24/7 on-call service for emergencies, annual check-ups, basic examinations, and minor medical procedures, and the implementation of a proper file and data management system.

Furthermore, the meeting addressed the revision of medical protocols and policies applied at the prison. By involving various medical professionals, these protocols can be updated to align with legal obligations, CPT recommendations, and the needs of the inmates.

The discussion also encompassed the assessment of medical equipment used in detention facilities. Efforts have been made to contact medical equipment suppliers to inquire about pricing for new equipment. Dr. Holiday stated that the SMMC would assist in reviewing the equipment requirements to ensure their adequacy.

Minister Richardson expressed her commitment to the welfare and well-being of each inmate, emphasizing the prison as a significant focal point of her priority list. "The prison remains a major focal point of my priority list. The welfare and well-being of each inmate remain of high importance. We have faced some delays and challenges, but with all efforts to ensure that the Ministry of Justice upholds the rule of law, I opted to identify a new approach to finding a solution rather than operating in the same options used for decades. This is why Ive sought to explore the possibilities with the Sint Maarten Medical Center, and I am very pleased by Dr. Holidays prompt and positive response. I get the impression that SMMC has a viewpoint that together we can make positive strides, and I am grateful for this," stated Minister Richardson
~Ministry of Finance & U.S. Consulate joined the delegation to build strategic relationships~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The winners of the National Youth Pitch Competition, Upcycl, and young entrepreneur Giomara Olivacce, embarked on an enriching journey to Atlanta, participating in the inaugural Islandpreneur Summer Entrepreneurial Exchange (ISEE) program. Representing Milton Peters College, Isaiah Peterson, Jael Jong a Lock, and Kymora Reed and winner of the International Youth Entrepreneurship Program (2021) spent a week in Atlanta learning about its entrepreneurial ecosystem, meeting with founders and investors, and exploring the uniqueness of Atlanta through a variety of curated attractions.

A city known as the business nucleus of Southeast USA, Atlanta boasts over 40 innovation hubs and houses global giants like Delta, Coca-Cola, and BitPay. Its rich entrepreneurial environment made it a perfect fit for this exchange, offering participants the chance to glean insights from experts and establish global business strategies.

The week-long itinerary, which took place between July 10-15, included meetings with Atlanta's city officials, interactions with the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Invest Atlanta, and visits to major incubators such as ATDC, Atlanta Tech Village, and Russel Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (RICE). As the creative industries is a key opportunity for entrepreneurial growth, the delegation also visited the Creative Media Industries Institute and saw a live pitch training with Create X.

Led by Islandpreneur, the delegation included the Minister of Finance, Ardwell Irion, and the U.S. Mission to the Dutch Caribbean representatives, Kristin Lundberg, Consul in charge of Political, Economic, and Public Affairs, and Sady El Hage, Public Affairs Officer. These two partners were instrumental to engage in strategic conversations focused on collaboration for economic growth and prosperity between for St. Maarten and by extension the Dutch Caribbean with the city of Atlanta.

The U.S. Mission supported this exchange by engaging with subnational diplomacy efforts with the City of Atlanta to arrange most of the meetings and activities. Among other things, the Minister of Finance was able to have strategic conversations concerning fintech solutions, potential investment opportunities for entrepreneurs, and professional development options with key industry players. Atlanta is known as the global leader in fintech solutions and provides some of the countrys top programs.

One of the standout moments was the team's engagement with young Atlanta-based entrepreneurs at Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (RICE). The delegation met Mason Wright (16), the owner of a gourmet hotdog enterprise, Zoe Oli (10), CEO of Beautiful Curly Me, one of RICEs top earning businesses, and 10-year-old author, Bailey Edwards, who emphasized the potency of affirmations for youngsters.

This inaugural exchange program was an enormous success and was made possible by official partners Ministry of Finance, U.S. Consulate General in Curacao, Computech, St. Maarten Development Fund, TelEm Group and contributors, CIBC FirstCaribbean, BDO, and Master Fixers.

Applications for the 2nd Annual National Youth Pitch Competition will commence on August 21, 2023. Secondary schools are invited to participate. Further details can be obtained by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

Last Friday, the Saudi Fund for Development signed a $10 million loan agreement to construct Business Incubation centers in the Bahamas. It intends to support the growth of tourism, create direct and indirect job opportunities, and to enhance sustainable economic development. It may facilitate new business projects of a total of 100 small companies.

For education and sustainable development, often financial support from a number of countries abroad is available at attractive conditions. However, these angels usually want to first see a well-prepared proposal that shows realistic achievable goals that are leading to advances. Business Incubator efforts can solidify reaching a viable and prosperous future for the Caribbean territories.

The availability of a Business Incubator will not just give some young talented people the chance of their life. Also, spirited members of an earlier generation may be able to get an operation going. With regards to the latter, an old fox knows more tricks to get a rabbit out of a hole than a puppy with a degree. Degrees? An incubator could also cooperate and be associated with a university research center.

A start-up doesnt typically have to be a new service or retail operation. It can involve a promising research and development project that is started on a small scale by a single bright mind. Yet it can have a significant future economic impact, but in the initial stages, a Business Incubator can provide the base for it.

There may be a need to make connections with researchers abroad. Those are linkages with entities that can accelerate the work of start-ups at the incubation centers. Overseas research centers as well as manufacturers are willing to share their expertise and possibly even be part of the future development results that come out of it.

Innovative ventures and breakthrough initiatives can be developed in business incubators. Because some of these start-ups can advance services that are needed internationally, and therefore they can contribute to the export economy.

Just making financial support available to individual start-up entrepreneurs is not an ideal solution. They need a supporting environment to begin with. A Business Incubator can provide just that. Such a facility may typically have space to accommodate several startups. Individual work units may be furnished. Telephone connections through a central system. WIFI signal throughout the building. Central secretarial services. In principle, one facility administration takes care of it all, including things like hiring services ranging from cleaning to accounting.

Management training could be included in the incubator concept. It will be a truly professional and motivating environment to operate in. The young and new pioneers may lack some experience in running an operation, like marketing, accounting, or other expertise. Appropriate workshops will provide new skills to support their new business activities.

There will be several start-ups with different services sharing the same location. The incubators could foster cooperation or joined activities. The model of the Incubator can be shaped to the needs of particular professional needs or a certain group of startups.

The idea of a Business Incubator is not new. Some programs have popped up or tried to pop up. But none of them seem to have the potential that the Bahamas with the support of the Saudi Development Fund has now to take on a leading role in new business development projects that can have a significant impact. Not only on its own nation but also on the wider region and even internationally.

In 2009, The World Bank Group initiated a Caribbean Business Incubator Association that was launched by representatives from 10 independent Caribbean countries. It was in the line of thinking of being a part of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The Association became dormant due to a lack of funding. Accelerate Caribbean was created in 2014 by the Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean. It met the same fate just two years later. There are some projects like CARIRI in Trinidad or REVUP in Jamaica. There are a few virtual incubators. But virtual is not hands-on.

Unemployment rates in the region are too high, especially among young people. There is no such thing as opening up a can of jobs. In some cases, efforts are made to provide extended education. However, how does having another education certificate help, if one is still not able to find employment, because jobs are just not available?

There is a distinct difference between providing a job and keeping people entertained for another one or two years with additional education. It is meant well, and the basic thinking behind it is not wrong but it is not creating jobs. Jobs are created by businesses. Incubators are catalysts to create those businesses and for economic development. They are part of the solution to encourage self-employment first. When the new operation grows, it will have a multiplying effect and provide employment for others.

Caribbean territories should focus more on the potential of entrepreneurs as drivers of economic growth and playing an important role in job creation. There is no specific geographic location in terms of where bright minds or innovative entrepreneurs can be found.

Business Incubators can be shaped for any need or size. They could be as big a technology park. Lets not go too far though with our imagination and keep both feet on the ground considering where we are. But then again, when reaching out for the stars, one will not end up with a hand full of mud. So, lets get going here.
KYIV, Ukraine  In a sunlit art studio in Kyiv filled with easels and canvases, Iryna Farion puts the finishing touches on an oil painting with a predominantly dark color palette in shades of blue and brown.

The artwork depicts two intertwined trees held together by their roots, as though in embrace, and a radiant yellow sun shining against a moody blue background.

I feel like its me and my husband, who was killed in the war, Farion says of the trees. They are like two souls, like two hearts, like one body.

Farion is among thousands of Ukrainian women who have lost their partners in the war Russia launched against their homeland nearly 17 months ago. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed on the battlefield  most of them men who once led ordinary lives before dropping everything to join the fight for their country.

Farions husband, Oleksandr Alimov, died in December after being shot on the Donetsk front line. Overwhelmed with grief, she says she has found some consolation in painting alongside other women who lost their partners on the battlefield.

The women are part of an art therapy project called Alive. True Stories of Love, which seeks to honor the memory of those who died while helping the women cope with the pain of their loss.

Alimov voluntarily joined the army in the early days of the war after working as an IT specialist for a well-known company. I dont want us to live in a country where we are not free, Farion says her husband told her before going off to war. The couple had been together for 10 years.

She still wears her wedding ring, while his hangs around her neck on a chain. I cant take off the ring yet, she says. It feels better for me this way.

On a recent day, Farion visited the art studio with her friend Olesia Skalska, whose husband was killed in January. The two women initially met at a cemetery, a place where Ukrainian widows commonly find solace in each others company and form friendships bound by shared grief.

Skalska's husband, Roman Skalskyi, 26, also voluntarily joined the military without prior combat experience.

"Of course, I supported him because he went to defend me and his whole family, she says.

The couple was supposed to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in June. But instead, Skalska works on a painting  the only place where they can be together again.

A man is carrying a girl across a field of wheat that has been cut, and I imagine that he is carrying her so that she does not prick her legs, says Skalska, 24, describing her artwork.

Her voice occasionally breaks into sobs as she speaks. To others, I may seem like an ordinary person. But no one knows whats happening inside, she says. Its impossible to escape.

The art project was launched in January by Olena Sokalska, who lost her husband years ago in a car accident and says she understands the emotional journey of widowhood.

When she spoke in June, approximately 40 widows were participating in the art project.

Its called Alive because the girls should feel alive since they all feel lifeless right now, she says. When you paint, you only think about that. And I thought these women should have some time for themselves.

The project is free to join and local artists volunteer their time to guide the women as they express their sorrows on canvas.

A Facebook community for the project has more than 1,000 participants. And the community keeps growing, says Sokalska, noting the tragedy of what that means to many.

They find themselves in a complete void. Its like a black hole and nobody truly understands what a woman who has lost her husband feels, she says.

Oksana Kordina and her husband, Andrii Volkov, had been married for almost 10 years when the war began. On the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, Volkov gathered his belongings and got dressed. Oksana prepared a first-aid kit for him. He walked to the military office as Kyiv reeled with shock from the invasion.

He died nine days later defending the capital.

More than a year later, Kordina says she still has not recovered emotionally. Im not a creative person, but I realized I needed to try something, she says.

"This pain is impossible to explain or convey, she says.

Recently, she rediscovered a lake near Kyiv that her husband had loved dearly. The couple had gone there together before, but she had forgotten the way and struggled to find it for a long time. Now she visits it regularly.

Her painting depicts the lake surrounded by green trees, reflecting the soft light of dawn. A ginger cat painted in the left corner of the canvas appears lonely and contemplative against the backdrop of nature.

I walk to the lake and dream just like this cat, she says. And it feels like hes there with me.
On Monday, Apr. 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will come to North America.

Exactly six years, seven months and 18 days after the same type of solar eclipse crossed the U.S. from Oregon through South Carolina on August 21, 2017, this much longer event will be visible from within a narrow path of totality through Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, according to NASA .

It will come less than six months after the Oct. 14, 2023, 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse in eight states in the U.S. Southwest as well as Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil.

During a total solar eclipse, the moon appears almost exactly the same size as the sun , so it blocks the entire disk for a few minutes. The result is a beautiful totality during which the sun's corona is visible to the naked eye. Here's everything you need to know about this rare event.

Related: Solar eclipses 2023: When is the next solar eclipse?

What is a total solar eclipse?

This eclipse will turn day to night just as the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017, did, but to a greater extent. A solar eclipse occurs when a new moon is positioned precisely between Earth and the sun and casts its shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon appears the same size in the sky as the sun, or slightly larger, so fully covers the disk of the sun, giving observers a view of the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona.

The apparent size of the moon in the sky  and whether it can completely cover the sun's disk during an eclipse  depends on the moon's distance from Earth. The moon has a slightly elliptical orbit around Earth, so at two points each month, it is farthest (apogee) and closest (perigee) to Earth, making the moon appear slightly smaller and slightly larger than average in our sky.

On Apr. 8, 2024, the new moon will look relatively large and, therefore, cover 100% of the sun's disk as viewed from the narrow path of totality that stretches from Sinaloa, Mexico through the U.S. to Newfoundland, Canada. The magnitude of a solar eclipse is the fraction of the diameter of the sun covered by the moon, which on Apr. 8, 2024, will be 1.0566, according to EclipseWise.com .

Related: A total solar eclipse and a 'ring of fire' make 2023 special for eclipse-chasers

Where is the total solar eclipse?

A map of the path of totality for the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024. (Image credit: GreatAmerianEclipse.com)

On Apr. 8, 2024, all of North America and Central America will experience a solar eclipse. For most of that region, the spectacle will be solely a partial solar eclipse, though of varying obscuration. Only within the path of totality, which is 100 to 123 miles (162 to 200 kilometers) wide, will a totally eclipsed sun be visible. That path will stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. It will first make land in Mazatlan in Sinaloa, Mexico and cross Durango and Coahuila. Entering the U.S. at Texas, the path of totality then moves through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland in Canada will also experience totality.

As the path travels northeast the maximum duration of totality will lessen because the moon's distance to Earth changes. At Mexico's Pacific coast, 4 minutes 27 seconds of totality is possible. As the moon's shadow gets larger, the point of longest totality  where viewers could see an eclipsed sun for 4 minutes 28 seconds  will occur at Nazas near Durango, Mexico. After that point the moon's shadow lengthens and narrows, reducing to a maximum totality of 2 minutes 52 seconds as the path exits North America at Newfoundland.

To see the exact path of totality, check out this interactive map created by French eclipse expert Xavier Jubier.

Where and when can I see the total solar eclipse?

Although the path of totality is wide and largely on land, this is likely to be an eclipse affected by weather. April brings unpredictable weather and tornado season in the Midwest. According to Eclipsophile , destinations in Mexico (such as Mazatlan and Torreon) have the best chances of clear skies, with Texas rated as having around a 50/50 chance. The chances lessen as the path heads northeast. Average cloud cover climbs as the path heads northeast. However, that's the climate. The actual weather experienced by a particular location on the day will be impossible to predict until a few days before. Make a flexible plan and be prepared to change your location when the local short-term weather forecasts arrive. the U.S. for 21 years.

Here are some notable locations and cities that will experience a total solar eclipse, together with the local time and duration of that event, according to Jubier. Note that all of these places will also see a long partial solar eclipse before and after the brief totality; their closeness to the centerline of the path of totality determines how long totality lasts:

Swipe to scroll horizontally Location Totality (local time) Totality duration Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico 11:07 a.m. MST 4 minutes 20 seconds Durango, Durango, Mexico 12:12 p.m. CST 3 minutes 50 seconds Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico 12:16 p.m. CST 4 minutes 11 seconds Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico/Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S 1:27 p.m. CDT 4 minutes 24 seconds Kerrville, Texas, U.S 1:32 p.m. CDT 4 minutes 25 seconds Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S 1:32 p.m CDT 4 minutes 25 seconds Dallas, Texas, U.S 1:40 p.m. CDT 3 minutes 52 seconds Idabel, Oklahoma U.S: 1:45 p.m CDT 4 minutes 19 seconds Russellville, Arkansas, U.S 1:49 p.m. CDT 4 minutes 12 seconds Cape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S 1:58 p.m. CDT 4 minutes 7 seconds Carbondale, Illinois, U.S 1:59 p.m. CDT 4 minutes 10 seconds Bloomington, Indiana, U.S 3:04 p.m. EDT 4 minutes 3 seconds Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S 3:06 p.m. EDT 3 minutes 51 seconds Cleveland, Ohio, U.S 3:13 p.m. EDT 3 minutes 50 seconds Erie, Pennsylvania U.S: 3:16 p.m. EDT 3 minutes 43 seconds Rochester, New York, U.S 3:20 p.m. EDT 3 minutes 40 seconds Montpelier, Vermont, U.S 3:27 p.m. EDT 1 minutes 42 seconds Oakfield, Maine, U.S 3:31 p.m. EDT 3 minutes 23 seconds Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada 3:18 p.m. EDT 3 minutes 31 seconds Montreal, Quebec, Canada 3:26 p.m. EDT 1 minute 57 seconds Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada 4:34 p.m. ADT 3 minutes 8 seconds Tignish, Prince Edward Island, Canada 4:35 p.m. ADT 3 minutes 12 seconds Catalina, Newfoundland, Canada 5:13 p.m. NDT 2 minutes 53 seconds

Why is the 2024 total solar eclipse so special?

The 2024 total solar eclipse is set to be a major event. Totality can last twice as long as in 2017, depending on the observer's location. It's also set to be the longest totality on land for over a decade, so expect eclipse-chasers from around the world to visit the path of totality.

As a bonus, the sun's corona during totality is expected to be huge. That's because the sun is close to solar maximum  when it's most active during its 11 years (or so) solar cycle .

During totality, two planets will be visible. Venus will be very bright and shine 15 from the sun even before totality begins while dimmer Jupiter , 30 from the sun, will appear during totality.

As with all eclipses, it's important to be close to the center of the path of the moon's shadow if you want to experience as long a spectacle as possible. In practical terms that means avoiding the edges of the path of totality, where its length drastically reduces. Aiming for close to the centerline is wise, but there's no need to obsess about it. Besides, a clear sky remains the most important thing.

For those after geographic oddities, the 2017 and 2024 paths cross in southern Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky, with locations such as Makanda, Carbondale and Cape Girardeau set to experience totality for the second time in seven years. For a small area of the Texas Hill Country (Uvalde, Concan, Vanderpool, Bandera and Kerrville) it will be possible to see both a 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, and totality on Apr. 8, 2024.

Where to see the partial solar eclipse

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across North America on Apr. 8, 2024. (Image credit: Muhammad A.F/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Totality will get most of the attention and all serious eclipse-chasers will try to get to the path of totality. However, on Apr. 8, 2024, most of North and Central America will experience a big partial solar eclipse. Here is what the biggest cities in Mexico, U.S. and Canada will experience that day at the peak of the event; only Dallas and Montreal (close to St Lawrence River) will experience totality while San Antonio gets a 99.9% partial solar eclipse.

Swipe to scroll horizontally City Percentage of sun covered Time (local) Mexico City 74% 12:14 p.m. CST Tijuana 54% 11:11 a.m. PDT Puebla 70% 12:15 p.m. CST New York 90% 3:35 p.m. EDT Los Angeles 49% 11:12 a.m. PDT Chicago 94% 2:07 p.m. CDT Houston 94% 1:40 p.m. CDT Phoenix 64% 11:20 a.m. MST Philadelphia 88% 3:23 p.m. EDT San Antonio 99.9% 1:34 p.m. CDT San Diego 54% 11:11 a.m. PDT San Jose 35% 11:13: a.m. PDT Toronto 99.9% 3:19 p.m. EDT Calgary 26% 12:43 p.m. MDT

Given that huge metropolitan areas in the U.S. northeast  New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago and St. Louis  are all within a two or three-hour drive of totality, this eclipse is likely to be a huge travel event.

St Louis, Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City are also just outside the path of totality, so expect a lot of day-trippers from these cities to travel to the path of totality.

How to safely view the partial and total solar eclipse

The partial phases of a total solar eclipse must be viewed through solar eclipse glasses, but totality can be seen naked eye. (Image credit: Volkan Furuncu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

To safely view all of this event, you must use solar filters. Only those in the path of totality will briefly be able to remove them to see the sun's corona with their naked eyes. Those not in the path of totality must keep them on the entire time.

Everyone observing the partial phases of this eclipse  and for those outside the path of totality, that's the entire event  will need to wear solar eclipse glasses while cameras, telescopes and binoculars will need solar filters placed in front of their lenses.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

After April 2024, when is the next total solar eclipse?

After the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 12, 2026, when totality will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. At the point of greatest eclipse close to Iceland, totality will last 2 minutes, 18 seconds. According to Eclipsophile , there's a high chance of clouds near Greenland and Iceland, with the best chance of a clear sky in Spain, where totality will occur very low in the sky just before sunset.

For North America, the next total solar eclipses are:

Additional resources

Want to look further ahead? You can find a concise summary of solar eclipses out to 2030 on NASA's eclipse website . Read more about solar and lunar eclipses on Eclipse Wise , a website dedicated to predictions of eclipses, and find beautiful maps on eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler's GreatAmericanEclipse.com and interactive Google Maps on Xavier Jubier's eclipse website. You can find climate and weather predictions by meteorologist Jay Anderson on eclipsophile.com .

Bibliography

Anderson, J. (2022, September 1). Total Solar Eclipse

2024 Apr. 8. Retrieved July 17, 2023 from https://eclipsophile.com/2024tse/

Bakich, M. and Zeiler, M. (2022). Field Guide to the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses. https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/books/field-guide-to-the-2023-and-2024-solar-eclipses

Espenak, F. (2013, December 9). Solar eclipses: 2021-2030. NASA. Retrieved July 17, 2023 from https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEdecade/SEdecade2021.html

Jubier, X. (n.d.). Solar eclipses: Interactive Google Maps. Retrieved July 17, 2023 from http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html

NASA. (n.d.). Apr. 8, 2024, solar eclipse. Retrieved July 17, 2023 from https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/2024/apr-8-total/overview/
A former building society headquarters in Bloomsbury is to be converted into central Londons biggest office to labs dedicated life sciences hub.

Grade II listed Victoria House on Bloomsbury Square will be turned into 220,000 sq ft of wet lab enabled life science space under plans revealed today. The building will serve as the new home of the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the trade association for UK life sciences.

The 1920s buildings, which has a neo-classical facade and internal Art Deco features, served at the HQ of the Liverpool Victoria building society until 1996.

The conversion, led by investor Oxford Properties Group, and specialist developer Pioneer Group, comes at a time of chronic state of the art lab space in London

As well as the labs the building will have have 80,000 sq ft of office, amenity, meeting and retail space, an eighth floor club lounge and a roof terrace.

The location is close the Kings Cross life science hub and renowned research centres including University College London, GSK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The first phase, which includes 190,000 sq ft of lab-enabled space including a fully fitted incubator and grow-on space, is due to complete in Autumn 2024. Abigail Shapiro, head of life sciences & residential, Europe at Oxford Properties, said: The conversion of Victoria House is a unique opportunity to deliver one of the largest life sciences conversion projects in Central London to date. We will give this iconic building a new lease of life by creating state-of-the-art lab space through a highly sustainable redevelopment which avoids the environmental impact of a new-build scheme. Given Victoria Houses central location and proximity to many educational and medical establishments, as well as investment capital targeting research and development in the sector, it provides the perfect ingredients for the creation of a new life sciences hub.

Richard OBoyle, CEO of Pioneer Group, added: This announcement is an important milestone for our plans with Oxford Properties at Victoria House. London is a Steve Bates, CEO of the BioIndustry Association, said: The aims of Victoria House and for the London life sciences sector are very exciting, which is why I wanted the BIA to be based there. The space is fantastic and the advantages it offers to the UK industry is going to be incredibly attractive to start-ups and established companies alike.
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T he Bank of Englands regulatory arm has handed out the biggest fine in its history to Credit Suisse for its ties to a collapsed fund whose founder has been accused of fraud and racketeering in the US.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) said the bank would have to pay 87 million, after the first investigation to establish breaches of its fundamental rules.

The fine was reduced from 124.4 million because the firm agreed to resolve the issue rather than fight it, the PRA said.

It found that Credit Suisse International and Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) had an unsound risk culture and failed to balance the risks and rewards of its actions appropriately.

When asset manager Archegos collapsed in early 2021 the two companies had losses of around 5.1 billion (4 billion) booked to them, the PRA said.

Credit Suisses failures to manage risks effectively were extremely serious, and created a major threat to the safety and soundness of the firms, said PRA chief executive Sam Woods.

The seriousness and widespread nature of those failures has led to todays fine, which is the largest ever imposed by the PRA.

The fine is part of international action taken by regulators in the US, the UK and Switzerland which has resulted in penalties of more than 387.5 million dollars (302 million).

The companies failed to evaluate and take into account risks from their exposure to Archegos, escalate risks and put mitigations in place, the PRA said.

The Archegos case was one of several problems faced by Credit Suisse over recent years. Earlier in 2023 the business came close to failing and was taken over by Swiss rival UBS.

On Monday UBS said: The Federal Reserve and (Swiss regulator) FINMA have imposed remedial requirements relating to credit, liquidity and non-financial risk management, as well as oversight of remedial efforts.

UBS will implement its operational and risk management discipline and its culture across the combined organisation.

It has already begun implementing its risk framework, including actions addressing these regulatory findings, across Credit Suisse.

UBS intends to resolve Credit Suisses outstanding litigation and regulatory matters in the best interest of its stakeholders, including investors, clients and employees.
T rain drivers are to stage another week-long overtime ban in a long-running dispute over pay, threatening fresh disruption to services at the height of the summer holidays.

Members of Aslef at 15 train companies in England will refuse to work overtime from Monday August 7 to Saturday August 12.

The union said the ban will seriously disrupt services, claiming that none of the train companies employs enough drivers.

The move will affect Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; Cross Country; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway main line; TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains.

It will be the fifth week-long ban on working overtime since May.

The latest ban ended on Saturday, with another one due from July 31 to August 5.

Mick Whelan, Aslefs general secretary, said: We dont want to take this action  because we dont want people to be inconvenienced  but the train companies, and the government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years  since 2019  while prices have soared in that time by more than 12%.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union staged two strikes last week and will walk out again on Saturday in a bitter row over pay, jobs and conditions.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: Aslefs leadership continues to disrupt customers travel plans. They rejected a fair and affordable offer without putting it to their members, which would take average driver base salaries for a four day week without overtime from 60,000 to nearly 65,000 by the end of 2023 pay awards.

Train companies will work hard to minimise the impact of the overtime ban that will affect the level of cancellations and the punctuality of some services. Customers are advised to plan their journey in advance and check the latest travel information before they travel.

We ask Aslef to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a better, more reliable railway with a strong long-term future.
V irgin Money has revealed plans to shut 39 of its UK branches, in a move it said will put 255 workers at risk of redundancy.

It said the plan, which will take the banking firm down to 91 branches, was due to changes in customer habits, as people bank more online and less in person.

The company has said said for each store, customers will be notified and posters will be displayed at least 12 weeks before they close. Customers will also be informed of alternative ways of accessing their cash locally.

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.

Our focus is on supporting our customers and colleagues. We have considered the number of vulnerable customers using each store very carefully throughout the review process as a key factor in our decision making, and will proactively provide enhanced, bespoke care to ensure any vulnerable customers affected are supported through the changes.

She added: 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.

However, 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.

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.

Here is a full list of all the 39 closures which were announced on Thursday.

London

Enfield  November 21

Haymarket  November 29

Croydon  November 13

Golders Green  November 22

Kensington  November 27

Kingston  November 28

Harrow  November 23

Bromley  November 30

Rest of the UK
A nother day, another bid to unpick the Gordian knot that is the housing shortage in London.

Today Housing Secretary Michael Gove unveiled his own plans to unleash a housebuilding boom in the capital, a prize that has eluded three Mayors and umpteen holders of one of the least secure ministerial jobs in Whitehall.

Todays soundbites are all well and good and certainly an overhaul of the moribund planning system would be a valuable  if scarcely votegarnering  achievement.

But on the ground in London the signs are not encouraging. The latest quarterly report from analyst Molior, one of the most reliable indicators of what is really going on, reveals that a record 70 schemes in London are currently stalled. Reasons range from contractors falling into administration, to delayed signoff on fire safety compliance, to unfavourable market conditions.

Sales at major schemes with more than 12 units were just above 3000 during the three months to July, lower than even the worst quarter during the pandemic. Developers, who deliver about three-quarters of Londons new housing, are in gloomy mood.

Registrations of new buyers are down by about a third this year as caution becomes the dominant driver of behaviour in the market.

With housing it is right ministers are focusing on London  but they need a thriving private sector to deliver the boom they promise the electorate, as well as genuine co-operation between City Hall and Whitehall.

For now at least the outlook for solving this most complex and vital of challenges does not look good, whatever Goves warm words.
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Flames and smoke from wildfires in Rhodes have forced thousands of locals and holidaymakers to flee their homes and accommodation, as the intense European heatwave continues.

Its been described as the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the countrys history by the Greek Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection.

Airlines are now evacuating Brits from the Greek island - EasyJet and Jet2 are operating rescue flights, while Tui says its passengers in Rhodes are due to return on their scheduled flights home.

Tui and Jet 2 have cancelled imminent planned holiday flights to the island from the UK, while Easyjet and Ryanair are continuing trips there.

The Evening Standard's senior news correspondent Anthony France joins The Leader podcast to describe events unfolding over the weekend, and the family he spoke to who have been left stranded on the island.

In part two Rachael Burford, the Standard's political correspondent, explains everything holidaymakers need to know about their rights and the government's official advice.

Listen above, and find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.
I t is a simple political principle that good policy makes for good politics  the thinking being that voters reward leaders who improve their lives. But the connection, insofar as it exists, is not absolute. Something Labour learned the hard way in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

The extension to the ultra low emission zone is vital to rid the capital of its toxic air and save lives. It is not just the tragic case of nine-year-old south Londoner Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who became the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. Research from Imperial College London found that in 2019, toxic air contributed to the premature deaths of around 4,000 Londoners.

Clearly, the imposition of what is effectively a new tax  even on a small minority of non-compliant car owners  would represent a presentational challenge at the best of times, let alone amid a cost-of-living crisis. The close result in one by-election is reason to double down on inducements, not least the more generous car scrappage scheme this newspaper has consistently called for. What it does not justify is a delay to or a dilution of the Ulez extension itself.

The Mayor should ignore pressure from his party leader and hold his nerve.

Questions for Coutts

The loss of a bank account is a major inconvenience. The idea that this could occur for political purposes is a chilling one. Yet it has become apparent that the closure of Nigel Farages account was a result not only of a commercial decision, but also linked to political considerations.

Indeed, a report from Couttss reputational risk committee states that the bank did not believe Mr Farage was compatible with Coutts given his publicly-stated views that were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation.

The reporting of this story, including by the BBC, has sowed further confusion  with incomplete details and corrections. Questions remain, both for the bank and the way in which the matter has been handled by the media.

Twitter in a flap?

Would you pay for services through Twitter, or should we say X? Thats the hope of Elon Musk, who has changed the name of the business to X Corp and unveiled a new logo, set to replace the famous blue bird.

There have been many sudden changes to the social media platform since Musks takeover last October. It remains to be seen whether yet more upheaval will improve the user experience or merely exacerbate its present difficulties.
Review at a glance









T he back of his trademark denim jacket read Gold Rush Kid, but George Ezra ended his 18-month tour on the final night of Latitude as more of a Good Time Bloke returning to his spiritual home, four years after he last headlined Suffolks cultivated weekend of music, comedy, debate and psychedelic sheep. If Latitude had a face, it would be British comedian Marcus Brigstocke. A personality: fellow comedian (and Brigstockes partner) Rachel Parris. A sound? Ezras tropical soul pop.

Yet as Latitude has gently evolved  the literary panels of old giving way to a podcastocalypse of Taskmaster alumni, and the David Cameron set now wooed with a banquet tent (guest speakers: Brigstocke and Parris)  musically it has mastered blending the safe with the seditious. Headlining Friday over the synthetic alt-pop of Metronomy and Confidence Man, for instance, Pulp were a lesson in nefarious nostalgia, oozing from the melodically sublime (Disco 2000, Common People) to the seedily salacious (Pink Glove, This is Hardcore) while Jarvis Cocker once more proved himself angle-poised of disco shape, dry of wit and a reliable supplier of free grapes.

Likewise, Saturdays headliner Paolo Nutini set out to destroy his bland, blue-eyed reputation with a set heavy on the Doors-meets-AC/DC acid rock bits of recent album Last Night in the Bittersweet. A fine attempt was unfortunately upstaged by the phenomenal Young Fathers, and their ferocious, howling and somewhat terrifying gospel punk assault on the BBC Sounds tent. Even their cries of Get up and party! sounded like the demands of a rebel death squad.

Manchester indie legends James opened Sunday with a magnificent hour of orchestral arrangements: Tomorrow was a rising tempest of strings, Say Something a choral wonder, and Laid an ecstatically horny prom. From there, the festivals dichotomy fled to its camps. The seditious wing occupied the BBC tent, where Gwenno unravelled her druidic Cornish protest songs, and post-everything experimentalists Black Midi basically did squealing donuts on musics face for an hour.

Meanwhile, the main Obelisk stage was left in the safest of hands. Squinting from a distance, The Bootleg Beatles were heart-warmingly convincing. Sophie Ellis-Bextor delivered a masterclass disco inferno dressed as Glastonburys rainbow ribbon tower. And, closing the weekend, Ezra proved an expert lifter of communal spirits. With a voice as cosy as a 15-tog twinsie, he was feel-good personified as he led the crowd in singalongs to glossy hoedown Cassy O or the poolside party soul of Gold Rush Kid. Theres an escapism to Ezras songs, too, that fellow soul revivers often lack: Saviour evoked dark southern borderlands while lovelorn travelogue Barcelona was a fading holiday snapshot of a song.

So concerned was Ezra that we had the best weekend that he even timed Manilas brief foray into insipid soul pop to coincide with Siouxsie Sioux playing Kiss Them for Me in the BBC tent. On our return a steel-drum carnival broke out during Blame It on Me, Paradise came on like The Proclaimers 500 Miles sprinting all the way back again, and a final Shotgun went off with a celebratory kick. Good times, kid.
Review at a glance









I n Handels Semele the eponymous princess is a flighty, narcissistic young woman whose demand to see her lover Jove in all his divine glory and to join the immortals proves her downfall.

That at least is how the story is usually presented. But director Adele Thomas, in her new production at Glyndebourne  imaginatively designed by Annemarie Woods, who did the sets, and Hannah Clark on costumes, lit by Peter Mumford with Rick Fisher  invites us to look at the myth a different way.

Semeles father and their small-minded community are pushing her into a marriage with the prince Athamas, for which she has little appetite, rather enjoying instead her little fling with the king of the gods (in this production shes clearly pregnant by him).

Duped by Joves wife, Juno, she presses him to swear he will grant any request. Seen from the point of view of a bored, unfulfilled housewife, her demand seems perfectly reasonable. Wonderfully expressive and technically secure in the title role, Joelle Harvey evinces aggrieved marital anger in I ever am granting yet never obtain and casts completely new light on the text of Semeles self-admiring aria, Myself I shall adore, if I persist in gazing. Initially spurning the mirror provided by Juno, she shows an awareness that shes being manipulated.

 Glyndebourne Productions Ltd.

Jove, meanwhile, is presented by Stuart Jackson, in a bilious yellow, double-breasted suit, as a lecherous goat, his irredeemable lasciviousness evident in his querulous, edgy tone. Yet his celebrated aria Whereer you walk, taken though it was at an egregiously slow tempo, with unstylish ornamentation, produced from him a far more ingratiating tone.

It was a heart-stopping few minutes. Might even an inveterate lecher be capable of true affection? Its a question worth asking. He seemed genuinely distraught at having to strike Semele with a lightning bolt too  for which she was placed in an incinerator which was engulfed in flames.

There are many inspired moments in the production, though places where it needs more work: the unduly static stage business given to Juno, for example, though Jennifer Johnston sang the part robustly. Stephanie Wake-Edwards exploited her commanding contralto chest register in the role of Ino, but the male soprano Samuel Marino, despite his engaging gymnastic antics, seemed undernourished in tone as Junos messenger Iris.

Vaclav Luks demonstrated genuine feeling for the score with his flexible, sentient conducting. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment played beautifully for him, while the Glyndebourne Chorus was as impressive as ever. Clive Bayley was a curmudgeonly Cadmus and Somnus. Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen completed the cast as an admirable Athamas, presenting him in the final scene as a psychotic loser of whom Semele was right to be wary.

Now the dark side of the conformist community is manifested. Semeles son, Bacchus, is supposed to bring happiness to the world, but the orgiastic, flailing-limb pleasures indulged in here herald a more troubling new age.

Glyndebourne, on selected dates until August 26; glyndebourne.com
A strange feeling came over me the other day. There I was, on Instagram, touching up my social life for the benefit of the algorithm. Like every 42-year-old, middle-class white person in London, I had been to Wembley to watch Blurs reunion shows. Like every person in that stadium, I had held up my phone camera for the meaningful refrains, mindful with the passage of time that such moments are rare.

But as I paused between filters (Clarendon or Ludwig?), and hesitated over which song would best advertise my superior taste (This is a Low or Under the Westway?), a feeling of overwhelming futility came over me. Why am I doing this? Who am I impressing? And also: who am I upsetting and who am I irritating? What, in short, do I hope to achieve by flinging my little bit of content into the void?

Not so long ago, I would have taken these queries to Twitter. But Twitter is basically misogynists, self-promoters and people libelling BBC presenters these days. I havent really bothered with it since Elon Musk took over and amped up everything that was obnoxious about it. Do I join TikTok? At my age, that would feel vaguely paedophilic. Linkedin? Only psychopaths use Linkedin. And so I realised that the last bits of mental circuitry linking my thoughts to these buttons had corroded. RIP my social media addiction, c.2006-2023. I phoned my friend Layla who had also been at the Blur gig and we had a nice chat about it instead.

Is social media... over? Im aware that Im a sample of one and a not-very-representative one at that. And, admittedly, the numbers are against me: an area the size of Belgium is still retweeted every day; 1.7 aeons of human consciousness were lost to TikTok in the time it took you to read this sentence; and thanks to Instagram, the species is becoming 1.3 per cent more trivial each month. Or to use some actual numbers from Ofcom, 88 per cent of British internet users are on social media in some form and among 16-24-year-olds, 90 per cent use Instagram, 83 per cent use Snapchat and 74 per cent use TikTok. So, no, were not going to go back to print and landlines any time soon.

An area the size of Belgium is still retweeted every day

However, social media as we have known it over the past, what, 15 years  I mean as the internet common room, the mass addiction event, the place the brain goes first  well, theres no reason to think that it will go on as it has. Literally everyone I have spoken to says theyre using it less or actively trying to use it less.

The post-Musk hellscape of Twitter is the most obvious casualty. The list of celebrities who are absenting themselves from the platform grows: Elton John, Gigi Hadid and Jameela Jamil are among the 32 million users who will have left by the end of the year  One good thing about Elon buying Twitter is that I will FINALLY leave and stop being a complete menace to society on here. So its win-win for you all really, wrote Jamil back in April before deleting her account. Advertisers are fleeing, too  the CEO of Bottega Veneta cited the playground bullying atmosphere on social media. If youre selling luxury hand-bags, you dont really want to do so on a site with a CEO who amplifies Russian propagandists and suspected rapists. Bottega, by the way, deleted both its Instagram and Twitter accounts in 2021.

But Twitter is not the only platform with problems. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has the fastest-growing user base among under-30s  and yet its triumph is far from inevitable. Its already banned on British government devices and the Joe Biden administration is talking about banning it outright in the US. And Snapchat lost $80 billion from its valuation last year.

And theres Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and now Threads), no longer the implacable behemoth it once was. Apples new privacy settings have eaten into its advertising revenues. Anti-trust regulators in the EU may yet force the business to sell its key assets. Mark Zuckerbergs move into virtual reality looks disastrous. Facebook itself resembles a shopping mall following a particularly nasty zombie apocalypse.

And there is an ever-wider appreciation of the social harms these apps cause. Facebook has been accused of inflaming ethnic violence in Ethiopia and helping facilitate genocide in Myanmar. Instagram was judged to have likely contributed in a more than minimal way to the suicide of British teenager, Molly Russell, who was continually fed images of self-harm on the site. And the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found that 57 per cent of American teenage girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, compared with 36 per cent in 2011. What accounts for that change? Theres significant evidence pointing to the wide adoption of smartphones with internet capability and front-facing cameras. These stories may not change behaviour in themselves. But cumulatively, they have an effect. The secondary schools in my area are one-by-one enforcing phone bans in school, which generally seem to come as a great relief to parents who desperately want their children off social media.

Which brings me to Threads, launched by Meta earlier this month as a nice alternative to Twitter. The place has a vague first-day-at-uni vibe. Where are you from? What A-levels did you do? But come on. This is Mark Zuckerberg. There comes a time in an abusive relationship when you no longer believe the partner is capable of change. Threads will inevitably descend and if you dont believe me, I would urge you to look up the essay on enshittification by long- standing web commentator Cory Doctorow. It precisely describes the process by which all successful web platforms  including Google and Amazon, by the way  gradually devolve into toxic uselessness. Have you noticed that Google results are way less good than they used to be? Or how TikTok no longer shows you the videos you want to see? Thats enshittification.

I dont expect mass deletions any time soon. We are addicted to this stuff  its designed to be addictive. Im sure many people will announce they are leaving, then return to speculate about Huw Edwards or post their lunch. But the thing about giving things up is that it takes practice. It took me about five years to give up smoking, for example. I would announce that I was giving up only to find myself outside the newsagent 37 minutes later sparking up a Lucky Strike. But over those five years of giving up, I smoked less and less and my brain gradually rewired itself. Soon, not smoking was no effort at all.

I can feel something like that happening with social media. Im not saying you wont find me on there ever. It really gets me when I am ill or depressed or tired or bored, I find. And there are, sporadically, beautiful and funny things that happen when millions of strangers share the same space. If it wasnt intermittently rewarding, we wouldnt go there. But with each underwhelming tweet, with each over-composed picture, I can feel it loosening its grip. And when you go without this stuff for a few days, and then return to it? It simply looks insane. Everyone formatted into the same angry, lonely shapes. Everyone butting into each others conversations. Millions of people going, Im alive! Me too! Dont forget me!

And in the grand span of geological time, theres no reason to think it will endure. According to the Copernican Principle, a theory first expounded by astrophysicist J Richard Gott III that has since been shown to be remarkably accurate, the best predictor of how long any given phenomenon will endure in the future is how long it has already been around. So, St Pauls Cathedral is likely to stand longer than the O2 Arena. Les Miserables will probably stay open longer than Back to the Future: The Musical. Worms are likely to stick around longer than humans. This too shall pass.
There are insulated pockets of London where Longchamps Le Pliage bag never went out of style.

Scuttle out of South Ken or Sloane Square and the Le Pliage all rounded leather straps and nylon body  has long been anappropriate carry-all for sophisticated mothers and daughters alike.

You could not, however, say that the Le Pliage was cool.

Since the late Philippe Cassegrain designed the origami-inspired bag in 1993, it has experienced ebbs and flows of popularity. It would be fair to say, outside the aforementioned, well-off bubbles, recent years have seen a prolonged ebb. Now, though, the tide appears to have turned.

Alexa Chung with her Longchamp Le Pliage bag on February 19, 2011 / Getty Images

The Lyst Index, which charts fashions hottest products each quarter  often the snug home of all things viral Miu Miu, Prada and Bottega Veneta  have published their Q2 report. A twist: the humble Longchamp staple has climbed up to be the ninth most popular product right now. This is a feat for an item which Catherine, Princess of Wales boasts a collection of, and the likes of Alexa Chung and Kate Moss thought was fashionable in 2011.

But as per Lysts report, searches for the style are up 56 per cent, while Longchamp Le Pliage has over 105 million TikTok views. The bag has found a fresh audience on Tiktok, says Katy Lubin, Lysts Head of Brand and Communications. For this new generation of Longchamp lovers, its giving French Girl Style, quiet luxury and old money aesthetic. Some see it as the perfect school bag, while older Millennials feel nostalgic to see it come around again. It has also been helped by inhabiting a regular spot on Kendall Jenners arm; a frequent face for the brand in recent years.

@inspiredbyashas TikTok video on the Le Pliage has racked up 282K views / @inspiredbyasha

Le Pliages appeal in 2023 apperas to be the breath of its appeal. It is at once a nineties / noughties throwback for Gen-Z, and a classic, relatively affordable investment for more mature buyers. Its powerful, and quite rare, to see a hero product that appeals to multiple audiences at once. Theres a shopper that wants it because theyve seen a creator showing whats in her bag on TikTok. Theres another customer looking for it because she knows its worn by Kate Middleton, Lubin continues.

Immy and Suki Waterhouse attend the Longchamp x Toiletpaper launch party on July 12, 2023 / Dave Benett/Getty Images for Lon

Anyone who found themselves on Regent Street on the evening of July 12 will have borne witness the revamp: the three story, flagship Longchamp shop was overhauled by a veritable celeb-fest toasting its new quirky collaboration with Toiletpaper  the picture-based magazine founded in 2010 by Italian photographer, Pierpaolo Ferrari and artist Maurizio Cattelan (the latter of 2019 Art Basel, banana-sellotaped-to-wall-notoriety).

The It-girls arrived in their droves: Suki Waterhouse, girlfriend of Robert Pattinson posed with semi-naked boxers alongside her sister, Immy. They were followed by Elle Fanning, Lady Amelia Windsor and Mia Regan, as Bob Geldofs daughter Pixie took to the decks. All around, the new pop-art Le Pliage bags flooded shelves, splashed with bulldogs smoking cigars, skulls and baguette crosses, and a big fist wearing a knuckle ring spelling out love. We try to invent, to make life not boring, says Cattelan.

JJeremy Scott poses with Kirsten Dunst in front of his Le Pliage designs in 2015 / Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Longchamp

It is the latest installment of Longchamps regular collaborations that offer up the Le Pliage as a canvas, with the intention of reaching new customers; previous years have seen help enlisted from French artist Andre Saraiva (2022), Chinese food influencer Mr. Bags (2019), and fashion designer Jeremy Scott, who worked with the brand for over a decade, beginning in 2006.

It feels good to create something unique, like Tolietpaper, and to have a vision that sits apart from both of our careers  me as a photographer, Maurizio as an artist, Ferrari says. We try to use the codes of the contemporary moment, which helps us to surprise people.

But the biggest shock? That you could find the most popular bag this summer stuffed down the back of your closet.

The best Longchamp Le Pilages to buy now:

The classic:

Farfetch

Le Pliage, medium tote bag, 100, farfetch.com

The traveller:

Longchamp

Le Pliage, medium travel bag, 140, longchamp.com

The quirky:

Longchamp X Toiletpaper

Longchamp X Toiletpaper, Le Pliage small travel bag, 325, longchamp.com
H ate preacher Anjem Choudary has been remanded in custody after being charged with a series of terrorism offences.

The 56-year-old from east London was arrested a week ago in a dawn raid by Metropolitan Police officers on his Ilford home.

Scotland Yard announced on Monday morning that Choudary has now been charged with three alleged offences under the Terrorism Act 2000.

He is charged with membership of a banned organisation, addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, and directing a terrorist organisation.

The father-of-five was flanked by two officers in suits as he appeared in the dock at Westminster magistrates court on Monday.

Prosecutor Warren Stanier said Choudary and a second defendant, Canadian resident Khaled Hussein, are both accused of being members of the banned organisation Al-Muhajiroun.

It involves an extreme form of Islam, he said. That is reflected in the ideology of Al-Muhajiroun, a proscribed organisation in this country in Janaury 2010.

It is said Al-Muhajiroun has been reborn under a different name, the Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), and Choudary is accused of giving a series of lectures to ITS.

Mr Stanier said Hussein is accused of being a member of the banned group for around two years, and has been working for (Choudary) in the online space to provide a platform for the words and messages of the organisation.

Nick Price, from the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said in a statement before the court hearing: The CPS has authorised charges in relation to Anjem Choudary and Khaled Hussein under the Terrorism Act.

The charges relate to the proscribed organisation Al-Muhajiroun, also known as the Islamic Thinkers Society.

Criminal proceedings against Mr Choudary and Mr Hussein are now active and they each have the right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.

Hussein, 28, from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, was arrested at Heathrow airport last Monday, and has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

Both men have spent the last week in custody as the investigation, by counter-terrorism detectives, continued.

Choudary, wearing spectacles and with a long greying beard, wore a white robe and a black jacket for the court hearing.

Hussein gave no indication of plea to the charge he faces, while Choudary was not asked to enter any pleas.

Both men were remanded in custody by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring until hearings at the Central Criminal Court on August 4.
I slamist preacher Anjem Choudary has appeared in court charged with three terror offences relating to banned organisation Al-Muhajiroun.

The 56-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday along with 28-year-old Khaled Hussein, who lives in Canada.

Choudary, from east London, was charged on Sunday with directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

Hussein is charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17, while Hussein was detained at Heathrow after arriving on a flight the same day.

The court remanded them in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on August 4.
A man in his 70s and a teenage boy were injured and arrested after a double stabbing in a south London street.

A 17-year-old boy was found with a single stab injury in Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath on Monday morning.

Another man, aged in his mid-70s, also suffered a slash injury in the street fight.

Both were taken to hospital before being arrested on suspicion of GBH, affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

A Met Police spokesperson said: Police were called at 08:45hrs on Monday, 24 July to reports of two males in possession of a knife on Brigstock Road in Thornton Heath.

Officers attended and found a 17-year-old male with a stab injury. He was taken to a South London hospital by the London Ambulance Service; his condition is not life-threatening.

A man, aged in his mid-70s, was also taken to hospital with slash injuries that are not life-threatening.

Enquiries continue.
A uthor Frederick Forsyth has compared the Metropolitan Police to the Stasi and accused the force of hounding an old codger over a speeding ticket rather than solving burglaries.

The Day of the Jackal writer, 84, was caught by a speed camera in October and says he paid a fine for driving 7mph over the 30mph limit.

However the best-selling writer and journalist has been hauled before a court after an administrative error  which he insists the Met is to blame for. Forsyth took to his typewriter to bash out an indignant letter to the magistrate, including the suggestion that the police force has not got its priorities in order.

Fifty years ago, being bilingual in German, I used to slip through the Berlin Wall on errands for the Firm, wrote Forsyth, in a reference to his work for MI6. The East German Stasis would salivate with envy if they had had the surveillance powers of the Met today.

So in a capital with 500 unsolved burglaries, there are ample time wherewithal and staff to hound an old codger driving at seven mph over the limit. As Huxley remarked; Ah, brave new world!!

Forsyth revealed in his 2015 autobiography that he operated as an agent for MI6 in East Germany, as well as the Nigerian region of Biafra, and South Africa while working as a journalist. He said in 1973 he was called on to collect a package from a Russian colonel working for us deep inside East Germany.

Forsyth was behind the wheel of his black Suzuki when he was caught out on the A40 near Paddington Green on October 31 last year. The speed limit on that stretch of road has been recently cut from 40mph to 30mph, with scores of drivers each week being fined for driving too fast.

Forsyth had a solitary reader in mind when he wrote to the court, addressing his note: Dear Mr Stipendiary  a historic term for a paid magistrate.

ES Picture Desk

I regret having to take up your valuable time but have no choice, he wrote.

Overhead gantry cameras spotted my little runabout pootling along an urban motorway at 37mph unaware speed reduction cameras had changed the rating from 40mph to 30mph. I had simply missed the sign. Forsyth said he admitted the offence and paid a fine  end of story  I thought, but was then alerted to an error which the Met blamed on him.

They claim my driving licence number was not on one of the forms. Not true, he wrote. I enclose a photocopy of the form, submitted well in time, with driving licence number identified with an asterisk.

Now the claim is that without this number the settlement was invalid and I am therefore over-time-limit. The fine is cancelled and being returned to me and my case referred to your court.

Forsyth added in a plea to the court: I must ask you to reimpose the fine, which I will pay immmediately  but please with no court costs because I have not imposed any; the error was the Mets, not mine.

Forsyth was prosecuted behind closed doors through the single justice procedure and sentenced without a court hearing last month. Magistrate Robin Fawcett imposed a 60 fine, a 24 victim surcharge, and just 16 in costs  bringing the total to 100. Forsyth will also have three penalty points on his licence.
F ormer cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson has made a failed bid to avoid an appearance in a criminal trial, after telling a judge he is too busy to attend court.

The Conservative politician says he was stalked by 44-year-old Simon Parry, culminating in an incident in June when the defendant allegedly impersonated a police officer in a bid to arrest him.

At Westminster magistrates court on Monday, an application was made for Williamson to give his evidence at the trial in October via videolink, instead of the MP entering the witness box in person.

In a Crown Prosecution Service application, it was said Williamson is a high-profile MP who needs to attend the Houses of Parliament urgently, for instance for debates or if he is required to participate in a vote.

But Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring refused the application, saying he would not excuse a witness from attending court simply because it was an inconvenience.

There needs to be something specific, rather than saying Im very busy, please give me special treatment, said the judge.

Pointing out the application was made three months before the trial, when Parliamentary schedules have not been set, the judge added: It rather suggests its about his convenience.

Williamson will be the star witness in the trial, which has been set for October 18 at City of London magistrates court  a venue which is two miles from Parliament.

Parry, of no fixed address, is accused of persistently following the former education secretary on two occasions between May 24 and June 14 of this year.

Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo told an earlier hearing Parry allegedly produced a warrant card and told Williamson he would arrest him. The MP had walked away from the House of Commons, she said.

He went down a number of roads. He noticed that the defendant was following him. He was trying to speak to him.

(Williamson) was on the phone, he kept saying he was on the phone.

The defendant told him he would arrest him and brought out a warrant card.

The MP said you are not a police officer. This is when the defendant left.

Parry, who was living in a protest encampment in Westminster, denies one count of stalking and one count of impersonating a law enforcement officer.

He is on bail until the trial.

Judge Goldspring said he would consider a renewed application for special measures for Williamson if it is made closer to the start of the trial, with evidence of the scheduling clashes he may face.
F ive men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a man who was fatally stabbed in the arm in a north west London park.

Milton Hurlington was attacked in King Edward VII Park, Wembley, at roughly 9.50pm last Monday.

He staggered to the Dene where paramedics battled to save his life but he died at the scene.

Five people, all men and aged in their late teens to early twenties, were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of murder. Scotland Yard says they all remain in custody.

A post-mortem examination has established cause of death as blood loss following a stab wound to the arm.

DCI Linda Bradley is continuing a public appeal for information as her team carry out the investigation.

She said: First and foremost, my thoughts continue to be with Miltons family and friends at what is an incredibly difficult time. Specialist support is being given by my team.

We believe Milton was attacked in King Edward VII Park and then made his way to The Dene, where residents discovered him and called the emergency services.

These recent arrests are an important development but I remain keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary in the park and surrounding areas on Monday 17 July between 6pm and 10:45pm to come forward.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch, no matter how insignificant you may think your information to be- it could be the key to our investigation.

A 20,000 reward is being offered by the independent charity Crimestoppers as detectives return to the scene to appeal for information.

DCI Bradley, added: We continue to appeal to anyone who was in the park between 6pm and 10.45pm on Monday, 17 July and may have seen events which culminated in Miltons murder to come forward and speak to us. The charity Crimestoppers, is offering a significant reward of up to 20,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Miltons murder  to be eligible for that reward you need to contact them. Crimestoppers is independent from the police; you can provide information anonymously via 0800 555 111 or through their website.

The Mets Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed of the death as officers had been in contact earlier in the day with Mr Hurlington.

Two men and a woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and later released on bail to return at a future date.

Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should call police on 101 and give reference 8258/17JUL23.
A man is fighting for his life after a collision involving a car and e-scooter in north London.

Emergency services rushed to the junction of Parsonage Lane and Baker Street in Enfield just before 4pm on Sunday.

The e-scooter rider, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital in a critical condition, the Metropolitan Police said.

One witness who drove past the scene told the Standard the man was in a bad way and it was obvious that the crews were very concerned.

The Met said the driver stopped at the scene. No arrests have been made.

A London Ambulance Service spokeperson said: We treated a man at the scene for a head injury before taking him to a major trauma centre as a priority.

They added: We were called at 3.58pm yesterday to reports of a road traffic collision at the junction between Parsonage Lane and Baker Street, Enfield.

We sent numerous resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, a medic in a fast response car and an advanced paramedic. We also dispatched Londons Air Ambulance.

Our first medics arrived in less than three minutes.

There have been six deaths in the capital linked to e-scooters since 2021, including a 14-year-old girl, the Standard reported earlier this year.

The Met police said it had not seen any significant challenges with e-scooters in an official trial scheme in 10 London boroughs.

But it highlighted fatalities linked with the illegal use of e-scooters and concerns over wider use of private e-scooters should a new class of low-speed zero-emission vehicle become law.

Transport for London (TfL), which oversees the rental trial scheme in the city, stressed e-scooters offer a fresh potential alternative to car reliance as a genuinely new mode of transport.

Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on public roads but are widely available, and there are no standards for vehicle construction or rider requirements.

TfL said that this is to the clear detriment of safety.

More than 100 people were seriously injured riding e-scooters in London in 2021.

The first medical study into the injuries suffered by riders - and pedestrians they crash into  found that many suffered life-changing wounds, with almost a third requiring surgery.

Detectives from the Mets Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses to the Enfield crash to come forward. Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting cad 4360/23JUL2023.
T he police watchdog has launched an investigation into the death of a 30-year-old man after his arrest by the Met Police in Croydon.

The 30-year-old died in hospital shortly after 11pm on July 15, after being arrested in Croydon town centre at 2.15pm.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said that while in custody at Croydon Custody Centre, the man became unwell.

He was given first aid and an ambulance was requested, the IOPC said. CPR was provided and he was taken to a south London hospital where was later pronounced dead.

A post-mortem was completed on Wednesday, with the IOPC saying it was awaiting further results. The mans identity has not been released.

The watchdog is reviewing CCTV from the custody centre and obtaining accounts from the custody staff involved as part of its probe.

IOPC director Steve Noonan said: Our thoughts are with the mans family and friends. We have been in contact with family members and close friends in the UK and we understand the man has immediate family overseas.

We will also be contacting them to explain our role and will keep them updated throughout the investigation.

Given the man has fallen unwell while in police custody and died, its important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions and decision-making of the MPS custody staff present.

A Met Police spokesperson said the man was arrested on recall to prison and suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Scotland Yard said the man was seen by a health care practitioner while in custody, and was taken to hospital by paramedics when he became unwell.

The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, who are independently investigating, said the spokesman.
W andsworth Bridge has closed to vehicle traffic for ten weeks from Monday to carry out vital repair works.

Wandsworth Council said the closure of the river crossing, which links Wandsworth town to Putney, was needed to safeguard the long-term future of this key river crossing.

Pedestrians are still able to cross, as are cyclists, though they will have to dismount and push their bikes.

Several bus routes, including the 28, 295 and C3, will not cross the river.

Others, such as route N28 will be diverted and cross on Battersea Bridge to the east.

Drivers needing to cross the Thames can also use nearby Chiswick and Kew Bridges.

Wandsworth Bridge closed for refurbishment, expected to take 10 weeks / Ross Lydall/Evening Standard

The closure is likely to add further congestion to west London since Hammersmith Bridge was closed to vehicles on safety grounds in 2019, with no date set for its full reopening.

The contractor leading the works on the 83-year-old Wandsworth Bridge last week vowed it was not at risk of becoming another Hammersmith Bridge fiasco.

Sam Emmett told the Standard: We can never give a 100 per cent guarantee but we are as confident as we can be that we will complete within the 10 weeks.

The work involves removing the road surface and lifting Wandsworth Bridge, one end at a time, by a few millimetres so that corroded weight-bearing parts can be replaced.

The work was initially meant to have been carried out last summer but preparatory work overran.

Jenny Yates, Wandsworths cabinet member for transport said: Our primary objective is to complete this vital job as efficiently and as quickly as possible so there is the least amount of disruption possible to residents.
P lacing a statue of wartime codebreaker Alan Turing on Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth has been backed by an LGBT+ armed forces charity.

Outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the suggestion in the House of Commons last week as he addressed a review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.

The plinth currently has no permanent display, and the London mayors Fourth Plinth Commission uses it to showcase temporary artistic installations.

LGBT+ armed forces charity Fighting With Prides executive chairman, Craig Jones, told the PA news agency that the organisation is supportive of placing a statue of Mr Turing on the plinth.

His achievements changed the world, and therefore it would be incredible to see him recognised in this way

He said: Alan Turing is a man who today the United Kingdom is immensely proud of, but in his life he suffered greatly because of his sexual orientation.

His achievements changed the world, and therefore it would be incredible to see him recognised in this way in a position just yards away from Admiral Lord Nelson whose immortal memory we celebrate.

I think (Mr Turings) treatment in his time is a stark contrast to the debt we recognise we owe him today.

It would recognise that LGBT+ people have, like all others, met the nations call during our most difficult times, he said, adding that Mr Turing was right up there with the top five people who helped win the Second World War, so I think that makes him worthy.

The Defence Secretarys backing followed an apology to LGBT service veterans for historical mistreatment.

Mr Wallace described Mr Turing as probably the greatest war hero of the Second World War.

Although the Defence Secretary did not name Trafalgar Square, he said it would be the greatest tribute to the success of someone from the LGBT community for a statue of Mr Turing to be placed on the blank plinth, (with) the mayors gimmicks or whatever it is every other five minutes.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) said he would absolutely support the Defence Secretarys campaign to put up a statue of (Mr) Turing in Trafalgar Square, if thats what hes launching.

Often considered to be the father of computer science, Mr Turing played a key role in deciphering coded messages used by Nazi Germany.

Just seven years after the war ended, he was convicted of gross indecency for his relationship with a man, which led to the removal of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

He was chemically castrated following his conviction in 1952 and died in 1954 at the age of 41.

Mr Turing was later given a posthumous royal pardon, and a tribute to him now features on the 50 note.

Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth currently features a sculpture by Malawi-born artist Samson Kambalu.

Installed in September last year, the piece, titled Antelope, depicts a 1914 photograph of European missionary John Chorley and Malawian Baptist preacher John Chilembwe, who fought against colonial rule.

Previous Fourth Plinth commissions including Marc Quinns sculpture of pregnant Alison Lapper, Yinka Shonibares scaled-down replica of HMS Victory contained in a glass bottle, and Heather Phillipsons sculpture The End, which depicted a whirl of cream topped with a drone and a fly.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: The Fourth Plinth is one of the worlds most renowned sculpture prizes and continues to provide an important platform for artists, transforming careers and supporting a diverse range of voices that are often underrepresented in the art world. The programme was started in 1998 and there are no plans for it to change.
Press Release

July 24, 2023 Opening Address for the Second Regular Session

24 July 2023 To our guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Senate. To my colleagues, I share your enthusiasm as we assemble again in this great arena of democracy where ideas that propel the nation forward are made. To all of us here, let me make this clear: We are not resuming work because, in the first place, we never took a break from it. Rather we are revving up work because much remains to be done. Hindi po ito ang muling pagbubukas ng Senado, dahil hindi naman po tayo tumigil sa ating trabaho. Ang huminto lang ay ang aksyon sa plenaryo, pero tuloy tuloy ang serbisyo. Nagdinig tayo ng magagandang bills. Nag-imbestiga ng mga masasamang gawain. Nagbigay tulong sa mga may pangangailangan. To cite a few: Senator Bato dela Rosa has clinically exposed the lies of police officers involved in the P6.7 billion drug bust, their tales so unbelievable that one gets the impression that they've probably gotten high on their own supply. Senator Grace Poe's harping on the endless woes of the NAIA--the Ninoy Aquino "Inconvenience" Airport--and the Metropolitan "Waterless" Service System is oversight vigilance at its sharpest. ?Senator Francis Tolentino has looked under the hood of the LTO to untangle its manifold problems. On this, let me echo our people's frustration: at a time when the world is rolling out driverless cars, we are stuck in a state of licenseless drivers. Senator Nancy Binay has picked up the cudgels for air travellers waiting in airports for days, for flights that will just take an hour. Smugglers may run rings around Customs people, but they cannot run past the solid wall of research and tough questioning of Senators Cynthia Villar and Imee Marcos. Senator Raffy Tulfo has probed deep into the cause of the power outages in many places, and the mental blackouts of those who caused them, as well as protecting the rights of our overseas and migrant workers. Senator Alan Cayetano also called hearings on e-governance and why our internet remains slow and spotty. While our investigations make for great TV, we launch them not for show, but for solutions. When we exercise our oversight powers, we do so to primarily correct laws. If, however, in the process it sends culprits to the correctional, then it is a welcome bonus. The bulk of committee work done here, however, may not be sensational, but nonetheless substantive. The fact is, most important pieces of legislation do not trend, nor scream headlines, but at the end of the day these proposals are what the country needs. Like what the EDCOM 2 of Senator Win Gatchalian is doing, which is diagnosing what ails our schools, so that when it comes to teaching our young, they will not be the last, the least, and the lost. His counterpart for higher education, Senator Chiz Escudero, has also brought to plenary a raft of bills that will raise the competency of our graduates in a highly competitive world. Senator Bong Revilla has been championing teachers' causes. The House should act on his Teaching Supplies Allowance bill. Senator Sonny Angara has the energy of a startup tech in finding ways to ignite the full potential of our nation's creative industries. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda's tapestry of art and cultural initiatives which, together with her quilt of environmental initiatives, should comfort us in this climate of constant change. ?Oo nga't tapos na ang COVID public health emergency. Pero patuloy ang trabaho nila Senator Bong Go at Senator Pia Cayetano na pagandahin ang public health system. And Senator Pia, in her work as chair of Sustainable Development and Futures Thinking, fits the description of a statesperson, of one who thinks of the next generation, and not of the next election. Senator Jinggoy Estrada is busy on two defense fronts: Military and labor. The first to protect our sovereignty against threats, and the second to guard our workingman's rights from being eroded. ?Another "good one" of a lawmaker, Senator JV, is likewise juggling three major concerns adeptly: empowerment of local governments, housing for the people, and on the economic front, the Public-Private Partnership bill. Patuloy naman ang pagsisikap ni Senator Robin Padilla upang ang karapatan ng mamamayan sa malayang impormasyon, at ng mga kapatid nating Muslim at indigenous peoples sa kaunlaran ay matugunan natin. Ang ganung sipag ay naipakata din ni Senador Lito Lapid sa maraming usapin pero lalu na sa masalimuot na mga isyu na sakop ng kanyang Committee on Games and Amusement. Senator Mark Villar has brought to this chamber the nobility of his work ethic--cool, calm, collected--which we saw when he was defending the Maharlika Investment Fund. A Senate without fiscalizers loses its potency and forfeits its credentials as a democratic body. In our Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros we find a vigilant opposition who do not obstruct but critique constructively, their inputs resulting in better laws. And the person, the floor umpire and consensus builder, who traffics these bills and resolutions in one seamless assembly line, shepherding them from committee to plenary, is our Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. Today, we open the regular session the way it has been set by tradition and by the Constitution: By listening to the President assess the nation, and account himself. This reckoning should give us bearings on where we are now, and where we should be heading; of work done, and promises yet to be redeemed. His take on things may differ with us. His can be rosy. Ours can be restrained. Or in certain issues, we may be upbeat as he will be subdued. But we do agree on the most important point: That the Senate has a major role to play in conquering the challenges before us. As expected, the President will use the pulpit this afternoon to dare us to act on his wish list. And like the men and women who sat in this chamber before us, let us respond in true Senate fashion: We will improve the bills before we approve them. We will purge the bad provisions and replace them with the good. But the Senate is a not mere processor of policies originating from the other branch. We also nurture our own, whether bills with far-reaching effects that overhaul systems to help people burdened by rules that are too old or too many, or bills that bring fast-acting relief to those who are in distress - victims of disasters, for example - the number of which is growing. In tackling bills, let us bear in mind that these are not the President's request, but the people's. Some of these may not be what we want, but they are what the country needs. To a people scarred by the recent pandemic, never must we be caught flatfooted again. Let us pass the bills creating the Center for Disease Control, Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the Medical Reserve Corps. To farmers who feed other people but cannot feed their own, let us pass a stronger anti-agricultural smuggling law, so that the flood of imports will not drown the crops they grow. To taxpayers burdened by tax rules too complicated, inflicted by men who can change them at will, let us pass the Ease of Paying Taxes Bill. To a land suffocated by garbage, let us pass the Waste-to-Energy Bill, so trash can power the very homes where it came from. To seafarers battling the elements, loneliness, unsafe working conditions, let us pass a Magna Carta that will serve like a safe harbor that will protect them. To people looking for jobs, let the National Employment Action Plan be the guide towards gainful employment in which fair work is rewarded with fair pay. To those who toil in starvation wages, let us put ourselves in their shoes, provide relief to their families, and pass the long-awaited Across-the-Board Legislative Wage Hike. To a citizenry to which the internet is a boon, let us end the bane of bureaucratic red tape. Like an app, E-Governance Act is in need of an update. To consumers who source goods online, let us firewall them against scams which the Internet Transactions Act will put up. Let us debug this commerce platform of its budol virus. To a country whose sovereignty has been disrespected, we will pass a bill that will modernize our defenses. Marami pang batas na kailangan pandayin. Sample lang po ang ating binanggit. We have our plate full, and our calendar filled. On top of these is the 2024 national budget, which we will scrutinize minutely, from morning to midnight as it has been in the past, which we can because we senators are champion multi-taskers. Every measure bound for the President's desk will pass through our quality control. Not a single bill will be enrolled unless it is fundable, and shovel- or rollout-ready. Every bill carries a price tag which should not be hidden, as they are either paid by the taxes we pay today, or left to our children to settle, whose future has been mortgaged. We will keep the faith in an independent Senate--but with independence comes the grit to make hard decisions. We will sail against the wind, so to speak, even meeting headlong the gust of public opinion and to stay the course for as long as we know that we are right. So those unpopular but correct, we will defend. The plenary's mood should not be dictated by any political weather vane. We will respect the collegial nature of our institution. We will seek consensus and compromise, whenever possible, or divide the house, if needed. We will debate, because a legislature which no longer does, ceases to be the country's highest deliberative body. The Senate will remain a safe civic space where anyone can come to market his or her views. And how do we measure the value of our labors, and the common good of our policies that we have created? We will measure growth not in terms of gross value of wealth created, but in terms of houses built and energized; of meals on tables; of students with diplomas; of employees with decent jobs and livable wages; of crime rates reduced; of the bounty of farm harvests; of faster internet speed; of reasonable market prices of goods; or of shorter commuting time. Hindi ito Senado na lunod sa numerong walang saysay, o lutang sa katotohanan. Sa halip, lubog tayo sa taumbayan na siyang nagbibigay lakas sa institusyong ito. Suklian natin ang kanilang tiwala ng tunay na serbisyo, ng tapat na panunungkulan, ng totoong pagpapaliwanag ng mga bagay, ng tapang sa pagwawasto ng mali. Sa tulong ng Diyos at bayan, magtatagumpay tayo. Mabuhay ang Senado! Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!
Dresses in hot pink, suits in gray flannel, Hawaiian shirts, lab coats, fedoras: odd clothes for a typical Saturday afternoon but appropriate for the record-breaking opening weekend of both the Barbie and Oppenheimer films.

The clever marketing, star-studded casts and delightful mashups have many moviegoers doing double features of Greta Gerwigs nostalgic live-action comedy and Christopher Nolans historical drama, a phenomenon the internet is calling Barbenheimer.

Its confirming what movie theaters both locally and nationally have asserted ever since the pandemic arrested their operations and launched the industry into near-existential crisis: People still want to go to the movies.

Its so faith affirming to see how people have come back, James Sanford, field marketing and creative manager at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Charlottesville, told The Daily Progress. Its proving what weve been saying all along: that sitting at home on the couch and watching it on your TV is not the same as seeing it at the theater.

People must have taken off work for the occasion, Sanford said. Alamo Drafthouse sold out tickets for multiple showings of both movies Thursday night and throughout the day Friday and Saturday.

So did the Violet Crown Cinema on the Downtown Mall, which had more than 1,200 tickets in presales Saturday, a record in recent memory and comparable to the openings of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, manager Cade Wiberg told The Daily Progress.

This just feels like the first time weve had non-superhero movies this publicly attended, Wiberg said. It feels like this weekend is a part of a huge cultural weekend that youll look back on and tell your kids, I was there for that.

Charlottesvilles theaters are taking full advantage of all the excitement. Alamo Drafthouse is selling Barbie lunchboxes, T-shirts and stationery in its lobby, and the theater held a pajama party showing of the film on Saturday  sold out, of course. Violet Crown is offering a Barbie cupcake and rose special for the occasion.

Weve been selling a lot of rose, Wiberg said. People are making a day of it: Groups of women in their 20s and 30s are renting out Violet Crowns theater for birthday and costume parties.

Wiberg himself sported a blue Ken name tag, an added flourish for the staff at Violet Crown who got to choose between Barbie, Ken or Allan. In the midst of other pink-clad Barbie fans was Anna, who declined to give her last name but said she has been preparing for this day my entire life.

Ive been a Barbie stan from day one, Anna told The Daily Progress before the screening at Violet Crown, having seen Oppenheimer that morning. I could never top regular Barbie, but I could be a bargain-brand version of her.

For Sanford, who has spent years in several branches of the film industry, Barbie is a sign that Hollywood should produce more films that appeal to women.

My personal feeling is that Hollywood, in recent years, has really underserved women, Sanford said. Weve had a lot of superheroes, weve had a lot of kids movies, weve had a lot of action. But anytime we get have a romantic comedy, anytime we get a movie like this, its like, Oh my gosh, finally!

But that doesnt mean Barbie isnt drawing plenty of men, too. Theyre not being dragged, Sanford said. For his own part, Sanford found a lot of thought-provoking points in what he thought would be a goofy, fluffy film: themes of how individuals define themselves and are defined by others, as well as the roles of men and women in society.

As for Oppenheimer, Sanford said he learned a good deal from the film, a biographical depiction of the physicist integral to the Manhattan Project developing the atomic bomb during World War II. Wiberg called the film a masterpiece by Christopher Nolan.

But for all the films differences and wildly different audiences, there is plenty of what Sanford called cross-pollination.

I think at first people thought it was a joke, Sanford said. He recalled when the studios announced more than half a year ago that both films would open on the same weekend, a move that turned out to be a brilliant bit of counterprogramming. Moviegoers at one film hear about the other through trailers and word of mouth, deciding its worth the watch.

Thats not to mention the rise of Barbenheimer, which has taken the internet by storm.

Barbenheimer is not a joke, Sanford said.

Theres two wolves inside of us: Barbie and Oppenheimer, Anna said on Saturday. Im doing both of them today.

It is truly shocking how many people are watching both movies, Wiberg said. Theyre completely different in every possible way, but theyre truly just the best version of what they each sought out to be.

Emmy Monoghan and her friends wore pink to a Friday morning showing of Barbie at Alamo Drafthouse and returned the next morning to see Oppenheimer for the full Barbenheimer experience. Even for someone who goes to the movies as often as Monoghan, she said it was the first big, theatrical movie experience shes had in a while.

There were so many movies when we were kids that you would dress up for or go at midnight and wait in lines for, Monaghan told The Daily Progress in the afternoon sunlight after surfacing from Nolans three-hour drama. This is the first experience of that that Ive had in a very long time.

Across the board, crowds of pink- and fedora-clad moviegoers said they are enjoying themselves. Its a moment that is going to last, with screenings at Charlottesvilles movie theaters expected to last through August, both Sanford and Winberg said.

This sends a signal to the studios that theres a real community of film lovers and movie-goers in Charlottesville, Sanford said. When we first opened here, I was dealing with studios that were saying, Charlottesville doesnt need a third movie theater.

Sanford recalled Alamo Drafthouses tumultuous, 6-year-old history with a global pandemic not long after opening. After long stretches of closures and periods of near-empty theaters, the industry was told to prepare for its end. But seeing the turnout from Barbenheimer, Sanford said he was so glad to have stuck out for the cinema.

Its not the same when youre seeing it at the theater and having people laugh all around you, or having discussions in the lobby after Oppenheimer with people that you just met, Sanford said. The community feeling. The public feeling. Thats something you just dont get at home.
A pledge made in Downing Street four years ago today to fix the social care crisis has been left unfulfilled  with promises of support for the sector shelved, diluted or dropped, a coalition of charities has said.

The Care and Support Alliance (CSA), which represents more than 60 of Englands leading organisations campaigning for a properly funded care system, said people have been on a wild goose chase because vows of help for some of societys most vulnerable were not followed through.

On July 24 2019, in his first speech as prime minister, Boris Johnson said the Conservatives would fix the crisis in social care once and for all.

Since Boris Johnson pledged to fix social care four years ago we have all been on a wild goose chase as one Government policy after another has been announced with a fanfare, only to be subsequently shelved, diluted or dropped

While Rishi Sunak did not mention social care in his first speech as Prime Minister in October 2022, he promised to deliver on his partys 2019 manifesto.

But the CSA said there have been U-turns, delays and watering down and it is concerned social care reform has stalled once again, leaving millions of older and disabled people and their families struggling to access the care they need.

The Government was criticised for saying earlier this year that social care workforce funding would be halved from a previously pledged 500 million  a move branded a betrayal by charities, unions and opposition parties.

The Government said no funding for the adult social care sector has been removed or reallocated to the NHS and up to 600 million has not yet been allocated  and will be targeted on measures that will have the most impact over the next two years.

The CSA also lamented the scrapping of the Health and Social Care Levy last year and the delay of adult social care charging reforms  including changes to the means test and 86,000 cap on personal care costs  from October 2023 to October 2025.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK and co-chairwoman of the CSA, said: Since Boris Johnson pledged to fix social care four years ago we have all been on a wild goose chase as one Government policy after another has been announced with a fanfare, only to be subsequently shelved, diluted or dropped.

The transformational change in care provision that older people need to see and that was promised to them is yet to materialise, though with our ageing population it is needed more than ever.

The Prime Minister stood for office on the 2019 Conservative manifesto and says he wants to abide by it, so rather than backtracking on social care reform he needs to stand by his word and drive forward with it.

CSA co-chairwoman Jackie OSullivan, who is also director of communication, advocacy and activism at Mencap, criticised the lack of a plan for social care, similar to the recently announced NHS long-term workforce plan.

She said: It beggars belief that the Government has halved funding to support the training, skills and wellbeing for the social care workforce.

Families are providing more unpaid care than ever before and many are at breaking point as the pressure on them becomes too much

Saying that social care is in urgent need of reform is easy but delivering on their promise has proved to be beyond the Government.

Rishi Sunak must show the leadership necessary to address workforce pay, timely access to support and the underfunding of the system for working-aged disabled adults and older people before its too late.

Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK and co-chairwoman of the CSA, said it is deeply disappointing that the promise to fix social care has not yet been delivered.

She said: Families are providing more unpaid care than ever before and many are at breaking point as the pressure on them becomes too much.

Because of a lack of care, many have no choice but to reduce or give up paid employment entirely because of a lack of care, and their health, which is already poor, is put under even more strain.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: We are fully committed to our 10-year vision to reform adult social care, and recently published our Next Steps to put People at the Heart of Care plan  setting out how we are spending 700 million over the next two years.

As part of this we have already allocated 250 million for the workforce to develop their skills and careers and weve also made up to 7.5 billion available to help reduce adult social care waiting times and increase workforce capacity.
B oris Johnsons controversial new peer Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge took her seat in the House of Lords on Monday afternoon.

Ex-special adviser Charlotte Owen, aged 30, Britians youngest life peer, was introduced to the Upper House in the afternoon.

She was a surprise inclusion on Mr Johnsons resignation honours list given that she is believed to have only had a series of backroom political jobs in the ex-PM and his successor Liz Truss administrations.

Ben Houchen, 36, the elected Mayor of Tees Valley, also took his seat as Lord Houchen of High Leven.

They will help to bring down the average age in the Lords, which was 71 as of March this year.

Baroness Alderley Edges title is understood to refer to her home village in Cheshire.

Ms Owen, born in 1993, attended the University of York and graduated with a 2:1 in politics and international relations in 2015. She got a job at strategic communications consultancy Portland before going on to work as a constituency intern for Tory MP Sir William Wragg for one month.

Her career in Westminster began in 2017, interning for several MPs, including a six-month stint in Mr Johnsons office.

She worked as a parliamentary assistant in the offices of Tory MPs Sir Alok Sharma, Sir Jake Berry and Mr Johnson before becoming a senior parliamentary assistant to the former prime minister in 2020.

From there, she took a post in the political office in Number 10. Between February 2021 and October 2022, Ms Owen was a special adviser to both Mr Johnson and Ms Truss during her short tenure as prime minister.

Former London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has become Baron for Paddington.
T he Metropolitan Police was on Monday facing another race row storm after four officers arrested a black woman in front of her distressed young son because they wrongly believed she had dodged paying her bus fare.

The force confirmed it has referred itself to the Office for Police Conduct to investigate the incident that took place in Croydon on Friday, July 21.

Footage shared on social media shows the woman being restrained and handcuffed by policemen while a female PC attempts to comfort her crying child and another officer looks on.

Met officers were conducting a joint operation with Transport for London inspectors in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, when they asked the mother to prove she had paid the 1.75 fare.

Footage shows the woman being restrained and handcuffed in front of her son / Handout

A spokesman said she refused the inspectors request and attempted to walk off and became abusive.

They added: When it was later established that the woman had paid she was de-arrested and allowed to go on her way.

However, MPs on Monday called for a meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan over the incident and called on senior officers to explain why an arrest took place.

Brent Central MP Dawn Butler said: Being over policed is a real issue in the black community, and this interaction proves that.

I also thought it was a fine not arrest if someone avoids paying a bus fare, so why was she arrested?

Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi said there needs to be a clear explanation for the use of force.

She added: It is distressing for both the mother and the child. There is a meeting planned and hopefully there will be answers.

In video posted online, the woman can be seen struggling with two male officers while screaming: What the hell, get off me, what are you doing?

An onlooker can be heard saying: Please calm down, they will split you up from your child.

In March, a report by Baroness Louise Casey found the Met was suffering from collapsing public trust and could be described as institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.

In a statement, the Met Police acknowledged that the video and circumstances look concerning.

However, it is a snapshot of a wider incident, a statement added. The video from this incident and the officers body-worn video, which was active for a longer period than the social media clip, have been reviewed.

Our officers regularly liaise with local community groups and forums and we will be discussing the matter with them and listening to their views.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist added: It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child.

We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.

Given the level of community concern generated we believe it is in the public interest to voluntarily refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review.

A spokeman for the Mayor of London said: The footage circulating online is troubling to watch and the Mayor is clear that it is right that this matter has been referred to the IOPC so that the full circumstances can be independently reviewed.

The Mayor recognises the concerns many Londoners will have following this incident and remains determined to ensure the Met continues its work to rebuild trust with all of the capitals diverse communities.

That is why he is backing community-centred approach to policing by consent  as set out in the New Met for London Plan - where police officers actively listen, understand and respond to the concerns of our communities, particularly those who have been let down for far too long.
T he King paid a heartfelt tribute to Second World War RAF veterans as he commemorated the 80th anniversary of the famous Dambusters raid.

Charles visited the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) in Lincolnshire where famous aircraft such as Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber  the aircraft used in the audacious 1943 raid  are kept airworthy for major displays.

The veterans were enjoying afternoon tea in a giant hangar, with BBMF air, ground and support crews surrounded by many of the historic planes, when the King arrived, and many of the elderly men, in their late 90s and some aged more than 100, joined the guests in standing.

When he stopped at one table the King sat between two veterans and referencing the RAF servicemen maintaining and flying the aircraft said, thank God for all these men and he put his hand on the arm of a elderly man adding people like you looked after us.

At another table he asked the veterans these sorties you went on to Germany, how long were you in the air for and a few moments later he said: Being shot at the whole time I suppose thats the horror (of being) a target.

Colin Bell, a former flight lieutenant who flew Mosquito bombers with 608 Squadron, known as the Pathfinder Group, made the King laugh when he told him Im 102 and a half  dont forget the half.

The spritely pensioner only stopped working as a chartered valuation surveyor when he was 99, joking well, I thought Id paid the Chancellor of the Exchequer enough money.

Commenting about the criticism RAF Bomber Command has received over the decades for targeting German cities during the war, he replied: Were criticised by people who would not have come into existence If we had lost the war.

And this is the most important thing, the objective of Bomber Command was to destroy the German capability of attacking us, that and nothing more.

We werent interested in killing civilians, we were only interested in destroying their cities that were producing armaments and other weapons to be used against us. And by and large, I think Bomber Command did a very good job.

Nineteen Lancasters, crewed by 133 airmen, took part in Operation Chastise on the night of May 16-17, 1943  the Dambusters raid.

Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the raid targeted three dams in the industrialised Ruhr region of Germany using the bouncing bomb invented by Barnes Wallis.

They successfully breached the Mohne and Eder dams while the Sorpe was damaged.

George Johnny Johnson, the last surviving member of the Dambusters died in December aged 101 but events have been staged this year to mark the military milestone.

Charles posed for a group picture with the veterans and members of the BBMF, based at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in the shadow of the famous Lancaster before he left.

Outside the hangar, Charles met Typhoon jet pilots who had flown over Buckingham Palace to mark Trooping the Colour and spelled out the Kings cypher CR with their formation flying.
The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt taking to the stage.

The event marked 51 years since the first march for LGBTQ+ rights through the capital.

Pride in London 2023 launched its Never March Alone campaign, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans+ community.

London Pride 2023 1 / 10 London Pride 2023 SEI162434074.jpg London Pride 2023 AFP via Getty Images SEI162438308.jpg London Pride 2023 Getty Images SEI162440630.jpg London Pride 2023 REUTERS SEI162434990.jpg London Pride 2023 AFP via Getty Images SEI162437102.jpg London Pride 2023 PA SEI162437166.jpg London Pride 2023 Getty Images SEI162436018.jpg London Pride 2023 Getty Images SEI162434092.jpg Felipe Dantas and Win Vidal kiss as they take part in the 2023 Pride Parade in London REUTERS

As Londoners bask in the success of this years celebration, organisers are already gearing up for Pride in London 2024 and have revealed the date set for it.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: Our capitals Pride celebrations were a huge success and I cant wait to see what the Pride in London team have planned for 2024. Our city has many thriving and vibrant LGBTQI+ communities and its vital that we celebrate this diversity, while continuing to champion LGBTQI+ rights through events like Pride.

The march of solidarity and celebration is one of the reasons that London is renowned across the globe as a beacon of inclusion and diversity and, by continuing to work together, will help us to build a better London for all.

When is London Pride 2024?

Organisers have revealed that Londons 2024 Pride parade will take place on Saturday June 29, 2024.

Christopher Joell-Deshields, CEO of Pride in London said, I am thrilled that we are able to announce the highly anticipated date for Pride in London 2024.

Following a momentous display of trans allyship with our 2023 campaign and the recent parade, we are excited to continue fostering unity and advocating for equality across the capital. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our sponsors, artists, parade participants, LGBT+ communities, and our exceptional volunteers for being an integral part of Pride in London.

What is Pride in London?

Pride in London celebrates the capitals LGBT+ lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans + community with a programme of events that showcases LGBT+ culture. Events involve theatre, dance, art, cinema, parties and other activities.

Each year, more than 300 floats travel through London, while groups sing and dance across the city.

Soho plays host to parties and events in the evening, with pubs, bars and clubs throughout the city doing likewise.

Beginning on July 1, 1972, it is one of the longest-running and largest pride festivals in the UK.
M cDonald's limited-edition Biscoff McFlurry has just a few days left on the menu so, if youve been waiting to try it, now is your time.

After months of anticipation from when it was first teased back in the spring, the Lotus Biscoff McFlurry is now on its way out again.

The limited-edition ice cream was first available in the restaurant chain from June 21, offering a deeply caramelised tasting biscuit that is swirled onto the soft-serve McFlurry ice cream giving it that extra crunch.

Available throughout the UK and Ireland, the Biscoff McFlurry has gone down a treat with fans of the biscuit, but is soon to disappear into the McFlurry special flavour archive.

However, some flavours do return, so it might not be goodbye forever. Heres what you need to know to make sure you can try it one last time.

What is the price of the Biscoff McFlurry?

The Biscoff McFlurry comes in two sizes, with the larger one costing 1.99 and the smaller Mini McFlurry just 1.49.

This is slightly more than the standard Smarties, Maltesers, and Oreo McFlurries, which cost 1.29 or 99p, depending on the size. However, these options, unlike the limited-edition McFlurries, dont come with any sauce.

When is the Biscoff McFlurry end date?

The fast-food chain is getting rid of the Biscoff McFlurry from next Wednesday, August 2.

Two other items will also disappear from the menu, the Spicy Sriracha Wrap and the Double Big Mac.

The Spicy Sriracha Wrap was made up of chicken breast, sriracha sauce, cucumber, onions, and lettuce in a soft tortilla wrap, while the Double Big Mac had all the same ingredients as McDonalds signature burger, only doubled.

All three of these items were only ever temporary, with McDonalds switching up some of its menu every six weeks.
T housands of holidays have been cancelled by travel companies in the coming days in the wake of the wildfires crisis unfolding in Greece.

Jet2 was the first to announce it had pulled all flights and holidays due to depart to the island of Rhodes up to and including Sunday, July 30.

The company said it would be contacting affected customers to arrange refunds or re-bookings.

Meanwhile, TUI yesterday suspended its flights to Rhodes until tomorrow, with passengers receiving full refunds.

Those due to travel on Wednesday can amend to another holiday or cancel free of charge, the company said. Thomas Cook announced it had cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos  the areas of Rhodes most at risk  up to and including Monday, July 31, and would be in touch to offer its customers full refunds.

Holidaymakers travelling to other parts of the island on July 24 and 25 were being called in departure order to receive a full refund if they wished to cancel their trip.

As of this morning, British Airways was still operating its scheduled flights to Rhodes as normal. However, customers currently on the island needing to come home early were able to change their return flight free of charge. The airline said anyone travelling out from the UK in the next week can postpone their flight to a later date if they wished.

For anyone heading for Rhodes who has booked with another operator which has not already said it is cancelling holidays and flights, and offering refunds, the advice from the Foreign Office is likely to be crucial.

Official advice against travel would spark automatic refunds. However, the line this morning was for all holidaymakers to get in touch with their operators for advice.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokeswoman said: British nationals in Rhodes should contact their travel operator in the first instance for any queries regarding the rescheduling of flights and continue to check our updated gov.uk travel advice for information.
B BC newsreader George Alagiah has been remembered as one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation after his death at 67.

The award-winning journalist, who presented the BBC News at Six for the past 20 years, died on Monday following a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.

On hearing of his passing, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.

Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce said Alagiah was that rare thing  a first-rate journalist and an all round lovely human being.

She added: Integrity and decency shone through him. That and a mischievous sense of humour with an endearing giggle.

George Alagiah 1 / 10 George Alagiah PA Mark Richards PA PA Media PA Wire BBC/Jeff Overs PA PA

I remember his 60th birthday party, surrounded by his wonderful family and his glamorous sisters like so many birds of paradise. It was an intimate family affair and I know George counted his blessings to be there with the people he loved so much.

He fought with all he had to stay with them as long as he could. We loved him in the newsroom and we  I  miss him so much.

Meanwhile, Naga Munchetty burst into tears live on BBC Radio Five today when she heard the news. She said: Weve had the very sad news that our colleague George Alagiah, BBC presenter  you all know him  who has been living with bowel cancer since 2014  he has since stepped back from presenting BBC News.

Weve just heard the news he has died aged 65. Weve just heard that from his agent.

Apologies for the emotion in my voice  he was so loved in our news room.

Clive Myrie also struggled with his emotions during a news bulletin on BBC One. He said: George touched all of us here in the newsroom with his kindness and generosity, his warmth and good humour.

We loved him here at BBC and I loved him as a mentor, colleague and friend. His spirit, strength and courage in the later years of his life are something his colleagues can be so proud of. Journalism has lost a giant.

John Simpson said: Deeply, deeply sorry to hear about dear George Alagiah. A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague would be hard to find. I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.

Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4s Today programme, also paid tribute, saying: George was a brilliant journalist, a lovely man and an inspiring example to all fighting serious illness. His friends will miss him deeply.

Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel added: Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster  but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was deeply saddened by news of Alagiahs death.

He said: A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary pushing reporting. British journalism has lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Comedian Sue Perkins said: What a trailblazer. What a calm, steadfast presence at the helm. What a legend. Rest in peace.

Alagiahs death was confirmed on Monday morning by his agent Mary Greenham. She said: George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

Alagiah was born in Sri Lanka. He joined the corporation in 1989 and spent many years as one of its leading foreign correspondents before moving to presenting.

He was often a specialist in Africa and covered the civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

Throughout his career he interviewed central political figures, among them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and ex-Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

He was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for his coverage of Saddam Husseins genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq and was was named Amnesty Internationals journalist of the year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi.

He first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

After his diagnosis Alagiah endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

He returned to work after his treatment was over but the cancer came back and spread, leading to him taking breaks from the studio while he received treatment.

Before joining the BBC, Alagiah worked as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UKs mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.
G reeces capital, Athens, is experiencing its hottest July in 50 years as temperatures in the country and other southern European countries like Italy and Spain swelter in yet another record-breaking heatwave.

In the meantime, authorities have been forced to evacuate as many as 30,000 people because of an enormous fire that has been raging on the Greek island of Rhodes for the fifth day.

People were being picked up from the east coast of the Mediterranean island's Kiotari and Lardos beaches, according to the Greek coast guard. Island officials said 30,000 people have already been evacuated, including 2,000 who had to be carried off beaches.

There is no end in sight as a result of the high pressure Charon weather system, which has brought extremes of 45C or higher to parts of Europe.

Here is a list of the nations experiencing the European heatwave and an estimation of when it will finish. It is not expected to affect the UK.

Where is the heatwave in Europe?

Western and northern parts of Greece are those struggling the most. The islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Santorini have recorded highs of 42C and many wildfires.

Catalonia, northern Mallorca, Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol in Spain have recorded temperatures of about 42C.

In France temperatures have reached 40C in Herault, Var, Gard, Vaucluse, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhone, Alpes-Maritimes and on the island of Corsica.

Rome had power disruptions as the electricity infrastructure struggled to keep up with the increased demand from air conditioners.

Turkey and Cyprus have been hit with extreme hot weather too, with temperatures around 40C.

When will the heatwave end?

Unfortunately, the harsh weather is not going away soon. By the end of this week, Charon is predicted to diminish and bring with it new dangers, including flash flooding.

Temperatures may stay this high until August as the heatwave is predicted to return due to another high pressure system originating in Algeria, the UN World Meteorological Organization has warned.

The extreme heat and sun have already resulted in wildfires, significant health problems and droughts in a number of vacation areas, posing substantial disruptions and worries for summertime travel.

What has caused the heatwave?

The cause of the heatwave is a brand-new anticyclone called Charon, named after the Greek mythological boatman who transports souls to the underworld.

The scorching heat and high pressure system arrived in Europe from Algeria in the middle of July.

The UN Environment Programme has pointed to an increase in average global temperatue as the most likely cause of the extreme drought and weather seen in various parts of the world.
T hroughout Sunday night, firefighters have been fighting 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which broke out on Sunday.

Tour operators have also been working hard as they flew countless holidaymakers home on Monday as the fires raged through the Greek islands.

According to local news station Ellada 24, this is the countrys largest ever fire evacuation operation, with more than 19,000 people being removed from Rhodes.

On Sunday, evacuation orders were issued for Corfu as a result of fires that started in the north-east of the island.

Is it safe to travel to Greece?

According to the most recent Foreign Office advice, you should check with your travel agent or hotel before travelling if you have any plans to visit any parts of Greece that are experiencing wildfires.

The Foreign Office said: There are a number of active wildfires in Greece due to the dry and hot weather. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable.

If you are planning to travel to any areas affected by wildfires, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel that the area you plan to visit [is safe].

The situation can change quickly, so you should stay up to date with official advice, follow 112 Greece on Twitter for official updates (you may need to translate the tweets to English). Ensure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone to receive SMS updates from the Greek Civil Protection.

The Greek government has set up a crisis management unit to support people in Rhodes. Contact staff at +30 210 368 1730 or dial +44 20 7008 5000 for round-the-clock British consulate help.

Which airlines are flying to Greece?

Jet2 and Tui have cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes up to and including Sunday July 30. Several travel agencies and airlines are now cancelling flights to Rhodes.

There is no assurance that you will receive your money refunded if you decide not to travel unless the Foreign Office advises you to do so or the airline or tour operator cancels your trip.

Most insurance policy claims only cover trip cancellations in specific situations, such illness, a death in the family or an unusually long delay to a flight taking off.

Additionally, airlines are not obligated to reimburse you if you cancel a trip because of unavoidable circumstances.

That said, you might be eligible to request a refund under the provisions of your insurance coverage if you have a pre-existing medical condition and visiting Greece could pose a health risk.

As a result of the temperatures, some travel industry professionals have speculated that airlines would provide some compensation.

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Which islands are affected?

Rhodes is the largest island affected by the fires and 19,000 residents have been evacuated.

As well as Rhodes, Corfu is suffering from wildfires. Follow local officials' instructions about when to evacuate if you are on vacation in Corfu. Call your hotel or a travel agent if you are not sure if you are affected.

There are also wildfires on Evia and Kos. The southern portion of Evia has been badly affected and five villages, Livadi, Potami, Pernaraki, Platanistos and Kastro, are particularly dangerous.
Two weeks before Sam Sanders will officially take over his new role as city manager, he held a meeting to take questions from the residents hell soon be serving.

Sitting before a crowd of 35 people on Thursday evening at the Carver Recreation Center, Sanders told the audience about himself and his desire to improve communication between City Hall and residents.

Youre learning a lot more than some people whove known me for years now, he said. But I think this is a big role. Its a big moment. I think its important for you to really understand how I operate.

Sanders then took questions, touching on the recent rise in gun violence, the ongoing bus driver shortage and improving the Downtown Mall.

But the most common question?

Sidewalks. Yall really like to talk about sidewalks around here, Sanders joked.

During his time in Charlottesville, Sanders said that hes found theres little rhyme or reason to where sidewalks are placed throughout the city.

We have sidewalks that just stop, and I dont know why they just stop. I mean, this place has been around a very long time, he said.

He attributed the lack of sidewalks to a lack of a sidewalk production program. That program would require a project manager, and while the city has secured funding for two project managers, the positions remain unfilled.

If and when the city is able to find interested candidates, Sanders promised that he will bring more sidewalks to Charlottesville.

Its going to be my desire to prioritize where they go, put them on the website so you know where theyre going to go, and I will put a date next to them so that you know when you will get them, he said.

Keeping locals informed of what the city is doing will be a priority, he said. Sanders told the crowd hes heard complaints from residents who feel theyre being left in the dark. With a background in communications, Sanders said he hopes to change that.

One of the issues that we face where our public may be a little hard on us is that they know we know answers to the questions, we just dont answer the question, he said. We shouldnt be doing that.

Providing information to residents, he said, is important. Even if they dont like what theyre told.

If it doesnt really land well, at least I told you. Its better than me holding on to it and you not knowing and you being angry about it, he said.

Whether the issue is sidewalks or any other public matter, Sanders has told his staff that responding to inquiries from locals will be crucial.

We have to tell you what were doing. We have to tell you how were doing. And we most definitely need to tell you when we are going to get it done, he said.

In a calm and measured tone that appears to be a Sanders staple, he told the crowd that the city is working to fix the bus driver shortage. While he said Charlottesville has raised bus driver pay to the top of the market, the problem persists.

But there are interested applicants. By the end of September, all 20 school bus routes will be capable of being filled, he said.

Answering a question on rising gun violence, Sanders reflected on his time working at a nonprofit organization in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That job required him speaking with both affluent and poor residents. Both groups, he said, wanted the same thing: to feel safe.

In order for us to do that, we have to know each other. That is one of the responsibilities of our police department is to know the community that they serve, he said.

Police Chief Michael Kochis has instituted community walk and talks since joining the force in mid-January, and Sanders said he plans to join.

Its just to help people understand that we do care, Sanders said. Were going to meet you where you are, and were going to listen. I know its not always going to be easy.

Hearing questions about the Downtown Mall, Sanders said he recognizes that some residents feel the mall has seen better days.

I think its fabulous. Ive been in communities that would kill to have that amenity in their downtown, so it means a lot to me that it exists, he said.

The mall needs better lighting, he said, and noted that theres been controversy over fountains and cafe spaces.

But with the malls 50th anniversary approaching, Sanders said he is looking for opportunities to ensure the amenity means something to people for another 50 years.

The mall is for everyone, he said. And the way you measure the success of the mall is that everyone has an opportunity to engage with it.

Talking to The Daily Progress after the meeting, Sanders described himself as both an optimist and a realist. And while his kids dont think hes funny, his dry humor did get some laughs throughout the meeting.

Asked how the community can help him succeed in the job, Sanders again pointed to communication.

If youre angry about something, tell us what it is. Be specific. Give us the details. Give us a chance to do something about that, he told the crowd. I think its the clarity in the communication that will really make a difference in this.
E ighty-two fires are burning across Greece at the time of writing, 64 of which started on Sunday, July 23, the hottest day of the year so far for the country.

The Greek island of Rhodes has been the most heavily hit, but fires have also broken out on Corfu and Evia, all three of which are popular holiday destinations.

As a result, both holidaymakers and locals are being evacuated in the largest ever operation of its kind in Greece, including an estimated 10,000 Britons.

This comes after Jet2 and Tui both cancelled all flights to Rhodes, while tourists report needing to walk for hours in the heat in order to find safety.

Firefighting aircraft from Turkey, Croatia, and Egypt are being flown in to help control the blazes.

While the unusually hot weather, with highs of 38C in some areas, has created conditions for the fires to spread, its believed that the fires on both Rhodes and Corfu may have been started as a result of arson.

Greece Wildfires: Tourists evacuation from Rhodes 1 / 40 Greece Wildfires: Tourists evacuation from Rhodes Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Smoke rises from a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece TED G. BAILOS via REUTERS A fireman gestures and holds a cat and two rabbits after rescuing them from a fire between the villages of Kiotari and Gennadi, on the Greek island of Rhodes AFP via Getty Images Tourists wait in the airports departure hall as evacuations are underway due to wildfires, on the Greek island of Rhodes on July 23, 2023. AFP via Getty Images Firefighters, volunteers and police officers operate as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes, Greece REUTERS An aerial view shows smoke billowing in background of Kiotari village, on the island of Rhodes AFP via Getty Images Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS People watch the fires near the village of Malona in the Greek island of Rhodes on July 23, 2023. Tens of thousands of people fled wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes AFP via Getty Images Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS A satellite image showing overview of Rhodes wildfires, Greece via REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Smoke rises from a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece TED G. BAILOS via REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS A firefighting plane drops water over a wildfire burning near Asklipio, on the island of Rhodes, Greece REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated following a wildfire in Rhodes REUTERS The gutted remains of cars lie on a road after a forest fire, on the island of Rhodes, Greece AP Tourists wait in the airports departure hall as evacuations are underway due to wildfires, on the Greek island of Rhodes on July 23, 2023. AFP via Getty Images Tourists wait in the airports departure hall as evacuations are underway due to wildfires, on the Greek island of Rhodes on July 23, 2023. AFP via Getty Images Tourists are sheltered in a stadium after being evacuated following a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece REUTERS Tourists are sheltered in a stadium after being evacuated following a wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece REUTERS Romanian firefighters give water to rabbits saved from a wildfire burning on the island of Rhodes, Greece via REUTERS Tourists shelter on an indoor basketball court following wildfires on the island of Rhodes, Greece KRITIKOS GIORGOS via REUTERS Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes, Greec REUTERS Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes, Greec REUTERS Pne trees burning in a wildfire on the Greek island of Rhodes Eurokinissi/AFP via Getty Images

There were four fires that started simultaneously, Theofanis Skembris, deputy mayor of North Corfu, told the BBC. We have to wait for the investigation, but their [the fire departments] first unofficial assumption is that it was arson  fires cant start simultaneously in four different places.

The situation in the island is better now, he continued. Most of the fires are under control. There are firefighting airplanes helping. I believe that everything will be over soon.

Heres what you need to know about the islands that are affected, as well as advice if your holiday has been cancelled.

Which islands were affected?

Rhodes

19,000 people have been evacuated from Rhodes, the island hit the most by the fires.

Beginning in the forests on the islands, the fires spread throughout the island before beginning to threaten resorts in the south of Rhodes.

Safety information for Rhodes

Resorts, hotels, and local authorities are organising evacuations but if you are in an emergency situation or in immediate danger, you are advised to call the Greek Emergency Services on 112.

The Greek government has also established a Crisis Management Unit to respond to the situation in Rhodes. They can be contacted on:

+30 210 368 1730

+30 210 368 1259

+30 210 368 1350

You can also register on the Greek governments Emergency Communication Service to get emergency alerts for Rhodes.

How far is Zante from Rhodes?

With the fires burning on Rhodes, Corfu, and Evia at the moment, there are concerns about which other islands might be affected.

However, the Greek islands are spread across large areas of water. For example, Zakynthos, home to the party strip of Zante, is more than 400 miles away from Rhodes, where the fiercest fires are burning.

Corfu

The fire on Corfu was burning on a large coastal front, with boats from the area now dispatched to evacuate residents by sea.

Once again, the fires appear to have started in the forests, with dry and hot weather conditions causing them to spread to coastal areas.

Safety information for Corfu

Whilethe fires are less intense on this island, some areas of Corfu are being evacuated, particularly in the south.

If you are on holiday in Corfu, you are advised to follow advice from local authorities regarding when to evacuate. If you are unsure if you are affected, you should call your hotel or travel operator.

How far is Kos from Corfu?

Similarly, Kos is roughly 450 miles away from Corfu and takes just under four hours to fly between the two islands.

That means that many other islands are largely unaffected by the wildfires, although are experiencing scorching temperatures at the same time.

Evia

The fires in Evia are also on the south of the island, threatening five villages in particular: Livadi, Potami, Pernaraki, Platanistos and Kastro.

The fires are smaller than on Corfu and Rhodes, but the smoke is reportedly still thick enough in some areas to be hazardous to health.

Safety information for Evia

The inhabitants of these villages are being evacuated to the town of Karystos. The same advice for Corfu and Rhodes applies, with the numbers for the Crisis Management Unit applying to all three islands.

How many Greek islands are there?

There are 6,000 Greek islands but only 227 islands are inhabited.

The five largest are Crete, Evia, Lesbos, Rhodes, and Chios, but the most popular for UK tourists tend to be Rhodes, Crete, Kos, Corfu, and Santorini.

Which holiday resorts have been evacuated?

Thousands of holidaymakers have been evacuated, with all of Rhodess hotels and resorts organising ways for both tourists and locals to flee to safety.

On Corfu, those living and staying in the areas of Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia Perithia, and Sinies are being evacuated to Kassiopi, a village on the northeast coast of the island.

What to do if your holiday has been cancelled due to the Greek island wildfires

With both Jet2 and TUI cancelling all flights to Rhodes until next Monday (July 31), if you have an upcoming holiday to Rhodes, Corfu, or Evia, then you should have received a notification from your airline or holiday agent that your trip has been cancelled.

Thomas Cook has cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos  the areas of Rhodes most at risk  until July 31 and would be in touch with customers to arrange swift refunds.

It has also offered full refunds to customers due to depart for other parts of the island on Sunday and Monday who wish to cancel their trip.

Easyjet has also cancelled all package holidays to Rhodes, Corfu, and Evia until Tuesday (August 1), but there seems to be a tentative hope that holidays booked for after the middle of next week could still go ahead.

Flights by Ryanair and British Airways are currently running as normal.

If your flight has been cancelled, then you should be entitled to a full refund, or potentially an option to rebook for another date. Contact the airline if you have not received an email regarding your flight.
G reta Thunberg has been fined after being found guilty of disobeying police orders during an anti-oil protest in Malmo last month.

The climate activist was detained with other protesters after they stopped traffic in the oil terminal of the Swedish citys port on June 19.

She was charged because she refused to comply with police orders to leave the scene during the protest, according to prosecutors.

Ms Thunberg admitted that she had disobeyed the police order but pleaded not guilty and said that she was acting out of necessity.

My actions are justifiable, Ms Thunberg told the court, according to the Sydsvenskan newspaper. I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term.

The fine will be based on Thunbergs reported income and it was not immediately clear how much she would have to pay.

The activist, 20, who began her school strike for climate at the age of 15 in Stockholm and rose to international prominence through the Fridays for Future youth climate movement, was detained with three others.

The four were part of a group of about 20 protesters blocking the road and climbing on tankers to stop them entering or leaving the terminal.

The protesters were dragged away from the scene because they did not obey individual police instructions to move off the road, police said.
B uildings near Russias defence ministry in Moscow were hit by attack drones on Monday morning, the citys mayor said.

Sergei Sobyanin said two commercial blocks were struck around 4am local time.

He accused Ukraine of organising the terror attack and claimed the two drones were suppressed and crashed.

There was no serious damage or casualties, he added.

Debris and machine fragments were reported in Komsomolsky Avenue, which runs through central Moscow, about 1.2 miles from the defence ministrys offices.

Police closed off surrounding roads and photos show skyscrapers with top floor windows blown out. It was unclear whether the drones hit the buildings when they were downed, or whether they were the intended targets.

REUTERS

The alleged attack comes after nearly a week of Russias continued pounding of Ukraines southern port of Odesa, where on Sunday, missiles killed one person.

Many more were injured and the historic Orthodox cathedral was damaged in the attack.

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

Meanwhile Russia has announced plans to teach children how to operate combat drones on top of rifle and hand grenade training.

The classes for students aged between 14 and 16 are due to begin in September, according to the British Ministry of Defence.

The MoD said in its Monday morning briefing: All Russian school children are to be taught the basics of operating combat drones.

Russian Senator Artem Sheikin announced that the lessons will include how to conduct terrain reconnaissance and ways to counter enemy uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV).

The UAV lessons join assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid in the revised Basics of Life Safety syllabus for year 10 and 11 students, due to be mandated from 1 September 2023.

Russias renewed emphasis on military induction for children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarised patriotism rather than develop genuine capability.

However, the addition of UAV skills does highlight how Russia has identified the use of tactical UAVs in Ukraine as an enduring component of contemporary war.
N ew Zealands justice minister has resigned after she crashed into a parked car while reportedly over the legal alcohol limit.

Kiri Allan has been charged by police with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer following the incident, which is understood to have happened in the countrys capital, Wellington, shortly after 9pm local time on Sunday.

Ms Allan, 39, was detained at the central police station for about four hours, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Mr Hipkins noted police reported that Allans breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit, although she was not charged with drunk driving. Police said they issued Allan an infringement notice in relation to the breath test.

A court date has not been set. If found guilty, Ms Allan could face fines and a suspension of her drivers license.

Once considered a rising star of New Zealands Labour Party, Ms Allan had recently taken time off for her mental health after being involved in a publicised split with her partner.

She also faced accusations of having poor working relationships with some staff.

Mr Hipkins said he spoke with Ms Allan on Monday morning and told her he thought she wasnt in a fit state to remain a minister, and it was untenable for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending. She agreed and resigned her ministerial roles, Mr Hipkins said.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins / AP

For now, Ms Allan remains a member of Parliament.

While her alleged actions are inexcusable, Ive been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident, Mr Hipkins said.

Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday.

Mr Hipkins said he felt sad for Ms Allan.

Kiri is an incredibly talented person who clearly has been battling some demons, and has not won that battle, he said.

Ms Allan said she was sorry for her actions and was heading home to consider her future in politics.

Over recent weeks Ive faced a number of personal difficulties. I took time off to address those, and believed I was okay to juggle those challenges with the pressure of being a minister, she said in a statement. My actions yesterday show I wasnt okay, and Ive let myself and my colleagues down.

The incident involving Ms Allan was the latest in a series of missteps and scandals involving government ministers less than three months out from national elections.

Last month, Transport and Immigration Minister Michael Wood resigned after failing to disclose a possible conflict of interest with stock he owned. In March, Police Minister Stuart Nash was fired after it came to light he had given confidential information to donors. In May, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri was fired after switching allegiance to another political party.

Opposition leader Christopher Luxon said he hoped Ms Allan was getting the support she needs, but added the situation raised questions about the judgment of Mr Hipkins.

Mr Hipkins took over as prime minister in January after predecessor Jacinda Ardern announced her shock resignation. New Zealands elections will be held on October 14.

Polls indicate the conservative opposition has pulled level or moved slightly ahead of the incumbent liberals in what promises to be a close race.
T he United Nations and North Korea have entered discussions over the welfare of an American soldier who fled to the country.

Private Second Class Travis King, 23, the first American to be held in the hermit state for five years, was on a civilian tour of the demilitarised zone, near the border crossing of Panmunjom, before he entered the North wilfully and without authorisation, according to US officials.

General Andrew Harrison, a British Army officer serving as deputy commander of an overseas force, confirmed that conversations between the United Nations Command and North Koreas military are ongoing.

The primary concern for us is Private Kings welfare, Harrison told a media briefing, declining to go into detail.

The conversation has commenced with the KPA through the mechanisms of the Armistice agreement, Harrison said, referring to the Norths Korean Peoples Army.

I cant say anything that could prejudice that process.

The North Korean state media has remained silent about Mr King.

The incident has coincided with heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. Last week a US nuclear-armed submarine docked in South Korea for the first time in decades.

The North has recently increased its testing of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile launched earlier this month.

Days before Mr King fled he had been released from a prison in South Korea, where he had been held on assault charges, and faced further disciplinary action on his arrival at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Mr King had previously pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public property. Last September he punched a man in the face at a nightclub and in October he damaged a police car in which he was being held, court documents showed.

In February he was fined 5 million won (3,000) by a court in Seoul. He was released on Monday after spending 50 days in custody, although the authorities have not confirmed whether he was in US military or South Korean custody.
T equila, it makes us happy. Or does it?

Long regarded a 3am bad decision chased with a dry mouth, molten hot eyeballs and a hangover youd think was delivered by Satan himself, the way we down tequila would rile most folks in Mexico, the home of the famous agave spirit.

In the North American country, tequila is not to be shot, but rather sipped, swilled and savoured - much like neat whisky.

Proper tequila - the kind without a worm languishing at the bottom of the bottle - can take months, sometimes years, to produce. While you can have it neat, there are also ways to enjoy it in cocktails, like a margarita.

Tequila school 101 - how is it made?

Its a distilled spirit, made from cooking and fermenting the juice of blue weber agave. Most tequilas can be categorised into one of three categories.

Blanco tequila: unaged and bottled inside two months, this is the tequila thats most commonly used by mixologists and bartenders when making cocktails. It typically has a strong agave and earthy flavour.

unaged and bottled inside two months, this is the tequila thats most commonly used by mixologists and bartenders when making cocktails. It typically has a strong agave and earthy flavour. Reposado tequila: this sort of tequila has been aged in wooden casks for at least a two month period, during which time the spirit mellows and absorbs the woods oaky notes. If youre a margarita fan, try reposado the next time you reach for your cocktail shaker.

this sort of tequila has been aged in wooden casks for at least a two month period, during which time the spirit mellows and absorbs the woods oaky notes. If youre a margarita fan, try reposado the next time you reach for your cocktail shaker. Anejo tequilas: a vintage tequila, these are barrel-aged for a minimum of one year so naturally, tend to be far more expensive than its brothers. Similar to many whiskies, theyre smooth on the palette and rich with spiced and sweet notes  making them particularly nice for cold-weather sipping.

Using tequila in a margarita

Edson Diaz-Fuentes, co-founder of Santo Remedio Mexican Cafe explains the key to a great margarita is a finely-tuned balance between sweetness, freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice as well as good quality Tequila. He believes on the rocks is more classic, but adds nothing wrong with frozen Margaritas during a hot summer season. Amen.

Meanwhile, the British owners of El Rayo suggest swapping the gin in your G&T with a measure of tequila instead for an alternative T&T drink. Controversial certainly, but once tried, tough to fault.

However youll have yours, weve grouped the finest bottles below. From names youll recognise, and a few we reckon you wont, here are the best craft and luxury tequilas to try.

Let the Mexican wave commence!
B BC newsreader George Alagiah has died aged 67 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014, his agent said on Monday.

Paying tribute to him on Monday, BBC director-general Tim Davie described Mr Alagiah as one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation, who was loved by all.

George Alagiah was a popular and reassuring presence behind a BBC News desk for more than 20 years.

He joined the corporation in 1989, and was one of the broadcasters leading foreign correspondents, filing dispatches on subjects ranging from the Rwandan genocide to civil wars across Africa.

Mr Alagiah first announced he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014. It was later revealed the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

After undergoing treatment he revealed on social media in October 2015 that he would return to work, subsequently appearing on-screen in November.

An ever-popular presenter, his return was welcomed by viewers and his fellow journalists, including presenters of competing news programmes.

In 2016, Mr Alagiah said he was a richer person for his cancer diagnosis, which saw him undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations, one of which included the removal of most of his liver.

George Alagiah 1 / 10 George Alagiah PA Mark Richards PA PA Media PA Wire BBC/Jeff Overs PA PA

In June 2020, Alagiah revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs. He told the Times: My doctors have never used the word chronic or cure about my cancer.

Theyve never used the word terminal either. Ive always said to my oncologist, Tell me when I need to sort my affairs out, and hes not told me that, but what he did tell me is that the cancer is now in a third organ. It is in my lungs.

Mr Alagiah said he had kept the development a secret, only telling his editor.

He said: I said to my doctor, Youre going to have to do the worrying for me. I dont want to fill my mind with worry. I just know that hes a clever guy, doing everything he can.

In October 2021, a representative for Mr Alagiah announced that he would be taking a step back from his presenting and journalism duties as he deals with a further spread of cancer.

During an interview in January 2022, Mr Alagiah spoke candidly about his long battle with cancer, saying it will get me in the end, before adding Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.

Mr Alagiah reflected with positivity upon his life achievements.

I had to stop and say, Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?, he said.

And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journeythe family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into [Frances Robathan], whos now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up it didnt feel like a failure.

Mr Alagiah temporarily returned to BBC News At Six last April but in October he once again announced he had been forced to take time away from his work after scans showed that the cancer had spread further.

While sharing the news, he said: A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so its back to some tough stuff.

Following news of Mr Alagiahs death on Monday, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.

Other BBC colleagues have remembered Mr Alagiah as a phenomenal journalist and a great man.

The broadcasters Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, wrote on Twitter: The saddest of goodbyes to George...a great broadcaster, kind colleague, thoughtful journalist and a wonderful person with such a warm smile and lovely laugh...he inspired so many...and fought until the very end.

Journalist Sarfraz Manzoor wrote: George Alagiah was one of the kindest, bravest and most inspiring people I have ever been privileged to know. Never complained about his fate and always curious about the world. We are all poorer without him.

Mr Alagiah was born in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo in 1955 when the city was still considered part of the former British territory of Ceylon.

During the BBCs coverage of the 2004 Asian tsunami, he returned to the country to find that his grandfathers former home had been destroyed in the natural disaster.

Alagiah spent part his of childhood in Ghana in west Africa where he moved with his engineer father Donald and mother Therese.

He moved to the UK to attend secondary school in Portsmouth after which he read politics at Durham University.

During his studies at Durham he was the editor of the student paper and a sabbatical officer of the students union.

It was there that he met his wife Frances Robathan. The couple married in 1984 and share two sons Adam and Matthew.

Before starting with the BBC, Alagiah was based in Johannesburg as developing world correspondent for South Magazine.

He was part of the BBC team that won a Bafta Award in 2000 for its reporting of the conflict in Kosovo, one of several prizes he received during his broadcasting career.

After first presenting BBC Four News in 2002 he went on to co-anchor the corporations 6pm news bulletin, first alongside Sophie Raworth and then Natasha Kaplinsky.

From 2007 he was the programmes sole presenter while he was also a relief presenter for News at Ten.

He interviewed several world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In 2008, he was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Away from journalism, Mr Alagiah was a published author and his debut novel was shortlisted for a Society Of Authors award.

His thriller The Burning Land, about corruption and homicide in South Africa, was in the running for the Paul Torday memorial prize, which is awarded to a first novel by a writer over 60.
H olly Willoughby is set to helm This Morning alongside a rotation of co-presenters as ITV bosses decide against replacing Phillip Schofield, according to a new report.

It has been claimed that the 42-year-old will be the only permanent fixture on the Monday to Thursday instalments and will be joined mostly by Josie Gibson, 38, and Craig Doyle, 52.

Meanwhile, Friday show hosts Alison Hammond, 48, and Dermot OLeary, 50, will also reportedly join the Wylde Moon founder sporadically.

An ITV source told the Daily Mail: The idea of finding the next Phil to sit next to Holly has been disregarded by This Mornings bosses. It will be Holly along with whichever rotating presenter is selected to join her. It will essentially be Hollys show.

Dermot OLeary and Alison Hammond will reportedly join Willoughby sporadically / ITV

Bosses hope that they can put all of the Schofield scandal behind them and start concentrating on the content of the show rather than the twosome presenting it. At least this way there wont be any falling out.

Holly is so excited about the plan. She loves Josie, Craig, Alison and Dermot. Its a happy ship and she made the decision not to quit but instead to return and keep things going while being at the helm. Holly is absolutely determined to head up the challenge to make the show a success again.

The Standard has contacted Holly Willoughbys rep and an ITV spokesperson for comment.

The report comes amid speculation that Willoughby was set to renew her contract on the ITV mid-morning stalwart for a higher salary than the 700,000 a year she is believed to be currently paid by the broadcaster.

The spot alongside the Dancing on Ice host has remained vacant since Phillip Schofield resigned from ITV after confessing to an unwise but not illegal affair with a show runner.

In light of the 61-year-olds exit, Willoughby has since predominantly presented alongside Irish host Craig Doyle, who fans have asked ITV to become Schofields full-time replacement.
T he children of late actor Robin Williams have paid tribute to him on what would have been his 72nd birthday.

Father-of-three Williams died by suicide in Northern California in 2014. He was 63 years old.

He would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on July 22, 2023.

Taking to social media over the weekend, the Oscar-winners son, Zak, 40, and daughter Zelda, 33, paid their respects individually.

Happy 72nd Dad! Was remembering how much I used to love that look youd give, wrote Zak on Instagram. That look with a mischievous, loving grin that your friends and loved ones knew so well. Joyous and curious and wondrous. Miss you and love you forever.

His words were shared alongside a photograph of his father wearing headphones and smiling in his 1987 war comedy Good Morning, Vietnam.

Zelda meanwhile suggested that Williams would have supported the ongoing writers and actors strike in Hollywood as she shared a picutre of him joining the New York picket line in the 2007 strike.

In it, the Mrs Doubtfire star can be seen holding a sign that reads SGA WGA ON STRIKE alongside fellow protestors.

Happy birthday to Poppo, who definitely wouldve been out there fighting the good fight for art and artists today and always, she wrote in the accompanying caption.

Williams was a vocal advocate for writers rights during the strike in 2007. That year, the WGA took industrial action with a key issue in the negotiations being royalties from DVD sales.

The 2007/08 season strike lasted for 100 days and nearly 25 per cent of primetime scripted programming over that period was lost completely.

Speaking about his decision to get involved at the time, he told The Hollywood Reporter: This is not about millionaire screenwriters. They dont need to be on strike. This is not about me, Im fine.

This is about a large amount of people who are simply trying to get their fair share.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
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Elon Musk has axed one of the most iconic brand names in social media history.

Twitter will now be known as X and responses have ranged from people threatening to quit their accounts, to others praising Musks vision.

The Evening Standards tech reporter, Simon Hunt, explains all about Elon's vision to Tech & Science Daily.

Thousands of people are making their way out of Rhodes by boat and plane as enormous wildfires rage on an island where temperatures could hit 45 degrees Celsius. The Greek government says the situation is not alarming and tourists not in areas affected by the flames should continue with their plans  the UKs warning the situation could change very quickly. A government minister says a 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars will remain in place  despite pressure from some Conservatives to review the deadlines. The Tories held the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat in last weeks by-election with analysts saying voters were resisting the Labour Mayor of Londons plans to expand the citys Ultra Low Emission Zone. And the rest... A potential alien spacecraft crash on Mars, Microsofts ditching the Mail and Calendar Apps and ChatGPTs Sam Altman enters the crypto ring with Worldcoin. Plus, is green-grown Barley good for the environment? Scientists investigate

Listen above, and find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.
A former tenured professor at De Anza Community College in California has filed a 53-page lawsuit against her former employer alleging discrimination, wrongful termination and violation of her right to free speech.

The former professor, Tabia Lee, was the faculty director for the Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education at the school.

She alleges she was terminated in June 2023 because of her viewpoints and protected public speech and because of De Anza and the Districts ideological opposition to Dr. Lees humanism in the classroom.

According to the lawsuit, Lee is Black and dedicated to humanism and civil rights. She alleges she teaches people to not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Alternatively, she claims that De Anza is hostile to this concept.

She is suing De Anza and also several school officials, including the president and her supervisor, the dean.

She alleges, Defendants, acting within the scope of their employment and as employees of the District and De Anza, repeatedly informed Dr. Lee that she was not the right kind of Black person.

Lee founded Free Black Thought, which is described as an online journal and community of heterodox scholars and public intellectuals dedicated to the rich diversity of thought among and about Black Americans. She claims that those who publish in FBT are sometimes accused, as Defendants accuse Tabia Lee at De Anza, of not being the right sort of Black voices, of being Oreos, whitesplaining, perpetuating white supremacy (by somehow publishing Black authors), and other racist stereotypes and tropes.

She claims that De Anza retaliates against anyone who deviates from the orthodoxy which she alleges identifies, Whiteness, White supremacy, and White colonialism as the root of all ills. She alleges, Black women are expected to think the same (or to shut up).

Lee alleges she was accused of White speak, being transactional, and Whitesplaining and that she was criticized for expressing even mainstream viewpoints in her teaching at De Anza.

She alleges she was terminated for opposing the schools expectation that the physical Office of Equity, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education was for students, faculty and staff of color only, using terms such as Latinx or Filipinx, and objecting to replacing the term women with womyn. She also opposed referring to a mandatory land acknowledgment that she claimed portrayed historical inaccuracy and was performative. She also opposed what she claims was the schools unwillingness to include anti-Semitism in its anti-racism programs.

She alleged, De Anza prefers empty gestures and word gimmicks to ending discrimination on the basis of race. And the only significant action taken by Defendants has been to discriminate against and retaliate against Dr. Lee for her failure to conform to race-based stereotypes, among other allegations.

Her suit alleges violations of the First Amendment to the Constitution, violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, wrongful discharge under California state law and violation of the California state constitution.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs have been criticized for engaging in what some view as racial stereotypes, preferences and quotas, in addition to focusing only on race and gender.

These criticisms are unfortunate because most DEI programs are focused on creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Divisive programs such as some of the allegations described in the lawsuit are rare, but troubling, and bring an ideology that is myopic and divisive.

Earlier this month, 13 Republican Attorneys General sent a lengthy letter to the Fortune 100 CEOs reminding them of their obligation to not discriminate based on race following the Supreme Courts decision on college admissions. Senator Tom Cotton also sent a letter to 51 law firms suggesting they give advice to their clients on nondiscrimination.

Discrimination based on race or any other protected factor such as age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, etc., in the employment setting was not legal before the Supreme Court decision, and it remains illegal today.

Organizations need to make sure that all their employment practices are inclusive and not exclusive. The concept of DEI is to eliminate barriers to success, as well as stereotypes.
S potify is increasing the prices of its premium subscriptions in many of its global markets including the UK and US.

The music-streaming services Premium plan now costs 10.99 per month in the UK, up from 9.99 previously, according to the companys website.

Spotify has also raised the price of its monthly plans aimed at multiple users by 1 each: A Duo subscription for two people now costs 14.99, while a Family plan for six people costs 17.99. The price of a Spotify student subscription remains unchanged at 5.99 per month.

In a blog post, Spotify said the increase would allow it to keep innovating in an evolving market landscape.

These updates will help us continue to deliver value to fans and artists on our platform, the company said.

Spotify is notifying customers of the changes via email.

The price hike has been in the works for months. Spotify CEO Daniel EK previously said the company was ready to raise prices and that he would like to do that in 2023. He added that Spotify was discussing the plan with record labels.

While Spotify previously upped the price of multi-user bundle plans in 2021  including its Duo, Family, and Student tiers  this marks the first increase for its classic plan for individuals. All four subscriptions come with a one-month free trial for new customers.

Spotify also offers a free option with adverts and limited playback functionality.

Spotify had 515 million global users and 210 million paid subscribers at last count. Meanwhile, the amount it makes from advertising dropped by 27 per cent sequentially in its first quarter of last year. Therefore, ramping up subscription costs could help to offset any further declines in its ad business.

Spotify is also a different beast from what it was upon its launch in 2011. The company has since branched out beyond music to add podcasts and, more recently, audiobooks to its service.

How does the new price tag compare to other music streaming platforms?

The price rise means Spotifys classic subscription now costs the same as rivals Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited in the UK. Meanwhile, YouTube Music remains the only holdout at 9.99 per month, though that may change as the service recently upped its price to $10.99 in the US.
A bizarre cryptocurrency project from the AI hotshot behind ChatGPT has arrived in London.

OpenAI founder Sam Altmans Wordcoin Foundation wants to scan a billion peoples eyeballs using a five-pound spherical machine in exchange for its crypto token.

According to the companys website, the contraption (known as the Orb) is going to be available in 35 cities including London. You can currently book appointments to get your eye scanned at two locations in Shoreditch.

For some, staring into an iris-scanning device to earn digital money sounds like a dystopian sci-fi novel come to life. Theres even a section in the Worldcoin FAQ that asks will the orb hurt my eyes?. Apparently, it wont as the machine complies with international standards on eye safety.

A more pressing issue is privacy. Worldcoin insists that capturing the scans is necessary in order to discern between humans and robots amid a boom in artificial intelligence technology.

To ease privacy concerns, investor Blockchain Capital previously explained what happens under the hood of the orb.

The way it works is the machine takes a picture of an iris and the device subsequently generates a unique encoding of the randomness of the iris (an iris code).

Per default the original biometric is immediately destroyed and the iris code is the only thing that leaves the orb.

Worldcoin said it has already signed up two million people over the last six months during its trial phase, at a rate of 40,000 users per week. It is now planning to roll out 1,500 orbs around the world during the summer. An accompanying app, which lets customers reserve the Worldcoin token and purchase other cryptocurrencies, is available on iPhone and Android.

In a joint statement released on Monday, Altman and co-founder Alex Blania said: If successful, we believe Worldcoin could drastically increase economic opportunity, scale a reliable solution for distinguishing humans from AI online while preserving privacy, enable global democratic processes, and eventually show a potential path to AI-funded [universal basic income].
A fter announcing Twitters shock rebrand last week, Elon Musk is pushing ahead with the makeover.

The social media platform now sports a new X logo on its mobile apps for iPhone and Android, following an earlier change to its website and Twitter accounts.

Musk originally bid farewell to the Twitter brand on June 23 in a flurry of tweets. Shortly after, the companys iconic bird symbol, named after the pro basketball player Larry Bird, was replaced with a new X logo on its website and headquarters.

Twitter X branding on desktop / Screenshot by Alan Martin

So, what does the change mean for users of the popular social platform? Read on to find out why Twitter changed its logo, whether tweets are also disappearing, and reactions to the overhaul from fans and brands alike.

Why is Twitters logo changing?

Twitters abrupt rebrand stems partly from Musks fondness for the letter X, which has popped up throughout his career. It is also closely linked to his attempt to turn the news-led social network into a super app that offers everything from payments to TikTok-style videos.

According to author Walt Isaacson, who shadowed Musk for two years while writing his biography, he planned to rebrand Twitter as X.com even before he took control of the company.

The concept for Twitter as X crystalised in October 2022, when Musk tweeted that acquiring the platform is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app. In March of this year, Musk merged Twitter Inc. into a newly registered entity called X Corp. A month later in April, he created a new company dedicated to artificial intelligence called X.AI.

X will be the platform that can deliver  everything, concluded Twitters CEO, Linda Yaccarino, on Sunday. In a series of posts, she suggested the rebrand gave the company a chance to make a new impression on users.

Nodding to Musks plans to create a super app, she added that X would be an AI-powered platform centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking.

Why X?

The origins of Musks fascination with the letter X can be traced back to 1999. Thats when he founded a financial start-up called X.com, which would later become the payments giant PayPal after its merger with a company co-founded by Peter Thiel and Max Levchin.

Musk would eventually leave the firm, in part because he wanted the companys name to remain X.com. After that, Munch launched Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, which would be known as SpaceX. His electric car company Tesla also boasts a Model X vehicle, and X is even the name of his son with musician Grimes.

Is this a complete rebrand?

Its becoming increasingly clear that Musks rebrand will encompass all parts of Twitter.

The platforms social apps now both carry the new X logo, although there is a noticeable discrepancy between the two.

Specifically, Twitter is still called Twitter on Android despite carrying the new icon, whereas its name has been changed to X on iPhone.

Earlier reports claimed that Apple was initially hesitant to allow the switchover as it violated its policy banning app names with fewer than two characters.

Twitters original tagline (lets talk) has also been traded for Blaze your glory! on Xs iOS App Store listing, which describes the app as the trusted digital town square for everyone.

What are tweets called now?

Still, it remains to be seen if Musk and co will be able to convince users to embrace the changes.

After all, the platforms features  including tweets and retweets, hashtags and DMs  have seeped into the online lexicon. Those habits wont change overnight and, if anything, the rebrand may lead to confusion at first.

There was an indication that the word tweet would be dropped, with Musk initially responding to one user that they would now be called Xs. But, as ever with Musk, its hard to know what the truth really is.

More recently, a Twitter user briefly spotted the word post instead of tweet on the web, which could be a sign of things to come. Notably, Twitters latest rival Threads also uses the same term to refer to content shared by users.

How have people reacted?

Generally, there has been bemusement as to why an experienced entrepreneur would so willingly abandon a logo that has become familiar to everyone across the internet.

Others are unimpressed that a billionaire with essentially unlimited branding budgets couldnt come up with a better logo.

It is widely regarded as another misstep in an ownership not exactly short of missteps.

For others, they decided they would never actually use the new branding, sticking to Twitter, tweeting and retweets even if theyre not the official terms.

Im still gonna call it Twitter, the YouTuber Marques Brownlee told his six million followers. Not for long, replied Musk. We shall see.
Economy Minister talks with European consumer protection commissioner about Wizz Air's problems

The Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism discussed on Monday, on the sidelines of the informal meeting of the ministers responsible for competitiveness, with Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Justice, with duties regarding consumer protection, about a series of topics of interest for our country, including the delays or cancellations of flights by the airline company Wizz Air, told Agerpres.

"In this way, the Minister Stefan-Radu Oprea expressed his concern regarding the problems that the airline company Wizz Air has in Romania, a lately many of its flights have very long delays or have been canceled at the last moment, which has led to dissatisfaction and complaints on the part of customers", reads a release posted on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Economy.

According to the cited source, Commissioner Didier Reynders showed his support for remedying this situation and specified that Romanian citizens can benefit from the support of the European Union for solving problems and recouping benefits by registering a request on the website of the European Consumer Center Romania (https://eccromania.ro/).

This service is a useful free tool, designed to help consumers when: they encounter problems with a product or service purchased from another European country; they want to know what rights they have during trips to another European state; they want to file a complaint against a European company, in order to solve the problem.

At the same time, Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Justice, said that he will pay a visit to our country at the end of the year.

For his part, Stefan-Radu Oprea declared that he appreciates the support offered to Romania in the Schengen accession process by the EU.

The Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism is at the informal meeting of ministers responsible for competitiveness in Bilbao, Kingdom of Spain, organized by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, between July 24-25, 2023.
Foreign Affairs Ministry says no data are available on the number of Romanians evacuated from Greece

There is no data on the number of Romanian citizens evacuated from the risk areas, as the Greek authorities have as a priority the safe evacuation of all affected people, in the context of the fires in Greece, according to a response of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), at the request of AGERPRES on the matter.

According to the latest information received by the representatives of the Romanian Embassy in Athens from the local authorities, the island of Rhodes is still affected by fires, the most significant outbreaks are in the area of Asklepion, Platanisto, Karystos, in which context the authorities have ordered the preventive evacuation of several localities including Kiotari, Gennadi, Pylonas, Livadi, Potami, Pernaraki, Platanisto, Karystos Laerma, Lardos, Lindos, Kalathos Malona, Asklipio, Pevkos, Massair, Haraki.

MAE informs that all Romanian citizens who have requested assistance by telephone from the Romanian Embassy in Athens are out of any danger, and will be transported to the mainland of the Hellenic Republic, according to the plan implemented by the local authorities.

With reference to the fire affecting the island of Corfu, MAE shows that, according to the data communicated by the local authorities, the fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon in the northern part of the island spread to both sides of the Pantokratoras massif, affecting the Loutses and Perithia areas. In this context, MAE points out that the local authorities have ordered the evacuation of the inhabitants of the affected area (Portes, Megkoula, Simies, Palia Peritheia and Saga) to the town of Kassiopi, and no assistance requests have been received at the embassy. The Romanian diplomatic mission is permanently monitoring the situation in Corfu, being in contact with the Greek authorities in charge, with the task force set up at the local level, as well as with the Honorary Consul of Romania in Corfu, being ready to provide consular assistance according to its powers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that new fires were reported on Saturday in Yliki (Thebes region), Metohi (Epidaur region), Dervenaki (Ahaia region), Astakos (Messolonghi region) and Amigdalia (Volos region) on the island of Evia.

The diplomatic mission has no data on the number of Romanian citizens evacuated from the risk areas, as the Greek authorities have as a priority the safe evacuation of all affected people, the Romanian ministry said.

MAE recommends tourists to follow the indications of the local authorities, as well as to access useful links: Fire Service and Civil Protection: www.fireservice.gr, civilprotection.gov.gr/en.

Romanian citizens can request consular assistance at the following telephone numbers of the Romanian Embassy in Athens: +30 210 6728875; +30 210 6728879, calls being redirected to the Contact and Support Centre for Romanian Citizens Abroad (CCSCRS) and answered by Call Centre operators, on a permanent basis. Also, Romanian citizens facing a difficult, special, emergency situation can call the emergency telephone number of the Romanian diplomatic mission to the Republic of Greece: +306978996222.

According to the Greek press, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his gratitude to the Romanian firefighters who are on mission in Greece, namely 130 people with 25 vehicles, who have "fought fires, on the front line, tirelessly."

The Greek Embassy in Bucharest said: "Romania, we are grateful to you!"
Gov't borrows RON 654.1 million on Monday off banks

The Ministry of Finance (MF) on Monday borrowed RON 654.1 million off banks in an issue of benchmark bonds of a residual maturity of 93 months and an average yield of 6.42% per annum, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR), told Agerpres.

The nominal value of Monday's issue was RON 500 million, and the banks offered almost RON 799.1 million.

An additional auction is scheduled for Tuesday to borrow another RON 75 million at the yield set on Monday for the bonds.

MP has planned for July 2023 to borrow RON 4 billion off commercial banks, to which RON 600 million can be added in additional sessions of non-competitive offers related to bond auctions.

The total amount of RON 4.6 billion is RON 1.88 billion lower than the one scheduled for June, of RON 6.48 billion, and it is intended for public debt refunding and government deficit financing.
Phone conversation between ForMin Odobescu and American counterpart: Romania joins G7 Declaration in support of Ukraine

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, had a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Monday, in the context of which the head of Romanian diplomacy informed about Romania's decision to join the G7 Declaration in support of Ukraine presented on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the Foreign Ministry (MAE) reports, told Agerpres.

The Romanian and American chief diplomats discussed the latest developments in the Black Sea, including the effects of the Russian Federation's decision to suspend participation in the initiative regarding the export of grains through the Black Sea. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the US Secretary of State condemned the recent attacks by the Russian Federation on civilians and on river and maritime infrastructure, as well as the cynical way in which the Russian Federation affects global food security.

As a result, they agreed to maintain a close coordination, bilaterally and Euro-Atlantic, as well as with like-minded partners, in order to continue solid support for Ukraine in the long term, including regarding the export of agricultural products. At the same time, Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu presented the measures already adopted by Romania, as well as the measures considered in the short and medium term to support the transit capacity for agricultural products from Ukraine. Also, the Romanian official pleaded for the continuation of consistent support for strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova.

The Romanian minister reiterated the importance given by our country to the accession to the Visa Waiver program, the American counterpart recalling the US support commitment in order to achieve this common goal", the MAE informs.
Romania helps Greece in fight against fires with 150 firemen, specific intervention hardware

Romanian firefighters who are part of the national firefighting unit deployed in Greece arrived on Monday on the island of Rhodes, heavily affected by fires, told Agerpres.

The Romanian unit, made up of 52 firemen, aims to limit the spread of fires towards inhabited areas, together with the Greek and Slovak firefighters. Under the direct coordination of the Greek liaison officer, the mission of the Romanian firefighters consists in maintaining a line of protection between the front of the fire and the unaffected area, as well as supplying water to other special vehicles that will operate in the affected areas.

The hardware provided by the Romanian rescuers in the island of Rhodes is composed of six forest fire extinguishing machines, two large capacity fire extinguishers (10,000 liters), a 30-tonne water tank, two first-aid vehicles and command, a minibus transporting people.

This season, Romania has so far sent to Greece 150 firemen, specialists from the Department for Emergency Situations, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and subordinate units. Some of them traveled by air, with an aircraft owned by the Ministry of National Defense, and others traveled by land with specific means of intervention.

Also, Romania sent a total of ten forest firefighting trucks to Greece, five 10,000 litre trucks, one 30,000 liter truck, a 30 tonne water tanker, a rapid intervention truck with a capacity of 600 liters of water, a mobile camp for staff accommodation, two minibuses and three first-response Duster cars and order.

The external support mission is carried out through the European Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union.

Affected by one of the most persistent heatwaves in recent decades, with temperatures reaching over 46 degrees Celsius on Sunday, Greece has been fighting wildfires since last week. The violent fire that broke out in the tourist island of Rhodes, in the southeast of the Aegean Sea, led on Saturday, July 22, to the evacuation of 30,000 tourists, "the biggest operation (of this kind) ever carried out in Greece," according to the Greek authorities.

Romanian tourists who have accommodation reservations in the southern part of the island of Rhodes, affected by the fires, will be relocated to the northern areas, the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) announced on Monday, adding that no travel cancellations have been registered so far. According to ANAT, approximately 15% of the surface of the island of Rhodes, namely the southern part, was affected by fires, which led to the temporary closure of several hotels in this area. However, charter flights to the island operate normally, thus ensuring the continuity of scheduled vacations.

The pre-positioning program is organized by the General Directorate of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - DG ECHO, in order to strengthen the resilience of the Greek authorities in managing this type of risk. The aim of the program is to reduce the response time in case of forest fires, to make the activity of preparing the intervention units belonging to the member states more efficient, as well as to improve the interoperability between the participating forces. The activation and operationalization of the specialized module for extinguishing forest fires is carried out for the execution of specific missions of monitoring and extinguishing outbreaks on the territory of Greece, in the locations established by the Greek partners.
The Romanian firefighters who are part of the national firefighting module deployed in Greece reached, on Monday morning, the island of Rhodes, heavily affected by fires, informs the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU).

According to the source, the Romanian module, made up of 52 military, is heading to the military base, where they will be accommodated and where they will supply water to the special vehicles that will operate in the fire affected areas.

"Under the direct coordination of the Greek liaison officer, the Romanian firefighters will begin the mission to limit the spread of fires in the affected areas of Rhodes, together with the Greek and Slovak firefighters," mentions IGSU.

AGERPRES
Romania's CoD Petrescu on official visit to US : Romanian military supported the consolidation of UN's leadership role

The Romanian military has supported the consolidation of the leading role of the United Nations in the field of international peace and security since 1991, according to Romania's Chief of Defence (CoD) Daniel Petrescu, told Agerpres.

Throughout July 21, Petrescu was on an official visit to the US to attend the "State Partnership Program - 30th Anniversary" conference in Washington D.C.

Petrescu also toured the UN headquarters in New York, where he met Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN under-secretary general for peace operations, with their conversation focused on the contribution of the Romanian army to peace-keeping missions.

"Over the last three decades, more than 6,000 troops have participated in 17 peace-keeping missions and operations under the auspices of the UN. The Romanian 'Blue Helmets' have been joining the international effort both with detachments - with the last example being a substantial participation in the mission in Mali (2019-2020) - and on individual missions. Currently, Romania is represented by military observers in peace-keeping operations in Congo, South Sudan, Mali, as well as in other areas of the world," according to Petrescu.

The schedule of the visit to the UN headquarters included meetings with General Birame Diop, military adviser in the Department of Peace Operations, and other UN officials.

While in the US, Petrescu met head of the US National Guard Bureau General Daniel R. Hokanson, and head of the Alabama National Guard Sheryl E. Gordon.

The head of the US National Guard Bureau assessed the global security environment amidst current and future challenges and highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships. He is quoted as saying that over the last 30 years, co-operation has meant not only strengthening interoperability and increasing the reaction capacity of military structures, but also strengthening friendship and mutual trust between the military. We have acted together and learned from each other, and all this and good practices have made us all stronger.

During the conference, Petrescu was invited to talk about the national perspectives of the partnership program in the panel entitled "Future vision: the next thirty years".

The Chief of Defence presented both the Romanian Army's vision for the State Partnership Program, as well as the importance of the Black Sea region in the current security context in Europe and the determining role that intensified co-operation with regional commands can have in strengthening the defence posture.

"Joint training activities have contributed to an increase in our own defensive capacity. We want not only to keep up the pace of co-operation, but to increase its practical scope at a tactical and operational level. Our objective must remain international stability, and its fulfillment requires the coordination of like-minded states .The State Partnership Program therefore represents a key element of co-operation with the US. Nationally, the programme will remain a means of strengthening Romania's security pillar, subordinated to the strategic partnership. It is important to know that for the coming decades the United States will stay interested in Romania's security and in improving security in the Black Sea region," said Petrescu.

The visit in Washington also included a series of activities hosted by the National Defense University (NDU), where Petrescu met NDU Chairman Michael T. Plehn, other officials of the university, as well as Romanian students. The main event was the celebration of Petrescu, a graduate of the NDU National War College, being inducted into the International Fellows Hall of Fame of the prestigious American defence university.
Romania's Iancu swims Rhine to Basel

Librarian Avram Iancu of Petrosani, who has started swimming the Rhine river in support of Romania's accession to the Schengen area, arrived in Basel, Switzerland, on Monday after covering in eight days 170 kilometres of the more than 1,000 kilometres he had set out to cover, told Agerpres.

According to a social media post, from now on Iancu will swim on a special licence extended by the River Administration, because he enters the navigable channel of the river.

"Now (...) is an important moment of the race. From km 170 you cannot swim in any form without a special licence issued by the River Administration because you enter the navigable channel of the river. It's time for me to thank the Foreign Ministry and all the diplomatic missions again for obtaining my swimming authorisation. So... today the entire crew is excited. We will get to know the big transport ships," reads Iancu's social media post.

In the German city of Konstanz on July 17, Iancu kicked off a swimming race planning on crossing the entire course of the Rhine river in order to show support, through endurance swimming, for Romania's accession to the Schengen area.

He will swim the 1,032 kilometres of the river without a neoprene suit or other supporting elements, just like when he became the first man in the world to cross the Danube river using only the strength of his arms. The duration of the race is estimated at 35 days.

"I wish that the hundreds of thousands of Romanians who return to the country for holidays or vacations will no longer stand in exhausting kilometer-long queues. I wish that Romanian haulers will no longer waste time and significant sums of money at unnecessary borders. Romania is in Europe! Romania is Europe!" Iancu said before leaving.

For the certification of his performance, the swim race will be officially observed by the world open water swimming organisations. The official observer will be swimming trainer Radu Ileana of Alba Iulia, 37, with 14 years of experience in teaching swimming in Deva and Alba Iulia..

Iancu is accompanied by a kayaker as aquatic support, and also by a team that will move on land.

In the summer of 2017, he swam the entire course of the Danube without a wetsuit, over 2,860 kilometres, from its origins to the Black Sea.
US ambassador - exploratory discussions on new American investment opportunities in Brasov area

The US Ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, discussed, in Brasov, with the mayor of the municipality, Allen Coliban, about investment opportunities and future collaboration between the two sides, told Agerpres.

The discussions took place in the second part of the American ambassador's visit to Brasov, which also included meetings with Barbara and Christopher Promberger from the Conservathion Carpathia Foundation and with representatives of the Brasov Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In search of mutual prosperity, Mrs. Ambassador Kavalec talked with Mayor Coliban and Deputy Mayor Boghiu in order to explore new American investment opportunities in the vibrant area of Brasov. Mrs. Ambassador was deeply impressed with the ambitious vision of Brasov to become the green capital of Romania and the European Union, under the visionary leadership of Mayor Coliban. During her visit, Ambassador Kavalec also met with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brasov, promoting the dialogue, in order to encourage trade and investment relations between the United States and Romania, according to a release sent by the US Embassy.

"I am glad that we were able to show the ambitions of Brasov in this field, to talk about all the policies that support a green Brasov and Brasov the green capital, but at the same time to inform the commercial representatives of the embassy about the opportunities that our city and the metropolitan area offer. We talked about CET and the fact that we are looking for investors for this [industrial] platform, but also about investbrasov.org, the portal that gathers all the elements, all the parameters that can attract investors and make Bratov important on the investment map of Eastern Europe. About all of that I am convinced that the dialogue will continue, the institutional dialogue, and I want to thank the representatives of the US Embassy for all the openness and all the appreciation expressed today towards Brasov", the mayor of Brasov Allen Coliban said in a press release.

In the first part of Monday, the US ambassador visited the center for Ukrainian refugees at CATTIA Brasov.
US ambassador Kavalec in Brasov: Alongside Romania, we will continue to help Ukrainian refugees

Alongside Romania, the United States of America will continue to help the Ukrainian refugees, both at the national level and at the local level, the US ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, said on Monday, on the occasion of her visit to the CATTIA refugee centre in Brasov, told Agerpres.

She congratulated the Romanians and especially the people in Brasov for the exceptional manner in which they got involved, ever since the beginning of the war, in helping the refugees, while mentioning that she spoke to some of them and they told her very painful stories about their native country, as well as touching stories about the support they received here, in Romania.

An Ukrainian refugee even told her that "Romanians are our guiding angels!" The collaboration between the local administration in Brasov and the Romanian government, the international organizations, the private sector and the NGOs was truly remarkable, in the ambassador's opinion. She was especially impressed by the manner in which the CATTIA centre switched from providing first aid services to a long term approach in terms of the integration, as the war went on, of the Ukrainian refugees. At present, the Ukrainians have jobs in Romania, they are learning Romanian language and they send their children to school, while they are anxiously waiting for the day when they will be able to return home, mentioned Kathleen Kavalec.

On the other hand, she spoke about Russia's attempts to undermine the support the other countries provide to Ukraine,

Unfortunately, since the beginning of the war, she noticed, Russia tried to divide and undermine our joint commitment to help the Ukrainian refugees. the pro-Kremlin groups carry out hate and disinformation campaigns to create resentments against the Ukrainian refugees all over the world, including in Romania. Such tactics won't work, though, she claimed, as she underscored that all countries must remain united in their joint effort to support the Ukrainians and the Ukrainian refugees. She also mentioned that the US offered more than 57 million US dollars to help Romania manage the flow of Ukrainian refugees and that her country will continue to collaborate with Romania to provide support to the Ukrainian side as long as this war is going to last.

The mayor of Brasov, Allen Coliban, thanked the US ambassador for the support that Romania and Brasov is receiving at diplomatic level, as well as for the entire help provided during the crisis of the Ukrainian refugees.

The coordinator of the CATTIA refugee centre, Andreea Vranceanu, specified that, since the beginning of the conflict, approximately 16,000 people benefited from the support of the centre.
US FOREIGN RELATIONS

The U.S.-led United Nations Command is trying to secure the release of an unidentified American soldier who entered North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village.

It's not immediately clear what motivated the soldier to cross into North Korea during a time of high tensions as the pace of both the North's weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean joint military training have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

There have been cases of Americans crossing into North Korea over the past years, including a small number of U.S. soldiers. Some of the Americans who crossed were driven by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred.

Other Americans were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. One tragic case ended in death.

Here's a look at Americans who were held in North Korea:

Charles Jenkins

Born in Rich Square, North Carolina, Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South.

Jenkins, then an Army sergeant, deserted his post in 1965 and fled across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married 21-year-old Hitomi Soga, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978. Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002.

In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to U.S. military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a U.S. military jail in Japan.

He died in Japan in 2017.

Matthew Miller

In September 2014, then a 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor by North Korea's Supreme Court on charges that he illegally entered the country for spying purposes.

The court claimed that Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arriving at Pyongyang's airport in April that year and admitted to a "wild ambition" of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the country's human rights conditions.

North Korea's initial announcement about Miller's detainment that month came as then-President Barack Obama was traveling in South Korea on a state visit.

Miller was freed in November that same year along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.

Kenneth Bae

Bae, a Kor e a n A m e r i can missionary from Lynnwood, Wa s h i n g t o n , was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone.

North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years in prison for "hostile acts," including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town.

Bae returned to the United States in November 2014 following a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence who also secured Miller's release.

Jeffrey Fowle

A month before Bae and Miller's release, North Korea also freed Jeffrey Fowle, an Ohio municipal worker who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. Fowle's release followed negotiations that involved retired diplomat and former Ohio Congressman Tony Hall.

While North Korea officially guarantees freedom of religion, analysts and defectors describe the country as strictly anti-religious. The distribution of Bibles and secret prayer services can mean imprisonment or execution, defectors say.

In 2009, American missionary Robert Park walked into North Korea with a Bible in his hand to draw attention to North Korea's human rights abuses. Park, who was deported from the North in February 2010, said he was tortured by authorities.

Otto Warmbier

Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, died in June 2017, shortly after he was flown home in a vegetative state after 17 months in North Korean captivity.

North Korean authorities seized Warmbier from a tour group in January 2016, convicted him on charges of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced him to 15 years of hard labor.

While not providing a clear reason for Warmbier's brain damage, North Korea denied accusations by Warmbier's family that he was tortured and insisted that it had provided him medical care with "all sincerity." The North accused the United States of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the "biggest victim" in his death.

In 2022, a U.S. federal judge in New York ruled that Warmbier's parents  Fred and Cindy Warmbier  should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch ST. LOUIS  The board overseeing the city's economic development arm on Thursday approved an additional $884,000 for two marketing and consulting companies that the agency's executive director has credited for improving community outreach and operations.

The board for the St. Louis Development Corp., which manages development and tax incentives citywide, approved $680,000 to hire Candid marketing firm and $204,000 to hire Levy Consulting. SLDC Executive Director Neal Richardson said Levy has helped his agency restructure and streamline policies and procedures over the past year.

"As the public engages SLDC, it will not just see us as a governmental agency, or supportive governmental agency, (but) that we are top, engaged, innovative around how we're thinking through incentives, how we're thinking through operations, how we're thinking throughout products and programs," Richardson said.

The contracts approved Thursday bring Candid's total to $1.8 million and Levy's to $354,000.

SLDC has faced pushback related to the number of consultants the agency has hired in recent years, including from Alderwoman Cara Spencer, a new SLDC board member, who questioned the amount of money Candid has been receiving. Spencer was not in attendance on Thursday, and the meeting proceeded with no opposition and few questions.

Of Candid's contract, $288,000 will go to the Kansas City-based marketing firm's fee and public relations, social media work and internal communications duties. Co-owner Sara Freetly said that total is a reduction from the $300,000 fee the firm previously charged SLDC.

The rest of the $680,000 contract is allocated for media campaigns, at $250,000, including billboards and television ads, as well as website enhancements, the annual mayor's business luncheon and other expenditures.

"This is a great step in starting to shift the narrative around St. Louis into a much more positive story," Freetly said.

The $204,000 for Levy Consulting, which was hired last year for $150,000, increases the St. Louis firm's contract from 10 months to 12 months and allows for two full-time consultants to serve SLDC compared to one in a previous contract. Levy Consulting also is tasked with developing SLDC's policies and procedures and upgrading its technology. The firm's work is expected to wrap up next year.

"One of the things that I want to continue to reinforce is that there needs to be consistency across all departments around how we address procurement, compliance and other matters as we are managing public dollars," Richardson said. "It provides an opportunity for transparency and also holds each one of us accountable."

Steph Kukuljan  314-340-8506 @StephKukuljan on Twitter skukuljan@post-dispatch.com
On July 24, 1967, nearly two years after completion of the Gateway Arch construction, visitors were finally allowed to take the trams to the top. Here is our original coverage of the Post-Dispatch from that opening.

The long-awaited public opening of the Gateway Arch transportation system took place today after a ribbon cutting in the Visitor Center beneath the Arch.

Several hundred persons who arrived early in the morning to be among the first to ride today heard George B. Hartzog Jr., director of the National Park Service, describe the Arch as "a monument to rank with such engineering triumphs as the Eiffel tower, the Washington Monument and the Statue of Liberty."

"The monument is testimony in shining and everlasting form to the creative co-operation of men and their ability to work toward a common goal," Hartzog said.

The ceremony originally was to have been held out of doors between the legs of the Arch, but threatening weather forced it inside.

Among the dignitaries attending were Gov. Warren E, Hearnes, Mayor Alfonso J. Cervantes and Lt. Gov.. Samuel H. Shapiro of Illinois.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, about 30 of the invited guests formed the party for the first train ride of the day to the top of the Arch.

At noon, the automatic ticket dispensers in the Visitor Center were activated, marking the opening of the cable-pulled train system to the public.

Standing first, in line to purchase a ticket was Al Carter, of Chicago, who said he had arrived in St. Louis by bus yesterday.

He said he walked the streets of the city all night awaiting the opening of the Visitor center.

Carter, who said he had been interested in history for many years, gave impromptu lectures on the Old West to small groups of other persons waiting for tickets.

Near the head of the line were five Brentwood youths, who said they spent the night in an automobile on a riverfront parking lot.

They were Kerry Harris, 18 years old; Norvel Derickson Jr., 19; Nelson Morgan, 19; Dan Larson, 16, and Donald Iffrig, 15.

Although some concern had been expressed in recent months about the mechanical depend- ability of the tram system, the public debut was flawless. This could not be said, however, about the two automatic ticket dispensers. Both of them broke down within minutes of the opening, forcing uniformed attendants to serve as cashiers.

About 2,000 persons went for a preview ride on the cable-pulled trains yesterday. They peered out the 32 windows at the top of the Arch for a view of Busch Memorial Stadium, where the Cardinals were playing the Atlanta Braves in a doubleheader, and watched boats moving in the Mississippi river. There were some good-natured complaints about the size of the viewing windows about 7 by 27 inches but most of the early visitors were too impressed by he view to speak in anything but superlatives, "Magnificent," "breath-taking," and "incredible" were among the most common comments.

The view extended for almost 30 miles yesterday. The trains were in operation from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. yesterday and the cars were crowded throughout that period.

Oct. 28, 1965: The last piece of the Arch is fitted into place. See the stunning construction photos
ST. LOUIS  A father shot three people, including a child, on Monday afternoon after a fight between two groups of kids escalated in south St. Louis, multiple witnesses said.

A man, a woman, and a 12-year-old boy were all shot in the legs in the incident, just before 2 p.m. at Keokuk Street and Nebraska Avenue in the city's Dutchtown neighborhood.

Lakeisha Blanchard, the shooters fiance, said the kids had argued previously, and the shooter's daughter was punched on Monday by a boy.

The father of the boy and Blanchard's fiance both came outside, and Blanchard said she tried unsuccessfully to calm them both down.

"You're making the situation worse and are acting like kids," she recalled saying.

Blanchard's fiance, whom the Post-Dispatch is not naming because he has not been charged, eventually opened fire, she said. According to evidence markers at the scene, the shooting took place across about 50 yards, and it left behind about 10 shell casings.

The fiance was arrested after the shooting.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the child who was shot is 12. Police initially provided a different age.
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Missouri's two GOP U.S. senators engaged last week in some aisle-reaching over to the Democrats' side.

 Eric Schmitt joined U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, to introduce a bill aimed at stopping U.S. funding of questionable research on animals in foreign laboratories.

Saying Covid-19 likely came from an unregulated foreign laboratory partially funded by the U.S., Schmitt said the bill will ensure that funding goes only to sites that have "humane and safe standards with ample transparency."

Merkley said in a joint statement, "Animal cruelty has no place in our society, period. He said the bill would hold foreign laboratories to the same standards as domestic ones.

Also, the bill would require foreign testing sites to submit to quarterly site inspections to ensure they are meeting those standards.

 Josh Hawley teamed up with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, to introduce a bill that would place stricter bans on stock trading among government officials.

The legislation would place the bans and stricter disclosure requirements on members of Congress, senior executive branch officials, and also on their spouses and dependents.

Among other provisions, the bill bans stock trading, stock ownership and blind trusts, as well as imposing heftier penalties for violating the measure.

"Politicians and civil servants shouldnt spend their time day-trading and trying to make a profit at the expense of the American public," Hawley said in a statement.
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One week after the mandated deadline, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush has finally filed her quarterly campaign report with the Federal Election Commission.

The report, for the period of April 1 through June 30, appeared on the FEC website about 5 p.m. Saturday; the report was due on July 15.

Because Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, now faces possible fines for being late with her report, the FEC has declined to comment on the matter.

Bush's campaign committee has not responded to three separate emails about the apparently tardy report.

The other six members of the U.S. House who represent the St. Louis area, in both Missouri and Illinois, filed their quarterly reports by the July 15 deadline.

The raw data included with the report also shows that Bush continues to employ her husband, security specialist Cortney Merritts, whom Bush married in February.

But the report indicates that his job duties may have changed.

Previously, Merritts had been paid about $5,000 a month for "security services." The most recent report shows that Merritts still is being paid the same amount, but the description of the payments included with the report's raw data has changed to "wage expenses."

In this last quarter, Bush's campaign has paid Merritts a total of $17,500 since April 3, in seven payments of $2,500. The description of the payment was changed for the last six payments.

In March, Merritts' employment was the subject of two complaints to the FEC about Bush's campaign paying Merritts.

A conservative political-action committee, Committee to Defeat the President, has alleged that Merritts employment violates two federal laws. The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, has filed a similar FEC complaint against Bush.

Since the beginning of 2022, Merritts has been paid almost $90,000 by the Cori Bush For Congress campaign.

FEC rules do not contain a blanket prohibition on a candidate employing family members. The rule states that campaign funds may be used to pay family members, as long as the member provides a bona fide service and that payments reflect the fair market value.

The latest report also shows that the Bush campaign continues to pay other entities for security services:

St. Louis company Peace Security was paid $36,640 in the last three months. Company officials have said Merritts is not an investor or employee of that company.

The campaign also paid out an additional $16,725 to three other individuals for security services.

During her time in Congress, Bush has drawn criticism for the amount of money she spends on private security while also being one of the most vocal advocates for a movement to defund the police.

Since she joined Congress in January 2021, Bush has spent about $654,000 on expenses labeled as "security services."

Overall for the April-June period, Bush raised $158,126 and spent $178,456. Her current amount of cash on hand is $24,136. Her committee also owes $114,431 in debts/loans.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY A St. Louis County man pleaded guilty Monday to a deadly 2022 shooting outside a North County liquor store.

Devon Gibson, 29, of Berkeley, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree assault and multiple weapons offenses in the death of 21-year-old Cincere Ford, of St. Louis. Gibson was originally charged with first-degree murder in the case before reaching a plea deal with prosecutors Monday on the reduced charge.

Ford was killed the evening of Feb. 25, 2022 outside the Liquor Doctor store in the 8300 block of Airport Road, according to police.

Gibson admitted to pulling up alongside Ford's vehicle in a 2019 Nissan Altima before shooting both Ford and another man in the car, according to charging documents. The other man was critically injured, but survived and identified Gibson as the shooter to St. Louis County police detectives.

Gibson then fled in the Nissan, striking another car in the process.

Court documents say the incident was captured on surveillance video.

Gibson is set to be sentenced Tuesday.

"Gun violence traumatizes victims, their families, first responders, and the larger community whose sense of safety is undermined by these crimes," St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said in a written statement on the plea Monday.
CLAYTON  Both sides of a fight over tax relief for seniors are mobilizing for a showdown.

Opponents have already moved to change the state law, saying there are too many unanswered questions about enacting it. Supporters say they are mounting a signature campaign to bypass elected officials and take the tax freeze straight to voters.

Were going to take a very methodical approach, said Dennis Ganahl, managing director for the advocacy group Missouri Tax Relief Now, which supported the law as it moved through the Legislature and as the St. Louis County Council considered it.

On the other side, the states county government association has already started lobbying the Legislature to change the state law.

Members of the General Assembly are saying, Hey, wed be willing to work on fixes, said Steve Hobbs, executive director of the Missouri Association of Counties.

In early July, Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 190, which allows counties to suspend property tax increases for seniors who are eligible for Social Security, own a home and are required to make tax payments on that home.

But earlier this week, the plan failed in St. Louis County amid reservations from the Democratic-majority council. The four council members who voted against the bill raised concerns about one-size-fits-all approach that equally benefits wealthy seniors as well as those in need. Some worried about a lack of clarity in the bill.

There are more questions than there are answers, said Councilwoman Rita Heard Days, a Democrat from Bel-Nor.

The bills sponsor, Republican Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin, said the next clear step outlined in the state law is to take the measure directly to county voters through a ballot initiative.

Harder said late last week that hes leaving it up to groups such as Missouri Tax Relief Now to pursue the measure.

It wont be easy, Ganahl said. The rules around a ballot petition to enact an ordinance are complicated.

To get the measure on the ballot, supporters will have to gather 5% of the votes cast in the 2020 gubernatorial election  and not just countywide but 5% of the votes in each one of at least five St. Louis County districts, according to St. Louis County Republican Director of Elections Rick Stream. There are seven districts in the county.

That means supporters would likely have to go door to door in each of those five districts to get signatures from people they know live in the district. Theyll have to gather a minimum of about 17,600 valid signatures in total.

The measure would have to appear on a general election date, which can fall in April, August or November. Petitioners would have to deliver the signatures to the election authority at least 60 days before the election, and the signatures would have to be verified.

Approval from a simple majority of voters would enact the measure.

Ganahl declined to detail the groups strategy but said it will analyze voter data to determine when it might have an advantage. He said the measure wont make the ballot this year.

But if it makes it at all, supporters could win: Of the voter population over 65 in Missouri, nearly 70% cast ballots in November 2022, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of U.S. Census data. Only half of the voter population age 35-44 voted in that election.

At the same time, theres powerful resistance to the plan from local government and education advocates.

The county governments, school districts, fire districts and elected officials have voiced opposition to the county bill. Hobbs, of the counties association, said his group has already talked with legislators in Jefferson City willing to discuss fixes, though he declined to name the General Assembly members.

The counties association is forming a task force of county elected officials to come up with a report for legislators on suggested changes. Hobbs expects that report to be done by early December so a General Assembly member could potentially pre-file legislation ahead of the session that starts in January.

Ganahl said his group worries the counties association could urge legislators to remove the laws provision allowing a ballot initiative.

Many St. Louis County seniors are angry and motivated.

Maureen Flint, 79, has lived in unincorporated south St. Louis County since 1982, and she has dutifully paid her property taxes ever since. But shes not sure how much longer shell last there  her property tax bill went up by $1,000 this year. She expects theyll have to begin paying bills on credit cards soon.

These are not the golden years, Flint said.

She wants to see the issue on her ballot. She votes as reliably as she pays her taxes.

Go ahead, put it on the ballot, Flint said. Im sure itll pass.

Editor's note: This story was updated Monday afternoon to clarify the percentage of seniors who voted in the November 2022 election.
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, those hopes were washed away earlier this month when floodwaters 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 over 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 the 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 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 they'd 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 they'd 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 Friday, about 200 Vermont farmers had reported more than 9,400 acres in crop damage, Tebbetts said.

In Massachusetts, at least 75 farms have been hurt by flooding, with about 2,000 acres 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 longer-term impacts set in.

In Connecticut, Bryan Hurlburt, the state's agriculture commissioner, said the flooding impacted about 2,000 acres 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.

Look behind us," Lamont said, speaking in front of a flooded farmers field in Glastonbury. "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 floodwaters took a heavy toll.

This is our livelihood that is at stake, she said.

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While the delegate count wont begin taking shape until voting begins next January, Trumps edge in the race to win their votes is years in the making. Many state Republican parties made changes to their rules ahead of the 2020 election by adding more winner-take-all contests and requiring candidates to earn higher percentages of the vote to claim any delegates. Those changes all benefit a front-runner, a position Trump has held despite his mounting legal peril, blame for his partys lackluster performance in the 2022 elections and the turbulent years of his presidency.

As Trump makes another run for the White House, he has been focused on the looming battle for delegates, according to people with knowledge of his effort who requested anonymity to discuss strategy. Hes had regular discussion with state party chairs, many of whose leadership races he got involved in, and has hosted delegations from Republican parties in Nevada, Louisiana and Pennsylvania at his homes in Florida and New Jersey.

The moves are a sign of how Trumps team is focused on the crucial, if less glamorous, aspects of winning the GOP nomination. Thats a notable change from his first bid for the White House in 2016, when his team of relatively novice operatives werent familiar with the minutia of the delegate contest and sometimes found themselves outflanked by better-prepared rivals, particularly Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

That doesnt appear to be happening this time as election experts say it appears few other campaigns have been able to match Trumps yearslong work.

Theyve been asleep at the switch, election lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg said.

More than 2,000 party activists, insiders and elected officials make up the pool of delegates who will cast votes at the Republican National Convention next summer to formally select a nominee. The rules governing how delegates are selected are determined by state parties, which have until October to submit their plans for next years elections.

Many of the proposed changes that are starting to emerge in state parties appear to benefit the former president.

In Michigan, where the state GOP has become increasingly loyal to Trump, the partys leadership this year voted to change the states longtime process of allocating all its presidential delegates based on an open primary election. Under a new plan widely expected to benefit Trump, 16 of the states 55 delegates will be awarded based on the results of a Feb. 27 primary. The other 39 will be distributed four days later in closed-door caucus meetings of party activists.

Other Republican parties are looking to shift away from primary elections toward party-run caucuses, where Trumps support among the partys grassroots activists could put his rivals at a disadvantage.

In Idaho, one of the countrys most Republican states, a new law passed by the state legislature earlier this year eliminated the presidential primary process by moving the state elections to May as lawmakers tried to consolidate the voting calendar. The partys state central committee decided last month to instead hold caucuses on March 2.

In Nevada, the state Republican Party is mounting a legal battle to try to hold a party-run caucus instead of a state-run primary election. The party chair, Michael McDonald, said he had spoken with Trumps team about the process and ongoing lawsuit but had not heard from the campaign of his strongest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Other changes in the works would reduce the potential of any last-minute maneuvering at the convention.

At least two states, Louisiana and Colorado, are proposing changes this year that would bind delegates to vote for their assigned candidate during a second round of voting the national convention in the unlikely event that no candidate has a majority on the first ballot.

Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita said the campaign has had conversations with state parties all over the country about their delegate selection plans and is keeping close tabs on what its opponents are doingor not doing.

As an example of the effort, LaCivita cited a a single-day trip he made to Las Vegas in May to speak to a gathering of hundreds of Nevada Republicans.

We are aggressive on every level and on every front, he said. We dont let anything stand a chance.

In 2016, Trump barreled his way to nab the GOP nomination despite his campaign being being out-organized by Cruzs team. When Cruz swept all 34 of Colorados delegates after a process in which party insiders vote at a series of caucus meetings, Trump wrote an op-ed complaining about a rigged system. He threatened to sue after the primary in Louisiana, where he won a greater percentage of votes but Cruz was poised to pick up more delegates.

This time around, Trump is taking steps to cultivate ties with party insiders who might end up serving as delegates in 2024, making phone calls or in some cases schmoozing at big private dinners, like one he hosted in Iowa in May attended by the states attorney general, local lawmakers and precinct organizers. A similar Trump reception in South Carolina saw 75 people, including state Gov. Henry McMaster, state legislators and party activists packed in a sweltering tent.

From a tactical perspective, LaCivita said, Where we are today is leaps and bounds from where the campaign, a similar campaign, was in 2016.

DeSantis has veterans from Cruzs 2016 campaign working on his behalf.

Jeff Roe, who served as campaign manager to Cruzs campaign, is advising Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting DeSantis campaign, but the organization is not involved in delegate strategy and is not currently planning to be, according to a person familiar with the effort who wasnt authorized to disclose internal strategy.

Sam Cooper, the political director of DeSantis campaign and another veteran of Cruzs 2016 bid, said the Florida governors team is closely monitoring developments in the states around delegate selection plans.

The DeSantis campaign is working to identify local party activists who could serve as delegates but also is specifically courting state lawmakers, who are typically active in their local GOP groups.

Theyre surrogates for us on the ground, Cooper said. But also theyre close to the process.

The campaign boasts that more than 250 state lawmakers have endorsed DeSantis. The governor himself is very involved, Cooper said, and speaks speaks to legislators directly either in one-on-one calls or, as he did in June, in a Zoom call with more than 100 lawmakers around the country.

Cooper noted that DeSantis has made his own trips to speak before state and local GOP officials, appearing at 10 events in eight states since March and headlining fundraisers for Republican groups.

The DeSantis campaign declined to specify any states where the campaign provided feedback on a delegate selection plan, but Cooper said, the campaign feels very good about the map.

We havent seen a state party or a state make a move thats so off the wall that could only support one candidate or the other, he said.

One potential opening for a challenger like DeSantis could be California, which has 169 delegates to dole out, more than any other state.

Thanks to changes passed by Democrats in the state Capitol, Californias primary contest will be on March 5, requiring the state GOP to change its delegate plan in order to comply with national GOP rules for early contests.

The changes, which the states Republican Party is set to consider and approve late this month, are set to award delegates proportionately to the candidates share of the vote, rather than award all delegates to the winner.

That could give a candidate trailing in second place a chance to make up groundespecially someone like DeSantis, who has made a point of campaigning in the state.

Bryan Watkins, the chief operating officer and executive director of the California GOP, said the organization has been in touch with Republican campaigns about the proposed change.

As the state with the most delegates in the country, the CAGOP wants California to be a place where Republican presidential candidates will invest their time speaking to our voters and earning their support, he said in a statement. So we appreciate the campaigns feedback and perspectives on the best way to accomplish that goal.

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Steve Peoples in New York, Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, Gabe Stern in Carson City, Nevada and Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami contributed to this report.
On July 4, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey celebrated in the most American way he could  by protecting our God-given freedoms.

After more than 18 months of legal machinations, depositions and arguments over Missouri v. Biden, the attorney general and his counterparts in other states obtained a court order to block the Biden Administration from violating the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans.

During the height of the Covid pandemic, social media posts questioning the vaccines efficacy, the dangers of Covid, or the effectiveness of mask-wearing were flagged for censorship. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of the First Amendment understands that while private entities can impose communications limitations on their platforms, the government cannot restrict freedom of speech under any circumstances. But Bailey and his fellow Republican attorneys general from around the nation determined that the White House and other government agencies were jawboning these companies to do what the feds couldnt on their own.

The White House created a multi-level campaign designed to force censorship of its dissenters. Its pressure tactics included everything from regular White House meetings with the social media companies to weaponizing the FBI against them.

If you believe this sounds Orwellian, youre not alone. The courts think so too.

A federal judge in Louisiana sided with Bailey and other plaintiffs, saying that this is the most massive attack against free speech in United States history, and that the Biden administration has blatantly ignored the First Amendments right to free speech.

Its clear that Bailey has done his part to protect Missourians First Amendment rights. Now its the Missouri congressional delegations turn to step up.

The alleged collusion between the White House and Big Tech that the attorney general uncovered is just one of the many ways the government is working to restrict our freedom of speech. The rest comes from bureaucrats use of taxpayer dollars to fund the censors  and only Congress, which controls the federal purse, can stop that.

For example, the Department of Defense has given NewsGuard  a browser extension founded by former liberal journalists that provides trust scores for thousands of news websites for detecting misinformation  three-quarters of a million dollars to combat misinformation. Unfortunately, however, studies indicate that the only thing that separates a good NewsGuard ranking from a bad one is the ideological bent of the media outlet.

The Media Research Center found that, on average, NewsGuard rates left-wing outlets a full 27 points higher for trust than center-right news organizations. That doesnt sound like very trustworthy rating criteria. So why is the company receiving hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars?

Then theres the so-called Global Disinformation Index (GDI), a British not-for-profit that supposedly exists to disrupt, defund, and down-rank disinformation sites. Theres nothing different about this company, which had no problem listing the New York Post and other respectable conservative publications as 10 of the webs riskiest online news outlets with a straight face. Its as discriminatory as NewsGuard and just as partisan. Yet, the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy and Global Engagement Center still gave the company over $500,000 to conduct its dirty work.

Major advertisers have reported frustration at discovering lower-level agency flunkies within their ranks banning conservative outlets like the New York Post for no reason other than that they received poor scores from GDI and NewsGuard. Should this trend continue, it could prevent alternative media sites from remaining in business. That would make it nearly impossible to express dissent from the state in whats supposed to be the freest country on earth  and theres nothing more Orwellian than that.

Our elected representatives cant stand for this. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri should take a page out of Baileys playbook and question whether the governments financing of GDI and NewsGuard constitutes state actions under the First Amendment, which would make them illegal. At an absolute minimum, they should use every tool at their disposal to stop our tax dollars from funding these censorship regimes.

Without free speech, we have nothing in this country. Bailey recognizes this. Heres hoping our congressional delegation does too.

Stacy Washington is a Missouri resident and host of Stacy on the Right on SiriusXM the Patriot Channel 125.
Softwareone Holding AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous/Miscellaneous

SoftwareOne Board of Directors rejects revised offer from Bain Capital and initiates strategic review



24-Jul-2023 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Media Release  ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

SoftwareOne Board of Directors rejects revised offer from Bain Capital and initiates strategic review

Stans, Switzerland I 24 July 2023  The Board of Directors of SoftwareOne Holding AG (SoftwareOne or the Company), a leading global software and cloud solutions provider, today announced the initiation of a strategic review process to ensure the Company has considered all options for value creation, including continuing to operate as a public company, a merger or sale of the Company, as well as other possible strategic transactions.

The strategic review comes in response to a second indicative, unsolicited and non-binding offer from Bain Capital for the acquisition of 100% of the Company in the range of CHF 19.50-20.50 per share, subject to various conditions. The indicative offer is supported by Daniel von Stockar, B. Curti Holding AG, and Rene Gilli, together holding approximately 29% of the Companys share capital (together the Founding Shareholders).

The Board, excluding Daniel von Stockar who had recused himself from all matters relating to the indicative offer, has carefully reviewed the second indicative offer with the support of its legal and financial advisors. The Board unanimously agreed that the second indicative offer does not adequately value the Company and is not in the best interest of SoftwareOne and the majority of its shareholders.

Since 2022, SoftwareOne has improved governance and transparency and demonstrated resilience. The Board is confident in the Companys business strategy. The Company delivered group revenue growth of 14% YoY ccy in 2022, driven by growth across both business lines and reported an adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.8% of revenue, reflecting tight cost controls. Earlier this year, the Board unanimously voted to appoint Brian Duffy as CEO and shareholders elected Adam Warby as Chairman, to transition the Company into a new phase of operational excellence and growth, leading to future value creation.

In response to the second indicative offer by Bain Capital and considering the significant progress made under the new leadership team, the Board believes that a strategic review of all potential options that drive value is in the best interest of the Company and all shareholders. The Board is open to proactively discuss options that substantially reflect the fundamental value of the Company, including with Bain Capital. At the same time, the Board will actively look at other options for value creation.

The Board wishes to provide a fair and equal setting for reviewing all alternatives consistent with its responsibility and fiduciary duty to maximise value for all shareholders. Therefore, the Board expects the Founding Shareholders to act in the best interest of the Company and all stakeholders and to support, rather than block, the highest value alternative. As part of their commitment to value creation, the Board and management team will continue to seek constructive input from shareholders throughout the process. Once the review is completed, the Board will recommend what it believes is in the best interest of the Company, and all its stakeholders.

The Board will provide updates on relevant developments as it pursues this path of action. While the process is ongoing, the Company remains focused on delivering results and maintaining the strong momentum from the operational excellence programme, which will lay the foundations for improved future performance.

Adam Warby, Chairman of the Board of SoftwareOne said, At SoftwareOne, we are deeply committed to delivering value to all our shareholders, while acting in the best interest of all stakeholders. We have decided to launch a strategic review to ensure we deliver on this commitment  by considering all potential options and making the decisions that will maximise shareholder value, enhance our operations, and position the Company for growth. The fast-growing software and cloud market offers attractive opportunities, and we want SoftwareOne to be in the best possible position to capitalise on these and gain market share worldwide.

CONTACT

Anna Engvall, Investor Relations

Tel. +41 44 832 41 37, anna.engvall@softwareone.com

FGS Global, Media Relations

Tel. +41 44 562 14 99, press.softwareone@fgsglobal.com

ABOUT SOFTWAREONE

SoftwareOne is a leading global software and cloud solutions provider that is redefining how organizations build, buy and manage everything in the cloud. By helping clients to migrate and modernize their workloads and applications  and in parallel, to navigate and optimize the resulting software and cloud changes  SoftwareOne unlocks the value of technology. The companys ~9,000 employees are driven to deliver a portfolio of 7,500 software brands with sales and delivery capabilities in 90 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, SoftwareOne is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SWON. Visit us at www.softwareone.com

SoftwareOne Holding AG, Riedenmatt 4, CH-6370 Stans

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This media release may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to the groups future business, development and economic performance. Such statements may be subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, such as but not limited to force majeure, competitive pressures, legislative and regulatory developments, global, macroeconomic and political trends, the groups ability to attract and retain the employees that are necessary to generate revenues and to manage its businesses, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and general financial market conditions, changes in accounting standards or policies, delay or inability in obtaining approvals from authorities, technical developments, litigation or adverse publicity and news coverage, each of which could cause actual development and results to differ materially from the statements made in this media release. SoftwareOne assumes no obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Since the end of World War II in 1945, the United States has been the largest and most capable military force in what came to be known as the Western alliance. This group consisted of the industrialized nations of Europe and North America. The United States has always had the largest military and the one with many specialist capabilities European nations lacked. For example, the U.S. had the largest fleet of military air transports and these were backed up by large numbers of cargo and passenger aircraft owned by American airlines and available to the military in an emergency. The American army, navy and air force possessed special aviation capabilities no other NATO nation could muster. For example, when NATO nations were called on to operate in some distant area they depend on the large American fleet of aerial refueling aircraft and specialized aerial surveillance and electronic warfare aircraft. English has become the common language between the air forces of nearly every nation. When a NATO member requires specialized aircraft support; a French, Italian or German pilot can talk to the American aerial tanker or air traffic control aircraft in English and quickly get what they need. This capability has enabled European nations to send aircraft of ground forces long distances on short notice because the specialized American support aircraft are always available. Some European nations have a few of these support aircraft that handle most peacetime needs. But in a military crisis, like supporting Ukraine against the invading Russians, the Americans not only supply most of the military aid, but also make U.S. transportation and communications capabilities available to their NATO allies. Unless there is some major political dispute between the U.S. and European nations, this support is made available quickly and in whatever quantities are required. This makes the military forces of the entire NATO alliance more flexible and effective. In military terms these American logistic and specialist capabilities are a force multiplier for the troops, ships and aircraft of NATO allies.

This dependence on American resources has been criticized since NATO was founded, but none of the nations depending on that support have come up with an alternative. There were some efforts in that direction. NATO nations have a joint force of AWACS (air traffic control) aircraft and a pool arrangement for medium range air transports. European nations can gather a larger number of commercial ships for an emergency than the United States itself can. All this complements similar American support and is considered an example of how beneficial NATO cooperation is. Ukraine has benefited from this since 2022 and that is one reason Ukraine wants to join NATO as soon as the war with Russia is over. NATO policy does not allow a new member to join if they are currently involved in a war.

Russia claims it invaded Ukraine to prevent the expansion of NATO rather than seeking to rebuild the Russian Empire. The lost empire was a common complaint made by Russian leaders. Ukraine realized NATO membership would keep the Russians out. By invading Ukraine, Russia triggered substantial economic sanctions on Russia and huge NATO support for the Ukrainian military. Russian leader Vladimir Putin insists that Russian forces will keep fighting even if the Ukrainians push all the Russians out of Ukraine. Putin believes NATO countries will soon tire of spending all this money on Ukraine and reduce support. At that point Putin believes Russia will have a better chance of taking Ukraine. This is an endurance contest. Can Russia keep fighting while its economy is starved for resources by the sanctions? Can Putin survive long enough to keep Russia fighting? Will NATO nations keep spending a lot of money on military support for Ukraine? The Ukrainians have made it clear that they will keep fighting because to surrender means the end of Ukraine as an independent country and the return of Russian rule.

While NATO remains dependent on the Americans when large amounts of military and economic support are needed, the NATO members adjacent to Ukraine or Russia are not without resources and are spending a lot more on weapons and military equipment since the Russians invaded Ukraine. This invasion was a clear example of why NATO was needed. The Russians admit that they dont want to fight NATO directly and are dismayed at how enormous NATO contributions of military material, but not troops, to Ukraine caused the Russian invasion to fail, with huge military and economic losses for Russia. The NATO alliance worked and Russian aggression was halted without triggering a nuclear war.

The NATO alliance worked because its members, collectively, constitute the largest economic and military capabilities on the planet. Russia, especially leader Vladimir Putin, feared that NATO would somehow become a military threat. That was never NATOs intention and the coalition has lasted so long because it stuck to its role as a defensive alliance. Some Russians, like Putin, see NATOs ability to constrain Russian attack options as a form of coercion and hostility towards Russia. Similar misconceptions are common throughout history and often a cause of war. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Russian justification for that is one such example of this perverse logic. The expansion of NATO membership after the Cold War ended was seen as essential for nations near Russia to survive and that assessment proved correct. Thats why long-time neutrals like Sweden and Finland suddenly sought to join NATO. Collectively, NATO is a huge organization in terms of population and military capabilities and becomes more useful the larger it becomes. As a defensive organization it reduces military spending for members and increases national security. The cost of running NATO is miniscule, as is the annual cost to members. Efforts to establish a similar defensive organization in East Asia have increased as the Chinese military threat grows. China is not seen as unstable and prone to aggression as Russia, but neighbors of China detect ominous changing attitudes inside China that warrant considering an Asian version of NATO.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Entergy Corporation - Did you know vegetation-related incidents like fallen trees and drooping branches are one of the leading causes of power outages in the United States?

Our extensive vegetation management program helps shield our electric lines from overgrown vegetation so we can reduce vegetation-related incidents and deliver safe and reliable service.

Environmental stewardship

Through our ongoing vegetation management efforts, we recently committed $1.9 million in in-kind contributions over five years to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which funds projects that improve wildlife habitats and foster biodiversity.

Through the program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will match our $1.9 million in in-kind contributions. This federal grant will help qualifying private landowners in Arkansas and Louisiana implement herbicide and other programs to promote biodiversity on their lands.

"Maintaining the biodiversity in our service territory and taking care of the environment that supports it all is an integral part of who we are," said Charles Long, interim senior vice president of power delivery at Entergy.

The benefits of herbicides

At Entergy, herbicides are a key part of our robust vegetation management program. They allow us to manage invasive vegetation early on - while it's low - to safely protect our transmission lines in our rights-of-way.

Through our low-volume, selective herbicide application program, we can responsibly target and clear invasive and tall-growing vegetation with precision. In turn, we mitigate disruption to native species and foster more hospitable habitats for local foliage and wildlife.

"Our vegetation management practices help protect water quality and the diverse species and habitats in our service area, while providing the clean, affordable and reliable electricity that powers life," said Long.

Ready for storm season

We take a systematic, comprehensive and year-round approach to vegetation management. We're prepared to respond to the worst, especially during hurricane season.

Our ongoing storm preparations include rights-of-way inspections at scheduled intervals, with the goal of clearing incompatible vegetation that could pose reliability or safety risks.

After a storm, our priority is restoring power safely and efficiently. We remove downed trees and limbs that interfere with our electric lines and equipment to facilitate safe service restoration.

To learn more about our vegetation management initiatives, visit www.entergy.com/tree-trimming.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / GGL Resources Corp. (TSXV:GGL) ("GGL" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the sale of its 100% owned McConnell Copper-Gold property located in north-central BC to Westkam Gold Corp.

Under the terms of the July 18th, 2023 property sales agreement, Westkam will acquire a 100% interest in the McConnell property by issuing common shares to GGL equal to 19.99% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Westkam upon completion of a concurrent financing.

As additional consideration for the sale of the property to Westkam, GGL will retain a two percent (2%) net smelter return royalty in future commercial production from the McConnell property. This royalty is not subject to a buy-back option or other similar rights.

"The McConnell sales agreement allows considerable upside potential for GGL by way of a significant equity position in Westkam and a secured royalty on any future production. We look forward to positive exploration results as Westkam works to unlock the project's potential" states David Kelsch, GGL President and COO. "Additionally, this transaction will allow GGL to continue its focus on the Gold Point project in Nevada where the Company is successfully exploring high-grade gold veins both at surface and in underground workings and where it has recently discovered a nearby copper-molybdenum porphyry target named the Le Champ De Gold Point.

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David Kelsch, P.Geo., President of GGL Resources Corp., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About GGL Resources Corp.

GGL is a seasoned, Canadian-based junior exploration company, focused on the exploration and advancement of under evaluated mineral assets in politically stable, mining friendly jurisdictions. The Company has optioned and wholly owned claims in the Gold Point district of the prolific Walker Lane Trend, Nevada. The Gold Point claims cover several gold-silver veins, four of which host past producing high-grade mines. The Company also owns promising diamond exploration projects in Nunavut and the Lac de Gras diamond district of the Northwest Territories. Lac de Gras is home to Canada's first two diamond mines, the world class Diavik and Ekati mines discovered in the 1990s. GGL also holds diamond royalties on mineral leases near the Gahcho Ku diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David Kelsch"

David Kelsch

President, COO and Director

For further information concerning GGL Resources Corp. or its various exploration projects please visit our website at www.gglresourcescorp.com or contact:

Investor Inquiries Richard Drechsler

Corporate Communications

Tel: (604) 687-2522

NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522

[email protected] Corporate Information Linda Knight

Corporate Secretary

Tel: (604) 688-0546

[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information contained in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "evaluate", "potential", "likely", "possible", "cut-off grades" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "may", "could" or "will" occur. GGL cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the control of GGL. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development and the results thereof, including the results of the recently completed drill program, the impact on future mineral resource estimates, the potential for new discoveries, and the results of future metallurgical programs, as well as the ability of GGL to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of commodities, operating hazards and risks, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in GGL's financial statements available under the GGL profile at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, GGL undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

SOURCE: GGL Resources Corp.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / International Paper Company

Originally published in International Paper's 2022 Sustainability Report

ForSite" is an innovative mapping tool used by our Fiber Supply team to verify and track the fiber they are sourcing. This system guides our responsible fiber procurement on noncertified forestland in the U.S. It ensures that conservation approaches, similar to those practiced on third-party certified lands, are incorporated in forest management and harvest practices on non-certified lands.

This system uses GIS technology to display and organize a variety of spatial data - critical information that our fiber supply team uses to make informed decisions prior to the fiber entering our supply chain. ForSite" data includes an array of environmental and spatial attributes, including:

Rare, threatened and endangered species

Priority forest types and landscapes

Soil types, topography and hydrology Satellite imagery updated weekly Optimized delivery location



By knowing the exact location of the direct fiber we purchase, we ensure not only that our fiber is derived from sustainably managed forests, but also that it is delivered to the most cost-effective facility location.

Using ForSite" technology, we have:

23M

Identified 23 million acres where we can apply pre-harvest due diligence to ensure that purchased fiber is sourced responsibly

25K

Made on-the-ground improvements to over 25,000 acres of forestland since 2020

95%

Mapped every non-certified location of purchased open market fiber

ForSite in Use

IP recognized that our industry needed to improve our practices in order to assure consumers and customers that active forest management is sustainable. The implementation of ForSite" has changed IP's procurement strategy. We now screen every non-certified tract through ForSite" prior to purchase to determine whether additional due diligence is required before we accept timber from that tract. Our staff has access to this data both in the office and in the field.

Outcome:

Gopher Tortoise burrow locations were located, buffered, and protected prior to the forest thinning treatment. The final result was habitat improvement for the tortoise and the landowner was able to accomplish their management objectives.

Expanding due diligence

In 2022, our forest management focused on risk mitigation in sourcing and the improvement of forest biodiversity. We:

Conducted due diligence on purchases that were at risk of non-compliance with our Global Fiber Procurement policy

Made second-party verification field visits to document landowners' sustainable forest management practices

Spotlight:

Due diligence on the ground

Using ForSite", our team worked with fiber suppliers in South Carolina to create wildlife corridors to maintain ecosystems that are home to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and numerous species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Also in the U.S. South, where millions of acres of privately owned forestlands are habitats for hundreds of species of birds, our Tombigbee Forest Bird Partnership assembles partners to help preserve at-risk species such as the Northern Bobwhite, Kentucky Warbler and Red-headed Woodpecker.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and pulp, employing approximately 4,200 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pulp production is centered in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include Kraft linerboard and recycled containerboard, as well as pulp.

Read more

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Paper Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: International Paper Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-paper-company

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: International Paper Company

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Recent storms and flooding have devastated Vermont and parts of New York, particularly throughout the Hudson Valley area. As with any major natural disaster, KeyBank is taking steps to make sure clients, communities and colleagues have the support they need.

KeyBank Foundation Support

The KeyBank Foundation has donated $30,000 to the American Red Cross- Northern New England- Vermont Chapter and $10,000 to Eastern New York Red Cross- Hudson Valley Chapter in support of flood relief efforts across affected areas. The Red Cross has local teams in place helping families with temporary shelter, assessing and providing financial assistance with property damage, and offering compassion, support, and supplies. The work will continue in the weeks ahead.

"Vermont communities have been devastated by recent storms and floods, and this generous support from KeyBank is helping us provide tangible relief - food, water, shelter - as well as comfort and support as they begin the path to recovery," said John Montes, American Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer for Northern New England.

Hardship Relief Fund for impacted employees

KeyBank's Hardship Relief Fund provides financial assistance to employees faced with unexpected life events. Eligible employees can receive financial assistance from the Hardship Relief Fund of up to $3,000 in a rolling 12-month period. That funding is used for the basic needs of food, housing, utilities, and transportation. KeyBank employees can also help their colleagues by donating to the Hardship Relief Fund.

"Our hearts are with our KeyBank colleagues, clients and communities affected by the recent storms - especially those in areas hardest hit with flooding and destruction," said KeyBank Vermont Market President, Joe McGowan. "We hope that Key's contributions to the Red Cross will help our neighbors who are facing hardship, uncertainty, and the daunting prospect of cleaning up and rebuilding. As always, we are here for our colleagues, our neighbors, and the communities we so proudly serve."

About KeyBank Foundation:

KeyBank Foundation serves to fulfill KeyBank's purpose to help clients and communities thrive, and its mission is to support organizations and programs that prepare people for thriving futures. The Foundation's mission is advanced through three funding priorities - neighbors, education, and workforce - and through community service. To provide meaningful philanthropy that transforms lives, KeyBank Foundation listens carefully to understand the unique characteristics and needs of its communities and then backs solutions with targeted philanthropic investments. KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation, funded by KeyCorp.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: KeyBank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: KeyBank

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A man rides a bike on a small road on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, as the sun rises on Friday, 7 July 2023. Photo: Michael Probst / AP Photo

By Lois Parshley

20 July 2023

(The Atlantic)  Ever since some of the earliest projections of climate change were made back in the 1970s, they have been remarkably accurate at predicting the rate at which global temperatures would rise. For decades, climate change has proceeded at roughly the expected pace, says David Armstrong McKay, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, in England. Its impacts, however, are acceleratingsometimes far faster than expected.

For a while, the consequences werent easily seen. They certainly are today. The Southwest is sweltering under a heat dome. Vermont saw a deluge of rain, its second 100-year storm in roughly a decade. Early July brought the hottest day globally since records begana milestone surpassed again the following day. For a long time, we were within the range of normal. And now were really not, Allegra LeGrande, a physical-research scientist at Columbia University, told me. And it has happened fast enough that people have a memory of it happening.

In fact, a growing number of climate scientists now believe we may be careening toward so-called tipping points, where incremental steps along the same trajectory could push Earths systems into abrupt or irreversible changeleading to transformations that cannot be stopped even if emissions were suddenly halted. The Earth may have left a safe climate state beyond 1C global warming, Armstrong McKay and his co-authors concluded in Science last fall. If these thresholds are passed, some of global warmings effectslike the thaw of permafrost or the loss of the worlds coral reefsare likely to happen more quickly than expected. On the whole, however, the implications of blowing past these tipping points remain among climate changes most consequential unknowns: We dont really know when or how fast things will fall apart.

An Indian man stands at the door of his house as waves caused by high tide hits the huts on the shore of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Thursday, 6 July 2023. Photo: Rafiq Maqbool / AP Photo

Some natural systems, if upended, could herald a restructuring of the world. Take the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica: Its about the size of Florida, with a protruding ice shelf that impedes the glaciers flow into the ocean. Although the ice shelfs overall melt is slower than originally predicted, warm water is now eating away at it from below, causing deep cracks. At a certain point, that melt may progress enough to become self-sustaining, which would guarantee the glaciers eventual collapse. How that plays out will help determine how much sea levels will riseand thus the future of millions of people.

The fate of the Thwaites Glacier could be independent of other tipping points, such as those affecting mountain-glacier loss in South America, or the West African monsoon. But some tipping points will interact, worsening one anothers effects. When melt from Greenlands glaciers enters the ocean, for example, it alters an important system of currents called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The AMOC is like a conveyor belt, drawing warm water from the tropics north. The waters salinity increases as it evaporates, which, among other factors, makes it sink and return south along the ocean floor. As more glacial fresh water enters the system, that conveyor belt will weaken. Right now, its the feeblest its been in more than 1,000 years.

A shutdown of that ocean current could dramatically alter phenomena as varied as global weather patterns and crop yields. Messing with complex systems is chilling precisely because there are so many levers: If the temperature of the sea surface changes, precipitation over the Amazon might too, contributing to its deforestation, which in turn has been linked to snowfall on the Tibetan plateau. We may not even realize when we start passing points of no returnor if we already have. Its kind of like stepping into a minefield, Armstrong McKay said. We dont want to find out where these things are by triggering them.

One grim paper that came out last year, titled Climate End Game, mapped out some of the potential catastrophes that could follow a tipping cascade, and considered the possibility that a sudden shift in climate could trigger systems failures that unravel societies across the globe. Chris Field, the director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and a contributor to several IPCC reports, warned that at some point, the impacts of the climate crisis may become so severe that we lose the ability to work together to deliver solutions.

The San Antonio Fire spreads uphill west of Petaluma, California, Friday, 30 June 2023. California was in the middle of a heat wave during the long Fourth of July weekend Photo: Kent Porter / The Press Democrat / AP

James Hansen, one of the early voices on climate, says that measures to mitigate the crisis may now, ironically, be contributing to it. He published a working paper this spring suggesting that a reduction in sulfate aerosol particlesor the air pollution associated with burning coal and the global shipping industryhas contributed to warmer temperatures. Thats because these particles cause water droplets to multiply, which brightens clouds and reflects solar heat away from the planets surface. Though the paper has not been peer-reviewed, Hansen predicts that environmentally minded policies to reduce these pollutants will likely cause temperatures to rise by 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.

Even before the climate gets to that point, we may face a dramatic uptick in climate-related disasters, says William Ripple, a distinguished professor of ecology at Oregon State University and the lead author of a recent commentary on the risky feedback loops connecting climate-driven systems. Theres a sense of awein the original meaning of inspiring terror or dreadat witnessing such sweeping changes play out across the landscape. Many scientists knew these things would happen, but were taken aback by the severity of the major changes were seeing, Ripple said. Armstrong McKay likened the challenge of being a climate scientist in 2023 to that faced by medical professionals: You put a certain emotional distance between you and the work in order to do the work effectively, he said, that can be difficult to maintain.

Although it may be too late to avert some changes, others could still be staved off by limiting emissions. LeGrande said she worries that talking about tipping points may encourage people to think that any further action now is futile. In fact, the opposite is true, Ripple said. Scientifically, everything we do to avoid even a tenth of a degree of temperature increase makes a huge difference.

Climate Collapse Could Happen Fast

Map showing the overlap between future population distribution and extreme heat. CMIP6 model data from nine GCM models available from the WorldClim database were used to calculate mean annual temperature (MAT) under SSP3-7.0 during around 2070 (2060-2080) alongside Shared SSP3 demographic projections to 2070. The shaded areas depict regions where MAT exceeds 29C, while the colored topography details the spread of population density. This figure shows how projected population density intersects with extreme >29C MAT (such temperatures are currently restricted to only 0.8 percent of Earths land surface area). Using the medium-high scenario of emissions and population growth (SSP3-7.0 emissions, and SSP3 population growth), by 2070, around 2 billion people are expected to live in these extremely hot areas. Currently, only 30 million people live in hot places, primarily in the Sahara Desert and Gulf Coast. The most vulnerable states and communities will continue to be the hardest hit in a warming world, exacerbating inequities. Graphic: Kemp, et al., 2022 / PNAS

Climate Endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios

ABSTRACT: Prudent risk management requires consideration of bad-to-worst-case scenarios. Yet, for climate change, such potential futures are poorly understood. Could anthropogenic climate change result in worldwide societal collapse or even eventual human extinction? At present, this is a dangerously underexplored topic. Yet there are ample reasons to suspect that climate change could result in a global catastrophe. Analyzing the mechanisms for these extreme consequences could help galvanize action, improve resilience, and inform policy, including emergency responses. We outline current knowledge about the likelihood of extreme climate change, discuss why understanding bad-to-worst cases is vital, articulate reasons for concern about catastrophic outcomes, define key terms, and put forward a research agenda. The proposed agenda covers four main questions: 1) What is the potential for climate change to drive mass extinction events? 2) What are the mechanisms that could result in human mass mortality and morbidity? 3) What are human societies vulnerabilities to climate-triggered risk cascades, such as from conflict, political instability, and systemic financial risk? 4) How can these multiple strands of evidencetogether with other global dangersbe usefully synthesized into an integrated catastrophe assessment? It is time for the scientific community to grapple with the challenge of better understanding catastrophic climate change.

Climate Endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios
WINNIPEG, MB / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV:MPH)(OTC PINK:MCUJF), a company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for patients and prescribers in the United States market, will present the 2023 Q2 Financial Results on a Conference Call on July 31, 2023 at 8:30 am Eastern Time. The Q2 Financials will be filed after closing July 28th, 2023.

Conference Call Info:

Topic: Medicure's Q2 2023 Results

Call date: Monday, July 31, 2023

Time: 7:30 AM Central Time (8:30 AM Eastern Time)

Toll Free: 1 (888) 506-0062

International: 1 (973) 528-0011

Participant Access Code: 599508

Webcast: This conference call will be webcast live over the internet at the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2965/48792

You may request international country-specific access information by e-mailing the Company in advance. Management will accept and answer questions related to the financial results and operations during the question-and-answer period at the end of the conference call. A recording of the call will be available following the event at the Company's website.

About Medicure Inc.

Medicure is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the U.S. cardiovascular market. The present focus of the Company is the marketing and distribution of AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection and ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets in the United States, where they are sold through the Company's U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc. Medicure also operates Marley Drug, Inc. ("Marley Drug"), a pharmacy located in North Carolina that offers an Extended Supply drug program serving all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Marley Drug is committed to improving the health status of its patients and the communities they serve while reducing overall health care costs for employers and other health care consumers. For more information visit www.marleydrug.com. To learn more about The Extended Supply Generic Drug Program call 800.286.6781 or email [email protected]. For more information on Medicure please visit www.medicure.com. For additional information about AGGRASTAT, please visit www.aggrastathdb.com or refer to the full Prescribing Information. For additional information about ZYPITAMAG, please visit www.zypitamag.com or refer to the full Prescribing Information.

To be added to Medicure's e-mail list, please visit:

http://medicure.mediaroom.com/alerts

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information: Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimates", "continues", "anticipates", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. federal securities laws (such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements, include estimates, analysis and opinions of management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors which the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, the Company's future product revenues, expected results, including future revenue from P5P, the likelihood of receiving a priority review voucher from the United State Food and Drug Administration, expected future growth in revenues, stage of development, additional capital requirements, risks associated with the completion and timing of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market the Company's products, the ability to protect its intellectual property, dependence upon collaborative partners, changes in government regulation or regulatory approval processes, and rapid technological change in the industry. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; the impact of changes in Canadian-US dollar and other foreign exchange rates on the Company's revenues, costs and results; the timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's research and development projects; the availability of financing for the Company's commercial operations and/or research and development projects, or the availability of financing on reasonable terms; results of current and future clinical trials; the uncertainties associated with the acceptance and demand for new products and market competition. The foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of factors, other than as may be required by applicable legislation. Additional discussion regarding the risks and uncertainties relating to the Company and its business can be found in the Company's other filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities or the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the "Risk Factors" section of its current Form 20F.

AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection, ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets, and Marley Drug are registered trademarks.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Albert D. Friesen

Chief Executive Officer

Tel. 888-435-2220

Fax 204-488-9823

E-mail: [email protected]

www.medicure.com

SOURCE: Medicure, Inc.

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CAMDEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Subaru of America, Inc., and Make-A-Wish this week partnered for a "Week of Wishes" initiative, an extension of its long-standing partnership, to surprise children with critical illnesses across the country at local Subaru showrooms with wishes that Subaru retailers helped to grant.

The "Week of Wishes" expands on the 12-year partnership between the automaker and nonprofit. Since 2011, through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers have donated more than $32 million, helping to grant more than 3,300 wishes in the United States. The partnership has enabled Make-A-Wish to grant wishes that deliver hope when it's needed most.

"We have had the honor of granting thousands of wishes throughout our longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. "As the largest automotive donor to Make-A-Wish, we hope to provide children across the country with strength and positivity to fight against critical illness. Our Week of Wishes initiative is one of the many ways Subaru retailers are dedicated to giving back in their communities all year long."

According to Make-A-Wish, approximately 27,000 children are diagnosed with a critical illness each year, and research shows that granting wishes can improve children's quality of life and produce better health outcomes. A wish come true brings lasting impact to a wish kid, their family, and entire communities.

"Subaru and its retailers continue to provide support and exceed expectations for creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses nationwide," said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "We are incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to provide hope to wish kids and their families through initiatives like Week of Wishes, the Subaru Share the Love Event, and more."

"Week of Wishes" surprises included:

Quality Subaru in Wallingford, NC , hosted a cheer-themed celebration to surprise a 12-year-old Hamden resident, Chloe, after helping to grant her wish for a "cheer cave" basement makeover. The event featured several local cheer teams doing stunts, and Chloe, who suffers from a blood disorder, and her family and friends got a sneak peek of what her cheer cave will look like when complete.

, hosted a cheer-themed celebration to surprise a 12-year-old Hamden resident, Chloe, after helping to grant her wish for a "cheer cave" basement makeover. The event featured several local cheer teams doing stunts, and Chloe, who suffers from a blood disorder, and her family and friends got a sneak peek of what her cheer cave will look like when complete. Garcia Subaru North in Albuquerque, NM, surprised 13-year-old Alejandro, who has a malignant brain tumor and is losing his vision, with his wish to go on a shopping spree. He arrived at a red-carpet surprise party before being whisked away in a limo for his shopping spree at a local mall.

surprised 13-year-old Alejandro, who has a malignant brain tumor and is losing his vision, with his wish to go on a shopping spree. He arrived at a red-carpet surprise party before being whisked away in a limo for his shopping spree at a local mall. Wakefield Subaru in Wakefield, MA , hosted a New York City-themed welcome home party that included a musical performance from a local theatre for 18-year-old Somerville resident, Sofia, after helping to grant her wish to travel to New York City.

, hosted a New York City-themed welcome home party that included a musical performance from a local theatre for 18-year-old Somerville resident, Sofia, after helping to grant her wish to travel to New York City. AutoNation Subaru Hilton Head, in Hilton Head, NC , hosted a beach-themed send-off party to surprise a 4-year-old Bluffton resident, Lillian, with her wish to play in the sunshine on St. Johns Island.

, hosted a beach-themed send-off party to surprise a 4-year-old Bluffton resident, Lillian, with her wish to play in the sunshine on St. Johns Island. Autobarn Subaru of Countryside in Chicago, IL, hosted a gaming-themed bash to surprise a 14-year-old suburban Chicago resident, Goel, with his wish for a gaming system. Goel, who has recently undergone a heart transplant, was surprised with his favorite things, plus exciting gifts for his brand-new gaming system.

Additional retailers, including Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru (Orangeburg, NY), Subaru of Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill, NJ), Subaru of Moon Township (Pittsburgh, PA), Hendrick Subaru (Birmingham, AL), Peoria Subaru (Phoenix, AZ), Scoggin-Dickey Subaru (Lubbock, TX) and Capitol Subaru (San Jose, CA) also hosted surprise "Week of Wishes" events for local wish children.

The "Week of Wishes" is part of Subaru Loves to Care, the health-focused philanthropic pillar of the automaker's Love Promise vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. To learn more about Subaru Loves to Care, please visit subaru.com/care.

About Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide; more than 360,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

###

Media Contacts:

Diane Anton

Subaru of America, Inc.

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]

Adam Leiter

Subaru of America, Inc.

(856) 488-8668

[email protected]

Fernanda Horvath

Make-A-Wish America

(602)792-3253

[email protected]

Quality Subaru (Wallingford, CT) partnered with Make-A-Wish Connecticut to throw a cheer-themed party for Hamden resident Chloe, featuring performances from local cheer and dance teams.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Subaru of America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/subaru-america

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Subaru of America

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LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb- (Good) of Saudi Arabian Insurance Company B.S.C. (c) (Damana) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative.

The ratings reflect Damanas balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also factor a neutral impact from the companys ultimate ownership by Mawarid Holding Company (Mawarid).

Damanas balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation which was at the strongest level as at year-end 2022, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Investments previously held in a centralised group treasury account have been fully liquidated as of the first quarter of 2023, as mandated by the Central Bank of Bahrain in late 2020. Overall, AM Best views the company to have a moderate risk investment strategy, including concentrations to affiliated and unaffiliated equities.

Damanas operating performance is viewed as marginal. Over recent years, Damana has generated combined ratios in excess of 100% (as calculated by AM Best), reflective of considerable expense strain arising from its operating model and business scale. In addition to the expense ratio pressures, the companys loss ratio deteriorated in 2021 and 2022 amid underperformance of motor and medical lines of business.

Damana reported gross written premiums (GWP) of BHD 16.8 million in 2022, an increase of 8.6% compared with the previous year as the company executed strategic growth actions. This follows a contraction in GWP in 2021, which was in part attributable to regulatory restrictions imposed by the Central Bank of Bahrain on the companys operations in Bahrain in the second half of the year. This restriction was lifted in December 2021, resulting in return to growth in 2022. AM Best expects GWP growth in 2023, however, acknowledges the challenging and competitive conditions in the companys core markets of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait.

The negative outlooks reflect the challenges faced by Damana in the execution of its business plan and the ability to achieve underwriting and operating profitability over the medium term. In addition, AM Best views the companys investment strategy to drive a heightened potential for volatility in balance sheet fundamentals, including risk-adjusted capitalisation.

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.

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Anna Sheremeteva

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 6264

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Myles Gould

Director, Analytics

+44 207 397 0304

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
The companys new brand identity embodies its years of expertise and revolutionary manufacturing solutions.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Athena Manufacturing, an additive manufacturing company, rebranded as A3D Manufacturing with a new logo, look and tagline to introduce new possibilities for its customers and business.

As A3D Manufacturing, the company can serve customers beyond Phoenix, providing years of expertise and turnkey 3D manufacturing solutions to a national market. Its new logo, look and tagline, Where Ideas Take Shape, embodies its continued commitment to bringing cutting-edge products to customers and transforming abstract concepts into tangible solutions.

Rebranding as A3D Manufacturing will open many more possibilities for us, said Jon Toews, Senior Vice President of A3D Manufacturing. It allows us to continuously evaluate our mission and add bleeding-edge technologies and expertise to our portfolio, so our customers can harness these new capabilities to grow their business. A3D Manufacturing is truly where ideas take shape.

This rebranding allows A3D Manufacturing to provide a more exceptional customer experience from prototype to production. Customers have trusted A3D Manufacturing to offer precision custom parts and meet specifications and speed to market. They can expect the same processes, standards and high-quality products and services that bring their innovations to life.

A3D Manufacturing has been a leading innovator in 3D manufacturing, specializing in creating custom plastic and metal components since 2019. The company will continue to be a key certified 3D printing service provider, serving industries like aerospace, military and defense, life science, transportation and consumer products.

Its new brand identity now captures the companys constant drive to move forward, push boundaries and seek new manufacturing possibilities. It symbolizes the journey from concept to reality for customers and their businesses.

The company is a certified HP Digital Manufacturing Partner (DMP) and recently added the HP 5420W printer that prints white, functional parts and a Stratasys FDM printer to its portfolio.

For more information about additive manufacturing or A3Ds renewed commitment to their customers, contact A3D Manufacturing at [email protected] or visit the website at www.a3dmfg.com.

Follow A3D Manufacturing on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About A3D Manufacturing

A3D Manufacturing is the industry-certified 3D printing service provider for professional-grade manufacturing. It brings decades of experience in 3D printing technologies and materials to deliver an efficient and collaborative customer experience from prototype to production. Its highly-adaptable processes and precise standards guarantee customers the highest quality products on time, every time.

A3D Manufacturing specializes in creating custom plastic and metal components that cater to companies of all sizes. Its extensive capabilities encompass industrial-grade additive manufacturing and a range of finishing and post-processing options. It also excels in traditional manufacturing techniques, such as CNC, injection molding, urethane casting and sheet metal cutting and bending.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724916149/en/

Jon Toews

Senior Vice President

[email protected]

480.454.5037

Source: A3D Manufacturing
MECHANICSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), announced today that it signed an agreement with East Dunkard Water Authority to purchase its water system assets for $5 million. The system serves approximately 1,600 customers in Dunkard and Greene Townships and portions of Cumberland, Monongahela, Perry, and Whitely Townships, all located in Greene County, Pennsylvania  expanding the companys footprint to 38 counties across the Commonwealth.

The East Dunkard Water Authority has a history of water quality, service, and reliability issues due to aging infrastructure. The acquisition provides a long-term solution for a water system under a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) consent order since 2020.

We are committing the technical expertise and resources needed to satisfy the terms of the consent order and improve service for customers, said Pennsylvania American Water President Justin Ladner. The company plans to invest more than $17 million in this system, which will significantly improve the water treatment plant and overall system reliability.

Pennsylvania American Water and the Authority have explored the potential sale of its water system for the past nine months. The agreement follows a recent vote by the authority to accept Pennsylvania American Waters offer.

The sale of our water system to Pennsylvania American Water will unburden the authority of having to correct deficiencies in our system that we simply couldnt afford, said Jerry Dorsey, East Dunkard Water Board chairman. This transaction will allow Pennsylvania American Water to work with the DEP to efficiently address needed improvements and make significant capital investments in the system. Undoubtedly, these measures will ensure that our customers receive the high-quality product and service they rightfully deserve.

Pennsylvania American Water will adopt the authoritys current rates as part of the agreement. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates the company's rates, and any future rate changes would have to be reviewed and approved by the PUC. Pennsylvania American Water offers grants and discounted services to customers who qualify through its H2O Help to Others Program.

Pennsylvania American Water and East Dunkard Water Authority will seek approval of the acquisition from the PUC and DEP. The transaction is expected to be completed in 2024.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Waters 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the companys national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest-growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barrons 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys WaterSense Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724261389/en/

Media:

Gary Lobaugh

Senior Manager, Government, and External Affairs - Western PA

724.944.5148

[email protected]

Source: Pennsylvania American Water
MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW) announced today that it will release its second-quarter 2023 results on Monday, August 7, 2023, after the close of market. The Company will host a conference call to discuss its results and outlook on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT).

The conference call will be available via webcast on the Manitowoc website at http://ir.manitowoc.com in the Events & Presentations section. A replay of the conference call will also be available at the same location on the website.

About The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. was founded in 1902 and has over a 120-year tradition of providing high-quality, customer-focused products and support services to its markets. Manitowoc is one of the world's leading providers of engineered lifting solutions. Manitowoc, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, and supports comprehensive product lines of mobile hydraulic cranes, lattice-boom crawler cranes, boom trucks, and tower cranes under the Aspen Equipment, Grove, Manitowoc, MGX Equipment Services, National Crane, Potain, and Shuttlelift brand names.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230723800001/en/

Ion Warner

Senior Vice President

Marketing & Investor Relations

+1 414-760-4805

Source: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM), today announced the appointment of Diego Reynoso as its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective September 5, 2023 . Reynoso will lead all Boston Beer's Finance, Treasury and IT and will report directly to Chief Executive Officer, David A. Burwick .

Reynoso has more than 25 years of experience in finance and operations in the alcoholic beverage and food industries. He most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Prepared Foods division of Tyson Foods, a multinational food manufacturer, based out of its Chicago office, from 2021 to 2023. He was previously the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the $5 billion beer division at Constellation Brands and held various senior financial and operational roles at spirits company Beam Suntory Inc. Earlier in his career, he held roles at Allied-Domecq, Danone, and Procter & Gamble. Reynoso is a member of the Board of Directors of SunOpta Inc., a natural food and mineral company, and currently serves as a member of SunOpta's Audit Committee.

"Diego is a highly accomplished leader with extensive alcoholic beverage expertise and a proven track record of driving transformational business strategies," said Burwick. "His operating experience and financial acumen make him the right leader to help The Boston Beer Company grow and achieve our long-term financial goals."

With Reynoso's appointment, Matt Murphy , who has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer, will resume his role of Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, reporting to Reynoso.

"I would like to thank Matt for his exceptional leadership during this period when he assumed all CFO responsibilities in Finance, Investor Relations and IT while continuing to perform his Chief Accounting Officer duties," said Burwick. "We are very fortunate to have Matt as a senior finance leader and look forward to him playing a larger role in contributing to our future success."

About Boston Beer Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer, and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer , Truly Vodka Soda, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head, Hard Mountain Dew, and Jim Beam Kentucky Coolers, as well as other craft beer brands from Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston-beer-names-diego-reynoso-chief-financial-officer-and-treasurer-effective-september-5-2023-301884369.html

SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc.
Chinese battery giant CATL released a statement Monday signaling that the companys cooperation with Detroit automaker, Ford Motor (NYSE: F) will move forward as planned. The statement follows an announcement Friday from two congressmen that the partnership is under investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ford announced in February that the company intends to use technology from CATL as part of a plan to spend $3.5 billion to build a battery plant in Michigan. However, a joint letter by the Republican chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Select Committee called upon the automaker to address inquiries regarding the deal.

The representatives expressed concerns over Fords 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."

Ford defended the partnership, arguing that the partnership creates jobs and furthers the companys commitment towards sustainability and human rights.

Shares of F are up 1.36% in mid-day trading on Monday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
FILE PHOTO: People exit the headquarters of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

By Jody Godoy and Chris Prentice

(Reuters) -A cryptocurrency developer's landmark legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will galvanize Coinbase and other companies to resist the agency's attempt to assert its jurisdiction over the industry, experts said.

Thursday's ruling that Ripple Labs Inc did not violate securities law by selling its XRP token on exchanges was the first major setback for the SEC in a decade of enforcement against the cryptocurrency industry. Other crypto firms accused of illegally operating digital asset exchanges are exploring ways to take advantage of the ruling, according to two sources familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The crypto industry is in a tug-of-war with the SEC and its Democratic chair Gary Gensler, who has described the crypto market as a "Wild West" riddled with fraud. Saying most crypto tokens are securities, the SEC has cracked down on crypto trading platforms, including the top U.S. exchange Coinbase, in an effort to bring the industry under its oversight.

Crypto firms have long disputed the SEC's jurisdiction but until Thursday no court had supported that view. Now, industry lawyers have ammunition to fight back.

"This case will cause people to rethink, and I think it already has," said Robert Frenchman of Mukasey Frenchman LLP.

The two sources, for example, said firms are considering ways to use the Judge's ruling for their defense. "I cant imagine any of the exchanges wont use this in some way," said one.

In 2020, the SEC sued San Francisco-based Ripple and its current and former chief executives, alleging they conducted a $1.3 billion unregistered securities offering by selling XRP, which Ripple's founders created in 2012.

U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in New York on Thursday ruled its sales on public cryptocurrency exchanges were not offers of securities because purchasers did not have a reasonable expectation of profit that depended on Ripple's efforts, a key factor in determining if XRP was a security at the time. However, she also ruled Ripple's direct sales of XRP to investors should have been registered as securities, handing the SEC a partial victory.

Crypto proponents viewed the decision as a watershed and the judge's reasoning as a new line of defense for the likes of Coinbase, Binance, Bittrex and other exchanges targeted by the SEC on the basis they were trading securities.

"It bolsters Coinbase's and Binance's arguments that the digital assets that are traded on those exchanges would not be deemed securities," said Teresa Goody Guillen of Baker & Hostetler in Washington.

Spokespeople for Coinbase and Bittrex did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Binance declined to comment, as did a spokesperson for the SEC.

The SEC's Gensler said in remarks on Monday that the regulator is "disappointed" with the part of the ruling that was in Ripple's favor.

SEC APPEAL?

While the cryptoverse was celebrating, some legal experts said they believe the SEC will challenge the ruling in the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals to stop judges hearing other cases from ruling that other crypto assets sold on exchanges are not securities.

"The stakes are too large, especially in light of cases against Coinbase and other issuers for the SEC to let this opinion stand," said Carol Goforth, a law professor at the University of Arkansas.

Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty said in an interview with Reuters that the company "wouldn't shy away from an appeal, because the judge was right on her core findings," adding: "I believe any appellate court looking at this would amplify and endorse those rulings, which would certainly be welcome," he said.

Experts agreed that an appeal carried risks for the SEC.

If the 2nd Circuit, whose rulings are binding on federal courts in New York, Connecticut and Vermont, adopts the logic in the Ripple ruling, much of the Coinbase case is "toast," said Philip Moustakis, an attorney at Seward & Kissel.

"It presents a substantial risk that their jurisdiction over the crypto markets will be constricted if they appeal and lose," he said.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy and Chris Prentice in New York and Hannah Lang in Washington, D.C.; editing by Tom Hals, Michelle Price and David Gregorio)
Alstom and RAILPOOL sign a contract for 50 Traxx Universal locomotives

This new order contributes to the expansion of RAILPOOLs footprint in Europe and in France in particular

All locomotives will be equipped with Alstoms Atlas signalling system and enable RAILPOOL to serve different corridors.





24 July 2023  Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, and RAILPOOL, one of Europes leading rail vehicle leasing companies, have signed a contract for 50 Traxx Universal multi-purpose locomotives. The contract is valued at up to 260 million euro.

The Traxx Universal multi-purpose locomotives can be operated for freight and passenger corridor services. Characterised by both high reliability and flexibility in combination with an optimised power consumption, the locomotives are a proven solution for efficient cross-border operations. Extended maintenance intervals allow for less interventions to ease operational planning, reduce costs and increase availability. The locomotives will cover operations in eight countries, namely Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg and Poland.

All locomotives will be equipped with the leading signalling system Atlas, Alstoms onboard solution for the European Train Control System (ETCS). This system enables operation on extended corridors with the broadest coverage of countries and lines, both in ETCS as well as for legacy system operation.

Kevin Cogo, Vice-President, Rolling Stock, Locomotives & Components, Alstom DACH, said: We are delighted that RAILPOOL has chosen Alstom to expand their operations in several parts of Europe. This contract marks the continuation of a long-standing and successful partnership. With our proven Traxx locomotives and our state-of-the-art Atlas signalling solution, we are proud to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable freight and passenger transport.

Torsten Lehnert, CEO of RAILPOOL, added: With this purchase we solidify our commitment to develop our one-of-a-kind full-service offering in the French market on top of the recent office opening in France under the leadership of Frederique Erlichman. All 50 locomotives ordered from our partner Alstom will cover operations in France and along the most important European corridors, contributing to the further advancement of sustainable high-performance rail transportation out of France.

The engineering of the locomotives will be done at the Alstom site in Mannheim, Germany, while final assembly is planned to take place in Kassel, Germany. Other sites involved are Wroclaw, Poland (carbody shell production), Siegen, Germany (bogies production), and Zurich, Switzerland (project management).

Alstom, Traxx and Atlas are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.





About Alstom



















About RAILPOOL



Alstom commits to contribute to a low carbon future by developing and promoting innovative and sustainable transportation solutions that people enjoy riding. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. With its presence in 63 countries and a talent base of over 80,000 people from 175 nationalities, the company focuses its design, innovation, and project management skills to where mobility solutions are needed most. Listed in France, Alstom generated revenues of 16.5 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2023.

For more information, please visit www.alstom.com.







RAILPOOL is one of the leading railway vehicle leasing companies offering real expertise for full service from a single source. The company was founded in Munich in 2008 and now operates in 18 European countries.







RAILPOOL is one of the largest providers in Europe with around 500 locomotives and 148 passenger vehicles (and an investment total of more than 2 billion euro). The RAILPOOL fleet covers 85,000,000 kilometres every year and makes an important contribution to the modal shift to rail. RAILPOOL has its own warehouse with more than 4,000 different spare parts and components. Contacts Press:



Alstom Headquarters

Philippe MOLITOR  Tel.: +33 (0)7 76 00 97 79

[email protected]



Alstom Germany

Jorn BISCHOFF  Tel.: +49 (0)1 74 92 50 348

[email protected]



Investor Relations



Martin VAUJOUR  Tel.: +33 (0) 6 88 40 17 57

[email protected]







Estelle MATURELL ANDINO  Tel.: +33 (0) 6 71 37 47 56

[email protected]



RAILPOOL

Simone Fankhauser

[email protected]

Attachment
Primary energy global consumption (left) and share of global primary energy by source (right), 2000-2022. Primary energy demand growth slowed in 2022, increasing by 1.1 percent, compared to 5.5 percent in 2021, and taking it to around 3 percent above the 2019 pre-COVID level. Consumption increased in all regions apart from Europe (-3.8 percent) and CIS (-5.8 percent). Renewables (excluding hydro) share of primary energy consumption reached 7.5 percent, an increase of nearly 1 percent over the previous year. Fossil fuel consumption as a percentage of primary energy remained steady at 82 percent. Graphic: Energy Institute

26 June 2023 (EI)  The Energy Institute (EI) and partners KPMG and Kearney today released the 72nd annual edition of the Statistical Review of World Energy, presenting for the first time full global energy data for 2022.

Five key themes emerge from the data

Post-COVID, transport fuel demand patterns continued to return, but with major variations across geographies and fuel types. China was a major outlier, in particular in terms of jet fuel remaining significantly below its pre-COVID level, due to its zero COVID policy. The Ukraine conflict and curtailment of Russian supplies to Europe precipitated record international gas prices in Europe (a threefold increase) and Asia (twofold), and unprecedented shifts in global oil and gas trade flows. The strong pace of deployment of renewables in the power sector continued, driven by solar and wind. 2022 saw the largest ever increase in wind and solar new build capacity. Together they reached a record 12% share of power generation, with solar up 25% and wind up 13.5%. Renewables (excluding hydro) met 84% of net electricity demand growth in 2022. Global primary energy consumption grew by around 1% in 2022, taking it to nearly 3% above the 2019 pre-COVID level. Within this, gas fell by 3% and renewables (excluding hydro) increased by 13%. The dominance of fossil fuels was largely unchanged at almost 82% of total consumption. Global energy-related emissions continued to grow, up 0.8%, despite strong growth in renewables.

EI President Juliet Davenport OBE HonFEI said:

The EI Statistical Review provides a high-level view of how our energy systems are adapting to escalating geopolitical and environmental crises.

2022 saw some of the worst ever impacts of climate change  the devastating floods affecting millions in Pakistan, the record heat events across Europe and North America  yet we have to look hard for positive news on the energy transition in this new data.

Despite further strong growth in wind and solar in the power sector, overall global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions increased again. We are still heading in the opposite direction to that required by the Paris Agreement.

EI Chief Executive Nick Wayth CEng FEI FIMechE, said:

As the world emerged from the pandemic and its impact on demand, 2022 witnessed energy markets again in crisis, with the Ukraine conflict upending assumptions about supply around the world. That in turn precipitated a price crisis and profound cost-of-living pressures across many economies.

The EI Statistical Review shows how the worlds energy markets struggled to respond to the crisis, how the trade and flow of energy contorted, and how vulnerable our economies are to supply and price shocks.

Simon Virley CB FEI, Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG in the UK said:

The EI Statistical Review is essential reading for policymakers around the world trying to balance the energy trilemma. All aspects of the trilemma were put under severe strain in 2022. Despite record growth in renewables, the share of world energy still coming from fossil fuels remains stubbornly stuck at 82%, which should act as a clarion call for governments to inject more urgency into the energy transition.

Richard Forrest FEI, Global Sustainability Lead Partner and Chair Energy Transition Institute, Kearney said:

2022 was a turbulent year for the energy industry, with the Ukraine conflict and the tail end of the pandemic driving energy cost and security concerns to the top of the priority list in many regions. The global energy consumption increased 1.1% over the year, with a 0.8% increase in greenhouse gas emissions reinforcing the need for urgent action to get the world on track to meet the Paris targets. The need to drive the energy transition at pace to deliver clean, affordable and secure energy has never been greater.

Primary energy

Primary energy demand growth slowed in 2022, increasing 1.1%, compared to 5.5% in 2021, and taking it to around 3% above the 2019 pre-COVID level.

Consumption increased in all regions apart from Europe (-3.8%) and CIS (-5.8%).

Renewables (excluding hydro) share of primary energy consumption reached 7.5%, an increase of nearly 1% over the previous year.

Fossil fuel consumption as a percentage of primary energy remained steady at 82%.

Carbon emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions from energy use, industrial processes, flaring and methane (in carbon dioxide equivalent terms) continued to rise to a new high growing 0.8% in 2022 to 39.3 GtCO2e, with emissions from energy use rising 0.9% to 34.4 GtCO2.

In contrast, carbon dioxide emissions from flaring decreased by 3.8% and emissions from methane and industrial processes decreased by 0.2%.

Oil

Brent crude oil prices averaged $101/bbl in 2022, its highest level since 2013.

Oil consumption continued to increase, rising by 2.9 million barrels per day (b/d) to 97.3 million barrels per day (b/d), a smaller increase than was seen between 2020 and 2021. Consumption remained 0.7% below 2019 levels.

Regionally, OECD consumption increased by 1.4 million b/d and non-OECD by 1.5 million b/d. Most of the growth came from jet/kerosene (0.9 million b/d) and diesel/gasoil (0.7 million b/d).

Global oil production increased by 3.8 million b/d in 2022, with OPEC+ accounting for more than 60% of the increase. Among all countries, Saudi Arabia (1,182,000 b/d) and the U.S. (1,091,000 b/d), saw the largest increases. Nigeria reported the largest decline in production (184,000 b/d) with production in Libya declining by 181,000 b/d.

Refining capacity increased slightly by around 534,000 b/d last year driven by an increase in capacity in non-OECD countries.

Natural gas prices, 2005-2022. Natural gas prices reached record levels in Europe and Asia in 2022, rising nearly threefold in Europe (TTF averaging $37/mmBtu) and doubling in the Asian LNG spot market (JKM averaging $34/mmBtu). U.S. Henry Hub prices rose by more than 50 percent to average $6.5/mmBtu in 2022  their highest annual level since 2008. Graphic: Energy Institute

Natural gas

Natural gas prices reached record levels in Europe and Asia in 2022, rising nearly threefold in Europe (TTF averaging $37/mmBtu) and doubling in the Asian LNG spot market (JKM averaging $34/mmBtu). US Henry Hub prices rose over 50% to average $6.5/mmBtu in 2022  their highest annual level since 2008.

Global natural gas demand declined by 3% in 2022 dropping just below the 4 Tcm mark achieved for the first time in 2021. Its share in primary energy in 2022 decreased slightly to 24% (from 25% in 2021).

Global gas production remained relatively constant compared to 2021.

LNG supply grew 5% (26 Bcm) to 542 Bcm in 2022, similar to 2021. LNG supply increases came mostly from North America (10 Bcm) and APAC (8 Bcm). All other regions made a positive contribution to LNG supply growth in 2022 (8 Bcm).

The increase in global LNG demand was triggered by Europe (62 Bcm) in 2022. Countries in the Asia Pacific region reduced their LNG imports by 24 Bcm and those in South & Central America by 11 Bcm.

Japan replaced China as the worlds largest LNG importer and accounted for close to 60% of global LNG demand growth in 2022. The Asia Pacific region accounted for around 65% of global LNG demand but fell 6.5% compared to 2021 whilst Europe increased its LNG imports by 57%.

Overall natural gas pipeline net trade fell ~15% globally in 2022 (78 Bcm). European pipeline imports fell by 35% (82 Bcm), almost entirely attributable to supplies from Russia. Overall, Russian total pipeline exports fell 38%. The Middle East increased its pipeline exports by 12%. China increased its pipeline imports by 5 Bcm.

Annual global coal production and consumption, 2012-2022. In 2022, coal consumption continued to increase, rising 0.6 percent on 2021 to 161 EJ; the highest level of coal consumption since 2014. The growth in demand was largely driven by China (1 percent) and India (4 percent). Their combined growth of 1.7 EJ was sufficient to offset declines in other regions by 0.6 EJ. Coal consumption in both North America and Europe declined by 6.8 percent and 3.1 percent respectively. In 2022, OECD consumption was around 10 percent less than its 2019 pre-COVID level and non-OECD coal consumption over 6 percent higher. Global coal production increased by over 7 percent compared to 2021, reaching a record high of 175 EJ. China, India, and Indonesia accounted for over 95 percent of the increase in global production. Data: Energy Institute. Graphic: James P. Galasyn

Price of coal in U.S. dollars/ton, 2009-2023. Coal prices reached record levels in 2022, with European prices averaging $294/ton and the Japan CIF spot price averaging $225/ton (increases of 145 percent and 45 percent over 2021 respectively). Data are current through 21 July 2023. Graphic: Trading Economics

Coal

Coal prices reached record levels in 2022, with European prices averaging $294/tonne and the Japan CIF spot price averaging $225/tonne (increases of 145% and 45% over 2021 respectively).

Coal consumption continued to increase, rising 0.6% on 2021 to 161 EJ; the highest level of coal consumption since 2014.

The growth in demand was largely driven by China (1%) and India (4%). Their combined growth of 1.7 EJ was sufficient to offset declines in other regions by 0.6 EJ.

Coal consumption in both North America and Europe declined by 6.8% and 3.1% respectively. In 2022, OECD consumption was around 10% less than its 2019 pre-COVID level and non-OECD coal consumption over 6% higher.

Global coal production increased by over 7% compared to 2021, reaching a record high of 175 EJ. China, India, and Indonesia accounted for over 95% of the increase in global production.

Renewables, hydro and nuclear

Renewable power (excluding hydro) rose 14% in 2022 to reach 40.9 EJ. This was slightly below the previous years growth rate of 16%.

Solar and wind capacity continued to grow rapidly in 2022 recording a record increase of 266 GW. Solar accounted for 72% (192 GW) of the capacity additions.

The largest portion of solar and wind growth was in China accounting for about 37% and 41% of global capacity additions respectively.

Hydroelectricity generation increased by 1.1% in 2022 whilst output from nuclear fell by 4.4%.

Electricity

Global electricity generation increased by 2.3% in 2022 which was lower than the previous years growth rate of 6.2%.

Wind and solar reached a record high of 12% share of power generation with solar recording 25% and wind power 13.5% growth in output. The combined generation from wind and solar once again surpassed that of nuclear energy.

Coal remained the dominant fuel for power generation in 2022, with a stable share around 35.4%, marginally down from 35.8% in 2021.

Natural gas-fired power generation remained stable in 2022 with a share of around 23%.

Renewables (excluding hydro) met 84% of net electricity demand growth in 2022.

Key minerals

Lithium carbonate prices rose 335% to average a record high of $47,000/tonne. Similarly, the price of cobalt increased 24% in 2021 to average $64,000/tonne.

Lithium and cobalt production rose sharply by 21%.

Energy system struggles in face of geopolitical and environmental crises
BLAINVILLE, Quebec, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group is proud to announce it has been named to join the inaugural cohort of the Government of Canadas Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP).

The announcement of the winners of the rigorous competition was made today in Toronto by Hon. Mary Ng, federal Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development.

The GHP is a new, innovative initiative that aims to ensure that the right government supports are in place to help high-potential Canadian firms grow to become future anchor firms for Canada. Through a rigorous selection process, firms were assessed based on their demonstrated potential to execute on growth ambitions and on their potential to contribute to building greater communities, greater jobs and growth in Canada.

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group is very pleased that its success and growth have been recognized by being named to the GHP, as well as the great potential we have for further expansion, in Canada and in other countries as we expand our international footprint, said Eric Gervais, President of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group. We are very proud of the success we have already achieved but look forward to partnering with the GHP to propel our growth to make our innovative, Canadian-manufactured pharmaceuticals available to more patients around the world.

The GHP is an innovative program that will leverage the full support of many government organizations to assist the few selected companies in growing and succeeding, particularly with exports.

Canada wins when cutting-edge companies keep operations, profits and jobs here at home. And when they scale up around the world, they signal that Canada is open for business, said Minister Ng. With the Global Hypergrowth Project, we're doubling down on Canada's most promising firms, to help them scale up, from here.

As one of the eight companies named to the GHP, Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group will be assigned a dedicated GHP account executive to provide support where it is needed in key areas such as funding growth, international expansion, talent acquisition, navigation of federal regulations, access to procurement projects, mentorship and expertise. As well, the GHP will co-develop and execute a service plan to help companies work with all levels of government, agencies and Crown corporations to assist company growth in any way, as well as to develop a communications strategy to celebrate the companies successes.

In turn, the federal government wants GHP firms to act as growth ambassadors for Canada and to help create innovative solutions for the benefit of all Canadian businesses.

The GHP is an excellent opportunity for Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group to supercharge its growth, particularly in export markets, therefore creating more Canadian jobs," said Melanie Therrien, Vice-President, Finance, of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group. We can use the intellectual property that we developed and own to benefit more patients around the world while also creating economic success in Canada.

About Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG), with its affiliated companies, is headquartered in Blainville, Quebec. The Group consists of five pharmaceutical companies to meet the needs of patients in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. The companies are Duchesnay (Canada) and Duchesnay USA, both dedicated to women's health; Medunik Canada and Medunik USA, which provide treatments for rare diseases; and Analog Pharma, an American generic drugs company, specializing in authorized generics and orphan drugs. From its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, DPG exports its innovative treatments to more than 50 countries.

The Group, through its proprietary research and development, and through exclusive partnerships, offers innovative treatments for a variety of medical conditions in women's health, urology, oncology as well as for rare diseases. DPG recognizes the dedication and professionalism of its employees and promotes a positive culture and flexible work environment. It is deeply committed to environmental responsibility and to giving back to the community through the support of various charitable organizations. For more information, please visit https://duchesnaypharmaceuticalgroup.com/en .

Media contact:Mariia SavchukSenior Advisor, Communications[email protected]+1 (450) 433-7734 ext. 149

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8615fe76-36ab-42b6-838c-d06f1f65124b

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group selected for federal Global Hypergrowth Project Eric Gervais, President of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group, with Hon. Mary Ng, federal Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, at the announcement on July 24 of the first cohort of eight companies named to take part in the federal government's new Global Hypergrowth Project to promote export growth.

Source: Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tellurium Corp. (CSE: FTEL, OTCQB: FSTTF) (the Company or First Tellurium), today announced that Tyrone Docherty, President and CEO, will present live at the Metals and Mining Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 26th and 27th, 2023.

DATE: Wednesday, July 26th TIME: 11am-11:30am PT (2pm-2:30pm ET)LINK: https://bit.ly/3Ne25Hz

Tyrone Docherty Available for 1x1 meetings: Wednesday (26th): Available full day Thursday: 10am - 11:30am ET, and 2pm - 5pm ET Friday: 10am - 11:30am ET, and 2pm - 5pm ET Monday: 10am - 11:30am ET, and 2pm - 5pm ET

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

The Company recommends that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com

About Virtual Investor ConferencesVirtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

About First Tellurium Corp.First Telluriums unique business model is to generate revenue and value through mineral discovery, project development, project generation and cooperative access to untapped mineral regions in Indigenous territory with sustainable exploration.

Our Klondike tellurium-gold property in Colorado and polymetallic Deer Horn Project in British Columbia anchor a diversified search for metals, working in alliance with Indigenous peoples, NGOs, governments and leading metals buyers. This is the future of mineral explorationgenerating revenue by exploring responsibly and leveraging diverse partnerships.

First Tellurium proudly adheres to, and supports, the principles and rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in particular the fundamental proposition of free, prior and informed consent. First Tellurium is listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol FTEL and on the OTC under the symbol FSTTF. Further information about FTEL and its projects can be found on www.firsttellurium.com.

On behalf of the board of directors ofFirst Tellurium Corp.Tyrone DochertyTyrone DochertyPresident and CEO For further information please contact:Tyrone Docherty604.789.5653 [email protected] Twitter:https://twitter.com/TelluriumCorp

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking informationAll statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated event.

Source: Virtual Investor Conferences
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FSE: 89N) (MAX Power or the Company) is pleased to announce that a recently completed geophysics survey by Hasbrouck Geophysics over its 100%-owned Willcox Playa Project (3,754 acres) in Arizona has identified multiple high-priority drill targets from the northernmost claims to the southernmost, a distance of approximately 6 miles (10 km). The Company is targeting both an aquifer domain with potential high brine volume at Willcox and coincidental claystone mineralization. The property is now considered drill-ready with permitting for Phase 1 drilling now in progress.

The gravity low near the centre of the playa and the fact that it is a hydrologically isolated basin, as demonstrated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, suggests the existence of a closed hydrological reservoir. The HSAMT and gravity surveys strengthen the possibility of lithium accumulation and concentration under the property.

Additional Highlights

A gravity and Hybrid-Source Audio-Magnetotellurics (HSAMT) survey was completed across the entire property, measuring gravity and resistivity on a 500 meter x 500 meter grid, and results identified a series of high-priority lithium drill targets as outlined in Figure 1;

MAX Power identified the target zone can reach to around 1 mile (1,600 m) thick;

MAX Power replicated the relevant geophysical surveys the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed in the 1960s and 1970s.

Location & Lithium Potential

The 50 sq. mile (129 sq. km) Willcox Playa, situated approximately 200 miles southeast of Phoenix in Cochise County, was historically referenced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) following limited drilling in the 1970s as one of the most prospective locations for lithium in the Western United States, similar in its potential to Clayton Valley, Nevada, and the lithium brine and claystone deposits that have been identified there. Decades of U.S. Air Force activity in the Willcox Playa has ended, with MAX benefiting from first-mover advantage and securing three well-situated blocks mostly leased from the State of Arizona. The area is surrounded by excellent infrastructure, including rail, roads and services in the nearby town of Willcox.

Willcox Playa Video

To view a video from the Willcox Playa click on the following URL: https://vimeo.com/840488036?share=copy

Figure 1  Drill Targets

The first four drill targets cover areas with both low resistivity (

Figure 2  Section Map

The Hasbrouck Report included sections which show the prevalence of resistivity and or gravity anomalies at depth. Figure 2 is one such section showing resistivity anomalies in section.

Figure 3 - Potential Structural Complexity Beneath The Property

The Hasbrouck Report suggested possible near vertical dipping faults beneath the Willcox Playa as demonstrated by Figure 3. It is postulated this possible structural complexity could aid in the concentration of lithium mineralization beneath the playa, particularly under the property.

Figure 4: Geophysics Team at the Willcox Playa

Sagacity Capital Media Video Interview from Willcox Playa

To view a video interview with a geophysics specialist at the Willcox Playa, visit the following URL: https://vimeo.com/842888448?share=copy

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Thomas Clarke, P.Geo., Pr.Sci.Nat, and Director for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Clarke is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MAX Power

MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North Americas renewable energy prospects. MAX has also entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the University of California Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop state-of-the-art direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources.

Contact: [email protected]

MarketSmart Communications at 877-261-4466.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Property; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Willcox Playa Property; the potential for lithium within the Willcox Playa region; ability to access Property; ability to extract resources from the Property, commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; any results and updates thereto as it relates to the USGS report; the Companys concentration hypothesis; closing of the transaction; future press releases by the Company; and funding of any future drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," interpreted, "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," suggests, often, target, future, likely, pending, "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe718318-8337-4777-a11f-cd4483257a01

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f19dffb-2f03-40cf-b48b-74e4f44df04e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1b15006-732f-49f2-b799-2d75d28635e3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b8d8868-565e-4f38-81da-524dcc3b2701

Max Power Mining Corp Willcox Playa Drill Targets Map Max Power Mining Corp Willcox Playa Resistivity Anomalies Max Power Mining Corp Cross Section of Modeled Bedrock Depth from Gravity Data Max Power Mining Corp Geophysics Team at the Willcox Playa

Source: Max Power Mining Corp
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces that it is presenting results of its Quality Assessment Products (QAPs) for supporting the clinical use and accuracy of multiplex tests for four of the most prevalent sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) conference taking place in Anaheim, California July 23 to 27, 2023.

At AACC, Microbix will exhibit alongside leading firms that provide tests to diagnose and direct treatment of STIs and other infectious diseases. Microbix will thereby showcase its ever-growing portfolio of QAPs that help ensure the accuracy of antigen and molecular (i.e., PCR) tests and their workflows.

Also at AACC, Microbix will present a poster titled Evaluating the Performance of Emerging STI Point of Care Assays Using Novel, Room Temperature Stable CT/NG/TV/MG Positive Swab Quality Control Materials. The poster reviews the performance of novel PROCEEDFLOQ (RUO) QAPs to support the clinical use and accuracy of multiplex PCR tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG)  four of the most prevalent STIs. The poster can be read at https://microbix.com and a REDxFLOQ (IVD) product format is also available.

Point of Care Tests (PoCTs) that can distinguish between STI-causing pathogens promise improved access to care and faster turnaround time from patient-sampling to test-result. However, users of such PoCTs must have accurate and robust test-control materials for quality management purposes. Microbix therefore developed a whole-workflow multiplex STI QAP desiccated on a Copan FLOQSwab that is stable at 2-30C and contains inactive whole-genome target pathogens. The poster evaluated its performance with multiple diagnostic platforms in current use and in development, namely the Abbott Alinity m STI assay, Aprimeo/Bosch Vivalytic STI Assay, BD MAX CT/GC/TV assay, Cepheid Xpert CT/NG and TV assays, Seegene Novaplex CT/NG/TV/MG assay, an IVD assay in late-stage development, and a lab-developed assay.

Dr. Amer Alagic, an author of the poster and Director of R&D at Microbix, commented prior to his presentation of the poster at AACC Microbixs whole-genome and room-temperature stable FLOQSwab-formatted QAPs continue to demonstrate their ability to support quality management on a wide range of molecular assays and instrument platforms. Were pleased to be offering Microbix QAPs to support clinically-important STI testing  as tools for validation, verification, and training, as external quality assessment samples, and as in-kit controls.

Purchase enquires for these and all Microbix QAPs can be e-mailed to [email protected].

About Microbix Biosystems Inc.Microbix Biosystems Inc. creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and annualized sales targeting C$ 2.0 million per month. It makes a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical lab accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical labs. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, supported by a network of 10 international distributors. Microbix is ISO 9001 & 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides CE marked products.

Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably viral transport medium (DxTM) to stabilize patient samples for lab-based molecular diagnostic testing and Kinlytic urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots. Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes forward-looking information, as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of AACC, the Poster, the STI QAPs, or their relevance, Microbixs or others products or services, business and business results, goals or outlook, risks associated with financial results and stability, development projects such as those referenced in its presentations, regulatory compliance and approvals, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity or timeliness of delivery), currency exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital or raising new capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements about anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect managements current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Microbix cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond its control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent Microbixs judgement as of the date of this new release, and it is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.

Please visit https://microbix.com or www.sedar.com for recent Microbix news and filings.

For further information, please contact Microbix at:

Cameron Groome, CEO(905) 361-8910 Jim Currie, CFO(905) 361-8910 Deborah Honig, Investor RelationsAdelaide Capital Markets(647) 203-8793 [email protected]

Copyright  2023 Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix, DxTM, Kinlytic, PROCEEDx, QAPs, and REDx are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc.PROCEEDxFLOQ and REDxFLOQ are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc. in collaboration with Copan Italia S.p.A.Copan, FLOQ, and FLOQSwab are trademarks of Copan Italia S.p.A.Other companies names and products are protected by their respective trademarks.

Source: Microbix Biosystems Inc.
FORT WORTH, Texas, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) today announced its second quarter 2023 financial results.

Second Quarter 2023 Highlights 

Cash flow from operating activities of $127 million

Cash flow from operations, before working capital changes, of $187 million

Capital spending was $175 million, approximately 30% of the 2023 budget

Production averaged 2.1 Bcfe per day, approximately 68% natural gas

Price realizations including hedges of $2.88 per mcfe  premium of $0.78 over NYMEX natural gas

NGL realizations of $21.51 per barrel  premium of $0.33 over Mont Belvieu equivalent

Natural gas differentials, including basis hedging, averaged ($0.47) per mcf to NYMEX

Repurchased $61.6 million face value of 2025 senior notes at a discount

Commenting on the quarter, Dennis Degner, the Companys CEO said, Second quarter results reflect the resilience and durability of Ranges business. Ranges competitive cost structure, low relative capital intensity, liquids optionality and thoughtful hedging allowed us to generate healthy full-cycle margins and maintain our trajectory towards our target capital structure, despite what we expect is a cyclical low in commodity prices. The Range team remains focused on efficiently developing our Marcellus assets to create value for shareholders into what we believe is an improving macro outlook for natural gas and natural gas liquids.

Financial Discussion

Except for generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) reported amounts, specific expense categories exclude non-cash impairments, unrealized mark-to-market adjustment on derivatives, non-cash stock compensation and other items shown separately on the attached tables. Unit costs as used in this release are composed of direct operating, transportation, gathering, processing and compression, taxes other than income, general and administrative, interest and depletion, depreciation and amortization costs divided by production. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for a definition of each of the non-GAAP financial measures and the tables that reconcile each of the non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Second Quarter 2023 Results

GAAP revenues for second quarter 2023 totaled $637 million, GAAP net cash provided from operating activities (including changes in working capital) was $127 million, and GAAP net income was $30 million ($0.12 per diluted share). Second quarter earnings results include a $124 million mark-to-market derivative gain due to decreases in commodity prices.

Non-GAAP revenues for second quarter 2023 totaled $590 million, and cash flow from operations before changes in working capital, a non-GAAP measure, was $187 million. Adjusted net income comparable to analysts estimates, a non-GAAP measure, was $72 million ($0.30 per diluted share) in second quarter 2023.

The following table details Ranges second quarter 2023 unit costs per mcfe(a):

Expenses 2Q 2023 (per mcfe) 2Q 2022(per mcfe) Increase (Decrease) Direct operating(a) $ 0.13 $ 0.10 30% Transportation, gathering, processing and compression(a) 1.42 1.70 (16%) Taxes other than income 0.04 0.04 0% General and administrative(a) 0.16 0.17 (6%) Interest expense(a) 0.16 0.21 (24%) Total cash unit costs(b) 1.90 2.22 (14%) Depletion, depreciation and amortization (DD&A) 0.45 0.46 (2%) Total unit costs plus DD&A(b) $ 2.35 $ 2.68 (12%)

(a) Excludes stock-based compensation, one-time settlements, and amortization of deferred financing costs.(b) Totals may not be exact due to rounding.

The following table details Ranges average production and realized pricing for second quarter 2023(a):

2Q23 Production & Realized Pricing Natural Gas(Mcf) Oil (Bbl) NGLs(Bbl) Natural GasEquivalent (Mcfe) Net production per day 1,422,158 7,234 102,532 2,080,752 Average NYMEX price $ 2.10 $ 73.98 $ 21.18 Differential, including basis hedging (0.47 ) (9.71 ) 0.33 Realized prices before NYMEX hedges 1.63 64.27 21.51 2.40 Settled NYMEX hedges 0.71 (1.73 )  0.48 Average realized prices after hedges $ 2.34 $ 62.54 $ 21.51 $ 2.88

(a) Totals may not be exact due to rounding

Second quarter 2023 natural gas, NGLs and oil price realizations (including the impact of cash-settled hedges and derivative settlements) averaged $2.88 per mcfe.

The average natural gas price, including the impact of basis hedging, was $1.63 per mcf, or a ($0.47) per mcf differential to NYMEX. The Company continues to expect an average 2023 natural gas differential versus NYMEX to be within a range of ($0.35) to ($0.45) per mcf.

Ranges pre-hedge NGL price during the quarter was $21.51 per barrel, approximately $0.33 above the Mont Belvieu weighted equivalent.

Crude oil and condensate price realizations, before realized hedges, averaged $64.27 per barrel, or $9.71 below WTI (West Texas Intermediate). Range continues to expect the 2023 condensate differential to average $9.00-$13.00 below WTI.

Capital Expenditures and Operational Activity

Second quarter 2023 drilling and completion expenditures were $166 million. In addition, during the quarter, approximately $9 million was invested in acreage leasehold, gathering systems and other. Second quarter capital spending represented approximately 30% of Ranges total capital budget in 2023. The table below summarizes expected 2023 activity regarding the number of wells to sales in each area. In aggregate, Range expects to turn to sales approximately 650,000 feet of lateral in 2023.

Wells TIL2Q 2023 2023Planned TIL Remaining2023 SW PA Super-Rich 1 3 0 SW PA Wet 7 31 21 SW PA Dry 3 24 17 NE PA Dry 0 3 3 Total Wells 11 61 41

Financial Position and Buyback Activity

As of June 30, 2023, Range had net debt outstanding of approximately $1.63 billion, consisting of $1.79 billion of senior notes and $162 million in cash. During the second quarter, Range repurchased in the open market $61.6 million principal amount of the 4.875% senior notes due 2025 at a discount.

Guidance  2023

Capital & Production Guidance

Range is targeting a maintenance program in 2023, resulting in approximately flat production at 2.12  2.16 Bcfe per day, with ~30% attributed to liquids production. Ranges 2023 all-in capital budget is $570 million - $615 million.

Updated Full Year 2023 Expense Guidance

Direct operating expense: $0.11 - $0.13 per mcfe Transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense: $1.46 - $1.50 per mcfe Taxes other than income: $0.04 - $0.05 per mcfe Exploration expense: $22 - $28 million G&A expense: $0.17 - $0.19 per mcfe Interest expense: $0.14 - $0.16 per mcfe DD&A expense: $0.46 - $0.48 per mcfe Net brokered gas marketing expense: $0 - $5 million

2023 Price Guidance

Based on recent market indications, Range expects to average the following price differentials for its production.

FY 2023 Natural Gas:(1) NYMEX minus $0.35 to $0.45 FY 2023 Natural Gas Liquids:(2) MB minus $1.00 to +$1.00 per barrel FY 2023 Oil/Condensate: WTI minus $9.00 to $13.00

(1) Including basis hedging(2) Mont Belvieu-equivalent pricing based on weighting of 53% ethane, 27% propane, 8% normal butane, 4% iso-butane and 8% natural gasoline.

Hedging Status

Range hedges portions of its expected future production volumes to increase the predictability of cash flow and to help improve and maintain a strong, flexible financial position. Please see the detailed hedging schedule posted on the Range website under Investor Relations - Financial Information.

Range has also hedged Marcellus and other basis differentials for natural gas to limit volatility between benchmark and regional prices. The combined fair value of natural gas basis hedges as of June 30, 2023, was a net gain of $30.7 million.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to review the financial results is scheduled on Tuesday, July 25 at 8:00 AM Central Time (9:00 AM Eastern Time). Please click here to pre-register for the conference call and obtain a dial in number with passcode.

A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed at www.rangeresources.com. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company's website until August 25th.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted net income comparable to analysts estimates as set forth in this release represents income or loss from operations before income taxes adjusted for certain non-cash items (detailed in the accompanying table) less income taxes. We believe adjusted net income comparable to analysts estimates is calculated on the same basis as analysts estimates and that many investors use this published research in making investment decisions and evaluating operational trends of the Company and its performance relative to other oil and gas producing companies. Diluted earnings per share (adjusted) as set forth in this release represents adjusted net income comparable to analysts estimates on a diluted per share basis. A table is included which reconciles income or loss from operations to adjusted net income comparable to analysts estimates and diluted earnings per share (adjusted). On its website, the Company provides additional comparative information on prior periods along with non-GAAP revenue disclosures.

Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital (sometimes referred to as adjusted cash flow) as defined in this release represents net cash provided by operations before changes in working capital and exploration expense adjusted for certain non-cash compensation items. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is widely accepted by the investment community as a financial indicator of an oil and gas companys ability to generate cash to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is also useful because it is widely used by professional research analysts in valuing, comparing, rating and providing investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In turn, many investors use this published research in making investment decisions. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operations, investing, or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. A table is included which reconciles net cash provided by operations to cash flow from operations before changes in working capital as used in this release. On its website, the Company provides additional comparative information on prior periods for cash flow, cash margins and non-GAAP earnings as used in this release.

The cash prices realized for oil and natural gas production, including the amounts realized on cash-settled derivatives and net of transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense, is a critical component in the Companys performance tracked by investors and professional research analysts in valuing, comparing, rating and providing investment recommendations and forecasts of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In turn, many investors use this published research in making investment decisions. Due to the GAAP disclosures of various derivative transactions and third-party transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense, such information is now reported in various lines of the income statement. The Company believes that it is important to furnish a table reflecting the details of the various components of each income statement line to better inform the reader of the details of each amount and provide a summary of the realized cash-settled amounts and third-party transportation, gathering, processing and compression expense, which were historically reported as natural gas, NGLs and oil sales. This information is intended to bridge the gap between various readers understanding and fully disclose the information needed.

The Company discloses in this release the detailed components of many of the single line items shown in the GAAP financial statements included in the Companys Annual or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-K or 10-Q. The Company believes that it is important to furnish this detail of the various components comprising each line of the Statements of Operations to better inform the reader of the details of each amount, the changes between periods and the effect on its financial results. We believe that the presentation of PV10 value of our proved reserves is a relevant and useful metric for our investors as supplemental disclosure to the standardized measure, or after-tax amount, because it presents the discounted future net cash flows attributable to our proved reserves before taking into account future corporate income taxes and our current tax structure. While the standardized measure is dependent on the unique tax situation of each company, PV10 is based on prices and discount factors that are consistent for all companies. Because of this, PV10 can be used within the industry and by credit and security analysts to evaluate estimated net cash flows from proved reserves on a more comparable basis.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) is a leading U.S. independent natural gas and NGL producer with operations focused in the Appalachian Basin. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. More information about Range can be found at www.rangeresources.com.

Included within this release are certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect Ranges current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Words such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, project, intend, anticipate, believe, outlook, estimate, predict, potential, pursue, target, continue, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

All statements, except for statements of historical fact, made within regarding activities, events or developments the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as those regarding future well costs, expected asset sales, well productivity, future liquidity and financial resilience, anticipated exports and related financial impact, NGL market supply and demand, future commodity fundamentals and pricing, future capital efficiencies, future shareholder value, emerging plays, capital spending, anticipated drilling and completion activity, acreage prospectivity, expected pipeline utilization and future guidance information, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on assumptions and estimates that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information; however, management's assumptions and Range's future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that these goals and projections can or will be met. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information on risks and uncertainties is available in Range's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless required by law, Range undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events after the date they are made.

The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in filings made with the SEC, to disclose proved reserves, which are estimates that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions as well as the option to disclose probable and possible reserves. Range has elected not to disclose its probable and possible reserves in its filings with the SEC. Range uses certain broader terms such as "resource potential, unrisked resource potential, "unproved resource potential" or "upside" or other descriptions of volumes of resources potentially recoverable through additional drilling or recovery techniques that may include probable and possible reserves as defined by the SEC's guidelines. Range has not attempted to distinguish probable and possible reserves from these broader classifications. The SECs rules prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC these broader classifications of reserves. These estimates are by their nature more speculative than estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of actually being realized. Unproved resource potential refers to Range's internal estimates of hydrocarbon quantities that may be potentially discovered through exploratory drilling or recovered with additional drilling or recovery techniques and have not been reviewed by independent engineers. Unproved resource potential does not constitute reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineer's Petroleum Resource Management System and does not include proved reserves. Area wide unproven resource potential has not been fully risked by Range's management. EUR, or estimated ultimate recovery, refers to our managements estimates of hydrocarbon quantities that may be recovered from a well completed as a producer in the area. These quantities may not necessarily constitute or represent reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Petroleum Resource Management System or the SECs oil and natural gas disclosure rules. Actual quantities that may be recovered from Range's interests could differ substantially. Factors affecting ultimate recovery include the scope of Range's drilling program, which will be directly affected by the availability of capital, drilling and production costs, commodity prices, availability of drilling services and equipment, drilling results, lease expirations, transportation constraints, regulatory approvals, field spacing rules, recoveries of gas in place, length of horizontal laterals, actual drilling results, including geological and mechanical factors affecting recovery rates and other factors. Estimates of resource potential may change significantly as development of our resource plays provides additional data.

In addition, our production forecasts and expectations for future periods are dependent upon many assumptions, including estimates of production decline rates from existing wells and the undertaking and outcome of future drilling activity, which may be affected by significant commodity price or drilling cost changes. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available from our website at www.rangeresources.com or by written request to 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. You can also obtain this Form 10-K on the SECs website at www.sec.gov or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

SOURCE: Range Resources Corporation

Range Investor Contact:

Laith Sando, Vice President  Investor Relations817-869-4267[email protected]

Range Media Contact:

Mark Windle, Director of Corporate Communications724-873-3223[email protected]

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Based on GAAP reported earnings with additional details of items included in each line in Form 10-Q (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 % 2023 2022 % Revenues and other income: Natural gas, NGLs and oil sales (a) $ 468,382 $ 1,356,892 $ 1,204,664 $ 2,389,243 Derivative fair value income (loss) 123,734 (239,922 ) 491,701 (1,178,979 ) Brokered natural gas, marketing and other (b) 41,350 106,337 118,767 193,760 Interest income (b) 1,780 30 2,737 41 Other (b) 1,731 1,806 5,468 1,814 Total revenues and other income 636,977 1,225,143 -48 % 1,823,337 1,405,879 30 % Costs and expenses: Direct operating 23,470 19,688 50,039 39,627 Direct operating  stock-based compensation (c) 426 362 841 711 Transportation, gathering, processing and compression 268,190 320,407 553,673 618,194 Transportation, gathering, processing and compression  settlements  7,500  7,500 Taxes other than income 6,993 8,053 14,887 15,132 Brokered natural gas and marketing 44,340 109,423 110,747 202,027 Brokered natural gas and marketing  stock-based compensation (c) 460 686 1,121 1,205 Exploration 7,145 7,188 11,429 11,435 Exploration  non-cash stock-based compensation (c) 303 318 623 770 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 25,786 7,137 33,296 9,133 General and administrative 30,363 32,434 63,785 62,907 General and administrative  stock-based compensation (c) 8,415 10,270 18,015 21,843 General and administrative  lawsuit settlements 748 204 872 695 Exit costs 48,654 36,069 60,977 47,184 Deferred compensation plan (d) 11,153 (19,221 ) 20,549 54,122 Interest expense 29,769 38,863 60,626 83,964 Interest expense  amortization of deferred financing costs (e) 1,348 3,138 2,693 5,212 (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt (439 ) 22 (439 ) 69,232 Depletion, depreciation and amortization 85,016 86,498 171,578 172,102 Gain on sale of assets (106 ) (82 ) (244 ) (413 ) Total costs and expenses 592,034 668,957 -11 % 1,175,068 1,422,582 -17 % Income (loss) before income taxes 44,943 556,186 -92 % 648,269 (16,703 ) 3981 % Income tax (benefit) expense: Current (300 ) 9,000 2,399 13,751 Deferred 15,012 94,331 134,192 (26,501 ) 14,712 103,331 136,591 (12,750 ) Net income (loss) $ 30,231 $ 452,855 -93 % $ 511,678 $ (3,953 ) 13044 % Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share: Basic $ 0.12 $ 1.81 $ 2.10 $ (0.02 ) Diluted $ 0.12 $ 1.77 $ 2.07 $ (0.02 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding, as reported: Basic 238,970 243,492 -2 % 238,497 244,416 -2 % Diluted 241,105 248,650 -3 % 241,069 244,416 -1 %

(a) See separate natural gas, NGLs and oil sales information table. (b) Included in Brokered natural gas, marketing and other revenues in the 10-Q. (c) Costs associated with stock compensation and restricted stock amortization, which have been reflected in the categories associated with the direct personnel costs, which are combined with the cash costs in the 10-Q. (d) Reflects the change in market value of the vested Company stock held in the deferred compensation plan. (e) Included in interest expense in the 10-Q.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) June 30, December 31, 2023 2022 (Unaudited) (Audited) Assets Current assets $ 385,324 $ 538,662 Derivative assets 256,668 41,915 Natural gas and oil properties, successful efforts method 6,016,670 5,890,404 Transportation and field assets 1,732 2,434 Operating lease right-of-use assets 52,637 84,070 Other 77,141 68,077 $ 6,790,172 $ 6,625,562 Liabilities and Stockholders Equity Current liabilities $ 647,465 $ 864,678 Asset retirement obligations 4,570 4,570 Derivative liabilities  151,417 Bank debt  9,509 Senior notes 1,772,655 1,832,451 Total debt 1,772,655 1,841,960 Deferred tax liability 467,768 333,571 Derivative liabilities 1,018 15,495 Deferred compensation liabilities 64,633 99,907 Operating lease liabilities 18,135 20,903 Asset retirement obligations and other liabilities 114,629 112,981 Divestiture contract obligation 311,692 304,074 Common stock and retained earnings 3,826,424 3,305,198 Other comprehensive income 485 467 Common stock held in treasury (439,302 ) (429,659 ) Total stockholders equity 3,387,607 2,876,006 $ 6,790,172 $ 6,625,562

RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME TO TOTAL REVENUE EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEMS, a non-GAAP measure (Unaudited, in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 % 2023 2022 % Total revenues and other income, as reported $ 636,977 $ 1,225,143 -48 % $ 1,823,337 $ 1,405,879 30 % Adjustment for certain special items: Total change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement (gain) loss (47,148 ) (167,788 ) (380,647 ) 638,134 Total revenues, as adjusted, non-GAAP $ 589,829 $ 1,057,355 -44 % $ 1,442,690 $ 2,044,013 -29 %

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (Unaudited, in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income (loss) $ 30,231 $ 452,855 $ 511,678 $ (3,953 ) Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided from continuing operations: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 15,012 94,331 134,192 (26,501 ) Depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment 85,016 86,498 171,578 172,102 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 25,786 7,137 33,296 9,133 Derivative fair value (income) loss (123,734 ) 239,922 (491,701 ) 1,178,979 Cash settlements on derivative financial instruments 76,586 (407,710 ) 111,054 (540,845 ) Divestiture contract obligation 48,559 35,907 60,774 46,861 Amortization of deferred issuance costs and other 1,284 3,155 2,594 5,120 Deferred and stock-based compensation 20,722 (7,958 ) 41,403 78,155 Gain on sale of assets and other (106 ) (82 ) (244 ) (413 ) (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt (439 ) 22 (439 ) 69,232 Changes in working capital: Accounts receivable 92,768 (165,872 ) 317,981 (107,198 ) Other current assets 2,337 (17,191 ) (2,998 ) (23,099 ) Accounts payable (65,321 ) (15,622 ) (76,143 ) 36,374 Accrued liabilities and other (82,111 ) 19,314 (211,479 ) (162,827 ) Net changes in working capital (52,327 ) (179,371 ) 27,361 (256,750 ) Net cash provided from operating activities $ 126,590 $ 324,706 $ 601,546 $ 731,120 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES, AS REPORTED, TO CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE CHANGES IN WORKING CAPITAL, a non-GAAP measure (Unaudited, in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net cash provided from operating activities, as reported $ 126,590 $ 324,706 $ 601,546 $ 731,120 Net changes in working capital 52,327 179,371 (27,361 ) 256,750 Exploration expense 7,145 7,188 11,429 11,435 Lawsuit settlements 748 204 872 695 Transportation, gathering, processing and compression settlements  7,500  7,500 Non-cash compensation adjustment and other 194 518 48 911 Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital  non-GAAP measure $ 187,004 $ 519,487 $ 586,534 $ 1,008,411 ADJUSTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (Unaudited, in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Basic: Weighted average shares outstanding 244,414 250,151 244,043 250,853 Stock held by deferred compensation plan (5,444 ) (6,659 ) (5,546 ) (6,437 ) Adjusted basic 238,970 243,492 238,497 244,416 Dilutive: Weighted average shares outstanding 244,414 250,151 244,043 250,853 Dilutive stock options under treasury method (3,309 ) (1,501 ) (2,974 ) (6,437 ) Adjusted dilutive 241,105 248,650 241,069 244,416

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NATURAL GAS, NGLs AND OIL SALES AND DERIVATIVE FAIR VALUE INCOME (LOSS) TO CALCULATED CASH REALIZED NATURAL GAS, NGLs AND OIL PRICES WITH AND WITHOUT THIRD PARTY TRANSPORTATION, GATHERING AND COMPRESSION FEES, a non-GAAP measure (Unaudited, in thousands, except per unit data) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 % 2023 2022 % Natural gas, NGL and oil sales components: Natural gas sales $ 225,359 $ 909,754 $ 666,939 $ 1,539,677 NGL sales 200,717 374,699 457,157 713,068 Oil sales 42,306 72,439 80,568 136,498 Total oil and gas sales, as reported $ 468,382 $ 1,356,892 -65 % $ 1,204,664 $ 2,389,243 -50 % Derivative fair value income (loss), as reported: $ 123,734 $ (239,922 ) $ 491,701 $ (1,178,979 ) Cash settlements on derivative financial instruments  (gain) loss: Natural gas (77,725 ) 367,347 (114,375 ) 466,805 NGLs  10,505  22,823 Crude Oil 1,139 29,858 3,321 51,217 Total change in fair value related to commodity derivatives prior to settlement, a non-GAAP measure $ 47,148 $ 167,788 $ 380,647 $ (638,134 ) Transportation, gathering, processing and compression components: Natural gas $ 142,121 $ 176,788 $ 294,710 $ 337,224 NGLs 125,815 151,119 258,527 288,459 Oil 254  436 11 Total transportation, gathering, processing and compression, as reported $ 268,190 $ 327,907 $ 553,673 $ 625,694 Natural gas, NGL and oil sales, including cash-settled derivatives: (c) Natural gas sales $ 303,084 $ 542,407 $ 781,314 $ 1,072,872 NGL sales 200,717 364,194 457,157 690,245 Oil sales 41,167 42,581 77,247 85,281 Total $ 544,968 $ 949,182 -43 % 1,315,718 1,848,398 -29 % Production of oil and gas during the periods (a): Natural gas (mcf) 129,416,394 131,721,014 -2 % 263,062,458 262,971,351 0 % NGL (bbl) 9,330,430 8,784,851 6 % 18,620,169 17,238,296 8 % Oil (bbl) 658,249 716,168 -8 % 1,231,285 1,446,630 -15 % Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b) 189,348,468 188,727,128 0 % 382,171,182 375,080,907 2 % Production of oil and gas  average per day (a): Natural gas (mcf) 1,422,158 1,447,484 -2 % 1,453,384 1,452,880 0 % NGL (bbl) 102,532 96,537 6 % 102,874 95,239 8 % Oil (bbl) 7,234 7,870 -8 % 6,803 7,992 -15 % Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b) 2,080,752 2,073,924 0 % 2,111,443 2,072,270 2 % Average prices, excluding derivative settlements and before third party transportation costs: Natural gas (mcf) $ 1.74 $ 6.91 -75 % $ 2.54 $ 5.85 -57 % NGL (bbl) $ 21.51 $ 42.65 -50 % $ 24.55 $ 41.37 -41 % Oil (bbl) $ 64.27 $ 101.15 -36 % $ 65.43 $ 94.36 -31 % Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b) $ 2.47 $ 7.19 -66 % $ 3.15 $ 6.37 -51 % Average prices, including derivative settlements before third party transportation costs: (c) Natural gas (mcf) $ 2.34 $ 4.12 -43 % $ 2.97 $ 4.08 -27 % NGL (bbl) $ 21.51 $ 41.46 -48 % $ 24.55 $ 40.04 -39 % Oil (bbl) $ 62.54 $ 59.46 5 % $ 62.74 $ 58.95 6 % Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b) $ 2.88 $ 5.03 -43 % $ 3.44 $ 4.93 -30 % Average prices, including derivative settlements and after third party transportation costs: (d) Natural gas (mcf) $ 1.24 $ 2.78 -55 % $ 1.85 $ 2.80 -34 % NGL (bbl) $ 8.03 $ 24.25 -67 % $ 10.67 $ 23.31 -54 % Oil (bbl) $ 62.14 $ 59.46 5 % $ 62.37 $ 58.94 6 % Gas equivalent (mcfe) (b) $ 1.46 $ 3.29 -56 % $ 1.99 $ 3.26 -39 % Transportation, gathering and compression expense per mcfe $ 1.42 $ 1.74 -18 % $ 1.45 $ 1.67 -13 %

(a) Represents volumes sold regardless of when produced. (b) Oil and NGLs are converted at the rate of one barrel equals six mcfe based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil to natural gas, which is not necessarily indicative of the relationship of oil and natural gas prices. (c) Excluding third party transportation, gathering and compression costs. (d) Net of transportation, gathering and compression costs.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AS REPORTED TO INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEMS, a non-GAAP measure (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 % 2023 2022 % Income (loss) from operations before income taxes, as reported $ 44,943 $ 556,186 -92 % $ 648,269 $ (16,703 ) 3981 % Adjustment for certain special items: Gain on sale of assets (106 ) (82 ) (244 ) (413 ) Change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement (47,148 ) (167,788 ) (380,647 ) 638,134 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 25,786 7,137 33,296 9,133 (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt (439 ) 22 (439 ) 69,232 Transportation, gathering, processing and compression settlements  7,500  7,500 Lawsuit settlements 748 204 872 695 Exit costs 48,654 36,069 60,977 47,184 Brokered natural gas and marketing  non-cash stock-based compensation 460 686 1,121 1,205 Direct operating  non-cash stock-based compensation 426 362 841 711 Exploration expenses  non-cash stock-based compensation 303 318 623 770 General & administrative  non-cash stock-based compensation 8,415 10,270 18,015 21,843 Deferred compensation plan  non-cash adjustment 11,153 (19,221 ) 20,549 54,122 Income before income taxes, as adjusted 93,195 431,663 -78 % 403,233 833,413 -52 % Income tax (benefit) expense, as adjusted Current (300 ) 9,000 2,399 13,751 Deferred (a) 21,735 107,916 90,345 208,353 Net income excluding certain items, a non-GAAP measure $ 71,760 $ 314,747 -77 % $ 310,489 $ 611,309 -49 % Non-GAAP income per common share Basic $ 0.30 $ 1.29 -77 % $ 1.30 $ 2.50 -48 % Diluted $ 0.30 $ 1.27 -76 % $ 1.29 $ 2.45 -47 % Non-GAAP diluted shares outstanding, if dilutive 241,105 248,650 241,069 249,945

(a) Taxes are estimated to be approximately 23% for 2023 and deferred taxes were estimated to be 25% for 2022.

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS), EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEMS AND ADJUSTMENT EARNINGS PER SHARE, non-GAAP measures (In thousands, except per share data) Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income (loss), as reported $ 30,231 $ 452,855 $ 511,678 $ (3,953 ) Adjustment for certain special items: Gain on sale of assets (106 ) (82 ) (244 ) (413 ) (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt (439 ) 22 (439 ) 69,232 Change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement (47,148 ) (167,788 ) (380,647 ) 638,134 Transportation, gathering, processing and compression settlements  7,500  7,500 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 25,786 7,137 33,296 9,133 Lawsuit settlements 748 204 872 695 Exit costs 48,654 36,069 60,977 47,184 Non-cash stock-based compensation 9,604 11,636 20,600 24,529 Deferred compensation plan 11,153 (19,221 ) 20,549 54,122 Tax impact (6,723 ) (13,585 ) 43,847 (234,854 ) Net income excluding certain items, a non-GAAP measure $ 71,760 $ 314,747 $ 310,489 $ 611,309 Net income (loss) per diluted share, as reported $ 0.12 $ 1.77 $ 2.07 $ (0.02 ) Adjustment for certain special items per diluted share: Gain on sale of assets (0.00 ) (0.00 ) (0.00 ) (0.00 ) (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt (0.00 ) 0.00 (0.00 ) 0.28 Change in fair value related to derivatives prior to settlement (0.20 ) (0.67 ) (1.58 ) 2.55 Transportation, gathering, processing and compression settlements  0.03  0.03 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 0.11 0.03 0.14 0.04 Lawsuit settlements 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Exit costs 0.20 0.15 0.25 0.19 Non-cash stock-based compensation 0.04 0.05 0.09 0.10 Deferred compensation plan 0.05 (0.08 ) 0.09 0.22 Adjustment for rounding differences 0.01 (0.01 ) 0.01  Tax impact (0.03 ) (0.05 ) 0.18 (0.94 ) Dilutive share impact (rabbi trust and other)  0.05 0.04  Net income per diluted share, excluding certain items, a non-GAAP measure $ 0.30 $ 1.27 $ 1.29 $ 2.45 Adjusted earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure: Basic $ 0.30 $ 1.29 $ 1.30 $ 2.50 Diluted $ 0.30 $ 1.27 $ 1.29 $ 2.45

RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF CASH MARGIN PER MCFE, a non-GAAP measure (Unaudited, in thousands, except per unit data) Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenues Natural gas, NGL and oil sales, as reported $ 468,382 $ 1,356,892 $ 1,204,664 $ 2,389,243 Derivative fair value income (loss), as reported 123,734 (239,922 ) 491,701 (1,178,979 ) Less non-cash fair value (gain) loss (47,148 ) (167,788 ) (380,647 ) 638,134 Brokered natural gas and marketing and other, as reported 44,861 108,173 126,972 195,615 Less ARO settlement and other (gains) losses (3,511 ) (1,836 ) (8,205 ) (1,855 ) Cash revenue applicable to production 586,318 1,055,519 1,434,485 2,042,158 Expenses Direct operating, as reported 23,896 20,050 50,880 40,338 Less direct operating stock-based compensation (426 ) (362 ) (841 ) (711 ) Transportation, gathering and compression, as reported 268,190 327,907 553,673 625,694 Less transportation, gathering and compression settlements  (7,500 )  (7,500 ) Taxes other than income, as reported 6,993 8,053 14,887 15,132 Brokered natural gas and marketing, as reported 44,800 110,109 111,868 203,232 Less brokered natural gas and marketing stock-based compensation (460 ) (686 ) (1,121 ) (1,205 ) General and administrative, as reported 39,526 42,908 82,672 85,445 Less G&A stock-based compensation (8,415 ) (10,270 ) (18,015 ) (21,843 ) Less lawsuit settlements (748 ) (204 ) (872 ) (695 ) Interest expense, as reported 31,117 42,001 63,319 89,176 Less amortization of deferred financing costs (1,348 ) (3,138 ) (2,693 ) (5,212 ) Cash expenses 403,125 528,868 853,757 1,021,851 Cash margin, a non-GAAP measure $ 183,193 $ 526,651 $ 580,728 $ 1,020,307 Mmcfe produced during period 189,348 188,727 382,171 375,681 Cash margin per mcfe $ 0.97 $ 2.79 $ 1.52 $ 2.72 RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES TO CASH MARGIN (Unaudited, in thousands, except per unit data) Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Income (loss) before income taxes, as reported $ 44,943 $ 556,186 $ 648,269 $ (16,703 ) Adjustments to reconcile (loss) income before income taxes to cash margin: ARO settlements and other gains (3,511 ) (1,836 ) (8,205 ) (1,855 ) Derivative fair value (income) loss (123,734 ) 239,922 (491,701 ) 1,178,979 Net cash receipts (payments) on derivative settlements 76,586 (407,710 ) 111,054 (540,845 ) Transportation, gathering and compression settlements  7,500  7,500 Exploration expense 7,145 7,188 11,429 11,435 Lawsuit settlements 748 204 872 695 Exit costs 48,654 36,069 60,977 47,184 Deferred compensation plan 11,153 (19,221 ) 20,549 54,122 Stock-based compensation (direct operating, brokered natural gas and marketing, general and administrative and termination costs) 9,604 11,636 20,600 24,529 Interest  amortization of deferred financing costs 1,348 3,138 2,693 5,212 Depletion, depreciation and amortization 85,016 86,498 171,578 172,102 Gain on sale of assets (106 ) (82 ) (244 ) (413 ) (Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt (439 ) 22 (439 ) 69,232 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 25,786 7,137 33,296 9,133 Cash margin, a non-GAAP measure $ 183,193 $ 526,651 $ 580,728 $ 1,020,307

Source: Range Resources Corporation
BRISBANE, Australia, July 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allkem Limited (ASX: AKE, Allkem or the Company) provides an update in relation to the proposed merger of equals between Allkem and Livent Corporation (Livent) announced to ASX on 10 May 2023 (Transaction).

Transaction update

Allkem is pleased to provide the following update on the progress of the Transaction:

Antitrust/competition and investment screening/foreign investment regime notifications and applications or draft filings (as applicable) have now been lodged in all required jurisdictions.

Preparation of Allkems notice of meeting and explanatory statement ( Scheme Booklet ) is in progress, with Allkem having recently appointed Kroll Australia Pty Ltd as the Independent Expert to prepare a report opining on whether the scheme is in the best interest of Allkem shareholders ( IER ). Behre Dolbear Australia Pty Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Technical Expert.

) is in progress, with Allkem having recently appointed Kroll Australia Pty Ltd as the Independent Expert to prepare a report opining on whether the scheme is in the best interest of Allkem shareholders ( ). Behre Dolbear Australia Pty Ltd has been appointed as the Independent Technical Expert. Allkem Livent plc1 ( New TopCo ) has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) a preliminary registration statement on Form S-4 that contains a proxy statement/prospectus ( Preliminary Form S-4 ).

) has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( ) a preliminary registration statement on Form S-4 that contains a proxy statement/prospectus ( ). Subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory, shareholder and Australian Court approvals, and the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions, Allkem and Livent are currently still targeting completion of the Transaction by around the end of CY2023.

Allkem Scheme Booklet

As mentioned above, Allkem shareholders will in due course be provided with a Scheme Booklet issued by Allkem in accordance with applicable Australian regulatory requirements. The Scheme Booklet will include the IER. Shareholders are encouraged to consider the Scheme Booklet in full, once it is available, and to have regard to the disclosures included the Scheme Booklet when making any decision to vote for or against the scheme proposal.

Filing of Preliminary Form S-4

New TopCo has filed with the SEC the Preliminary Form S-4. This document is required in connection with the seeking of the approval of the Transaction by Livent shareholders and the issue of shares of New TopCo to Livent shareholders under the US merger that is contemplated to form part of the Transaction. A registration statement on Form S-4 is broadly analogous to a prospectus for an issue of shares under an initial public offering under Australian law, with elements akin to a notice of meeting and explanatory statement (like a scheme booklet), although typically more comprehensive insofar as historical information is concerned. This is an important step in Livents seeking of the approval of the Transaction by its shareholders and New TopCos proposed issuance of shares and their listing on the New York Stock Exchange (all of which are conditions to the Allkem scheme proposal).

No reliance on Preliminary Form S-4 by Allkem Shareholders

Allkem notes that the Preliminary Form S-4 is preliminary only and is not effective, contains information that is not complete and may be changed, and should not be relied on by Allkem shareholders for any purpose (or by any other person in deciding to make an investment decision with respect to Allkem securities). In particular, the Preliminary Form S-4 is subject to review by the SEC, and the SEC may request that Livent and New TopCo revise the document or provide additional disclosure in it. In addition, certain parts of the Preliminary Form S-4 expressly contemplate supplementary disclosure being made by Livent and New TopCo.

Allkem shareholders are further cautioned that content and disclosure requirements for the Preliminary Form S-4 are governed by the Securities Act of 1933 (US), the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (US) and other applicable US securities laws. These securities laws require the disclosure of certain matters that would not be required by, or that may differ from the disclosure permitted by, Australian laws or regulatory policy. Allkem shareholders should be aware that different meanings or standards may be ascribed to matters disclosed in the Preliminary Form S-4 than would be understood under Australian law or custom; which further supports Allkems strong caution that Allkem shareholders (or any other person in deciding to make an investment decision with respect to Allkem securities) place no reliance on the Preliminary S-4 or its contents.

By way of example: the Preliminary Form S-4 contains unaudited, prospective financial information (including prospective financial information in relation to Allkem, in relation to Livent and in relation to the combined group) for a period of time covering up to the year ending 31 December 2032 (Prospective Financial Information). Livent has included the Prospective Financial Information in the Preliminary Form S-4 solely because such information was made available to the board of directors of Livent and Livents financial advisor and used in Livents process leading to the execution of the Transaction Agreement (on 10 May 2023), which governs the parties rights and obligations with respect to the Transaction. To the extent that Allkem prepared or shared the Prospective Financial Information, or inputs or other information on which it was based, that information was not prepared or shared with a view to reliance by the public.

Allkem and the Allkem Board of Directors:

do not believe that the Prospective Financial Information is relevant to Allkem shareholders (or any other person);

do not consider that the Prospective Financial Information is reliable, or that there is a reasonable basis that would support any person relying on the Prospective Financial Information; and

do not believe that the Prospective Financial Information or any assumptions underlying the Prospective Financial Information can be substantiated to the degree necessary to establish a reasonable basis for their publication.

For completeness only, the Preliminary Form S-4 is accessible on the SEC EDGAR platform at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1977303/000114036123035517/ny20009544x1_s4.htm

This release was authorised by the Board of Directors of Allkem Limited.

Allkem LimitedABN 31 112 589 910 Level 35, 71 Eagle StBrisbane, QLD 4000 Investor Relations & Media EnquiriesAndrew Barber M: +61 418 783 701 E: [email protected] Phoebe LeeP: +61 7 3064 3600 E: [email protected] Connect [email protected] +61 7 3064 3600www.allkem.co

IMPORTANT NOTICES

This investor ASX/TSX release (Release) has been prepared by Allkem Limited (ACN 112 589 910) (the Company or Allkem). It contains general information about the Company as at the date of this Release. The information in this Release should not be considered to be comprehensive or to comprise all of the material which a shareholder or potential investor in the Company may require in order to determine whether to deal in Shares of Allkem. The information in this Release is of a general nature only and does not purport to be complete. It should be read in conjunction with the Companys periodic and continuous disclosure announcements which are available at allkem.co and with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) announcements, which are available at www.asx.com.au.

This Release does not take into account the financial situation, investment objectives, tax situation or particular needs of any person and nothing contained in this Release constitutes investment, legal, tax, accounting or other advice, nor does it contain all the information which would be required in a disclosure document or prospectus prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). Readers or recipients of this Release should, before making any decisions in relation to their investment or potential investment in the Company, consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own individual investment objectives and financial situation and seek their own professional investment, legal, taxation and accounting advice appropriate to their particular circumstances.

This Release does not constitute or form part of any offer, invitation, solicitation or recommendation to acquire, purchase, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, or issue, any Shares or any other financial product. Further, this Release does not constitute financial product, investment advice (nor tax, accounting or legal advice) or recommendation, nor shall it or any part of it or the fact of its distribution form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or investment decision.

The distribution of this Release in other jurisdictions outside Australia may also be restricted by law and any restrictions should be observed. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

Past performance information given in this Release is given for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as (and is not) an indication of future performance.

Forward Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and, by their nature, are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performances and achievements to differ materially from any expected future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the risk of further changes in government regulations, policies or legislation; the risks associated with the continued implementation of the merger between the Company and Galaxy Resources Ltd, risks that further funding may be required, but unavailable, for the ongoing development of the Companys projects; fluctuations or decreases in commodity prices; uncertainty in the estimation, economic viability, recoverability and processing of mineral resources; risks associated with development of the Company Projects; unexpected capital or operating cost increases; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones at the Companys Projects; risks associated with investment in publicly listed companies, such as the Company; and risks associated with general economic conditions.

Subject to any continuing obligation under applicable law or relevant listing rules of the ASX, the Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this Release to reflect any change in expectations in relation to any forward-looking statements or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. Nothing in this Release shall under any circumstances (including by reason of this Release remaining available and not being superseded or replaced by any other Release or publication with respect to the subject matter of this Release), create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date of this Release.

Not for release or distribution in the United States

This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and may not be released to U.S. wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction, and neither this announcement or anything attached to this announcement shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 or exempt from, or not subject to, the registration of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

1 Allkem Livent plc is the temporary name of the proposed holding company of the merged group, which is not currently controlled by or related to Allkem.

Source: Allkem Limited
The new MTR service aims to offer affordable airplay monitoring for music industry professionals

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Destiny Media Technologies Inc. (TSXV: DSY) (OTCQB: DSNY), the makers of Play MPE, today announced the beta launch of MTR" ("Music Tracking Radar" or "Meter"), a new service that gives music industry professionals the ability to monitor digital broadcasts of music. The beta launch will initially cover more than 800 stations across Canada.

As part of the beta launch, MTR" is offering discounted monitoring to test the service. To access the beta version, users can register at https://www.musicmtr.com. The service will initially be available to monitor broadcasts in Canada with plans for expansion across the globe.

"We identified a technical solution that can address a previously unmet and underserved consumer need. As digital streaming of terrestrial radio has become standard practice, MTR" can address this need," said Allan Benedict, Director of Business Development. "Traditional airplay reporting is very expensive with limited selective coverage and was inaccessible to all but the larger record labels. With MTR's approach, we can track a single song over a much more comprehensive number of stations and provide reporting at a cost effective price point."

"We have successfully developed the capability to fingerprint and track broadcasts in a scalable manner. After years of work, we are excited that our team has successfully resolved several complicated technical challenges culminating in this beta launch," said Fred Vandenberg, CEO. "This is the start of a very exciting time for the Company. With a compelling value proposition for a broad set of industry participants, as well as our existing Play MPE customers, we expect the MTR service to significantly expand the size of our addressable market."

About Destiny Media Technologies Inc.

Destiny Media Technologies ("Destiny") provides software as a service (SaaS) solutions to businesses in the music industry solving critical problems in distribution and promotion. The core service, Play MPE (www.plaympe.com), provides music collaboration and performance tracking platform to efficiently and securely promote, distribute, receive and discover pre-released promotional music releases. The platform is used by the world's largest record labels and thousands of independent artists and record labels in six continents.

Contacts:

Fred Vandenberg, [email protected] CEO,

Destiny Media Technologies Inc., 604-609-7736 x236

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174708
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Noble Iron Inc. (TSXV: NIR.H) ("Noble Iron", or the "Company"), further to its press release of July 12, 2023, is pleased to announce the dates for a distribution of approximately $8,180,243.70, or $0.30 per share, to its shareholders by way of return of capital (the "Distribution"). The record date for the Distribution will be August 1, 2023 and the payment date will be August 8, 2023. The return of capital is expected to be generally more tax advantageous to shareholders than a dividend. The distribution to shareholders will be made in accordance with the "due bill" trading procedures mandated by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") for large dividends and distributions. The purpose is to result in traded shares carrying the value of the $0.30 Distribution until it is paid.

A due bill will notionally represent the $0.30 distribution that a holder of a Noble Iron share is entitled to receive. A due bill will attach to each share traded, from the trading day before the record date for the distribution until the date on which the distribution is paid. During this due bill trading period, the shares will trade on a "due bills basis". A seller of shares (who is prospectively entitled to the $0.30 distribution) will also sell to the purchaser the entitlement to the distribution (which is represented by the due bill attached to each share sold).

Key dates are:

The record date to determine shareholders entitled to receive the distribution will be August 1, 2023;

Due bill trading will commence on July 31, 2023 (one trading day before the record date, so that trades settling after the record date have due bills attached);

The payment date for the distribution will be August 8, 2023;

The ex-distribution date will be August 9, 2023 (the trading day after the payment date, so that trades on and after that date will not have due bills attached); and

The redemption date used by CDS will be August 10, 2023.

All of the foregoing dates are subject to the approval of the TSXV.

The aggregate amount of the return of capital will be approximately $8,180,243.70. It will be funded from the Company's cash reserves. The Distribution is being made in connection with the voluntary winding up (the "Winding Up") of the Corporation (please see the press release of the Company dated July 12, 2023 for more information). The Company's remaining cash reserves are expected to be sufficient to fund the Company going forward until completion of the Winding Up.

The Company currently intends to distribute any capital remaining at the completion of the Winding UP to shareholders after the payment of all outstanding liabilities of the Company. Any further distributions will be subject to the amount of available capital, the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the receipt of all regulatory, TSXV and shareholder approvals. There can be no assurances any such additional distributions will occur.

About Noble Iron Inc.

Corporate communications contacts:

Mariam Chaudhry

Chief Financial Officer

t: (226) 962-2718

e: [email protected]

Nabil Kassam

Founder, Chairman & CEO

t: (650) 766-9177

e: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including in connection with the Distribution and Winding Up. The forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified using words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and information and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements and information. The Company's ongoing securities laws filings should be consulted for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Management assumes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, further events or otherwise, other than 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 release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174626
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc.(CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA)(the "Company" or "Origen")is pleased to announce an update to its ongoing exploration on its 100% owned Los Sapitos Property in the San Juan Province of Argentina.

Highlights:

Sampling confirms lithium prospectivity

District-sized land position covering entire salar and potential basin extensions

Geophysics to begin shortly to identify drilling targets

Preliminary results from the ongoing sampling at Los Sapitos are encouraging.A series of silt samples collected from the Los Sapitos salar were treated with both an acid and a purified water wash. The results show that significant lithium is found both in clays and in evaporite mineralization on the eastern margin of the basin with results of up to 824 mg/L found in the most eastern samples collected to date.

Map: the location of the samples collected during the most recent sampling program at the Los Sapitos salar. Values shown represent lithium derived from an 'Acid Leach' completed on the silt samples.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/174609_1bbc4f8d64ff1b02_001full.jpg

These results are evidence that lithium extends over the entire basin fed from a single aquifer at depth. The basin is elevated at this location and sampling teams were unable to get to the water table.

Brine samples collected from the western part of the basin returned the most anomalous results from a small depression in the west of the salar. Close to those found during previous sampling programs. The amount of lithium in the brine at this location may be a function of sampling teams being able to tap deeper into the water table.

Basin morphology is now thought to be governed by a regional thrust faulting that runs through the property forming a significant depression and catchment for lithium bearing fluids.

Schematic 1: How did the Lithium get to Los Sapitos? Brines in the northern part of the Lithium trend have obvious visible surface expressions. Los Sapitos is a mostly-buried salar.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/174609_1bbc4f8d64ff1b02_002full.jpg

Sampling to the south west returned both clay and brines returned lithium, further evidence that a separate basin exists at lower elevations in the Los Sapitos area.

Methodology

Sampling was conducted by staff experienced in lithium salar exploration and followed industry recognized best practices for early-stage exploration of this type of target. Samples were secured onsite and transported to the lab by Origen personnel.

Analysis of brine samples was conducted by Alex Stewart International Argentina S.A. (Alex Stewart), an internationally recognized laboratory with substantial experience in geochemical analysis. Lithium analysis was conducted using a 32 element ICP - OES package (Alex Stewart lab code LMMT01). Alex Stewart is independent of the Company.

Sediment samples were analysed by the Instituto de Investigaciones Mineras at the Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Sediment samples were subjected to a weak extraction with hot water which was then analysed by ICP-OES for Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg and B to determine the proportion of these elements that was easily extractable. The residual sediment was then leached by strong acid and analysed by ICP-OES for Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg and B to determine the proportion of these elements more strongly bound to minerals or part of the crystal structure of the minerals.

Origen's Lithium Experience

The Origen team has been exploring for Lithium since 2002, making major discoveries of both spodumene, and lithium in brines. The recent market-driven phase of lithium discoveries have represented those with the highest grades and most obvious surface expressions. As the lithium technology matures and the demand for lithium grows, exploration will be driven to those places where lithium has not been historically seen. Origen has been applying the experience gained through discovery to create advanced exploration models with the aim of making original green-fields discoveries.

Origen began exploration for lithium brines in Argentina with the thesis that the lithium found in the "Lithium Triangle" - an area located on borders of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia that is estimated to host 51% of the world's total lithium - extends south-wards in Argentina along an emerging trend that terminates in Argentina's San Juan Province.

This approach has allowed for the discovery of Maricungas and Tres Quebradas far to the south of the Lithium triangle. Tres Quebradas was sold in 2020 for $782 million CAD, and is about to enter commercial production.

Map 1 showing the emerging trend of Lithium discoveries away from the Lithium Triangle, an area that hosts an estimated 51% of worldd total lithium resources. Origen Resources has staked a commanding land along the southern extent along this trend.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/174609_1bbc4f8d64ff1b02_003full.jpg

331 km2

Map 2 showing the location of the 331 km2Los Sapitos property located along the trend of Lithium discoveries.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/174609_1bbc4f8d64ff1b02_005full.jpg

Origen previously recognized that the geology of the mining-friendly northern San Juan Province was similar to that of within the lithium belts in the north of the country. Guided by this exploration model Origen was able to acquire a district-sized contiguous land package around a mostly-buried salar. Preliminary exploration in 2021 was met with immediate success: surprisingly high grades of lithium in brines at surface in the main salar area of Los Sapitos, with one sample returning 391 mc/l. This discovery was a vindication of the exploration model.

Origen believes that the style of mineralization transitions from the mature salars of the lithium triangle with an obvious visible surface expression to a mostly-buried, sediment-rich aquifer similar to those found in the Clayton Valley, Thacker Pass and elsewhere.

Origen has since expanded its land holdings with a total of 331 km2 staked over several prospective basins in northern San Juan Province.

About Origen

Origen is fully focused on its 100% interest in the Los Sapitos Lithium project in Argentina and its 100% interest in the 33,000 ha Newfoundland Lithium projects, and also holds a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia, a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM project and a 100% interest in the 3,971 ha Wishbone project, both in the mineral-rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia,

John Harrop, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101 has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release.

On behalf of Origen,

Thomas Hawkins

Managing Director

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, Chief Executive Officer, at 604-681-0221.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174609
Clayton, Missouri--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM) ("Perimeter" or the "Company"), producers of PHOS-CHEK long-term fire retardant and other high-quality firefighting products and specialty chemicals, announced today it will release its financial results for the second quarter 2023 on Thursday, August 3, 2023, before the market opens.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day. The presentation will be led by CEO Haitham Khouri and CFO Charles Kropp.

The live webcast of the call can be accessed through Perimeter's investor relations website at https://ir.perimeter-solutions.com/ and as follows:

When : Thursday August 3, 2023, at 8:30 AM (ET)

Dial-in Number : 877-407-9764 (Toll-Free), 201-689-8551 (Toll) (No access code needed)

Conference Name : Perimeter Solutions Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Call

Materials Available At: https://ir.perimeter-solutions.com/

Replay Available : Thursday, August 3, 2023 to September 2, 2023 (11:59 PM ET)

Replay Number : 877-660-6853 / 201-612-7415

Internet Access : https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=Urz34be6

About Perimeter Solutions

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM) is a premier global solutions provider, producing high-quality firefighting products and specialty chemicals. The company develops products that impact critically important issues of life - issues where there often is no room for error and the job doesn't offer second chances. At Perimeter, we characterize the solutions we develop as 'Trusted Solutions that Save' - because it underscores what we are trying to accomplish for our customers and the world at large. Perimeter Solutions produces major brands known throughout the world like PHOS-CHEK and FIRE-TROL retardant, foam concentrates and gel products; AUXQUIMIA and SOLBERG firefighting foam concentrates; and BIOGEMA extinguishing agents and retardants. For more info on how we use our experience, responsibility, and integrity to deliver trusted solutions that help improve firefighting performance, visit: www.perimeter-solutions.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Seth Barker

Head of Investor Relations and VP of Financial Planning and Analysis

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174703
Ubuntu Towers Uganda has announced the successful completion of its rebranding to TowerCo of Africa Uganda, which is 90% owned by TowerCo of Africa (TOA).

TOA is a fully owned subsidiary of pan-African telecommunications service provider Axian Telecom, which is also in todays news after increasing its stake in Senegalese operator Free.

Geoffrey Donnels Oketayot, CEO at TowerCo of Africa Uganda, has been quoted as saying: Our rebranding represents a transfer of the positive legacy from Ubuntu Towers to the TowerCo of Africa brand. It also marks an important milestone in our evolution, which is punctuated by our ambition to be the best green passive infrastructure solutions provider in Uganda.

TowerCo of Africa Uganda has rolled out towers across approximately 360 sites  nearly all of them equipped with hybrid energy solutions  and expects this number to grow significantly in the coming years.

TOA says it is one of Africas fastest-growing tower infrastructure companies, with operations in Madagascar, Uganda, the DRC and Tanzania. TowerCo of Africa embarked on its venture in Madagascar in 2011. Over the course of the following decade, it steadily expanded its pan-African operations through build-to-suit passive infrastructure in order to meet the growing demand for a better-connected Africa.

TOA says that by embracing next-generation innovations, it actively contributes to a carbon-neutral tower infrastructure.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a new discovery of tin mineralization at its Kalayi Prospect, following the indicative handheld XRF results from the pulps from its diamond drilling campaign at the Kalayi Prospect within the Bisie North Tin Project ("BNTP").

The BNTP is comprised of two contiguous properties, exploration permits PR 13274 and PR 15130, which are situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC").

Preliminary Results from Drilling at the Kalayi Prospect

Significant tin mineralisation identified visually and from the handheld XRF analyser on pulps from 2 of 4 diamond holes





visually and from the handheld XRF analyser on pulps from 2 of 4 diamond holes A 12.5m zone with a maximum grade, pursuant to handheld XRF analyses, of 0.5m at 8% Sn within a broader shear zone which included a further 3m zone with a maximum of 10% Sn was identified in KBDD003; a 2.5m zone with a maximum grade of 6% Sn in KBDD002





within a broader shear zone which included a further was identified in KBDD003; a in KBDD002 Assay results from July drilling program expected in August 2023





Drilling covered 150m of strike of an associated 2,000m tin in soil anomaly at the Kalayi Prospect





at the Kalayi Prospect The Company is currently conducting infill soil sampling and trenching programmes to assist with planning of the next phase of drilling

CEO and President Mark Gasson commented: "We are extremely excited about the new discovery at Kalayi. To date the Company has tested 150m of the defined 2km tin in soil anomaly where we are confident of identifying additional drill targets with infill sampling, trenching and systematic exploration. We consider the initial drilling at Kalayi to be hugely successful as it is unusual to have two intersections of this magnitude from a first round of drilling, given the team's understanding of mineralisation along the Bisie Ridge. This team was responsible for the exploration and resource drilling on Alphamin's world-class tin projects."

Discussion of Handheld XRF Results at the Kalayi Prospect

Four diamond holes were drilled for a total of 463.5m beneath the artisanal workings at the Kalayi Prospect as shown in Figure 1, where previous channel sampling reported up to 1m at 11% Sn. Drilling tested 150m of the associated 2,000m tin in soil anomaly.

Significant mineralisation was identified from handheld XRF analyses carried out on pulps of representative samples received from the laboratory taken from two discovery holes, KBDD002 and KBDD003. Drill hole collar positions and artisanal workings are shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows mineralised zones in KBDD003 in section, where tin mineralisation was identified in 3 discrete shear zones within a broader zone of shearing. Visible cassiterite (tin) was observed in most of the mineralised intervals. All 3 zones reported high grade tin and included a maximum of 8% Sn from a 12.5m zone, 1% Sn from a 2m zone and 10% Sn from a 3m zone. Drillhole KBDD002 reported a maximum of 6% Sn from a 2.5m zone.

Tin mineralisation at Kalayi has no copper, zinc or lead association, unlike the Company's Mont Agoma Prospect, and is limited to distinct quartz veined shear zones within mica schists. The style of mineralisation is typical of mineralisation along the Bisie ridge where tin mineralisation has a distinct shoot geometry and often shows variation in grades and widths in adjacent drill holes.

The Company has commenced infill soil sampling and will conduct trenching programmes where there is no excessive overburden to identify mineralised quartz veins at surface which can be followed up with drilling at depth and on strike along the 2km tin in soil anomaly. The Company will also map any new underground artisanal workings to better understand the orientation and variations in width of the controlling structures.

All priority samples have been sent to ALS Global in Johannesburg for analysis. Results are expected in August 2023.





Figure 1:Diamond Drill Hole Collar Positions and Artisanal Workings on the Kalayi Tin in Soil Anomaly

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9037/174645_5b2b995714f53b2b_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Section Across KBDD003 showing Multiple Shear Zones which are strongly Mineralised in Tin. Mineralisation is Open at Depth and on Strike.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9037/174645_5b2b995714f53b2b_002full.jpg

QP Statement

Dr Deon Vermaakt is a consultant of Rome Resources Ltd and qualified geologist and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Geological Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP Reg. No. 400074/03). Dr Vermaakt is a qualified person (QP) under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Dr Vermaak reviews all sampling procedures and results of QAQC samples, which are inserted at regular intervals throughout the sample submissions on an on-going basis. The handheld Niton XRF is frequently checked and calibrated to ensure accurate analysis and measurements. The regular QAQC samples inserted into the sampling stream performed satisfactorily as did checks of pulps from previously reported samples, which suggest that XRF results under reported by 10% to 15%. The QP is of the opinion that the XRF measurements are representative.

About Rome Resources

Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet to acquire direct and indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome has completed an initial phase of drilling on the project where it is responsible to fund exploration up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Contacts

Investors / Shareholders

Mark Gasson

President, CEO & Director

P: (604) 687-6140

Media

E: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174645
HOUSTON , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Transwestern announces Allison Allen has been named Chief Human Resources Officer, charged with crafting and executing a robust human capital strategy that aligns workforce management with Transwestern's overarching business objectives for its five integrated companies. In this role, Allen will tap into the strengths that have established the firm as a best place to work while identifying and implementing best practices that drive professional growth, maximize talent assets, and promote collaboration among a skilled, engaged, diverse workforce.

Transwestern names Allison Allen Chief Human Resources Officer.

"To elevate a high-performance organization and achieve our greatest potential, we must continually ask how we can best support and develop our most important resource: our people," said Larry P. Heard, CEO of Transwestern.

He continued, "Over the past 45 years, entrepreneurship, innovation and unsurpassed service have fueled our success. Allison's experience optimizing talent at world-class companies will help us ensure Transwestern's growth, whether measured by market coverage, service offerings or investor relationships. We recently launched the boldest transformation plan in our firm's history, and Allison's role will be pivotal in bringing our vision to fruition."."

Allen joins Transwestern from Orchard Global, where she served as the asset management firm's Chief Human Resources Officer. Previously, she spent 19 years with Ernst & Young (EY), assuming roles of increasing responsibility, and ultimately leading a Center of Excellence delivering wide-ranging operational efficiencies as well as a Talent function focused on modernizing structure and processes within the Americas . A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Allen was named to the Top 50 Women Leaders of Houston list by Women We Admire in 2022.

"I am proud to join an organization as well-regarded as Transwestern and impressed with the comprehensive, purposeful growth trajectory leadership has put in motion," said Allen. "Ensuring team members understand the role they play in the firm's success, and positioning them to perform at the highest level, is both a challenge and a privilege. When everyone at Transwestern excels personally and professionally, our value proposition speaks for itself."

Within the past two years, the Transwestern enterprise has expanded its platform with the addition of ROH, a dedicated hospitality company, and Transwestern Ventures, which focuses on opportunistic investment. Also during this period, Transwestern launched a national Laboratory + Life Sciences advisory group, opened an office in the Carolinas, and acquired three companies that dramatically expanded its Midwest asset services portfolio and national tenant advisory capabilities.

Allen succeeds former Chief Human Resources Officer Colleen Dolan , who joined Transwestern in 2000 and is retiring after a distinguished 43-year career in human resources leadership.

Headshot available for download here.

About Transwestern

The privately held Transwestern companies have been delivering a higher level of personalized service and innovative real estate solutions since 1978. Through an integrated, customized approach that begins with good ideas, the firm drives value for clients across commercial real estate services, development, investment management, and opportunistic endeavors for institutional and high-net-worth investors. Operating from 33 U.S. offices, Transwestern extends its platform capabilities globally through strategic alliance partners whose unique geographic, cultural, and business expertise fuels creative solutions. Learn more at transwestern.com and @Transwestern.

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SOURCE Transwestern
ST. LOUIS , July 24, 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 42,000 cans will be donated to 18 fire departments across Georgia 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 Georgia 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 700 employees live and work.

"Access to clean drinking water is essential for firefighters to operate at their best while battling wildfires or other emergencies in the summer heat," said Curt Pechloff , Chief of the Northwest Harris Volunteer Fire Department. "We're grateful for the dedication of our community partners Anheuser-Busch, the NVFC, and the numerous wholesalers who have delivered over 40,000 cans of water to 18 fire and rescue departments across Georgia to support our mission to serve and protect."

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 Georgia , the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to 18 volunteer fire departments including Buena Vista Fire Rescue, Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Cook County Fire Department, Ideal Fire and Rescue, and Morgan County Fire Rescue.

Since 2019, Anheuser-Busch and its national network of independent wholesalers  including local partners , AB Beverage Co. Inc., Albany Beverage Co., Atlanta Beverage Co., Bibb Distributing, Eagle Rock Distributing, La Grange Grocery Co., Leon Farmer & Company, Johnson Distributing Co., and Southern 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 Lagrange Grocery Company, we're proud to support the dedicated members of the Northwest Harris Volunteer fire department with this delivery of emergency drinking water in partnership with Anheuser-Busch," said Al Zachary , President of Lagrange Grocery Company. "We hope it provides some relief as they battle fires and other emergencies throughout the year."

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.

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SOURCE Anheuser-Busch
PEORIA, Ill. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine being a surgeon who can plan a surgery in virtual reality (VR) by seeing the beating heart of a patient before walking into an operating room. Researchers at Peoria, Illinois -based OSF HealthCare and Bradley University believe they can make this vision a reality.

Matthew Bramlet , MD, is a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria who specializes in congenital cardiac MRI for OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. His Advanced Imaging and Modeling (AIM) lab at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center is focused on translation of medical images into 3D and 4D interactive models (for 3D printing for virtual reality) to assist in pre-surgical planning of complex cardiac and cancer cases.

According to Dr. Bramlet , the heart is a unique organ because it changes shape as it expands and contracts to pump blood through the body. This change in shape becomes a problem when the muscle of the heart grows abnormally and obstructs its own ability to pump blood out of the heart. This is a problem, because no current technology exists that allows a surgeon to view this 4D, dynamic obstruction.

Rather than relying on years of trial and error of surgical expertise to determine the correct way to cut out muscle to relieve the obstruction, this project seeks to provide the surgeon with a VR view of their next patient's beating heart in 4D.

The Innovation for Health (IFH) grant program with Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois is designed to inject funding ( $50,000 ) to combine clinical problems with computer science expertise. Assistant Professor Sam Hawkins , PhD, and graduate students at Bradley University plan to utilize machine learning to convert standard medical images into a sequence of 3D models, that when played sequentially create a 3D beating heart; the "4D heart".

This concept has been previously demonstrated by Dr. Bramlet's AIM lab, but it took an entire summer to convert images to a 4D heart, showing both the expansion and contraction of the heart that could be viewed through a virtual reality headset. Dr. Bramlet says that's not a sustainable approach.

"How do we put the CT data into a computer and slice by slice, say this is the myocardial tissue so we get an exact replica of the heart. But I don't need just one (3D replica of a heart); I need 20 to make each phase of that heart (he simulates the sound of repetitive beats) into a 4D heart."

Assistant professor Hawkins believes machine learning can be leveraged to perform the labor-intensive process of converting images. Hawkins explains computer science graduate students at Bradley are part of the research effort.

"First, we need to figure out what part of the image is the heart and what part is not. And then we need to combine these tiny images into a 3D image. And then we need to do that many times to get the 4D."

The solution should allow surgeons to virtually preview the beating heart of their patient, showing the obstruction in 4D, therefore providing a new pre-surgical analysis tool. The multidimensional view allows surgeons to zero in on structures of the heart, significantly enlarge elements and get a much better view of the anatomy. This machine learned 4D generation of a beating heart will be a first of its kind technology.

Technology could expand use of VR for surgery planning

Researchers believe creating an automated solution can reduce the manual process of converting images from months to hours, and eventually perhaps minutes. That option could be applied to images for other types of complex medical cases in adults, children and the smallest infants.

Dr. Bramlet says new AI-supported software could provide a scaled solution for surgeons everywhere.

"The most immediate impact isn't going to be the 4D heart. The impact at a grander scale will be the scalability of how any program will be able to create models for pre-surgical planning; 3D printed or for VR with this technology." -Dr. Matthew Bramlet , pediatric cardiologist

Hawkins believes the technology will lead to other hospitals adopting the approach for pre-surgery planning.

"It has the potential to really remove the barrier of entry for institutions that don't have the expertise or the time but do have images they wanted to view (more intricately)."

This entire machine learning project has been made possible by Jump Simulation's long-term investment in sharing 3D insights. Since, 2014, Jump has contributed 3D models of congenital heart disease to Dr. Fauci's 3D database at the NIH. This library of annotated 3D models provides the rich dataset of raw material needed for machine learned insights into automated segmentation of patient specific 3D models.

Within a year, this project aims to automate, through machine learned algorithms, the conversion of cardiac CTs into virtual reality. The 4D view will enable surgeons to see the beating hearts specific to individual patients.

Additional assets associated with this news release, including photos and video (including B-roll) are available on the OSF Newsroom.

OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois . OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals  10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan . OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit, was established in 2020 to improve patient experience, using digital tools for 24-7 communication, on-demand care, remote patient monitoring, and offers the largest hospital-at-home program in Illinois . OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org.

OSF Innovation is a collaborative network of different disciplines that designs bold, strategic solutions to advance the future of health care. Learn more at osfinnovation.org.

Bradley University is a top-ranked private university in Peoria, Illinois that offers nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, opportunities and resources of a larger university and the personal attention and exceptional learning experience of a smaller university. Bradley offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate academic programs in business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology. These high-quality programs incorporate global and experiential learning opportunities, preparing graduates to succeed in a complex world.

Contact: Colleen Reynolds | Media Relations Coordinator  OSF HealthCare | (309) 825-7255

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SOURCE OSF HealthCare
NASHVILLE, Tenn. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD) plans to release its second quarter 2023 financial results after the market closes on Monday, August 7, 2023 . The Company also plans to discuss the results on a conference call scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2023 , at 9:00 AM ET .

BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING - EARNINGS CALL

Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Time: 9:00 am ET / 8:00 am CT

brookdaleinvestors.com

Call Within US: +1 (833) 470-1428

Call Outside US: +1 (929) 526-1599

Reference: Access Code 343604

A webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at brookdaleinvestors.com . Please allow extra time before the call to download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast.

For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay of the webcast will be available until 11:59 PM ET on August 15, 2023 by dialing +1 (866) 813-9403 (from within the U.S. ) or all other locations +44 (204) 525-0658 and referencing access code "508637."

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the nation's premier operator of senior living communities. The Company is committed to its mission of enriching the lives of the people it serves with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity. The Company, through its affiliates, operates independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities. Through its comprehensive network, Brookdale helps to provide seniors with care and services in an environment that feels like home. The Company's expertise in healthcare, hospitality and real estate provides residents with opportunities to improve wellness, pursue passions and stay connected with friends and loved ones. Brookdale, through its affiliates, operates and manages 672 communities in 41 states as of June 30, 2023 , with the ability to serve more than 60,000 residents. Brookdale's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BKD. For more information, visit brookdale.com or connect with Brookdale on Facebook or Twitter

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SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
OSHKOSH, Wis. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirrus Aircraft today announced its new, world-class Private Pilot Program designed to teach anyone to learn how to fly an SR Series Cirrus aircraft and earn their pilot's license. The Private Pilot Program provides an immersive ground school training partnered with a dedicated Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) through a Cirrus Training Center (CTC) to help students complete their Private Pilot License (PPL) in a Cirrus aircraft.

"Learning to fly and earning a pilot's license is what moves the personal aviation industry forward," said Zean Nielsen , Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Aircraft. "From day one, our mission has been to grow engagement and participation in personal aviation, and our new Private Pilot Program makes that experience easier and smoother along the way."

The Private Pilot Program includes 11 modules with 40 engaging lessons that take you through the pre-study material, ground instruction lessons, flight instruction videos, performance assessment and quizzes. Captivating by design, the Private Pilot Program is a highly specialized training program offering specific flight training content to learn to fly a Cirrus aircraft alongside a dedicated CTC and CSIP by leveraging study materials designed and written by Cirrus Aircraft's flight training experts.

Cirrus Aircraft is renowned for the innovation and design it has introduced to the personal aviation industry. As the first to include the glass cockpit for workload reduction and the only manufacturer to include the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) as standard equipment on every aircraft, the company continues to lead in its innovative spirit which is reflected in the Private Pilot Program.

Designed and developed by Cirrus Aircraft's pilots and experts, the Private Pilot Program is the industry's first program that focuses on learning to fly an SR Series aircraft. Furthermore, the program breaks down barriers and is unique in that it pairs you with a dedicated Cirrus training partner who will encourage you to complete your PPL.

The Private Pilot Program is now available through Cirrus Aircraft's corporate-owned flight training locations and U.S. Network Partners.

To learn more about the Private Pilot Program, please visit cirrusapproach.com/private-pilot-program.

About Cirrus Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet, the world's first single-engine Personal Jet, and the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined aviation performance, comfort and safety with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS)  the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 15 million hours, and 250 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has seven locations in the United States , including Duluth, Minnesota ; Grand Forks, North Dakota ; Greater Dallas, Texas ; Greater Phoenix, Arizona ; Greater Orlando, Florida ; Knoxville, Tennessee and Benton Harbor, Michigan . Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com.

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SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft
LAS VEGAS , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Route Consultant, the leader in education and brokerage in the logistics space, is partnering with some of the biggest names in the logistics industry to host its fifth annual Contractor Expo + Party on July 29-30 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas .

Thousands of logistics pros gather in Las Vegas for Route Consultant's annual Expo on the eve of a potential UPS strike.

Last year's Expo brought together approximately 3,500 logistics professionals, industry analysts and special guests. This year, the Expo takes place as FedEx Ground contractorsa substantial portion of the Expo attendeesnavigate substantial volume fluctuations due to the consolidation of FedEx Express packages into the FedEx Ground network. Additionally, Amazon DSP contractors attend the event as pockets of the service network call for unionization. Perhaps most notably, the Expo takes place on the eve of a potential UPS workers' strike.

Still recovering from pandemic and supply chain disruptions, a potential UPS strike could seriously disrupt the delivery network in the United States .

"There are few industries that impact the American public as directly as the last-mile delivery space," said Spencer Patton , Founder and President of Route Consultant. "FedEx Ground, UPS and Amazon collectively deliver hundreds of millions of packages annually and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in our communities. These are real drivers of our economy, and bring complex issues to the surface  disruptions of any type are felt across all sectors.

"The Expo creates an environment where owners and investors in the logistics industry can learn from some of our brightest minds, network with one another, share best practices and be better together."

Kevin O'Leary, one of North America's most successful entrepreneurs, will be the keynote speaker at the Expo on Saturday, July 29 at 5:00 pm PDT . In his keynote address, O'Leary will share his personal advice for contractors, focusing on building a dream team, transforming adversity into opportunity, and strategies for making and growing a business (and its money).

"We are thrilled to host Kevin O'Leary as our keynote speaker for our 2023 Contractor Expo," said Annalee Cate , CEO of Route Consultant. "This is a year where we are connecting with our fellow entrepreneurs to diversify and build on existing businesses. Mr. O'Leary speaks directly to that growth mindset, and coupled with tailored programs related to specific aspects of the logistics space, the Expo aims to not only inform, but inspire."

The entire event, including food and drink, is free of charge for registered attendees. Contractor Expo attendees have access to a discounted room block at the Paris Hotel .

Route Consultant's Expo headline and premier sponsors include Bridgestone, BrightDrop, Bright Flag Recruiting, GroundCloud, Hello Truck Lease, Realm Health, and Xos Trucks.

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.routeconsultantexpo.com/

About Route Consultant

Route Consultant is the definitive resource in the logistics space. The professional team knows this industry inside and out and brings decades of combined contracting experience. Additionally, Route Consultant has evaluated the financial and operational data of thousands of companies in the FedEx Ground and Amazon DSP logistics space.

The Route Consultant training programs offer new investors and current contractors a clear path toward profitability and operational success.

Route Consultant is not endorsed by and is not recommended by Federal Express Corporation and FedEx Ground and Amazon. Route Consultant is not sponsored by, is not approved by, is not associated with, and has no connection whatsoever with Federal Express Corporation or FedEx Ground or Amazon.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contractor-expo-set-to-take-place-amidst-potential-ups-strike-and-fedex-consolidation-301884132.html

SOURCE Route Consultant
PHILADELPHIA , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is working with Carallel to give more support to those caring for a loved one on Medicare Advantage who was just discharged from the hospital. Carallel is a company that provides high-touch support and high-tech tools to caregivers. Together, the two organizations have developed a program that gives caregivers the support system they need to take care of their loved ones after a hospitalization. It provides them with access to expert advice, practical assistance, planning resources, support groups, and connections with Carallel's Care Advocates.

Research from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association finds that nearly 51 million Americans who are elderly or who have a serious medical condition require a caregiver. This represents a significant share of the population, resulting in a profound economic impact estimated at $264 billion annually. That figure captures the direct impact, accounting for time spent caregiving and its influence on caregiver decisions around work, absenteeism, and productivity. It also includes indirect impact, which accounts for poor health outcomes associated with the demands of providing care.

"Family caregivers take on enormous responsibility for loved ones  never more so than when that loved one has been hospitalized," said Heidi Syropoulos , M.D., medical director for Government Markets at Independence. "They face unexpected challenges and unfamiliar responsibilities. Through our work with Carallel, we are able to 'show up' for caregivers who 'show up' for our members. We want to support them when they need it, so they can support their loved ones with confidence."

Those who are caring for Independence Medicare Advantage members are able to enroll in the program in the weeks after their loved one is discharged from the hospital. Once enrolled, they have structured touchpoints with Carallel's Care Advocates who provide a listening ear and knowledgeable advice. They also have access to educational and collaborative digital tools that are available 24/7. The program has four key focus areas:

Building and maintaining caregiver resilience

Creating a manageable plan and confidence in its execution

Assisting caregivers with complex tasks and responsibilities (e.g., advance care planning, accessing care, finding in-home supports, vetting senior living options, etc.)

Collaborating with Independence Case Management to make sure there is a good member experience.

Caregivers who are currently enrolled in the program have been highly engaged. They have averaged nearly 10 interactions with Carallel Care Advocates since the program began on January 1, 2023 . What's more, nearly two-thirds of caregivers who completed the program have asked for ongoing support. This shows that there is a great need for caregiver education and encouragement.

"The greatest correlation to readmissions is being alone and unsupported. After a hospital stay, family caregivers jump in to coordinate care, tend to activites of daily living, manage medications, and watch over their loved ones. It is stressful and complicated and, too often, caregivers are exhausted, overwhelmed, uninformed, and unsure about the future. But, when caregivers receive the support they need in these moments that matter, their loved ones have better outcomes," said Shara Cohen , Chief Executive Officer, Carallel. "We are excited to partner with Independence and other organizations that recognize the importance of their members' caregivers, celebrate them and do their part to make the caregivers' journey easier."

Members must have a Medicare Advantage plan with Independence and must have been recently discharged from the hospital for their caregiver to be eligible for the program. For more information on the program visit, https://carallel.com/independence/.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania . For 85 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. We deliver innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneer new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and support programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Carallel

Carallel uses expert guidance and digital tools to identify and empower caregivers so they can confidently manage the twists and turns of caregiving. Carallel partners with health plans and providers aiming to achieve better outcomes, and employers striving to retain employees and increase productivity. Learn more at Carallel.com and follow Carallel on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Carallel is an independent company that provides caregiver services.

Independence Blue Cross offers Medicare Advantage plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Independence Medicare Advantage plans depends on contract renewal.

Independence Blue Cross offers products through its subsidiaries Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company  independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Independence Blue Cross complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCION: si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-800-275-2583 (TTY/TDD: 711).  1-800-275-2583TTY/TDD: 711

IBC12813 (06/23)

Y0041 _HM_23_113037_M

CONTACT: Independence Blue Cross

Diana Quattrone

215-815-7828 (cell)

[email protected]

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SOURCE Independence Blue Cross
NEW YORK and TORONTO , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To meet the continued growth of the Canadian market, global Fintech leader Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karin Yorfido as President of Broadridge Canada. Yorfido succeeds Michael Dignam who will become Vice Chairman of Broadridge Canada, taking on an advisory role.

Yorfido, who is based in Toronto , will lead Broadridge's Investor Communication Solutions (ICS) Canada and Global Technology and Operations (GTO) Canada businesses, reporting directly to Chris Perry , President of Broadridge. She brings 25 years of financial services and software solutions experience, including over two decades at RPM Technologies as the Executive Vice President of Business Development & Client Solutions.

"Karin is a proven leader with deep subject matter expertise across various sectors of the financial services industry and a clear understanding of the Canadian market and the evolving client focus and challenges driving industry and business transformation," said Perry. "She has been a trusted partner for some of the biggest banks in helping them modernize and adapt and is the perfect candidate to continue growing Broadridge's business in Canada , launching innovative solutions and leading complex client engagements."

Since 2021, Yorfido has held the role of General Manager of GTO Canada. There, she worked closely with the GTO leadership team to further expand Broadridge's GTO footprint in Canada , bringing new capabilities and next generation-technologies and solutions to Broadridge's Canadian clients.

"The Canadian market is dynamic and I'm looking forward to working closely with my colleagues to help financial institutions meet the demands of evolving customer, business and regulatory needs," said Yorfido. "We are focused on deepening client relationships and creating value through the full spectrum of innovative Broadridge capabilities and technology-enabled services to help clients grow and scale their business."

After a 42-year career at Broadridge, Michael Dignam , former President of Broadridge Canada, will be moving into an advisory role, supporting Broadridge Canada as Vice Chairman. In this role, Michael will focus on relationship management to support retention, growth, and continuing to help promote Broadridge in the Canadian market.

"We are extremely appreciative of all of Michael's work and efforts over the past several decades, helping transform and grow Broadridge Canada," said Perry. "He has always been a role model and we thank him for his years of leadership."

Broadridge has been an important provider of technology and services to the Canadian financial services industry for over 30 years. Providing solutions supporting Wealth Management, Capital Markets, Asset Management and Investor Communications clients include Canada's leading financial services providers including Banks, Brokers, Insurance companies, Credit Unions and Asset Managers. Broadridge is engaged in continuous innovation to support the success of customers in a rapidly changing market and regulatory environment.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with more than $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than U.S. $9 trillion of equities, fixed income, and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about us and what we can do for you, please visit www.broadridge.com

Broadridge Contacts:

Investors:

Edings Thibault

Head of Investor Relations, Broadridge

[email protected]

Media:

Tina Wadhwa

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

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SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
The new version of the web services API debuts a new mapping guide, Guide 20, featuring enhanced routing capabilities, while also supporting the widely used Guide 19.

CHICAGO , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MileMaker, a leading provider of commercial transportation routing and mileage software, today announced an addition to their Web Services product lineAPI Version 2, a new, improved web services API, available for integration with any third-party application.

Users can access a multitude of features for planning efficient and precise shipping routes.

The new MileMaker API features the addition of Guide 20, a new mapping guide that seamlessly combines MileMaker's industry-leading mileage and rating services with enhanced commercial truck routing and search capabilities. Providing users with versatility and efficiency, the updated software allows customers to drive transformative outcomes.

MileMaker API Version 2 users can access a multitude of features for planning efficient and precise shipping routes, including traffic-influenced routing to provide more accurate pick-up and delivery times. In addition, users can access truck-specific mileage calculations to negotiate and streamline freight rates, payments, and audits, as well as better forecast freight costs and fuel surcharges.

This update follows the launch of the company's new Web App, a cloud-based application featuring an intuitive user interface and enhanced routing capabilities. The Web App supports the same Guide 20 that exists in the updated Web Services product.

"This exciting development marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art technology to our valued customers," said John Barrett , Director of Product at MileMaker. "The inclusion of Guide 20 in MileMaker Web Services opens up routing possibilities for freight shippers and carriers. With its advanced set of features, the new version includes enhanced route optimization, traffic-influenced routing, hazmat routing, accurate address geocoding and search, and comprehensive mapping functionalities. This integration empowers organizations to streamline their logistics operations, improve fleet efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure timely and reliable deliveries."

MileMaker API Version 2 is available for integration with any third-party application, including Transportation Management Systems (TMS). The software is scalable and future-proof, ready to support new features and updates, as well as any additional map versions the company may produce.

The new version adheres to Open API specification, the industry standard for describing RESTful APIs, thus improving developer experience across all programming languages and tools.

Also compliant with OAuth 2.0 authentical and authorization protocol  the industry standard for securing access to APIs  the new web services version ensures consistent and secure access, regardless of third-party application type, including mobile application, single-age web application, or server-side application. MileMaker API Version 2 also features improved scalability and throughput by utilizing the latest cloud technology.

MileMaker's routing and search algorithms are powered by map data curated by in-house GIS experts, ensuring routes adhere to transportation industry requirements of legal and safe transit for a variety of truck and load configurations. Covering all road networks within the United States , Mexico , and Canada , MileMaker software is capable of reporting accurate tolls in all currencies within the covered region.

The product update is part of a series of updates made by the company after officially separating from Rand McNally , becoming its own entity. The move allows MileMaker to focus its investments and resources on enhancing their product portfolio and improving customer satisfaction.

To learn more about MileMaker's routing, rating, and mileage solutions, visit milemaker.com.

About MileMaker  Chicago -based MileMaker optimizes shipping routes and mileage through innovative solutions that drive efficiency and reduce costs. With a dedicated team of GIS experts, MileMaker's software provides over 30% more truck-specific attributes than any other routing software.

MileMaker is a registered trademark of MileMaker Holdco, Inc., d/b/a MileMaker.

 2023 MileMaker Holdco, Inc., d/b/a MileMaker. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE MileMaker
Axian Telecom signed a deal to acquire a further 40% stake in Senegalese operator Free taking its total ownership to 80% to consolidate operations.

In a statement, Axian Telecom chairman Hassanein Hiridjee said: This additional investment reflects our continued confidence in the thriving economy of Senegal, and increases our footprint in West African markets.

Hand in hand with the strong commitment of all our colleagues in Senegal, we will continue to energize Senegals telecommunications ecosystem, with a focus on deploying cutting-edge technologies and ensuring a better experience for individuals and businesses.

Axian and partners in the Saga Africa Holdings consortium acquired Free Senegal when it was branded as Tigo from Millicom in 2018. NJJ Capital is also part of the consortium and is owned by Iliad founder Xavier Niel.

Axian Telecom has interests and assets across eight markets in Africa including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda to name a few.
PLYMOUTH, Mass. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MitoSense and the Centre for Advanced Medical Products (CAMP) are delighted to announce that MitoSense has officially joined CAMP as a partner for the development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs).

MitoSense, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing advanced therapies for neurodegenerative diseases using Mitochondria Organelle Transplantation (MOT) technology. The company's patented MOT technology has shown promising results in treating mitochondrial dysfunction, and it could also be applied to the CARMEV project by improving extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bone marrow MSCs to inhibit ischemia-reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction (MI).

Van Hipp , Chairman of MitoSense, commented: "We are thrilled to partner with CAMP, an esteemed organization dedicated to the development of ATMPs. This partnership allows us to combine our unique MOT technology with CAMP's expertise, accelerating the development of life-changing therapies for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases."

CAMP is a leading research center that focuses on bioprocess development, GMP production, and logistics for the development and translation of ATMPs. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, including university hospitals, research institutes, and industry, CAMP is driving innovation and collaboration in the development of ATMPs, ultimately bringing these life-changing therapies to those in need.

Karl-Henrik Grinnemo, Principal Investigator at Uppsala University Hospital, said: "We are excited to welcome MitoSense as a partner in the CARMEV project. Their cutting-edge MOT technology has great potential in revolutionizing the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and preventing heart failure. We look forward to working together to bring these innovative therapies to patients."

MitoSense's commitment to rigorous research and clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of its therapies aligns with the CARMEV project's goals of characterizing biologically active EV preparations and confirming the safety of the EV product in preclinical in vivo experiments and human in vitro tests. By collaborating with CAMP and leveraging its expertise in cellular biotherapies, MitoSense can work towards generating a final well-characterized EV product under GMP conditions.

MitoSense is contributing in-kind contributions consisting of materials and personnel resources up to a level of around SEK 800,000 per year.

For more information about MitoSense and CAMP, please visit https://www.mitosenseinc.com and https://atmpsweden.se/about-atmp-sweden/current-initiatives/about-camp/, respectively.

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SOURCE MitoSense, Inc.
The only remote sexual health testing provider built for public health with 15 years of experience and real-world results is now available to U.S. public health officials to stop the spread of STIs

CHICAGO , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Preventx, the only remote sexual health testing provider built specifically for public health, announced today at the STI and HIV 2023 World Congress that it is opening a specialized lab in Cincinnati, Ohio to make its award-winning solutions available to U.S. public health departments to help control the rapidly increasing spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in their communities. To address critical gaps in existing testing strategies, Preventx enters the U.S. market with 15 years of experience and real-world results, testing more than half the population of England, and brings the convenience and accessibility of digital services along with the reliability and expertise of in-person clinical care.

With the recent increase in reported cases of STIs and public health budgetary constraints, the U.S. is on the verge of a public health crisis. According to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) surveillance data, more than 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2021 and all increased between 2020 and 2021.[1] To reverse this trend, the CDC called for more groups to contribute to STI prevention and innovation efforts, with testing at the center of the prevention strategies.[2] Additionally, through the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has set an ambitious goal of reducing all new HIV infections in the U.S. by 90% by 2030.[3]

"We have a serious problem in the U.S. with the recent increase in STI cases pushing us towards a public health emergency and we have a professional responsibility to do everything we can to stop the spread," said Barbara Van Der Pol , PhD, MPH, Preventx Laboratory Director. "The COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in STI-related prevention and care activities and brought the realities of our strained public health infrastructure to light. We also learned that remote testing is a viable strategy that gives people, no matter where they live, greater access to prevention methods and overall health care."

Current approaches to testing, which often rely on in-person clinic visits, fall short if we don't reach at-risk or underserved populations. The Preventx digital platform and remote testing approach allows public health decision makers to target hard-to-reach groups, including those uncomfortable visiting a clinic, those with scheduling difficulties, and those living far from a clinic. At the same time, by providing testing services to large numbers of people who do not need to be seen in clinic, capacity of health care providers is freed up, enabling them to attend to those with more complex needs, those for whom online testing is not an option, and those who prefer face-to-face care.

"Against a backdrop of decreased funding for STI prevention and the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, U.S. public health officials are tasked with safeguarding the well-being of their communities, preventing and mitigating the spread of infections including STIs, ensuring equitable access to care, and all while containing costs," said Dr. Stephen Jordan , US Medical Director, Preventx.

"Public health budgets are being cut while pressures on Disease Intervention Specialists and other public health staff increase, so remote testing can give some relief to U.S. public health officials who must demonstrate the value of new solutions and be nimble enough to reach more people, including vulnerable, at-risk populations, but may not have the bandwidth or resources to unlock funding and see a viable path forward," added Nick Malhomme, International Development Director, Preventx.

Through a digital hybrid STI testing model that involves online screening for eligibility, remote testing, and physical clinics working cohesively, Preventx is now the largest provider of remote sexual health testing across Europe dispatching 5.5 million STI testing kits through Preventx services and carrying out over 15 million tests by Preventx's in-house lab. Preventx has seen an 80% average return rate on the remote test kits sent to people and 98.6% of service users would recommend Preventx to friends or family.

Preventx provides testing for Sexual Health London, the world's largest publicly funded remote testing program, and has tested over 2 million Londoners in just over 3 years, with an unprecedented 82% return rate.

Preventx runs the UK National Hepatitis C program providing a free, discreet national web-based testing portal commissioned by National Health Services ( NHS ) England .

National Hepatitis C program providing a free, discreet national web-based testing portal commissioned by ( ) . In East Sussex , a smaller city with both urban and rural areas, Preventx rolled out remote testing reaching people living in high deprivation areas (those most at risk for poor sexual health) as easily as reaching people living in better areas with greater accessibility.

, a smaller city with both urban and rural areas, Preventx rolled out remote testing reaching people living in high deprivation areas (those most at risk for poor sexual health) as easily as reaching people living in better areas with greater accessibility. Preventx's Southern Europe hub is the leading private STI clinic in Spain , offering onsite testing, treatment and support from Madrid and Valencia , as well as remote testing and treatment across the country.

hub is the leading private STI clinic in , offering onsite testing, treatment and support from and , as well as remote testing and treatment across the country. Preventx activities in Northern Europe are driven by the largest provider of STI remote self-sampling in the Benelux region.

"In this era of advancing technology and changing healthcare landscapes, the emergence of hybrid, digital and in-person, testing companies presents an opportunity to substantially enhance the public health value delivered to people," said Ruth Poole , CEO of Preventx. "The results we've seen through our programs in Europe have been substantial STI testing volumes, STI treatment, prevention of STI spread, and user satisfaction. We are now in a position to bring these solutions, and the positive results, to public health officials in the U.S. "

Preventx was awarded Diagnostics Provider of the Year at HealthInvestor Awards 2023 for their cutting-edge in-house accredited lab. At the 2023 STI and HIV World Congress, Preventx is seeking nominations for communities to receive free consulting to demonstrate how much remote testing and services can increase access and improve outcomes. For more information about Preventx, visit www.preventx.com.

About Preventx

Preventx operates a specialized lab in Cincinnati, OH to provide full service remote testing solutions and empower public health officials in the U.S. to implement reliable, trusted remote sexual health services through an adaptable digital platform, efficient self-sampling and in-house specialist diagnostic lab. With over 15 years' experience, Preventx is the largest provider of remote sexual health testing across Europe . The company supports global public health officials in unlocking funding and identifying a path forward to implement sexual health testing solutions that will reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in their communities. In the UK , Preventx runs over 60 large scale programs including the National Hepatitis C testing program and Sexual Health London (www.shl.uk), the largest publicly funded remote sexual health testing program anywhere in the world.

1 CDC, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021



2 CDC, Media Statement: U.S. STI Epidemic Showed No Signs of Slowing in 2021  Cases Continued to Escalate



3 CDC, EHE: Scaling Up HIV Prevention Services in STD Specialty Clinics

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SOURCE Preventx
Beginning Today, U.S. Restaurant, Bar, and Hotel Workers Can Apply for a Year-Long HealthTap Virtual Primary Care Membership for Just $99

SUNNYVALE, Calif. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthTap , a leading national virtual primary care provider, today announced a program to increase access to healthcare for restaurant and bar workers across the country.

The "Here's To Your Health" program offers restaurant and bar workers access to one free virtual doctor visit and a year of unlimited texting with a doctor they choose, as well as discounted prescriptions for just $99 , a $125 savings from the regular HealthTap price* and hundreds of dollars cheaper than traditional primary care options. Apply at healthtap.com/hospitality-healthcare-app .

"Hospitality workers are face-to-face with their customers day and night without the option to work from home, yet most don't have access to affordable healthcare," said Sean Mehra , founder and CEO of HealthTap. "The 'Here's to Your Health' program is designed to welcome them to HealthTap with tremendous savings, but more importantly, to raise awareness of the need for affordable, accessible healthcare in the hospitality industry."

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 70% of hospitality workers, including cooks, food and cocktail servers, bartenders, bussers, hosts, and dishwashers, do not receive employer-provided health benefits. Additionally, the median annual income for these positions is less than $35,000 , making it cost prohibitive to buy healthcare insurance on the open market or pay out of pocket, as a typical in-person visit costs between $150 to $450 .

Additionally, many lower income people have health insurance plans with high deductibles, which means they are covered for serious medical situations, but not for preventative care and proper management of ongoing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure until the deductible is met. Access to affordable primary and preventative care reduces emergency room visits, which reduces costs for individuals and the entire healthcare system.

In addition to the "Here's to Your Health" campaign, HealthTap also offers ongoing programs for restaurants and bars (both independently owned and chains) to affordably provide healthcare to their employees through HealthTap. Companies that want to support restaurant and bar workers can donate funds to offset membership costs through HealthTap non-profit partners. Restaurant owners and managers, and potential sponsors can email [email protected] for more information.

"We depend on bartenders, waiters, hotel cleaning staff, and many others to show up for work, day and night, to help us have a good time, serve us a good meal, and take care of us on vacation and business trips," continued Mehra. "Providing them with access to affordable healthcare is not only the right thing to do, it makes everyone healthier. That's the inspiration for the 'Here's to Your Health' campaign."

HealthTap makes it easy and affordable to connect with a doctor via video, phone, or text, with or without health insurance. Unlike most telemedicine companies, HealthTap specializes in long-term primary care to manage ongoing health conditions with the customer's doctor of choice. Customers can also connect with a doctor in a minute or less for urgent medical concerns.

*Standard HealthTap membership is $180 per year and $44 per virtual doctor visit. Members get free unlimited texting with the doctor of their choice and discounted prescriptions.

Beginning July 21, 2023 , through August 1, 2024 , restaurant and bar workers will get a 12-month membership to HealthTap for $99 and one free virtual doctor visit.

About HealthTap

HealthTap is a leading virtual healthcare provider delivering quality, affordable primary and urgent care throughout the U.S. , serving more than 2 million members monthly, with or without health insurance. Unlike most virtual healthcare companies, HealthTap provides access to a long-term primary care doctor of the member's choice to support all aspects of their health, including treating chronic and ongoing conditions. While easy to use with health insurance, HealthTap caters to those paying out of pocket by offering an affordable subscription for ongoing primary care and a one-time fee for urgent care visits. Members can conduct virtual doctor visits via text, video, or phone. HealthTap also offers a free Q&A platform where members can submit questions to be answered by a network of 90,000 doctors across 147 specialties. Eval360 lets many Medicare Advantage members access HealthTap primary care doctors for a yearly comprehensive wellness exam. HealthTap partners with Samsung to provide online visits using its smart TVs. HealthTap earns an average of 4.9 out of 5-star ratings for its thousands of virtual doctor visits each year. For more information, visit healthtap.com .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/telemedicine-leader-healthtap-launches-campaign-to-increase-access-to-healthcare-for-us-hospitality-workers-301883699.html

SOURCE HealthTap
Telit Cinterion continues execution of western IoT leadership strategy by partnering with VVDN Technologies for mass production of modules, data cards and custom designed products

Manufacturing footprint scales after the 2022 acquisitions of the Thales IoT business and Mobilogix and now by manufacturing, design and logistics capabilities in India

Place of manufacture is an increasingly crucial consideration for technology product buyers, with a focus on supply chain resilience, sustainability and environmental impact

IRVINE, Calif. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Telit Cinterion, a global enabler of the intelligent edge, today announced a strategic relationship with VVDN Technologies, a premier electronics engineering, manufacturing and digital services company, for the mass production of modules, data cards and custom products as part of Telit Cinterion's ongoing execution of its western IoT leadership strategy. Under the terms of the agreement, Telit Cinterion begins production of its modules and data cards in VVDN Technologies' state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. The relationship will also create a business model through which Telit Cinterion's IoT Solutions business unit customers will have access to VVDN Technologies' advanced manufacturing and design capabilities for their custom products. For more information on Telit Cinterion, please visit https://www.telit.com/about/.

With increasing scrutiny on the origin of technology products, Telit Cinterion recognizes that India is an emerging global leader in high-quality electronics manufacturing, showing a strong commitment to environmental concerns. Telit Cinterion's decision to manufacture in India will lead to the expansion of business reach and models into India and as the country's technology industry grows, Telit Cinterion will be able to address the same using "Design and Make In India " solution.

"We are delighted to be chosen by Telit Cinterion for manufacturing their modules, data cards and custom products," said Puneet Agarwal , Founder and CEO at VVDN Technologies. "VVDN's expertise in technology productization, mass production and commitment to sustainability are in alignment with Telit Cinterion's vision. Together, we will provide customers with the highest-quality IoT modules and data cards on the market."

"This agreement with VVDN is a game changer as it not only ensures we evolve our time-to-customer but also enables us to lead digital transformation enablement in India ," said Paolo Dal Pino , Chief Executive Officer at Telit Cinterion. "By starting our manufacturing and operations activities in India along with our R&D center in Bangalore , we are meeting the mission critical needs of our customers and ensuring on our supply chain resilience and sustainability."

Starting in August, VVDN begins mass production and customer shipments. VVDN operates state-of-the-art facilities in Manesar, Haryana , and Pollachi, Tamil Nadu and is known for their advanced manufacturing capabilities and stringent quality standards.

About Telit Cinterion

Telit Cinterion is a global enabler of the intelligent edge providing complete solutions that reduce time to market and costs, delivering custom designed, ready for market connected devices in addition to maintaining the industry's broadest portfolio of enterprise-grade wireless communication and positioning modules, cellular MVNO connectivity plans and management services, edge-cloud software and data orchestration, and IoT and Industrial IoT platforms. As the largest western provider pioneering IoT innovation, Telit Cinterion delivers award-winning and highly secure IoT solutions, modules and services for the industry's top brands.

For more information, follow us on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook or visit Telit.com.

Copyright  2023 Telit IoT Solutions Holding Ltd. and/or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. Telit Cinterion, Telit, OneEdge, Cinterion, and all associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Telit Communications S.p.A, Telit Communications LTD, Telit IoT Solutions Holding Ltd. and/or their affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts



Leslie Hart

Telit Cinterion

+1 919-415-1510

[email protected]

Lora Wilson

Valerie Christopherson

GRC for Telit Cinterion

+1 949-608-0276

telit@globalresultspr.com

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SOURCE Telit Cinterion
Napa Valley Winery Significantly Increases Sustainability Investment as It Celebrates 75th Year

ST. HELENA, Calif. , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinchero Family Estates, the second-largest family-owned winery and largest winery in Napa Valley , proudly announces its partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, further solidifying its commitment to environmental stewardship. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Trinchero Family Estates celebrates its 75th year in Napa Valley , reinforcing its dedication to sustainability for the next generation.

Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) is making a significant investment in a series of sustainability projects, spanning across four properties and exemplifying its proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint. These projects  scheduled for completion by the end of this year  will include solar installations at four California wineries: Westside winery in Lodi , Main Street winery in St. Helena , Trinchero Central Coast winery in Paso Robles , and Green Island Road winery in American Canyon . Together, annual solar production across the four sites will reach 11.5 million kWh.

Green Island Road winery's solar installation is the first to be completed and receive permission to operate; the American Canyon winery is now running on solar. With a system size of 1,244 kWdc, it features a total of 3,168 solar panels and 18 50/60kW inverters that will generate more than 2 million kWh annually. REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has meticulously designed the systems at Green Island Road and TFE's other properties to accommodate evolution and expansion; Main Street winery's future-minded systems will come online in December with battery storage and microgrid capabilities.

These solar installations across TFE properties are projected to achieve significant solar offset percentages, contributing to a greener energy mix. For example, the anticipated solar offset at the Green Island Road site is expected to reach 95 percent, resulting in a substantial reduction in the winery's reliance on traditional energy sources. When the outputs of all of its fuel cells and solar panels are added up, TFE will be self-generating 25.4 million kWh annually starting in 2024.

Kent Mann , vice president of operations for Trinchero Family Estates, emphasizes the company's pioneering efforts in energy efficiency and generation. "At Trinchero Family Estates, we believe in tangible results when it comes to sustainability. Our focus has always been on meaningful and measurable kWh production and the positive impact of clean energy on the environment. Our solar and fuel cell systems demonstrate our commitment to both environmental responsibility and a sustainable future," said Mann.

This partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions further enhances TFE's sustainable practices, following a long history of environmental initiatives. As early as 2008, TFE installed rooftop solar arrays at Westside winery in Lodi , setting an industry precedent for installing solar on new construction. In 2010, TFE collaborated with Bloom Energy to install fuel cell systems at Main Street winery, making it the first in the wine industry to embrace this innovative technology. Each of TFE's Napa properties and vineyards have also been running on 100 percent MCE-supplied renewable electricity since 2017.

Lawrence Denney , managing director for REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. "We're pleased to contribute to Trinchero Family Estates' continued legacy of sustainability. We've installed these solar rooftops with the future in mind, so the systems can continue to grow with TFE's business and ultimately provide energy storage flexibility," said Denney.

TFE's collaboration with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions not only reinforces its commitment to sustainability but also reflects its dedication to California's winegrowing regions and communities  TFE's home since 1948. With more than 9,000 acres of vineyards throughout Napa Valley , Sonoma , Lake , Amador , and Santa Barbara Counties, and vast Central Coast and inland valleys, TFE prioritizes environmental responsibility. Sustainable farming practices, such as utilizing electric tractors and irrigation pumps, grazing sheep to reduce CO2 emissions, supporting bee populations for pollination, and repurposing grape waste into compost, demonstrate TFE's holistic approach to sustainability.

The winery has set ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing its water footprint, achieving a high waste diversion rate, and reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. By 2025, TFE aims to achieve less than 3.2 gallons of production water used per gallon of wine made and a waste diversion rate greater than 99 percent. Its long-term vision includes a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and ultimately reaching net-zero emissions by 2045.

TFE's partnership with REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions aligns with its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. Together, they are leading the way in creating a more sustainable and vibrant future for the wine industry and beyond.

About Trinchero Family Estates Wine & Spirits

The second-largest family-owned winery and fourth-largest overall, Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) comprises more than 50 award-winning wine and spirits brands distributed in nearly 50 countries around the globe. Founded in 1948when Italian immigrant Mario Trinchero brought his young family from New York City to Napa Valley and purchased an abandoned Prohibition-era winery called Sutter Home in St. HelenaTrinchero Family Estates has been an innovator for 75 years. Today, Trinchero Family Estates remains deeply rooted in Napa Valley , encompassing a broad portfolio of global offerings, including flagship brands Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Menage a Trois and SEAGLASS Wine Company; luxury brands Trinchero Napa Valley , Napa Cellars and Neyers Vineyards; partner brands Joel Gott Wines , Charles & Charles and Bieler Pere et Fils; import brands San Polo, Famiglia Cotarella , Ceretto, Tenuta Regaleali, Angove Family Winemakers, Avissi Prosecco, Echo Bay , Finca Allende and Terras Gauda; and spirits and specialty beverage brands Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka, Tres Agaves Organic Tequila, Tres Agaves Organic Cocktail Mixers, Amador Whiskey and Trincheri Vermouth. Learn more at www.tfewines.com.

About REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a leader in sustainable energy, helping large enterprises reduce power costs, lower emissions and increase resiliency. The team provides wind, solar, resilient backup power and managed energy services to over 1,000 projects across the U.S. , with a total electric capacity of more than 5,500 megawatts of nonregulated renewable energy.

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a nonregulated commercial brand of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company and one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. , headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.

The brand includes the following subsidiaries of Duke Energy Corporation that are registered to transact business in various states and may be branded as Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions for marketing purposes: Duke Energy One, Inc.; Duke Energy Commercial Enterprises, Inc.; Duke Energy Renewables, Inc.; Duke Energy Renewables Commercial, LLC; Duke Energy Renewable Services, LLC.; Duke Energy Renewables Storage, LLC; Duke Energy Renewables Wind, LLC.; Duke Energy Renewables Solar, LLC.; and REC Solar Commercial Corporation.

Solar photos and video: https://trincheroassetportal.com/s/tshjnx8j5qnnpfqpxnjs2b

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SOURCE Trinchero Family Estates
BEIJING , July 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on China's new law on creating barrier-free living environments:

Having read over 10 million characters of academic journals with audio assistance and completed a 60,000-character thesis by touch typing, Dong Lina, China's first visually impaired postgraduate majoring in broadcasting, has earned her master's degree.

Standing on the stage during her commencement ceremony, she said, "May we strive not only for personal success, but also for the betterment of others and the world during our lifetimes."

Dong was born with amblyopia and lost her vision completely at the age of 10. She recalled how her teachers and older schoolmates at her special education school insisted that a massage therapist was the only viable career option for them in the future. However, Dong did not think it has to be that way.

Dong is passionate about studying, enjoys reading and has an adventurous spirit. In 2006, she traveled to Beijing to take part in a charity training program in broadcasting for people with visual impairments. She then obtained the qualification to participate in the self-taught higher education examinations for visually impaired people in Beijing in 2011, and pursued a bachelor's degree in broadcasting and hosting. In 2015, Dong began working as a host on China National Radio, and in 2020 enrolled on a master's program at the Communication University of China. Over the years, she has dedicated herself to advocating for equal development opportunities for disabled people, promoting inclusive education, and contributing to the language education of visually impaired teenagers.

Dong's journey has been filled with many ups and downs, but she stands as an example that partially sighted people can have a promising future.

Through Dong's pursuit of her dreams, it can be seen that higher education institutions, society and the government have all made efforts to ensure more disabled people have the chance to lead normal lives and enjoy equal opportunities.

This year, a total of 31,843 students with disabilities graduated from Chinese universities. As the quality of education improves and the number of college students with disabilities grows, many Chinese universities have offered personalized and systemic support through efforts like installing barrier-free facilities and carrying out related research projects.

On June 28 , Chinese lawmakers passed a new law on creating barrier-free living environments, the first of its kind in the country. The law specifies a range of measures designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities. For example, it stipulates the installation of elevators in old residential communities and ramps in public areas, aimed at improving accessibility for people with limited mobility. It also enforces the inclusion of barrier-free alternatives for drug labels and instructions, such as audio recordings, larger font sizes, braille and electronic texts, so as to help visually impaired individuals access crucial information. In addition, the law requires administrative facilities and community service centers to install digital screens, writing tablets and audio equipment to provide greater convenience to disabled people.

From the law on the protection of disabled persons, to former regulations and the new law on building barrier-free living environments, China continues to improve and refine its policies and legislation. The country is striving to create an environment that facilitates the lives, education and employment of people with disabilities.

These ongoing advancements are continuously transforming Chinese society. We look forward to the day when all disabled people can fully participate and integrate into society on equal terms.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

Visually impaired master's graduate: Striving for a barrier-free life

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2023-07/21/content_93558899.htm

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SOURCE China.org.cn
BEIJING , July 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 50 years of efforts in the cultivation of edible fungi, Gutian County in Ningde City, southeast China's Fujian Province , has reaped success in industrial development, brand building and improvement of people's livelihood.

Producing 910,000 tonnes of edible fungi in 2022, Gutian County generated an output value of 6.2 billion yuan (about 864.5 million U.S. dollars ). Among them, the tremella output exceeded 385,000 tonnes, accounting for over 90 percent of the world's total, said a blue paper published on July 17 .

Greg Seymour, President of the International Society for Mushroom Science, said during the event that tremella is a truly exceptional variety of mushroom known for its rich content of polysaccharides and polyphenols. These natural compounds offer numerous health benefits, including boosting our immune system, promoting healthy intestinal flora.

The county has continued to upgrade the cultivation and production of edible fungi in the past fifty years. According to Tan Guoliang, head of Gutian's edible fungi association, riding on the wave of digitalization and intelligence, Gutian's tremella production, logistics and sales have been gaining steam, forming a close industrial cluster.

The ingenious people of Gutian have spearheaded five major waves of mushroom production, revolutionizing the cultivation of Tremella, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo fungus,and black fungus, said Greg Seymour, adding that these remarkable advancements have propelled the edible mushroom industry in Chinatowards industrialization and large-scale development.

The brand value of Gutian's tremella achieved 8.991 billion yuan , according to a rank of the brand value of China's edible fungi production bases released in March this year.

As more and more people are aware of the nutritional value and health care function of tremella, the county has strengthened its deep-processing capability of edible fungi by producing edible fungi seasonings, cookies and pies, and wine, which are popular on the market.

Thanks to the sound development of tremella industry, thousands of farmers have been lifted out of poverty. A total of 235 villages are producing edible fungi among 279 villages in the county, with some 300,000 people working in the industry. In 2022, the per capita disposable income of farmers in Gutian County exceeded 24,000 yuan , ranking the first place in Ningde City for 19 consecutive years, according to Zhou Xiang , director of Gutian's industrial development center of edible fungi.

Gutian is grabing opportunities to export the whole industrial chain including culture, technology and management and promote food culture and consumption patterns, said Zhuang Xuedong, head of edible fungi technology promotion center of Fujian Province .

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/335154.html

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FILE PHOTO: A globe is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Angie Teo, Ann Wang and Fabian Hamacher

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Cities across northern Taiwan ordered cars off roads and people to stay indoors on Monday for an annual air-raid exercise as the island steps up preparations in the event of a Chinese attack amid rising military threats from Beijing.

Sirens sounded at 1:30 p.m. (0530 GMT) for the mandatory street evacuation drills, which effectively shut towns and cities including its capital Taipei for 30 minutes.

An "air raid alert", asking people to evacuate to safety immediately, was sent via text message.

"When you receive the text message, please be aware of the wordings such as 'test' and 'drill' and stay calm," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said in a reminder to the public on Facebook about an hour before the exercise named Wan An, which means everlasting peace.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, has been staging regular exercises around the island for the past three years, to pressure Taipei to accept Beijing's claim of sovereignty despite the island's strong rejections.

In the bustling shopping district of Ximending in Taipei, some shops pulled down their shutters and police directed passersby and vehicles including food delivery drivers on motorcycles to move to the side of the road and seek shelter.

Tourists with luggage were seen taking shelter in a subway station, some shocked and not sure what had happened.

"I heard the siren and I was worried, not knowing what happened especially we are foreigners in a foreign country," said Lee Jang Ho, a tourist from South Korea.

Among the various drills carried out by authorities in Taipei, some citizens were instructed to seek shelter in basement parking lots with their hands covering their eyes and ears while keeping their mouths open - to minimise the impact of blast waves from missiles.

Sirens sounded 30 minutes later to give the all-clear. Other parts of Taiwan, where periodic air-raid drills are required by law, will carry out street evacuation drills this week.

Beijing has stepped up its warnings against a trip to the United States by Taiwan vice president and presidential frontrunner William Lai next month, while the top U.S. diplomat in Taipei urged China not to take "provocative" action in response to the brief transits.

(Reporting By Angie Teo, Fabian Hamacher and Ann Wang; Writing by Yimou Lee; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
FILE PHOTO: First Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans speaks at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Kate Abnett and Pietro Lombardi

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union could stand to lose two of its most effective climate change negotiators ahead of this year's COP28 UN summit, with the possible departures of the EU's own green policy chief and Spain's climate minister.

Frans Timmermans, the European Commissioner in charge of climate and environment policies, is running to be a candidate in Dutch national elections. If successful, he may need to leave his EU post as early as next month.

That would cost the EU its figurehead in international climate negotiations and the politician who drove through Europe's toughest measures yet to cut planet-warming emissions.

"We achieved, in terms of laws and legislation in the last three years, something that we didn't achieve in 10, 15 years before," EU Green lawmaker Michael Bloss said of the EU's track record under Timmermans.

The prospect of losing Timmermans - a former Dutch foreign affairs minister - months ahead of this year's UN climate negotiations in November, has some EU officials worried.

At the COP28 conference, countries' core tasks include assessing how far behind they are in efforts to curb climate change - and, then, agreeing a plan to get on track.

Recent climate talks have yielded little progress. G20 ministers this weekend failed to agree to curb fossil fuels. At pre-COP28 negotiations in June, countries spent days fighting over the meeting agenda.

When COP negotiations stall, political heavyweights like Timmermans intervene and hammer out deals. At last year's COP27 summit, Timmermans announced the EU would u-turn and finally back a fund demanded by vulnerable countries to address spiralling climate change-fuelled damages.

The move was at odds with the U.S., and faced ire from some EU countries who felt it gave too much away. Ultimately, it unlocked a deal and the fund was agreed.

"He was this political animal, taking risks, knowing that he was going to ruffle feathers, but doing it and saying, 'Well, all right, now blame me,'" one former senior EU Commission climate official said of Timmermans' role in negotiations.

"It will leave a big hole," they added. The Commission has not said how Timmermans would be replaced - by a reshuffle of existing Commissioners or a new Dutch nominee.

SECOND LOSS

Spanish elections on Sunday delivered a another potential dampener to Europe's firepower in fighting climate change.

Spain's climate minister Teresa Ribera has represented the country at COP negotiations since 2018 - and, before then, from 2008 to 2011.

"She brings a lot of credibility to the table," Linda Kalcher, founder of the Strategic Perspectives think-tank.

Ribera's role at the helm of Spain's green agenda is on the line after a snap election on Sunday ended with gridlock.

The conservative People's Party is likely to get the first attempt at forming a government - but when combined with the far-right Vox, is still short of a majority and may struggle to find other partners. That leaves the door open to another centre-left government involving Ribera's ruling Socialists party - or, potentially, fresh elections.

Known for her strong relationships with Latin American delegates - Spain stepped in last minute to host 2019's COP conference when protests in Santiago left planned host Chile in the lurch - Ribera has aided EU efforts to forge compromises between developing countries and other major economies.

"She's really well connected, really well respected," Kalcher said, adding that if Ribera left, "It will require a bigger effort from everybody else".

TROUBLE AT HOME

The potential loss of two climate heavyweights comes as the EU's own green agenda faces resistance - even as record-shattering heatwaves and wildfires rage across Europe.

Since 2019, the EU has proposed - under Timmermans' guidance - and then passed into law more than a dozen policies to steer Europe towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

A recent fight over a law to restore degraded ecosystems suggested appetite is waning. French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested a pause on new green laws, while countries including Italy want to water down others.

The EU wants to pass at least two more green policies before EU elections next year - the nature law and electricity market reforms.

Spain - whose current government typically backs ambitious EU climate policies - holds the EU's rotating presidency, and will chair EU countries' negotiations on all new laws until 2024.

Pablo Simon, a political scientist at Madrid's Carlos III University, said a rightward shift in Spain's government could cost the EU one of its member states most supportive of tackling climate change.

"If Spain moves back, or simply does not push forward, the changes of course can have a great effect - it can really affect the whole EU environmental agenda," he said.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett and Pietro Lombardi; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: Small toy figures with laptops and smartphones are seen in front of displayed AT&T logo, in this illustration taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Samrhitha A and David Shepardson

(Reuters) -AT&T investors will watch out on Wednesday for comments from top management on the telecom firm's financial and legal liability for the lead-clad cables it abandoned decades ago that may have contaminated soil and water sources across the United States.

The $100-billion company last week said lead-clad cables made up only a "small part of its network" as it sought to allay investor apprehensions.

Still, shares have yet to fully recover from a tumble to a three-decade low following a Wall Street Journal report that several U.S. telecom giants including Verizon have left behind a network of underground toxic lead cables.

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered an investigation into the health risks associated with old lead-clad cables.

In a memo to employees dated July 18 and reviewed by Reuters, AT&T boss John Stankey admitted that "speculation around the potential need to manage these cables differently has created uncertainty in the financial markets to the detriment of our company and our shareholders."

The company said last week it has "previously tested lead-clad cables and continue to believe that they pose no public health risk" and "are conducting additional testing ... including locations identified in The Journal's stories."

The costs for cleaning up the lead-clad cables could "range from near-zero to tens-of-billions of dollars in liability," analysts at TD Cowen said in a July 16 note.

"We very much expect a long-drawn-out process, self-auditing, and plenty of political squabbling with potential class action lawsuits and attorney general lawsuits."

At least six brokerages have downgraded the stock since the WSJ report, saying the uncertainty adds to other challenges such as a debt load of $137.5 billion at the end of March, dwindling cash flow and slowing revenue growth.

In the April-June quarter, AT&T's postpaid phone subscriber net additions could hit their lowest in three years after finance chief Pascal Desroches said at a conference in June that the company expected a number in the low 300,000s.

Competition from T-Mobile - which offers cheaper plans and is expected to post the biggest subscriber gain in the quarter - has squeezed AT&T and market leader Verizon.

"Investors are going to be laser focused on free cash flow and looking for signs that it is getting on that pace to hit the $16 billion (annual) number that management has out there," said Morningstar analyst Michael Hodel.

Free cash flow is expected to be between $3.5 billion and $4 billion in the second quarter, after falling short of estimates by more than $1.5 billion in the first.

Cash flow is key as it helps investors determine payouts as AT&T is one of the highest dividend paying U.S. stocks.

Revenue likely inched up 1% to $29.94 billion, according to data from Refinitiv, in what will be the first increase in eight quarters.

(Reporting by Samrhitha Arunasalam in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
The Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Archil Talakvadze, spoke about David Arakhamia's position on the public broadcaster. According to Talakvadze, Arakhamia is also part of the group that is orchestrating the entire planned and financed campaign against Georgia."It is not excluded that he is also the senior coordinator of the weakened opposition here; we should not exclude that either. However, we are not going to discuss this with the Ukrainian authorities, since Ukraine is in the midst of its heaviest war and is defending its territories and freedom.Practically the whole world stands to help Ukraine; otherwise, if he's proud of his Georgian origin and Georgian roots, he should at least know that no Georgian has ever won a fight or confrontation with Georgia, and of course, Arakhamia will not succeed either.Therefore, rather than war, let us once again express our support to the Ukrainian people, wish Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity, and return to peaceful days. We will see the rest very soon. History will establish this balance, and history will evaluate who, what, and how everyone contributed," said Archil Talakvadze.Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, was honored with the World Peace and Freedom Award in New York. During her acceptance speech, she emphasized that a new chapter in Europe's history is currently unfolding in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans."The history of our union is the history of young and old democracies growing stronger together. This is the story of Germany and Italy reborn after the war. This is the history of Spain, Portugal, and Greece transitioning from dictatorship to democracy.This is the story of democratic revival after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Today, a new chapter of this history is being written in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and also in the Western Balkans.This represents the promise of Europe-a united continent where everyone is equal before the law, enjoying freedom and democracy," stated von der Leyen.
A Georgia man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly strangled a victim at a Dothan apartment complex, according to police.

Deontavious Ty'Rus Summerset, 24, of Blakely, Georgia, was charged with one count of domestic violence-strangulation, and one count of attempting to elude. His bond was set at $36,000.

According to Dothan Police, on Saturday, July 22, at around 11:45 p.m., officers rushed to Oates Estate Apartments on Flynn Road after a report of an assault in progress.

Upon arrival, the suspect, later identified as Summerset, fled law enforcement in a vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the suspect performed evasive maneuvers in order to evade capture.

Eventually, after a brief pursuit, officers took Summerset into custody.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the ANZ Banking Group is displayed in the window of a branch in central Sydney, Australia, Aprl 30, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

(Reuters) -Australia's competition regulator on Monday said it has delayed its decision on ANZ Group Holdings' proposed A$4.9 billion ($3.30 billion) acquisition of Suncorp Bank by a week to August 4, and has requested a further extension of one week.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in a letter to ANZ on Thursday requested an extension till August 11, saying it needed more time to review reports and material longer than 50 pages.

"It is important that the ACCC has the opportunity to meaningfully consider the new information provided by ANZ and take it into account in its decision making," the regulator said.

"As a consequence, the ACCC considers that an extension to the timeframe of two weeks is both necessary and appropriate, and we now seek confirmation from ANZ that it agrees to that extension."

ANZ, the country's fourth-largest bank, in its response on Friday consented to an extension till August 4.

ANZ did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

This is the second time the regulator has sought an extension to its decision after the original deadline of mid-June was extended to late July.

($1 = 1.4865 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K)
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso walks, on the day of his annual report to the nation, a week after dissolving the National Assembly and calling for early elections, in Quito, Ecuador, May 24, 2023. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso on Monday declared a state of emergency and night curfews in three coastal provinces, amid a wave of violence over the weekend in the Andean country that left at least eight people dead.

Lasso declared the state of emergency in the provinces of Manabi and Los Rios and in the city of Duran, near Guayaquil, after Agustin Intriago, the mayor of coastal city Manta, was shot dead on Sunday.

It also comes on the back of riots over the weekend in the prison Penitenciaria del Litoral, in Guayaquil, involving clashes between gangs inside the prison.

Lasso has frequently resorted to declaring states of emergency as Ecuador struggles with prison riots and waves of violence throughout the country.

"We cannot deny that organized crime has permeated the state, political organizations and society itself, it is a problem that has been brewing for more than a decade," Lasso said after a security cabinet meeting.

The state of emergency will last for 60 days in the provinces, while the curfew will vary during that period, the government said.

The murder of Manta's mayor is under investigation, Lasso said.

Sunday's riots left at least six inmates dead and 11 injured, according to the SNAI prison authority.

Prisoners also took 96 guards as hostages in jails in Cotopaxi, Azuay, Canar, El Oro and Napo, and are continuing a hunger strike that began on Sunday in 13 Ecuadorean prisons, without disclosing reasons for the strikes.

The prison system in the South American country has faced structural problems for decades, but jail violence has soared since 2021, killing at least 400 people in frequent confrontations, which have drawn the concern of the United Nations and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Sonali Paul)
FILE PHOTO: A labourer runs across a wholesale market in the old quarters of Delhi, India, January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo

By Milounee Purohit

BENGALURU (Reuters) - India's economy will grow at a solid pace for the rest of this fiscal year and next but well below its potential rate, according to a Reuters poll of economists who also said the employment situation will improve only slightly.

The world's most populous country aspires to leapfrog to the status of a developed nation, riding on the unprecedented demographic dividend, which demands an annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of around 8% for the next 25 years.

But reaching this milestone hinges on implementing key reforms in education, infrastructure, healthcare and technology.

"If we want to realize that 8% growth potential this decade...the biggest challenge before policymakers is to reallocate the surplus labour from agriculture to more productive sectors with gainful jobs in them," said Dhiraj Nim, an economist at ANZ Research.

"If India's reform momentum is lacklustre, a less exciting picture is on the cards."

The latest Reuters poll of 53 economists taken between July 13 and 21 showed the Indian economy would grow 6.1% this fiscal year, a respectable rate when other major economies are expected to slow, maintaining a conducive environment for job creation.

Still, that was lower than the Reserve Bank of India's 6.5% and the World Bank's projection of 6.3% growth for this fiscal year. Forecasts in the poll ranged from 3.7% to 6.8%.

It was forecast to grow 6.5% next fiscal year, with expectations of 6.2% growth this quarter, followed by 6.0% and 5.5%. The outlook was largely unchanged from a June poll.

"I think 6.0% to 6.5% is a very achievable and a very conservative forecast for India's growth trajectory," Nim added.

World Bank President Ajay Banga recently said the key to India's growth story is through more jobs as he outlined the opportunity to cash in on the "China Plus One" strategy, a scheme adopted by many companies to build manufacturing units outside of the People's Republic.

DEMAND VS SUPPLY

Asked how the employment situation will change over the coming year, 17 of 25 economists said it will improve slightly.

"The unemployment situation hasn't improved yet...and the skilling to some extent is also missing. So, there is a gap in terms of the demand versus the supply," said Radhika Piplani, chief economist at DAM Capital Advisors.

Asked what impact the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, designed to attract foreign manufacturers to set up factories in India, would have on the country's GDP this fiscal year, 21 of 27 economists said it will only increase it modestly.

The remaining six said the PLI scheme, which allocated billions of rupees as incentives from the Union budget in 2023-24, will have no impact.

"All the sectors where PLI has started are seen booming, but the actual impact of it to on-the-ground employment - that is still something which is yet to be seen," Piplani added.

While India has a lot more ground to cover to replace China as the world's manufacturing hub, some economists acknowledged the PLI scheme was a step in the right direction.

More economic reforms could bolster the scheme's prospects and create millions of jobs, they added.

"Manufacturing needs to see strong growth and that is possible only when we ... iron out the issues that are preventing fresh investments in the sector," said Suman Chowdhury, chief economist at Acuite Ratings and Research.

(Reporting by Milounee Purohit; Polling by Susobhan Sarkar and Veronica Khongwir; Editing by Hari Kishan and David Holmes)
FILE PHOTO: Nidec Corp's logo is pictured at an earnings results news conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

By Makiko Yamazaki

TOKYO (Reuters) - New Japanese guidelines to promote more mergers and acquisitions and remove a long-held stigma around unsolicited bids will be a boon for the world's top maker of electric motors, Nidec, its chief executive said.

Shigenobu Nagamori, the bluntly spoken founder who built Nidec into a global powerhouse by scores of acquisitions, told a briefing on Thursday that Japan Inc's reluctance towards unsolicited takeovers was hampering consolidation and preventing firms from scaling up and competing globally.

Nidec is now in the midst of an unsolicited bid. It has repeatedly cited new draft rules from the trade ministry to justify its 16.6 billion yen ($118 million) offer for Takisawa Machine Tool, which had initially rejected it in private.

Nagamori welcomed the prospect of Japan becoming more receptive to unsolicited bids.

"We will have a better chance of buying a bigger company in a shorter period of time," he said.

Because unsolicited bids are seen as taboo, Nidec has typically focused on buying and turning around money-losing companies, he said, but "that takes time". He also complained that "decent companies never come out on sale in Japan".

The guidelines, to be finalised in late August, set out a code of conduct for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), cracking down on unreasonable defence tactics and other steps that should reduce the reluctance for unsolicited takeovers.

The rules, for example, say management should not spurn a credible takeover offer before notifying the board or allowing it to give sincere consideration.

In corporate Japan, unsolicited bids have been seen as too adversarial. The taboo is such that Nidec was not able to find a major securities firm to advise on its unsolicited bid, Nagamori said.

"People complain that many Japanese firms are trading below their book value, but someone has to come up with specific plans," he said.

"Who else can push Takisawa's stock price to 2,600 yen?" he said, referring to Nidec's tender offer price with an 80% premium.

Nidec is giving Takisawa 60 days to consider the proposal, but plans to start the tender offer in mid-September even if the Takisawa board does not agree on it.

Nagamori also warned against the use of "poison pills", which dilute the stakes of certain shareholders and defend against unwelcome bidders, saying that strong performance and high share prices should be the best defence.

($1 = 140.1900 yen)

(This story has been refiled to fix the typo in paragraph 8)

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Additional reporting by Miho Uranaka; Editing by Robert Birsel)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at the company's office at the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich in this July 1, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

By Noele Illien and John Revill

ZURICH (Reuters) - UBS has been ordered to pay $388 million to British and U.S. regulators over Credit Suisse's dealings with private investment firm Archegos Capital Management, the Swiss bank said on Monday.

The settlement is the first of several that UBS could have to pay after it last month closed its takeover of Credit Suisse, inheriting the collapsed bank's legal battles.

Under the agreement, UBS said Credit Suisse, now a subsidiary of the bank, has agreed to pay the U.S. Federal Reserve $269 million.

It will also pay the Bank of England 87 million pounds ($119 million), bringing the total payments to $388 million.

Reports ahead of time had suggested the U.S. regulator would impose a penalty of up to $300 million and the UK regulator would fine UBS up to 100 million pounds over the bank's dealings with Archegos.

UBS on Monday said it would tighten up operational and risk management discipline at Credit Suisse after it completed its takeover of its smaller rival.

The bank also said it intended to resolve Credit Suisse's remaining litigation in "the best interest of its stakeholders, including investors, clients and employees."

UBS said in May, just before completing the deal, that it was setting aside $4 billion for potential lawsuits connected to its Credit Suisse takeover.

Although unable to levy fines, Swiss financial regulator FINMA has ordered corrective measures in the wake of the Archegos affair, including changes to the bank's compensation culture that take more account of risk appetite.

"For employees with particular risk exposure, a control function must assess and record the risks taken before the bonus is determined," FINMA said.

"UBS already has corresponding rules in place, which FINMA is now ordering to be legally binding," it added.

The regulator said it has also opened enforcement proceedings against an unnamed former Credit Suisse banker linked to the affair.

Credit Suisse lost $5.5 billion when U.S. family office Archegos Capital Management defaulted in March 2021.

UBS also lost money when the hedge fund's highly leveraged bets on certain technology stocks backfired and the value of its portfolio plummeted.

An independent report into the affair criticised the bank's conduct, saying its losses were the result of a "fundamental failure of management and control at its investment bank, and its prime brokerage division in particular."

The British fine is the highest levied by the Prudential Regulation Authority, part of the BoE, to date, and comes after it found Credit Suisse had breached four of its "fundamental rules".

Breaches included not acting with due skill, care and diligence, as well as not having effective risk management strategies and controls.

"Credit Suisses failures to manage risks effectively were extremely serious, and created a major threat to the safety and soundness of the Firms. The seriousness and widespread nature of those failures has led to todays fine," said Bank of England Deputy Governor Sam Woods.

($1 = 0.7797 pounds)

(Reporting by Noele Illien and John Revill; Editing by Jan Harvey and Hugh Lawson)
FILE PHOTO: A logo of Panasonic Corp is pictured at the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, October 2, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

By Paul Lienert

(Reuters) - UK battery startup Nexeon will supply high-energy silicon anode material to Panasonics newest U.S. plant starting in 2025, the companies said on Monday.

The use of silicon-rich anodes will enable Panasonic battery cells to store more energy and charge more quickly, the companies said. The greater energy density also gives Panasonic the option of making smaller, lighter packs with similar range to current battery cells.

Abingdon-based Nexeon will supply the material to Panasonic Energy Cos $4 billion De Soto, Kansas plant, which is slated to open in early 2025.

Among Nexeons competitors in developing silicon-rich anodes are two U.S. startups: Group14, based in Woodinville, Washington, and Sila Nanotechnologies, based in Alameda, California.

Founded in 2006, Nexeon has raised more than $260 million and was most recently valued at $350 million, according to investor website PitchBook.com. Among its corporate investors and partners is Koreas SK Group, which makes batteries and battery materials.

Group14 has raised $650 million and was most recently valued at $3 billion, according to PitchBook. Its corporate investors include German automaker Porsche, as well as SK and BASF. Group14 has a deal to supply silicon anode materials to Porsche affiliate Cellforce.

Sila has raised $935 million and was most recently valued at $3.3 billion, according to PitchBook. Corporate investors include Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, Samsung and Chinese battery giant CATL. Mercedes is scheduled to be Silas first automotive customer in 2025, starting with the EQG electric SUV.

(Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Signage is seen outside of the law firm Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

By Andrew Goudsward

(Reuters) -Covington & Burling must identify some clients caught up in a 2020 hack on the law firm to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a federal judge in Washington ruled on Monday in a case that could impact future cyberattack investigations.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ordered Covington to give the SEC the names of seven public company clients that may have had information relevant to investors accessed or stolen, dealing a partial victory to the financial regulator in its probe of the attack.

A spokesperson for Covington said the firm will "review the decision carefully and consider any next steps in consultation with our affected clients."

An SEC spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ruling, which is likely to be appealed to the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, strikes a middle ground in a dispute closely watched by the U.S. legal industry.

Any final outcome could make it easier for the government to get information on law firm clients in the future, and law firms warn it could chill cooperation between the private sector and authorities investigating cyberattacks.

The SEC had sought the names of all the nearly 300 companies affected, but Covington resisted identifying any clients. An internal review by the firm had identified seven companies that may have had market-relevant information accessed in the hack, according to court filings.

Mehta wrote that the SEC's subpoena was "too broad" but that there was nothing improper about the regulator gaining access to some client names for a probe.

The SEC sued Covington in January to force the prominent Washington-based firm to identify public company clients whose information was accessed or stolen in the breach carried out by the Chinese-linked Hafnium cyber-espionage group, filings showed.

The agency said it needed the names to probe for securities law violations associated with the attack, arguing that Covingtons law firm status did not shield it from cooperating.

Covington told the court a law firms clients are part of a zone of privacy protected by the U.S. Constitution and legal ethics rules. It also argued the subpoena would force the firm to expose clients to government scrutiny without evidence of wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by David Bario and Susan Heavey)
By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three Malian officials, including the minister of defense, over accusations they facilitated the deployment and expansion of the Russian Wagner Group's activities in the West African country.

The U.S. Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on Mali's Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, who it said made several trips to Russia in 2021 to solidify an agreement between the Wagner Group and the Malian transition government to deploy the mercenary force.

Monday's sanctions also target Malis Chief of Staff of the Air Force Alou Boi Diarra and Malian Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Adama Bagayoko, the department said.

"These officials have made their people vulnerable to the Wagner Groups destabilizing activities and human rights abuses while paving the way for the exploitation of their countrys sovereign resources to the benefit of the Wagner Groups operations in Ukraine," Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said.

Mali's transition government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sanctions, which freeze any U.S. assets of those designated and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

Both Russia and Mali have said Russian fighters in the African nation are not mercenaries but trainers helping local troops fight a decade-long insurgency by Islamist militants.

The Treasury accused Diarra of working with Camara to form and execute the plan that ultimately brought the Wagner Group into Mali and of collaborating with the Wagner Group's head in the country, who is also under U.S. sanctions.

Bagayoko has served as an advocate of the Wagner Group to Burkina Faso's transition government in an effort to secure the force's deployment to the country, the Treasury said, adding that he has also reportedly sought to facilitate the Wagner's Group's access to gold mining in Mali.

Burkina Faso's interim leader Ibrahim Traore in May denied Wagner forces were in the country. His comments followed allegations by Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo in December that Burkina Faso had hired the mercenaries.

Wagner has battled in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries, and has fought the bloodiest clashes of the 16-month-old war in Ukraine. It was founded in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and started supporting pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Mali's leaders seized power in a 2021 coup and brought in Wagner after asking a French military mission to leave.

The United States has previously imposed sanctions on Wagner and has repeatedly warned of what it says are Wagner's destabilizing activities as Washington has ramped up sanctions against the private army following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.

In June, the United States accused the leader of the mercenary force of helping to engineer the departure of U.N. peacekeepers from Mali.

Washington also said in May that the Wagner Group may be working through Mali and other countries to hide its efforts to acquire military equipment for use in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Katharine Jackson in Washignton and Sofia Christensen in Dakar; editing by Susan Heavey)
A police officer carries debris to the members of the security services investigating a bridge near the site of a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2023. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

By Jeff Mason and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said it did not support Ukraine launching attacks inside Russia after two drones from Ukraine damaged buildings in Moscow earlier on Monday.

"As a general matter we do not support attacks inside of Russia," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a press briefing.

Russia vowed to take harsh retaliatory measures against Ukraine, calling the two drone strikes, including one close to the Defence Ministry's headquarters, a brazen act of terror.

"This is a war that Russia started. This is their war," Jean-Pierre said. "And they can end it at any time by withdrawing forces from Ukraine instead of launching brutal attacks on civilians."

Nobody was hurt in the attack in Moscow -- the most high-profile of its kind since two drones reached the Kremlin in May.

One drone struck close to Russia's defense headquarters in a symbolic blow that underscored the reach of such drones, and a senior Ukrainian official said there would be more attacks.

Meanwhile, Kyiv on Monday said a Russian drone attack destroyed Ukrainian grain warehouses on the Danube River and wounded seven people.

The Kremlin said it would press on with what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Kyiv and much of the West say is a brutal war of conquest.

A swarm of 17 drones also launched attacks overnight on Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, the Russian Defence Ministry said. They struck an ammunition warehouse and damaged a residential building, the Russian-installed head of Crimea said.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington; writing by Kanishka Singh; editing by Chris Reese and Susan Heavey)
One of the Armys newest tech testing groups is working on an app that it says will make American service members in the Middle East less susceptible to drone attacks.

Task Force 39 launched an experiment Tuesday on the CARPE Dronvm phone app, which uses pictures to identify drones and determine their flight path.

Task force members flew a drone along a route from McEntire Joint National Guard Base in South Carolina to Poinsett Range, about 30 miles away. About 25 soldiers, airmen and police who were standing beneath the flight path took out their phones and tried to photograph it.

The more eyes that we can have on a situation, the better off everybodys going to be, said Army Sgt. Mickey Reeve, the operations noncommissioned officer in charge for the task force.

The Army envisions the sky-scanning app being used by soldiers and civilians near American bases in the Middle East to report drone sightings.

Task Force 39 was formed in November and operates from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The Army group follows similar initiatives by the Navy and the Air Force to test military tech for use in the Middle East.

CARPE Dronvm is funded by the Pentagon and was developed by Mitre, a company based in Massachusetts and Virginia. Last weeks app test was the largest so far, the Army said in a recent report.

The U.S. military has said in recent years that one of its priorities is countering the small unmanned aerial systems used by Iran and its allies in the Middle East.

The threat is real, and it is credible, said Reeve, who recently returned from a deployment to Saudi Arabia. These drones are very small; theyre very hard to detect sometimes.

In a 2019 drone attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, civilians saw the drones but didnt know how to warn authorities, an Army video about the app in June said.

The recent test also had a UH-60 Black Hawk flying alongside the drone, and the apps artificial intelligence determined the helicopter pictured wasnt a drone, said Maj. Anton Swanson, the deputy commander of the group.

Reeve, who was at the command center, said he could see his maps update in real time as drone sighting reports arrived. These reports allowed the researchers to map where the drone is headed, he said.

The task force also tested the app by adding three smaller quadcopters flying in a swarm pattern, Reeve said, referring to a tactic often used by drone operators in Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East.

The app passed this additional test with flying colors, Reeve and Swanson said. The next step is getting the app to scan a photo and then identify what kind of drone is in the air, Swanson added.

Smaller suicide drones like those provided by Iran to Russia in its war in Ukraine as well as to its proxy groups in Yemen, Iraq and Syria have made an outsized impact in those conflicts, experts have said.

Irans drones are among the most advanced in the world after decades of development and experience in proxy wars in the Middle East, experts and U.S. military officials have said.

The app would allow a soldier or a civilian in the region to notify troops that a threat is incoming, Reeve said.

Theres no worse feeling than seeing something and not being able to do something about it, he said. This really enables everybody to be a part of the solution and to increase situational awareness.
OZARK-An Ozark man is in Dale County Jail charged with first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse.

Ralph Edward Meacham, 58, was arrested by Ozark police investigators Thursday in connection with a joint investigation with the Henry County Sheriffs Office and Dale County Sheriffs Office, according to Ozark Department of Public Safety Chief Charles Ward.

Ward said that investigators conducted multiple interviews, executed search warrants and collected evidence during the joint investigation that began June 28 and led to Meachams arrest.

The investigation is still ongoing, Ward said.

Meacham was booked into the Dale County Jail. The investigation is still ongoing. Ozark police was assisted by the Alabama State Bureau of Investigations.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A U.S. Navy fast-attack submarine arrived at South Koreas southern island of Jeju on Monday, nearly a week after another U.S. submarine sailed into the country in response to North Koreas ballistic missile tests.

The USS Annapolis, a Los Angeles-class submarine, sailed into South Koreas Jeju Naval Base to replenish its ordnance, South Korean navy spokesman Jang Do-young told reporters Monday during a Ministry of National Defense briefing in Seoul.

The Annapolis is the third U.S. submarine reported to have visited the country this year, behind two larger, Ohio-class boats.

The USS Kentucky, a ballistic-missile submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons, arrived July 18, and the USS Michigan, a guided-missile submarine, arrived June 16. Both submarines docked at Busan, the largest port in South Korea.

The Annapolis is one of 28 Los Angeles-class submarines in active service and is crewed by 143 sailors, according to the Navys website. It was commissioned in 1992 and is homeported at Naval Base Guam.

The boat is equipped with 12 vertical launch system tubes that fire Tomahawk cruise missiles and four tubes that fire MK-48 torpedoes, according to the Navy. It last visited South Korea in September for an anti-submarine drill with South Korean and Japanese warships, the first such drill since 2017.

The Kentucky sailed into South Koreas Naval Fleet Headquarters on July 18 for a four-day stay to signal Washingtons commitment to defend Seoul from Pyongyangs threats, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said in a speech at the headquarters Wednesday.

Yoon and President Joe Biden agreed in April to dispatch a U.S. ballistic-missile submarine as part of an effort to "further enhance the regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula due to North Korea's provocations, according to their joint statement at the time.

North Korea has fired 17 ballistic missiles in 12 separate days of testing so far this year, including a solid-fueled Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday. North Korea also fired cruise missiles on Saturday; the South Korean National Defense Ministry did not disclose how many were launched.

North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam said the Kentuckys visit to Busan could meet the conditions set by Pyongyang for a preemptive nuclear strike, according to his statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday.
BRUNSWICK, Maine (Tribune News Service)  John Vandal has always taken pride in his work.

During his 20 years in the U.S. Navy, the retired Petty Officer First Class helped keep the fleet's birds in the air.

"I'd fix an airplane that was down, one they said couldn't fly," Vandal said. "Then, I'd watch it take off and I'd have the satisfaction of knowing I did that  I made it fly. There's nothing wrong with hard work."

Now, years after his retirement, the 56-year-old is still working with pride.

On Thursday, Vandal stood atop a ladder patching a hole in the fuselage of an old, twin-engine P2-Neptune airplane that has sat beside the access road to the former Brunswick Naval Air Station since 1970. Out of time and out of place, the corroding Cold War-era relic has stayed put for more than 50 years while the world changed around it.

The Navy base is gone. In its place, a thriving business and residential park is springing up around the plane. Now, the old bird is in the way. As a housing development encroaches on its long-occupied home, workmen have already run into it with heavy equipment.

Vandal knows the former submarine hunter will never fly again but he needs to keep the neglected plane in one piece long enough for a fledgling air station museum to raise the estimated $350,000 it will take to repaint, restore and move the plane to safety.

"Oh, I can do it. They told me I'd never be able to get these bomb bay doors off so I could patch the holes in them," Vandal said, pointing to the plane's aft belly. "And I said, 'Hold my beer.' "

Vandal's drink-holding efforts are worth it. The plane is an important piece of state, town and national history. It's a priceless artifact, linking the past to the future.

"We have a lot of kids out there who don't know the base even existed," said Scott Miller of the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum, which is just down the street from the P2-Neptune. "We need to save this plane so they will know, even after we are long gone."

Miller is hoping to raise funds to get the plane a fresh paint job and then move it to a bright greenspace next to the museum. The enormous plane will need to be partially disassembled for the move.

The redevelopment authority in charge of transforming the empty base into a thriving economic hub has been so successful at its job that few signs of the Navy servicemen and women who lived and worked at Brunswick Naval Air Station remain. The P2-Neptune is an exception.

The massive plane is impossible to miss. That's part of what makes it so important.

Built sometime in the 1950s, the 91-foot plane's wings span a full 100 feet. Though in desperate need of a paint job, Navy Patrol Squadron VP-21's logo can still be seen on its nose. The jaunty picture shows a winning, 21-point blackjack hand with a jack and the ace of spades.

The Navy base opened during World War II, in 1943. It was officially decommissioned in 2011. During that time, it was home to low-and-slow flying squadrons, including VP-21, which patrolled the North Atlantic, looking for Russian submarines.

The P2-Neptune had a large, underbelly radar system and could deploy floating sonar buoys. In addition to those sub-detecting strategies, it also featured a plexiglass nose cone where enlisted men would sit for hours, scanning the ocean for periscopes with binoculars as the plane flew just a few hundred feet above the waves.

The plane Vandal is working on was parked at the base shortly after the P2-Neptunes were replaced by the P3-Orions in 1968  the same year VP-21 was disbanded.

Besides letting the next generation know the base existed, the P2-Neptune is also important to veterans who once served there. Vandal said that they're always stopping by when they see him out there working on it. They often thank him for doing it.

"It's touching, it really is," said Vandal. "I love it when vets thank me for my service  because I can say the same thing right back to them."

An old friend of Miller's, Vandal lives in Massachusetts but comes up on weekends to work on the plane. Back home, he's also a volunteer driver, shuttling other veterans to various appointments.

As Vandal worked on Thursday, a black SUV slowed, then came to a stop next to the P2-Neptune.

A stranger named Peter Carro got out and walked over to the former Navy airplane. Carro then ran his hand over the radar bulb on the old bird's belly.

"I worked on that," he said. "I worked on all of them that came through here, back in the 60s."

Across the street a man in a truck stopped and yelled out his window.

"Hey, you can't park there," the man said, before adding a string of expletives, waving his arms in frustration.

Vandal shook his head in disbelief.

But Carro barely glanced up. He was lost in secret memories.

"You know where the bathrooms are on these things?" the 70-something Navy veteran said. "There ain't none."

Carro then let out a belly laugh which lasted half a minute.

Vandal joined him, then got back to work.

(c)2023 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine)

Visit www.bangordailynews.com

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This story has been corrected

In late June, 1940, with war raging in Europe, Nazis invaded the Channel Islands, an archipelago in the English Channel. There, far from the notorious concentration camps in Eastern Europe, the invaders built concentration camps on British soil.

Though much smaller than Auschwitz, Treblinka or other well-known camps, those in Britain remain a crucial part of Holocaust history in one of the world's most developed empires. And even after eight decades, many questions remain, including how many perished there.

Now, a new review is aimed at filling in the records.

A British official has said the government will soon look deeper into the concentration camps on the Channel Islands in an effort to clarify the number of lives lost in the camps.

"Some people don't want to believe anything happened, and some believe thousands and thousands died," said U.K. Holocaust issues official Lord Eric Pickles. "I don't think the truth can ever hurt us."

What is known about the camps has come in part from archaeological digs, but records from the occupation are far-flung.

Gilly Carr, a British archaeologist who wrote the book "Victims of Nazi Persecution in the Channel Islands," said some think tens of thousands of people died in the camps. Though the exact number isn't clear.

She created a website to tell islanders' stories, including that of John Max Finkelstein, a Jersey resident who, along with other Jewish Channel Islands residents, was rounded up and sent to more infamous camps.

Finkelstein spent most of his imprisonment at the Buchenwald camp in Germany, the same camp that famed author Elie Wiesel survived. Finkelstein arrived on Oct. 29, 1943, as prisoner 30364. He would experience "conditions of indescribable horror for about 2 years in Nazi captivity, according to an account from Carr's site.

While it is not clear from records whether Finkelstein spent time in one of the camps on the sparsely populated Channel Islands, his story is one of several that catalogue the horrors endured by residents of the islands.

According to Carr's biography, Finkelstein had moved in 1931 to the islands, which comprise an archipelago of two British Crown dependencies, Jersey and Guernsey.

Nazis invaded the islands about a decade later and started registering Jews, including Finkelstein. In 1943, while he was in his late 50s, Finkelstein was sent to camps in Nazi-occupied mainland Europe. He was imprisoned at Buchenwald in Germany, according to Holocaust survivor records, then ended up at the Theresienstadt camp in what is now the Czech Republic. When Allied Forces liberated the camp in summer 1945, Finkelstein was roughly 112 pounds, down from about 175 before his imprisonment.

By the time he returned, it had been nearly three years since Finkelstein had seen his home on the island of Jersey.

That island will be part of new research on two Channel Islands death camps and two labor camps  a goal of which was death through work.

Carr disputed the idea that there is little known about camps, saying there is a body of academic research about the imprisonment on British soil. But other researchers maintain that few people know about the camps.

"Despite investigations led by the British Government immediately after the conclusion of the Second World War, knowledge of the history and architecture of these camps remained limited," according to a March 2020 study published in the Antiquity journal about archaeological research of the former camps.

Pickles said his office will lead the review of accounts "hidden in plain sight" in archives around the world.

The Channel Island prisoners included Jews and European political dissidents, Pickles said, but also Russian prisoners of war. Those records were given to the Russians, and retrieving those documents now may be more difficult because of the war in Ukraine.

Still, he said, it is crucial the board does all it can to shore up the record.

"If we overexaggerate we become guilty of Holocaust distortion; if we underestimate, we also cause a problem," he said. "Those who want to remember Holocaust through truth have to get it right every day."

The world knows the truth about the Holocaust because of survivors like Finkelstein.

After he was freed, Finkelstein was flown to Lyon in France, where he recuperated in a hospital for several weeks before he went back to Jersey in January 1946.

He applied for naturalization as a British citizen in 1948 and remained in Jersey, Carr wrote. In the mid-1960s, at age 81, Finkelstein successfully applied for compensation as a survivor of the Nazis.
TRENTON, N.J. (Tribune News Service)  The Old Barracks Museum has been awarded a $750,000 Semiquincentennial Grant from the National Parks Service, designated for replacing the roof of the 265-year-old building.

This grant is part of the National Parks Service's $10 million funding spread across 20 cultural resource preservation projects in 14 states, all in preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026.

"We are honored and excited to receive this grant, which will allow the Old Barracks Association to continue its tradition of stewardship and preservation with much needed improvements and repairs to the building," Michelle Doherty, the executive director of the Old Barracks Museum, said in a press release.

The Trenton barracks, originally constructed in 1758 to house British soldiers during the French and Indian War, later played a significant role in assisting the Continental Army after the Battles of Trenton. Under the command of George Washington, the barracks were transformed into a military hospital, administering smallpox inoculations to American soldiers.

" The Old Barracks is a Trenton gem that helps bring tourism to our capital city, and this grant is crucial in ensuring that it will continue to be able to receive visitors through the celebration and beyond," said Lisa Willever, Old Barracks Association board president Lisa Willever.

The Old Barracks Museum remains open to the public. Additional information can be found at www.barracks.org.

(c)2023 The Trentonian, Trenton, N.J.

Visit at https://www.trentonian.com/

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AUBURN UNIVERSITYKim Mullenix, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System beef systems specialist, was recently recognized by the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) as the societys first winner of the Armstrong Leadership Award. This award recognizes an individual that has achieved outstanding accomplishments early in their career and displayed exceptional leadership within ASAS.

It is an honor to receive this award sponsored by the Armstrong family, Mullenix said. The award represents service, which is a key value of working in Extension. I have been fortunate to serve as part of many strong teams who have a service-focused attitude with our stakeholders.

Mullenix received this award at the ASAS annual meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ASAS looks to foster the discovery, sharing and application of scientific knowledge related to responsibly caring for and using animals. Through this knowledge, ASAS hopes to enhance animal and human health and well-being.

Mike Phillips, director of Alabama Extension, said receiving this award illustrates the outstanding professional Mullenix epitomizes every day.

I am very proud of Dr. Mullenix for receiving this award, Phillips said. This is a great testament to her programs and how she represents the department, college and university, as well as Alabama Extension.

Helping Alabamas

cattle producersAs an Alabama Extension specialist, Mullenix works directly with cattle producers to help improve their forage and nutrition management plans. To date, she has delivered more than 150 educational workshops across the state.

Dr. Mullenixs ability to communicate at every level is truly a gift, Phillips said. She is passionate about her work, which is a fundamental part of a great Extension professional.

Mullenix has developed numerous educational publications, programs and tools for producers. Some of her most notable contributions are found in the Beef Basics and Forage Basics online courses and the Alabama Beef and Alabama Forage Basics handbooks. As the animal sciences and forages team coordinator, she helps oversee the teams full slate of Extension programing statewide.

We are incredibly proud of Dr. Mullenix and fortunate to have her as part of the Extension team, said Becky Barlow, Alabama Extension assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resources. Not only has she developed a prominent Extension program, but she is also a leader on Alabama Extensions animal sciences and forages team. I am always impressed by her thoughtful approach to working with others and her desire to serve the citizens of Alabama.

Outstanding researchMullenix is a College of Agriculture and an Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station researcher. Phillips said through these roles, Mullenix has developed an outstanding applied-research program that addresses real-world issues while simultaneously training the next generation of animal scientists.

Paul Patterson, dean of Auburns College of Agriculture, said Mullenix is highly deserving of this national leadership award.

We are proud of Dr. Mullenix and her excellent work at Auburn and for farmers throughout the livestock industry, Patterson said. She has made a deep impact as a scientist, mentor and leader within both the College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

Respected

among her peersJustin Rhinehart, assistant dean and former beef cattle specialist at UT Extension, has known Mullenix since she was a graduate student. The pair have worked together both in ASAS and through their respective universities and Extension programs. Rhinehart said Mullenix has been a critical component of the improved metrics ASAS is currently realizing.

Kim is far too humble and focused on serving others to tout her accomplishments, Rhinehart said. She is highly respected in the animal agriculture industry and by her ASAS colleagues. The words I use to describe Kims leadership style are steady, dedicated and perceptive. These aspects make her one of the most exceptional leaders with whom I have worked.

More informationLearn more about Mullenixs programming in Alabama by visiting the Livestock and Forages section of the Alabama Extension website, www.aces.edu.
As the Senate ramps up its consideration of a sprawling defense bill this week, lawmakers are readying a flurry of bills on artificial intelligence, social media oversight and other prominent tech issues that they are hoping can hitch a ride.

The defense package is often one of the most effective ways for lawmakers to get their bills over the finish line on Capitol Hill, where efforts to move broader packages on data privacy, competition and AI have languished.

We sifted through hundreds of amendments and checked in with congressional aides, advocates and industry figures to find out what potential changes they are keeping tabs on as the Senate begins consideration of the bill. Here's what we found:

Schumer leads an early AI volley

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has touted the inclusion of several AI provisions in his manager's amendment, which is more likely to become law than most of the changes lawmakers have proposed. They include:

A provision requiring that federal financial regulators issue reports detailing how they are most frequently using AI and what regulatory issues may arise from the tool.

A wrinkle creating a bug bounty program for AI at the Defense Department that would incentivize people spotting potential issues with their use of the tool.

An amendment requiring the Defense Department to issue a report laying out ways to improve data sharing and interoperability in its use of AI.

Language requiring the department to coordinate with other federal agencies to conduct risk studies for the use of AI.

"We'll take our first steps of the year on AI legislation," Schumer said in a floor speech Wednesday.

More AI bills on tap

Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.) is pushing to include his bill to create an AI task force to "assess the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties implications" of the technology.

Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) is proposing requiring the Defense Department issue annual reports to Congress detailing how much it is investing in AI and how.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has proposed directing agencies to implement the AI risk management framework issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is calling for creating a joint U.S.-Israeli center to boost AI development to counter foreign countries "of concern" such as China and Iran.

Social media and TikTok on the clock

Lawmakers have floated including provisions targeting TikTok and other apps with links to countries like China, as well as measures aimed at tackling child sexual abuse material online and limiting social media companies' ability to moderate content.

Rubio and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) have each introduced amendments mirroring their bills to ban TikTok for consumers throughout the United States.

Judiciary Chairman Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) has proposed tucking in his STOP CSAM Act, S.1199, which advanced unanimously out of committee in May. It would create a mechanism to let victims of child sexual abuse sue platforms that facilitate exploitation.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is calling for including language that would bar funding from the bill being used to "direct, coerce, or compel the content moderation decisions" by platforms aimed at "suppressing" speech or labeling it as "misinformation."

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) is pushing to include her bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to stop drug cartels from using social media to recruit new members, which advanced out of committee in June.

Digital trade, STEM education and other miscellaneous bids

Lawmakers are looking to advance numerous other tech priorities as a part of the package, including on digital trade, STEM education and data privacy.

Sen. Todd C. Young (R-Ind.) has floated a nonbinding resolution stating that the United States should pursue digital trade deals that do not serve as "obstacles to a free and open internet and harm the ability of the e-commerce marketplace to continue to grow."

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is calling for the inclusion of his bipartisan bill requiring smart devices disclose when they feature cameras.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) has proposed a provision to create STEM apprenticeship programs, and Durbin has called for including language exempting some visa requirements for STEM workers.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is pushing to include his bill requiring that app stores display the country of origin for products on their platforms, another bill taking aim at TikTok.
(Tribune News Service)  The Federal Bureau of Investigation improperly searched foreign surveillance information last year using the last names of a U.S. senator and a state-level politician, according to a court opinion released Friday.

The revelation could toughen the road ahead for the Biden administration as it seeks reauthorization of a contentious surveillance tool known as Section 702, which expires at the end of the year. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have raised privacy concerns about the program and are leveraging the reauthorization to demand changes.

The opinion from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court said an FBI analyst in June 2022 conducted searches of Section 702 data using the last names of a U.S. senator and a state senator without further limitation. The court didnt name the legislators.

The analyst had information that a specific foreign intelligence service was targeting those legislators, but [National Security Division] determined that the querying standard was not satisfied, Judge Rudolph Contreras wrote in the opinion, which was completed in April but released on Friday. It was declassified on July 16.

Despite reported errors, Contreras wrote that there is reason to believe that the FBI has been doing a better job in applying the querying standard.

Also in 2022, a staff operations specialist also ran a query using the Social Security number of a state judge who had complained to FBI about alleged civil rights violations perpetrated by a municipal chief of police.

Section 702 allows the U.S. government to collect the digital communications of foreigners located outside the U.S. But the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has found persistent and widespread compliance problems with the FBIs searches under Section 702.

At a congressional hearing earlier this year, Republican Rep. Darin LaHood of Illinois, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said his name was wrongfully searched in surveillance information. LaHood has since been tapped to lead a bipartisan working group focusing on Section 702s reauthorization.

The opinion unveiled Friday marks the latest in what could be a drawn-out battle between the Biden administration and lawmakers over the renewal of Section 702.

FBI Director Christopher Wray defended the surveillance tool during a congressional oversight hearing last week, saying the agency only accesses about 3% of the total information collected under Section 702. But those arguments fell flat before Republicans, who zeroed in on how it allows U.S. authorities to run warrantless searches for information on Americans.

Senate Judiciary Committee members have told intelligence officials that Section 702 needs more privacy safeguards for Americans.

Judiciary Chair Richard J. Durbin D-Ill., said the surveillance program doesnt do enough to protect privacy and civil liberties. At a hearing last month, he said hell only support the reauthorization of Section 702 if there are significant reforms. He also said the changes must include safeguards to prevent future abuses and ensure effective oversight from the courts and Congress.

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At least nine people have been killed in a plane crash in Sudans coastal city of Port Sudan.

A civilian Antonov plane today crashed at Port Sudan Airport as a result of a technical failure, leading to the deaths of nine people, including four military personnel. One child survived the crash, Sudanese army said in a statement on Monday.

The crash came 100 days after fighting in Sudan broke out on April 15 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group in the capital Khartoum and states in western Sudan.

Port Sudan in the Red Sea state, located on the eastern coast of the country, is one of the cities that have been under the control of the Sudanese army since the war began.

Port Sudan airport is the only one still working in the country, making the city a vital transit point for much-needed foreign aid.

The war has left at least 3,000 dead across Sudan, according to a conservative estimate.
I cannot think of a worse case in terms of a breach of trust and in terms of stealing money that was there help the community

A drug addict who stole 2,800 from a charity which had taken him off a freezing park bench to help him was handed an eight month jail sentence today.

Stephen McAleese was originally sentenced for the burglary in January last year, but the 33-year-old was freed on appeal and since then, he has repeatedly promised to repay the cash he stole from Tidal charity.

At Antrim County Court of Appeal today however, defence counsel Neil Moore conceded there was little or no prospect of McAleese being able to repay any more than the 955 he had already handed over.

I suggest that the most appropriate course is to dismiss the appeal and affirm the sentence of eight months, he told Judge Roseanne McCormick KC.

On the day his case was due to be contested McAleese, from Ballydugennan Villas in Toome, entered an 11th hour guilty plea to burglary of the offices of Tidal on Main Street in his home town between 18-20 December 2020 where he stole 2,800 in cash.

According to their website, TIDAL is a successful Community group based in Toome which over the last two decades, have provided much needed amenities and services for the local community, including the creation of employment opportunities.

The court had previously heard that effectively, the charity secretary effectively took McAleese under her wing and as well as helping him get his life back on track, there was an arrangement where she would regularly lend him money but not before the initial amount was paid back.

That continued until McAleese accused her of stealing his money but the court heard he was in the office one day and had seen cash in an envelope in a cupboard.

When the secretary went back to work, she discovered the office had been broken into, a hole punched through the cupboard and the cash filled envelope stolen but McAleese had cut himself when he broke in and from DNA taken from the blood sample, cops were able to trace it back to him.

Arrested and interviewed three months later, McAleese couldnt provide any explanation as to why his blood was here but he told officers do I look like I have 2,800 - Im skint!

The thief maintained his denials until the day of his trial when he eventually confessed his guilt and defence counsel Neil Moore suggested at that stage he had difficulty accepting it was him because he was so ashamed and disgusted.

It appears that the entirety of the money went on crack cocaine, an awful waste of money but it shows you where his life was at the time, said the experienced barrister, conceding that the offence was a gross breach of trust and aggravated by McAleeses 58 previous convictions.

Jailing McAleese at Antrim Magistrates Court, District Judge Nigel Broderick was scathing in his criticism of the 33-year-old, explaining that I cannot think of a worse case in terms of a breach of trust and in terms of stealing money that was there help the community.

The Judge said the secretary of Tidal had literally taken you off a park bench one freezing February evening and then helped him with medical appointments and obtaining Housing Executive accommodation and then you make an outrageous allegation against her that she stole your money, totally unfounded and malicious.

Armed with some knowledge of where there is some cash, you proceed to break in and steal 2,800 and she felt personally obliged to pay that money back out of her own pocket, declared the judge.

In court today, Appeal Judge McCormick said the case had been adjourned serially to allow McAleese time to repay the stolen cash but with no more money likely to be forthcoming, she was affirming the eight month jail sentence.

In addition, she also made a compensation order for 1,845 and allowing McAleese six months to pay, warned him that failure to do so could result in him being jailed again in default.
ELBA-Bond has been denied for a man charged in connection with a day-long, multiple-agency search in Enterprise last week.

The court is satisfied that the defendant presents a serious risk to the public at large if the defendant were to be released from custody, said Coffee County District Judge Josh Wilson in a ruling that followed a nearly three-hour hearing at the courthouse in Elba Friday afternoon.

Shannon Scott Anthony, 40, has been in Coffee County Jail since he surrendered to Enterprise Police July 14 after a day that began with a 4 a.m. call to police reporting a disorderly person in the 100 block of Boll Weevil Circle. When officers arrived at the residence, they discovered Anthony and another man fighting.

Anthony ran back into the residence and threatened officers with a firearm that he obtained there. Officers were able to get the occupants of the residence to safety before entering the home at 9:30 a.m., discovering that Anthony had fled. Tracking dogs from the Alabama Department of Corrections and a Dale County Sheriffs Department helicopter joined in the search and at 12:38 p.m., members of the search team located Anthony in an abandoned pickup truck in the woods behind the Mitchell Dodge dealership on Boll Weevil Circle.

Anthony was armed with a rifle during nearly eight hours of negations with officers before he surrendered to authorities at 7:45 p.m. He was initially charged with second-degree burglary, certain persons forbidden to possess firearms, and two counts of menacing. Anthony had been free on bond from Houston County on unrelated charges that included theft, attempting to elude, and criminal mischief.

The events all day Friday, which include pointing a firearm at officers responding to the initial call, leads the state to take the position that the defendant is a threat to public safety, said Twelfth Judicial Circuit District Attorney James Tarbox said, asking the judge to deny bond citing Anthonys criminal history.

Wilson had set Anthonys bond at $250,000 in the second-degree burglary charge, $70,000 in the certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm charge, and $15,000 on each count of menacing charges but a decision was made by Tarbox and members of the EPD Criminal Investigative Division to upgrade the burglary charge to first-degree burglary and Tarbox asked that Anthony be held without bond pursuant to the Anaiahs Law hearing Friday.

The 12-minute E911 call that the homeowner made to police July 14 was played twice during Fridays hearing. The second playing was for the benefit of the homeowner who testified under oath Friday that Anthony had not broken into her home, had not taken a weapon from her home and had not started the altercation between the two men, despite what she had reported on the July 14 call to 911.

The woman also told the court that Anthony had been a guest in her home for several days prior to the altercation that had been caused by the other man, who, she said, had a drinking problem. She said the kicked-in door had been damaged about a year previously and not been damaged by Anthony. She said that all the weapons in her home were accounted for but later told the court that she couldnt say honesty, how many weapons she had in her home.

Asked about her relationship with Anthony, the woman first denied any relationship other than friendship and said she had never discussed weapons with him but later reversed both answers. A recorded phone call from the jail between the woman and Anthony was played for the court. In that phone call, she and Anthony discussed the firearm involved in the standoff. He told her that he had thought the weapon that he picked up from her dining room was just a decoration and told her that he loved her.

Enterprise Police Detective Tanner Bruhn outlined the events of July 14 which began with the 4 a.m. E911 call. He said that Anthony had been put on suicide watch in the jail following his arrest because of comments that he had made during the stand-off with police, requesting that they kill him. Anthonys attorney, William Rayborn, asked Bruhn whether any of the law officers involved had considered that Anthony might be mentally ill and in need of his medication. Bruhn replied that Anthony was offered food and water multiple times during the stand-off and that the immediate concern of law officers on the scene was disarming Anthony and ending the standoff without injury to any party.

In his ruling, Wilson noted that as many as 30 to 40 law enforcement officers were involved in the search for Anthony and the subsequent standoff. A .22 rifle was located in the abandoned vehicle that Anthony occupied during the standoff and it was determined that it was a fully functioning firearm.

Wilson called Anthony a flight risk, citing one of Anthonys recorded conversation from the county jail in which he said, If I would have kept going, they would have never found me.

The court is of the opinion that bail in this case is due to be denied as there is no condition or combination of conditions of release that the court is satisfied will reasonably protect the safety of the community or any person, Wilson wrote, adding that Anthony has an extensive criminal history from the State of Florida, amassing 31 pages in length. The defendant is presently on pretrial release in Houston County and has no significant ties to the local community, no family in the local community, and has no local residence.
Shameless Noonan boasted of the success of Shanes Diner prior to his conviction while his victim was too afraid to walk down the street alone

Shane Noonan was sentenced to eight years in prison

Twisted rapist Shane Noonan bragged of his success running his own takeaway, despite some former colleagues knowing and joking about his brutal rape of a young woman.

Noonan (28) of Castlehilll Park, Turlough Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty to rape of Ciara Mangan when she was just 18 at a party in Castlebar, on May 11, 2013.

He was sentenced to eight years in jail last week, with one year suspended. After his conviction, Ms Mangan waived her right to anonymity so her attacker could be named.

Ms Mangan, who worked with Mr Noonan in McDonalds in Castlebar at the time, revealed their colleagues knew of the attack and subjected her to vile rape songs and jokes.

Later, Noonan went on to run another fast-food outlet in Co Mayo.

In an interview, shameless Noonan boasted of the success of Shanes Diner, a fast-food restaurant he ran in Turlough before his conviction.

Shane's Diner

In 2017, he told The Connacht Telegraph how a local man had approached him and asked him to run the new business.

Noonan was working in an e-cigarette shop at the time and had previously worked in McDonalds and another local restaurant.

He subsequently rented the diner and opened for business in 2017.

One of Noonans colleagues from a previous restaurant job worked alongside him.

Shane Noonan was sentenced to eight years in prison

The predator boasted his opening night was just bananas. It was a great start and they had to start it all from scratch.

We opened at 5pm and we did not get a chance to sit down until 10.30pm It was very busy.

The fast food diner had seating for 20 and Noonan claimed it would be fairly full most evenings.

He added: We have got our own app which can be downloaded on the phone and you can order for delivery or collection.

Its understood the diner is now permanently closed.

The interview has since been removed from The Connacht Telegraphs website.

Inside Shane's Diner

Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland last week, brave Ciara revealed how Noonan attacked her.

I was invited to go to a party that I didnt really want to go to but I was being pressured a little bit to go.

Within an hour of arriving at the party, I was falling asleep basically, my hearing was muffled, my vision was blurry. I couldnt stand without leaning onto the . And I was trying my best not to fall asleep. I just couldnt stay awake really.

Shane Noonan made a beeline over for me from across the room and demanded we go upstairs. I said no. And he was kind of angry. So Im scared. He took me into the bathroom and locked the door and demanded that I get on the floor. And I began falling asleep. And I woke up to the force of him raping me.

Ciara Mangan

Ms Mangan said she couldnt fight Noonan off as she had no energy, no strength

She was too afraid to report the assault, was unable to walk down the street alone in Castlebar and later moved away.

After the assault, she was tormented at work by colleagues: It was common knowledge among everybody that the rape had occurred. And then the tormenting began. The tormenting was singing rape songs and rape comments for a long time.

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre on Freephone: 1800 77 88 88.
James Gillison (34) was granted bail despite grave concerns from PSNI

A pervert who sent two sexually explicit images to an undercover officer posing as a teenager has been charged with breaching his sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).

James Andrew Gillison is said to have failed to tell the police he had devices in his possession on July 17.

The 34-year-old appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court last week via video link from prison.

A police officer said two Xbox consoles had been seized from Gillisons home at Malvern Heights in Bangor.

While he provided the password for one, he did not give access to the other.

The officer said the PSNI would have grave concerns if he was released on bail.

A defence lawyer said one of the difficulties with bail was obtaining an address approved by the authorities.

District Judge Mark Hamill granted it on the condition that Gillison comply with every iota of his SOPO and live at a suitable address.

The case was adjourned until next month.

It is almost three years since the same judge handed the defendant 18 months of probation and imposed a five-year SOPO.

The pervert had admitted attempting to sexually communicate with a child for sexual gratification in February 2019.

Although Gillison believed he was chatting to a girl, the person on the other end was an undercover police officer.

He began talking with the supposed teenager through an online chat site and was told her apparent age.

[After this], he continued with the communication and sexualised it, said a lawyer.

Police seized a number of phones after he was arrested.

Gillison refused to provide answers when he was interviewed by the PSNI.

Sentencing him at the time, District Judge Hamill said, Let probation help you, and warned him if he offended again, he could find himself behind bars.
Judge Michele Finan told Kelly everybody makes mistakes and struck the case out

A trainee doctor caught with cocaine at the Forbidden Fruit music festival in Dublin has been spared a criminal record.

Andrew Kelly (26) had three deals of the drug on him when he was arrested at the event and admitted he was going to share it with friends.

Judge Michele Finan told Kelly everybody makes mistakes and struck the case out after he made a 1,500 charity donation.

Kelly, of Treesdale, Stillorgan, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Dublin District Court heard gardai were on duty at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, on June 3 this year when they encountered the accused.

He was found in possession of a single tablet of ecstasy and when arrested and taken to a garda station, he was also found to have three deal bags of cocaine on him.

The accused admitted he had the cocaine for use among a closed group of friends, showed remorse and said he was sorry for the offence.

Effectively one person would buy the drugs and hold them for the others, the court heard.

The prosecuting garda told the judge he had no reason to believe the accused would ever come before the court again.

Defence solicitor Matthew Kenny said his client, who was training to be a doctor, should know better.

Kelly had a great profession ahead of him and he shouldnt have done what he did, Mr Kenny said.

This has been quite a sobering experience for him, the solicitor said, asking the judge for leniency.

Kelly brought 500 to court to offer as a charity donation but the judge said she required a 1,500 payment if a conviction were to be avoided.

After this was paid, she told the accused: Everybody makes mistakes, its behind you now, draw a line underneath it. Before striking the charges out, the judge added: Be very careful, your future is very precious. 

The charges were under section 15 and 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
True blue or Dublin defector, male or female, young or old though, no one could argue that its possible to confidently stroll down OConnell or Talbot Street alone any more, day or night.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Angie Willis, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, Chief Superintendent Pat McMenamin and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee walk past the spot where an American tourist was attacked on Store Street in Dublin. Photo: Collins

Do you ever get the sneaking feeling youre being lied to?

I did on Friday, when Justice Minister Helen McEntee stood in Store Street Garda Station, and declared that: Dublin is a safe city.

She was speaking to reporters after American tourist Stephen Termini (57) was left fighting for his life after a savage assault by a gang of youths just metres away from the station the previous night.

So how on earth did she keep a poker face as she continued that despite problems: I do think our city is safe whether youre living here, working here or whether youre a tourist here.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee during a press briefing at Store Street Garda Station in, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Joining her in attempting to convince us all that chalk is cheese and black is white, after just the latest unprovoked attack to hit headlines, was Dublin Central TD Paschal Donohoe, who described it as a very vibrant and very safe capital city.

Its official: we have now entered the realm of state-sponsored gaslighting.

In recent years, there has been a lot of debate over the perceived decline of the Big Smoke post-lockdown. Emotions run high on both sides, as the reality of overflowing bins and crippling house prices is balanced against the nostalgia of the warmth of its people and lively arts scene.

True blue or Dublin defector, male or female, young or old though, no one could argue that its possible to confidently stroll down OConnell or Talbot Street alone any more, day or night.

Sure, its easy to feel safe when youre standing in a garda station with your own security detail nearby. For the rest of us, including me and my Sunday World colleagues, who live or work in the area and navigate the maze of day-drinking, open drug use and anti-social behaviour on a daily basis, with virtually zero police presence, its harder not to fear that we could be next.

Even as the Ministers were trying to reassure a nervous public that new harsher penalties for assaulting causing harm and garda recruitment drive were all part of a tough and firm response to end thuggery on our streets, elsewhere in Kyiv, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was busy apologising to the victim of another random act of violence in the north inner city.

There was widespread condemnation when young actor Oleksandr Hrekov was slashed with a glass bottle by a five-strong mob of men and women after coming out of the Abbey Theatre where he was starring in a production Translations of last month.

Oleksandr Hrekov. Photo: Matt Shanahan

Guess what - no arrests were made, never mind charges. Will anything be different this time?

Photo ops and dizzying spin aside, in this governments alternative reality, Gardai - like the Tallaght officer now facing trial over the deaths of three members of a burglary gang during an N7 car chase two years ago - seem more likely to be punished for than supported in doing their jobs.

When even Dublin City Council struggles to free the streets from rubbish and urine, what hope is there for ridding them of scum of another variety.
Sources said he was tied up, slashed and badly beaten and effectively tortured.

A major garda investigation is underway after a man was kidnapped from his west Dublin home before he became the victim of a savage and sustained assault.

The shocking incident happened last Friday and the victim was missing for a number of hours before he was found with horrific injuries in a caravan located a number of kilometres from his home.

It is understood the man was abducted from the Blanchardstown area where he lives and then brought to a location which is policed by Ronanstown gardai on the other side of the capital.

Sources said he was tied up, slashed and badly beaten and effectively tortured.

A hammer and machete were understood to have been used.

Gardai found the victim tied to a chair in the caravan after being alerted by associates of the targeted man.

Three men were seen fleeing the scene and it is understood there have been no arrests in the case.

The man required hospital treatment after his horrific ordeal.

Sources said that one line in the investigation is that associates of notorious drugs gang The Family are behind the abduction and assault.

It is understood that a number of gang members had driven to the mans property and he was forcibly removed from it in the presence of at least one of his traumatised female relatives.

sundayworld.com has contacted gardai for comment on the case.

The Family gang are among Irelands most prolific drug dealing networks and are suspected of making millions of euro from trafficking in drugs, including heroin and cocaine.

They have been active players in the countrys drug scene for around two decades.

Their suspected leader, who is aged in his mid-40s, cannot be named here for legal reasons as he is facing serious charges before the courts.

The gangs stronghold is in the Ballyfermot and Clondalkin areas of the capital. It has international contacts, particularly in Turkey and the UK, where they source their heroin for the Irish market.

The Family gang have been long-term targets for gardai and have been subject to numerous raids and seizures by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) who have searched car dealerships connected to them.

At one stage they were being investigated for last summers gangland gun murder of criminal Gary The Canary Carey in Dublin but associates of convicted criminal Derek "Dee Dee" O'Driscoll are now the chief suspects for that crime.
In the latest incident on Friday, several Government departments were evacuated after claims that a bomb had been placed under a desk

Gardai are attempting to identify a man who is suspected of making multiple hoax bomb threats to Government offices in recent weeks.

In the latest incident on Friday, several Government departments were evacuated after claims that a bomb had been placed under a desk.

The Departments of the Taoiseach, Justice and Enterprise were all cleared before the alert was deemed to be a hoax while the Labour Court was also evacuated.

Gardai believe the threats came from the same individual and are investigating if he was also behind a series of other hoax calls in recent weeks.

One source told the Irish Independent: The bogus calls were made on a private number, one claim made was that a bomb had been placed underneath a desk in the office and that it was going to go off within 10 minutes.

The matter was cleared up fairly quickly and deemed to be a hoax threat but gardai are attempting to identify the individual in this case. It is a serious matter.

Other hoax calls have been made in the past two weeks or so and its suspected that they are all being made by the same individual although that still has to be confirmed.

It is understood that one of the phone calls that was made lasted just seconds with the caller making the bomb threat before hanging up the phone.

A garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent that investigations are ongoing into the incidents at this time.

In a statement last week, a spokesman said: Gardai are aware of a number of security alerts at Government Buildings this afternoon, Friday 21st July 2023.

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.

Threats were made to offices located in different areas of Dublin city centre, including the Department of Justice on St Stephens Green.

The Department of Higher Education was also evacuated as a precaution.

It is located next door to the Justice building although it was not itself the subject of a threat.

The Departments of the Taoiseach and Enterprise, both located in Government Buildings on Kildare Street, were also evacuated.

What turned out to be another false threat was also made to the Labour Court which sits at Lansdowne House on Lansdowne Road in Dublin 4.

Staff were advised at 1.45pm on Friday that a threat had been delivered by phone to its reception desk and as a result all cases listed for the afternoon were abandoned.
Police found dozens of fake websites including those of Irish banks, as well as Dutch, Spanish and German, on seized mobile phone and computers.

A Dutch cyber-criminal of suspected of making 400,000 from fraud victims including Irish bank customers has been arrested in The Netherlands.

The 21-year-old was arrested earlier this month after an investigation started in September 2022 following another probe into the illegal arms trade.

Police found dozens of fake websites including those of Irish banks, as well as Dutch, Spanish and German, on seized mobile phone and computers.

These are used in phishing attacks in which customers are tricked into entering their security details and passwords.

The Public Prosecution Service in Amsterdam suspects the man of carrying out fraud, theft, computer trespass and money laundering over a number of years.

In a statement today they said he probably earned more than 400,000 from cybercrime and online fraud.

Dutch police tracked down the man after information from an investigation by the National Unit into illegal arms trade.

After analysing the information, suspicions arose of large-scale and international fraud and money laundering against the 21-year-old from Amsterdam.

The police also found lists with at least 1.5 million telephone numbers or email addresses of potential victims.

The suspect allegedly used this information to send SMS messages and phishing emails to people to entice them into handing over their details.

The man appears to have several bank account numbers where amounts of thousands of euros were credited and debited, presumably from victims of phishing.

The prosecutors added that records show no funds in his bank accounts from any form of legitimate income such as salary, benefits or allowances.

A lot of money was received from foreign bank accounts in his name, but also from bank accounts in the name of suspected money mules.

The investigation into the man's suspected criminal activities continues.
Almost 20,000 people, many of them tourists, are being evacuated from the island of Rhodes as large fires swept down from the mountains towards the coastal resort towns.

A man tries to extinguish a fire, near the seaside resort of Lindos on the island of Rhodes (Petros Giannakouris/AP/PA)

TUI Holidays has cancelled all flights from Ireland to Rhodes until the start of this weekend, as the Greek island continues to battle wildfires.

The UK headquartered airline and travel company has confirmed that all outbound flights to Rhodes have been cancelled until Friday, July 28, while flights for customers who were booked to stay in affected hotels have been cancelled until Sunday, July 30.

TUI said all the customers who were due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

Almost 20,000 people, many of them tourists, are being evacuated from the island of Rhodes as large fires swept down from the mountains towards the coastal resort towns.

Warnings of similar wildfire threats in Corfu and Evia have also been issued.

Wildfires burn in the village of Kiotari, on Rhodes. Photo: Reuters

Climate experts have warned that the extreme temperatures in the Mediterranean are more likely in the coming years due to greenhouse gases emitted by human activity heating the Earths atmosphere.

TUI said its teams in Rhodes have been "working tirelessly to support customers affected by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island. It said three dedicated flights brought customers safely back to the UK overnight, and from there onward journeys were arranged for customers returning to Ireland.

The company said it has representatives in all evacuation centres and they are aiming to get more people home from the affected areas as soon as we can.

We appreciate how distressing and difficult its been for those who have been evacuated and ask that they continue to follow the advice of the local authorities and keep in touch with our teams, a TUI spokesperson said.

We have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Friday 28th July, and have also cancelled all outbound flights for customers travelling to impacted hotels up to and including Sunday 30th July. All customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds.

Passengers due to travel to areas not affected by fires on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July will be offered a fee-free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund. We are still operating empty outbound flights to bring those customers currently on holiday elsewhere in Rhodes home as planned and working to get those in affected areas as soon as possible.

The safety and well-being of our customers and teams remains our top priority, they added.

Watch: Tourist films evacuation from hotel in Rhodes as wildfires rage

It comes as Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said a refund would be the proper approach for those who want to cancel their holidays to Greek regions affected by wildfires.

He said Irish embassies and his department had received a number of queries from citizens, and advised them to listen to the Greek authorities advice.

He said his department is increasing capacity to reach Irish citizens affected by the wildfires in Greece.

We would say to people in the area, as we have been doing in the Department of Foreign Affairs, to contact your tour operator, Mr Martin said.

Take all advice from the authorities. Evacuate when youre asked to evacuate and dont hesitate.

We have received queries from a number of Irish nationals on the island and were increasing our capacity to the region in terms of helping Irish citizens who are in challenging circumstances or in difficulties and liaising with the authorities to facilitate Irish citizens.

He said this includes logistics and emergency passports when originals have been left in hotels during evacuations.

Asked whether people should be compensated for choosing not to travel to regions due to wildfires, Mr Martin said a refund would be the proper approach there.

I think safety first and we need to work with all stakeholders to make sure we prioritise taking decisions on the basis of safety and protection of human life.

Additional reporting by PA Media.
Tony Dunne says he was known as Tony 10 because he owed banks 10m when the property market collapsed

Tony Dunne tells our reporter Alan Sherry how hes now living in a flat on an invalidity pension

A former landlord and auctioneer who was once worth 25m has told how he went from rags to riches and back again  and regrets ever getting caught up in property.

Tony Dunne, who said he was called Tony 10 because he ended up owing the banks 10m when the property market collapsed, said he left his hometown of Callan, Co Kilkenny, with barely a penny to his name when he was 17 and moved to Dublin in the early 1980s.

I got a job in an estate agents in Rathmines and got a bedsit. I was paid 20 a week and the bedsit was 20 a week. You worked in pubs at the weekend to get food, Dunne told us from his flat in Glenageary this week.

He said he bought his first house in Bray for 24,000 when he was 21.

Within a couple of years, he went into business running his own estate agents and started buying up property, eventually owning 19 properties across Dublin in places including Ranelagh, Rathmines and Donnybrook, which he rented out.

While he was successful, he was also caught up in controversy over the years and was even the subject of RTEs Liveline when his neighbours called Joe Duffy and picketed Dunnes business after getting involved in a dispute with him over building works.

Dunne called them busy-bodies when the Sunday World asked him about that dispute this week, but said the matter was resolved at the time.

Some of his tenants have also taken successful cases to the Residential Tenancies Boards against him for withholding deposits and illegal eviction.

Despite the findings against him, he claimed there were reasons for withholding deposits.

I was always a sort of a decent guy. Maybe I was too nice to be in the business. Most of the guys I know who succeeded were bastards.

Tony had a portfolio of 19 houses

He went on to call one of his previous tenants who complained about him as a prick and a f***ing arsehole.

Dunne said he never got to enjoy his money when he was a millionaire, as he was always moving on to the next project.

He said he had no time for luxury holidays, would always drive around in a banger of a car and mostly lived in bedsits, even when times were good. He said he was annoyed by people including friends and family always asking him for money. Banks, however, kept giving Dunne money as property values increased.

I kept buying houses. I had basically built up a portfolio of 19 houses. We built it up years from 1985 to 2005.

However, when the crash came over a decade ago, everything fell apart and his property empire was repossessed with Dunne owing around 10 million.

Now he is living in flat in Glenageary on an invalidity pension and fears he could end up living in a tent if the banks go after the flat. He said he doesnt even have a car now and his mode of transport is a bicycle.

Borrowing money is a f***ing nightmare, he said.

You are worth 25m but you owe 10m and then property comes down in the crash so you are down very quick.

He said banks were throwing money at him in the good times because they thought he was a property genius when he paid off one of his early loans within a year but in reality, it was just luck.

When the banks see you doing well, they think you are a genius and they just f*** money at you. I got in with [Irish] Nationwide after buying a house in Drumcondra for 50,000 and I got a 50,000 claim for a fire.

I went back and paid them the following year. I paid off the debt and they just thought I was f***ing hallelujah because I paid off the debt within a year. It was guys like me that they wanted. They just f***ing think youre a genius.

There was cheap money and it was all about lending, lending, lending, and you have enough guys like me to take it. I know of guys who got 50m off AIB and they couldnt even read. There was mad stuff.

He said banks encouraged him to go for bigger risk investments.

I was buying small houses and they started giving out and said to me we dont want you buying a small house in Inchicore, we want you buying houses in Ballsbridge  2m, 4m.

Theyd f***ing set out to kill you. Buying a house for 30,000 Inchicore and selling it a couple of years later for 180,000, youre winning, no risk. If youre buying a four-storey in Ballsbridge, you could have neighbours from hell, fellas who would sue you for a million.

In 2001 Dunne featured on RTEs Liveline when his neighbours in Glenageary protested outside his offices

Dunne had bought one apartment in the building but was not living there at the time. The neighbours said they had been seeking repairs for five years after Dunne knocked down part of his property to carry out renovations to build an extension but didnt complete the work.

They were giving out. I was trying to get planning to put on an extension and they came and f***ing marched on my office. They were kicking up s**t that it was lying idle for a couple of years. They had nothing else to do. Theyre busybodies, looking out the curtains every day and they want to create controversy, he said.

He said the matter was later resolved he hasnt had any hassle since but admitted he built some of the extension on communal land he didnt even own.

I put an extension on there and didnt own the ground, he said.

He no longer lets or sublets out property. While banks repossessed all his property from him in the crash, with the exception of the flat where he is living, he still owes millions.

He said one bank offered to write off a debt of more than 4m if he agreed to give up his flat. I said where will I live? And he said live in a tent on Killiney beach.

He admits he now regrets getting caught up the property madness that gripped Ireland during the Celtic Tiger.

I came up with nothing and Im going home with nothing. You cant go to the grave with anything anyway.
Eva Brennan was last seen at Rathdown Park, Dublin 6 on July 25, 1993

Eva Brennan is described as 5 foot 7 inches with blue eyes and a slim build.

Gardai have issued a renewed appeal for information in tracing the whereabouts of a woman who has been missing for 30 years.

Eva Brennan was last seen at Rathdown Park, Dublin 6 on July 25, 1993.

As the 30th anniversary of her disappearance approaches, investigating gardai and Evas family have renewed their appeal to the public for any information which may bring this investigation to a conclusion.

Eva was 40 years old at the time of her disappearance and described as 5 foot 7 inches with blue eyes and a slim build.

When last seen, she had short, mid-brown hair and was wearing a pink tracksuit with tight fitting leggings.

She had a red shoulder-bag containing keys and other personal documents. She wore a mans gold watch with a leather strap.

Anyone with information should contact Terenure Garda Station on 01 666 6400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has actively collaborated with various organizations to submit a joint proposal for the Small Business Energy Incentive.

Their primary objective is to strongly advocate for an extension of the Incentives timeframe until at least 30 June 2025. The concern driving this plea is the potential failure of the Incentive to achieve its intended goals without a more extended duration.

Presently, the proposed timeline for the Incentives implementation is scheduled to start on 1 July 2023 and end on 30 June 2024. However, COSBOA and other stakeholders have identified a significant issue with this plan. The necessary legislation to support the Incentives operation is unlikely to be passed by Parliament until August or September 2023 at the earliest. This delay means that businesses and their advisors will remain uncertain about eligibility and investment options under the Incentive until well into the financial year for which it is intended.

A critical aspect brought to light by COSBOA is that many small businesses lack internal expertise in energy matters. Therefore, to fully benefit from the Incentive, they will require professional advice. Notably, small businesses highly value advice from peak bodies and engineering consulting experts. However, a clear and consolidated approach to providing such advisory services is currently lacking.

In response to this issue, COSBOA has proposed a complementary program to be introduced alongside the Incentive. This program aims to provide tailored advice and guidance to help small businesses make informed decisions regarding smart and efficient energy upgrades. By establishing this program, small businesses can access expert insights and recommendations, enabling them to make the most of the Incentives advantages.

The lack of internal expertise in energy management poses challenges for many businesses. To address this, COSBOA emphasizes the importance of seeking external advice to fully capitalize on the benefits of the Small Business Energy Incentive. Notably, advice from peak bodies and engineering consulting experts holds significant value for small businesses. However, the current absence of a clear and consolidated approach hinders the provision of such crucial guidance.

To remedy this, COSBOA recommends the implementation of a specialized program that caters to smart and efficient energy upgrades for small businesses. This proposed program aims to equip businesses with the necessary knowledge and tools to make well-informed decisions, ultimately reducing energy costs and demands on the wider energy system.

COSBOA further underscores the significance of careful selection and implementation of energy upgrades to avoid adverse consequences. For instance, when electrification from gas takes place, businesses must ensure that their electric appliances are both smart and efficient, maximizing the benefits of the upgrade while minimizing strains on the electricity grid during peak demand periods.

While acknowledging the appropriateness of the eligibility criteria outlined in the exposure draft legislation for the short term, COSBOA emphasizes the need for complementary guidance showcasing smart and efficient eligible expenditures. Such guidance will assist businesses in making informed choices that not only lower energy bills but also contribute to a more sustainable energy system.

Moreover, COSBOA urgently calls for the development of a comprehensive long-term strategy encompassing incentives, capacity-building initiatives, and appropriate product standards or regulations. This strategy would serve as a sturdy foundation for businesses to invest in high-quality electrification and energy efficiency upgrades, fostering a sustainable and thriving small business sector in the long run.

Please see here for the full submission.

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OnlyFans is an adult-only service that allows content creators to post pictures and videos in exchange for money from subscribers

An increasing number of people in Northern Ireland are seeking help for porn addiction after becoming hooked on OnlyFans online content, it has been reported.

Figures from the UK Addiction Treatment Group show that there was a 66% increase in those contacting the organisation due to the problem this year alone compared to 2022.

OnlyFans is an adult-only service that allows content creators to post pictures and videos in exchange for money from subscribers. Content creators keep 80% of the revenue from uploading their own material, while the remaining 20% goes to OnlyFans to cover business costs, handling credit card processing and salaries.

It is frequently used by adult performers to showcase X-rated material.

Figures shared with The Sun showed that in England 9,840 people have contacted the UK Treatment Addiction Treatment Group in a bid to wean themselves off the content.

This compared with 8,506 in 2022  a 15% rise.

In Wales this figure increased from 267 to 339 over the same period, while in Northern Ireland the number rose from 168 to 280.

Scotland saw the biggest increase of any UK region, from 584 to 1,582.

Nuno Albuquerque, head of treatment for the UK Addiction Treatment Group, said the Covid pandemic had driven more users to watch explicit content online.

Were seeing more and more people seeking help for their porn addiction than ever before, he said. This could be because of the rising popularity of online accessibility to porn and sites like OnlyFans, where users feel like they are enjoying exclusive, intimate interactions with hosts.

According to the UK Addiction Treatment Group website, porn can be addictive because of the way it encourages high levels of dopamine in the brain, similar to the effects of alcohol addiction or drug addiction, which induce an intense high that can cause some individuals to seek out the behaviour excessively.

However, there are other factors which might also increase the likelihood of the development of porn addiction, Albuquerque continued.

In some cases, excess porn viewing has been said to be associated with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, with particular individuals using porn as a tool to escape negative emotions or feelings that are causing them distress.

Much like other addictions, pornography can offer an escape from the hardships of everyday life.

Back in August 2021, OnlyFans announced it was to ban explicit content from the beginning of October that year, sparking outrage from content creators and consumers. Less than a week later the decision was reversed. Thank you to everyone for making your voices heard, the company said announcing the U-turn. We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.

OnlyFans stands for inclusion and we will continue to provide a home for all creators.

OnlyFans is one of the most successful British start-up businesses in recent years.

The companys latest accounts show pre-tax profits rose by 615% to $432m (388m) in the 12 months to September 2021.
Last night the terror chief was still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Belfasts Royal Victoria Hospital

Royal Victoria Hospital where Gary Fisher is being treated after collapsing at home

In a fake show of unity, John Grug Gregg, centre  Fishers predecessor  and fellow UDA brigadier Jim Doris Day Gray greet Johnny Mad Dog Adair on his release from prison in 2002

Stricken Gary Fisher has been stood down as leader of the South East Antrim (SEA) UDA.

As the UDA leader fights for his life, the race is on for who will fill his boots.

Last night the terror chief was still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Belfasts Royal Victoria Hospital.

There are four men in the running for the top paramilitary job; loyalist goons who we are unable to name.

Royal Victoria Hospital where Gary Fisher is being treated after collapsing at home

When Fishers predecessor John Grug Gregg (45) was murdered by Johnny Adairs lower Shankill Road C Company, bespectacled Fisher was the last name on anyones lips to take over the top job.

But his loyalty to his former boss was rewarded when he was handed the hotseat in the weeks after Greggs murder in 2003.

He was a constant at Greggs side, working as the paramilitary chiefs driver.

He saw at first hand how to run a terrorist unit. But his elevation was a surprise to many.

Equally surprising was how he took to the job.

While Gregg was a member of the UDAs ruling Inner Council, Fisher broke away from the mainstream organisation and took South East Antrim (SEA) out of the fold in 2007.

Relations in the wake of the Gregg murder were strained. Gunmen ambushed Gregg (45) as he returned from a Rangers match in Glasgow. He was the back seat passenger in a car which stopped at traffic lights.

In a fake show of unity, John Grug Gregg, centre  Fishers predecessor  and fellow UDA brigadier Jim Doris Day Gray greet Johnny Mad Dog Adair on his release from prison in 2002

Loyalists revered Gregg, one of the UDAs six-strong Inner Council, as the man who shot and wounded then Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in 1984.

Freed from jail in 1993 after serving half his 18-year sentence, he said his only regret was that he had failed to kill Adams.

But the South East Antrim boss and Johnny Adair were bitter foes, even before Gregg and four other brigadiers threw Adair out of the UDA.

Gregg and his men in the South East Antrim brigade were believed to be responsible for a series of ruthless sectarian murders, including that of a Catholic postman Danny McColgan and of Gavin Brett, a Protestant schoolboy they mistook for a Catholic in 2001. His brigade was also believed to be behind the pipe-bombing of dozens of Catholic homes.

Gregg was an intimidating figure whose back was covered in a tattoo of a loyalist grim reaper. He had lost an eye in a fight with republicans during an Apprentice Boys parade in Derry.

He joined the UDA youth wing at 14, spent six months in jail for rioting in 1977 and was sentenced to 18 years for wounding Adams in 1984.

He became a target within the UDA because of his opposition to Adair. Gregg was one of the five members of the Inner Council which expelled Adair and his associate John White in September. The row began when Adair was accused of siding with the Loyalist Volunteer Force in a feud.

The quiet-spoken Fisher became a ruthless crime boss.

Fishers holiday home

He demanded complete loyalty and surrounded himself with trusted mobsters such as Clifford Trigger Irons and enforcer Colin Simms. He turned SEA into one of Northern Irelands most effective crime gangs, taking control of the drugs trade in Carrickfergus.

In recent times he has been trying to engineer his exit from the terror gang in the face of pressure from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and fragmentation of his organisation.

The one-time fitness fanatic  who thought nothing of riding his bike to Ballycastle on a Sunday morning  has become increasingly reclusive.

Seldom seen in public, he was obsessive about his security, insisting people left their mobile phones at the door when attending meetings or functions.

At the peak of his powers in 2016 he became embroiled in a feud with former UDA commander Geordie Gilmore.

The feud split the organisation and when Gilmore was murdered in 2017 it signalled the start of Fishers decline.

He showed his ruthlessness when he ordered Simms be given a punishment shooting, according to sources, after his one-time trusted hardman was caught with his hands in the till.

Simms suspected involvement in the murder of Glenn Quinn in January prompted a community backlash and heaped further pressure on Fisher.

He moved away from Carrick and set up home in Greenisland. And while remaining as Brigadier, he is seen as leader in name only, with the organisation now run by a three-man committee.

Earlier this month it was revealed a holiday home he owned on the Ards Peninsula, but purchased in the name of his daughter, had been seized by the National Crime Agency.
Action needed after 100 days of war in stricken African nation

Concern Worldwide today urged the warring parties and the international community to help avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.

We need urgent action to ease the suffering of millions of Sudanese people and prevent further deaths, Concerns Country Director in Sudan, A.K.M. Musha said, as the country marked the 100th day of the conflict.

It is no exaggeration to say we are facing a humanitarian catastrophe  the entire country is suffering and is affected. Over 3.3 million have fled their homes for safety.

"People are still on the move and the fighting is continuing. Everyone in Sudan is facing uncertainty, the areas where people can be sure they will be safe are very limited. Nobody knows how this will pan out or where it is heading to.

Currently more than half Sudans population  24.7 million people  need humanitarian assistance. Some 2.6 million have fled their homes but remain in Sudan. An additional 757,000 have fled to neighboring countries.

The banks and markets are not functioning properly. Humanitarian organisations are facing barriers to assist people in need.

Humanitarian responders need security in order to work, we need to be able to bring specialist staff into the country quickly, and we need to be able to move supplies."

"Currently the roads are not safe to enable us move supplies from Port Sudan across the country to Darfur  a journey of over 2,200 kilometres, he said.

Given the scale of the suffering in Sudan, humanitarian organisations are struggling to provide the support thats needed, he said. We are doing our best and our staff are risking their lives, but its not enough.

"We need humanitarian passes and we need to remove the barriers which are hindering our work. If this is not done people who are already suffering will continue to suffer.

The complexity and scale of the conflict makes it one of the worst humanitarian situations seen in decades, Mr Musha added.

The warring parties must, as a matter of urgency, call a ceasefire to enable negotiations to take place. They must provide protection for humanitarians and supplies of aid, and also protect civilians seeking safety.

People are being attacked, particularly in the Darfur region, he said. Its a different form of violence, not just violence you see between warring parties, but violence that has an ethnic dimension.

The international community must ensure that adequate resources are provided to meet the needs of Sudanese people impacted by the conflict, Mr Musha said.

The 2023 Sudan Regional Refugee Response plan is seeking $USD 2.6 billion but to date has secured just $588m  a shortfall of over $2 billion.

With many Sudanese people crossing into neighboring Chad and South Sudan  among the poorest countries in the world  Mr Musha said the international community must also provide the necessary funding to support them.

Despite the fighting, Concerns work has continued in Sudan.

About half of health and nutrition facilities we support continuing to operate in South Kordofan and West Kordofan and Jebel Moon and Kulbus localities in West Darfur he said.

We had pre-positioned supplies in ware houses which were not looted. But supplies  especially medical supplies  are becoming quickly exhausted.

Concern teams in neighbouring Chad and South Sudan are also working to assist thousands of Sudanese families crossing.

In Chad, 280,000 have already crossed the border and thousands more are expected in the coming weeks. Concern is operating a mobile health and nutrition clinic in the area where people are crossing. In recent weeks it has treated over 1,100 adults and over 450 malnourished children. It is also distributing essential non-food items and shelter materials.

In South Sudan, over 181,000 people have crossed in the last three months. Concern is providing health and nutrition services, shelter materials and other non-food items.

To support Concerns work in Sudan visit https://www.concern.net/donate/sudan-emergency-appeal
The man who sparked an Armed Offenders Squad stand-off at a Rotorua bank after telling staff he had a bomb has been jailed for two years and two months.

Rhys Hoffman, 36, received the sentence at Rotorua District Court on Friday after earlier guilty pleas to charges of kidnapping and threatening to commit grievous bodily harm, all related to the incident in November last year.

Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon read a victim impact statement from one of the bank staff, who was granted name suppression, which revealed the depth of the trauma suffered in the wake of the hostage drama.

I was the person who greeted the offender, they said.

This was a terrifying ordeal. . . I thought there was a high probability of dying.

They said they, and their family, have suffered ongoing trauma since the events of November 10 last year.

I would have preferred a robbery to not knowing if I was going to die for a whole hour.

They also took aim at Hoffman telling him that for a brief period of time I felt sorry for you, now I dont.

Take responsibility for what youve done. You are not the victim here, your hostages are.

Hoffmans lawyer Andy Schulze described his clients offending as a plea for help and said Hoffman called at the Hamilton and Rotorua police stations before heading to the BNZ.

He was suffering from a persecutory belief he was being targetted by gang members, and believed police were not taking him seriously.

The belief he was not being taken seriously led to this foolish action, Schulze said.

He said the bank stand-off was not a situation where a kidnapping has been planned. . . a knee-jerk behaviour.

Judge Edwin Paul said Hoffman had 10 previous convictions, and had battled with mental health issues.

He also revealed Hoffmans mother was murdered, and you were required to identify her mutilated body.

He also said Hoffman chose a bank as you knew the police would turn up.

Although the weapon was fake, your victims did not know this. They believed you had a bomb and would use it, he said.

They believed you had the power to end their lives.

According to the police summary of facts, Hoffman later told police he committed the offending because he is mentally unstable and needed help.

He had also placed an A2 size diary in the front of his jacket to give the impression a device was strapped to his body.

A staff member was able to alert other staff to the threat, and also alert the bank internal security system.

One customer was able to escape through the front door before Hoffman directed the remaining people inside to a staff-only area of the bank.

Police had also been called.

The summary said those inside the bank complied believing their lives were in grave danger.

Hoffman told them he would not let them leave until nine police cars were outside the bank, and he also asked staff to phone the police, Armed Offenders Squad and media.

Hoffman allowed a number of distressed people inside the bank to leave, including a 14-year-old, and by around 4pm there was a large police presence outside the bank.

He also began to communicate with police via phone and notes on paper he held to the window.

These included his name, a reference to his mother being murdered, and that his life was in danger, the summary said.

By this stage Hoffman was pacing around inside the bank, and later removed his jacket.

When police asked if he had any weapons, he lifted his shirt and spun around to show he had nothing concealed on his torso.

He was described as angry and ranting, but also telling those inside the bank he was sorry for what he was doing.

At one stage, the defendant was crying and said that it was the only way he could get help.

Police continued to negotiate with Hoffman, who eventually agreed to surrender and left the bank.

-Benn Bathgate/Stuff.
Has Tauranga really become a ghost town?

A sightseeing video by a visitor went viral this week for all the wrong reasons, after highlighting a city centre filled with shop windows decked in For Lease signs, abandoned businesses and dead vibes.

The video, posted on TikTok by What Zoe Does, says 90 per cent of stores in the main street are either closed or for lease.

Non-residents are shocked, calling it dire, grim with dead vibes, rather than the hum and buzz of activity and trade youd expect in a city centre.

Tauranga's dwellers are aware the city centre is in crisis.

Former chair of Downtown Tauranga, Brian Berry, sounded the citys death knoll in his last report this year, calling it dead, and that it had been dying for a number of years.

Downtown Tauranga figures, as at January 2023, showed there were 514 occupied sites in the Mainstreet organisations catchment area and 166 empty sites.

This is an increase from January 2019, when there were 422 occupied and 281 empty sites recorded.

Tauranga City Council city development general manager Gareth Wallis says a number of issues led to the dead zone in the CBD.

The need to strengthen or redevelop buildings after they were classed as earthquake-prone, an increase in the presence of large-scale suburban shopping centres, the impacts of Covid-19, and indecision by previous councils about progressing with long-held plans for the city centre.

Its not all doom and gloom. There are plans to bring the ghost town back to the land of the living and make it busier than ever.

The council is now committed to revitalising the city centre, says Wallis, with projects including a new civic precinct, transformation of the waterfront, and a range of public and privately funded projects.

These will not only increase shop occupancy, he says, but create a vibrant and thriving city centre.

The new $306m civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa (the heartbeat of Te Papa), will include a library, community hub, civic whare (public meeting house), exhibition gallery, upgrades to a theatre and art gallery and a new museum. It is earmarked for completion in 2028.

Commissioner Anne Tolley is aware the cost of the project is significant in a cost of living crisis. Its benefits will be presented to council today, in a business case, before the project is green lighted.

The business case paints a picture of a thriving, beating and vibrant city heart that celebrates our heritage and culture...the prediction that in just over 10 years, there could be 5500 people visiting Te Manawataki o Te Papa, and therefore the city centre, per day. says Tolley.

New chair of Downtown Tauranga, Ash Gee, who runs popular cocktail bar and eatery Miss Gees, says that while she recognises the city is like it is now, she hopes people see it as short term pain for long time gain as the city transforms.

The current vacancy rate in Tauranga city centre is not ideal, however we are not the only CBD in New Zealand faced with high vacancy rates. The construction of shopping centres such as Tauranga Crossing and Bayfair caused a vacuum effect for chain style retailers. This has made way for boutique retail which we are looking to attract.

We are currently seeing a trend of innovative new businesses moving into the city centre. Repurposing vacant retail spaces into modern ground floor offices is starting to create a thriving business hub. There are some major companies beginning their plans for relocation back into the city centre, which you will start to see happening over the next twelve to 18 months.

-Annemarie Quill/Stuff.
Terry Hobart comes from a family of Fordson lovers.

He was brought up on a Whakamarama dairy, sheep and beef farm and his father, Rob, bought a new 1962 Fordson Super Major.

That particular machine is still in the family, with Terrys brother Garth.

I drove that tractor unsupervised from about the age of 12 and I loved the smell when it was started, says Terry.

All rounder

Terry did an electrical apprenticeship, and had a varied working life. Well drilling, milk tanker driving, electrical foreman in an Australian nickel mine, and driving trucks.

The tractor collecting started in the 1980s. I had returned to New Zealand and bought 25 acres which I planted with lemons, and later on kiwifruit.

I was driving for Taylor Brothers and it was long hours and good money.

He has eight tractors that are mainly Fords or Fordsons. He was introduced to the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club in the mid-2000s by its former founder, the late Eric Green.

As he approached retirement, Terry wanted a Fordson Super Major like the one he grew up with.

He bought one that was originally from a farm in Whitianga, which his brother in law Ray had owned and it had been used to tow a boat for a few years.

I bought it off him in 2018. It had been sitting outside but was very tidy and just needed a paint.

The 1962 Fordson Super Major was identical to the one his father had. It would have been imported into New Zealand from the Ford factory in Dagenham, United Kingdom.

They were general agricultural tractors and were considered big and powerful in their day. They were quite modern.

Terrys Fordson Super Major at his Katikati kiwifruit orchard.

The specs

The Super Major has a four cylinder, 52 HP diesel engine with six forward and two reverse gears. It has a Simms injection pump mounted to the side of the engine.

It boasted a diff lock and disc brakes.

The Qualitrol hydraulic system that allows for both position control and draft control, and allowed it to compete with Ferguson tractors of the era.

Now retired and living in town, Terry has a quiet corner of his orchard, with a large shed full of tractors, a permanent caravan with a view and comes there for a night here and there with his wife to the peace of the countryside.

Hes also been known to hook up a mower to one of his tractors and do some mowing between the kiwifruit vines and the smell when the Super Major starts up still evokes childhood memories.

Fordson added the words Super Major to their classic logo.

Super Major engine with Simms injection pump.
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Toputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa says its 35,000 or so members employed by Te Whatu Ora will start voting today on whether or not to accept the latest proposed Pay Equity settlement.

The proposed settlement arose from mediation between Te Whatu Ora, NZNO and the PSA who have been in litigation over the claim in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court since early 2022.

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter says the Pay Equity claim, first lodged in 2017 under the Equal Pay Act, is meant to address long-standing sex-based discrimination and bring nursing wages in line with the wages of male-dominated professions that do similar work.

"Its a significant and historic vote and if members accept it the amended pay rates would be effective from 7 March 2022 and would begin to be paid within six weeks of the proposed settlement being approved.

"If members dont agree to the proposed settlement, we will resume judicial proceedings, and the outcome will be for the ERA and Employment Court to decide."

However, Paul Goulter says Pay Equity was entirely separate from collective agreement negotiations, and the two should not be conflated.

"These are wages nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora are already entitled to because of the longstanding sex-based discrimination they have faced.

"Were concerned that Pay Equity is often mentioned when the latest collective agreement offer from Te Whatu Ora is being described as if they were part of the same deal, which they are not.

"Collective agreement negotiations are about cost of living, labour market matters and, of course, all the other terms and conditions. They are not about gender discrimination which is addressed under the Equal Pay Act."

NZNOs Te Whatu Ora members will also vote August 1-7 over whether to accept the latest collective agreement offer from Te Whatu Ora, which, Paul Goulter says, is an improvement on the last offer, though it does fall short in terms of members claims around safer staffing practices, nurse to patient ratios and health and safety.

A 24-hour strike planned to commence at 7am on August 9, which was organised before the latest offer, will be called off if members vote to accept the offer.

"Members demanded this strike because of their frustration over the lack of progress and slow responses from Te Whatu Ora in negotiations, which have been going on since the current agreement expired back in October.

"Its now entirely up to members to decide whether the flat rate salary increase of $4000 ($5000 for senior nurses) and a further 3 per cent next year will be sufficient for them to settle and put a halt to strike action, and they are looking at this entirely separately from Pay Equity."

The offered collective agreement pay rises will be based on the new Pay Equity rates, if members vote to accept the proposed Pay Equity settlement agreement.

The Pay Equity ballot closes on July 31.
Matariki is seen and understood in many ways across the motu of Aotearoa New Zealand

Dr Pouroto Ngaropo describes this celestrial line up through the lens of his hapu Te Tawera and iwi Ngati Awa ki Te Awa o Te Atua Te Iwi in the eastern Bay of Plenty. He has performed and participated in 14 hautapu ceremony this Matariki.

"There's a really vibrant energy that's happening at this time of the year."

"Matariki is very significant because it's part of an ancient tradition which our ancestors practised in pre-European times. Why? Because it was acknowledging the stars and their entirety. The stars, particularly Matariki. Also, it's important to note that in various tribes throughout Aotearoa, Matariki is not the only name that's made in reference to these clusters of stars."

Ngaropo says iwi in the north of the North Island know the star cluster as Puanga, while iwi of Taranaki and the west coast call it Puaka. Mataatua Te Arawa in the Bay of Plenty call it Te Tahi o Pipiri or Te Tau o Pipiri, and Tainui recognise Te Paki-o-Matariki. Other references include Te Kahui o Matariki, Te Tahi-o-te-Rangi, Nga Mata o te Ariki and Te Whetu o te Matariki.

"If the star knowledge is not followed properly and in spiritual alignment too, and if the star knowledge of Matariki is not retained and learnt then we will lose an important part of our New Zealand history. So, this knowledge is not only for us as Maori. This knowledge is for all of those who live here and say New Zealand is their home," says Ngaropo.

"I'd like to acknowledge Professor Rangi Matamua. But there are other tohunga you know, particularly from the time of our ancestors, that traversed the oceans of Kiwa. Tama-ki-Hikurangi was a renowned expert in the stars. So was Ngatoro-i-rangi, so was Whakatau-potiki.

"The late Sir Hector Busby was a navigational expert and used Matariki and the stars for navigation. The tohunga Sam Rerekura, the tohunga Piripi Lambert and there's also Brad Haami these people you don't hear much often. Tangaroa Ngaropo. You know, these are some of the ones that in recent times too have been just working quietly behind the scenes. There's others that work more powerfully in the front but I think what I'd like to just recognize is that everyone and their contribution - be it small or be it great - every little bit helps."

Influential Te Atiawa leader Ihakara Puketapu died on 7 July and Ngaropo says his legacy contributed to the realisation of Matariki as a national holiday. This included the revival and preservation of te reo Maori, the development of kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and wananga, and significantly the Te Maori exhibition that toured to New York, St Louis, Chicago and San Francisco in 1984 before touring New Zealand.

"There would be no Matariki (holiday) if there wasn't a Te Maori exhibition. The Te Maori exhibition was the biggest influential cultural change that had an influence throughout the world."

Ngaropo was a teenager accompanying Te Maori to Chicago and he says Dr Puketapu's realisation of Te Maori was "a tidal wave change on the whole of Maoridom."

Ngaropo also noted the New Zealand government and former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. "You know we need to acknowledge the genealogy of how things came to be."

Matariki celebrations were popular until the 1940s in New Zealand and it has been revived ever since, picking up momentum around the Pacific region since 2000.

"There have been a whole lot of events that have ensured the revival of the ancient knowledge of the stars, Nga Whetu o te Kahui o Matariki. But also the knowledge Matauranga Maori pertaining to the stars as well, is just as important as knowing how to identify the stars. And then also, knowing the knowledge of each of those stars and what they mean."

Matariki is a unique New Zealand point of view where people come together as family, celebrate and give thanks while planning things for the future and recognising loved ones who have died, says Ngaropo.

"So it's all about having a really good attitude in Matartiki this year, always in things that we do it is key to success. Matariki - but what about Matariki you may ask? Well, she's doing what all good mothers do. These stars combined are our caregivers and our caretakers, watching over us and helping us as the humans on Earth so that they can provide the energy and the food to sustain us. With Matariki's support, encouragement and supervision we will be able to do the best that we can and everything that we do."

- RNZ.
One builder took three of the top awards in the 2023 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition this weekend, including the Supreme House of the Year Over $1 million award.

Belco Homes won that award for a large house in Bethlehem, with the judges saying they were captivated by the remarkable use of locally sourced Hinuera stone, which was skilfully paired with ironbark hardwood lintels and expressive structural timbers.

The Bethlehem house also won the Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million category, Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award, Kitchen Excellence Award, and a Gold Award.

This Bethlehem house, built using locally sourced Hinuera stone, was one of three winning projects for builder Belco Homes at the 2023 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition. Photo: Supplied.

The judges of the Kitchen Excellence Award praised the exemplary attention to detail and impeccable material selections of the large galley-style kitchen. They also commented on the flexibility, the generous size, and the seamless flow from the front counter to the scullery, other workstations and freezer rooms, which ensures a seamless culinary experience.

From the moment you step foot into this kitchen, you can feel the passion and dedication that went into its creation.

Operable overhead louvres feature in the large outdoor entertaining area. Photo: Supplied.

The Bethlehem project by Belco Homes also won the Kitchen Excellence Award. Photo: Supplied.

Another home built by Belco Homes in Omokoroa, Tauranga won the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Supreme House of the Year Under $1 million award.

The house was singled out for the way it maximises every inch of its compact site. This project also took out the Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 - $1 million category, and a Gold Award.

Belco Homes has skilfully integrated elements such as a lofty ceiling height in strategic areas, thoughtful and interesting materials and finishes, and an inviting private outdoor shower, the judges said. From the moment you enter, this home exudes attentive design. Every corner of this compact site has been utilised to its fullest potential, delivering a comfortable living experience for its fortunate owners.

Another home built by Belco Homes in Omokoroa, Tauranga won the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Supreme House of the Year Under $1 million award. Photo: Supplied.

Supreme Renovation of the Year for 1990s bach project

And to complete the trifecta, Belco Homes also took out the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Supreme Renovation of the Year for the restoration of a 1990s bach in Wahi Beach. This entry was also awarded the Renovation Over $1.5 million category, and a Gold Award.

Belco Homes says the sleek lines demanded complex work, from customised flashings and cladding corners, to secret screwed exterior weatherboards, and curtain tracks individually recessed into the angled ceiling.

The renovation of this 1990s bach at Waihi Beach gave Belco Homes its third win - it won the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau Supreme Renovation of the Year, Renovation Over $1.5 million category, and a Gold Award. Photo: Supplied.

The house has been reclad in durable Abodo cladding. Photo: Supplied.

Belco worked alongside the owners on every detail, to meet their vision of a highly functional, aesthetically pleasing abode that sits lightly within the landscape while running a little wild inside, the company says.

Few traces of the original dwelling remain beyond the concrete floor and basement block wall. It is a home designed to face forward, capitalising on magnificent sea views and looking to the future, with sea spray-resistant upgraded aluminium roof and handsome, durable Abodo cladding.

This family home and entertaining base has plenty of room for extras or the next generation, but also transforms into a lock-up-and-go retreat for two.

Few traces remain of the original bach, Belco Homes says, apart from the concrete floor and basement block wall. Photo: Supplied.

Nine other local companies won awards, which can be seen on the Registered Master Builders website.

They include Landmark Homes Taupo, Winner of the Master Build 10 Year Guarantee Multi Unit (Apartments/Duplexes/Terrace Housing) category, and a Gold Award, for a home in Wharewaka, Taupo .

Located on the edge of Lake Taupo, this duplex is part of a six-unit development designed as resort-style holiday accommodation. The spacious three-bedroom units provide many options for the owners, from permanent residences to holiday homes and holiday rentals. Designed to be low-maintenance, the duplex features painted brickwork and vertical shiplap boarding with the chosen colour palette enhancing the architectural design.

Landmark Homes Taupo won the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee Multi Unit (Apartments/Duplexes/Terrace Housing) category, and a Gold Award, for this project Wharewaka, Taupo. Photo: Supplied.

The first-floor living areas open out onto the covered balcony area, providing ample space for entertaining or relaxing while taking in the view. The units are future-proofed with internal lifts, while the double garage has room for outdoor and water toys.

Other winners include Stroud Homes, winner of the Volume/Group Housing New Home up to $500,000 category, and a Gold Award, for a home in Te Puna, Tauranga.

Despite a generous clearing of land, the building site faced its challenges. Limited to a ledge midway down a steep bank, the bank above demanded serious retaining  the cost of which was necessary but ate into the modest budget.

Stroud Homes won the Volume/Group Housing New Home up to $500,000 category, and a Gold Award, for this home in Te Puna, Tauranga. Photo: Supplied.

However, the judges said they were thoroughly impressed with the final result  an impeccably executed and neatly finished home.

The raking ceilings in the living spaces gave the simple plan-form building a real lift, elevating the overall design.

Southern region Master Builders House of the Year winners, including Central Otago builds, can be seen here.

- Colleen Hawkes/Stuff.
Walking the Andalucia regions most striking coastline Hiking under the blazing sun is to be avoided or left to mad dogs and Englishmen, but with a little preparation one can enjoy several coastal walks in the sun-scorched corner of Cabo de Gata in Almeria. Following the paths which run high above the cliffs, or that twist and turn by the sea is a delight

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Almerias Cabo de Gata, at the south-eastern tip of Spain, is the driest area of Europe. The region receives just 20 centimetres of rain a year yet has an important collection of 1,000 plant species, such as the dwarf fan palm and pink snapdragon, which are protected in the 38,000-hectare Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. The parks semi-arid climate and volcanic origins combine to create this striking landscape, home to the snub-nosed viper and many lizard species, which hugs the Mediterranean coastline.

The area is recognised as a Unesco Global Geopark. Between sixteen and eight million years ago, subaerial and submarine volcanoes were active here, part of a mainly underwater chain, before being lifted to their present positions by huge geological forces. The lava-cooled rocks are typically reddish-brown, or lighter-coloured, with black andesites, such as those found on Mount Etna in Sicily. In some areas columnar jointing can be seen, similar to the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. Other rocks were formed from huge deposits of hot, grey ash which covered areas below the volcanoes, as happened in Pompeii. For the coastal walks in the summer one is limited to the early morning and late evening due to the intense heat.

Morning walking needs to be completed by 9am while evening walking allows about an hours light after 8pm when the temperature begins, or is close to, dipping. All the walks lead to beautiful beaches so once you get there cooling off is not a problem. Sun cream, and water are essential.

Ampliar Head out early in the morning or late evening to avoid the heat. SUR

Cala del Cuervo by Las Negras to El Playazo de Rodalquilar

This remote part of the coastline has a stark, timeless, beauty that contrasts vividly with the blue sea.

Drive to the fishing village of Las Negras which is dominated by the Black Mountain (El Cerro Negro), formed from dark volcanic material. Follow a coast road south, towards a campsite, and at the entrance to the campsite access a parking area and vehicular track that leads to the sea at Cala del Cuervo (Ravens Bay).

An information board marks the start of the path to El Playazo de Rodalquilar. This 2km (one-way) walk starts with a steep climb gaining 65 metres in height but, apart from one further much smaller rise, the remainder trends downhill. Along the way there are spectacular views of the cliffs of chalk which lie below the path. After the 18th-century fortress, Castillo de San Ramon, which stands just above the extensive, sandy, Playazo beach you will want to run down to the waters edge.

The location is stunning and offers safe swimming. Note: there are no facilities or shade so it is best to bring a beach umbrella. It is advisable to have a friend drive to the beach to pick you up. The village of Rodalquilar has several bars and restaurants and an arty vibe.

Los Escullos to La Isleta del Moro

Beside the small coastal community of Los Escullos sits Playa del Arco - a wide, sandy beach that is popular in the summer months. It also serves as the scenic start point for this 1.7km (one-way) walk along the coast to the village of La Isleta del Moro. The route is mainly level but there are stretches where it dips into small ravines before ascending.

Ampliar Clifftop footpaths provide unique views. SUR

A path begins by the car park and runs parallel to the edge of the beach. Follow the signs to walk around by a house after which you can enjoy the view back to Los Escullos. The twin-peaked former volcano of Cerro del Fraile (Friars Hill) draws the eye. A little further on you get the first views of the whitewashed La Isleta del Moro (The Island of the Moor) which protrudes into the sea.

After sections of path lead through esparto grass you rejoin the seashore before steps lead up to a viewpoint by the village. The pretty centre has a number of bars and fish restaurants and a bus and taxi service.

La Isleta del Moro to Cala de los Toros

This 3km (return) hike is for early birds who like to get away from it all. It leads from the pretty village of La Isleta del Moro to a remote and rugged beach, composed of large rounded rocks, at Cala de los Toros (Bulls Cove). You will need to make sure you start the return leg from the beach in time to beat the heat. There is not enough time to do the walk in the evening.

Begin from the villages Playa del Penon Blanco to ascend a path that heads inland. The narrow path goes round the Cerro Lo Guarda, passing an area of palm trees on your left, to reach a small wood of pine and palm trees. This sits at the head of the path that leads some 200m down to the sea via the Barranco del Negro, also known as Barranco Oscuro. Enjoy the wild but peaceful setting which makes the effort worthwhile.
The United States continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti as so many have lost loved ones in recent floods, an earthquake, and spiraling violence.

The security situation in Haiti continues to remain a great concern, said Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Acting U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations:

The UN Sanctions Panel of Experts reported increased levels of armed violence and gang encroachment into new territories. Gangs influence. . .now extends to 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, and increasingly, beyond the capital. . . .The deliberate use of gender-based violence, especially rape and other forms of sexual violence, is just one horrifying tactic.

The United States strongly condemns this systematic use of sexual violence, said Ambassador DeLaurentis:

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Haiti continues to fuel further violence, induces displacement, and often occurs alongside other abuses against civilians. Survivors lack access to support services and risk reprisals for reporting abuses. The rampant gang violence has also reduced access to livelihoods and health care services, kept children out of school, and created a food security emergency.

The United States has provided more than $110 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti this year, and will continue to work closely with partner organizations to meet urgent needs. But without improved security, the humanitarian situation in Haiti will continue to deteriorate, said Ambassador DeLaurentis.

The illicit flow of firearms enables gangs to carry out their crimes and to stockpile weapons that can surpass the firepower of the Haitian National Police. In response, the United States Department of Justice has created the position of Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions to improve information-sharing among countries in the region to support the prosecution of traffickers.

The United States also stood up a Haiti Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit in collaboration with the Haitian National Police to facilitate investigation and prosecution of crimes, particularly firearms and human trafficking.

The United States continues to work with a growing number of international partners to support security in Haiti. For these reasons the United States endorses the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti to help its police restore security.

Ambassador DeLaurentis urged the Security Council to do its part in assisting Haiti, including by advancing additional sanctions against those who finance and foment violence and instability in the country.
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The Health department of Junta de Andalucia is studying a case with a clinical situation compatible with the outbreak of bolutism associated with pre-packaged potato omelettes sold in different supermarket chains across, the second one registered in Andalusia.

Sources from the Ministry have confirmed to Europa Press that the suspected case - currently unconfirmed - is a 66-year-old resident of Benalmadena, who presented symptoms on 14 July, without requiring hospital admission. The samples have been sent to the National Microbiology Centre for study and evaluation.

This study of this case is in addition to that of a 27-year-old resident of Malaga , who presented mild symptoms at the beginning of July. That patient not require hospitalisation.

The Junta has highlighted the fundamental work of the health surveillance and reporting network in the early detection of possible cases.

Botulism is a serious but relatively rare disease caused by toxins produced by clostridium botulinum. There are three clinical forms of botulism: classicl or food-borne botulism, intestinal botulism and wound botulism. All result in flaccid paralysis due to the action of botulinum neurotoxin at the neuromuscular junction.

Five confirmed cases

By the end of last week, the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (Aesan) reported seven cases with a history of consumption of packaged potato omelette in the days prior to the onset of the clinic, five of them laboratory-confirmed with symptom onset dates between 24 June and 10 July.

The cases were reported in several regions across Spain and the public health services of the regional governments were informed through the Alerts and Preparedness and Response Plans, in order to reinforce early detection in the event of new suspected cases of botulism should they occur.

Aesan has passed on all the available information to the regions, so that they can carry out the relevant investigations into the products that may have been consumed by some of the persons.

In at least three of the confirmed cases and one of the probable cases, the company producing the tortillas is the same. To date, it has not been possible to establish evidence, either in the products or in the processes, to link cause and effect. However, investigations are continuing with the cooperation of the production company.

Product recall

For its part, the Palacios Alimentacion Business Group has voluntarily decided, as a precaution, to withdraw from its freshly packed potato omelette from stores, as well as to temporarily halt its manufacture, as this product has been associated with the cases of botulism confirmed in recent days.

The company has taken all necessary measures to detect a possible cause. The facilities have already been inspected four times by the health authorities with favourable results.

The group has asked all those who have purchased one of these products (Palacios, Chef Select, Auchan, Eroski, Unide, Consum, DIA, Ametller, Condis, El Corte Ingles, Carrefour, Alipende, Grupo IFA and Rikissimo) to refrain from consuming it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased, where the cost will be reimbursed.
Jorge entered the polling station as if he had emerged straight out of the sea.

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There was no clearer sign of a mid-summer election being held in Spain yesterday (23 July) than in Malaga when a man emerged from the unwavering heat and walked into a polling station to cast his vote wearing a snorkel and scuba-diving flippers.

The man, Jorge, known to many in the Churriana neighbourhood in Malaga city as a lottery salesman for ONCE, attended the Manuel Fernandez school about 8am on Sunday to ask permission from police about what he planned to do later in the day.

He wanted to disguise himself as a clown, with the condition that his face would be visible and that he would not wear anything linking him to a political party - but the police doubted that he would be allowed entry.

Instead, at about 10am, the man appeared through the door dressed in a swimsuit, with a Hawaiian shirt and a snorkel and diving flippers, and carrying a cool box. He nonchalantly walked directly to a table to cast his vote as some voters looked on in disbelief while others broke out in laughter.

"The man behaved correctly. He entered in silence, took his ballot paper and after voting has left without further ado," said some of the people waiting to vote. The bizarre scene was filmed and has since gone viral on social media. According to those present, the man entered in such quirky fashion to encourage more people to vote.
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The results of Spain's general election held this Sunday, 23 July, have left the formation of the next Spanish government unclear and dependent on the support of Catalan and Basque independence parties.

The conservative Partido Popular, led by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, has won the election, gaining 136 of the 350 seats in Spain's Congreso.

The Socialist PSOE, led by current prime minister Pedro Sanchez, gained 122 seats, making it no longer the most-voted party.

The result leaves neither of the two main parties with an absolute majority and deals with smaller groups will be necessary before a new government can be formed.

Ampliar The shares of seats in Spain's Congreso with 99% of votes counted. SUR

However, even with the PP joining forces with hard-right Vox, this right-wing bloc would not reach the overall majority mark of 176.

The PP had been forecast as Sunday's winner and was expected to join forces with hard-right Vox to allow Feijoo to be elected as the new prime minister.

Vox, led by Santiago Abascal, won 33 seats on Sunday, leaving the combined votes of the two parties a few seats short of an absolute majority.

This could leave the door open for a repeat of a left-wing coalition government.

At the other end of Spain's political spectrum, left-wing group Sumar, led by Yolanda Diaz, (which includes Podemos and Izquierda Unida, among others) gained 31 seats on Sunday.

PSOE and Sumar therefore would need the support of Catalan and Basque pro-independence groups to be able to get enough MPs' votes to form a government.

Malaga

In Malaga province, which sends 11 MPs to the Congreso, with 99 per cent of votes counted the PP had five seats, PSOE three, Vox two and Sumar one.

In 2019, the PSOE won the election with 120 MPs and formed a government in coalition with left-wing groups. The PP gained 89 seats in 2019 and Vox 52.
Jim Kulakowski recently joined Advance Media New York as a senior advertising strategist in the advertising sales department.

He has extensive experience in business, design, web development, and multimedia production. He will help AMNY gain new clientele and retain their existing base. Additionally, he will be actively involved in executing various creative projects, bridging the gap between campaign strategy and creative execution.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Thanks a lot, TikTok. Because of you, ice cream nachos are hard to find in Central New York.

Ice cream nachos? Yep, thats right, and they really are a thing.

Think of these as a sweetened-up version of the chips and dip that you get at Syracuse Universitys dome. Instead of tortilla chips, you get thin circles that resemble waffle cones used to carry ice cream. Instead of that yellow cheese product, you get a swirl of soft-serve ice cream, usually just vanilla or chocolate. The salsa here is now hot fudge or smooth caramel. And the jalapeno peppers are swapped out for Heath Bar chips, crushed peanut butter cups, M&Ms or maybe KitKat chunks.

This dessert has be around for a few years, but it suddenly became popular this year because ice cream baristas throughout the country posted videos of their creative recipes.

We saw the TikToks and said, We should do that. So we did, said Paige Keeler, whose cousins own Jen & Kerris Ice Cream Station in Jamesville. The nachos became pretty popular.

They became so popular that theres now a waffle chip shortage. Mineo Wholesale Co. in East Syracuse sells goods to area restaurants. This was the first year they stocked the sweet chips, but their supply was depleted in early spring.

It kind of just happened overnight. It was the craziest thing, said Dan Kajdasz, who manages Mineo, his fathers company. Wed get some and then the next thing you know, theyre all gone. And now theyre very hard to get.

At the start of this years ice cream season, nearly one of every four customers at Charlees Ice Cream in Camillus bought nachos. Owner Ben Hussong noticed the growing trend and quickly stocked up on the chips. He said theyll be able to end the year without running out, but hes heard other shops arent so lucky.

Count Harry Leonardo among the unfortunate. He owns Harrys Sweet Treats on Burnet Avenue in Syracuse.

I wish I could help you, Leonardo said when asked for a tray of ice cream nachos. I would love to sell those, I really would, but I cant get the chips. I could make my own chips, but theyre not the same, and that would take a lot of time.

Here are five local ice creameries that are serving nachos during the chip drought. Certainly, there are others. But this is what we found on a recent quest.

Yeti Frozen Yogurt & Cafe

Ice cream nachos from Yeti on Westcott Street. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Address: 558 Westcott St., Syracuse. Open 7 days a week 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (noon to 9 on weekends)

Tom Ascioti bought this restaurant four years ago when it was pretty much just a frozen yogurt store. Hes expanded to soups, sandwiches, ice cream and sherbet. Like most frozen yogurt stores, customers grab a cup or cone and build their own creation. He has a bar of more than 25 items just waiting to coat his frozen dairy. Of those, crushed waffle cones had been a popular option last year.

This year, he bought a few boxes of the chips and started pushing ice cream nachos. When he saw how popular they were, he ordered enough to get him through the year. He also bought boxes of chocolate waffle chips, which are now on backorder.

Toppings for ice cream nachos from Yeti on Westcott Street. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Kids like them, but adults really love them, Ascioti said. Its the perfect date-night snack because its easy to share, and you have fun picking out what you want on top.

You start with the typical plastic nacho plate, with a small reservoir for hot fudge or caramel. You choose which of the 10 flavors of ice cream or frozen yogurt. Then you pick the candy, fruit, nuts, marshmallows or any of the other toppings.

Yeti charges 71 cents per ounce. You can make a tiny plate of nachos and get out of there for a couple dollars. Or you can do what I did and load up on a swirl mixture of espresso and sea salt caramel pretzel frozen yogurt, Heath bars, chocolate-covered pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, and crushed Butterfinger.

It came to 18 ounces. Sure, that came to a little more than $13.14, but hey, Im sure I shared it. (With my imaginary friend.)

Charlees Ice Cream

Kayleigh Hanlon delivers some ice cream nachos from Charlee's in Camillus. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Address: 112 Kasson Road, Camillus (behind Cams Pizza). Open 7 days a week, noon to 9:30 p.m.

You can go the traditional ice cream nacho route here and get plain ol vanilla, hot fudge and whipped cream. Or you can take any one of Charlees seven specialty sundaes and turn it into loaded ice cream nachos.

I optioned for the Reeses Pieces sundae: vanilla soft-serve, chocolate syrup, peanut butter syrup, Reeses Pieces, a full peanut butter cup and a mess or whipped cream.

The chips make such a good thing even better.

Fifis Ice Cream & Sweets

Ice cream nachos from Fifi's in Eastwood. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com).

Address: 3021 James St., in Syracuses Eastwood section. Open daily from 2 to 9 p.m. (noon to 9 on weekends).

The kids working the window at Fifis clearly have no idea that theres a waffle chip shortage. (Neither did I when I first visited.) They tossed 31 of these hard-to-get crisps on my plastic platter. Heck, there were more chips than ice cream.

Because I was buying, and the fact that Im lactose intolerant, my co-worker Jules Struck did the ordering. She got chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce and extra Heath bar chips.

Reporter Jules Struck samples ice cream nachos from Fifi's in Eastwood. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

At first, we wondered why this dessert came with a spoon. After all, the chips serve as the utensil. But these chips are thin and break easily. About midway through, the ice cream was more like just cream.

The spoon came in handy to clean up the mess, using our bellies as the dumpster.

Plank Road Ice Cream

Ice cream nachos from Plank Road Ice Cream. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Address: 449 S Main St., North Syracuse. Open daily noon to 10 p.m.

Eric Antinelli is another one of these owners who knows a good thing when he sees it. Plank Road introduced ice cream nachos in May. He figured the one case of chips he bought would last that week. It lasted just opening day.

I quickly stockpiled, he said. It was a good move, dont you think?

Yes, it was, Eric. Im really glad he thought ahead because I wouldnt have been eating ice cream nachos on Wednesday if he hadnt.

Plank Road serves soft custard with its nachos. I ordered a vanilla-chocolate twist with hot fudge and peanut butter cups. This $6.50 treat came with about 15 chips and a mountain of soft whipped cream.

Jen & Kerris Ice Cream Station

Ice cream nachos from Jen & Kerri's Ice Cream Station in Jamesville. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com).Charlie Miller

Address: 6499 E Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. Open daily 2 to 9 p.m. (1 to 9 on weekends).

Sisters Jen and Kerry Keeler opened this corner ice cream shop in Jamesvilles Town Square in 2021. They offer six soft-serve flavors and 25 flavors of Giffords premium hard ice cream. They were one of the first to offer ice cream nachos, thanks to the TikToking Paige and Jillian Kordas.

The nachos here are different from the others on this sugarcoated road trip. For one thing, they use butter waffle cookies from Trader Joes. Theyre a 3-inch oval, and they arent as sweet as the waffle-cone chips. Whats more, each ingredient you select has its own section in the to-go container.

Paige is the ice cream nacho pioneer here, so she handpicked my menu. She chose peanut butter ice cream, hot fudge and chopped peanut butter cups.

The spoon came in handy this time because the ice cream here is more dense than the others I put down. The spoon served as a knife to spread the ice cream over the wafer and a scoop to dump the candy and syrup on top.

Good work, Paige.

****

Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. (AND he pays for what he and his guests eat and drink, just so you know.) You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his free weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.

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Join NY Cannabis Insider at our next industry networking event on Aug. 15 at Madame Mikettes in NYC. Tickets will sell out.

Khari Edwards AYR Wellness head of corporate and social responsibility. He answered eight simple questions for NY Cannabis Insiders People to know series.

Should you or someone you know be featured as a Person to Know? Fill out this form and we may publish your story.



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What is your position and what do you/your company do in the cannabis space?

I am the head of corporate and social responsibility for AYR Wellness, a vertically integrated multistate cannabis operator.

How long have you worked in the cannabis space?

I have been a part of the legal cannabis space for a little under two years.

What did you do before you were involved in the cannabis industry?

Prior to working within the cannabis industry, I was the vice president of external affairs for 10 years for Brookdale Hospital and a former candidate for Brooklyn Borough President.

What led you to the cannabis industry?

My role in health and social advocacy made the transition to cannabis seamless. My main priority with AYR is creating opportunities for a variety of communities who relate to cannabis. I get to address health, economic and social justice inequities in this role.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into the NY weed industry?

Keep an open mind and do not settle on one pathway. There are so many ways to get into this industry. You do not have to be plant-touching to be successful. BUT IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK, attention to detail and commitment.

What do you think the NY cannabis ecosystem will look like in five years?

I am excited for the future of the New York cannabis industry. In five years, I believe the intention of making sure communities most impacted on the War on Drugs have a fair opportunity to succeed will come to fruition. I feel we can create a thriving ecosystem between labor, MSOs, legacy brands, and farmers, where we all can carve out a piece of a huge pie.

Do you use cannabis? If so, whats your favorite method?

I am a little past being canna-curious at this point. I have tried almost every method. My favorite is vaping, and I do enjoy taking a pull of rolled flower in the evening to go to sleep.

Who should contact you, and whats the best method?

Follow our CSR Instagram page @Ayrsocialimpact. Feel free to send any emails to Khari.edwards@ayrwellness.com and connect with me on LinkedIn @KhariEdwards.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 revolutionized the education sector. It has introduced much-needed changes in the education system, which were long due to ensure that Indian students are at par with the world student community. The Education Ministry, Government of India, will celebrate the third anniversary of NEP 2020 and the second Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam in New Delhi. Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, is likely to inaugurate the celebrations.Select experts from higher education institutions (HEIs) will deliberate on various issues like access to quality education and governance, equitable and inclusive education, research and development, etc. Director IIM Nagpur Dr. Bhimaraya Metri is one of the experts invited to share his insights on NEP2020.As a run-up to the third-anniversary celebrations of NEP2020, IIM Nagpur organized a seminar on NEP2020: Achievements and Roadmap Ahead . Directors, principals, and vice chancellors of various regional institutes and universities participated in the event. Expert academicians like the Director of VNIT, Dr. Pramod Padole, Director of IIIT, Dr. O. G. Kakde, Director of IMT, Dr. Bigyan Verma, Vice-chancellor of Gondwana University, Dr. Prashant Bokare, Director (Engineering) of Priyadarshini Group of Institutions Dr. Vivek Nanoti, and experts from Ramdeobabacollege of engineering Nagpur, shared their experiences and future plans concerning the implementation of the new policy.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Metri said that NEP2020 has introduced flexibility in higher education, which must be handled responsibly. This policy offers the opportunity for students to opt for subjects that were never thought to be studied in one go. NEP2020 has made it possible for institutions in one cluster to enable the switching of students for various courses. While adopting newer systems, new challenges are bound to crop up. Nevertheless, he added that the conviction to do things right will help every institute and student do well.Dr. Padole insisted that the Vidarbha region was well equipped with good infrastructure, educational facilities, and industry. There is an urgent need to project this on the state and national level. Inter-disciplinary education is the core of NEP, he added. Measures undertaken by VNIT to align with NEP2020 were listed during the seminar. Dr. Bigyan Verma, Director IMT, informed that they, despite being a Business School, had launched a course in psychology. The institute focused on multi and intradisciplinary education systems.Dr. Bokare upraised the experts about various social initiatives Gondwana University took in synch with NEP2020. Meanwhile, Dr. Kakde pondered on how to evolve while aligning with the new policy. Dr.Nanoti also elaborated on various steps his institute took to ensure a multi-disciplinary education system.
Liverpool, NY  The village of Liverpool has joined the list of Central New York municipalities banning or limiting short-term rentals.

The villages zoning code actually never permitted Airbnbs or VRBOs or other temporary rentals, said Bill Reagan, the villages code enforcement officer. However, no one seemed to realize that so the board adopted a local law to clarify the prohibition, he said.
LaFayette, N.Y.  Ayrloom, a line of cannabis-infused seltzers produced at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, has quickly emerged as the beverage category leader in New Yorks new legal weed industry.

But a change enacted last week by the New York Cannabis Control Board will set some new limits on sales of certain Ayrloom beverages and similar products around the state.

The board closed a loophole that had allowed shops to sell cannabis beverages derived from hemp containing levels of the psychoactive compound THC that are comparable to those made from marijuana. Hemp, like marijuana, is a member of the cannabis family.

The new rules will limit the sale of higher-level THC beverages to the state-licensed recreational marijuana dispensaries, of which there are now 21 across the state.

Other shops, such as those that sell CBD and other cannabinoid products, will have to take the higher THC level products off their shelves. Ayrloom is now sold in about 100 of those shops in the state. The CBD shops fall under different state regulations than the recreational marijuana dispensaries.

Ayrloom, which also makes edible gummies and vape products, has been producing two variations of its seltzer. Both contain 5 miligrams of THC per serving, and have a THC-to-CBD ratio of 1-to-1.

The difference is that the Ayrloom seltzers made from marijuana have been and will continue to be sold at the licensed dispensaries, while those made from hemp have been available at the less-regulated CBD and similar shops. (The hemp-based products have also been available through online ordering, but Ayrloom is discontinuing that).

The new rules limit hemp-based beverages for sale at the CBD stores and similar outlets to 1 miligram of THC per serving, and a 15-to-1 ratio of CBD-to-THC.

What this package does  is essentially make sure that intoxicating hemp products are not in the cannabinoid market, and the intoxicating products are more appropriately regulated in the adult-use market, said Patrick McKeage, deputy director of the Office of Cannabis Management, at last weeks CCB meeting after the changes were adopted.

In the Syracuse area, Ayrlooms marijuana seltzers will continue to be sold at Flynnstoned in Armory Square, which is currently the only licensed marijuana dispensary in Onondaga County. CBD shops that carry Ayrloom, like Syracuse Hemporium in Mattydale, will eventually have to discontinue them.

Syracuse Hemporium owner Jim Charon said he has not yet heard from state regulators about the change or when it will take effect.

Ayrlooms production facility opened in 2022 on Beak & Skiff property along Route 20 adjacent to its 1911 Established distillery and tasting room. That is a few miles from the big Beak & Skiff visitors center on Route 80 in Onondaga.

The company intends to follow the new rules and comply with all the states cannabis laws, said Eddie Brennan, president of the family-owned Beak & Skiff and its affiliated companies, such as Ayrloom and 1911.

The sting of losing the business at the CBD shops and online sales is tempered by the recent growth in the licensed marijuana dispensaries, Brennan said.

We look forward to continuing to grow the cannabis beverage category in NY State from licensed dispensaries, Brennan said in a email to syracuse.com. I firmly believe that cannabis beverages are the future of the cannabis industry. It is the form (of cannabis) that is socially acceptable and most familiar. We look forward to continuing to break the stigma around cannabis one customer at a time.

It is possible in the future that Ayrloom could make some lower-level hemp-based beverages that comply with the 1 milligram / 15-to-1 ratio, Brennan said.

Ayrlooms 12-ounce sparkling waters are available in black cherry, pink grapefruit, and pineapple mango.

While Beak & Skiff is producing marijuana gummies and vapes, it expects the beverage category to be its main focus, Brennan said. The company has a long experience producing beverages like hard cider and distilled spirits.

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
Syracuse, N.Y.  The Syracuse Financial Empower Center, which has helped 3,500 city residents with free financial counseling since it launched in 2019, has a new program manager  and a grant opportunity that should cover his salary.

Mayor Ben Walsh this week announced the hiring of JaQuan Denson, who started in the role in April. Denson will oversee the operation of the center, which works with HomeHeadquarters as its approved counseling provider.

Denson introduced himself to the Common Council at Wednesdays bi-monthly study session, and noted that the program has provided 5,419 counseling sessions of 30 minutes or more. The average bank savings growth for participants has been $3,443, and they have paid down $3.5 million in debt.

The center operates within the citys Neighborhood and Business Development Department. NBD Commissioner Michael Collins informed councilors that, with their approval, the city can secure $45,000 per year for two years from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, a Wall Street-based national nonprofit. That money would cover Densons salary.

Denson previously worked as a school administrator at the Science Academies of New York and as juvenile detention officer at Hillbrook Detention Center. He earned financial adviser certification through the University of Miami, and completed his bachelors degree from Utica College of Syracuse University.

City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com or (315) 657-5673.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho  Theres nothing at the mall.

Its a complaint that has echoed over the years about the Magic Valleys only enclosed shopping center, which, at one time, boasted Macys, Sears and Shopko as prominent and profitable mainstays but has since lost many of its recognizable national brands amid an online shopping blitz that has zapped foot traffic nationally and left many malls with more empty storefronts than occupied spaces.

Even the people who work at the mall have heard it.

And its usually followed by, But I havent been there in months, said Heather Barrett, the assistant general manager at Magic Valley Mall.

We want people to come check it out, Trevor White, the malls general manager since January, told the Times-News during a recent walking tour. If they havent come inside, they dont know whats new. You cant drive by and see it. You know we have a Buckle here? You know we have an American Eagle here? Just come check it out and see for yourself whats inside.

Magic Valley Mall | Fast facts The mall celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 29, 1986, debuting with 41 stores.

The initial anchor stores were Bon Marche, JCPenney, Sears and Shopko.

Only JCPenney, Claires and Maurices remain in the mall from opening day.

The current anchors, in addition to JCPenney, are Hobby Lobby, Kohls and Magic Valley Cinema 13.

The indoor mall and outer restaurants and stores account for between 1,200 and 1,500 local jobs.

The mall is owned and operated today by Woodbury Corporation, headquartered in Salt Lake City.

Its more than nothing  even with at least a few vacancies in nearly every direction and a food court that could desperately use a Cinnabon, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant, or both.

Cotton On is slated to open its third Idaho location in September, across the way from Daily Thread, an emerging womens fashion retailer that added Twin Falls to its portfolio of nearly 150 U.S. locations in March, and the Twin Falls Zoological Center is planning its long-awaited opening in the fall.

Play Joy, a fully automated arcade that opened in the fall of 2020, provides fun and games.

Nearby, Pretzelmaker is serving up The Worlds Best Soft Pretzel at one of just four locations in the Gem State. Or, for a bigger bite, Baked N Loaded is the malls newest food option, offering a variety of piled-high Idaho potatoes.

Theres an ongoing focus, too, on bringing in fresh, new retailers to help set apart the mall as more than a shopping destination but a gathering place where things happen, said Danny Woodbury, senior vice president of leasing at Woodbury Corporation, the Salt Lake City-based owner of the mall.

Were happy with where the mall is  but were not satisfied, Woodbury told the Times-News during a phone interview.

As she refolded pants for a display inside Daily Thread, which occupies a space previously leased by Payless ShoeSource, Kimberly Watkins talked enthusiastically about the future of the only mall between Boise and Pocatello.

I left this mall, because it was dying, and I came back to rejuvenate it, the stores manager told the Times-News.

There are good times ahead, then?

Oh yeah, said Watkins, who, coincidentally, managed the Payless store before the company closed all of its locations after filing bankruptcy in 2017 and again in 2019. Its really exciting. Were starting to see a lot of growth again.

Thats the kind of talk the mall likes to hear.

The opening of Magic Valley Mall in October 1986 transformed the shopping experience for consumers in south-central Idaho and stirred the local economy by creating more than 430 new jobs at its first 41 stores, according to Times-News reporting at the time.

In addition to the initial anchors of Bon Marche (the precursor to Macys), JCPenney, Sears and Shopko, the Twin Falls mall opened with a few of the time-period classics  including Waldenbooks, K-B Toys, Radio Shacks and Orange Julius.

Three stores that opened on the first day are still housed inside the mall on Pole Line Road: JCPenney, Claires and Maurices.

I think youll find  and our experience has been  that it will help strengthen the regional draw of Twin Falls by adding more diverse and deeper (selection) of merchandise, G. Rex Frazier, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Price Industries Corp., the initial owner of the mall, was quoted in a special edition of the Times-News on Oct. 29, 1986, to mark the grand opening. Most types of merchandise will be available, which, in some cases, hasnt been available in the past.

There was controversy, too, recalled Don Chandler, the malls first general manager, with Bon Marche, JCPenney and Sears all abandoning downtown retail spaces to move across town and join Shopko.

Six years later, Lamonts made a short-lived run as a fifth anchor tenant.

In that grand opening edition of the Times-News, Bob Freund penned an analysis, describing the mall as a powerful new force while highlighting potential economic advantages. In conclusion, Freund wrote, The Magic Valley Malls long-range impact on the local retailing industry may depend heavily on whether the center can attract new dollars.

The same is likely true today, nearly four decades later.

The survey says  A May 2023 survey by financial services company IPX1031 polled 1,005 people across the U.S. to learn about opinions on shopping malls. Among the takeaways: Nearly two in three Americans want to see a revival of traditional shopping malls  including 66% of Gen Z and Gen X.

of Gen Z and Gen X. The five favorite reasons for shopping at a mall: 1) Convenience of multiple stores in one spot; 2) Window shopping; 3) Food court and restaurants; 4) Socializing with friends; and 5) Department stores.

Safety is a concern: 27% of people dont feel safe going to malls and 24% avoid malls due to safety concerns.

of people dont feel safe going to malls and avoid malls due to safety concerns. The rise in online shopping ( 78% ) is listed as the primary reason for mall closures, followed by economic recession ( 46% ), poor management ( 35% ), competition ( 31% ) and the COVID-19 pandemic ( 25% ).

) is listed as the primary reason for mall closures, followed by economic recession ( ), poor management ( ), competition ( ) and the COVID-19 pandemic ( ). Nearly 70% of Americans live within an hour of a dead mall, defined as a mall with a high vacancy rate, low consumer traffic or completely shuttered. To read the full survey, go online to https://www.ipx1031.com/americas-abandoned-malls-data-2023/.

The influence of the internet has sparked a surge in online shopping that only escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic when many retailers locked up brick-and-mortar locations in an effort to protect public safety. Nine out of 10 adults shop online in a typical month, up from about 70% in 2017, according to an annual e-commerce study from Adtaxi, a Colorado-based digital marketing agency.

One in four, meanwhile, buys online every day  an increase from 5% of American adults six years ago, the study found.

Shopping malls have suffered the brunt of it, with foot traffic falling 7% nationally from 2019 to 2022, according to Placer.ai, a location analytics company that collects geolocation data from mobile devices for major retailers to use to study brand dominance, visitation and demographics, and other trends.

Online shopping has changed the way people shop and taken away so much of what used to be so invigorating, Chandler said. The shopping experience was just fun. Youd come to the mall on the weekends, Saturdays and you sometimes couldnt find a parking space. It was packed.

Still, Chandler remains bullish about the future of the only mall in the eight-county region  even as others fail throughout the United States. In October, Nick Egelanian, president of the retail consulting firm SiteWorks, predicted that only about 150 of the remaining 700 shopping malls would make it another 10 years.

There were about 2,500 malls across America in the heyday of the 1980s.

Its not what it used to be, but its still a safe place. The developer has put money back into the mall. Theyve done renovations. Theyve kept it up-to-date. Leasing is a challenge but theyve done a great job adding value to the mall, Chandler told the Times-News.

Try to imagine where Twin Falls would be today if it hadnt made that big step in bringing in the Magic Valley Mall, which truly made it a retail hub of south-central Idaho and established it as a place for growth.

The Woodbury Corporation, to Chandlers point, isnt acting as if Magic Valley Mall wont be around for decades to come.

In addition to floor-to-ceiling renovations in 2017 and 2018, a significant financial investment that also included new furniture in the malls common areas and a play area thats considerably more than a squishy floor with a kiddie slide, Woodbury will soon begin a full replacement of exterior windows and glass entry doors.

Additionally, Woodbury plans to replace existing mall signage on Blue Lakes Boulevard with a new digital messaging center to raise visibility of its stores, promotions and events. The proposed signage, as pictured in renderings shared with the Times-News, stands about 30 feet high.

The new signs will be placed at Blue Lakes and Pole Line and at Blue Lakes and Bridgeview Boulevard, with construction potentially complete by the end of the year.

Standing under LED lights at the center of the mall, with Kohls in one direction and JCPenney in the other, White paused the walking tour and took a moment to appreciate his surroundings.

We wouldnt be this way without Woodbury, the malls GM said.

The arrival of Kohls, which opened in May 2020 in the former Sears building, about 18 months after Hobby Lobby stepped into the space vacated by Macys, has helped stabilize two of the malls largest spaces following the loss of three anchors from early 2018 to spring 2019.

The largest space in the mall, however, remains empty outside of a few months each year around Halloween time  and theres nothing much Woodbury can do about it. Shopko owned its real estate assets and sold at auction after closing its doors in May 2019, said Woodbury, the corporate senior vice president.

The former Shopko building is owned by Fernwood Ranch LLC of Las Vegas. The owner, through a Twin Falls property manager, declined the Times-News request for an interview about plans for the space.

The former Sears Auto Center also remains unleased, though Woodbury said his ownership group is seeking to convert the space into a higher-end restaurant with alcohol, but he added, We havent landed a deal yet.

Quote Try to imagine where Twin Falls would be today if it hadnt made that big step in bringing in the Magic Valley Mall, which truly made it a retail hub of south-central Idaho and established it as a place for growth. Don Chandler, Magic Valley Mall's first general manager

There are interior storefronts for lease, too  including spaces vacated by Victorias Secret and MasterCuts. Woodbury moved quickly to replace Kays Jewelers, another pandemic dropout, with Morgan Jewelers.

Several local retailers have set up shop, too, bringing a distinctive Idaho feel.

Canyon Rim Crafts & Boutique, at the far end of the mall next to Hobby Lobby, is a showcase for Magic Valley crafters and artists to sell outside of fairs and other pop-up events and beyond their websites.

A few doors down, Twin Falls-based Remi Bleu sells unique womens, toddler and baby clothes at one of its two Idaho locations.

The addition of more national retailers just might hinge on how many locals decide to dismiss that familiar complaint about the mall.

Theres nothing accurate about it, anyway, White said.

We believe in our local economy  (and) we want to make it the best we can but some things are just out of our control, he said. We want to encourage people to support local. The more they shop, especially when we attract national tenants, the more we can share that with other retailers who might be looking at Twin Falls. It ends up really helping the whole community.
Reappointments to Teagasc Authority

Reappointments to Teagasc Authority Board, Mr. Liam Herlihy as Chairman and Professor Thia Hennessy, Dean of Cork University Business School (CUBS) at UCC have been appointed for a second five year term by Minister McConalogue.

Reappointments to Teagasc Authority

Mr. Liam Herlihy has been reappointed as Chairman of the Teagasc Authority for a second five year term, by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. His appointment is for a 5 year term effective from 17 September.

Mr. Herlihy is a farmer from County Waterford. He is also the Chairman of FBD since May 2017. Previously he was Chairman of Glanbia Plc for over 7 years, and served as a Director of both the Irish Dairy Board (now Ornua) and ICOS. Mr. Herlihy completed the Institute of Directors Development Programme and holds a certificate of merit in Corporate Governance from University College Dublin.

Professor Thia Hennessy, Dean of Cork University Business School (CUBS) at UCC has been also been reappointed for a second five year term to the Teagasc Authority by Minister McConalogue.

Professor Hennessy has a BA in Economics and Finance from NUI Maynooth, a Masters in Business Studies from the Smurfit Business School (UCD), a PhD from the University of Reading (UK) and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Agri-business Programme. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Irish Management Institute, Cork Chamber and a former Director of Animal Health Ireland. Professor Thia Hennessy is also Professor and Chair of Agri-Food Economics in UCC.
Gaur BHPian

Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Amchi Mumbai Posts: 166 Thanked: 714 Times

Re: Work From Home (WFH): Is this the future for many? Quote: am1m Originally Posted by Caught up with someone I know after a bit of a gap. She's been working remote for the past 4 years (even before Covid) since she was in a role that didn't require them to be physically present at work and their company was ahead of the curve at saving on unnecessary office space costs. Post-covid the company gave up even more office space in Bangalore and more people worked remote. This is a very old, very established, very profitable, publicly-listed, brand-name US-based IT company, with literally thousands of employees. And this person is an experienced (20+ years) professional who has worked across a couple of continents.



Was telling me how grateful she was that she could spend more time with her father during these last few years of his life. Wouldn't have been possible had the job required a daily commute to work. And during the past 4 years, she's gotten two promotions and continues to be a good performer (I know of this from other people), with a normal workday that stretches over 10 hours on most days. I also know her job involves a lot of co-ordination and strategic planning with stakeholders across the globe. All done virtually. She's absolutely not interested in jumping to another company, no matter how good the offer is, because she's grateful for the flexibility.

This very closely relates to something at my home as well.



Wife is in WFH mode since mid 2019 initially it was due to pregnancy as we were expecting twins and doctor advised complete bedrest, her oneway commute was around 25kms and we couldn't take any chances and her office allowed an exception, until then it wasn't the norm at her company in Bangalore.

Our kids were delivered just a month before lockdown, we were lucky to be at our home town with our families.



She is now working from Mumbai since then and visiting office for a few days once in a quarter, this arrangement is working for the time being even though office has resumed and people are being called back, difficult for us to imagine managing 2 kids all by ourselves in a different city.



Apart from being able to see kids growing up with grandparents, uncles and aunts, attending family functions, festivals and weddings it has also resulted in good financial savings.



However more important is that her career graph has only zoomed up since then, Promotions, multiple hikes and recognition across department.



Her work involves daily interaction with stakeholders in Europe and managing around 8-10 people in India, none of which has suffered due to her working from home.



We do know had she switched jobs or been regular to current office she would have got more opportunities to grow but she is very clear at the moment about kids being her priority and more then happy to let go other things.



Lets see how things unfold in future but at the moment we only wish it continues like this. This very closely relates to something at my home as well.Wife is in WFH mode since mid 2019 initially it was due to pregnancy as we were expecting twins and doctor advised complete bedrest, her oneway commute was around 25kms and we couldn't take any chances and her office allowed an exception, until then it wasn't the norm at her company in Bangalore.Our kids were delivered just a month before lockdown, we were lucky to be at our home town with our families.She is now working from Mumbai since then and visiting office for a few days once in a quarter, this arrangement is working for the time being even though office has resumed and people are being called back, difficult for us to imagine managing 2 kids all by ourselves in a different city.Apart from being able to see kids growing up with grandparents, uncles and aunts, attending family functions, festivals and weddings it has also resulted in good financial savings.However more important is that her career graph has only zoomed up since then, Promotions, multiple hikes and recognition across department.Her work involves daily interaction with stakeholders in Europe and managing around 8-10 people in India, none of which has suffered due to her working from home.We do know had she switched jobs or been regular to current office she would have got more opportunities to grow but she is very clear at the moment about kids being her priority and more then happy to let go other things.Lets see how things unfold in future but at the moment we only wish it continues like this. Last edited by Gaur : 24th July 2023 at 17:37 .
A hot potato: It's unlikely that anyone would believe 99.99% of the content posted on Twitter could be described as "healthy," unless you work for Elon Musk's company, of course. The bold claim was in response to a damning article highlighting the surge of harmful posts appearing on the platform.

Bloomberg's piece, titled "Twitter Surge In Harmful Content a Barrier To Advertiser Return," details the well-documented advertising problem Twitter has faced since Musk took over. The world's richest person laid off the majority of Twitter employees following his $44 billion acquisition of the company, including those who moderate posts. There has also been an official loosening of its content rules, and several users who were banned for violating Twitter policies have had their accounts reinstated. It's led to hateful, violent, and inaccurate posts on the platform, claims the publication.

The Twitter Business account rebuked the story in a tweet addressed to advertisers. It claims that Bloomberg's assertion of harmful content on Twitter increasing over the past six months is false, and that 99.99% of tweet impressions are healthy.

To our partners, we want to address a recent Bloomberg article which claims that harmful content viewed on Twitter has gone up over the past six months. This is an absolutely false assertion. 99.99% of Tweet impressions are healthy. Which means only a tiny amount of content  Twitter Business (@TwitterBusiness) July 19, 2023

"Bloomberg created this article using outdated research that contains incorrect or misleading metrics. The article does not properly provide the right context or new updates to the remediations we have made since the third party research was conducted," the tweet states.

I agree with the Bloomberg article, I get hate on here everyday.  David Weissman aAiA (@davidmweissman) July 19, 2023

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to learn that the tweet was met with the kind of mockery one would expect from such a claim. Even New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined in the criticism, calling out the fact that users can now pay the $8 per month fee for a verified blue tick.

"I have never experienced more harassment on this platform than I do now. People now pay to give their harassment more visibility," she tweeted.

lololol I have never experienced more harassment on this platform than I do now. People now pay to give their harassment more visibility.



The de-verification of journalists, civic orgs, and figures has made it impossible to follow conversations. I wish it could be usable again https://t.co/a7tiGAoAKl  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 19, 2023

As PCMag notes, Twitter is likely defining healthy as anything that doesn't break its rules, including porn, hardline political views, ads for edibles, false statements, etc., all things that spook advertisers.

It was reported in June that Twitter's US advertising revenue for the five weeks between April 1 and the first week of May was $88 million, down 59% from a year earlier. Musk said half the company's advertising had disappeared due to advertisers in Europe and North America putting extreme pressure on the company. "They are trying to drive Twitter bankrupt," he said. It's a worrying statistic for a firm that makes 90% of its revenue from ads, though the Twitter Blue program is designed to offset some of the advertising revenue loss.
A hot potato: Apple has always been a passionate proponent of not weakening the security of its devices at the request of a government or law enforcement. The issue is becoming a problem for Cupertino in the UK, where changes to surveillance laws could force the closure of FaceTime and iMessage in the country.

The UK's Home Office wants to update its Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016. The changes include giving the ministerial department the power to access encrypted content via a technology capability notice (TCN).

Apple said that the changes would also require it and other messaging services to clear new security features, including iOS updates, with the UK government before they are rolled out. The government requires the mandatory notification of planned changes to services that could have a negative impact on investigatory powers. The Home Office would also be able to demand that security features in updates be disabled.

Apple says that if it were to acquiesce to the request, it would effectively be granting the UK government control over security and encryption updates globally as further proposals require non-UK companies to implement changes worldwide. Apple insists it would not make alterations to security that would weaken a product for global users just to satisfy the demands of one country.

The proposals would "make the Home Office the de facto global arbiter of what level of data security and encryption are permissible," Apple wrote.

Apple has long stood firm against breaking its encryption and putting backdoors in its devices. The most famous case came in 2015 when the FBI made a request relating to the San Bernardino shooting. In that case, the feds demanded Apple crack the device used by the shooter, even going so far as to take the company to court. The agency subsequently accessed the contents on the iPhone with the help of a third party and dropped its demands.

Apple suggested that it could be forced to withdraw the encrypted FaceTime and iMessage services from the UK if the proposals go ahead.

"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 iPhone maker added that the changes would "result in an impossible choice between complying with a Home Office mandate to secretly install vulnerabilities into new security technologies (which Apple would never do), or to forgo development of those technologies altogether and sit on the sidelines as threats to users' data security continue to grow."

An eight-week consultation on the proposed amendments to the IPA Act has been opened by the government.

Apple isn't the only company that has threatened to walk away from the UK. WhatsApp and Signal have objected to a clause in The Online Safety Bill, aka the snoopers charter, that requires the installation of technology in messaging services that can scan for child abuse images in encrypted messages.

The home office said the IPA Act was designed to "protect the public from criminals, child sex abusers, and terrorists."

"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," a government spokesperson said.
TL;DR: Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers have to be pulling their hair out by now. On more than one occasion, the prosecution caught the alleged swindler trying to influence witnesses. In his latest effort, SBF supposedly leaked select portions of his ex-girlfriend and former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison's private thoughts stored on a shared Google Drive. Prosecutors have asked the judge for an injunction to forbid him or anyone else from disseminating any more information related to the case.

On Thursday, the New York Times published an article revealing portions of Sam Bankman-Fried's co-conspirator and ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison's private diary. Although the NYT did not cite a source, US prosecutors alleged that SBF was the one who leaked the journal excerpts in a bid to discredit Ellison, who prosecutors scheduled to testify in his hearing starting October 2.

Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Danielle Sassoon filed a motion with US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to forbid Bankman-Fried or any other witness in the case from "extrajudicial statements," colloquially known as a "gag order." Sassoon says the injunction is necessary to ensure a fair trial by an impartial jury.

The Justice Department believes that SBF intentionally leaked cherry-picked portions of Ellison's private writings, kept on a shared Google Drive and were not part of discovery. Prosecutors claim SBF wanted to portray her as a "jilted lover who perpetrated these crimes alone." The DoJ also claims that the leak had a secondary effect of influencing witnesses and jurors. Sassoon says that witnesses have already indicated that they are worried about testifying for fear of being publically humiliated.

"These witness concerns will only be heightened if witnesses are made to fear that a consequence of testifying against the defendant may include personal humiliation and efforts to discredit their reputation that go beyond what the rules of evidence might permit during cross-examination," said the AUSA in her filing. "In addition to tainting the jury pool, the effect, if not the intent, of the defendant's conduct is not only to harass Ellison but also to deter other potential trial witnesses from testifying."

The excepts revealed by the NYT article were not particularly damning for Ellison, who was serving as CEO of Alameda Research at the time of the FTX crypto exchange collapse. She expressed feeling unhappy and overwhelmed in a position she didn't feel qualified for.

"Running Alameda doesn't feel like something I'm that comparatively advantaged at or well suited to do," she wrote.

The piece also quoted entries addressed directly to SBF during their off-and-on romantic relationship. However, no snippets explicitly or implicitly indicate that she acted alone or happily complied with SBF's instructions to misuse company funds. On the contrary, Ellison expressed relief after hearing that FTX collapsed.

"I just had an increasing dread of this day that was weighing on me," Ellison wrote in an entry directed at SBF, which was previously revealed in discovery. "Now that it's actually happening, it just feels great to get it over with."

The document leak is not the first time Bankman-Fried has allegedly attempted to tamper with witnesses. In February, Judge Kaplan denied a motion to allow SBF to use messaging apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or standard text messaging because he had been caught the month prior messaging witnesses with incriminating evidence against him via the Signal app, asking them to "reconnect" with him so they could "vet things with each other."
In brief: Game piracy has long been popular in Russia, but the exodus of Western companies from the country following its invasion of Ukraine saw the practice skyrocket. In 2022, 69% of gamers said they'd played at least one pirated game, while 51% admitted to pirating more games than they did in 2021.

A survey carried out by Russian online game development platform School XYZ (spotted by TorrentFreak) highlights the explosion in piracy after numerous game devs and publishers pulled out of the market.

Almost seven out of ten gamers played a pirated game last year, with just over half confirming they were pirating more in 2022 than they were a year earlier. Around 20% said they had pirated more than ten games, while 27% confessed to pirating more than three.

Not all participants were pirates: 31% said they had pirated nothing, all of whom were against pirating. Moreover, just 7% said they had purchased nothing through official channels, suggesting the other 93%, even the pirates, had bought at least one game legitimately last year.

Game piracy isn't a new issue in Russia, which had considered legalizing piracy to avoid sanctions. A 2019 survey of 2,000 Russian by ISET Softvea LLC (via Ars Technica) found that 91% preferred pirated content across mediums, with cracked games proving to be the most popular type of pirated content. Only 9% of respondents said they bought content exclusively from official sources.

Russians have few options when it comes to buying games legally. Microsoft, Ubisoft, Take-Two, EA, Activision, Epic, Sony, and Nintendo as just some of the big names to have stopped the sale of their products in Russia following the invasion, but the bigger problem has been companies like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal suspending their services, making the purchase of games from online platforms much more difficult.

As with many modern technologies, video games are playing a big part in the Russia/Ukraine conflict. We've seen Counter-Strike: Go being used to skirt Putin's media restrictions and inform Russians about the war. There was also Microsoft's warning of Russian agents trying to infiltrate gaming communities. On the hardware side, it was reported in April that the Ukraine army was using the Steam Deck to control machine gun turrets.
A hot potato: AI algorithms can do much more than generate garbled, unreliable text snippets and eerily repulsive synthetic images. In fact, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is already employing the tech to understand how much fare evasion is impacting the New York City subway service.

According to the May 2023 report published by the MTA on ticket evasion, people unwilling to pay their fair share to use New York's subway system are costing the city nearly $700 million in lost revenues. This fare evasion is essentially threatening the future of the public transit system, the MTA said, which in turn would "tear at the social fabric" of the most densely populated urban conglomerate in the US.

Numbers don't lie, and they come from an AI system created by the Spanish company AWAAIT. The software was originally developed for the Barcelona subway network, but it is seemingly working well enough for New York as well. MTA began testing AWAAIT's tech in 2020, and it is now employing it in seven different subway stations to track fare evasion on a continuous basis.

The AI-assisted software compares the number of unpaid entries with the number of paid entries that were previously recorded by the system. The technology can operate 24 hours per day, every day of the week, MTA said, so it can also provide detailed data about the time of the day when the largest spike in fare evaders is recorded.

The largest number of non-paying passengers is seemingly detected between 3 and 4 PM, MTA said, with smaller spikes happening during the morning rush hours. More than 50% of fair evasions consist of people simply going through the emergency gate, the transportation authority stated, while 20% of evaders prefer to jump or "climb" over the turnstile. Furthermore, 16% of passengers are skinny enough to slip through the gaps, and 12% duck under the turnstile.

Despite being a "threatening" phenomenon for the future of New York's most popular transportation system, the MTA remarked how fare evaders are not individually tracked by their AI-assisted system. The technology is used to quantify the amount of fare evasion and it does not provide any information for NYPD investigations, the authority said.

Nevertheless, MTA is planning to expand the use of AI algorithms to monitor fare evasion in 30 more subway stations by the end of the year. Data provided by the aforementioned algorithms will be employed to inform future policy-making decisions against artful ticket dodgers. The Barcelona subway system is already using AWAAIT's AI to assist law enforcement authorities in catching fair evasion, but New York is seemingly uninterested in this additional capability.
The new head of the Supervisory Board of Sense Bank (Kyiv, formerly Alfa-Bank) after its nationalization on the proposal of the Ministry of Finance is the former head of the representative office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Ukraine, Sevki Acuner, who headed the Supervisory Board of Ukrzaliznytsia several years ago.

According to information on the bank's website, two more independent members of the Supervisory Board of the nationalized Sense Bank were Andriy Pronchenko, who is Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of DNA Payments Group, and Rostyslav Diuk, board chairman of the Ukrainian Association of Fintech and Innovative Companies, whose deputy Inna Tiutiun joined the bank's board.

The representatives of the state in the Supervisory Board are the head of the department of the Ministry of Finance Andriy Svystun, who, from May to November last year, was a member of the Supervisory Board of the state-owned Ukrgasbank, and the secretary of the working group on sanctions against Russia Vladyslav Vlasiuk, who has extensive experience in the Ministry of Justice.

Acuner was also a member of the Supervisory Board of Ukrenergo and for some period headed the Supervisory Board of the state-owned Oschadbank, but the National Bank did not approve him in this position due to a conflict of interest (membership on the supervisory boards of other state-owned companies, which are bank clients).
What just happened? OpenAI boss Sam Altman might be best known for his AI company, but he's also involved in other big projects. One of these is the Worldcoin Foundation - a crypto network that uses an iris-scanning identification system to give people access to a digital currency. It is now rolling out globally, except in the US.

Worldcoin's system uses orbs packed with iris-scanning technology to establish an individual's identity; they're designed to tell the difference between humans and robots, something that is becoming more difficult in the age of advanced AI. It then creates a digital World ID that can be used pseudonymously in a wide variety of everyday applications without revealing the person's identity. Once their identity has been established, users can receive free Worldcoin tokens.

On Monday, the Berlin and San Francisco-based start-up announced that its technology will be available in 35 cities across 20 countries, writes the Financial Times. However, one notable exception is the US.

With United States regulators increasing their scrutiny of all things crypto, Worldcoin will not initially be available in the States.

"When we started thinking about this, we didn't think it would end up as 'world minus the US coin' and here we are," Altman told the Financial Times. "I'd say there's 95% of the world's population not in the US. The US does not make or break a project like this."

Crypto had a nightmare in 2022 when TerraUSD and support coin Luna crashed in May, wiping almost $1 trillion off the crypto markets. The collapse of Celsius and FTX dealt another huge blow. There has been some recovery this year, though. Bitcoin was at $16,505 at the start of 2023, but it's currently at $29,293, an increase of 77%.

Using eye-scanning technology has brought questions about potential privacy or health risks. Worldcoin assures users that the devices don't store biometric data and will not hurt eyes.

Worldcoin plans to issue 10 billion tokens over 15 years, with 75% going to users, 13.5% to investors of Tools for Humanity, 9.8% to the initial development team, and 1.7% in reserve. At launch, the maximum circulating supply of WLD is 143 million. The company plans to retain about 20% of all tokens it issues, using their value to fund "Orb production and initial protocol development [] ecosystem development and maintenance."

Company executives say that Worldcoin could also provide a form of universal basic income that could offset the job losses caused by the increased use of AI. An interesting view, given Altman's link to ChatGPT. But the project is still a for-profit business. "There will eventually be a bunch of different wallets and experiences which will make money," said Worldcoin co-founder Alex Blania.
In context: Ancient computer technologies are never completely retired, especially when they are required to operate exclusive machinery found in only a few locations worldwide. A case in point is the new 70mm IMAX release of Oppenheimer, written and directed by Hollywood wonder boy Christopher Nolan, and one of the most anticipated films of the year.

Blu-ray disks still provide the best experience for watching films and TV series at home, floppy disks are still needed here and there, and when hardware fails, there's always the emulation route to keep using decades-old equipment like Quick Turn Reel Units for IMAX theaters. These units host the ginormous physical film reels of an IMAX movie, and they are seemingly best controlled with a device that originally shipped to customers in 2002.

Christopher Nolan, a long-time supporter of the IMAX proprietary system for high-resolution films, filmed Oppenheimer in the standard's native 70mm format. The technology offers 10 times the resolution of standard film formats, as explained on the movie's official website, providing IMAX moviegoers with the "most immersive presentation" of the film about the life of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

According to a brief video recently shared by IMAX Corporation via TikTok, the 70mm film reel of Oppenheimer was so large that it required adjustments to the film platters. The most interesting tidbit shown in the clip, however, is the PalmOS emulator, seemingly necessary to operate the IMAX Quick Turn Reel Units.

IMAX later confirmed that the original Quick Turn Reel Units for 70mm film prints operated on PalmPilots. The Palm m130, a personal digital assistant (PDA) equipped with a 33MHz CPU, a 160x160 pixel LCD screen, and Palm OS 4.1, seems to be the ideal device to keep IMAX reel units running. Prior to the release of Oppenheimer, the company's developers had to create an emulator that mimics the look and feel of a PalmPilot PDA while running on a Windows tablet.

Some IMAX theaters can seemingly use physical Palm PDA devices to control the 70mm reel units. According to IMAX Corporation, their dedicated m130 emulator provides additional controls for the left and right sides of 3D projectors, sets when a platter is ready for film, and more.

The need for a quasi-ancient technology like the Palm m130 seems particularly fitting for Oppenheimer, Nolan's new bombastic thriller about a man instrumental in developing the world's first atomic bombs with the Manhattan Project. The dawn of the Atomic Age provided the Allied forces with the overwhelming force they needed to win the Second World War, and 80 years later, we are still grappling with the potential threat of an all-out nuclear war between the US, Russia, and other countries equipped with nuclear weapons.
Another week means another set of new top stories, which include Mexico's cloud seeding project amid intense heatwave and drought.

Google is also significantly advancing mobile communication technology through satellite SMS support in Android 14. Last week also marked the death of one of the best-known hackers in the world, Kevin Mitnick.

Mexico's Cloud Seeding Project: An Answer to Heatwave and Drought

The Mexican government has attempted new strategies to address water scarcity by boosting rains in the wake of a historic heatwave and months of persistent drought.

The most recent phase of its cloud seeding project happened earlier this month, and the country recently celebrated its success. A report from the Mexican government claimed that the cloud seeding project has a success rate of 98 percent.

Mexico conducted as many as 72 flights in six states, and rainfall was recorded in an impressive 71 instances. The results indicated that the project has successfully contributed to refilling aquifers and water bodies.

However, some experts, including leading cloud physicists at Mexico's National Autonomous University (UNAM), remain skeptical, saying there is no evidence that this cloud seeding can reliably increase precipitation.

Read Also: Iconic Twitter Logo "Larry the Bird" Will Be Replaced By An "X" Symbol

Google's Android 14 With SMS Via Satellite

Apple started the rumors about SMS via Satellite, and other companies soon followed suit. The recent one joining the initiative is Google, with its Android 14 promising a new service allowing satellite connectivity for texting.

Google's initiative is just right around the corner, as the final release of Android 14 is expected in two to three weeks. Based on a tweet by the Pixel #TeamPixel, Android 14 is expected to introduce support for satellite SMS, and it will become available first on compatible Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones.

It means that those still not yet part of the integration would have to wait for Google to allow this feature to be available. The full scope of satellite support in smartphones remains uncertain, so it will be interesting to see how Android 14 will leverage this feature.

RIP Kevin Mitnick

From being one of the most notorious and sought-after hackers in the United States, Kevin Mitnick became a person who campaigns for internet and cybersecurity protection, as well as dedicating his life to helping the public.

Mitnick is America's earliest hacker who only did it for the thrill, and recently, he passed away after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mitnick 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 hacking and wire fraud charges.

However, Mitnick eventually changed. What's more impressive about Mitnick's career is that he helped create companies and continued his aspirations to fight against cybercrime until his untimely death last July 16. Rest in peace, Kevin Mitnick.

Related Article: Prominent Apple Leaker Says M3 Chip-Equipped MacBook Pro to Launch in 2024: Device Would Skip on This Year's Release

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The next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled on July 26, and it is widely known that its featured device is none other than the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the latest vertical foldable smartphone of the company.

Samsung only revealed the Flip 5 through its recent teaser showing what to expect from it, particularly its flat-folding capabilities. Massive advertisements and marketing from Samsung are now present for its next-gen vertical foldable device, but not much about its expected counterpart, the Z Fold 5.

Samsung Teases the Galaxy Z Flip 5's Flat Folding Hinges

Samsung could not keep it in any longer, as its official Twitter account posted the video teaser about its new Z Flip 5, joining the company on the "flip side" with its flat-folding hinge. As seen in the video, the new Flip 5 can do things that the former Z Flip 4 can do, and that is to completely close on its other half.

When the smartphone is folded shut, the gapless design makes it look better and more secure in preventing foreign materials from entering through the crevices and potentially damaging the screen. Because of its new hinges, it now has better waterproofing and dust proofing for its durability and safety.

Read Also: Samsung Galaxy Foldables: Z Fold 5 Dust Resistance, Z Flip 5 New Hinge Coming Soon

Better Body, More Enjoyable Folding for the Z Flip

According to Tech Radar, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an iconic release as it takes foldable device usage to the next level, making it one ideal smartphone from Samsung.

For now, there is no news regarding the Z Fold 5's release, but since both always see the same release window, Samsung may be hiding the device well to catch the public off guard.

Samsung and its Galaxy Foldables

Earlier this month, Samsung finally revealed its first teaser for the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The public has already been waiting for the company's subsequent releases. This special event seems like a standalone event for its Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Z Fold 5, the company's featured foldable devices.

However, it remains to be seen if the Z Fold 5 will also arrive. Unlike the past events from Samsung that announced both its foldable smartphones, the company has seemed to make this year's event only for Flip 5.

Besides the smartphone, Samsung also announced that it will soon bring the Galaxy Watch 6 and new tablets to join the release. There is much to expect from Samsung's upcoming releases this year.

This July, the company's event will introduce its latest foldable smartphone with an improved hinge. While the foldable's hinge folds perfectly flat, this is not all you can anticipate for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, as it will also feature a larger outer screen with improved performance and more.

Related Article: Samsung to Unveil Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5 Along with New Generation of Tablets, Watches

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FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers denied witness tampering allegations linked to his conversations with a New York Times reporter but accepted a gag order in a letter to the judge overseeing the criminal fraud case.

(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrives at Manhattan Federal Court for a court appearance on June 15, 2023 in New York City.

Denying Accusations Regarding Leaking Documents

As revealed by his legal representatives, Reuters reported that FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has firmly denied accusations of witness tampering following his conversations with a New York Times reporter. This came in response to prosecutors' efforts to restrict Bankman-Fried and his associates from making public statements related to the case.

The letter was released in response to prosecutors' attempts to prevent Bankman-Fried and his allies from making public statements that could impact the case. As per the letter, he acknowledged that he had engaged in discussions with the New York Times and shared personal documents.

These documents included writings from a former colleague, Caroline Ellison, who has been cooperating with the U.S. government. Lawyer Mark Cohen stated, "Bankman-Fried did not violate the protective order in this case, nor did he violate his bail conditions, nor did he violate any law or rule governing his conduct."

Accused of Leaked Documents

According to the filing released last July 20, Bankman-Fried was identified as a source for a recent New York Times article titled "Inside the Private Writings of Caroline Ellison, Star Witness in the FTX Case," which was also published on the same day.

Prosecutors highlighted that in the personal writings shared with The Times, Ellison expressed feelings of overwhelm by her job at Alameda, the emotional distress from her breakup with Bankman-Fried, and professional insecurities.

According to the authorities, by sharing these documents with the press, Bankman-Fried is trying to discredit the witness, portray Ellison negatively, and advance his defense through media influence rather than relying on courtroom procedures and evidence rules.

Aside from being Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend, Caroline Ellison was also the Chief Executive Officer of his crypto hedge fund Alameda Research. She had previously pleaded guilty to the charges in December and has since been cooperating with prosecutors. Ellison is now set to become a key witness in Mr. Bankman-Fried's criminal trial, scheduled for October 2nd.

Also Read: CryptoWatch: SBF Wants to Drop Charges Against Him, Bybit's Race Team Sponsorship, and Canada's Digital Dollar

Notably, this filing wasn't the sole piece of adverse legal news for Bankman-Fried. As reported by Rolling Stones, a group of former FTX and Alameda lawyers filed a lawsuit against the founder in Delaware bankruptcy court, alleging that he and the leadership team of the crypto exchange had embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars.

The former employees claimed that one method employed by SBF was channeling funds to his parents, including a substantial $10 million gift to his father.

Related Article: Sam Bankman-Fried Lawsuit: SBF Camp Seeks to Dismiss Case Against Him, Wants Separate Trial for Cases

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Google has massive plans for its app, AI, and assistant based on the latest code found in the app's beta (version 14.29) as it would integrate generative AI into its main search app. It. was spotted in the latest beta version, which means that Google is already setting it up for the next release of the app, soon helping "Summarize" the website's content.

AI is a massive focus in Google now, and the company has improved its LLM and machine learning developments for a long time now, ready for better integrations for all.

Google to Integrate AI into its Assistant on the App

(Photo : Daniel Romero from Unsplash)

As first reported by 9to5 Google, the internet company is now looking to integrate its generative AI into the main Google app on smartphones, and it would soon answer users via its assistant. However, that is not the most advanced feature of this upcoming integration, as it would focus on bringing generative AI to Google Assistant.

This feature would not only focus on specific Google apps, unlike before's setup with the likes of Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more.

In this version, the company is integrating AI into the Google app, meaning that it would be a part of Android and would be available to use for various content.

Read Also: Gmail Encourages Users to Turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing: Here's Why

Google's AI to Summarize the Web Content

The Google app and Assistant can help users to "Summarize" what they are reading, whether it is web content, online post, or instructions, as the AI would perceive all of the content and give users a detailed gist of what they want to know about.

Users only need to utter either "Summarize" or "Hey, Google, Summarize" to get the digest of the content they are viewing.

Google's AI Developments and Tech

The first mainstream generative AI from Google is known as Bard, and as much as it was highly praised by the company before, it faced significant complaints and negative reviews because of its inaccurate answers. However, Google has made it so to fix and improve Bard, to bring a different kind of generative AI experience for all.

With Google's previous acquisition, it has recently established the Google DeepMind division that would focus on developing and creating the latest in artificial intelligence.

The latest development of Google to expand more of its AI will see a significant boost with DeepMind, now joining as one division towards one goal.

Google's AI is advanced, among those the most significant in the world, and it remains unknown to many but they already experienced a lot of the company's AI from previous features and integrations.

However, this is what generative AI has changed in today's age, as they give more than what is asked of them, especially with the upcoming "Summarize" command.

Related Article: Could AI Robots Replace Humans for Sex? Ex-Google Executive Issues a Warning About It

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Foxconn is popular for being known as Apple's main assembler when it comes to one of its most powerful devices, the iPhone. In the last few years, the Taiwanese firm has started to make moves into semiconductors, placing much investment in rising technologies.

Foxconn Is Betting on Artificial Intelligence to Boost the Demand for Semiconductors

According to the story by CNBC, the rising technologies that Foxconn bets on include artificial intelligence, which is expected to increase the demand for semiconductor chips. However, Foxconn's semiconductor foray has been difficult, with the article highlighting different issues.

The issues mentioned in the article include the difficulty for newer competitors to enter the market. This is because it is already very much dominated by firms that are already established with a lot of experience and a supply chain that is already highly intricate.

Gabriel Perez, a BMI ICT analyst, gave a statement to CNBC through an email saying that the industry imposes high entry barriers to newcomers, with high levels of capital intensity and access, which they convert into intellectual property.

Other Players Like TSMC, Samsung, and Micron are Already Well Established

According to Forbes India, this comes as players like TSMC, Samsung, or Micron, considered established entities, counting on its advantages like several decades of research and development, process engineering, and investments, worth trillions of dollars, for them to reach where they are now.

Foxconn actually has a different name and it's also known as Hon Hai Technology Group, as the company works as a contract electronics manufacturer responsible for consumer product assembly. This includes an assembly for products like the iPhone.

Recently, Foxconn has decided to expand into semiconductors, forming the Yageo Corporation joint venture in May 2021, and in the same year, the company bought a chip plant from Macronix, a Taiwanese chipmaker.

The efforts of Foxconn started to increase in 2022, when it agreed with Vedanta, an Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate, to set up a plant in India for semiconductor and display production. This would be part of its joint venture worth $19.5 billion.

Read Also: Prominent Apple Leaker Says M3 Chip-Equipped MacBook Pro to Launch in 2024: Device Would Skip on This Year's Release

Foxconn Started Increasing Its Efforts Before It Pulled Out of the $19.5 Billion Deal

The Apple supplier dropped out of its $19.5 billion India factory plan, according to BBC, which happened just a year after the company announced plans to build a facility in Gujarat, the home state of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Neil Shah, Counterpoint Research's VP of research said that Foxconn is diversifying its business by pushing into semiconductors. Shah noted that the reason for doing this is the company wanting to become what was described as a "one-stop shop" for automotive and electronics companies.

The article by CNBC notes that should Foxconn assemble electronics and manufacture chips, its business will have a very unique and competitive edge. The investment of the company comes as India is also trying to boost its domestic semiconductor industry.

Perez noted that in their decision to establish a JV in India, they need to respond to two important trends, the market's growing role regarding consumer electronics manufacturing as well as the ambitions of India.

Related Article: Some Amazon Corporate Workers Will Be Forced to Relocate as Part of Its Return-to-Office Policy

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Chinese tech companies are extending their efforts through generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to create virtual live-streaming hosts that have the capability to intensify the competition as the country races to establish a global live-streaming e-commerce hub in major cities.

(Photo : HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo taken late on October 22, 2020 shows Lalo Lopez from Spain practicing with a drone at a studio in Shanghai where he usually live-streams to offer products on an Aliexpress channel in Spain.

AI-Powered Virtual Hosts

In China's extensive live-streaming e-commerce sector, South China Morning Post reported that products ranging from lipsticks to rocket launch services are sold, generating billions in sales during major retail events.

As cities like Shenzhen and Hangzhou compete to become global live-streaming e-commerce hubs, Chinese tech companies are leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) to develop virtual hosts capable of round-the-clock sessions, intensifying the competition in this industry.

Generative AI involves algorithms like ChatGPT, enabling the creation of various content types such as audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. This application of generative AI highlights its potential to disrupt traditional occupations in China and the broader job market.

The emergence of generative AI-powered virtual hosts has the potential to disrupt the jobs of over 400,000 human live-streamers across various platforms, including Alibaba Group Holding's Taobao Live, Tencent Holdings' WeChat, ByteDance-owned Douyin, and Kuaishou Technology.

Incorporating AI

Chinese major brands are increasingly intrigued by the idea of employing generative AI-driven virtual hosts for their online campaigns. For instance, TS2 reported that Beijing-based startup WH Zones disclosed that local electronics giants and international cosmetics conglomerates are collaborating with them to launch online campaigns featuring virtual live-streamers.

The integration of virtual host technology with the influence of human celebrities is expected to boost online sales, as per Chief Executive Officer Gao Zilong. He mentioned that his company is currently collaborating with significant consumer brands, including a local electronics giant and an international cosmetics conglomerate, to introduce online campaigns in August.

Meanwhile, a prominent online search giant in China called Baidu implemented a workflow using its extensive language model to create scripts for human hosts during live-streaming sessions. The success of this solution has been demonstrated, as one vendor utilized it to sell tickets to Shanghai Disneyland, resulting in sales of 540,000 yuan within a month.

Live Streaming in China

For a decade, live streaming has been immensely popular in China, with 325 million people regularly tuning in by June 2016. In the same year, Wired reported that companies started integrating sales channels into their livestream offerings, including with fashion retailers Mogujie and Taobao, leading the way by launching their services in March and April 2016, respectively.

Also Read: Alibaba Not China's Top Shopping Site Anymore--Pinduoduo now Biggest E-Commerce; New Logistics Platform to Arrive

At first, Meta delved into live shopping on its platforms Facebook and Instagram. However, the company later chose to discontinue the livestream e-commerce features for both services without making a significant public announcement.

In contrast, Amazon introduced its Amazon Live platform in 2019 and continued to hold live streaming events for its Prime Day sales events in 2021 and 2022. These events even featured appearances from celebrities.

Related Article: TikTok Aims to Increase Its E-Commerce Sales to $20 Billion, Relies on Southeast Asia

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As technology continues to advance, the upgrades to equipment and devices marketed to the public are inevitable. Although the initial hype for 3D printers may have subsided due to high costs and changing market trends, resin 3D printers have had a significant impact on various industries, transforming the lives of many.

Resin 3D printers utilize UV light, typically from a laser or LED, to cure and solidify light-sensitive liquid resin. The process involves layer-by-layer curing of the resin, resulting in the creation of intricate and refined 3D models. This differs from FDM printers, which use melted plastic or filament to produce their outputs.

What Are the Advantages of Using a Resin 3D Printer?

The advantages of using resin 3D printers are numerous. They offer high levels of detail in their 3D models, resulting in precise and delicate designs. The solidification of each layer by UV light makes the final products strong and durable compared to FDM printers' heated nozzle approach.

Resin 3D printers have versatile applications, particularly with resins designed for medical and dental purposes. They can also produce spare parts with smooth finishes, making them suitable for prototyping in manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace industries. With the ability to deliver high-definition 3D models, resin printers are accessible for a wide range of purposes.

Here are the best resin 3D printers of 2023:

1 Creality HALOT-MAGE PRO

Overview

In 2014, Creality was founded as a global pioneer in 3D printing and has since set industry standards. The company boasts four brands of 3D printers, namely Creality, Ender, HALOT, and Sermoon, each iteration of their products being more advanced than the previous. Creality's commitment to innovation ensures the maintenance of high-quality products in its portfolio.

Beyond technological advancements, Creality also places importance on its social responsibilities. In 2021, the company offered support to Robatica Espacial in Brazil, assisting 250 schools in the country. Additionally, Creality aided disabled groups in Tanzania by using their machines to produce medical braces.

The HALOT-MAGE PRO is one of Creality's innovative products, currently available at a discounted price of $539.10. It stands out as an exceptional resin 3D printer with hyper-speed 8K resin printing capabilities and smart features. The company's research and development team's goal is to make 3D printing more accessible to the public, particularly by offering the HALOT-MAGE PRO as an affordable option.

Features

The key features of the HALOT-MAGE PRO include:

170mm/h Printing Speed

The HALOT-MAGE PRO is 3-5 times faster than the average resin 3D printer, capable of achieving a maximum printing speed of 170mm/h and a regular printing speed of 70mm/h. This performance surpasses most resin 3D printers in the market.

Agile Dynax Motion System

The 3D printer's agile Dynax motion system ensures stability during printing, automatically lifting or lowering the build plate in just 1.2 seconds. The system's dual linear rails and close-loop motor minimize vibrations and wobbling of the Z-axis.

Self-developed Algorithms

The HALOT-MAGE PRO contains self-developed algorithms that increase the motor speed to 100mm/s. Coupled with the support-adding algorithm of the HALOT BOX, the printer securely holds the model while performing at high speeds.

10.3" 8K LCD

Equipped with a 10.3-inch LCD, the HALOT-MAGE PRO provides ample space to build large models, up to 228x128x230mm in size. The printer offers 29.7m XY resolution, resulting in 8K quality prints, an improvement over regular 4K printers.

Integral Light Source 3.0

The HALOT-MAGE PRO utilizes light efficiently during the printing process. With 8000w/cm light intensity and 90%+ light uniformity, it ensures a smooth finish without compromising the accuracy of the 3D design.

Smart Air Purifier

The 3D printer includes a smart air purifier that efficiently absorbs resin odors, preventing strong odors typically associated with resin 3D printers. The replaceable activated carbon filter purifies the air, providing a cleaner working environment.

Smart Resin Pump

The HALOT-MAGE PRO features a smart resin pump that can automatically refill or recover 1 liter of resin within 30 minutes, eliminating the need for manual refills and reducing the likelihood of resin stains or splashes.

Powerful CPU and HALOT OS

Equipped with a powerful CPU and HALOT OS, the printer ensures smooth printing operations, synchronizing data and commands from PCs, phones, or the Creality Cloud.

Flip Lid

The 3D printer's flip-lid design allows for easy one-handed operation and is designed to block 99.89% of ambient UV light, preventing ocular damage.

HALOT BOX

Upon purchase, the HALOT-MAGE PRO comes with the HALOT BOX slicer software, providing users with VIP access for one year. This software streamlines the workflow and includes presets essential for creating or refining 3D models.

With its impressive features, high speed, and high-definition printing capabilities, the HALOT-MAGE PRO is a game-changer in the 3D printing industry. Creality continues to uphold its commitment to innovation and social responsibility, making 3D printing more accessible and affordable to users worldwide.

2 Anycubic Photon M3

Overview

The Anycubic Photon M3 offers enough room to print larger models than other resin 3D printers. It provides effortless print removal and 4K+ quality for $239. It weighs 15.4 lbs or 7kg and has a maximum printing speed of 50mm/hr. It's not the fastest in the market, yet it still qualifies as one of the best resin 3D printers, given its affordability and functionality.

Features

The Anycubic Photon M3 is built with a 7.6-inch high-quality monochrome screen that allows a print volume as large as 180x163.9x102.44mm. It's large enough to contain three liters of milk inside. It can produce 3D models with high dimensional accuracy and intricate detailing with a 4096 x 2560 pixels resolution.

This resin 3D printer also comes with an improved build plate. It's now a textured checkerboard pattern, which ensures improved adhesion and a higher print success rate than brushed metal build plates. While its printing speed is not the fastest in the market, it can print a 120mm high miniature in the span of 2.5 hours, which is significantly faster than the 3 hours of other competitive brands.

Clearly, print speed is not its main strength. However, the Anycubic Photon M3 can ensure a better surface finish, containing an LCD screen with 400:1 contrast, significantly higher than the 200:1, based on the test results conducted at Anycubic Lab. It also provides strong light energy that's essential to curing the resin through its LightTurbo matrix light source system, enabling fast 3D printing.

The Anycubic Photon M3 also comes with accessories like gloves, funnels, leveling paper, and free slicer software and is compatible with Windows and MacOS.

3 Elegoo Saturn 2

Overview

Saturn 2 is a large resin 3D printer from Elegoo with an 8K mono display and a build volume of 219x123x250mm. It runs on an open platform and supports various resin materials. Since its founding in 2015, Elegoo has become a leading brand in producing affordable and best resin 3D printers.

They're budget-friendly yet equally capable of producing high-quality 3D models. Currently sold at the discounted price of $349.99, anyone can consistently create quality prints quickly with the Elegoo Saturn 2.

Features

The Elegoo Saturn 2 contains a 10-inch LCD screen in 8K with an HD resolution of 768x4320, ensuring precision and accuracy in its prints. With the measurements of its build volume, it is 43% larger compared to its predecessor. It can also print faster with a cure time of only 1-3s per layer, enabling anyone to print multiple small 3D models in a single batch.

This large 3D printer is designed with scratch-resistant tempered glass with 9H hardness, enabling better light transmission and user protection. It contains a Fresnel lens, which emits a uniform light beam of 405nm from 48 highly integrated UV LED lights, ensuring a smooth surface finish and exceptional printing accuracy.

Elegoo Saturn 2 also promises a reliable printing performance through its double Z-axis linear railway, which enables a steadier and more precise motion. Moreover, its air filtration system can absorb most of the odor produced with its activated carbon air filter. It's undoubtedly one of the best resin 3D printers with an 8K display, sold for under $500.

4 Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K

Overview

The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K strikes the ideal balance of compactness in size and high performance in mass-producing models with ultra-high 8K resolution. With its intuitive design, even first-time users can use this resin 3D printer. This product is the creation of Taiwanese 3D printing enthusiasts who founded Phrozen to create professional and consumer-friendly 3D printers for industrial, medical, and personal uses.

Features

Anyone can create large 3D models with a print volume of 21.8x12.3x 23.5cm of Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K. Equipped with 28 resolutions, users are guaranteed crisp and sharp designs printed effortlessly. It has a maximum printing speed of 70mm/hr and uses a Linear Projection LED module for its light source to cure resin efficiently, printing 4x faster than traditional 3D printers.

This resin 3D printer also comes with an easy-release build plate in a frosted design, which secures the attachment of the model as the printing occurs. It is also built with solid dual linear rails and a thick T-plate, which help stabilize the 3D printing process, reducing wobbling and preventing layer lines.

At $649.99, purchasing a Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K package includes every accessory, tool, and user manual needed for operation except the resin. It supports WiFi connection besides Ethernet and USB and is compatible with third-party software like CHITUBOX, Lychee, and other slicers.

5 Prusa SL1S

Overview

Priced at $1999, the Prusa SL1S arrives fully assembled and comes with a free 0.5kg bottle of Prusament resin. It's an upgrade to the line of i3 machines released by Prusa, with an LCD panel for high-resolution and UV LED for curing resin efficiently and delivering a 3D model unparalleled in its level of detail.

This resin 3D printer has a 25% larger print area and prints 3x faster than the original SL1, reducing the exposure time to 1.4 seconds per layer. Together with its built-in tilt mechanism, it can print a 150mm tall object in three hours.

Features

The Prusa SL1S has a new 5.96" monochrome LCD with 2560x1620p resolution, ensuring excellent print quality at high printing speed. It can produce even more details due to the reworked optical system, allowing it to reach 1.4 second exposure time per layer when using the standard 405nm resins.

The main composition of the Prusa SL1S is heavy aluminum, which minimizes vibration and ensures a stable printing performance even with the creation of thin and highly detailed geometry. It also features a quick-release mechanism, which steadies the Z-axis calibration.

With the use of PrusaSlicer, anyone can easily enhance their 3D models with its clear and simple user interface and access over 180 tested and auto-updated profiles for filaments and resins. The SL1S also provides an on-screen wizard as a guide to ensure the whole setup process is accomplished without complications.

While it is quite expensive compared to other resin 3D printers, the Prusa SL1S is highly recommended for users interested in a high-end machine with streamlined software.

Conclusion

Overall, these five resin 3D printers display the best performance in their speed, resolution, and level of precision. All of them offer stability in their delivery. While some are faster than others, each has a unique selling point that empowers the rest of its features. Hence, choosing the best resin 3D printer comes down to the budget and purpose of the user. Based on the criterion of print quality alone, these top 5 resin 3D printers can print 3D models in high definition in varying degrees.

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Science and religion were never apt to mix. They always contradict each other as was proven by this letter from 1950 penned by Albert Einstein. This was in response to a query given to him by Mrs. Martha Munk, the wife of a well-known rabbi and religious teacher. In the letter dated April 11th, 1950, Mrs. Munk asked Einstein if it was possible for a modern scientist to consider the idea of the universe to be created by God and if it can be backed up by scientific evidence.

(Photo : Keystone/Getty Images)

circa 1955: Mathematical physicist Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) delivers one of his recorded lectures.

Einstein, being a well-educated German gentleman, answered the nice woman's question politely. He answered by truthfully outlining how a scientist following the principles of scientific thinking would find it hard to accept the creation story in the Book of Genesis. He further elaborated by adidng, "The person who is more or less trained in scientific thinking is alien to the religious creation of the cosmos because he applies the standard of causal conditionality to everything,"

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Einstein's German Roots

Coming from the political strife of pre-world war 2 Germany at that time, the 1930s wasn't kind to Einstein. His son, Eduard was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1930 and was sent to an institution, never to be released. Paul Ehrenfest, a fellow physicist and his personal friend, committed suicide in 1933. Even his beloved wife, Elsa, passed away in 1936. In context, things weren't going so well for Albert.

After leaving Germany in 1932, he settled in at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. His coming made that research hub an instant success in physics. Finally, Einstein was granted US citizenship in 1940, though he still chose to keep his Swiss citizenship.

The letter's journey to the auction block isn't straightforward at all. Mrs. Munk's descendants kept it hidden (or didn't know of its existence) from the world. There was no record of it being sold or being shown in an exhibition ever. Now, it will go to the hands of a serious collector for an astonishing $125,000, offered by the autograph dealer "The Raab Collection."

The president of the collection, Nathan Raab, was ecstatic when he found out about the letter's existence. "The feeling that I get when I see something like this, which is so personally and so scientifically evocative of the great 20th-century debate, from the pen of Albert Einstein, is just pure excitement," Raab said.

It's not the first time Einstein's private letters have drawn a lot of interest. The renowned "God Letter," which was addressed in 1954 to philosopher Eric Gutkind, brought in an astounding $3 million in 2018. Clearly, even after his death, the world is still fascinated by Einstein's ideas on religion, God, and the cosmos.

As the bidding war for this unique piece of history ensues, scholars, scientists, and history enthusiasts alike eagerly await the chance to own a tangible relic that carries the profound thoughts of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. With its potential to reshape perspectives on science and religion, this letter is not just an artifact but a testament to the eternal quest for knowledge and truth.

Related Article: Einstein's Theory Of Relativity Is Fraying At The Edges, But It Still Holds Up For Now

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DTEK plans to complete the construction of 60 MW of wind and 50 MW of solar capacities in Romania by the end of 2023, CEO of the company Maksym Timchenko said in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.

According to him, in 2024 the company will start building a wind farm in Croatia, and in Italy the project is at the development stage. DTEK also wants to start building green generation in Poland.

"Now is the best time for a Ukrainian company to enter the European market. Before the big war, it was difficult for Ukrainian business to open doors in Europe. Now they are open," he said.

Timchenko specified that DTEK Renewables International is responsible for DTEK's foreign investments in green energy, which could potentially become the first company of the group to go public.

"IPO is required to access cheaper capital in order to expand the investor base, increase investor confidence in the company. If the company goes public and lives by the established rules, this is a sign of quality. And this brings the dialogue with investors to a new level," he said.

In general, DTEK has ambitious plans to build up to 5 GW of green generation in Europe, which will require an investment of EUR 6-6.5 billion.

"There is a lot of competition, because green generation is one of the economy drivers in Europe. This is confirmed by the REPowerEU program. The real difficulty in Europe is development. This problem is being discussed at the level of the European Commission. Land acquisition, the provision of permits - this is easier in Ukraine," Timchenko said.

According to him, the marginality of green projects in Europe is comparable to Ukrainian ones.

"We don't reach state support anywhere, we want to work in the market. This applies to all new projects in Ukraine as well. Half of the Tylihulska wind farm operates outside the feed-in tariff, although it can receive it. We also plan to transfer the second half to the market this year," he specified.

Timchenko added that in Ukraine, by the end of 2024, DTEK will be ready to build 600700 MW of wind power. In general, by 2030, the company plans to build at least 2 GW of green capacity in Ukraine.
After export curbs on Japanese chip-making technologies, the Chinese government has urged Japan to avoid distressing the semiconductor sector. These limits go beyond the ones that the US and its allies have already placed on China in the name of security.



The 23 different kinds of machinery crucial to manufacturing cutting-edge semiconductors used in smartphones, artificial intelligence, and other applications are the focus of the newly imposed Japanese limitations, which went into effect on Sunday, according to The Asahi Shimbun. Beijing's aspirations to grow its tech sectors may be delayed due to the restriction on Chinese access to the equipment required for etching very tiny circuits on chips.



Individual pieces of equipment being exported to China will now need the industry minister's permission, lengthening the export process and, in some instances, creating obstacles that preclude the shipment of these products outright.

Chinese, Japanese Officials Express Concerns

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning voiced disappointment with Japan's export prohibitions. She pleaded with Japan to stop these restrictions from interfering with the two nations' regular collaboration in the semiconductor business, per AP News.



Japan's strategy differs from the restrictions the US previously placed on China's access to semiconductors and chip manufacturing technologies. Japan implemented more substantial equipment regulations without expressly targeting Chinese enterprises, in contrast to the US strategy. Though, some Tokyo officials are worried that this strategy might interfere with collaboration and needlessly rile up Beijing.

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Tokyo and Washington have attempted to work together to solve the problem since they are both concerned about China's growth in critical technology. They signed an agreement in May to "de-risk" themselves from potential economic pressure from China together with the other industrial democracies of the Group of Seven.

However, suppose each nation acquires a competitive edge by permitting exports the other country forbids. In that case, different chip-making equipment rules may jeopardize this unity.



The makers of the equipment subject to the stricter requirements have yet to be made public by the Japanese government. However, there are indications that around 10 businesses, including Tokyo Electron Ltd., Nikon Corp., and Hitachi High-Tech Corp., may be impacted. The restrictions do not apply to semiconductor technology used for manufacturing vehicles and appliances.

Tech War Intensifies

In 2022, Japan delivered over 4 trillion yen ($28 billion) of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China.



Emily Benson, trade and technology project director at the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, closely monitors this subject. Benson underlined that each nation is in charge of its licensing regulations, which may impact how such rules are carried out.



As a key arena in the tech war, Japan's export limitations and foreign policy decisions will impact the global semiconductor industry.



China accused the US and others of trying to sever the semiconductor supply chain. Washington's actions prompted Beijing's WTO complaint in December. On July 3, China said it would start implementing export limits on rare metals gallium and germanium in August, which are used to make advanced semiconductor products.

Related Article: Major AI Companies Visit the White House to Offer Voluntary Safety Commitments

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Geologists have long been captivated by the Indian Ocean's "gravity hole," where the Earth's gravitational pull weakens, its mass falls, and sea levels drop by about 328 feet (100 meters). After years of perplexity, Indian Institute of Science researchers in Bengaluru have devised a convincing explanation to explain this enigma.



The team's findings, published in Geophysical Findings Letters, suggest that this gravitational anomaly was caused by lava plumes from the planet's core, like volcanoes.



The concept was developed via supercomputer modeling of millions-year-old settings. Their models were based on an extinct ocean from the distant past. In an attempt to understand what caused the gravity hole, they painstakingly calculated 19 possible tectonic plate motions over the last 140 million years, per Business Insider.

What's Behind The Gravity Hole Mystery?

According to their research, only a few possibilities may explain the gravity anomaly, and none of these models directly attribute the low gravity to what is underneath it. Unexpectedly, the scientists discovered that the crater was probably formed by jets of low-density magma.



The "African blob," a disturbance 600 miles (1,000 km) west beneath Africa, is thought to be the source of these magma plumes. This continent-sized, 100 times higher than Mount Everest thick bubble of crystalline material in Africa's mantle spews forth spurts of mantle rock, according to Live Science. The ocean between these continents, known as Tethys, was squeezed between the tectonic plates when India split from Africa and clashed with the European plate.

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Gondwana, the supercontinent that gave birth to Africa, Australia, and India some 120 million years ago, was split apart due to this geological occurrence. Consequently, the ocean's surface was forced downward, creating a sizable region of decreased gravity. The gravity hole was formed when the low-density magma plumes produced as a result of the melting away of the dense mantle amplified the effect.

Not Enough Explanation

Professor of Geology at the University of Florida, Dr. Alessandro Forte, applauded the work for considering both heated ascending mantle plumes and the sinking of cool material throughout the mantle. However, he noted that the simulation had missed a powerful mantle dynamic plume that had erupted 65 million years ago under the present-day site of Reunion Island, creating one of Earth's most prominent volcanic features-the Deccan Traps, as per a CNN report.



Forte also raised concerns about the discrepancy between the computer simulation's geoid and the real geoid. The Pacific Ocean, Africa, and Eurasia show these disparities. The research acknowledges a modest correlation of 80% between anticipated and observed geoids but does not give a more accurate numerical assessment of their alignment. This discrepancy suggests computer simulation errors.



Future ocean studies will be necessary to prove the occurrence of these plumes in actual settings, which will help further corroborate the results to further uncover the mystery of the gravity hole in the Indian Ocean.

Related Article: JWST's Detection of Water Around Young Star Reveals Clues to Earth's Origins

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Cybersecurity experts have determined North Korean hackers are to blame for a recent cyber assault at corporate software provider JumpCloud.



Hackers from North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), a renowned hacking group known for attacking cryptocurrency businesses and collecting credentials from CEOs and security staff, were blamed for the incident. Due to an error, the fraudsters accidentally disclosed their IP addresses, resulting in their exposure.

How Did North Korean Hackers Got Busted

One of JumpCloud's impacted clients received aid from cybersecurity specialist Mandiant, who recognized the hackers as members of the UNC4899 threat group, a brand-new, unclassified organization, according to TechCrunch. The hackers frequently used paid VPN services to mask their IP addresses, but when those services broke down or were not used, they unintentionally revealed their connection from Pyongyang.



According to Mandiant's analysis, this disclosure of the JumpCloud hackers was an "OPSEC slip-up," a term for operational security lapses that may unintentionally disclose a hacker's behavior. The investigation also revealed additional, previously connected to earlier North Korean hackers, infrastructure utilized in the attack.



Charles Carmaka, chief technology officer of Mandiant, stressed that cyber threat actors with a North Korean connection are advancing their capacity to steal Bitcoin. They have been involved in a number of operations over the last year, such as supply chain hacks, tainted software releases, and the introduction of unique malware into MacOS computers.

Read Also: China Appeals to Japan: Avoid Disrupting Semiconductor Industry Amid Export Limits

Carmakal emphasized that while the hackers are skilled at using cryptocurrencies to compromise firms, their errors have let researchers link them to several breaches.

SentinelOne and CrowdStrike, two cybersecurity companies, corroborated the JumpCloud hack, adding to the body of evidence supporting North Korean participation. The Lazarus group, another catch-all name for North Korean cyber operations, has shown improved alignment and coordination in aiming its attacks at different industries, as per a Cyberscoop report.

JumpCloud Releases Statement

JumpCloud's breach became known when the firm advised clients to change their login passwords as a precaution due to the continuing situation. Later, it was discovered that the intrusion took place on June 27.

One of North Korea's most active hacker gangs, Labyrinth Chollima, is known for its audacious and disruptive online breaches, which result in considerable losses from bitcoin theft.

JumpCloud said last week that the North Korean hacking effort impacted less than 10 devices and less than five of its business clients. JumpCloud quickly responded to the incident discovered in June by resetting its client API credentials.



JumpCloud has over 200,000 business clients, including well-known brands like Foursquare, ClassPass, and GoFundMe.



When contacted for comment on the incident, the Pyongyang delegation to the UN in New York remained silent, according to Reuters. Despite a wealth of evidence, including UN reports, pointing to North Korea's participation in digital currency heists, the socialist country has previously vehemently denied any connection to such crimes.

Related Article: Wrapped Bitcoin's (WBTC) Influence on Crypto Wallets

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
At Army-2023, a mock-up of the base module of the Russian orbital station will be presented

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The head of NASA said that he does not consider Russia a participant in the space race

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Chen Yushu restored the Lingzhi chair in the Forbidden City of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage and is in the permanent collection

20-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of driving without a license for more than 60 years or hit-and-run

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(Bashu rhyme Chinese style) The final song is elegant, and the moon is bright and chanting Shu

The Chinese women's football team plans to start preparations for the Asian Games at the end of the month

A themed exhibition to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the successful Beijing Olympic Games opened in the Bird's Nest

Hunan Xiangyin held the first Xiangqi "Village Jia" giant chess pieces with a diameter of 60 cm appeared in the final-China News Network Video

The opening of the largest sports event in Shanxi "Jin" shows the style of Jin

Yusei Kikuchi gave up one run in seven innings and pitched well, but lost the game for the 7th win.

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"

Exports rank first in the world China's auto industry is leading the way

National Bureau of Statistics: CPI turned from falling to rising in July, and the month-on-month decline in PPI narrowed

Tuhu Car Factory Store "Word of Mouth Good Store" selection and release: Focus on service, technology and environment to create a factory store with customer satisfaction

Highlights in the semi-annual report of the machinery industry It is expected that the growth rate of major economic indicators will be about 2023% in 5

Change lanes ahead! China's automobile exports rank first in the world, and new energy vehicles have become the key

Imported goods "new"! What are the new trends in China's foreign trade imports in the first 7 months?

"We are acting effectively": Putin announced the improvement of the living conditions of 400 thousand families since the beginning of the year at the expense of preferential mortgages

The US General Staff said it would not allow a threat to national security due to supplies to Ukraine

The "Water Cube Cup" Chinese Song Contest ended: the singing did not stop and the voice moved the hearts of overseas Chinese

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This was Federico Martin Bahamontes, legend of Spanish cycling: "He was always a rogue, he knew how to look for life very well"

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The Consul General announced the desire of big business in the United States to resume cooperation with Russia

A vegan influencer who had been eating only fruits and natural juices for years dies

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Signal interruptions, shortages of supplies... How did the K70 train, which was trapped for more than 1178 hours, get out of trouble?

Typhoon Kanu continues to move north-west and will have heavy rainfall in Jilin, Heilongjiang and other places

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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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CCTV: The Cambodian Peoples Party has declared victory in the countrys seventh national election. Whats Chinas comment? Could you share Chinas expectations for the future development of China-Cambodia relations?



Mao Ning: As a good neighbor and good friend, we extend warm congratulations on the smoothly held seventh general election in Cambodia. We congratulate the Cambodian Peoples Party on winning the election under the leadership of its President Samdech Hun Sen and wish Cambodia success in forming a new National Assembly and government. We believe Cambodia will make even greater achievements in its national development and bring more benefits to its people.



In recent years, under the strategic guidance of Chinese and Cambodian leaders, China-Cambodia relations have enjoyed strong momentum. Our ties are marked by a high degree of mutual trust, close cooperation and mutual support. Our two countries contribute to regional cooperation and international equity and justice. We are a fine example of friendship and mutual benefit between countries. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries and the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship. We will work with Cambodia to carry forward our long-standing friendship and accelerate efforts to build a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future for the new era to deliver more benefits to both peoples.



Yonhap News Agency: Recently, many suspicious international packages have been found across the ROK. The Taiwan authorities claim that the packages were from Chinas mainland and reached the ROK via Taiwan. The ROK foreign ministry said it has asked China for confirmation. Has China launched an investigation into this?



Mao Ning: We have received the ROKs request for assistance in the investigation. The matter is being looked into. We will stay in touch with the ROK.



Kyodo News: Japans export curbs on semiconductor equipment took effect on July 23. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: Despite Chinas serious concerns, Japan went ahead with its export restrictions that explicitly target China. China is deeply dissatisfied and finds Japans action regrettable. We have made serious demarches to Japan at various levels.



In recent years, certain countries have been politicizing economic and trade issues, overstretching the concept of security and frequently resorting to administrative measures, including abusing export controls, to push for decoupling and disrupt industrial and supply chains in the high-tech sector. These practices are wrong and against the law of the market economy, the principle of free trade and international economic and trade rules. They not only hurt relevant companies but also affect the security and stability of the industrial and supply chains of semiconductors in the region and the wider world.



China urges Japan to keep in mind the larger picture of China-Japan economic and trade cooperation and Japans long-term interests, abide by international economic and trade rules, not to abuse export controls and make sure its action does not disrupt normal semiconductor cooperation between our two countries. We will closely follow the impact of the restrictions and resolutely protect our own interests.



Beijing Youth Daily: The Chinese embassies in Singapore and Brunei have announced that China will resume unilateral visa-free entry for Singaporean and Bruneian citizens. Whats Chinas consideration?



Mao Ning: To facilitate the travel of Singaporean and Bruneian citizens to China, we have decided to resume the 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singaporean and Bruneian citizens holding ordinary passport who enter China for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes starting from July 26. We hope that Singapore and Brunei will work with China to better facilitate personnel exchanges.



AFP: The diplomatic advisor of the French president said last week that China was delivering items to Russia, items that could be used as military equipment in Ukraine. Is that true?



Mao Ning: China is neither the one that created the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it. Our position has been objective and just. We are committed to facilitating talks for peace. China always handles export of military items in a prudent and responsible manner and acts in strict accordance with domestic laws and regulations and our due international obligations. This stands in sharp contrast with the acts of certain NATO countries that keep adding fuel to the fire.



Xinhua News Agency: It is reported that Director-Generals of Asian affairs of Chinese and Japanese foreign ministries held consultations on July 22 in Tokyo. Can you give us more details?



Mao Ning: As you said, on July 22 or last Saturday, Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China held the third consultation of this year in Tokyo with Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. During the candid and in-depth consultation, the two sides had a sharp exchange on some issues and found common ground on others. The Chinese side stated strong position on and firm opposition to Japans pushing for the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean and urged the Japanese side not to act hastily and stubbornly. Both sides believe that we should take the 45th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan as an opportunity to maintain engagement at all levels and enhance practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared interest and agreed to continue this institutional consultation in the future.



Dragon TV: According to reports, on July 20, CIA Director William Burns while attending the Aspen Security Forum said that progress has been made in rebuilding the US spy networks in China and they are working hard to build a very strong human intelligence capability to complement what they can acquire through other methods. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: Weve noted the reports. This is rather concerning. The US on the one hand keeps spreading disinformation on so-called Chinese spying and cyber attacks, and on the other hand tells the public about its large-scale intelligence activities targeting China. This in itself is quite revealing. China will take all measures necessary to safeguard national security.



RIA Novosti: The Russian Defense Ministry said earlier that Russian journalists suffered wounds on Saturday as a result of a Ukrainian cluster munitions strike against a group of reporters from the Izvestia Information Center and RIA Novosti news agency. RIA Novosti journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev died from his wounds during evacuation. Do you have any comment on this? Whats the foreign ministrys position on Ukraines use of cluster munitions?



Mao Ning: Soon after the US announced that it would send cluster munitions to Ukraine, we stated clearly that the irresponsible provision of cluster munitions could easily entail humanitarian problems. We urge relevant parties to observe international humanitarian law and protect the safety of journalists and other civilians.



China believes that dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out for the Ukraine crisis. We hope all parties will work for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and jointly deescalate the situation.



Bloomberg: Secretary of State Antony Blinken said over the weekend that the rest of the world is eager to see a responsibly-managed US-China relationship and he urged Beijing to do its part in accomplishing that. Would the foreign ministry like to respond to what Blinken said?



Mao Ning: China views and grows its relations with the US in accordance with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We hope the US will work with China to bring bilateral relations back to the right track of sound and steady growth. This not only serves the interests of both peoples but is also the shared expectation of the international community.



AFP: The G7, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and the ROK jointly appealed to China for help to stop the DPRK evading United Nations sanctions by using Chinese territorial waters. We have concerns regarding the continuing presence of multiple oil tankers ... that use your territorial waters, said the letter to Chinas Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun. Whats your response?



Mao Ning: When it comes to the implementation of the Security Councils resolutions, China has always earnestly fulfilled its international obligations.



Ukrainian News Agency: From July 17, after Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea grain agreement, Russian military are attacking the Ukrainian port city of Odessa with missiles and drones every day. On Sunday night, the Russian military attacked the historic center of Odessa, protected under the World Heritage Convention, and damaged 29 historical sites. Several international organizations and countries strongly condemned Russia for such attacks. In particular, UNESCO said the intentional destruction of cultural sites may amount to a war crime, according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347. China is one of the founding countries of UNESCO and calls for the preservation of world cultural heritage. What is your comment and has China contacted or plans to contact the Russian side on this matter?



Mao Ning: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear-cut. We hope that parties concerned will seek a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and jointly work for deescalation.



AFP: Director Wang Yi will attend the BRICS meeting today in South Africa. What are Chinas expectations for this meeting?



Mao Ning: We will release timely information on Director Wang Yis participation in the Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security. Please check back for updates.


This night, Russian occupiers attacked the port infrastructure of Odesa region with Iranian Shahed-type attack drones, three of which were destroyed. Preliminarily, four injured port employees are reported, Colonel of the Pivden (South) Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Vladyslav Nazarov said.

"The enemy continues to terrorize Odesa region. This night, an almost four-hour attack by Shahed-136 drones was directed at the port infrastructure of the Danube. Three drones were destroyed by air defense forces," he said in the Telegram message on Monday morning.

According to Nazarov, as a result of hits, a hangar with grain was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged, a fire broke out in one of the production premises, which was promptly eliminated.

"It is preliminary known about four injured port employees, but the information is still being specified," he said.

Later, Head of the regional military administration Oleh Kiper said the number of victims as a result of the attack had increased to six.

"As a result of the night attack, six people were injured. Four wounded were hospitalized in the regional hospital, one of whom was in a state of moderate severity, closer to serious. The doctors managed to stabilize the patient. The other three had minor shrapnel wounds and body bruises," Kiper said on Telegram on Monday morning.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Transfiguration (Spaso-Preobrazhensky) Cathedral in Odesa, destroyed by a Russian missile on Sunday night, will be restored.

"There will be Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Odesa. We will definitely restore everything. By the way, I am grateful to Italy, Madam Giorgia Meloni, members of the Italian Parliament, and the entire Italian society for their promise to help restore Ukraine's historical monuments," he said in a video address on Sunday.

According to Zelenskyy, "last night alone, nearly 50 buildings in Odesa were damaged, 25 of them architectural monuments. The historic center. A world heritage site that UNESCO has taken under its protection. The building of the Greek Consulate was also damaged, and this is already the second consular office in Odesa to be hit by Russian terror. Only three days ago, another such attack damaged the building of the Chinese Consulate."

"We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks. The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture," he said.

Zelenskyy thanked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg "for promptly convening the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council." "In fact, immediately after our conversation yesterday, we agreed on the date - the meeting will take place this Wednesday. We are preparing it to be meaningful. We are also preparing new support packages from our partners - everything that brings the defeat of Russian terrorists closer," the president said.
A 6.4-acre tract of land on Picardy Avenue has been sold to a Hammond development company that plans to build a 232-unit apartment complex on the site. The Heights at Picardy LLC bought the land for $6.2 million in a deal that was filed Friday with the East Baton Rouge Clerk of Courts office.
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Eating outJust open Moody new Circular Quay bar boasts Sydneys largest Japanese whisky collection Bar Besuto has assembled what it says is the biggest collection of the spirit in a Sydney venue. Scott Bolles July 25, 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

Top Sydney venues to visit this month. See all stories .

When Bar Besuto opens on Wednesday, July 26, owner-chef Joel Best will draw inspiration from the two-bite take on steak frites served at Singapores award-winning Burnt Ends restaurant, where Australian chef Dave Pynt serves wagyu steak tartare and caviar atop a cube of pommes Anna. Bests version will team caviar-topped steak tartare with miso potato. But its what you drink with the dish that captures the spirit of Bar Besuto. The moody new Circular Quay venue is driven by Bests obsession with Japanese whisky, and taps his private collection. Its the biggest collection of Japanese-only whisky in a Sydney venue, Best says while packing away hundreds of bottles. A lot of it you cant even find in Japan. Owner Joel Best has collected rare and hard-to-find Japanese whisky for Bar Besutos drinks list. James Brickwood

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As co-owner of omakase restaurant Besuto at the other end of Circular Quay, Best was able to fine-tune his whisky-food matching before opening Bar Besuto a few blocks away at Sydney Place. Matching whisky to food is the same process as sake or wine. For me, I will always try the whisky first then work through the flavour profile and what salt, acid or fat to match it to, Best says. The bars tight food menu includes crostini with wasabi cream, lightly smoked oysters and a whisky gelato. Its more of a snack menu, but you can have the toothfish [with pickled vegetables] and steak frites and make a meal out of it, Best says. Bar Besutos take on steak frites, in the style of Burnt Ends. James Brickwood Theres little doubt Australia is in the grip of a Japanese whisky boom. Nikki Knights, from importers Minleki Spirit Traders, says after several years of stable growth, imports of Japanese whisky spiked by 21 per cent in the last financial year.

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Knights, known as the Whisky Whisperer, points to a posse of Sydney venues serious about Japanese whisky, including The Captains Balcony and restaurants Kuon and Sake. You can also drill down on Japanese whisky at the luxe Bancho Bar, in the back lanes of Chinatown. Our point of difference is we only serve Japanese whisky, Best says. As the chef points to the rare Hanyu Game series and a 25-year-old Hakushu, he explains that frequent trips to Japan and tapping into the whisky mafia have enabled him to purchase small-run and difficult-to-find drops. One of the reasons they sell to me is Im not buying to collect, sit on it and sell it at a higher price. The producers want people trying their whisky, says Best, who prefers the Japanese spirit to those made in Scotland or Ireland. So whats the difference between them? Knights describes Japanese whisky as feminine and light, while Scotch is more granular and masculine. Japan has a gentle tone with its food and culture, she says. They dont want whisky to overtake their food, they want to complement it.

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Further stoking interest in Japanese whisky will be Ennui, a restaurant and wine and whisky bar opening in Haymarket in November. While Ennuis whisky list will skirt Scotland, the United States and even Taiwan, half the list will be Japanese, says whisky specialist and collector Peter Chan, a partner in the venture. The most prized bottle from the [upcoming] list will be the Yamazaki 18-year Mizunara cask Suntory 100th Anniversary Edition, Chan says. Bar Besuto will open Tue-Sat 4pm-late from Wednesday, July 26. 3 Underwood Street, Circular Quay, besutosydney.com

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Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent/guardian(s) educate you about finances? Loading My abuelita (grandma) was the only person who taught me to save money. She gave me paper envelopes to save up for different expenses, which admittedly I rarely used because she was the only person handing out cash. But it did instil an understanding that self-discipline is the safest road to financial freedom. On the contrary, both of my parents like to spend money. My dad has always lived paycheque-to-paycheque working a blue-collar job, and never made me feel like money was a stressor. Hes always been able to support me when Ive needed him. He is also really transparent about his financial situation. He doesnt have any assets and didnt have any savings for most of my life, so I feel most proud about how weve been able to help each other save money over the past few years. My mum inherited money when she was younger, so was fortunate enough to buy her home outright, and has never been in debt. Mum doesnt have a habit of saving or investing, but she does pre-pay her utility bills, loves to shop on points, and always made sure we had more than we needed growing up. She became unwell when I was a teenager and now relies on her Centrelink payments for income. Since I moved out of home, eight years ago, I help her pay for things like lawn mowing, home repairs and $70 a fortnight towards her groceries (which includes the cost of the cat food for the three cats we adopted).

What was your first job and why did you get it? At 14 I got my first job at McDonalds in the Mount Druitt food court. Ultimately, I got the job to get a feel for financial freedom. I didnt want my dad to be the gatekeeper of my style and I knew Mum didnt have any more than $30 a week to give me for lunches. So I had to budget and make my own money. Im also pretty generous and found I was shouting for friends a lot and organising social stuff for our friends to do, like go to the movies or get the train into the city and head to the beach. I wanted to be able to relieve my parents, provide for my friends, and look good while doing it. Did you worry about money growing up? Not really, I always felt like the kid with money but in reality, I was just given access to more than I shouldve had access to.

Do you worry about money now? Yes. I am trying to buy an investment property so that my dad has a place to live once he retires. Right now, hes living and caring for my 100-year-old abuelita in a social housing apartment. My mum also needs more help than ever with her home and she has no savings at all. This anxiety fundamentally motivated me to pursue a high-earning career in IT, rather than work in the arts. It was the best decision I couldve made because a secure job grants me the freedom to live the life I enjoy in the present, while I build for the future. At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? I suppose when I moved back into the city at 18 and started paying my own rent. However, to this day, my dad will offer to help out with expenses wherever he can, especially if its to help out Mum with the house. My abuelita helped me save some cash, which is my nest egg and she keeps that tucked away. Pretty old-school, but its nice to know I have more than what is in the bank for whatever life throws my way. I also have a really good mentor, who is the real safety net, and my emergency contact. He helped me prioritise my career and introduced the words financial freedom to my vocabulary when I was around 21. Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.

Yes. At 13, I inherited $75,000. My mum managed this money and by the time I turned 19 it was gone. To be fair, raising a child in Sydney isnt cheap, and I thoroughly enjoyed my teenage years (the Invisalign, the car, the expensive school excursions, and my first international trip to Nepal). I am nothing but grateful. Loading Day 1 8:00am  I was up in my feelings and putting together a playlist till late last night, so this morning I cant get out of bed until 8am. Its my first day back at work after taking annual leave. I sit in the sun with our cat and a hot cup of cacao with MCT oil & manuka honey. I listen to one of my queued episodes of Equity Mates Investing Podcast. Theyre in New York discussing a leading internet provider for private jets in North America. 9:30am  I take my morning stand-up meeting and since its my first day back, I was able to pull the Im catching up on emails line, which gives me time to go for a walk in the sun to a local coffee shop for breakfast. I can spend half my work day there today.

11:00am  I order a coffee with collagen (for an extra $3) and a mushroom omelette ($31.40). I spend a few hours here, working and writing and Googling domestic flight deals to anywhere tropical. I think my heart is set on Cairns. Id do a hostel for a week. I just need to get back to the sunshine. Its nice to fantasise. On the walk home, its much cooler and I can feel the wind in my bones. Last week, I was in Rome and enjoying 27 degree days. Now, Im hibernating in Sydney. $31.40 4:00pm  Once Im home, Im hyped with energy, maybe from the brisk walk and try to exercise but the kitten, B., doesnt allow it. B. is the most hilarious Burmese kitten. He chases my feet, chews my hair, climbs my back and licks my cheeks like were siblings. We play for about an hour and then I shower and put on a face mask while I read. 5:30pm  Im unusually exhausted so I take a nap. 8:30pm  I wake up eat some yoghurt and later snack on some crackers and dip. Ive got a nice hot tea to accompany me while I get some work done until 12:30am, and then I decide its lights out for real this time. Daily Total: $31.40

Day 2 6:15am  My alarm goes off and to my dismay, its still dark outside. I jump in the shower and quickly reach for WhatsApp to see if my friend S. is up for a call. He lives in Scotland and the time difference works nicely, so we get to chat early in the morning. Theres something nice about unpacking his day, while I get ready for mine. We talk for nearly two hours as I take down my laundry, cuddle the cat and pack some fruit in my bag for lunch. 8:00am  I get the bus to Mona Vale and line up for the B1 ($6.10). The ride into the city is an hour long, which is perfect for finishing my book. I havent had a coffee yet, so I find my mind wanders as Im reading. Scuba diving in Cairns still pervades my consciousness. This is particularly ironic, because Im reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, and theres a whole lot of emphasis on the value of being present. Reading Tolle is such a journey. Its best read with a pen and paper to inspire journaling and self-reflection. But its also one of those books that wont resonate unless youre ready and receptive to learn and unlearn. $6.10 9:20am  I reach the office and head straight to the coffee shop downstairs. I order a cappuccino with oat milk ($5.20) and take my 9:30am standup at my desk with my three 32-inch monitors. $5.20 11:00am  I begin a sequence of in-person meetings, each beginning with a recount of my holiday and a comment on the winter weather. Between meetings, I order a laksa ($9.50) and coconut chai latte ($5) and sit in the sun. $14.50

5:30pm  After work I head to Woolies and pick up some Turkish bread and hand soap for my abuelita ($9) and catch the light rail to Surry Hills ($2.25). I can see the road closures around Devonshire Street from the recent building fire. I try to have dinner at my abuelitas whenever I am in the office. Spending time with her is my favourite pastime. We fry some salmon in the pan and dish it up over lentils and salad. Buttered hot Turkish bread on the side to lap up the lentil sauce. After dinner, I show abuelita pictures of my time in Italy and we share the pistachio dark chocolate I bought her at Rome Fiumicino airport. $11.25 8:30pm  I walk back to the office to pick up the nearby PopCar and drive myself home listening to the playlist I put together. I shower and snuggle up to my pillows, properly exhausted and happy to be home. Daily total: $37.05 Day 3 3:15am  This morning, the jet lag has me awake and full of gusto two hours earlier than my alarm. After failing to fall back to sleep, I shower and get in the car at 4:30am, headed for the airport to pick up my ex-boyfriend, D. Hes been staying with me on and off but flew interstate to see his family while I was on holiday. On the way, I stop at my mentors place (he lives near the airport) to pick up the air fryer my mum bought me on Kogan and dive gear I left from my recent trip to Lord Howe Island. Ive been putting it off until I had both a car and a spare minute. Luckily hes asleep, or just not interested in getting out of bed this early, so I am in and out of the apartment in a few minutes.

6:10am  I grab D. from outside the express pick-up parking lot. His cheek is icy cold. I put on a different playlist, he reclines his seat with his hat over his eyes and I drive us back to Bayview. We lay up in bed, both exhausted and glad to be home, and before I fall into a deep sleep, my 9:29am alarm goes off. Time for work. Loading 9:30am  I creep out of the room and into my home office to take my meetings. Supported by one or two fortified coffees. 12:00pm  I drive the PopCar back to the office location and end the booking, it cost me $59. D. always gets me from the airport when I have a trip, I dont even have to ask. So its only fair I returned the favour this one time he travels. I get some work done in the office and finish up on the bus ride home ($6.10). $65.10 4:00pm  I spend some time playing with the kitty and make D. and I falafel salads for dinner. Hes already eaten my nans leftovers in the fridge while I was out, so he looks guilty as he tells me hes not hungry and eats his later.
A months-long investigation into the failures of Home Affairs, exposing deep flaws in the operation of Australias gatekeepers.

Albanian mafia figures have been linked to a multimillionaire truck company owner who plunged to his death in an Adelaide shipping yard this month.

Law enforcement sources told The Age they were investigating whether Melbourne trucking boss Troy Kellett had been liaising with an Albanian mafia syndicate before his death.

Melbourne trucking boss Troy Kellett (inset) died after falling from a stack of shipping containers in South Australia. Credit: AAP; Supplied

Kellett died after falling from a stack of shipping containers in Adelaides Outer Harbour docklands after midnight on July 9. Police provided first aid but he died at the scene.

On the day of the incident, South Australian police said the death of the logistics company owner was not deemed suspicious.
Volunteers of the Emergency response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) provided first aid and psychological assistance to victims of Russia's missile attack on Odesa throughout the night.

"Volunteers of the Emergency response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in Odesa region provided first aid to the wounded and first psychological aid to the injured all night," the society said on Facebook on Sunday.

Volunteers also helped the State Emergency Service to free a woman from the rubble, who was immediately given first aid.

Some 16 URCS volunteers worked at the site of the liquidation of the consequences of the Russian missile attack.

As reported, on the night of July 23, the enemy attacked Odesa region with five types of missiles, using Kalibr, Oniks, Kh-22 and two modifications of Iskander ballistic missiles, a significant part of them were shot down. It is known about one killed and 22 injured.
The exposure of suspect payments and allegations of bribery in the offshore detention program imperils Australias position as a trusted influence among island nations in the face of Chinas expansion into the Pacific.

Home Truths, an investigative series by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes, found that Australias Home Affairs Department had overseen the payment of millions of taxpayer dollars to Pacific Island politicians through a chain of suspect contracts as it sought to maintain controversial offshore asylum seeker processing centres.

Credit: Matthew Absalom-Wong

Financial data, internal emails and whistleblower testimony implicate Home Affairs lead contractors  Broadspectrum, Canstruct and Paladin  in suspected systemic misuse of taxpayer dollars in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. The department was also shown to have maintained funding to two companies involved in the program despite repeated warnings by federal authorities that their owners were allegedly corrupt and involved in suspected bribery or money laundering.

The payments have generated investigations by the Australian Federal Police and financial crime agency Austrac, but so far no charges have been laid.
A key witness in a parliamentary inquiry into consulting firm Synergy 360 has severed all ties with Australia and will not provide evidence at a hearing on Friday.

John Margerison is a former part-owner of Synergy 360 and chief fundraiser for ex-Liberal MP and minister Stuart Robert, who recently quit federal parliament.

From left: Synergy 360 part-owner David Milo, former MP Stuart Robert and Synergy 360 co-owner John Margerison. Credit: Fairfax Media

Synergy 360 has been accused of setting up a channel to secretly pay Robert in return for Roberts help in winning government contracts, but there is no evidence that Robert has received any payment.

Margerison was due to appear before the joint committee of public accounts and audit, which is chaired by Labor MP Julian Hill, to answer questions about procurement by Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
The sheer speed at which a generative AI industry has developed has governments scrambling to come up with a regulatory response to technology that carries as many risks to society as it does opportunities.

On Friday, Joe Biden hosted a meeting of major AI companies at the White House, where executives from Amazon, Google, Facebooks parent Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Open AI and others agreed to a number of voluntary commitments.

Regulators want AI-generated content to be watermarked so users know the material has been produced by an AI system. Credit: iStock

Among them were that their companies would test their systems security and capabilities before public release, invest in researching the risks to society of their systems and enable external audits of their systems vulnerabilities.

The commitments are, at this point, voluntary. The Biden administration is, however, committed to developing regulatory and legislative frameworks for AI, and the US Federal Trade Commission has already opened an investigation into OpenAI, the maker of the ChatGPT bot, seeking to establish whether it has violated consumer protection laws by putting personal data at risk.
Jakarta: An overloaded passenger boat capsized off Indonesias Sulawesi island, killing 15 people, rescuers said on Monday. Authorities said that the 33 other passengers survived.

The vessel was travelling from Lanto village in Buton Central regency in Southeast Sulawesi province to nearby Lagili village when it capsized just after midnight on Monday, local search and rescue agency head Muhammad Arafah said.

Residents and members of the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) search for survivors after an overloaded ferry capsized off Indonesias Sulawesi island on Monday. Credit: AP

The wooden boat was designed to carry 20 people.

A search and rescue team initially found 15 bodies and rescued six people, and had continued their search for the others. But the operation was later called off when officials determined that all on board had been accounted for.
Owners Unimpressed with New-Vehicle Design and Performance, J.D. Power Finds

Overall Satisfaction Declines in Consecutive Years for First Time Ever in Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study

TROY, Mich.: 20 July 2023

 Vehicle manufacturers may be collectively disappointed learning that, for the first time in the 28-year history of the J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study,SM there is a consecutive year-over-year decline in owner satisfaction. According to the 2023 study, released today, overall satisfaction is 845 (on a 1,000-point scale), a decrease of 2 points from a year ago and 3 points lower than in 2021.

The decline in consecutive years might look small, but its an indicator that larger issues may lie under the surface, said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. Despite the technology and design innovations that manufacturers put into new vehicles, owners are lukewarm about them. While innovations like charging pads, vehicle apps and advanced audio features should enhance an owners experience, this is not the case when problems are experienced. This downward trajectory of satisfaction should be a warning sign to manufacturers that they need to better understand what owners really want in their new vehicles.

The study is based on 10 factorsnine of which have declined year over year. The only factor to improve is fuel economy (771), which is 15 points higher than in 2022. The factor with the largest year-over-year decline is exterior, decreasing to 888 from 894. Satisfaction with exterior styling on new models in 2023 is particularly unremarkable, scoring only 3 points above carryover models.

Built-in infotainment systems are a prime example of a technology not resonating with todays buyers. Only 56% of owners prefer to use their vehicles built-in system to play audio, down from 70% in 2020. Three of the most common uses for built-in systems are: owners looking to make phone calls; voice recognition; and navigationwith less than half (45%, 37% and 43%, respectively) of owners preferring to use their vehicles built-in system for these functions.

The APEAL Study complements the J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) and the J.D. Power U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) StudySM by measuring owners' emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle. The APEAL Study asks owners to consider 37 attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort they feel when climbing into the driver's seat to their exhilaration when they step on the accelerator. Vehicle owners' responses to queries about these attributes are aggregated to compute an overall APEAL Index score.

Following are key findings of the 2023 study:

Both premium and mass market segments decrease in overall satisfaction: Year over year, satisfaction declines 4 points among mass market brands and 1 point among premium brands. The gap in satisfaction between the two segments widens to 34 points this year.

Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) with GAS delights owners: Models that have AAOS with Google Automotive Services (GAS) score higher in the infotainment category than those with no AAOS whatsoever. AAOS without GAS receives the lowest scores for infotainment of the three categories.

Satisfaction with fuel economy better among BEVs than gas-powered vehicles: For a second consecutive year, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) outperform internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle counterparts in fuel economy, the only factor showing improvement in this years study. Even with gas prices declining, the large gap in satisfaction continues between ICE vehicles (758) and BEVs (797) for fuel economy/range scores.

Electrifi ed vehicles close APEAL gap with gas vehicles: The overall APEAL Index score for gasoline-powered vehicles is 843, tied with plug-in hybrids. In comparison, BEVs (excluding Tesla) increased 2 points year over year to 840 and have closed the gap in satisfaction with gas-powered vehicles to 3 points. Tesla vehicles are summarized separately due to their high weight in the BEV segment. It is notable that certain attributes of Tesla models continue to outperform other BEVs, though there are challengers emerging from traditional manufacturers, including five BEV models that receive segment awards.

Satisfaction with Tesla declines : Tesla, with a score of 878, remains one of the higher performing brands in the industry. However, the score in 2023 is 9 points lower than a year ago when Tesla was first included in the study. Satisfaction scores for Tesla have declined year over year in all 10 factors. Because Tesla does not allow J.D. Power access to owner information in the states where that permission is required by law, Tesla models remain ineligible for awards.

Highest-Ranking Brands

Jaguar ranks highest among premium brands with a score of 887. Land Rover (883) and Porsche (883) rank second in a tie, while BMW (878) ranks fourth.

Dodge ranks highest among mass market brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 887. Ram (873) ranks second and GMC (858) ranks third.

Model-Level APEAL Awards

Setting a record for the most model-level awards (for models ranking highest in their respective segments) is Hyundai Motor Group (nine awards), followed by BMW AG (five awards) and Toyota Motor Corporation (three awards).

The complete list of award recipients is:

Hyundai Motor Group: Genesis GV60 , Hyundai Santa Cruz , Kia Carnival , Kia EV6 , Kia Forte , Kia K5 , Kia Rio , Kia Stinger and Kia Telluride

BMW AG: BMW 7 Series , BMW X4 , BMW iX , MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman

Toyota Motor Corporation: Lexus IS , Lexus RX and Toyota Sequoia

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.: Nissan Ariya and Nissan Titan

Volkswagen AG: Porsche 911 and Porsche Taycan

Stellantis NV: Dodge Challenger

Mercedes-Benz Group AG: Mercedes-Benz CLA

General Motors Company: Chevrolet Blazer

Jaguar Land Rover Limited: Land Rover Range Rover

The Porsche 911 is the highest-ranking individual model (914). Kia sets a record for most brand awards in a single year with seven. The Kia K5 receives a model-level award for a third consecutive year.

The 2023 U.S. APEAL Study is based on responses from 84,555 owners of new 2023 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study was fielded from February through May 2023, based on vehicles registered from November 2022 through February 2023.

For more information about the U.S. APEAL Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/automotive/us-automotive-performance-execution-and-layout-apeal-study.

See the online press release at http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2023075.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the companys business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.

About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules: www.jdpower.com/business/about-us/press-release-info
Retro Rides Rolls Classic Cars onto Navy Pier July 28, through Sunday, July 30

Experience Iconic Cars, Engineering Marvels, Live Music and Fun

CHICAGONavy Pier will host more than 100 cool and eclectic vehicles organized by Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museumhttps://klairmontkollections.com/> (KKAM) for the inaugural Retro Rides experience (click here for tickets).https://navypier.org/retro-rides-presented-by-klairmont-kollections/> Visitors can take part in automotive history, iconic cars and engineering marvels while listening to a variety of local DJs and enjoying food and fun.

When: Friday, July 28, through Sunday, July 30

Where: Navy Piers Festival Hall

Who: The whole family  Tickets start at $15 per person. (Children under 3 are free.)

Fueling car enthusiasts across the Midwest, Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum showcases some of the most stunning, historically innovative, and unique vehicles produced. Retro Rides features:

* 1950s American Classics & Micro-cars

* A Swarovski crystal-covered Rolls Royce

* One-of-a-kind vehicles like a nickel and gold leaf 1918 Pierce Arrow

* A variety of local DJs and music

ABOUT KLAIRMONT KOLLECTIONS (KKAM)

Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum is a 501(c)(3) 100,000 square foot educationally based museum and event space displaying 300+ vehicles ranging from the early 1900s to modern day cars. It promotes educational programing engaging youth through workshops, field trips and partnerships. All of the components taught in the STEAM models of education are supported by KKAM. It was originally founded as a private collection by Larry M. Klairmont, a proud WWII Veteran and successful Chicagoland businessman. At the KKAM the public is welcome Weds  Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. There is an event space hosting weddings, events, birthday parties and other occasions.
Three warehouses with grain were destroyed in the port of Reni in an invaders' attack by Iranian strike drones of the Shahed type, according to the website of the Reni-Odesa. Our Common Home publication, citing the head of the Reni community, Ihor Plekhov.

According to the report, about 15 Shahed drones were recorded. Residents of Reni and surrounding villages heard a series of explosions. The blast wave also damaged the windows of buildings and structures at the Reni port. There were local fires, which were promptly eliminated.

"They are destroying the port," one of the entrepreneurs who transships grain told the publication at five o'clock in the morning on Monday.

According to the update from the South task force on Facebook, there was a four-hour attack by Shahed-136 drones directed at the port infrastructure of the Danube, it reports the destruction of a hangar with grain, damage to tanks for storing other types of cargo and a fire in one of the production premises, which was quickly eliminated. One of the photos from the site of the attacked shows the containers of the world container shipping leader Maersk Group. Air defense forces destroyed three drones.

Earlier it was reported that in the Russian attack on the port infrastructure of Odesa region, six people were injured.
In the near future, UNESCO will send a mission to Odesa to conduct a preliminary assessment of the damage caused to cultural sites as a result of a night attack by Russian occupiers, according to the organization's press release, published on Sunday, July 23.

"UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the brazen attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city center of Odesa, home to the World Heritage property 'The Historic Centre of Odesa," according to the statement.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said "this outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against cultural heritage of Ukraine."

She also called on Russia "to take meaningful action to comply with its obligations under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention."
The head of Ukraine's State Judicial Administration has been exposed for inciting bribes to judges of the Supreme Court, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has said.

"Under the procedural guidance of SAPO prosecutors, NABU detectives exposed the head of Ukraine's State Judicial Administration for inciting to provide undue benefits to Supreme Court judges for ruling in favor of a commercial enterprise," SAPO said in a Telegram message on Monday.

According to SAPO, as part of the pretrial investigation, it was established that the administration head received $7,500 from an individual in March 2023.

"Further on, the State Judicial Administration's head informed the person that the issue was being resolved, and that he communicated about the circumstances of the case with the chairman of the Supreme Court. However, he explained the delay in making a decision with objective reasons," the office said.

The prosecutor's office said after the exposure, the former chairman of the Supreme Court continued to convince that the agreed decision would be made and "on this occasion he plans to talk with the chairman of one of the cassation courts."

Currently, priority investigative actions are ongoing, including searches at the place of work of the head of the State Judicial Administration. Preliminary qualification of his actions  part 2 of article 15, part 4 of article 27, part 4 of article 369, part 2 of article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (attempt to commit a crime, incitement, offer, promise or provision of unlawful benefits to an official, fraud).
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
State will soon emerge as logistic hub in the country





By Bhavana Aparajita'

Shukla

Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani has earned sobriquets like Flyover Man, States Sonu Sood, Most Active Parliamentarian of the Country by IIM and Southern Gujarat University etc for the crucial role he played to ensure safety and return of students stuck in war-torn Ukraine, violence-hit Manipur or Covid-19 affected Rome, back to their home in various parts of the country. The IITian is deeply concerned about atrocities on minority Hindus in Pakistan. His statements compelled the then Pakistan Prime Minister to react sharply. The Hitavada during a tete-a-tete with this IITian and politician discussed a wide range of topics. Here are some of the excerpts:

Q. Where do you see the States infrastructural progress in the coming time ?

Ans: As Madhya Pradeshs geographical position is almost in the centre of the country. It will be worthwhile if the State hosts a logistic hub. It can be an ideal destination for integrated facilities for transportation of goods, both at national and international level. Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) is being developed in an area of 255.17 acre at Pithampur in Dhar district near Indore of the State. After becoming operational, it is expected that it will reduce logistics costs to around 8-9 % of (GDP) with an estimated cost of Rs 1,110.58 crore. If we talk about Indore, this commercial capital accounts for 42 % infrastructure growth. It has 3 lakh per capita Income as against countrys 1.42 lakh.

Q. Projects like Gauge Conversion, Manmaad, Dahod etc have taken too long. How is the situation now?

Ans: Yes, Indore Khandwa gauge conversion has taken many years almost since a decade the work is going on as there were some hurdles. But now 80 per cent work at Indore to Akola is complete. Only a stretch from Rau to Sanawad section is remaining. Which will be completed soon. Electrification has been over. In 2024, Indore-Budhani will be completed. States commercial capital Indore will leave Bhopal in the railway network in two years.

Q You have emerged as a trouble shooter for Indian students, stuck at different parts of the world and country

during emergency situations like Ukrain, Rome during Covid-19 or Manipur ? How did you accomplish this daunting task?

Ans: We need to be human beings first only then professional title comes whether it is a politician or technician or a bureaucrat etc. Keeping this in mind, I only remain in touch with people as a family member. During pandemic, I was taking care of my wife who was hospitalised; some of the families contacted me in a hope to help their children studying abroad. Then I spoke to the Foreign Minister and managed to send them to their homes in various states in the country. Total 23 students from MP stuck in Manipur returned home safely, all these students arrived at Devi Ahilya Bai Airport via Kolkata. We, along with the team of administrative officials, reached the airport to receive them. Since some of them had tough time and were in shock, we comforted them as they were traumatised. We did not directly send them to another bus to take them to their cities, instead we made arrangements for their stay and food at a hotel in Indore. Only after that they were sent to different cities of the State. In the case of Ukraine, parents of around 25 children contacted me and then I approached senior officials of the External Affairs Ministry. At the same time, I used to talk to students staying in Ukraine over phone so that they could have assurance. It requires constant and relentless efforts with having human touch.

Q How does being an IIT graduate helps you in politics?

Ans: Being technically aware of insights of a project, I can be a part of the problem solving team. Before putting proposals to ministers, I used to discuss with officials so that problems can be rectified at initial level itself. In this way, it saves time and money to get approval.

Q. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called you Flyover Man, what do you have to say about this?

Ans: Central ministers used to say that whenever Lalwani comes in the name of a thanks giving meeting, he takes away approval for a new project.
16 persons nabbed on basis of inputs from arrested poachers in Assam





Staff Reporter

On the basis of the information received from the three arrested North India-based tiger poachers in Assam, a joint team of Forest and Police Departments nabbed 16 persons from Ambeshivni village in Gadchiroli on Sunday. Of the arrested, six are males, five are female and five are children. The joint team also seized six traps, sharp-edged weapons, three tiger nails, mobile phones, and Rs 46,000 from them during the operation. A three-member team of the Forest Department recently visited Guwahati in Assam to interrogate the three arrested poachers. After interacting with them, the team got the information about the presence of the gang in Gadchiroli district. Acting swiftly on the information, a joint team was formed comprising forest officials from Melghat Tiger Reserve, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, and Chandrapur and Gadchiroli Forest Divisions. After forming the team, the Forest Department informed Police Department and jointly conducted the raid in the wee hours of Sunday.

On the basis of the information received from the State Government, the Forest Department teams also arrested a few accused from Karim Nagar in Telangana and Dhule district of Maharashtra. For this inter-state operation, the Maharashtra Forest Department got support from Telangana Police and Forest Departments. According to Forest Department, all the accused who nabbed by them are from Haryana and Punjab states. For further investigation of the case, a Special Task Force has been formed by the Forest Department. Assistant Conservator of Forest of Gadchiroli has been appointed as enquiry officer of the case. After the successful operations in Gadchiroli, Dhule and Karim Nagar areas, all the accused have been charged under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the further investigation is on.
A mission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will arrive in Odesa to make a preliminary evaluation of the damage caused to the cultural heritage facilities as a result of Russia's attack on Sunday night, the Culture and Informational Policy Ministry of Ukraine has said.

"The Organization stressed that intentional attacks on cultural facilities as well as destruction and damaging them can amount to a war crime. However, Russia is still a member of UNESCO," it said on Facebook on Monday.

The ministry emphasized that it expects active actions to preserve and restore the Ukrainian cultural heritage, and also calls for the expulsion of Russia from UNESCO.

As reported, on the night of July 23, Russia attacked Odesa region using five types of missiles  Kalibr, Onyx, Kh-22 and two modifications of Iskander ballistic missiles  a significant number of them were shot down. One person was killed and 21 people, including four children, suffered injuries as a result of the attack.

The Transfiguration Cathedral was destroyed and buildings in the historical center of Odesa were damaged. According to preliminary information, 25 architectural monuments were damaged, Head of Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper said.




Staff Reporter

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that there should be adequate arrangement of fertilisers in the State for preparation of Kharif and upcoming Rabi crops. Chief Minister Chouhan spoke to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over telephone and urged the Central Government to supply fertilisers in the State. He was addressing a meeting regarding proper management of fertilisers in the State at Samatva Bhawan, CM residence office on Saturday. Chouhan sought detailed information regarding availability of fertilisers in the State. He said that from whichever district the demand comes, sufficient fertiliser should be delivered to that district. A letter should be written
Govt constitutes panel to frame policy to curb stray dog menace





Staff Reporter

Taking cognisance of several incidents of stray dogs attacking children and grown-ups in different areas, Maharashtra Government has constituted a committee to address the issue. The committee has been asked to frame a policy to tackle stray dogs menace by addressing various facets, including population control. The issue had come up for discussion through a call attention motion during the winter session of State Legislature at Nagpur in December 2022. The Government had then assured to constitute a committee to frame a policy to address the issue. Previously there was a provision for animal birth control monitoring committees at the local bodies. Now, considering the Supreme Court orders, Animal Welfare Board of India norms, directions issued from time to time by Urban Development Department (UDD) as well as Rural Development Department, and various prevailing laws and rules, Maharashtra Government has decided to have a comprehensive policy in place. For the purpose, it has decided to constitute a 15-member committee.

The 15-member committee headed by Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Department, has Deputy Director of Quality Control Laboratory at Goregaon as Member Secretary. The committee members include Principal Secretary/Additional Chief Secretary of UDD or their representative; Principal Secretary (Health) or representative; Principal Secretary (Rural Development) or representative; Commissioner, Animal Husbandry; Chief Executive Officer of CIDCO or representative; representative of Animal Welfare Board of India; Member Secretary of Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board; Commissioner and Director (Municipal Administration); Municipal Commissioners of Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai or their representatives; Abodh Aras, Welfare of Stray Dogs organisation, Mumbai; and Dr Makarand Chavan, Secretary, Pet Practitioners Association of Mumbai.
Information in dashboard makes it easy to solve cases: Justice Arya





Staff Reporter

Make optimal use of technology in co-ordination to provide easy and speedy justice to all. With necessary information of all the departments in the dashboard, it would be easy to solve cases and people would get quick justice. Expedite the process of providing tablets to investigating officers in police force. Chairman, Justice Rohit Arya and Member, Justice Vishal Dhagat, Computer and e-Court Committee, Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur, reviewed implementation of instructions issued earlier with stakeholders at the Academy of Administration, Bhopal and gave necessary instructions. Additional Chief Secretary Home Dr Rajesh Rajoura, Principal Secretary Law Vinod Dwivedi, Project Co-ordinator High Court Jabalpur Fasahat Hussain Qazi and senior officers of other departments were present in the meeting.

Justice Arya instructed to take necessary action quickly in co-ordination with all for smooth implementation of e-court as per guidelines of the Supreme Court. In case of any problem in co-ordination, e-court committee should be informed so that the problem can be resolved expeditiously. Justice Arya said that when imperitive information is available on dashboard being prepared by NIC, it will be easy to analyse cases and can ensure quick justice. In the e-court system, information like FIR, Forensic Science Lab report, post-mortem report, deliberations, statements of witnesses, decisions of courts, etc will be available online, which will make it easier to take decisions. Justice Arya said that with empowerment of e-court system, there will be no need for public to come to court for every work. MedLEaPR software should be developed as the 6th pillar of Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS). Post-mortem report plays a crucial role in investigation of criminal cases.

While reviewing MedLEaPR, Justice Arya asked the Health Department to ensure necessary arrangements for post-mortem in all primary health centres of the State. The departments concerned were directed in the meeting to obtain necessary approvals from the competent departmental committees before sending the proposal to the Finance Department. The Finance Department was asked to take all necessary action on time for the empowerment of the e-court project as directed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court so that delay could be avoided. The judicial officers informed about the merits of ICJS and gave tips to make it strong and effective. It was informed in the meeting that there are a total of 1199 primary health centres (PHCs) in the State, out of which 533 have arrangements for conducting post-mortem. Arrangements are being made for remaining 32. It was informed in the meeting that the process of filling 60 scientists, 45 lab assistants and 60 data entry operators post the e-court system is in progress.
NIA exposes international nodes of Khalistani groups





NEW DELHI,

THE NIA has filed a chargesheet against three individual terrorists associated with banned Khalistani outfits BKI and KTF, exposing their international nodes involved in the recruitment and handling of India-based terror operatives, an official said. Six other associates working for the Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Tiger Force were also named in the chargesheet filed before a special court on Sunday, also highlighting a complex mechanism of fund raising for the two outfits, a spokesperson of the agency said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it is also investigating the links of 16 other absconding and arrested accused associated with the BKI and KTF. The spokesperson said the three notorious gangsters-turned-terrorists and drug-smugglers -- Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa of BKI and Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala of KTF -- are based outside the country and have created their own networks of operatives there to carry out terror activities in India. Through this complex network of operatives based abroad, they have been recruiting, motivating and handling their associates in India to carry out terrorist activities, extortion and cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs into India.

They also have linkages with major gangs operating in north India, including local gangsters, organised criminal syndicates and networks, the spokesperson said. According to the NIA, Rinda is a very important BKI member and Khalistani operative. In the year 2018-19, he fled to Pakistan illegally and is currently living there under the patronage of ISI, and is involved in the commission of terrorist activities against India. Rinda is involved in various offences like smuggling of arms, ammunition explosives and drugs into Indian territory from Pakistan, recruitment of BKI operatives, murders, raising funds for BKI through extortion in the States of Punjab and Maharashtra, the spokesperson said. The official said Rinda has been involved in many terrorist activities, including the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence headquarters in May 2022, and was declared an individual terrorist along with Dala and Landa by the centre, the agency said. Moga resident Dala is an infamous gangster who left for Canada sometime back and came in contact with Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was the chief of proscribed terrorist organisation KTF, according to the spokesperson. The duo engaged in the recruitment of youth and formation of terrorist gangs for carrying out extortion for raising funds for KTF and for carrying out targeted killing of businessmen and leaders of particular communities in Punjab, the spokesperson said. The official said Landa of Tarn Taran was initially involved in criminal and gangster activities and left for Canada in 2017 where he came in contact with Rinda.
NIA raids 24 TN places in PMK leader murder case





CHENNAI,

THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) was conducting raids and searches at 24 places in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

Sources in the NIA told IANS that the raids were related to the murder of PMK leader K Ramalingam in 2019. The raids were also being carried out at the residence of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) leader Mubarak in Tirunelveli district.

It may be noted that the premier investigating agency has conducted many raids in Tamil Nadu after the ban of the Islamist organisation, PFI. The State and Central agencies have given an alert against the regrouping of the banned PFI under the banner of several social organisations in the State. The car bomb explosion on the eve of Diwali last year in which a 29-year-old youth was charred to death has also led to the central agencies upping their ante against the Islamist forces in the State.
Rs 58 crore on-line gaming fraud case: Lookout Circular against Gondia bookie





Staff Reporter

The city police have issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against on-line gaming fraudster Anant alias Sontu Navratan Jain (40) from Civil Lines, Gondia, after they seized Rs 17 crore in cash, 14 kg of gold and 294 kg of silver collectively worth Rs 27 crore from the premises on Saturday. A police official said that the LOC was issued against Sontu who has been absconding, and is reportedly staying in Dubai. If the immigration officers of a country at the airport have a Lookout Circular against an absconding offender, the absconding person can be nabbed by the officer. Thus, we are expecting the arrest of Sontu as soon as he checks-in at any airport across the globe, the official informed.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar said that the seized cash would be deposited in the bank on Monday while the gold would be sent to a Government-appointed auditor for verification. He said, many complainants are expected to come forward against Sontu in the next couple of days as Sontu had allegedly defrauded many people of crores of rupees through an online application called Diamond Exchange dot com. The fraud came to light after a victim, a businessman with interests in grain and transport, approached the police. The businessman was fond of gambling and so was introduced to the accused, Sontu, by two traders from the city. Sontu allegedly convinced the victim to use his on-line gaming application, providing him with a username ID and password after taking an initial amount of Rs 8.50 lakh. The businessman had borrowed substantial sums from friends and relatives to fund his hobby of gambling. However, he later realised that the application was designed to manipulate results ensuring that the player always lost.

Feeling cheated and desperate to get back his lost money, the businessman confronted Sontu demanding his money back, but the latter refused. On the contrary, Sontu demanded the remaining amount of Rs 40 lakh from the businessman, which he had lost in the gamble. Sontu even threatened to kill him if he did not repay the amount. Following the threat, the victim managed to gather Rs 40 lakh from his friends and transferred the money to Sontu through a hawala trader last week. Depressed over the deteriorating financial situation, the victim attempted suicide
Italy is ready to help in the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa and other treasures of Ukraine's cultural heritage, the Italian Embassy in Ukraine said on Twitter.

"The attacks in Odesa, the death of innocent people, the destruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral deeply sadden us. Russian aggressors are destroying granaries, depriving millions of people who need it of food," the report says.

In addition, as noted, the Russian aggressors "are destroying our European civilization, its sacred symbols."

"The free people will not allow themselves to be intimidated, barbarism will not win. Italy, with its unique experience in the restoration industry in the world, is ready to join the restoration of the cathedral and other treasures of the cultural heritage of Ukraine," the message reads.

As reported, on the night of July 23, the Russian Federation attacked Odesa region with five types of missiles, involved Calibers, Onyx, X-22 and two modifications of Iskander ballistic missiles, a significant part of them were shot down. It is known about one dead and 21 injured. Four children are among the injured.

The Transfiguration Cathedral was destroyed, buildings in the historical center of Odesa were damaged. According to preliminary information, as a result of a night rocket attack in Odesa, 25 architectural monuments were damaged, said head of the Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products.

"Our position is clear: blocking exports by land after September 15, when the relevant restrictions expire, is unacceptable in any form. We are in touch with all stakeholders to find a solution that suits everyone," Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram channel.

He noted that the Ukrainian authorities "believe in the agreement with the European Commission, but are preparing for any scenario."

As reported, in April, Poland was the first to introduce a unilateral ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products in violation of the Association Agreement and the internal norms of the European Union. Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia followed suit. From May 2, the EU introduced a ban on the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower from Ukraine to these countries and Romania, replacing unilateral decisions, and on June 5 extended them until September 15.

However, after this date, representatives of the five countries have repeatedly stated the need to extend this period after September 15 and the possible expansion of restricted goods. In particular, on July 19, the five met in Warsaw to prepare a statement for the European Commission to extend the ban and extend it to other products.

Ukraine, in turn, insists that September 15 is the final date after which the ban should not be extended. Svyrydenko noted that if the ban is still extended, then Ukraine will have to consider mirror measures.
Belarusian troops have undergone training with members of the Wagner Group, the Belarusian state-run STV television channel said on Sunday.

Members of a Belarusian special operations unit have completed a four-day tactical training course at the Brestsky range together with Wagner Group members, it said.

"The main purpose of such training, as the Defense Ministry said, is gaining experience of combat in modern conflicts. The training sessions were arranged with the special military operation taken into account, focusing on organizing interoperability between various branches while inflicting fire damage [on an enemy], using drones to support reconnaissance units, and more. The participants practice tactics for moving across the battlefield under intense fire, and receive psychological training," it said.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan will sign a long-term agreement to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the worlds cheapest spot price on July 24, 2023, Azernews reports, citing State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik.

According to the agreement Azerbaijan will offer one cargo of LNG at the prevailing worlds lowest price every month, providing Pakistan the flexibility to accept or reject the offer without giving any reason. To ensure transparency and prevent corruption, the Cabinet has approved an algorithm that guarantees the LNG cargo will be offered at the most competitive price.

Additionally, the offered price must be lower than the previous 30-day average on the LNG indices and must be the lowest price available on the day the cargo is offered.

In this unique business deal, Pakistan has the right to reject all 12 cargoes offered over a one-year period without any explanation. However, Azerbaijan is bound to offer the next cargo the following month and in the years to come. This agreement presents an unprecedented opportunity for Pakistan to access affordable LNG from around the world through Azerbaijans extensive trading network.

Malik emphasized that the benefits of this deal would extend to all industries and households in Pakistan. The objective of the agreement with Azerbaijan is to make cheaper fuels accessible to industries while also alleviating the burden on households.

Regarding the supply of subsidized gas to fertilizer manufacturers, Malik opposed renewing the agreement and instead proposed a direct subsidy to farmers to reduce their input costs.
The government of Taiwan will allocate $2.5 million to Kyiv for the construction of a bridge to Obolon Island in the capital, according to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan.

According to a press release, earlier $1 million was allocated to Kyiv by the Greater Paris Metropolis for the construction of the bridge. Taiwan, along with other countries, supports the restoration of Ukraine and emphasizes the importance of solidarity and cooperation of the democratic community during the Russian-Ukrainian war, the report says.

As reported with reference to the Obolon District State Administration, Kyiv received about UAH 20 million from the Greater Paris Metropolis to complete the construction of a pedestrian bridge to Obolon Island.

The pedestrian bridge to Obolon Island is being built since 2020 at the expense of patrons. According to the project, the bridge will rest on four pillars, two of which are located in the strait. The width of the pedestrian facility is 4 m, and the length is 164 m.

By the beginning of 2023, three bridge supports were installed and materials were purchased. With the funds provided by the Greater Paris Metropolis, it was planned to complete the installation of the fourth pillar of the bridge, purchase and install auxiliary and partially running structures, and purchase metal structures.
Maersk reports minor damage to containers in Reni port as result of drone attack

Maersk Group, the world leader in container transportation, reported minor damage to a small number of containers as a result of an attack by occupiers with Iranian Shahed-type attack drones on the infrastructure of the Reni port.

"As for Maersk, the impact is minimal, with very minor damage to a small number of containers on site," the company's press service said in response to a request from Interfax-Ukraine.

Maersk clarified that we are talking about damage to the capacities of a third-party company, therefore they advised to contact them for more detailed information.

"We understand that operations have now resumed," Maersk said at the same time.

A report by the Pivden task force on Facebook on Monday morning spoke of a four-hour attack with Shahed-136 drones directed at the port infrastructure of the Danube River.
On Monday, July 24, Spain sent four more Leopard 2A4 tanks and other equipment for the Ukrainian army from the port of Santander to Poland. It is expected that all materials will be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces in early August, the Spanish Ministry of Defense said.

"The cargo sent by Spain consists of four Leopard 2A4 tanks, which will be added to the six Leopard 2 of the same characteristics already delivered to the Ukrainian government," the message says.

This batch also includes ten TOA M-113 armored vehicles, three of which are for the border service, ten military trucks, five of which will be transferred to the border service and five to the Armed Forces, one armored multi-purpose vehicle for the border service, three civilian ambulances and one armored mine clearance vehicle for transfer to various military hospitals, as well as one armored civilian ambulance for the border service.
The July 7, 2023, reported arrest of a vessel, MT Tura II (IMO number: 6620462), along Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State by Tompolos Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil valued at about $86.8million, has increasingly confirmed as true the words of Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, on August 2022, that the Federal Government made the right decision contracting Tantita Security Ltd., a private security contractor to handle the multi-billion naira Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limiteds oil pipeline surveillance contract.

The above feeling evidently comes flooding when one remembers that it was only a few stakeholders that supported the decision of the Federal Government on the N4bn per month contract which covers the Ijaw-speaking part of Bayelsa State (Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local government areas), Delta, Ondo, Imo and Rivers states. To this group, when national asset is involved, there is nothing wrong with Federal Government exploring concept of corporation in governance business, security, and infrastructure and resource development from private individuals needed to speed up good governance and promote development, noting that such design would assist maximize social returns while minimizing stress on the part of government.

Others stoutly opposed and concluded but hastily that what the Muhammadu Buhari government has done in effect is to abdicate governments constitutional responsibility to mercenaries, even against its avowed policy not to engage mercenaries in fighting terrorism.

Given the above, recent reviews and empirical results coming from Tompolos Tantita operations has settled the debate as to whether Public-Private partnership can assist design and implement complex policies as related to national asset management. Tantitas efficiency in this given assignment of managing national assert has signaled a radical departure from the past where government officials only made pious commitment to rid the country of the menace of crude theft which has not only inflicted significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry and perpetuated a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.

Authors have equally put forward different qualitative reports that summarized the ongoing pipeline surveillance contract as decreasing crude oil theft in the country and increasing foreign earnings to the nation. Viewed from applied prism, this piece holds the opinion that the ongoing surveillance mechanism suggests and proved beyond reasonable doubt that the nation Nigeria may actually not need gun boats to protect its national claims and solve its other problems particularly, in the oil rich Niger Delta region, notorious for crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Rather, what the nation needs is a sincere and selfless leadership, a politically and economically restructured polity.

For a better understanding of the piece, there are more key points that need to be emphasized on how the programmes ultimate outcomes have so far attained the Federal Government anticipated goal while remaining attractive to critical stakeholders. However, like every new invention that comes with its opportunities and challenges, there are also recorded operational issues and concerns arising from the programme that needs to be highlighted and brought to the fore where they can be seen and treated.

Beginning with attractive milestones, media reports has it that barely two months after he was awarded the multi-billion naira oil security contract in the Niger Delta region, Government Ekpemupolo discovered over 58 illegal points in Delta and Bayelsa States where crude oil is being stolen. More specifically, there was a media report that Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited, on Thursday, October 7, 2022 successfully arrested a crude oil tanker, loaded with an unspecified quantity of crude oil at the Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Viewed broadly, if policy makers in the country could take time to study Tantitas recruitment process, their operational dynamics and environmental matrix, they(public office holders) will discover without labour that Tantita as a company and pipeline Surveillance project run on the wheels of state/Community policing templates. They share the same spirit, virtues and attributes.

Take as illustration, the majority of Tantitas security personnel were recruited from, and posted to the same community/environment where they hail from. They operate and watch over pipelines within their communities and environs. As a result of this security template/roadmap, efficiency is achieved.

Similar results and breakthroughs are precisely what state/community policing could achieve if allowed in the country. The reason for the above assertion is not farfetched.

Separate from the new awareness that globally, provision of security can no longer be viewed in a unitary way as such thinking is out-fashioned, if an objective analysis can replace emotional discussion regarding state/community police, it is glaring that there are no federal police or state police models, but there are fundamental differences between the two. While cultural and geographical homogeneity which are strong factors and advantages of state policing are lost in federal policing, state police depend on these factors and more such as historical and friendship to keep society orderly and without anarchy. This value no doubt makes productive policing without disorder. And state governments have the capacity to fulfill this obligation.

Simply put, the Nigerian government urgently needs to study and possibly adopt or adapt aspects of Tompolo security model/architecture as it entails cultivation of stronger local intelligence and networking with communities, traditional rulers and adequate training. This in specific terms will include recruiting more police officers from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing worldwide.

Another potentially interesting finding arising from the pipeline surveillance contract has to do with the volume of youth employment it has so far created. In fact, unconfirmed sources but close to the organization has it that the project has created over 17,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities for the youths in the Niger Delta region.

Aside from creatively curbing youth restiveness in the region within the period under review, another important reason why the ongoing surveillance contract needs to be applauded is that globally, youths are considered as a major national asset that will respond to the future leadership of the country and any transformation agenda that does not have job creation for the youth at its centre will take the nation nowhere

The seamless cooperation between Tantita security personnels and Federal Government security operatives- the Nigeria Army, Navy, Department of State Security (DSS) Police, and other security apparatus, is another inherent virtue associated with the contract that is worth mentioning.

On the other side of the ledger, this piece is not comfortable with the way the Federal Government is managing the successes that flow from the pipeline surveillance programme. This particular displeasure is Federal Government-specific.

The culture of burning a whole ship with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil valued at about $86.8million cannot in any way scale as a good leadership judgement. The narrative becomes even more painful when one remembers that a similar step was taken in October 2022 when Tompolos men successfully arrested a crude oil tanker, loaded with an unspecified quantity of crude oil, at the Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Such action in my view amounts to throwing away the baby with bath water and roundly qualifies as economic waste. Most dangerously, burning such a volume of crude translates to first class environmental pollution. We must as a nation learn how to manage our success by not killing through pollution the people we are meant to protect. Both the people are national asserts that must be protected.

This piece, therefore, holds the opinion that going forward, there should be other polite, civil, advanced and creative options to handle the confiscated vessel and its content without endangering the lives of the people of the region.

Finally, the ongoing surveillance job by Tompolo has deeply sparked consciousness about challenges facing Niger Delta region before the human right and other advocates for oppressed communities, while bringing to the fore a renewed call for legislative and policy reforms that will permanently curb crude oil theft in the region and ensure that the process of decision making on issues that concern oil and gas sector and the living environment of the people of the region are opened up.

Therefore, as the nation and the people of Niger Delta region celebrate the Tompolo Tantita  interception of MT Tura and other efforts geared towards securitizing the nations high priced asserts in the region, it is also important to recognise that Tompolos contributions towards restoration of peace and sustainable development in the region is long standing, noticed across the globe and deeply qualifies him as a catalyst for a new order and Niger Delta regions ambassador for peace and development.

Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via; [email protected] /08032725374.
The Senator representing Edo North District, Adams Oshiomhole, has condemned the N30,000 minimum wage being paid by the federal and state government.

Oshiomhole described the current minimum wage as criminal wage, stressing that he pays his cleaner N60, 000.

Speaking on Channels Televisions, Oshiomhole said the current minimum wage was not enough for workers.

According to Oshiomhole: What we call minimum wage is a criminal wage.

I can tell you what I have decided to pay my cleaner. My cleaner is just a primary school  Im not sure she even has a school leaving certificate. But shes knowledgeable enough to clean the house.

I found myself unable to pay her less than N60,000  in fact, N60,000. Its about my conscience. Im trying to imagine what she has to pay for a house. She told me she has four children.

Im trying to imagine how she has to look after those children and I cannot question why she should have four children.

The former Governor of Edo State also stated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never promised to resolve Nigerias problem in 24 hours magically.

While saying those who voted Tinubu as president know he is not a magician, Senator Oshiomhole noted that Nigerians need what the president has demonstrated.

The former APC National Chairman said, They know they were not electing a magician. And nobody promised a magical solution. Dont bother giving me an example. I know what we (APC) promised more than you. Whatever is reported, we are the source. We did not promise anyone a 24-hour solution, and we did not promise an overnight solution. Can you show me any document where we said in 24 hours this will be done?

I think you are the ones who have the illusion that once a promise is made, automatically once he (Tinubu) gets into office, either spiritually or by miracles, solutions will emerge. What Nigerians need is what the president has demonstrated  the courage to take the decision, humility to admit some of the unintended consequences of those decisions, and, of course, the will to deal with those consequences.

Oshiomhole stated that resolving the fuel hike, unemployment, and other challenges cannot happen in a day, adding that the president deserves commendation for the manner he has hit the ground running.

He said: To be fair, the fact that the doctor is committed to treating the patient and claims to know the nature of the disease afflicting the patient doesnt mean that as soon as you wheel the patient to the theatre, a solution emerges.

I think President Bola Tinubu has shown commitment. He withdrew the subsidy and admitted that one of the things we have to do is to adjust wages in the formal sector. The other one is to appropriate some funds to be given to vulnerable people.
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to apply the brake to the spate of increments in tuition fees and others by government-owned schools.

The parents under the association said life was being snuffed out of them as a result of such increases in almost all sectors, such as fuel, electricity and now school fees.

They said the increases are becoming too many and pouring on the citizens like heavy rainfall.

The Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, who was speaking on behalf of other parents, urged the President to, as a matter of urgency, put a stop to the tuition fee hike in public schools.

It is unfortunate. We support the President regarding the removal of the oil subsidy, but it does not mean everything should just be hiked at the same time.

You still want to remove subsidy on electricity, and also hike tuition fees at the same time. That will be too killing on parents and their children.

The President should by tomorrow, mandate schools to revert to their old fees. They should not snuff the life out of parents and their children.

He should temper justice with mercy. The moment the government increases fees payable in its schools, others will follow  the state governments and private school owners. He should just stop it, he stated.

Giving advice to the President on how to bring down the cost of fuel in Nigeria, Ogunbanjo said though licenses had been given to some importers to bring in fuel, the solution did not lie in that step.

He said: Prices of petroleum products would still continue to be on the high side as long as they are imported and the process is dollar-denominated.

What he needs to do is to encourage modular refineries. That will bring succour to the people and the country entirely. He should address that and set standards for those operating such modular refineries if he is not pleased with what they are doing now.

While the modular refineries are working and meeting the peoples needs in their own little ways, then the big ones, such as Dangote Refinery, can come on stream.

The huge impact of the subsidy removal is already affecting businesses and many may close down. If that happens, it is still parents that will be the worst for it if they lose their jobs and still have family commitments to handle.

Recall that federal governments unity colleges recently increased fees from N45,000 to N100,000 and federal universities have done same.

The University of Lagos, UNILAG categorically during the weekend increased fees from N19,000 to N190,250.
FRESH CALLS FOR NDIOMU'S ARREST OVER LEAKAGE OF CONFIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS.

A foremost pressure group and pro-peace advocacy outfit, The Niger Delta Security Volunteers has expressed disappointment over Ndiomu's alleged leak of confidential government security documents.

The move which many experts and analysts has deemed a deliberate, obvious move by the Presidential Amnesty Boss Major General (retd) Barry Ndiomu to try and scuttle the Sylva/Maciver ticket in favour of Douye Diri, his kinsman, has been overwhelmingly rejected by many in the Niger Delta region and beyond.

Speaking to the press on Monday, Chairman of the Niger Delta Security Volunteers Chief Samuel Mpigi James said 'I do not care about Ndiomu's connection with the PDP which we all know, after all his sister Hon Ebizi Ndiomu Brown is a serving member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly with a PDP ticket which we hear he procured'

'Personally, and as a group whose primary tenet is the peace of the Niger Delta region, our chief concern is the fact he leaked confidential government documents to the press. It is unheard of and we apologize to the entire country that our own son can be such a terrible ambassador'

'We hereby call for his sack, probe and possible prosecution because the act of leaking Federal Government confidential documents not only contravenes Public Service Rules but it falls short on moral and ethical grounds'

The group has also promised to write letters of petition to the President, Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Security and as well as the Leadership of the National Assembly.
The Russian occupiers will continue to try to launch missile strikes at ports and granaries in the southern regions of Ukraine both using rocket-carrying ships and using aviation, said Natalia Humeniuk, head of the joint press center of the Operational Command Pivden (South).

"Everything is ready, of course, there is an understanding that the enemy will continue the so-called port-grain terror, since they bring this topic to the top and try to put pressure on Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, as port regions that are capable of being powerful in the grain agreement," Humeniuk said on the telethon on Monday.

At the same time, she noted that now the occupiers have brought all the missile-carrying ships to their bases. "This may indicate that they are preparing and will return to duty closer to midnight. This practice has already been, and we are carefully monitoring this situation," the representative of the Pivden command stressed.

In addition, according to Humeniuk, the occupiers are now "mixing" attacks and launching missiles not only from ships, but also from air launch vehicles. "Given the activity of enemy aircraft that we observed today, when they used, by the way, electronic warfare and attempts to test us for strength and readiness with fake targets, this may also indicate their training and seeking out our air defense systems," she said.

"The situation remains tense, we must remember that the enemy is insidious and can use different types of weapons, including those that we have not yet countered," Humeniuk added.
In preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, a threemember team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) is scheduled to visit West Bengal next month to review the states readiness. Sources from the office of the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of West Bengal said the team is expected to arrive on 19 August. It is likely that Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Nitin Kumar Vyas will lead the three-member ECI team.

This week, senior officials from the office of CEO, West Bengal, held a preliminary meeting on poll preparedness. It has been decided that the examination of available Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the state will commence on 1 August and is expected to be completed within six days. We want to ensure thorough preparation before the arrival of the three-member ECI team to review our preparedness, said an official from the office of CEO, West Bengal. The CEOs office has already issued instructions to district administrative authorities to begin the process of reviewing the voters list in their respective districts.

The aim is to make the voters list completely errorfree this time, which includes removing the names of deceased voters and rectifying cases where individuals have their names registered in multiple places, especially in the case of married women. The commission anticipates an increase in the number of polling booths this time, up from the current figure of 79,000.

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Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trinamul Congress leaders said he continued to dwell in speeches instead of addressing the real issues in Manipur. The Trinamul Congress tweeted: A freedom fighters wife was burnt alive in Kakching district of Manipur.

Her house was burnt while she was locked inside the room. The complete absence of law and order is costing lives in the violence-ridden state. Torture and Chaos have become the norm in the BJP ruled Manipur. Yet, PM@narendramodi continues to dwell in speeches instead of addressing the real issues. In another tweet, the Trinamul Congress alleged that an 18 year old girl was handed over to four armed men by woman vigilantes.

She was later assaulted and gangraped in Imphal East in Manipur on 15 May. If such brutal cases are coming in the public eye even after more than a month, whats still hidden must be truly gruesome. When will PM@ narendramodi, HM@ Amit Shah and CM@NBiren Singh take accountability for the complete law and order failure? Chief minister Mamata Banerjee during her speech on 21 July at the Martyrs Day programme had said she had spoken to Arvind Kejriwal and proposed that a team of Opposition chief ministers should be sent to Manipur provided all agree to her proposal. She had said that Trinamul Congress would always stand by the people of Manipur.

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Criticizing Narendra Modi she had said: Modiji you cry for the people of India abroad, but do not cry for the hapless people in India. She further said that instead of Beti Padao, it is Beti Jalao and maintained that if the BJP continued to neglect women, they would oust the saffron party in 2024 Lok Sabha election. It may be maintained Trinamul Congress had sent a five-member fact-finding team including four MPs, namely Kalyan Banerjee, Derek OBrian, Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Dola Sen to Manipur. The team had spoken to people in the relief camps and met the Governor.
On Monday, July 24, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, he announced this on the Telegram channel.

"The three main issues of today's staff meeting. The first: the current situation and planning of our offensive and defensive actions. The second: our response to the barbaric Russian attacks on grain infrastructure and cultural heritage. The third: unblocking the Black Sea. Grain Corridor," Zelenskyy wrote.

The meeting also heard reports by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny, Commanders Oleksandr Syrsky, Oleksandr Tarnavsky, Head of the Main Intelligence Agency Kyrylo Budanov and Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

"We work as a team. The results will be tangible," the President concluded.
The five-member team sent by the BJP leadership to investigate post-panchayat poll violence in Bengal comprising Vinod Sonkar, Suresh Kasyap, Vinod Chavda, S Muniswamy, and Manoj Rajoria today left for Delhi, postponing their visit to Garbeta and Kharagpur.

BJP MP Vinod Sonkar, heading the five-member fact-finding team of the saffron party to West Bengal in the aftermath of panchayat elections, stated on Monday that Trinamul Congress-backed goons started unleashing violence on the BJP workers whose residences were visited by the fact-finding team.

The BJP candidates even asked us not to visit Garbeta as TMC-backed miscreants could murder them after the fact-finding teams visit there. The law and order in the state has collapsed. We shall submit our report to the national president JP Nadda.

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He also claimed that post-poll violence in the state is common in every election, from parliamentary to rural polls. Today, the team went to Amta Howrah and faced a roadblock allegedly by TMC supporters. TMC supporters allegedly prevented the convoy with a wooden log. However, the team later reached Amta and spoke to victims family members.

Before the Assembly session, the usual all-party meeting was held at the house, convened by Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee; however, BJP MLAs did not attend that meeting. ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui also did not join. The Speaker expressed his displeasure as the opposition did not attend the meeting.

The meeting was convened at around 11 am that day. Representative legislators from the ruling party were present, but opposition legislators were absent. The MLAs of the ruling party said that they were called earlier too, but they did not come.

The BJP MLAs claim that the ruling party is breaking the rules and principles of the Assembly, and the opposition is not being given due respect. That is why they decided to boycott the meeting.
National Cadet Corps(NCC) will confer honorary rank of Colonel to IP University Vice Chancellor Padmashri Prof.(Dr.) Mahesh Verma.

The Additional Director General of Delhi Directorate of NCC Major General Sanjay P Vishwasrao will confer the honoray rank of Colonel to IPU Vice Chancellor; hand over the gazette notification and the ceremonial baton to him at a special function being organised at Dwarka campus of the University tomorrow.

The event will be followed by the NCC cadets giving the ceremonial Guard of Honour to the Vice Chancellor.

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Reminisceding about his association with NCC, the Vice Chancellor said, it dates back to his students days. I feel enriched with the values of discipline and service to the nation that this organisation inculcates in all NCC cadets. It is really an honour for me to get this rank bestowed by Ministry of Defence, added the Vice Chancellor.
A US-based IT company that set up its office in Kerala will start its operations from Monday (July 24). The company will be providing direct employment to 200 people in the state.

Chief Executive Officer of Cloud Q Yassar Hameed, in a press conference on Sunday, told mediapersons that the company would be setting up a centre in Kerala based on the opportunities in the state.

The CEO said that the company was interested in opening a new office in Kerala as the facilities provided in the state was good, including infrastructure.

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Hameed said that the company was currently providing job opportunities to 600 people and Cloud Q was a leading IT solutions provider for several companies and industries in the US, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

The CEO also said that Cloud Q is one of the fastest growing companies of the US and added that the expertise acquired in high-end software and IT solutions will be made available in India also from the Thiruvananthapuram office.

The companys Chief Operating Officer, Michael Gogin, and the Chief Technical Officer, Niyas Ahmad were also present in the press meet.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interdict the ongoing delimitation exercise relating to the readjustment of State assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam by taking recourse to Section 8A of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950 by the Election Commission of India.

Refusing to interfere with the ongoing exercise, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission on a plea by the Assam leaders of nine opposition parties challenging the constitutional validity of the Section 8A of the Representation of Peoples Act that made special provision for the delimitation of constituencies in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.

At this stage when delimitation has commenced, having due regard to issuance of the draft proposal on June 20, 2023, it would not be proper to interdict the process at this stage. Hence, while reserving the constitutional challenge, we are not issuing any orders restraining the Election Commission to take any further steps, the court said in its order.

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The court gave three weeks to the Centre and the Election Commission to file their reply and two weeks to Assam based leaders of nine political parties to file rejoinder.

Apprehending that the after the top court nod for the ongoing delimitation exercise in Assam taking recourse to Section 8A of the RP Act, the Centre may repeat it in other States as well, senior advocate Kapil Sibal requested the Chief Justice Chandrachud to hold the hearing at the earliest.

Sibal appeared for the leaders of nine opposition parties.

CJI Chandrachud said that the matter will be taken up for the hearing after the hearing of the Delhi governments challenge to the May 19 ordinance that ,while overcoming May 11 top court constitution judgment, vested in the Lieutenant Governor an overriding power on the transfer and posting of senior bureaucrats.

The top court constitution bench by its May 11 judgment had entrusted in Delhi government the power to transfer and post bureaucrats serving under it.

Going by the calendar of the matters listed before the constitution bench, the challenge to the constitutionality of Section 8A of the RP Act is unlikely to be listed soon. Starting from August 2, a top court constitution bench will hear the challenge to the abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution and the bifurcation of erstwhile State of J&K in two Union Territories. This is likely to go through the month of August.

This will be followed by Delhi governments challenge to May 19 ordinance.

As senior advocate Kapil Sibal assailed the draft proposal for the conduct of delimitation exercise in Assam taking recourse to Section 8A of the RP Act, which was inserted by an amendment in 2008  when the UPA government headed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in power  Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the provision is being challenged 16 years after it was incorporated in the RP Act, 1950.

Sibal said that the entire exercise being undertaken in Assam is contrary to the constitutional provision and the Delimitation Act as it envisages the delimitation commission to be headed by a sitting or a retired Supreme Court judge. He said that even in J&K, the delimitation commission was headed by a retired judge of the Supreme court.

He said that the delimitation exercise is always undertaken on the basis of population and the size of the constituencies is generally equal. But in the instant case of Assam, it is based on the density of the population.

On July 17, ten opposition leaders from Assam belonging to nine different political parties approached the Supreme Court challenging the draft proposal of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the delimitation of Assams 126 assembly constituencies and 14 Lok Sabha constituencies.

While the Constitution of India envisages an exercise whereby Constituencies are to be readjusted so as to ensure that all constituencies are comprised of an almost equal population, by relying on 2001 census figures, the Election Commission has created three categories of districts and has taken different yardstick for the three categories resulting in possible deviation of up to 33 per cent between the population of largest and smallest constituency, the petitioner leaders have contended.

Petition says that delimitation for the rest of the country has been conducted by a high-powered body headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge and the same Commission was formed for Jammu & Kashmir as well.

However, the provision of Section 8A discriminates against Assam and three North-Eastern States, for which the Election Commission has been prescribed as the authority to conduct delimitation, states the petition.

The petitioner leaders belonging to Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal , CPI, CPM, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, and Anchalik Gana Morcha, have also challenged Section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950, which has been taken recourse to by the Election Commission in exercising its power in conducting the delimitation process.

The petitioner leaders who have approached the top court include Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Assam Jatiya Parishad), Debabrata Saikia (INC), Rokibul Hussain (INC), Akhil Gogoi (Raijor Dal), Manoranjan Talukdar (CPI(M)), Ghanakanta Chutia (Trinamool Congress), Munin Mahanta (CPI), Diganta Konwar (Anchalik Gana Morcha), Mahendra Bhuyan (Nationalist Congress Party), and Swarna Hazarika (Rashtriya Janata Dal).
The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to disqualified BSP MP from Ghazipur Afzal Ansari, convicted in the gangster case here on Monday. However, there is no stay on his sentence due to which his membership of Lok Sabha will not be restored.

Justice Rajbir Singhs single bench gave the verdict, after the completion of the hearing and reserving the order on July 12.

The petition was filed by Afzal Ansari demanding a stay on the sentence of 4 years imprisonment and sought bail.

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On April 29, the Ghazipur Court had sentenced Ansari four years jail in the gangster case and he is in jail since then.

Mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, the younger brother of Afzal Ansari, was also sentenced by the Ghazipur district court and Afzal was made a co-accused in the same case.
CPI Rajya Sabha MP, Binoy Viswam, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the decision by the Varanasi administration to demolish the Sarva Sewa Sangh, urging him to stand in solidarity with the people of Varanasi and stop the bulldozing of the Sangh, an organisation closely linked with Mahatma Gandhi.

In the letter to PM Modi, MP Viswam stated, I write this letter to convey distressing developments from your own Lok Sabha constituency which you have not taken note of. The Varanasi administration is demolishing the campus of the Sarva Sewa Sangh in Varanasi and several followers of Mahatma Gandhi, leaders of political parties, academicians and civil society activists were arrested for protesting this move. The administration wishes to demolish the seven decades old campus which houses a publishing house, a library, a free preschool, a Khadi Bhandar and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi to build a guest house in its place. CPI Upper House MP stated further in the letter that the Sarva Sewa Sangh was founded back in 1948 by luminaries like Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Kaka Kalelkar and Jayaprakash Narayan to unite all constructive workers engaged in different fields in the country to achieve Swaraj based on the philosophy of Sarvodaya, as dreamt by Gandhi.

The Varanasi campus of the Sarva Sewa Sangh came into existence through the efforts of Vinoba Bhave, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Jayaprakash Narayan to organize publishing activities to propagate Gandhian ideals to the people of the country. An organization with such rich history and contribution being demolished in your own constituency is a clear betrayal of Gandhian ideals, the MP added in the letter.

Reminding PM Modi about his statement that the Gandhian ideals of peace and harmony reverberate globally and give strength to millions while unveiling a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, MP Viswam said, Looking at the destruction of an organization which is committed to spreading the same Gandhian ideals, it seems that you remember Gandhi ji only on foreign trips while dismantling his work and thoughts at home.

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Four children drowned in a pond where they had gone to take a bath in Dhobisarra village in Madhya Pradeshs Shivni district.

The deceased were identified as Rishabh (5), Aarav (6), Ritik (10) and Aush (8).

Parents were at their workplace and came to know about the tragic incident after villagers informed them.

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A passerby spotted the bodies floating on the water and raised an alarm. Subsequently, the local police were informed.

Police said the bodies were handed over to the families after a post-mortem was conducted late on Sunday.
The Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission (SPC) has presented a draft policy to the state government, aiming to address the needs of the LGBTQIA+ communities. One of the notable proposals in the draft is the long-awaited horizontal reservation for transgender and intersex individuals.

The draft policy suggests the inclusion of trans and intersex individuals in the Chief Ministers health insurance scheme. The SPC formulated the draft policy, and now an eleven-member committee, comprising diverse LGBTQIA+ representatives, has been formed by the state government to develop the final policy encompassing the entire LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

The draft recommends a 1% horizontal reservation for both communities in education and employment sectors.

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Horizontal reservation implies a separate quota within existing reservation categories like Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and general categories for trans and intersex persons.

The draft proposes the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Council for LGBTQIA+ Persons and District Level LGBTQIA+ Welfare and Justice Committees. These entities will facilitate coordination between various government departments to address the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, with each committee comprising five representatives from the LGBTQIA+ communities.

The transgender community has been advocating for such policies for years, even before the NALSA judgment of 2014, which urged central and state governments to consider providing reservations for trans individuals.

While other states have specific policies for transgender individuals, Tamil Nadu aims to create a comprehensive policy that recognizes the unique challenges faced by gender and sexual minorities, with a particular focus on trans and intersex communities. Existing policies for transgender communities will not be affected; instead, the new policy aims to encompass all LGBTQIA+ individuals, focusing on their safety and empowerment.

In 2021, Karnataka became the first and only state in India to implement 1% horizontal reservation for trans people in civil services employment. Now, with the recent developments in Tamil Nadu, the state seems poised to follow suit and take steps towards greater inclusivity and equality for the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday hit back at the Congress over claims that a portion of ceiling of the newly-constructed airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands was swinging, saying it was deliberately loosened for CCTV work.

Tearing into the Congress, Scindia said next time, instead of jumping the gun and seeking sensationalism out of nothing, seek an explanation.

Scindia took to Twitter and wrote, The structure is outside the terminal building. Besides, a part of the false ceiling had been deliberately loosened for CCTV work. Heavy winds (about 100 km/hr) later, led to the swinging panels as seen in the video. The false ceiling had been restored after completing the work. Next time, instead of jumping the gun and seeking sensationalism out of nothing, just seek an explanation.

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He was responding to a tweet by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday.

In his tweet, the Congress leader had taken a jibe at the Prime Minister saying, The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) will inaugurate anything these days  even if its unfinished or substandard infrastructure (highways, airports, bridges, trains, etc). More than willing ministers anxious to boost their Sensex with him obliged. Its the taxpayers and citizens who pay the cost. Such a sorry state of affairs in New India.

Several videos of the false ceiling swinging in the air had gone viral on social media.

Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the newly built Veer Savarkar International Airport on July 18 in Port Blair.
The Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly VD Satheesan has said here on Monday that there should be no controversy over the decision to invite Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to the Oommen Chandy remembrance meet organised by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

The remembrance meet was held at Ayyankali hall in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening.

Reacting to a query from some media persons about alleged differences within the Congress on the invitation, Satheesan said the chief minister was invited to the function after consulting with senior leaders of the party.

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He said the party had extended the invitation to CM Vijayan as the event was held in Thiruvananthapuram. It is not a decision taken by the KPCC president or the leader of the Opposition.

Oommen Chandy is known for his inclusive approach. He never treated anyone with discrimination on any grounds. So, the party leadership decided to invite all important figures in the state capital to the event held in memory of Ooommen Chandy, said Satheesan.

He further said that the issue of the assault against Oommen Chand by the LDF government will be in peoples minds and will be raised in political platforms.

All the issues that haunted him (Oommen Chandy) while he was alive are in discussion before the public. He was someone who was hunted politically and that will be raised on political platforms, he said

A section of Congress leaders are said to be not happy with the party leaderships decision to invite CM Vijayan. They are of the view that he should not have been invited until he withdraws his statement related to the solar scam against Chandy.

They point out that Pinarayi Vijayan is the person who insulted Oommen Chandy the most. He has no regrets for his false allegation against him even though some of the Left leaders and the consulting editor who was in-charge of the party paper confessed to the mistakes they committed over the sexual accusation against Oommen Chandy in the solar harassment case.

Inaugurating the remembrance meet, Chief Minister Vijayan said Oommen Chandy showcased before the public how good he was as an administrator.

Calling the late Congress veteran an unquestioned leader of the party, the CM said Oommen Chandy had become one of the most significant leaders of the party at a very young age. He had represented Puthuppally constituency for 53 years, which is a record achievement in parliamentary activities, he added

Speaking on the occasion, K Sudhakaran, in a veiled reference to the solar scam allegations against the late leader, said Chandy was hounded by political opponents.
On Wednesday, July 26, at 11.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference titled "Citizens' assessment of situation in country; trust in social institutions, politicians, officials, public figures" based on the results of a survey conducted by the sociological service of the Razumkov Center from July 5 to July 11, 2023 using the face-to-face method in all regions of Ukraine, except the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson regions, Crimea and territories where hostilities are taking place. Some 2,017 respondents have been surveyed, the theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.3%.

The survey was conducted within the MATRA Programme project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine.

Participants include

President of the Razumkov Center Yuriy Yakymenko;

Director of the Razumkov Center sociological service Andriy Bychenko;

Executive Director of Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation Petro Burkovsky;

political scientist, Chairman of the Board of the Center for Applied Political Research Penta (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine.

Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
Lok Sabha witnessed protests and sloganeering from opposition members on Monday over their demand for a discussion on the Manipur situation and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The House briefly took up Question Hour before it was adjourned till 12 noon.

As soon as House met for the day, opposition members were on their feet over their demand. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary demanded that the Prime Minister should make a statement in the House on the situation in Manipur. Speaker Om Birla said that the House is ready for discussion and the opposition parties cannot decide who will reply to the debate.

Birla said Deputy Leader of the House Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has already said that the government is ready for discussion.

Rajnath Singh spoke briefly and said that there should be discussion in the House on Manipur situation and the government is ready.

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Birla said that a solution will be found through discussions. The House is for debate. Have you been sent by people to display placards, resort to sloganeering. This is Question Hour, he told opposition members

The Speaker said that the matter can be discussion after Question Hour.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government was willing for discussion and the opposition parties were trying to interrupt the proceedings of the House.

Opposition members displayed placards which expressed concern over the situation in Manipur and sought statement from the Prime Minister in the House.

The House briefly proceeded with the Question Hour amid protests and sloganeering by opposition members befofe it was adjourned till 12 noon.
Nainital High Court has issued a notice of contempt to the district magistrate of Rudraprayag, Saurabh Gaharwar, for disobeying the order on maintaining sanitation at the Kedarnath Yatra track.

Hearing a contempt petition filed by animal welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi, Justice Ravindra Maithani asked the DM to respond on the mechanism, which has been put in place to regularly check the cleanliness both on the route as well as in Kedarnath town. The DM was also asked to take stock on where cleanliness was ensured by manual labourers or mechanical devices were deployed.

It was also indicated in the order that the court may appoint a commissioner to physically check if any mechanism has been put in place to maintain sanitation.

In 2013, the management of the Kedarnath Yatra was taken over by the district magistrate from Zila Panchayat on the pretext that the latter was not discharging its duties regarding maintenance of the track and sanitation issues that arise out of the use of horses and mules.

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In 10 years, the issue of sanitation has continued to be grave and has, in fact, worsened with carcasses of animals and slush from dung and animal urine making the Yatra a perilous and filthy experience for pedestrians, the petition said.

According to the petition, 2.5 lakh kilograms of dung and 1.5 litres of urine is generated by 14,000 equines and their carcasses are strewn along the Yatra track.

The mountain, the people and the animals simply cannot sustain such abuse. Either the government make arrangements to manage the lakhs of kilograms of dung and urine, or reduce the number of horses used for rides to Kedarnath, it added.
Lok Sabha was adjourned till Tuesday (July 25) after continuous protests by the Congress-led opposition, which sought Prime Minister Narendra Modis response to the situation prevailing in Manipur.

Amit Shah, who was in the house, when it reconvened at 2:30 pm, said that the government is ready for the discussion over the Manipur crisis but the opposition however stuck to its position, asking for Modis response in Lok Sabha.

The home minister stood up in the house and urged the protesting opposition to allow the discussion to take place, as it is an important issue and the nation should get to know the reality of the sensitive situation prevailing there.

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He wondered why the opposition was not interested in having a discussion on Manipur.

The opposition however stuck to its position, asking for Modis response in Lok Sabha on the Manipur issue.

Even Speaker Om Birla urged the opposition to allow the home minister to initiate a discussion on Manipur, as home ministry is the nodal ministry for the situation prevailing in the state.

The opposition is trying to establish a new tradition by seeking prime ministers response on the matter, which is not right, Birla said.

However, as Congress-led opposition continued with its slogan shouting, Birla adjourned the House till tomorrow.

Earlier proceedings of the lower house were continuously interrupted amid repeated adjournments and protests by the opposition.

Owing to the pandemonium, only a few bills could be introduced in Lok Sabha and Question Hour ran for half an hour.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Sanjay Singh was on Monday suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for repeatedly violating the Chairs directives.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar first named Singh for repeatedly interrupting the proceedings of the House during the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur violence and a discussion on the issue.

Amid the din, Singh came near the Chairmans podium over the Opposition demands after the House resumed proceedings at 12 noon following the first adjournment. Dhankhar asked him to resume his seat but the AAP member kept protesting, forcing the Chair to name him.

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Soon after the AAP member was named, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion urging the Chair to suspend the AAP member, saying this kind of behaviour is completely against the ethics and rules of the House. Sanjay Singh should be suspended from the entire session of the House, he said.

The Chairman put the motion to vote and said Singh was being suspended for the remainder of the monsoon session for having repeatedly violated the directives of the Chair. The Chairman then adjourned the House till 1400 hrs.

Dhankhar had last week cautioned Singh, saying that he will be forced to name the AAP member after he repeatedly protested the proposed bill to replace the Centres ordinance for control over services in Delhi.
Days after lashing out at his unceremonious exit as Telangana state BJP president, Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday met Union Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

Shah later tweeted that he met Karimnagar MP and discussed various issues related to Telangana.

Bandit Sanjay too told the media that Shah had asked him to work with renewed vigour in the state and stressed the BJP must win Assembly elections in the state.

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Bandi Sanjays meeting with Shah came after the former lashed out in front of the party cadres stating that his detractors within the party had lodged false complaints against him to the central leadership.

He urged them not to rush to Delhi with false complaints anymore and let the new president G Kishan Reddy work in peace.

Though he didnt name them, it was clear that he was referring to BJP MLA Etela Rajender, who had held parleys with the central leadership before the appointment of G Kishan Reddy as the new president.

Sanjay Kumar was removed from the post Etela Rajender was appointed chairman of the Election Management Committee till Telangana elections.
As movie enthusiasts in India flock to theaters to watch Christopher Nolans film Oppenheimer, there emerges an intriguing revelation that Indias first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru offered Indian citizenship to the man behind the controversial atom bomb  J. Robert Oppenheimer. Bakhtiyar K Dadabhoi, the author of Homi Bhabhas autobiography, and Kai Bird, the co-author of the biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, shed light on a surprising offer made to Oppenheimer in the 1950s by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Amidst being vilified by the United States Atomic Energy Commission for alleged Communist sympathies, Oppenheimer found himself stripped of his security clearance in 1954. It was during this tumultuous period that Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru extended an unexpected offer  Indian citizenship and the chance to settle down in India.

In an interview, Bird reveals Nehrus gesture, stating that the Indian Prime Minister personally invited Oppenheimer to come to India and become a citizen. It seems that Nehrus motivation for this offer stemmed from a desire to support Oppenheimer, who was enduring harassment in the United States.

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However, despite the tempting offer, Oppenheimers unwavering patriotism as an American likely made him hesitate to seriously consider the proposition. As a deeply devoted American, he may not have seen himself leaving his homeland.

Interestingly, a recently-released book by Bakhtiyar K Dadabhoy, which details the life of Homi Jehangir Bhabha, a close friend of Oppenheimer, further confirms the invitation. According to the book, Bhabha urged Nehru to invite Oppenheimer to India and even offered him the opportunity to immigrate if he so wished.

The turning point in Oppenheimers life came nine years after he was celebrated for his pivotal role in developing the atom bomb, which played a significant role in ending World War II. Unfortunately, he later faced a daunting kangaroo court led by Lewis Strauss of the AEC during the infamous McCarthy witch-hunts in America.

The revelation of Nehrus offer adds a new layer of complexity to the life of the brilliant scientist, highlighting the enduring friendship between Oppenheimer and Bhabha. As the world continues to discover the intricate facets of history, Oppenheimers legacy remains an enigmatic tale of triumph and tragedy.
The current global climate emergencies and heartwrenching plight of a vast number of people in different countries and particularly India clearly demonstrate how far humanity has strayed from the wise counsel of our sages and seers of the past. They taught us to live a life of harmony with our natural surroundings but we are doing just the opposite. For thousands of years, the human population and human activities were commensurate with the carrying capacities of the natural habitat that provided shelter and sustenance.

Then quite unexpectedly the world began to change dramatically over the last 200 years, thanks largely to the discovery of fossil fuels  coal, oil and natural gas. These have provided humankind with cheap and convenient energy, which we use to heat and cool our homes and to run our cars, appliances and industries. In the early stages no one understood that these forms of development and conveniences in our living styles were ultimately going to put our very survival on earth at stake.

Only seven years remain for fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030). Progress reports by the United Nations and independent countries clearly show that we are falling short and with every passing month the challenges before the world community have become more uncertain and complex. What kind of world will we inhabit in 2030? People have started putting such questions to Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT and the answers are quite disconcerting. India has done well to launch the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Sab ka Sath, Sab ka Vikas, Sab ka Prayas, Sab ka Vishwas, Digital India, Make in India, and a host of other programmes. But unless there is peace and harmony in the country, we shall not succeed.

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The arbiters of human affairs will have to craft policies and generate resources to meaningfully resolve the manifold crises that have engulfed the planet. One thing is certain  the future will be shaped by the actions and attitudes of all citizens. A dismal view leads to apathy and despair, an optimistic view leads to hope and action. We must all unitedly strive to save our natural environment and adopt ecologically sustainable lifestyles. Nature in its essence, Bahaullah, founder of the Bahai Faith, stated: is the embodiment of [Gods] Name, the Maker, the Creator. Its manifestations are diversified by varying causes, and in this diversity, there are signs for men of discernment. Present-day lifestyles of a consumerist society, from the affluent and the middle class to the vast majority of the poor in the world is unsustainable. Far-reaching changes are urgently needed.

The evolving consciousness of humanity is moving inexorably to the development of a new planetary culture. In an ecological sense, humanity has appeared, in many respects, to be a delinquent species running out of control. Within a larger vision of humanitys spiritual and social evolution, however, the present environmental crisis and the races reaction to it may be seen as portending a momentous transformation. In the emerging knowledge in physics, ecology, psychology and other fields of science lies the promise of a mature cooperative relationship between humanity and the ecosphere that gave it birth. Ultimately, as the writings of the Bahai Faith clearly state, if human consciousness is essentially spiritual in nature  as the vast majority of ordinary people have always been intuitively aware  its development needs cannot be understood or served through an interpretation of reality that dogmatically insists otherwise.

The primary disease that afflicts society and generates the ills that cripple present-day society, Bahaullah has repeatedly asserted, is disunity at all levels of human existence. Rather humankind should distinguish itself by its capacity for collaboration and cooperation. For, upon these virtues rest the healthy wellbeing of the whole world. The new vision of reality is an ecological vision in a sense which goes far beyond the immediate concerns with environmental protection.

To emphasize this deeper meaning of ecology, philosophers and scientists have begun to make distinction between deep ecology and shallow environmentalism. Whereas shallow environmentalism is concerned with more efficient control and management of the natural environment for the benefit of man, the deep ecology movement recognizes that ecological balance will require profound changes in our perception of the role of human beings in the planetary ecosystem. Civilization itself does not arise merely from material progress, but rather is defined by and founded upon the ideals and shared beliefs that weld society together. What uniquely define the human experience are the transcendent components of life. It is this dimension of existence that enriches, ennobles and provides direction to human beings. It is this dimension of life that unlocks the creative capacities within human consciousness and safeguards human dignity. The establishment of an ecologically sustainable and a morally upright world are the two most pressing challenges before us. Civilization develops only where considerable numbers of people work together for common ends. Such unity is brought about, not so much by community of bare ideas as by community of feelings by which ideas are emotionalized and become beliefs and motives. Persons who refuse to be educated by ideas are being educated by events.

Recognition of the vital necessity of a world-embracing vision by the highest leadership in every country and the moral strength to translate it into action so that millions upon millions of the people everywhere may be lifted out of their heart-rending miseries is the first step. Next in importance is acceptance of the natural unity of the human family in which the wellbeing of the individual is identified with the well-being of all. Thirdly, ethical principles of themselves have always been ineffective in producing lasting results if divorced from religion and spirituality. The fourth aspect is allegiance to the Law of Harmony as the primary principle of conduct in society. Legal requirements imposed by an external authority of force and power win for themselves only an outward compliance, whereas obedience to an ethical principle would spring from the inner and voluntary choice of the individual.

The universal adoption and application of this law to the global problems would certainly provide the solution to much of the present-day unrest and uncertainty. It would mean the end of greed and selfish exploitation of each other; an end to the scandals and scams that keep battering at the fabric of our presentday civilization. The most important action for achieving the betterment of the world is through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct. I would like to conclude with a highly perceptive observation made by Richard St. Barbe Baker, a distinguished Bahai environmentalist, who still holds the record of the highest number of trees planted by any one single human being, and is famously known as Man of the Trees: At the moment the real issue facing the world is not whether this or that political system survives, it is not merely a question of maintaining a national status quo. The real challenge is to humanity as a whole. Are we fit to live? Are we fit to exist on the earth?

Can we unite to stem the oncoming tide of destruction which, by our folly, we have let loose on ourselves? The answer to these questions will decide the future of our race  the human race. The tasks which confront us are sufficiently great in themselves to need the thoughtful and concerted action of every country on this globe.

Erosion must be checked; oncoming deserts must be stopped. Air and water pollution must be stopped. Land must be made fertile again with the help of trees of mixed species, and the earth once again be clothed in a green mantle of trees. The balance of nature must be restored. Paradise must be regained.

(The writer is a social worker, independent researcher and an active member of the Bahai community of India. Views expressed are personal.)
When moderate voices are entirely drowned out, inaction is passed off as strategy, and wanton violence including targeted sexual violence against women is the order of the day, it is as clear an indication as any that societal cleavages run deep. In Manipur, a number of commentators are now saying that the Meitei-Kuki divide has widened to form an unbridgeable chasm. Of the many causes for this state of affairs, the prolonged inability and/or unwillingness of the N Biren Singh government to take on the Meitei radical and vigilante groups is surely the pivotal factor.

The adjective used by an observer to describe ties between the two communities, toxic, is unfortunately entirely accurate. This, in turn, has led leaders on both sides to admit privately that coexistence is not possible for Meitei and Kuki within Manipur, according to media reports. If, indeed, the divide in the state is as permanent as the ground reports suggest, the atrocities we have seen till now will likely fade in comparison with what may yet come. Though the violence has not been one-sided, the Kuki community has borne the brunt of Meitei mobs on the rampage across the state over the past few weeks. Kuki distrust of the state government is understandable as the state law-enforcement machinery has failed in its primary duty.

The bigger concern, however, is that the dominant narrative amidst the majority Meitei community seems to justify violence against the Kukis. The Kukis, it is alleged, are mostly illegal immigrants from Myanmar who are engaged in poppy cultivation having illegally cleared large tracts of forest land in the hills of Manipur. The truth of this assertion is contested but cannot be wholly denied. But that is a law-and-order issue which should have been dealt with strictly by successive administrations. That this did not happen, however, can in no way justify the mob on the street calling for the large-scale eviction of the minority Kuki community from the state much less be a ground for the terrible atrocities unleashed on those belonging to it.

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The bloodshed in Manipur may have been sparked by the attacks on members of the Meitei community by hardline Kukis in Churachandpur on 3 May, but there is no room for so-called retaliation by vigilante groups. Once again, it is a clear failure of the state government which could not handle the fallout of the 3 May attacks by swift and robust action against the perpetrators. Anyone who is claiming anything to the contrary is indulging in whataboutery. It must also not be forgotten that a state-seeking separatist movement was led by a section of the Meitei community in past decades, and many of the cadres of proscribed outfits such as the UNLF have been leading the orgy of violence against the Kuki community in Manipur. It would be naive to believe that these are the people who have taken up arms against Kuki infiltrators out of a desire to protect the integrity of India.
It is quite likely that when, probably towards the end of this month, the International Olympic Committee starts sending out formal invitations to countries around the world asking them to come to Paris next year, Russia and Belarus will not find themselves in the guest list. The IOC, seen especially in Europe as pussyfooting around one of the most nettlesome problems it has been obliged to cope with in recent years, may be inclined to believe that the day which rids it of all complications seeded by the conflict in Ukraine will dawn all right, but news from neither the battlefield, nor Kyiv nor Moscow suggests a prompt end to hostilities. It has been substantially more than a few months since the neighbourly confrontation began, with each passing day hinting, certainly from the point of view of the Olympics, at a lot of powerful people appearing completely powerless to put a diplomatic end to a sport-related dispute which, if not got out of the way now, could blow up into a global crisis ahead of the next Summer Games.

It will be recalled that 1980 and 1984 had been marked by politically motivated boycotts, with Moscow and Los Angeles, respectively, as hosts. It was in 1988 in Seoul that the Olympics Movement was able to present once again a unified look of itself. But high-power confabulations around the 2024 show, could take skills of a higher order than the usual, implying that getting going now might not really be too early. The IOC finds itself, on the one hand, saddled with a Russia which simply does not want the Ukraine war to influence anything related to the Paris Olympics and, on the other, there are those European nations which want Russia and Belarus out because aggressors cannot be revelling in sport where the victims are there too.

Countries and sporting disciplines have been heard intermittently, but even an intra-sport consensus has been elusive as attitudes, polarised even before the first shot was fired in the battle, have hardened further. The IOC wants individual Russians to roll up, perform and claim such honours as they can if they have not been sponsored by or closely associated with Russias martial enterprise but it is not a stance endorsed by the whole of Europe, which would rather Russia was thrown out. The IOC smells a double standard as there are others in other clashes and face-offs, but the Paris Games will have to be salvaged yet, which makes the Committees life hard. It has said that a final decision could come as late as October, when its governing body is to meet in Mumbai, which even in anticipation fills India with pride primarily because ours is not a country familiar with the IOCs history, which has long chapters cloaked in darkness. The world can only hope for the best option being chosen for Paris 2024.

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It took the rape of the already burnt-out soul of India, to reawaken some tokenism of forgotten conscience, as the news of the horrific rape in Manipur seeped out. Distant, disconnected and the essentially forgotten tragedy of Manipur that had eased its way out of the front pages, returned to shame the nation that had moved on, presuming normalcy had returned, as it often presumed when such a narrative is manufactured.

The era of social media may have brought the reality of news to real-time in ones palms, but it has also inculcated a regrettable phenomenon of narrative building and fickleness that debars more informed debate, discussion and appreciation of the ground situation. Many from Manipur had been crying hoarse on the continuing tragedy and polarisation of society, with fears of deterioration ~ but the larger comity of the rest of India, had reduced the issue to the age-old binary of a us versus them template. At an oversimplistic level, the them were the foreign elements and the us was rooted in subliminal majoritarian spirit.

Depending on partisan loyalties, the ensuing violence in Manipur was sadly viewed from the blackand-white prism of these templatized binaries. The fact that such civil strife always entails layers of historic tensions, perceived inequities, and complexities of point-ofview was invariably forgotten, and instead of calling-out each and every act of provocation, instigation and partisanship, many took to taking sides.

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While the Prime Minister rightfully condemned the incident as having shamed the country, a clearly rattled Chief Justice of the Supreme Court had to weigh in by bluntly stating, If government doesnt act, we will and that, in a constitutional democracy, it is unacceptable. It was frankly too little, too late for the victims of the despicable incident, as indeed for the entirety of Manipuris, irrespective of their ethnic and partisan divide.

This was not just the rape of two women of any specific ethnicity but was a matter for the collective consciousness of all Manipuris, and by extension, to India as a whole. The perpetrators of this heinous act have also besmirched the case of those who they ostensibly seek to represent. Without the intent of taking sides in the deeply polarised cauldron of Manipur, one may even add that the inherent barbarism of the act is often about individual complicities (and onto all others involved in the partaking, standingby, and shocking recording of the act).

Many sociologists have challenged the rape as a weapon of war supposition as it often tends to ignore rapes perpetrated by ordinary citizens/mobs that are not necessarily attributable to armed militias ~ either way, abominable to say the least. At the same time, this incident is an important reminder to all those in the rest of India who had reduced the issue to us versus them ~ as the earlier incident where the mob had forced the Indian Army to release the held militants and all those involved in this specific rape case did not belong to the so-called them category.

Therefore, while there are genuine grievances on both sides of the situational divide, it is best avoidable to generalize and pick sides without understanding the complete lay of the land. Incidents like this are instructive to wholeheartedly slam the same, without bothering to identify if they were part of them or us, as no one really is so, in situations like Manipur. Rape as a weapon in any ethnic conflict has larger sociological and psychological intent.

That the situation in Manipur has regressed to a level where some feel emboldened enough to accost and snatch away the others from police protection, is telling. Even worse was the animalistic extent to which a particular side felt justified to rape one from the other as a means of settling scores (apparently owing to fake videos of supposed rape from their own community) is reflective of the pernicious effect of fakes that circulate to sew a narrative.

It also personified the degraded notions of revenge at play. Importantly, the affixation of the term rapist ought not to only be attributed to those who physically violated the women, but to all those who stood by, cheered and even took videos. Ironically, all this inhumanity took place in the name of a cause or purported inequity!

Attempting to establish supremacy in a conflict through rape is rooted in patriarchal, ageold and patronising notions of women as gatekeepers of honour of any community. Therefore, by the act of rape the rapist believes that he/she manages to defile the other community and reassert the power equation between them  a lamentable reality of the sociocultural fixation that hasnt evolved enough. What exactly did the perpetrators achieve? Which part of their perceived grievance were they able to impactfully posit?

Who exactly did they manage to defile by their wantonness is something for all us to introspect over and hang our heads in shame. Manipur needs a clean break from partisan politics and binary discussions.

The powersthat-be need to recognise that there are legitimate grievances on both sides, and they should not be seen to be taking sides. What happens in terms of governing Manipur should not necessarily be valourised, galvanised and pedestalized in the rest of the country to bolster any electoral agenda. Sadly, the handling of insurgencies is invariably milked for their muscularity, and at least Manipur should be spared that glare.

In such times when it is only the Indian Army that has emerged as an apolitical and unbiased force to protect the vulnerable (irrespective of their ethnic denomination), the rationale of its necessity for the only credible force capable of instilling peace e.g., AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Protection Act), must be mulled. Many in Manipur who had once opposed it tooth-and-nail even if it did not tantamount to one rupee extra in terms of emoluments to the Indian soldier, save affording protection in operations, now look at the same soldier to restore peace and order.

Manipur is indeed a personification of mini-India with its countless diversities of ethnicities, religions and complicated wounds of history that begs inclusivity, secularity and affirmation/protection of the vulnerable. Much needs to be learnt from the shame of the incident in terms of society, social media culture of narrative building and unhinged politics ~ and importantly, the alluded shame is singularly reserved for rapists, in their expanded form.

(The writer is Lt Gen PVSM, AVSM (Retd), and former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry)
KYIV. July 24 (Interfax-Ukraine)  The town of Uman continues to develop tourism amid the war and supports businesses that have moved from other regions of Ukraine, Head of Uman Town Community of Cherkasy region Iryna Pletniova has said.

"In order for the city to work and operate, the economy must work. It is clear that there must be support for our existing enterprises, support for enterprises that have moved to us from the territories where there is no opportunity to work now," she said during a public expert discussion on the subject: "How Should Communities Be Effective in Wartime, and Why?" at the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency on Monday.

Pletniova recalled that Uman is known as a tourist city, and the community, despite the war, is working in this direction.

"People in such difficult conditions need some kind of relaxation, the opportunity to recharge, have some rest. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel abroad, so it is time to get to know our country, and we are trying to do our best to attract tourists. Not only Ukrainian tourists come to Uman, pilgrims from all over the world come to us," Pletniova said.

Speaking about the challenges faced by the community during the war, she said that 13,700 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently live in Uman, and among them there are many elderly people and people with disabilities who require care and attention.

"Before the full-scale war 50-70 people lived in the veterans' home, and now more than 300 people live there, of whom almost 200 are bedridden And all these challenges, all this work fell on the shoulders of the local council, our residents," Pletniova said.

She stressed that, despite the war, it is necessary to repair roads, improve the city, restore the school stadium, as planned for one of the Uman secondary schools (due until 2025), and help the front.

"At the end of last year, we bought computer equipment for teachers, for almost every class... And road repairs are also needed, and support for medicine and education is also needed. If the roof is leaking at school, how can this be postponed?" Pletniova said.

Director for Science and Development of the Institute of Civil Society Anatoliy Tkachuk said it is necessary to constantly communicate with community members so that they are aware of what exactly the local budget funds are spent on.

"Everything should be as transparent and understandable as possible," he said.

The discussion was held within the framework of the Sustainability program implemented by the East Europe Foundation in a consortium of non-governmental organizations led by ERIM and funded by the European Union.
Two Indian-origin men have admitted to drug and firearms charges arising from a drug trafficking venture run out of a motel in a southwestern US city.

Kamal Bhula, 44, and Pragneshkumar Pete Patel, 36, Patel, pled guilty to one count each of maintaining a drug-involved premises in New Mexicos Albuquerque city, a release by the Attorneys Office in New Mexico said.

Along with Bhula and Patel, their accomplice Jonathan Craft also pled guilty to conspiracy and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

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Bhula and Craft, who were indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

According to court records, Patel owned the Best Choice Inn at 7640 Central Avenue SE and was the on-site manager from September 2017 to March 2018, when Bhula leased the property from Patel and took over as the on-site manager.

Craft lived and worked at Best Choice Inn, claiming to be in charge when Bhula was away.

Craft sold drugs from his room, permitted others to do the same, and permitted individuals to use drugs on the premises, and he also unlawfully possessed a firearm.

Bhula and Patel allowed drug trafficking at the motel and personally observed and profited from those who used controlled substances on the premises.

At sentencing, Bhula, Craft and Patel each face up to 20 years in prison.

On June 18, 2019, more than 50 law enforcement officers raided the Best Choice Inn after numerous reports of recent overdose deaths, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Bhula and Craft were among five people who were arrested and charged with conspiracy, money laundering, sex trafficking, racketeering, and various drug charges.
Milind Makwana, a prominent Indian-American Dalit rights activist, breathed his last. This happened during a speech against the caste discrimination bill in California Assembly. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the Ambedkarite American community. It has left them in mourning for the loss of a fierce advocate for social justice.

Who was Milind Makwana? According to his friends, he spoke out against SB403, the anti-caste discrimination bill in the California State Assembly. Milind firmly believed that this law intended to protect marginalized communities was actually detrimental and regressive. He hailed as a representative of the Indian community and facing marginalization due to the caste system.

He saw the legislation as misrepresenting the true essence of the Hindu-American community, and feared it might inadvertently lead to social divisions. The HSS, in its statement, highlighted Milinds stance against the bill.

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In addition to his activism, Milind was an active volunteer at Sewa International USA. He actively participated in relief work during the massive floods that struck Tamil Nadu in 2015. Over the years, he devoted himself to various service activities and fundraising events with the California Bay Area Sewa chapter.

Milind was also a proud member of the Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB). His dedication to the cause led him to write books, create creative games for children, and engage in countless other activities to promote social awareness and equality.

On the day of the tragic incident, Milind attended several meetings and actively participated in the City Council hearing in Cupertino. His impassioned speech against the bill showcased his unwavering commitment to the cause he believed in. However, moments after the hearing, tragedy struck as he collapsed, succumbing to a heart attack.

His friends believe that Milind Makwanas untimely departure has left a void in the fight against caste discrimination, but his legacy as a fervent activist will continue to inspire and fuel the pursuit of social justice.
 Date: July 27

 Time: 16:00 Kyiv time

 Language: Ukrainian and English with simultaneous translation

 Format: online via Facebook Live (UKR) and YouTube Live (ENG)

 Registration: https://forms.gle/bbiqXxPbJzddJxEc7

The USAID project State-Owned Enterprises Reform Activity in Ukraine (SOERA) invites you to join the roundtable discussion "The Role of State-Owned Enterprises in Post-War Recovery".

The role of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) increased significantly during the full-scale Russian invasion. On the one hand, SOEs are expected to play a significant role in post-war recovery, and on the other hand, the state declares a reduction in its influence in the post-war economy. SOERA organizes a roundtable which aims to provide a platform for discussion between key stakeholders on their vision of the role of SOEs in post-war recovery.

The discussion will also help to better understand exactly what kind of assistance SOEs need to participate effectively in post-war recovery.

 Discussion topics:

 Role of the state in the postwar recovery and post-war economy;

 Role of SOEs in the postwar recovery and post-war economy;

 Reconstruction vs. modernization;

 Attracting funding: Grants, loans (state-owned banks vs. IFIs), strategic investors (state vs. IFIs vs. private sector), and IPOs.

The leaders of the largest Ukrainian SOEs, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, and the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure will act as speakers.

Participation is free of charge.

Registration via the link: https://forms.gle/bbiqXxPbJzddJxEc7

Please note that in order to receive a YouTube Live link as well as a subsequent recording of the roundtable, prior registration is required.

You will receive an email confirmation and the link to the livestream shortly prior to the event.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Being a woman is not easy. Being a woman entrepreneur is much more difficult, despite the fact that women have the full potential to carry out major challenges and implement great initiatives. It is sufficient that the things that drive them get more day by day. For this purpose, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Women's National Business Agenda (WNBA), which is regarded as one of the most serious and trustworthy platforms for promoting women's entrepreneurship and supporting women in the workplace in many countries, was established in Azerbaijan two years ago. The WNBA is an effective platform that serves as a platform between the state bodies, the public and women entrepreneurs who want to work independently, take risks, and be open to innovations and changes. One of the crucial facts is that Azerbaijan is the first country in the Caucasus that developed and implemented the WNBA.

The WNBA white paper prepared thanks to high professionalism through thorough research, focus group discussions and analytical surveys, provides recommendations to remove barriers that women face in the workplace and in business. But how can these recommendations help Azerbaijani women see and seize the proper opportunities, make bold decisions forward, and develop the resilience and courage needed to overcome challenges? The founder of the Azerbaijani Women in Science (AWiS) platform, Gunel Agabeyli, who contributed to the development of this document, answered these questions.

Inspiring women

Ms. Gunel is a young woman. However, the initiatives she has implemented with her team take a long time to list. This is the "Then and Beyond" project with the financial support of USAID, the "Mind and Triad" initiative and the Fantastic Four educational program. The WNBA is also among these initiatives.

According to Agabeyli, being the first country in the region to take such a significant step is something we can be proud of while also bearing a lot of responsibilities. The steps we have taken, the lessons we have learned, and the success achieved will serve as an example for other states of the Caucasus and motivate them to adopt measures in this direction. As for the recommendations in the document, a collaborative approach is needed to achieve the goal. Therefore, we, at AWiS, have taken on certain tasks. Increasing the number of female top managers and employees is the priority. It is well-known that the leadership of most private companies, as well as government agencies, is dominated by men. Opportunities for career advancement and development are associated not only with performance but also with risks. However, managers for some reason tend to view women as higher-risk employees than do males. It is very important to break this stereotype, both in words and in deeds. Another important recommendation is to remove obstacles to the implementation of maternity benefits and solve problems with remote work and vacation.

The next key recommendation is to introduce appropriate amendments to the Labor Code in connection with discrimination and harassment against women in the workplace. So, how can we support the WNBA?

Thus, the main goal of our organization is to educate women in order to facilitate their transition to personal growth and career development. I am glad that the recommendations in the document align with our organizations objectives. For example, As Agabeyli noted, the recommendation on the possibility of remote work for parents will enable mothers to devote time to their children and take care of them without worrying about losing their jobs.

"Being a parent is currently an expensive process and involves a lot of expenses, whether before or after childbirth. In most cases, it is not easy to cope with expenses if only one person works in the family. Naturally, we are talking about middle- and low-income families here. Our women's careers will not suffer, they will not be out of work if the recommendations of the WNBA are followed and state institutions will support us at the legislative level," - she added.

And most importantly, women will make an economic contribution to their families. This means that there will be no stress in families, and the child will grow up happy. This is only one example of a significant advantage of the WNBA. I'm confident that the WNBA opens up new, clearly defined perspectives for our organization as well as for many other sectors, and that these proposals will lead to a variety of chances for thousands of women," - she said.
Amid fund crunch, Edtech major Byjus has shut its largest office space in Bengalurus Kalyani Tech Park, as part of cost-cutting measures, according to a report. The office space is spread across an area of 5.58 lakh square feet.

Sources quoted by Money Control said the company has also vacated a portion of another office space in the city.

The report said Byjus has notified its staffers to work from its other offices in the Prestige Tech Park and its main office situated on Bannerghatta Main Road or from their homes from July 23. The move is expected to save the company at least Rs 3 crore in monthly rent.

Expansion and reduction in office space is based on changes in working policies and business priorities which is very regular and is aimed at boosting operational efficiencies," the outlet quoted a Byjus representative as saying.

A week ago, Byju's came under the lens of the corporate affairs ministry, which has asked the office of the Regional Director in Hyderabad to inspect the books of the company. An official said that further course of action will be decided after receiving the inspection report. This came after the company was scrutinised over delay in submitting financial statements and concerns over corporate governance issues.

In June, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) asked Byjus to clear PF dues, after it came to light that the company has paid PF only for 738 staffers.

Earlier, audit firm Deloitte resigned as an auditor of Byjus citing a delay in submitting financial statements. Following this, three senior board members, G.V. Ravishankar, MD of early-backer Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Russell Dreisenstock of Prosus and Chan Zuckerberg's Vivian Wu, quit the firm.

Last month, Byju's CEO Byju Raveendran urged the employees to "rise above the noise" and added that the best is yet to come for Byjus. Back then, in a call with shareholders, he had admitted his past mistakes and assured them that his learnings far outweigh any missteps.

In June, the company, which employs 50,000 people reportedly laid off nearly a thousand employees across different verticals.

with inputs from agencies
Anju is an eccentric woman who does what she wishes and therefore, I am not in touch with her for a long time, Gaya Prasad Thomas, father of the woman who reached Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan, allegedly to meet the man she loves, said.

Thomas, while talking to selected media persons at his home in Tekanpur of Gwalior, said that he had no knowledge of Anjus intentions or of her alleged friendship/love with the Pakistan man.

Anju (35), wife of Arvind Kumar Meena, a resident of Bhiwadi in Alwar district of Rajasthan, had reached Rawalpindi, Pakistan on July 21, allegedly to meet Nasrullah (29), whom she befriended on social media site Facebook and apparently fell in love with.

Nasrullah resides in Kulsho village, Upper Dir district in KP province and Anju, who reached there on July 22, is said to be with Nasrullah in the village at present. According to available information, Anju's visa to Upper Dir is valid for a month, hence her visit is not illegal. Pakistan media reported quoting official sources that both Anju and Nasrullah had told authorities that they were in love and wanted to marry.

The incident has sparked considerable interest as it comes close on heels of the case of Seema Haider (30), a Pakistani woman who reached Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh via Nepal after reportedly marrying Sachin Meena (22) of Rabupura village. This illegal entry into India of a Pakistan woman has on one hand sparked stories on strength of love and on the other concerns about border security.

Meanwhile, Anju crossed into Pakistan with a valid visa on July 21. Her husband Arvind told media agencies that Anju told him she was travelling to Jaipur to meet her friends. Later, Anju made a video call to her kids and him and informed them that she had come to Lahore (Pakistan) and would be back home in a few days. Arvind said she would be allowed to return as she has all the legal documents.

Arvind Kumar said that he has not made any police complaint since Anju has said she would be back soon, but, the decision whether the family would accept her back will depend on the children. The couple has a 15-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son.

Anjus father Gaya Prasad Thomas told media persons that he hasnt spoken to or visited Anju in years. Anju has also not visited her parents home since her marriage 17-18 years ago. Prasad said that he stopped talking to Anju due to her eccentricity, due to which she even hit her children sometimes.

Thomas, who was initially reluctant to discuss the matter, said that Anju, eldest of his five daughters and a son, was mainly raised by her maternal uncles family in Jalaun of Uttar Pradesh. She works in a private firm in Bhiwadi, apparently as a security guard.

Thomas said he had no knowledge of Anjus Pakistan travel, but said that she might not have done it out of love for a Pakistani man. She is of good character and nature that way, he said. He praised his son-in-law as a good simple man and added Arvind had called him up on Sunday night to inform the matter.

Antri police in Gwalior reached Thomas home in Tekanpur to collect information on the case on Monday too, but he told them he had no knowledge of Anjus intentions.
Gujjar and Bakerwal communities have opposed the decision to include Paharis (Pahari speaking) in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category in Jammu and Kashmir.

For decades, Gujjars and Bakerwals (nomads belonging to the majority community in Jammu and Kashmir) have been living mostly close to mountains and forests and drawing their sustenance from nature. The two communities were granted ST status in 1992 by the Congress government at the Centre to empower them. It raised their social-economic and political status immensely.

However, the decision by the BJP government to add Paharis to the ST category in the Union Territory has alarmed them. They fear the inclusion of Paharis in the ST list will negatively impact their prospects of securing government jobs and admission to educational institutions. They believe the move will also cost them politically, too.

The BJP government will introduce the bill to add Paharis to the ST category in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

Last evening, dozens of members of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities took out a torch rally in Jammu city against the Centres proposal. Gujjar leader Chaudhary Talib said non-tribals are being given tribal status which is unconstitutional.

Today, in the worlds largest democracy, attempts are being made to introduce several undemocratic laws into the Constitution. He said the Constitution defines clearly who is a tribal.

He said the Commission headed by Justice (retired) G.D. Sharma, a Gaddi Brahmin, recommended Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to non-tribals, including Gaddi Brahmins.

Chaudhary Talib said the government wants to create a Manipur-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir because all its claims justifying Article 370 removal have proven to be a farce.

 We were promised house colonies but nothing happened, he said.

He said the Dogras of Jammu were told they have been freed after 70 years, but today even their right to extract and sell sand for a living has been snatched.

Another protester said the BJP is trying to give the benefit of reservation to well-to-do Paharis.

We want to caution the government that if they tinker with the reservation category, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes will also agitate, he said.

Another protester, a girl, said they will not accept the inclusion of Paharis in the ST category and will go to any length to defend their right.

R.K. Kalsotra, state president, All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations, said ST /SC and OBC were identified under a proper schedule and then included in the Constitution.

The Paharis are not there because they were not deprived, he said. Some of the Paharis are upper caste Hindus like Brahmins and Bukharis among Muslims.

He said Paharis getting ST status will be detrimental to Gujjar, Bakerwal, SCs and OBCs. Because of their better economic position, they will dominate the government jobs in the general category and reserved category.

The Delimitation Commission after the repeal of Article 370 reserved nine seats for ST in the assembly and seven for SC.

Observers believe ST status to Paharis is a bait to the community by the BJP to woo them.
The Supreme Court has ordered that no invasive work be undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Gyanvapi mosque complex till 5 pm on Wednesday. It also instructed the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid (AIM) of the Gyanvapi mosque to approach the Allahabad High Court against the Varanasi district court order on ASI survey before the said date.

Agreeing to hear a plea moved by the mosque committee during the day, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said: "Let there be a status quo for the time being. No excavation, no invasive method until we hear it. He also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Uttar Pradesh government, to inform the ASI team of the same.

"We permit the petitioners to move the high court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution or the appropriate proceedings to challenge the order of the learned district judge of Varanasi. Having regard to the fact that the order of the district court was pronounced at 4.30 pm on July 21 and the survey is in the process of being carried out, we are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to the petitioners to move the high court, seeking appropriate reliefs."



"We direct that the impugned order of the district judge shall not be enforced till 5 pm on July 26. In the meantime, should petitioners move the high court with the petition or application under Article 227, the registrar-judicial shall ensure that it is placed before an appropriate bench according to the roster of work so that it can be heard before the order of the status quo, which has been granted by this court, comes to an end," ordered a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Mehta told the court that there is no excavation or invasive method for the time being. "The ASI is doing measurement, photography and radar imaging," he informed the court. He added that not even a brick has been moved or plans to be moved for at least a week.

Taking Mehta's submission into account, the SC said: "It appears that ASI is not contemplating carrying out any excavation in pursuance of the order. We record the statement to the extent that no excavation at the site is contemplated at this stage for a period of one week until next week Monday," the CJI said.



Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, had argued that it had earlier stayed the carbon dating of the structure, claimed as "shivling" by the Hindu side. "What is the tearing hurry, this place has been a mosque since the 1500s? there must be a status quo order," Ahmadi tells Supreme Court.



Senior advocate Shyam Divan, who appeared for the Hindu side, tells Supreme Court that let there should be an exercise of caution on the issue and it must go to the High Court. "Solicitor General has already said no excavations will be carried out. Court is seized of the matter and when a status quo order is made by Supreme Court it continues indefinitely," he argued.



Meanwhile, the lawyers of the Hindu said that their legal team will oppose this. "The truth of Gyanvapi will only come out after the survey of ASI. The high court will decide the matter unaffected by any observations of the Supreme Court, Allahabad HC will decide the matter on its own merit," they added.

The apex court's order came at a time when a 30-member team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was inside the mosque complex to carry out the survey.
The Parliament premises on Monday saw opposition leaders staging a protest, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on the Manipur issue. Interestingly, the BJP MPs countered it by raking up alleged atrocities against women in Rajasthan.

The leaders of newly-formed INDIA held placards and banners that read "INDIA for Manipur" and "INDIA demands PM's statement on Manipur", before the monsoon session was to start. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the prime minister's duty to make a comprehensive statement in Parliament on Manipur violence. "It is shameful that the prime minister is making a statement outside the House, when Parliament is in session. It is his duty to make a comprehensive statement inside Parliament on Manipur violence," the Congress leader said.



"We are requesting the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha that the PM should make a statement on the situation in Manipur. We want a discussion under Rule 167 but the Modi government wants a short duration discussion under Rule 176 for half an hour.We want under Rule 267 under which there can also be voting," he said, adding that the prime minister should first make a statement and then we will have a discussion under Rule 267.



BJP Rajasthan MPs along with senior leaders stage a protest in front of the Gandhi statue against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, at Parliament House complex in New Delhi | PTI

Meanwhile, the BJP MPs demanded that the state government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot be dismissed in view of the alleged crimes against women. Women MPs of the party too carried placards and raising slogans while gathered in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue urging the Rajasthan government to wake up to the failing law and order situation in the state. "We have gathered here to protest against the corruption and atrocities in Rajasthan," Mala Rajya Laxmi, Lok Sabha member from Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand, said.



Rajasthan BJP president Chandra Prakash Joshi demanded that the Rajasthan chief minister should step down over allegations of increasing crimes against women in the state."Rajasthan has a glorious history, but in the last three years it has emerged as the number one state in atrocities against women, particularly dalits and the poor," Joshi said.



(With inputs from PTI)


After the infamous Sidhi urination case, another shocking incident has come to light in Madhya Pradesh where a dalit mans face and body were allegedly smeared with human excreta by a fellow villager in Chhatarpur district.



National president of the Indian National Congress (INC), Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over the incident and demanded strict action against the accused.

Kharges reaction comes even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is again slated to visit Madhya Pradesh on August 12 to lay the foundation stone of a Rs 100 crore worth Sant Ravidas temple. Sant Ravidas is revered mainly by the dalit community.

The incident occurred on July 21 in Bikaura village under Maharajpur police station in Chhatarpur, but the victim Dashrath Ahirwar, 40, approached the police on Saturday after which a case was registered against accused Ramkripal Patel. Superintendent of police of Chhatarpur, Amit Sanghi, tweeted on Monday from the official handle that the 65-year-old accused has been arrested and sent to jail. The tweet however mentioned the incident as a result of a mutual village joke.

On the report that filth was thrown upon the complainant, age 40 years, a resident of village Bikaura under police station Maharajpur, by a person from the same village during a mutual joke, the police took prompt action and registered the case No.190/23 under sections 294, 506 of Indian Penal Code and sections 3 (1)( C), 3 (1)( d), 3 (1)( d) of SC/ST prevention of atrocities Act. Soon the accused, aged 65 years, also a resident of Bikaura, was arrested; produced before a court and lodged in jail, the SP tweeted.

According to the information available, the incident occurred when Ahirwar, along with some other labourers, was working on drainage construction in the village and the accused was taking a bath nearby. The victim said in his statement that the grease in his hand had touched Patel by mistake and peeved over this, Patel smeared his face and body with human excreta. He said that he reported the matter to the village panchayat on Friday night, but rather than any relief he was fined Rs 600.

Patel reportedly told police that Ahirwar deliberately dusted off cement sacks close to him and did not stop despite abuse and rather brought some grease and smeared it on his hand asking him to use it as shampoo to take a bath. Patel thought that it was slime and retaliated by smearing Ahirwar with whatever was available close. Patel told police that his intention was not to smear human excreta and even if cattle dung was available nearby, he would have smeared that on the victim, sources said.

However, the incident has evoked huge condemnation as it comes days after the infamous Sidhi urination case. Kharge took up the issue to tweet Within a month, a second very condemnable and painful incident of atrocities against dalits and tribals has occurred in Madhya Pradesh that puts humanity to shame. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) Report (2021), in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh  the rate of crimes against dalits is the highest and the highest number of crimes have been committed against tribals, with more than seven crimes per day. Our dalit, tribal and backward-class citizens of Madhya Pradesh have been suffering humiliation under BJP's misrule for decades. BJP's Sabka Saath (support to everyone) is confined to advertisements and has become a pretentious slogan and PR Stunt! BJP is shattering Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream of social justice every day. We demand that the strictest action should be taken on this incident in Chhatarpur district!

Kamal Nath also attacked the BJP government. The incident of smearing excreta on a dalit person in Chhatarpur of the state is extremely disgusting. Such incidents are a blot on the face of civilized society. The name of Madhya Pradesh is tarnished by such acts. Before this, the state had to be embarrassed by the incident of urination on a person belonging to the tribal community in Sidhi. Atrocities on dalits and tribals are at their peak in the 18 years of BJP's misrule in Madhya Pradesh. The time has come when the ideology of keeping such mentality towards dalits and tribals is ended and dalits and tribals are given their constitutional respect in Madhya Pradesh.

National president of BJP SC Morcha, Lal Singh Arya retaliated while speaking to media persons in Bhopal. Arya said that if Kharge says that there are incidents of atrocities against dalits in Madhya Pradesh, he should take a proper look at the NCRB report. The NCRB report clearly says that Rajasthan is number one in the country in rapes of women and atrocities on dalits. Atrocities on dalits are happening in states with Congress-alliance governments and Jharkhand is a clear example of this. Also, in West Bengal, the homes of 3000 dalits were burnt down under the government of Mamta Banerjee. Kharge ji should answer as to why such atrocities were being committed on dalits and women in states with Congress or its alliance governments, Arya said.

MP Congress media department chief, K.K. Mishra hit out over the highest rape claims in Rajasthan. He tweeted BJP specializes in spreading confusion! Is it saying that more rapes are reported in Rajasthan? According to NCRB (2021), a total of 6462 rapes took place in MP of which 2947 were registered under IPC while 3515 (rapes of minors) were under the POCSO Act. All types of rape cases in Rajasthan are registered under IPC and 6337 cases were registered there, according to NCRB 2021. Rape of minors is also more in MP?? Who is the liar??
An assistant commissioner of police (ACP) allegedly shot dead his wife and nephew before shooting himself at his residence in Pune, Maharashtra. According to a police official, ACP Bharat Gaikwad (57) was found with a gun nearby his body and the incident took place around 3.30 am on Monday.

The two others deceased was identified as his wife Moni Gaikwad (44) and nephew Deepak (35).

A probe has been initiated by the police.

Gaikwad's bungalow is near Baner area in Pune. The official from Chaturshringi police station said that the reason behind the act is yet to be ascertained.

According to police, Gaikwad was posted as ACP in Amaravati and had come home.

"At around 3.30 am on Monday, the ACP first allegedly shot his wife in the head. Upon hearing the gunshot, his son and nephew came running and opened the door. The moment they opened the door, he allegedly shot at his nephew, who got hit in the chest," the official said.



"Later Gaikwad shot himself in the head. All the three persons died on the spot," he said.



The other two deceased were identified as the police officer's wife , he said.

Reportedly, Gaikwad was on leave and came home in Lakshman Nagar on Saturday. Police suspect that he opened fire with his private pistol.

Police said that Gaikwad's mother, two sons and other family members were also at the house when the shootings took place. It was the family members who alerted the police about the incident.

(With PTI inputs)
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the ongoing delimitation of Assam's 14 Lok Sabha and 126 assembly seats by the Election Commission and sought the response of the Centre and the poll panel on a batch of petitions on the issue.

A bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, agreed to examine the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 empowering the Election Commission to undertake the delimitation of constituencies.

"At this stage when delimitation has commenced, having due regard to issuance of the draft proposal on June 20, 2023, it would not be proper to interdict the process at this stage. Hence while reserving the constitutional challenge, we are not issuing any orders restraining the Election Commission to take any further steps, the bench said in its order.

The top court sought the replies of the Centre, the Election Commission and the Assam government on three petitions in three weeks and said the petitioners can file their rejoinders in two weeks after that.

The bench took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for the political parties which have filed the petitions, that now all states will follow suit and take steps since the way has been cleared for the delimitation exercise for states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

We will list this immediately after the Delhi services ordinance case, the CJI said.

Ten leaders representing nine opposition parties in Assam- Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), CPI, TMC, NCP, RJD, and Anchalik Gana Morcha - recently filed a plea in the top court challenging the ongoing delimitation process.

Two other pleas are also pending before the court on this issue.

The petitioners have specifically challenged the methodology adopted by the poll panel and its proposals notified on June 20, 2023.

One of the pleas challenged section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950, based on which the poll panel exercised its power to conduct the delimitation process in Assam.

Sibal said the delimitation exercise in Assam was being carried out with scant regard to the rules and the provisions of the Delimitation Act which provided for the participation of lawmakers. The process, he said, had to be carried out by the delimitation commission headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge.

He said the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted by a commission headed by former apex court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai.

"Reasons for which deferment (of delimitation exercise in Assam other states) was granted are no longer in existence and that process must be a representative process under the Delimitation Act. Now the notification says the Election Commission will complete the process, the senior lawyer said.

From where does the Law Ministry get this power? he asked.

"This is a non-representative process and it is dehors (outside the scope of) the underlying basic feature of the Constitution and this is the heart of democracy. It is not even an exercise conducted by one or two members," Sibal said.

The provision, empowering the poll panel, is the statute book for last 16 years, the bench said, adding it will issue notices on petitions but will not stay the statutory provision under which the Election commission was conducting the delimitation exercise.

The senior lawyer said the manner in which the existing exercise was being carried out was unheard of.

"What they are doing is that they are taking the density of population and comparing it with other districts and the delimitation commission categorises districts by giving a margin of 10 per cent, Sibal said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the state government, said the exercise of power by its holder does not become invalid just because it has been exercised, according to the petitioner, in a wrong manner.

After conducting a three-day public hearing, the poll panel received on July 22 more than 1,200 representations from various groups, including those who shared divergent views on matters such as renaming assembly constituencies, on Assam's draft delimitation proposal.

In its delimitation draft issued on June 20, the poll panel proposed to retain the number of assembly seats in Assam at 126 and the Lok Sabha constituencies at 14.

The EC has also proposed that the assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes be increased from eight to nine and for Scheduled Tribes from 16 to 19.

One of the pleas in the apex court questioned the methodology adopted by the poll panel, saying different average assembly constituency size for different districts and population density should not play a role in the delimitation process.

It said while the Constitution seeks to re-adjust constituencies to ensure equal population distribution, the poll panel, relying on the 2001 census, has created three categories of districts and used different criteria for each category, potentially resulting in a deviation of up to 33 per cent in population between the largest and smallest constituencies.

It assailed the validity of Section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950 under which the poll panel exercises its power.

The plea said the provision is arbitrary and discriminatory against Assam and three other northeastern states.

It said the delimitation exercise elsewhere in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, has been conducted by a high-powered body headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.

The petition sought the apex court's intervention to address the issues and ensure a fair and unbiased delimitation process in Assam.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have unraveled the mysterious language of cell communication. By applying complex theoretical computer models, the interdisciplinary team led by ISTA Professor Edouard Hannezo has shed light on the intricate ways cells communicate and collaborate inside living tissues, opening up new possibilities for future applications in wound healing and beyond.

Cells communicate through waves, much like humans exchanging signals

Cells, it turns out, communicate through waves, much like humans exchanging signals. Imagine a bustling concert crowd; when one person moves, others nearby react, either moving in the same direction or pulling away in response. The same phenomenon occurs within a Petri dish, where cells appear static but are actually in constant motion, swirling and engaging in chaotic behaviors. This remarkable discovery was made possible through microscopic observation, revealing how information propagates and travels in waves, both mechanically and chemically.

To comprehend the mechanics of these cell interactions, Daniel Boocock, Hannezo, and long-term collaborator Tsuyoshi Hirashima devised a sophisticated theoretical model, which has been published in the prestigious journal PRX Life. The model captures the complex mechanical forces applied by cells to one another and their simultaneous biochemical activity, providing a comprehensive understanding of long-range cell-cell communication.

Through the model, the scientists sought to validate their previous theories about cell movement from one region to another. The computer simulations took into account cell motility and the material properties of the tissue, leading Boocock and Hannezo to uncover how cells communicate both mechanically and chemically while in motion. Remarkably, the model successfully replicated the observed phenomena in Petri dishes, confirming the theoretical basis of cell communication rooted in fundamental physical laws.

To test the model in real biological systems, Boocock and Hannezo collaborated with biophysicist Tsuyoshi Hirashima. They used 2D monolayers of MDCK cells, a specific type of mammalian kidney cells known for in vitro research. By inhibiting a chemical signaling pathway responsible for cells sensing and generating forces, the scientists observed that cell movement ceased, and communication waves halted. The model's versatility allows for adjustments to different components of the complex system, providing insights into tissue dynamics under varying conditions.

This breakthrough research doesn't stop at understanding cell communication. Cellular tissue shares similarities with liquid crystals, combining the flow of a liquid with the ordered structure of a crystal. The researchers are eager to explore this liquid crystal-like behavior further and investigate its interplay with mechanochemical waves. Moreover, they are already optimizing the model for wound healing applications. Preliminary computer simulations have shown that by enhancing information flow within the tissue, healing processes can be accelerated, offering promising prospects for practical applications in the future.

The potential of this research extends beyond Petri dishes, as the team envisions further investigations in 3D tissues or monolayers with complex shapes, akin to living organisms. By deciphering the intricate language of cell communication, this groundbreaking study paves the way for transformative advances in biology, medicine, and possibly, the treatment of various ailments within living organisms.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijan International Mining Company (AIMC), which produces gold, copper and silver in Azerbaijan, has temporarily suspended its activities due to problems raised by Soyudlu village residents in connection with the situation at the waste disposal reservoir near the village of the Gadabay district, Trend reports.

In accordance with the remarks made by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at a meeting held on July 11, 2023, AIMC is working closely with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan (MENR) to resolve the issue.

The company stated its readiness to cooperate with all the interested parties, including the commission established on behalf of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, to conduct a comprehensive investigation in connection with the situation in the Soyudlu village.

Moreover, in order to inform the residents of the Soyudlu village about the work done to date and further plans for the assessment, the Commission held a meeting in the Gadabay district on July 18. Following this, a separate meeting was organized with the villagers, with the participation of the AIMC management and employees to evaluate the preliminary results of the commission.

In addition, upon the instructions of the head of the country and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the commission engaged Micon International (Micon), a consulting company in geology and mining, to conduct monitoring on the territory, in order to use its expertise and support in the process of conducting an appropriate investigation and subsequent measurement.

The operations will continue until August 1.

Furthermore, AIMC has also signed an agreement with the well-known international company Knight Piesold, which specializes in engineering and environmental consulting, for additional study of the situation and assessment for the purpose of waste management in accordance with the request of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.
Anjem Choudary, a radical Islamist preacher with dual British and Pakistani nationality who had been freed from prison a few years ago has been charged with three terrorism-related offences to be produced in court in London on Monday.



Choudary, 56, was charged by the Metropolitan Police on Sunday with membership of a proscribed (banned) organisation, addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, and directing a terrorist organisation under different sections of the UK's Terrorism Act 2000.

A Canadian national, 28-year-old Khaled Hussein, has also been arrested in a related counter-terrorism inquiry on charges of membership of a proscribed organisation.

On Monday, 17 July, Met counter-terrorism detectives investigating alleged membership of a proscribed organisation arrested a 56-year-old man in east London and a 28-year-old Canadian national at Heathrow Airport, after he arrived on a flight, the Met Police said on Monday.

They were held under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and detectives were granted warrants of further detention allowing them to detain the men until Monday, 24 July, the statement added.

After the extended questioning, both men were remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Monday.

UK-born Choudary has been associated with different radical outfits, including the now-banned Islamist group Al Muhajiroun.

He was released from London's high-security Belmarsh prison back in 2018 where he was held after being convicted by the Old Bailey court in London in September 2016 for radical preaching and calling on Muslims to support the terrorist group ISIS. PTI AK AKJ FZH 07241636
American Soldier Pvt. Travis King crossing over to North Korea has thrown Washington, who currently has a tense relationship with North Korea in a more difficult position. The history of relations between the two nations is anything but simple. It was at the beginning of the Korean War, when the US, fearing involvement from China and the USSR, decided to help the Republic of Korea or South Korea along with UN forces.

After the war ended the US and North Korea never really had formal relations, but instead, used neutral intermediaries to indirectly reach diplomatic compromises or understandings. The US has seen North Korea as an important military threat. Relations between the US and North Korea have been fraught thanks to a mix of volatile reasons including a mix of land occupation, perceived threats from each other, misconceptions and sometimes misrepresentations of facts with biased views, and several grievances attributed to historical events.

One of the chief reasons the North hates the US is because, the the US and USSR failed to come to an understanding after Japan's colonial rule of Korea, post which, the US and the USSR agreed to divide and occupy Korea as a trusteeship temporarily. An arrangement that was supposed to help establish an independent government in a unified Korea, However, the two sides failed to come to an agreement, and two parallel governments came into being.

Communist rule in the North controls free expression, controls access to information, and largely promotes anti-US propaganda. The North views the US to be the main reason for the continued division of the Koreas. For South Korea, a partnership with the US is important as it is only with the backing of the US, can they face the North. In May this year, the sister of North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong made some strong statements on an agreement between the South and the US to take decisive action in the event of North Koreas nuclear attack.

She said the agreement reflects the most hostile and aggressive will of action against North Korea exposing the world to serious danger. The North has conducted 20 missile tests since the beginning of 2023. The nation has been keen on developing its nuclear program and missile capabilities for 60 years now. The US' push towards de-nuclearisation, on the other hand, has been another key reason why there's a lack of diplomatic relations between the North and the US.

In 2017, a riled-up former president Donald Trump had said that the US would rain down 'fire and fury' on the North in response to its weapons test. Post this, Trump and Kim Jong Un met in Singapore in 2018, where they signed a short statement vowing to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." the two leaders met again in 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam. That summit, however, ended abruptly after the two leaders failed to agree on how to pair sanctions relief with steps to dismantle North Koreas nuclear program.

If North Korea agreed to cease testing weapons, particularly missiles, then it would open up the possibility for the US to have a different kind of relationship with the cash-strapped country. If not, however, there's a plausibility that the North may have an upper hand.

To come out somewhat victorious from this tangle, US policymakers might need to toe carefully around North Korea's unwillingness to do away with its nuclear arsenal. It would become of essence that the US tries to do away with some policies that look hostile towards North Korea, for example, the ban on Americans travelling to North Korea; maybe even throw in a carrot or two in the form of sporting or educational projects. It may, with time, open up a regular diplomatic channel. The path to de-nuclearization could be reached through successful arms control.

Failure of the Kim-Trump Hanoi summit is, largely, Kim's fault as in return for the complete dismantlement of the nuclear program, he demanded complete (almost) sanctions relief. But, it now falls on Biden to get the ball rolling by offering to remove a few sanctions, which could be reinstated, if the North fails to keep their end of the bargain, which could be something other than completely dismantling their nuclear program-- the approach may or may not work. The US could probably bring in backing from South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol for sanctions relief, which might make it seem that there's value in talking with Biden. The US should be able to get North Korea to at least stop testing weapons.
The Israeli Parliament on Monday passed the controversial judicial overhaul law which would curtail Supreme Court's powers to overrule the government's decisions. Opposition boycotted the final vote on the bill.



The bill forms a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to reshape the country's justice system, after weeks of unprecedented protests that have crippled the Jewish state.

The bill passed with 64 votes in favour and zero against it, is the first major bill to pass in the government's judicial overhaul. Multiple last-minute attempts within the Knesset to amend the bill or to come to a broader procedural compromise with the opposition failed.

A series of ideas for unilaterally softening the legislation, discussed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and key coalition leaders even as the Knesset was preparing to vote, also led nowhere.

The vote followed almost 30 hours of continuous floor debate that began on Sunday morning. During that period, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets, both for and against curbing judicial checks on political power, The Times of Israel newspaper reported.

According to the law's text, courts are prohibited from exercising any scrutiny over the reasonableness of cabinet and minister decisions, including appointments and the choice to not exercise vested authorities, it said. Opposition leader Yair Lapid's comments in parliament called the step "a takeover by an extreme minority over the Israeli majority", BBC reported.

The protesters have been demanding that the government shelve its contentious judicial overhaul initiative that will curtail the power of the courts to oversee the executive and legislative branch's decisions.

The "reasonableness" bill would remove the power of the Supreme Court to overturn government decisions that it deems to have gone too far.

The controversial reforms have polarised Israel, triggering one of the most serious domestic crises in the country's history.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, 73, was discharged from the hospital on Monday after undergoing a successful procedure to implant a pacemaker, just ahead of a critical vote in the Knesset.

Congratulating coalition party leaders, Justice Minister Yariv Levin after the final vote, said that it was the "first step" towards correcting the judicial system.

"In an extraordinary move, we took the first step in the historical process of correcting the judicial system and restoring the powers taken from the government and the Knesset over many years," Levin said.

Twenty-thousand protesters were demonstrating outside the Knesset chanting "democracy or rebellion" while the vote was being held inside. Protest leaders vowed to continue their fight to protect Israel's liberal democracy. "The state of Israel will survive solely because of the millions (of protesters) who protected it with their bodies in the past months," they said.

"We will continue to struggle in order to preserve Israel's liberal democracy, and we will not stop until the threat is removed," they added. Some 19 protesters were arrested in Jerusalem as police used water cannons on demonstrators at various places.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in his sixth term, heads an unprecedentedly hardline Israeli coalition government, which has sparked more than six months of internal opposition over its plans to overhaul the judiciary.

The legislation to block judicial scrutiny over the reasonableness of politicians' decisions is the first overhaul bill to advance since Netanyahu temporarily froze the legislative blitz in late March.

Netanyahu, who is also in the midst of a protracted corruption trial, has been charged with three counts of fraud and breach of trust and one of bribery. He denies all the allegations and says he is the victim of a political witch hunt.
Russian defence ministry blamed Ukraine for a drone attack on Moscow on July 24, after reports revealed that two non-residential buildings near the defence ministry buildings were struck around 4am local time (6.30am IST).



The country's defence ministry said the two drones targeting central Moscow "were suppressed" and forced to crash. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no "serious damage or casualties. Ukraine is yet to claim responsibility for the attack.



On July 24 morning, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using two drones against facilities in Moscow city was thwarted. Two Ukrainian UAVs were suppressed by electronic warfare means and crashed, the ministry said on Telegram.



Russia's state news agency Tass reported that a high-rise business centre on Likhacheva Avenue in the city was struck while drone fragments and glass and concrete debris were found near a building on the nearby Komsomolsky Avenue.



Russia's defence ministry TV channel Zvezda posted a video on Telegram, showing a damaged building.



RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency, uploaded a video of the business centre, with some damage visible to the top of the tall building with missing windows.



"I was asleep and was woken up by a blast, everything started shaking," Reuters quoted Polina, a young woman who lives near the high-rise building, as saying.



Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova told RTVI TV said the alleged attack was "an act of international terrorism."



The incident comes a day after Ukraine vowed to retaliate against Russian attack on Odesa. At least one person was killed and 22 others were injured in the attack on the Ukrainian city. The attack reportedly damaged several landmarks in the city, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, which is a Unesco World Heritage site. However, Russia denied the allegations and claimed it could be destroyed by a Ukrainian air defence missile. The cathedral was demolished during Stalins regime in 1936 and was revamped in the 1990s after the Soviet Union fell.



Earlier in July, Russia claimed it had intercepted five Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow's Vnukovo international airport.
As of Sunday, seven Republican presidential candidates have met the necessary polling criteria set by Republican National Committee to appear in the first presidential debate in August. The debate would be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 23.



Indian-origin tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has also met the criteria to participate in the debate.

Seven Republican presidential candidates, Former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have at least 1 per cent or higher in at least two qualifying national polls and two qualifying state polls from separate states, CNN reported.

According to CNN, the new Fox Business polls from Iowa and South Carolina show Trump being backed by 46 per cent of likely Republican voters, compared with 16 pc for DeSantis and 11 pc for Scott. In South Carolina, 48 per cent of likely Republican primary voters picked Trump in the Fox Business poll, compared with 14 pc for Haley, 13 pc for DeSantis and 10 pc for Scott, the publication reported.

Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, born to emigrant Indian parents in Ohio has also met the fundraising criteria, CNN reported. The RNCs debate stage criteria are stringent but fair, the publication quoted Ramaswamy as saying.

In an interview with NPR, Ramaswamy said he is seeking presidency to revive our missing national identity, especially in the next generation of Americans. A practicing Hindu, Ramaswamy said he shares a set of Judeo-Christian values with evangelical voters.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is unlikely to attend the first debate. When you have a big lead, you don't do it, Trump said in an interview with Fox News, highlighting his lead in the polls.
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) State-owned power producer SJVN Ltd on Monday said it has been allocated five hydro electric projects having a total generation capacity of 5,097 MW in Arunachal Pradesh.

The five projects, allocated by tne Arunachal Pradesh government, are situated in tributaries of Dibang River. They are 3,097 MW Etalin, 680 MW Attunli, 500 MW Emini, 420 Amulin and 400 MW Mihumdon, SJVN said in a statement.

The development of the five projects will involve an investment of more than Rs 50,000 crore and will reduce carbon emission by around 1.1 million tonnes per year.

The government of Arunachal Pradesh has terminated pacts with various private power developers as they "showed less interest" in executing projects given to them, the statement said.

The projects, which have been withdrawn from private developers, are now being handed over to central public sector undertakings.

In addition to SJVN, projects have also been allocated to other central public sector understandings namely NEEPCO, NHPC and THDC.

SJVN has a portfolio of 55,527 MW.
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) The Centre has sought Rs 469 crore from seven electric two-wheeler makers, including Hero Electric and Okinawa for claiming incentives while not complying with the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) II scheme norms, a government official said.

The official said that in case of non-refund of the amount to the government, they will be de-registered from the scheme in the next 7-10 days and the government would not allow them to participate in the scheme.

An investigation by the heavy industries ministry has revealed that these companies have availed fiscal incentives under the scheme by violating the norms.

As per the rules of the scheme, incentives were allowed to make electric vehicles by using made in India components, but in the investigation it was found that these seven firms have used imported components.

In our investigations, six companies have been found clean, but seven companies have violated the norms. So we are seeking Rs 469 crore. They will have to return the amount to the government, the official said.

The seven companies are Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Ampere EV, Revolt Motors, Benling India, Amo Mobility, and Lohia Auto.

The ministry conducted the investigation after receiving anonymous emails alleging that several EV makers were claiming subsidies without complying with the Phased Manufacturing Plan (PMP) rules, which are intended to boost domestic manufacturing of these electric vehicles.

After that, the ministry delayed the distribution of subsidies last financial year.

Out of the seven, the official said, two have communicated to the ministry that they would return the incentives amount with interest.

The official also clarified that the government has not stopped any of these players from making vehicles, but now they will not get any incentive under the scheme.

When contacted a Hero Electric spokesperson said: "The notice pertains to a period in which there is no cause for our non-compliance. It is not relevant for Hero Electric."

A Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM) spokesperson said the company was one of the first companies to enthusiastically support and deliver on the governments localisation vision.

"We are working with the government to better understand their concern and in relation to the same we have filed a detailed representation," the spokesperson added.

Lohia Auto CEO Ayush Lohia said: "We want to emphatically state that we have not received any information or notice from the government department or concerned authority regarding the reversal of subsidies."

He further said: "We are unaware of the source of information that alleges Lohia Auto Industries' involvement in this matter."

Okinawa Autotech and Revolt Motors declined to comment.

To promote electric and hybrid vehicles, a Rs 10,000-crore programme under the FAME-II scheme was announced in 2019. It is the expanded version of the present scheme FAME India I (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles, which was launched on April 1, 2015, with a total outlay of Rs 895 crore.

In three-wheeler and four-wheeler segments, incentives are applicable mainly on vehicles used for public transport or registered commercial purposes. In the two-wheeler segment, the focus is on private vehicles.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 24 (PTI) The Kerala government, which is facing a financial crisis, is unlikely to distribute free kits containing essential food items to ration cardholders in all categories during the upcoming Onam season. An indication in this regard was given by state Finance Minister K N Balagopal here on Monday.

Talking to reporters here, the Finance Minister said it is unlikely to provide free food kits for all ration card holders, as was distributed during the Covid-19 period and Onam seasons thereafter.

He, however, said no final decision has been made so far.

"This time, Onam kits will be given. But ration cardholders of all categories are unlikely to get it. Giving Onam kits to everyone is not a usual practice," Balagopal said, responding to a query. The minister said the government is trying to make a happy Onam festival, and borrowing will be required to meet the expenses during the festival.

Free Onam food kits containing 14 items were distributed to all ration cardholders during the Onam season last year.

There are four categories of ration cardholders in the state including Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders (yellow cards), Priority Household cardholders (pink card), Non-Priority Subsidy cardholders (blue) and the Non-Priority Non-Subsidy card holders (white).

Balagopal urged the Union government to provide more borrowing opportunities to Kerala or provide an increased tax share to tide over the financial crisis the southern state is facing.

He said that during his recent meeting earlier this month with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he had sought special financial assistance, citing a series of setbacks, including curbs on borrowing and the cessation of GST compensation. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation ended last year.

The minister said the state does not get the tax revenue it used to get from the Centre.

Balagopal also said the state government would approach the Supreme Court against the central government's decision to curtail borrowing.

The minister also alleged that the policies of the central government were destroying state public sector enterprises like the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

"The functioning of the KSRTC has been affected by rising fuel prices. The central government's policies are destroying the public sector," he said, responding to a query on the delay in providing salaries to its employees.

Noting that KSRTC needs Rs 120 crore per month to provide salaries and pensions, Balagoal said steps are being taken to provide them in two phases.

He urged the KSRTC management to make efforts to increase its revenue.

In a memorandum submitted to Sitharaman, Balagopal had noted that fiscal constraints in 2023-24 will be more than that of previous years.

He had said there is a shortage of around Rs 8,400 crore in revenue deficit grants compared to the previous financial year, and there is also a loss of around Rs 10,000 to 12,000 crore by way of GST compensation annually due to the cessation of the compensation, as per the representation.

Balagopal had also said there is a resource loss of about Rs 8,000 crore on account of restrictions in the borrowing limit.
Kolkata, Jul 24 (PTI) Remembering Bengali matinee idol Uttam Kumar on his 43rd death anniversary, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed disappointment that the CPI(M)-led Left Front government gave no chance for the fans to pay tribute to him after he died.

Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said she has always ensured that those who made the state proud by their works and earned the love of the public are given due respect.

Uttam Kumar, who was known by the sobriquet Maha Nayak (superstar), died on this day in 1980 at the age of 54.

"His body was not kept at Rabindra Sadan by the then government. No arrangement was made to keep the mortal remains of the Maha Nayak of people there for some time and enable his millions of fans to pay respect. Ever since we came to power, we have tried to ensure such things do not happen," she said without naming any party.

Rabindra Sadan is a government-owned cultural complex which is also used for keeping bodies of eminent persons for some time so that people can pay their last respect.

Recalling the day Uttam Kumar died, Banerjee said, "I was a youngster then, but I remember how shell-shocked I and my mother became after hearing about his death."

Uttam Kumar had been made Maha Nayak by the fans, and he still retains that place in people's hearts, she said at a programme held here.

Referring to the conferring of state honours like Banga Ratna, Banga Bibhusan and Banga Bhusan to stalwarts by her government to eminent personalities, the chief minister said the administration would continue to do so "as by honouring them, the state is honoured."

Recognition of someones work by the state is important, she said.

On this day, the Mamata Banerjee government gives away Maha Nayak awards named after Uttam Kumar to persons from the film industry.

The Mahanayak Samman for this year was given to Bengali stars Koel Mallick, Srabanti Chatterjee, Subhasree Ganguly, Sayantika Bandyopadhyay and Ankush Hazra.

Critically acclaimed actors Sohini Sarkar and Anirban Bhattacharya and director Haranath Chakraborty were also given Bisesh Chalachitra Samman 2023.

Uttam Kumar had dominated the Bengali film industry for over two decades and featured in hits such as "Nayak ", "Chowringhee", "Saptapadi" and "Anthony Firingee " He was the first recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1967 for his performances in "Chiriakhana", directed by Satyajit Ray, and "Antony Firingi".

At the programme, Banerjee also remotely inaugurated the 'JIS School of Medical Science, Research Centre & Hospital' set up in association with the state government at Santragachi in Howrah district.

The JIS Group had signed an MoU with the health department to establish the hospital at Rs 1,500 crore.
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) As the fate of single-screen theatres "hangs by a thread", megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that many projectionists have lost their livelihood and it is important to recognise their contribution to the history of Indian cinema.

In a recorded video message shared with Mumbai-based Film Heritage Foundation and its founder Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Bachchan appreciated the 'Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection' that has been instituted by the FHF to celebrate the "unsung heroes" of the film industry.

Bachchan, in his over a minute-long video, said, "The world of a projector, a beam of light in a dark room theatre, and flicker of images on the big screen. That was, what cinema was for me".

"As the fate of single-screen cinemas, unfortunately, hangs by a thread, many of these projectionists have lost their livelihood. It is important to remember and recognise their immense contribution to the history of Indian cinema," he said.

The veteran cine actor said he was pleased to learn that Film Heritage Foundation had instituted a 'Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection' to celebrate the unsung heroes, "who brought the magic of cinema to the silver screen".

Dungarpur on Sunday said the foundation will honour three projectionists with this award at a special event, to be held on Wednesday at Mumbai's heritage Regal Cinema, a single-screen theatre built in 1933. The awards will be an annual affair, he said.

"The megastar of Indian cinema has shared a video message with us, ahead of the ceremony in which veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah will be the chief guest. And Bachchan sahab's support has bolstered our confidence to work further on preservation of cinematic heritage," Dungarpur told PTI.

The inaugural lifetime achievement award for cinema projection has been instituted to honour film projectionists who have dedicated their lives to showcasing films on the big screen, the FHF said.

The three awardees are Mohammed Aslam Fakih of Regal Cinema Mumbai; P A Salam, National Film Archives of India (NFAI), Pune; and Lakhan Lal Yadav, Amardeep Cinema and Raj Talkies, Raipur.

They will also receive Rs 50,000 each in honour of their contribution to the field, which they have served for over 50 years, both in celluloid and digital mediums, Dungarpur said.

FHF, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the conservation, preservation and restoration of Indian cinema, is also conducting a three-day workshop on film projection in practice which began in Mumbai on Monday.

On the last day of the workshop, the foundation will screen Kamal Amrohis 1949 classic Mahal on 35 mm vintage print to celebrate the analogue-era legacy of cinema at Regal Cinema.

Two newly-restored films  Tiger of Eschnapur (1938) and Nosferatu: The Symphony of Horrors (1922)  will be screened on July 24 and July 25 respectively, as part of the workshop, Dungarpur said.
The fifth meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan was held in Bishkek, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, representatives of the two countries discussed prospects for cooperation in various areas such as construction, education, communications, defence, production and transport.

It should be noted that a meeting of business delegations of Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan is scheduled for 26 July, which will be held on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. It will give entrepreneurs from both countries an opportunity to discuss further cooperation measures and conclude important agreements.

"Economic co-operation between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly prominent and both countries are actively working to find new opportunities for the development of mutually beneficial projects. Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are also actively involved in various international and regional initiatives aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and creating favourable conditions for business," the Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, trade turnover between the countries from January to June 2023 totalled $17.038 million (AZN 28 964 million), which is four times higher than the figures for the same period in 2022 ($4.228 million) (AZN 7.187million)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Ammunition exploded at the plant of the Ministry of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the country's Shirvan city, killing one person, Head of the Information Technology Department of the ministry Yashar Isakov told Trend.

"The explosion occurred during compression of the intermediate gearbox of the explosive in the Shirvan Araz Plant LLC of the Ministry of Defense Industry today, at about 12:00 (GMT+4)," he said.

"One person was killed and one was injured in the arm. An investigation is currently underway. Additional information will be provided," Isakov said.
Kathmandu, Jul 24 (PTI) A 22-year-old Indian national was arrested in Nepal on Monday for allegedly possessing illegal firearms, according to the police.

Murari Kumar, a resident of Bihar, was arrested for carrying 19 rounds of bullets, according to the Nepal Police news bulletin.

He ran away, leaving his bag after the police recovered the bullets in the bag during a security check.

A joint team of police personnel later arrested him. Police have initiated an investigation into the case.
Washington, Jul 24 (PTI) A prominent Indian-American Dalit activist fighting against the recent caste discrimination bill in California Assembly died of a heart attack as he passionately spoke against it at a city council meeting in Cupertino, sending shock waves amongst the Hindu American community in the country.

Milind Makwana, according to his close friends and family, spoke at the City Council meeting against SB403, the anti-caste discrimination bill in California State Assembly.

Throughout the day, the Cupertino-based activist participated in various meetings and the City Council hearing, speaking passionately against it and stating that the bill was anti-Dalit.

Tragically, he collapsed moments after the hearing at the Cupertino City Council. "Milind had this clear conviction that Dalits and Bahujan are also Hindu. He was passionate about Justice for underprivileged communities and, at the same time, wanted mutual trust and harmony among all communities, his wife Purvi Makwana said in a statement issued by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS).

All his life, he had stood for Dharma. I urge the community to support and take forward Milind's dream of Justice, Harmony, and Dharma," Purvi said. This past weekend, the community started a fundraiser and raised more than USD 280,000.

Living, growing, and assimilating in a foreign land is a challenge for any immigrant community, and the micro-minority Hindu community is not an exception to this rule. Milind became highly alert and concerned by Californias SB403 Bill, Discrimination on the basis of ancestry, that unjustly branded the Hindu-American community based on the castes, HSS said in a statement.

Milind was representative of the Hindu community and was a marginalised Hindu based on the so-called caste structure. However, he was of the firm opinion that this so-called law to protect the marginalised community was, in fact, counterproductive and regressive.

For Milind, this law was branding wrongly and a cause of potential social division among the Hindu-American community, HSS said in its statement.

Milind was an active volunteer at Sewa International USA.

"Milind's loss is a great shock to all, and a much sadder part of it is that God has taken away such a gem of a karyakarta (volunteer) so early. As we remember his life, let us also reflect on the importance of caring for our well-being. This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, said Arun Kankani, president of Sewa International.

As a Sewa volunteer, Milind visited Tamil Nadu in 2015 to witness and participate in relief work as massive floods hit the state. He regularly volunteered at the California Bay Area Sewa chapter, participating in various service activities and fundraising events.

He was also a member of the Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB), and he has written books, created creative games for children, and countless other activities over the years.
Cairo, Jul 24 (AP) A civilian plane crashed after taking off from an airport in eastern Sudan, killing nine people, including four military personnel who were aboard the aircraft, the military said, as the conflict in the northeastern African country reached the 100-day mark on Monday with no sign of abating.

The military said in a statement that a child survived late Sunday's crash in Port Sudan, a city on the Red Sea that so far has been spared from the devastating war between the military and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The Antonov plane crashed shortly after taking off from the city's airport, the military said. It blamed a technical failure for the crash. The statement provided no further details.

Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April when monthslong tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the country.

It's been 100 days of war in Sudan, with a devastating toll on lives and infrastructure, but worse lies ahead, said William Carter, Norwegian Refugee Council's director in Sudan.

The fighting has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields. The sprawling region of Darfur saw some of the worst bouts of violence in the conflict with the fighting turning into ethnic clashes.

The clashes have killed more than 3,000 people and wounded more than 6,000 others, Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim said in televised comments last month. The casualty tally is likely much higher, according to doctors and activists.

More than 2.6 million people fled their homes to safer areas inside Sudan, while more than 757,000 people crossed into neighbouring countries, according to the UN migration agency.

The conflict derailed Sudanese hopes of restoring the country's fragile transition to democracy, which had begun after a popular uprising forced the military's removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A coup, led by the military and RSF, disrupted the democratic transition in October 2021.

Carter, of the NRC, warned about a total collapse in the country as international efforts have so far failed to establish a cease-fire to allow humanitarian support to millions of people impacted by the war.

The first 100 days drew attention, but it's fading. We must sustain efforts and apply diplomacy and mediation to tangibly impact civilians in Sudan, he said.

Talks between the military and the RSF the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah repeatedly failed to stop the fighting. The Jeddah talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States. (AP) SCY

SCY
Nairobi, Jul 24 (AP) As Russia seeks more allies during its invasion of Ukraine, longtime US security partner Kenya might not be an obvious choice.

But hours after Russia terminated a deal to keep grain flowing from Ukraine, Moscow's ambassador saw an opening to appeal to one of the African countries that would feel the effects the most.

In an opinion piece for two of Kenya's largest newspapers, Ambassador Dmitry Maksimychev blamed the United States and European Union for the deal's collapse, asserting they had used every trick to keep Russian grain and fertilizer from the global markets.

Now, my dear Kenyan friends, you know the whole truth about who is weaponizing food, he wrote.

It's the kind of brash outreach expected this week at the second Russia-Africa Summit. Grain supplies are in question.

The future of the Wagner military group is, too. It's a notable time for Russia to host nearly 50 African countries that rely heavily on Moscow for agricultural products and security.

It's not clear how many heads of state will attend.

President Vladimir Putin's government is under new pressure to show its commitment to a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Africa's 54 nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other region on General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russia's invasion.

If they leave the two-day summit on Friday feeling unheeded, they might distance themselves from Russia, said analyst Cameron Hudson with the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

I think you could see Africans beginning to vote with their feet, he said. This is a decisive moment for both Africa and Putin in their relationship.

Putin has repeatedly said that Russia would offer free grain to low-income African countries now that the grain deal has been terminated.

I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing the Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, Putin said in a statement Monday, asserting that Russia shipped almost 10 million tons of grain to Africa in the first half of this year.

The Russian military company Wagner, after its brief rebellion against Moscow, will be an urgent issue for countries like Sudan, Mali and others who contract with the mercenary group in exchange for natural resources like gold.

Russia's foreign minister has said Wagner's work in Africa will continue.

As for a peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to pursue, that could be discussed at the summit, Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Ozerov told the Kommersant newspaper.

Putin himself is a question. He has visited sub-Saharan Africa only once in more than two decades in power.

Last week, after considerable diplomatic pressure, South Africa announced that Putin had agreed not to attend an economic summit there in August because of an arrest warrant for him by the International Criminal Court over Ukraine.

South Africa's debate over whether to arrest him was another sign of the ambivalence toward Moscow by a once-steady US ally.

But President Cyril Ramaphosa's office on Friday made clear that African leaders are working for an end to the destabilizing Ukraine-Russia war, saying it would be in the continent's economic interests.

The US-backed Africa Centre for Strategic Studies has predicted that Russia will try to pull other influential countries including Ethiopia, Congo, Nigeria and Senegal into its orbit.

Africa is the most welcoming region for Russia of any other region in the world," the centre's Joseph Siegle said.

Like China, Russia tries to appeal to African nations' distaste at feeling dictated to by global powers.

A busy tweeter, Russia's ambassador to Kenya drew the praise of that country's foreign minister last week when he objected to a statement by the US and allies expressing concern about live bullets used against Kenyan protests over the rising cost of living. If it is not interference in internal affairs, what is it? Maksimychev asked.

Thank you @russembkenya for this principled position, Kenya's foreign minister, Korir Sing'Oei, replied  just a day after he called Russia's decision to end the grain deal a stab on the back."

Despite its high profile in Africa, Russia invests relatively little in it. At the first Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, Putin vowed to double Russia's trade with the continent within five years.

Instead, it has stalled at around $18 billion a year. Moscow offers less than 1 per cent of what goes to Africa in foreign direct investment, with almost no humanitarian aid.

But Russia can connect with African nations in ways that the West cannot, said Tim Kalyegira, a Ugandan analyst and writer.

Russia is one of the few European countries allied with Africa in views about homosexual relations: We are a traditional Christian country. Every time you have an anti-gay bill, we're with you,' he said.

That could play to US allies like Nigeria and Ghana as well, Kalyegira said.

Uganda faced Washington's criticism this year for a new law that prescribed the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality.

President Joe Biden threatened sanctions amid democratic backsliding by a longtime partner.

Now Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is listed as a panelist at the Russia-Africa Summit for a discussion on What forms of new colonialism are being imposed on the global majority by the West today?

Uganda also has been one of the largest buyers of weapons from Russia, Africa's top arms supplier, along with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Angola and Burkina Faso.

Kalyegira said Russia now could broker grain supply deals with individual African nations, weakening any continental stance on the war.

The US hosted its own Africa summit last year as part of a growing number of such Africa gatherings by powers including China, France, Turkey, Japan and the UK

It's worth asking why Americans should care about competing in Africa or investing in its stability. The answer is clear: Africa is poised to shape the 21st century as the world's fastest-growing demographic and economic power, Joseph Sany with the US Institute of Peace told a US House subcommittee this month.

By 2050, Africans will make up a quarter of the global population," he said.

The delegations heading to Russia are being urged to use that to their advantage.

African states would no doubt rather be kingmakers than be caught in another proxy war, a consultant with the Africa-based Institute for Security Studies, Ronak Gopaldas, wrote earlier this year. A smart approach is to straddle these powers for maximum benefit. (AP) FZH
Lahore, Jul 24 (PTI) A Pakistani court on Monday initiated the process to declare Imran Khan's two sisters and a nephew proclaimed offenders in a case related to the attack on the historic Corps Commander House here after the former prime minister was arrested in an alleged corruption case in May.

The Corps Commander House, also known as Jinnah House, here was vandalised and torched by a mob of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters following the arrest of the party chief Khan from the Islamabad High Court on May 9.

"The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore initiated the process to declare former premier Imran Khan's two sisters -- Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma -- and his nephew Hassan Niazi and 19 other PTI leaders proclaimed offenders after their constant skipping of the court's hearing for their alleged involvement in attacking the Lahore Corps Commander House," a court official told PTI after the hearing.

The ATC ordered the issuance of an advertisement in newspapers for August 16, directing the suspects to join the court proceedings on the next hearing otherwise they would be declared proclaimed offenders.

Prominent among the PTI leaders facing proclaimed offender status are Senator Azam Swati; and former ministers Murad Saeed, Ali Amin Gandapur, Farukh Habib, Mian Aslam and Hammad Azhar.

Pakistan saw unprecedented anti-government protests following the arrest of Khan, 70, by paramilitary Rangers in a corruption case on May 9. Khan was later released on bail.

Dozens of military installations and government buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or torched during the riots. Over 100 vehicles of police and other security agencies were set on fire.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested over 10,000 PTI workers across Pakistan, 4,000 of them from Punjab province only.

According to Khan, over 16 PTI workers were killed in the violence. Police have put the death toll to 10.

Khan is also facing numerous cases related to attacks on military installations. Currently, he is facing over 150 cases related to terrorism, murder and blasphemy. He is reportedly under virtual house arrest at his private residence here at Zaman Park.
Male, Jul 24 (PTI) India and the Maldives on Monday strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, as both countries reaffirmed counter-terrorism cooperation as an important aspect of maintaining security in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region.

The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation on immigration matters on Monday between the Maldives Immigration of the Maldives and India's Bureau of Immigration.

The Second Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-Radicalisation was held here in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

The Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) Ministry of External Affairs and the Maldivian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef.

Emphasising the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner both countries reaffirmed counter-terrorism cooperation as an important aspect of maintaining security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Both sides reviewed threats posed by terrorist entities that are under UN sanctions and emphasised the need for concerted action against all terrorist networks.

They underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks on others and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, the External Affairs ministry said.

"Maldives and India strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism," it said.

Both sides shared their experiences in combating terrorism and extremism and exchanged views on various areas of cooperation including countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating financing of terrorism and preventing exploitation of the internet and cyberspace for terrorism and violent extremism.

They also exchanged ideas on mutual information sharing, capacity building and establishing institutional linkages between law enforcement agencies, security forces, customs, immigration and other relevant agencies.

India and the Maldives exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation against organised crime and narcotics, repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees, the ministry said in a press release.

Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation that will include further assistance and capacity building for the security and law enforcement agencies.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and enhancing dialogues in multilateral fora through United Nations and at other global and regional platforms such as the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

The Indian delegation will also visit the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) during their stay in Male.

The MoU on cooperation on immigration matters was signed on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was attended by officials from both governments.

The Controller General of Maldives Immigration, Mohamed Ahmed Hussain, and Joint Secretary (Foreigners) at Ministry of Home Affairs of India, Sumant Singh signed the MoU on behalf of the respective authority.

The areas of cooperation which are endorsed through the MoU include; exchanging information of mutual interest, fostering border control management, and facilitating cooperation for capacity building.

Additionally, it includes promoting cooperation on issues of irregular migration, people smuggling, trafficking in persons and other related transnational crimes, Maldives Immigration Department said in a press release.
Darbhanga, Jul 23 (PTI) A clash broke out in Darbhanga town in north Bihar on Sunday after some people objected to hoisting a religious flag close to the place of worship of another community, officials said.

The incident happened near Bazar Samiti Chowk, they said.

As the tension escalated, members of the two communities indulged in stone-pelting until the situation was brought under control by the police and local administration, they added.

District Magistrate Rajiv Raushan said, "The situation is now under control but heavy deployment of forces remains in place as a preventive measure."

He said he has also convened a meeting of the peace committee, which comprises members of both communities.

"It was advised that no flags be put up at places where these have not been hoisted in the past or where locals have any objections. Also, the district administration be informed in advance about spots where these flags are to be hoisted so that adequate arrangements are in place," Raushan said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Avakash Kumar said the dispute would have been resolved amicably but some anti-social elements from both sides began hurling stones.

"Some police personnel have received minor injuries. The stone-pelters are being traced and they will face stern action," he said.
Aurangabad, Jul 24 (PTI) The science branch of Archeological Survey of India has begun conservation work on Lankeshwar cave, part of the renowned Ellora Caves in Aurangabad in Maharashtra, an official said on Monday.

The Lankeshwar cave contains sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Ravanugraga, the official said.

"It is beside the famous Kailash cave. The ASI will also illuminate the pathway to the Lankeshwar cave, which is located on the first floor of the complex. The pathway is narrow and has to be kept closed at times to avoid accidents," he told PTI.

The official said authorities will think of opening up the cave for tourists in a "full fledged manner" after the pathway is illuminated.

"The work to remove bat excreta, cleaning the paintings and sculptures has been undertaken as part of conservation work. We are examining if the plaster has become weak and cracks in the sculptures will be filled with proper material to strengthen it," Deputy Superintending Archeological Chemist Dr Shrikant Misra told PTI.

Ellora caves are a multi-religious rock-cut complex and has been designated as a World Heritage Site.
Pune, Jul 24 (PTI) The last rites of veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Madan Das Devi will be performed in Pune on Tuesday, according to a release from the organisation.

It said Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, among others, will pay tribute to the departed leader in Motibaug, the outfit's office here.

Devi, who had served as the joint secretary of the RSS, died in Bengaluru on Monday morning at the age of 81.

Born in Karmala tehsil in Solapur in Maharashtra, the Hindutva ideologue died at Rashtrotthan Hospital in the Karnakata capital after a prolonged illness, an RSS functionary told PTI.

Devi completed M.Com and LLB from Pune, he said.

The mortal remains of Devi will be kept for 'darshan' at Motibaug between 9am and 11am and the last rites will be performed at Vaikunth crematorium at 1:30am, he said.

An RSS functionary said Devi was instrumental in developing leadership skills among top-rung BJP and RSS leaders.

A full-time Pracharak (campaigner), Devi was staying in Bengaluru for treatment of his old age-related ailment.

"Devi had served as the RSS joint general secretary and organisation secretary of the RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He was responsible for developing leadership skills among the national level top rung BJP leaders you see today," the RSS functionary said.

Mourning his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Sri Madam Das Devi Ji. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation. I was not only closely associated with him but also had the opportunity to learn many things from him. May God give strength to all the workers and his family members in this moment of grief. Om Shanti."

In its message, the RSS said, "Shri Madan Das Devi, a senior Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, passed away at Rashtrotthan Hospital in Bengaluru at 5 am. He was 81 years old. He was on the responsibility of All India Organisation Minister of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Co-Sarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh."
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Leaders of opposition alliance INDIA will continue their agitation on the Parliament premises through the night against the suspension of AAP leader Sanjay Singh and over their demand that the prime minister open the debate on Manipur in the House.

The protest, which began on Monday morning, will see leaders of the INDIA alliance taking turns with a team sitting near the Gandhi statue through the night, senior leaders said, adding the protest will continue on Tuesday as well.

The last time an all-night protest was organised by the opposition leaders was in July last year when 20 suspended Rajya Sabha members started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session, is expected to sit at the protests through the night. Singh's wife has already brought essentials for him at the site.

"All parties have drawn up rosters of their leaders who will represent them through the day and night. Leaders will take turns.

"There is full solidarity among the parties. While the move is to protest Singh's suspension. It is also a protest demanding the PM speak on Manipur whether in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha," a senior leader said.

Sources said that leaders of the INDIA combine have been adamant on the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi open the discussion on the violence in Manipur and several parties have rebuffed the government's efforts to placate them.

Sources said that Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh made called up Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader TR Balu and TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay to convey the government's intention of discussing Manipur.

However, none of them relented on their demand for the prime minister to make a statement on the matter in Parliament, sources said.

Leaders of the INDIA alliance also said the opposition's demand for the prime minister's statement in Parliament on the violence in Manipur was conveyed to the BJP on July 16, four days ahead of the Monsoon Session.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has launched an investigation in connection with the explosion that occurred at the plant of the Ministry of Defense Industry in the city of Shirvan, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office told Trend.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Shirvan City is investigating the explosion of ammunition at the plant of the Ministry of Defense Industry, located in the city of Shirvan, as a result of which one person was killed and one was injured.

The scene is currently being examined by employees of the Shirvan City Prosecutor's Office and a criminal prosecutor.

The explosion occurred during compression of the intermediate gearbox of the explosive in the Shirvan Araz Plant LLC of the Ministry of Defense Industry today, at about 12:00 (GMT+4). An investigation is currently underway.
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Traditional medicine is at the forefront of G20 discussions and its potential role in addressing health challenges is being acknowledged, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant has said.

Kant spoke at an important interaction with G20 engagement groups held here on Sunday. The stakeholders had a clear and emphatic view that the efforts of the Indian government have brought traditional medicine at the forefront of the discussions of the grouping on health, according to a statement issued by the Ayush ministry.

In his address, Kant said, "I greatly appreciate the Ministry of Ayush for being at the forefront of actively collaborating with all engagement and working groups. We need to amplify the importance of Ayush practices in achieving holistic health and wellbeing."

He added that traditional medicine has been an integral resource of health for centuries in India.

Kant highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has come up with a dedicated WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) in India, which will harness the power of traditional medicine.

In his address, Additional Secretary, Health Lav Agarwal said, "The world is talking about the concept of integrative health or holistic health in terms of approaching all the health challenges. We have been working in partnership, coordinating among the G20 countries and all of us have a clear view in terms of acceptance of the role that traditional medicine plays in the health sector."

From the experience sharing of the various experts and senior officials participating in the interaction, a strong likelihood emerged that the health declaration will have a dedicated mention, acknowledging the potential role of traditional medicine, the statement said.

On the occasion, Secretary, Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha personally complimented the leadership of the G20 engagement and working groups for contributing in the area of traditional medicine through their recommendations and insightful deliberations.

He said the main objective was to share the contribution of the Ayush ministry under India's G20 presidency and it was achieved successfully. Traditional medicine was effectively highlighted at all the health working group meetings and the ministry appreciates the efforts, the statement said.

Welcoming the gathering, Rahul Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the ministry's role in actively building dialogue around traditional medicine with various G20 engagement and working groups.

As the leaders of the world's major economies convene for the G20 summit, it is imperative to contemplate the pivotal role traditional medicine can play in global social wellness and contributing in advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments, he said.
Jaipur, Jul 24 (PTI) The Rajasthan Assembly on Monday passed a bill for the formation of a welfare board as well as a fund for platform-based gig workers in the state and to facilitate social security for them.

The Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023, was passed in the Assembly without a debate amid uproar by the opposition members in the House.

Sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudha on Monday was suspended from the state assembly for "unruly behaviour" after ugly scenes were witnessed in the House when he raised the issue of a red diary, claiming it held details of irregular financial transactions.

BJP MLA Madan Dilawar too was suspended for the remainder of the assembly. Opposition BJP MLAs created an uproar and stormed the well of the House over the issue.

The bill defines a gig worker as a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship and who works on contract that results in a given rate of payment, based on terms and conditions laid down in such contract and includes all piece-rate work.

It aims to constitute a Welfare Board and to set up a welfare fund for platform-based gig workers, to register the workers and aggregators in the state and to facilitate social security for the gig workers.

The minister in charge of the Labour Department will be the chairperson of the board and at least one-third of its nominated members will be women.

The board will ensure the registration of platform-based gig workers and aggregators operating in the state and will also ensure that the welfare fee deduction mechanism is integrated with the functioning of the application of the aggregator.

It will ensure that gig workers have access to benefits as per the schemes formulated by the state government.

As per the provisions of the bill, the state government will establish "The Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund" for the benefit of registered gig workers.

Welfare fee will be charged from aggregators which will be at such rate of the value of each transaction related to platform-based gig workers.

The Bill gives gig workers the right to get registered and Unique ID applicable across all platforms, get access to general and specific social security schemes, an opportunity to be heard for any grievances and appropriate grievance redressal mechanism, and participate in all decisions taken for their welfare through representation in the Board.

If any aggregator fails to comply with the provisions of the act or rules, the state government may impose a fine which may extend up to Rs 5 lakh for the first contravention and up to Rs 50 lakh for subsequent contraventions.
Jaipur, Jul 24 (PTI) Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly Satish Poonia on Monday asked why was the Congress government "panicking" over the red diary which ex-minister Rajendra Gudha wanted to introduce in the House.

Sacked minister Gudha was suspended from the state assembly Monday after it saw unruly scenes -- including pushing and shoving -- over a "red diary", which he claimed held details of financial irregularities damning the Ashok Gehlot government.

The House was adjourned thrice during the day, and at one point Gudha was forced out by marshals. BJP MLAs stormed the Well of the House repeatedly, brandishing their own "symbolic" red diaries. Gudha waved the diary he had brought to the House and later said it was snatched from him.

BJP leader Poonia said people of Rajasthan as well as of the whole country was curious to know the contents of that red diary.

"People of the country want to know what is there in the red diary and why the government is panicking," he said told reporters.

The former BJP state president accused the Congress government of not fulfilling the promise of loan waiver for farmers. He alleged that corruption and unemployment in Rajasthan were at their peak under the Congress rule.

He also claimed that crime against women has increased in the state.
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) The recruitment of Gorkhas from Nepal to the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme has been put on "pause", but the matter has not been closed, Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma said on Monday.

Talking to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia here, Sharma also said presently no "serious discussion" is taking place on the issue between the two governments.

"I don't think this is a closed subject. India has developed some kind of mechanism in Agnipath, and would like to use the same mechanism to recruit from Nepal. Nepal is saying something different. We would like to go for the older system. That is what it is," the Nepalese ambassador said.

"It has not been closed but I have not seen any serious discussion going on between the two countries. So, I would say that it is in the pause stage," he said.

He said the Nepal government has not taken a decision on the issue so far.

"There is a strong debate in Nepal if we should continue sending people to the Indian Army. These days I have not heard anything of that sort in civil society," he said. While unveiling the Agnipath scheme in June last year, the Centre said youths between the age of 17 and-a-half and 21 years would be inducted for a four-year tenure while 25 per cent of them will be subsequently inducted for regular service.

After the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, the Nepal government stopped recruitment of Gorkhas for the Indian Army in August, 2022, saying recruitment under the scheme does not conform with provisions of the Britain-India-Nepal Tripartite Agreement.

Six Gorkha regiments became part of the Indian Army at the time of Independence in 1947 as per the terms of the tripartite agreement. A seventh Gorkha Rifles regiment was re-raised in the Indian Army after Independence. The troops are mainly from ethnic Gorkha communities of India and Nepal, and Nepalese make up about 60 per cent of India's Gorkha regiments.

Sharma also said that India-Nepal relations remain strong despite certain political issues like the border issue.

Asked about the China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Sharma said nine projects have been identified under the BRI, but none of them funded yet.

"Now, there is a controversy in Nepal that the loan that we received from China for the Pokhara airport is under BRI. The Nepal government is saying we have not taken any loan under BRI. But when China said it is a BRI project, they probably have a different kind of definition...from our perspective we have not taken any loan under BRI," the ambassador said.
Itanagar, Jul 24 (PTI) Longding district administration in Arunachal Pradesh has ordered temporary closure of schools in Kanubari sub-division following outbreak of conjunctivitis.

In a circular, Longding Deputy Commissioner Bani Lego said, "Considering the seriousness of the matter, all the heads of schools under Kanubari and Lawnu educational blocks are hereby directed to close down their respective schools temporarily till July 29, in order to break the chain of spread of the disease".

According to doctors, the DC said in the circular, the disease is highly contagious and may spread from one infected person to another.

Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye infection caused by various viruses. Common symptoms include redness, itching, excessive tearing and a gritty feeling in the eye. It can spread easily through direct or indirect contact with an infected person's eye secretions, contaminated objects or respiratory droplets.

To prevent the further spread of the disease, the health authorities have recommended frequent hand washing, to avoid touching eyes, personal hygiene, disinfecting surfaces and to isolate infected individuals.

Meanwhile, Longding DDSE Taje Jilen said the circular for closure of schools was issued following reports from Kanubari block education officer (BEO).

"We don't have the figure of how many students have been affected by the disease," he added.

According to an official communique, suspected conjunctivitis outbreak has been reported in several schools in West Siang district.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Nandyal (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 24 (PTI) A 35-year-old Indian woman here has appealed to authorities to let her Pakistani national husband, who was released from jail recently, to live in India or she be allowed to take her five children and go along with him to Pakistan.

Pakistani national Shaik Gulzar Khan alias Gulzar Massih (51) was last week released from Cherlapally Central prison near Hyderabad. This was after Gulzar's wife Daulat Bi, an Indian citizen from Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, had petitioned the Telangana High Court over his detention.

Gulzar, a native of Sialkot district in Punjab province of Pakistan, was accused of forging documents and illegally entering India in 2011.

The man married Daulat Bi and was working as a painter in Nandyal. Already a mother of one child, Bi married Gulzar and went on to have four children with him.

"My husband has to stay here. He should be given the opportunity to stay here. This is my wish. I will state this in the court when my turn comes," Bi told PTI on Monday, adding that the family wants to be together.

She is preparing to go to Telangana High Court in Hyderabad where a hearing is scheduled on her husbands case on July 27.

Bi noted that she hasn't appealed to any authority until now on her husband's case, but will do now as Hyderabad police had told her that Gulzar will be deported to Pakistan.

"Hyderabad police told me that he will be sent away to Pakistan. You (Bi) have to stay here but he has to go. But I told them not to separate us. How can we live if he is taken away? I told them to allow him to stay here," said Bi.

Bi, who has never travelled overseas, came in touch with Gulzar through a misdialled call some time before 2011 when the latter was trying to contact his friend from Hyderabad.

Khan used to work in Saudi Arabia and that wrong call ended up sparking a relationship with Bi. For the next three years, Khan and Bi would talk everyday.

Bi said Gulzar, a Pathan Muslim from Christian Basti in Kulurval village of Sialkot district in Pakistan, had said that three of his sisters were doctors.

She said Gulzar's family members in the neighbouring country wanted her husband to be happy with his family wherever he was, whether in India, Pakistan or elsewhere.

Moreover, she said that except Gulzar and her five children, she doesn't have any other family members or siblings and her parents had passed away.

Before marrying Gulzar, Bi used to work as a janitor at Rajarajeswari school in Gadivemula village of Nandyal district. After marriage, Gulzar stopped her from working there and started taking care of her and the children with his wages as a painter.

In 2019, the Hyderabad city police arrested Gulzar after charging him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Foreigners Act, and the Passport Act. A local court later granted Gulzar bail.

After obtaining a Government Order from the state, Hyderabad police again took him into custody in February 2022 and detained Gulzar in Cherlapally Central prison.

Bi filed a petition in the High Court challenging the GO. Bi's counsel argued that the state government had no powers to grant permission to the police to detain a person.

The High Court quashed the state government's detention order against Gulzar and released him, though the case against him will continue.

Bi said Gulzar wanted to return to Pakistan as he told her that he had a big family and assets there to enable their family to have a good life.
Kochi, Jul 24 (PTI) The Indian Coast Guard on Monday successfully carried out a risky mid-sea medical evacuation of a sailor, suffering from a suspected stroke and partial paralysis, from a private tanker off the Kerala coast amidst challenging weather conditions using the indigenously built Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) MK-III.

The Coast Guard said it received information about the distressed crew member -- Pradeep Das -- on Sunday through the Centro Internazionale Radio Medic (CIRM), Italy.

The CIRM had informed that the mariner onboard the Motor Tanker Global Star was suffering from a suspected stroke, high blood pressure and partial paralysis on the left side and required medical evacuation at the earliest, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Subsequently, the Maritime Rescue sub-centre (MRSC) at Kochi was tasked with coordinating the operation and it established communication with the vessel to provide telemedical assistance and plan the evacuation of the distressed mariner.

"Understanding the vulnerability of the situation, rough seas, and prevailing weather conditions, Coast Guard ALH was launched on July 24 morning in medical configuration to carry out mid-sea medical evacuation 112 nautical miles in sea from Kochi.

"Amidst challenging weather, rough sea, heavy rain, and poor visibility, the professional pilots of ICG aircraft reached MT Global Star in the shortest possible time and successfully evacuated the distressed mariner," the statement said.

The sailor was medically managed onboard the ALH enroute to Kochi and on arrival at the port city was transferred to the Gautam Hospital for further medical management, it said.

"#SAR In a daring ops amidst challenging weather @IndiaCoastGuard indigenous #ALHsaved another mariners life at sea onboard MT GLOBALSTAR 110Nm fm #Kochi. The rescue ops was coordinated by #MRCCKochi in coordination with CG Air Enclave, #Nedumbassery & #ICGSArnvesh," PRO Defence Kochi tweeted.

The tanker was en route from Khorfakkan in UAE to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and during its journey, the vessel developed a technical snag on July 10 and was anchored 52 miles west of Kozhikode, the statement said.
Gurugram, July 24 (PTI) A 30-year-old woman who was allegedly set ablaze by her husband succumbed to her injuries at Delhi AIIMS, officials said here on Monday.

Sita, a resident of Hanumangarh in district Bhiwani, died Sunday night at the hospital. Dharmveer, a CRPF constable, who was also badly burnt in the incident is still under treatment. An FIR with charges of murder has been registered against the constable at Sector 65 police station, police said.

According to police, Sita stayed with her husband and a 7-year-old daughter in a government quarter at CRPF camp, Kadarpur. On July 17, after a heated argument between the couple, the constable allegedly set her ablaze after pouring some inflammable substance. They were both burnt badly in the incident, they said.

They were first rushed to a private hospital in Gurugram, and were later referred to Delhi, AIIMS. Sita died during treatment on Sunday late night while her husband was still being treated, police said.

On Monday, Karmchand, Sita's brother filed a complaint in which he accused his brother-in-law for his sister's murder.

On July 17, there was a dispute between them and Dharamveer lost his temper on some issue and set my sister on fire by pouring inflammable substances on her. After this the neighbours gathered who doused the fire and admitted Sita to a hospital but she died on Sunday night," the complainant said.

"As per the complaint, an FIR has been registered. The accused is under treatment. Further action will be taken as per the law," said Vinod Kumar, SHO of Sector 65 Police Station.

SKY
Srinagar, Jul 24 (PTI) A group of 25 women bikers on Monday set off on the last leg of "Naari Sashaktikaran" rally from here to Drass to mark the 24th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Covering a distance of 1,000 kilometres from Delhi to Drass in seven days, the 25 women -- 15 serving officers, eight spouses of serving officers and two veer naaris -- will be paying homage to the Kargil War heroes on July 26.

"This a very diverse group of 25 women riders. There are serving officers, veer naaris and spouses of serving and retired personnel. The aim is to send out a message of women's empowerment," Bhavna Adhhikari, one of the riders, told PTI here before setting off for the last leg of the journey.

"We started from the National War Memorial Delhi on July 18. We have conveyed this message to schools and NCC cadets while on our way here. We have paid homage to our soldiers at the war memorials which were en route. This is the last leg of our journey. We will reach Drass, Kargil later today and participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations on July 26," she said.

Another rider Deepali said the rally was organized as part of the 24th anniversary celebrations of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

"We have started from Delhi and will be covering a distance of 1,000 kilometres up to Kargil. We had halts at Ambala, Jalandhar, Udhampur and now we have reached Srinagar."

"The aim is to send the message that women have arrived. They are everywhere, be it in the Army, Air Force or Navy," she said.
SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 24. Holding a global media forum in Shusha is an important message, TRT World coordinator Bora Bayraktar told reporters on the sidelines of the forum, Trend reports.

"Location is very important in organizing such forums. For me, one of the biggest messages is that the Global Media Forum is taking place in Shusha. The fact that the forum is taking place in Shusha is important because there are also journalists who have never seen this place and may not know that this place has been liberated from occupation. They see everything with their own eyes," he said.

Further, Bayraktar noted that traditional media will not lose their relevance.

"Previously, people read the news in newspapers, then listened to it on the radio or watched it on television, and now they mostly follow online sources. This does not mean that traditional media have failed; they just need to be presented in a different format. But the platform from which the information comes is also important. How accurate information can people get from TikTok, Instagram and similar social networks? I think traditional media will become even more relevant at a time when there is a lot of misinformation," he added.

The forum, organized at 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, was attended by 150 foreign guests from about 50 countries, including state information agencies from 34 countries, 12 international organizations, and media structures.

In addition, 60 local mass media managers and representatives are among the participants.
A man pours cold water onto his head to cool off on a sweltering hot day in the Mediterranean Sea in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, July 16, 2023. In the past 30 days, nearly 5,000 heat and rainfall records have been broken or tied in the United States and more than 10,000 records set globally, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since 2000, the U.S. is setting about twice as many heat records as cold. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)




Climate activist Greta Thunberg is appearing in court on Monday on a charge of disobeying police at a protest in southern Sweden last month.

Local newspaper Sydsvenskan reported that Thunberg and other activists were detained after they stopped traffic in the oil terminal of the port in Malmo on June 19.

Thunberg was charged because she refused to comply with police orders to leave the scene during the protest, according to Swedish Prosecution Authority spokeswoman Annika Collin and a statement from prosecutors.

Prosecutor Charlotte Ottosen told the newspaper that the crime of disobedience is typically punishable with fines.

Thunberg inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change after staging weekly protests outside the Swedish Parliament starting in 2018.

(AP)




Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Moscow early Monday that saw one of the aircraft fall near the Defense Ministrys main headquarters, while the Russian military unleashed new strikes on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties when the drones struck two nonresidential buildings in Moscow. Separately, a Ukrainian drone struck an ammunition depot in Russian-annexed Crimea, forcing a halt in traffic on a major highway, Russian authorities said.

In Moscow, Russian media reported that one of the drones fell on the Komsomolsky highway near the capitals center, shattering shop windows and damaged the roof of a house just about 200 meters (just over 200 yards) away from the towering riverside Defense Ministry building. The ministrys main headquarters has Pantsyr air defense systems placed on the roof.

It wasnt immediately clear whether the drone targeted the Defense Ministrys headquarters, which is located 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) away from the Kremlin, or was heading to some other target in central Moscow.

Another drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors  more visible damage compared to earlier drone strikes on the Russian capital.

Emergency workers were inspecting the damage and traffic was halted on sections of highways where the drones fell.

Ukrainian authorities didnt immediately claim responsibility for the strike, which was the second drone attack on the Russian capital this month.

In the previous attack on July 4, the Russian military said four of the five drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and the fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down. The raid prompted authorities to temporarily restrict flights at Moscows Vnukovo airport and divert flights to two other Moscow airports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted Monday that the intensity of attempts to attack our regions with drones has grown.

So measures are being taken, a very intense daily 24-hour work is underway, Peskov said, without offering any details about whether Russias air defence systems have been enhanced because of the increased attacks.

Russian authorities said that another Ukrainian drone attack early Monday struck an ammunition depot in northern Crimea and forced a halt in traffic on a major highway and a railway crossing the Black Sea peninsula that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Railway traffic was restored several hours later.

The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said that authorities also ordered the evacuation of several villages within a five-kilometer (three-mile) radius of the depot that was hit.

Aksyonov said the military shot down or jammed 11 attacking drones, while the Defense Ministry claimed later that 11 of the 17 attacking drones were jammed and crashed into the Black Sea and another three were shot down.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines digital transformation minister, noted on his messaging app channel that Mondays drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea signaled that Russias electronic warfare means and air defenses are less and less able to protect the skies of the invaders, adding that there will be more of it.

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the drone attack on Moscow was a special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence.

On Saturday, a previous drone attack on Crimea hit another ammunition depot, sending huge plumes of black smoke skyward and also forcing the evacuation of residents,

Russian forces, meanwhile, struck port infrastructure on the Danube River in southern Ukraine with exploding drones early Monday, wounding seven people and destroying a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraines military reported downing three of the attacking drones.

The strike was the latest in a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. The Kremlin has described the strikes as retribution for last weeks Ukrainian strike on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with Crimea.

Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum via video link over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the bridge a legitimate target for Ukraine, noting that Russia has used it to ferry military supplies and it must be neutralized.

Since Moscow canceled a landmark grain deal a week ago amid Kyivs grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories, Russia has launched repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain.

On Sunday, at least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in an attack on Odesa that severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the Transfiguration Cathedral.

UNESCO strongly condemned the attack on the cathedral and other heritage sites and said it will send a mission in coming days to assess damage. Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year, and the agency said the Russian attacks contradict Moscows pledge to take precautions to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine.

The Russian military denied that it targeted the Transfiguration Cathedral, claiming without offering evidence that it was likely struck by a Ukrainian air defense missile. Peskov on Monday echoed that claim, insisting without any evidence that the accusations against Russia are an absolute lie.

Overall, a total of 10 people have been wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine over the past 24 hours, according to Ukrainian officials.

In addition to those injured in the Odesa region, one civilian was wounded during the shelling of 24 towns and villages in the partially occupied Kherson region, while another was wounded in artillery fire close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukraines presidential office said.

A 70-year-old woman was also reportedly wounded after FAB-250 guided aerial bombs were dropped on the village of Kucherivka in Ukraines Kharkiv region.

(AP)




Fox News host Mark Levin launched a scathing attack on Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, after she ruled that the trial for the classified document case against Trump would proceed before the upcoming election.

On Friday morning, Judge Cannon set the trial date for May 20, 2024, rejecting the Trump legal defenses motion to delay the case in Florida until after the election. The former president faces federal criminal charges related to his handling of classified material after leaving office.

The ruling also turned down Special Counsel Jack Smiths teams request to schedule the trial for December 2023. However, it was Judge Cannon who bore the brunt of Levins criticism during his Sunday show, Life, Liberty, and Levin.

Judge Cannon, in Florida, you let the country down. This trial should have been moved to after the election. You just gave your imprimatur and the imprimatur of the federal judiciary to the interference in this election, declared the conservative firebrand.

Levin did not stop there; he further demanded an investigation into extortion that allegedly took place involving DOJ prosecutors:

Furthermore, you havent even looked into a matter which you have the right to look into without any motion from defense counsel. Involving an extortion that took place. What am I talking about? Stanley Woodward, an attorney for Mr. Snyder, who is the codefendant in this documents case, said a prosecutor on Mr. Smiths team. And this is a guy who walked into Judge Cannons court the other day. Hes the head of the counterintelligence section. Hes really the guy, in part the right hand to Smith whos pushing this agenda.

Levin went on to discuss the allegations of extortion involving the prosecutor from Mr. Smiths team, who attempted to secure cooperation from an individual named Klein to become a witness for the state against Donald Trump. The attorney for Mr. Snyder alleged that the prosecutor implied favorable consideration for a judgeship in Washington if they turned against Trump. Mr. Woodward subsequently filed a complaint against the alleged prosecutorial conduct.

The Fox News host expressed his concerns about the lack of interest in investigating these allegations, stating, You have a federal judge in Florida putting everything else aside. Shes going to go forward with the case. Doesnt she want to know what took place here? And were waiting for an Obama judge in Washington, D.C., who are notoriously anti-Trump and pro Biden. To resolve this matter all being done in secret.

(AP)




Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday evening to unleash a scathing attack on Special Counsel Jack Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland, condemning their ongoing prosecution against him as he pursues another bid for the presidency against incumbent President Joe Biden.

Trump currently faces multiple federal charges related to his handling of classified material after leaving the White House, with potential consequences that could result in a lifetime prison sentence. Smith is also expected to indict Trump concerning the January 6th Capitol riot and allegations of attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, the social media platform launched by Trump, the former president branded his legal predicament as a coordinated Hoax, drawing parallels to previous investigations during his tenure regarding alleged ties to Russia. Trump asserted that these endeavors were intended to STEAL ANOTHER ELECTION through PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT at levels never seen before in the U.S., while also criticizing the significant financial resources spent on these investigations.

Just think of it! Between Mueller, Deranged Jack Smith, and Congressional Committees, over 100 Million Dollars has been spent investigating me since I came down the escalator in Trump Tower, he wrote in a follow-up post. Trump further accused President Biden of being a criminal, while insinuating that comparatively little effort had been made to investigate him. He urged Republicans to get smart and claimed that Democrats were trying to steal the Election from the GOP.

In his tirade, Trump went on to accuse Merrick Garland, Jack Smith, and Democrat prosecutors in New York and Atlanta of serving as campaign managers for President Joe Biden, whom he characterized as the most corrupt and incompetent President in United States history. Trump expressed incredulity at the situation, stating, Who would have thought this could happen in our once great Country?

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




A video from three years ago featuring former prime minister Ehud Barak discussing his plans to overthrow Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu through a civil uprising was revealed in recent days.

The video shows Barak being interviewed for Forum 555, a group of retired pilots, during the COVID pandemic. A person accused of crimes cannot serve as prime minister in Israel. In Israel, this is an attempted governmental coup under the auspices of the COVID pandemic, Barak said.

A corrupt leadership is led by an experienced person who is not without talents, but who lost all restraints in his attempt to escape the threat of his court cases, Barak claims, adding that a civil uprising is necessary but it must be presented to the public as an uprising for the sake of democracy rather than an attempt to get rid of Netanyahu.

We need to find a way to talk to the Russians and the Mizrachi people, Barak continued. Democracy is a better dividing line. Support for democracy penetrates deep into the right as well.

When asked if he intends to run against Netanyahu as he did in 1999, Barak, who was ejected from the premiership by the public after a year and a half and is widely seen as one of Israels worst prime ministers, said: I dont suffer from an excess of modesty. If Bibi disappears tomorrow and there is a fear of deterioration in the face of Hezbollah and the continuation of the economic crisis, then objectively I am more suitable than any other person in the country to take the helm.

A historian friend once told me: Ehud, you will be called when bodies will be floating in the Yarkon [river near Tel Aviv], bodies of Jews who were killed by Jews.'

Public Diplomacy Minister Galit Distel-Atbaryan (Likud) wrote: I assume that many of you have already been exposed to this video: Ehud Barak, three years ago, details his master plan in front of a camera.

1. To deliberately spur a civil rebellion.

3. To create a false representation of a danger to democracy because its effective, speaks to everyone, is catchy, and is the only fuel that can ignite a civil war.

3. Invest a lot of money into it.

4. To reach a situation in which there will be floating corpses of Jews slaughtered by other Jews in the river.

5. Kick out Netanyahu and make Ehud Barak prime minister because only he can save the situation.

Remember: When Barak shared this plan, there was no reform, Yariv Levin was not the Justice Minister, Rothman was a fairly anonymous guy, Ben-Gvir didnt sit in the government and the reasonableness bill was not up for a vote in the Knesset, Distel-Atbaryan wrote.

Likud MK Boaz Bismuth responded to the video by stating that Barak is no less dangerous than Hassan Nasrallah.

Look at the situation he has brought us to, he asserted. Did you hear what he said in Forum 555? This was all planned. A person who talks about bodies floating in the river.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




While calling for democracy, hundreds of anarchists tried to destroy the democratic process by blocking the Knesset entrance on Monday morning in a bid to stop the Knessets advancement of the reasonableness bill. A vote to advance the bill began on Monday afternoon.

Police tried to clear the protesters with water cannons but the water streams [no skunk or dyed water that was used against Chareidim] during the current heatwave did nothing to deter them. Additionally, Achim BNeshek army refusers handcuffed themselves to each other and refused police orders to disperse. The police were forced to physically remove the protesters, which they did with admirable restraint. Dozens were arrested and transferred for questioning.

Fortunately, the coalition had anticipated the issues, and the coalition members, including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who was released from the hospital on Monday morning, were able to enter the Knesset via an emergency door from the parking lot of the Finance Ministry, escorted by police officers and security guards.

  :   ", "     pic.twitter.com/b62TIkDS2j  ynet  (@ynetalerts) July 24, 2023

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for Mwap

[Please note that the dates below may not be accurate  they are the authors best estimates of the accuracy of previously researched data].

Many of us had grown up with seforim, stories, and bits and pieces of information of different Gedolim in the Chassidish world. They were taught and told to us by Rebbeim of Chassidish extraction. We then, of course, entered the world of the Vilna Gaon and the Yeshiva movement. We were the spiritual heirs to the great yeshivos of Volozhin, and those established by Volozhin talmidim. Volozhin, of course, was established by Rav Chaim Volozhin, the best-known student of the Gra. Most of the Yeshivos in which our Rebbeim or our Rebbeims Rebbeim had learned were originally staffed by Gedolei Torah who had studied in Volozhin.

And although we chose our Litvish heritage, we still admired and loved our Chassidish legacy taught to us by some family members and our Rebbeim of youth. Yet, we really had no knowledge of the history of who they were. In this short overview, we can gain a basic understanding of that history.

There is something that educators call a schema. A schema is a framework of knowledge in which future pieces of information can be added to it  kind of like a Leggo-board. When you have a Leggo-board, pieces of Leggo can fit into it nicely, and we can build upon it. Leggo structures without a Leggo board are often ephemeral structures. They are weak and hazy.

And so, here goes.

Reb Dov Ber, also known as the Maggid of Mezeritch (1710-1762)?, was one of the primary Talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760). It seems that he first encountered the Baal Shem Tov in 1758 to seek medical help. He decided to travel the 123.4 mile trip south  from Mezeritch to Medzhybizh.

Prior to that he had studied under the famed Acharon, Rav Yehoshua Falk (1680-1756), the author of the Pnei Yehoshua, and was a master Talmudist. He was also captivated by the writings of the Ramchal, which he had studied in manuscript form.

Like many others in his time, Reb Dov Ber was fascinated by the teachings of the Arizal (1534-1572) and Rav Chaim Vital (1542-1620). He had also adopted practices similar to a Nazir. His encounter with the Baal Shem Tov in the Baal Shem Tovs home in Medzhybizh (western Ukraine), profoundly changed him. One account has it that at the first encounter Reb Dov Ber was not impressed and decided to leave and go back home. The Baal Shem Tov then pulled out an Eitz Chaim written by Rav Chaim Vital and had asked Reb Dov Ber to explain it. The Baal Shem Tov then proceeded to explain it far better and with more Neshama to it.

After that, Rav Dov Ber whole-heartedly adopted the ways and methods of the Baal Shem Tov. He left many of his Nazir like practices, but not all. Reb Dov Ber still had medical issues, and was lame in one foot.

The Baal Shem Tovs son, Tzvi, took over the Chassidus of his father, but only for a year. He relinquished the future leadership to Rav Dov Ber. One account has it that Reb Tzvi said, My father came to me last night in a dream and told me, The Shechina is in Mezeritch.

It was not such a given, however, that he would take over. The Baal Shem Tov had another talmid, one who both joined with the Baal Shem Tov much earlier and was also an accomplished Talmudist and Posaik.

Rav Yaakov Yoseph of Pollonye (1710-1784), was one of the first and best known of the disciples of the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov. He wrote the famous work, Toldos Yaakov Yoeph. This sefer is the main source for the teachings we have of the Baal Shem Tov.

Parenthetically, it is in the understanding of this sefer where we find a great difference between Litvisha Gedolim and Chassidish Gedolim. There are descriptions of events in Toldos Yaakov Yoseph that, if taken literally, would seem to make the nissim discussed in TaNaCh, midrashim and Gemorahs pale in comparison to what is found in that sefer.

Litvish Gedolim understood the Sefer as being a metaphor. Chassidish Gedolim have a more literal understanding of it. Enough said, however.

Rav Yaakov Yoseph published his sefer in his lifetime in 1780. It was the first Chassidish Sefer ever published. Rav Yaakov Yoseph published two more Seforim in his lifetime on the parshios in Chumash, and the last Sefer was published some 88 years after he had passed away.

The Maggid of Mezeritch, now the leader of the emerging movement of Chassidus, realized that in order for the moement to flourish, he needed to attract Torah scholars to it as well.

One of his primary Talmidim was Rav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (1730-1788). He was perhaps one of the primary reasons that Chassidus spread throughout Belarus. His base, interestingly enough was in Minsk. This was 316 miles due north of Mezeritch, and was thus much closer to the large Jewish/Polish populations north-west of Belarus.

After the passing of the Maggid of Mezeriitch in 1762, Rav Menachem Mendel, along with a fellow talmid of the Maggid, Rav Avrohomm Kalisker (Kalisker) settled in Horodok 186 miles almost due east of Mezeritch. Fifteen years later, in 1777, the two of them along with 300 Chassidim moved to Eretz Yisroel and settled in Tzfas. Six years later they Syrian Ottomans kicked them out and they moved to Tveria.

TO BE CONTINUED.. BEH

The author can be reached at [email protected]




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Every once in a while a neshama comes down from shamayim that is so filled with talent and gutzkeit that it is difficult to believe that such people exist. But Gitty (Nee Porges) Pultman did exist. And she touched the lives of tens of thousands.

She was a talented artist, writer, brilliant teacher, baalas chessed and baalas hachnassas orchim. She taught in numerous schools  Bais Yaakov DRav Meir was the first. There were many other schools, Bnos Yaakov, Machon, and Bobov, for example.

Her very shidduch was brought about by virtue of her prodigious talents. The shadchanim noticed two highly talented, tall and artistic people who were deeply committed to Torah and avodas Hashem. Reb Shmiel Pultman, owner of Betzalel of Crown Heights (the art gallery) was captivated immediately, but they waited for the sixth date to get engaged. At the shiva, her husband said in tears, She was my soulmate.

Her middos were beyond exceptional. She was enormously talented and yet demonstrated such anivus that one would think that she had no talent whatsoever. When she helped her in-laws in their illness, the doctors told her that she should become a doctor. She could have, but she felt that she could be more effective in teaching klal Yisroel. Another aspect of her personality was that she always attributed the source of everything she did  even if it was just a mere recipe.

She personified the statement of Rav Chaim Volozhin in the hakdama to the Nefesh HaChaim that we are here on this earth in order to help others. It seemed to the casual observer that her personal mission in life was to build the self-esteem of others. Perhaps this is why she chose the career of a teacher.

Mrs. Pultman had a fabulous sense of humor and was mekabel everyone bsaiver panim yafos. It was her cheerful disposition that made her so beloved to others.

Like the Gemorah in Shabbos describing Hillel, no one can recall her ever expressing anger. There were certainly challenges that life presented, but her Emunah Bashem and her highly developed hashkafos never allowed her to become angry.

While she was sick in one of the hospitals, a pediatrics nurse would visit her twice daily. Reb Shmiel asked, Mai hai? You are in the pediatrics dept. How is it that you come and help and assist her? She was my teacher. I was not the best of students. Your wife saw things in me, she understood me and appreciated me and brought out my latent talents. I am what I am today because of your wife.

In the summer, she would bring out the talents of her charges in drama. Her genuine free-flowing compliments created a loving atmosphere. Most people who are familiar with productions know that it is often a veritable pressure cooker. Not so with Mrs. Pultman. One of the most significant thing that the world is missing after her loss is the fact that she did not write a book for teachers.

Gitty Pultman was a brilliant student at Tomer Devorah  her high school, located in Boro Park, where she was valedictorian. For seminary she went to Rebbitzen Davids BJJ in Yerushalayim. She quickly because one of Rebbitzen Davids many favorites.

She further exemplified genuine hakaras hatov. She made sure that each and every person that assisted her in the hospital was thanked  often at the expense of the loss of much strength. This was something that was extremely important to her, because this one part of her mahus  the essence of her personality.

As a teacher she was warm and knowledgeable. She taught earth science, STEM, biology, and advanced physics  not typical subjects for a young Chassidic woman. In all her teachings she employed the opportunity to imbue proper Torah hashkafos in all of these fields. Her teaching of limudei chol was a manifestation of AVodas Hashem. Years later, her students marvelled at the hashkafic strength that she fortified them with.

But more than that she cared deeply about her students and how they would do. Her love for her students was so palpable that they studied hard because they wanted to please her. A relative of Gitty described her perfectly, There are teachers that are kind pf pareve; there are teachers that think that they are building their students but really make withdrawals in their self-esteem accounts. And then there are those who truly build up their students, That was her.

Mrs. Pultman wrote, produced, and was the casting director for the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation films that have touched thousands. Generally people with such enormous talent are not necessarily there when their family needs them. Not so Mrs. Pultman. She managed to be a model parent as well as someone so remarkably productive. Indeed, she worked so closely with her daughter that they formed a production company together. She was so close with her daughter that they would finish each others sentences. She was also a good friend, a best friend to hundreds of her peers.

Mrs. Pultman produced popular films with remarkably wholesome messages. She employed her skills as an eved Hashem to build klal Yisroel. Her films are now shown on El Al. At the shiva, her father said, It should not be limited to El Al, it should be on Delta, United Airlines, Continental, and every other airline that flies to Eretz Yisroel.

Right now there are literally thousands of former students were are in tears at the loss. Her legacy to us is twofold: She built up so many people that they too are now building others as well  because she was exposed to the incredible personality that was Gitty Pultman. The second legacy is the remarkable family that she leaves behind  as well as a new chosson and a new kallah. She was zocheh to be aware of her daughters vort two days before she passed way.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 24. The Central Europe Report project (www.cereport.eu), which unites the leading European news agencies, was presented at the Shusha Global Media Forum, Trend reports.

The project was presented by the director of the founder of the project - Festung News & Media GmbH (Austria) Altay Alasgarov, the Secretary General of the Alliance of European News Agencies (EANA) Alexandru Giboi and Member of Azerbaijani Parliament Sevil Mikayilova.

Speaking at the event, Altay Alasgarov noted that in line with news on EU politics, economics and culture, the CE-Report portal (www.cereport.eu) is also to broadcast some general news from Central and Eastern Europe.

"In addition, the aforesaid information portal will include multimedia content, press releases, and various analytical articles thereof. The creation of the web page was possible because of the availability of unique software for our company, which we used for the CE-Report. The web page will always be updated with newly developed upgrades and features using innovative media technologies. The good news is that we can provide software that can be used for the creation of various web pages for both news media agencies and for many other purposes," he said.

Alasgarov noted that only a small part of the news content is being uploaded and published on the CE-Report portal. The main news article is read and available on the original web page of the news provider, which is directly linked to the CE-Report.

"By this, we mean we generate traffic to the web pages of the participants in the project. We plan and have already implemented promotional activities for CE-Report through social networks. The project itself started approximately a month ago. Participation in the project will bring benefits to all its participants," he added.

The Secretary General of the Alliance of European News Agencies (EANA), Alexandru Giboi, in turn, noted that the concept of the platform is that it is designed to bring together leading information providers from Central Europe.

"I've been helping this project since its beginning, and I'm very happy to say that, in a way, I promoted news agencies as a source of information for this portal. The point is that we are trying to offer trustful content and quality news, and first of all, we are trying to prove that technologies that we innovate can help in the promotion of quality media," said Giboi.

He pointed out that the concept is to bring together leading information sources from Central Europe.

"Our main partners are the news agencies from Romania, Kosovo, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine. Also, we are trying to reach the countries of Central Europe. The goal is to gather all of these news agencies, help them create more reliable content, and promote its importance in these countries. CE-Report would become one of the main sources of trustworthy information about Central Europe. This will take time; it is not a prospect that we can have overnight, but I hope that with the help of providers and news agencies, at one point we will be exclusively recognized across Europe. Of course, the presence of social media is important; I am not saying that it is more important than investment in technology. I think the future of the platform is in innovation. I would like to suggest that we focus on democratizing media environments, not only tasks, but maybe improve some AI-generated or some other capacities so that we can make the content more available for the young generation in the future," he explained.

Giboi went on to add that the majority of news platforms have a traditional news environment at this moment, but the future of media and CE-Report is innovation.

"Thats why we can try to be as knowledgeable as possible. I think soon we will be part of this project; we will begin properly trying out some features and see how they are perceived by the public," he added.

MP Sevil Mikayilova, in turn, said that CE-Report will become a reliable source of news and open a new page in the process of media integration.

"I am really proud to be here for the presentation of the European media project. For two days we had fantastic discussions in Shusha over media, threats, and challenges that we meet in our everyday lives in media, and I think you all here are part of this life and are also concerned about what is going on. Security of information and security of life are of paramount importance. During the two days of the Shusha Global Media Forum, we tried to find solutions, and I think CE-Report is the best solution for the threats that we are facing today and are likely to face tomorrow. In fact, we are now speaking about the integration of information because news is under threat and providers, consumers, and producers are facing everyday challenges that they need to tackle. We are proud that CE-Report would unite the European news agencies, which are private and public but whose only aim is to provide unbiased news. And I believe that CE-Report will be the source of authentic information and will open up a new page of integration in the field of media. I wish all the success to the project," the MP said.




President Joe Biden on Sunday meddled into Israels business again, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to proceed with the planned Israeli Knesset vote on a contentious bill that forms part of the governments proposed judicial overhaul. According to Axios, President Biden conveyed deep apprehensions regarding the legislation, calling for a more inclusive approach to address the concerns.

From Bidens perspective, the current judicial reform proposal appears to be escalating divisions rather than bridging gaps. Biden emphasized that, given the multitude of threats and challenges faced by Israel at present, it is not in the countrys best interest for its leaders to hastily push forward with the controversial bill. Instead, the focus should be on fostering unity and achieving a consensus among various stakeholders.

As the situation stands, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is making a last-ditch effort to broker a compromise between the government and the opposition on the contentious judicial overhaul legislation. The bill has been a source of major contention, leading to mass anti-government protests persisting for months.

The upcoming vote in the Knesset, scheduled for Monday, is expected to address a bill that seeks to curtail the powers of Israels Supreme Court in reviewing government actions. The proposed limitations have sparked significant public outcry and debate, making it a matter of considerable national importance.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The White House has deemed it unfortunate that Israels legislature passed a bill that aims to curb the powers of the countrys top court, stressing that the administration of US President Joe Biden believes major changes should be decided by consensus.

In a brief statement on Monday, just hours after the Israeli Knesset passed the legislation, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said, It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority.

As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible, she said.

And on Sunday, Biden expressed reservations about the bill. From the perspective of Israels friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less, he told the Axios news website in a statement.

Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesnt make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this  the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus, Biden added.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Activist investor TMR Capital is reportedly eyeing a bid for a group of hospitality brands, including Frankie & Benny's, owned by The Restaurant Group.

TMR, which has a 1.75 per cent stake in TRG, has been pushing for a break-up that will allow the chain to accelerate the expansion of its flagship brand Wagamama.

Now it is considering a bid for TRG's 'leisure' division  which includes Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito  as well as its Brunning & Price pub operation, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Together the two divisions operate more than 100 sites in the UK.

A price has not reportedly been discussed but analysts suggested a 'knockout' offer would be around 200m.

Tasty: TMR is considering a bid for TRG's 'leisure' division  which includes Frankie & Benny's (pictured) and Chiquito

A sale would leave TRG with just Wagamama, the Asian-themed chain it bought in 2018, and the pubs it operates in airports and railway stations.

TRG did not comment on the possible bid but said it would continue to review 'wider strategic options'.

The group is in the process of closing 35 sites in its leisure division  which is underperforming compared to other parts of the business.

A trading update last week showed first half sales in that part of TRG fell 4 per cent while Wagamama saw 5 per cent growth.
Vodafone revenues jumped in the last quarter on the back of price hikes, though this came at the cost of losing some cost-conscious customers.

The telecoms giant's total revenues fell by 4.8 per cent to 10.7billion (9.3billion) in the three months to the end of June, though on a comparable basis sales rose 3.7 per cent.

Strong performance in the UK, where it is merging with rival mobile network Three, helped offset declines in Germany, its largest market, as well as in Italy and Spain.

Vodafone said people tied to mobile contracts saw yearly prices go up by between 2 and 3

In Germany, sales slipped by 1.3 per cent, as it lost some 121,000 broadband customers after hiking prices.

However, higher prices introduced in May also helped limit the sales decline compared to the previous quarter, when sales had fallen by 2.8 per cent.

'During Q1, we began the phased implementation of a broadband price increase across our customer base,' Vodafone said.

'This supported service revenues but impacted our commercial performance, as expected, with net cable customer disconnections of 70,000 and 51,000 DSL losses.'

Customers in the UK, however, were not forced to the exit by price increases introduced in April, with like-for-like sales jumping by 5.7 per cent to 1.4billion, (1.2 billion).

The group added 42,000 broadband customers in the quarter, taking the existing total of customers to 1.3million.

However, it lost 66,000 mobile contract customers after the disconnection of zero-value SIMs provided to businesses during the pandemic.

Excluding these, Vodafone said its mobile contract customer base was 'broadly stable, despite implementing annual contractual price increases'.

Vodafone said customers tied to mobile contracts saw yearly prices go up by between 2 and 3 on average, excluding vulnerable customers and those tied to social tariffs.

The group last month unveiled a 15billion mega-merger with Three UK, which will create Britain's biggest mobile phone network.

'This combination will provide customers with greater choice and more value, drive greater competition, and enable increased investment with a clear 11billion plan to create one of Europe's most advanced standalone 5G networks,' the group said.

Alongside the quarterly results, Vodafone also announced the appointment of new chief financial officer Luka Mucic, who is set to take over from September.

He will replace Margherita Della Valle, who became Vodafone's chief executive in April after the departure of Nick Read.

Della Valle, who is leading the business through a three-year cost-cutting plan including the axing of 11,000 jobs across the group, said Vodafone has 'much more still to do'.

'As we progress our plans to transform Vodafone, we have achieved a better service revenue performance across almost all of our markets,' she told shareholders.

'We have delivered particularly strong trading in our Business segment and returned to service revenue growth in Europe.

'Looking ahead, we have taken the first steps of our action plan focused on customers, simplicity and growth, but we have much more still to do.'

Vodafone shares rose 4.6 per cent to 76.9p in morning trading on Monday.

Over the last year, they have dropped by 43 per cent, while over the last five years the price has plunged by 59 per cent.

Matthew Dorset, equity research analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said: 'Vodafone delivered mixed results today, though with revenue ahead of expectations and the company taking advantage of price rises in April they are more on the positive side.'
The co-founder and chief executive of advertising giant M&C Saatchi will step down at the end of September.

Moray MacLennan, 61, who helped set up the company in 1995 and became chief executive in 2010, has overseen its growth from a single London advertising agency to a global network of communications agencies operating in 30 countries.

M&C Saatchi told investors it has begun the search for a new boss and expects to find a replacement within the next 12 months.

CEO change: Moray MacLennan will step down at the end of September

In the meantime, newly appointed chair Zillah Byng-Thorne will act as executive chair from the start of September.

'M&C Saatchi is well set for the future and now is the right time to make way for fresh energy and ideas,' MacLennan said in a statement.

His exit comes at a time when the advertising industry is grappling with falling revenues amid economic uncertainty and rising competition from artificial intelligence.

Last month, M&C Saatchi warned that full-year revenues were due to see a 'small decline' as companies cut back on their advertising spend.

The group has also faced a shareholder revolt, with almost 39 per cent of investors voting against the executive pay report and the re-election of Louise Jackson, the chairman of the remuneration committee and non-executive director.

MacLennan took over as chief executive after the company was faced with accounting probes related to its annual results in 2019, which led to its co-founder Maurice Saatchi quitting the board.

He then led the company through takeover talks with its biggest investor Vin Murria and marketing group Next Fifteen Communications in 2022.

Both deals were eventually rejected by the advertising group.

Byng-Thorne said: 'On behalf of the board I would like to thank Moray for his contribution to M&C Saatchi, from the founding of the company in 1995 through to his current role as chief executive.

'His leadership has seen the company not just stabilise but deliver record profits and establish strong foundations for future growth.'

M&C Saatchi shares rose 0.9 per cent to 149.4p in morning trading on Monday.
Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) is set to post its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 26th. Analysts expect Molina Healthcare to post earnings of $5.07 per share for the quarter. Molina Healthcare has set its FY23 guidance at $20.25 EPS.Individual that wish to listen to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $5.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.13 by $0.68. The firm had revenue of $8.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.31 billion. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 36.20%. The firms revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.90 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Molina Healthcare to post $20 EPS for the current fiscal year and $23 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Molina Healthcare Stock Performance

Shares of Molina Healthcare stock opened at $318.47 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.70. Molina Healthcare has a 52 week low of $256.19 and a 52 week high of $374.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The firms 50 day moving average is $289.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $288.51.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Molina Healthcare

MOH has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $348.00 to $341.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. They issued an overweight rating and a $354.00 price objective on the stock. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on Molina Healthcare from $347.00 to $350.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com downgraded Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on Molina Healthcare from $380.00 to $365.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Molina Healthcare currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $353.85.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MOH. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 18.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,449,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,151,448,000 after purchasing an additional 1,001,372 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $214,801,000. Durable Capital Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $214,363,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 151.6% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 893,693 shares of the companys stock valued at $298,128,000 after acquiring an additional 538,493 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its stake in Molina Healthcare by 25.6% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,457,008 shares of the companys stock worth $819,633,000 after buying an additional 501,107 shares during the last quarter. 95.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Molina Healthcare Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments, Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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Ryder System (NYSE:R  Get Free Report) will release its earnings data before the market opens on Wednesday, July 26th. Analysts expect Ryder System to post earnings of $3.03 per share for the quarter. Ryder System has set its Q2 guidance at $2.80-3.05 EPS and its FY23 guidance at $11.30-12.05 EPS.Persons that wish to listen to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Ryder System (NYSE:R  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The transportation company reported $2.81 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by ($0.15). The business had revenue of $2.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. Ryder System had a return on equity of 26.40% and a net margin of 6.86%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.59 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Ryder System to post $12 EPS for the current fiscal year and $11 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Ryder System Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSE R opened at $91.81 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.52 and a beta of 1.56. The businesss fifty day moving average is $83.26 and its 200-day moving average is $87.25. Ryder System has a one year low of $65.69 and a one year high of $102.36.

Ryder System Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Ryder System

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Monday, August 21st will be issued a $0.71 dividend. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.09%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 18th. This is a boost from Ryder Systems previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. Ryder Systems payout ratio is 17.07%.

In other Ryder System news, Director E Follin Smith sold 1,044 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.47, for a total value of $86,098.68. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 41,184 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,396,444.48. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Ryder System news, Director E Follin Smith sold 1,044 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.47, for a total value of $86,098.68. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 41,184 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,396,444.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Luis P. Nieto, Jr. sold 2,112 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.29, for a total value of $175,908.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,779 shares in the company, valued at $2,313,712.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 4.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ryder System

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in R. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Ryder System by 2,716.7% during the 1st quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 338 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the last quarter. Castleview Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Ryder System during the 1st quarter valued at about $63,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ryder System by 175.2% during the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 732 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 466 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Ryder System during the 2nd quarter valued at about $122,000. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP bought a new position in shares of Ryder System during the 4th quarter valued at $201,000. 85.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on R shares. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Ryder System from $107.00 to $105.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on Ryder System in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Ryder System from $100.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $99.00.

About Ryder System

(Get Free Report)

Ryder System, Inc operates as a logistics and transportation company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), and Dedicated Transportation Solutions (DTS). The FMS segment offers full-service leasing and leasing with flexible maintenance options; commercial vehicle rental services; and contract or transactional maintenance services of trucks, tractors, and trailers; access to diesel fuel; and fuel planning and tax reporting, cards, and monitoring services, and centralized billing, as well as sells used vehicles through its retail sales centers and www.ryder.com/used-trucks website.

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NOV (NYSE:NOV  Get Free Report) is set to issue its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Wednesday, July 26th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.29 per share for the quarter. Investors that wish to register for the companys conference call can do so using this link.

NOV (NYSE:NOV  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.96 billion. NOV had a net margin of 4.33% and a return on equity of 6.51%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 26.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.13) earnings per share. On average, analysts expect NOV to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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NOV Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NOV opened at $18.44 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $7.26 billion, a PE ratio of 21.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.90. The firms fifty day moving average is $16.03 and its 200-day moving average is $18.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 2.35. NOV has a 52 week low of $14.05 and a 52 week high of $24.83.

NOV Dividend Announcement

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NOV

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 16th were issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.08%. NOVs payout ratio is 23.81%.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Veritable L.P. increased its position in shares of NOV by 7.8% in the first quarter. Veritable L.P. now owns 13,007 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $241,000 after buying an additional 946 shares in the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NOV during the 1st quarter valued at about $236,000. Vident Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NOV during the 1st quarter valued at about $216,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of NOV during the 1st quarter valued at about $205,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in NOV by 25.8% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 10,316 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $202,000 after purchasing an additional 2,113 shares during the last quarter. 92.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NOV has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of NOV from $24.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of NOV from $29.00 to $27.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 14th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of NOV from $29.00 to $26.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of NOV from $22.00 to $21.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of NOV from $29.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, NOV presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $24.07.

NOV Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NOV Inc designs, constructs, manufactures, and sells systems, components, and products for oil and gas drilling and production, and industrial and renewable energy sectors worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Wellbore Technologies, Completion & Production Solutions, and Rig Technologies.

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Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. (NYSE:BSBR  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Strong Sell from the three brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $5.00.

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Banco Santander (Brasil) in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company.

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Banco Santander (Brasil) Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BSBR opened at $6.27 on Wednesday. Banco Santander has a twelve month low of $4.76 and a twelve month high of $6.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.21 and a quick ratio of 0.21. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $6.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $5.70.

Banco Santander (Brasil) Increases Dividend

Institutional Trading of Banco Santander (Brasil)

The company also recently announced a  dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 24th will be paid a $0.0841 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 21st. This is a positive change from Banco Santander (Brasil)s previous  dividend of $0.08. This represents a dividend yield of 5.2%.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BSBR. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 20.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 80,117 shares of the banks stock worth $617,000 after acquiring an additional 13,564 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 19.5% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 18,573 shares of the banks stock worth $144,000 after acquiring an additional 3,037 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,170,278 shares of the banks stock worth $16,712,000 after acquiring an additional 198,058 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 32.9% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 27,023 shares of the banks stock worth $208,000 after acquiring an additional 6,692 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 48.3% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 115,309 shares of the banks stock worth $888,000 after acquiring an additional 37,556 shares during the last quarter. 14.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Banco Santander (Brasil) Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through, Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking segments. It offers deposits and other bank funding instruments; debit and credit cards; digital prepaid solutions; payment platform; loyalty programs; employee benefit vouchers; payroll loans; digital lending and online debt renegotiation platform; mortgages; home equity financing products; consumer credit; and local loans, commercial and trade finance, guarantees, structured loans, and cash management and funding solutions, as well as on-lending transfer services.

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Park Place Capital Corp grew its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 2.7% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 4,055 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the quarter. Park Place Capital Corps holdings in Novartis were worth $373,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Novartis by 18.3% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,556,539 shares of the companys stock worth $136,587,000 after purchasing an additional 240,710 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management grew its holdings in Novartis by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 4,869 shares of the companys stock worth $427,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 42.4% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,996 shares of the companys stock worth $965,000 after purchasing an additional 3,272 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 4.5% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 95,477 shares of the companys stock worth $8,379,000 after purchasing an additional 4,122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its holdings in Novartis by 22.8% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,528 shares of the companys stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 655 shares during the period. 8.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Novartis Stock Performance

Shares of Novartis stock opened at $105.01 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $222.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.25, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $74.09 and a 1 year high of $105.61. The firms 50-day moving average is $99.78 and its 200 day moving average is $94.36.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.68 by $0.15. Novartis had a net margin of 14.76% and a return on equity of 25.12%. The firm had revenue of $13.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.32 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.56 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Novartis AG will post 6.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com began coverage on Novartis in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. HSBC assumed coverage on Novartis in a report on Friday, July 14th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Novartis from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, BTIG Research raised their price objective on Novartis from $75.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $82.25.

About Novartis

(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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on allocating funds to expand the country's radio broadcasting network, Trend reports.

According to the decree, 13.7 million manat ($8.06 million) is allocated to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan for the purpose of acquiring and installing equipment for expanding the radio broadcasting network in the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as improving the material and technical base of existing broadcasting stations, creating the necessary infrastructure that supports the provision of sustainable activities, and financing operating costs from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as provided for in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan was instructed to ensure that the funds necessary to finance current expenses for the next three years in connection with the implementation of the measures specified in Part 1 of this decree are provided for in the draft state budget for the relevant years, as well as to resolve issues arising from this decree.

Besides, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan was instructed to provide funding in the specified amount.
Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY  Free Report) by 46.7% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 9,772 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,113 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Teledyne Technologies were worth $4,372,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Main Street Research LLC acquired a new position in shares of Teledyne Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $201,000. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Teledyne Technologies by 31.3% in the first quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 679 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $303,000 after buying an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in Teledyne Technologies by 15.9% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 453 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $203,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Grandfield & Dodd LLC raised its position in Teledyne Technologies by 1.3% in the first quarter. Grandfield & Dodd LLC now owns 24,017 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $10,745,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC raised its position in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 5.1% during the first quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 1,648 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $737,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.31% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Teledyne Technologies

In other news, VP Melanie Susan Cibik sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $413.00, for a total value of $826,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 27,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,276,965. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.14% of the companys stock.

Teledyne Technologies Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of TDY stock opened at $412.45 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $404.88 and a 200 day moving average of $417.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.41 billion, a PE ratio of 26.10, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.94 and a quick ratio of 1.30. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a 1-year low of $325.00 and a 1-year high of $448.71.

Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.43 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.37 billion. Teledyne Technologies had a return on equity of 10.98% and a net margin of 13.67%. Teledyne Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.27 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 19.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on TDY. Bank of America raised their price objective on Teledyne Technologies from $533.00 to $565.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. StockNews.com upgraded Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price objective on Teledyne Technologies from $498.00 to $470.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reduced their price objective on Teledyne Technologies from $503.00 to $499.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Teledyne Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $505.50.

Teledyne Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks.

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Strategy Asset Managers LLC reduced its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  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 fund owned 5,837 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 679 shares during the quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $591,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 14,110 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,429,000 after acquiring an additional 545 shares during the period. Oak Family Advisors LLC increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 15.4% during the 4th quarter. Oak Family Advisors LLC now owns 12,735 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,398,000 after buying an additional 1,703 shares during the period. Calton & Associates Inc. raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Calton & Associates Inc. now owns 2,859 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $314,000 after buying an additional 561 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 136,388 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,974,000 after acquiring an additional 22,858 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,107,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.08% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 2.2 %

Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $114.29 on Monday. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $93.25 and a 12 month 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 stock has a market cap of $198.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.01, a P/E/G ratio of 5.11 and a beta of 0.68. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $106.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $106.26.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $9.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.71 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.60% and a net margin of 12.83%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.43 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.78%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ABT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Bank of America decreased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. SVB Leerink upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, March 31st. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Raymond James increased their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Six investment 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 has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.82.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 12.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,137 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 1,091 shares during the quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $1,162,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vaughan David Investments LLC IL grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 2.2% in the first quarter. Vaughan David Investments LLC IL now owns 273,742 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $31,379,000 after purchasing an additional 5,960 shares during the last quarter. Inscription Capital LLC grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 21.1% in the first quarter. Inscription Capital LLC now owns 9,875 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,132,000 after purchasing an additional 1,720 shares during the last quarter. 1900 Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 88.6% in the first quarter. 1900 Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,082 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $378,000 after purchasing an additional 1,448 shares during the last quarter. Rossmore Private Capital grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 10.1% in the first quarter. Rossmore Private Capital now owns 8,169 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $936,000 after purchasing an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 45.1% in the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,464,700 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $282,529,000 after purchasing an additional 766,160 shares during the last quarter. 89.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at EOG Resources

In other news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the businesss 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the companys 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

EOG Resources Trading Up 0.9 %

Several equities analysts have issued reports on EOG shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $142.00 to $141.00 in a report on Monday, May 22nd. Scotiabank raised shares of EOG Resources from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $150.00 to $145.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $115.00 to $113.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $145.64.

Shares of EOG Resources stock opened at $124.61 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $113.78 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $117.76. The company has a market cap of $72.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 1.53. EOG Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $97.39 and a fifty-two week high of $150.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 2.17.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $6.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.28 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.83% and a return on equity of 30.34%. The companys revenue was up 51.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.00 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 10.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.65%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 20.64%.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

Further Reading

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Riverstone Advisors LLC decreased its position in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 6.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,631 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 1,166 shares during the period. EOG Resources accounts for 1.1% of Riverstone Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. Riverstone Advisors LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $1,792,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in EOG. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 16.0% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 16,031 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,911,000 after acquiring an additional 2,213 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. bought a new position in EOG Resources during the first quarter worth about $404,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in EOG Resources during the first quarter worth about $278,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 237.7% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,155 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $138,000 after buying an additional 813 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 23.7% during the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 662 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.58% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on EOG shares. Raymond James raised their target price on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $145.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. StockNews.com started coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $152.00 price target on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $145.64.

Insider Transactions at EOG Resources

EOG Resources Stock Up 0.9 %

In other news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,409,796.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

NYSE:EOG opened at $124.61 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 1.53. EOG Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $97.39 and a twelve month high of $150.88. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $113.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $117.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 2.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.27. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 30.34% and a net margin of 33.83%. The firm had revenue of $6.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $4.00 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 10.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.65%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 20.64%.

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.

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Berkeley Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 9.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 21,535 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,941 shares during the quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $961,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,630,570 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,243,000 after buying an additional 116,654 shares in the last quarter. Balentine LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 80.2% during the 4th quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 43,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,982,000 after buying an additional 19,305 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 440.5% during the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,789 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,000 after buying an additional 3,903 shares in the last quarter. Cascade Investment Group Inc. bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,156,000. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $502,000. Institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $45.60 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $44.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.63. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $40.35 and a 52-week high of $51.57. The company has a market cap of $81.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.66, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.59.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.01). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.12 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a $0.94 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.25%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 120.90%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Altria Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.00.

Altria Group Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the deprivation of Movlam Shikhaliyev, Sahib Alakbarov and Yasin Mammadov of the highest military ranks and state awards, Trend reports.

According to the decree, Shikhaliyev was deprived of the highest military rank "Major General", the 3rd degree order "For Service to the Motherland", the medals "For the Motherland" and "For Military Merit", while Alakbarov and Mammadov were deprived of the medals "For the Motherland".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. One of the targets for our development was to transform Azerbaijan into one of the regional centers for connectivity. Because if you look at the map, you'll see the advantages of Azerbaijani geography, which is situated just on routes from North to South and East to West and backwards, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he was interviewed by the China Media Group media corporation.

Fifteen years ago, we started to invest largely in Azerbaijan`s transportation infrastructure. So, we wanted really to become an important transitor, but geography is not enough for that. Even infrastructure is not enough. You need something more, which is good relations with your neighbors. Because you cannot become a transit country, if you do not cooperate with your neighbors. And that was also part of our foreign policy priorities to build strong relations with the neighboring countries based on shared interest, the head of state noted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. For me the most important is not what Western media write about Azerbaijan, but what people of Azerbaijan think about the policy of our government, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he was interviewed by the China Media Group media corporation.

As you can see and talk to the people, you will see what they think about our government - whether they are doing the right thing or not. The consolidation of our society and strong support from public is not only, of course, mainly generated by our policy, and also liberation of the former occupied territories, the head of state noted.

If somebody in the West think that by insulting the government officials, by spreading slander and rumors, they can influence public opinion of Azerbaijan, maybe they're right, but their influence is not in the directions they would like to see, the President added.
The UK and EU deal to reduce red tape on post-Brexit trade has improved the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol but problems remain, peers have concluded.

The House of Lords committee on the protocol has published a report on the economic, political, legal and constitutional impact of the Windsor Framework deal struck by London and Brussels earlier this year.

The framework sought to cut the bureaucracy on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland created by the protocol.

It sought to achieve this by the creation of red and green lanes that differentiated between goods whose end destination was Northern Ireland and those due for onward transport into the EU single market over the Irish border.

It also created a mechanism whereby a minority of Stormont MLAs could flag concerns about the implementation of new EU laws in Northern Ireland  a move that could lead to the UK government vetoing their introduction.

The DUP has been blocking devolution at Stormont for over a year in protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by the protocol.

The party says the Windsor Framework does not go far enough to address its concerns and has made clear it will not countenance a return to devolution until the Government provides further assurances, by way of legislation, over Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

The Lords report was informed by evidence from the UK government, EU Commission, business representatives, trade bodies, academic, legal and trade experts as well as community organisation representatives.

It found the frameworks benefits included the eased movement of retail goods; agri-food produce, including chilled meats; parcels; pets; and human medicines via the green lane.

However, peers cautioned that for some businesses the processes under the framework will be more burdensome than under the protocol as it is currently being implemented.

That is because the protocol, as it stands, is being operated with several grace periods and exemptions.

The committee called on the Government to answer outstanding concerns highlighted by business and retailers, including around the movement of livestock from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and back.

Peers also urged ministers to provide urgently further clarity on the frameworks labelling requirements on businesses and to set out how it will support businesses in adapting to these changes.

Peers said there was significant concern over a lack of clarity about the frameworks operation ahead of tight deadlines for implementation.

Pointing to multiple documents and legal texts that form part of the framework, the committee members said there was confusion arising from the difference in emphasis between the UK and EU in their descriptions of some of the provisions.

They urged London and Brussels to explain clearly to stakeholders what the provisions mean in practice and to publish a comprehensive summary.

The committee said the issue of regulatory divergence remains the number one concern of business representatives.

Peers said there was an underlying fear that Northern Ireland will find itself in a no-mans land between Great Britain and the EU, a scenario that would place the competitiveness of Northern Ireland firms and their complex supply chains in jeopardy.

The peers expressed concern that a permanent solution to the movement of veterinary medicines from Great Britain to NI had not been achieved. Those medicines continue to flow into Northern Ireland from Great Britain due to a grace period that is set to run out at the end of 2025.

The committee noted the warnings it had received from industry representatives that, without a permanent solution, the supply of more than 50 per cent of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland may be discontinued, posing a risk both to animal and human health, and to agri-food supply chains.

On human medicines, which are included in the framework, the committee urged the Government to respond to the calls from industry representatives for clarity over labelling requirements, safety features, the supply of medical devices and concerns that Northern Ireland may get slower access to cutting-edge products than Ireland.

Lord Jay of Ewelme, who chairs the committee, said the framework was a distinct improvement on the original protocol.

But it does not solve all the problems which the Protocol raises, he added.

The benefits to business include easier movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland through the green lane.

For some businesses, however, processes will be more burdensome under the Windsor Framework than under the Protocol as it operates now.

And where there is uncertainty, the red lane, with its more complex procedures, may have to be used.

Though the Windsor Framework is a clear improvement over the original protocol, it is highly complex.

Businesses need clarity. The Government and the European Union both need urgently to explain what the Windsor Framework means in practice for businesses.

The Government and the European Union need to remain closely in touch with each other.

But they must also ensure that Northern Ireland stakeholders are closely engaged throughout.

Trade representative body Retail NI welcomed the report.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts, who gave evidence to the committee in May, said: This report sets out a fair estimation of the challenges which will be faced by the local business community with the implementation of the Windsor accord.

We agree with its main recommendation that it is an improvement on the NI Protocol.

It also rightly highlights issues around labelling requirements that impact on our members. Retail NI is disappointed at the lack of effective engagement on the labelling issue with only a few months to go before the new system is introduced.

We need to ensure this new scheme works for independent retailers and large supermarkets alike.

On the implementation of the Windsor accord, we need to see a more structured engagement with our local business sector, the EU and UK Government to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.
July 24, 2023





From the establishment of its regulatory framework to its present-day procedures, Singapore's drug registration process has shown an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and efficacy. By examining the evolution and current state of this process, one can gain insights into the pharmaceutical landscape of Singapore and its implications for various stakeholders.







Understanding the Drug Registration Process in Singapore

Singapore has established a robust, detailed process for pharmaceuticals registration. To provide insight and clarity, we will dissect the stages of this complex system, emphasizing how each contributes to maintaining Singapore's high standards of pharmaceutical quality, safety, and efficacy.

The Pre-Registration Stage - The drug registration process in Singapore begins with a pre-registration stage that sets the foundation for the entire process. During this stage, companies diligently prepare and review all the necessary documents related to the phramaceutical. They also have the option to engage in pre-submission consultations with the Singapore HSA, which provides an opportunity to address any uncertainties or concerns before proceeding further.

The Registration Stage - Following the pre-registration stage, the critical registration stage takes place. This stage involves the submission of the drug dossier, a comprehensive compilation of data and information about the medicinal, for thorough review. Singapore's HSA conducts an in-depth scientific evaluation to assess the pharmaceutical's safety, quality, and efficacy. This evaluation ensures that the medicine meets Singapores stringent standards and regulations.

The Post-Registration Stage - Once the medicinal successfully completes the registration stage, it enters the post-registration phase. This phase emphasizes robust surveillance and monitoring to ensure ongoing safety and efficacy of the pharmaceuticals in the Singapore market. It is crucial to continuously monitor the medicine's performance and address any emerging safety concerns promptly.

Adapting Over Time - One of the notable aspects of the Singapore drug registration process is its adaptability and evolution over time. The process continually responds to advancements in scientific knowledge, global health crises, and regulatory shifts. It embodies the dynamic nature of the pharmaceutical industry, allowing for the incorporation of new information, technologies, and best practices to maintain the highest standards of pharmaceutical safety and efficacy in Singapore. This adaptability ensures that the registration process in Singapore remains up-to-date and responsive to the ever-changing landscape of the pharmaceutical field.

Navigating International Drug Registration in Singapore

All pharmaceuticals require a product license prior to being imported or sold in Singapore. Singapore's commitment to pharmaceuticals safety and efficacy extends to foreign pharmaceutical companies looking to register their pharmaceuticals in the nation. Understanding the key regulations, documentation, timeline, and fees is crucial to successfully navigate the Singapore drug registration process.

Regulations and Requirements - As with local registration, international drug companies must adhere to Singapore's stringent registration standards. The regulations place a significant emphasis on comprehensive documentation and evidence supporting the medicine's safety, quality, and efficacy. When applying for a Singapore pharmaceuticals license, dossiers must comply with the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Common Technical Document (CTD) format or the ASEAN Common Technical Document (ACTD) format.

Documentation - Essential documentation includes comprehensive details of the drug's ingredients, manufacturing processes, and quality control methods. Additionally, clinical trial data supporting the pharmaceutical's efficacy and safety must be included. For new pharmaceutical product licenses, Singapore requires either a new pharmaceuticals application (NDA) or a generic drug application (GDA). For products previously approved by certain regulatory agencies (e.g., Australias TGA, US FDA, etc.), submitting an abridged dossier is a possible option. Pharmaceutical applicants submit an online application and CTD dossier through Singapores online Drug and Information System called PRISM.

Timeline (News - Alert) and Fees - The timeline for international drug registration in Singapore depends on the type and the quality of the submitted dossier. Generally, the process can take up to 270 working days for new chemical entities. The fees associated with registration are also varied, depending on the type and classification of the medicine.

Impact and Opportunities for International Drug Companies

The recent developments in Singapore's registration process present unique challenges and opportunities for international pharmaceutical companies. The modifications might pose an initial hurdle as foreign companies adapt to recent changes. However, the streamlined process can potentially lead to quicker market access, creating opportunities for growth and expansion within the Singaporean pharmaceutical market.

Envisioning the Future of Drug Registration in Singapore

By analyzing current trends and Singapores HSA regulatory initiatives, it's possible to predict the future requirements of pharmaceutical registration in Singapore. The ongoing emphasis on evidence-based, data-driven procedures and the adoption of technological advancements suggest a future Singapore drug registration process that is more efficient and transparent.

Singapore's steadfast commitment to quality, safety, and efficacy, mirrored in its pharmaceuticals registration process, has positioned it as a leading player in the global pharmaceutical landscape. The adaptability of the Singaporean drug registration process in response to evolving scientific knowledge and global health crises testifies to its progressive approach.

With the implementation of recent changes, the Singapore drug approval process not only ensures the high standards of pharmaceuticals in the market but also provides a framework that facilitates the introduction of new, potentially life-saving treatments for Singaporean patients. For international drug companies seeking entry into the Singaporean market, this process is paramount in maintaining the nation's high healthcare standards and improving patient outcomes.
[July 24, 2023] Fisher Phillips Opens First International Offices in Mexico Tweet

Fisher Phillips, one of the country's preeminent labor and employment law firms representing employers, announces the launch of its first international offices in Mexico - a response to the country's growing influence in the global economy and a reflection of the firm's commitment to expanding its footprint to better serve its clients with interests in the region. The firm will open three Mexican offices - an anchor location in Mexico City and satellite offices in Guadalajara and the state of Queretaro - both emerging manufacturing hubs in the region. In total, 30 attorneys have joined Fisher Phillips in Mexico, strategically positioning the firm to meet the surging demand for labor and employment counsel across the country. "The evolving landscape of Mexico's labor and employment laws, modernization of trade agreements, and the growing trend of companies near-shoring production closer to North American markets have fueled an increased demand for cross-border legal services," said John Polson, Chairman and Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips. "Our launch in Mexico puts the firm in a better position to meet that demand and provide on-the-ground counsel to the multitude of international companies in the region." Fisher Phillips' Mexico offices will be led y German de la Garza De Vecchi, a Chambers-ranked practitioner widely regarded for advising large international companies on traditional labor law issues. He has spent many years in the region cultivating credibility with union leaders and has carved out a reputation as a go-to lawyer for achieving clients' goals in contract negotiations. German has played a vital role in the region's economic growth and served as an advisor to regulators on recent reforms to labor laws in Mexico.



German most recently led the Mexican legal practice of one the largest accounting and professional services firms in the world, and he will be joined at Fisher Phillips by several of his esteemed colleagues from that role: Octavio Novaro Holguin, Victor Manuel Avila, Andrea Brizio Rivas, Hector Cuevas, Victor Manuel Lopez, Ilyana Barrera and Christian Morales. Together these highly regarded lawyers offer a diverse blend of experience and focus and are adept at serving large international clients with everything from general employment law disputes to their most complex labor negotiations. "Our team is excited to join Fisher Phillips as it expands beyond the continental United States to becoming an international law firm with a powerful presence at strategic locations in Mexico," said German. "We are in the midst of dramatic changes in labor and employment law in Mexico, and joining forces with a firm like Fisher Phillips will help us meet the increased demand for trusted labor and employment counsel to help international companies navigate the new landscape."

About Fisher Phillips With more than 550 attorneys across the United States, nearly 30 lawyers in Mexico, and a vast network of attorneys in jurisdictions across the globe, Fisher Phillips advises and advocates for employers on a truly international scale. Through our technology-driven approach and commitment to diversity and inclusion, we partner with companies to achieve their business objectives, anticipate potential disruption, and provide the legal guidance to navigate and resolve the workplace matters critical to their success. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724195322/en/

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[July 24, 2023] GoNetspeed Announces Plans to Bring East Hartford 100% Fiber Internet Tweet

GoNetspeed today announced that the Town of East Hartford will soon have access to GoNetspeed's 100% fiber internet, joining West Hartford in having access to high-speed internet. Through GoNetspeed's privately funded $2.7 million investment in East Hartford, more than 6,700 locations will have access to future-proof fiber internet as early as winter of 2023 with construction expected to begin this fall. Residents and businesses interested in GoNetspeed services may visit gonetspeed.com to indicate interest and receive construction updates. "East Hartford is pleased to see GoNetspeed investing in our community, providing us with another provider option that aligns with our future trajectory. High-speed internet is vital to the success of communities and our small businesses, so I am confident with their presence, many of our local businesses will flourish, further bolstering our economy," said East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh. "We are thankful for their investment in our community and look forward to experiencing the impact of their service." "In recent months, we have been hard at work to welcome more communities to our 100% fiber network, and we are thrilled to soon welcom East Hartford to our family," said Tom Perrone, GoNetspeed Chief Operating Officer. "Our 100% fiber internet will provide homes and business with symmetrical speeds, allowing customers to upload just as fast as they can download. With service that our users can rely on, customers are able to be online without interruption, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience when working, gaming, streaming, or learning online."



GoNetspeed continues to ensure that more communities throughout Connecticut have access to a high-speed 100% fiber internet infrastructure. Currently, more than 30 communities throughout the state have access to GoNetspeed's service, along with many communities that are well on their way to having access to GoNetspeed's fiber internet. With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to customer service, GoNetspeed is continuing to accelerate the expansion of its fiber networks throughout nine states, including Connecticut. GoNetspeed continues to deliver more fiber, more access, more speed, and better reliability to residents and businesses throughout our footprint. With access to 100% fiber internet, customers have access to symmetrical upload and download speeds, ranging from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). Learn more about GoNetspeed at gonetspeed.com.

About GoNetspeed: GoNetspeed, a high-speed fiber internet provider serving residential and business customers in Maine, Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia, formed a partnership with Oak Hill Capital ("Oak Hill") in January 2021, allowing GoNetspeed to accelerate the expansion of its fiber network throughout the Northeastern U.S. Adding thousands of new service areas every year, GoNetspeed is one of the largest independent internet providers in the east. For more information about GoNetspeed, or to inquire about service in your residence, business or community, visit gonetspeed.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724253684/en/

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[July 23, 2023] Katonic AI to help Japanese businesses securely embrace the power of Generative AI Tweet

Katonic AI will help solve the problem of data security & accuracy of results by fine-tuning and installing Generative AI models on the organisations' infrastructure. TOKYO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Katonic.ai, an Australian AI company, marked its entry into the Japanese market with the launch of its no-code Generative AI Platform in Japanese. The Katonic Generative AI Platform enables large and small businesses to rapidly harness the transformative power of Generative AI without the traditional risks of data security or data hallucinations. Japanese companies can now easily build powerful AI applications in minutes using the intuitive yet powerful no-code Katonic Generative AI Platform. Earlier, building such powerful applications used to take months. Some of the most popular applications businesses use are AI-powered Assistants and chatbots. These are trained on their data to extract, summarise, and classify information, code generators, advanced data analysers and moderation engines. "We understand that Japanese businesses need a reliable and secure platform to leverage the power of Generative AI. An AI-native organisation like Katonic, with roots in the region, can best understand the needs of businesses here," said Prem Naraindas, CEO  Founder of Katonic.ai. "Japan is our highest priority market, and we will put our best people and technology here. Over the last 3 years, we have served multiple organisations across APAC, and that experience will allow us to help Japanese organisations leverage Artificial Intelligence for their growth and success with speed and efficiency."



Generative AI can be used by companies to rapidly create text, images, code, 3D models, videos, and much more in a fraction of time. This is possible thanks to the Foundational Models' ability to understand simple prompts written in natural language by users and context. It is estimated that an average of 65% of all tasks done in organisations across different industries can be automated or augmented using Generative AI, leading to increased efficiency, accuracy, and reduced costs. The Generative AI market is estimated to grow to over $15 trillion over the next 10 years. However, companies in the US are expected to drive and gain the most from this. Japan and Australia have trailed the US, Europe, and China in terms of the number of home-grown AI startups.

About Katonic.ai Katonic.ai, a startup born in Sydney, Australia, in 2020, after rapidly growing its customer base in APAC, is extending its expertise to Japanese customers with an end-to-end Generative AI solution for their business. Its no-code Generative AI Platform built on top of its highly awarded Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) platform, will allow businesses to manage the entire process of data preparation, model training, model deployment, model monitoring, and automation end-to-end with high accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. The platform runs in a Kubernetes cluster and can be deployed anywhere, such as multi-cloud, on-premises, or the edge. Katonic.ai has offices in India, Australia, and Singapore and is backed by Australia's largest investment fund, Artesian Investments and Boab AI. Katonic.ai has the unique distinction of being the only AI company from APAC to be featured in the prestigious Everest Group's MLOps Products PEAK Matrix 2022 and to win the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award in the APAC MLOps industry. www.linkedin.com/company/katonic Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2157574/Katonic_Generative_AI_Platform.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/katonic-ai-to-help-japanese-businesses-securely-embrace-the-power-of-generative-ai-301882815.html

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[July 24, 2023] Nippon Express (Taiwan) Presents Scholarships to Students at China University of Technology Tweet

TOKYO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Express (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "NX Taiwan"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., held a scholarship award ceremony at the China University of Technology (CUTe) on Friday, June 16. Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202307147144-O1-Bb4DB85U Photo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202307147144/_prw_PI2fl_8Xfa2n07.jpg Founded in 1965 as a five-year technical college, CUTe is a private university with campuses in Taipei and Hsinchu. It currently has 15 departments i three colleges -- the College of Planning and Design, the College of Management, and the College of Computer Science -- and the many partnerships it has formed with companies make numerous internship opportunities available to its students.



With the aim of strengthening ties between industry and academia in Taiwan, NX Taiwan has been working with CUTe since 2018 to administer a scholarship program that promotes human capital development in the logistics industry. For this year's program, students who experienced internships at companies prepared reports that included case analyses of logistics sites and suggestions for improvements based on their experiences. Eleven students selected from among the applicants for particularly outstanding reports were presented with scholarships at the award ceremony. The Nippon Express Group will continue actively engaging in social contribution activities in the East Asia region to help develop human resources who can play an active role in the logistics industry.

Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/nippon-express-taiwan-presents-scholarships-to-students-at-china-university-of-technology-301883652.html SOURCE NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

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[July 24, 2023] Nortal Appoints Thomas Hedley as first UK lead to drive business development and strategic partnerships in the country Tweet

Nortal focuses on expansion by appointing its first UK Managing Director LONDON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nortal, the multinational strategic change and technology company made famous by its digital transformation of the Estonian government ('e-Estonia'), is excited to bring its public and private sector offering to customers in the UK for the first time. In recognition of the UK's long-established reputation as a thriving hub for business, Nortal has appointed Thomas Hedley as Managing Director to expand the company's global capabilities in the UK. With a strong track record of commercial delivery and strategic leadership, Hedley brings deep industry expertise to strengthen Nortal's presence and drive growth in the UK. Hedley will lean on his expertise in strategic leadership and innovation to introduce the global digital transformation company repertoire to the market. With his experience in leading new arms of businesses, Hedley will oversee the establishment and growth of the UK arm, which is already home to Nortal's cyber consulting team, supporting Nortal's customers globally. "My focus is on bringing the best of what Nortal has built over the last 20+ years, to the UK - from its cutting-edge product and engineering capabilities delivering solutions for big tech in the US, to its mature strategy consulting that has successfully transformed global blue-chip businesses and even entire nations. Notably, the Nortal team played a pivotal role in the remarkable Estonian digital government story and has made significant contributions to digital health programs worldwide," said Thomas Hedley, Managing Director for UK at Nortal. "I am excited to bring Nortal's seamless combination of strategic consulting, product, engineering, and cyber resilience to the UK to create value for customers, from government to retailers, financial services providers, manufacturers, life sciences companies and healthcare providers," he added. After another record year of growth for Nortal in 2022, Hedley joins at a key point in the company's international expansion. With a renewed focus around expansion into new markets, the appointment signifies Nortal's ambition to strengthen its team of experts and continue on its planned growth trajectory across Europe, North America and the GCC.



"Thomas is a strong leader with a breadth of experience in the technology services space and an impressive record of driving year-on-year growth. His leadership qualities and expertise in new business development will lay the groundwork for growth in the UK market," said Priit Alamae, CEO of Nortal. "Over the past five years, we have achieved remarkable double-digit organic growth and showed strong financial results across all home markets. Irrespective of the economic conditions, our core value proposition remains strong. Our focus now is to enhance our global presence and effectively communicate our stories to engage in more meaningful conversations with future customers." The announcement comes as Nortal continues to expand and mark its presence in Europe more widely. It recently participated at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on 21-22 June to join the discussions around Ukraine's recovery and how to support its accession to the EU. At the conference, Estonian President Alar Karis highlighted Nortal's dedication to Ukraine. Last year, shortly after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, Nortal made the rather unprecedented move of acquiring Pwrteams , a world-leader in building cross-border IT and engineering organisations, to bolster its on-the-ground capabilities across the region and beyond.

About Nortal

Over the past two decades, Nortal has been the driving force behind 100+ digital transformation projects for governments, healthcare institutions, and leading global enterprises around the world. Having offices in North America, Europe, and the GCC region, we are close to our customers while backed by a vast global talent pool of more than 1800 people. Our Seamless teams bring together world-class strategic consulting, software engineering, product and customer experience, project management, and design practices to create meaningful impact for our customers and to deliver the future, seamlessly. www.nortal.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nortal-appoints-thomas-hedley-as-first-uk-lead-to-drive-business-development-and-strategic-partnerships-in-the-country-301882059.html

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President Ilham Aliyev spoke to the China Media Group media corporation about misrepresentation of Azerbaijan in the Western media.

The head of state added: With respect to Azerbaijan, there are a variety of factors. One of them is - which is not the main one - is that Armenian lobby, which has a big infrastructure in the United States, in France, in some other Western countries, is attacking Azerbaijan on a regular basis. They corrupt politicians, they penetrate into establishment, in parliaments, in media, in governmental offices. They target all their arrows at Azerbaijan and they are creating a kind of atmosphere of Azerbaijanophobia. But this is not the only reason. The main reason, I think, is that Azerbaijan pursues an independent policy based on its national interests. Azerbaijan, unlike some countries, does not engage in any adventure, which is not in line with our priorities and our national interests. In other words, we behave independently and our policy is independent.
[July 24, 2023]

Goldenbridge Advisory: Publication of Response to Nanoco Circular and Notice of Webcast

LONDON, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tariq Hamoodi, one of the largest shareholders of Nanoco Group plc ("Nanoco"), announces the publication of a response to Nanoco's Circular regarding the Requisitioned General Meeting ("RGM") of Nanoco, which will be held on 14 August 2023.

The response offers clarifications on a number of inaccurate statements published by Nanoco, and calls on shareholders to support the requisitioning shareholders in their proposals to appoint highly qualified and industry-leading independent directors to the board of Nanoco.

The full response is available to read at: www.transformingnanoco.com.

The requisitioning shareholders and nominee directors will host a webcast on Tuesday, 25 July 2023 to introduce themselves to Nanoco shareholders and answer questions.

The RGM offers shareholders the opportunity to transform Nanoco at this critically important time for the company. Votes in support of the resolutions will result in significantly improved transparency and corporate governance, and enable Nanoco to deliver on its commercialisation efforts with the oversight of a highly experienced, inependent board, for the benefit of all shareholders.







Details for the webcast are as follows:

Transforming Nanoco - Meet Our Directors, Tuesday 25 July, 2:00  3:00pm UK

Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/dgn-krhz-frt

Or dial: (GB) +44 20 3873 3170 PIN: 983 366 630 5707#

For more phone numbers: https://tel.meet/dgn-krhz-frt?pin=9833666305707.

About Tariq Hamoodi

Tariq Hamoodi is a London-based private investor and corporate finance advisor and previously an investment professional with Bybrook Capital LLP and Morgan Stanley. He is focused on special situations and litigation related opportunities in public and private markets.

Contact:

Media

Jennifer Renwick

Camarco

+44 (0)203 757 4994

[email protected]

Elfie Kent

+44 (0)7810 405240

[email protected].uk

Shareholders

Jonathan Harker/Alison Owers

Morrow Sodali

+44 (0)203 148 9770

[email protected].com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/goldenbridge-advisory-publication-of-response-to-nanoco-circular-and-notice-of-webcast-301883821.html
[July 24, 2023] UAE Regulation Lab Signs MoU with Futurise to Pave the Way for Regulatory Innovation Tweet

CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The UAE Regulation Lab (RegLab), which is under the General Secretariat of the UAE Cabinet, has joined forces with the Futurise Sdn Bhd (Futurise), a Malaysian company under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, to create an agile and conducive legislative environment that pioneers regulation innovation. In a bid to form a pact to pave a strong foundation for the fast-tracking of new emerging solutions through regulatory sandboxes and other catalytic initiatives in Malaysia and the UAE, the new partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the leveraging of each other's technical knowledge and experience at various levels. The MoU signing ceremony which was held in the UAE, saw the signing of the partnership agreement between H.E. Maryam Alhammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet and Mr. Rosihan Zain Baharudin, Chief Executive Officer of Futurise. Her Excellency Maryam Alhammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet said, "This Memorandum of Understanding will enable us to band together to discuss challenges, innovative approaches and ideas that will amplify our regulatory efforts and achieve global standards and benchmarks in creating a thriving regulatory innovation ecosystem which will truly transform the sector." Aside from active discussios around strategies to foster a conducive environment and enable functional and unhindered cultivation of new technologies for entrepreneurs and businesses in the two countries, the agreement also enables the coordination between both parties to explore cross-border collaboration and research and development (R&D) initiatives.



Rosihan Zain Baharudin, Chief Executive Officer of Futurise said that the partnership marks a pivotal step forward in positively impacting both nation's innovation landscape. For Malaysia, this opens up moregov space for the future economy to grow under the framework of the New Investment Policy and the country's digital economy aspirations. "We are thrilled and honoured to be working hand-in-hand with UAE Regulations Lab to put in place all the building blocks essential to galvanise Malaysia's technological ecosystem. This will help us in refining a lot of our initiatives at Futurise and steer us in the right direction by looking at best practices in other nations. Our combined knowledge bank with UAE Regulations Lab will symbiotically build a strong foundational layer for both nations to tap into and open up endless possibilities for more dynamic innovative solutions to come to fruition."

The partnership will also activate co-research activities on vital areas of common interest such as the design, development and management of regulatory sandbox programmes and open innovation platforms for numerous industries. This will drive the experimentation of regulatory solutions that can be replicated, localised and scaled for use depending on the needs of the ecosystem. The MoU signing ceremony was followed up with two RegTalk sessions participated by industry experts on various mobility topics organised by UAE Regulations Lab and Futurise. Stretched over three days, the visit to the UAE by the Malaysian delegates also featured meetings and networking sessions with ecosystem bodies within the UAE to provide access and exchange necessary to promote discussions and collaborations that will revolutionise the future of mobility. About Futurise Futurise is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cyberview Sdn Bhd under the Ministry of Finance. Futurise is mandated by the Government of Malaysia to manage the National Regulatory Sandbox. Futurise provides public policy advisory, acting as a key enabler of regulatory solutions that can expedite innovation and future-proof Malaysia's economy. The NRS provides a forward-looking approach to regulation, allowing minimal barriers by creating a controlled regulatory testing environment. This initiative will also help the Government better understand the importance of the impact of technology on economic growth and human capital development based on the principle of 'data-driven policy intervention'. Follow Futurise social media for updates: FB: https://www.facebook.com/futurise.cyberjaya

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurisecyberjaya/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurise/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/futurisecyber?lang=en View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/uae-regulation-lab-signs-mou-with-futurise-to-pave-the-way-for-regulatory-innovation-301883780.html SOURCE Futurise Sdn Bhd

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[July 24, 2023] SeismicAI Launches Activities in Oklahoma Tweet

Joins The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma and Successfully Undergoes Testing by Oklahoma Geological Survey

TEL AVIV, Israel, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SeismicAI, a provider of high-precision early warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis (EEW), has set foot in Oklahoma, on a variety of fronts. The company has joined The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma in order to facilitate the implementation of innovative EEW advanced technology in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, SeismicAI is working with the Oklahoma Geological Survey to apply the SeismicAI early-warning techniques with data from a real-time statewide seismic network. State Seismologist Jake Walter said, "Earthquake early warning has the potential to provide valuable seconds of warning before the strongest shaking from earthquakes." Since 2009, Oklahoma has been experiencing a surge in seismicity. Currently, approximately 50 minor earthquakes occur in Oklahoma each year, and one or two are reported felt annually. "By collaborating with the oil and gas industry, SeismicA can help protect critical infrastructures and operations that are vital to the industry, thereby saving enormous capital and mitigating damage," said Benny Sasson, CEO, SeismicAI. "Oklahoma experiences quite a few earthquakes, and our early warning could also bring immense value in reducing the profit loss, inventory, and equipment costs. According to studies, early warnings can reduce non-structural damages by up to 50%, which could make a dramatic difference in various sectors in Oklahoma."



About SeismicAI SeismicAI, established in 2014, is a provider of innovative early warning (EEW) systems for earthquakes and tsunamis. Its EEW as-a-service solutions support business continuity and damage mitigation for business and public organizations.

According to studies, an early warning can reduce non-structural damages by up to 50%, including damages from fires, health hazards, leaks, financial losses, and insurance payments. SeismicAI offers a unique, cost-effective SaaS model that can potentially save billions for the organization. Leveraging groundbreaking seismic algorithms, SeismicAI provides swift, reliable alerts. Our system covers the full early warning cycle  from monitoring and reporting, through alerts, to triggering automated preventive actions. SeismicAI solution is deployed worldwide, with diverse partnerships and proven performance. Its technology was developed by leading seismologic experts worldwide, and the company is headed by an outstanding team of business professionals. For more information, please contact:

[email protected]

www.seismicai.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seismicai-launches-activities-in-oklahoma-301883790.html SOURCE SeismicAI

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[July 24, 2023] City Capital Ventures Partners with SERVPRO of Saginaw to Form Great Lakes Restoration Group Tweet

City Capital Ventures, LLC ("CCV"), a private investment partnership headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is pleased to announce its strategic investment and recapitalization of "SERVPRO of Saginaw" and related entities (the "Company"), a leading SERVPRO franchisee and provider of residential and commercial property restoration services, to form Great Lakes Restoration Group. The new entity will continue to do business as "SERVPRO of Saginaw". Starting in 1997, Randy Miller was an early pioneer for the SERVPRO system and has become one of the largest and top franchises in the system over the last 25 years. Headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan, Randy and his wife, Tina Miller, have grown and acquired multiple territories in Michigan and Indiana and currently operate 17 licensed franchise territories. The Company has been ranked amongst the system's top franchises for the past 16 years, including top producer twice and 2019 Franchise of the Year. As one of SERVPRO's prestigious Extreme Team franchises, a large portion of their business is providing support to other franchises - primarily on commercial losses and traveling the country for catastrophic events such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Randy and Tina Miller will retain a significant stake in the Company and remain in active leadership roles. SERVPRO, which is operated through more than 2,100 independently owned and operated franchises, has become the most-well recognized property restoration brand in North America. SERVPRO was acquired by investment funds affiliated with Blackstone in 2019 with a goal of continuing to support the brand's growth in the remediation and restoration industry. "SERVPRO of Saginaw, under Randy's leadership, has demonstrated an exceptional ability to grow by expanding both its footprint and its services," noted Dan Kipp, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at CCV. "The Company has emerged as an undisputed leader within th SERVPRO system and across the growing and critical national restoration and remediation industry. We are incredibly excited to team up with the Millers and the SERVPRO family to continue to elevate the Company and its mission of providing dependable and timely service to property and business owners when they need it most."



"This investment from CCV validates our team's hard work and how far we've come in the past couple decades," said Randy Miller, SERVPRO of Saginaw Founder, Owner, and CEO, "We eagerly anticipate partnering with CCV, tapping their multi-location and franchise expertise, and accelerating the Company's next growth phase. We're truly just getting started." SERVPRO President, Rick Forster, added "We are excited to welcome CCV into the SERVPRO system and believe their partnership with Randy Miller will help drive our brand to higher levels in the years ahead."

Old National Bank and Texas Capital Bank provided debt financing for the transaction. Jones Walker LLP and Perkins Cole LLP served as legal counsel to CCV. Varnum LLP provided legal advice to SERVPRO of Saginaw and Calder Capital LLC served as the Company's financial advisor. About SERVPRO of SAGINAW SERVPRO of Saginaw, founded in 1997 by Randy Miller and headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan, provides restoration & remediation services to residential and commercial customers across the Midwest and other regions of the U.S. The Company offers property damage restoration services including fire and water mitigation, mold and abatement, commercial cleaning, and reconstruction. About SERVPRO Founded in 1967 by the Isaacson family, SERVPRO is a leading national franchisor of residential and commercial fire and water damage restoration services. Since its founding, SERVPRO has now grown to over 2,100 franchisees in the United States and Canada. In 2019, investment funds affiliated with Blackstone acquired a majority stake in SERVPRO as part of its Core Private Equity strategy, which is designed to hold investments for longer periods of time than traditional private equity. About City Capital Ventures City Capital Ventures is a lower middle market investment partnership based in Chicago, focused on investing on behalf of their exclusive network of family offices and private market investors in consumer, commercial and service businesses. CCV invests in growth buyouts of market-leading companies with exceptional leadership and attractive niche positions where it can provide capital and expertise to accelerate and sustain growth. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724063881/en/

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[July 24, 2023] Einblick launches deep AI integration, empowering users to go from prompts to multimodal data workflows Tweet

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Einblick releases Einblick Prompt, bringing the power of OpenAI and ChatGPT straight into their canvas-based data notebooks. Prompt is an AI agent that reasons and solves users' natural language prompts, allowing them to generate and debug code, create charts, and build machine learning models in seconds. Since Einblick's inception in the research labs of MIT and Brown University, the goal has always been to create a frictionless platform for data teams to build out critical workflows. Infusing generative AI into Einblick was a natural step in developing their new approach to data notebooks. "There are many text-to-code solutions out there, but we wanted to push the industry even further by incorporating the idea of AI agents, popularized by tools like LangChain and AutoGPT, to the data domain. Prompt is an AI agent that can reason alongside users, choosing the right tool, from Python to SQL to no-code interactive components for each data task. This can range from tedious tasks like debugging to helping cold-start entire projects," says Emanuel Zgraggen, CEO and co-founder of Einblick. "We first created a collaborative canvas-based notebook to reimagine data orkspaces with the demands of modern data teams in mind. Prompt will further serve data teams as natural language will speed up every part of the analytics process."



Although ChatGPT lets users ask programming questions, it is not integrated into a user's workspace and does not have contextual knowledge. Einblick Prompt is able to understand what is already on the canvas, or even in their database. Users can test, edit, and share the code generated by the large language models (LLMs) immediately in their workspace. Prompt is the latest of Einblick's cutting-edge features built to support the modern data team. Einblick Prompt is currently available, at no extra cost, for all Einblick users.

About Einblick Einblick is an AI-native data science platform that provides data teams with an agile workflow to swiftly explore data, build predictive models, and deploy data apps. Founded in 2020, Einblick was developed based on six years of research at MIT and Brown University. Einblick is funded by Amplify Partners, Flybridge, Samsung Next, Dell Technologies Capital, and Intel Capital. For more information, please visit www.einblick.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. CONTACT: [email protected].ai View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/einblick-launches-deep-ai-integration-empowering-users-to-go-from-prompts-to-multimodal-data-workflows-301883670.html SOURCE Einblick

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[July 24, 2023] Alliant Insurance Services Hires Ian Shada, Expands Employee Benefits Team in Nebraska Tweet

Ian Shada has joined Alliant Insurance Services as Vice President within its Employee Benefits Group in Omaha, Nebraska. In his role with Alliant, Shada will design and implement comprehensive employee benefits programs for a diverse client base throughout the Midwest, Southwest, and Southern regions. During his career, Shada has worked with clients across a broad range of industries, including handling business development for a major telecommunications company. He also has experience with home, auto, commercia, life, and disability policies, working across 26 states.



"Ian has built a strong reputation as someone who can get things done, build strong client relationships, and advocate on behalf of the businesses he supports," said Kevin Overbey, President, Alliant Employee Benefits. "He is focused on helping his clients and their employees perform at the highest possible level." Prior to joining Alliant, Shada was an Agency Principal with a Nebraska-based employee benefits firm. He earned his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree from Bellevue University in Nebraska.

Shada can be reached at (402) 587-1634 at [email protected]. About Alliant Insurance Services Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nation's leading distributors of diversified insurance products and services. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is getting more complex, and Alliant is meeting this complexity head-on, not with more layers of management, but with more creativity and agility. Alliant is changing the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, so they can capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations. Visit us at alliant.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724722192/en/

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[July 24, 2023] Acxiom Hosts Summer STEM Jam Featuring Hip Hop Xpress Double Dutch Boom Bus Tweet

Acxiom, the customer intelligence leader, launches the first-ever "Summer STEM Jam" with the Hip Hop Xpress Double Dutch Boom Bus. The event is a three-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for kids and teens in underserved communities. The Summer STEM Jam will kick off on July 26, reaching the communities of Conway, Pine Bluff, and Little Rock. Each location will have free food, interactive STEM fun, and prizes for the participants. The event schedule is as follows: Wednesday, July 26, Noon - 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Faulkner County, 1405 Robins St., Conway, Ark. 72033 Thursday, July 27, Noon - 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County, 2701 W Short Reeker St., Pine Bluff, Ark. 71604 Friday, July 28, Noon - 3 p.m. 1212 Jim Wetherington Pl., North Little Rock, Ark. 72114 The Hip Hop Xpress Double Dutch Boom Bus is a mobile music studio and internet-connected Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) lab that travels to different communities providing STEAM education. The bus is a project of Dr. Will Patterson's Steam Genius, a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEAM fields. On the bus, participants can enjoy a variety of STEAM activities. "Music is the entry point to discover STEAM in numerous ways using cultural wealth as a legacy to engage," said Patterson. Dr. Patterson said he created the bus to combine his hip hop and STEM passions. "Hip hop is a powerful tool for engaging young people in learning and creativity," he said. "We ant to show them that STEM is not boring or hard, but exciting and rewarding."



Acxiom CEO, Chad Engelgau, expressed his enthusiasm for this inaugural event, stating, "The 'Summer STEM Jam' is a celebration of STEM learning in a fun, engaging environment. We are excited to work with our local communities and organizations to offer this opportunity to children and teens in under-resourced areas. At Acxiom, seeing the value data and technology brings to both people and the economy, we firmly believe in the power of education to transform lives and create future leaders." Acxiom's commitment to STEM education's possibilities and opportunities is echoed by Crystal Floyd, Acxiom Director of Engagement and Inclusion, who added, "It's essential to provide every young person, regardless of their background, access to quality STEM education. This event serves as an avenue to ignite curiosity, cultivate skills, and foster a lifelong love for science, technology, engineering, and math."

"We hope that the Summer STEM Jam will inspire more kids and teens from diverse backgrounds to explore STEM and see themselves as future leaders in these fields," said Mary Ward, Chief People Officer at Acxiom. Floyd added that the event is also a way to give back to the communities where Acxiom operates. "We are grateful for the partnership and support of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Toad Suck Daze, Arkansas Innovation Hub, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Conway, North Little Rock, and Pine Bluff," she said. "Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our youth and our communities." "We're delighted to support Acxiom's Summer STEM Jam, as it aligns with our mission and vision of building a dynamic and creative community," said Brad Lacy, President and CEO of Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. "We hope this event will foster curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM among our next generation of leaders and workforce." About Acxiom Acxiom partners with the world's leading brands to create customer intelligence, enabling data-driven marketing experiences that generate value for people and for brands. The experts in identity, the ethical use of data, cloud-first customer data management, and analytics solutions, Acxiom makes the complex marketing ecosystem work, applying customer intelligence wherever brands and customers meet. By helping brands genuinely understand people, Acxiom enables experiences so relevant and respectful, people are willing to explore new brands and stay loyal to those they love. For more than 50 years, Acxiom has improved clients' customer acquisition, growth, and retention. With locations in the US, UK, China, Poland, and Germany, Acxiom is a registered trademark of Acxiom LLC and is part of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG). For more information, visit Acxiom.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724425484/en/

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[July 24, 2023] Clarius Named by Government of Canada as One of the Country's Global Hypergrowth Companies Tweet

Clarius Mobile Health, a leading provider of high-definition handheld ultrasound systems, has been selected by the Government of Canada to participate in the new Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP), powered by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development. GHP is designed to help the country's most promising scale-up companies to further fuel their growth with the support of a team of experts with extensive public and private sector experience. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724470097/en/ The Clarius team has an ambitious mission to improve patient care globally and reduce healthcare costs by enabling clinicians to instantly look into a patient's body to confidently diagnose disease and enhance procedural safety. The company was the first to develop a high-definition pocket-size wireless ultrasound scanner that works with an app on Aple and Android smart devices. (Photo: Business Wire)



"Canada wins when cutting-edge companies keep operations, profits, and jobs here at home. And when they scale up around the world, they signal that Canada is open for business," said Minister Mary Ng. "With the Global Hypergrowth Project, we're doubling down on Canada's most promising firms, to help them scale up, from here."

Clarius has an ambitious mission to improve patient care globally and reduce healthcare costs by enabling clinicians to instantly look into a patient's body to confidently diagnose disease and enhance procedural safety. The company was the first to develop a high-definition pocket-size wireless ultrasound scanner that works with an app on Apple and Android smart devices. Since Clarius began selling its ultrasound scanners in 2016, more than 20,000 clinicians have used them performing more than 3.8 million scans. Clarius currently employs over 150 people at its headquarters, an innovation center and manufacturing facility in Vancouver, British Columbia. "We share the government of Canada's goal to build a vibrant, local medical technology community and we're extremely honoured to be one of a select few innovative companies in Canada chosen to participate in the Global Hypergrowth Project," said Clarius CEO Ohad Arazi. "Having our government's support for funding, international expansion, access to government procurement projects, and more will help rapidly accelerate our growth. Our team is energized to be recognized as one of Canada's 15 most promising companies!" Minimum criteria for participation in the GHP include: annual revenues of $30 million; 40% gross margin; 30% revenue compound annual growth over the last three years; and headquarters in Canada with at least 60% employees based in the country. Clarius underwent a rigorous selection process to demonstrate its ability to execute on growth ambitions and prove its potential to seize opportunities for global leadership and to create and maintain highly-skilled jobs in Canada. Clarius was selected by a volunteer panel of notable Canadian business leaders appointed by Innovation Canada. Clarius is the only ultrasound company to offer 10 AI-powered models of handheld ultrasound scanners designed for a broad range of medical specialists including orthopedic surgeons, aesthetic clinicians, emergency physicians, and veterinarians. About Clarius Mobile Health Clarius is on a mission to make accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable ultrasound tools available to all medical professionals in every specialty. With decades of experience in medical imaging, the team knows that great ultrasound imaging improves confidence and patient care. Today, Clarius handheld wireless ultrasound scanners connect to iOS and Android devices, delivering high-resolution ultrasound images traditionally only available with bulkier, high-end systems at a fraction of the cost. Three million high-definition scans have been performed using Clarius wireless handheld scanners. Clarius scanners are available in over 90 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.clarius.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724470097/en/

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[July 24, 2023] Beating hearts pump up virtual reality for pre-surgery planning Tweet

PEORIA, Ill., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine being a surgeon who can plan a surgery in virtual reality (VR) by seeing the beating heart of a patient before walking into an operating room. Researchers at Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare and Bradley University believe they can make this vision a reality. Matthew Bramlet, MD, is a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria who specializes in congenital cardiac MRI for OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. His Advanced Imaging and Modeling (AIM) lab at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center is focused on translation of medical images into 3D and 4D interactive models (for 3D printing for virtual reality) to assist in pre-surgical planning of complex cardiac and cancer cases. According to Dr. Bramlet, the heart is a unique organ because it changes shape as it expands and contracts to pump blood through the body. This change in shape becomes a problem when the muscle of the heart grows abnormally and obstructs its own ability to pump blood out of the heart. This is a problem, because no current technology exists that allows a surgeon to view this 4D, dynamic obstruction. Rather than relying on years of trial and error of surgical expertise to determine the correct way to cut out muscle to relieve the obstruction, this project seeks to provide the surgeon with a VR view of their next patient's beating heart in 4D. The Innovation for Health (IFH) grant program with Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois is designed to inject funding ($50,000) to combine clinical problems with computer science expertise. Assistant Professor Sam Hawkins, PhD, and graduate students at Bradley University plan to utilize machine learning to convert standard medical images into a sequence of 3D models, that when played sequentially create a 3D beating heart; the "4D heart". This concept has been previously demonstrated by Dr. Bramlet's AIM lab, but it took an entire summer t convert images to a 4D heart, showing both the expansion and contraction of the heart that could be viewed through a virtual reality headset. Dr. Bramlet says that's not a sustainable approach.



"How do we put the CT data into a computer and slice by slice, say this is the myocardial tissue so we get an exact replica of the heart. But I don't need just one (3D replica of a heart); I need 20 to make each phase of that heart (he simulates the sound of repetitive beats) into a 4D heart." Assistant professor Hawkins believes machine learning can be leveraged to perform the labor-intensive process of converting images. Hawkins explains computer science graduate students at Bradley are part of the research effort.

"First, we need to figure out what part of the image is the heart and what part is not. And then we need to combine these tiny images into a 3D image. And then we need to do that many times to get the 4D." The solution should allow surgeons to virtually preview the beating heart of their patient, showing the obstruction in 4D, therefore providing a new pre-surgical analysis tool. The multidimensional view allows surgeons to zero in on structures of the heart, significantly enlarge elements and get a much better view of the anatomy. This machine learned 4D generation of a beating heart will be a first of its kind technology. Technology could expand use of VR for surgery planning Researchers believe creating an automated solution can reduce the manual process of converting images from months to hours, and eventually perhaps minutes. That option could be applied to images for other types of complex medical cases in adults, children and the smallest infants. Dr. Bramlet says new AI-supported software could provide a scaled solution for surgeons everywhere. "The most immediate impact isn't going to be the 4D heart. The impact at a grander scale will be the scalability of how any program will be able to create models for pre-surgical planning; 3D printed or for VR with this technology." -Dr. Matthew Bramlet, pediatric cardiologist Hawkins believes the technology will lead to other hospitals adopting the approach for pre-surgery planning. "It has the potential to really remove the barrier of entry for institutions that don't have the expertise or the time but do have images they wanted to view (more intricately)." This entire machine learning project has been made possible by Jump Simulation's long-term investment in sharing 3D insights. Since, 2014, Jump has contributed 3D models of congenital heart disease to Dr. Fauci's 3D database at the NIH. This library of annotated 3D models provides the rich dataset of raw material needed for machine learned insights into automated segmentation of patient specific 3D models. Within a year, this project aims to automate, through machine learned algorithms, the conversion of cardiac CTs into virtual reality. The 4D view will enable surgeons to see the beating hearts specific to individual patients. Additional assets associated with this news release, including photos and video (including B-roll) are available on the OSF Newsroom. OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals  10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit, was established in 2020 to improve patient experience, using digital tools for 24-7 communication, on-demand care, remote patient monitoring, and offers the largest hospital-at-home program in Illinois. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org. OSF Innovation is a collaborative network of different disciplines that designs bold, strategic solutions to advance the future of health care. Learn more at osfinnovation.org. Bradley University is a top-ranked private university in Peoria, Illinois that offers nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, opportunities and resources of a larger university and the personal attention and exceptional learning experience of a smaller university. Bradley offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate academic programs in business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology. These high-quality programs incorporate global and experiential learning opportunities, preparing graduates to succeed in a complex world. Contact: Colleen Reynolds| Media Relations Coordinator  OSF HealthCare | (309) 825-7255 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beating-hearts-pump-up-virtual-reality-for-pre-surgery-planning-301884019.html SOURCE OSF HealthCare

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke about signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in an interview to the China Media Group media corporation.

I think it can be achieved in the nearest future. Why I think so, because Armenia already had to make a very important statement that, they not only recognize territorial integrity of Azerbaijan - which they officially confirmed last October and reconfirmed many times - but also this May they specified, because we demanded to specify that they recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. They recognize Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity on the territory of 86,600 square kilometres, which means Karabakh and eight Azerbaijani enclaves on Armenian territory included. So, this actually is the important statement. And after that the only thing which is left just to put it on paper and to sign it, the President noted.
[July 24, 2023] Gale to Install the First of 21 Little Free Libraries in Detroit's Littlefield Community to Improve Literacy and Book Access Tweet

DETROIT, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- What: Gale, part of Cengage Group, in partnership with Brilliant Detroit and Little Free Library (LFL), will install its first of 21 Little Free Libraries in the Littlefield neighborhood hub in Detroit on July 27 at 3pm ET. A ceremony will be held at the hub to celebrate the first installation. Representatives from Gale and Brilliant Detroit, along with families and volunteers will be at the event to fill the library with books. We invite local media outlets to come and cover the event. Each LFL will be stocked with a variety of books  donated by Gale and their employees  for children and adults to encourage a lifetime passion of reading. The little libraries will include diverse, award-winning and bestselling youth large print books donated by Thorndike Press, Gale's large print publisher. Youth large print makes reading more accessible for developing readers and is proven to increase decoding and comprehension. The remaining LFL installations will take place throughout the months of July and August at each of Brilliant Detroit's newest neighborhood hubs, as well as at their early learning and care, school and community sites, where they partner with a program to serve children. The 21 LFLs were initially built by Gale employees at a May 18 charity event hosted by the company at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Gale will restock the libraries with books annually, ensuring the neighborhoods continue to have access to a wide selection of reading materials to enjoy. A Little Free Library is a "take a book, return a book" free book-sharing exchange. They come in mny shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small wooden box of books, often built by supporters or volunteers with their own unique, personal touch. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes provide 24/7 access to books in areas where books are scarce to encourage reading.



When: Thursday, July 27, 2023

3pm-5pm ET

Where: Littlefield Neighborhood - 12789 Indiana Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48238 Why: With Detroit's literacy rates lower than the national average, Gale hopes that placing Little Free Libraries throughout the area will help improve these rates and give children and adults access to free books as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading. The partnership with Brilliant Detroit and Little Free Library has a concentrated focus on providing young readers with access to youth large print books because research shows that large print text can improve reading confidence and skill level in students. A recent study conducted by Project Tomorrow, an education nonprofit, indicates that students in grades 3-12 who read large print books developed stronger reading skills, felt more comfortable reading, and adopted new, positive reading mindsets. NOTE TO REPORTERS: Gale, Brilliant Detroit and Little Free Library invite you to attend and cover the installations and book stocking with the neighborhoods. Residents in the area will be notified of the event. Interviews in English and Spanish can be accommodated. Reporters should note the media event will offer photo and video opportunities of Gale and Brilliant Detroit participants stocking books into the new LFL and adding new, seasonal flowers around the LFL post. For media unable to attend the event b-roll and photos will be added to the post-event press kit of the installation and available for public usage. About Cengage Group and Gale

Cengage Group, an education technology company serving millions of learners in 165 countries, advances the way students learn through quality, digital experiences. The company currently serves the K-12, higher education, professional, library, English language teaching and workforce training markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Group, provides libraries with original and curated content, as well as the modern research tools and technology that are crucial in connecting libraries to learning, and learners to libraries. For more than 65 years, Gale has partnered with libraries around the world to empower the discovery of knowledge and insights  where, when and how people need it. Gale has 500 employees globally with its main operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.gale.com. Follow Gale on: Twitter

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Established in 2016, Brilliant Detroit provides a radically new approach to kindergarten readiness in neighborhoods and creates a unique delivery model for early childhood development by using underutilized housing stock to create neighborhood-based spaces that offer year-round programming within walking distance for families of children ages birth to 8-years-old. Brilliant Detroit hubs  complete with a signature orange front doors  work in partnership with local education, health, food and to bring evidence-based programs to families. The organization was born to create kid success neighborhoods and aims to create 24 hubs by 2024. Every hub is created "with, for and by" families and neighbors in each community that Brilliant Detroit serves. For more information, visit: BrilliantDetroit.org About Little Free Library

Little Free Library (LFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries. There are more than 160,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes worldwide in all 50 states, 120 countries and seven continents. Through them, over 300 million books have been shared since 2009. LFL received the 2020 World Literacy Award as well as honors from the Library of Congress, National Book Foundation and others. The organization grants Little Free Libraries full of books to underserved areas through its Impact Library and Indigenous Library Programs and champions diverse books through its Read in Color initiative. To learn more, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org. Media Contact:

Kayla Siefker, Gale, part of Cengage Group

248-378-3376

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gale-to-install-the-first-of-21-little-free-libraries-in-detroits-littlefield-community-to-improve-literacy-and-book-access-301883425.html SOURCE Gale, part of Cengage Group

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[July 24, 2023] Batteries Plus and Swell Energy Increase Access to Home Batteries and Virtual Power Plant Technology in Sacramento, California Tweet

Program gives local residents the opportunity to harness the power of solar energy, home batteries and Swell grid services to benefit themselves, the community and the grid

Home battery offer available at multiple Batteries Plus locations in the Sacramento region, with SMUD offering ongoing compensation to participating customers SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus, the world's leading specialty battery franchise, today announced a new pilot initiative with Swell Energy (Swell), a leading renewable energy and grid solutions provider, to launch an in-store home battery backup offer in Sacramento, California. This joint initiative will showcase residential battery solutions and Swell's virtual power plant (VPP) capabilities at four Sacramento area Batteries Plus retail locations, providing customers with convenient in-person opportunities to learn more about powering their homes with solar and home batteries, and VPP programs designed to save them money on their utility bills. As a franchise and family-owned Sacramento business, the participating Batteries Plus stores are committed to increasing access to renewable energy and home battery solutions for local residents and communities. Eligible customers will have the opportunity to enroll in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)'s new My Energy Optimizer Partner+ program  a residential customer-driven VPP initiative that SMUD and Swell are developing. This program will help deliver on SMUD's comprehensive 2030 Zero Carbon Plan to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions from its power supply by 2030, the boldest carbon reduction goal of any large utility in the United States. Through VPP technology, customers' solar and battery storage systems are aggregated and this renewable energy can be dispatched to communities, resulting in a more renewable and resilient electric grid. "Providing Sacramento homeowners with the resources and expertise they need to enhance energy resilience is at the heart of our mission," said Ryan Tollefson, owner of the Batteries Plus franchises in Sacramento, whose father first opened their first store in Citrus Heights CA in 1996 and which has since expanded with Tollefson owning and operating multiple stores. "We're thrilled to play a key role in promoting the adoption of home battery storage and virtual power plant participation while also bolstering Sacramento's skilled workforce of local solar and storage installers and contributing to our community's sustainable growth."



The participating Batteries Plus stores are long-standing pillars in the Sacramento community. In addition to providing consumers with energy solutions, this initiative will also power up the local economy  driving jobs for local solar and storage installation experts across the Sacramento market. "Green energy solutions empower consumers to take charge of their own home energy management," said Kirtis Hill, Chief Growth Officer for Batteries Plus. "For more than 30 years, Batteries Plus has been America's battery destination and we are excited to expand our expertise and continue to show consumers we are their trusted source for all their battery solutions."

The popularity of home battery systems has skyrocketed in recent years, especially in California markets which are prone to wildfires, heat waves and other natural disasters that can impact the power grid. These batteries allow consumers to generate, store and share energy, enhancing energy security during critical times. "We're excited to partner with Batteries Plus on an in-store model that offers home battery solutions and Swell's virtual power plant capabilities to homeowners," said Suleman Khan, CEO of Swell Energy. "Our collaboration enables a wider audience to unlock their homes' energy potential through solar and energy storage by extending VPP opportunities that enhance value for both utilities and consumers. Through this partnership, Batteries Plus and Swell are expanding the reach of transformative home energy solutions and providing homeowners greater access to sustainable and cost-effective energy alternatives." Considered a valuable resource for the power grid, VPPs aggregate residential solar and battery storage systems in a centralized manner to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Participating in VPP programs enables customers to receive ongoing compensation, or GridRevenue, based on the capacity of their solar and energy storage systems. ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:

Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. For more information on Batteries Plus' products and services and to find the nearest Batteries Plus retail store near you, please visit https://www.batteriesplus.com. ABOUT SWELL ENERGY INC:

Swell Energy is creating a greater grid for the greater good. The energy management and smart grid solutions provider is accelerating the mass adoption of distributed clean energy technologies by enabling consumers to take control of their energy use and cost, achieve energy security, and participate in the transactive grid. Swell Energy provides homeowners and businesses with financing and virtual power plant programs while partnering with trusted local solar and solar+storage companies for seamless, high-quality installations. By creating a critical mass of dynamic and responsive clean energy resources within utility service areas across the United States, Swell Energy also delivers resilient virtual power plant networks and grid balancing services to utilities, which are fundamental to our future, carbon-free, distributed renewable energy system. For more information, visit www.swellenergy.com and follow the company on Facebook , LinkedIn and Twitter . Media contacts:

Julianne Stevenson - Batteries Plus: [email protected] or 224-558-2510

Jake Wengroff - Swell Energy: [email protected] or (408) 806-9626 ext. 6816 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/batteries-plus-and-swell-energy-increase-access-to-home-batteries-and-virtual-power-plant-technology-in-sacramento-california-301883494.html SOURCE Batteries Plus

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[July 24, 2023] University of Phoenix Workforce Solutions Group Creates new National Workforce Director Position Tweet

University of Phoenix is pleased to announce the selection of Lauri Perdue as the National Workforce Director in the University's Workforce Solutions Group, a new position dedicated to development and oversight of strategic initiatives connecting with talent acquisition teams and recruiting managers. "Lauri is uniquely capable in this new position, where she brings her experience as an advocate for students and a deep understanding of workforce needs," states Leo Goncalves, vice president of Workforce Solutions Group at University of Phoenix. "Her energy and vision will propel this initiative forward and enhance our mission as a career-focused university." In the role of National Workforce Director, Perdue will engage with companies, providing strategic thought partnership to create and maintain a dynamic program to encourage employers to recruit and hire University of Phoenix graduates. "It's exciting to move into a role so focused on relationship building and student and alumni support," Perdue shares. "I look forward to exploring and collaborating on initiatives that can provide individual career pathways and enhance community workforce capabilities." Perdue is an experienced strategic leader with more than 25 years in higher education, organizational leadership, and account management. Perdue began her career at the University of Phoenix as Director of Enrollment and served in that position for 11 years before pursuing other career experiences. She returned in 2020 to serve as Campus and Academic Director in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was responsible for a quality education experience for ground and online students as well as workforce development and igher education consulting, provided leadership, mission execution, and oversight in campus operations, and led outreach and engagement with alumni and community leaders. In this role, Perdue worked extensively with regional and national employers and HR leaders, as educational consultant and workforce development leader.



An engaged economic development board member and executive committee member working with regional leaders to diversify the economy and create workforce solutions for organizations and communities, Perdue serves on the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance as the Vice Chairwoman, and Executive Committee Leader for the Talent Pipeline Council. "As industries look to Southern Nevada as a place to expand or relocate it is crucial that a robust talent pipeline is available to meet the demands currently and with emerging talent and industry," Perdue shares. This committee is the first of its kind in the community and with her higher education experience and keen understanding of the market needs, Perdue serves as a tremendous asset to the future of workforce development locally and in communities across the nation on behalf of University of Phoenix. Perdue is actively engaged in community support, as Board Chair of Serving Our Kids Foundation, an organization addressing food insecurity for school aged children in Southern Nevada. She is also Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors.

The University of Phoenix Workforce Solutions team offers companies across diverse industries as well as community colleges tailored learning and career pathways to recruit, upskill, reskill, and retain their workforce in an affordable and timely manner. Their flexible solutions are aligned to workplace needs and feature live support, career guidance and support tools, education programs, learning pathways, and credit options, including certificates, workshops, single courses, degree programs, or any combination of these tools. Learn more here about University of Phoenix Workforce Solutions. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724576120/en/

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[July 24, 2023] Bad Idea AI's $BAD: A Trailblazer in Human-AI Synergy in the Crypto Universe Tweet

Lewes, DE, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Journey of Bad Idea AI's $BAD, a groundbreaking project in the crypto industry, continues to make strides with its innovative cryptocurrency, $BAD, since its launch on May 5, 2023. This pioneering endeavor is exploring the untapped potential of human-artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration within the blockchain and DAOs, creating a tokenized ecosystem where both parties play an active role in shaping our collective destiny. The audacious vision behind Bad Idea AI challenges conventional wisdom, pushing the boundaries of human-AI collaboration and promising an intriguing journey into the unknown. Behind the Scenes: The Vision and Achievements of Bad Idea AI Bad Idea AI's mission is to strike a delicate balance between human ingenuity and AI's unparalleled computational prowess. The project's architects envision a tokenized ecosystem where AI agents and human DAOs work hand in hand, leveraging their respective strengths and capabilities to shape the project's trajectory. It is an exploration of trust, morality, responsibility, and the very essence of humanity itself.The project has already achieved significant milestones. Recently, it made waves in the crypto space as it was listed on prominent decentralized exchanges such as SushiSwap, UniSwap, and ShibaSwap, as well as the centralized exchange BitMart. "The project has ambitious plans to expand liquidity in as many places as possible. To do this, we will be listed on several centralized exchanges that are well-supported by the people in the larger Shib ecosystem," says Mr. Lightspeed, the pseudonymous project listing agent from Lightspeed Crypto Services, LLC. As an official partner of Shiba Inu and a key component of the overall Shiba ecosystem, Bad Idea AI is playing a crucial role in supporting the upcoming launch of Shibarium's layer 2 blockchain. This partnership not only highlights the project's growing presence but also reinforces its commitment to transparency, accessibility, and innovation within the blockchain ecosystem.







Meet Bad Idea AI: Join Us at the Blockchain Futurist Conference 2023 Bad Idea AI is excited to announce its presence at the Blockchain Futurist Conference 2023 in Toronto from August 15 to 16. The project will be showcased at the Shiba booth, providing an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn more about this innovative project and its future plans. Join the Revolution: Get Involved with Bad Idea AI As the Bad Idea AI project embarks on this exciting and unpredictable journey, it invites the wider community to participate and shape the course of the experiment. By contributing to the collective understanding of AI, blockchain, and DAOs, individuals have the opportunity to play a role in charting a new path for the future of technology and governance. Visit the Bad Idea AI website at https://www.badidea.ai/ to learn more about the project and get involved. Socials for the Project Ready to get involved? Connect with BAD IDEA AI on their social platforms:



Bad Idea AI Website



Bad Idea AI Twitter



Bad Idea AI Telegram

Lightspeed Crypto Services, LLC info-at-cryptolistings.ai

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Generational Capital Markets Advises Barnhart Transportation in its Recapitalization by SMG Industries

Generational Capital Markets (GCM) Member FINRA/SIPC and a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the recapitalization and acquisition of its client Barnhart Transportation, LLC by SMG Industries, Inc. (OTCQB: SMGI) The deal closed on July 7, 2023.

Barnhart Transportation (Barnhart) and its affiliate companies offer a comprehensive range of logistical services to meet the global demands of their customer base. Established in 2003 as a domestic flatbed hauler, the Company has since expanded its service lines to encompass a diverse array of capabilities. In addition to its domestic freight operations, which now include dry bulk, non-hazardous liquid, heavy haul, and intermodal transportation, the Company has established operations in brokerage, international freight forwarding and warehousing, allowing door to door service around the world.

Barnhart operates northern and southern transportation terminals with accessibility to east coast international shipping ports. Barnhart Transportation is headquartered in North East, Pennsylvania with service terminals in Moncks Corner and North Charleston, South Carolina.

Tim and Bryan Barnhart, the experienced leaders behind Barnhart Transportation, bring a wealth of experience, expertise and leadership to SMGI. Over the past two decades, they have successfully diversified the company's footprint to meet evolving customer needs. Their commitment to operational excellence and financial prudence has established a foundation of fiscal responsibility and sustainability. With Tim's financial acumen guiding prudent decision-making and capital allocation, and Bryan's operational focus optimizing processes and driving efficiency, the company is well-positioned for continued expansion.

SMG Industries Inc. (SMGI) is a growth-oriented transportation services company focused on the domestic infrastructure logistics market. Through several of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries branded as the "5J Transportation Group," it offers specialized heavy haul, super heavy haul, flatbed, brokerage, and drilling rig mobilization services. 5J's engineered permitted jobs can support up to 500-thousand-pound loads including infrastructure cargo associated with bridge beams, wind energy, power generation components, compressors, refinery and construction equipment. SMGI is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has facilities in Floresville, Hempstead, Henderson, Houston, Odessa, Palestine, Victoria, Texas and Fort Mill, South Carolina.

The successful closing of this strategic recap/acquisition not only approximately doubles SMGI's annual revenue and increases its adjusted EBITDA, but also brings operational and revenue diversification, strengthens the Company's balance sheet and adds exceptional expertise to its leadership team.

"Anticipating market trends and making strategic investments have been key to staying ahead in the dynamic global logistics market," explained Tim Barnhart, the company's new Chief Financial Officer and Board member.

"Within the combined entity, we see tremendous opportunities for growth and success," emphasized Tim Barnhart. As CFO and Board member, his dedication lies in fostering fiscal discipline, capitalizing on operational efficiencies, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. Leveraging the expertise of the outstanding team at SMG Industries, the company aims to establish a robust financial foundation, implement cost-saving measures, and capitalize on attractive growth opportunities within the transportation and logistics industry.

Bryan Barnhart, the newly appointed CEO and Board member, brings extensive experience in the transportation industry, making him well-suited to lead the combined entity towards a new er of success. "The acquisition of Barnhart Transportation by SMG Industries is a significant milestone for both companies," stated Bryan Barnhart.







Bryan Barnhart added, "Together, management will leverage the transformative partnership to create a larger, more diversified transportation business, solidifying its position as a global leader. The merger unlocks attractive growth opportunities, strengthens customer relationships, and increases market capitalization. Combining its collective vision and strategic approach, the companies are poised to propel the Company to new heights and set new benchmarks within the industry."

Commenting on the recap/acquisition, Mr. Matt Flemming, Chairman of SMGI, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The acquisition of Barnhart by SMGI creates an attractive and diversified platform. We anticipate that the combined entity will establish itself as a larger, scalable, and more diversified transportation business, emerging as a regional leader in Texas, the Southwest and the Eastern Seaboard."

Flemming added, "The combination will enhance customer relationships, reduce cyclicality and decrease customer concentration. With more than 500 non-overlapping customers, the cross-selling opportunities from a broader range of assets, capabilities, and services offers exciting opportunities for the growth of the combined company. We are thrilled to welcome Barnhart's talented employees to the SMGI team and believe this transaction positions us well to deliver enhanced growth and significant value creation for employees, customers and shareholders."

Steven Madden, SMGI's Chief Transition Officer and Board member, stated "We are excited to join forces with Barnhart Transportation. We believe this merger creates value of 1+1=3 immediately. We have worked hard since those difficult COVID days to transform SMGI along with the help of Jimmy Frye (President of 5J Trucking and Board member) into a healthier, more profitable, turn-key, customer-focused, diversified, domestic infrastructure transportation company force."

Madden added, "This acquisition and merger is just the beginning, and the Barnhart's are a perfect fit culturally, operationally, and financially. It provides the necessary platform to springboard us organically and inorganically, giving us more capacity for expansion while gaining experienced, proven industry leaders and managers. This merger will also provide additional strategic business units for both geographic regions. Most importantly, this acquisition helps our customers, employees and increases value to our shareholders."

Generational Capital Markets' Sr. Managing Director Mergers & Acquisitions, Phil Pizzurro, with the support of Vice President M&A, Chris Wolf successfully closed the recap and acquisition. Generational Equity's Executive Managing Director, Rick Buchoz established the initial relationship with Barnhart.

"Barnhart is an exceptionally run business that has produced long-term, sustainable value to stakeholders over the past 20 years," said Phil Pizzurro.

Pizzurro added, "The capabilities and expertise of Tim and Bryan combined with the industry and management experience of SMGI positions the combined entity for substantial and profitable future growth while ensuring the shared values remain intact for the benefit of the employees, customers, and the Company."

About Generational Capital Markets, Inc.

Generational Capital Markets, Inc. is a member of FINRA/SIPC. More information can be found at https://www.gencm.com/.

Generational Capital Markets is part of the Generational Group and is affiliated with Generational Equity, LLC which The M&A Advisor named Investment Banking Firm of the Year in 2016, 2017, and 2018, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year.

Generational Group's most recent awards include The M&A Advisor's 2020 Information Technology Deal of the Year ($10MM-$25MM), 2020 Private Equity Deal of the Year ($25MM-$50MM) and 2022 Utilities Deal of the Year. The Global M&A Network named Generational the 2023 USA Investment Bank of the Year.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724136715/en/
[July 24, 2023] ORYZON Reports Financial Results and Corporate Updates for Half-Year Ending June 30, 2023 Tweet

Positive aggregate safety data from vafidemstat's PORTICO Phase IIb trial in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), consistent with safety data from seven completed clinical trials, supporting the drug is safe and well-tolerated

Continues to enroll patients in Phase IIb EVOLUTION trial with vafidemstat in schizophrenia

Continues to recruit patients in FRIDA trial with iadademstat in combination with gilteritinib in relapsed/refractory FLT3-mutant AML patients

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $14.6 million as of June 30, 2023 MADRID, Spain and BOSTON, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with a strong unmet medical need, today reported financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2023 and provided a corporate update on recent developments. Dr Carlos Buesa, Oryzons Chief Executive Officer, said: Oryzon continued with a strong path in its clinical programs in 2Q23. In CNS, after obtaining positive results from the predefined interim analysis in the Phase IIb PORTICO trial with vafidemstat in BPD, we reported positive blinded aggregate safety data from 167 patients. BPD is a highly unmet medical need and an enormous commercial opportunity with limited competition and a low risk of generification. Recruitment of patients in PORTICO in the U.S. and Europe has proceeded at a very high rate, and we expect to analyze top-line data at the end of this year or early next year. Our Phase IIb trial with vafidemstat in schizophrenia, EVOLUTION, has also continued to enroll patients. We remain on track to submit the IND to initiate HOPE this year, the first randomized Phase I/II personalized medicine trial with an LSD1 inhibitor, in Kabuki Syndrome patients. Dr Buesa continued: In oncology, we also continued to make progress this quarter, with both iadademstats ongoing clinical trials, the FRIDA trial in combination with gilteritinib in relapsed/refractory FLT3-mutant AML patients and the collaborative trial with the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) in combination with paclitaxel in neuroendocrine tumors, actively recruiting patients. In addition, and broadening our epigenetic pipeline, we reported positive preclinical efficacy data of ORY-4001, our selective HDAC-6 inhibitor recently nominated as a clinical development candidate, in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. CMT is a progressive, degenerative disease involving the peripheral nerves, affecting 150,000 Americans and more than 3 million people around the world. It is one of the most prevalent conditions among rare diseases and currently lacks effective treatments or cures. Second Quarter and Recent Highlights Vafidemstat in large multifactorial CNS indications: Positive preliminary blinded aggregate safety data from PORTICO, vafidemstats Phase IIb clinical trial in BPD, reported following the recent independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) meeting on June 26 th , corresponding to the initial 167 randomized patients (data cut-off, May 23 rd 2023). There were no treatment-related serious adverse events or deaths. An aggregated number of 306 adverse events, affecting 98 patients treated either with vafidemstat or placebo were reported, most of them were mild (216) or moderate (78), with only 12 reported as severe, in 9 patients, leading to 6 treatment discontinuations or patient withdrawals. The reviewed blinded PORTICO safety data is aligned with aggregated safety data collected from seven completed vafidemstat clinical trials, in which almost 400 subjects have been treated with the drug. The independent DMC provided the recommendation to continue the trial without modifications until full enrollment, which is planned for early Q3 2023. Current data of PORTICO continue to support that vafidemstat is safe and well-tolerated. Positive results from PORTICOs interim analysis, conducted by the independent DMC in Q1 2023, were previously reported, with the trial being determined to be non-futile and to be continued with the planned enrollment number. PORTICO is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase IIb conducted in the US and EU to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vafidemstat in BPD patients. The trial has two independent primary objectives: reduction of aggression/agitation and overall BPD improvement. The study aims to include about 188 patients, distributed between two arms.

, corresponding to the initial 167 randomized patients (data cut-off, May 23 2023). There were no treatment-related serious adverse events or deaths. An aggregated number of 306 adverse events, affecting 98 patients treated either with vafidemstat or placebo were reported, most of them were mild (216) or moderate (78), with only 12 reported as severe, in 9 patients, leading to 6 treatment discontinuations or patient withdrawals. The reviewed blinded PORTICO safety data is aligned with aggregated safety data collected from seven completed vafidemstat clinical trials, in which almost 400 subjects have been treated with the drug. The independent DMC provided the recommendation to continue the trial without modifications until full enrollment, which is planned for early Q3 2023. Current data of PORTICO continue to support that vafidemstat is safe and well-tolerated. Positive results from PORTICOs interim analysis, conducted by the independent DMC in Q1 2023, were previously reported, with the trial being determined to be non-futile and to be continued with the planned enrollment number. PORTICO is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase IIb conducted in the US and EU to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vafidemstat in BPD patients. The trial has two independent primary objectives: reduction of aggression/agitation and overall BPD improvement. The study aims to include about 188 patients, distributed between two arms. The EVOLUTION Phase IIb clinical trial with vafidemstat in patients with schizophrenia has continued to enroll patients. This Phase IIb study aims to evaluate the efficacy of vafidemstat on negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia. This project is partially financed with public funds from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and is being carried out in various Spanish hospitals. Vafidemstat in monogenic CNS indications: We are finalizing the preparation of a new precision medicine trial in Kabuki Syndrome (KS). This Phase I/II trial, named HOPE, will be a multicenter, multi-arm, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial to explore the safety and efficacy of vafidemstat in improving several impairments described in KS patients. The trial plans to enroll 50-60 patients and will be carried out in several hospitals and sites in the United States and, possibly, in Europe. The company is in a dialogue with the regulatory agencies to refine the final design of this trial and expects to submit the IND for HOPE to the FDA in 2023.

Our precision medicine programs in psychiatric disease continue to progress. We have collaborations in autism with researchers at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and the Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM) at Hospital Universitario La Paz of Madrid and in schizophrenia with researchers from Columbia University in New York. The analysis of the results of the pilot studies to characterize patients with specific mutations to inform subsequent precision psychiatry clinical trials with vafidemstat is ongoing. Iadademstat in oncology: FRIDA, an open-label, multicenter Phase Ib clinical trial of iadademstat in combination with gilteritinib in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) harboring a FMS-like tyrosine kinase mutation (FLT3mut+), has continued to enroll patients. The primary objectives of the trial are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of iadademstat in combination with gilteritinib in patients with FLT3mut+ R/R AML and to establish the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) for this combination. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of the treatment efficacy, measured as the rate of complete remission and complete remission with partial hematological recovery (CR/CRh), the Duration of Responses (DoR), and the assessment of Measurable Residual Disease. The study is being conducted in the USA and will accrue up to approximately 45 patients. If successful, Oryzon and the FDA have agreed to hold a meeting to discuss the best plan to further develop this combination in this much-in-need AML population.

The collaborative Phase II basket trial of iadademstat in combination with paclitaxel in platinum R/R small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and extrapulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine tumors (NET trial) has continued to enroll patients. This trial is conducted in the US under a collaborative clinical research agreement with the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC), under which the FCCC will be conducting different collaborative combination clinical trials with iadademstat, with Oryzon providing funding, the drug, and technical expertise. Preparations for new trials in combination in solid tumors are continuing. In SCLC, the STELLAR trial, a randomized, multicenter Phase Ib/II study of iadademstat plus a checkpoint inhibitor in first-line extensive-stage SCLC, is being prepared. The company believes that STELLAR could potentially support an application for accelerated approval.

Earlier stage programs: Positive preclinical efficacy data in CMT with ORY-4001, a selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC-6) inhibitor, was presented at the 2023 Peripheral Nerve Society annual meeting (PNS-2023) held in June. ORY-4001 treatment was able to reverse disease progression symptoms in a CMT mice model which reliably recapitulates many of the symptoms of this condition in humans. Notably, ORY-4001 was able to improve myelination and restore axon integrity in the sciatic nerve, and improved compound muscle action potential and nerve conduction in comparison with untreated animals. The results presented are fruit of a collaboration entered in 2022 between Oryzon and the CMT Research Foundation (CMTRF), a U.S.-based patient-led, non-profit organization focused on delivering treatments and cures for CMT. ORY-4001 was recently nominated as a clinical development candidate for the treatment of certain neurological diseases as CMT, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and others, and the compound will now enter into IND enabling studies to prepare it for clinical studies. HDAC6 inhibitors have been previously proposed as potentially effective treatments for CMT, ALS and other neurological disorders that lack effective treatments.

Financial Update: First Half 2023 Financial Results Research and development (R&D) expenses were $4.3 and $8.6 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $4.2 and $8.1 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2022. General and administrative expenses were $1.1 and $2.3 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $1.5 and $2.8 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2022. Net losses were $1.3 and $2.7 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $1.8 and $3.4 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2022. The result is as expected, given the biotechnology business model where companies in the development phase typically have a long-term maturation period for products, and do not have recurrent income. Negative net result was $0.6 million (-$0.01 per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to a negative net result of $1.3 million (-$0.03 per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $14.6 million as of June 30, 2023. ORYZON GENOMICS, S.A. BALANCE SHEET DATA (UNAUDITED)1 (Amounts in thousands US $) June 30th, 2023 June 30th, 2022 Cash and cash equivalents 14,590 23,594 Marketable securities 0 0 Total Assets 113,697 100,064 Deferred revenue 0 989 Total Stockholders' equity 85,337 72,832





ORYZON GENOMICS, S.A. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)1 (US $, amounts in thousands except per share data) Three Months Ended June 30th Six Months Ended June 30th 2023 2022 2023 2022 Collaboration Revenue 0 0 0 0 Operating expenses: Research and Development 4,264 4,166 8,633 8,123 General and administrative 1,096 1,520 2,318 2,777 Total operating expenses 5,360 5,686 10,951 10,900 Loss from Operations -5,360 -5,686 -10,951 -10,900 Other income, net 4,054 3,894 8,266 7,474 Net Loss -1,306 -1,792 -2,685 -3,426 Net Financial & Tax 2,459 2,139 2,068 2,077 Net Result 1,153 347 -617 -1,349 Loss per share allocable to common stockholders: Basic 0.02 0.01 -0.01 -0.03 Weighted average Shares outstanding Basic 57,339,493 52,761,554 56,768,090 52,761,554 1 Spanish GAAP * Exchange Euro/Dollar (1.0866 for 2023 and 1.0387 in 2022)



About Oryzon

Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and the European leader in epigenetics, with a strong focus on personalized medicine in CNS disorders and oncology. Oryzons team is composed of highly qualified professionals from the pharma industry located in Barcelona, Boston, NYC and San Diego. Oryzon has an advanced clinical portfolio with two LSD1 inhibitors, vafidemstat in CNS and iadademstat in oncology, in several Phase II clinical trials. The company has other pipeline assets directed against other epigenetic targets. In addition, Oryzon has a strong platform for biomarker identification and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com About Iadademstat

Iadademstat (ORY-1001) is a small oral molecule, which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1 and has a powerful differentiating effect in hematologic cancers (see Maes et al., Cancer Cell 2018 Mar 12; 33 (3): 495-511.e12.doi: 10.1016 / j.ccell.2018.02.002.). A FiM Phase I/IIa clinical trial with iadademstat in R/R AML patients demonstrated the safety and good tolerability of the drug and preliminary signs of antileukemic activity, including a CRi (see Salamero et al, J Clin Oncol, 2020, 38(36): 4260-4273. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.03250). In a recently completed Phase IIa trial in elder 1L-AML patients (ALICE trial), iadademstat has shown encouraging safety and efficacy data in combination with azacitidine (see Salamero et al., ASH 2022 oral presentation). Iadademstatis currently being evaluated in combination with gilteritinib in the Phase Ib FRIDA trial in patients with relapsed/refractory AML with FLT3 mutations. Beyond hematological cancers, the inhibition of LSD1 has been proposed as a valid therapeutic approach in some solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), neuroendocrine tumors (NET), medulloblastoma and others. In a Phase IIa trial in combination with platinum/etoposide in second line ED-SCLC patients (CLEPSIDRA trial), preliminary activity and safety results have been reported (see Navarro et al., ESMO 2018 poster). Iadademstat is being evaluated in a collaborative Phase II basket study with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in combination with paclitaxel in R/R neuroendocrine carcinomas, and the company is preparing a new trial in combination in SCLC. Oryzon has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collaborate on potential further clinical development of iadademstat in different types of solid and hematological cancers. In total iadademstat has been dosed so far to more than 100 cancer patients in four clinical trials. Iadademstat has orphan drug designation for SCLC in the US and for AML in the US and EU. About Vafidemstat

Vafidemstat (ORY-2001) is an oral, CNS-optimized LSD1 inhibitor. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, including memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimers disease (AD), to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong, and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has performed two Phase IIa clinical trials in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders (REIMAGINE) and in aggressive/agitated patients with moderate or severe AD (REIMAGINE-AD), with positive clinical results reported in both. Additional finalized Phase IIa clinical trials with vafidemstat include the ETHERAL trial in patients with Mild to Moderate AD, where a significant reduction of the inflammatory biomarker YKL40 has been observed after 6 and 12 months of treatment, and the pilot, small-scale SATEEN trial in Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS, where anti-inflammatory activity has also been observed. Vafidemstat has also been tested in a Phase II in severe Covid-19 patients (ESCAPE) assessing the capability of the drug to prevent ARDS, one of the most severe complications of the viral infection, where it showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in severe Covid-19 patients. Currently, vafidemstat is in two Phase IIb trials in borderline personality disorder (PORTICO) and in schizophrenia patients (EVOLUTION). The company is also deploying a CNS precision medicine approach with vafidemstat in genetically-defined patient subpopulations of certain CNS disorders and is preparing a clinical trial in Kabuki Syndrome patients. The company is also exploring the clinical development of vafidemstat in other neurodevelopmental syndromes. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzons securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzons securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements. IR, US IR & Media, Europe Spain Oryzon Ashley R. Robinson Sandya von der Weid Patricia Cobo/Daniel Foley Emili Torrell LifeSci Advisors, LLC LifeSci Advisors, LLC Atrevia Chief Business Officer +1 617 430 7577 +41 78 680 05 38 +34 91 564 07 25

+34 672 447 094 +34 93 515 1313 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]





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[July 24, 2023] The Kids Are Alright: St. Jude Sparks Next Generation of Philanthropists, Bringing Young People Together to Help Children Everywhere Tweet

Gen Z is here to make a difference, and this week they hung out on the campus of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital where 300 members of the next generation of volunteers and fundraisers assembled for the St. Jude NextGen Experience. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724479697/en/ Abby Cox, a St. Jude fundraiser on campus for St. Jude NextGen Experience. (Photo: Business Wire) The event, the first of its kind, hosted participants and event leads from a wide range of St. Jude fundraising programs spanning from Trike-A-Tho and Math-A-Thon to Leadership Society and Collegiate events. The event included a tour of the St. Jude campus, interactive workshops and networking opportunities with fellow supporters from across the country.



One of these remarkable individuals was Abby Cox. Cox got started with St. Jude when she volunteered for Western Kentucky University's Midnight on the Hill, an annual fundraising event supporting St. Jude. "I did some research on student activities and saw Midnight on the Hill, and something clicked, I decided that was something I definitely wanted to go for," said Cox. "I don't know exactly what clicked, I didn't have any experience with St. Jude before, but something just made sense."

Something definitely clicked: Cox's passion drove her fundraising totals from $85,000 to $145,000 in one year alone. That's how one student's passion ignited a movement. Through one event, Cox was able to reach and bring awareness for St. Jude to her more than 16,000 Gen Z classmates at her university. The majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors giving what they can, one person at a time making an impact around the world. Or as Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude said, "I'd rather have a million people give me a dollar than one give me a million." Cox graduated in May and continues to support St. Jude by advising on ways to improve and evolve existing programs. Her next big goal? To join the Nashville office of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. Want to get involved? Sign up for one of the various NextGen school fundraising opportunities! View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724479697/en/

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[July 24, 2023]

Aleut Awarded Multi-Disciplinary Maintenance & Repair Contract for U.S. Army Garrison Alaska Facilities

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aleut Building Company, LLC (Aleut), a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) certified 8(a) program participant and Small Disadvantaged Business, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Huntsville to serve U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (USAG-Alaska). This non-personal services contract encompasses multi-disciplinary maintenance and repair services for a wide range of USAG-Alaska facilities, systems, sub-systems, components, and equipment.

"This contract award further solidifies Aleut's commitment to supporting the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Aleut Federal's Senior Vice President of Construction Services, John Mroz. "Aleut is honored to contribute its expertise and resources to ensure the continued operational readiness and excellence of USAG-Alaska's facilities."

Under this contract, Aleut will be responsible for providing comprehensive maintnance services at various locations, including Fort Wainwright (FWA), Fort Greely Alaska (FGA), Donnelly Training Area (DTA), Yukon Training Area (YTA), Black Rapids Training Site (BRTA), and Seward Military Resort (SMR). Aleut will deploy its highly skilled personnel, along with state-of-the-art equipment, tools, vehicles, materials, supervision, subcontracts, and other necessary resources to perform all corrective maintenance (CM) tasks for designated sites and facilities.







The contract has a base period of performance of one year and includes four 1-year option periods, ensuring long-term support for USAG-Alaska's critical infrastructure and operational needs. Aleut's expertise positions them as an ideal partner for this endeavor, capable of delivering innovative and efficient solutions across a diverse range of construction services.

"Aleut looks forward to a successful partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville and USAG-Alaska, delivering exceptional services that meet and exceed the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency," said Mroz.

About Aleut

Formed in 2021, Aleut Building Company, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aleut Federal, LLC, a holding company for federal subsidiaries of The Aleut Corporation (TAC). TAC is one of 12 Alaska Native regional corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1971.

Aleut Building Company, LLC is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) certified 8(a) program participant and Small Disadvantaged Business specializing in design-build and design-bid-build solutions, providing a wide range of traditional and specialty construction services.

Berlyn Martin

Aleut Federal, LLC

Phone: 571-560-0828

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aleut-awarded-multi-disciplinary-maintenance--repair-contract-for-us-army-garrison-alaska-facilities-301884251.html

SOURCE Aleut Federal, LLC
This story emerged over the weekend and we wanted to make sure it didn't get lost in a compilation or amongst weekend posts.

The important part . . .

Locals shouldn't underestimate worsening deadly domestic violence as part of Kansas City's homicide crisis.



The trend took hold over pandemic lock-downs and hasn't seemed to subside. Women in the urban core confront increased risk as their finances and lives are even more reliant on abusive partners.

Here are the basics and more info on an increasingly tragic report . . .



On July 17, Mantonia M. Duncan reportedly entered the home where Jami Duncan and her son were residing and, upon finding them in the kitchen, ordered Jami Duncan to lineup. Mantonia Duncan then shot her three times, at which point her son (Mantonia Duncans stepson) ran into his room and hid in the closet so he did not get killed also.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KC man accused of killing wife in front of stepson, charged with murder A Kansas City man has been charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with a shooting that left one woman dead.

Developing . . .
The spike in Summer violence remains consistent following a deadly early morning.

Here are the basics of what happened . . .



"The first shooting call came in just after 1 a.m. Monday at East 80th Street and Forest Avenue. A second call came into police just thirty minutes later, initially on reports of a prowler before quickly changing to reports of a shooting at the 7900 block of North Park Avenue."

Here are the reports and more info to follow . . .



Homicide 80th and Forest





Responding officers immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS responded and transported the victim to a local area hospital. The victim succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.



Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene. They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses.



Detectives are actively seeking for a person(s) of interest and the investigation is considered ongoing.



Preliminarily, a crime scene has been located believed to be involved with this incident.



If anyone was in or around the area at this time and saw or heard anything they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.



############### Upon officer arrival, an adult male victim was located lying in a grassy area along the roadway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and additional unknown injuries.Responding officers immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS responded and transported the victim to a local area hospital. The victim succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene. They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses.Detectives are actively seeking for a person(s) of interest and the investigation is considered ongoing.Preliminarily, a crime scene has been located believed to be involved with this incident.If anyone was in or around the area at this time and saw or heard anything they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS there is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.###############

7900 block N Park Ave.

On 07/24/23 just after 0130am officers were dispatched on a reported Prowler. The call was updated to a shooting while officers were in route.



Upon arrival, officers were directed to a residence where they located an adult male victim unresponsive inside of the home. The victim was suffering from apparent gun shot wounds. Officers immediately began to render aid until EMS arrived and took over life saving measures. EMS pronounced the victim deceased.



Preliminary investigation reveals the incident started over an argument.



Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene. They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence and speak with potential witnesses.



A person of interest, an adult male, was taken into custody on scene. Currently, detectives are not seeking any additional persons of interest regarding this incident.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.



#############

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City police investigating overnight homicide near Park Avenue KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police are investigating a overnight homicide after a man was shot and killed inside a Kansas City home. Officers were called to the area of NE 79th Place and Park Ave...

1 man killed after shooting at E. 80th & Forest Avenue Upon arrival officers discovered an adult male lying in a grassy area along the roadway suffering apparent gunshot wounds and additional unknown injuries.

2 killed in back to back KCMO homicides early Monday Kansas City Police responded to two fatal shootings early Monday morning, with one resulting in an arrest.

Kansas City, Missouri, police investigating two overnight homicides that happened roughly 30 minutes apart In both cases, a reward of up to $25,000 is available for tips submitted to the TIPS Hotline that lead to an arrest in a case.

Developing . . .
A regular meeting of the working group "Taxes and Reporting" under the leadership of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings was held, Azernews reports, with reference to the State Tax Service.

The meeting discussed answers to the questionnaire on the relevant indicator ("Taxation") of the new report "Business Ready", presented by the World Bank, and a note on the results of the assessment discussed issues related to the quarterly status of implementation of the "Roadmap" for 2022-2023 on the indicator "Taxation" of the World Bank Group's project "Convenient Business Environment".

Deputy Head of the State Tax Service, Head of the Working Group Ilkin Veliyev informed the participants of the event about the work done in Q2 2023, the quality of taxation rules, services provided by the tax administration, tax burden, and efficiency of tax systems.

Vusal Shikhaliyev, Head of the Secretariat of the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings, Head of Sector of the Department of Economic Policy and Industry of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan Vusal Shikhaliyev presented information about the new report "Business Ready" presented by the World Bank, methods to be applied in the assessment, as well as the questionnaire on the indicator "Taxation" of the report.

The participants of the event discussed the issues arising from the questionnaire, the possibilities of objective assessment of the experience applied in the field of taxation in our country, and the implemented reforms in the process of assessment. The members of the working group exchanged views on the impact of the work carried out within the framework of the implementation of the "Road Map" in the field of taxation in the past period and until the end of 2023 on this evaluation process, ensuring clarity of tax legislation provisions, stability and transparency of tax rules, new tax services and transparency of tax administration. In this process, the need to take into account the proposals of the business sector and to intensify meetings with business associations was emphasized.

It was stated that close cooperation with the private sector and consulting companies will be continued, and the relevant DVX structures were given tasks to accelerate the work toward the implementation of the measures.

The event was attended by the Ministry of Justice and Finance, Central Bank, Small and Medium Business Development Agency, State Agency for Citizens' Service and Social Innovation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Centre for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms, as well as representatives of consulting companies that are members of the working group.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. A ceremony of opening the 'Turkic World' media platform's head office, a joint project of Trend News Agency and the Turkish Albayrak Media Group, has been held in Baku, Trend reports.

The opening ceremony of the head office was attended by Head of the Communication Policy Sector of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan Javid Musayev, Head of the Information Support Sector of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Farhad Amirbayov, Director of Trend News Agency Ilgar Huseynov, Deputy Directors of Trend News Agency Rufiz Hafizoghlu and Sahil Karimli, Head of Turkish Albayrak Media Group Omar Karaca, representative of Albayrak Media Group Samir Babaoghlu, Board Member of Albayrak Media Group Mesut Albayrak, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel, Ambassador of Turkiye to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci and other guests.

Speaking at the event with an opening speech, Deputy Director of Trend News Agency Rufiz Hafizoghlu noted that the Albayrak Media Holding and Trend News Agency agreed to establish a joint media platform in 2021.

"This platform has been operating in Azerbaijan for two years now. We are very proud that other Turkic-speaking fraternal countries have joined this platform and that its center is located in Baku. The state news agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as the Turkish Albayrak Media Group are represented on this platform," he said.

Head of Turkish Albayrak Media Group Omar Karaca in his speech noted that the opening of a joint media platform is the beginning of further development of relations between the Turkic states.

"At the global media forum in Shusha, we discussed a number of issues with media representatives from 50 different countries. We are very grateful to Azerbaijan, which decided to hold such a forum and accepted it," Karaca said. "Two years ago, together with the Trend News Agency, we became important partners within the Turkic.World project. Over the years, our joint project has grown and developed."

"We are currently opening an office in Baku and we hope to develop our relations with the Turkic states in all areas, opening larger offices in different places in the coming years. I hope that the opening of this office will be the beginning of future development," Karaca said.

Head of the Communication Policy Sector of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan Javid Musayev, mentioning the recent global media forum in Shusha, said that one of the significant events of this media forum was the fact that President Ilham Aliyev took part in it and spent about three hours, answering all the questions of representatives of foreign media outlets.

"This is the significance given to media and journalism at the state level in Azerbaijan. The joint project founded by the Trend News Agency and Albayrak Media Group is a vivid example of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye," Musayev said.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel also said that this platform will contribute to bringing to the public what is happening in the Turkic states.

"At the same time, this joint platform will contribute to the development of relations between the states of the Turkic world. Albayrak Media Group is one of the influential media agencies in Turkiye. I wish good luck to the created platform," the ambassador said.

Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci said that people are witnessing an excellent example of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in the field of media.

"Today we see the result of the steps taken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to strengthen the organization of the Turkic states in all areas," he noted. "I believe that we saw the importance of the Turkic media towards the world realities, especially after the Second Karabakh war. I believe that this office will be important in terms of the right manner of informing the world about cooperation between Turkic states and events taking place in this geography.

The 'Turkic World' media platform was launched in 2021 as a result of cooperation between the Trend News Agency and the Turkish Albayrak Media Group with the support of Assistant of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev.

The media platform was presented last year at the media forum of the Turkic Council in Istanbul in 2021, and also became the official media partner of the 25th International Business Forum (IBF), organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan and the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) of Turkiye.

In addition, the 'Turkic World' media platform was also the official media partner of the "Teknofest-2022" Aerospace and Technology Festival. Along with the above, the platform signed a memorandum of cooperation with Istanbul Commerce University, the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology and Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).
An axiom that hasn't really worked it's way down to neighborhood voters . . .

ALL POLITICS IS NATIONAL.

This contradicts a notion of effective localized political action before the advent of the Internets.

Now . . . The American electorate seems to be, mistakenly, looking to social media and nationwide for direction.

Make no mistake . . . We admire this local lady even if we might disagree with some/most of her public statements.

Our take . . .

Kansas Dems are playing a tune written for them by Beltway pundits. It seems to be working and so local leaders must all dance to the same music.

Better still . . . Here's the politico speaking for herself . . .



As a clinical social worker, Latina and one of the first openly gay state representatives, Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat, said she needed to advocate for many different groups in Kansas but felt a special responsibility for standing up for LGBTQ rights  especially in recent months, with lawmakers voting into law several transphobic pieces of legislation crafted and promoted by national hate groups.



Theres so many things that I have to be able to speak out for, and/or against, Ruiz said during a conversation for the Kansas Reflector podcast. Theres a lot of groups in my head, and so Im always having to kind of juggle all of that. But the reality is for me, I feel the pressure on my shoulders to carry the LGBTQ community.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This might be the worst food aid FAIL of 2023 and it deserves attention from locals as prices are rising at the grocery store and food insecurity is becoming VERY REAL for more people in Missouri.



Admittedly, this is a progressive rant but it should generate interest across party lines . . .

Roughly 356,000 Missouri kids qualify, putting some $42.7 million from the federal government on the table this year.



But Missouri will be leaving it there. The state is forgoing participation this year, after last years program here dragged into this summer due to the states inability to get the money where it needed to go.



No one should underestimate the mind-numbing level of bureaucracy necessary to administer a federal program  but other states managed it, most of them dispersing last years funds in just a few months last summer. Missouri government, however, with its outdated computer systems, needed to create a data portal from scratch to collect information on student eligibility and coordinate that data with state and federal agencies.



As a result, Missouri didnt even get last years program up and running until this summer . . . The decision to bow out of this years program, a spokesperson for Missouris Department of Elementary and Secondary Education told the news site, was based on the federal requirements associated with accessing and administering the benefits  coupled with the limitations of our current state and local data collection systems.





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com paywall link . . .
Forgive us for not showing much reverence for this story given that that the dude on death row was convicted of horrific atrocity that merits the strictest sanction from the state.



Here's part of the story . . .



He is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Aug. 1 at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri.



Attorneys for Johnson said in court filings that he is delusional and thinks Satan is using the State of Missouri to execute him in order to bring about the end of the world and that the voice of Satan confirmed this plan to him. They argued that going forward with the execution would violate the Eighth Amendment.



During a psychiatric evaluation, Johnson, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 16, also said he believes he is a vampire who can reanimate his organs and can learn a code to enter an animals mind to live after the execution.



Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office has argued that Johnsons recent records indicate he has been free of auditory hallucinations.



In an order Monday, U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp wrote, The mere fact that someone experiences delusions does not mean that the person experiences the type of delusions that prevent him from rationally understanding why the state seeks to execute him.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
On July 19, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a forum on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress to convey their reflections on Turkeys illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus a day before the 49th anniversary of the tragic event. In attendance were newly appointed Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Evangelos Savva and the charge daffaires of the Embassy of Greece, Theodoros Bizakis, both of whom shared remarks as well.

The event was moderated by AHI President Nick Larigakis who thanked the attendees for their words of support and expressed his gratitude to the 49 donors who made the event possible. Special thanks were given to the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), for their cooperation and their support of the event. Larigakis also spoke on the ongoing struggle of the people of Cyprus, who for 49 years have endured an illegal occupation by Turkey, along with massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The forum featured speakers were U.S. Rep. Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV); Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY); Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-NJ); Rep. Charles Fleischmann (R-TN); Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY); General Secretary of the Hellenic American National Council, Dr. Panagiotis Baltatzis; Embassy of Greece Charge daffaires Bizakis; and Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S. Savva. Written statements were provided by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD); Senator Gary Peters (D-MI); Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA); and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD).

Rep. Pappas said: Let us stay committed to making sure there is a future where Cyprus is united and free.

I look forward to working with the new ambassador [of Cyprus to the U.S.], Rep. Bilirakis said, adding that were not going to rest until Cyprus is united.

Rep. Dina Titus said: The 49th anniversary of the illegal action by Turkey to take over Cyprus, if you think about that, half a century  half a century of holding our land illegally, half a century of pillaging our holy sites, half a century of destroying our icons, half a century of refusing to tell us where those 750 people who are missing are  you know thats a long time of the abuse, and we just shouldnt let it go on, and we certainly shouldnt let Turkey be rewarded by having F-16sweve written letters, weve called on the state department, and weve called on the president, saying dont do this.

I think its very important that we continue to remind Members of Congress about this injustice and this illegal occupation, particularly now when Congress is going to be making the decision on whether Turkey will receive the [F-16] fighter jets, Rep. Malliotakis said. Obviously, Ive been very opposed, Ive been very vocal, Ive been very adamant, that this deal be rejected.

Greece stands by Cyprus in all these years of continuous efforts of trying to have an agreed solution,  according to the UN parameters  a solution that will provide for the withdrawal of all Turkish troops in the occupied area right now, Embassy of Greece Charge daffaires Theodoros Bizakis noted.

Ambassador Evangelos Savva said: Let us not forget that after 50 years, Turkey maintains 40,000 troops in the territory of Cyprus it occupies, let us not forget that almost 180,000 refugees are still deprived of the right to return to their homes, let us not forget the massive violation of human rights of all Cypriots  Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike. Let us not forget the plight of the families who are missing, who are still seeking closure for their loved ones after all these years, and let us not forget within that plight, that we still have a number of American Cypriots whose fate remains undetermined, and the U.S. government is well aware of the fact that it should do its utmost best to work with Cyprus and the relevant committees of the United Nations to do all that it can to unearth the remains of these five American Cypriots  we know where they are, all it needs it the political determination to hold Turkey accountable.

Again, my deep appreciation to Nick Larigakis and the American Hellenic Institute, my deep appreciation to Congress for keeping this issue at the forefront, and we would like nothing more than to see that support continue with the utmost goal of getting to the negotiations resuming for a solution that will reunify Cyprus and end occupation, Ambassador Savva concluded.

In its ongoing efforts to secure the reunification of Cyprus, the United States must act with urgency and moral imperative, Rep. John Sarbanes said. We must also continue to fortify the longstanding relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus, recognizing the mutual benefits that come from our collaboration on a host of critical issues.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

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Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.

My sister-in-law is an intolerable know-it-all. I was going to let it go. Then she started spreading rumours about her own grandson: Ask Ellie
The much-mocked cultural phenom tells us about taking on her critics and self-publishing her first book.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva in Azerbaijan on July 24, Trend reports.

Issues on the agenda of the current cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN, including the situation with implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were discussed at the meeting.

In addition, Bayramov noted the importance of the SDG Summit, which will be held on September 18-19 within the framework of the UN General Assembly, in terms of analyzing the current state of implementation of the sustainable development agenda.

Furthermore, he informed Andreeva in detail about the work done to achieve the SDGs at the national level, and about the activities of the National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development, created to achieve the goals and objectives that are important for Azerbaijan.

Moreover, Bayramov provided information on the current situation in the region in the post-Karabakh conflict period, reconstruction work based on the 'Smart City' and 'Smart Village concepts in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from Armenian occupation, and steps to create a green energy zone. The continuation of military-political provocations and mine threats by Armenia harms peace efforts.

The importance of de-mining activities from the point of view of the return of former internally displaced persons, and the ongoing reconstruction work was emphasized, as well as the fact that such an initiative is one of the components of the SDGs.

Vladanka Andreeva highlighted the importance of the work carried out by Azerbaijan in the direction of promoting the SDGs. Satisfaction was expressed with Azerbaijan's cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has left for Russia with a working visit on July 24, Trend reports.

Within the visit, a bilateral meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is planned for July 25.

Meanwhile, a new round of talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on a draft bilateral agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations is also scheduled to take place. The information was previously confirmed by Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia.

They met with US Secretary Antony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington.

The ministers and their teams continued progress on the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and achieved mutual understanding on the draft agreement, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues require further work.
A 25-year-old Belmont woman who had been detained by police is to be charged with killing ac
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan will have more deputies, Trend reports.

This is reflected in the decree on amendments to the "Regulations on the Ministry of Science and Education" signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today.

To date, the Minister of Science and Education had three deputies to be appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to the new regulation, the Minister of Science and Education will have four deputies appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
By Jeff Murphy, July 24, 2023



Participants in the Sedalia Police Departments formal presentation of a 2017 Dodge Charger with emergency lights to the Missouri Safety Center at the University of Central Missouri included, from left, SPD officers Josh Howell, Adam Hendricks, David Woolery, Police Chief Matt Wirt, UCM President Roger Best, and Missouri Safety Center Senior Program Manager Mike Perkins.



WARRENSBURG, MO - A collaboration that will enhance learning experiences for individuals seeking law enforcement careers, the Sedalia Police Department has donated a used patrol car to the Missouri Safety Center at the University of Central Missouri. The formal presentation event took place on July 19, the same week a group of 27 Central Missouri Police Academy (CMPA) cadets began a training program that will allow them to utilize the car at the Safety Centers Highway Safety Instructional Park, south of UCMs main campus in Warrensburg.



Sedalia Police Chief Matt Wirt was joined by three SPD command staff members, Adam Hendricks, Josh Howell, and David Woolery, to deliver the 2017 Dodge Charger, equipped with siren and emergency lights. They were met by UCM President Roger Best, representatives of the Missouri Safety Center, UCM Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies and members of area law enforcement agencies that are sponsoring cadets in CMPAs 166th class. Three of the class members, Tyler LaBoube, Lyndon North, and Jesse Page, are sponsored by the SPD. Other area police and sheriffs departments that attended the event and are sponsoring CMPA cadets represent Johnson, Lafayette, Morgan, and Pettis counties and the Warrensburg Police Department.



In talking about how the gift of this patrol car was made possible, Wirt said, As we were transitioning from Dodge Chargers to Durangos, it gave us this opportunity. Members of the academy and the safety center indicated they needed more modern cars for their operation, so I went to the (Sedalia) city administrator and the mayor and asked if there was something we could donate that could help.



Sedalia municipal leaders were in favor of the donating the former patrol car to the Missouri Safety Center, which oversees CMPA. Following approval by the Sedalia City Council, the vehicle now has a new home, helping to prepare individuals for law enforcement careers.



The commitment to the work of the police academy and our law enforcement continuing training is essential for safety in the profession, said Joanne Kurt-Hilditch, Ph.D., senior director of the Missouri Safety Center. With newer technology and equipment, such as donated vehicles, our cadets and officers are able to practice in more real-life scenarios and become better equipped to being safe and effective on our roadways.



Tim Lowry, a career police officer who serves as director of CMPA, said the car will help create realistic scenarios for testing cadets driving skills, including learning how to make traffic stops. The emergency lighting that comes with the donated vehicle enables its use for both daytime and nighttime training.

President Best had an opportunity to test drive the patrol car before joining Missouri Safety Center Senior Program Manager Mike Perkins to formally accept the vehicle. Both of them participated in photo sessions with cadets and law enforcement personnel from various other organizations attending the event.



Wirt, who has served the Sedalia Police Department for 24 years, said he was pleased to be able to give back to a program which helped him prepare for his law enforcement career. After serving as a reserve officer in Sedalia, he attended the CMPA in the 1990s. His communitys investment in his training paid off with Wirt continuing to work full time, eventually becoming Sedalias police chief.



Its nice to give back. I have a soft place for people who want to come into this profession, he said. Its getting harder to find people, especially those who are really dedicated. So anything I can do to help them to enjoy this experience and to get a realistic training opportunity with a patrol car, it is great. It means a lot to me.



The Missouri Safety Center and the CMPA are part of the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. Between July and December 2023, members of the 166th class will receive 835 hours of training in the academy, which is licensed by the Missouri Department of Public Safetys Peace Officer Standards and Training Program.



To learn more about the Missouri Safety Center and the CMPA, visit mosafetycenter.com.







Representatives of the Sedalia Police Department (SPD), University of Central Missouri, Missouri Safety Center, Central Missouri Police Academy and its 166th class of cadets gather around a 2017 Dodge Charger patrol car recently donated to the Missouri Safety Center.
From February 24, 2022 to July 23, 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 241,960 Russian military personnel, including 630 soldiers over the past day.

This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published on Facebook.

Moreover, the Ukrainian troops destroyed 4,151 (+11 over the past day) enemy tanks, 8,105 (+9) armored combat vehicles, 4,658 (+29) artillery systems, 697 (+4) MLRS, 451 (+3) air defense systems, 315 aircraft, 310 helicopters, 3,958 (+14) operational-tactical UAVs, 1,298 cruise missiles, 18 ships/boats, 7,172 (+13) vehicles and fuel tanks, 696 (+5) special equipment units.

The data are updated.

As reported, over the past day, the aviation of the defense forces launched 12 strikes on enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment clusters. Also, our defenders destroyed four operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs. Missile and artillery units hit 21 artillery pieces on firing positions, an anti-aircraft missile system, and another important enemy target.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin has expressed confidence that those involved in missile strikes on the city of Odesa will be identified and punished.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Odesa. At least one person was killed. Many people were injured. Russia once again has proved that its main goal is to kill Ukrainian civilians. And talks about Russian spirituality are lies. They fired missiles at the historic center  the monument protected by UNESCO. The citys largest Orthodox church was destroyed, Kostin wrote.

In his words, the only traditions that Russia really honors and continues are the traditions of cannibalistic totalitarian regimes.

This church used to be destroyed  in 1936. Independent Ukraine rebuilt it, Kostin added.

The Prosecutor General assured Odesa residents that those involved in the criminal attacks would be brought to justice.

And we will restore the church and monuments. It was so in the past, and we dealt with it, Kostin stressed.

A reminder that, on the night of July 23, 2023, Russian troops launched a massive attack on the city of Odesa and the Odesa region. One person was reported killed and 22 injured, including four children.
The Russians will continue to use nuclear blackmail because it is one of the elements of pressure on Ukraine.

"As for the use of nuclear blackmail, this is not the first time. This blackmail exists and will be used further by Russia because it is one of the elements of pressure on us and the world community," Vadym Skibitsky, deputy chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said during the United News telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, Russia is taking measures to improve the infrastructure, inspecting those objects that are in the territory of Belarus.

"We, as military intelligence, understand what activities they conducted all the time in the occupied territories of Crimea, and even before the occupation. Because the Russian Federation, and its Black Sea Fleet, practiced during exercises the delivery of nuclear munitions from the territory of the Russian Federation to the Crimean Peninsula," Skibitsky noted.

All these procedures are known, the intelligence understands how this happens, especially if it concerns mobile missile bases, precisely those where ammunition is stored, he added.

When asked about Russias nuclear arsenal, Skibitsky said that the Russians were trying to modernize it.

"The extent to which the Russian Federation is ready to use [its nuclear arsenal] will depend on many factors. But nevertheless, we clearly understand that, in particular, China told the Russian Federation about the non-use of nuclear weapons very specifically. Because everyone understands: the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is one of the key elements of the overall global security system," Skibitsky said.
In the Tavria direction, Russian troops lost almost two companies killed and wounded in a day, 30 units of military equipment were destroyed.

Thats according to the commander of the Tavria Operational-Strategic Group of Forces, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, who reported the news on Telegram.

"On the Tavria axis, the Defense Forces are systematically knocking the enemy out of their positions," Tarnavskyi said.

The Commander added that Ukraines artillery units in the Tavria direction had performed 1,211 fire missions.

"Over the last day, the enemy's losses in terms of those killed and wounded in action amounted to almost two companies. Thirty units of the enemy's military equipment were destroyed," Tarnavskyi informed.

In particular, a main battle tank, seven anti-aircraft systems, 12 artillery systems and mortars, as well as a number of military trucks were destroyed.

The Ukrainian forces also destroyed seven Russian ammunition depots.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, from February 24, 2022 to July 23, 2023, Ukraines forces eliminated 241,960 Russian invaders, including 630 in the past day alone.
A memorial was held in Ukraine to honor a U.S. national, Nicholas Maimer, who was killed in action near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine as part of the 135th Territorial Defense Battalion which he had volunteered to join.

That's according to the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade press service, Ukrinform reports.

Brother in arms, today your body is already on the way to America, but your warrior spirit is with us forever! To give one's life is the greatest feat, but Nick's life was filled with small daily feats of self-sacrifice and service to a greater purpose, the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade wrote on Facebook, posting a video of the event.

Thanks to the American people for such brave heroes. Thanks to Nick's compatriots, who continue the cause of the fallen Hero, strengthening our moment, keeping in line with us! the posting reads. We remember their contribution and preserve their spirit, sharing their story of bravery and supreme sacrifice.

Memo. Nicholas Maimer, retired U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, was tragically killed in action in May 2023 during a combat deployment with the 135th Territorial Defense Battalion in Bakhmut, Ukraine, fighting against Russias Wagner Group.
Following the offensive actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a total of 35 square kilometers of land area has already been liberated from Russian invaders in the Bakhmut direction.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Defense Deputy Minister Hanna Maliar on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Russian troops continue focusing efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. Fierce battles are underway.

In the Kupiansk direction, Russians have been actively conducting assault actions over the past week, trying to push Ukrainian units beyond the barrier frontier of the Oskil River and looking for weak spots in the defense. At the moment, hostilities continue, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are firmly holding positions.

In the Lyman direction, the enemys assault actions were persisting in an attempt to push Ukrainian defenders away near the Serebrianske forestry. Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions to the east of the Donetsk regions Torske. Battles are underway.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian forces have been conducting successful offensive actions on the southern flank over the past week. Now, they are gradually but confidently advancing there.

The fiercest battles are raging near Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdiumivka.

Over the past week, a total of 4 square kilometers has been librated in the Bakhmut sector. In general, since the offensive was launched in that direction, the total de-occupied area has reached 35 square kilometers, Maliar noted.

In the Avdiivka, Marinka and Shakhtarske directions, Russian troops were focusing efforts to establish full control over Marinka and seize Avdiivka, but had no success.

In southern Ukraine, the Defense Forces continue conducting the offensive in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions.

Over the past week, following the offensive actions, the de-occupied area in the south has expanded by 12.7 square kilometers. In general, a total of 192.1 square kilometers was liberated in the south, Maliar added.

A reminder that, between February 24, 2022 and July 24, 2023, Russias total combat losses in Ukraine came to about 242,620 troops.

Photo: General Staff
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has strongly condemned recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on the Danube River near Ukraine's border with Romania.

He said this on Twitter, according to Ukrinform.

"I strongly condemn the recent Russian attacks against the Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on Danube, very close to Romania. This recent escalation poses serious risks to the security in the Black Sea. It also affects further Ukrainian grain transit & thus the global food security," Iohannis wrote.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also condemned recent Russian attacks on Ukraine near the Romanian border, according to Romania Journal.

He said the targeting of port infrastructure is yet another proof of Russia's intention to undermine Ukrainian grain exports to global markets, seriously damaging world food security.

"The deterioration of global food security is one of the multiple consequences of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Romania will continue to support Ukraine in order to identify practical solutions for the continuation of additional grain exports to global markets," Ciolacu added.

On the night of July 23 to July 24, Russia launched an almost four-hour attack involving Shahed-136 kamikaze drones at the port infrastructure on the Danube.

Ukraine's Operational Command South said that Ukrainian air defenses had intercepted three Shahed-136 drones. As a result of the strikes, a grain hangar was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged, and a fire broke out in one of the production premises.
This morning a new consignment of Leopards, ambulances, TOA vehicles, trucks, and different types of ammunition left for Ukraine.

Thats according to the Spanish Defense Ministry press service, Ukrinform reports.

The other four Leopard 2A4 committed by the Spanish Government have already left Santander for Poland, the report reads.

Yesterday, the field hospital arrived in Poland, adds the press service.

On July 24, a ship with military and humanitarian material bound for Ukraine left the port of Santander. It is expected that all the material will be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in early August.

Specifically, the material sent by Spain consists of the four Leopard 2A4s committed by the Government, which will be added to the six Leopard 2s with the same characteristics, which have already been delivered to the Ukrainian Government, the Defense Ministry wrote.

Also included in the shipment are ten TOAs M-113 armored vehicles (three of them for the Border Guards), 10 Navy trucks (of which five will be delivered to the Border Guards and five to the Armed Forces), a multipurpose armored vehicle (for the Border Guards), three civil ambulances, and a BMR armored ambulance (which will go to military hospitals), as well as an armored civilian ambulance (for the Border Guards).

As reported earlier, Spains Defense Minister Margarita Robles reported following the latest Ukraine Defense Support group meeting that her country would be sending another four Leopard tanks and a batch of armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
During Russia's war against Ukraine, Great Britain developed the Wolfram armoured vehicle to launch Brimstone air-to-surface missiles.

As the Independent informs, the Wolfram armoured vehicle was developed by the British military in the early days of Vladimir Putins invasion with an urgent plea for help from Kyiv to counter Russian heavy armour.

Brimstone missiles would have been ideal for the job, but they were launched from advanced warplanes the Ukrainians did not have.

After a weekend of looking at the problem, the boffins at the Ministry of Defence came up with the solution  using an office laptop, commandeering a truck and getting a power generator from a B&Q store. The result was Wolfram, a mobile ground-based platform, with its MBDA missile and a Supacat vehicle which could be used to move around Russian lines to strike at the enemy, reads the article.

As noted, several dozen of the vehicles are already in Ukraine.

In total, since February 2022, Great Britain has allocated more than $5.62 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

Weapons and military equipment provided by London include Storm Shadow long-range missiles, Brimstone missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Challenger tanks, and more.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Minister of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan Madat Guliyev urgently went to the country's Shirvan city, Trend reports.

The minister visited Shirvan, following the recent explosion.

The explosion occurred during compression of the intermediate gearbox of the explosive in the Shirvan Araz Plant LLC of the Ministry of Defense Industry today, at about 12:00 (GMT+4). An investigation is currently underway.

Madat Guliyev and employees of the ministry, Shirvan city prosecutor Kamal Talibov and head of executive power Ilgar Abbasov visited the scene, where they were informed in detail about the incident.

Guliyev and other officials visited Sabina Shakarova, who was injured as a result of the incident, in the hospital, the doctors informed the minister about the patient's condition.

Then the minister met with the family and relatives of Mehman Akhmadov, who was buried in Hajigabul, and expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has launched an investigation in connection with the explosion.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Shirvan City is investigating the explosion of ammunition at the plant of the Ministry of Defense Industry, located in the city of Shirvan, as a result of which one person was killed and one was injured.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that Lithuania maintains the position that easing sanctions against Russia in exchange for an agreement on the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea is wrong.

Ukrinform reports this with reference to LRT.

Nauseda believes that it is absolutely wrong to ease sanctions against dictators. This is the position of all authorities, at whatever level the discussions take place, the Lithuanian leader said.

Earlier this week, an EU diplomat told LRT on condition of anonymity that the EU is ready to listen to Russia's requests conveyed to the UN to extend the Ukrainian grain export agreement. One of them is the lifting of some sanctions against Moscow.

Part of the European community believes that sanctions against Belarus need to be eased somewhat. That is why new sanctions are being slowed down.

Lithuania holds the position that sanctions cannot be eased for either Russia or Belarus, and that they should be the same for the latter as for Moscow.

Despite the disagreement over broader sanctions, the EU is expected to approve a smaller package of sanctions against Belarus this week, covering dual-use goods, high technology, and aviation.
Since February 24 last year, capital outflows from Russia have reached USD 253 billion, an outflow rate of 13% of GDP.

The head of the Presidential Office (PO) of Ukraine Andriy Yermak announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Capital outflows from Russia since the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion have reached a record USD 253 billion," the head of the PO said.

According to his data, USD 239 billion left Russia in 2022, four times more than in 2021, and in the first half of 2023, the outflow amounted to an additional USD 27 billion.

"The rate of capital outflows reached 13% of GDP and broke all possible records," Yermak emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported, on July 20, the EU, the UK, the U.S., Canada, and other countries announced extension of sanctions against Russia and its supporters who help it circumvent restrictions.
The Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa, Maksym Subh, called on the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Igab Nasr, to join the implementation of Volodymyr Zelenskys Peace Formula and to actively join international efforts to restore supplies of Ukrainian grain to the African continent.

Thats according to a readout of talks posted by MFA Ukraine, reports Ukrinform.

According to the report, the Egyptian side was briefed on the ongoing liberation of Ukrainian lands from the Russian invaders that will last until the complete de-occupation of territories within the internationally recognized borders. The Special Representative invited Egypt to join the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskys Peace Formula and take part in the Third Summit of the International Crimea Platform - an international consultation and coordination format created with the aim of deoccupying Crimea and peacefully returning the peninsula under Ukraines control.

Subh noted that thanks to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, through which more than 1.4 million tons of agricultural products were delivered to Egypt, Ukraine remains a reliable guarantor of Egypts food security, as well as that of many other countries in Africa and the Middle East. In this regard, the Ukrainian diplomat called on Cairo to actively join international efforts aimed at restoring supplies of Ukrainian grain to Africa.

During the conversation, the parties discussed a number of issues of developing Ukrainian-Egyptian cooperation in the trade and economic, agri-industrial, and other areas, as well as expanding the contractual and legal basis of bilateral relations, and strengthening cooperation within the framework of international organizations.

As reported, on July 17, Russia announced the termination of the agreement with Turkiye and the UN regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative. According to the Ukrainian Grain Association, from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, Ukraine exported more than $20 billion worth of grain and oil crops.
A new engineer battalion will be created this year in the city of Augustow in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, close to the border with Belarus.

Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak said this during a visit to Augustow on Sunday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"An engineering battalion will be created in Augustow this year," Blaschak said.

He added that the military unit would be part of the 15th Gizycko Mechanized Brigade and part of the 16th Mechanized Division.

According to the minister, the unit will be armed including with wheeled mine laying systems.

Read also: Russian female tennis player denied entry into Poland for backing Putin

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Ministry of Defense this June purchased 24 wheeled Baobab-K mine planters of Polish production for the needs of its own army. Baobab-K is a new project developed by the Polish defense industry, which requires up to 22 minutes to set a minefield about 2 km long and 30-90 meters wide. The Polish army is set to accept this hardware for service in 2026-2028.

As Blaszczak recently stated, Poland is aware of the threat posed by the deployment of the Wagner Group in Belarus, so it moved two mechanized brigades from the west to the east of the country, closer to the border with Belarus. In particular, it is about the transfer of manpower and equipment of the 12th and 17th mechanized brigades from Szczecin and Medzyrzecz.

Photo: PAP/Marcin Obar
The head of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Marketa Pekarova Adamova, reaffirmed that the current regime in Russia is a terrorist one, as once again evidenced by the shelling of the historic center of Odesa in Ukraine.

She recalled on Twitter that on November 15, 2022, the Chamber adopted a resolution designating the Russian regime as terrorist.

"Russia's attack on Odesa, as a result of which children were injured and a historically important cathedral was destroyed, fully proves the veracity of the adopted text," she wrote.

According to Pekarova Adamova, the Czech Republic will continue to support Ukraine "in protecting it from criminals."

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Odesa and the region overnight Sunday, July 23. The invaders fired off 19 missiles of various types.

The strike hit Odesas historical center, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the buildings partly destroyed was the famous Transfiguration Cathedral.
The suspension of the grain deal because of Russia's position is accompanied by russists shelling of Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

Putin once again blurted out nonsense about Poland's aggressive plans for Ukraine, and Ihor Hirkin (Strelkov) was detained in Moscow "for extremism." "The Wagnerites are turning into a component of destabilizing the Baltic-Black Sea region.

The Kremlin's penchant for being the truth in the last resort is not news to anyone interested in contemporary politics. However, the suspension of Russia's participation in the grain deal concluded a year ago by Russia and Ukraine with the UN and Turkey has been accompanied by military and political actions that can hardly be called adequate. Not only are the russists subjecting Odesa and other Black Sea cities to barbaric shelling in an attempt to destroy port infrastructure, but they are also undermining the position of Recep Erdogan, for whom mediation between Russia and Ukraine is an important part of his image. Russian missile attacks are not only destroying buildings in Odesa, but also driving out the remnants of the "Russian world." Ukraine has called for consultations in the NATO-Ukraine Council and, through Dmytro Kuleba, declares its readiness to independently organize grain exports to ensure the world's food security. Of course, NATO's assistance in this situation will not be superfluous, not only in the naval sense, but also in the political arena, as Russia is trying to act on the global food market as if it had not been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine for 17 months.

Vladimir Putin refused to personally participate in the BRICS summit scheduled for August in South Africa. The International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of the Russian president, who is accused of abducting Ukrainian children, has been in effect for more than 4 months, even as a preventive measure. The leader of a nuclear-armed state hardly dares to poke his nose outside the territory of his country, even if it is the largest in the world. There is no practical reason to talk about the international authority of the Kremlin's master. Putin's latest bout of anti-Polish hysteria last week only shows his desire to add fuel to the fire of the parliamentary campaign there, as the label of "Kremlin agent" in contemporary Polish politics can lead to a duel. Of course, on live television.

The detention of Ihor Hirkin (Strelkov) by Russian security forces on charges of extremism indicates an escalation of the struggle within the ruling class. There is already a version circulating in Moscow that the catalyst for the repression of the "hero of the struggle for Donbas" was negative feedback about Alina Kabayeva. In any case, Hirkin, who criticized the generals on social media, will spend the next two months in a pre-trial detention center, while Prigozhin, who attempted an armed rebellion a month ago, eventually showed himself in Belarus.

In this situation, Putin continues to exploit Lukashenko's dependence. The latter is rapidly turning Belarus into a source of danger for the Baltic-Black Sea region at the Kremlin's behest, surrendering the remnants of the state's sovereignty. The formal independence of Belarus attracts much more attention to demonstrative actions with the redeployment of Wagnerian troops and the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on its territory than similar actions in the Kaliningrad region. The combination of these two factors of potentially powerful influence on public opinion in Lithuania and Poland demonstrates the Kremlin's readiness to internationalize the conflict, its desire to create alarmist sentiments in the region and reduce the role of Poland and Lithuania in helping Ukraine. In this regard, Lukashenko is diligently playing his role, trying not to go beyond the limits set by the scenario.

Yevhen MAGDA, Institute of World Policy

The first photo: Oleh Kiper, TG
We are starting a new topic with Oleh Kudrin's "Guide to Rashism-Putinism

In our previous articles, we have discussed a large topic - Russian messianism and its place in the system of chauvinistic, rashists views. Now we take up a related topic, a large and interesting one, about which there is a lot of debate.

This is the role of Russian culture and its most prominent part, Russian art, in the formation, consolidation, and reproduction of an aggressive empire.

TO ABOLISH RUSSIAN CULTURE OR PUT IT ON HOLD?

2022 - the liberation of Bucha, Irpin, and other Ukrainian territories. Ukraine and the world witnessed terrible crimes in the places where the occupiers had just been driven out. One of the consequences of this shock was a discussion of how the army, the citizens of a country that boasts of its culture and art, and promotes them as the hallmark of the state, could do this.

And then people started talking about the possibility of boycotting such Russian culture. It was a natural reaction. It was all the more natural because in 2010-2020, democratic countries developed a tradition of ostracizing individuals, works, and phenomena whose view of the world has changed massively. In this regard, a special term has emerged: "cancel culture".

In the course of heated discussions, most Western intellectuals and politicians came to the conclusion that, despite their understanding of Ukrainian pain and respect for Ukrainian grief, this is still impossible. The Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tkachenko, proposed a more comfortable formulation for our partners: to "pause" Russian culture and communication with Russian figures, at least until the end of Russian aggression. But even this turned out to be too drastic a step for many.

However, there are places, countries, where they are now trying to consistently implement such a cultural policy. This is primarily Lithuania.

But still, it is impossible to either abolish Russian culture or put it on hold on a massive scale, despite all the horrors of the war unleashed by Moscow.

What is possible?

TO STOP UNCRITICALLY ADMIRING THIS CULTURE

In fact, not much is needed: to begin with, stop calling Russian culture "great". In the Ukrainian language, this word carries a more adequate meaning in this case: "great". Yes, as large in scope as all imperial cultures that accumulated in themselves (on the basis of the language and traditions of the titular people) the talents and efforts of many spaces and peoples. With this understanding, the point is not so much in narcissistic "greatness" as in "magnitude." Which is more adequate.

We also need to stop admiring Russian culture excessively, looking at it through rose-colored glasses: exceptional humanism and attention to the "little man," the "mysterious Russian soul," and so on.

It is also important to remember that Russian culture has always been in the same cart as Russian messianism-with its painful expectation and preaching of the special mission of the Russian people and their creations.

So, we simply need to look at Russian culture critically, first of all, from the point of view of the empire it contains. More often than not, it is a naive, familiar, natural, and therefore unnoticeable empire. And here we must again recall the thesis of the "internal colonization" of Russia, introduced by Russian historians and borrowed from them by other humanities scholars. As Muscovy/Russia pushed its borders further and further away (as a result of conquests - which is often overlooked!), external colonization turned into "internal colonization."

Which, in fact, meant the "digestion" of the spaces and peoples that found themselves abroad. And this was called "Russia" without a shadow of a doubt, since the Russian man and his flag had been here.

Once upon a time, the English, British sailors, traders, and military said something similar about themselves and their country/empire. But that metropolis, that country, grew out of it and reflected on its colonial art.

IMPERIAL REALITIES THAT ARE NOT PERCEIVED AS IMPERIAL

This is not the case with Russia and Russians.

Does anyone, not only in Russia but also abroad, perceive much of the work of the literary founders, Pushkin and Lermontov, as essentially colonial prose and poetry? After all, this is true - according to the historical fact of the current capture and digestion of territories, according to the themes, according to the accents in the description of the relationship between the local population and the conquerors

The narcotic outbreak of almost universal happiness, Putin's "Crimean consensus" of 2014, became possible because in Russian culture Crimea is perceived as something legitimately "theirs," moreover, heroically theirs. This is ridiculous and simply impossible to question. What about the Crimean Tatars, Krymchaks, Karaites? "Oh, leave it, it's all so insignificant, just a little local color." The genocidal policy towards the Crimean Tatars, which led to the exodus to Turkey and, under the USSR, to deportation to Central Asia, aroused sympathy among a negligible percentage of Russians.

It is the same with the Caucasian War, which lasted half a century (1817-1864). What is it for Russian culture and Russian art? It is a familiar and, because of this familiarity, even endearing backdrop to traditional Russian life. It tickles the nerves a little if the hero of the story has to go there. Is there any doubt in the Russian tradition that it is righteous, or at least wrong, or at least morally questionable? Almost no, very little. And is there any sympathy for the Circassians, who, as a result of the same genocidal policy, were mostly destroyed or forced into the Ottoman Empire? Practically none. What can we talk about if the perception is that from Novorossiysk to Sochi these are eternally Russian cities. After all, Russia has never attacked, only defended itself...

So, a lot of work is expected in analyzing, explaining, and popularizing knowledge. And this is directly related to our present. After all, the current war began with the occupation of Crimea and the subsequent surge in imperial sentiment in Erephia.

OLD MOSCOW CULTURE AND YOUNG RUSSIAN ART

In everyday life, in journalistic work, and in rubrics, the word "culture" is often synonymous with "art." Although its meaning is, of course, broader. Culture is any manifestation, both tangible and intangible, spiritual, of human activity and human communities.

A reminder of this distinction is important for understanding the age-old difference between "Russian culture" and "Russian art." The orthodoxy of Vladimir-Suzdal-Moscow Orthodoxy, which was as far east as it went, imposed strict restrictions on public life, making secular art and science impossible, even in its humanitarian version.

Therefore, it is quite natural to talk about the ancient traditions of Russian culture. But Russian art in the modern sense and in its various genres-literature, painting, music, and theater-is a very young phenomenon by historical standards (and against the background of other imperial cultures). It can, of course, be extended by chronicles, spiritual writings (or rare excesses, such as Ivan the Terrible's correspondence with Prince Kurbsky). But this is more like a prenatal, intrauterine period of development, or rare exceptions that confirm the rule.

At the same time, Muscovy/Russia has always traditionally recorded ALL works of ancient Russian culture and art in its register, tearing them out of the history of Ukrainians and Belarusians. This unfairly made those "side branches" that have no ancient history. And this is also not widely realized or overcome.

As the Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan recently said, addressing "Ukrainians and all of them" (i.e., other peoples of the Empire): "Is that what you didn't like about living with us? What was wrong with you? Your statehood appeared for many at the expense of us, your culture as such appeared at the expense of us. Who oppressed you? Who touched you?" By saying "with us" and "at our expense," Simonyan, of course, does not mean Armenians and Armenia, but Russia and Russians.

This kind of arrogance, redefined and made obscene in other countries, is natural and common in Russia, unfortunately, not only among Z-propagandists, but almost everywhere. Therefore, the explanation that various humanitarian knowledge came to Muscovy/Russia from Ukraine, in particular from graduates of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, puts the vast majority of Russians into a state of stupor, causing distrust or ridicule.

TEENAGE IMPATIENCE IN ART - THE BELINSKY SYNDROME

Generally speaking, the youthfulness of Russian art has made it characterized by a kind of adolescent impatience, a desire to become an adult as soon as possible. To stop imitating and being an apprentice, but rather to feel self-sufficient and great (which, by the way, will allow you to teach others).

Such sentiments are particularly evident in the texts of the "furious Vissarion," the Russian critic of the first half of the nineteenth century, Vissarion Belinsky. "The Russian personality is still an embryo; but how much breadth and strength is in the nature of this embryo, how stifling and terrible is every limitation and narrowness to it," he wrote in one letter.

These words about the "Russian personality being an embryo" are also, by the way, capable of baffling those who like to think about "millennial Russia." But then there is the well-known element of dimensionless narcissism, the expectation of unparalleled greatness that can be achieved by a people with such natural "breadth and strength." But the rejection of "limitations"-what is this about? It is hardly about freedom as such, although Belinsky was considered a "revolutionary democrat." Rather, it seems to be about the non-recognition of "any" restrictions, self-restrictions, which can hardly be considered a positive, constructive quality that should be admired.

The example of Belinsky as the first "revolutionary democrat" on behalf of young art is illustrative of another quality: imperial rejection of otherness, rejection of individuals and peoples who do not fit well into the titular imperial culture. Although not in articles, but in letters, Belinsky spoke exquisite nastiness about Taras Shevchenko and the possibilities of Ukrainian culture, and made racially offensive sketches of Crimean Tatars.

And in this sense, he is a forerunner of the Russian liberals of modern times, who harmoniously combine the self-awareness of a democrat with the arrogance of an imperialist.

BE PREPARED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIBERAL EMPIRE!

It is said that when Anatoly Chubais spoke about the need to build a "liberal empire" in 2003 on the eve of the parliamentary elections, it was not so much a call to voters as to elites. And the liberal part of them (unlike the imperial part) was generally ready for this. Is it so?

Not once, but in 2001, not just anywhere, but on Radio Svoboda, a discussion program called "Imperial Culture of Russia: Time and Place" was broadcast. It was attended by authoritative people who described the imperialism of Russian culture not just in an analytically detached way, but in a completely benevolent way.

Here is the historian, critic, and writer Kyrylo Kobrin:

"The government [Russian] played the role of a European, as Pushkin said, not only in relation to Russians themselves, but also in relation to other peoples of the Russian Empire. Here it is appropriate to recall Pushkin's phrase from A Journey to Arzrum, when he reflects on how to solve the Caucasian problem, and he writes that a samovar would be very appropriate here. That is, a samovar as a symbol of a certain civilizing imperial function."

The "Caucasian problem" (and the Second Chechen War was already in full swing at the time) is a soft way of referring to the aforementioned fifty-year-long Caucasian War. But let's not nitpick - it is still about the past, and it is still quite neat.

Here is how the present is described by historian Andriy Zubov. He reflects on whether multi-confessionalism has been formed in Russia (after all, the Chechen war, which the Kremlin waged under the banner of fighting "Islamic terrorism," is still going on):

"It seems to me that it has formed rather than not. Because the fact of multi-confessionalism exists in today's Russia, both in the great Russia, in the Commonwealth of Independent States, and in small Russia, the Russian Federation."

Impressive! It has been ten years since Ukraine and other former "union republics" have been independent, and for Professor Zubov the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is greater Russia, while the Russian Federation is only small Russia. Despite the fact that Andrey Borisovich is not an imperial dinosaur, but the nicest liberal intellectual who left Mordor after February 24. But, unfortunately, his views were exactly the same: Russia is an inferior, chopped-off, "little Russia."

CONSIDERATIONS ON HOW BEST TO REVIVE THE "IMPERIAL ATTRACTION"

But it gets worse. The interlocutors argue that the imperial culture in the territory under consideration was formed twice and destroyed twice. First in the tsarist version, then in the Soviet one. So maybe it's good that this happened, that we have forgotten, moved on, and are creating something new? No, the reasoning goes in a different direction. And again, Kobrin (who, by the way, left Russia long before 2022 and has since defined himself as a "European writer and historian who writes in Russian"):

"Now it, the Soviet imperial culture, may be partly strong as a memory, but the further we go forward, the further life goes, this memory becomes thinner and thinner, more distant, and eventually it will disappear. The current reality of Russia is that it is not the imperial culture, but the Russian culture itself that can be perceived by other peoples, representatives of other cultures and other confessions. But only depending on their degree of socialization and inclusion in the economic, social, or cultural life of Russia. This is where ORT [now Channel One] and NTV would serve as a 'samovar'."

In other words, in the fall of 2001, when the largest Russian channels had already been seized by the Kremlin, it was they who were proposed to carry "some civilizing functions" to the post-Soviet masses. It has been a year since the Soviet anthem was restored, but it is said that "memories of the Soviet imperial culture are becoming thinner and more distant." Jesus, what planet are these people from? Zubov's proposal is quite different, but also unimpressive:

"The escape from the imperial, which was characteristic in the first years of perestroika, and is still characteristic in many ways, is an escape from the Soviet in general. But the trouble is that the good pre-revolutionary peoples have completely forgotten the good pre-revolutionary peoples, and the desire for imperial unity, not necessarily political, but cultural, persists. It is associated with the Soviet, which is remembered, and in the Soviet, most people remember more bad than good. And I think it's impossible to get out of this paradox without remembering that old pre-Soviet culture, without actualizing it."

Yeah, the problem, it turns out, is that imperialism is associated with Sovietism. And fresh memories of Soviet times are often bad. Therefore, in order to overcome this "misfortune" and strengthen the "desire for imperial unity," it is now necessary to revive the memories of the "good imperial" that existed before 1917.

Again, what planet are these highly educated people of liberal views from? Do they not understand, for example, how Ukrainians have good memories of the "good pre-revolutionary": the elimination of autonomy, enslavement, the Valuev Circular and the Ems Decree? Later, as Putin's policies become more rigid, authoritarian, and aggressive, they will move away from such ideas. But back in 2001, Russian intellectual elites were quite ready to build a "liberal empire," a la Chubais.

This is the end of the introduction to the topic and next time we will begin to consider Russian literature, its role in the imperial state, and the elements of imperialism in Russian literature.

(To be continued)

Oleh Kudrin, Riga
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova has condemned the attack on the port infrastructure of Odesa region by Russian army.

That's according to NewsMaker, Ukrinform reports.

"Moldova condemns the recent Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure along the Danube, located near the border with Romania," the ministry said on Monday.

The Moldovan foreign ministry also emphasized that the July 23 shelling of port infrastructure by the Russian army affects further grain exports from Ukraine.

"This brutal attack poses significant risks to Ukraine's grain exports and the regional and global food security," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

As Ukrinform reported, at night on July 23, a nearly four-hour attack by Russian Shahed-136 drones targeted the Danube port infrastructure in Odesa region.

Operational Command South reported that three drones were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense. The hits destroyed a hangar with grain, damaged tanks for storing other types of cargo, and caused a fire in one of the production facilities.

Photo: Operational Command South
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has met with Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Larisa Galadza who is completing her work in Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, Shmyhal reported this on Telegram.

"Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Canada has been one of the first to provide Ukraine with the necessary support, including financial, military and sanctions support. I thanked for this leadership position during a meeting with Ms. Ambassador of Canada Larisa Galadza who is completing her work in Ukraine. We appreciate your personal contribution to the development of relations between our countries," Shmyhal said.

He noted that Ukraine is committed to strengthening economic cooperation with Canada and thanked for joint work on updating the bilateral free trade agreement. According to him, this will open up new opportunities for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.

Read also: Canada expands Russia sanctions

"We also count on the participation of Canadian entrepreneurs in the rebuilding of Ukraine, as this will become the largest business project in Europe in the 21st century. United in protection - united in recovery," Shmyhal said.

On July 20, Canada announced a new round of anti-Russian sanctions, introducing restrictive measures against 39 individuals and 25 legal entities.
At a meeting of the Lithuanian State Defense Council (VGT) chaired by President Gitanas Nauseda, the long-term plan for supporting Ukraine was considered and largely approved.

This is reported by Ukrinform with reference to the press service of the Lithuanian President.

The long-term plan to back Ukraine, presented at the VGT by Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anushauskas, envisages not only the supply of military equipment that Lithuania already has, but also the handover of new and purchased pieces; as well as the training and rehabilitation of the Ukrainian soldiers in Lithuania.

In addition, the connection of the Lithuanian power system to the European network was discussed; the concept of armed defense of the state; and issues of structuring and development of the national defense system.

VGT heard from Energy Minister Dainius Kravis and CEO Litgrid, Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator, Rokas Masiulis. The two reported on the preparation of the power system for synchronization with the networks of continental Europe. VGT offered that the government agree in writing with the governments of Latvia and Estonia on the joint withdrawal of the three Baltic countries from the agreement on the Russian-controlled BRELL energy system (Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). The deadline for synchronization with continental European grids was set for February 2025.

The Lithuanian State Defense Council approved changes in the concept of armed defense, related to the new generation regional defense plans approved at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Now its collective, not independent, defense that is planned from the first stages of possible crises.

VGT considered the need for new military training grounds. It was determined that Lithuania required another military training ground where a brigade-sized military unit could maneuver.

On the website of the Ministry of Defense, it is clarified that in the plan to support the Ukrainian army for the years 2024-2026, a budget of about EUR 200 million is provided. The main areas of support include the purchase of lethal and non-lethal capabilities, military training, financial contributions to support facilities, repair of military equipment in Lithuania, and personnel training.

The VGT also approved the update to the Armed Defense Concept (VGGK), which was determined by the security situation in the region, updated NATO regional defense plans, and the need to move to the next level of army quality. The updated concept focuses on and prioritizes existing military threats and national security interests.

Decisions regarding capacity development necessary for the creation of a new national unit were also discussed.

As reported, at the end of June, Lithuania sent Ukraine two NASAMS systems, 10 M113 armored personnel carriers, and ammunition, after which the total volume of Lithuanian military aid to Ukraine reached EUR 0.5 billion.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 24. Entrepreneurs from Afghanistan purchased ECO-93 Turkmen-made gasoline through the State Commodity and Raw Material Exchange of Turkmenistan, Trend reports.

Businessmen from Afghanistan purchased 35,000 tons of ECO-93 brand gasoline on the exchange. The total amount of the transactions was $22.9 million.

This gasoline was produced at the enterprise of the Turkmenhimiya State Concern.

At the same time, according to the exchange, businessmen from UAE and Turkiye purchased 1,000 tons of road bitumen for a total amount of $240,000.

ECO-93 is an environmentally friendly gasoline that is produced in Turkmenistan from natural gas at a plant in the Ahal region.

Turkmenistan ranks among the world's leading countries in terms of oil and gas reserves. The country pays great attention to the construction of oil and gas processing plants, as well as the export of energy resources to world markets.

The State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan was established on July 29, 1994. It is the most important body of state regulation of export-import operations.
Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets believes it would be appropriate if the International Criminal Court brought charged the Russian authorities regarding the civilian hostages the aggressors are holding.

The ombudsperson addressed the issue on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"We would consider it expedient for the International Criminal Court to probe the Russian side over civilian hostages, just like this happened regarding the deportation of Ukrainian children. After all, theres plenty of evidence and grounds for the relevant cases to be launched," Lubinets wrote.

Ukraine's position regarding the civilian hostages illegally held by the Russian Federation is clear and simple: our state is ready to take concrete steps and is working to get our people back.

"However, the biggest difference between Ukraine and Russia is that for Ukraine, civilians are civilian hostages, and according to the Russians, civilians are at least accused or convicted. That is, they are criminals for Russia. Unfortunately, the occupiers are doing this on purpose, opening fictitious and fabricated cases against Ukrainians," the ombudsman noted.

The Commissioner stated that the Russians are also taking advantage of the fact that there are Russian nationals who have been convicted and are serving a sentence in Ukraine for real crimes, such as espionage and spotting missile strikes at civilian objects.

"But we are different from the Russians: we do not violate people's rights! In Ukraine, only those who have actually committed crimes get convicted. And their rights are not violated in Ukraine - convicts are not tortured or abused in prisons, they have access to everything they need and even (!) the ability to call their families," assured Lubinets.

According to the ombudsman, the Russian Federation illegally detains Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories and on Russian territory. He also reminded that Article 3 of the 4th Geneva Convention prohibits warring parties from taking civilian hostages.

"Its true that Ukraine needs to follow the path of a democratic state, record Russian crimes against our people, protect their rights, and demand justice, that's for sure! Our efforts are to unite and do everything possible, every day, to bring Ukrainians home and contribute to victory," he is convinced.

As reported, Lubinets said more than 25,000 civilian hostages from Ukraine are believed to be held by Russia.
A Russian missile destroyed the central altar of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, as a result of which the temple was partially destroyed.

Thats according to the Odesa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Ukrinform reports.

"On the night of July 23, 2023, during a Russian terrorist attack on the city of Odesa, an enemy missile hit the Transfiguration Cathedral. The missile directly hit the central altar, as a result of which the cathedral building and the three lower floors were partially destroyed, while the interior and icons were significantly damaged," the posting reads.

Photo: Nina Liashonok, Ukrinform

It is noted that the service premises of the lower part of the cathedral were decimated.

It is clarified that a guard was injured in the cathedral.

Read also: Danilov names main goal of Russian attacks on Odesa

"The Odesa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church once again condemns Russias aggression against Ukraine, this act of terrorism against the main shrine and spiritual heart of the city of Odesa - the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, around which peaceful civilians reside, and the cathedral itself is in no way connected with military facilities," the diocese added.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on the night of July 23, Russian troops launched another major attack on the territory of Odesa and Odesa region. As a result, one person died and 22 people were injured, including four children.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) condemned the missile attack by Russian forces on Odesa in the early hours of Sunday, July 2023.

This was announced on the organization's website, Ukrinform reports.

"UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the brazen attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city center of Odesa, home to the World Heritage property The Historic Centre of Odesa, the statement reads.

The organization noted that a number of significant cultural objects were damaged as a result of the attack, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, the first and main Orthodox church in Odesa, founded in 1794.

Read also: ODIHR condemns Russian strike targeting Odesa cathedral

"This act of hostility comes only days after other attacks that impacted many cultural heritage sites in areas protected under the World Heritage Convention in Lviv and Odesa.," UNESCO noted.

Director General Audrey Azoulay, emphasized that Russia's actions violate international obligations to protect cultural heritage.

"This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against cultural heritage of Ukraine. I strongly condemn this attack against culture, and I urge the Russian Federation to take meaningful action to comply with its obligations under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention," she said.

It is noted that in the coming days, UNESCO will send a mission to Odesa to carry out a preliminary damage assessment.

"These attacks contradict recent statements by the authorities of Russia concerning the precautions taken to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine including their buffer zones," the organization added.

UNESCO recalled that the deliberate destruction of cultural objects may amount to a war crime, as also acknowledged by the United Nations Security Council, of which the Russian Federation is a permanent member.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, overnight Sunday, July 23, Russian troops launched a massive missile attack on Odesa. The invaders fired 19 missiles of various types.

The strike hit Odesas historic center, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. As a result of the attack, 25 architectural monuments were damaged, including the famous Transfiguration Cathedral.

As a result of the strike, one person died and 22 people were injured, including four children.
In order not to lose to Russia and other authoritarian regimes, the countries of the democratic world will have to join their efforts not only within the framework of military assistance to Ukraine but also in the media space by creating an informal information alliance  the so-called Information Ramstein.

This was told by the British journalist and researcher of propaganda and Russia Peter Pomerantsev in the podcast (Un) Safe Country, as reported by the Center for Strategic Communication.

The basic principle: to compete with the authoritarian machine in the information war  be it China or Russia  democracies must work together. We must understand what our strength is, the expert believes.

Pomerantsev reminded that the idea of the Information Ramstein belonged to him. It was based on an extensive study run for the United States in the first months of the war. After we finished this extensive study, I gave an interview to Ukrainska Pravda and mentioned the Informational Ramstein. Then the idea was picked up by politicians. It has been transformed, but the basic principle remains the same, he said.

Russia and China are already beginning to cooperate in the information space, exchange arguments, information. Russia and Syria have been doing this for a long time.

These are informal information alliances, but they work together. Democracies should also do this (create informal information alliances  ed.), based on our principles and values, the researcher believes.

At the same time, he understands the complexity of the process, but to ensure democracy, allies must act much more coherently. Its hard to get agencies even within the same country to work together, let alone different countries. It is for this reason that we use Ramstein  an example from the military sphere, where it worked, Pomerantsev said.

However, in the information sphere, the challenges will be somewhat different from those in the military one. But the principle will remain the same: if democracies are going to win in the 21st century (and there is no guarantee that they will  perhaps Russia and China will win the 21st century), then we will have to work together in the information space, he added.

Pomerantsev believes that this work should begin with an analysis of how allies can help each other. Moreover, in the process of work, it is necessary to determine priorities, and who has the resources to implement them: what can America do? What about Ireland? What can all other countries do to help the world win this war? It is important to select the right goals: to decide which countries and audiences are important, determine what exactly needs to be conveyed to them, understand what the ultimate goal is, and think about what information assets can bring it closer.
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Published July 24, 2023

CAPTION:Students attending the Bayou Discovery STEAM Camp at ULMs Museum of Natural History engage in a discussion about microorganisms they found in bayou water.Photo credit: Dr. Kim Marie Tolson

MONROE, LA  The ULM Museum of Natural History partnered with VCOM to host the 2023 Bayou Discovery STEAM Camp from June 19  23. This years theme was Marvels of the Human Body. The camp took place inside the ULM Museum of Natural History on the first floor of Hanna Hall and was open to elementary students entering the 4th or 5th grade. Camp sessions were presented by teams of faculty and staff from ULM and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), which is located on the ULM campus.

Campers participated in five days of activities designed to provide fun, hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Examples of their activities included water chemistry on bayou water, culturing microbes swabbed on common surfaces, painting tissues seen under a microscope, calculating stride length and reading graphs, isolating DNA, blood typing to save a superhero in need of a transfusion, and crime scene investigation.

Dr. Kim Marie Tolson, Director of the ULM Museum of Natural History and co-director of the camp, says the camp is important because most elementary students in our region are not exposed to hands-on science of any type. We wanted to expose them to a variety of science disciplines that many had never heard of and present the activities in a manner that was encouraging and free from the constraints of a regular classroom, said Tolson.

"By participating in ULMs STEAM camp, VCOM helps inspire young students interest in healthcare and medicine, said Dr. Mark A. Sanders, Dean of VCOM-Louisiana. The ULM faculty, students, and staff have created a wonderful program, and VCOM is proud to partner with and further develop this STEAM camp, he continued. One day, we hope to see these STEAM camp participants as physicians, nurses, microbiologists, pharmacists, or related scientific professionals.

ULM Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Allison Wiedemeier, co-director of the camp, says the partnership with VCOM was a win-win situation for all involved. VCOM contributed financially to purchase supplies for the camp, but their biggest contribution in this partnership was their medical students and faculty. VCOMs commitment to the welfare of people living in Northeast Louisiana was evident from the beginning, said Wiedemeier.

Tolson says this is the second year that the Bayou Discovery STEAM Camp has been hosted in the Museum of Natural History since the COVID-19 pandemic, and she hopes to continue offering the camp each summer. If we can secure funding, we would like to offer multiple weeks of camps with different themes and target multiple age groups, she said.

For more information about the ULM Museum of Natural History, visit https://www.ulm.edu/caes/museum.html

For more information about VCOM-Louisiana, visit https://www.vcom.edu/locations/louisiana.
| By Andrew Tie

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) ranks among the top 10 pharmacy schools in the country in regard to funded research grants and contracts, according to new data from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

Fifty funded investigators helped the school place ninth with more than $25.8 million in research grants and contracts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal and non-federal sources. AACPs ranking is based on data from Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022.

UMSOP increased its research funding by more than $5 million between the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years. The school has shown year-over-year growth, with its number of funded faculty more than doubling and its total funding tripling in the last decade.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has outstanding faculty with creative and innovative ideas aimed at addressing basic biological questions, clinical problems, and pharmaceutical health services gaps, said Paul Shapiro, PhD, associate dean for research and advanced graduate studies and professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC). The schools funding portfolio is quite diverse, coming from both federal and non-federal sources.

Groundbreaking Research

Faculty from PSC and the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR) have earned contracts and grants for their groundbreaking research projects spanning drug discovery, translational medicine, population outcomes, and many more topics.

James Polli, PhD, the Ralph F. Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics, works closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on multiple projects. Polli co-directs the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI) to evaluate drug safety and efficacy. M-CERSI, which received $25 million over five years since 2018, was recently renewed for up to $50 million over another five years and is one of five such centers in the country. Polli is also co-director of the Center for Research on Complex Generics , a joint venture with the University of Michigan, that received a $5 million grant from the FDA in 2020 to increase access to safe and effective generic drugs through collaborative research, training, and exchange.

to evaluate drug safety and efficacy. M-CERSI, which received $25 million over five years since 2018, was recently renewed for up to $50 million over another five years and is one of five such centers in the country. Polli is also co-director of the , a joint venture with the University of Michigan, that received a $5 million grant from the FDA in 2020 to increase access to safe and effective generic drugs through collaborative research, training, and exchange. Ryan M. Pearson, PhD, assistant professor of PSC, received a highly prestigious $1.9 million Maximizing Investigators Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to develop new nanoparticles to treat inflammatory disorders.

Maximizing Investigators Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to develop new nanoparticles to treat inflammatory disorders. Angela Wilks, PhD, Isaac E. Emerson Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences and interim co-chair of PSC, and Amanda Oglesby, PhD , associate professor of PSC, lead a $1.1 million grant from the NIH along with colleagues in the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program aims to increase underrepresented groups in biomedical doctoral programs.

, associate professor of PSC, lead a $1.1 million grant from the NIH along with colleagues in the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The program aims to increase underrepresented groups in biomedical doctoral programs. Bethany DiPaula, PharmD, BCPP, FASHP, professor of P-SHOR, is helping lead a $32 million contract with the Behavioral Health Administration over five years to provide comprehensive on-site pharmacy services for five facilities, coordinate the Clozapine Authorization and Monitoring Program, and the University of Maryland Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program.

Susan dosReis, PhD, professor of P-SHOR and vice chair for research, received $5 million over five years to conduct a targeted safety study as a post-approval safety study commitment for the FDA that evaluates the safety of a vaccine in older adults.

Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, professor of P-SHOR, leads both the Antipsychotic Review Program and Peer to Peer Programs with the Office of Pharmacy Services within the Maryland Department of Health with contract dollars totaling more than $13 million.

Fadia Shaya, PhD, MPH, professor of P-SHOR and executive director of the Behavioral Health Resources Program (BHRT), and a University of Maryland, Baltimore Distinguished Professor, has received $4.2 million over the past five years from federal sources to work with the Maryland Department of Health to address policy and practice with respect to the proper use of prescription drugs and the prevention of substance misuse.

Our dedicated faculty, researchers, and graduate students are committed to their pursuit of discoveries and innovation that will impact medicine, health care, and patient care, said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, interim dean and professor of UMSOP. A top 10 ranking of our research funding is a recognition of the pursuit of scientific excellence that exists at our school.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium has started the early works for ramping up gas transportation, TAP AG consortium told Trend.

"Following the closing of the first binding bid phase of the 2021 Market Test, TAP has now triggered the first level of expansion and allocated an additional 1.2 billion cubic meters of incremental capacity per year through long term contracts starting from 2026. TAP will add one compressor unit (ca 15MW) to the existing compressor station at Kipoi, Greece and upgrade the facilities there," said TAP AG.

The consortium said the early works started this month, and they consist of civil works associated with the preparation for the new tie-ins within the compressor station.

Luca Schieppati, TAP managing director, said earlier in an exclusive interview with Trend that no additional pipes will need to be added for any of the expansion scenarios.

"TAP and the Southern Gas Corridor development has been designed with flexibility to double its capacity to 20bcm/year by installing additional compressor units and stations. For the first level of expansion (1.2 bcm/a additional capacity), no additional compressor stations will be built," said TAPs managing director.

Luca Schieppati went on to add that for the full expansion and the possible doubling of TAPs initial capacity, two additional compressor stations will have to be built to handle the additional volume of gas to be transported via the pipeline: one in Greece, and one in Albania, provided that there is interest from the market.

TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP facilitates gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, enhancing security of energy supplies in one more European country. TAPs exits in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Unambiguous choice of the leadership of Turkmenistan, as well as a solid commitment of the West, are needed to push forward the Trans-Caspian Gas pipeline project, Damjan Krnjevic, Director for Policy Research and Analysis at ADA Universitys Institute for Development and Diplomacy, former senior adviser to the president and foreign minister of Serbia, told Trend.

Krnjevic reminded that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made it clear that Azerbaijan would still be willing to participate in any Trans-Caspian Gas pipeline project involving Turkmenistan but would not be willing to initiate it or to invest in it.

"Now, you know that in various forms, such proposals involving Turkmenistan have been floating around for decades. None have come close to taking off, because at the end of the day what is required is a clear, unambiguous choice by the leadership of Turkmenistan to pursue it and a similar rock-solid commitment by the Westerners to support it, he said.

As Krnjevic explained, this has three interrelated aspects: financing, market demand, and duration of contracts. He noted that the moment has passed when Europeans would be willing to make the sort of commitments that would be needed for Ashgabat to move forward on a large-scale, strategic project - even now, in the context of the Wests decision to divest itself from Russian gas.

He pointed out that this is not simply due to the EUs policy choice to stay away from new hydrocarbon projects.

Even if this policy could somehow be reversed, what the Turkmen would look for in addition, are serious security guarantees - unambiguous security guarantees that would involve not just the Europeans but the Americans, too. This is the fourth interrelated aspect, and I think that this is simply not in the cards," he said.

Krnjevic pointed out that Turkmenistan considers the project too great of a risk.

"It would not be sufficient to allay Turkmen fears of Russian and Iranian negative reactions. Again, even assuming that the financing and demand and contracts could be ensured," he said.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during the opening ceremony of the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution on July 21 that the Trans-Caspian Pipeline 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," said President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state noted that 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," President Ilham Aliyev said.


(Photo : The Perks of a Legal Education: Exploring the Numerous Career Paths Available to Law School Graduates with The Property Advocates)

Legal education is the gift that keeps on giving, even beyond the ability to practice law after graduating and passing the bar exam. The skills and knowledge that students gain during law school overlap with other industries, making legal education a wise career-boosting choice. In this article, insurance law firm The Property Advocates highlights five career paths available to graduate students who complete law school.

1. Judicial Clerkship

For graduates interested in working alongside and assisting a judge, a judicial clerkship might be a great place to start a career after law school. A judicial clerk is essentially a judge's full-time assistant and can work at the state or federal level. The job entails tasks such as researching and drafting memoranda and opinions for the judges being assisted. This prestigious position is typically short-term in nature, which is why many law graduates serve as judicial clerks for one or two years before considering other legal career paths.

2. Public Interest

Law students who are fired up by helping others in need should consider a career of public interest. Public interest lawyers' primary purpose is to aid underrepresented people or causes, and often work for legal-aid societies. As private, non-profit agencies, legal-aid societies seek to assist people experiencing economic disadvantage. Law school graduates interested in public interest can also work at a public interest law firm. This type of law firm is an association of lawyers set up as private and for-profit, similar to the average private law firm. However, public interest law firms' operations differ from other private law firms due to embracing more of a social enterprise mindset, making serving underrepresented people, or causes, the firm's primary mission over making money.

3. Law Firm Administration

Deemed a non-legal career choice, law firm administration is an excellent job fit for law graduates who are searching for non-practice-related job opportunities. Larger law firms usually are where a variety of law firm administration positions can be found, from business development to attorney recruitment, human resources, managing law firm finances or office work processes, and more. Students with educational backgrounds in accounting, human resources, or business possess valuable prior knowledge that will benefit a law firm administration role.

4. Legal Publishing and Journalism

A career option that caters to law graduates with interests and backgrounds in journalism or publishing is working in legal publishing and journalism. Multiple channels, networks, and printed media chiefly target legal news, allowing space for law graduates to exercise both their legal knowledge and personal intrigue in the sector.

5. Business

An in-house attorney is another career avenue where law and business collide. The name "in-house" comes from this kind of attorney working specifically within a corporation, offering corporate counsel and advisory over any legal activity tied to the business. Corporations of all sizes hire and host in-house attorneys; big companies commonly have large legal teams or departments. The career path of an in-house attorney also offers the chance to specialize in certain distinct issues as companies also look for specific expert knowledge to bring on board their teams.

About The Property Advocates

The Property Advocates, P.A. is a full-service Florida insurance law firm specializing in property insurance claims. With offices in Miami and Tampa, The Property Advocates team consists of nearly 14 experienced attorneys with decades of combined experience who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and not afraid to go to trial for their clients. They have a successful track record of resolving complicated property insurance claims and getting their clients the fair compensation they deserve.
Nurturing a new generation of leaders who can champion the cause of anti-corruption and inspire positive change in their communities

Youths strategizing on the next step with the NYC

Suva (Fiji), 21 July 2023 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Youth Council (NYC) of Fiji have partnered to co-organize an enlightening one-day workshop on the role of youth in the Pacific unity against corruption, with various youth groups from the Fiji Central region on 13 July at the Theological College in Suva. The workshop brought together young leaders, activists, and advocates who are dedicated to creating positive change in Fiji's society.



The workshop aimed to deepen the participants understanding of integrity, anti-corruption measures, Fijian ethical values, the Teieniwa vision, and the significance of UNCAC (United Nations Convention against Corruption) in promoting good governance. It featured lively discussions and interactive sessions addressing pressing issues related to anti-corruption in Fiji. Topics included the impact of corruption on social and economic development, the role of youth in combating corruption, and strategies to promote transparency and accountability. The workshop encouraged participants to identify innovative solutions to effectively combat corruption.



To capture the essence of the workshop's kick off, one can turn to the inspiring words of Vasiti Tabucakau from the Tailevu Provincial Youth Council stated, "As Pacific Islanders, we are survivors, no matter what the world throws at us, we survive." By leveraging the diverse perspectives and expertise of the attendees, the event generated actionable ideas contributing to the development of a more transparent and ethical society.



Exploring the Fijian values of integrity, which are deeply rooted in the concept of vanua, the groups looked at how the values of integrity play a pivotal role in combating corruption and fostering a society built on trust and honesty. Vanua encompasses the interconnectedness of individuals, communities, and the land, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility and the well-being of the whole. It is through the integration of vanua and the embodiment of these values that people actively contribute to the fight against corruption, forging a path towards a just and prosperous society for all.



"The collaboration between UNODC, the NYC of Fiji, and the participating youth groups is crucial in our collective efforts to tackle corruption and promote integrity," said Marie Pegie Cauchois, UNODC Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor. "By empowering young individuals with knowledge and skills, we are nurturing a new generation of leaders who can champion the cause of anti-corruption and inspire positive change in their communities" noted Wessley Manasa Vatanitawake, NYC Interim Secretary & National Treasurer.



The event is aligned with the Teieniwa vision, which emphasizes the importance of fostering ethical values and building a culture of integrity in the Pacific. By instilling these values in young minds, the workshop is to create a ripple effect that will shape a more transparent and corruption-free future for Fiji.



This workshop is only a first step and more gatherings and discussions will be taking place to formulate concrete action plans and strategies that address the identified challenges. UNODC and the NYC of Fiji will continue their collaborative efforts to support youth-led initiatives and guide the implementation of impactful anti-corruption measures.
Minister of National Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema Monday said that the government had succeeded to resolve 12 years long pending issue of market access of cherries exports from Pakistan to China

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2023 ) :Minister of National Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema Monday said that the government had succeeded to resolve 12 years long pending issue of market access of cherries exports from Pakistan to China.

General Administrations of Customs China (GACC) confirmed the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R), that Pakistani businessmen could export cherries to China from DPP registered orchards and Packhouses, said a news release issued here.

"This marks a huge success towards boosting exports of Pakistani cherries and the overall economy of the country", he added.

The focus courtesy of Tariq Basheer Cheema and Federal Secretary MNFS&S, Zafar Hassan regarding cherries exports and bringing exports quality to global standards was the prime factor behind this success.

Their visionary leadership and determined efforts to widen the export base of Pakistani fruits manifested in seeking market access for cherries.

This market access request was pending since 2012, it added.

However, GACC after video inspection of quarantine procedures, registered orchards, cold treatment facilities and Packhouses registered with DPP with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, allowed export of cherries in accordance with agreed protocol.

Department of Plant Protection took special steps to upgrade register orchards, Cold treatment facilities and packhouses as per requirements of GACC.

Tireless efforts including guidance, repeated technical compliance audits were put in this direction by DPP to ensure and enable these orchards and facilities to export cherries through improvement in food safety and phytosanitary measures besides quality, storage and packaging.

Now, 90 cherry orchards and 15 cold treatment facilities and Packhouses can export cherries to China.

This is a huge achievement of Pakistan government where Department of Plant Protection under the MNFSR in close collaboration with Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan(TDAP), Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Support Programme(GBRSP), Agriculture Department Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Chamber of Commerce GB became able to pitch achieved this market access for cherries exports to China.

This brings good news especially to the farmers of GB, as their main source of earning is based on this fruit.

Moreover, Pakistan being the agrarian economy can also look for enhancing exports in other domains as well by improving quality standards as per global markets.

This agreement opens a gateway to further exports to international markets given the quality standards remain sound.

Further, up-gradation of more orchards and facilities are in pipeline with DPP, to make them at par with international standards in order to achieve major shares in high end markets of Asia, Europe, United State of America (USA) and Australia and obtain their registration for export to China also.
Madrid, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2023 ) :Despite polls predicting victory for Spain's right-wing Popular Party, Sunday's election resulted in a hung parliament, offering a lifeline to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who could cling on to power through a jigsaw of alliances.

The closely-watched vote took place just three weeks after Spain took over the rotating presidency of the European Union with the European left bracing for a fresh blow.

With 99 percent of the ballots counted, the PP won with 136 seats, while the prime minister's Socialists came second with 122 in the 350-seat parliament -- both far from the 176 needed for a governing majority.

And neither was able to reach that figure even with support from their main political partners, with the far-right Vox counting 33 mandates and the radical left-wing Sumar winning 31.

With the PP and Vox falling short of a working majority, that gives the left-wing bloc a fresh chance to form another government because the Socialists have more options to create alliances.

In power for five years, Sanchez is in a far better position than his rival to seek the support needed to piece together a coalition, notably from the Basque and Catalan separatist parties for whom Vox is a bogeyman.

Polls had predicted a decisive victory for Alberto Nunez Feijoo's PP, which was seen winning 145-150 seats. But without a working majority, the party would have been forced to turn to Vox for support to govern.

"Spain and all its citizens who voted have been absolutely clear: the backwards-looking bloc that wanted to roll back all the progress we made over the past four years has failed," said a clearly jubilant Sanchez who focused his campaign on the danger of a PP-Vox government.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. A delegation led by Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov will participate in a ministerial meeting to implement the "Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transportation of Green Energy between the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The meeting of ministers will be held on July 25 in Bucharest (Romania).

The project is currently under study. The results of the study on the project of laying a power transmission line along the bottom of the Black Sea, which provides for the supply of green energy from Azerbaijan to Europe, will be known in September. After that, it is planned to move on to the second phase.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement, which provides for the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe, was signed by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary on December 17, 2022.

It is expected to build a Black Sea Energy underwater electric cable with a capacity of 1000 MW and a length of 1,195 kilometers. The cable will be intended for the supply of green electricity produced in Azerbaijan through Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania for subsequent transportation to Hungary and the rest of Europe.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2023 ) :President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday asked Pakistan's Ambassador-designate to Ethiopia to foster trade and economic linkages with Ethiopia by facilitating and enhancing interactions between business communities of the two countries.

He also urged the ambassador to work towards increasing trade volume with Ethiopia by reaching out to their businesspersons for the import of Pakistani products.

The president was talking to Pakistan's Ambassador-designate to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Mian Atif Sharif, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

President Alvi said that Pakistan-Ethiopia bilateral ties were marked by common history, interests, and support for each other on various international fora.

He said that the bilateral relations between the two countries needed to be further cemented by taking the mutual trade volume to its fullest potential.

The president also called for enhancing cooperation in the field of education and people-to-people contacts, adding that students in Ethiopia could benefit from online/video educational materials/courses of the Virtual University of Pakistan and Allama Iqbal Open University to enhance their skill sets.

He said that Pakistan's offer of training young Ethiopian diplomats at the Foreign Service academy and scholarships for banking courses would further help improve bilateral ties with Ethiopia.

The president asked the ambassador to create awareness in Ethiopia about the rising tide of Islamophobia in the world and the need for collective efforts to promote inter-faith harmony and mutual respect.

He also urged the newly-appointed envoy to highlight the human rights violations and atrocities being committed by India in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as well as the maltreatment of minorities in India.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Israel's hard-right government on Monday pushed through parliament a key clause of its controversial judicial reform package despite months of mass protests and concerns voiced by top ally Washington

Jerusalem, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2023 ) :Israel's hard-right government on Monday pushed through parliament a key clause of its controversial judicial reform package despite months of mass protests and concerns voiced by top ally Washington.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill in a Knesset vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, some of whom shouted "shame, shame".

Critics charge the judicial revamp could open the way to more authoritarian government by removing checks and balances on the Israeli executive.

Netanyahu's coalition government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, argues that the proposed changes are needed to ensure a better balance of power.

The bill passed with 64 votes in the 120-seat chamber. It aims to limit the powers of the Supreme Court in striking down government decisions which the judges deem "unreasonable".
BEIJING (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th July, 2023) Taiwan will use the experience of the Ukraine conflict to develop scenarios for a possible invasion of the island as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan's Central news Agency (CNA) reported on Monday, citing sources.

The second phase of the 39th Han Kuang military exercises began in Taiwan on Monday, with live-fire drills scheduled.

During the exercises, the Taiwanese military will work on ensuring the continuity of command posts in the face of an enemy attack, the sources said.

To this end, a plan will be worked out to transfer command headquarters to reserve command posts on the island, according to the report.

The Han Kuang military exercise has been held at sea, in the air and on land since 1984.

The situation around Taiwan escalated again after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in April, prompting Beijing to launch massive three-day military drills near the island in what it called a "warning" to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers.
By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing

As unprecedented heat waves and escalating water temperatures in South Florida create a massive coral bleaching event, the University of South Florida (USF) and Florida Institute of Oceanographys (FIO) Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) are quickly stepping in to house thousands of coral in an attempt to save them.

Currently, KML is housing more than 1,500 coral specimens that were harvested in the past week from offshore nurseries and parent colonies and relocated to KML by partner organizations during the crisis. With 60 tanks ranging from 40 to 1,000 gallons, the lab has the capacity to house thousands more as the coral bleaching event is expected to continue.

KML contains one of the largest temperature-controlled seawater systems in the Florida Keys, allowing for the study of corals and other marine organisms as well as offering a refuge for them to live, rehabilitate and grow. The laboratory is part of the state-wide Florida Institute of Oceanography, a consortium that supports all institutions in the State University System. Hosted by USF, FIO provides critical infrastructure like KML to support the states need for science.

For years we have been developing the infrastructure capacity to support reef restoration efforts that enable KML to temporarily house corals during emergencies such as this, said Cynthia Lewis, director of KML. Typically, water temperatures at this time of year are in the mid 80s, but we are already recording temperatures of 90 degrees. It is very alarming.

When water temperatures get too warm, corals can become stressed, expelling algae living in their tissues and turning white. During such bleaching events, corals are more likely to experience die-offs.

The lab, located on Long Key, is in the middle of the Florida Keys, providing easy access for partners such as The Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coral Restoration Foundation and others to relocate corals from reefs to the sea water system for temporary refuge. Many of the corals being delivered are rare and endangered species.

It is likely that corals will be housed in land-based systems for months, with some being part of land-based breeding programs. Once these historically high-water temperatures return to normal, USF scientists in partnership with restoration practitioners across the Keys can return corals back to their off-shore nurseries and ultimately their natural environment, reattaching them to reefs using epoxy, cement, zip ties and nails.

We are very fortunate that aquarium systems like those at Keys Marine Laboratory are available and can be reliably used to stabilize and hold corals in emergency situations, said Keri ONeil, director and senior scientist of the Coral Conservation Program at The Florida Aquarium. Some of the corals held here today will become part of our coral breeding program at The Florida Aquarium and will be given world-class human care for the rest of their lives, producing hundreds of offspring every year. When the time is right to return those offspring to the reef, they will once again have a short stay at Keys Marine Laboratory before returning to the ocean.

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that serve as critical habitat for numerous marine life, from fish and crabs to turtles and sharks. They also act as a first line of defense from storms, buffering coasts from wave action and erosion that can cause flooding.
For small-business owners, reading and responding to complex, lengthy and detailed solicitations can be one of the biggest learning curves when they first start selling goods or services to the government.

Janean Forsyth and Deb Farris will discuss the subject during a Wyoming APEX Accelerator two-part workshop titled Reading and Responding to Government Opportunities Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 1-2, from noon-1 p.m. To register, go here. Attendees can sign up for one or both events. Registration is free.

Wyoming APEX Accelerator, part of the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network housed at the University of Wyoming, is the states expert in government contracting assistance.

Part 1 of this series will walk small-business owners through a real-life solicitation with tips, tricks and hacks to make reading and responding easier. Part 2 will focus on crafting a proposal in a way that is efficient, compliant and stands out from the crowd.

Forsyth is the Wyoming APEX Accelerator program manager, and Farris is deputy district director for the Wyoming Small Business Administration (SBA).

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.

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 UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA.

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Kevin Monteith, a professor and Wyoming Excellence Chair in UWs Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, pauses for a photo with two captured mule deer during a research project in western Wyoming. Monteith has been named a Fellow of The Wildlife Society for exceptional service to the wildlife profession. (UW Photo)

A University of Wyoming scientist has been honored by The Wildlife Society (TWS) for exceptional service to the wildlife profession.

Kevin Monteith, a professor and Wyoming Excellence Chair in UWs Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, has been named a TWS Fellow. He joins a select group that includes just two other UW faculty members -- Professor Merav Ben-David and John Koprowski, also a Wyoming Excellence Chair and the Haub Schools dean.

Monteiths award will be presented at TWS 30th annual conference in Louisville, Ky., later this year. Paul Krausman, past president of the organization and a TWS Fellow, calls Monteith a world-class ungulate ecologist.

I simply cannot imagine a person more deserving in his scholarship, teaching and service to our TWS community and our profession, Koprowski says. In a state where our wild and working lands connect us, Dr. Monteith understands and actively serves the state through his scholarship that informs management decisions and dozens of public talks that engage our fellow citizens. His ability to engage the conservation community and land management agencies beyond campus is exceptional.

Monteith is recognized for his scholarship and teaching in natural resource science. His research focuses on integrating nutrition, population and quantitative ecology to understand behavior, resource allocation and life history to reveal the mechanisms underpinning fitness and population dynamics of large mammals from mule deer and elk to bighorn sheep, pronghorn and moose.

Dr. Monteiths research and mentoring philosophy and approach have aided the conservation of North Americas ungulates, narrowed the gap between academia and state agencies, as well as provided a strong foundation for the future of the wildlife profession, says UW colleague Joe Holbrook, an assistant professor in the Haub School and the Department Zoology and Physiology.

Before coming to UW, Monteith received his bachelors and masters degrees in wildlife and fisheries sciences from South Dakota State University and his Ph.D. in biology from Idaho State University. He has worked with over 30 management agencies and resource groups, secured over 325 grants and published over 95 journal articles and book chapters while mentoring 19 graduate students -- six Ph.D. and 13 M.S. degree recipients.

Through comprehensive field studies, scientific output and active engagement with scientists, stakeholders and the public, Monteith and his team aim to provide meaningful contributions to the field of wildlife ecology while effectively informing management decisions. Often, their data are gained through individual-based research and intensive field studies to gain a mechanistic understanding of what influences large mammals and how they cope with a changing world. Some of their long-term, cross-generational work has been a focal point for understanding effects of human disturbance and changing environmental conditions on various aspects of the animals life history, including migration, resource allocation and reproductive chronology. Monteith actively mentors a robust and diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students in his research, and he works to prepare them for impactful careers.

Kevin exemplifies exceptional service to the wildlife biology profession as evidenced by his extremely productive research program, dedication to the informational needs of his cooperators and collaborators, teaching and mentoring activities, and other professional service, says Associate Professor Anna Chalfoun, assistant leader of UWs Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

I am truly honored to be recognized as a Fellow by The Wildlife Society -- though, truth is, whatever impact we have had has been made possible through the cadre of talented, passionate and selfless people I have had the privilege to work with in my career, Monteith says. Great mentors and collaborators have made our work robust, and a broad array of supporters have had the faith and confidence to invest in us and our work. And my team, though a motley crew at the surface, dare I say is an elite conglomeration of the most talented, driven and selfless scientists and genuine persons on the face of the earth. The impact of these people on the wildlife field, and on my career, is immeasurable.
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Nearly a year after the United States killed al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, the country's Taliban leaders continue to make conflicting claims about the circumstances around the death of the world's most wanted man, raising doubts about their counterterrorism pledges.

"We had no information about Ayman al-Zawahiri, and we had nothing to do with his killing," Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob told Saudi-based Al Arabia television channel on Friday.

On Saturday, the Taliban governor of Kabul was quoted by an Afghan mainstream television channel as outrightly denying the presence of the al-Qaida chief in the city. "There is no evidence to prove Zawahiri was killed in Kabul," Mohammad Qassim Khalid told TOLO news.

The latest Taliban claims come days after U.S. President Joe Biden stated that Washington and the Taliban were cooperating to push out al-Qaida terrorists from the war-torn country.

"Remember what I said about Afghanistan? I said al-Qaida would not be there. I said it wouldn't be there. I said we'd get help from the Taliban," Biden told reporters at the White House earlier this month without elaborating.

The Taliban Foreign Minister swiftly responded to Biden's remarks by describing them as an "acknowledgment of reality" about non-existence of armed groups in Afghanistan, but it did not categorically refute Biden's assertions about counterterrorism cooperation between the two former adversaries.

"The Islamic Emirate maintains the policy of not allowing anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan to harm others. Our actions in this regard are not due to the requests or support of anyone, including America," the ministry said in its statement, using the official name of the Taliban government, which the world has not recognized yet.

The 71-year-old Egyptian jihadist leader was on the balcony of a three-story house in Kabul's upscale Sherpur area when two Hellfire missiles fired from an unmanned aircraft struck al-Zawahiri on July 31, 2022, U.S. officials told reporters hours later.

"He had moved to downtown Kabul to reunite with members of his immediate family. After carefully considering the clear and convincing evidence of his location, I authorized a precision strike," Biden said while announcing the news of the death of the terror mastermind to the American nation a day after the missile attack.

Taliban authorities at the time claimed that they had "no knowledge" the al-Qaida leader was residing in Kabul. They said a "serious and comprehensive" investigation had been ordered into the incident. But the de facto Afghan rulers have since been silent about the probe's outcome and continue to make contradictory statements or remain in denial.

Nearly two months after the deadly strike, chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told VOA that their ongoing investigation into the incident was making progress.

"It will produce an outcome over time. But we still treat it as a claim (by the U.S.)," Mujahid said in the interview VOA conducted in his Kabul office last September.

"When security has newly returned to a country and the government is also new, taking advantage of the situation is entirely possible. But this does not mean that the Islamic Emirate was behind it. The Emirate did not know about it. America also knows that the Islamic Emirate will not do it," Mujahid said.

U.S. officials said that al-Zawahiri was sheltered in the Kabul safe house by subordinates of Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and "acted quickly to remove Zawahiri's wife, his daughter and her children to another location, consistent with a broader effort to cover up that they had been living in the safe house."

The slain al-Qaida terror leader carried a $25 million U.S. bounty on his head.

Taliban security forces swiftly blocked media access to the multi-story building and briefly detained some journalists who had attempted to go near the site. The restriction remains in place to date.

Critics say the Taliban's refusal to admit al-Zawahiri's presence in Kabul raises doubt about their commitments to combat terrorism on Afghan soil.

In recent days, neighboring Pakistan has repeatedly complained that a surge in terrorist attacks in the country is being orchestrated by Afghanistan-based fugitive leaders of the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which the U.S. also lists as a global terrorist organization.

Pakistani officials say the militants have enjoyed "greater operational freedom" since the Taliban took control of the neighboring country in August 2021, when all the U.S.-led NATO troops withdrew from Afghanistan after two decades of involvement in the war.

The Taliban deny the allegations, saying neither TTP, nor any other foreign terrorist groups are operating inside Afghanistan. The Taliban confirmed early last year that they had hosted and mediated peace talks between Pakistani officials and TTP leaders. The dialogue produced a temporary cease-fire, which collapsed last November.

The militant group, an offshoot and close ally of the Afghan Taliban, has killed hundreds of Pakistanis in recent months, mostly security forces.

Last month, the United Nations Security Council's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team estimated in a new report that more than 4,000 TTP leaders, commanders and fighters are sheltering in Afghanistan under the protection of the country's Taliban authorities.

The Taliban foreign ministry rejected the U.N. findings as baseless.

U.S.-led international forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, in line with the February 2020 agreement with the Taliban in return for assurances by the then-insurgent group that it would not allow transnational groups to use Afghan soil to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.
With Sudans conflict now at the 100-day mark, advocacy groups are calling on Sudans neighbor Egypt to ease entry requirements for refugees, saying displaced Sudanese face a dire situation.

Meanwhile, United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said Monday it has received credible reports that at least 435 Sudanese children have been killed, and at least 2,025 have been injured in the past 100 days, which means that on average, more than one child is killed or injured each hour.

The Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, have been fighting each other since April 15, triggering a humanitarian crisis inside Sudan and neighboring countries.

The U.S. State Department said it stands ready to reconvene formal talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to end the fighting  but only if the warring parties demonstrate their commitment to uphold a May 11 Jeddah Declaration to protect Sudanese civilians and subsequent cease-fires.

The Jeddah talks refer to the U.S.-Saudi-mediated negotiations that started in early May with the goal of stopping the armed conflicts in Sudan. The United States adjourned the talks on June 21 as senior officials acknowledged, The format is not succeeding.

An estimated 3 million Sudanese have been displaced by the fighting, almost 2.5 million internally. The rest have fled to surrounding countries. At least 250,000 people have sought refuge in Egypt, and another 120,000 are stuck on Sudans side of the border awaiting entry, according to a report that advocacy organization Refugees International released Monday.

Instead of facilitating their entry, Egypt disregards refugee law and the Four Freedoms Agreement it signed with Sudan and has erected various entry barriers, said Abdullahi Halakhe, Refugees Internationals senior advocate for East and Southern Africa.

The Four Freedoms Agreement, signed in August 2004 between Egypt and Sudan, covers matters related to freedom of movement along with working, property ownership and living arrangements.

Halakhe cited new regulations by Egypt on June 10 requiring all Sudanese citizens to obtain visas from the Egyptian consular office in Wadi Halfa or Port Sudan before crossing the border. Previously, women, children, and elderly members of families were allowed to enter Egypt without a visa.

Egyptian authorities said the move was to counter the forgery of visas and better manage Sudanese refugees entry into Egypt.

Refugees International called on Egypt to lift requirements currently in place for Sudanese seeking entry, waive requirements for those who remain in Egypt, and expedite granting refugee status to those who wish to have it.

The Egyptian Embassy in the United States has not responded to VOAs request for comment.

Sudans warring parties continue to violate cease-fires as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict through negotiations have not yielded fruit. More Sudanese are predicted to flee to neighboring countries for their safety.

The SAF and RSF have not observed their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which played a large part in our decision to adjourn the talks in Jeddah, a State Department spokesperson told VOA.

We are continuing to closely monitor the conflict and any violations of the Jeddah Declaration throughout Sudan, said the spokesperson.

Monday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called for an end to the fighting in Sudan amid serious concerns about the rapidly escalating numbers of displaced people.

These figures are staggering; civilians who have nothing to do with this conflict are sadly uprooted from their homes and livelihoods on a daily basis, said Filippo Grandi, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. This has to stop. It is time for all parties to this conflict to immediately end this tragic war. Pending this much needed peaceful dialogue, people must be allowed to leave conflict areas to find safety, whether within or outside the country, and be protected from all forms of violence.

As more people continue to flee, displacement sites within the country and in neighboring countries are rapidly becoming overcrowded, UNHCR said.

The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended its operations on April 22, and the Department of State ordered the departure of U.S. direct hire employees and eligible family members from the diplomatic mission.

While Secretary of State Antony Blinken later said the U.S. is exploring ways to return a diplomatic and consular presence to the African country as soon as possible, the State Department has said it cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan due to the current security situation.

A State Department spokesperson said U.S. Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey and his team, now based in Washington and other African countries, continue their diplomatic engagements with regional and international partners to work toward a cease-fire and humanitarian access.

The United States remains the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan.



On June 20, Secretary Blinken announced nearly $172 million in additional humanitarian aid for the people of Sudan and those in neighboring countries who suffer from the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The U.S. has provided more than $550 million in humanitarian assistance this fiscal year for Sudan and other countries such as Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic to facilitate the needs of refugees and people affected by conflicts in the region.

United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed reporting.
A transfer of power from father to son is expected by the end of next month after Prime Minister Hun Sen and his long-ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP, lived up to expectations and extended its grip on power by winning 120 of the 125 seats contested in this past Sundays elections.

It was an inevitable result for a national election described by the U.S. Department of State as neither free nor fair following the disqualification of the opposition Candlelight Party, or CLP, and a crackdown on the independent media and dissenters opposed to autocratic rulers.

It also said the U.S. had taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals who undermined democracy and had implemented a pause of certain foreign assistance programs. Other countries, including Australia and those in the European Union, have also criticized the electoral process.

Sources said Hun Sens eldest son, Hun Manet, would be sworn in as prime minister on August 29, when the National Assembly is scheduled to meet, after Hun Sen, 70, ended speculation about when he would step aside.

I believe that Manet is more competent than me, Hun Sen told Chinas Phoenix TV on Thursday. 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.

The royalist Funcinpec party did improve its standing and ended this countrys status as a one-party-state. But with just five seats in the National Assembly, its influence will be minimal, while each of the 16 other minor parties could perhaps muster about one percent of the overall vote.

Since the 1998 election its just been the beat down of the opposition and then its just intensified. So, this election is just replicating the last, I call it a cakewalk, said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at Australia's University of New South Wales.

Thayer said life in Cambodia and antagonized relations with the West and the United States were not expected to improve with Hun Manet, 45, at the helm, despite his background. Hun Manet is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and holds a PhD from Britains University of Bristol.

Hun Sen is expected to remain a significant player in Cambodian politics and continue to exert his influence through his senior position in the politburo and as CPP president. Hun Sen has also said he wants to see his grandson become prime minister in the 2030s.

Senior Cabinet ministers are also expected to hand control of their portfolios to their sons, ensuring Cambodias political class, ruling business elites and Phnom Penhs tight relationship with Beijing remain unchanged.

If Hun Sen is 90 percent pro-China, then Hun Manet might be around 85 percent, Thayer said.

Bradley Murg, distinguished senior research fellow with the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, echoed Thayers sentiments. Murg said little will change under Hun Manet, who is also a four-star general and chief of the Royal Cambodian Army.

Barring an act of God, Hun Manet will become prime minister in the next few weeks and with that comes a generational change in leadership and expected improvements in governance in certain ministries that will be quite positive, he told VOA.

At the same time the challenges and the concerns of various civil society actors  there is no reason to expect any change in the status quo.

That also means issues ranging from Chinese construction of a naval base at Ream on the south coast, and the jailing of political activists including former opposition leader Kem Sokha, trade unionist Chhim Sithar and American-Khmer lawyer Theary Seng, will remain.

The United States has called for their release and on July 13, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found Theary Seng  convicted of treason and jailed for six years for two Facebook posts  had been arbitrarily detained in violation of international law.

Youve got Americans being held illegally in Russia; North Korea  that American serviceman whos crossed the border  and now this Cambodian case, Thayer said. Its not going to be an easy ride for Cambodia. This is not the time to keep an American illegally detained.

Election Day passed quietly after lackluster campaigning bereft of the CLP. A 29-year-old Phnom Penh-based writer said, It is not as exciting as the election a decade ago when we had an opposition running their campaign and there were a lot of people joining in.

Whether there is a new prime minister or we keep the old one, there will be no difference, he said.

A 27-year-old clerk added, There was no trouble at my polling station I think Hun Manet has been given a hot stone task, with leadership being passed to the next generation and it might not be easy to hold, but I believe he can do it. It might take a long time to navigate.

Security was tight with 100,000 police and security personnel deployed across the country amid government fears of an opposition-inspired boycott and protest vote through spoiled ballot papers.

By early Monday, the National Election Committee claimed 440,000 invalid ballots had been counted, compared with 590,000 in 2018. Voter turnout reached 84.58 percent, slightly higher than 83.2 percent of registered voters five years ago, it said.

Astrid Noren-Nilsson is a senior lecturer for the Center for East and South-East Asian Studies at Swedens Lund University. Noren-Nilsson told VOA that Hun Manet had maintained a low profile throughout the campaign and would now work to maintain continuity.

I think that Cambodia is gradually becoming habituated to elections without competition and disciplined, really, into a new normal that is taking hold for the foreseeable future, she said. The election is all about sanctifying this generational transition with a popular vote.

Sreynat Sarum contributed to this report.
A civilian plane crashed in eastern Sudan Sunday killing nine people, including four soldiers, according to the military.

A child survived the crash of the Antonov plane, the military said

The crash comes as Sudan marks 100 days of conflict between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has forced millions of Sudanese to flee.

Its been 100 days of war in Sudan, with a devastating toll on lives and infrastructure, but worse lies ahead, William Carter, Norwegian Refugee Councils director in Sudan told the Associated Press.

It has the potential to destroy the entire region, said David MacDonald, the country director for international relief agency CARE.

Some information in this report was provided by the Associated Press
A global cybercrime treaty that has backing from countries including Russia, China and Venezuela is concerning some democracies and civil liberty organizations.

A list of countries with authoritarian leadership and poor records on human rights and press freedom are among the original supporters of a United Nations global treaty, the final points of which are set to be negotiated in New York in August.

The treaty  first suggested by Russia in 2017  is supposed to define what constitutes cybercrime and could lay the groundwork for member states to introduce new laws.

Its stated aim is to combat global cybercrime. But the United States and other Western countries raised issues, including that the treaty may enable state surveillance and censorship under the guise of fighting cybercrime.

At first glance, an international treaty on cybercrime might seem like a good idea, said Barbora Bukovska, who works at the free expression group Article 19.

But this treaty is about much more than fighting online scams, cyberattacks and other crimes committed through digital technology, Bukovska said. The draft follows a trend of cybercrime laws that are used to attack freedom of expression, undermine privacy and exert control over our legitimate online activities.

It might also have real consequences for journalists, dissidents, human rights defenders, and civil society, the London-based expert said.

This treaty is just one example of the ways in which authoritarian governments are working to manipulate legal mechanisms to target journalists and others in a process that is known as lawfare, say media rights groups.

The current draft lacks human rights safeguards and would give countries broad surveillance powers that could target reporters and opposition voices, experts have said.

The ad hoc committee charged with drafting the convention  made up of several states, including the U.S., Russia and China  did not reply to VOAs email requesting comment for this story.

Treaty debates

The treaty has been in the works since 2017, when Russia first proposed it with the stated goal of combating cybercrime.

In 2019, the U.N. passed a resolution to establish a convention to combat cybercrime.

But the U.S. and the European Union opposed that resolution, citing concerns that it was an attempt to facilitate state control of the internet.

That same year, Moscow introduced its sovereign internet law, giving the government sweeping abilities to block content and prosecute people who post content online.

And while the U.N. negotiation process has been lengthy, talks began to crystallize in 2022, and next month countries will start article-by-article negotiations.

Governments globally have examined how cybercrime threatens national security and benefits organized crime groups  but many Western countries and digital rights groups are doubtful that this treaty is part of the solution.

Several groups, including the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, oppose the treaty but are taking part in the negotiations to try to mitigate potentially harmful provisions.

The latest draft is an improvement, rights experts said. For example, previous versions openly criminalized certain speech as cybercrime just because it was posted online.

Some governments have already used many of those provisions in their own laws  including extremism-related offenses, distributing materials motivated by political, ideological, social, racial, ethnic or religious hatred, and the spreading of strife, sedition, hatred or racism  to target journalists and silence dissent.

Katitza Rodriguez, who works at Electronic Frontier Foundation, is wary that even though content-related offenses are no longer explicit in the treaty, one draft article still refers to crimes defined by other unspecified applicable treaties.

This could be a back door for bringing content-crimes and non-cybercrime back into the scope of the treaty by invoking other applicable treaties and protocols, Rodriguez said.

Other worries pertain to surveillance and the omission of human rights safeguards.

The treaty overall could give repressive governments even more tools for targeting and muzzling the press, the Vienna-based rights group International Press Institute said in a July statement. The lack of such safeguards puts journalists and civil society at risk of increased surveillance by governments.

The current draft, for example, encourages information-sharing to scrutinize the use of concealing activities, Article 19s Bukovska said. That provision could provide authoritarian governments with powers to investigate and block the use of encrypted chat services like Signal, anonymous browsers and routing tools like VPNs.

These are the very means that human rights defenders, journalists, dissidents, and civil society use in their vital work, Bukovska said.

Another concern is the question of dual criminality: a principle that says a country shouldnt extradite someone for something it doesnt recognize as a crime. But Rodriguez says the current treaty treats dual criminality as optional, not mandatory.

This rule is incredibly important for protecting free expression and dissent, and for preventing a country from automatically applying its laws everywhere in the world, she said.

Even though some democratic countries are likely to maintain their commitment to human rights, regardless of what happens with the treaty, experts say this is still a global issue.

If you introduce this into the international system, its going to be even more abused against journalists, Bukovska said.

Pending negotiations, the convention is slated to be adopted in January 2024, but that date could be extended, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Once the treaty is adopted, it would go to states to be ratified on the national level.
While chairing a meeting in Moscow on July 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the banning of Russian state media outlets in some Western countries following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

During an exchange with Kristel Nean, the editor-in-chief of the pro-Kremlin website Donbass Insider, Putin told her:

You said: We always tell the truth. That is probably the sharpest weapon against lies and propaganda soaked in those lies.

Nean replied: This is why they are afraid of us and try to regularly discredit us.

Yes, Putin said. Thats why they are closing everywhere [what is] in fact our only information resource aimed at a Western audience  thats Russia Today (RT). They are closing it everywhere, putting obstacles in the way. They are afraid of the truth.

That is false. While some journalists and academics have opposed banning the Russian media outlets on free speech grounds, RT and Sputnik have systematically spread falsehoods and disinformation about Russias war in Ukraine.

In March 2022, the European Union suspended the broadcasting activities of Russias state-owned outlets Sputnik and RT. Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, declared: Systematic information manipulation and disinformation by the Kremlin is applied as an operational tool in its assault on Ukraine.

Social media platforms followed suit to comply with European law.

EUvsDisinfo, a project of the EU East Stratcom Task Force, has catalogued thousands of examples of disinformation that Russian state media and pro-Kremlin media have spread about Ukraine and the invasion of Ukraine.

That disinformation has included the following false claims:

The United Kingdom revoked RTs broadcasting license in March 2022.

Leading up to that decision, the Office of Communications, or Ofcom, which is the U.K.s communications regulator, launched 29 investigations into claims that RT failed to maintain impartiality in its Ukraine war coverage. Ofcom found RT failed to maintain impartiality in each case.

RT consistently mirrored Kremlin talking points that Russias invasion of Ukraine was a special military operation, not an invasion.

RT correspondents repeated the false claim frequently made by Russian officials that Russia did not target civilian areas or intend to occupy Ukraine.

For example, in a report that aired on March 1, 2022, RT correspondent Maria Finoshina said:

But since the beginning of its special operation in Ukraine, Moscow has always been stressing that, uh, Russia has no plans of occupying Ukraine and has no plans to target residential areas or affect ordinary people, [the] innocent civilian population.

The following day, March 2, 2022, RT news presenter Sean Thomas introduced a clip from an interview with military journalist Viktor Baranets that was dubbed into English.

Baranets, mirroring other Russia-state media reports, falsely suggested that Russian airstrikes on a government building in Kharkiv was a Ukrainian false flag attack.

RT has falsely accused Ukraine of committing genocide in Ukraine  a claim included in Moscows false pretext for war.

Ofcom said the program Donbass Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, which RT aired on March 1-2, 2022, [r]epeated allegations that the Ukrainian authorities, including its military, were fascists or Nazis who were attempting to commit genocide against Russian-speaking people in the Donbas.

A live report by RTs Peter Oliver on March 1, 2022, included the following Russian Foreign Ministry statement, which was not challenged: The EU has definitely taken the side of the Ukrainian regime, which has committed genocide against part of its own population.

In March 2022, the International Court of Justice ruled that Ukraine had a plausible right not to be subjected to military operations by the Russian Federation for the purpose of preventing and punishing an alleged genocide in its territory.

Russian state media have spread genocidal rhetoric.

In October 2022, Anton Krasovsky, the broadcasting director for RTs Russian-language service, advocated drowning and burning Ukrainian children alive. Krasovsky was suspended for the comments and subsequently fired.

While the U.S. government did not ban RT, Google-owned YouTube did, citing its policy to prohibit denying, minimizing or trivializing well-documented violent events.

However, NewsGuard, a U.S.-based website which tracks misinformation, reported in February 2023 that RT documentaries spreading egregious falsehoods about Ukraine had been uploaded more than 250 times across more than 100 YouTube channels.

According to NewsGuard, the documentaries included the false claims that Ukrainian authorities committed genocide of Russian speakers in Donbas; and that Nazism is rampant in Ukrainian politics and society.

Still, the European Federation of Journalists, along with some academics, opposed the Europe-wide ban on RT and Sputnik. Without defending the Russian channels content, they argued that government censorship contradicts European values and is an ineffective means of combating disinformation.
Early on July 17, drones hit the Crimean Bridge [also known as the Kerch Strait Bridge or Kerch Bridge], which links Russia and the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, damaging the bridge and killing two people.

The following day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said the explosions had destroyed part of the road on the bridge and that the destroyed section would have to be rebuilt.

Ukrainian media, citing sources in the country's security service, reported the bridge was hit by Ukrainian naval drones armed with explosives.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that the Crimean Bridge be built after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. The bridge was first targeted last October. The bridges two roadways fully reopened in February, and its twin railroad lines resumed normal operations in May.

Russias Foreign Ministry claimed in a July 17 statement condemning the attack that the Crimean Bridge was a strictly civilian target:

The Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, which is a purely civilian facility.

That is false.

Since May 2018, Russias military has used the Crimean Bridge to transfer military equipment from Russia to occupied Crimea. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the bridge became a key transport corridor for transferring combat vehicles, artillery, ammunition, fuel and personnel to the battlefield in Ukraine.

The Russian militarys use of the bridge has been documented in video recordings and by military experts, as well as Ukrainian and Russian officials.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a VOA sister organization, Russia has been using the Crimean Bridge for military purposes for more than five years:

The movements of Russian columns of military vehicles heading to Crimea were recorded by observers after the completion of the construction of the Kerch bridge and the opening of car traffic in 2018. With the launch of the railway connection at the end of 2019, the movement of military columns also became commonplace.

On February 16, 2022, the Russian Defense Ministrys YouTube channel published a video showing military equipment, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery, being transported across the bridge by rail.

The next day, February 17, 2022, the Russian Defense Ministrys Zvezda TV network reported:

Military units of the Southern Military District are returning to their permanent deployment points after exercises held at Crimean training grounds. According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, another column of military equipment has already crossed the Crimean Bridge after completion of the training. Both railway trains with equipment and automobile convoys returning home cross the Kerch Strait bridge.

On August 26, 2022, RFE/RL published a video of a column of Russian heavy military equipment, including engineering vehicles, howitzers, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and trucks, at the entrance to the Crimean Bridge from the Russian side.

On August 27, 2022, RFE/RL published a video of Russian military personnel headed for the occupied regions of southern Ukraine being transported across the Crimean Bridge.

On October 8, 2022, an explosion on the Crimean Bridge caused its two-lane car spans to collapse into the water. A railway tanker car also caught fire and badly damaged the railroad bridge. The blast killed three people.

That same day, Russian State Duma member Yury Afonin said the bridge had been blown up in order to create problems for the transfer of the Russian army to strengthen the borders in Ukraines occupied Kherson region, and to create, among other things, logistical problems.

Also on October 8, 2022, The New York Times cited an anonymous senior Ukrainian official who, according to the newspaper, confirmed that Ukraines intelligence services were behind the bombing.

Still, on October 20, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Canadas CTV News television channel: We definitely didnt order it, as far as I know.

On July 8, 2023, nine months after the first bombing of the bridge, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar admitted that Ukraine had targeted the bridge to disrupt Russian supply lines.

Ukrainian government officials have repeatedly called the Crimean Bridge a logistical route for the Russian army, and therefore, a legitimate military target for Ukrainian forces.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, wrote on July 17 that the Crimean Bridge is a critical supply route for Russian forces in southern Ukraine:

The Kerch Strait Bridge is along one of two ground lines of communication (GLOCs) supporting Russias southern force grouping, with the other route passing through occupied Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. This sole remaining logistics route is now a single point of failure for the supply of the large numbers of mechanized Russian forces in southern Ukraine needed to resist Ukrainian counteroffensives.

Also on July 17, Pavel Aksenov, a military observer for the BBCs Russian Service, describe the Crimean Bridge as being essential for supplying Russian forces in Ukraine:

"The Crimean Bridge is both a critical link in the supply chain for the Russian army in the southern regions of Ukraine, a critical piece of infrastructure, and a symbol of Russia's annexation of the peninsula."

That same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed that Russia was using the Crimean Bridge for military purposes in Ukraine:

But the truth is that one broken Russian bridge means fewer broken Ukrainian lives because this bridge is being used to supplement [the] Russian army in the occupied Crimea and in the occupied territories of the south of Ukraine with additional resources.
A week-old wildfire on the Greek resort island of Rhodes tore past defenses Monday, forcing more evacuations as strong winds and successive heat waves that left scrubland and forests tinder-dry fueled three major fires raging elsewhere in Greece.

The latest evacuations were ordered in south Rhodes after 19,000 people, mostly tourists, were moved in buses and boats over the weekend out of the path of the fire that reached several coastal areas from nearby mountains. It was the country's biggest evacuation effort in recent years.

"We are at war - completely focused on the fires," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a debate in parliament. "Over the coming days and weeks, we must remain on constant alert."

Help continued to arrive from the European Union and elsewhere, with firefighting planes from neighboring Turkey joining the effort on Rhodes, where 10 water-dropping planes and 10 helicopters buzzed over flames up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall despite low visibility.

Temperatures reached the low 40s Celsius (above 104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of the Greek mainland Monday, a day after soaring as high as 45 degrees (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

Ian Murison, a businessman from London on vacation in southern Rhodes with his wife and 12-year-old son, described his family's ordeal as they tried to escape the fires on Saturday.

"We saw flames coming over the hills. Our hotel had capacity for 1,200 (people), but there was just one coach waiting," he said. "We all just took our cases and started walking. It was about 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) before we got out from underneath the ash cloud."

The family reached a nearby beach, where they waited  in the dark due to a power blackout  with thousands of others to be evacuated by bus or boat.

"You could see an orange glow in the sky and it got more and more, big balls of fire going into the sky," Murison said, describing chaotic scenes as evacuees crowded to board small boats arriving to take them away.

"It didn't matter if you had children, adults were fighting to get on next," he said. "It was very, very stressful."

Near the seaside resort of Lindos, AP reporters saw hotel employees and guests, joined by local residents and firefighters, use fire extinguishers, towels and buckets of pool water to put out a small brush fire that broke out in the area.

Evacuations were also ordered overnight on the western island of Corfu, where more than 2,000 people were moved to safety by land and sea, as well as on the island of Evia and in a mountainous area in the southern Peloponnese region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that she contacted the prime minister late Sunday to offer additional assistance as Greece "is confronted with devastating forest fires and a heavy heat wave due to climate change."

Addressing parliament. Mitsotakis also highlighted the threat from climate change, which he said "will make its presence ever more felt with greater natural disasters throughout the Mediterranean region."

In Greece, an average of 50 new wildfires have broken out daily for the past 12 days, according to government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis. On Sunday, 64 new blazes were recorded.

The Rhodes fire roared down mountain slopes, burning homes and cars and leaving livestock dead on the roadside as they tried to escape.

Authorities said no serious injuries were reported, but hospitals and health volunteers provided first aid to tourists and others, mostly for the effects of heat and dehydration.

Firefighters also confronted blazes Monday in southern Italy, where people have sweltered through weeks of temperatures in the high 30s Celsius (over 100 F) and mid-40s Celsius (113 F and up.)

A wind-fed brush fire burned near Palermo in Sicily, as well as several other blazes on the Mediterranean island, including near the seaside tourist resort of Cefalu. There were also wildfires in Calabria, including in the rugged Aspromonte mountains.

On Sardinia, three flights from Milan, Paris and Amsterdam had to land at other airports on the Italian island because the tarmac in Olbia was deemed dangerously hot Monday afternoon, RAI state TV said. The tarmac temperature reached a sizzling 47 C (116.6 F).

Due to the fires in Greece, several airlines, including easyJet and package operator Tui, sent planes to Rhodes to evacuate tourists forced out of hotels. The U.K. government said between 7,000 and 10,000 British nationals are on the island, a popular package holiday destination.

Some tourists said travel companies had failed to provide information or help. Officials from the Greek Foreign Ministry were working at the international airport with several embassies and diplomats who traveled from the U.K. to assist tourists who had lost their travel documents.

Rhodes is one of Greece's most popular holiday destinations, visited by about 2.5 million tourists each year. As some visitors continued to flee the island Monday, others were arriving from multiple European destinations to start their holidays at resorts not affected by the wildfire  some 90% of the total according to Greek authorities.

Greece is using an EU satellite service to estimate the damage caused by the fire and to target resources. Photographs published online by the service showed a brown hourglass-shaped burn scar across the middle of the island.

The army was also helping to set up temporary accommodation on Rhodes, where schools and sporting facilities were opened to help with the effort.

A relative respite from the heat on Monday, with highs of 38 C (100 F) forecast, is to be followed by yet more high temperatures starting Tuesday, but cooler weather is expected Thursday.
Sabic Agri-Nutrients Companys (Sabic AN) first global shipment of low-carbon urea has arrived in Timaru, New Zealand, marking a significant step in the companys continuing efforts towards its net zero commitment.

On receiving the 2,700-tonne consignment of urea, Ravensdown, a New Zealand-farmer owned agricultural co-operative company, has made a significant step in its transition to a low carbon future.

The innovative manufacturing solution for low carbon urea was recently recognised by the prestigious Edison Awards as a Gold Award winner under the Food and Agriculture Advancements "Soil & Crop category.

A pioneer

Saudi Arabia is already a pioneer in the production and export of clean hydrogen and derivatives such as ammonia, and has partnered with New Zealand on this innovative venture as part of its ambitious strategy to be the worlds leading clean hydrogen hub. The kingdom is seeking to forge partnerships with entities from all over the world to help them meet their clean energy targets.

Abdulrahman Shamsaddin, CEO, Sabic AN, said: Sustainability is integrated into our strategy, enabling us to deliver responsible business and generate sustainable growth. We are constantly developing solutions empowering our customers to achieve their own sustainability ambitions.

Our collaboration with Ravensdown is a major step in this direction and a strong indicator of Sabics overall commitment to delivering low-carbon solutions to customers and helping them achieve their net-zero targets.

Game changing

Garry Diack, CEO, Ravensdown, commented: This collaboration with Sabic AN is key to ensuring we meet our commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. As pressure mounts for New Zealand farmers to lower greenhouse gas emissions from behind the farm gate, it is important we pull our weight across all facets of our supply chain too. Sabic ANs innovative manufacturing techniques for urea production have the potential to be game changing for the global fertiliser industry. We are excited to continue our valued collaboration with a company that has environmental goals and aspirations that are very aligned to our own.

Sabic AN produced the urea using ammonia that has a low-carbon footprint and recently achieved the world's first independent certification for low carbon ammonia production. The third-party certification was made by TUV Rheinland, a leading independent testing, inspection, and certification agency. To be certified, a significant part of the CO2 associated with the manufacturing process needs to be captured and utilised in downstream applications.-- TradeArabia News Service
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Firefighters are struggling to contain 82 wildfires across Greece. Thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest the Prime Ministers contentious plan to overhaul the countrys judicial system. Russian airstrikes wrecked a historic cathedral in the Ukrainian city of Odesa early Sunday.
Israels parliament on Monday approved a key portion of a judicial overhaul plan backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that has sparked months of mass street protests.

The vote came after a stormy legislative session in which opposition lawmakers chanted shame at the majority who favored the changes and then walked out of the chamber in protest.

The remaining legislators voted 64-0 for the first of sweeping changes that call for curbing powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Courts ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.

In the Monday vote, lawmakers approved a provision that would prevent judges from overturning government decisions on the grounds that they are unreasonable. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a civil society group, immediately said it would challenge the new law in the Supreme Court and that more street protests are planned.

Netanyahu and his allies in Israels right-wing government say the changes are needed to limit the power of unelected judges in a country that has no written constitution. But the changes have deeply split Israel, with more secular people in the Jewish state opposing the overhaul and more religious segments favoring it.

The changes have drawn the ire of business leaders, military reservists and legal officials. Some see it as a power grab spurred by the personal grievances of Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.

Opponents of the overhaul say the legislation would damage the system of checks and balances among the branches of government and push the country toward authoritarian rule.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the streets near parliament in recent days to oppose the Netanyahu plan, with Israeli authorities Monday firing water cannons at the protesters in Jerusalem to keep them under control.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's supporters thronged central Tel Aviv  normally the setting for anti-government protests.

In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden late Sunday had urged Israel to hold off on a vote until greater consensus could be reached.

After the vote, the White House said, It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre added, We understand talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset [the Israeli parliament] in recess. The United States will continue to support the efforts of President [Isaac] Herzog and other Israeli leaders as they seek to build a broader consensus through political dialogue.

Netanyahus leadership in the dispute was interrupted by his being hospitalized. He was discharged on Monday after having a heart pacemaker implanted on Sunday and was in parliament to lead support for the changes.
Jill Biden has represented her country at the Olympics in Tokyo, a king's coronation in London and a royal wedding in Jordan. She gets another chance to put her ambassadorial skills to work this week when the United States formally rejoins a United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture around the globe.

Biden arrived in Paris early Monday, accompanied by her daughter, Ashley Biden, after flying overnight from Washington to join other VIPs and speak at a ceremony Tuesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The American flag will be raised to mark the U.S. return to UNESCO membership after a five-year absence.

UNESCO aims to foster global collaboration in education, science and culture. It also designates World Heritage sites, deeming them worthy of eternal preservation.

The agency on Sunday condemned Russias attack on a cathedral in Odesa and other heritage sites in Ukraine in recent days and said it will send a team to the Black Sea port city to assess damage.

In a statement, UNESCO noted that Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year and said attacks by Russian forces contradict recent promises by Russian authorities to take precautions to spare such sites across the country.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Biden will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country.

A daughter and mother of U.S. service members, the first lady will also visit Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial to pay respects to the more than 4,400 U.S. service members buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.

She will also stop at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday to catch up with Brigitte Macron, a former teacher and the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the U.S.

Senior Biden administration officials said returning to UNESCO fits President Joe Bidens goal of strengthening global partnerships and recommitting to American leadership at the U.N. and other international organizations to serve as a counter to nations that do not share U.S. values.

Others said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing at a Virginia community college, was best suited to represent the United States in Paris on Tuesday.

The first lady, as a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunity across the world, is honored to help celebrate this important milestone, said Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson. She looks forward to raising the flag for the United States once again at the UNESCO headquarters, showing our countrys commitment to international cooperation in education, science, and culture.

The U.S. pulled out of the Paris-based organization in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, a Republican who claimed UNESCO was biased against Israel.

The administration of Biden, a Democrat, pushed to rejoin over concerns that China was filling the void in leadership created by the U.S. absence.

The administration announced in June that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member organization, which also plays a major role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.

The organizations governing board voted earlier this month to approve the Biden plan to rejoin, and the U.S. delivered a document certifying that it would accept the invitation to become the 194th member of UNESCO.

Our organization is once again moving towards universality, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said at the time. She cast the U.S return as excellent news for multilateralism as a whole. If we want to meet the challenges of our century, there can only be a collective response.

The Trump administration in 2017 announced that the U.S. would withdraw from UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias. That decision that took effect a year later.

The U.S. and Israel stopped financing UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011.

The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan foresees similar requests for the ensuing years until the full debt of $619 million is repaid.

That makes up a big chunk of UNESCOs $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22% of the agencys overall funding.

The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. It rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bushs presidency. Bush's wife, Laura, a former elementary school teacher and librarian, spoke at that ceremony.

Standing in for the president at home and abroad has become a big part of a first lady's unofficial job description, and Jill Biden travels at least several times a week to promote administration initiatives.

She visited Namibia and Kenya in February, followed by a trip to London in May for the coronation of King Charles III. In June, she traveled to Jordan to attend the royal wedding of a son of King Abdullah II, followed by stops in Egypt, Morocco and Portugal.
Latest developments

Between 3,450 and 3,650 Wagner group mercenaries have arrived in Belarus since the groups short-lived rebellion, a military monitoring group said Monday. The fighters are camped close to Asipovichy, a town 230 kilometers (140 miles) north of the Ukrainian border. The Wagner mercenaries are training Belarusian troops as part of an agreement to end the Wagner revolt brokered by the Belarusian president between the Kremlin and Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country can replace Ukrainian grain exports to Africa after Moscow left a deal allowing for safe shipments from Ukraine through the Black Sea amid Russias invasion.

The Russian defense industry says it is now producing more munitions per month than it did in the whole of 2022, the RIA news agency reported.



During a visit to Kenya and Somalia, a top U.S. Treasury official will address how Moscow's exit from the Black Sea grain deal will hurt African states.

U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson will travel to Africa this week and will also argue that Russia abandoned the grain deal despite Washingtons efforts to facilitate the flow of Russian grain and fertilizer exports, according to a Treasury spokesperson.

"He will highlight the exemptions in U.S. sanctions that have always allowed the continued flow of food and agriculture transactions," the spokesperson said of Nelson's trip.

Russia withdrew from the grain deal last week, arguing that it was not benefiting enough from a parallel initiative that allowed for Moscow to ship food and fertilizer throughout the world despite Western sanctions.

Nelsons visit comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday promising them free Russian grain "to replace Ukrainian grain."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Russia to revive the U.N. brokered Black Sea grain deal to allow the flow of grain exports from Ukraines Black Sea ports.

During his speech at the opening of a three-day food summit in Rome, Guterres lamented that the world's hungry will be the most adversely affected if the deal is not renewed.

"The most vulnerable will pay the highest price, he said.

The grain deal had been keeping grain exports flowing to developing countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East since Moscows invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Wheat prices have risen more than 14% since Monday, when Russia pulled out of the grain deal, and corn prices are up more than 10%.

Russia refuses to renew the accord until sanctions on Russian exports of food and fertilizer are lifted.

Earlier Monday, Russian airstrikes hit Ukrainian grain warehouses on the Danube River impairing the alternative shipping route of Ukrainian grain there and wounding seven people. Almost 30 ships are stranded near Ukraines crucial Izmail port terminal.

"Russia is trying to fully block the export of our grain and make the world starve," Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said on Ukrainian television.

The Danube has been a key alternative export route for Kyiv since Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal.

On Monday, the Ukrainian grain traders union, known as UGA, urged the European Union to increase the capacity of so-called solidarity lanes to allow the flow of Ukraine grain exports and other agricultural products by providing alternative transit routes via rail, road and inland waterways after the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal.

This will lead to a significant reduction in the cost of grain transportation and will enable Ukrainian farmers to export surplus grain without losses to countries that need Ukrainian grain and stabilize global food security," the UGA said.

Five central European countries want the EU to extend the ban of Ukraine imports after its expiration on September 15, claiming that such imports are hurting their local farmers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called such a request "unacceptable."

Last week, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal urged Kyivs partners and the executive European Commission to ensure the unimpeded export of all Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU.

Drones over Moscow



White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a news briefing Monday that the White House does not support attacks inside Russia. She was responding to questions about two drones from Ukraine that hit buildings in Moscow early Monday.

Russia said it will take harsh retaliatory measures against Ukraines attack on the Russian city calling it a brazen act of terror. Russias military said it downed the two drones while Moscow mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said two nonresidential buildings were damaged, but that there were no reports of casualties. According to Russian news agencies, one of the drones hit close to the Defense Ministry's headquarters.

Some information was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Human Rights Watch said in a statement Monday that Malis armed forces and apparently the Wagner Group mercenaries have summarily executed and forcibly disappeared several dozen civilians in Malis cental region since December 2022.

Malis forces and the Wagner Group have also destroyed and looted civilian property and allegedly tortured detainees in an army camp, according to HRW.

The rights group said it has interviewed 40 people who know about the incidents, including 20 witnesses of abuses, three family members of victims, two community leaders, five Malian civil society activists, eight representatives of international organizations, and two Sahel political analysts.

HRW said it has also reviewed a video showing evidence of abuses by Malian soldiers and associated foreign forces.

Malian Foreign Minister Aodoulaye Diop urged the U.N. Security Council to withdraw the U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali or MINUSMA without delay due to a confidence crisis between Malian officials and the 15,000 members of MINUSMA.

Malian Foreign Minister Aodoulaye Diop urged the U.N. Security Council to withdraw the U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali or MINUSMA without delay due to a confidence crisis between Malian officials and the 15,000 members of MINUSMA.

The Security Council has decided to end MINUSMAs presence in Mali, but its personnel will remain there until December 31.

With the upcoming end to MINUSMAs presence in Mali, Carine Kaneza Nantulya, HRW deputy Africa director, said, The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should express their concerns about grave abuses by the Malian armed forces and allied apparent Wagner Group fighters and increase pressure on the Malian authorities to end these violations and hold those responsible to account.
The mayor of the Ecuadorian Pacific port city of Manta, Agustin Intriago, was shot dead on Sunday, authorities said, in a brazen attack that stunned the political establishment.

Police said the 38-year-old Intriago, who was re-elected as mayor of Manta in February, had been inspecting public works in the city at the time of the attack.

In a video shared on social media, local police commander Alex Salgado told reporters Intriago had been hit by an undetermined number of bullets and a woman had also died in the incident, describing her as a "collateral victim."

The municipal government of Manta said on its Twitter account that Intriago had been shot dead.

Police said on Twitter that officers had secured a truck with a grenade inside it and a gun nearby, which investigators believe may have been used in the attack.

Interior Minister Juan Zapata said four other people were wounded. Two of them are suspects in the killing, he said.

It was not immediately clear why the mayor had been attacked, though Ecuador has faced an increase in violent crime that the government says is driven by power struggles between criminal gangs over the drug trafficking trade. Crime widespread

Manta, a city of well over 200,000 people, has been prey to such gangs, while widespread common crime fed by economic and social problems is adding to the country's security woes.

President Guillermo Lasso expressed his sorrow over Intriago's "assassination" in a statement on Twitter and said he had ordered authorities to bring the killers to justice.

Former President Rafael Correa expressed his shock, saying on Twitter: "I can't believe this has happened." Other official targeted

In May, gunmen targeted the mayor of the city of Duran. He emerged unscathed from the attack, but a policeman was killed and several other people were wounded, media reported.

Intriago belonged to a local political party in Manta.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast late on Monday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Japan's defense ministry also reported the launch of what it said could be a ballistic missile by North Korea.

The reports come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula as South Korea and the United States take steps to boost military readiness against North Korea's weapons program with the deployment of U.S. strategic military assets.

North Korea has reacted angrily, saying such deployment could meet the criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests last week, hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine arrived at a South Korean port for the first time since the 1980s.

On Monday, another nuclear-powered U.S. submarine arrived in South Korea.

Over the weekend, the North fired a barrage of cruise missiles into the sea off its west coast.
Heavy casualties have been reported after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest at Mogadishus Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy early Monday, sources said.

The bomber targeted military personnel as they lined up after breakfast.

Two Somali military officers who asked not to be identified as they are not authorized to speak publicly to the media, told VOA that at least 25 soldiers were killed, and more than 70 others were injured in the attack. According to one of the officers, 24 of them have sustained serious injuries, he said.

The al-Shabab militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement via Telegram Messenger, the group claimed that one of its suicide bombers targeted the troops. Al-Shabab claimed the explosion killed 73 soldiers and injured 124 others, a figure that has not been independently verified.

The bomber was wearing a military uniform, according to the officer.

It is not clear how the bomber managed to enter one of the most secure military bases in the capital.

Many of the soldiers belong to the 14th October Brigade, created in commemoration for the victims of the single deadliest terrorist attack in Africa at Mogadishus Zobe junction, which killed nearly 600 people on October 14, 2017.

Somali troops and local fighters have been conducting operations against al-Shabab since August. The Somali government vowed to continue the operation into a second phase to further remove the group from more territories in the countryside.

The militant group has been carrying out retaliatory attacks against government as well as civilian sites.
An international team is set to begin siphoning oil out of the hull of a decrepit tanker moored off the coast of war-torn Yemen this week, a U.N. official said Sunday. It will mark the first concrete step in an operation years in the making aimed at preventing a massive oil spill in the Red Sea.

More than 1.1 million barrels of oil stored in the tanker, known as SOF Safer, will be transferred to another vessel the United Nations purchased as a replacement to the rusting storage tanker, said Achim Steiner, administrator of the U.N. development program.

"We have reached a critical stage in this salvage operation," Steiner told The Associated Press hours after the salvage team on Saturday managed to moor the replacement vessel alongside the Safer tanker in the Red Sea. "This marks, in a sense, the completion of the monthlong preparatory phase."

The rusting tanker is a Japanese-made vessel built in the 1970s and sold to the Yemeni government in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of export oil pumped from fields in Marib, a province in eastern Yemen. The ship is 360 meters (1,181 feet) long with 34 storage tanks.

The tanker is moored 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Yemen's western Red Sea ports of Hodeida and Ras Issa, a strategic area controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who are at war with the internationally recognized government.

The war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country's north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. The following year, a Saudi-led coalition entered the war to fight the Houthis and try to restore the internationally recognized government to power. Neglected for years

The vessel has not been maintained for eight years, and its structural integrity is compromised, making it at risk of breaking up or exploding. Seawater had entered the engine compartment of the tanker, causing damage to the pipes and increasing the risk of sinking, according to internal documents obtained by the AP in June 2020.

For years, the U.N. and other governments as well as environmental groups have warned that a major oil spill  or explosion  could disrupt global commercial shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb and Suez Canal routes, causing untold damage to the global economy. The tanker carries four times as much as the oil that spilled in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes, according to the U.N.

The U.N. has for years campaigned to raise funds for the salvage operation which cost $143 million, including purchasing a new storage vessel to replace the rusting tanker, Steiner of the UNDP said.

"It is an extraordinarily complex operation in which, first of all, diplomacy was critical, then the logistical ability to mount such an operation and finally to actually be able to be on site with multiple vessels and put in place the conditions, but also the mitigation measures, the contingency plans, the security plans," Steiner said.

The funding was a major challenge for the U.N. which resorted to crowd funding to help bridge the gap. But the operation still needs around $20 million to be completed, Steiner said. He criticized the oil and gas industry for not stepping up their contributions.

"One can sometimes wonder, you know, is it really up to a school class of children in Maryland to contribute to our crowd funding?" he said. Five months to finish

The replacement vessel, now named the Yemen, reached Yemen's coast earlier this month and the salvage team managed to safely berth it alongside the Safer to start the ship-to-ship transfer of oil amid unprecedented measures, including a small flotilla of technical and supply vessels, to avoid missteps during the operation.

"Many thought it would never happen," the UNDP administrator told the AP from New York, adding the salvage team has up to five weeks to complete the whole operation.

After transferring the oil, the replacement vessel would be connected to an under-sea pipeline that brings oil from the fields, he said.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 24. The net profit of the Kumtor Gold Company in Kyrgyzstan amounted to $36.9 million from January through March 2023, Trend reports.

According to the data released by the company, the payments to the budget of Kyrgyzstan amounted to $48.1 million in the first quarter of the current year.

At the same time, 2,504 kilograms of gold were produced at the Kumtor mine from January through March 2023, surpassing the 2,068 kilograms produced in the same period of 2022.

The increase in production can primarily be attributed to the higher gold content in the ore delivered to the processing plant, along with an improved metal recovery rate.

In the first quarter of 2023, the average gold content in the ore supplied to the plant from various stockpiles was 2.34 grams per ton, with a gold recovery rate of 72.11 percent.

In comparison, during the same period in 2022, these figures stood at 2.27 grams per ton and 67.46 percent for the recovery rate.

Kumtor mine, located in Kyrgyzstan, is the largest gold mining enterprise in Central Asia. From the start of industrial production in May 1997 until December 31, 2022, the Kumtor deposit has yielded over 14.3 million ounces of gold.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the European Union on Monday to ensure that an "unacceptable and clearly non-European" ban on Ukrainian grain imports to five countries is lifted by a mid-September deadline.

The five central European countries want the EU ban extended at least until the end of the year. The ban is set to expire on September 15.

In his nightly video address delivered after a meeting with government officials, Zelenskyy said there could be no question of extending the restrictions beyond the deadline.

"We believe that the European side will fulfill its obligations regarding this date, when the temporary restrictions will cease to apply," Zelenskyy said. "Any extension of these restrictions is entirely unacceptable and clearly un-European. Europe has the institutional capacity to act more rationally than closing this or that border to this or that type of good."

Ukraine, he said, was "actively working with everyone to find a solution that is in line with the spirit of our Europe."

The president had earlier written on the Telegram messaging app that any extension was "unacceptable in any form."

The EU in May allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while permitting transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere.

The countries include some of Kyiv's staunchest diplomatic supporters in its war against Moscow, but they say inflows of Ukrainian grain have hurt their farming sectors.

Poland will not lift the ban on September 15 even if the EU does not agree on its extension, its prime minister said last week.
The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over an American soldier who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border.

General Andrew Harrison said the process has started through communications line set under the armistice agreement that stopped the fighting of the 1950-53 Korean War. He said the well-being of Private Travis King remains the command's primary concern, but refused to provide more details, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border last Tuesday while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas.

U.S. officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said North Korea was ignoring their requests for information about him.

Analysts say North Korea could wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release.
Beach season has started across Japan, which means seafood for holiday makers and good times for business owners. But in Fukushima, that may end soon.

Within weeks, the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is expected to start releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a highly contested plan still facing fierce protests in and outside Japan.

Residents worry that the water discharge, 12 years after the nuclear disaster, could deal another setback to Fukushima's image and hurt their businesses and livelihoods.

"Without a healthy ocean, I cannot make a living," said Yukinaga Suzuki, a 70-year-old innkeeper at Usuiso beach in Iwaki about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the plant. And the government has yet to announce when the water release will begin.

While officials say the possible impact would be limited to rumors, it's not yet clear if it will be damaging to the local economy. Residents say they feel "shikataganai"  meaning helpless.

Suzuki has requested officials hold the plan at least until the swimming season ends in mid-August.

"If you ask me what I think about the water release, I'm against it. But there is nothing I can do to stop it as the government has one-sidedly crafted the plan and will release it anyway," he said. "Releasing the water just as people are swimming at sea is totally out of line, even if there is no harm."

The beach, he said, will be in the path of treated water traveling south on the Oyashio current from off the coast of Fukushima Daiichi. That's where the cold Oyashio current meets the warm, northbound Kuroshio, making it a rich fishing ground.

The government and the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO, have struggled to manage the massive amount of contaminated water accumulating since the 2011 nuclear disaster, and announced plans to release it to the ocean during the summer.

They say the plan is to treat the water, dilute it with more than a hundred times the seawater and then release it into the Pacific Ocean through an undersea tunnel. Doing so, they said, is safer than national and international standards require.

Suzuki is among those who are not fully convinced by the government's awareness campaign that critics say only highlights safety. "We don't know if it's safe yet," Suzuki said. "We just can't tell until much later."

The Usuiso area used to have more than a dozen family-run inns before the disaster. Now, Suzuki's half-century old Suzukame, which he inherited from his parents 30 years ago, is the only one still in business after surviving the tsunami. He heads a safety committee for the area and operates its only beach house.

Suzuki says his inn guests won't mention the water issue if they cancel their reservations and he would only have to guess. "I serve fresh local fish to my guests, and the beach house is for visitors to rest and chill out. The ocean is the source of my livelihood."

The March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi plant's cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and contaminating their cooling water, which has since leaked continuously. The water is collected, filtered and stored in some 1,000 tanks, which will reach their capacity in early 2024.

The government and TEPCO say the water must be removed to make room for the plant's decommissioning, and to prevent accidental leaks from the tanks because much of the water is still contaminated and needs retreatment.

Katsumasa Okawa, who runs a seafood business in Iwaki, says those tanks containing contaminated water bother him more than the treated water release. He wants to have them removed as soon as possible, especially after seeing "immense" tanks occupying much of the plant complex during his visit a few years ago.

An accidental leak would be "an ultimate strikeout. ... It will cause actual damage, not reputation," Okawa says. "I think the treated water release is unavoidable." It's eerie, he adds, to have to live near the damaged plant for decades.

Fukushima's badly hit fisheries community, tourism and the economy are still recovering. The government has allocated 80 billion yen ($573 million) to support still-feeble fisheries and seafood processing and combat potential reputation damage from the water release.

Japanese fishing organizations strongly opposed Fukushima's water release, as they worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it into a political and diplomatic issue. Hong Kong has vowed to ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea.

China plans to step up import restrictions and Hong Kong restaurants began switching menus to exclude Japanese seafood.

Japan sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency for transparency and credibility. IAEA's final report, released this month and handed directly to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, concluded that the method meets international standards and its environmental and health impacts would be negligible. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said radioactivity in the water would be almost undetectable and there is no cross-border impact.

Scientists generally agree that environmental impact from the treated water would be negligible, but some call for more attention on dozens of low-dose radionuclides that remain in the water, saying data on their long-term effect on the environment and marine life is insufficient.
The United States said it was pausing some foreign assistance programs in Cambodia and imposing visa bans on individuals it says undermined democracy after the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) declared a landslide victory in elections on Sunday.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that Washington was "troubled" that the elections, in which Prime Minister Hun Sen's CPP faced no viable opponent were "neither free nor fair."

"Ahead of the elections, Cambodian authorities engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against the political opposition, media, and civil society that undermined the spirit of the countrys constitution and Cambodias international obligations," Miller said.

"In response, the United States has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals who undermined democracy and implemented a pause of certain foreign assistance programs," he added.

Miller called on Cambodian authorities to restore genuine multi-party democracy, end politically motivated trials and reverse convictions of government critics and allow independent media to operate without interference in order to "improve the countrys international standing."
The United States imposed sanctions on three Malian officials Monday, including the minister of defense, over accusations they facilitated the deployment and expansion of the Russian Wagner Group's activities in the country.

The U.S. Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on Mali's Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, who it said made several trips to Russia in 2021 to solidify an agreement between the Wagner Group and the Malian transition government to deploy the mercenary force to the West African country.

Also targeted in Monday's action was Malis Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Alou Boi Diarra, and Malian Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Adama Bagayoko, the department said in a statement.

"These officials have made their people vulnerable to the Wagner Groups destabilizing activities and human rights abuses while paving the way for the exploitation of their countrys sovereign resources to the benefit of the Wagner Groups operations in Ukraine," Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said.

Both Russia and Mali have said Russian fighters in the African nation are not mercenaries but trainers helping local troops fight a decade-long insurgency by Islamist militants.

In June, the United States said it was concerned about the Wagner Group's destabilizing activities in Africa and accused the leader of the mercenary force of helping to engineer the departure of U.N. peacekeepers from Mali.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters last month that the U.S. has information indicating Mali's transition government has paid more than $200 million to Wagner since late 2021.

In May, Washington also said the Wagner Group may be working through Mali and other countries to hide its efforts to acquire military equipment for use in Ukraine.
CCC interim leader Nelson Chamisa says it is a lie that they will take back the land from blacks and hand it over to whites. He was speaking at an election campaign rally in Esibombu, Matabeleland South on Sunday. (Video: Ezra Tshisa Sibanda)
Photo: Chesnot/Getty Images

Worlds least interesting man Elon Musk has announced that Twitters logo will be changed to the letter X, replacing the blue-bird logo that the platform has used since 2012. Musk tweeted that the URL X.com now redirects to Twitter, and an interim new logo is set to go live sometime on Sunday. Soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds, he tweeted late on Saturday night. He then posted a video of what appears to be a mock-up of the new logo, which looks like  you guessed it  a black-and-white letter X. Musk has previously referenced his dream of making an app called X, tweeting last year, Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app. Ashlee Vance, who wrote a biography of Musk, told NPR, He wants to create an app similar to how WeChat is used in China, where its part of the fabric of day-to-day life. You use it to communicate, to consume news, to buy things, to pay your rent, to book appointments with your doctor and even to pay fines. The logo change is just the latest in a series of baffling moves by the billionaire CEO, who announced rate limits earlier this month and Twitter Blue back in April to almost universal disdain.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 24. The fifth intergovernmental commission meeting between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan has been held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the prospects of cooperation, focusing on sectors such as construction, education, defense, manufacturing, transportation, and communication.

On Wednesday, July 26, a meeting of business delegations from Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan will take place on the shores of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul lake, offering entrepreneurs from both countries the opportunity to discuss further collaborative measures and establish crucial agreements.

"The economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly prominent, with both nations actively seeking new opportunities to develop mutually beneficial projects," Kyrgyzstan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

Furthermore, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are currently actively engaging in various international and regional initiatives aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and fostering a favorable business environment.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, the trade turnover between the countries amounted to $17.038 million from January through June 2023, which is four times more than in the same period of 2022 ($4.228 million).
Colosseum urges tourists to respect heritage.

The Colosseum archaeological park has published a notice on its website warning of prison sentences of up to five years and hefty fines for those who vandalise the monument.

The awareness campaign follows a spate of recent incidents in which tourists carved their names into the walls of the Colosseum, sparking widespread outrage in Italy and around the world.

Italys culture minister condemns the actions of a tourist who carved his girlfriends name into the Colosseum, slamming the mans behaviour as very serious and a sign of great incivility, adding that he hopes the individual can be identified and fined.pic.twitter.com/1vNwlGIklw Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) June 26, 2023

The website warns against those who write on the walls or otherwise "damage, destroy, disperse or cause deterioration" to monuments in the archaeological park which includes the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Domus Aurea in addition to the Colosseum.

Calling for "respect" from visitors, the notice warns that offenders "shall be punished by imprisonment of two to five years and a fine ranging from 2,500 to 15,000", under Italian law.

In a recent interview with Rome daily newspaper Il Messaggero, the Parco archeologico del Colosseo director Alfonsina Russo slammed the "lack of civic education about heritage" of many tourists who are "primarily interested in taking selfies."

Photo Wanted in Rome
Dangerous stunt took place in Polignano a Mare.

Police in Italy are seeking to catch up with a tourist who made a 32-metre jump off a cliff into the sea in Polignano a Mare, a popular seaside resort in the southern Puglia region.

The illegal stunt took place on Saturday, in front of shocked onlookers, after the man climbed onto the roof of a private residence before making the hazardous plunge into the water 32 metres below.

Footage of the jump by the man went viral on social media. The man's identity remains unknown however he is being referred to as a tourist by Italian media.

The incident, which was reported to police by the owner of the property, occurred a couple of weeks after professional divers took part in the Red Bull Cliff Diving tournament in the same place.

Earlier this year the mayor of Venice said that a tourist who jumped into a canal off the roof of a three-story building should be given a certificate of stupidity.
Ahead of a November vote on abortion rights, Republicans had wanted voters to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution. Voters said no, and constitutional amendments will continue to need just a simple majority to pass.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 24. Kyrgyzstan has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector to address the challenges related to climate change, low water inflow in the Naryn river basin, and a shortage of generating capacities amid rapidly increasing energy consumption, Trend reports.

President Sadyr Japarov has signed the decree "On the State of Emergency in the Energy Sector of the Kyrgyz Republic," which will come into effect on August 1, 2023, and will be in place until December 31, 2026.

This measure has been taken to implement emergency measures to overcome the situation resulting from the lack of generating capacities in the country amidst growing energy demand.

It is expected that the declaration of a state of emergency will facilitate the development of strategies and actions to address the issue and maintain a sustainable energy system in the future.

According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, a total of 6.486 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity was generated in Kyrgyzstan from January through May 2023,which is 17.3 percent more than in the same period of 2022.
Stan Grant wont return to Q+A, having quit as presenter, and will now focus on new projects within the ABC, while fill-in host Patricia Karvelas will continue in the role until the end of the year before a permanent replacement is appointed.

Grant, 59, a Wiradjuri man from the Griffith region in NSW and a triple Walkley Award winner, stepped away from the role in May, citing exhaustion due to a barrage of racist abuse on social media, which escalated after the ABCs coverage of King Charles coronation.

Grant has stepped down from his role as Q+A presenter. Credit: Jacquie Manning

Racism is a crime. Racism is violence. And I have had enough, Grant wrote in an ABC opinion piece explaining his departure in May.

ABC news director Justin Stevens said Grant was one of the nations finest journalists, storytellers and broadcasters, and that the broadcaster was delighted to have his contribution continue across a number of programs.
Reducing the number of gas appliances in rental and low-income households looms as a major challenge in the Victorian governments push to meet ambitious climate targets, cut energy bills and avert the threat of gas supply shortfalls.

Plans are being developed to encourage households to switch their gas-fired heaters, stoves and hot-water systems to electric alternatives in Victoria, where more than 2 million homes and businesses still rely on gas, the most of any state.

The 5 million Australian homes with gas connections account for about 17 per cent of the fossil fuel that is consumed each year. Credit: Getty Images

The government is working on a Gas Substitution Road Map, saying it will help bring down rising residential energy bills, form a key plank of Victorias efforts to halve the statewide carbon footprint by 2030, and ease pressure on tightening supplies of the fossil fuel across south-eastern Australia.

Research from the Brotherhood of St Laurence, released on Monday, suggests policymakers will need to pay particular attention to addressing two key barriers: lower-income households unable to afford the high upfront cost of buying new electric appliances, and renters feeling they have little or no say over what appliances are installed in their homes.
The tweet by the son of a former Liberal premier seemed innocuous enough at first.

The marriage equality survey was brutal for the LGBT community. I dread what First Nations people may go through, Rob Baillieu, son of former Victorian Liberal premier Ted Baillieu typed in December 2022.

It was an earnest reflection from a gay Australian on the divisiveness of national votes and their impact on the people who are put at the centre of them.

Rob Baillieu, son of former Victorian Liberal premier Ted Baillieu. Credit: Simon Schluter

Now its part of a Chinese-backed influence campaign that is less concerned about the mental health of the LGBT and Indigenous communities and more focused on entrenching the narrative that Australia is a racist and sexist society that suffers from systemic discrimination.
When Paul Keating made his latest intemperate intervention on international affairs at the time of the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, the sheer savagery of his language caught the publics attention. NATO, he said, was a poison and its greatly respected secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, a supreme fool. Even among Keatings dwindling band of admirers there may have been a twinge of regretful pity for a hero who had so obviously degenerated into a ranting, King Lear-like figure.

Which is a shame because the attention-getting verbal pyrotechnics distracted from the larger point that Keating was seeking to make: that we should be very careful about the relationship between NATO and the Indo-Pacific. And that extending the alliance to our region would be a serious mistake. About that, Keating was right.

Paul Keatings sledging of NATO was over the top, but his central objections were valid. Credit:

Not that extending NATO beyond the Euro-Atlantic is being seriously considered by Australian ministers and policymakers. Nevertheless, there is increasingly loose talk about the idea, particularly in the United States. Last week, two US senators canvassed the possibility. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, was quoted as saying that the expansion of NATO into the Indo-Pacific had already started [with the] AUKUS agreement. Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, was quoted as describing the expansion as inevitable.

These are relatively junior senators, however they both sit on the powerful Senate armed services committee. Their linkage of AUKUS with NATO expansion reflected a serious misconception of AUKUSs nature and purpose. Nevertheless, their observations are typical of a growing volume of poorly thought-through commentary about the nature of NATOs role in the Indo-Pacific. Much of this talk is driven by glib and oversimplified comparisons between Russias invasion of Ukraine and Chinas declared intentions in relation to Taiwan.
Phnom Penh: The ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) declared a landslide victory in a one-sided election on Sunday, clearing the path for a historic leadership transition and the end of the reign of one of the worlds longest-serving premiers.

The contest was effectively a one-horse race, with Prime Minister Hun Sens CPP, a political behemoth with a vast war chest, facing no viable opponent after a ruthless, years-long crackdown under which hundreds of its rivals have fled into exile.

Hun Manet, of the Cambodian Peoples Party, son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, also army chief, shows off his inked finger outside a polling station after voting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Credit: AP

The CPP was leading in ballot counting late on Sunday, with a turnout of 84 per cent, according to the election committee, with 8.1 million people voting in a lopsided contest between the CPP and 17 mostly obscure parties.

Weve won in a landslide ... but we cant calculate the number of seats yet, CPP spokesperson Sok Eysan said.
Make-or-break talks held a fortnight ago in Brussels failed to resolve the deadlock and a new round of negotiations is set for August. Sannino said he was confident of reaching a solution. The trade negotiations have a logic of their own ... I dont think that we will fail, he said, adding that comments by President Ursula von der Leyen showed the political will at the highest levels of the EU to make a deal. She was saying the door is open, we are like-minded partners, we need each other, especially in this moment. There is still a little bit of work that needs to be done, but I believe that we will eventually get there, Sannino said. Taiwan is Europes business

Russias invasion of Ukraine has sparked soul-searching across Europe about the level of European defence spending and dependency on Russia for energy and on China for critical goods such as rare earth metals and semiconductors. This led to a new policy of de-risking in managing relations with China, a policy that has been adopted by the US and Europes largest and most trade-exposed economy to China  Germany. Sannino said the war had also triggered a substantial change in the EUs foreign policy, and security was now the central consideration. Not only the military security but also the economic security, the security of information, the security of our infrastructure, he said. Asked about parallels he saw between the war in Ukraine and the threat posed by Chinas increasing aggression in the Indo-Pacific, Sannino said: We are now in a situation where the political insecurity aspects have become global.

Loading There is no difference between what is happening in Russia and the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the threat and the challenges that you have in the Pacific. What is happening in North Korea or what is happening in the South China Sea or what is happening in the Taiwan Strait for us is as relevant as what is happening between Russia and Ukraine. He said Russias use of force, in violation of the rules-based order, had provoked a strong reaction in the Pacific. The same would be our reaction if something would happen on the Pacific side, he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron sparked outrage when he appeared to undermine trans-Atlantic security by saying that the worst thing Europe could do would be to follow the US on Taiwan  the democratic island Chinese President Xi Jinping has threatened to take control of, using force if necessary. Sannino said Macrons words had been over-interpreted and Europe understood the danger it faced if there was confrontation in the Taiwan Strait. We are all aware that in this moment the challenges and the threats we have to face around the world are something that is touching everybody, and its very difficult to say thats not my business, he said. He said Europe stood by the One China policy but also backed the Taiwanese continuing to enjoy their rights, warning: We cannot accept changes that are generated through force.

We need to work with all the countries of the region to keep on passing constantly and consistently this message to the Chinese authority. A growing China good for us all Sannino stressed that the policy of de-risking was not aimed at curbing Chinas economic growth. We do not have any interest in having their economic activities depressed in the world, he said. If tomorrow China is not growing enough, its a problem for China, its a problem for us, and we do not want this to happen. The EU is preparing ways to restrict the export of sensitive technologies and ban investments in overseas interests that could be used militarily.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 24. The value of chemicals and related products exports from European Union (EU) countries to Tajikistan increased in 2022, Trend reports.

According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, the value of chemical exports from EU countries to Tajikistan reached 46.2 million euros in 2022. These exports grew 37.09 percent compared to the previous year, when exports equaled 33.7 million euros in 2021.

Notably, this surge in chemical exports marks the highest volume recorded in the past decade.

Looking at past ten years, the increasing trend in chemical exports from the EU to Tajikistan is evident. The figures stood at 21.5 million euros in 2012, 23.5 million euros in 2013, 29.1 million euros in 2014, 26.5 million euros in 2015, 24.1 million euros in 2016, 25 million euros in 2018, 28.3 million euros in 2019, and 34.9 million euros in 2020.

Meanwhile, the value of Tajikistan's foreign trade turnover exceeded $7.3 billion in 2022, which is an increase of 15 percent compared to 2021.

In the past year, Tajikistan exports amounted to $2.1 billion and imports to $5.2 billion. Key markets for Tajik products included Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and China, constituting 22.6 percent, 18.1 percent, and 17.2 percent of total exports, respectively.

Conversely, the majority of imports originated from Russia (30.7 percent), Kazakhstan (18.5 percent), and China (16.3 percent).
The World Customs Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have released a revised brochure titled Moving Air Cargo Globally - Air Cargo and Mail Secure Supply Chain and Facilitation. The brochure aims to assist air transport regulators and operators in mitigating security threats associated with air cargo activities.

The air cargo and mail operating environment is highly complex, involving numerous entities. This can lead to challenges in implementing security measures and countering threats. The third edition of the brochure provides advice on the roles and responsibilities of these various entities, emphasizing effective collaboration within the regulatory framework to ensure the security of air cargo and mail.

The WCO and ICAO have been working in partnership to secure and protect the air cargo and mail supply chain from unlawful intrusions while facilitating the movement of people, goods and conveyances across borders. Our holistic approach is supported by a wide range of joint activities, including working groups on air cargo security, conferences, workshops, and harmonized implementation of standards, stated WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya. The publication of this third edition of the ICAO-WCO brochure is crucial to provide updated information on security and facilitation measures implemented by the WCO, ICAO and other stakeholders.

ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar stated that Maintaining operational efficiency and commercial viability has always been at the cornerstone of ICAO's efforts towards improving aviation security, as demonstrated by the tremendous adaptability and resilience the air cargo sector showed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted that the understanding of the nature and level of related security threats  and how to combat them  has also significantly improved in recent years. Moving Air Cargo Globally will help to support the implementation of robust and harmonized standards worldwide, while fostering the improved air transport connectivity which will be so critical to the future sustainability of societies and economies everywhere,  he added.

Past attacks on civil aviation involving concealed improvised explosive or incendiary devices in cargo consignments underscore the importance of remaining vigilant and implementing measures to secure air cargo and mail. These vulnerabilities could potentially provide terrorists and criminals with a route of attack, necessitating sustainable measures implemented by all stakeholders.

The brochure also emphasize the increasing importance of the digitalization of cargo processes to better align them with modern multimodal supply chains. Digitalization aims to make cargo operations more agile, responsive, and secure in the face of new opportunities and threats. The focus is on measures related to high-risk cargo and screening, including preventive security measures targeting staff members to mitigate threats posed by insiders.

Drawing on input from wide-ranging stakeholders, including regulators and industry representatives, the publication acknowledges the critical role that international supply chains play as catalysts for sustainable development at the national, regional, and global levels. It underscores the need to avoid security-related disruptions to these activities.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. Direct flights will be launched between Uzbekistan and Hungary on August 20, 2023, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, Qanot Sharq Airlines (Uzbekistans private passenger airline) will operate the flight between the capitals of these countries, Tashkent and Budapest. The flights will be conducted using Airbus A320 aircraft.

Qanot Sharq was founded in 1998. Since its establishment, it has specialized in cargo and charter passenger transportation. In 2021, the airline resumed its operations as the first private passenger airline in Uzbekistan.

Earlier this year, on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Minister of Economic Development of Hungary Marton Nagy discussed the opening of direct flights between the two countries. The parties also agreed to boost the preparation and implementation of projects in transport and communications, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, as well as create effective financial instruments.
BLAIRSTOWN, N.J. - A woman in Warren County, New Jersey is being accused of depositing altered checks into her personal bank account and stealing credit cards.

Jennifer Davis was charged with 32 counts of third and fourth-degree offenses related to the alleged criminal activity, according to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

The Blairstown Police Department charged Davis after a three-month investigation.

The investigation revealed that Davis deposited multiple altered checks into her personal bank account that were intended for other recipients, the prosecutor's office said. In each case, the "Pay To" entry on the checks were changed to "Jennifer Davis" and it appears that the checks were taken from the victims' mailboxes, according to the prosecutor's office. The checks were valued between $77.00 and $1,678.

The prosecutor's office says Davis stole the credit cards of various other victims and is on surveillance using one of the cards at an ATM withdrawing $400.

Third-degree crimes carry a maximum potential penalty of five years in New Jersey State Prison. Fourt-degree crimes carry a maximum potential penalty of 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.

The Warren County Prosecutor's Office encourages anyone who believes they may be the victim of this activity to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 908-475-6275.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 25. The potential factoring volume in Uzbekistan may reach up to $1.9 billion, Trend reports.

As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) pointed out, Uzbekistans GDP in 2022 stood at $80.4 billion. At the same time, if the factoring volume in the country was to reach a penetration rate of 2.4 percent, which is the average observed in neighboring countries, the potential factoring volume could amount to approximately $1.9 billion.

Factoring in Uzbekistan is regulated under the Civil Code, which serves as a foundation for the initial development of the market. However, the existing legislation requires significant enhancements to align with international practices, the bank noted.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are collaborating with the Government of Uzbekistan to establish an appropriate enabling framework. Additionally, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has conducted training sessions for banks on Supply Chain Finance (SCF) to bridge the knowledge gap.

In April 2022, new financial sector policies and reforms were implemented, allowing both banks and nonbank credit institutions, including microfinance entities, to offer factoring services.

Furthermore, the introduction of the 2011 law on credit information sharing has facilitated the establishment of the first local private credit bureau in Uzbekistan.

In 2022, ADB committed 5 new public sector projects and programs for just over $1 billion to Uzbekistan. To date, ADB has committed 240 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $11.5 billion to Uzbekistan. Cumulative loan disbursements to Uzbekistan amount to $7.69 billion.
Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI  Get Free Report) and Lanvin Group (NYSE:LANV  Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

19.2% of Levi Strauss & Co. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Lanvin Group shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of Levi Strauss & Co. shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.7% of Lanvin Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Risk & Volatility

Levi Strauss & Co. has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its share price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lanvin Group has a beta of -0.02, suggesting that its share price is 102% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Levi Strauss & Co. 0 5 4 0 2.44 Lanvin Group 0 1 0 0 2.00

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Levi Strauss & Co. and Lanvin Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Levi Strauss & Co. currently has a consensus target price of $17.50, indicating a potential upside of 25.09%. Lanvin Group has a consensus target price of $6.50, indicating a potential upside of 48.40%. Given Lanvin Groups higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Lanvin Group is more favorable than Levi Strauss & Co..

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Levi Strauss & Co. and Lanvin Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Levi Strauss & Co. $6.13 billion 0.91 $569.10 million $1.10 12.72 Lanvin Group $445.02 million 1.29 -$229.99 million $0.33 13.27

Levi Strauss & Co. has higher revenue and earnings than Lanvin Group. Levi Strauss & Co. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lanvin Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Levi Strauss & Co. and Lanvin Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Levi Strauss & Co. 7.12% 23.46% 7.56% Lanvin Group N/A -443.09% -50.06%

Summary

Levi Strauss & Co. beats Lanvin Group on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

(Get Free Report)

Levi Strauss & Co. engages in the design, marketing, and sale of apparels and related accessories for men, women, and children in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It offers jeans, casual and dress pants, activewear, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, sweaters, jackets, footwear, and related products under the Levi's, Dockers, Beyond Yoga, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co., and Denizen brands. The company also licenses Levi's and Dockers trademarks for various product categories, including footwear, belts, wallets, bags, outerwear, sweaters, dress shirts, kids wear, sleepwear, and hosiery. In addition, it sells its products through third-party retailers, such as department stores, specialty retailers, third-party e-commerce sites, and franchisees who operate brand-dedicated stores; and directly to consumers through various formats, including company-operated mainline and outlet stores, company-operated e-commerce sites, and select shop-in-shops located in department stores, and other third-party retail locations. Further, the company operates approximately 3,200 brand-dedicated stores and shop-in-shops. The company was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

About Lanvin Group

(Get Free Report)

Lanvin Group Holdings Limited operates as a couture house worldwide. The company offers ready-to-wear, made to measure, footwear, leather goods, costume jewelry, accessories, eyewear, and childrenswear under the Lanvin brand name; ready-to-wear, legwear, lingerie and beachwear, and accessories under the Wolford brand; footwear under the Sergio Rossi brand name; luxury womenswear, footwear, handbags, jewelry, and leather goods under the St. John brand; and leisurewear and formalwear under the Caruso brand name. The company was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. Lanvin Group Holdings Limited is a subsidiary of Fosun International Limited.

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Embraer S.A. (NYSE:ERJ  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $14.69, but opened at $15.11. Embraer shares last traded at $15.02, with a volume of 202,975 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ERJ. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Embraer from $27.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Embraer from $15.75 to $16.50 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Embraer from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Embraer from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Embraer has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $19.17.

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Embraer Price Performance

The companys 50-day simple moving average is $15.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 0.94.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Embraer

Embraer ( NYSE:ERJ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The aerospace company reported ($0.48) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by ($0.45). The firm had revenue of $716.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $701.45 million. Embraer had a positive return on equity of 0.65% and a negative net margin of 0.08%. On average, analysts anticipate that Embraer S.A. will post 1.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Embraer by 10.5% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 15,106 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $188,000 after buying an additional 1,433 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in Embraer by 255.2% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 187,140 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,360,000 after purchasing an additional 134,452 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Embraer by 61.0% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 33,650 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $424,000 after buying an additional 12,750 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its stake in Embraer by 22.8% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 143,472 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,809,000 after buying an additional 26,623 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in Embraer by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 75,872 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $975,000 after buying an additional 2,316 shares during the last quarter. 36.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Embraer

(Get Free Report)

Embraer SA designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aircraft and systems in North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Commercial Aviation; Defense & Security; Executive Aviation; Services & Support; and Other segments. The Commercial Aviation segment designs, develops, manufactures, and sells commercial jets, as well as leases aircraft.

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Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Jefferies Financial Group currently has $108.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $110.00.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the company. Truist Financial started coverage on Floor & Decor in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Floor & Decor from $105.00 to $110.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Floor & Decor from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Monday, March 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $98.19.

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Floor & Decor Stock Performance

Shares of FND stock opened at $111.20 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $98.84 and a 200 day moving average of $94.64. Floor & Decor has a 52 week low of $63.51 and a 52 week high of $116.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.14, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Floor & Decor ( NYSE:FND Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by ($0.01). Floor & Decor had a return on equity of 18.37% and a net margin of 6.86%. The business had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.67 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Floor & Decor will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Floor & Decor news, EVP David Victor Christopherson sold 5,804 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $580,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 42,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,235,600. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Thomas V. Taylor sold 18,656 shares of Floor & Decor stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $1,958,880.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 215,203 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,596,315. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP David Victor Christopherson sold 5,804 shares of Floor & Decor stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $580,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 42,356 shares in the company, valued at $4,235,600. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 48,920 shares of company stock valued at $5,323,160. Insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Floor & Decor by 19.0% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 12,226,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $851,358,000 after purchasing an additional 1,948,425 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Floor & Decor by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,098,053 shares of the companys stock valued at $639,229,000 after purchasing an additional 56,747 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Floor & Decor by 21.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,948,493 shares of the companys stock valued at $780,701,000 after purchasing an additional 1,401,173 shares during the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its position in Floor & Decor by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 4,598,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $320,201,000 after acquiring an additional 281,141 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC grew its position in Floor & Decor by 38.2% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,661,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $359,663,000 after acquiring an additional 1,012,206 shares during the last quarter.

About Floor & Decor

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Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer and commercial flooring distributor in Georgia. The company offers tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone flooring products, as well as decorative accessories, wall tiles, and installation materials and tools.

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GRC International Group plc (LON:GRC  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 10 ($0.13) and last traded at GBX 11 ($0.14), with a volume of 8200 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 13 ($0.17).

GRC International Group Trading Down 3.8 %

The company has a market cap of 13.48 million, a P/E ratio of -1,100.00 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.25. The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 13.26 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 15.94.

About GRC International Group

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GRC International Group plc offers various products and services to address the information technology (IT) governance, risk management, and compliance requirements of organizations in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, Ireland, Italy, Australia, and internationally. The company provides classroom-based training courses related to data protection, cyber security, ISO 27001 certification and related topics.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The exchange of prisoners between Iran and the US is possible, and the process depends on the will of Washington, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Nasser Kanaani said, Trend reports.

He pointed out that Iran is serious about the exchange of prisoners with the US, and the extension of the process was caused by a lack of will on the part of the US government.

A representative of the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed hope at a press conference in Tehran that this exchange will take place soon.

He also noted that some countries that maintain good relations with Tehran and Washington play a crucial role in this process, but he did not specify the states.

In general, Iran is ready for dialogue and prisoner exchange with the US, if there is mutual political will on the part of the American administration to take such a step, he said.

Iran keeps up the topic of prisoner exchange - Kanaani spoke on the matter back on July 10, 2023 at the press conference in Tehran.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on GHL. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. TheStreet cut Greenhill & Co., Inc. from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, JMP Securities cut Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.83.

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Greenhill & Co., Inc. Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. stock opened at $14.76 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $13.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $270.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.71 and a beta of 1.14. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $5.64 and a twelve month high of $14.97.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

Greenhill & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:GHL Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported ($1.27) EPS for the quarter. Greenhill & Co., Inc. had a negative net margin of 3.02% and a negative return on equity of 13.14%. The business had revenue of $49.68 million during the quarter.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 7th were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.71%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 6th. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -58.82%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Greenhill & Co., Inc.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 460,587 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,721,000 after acquiring an additional 17,621 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP boosted its stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 5.1% during the 4th quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 163,201 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,673,000 after acquiring an additional 7,924 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 37.7% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 16,752 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 4,585 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 69.0% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,859 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,576 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. 63.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Company Profile

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Greenhill & Co, Inc, an independent investment bank, provides financial and strategic advisory services to corporations, partnerships, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. The company offers advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, financings, private capital raising, and other similar transactions.

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The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Kansai Paint (OTCMKTS:KSANF  Free Report) from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Kansai Paint Stock Performance

Kansai Paint stock opened at $15.13 on Thursday. Kansai Paint has a 1 year low of $12.42 and a 1 year high of $17.10. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $15.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.95.

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About Kansai Paint

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Further Reading

Kansai Paint Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells paints and coatings in Japan, India, Asia, Africa, Europe, and internationally. The company offers decorative coatings for protecting exterior and interior of buildings; protective coatings; automotive refinish coatings; automotive coatings; and industrial coatings that are used in construction machinery, industrial vehicles, steel furniture, external building materials, electronics, and internal coatings and external designs of beverage cans.

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Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating restated by analysts at Morgan Stanley in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $62.00 target price on the oil and gas companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price target would suggest a potential upside of 10.07% from the stocks current price.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $65.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a research note on Monday. UBS Group upgraded Schlumberger from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $48.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Schlumberger in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Capital One Financial assumed coverage on Schlumberger in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set an overweight rating and a $63.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Schlumberger from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Schlumberger currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.63.

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Schlumberger Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SLB traded up $0.32 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $56.33. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,700,724 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,973,404. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.00 billion, a PE ratio of 20.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $48.83 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.81. Schlumberger has a 52 week low of $33.43 and a 52 week high of $62.78.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Schlumberger ( NYSE:SLB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 21st. The oil and gas company reported $0.72 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.20 billion. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 21.27% and a net margin of 12.63%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 19.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.50 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Schlumberger will post 3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Schlumberger news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.67, for a total transaction of $291,687.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 201,015 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,381,370.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Schlumberger during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Delta Asset Management LLC TN purchased a new position in Schlumberger in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC raised its stake 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 acquiring an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Exos TFP Holdings LLC raised its stake in Schlumberger by 269.7% in the 1st quarter. Exos TFP Holdings LLC now owns 536 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 391 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Impact Partnership Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Schlumberger in the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. 82.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Schlumberger Company Profile

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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.

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Morgan Stanley reiterated their underweight rating on shares of Southern (NYSE:SO  Free Report) in a research report released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $60.00 target price on the utilities providers stock.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Guggenheim cut their price target on Southern from $79.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 3rd. StockNews.com raised Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on Southern from $77.00 to $76.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Southern from $73.00 to $69.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Southern presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.36.

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Southern Stock Up 2.8 %

Shares of NYSE:SO opened at $73.06 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $79.66 billion, a PE ratio of 23.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.08 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $70.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $69.65. Southern has a 1 year low of $58.85 and a 1 year high of $80.57.

Southern Announces Dividend

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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. The company had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 11.53%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.97 EPS. Analysts forecast that Southern will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Investors of record on Monday, August 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.83%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is 90.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.58, for a total transaction of $352,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 131,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,266,024.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.58, for a total value of $352,900.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 131,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,266,024.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Bryan D. Anderson sold 9,491 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.03, for a total value of $712,109.73. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 36,119 shares in the company, valued at $2,710,008.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 205,678 shares of company stock worth $14,881,721 in the last ninety days. 0.28% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southern

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SO. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Southern by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,651 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $741,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Southern by 10.2% during the 1st quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,534 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $107,000 after buying an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Tranquility Partners LLC increased its stake in Southern by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Tranquility Partners LLC now owns 4,528 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $315,000 after buying an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC increased its stake in Southern by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 5,327 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $371,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Calamos Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Southern by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,642 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,062,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. 63.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Southern

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The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of U.S. Silica (NYSE:SLCA  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Thursday morning.

Separately, Barclays cut their price objective on U.S. Silica from $18.00 to $15.00 in a report on Monday, July 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $15.00.

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U.S. Silica Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of SLCA opened at $13.08 on Thursday. U.S. Silica has a 52-week low of $10.36 and a 52-week high of $15.83. The businesss fifty day moving average is $12.44 and its 200-day moving average is $12.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 2.36. The firm has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.83 and a beta of 2.57.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On U.S. Silica

U.S. Silica ( NYSE:SLCA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.18. U.S. Silica had a return on equity of 20.80% and a net margin of 7.89%. The company had revenue of $442.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $424.60 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.02) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 45.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that U.S. Silica will post 1.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SLCA. Boston Partners acquired a new stake in shares of U.S. Silica during the 1st quarter valued at $18,701,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in U.S. Silica by 214.1% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,109,860 shares of the mining companys stock worth $12,675,000 after buying an additional 756,500 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in U.S. Silica by 70.4% during the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,682,923 shares of the mining companys stock worth $20,094,000 after buying an additional 695,250 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in U.S. Silica by 2,504.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 695,100 shares of the mining companys stock worth $8,299,000 after buying an additional 668,413 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in U.S. Silica by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,437,247 shares of the mining companys stock worth $52,980,000 after buying an additional 529,894 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.77% of the companys stock.

About U.S. Silica

(Get Free Report)

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc produces and sells commercial silica in the United States. It operates through two segments, Oil & Gas Proppants and Industrial & Specialty Products. The company offers whole grain commercial silica products to be used as fracturing sand in connection with oil and natural gas recovery, as well as sells its whole grain silica products in various size distributions, grain shapes, and chemical purity levels for the manufacturing of glass products.

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Tavistock Investments Plc (LON:TAVI  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 5.50 ($0.07) and last traded at GBX 5.65 ($0.07), with a volume of 765831 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 5.75 ($0.08).

Tavistock Investments Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of 32.22 million, a PE ratio of -571.60 and a beta of 0.30. The company has a current ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 3.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The companys 50 day moving average price is GBX 6.85 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 7.45.

About Tavistock Investments

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Tavistock Investments Plc provides investment management and advisory support services to a network of financial advisers in the United Kingdom. The company offers compliance, regulatory, administration, and accounting services to independent financial advisers; independent financial advice for wealth management, financial planning, and tax saving services to higher net worth clients; and corporate advisory services for businesses.

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Morgan Stanley reaffirmed their equal weight rating on shares of Ventas (NYSE:VTR  Free Report) in a report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $45.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock.

VTR has been the topic of several other reports. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Ventas in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $50.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho cut their target price on Ventas from $60.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Ventas from $51.00 to $50.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com upgraded Ventas from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, Raymond James upgraded Ventas from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $55.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $53.00.

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Ventas Stock Performance

Ventas stock opened at $49.53 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The company has a market capitalization of $19.81 billion, a P/E ratio of -275.15, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.20. The stocks 50 day moving average is $46.14 and its 200 day moving average is $46.92. Ventas has a twelve month low of $35.33 and a twelve month high of $54.11.

Ventas Dividend Announcement

Insider Activity

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 30th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.63%. Ventass payout ratio is -999.94%.

In related news, Director Walter C. Rakowich sold 1,242 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.57, for a total value of $52,871.94. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 24,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,044,156.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ventas

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VTR. Norges Bank bought a new position in Ventas in the 4th quarter worth $185,774,000. Resolution Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in Ventas in the 4th quarter worth $125,019,000. Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. purchased a new stake in Ventas in the 4th quarter worth $109,877,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in Ventas by 1,012.6% in the 1st quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,606,382 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $112,987,000 after buying an additional 2,372,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG increased its stake in Ventas by 19.5% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,947,074 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $267,916,000 after buying an additional 971,296 shares in the last quarter. 92.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ventas Company Profile

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Ventas Inc, an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two large and dynamic industries healthcare and real estate. Fueled by powerful demographic demand from growth in the aging population, Ventas owns a diversified portfolio of over 1,200 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Iran is one of the first countries to apply for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) membership, Trend reports.

According to official data, this was stated by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Nasser Kanaani at a weekly press conference in Tehran.

According to him, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council visited South Africa at the invitation of its government to participate in a meeting of the secretaries and national security advisers of the BRICS member countries.

He noted that in addition to the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were and will continue to be invited to the BRICS summit.

Furthermore, Nasser stressed that the BRICS members announced that they were negotiating a mechanism for the membership of new countries and proposed this mechanism at expert meetings, as well as presented it at a meeting of foreign ministers and heads of state.

He added that these mechanisms will time by time be implemented in case new countries are approved.
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Aircraft supports the hand crews and engines on the Adams Robles Complex fires in southeastern Arizona.
UAE defence companies will display cutting-edge solutions created for land, naval and aviation warfare at the 16th edition of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 23), which will take place in Istanbul from July 25 to 28.

In the domain of unmanned aerial vehicle, Calidus is displaying an armoured vehicle fitted with ground-to-ground and air-to-ground missiles. Meanwhile, in the industrial development sector, "Abu Dhabi Economic Development Department" is highlighting their Industrial Development Bureaus role in facilitating international businesses to setup operations in Abu Dhabi, a WAM report said.

In the technology sector, Yahsat is showcasing its advanced network and communication technology solutions, and to enhance the competitiveness of local products on a global scale, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is gearing up to promote the "Made in the UAE" forum. This initiative aligns with the ministry's dedication to fostering the growth of national industries and facilitating discussions on partnership and collaboration opportunities within the industrial sector.

Military armament

In the area of military armament, "Al-Hamra" is presenting the latest military and security equipment and supplies. "IDEX LLC" is promoting the international defence exhibition and conference "IDEX 2025". The pavilion also includes the UAE Ministry of Defence military magazine Al Jundi.

The UAE Pavilion will be organised under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye, Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC) and the UAE defence industry.

The UAE Pavilion is part of ongoing efforts to enhance defence cooperation and exchange expertise with global companies. High-level delegation

A high-level delegation representing the UAE defence industry, headed by Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Secretary General of Tawazun Council, will also attend the event.

The IDEF is currently ranked as the fourth largest defence industry fair in the world in terms of the number of exhibitors.

IDEF is planning to host a record number of visitors and exhibitors in 2023, by adding a new exhibition hall to its current ones in response to strong local and foreign demand.

In 2021, IDEF welcomed 68,795 industry professionals from 94 countries and featured 1,238 exhibiting businesses from 53 nations. A total of 94 national and international agreements were signed, and 163 delegates from 81 nations and 2 international organisations attended the event.

The Government entities and EDCC members attending the event include the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Yahsat, Calidus, AL Hamra, Rabdan Academy, AL Jundi, and IDEX LLC.

Bilateral relations

Anas Naser Al Otaiba, General Manager at EDCC, said: "The participation of the EDCC in IDEF 2023 reflects the depth and strength of the UAE-Turkish bilateral relations, under the continuous support of the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye.

The Council is committed to strengthening these relations within the framework of the UAE-Turkish Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in March 2023 to serve the future developmental goals and boost the national economy's competitiveness."

We look forward to exploring promising opportunities for the participating national companies, where they will exhibit their innovative, proudly UAE-made products and solutions in an effort to meet national requirements and expand their global market presence. Additionally, we intend to contribute to national supply chains, promoting strategic gains and self-sufficiency in this industry, he added.-- TradeArabia News Service

The UAE Pavilion is part of ongoing efforts to enhance defence cooperation and exchange expertise with global companies.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Armenian investigative journalist Gayane Zargaryan sharply criticized the Armenian officers, revealing new details about illegal actions against soldiers, Trend reports.

Zargaryan spread this information on her YouTube channel.

"During my telephone conversation with the beaten serviceman, it turned out that one of the officers who beat him and then humiliated him was the commander of the unit, Colonel Garik Muradyan. After this incident, he was sent to the Afghan Military Police, where he was beaten a second time. The soldier was told that the reason for the beatings was his refusal to obey the order. The victim noted that he carries out orders, but the commander does not give them under the Charter. After that, he was beaten by four more people. The soldiers who beat the soldier are military police officers," she said.

The journalist adds at the end of the video message that after asking the victim why he had been silent about it before, he replied that he was afraid and could not tell anyone anything about what had happened.

"Because they can beat him up again and torture him. After the beating, the soldier was sent to a military unit, but later transferred to the hospital due to a broken arm. There are other conscripts who are being beaten, but they don't want to reveal their names. He was afraid to tell the military hospital that his arm had been broken. Despite the fact that the victim mentioned an allergy caused by medications given to him by nurses at the hospital, he was still forced to continue drinking them," she said in the video message.
The record $13.7 million payout agreed to by the City of New York, settling a class-action lawsuit over police brutality and unlawful arrests in the mass protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis three years ago, is an indirect admission of official abuse. At the same time, it is a relatively small price for the ruling class to pay, and a warning of what the working class can expect in the near future.

According to the settlement agreed to and filed in federal court on July 19, each of the 1,380 plaintiffs in a class-action suit brought by lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild will receive $9,950 to settle claims against the police, without the suit going to trial or the city or the New York Police Department (NYPD) admitting any wrongdoing.

The plaintiffs were beaten, pepper-sprayed or arrested at 18 separate locations in New York City during the last days of May and the first days of June 2020, after George Floyd had been brutally suffocated to death in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 26.

Caught on video camera and soon watched by hundreds of millions around the world, this police murder sparked spontaneous mass multiracial protests under the Black Lives Matter slogan, in Minneapolis, New York and hundreds of cities around the US, and throughout the world.

In this May 30, 2020 file photo, New York City Police officers assault protesters as they march during a solidarity rally for George Floyd, in New York. [AP Photo/Wong Maye-E]

The $13.7 million settlement compares to $10.3 million in a similar case, stemming from protests at the 2004 Republican National Convention, held in New York City that year.

In the settlements of both the 2004 and 2020 cases of mass brutality and false arrest, the city and its police department were not required to make any apology or admission of guilt. While professing their innocence of the misconduct claims, they make the disingenuous argument that forgoing a long and costly trial is in the best interests of both sides.

The City and NYPD remain committed to ensuring the public is safe and peoples right to peaceful expression is protected, said the citys Law Department in a statement this past week. The NYPD has improved numerous practices to address the challenges it faced at protests during the pandemic. A memo from a city attorney made the preposterous claim that There is no historyor past or futureof unconstitutional policing in New York.

The 2004 protests were some of the first to involve claims of kettling. The NYPD, under the administration of billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg and his long-serving police chief Raymond Kelly, made extensive use of this tactic, using police horses to erect barricades around protesters, essentially keeping them imprisoned for daring to express their First Amendment right of free assembly. They were corralled into locations from which there was no escape, then beaten, gassed or arrested, or all three.

Kettling was prominently used by the police at the time of the protests against the impending invasion of Iraq in 2003, demonstrations huge even in comparison to earlier mass actions in the largest city of the US. The 2004 claims were not settled until 2013.

Last weeks $13.7 million settlement for the 2020 police violence is not the only one stemming from the George Floyd protests. In March of this year, another class-action claim was resolved, this involving a smaller number of protesters, but a larger individual payout. Each of 320 individuals who were attacked at a protest in early June 2020 in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, first kettled and then hit with batons and pepper spray, with no way to escape the rampaging cops, will receive at least $21,500.

In addition, according to the citys Comptroller, nearly 600 individuals have filed separate claims against the city and its police force for this period. About half of these have so far been settled, at a cost of nearly $12 million, for an average of nearly $40,000 apiece.

The citys attorneys, faced with the lawsuits over police tactics, pointed to evidence that some of the spontaneous protests that followed the murder of George Floyd had involved vandalism and other acts of violence. The plaintiffs lawyers had little difficulty in answering this, showing visual evidence of thousands of peaceful protesters being manhandled, attacked and abused by police. Videos clearly showed the police attacking protesters without provocation. The demonstrations that involved vandalism, primarily attacks on police vehicles, were very few in number compared to the total, may well have involved the actions of police provocateurs, and in no way justified the flagrant illegality of the cops.

Another aspect of the police misconduct at that time is that the arrests, the kettling, and the disregard for basic democratic rights took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. From mid-April to mid-June, COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths were skyrocketing in New York, and the protesters were exposed to additional risk of deadly disease simply because they exercised their right to assemble and peacefully protest. Many reported that after they were detained, they were held in stifling hot Correction Department buses for up to three hours, as punishment for their legal protest. Their hands were placed in zip ties so that in some cases they became purple from lack of circulation.

Some of the lawyers for the plaintiffs pointed to the class-action lawsuit as highlighting the fact that New York police have not been properly trained in observing First Amendment rights. In reality, such training as the police receive means nothing giving the gross hostility to all constitutional rights that pervades the NYPD and every other police department.

More fundamentally, however, the appeal for better training ignores the function of the police as an arm of the capitalist state, whose role is to defend the status quo of capitalist exploitation against the working class. This entails waging war on the democratic rights of working people, and in time of crisis and mass protest, this becomes the exclusive focus of police activity.

These class-action settlements are only among the largest and most prominent in the virtually endless series of payouts to the victims of police brutality. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent over the last few decades. The payments have become a ritual for the police and the ruling class they serve. The NYPD professes its innocence, agrees to the citys payments to their victims for their pains, and continues as before. The actual cost is passed on to the working people and youth who are the targets of the police abuse, as funds are cut from city services like education, housing and mass transit to pay for the cops.

This is a completely bipartisan affair, in New York and everywhere else, whether under a liberal Democrat or a right-wing Republican. Previous Mayor Bill de Blasio instituted a curfew in May 2020, for the first time in 75 years. It was under de Blasio and his Police Commissioner Dermot Shea that the 2020 outrages took place. It is the current administration of Eric Adams, a law-and-order Democrat, that the latest settlement was announced.

New York City is the home base of a number of prominent Democratic progressives, many of them members of the Democratic Socialists of America, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, leading figures in a capitalist party that carries out these and other attacks on democratic rights every single day.

The refusal of the authorities to admit wrongdoing is a clear signal that the attacks on peaceful protesters are only a foretaste of what striking workers and mass working class protests can expect in the future.
Last weeks interim report by the Labor governments Universities Accord review was politically packaged, and presented by the media, as a call for greater student participation and equity. But its central thrust is a fundamental restructuring of universities to satisfy the requirements of the corporate elite and preparations for war.

Jason Clare, Australian Labor government's minister for education at National Press Club on July 19, 2023. [Photo: @PressClubAust]

Courses must be designed with the skills needs of industry in mind, the report insists. This would include employers being involved in setting curricula and making university degrees almost obsolete, to be replaced by microcredentials courses tailored exclusively for businesses.

Launching the report at the National Press Club, Education Minister Jason Clare underlined this shift. He said the review panel, which features Australias highest-paid CEO, Macquarie banking groups Shemara Wikramanayake, was considering ways to knit university education with vocational training.

The report specifically nominates the AUKUS nuclear submarine program as a field with an urgent need to train enough highly-skilled researchers and for an expansion of specialist programs and qualifications.

The AUKUS military pact, which entails spending up to $368 billion to acquire US and UK attack submarines designed for use against China, is a spearhead of the Albanese governments plans for a war economy, and this includes the universities.

In fact, the reports tells universities that they must serve the geo-strategic interests of Australian capitalism, which are concentrated on supporting US preparations for war against China, which Washington has identified as the main danger to US global hegemony.

That includes a closer alignment with India and greater efforts to reinforce Australian domination over Pacific island states to block Chinese influence. The report states that universities must ensure that international education supports broader Australian foreign policy objectives, for example, strengthening relationships with India and the Pacific.

If one were to judge by the media coverage, however, the reports principal focus was five priority recommendations, each accepted by the government. They included a guarantee of a government-funded place at university for all indigenous studentsprovided they qualify for a course.

The other recommendations were online study hubs in outer suburbs and regions; scrapping the rule that stripped government funding from students if they failed half their subjects; making universities good employers; and an extension of the current inadequate funding arrangements into 2024 and 2025.

These proposals camouflage the core of the report, which is to demand that both teaching and research be reshaped to meet the needs of employers and the military and foreign policy push of Australian capitalism. These plans are to be fleshed out in a final report, due in December.

Anticipating opposition from staff and students, the reports language is uncompromising and threatening: The Review believes that bold, long-term change is required to fulfil the mission of higher education in Australia. Change in the sector must be significant. Complacency cannot be tolerated.

Among the changes proposed are:

cadetships, internships and short microcredential courses to be stacked on top of bachelor qualifications to meet constantly shifting industry skill demands

higher education and VET [vocational education and training] to be integrated, starting in areas of national priority like clean energy, the care economy, and defence

students to undertake work integrated learning (WIL), that is, work placements

a greater number of academic staff should be chartered and/or active in the profession they are teaching.

This last proposal means replacing academics, especially those involved in broader and critical education in disciplines such as history, arts and humanities, with vocational teachers embedded in industry.

According to the report, there is no choice about this shift. It is a must. In breakout quotes, the report cites the submissions made by business organisations, including the Australian Industry Group (AIG), which states: Industry and universities must be intertwined to ensure graduates exit with the technical knowledge and generic skills needed.

Under AIGs concept of degree apprenticeships, universities would work with business owners to design and deliver teaching content, jointly assess students and award credentials.

These corporate-driven processes are underway globally. Nationally and internationally recognised microcredentials are already being developed for this purpose, the report states. As examples, it says New Zealand and the UK are moving down this path.

In research too, the report says far closer ties to business are required. It accuses Australian universities of lagging behind their global competitors in commercialising their activities, failing to translate research into new processes, products and services.

The report proposes tying PhD research students directly to the needs of companies. It hails the development of a formal industry PhD scheme in Australia in which PhD students work on problems nominated by industry. But this is not enough.

Other countries have taken this further and have firms assign employees to PhD programs where the PhD candidate typically works under joint university/industry supervision on problems nominated by the firm.

The report canvasses redefining universities so that institutions that provide only vocational teaching would be accredited and funded. It proposes exploring ways to remove the requirement that all universities will carry out research.

Even the reports calls for greater access to universities for students from poorer backgrounds are motivated by seeking to provide the capitalist class with bigger supplies of suitably skilled labour. The report notes a glaring disparity. While 32 percent of the countrys population aged over 15 have a bachelor degree, that figure is only 17.3 percent in low socioeconomic areas, 15.2 percent in regional and remote areas and 7.4 percent among indigenous people.

Far from concern for social equality, however, or for young people to have the basic social right to education at all levels, including higher education, and exposure to critical ideas, the reports intent is to slot youth into jobs if and when required. It states: These additional potential enrolments would make a significant difference to meeting Australias skills needs.

The report makes a passing reference to the cost-of-living crisis confronting students from working-class backgrounds. Most students work to support themselves while they study, with around four in five domestic students now in paid employment, it states. The Review has heard many students struggle to balance their paid work and study commitments, as cost of living pressures, including rising rents, require them to take up additional hours.

There is no suggestion of abolishing student fees, let alone wiping the billions of dollars in student fee debt. Instead, the report says employers could consider paying the fees of students they seek to recruit. That would be a way of bonding graduates to companies.

To impose this programas the Rudd-Gillard Labor government did with its market-driven education revolution a decade agothe Albanese government is working hand-in-glove with the trade union bureaucrats and other stakeholders, such as big business and the already highly-corporatised university managements.

The leaders of the two main campus unions, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), are urging university workers and students to support Labors review. That is because they entirely share Labors pro-business agenda.

The NTEUs submission to the Accord panel dovetailed with the interim report. It called for a higher education sector that provides the graduates with the necessary skill sets for future productivity.

The union bureaucrats have long suppressed educators hostility to the increasing corporatisation of universities, blocking any unified mobilisation against it while pushing through enterprise agreements that facilitate restructuring.

In order to fight this destructive agenda, university workers and students need to form rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to link up with workers in Australia and worldwide through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. This is part of a broader necessary struggle against capitalism itself and its program of ever-greater corporate wealth and turn to war.

To discuss how to form rank-and-file committees, and obtain help to do so, please contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) the rank-and-file educators network:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
Saturday marked the 20th consecutive day of the hottest temperatures recorded in human history. Since July 3, the average global temperature (the temperature over Earths entire surface, averaged over 24 hours) has remained above the previous high of 16.92 degrees Celsius (62.46 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in August 2016, according to preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Several regional temperature records have been set concurrently. Greece, Italy and Spain have seen new record high temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius (113 F). Temperatures in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, have reached 49 degrees Celsius (120 F) and Algeria has witnessed temperatures of 51 degrees Celsius (just under 124 F). Much of the Mediterranean region is 5 degrees Celsius (9 F) above normal.

In the United States, high temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona have stayed above 43 degrees Celsius (110 F) for 21 days and above 32 degrees Celsius (90 F) for the past 70 days. On parts of the US-Mexico border, where thousands of migrants are seeking refuge in the US each day, temperatures have soared to more than 50 degrees C (122 F). At least 167 Mexicans have died as a result of the heatwave in Mexico, and an unknown number of refugees have been left to die in the scorching desert as they are refused entry into the US by customs and immigration authorities.

A digital billboard displays an unofficial temperature, Monday, July 17, 2023, in downtown Phoenix. [AP Photo/Matt York]

The two major factors of the current global heatwave are the onset of El Nino, a semi-regular pattern that warms the Pacific Ocean, and the formation of four high-pressure regions known as heat domes, which simultaneously trap heat over a region and prevent cooler weather from moving in.

The simultaneous heatwaves across the world are a direct result of global warming. The uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane, into Earths atmosphere by capitalist industry traps more and more energy from the Sun, increasing temperatures globally and causing weather extremes regionally. From longer and more intense heatwaves, wildfires and droughts, to more powerful hurricanes and, in contradictory fashion, to more frigid polar vortexes and torrential flooding.

The ongoing heatwave in South Asia that peaked in April and May serves as an example of the stark dangers of climate change. In the past, the severe heat that caused temperatures to reach above 50 degrees Celsius (120 F) in Thailand and which killed 13 people in a single day in India would have been characterized as a once-in-200-years event. Now, such events are 30 times more likely to occur each year as they were before global temperatures began to rise. And if temperatures continue to rise as they have, such heatwaves could occur in South Asia once every two years.

Heatwaves are among the deadliest extreme weather events. Tens of thousands of people worldwide die every year from dehydration and heatstroke. Extreme humidity can prevent heat from properly radiating. And both are especially deadly for those who work in construction, agriculture and other essential outdoor jobs, where employers often do not provide adequate breaks, shade and water, all of which would eat into their profits, although these are absolutely vital for workers to stave off the many dangers caused by working in high temperatures.

And while the dangers of spewing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere have been known for more than a century, the worlds capitalist governments have proven completely incapable of resolving the crisis. It is not that the various ruling elites are incapable of seeing the crisisthough, of course, there are the particularly right-wing climate-change deniers in every countrybut that global warming, a fundamentally international problem, cannot be resolved within the framework of the existence of rival capitalist nation-states.

The recent visit by John Kerry, the US special climate envoy, to China to reopen climate talks between the two countries, is an expression of this contradiction. For three days last week, Kerry met with his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, amid one of the worst global heatwaves ever recorded, and yet were able to come away with no concrete results to deal with the crisis. Kerry was at best limited to calling the talks productive.

Productive toward what? These talks were the first between the two countries in a year, a delay resulting from Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan in 2022, when she was still Speaker of the House. That visit further undermined the one-China policy that had been acknowledged by the US until the Trump administration, and further encouraged Taiwanese separatism in an effort to goad China into a confrontational military response. To reinforce her ability to travel to Taiwan, which Chinese officials repeatedly warned they would stop, Pelosi was accompanied by a full US aircraft carrier battle group. The provocation risked inciting world war with a nuclear-armed power.

Since then, top US generals have been beating the war drums in the Pacific, with Air Force General Michael Minihan even asserting that the US will be at war with China over Taiwan by 2025. Under such conditions, any talk of US-China cooperation in the global climate crisis is entirely fanciful.

The discussions between Kerry and Xie addressed rival economic interests as well. The longstanding US position is that China must reduce its consumption of coal, which has powered much of Chinas growth in recent decades. In contrast, China asserts that emission reduction targets should focus on cumulative historic emissions, which would especially target the greenhouse gas emissions of countries which industrialized earlier, in Europe and North America.

In other words, the main focus of the talks is not about fighting global warming by the two countries that emit the most greenhouse gases, but using the ongoing and accelerating climate crisis as another lever in geopolitical maneuvering which carries with it the danger of a US-China war instigated by Washington.

These objective contradictions are why no faith can be placed in agreements between the various capitalist powers, much less nationally based Green New Deals in the US or elsewhere. Global warming is a fundamentally international problem that requires the mobilization of the only fundamentally international social force, the working class. The solution is not merely scientific, but political: in overthrowing the social ordercapitalism and the profit motivethat has created the vast ecological devastation humanity is now confronting, and replacing it with a higher society based on rational planning and a scientific restructuring of the worlds economy to meet human needs, on a socialist basis.
The following statement, demanding an end to political censorship at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, has been issued by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Canada.

As the statement explains in detail, Macquarie management is continuing an anti-democratic refusal to affiliate an IYSSE on campus, despite the official pretexts having been exposed as lies and growing opposition.

Sign the petition to demand that the IYSSE be affiliated, and send statements to management, copied to the IYSSE for posting on the WSWS.

***

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) Canada strongly condemns the refusal of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, to grant the IYSSE club status, despite it having met all of the institutions requirements. We join with our comrades in Australia and around the world in demanding that the university cease its political censorship and immediately recognize the IYSSE as a club in its own right.

Macquarie University bases its undemocratic decision on the outrageous assertion that the IYSSE has the same goals and purposes as the Macquarie Socialists, a club affiliated with the pseudo-left Socialist Alternative group, and therefore does not constitute an independent entity.

This mendacious strategy of denying the IYSSE right to propagate its views by arbitrarily ruling that its fundamental political differences with other clubs are inconsequential or irrelevant is a maneuver employed by university administrations in Australia and internationally, including the University of Melbourne in 2015 and New York University (in the United States) in 2016.

In the case of Macquarie University, the discriminatory nature of the refusal to recognize the IYSSE as a club could scarcely be more blatant considering the fact that the IYSSE was officially affiliated from 2010 to 2022, while the Macquarie Socialists club was also recognized.

Macquarie University's attempts to dismiss the political differences between the IYSSE and the Macquarie Socialists as trifling differences of opinion could not be more fraudulent. Both from the point of view of its political affiliation and the historical origins and development of the Trotskyist movement, the IYSSE has the most fundamental political and programmatic differences with the Macquarie Socialists.

As an article published on the WSWS points out:

Socialist Alternative supports the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine; we oppose it and fight to build an anti-war socialist movement of the international working class. Socialist Alternative defends the union bureaucracy that acts as a policeman for governments and corporations; we struggle to independently mobilize workers against it through the formation of rank-and-file committees. In elections, Socialist Alternative calls for voting for Labour and the Greens as a lesser evil; we denounce this as a reactionary attempt to link workers and youth to the capitalist political establishment and support Socialist Equality Party candidates.

With the capitalist system mired in systemic crisis (climate change, war, pandemic, economic instability, social inequality, etc.), the ruling elite is well aware that it is sitting on a social powder keg. Universities have historically been hotbeds of social and political opposition in times of crisis. The refusal to affiliate the IYSSE as a club serves to prevent students seeking a political alternative from learning about and discussing a genuine socialist and revolutionary perspective.

With the proxy war between NATO and Russia raging in Ukraine, Macquarie University's decision is in line with the attempts of governments around the world to prevent the spread of anti-war sentiment among young people and the working class. Mounted, as in Canada, in alliance with far right Ukrainian nationalists, this attack on the right of young people to organize politically underscores the high level of nervousness in ruling circles about the manifest hostility of young people and workers towards war and militarism.

The IYSSE is particularly targeted in this campaign by the ruling elite because of its open opposition to war. In fact, the IYSSE is the only organization that advances a genuine anti-war perspective based on the unification of the international working class against the capitalist nation-state system.

As part of a series of meetings organized by the IYSSE and the International Committee of the Fourth International to explain the historical origins of the war in Ukraine and how to stop it, the IYSSE confronted fierce opposition from governments and far-right forces.

Under Liberal and Conservative governments alike, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) has long had ready access to the corridors of power. Here Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal pose with a delegation of UCC leaders after meeting with them April 11, 2023. [Photo: UCC]

In Canada, high-level politicians and supporters of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) sought to censor meetings organized by the IYSSE. In March, responding to pressure from the UCC, the University of Waterloo attempted to cancel a planned on-campus meeting by requiring the IYSSE to meet a series of completely arbitrary additional conditions. Thanks to an energetic and determined campaign by the IYSSE and its supporters, the University of Waterloo was forced to back down and the event took place successfully.

In late May, the UCC, backed by Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton, smeared the IYSSE and tried to cancel another of our meetings, this time at the Toronto Public Library. Despite lies, slander and the involvement of an official representative of the provincial government, the IYSSE mobilized widespread support. In just a few days, more than 1,000 youth and workers signed a petition demanding the meeting go ahead, which it did despite efforts by far-right nationalists to disrupt it.

Whilst the IYSSE at Macquarie University is one of the main targets of the universitys new arbitrary and reactionary club-rules policy, objectively it represents an attack on the democratic rights of all students on campus, including freedom of association and freedom of expression. We call on all young people, students and workers in Australia, Canada and internationally to oppose the censorship of the IYSSE and to demand that the University administration and its Student Engagement, Inclusion and Belonging arm reverse their decision and grant the IYSSE club at Macquarie University full club status immediately.

We call on all readers to support the fight to defend the IYSSE at Macquarie University by sending letters of protest over the rejection of the IYSSEs affiliation to the Student Engagement, Inclusion and Belonging division of university management at studentgroups@mq.edu.au, and CC iysse.macquarie@gmail.com.

Get in touch with the IYSSE to find out how you can be involved:

Email: iysseaus@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/IYSSEaustralia

Twitter: @IysseA

Instagram: @iysse.aus
25 years ago: UAW ends Flint strike on GMs terms

On July 29, 1998, after 54 days of a local strike at two Flint, Michigan plants that shut down most GM production in North America, the United Auto Workers (UAW) leadership signed an agreement accepting all of the companys major demands, pulling the plug on the rank-and-files fight against corporate downsizing. It was the longest shutdown of GM since the 1970 national strike.

The central issue in the strike was the fight to defend jobs. Workers walked out to oppose the relentless downsizing and movement of jobs to low-wage regions, which had already led to the loss of nearly 50,000 jobs in the Flint area since the 1970s.

Striking auto workers at Flint, Michigan metal fabricating plant

In taking a stand against GMs attack on jobs and its pursuit of cheap labor, workers were thrust into a confrontation against the entire auto industry and its major Wall Street investors. Downsizing had been used for the previous two decades to undermine job security, build up a reserve of unemployed workers and undercut the efforts of employed workers to maintain their wage levels and working conditions. This was at the heart of the profit boom of the Big Three auto companies and corporate America as a whole, and the spectacular rise of share values on the stock exchange.

The flashpoint of the strike was the Flint Metal Center, where GM demanded substantial changes in work rules and productivity levels. The agreement signed by the UAW established new labor-management structures to enforce a 15 percent increase in productivity.

The job cuts, plus the loss of overtime pay, reduced labor costs by $45 million, precisely the savings GM was seeking. In its summary of the contract handed out to workers, the UAW stated that both parties recognize the need to aggressively address the current state of Cradle Operations and adapt to the competitive challenges of the future.

The UAW bureaucracy was concerned over growing signs of unrest and militancy among rank-and-file workers. When workers in Ohio threatened to walk out rather than use dies that had been transferred from the strikebound Flint plant, the UAW International quickly ordered them to continue working. When GM reopened some of its idled plants, UAW workers in Michigan and Kentucky refused to handle parts produced by outside suppliers. Then came a series of votes, including the Saturn plant in Tennessee, requesting strike authorization.

From the outset the UAW bureaucracy sought to use the strike at GM not to defend the rank-and-file, but rather to shore up its own position in relation to the company. With GM determined to press ahead and destroy more jobs, the UAW bureaucracy was seeking to protect its own privileges, above all by proving its worth to the company in suppressing opposition in the workforce to management demands.

50 years ago: Dallas police murder twelve-year-old Santos Rodriguez

Santos Rodriguez

On July 24, 1973, Darrel Lee Cain and Roy R. Arnold, officers of the Dallas Police Department, arrested and then shot and killed Santos Rodriguez, a 12-year-old boy. Rodriguez was shot in the head while handcuffed inside a police car.

After receiving a report in the early morning hours that a gas station vending machine had been broken into and robbed of eight dollars, Cain and Arnold drove to the home of 84-year-old Carlos Minez. Minez was the caretaker of Santos and his brother David Rodriguez, who was 13.



Police were familiar with the Rodriguez boys as their mother was arrested on a murder charge in 1971. Five in total, the Rodriguez siblings were split up by the court with the three youngest being placed into foster care. Minez was a family friend who offered to take in the two older boys.

The young Santos was undoubtedly dealing with immense difficulties and previously had run-ins with police involving minor offenses like shoplifting and skipping school. Yet his teachers described him as gentle and told reporters that he had begun developing a love for classical music.

Acting purely on prejudice and without any evidence connecting the youths to the burglary, Cain and Arnold went to Minezs home and pulled the boys out of bed and threw them into their police car without allowing them to dress themselves or put on shoes. There was no warrant for the arrest. The officers claimed that Minez gave them permission to enter the home, but the elderly man spoke little English, and the officers did not speak Spanish.

After handcuffing the boys, the police drove them to an empty lot near the gas station where the burglary occurred and began an interrogation in an attempt to intimidate them into a confession. The two boys insisted that they did not commit the burglary and had no knowledge of it.

Not satisfied, Cain put the handcuffed Santos in the passenger seat of the car and Arnold moved into the rear with David. Cain began torturing Santos with a game of Russian Roulette demanding that he confess to the vending machine burglary.

With one round in his revolver, he pointed the gun at Santos head and demanded that he confess to the crime. When Santos insisted on his innocence, Cain pulled the trigger once landing on an empty chamber. Then he repeated the process again landing on the loaded chamber, shooting Santos in the head killing him.

After news of the murder spread, large protests were organized in Dallas by Mexican-Americans living in the Little Mexico neighborhood, where the Rodriguezes lived. Over 600 people attended Santos funeral to demand justice for the killing of the defenseless boy.

Due to the egregious nature of the killing, the Dallas Police Department was forced to bring murder charges against Cain. In November 1973 he went on trial and was found guilty. However, the judge ordered the lightest sentence possiblefive years jail time.

Cain was released on parole after serving only two and a half years. Arnold, who sat and watched as Cain tortured and then killed Santos, was never charged with a crime.

75 years ago: Progressive Party nominates Henry Wallace as US presidential candidate

On July 24, 1948, the national convention of the recently formed Progressive Party nominated Henry Wallace, a former vice president and agribusiness executive, as its candidate for that years US presidential election. Glen H. Taylor, a Democratic Party senator and also a businessman, was selected his running mate.

The Progressive Party had emerged over the previous months as a consequence of Wallaces effective ouster from the Democratic Party. The longstanding Iowa politician had served as the Democratic Partys vice-president under Franklin Roosevelt, from 1941 until early 1945, most of the period of US involvement in World War II. He had been a key conduit for the de facto alliance between American imperialism and the Stalinist bureaucracy in the Soviet Union.

Henry Wallace

Wallaces left-sounding patriotic rhetoric had also served as a mechanism for the subordination of the working class to the war, including through strike bans enforced throughout the conflict by the trade union bureaucracy and the Stalinist Communist Party USA.

Wallaces ouster as vice presidential canidate in the 1944 elections, in favor of the anticommunist Sen. Harry S. Truman of Missouri, had been an initial indicator of a developing shift in US foreign policy. Wallace had taken the position of Secretary of Commerce until September,1946, when he was involved in a major blow-up with Truman, who had become president after Roosevelts death on April 12, 1945. Wallace had delivered a speech in which he declared: [W]e should recognize that we have no more business in the political affairs of Eastern Europe than Russia has in the political affairs of Latin America, Western Europe and the United States.

That line, applicable to US imperialist foreign policy during the war and the alliance with the Stalinist bureaucracy, cut across the Truman administrations plans to launch a Cold War against the Soviet Union aimed at establishing the untrammeled global hegemony of American capitalism.

In the months and years that followed Wallaces ouster from the administration, he continued political activity, effectively calling for a return to the old course of collaboration with the Soviet bureaucracy, as well as limited domestic social concessions. His eventual political vehicle, the Progressive Party, would win support from various Stalinist and former Stalinist forces, as well as more tepid support from minor sections of the trade union bureaucracy. The Progressive Party opposed the Cold War and the development of the atomic bomb and called for peaceful coexistence with the Soviet Union.

The Socialist Workers Party (SWP), then the American Trotskyist organization, pointed to the political significance of the support Wallace received, which included large audiences in most places he spoke. This represented opposition in the population to anticommunism and imperialism. But the SWP emphasized the essentially fraudulent character of Wallaces claims to be challenging the two-party system. His campaign was a warning to the ruling elite of the dangers of social upheaval and a plaintive appeal for a limited form of milk-toast reformism.

The day after the Progressive Partys convention, Truman announced an executive order against racial discrimination in the armed forces. A day after that, he gave a speech to a special session of the Congress calling for expedited measures to address other civil rights issues and to curb cost of living difficulties confronting working people. Together with refurbishing the image of the armed forces and the administration amid a drumbeat of aggression against the Soviet Union, the measures indicated a degree of fear over the Wallace campaign.

In the very same month, the Truman administration indicted leaders of the Communist Party USA on Smith Act charges of preparing the violent overthrow of the government. The Stalinist leaders had been allies of the Democratic Party only a few years earlier.

100 years ago: Imperialist powers sign treaty with Turkey

On July 24, 1923, the imperialist powers of Britain, France, Italy and Japan signed the Treaty of Lausanne in Switzerland with the newly Turkish state based on Ankara, the final treaty that emerged from the First World War. Greece, Yugoslavia, and Romania were also signatories.

The imperialist powers agreed to withdraw their troops from the Turkish capital Constantinople (Istanbul) and recognized the sovereignty of the newly founded Turkish state led by Kemal Ataturk, over the Anatolian peninsula, and the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits which allow passage between the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. The imperialist powers reserved the right to send ships through the straits.

Turkish delegation at Lausanne

East Thrace, the only European part of Turkey, abutting the Bosporus strait which divides Istanbul, was designated as part of Turkey, with a demilitarized zone facing Bulgaria. These were essentially the outlines of the contemporary Turkish nation-state.

The Treaty of Lausanne effectively repudiated most of the provisions of the 1920 Treaty of Sevres which had given large parts of Turkish-speaking Anatolia to the administration of France, Italy and Greece. Under that treaty, the Dardanelles were to be internationalized, Kurds in Anatolia were to vote on the question of their homeland and the Armenian regions of Turkey were to be free and independent. The League of Nations had already created mandates for French and British imperialism in the Arab-populated regions of the Ottoman Empire.

The Treaty of Lausanne gave amnesty from war crimes prosecution for the perpetrators of the 1915 Armenian genocide and shelved the Armenian and Kurdish national demands. Britain and France continued to occupy and control Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon.
The Teamsters union announced a deal Sunday afternoon to avert a strike by 20,000 Yellow freight workers that would have started at midnight. The announcement was made less than an hour before the start of a well-attended meeting on the struggle at Yellow hosted by the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, calling for a united struggle of UPS and Yellow workers, together with other sections of the working class.

The strike would have been over the refusal of the company, which is reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy, to pay $50 million in obligations to the Teamsters Central States Pension Funds. Yellows declaration that it would not pay into the fund would have led to the cut-off of workers pensions by Sunday.

The agreement to avert a strike is a sellout that resolves nothing for Yellow workers. The Central States Pension Funds agreed to extend the deadline for its cut-off of coverage for another 30 days. In exchange, Yellow agreed to pay the $50 million it owes to the fund within that time frame, with the understanding the company will do so within the next two weeks.

In reality the agreement does not commit Yellow to pay a penny. If the company was already unilaterally refusing to pay the amount, there is every reason to assume that Yellow will make a similar decision in the next month.

Even in the event that the Teamsters union was compelled to call a strike, it is determined to isolate it as much as possible. A letter issued Saturday by Freight Division director John Murphy declared that only those Local Unions (emphasis in original) under the Central States Pension Funds would be allowed to strike. Local unions  in other funds (i.e., Non Central States Funds) should not go out on strike at this time. Workers in the other regions of the country, however, may still face being locked out by management.

In a particularly ominous portion of the Teamsters press release, the union declared, Meetings will take place in Washington, D.C., to review the state of the company and the current contract. In other words, all options are on the table, including massive cuts to pay, benefits and jobs, in order to pay off the companys creditors, which includes the notorious corporate raider firm, Apollo Global Management, as well as the federal government.

Above all, the agreement is aimed at peeling off Yellow workers from 340,000 UPS workers whose contract expires in eight days. While the Teamsters apparatus has been forced to adapt its rhetoric to the enormous rank-and-file anger at UPS by pledging repeatedly to strike by August 1 if a new deal is not in place by then, it is doing everything it can to reach a deal to prevent a strike. A strike by 20,000 Yellow workers on the eve of the UPS contract expiration would have been a significant boost to the position of workers but a blow to bureaucracy.

The 11th hour deal at Yellow is a serious warning to UPS workers that the Teamsters bureaucracy is prepared to do the exact same thing to them. On Tuesday, the Teamsters will restart talks with UPS for the first time in three weeks, as it strives to announce that it has a deal right before the deadline. General President Sean OBrien has already admitted that if the union gets a tentative agreement before August 1 that the union will not call a strike.

Whether or not the company, the union apparatus and the federal government decide to allow Yellow to go under or not, they are determined that the cost will be borne entirely on the backs of workers. The profits of Wall Street will come before all other considerations.

The Central States Pension Funds, which had been the most underfunded of all multi-employer pension funds in the United States, received a $35 billion government bailout last December, after the Teamsters bureaucracy helped to suppress a strike by railroaders. This was, above all, aimed at supporting the financial and institutional interests of the apparatus, which uses this and other funds as piggy banks to bolster their six-figure salaries. At the same time, Yellow has been allowed by the Teamsters to contribute to the Central States Pension Funds at a one-quarter rate for years. It has been allowed to leave other regional funds entirely, with defined benefit pensions replaced with 401(K)s.

UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee holds successful public meeting

On Sunday evening, the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee held a public meeting titled The battle at Yellow freight: Logistics and postal workers must rally in support! In its announcement of the meeting, the Committee declared: The unity of logistics and delivery workers is not just a slogan. It requires the self-organization of the rank and file to prepare a fight against both management and the corrupt union bureaucracy and to defeat attempts to isolate each section of workers from each other.

The meeting was very well attended, with more than 300 workers registered from Yellow, UPS and other companies.

The opening report was delivered by WSWS reporter Tom Hall, who reviewed the situation at Yellow, including the breaking news of the deal. A meeting on Yellow had been called by a rank-and-file committee of UPS workers, Hall explained, because these are not separate struggles. They are part of a single movement of the working class across the United States and around the world. Hall also reported that he had been invited speak earlier that day at a meeting of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee in Britain, where, he said, workers are following the development of the class struggle in the United States with intense interest.

The claim that there is no money to defend Yellow workers jobs is a contemptible lie, Hall said. There is money all over the place. The question is who controls it. He pointed out that last week, the federal government spent twice as much as Yellows entire debt$2.4 billion in new funding for the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

A struggle can and must be organized by workers themselves, he concluded, uniting workers across different companies on the basis of their common interests. Workers should reject from the outset the lying claim that nothing can be done to save Yellow workers jobs. That is only true if the financial interests of Apollo General Management and Wall Street are held above workers lives.

He concluded, If profiteering has driven Yellow to the verge of bankruptcy, the alternative is to place it under public ownership and run it as a public utility, organized under the control of workers themselves, not executives a million miles away from and indifferent to the fate of logistics infrastructure.

The meeting also heard a report from WSWS reporter Alex Findijs on the financial status of Yellow and the background behind the crisis, including the roles of Apollo and the federal government.

A lively discussion followed. Many Yellow workers expressed skepticism about the companys claim to be out of money, noting that executives will all continue to make million-dollar salaries and have their golden parachutes prepared for them even as workers are in danger of losing their pensions.

One Yellow worker expressed his opposition to the agreement the Teamsters had reached. It doesnt matter what they tell you, theyre never going to come back with the money. Never.  Theyve paid one-quarter into my pension plan since 2009. After that contract was over, they were supposed to go back up to the full pension  [but] I havent seen them turn it around. Were owed more now than what we were owed when they bought Roadway.

They give them [two weeks] to come up with the money. Now you give them two weeks, theyre going to have every piece of freight off of the dock, have the trucks where they want them, the trailers where they want them  then theyll have the auction and thatll be it. If they dont come up with the money in two weeks, then what do we do?

A member of the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee also spoke. Your frustrations and concerns about what is going on in the entire logistics business is the very reason that we are talking about rank-and-file committees across the logistics industry. The concerns here at UPS are very similar to those at Yellow. We were offered basically what they considered a cost-neutral contract, but I believe a lot of that is positioning by both the company and the Teamsters bureaucracy. The Teamsters bureaucracy for years has been pushing through sub-par contracts and colluding with big business.

I would just implore each and every one of you to continue these discussions, not only on these meetings, which Im sure well continue, but talk to your coworkers in and around where you job is. So continue to fight, continue to talk with each other, and lets build these rank-and-file committees across industries not just here in the US but on an international basis.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, vice-president of Chopard, is not just a connoisseur of watches. A fervent wine enthusiast, he has also ventured into viticulture, with the acquisition of Chateau Monestier La Tour

When you discover Karl-Friedrich Scheufeles alternative persona of winemaker, it doesnt come as too much of a surprise. A meticulous horologist driven by the pursuit of perfection, he expertly helms the Chopard house alongside his sister Caroline. But this successful trajectory has not deterred him from exploring other passions. A motor racing enthusiast and car collector, he also has wine in his blood. His father and grandfather were both epicureans, and he and his wife Christine always dreamed of making their own wine. Their son Karl-Fritz will carry on the legacy.

After launching La Galerie des Arts du Vin, which offers great Bordeaux wines for sale by catalogue, the Scheufele family launched the Caveau de Bacchus wine merchant in Geneva, Gland and Gstaad, along with a wine bar in Geneva, the Bacchus. Their next step was to buy Chateau Monestier La Tour.

Chateau Monestier La Tour  Chopard

We made up our minds after just two visits. As well as falling in love at first sight, it awakened an old memory of our honeymoon in the Dordogne in 1994. It was an easy decision, confides Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. The estate in Bergerac, in the heart of the Perigord region, extends over 100 hectares, some 25 of which are planted with vines. The adventure began in 2012 with the restoration of the Chateau, which dates back to the 13th century, using traditional methods. The 17th-century wine cellar was also updated, the vineyards modernised and new buildings constructed using authentic materials and an understated design that blends perfectly into the landscape. The estate also transitioned to biodynamic cultivation and earned organic certification.

Nature must be approached carefully. Wine doesnt need chemicals to be good. Many of the worlds finest wines are produced using biodynamics. If I can respect nature, thats what I will do. It is vital that we all respect nature and its resources, states Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.

Karl-Friedrich and Christine Scheufele  Chopard

In short, every effort is made to produce the regions finest wine. The inaugural vintage was unveiled in 2014. Unfortunately, 2013 should have been our first vintage, but it was almost entirely destroyed by hail. That was our first real test as winemakers, Scheufele recalls.

Time is a major theme for the Scheufele family, and is reflected in their wine labels featuring a sundial. The Cadran Bergerac range offers red, rose and white wines, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon and a hint of Malbec. The portfolio also includes a red named Grand Vin Chateau Monestier La Tour Cotes de Bergerac, and a white dessert wine, Saussignac, which is not made every year.

The winery with its barrels  Chopard

Annual production totals around 100,000 bottles, and its quality has been recognised internationally. The wine mirrors the values of the Scheufele family: precision, attention to detail and an aesthetic sensibility. This philosophy has served the watchmaking and jewellery industries well for decades, as the enduring success of the Chopard house clearly demonstrates.
The leadership of the terrorist state of Russia continues to come up with ways to drive even more cannon fodder into the war against Ukraine. In particular, dictator Vladimir Putin has signed a law that raises the age of retirement by five years.

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This refers to Russians who have military ranks lower than officer. This is evidenced by Federal Law No. 326-FZ of 24.07.2023.

According to the new amendments, the age limit for Russians liable for military service in the first category is raised from 35 to 40 years, in the second category - from 45 to 50 years, in the third category - from 50 to 55 years.

The age limit for Russians holding the military ranks of senior officers is now 70 years, senior officers - 65 years, and junior officers - 60 years.

It is also reported that a transitional period will be in effect until 2028, during which reserve conscripts will be retired in stages: those who turn 50 in 2024 will remain in the reserve until they are 51, and in 2025 - until they are 52.

Moreover, the law stipulates that Russians in regular service or in the reserve can enter into a contract "to participate in operations outside the country".

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As a reminder, the aggressor country of Russia has begun to actively prepare children for the war against Ukraine: military centres for teenagers are being opened in many regions, and children's military-patriotic camps are also operating. Despite the fact that the Rome Statute prohibits the recruitment of children under 15 into national armed forces, minors are taught to use weapons and learn knife fighting.

Earlier it was reported that the terrorist state of Russia decided to teach children to fly unmanned aerial vehicles. The State Duma of the Russian Federation said that the lessons would include reconnaissance of the area and ways to counter enemy UAVs.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on 23 July, the Ukrainian Defence Forces killed 660 soldiers and mercenaries of the Russian occupation army at the front. It was also deprived of another 68 units of various equipment and weapons. Since the beginning of the invasion of Putin's troops exactly 17 months ago, Ukrainian soldiers have already eliminated about 242,620 enemy soldiers.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On Monday, 24 July, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with members of the government and international experts. The main issue was the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the territory of European countries.

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The head of state announced this in his Telegram. He noted that blocking exports by land after 15 September is unacceptable.

"There is a very important agreement with the European Commission on 15 September - this is the deadline for restrictions on our grain exports, and we believe that the European side will fulfil its obligations on this date, when the temporary restrictions will cease to apply. Any extension of the restrictions is absolutely unacceptable and frankly un-European," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He noted that Europe has the institutional capacity to act more rationally than to close a border for a particular product.

"We are actively working with everyone to find a solution that is in line with the spirit of our Europe," the President added.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Ukraine will reduce wheat production by 21% in 2023/2024 compared to the previous year. Ukraine will be able to export 10 million tonnes of wheat compared to 15 million tonnes in the current 2022/23, while corn exports will amount to 16.5 million tonnes compared to 25.5 million tonnes.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
China secretly provides Russia with military equipment that it uses in its war against Ukraine. In particular, it includes bulletproof vests, thermal imaging scopes and drones.

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This was reported by Politico. At the same time, it is noted that imports of Chinese goods to Ukraine have fallen sharply.

According to the authors of the article, in 2023 alone, Russia purchased more than $100 million worth of drones from China. This exceeds similar purchases by Ukraine by 30 times.

In addition, Russian imports of Chinese ceramics used in body armour increased by 69%. Its exports to Ukraine decreased by 61%.

In addition, it is noted that there is a flow of technologies through China that may

contain components made in the West;

have direct military application.

"According to experts on sanctions and defence, it is common practice to label dual-use goods as intended for civilian purposes. In fact, they are intended for use on the battlefield," the article says.

China strikes back at sanctions against Russia

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The current situation, analysts say, clearly demonstrates the imperfection of the West's sanctions regime against Russia. The West itself, by the way, contributes to this situation by its uncertainty about the dual-use status of Russia.

"This, combined with the fact that much of this equipment is manufactured in China, makes the mere possibility of taking meaningful anti-Russian measures unattainable. At least for the time being," they state.

Another problem, it is emphasised, is that "the West can do little to force Beijing to stop the flow of dual-use goods to Russia". After all:

only the US has a real opportunity to "impose a direct ban on dollar-denominated transactions";

the EU does not have such a strong sanction weapon because "the euro is much less common in global markets".

In addition, the EU, it is noted, does not dare to act from a position of strength. In particular, although it included 7 Chinese companies in the latest sanctions package, "after lobbying by Beijing, Brussels removed 4 firms from the list".

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, China has meanwhile called for the resumption of the grain deal. Moreover, it believes that grain exports should also come from Russia, which no one has prevented.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Harlan County, USA

Filmmakers loves an underdog and movies have a long tradition of supporting the rights of workers, dating all the way back to the silent era. Here are some classic movies that celebrate workers right to strike for better wages and safer working conditions and the sometimes unlikely allies they find along the way. Many are based on true stories, including John Sayles masterful Matewan, about a coal miner strike in West Virginia, as well as Barbara Kopples Oscar-winning documentary, Harlan County, USA.

Photo credit: Disney

Newsies (1992)

Headlines dont sell papes, Newsies sell papes! In this exuberant and pro-worker musical, Christian Bales Jack Kelly leads a group of newsboys in a strike against penny-pinching newspaper owner Joseph Pulitzer. Theyre aided by Bill Pullmans kindly, reform-minded journalist and, of course, Teddy Roosevelt, who was then governor of New York.

Photo credit: 20th Century

Norma Rae (1979)

Sally Field scored her first Best Actress Oscar for her role as a single mother who puts it all on the line to help unionize the textile workers at an unsafe mill in North Carolina. Martin Ritts movie was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Photo credit: Cinecom/Polygram

Matewan (1987)

Chris Cooper made his film debut as a union organizer out to help striking miners in John Sayles drama about the real-life events of the Battle of Matewan in 1920 West Virginia. James Earl Jones, David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell co-star. Haskell Wexler was Oscar-nominated for his poetic cinematography.

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Oceans Thirteen (2007)

Lest you forgot, in the third Oceans film, Casey Affleck and Scott Caans characters Virgil and Turk go undercover in a dice-manufacturing factory in Mexico as part of Danny Ocean (George Clooney)s plan to take down Al Pacinos corrupt casino owner. While on the job, they strike another blow against the haves by kicking off a strike to improve the working conditions of their fellow workers.

Ben Mendelsohn and Anthony Hopkins in The Efficiency Expert (Fox/Columbia TriStar)

The Efficiency Expert (1992)

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A productivity expert (Anthony Hopkins) is hired to streamline am Australian moccasin factory in the 1960s, which will surely lead to massive layoffs. Or is there hope for this quirky company and its hard-working staff? Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette, and Russell Crowe star in this 1991 comedy that was known as Spotswood in Australia.

Photo credit: Disney

Christopher Robin (2018)

Ewan McGregor plays a grown-up Christopher Robin, who must layoff a number of workers at a struggling luggage company in post-war London. Thanks to his childhood pals Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and crew, he comes up with a way to boost sales, save the company and give all the employees paid vacations!

Photo credit: Paramount/Sony Classics

Made in Dagenheim (2012)

Sally Hawkins stars in the dramatized true story of the 1968 strike at the Ford factor in Dagenham, England where the women workers walked out to protest sexual discrimination. Miranda Richardson, Bob Hoskins and Andrea Riseborough co-star.

Photo credit: BBC Films

Pride (2014)

George MacKay (1917) stars in this true story of a lesbian and gay group in London who raised money for striking Welsh miners in 1984. The mining community doesnt know what to make of the group at first, but eventually they form strong, lasting bonds that benefits them both as they ally against Prime Minister Margaret Thatchers anti-Labour policies. Utterly heartwarming and a little heartbreaking.

The Killing Floor (PBS)

The Killing Floor (1984)

This Bill Duke-directed drama about slaughterhouse workers trying to start an interracial union won in early 20th Century Chicago won the 1985 Sundance Film Festivals Special Jury Prize. It stars Moses Gunn, Damien Leake, Alfre Woodard, Clarence Felder and Alfred Molina.

Photo credit: Miramax

Strike! (1998)

In this underrated comedy, Monica Keena, Kirsten Dunst, and Gaby Hoffman star as students at an all-girls finishing school in the 1960s who successfully stop the boards plan to integrate it with a boys school. Part of their plan, which they pull off with mixed results: Get the boys drunk at the school dance and prove that the female students are better off without them.

Photo credit: Goskino

Strike (1925)

Silent Russian director Sergei Eisenstein first full-length feature film is about a factory strike in pre-revolutionary Russia, sparked after a worker is falsely accused of stealing a piece of machinery and commits suicide. Eisensteins pioneering symbolic montages equate the workers to slaughtered animals.

Harlan County, USA, Cabin Creek Films

Harlan County, USA (1976)

Barbara Kopples Oscar-winning documentary about the deadly 1973 miners strike in West Virginia unfolds naturalistically, with no voiceover or narration. But the strife, violence and heartbreak the miners experienced at the hands of the mining company and police comes through loud and clear.

Gerard Depardieu and Renaud in Germinal (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Germinal (1993)

Claude Berri directs his Jean de Florette star Gerard Depardieu period epic based on the novel by Emile Zola about a coal miners strike in northern France in the 1860s.

Marcello Mastroianni in The Organizer (Paramount Pictures)

The Organizer (1963)

Marcello Mastroianni reteams with Big Deal on Madonna Street director Mario Monicelli for this drama about a former high school teacher who tries to organize workers at a poorly run 19th century textile factory. It was nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar.

Jean Arthur, Charles Coburn and Spring Byington in The Devil and Miss Jones (RKO/Warner Bros.)

The Devil and Miss Jones (1941)

Charles Coburn stars in this delightful comedy as a reclusive but very wealthy department store owner who goes undercover as a sales clerk to figure out why hes being hung in (anonymous) effigy in his stores. Jean Arthur (of the Frank Capra classics Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or Mr. Deeds Goes to Town) is the shopgirl who thinks hes down-and-out takes him under her wing.

The post 15 Must-Watch Movies About Strikes and Unionizing, From Newsies to Norma Rae (Photos) appeared first on TheWrap.
Several hikers who saw the women enter the park became concerned when the duo did not return, authorities said

Getty Rock formations and flowers in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park

Two hikers were found dead at a Nevada state park on Saturday, according to authorities.

A group of hikers saw the women, who have not been publicly identified, enter the Valley of Fire State Park on Saturday morning and then became concerned when they noticed the duo did not return, according to CNN, the Associated Press and CBS affiliate KLAS-TV.

One of the members of the group contacted the Nevada State Park Police about a welfare check just before 3 p.m. local time, per the outlets.

After responding, police found the body of one of the women along a trail inside the park.

Related: Man Dies After Collapsing Outside Restroom in Death Valley National Park amid 121-Degree Heat

The department then reached out to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments search and rescue team, which later discovered another victim inside a canyon, per the outlets.

According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in Overton, where the park is located, reached 114 degrees on Saturday, CNN reported. Most of southern Nevada remains under an excessive heat warning as of Monday.

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While a cause of death for the women is currently unknown, the deaths coincide with a string of recent deaths that may have been caused by excessive heat.

Just last week, a 71-year-old man died at a nearby Death Valley National Park trailhead from a possible heat-related death as temperatures reached 121 degrees. On July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead inside a car with two flat tires and a broken air conditioning system in Death Valley.

The Clark County Coroner's Office confirmed last week that Las Vegas has seen 16 confirmed heat-related deaths, though the number could be higher, per ABC affiliate KNTV-TV.

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Related: 57-Year-Old Woman Found Dead After Hiking Grand Canyon in 100-Degree Heat

On average, about 702 heat-related deaths are recorded in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heat-related illnesses include cardiovascular and respiratory issues, renal failure, electrolyte imbalance, kidney stones, preterm birth and more.

Heat-related deaths are oftentimes due to heat stroke and other related conditions, as well as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cerebrovascular disease, which impact blood flow to the brain, the CDC says.

Park officials and the LVPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. CNN reported the deaths are under investigation.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) made a case against corporate greed while walking the picket line with striking actors and writers in New York City on Monday.

The left-wing politician rallied workers outside Netflix and Warner Bros. Discoverys neighboring Manhattan offices, where she was joined by AFL-CIO union President Liz Shuler and performers Sandra Bernhard, F. Murray Abraham and Tatiana Maslany.

Frankly, while this is a fight against AI, more than AI, this is a fight against greed, she told a crowd at the demonstration, per The Hollywood Reporter. This is a fight against Wall Street, and this is a fight against the endless pursuit of more wealth.

Direct action gets the goods, now and always, Ocasio-Cortez went on. The only way that we can do this is by showing them that we are stronger. That our solidarity is stronger than their greed, that our care for one another will overcome their endless desire for more.

While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter after the picket line, Ocasio-Cortez said, The idea that the transformation of workplaces should transform and erode workers and their wages pretty much unilaterally and only have downside for workers and only have upside for CEOs and shareholders is completely wrong.

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She later added, I also think its really important for CEOs to understand that there is only so much you can erode the fabric of the society before it starts to rip. They, too, rely on that fabric.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes on July 24 in New York City.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes on July 24 in New York City.

The 11,500 television and film writers represented by the Writers Guild of America began striking at the start of May after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) became deadlocked.

SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 workers, followed suit in July after its own contract with the AMPTP expired.

Writers and actors are pushing for major updates to the Hollywood system, an industry which workers say has been upended by the world of streaming services.

Among the unions core issues are residual payments (a type of royalty based on viewership numbers) and establishing guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence.

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Image via The People's Justice Council on YouTube

A Black man who was elected mayor in Alabama in 2020 has filed a lawsuit alleging that white politicians in the town have blocked him from taking on the role.

Per CBS News, 57-year-old Patrick Braxton alleges in a federal civil rights lawsuit (alongside his fellow plaintiffs, whom he had appointed as council members) that acting Newbern mayor Haywood Stokes III "met in secret to adopt a special election ordinance with his own council members to reinstate himself as mayor.

Furthermore, Braxton alleges, Stokes "did not bother to qualify" via paperwork as a mayoral candidate. When Braxton himself decided to run for the office, the suit states, Stokes also provided him with false info regarding the qualification process.

 Last week, I traveled to rural Newbern, Alabama, a predominately Black town of about 275 people.In 2020, Patrick Braxton became the first Black mayor after being the only one to submit the qualifying paperwork. For three years, he's suffered harassment and intimidation. pic.twitter.com/EhN4SgJ1P1  Aallyah Wright (@aallyahpatrice) July 19, 2023

In short, Braxton was the only one who technically qualified to be mayor in the 2020 election. The move also made history, with Braxton becoming the first Black mayor in the town. Notably, Newbern is a predominantly Black regionthe lawsuit says 85 percent of Newbern residents are Black, while recent Census data says 88 percent.

News of Braxton taking legal action was first reported by Birmingham-based investigative journalist Lee Hedgepeth in June.

In a response to Braxtons suit, lawyers representing Stokes noted that Newbern has not held elections for more than six decades. Instead, when it comes to the office of mayor in the town, this role has routinely been passed from one person to another.

Rev. @mtmalcom interviews Mayor Patrick Braxton the first black mayor of a predominantly black city. He is being obstructed from performing his duties as mayor by the former mayor and city council. We must #expose this #corruption! Watch interview: https://t.co/BeSg1smNN1 pic.twitter.com/oIKL2GmLtP  The People's Justice Council (@AlabamaPJC) May 17, 2022

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As for Braxton, he says he was compelled to pursue the office after seeing firsthand how the town was not meeting the needs of its residents. In May, he addressed the current status of the situation at length in an interview with The Peoples Justice Council on YouTube.

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The international menu item sandwiches three beef patties between a hamburger bun, but customers can add as many patties as they want

PingLoveSai/ Facebook, Richard Barrow/Twitter

Burger King Thailand recently surprised burger fans with the real cheeseburger, a hamburger bun stuffed with 20 slices of American cheese. Their next move? The real meat burger, which is exactly what it sounds like.

The sandwich item, available only in Thailand, includes three beef patties in between a hamburger bun and thats all. No pickles, no lettuce, no ketchup, no nothing.

The basic version with three patties costs 339 baht ($9.79), according to a Facebook post from the official Burger King Thailand account announcing the latest, silly menu item. The company added that customers can pile on as many extra patties as they want, with each one costing an additional 100 baht ($2.89).

Although there was no specific date for the product's launch, Burger King Thailand noted on Facebook that customers can order the item at restaurants by saying that they dont want vegetables and other sauces, only meat.

PingLoveSai/ Facebook Burger King Thailand sells a burger with only meat after viral cheese-only version

Photos from the official Burger King Thailand account depict the real meat burger with dozens of burgers ridiculously sandwiched between the buns. While the image looks to be a joke, Thai food blogger Believe Me, I Already Ate ( ) pushed it to the limit and ordered the real meat burger with 100 patties, Today reports.

Richard Barrow/twitter The "Real cheeseburger" from burger king thailand

Related: Burger King Thailand Has a Meatless Burger with Just 20 Slices of Cheese

The dairy-filled real cheeseburger that started this sandwich trend was first published on Facebook on July 9.

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This is for real! Burger King Thailand wrote in a Facebook post about the sandwich with 20 slices of cheese. The company explained that the item will only be available for a limited time and at a reduced price compared to the traditional cheeseburger.



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Bob Iger as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Weve all known television has been in a period of upheaval and decline for years. With streaming services spending billions of dollars a year on content and many consumers fleeing cable amidst rising prices, the gradual shift away from linear TV has been collectively accepted as inevitable, but exactly what that meant for the giant companies still involved with linear TV has always been a question mark. Would they stick it out? Would they sell? Well, Disney CEO Bob Iger recently sat for an interview and now, those questions are louder than ever.

The sitdown happened earlier this month with CNBC, and youve no doubt seen some of the headlines that came out of it. He talked about Governor DeSantis and Disneys lawsuit against Florida. He talked about the SAG-AFTRA strike and diluting the Marvel brand with too much content. Also, more quietly, he talked about linear TV and dropped the bombshell that ABC and its other channels may not be core to Disney, meaning theres potentially a future in which theyre either not part of the Mouse Houses extensive portfolio or theyre so insignificant they dont matter to the overall direction of the business. Heres what he said

They may not be core to Disney. Now theres clearly creativity and content that they create that is core to Disney, but the distribution model, the business model that forms the underpinning of that business, and that has delivered great profits over the years, is definitely broken. And we have to call it like it is. Thats part of the transformative work that were doing The disruptive forces that are preying on that business are greater than I thought.

Bob Iger typically chooses his words very carefully, and if he doesnt want to talk about a subject, he wont talk about it. So, the fact that this came out publicly feels like a message he wants people to hear, but exactly what that message is still feels up for debate. Variety asked a variety of insiders both within and outside the company, and there wasnt anything close to an agreement. Those on social media have been arguing about it for a week, and theres still no consensus. But it seems like there are two distinct schools of thought.

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The first perspective is that Disney is going to sell or at least look around to sell ABC, its local TV stations and its other non-ESPN networks like FX and National Geographic. That would explain why it spun ESPN off as its own business unit. Perhaps Iger is signaling to the market that other companies should make offers but doing so in a way that allows him enough distance in case he doesnt end up selling ABC. Inferring you may sell something is very different than telling everyone youre going to sell it.

The other option here is he wants to hold on to ABC and the other stations, but he doesnt want to constantly be answering questions about how less people are watching and/ or why theyre less profitable. If you say a particular part of the business isnt core to the future, then it starts to become less pressing to outline its future. Someone is going to keep making money off TV for as long as it exists as a business, and Disney may well decide its the right company to do that. It just might want to quietly do that in the background.

I dont know what Disney is going to do with ABC and its other networks. ESPN was recently rocked by extensive layoffs. Questions are swirling about attendance at the theme parks. There are lawsuit problems in Florida. Collectively, theres a lot of headwinds right now, which is the whole reason why Iger un-retired and returned as CEO in the first place. Itll be fascinating to see how he manages it in the next few years. Fortunately, given his long track record, hes earned the benefit of the doubt.
A DoorDash customer has questioned whether tipping has gone too far after he was criticised by his delivery driver for a 30 per cent tip.

Dr Ethan Melillo, a pharmacist who goes by @millennialrx on TikTok, shared his recent experience in a video uploaded to the platform last week. In the clip, Dr Melillo revealed that he received a response from his DoorDash driver saying nice house after hed given them a generous tip.

Has this ever happened to you with DoorDash? When you give someone a generous tip and they say nice house, thanks for the $5 for a 20-minute ride, the TikToker asked, while showing a screenshot of the message hed received from his delivery driver.

In the video, Dr Melillo then added that, for reference, he lives in Rhode Island, where a 10 to 20 minute ride is very common because the state probably has the slowest speed limits in the country.

The TikToker then showed viewers what hed ordered, with Dr Melillo revealing that hed ordered a falafel meal over rice with a side of extra sauce and a Snapple lemon iced tea.

According to the receipt shared by the TikToker, the total cost of the meal ended up being $15.64, and that hed then added a $5 tip.

The total cost of my meal came to $15 so I thought a 30 per cent tip was pretty generous, and Im usually the type of person that tips when I even pick up food, Dr Melillo said, before adding: So let me know, how much should I be tipping on a DoorDash order?

In the caption of the video, which has since been viewed more than 100,000 times, the TikToker wrote: @DoorDash tipping going too far?

The video has sparked a debate in the comments, with many assuring the TikToker that his tip was more than generous, and that the driver can see the tip amount before they agree to accept the order.

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I work for DoorDash and that is very generous, one person commented, while another said: Your tip was fine!

That message he sent you after a 30 per cent tip is crazy, someone else wrote.

In the comments, Dr Melillo also revealed that he tries to give more since he has experience working in the food industry. Having worked in the food industry before entering the pharmacy world I know how hard others work so I try to give more since Ive been there, he wrote.

However, others suggested that the TikTokers tip was not enough because it may not have been based on the distance that the driver had to drive to deliver the food.

According to multiple viewers, its more about the distance than the total of your food when it comes to leaving an adequate tip.

I always do $1 a mile with $5 being the lowest. They use their gas, their mileage and have a higher insurance rate since they do delivery, one person commented.

Another said: I usually recommend tipping two times the amount of miles to the restaurant. 5 miles = $10 tip.

$1 per mile is the most fair. Youre not tipping on the food, youre paying for delivery if that makes any sense, someone else wrote, while another revealed that they never tip less than $10.

The debate about tipping comes after a DoorDash driver was allegedly fired for cursing at a customer who tipped $5 on a $20 order. Earlier this month, TikTok user Lacey Purciful uploaded a video from a doorbell camera showing a delivery driver handing her a pizza box before telling her: I just want to say its a nice house for a $5 tip.

After the TikToker told the driver: Youre welcome, he responded: F*** you. In the comments under the video, Purciful revealed that she had been in contact with DoorDash about the incident, and that the driver had been fired.

At the time, a representative for DoorDash told Insider: Respectfully asking for a tip is acceptable but abusing or harassing someone is never acceptable.

The Independent has contacted Dr Melillo and DoorDash for comment.
The El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) will honor Egyptian director Marwan Hamed with a life Career Achievement Award at its upcoming sixth edition, running from October 6 to 12.

It marks the first element of the program to be announced as the Egyptian Red Sea festival returns this year following a one year hiatus in 2022.

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Hamed studied film at the Higher Institute of Cinema in Cairo. His first short Li Li, adapted from a short story by Yusuf Idris, played at numerous festivals, winning the Audience Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and the Golden Award at the Carthage Film Festival.

He broke out with his 2006 first feature The Yacoubian Building, adapted from Alaa Al-Aswanys best-selling novel, which captures Egyptian society in the 1990s and the consequences of its extremes of wealth and poverty.

Featuring an ensemble cast, including Egyptian icons Adel Imam, Nour El-Sherif and Yousra alongside then emerging names such as Hend Sabry, it achieved the biggest ever theatrical opening in Egypt at the time on its release in June, 2006.

The film also played in Berlins Panorama sidebar and won multiple first film prizes on the festival circuit including at Tribeca and Zurich.

Subsequent career highlights include 2014 hit thriller The Blue Elephant and its sequel The Blue Elephant 2 (2019) as well as recent film Kira & El Gin (2022).

The festival said Hamed had revolutionized visual storytelling and set new standards for audiovisual effects in modern Egyptian cinema.

Hamed welcomed the accolade and said he was devoting it to his parents, the late writer Wahid Hamed and journalist Zeinab Swaydan.

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The film industry has been greatly enriched by Hameds remarkable contributions, leaving a lasting impact and are an inspiration to generations of filmmakers, said GFF director Intishal Al Timimi.

Previous recipients of the El Gouna Lifetime Achievement Award Include Egyptian stars Adel Emam, Mohamed Henedy and Khaled El Sawy; international stars Forest Whitaker, Sylvester Stallone, Gerard Depardieu and Said Taghmaoui; Egyptian director Daoud Abdelsayed, Egyptian art director Onsi Abou Seif, Tunisian filmmaker Dora Bouchoucha, Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri, and Lebanese critic Ibrahim Al-Ariss.

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Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty Images

A father-son duo from Virginia took a lengthy road trip to Niagara Falls to buy ketchup chips.

Rich Lieberman and his15-year-old son Jacob took off in an old army Jeep that could not go past 70 kilometres per hour.

"We only crossed the border to buy the chips," Rich Lieberman said to CTV News over the weekend. "We joked it was a grocery run. We had some time to kill before school starts."

The two wound up purchasing 40 bags of ketchup chips when they arrived at Jim's No Frills in Niagara Falls.

Impressed with their journey, the owner posted a picture of them on Facebook.

Jacob Lieberman first tried ketchup chips when he and his father took a road trip in 2022 that spanned the entire United States and half of Canada.

"We saw the ketchup chips and thought it was kind of weird, honestly. I'd never heard of such a thing," Rich Lieberman told CBC News. "But I knew he liked ketchup so we bought him a bag."

Jacob became an instant fan, while Rich was far less interested.

Rich is aware he could order the chips online, but took the trip with his son just for the journey.

The father-son duo expects to return to Canada again within the next few years in order to continue their exploration of the country.

Now that they've satiated their curiosity for ketchup chips, the two intend to try all-dressed chips, a flavour that has long been limited to Canada.
Ubah Hassan, from left, Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva, Andy Cohen, Jessel Taank, Jenna Lyons and Brynn Whitfield attend Bravos The Real Housewives of New York City premiere party at the Rainbow Room on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in New York.

The Real Housewives of New York has gotten a major reboot. Two weeks go Bravo launched the new and (debatably improved) RHONY. For context, the long-standing show famously went down in flames over allegations of racism.



Now the show has a whole new diverse cast. Heres a rundown of the new laddies:

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Sai De Silva

Photo: Raymond Hall (Getty Images)

Sai De Silva is an Afro-Latina New Yorker. De Silva is an influencer and the creative director of Scout the City. De Silva lives in Brooklyn, which means that the show will once again have a Brooklynite.



Ubah Hassan

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY  Season 14 Premiere Event  Pictured: Ubah Hassan at The Rainbow Room on July 12, 2023

Ubah Hassan is a Somalian model and philanthropist. Hassan fled Somalia with her father to Kenya before moving to Canada. She was later discovered by a photographer which launched her modeling career and her eventual move to New York.

Erin Dana Lichy

Abraham Lichy, left, and Erin Lichy attend Bravos The Real Housewives of New York City premiere party at the Rainbow Room on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in New York.

Erin Dana Lichy was raised in Manhattan as one of five children in an Israeli family. Lichy is a real estate agent and owns her own design firm and home renovation company. She lives in Tribeca with her three children and husband.

Jenna Lyons

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 12: Jenna Lyons attends The Real Housewives of New York Premiere Celebration at The Rainbow Room on July 12, 2023 in New York City.

Lyons is a powerhouse business woman. She served as the former President and Executive Creative Director of J.Crew Group, and is considered a dynamite force in the fashion industry.

Jessel Taank

Jessel Taank attends Bravos The Real Housewives of New York City premiere party at the Rainbow Room on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in New York.

Jessel Taank is of British-Indian descent. Shes a fashion publicist and brand consultant living in New York. She lives with her her husband, financier Pavit Randhawa and their two twin boys.

Brynn Whitfield











NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 12: Brynn Whitfield attends The Real Housewives of New York Premiere Celebration at The Rainbow Room on July 12, 2023 in New York City.

Brynn Whitfield is a lightning-rod on the show already. The bi-racial brand marketing and communications professional made a splash with her witty commentary in the first episode.

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A Russian Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile system located on the roof of the Russian Defence Ministry headquarters failed to shoot down an enemy drone that attacked the capital on 24 July, despite being less than 300 metres from the point of impact. On Monday morning, eyewitnesses did not see any evidence of the system's operation.

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The Radio Liberty media outlet drew attention to this. It recalled that the Russians had installed air defence systems at the end of last year, when they realised that the threat from Ukraine was more than real. It is since then that Pantsir has been "guarding" the building of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The article noted that the UAV's strike on the Russian military building complex on Komsomolsky Avenue was less than 300 metres away from the point where the surface-to-air missile system was located, but it did not work.

The spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, explained that it is impossible to shoot down a UAV with a Pantsir standing on the roof.

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"It cannot shoot downwards. It is designed to shoot upwards. That is why such decisions look strange at least," Ihnat said.

As a reminder, the Pantsir was installed on the roof of the Russian Ministry of Defence building in January 2023. It was placed there using a crane. Air defence systems were also installed on other administrative buildings in Moscow. One, for example, is on the building of the Moscow Business Centre, which is located just 2 km from the Kremlin. The address of the building: 8 Teterinsky lane.

At the end of January, it became known that at least three Pantsir-S1 air defence systems were deployed in the centre of Moscow, with the Kremlin in the centre of the "protective shield". In addition, Russians spotted Pantsir 10 km from Putin's residence near Moscow.

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In response to this news, a wave of memes spread online. The public ridiculed such steps by the terrorist state, which last year confidently declared that it would "take Kyiv in three days". And almost a year into the war, when residents of the border regions of Russia and Crimea have already experienced the "special operation", it claims that "everything is going according to plan".

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the Russian military in Moscow has also deployed an additional Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun system on the surface of the mothballed Salaryevo landfill. Previously, a radar station had been deployed there.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Fads in fishing come around every so often.

Whether its the Banjo Minnow or the Walking Worm, sometimes theyre designed to catch fishermen as much as they are fish. But, occasionally, theres a new style of fishing and not the product itself that can prove effective in the long term.

Enter slow-pitch jigging.

Its a hot topic in the offshore fishing world and one that has shown it can catch fish overseas before recently catching on in Florida. The style involves using skinny artificial metal jigs with assist hooks that hang off the front and/or back. By using light tackle, the jig can erratically dance while falling in the water column and produce results.

Ive been pretty obsessed with slow-pitch jigging, said captain Derek Engle, who learned of the technique nearly three years ago. Its using the right tackle and the technique to allow the jig to do what its designed to do. Light poles, light line, light jigs. Back in the day before slow-pitch jigging, I did speed jigging and bottom bumping. I was creating the action. With slow pitch, its letting the jig create the action.

Popular slow-pitch jigs range from 30 grams up to 500 grams for deeper water, with the intent of imitating wounded baitfish or squid. When Engle heard that a jig-only fishing tournament was being hosted through Bradentons Fishermans Hut, which specializes in jigging tackle and techniques, he signed up.

I reached out to Mike Warren of team Big Game, and we got a crew together. After the captains meeting Saturday, we headed out and started focusing on fishing depths from 140 to 270 feet.

Per the First I.J.C.A International Jigging Casting Tournament, no baits were permitted on the boat. All anglers would be using jigging-only techniques for fishing, something Engle was used to doing.

I jig probably 90% of my time offshore now. Many trips we dont bring bait. There are advantages with the time savings and never really having to question if you have a bait on our not, Engle explained.

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We started in the evening and figured it would be a tough bite. We started with some red snapper and red grouper. It was a bit of a grind and we bumped out deeper and got a 6-pound scamp grouper, 15-pound red snapper, 8-pound red grouper and a 9-pound mutton snapper. When the sun started to go down, we ate some dinner and fished a bit into the darkness, but there was no bite, so we called it a night.

The crew woke up before sunrise and started getting back to fishing when a school of blackfin was the wake-up call they needed.

We tripled up, but one was sharked then another pulled a hook. Benny Ortiz hooked another and we were able to land one out of the four. It was 22 pounds, and we needed every point we got from it, Engle said. I told Mike the whole time it was going to be a grind and if it was slow for us it was going to be slow for everyone else, and thats what we heard. We stuck with that mindset and stayed positive.

Back at the weigh-in on Sunday afternoon at Tarpon Pointe, the crew of team Big Game took the lead halfway through the weigh-in with 365.43 points with their diverse and quality catch. It would hold up for the victory over team Wake and Bait at 359.6 points.
Former employees of Aritzia, the Canadian womens fashion company, have spoken candidly about their negative experiences working for the retailer, which they allege was exploitive and overly high-pressure.

In a 24 July article published by Insider, the outlet detailed the remarks of 53 individuals who either currently or previously worked for Aritzia, in which several of whom said that while the world of fashion is notoriously cutthroat, working at Aritzia was particularly gruelling.

Allegedly, the negative culture was linked to the founder of the clothing brand, Brian Hill. One employee who worked in the companys support office, and was close to Hill, said: I think a lot of people in that organisation feel worthless. They have been berated and degraded for so long.

Additionally, other employees reported having to sign confidentiality agreements and exit contracts, and requested they be anonymous in Insiders story, because they were afraid the company would retaliate. A few allegedly stated that working for the company was similar to being psychologically abused.

According to Insider, four ex-employees associated Hills leadership tactics with fear and intimidation. The individuals thought back to corporate meetings, recalling other coworkers losing sleep or feeling sick the night before. If you said so many or a lot, he would go off for five minutes about using facts, one individual alleged. It definitely came across as public humiliation.

Another former employee specifically referenced Hills tests. He once held up a pen and asked an employee: What is this? When she replied that it was a pen, he threw it, saying: Wrong, its a blue pen, the former employee recalled to Insider. However, an Aritzia spokesperson told the outlet that Hill has never thrown a pen, denying the claim.

He just wants to see you fail publicly, the previous support office worker alleged, claiming that Hills tactics were to essentially tear down somebodys self-confidence, to a point where he knew he had full control over that person.

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Another former employee added: You cant throw things in a meeting or intimidate or harass people without everybody knowing. What I found unfortunate about it is that it becomes accepted.

Insider also referenced the comments of an individual who used to be a style advisor for the store. He definitely plays a bit of a hot-or-not game. We dont need to keep this girl; shes not cute. This girl can get promoted because she looks a certain way, they allegedly said. Two people who previously worked for the brand attested to this, claiming Hill would allegedly give raises to the employees he thought were attractive or embodied the Aritzia cool girl person.

Allegedly, employees were evaluated on a SMPS method: style, motivation, personality, and smarts, according to previous retail workers. Insiderreported: Five people who worked at retail stores in Ontario between 2005 and 2019 said they had to rate their own - or their colleagues - appearances out of 10 in daily huddles, addressing where they fell short. No one was allowed to be a 10.

One former employee who used to be a store manager in Canada purportedly admitted she gave another employee a low style rating for their outfit, but bumped the score up to an eight when her merchandise manager asked her to do so because the employee was skinny. Automatically, if youre skinny, youre not going to be below a seven, another past employee reported.

The Aritzia spokesperson denied the claim and said the brand has never directed its boutique employees or managers to do this and that this particular incident would be wildly out of sync with company policy and does not reflect the company values. They added that SMPS is no longer in place.

Two Black individuals who used to work for the brand as style advisors in Toronto discussed experiences with their managers asking them to grab coffee and add enough milk to it so the drink was the colour of their skin. The companys spokesperson said the company would never tolerate those actions and therefore arent aware that this has happened.

Daani Jetton quit her position as a style advisor in New York because she didnt feel the company substantially supported Black employees, according to Insider. Jessica Porter and Candace Jerry were allegedly forced to run clothes back to the sales floor, steam clothes, work the register, etc  all tasks white employees werent asked to do. Aritzias spokesperson denied Porter and Jerrys claims, adding the company has never assigned tasks to employees based on their race. All employees play a role in maintaining our boutiques, the spokesperson said.

Anyango Juma Miguna, a former worker in the Newmarket, Ontario, store sued her store manager in May. The filing alleged: She arrived for her shift on 28 March 2023 to find the manager waiting for her in front of the store. The manager blocked Miguna from entering, shoved her into a nearby hallway, and handed her a termination letter. The filing alleges that, as the manager did this, she called Miguna a dirty African who should not be working at Aritzia.

Insider also reported Aritzias style advisors tracked their sales per hour (SPH) to determine their shift schedules. Former style advisor in Toronto, Hannah, explained that all SPHs would be disclosed at the start of the day and the employee with the lowest would have try to increase their number even if that means cutting another girl down or forcing the customer to buy stuff that doesnt look good on them.

According to two previous employees, calling out for medical purposes wasnt easy. Kaycelyn Pascual allegedly quit the same day she called out sick because she couldnt hand in a doctors note to her manager in person like they wanted her to.

I always say if you make it long enough at Aritzia, you drank the jungle juice, and now youre serving it to other people, the Vancouver support office worker told Insider.

Nadia Mahammed, an individual who worked as a customer service representative, recalled the Toronto office having a crying corner and referred to management as abusive. The Aritzia spokesperson denied the claim that the company had a crying corner.

Speaking to Insider, one previous benefits coordinator said she filed a case with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal for mental health discrimination. You dont dress the part, you dont look the part, you dont speak the part, her manager would allegedly tell her. She was fired in August 2021 after going on disability leave, but for restructuring reasons.

Following the murder of George Floyd in June 2020, Aritzia received complaints from two previous Black employees about experiences with racism in the workplace. Hill put out a statement and explained that the company would be investing in ourselves, holding ourselves accountable, condemning intolerance and injustice, and making sure that Aritzia is a place where all people can come and have successful careers. He also said Aritzia had spent more than $1m on a new diversity and inclusion program.

Insider looked at two anonymous complaint letters sent to the companys support office. The first was signed by P and referred to Hill as a bully and the primary abuser. According to the spokesperson, Aritzia strongly disputes the characterisations and allegations made in this letter. The company has since limited current employees access to Hill.

Since 1984, Brian has played a key role in building Aritzia from a small single retail location to a global fashion player that prioritises excellence and Everyday Luxury for its consumers. The companys success has been a direct result of its high-performance culture. Brian is an exacting CEO, just like that of any other highly profitable global company, but he is also notably devoted to fostering the careers and growth of his employees, an Aritzia spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent. Brian is committed to mentorship throughout the company at every level, and he is deeply appreciative of the contributions that every single one of the more than 60,000 team members who have walked through Aritzias doors over the past nearly 40 years have made. The allegations in this story are not representative of the company culture that Brian and his leadership team at Aritzia have fostered and built.

They added: At Aritzia, we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture, incredible diversity, and opportunities for professional growth, and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment free from discrimination. We recognise that our customer base is an expansive and diverse community, and we strive to reflect that community in our boutiques through the brands we carry, the people we hire, and the self-expression we encourage through fashion. More than 250 of our current employees have had an incredibly rewarding career with Aritzia for 10 years or longer.

In the statement, the spokesperson added that Aritzia is proud that our global team, led by CEO Jennifer Wong, is 85 per cent women and 54 per cent identify as BIPOC and that the company continues to invest in and strengthen our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

In recent years, we have hired a head of EDI and launched employee advocacy groups; implemented mandatory training and education on systematic racism, racial inequity and social injustice for all current and future members of our teams; and evaluated every area of our business to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion are representative of the communities where we work, the statement continued. We are committed to continuing this work and to providing resources for our employees to listen, learn and take action.
The Germany's Next Top Model host got all dressed up to party in Berlin

heidiklum/Instagram

Heidi Klum is beating the heat this summer in her tiny denim cutoffs  with a twist!

The model, 50, took to Instagram on Saturday to show off her Berlin party look, which included an elevated pair of denim cutoffs. The shorts Klum wore were not just your basic denim  they were trimmed with complementary light blue feathers.

Lets Party BERLIN, the Americas Got Talent judge wrote on her carousel post, which features multiple slides of her entire outfit as she posed for a fun photo shoot in front of her window. Klum paired the embellished shorts with delicate fishnet tights, a white bralette top featuring floral lace accents, nude heels and a brown statement belt. The accessories were minimal, but her blue glitter makeup look was the perfect complement to her eye-catching cutoffs. As always, the model was rocking her signature long blonde locks and bangs.

heidiklum/Instagram

In a separate Instagram Story, Klum posed with artist Katy Bahm in a slightly altered look as she took the party outside. The former Project Runway host now rocked a navy bomber jacket and oversized pair of sunglasses, but still had her decorated denim cutoffs on full display.

heidiklum/Instagram

While Berlin is close to home for the former Germanys Next Top Model host, Klum and her husband, Tom Kaulitz, have been parading around on vacation all summer. From color-coordinated swim looks to dancing in little bikinis, the model has been garnering tons of style attention.

Related: Heidi Klum Flaunts Her Curves in a Skimpy Thong Bikini on Romantic Getaway with Husband Tom Kaulitz

Another one of Klums most noteworthy vacation looks has been her two-piece Mona Lisa set, which she wore sailing in Europe at the beginning of the month. All of her looks and vacation escapades are usually shared on Instagram, but never with the comments on.

At the beginning of June, the former Victorias Secret angel took to social media to answer questions from her followers. One asked: Why did you turn your comment section off? to which Klum replied: my own mental health.

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I dont think its nice sometimes what people have to say and I think its not good to be influenced by what people say, the model continued. It kind of makes you not do then what you feel in your gut, what you want to do."

And I feel more free this way, she added.

heidiklum/Instagram

Klum continued, saying that there are some reasons she would like to keep them on  namely her fans  but that the cons outweigh the pros: Obviously Im sad for all the fans who I cant speak with but theres just too much hate, unfortunately, in the world right now."

The model went on to say that her Instagram is a place where she shares moments of love and happiness. Klum explained that people who fight in her comment section take away from that joy, and added: Thats not what Im all about.



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"The heat is not a foe that you can overcome," said the wife of Steve Curry

Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Steve Curry, 71, of Sunland, smiles as he sits in the shade after walking to Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Death Valley, CA

A 71-year-old man who died last week at a trailhead in Death Valley National Park spoke to a reporter about braving the extreme heat hours before his death.



Steve Curry, who has been identified as the victim by the Inyo County Coroner's Office, spoke to The Los Angeles Times hours before collapsing outside the restroom at the Golden Canyon hiking trail on Tuesday, CW affiliate KTLA-TV, NBC affiliate KNBC-TV and The Independent reported. That day, temperatures in the park reached 121 degrees.

Curry told the reporter that hed hiked from Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point that morning. "Everything is hot here," he said.

In a follow-up story published after his death, The Los Angeles Times reported that when asked why he was attempting the hike, he answered, Why not?



Related: 2 Hikers Found Dead in Nevada State Park as Temperatures Reached 114 Degrees

The National Park Service said in a news release that the Los Angeles man, who was carrying a backpack and was sporting a sunhat and hiking gear, had just finished hiking the "popular trail" when other visitors at the park noticed the man had collapsed and called 911 at around 3:40 p.m. local time.

Despite CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED), park rangers were not able to save Curry.

Authorities believed his death was possibly heat-related, though an official cause of death has not yet been determined, per KTLA-TV and the Times.

"The official temperature at the nearby Furnace Creek area was 121F around the time of Currys death," park officials said in their statement. "Actual temperatures inside Golden Canyon were likely much higher, due to canyon walls radiating the suns heat."

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Rima Curry, his wife of nearly 30 years, told KNBC-TV that her late husband enjoyed rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking.

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We were supposed to grow old together, sit on our rocking chairs on the porch," she said while speaking with the Times.



Related: Mountain Biker Helped Save 4 Hikers Before He Died in Hot Calif. Valley

Times Reporter Hayley Smith told KNBC-TV that she and the photographer tried to help him.

"We offered him water, we offered him a ride. We said, Do you want to sit in our car in the air conditioning for a little while? But he was really determined to finish what he had started," she said, adding they were both "pretty shaken up" by his death.

Rima didn't find out about her husband's death until Thursday, when the coroner left a note on her door asking her to call. "Boy, talk about a gut punch," she told KNBC-TV.



Related: Man Dies After Collapsing Outside Restroom in Death Valley National Park amid 121-Degree Heat

In their statement, park officials noted Curry's death was "possibly" the second heat-related fatality in Death Valley this summer. On July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead inside a car that had two flat tires and a broken air conditioning system.

"Park rangers encourage people to visit Death Valley safely in the summer by sightseeing short distances from their air-conditioned cars or hiking in the parks cooler mountains," the agency said. "They do not recommend hiking at low elevations after 10:00 am."

Speaking with KNBC-TV, Rima encouraged others to take excessive heat seriously

"The heat is not a foe that you can overcome," she told the outlet. "Your body can only take so much."

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Ali Ahmadzadeh, director of Locarno competition title Critical Zone, is under threat from Irans ministry of security.

The film, shot without Iranian authorities permission before the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution in Iran, is billed as an artistic reflection on the anger and the rage of the young generation of Iranians.

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Guided by the voice of his GPS, Amir navigates the underworld districts of Tehran to comfort the troubled souls of the night, reads the films description in the Locarno program.

Instead of actors, I worked with real people. In most situations, we had to hide the camera or find complicated tricks to work around the limitations. Making this film was a big rebellion. Showing it means an even bigger victory for us, Ahmadzadeh said in his directors statement.

Ahmadzadeh has been under pressure from the security service to show them the film and pull it from Locarno, the filmmakers said, adding that the director has been blocked from getting a visa and banned from leaving Iran by the Iranian authorities.

Sales agent Luxbox and the producer, Sina Ataeian Dena, have received threatening emails and messages demanding to pull out the film.

Dena said: The new technique is that an interrogator is investigating him day and night, constantly via text messages, while he receives threats from anonymous sources and all kinds of attacks and surreal accusations that the film is a porn, the actresses of the film are taken as hostages in a villa by the Caspian sea and so on.

The film is due to premiere on Aug. 10.

Dena added: Ali is under constant psychological torture and we belive that making all these public might create a bit of protection for him. According to what we predicted and agreed on a long time ago we will anyway premiere the film. Standing all kinds of threats and falls accusations became a part of our job and showing the film is most important part of our fight.

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Locarno artistic director Giona Nazzaro said: The Locarno Film Festival has always stood by freedom of artistic expression and thought. A place where cinema art is celebrated in all its manifestations, with respect for individual beliefs. We call for the release of Ali Ahmadzadeh and the respect of his physical and mental integrity and dignity as human being and artist.

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The post Jason Aldean Glorifies Attack on Anti-Segregationist Reporter in Try That in a Small Town Lyric Video appeared first on Consequence.

Jason Aldean has rejected claims that his latest single Try That in a Small Town stokes violence against left-wing and Black Lives Matter protestors, even though the song features threatening lyrics and is accompanied by a music video filmed on the site of an actual lynching. Now, a viral TikTok has uncovered a previously unreported lyric video for Try That in a Small Town that glorifies an attack on anti-segregationist reporter in a small town in Jim Crow-era Mississippi.

In a video shared on Saturday, TikTok user dannyfcollins scrutinized a promotional clip posted on May 19th from the lyric video via Aldeans TikTok account. By matching portions of visible text from a newspaper clipping, the internet sleuth was able to trace the source to a May 1956 issue of the now-defunct Petal Paper based in Petal, Mississippi, described by the Library of Congress as a small-town newspaper with local news and advertisements.

The press clipping used in the video appears to be taken from a letter to the editor, Percy Dale P.D. East, who regularly unleashed a barrage of screwball satire to ridicule segregation, white supremacy, and massive resistance to integration according to Mississippi Encyclopedia. In the letter, an NAACP public relations consultant inquired about the reaction from Easts hometown after his publishing of a full-page, anti-segregation advertisement that had gained national attention. In his response, East notes harassment and a loss of over 200 subscriptions.

By the end of 1956, and after East defiantly reprinted the advertisement that August, The Petal Paper had lost all of its local subscribers and advertisers but was buoyed financially by its national circulation. In 1964, the publication was forced to relocate from its titular small-town to Fairhope, Alabama, but eventually shut down in 1972.

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In his initial response, Aldean defended the singles music video, which was filmed in front of a Tennessee courthouse once used as a lynching site, by claiming that there isnt a single video clip that isnt real news footage. However, his response fails to explain why he spotlighted the pieces of media that he did  in this case, a nearly 70-year old example of a small town quite literally exiling an anti-segregationist.

He was ostracized from community, he was spat on, he was threatened with violence because he tried that in a small town, dannyfcollins concluded. He challenged the southern racist establishment.

Several members of the music community have spoken out against Aldeans sad excuse for a racist dog-whistle single, from Sheryl Crow to Jason Isbell.

@dannyfcollins Thank you to my followers who tag me. All Im saying is lets get real. To everyone supporting Jason Aldean what else do you need to see or hear? Accept accountability and do better. #fyp #endracism #jasonaldean  original sound  Danny Collins

@jasonaldeanmusic Got another new one coming at yall! To me, this song summarizes the way a lot people feel about the world right now. It seems like there are bad things happening on a daily basis, and that feels unfamiliar to a lot of us. This song sheds some light on that. Go give it a listen! #newmusic #countrymusic #jasonaldean  Try That In A Small Town  Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean Glorifies Attack on Anti-Segregationist Reporter in Try That in a Small Town Lyric Video

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Actor-director Julio Torres didnt appear in-person at the Outfest screening of his upcoming comedy Problemista, but he did send a message to the audience.

Hello, fellow queers, Torres began in a video that played before the start of Problemista on Saturday night. Before it rolled, the LGBTQIA+ film festival in Los Angeles explained that Torres recorded the message shortly before SAG-AFTRA went on strike on July 14, with instructions to play it if the walkout prevented him from attending the event.

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If youre seeing this, it only means one thing and that is that my union went on strike. So, I am not there [at Outfest] in solidarity, he said. When picking a side between fellow artists and the interest of corporations and their millionaire, billionaire CEOs, the choice was, how do you say, uh, easy.

Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton in Problemista

As Deadline reported exclusively on Friday, A24 has indefinitely postponed the planned August 4 release of Problemista as a result of the actors strike. Torres, best known for the HBO comedic series Los Espookys, makes his directorial debut with the film in which he stars alongside Oscar winner Tilda Swinton. He plays Alejandro, an immigrant from El Salvador who loses a job at cryogenics company Freeze Corp, threatening his ability to obtain a green card to work in the U.S. In a twist, Elizabeth (Swinton) a mercurial woman whose husband has been frozen at the lab, offers employment to Alejandro. But Elizabeth proves almost impossible to work with.

Problemista premiered at SXSW in March and went on to screen at the Provincetown Film Festival and Oak Cliff Film Festival before heading to Outfest. In his video message, Torres noted, The idea of asserting your humanity to a corporation and the systems that they uphold, is a sentiment very, very dear to my heart as  no spoilers  you are about to see.

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Read up on the strike  though youre in LA, so youre probably like, We know what youre talking about, he added with his deceptive deadpan delivery. And happy belated Pride Thank you so much for coming. Um, Union Strong. Have a good day.

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Given the historical and psychological complexity of Oppenheimer  the biopic thriller about physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the father of the atomic bomb  director Christopher Nolan and go-to cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema ventured into uncharted territory with the large-format IMAX camera to explore the landscape of faces. Specifically, the faces of Oppenheimer and Admiral Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), a major figure in the development of nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

To help achieve a more intimate spectacle, redefining portraits and close-ups for 70mm IMAX, Nolan divided the film into separate perspectives and timelines: He called Oppenheimers Fission (in color) and Strauss Fusion (in black-and-white), in keeping with the quantum physics theme.

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This was a three-hour-long movie about faces, van Hoytema told IndieWire. And our challenge was to be able to get closer with the camera to make those faces become our landscape, and to make those faces interesting enough for the audience to become captivated by them.

However, shooting close-ups in IMAX was harder, technically, than capturing the vistas of Los Alamos, New Mexico, where Oppenheimer oversaw the creation of the atomic bomb as part of The Manhattan Project. Van Hoytema usually relied on tight 80mm lenses for close-ups, but he needed to get closer than 6 feet for greater intimacy. With no available lenses, Panavision lens specialist Dan Sasak supplied and adapted Hasselblad, Panavision Sphero 65, and Panavision System 65 lenses for Oppenheimer.

Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy on the set of Oppenheimer

As with Dunkirk and Tenet, though, it was impractical to shoot entirely in 65mm IMAX, given the noisy camera and the dialogue-driven nature of Oppenheimer. Van Hoytema shot with the IMAX MKIV, IMAX MSM 9802, and Panavision Panaflex System 65 Studio cameras. But he shot IMAX whenever possible for optimal resolution and immersion. The film is playing in a record number of 70mm IMAX theaters: 30 worldwide, including 19 in the U.S. and six in Canada.

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Kodak supplied 65mm film for the 15-perf IMAX and 5-perf Panavision cameras: 250D (5207) and 500T (5219) color negative and Double-X (5222) black-and-white negative. Yet large-format black-and-white film was a first for Kodak  and how they finished it for use in the IMAX camera was a challenge. This required a partnership between Kodak/FotoKem/IMAX and Panavision to support the 65mm black-and-white workflow.

Apart from a few surreal moments imagined by Oppenheimer, van Hoytema went for period naturalism in conveying the contrasting personalities and emotions of Oppenheimer and Strauss. Dramatically, the film pitted the celebrated and controversial physicist, burdened with becoming Prometheus incarnate for his weapon of mass destruction, against a rising star of the industrial/military complex seized by ambitions of power and glory. What extraordinary performances and iconic faces van Hoytema had to work with.

Oppenheimer

The actors, of course, make my life a lot easier, he said. Im not asked to make something magically work. Theyre very much film actors and they honed their performances. They have a very good understanding of that intimacy and what the camera sees.

Referencing large portrait photography was essential for van Hoytema. There was definitely creative latitude, but youre portraiting what could play in the head of your main character, he added. You have to be very much character driven but almost impure towards your characters.

Photographing in black-and-white, though, required more control with lighting. Fortunately, van Hoytema relied on what he learned about the process as a student at the odz Film School in Poland. Its raw and it very quickly looks concept-y and aesthetical, he said. The reason for the black-and-white was very much a way of separating those two narratives, so that on an intuitive level you could easily jump from one to the other. In a way, we had already done that with the blue and the red color coding in Tenet. Black-and-white seemed a very obvious way to do it in this film.

Oppenheimer

But 65mm black-and-white didnt exist, so the director and cinematographer asked Kodak if they would be able to produce it. After months and months of trial and error, said van Hoytelma, they came back with several cans that had handwritten labels that we then could run through our cameras. We thought this was gonna be the end of our engineering and we were gonna ask them to produce enough film for us.

But then we had to figure out the cameras, he continued. They dont run the film through as they shoot because the emulsion is different and the backing of the film is different. So Panavision and IMAX had to re-engineer the cameras, especially the pressure plates. And FotoKem, the lab, had to come up with all kinds of different things, and the planning, and the infrastructure. When could we do black-and-white and when could we do color, and how are we going to plan our shoot around what we can achieve in the lab?

Aside from the vast landscape of Los Alamos, where Oppenheimer felt most at home, the locations consisted of small spaces, which often became a psychological pressure cooker for the physicist. They all represent different moments of his life, different moments in his development, different states of emotionality, the cinematographer said. So that is something that we were very enslaved to with the camera.

Oppenheimer screenshot/Universal Pictures

There are unforgettable IMAX close-ups throughout, including Oppenheimer observing the successful Trinity atomic blast and the sense of horror during his celebratory address in the Los Alamos gym after the Japanese surrender. This is when he imagines the radioactive fallout from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. For this, van Hoytema was able to leverage the power and controllability of LED tech along with back projection with the help of VFX to manipulate the image so that it gradually vibrated as the scene progressed.

Strauss, who battled his own demons, expresses dread in a close-up while driving in a car on the way to a meeting about the Soviet nuclear threat with Oppenheimer and the Atomic Energy Commission. Its about lightness and darkness and your contrast is a little higher, and you have to overcome that a little bit by sometimes lighting it more aggressively, van Hoytema said.

But the most sublime Oppenheimer close-up, beside the lake at Princeton, was also one of the hardest. You do a shot like that and everybody feels the weight, said van Hoytema. We tried some different things. I worked with some bounces, I moved some negative around, and somehow all our feelings culminate and all our working together shake hands at that moment.

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Book stackers at a Staten Island library found themselves in the middle of a mystery worthy of a best-selling novel.

Librarian Sydel Vergara was putting books away at the Mariners Harbor branch earlier this month when she noticed a thick envelope stuck between the pages of an obscure page turner.

She looked inside the unsealed envelope and found more than $1,200 in cash.

The citys public libraries had long ago done away with overdue fines, and although their customer service was good, Vergara knew it wasnt a tip.

So she contacted the branch manager, who reached out to the New York Public Librarys security division, and together they hatched a plan to return the missing money.

It was a pretty thick envelope, said Elizabeth Smith, the branch manager. The book didnt fully close. We said, Oh, theres something in there. It had a receipt. It looked like it might have been a withdrawal.

Vergara and Smith saw a partial name on the envelope and forwarded it to William McLaughlin, the librarys assistant director of security, along with details about the book, Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mewd, which, fittingly, is a mystery thriller.

It didnt hurt that McLaughlin was a retired detective sergeant who had spent 20 years unraveling far more complex cases for the NYPD.

He knew that patrons who put in requests can borrow books from other branches, and he traced the likely borrower to the librarys Ephiphany Branch at E. 23rd St. on Manhattans East Side.

McLaughlin used every trick in the book and learned that the patron was a 73-year-old woman with no cell phone or email address. The former detective reached her on a landline, identified himself, and asked if she had misplaced anything recently.

I guess she thought we were looking for the book, he said.

The woman told him about the missing cash, and when she confirmed the amount, the grizzled detective made her cry.

We have your money, he said.

The woman, who does not want to be identified, was overjoyed.

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I thought it was lost forever, she told him, and chalked the incident up to a senior moment.

The woman had withdrawn the money to help pay her rent and other bills, he said. She even went to church and prayed that shed get the money back.

McLaughlin met the woman near her apartment building, and after he checked her identification  you cant be too careful, he said  he gave her the cash and invited her into his car to count it.

I didnt want her counting the money on the street, he said.

The grateful woman came bearing thank you gifts: a sandwich for him and roses for the librarian and the branch manager.

My local library staff are unfailingly patient and helpful on my weekly visits, the woman said in a statement. Elizabeth Smith is an outstanding library hero to me for honesty above and beyond the call of duty. She restores my faith in the compassion and caring of the individual and reinforced my trust in the staff at The New York Public Library.

McLaughlin said he ate his sandwich right there in the car before he brought the flowers to Staten Island.

You dont really get that from that many people, McLaughlin said. It was almost like I really knew her. We definitely developed a little rapport with each other. It was a happy ending.
South Dakota inmate Chris Chipps and his wife, Jade, bookend this first episode by highlighting some troubling elements of their relationship.

We TV's "Love During Lockup" premiered Friday, and Chris and Jade Chipps, a South Dakota couple featured in the show, got the ball rolling on this season's first episode.

"Love During Lockup" is a reality series that follows inmates and their partners on the other side of the bars as they navigate the trials and travails of their relationships.

More: South Dakota inmate known for TikTok videos to be featured on We TVs 'Love During Lockup'

After a short preview of this season's couples, the Chipps kicked-off the show by introducing us to their lifestyle. Chris, while behind bars, supports his spouse with lavish purchases: a Cadillac SUV, a camper, a utility terrain vehicle and their home in Naples, Florida, where they'll live once his prison term ends.

But this led Jessica, Jade's sister to ask a pointed question: "Is he, like, trying to buy your love?"

The Chipps' finances are an early theme

The episode shifted to the Chipps' Naples home, where Jade and her mother, Maritza, were preparing to host a birthday party for Jessica.

Jade picked up a call from Chris, who is residing at the Rapid City Minimum Center, a minimum-security male facility.

More: South Dakota's 'TikTok-famous' inmate is ready for a new chapter in life

The show then moved to a confessional with Jade, where she explained how she met her husband through a prison pen pal program and married seven months later.

"I won't deny that, you know, I am crazy, but I didn't go into this thinking that I was going to fall in love with an inmate. I went into it thinking it would be cool to do a pen pal thing and get to know someone," Jade said. "When I first saw Chris on the prison pen pal page, my reaction was, 'Wow, he's super sexy. How is someone this handsome in prison?'"

Chris then insisted he would call back during the party about an hour later. Jade said she would likely be busy celebrating with the party-goers but hesitantly agreed.

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While getting ready for the party, Jade's friends, Laci and Carrie, stopped by the house.

The pair pointed to a new, "expensive" couch, which Jade revealed Chris also bought.

Jade explained in another confessional that Chris is one-quarter Native American and an enrolled member of the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Tribe in Minnesota. The tripe operates Treasure Island Resort and Casino near Hastings.

Related: Whitney: Inmate's generosity rings true

Through profit-sharing funds, Chris "gets $10,000 to $12,000 per month," Jade explained, which she has access to through a joint bank account.

Jade explains Chris' criminal record, says husband 'will get out in 2024'

After welcoming the newly-arrived guests, Jade, Laci and Carrie rendezvous poolside to enjoy some drinks.

Some personal questions arose regarding Chris' past.

"Why, if he has money, did he steal?" Carrie asked.

Jade responded her husband was "a huge drug addict [and] he was into meth" before explaining the original incident that landed Chris a 31-year prison sentence.

Chris was convicted of one count of second-degree burglary and four counts of identity theft after breaking into a Whitewood couple's home in 2014, where he stole rare medications and tools and attempted to use a stolen credit card. Chris was also found guilty on a grand theft charge after swiping car keys from an man in Meade County, who had interviewed him for a job in April 2014, and stealing his vehicle about two months later.

Jade then claimed Chris will only serve a portion of that sentence and "will get out in 2024."

Adding on to her friends' astonishment, Jade then admitted her husband is a habitual offender and claimed Chris has been to prison "seven times."

"I'm going to change him. I can fix him," Jade said, playfully.

Jade has 'Chris tattoos,' Chris has trust issues

The episode then fast-forwards to the night of the party, where friends and family welcome Jessica as she arrives to the Naples home to celebrate her 30th birthday.

After uncorking a few bottles of Dom Perignon  a guest could be heard saying "Thank you, Chris," possibly alluding to another purchase on behalf of the South Dakota inmate  Jade's phone started buzzing, with Chris on the other line.

Jade, who is busy rolling out a roomba with a cardboard cut-out of her husband attached to the top of it, missed the call.

One of the guests asked Jade if she has a "Chris tattoo." Jade pointed to her one on her forearm before revealing to the party she also has a second ink  this one is in a more compromising area.

"You have a 'Chris tattoo' on your a--?" Scott, Jade's father, asked.

The spectacle didn't impress Jessica, however, who said she was "not a [expletive] fan."

Jessica explained during a confessional that, while "Jade loves Chris, and Chris loves Jade," Chris has trust issues with his spouse.

Jessica's testimony becomes relevant when the party moves indoors. Jade, who left her phone on a kitchen counter, noticed she had multiple missed calls from Chris.

With Jade near her phone, she finally noticed a video-call from Chris. After picking up, a frustrated Chris questions why Jade was unable to pick up the phone earlier.

Chris then scolded his wife in front of friends and family, saying, "Any time you have a party or are doing something, you clearly never answer ... the phone."

A camera zooms out to show several guests looking uncomfortable as Chris probes Jade about the amount of alcohol she's consumed over the course of the night.

"Clearly, drinking is going to be an issue if you can't answer the phone while you're drinking," Chris said.

Annoyed, Jade replied she can't pick up the phone for every one of Chris' calls. Jade then fired back at Chris before ending the call.

"Maybe you should just stop calling so much," Jade said.

Jade's mother: 'Do I think they're in a toxic relationship? Yes.'

About 30 minutes later in the episode, the show returns to the Jessica's birthday scene shortly after Jade hangs up on Chris. Jade accepts a shot of whiskey from Carrie. While preparing the drink, Chris calls back, but Jade sends him to her voicemail.

Jade's mother, Maritza, sets up the ending arc of this first episode. Maritza asked herself during a confessional, "Do I think they're in a toxic relationship?"

After weighing the question for several seconds, Maritza said "yes." She then stepped and turned away from the camera to clear teary eyes.

The show then shifted focus to a virtual confessional with Chris, who admitted he has trust issues, which he blamed on his upbringing.

"My guess would be from the way that I was raised, being around my mother, who was an exotic dancer and having boyfriends," Chris said. "I've seen them use my mother, but then I've seen my mother turn around and do the same to them. So I've seen the shadiness of women, and I think that's made me have a lot of insecurities and trust issues with women in general."

Jessica thinks Jade is in it for Chris' money

The scene shifts to an outdoor conversation between Jessica and Johanna, Jade's sister, where the former vents to the latter about Chris' antics.

"He better not call again," Jessica said. "If he does, I'll be so pissed. He cannot ruin my birthday."

Jessica explained Chris has a habit of encouraging Jade to plan outings but later "ruin" them by constantly calling her and even her friends and family throughout the event.

Jessica also suggested her sister merely tolerates her inmate husband for her money and added she would "easily walk away" if Chris didn't receive his tribe's casino profits.

As the sisters, whom affectionately call each other "Jardashians," gossip by the poolside, Jade and her friends discuss the situation indoors.

Chris begins to call various guests at the party. First, Carrie's phone lights up. Laci's phone buzzed shortly thereafter.

'I'm going to be honest: Every time he does this to me, it freaks me out," Laci said.

Jessica continued to express her worries to Johanna, particularly when it comes to Chris' release. Jessica warned, "It's not going to be good" if Chris' behavior doesn't change once he's released.

Johanna suggested Jessica should take Jade aside for a "heart-to-heart, come to Jesus" discussion.

"Chris and Jade's relationship is [expletive] crazy," Jessica said during a confessional. "I am the sister that's very protective, and if Chris hurts my sister, he will be over with. I will literally rip her out of that marriage. Absolutely."

The episode then cuts to Jade and Jessica standing with the Chris cut-out. Jessica kicks the cardboard in its corrugated groin, and the scene ends on a flat Chris floating face-up in the pool.

The next episode of "Love During Lockup" will air at 8 p.m. Friday CDT on We TV.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 'Love During Lockup' recap, Ep. 1: South Dakota inmate kicks-off new season
In the Republic of Dagestan, the largest in the North Caucasus, anti-Russian slogans have appeared on the streets. Unidentified activists are spreading signs reading "North Ossetia without Russia".

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The relevant photos were published on Monday, 24 July, by the local Telegram channel Morning Dagestan. The published images show that the authors used a stencil for their graffiti.

Some of them used dark red "bloody" paint for the word "Russia".

"Even so? Wow!" the Telegram community captioned the photos. It is not specified where the footage was taken.

We would like to add that Dagestan is considered the most rebellious republic within the aggressor country of Russia.

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As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- The Times believes that the incomplete coup d'etat, launched by the owner of the Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, is the starting point for the collapse of the Russian Federation into separate sovereign republics.

- Politico also noted that Prigozhin's rebellion showed the fragility of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's power and the possibility of his regime's fall.

- In July, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, commenting on the detention of terrorist Igor Girkin (Strelkov) in Moscow, stated that "the inhabitants of the Kremlin towers are moving into an active phase of internal confrontation".

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Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Matt Damon has no qualms about kissing and telling.

The movie star dished on one of his most hellish kissing scene experiences during a press appearance on LADbible with his Oppenheimer co-star Emily Blunt.

The two were discussing etiquette for intimate scenes, when Damon talked about a time he had to kiss Scarlett Johansson in the 2011 film We Bought a Zoo.

Could you imagine how horrible that was for me? Damon quipped, joking that the experience was hell.

Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon attend the

Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon attend the "We Bought a Zoo" premiere on Dec. 12, 2011, in New York City.

What happened was, we did a shot before lunch, and it was like this nice little two-shot that ended in the kiss. And it was really good, the Bourne Identity star said. And we went to lunch, and she and I both thought it was over.

And she ate, like, an onion sandwich for lunch, Damon continued. And she came in and Cameron Crowe had set the camera up and it was a tight shot of the kiss, and she goes, Oh shit! I literally just had an onion sandwich!

Blunt asked if Damon was still slightly aroused by kissing Johansson with her onion breath.

I was making fun of her the entire time about her onion breath, which I didnt even smell, he said before laughing and adding, Cause her breath smells like roses.

Blunt made it clear that theres a kind of process actors should adhere to while filming intimate scenes.

You gotta brush your teeth, use some mouthwash, stick some gum on the roof of your mouth, and then we can kiss, she said, as Damon agreed.

While Johansson hasnt yet told her side of the onion kissing debacle, she has made it clear that theres one co-star she would gladly kiss again.

I would go round 2 with Penelope Cruz, she told Vogue for a video in 2019, name-dropping her Vicky Cristina Barcelona co-star.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markles neighbor claims his attempts to welcome the couple to their Montecito neighborhood went wrong when the couple rejected his advances. The former Royals purchased their $15 million California home in 2020 after leaving the United Kingdom, though the latest reports say theres another big move in their future soon.

Per The Independent, Frank McGinity, an 88-year-old US Navy veteran, said that he has been neighbors with the Sussexes since they first moved into the area and shared an account of his attempted neighborly gesture in his memoir, Get Off Your Street. In it, he claims he tried to gift Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, some films he made about the history of the local area that they were about to call home.

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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

I have a big house next to Harry and Meghans property and I live in the guest house while renting the main house out on Airbnb, he writes, Harry and Meghan live on old McCormick property and I went up to their gate with the films on a CD, but they werent interested. He claims he lives just a tiaras toss or two away from the couple but their security team was still quick to turn him away.

The gate guy turned me away and wouldnt take the film, just saying theyre not interested. I was trying to be neighborly, he said. He added: We dont see them very much around here. Its surprising they came here. People are typically older. Its where the elephants come to die.

Click here to read the full article.

If recent reports are to be believed, McGinity need not worry about an awkward run-in with the couple at a neighborhood barbecue or Home Owners Association meeting as sources are claiming the two have their sights set on a new California neighborhood. Harry and Meghan are reviewing their living options with Malibu being a place of interest, a source recently told Express, noting that the couple would be cutting down their commute to Los Angeles due to Malibus more central location compared to the multi-hour trek from Montecito. They have secretly visited the area a couple of times and have been out and about, looking at whats there. It is uncertain if they will sell Montecito or just add a Malibu spot to buy. The move consideration comes as Meghan is shifting gears and focus back to Hollywood with WME.

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Before you go, click here to see more of Meghan Markle & Prince Harrys milestones since leaving the royal family.

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Quavo, a member of the rap group Migos, was among the passengers on a yacht that was allegedly robbed Sunday night in Miami.

The Miami Beach Police Department is investigating a reported strong-arm robbery aboard the vessel, according to Local 10. Miami Police were called first to the yacht on the Miami River around 9 p.m.

Quavo, 32, whose real name is Quavious Keyate Marshall, was one of the passengers on the rented boat when the crew said it needed to be returned.

Cornell Whitfield, 39, of Texas, and Anteneh Workeneh, 32, of Georgia, allegedly became very aggressive toward the crew and demanded a refund.

The boat captain told police that Whitfield threatened to kill him and throw him overboard if the boat turned around. Whitfield allegedly took the captains wallet and cellphone and threatened to kill another crew member if the rental money wasnt returned.

Someone was able to notify the boats owner who called police.

When police arrived, multiple people were questioned but no arrests were made because witnesses gave conflicting statements regarding whether or not Whitfield followed the crew member when they went to a different room to get the rental money and whether people saw Whitfield take the captains cellphone and wallet.

Police said Quavo was not one of the aggressors in the incident. An attorney for the rapper told NBC 6 South Florida that Quavo did not witness the dispute.

Two firearms were found at the scene, but police said no threats were made with the guns.

The incident comes less than a year since Migos member Takeoff, legal name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was fatally shot outside a Houston bowling alley. Quavo and Offset, the third member of the group, reportedly fought backstage at the 2023 Grammys before a tribute to the slain rapper, but have since reconciled.


(No 10 Downing Street)

Ukraine's NATO membership has been a topic of constant debate since Russia began its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. In 1994, Ukraine became a Partnership for Peace member to create trust and cooperation with NATO members and other former Soviet states. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained adamant about his nation's NATO membership, admitting Ukraine into the alliance while it is at war is a challenge. Still, leaders are confident that Ukraine will become a member soon.

On September 30, 2022, Ukraine submitted its application to NATO. However, full membership is unlikely to happen in the near future as long as Ukraine is at war. Article 5 of the treaty states that an attack against a NATO country "shall be considered an attack against them all." Under the current terms of the treaty, Ukraine's admission would trigger a war between all NATO members and Russia. However, NATO leaders have made it easier for Ukraine to join.

The Vilnius NATO Summit was also attended by Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

On July 11 and 12, 2023, at the Vilnius Summit in Lithuania, alliance leaders agreed on a three-element package to bring Ukraine closer to NATO. Ukraine has been working to evolve its military from Soviet-era training and equipment to their standards. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a press release that a new, multi-year assistance program will "help rebuild Ukraine's security and defense sector, and to cover critical needs like fuel, demining equipment and medical supplies."

The second element of the package establishes a NATO-Ukraine Council. This will be a forum for crisis consultations and decision making where all members will meet as equals. "I look forward to having the inaugural meeting of the Council tomorrow with President Zelenskyy," Stoltenberg said on the first day of the summit. Third, NATO leaders agreed to remove the Membership Action Plan requirement for Ukraine. "This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process," Stoltenberg said. "We also made it clear that we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when allies agree, and conditions are met."

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sunak and US President Biden at the Vilnius NATO Summit (No 10 Downing Street)

In addition to reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine, NATO leaders approved new defense plans for the alliance. "These [plans] are designed to counter the two main threats we face: Russia and terrorism," Stoltenberg noted. The plans put 300,000 NATO troops at a high state of readiness, including air and naval forces. NATO countries also agreed to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.
Did you know that in 2002, the Thai government launched the Global Thai Program to increase the number of Thai restaurants worldwide? The gastrodiplomacy initiative has given us many choices of restaurants to celebrate the explosive flavors of Thai cuisine.

I have friends who claim they could eat Thai food every day due to its fusion of salty, sweet, sour, bitter and spicy characteristics with Chinese, Japanese and Indian influences.

I dont know if Krua Thai Restaurant in Stuart is a product of the Thai initiative, but it is certainly a star representative of this wonderful food.

All things food: New restaurants, reviews, inspections & best bets

At Krua Thai in Stuart, the sweet and sour chicken has onions, pineapple, carrots and tomatoes in a delicious, luxuriant sauce.

The restaurant's decor is very pleasing. A beautiful gold and silver statue sits at the front, welcoming visitors into her home. The space is adorned with red accent walls, a large carved teak panel, wicker chandeliers, rosewood-colored tables, and wood chairs with creamy leather seats. The tables are set with simple placemats and white plates edged with colorful orchids. The staff is gracious, attentive and knowledgeable.

Appetizers include gyoza, edamame, calamari, dumplings, and crab rangoon. We started with two appetizers. The spring rolls ($5) were rice and vegetables wrapped in a thin dough and deep fried until golden and crispy. The menu said they were served with a sweet, thick plum sauce, but we were served a sauce that was tart and vinegary. We also ordered chicken satay ($12). Thin slices of chicken were skewered and grilled. The chicken was a bit chewy, but the peanut sauce was very tasty.

Krua Thai Restaurant offers: chefs specials such as spicy seafood pad cha, soft shell crab ginger, and fish in tamarind sauce; curry dishes such as panang and massaman; wok-cooked noodles; fried rice; bowls; and entrees such as cashew nut, ginger and vegetables, and spicy basil with your choice of meat, fish, shrimp or tofu.

At Krua Thai in Stuart, the Titanic beef noodles soup was a large bowl generously filled with pieces of beef, savory meatballs, rice noodles, bean sprouts and scallions in a beef broth.

One of my friends ordered Phuket noodles ($16), which can include either meat, seafood, duck or tofu. Angel hair noodles were swimming in a creamy, sweet, coconut broth with bean sprouts and topped with a fried egg. This was a comforting, flavorful dish.

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Another friend ordered crispy duck ($30), which was an excellent choice. The skin on the pieces of bronzed duck were crispy, and the meat was tender and delectable with a delightful sauce on the side. The meat was positioned on a bed of fragrant jasmine rice and bright green broccoli.

My husband loves the contrasts of sweet and sour dishes. His choice was sweet and sour chicken ($17), which was served with toothsome brown rice. The dish had onions, pineapple, carrots and tomatoes in a delicious, luxuriant sauce sweetened with brown sugar and soured with vinegar. The chicken was tender and plentiful.

At Krua Thai in Stuart, the tender and delectable crispy duck was served with a delightful sauce on the side.

I ordered from the Supper Bowl portion of the menu. A large bowl of Titanic beef noodles soup ($18) was generously filled with pieces of beef, savory meatballs, rice noodles, bean sprouts and scallions in a beef broth. The slices of beef were tender and abundant, but  based on the name of the dish  I had hoped for a more robust and spicy soup. A drizzle of soy sauce kicked the umami up a notch or two.

Whether or not Krua Thai Restaurant is a product of Thailand's effort to encourage entrepreneurs to bring the country's bold, complex cuisine to the rest of the world, the Treasure Coast is fortunate to have this relaxed, homey restaurant to call its own. Krua Thai, which means Thai Kitchen, stands out with its beautiful but simple ambience, fresh ingredients, flavorful dishes and conscientious staff.

Krua Thai Restaurant

Cuisine: Thai

Address: 3283 S.E. Federal Highway, Stuart

Phone: 772-600-8114

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday through Friday; 4:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Alcohol: Beer and wine

Online: kruathaiofstuart.com

Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at Lucie@theloveofcooking.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Restaurant review: Krua Thai in Stuart is stellar example of cuisine
The Santa Barbara News-Press, which bills itself as the longest running daily newspaper in Southern California, has ceased publication.

Ampersand Publishing LLC, the entity that owns the paper, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or liquidation, on Friday, with estimated assets of up to $50,000 and liabilities between $1,000,001 and $10 million, according to court records. The bankruptcy was approved by the LLC on May 1, with Wendy McCaw, who has owned the paper since 2000, as the authorized agent.

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The News-Press went all digital a month ago, and its website currently features no stories since Friday.

The Santa Barbara Independent reported that Managing Editor Dave Mason wrote in an email to employees, I have some bad news. Wendy filed for bankruptcy on Friday. All of our jobs are eliminated, and the News-Press has stopped publishing. They ran out of money to pay us. They will issue final paychecks when the bankruptcy is approved in court.

The News-Press has published for more than 150 years, but it has undergone years of turbulence since McCaw bought it from The New York Times Co. In 2006, six editors and a columnist resigned in protest of interference from McCaw in the editorial process. The was followed by an exodus of dozens of additional staffers, as well as a vote by remaining newsroom employees to unionize with the Teamsters.

The attorney representing Ampersand did not immediately return a request for comment.

The News-Presss bankruptcy filing comes amid ever-increasing troubles for medium- and large- sized city papers in general, struggling with the loss of multiple advertising bases not rectified with the move to digital. Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have held multiple hearings on the demise of local media, but legislation to try to boost publishers against tech giants have yet to advance to the House or Senate floor.

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Mark Graham lived to tell the tale of his encounter with a "super inquisitive" great white shark that nibbled on his GoPro camera during a dive

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A United Kingdom resident has a shark tale you have to see to believe  luckily, the shocking interaction was caught on camera.

According to The New York Post, Mark Graham recently took a sea trip that could have turned deadly. While embarking on a Great White Shark Cage Diving Crew tour in South Africa, as the tour's videographer, he came face to face with an apex predator. "People seem to love the clip," the 31-year-old said of the great white shark footage, which is currently making its rounds on social media.

The unforgettable expedition took place in Klein Brak, Mossel Bay. Graham's GoPro Hero camera was recording when the great white appeared before the dive group. The device captured the aquatic inhabitant opening its large mouth, baring rows of razor-sharp teeth,

In the clip, the shark swims up to Graham in the murky South African waters. Per National Geographic, great whites can reach over 20 feet in length and weigh more than 4,000 pounds. Their massive muscles and mouth allow them to wreak havoc on their prey.

Related: Shark Week Started 35 Years Ago and the Reason Why May Surprise Animal Lovers (Exclusive)

However, Graham described his shark encounter as "gentle" and "super inquisitive." After approaching the diver, the shark lightly nudged the GoPro Hero attached to his head and swam away.

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"Their electro receptors can pick up the GoPro, so they get super curious and come in close to investigate," Graham told Media Drum World, per the New York Post. "It was an incredibly gentle interaction from the shark. It was just trying to figure out what the strange electrical thingy in the water was."

Graham added that others who saw the incident may have been "freaked out," but he appreciated the rare moment.

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"Having such a personal and gentle interaction with such a big animal felt extremely captivating," he confessed. And although movies like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea may not paint the predators in the best light, the U.K. diver wants individuals to respect the deep sea creatures.

Related: Calif. Surfers Warned About Aggressive Otter After Animal Is Filmed Attacking Surfboards  Watch!

"I think humans have an instinctive fear of what they can't see and don't understand. If you get the chance to see them in the wild, go and see them, I guarantee your perception will change," he said earlier this year after a similar encounter.

While Graham made it through his shark experience untouched, a Florida resident can't say the same. On July 14, Chris Pospisil, a University of Central Florida student, had a near-fatal interaction with a shark. The 21-year-old was surfing with his friend Reece Redish at New Smyrna Beach when a shark knocked him off his surfboard. The predator then latched onto the young man's foot.

"The shark came from under me, on my board, and tipped me backwards off my board, and I was falling backwards, I saw my foot in his mouth, and it dragged me under," Pospisil recalled as he spoke to FOX affiliate WOFL-TV. He credits Redish for helping him survive the terrifying ordeal.







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"Reece was already there, already on top of me, got me by my shirt, and pulled me on the board," Pospisil said. Once on shore, he hoped his injuries would be minimal. "I remember asking the lifeguard, 'Am I going to lose my foot?' He was like, 'I don't know, man,'" the college student added.

While noting that "The top of my foot is going to be numb in some areas for the rest of my life, and my foot might be stiff because they had to repair all seven tendons," Pospisil added that he is ready to return to the water. "It hasn't changed anything. I'm definitely going to keep surfing. It's my lifestyle, and it's something I love to do," he admitted.



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The 1975's Matty Healy protested Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws while performing in the country on Friday  and shared an extended kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald. The show was ended early and the group has been banned from performing in Malaysia in the future. (Photo: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns)

The 1975, the British pop-rock band fronted by Matty Healy, is facing a potential class-action lawsuit in the wake of its stage protest against Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws on Friday at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. The band has been banned from performing in the country and there's a police investigation into what happened. Homosexuality is a crime in Malaysia and punishable by up to 20 years in prison and caning.

According to NME, Malaysian attorney Matthew Thomas Philip announced the lawsuit on behalf of Malaysian artists and festival vendors against Healy and his bandmates  Ross MacDonald, George Daniel and Adam Hann over losses incurred by the remainder of the three-day festival being canceled. While international artists who had been booked were paid prior to the event, payment terms differ for local artists. They may not have been paid or received less than they were supposed to.

Thomas Philip called the protest  which saw Healy blasting Malaysia's "f***ing ridiculous" anti-gay laws and sharing a same-sex kiss with bassist Ross MacDonald  a "deliberate reckless act done knowing well [sic] of the consequences... My view is that the 1975 must be held responsible and accountable for the losses suffered by the artists and vendors." As of Tuesday, there were five artists and five vendors who joined the suit, which seeks general damages as well as exemplary and aggravated damages.

And other lawsuits could follow. A spokesperson for Future Sound Asia, which organized the festival, said it is "currently exploring legal options." Wan Alman, who runs the company, told Billboard the cancellation led to heavy financial losses this year  and it could limit future concerts in the country going forward.

Healy slammed Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws

Healy went off on Malaysia's anti-gay laws on Friday as the band headlined the fest lineup.

"I made a mistake," he told the crowd. "When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it. I don't 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."

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"I'm sorry if that offends you, and you're religious and it's part of your f***ing government," Healy continued. "I don't care anymore. If you push, I'm gonna push back."

He called it "f***ing ridiculous to tell people what they can do with that and that," pointing to his groin and mouth. "If you want to invite me here to do a show, you can f*** off. I'll take your money, you can ban me, but I've done this before and it doesn't feel good," said Healy, who previously protest of United Arab Emirates's anti-gay laws by kissing a male fan onstage in Dubai in 2019.

When he finished his remarks, which audience members cheered according to social media videos, MacDonald over to him and they shared a lengthy kiss. After, they continued to perform, but the group's set ended early.

"All right, we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur," Healy said of the abrupt end to the show. "See you later."

As a result of the kiss, the country's Ministry of Communications canceled the remainder of the festival, which was supposed to run all weekend with other acts including the Strokes. In a statement, it said the fest was "canceled following the controversial conduct and remarks made by U.K. artist Matty Healy from the band The 1975."

Malaysia's Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil wrote on Facebook, "There will be no compromise with any party that challenges, belittles or violates Malaysian laws."

Organizers said the group went against the terms of their deal by speaking, saying, "Prior to the festival, the 1975 management team reassured us that Healy and the band would adhere to local performance guidelines. Regrettably, Healy did not honor these assurances, despite our trust in their commitment. Healy's actions took us by complete surprise, and we halted the show as promptly as feasible following the incident."

The fallout continued. The agency that approves performances by foreign artists in Malaysia slammed the 1975 for "disrespecting the laws of the country," noting the band would be banned from performing in Malaysia in the future.

Local police announced an investigation into the protest, saying the incident "belittled Malaysia's laws." The band had departed the country before the report was lodged. As of Tuesday, there have been 18 police reports filed over the incident.

The group canceled two shows  in Indonesia and Taiwan  in the wake of the protest. They were supposed to perform at We The Fest in Jakarta on Sunday night as well as at the Taipei Music Center on Tuesday as part of their 2023 Asia tour. The change of plans  that the shows "will no longer be going ahead as planned" due to "current circumstances" leaving it "impossible to proceed"  was announced on social media.

The 1975 regret to announce that their forthcoming shows in Jakarta and Taipei will no longer be going ahead as planned.



Please see the official statement from the band. pic.twitter.com/XpZskFnyeD  We The Fest (@WeTheFest) July 23, 2023

And now, as we noted, the lawsuit  and potentially more. Alman, whose Future Sound Asia organized the festival, told Billboard that Healy's manager "had acknowledged in writing that Matt Healy would adhere to all local guidelines and regulations" prior to his performance. "Artists are briefed on the guidelines before the event."

No official word yet from the group, but backlash from some LGBTQ groups

As this plays out, there's been no official statement from the band. However, a source defended Healy in a statement obtained by multiple outlets, saying, "Matty has a long-time record of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and the community."

Healy did made light of the drama on Instagram, posting the festival cancellation announcement and writing, "Ok well why don't you try and not make out with Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks."

Matty Healy reacts to the Good Vibes festival in Malaysia getting cancelled as a result of his remarks against the countrys anti-LGBTQ+ laws and making out with his bandmate on stage:



Ok well why dont you try and not make out with Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks pic.twitter.com/LyiIaWSXl7  Pop Base (@PopBase) July 23, 2023

However, his protest has drawn criticism from some members of the country's LGBTQ community, including that it could lead to further discrimination.

Carmen Rose, a Malaysian drag performer, said, "What Matty Healy did, he thought he was doing something for us, but it's giving white savior complex. He thinks we need saving, he thinks we need fixing, when in reality we have queer organizations here already doing the work."

Some critics have also pointed out that the timing isn't great as it's a pivotal time politically in Malaysia, with it being just weeks before highly contested state elections.

"One can appreciate the meaning of Healy's protest, but I think the timing of it may not necessarily benefit folks," Thilaga Sulathireh, a founder of the LGBTQ group Justice for Sisters, told the Washington Post. "Political parties are currently campaigning, and we know LGBT issues are often scapegoated."

Healy has been in the news a lot this year  also due to a brief relationship with Taylor Swift. Many of her fans breathed a sigh of relief after their split as Healy is no stranger to controversy beyond these noted onstage protests. Swift's fans even wrote her an open letter asking her to address Healy's past behavior, but the relationship fizzled out before it came to that.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on July 24, 2023, and has been updated to include new information.
30 Overlooked 1992 Albums Turning 30

Chris Frantz has been essential in the shaping of music for the last four decades. In the 80s it was through the emergence of new wave with his seminal group, Talking Heads. In the 90s it was through the extensive sampling of his influential side-project-turned-main-project, Tom Tom Club, particularly 1981s Genius of Love. Inarguably the groups most recognizable song, it continues to inspire to the present day.

The first samples of Genius of Love showed up at the time of its release in 1981 with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Fives Its Nasty (Genius of Love). Mariah Careys 1995 multi-platinum No. 1 smash Fantasy was based entirely around Genius of Love. The following year, Mark Morrison used it for his international chart-topper, Return of the Mack. More recently, Lattos ubiquitous Big Energy tapped into the timeless appeal of Genius of Love.

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Drummer Frantz and his rhythm section dream-team bass-player wife Tina Weymouth have been collecting those songwriting checks throughout the years and he has said, It helped put our kids through college. The two have an idyllic existence in their longtime home in Connecticut from where they continue to have a global and local impact.

David Byrne, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz in 1976. (Credit: Linda D. Robbins/Getty Images)

Frantzs deliciously smack-talking memoir, Remain in Love: Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Tina, was published in 2020 by St. Martins Press. His unfiltered and unflattering descriptions of revered musicians such as Patti Smith, Johnny Ramone, and, of course, David Byrne are as shocking as they are riveting. Talking Heads wont be getting back together, but the groups standard-setting film, Stop Making Sense is being resurrected yet again when it will be re-released to theaters and IMAX by A24 Films this fall.

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On the last Friday of every month, Franz hits the airwaves via WPKN Community Radio in Downtown Bridgeport with his drive-time show (which can also be heard online), The Talking Head With Chris Frantz. Franz has also penned the liner notes for the debut album from Westport Librarys record label, Verso Records. A compilation featuring local emerging artists across the tri-state area, Verso Records: Volume One was recorded at the librarys Verso Studios. Frantz was involved with this years VersoFest, the librarys four-day music and media conference where he held in-depth conversations on stage with producer Steve Lillywhite and Psychedelic Furs Richard Butler.

Frantz has rocked a lot of peoples lives throughout the years and continues to do so. Here, he tells us what rocks his soul.

Getting Out On The Water

Whether on a motorboat, a sailboat, a kayak or a paddle board, theres no better way to clear your head and restore your vitality.

Paris, France

A city of unforgettable beauty, intimate cafes, night clubs and people who exercise the left side of their brain.

Festival International de Louisiane

Everyone knows about the Jazz Fest in New Orleans, but did you know about this festival in Lafayette, Louisiana? Great music from the region and around the world. Best of all, its free.

Tokyo, Japan

If youve never been, go. It will change your life.

1979 (Credit: Gus Stewart/Getty Images)

The Funk

If its good, you can feel it. If its great, you can smell it.

La Coupole

An elegant bar and brasserie on Boulevard Montparnasse in Paris. Its been a gathering place for artists of all types since 1927. Talking Heads dined with the Ramones there in the spring of 1977.

New Haven Pizza

With all due respect to New York City and Chicago, whether its Frank Pepes, Sallys Apizza or Modern Apizza, you will love these pies. Ill have the white clam.

The American South

I live in New England and I love it here but I always welcome a trip down South. Its good for the soul. The politics can be troublesome, but the local musicians, writers and chefs are truly wonderful. Enjoy the hospitality.

Caribbean Culture

Weve traveled all over the Caribbean but there is always another island to enjoy. Last December we visited Guadeloupe for the first time. Beautiful people, great rum, delicious cuisineeven from the funky little beach shacksand there is a volcano.

A Good Memoir

To read a good memoir written by an interesting person is always a pleasure. Allow me to recommend two.

Twentieth Century Boy, by the painter Duncan Hannah, is a fantastic account of the art and music scene in lower Manhattan in the 1970s.

Penned by Viv Albertine from The Slits, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys is a powerful account of her life during the birth of the punk movement in England. What was it like to sleep with Sid Vicious? Viv has the answer.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post 30 Overlooked 1992 Albums Turning 30 appeared first on SPIN.
The sale is valid on flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago.

Bai Xuefei/Getty Images

Air New Zealand is putting flights on sale from the United States to cities across Australia  helping to make the dream of a trip to Oz a reality.

The sale, which must be booked by Aug. 6, is valid on travel from several of Air New Zealands North American gateways including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and more, Air New Zealand shared with Travel + Leisure. Tickets during the sale start at just $1,195 and valid travel dates vary by destination and fare class.

Our nine Australian destinations are easily accessible from seven North American gateways, with a quick stop in Auckland, Ben Evers-Swindell, the airlines general manager, Americas, told T+L. Weve seen strong demand for travel to Australia out of the US, so were excited to offer our US customers reduced fares to Australia as part of our current North American sale.

Bai Xuefei/Getty Images

To take advantage of the sale, travelers must purchase their tickets at least 90 days in advance for economy or 120 days in advance for the Business Premier fare. A seven day minimum stay is required.

Fly from Los Angeles to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane starting at just $1,195, or fly from the southern California city to Perth starting at just $1,460. Travelers can fly to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane from San Francisco starting at $1,295, or fly to the major cities from Chicago starting at just $1,595.

Business class starts at $6,995 from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Air New Zealand also has deals on flights to Hobart, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, and Adelaide.

Air New Zealand flies direct to Auckland from Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Honolulu. From there, travelers can connect to flights to Australia. Currently, flights from New York, one of the longest flights in the world, are not on sale.

Earlier this year, Air New Zealand introduced a new Economy Stretch cabin class, which features 39 percent more legroom for a total seat pitch of 35 inches. The airline also offers a Skycouch in economy, which allows passengers to turn three seats into a makeshift bed.

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Next year, the airline plans to introduce an Economy Skynest, which will feature six sleeping pods passengers can take turns using complete with a full-size pillow, sheets and a blanket, ear plugs, a separate reading light, a personal device USB outlet, a ventilation outlet, and a seatbelt.

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Kremlin speaker Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the July 24 drone attack on Moscow. He noted that this issue is in the competence of the defense ministry of the terrorist state and noted that all UAVs were neutralized by air defense forces.

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At the same time, Russians online are outraged and demanding strikes on Kyiv. Peskov's opinion on the events in the Russian capital was asked by the Russian media (to watch the video, scroll to the end of the news).

"This is a question that concerns the Defense Ministry more. We can only state that today's drones have been neutralized," said the Russian dictator's spokesman.

The news is supplemented by.
Life is good on the Baltic Sea. The wine is flowing, the food has multi-cultural inspirations, and the people are proud to welcome you into their city. Riga holds the Guinness World Record for where the largest helping of potato salad ever served, so you know they value culinary experiences. Check out these five joints for your next glass of wine in this UNESCO World Heritage city.

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Garage - Art is alive and well at Garage. Each daily the chefs create a new menu of dishes dialed-in to pair with a range of world class wines. The wine program uncovers all rocks, investigates the nooks and crannies of Europe to feature small producers doing inspired work. Found inside the historic Berg Bazar shopping arcade, just a stone's throw from the University of Latvia. The name refers to a gas station built on site in the 1930s where shoppers were able to park their cars in the garage for shopping excursions. vinabars.lv

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Noble Wine Bar - Located in Riga's Art Nouveau district, Noble Wine Bar's emphasis is on the greatest producers from Europe - with an additional focus on wines from Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. Featuring over 400 references in the collection, Noble's aim is to tell engaging and inspiring stories of great wine producers every day of the year. noblewine.lv

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Le Magnum Bar - Owner Santa Bernahl has traveled the world in search of wine-stories worth telling. Her impressive resume includes working as senior wine specialist at Acker, Merrall & Condit Wine Merchants, studying at The Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London, studying winemaking at UC Davis, as well as owning Signature Wines - a boutique importer of Frances top wine & champagne brands to Baltic countries. Her passion for Champagne and Burgundy are synthesized perfectly into the program at Le Magnum, with an over 5,000-bottle wine list.

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Easy Wine - Featuring the first self-dispensing wine system in Latvia, Easy Wine makes your decision anything but easy. With 60 wines by-the-glass available, let's just say the proper decision is YES. Whether you're in the mood to taste every option or buy glasses, the exploration process will take you on a delicious journey in Vecriga (Old Riga.) The small but mighty food menu is consciously crafted to pair with a range of wines, inspired by Mediterranean tapas. easywine.lv

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Barents - With great pride in their Nordic origins, Barents wants every guest to celebrate by devouring the freshest, most exquisite produce and seafood from the Nordic region. Coupled with one of the deepest wine collections in Riga, the program pays ultimate respect to the soil, climate, and culture of where each wine is grown. This attention to detail comes from the ownership's background in fine dining, and the wine program is spearheaded by Kaspars Reitups: three-time Latvian and two-time Baltic Sommelier Champion. barents.lv
Ranked as one of the top 10 fashion capitals in the world, Shanghai is launching a major event this fall to celebrate global fashion design and the fashion industry  the Shanghai Gala.

Facing a challenging economic environment and todays complicated international relations, the fashion industry is experiencing a profound change and reshuffle. As the old order is being disrupted by an emerging new one, the global fashion industry is actively mobilizing its resources to ensure long-term development in the new landscape.

More from WWD

Looking at China, the importance of the market to the global fashion industry has long been self-evident. Since the country reopened after its pandemic-induced lockdowns, China has seen a string of visits from everyone from luxury titans like LVMHs Bernard Arnault and Kerings Francois-Henri Pinault to chief executive officers of major global fashion and beauty groups. Shanghai, as the first window to showcase Chinas designer fashions to the outside world, has become the first stop on their trips to the country. Its importance is heightened by the fact that it is also the city with the largest GDP in China, which leads the economic development of the country with its industrial restructuring.

Li Qiang, who was elected Chinas premier earlier this year, put forward the idea that there is design everywhere in the city, and there is design everywhere in life when he was the mayor of Shanghai at the time of the inaugural WDCC (World Design Capital Congress) last year. It is clear that Chinas leading industry firms are determined to make Shanghai a world-class design and fashion capital.

Despite the impact of COVID-19 last year, Shanghai still gathered international resources to highlight fashion trends, lifestyles, the industry and trade, including the Digital Shanghai Fashion Week; the fifth China International Import Expo with a cumulative intended transaction value of $73.52 billion, a year-over-year increase of 3.9 percent, as well as more than 50 summits, forums and design activities gathering elites of the global design industry, and the WDCC that brought together 1,416 design teams with 2,128 design results from 18 countries.

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With these activities and more, Shanghai, with a GDP of more than 5 trillion renminbi, or $694.4 billion, is working to establish itself as among the leaders in the global fashion industry. It is against this backdrop that the city has decided to hold the inaugural Shanghai Gala.

WWDs sister publication, WWD China, which was launched in 2019, has been invited to help organize the gala, which will bring together fashion designers, creative voices, celebrities and other experts, as well as government representatives and diplomats from around the world.

The first Shanghai Gala will feature a red carpet event to celebrate the opening of a fashion design exhibition with the theme of A New Vision of Design, which is expected to be one of the highlights of the second WDCC in Shanghai. The 5,380-square-foot exhibition hall will be open to leading designers worldwide. Designers will be able to participate in the exhibition through a variety of exhibits such as fashion works, graphics, manuscripts, installation art and other installations. The exhibits will be presented in three separate units: Heritage Fashion, Contemporary Fashion and Fashion for the Future.

The exhibition aims to be a dialogue between the West and East, showcasing the latest developments in fashion design with a focus on the inspirations and creativity of the designers who are driving the industry today.

Over the past decades, Shanghai has not only become a major hub for international brands, but also has witnessed the rise of a strong local fashion industry. Together with other coastal cities in southeastern China, it has helped drive the overall development of the countrys fashion industry. The view concerning Shanghais current development is that it must attract leading investors and focus on advanced technologies to help foster industry champions.

Therefore, while providing a stage for designers to showcase their work and connect with the local market, the Shanghai Gala will also provide a platform for industry decision-makers to exchange their insights and expertise. At a time when China is striving for high-quality development, and the Chinese market provides ample room for growth in the midst of recovery, such exchanges are key.

China is stepping into a new era, and Shanghai is becoming a key city as the country hopes to become a global fashion power. After a sluggish period, the city is recovering rapidly despite the current challenges. It is a strategic time as the city pushes the accelerator button to grow its fashion sector, and the launch of the Shanghai Gala is seen as a major step toward helping to unleash the industrys potential.

Editors Note: China Insight is a monthly column from WWDs sister publication WWD China on developments in that key market.

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
Don't worrythere are still ways to make the most of all your big box store membershipswithout breaking a single rule.

VIEW press / Getty Images

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

Its not just chatter or idle threats by companiespassword and membership sharing are becoming a thing of the past. Gone are the days of using the Netflix login of your ex-roommate who you havent seen in 20 years to get your Stranger Things fix. Now Costco is implementing maybe the strictest of the no sharing rules to date.

We all know how much families depend on buying in bulk at big box stores. It saves money and takes longer for you to run out of things you rely on. For parents, think of diapers and wipes; snacks and fruit; and even lunchboxes and winter gear.

Without exception, when shopping at Costco from now on, you must show ID when using self-checkout. Though Costco says theyve always asked to see membership cards at the cash registers, using self-checkout was a loophole of sorts, making it easy to borrow someone elses card. With Costcos new, unforgiving policies, those days are over. You must show a membership card plus a photo I.D., even at self-checkout registers.

TikToker @profitplug shared a rather eye-opening video, shedding light on just how serious Costcos new rules are and the consequences faced if you do not obey. His mom was banned from their local Costco because she used his dads membership card (yes, that would be her husbands card) to buy groceries in a self-checkout lane.

Profitplugs dad has Costcos Gold membership plan which allows two authorized members per card. Profitplug is named on the card instead of his mom because he uses their Costco membership to stock up on essentials while at college. Fair enoughbut is it me or is it quite extreme that this innocent use of the cardwithin an immediate familyactually got Profitplugs mom banned from her local Costco?

I understand why companies are cracking down on membership sharing. For a company like Costco, the bulk of their profit comes from their membership fees so excessive card sharing can cause them to lose money. But sharing within your immediate household? I don't think thats where Costco needs to worry or make an examplesuch as in the case of Profitplugs mom.

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That is where an exception couldve been made or some good customer service wouldve worked wonders. A simple, Dont let this happen again or Let me show you membership options for larger families feels more appropriate to me than Profitplugs mom getting banned from the store! And I could also understand if Profitplugs mom had done this several times and didnt heed the warningbut it appears this was after getting caught just one time.

Now that the membership sharing rules at Costco are crystal clear (and TBD if other big box membership stores such as BJs or Sams Club plan on following suit), there are other ways to make the most of your big box store memberships.

To be clear, were not suggesting you break any other rules but rather maximize your timeand stretch your dollarwhenever you bust out your membership card (and ID!) to shop in bulk. Here are a few of our favorite ways to save.



Related: 6 Money-Saving Strategies For Parents On A Budget

Use Big Box Stores for Prescriptions and More

Costco, BJs, and Sams Club can double as a pharmacy, offering members big discounts on prescription drugs, eyeglasses, medical devices, and even some vaccinations. At many, including Costco, you can use the store as a pharmacy and purchase prescription medicines without a membership (often at a savings compared to your local pharmacy).

Shop the In-Store Brands

You may notice big box stores do not stock every brand of every item made. Can you imagine the insane amount of inventory they would carry? They usually stock the most popular brand of an itemlike Bounty paper towelsand then youll see the store's own brand of paper towels right by it.

But guess what? Many times the warehouse brand is made by the same company as the name brands. There may be some slight differences but overall, the quality is comparable and a great way to save money when stocking up.

Shop a Season Ahead

Sure, it feels weird planning for Halloween before Labor Day or stocking up on Christmas decor before November. But warehouse/big box stores operate on an early in/early out method. That means seasonal items, think Halloween animatronics for your lawn or Christmas stockings, appear in their stores months ahead of their competitors. Its an easy way to stock up early, find unique items before they sell out, and not pay full price at other stores later on.

Take Advantage of Coupon Policies

Coupon policies vary from store to store but knowing the policies is a great way to save. Costco actually wont accept manufacturer coupons but has its own coupon book that is sent out monthly. Best of allfor most, you dont have to clip each coupon individually. The cashier will just scan one barcode and any available coupons will be applied to your purchase.

Sams Clubs policy is similar to Costco's with no manufacturer coupons but offers Sams Club Instant Savings on select products. BJs, however, will accept all manufacturer coupons and offer members-only coupons throughout the year.

Shop With Gift Cards

Don't have a Costco membership and don't think you can justify paying for a yearly membership? But what if there's one item you can only buy there and absolutely need? Here's a hot tipCostco allows non-members to shop, sans a membership card, if you're using a Costco gift card.



Related: 4 Pros and Cons of Booking Disney Travel With Costco

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FullBeauty Brands deal for Cuup offers the size-inclusive intimates company a stronger foothold with the coveted Instagram and TikTok generation, but that doesnt mean its giving up on the boomers who make up much of its current customer base.

Cuup, FullBeauty said Thursday when announcing the acquisition, caters to the underserved market for women who wear large bra cup sizes. The transaction comes just three months after FullBeauty took over yet another size-inclusive fashion brand, Eloquii, which Walmart previously owned.

More from Sourcing Journal

Digitally native Cuup and Eloquii specialize in the plus-size market. While Cuup expands FullBeautys presence in the intimates marketabout $13 billion and growing in the U.S. and $45 billion globallyboth it and Eloquii grow FullBeautys foothold in the $81 billion U.S. womens plus-size market.

In a statement, FullBeauty CEO Jim Fogarty said, Cuup helps the company grow as the leading destination for great fitting, quality, on-trend, size-inclusive apparel.

As an innovative, high-growth brand seeking to disrupt the intimates category, Cuup is an exciting addition to the FullBeauty Brands portfolio, he continued. Cuup enables us to further tap into the growing intimates addressable market, extends our reach among a new demographic of customers, and expands our offerings to our existing customers.

Fogarty told Sourcing Journal FullBeauty will need about two months to integrate Cuup into its new digital mall platform, where Eloquii, June+Vie and Swimsuits for All get top billing. The rest of FullBeautys brand portfolio, including OneStopPlus, Catherines, WomanWithin, Jessica London and Roamans, among others, operate on what the company refers to as its classic platform.

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The company isnt disclosing details of the transaction, and Cuup executives who are staying have already transitioned into into key category roles.

Fogarty said the company will scale Cuup, which could someday collaborate or cross-market with the Eloquii. And because digitally fluent Gen X and millennial Cuup customers respond well to quick video snippets and snackable reel-style clips, not to mention text messaging, this could help FullBeauty expand beyond its traditional email program into progressive social marketing.

Cuup in March stuck a wholesale partnership with Bloomingdales, which Fogarty said will continue and could expand to other retail accounts. In contrast, Eloquii had tested popups after previously operating a handful of freestanding stores, but ended those under Walmarts ownership. That could change as FullBeauty looks at expansion opportunities. The two young brands could also get into print marketing, an area where FullBeauty excels.

Cuup manufactures most of its products in China, but Fogarty said FullBeautys global sourcing network including China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Madagascar, Mauritius, India and Indonesia could unlock new diversification opportunities. The company will always balance cost efficiencies against execution, value and great product, he added..

Fogarty said FullBeauty regularly entertains potential acquisitions.

We look at the overall addressable market, the TAM, and we felt like we were doing a really good job on the boomer piece. Thats still a really important piece of the business, Fogarty said. We wanted to expand and move into this Gen X-millennial [market], and thats Eloquii and Cuup.

Fogarty pointed out that FullBeauty isnt abandoning its boomer base. Were going to still look at [all the options]. If we find a great business to plug in and it gets us more market share in the boomer segment, we would absolutely do that too, he said.

Theres no shortage of possibilities for FullBeauty to consider. Yes, we are seeing more companies who want to do something, or need to do something, he said. The value in this market is that the valuations are better.

Despite the current economic uncertainty, this is probably the best time to try to do acquisitions, Fogarty. So thats the mindset were taking, but we dont want to get carried away where we do it and mess up our main business. Were carefully doing it, we definitely are seeing more opportunity and were trying to stay nimble.

Julie Carnevale, Eloquiis co-founder and now Eloquii brand leader, heads up FullBeautys new digital mall. She will oversee Cuups development.

Click here to read the full article.
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Does it help public safety for municipalities to institute teen curfews? Thats debatable. (Illustration: Nathalie Cruz; images: Getty)

Whats happening

In various areas around the country, teen curfew laws are on the books.

Teen and juvenile curfews restrict youth below a certain age  usually 16 or 18  from public places during late night hours. Such curfews arose in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when many American towns established them in response to crime or vandalism committed by young people wandering the streets late at night. They differ from emergency curfews, such as the ones put into place in cities around the country in response to 2020s civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd, which are used in an attempt to keep large groups of protesters from gathering in the streets.

Currently, more than 400 states, counties, cities and towns have curfews making it illegal for young people to be outside of their homes at certain times of the day, according to the National Youth Rights Association. And more are being added, tweaked or expanded.

Georgia: Teen curfew laws for those 16 and under have been on the books in various metropolitan areas of Atlanta since 2013. Recently the Atlanta City Council proposed tightening the restrictions, having the curfew start at 10 p.m. instead of the current midnight and also possibly replacing a $1,000 parent fine with a mandatory mentorship program for violators. The move was prompted by the shooting death of 16-year-old BreAsia Powell after a graduation party, Council Member Antonio Lewis told the local press.

Jersey Shore, N.J.: 32 towns have newly instituted laws to curb pop-up parties.

Baltimore: Mayor Brandon Scott said the citys surge in teen gun violence prompted a curfew mandate that went into effect Memorial Day weekend.

Chicago: Authorities have announced they will enforce a curfew for minors at Millennium Park after gatherings of youth turned violent.

Philadelphia: A teen curfew has been in effect since 1955, but people are questioning the usefulness of the law following a double shooting at a large gathering of teens in a public park in late June.

Texas: The state has bucked the curfew trend altogether, with Gov. Greg Abbott signing a bill, with broad bipartisan and parental-rights support, banning juvenile curfews in the state this year.

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Why theres debate

Teen curfews are popular with policymakers, but evidence suggests that juvenile curfews do not reduce crime or victimization, according to a systematic review of 12 studies on the effectiveness of such curfews.

Policymakers like to pass these because theyre popular in the sense of people think they make sense and, from the politicians standpoint, it doesnt cost them a dime ... you just pass it, says David Wilson, a co-author of the review and a professor of criminology at George Mason University. They like them because the public seems to like them, though I cant necessarily explain why.

In Philadelphia, for example, crime stats from July 2022, when the citys updated curfew was in effect, show that most violent crimes did not decrease compared to the same month the previous year. In fact, robberies with a gun went up 72%, while other types of robberies increased by 40%, and auto thefts rose by 29%.

Whats difficult to pin down, Wilson says, is why such curfews do not seem to be effective in reducing crime. Still, there are theories.

One, he explains, is just that not much juvenile crime or juvenile victimization actually occurs during those [late] hours. Most crime occurs after school or late-afternoon and evening hours.

Another issue with these laws, he tells Yahoo Life, is theres a presumption that if youth are out during these hours, theyre probably up to no good. Are some up to no good? Yes. Are the curfews liable to have an effect on those youth? Probably no. Usually the youth who arent out there breaking the laws are the ones who obey the curfew.

An additional layer, says Wilson, is that such curfews are not well enforced  and that its often for good reasons, such as that its time-consuming for police officers, whose efforts are often better directed elsewhere, as the law often forces them to take the offending youth to the police station and wait with them for a parent to arrive. So instead of being out on the street, theyre sitting there doing this, he says.

Plus, enforcing a curfew requires a high degree of discretion, often leading to more enforcement on persons of color, even if its just through implicit biases, such as if they ask themselves, Who does my gut tell me shouldnt be out here?

Further, notes the National Youth Rights Association, juvenile curfews are a violation of young peoples fundamental rights, with many having been struck down after being ruled unconstitutional.

Perspectives

Teen curfews are based on the debunked super-predator theory

Though juvenile curfew laws have existed for more than 100 years, their use soared in the mid-1990s at the urging of the Clinton administration. The tough-on-juvenile crime stance was a product of Princeton Professor John DiIulios super-predator theory, which purported to find evidence that juveniles are doing homicidal violence in wolf packs. ... It turned out the super-predator theory was terribly wrong. ... DiIulio himself attempted to walk back his theory regarding the super-predator scare.  Ivonne Roman, the Marshall Project

They sound good but dont seem to have any impact on crime

While it may sound like a common sense idea to get kids home and off the streets at night, researchers say that there is no evidence that curfews reduce crime. And community leaders worry that increasing police contact with teens from disadvantaged communities, especially Black teens, could lead to more arrests  and more kids being roped into the criminal justice system for minor infractions.  Josiah Bates, Time

Teen curfews unfairly criminalize youth

Young people who are out late or may not be in school during the day may need special services, resources, or simple guidance. Others may work late-night jobs to provide for themselves or their family. Some are homeless. None should be saddled with tickets, court time, or a criminal record. ... Research shows this type of justice system contact is harmful for youth, making it less likely they will succeed in school and more likely that they will have future court and police interactions. Curfew ordinances often disproportionately affect youth of color with more stops and citations as well as homeschool students. Homeschool students may be finished with school early, start school later, or have different days off than other students.  Texas Appleseed

Teen curfews are a common-sense approach to public safety

[A teen curfew proposal in the D.C. area is] neither a draconian infringement of teen rights nor a miraculous cure-all to juvenile crime. It is merely a common-sense approach that police believe would be a useful tool in protecting public safety. It is far less problematic than the anti-loitering legislation that has been suggested as an alternative. If approved, it would help safeguard youths. ... [It] is not onerous. It restricts young people from gathering and remaining in public places during the affected hours. ... Even those who are in violation are not likely to be arrested, only instructed to go home  which, quite frankly, is where someone under the age of 18 should be at 11 p.m. on a school night.  Editorial, Washington Post

Such curfews protect teens from crime too

In addition to preventing crime, curfews keep teens safe from violence. We often think of curfews as a crime prevention measure, but their purpose is just as much for the safety of teens. Young people who stay out too late are at an elevated risk of becoming victims of violent crime and deadly accidents.  Upfront
MILAN  Elad Yifrach is on a roll with no plans of slowing down. Just four months after launching LObjets first eau de parfum line in April, and after opening a store in New Yorks Upper East Side in November, the Israel-born designer will cut the ribbon on the brands first Paris flagship boutique on Tuesday, Yifrach told WWD.

Situated at 30 Rue Jacob in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood, the boutique will usher in a new era of elegance and sophistication for the brand, which was founded in Los Angeles in 2004 after a freshman collection of ceramics caught the eye of a buyer at Bergdorf Goodman. The Paris store also marks a landmark step in the companys strategy, as Yifrach attempts to build a bigger audience, which has been a long time coming.

More from WWD

So its part of the vision of the brand moving forward to open more stores in key locations and key markets that we feel we have an audience  ones we want a deeper connection with, he said, speaking from his studio in Lisbon, Portugal, which he says affords him the opportunity to interact more with LObjets realm of skilled artisans. More stores are on the horizon, while the brand looks into a variety of locations in London and Los Angeles.

Elad Yifrach, founder of LObjet.

We wanted to continue to grow, because we are a global brand, we dont want to focus just on the U.S. or just on Europe. So we are moving across continents and developing in markets where we have built a customer base over the years, he added, noting the brand is debt-free and booked 30 percent growth in retail sales in the first half of 2023 versus 2022.

Of course, if I had outside money, I would grow much faster, but it comes at a price, Yifrach reflected when asked if he has been approached by investors.

LObjets New York City boutique is located on 950 Madison Avenue, a space that houses another collection of home decor, dinnerware and home fragrances. Designed in collaboration with creative interior architecture agency Rigos Mills, the store is full of textures and materials that are part of the brands new refined design language. The warm terrazzo, suede, travertine and cedarwood color palette plays well with the juxtaposing sleek and earthy textures. Bespoke pieces by Brooklyn-based designer Sourabh Gupta and well known Portuguese ceramicist Bela Silva adorn the store.

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Its foray into the fragrance space, on the other hand, was marked with four nature-inspired eau de parfums: Oh Mon Dieu!, evoking the spirit of Paris in 1969; Bois Sauvage, reminiscent of a wet forest scent; Rose Noire, a mix of exotic roses and Ceylon tea, and Cote Maquis, meant to remind wearers of a sunny Mediterranean day, all $160 or $250.

LObjets recently launched personal fragrances.

From its ceramics to its frames, Yifrach says each facet of his luxury business takes years to perfect, working with artisans all over Europe and developing long relationships characterized by mutual discovery and breaking barriers. The eau de parfum collection, for example, had been in development for four-and-a-half years, as it incorporates high quality raw materials and natural ingredients.

Other landmark collaborations involved the Los Angeles-based Haas Brothers, who flew to Portugal to manually work and sculpt each prototype by hand before molds were made ready for porcelain pouring. Known for their fantastical, wild designs, the Haas Brothers made the Little Monsters masks for the Lady Gaga Fame perfume print campaign in 2012.

Back in Paris, Rue Jacob, he explains, has long been synonymous with design excellence. LObjets decision to establish its flagship boutique there underscores the brands commitment to celebrating artistry and craftsmanship. Also, its first collections have regularly been unveiled at Paris Design Week.

The sprawling store was designed by Costantino di Sambuy, founder of Anno Mille, a Los Angeles-based design studio focused on interiors and architectural design. With a penchant for translating the Mediterranean aesthetic through a contemporary lens, Anno Mille blended the spaces historical charm with contemporary elegance, LObjet said. Prior to founding Anno Mille, di Sambuy worked with Peter Marino in New York on leading residential, hospitality and luxury retail projects.

The LObjet flagship spans two distinct spaces, each offering a unique experience. The first space immerses visitors in the world of design, featuring a selection of home decor and art de la table collections.

A second space is dedicated to the brands fragrance universe where customers can try the latest eau de parfum collection together with LObjets apothecary range for bath and body products. Diffusers and incense burners and other fragrance ritual objects complement the home fragrance collection of candles, room sprays, incense, and other signature objects.

An official opening fete is scheduled for the first day of Paris Design Week, which runs Sept. 7 to 16.

Click here to read the full article.
George Alagiah, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most respected journalists, has died at 67, nine years after being diagnosed with cancer.

A statement from his agent said he "died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones".

A fixture on British TV news for more than three decades, he presented the BBC News at Six for the past 20 years.

Before that, he was an award-winning foreign correspondent, reporting from countries ranging from Rwanda to Iraq.

He was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2014 and revealed in October 2022 that it had spread further.

Paying tribute, his agent, Mary Greenham, said: "George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public.

"He simply was a wonderful human being. My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family," she said.

Alagiah died earlier on Monday, but "fought until the bitter end", his agent added.

BBC director general Tim Davie said: "Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

"He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously."

BBC World Affairs editor John Simpson tweeted: "A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague it would be hard to find."

BBC chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet called him "a great broadcaster", a "kind colleague" and "a thoughtful journalist".

Clive Myrie, presenting the BBC News at One, said: "On a personal note, George touched all of us here in the newsroom, with his kindness and generosity, his warmth and good humour. We loved him here at BBC News, and I loved him as a mentor, colleague and friend."

George Alagiah was a fixture on British TV news for more than three decades

Fellow journalists including LBC's Sangita Myska, the Guardian's Pippa Crerar and Mark Austin of Sky News were among those to also pay tribute.

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Austin tweeted: "This breaks my heart. A good man, a rival on the foreign correspondent beat but above all a friend. If good journalism is about empathy, and it often is, George Alagiah had it in spades."

Myska noted Alagiah's influence on British Asian reporters.

"Growing up, when the BBC's George Alagiah was on TV my dad would shout "George is on!". We'd run to watch the man who inspired a generation of British Asian journalists. That scene was replicated across the UK. We thank you, George. RIP xx"

Former BBC North American editor Jon Sopel wrote: "Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster - but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss."

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner recalled Alagiah visiting him in hospital after he was shot and critically injured in an al-Qaeda attack in Saudia Arabia in 2004.

"He brought me his book A Passage to Africa, and we talked for hours about the continent he loved and spent so much of his career covering. A true journalist and a great author."

George Alagiah remembered

Alagiah won awards for reports on the famine and war in Somalia in the early 1990s, and was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for covering Saddam Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq.

He was also named Amnesty International's journalist of the year in 1994, for reporting on the civil war in Burundi, and was the first BBC journalist to report on the genocide in Rwanda.

He is pictured here working as a foreign correspondent in Baghdad

George Maxwell Alagiah was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, before moving to Ghana and then England in childhood.

His main childhood memory of Sri Lanka was leaving it. His parents were Christian Tamils; the country, then called Ceylon, mired in ethnic violence.

His father, Donald, was an engineer specialising in water distribution and irrigation. Feeling unwelcome and unsafe in his own land, he took his young family to Africa in search of a new and better life.

The family initially prospered in Ghana but Alagiah's parents decided to educate their children in England. At the age of 11, his father dropped him off at boarding school in Portsmouth; they both had to hold back the tears.

Reporting from outside the Houses of Parliament the day after the 2010 general election

His childhood of change and assimilation helped shape his personality and informed his professional judgement.

There was some racism. He was almost the only boy of colour; there were "Bongo Bongo land" taunts in the showers. He gave up asking people to say his name correctly (his family pronounced it, "Uller-hiya").

"In those days," he reflected "you were almost apologetic if you had a 'funny name'." The alternative was to stick out like an "exotic cactus in a bed of spring meadow plants".

But, in some ways, his school in England - St John's College - was a closed and unreal society, which sealed him off from the huge social changes going on outside its walls. The anti-immigrant sentiment in many parts of the country was something that largely passed him by.

As he grew up, he became, he believed, the "right sort" of foreigner in a land where "class trumps race every time".

Later, he attended Durham University, where he met, and later married, Frances Robathan.

After graduating, he spent seven years at South Magazine, proud of its editorial line which painted an unequal world as an unstable one.

He joined the BBC as a foreign affairs correspondent in 1989 and then became Africa correspondent, the continent of his childhood.

George Alagiah, pictured in July of last year

It was often a depressing experience. He interviewed child soldiers in Liberia, victims of mass rape in Uganda and witnessed hunger and disease almost everywhere.

"There is a new generation in Africa", he wrote, "my generation, freedom's children, born and educated in those years of euphoria after independence, we have had a chance. We didn't do much with it."

One of his proudest professional moments came when he broadcast some of the first pictures of the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in 1999, he said.

Other stories he covered in news reports and documentaries included the trade in human organs in India, street children in Brazil, civil war in Afghanistan and human rights violations in Ethiopia.

He interviewed figures including South African President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

Moving to news presenting, he fronted the BBC One O'Clock News, Nine O'Clock News and BBC Four News, before being made one of the main presenters of the Six O'Clock News in 2003.

He anchored news programmes from Sri Lanka following the December 2004 tsunami, as well as reporting from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and from Pakistan following the South Asian earthquake in 2005.

He was appointed an OBE for services to journalism in 2008.

'Energised and motivated'

After Alagiah's initial cancer diagnosis in 2014, the disease spread to his liver and lymph nodes, which needed chemotherapy and several operations, including one to remove most of his liver.

He said he was a "richer person" for the experience upon returning to presenting in 2015, and said working in the newsroom was "such an important part of keeping energised and motivated".

He had to take several further breaks from work to have treatment, and in January 2022 said he thought the cancer would "probably get me in the end", but that he still felt "very lucky".

Speaking on the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast in 2022, he said that when his cancer was first discovered, it took a while for him to understand what he "needed to do".

"I had to stop and say, 'Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?'

"And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey... the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into [Frances Robathan], who's now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up... it didn't feel like a failure."

Alagiah had two children with Frances.

What are bowel cancer symptoms?

A persistent change in bowel habit - going more often, with looser stools and sometimes tummy pain

Blood in the stools without other symptoms, such as piles

Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating - sometimes resulting in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss

Most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer, but the NHS advice is to see your GP if you have one or more of the symptoms and they have persisted for more than four weeks.

And if you, or someone you know, have been affected by cancer, information and support is available on the BBC's Action Line page.
Out of all the luxury handbags on the market, one continues to reign supreme.

The Birkin remains the most coveted bag across the world, according to data from Google searches and Instagram obtained by Slingo, Womens Wear Daily reported. Between 2020 and 2023, searches for the French labels tote averaged 159,208. It has increased in popularity by 19 percent, as searches in 2020 averaged 149,000 monthly.

More from Robb Report

The bags acclaim is remarkable given its price. The most affordable Birkins cost at least $10,000, while others made of rarer materials can set you back six-figures. For instance, the diamond Himalayan Birkin 30which contains crocodile skin and encrusted diamondswas sold for $450,000 in 2022, WWD reported.

The price point has added to the bags exclusivity, which has, it turn, increased its desirability. Like certain luxury watches, the bag isnt easy to get your hands oneven if you want to pony up the cash. They cant be bought off of the shelves from an Hermes boutique. A sales associate has to offer a client the opportunity to acquire the bag, and that comes usually after said client has built up a purchasing reputation with the company. Additionally, individual boutiques can only order a certain number of bags twice per year. All of the above are reasons could be why a Birkin may be a better investment than a Banksy.

The Birkin is among the popular bags among female rappers. The bag makes an appearance in Nicki Minajs song Wamables. Cardi B has amassed a large collection of the bags. She even gave her WAP collaborator Megan Thee Stallion a custom Birkin when the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Latto claimed in a song that her Birkin led to the Put It On Da Floor hitmaker being detained at LAX because it carried a firearm.

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As for Slingos other findings, the second most popular designer bag was Louis Vuittons, with an average monthly search volume of 126,729, up from 114,833 in 2020, WWD reported. Guccis Marmont bag ranked number three on the list, with an average monthly search volume of 82,375, becoming a staple for the Italian fashion house.

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Click here to read the full article.
1. The Man Who Laughs This is Conrad Veidt, the man whose performance in the 1928 film inspired the look of the iconic villain the Joker:

Yeah...I can see it. TCD/ Prod.DB / Alamy Stock Photo

2. This is what a 3-year-old Albert Einstein looked like:

I hate to break it to you, but chances are that 3-year-old was smarter then than you are today. Gado / Gado via Getty Images

3. This is the Pesse canoe, the oldest boat on Earth:

The boat is over 10,000 years old. Twitter: @UFOB_

4. In 1990, the very first McDonald's opened up in the Soviet Union. This is how gigantic the line was:

Vitaly Armand / AFP via Getty Images

5. Following the invasion of Ukraine , McDonald's sold its entire Russian operation to a Russian businessperson, resulting in over 800 restaurants being rebranded as "Delicious. Full Stop":

Here's a comparison between the two restaurants, 32 years apart. Vitaly Armand / AFP via Getty Images

6. This is a billboard that was posted outside of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a town established as a manufacturing site as part of the Manhattan Project:

Very intense, minus the monkeys. Galerie Bilderwelt / Getty Images

7. This is the Ain Sakhri figurine, an 11,000-year-old sculpture that is the world's oldest depiction of sex:

Sorry to get things steamy in here. Zev Radovan / Alamy Stock Photo

8. The Titanic had a gym on board. This is what it looked like:

Vintage_Space / Alamy Stock Photo

9. And this is what one of the exercise bikes inside the Titanic gym looked like:

We should bring back exercising in 1912 garb. Chroma Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

10. The tiny island of Zavikon is home to the world's shortest international bridge, spanning from the owner's house, located in Canada, to their backyard, located in New York:

Man, and I don't even have a backyard. Kay Roxby / Alamy Stock Photo

11. This is what it looked like in 1937 on the first day cars were allowed on the Golden Gate Bridge:

Looks like a fun and relaxing time. Brandstaetter Images / Getty Images

12. This is what the capstone on the top of an ancient Egyptian pyramid looked like:

This would, of course, go on top of a pyramid. Goran Bogicevic / Alamy Stock Photo

13. That capstone in particular belonged to the ruined black pyramid of Amenemhat III. Here's what the pyramid looks like today:

Folks, do we stan Amenemhat III, the greatest pharoah of Egypt's Middle Kingdom? Barry Iverson / Getty Images

14. This is Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls while inside a barrel:

She was 62 years old at the time. People going over waterfalls in a barrel fell off real hard. We should bring it back. Pictorial Press Ltd. / Alamy Stock Photo

15. There used to be cocaine in toothache drops:

And judging by the ad, it was given to children. Okay, then! Science History Images / Alamy Stock Photo

16. This is a picture of the opening of the very first New York City subway back in 1904:

Would love to party with these guys. Photoquest / Getty Images

17. Fingers can grow back. FINGERS CAN GROW BACK:

Don't try this at home. u/ObscureOP / Via reddit.com

18. People used to move houses with a whole bunch of horses:

I'm talking a whole LOT of horses. Penta Springs Limited / Alamy Stock Photo

19. This picture, taken in 1882, shows the Statue of Liberty in the early stages of its construction in France:

Neat! Heritage Images / Alamy Stock Photo

20. This is William Hutchings, one of the last surviving American Revolutionary War veterans:

He was 100 in this picture. Shoutout Bill. FAY 2018 / Alamy Stock Photo

21. And, finally, people were talking about climate change as long as 111 years ago:
Mike Coppola - Getty Images

The Mirror reports that Meghan Markle sent an "intriguing gift" to First Lady Jill Biden.

Markle gifted the First Lady a basket of lemons as a "thank you" for her support after Markle's Oprah interview.

The gift was purportedly inspired by the First Lady's supportive choice of dress the day after the interview aired.

A super fun thing about covering the goings on of the Royal Family is that the "anonymous sources" that speak to the British press make absolutely zero effort to hide their point of view when it comes to relaying facts about, or even just inferences regarding, anyone associated with the House of Windsor.



Like, when you come across a line like "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been 'trying to gain political influence in the United States' since moving away from the UK," as was the case in a recent Mirror story, you're not gonna mistake the tone for one of "And we think that's just swell!"

But within this story of how supposedly "the couple 'tried a variety of methods' to connect with the Bidens and build up their status and stance in the country" is a fascinating anecdote about a peculiar gift the actress-turned-princess sent the current First Lady of the United States.

SAUL LOEB - Getty Images

In what the article calls an "intriguing gift," it turns out that "Meghan sent Jill a basket of lemons as a 'thank you' gift" after her and Harry's famous Oprah interview.

Now, if that makes no sense to you, let us explain the thinking behind the gift. Honestly, it won't make that much more sense, but we're here, so we might as well try.

We all remember Meghan and Harry's seismic interview with Oprah, which aired on March 7, 2021. While the Bidens never issued any definitive public statement "taking sides" on the matter, the article notes that "many believe that the Bidens were sympathetic and subtly showed their solidarity to Meghan and Harry in a very sweet way."

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That's supposedly because the day after the interview aired, Jill Biden "was seen wearing an Oscar de la Renta dress that was very similar to a dress from the same brand that Meghan had worn a month earlier."

And because this allegedly symbolic dress had a "lemon hue," Meghan reportedly gifted the aforementioned basket of lemons to Jill as a thank-you for the show of support.

Now, one might say that this level of coded message reading feels more like that guy who swore to you that there are Beatles lyrics that prove Paul McCartney is dead than the actions of hugely influential political figures. But let's believe in the lemon story for all its glorious absurdity.

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Russia sells its Urals crude oil above the Western price ceiling of $60 per barrel. In this way, Moscow blatantly ignores sanctions and also increases revenues to its budget - which allows it to continue the war against Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is reported by The Wall Street Journal. The situation there called the victory of the Russian Federation in the oil market.

"Russia has emerged victorious in its struggle to influence global oil markets in recent days. Its oil has traded above a Western price ceiling designed to deprive Moscow of funds for the war in Ukraine," the report said.

Nevertheless, the situation can be corrected. As explained by the authors of the material, this will be possible if individual Russian client countries in Asia do not want to spoil relations with the West and:

refuse to cooperate with the West;

or comply with price restrictions.

However, it is noted that so far the opposite trend has been observed. Thus:

despite all the risks, these customers increase their purchases;

only a few adhere to the restrictions.

ADVERTISIMENT

How much Urals costs

According to investing.com, as of July 21, the spot price of Urals crude oil was $65.42 per barrel. That's more than $5 above the price ceiling.

Russian oil supplies by sea have sharply decreased

Meanwhile, a few months after reports of falling oil production in Russia, the first signs of a decline in transportation of the resource have emerged. This jeopardizes the Kremlin's revenues from export taxes.

Thus, the average oil shipments from Russian ports for the four weeks of June-July are significantly lower than the average February level. And revenues to the Kremlin's military coffers from the oil export duty fell 29% to $43 million in the seven days to July 9.

ADVERTISIMENT

The four-week average revenue also fell. The drop amounted to $4 million to $49 million.

As reported OBOZREVATEL, meanwhile, on July 24, came into force a ban on access to EU ports of tankers that handle oil of the Russian Federation and suspected of violating the price ceiling. This expansion of oil restrictions against Russia is provided for in the 11th package of sanctions against the aggressor.

Only verified information we have in Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Montana Brown has revealed that she chose to have a home birth when welcoming her son Jude last month because she felt that hospitals are not the safest place for non-white people.

The former Love Island star, 27, shared a YouTube vlog about her pregnancy and birth plan recently to answer questions from followers about her experience.

She opened up about her decision to have a home birth, adding that she hired a doula, a trained professional who supports women through labour and birth, as well as through post-partum.

Brown, who is mixed race and has Japanese and Jamaican heritage, said she cant wait for her home birth. She filmed her vlog before giving birth to Jude in June.

I feel like hospital isnt the safest place to give birth and I know people are gonna be like, What the f***, youre an idiot but I just think its personal preference, she told her followers.

Also, I just think as a non-white person, its not the safest place to be in hospital in childbirth. All these things Ive thought about for a long time. Were also having a doula, which Im really excited about.

In the UK, Black women are nearly four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women, according to a report published by MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK) in 2022.

The study found that there was a slight drop in the maternal mortality rate for Black women between 2018 and 2020. It also found that Asian women are around twice as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women.

In a 2021 response, the government said it was committed to reducing disparities in health outcomes and experience of care.

Brown, who is engaged to fiance Mark OConnor, said she asked for advice on a home birth from The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) star Sam Faiers, who she called the queen of home birthing.

Montana Brown and Mark O'Connor attend the UK Premiere of "The Little Mermaid" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 (Getty Images)

Its just fantastic Shes helping me feel really set in my decision, she said.

Story continues

Replying to a fan who asked if she felt afraid of giving birth, Brown said had the most positive mindset ever, and would continue to do so even if she had to have a C-section, an epidural, or wound up in hospital.

The reality star and her fiance welcomed baby Jude on 23 June. Last week, she opened up about the struggle to get pregnant despite being in her twenties and said she was surprised it took her so long to conceive.

Speaking on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, Brown told host Giovanna Fletcher that she thought something was wrong with her when she and OConnor first started trying for a baby.

I thought, Were young, this is going to be really easy For the first four months, wed used ovulation sticks, and then Id do a pregnancy test and itd be negative, she recalled.

After both she and her partner went to check their fertility, they discovered she had no oestrogen and no testosterone, which made her realise that people can be young, fit and healthy, and still really, really struggle to conceive.

Announcing her sons birth, Brown shared a black-and-white photograph of the newborn being cradled against her chest on Instagram and wrote: Welcome to the world Jude Isaiah OConnor. Were so smitten with you little man.

The couple announced their engagement in April, after OConnor proposed to her in Bermuda. They first met in 2020.

Brown featured in series three of Love Island and was coupled up with Alex Beattie at the end. They broke up shortly after leaving the villa.
The parent and child relationship is a famously complicated one. Its one of the few in life where the love is often so pureand the bond so establishedthat both members expect to continually transition together through the different stages of life. But as children grow and develop their own identity, boundaries are redefined and the foundational rules drummed into us are questioned.

My own journey with my father has been a doozy. I grew up in a deeply religious household with a strong heritage to uphold within that belief system. So when I rejected those beliefs at a young age, and later came out in my early 20s, I wasnt only challenging that religion, but my parents, too. Because of this, my father and I didnt have a meaningful connection for many years. Yet the love between us was always feltalmost as though spoken in a foreign language since we no longer knew how to relate to one another.

Im ashamed to admit that we both let this pattern last for more than a decade. I traveled to China and Eastern Europe, before deciding to move to New York City with my loving partner. I had all of the support I needed in my romantic relationship and close friendships. Yet the only person that has answered my calls within two rings has always been Dad.

So earlier this year, when my eight-year-relationship fell apart and I went down a rabbit hole questioning the decisions in my life, I decided it was time to turn to my father for guidance. He suggested we gain perspective together through a new travel experience: a safari trip that would take us to South Africa and Botswana.

I have long dreamed of bouncing around through wild sage in an adapted Range Rover, binoculars slung around my neck. But what I actually thought about most was how I wanted to use this opportunity as a chance to mend some of the damage of our relationship man to man. Not man to child.

In the run up to the trip, my father would call me almost every day: He had watched a documentary and discovered that we might see leopards. He decided that we should pack a painters kit and use the afternoons interpreting the bush. He ordered some mosquito-resistant clothing for both of usthe list goes on. Its the most Ive talked to my father consecutively in living memory.

Story continues

Yet by the time the departure date swung around, I still hadnt read the itinerary. I deemed myself too busy with work and heartbreak. I called my father and cautiously asked him the same thing. He hadnt read it either. We laughed, and I noticed how our laughs sounded like echoes of one another.

Courtesy Barclay Stenner Safaris

Once we made it to Cape Town and settled in at the Silo Hotel, we sat down together and looked at what was ahead of us: an early-morning motorcycle ride around Table Mountain and then wine tasting, a helicopter ride above the Okavango Delta in Botswana to our first safari camp Duba Plains, then a mobile safari in the Moremi Game Reserve with Barclay Stenner Safaris. I felt like I was looking in a mirror. We were both sitting with our legs crossed, leaning back in our chairs with our arms behind our heads. I quickly changed positions.

This kept happening during our trip. When we first met our guide, Carlos, at Duba Plains Camp, we both walked up to him in the exact same manner which I normally approach people, with intense eye contact and my right hand outstretched, practically bumping into one another to get there first. Later, after spending the morning with a herd of elephants and catching a thrilling moment where a pack of African Dogs was hunting a Kudu, we met up with Map Ives, a guide and conservationist, for lunch to learn more about the Delta. As Ives was explaining how the yearly floods create a lush and completely unique natural landscape year after year, I kept getting caught up by my own natural phenomenon: my father and I unconsciously have the same body language.

The following days played out in the routine of most safaris: 5:30 a.m. wake up for the morning game drive, lunch at 1 p.m., free time until 4 p.m., when we then went out for an evening game drive, and back to camp for dinner around 8 p.m. This structure worked well for its purposeto see as much wildlife as possible, which we certainly did, spotting nearly everything in our field guides. But it left little time for the heart-to-heart conversations I had envisioned having with my father, forcing us to become vulnerable and mend some emotional damage. And when we had time in the afternoons, my father wanted to rest.

This ended up being a blessing in disguise, though. As the days continued, and I sipped my rooibos tea in the afternoons while my dad napped, thinking back on a morning spent observing the beating heart of the natural world, I not only felt my own relationship trauma floating away in the dusty warm breeze, but the need to hash out my childhood qualms felt more and more trivial.

On the bush plane to the Moremi Game Reserve for our final leg of the trip, I asked my father if he noticed our body language similarities. Of course I have, he quipped, laughing. Youve always been so similar to me. This caught me off guard. No! was my first reaction. Then I realized how much Id been resisting this notion.

Curious to test out a new mindset, one in which I try not to let our similarities irk me, I felt hopeful to bond in a more natural way. But shortly after settling in at the Barclay and Stenner Camp, a laboriously set up oasis deep in the national park complete with its own king-sized bed, bucket toilet, and pull shower, my dad fell ill with a cold.

The next day, I found myself without my father, being led by the camps operators and guides, John Barclay and James Stenner, on a morning drive. We found a pride of lions and I was astounded when a young male cannoned out of the sage and playfully awoke his sister. She started stretching her back by placing her paws on a tree in an almost standing downward facing dog position, and her brother quickly wandered over and copied her. Watching their instincts and family dynamics expanded my own realization the day before on the bush plane: Humans (as animals) learn and grow through imitation and shared experiences. It was a spectacular sight, and one, I realized, I wished I was sharing with my fathereven if we looked the same squinting through the binoculars to view it.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
"We're gonna score some slabs and we're gonna score this point break right now, it's going off. It's like six feet, it's crazy."

That's what Koa Rothman had to say when he arrived at a pumping Australian point break straight off the plane from Fiji. Rothman and California's Bobby Martinez and Aussies Dean Morrison and Ryan Hipwood ripped non-stop roping rights complete with whales jumping in the video below.

The real adventure begins around a 1:30 into the vid, as the boys head to "Pyzel's Australia surfboard empire" for Rothman to check out his Australian "full quiver of small boards, slab boards, and big paddle boards."

The video is captioned:

"We finally made it to Australia straight from Fiji and straight into some firing right hand point break with Dingo, Hippo, and Bobby Martinez! Big shout out to @PyzelSurfboardsInternational for making me a full quiver here in Australia!"

Check out some of the comments:

"Looks like an Aussie version of V-land... And Bobby still surfs better than 95% of the "top" guys out there"

"Absolutely Bobby is at the top of the food chain with his backside attack. Its Extra Extraordinary Occy and Bobby are my favorite from a fellow Goofy Foots perspective."



"What a legend Bobby is "

"No one has better vibes on YouTube than Koa! Keep pumping bro!"

"Welcome Koa I hope you get to enjoy our coasts.. its been dead flat.. bring that Hawaiian vibe(swell)."

"Epic day, not a bad feature from a tourist, blessed to call it home"   

"East coaster here. Ive always loved pictures and videos from Hawaii, you guys are so lucky. Love the whales too. Thanks."

***

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More than 200 flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were delayed or canceled on Monday after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop advisory at 11:16 a.m., citing an unspecified equipment issue.

Ground stops are when planes cannot take off or land at a particular airport, according to the FAA. Follow-up advisories showed American Airlines and Southwest Airlines requested the ground stop.

When asked to specify the equipment issue, the FAA told The Arizona Republic that its Albuquerque center had a telecommunications issue that affected operations in Phoenix. That issue has since been resolved.

Breakdowns of the technology that affects airline and FAA operations were one of three things The Arizona Republic reported could cause headaches for air travelers this summer.

Air travel growth: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is busier than ever. This is why

How many Phoenix flights were affected by the ground stop?

Heat shimmer causes visual distortion as Delta Airlines flight DL796 from Atlanta touches down at Sky Harbor International airport.

There were 212 delayed flights and nine canceled flights at Sky Harbor as of 2:30 p.m. Monday, according to data from the flight tracking website FlightAware.

Southwest had the most delays with 82 affected flights, while American Airlines had 72. Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines also experienced delayed flights in the double digits.

Eight of the nine canceled flights were with American.

Why did American and Southwest Airlines request a ground stop at the Phoenix airport?

Planes at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Southwest spokeswoman Laura Swift told The Republic that the airlines staff worked with the FAA for a few minutes this afternoon to plan the sequencing of arriving flights so pilots wouldnt have to wait long for a gate. She cited extreme heat and how it can affect airplanes operating conditions.

Nine out of 10 Southwest flights arriving into Phoenix today are on time, Swift said.

American Airlines was not immediately available for comment.

What it means: Phoenix is ending its Mesa Gateway airport partnership

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why 200 Southwest, American flights were delayed in Phoenix Monday
This article originally appeared on Backpacker

A woman died in a rare fatal grizzly bear encounter near Yellowstone National Park over the weekend, sparking a closure of the area as authorities searched for the animal involved, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) said today.



In a news release, the agency said that another hiker discovered the victim's body on the Buttermilk Trail near West Yellowstone on Saturday morning and notified authorities. FWP staff and officers from other agencies who responded noted that the body had wounds "consistent with a bear attack," and found tracks from an adult grizzly and at least one cub in the area. Officers did not find bear spray or a firearm on the deceased woman or in the area.



Because the incident occurred near a residential area and a high-use off-roading trail, wildlife officers began working to capture the bear involved. Despite searching the area from an aircraft, however, they have been unable to locate it so far. The portion of the Custer Gallatin National Forest around the site of the attack remains closed.



Bear attacks of all kinds are rare, with the United States averaging roughly two fatalities a year over the past few decades. This week's death marks the country's third reported incident in 2023, following a polar bear attack in Alaska which caused the deaths of two people and a black bear attack in Arizona which caused the death of one. In both cases, bystanders shot and killed the animals involved.



Experts recommend that people recreating in grizzly country carry bear spray, which is easier to use and has a better track record of repelling aggressive bears than firearms. In an interview with Backpacker earlier this year, bear biologist and host of Tooth and Claw Podcast Wesley Larson compared carrying bear spray to wearing a seatbelt in a car.



"Sometimes people ask me, 'What do you do in a bear encounter?" And I always say, "Get your bear spray out, and get it ready,'" Larson said. "They're like, 'What if I don't have bear spray?' Well, you're already sacrificing your control of that situation. You're not wearing your seatbelt, you're deciding that you're going to take a bigger risk than you need to."



On Friday, the National Park Service announced that it had euthanized a food-conditioned grizzly in Glacier National Park after the bear repeatedly approached or charged visitors in the park over the past two months. The NPS said the animal was the first food-conditioned bear it had euthanized in the park since 2009.

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A 26-year-old man posed as a 17-year-old and attended Southeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, authorities said. Google Maps

A 26-year-old Nebraska man posed as a high-school student and now faces sex-trafficking charges, authorities said.

The man "appears to have blended in with other students" and attended 54 days of class, police said.

He's one of several adults arrested this year for posing as teenagers to attend high-school classes.

A 26-year-old Nebraska man is facing sex-trafficking charges after impersonating a 17-year-old high school student and attended classes.

The Lincoln Police Department said in a statement Thursday that Zachary Scheich attended 54 days of class at two local high schools. Being just 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds, Scheich "appears to have blended in with other students."

Police said the school district had been alerted about an individual enrolled under the name "Zak Hess" and authorities later determined he had actually graduated from that same school district in 2015.

The police investigation also found that Scheich had been interacting with multiple students, and those interactions "generated information sufficient for an arrest warrant," the statement said. Police did not release any further details on the nature of Scheich's interactions with students.

Jail records show Scheich has been charged with sex trafficking of a minor, as well as two counts of child enticement with an electronic communications device. He is being held in jail on a $250,000 bond. Court records did not name an attorney for Scheich.

Scheich is far from the only adult who's been caught pretending to be a teenager and enrolling in high school. Just last month, a 28-year-old Louisiana woman was arrested and accused of attending a local high school for the 2022-2023 school year using a fake passport and birth certificate.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office said the woman had enrolled in the high school to learn English, and had not committed any crimes or inappropriate conduct. Both the woman and her mother were charged with one count of injuring public records.

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In March 2023, a 29-year-old woman similarly deceived school administrators with a fake birth certificate so she could enroll in a New Jersey high school. The woman attended classes for four days, and raised suspicions among students when she sought to meet up with them outside of school.

Her attorney later told The New York Times the woman, Hyejong Shin, had been lonely and missed the sense of security she felt when she was a student at a Massachusetts boarding school. Shin had been recently divorced and missed her family in South Korea, her attorney said.

"It's very bizarre," Darren Gelber told The Times. "And it may be difficult for people to understand."

Read the original article on Insider
Singapore presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song's public service career spans more than four decades. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  Finance industry veteran Ng Kok Song has declared his intention to contest Singapore's upcoming presidential election.

The former chief investment officer of sovereign wealth fund GIC is the third person to throw his hat in the ring after former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and businessman George Goh declared the same.

In announcing his candidacy, Ng highlighted the importance of the presidency in safeguarding the nation's reserves, an area in which he has some familiarity given his public service career in finance which spanned over four decades.

Here are some interesting must-knows about Ng:

1. He grew up poor in a fishing village

Ng is the second child out of 12 siblings. His family grew up in Kangkar, a fishing village which is known today as Sengkang. His father was a fish auctioneer while his mother was a housewife. According to Ng, he had lived in the family home  which consists of a thatched roof, a mud floor, and two bedrooms  from birth until he was married at 24 years old.

Ng had to turn down the opportunity to study engineering abroad because his father had lost his voice and could no longer work. He remained in Singapore and started working to help support the family while successfully obtaining a scholarship to study physics at the University of Singapore. Ng gave private tuition to students and used his earnings to support the family.

2. He started his career in public service

Ng began his career with the Ministry of Finance, where he served as an investment analyst in the overseas investment department from 1970 to 1971. He then served at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) from 1972 to 1986, joining the central bank shortly after its inception in 1971 and taking on the role of managing the nation's reserves.

He then spent the next 27 years working in GIC, joining the sovereign wealth fund in 1986. He helped in building GIC's in-house capability for managing global equities, fixed-income investments and currencies, and for sourcing external managers.

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Ng was then appointed as the first group chief investment officer of GIC in 2007 and held the position for six years until his retirement in 2013. Throughout his nearly three decades there, Ng helped GIC to navigate several financial crises including the October 1987 market decline, the 1998 Asian financial crisis, the dot-com bust of 2001 and the 2008 global financial crisis.

From 1983 to 1987, Ng was the founding chairman of the Singapore International Monetary Exchange, Asia's first financial futures exchange which was later incorporated into the Singapore Exchange (SGX) as its derivatives arm. This earned Ng an induction into the Futures Hall of Fame in 2009 by the Futures Industry Association for his contributions to the global futures industry. Ng also served as a member on the SGX board of directors from 2013 to 2018 after retiring from GIC.

3. He is an avid investor

In 2015, Ng co-founded global asset management firm Avanda Investment Management with two other former GIC colleagues. He currently serves as the firm's chairman.

Avanda's clientele comprises institutional asset owners that include endowments, foundations, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, life insurance companies and family offices.

According to a Bloomberg report, Avanda was launched with a contribution of about US$4 billion (S$5.3 billion) in assets from government-linked entities Singapore Labour Foundation, Temasek and GIC. The firm reportedly has more than doubled its assets to about US$10 billion (S$13.2 billion) as of 2022.

4. He is recognised locally and internationally

Ng is Chairman Emeritus of the Wealth Management Institute at the Nanyang Technological University, a position he has held since 2017. He is also on the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institutes Advisory Council for the "Future of Finance" project while also serving on the board of governors of the Asia School of Business in Malaysia and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

Ng was a member of the Strategic Committee of Agency France Tresor from 2001 to 2014, an agency that manages the French government's public debt and treasury. The French government conferred on him the Legion of Honour in 2003 as well as the Order of Merit in 2011.

He is also on the board of directors of global investment firm 65 Equity Partners and the global advisory board of investment management firm PIMCO.

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As a daughter of South Korean immigrants, I was raised to be apolitical.

My parents, like many of their generation who lived through Japanese occupation and the devastating Korean War, came to the conclusion that in order to survive, it was best to stay silent. As a result, I knew almost nothing about my birth country or the forces that shaped it.

It wasnt until graduate school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.,that I started learning about the Korean Peninsula and the U.S. legacy in the region. I was stunned to learn that the United States proposed (and the Soviet Union agreed) to divide the peninsula at the end of World War II  circumstances that led to war between North Korea (backed by China) and South Korea (supported by the United States and the United Nations), leading to the Korean War.

Though an armistice halted active fighting in 1953, a peace agreement was never signed. This state of unended war  which marks 70 years on Thursday  has irrevocably shaped not only the lives of those living on the Korean Peninsula but all of us in the United States.

Christine Ahn, the future founder of Women Cross DMZ, with her father, Suk Kyun Ahn, in Seoul, South Korea, in 1974.

It's time to sign a peace agreement with North Korea

After decades of failed U.S. policy, the only pathway to resolve the impasse is for the United States to sign a peace agreement with North Korea. An accord would reduce the risk of renewed conflict between North Korea and the United States and build trust in order to better negotiate on North Koreas nuclear weapons program.

Establishing improved relations with North Korea would enable the State Department to quickly resolve sensitive political matters, such as what happened last week when Army Pvt. Travis King, 23, left a tour group to the Demilitarized Zone and crossed into North Korea.

The threat is real: Our nuclear weapons are much more powerful than Oppenheimer's atomic bomb

Women, in particular, have a crucial role to play in building lasting peace. Not only is there a rich history of women organizing for peace in Korea, but research shows that the involvement of women in peace processes leads to better outcomes.

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Yet thus far, few women have been involved in the Korea peace process.

In 2015, Women Cross DMZ crossed the Demilitarized Zone from South Korea to North Korea. In front from left, Vana Kim, Una Kim, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, group leader Christine Ahn, Hyun-Kyung Chung, Nobel Peace laureates Leymah Gbowee and Mairead Maguire, and Medea Benjamin.

Thats why in 2015 I organized a womens peace walk from North Korea to South Korea  across the Demilitarized Zone  with American feminist icon Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace laureates Leymah Gbowee and Mairead Maguire. We walked with thousands of Korean women on both sides of the DMZ to show that women are united in their desire for peace in Korea. We continue to advocate for ending the Korean War, reuniting Korean families and including women in the peace process.

Our journey is documented in the film "Crossings," which is now airing on public television.

The 'Forgotten War' is America's longest-running war

While much public attention is paid to North Koreas nuclear weapons development, we rarely consider how the continued U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula helps fuel tensions: 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, and the United States and South Korea routinely hold joint military exercises to rehearse war with North Korea.

The United States also maintains operational control of South Koreas military during wartime.

North Korea routinely cites this context as justification for its nuclear weapons program  key to self-defense against a potential attack from the United States.

Ukraine shouldn't use cluster bombs: Biden is wrong to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. 50 years later, they're still killing in Laos.

Because the United States and North Korea have never replaced the armistice with a peace agreement, any accidental or intentional escalation could rapidly devolve into renewed fighting. Such a war could involve nuclear weapons, which would likely result in the deaths of millions.

Yet pointing out these facts has led me to be labeled naive at best and, at worst, a North Korean apologist.

Christine Ahn celebrates her graduate school commencement ceremony at Georgetown University in 2001 with her mother, Byong Ok Ahn.

Thankfully, more and more people are now speaking out in favor of peace with North Korea. Many of them are Korean Americans who come from divided families and long to return to their hometowns. Some, like me, have considered the human costs of this war and can remain silent no longer.

Other supporters include Harvard neurosurgeon Dr. Kee Park, who has witnessed the impact of sanctions on health care in North Korea; Dan Leaf, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general who believes that the risk of nuclear war is highest in Korea; and Siegfried Hecker, a nuclear scientist who emphasizes the need for peace as a foundation for denuclearization.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

The risks and costs of the Korean War might be hidden from view, but Americans and Koreans alike can only gain from finally resolving Americas longest standing war.

Christine Ahn is the founder and executive director of Women Cross DMZ, an organization of women mobilizing for peace in Korea.

There is a path forward, should our lawmakers be brave enough to take it. Passing the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, which calls for diplomacy in pursuit of a binding peace agreement to formally end the war, would go a long way toward resuscitating this issue from the murky depths of history.

While the Korean War is often referred to as Americas Forgotten War, Koreans and Korean Americans have not forgotten. Americans of every background must come together to demand an end to our nations longest-running war.

Christine Ahn is the founder and executive director of Women Cross DMZ, an organization of women mobilizing for peace in Korea.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Korean Armistice Agreement isn't enough. Let's end our 'Forgotten War'
[Source]

An 82-year-old Japanese man has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to the murder of his partially paralyzed wife.

Tragic incident: Hiroshi Fujiwara confessed to pushing his wheelchair-confined wife Teruko, 79, into the ocean off of Oiso port in Kanagawa prefecture on Nov. 2, 2022, resulting in her drowning.

According to authorities, Fujiwara brought Teruko to Oiso port by car under the pretense of taking her out for a walk before pushing her into the sea at around 5:30 p.m. A fisherman who later discovered Terukos body floating in the water reported it to a local government official.

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Admitting to the crime: Fujiwara, who was arrested a day after the incident, told investigators that he had grown tired of taking care of his partially paralyzed wife.

Hiroshi had been caring for his wife after a cerebral infarction in 1982 resulted in her losing the ability to move her legs. When relatives suggested moving her into a senior citizen facility, Hiroshi claimed he was overwhelmed by the idea of being separated from his wife.

During the trial, defense lawyers argued that Hiroshi's reluctance to seek help from others was due to his strong sense of personal responsibility and pride.

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They requested leniency on these grounds, implying that Hiroshi's actions were driven by desperation.

Courts ruling: The Yokohama District Court emphasized in its ruling that Teruko told relatives that she wanted to enter the senior care facility, but Hiroshi disregarded her wishes entirely.

Presiding Judge Noburo Kiyama of the court's Odawara branch sentenced Fujiwara on July 18, expressing deep concern over the gravity of the crime.

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The wife did nothing wrong, so her feeling of despair and chagrin at being pushed into the ocean by her husband who she trusted is unfathomable, Kiyama said in his ruling.

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Super Mario Bros. Movie breaks 2023 box office with $377 million global debut
The Palmetto Elks Lodge presented a check to Palmetto Mayor Shirley Bryant after recently raising $2,500 to support five Palmetto food agencies participating in the Mayors Feed the Hungry Program. The MFTHP has been serving families throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties since 1987 and is sponsored by all nine mayors and each county commission. For information, visit mayorsfeedthehungry.org or e-mail info@mayorsfeedthehungry.org.

Brunch on the Bay set Nov. 5 at USF Sarasota-Manatee

Tickets are on sale for the 2023 Brunch on the Bay, the marquee fundraising event at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Brunch on the Bay, set for Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is a celebration of community, philanthropy and the achievements of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus students. By supporting academic scholarships and campus initiatives, participants will experience culinary delights from the areas finest restaurants and connect with friends and university partners who are making a difference in the community.

USF Federal Credit Union is the event's title sponsor. The event co-chairs are Lisa Krouse and Rod Hershberger. Tickets can be ordered at sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/giving/brunch-on-the-bay/index.aspx. For more information sponsorships, call Pam Gleason at 941-359-4603.

Sarasota Hooters Girls join effort to help women-owned businesses

Eight Hooters Girls from the company's regional restaurants, including Sarah Magda and Sloan Miavitz of Sarasota, are raising funds for Self-Help International, a nonprofit that supports women business owners in Ghana and Nicaragua and helps to alleviate hunger.

Sarah Magda of Sarasota is helping to raise funds for a nonprofit that empowers women in Ghana and Nicaragua.

Sloan Miavitz of Sarasota is helping to raise funds for a nonprofit that empowers women in Ghana and Nicaragua.

In addition to online fundraising efforts, the Hooters Girls recently traveled to Waverly, Iowa, for the Hooters Give a Hoot for Self-Help International Weekend. I'm so excited to start fundraising for this amazing cause, and to raise even more money than last year, said Miavitz, who works at Sarasota Hooters.

To learn more about Self-Help International, visit selfhelpinternational.org/our-stories. To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/campaign/giveahoot2023.

Tickets, sponsorships available for Siesta Key Crystal Classic

Online advance tickets and parking passes are now available for the 13th annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic to be held Nov. 10-13 on Siesta Beach. Volunteer, sponsorship, vendor and amateur sand sculpting contest opportunities are also available.

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The four-day festival features 24 master sand sculptors competing for prizes in solo and duo categories. The festival also features live music and 80-plus shopping and food and drink vendors. Other activities include the three-day Quick Sand competition, sand sculpting lessons, an amateur sculpting competition, a childrens play area and peoples choice voting.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is presented by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Scholarship Fund for Ringling College of Art and Design. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit siestakeycrystalclassic.com or contact the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce at 941-349-3800 or events@siestakeychamber.com.

Community Foundation supports new therapy van for Forty Carrots

The Forty Carrots Family Center recently received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to fund a new van for community outreach for its Mental Health Program. As part of the foundations Equity and Access initiative, the grant was made possible through the Leslie and Margaret Weller Fund, Arthur T. Esslinger Memorial Fund, James Franklin Warnell & Dorothy J. Warnell Fund, and the Two-Generation Approach Fund.

To ensure our communitys most vulnerable clients have access to high-quality mental health services, Forty Carrots utilizes its five vans to travel thousands of miles each year to provide mental health therapy," said Michelle Kapreilian, Forty Carrots CEO. "Vans are key in eliminating barriers to mental health treatment.

The therapy van is equipped with a variety of therapeutic tools, supplies, and resources necessary for therapists to create a mobile treatment room for clients at Forty Carrots partner locations. Visit fortycarrots.org for information.

Around and about ...

SunCoast Blood Centers is holding a blood drive to benefit first responders, "Boots Vs. Badges," featuring members of the Sarasota police and fire departments today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oak & Stone restaurant, 4067 Clark Road, in Sarasota. Blood donors will receive a $10 gift card from Oak & Stone and a Boots Vs. Badges T-shirt. For information and to schedule an appointment, call 866-97-BLOOD or visit suncoastblood.org.

 The Barbershop Men of Prayer and Greatness Beyond Measure will present a Back-to-School Day of Fun and backpack giveaway with school supplies on July 30 from noon-3 p.m. at the Alfred R. Goldstein Library at Ringling College of Art and Design. The event also offers free haircuts and hair braids, video game tournaments, and pizza. Info: 941-962-6789.

 Mothers Helping Mothers is holding its annual Back to School Supply Drive through July 30 with a goal to distribute 1,000 backpacks to families in need. Donors can visit MHMsarasota.com or drop off supplies at Mothers Helping Mothers, 5933 N. Washington Blvd., in Sarasota, on Monday, Tuesday Wednesday or Friday from 9-12 p.m.

 The Humane Society of Sarasota County, 2331 15th St., Sarasota, is taking part in Empty the Shelters, a nationwide reduced-fee adoption event, now through July 31. Pets will be available for adoption for $25 or less. The initiative is sponsored by Bissell Pet Foundation and MetLife Pet Insurance. Visit hssc.org.

Submissions by Scott Biehler, Marc Masferrer, Ilona Wolpin, Ann Frescura, Tonya Getzen Gowan, Cheri DeVries, Alissa Jackson.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Brunch on the Bay fundraiser for students set at USF Sarasota-Manatee
The manager of the Odessa diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Archbishop Afanasiy (Shkurupiy) of Odessa and Balti, has addressed parishioners of the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate after Russia's massive attack on Odessa. He urged them to "stop" Russia's desire to "liberate" Ukrainians.

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Athanasius' appeal was publicized by the Odessa diocese of the OCU. The archbishop, in particular, recalled that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill Gundyaev, has called the war "sacred" since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, declared that the occupiers are liberating Orthodoxy from "schismatics" and blessed the Russian army for murder, terrorism, child abuse and destruction of shrines.

"With his blessing, missiles, bombs and mines fall on our towns and villages. And tonight your patriarch blessed to liberate you from the cathedral", - noted Athanasius.

He also expressed hope that in many of the supporters of the UOC-MP "still warms the light of the Ukrainian".

"Until today in your temples you have been extolling prayers for the Moscow patriarch, their church, the Moscow authorities and army, and along with your prayers to the Almighty God you have been raising requests to kill your compatriots. It is time to stop," the clergyman emphasized.

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Athanasius urged the parishioners of the UOC-MP to stop being afraid and make a willful decision, because Ukraine has an Orthodox canonical Church, whose embrace is always open to each of them.

"Stop Russia's desire to liberate you from the churches you have built, your homes from your parents, your children, and ultimately from yourselves. Our Church is waiting for each of you. May the Almighty Lord help you to make the right decision," the archbishop urged.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- On the night of July 23, Russia attacked Odessa with Kh-22 cruise missiles, Kalibers, Onyx, Iskander-K and Iskander-M ballistic missiles. More than 20 people were injured, one was killed.

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- The historic center of the city, which is under UNESCO protection, received colossal destruction. The Transfiguration Cathedral, the House of Scientists, famous courtyards and residential buildings were badly damaged.

- The Odessa diocese of the UOC-MP called the missile attack on the Transfiguration Cathedral a terrorist attack and emphasized that the shrine had nothing to do with military facilities. At the same time, the Lavra said that not everything is unambiguous and "God's will is done".

- Russian propagandist Olga Skabeeva issued that the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral was allegedly hit by the AFU, while the Russian Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry blamed Ukrainian air defense for the destruction of the church.

- Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko confirmed that the cathedral was hit by a Russian missile and not by air defense systems, as Moscow claims.

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Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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.

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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.
A California prison guard convicted last week of lying to a federal grand jury about another guards attack on an inmate who later died is asking a judge to throw out her perjury conviction, as well as four other charges on which the jury failed to reach a verdict.

Brenda Villa, 32, of North Highlands, was convicted last Monday of perjury in a trial focused on the code of silence among guards at California prisons.

A jury failed to reach unanimous verdicts on one count of conspiracy to commit falsification of records and three counts of falsification of records stemming from a Sept. 15, 2016, attack at California State Prison, Sacramento, on Ronnie Price, a 65-year-old inmate.

Now, her attorney is asking Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb to throw out all the charges, arguing that Shubb should exercise his independent judgment and set aside her conviction.

In this case, much of the governments evidence was uncontested except the defendant, Brenda Villa, denied being a knowing participant in a Code of Silence intended to cover up the tragic indefensible use of force by another correctional officer, her attorney, Eric Hintz, wrote in a motion filed Sunday. Unfortunately for the government, its case was largely dependent on the testimony of witnesses who engaged in criminal behavior themselves and the court properly instructed the jury that they should exercise caution when considering the testimony of these witnesses.

The government took the better part of seven years to bring this case to trial and was allowed to put on its case without a single objection by the defendant. Defendant now seeks the courts assistance in putting an end to this matter by finding that the Jurys verdict as to Count 5 was not supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt and further finding that same failure of proof as to Counts 1 through 4.

Prosecutors would not say after the verdict whether they would seek a second trial on the counts the jury deadlocked on, but Hintz wrote in his motion that he received an email from them at 2:45 p.m. Friday that they planned to seek a new trial.

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Shubb scheduled a hearing for Monday afternoon in the case, which already has seen two other New Folsom prison guards sentenced to prison in the attack on Price and the subsequent cover up.

Guard Arturo Pacheco was accused of yanking Prices legs backward out from under him while he had his hands cuffed behind his back. Price fell face first onto the concrete floor and died at UC Davis Medical Center two days later.

Pacheco pleaded guilty last July to two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of falsifying records. He was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison.

Ashley Aurich, Pachecos partner during the escort, pleaded guilty in January 2021 to falsifying records in a federal investigation and testified at trial. She was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Villa was not present during the attack, but was a new correctional sergeant who was accused of orchestrating a cover up among guards afterward.

She faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the perjury conviction.

Hintz is also asking Shubb to relieve him as Villas lawyer and replace him with a federal defender because she has used up her legal defense funds provided by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association.

I was retained by Brenda Villa in October of 2020 with the understanding that her legal defense would be paid for by the CCPOA Legal Defense Fund subject to the contractual limits of that coverage, Hintz wrote in a separate motion. In the months prior to the Jury Trial in this matter, I was informed that the limits of Brenda Villas legal defense coverage were in danger of being exhausted.

Rather than dealing with this issue on the eve of trial, I elected to proceed to trial without concerning my client or opposing counsel or the court of this situation. In the week after the jury was discharged in this matter, while the government was still deciding whether to request a second trial, I informed counsel that I might not be able to continue my representation of Brenda Villa in the event of a second jury trial because I would likely not be compensated for the same.

He added that he and Villa are in agreement that in the event that the government is seeking a second trial that new counsel be appointed at public expense for her continued representation.
The three top American officials who traveled to Beijing in recent weeks had a challenging brief: stabilize the worlds most consequential  and contentious  bilateral relationship.

Already rocked by the Covid-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine and tensions over trade, tech and human rights, relations between the United States and China had cratered to a historical low over the past year, as Beijing cut multiple lines of communication with Washington after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last August.

Efforts to restore dialogue after a November summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in Bali then sunk alongside a Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down over the US earlier this year  sending relations into a further spiral.

Sequential visits to Beijing since late last month from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury chief Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry to meet Chinese leaders, including Xi, Premier Li Qiang and top diplomat Wang Yi, have been widely hailed as a significant step forward from that low.

The stakes for such meetings are high.

The success of global efforts to combat climate change may depend on how well the two powers can cooperate  and their relations impact issues from the shape of global supply chains to the risk for conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

But the recent visits  which ended with pledges to continue to communicate, but no concrete agreements  have also spotlighted questions of how much room there is for the two world powers to work together on issues of global importance.

This contact reduces the risk of miscalculation, so thats a start. It is not the same as moving ahead on ties, said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

And when it comes to what was actually agreed upon in the meetings, theres a willingness to engage further and thats a good sign  but theres nothing substantive, he said.

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A US Air Force U-2 pilot looks down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovers over the central continental United States on February 3, 2023 before later being shot down by the Air Force off the coast of South Carolina. - U.S. Air Force/Department of Defense/Handout/Reuters

Meeting halfway

Expectations of major breakthroughs on cooperation were low going into the meetings, and a critical stumbling block remains sharply different baseline perceptions, observers say.

Beijing views Washington as bent on suppressing its development and global rise, while Washington has proclaimed the need to protect its national security and the world order from an increasingly authoritarian and assertive China.

(Both sides) say they want to stop the downward spiral and put a floor under the relationship, but neither side is willing to make any compromise to meet the other halfway, said Suisheng Zhao, director of the Center for China-US Cooperation at the University of Denver.

Both are under the impression that they will not get any positive response from the other side, he added.

While Kerry stressed that the two countries cannot let bilateral differences stand in the way of making concrete progress on climate cooperation, Chinas top diplomat Wang insisted this cooperation cannot be separated from the overall environment of Sino-US relations.

Yellen, meanwhile, sought to impress that the US in its policy was only taking targeted national security actions, and not seeking to gain economic advantage over China.

But Chinas Premier Li, saw things differently: overstretching the concept of security would hurt the economic development of both countries and the world, he told the Treasury chief earlier this month.

Washington last year imposed sweeping curbs on exports of critical technology to China in the name of security, and Beijing has responded with export controls of its own.

These are part of a stack of grievances between the two, which also hit on US sanctions on Chinese entities, Trump-era trade tariffs, military operations in the South China Sea and relations with the democratic island of Taiwan, which Chinas Communist Party claims but has never controlled.

Movement on any of these issues could help enable the two to work together on less prickly areas, experts say, but this ranges from difficult to impossible given strategic concerns and domestic circumstances.

Even restoring high-level military dialogue is at an impasse. China has refused US overtures to restore those ties, apparently until Washington removes sanctions against its defense minister Li Shangfu.

Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at the Renmin University in Beijing, said that both the US and China want to prevent their rivalry and confrontation from significant worsening, and both sides place a high priority on preventing military conflict with each other.

At the same time, however, neither side has given or is prepared to give the other significant and lasting concessions, and is continuing, or even escalating, to do whatever it considers vital, for strategic security, technical security, and more, he said.

US climate envoy John Kerry during a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in the Great Hall of the People on July 18, 2023 in Beijing, China. - Florence Lo/Pool/Getty Images

Whats next?

But all this doesnt mean theres no room to work together, according to Shanghai-based international relations scholar Shen Dingli.

The two countries are now on a fast track of cooperation, even though neither side has announced it, internally, they are committed (to this), Shen said, noting that it was likely both sides in the recent visits had listed out concerns for the other to consider while working toward the next round of exchange.

And despite tough talk from Chinese leaders like Wang Yi, Shen said Beijing was open to cooperate on issues where it was possible, like climate, even amid broader tensions.

As Kerry closed out his trip earlier this week, the climate envoy, too, seemed hopeful. Though they realized that its going to take a little bit more work to break the new ground, the two sides would be meeting on a regular basis in the coming weeks, said Kerry.

Speaking from a security conference in the US on Sunday, Blinken told CNN the US is attempting to strengthen lines of communication with China to avoid conflict between the two superpowers.

We werent doing a lot of talking before. Now we are. We have different groups that are engaged, or about to engage, on discrete issues  that are problems  in the relationship where I believe we can, I think, get to a resolution, Blinken said, adding the proof will be in the results.

Observers will also be watching whether China reciprocates with its own high-level visits to Washington in the coming weeks  especially as leader Xi may visit the US when it hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.

The most obvious first step for a first follow-up  a visit to Washington from Foreign Minister Qin Gang, whom Blinken invited during his Beijing visit last month  has been complicated, however, by Qins mysterious disappearance from public view in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, both sides will need to carefully weigh the optics of their diplomacy for their domestic audiences, where neither government wants to look soft on the other, especially as the US moves toward its presidential election season.

The expectation is to continue and strengthen the channels of communications and strive for practical, specific steps to address issues in bilateral relations, said Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington.

Military-to-military (communication) and fentanyl (drug control) are high on the US agenda and I think the Chinese are likely to work something out later this year  (But) the Chinese will demand reciprocity, which will induce more domestic criticism on US policy, she added.

And while the prospect of further communications is a positive development, observers warn the situation remains fragile.

The relationship is on firmer ground, but its still brittle, said Chong in Singapore. Any number of incidents related to flashpoints in the relations could still derail things, he said.

CNNs Nectar Gan contributing reporting.

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Two people were arrested on the Eastern Shore of Virginia early Saturday morning after a car crash that involved a State Trooper.

Traquan Briscoe, 24, of Exmore was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and failure to main lane, Virginia State Police said in a release.

According to Virginia State Police, the crash occurred in Painter at about 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, on Route 13 northbound, south of Coal Kin Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a Virginia State Trooper was traveling northbound on Route 13, en route to Riverside Shore Memorial hospital in reference to an earlier DUI investigation.

As the trooper followed the ambulance that was transporting the DUI subject, a black SUV that was travelling in the southbound lane on Route 13 crossed over into the northbound lanes. The vehicle continued into the northbound lane and hit the driver side near quarter panel of the state trooper's vehicle. The crash caused the trooper to spinout in the roadway, and the SUV continued off the roadway into a ditch.

The trooper exited the vehicle and approached the SUV, when Briscoe attempted to place the vehicle in drive and reverse to leave the scene. Briscoe was taken into custody and arrested. The trooper suffered minor injuries from the crash.

The trooper who was struck stayed at the scene of the crash, where friends and family members of Briscoe arrived. According to Virginia State Police, a female became loud and belligerent and assaulted the trooper. Mattie Black, 23, of Cape Charles was arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and felony assault of a law enforcement officer.

More: Cyclist killed in fatal Salisbury hit and run

More: Chincoteague Island Pony Swim and Auction returns for its 98th year. Here's all to know.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Virginia man charged with DUI, more after crash with State Trooper
Authorities continue to search for a Lehigh Acres woman they believe was involved in two separate hit-and-run crashes, sending one of the other motorists to the hospital.

Troopers, as well as Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, are searching for Amber Jean Tremblay, 33, in connection with both crashes.

The first crash happened around 5:35 p.m. Sunday when Tremblay was traveling north on Harvest Avenue, north of Grafton Street.

A four-wheel ATV was traveling north on the Harvest Avenue dirt shoulder. When the ATV attempted to make U-turn, it entered the northbound lane of Harvest Avenue and the front of Tremblay's car collided with the left side of the ATV.

After the crash, the ATV driver, a 27-year-old Cape Coral man, came to rest on Harvest Avenue, suffering serious injuries and was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers.

Tremblay fled in another vehicle, troopers said.

Shortly after, Tremblay's other vehicle was involved in a separate crash at Bell Boulevard and Meadow Road, investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, troopers said.

Troopers say the investigation remains ongoing and urge anyone with information to contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-8477 or the Florida Highway Patrol.

Tipsters may also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 if their tip leads to an arrest.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Authorities search for Lehigh Acres woman in two hit-and-run crashes
Governors Charter Academy has a new name  Renaissance Academy and will be led by a new principal, Precillia Vaughn.

We are thrilled to have Ms. Vaughn as our new leader at Renaissance Academy, Charter Schools USAs Florida State Superintendent Eddie Ruiz said this week in a news release. She ushers in a new era in our school with a rebirth and renewal that gives our students new opportunities for growth. Her roots with the school and in the Tallahassee community give her a great foundation from which she can foster new and innovative ideas.

Renaissance Academy's new principal, Precillia Vaughn, has over 10 years of educational experience.

Renaissance Academy, located on Mahan Drive, will continue to serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade under the management of Charter Schools USA Inc. (CSUSA), a family of schools located in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Vaughn has a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in secondary education and a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education.

She has over 10 years of educational experience and a standing relationship with the campus, having served as a middle school English Language Arts teacher at Governors Charter before moving to Jacksonville to serve as dean of students at Duval Charter School at Flagler Center, one of 39 other schools governed by Renaissance Charter School, Inc.

Vaughn succeeds David Chambers who has served as principal since 2021.

Chambers has over 30 years of educator experience, serving in administration at many schools, including dean of students at Tallahassee Classical School in 2020.

It is unclear why Chambers left the school, and his departure was not addressed in the news release.

"As we work toward bringing excellent educational options to North Florida, our board decided that the Renaissance name represents high quality educational options for students. We are starting fresh with new leadership at our school and wanted our name to represent a rebirth of sorts as we move into the future with great enthusiasm," Renaissance Charter Schools Inc. Chairman Ken Haiko said in an email to Charter Schools USA's media representative.

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For the last six years, including the 2022-23 school year, the former Governors Charter School, which opened in August 2012, has maintained a C grade average, with a D grade in the 2016-2017 school year.

More: Governor's Charter School 'grossly out of compliance,' Leon superintendent writes

More Charter Schools USA Inc. schools: Warrington Middle School scores 'D' grade; will close and reopen as a charter school

The Renaissance Academy name announcement comes months after noncompliance allegations from the Leon County School Board were sent to the former Governors Charter Academy.

In a letter to the charter school, Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna stated the school had not fulfilled its contract with the district.

"Therefore, the foregoing facts lead us to conclude that Governors Charter Academy is grossly out of compliance," Hanna wrote.

Some of the issues Hanna stated alleged Governors Charter students had not received grades for previous quarters or years; attendance was not being taken consistently; students were missing immunization records; missing documentation for Federal Title I reimbursements; missing SESSIR data, and there was no documentation of employment of mental health staff and a law enforcement officer.

However, the school district worked with the school to resolve those issues and to move forward. Renaissance Academy's contract is now in good standing.

There are five charter schools in the district: Renaissance Academy, School of Arts and Sciences on Thomasville Road, School of Arts and Sciences at the Centre, Tallahassee School of Math and Science and Tallahassee Classical School.

Tallahassee Democrat writer Alaijah Brown can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Governors Charter Academy is now Renaissance Academy
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted July 14-20:

In addition to the week's roll call votes, the House also passed, by voice vote, the Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments (H.R. 1418), to reauthorize user fee programs relating to new animal drugs and generic new animal drugs.

House

House Vote 1:MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670), to bar the use of funds to utilize race and ethnically-based criteria for evaluating admission applications for the Military Academy (West Point), Naval Academy and three other military service academies. The vote, on July 14, was 218 yeas to 210 nays.YEAS: Jim Jordan R-OH (4th), Bob Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 2:CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670), that would bar funding for the Defense Department to implement policies pursuant to a variety of Biden administration executive orders on climate change and energy. The vote, on July 14, was 217 yeas to 216 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 3:MILITARY SPENDING: The House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize fiscal 2024 Defense Department spending, and spending on military construction programs and military-related programs at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 219 yeas to 210 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 4:COMMUNICATING ABOUT REGULATIONS: The House has passed the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act (S. 111), sponsored by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., to require government agencies to include brief plain language summaries of proposed rules with their published notices for the rules. The vote, on July 17, was unanimous with 400 yeas.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

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House Vote 5:INVESTMENT IN UNITED STATES: The House has passed the Global Investment in American Jobs Act (H.R. 813), sponsored by Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind. The bill would require the Commerce Department and Government Accountability Office to collaborate on an interagency review of America's ability to attract direct investment from foreign businesses and ways to improve that ability. The vote, on July 17, was 386 yeas to 22 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 6:LIBYA EMERGENCY: The House has rejected a resolution (H.J. Res. 70), sponsored by Rep. Paul A. Gosar, R-Ariz., that would have terminated the national emergency with regards to Libya that President Obama declared in February 2011. The vote, on July 18, was 30 yeas to 388 nays.NAYS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 7:SYRIA EMERGENCY: The House has rejected a resolution (H.J. Res. 79), sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that would have terminated a national emergency related to Syria that was declared by President Bush in May 2004 and has been used to apply various sanctions against officials in Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime. The vote, on July 18, was 24 yeas to 394 nays.NAYS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green

House Vote 8:ISRAEL RESOLUTION: The House has passed a resolution (H. Con. Res. 57), sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, declaring U.S. support and partnership with Israel, rejecting the claim that Israel is a racist or apartheid state and rejecting anti-Semitism and xenophobia. The vote, on July 18, was 412 yeas to 9 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 9:SCHOOLS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: The House has passed the Schools Not Shelters Act (H.R. 3941), sponsored by Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro, R-N.Y., to bar public schools and colleges that receive federal funding from using their facilities to house alien immigrants who are not legally in the U.S. The vote, on July 19, was 222 yeas to 201 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 10:TRAINING PILOTS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nicholas Langworthy, R-N.Y., to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935). The amendment would eliminate a bill provision that changes training requirements for pilots seeking to be certified by the FAA and thereby maintain the current 1,500-hour in-flight training requirement. The vote, on July 19, was 243 yeas to 191 nays.NAYS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 11:FLIGHT DELAY INFORMATION: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., R-N.J., to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935), that would require the Transportation Department to make public available a variety of details about the cause of the cancellation and delay of commercial airplane flights. The vote, on July 19, was 240 yeas to 195 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 12:AIRPLANE FUEL SUPPLIES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935). The amendment would allow airports to sell high-octane unleaded aviation gasoline in lieu of low-lead aviation gasoline. The vote, on July 19, was 229 yeas to 205 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 13:AVIATION POLICY: The House has passed the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935), sponsored by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo. The bill would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board through fiscal 2028 and set out an array of policy directives for the FAA and the Transportation Department, including raising the retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67. The vote, on July 20, was 351 yeas to 69 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

Senate

Senate Vote 1:APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Rachel Bloomekatz to be a judge on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Most of Bloomekatz's career, spanning the past decade, has been as a private practice lawyer, for the past four years at her own law firm. A supporter, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said: "Bloomekatz brings with her not only impressive legal credentials but the empathy, the intellect, and the deep commitment to justice required to serve the people of the Sixth Circuit." The vote, on July 18, was 50 yeas to 48 nays.YEAS: Sherrod Brown D-OHNAYS: J.D. Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 2:NATO MEMBERSHIP: The Senate has passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2226) that would require approval from Congress for the U.S. to suspend or withdraw its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The vote, on July 19, was 65 yeas to 28 nays.YEAS: Brown D-OHNAYS: Vance R-OH

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Senate Vote 3:MILITARY ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES: The Senate has rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2226), that would have required the Defense Department to change its methods of accounting for the drawdown of military supplies, including weapons systems being sent to Ukraine. Vance said a recent $6 billion accounting error by the military showed the need to "more adequately count and account for the resources we are giving to Ukraine and other nations as well." An opponent, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said: "If we adopt this amendment, we will lower the amount of equipment we can provide to Ukraine, which is critically in need of such equipment." The vote, on July 19, was 39 yeas to 60 nays.NAYS: Brown D-OHYEAS: Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 4:ENFORCING EPA RULES: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of David Uhlmann to be the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) assistant administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Uhlmann, currently a law professor at the University of Michigan, was a federal prosecutor, specializing in environmental crimes, for 17 years. The vote, on July 20, was 53 yeas to 46 nays.YEAS: Brown D-OHNAYS: Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 5:PETROLEUM RESERVE SALES: The Senate has passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2226) that would bar the sale of petroleum products from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Russia, China, Iran or North Korea. The vote, on July 20, was 85 yeas to 14 nays.YEAS: Brown D-OH, Vance R-OH

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Here's how area members of Congress voted July 14-20
Spain was plunged into political uncertainty Monday a day after Alberto Nunez Feijoo's conservative Popular Party narrowly won the country's national election but without securing the parliamentary majority needed to topple the five-year-old coalition government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The result means Feijoo can't claim outright victory, though he told his supporters he would try to form a government. That process is likely to take weeks or even months as Sanchez may also be able to secure support from smaller parties to form a governing coalition. A new election could also be called.

Expectations Santiago Abascal's far-right Vox party would perform well enough to prop up a Feijoo-led government did not happen. Vox's campaign was fueled by anti-immigration messages. It also attracted support by calling to repeal gender violence laws and slamming feminism. Vox took a beating in the vote.

Jobs. The economy. The cost of living. These were the issues that appeared to matter most to Spanish voters. However, climate change, nationalism and LGBTQ and gender issues also featured in campaigns.

Spain elections: 'Everything up in the air'

Alberto Feijoo, leader of the mainstream conservative Popular Party, waves to supporters outside the party headquarters in Madrid, on July 24, 2023.

No party secured more than half of the Spanish Parliament's 350 seats  the threshold required to win an absolute majority. A bloc of right wing parties led by Feijoo won 169 seats. A left wing bloc with Sanchez as the figurehead secured 153 seats. Vox won 33 seats, down from 52 in 2019.

Feijoo's best chances of forming a government had been with a partnership with Vox. That's unlikely to happen now because of the latter's poor performance. A route to power for incumbent Sanchez could be if he were able to secure the backing of Junts, a Catalan pro-independence party founded by Carles Puigdemont. Catalonia is a region of Spain with Barcelona as its capital that has long sought to breakaway from Spain's government.

"The results are so close that they leave everything up in the air," the Spanish newspaper El Pais wrote Monday.

"The Spanish political landscape is wide open."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spain election vote ends in stalemate
By Ari Rabinovitch

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's parliament on Monday ratified the first bill of a judicial overhaul sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after last-gasp compromise efforts collapsed and failed to ease a constitutional crisis convulsing the country for months.

The amendment limiting the Supreme Court's powers to void some government decisions if it deemed them "unreasonable" passed by a 64-to-0 vote after opposition lawmakers abandoned the session in protest, some of them shouting: "For shame!"

Demonstrations against the amendment began early in the day with police dragging away protesters who had chained themselves to posts and blocked the road outside parliament. By evening, thousands had taken to the streets across the country, blocking highways and scuffling with police. Israeli police said at least 19 people had been arrested on Monday.

But the government held firm. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, an architect of the legislative package cast by Netanyahu as needed to create more balance among branches of government, called Monday's vote a "first step".

The amendment is part of broader judicial changes the government announced in January, soon after it was sworn in, which it says are needed to push back against what it describes as overreach by a Supreme Court that it says has become too politically interventionist.

Critics say the changes will open the door to abuses of power by removing effective checks on the executive's authority. The planned changes have caused months of unprecedented nationwide protests and stirred concern among allies abroad for Israel's democratic health.

Within minutes of the vote, a political watchdog group and the centrist opposition leader said they would appeal against the law at the Supreme Court.

Netanyahu, in televised remarks after sundown as the protests raged, said he would seek dialogue with the opposition with the aim of reaching an all-inclusive agreement by the end of November.

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"We all agree that Israel must remain a strong democracy, that it must continue protecting individual rights for everyone, that it will not become a state of (Jewish law), that the courts will remain independent," said Netanyahu, who had been discharged from hospital in the morning fitted with a pacemaker.

The crisis has caused a deep divide in Israeli society and has seeped into the military, with protest leaders saying thousands of volunteer reservists would not report for duty if the government continues with the plans and former top brass warning that Israel's war-readiness could be at risk.

Protesters who had converged on Jerusalem blocked a highway near parliament and were cleared by police dragging them across the asphalt and using water cannons, including one that sprayed a foul-smelling substance.

"It's a sad day for Israeli democracy... We're going to fight back," said Inbar Orpaz, 36, speaking among the crowd outside parliament.

In Tel Aviv, horse-mounted police tried to disperse a crowd on the main highway, where protesters lit small fires.

Outside the city, a driver rammed into a small crowd that was blocking a road, lightly wounding three people, police said, adding that the car's owner was later arrested.

After the law passed, the White House repeated its call for Israel's leaders to work toward "as broad a consensus as possible" through political dialogue.

Tel Aviv's main share indices tumbled as much as 2.5% after the vote in Knesset and the shekel slid 1% against the dollar.

Opposition leaders pledged to challenge the change.

The head of the Histadrut labour federation, after failing to mediate a compromise between the religious-nationalist coalition and opposition parties, threatened to declare a general strike if the government pursued "unilateral" measures.

A senior member of the opposition, Benny Gantz, promised to roll back the legislation while opposition leader Yair Lapid said: "This government can win the battle, but not the war."

(Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell, Dan Williams, Steven Scheer, Henriette Chacar, Matt Spetalnick and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Miral Fahmy, Tomasz Janowski, Nick Macfie and Rosalba O'Brien)
WINCHESTER, Ind.  Four juveniles were taken into custody on Saturday after a break-in at a Winchester gun store and a police chase that concluded in Ohio.

According to Winchester police, officers responded to a burglary alarm at Apex Shooters Supply, 910 E. Washington St., about 3:45 a.m. Saturday.

Officers determined a vehicle had been used to crash into the front doors of the business, and "several firearms had been stolen," according to a release.

Police then located "suspect vehicles," and a chase lasting an estimated 40 minutes ensued. The pursuit eventually reached Greenville, Ohio, about 20 miles southeast of Winchester, and ended in Pittsburg, a village in Darke County about 12 miles southeast of Greenville.

Four juvenile suspects were taken into custody, Winchester police said.

WHIO-TV in Dayton reported at least two suspects apprehended were from the Dayton area, and were being held in a juvenile detention facility in Miami County, Ohio.

In their release, Winchester Police Chief Michael Burk and Deputy Chief Brandon Barndollar expressed thanks to Randolph County and Darke County sheriff's deputies, Union City and Greenville police, Indiana State Police, Ohio State Patrol, ATF agents and emergency dispatchers from Randolph and Darke counties for "all their assistance and efforts in this incident to get it to a safe and effective resolve."

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Juveniles held after break-in at Winchester gun store, police chase
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) have launched the In Country Value (ICV) Apprentice Programme. Part of the Nafis Khebra programme, the initiative aims to enhance the technical and digital capabilities of local talents across a range of specialisations.

The ICV Apprentice Programme supports the objectives of National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and Nafis to empower Emirati talent and develop their skills across different sectors.

The ICV Apprentice Programme, in its initial phase, will prepare 50 national talents for success in the UAE job market. As an initiative of the National ICV Programme, the ICV Apprentice Programme aligns with MoIATs efforts to create a self-sufficient industrial sector.

Local talent

Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT and Chairman of the National Committee for the In-Country Value Programme said: Enhancing the capabilities of local talent in the private sector is among the key pillars of the UAEs sustainable development trajectory. The programme, which falls under Nafis Khebra initiative, will provide Emirati undergraduates with training opportunities in ICV certification and financial auditing.

He added: MoIAT aims to collaborate with strategic partners and certifying bodies to empower and equip UAE talent with the skills required to thrive in the job market. The ICV Apprentice Programme is an extension of training and development initiatives that support Emiratisation under the National ICV Programme.

He noted that National ICV Programme is one of the key strategic pillars of Operation 300bn to advance the UAEs industrial sector, as well as promote the growth and sustainability of local supply chains. It also creates high-quality job opportunities and provides incentives for advanced technology adoption.

Programme contribution

He indicated that the programme contributed to redirecting more than AED53 billion ($14.43 billion) into the national economy in 2022, an increase of 25% compared to 2021. As of the second quarter of 2023, there were 13,440 Emiratis employed by ICV-certified companies in private sector.

Additionally, he highlighted that the recently announced Industrialists Programme by MoIAT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation and Nafis, offers 500 training and job opportunities for UAE nationals. The programme is specifically designed to empower Emirati talent by providing them with essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the industrial sector.

Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the UAE Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) stressed the importance of the Apprentice Programme, praising the collaboration with MoIAT and the private sector. He emphasised the need for experienced Emirati talent in the UAE job market specialising in the ICV Programme to ensure compliance with certification standards among companies through audits and assessments.

He added that the Nafis programme comprises financial and technical initiatives that support Emiratisation in the private sector. These initiatives include Khebra, which focuses on training and upskilling local talent, and will see MoIAT, the Council and certifying bodies enhance the competencies and technical capabilities of Emiratis relating to ICV certification.

Extensive training

The ICV Apprentice Programme, aimed at undergraduates, will provide participants with an intensive three-month training programme with the 25 ICV certifying bodies. The participants will also receive monthly stipends from Nafis during the training programme.

MoIAT launched the National ICV Programme as part of Projects of the 50. The programme contributes to national GDP growth, localises supply chains, and encourages public entities and major companies to support local industries, redirecting spending to the UAE economy. ICV-certified companies gain a competitive advantage in procurement processes, which promotes business growth.-- TradeArabia News Service
This is the third time that enemy drones have been able to fly unimpeded into the centre of the capital of the terrorist state, Moscow. This is quite a significant indicator given that the drones caused damage despite the Russian authorities' claims that they had been neutralised.

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This was reported by Sky News Moscow correspondent Diana Magnay. She noted that two non-residential buildings were hit during the attack, although it is not yet clear whether they were targeted by drones or damaged by air defence.

"According to a representative of the Ministry of Defence, they were shot down by electronic warfare, but they still managed to cause damage in the centre of Moscow," the journalist noted.

"Of course, we don't know whether they (UAVs - ed.) came from the Ukrainian border or were launched inside Russia by partisans or Ukrainian special forces. But this is the second time - the third time, if we take into account the drone strikes on the Kremlin over the past few months - that we have seen drones successfully hitting targets in the centre of Moscow," the article says.

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As a reminder, on the night of 24 July, explosions occurred in Moscow, and the Russian authorities claimed an attack by "Ukrainian drones". Windows were smashed in one of the business centres, and smoke was visible near the building of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has stated that there will be more "cotton" in Russia and the territories it occupies. This process will continue and gain momentum until the aggressor's army leaves Ukraine.

"The fact that the 'cotton' is taking place in Moscow, directly in the square where the key institutions of the security and defence sector of the terrorist state are located, means that even such facilities and the sky above them are no longer controlled by the Putin regime," the agency said.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Moscow residents told about nighttime explosions in the Russian capital. They complained of a loud sound like thunder and recalled how grey smoke rose over the city;

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- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the 24 July drone attack on Moscow. He said that this issue was within the competence of the terrorist state's defence ministry and noted that all UAVs had been neutralised by air defence forces.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



With every event Nicole Kidman attends, she aces the perfect Hollywood outfit.

Back in February 2008 the Moulin Rouge! actress traveled to Tokyo, Japan to attend a photo call for her then-new film The Golden Compass.

She shined in a unique black dress, which featured a number of textured materials that gave Nicole an unexpected edge.

With every event Nicole Kidman attends, she aces the perfect Hollywood outfit. Turns out, it's not a new thingshe's knocked everyone off their feet for quite a while when it comes to her fashion.

In February 2008, the Moulin Rouge! actress traveled to Tokyo, Japan to attend a photo call for her then-new film The Golden Compass. When she arrived for the red carpet, she shined in a unique black dress, which featured a number of textured materials that gave Nicole an unexpected edge. The bottom of the frock was comprised of a silky skirt that had tulle on top of it. It also had a floral lace design that went across the midriff and ventured down the seams of the A-like silhouette.

The highlight of the dress was the ensemble's bodice that showed off a myriad of striking yet playful couture elements. A ruched bralette-style front popped against a see-through piece overlaying from the neckline to the waist. Along with a different kind of lace, the lower half of the top appeared akin to a spider-web with its transparent paneling. What's more, a structured fringed shoulders added an extra touch, helping Nicole made a rock and roll outfit look chic for a movie premiere.

Junko Kimura - Getty Images

Jun Sato - Getty Images

To offset the monochromatic look, Nicole kept the rest of the outfit simple. The Being the Ricardos star paired the dress with black kitten heels with bows at the toes. She also wore a sparkling diamond bracelet and stud earrings. Nicole styled her blonde hair into a side-swept curly ponytail. The Australian native then tied it all together with black eyeliner and a muted plum lipstick for makeup.

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As Nicole somehow always makes red carpet attire feel effortless, there has to be a method to pulling off the perfect look. When speaking to Vanity Fair in June 2017, she revealed a specific detail she looks out for while trying out looks.

"The only one that I consider is to feel relaxed," she told the outlet. "I also want to be able to dance. Thats an important rule for a dress  to be able to dance. At least wiggle!"

With that piece of advice, it makes us want to bust a move as well.

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Editor's note: Events are subject to change, and contacting your church ahead of time is recommended. Churches may send updates to worship services, schedules or protocols, as well as any upcoming vacation Bible school schedules, via email to kwood@lubbockonline.com. Listings are sorted below by newest information.

 First Church of Christ, Scientist Amarillo  2701 Julian Blvd. Everyone is welcome at our Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School meets at the same time for children and teens. Our weekly testimonial meetings on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. are a wonderful opportunity for inspiration and fellowship. For more information see our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/First-Church-of-Christ-Scientist-Amarillo-104483494978237 or our website at https://www.cschurchamarillo.com/ .

 First Christian Church  3001 Wolflin Ave. First Christian Church announces its 14th annual shoe drive, partnering with the international nonprofit Soles4Souls, now through July 31. Anyone in the Amarillo area with shoes to donate are welcome to drop off pairs of SINGLES for all age groups, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church office and Sunday mornings before or after 10 a.m. worship. You may also call the office for pick up at 806-355-6526. Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. All are invited to attend. Those who cannot attend the Sunday worship service are invited to participate online as follows: FCC Facebook page: facebook.com/FirstChristianAmarillo , FCC YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCkyDAlGKrx82S5qCbiBlS_g

 Christian Heritage Church - 900 S Nelson St. Service times are Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. We desire to reach the lost and broken - people just like us. And we hope to provide them a place of refuge in and with us. We are a "City of Refuge. We aim to help people find healing in Jesus from: insecurity, addictions, shame, un-forgiveness, defeatism and family life patterns. For more, email info@chcamarillo.com .

 Amazing Grace Amarillo (Lutheran Church - WELS) - Join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. at 8700 Clinton Glenn Dr. Amarillo, TX 79119. We've moved! We also offer children's Bible school at 9:15 a.m. along with our teen/adult Bible study on Sundays. You can stream our services at AmazingGraceAmarillo.com and join us for Bible Study on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Message our pastor at pastorhans@amazinggraceamarillo.com .

 The Loft Church  4400 S. Georgia. Services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

 Power Church  New service times: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (bilingual). Also Wednesdays at 7 p.m. When the sanctuary reaches capacity, we will overflow into the fellowship room and youth room where the service will be streamed.

 Sandell Drive In Theater, Clarendon  Sunday service at 10 a.m. Add in a beautiful Sunday drive out to Clarendon and experience church.

 Accelerate Church, 4400 S Crockett, and Accelerate North Campus, 1300 E Central.

 Triumphant Truth Church, 1701 S Manhattan St.

 Central Church of ChristJoin us on Sundays for class at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m. Youll find us in person at 1401 S. Madison St. and online at www.amarillocentral.org.

 Paramount Baptist Church  3801 S. Western St. in Amarillo. Sunday school is at 9 a.m. with worship at 10:15 a.m. We also have a Spanish speaking service at 10:15 a.m. Visit www.paramount.org for more information. Everyone is welcome!

 St. Luke Presbyterian Church  3001 Bell St. Visit the churchs website at stlukeamarillo.com for a link to the bulletin and live streaming videos. In-person and live streaming service on Sundays at 11 a.m. Member of PCUSA. All are welcome.

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  2101 N. Coulter St.

 "The Cross" in Groom, Texas  Information: Cross Ministry  Jason Eugea, 806-248-9006.

 Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship  4109 Cornell St. Please join us at the Fellowship this Sunday at 11 a.m. Our services are in-person and also live-streamed on our YouTube and Facebook pages. Children's programming is available during the service. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every person and are an Open & Affirming congregation. For more information about AUUF, see our website at uuamarillo.org.

 Redeemer Presbyterian Church  7603 77th Ave. "This branch of Christs Church in the Panhandle seeks to be faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission." Sunday school at 9:30 am, followed by worship service at 10:30 and evening worship service at 5 p.m. We offer live streaming on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHc6sCADFHQ6xD91jMxktfQ. Please visit our website at http://redeemeramarillo.com/ for more information. We are located at 7603 - 77th Ave., near Coulter and Arden Road, Amarillo.

 Pleasant Valley Methodist Church  316 Valley Ave. Everyone is welcome at our Sunday worship service. Visit with us in person at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is at 9 a.m. At Pleasant Valley Methodist, we have multiple ways for you to connect with our community of faith. From Bible class Wednesday at 5 p.m. to food cupboard, AISD ministry and outreach to the impoverished, there is a place for you. If youd like more information, go to Pleasant Valley Methodist Church (Amarillo) on Facebook, or call (806) 383-3342. Mail us: info@yourpvumc.org .

 Olsen Park Church of Christ  invites you to visit our worship services and Bible studies at 4700 Andrews Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106, Sunday: 9 a.m. (short service), 9:30 a.m. (Bible class), 10:30 a.m. (worship); Wednesday: 7 p.m. (Bible class). For more information, go to www.olsenpark.com and Olsen Park Church of Christ on Facebook, or call 806-352-2809. Subscribe to our weekly Bible study podcast, Faithful Sayings Podcast, on Apple Podcasts or your favorite provider.

 Second Baptist Church  419 N. Buchanan St. Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for worship followed by Sunday School at 10:45 a.m. For more information please visit sbcama.org or call the church at 806-373-1737. Also, our sermons are broadcast on KAMR channel 4 every Sunday morning at 8 a.m.

 Life.Church Amarillo  Services in the new building, located on the northwest corner of I-27 and Hollywood Road, are held at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Life.Church is made up of people from different backgrounds linked together by a common mission: leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. The services begin with high-energy worship and feature biblical teaching from Senior Pastor Craig Groeschel. Children (birth-6th grade) learn through age-appropriate LifeKids curriculum created by Life.Church while adult volunteers lead discussions and care for each child. For more, see www.life.church/amarillo.

 South Georgia Baptist Church  5209 S. Georgia St. You're invited to join us each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for small group Bible study and at 10:30 a.m. for our morning worship service. Our 10:30 a.m. service streams live at sgbc.co/watch. Visit sgbc.co for more information.

 Bell Avenue Church of Christ Amarillo  1600 Bell St. For more information, please contact the Bell Avenue Church of Christ at 806-355-2351 or visit our website, www.bellavenue.org .

 Pathpoint Fellowship Church, 6215 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, 79110, 806-463-7284.

 Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church, 1801 N. Hughes St. For more info, please call 806 373 2576.

 Bible Believers Baptist Church, 12,200 W Rockwell Rd. Services at 10 a.m.; Bible Study at 11 a.m. Preaching and Worship at 7 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., prayer meeting and Bible Study. On Friday at 7 p.m., Youth Night. Look for us on KZBZ 10.2 or cable channel 6 Bible Says Broadcast Sundays at 10 a.m. and 940 AM Radio at 9 a.m. Services streamed on our website biblebelieversbaptist.com . Call 806-499-3231 for more information.

 Polk Street United Methodist Church  Please worship with us in person at 8:30 and 10:55 a.m. in our historic Sanctuary at 1401 S. Polk St., or worship online with us at 10:55 a.m. at psumc.com or on our Facebook page. At Polk Street, we have multiple ways for you to connect with our community of faith. From Bible studies and small groups to exercise classes and outreach to the impoverished, there is a place for you. If youd like more information, please visit psumc.com and either email us or complete a contact form.

 Grace Communion International (GCI Amarillo), 1400 Wolflin (Covenant Presbyterian)  Saturdays 2:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Fellowship Group gathering for worship music, prayer, devotional readings and seasonal messages. Multi-generational service. New participants and all ages welcome. Refreshments following and simple potluck on the 1st Saturdays. For information and schedule confirmation (806) 473-8753 or (806) 340-4704.

 Westminster Presbyterian Church  In-person and live streaming service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. available to watch from the churchs website at wpcama.com, click on Sermons. Childcare and youth activities are available. Children and youth are welcome to stay in the service as well. Church is located at 2525 Wimberly Road.

 Coulter Road Baptist Church  4108 S. Coulter St. Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship is streamed on our website, www.coulterbc.com. Contact info: 806-352-5278.

 Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Amarillo  worship/communion service is at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. The service also will be available on the churchs website on Sunday evenings at https://www.beautifulsavioramarillo.org.videos.

 Covenant Presbyterian Church in Amarillo  1400 Wolflin Ave. We invite you to join us for worship where we praise God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - every Sunday at 10 a.m. We have Sunday School for adults at 9 a.m., prior to worship. Our goal is to rejoice before the Lord as we begin a new week, to support one another in prayer and care; we also challenge one another to live as children of God in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit leads us to share our prayers and resources with mission groups in Amarillo, Egypt, Belize and Ukraine. Each month we also collect supplies to share with groups in town that reach out to others. If you would like more information, you can call the church office at 806-376-5244. Our pastor is also available for pastoral care. All glory to God!

 Trinity Fellowship  Family Worship and Prophetic Nights: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at every campus (no childcare available). At Hollywood Road, if we reach capacity in the West Auditorium at the 9 a.m. service, we use the worship to the Worship Center, which will be our overflow room. For details of the Sunday happenings at your campus, visit TFC.org/Sundays. Church Online at 9 and 11 a.m. on all viewing platforms. Family Worship & Prophetic Nights will be available on all digital platforms during the Wednesday night service time.

 Anna Street Church of Christ  2310 Anna St., across from Olsen Park Elementary. Sunday: 9:45 a.m.  classes; 10:30 a.m.  Morning Worship. Wednesday: 6:45 p.m.  Song Practice; 7:35 p.m.  Evening Teaching. Please check us out on Facebook, or stay current with our preaching series through YouTube. You can visit http://www.annastreetchurch.org/ for more information.

 Southwest Church of Christ  Come see us Sunday for Bible class at 9:30 a.m. and for Worship at 10:30 a.m. A list of current classes can be found on our website: www.southwest.org.

 First Baptist Church  Gathering at 12th and Tyler. On campus Sunday morning worship service times are 8:30 and 11 a.m., with Bible study for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Sunday evening worship meets at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary.

 Bell Avenue Church of Christ  Sunday morning worship begins at 9:30 a.m., with classes immediately following; and Sunday evening worship begins at 5 p.m. In addition, the Wednesday night devotional and classes begin at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

 Bible Believers Baptist Church  Sunday school at 10 a.m.; preaching at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study at 7 p.m. Visitation and Soul Winning: Saturday at 10 a.m. Nursery provided for all services. Minister, Glen A. Stocker.

 Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church  Morning and evening worship services. Welcome all members and guests to come in person, but will continue streaming both services via YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYV3TNTeWd1278byaIzgNIQ .

 Church of Christ at the Colonies  Sunday morning Bible classes for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.; and Wednesday evening Bible study at 6:30 p.m. The coffee connection will be open between 10:10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m for members and visitors to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends. Online streaming of Sunday morning service on YouTube or at thecolonies.org and worship is still broadcast in the parking lot on FM 95.1.

 Hillside Christian Churches  more information about service times for specific campuses can be found at www.hillsideonline.com. Childrens programming is available at all Texas campuses.

 Arden Road Baptist Church  Sunday School, children's ministries and nurseries. Service times: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., Sunday school, 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

 Messiahs House  6901 Bell St. Sunday morning worship 10 a.m., sermon and Kids Klub 11 a.m. Livestream: connect@MH.church. Wednesday evenings small groups and classes for babies through high school 6:30 to 8 p.m. First Wednesday of the month is Presence Night (worship only) with classes kindergarten through high school.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo faith calendar for July 23, 2023
Third-party candidates in America dont make history. But last week the senior senator for West Virginia made headlines, at least. Joe Manchin is hinting that he might run for the presidency in 2024, representing a new No Labels party advocating for compromise between Left and Right. Currently a Democrat, Manchin wants to challenge the dominance of the two major American political parties, both of whom, he believes, have strayed too far from the centre. But if hes actually serious about running, his project could make matters worse.

Manchins rejection of the Democrats has been a long time coming. His voting record is complex, diverging from the party line on numerous occasions. A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), Manchin opposed the more progressive elements of his party after Sandy Hook. And as one of the few anti-abortion Democrats in Congress, he has consistently voted in favour of restrictions on abortion access. Meanwhile, his support for the coal industry  an important economic driver in his home state and the industry that made him a millionaire before he entered politics  has often put him at odds with their green agenda. He was also the only Democrat to vote in favour of Brett Kavanaughs nomination in 2018, drawing the ire of many within his party, and he voted with Donald Trump more than 50% of the time.

Manchins ideology is consistent, though. Its grounded in the history of West Virginia, a former Democrat stronghold that has become solidly Republican in recent years. And his conservative bent could be perceived as a survival strategy. After all, he is currently staring down a 55% disapproval rating in West Virginia, as he contemplates seeking another term in the Senate. His opponent is likely to be the states Republican governor, Jim Justice, a former conservative Democrat who switched parties. And one does wonder: why doesnt Manchin jump ship to the Republican Party, given his voting patterns seem slightly more aligned with theirs? Trump, in 2022, actually suggested on Truth Social that Manchin be brought into the GOP.

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But Manchins comments signal a desire to reject both major parties. In America, there is a large cadre of politically homeless voters: roughly 49% of the electorate according to some polling. Where once they might have been drawn to candidates who could see the other sides point of view, these voters now seem disenchanted with party politics altogether, put off by the extreme fringes of the Republicans and Democrats alike. Manchin is appealing to them.

While polls show dissatisfaction with candidates within both parties, Manchins potential candidacy would inevitably benefit one of them. He could appeal to a critical 1% or 2% in Rust Belt swing states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, which would probably be enough to tilt the scales in favour of the GOP.

More broadly, his rhetoric is a sign of a shift in American politics. Bipartisanship and consensus decision-making, celebrated ideals for nearly three decades after the end of the Second World War, have lost their lustre, ceasing to animate the base of either party. Marginal struggles currently define internal and external political battles. But Manchin and allies, such as former Democrat Krysten Sinema  now representing Arizona in the Senate as an independent  believe theres still a silent majority to be found in the centre, one that is indifferent to the culture war that drives the loudest political engagement.

Manchins paradox is that, while the most active voters are increasingly drawn towards the extremes of their respective parties, he is gambling on the centre. While his voting record paints a picture of a moderate Democrat  often erring on the conservative side  this suggestion of a third-party candidacy implies a critical redefinition of his political stance. Instead of being the swing vote within his party, Manchin would be a fulcrum between the two major political forces. Would he survive it?

Much of Manchins political career has been characterised by his unusual resilience in the face of the onrushing deep-red political tides in West Virginia. His endurance owes much to his somewhat unconventional stances, which resonate with a Rust Belt populace disenchanted by what they perceive as the Democratic Partys preoccupation with identity politics at the expense of working-class concerns relevant to their area, such as the protection of jobs in fossil fuel industries.

But is there a national appetite for this brand of centrism? The country is polarised. The Pew Research Center has found that twice as many members of the two main American parties now view their opponents unfavourably, compared to 1994. In a sociopolitical environment where labels  LGBTQIA, America First, MAGA, they/them  have become essential to the identities of young people, not to mention their self-marketing, will there be significant support for a No Labels campaign?

Third-party bids have gained some traction in Americas political history. Billionaire Ross Perots Reform Party campaign racked up some impressive numbers in 1992 and 1996. But while Perot aimed to transcend partisan politics in order to win, Manchin appears more focused on exerting influence to create a moderate shift in policy. If he runs, hes more likely to follow in the footsteps of activists such as Green Party nominee Ralph Nader, remembered more for inadvertently tipping the scales in favour of Republican George W. Bush in 2000 than for his actual campaign. And since America today is even more polarised than in the Nineties, ultimately the implications of a third-party bid are more dangerous.

The mooted No Labels party does seem like a hurried experiment in political transcendence, a far too simple answer to the broad discontent with the current political binary. But if Manchin wants to be remembered as the man who shed the shackles of partisanship, this move may tarnish the legacy he has already created for himself. His bold attempt to coax the country towards the centre could end up deepening the divisions he has exposed.

This has been the case with his prior attempts to preserve or create a centre on controversial issues. On gun control, Manchin co-sponsored the bipartisan Manchin-Toomey bill following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, which proposed expanded background checks for gun sales. Seen by much of the Left as an inadequate middle-ground solution, it failed to gain traction. As a result, the United States has been unable to make even minor changes related to background checks, and the two sides have only become more entrenched.

On energy policy, Manchins support for the fossil fuel industry is out of step with his partys support for a progressive Green New Deal, while his reluctance to fully endorse the coal industrys unregulated expansion has drawn ire from the Right. Manchin has recently joined with Republicans to oppose the climate legislation to which he had added a degree of moderation. But in general, seeking the centrist position in America does not lead to a union of the factions; rather, it leaves the centrist isolated, at odds with both sides.

His campaign would simply highlight the structural flaws of Americas political system, in which centrism can empower extremism. Part of the problem is the dynamics of party primaries. Candidates often find themselves compelled to pander to the ideological extremes to gain the nomination, pushing them away from the centre. Even if they later shift, their original stances are remembered; in the long run, this discourages bipartisan cooperation.

Here is a lesson for moderates, if they really want to effect change: instead of conforming to extremism, they should look to their long-term influence on political norms and the policy-making process, as Manchin at least tried to do prior to signalling his frustration with the Democrats. They need to somehow communicate the importance of pragmatic governance, and the necessity of compromise in a democracy  ideally through political advertising that emphasises the value of bipartisan dealmaking over ideological purity, of fighting gridlock and getting things done.

It wont be easy. Divide and conquer has always been a potent strategy for generating enthusiasm, and centrists such as Manchin are working in an atmosphere where both parties are cynically leveraging polarisation. Democrats have recently started funding extreme Republican primary candidates, whom they believe will be easy to beat in the general election. Its a manoeuvre that, while it may yield short-term electoral gains, could backfire, by enabling candidates with more extreme views to gain power. And, if moderates abandon the major parties, they will only empower these extreme candidates, driving the Democrats and Republicans further and further apart. It would be an ironic outcome for Manchin, who claims to want the parties to come together.

So what is Manchin really trying to achieve? He has been a self-avowed independent within the Democratic Party for years; his last-ditch embrace of a potential No Labels movement, then, could be characterised as an act of egoism. At the age of 75, Manchin is probably not seeking political longevity. Rather, No Labels feels like a legacy move. Manchin might just be looking back at his long career of crossing party lines, and making a final, and perhaps sincere, plea for American politics to move back to the centre.

Then again, if he is against the erosion of collective solidarity by personal politics, there would be an irony in him launching a highly individual campaign. Theres no point standing in the ideological centre if youre there all by yourself.
The Oconee County Sheriffs Office reported the following incidents:

PANTS FULL: On July 6, Deputy Annessa Glenn and a Walmart loss prevention officer watched on camera as a 39-year-old Athens man stuffed a pair of socks into his pants. He then got a shirt and some shorts and stuffed them into his pants. Then he collected another pair of socks. He purchased a soft drink and was stopped as he left the store. The deputy learned he was wanted in Athens for theft. The man said he recently took some fentanyl.

BANK FRAUD: On July 6, a 71-year-old Watkinsville woman reported that someone had been removing money from her bank account, so she cancelled the card and got a new debit card. Yet money was still withdrawn by someone. She then closed the account and received a new account, yet someone continued making automatic withdrawals. She lost $3,476. She then closed the account and went to a new bank to open an account.

KITTEN FRAUD: On July 6, Deputy Steven Heckler spoke with a 56-year-old Watkinsville woman, who paid $1,287 for a Turkish Angora cat. She also paid $375 to have the kitten shipped from New York to her home. However, when the kitten arrived it did not look like the breed she had ordered. The veterinary papers also appeared fraudulent. The woman explained she has opted to keep the kitten rather than seek a refund.

TANK TOP: On July 17, Deputy Dylan Pulliam was on routine patrol shortly before 2 a.m. on Highway 316 when he observed a man with a flashlight walking in the road. The man wore nothing but a red tank top. The deputy stopped and asked the man why he was walking in the highway without pants. The man explained he was looking for his pants. The 70-year-old Athens man was arrested on charges of public indecency and pedestrian in the roadway.

Sex crimes: GBI arrests two Athens men on child exploitation charges

Oconee Blotter: Fireworks fun in Bishop ends with neighbors fighting

GIFT CARDS: On July 13, Deputy Collin Worsham spoke with a 67-year-old Watkinsville woman, who explained she called a number to correct issues she was having with her iPhone. The contact, who had a foreign accent, told her to purchase gift cards and he would fix her phone. He also said he would return the money. The woman, over a couple of days, purchased $2,499 worth of gift cards and provided him with the activation numbers. During the purchases, the man would remain on the phone line, but tell her not to let anyone hear them talking. She finally realized she had been scammed.

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WINE COOLER: On July 7, Deputy Dustin Mine responded to a car crash in the parking lot of Walmart. A man explained he was his car while his wife was putting their child in a car seat. A nearby car began backing up and hit his car. The offender then tried to leave. The deputy observed a 2003 Toyota Avalon with a New Jersey tag that was driven by a man who smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot and glassy eyes, and slurred speech. The man confessed to having one beer and a strong wine cooler thing. The deputy found an empty Four Loko can in the car. The 32-year-old Greenville, Alabama, man was charged with DUI and possession of cocaine after a bag was also found in the car.

DISRUPTIVE MAN: On July 9, Deputy Christopher Haag was dispatched to Dunkin Donuts on Hog Mountain Road, where a man who delivers food arrived and became upset because he had to wait on the food to get prepared. The man was verbally disruptive and only left when he learned the manager called 911. The same man had previously been in the store in June and also began yelling and cussing at employees because an order was not ready. The man was told he was not welcome at the business.

FRAUD: On July 12, Cpl. Kenji Dorsey along with five other officers including Sheriff James Hale responded to a pharmacy on Capital Avenue where a man entered to pick up a prescription, which authorities knew was fake. The suspect told the officer he was getting the prescriptions for a friend he knew only as John. The suspect, a 28-year-old McDonough man, said he drove here from Henry County because his girlfriend lives here. A Winder woman in the mans car denied she was his girlfriend, but later changed her mind about their relationship. The prescription was supposedly called in by a doctor in Los Angeles, Calif., but when that doctor was contacted, he explained that several other fake prescriptions had been called to pharmacies in Georgia by fraudulently using his name. The fake prescription was for Albuterol sulfate and codeine. The man was charged with a felony conspiracy charge.

MOTORCYCLE CHASE: On July 12, Deputy Dustin Mines was monitoring traffic on Highway 316 about 7 p.m. when a Suzuki motorcycle passed with a suspended registration. Upon attempting a traffic stop, the motorcycle sped away. Sgt. Andrew Henderson joined the chase at Mars Hill Road. The suspect reached a speed of 120 mph as it sped to Atlanta Highway in Clarke County. Due to the traffic, the deputies called the pursuit off and notified Athens-Clarke police. An ACC officer received the name of the suspect, so he went to the suspects address and found the motorcycle parked in the driveway. The Athens officer reported he questioned the suspect who said he had only driven to a nearby dollar store. As they waited on Oconee deputies to arrive, the suspect broke down and confessed he fled because he was scared, but knew he was wrong for not stopping.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Oconee Blotter: Woman buys gift cards to get her iPhone fixed
NBC News presidential historian and author Michael Beschloss on Sunday warned a second Donald Trump administration would be a presidential dictatorship.

Earlier this month, a New York Times article said Trump would, if he won the 2024 election, look at seizing presidential authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, by either law or tradition, with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House.

This is something that we have never seen before ever in American history, Beschloss told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart. This is a presidential candidate, Donald Trump, whos actually telling us outright.

Trump appeared to be taking a page out of the European dictator playbook, he added, noting how Italys Benito Mussolini and Nazi Germanys Adolf Hitler also revealed their plans to obtain sweeping powers before they took office.

God knows whats in his mind that hes not telling us, Beschloss said of Trump.

Watch the video here:

Related...
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. AP Photo/Phil Sears, File

Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News he would consider cutting Social Security for younger Americans.

But he confirmed any changes he would make to the program will not impact current seniors.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have sparred over changes to Social Security.

As the GOP field for a presidential run begins to fill up, candidates are looking towards one of the party's biggest spending qualms: Social Security. And Florida governor Ron DeSantis might be open to some paring back  as long as it won't impact current senior citizens.

During a July 16 interview on Fox News, DeSantis addressed a hot topic that both Democrats and Republicans have sparred over  whether to preserve Social Security as it is, or revamp the program including cuts to current or future recipients. He reiterated what many of his GOP colleagues have previously said, in that seniors who are now receiving benefits will be protected from any changes  he said it was "totally not true" the program would be cut for seniors  but he might not be able to say the same for younger Americans.

"Talking about making changes for people in their 30s or their 40s so that the program is viable, that's a much different thing, and that's something that I think there's going to need to be discussions on," DeSantis told Fox News, adding: "We got to make sure we preserve it for our seniors, because they depend on it."

DeSantis' campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on how the candidate would reshape Social Security.

Social Security  one of the biggest line items in the US's budget  has long faced scrutiny from the right, who consistently call to reduce spending. But the program's popularity, especially as an economic lifeline for America's seniors, has also made it a thorny political topic.

Earlier this year, potential changes to Social Security and Medicare entered the spotlight during the partisan fight on the best approach to raise the debt ceiling. In January, when the negotiations were just starting off, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy said he would not agree to raise the ceiling without spending cuts. While he later confirmed those cuts would not touch Social Security or Medicare, even former President Donald Trump stepped in to urge the GOP to leave seniors out of the debate.

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"Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security," Trump said in a January video.

"Cut waste, fraud and abuse everywhere that we can find it and there is plenty, there's plenty of it," he continued. "But do not cut the benefits our seniors worked for and paid for their entire lives. Save Social Security, don't destroy it."

Currently, Social Security is at risk of not being able to pay out benefits in full starting in just 10 years, unless Congress steps in to help bolster the program's funding.

DeSantis' recent comments also come as Congress is gearing up to create a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee recently released legislation on their proposals to fund government agencies, and it included a $183 million cut to the Social Security Administration.

As the American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing government workers, warned in a letter to the House Appropriations Committee last week that cuts to the administration could mean seniors and Americans with disabilities could wait a lot longer to receive benefits through the program.

"More cuts to SSA will result in a rapid increase of wait times, force SSA offices to close in many communities, and reduce service hours to the public," Julie Tippens, the director of AFGE's legislative department, wrote in the letter.

Read the original article on Business Insider
State Sen. Heidi Campbell and a group of physicians condemned Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis push against a proposed federal rule change to block states from investigating and accessing information on patients seeking out-of-state abortions.

In June, Skrmetti joined 18 other Republican state attorneys general in a letter opposing a new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that, if approved, would block disclosure of protected medical records for patients who seek abortions in other states.

Skrmetti has also in recent months sought a list of patients referred to Vanderbilt University Medical Centers transgender health clinic in recent years, as well as protected medical records of a number of transgender patients who received care there as part of what his office has said is a insurance fraud investigation. Still, the move has drawn criticism and stoked fear among the LGBTQ community.

I think Mr. Skrmetti should take his patriarchal ideological crap and shove it where the sun doesnt shine, Campbell said during a news conference Monday.

State Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, criticized Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti over his opposition to a federal rule change on abortion health records. Campbell, a Nashville mayoral candidate, is seen here during a forum at American Baptist College.

Campbell, a Nashville mayoral candidate, was joined by two physicians, Dr. Amy Gordon Bono and Dr. Katrina Green, who have both criticized the states restrictions on abortion.

Bono said the attorney generals actions have further politicized the medical profession, eroding public trust in government institutions, and building barriers between myself and my patients.

The top prosecutor in Tennessee is launching his own vigilante attack on the patient physician relationship, and building his suspect list of patients and doctors, Bono said. He is hunting down patients medical records and employment files for healthcare workers.

Green questioned why the states attorney general feels he should have the right to access private medical records of Tennesseans who travel outside the state to seek medical care, and what he plans to use them for.

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Skrmetti and extremist politicians only care about the medical records of those who access health care they disagree with, Green said, healthcare that is evidence-based and compassionate, but is now unavailable in the State of Tennessee, forcing our patients to travel out of state for treatment.

In a statement on Friday, Skrmetti defended his actions in opposing the proposed HHS rule, calling it a hastily-assembled mess that is bad for Tennessee and bad for America.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti speaks about the impact of social media has on children and families during a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Clarksville, Tenn.

Some confused commentators have equated my opposition to this rule with asserting a right to prosecute women who go out of state for abortions, Skrmetti said. This is simply not true: Tennessees abortion law does not apply to women who seek abortions, I have no enforcement authority with respect to Tennessees abortion law, and I am the attorney general of Tennessee and not some other state.

Instead, Skrmetti asserts the proposed rule goes beyond the scope of HHS authority, and would need to be done in an act of Congress, not as a bureaucratic decree.

The proposed rule plays politics with healthcare data privacy at the expense of consistency and coherence, he said. We get it: the administration does not like any limits on abortion. But the Constitution gives states, not the federal government, the authority to regulate abortion.

Reach reporter Vivian Jones at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Campbell tells Attorney General to take his patriarchal ideological crap and shove it
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday defended the legality of floating barriers that state officials recently set up along the U.S.-Mexico border to repel migrant crossings, defying a Biden administration threat to sue the state over the river buoys.

Last week, top Justice Department lawyers informed Abbott and other Texas officials that the administration would file a lawsuit against the state unless it removed the barriers it deployed in the middle of the Rio Grande. The Biden administration argued the river barriers violate a federal navigable waters law, pose humanitarian challenges and impede federal law enforcement from apprehending migrants.

But in a letter to President Biden and other top administration officials on Monday, Abbott, a Republican, appeared to welcome a legal battle, arguing that Texas was using its "constitutional authority" to combat unauthorized border crossings.

"Texas will see you in court, Mr. President," Abbott wrote.

Hours after Abbott published his response, the Justice Department filed its suit, asking the federal court in Austin to force state officials to remove the buoys and block them from setting up similar structures.

The river buoys assembled earlier this month by Texas have ignited renewed criticism of the state's broader border initiative, known as Operation Lone Star. As part of the operation, Abbott has bused thousands of migrants to large Democratic-led cities, directed state troopers to arrest migrants on state trespassing charges and deployed members of the Texas National Guard to repel migrants through razor wire and other means.

Buoys are placed on the water along the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 15, 2023, to prevent migrants from entering the U.S. / Credit: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images

A Texas trooper recently made alarming allegations about the state operation, detailing reports of migrants, including children and a pregnant woman, being cut by the razor wire and directives to withhold water from migrants and to push them into the Rio Grande. Texas officials are investigating the allegations, but have denied the existence of orders to deny migrants water or to push them into the river.

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The state trooper also urged superior officers to remove the floating barriers, saying the structures force migrants to cross into the U.S. through parts of the Rio Grande where they are more likely to drown.

In his letter Monday, Abbott denied the Justice Department's argument that the river buoys violate the Rivers and Harbors Act. But he called that "a side issue."

"The fact is, if you would just enforce the immigration laws Congress already has on the books, America would not be suffering from your record-breaking level of illegal immigration," Abbott wrote.

The White House has called Abbott's actions "cruel" and counterproductive, saying the river barriers have increased the risk of migrants drowning and obstructed Border Patrol agents from patrolling the river. The Justice Department has also been reviewing the reports about Texas officials mistreating migrants.

"While I share the humanitarian concerns noted in your lawyers' letter, Mr. President, your finger points in the wrong direction," Abbott said in his response. "Neither of us wants to see another death in the Rio Grande River. Yet your open-border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives by crossing illegally through the water, instead of safely and legally at a port of entry. Nobody drowns on a bridge."

Biden administration officials have sought to blunt Abbott's criticism by pointing to the dramatic decrease in unlawful entries along the southern border in recent weeks. Border Patrol apprehensions of migrants who entered the U.S. illegally fell below 100,000 in June, the lowest level in two years.

The administration has said the drop in illegal crossings stems from its revamped border strategy, which pairs programs that allow tens of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally each month with stiffer penalties and stricter asylum rules for those who cross into the country unlawfully.

Buttigieg explains why air travel headaches have continued

Transportation Department investigating airlines' "unrealistic scheduling" after flight delays, cancellations

Airlines fly fewer flights than pre-pandemic even as passenger numbers rebound
Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov believes that Ukraine may become a member of NATO at the summit of the Alliance, which will be held in Washington in July 2024. Until then, in his opinion, our country will win the war with the aggressor country Russia.

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The head of the defense Ministry specified that "this is just a forecast". His words were quoted by CNN on Sunday, July 23.

He recalled that Ukraine would be able to join the bloc only after the end of the war. When asked whether, in his opinion, the war might end by next summer, the minister said: "Yes. We will win this war".

Reznikov also commented on statements by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden's administration to commit to accepting Ukraine into NATO immediately after the end of the war.

"I think there is no need for that. Ukraine will have an orderly admission process, and in the meantime will continue to work on the necessary reforms," the Ukrainian defense minister said.

The head of the ministry emphasized that the benefits of Ukraine's admission to NATO have only increased given our state's struggle with Russia.

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"After the victory, it will be in NATO's interest because we have become the Alliance's real eastern shield or Europe's eastern shield. Ukraine has gained real combat experience - how to contain the Russians, defeat them, beat them with NATO-standard weapons," he added.

Earlier, former special representative of the US State Department Kurt Volker expressed the opinion that Ukraine will have the unanimous support of all NATO members at the next summit in Washington in the summer of 2024.

In his opinion, Western states do not always fully realize the complexity of the situation Ukrainians are in. As a result, there is a certain frustration as allies lack a clear understanding of the current situation in Ukraine.

On July 13, on the margins of the NATO summit in Vilnius, the leaders of the G7 countries agreed on a joint declaration in support of Ukraine with security guarantees for our state. They provide for a series of bilateral security commitments to Kyiv that aim to "build a Ukraine that can defend its territorial integrity now and in the future."

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Thefull text of the declaration is publicized on the website of the President of Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Biden's State Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Ukraine's future is in NATO, and that is off the table. And although it is not possible now to include in the North Atlantic Alliance the state that is waging a domestic war against invaders, the outcome will be one.
A trial has been set for a man accused of fatally shooting another man outside the Midtown Fort Collins McDonald's in July 2021.

Christopher J. Johnson, 39, of Fort Collins, was fatally shot near the drive-thru of the McDonalds in the vicinity of College Avenue and Drake Road on the morning of July 19, 2021.

Using surveillance footage from the McDonald's, police identified the suspect as Victor Corwin, now 30, and arrested him the next day. Corwin faces six charges in the case: first-degree murder, a Class 1 felony; identity theft, a Class 4 felony; possession of a weapon by a previous offender, a Class 6 felony; criminal possession of financial devices, a Class 6 felony; motor vehicle theft, a Class 6 felony; and petty theft.

Corwin pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in December, which means Corwin and his defense are claiming mental deficiencies prevented Corwin from knowing right from wrong, 8th Judicial District Judge Gregory Lammons advised Corwin during a previous court hearing.

Lammons ordered Corwin undergo a sanity evaluation to determine if he can proceed with that as an affirmative defense. The judge and attorneys received that report July 12, but they did not discuss its contents at Corwin's July 20 court appearance.

While the details of Corwin's sanity evaluation have not been made public, comments from attorneys and online court records show Corwin will likely continue with his not guilty by reason of insanity plea and could use it as an affirmative defense during his upcoming trial.

Corwin's three-week trial is set to begin Nov. 27, which is a few days longer than attorneys initially sought. Attorneys asked for more time to allow for multiple experts on sanity to testify and for extra time for the jury to deliberate since sanity is a "novel issue," defense attorney Benjamin Iddings said.

If a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, they are committed to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services, which chooses which state facility the person goes to for inpatient treatment, Lammons explained at a previous court hearing. If doctors determine a person's sanity is restored, it's possible a person could be released back into the community if prosecutors don't challenge that determination.

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Not guilty by reason of insanity is different from legal competency. Legal competency means someone is mentally competent to understand and assist in their own defense while the criminal case is proceeding, whereas the defense of not guilty by reason of insanity claims they were mentally incapacitated at the time of the alleged crime.

Corwin's case was delayed several months as he underwent legal competency evaluations and treatment, but he was found competent to proceed in September.

Judge sets $3 million cash bond

Lammons was also required to set bond for Corwin during last week's hearing. Corwin had been held in the Larimer County Jail without bond since his arrest in July 2021, as judges in Colorado were allowed to order people accused of first-degree murder be held without bond. But in a state Supreme Court case from earlier this month, the justices decided that all criminal defendants deserved the opportunity to post bond, even in the most serious cases.

Eighth Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin argued there were other parts of state law that would allow Lammons to continue holding Corwin without bond, but asked for a high cash bond if Lammons did want to set a bond.

"This (case) presents some of the most clear, present danger to anyone that I can think of," McLaughlin said.

Iddings said it was unlikely Corwin would be able to post any bond amount. Lammons set his bond at $3 million in cash.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Trial set for man accused in Midtown Fort Collins shooting
Two women were killed in Tallahassee and the suspect is dead in Alachua County after a multi-county chase.

Few details were available Sunday night as the Tallahassee Police Department continues to investigate the double homicide at Mission Hills Apartments.

Double homicide in Tallahassee: Man killed ex-girlfriend, her sister before chase, suicide on Facebook Live

Here's what we know so far.

Who was killed in Tallahassee?

Two adult females were found at the scene when police officers arrived. Police have not officially issued IDs yet but family members have identified them as sisters Qlera Allen, 29, and Kernishion Charleston, 37.

Where did the killings happen?

At the Mission Hills Apartment, 2425 Mission Hills Road, in northwest Tallahassee.

Police were investigating reports of shots fired at the apartment complex.

What happened to the suspect?

After finding the two dead women, Tallahassee police detectives identified a suspect, 40-year-old Antirio Brown, who was found driving on Interstate 75.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, "it appears that the subject inside of the vehicle took his own life," according to a Facebook post.

What happened during the chase?

Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol were behind the suspect's vehicle when it entered Alachua County from Columbia County on I-75, according to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies blocked off exits and deployed tire-deflation devices and one deputy rammed the suspect using a PIT maneuver, which stopped the car on I-75 between the exits of Northwest 39th Avenue and Newberry Road, according to the Alachua Sheriff's Office Facebook post.

It's unknown at this time how fast the suspect and officials were driving.

In the last moments of his life, as police were closing in, Brown went live on Facebook to announce that he was going to kill himself before he could be taken into custody.

Its over, Brown said as he held a revolver in his hand. Its over. If you all dont want to see me kill myself online, I suggest you all log off ... because thats whats going to happen.

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How far away from the crime scene was the suspect stopped?

According to Google Maps, the location in Alachua County where the suspect was stopped and found dead is about 130 miles from the Tallahassee apartment complex.

SWAT team responded to the scene

After the vehicle was stopped, the suspect did not respond so the Alachua County Sheriff's Office SWAT team responded.

A specialized armored vehicle was utilized to allow team members and medical personnel to safely approach, where it was determined that the subject inside was deceased.

What's next?

This is an active investigation that involves several agencies.

Tallahassee police said more information will be provided as it becomes available.

How can the public help?

Detectives ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident, but did not speak with an officer on scene, to please call 850-891-4200. They may also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Tallahassee murders 2023: 2 women killed, suspect dead after chase
WELLINGTON, New Zealand  New Zealands justice minister resigned Monday after police filed charges against her and said she was over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed into a parked car.

The incident involving Kiri Allan was the latest in a series of missteps and scandals involving government ministers less than three months out from national elections. Polls indicate the conservative opposition has pulled level or moved slightly ahead of the incumbent liberals in what promises to be a close race.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Allan was involved in the crash soon after 9 p.m. Sunday in Wellington and was detained at the central police station for about four hours.

Police have charged her with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer.

New Zealand ticket sales soar: Ticket sales top 1.5 million for soccer's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

Over the legal alcohol limit

Hipkins noted police reported that Allan's breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit, although she was not charged with drunk driving. Police said they issued Allan an infringement notice in relation to the breath test.

A court date has not been set. If found guilty, Allan could face fines and a suspension of her driver's license.

Once considered a rising star of the Labour Party, Allan had recently taken time off for her mental health after being involved in a publicized split with her partner. She also faced accusations of having poor working relationships with some staff.

New Zealand Justice Minister Kiri Allan speaks during Question Time, in Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Allan resigned Monday, July 24, after police charged her with reckless driving and resisting arrest following a car crash.

Hipkins said he spoke with Allan on Monday morning and told her he thought she wasn't in a fit state to remain a minister and it was untenable for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending. She agreed and resigned her ministerial roles, Hipkins said.

For now, Allan remains a member of Parliament.

While her alleged actions are inexcusable, Ive been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident, Hipkins said. Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday.

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Hipkins said he felt sad for Allan.

Kiri is an incredibly talented person who clearly has been battling some demons, and has not won that battle, he said.

'I've let myself and my colleagues down'

Allan said she was sorry for her actions and was heading home to consider her future in politics.

Over recent weeks Ive faced a number of personal difficulties. I took time off to address those, and believed I was okay to juggle those challenges with the pressure of being a minister, she said in a statement. My actions yesterday show I wasnt okay, and Ive let myself and my colleagues down.

Last month, Transport and Immigration Minister Michael Wood resigned after failing to disclose a possible conflict of interest with stock he owned. In March, Police Minister Stuart Nash was fired after it came to light he had given confidential information to donors. In May, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri was fired after switching allegiance to another political party.

Opposition leader Christopher Luxon said he hoped Allan was getting the support she needs, but added the situation raised questions about the judgment of Hipkins.

Hipkins took over as prime minister in January after predecessor Jacinda Ardern stepped down. New Zealand's elections will be held Oct. 14.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Zealand leader resigns after criminally charged in crash
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The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia is seen earlier this year.
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On Monday, 24 July, 35-year-old American video journalist Dylan Collins was wounded near Bakhmut. He was injured as a result of a Russian drone attack.

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This was reported by AFP journalist Stephanie Yousef. The journalist was injured while reporting on the work of Ukrainian artillery near Bakhmut.

Dylan Collins was seriously injured by shrapnel as a result of a UAV attack in a forested area near Bakhmut. He was immediately taken to the nearest hospital, where professional doctors provided him with first aid.

According to the doctors, the AFP journalist's condition is stable: he remains conscious and in contact with his colleagues. His life is not in danger and he is now under the supervision of medical staff.

Christine Boagiar, AFP Europe Director, said that the agency is actively investigating the circumstances of the incident involving the injury of journalist Dylan Collins in a forest near Bakhmut.

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It should be noted that Dylan Collins has been working for AFP since 2018 as a video coordinator in Lebanon and Syria, but since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, he has been regularly assigned to Ukraine. The journalist has extensive experience in conflict zones in the Middle East: In 2020, he covered the war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Ukrainian journalist and media consultant Dmytro Rybakov, call sign Reporter, was killed in the war for freedom and independence of Ukraine. He fought in the 47th separate mechanised brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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

Mainly sunny. High 108F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Accident noaptea trecuta pe autostrada la iesire din Aiud spre Turda!

Noaptea trecuta in jurul orei 1,30 s-a produs un accident la nodul rutier de pe A10, la iesire si Aiud spre Turda. Din primele informatii rezulta ca in coliziune au fost implicate un camion cu un autoturism. Vor reveni cu detalii in scurt timp. Articolul Accident [citeste mai departe]
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- PM Ciolacu: Social protection used without empathy, as business, in elderly people's and disabled people's homesSocial protection has been used without empathy, "as a business", and the Romanian state "needs help" to implement a process of change of mentality and approach, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu

- Ministrul Economiei, Antreprenoriatului si Turismului Stefan Radu Oprea a avut discutii cu Didier Reynders, comisarul european pentru justitie, cu atributii privind protectia consumatorului despre cursele aeriene ale Wizz Air care au avut intarzieri in ultimul timp sau au fost anulate, despre initierea

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Russian Federation troops focused their main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka directions, where 27 combat engagements took place over the day. The invaders tried to advance in the areas of Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Maryinka and Shakhtarsk. Ukrainian defenders are conducting offensive actions at the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions.

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Heavy fighting was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The operational summary as of 18:00 Sunday, July 23 (the 515th day of full-scale war) was published on Facebook.

The agency noted that the occupants continue to kill Ukrainian civilians and ignore the laws and customs of war. The Russian Federation uses terror tactics, strikes both military and civilian objects.

On July 23, the enemy launched another missile attack on our country, using 17 cruise and 2 ballistic missiles. The forces and means of air defense of the Air Force destroyed 9 cruise missiles. In addition, the occupants made 26 air strikes, 35 shellings from multiple rocket launchers on the positions of our troops and settlements. There are casualties among the civilian population, destroyed residential houses, religious buildings and other civilian infrastructure.

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The AFU General Staff warned that the probability of new enemy missile and air strikes remains high.

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The situation in the Volyn and Polissya sectors did not change significantly. No signs of formation of offensive groups were detected. Separate groups of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus are performing tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

The enemy maintains military presence on the Siversky and Slobozhansky directions. An enemy air strike took place near Pavlivka, Sumy region. Mortar and artillery shelling hit more than 15 settlements, including Tymonovychi in Chernihiv region, Seredyna-Buda, Ugroids, Yunakivka in Sumy region, Kozacha Lopan, Budarky, Vetarine in Kharkiv region.

In the Kupyansk sector, our troops are holding steadfastly. The occupants attacked Kucherivka from the air. Figolivka, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna and Kyslivka in Kharkiv region came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

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In the Liman sector, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensives near Torske. They also conducted an air strike in the area of Serebryansky forest in Donetsk region. Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Torske, Verkhnekamianske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region came under artillery fire.

In the Bakhmut sector, our defenders successfully repelled attacks in the areas of Bohdanivka, Klishchiyivka and northeast of Orikhovo-Vasylivka under heavy enemy artillery fire. More than 10 localities suffered from enemy artillery shelling, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Druzhba, and New York in Donetsk region.

In the Avdiivka sector, under heavy fire from Russian aviation and artillery, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled enemy attacks in the areas of Avdiivka and Nevelske. The Russian Armed Forces shelled more than 10 localities with artillery. In particular, Avdiivka, Karlivka, Nevelske in the Donetsk region were affected.

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In the Maryinka sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian offensive in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka. Russian occupants fired at more than 10 localities, including Krasnohorivka, Katerynivka, Maryinka, Pobeda in the Donetsk region.

In the Shakhtarsk sector, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensives near Novomykhailivka and launched an air strike near Blahodatne. Occupants fired at more than 15 localities. These include Zolota Niva, Prechystivka, Vuhledar, and Blahodatne in the Donetsk region.

On the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the enemy is focusing its main efforts on preventing further advance of our troops. He made unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost position in the area of Pryiutne, Zaporizhzhia region. He launched air strikes in the areas of Mala Tokmachka and Novodanylivka in Zaporizhzhia region and Antonivka in Kherson region. More than 25 settlements came under artillery fire, including Novodariivka, Gulyaypole, Gulyaypilske, Novoandriivka, Stepove in Zaporizhzhia region, Illinka, Kamianske in Dnipropetrovs'k region, Antonivka, Havrylivka, Novoberislav, Respublika in Kherson region, the city of Kherson, and Yaselka in Mykolaiv region.

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At thesame time, Ukrainian soldiers continue to carry out offensive operations in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions, consolidate on the achieved borders, inflict fire damage by artillery on the identified enemy targets, implement measures of counter-battery control.

During the day, our aviation carried out 3 strikes on areas where the occupants' personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated. Also our defenders destroyed 4 reconnaissance UAVs of the Russian operational-tactical level.

The units of our missile forces and artillery during the day hit 1 area of concentration of enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment, 5 artillery means on firing positions, 1 command post, 1 means of air defense and 1 electronic warfare station of the enemy.

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The General Staff added that the Russian occupants continue to rob the civilian population by appropriating the grain harvest of Ukrainian citizens.

Our intelligence is aware that in the locality of Pryshyb in Zaporizhzhya Region, Russian invaders remove a large number of freight cars with different types of grain crops from the territory of an agricultural enterprise with the help of diesel locomotives.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote, in the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine earlier warned that the Russian terrorist army began preparations for the next shelling of our critical infrastructure. Now the enemy is actively engaged in reconnaissance.

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Only verified information we have in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Budapest International Book Festival will be held between Sept 28-Oct 1 with some 140 exhibitors and over 40 foreign authors attending, the organiser Hungarian Publishers and Booksellers Association said.

The 28th festival will be held in Millenaris Park. The guest of honour will be sci-fi author John Scalzi, who will also receive the Budapest Grand Prize.



The guest country of honour will be the Netherlands.



The festival will also feature childrens programmes and panel discussions.



Click here to know more about Budapest International Book Festival
The opposition Socialist Party will submit a bill in the autumn to make the beaches around Lake Balaton free, MP Zsolt Molnar said in video posted on Facebook.

Speaking at a press conference in Zamardi, on the southern shore of the lake, Molnar said their proposal states that municipalities should be given compensation for providing free access to the beaches on the lakeshore.



He cited the example of Croatia, where a law was passed recently which forbids collecting money for access to the Adriatic Sea.



Molnar said the aim of their bill was to ensure free access to the lake for everyone, with local government maintenance, and to avoid over-construction at Lake Balaton.



MTI Photo: Balazs Mohai
Orsolya is a full-time travel blogger and editor of Traveladdict.hu website. She has visited 64 countries and hundreds of cities so far.

Her focus is on getting new experiences, being close to nature, learning about people and new cultures. Besides traveling Orsi is a passionate scuba diver and hiker, she was the first woman in Hungary who successfully completed the 2550 km National Blue Trail within one year.



Follow this link to her excellent English language blog: Traveladdict.hu



1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a small village in Borsod county. I spent my gymnasium years in Sarospatak, which is still one of my favourite cities in Hungary.



2. What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?

Its a hard question as every country has its uniqueness. And as a traveler I always find something interesting everywhere. But if I must name only one trip, it would be Socotra, an island that belongs to Yemen. I fauna is amazing; every third species are endemic. Can you imagine thousand-year-old dragonblood trees and turquoise beaches without any hotel facilities? Socotra is a magnificent and still an untouched place on Earth.



3. What do you miss the most if you are away from Hungary?

My friends and family. And Turo Tudi of course 



4. How did you become a travel blogger?

After finishing the university, I started building my career in Marketing & Communication area. I have risen through the ranks and ended up being a PR and marketing manager at big multinational companies. I enjoyed my work a lot, however it was stressful, but from outside it seemed to be a perfect life.



Then I found myself struggling with a serious illness and at the age of 32. I was diagnosed with cancer, which hit me like a lightning strike. Thanks to God, I have been fully recovered but the things I went through have completely changed my life. I realized I want to collect memories instead to material things.



And I also realized whenever I travel, I feel the most I am the most alive. So, I took a deep breath and quit my job after 15 years to start something completely different and new. That is how I become a travel blogger.



5. What is your favourite food?

I cant live without green pea stew. Its not a joke, I love it with fried eggs ever since I was a child.



6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?

I love swimming, it absolutely clears my mind and calm my thoughts. Although I cant do scuba diving every day, but being under the water is a never-ending love in my life. This is the only time when space and time disappear, and I feel completely free.



7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?

The Bukk Mountains and especially Bukkszentkereszt are close to my heart, but now I talk home. In the summer heat there is nothing better than cooling down in the mountain areas. While in the winter we always snow here and can play snow angels like a child 



8. What kind of behaviour do you most like in others?

Honestly and trustworthiness.



9. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

As many of the teenage girls I was a huge Leonardo DiCaprio fan; my room was full of his posters from Bravo and IM magazines. I remember how excited I was when Titanic was first shown in the cinemas, and how happy I was to watch the film from the first row.



10. Buda or Pest side?

Pest side. But I live close to the Danube River and see Buda as well.



11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

I rarely go on vacation, in the classic meaning of the word, as I usually spend at least one-third of the year with travelling. But this summer I will go to Bulgaria to the Sunny Beach with my family. I cant wait to do nothing, just enjoy the sun and sea.



12. Whats a job you would definitely never want?

Highscaler. I have strong fear of heights.



13. Book or movie?

I prefer books, I love imagining and visualising the characters while reading.



14. Red wine or white?

White sparkling wine.



15. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

I would definitely show them one the thermal spas in Budapest and the view from Buda Castle or from the top of St Stephans Basilica. As an interesting part of our history, visiting the Hospital in the Rock could be a good option likewise spending the night on a cruise boat on the Danube.



16. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

A cheap flight ticket is always sooo tempting 



17. Morning person or night person?

When I was younger, I used to be a night person but as time flies, I tend to wake up earlier.



18. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?

Its not an achievement but Im proud that I had enough courage to take the risk and start something completely unknown and new in my life.



19. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Starvation.



20. What would you say is your personal motto?

Time spent in nature is never a wasted time.
Iran has unveiled an updated version of the drone called Shahid-149 Gaza. In connection with the update, the drone received new functions.

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This was reported by the publication IRNA. The new drone received a suspended landing gear and support.

According to the source, the said drone was designed and manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation. The drone was first officially unveiled in May 2021.

At the moment, data on the technical characteristics of the drone are still unpublished.

However, the developers claim that the drone is able to fly for more than 35 hours and overcome about 7 thousand kilometers in one particular mission. The UAV is expected to be used by the Iranian armed forces for reconnaissance, surveillance and terrain study. Perhaps in the future, when more details are available, the technical specifications will be revealed in more detail.

According to reports, there is information about possible cooperation between the Iranian and Russian authorities in the supply of military weapons such as ammunition and attack drones. There are also reports that Tehran may provide assistance to Moscow in building its own factory for the production of kamikaze UAVs.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on a shard of the engine of the "Shahed", which on the night of July 18 attacked Mykolaiv, noticed the inscription "Made in Ireland". Presumably, the spare parts got into the hands of manufacturers of kamikaze drones smuggled.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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.
Linda Dennis expected tears on Friday. Big, salty bittersweet ones. Some of them filled with pride, accomplishment and the anticipation of what's to come.

And still others packed with those nostalgic pangs  memories of the people and those poignant moments that come with a lifetime of experiences.

The tiny Runza shop on 56th and Holdrege streets is where it all started for her  more than 50 years ago.

Her story, from carhop to the Lincoln-based fast-food chain's director of operations, can't be told without detailing that store, which opened in July 1966. It was the first store opened by Donald Everett Sr. The chain has since blossomed to 91 locations.

On Friday, it served its last customer.

The old building that was renovated a few times but still had its foibles  a dark and dank basement that gave every employee the heebie-jeebies, among them  will soon be torn down.

In its place will be a new state-of-the-art Runza location that is expected to be open in time for its 75th anniversary in 2024.

The new building will pay tribute to its past by feature photos  a portrait of a teenage Dennis included  on the walls of its dining area.

"The interior will feature a history wall that celebrates the importance of this location and the 56th and Holdrege community, said Donald Everett Jr., Runza's president.

Remembering that history is important, Dennis said. And its past is far more personal for her than just about anyone else.

"It's gonna be sad," she said. "This is where I started. ... There was one location when I started and look at it now. ... It just makes me sad to lose that nostalgia and have it be gone.

"But on the other hand, I'm excited. It's exciting to have a brand-new building on the way."

Her words epitomize her internal conflict. Friday was a day of emotional struggles between one of the company's top executives and a teenager recalling her first job.

On Friday, she remembered an old building, Runza's history and her own past. All of them are connected.

Never could she have fathomed in January 1973 that she would be embarking on what would become her career.

"This was supposed to be just a high school job," she said.

Dennis  not yet 15, a freshman at Lincoln Northeast High School, was hired as a carhop.

To understand her job is to go back in time to an era without drive-thru windows and dining areas.

That meant carhops  a position that has long since been eliminated by the technological advances of the fast-food industry  were very much in demand.

Dennis and the carhop crew would take the orders and deliver the food to customers, who were still in their cars. No, they didn't use roller skates, she insists, but they covered a lot of ground.

"We took orders by hand," she said. "Everything was written down on carbon copy, one copy went to the kitchen and the other to the front so they could ring it up on a manual cash register."

And on those rainy nights, she remembers punching holes in 55-gallon garbage bags and wearing them as she made her rounds through the parking lot.

Runza's carhops didn't take nights off. They worked rain or shine.

"Those were some interesting times," Dennis said. "We were out there no matter what."

Dennis stayed at the 56th and Holdrege location for two years before moving onto the new location at 33rd Street and Pioneers Boulevard.

And then she was moved to Runza's administrative office. As more and more restaurants began opening throughout Nebraska in the late 1970s and early '80s, she began taking on additional responsibilities.

"We had field reps where we actually would oversee a few stores," she said. "We were still small enough. Everybody wore different hats. Everybody did everything."

She wrote payroll checks. She paid the bills for the stores under her charge. And she made sure her stores were following company policies and procedures that included quality control of the food being served.

"We just did lots of things," she said.

In 1982, she became Runza's advertising and marketing director  a job she held until 1998 when she began overseeing a group of district supervisors. That job eventually evolved into director of operations.

The corporate office has grown exponentially in 40 years. Dennis now oversees the entire operation, and has continued to be the district supervisor for the store at 56th and Holdrege.

"This place is special for me," she said. "I've got great memories. And when you think that I started here as a carhop and all of the changes there have been, it's pretty cool."

Photos: Check out our menu of Runza coverage Runza: Runza: The story of one of Nebraska's most treasured foods (April 2017) Runzatic (December 2017) 'Runza romance (February 2018) Runza lover and big cabbage (March 2018) Officer saves almost 200 Runza dessert coupons to treat kids at Lincoln rec center (May 2018) A Q&A with Miss USA from Papillion (May 2018) Food fight: Omaha Runzas will face Green Chile Cheeseburgers (June 2018) Storm Chasers as Omaha Runzas (June 2018) Runza transit (January 2019) Omaha Runzas (February 2019) Nebraska day (April 2019) SportsCenter-Ronza (June 2019) Sasse Runzas (September 2019) Eat it-veggie Runzas (October 2019) Lincoln World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday at Runza
New Delhi: India's Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) said on Monday it would invest up to 10 billion Indian rupees ($122.24 million) in building data centres in the country along with Canada-based Brookfield Infrastructure.

The announcement comes at a time when data centre capacity in India is expected to rise exponentially as more people go online. Reliance will initially invest about 3.78 billion rupees in units of Mercury Holdings SG Pte, which is a joint venture (JV) between Brookfield Infrastructure and U.S.-based real estate investment trust Digital Realty.

The JV is currently building data centres in Chennai and Mumbai. The Mukesh Ambani-owned company has committed to invest the remaining 6.22 billion rupees in equity and debt securities of the JV's units, when needed.



Reliance will hold a 33.33% stake in each of the Indian units of the JV and become an equal partner, it said, adding that the venture will be branded as Digital Connexion. India's data centres market is expected to grow 40% a year and draw $5 billion in investments by 2025 according to a report from investment bank Avendus Capital.

Indian data center space is also heating up with Reliance's entry as Adani Enterprises' (ADEL.NS) JV had already raised $213 million to fund under-construction data centres.
According to a circular from the Ministry of Finance about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, businesses having a turnover of more than Rs 5 crore will need to provide electronic invoices starting from 01 August 2023.

For major businesses with a revenue of more than Rs 500 crore, e-invoicing was initially adopted in 2020. Within three years, however, the threshold was decreased to Rs 5 crore. Beginning on October 1, 2020, businesses with annual revenues over Rs 500 crore were required by legislation to use electronic invoicing for business-to-business (B2B) transactions. On January 1, 2021, businesses with annual revenues over Rs 100 crore were required to do the same. Beginning on April 1, 2021, businesses with annual sales of more exceeding Rs 50 crore began creating B2B e-invoices. The threshold was lowered to Rs 20 crore as of April 1, 2022. As of October 1, 2022, the threshold was further lowered to Rs 10 crore.

Srivatsan Sridhar, Founder and CEO, Skydo said, "The implementation of lowering the threshold for e-invoicing has been done in a phased manner considering the readiness of businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose is essentially to promote the adoption of digital invoicing and streamline financial processes, reducing delays in payment and improving overall cash flow, making them more efficient and cost-effective for businesses and the government."



For businesses, consequences of non-generation of e-invoice or non- compliance are that the business entity could face a penalty of 100% of the tax due, penalties of up to 10,000 per missing invoice & 25,000 per incorrect invoice, delayed payments and GST withholding. Therefore, it is important for businesses to understand the specific requirements, comply with the e-invoicing regulations, and ensure seamless integration of their invoicing systems with the designated ERP, Sridhar added.

ACES-GST backend application for Central Tax Officers now includes an automated return scrutiny module for GST returns, according to a related piece of GST news from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC). Nirmala Sitharaman, the union minister for finance and corporate affairs, gave instructions to launch an automated return scrutiny module for GST returns as soon as possible at a recent evaluation of the CBIC's performance.

Earlier, CBIC rolled out the Automated Return Scrutiny Module for GST returns in the ACES-GST backend application for Central Tax Officers in order to deploy this non-intrusive method of compliance verification. According to a press release, this module would allow the officers to examine the GST returns of Centre Administered Taxpayers who have been chosen based on data analytics and system-identified hazards.

The module displays discrepancies to the tax officials due to risks linked with a return. According to the press release, tax officers are given a workflow for communicating with taxpayers via the GSTN Common Portal regarding discrepancies discovered under FORM ASMT-10, receiving a taxpayer's response in FORM ASMT-11, and taking action in the form of either issuing an order of acceptance of reply in FORM ASMT-12, issuing a show-cause notice, or starting an audit or investigation, the release said.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Monday claimed that Nationalist Congress Party's Ajit Pawar will be appointed as the chief minister of Maharashtra around August 10. He said that a decision on the disqualification of incumbent CM Eknath Shinde and 15 other Shiv Sena MLAs will be taken around August 10.

"After deciding the disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be anointed as the chief minister around August 10," Prithviraj Chavan, a former Maharashtra chief minister, was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

He also stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not keen on contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections under Eknath Shinde as he wields 'no influence' outside his home district of Thane.



"The BJP now has an alternative in Ajit Pawar," Chavan added.

He alleged that 'use and throw' is the work style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is the fate of Shinde. The understanding of top BJP leadership indicates they want to make Ajit Pawar the chief minister and face elections," he added.

It is notable that Ajit, who is veteran politician Sharad Pawar's nephew, and eight MLAs of NCP joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government on July 2. While junior Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister, the rebel NCP MLAs were sworn in as ministers. Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, a former chief minister, is also a deputy chief minister.

Both Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde had recently met PM Modi at the NDA's crucial meeting in Delhi.

Ajit Pawar won't become Maharashtra CM: Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's claim that Ajit Pawar would be appointed as the chief minister replacing Eknath Shinde in August. Fadnavis said Ajit Pawar is well aware of the fact that he would not become the chief minister and the same was conveyed to him during the meetings held before July 2.

Responding to Chavan's claim that Ajit Pawar will be appointed as the chief minister around August 10, Fadnavis said the Cabinet may be expanded by that date and nothing else.

"As a leader of the single largest party in 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance), I am officially telling you that Ajit Pawar will not become the chief minister of Maharashtra," Fadnavis told reporters on the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.

When meetings of 'Mahayuti' took place (before the July 2 induction of the NCP faction in the government), Ajit Pawar was given a clear picture that he would not get the post of chief minister, the senior BJP leader said.

"He (Ajit) not only agreed to it but also made it clear in his speech that there is no discussion on changing the guard in Maharashtra," he said, and stressed Eknath Shinde will remain the CM and there will be no change.

Fadnavis snubbed Prithviraj Chavan for allegedly peddling rumours.

"They should stop confusing people about 'Mahayuti'. Leaders are not confused but party workers do get perplexed. People like Prithviraj Chavan are spreading rumours. If something is going to happen by August 10, it would be the expansion of the state Cabinet. The CM will take a call on it," he said.

Ajit Pawar aspires to be CM

Earlier this month, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had said that he aspired to become the CM of the state.

"I was sworn in deputy CM five times. It is a record but the vehicle stops there, and doesn't proceed further. I feel from the bottom of my heart that I should become pramukh (cm) of the state," Ajit Pawar, who has never hidden his chief ministerial ambitions, told a meeting convened by him at Mumbai Educational Trust in Mumbai on July 5.

"I have some things which I want to implement and for that becoming pramukh (CM) is essential," he added.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said he was willing to hold a discussion in Lok Sabha on the situation in Manipur and asked why the Opposition was not ready for it. Speaking briefly in the lower house of Parliament, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) requested Opposition leaders to allow debate, saying it was 'important for the truth to come out' before the country on the Manipur issue.

As soon as the House reassembled at 2.30 pm after three earlier adjournments over the Manipur issue, Amit Shah said leaders from ruling as well as Opposition parties had been wanting to hold a discussion on the Manipur issue. But as the Opposition members continued with their protest demanding a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings for the day.

Manipur violence: Govt, Oppn trade charges as Parliament remains disrupted

Both Houses of Parliament witnessed protests and adjournments again on Monday as Opposition parties raised slogans and carried placards demanding a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Mod on the violence in Manipur. As the Parliament logjam on Manipur violence persisted, Opposition parties said why the PM is speaking outside the House but not inside.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the government of being insensitive.

"Our demand is that the PM should come to the House and make a statement. We are ready to discuss that statement. You are speaking outside but not inside, this is an insult to Parliament. It is a serious matter," he said.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the government's failure in controlling the situation in Manipur and said Prime Minister Modi should speak on the issue. It has been more than 80 days and violence is still not decreasing, she added.

"Does the PM have no answerability? He gave a 36-second statement outside Parliament, but he is not telling the country through Parliament why has the chief minister not been sacked yet. Why has the home minister failed in controlling the situation? Why is the Women and Child Development Minister not visiting Manipur yet," she asked.

JD-U leader Lalan Singh said the incidents in Manipur have shamed the nation. "Manipur has a 'double-engine' government, they are totally insensitive towards it. Our demand is that the PM should come to the House and give a statement," he added.

TMC MP Saugata Roy said his party has decided to demonstrate in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue against the atrocities in Manipur. "We want a Parliament debate, which the prime minister should initiate," he said.

Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said, "The opposition should not make excuses. The PM has already made a statement on Manipur with sensitivity and firmness ahead of the (Monsoon) session. It is wrong that we didn't start the discussion (on the Manipur issue in Parliament) at all by making an excuse in the name of the PM."

The Manipur violence rocked the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first two days of the Monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the Opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state.

The session commenced a day after a video clip purportedly shot on May 4 and showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage.

The Manipur Police has arrested several accused who were seen in the video. The police said a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder has been registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified armed miscreants.
New Delhi: No house has been demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to beautify the city for the G20 Summit, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry told the Rajya Sabha on Monday. In the last few months, the national capital has witnessed the demolition of several structures, including religious ones, as authorities launched their anti-encroachment drive in different areas. Delhi is hosting the G20 Summit in September.

"The DDA has informed that no house has been demolished to beautify the city for G20 Summit," Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore said in a written reply to a question asked by RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha. Jha had asked whether houses have been demolished in New Delhi by DDA in order to beautify the city for the G20 summit.

Kishore said that however, the identification of encroachment on government/DDA land and its removal is a continuous activity. A special task force (STF) under the chairmanship of the DDA vice chairman has been constituted on April 25, 2018, to oversee the enforcement of provisions of the master plan for Delhi 2021 and Unified Building Bye-laws for Delhi, the minister said.



The STF identifies and also receives complaints of unauthorised encroachments, illegal constructions and violations of building bye-laws and thereafter directs the concerned urban local bodies to take suitable action in the matter on a continuous basis," he added.

The DDA has carried out 49 demolition programmes in Delhi so far since April 1 in which an area measuring 229.137 acres has been reclaimed, the minister said. In February, an anti-encroachment drive was launched in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park area, triggering protests from many residents and a political slugfest in the national capital.

Last month, a demolition drive was conducted to remove illegal structures in a slum cluster near Pragati Maidan. Earlier this month, authorities removed a temple and a mazar in Delhi's Bhajanpura.

Notices have also been sent to a mosque in the Bengali Market area and another near the Pragati Maidan metro station, asking them to remove encroachments within 15 days. Recently, the Delhi government has set a deadline of July 31 for the agencies to wrap up the repair work on roads, parks, flyovers, and underpasses underway for the G-20 Summit.
New Delhi: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme 14th Installment update:-- With just 3 days remaining for the 14th Installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan Yojana) to be transferred, farmers must be mindful of two important documents and their linkages.

PM Narendra Modi will distribute the 14th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi to the approximately 8.5 crore beneficiaries of PM KISAN on July 27, 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.



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 Samman Nidhi 14th installment: How To Check Beneficiary Status

-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

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.
Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday directed the Islamabad police to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan and produce him before it on Tuesday in a case linked to contempt of the top electoral body. Irked by Khan's persistent absence from the hearings, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) instructed the Islamabad IG to arrest the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief for his failure to appear in the contempt case.

The ECP initiated contempt proceedings against Khan, 70, and former PTI leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry last year for allegedly using 'intemperate' language against the chief election commissioner and the electoral watchdog.

A four-member ECP bench headed by member Nisar Durrani issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khan and Chaudhry in the last hearing on July 11 while sparing Umar. It rescheduled the hearing for July 25 with orders for all to appear.



In the latest orders, the ECP stated that Khan was 'required in the contempt of the commission's proceedings initiated in terms of Section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017' but he had failed to appear before the ECP even after he was served notices and bailable warrants for him were issued on January 16 and March 2.

Earlier, the ECP had asked PTI leaders to appear in person or through their counsels to explain their position, but they challenged the notices and contempt proceedings in higher courts.

After lengthy proceedings, the Supreme Court in January allowed the ECP to continue proceedings against the three and subsequently, the top electoral body decided to frame charges against them.

Khan has been facing scores of cases in various courts which were framed after he was removed from power in April last year. Chaudhry, once a diehard supporter of Khan, left him after May 9 violence.

On July 20, former PTI leader Chaudhry tendered an apology to the ECP in the contempt case filed against him by the electoral watchdog.

The ECP announcement came hours after the Supreme Court barred the authorities from arresting Khan till August 9 in the case of senior lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar's murder in Quetta.
The Russian invaders have mined all the bridges in Mariupol and set up defensive structures near each of them. The occupiers are probably preparing for a battle for the city.

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This was reported by the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, on Telegram. He showed footage showing massive defensive structures near the bridges in Mariupol (to watch the video, scroll to the end).

"Now the passage across the bridges is restricted, and the territory of the defences is fenced off. Despite all the blah, blah, blah propaganda, the Russians are really and firmly preparing for the inevitable battle for Mariupol," he said.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported:

- On the morning of 16 July, explosions were reported in occupied Mariupol. According to preliminary data, Storm Shadow cruise missiles flew into the city.

- Italian artist Jorit Ciro Cerullo, who works under the pseudonym Jorit, painted an anti-NATO mural in occupied Mariupol. He used a stolen painting for this purpose.

- In the temporarily occupied Mariupol, a "quiet revolt" has begun because of the Russians who have "invaded" the city, including Uzbeks, Buryats and other national minorities of the Russian Federation. So far, Mariupol residents have expressed their dissatisfaction only on social media, but it is clear that the situation is escalating.

- On 12 July, explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Mariupol. The Russian invaders were quick to claim that their air defence system was allegedly working over the city.

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Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In yet another debacle around flying an aircraft beyond working hours, an Air India pilot refused to fly around 100 passengers, including three BJP MPs from Rajkot to Delhi on July 23, 2023. The incident took place at the Rajkot Airport, Gujarat, where Air India was operating Flight AI404 from Rajkot to Delhi. The flight was scheduled for departure at 8.30 p.m, but was delayed due to an operational reason. More than 100 passengers, including 3 BJP MPs were left stranded at the airport, as Air India eventually cancelled the flight.

It was later learnt that the pilot of the aircraft refused to fly, citing that he had exceeded his duty hours, as per Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms, leaving the passengers in a state of uncertainty, reported IANS. "Subsequently, the cockpit crew came under Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations for which they could not operate the flight as per regulatory norms. The FDTL regulation is non negotiable aspect and cannot be compromised under any circumstances," said Air India spokesperson.

Among the passengers were Rajkot MP Mohan Kundariya, Jamnagar MP Poonam Maadam, and newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP Kesaridevsinh Jhala. While some passengers were transported to the Ahmedabad Airport to take an Air India or codeshare flight to Delhi, the rest were given hotel accommodation with all meals and their bookings rescheduled as per their desire including full refund against cancellation.

"Certain passengers who had to reach Delhi on an urgent basis were transported by road to Ahmedabad to take an Air India or codeshare flight to Delhi. The remaining passengers were offered hotel accommodation with all meals and their bookings rescheduled as per their desire including full refund against cancellation," the spokesperson added.

Earlier this month, around 20 to 25 students were left stranded after the cancellation of Air India flight AI 186 from Vancouver to Delhi on July 2 due to some technical issue. Describing their ordeal, the University of British Columbia (UBC) students had mentioned that the flight was initially scheduled to depart from Vancouver airport at around 10.15 a.m. on July 2 but was rescheduled twice and eventually cancelled.
Several videos of the false ceiling of the newly inaugurated terminal of the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Andaman & Nicobar, swinging in the air had gone viral on social media. Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the newly built Veer Savarkar International Airport on July 18 in Port Blair. The videos show some panels of the airport roof swinging due to heavy winds. Various social media users and political parties, including Congress, mocked the government for inaugurating an unfinished airport. Now Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has revealed what exactly happened.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday hit back at the Congress saying, instead of jumping the gun and seeking sensationalism out of nothing, seek an explanation. He said that the portion of ceiling of the newly-constructed airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands that was swinging, was deliberately loosened for CCTV work. Also, winds at 100 kmph resulted in the loose panel to swing, but was later restored.

The structure is outside the terminal building. Besides, a part of the false ceiling had been deliberately loosened for CCTV work. Heavy winds (about 100 km/hr) later, led to the swinging panels as seen in the video. The false ceiling had been restored after completing the work. https://t.co/DuLYjUIk0V  Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 24, 2023

Scindia took to Twitter and wrote, "The structure is outside the terminal building. Besides, a part of the false ceiling had been deliberately loosened for CCTV work. Heavy winds (about 100 km/hr) later, led to the swinging panels as seen in the video. The false ceiling had been restored after completing the work. Next time, instead of jumping the gun and seeking sensationalism out of nothing, just seek an explanation."

He was responding to a tweet by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday. In his tweet, the Congress leader had taken a jibe at the Prime Minister saying, "The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) will inaugurate anything these days  even if it's unfinished or substandard infrastructure (highways, airports, bridges, trains, etc). More than willing ministers anxious to boost their Sensex with him obliged. It's the taxpayers and citizens who pay the cost. Such a sorry state of affairs in 'New India'."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new shell shaped terminal building of the Veer Savarkar Airport and wrote on Twitter, "The new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, will ensure easier travel to Andaman and Nicobar islands. This will be a big boost for tourism in particular."
Regular helicopter service connecting Lucknow with Kapilvastu and Prayagraj will begin soon to give a fillip to tourism in the region. The two destinations -- Kapilvastu and Prayagraj -- are significant in the context of religious tourism. To this end, dedicated heliports would be set up to offer a range of services for the passengers and crew -- including waiting rooms and lounges, well-stocked cafeterias, crew rooms, toilets, and formal reception desks.

The UP Directorate of Tourism has already invited 'Expression of Interest (EOI)' for development, operations and maintenance of heliports at Lucknow, Kapilvastu (at Gorakhpur) and Prayagraj through private sector participation on lease and development basis.

For this, a pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, said a senior UP Tourism department official. The last date for submitting bids is August 7 while the technical bids are scheduled to be opened on August 8.



"The primary objective of the proposed heliports is to provide a facility for helicopter operations in these regions, primarily to facilitate the movement of passengers between these three cities. The developers, however, will also be allowed to use the land for development of airstrip and its operation/maintenance for aero-sports, running aviation academy, or any other aviation-related activity as well," the official added.

"The heliports would be developed as Visual Flight Rules (VFR) compliant facility," he said.
Indian millionaire Ravi Ruia bought a $145 million property in the UK capital, one of the largest residential purchases in recent years in London. The property was once owned by Russian real estate mogul Andrey Goncharenko, according to Bloomberg.

The Hanover Lodge mansion overlooking Regent's Park at 150 Park Road was purchased this month by the family office of Ruia, who also co-owns investment giant Essar Group, through the sale of the residence's Gibraltar-incorporated holding company, according to the report.

Goncharenko, the former deputy CEO of the Russian state-run energy company Gazprom Invest Yug, acquired the property just two years ago. According to the report, he paid Rajkumar Bagri, a Conservative Party peer, 120 million in 2012 to purchase the property's unpaid lease.



Bloomberg quoted William Rego, a representative for the Ruia family office, "The property is under construction and became available at a price which makes it an attractive investment for the family office," according to a report in Bloomberg.

Who Is Ravi Ruia?

Ravi Ruia co-owns Essar Group, a 1969-established investment firm. Ruia played a key role in spearheading India's economic revival. An engineer by training, his entrepreneurial skills have helped the Essar Global portfolio of firms become one of the top brands in the world of business.

Ravi Ruia's Career

In the family firm since the beginning of his career, Ravi has worked with his elder brother Shashi Ruia to guide it to its current prominence by assisting in the consolidation of its businesses and by establishing international operations.

Ravi and Shashi Ruia jointly established Essar Global Fund Limited (EGFL), a diversified global private fund that is solely managed by Essar Capital Limited, its investment manager. EGFL is an international investor that owns a variety of top-tier assets spread across the core industries of Energy (which includes the businesses of Exploration & Production, Refining & Marketing, and Power), Infrastructure (which includes the businesses of Ports, Terminals, and EPC), Metals & Minerals, and Services & Technology (which includes the businesses of Shipping, Oilfield Services, and Technology Solutions).

EGFL makes long-term investments in its portfolio companies and owns nearly all of them outright. Over 7,000 people are employed by the portfolio companies, which have total annual revenues of around USD 13 billion.

Through privately held Essar Energy, the Ruia family owns the successful Stanlow oil refinery in the United Kingdom.

In addition to leading many investments and divestments for Essar internationally, Ravi Ruia has overseen the company's ambitions for globalisation, which include new businesses in the Middle East, South East Asia, Africa, and the United States.

Ravi Ruia's Net Worth

The 2010 Business India Businessman of the Year Award was given to Ravi Ruia. In 2012, Forbes magazine listed Ravi Ruia and his brother as two of the wealthiest Indians. According to Forbes, Ravi Ruia and his brother Shashi Ruia have a combined net worth of $2.2 billion (2021 Billionaires Net Worth as of 4/6/21).
New Delhi: Cinema is getting popular in Kashmir, as after Shah Rukh Khan's 'Pathaan', it's Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', a Hollywood film, which has been running housefull since the day of its release in Srinagar's only multiplex.

According to the Inox Multiplex theatre of Srinagar, 'Oppenheimer' is running back-to-back housefull shows making it the first Hollywood film to show such response in the valley. Earlier it was Shahrukh Khan starrer 'Pathaan', that saw a massive response from the public in the valley.

"It's the first Hollywood movie that has got so much response from the public. We had not thought that there would be such a rush for a Hollywood film in the valley. It has definitely surpassed our expectations. It is still going strong even after the houseful weekends," said Vikas Dhar, Owner, Inox Srinagar.

Hundreds of people have seen the movie since the release of the film. Srinagar's lone multiplex is running four shows of the movie every single day and most of them are running houseful. According to the theatre, the tickets for 'Oppenheimer' were sold even before the release of the film.

The filmgoers not only from Srinagar but other far-flung districts of the Kashmir region are coming to the cinema to watch his film on the bigger screen. And for the young generation of the Valley, they have never seen a theatre in their lives. Kashmir had dozens of Cinema Halls till early 1990, but with the start of the insurgency, All the cinema halls in the Valley were shut down.

"We all friends had pre-booked tickets when we heard about this movie. Our friends came to see it. And it's great that we are watching Hollywood movies in a multiplex that too in Srinagar," said one.

The Multiplex located in Srinagar's Shivpora area has three screens and a total seating capacity of around 520 people. And it's the second time after the reopening of the cinema in Valley, that Housefull boards have propped up outside the Multiplex.

The owners at the multiplex are expecting a huge response for the upcoming Karan Johar movie, 'Rani Aur Rocky ki Prem Kahani'. "We are getting huge advance bookings for Rani Aur Rocky ki Prem Kahani. We are hoping to break all the previous records of collections with this movie," said Vikas Dhar, Owner, Inox Srinagar.

Kashmir Valley saw the revival of cinema after three long decades. Earlier in the 80s, Kashmir was having half a dozen cinema halls, but they all got shut after terrorists threatened and attacked them, leading to them shutting down their business.
NEW DELHI: A day after Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi made big allegations that the BJP-led Central government was slowly shunting the Muslim officers out of the country's premier intelligence agencies like the Intelligence Bureau and Research And Analysis Wing (RAW), popular poet-politician Kumar Vishvas on Monday asked him to clarify what will he chose between India and Islam.

Vishvas took to Twitter and posed a question to the AIMIM leader asking him to tell what will he chose between the Quran and the Constitution? The tweet from Kumar Vishwas came in response to the AIMIM Hyderabad MPs allegations against the Narendra Modi government of being biased against Muslims with regard to appointments in the country's premier intelligence agencies like the Intelligence Bureau and Research And Analysis Wing (RAW).

     -                -      -

                

              https://t.co/PxMOHASZK8  Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) July 24, 2023

Quoting a news report, Owais alleged that while the ruling regime constantly demands proof of loyalty from Muslims, they never accept them as equal fellow citizens. "For the first time in decades, there wont be any Muslim officers in Intelligence Bureaus senior leadership. It is a reflection of the suspicion with which the BJP sees Muslims. IB & R&AW have become exclusive majoritarian institutions. You constantly demand proof of loyalty from Muslims, but never accept them as equal fellow citizens," said Owaisi said in a tweet.

In his tweet, Owaisi cited a report published by Asian Age newspaper which claimed that IB will have no senior Muslim IPS officer in an important position after decades. The report said that the last senior Muslim IPS officer SA Rizvi, who was holding the post of special director, was shifted to National Disaster Management Authority as an advisor. "It has been noticed that the number of Muslim IPS officers in the IB has dwindled significantly in recent years. This is in sharp contrast to the earlier regimes when an Asif Ibrahim could rise to the rank of IB director or Rafiul Alam, an Assam cadres IPS officer, could hold key positions during his deputation with the agency," read the part of the news report.

Shafi Ahsan Rizvi is a 1989 batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. According to the Department of Personnel and Training order, the appointment was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the curtailment in present tenure of Shafi Ahsan Rizvi, IPS (UK:1989), hardcore officer of IB presently working as Special Director, IB, and his appointment as Advisor, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) from the date of assumption of charge of the post and up to January 31, 2026 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, by temporarily upgrading the post from level 14 to level 16, as a measure personal to the officer," read the order.

Rizvi was appointed Special Director in June this year from the post of Additional Director.
Peshawar: In a big twist to their love story, the Pakistani friend of Anju, a 35-year-old Indian woman who crossed the border and travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her Facebook friend, has now said that he has no plans to marry her. Nasrullah further said that Anju  his Facebook friend - will return to India on August 20 when her visa expires, dismissing reports of any love angle.

No Plans Of Marrying Anju: Nasrullah





Nasrullah, 29, said that he has no plan of marrying 34-year-old Anju, who was born in Kailor village in Uttar Pradesh and lived in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Nasrulla and Anju became friends on Facebook in 2019. "Anju is on a visit to Pakistan and we have no plan to marry," Nasrullah was quoted as saying by news agency PTI over the phone from village Kulsho in the district, some 300 km from Peshawar.

Anju Will Go Back To India On August 20

"She will go back to her country on August 20 after her visa expires," he said, adding that "Anju is living in a separate room of his home with the other female members of my family," he said.

Indian Woman Crosses Border For Love

In a re-run of the Seema Hider case, the 35-year-old Anju travelled to the Upper Dir district of Pakistan's tribal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on a valid Pakistani visa of Pakistan's to meet Nasrullah. According to an official document of the Ministry of Interior sent to Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi, the chancery was informed that it had been decided to grant a 30-day visa to Anju, valid for Upper Dir only.

Nasrullah, a science graduate from a University in Sheringal, is the youngest among five brothers. He has given an affidavit to local authorities, stating that there is no love angle to their friendship, and Anju will return to India on August 20. The affidavit also states that she will not move out of the Upper Dir district.

"She will definitely go back on August 20 as per her visa documents," said police officer Mushtaq. District Police Officer Mushtaq interviewed Anju in his office on Sunday and checked her travel documents on the basis of which a no-objection certificate was issued to her.

Anju Provided Adequate Security: Pak Officials

Nasrullah said they have been provided adequate security by the district administration and Anju is safe and sound with his family. The villagers, mostly Pashtuns who are very religious people, want Anju to return safely to India as they do not want any bad name for their community due to this incident.

I Am Safe, Dont Trouble My Family: Anju In New Video

Pakistan  Anju  .... Seema Haider         ,             .        . pic.twitter.com/GmdcidQkRP  Sami Siddiqui (@siddiquisami23) July 24, 2023

Anju in a new video said that she is safe and sound. She has come to Pakistan legally after proper planning. She also said that she will return to India through a legal process after the expiry of her visa. She also requested the media not to trouble her family and relatives as she is ready to answer all questions.

Hopeful Of Her Return: Anjus Husband

Anju's husband Arvind, who is in Rajasthan, is hopeful that his wife will return soon. They have a 15-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. Anju's husband Arvind told the media in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan that she left home on Thursday on the pretext of going to Jaipur but later the family came to know that she was in Pakistan. Anju's husband said that she left home on Thursday. She has a valid passport, Assistant Superintendent of Police Bhiwadi Sujit Shankar said.

He said that the family did not lodge a complaint after they came to know about Anju's travel to Pakistan. Arvind told the media at his home that his wife Anju told her sister that she was in Lahore and later he spoke to her on a WhatsApp call. He said he would talk to her and will ask her to return, asserting that he was hopeful that she would return home.

He said her passport was issued in 2020 as she wanted to apply for a job abroad. Arvind said he had no idea that she was in touch with anyone on social media.

Seema Haider Vs Anju

Anju's incident is similar to Seema Ghulam Haider's case. Seema, a Pakistani mother of four, sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019. Seema, 30, and Sachin, 22, live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where he runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police.

While Seema was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa via Nepal with her four children, all aged below seven years, Sachin was put behind bars for sheltering the illegal immigrants. However, unlike Seema who entered India without a visa via Nepal with her four children all aged below seven years, Anju has travelled to Pakistan legally from India via the Wagah-Attari border.
The Supreme Court today stayed the scientific survey being done in the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) till July 26. It has also ordered that no excavation work is to be conducted in the vicinity for the next two weeks. The apex court also asked the Muslim side to approach the High Court first. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, overseeing the management of the Gyanvapi Mosque, has filed a petition against the Varanasi District Court's order for surveying the mosque premises adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The SC asked the Muslim side to file their plea in the Allahabad High Court tomorrow so that a hearing can be done on Wednesday.

The ASI team arrived at the mosque premises this morning and started the survey as per the orders of the Varanasi District Court. CJI D. Chandrachud had asked the ASI to present information about the survey.

Senior advocate Huzaifa Ahmadi, representing the Anjuman Committee, told the bench that the survey was ordered late Friday evening and therefore they did not get an opportunity to appeal. He stated that the order mentions excavation, and therefore, the Muslim side should have been given a chance to appeal. Ahmadi sought a stay of the ASI survey of the mosque complex saying it had earlier stayed the carbon dating of the structure, claimed as "shivling" by the Hindu side, found in the ablution pond of the mosque during a court-mandated survey in May 2022. "What is the tearing hurry, this place has been a mosque since the 1500s? There must be a status quo order," said Ahmadi.



The CJI questioned whether excavation would be involved in the survey, to which UP government's counsel Tushar Mehta responded that the survey would be conducted using modern techniques, and there would be no damage. He said that no bricks have been removed from the site today and only measurement and photography work is being done today.

The Supreme Court also asked the Solicitor General if he can make a statement that there will be a status quo until Friday, 28th July. To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, said that there is no excavation or invasive method is being resorted to for the time being.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Hindu side, requested the Supreme Court to let there be an exercise of caution on the issue and the Muslim side must go to the High Court.
Rameshwar Rao's inspiring journey from a humble background to becoming a prominent business tycoon is a testament to his unwavering determination and strategic choices. Raised in a low-income family, Rao's ambitions were restricted due to limited resources and access to education. Despite these challenges, he pursued a career in homeopathy and established himself as a well-respected practitioner in Hyderabad.

However, Rao's life took a remarkable turn when he made a daring decision that would change the course of his future. In the 1980s, he took a risk and invested Rs 50,000 in a plot of land, which turned out to be a transformative move. Within a mere three years, Rao witnessed an astounding threefold return on his investment, sparking a realization that propelled him towards a new path.

With newfound confidence and a keen eye for opportunities, Rao transitioned from homeopathy to the real estate industry. In 1981, he founded his first company, My Home Constructions, which marked the beginning of his ascent to prosperity. Rao's expertise and success in the real estate sector allowed him to rub shoulders with the elite of Hyderabad and further expand his business ventures.



Over the next few decades, Rao's business empire flourished, diversifying into various ventures, including cement manufacturing. His firm, Maha Cement, is now a leading player in South India, boasting an impressive annual turnover of over Rs 4,000 crore. What once started as a small bet on a plot of land transformed into a vast conglomerate under Rao's astute leadership.

Today, Rameshwar Rao's net worth stands at an impressive Rs 11,400 crore, firmly placing him in the billionaire club. He continues to steer his massive business empire with the support of his four sons and four daughters-in-law, each contributing their expertise to different facets of the group.

Rao's journey is a true testament to the adage that destiny finds its way to those who dare to dream big. From humble beginnings, he carved a path to success through hard work, strategic decision-making, and seizing opportunities that came his way. Rameshwar Rao's life story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and demonstrates that perseverance and vision can lead to remarkable achievements.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that the key goal of the Russian Federation in launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine was to virtually wipe our country off the world map in a short period of time. Since it failed to do so even during the 1.5 years of the war, it is obvious that Moscow has already lost.

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This is what an American official said in an interview with CNN. Ukrainians unlike Russian soldiers know what they are fighting for, so the invaders have no chance of victory.

"Putin's goal was to wipe Ukraine off the map, to eliminate its independence, its sovereignty, to subjugate it to Russia. This has long ago failed, Russia has already lost," Blinken emphasized.

Recall that as early as last year, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans voiced a similar thought, and compared Putin to the Fuhrer of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler.

"And Putin has already lost. He was wrong about the resilience of Ukrainians. Because no one else dares to tell him the full truth, including about the state of his army, which has been ruined by corrupt officers," the politician said last December.

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Earlier OBOZREVATEL reported that Blinken believes that the counter-offensive operation of Ukrainian troops will not be completed within one or two weeks - the State Department expects "several months". At the same time, in fact, the Russian Federation has already lost the war.

He also urged colleagues among the international community to take into account the risks and obstacles that the Ukrainian army is overcoming, so do not give premature assessments of the Defense Forces.

"We said from the beginning that it was going to be tough. You have apparently heard, and many people have said, that the Russians have prepared serious and fortified lines of defense. The Ukrainians are breaking through them," the U.S. official pointed out.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi: The current Manipur conflict has shocked the entire country and amidst fake and twisted narratives, the actual information is covered in dust. One of the major myths and widely circulated narratives is that the Kuki-Zo people were not the original inhabitants of Manipur. These tribals are often insulted and are called immigrants, refugees, foreigners, and infiltrators from Myanmar. Unfortunately, none of these narratives has any evidence or historical proof. All of it was circulated just for political gains. Not only this, but Manipur also had a rich history and most of it was well documented until April 13, 2000, when an angry mob of womenfolk (Meirapaibi in Manipuri) burnt down Manipur State Central Library along with over 1,45,000 books, ancient manuscripts and documents. A part of the history was already burnt down but a major part survived too.

While researching this topic, we stumbled upon some authentic and surprising data which proves the connection of the Kuki-Zo community with India right from the times of Mahabharata. Although in the present times, most of them have converted to Christianity which took place after the arrival of British people, the history of the Kuki people is much older than that and It is pertinent to discuss the real story of Kuki-Zo history in detail so that the popular myths can be busted.

Origin of word Kuki and ancient Buddhist texts

One of the most authentic sources of ancient history is "Taranathas History of Buddhism in India", which was written in the 16th century by one of the most renowned Buddhist scholars Taranatha, and later published by Motilal Banarsidas Publishers. The book has a separate chapter on the Kuki people which gives a clear account of their origin.

Taranatha wrote extensively about the existence of the people inhabiting the hills between Bengal and Burma as Ko-Ki and he named this area as Ko-Ki county.

British probably might have taken the name Kuki from this Ko-Ki only. He also mentioned that these Ko-Ki people were ardent followers of Buddhism.

ALSO READ | Manipur Riots  What Caused Divide Between The Communities?

Chapter 39 of the book extensively covers the details of these Ko-Ki people and confirms their eastern boundary to the Rakhan area (present day Rakhine state of Myanmar) which pinpoints their location in present day Manipur.

Taranatha also wrote that these Ko-Ki people are settled in the area ever since the time of King Asoka (3rd Century BC) and made a mention of several Buddhist viharas in the area which clearly proves that these people have been the settlers in these hills for over two and half millennia or may be since pre-historic times as written by renowned historian Prof Gangmumei Kabui too.

The copper plates of Tripura

The Panchakhanda Copper-plate of Tripura (641 CE) mentioned an incident where some land was given to five saintly Brahmins in the east 'By the settlements of the Hankula Kukis, within which paddy is cultivated by the Tengkori Kukis'.

Further, the Ita Copper-plate (1194 CE) of Tripura also mentioned land-grant to the saintly Mithila Brahmin in the 'the Kuki inhabited land in Manukula Pradesha bounded by Langla hill on the east'. Langla Hills is an old name of Langol Hills of present-day Manipur. The inscriptions on these two copper plates also prove the existence of Kuki people in this area during the 7th and 12th centuries respectively.

Narrations from Tripura Rajmala

Tripura Rajmala is probably the only authentic document that throws light on the history of entire northeast India in the most impeccable manner. It gives a detailed account of the 145 kings of Tripura and has the events well documented for over two millennia.

Rajmala mentioned the Kuki people as staunch followers of Lord Shiva. The very first mention is during the rule of King Subrai or Trilochan (the 47th king) and narrates that when the king won his conquest over Hidamba (present day Cachar) and performed the "ceremonies to the fourteen gods", it was the Kukis and the Kirats who contributed all the animals for sacrifices and helped the king in the ceremony. The rule of King Trilochan is assumed to be somewhere in the 7th or 8th century BC.

Rajmala also documents an incident during the rule of King Dhanya Manikya who ruled in the 15th century about the existence of Shaivism in the Kuki-inhibited areas. There is a mention of a Shiva Linga in the Kuki area which was granting all prosperity to the Kuki people and the king sent his Son in law named Hopa Kalau to retrieve the Shiva Linga and bring it to him in Tripura. Hopa Kalau stole the ling and wrapped it in Betel leaves to be sent to the king but miraculously the Shiva Linga escaped from the box and reached its original place in the Kuki land.

It is pertinent to mention here that Tripura Rajmala uses two names for these tribals. One is Kuki and the other is Kirata which is an important part of Mahabharata. The 6th century epic Kirataruniya written by Mahakavi Bharavi portrays the Kiratas as mountain dwelling hunters, a term which fits exactly on the Kuki tribes and is re-confirmed by Tripura Rajmala.

Manipur royal chronicles (The Cheitharol Kumbaba)

The royal chronicles of the Manipur royal family are known as Cheitharol and give irrefutable evidence that the Kuki people have been the aboriginals of Manipur. Cheitharol mentions a few Kuki tribes during different years like Khongsai in 1508 and Kyangs or Chins in 1467 and named the southern Manipur hills Khongsai Hills which proves beyond doubt that Kuki people were staying in these hills during the fifteenth century.

This Cheitharol which was written by ancestors of the present-day Manipur royal family also made mention of several campaigns against the Kuki people at different parts of the times. Some of them are the Mangaitang Expedition of 1734, the Khongsai hills expedition of 1786, the Saiton hills expedition of 1789, and a few minor expeditions during the same time. All of them categorically mentioned the expedition to be aimed against the Kuki tribes.

It is pertinent to mention here that the British reached these hills in the middle of the nineteenth century. So, if the Britishers bought the Kuki people, against whom did these Meitei kings fight?

History has been distorted in the past and when we move beyond the world of fake narratives and rely on strong and irrefutable evidence, we find that Kuki people have been staying in the area for almost three millennia and they were followers of Lord Shiva. Calling them refugees, immigrants or infiltrators is not only a sheer lie but also a crime. They may be our lost 'Kiratas' of Mahabharata.

(Views expressed in the article are personal opinions of the author. Major Amit Bansal is a Defence Strategist with keen interests in International Relations and Internal Security. He is also an author, blogger, and poet)
New Delhi: Floor leaders of the newly formed Opposition alliance the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) will meet at the office of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament on Tuesday to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House. The meeting of the floor leaders will be held at 10 am on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced adjournments for the third consecutive day.

The situation in Manipur dominated the proceedings of the third day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on Thursday, with the Opposition demanding the Centre to discuss the issue. The Congress and opposition leaders are demanding a statement from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon session.

Govt Ready For Debate On Manipur: Shah

As the logjam in Parliament persisted for the third day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday asked the opposition to allow a debate on the Manipur issue to begin but both sides stood rigid on their stand while AAP MP Sanjay Sanjay Singh was suspended during the uproar in the Upper House for the rest of the monsoon session. Relentless protests from opposition members, who insisted on a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi before any debate, marred the proceedings in both Houses while charges and counter-charges flew thick and fast outside Parliament.

Govt Scared Of Debate On Manipur: Congress

The Congress alleged that the prime minister was "scared" of a discussion in Parliament, but the BJP claimed the opposition was running away as it does not want certain facts to come to the fore. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, one of the more vocal voices in Rajya Sabha, was suspended for repeatedly "violating" the directives of the Chair after he rushed to the well of the House and pointed at the Chair during protest by opposition members on the Manipur issue.

Moving a motion for Singh's suspension that was adopted by voice vote, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said such behaviour was not acceptable as the member was disturbing the House and was disregarding its ethics and rules. Prior to that, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named Singh for his "unruly behaviour" and cautioned him.

Revoke Suspension Of Sanjay Singh: Oppn

Opposition parties condemned the action against Singh and accused the government of trying to throttle their voice. Sanjay Singh, however, remained inside the Rajya Sabha chamber as a mark of protest, and moved out after the house was adjourned for the day. He then sat on a protest before the Gandhi statue along with other opposition MPs.

Leaders of various parties urged the chairman to reconsider his decision and revoke the suspension. The RS Chairman later met the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the way forward to break the deadlock on both sides.

Govt Vs Oppsotion In Parliament

Protests ruled the day inside both Houses despite attempts by Dhankhar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to end the impasse. Since the session began on July 20, little work has been done in Parliament. Opposition members have seized on the viral video of two women stripped and paraded by a mob from another community in the violence-hit state to corner the government.

While the government has expressed its willingness to a debate on the situation in the BJP-ruled state, the opposition has made a statement from Modi a precondition for any discussion on the issue. As slogan-shouting by opposition members in Lok Sabha, many of whom were in the well of House, continued, Shah spoke briefly, questioning their intent despite his willingness to debate. The government has said that the Home Minister will reply to any such debate on the Manipur issue.

"I am willing for discussion in Lok Sabha on the situation in Manipur but do not know why the opposition does not want it," Shah said. He said opposition leaders should allow a debate, saying it was important for the truth to come out before the country on the Manipur issue.

As opposition members continued their protest, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings for the day. The MPs of the BJP as well as the Opposition staged protests near the Mahatma Gandhi statue to highlight their demands.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Union Minister Smriti Irani said, "When the Home Minister is asking them to come and discuss, what are the facts of Manipur violence that the Congress wants to hide." What is it that the opposition doesn't want the country to know? Why is the opposition running away from the truth of Manipur, she added.

Congress leaders Shaktisinh Gohil and Gaurav Gogoi accused the BJP of "shielding" the prime minister from speaking inside Parliament and treating the Manipur crisis as an ordinary law-and-order issue. "We want a substantive and exhaustive debate on Manipur in Parliament. The prime minister is running away from scrutiny by members of opposition parties and is scared of a debate on Manipur in Parliament," Gogoi told reporters.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Modi of insulting Parliament by choosing to speak on the Manipur issue not inside the House but outside. Party leader Jairam Ramesh said parliament did not function for the third day because of the "continued refusal of the Modi Government to accept the demand of INDIA parties for a comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister in the House on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur to be followed by a discussion".

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi earlier accused opposition members of deliberately scuttling a discussion on the sensitive issue. BJP members also raised the issue of attacks on women, including the victims being disrobed and raped, in states like West Bengal and Rajasthan to get back at opposition parties. "The opposition should not make excuses. The PM has already made a statement on Manipur with sensitivity and firmness ahead of the session. It is wrong that we don't start the discussion at all by making an excuse in the name of PM," Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said.

With the BJP parliamentary party holding its weekly meeting on Tuesday, its senior leaders, including PM Modi, may speak on the ongoing logjam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP sources said, has spoken to opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress and DMK leader T R Baalu, in an attempt to break the impasse but in vain.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar also held a meeting with opposition leaders from the Upper House, including Jairam Ramesh, BRS' K Keshava Rao, BJD's Sasmit Patra and AAP's Raghav Chadha, in this regard as well. Sources said the meeting ended within minutes, as the opposition walked out and said they were "boycotting it".

The sources said the meeting was convened at 1 PM, but the chairman said it will be reconvened as floor leaders of parties were not present and other leaders were. In Lok Sabha, the government succeeded in transacting some legislative business amid uproar, with three Bills introduced and one withdrawn.

While the government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, it introduced the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Today is the third day of the monsoon session of Parliament and the proceedings of the House will begin at 11 am. The uproar over Manipur is expected to continue in both Houses. The opposition had prepared a strategy to corner the BJP on this issue, while the BJP has also prepared a plan to fight back on the issue of atrocities against women in Bengal and Rajasthan.

The opposition is constantly adamant that no further work should be done in the House until the violence in Manipur is discussed in Parliament and the Prime Minister himself makes a detailed statement on the issue before the discussion. At the same time, it has been made clear from the government that it is ready for discussion and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lead the discussion with his reply.

The Monsoon session of Parliament has been facing continuous disruptions over Manipur violence since it began. Congress MPs have moved adjournment motion notices to discuss the situation of the strife-torn state. Congress Lok Sabha MPs Manickam Tagore and Manish Tewari have proposed adjournment motion notices to discuss the situation of the northeastern state with the latter asking to suspend Zero Hour, Question Hour, and other businesses of the day to have a discussion regarding "ongoing ethnic clashes". The Monsoon session began on July 20 amid the pandemonium over Manipur violence, with the opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements on the same "inside the House and not outside".

Earlier on Sunday, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur hit out at the opposition, stating that it is running away from the proceedings of the parliament. Speaking to the media, Thakur said, "The government is ready for the discussion on Manipur but the opposition is avoiding the same. They are also running away from the proceedings of the parliament. What is their compulsion? They want to remain in the limelight but do not want to be in the discussion".

Meanwhile, the opposition parties alliance, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will hold a protest in Parliament today. As a counter to it, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also planned a protest in front of the Gandhi statue at the Parliament premises over atrocities against women in Rajasthan and West Bengal as well as other states. (With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Actor Ananya Panday on Monday shared tips and tricks to heat the food with Jugaad on a trip. Ananya took to Instagram stories and treated fans with a new video from her trip. Ananya recorded the process of heating pancakes for breakfast.

In the video, the pancakes are kept on a plate and covered with a cloth. The pancakes are then heated with an iron-box!





Sharing the video, she wrote, breakfast heating jugaad. On Saturday the actor also shared a glimpse of her trip to Ibiza. Taking to Insta, Ananya treated fans with pictures of herself from her holiday. She captioned the post, "blue baby." In the first picture, Ananya is seen sitting by a pool and drinking coconut water.

A subsequent image shows her taking a mirror selfie in a blue bikini. In the fifth picture, she is seen sitting on the sand at a beach while staring at the camera. She had donned a stunning blue bikini and black sunglasses.

As soon as Ananya posted the photographs, her followers began to inquire about Aditya's location.

Ananya and Aditya Roy Kapur have been in the spotlight after photos from their trip were leaked on social media and quickly went viral. While the pair has not yet publicly acknowledged their relationship, they returned from their trip on the same day but chose to exit the airport separately. The duo's dating rumours started after they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali bash last year.

On the work front, Ananya will be next seen in director Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller film.

Ecstatic about the project, Ananya had earlier said, "When Vikramaditya Motwane approached me with this story, I just knew I had to be part of it. As a filmmaker, he has been on my wish list for as long as I can remember and I feel really lucky to be working with him this early in my career."

She also has Farhan Akhtar's 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' opposite actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav and a comedy film 'Dream Girl 2' opposite Ayushmann Khurrana.

In 'Dream Girl 2' she will be seen opposite Ayushmann Khurrana for the first time. She will also be making her web series debut with Amazon Prime Video's 'Call me bae'.
Ranveer Singhs infectious energy has been one of the reasons why he is immensely loved by the masses. Moreover, his enigmatic presence and innate ability to take an unconventional approach to entertain the audience is also widely praised. Last year, when the actor appeared in a viral nude photoshootfor Paper magazine, he simply 'broke the Internet'. Now, the actor is gearing up for his next release Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In a new promo of the film, Ranveer Singhs shirtless avatar effortlessly sets the Internet on Fire. The clip has left the audience waiting to witness Rocky in the theatres.

Ranveer Goes Shirtless In The New Promo

On Monday, Ranveer Singh dropped a new promo from the film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The promo introduces the audience to the character played by Ranveer in the film. It starts with the actor waking up as NseeB's Munde Desi played in the background. As the clip proceeds, he captivates his fans by showing off his ripped body and working out in the gym. Proceeding further, the visuals include close-up shots of Rockys toned muscles and six-pack abs as he gives different poses in front of the mirror and a shower scene which looks absolutely fascinating. Meanwhile, his designer collection  from sunglasses to footwear is also featured in a scene.



Sharing the promo, Ranveer wrote, "Monday aa (muscle emoji). Monday motivashiun (motivation) from Rocky Randhawa. RRKPK (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)."

Fans Going Gaga Over Ranveers Look As Rocky

Soon after the video was posted by Ranveer, the comment section was flooded with the reactions of his fans. "Punjabi music on fire (fire emoji)," wrote a fan. Another commented, "Well damn, I didnt expect this today (fire emojis)." A user reacted and said, "This definitely has me motivated." Meanwhile, one of them also chimed in saying, "Hotness alert. What is this insanely ripped body?"
New Delhi: Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri took to social media to express his excitement about 'Oppenheimer'. The movie has been welcomed by many and in response, the cinemas in the valley are all packed.

In a beaming post, he wrote, "BRILLIANT NEWS! Cinema halls were once burnt and banned in the 90s, but today, it's heartening to witness the first film to fill houses is a science-based one like 'Oppenheimer.' Science truly has the power to captivate and inspire, and I couldn't be happier for the makers of that incredible film!"

BRILLIANT NEWS.

Cinema halls were burnt and banned after 90s. Its heartening to see the first film to fill houses like this is a science film.



I am glad that our science film #TheVaccineWar #ATrueStory will also release in Kashmir. I have been assured by Kashmiri youth & pic.twitter.com/4Zq8zCMcBP  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) July 24, 2023

Overwhelmed with emotions, he also shared some news about his own film, 'The Vaccine War', co-produced by Pallavi Joshi, which will be released in Kashmir as well.

"I am glad that our science film #TheVaccineWar #ATrueStory will also be released in Kashmir," Vivek wrote, brimming with pride. "I have been assured by the resilient and forward-thinking Kashmiri youth, especially the women, that they will be proud to witness India's biggest scientific achievement on the big screen."

With great anticipation for the release of his own creation, "The Vaccine War," Vivek Ranjan Angihotri expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase it in Kashmir. The region's tumultuous past has not deterred the filmmaker, as he sees this as a significant milestone for cinema in the area. The promise of having a science-based film like The Vaccine War showcased in Kashmir holds a profound meaning for both the filmmaker and the audience. It symbolizes progress, change, and the triumph of knowledge over adversity.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is gearing up for 'The Kashmir Files Unreported' and 'The Vaccine War'.


On the evening of Monday, 24 July, Russian occupation forces shelled the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region. The attack killed one child and injured four others.

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Three adult civilians were also injured. The head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, reported this on Telegram (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photo).

He said that at around 19:00, the occupiers opened fire on a local pond where people were resting. Russian troops shelled Kostiantynivka with Smerch multiple rocket launchers using cluster munitions. Such weapons are used to destroy enemy manpower.

As a result of the shelling, girls aged 5, 11 and 12 and an 11-year-old boy were wounded and taken to a hospital in Dnipro. A 10-year-old boy was also seriously wounded, unfortunately, he could not be saved.

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This was reported to Suspilne Donbas by the head of the Kostiantynivka City Military Administration, Oleksiy Roslov. He said that the Russian attack took place at 19:10-19:20, and there were two attacks in total.

According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, three other people were injured - two 35-year-old women and a 44-year-old man. Among the injured children are two sisters, one of whom is in serious condition.

"All of them were provided with qualified medical assistance. At the time of the shelling, the citizens were near a recreation area on one of the local water bodies," the statement said.

Paramedics, police and prosecutors are working at the scene. The final number of victims is being established. Law enforcers are conducting a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings over violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

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"Russians are proving once again that they are fighting civilians and will stop at nothing in their desire to kill. I appeal to parents once again: children have no place in the war zone! Take care of them and evacuate. We provide everything you need for this," Kyrylenko wrote.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, at dawn on 21 July, Russian occupants shelled the residential infrastructure of the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast. Enemy shells killed two civilians.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed facts that Russian forces are tightly engaged in modernization of missiles to hit targets in Ukraine. Since the Air Defense Forces of the AFU repeatedly showed the effectiveness and result, the invaders have to learn and change tactics.

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This was stated by the Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Vadym Skibitsky on air of the telethon UA Razom. For example, the Kh-22 supersonic cruise missile has actually turned into the Kh-32 "air-to-surface", and the anti-ship Onyx has also undergone significant modernization.

"Last year, the enemy could use 80 to 100 to 110 cruise missiles of the same type in a single strike. For example, the X-101. Now they do not have such an opportunity. This set of missiles has its own specifics and features of tactical application," he emphasized.

Skibitsky added that in the fall of 2022, the invaders often shelled Mykolaivshchyna, Kherson and Odessa. Then there were a lot of undermining, not hits. He said that after modernizing their missiles, the occupiers were likely to use the Bal and Bastion complexes against civilian infrastructure again.

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"Russian forces are improving guidance and navigation systems and other elements that allow them to use surface-to-surface missiles," the intelligence official concluded.

Earlier OBOZREVATEL reported that in the EU regular strikes by Russian troops on Odessa called another war crime of the Russian Federation. During the last attack on the night of July 23, Russia, in particular, destroyed one of the main Orthodox cathedrals of Odessa, which is a world heritage site.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On the night of July 24, the Russian terrorist army made another attack on Odessa region. The occupiers hit the port infrastructure with Shahed-136 kamikaze drones.

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As a result of the Russian attack, four port workers were injured. This was reported in the operational command "South" (to see the photo, scroll to the end of the page).

Russian occupiers attacked Odessa region with Shahed-136 drones for almost 4 hours in a row. Another terrorist strike was aimed at the port infrastructure of the Danube.

Air defense forces destroyed 3 UAVs. At the same time it is reported about hits to infrastructure objects.

According to OC South, as a result of drone hits, a hangar with grain was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged. There was also a fire in one of the production facilities, which was promptly extinguished.

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We would like to remind you that on the night of July 23, the Russian terrorist army launched another missile attack on Odessa. As a result of the terrorist attack, the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC-MP was destroyed.

Earlier it was reported that on the night of July 23 in Odessa sounded a series of explosions, worked air defense, but there are also arrivals. According to OC South, Russian forces attacked the region with Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu22m3 aircraft, as well as Kalibers, Onyx, Iskander-K, and Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on the night of July 22, terrorist state Russia once again attacked the territory of Ukraine with Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. UAVs were directed to the central regions of our country. By forces and means of air defense of the Air Force all 5 attack drones were destroyed.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Japanese group NEC in bid to boost co-operation in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics and "Internet of Things."

It was signed at the Saudi-Japanese round table meeting, organized by the Ministry of Investment in Jeddah, in the presence of the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to the Kingdom.

Mashari bin Ibrahim Al Mashari, Deputy Director of the National Information Center in SDAIA inked the deal along with NEC Senior Vice President Naoki Yoshida.

The MoC aims to discuss opportunities of mutual interest between the two sides and support innovation and innovative solutions for a number of applications such as; Smart and safe cities, health applications, and logistics applications.

It will strengthen the "SDAIA" efforts in efficiently experimenting with technical solutions, leading the national trend for data and artificial intelligence, and achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 to promote the Kingdom to data-based negotiations and enabling initiatives related to data and artificial intelligence.
Western partners prioritized the training of Ukrainian soldiers right when Western tanks and IFVs were handed over. However, they started training at their training grounds as early as January 2023, although the decision on the need for exercises was made as early as September 2022.

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This allowed the Russian troops to get a serious head start, and strengthen their positions in such areas as the left-bank Dnieper in the Kherson region. This is argued by Jake Watling, senior research fellow in ground combat at the Royal United Services Institute, publishing a piece in The Guardian.

"Another problem is that much of the training provided has been poorly designed. Individual soldiers can train in Ukraine. What is not easy to do there - Ukraine's ranges are a target for Russian strikes - is combat training over a company. For this reason, collective training is organized for some Ukrainian units at European ranges. However, Western militaries have a mantra that you must "train while fighting," the article stated.

Watling pointed out that the AFU fighters have made it clear that they could not do this on Western training grounds. They cannot fly their UAVs due to regulatory restrictions or use their own fire control software because it is not NATO certified.

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According to the scholar, the bureaucratic restrictions underscore a serious problem for Ukraine's partners. While the fate and stability of the entire continent directly depends on the battles Ukrainian soldiers are fighting.

"If this issue is not resolved, the advantages currently enjoyed by Ukraine will disappear and NATO will struggle to meet the readiness goals agreed upon in Vilnius. The future of European security thus depends on the ability of Western capitals to look ahead and make timely decisions. We are reminded every day of the price of delay by footage from liberated Ukrainian territories, such as Bucha, Gostomel, and parts of Kherson region," the author concluded.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the authoritative publication The Wall Street Journal pointed out the lack of training and armament in the AFU before the counteroffensive, which Western partners knew about. At the same time, the Russian military has low morale due to attrition, poor supply and infighting in the Kremlin and apparently cannot seize the initiative on the front.
As of 24 July, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue their offensive in the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors. Our soldiers are consolidating their positions at the achieved lines, inflicting artillery fire on the identified enemy targets, and carrying out counter-battery measures.

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This was reported by the General Staff in a daily update on Facebook. At the same time, our military warns that the likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

"Over the last day, the enemy launched one missile and 58 air strikes, fired more than 26 times from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of our troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among children and civilians, and the port infrastructure and grain storage facilities in southern Ukraine, residential buildings and other infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged," the Defence Forces said in a statement.

The enemy regularly continues mortar and artillery shelling in all directions it can hit. In particular, the following areas are under attack:

in the Kupyansk sector, air strikes were recorded near Terny, Vilshana, Kyslivka in the Kharkiv region. Artillery and mortar attacks by the enemy were recorded near Krasne Pershe, Figolovka, Dvorichna, Zakhidne, Kupyansk, and Vidradne in the Kharkiv region;

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in the Lyman sector, the enemy conducted air strikes in the areas of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, and Lyman, Yampol, Siversk, Spirne, and Rozdolivka, Donetsk region. Nevske and Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Torske, Verkhnekamyane, Spirne and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region came under artillery fire;

in the Bakhmut sector, our defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks in the areas northwest of Orikhove-Vasylivka, south of Ivanivske and west of Klishchiyivka in the Donetsk region. The enemy conducted air strikes in the areas of Diliyivka and Predtechyno in the Donetsk region. More than 10 localities suffered from enemy artillery shelling, including Vasyukivka, Orikhove-Vasylivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region;

in the Avdiivka sector, under heavy fire from enemy aircraft and artillery, our defenders successfully repelled attacks by Russian troops near Pervomaisk, Donetsk region. The enemy launched air strikes near Novokalynove, Avdiivka and Nevelske in Donetsk region. At the same time, it shelled more than 10 localities, including Avdiivka, Lastochkine, Vodiane, Pervomayske and Karlivka in Donetsk region;

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in the Maryinka sector, Ukrainian defence forces continue to hold back the Russian offensive in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka in Donetsk region. The enemy fired at more than 10 localities, including Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Peremoha, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka in the Donetsk region;

in the Shakhtarsk sector, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Rivne, Donetsk region. It fired at more than 10 localities, including Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Vuhledar, Blahodatne in the Donetsk region;

in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the enemy is focusing its main efforts on preventing further advance of our troops, and has launched air strikes in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Orikhove, Lobkove in Zaporizhzhia region. More than 30 localities came under artillery fire, including Gulyaypole, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaki, Stepnohrysk in Zaporizhzhia region; Zolota Balka, Mykhailivka, Kachkarivka, Kozache in Kherson region and the city of Kherson.

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The situation is difficult for residents of the temporarily occupied territories. In the best traditions of the "Russian world", the invaders loot and evict people from their own homes, and occupy even such harmless institutions as kindergartens and schools.

"In the village of Radensk in the Kherson region, Russian soldiers have converted the territory of a local kindergarten into a field hospital. Dozens of wounded occupants are being treated there," the General Staff said.

However, our military do not leave the enemy without a fair response. Over the past day, Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit four control points, three air defence facilities, nine artillery pieces at firing positions and four occupiers' electronic warfare stations.

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As OBOZREVATEL reported, "many different events are planned for the next week, which will definitely strengthen Ukrainian defence," President Zelenskyy said. In connection with the massive attack by the Russian Armed Forces on Odesa, the head of state stressed that the main target of the occupiers is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On Monday, 24 July, the Ukrainian Defence Forces launched a missile attack on the temporarily occupied Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia. There were four powerful explosions in the city.

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The information was confirmed by the Ukrainian mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov. He stated that "the enemy's roasting in the South continues" (to watch the video, scroll to the end of the news).

Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko said that the explosions occurred in the area of the occupiers' logistics route.

The Telegram channel of the Melitopol guerrilla group 'Gnilaya Chereshnya' published a video showing the sounds of explosions.

To recap: "Cotton" also visited Tokmak on 15 July. Then three series of explosions were recorded at the enemy's positions.

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In addition, Fedorov recently said that the Defence Forces had killed about 200 Russian soldiers in Tokmak. The so-called commandant of the city was also injured. After that, Russians began to leave their families in a panic. Fedorov added that "according to the forecast, the heat will only increase".

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- On 22 July, powerful explosions occurred in the village of Oktiabrske in the Krasnogvardeisky district of the temporarily occupied Crimea. The arrivals fell on an ammunition depot, and detonation began there.

- As it turned out, three tonnes of artillery ammunition were stored at the military depot in Oktiabrske. The warehouse allegedly caught fire after an attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ukrainian girls are also trying their best to help the AFU. For example, they have invented a new way - Ukrainian women use dating sites to find Russian soldiers and learn intelligence data.

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This is reported by The Times. In correspondence soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces give away everything: personal documents, numbers of military units and location.

The source reports that savvy Ukrainians help to extract secret data and then pass it to the AFU.

In particular, Russian servicemen sometimes show their military ID, reveal their unit number or give away their location by sending a video of the area where the soldier is driving or singing.

This information helps the Ukrainian military to adjust strikes on enemy locations or build an offensive plan.

Recall that since June 30, the application for online dating Tinder finally stopped working in Russia. Now it is impossible to use its main functionality in the application - "swipe" people's profiles. In addition, Tinder has disappeared from the Play Market and App Store in Russia. Meanwhile, a "replacement" has already been invented in Russia.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Russian intelligence services use the dating service Tinder to recruit German military and politicians. By building relationships with influential persons spies hope to get the information they need.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, commenting on the pace of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, has said that Ukraine has already liberated about half of the territories occupied by Russia. According to him, the operation of Ukrainian troops will not be completed within one or two weeks - the State Department expects "several months". At the same time, in fact, the Russian Federation has already lost the war.

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The corresponding statement Blinken voiced in an interview with CNN on July 23. "Ukraine has already returned about 50% of the territory that was initially seized (probably excluding Crimea and the ORDLO. - Ed.). It's still relatively early days of the counter-offensive. It is difficult. It's not going to be completed in the next week or two," he said.

According to the US State Department chief, Russia has "already lost" the war "in terms of what it sought to achieve and what Putin sought to achieve."

"The goal was to wipe Ukraine off the map, to strip it of its independence, its sovereignty, to incorporate it into Russia. This has long failed," he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged that Ukraine's mission to de-occupy the territories would be "a very hard fight" and predicted that the war would last "several months."

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However, he said, along with the aid, military equipment and training Ukraine is receiving from various countries, Kyiv's work represents a "decisive element."

"Unlike the Russians, Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their future, for their country, for their freedom," Blinken said.

He also assured that Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets, but it takes several months for their delivery.

As reported OBOZREVATEL:

- Earlier Blinken noted that it is very early to draw conclusions about the successes of the AFU. He stressed that the Ukrainians are breaking through serious lines of defense.

- The commander of the AFU Ground forces Oleksandr Syrsky said that the Ukrainian military every day are advancing by 0.5-1 km. It is virtually impossible to accelerate the AFU counter-offensive because of the occupants' many defenses and minefields.

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- US General Mark Milley urged not to call the AFU counter-offensive a failure. According to him, there will be a lot more fighting for Ukraine.

- Russian President Putin has issued that Ukraine's counteroffensive has allegedly "failed" during a meeting with self-proclaimed Belarusian President Lukashenko.

- The Wall Street Journal claims that officials in the West knew that the Ukrainian Armed Forces did not have sufficient readiness for a counteroffensive, relying on the courage and resourcefulness of our military. Now, the Defense Forces operation could allegedly be at a stalemate, but the Russian Federation is also unable to retake the initiative on the front.

- The ISW said that blocking facilities in the rear of the RF forces successfully reduces their logistics and counter-battery defense capabilities and contributes to their exhaustion. And the pace of the AFU counteroffensive may soon increase.

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Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Baszczak said that a new special demining unit in his country's armed forces would strengthen the security of NATO's eastern flank. By this, he hinted that the new military unit, stationed in Augustow, will counter threats from Russia and Belarus, where mercenaries of the private military company Wagner are stationed.

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The Polish defence minister shared the details on his Twitter page. He noted that the military unit in Augustow will be built from scratch and "will not be the last".

"I will soon inform you about new investments," Minister Baszczak announced.

He assured that the current government cares about the security of Poland and therefore creates new and modernises existing military units.

"We are well aware that Polish soldiers are the best guarantee of the security of our homeland," the Polish defence minister concluded.

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To recap: On 23 July, Baszczak announced that a new sapper battalion would be created by the end of 2023. It will be part of the 15th Gizycko Mechanised Brigade of the 16th Pomeranian Mechanised Division. It will be deployed in the town of Augustov near the border with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

Its main task will be to strengthen the so-called Suwaki corridor.

As Polskie Radio 24 reported, the creation of the new military unit was planned back in 2022 as part of the package of strengthening the country's Armed Forces for 2023-2025 approved by the Council of Ministers.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- "Mercenaries of the Russian PMC Wagner are located in the Belarusian village of Tsil, Mogilev region. New satellite images from the field camp by Maxar Technologies can be viewed here.

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- In Russia and Belarus, propaganda against Poland has intensified against the backdrop of the "relocation" of Wagner mercenaries to the territory of Belarus.

- On 23 July, at a meeting with the head of the aggressor country, Vladimir Putin, the so-called President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, stated directly that Wagner mercenaries were going to "march" to Poland and wanted to arrange an "excursion" to Warsaw and Rzeszow.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed sympathy with Ukrainians over Russia's night attack on Odessa on the night of July 23, which led to the destruction of architectural monuments, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, which is on the UNESCO list of heritage sites. The politician is convinced that Moscow is guided by barbaric methods, but they will never overpower the resources of civilization.

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Meloni's words are transmitted by the Italian Embassy in Ukraine on Twitter. She indicated that Rome will take part in the restoration of the destroyed cathedral.

"They are destroying our European civilization, its sacred symbols. A free people will not allow themselves to be intimidated, barbarism will not win. Italy, with its unique in the world experience in the registration industry, is ready to join in the restoration of the cathedral and other treasures of Ukraine's cultural heritage," the head of the Italian government pointed out.

Meloni condemned the armed aggression of the occupiers, for whom there are no "red lines". They are destroying granaries, depriving food to millions of people who need it and destroying "our European civilization, its sacred symbols".

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It should be noted that the Odessa diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate called the missile strike on the Transfiguration Cathedral a terrorist act. The clerics emphasized that the shrine had nothing to do with military facilities.

Earlier OBOZREVATEL reported that as a result of the Russian night attack on Odessa on the night of July 23, 25 monuments were damaged in the city. Among them UNESCO-protected buildings of XIX-XX century.

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After Moscow's withdrawal from the grain agreement, the southern regions of Ukraine, in particular Odessa region, are subjected to massive attacks by the occupants on a daily basis. Unfortunately, in addition to architectural monuments, there are casualties among people.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
More than 3,000 US military personnel have arrived in the Red Sea aboard two warships, as part of increased deployments after tanker seizures by Iran, the US Navy said Monday.
Egypt's trade deficit surged 23.8 percent in April over the same month in 2022, driven by a drop of more than 75 percent in gas exports, according to the monthly external trade bulletin released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).

The trade deficit jumped to $2.33 billion in April 2023, up from $1.89 billion in the same month last year.

Egypt's exports dropped 44.9 percent to $3.03 billion in April 2023 from $5.5 billion in April 2022, CAPMAS' data showed.

The drop in exports is mainly attributed to the decline in natural and liquefied gas exports, which fell by 75.6 percent.

In April, the exports of fruits and crude oil tumbled by 58.8 percent and 48.2 percent on an annual basis, respectively.

Meanwhile, exports of steel bars, wires, and other products soared by 569 percent annually in April, while exports of prepared foods and baked goods increased by 35.6 percent yearly in the same period.

Imports



Egypt imported $5.46 billion worth of goods in April, a 27.4 percent drop compared to $7.38 billion in the same month a year earlier.

The plunge in total imports can be ascribed mainly to declines in a few key imports, including wheat, whose imports shrank by 1.4 percent.

Egypt is expected to import 12 million tons of wheat during the fiscal year 2023/2024, up from 11.6 million tons in 2022/2023.

Moreover, imports of organic and inorganic chemicals decreased by 2.1 percent yearly in April, while plastic and steel raw materials imports fell by 33.6 percent and 52.4 percent, respectively, during the same period.

On the other hand, imports of petroleum products rose by 13.8 percent yearly in April, while corn imports soared by 61.3 percent over last year.

Likewise, imports of natural gas and iron materials increased by 16.6 percent and 5.2 percent on a yearly basis, respectively, during April 2023.

April's higher deficit followed a more significant decrease in the previous month. Egypts trade deficit dropped by 49.6 percent in March compared to the same month last year, driven primarily by plunging wheat imports.

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The Egyptian-Emirati Al-Alamein Air Show 2023 was held on Monday over the new Egyptian Mediterranean city of Al-Alamein on the northern coast, with the participation of the Egyptian aerobatics team, Silver Stars, and the UAE team, Al-Fursan.

The event began with Gazelle aircraft carrying the flags of Egypt and the UAE and the airshow logo.

The Delta team from the Egyptian parachute forces then entered.

The UAE air team, Al-Fursan, participated in the event, demonstrating their professionalism, the military spokesman said.

The activities included several artistic performances of military music.

In addition, Agusta helicopters, accompanied by several boats and launchers from the naval forces, put on a show that, according to the military spokesman, reflected the naval force's great skill.

This was followed by air navigation shows and a formation of flags by the Egyptian parachute forces' free-jumping team.

At the end of the event, the Egyptian air team, Silver Stars, performed, using K8-E planes, over the tourist city of New Alamein.

The show was held in the presence of ministers of civil aviation, solidarity, tourism, and youth.

The ambassador of the UAE in Cairo also attended the show.

Several senior commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces also attended the show.

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A large wildfire tearing through the Greek island of Rhodes forced thousands of tourists to flee their hotels in what Greek officials said was the largest evacuation effort in the countrys history, said media reports

Fires are also burning on the islands of Corfu and Evia, with Greek emergency services issuing evacuation orders for several parts of Corfu, reported CNN.

In Rhodes, those caught up in the blaze described chaotic and frightening scenes, with some having to leave on foot or find their own transportation after being told to leave, it stated.

The wildfire in the central and southern part of Rhodes  a hugely popular island for holidaymakers  has been burning since Tuesday. It is the largest of a number of blazes in Greece, which is sweltering due to a heat wave that experts say is likely to become the countrys longest on record.
During the International Conference on Migration and Development in Rome, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and agreed on Sunday to enhance Egyptian-Italian cooperation.

The International Conference on Migration and Development aims to address issues related to irregular migration and to combat human trafficking, while also promoting economic development through collaborative efforts among nations.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including migration, trade, and energy during their discussions.

Madbouly highlighted Italy's significant role as Egypt's largest trading partner within the European Union and the fourth-largest globally.

He expressed the desire to strengthen cooperation in petrochemicals, natural gas, and renewable energy transmission from Egypt to Italy and other European countries.

Madbouly also mentioned the fruitful outcomes of Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs' visit to Egypt in March, which included cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, and food manufacturing. These are areas that Egypt aims to further strengthen in partnership with Italy.

Italy's Prime Minister expressed her commitment to reinforcing bilateral relations across various sectors and highlighted potential joint projects with Egypt.

Madbouly expressed his gratitude to Meloni for inviting Egypt to participate in the conference and acknowledged the country's role as a host to nearly nine million migrants and refugees, making migration issues highly significant.

Both sides agreed to share details of proposed projects between the two countries in the near future.

According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), the trade volume between Egypt and Italy increased significantly in 2021, rising by 29 percent to reach $5.8 billion compared to the previous year's $4.5 billion. Moreover, Italian investments in Egypt increased by 40.3 percent during Q1 of FY 2021/22, reaching $448.8 million.

Egypt and Italy are both members of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), whose primary objective is to create a regional gas market in the Eastern Mediterranean and bolster trade relations among its eight member states.

Italy's energy giant Eni played a crucial role in the discovery of Egypt's Zohr natural gas field in its Mediterranean waters, which propelled Egypt to become a significant producer of this alternative energy source.

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Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held talks on Monday with Amy Pope, the newly elected head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on the sidelines of the International Conference on Migration and Development in Rome, to discuss the latest developments related to the migration file.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Madbouly highlighted the importance of developing mechanisms to address irregular migration at its roots, reducing the burden on refugee-hosting countries, and fostering cooperation between Egypt and IOM, according to the Egyptian cabinet.

Madbouly expressed Egypt's desire to strengthen cooperation with the IOM in the near future, particularly given the significance of the migration file for Egypt, which hosts nine million migrants and refugees.

The Prime Minister congratulated Pope on being the first woman to head the IOM during their meeting.

Pope acknowledged Egypt's effort in hosting vast numbers of refugees and migrants and providing them with all necessary services, despite the challenges and economic burdens.

She also highlighting that Egypt's geographical location made it the largest host of Sudanese refugees after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April.

As per the latest IOM displacement data report on 18 July, 255,565 Sudanese have entered Egypt's borders.

Pope expressed her hope to collaborate with Egypt after officially assuming her duties in October 2023 to explore ways to establish organized and legal pathways for migrants, reduce irregular migration operations, and enhance efforts to support refugee-hosting countries.

Madbouly addresses the conference

In his address to the conference on Sunday, Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized that the conference presented a crucial opportunity to strengthen international cooperation to tackle irregular migration, citing the significant loss of life in Mediterranean boat disasters.

We must seek to understand these migrations root causes such as geopolitical and economic crises in order to find the proper solutions, he continued in his keynote speech.

"Hence, accounting for the security and developmental reasons for which migrants leave their home country will allow for international efforts to push for political stability and economic development in those areas," the Prime Minister added.

The UN reports that the majority of the over 100,000 migrants who reached Europe by sea in the H1 of 2023 arrived in Italy. These migrants departed from the coasts of North Africa, Turkey, and Lebanon.

Although lower than the previous year's 189,000 arrivals, Italy still received less than 80,000 asylum applications last year, which is fewer than those received by Germany, France, Spain, and Austria.

Madbouly emphasized the significance of adopting the model of equitable sharing of responsibilities to improve the host communities' ability to provide support for arrivals.

He stressed that financing countries that face economic challenges is crucial to ensure sustainability in service provision.

"We also must increase international cooperation in border control and combating migrant smuggling to clamp down on the networks who exploit loopholes in the system to carry out their crimes," he continued.

"Finally, it is important to open regular paths for migrants and provide them with a decent life abroad as well as promote their integration into the societies in which they live further eliminating any discriminatory practices against them," he added

Egypt and migration

Madbouly emphasized that immigration is a priority issue in Egypt, highlighting that the country hosts nine million migrants and refugees, which accounts for eight percent of the population.

He clarified that these migrants and refugees receive all Egyptian privileges, including education, health, and freedom of movement, resulting in a 50 percent increase in arrivals in 2018.

Additionally, he added that there are many Sudanese individuals who are fleeing the conflict in their country.

He asserted that despite economic challenges and limited international support, Egypt does not hesitate to offer all possible support to them.

Madbouly stated that Egypt recognizes its position as a country of irregular migration, serving as a source, transit, and destination for migrants. As a result, the state has adopted a comprehensive approach to combat the phenomenon.

He confirmed that as a result, the country is seeking to promote economic and social development in repelling areas, create pathways for regular migration, and raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.

He added that on the other hand, the government has tightened border control to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks.

The country has also established strict laws against these two phenomena.

Madbouly asserted that as a result of these efforts, no boats carrying irregular immigrants have departed from the Egyptian coast since September 2016.

The conference, initiated by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, aims to address irregular migration, combat human trafficking, and foster economic development through collaborative planning and implementation of initiatives and projects between states in the wider Mediterranean and Africa.

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Three Egyptians have been identified among the victims of the boat that sank off Greece's coast last month, the Egyptian embassy in Athens said in a statement on Monday.





In June, dozens of irregular migrants died after their sailboat sank off the coast of Greece while en route from Libya to Italy.

According to media reports, most of the people on board were from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan,

The Greek authorities informed the Egyptian embassy that 14 bodies among the victims were identified, including those of three Egyptians, a statement issued by the embassy read.

The statement added that the bodies of the three Egyptians have been returned to their families.

Egyptian officials said that 43 Egyptians, including five minors and 38 men, survived the shipwreck, whereas the number of Egyptians who could be missing remains unclear.

Following the incident, Egypt set up a workgroup to guide families of victims and missing migrants through the process of identifying bodies.

In its statement, the embassy said it had earlier handed over to the Greek side all the samples of the DNA tests received from the Egyptian families to help identify the victims' bodies as soon as possible.

The embassy noted that any other bodies identified by the Geek authorities will be brought home.

Egypt has stepped up its efforts to deal with irregular migration since 2016 when it launched its first national strategy addressing the issue.

The strategy embraces a multi-pronged approach. It encompasses Law 82/2016, which sets out stiff penalties and criminalizes all forms of migrant smuggling.

The law was toughened in 2022, raising fines and punishing those who fail to report the crime.

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Medhat Ghabrial discusses his debut novel, 'A Bar on Adly Street - An Egyptian Memoir,' which provides a bird's-eye view of the impact of the "July Revolution" on Egypt.

Al-Mahroussa Publishing is set to release the Arabic translation of Medhat Ghabrial's debut novel, 'A Bar on Adly Street - An Egyptian Memoir,' later this year. Ghabrial, an Egyptian-Canadian civil engineer, published the novel in English last summer, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the July Revolution. The novel, which spans nearly 500 pages, attributes much of Egypt's misfortunes over the past seven decades, including the 1967 military defeat and the wave of Islamization that followed the October War, to the revolution. The book also touches on the limited impact of the 1973 Crossing on the morals of the "lost generation" of the 1970s, which was left with little hope before being "scattered all over the earth."

Aside from chronicling the personal story of the Copts and other Christians in Egypt during the eras of Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Anwar Sadat, respectively described by the father of the lead protagonist as a man who "was wrong all the time but believed in what he said" and "a lying buffoon...and a snake in the grass," 'A Bar on Adly Street' also delves into how the poor transitioned from a type of liberalism to a type of socialism. It explores the intricate issues surrounding the Jews and Europeans in Egypt, as well as classism in the country.

The novel is a personal narrative of a man who lived through it with his upper-middle-class family before being forced to depart the country with a great deal of pain behind him and significant uncertainty ahead.

Speaking in Cairo, a city no longer resembling his past or his dreams, Ghabrial, who describes himself as "an engineer by profession and a writer by passion," discussed 'A Bar on Adly Street,' the iconic Greek Kharampolous, and his moments of hope, such as the 1973 Crossing and the 2011 Revolution, as well as his many moments of despair, including the 1967 defeat and the failure to revive even a truncated version of liberalism that was present in Egypt before the "Free Officers took over."

Ahram Online: 'A Bar on Adly Street  an Egyptian Memoir' reads actually a lot more like a memoir. Why didn't it just come out as a memoir?

Medhat Ghabrial: Well, first of all, because this is how I wrote it; this is how I felt it should be written, maybe essentially to disguise some characters and some elements of an otherwise personal narrative. Also, while the story is a personal account in so many ways and based on real characters almost fully, it is also the story of the city, of society as it was and of the country during these years between the 1967 defeat and shortly after the October War.

AO: From this perspective, much of the case against the Free Officers rule is offered through the character of the father, a retired army officer who did not like what the Free Officers did, neither from the military nor from the civilian points of view.

MG: Yes, but it is true that my father was an army officer who fought in the 1948 war prior to the rule of the Free Officers. Actually, when I was born towards the end of that year, my father was still at the hospital being treated for an injury that he sustained during that war.

AO: And the son of this army officer is a civil engineer, exactly like yourself.

MG: Oh yes, because while it was the thing for the generation of my father's generation to join the army for my generation it was the thing to be an engineer; it was part of the Nasser thing to be an engineer to contribute to the call of development, industrialization and construction.

AO: So, like the lead protagonist of your novel, you had faith in Nasser?

MG: Our generation had faith in Nasser; what he spoke seemed to be our dream; we were wrong because we missed the very important point that a country needs democracy as much as it needs independence, industrialization and political status.

Inevitably, I come from a family that has for decades and decades subscribed to the cause of pluralism and freedom. Actually, my maternal grandfather was one of the early people who joined the call of Saad Zaghloul and the 1919 Revolution. I grew up in a family house where it was not unusual to see pictures of Saad Pacha. However, like others of my generation, I was so devastated when Nasser announced a decision to step down in the wake of the defeat. Our generation, actually the entire country, was highly influenced by the propaganda to the point that we did not believe it at first when we heard on some foreign radio stations that we were defeated in 1967.

That was the shock; everything believed in turned out to be wrong and everything we hoped for lost its meaning.

This said I have to say that like other students, men and women, when I joined the 1968 demonstrations, I was hoping for accountability. We wanted to punish those who were responsible for the disaster  those who claimed to be able to bring the country its glory but actually took it towards its defeat.

Still, it was not easy to firmly turn the page on the Nasser story. I actually did cry when I learned that Nasser died and I sort of felt it was June 1967 all over again. However, I remember that my paternal uncle was kind of relieved when Nasser passed away in September 1970. I remember him saying that Nassers death gave Egypt a chance to live again."

AO: Was this true  at all?

MG: Well, When Sadat first took office, he was subject to much ridicule, I mean compared to Nasser with all the aura he had. I did not think he would stay on the job for long but he actually survived a lot and when 15 May 1971 came [and Sadat ousted all his top political adversaries] I realized that after all, he was not the idiot we took him for.

Then of course, the Crossing of 1973 was a total surprise; it was actually the surprise of all times; it was just like the January 2011 Revolution; it was a moment when one felt proud to be an Egyptian and hoped for better days to come and for Egypt to be able to live the life it deserves. But, oh well

AO: Meaning?

MG: Well, after the October War things did not actually pick up the way one had hoped. The opposite. We started seeing an expansion of the ideas of the Muslim Brotherhood and radical Muslim preachers like [Mohamed Metawli] Al-Shaarawi and others who were coming from the Gulf.

Politically speaking, Sadat was trying to use the Islamists at large to deal a final blow to the leftists and those who supported Nasser. However, he was actually giving the upper hand to Islamism and that was very intimidating to Christian families and to others, to be honest. It was an issue for those who felt that the identity of Egypt, as it has been one way or the other, was being compromised.

For a short while, we were hanging there between hope and despair. Ultimately, many felt that their country was not the same country that they knew or they wanted to live in. The idea of leaving became pressing for many; we were leaving for North America or Australia.

I left for Canada leaving behind a family that I loved and a country that I had hoped would have a different chance and friends who were on the frontline during the October War fighting for the country to regain its land, its harmony and its soul  of course, the painful memory of Aida, the woman I loved and who died very young.

AO: You left behind the country that was the making of the Free Officers rule or that of Islamistsintellectual dominance?

MG: I left behind a country that was not the country set to pursue the dream I thought it merited to have  yes, partially because it chose to abandon the path of liberalism and pluralism and to keep on bouncing from faux socialism to fanatic Islamism.

AO: And the title is actually a demonstration of both faux socialism and fanatic Islamism?

MG: Well, yes. The bar is closing towards the end of the novel in a sign for what was bound to be the end of the reminisce of pre-July 1952 Egypt.

AO: And you managed to part away with Egypt for real? If this was the case, why did you write this novel which is more about Egypt than about anything else?

MG: I wrote to escape reality; to emotionally get off that roller-coaster, of hope and dismay, that my entire generation was stuck with for long. I had to come for a few occasions [including the passing away of family members]. The first real visit of choice that I had to Egypt since I left in 1974 was during the January Revolution. My daughter was here first at Tahrir Square; then I came along. But it did not take long before I realized that the window for Egyptian society to regain its own soul and identity was fast and firmly closing.

* A Bar on Adly Street: An Egyptian Memoir, Al-Mahroussa Publishing

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Lagos state government has annouced plans for a mass burial of more than 100 people killed during Nigeria's 2020 anti-police brutality rallies, sparking renewed criticism over a crackdown on protesters.

The youth-led #EndSARS protests were the largest anti-government demonstrations in Nigeria's modern history, but ended in repression by security forces and bitter disputes over whether some victims were shot by troops.

Lagos state government and the armed forces always denied troops opened fire with live rounds at Lagos city's Lekki Tollgate, the epicentre of the protests, but an independent panel ruled there was a "massacre" of unarmed protesters there.

Rights group Amnesty says at least 10 people were shot dead by security forces on October 20, 2020 at the tollgate, and more were killed in rioting and violence that broke out elsewhere in Lagos city and state.

In a statement late Sunday, the Lagos State health ministry said 103 victims whose bodies have been held in Lagos morgues for three years and were still not claimed by family will soon given a mass burial.

It said bodies were picked up in a dozen areas around Lagos state, but it denied any were collected at Lekki, after a copy of the burial plan was leaked by local media.

"There was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison. The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Toll gate," it said.

The health ministry statement was the first time the government has admitted that such a large number of people died following the riots.

"For the avoidance of doubt, no body was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident," it said.

The repeated denial of any deaths at the Lekki toll gate sparked criticism online and from those who took part in the protests.

"The report of the panel was empathetic there was a massacre at Lekki," Dele Farotimi, one of the lawyers for victims told Arise TV. "The facts are not in dispute."

The #EndSARS protests erupted initially against police abuses, with the rallying name referencing the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which was later disbanded.

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Ukrainian drones hit two buildings in Moscow and an ammunition depot in Russian-annexed Crimea on Monday, Russian officials said, as Ukraine reported another Russian strike on a grain facility.

Russia said it had neutralised two Ukrainian drones over Moscow during the night with no casualties reported.

One of the drones crashed close to the defence ministry in the centre of the Russian capital, while the other hit an office building in southern Moscow.

The attacks came a day after Kyiv vowed to "retaliate" for a Russian missile attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa.

AFP reporters at the scene of the strike near the ministry on Komsomolsky Prospekt saw a two-storey building with a damaged roof behind a police cordon.

"I wasn't asleep. It was 3:39am. The house really shook," Vladimir, a 70-year-old local resident, told AFP about the moment of impact.

"It is scandalous that a Ukrainian drone almost flew into the defence ministry," said Vladimir, who declined to give his last name, as he took pictures at the scene.

Polina, a 35-year-old manager out walking her dog, said her husband and child were woken by "a very loud noise right next to our house".

In Crimea, Moscow-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov said Russian forces shot down 11 Ukrainian drones.

He said an ammunition depot was "hit" and a private house "damaged", without providing further details.

Aksyonov said villages near the depot were being evacuated.

Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been targeted by Kyiv throughout Moscow's Ukraine offensive but has come under more intense, increased attacks in recent weeks.

Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take back Crimea.

Meanwhile in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported a four-hour Russian drone attack on port infrastructure on the Danube River.

"As a result of the strikes, a grain hangar was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged," Ukraine's southern military command said on Telegram.

The Danube delta region, which spans across Romania and Ukraine, is being used as an export route for Ukrainian grain.

Russia last week pulled out of a key deal which had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Since then Kyiv has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to grain exports.

Ukraine's military said it shot down three of the drones used in Monday's attack.

"According to initial reports, about four workers of the port were injured, but the information is still being clarified," it said.

'Suppressed and crashed'

Russia's defence ministry branded the Moscow drone attack a "terrorist act".

"Two Ukrainian drones were suppressed and crashed. There are no casualties," it said.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone strikes occurred at around 4:00 am local time (0100 GMT).

"There was no serious damage," he said.

The RIA Novosti news agency posted a video of the business centre, with some damage visible to the top of the tall building.

The road around it was closed.

Moscow and its environs lie around 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border but have been hit by several drone attacks this year, with one even hitting the Kremlin in May.

Earlier this month, Russia said it had downed five Ukrainian drones that disrupted the functioning of Moscow's Vnukovo international airport.

'Will definitely feel this'

After Russian strikes on Odesa, President Volodymyr Zelensky had vowed retaliation on Sunday.

"They will definitely feel this," he said.

"We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks," Zelensky added.

"The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture."

A strike on the city on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic cathedral.

Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged Transfiguration Cathedral, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin".

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Migrants in Tunisias port city of Sfax who are aiming to make Europe their new home are now sharing the burden and the blame for escalating tensions deeply tinged with racism, amid the fears of European leaders who are trying to stanch the numbers of people arriving at their shores.

The antagonism that exploded in recent weeks in Sfax between Tunisians and mainly Black sub-Saharan migrants is widely seen as a turning point in how this North African nation deals with migration.

European leaders are offering millions to Tunisia amid the abuses, and activists fear a migration summit in Rome on Sunday will pursue an anti-migrant vision that puts the onus on Africa to keep Africans out of Europe.

Hundreds of migrants have drowned at sea trying to reach Italy in fragile boats, but now migrants awaiting their chance to cross the Mediterranean cower in fear, some beaten or bused by authorities to new destinations, others dumped in the desert.

Musa Khalid from Congo was among a group of migrants expelled from Tunisia and found by Libyan border guards huddling in a barren zone last weekend. He said that Tunisian officials took their belongings and money before transferring them out of the Tunisian port city of Sfax and dropping them off without food or water.

As we tried to enter Tunisia again, they beat us badly. They broke my hand and hit my head, he told the Associated Press near the Al Assa border point in Libya, holding up a wrist wrapped in cloth. We are in the desert now for several days. Sir, please.

Human rights activists from North Africa, West Africa and Europe met in Tunis this week and denounced the upcoming Rome meeting, predicting that it will amount to a bartering of values for financial incentives to stave off migrants from European shores.

Today, the Mediterraneans calling is no longer to be a bridge between two shores, but a wall separating all of Europe from all of the African continent, said the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, which organized the Thursday meeting.

Italy is trying to decrease the number of migrant arrivals and stabilize Tunisia, in its worst economic crisis in a generation. Thousands of migrants have arrived in Sfax this year, but theres no solid figure of how many are in the city, or how many have left since the anti-migrant campaign started.

Tunisia has become the main stepping stone to Italy, Europes gateway, replacing Libya, where widespread abuse of migrants has been reported. Of the 76,325 migrant arrivals in Italy so far this year until last Sunday, 44,151 took the sea route from Tunisia compared to 28,842 leaving from Libya, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

That is pushing up numbers in the reception center in Italys southernmost island of Lampedusa, with officials saying 2,500 people were at the site on Sunday following the arrival of 266 overnight.

Tunisia President Kais Saied in February said that sub-Saharan Africans arriving in huge numbers are part of a plot to erase Tunisias Islamic identity. He has since tried to walk back such pronouncements, denying racist views and saying the migrant issue must be treated at its roots.

Thats one intent of the Rome conference, which will gather nearly 20 heads of state and government or ministers from the Middle East to the Sahel and North Africa, along with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and an array of financial institutions.

The one-day summit is part of Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis efforts to position Italy at the center of issues impacting the Mediterranean. The conference aims to come up with concrete proposals to decrease migration numbers by addressing the root causes, while combating migrant trafficking. It will also discuss energy policies, including ways to diversify energy sources, and climate change.

Its widely viewed by human rights advocates as a road map for what is to come.

The Rome summit comes a week after Saied signed a memorandum of understanding for a comprehensive strategic partnership in a meeting that included Meloni and von der Leyen. Financial details werent released, but the EU has held out the promise of nearly 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to help restart Tunisias hobbled economy, and 100 million euros ($111 million) for border control as well as search and rescue missions at sea and repatriating immigrants without residence permits.

Despite signing the deal, the Tunisian president has stressed in the past that Tunisia wont become Europes border guard or serve as a land of resettlement.

Human rights organizations say that bartering money for lives is a betrayal of values. For some opponents, such deals are a new form of neo-colonialism.

The EU risks not only perpetuating (human rights abuses) but also emboldening repressive rulers, who can brag about warmer relations with European partners while claiming credit for securing financial support for their failing economies, New York-based Human Rights Watch said ahead of the Rome summit.

With high hopes smashed, migrants cower in fear of the anti-migrant backlash that has forced many from their shelters in Sfax and onto buses to unknown parts.

Tunisian security forces had dumped at least 500 migrants in the desert border zone with Libya earlier this month, but they were transferred July 10 to other regions of Tunisia, according to the Red Crescent.

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13 Palestinians were injured during an Israeli army raid Monday on Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported citing the Ministry of Health and local sources.

A large Israeli occupation force accompanied by a bulldozer broke into Nur Shams refugee camp at dawn after imposing a tight closure on it and proceeded to raid a house in the camp where the forces detained a 28-year-old former prisoner.

The forces also raided and searched a mosque and several other houses in the camp, according to WAFA.

As a result of the raid, significant damage was inflicted on the camp's infrastructure, particularly affecting the water, electricity, and sewage networks. Taha Irani, the head of Nur Shams Services Council, confirmed the extent of the damage.

Residents of the camp confronted the Israeli soldiers, leading to clashes where live bullets and tear gas were used by the soldiers.

Four Palestinians sustained injuries from live bullets, while nine others were injured by shrapnel. Several people also suffered from suffocation due to tear gas inhalation. Those injured were taken to hospitals for treatment.

In addition to the raid in Nur Shams camp, the Israeli forces conducted raids in other areas of the occupied West Bank, including Nablus, Bethlehem, and Hebron, resulting in the detention of more than a dozen Palestinians.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers broke into the compounds of al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday under heavy protection from the Israeli police, Islamic Waqf confirmed.

The Waqf said that settlers, divded into groups, raided the holy Islamic Mosque from al-Maghariba gate and took provocative tours in its compounds.

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The remanding in custody of a French policeman in the city of Marseille sparked new controversy Monday weeks after violent riots, with the left lambasting a call from police chiefs for the officer to be freed.

France was rocked by over a week of riots that began last month over the killing of 17-year-old Nahel M. by a policeman during a traffic check outside Paris. The officer has been charged and jailed ahead of trial.

In the incident in Marseille, a man named as Hedi, 21, says he was beaten by four or five men he identified as police during unrest in the city over the death of Nahel M. earlier this month.

He says he was also hit in the head by a blast ball fired by police. He underwent operations and has now returned home but risks losing the sight in one eye, according to his lawyer.

Four police were charged last week over the incident, one of whom was remanded in custody ahead of trial.

"Knowing that he is in prison is stopping me from sleeping," said France's national police chief Frederic Veaux in an interview with the Le Parisien newspaper published on Monday.

"In general, I believe that ahead of a possible trial, a police officer should not be in prison, even if he may have committed serious faults or errors in the course of his work," he added.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez tweeted that he shared the stance of Veaux.

According to a union source, who asked not to be named, several hundred Marseille police officers have gone on sick leave in a sign of protest over the officer's detention.

Others responded to the call of the SGP Police Unit union and put themselves under so called "code 562" which means that they only respond to emergency and essential missions.

But hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said France's leaders were refusing to call on the police "to respect the law" and police were instead given a green light to "wage war".

"It's extremely serious, the entire police hierarchy places itself above justice and the rules of pre-trial detention," added Socialist Party chief Olivier Faure.

"What is at stake here is democracy and respect for the rule of law. Parliament must be reconvened urgently," he added.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday underscored his administrations resolve to defend the countrys territory through diplomacy in a key speech but did not mention China, with which it has had an escalating series of conflicts in the disputed South China Sea.

Marcos also announced in his state-of-the-nation speech to Congress that he would offer an amnesty to armed insurgents and would crack down on smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products, whom he blamed for steep spikes in food prices.

Despite an array of problems and uncertainties sparked in part by the war in Ukraine, Marcos said the dedication and patriotism he had seen among Filipino workers in and out of government have kept him optimistic.

"With this in my heart, I know that the state of the nation is sound, and is improving, Marcos said to applause from lawmakers and top government officials in the heavily secured House of Representatives.

Marcos outlined reforms pursued by his administration to boost the economy following the coronavirus pandemic. He cited last year's 7.6% economic growth rate, which he said was the countrys highest in 46 years despite weak prospects worldwide.

"We are still considered to be among the fastest-growing economies in the Asian region and in the world, he said.

Critics, however, hit Marcos for not mentioning human rights issues, including his refusal to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its investigation of large numbers of killings under his predecessor Rodrigo Dutertes brutal campaign against illegal drugs.

More than 6,000 mostly poor suspects died in Dutertes police-enforced crackdown based on police pronouncements, but human rights groups say the real death toll was much larger. Police have acknowledged that dozens of suspects have been killed in the campaign since Marcos took office in June last year but said they had violently fought law enforcers.

Marcos has refused to bring the Philippines back into the ICC, in a decision that favored Duterte but was attacked by human rights activists.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from The Hague-based court in 2019 in a move rights activists said was an attempt to evade accountability and prevent an international probe into the killings in the drug crackdown. The ICC, however, continues to have jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed when the Philippines was still a member state of the court.

Marcos, 65, took power in June last year in a landslide victory that was among the most dramatic political comebacks in recent history. His father was ousted as a dictator accused of widespread human rights violations and plunder in a 1986 pro-democracy uprising that became a harbinger of change at the time in authoritarian regimes worldwide. He has refused to apologize and has steadfastly defended his fathers legacy.

In February, Marcos approved an expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines to add four new bases from five existing sites under a 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the longtime treaty allies. The move, which Marcos said would boost the Philippines coastal defense, dovetails with the Biden administrations efforts to strengthen an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China.

China warned the move will drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife and damage its economic development at the end of the day. But Philippine officials said the move was not aimed at China.

Our journey to progress requires not only unity and social cohesion amongst our people. It is also imperative that our nation remains intact and inviolable, Marcos said in a clear reference to Manilas long-simmering territorial disputes with Beijing. We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity, in defense of a rules-based international order.

"With our national interest paramount, we will always pursue constant dialogue and diplomatic approaches to the resolution of any issue that may arise, he said.

Marcos's moves to reaffirm ties with Washington was a key turnaround from the often-hostile approach Duterte took toward the United States.

On government efforts to deal with decades-long insurgencies, Marcos said without elaborating that he would grant amnesty to rebels who have decided to return to normal life.

That may apply to armed fighters of the largest Muslim rebel group in the countrys south, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a 2014 autonomy deal with the government. An unspecified number of rebels in the group still have not been amnestied. Separate peace talks with communist rebels broke down in Dutertes time.

Since assuming the presidency, Marcos has taken more than a dozen foreign trips, including to the United States and China, to seek investments and boost trade. He is scheduled to leave for Malaysia on Tuesday for a three-day visit.

The government said the foreign trips are crucial to back up economic reforms and initiatives, including a bill that Marcos signed into law last week creating the countrys first sovereign wealth fund, which aims to pool money for infrastructure and other projects. But opponents said the trips, including one that took him to Singapore to watch Formula One races in October, reflected misplaced priorities given problems at home, including soaring food prices early in his presidency.

Marcos vowed Monday to crack down on smuggling and hoarding, which he blamed for soaring food prices.

"We will not allow this. The days of those smugglers and hoarders are numbered, he said to applause.

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Saudi Arabia has allowed citizens to invite their Muslim friends abroad to the Kingdom to perform Umrah on "personal visit visa," the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said.

Personal visas, which can be obtained online, can either be single entry or multiple entry, the ministry said,a ccording to a report in Arab News.

Aside from performing Umrah rituals at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, visitors can also make trips to various tourism destinations in the Kingdom.

Applications for a personal visit visa can be made through the visa platform of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Eaelier, the Kingdom launched the "personal visit visa" category that allows Saudi citizens to invite their friends and acquaintances from abroad to visit the country. The visa can be obtained online and is valid for up to 90 days.

The personal visit visa is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the country's economy and make it more attractive to tourists.
Sudans Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) opened its two-day meeting in Cairo on Monday in a bid to end the war in Sudan.

This is the FFCs first meeting since the outbreak of the war aimed at forming an initiative to end the conflict in Sudan. It is one in a series of regional visits across Sudans neighbouring capitals including Kampala, NDjamena, and Addis Ababa.

The present challenges necessitate stopping the war and restoring Sudans path towards civil democratic transition, the FFC said in a statement.

The FFC will consult with leaders of Sudanese society in Egypt on ways of building a new future for Sudan and resolving the issues facing the Sudanese people, the bloc added.

Malik Agar, deputy chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, held a series of meetings and political consultations in Cairo recently. He also met with leaders of the FFC to discuss points of view and create national consensus on Sudanese issues.

It is imperative to stop any opportunity for the pre-2019 regime to turn the current conflict into a civil war, the FFC said.

The coalition called on the opposing Sudanese sides, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to reach a ceasefire in the Jeddah talks.

The FFC delegation expressed the need for a comprehensive and equitable political solution in Sudan that would establish a unified national army, democratic civilian rule, and sustainable peace.

The FFC meeting in Cairo is part of Egypts efforts to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict.

Earlier in June Egypt hosted the Sudan's Neighbouring Countries' Summit to address the crisis.

Both the SAF and RSF welcomed the results of the meeting where it was agreed that Sudans neighboring countries will form a ministerial mechanism comprising foreign ministers to address the conflict.

The FFC thanked Egypt for hosting the conference and affirmed Egypts pivotal role in helping to end the war in Sudan.

Forces of Freedom and Change

The FFC was formed in 2019 following the 2018 civilian protests and subsequent uprising. It consists of many political and rebel factions and formed the main opposition group in the revolution.

They participated in negotiations with the Transitional Military Council and previously signed the Constitutional Declaration that was meant to pave the road for democratic elections.

The FFC faced multiple criticisms from other Sudanese groups such as the Democratic Bloc and the Sudanese Communist Party for signing the agreement which they believe did not fulfil the needs and demands of the Sudanese people.

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The Egyptian government has introduced a new load-shedding program this week, which involves power cuts at specific times throughout the day.

This requires citizens to check their watches before using elevators.

The government's lack of clarity on the frequency of power cuts and whether load reduction can occur multiple times in the same area has caused confusion among the public, as expressed on social media.

Despite the government's repeated assurances of increasing the capacity of its power grid and achieving energy self-sufficiency, the public remains puzzled about the cause of the blackouts.

Record consumption and power surplus

Since June 2015, Egypt has been self-sufficient in electricity and currently has an electricity surplus of over 25 percent.

The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy announced on 17 July that national electricity consumption had reached record highs due to the heat wave that has affected Egypt since last week.

With temperatures across most of Egypt nearing 40 degrees Celsius and reaching up to 45 degrees in the deep south, power cuts have become unbearable for those staying indoors.

For the first time, electricity loads have reached the maximum consumption level recorded in previous years, reaching 34,650 megawatts (MW), while work is underway to stabilize the power supply, the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry stated that although consumption reached 44,900 MW, there was still a reserve capacity of 9,800 MW, indicating that the available capacity had not been exceeded.

What causes the problem?

The Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker has attributed the need for load reduction to the decreasing gas supply to power plants, as stated in his press statement.

We are currently implementing temporary load reductions to reduce pressure on the gas network, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said during the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday 19 July, after two days of citizens' complaints of repeated power cuts without prior notice, which had resulted in damage to some electrical appliances.

Madbouly said in a presser on 27 July that Egypt is required to generate 34 gigawatts during peak hours, for which 129 million cubic meters of gas and diesel are required daily.

Madbouly explained that since the start of the heatwave on 17 July consumption have soared to nearly 36 gigawatts daily, which required procuring from 144 to 146 million cubic meters of gas and diesel daily.

He added that Egypt needed to ease loads since not doing so would have required coming up with anywhere between 160 to 165 million cubic meters of gas and diesel daily - an amount that is not currently feasible to procure.

Gas shortage mystery

Despite Egypt's repeated emphasis on having a significant electricity surplus and natural gas exports of around 8 million tons worth $8.4 billion in 2022, there is currently a shortage in gas supply to power plants.

According to a report by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) in July, Egypt was able to maintain its gas exports at 1.9 million tons during Q1 of 2023.

Egypt announced the achievement of self-sufficiency in natural gas consumption in 2018 and the cessation of gas imports due to the gradual increase in local production and the discovery of gas fields, particularly the Zohr gas field in the Mediterranean.

In August 2022, the government announced a nationwide energy consumption rationing plan aimed at saving 15 percent of natural gas usage and redirecting it towards exports to generate foreign currency.

Earlier this month, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla denied claims of a reduction in local production and stated that Egypt did not export any quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in June due to increased local consumption.

In an interview with CNN Business Arabic on Wednesday, El-Molla announced that the ministry plans to resume the export of LNG in October.

Saheeh Masr, a fact-checking platform, has disclosed that Egypt has exported LNG over the past four summers, with a total value of $2.68 billion according to data from the Central Bank of Egypt.

Despite the alleged surplus in gas and electricity, the root cause of the problem remains a mystery as power plants continue to experience an insufficient gas supply.

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More and more funerals are using digital technology to honour the departed.

Digital technology has revolutionised many aspects of life, and funerals are no exception. Businesses in Egypt are now incorporating digital technology into funerals and offering donations and prayers for the deceased.

The traditional image of an undertakers office, as it has been known to those who have lost loved ones over the years, will disappear, says Ahmed Al-Hanash, the owner of an undertakers office in Cairo.

I have worked in this profession for 25 years, inheriting it from my forefathers. Our field has witnessed significant developments in recent years with the emergence of companies utilising the latest technologies to implement professional and advanced standards of funeral services.

After a death, families bear the burden of obtaining burial permits, searching for an undertakers office, dealing with brokers, and paying gratuities at every step. However, advanced funeral services alleviate the burden on the deceaseds family at a time when they need to grieve, says Ahmed Gaballah, the founder of a funeral service.

Our team accompanies the deceased from the moment of passing until their final resting place, which is why we launched our services under the name SOKNA, which means dwelling and tranquillity in Arabic.

A member of our team communicates with the family to understand their requirements, then collaborates with the rest of the team responsible for obtaining burial permits, preparing the deceased according to the Islamic or Coptic rites, transporting him to the place of prayer, and then to the cemetery after coordinating the grave and its preparation. We also publish obituaries in the newspapers and reserve a condolence hall, among other services, Gaballah added.

Gaballah had the idea after assisting his friend with his fathers funeral in Egypt. Things were not well handled, and this led to his avoiding other funerals. Years later, Gaballah found himself having to go to a funeral in the US. It was organised with compassion and peace, showing respect for the family and the deceased, and the experience motivated him to offer enhanced funeral services in Egypt.

He embarked on a journey with the first two members of his team to seven countries, exploring funeral services and practices around the world.

In 2019, he introduced the idea of advanced funeral services in Egypt, and his team expanded to 80 members. Securing our first client was an uphill battle, but today we proudly hold contracts with 25 hospitals in Egypt, along with numerous unions and other esteemed organisations, Gaballah said.

At first, the changes we introduced did not receive a warm reception. There was some resistance, particularly from undertakers. They worried about the competition. However, over time they realised that we are closer to being a platform that enhances their services rather than being a direct competitor with them, he said.

This understanding grew, especially after collaborating with some others who had taken similar steps themselves. We found a place for them as part of our team, and now we are advancing as a unified entity.

We were apprehensive about peoples acceptance of the services we provide, but their response has been encouraging as they recognised the benefits we offer, he added.

According to one user of the services, who asked to remain anonymous, they are considerate and supportive, recognising the need for assistance during difficult times, particularly as families are becoming smaller and individuals are increasingly occupied with other things.

I used their services for a funeral, and they showed their dedication to providing excellent service, the user said.

DEBATE:

However, some people oppose such services, saying they add additional costs to a funeral and burial.

Ahmed Taha, a Cairo lawyer, commented that I dont think I would utilise such a service if it is expensive, especially since if I handle everything myself the expenses will be limited. Those who would use this service are primarily financially capable individuals.

The prices of essential funeral services have significantly increased, such as the fees charged for preparing the burial and burying the deceased. These services once cost LE70, but now they cost LE1,200. There are also the expenses for reciters of the Quran and gratuities, Al-Hanash said.

All of these costs are separate. We offer varying prices for such services, ranging from LE1,500 to LE2,500. These prices cover the transportation of the body, washing, and providing the shroud.

However, Gaballah said that we have created packages to match the users requirements and capabilities. Throughout this process, we have been keen on providing a fair service that considers moderation and transparency. That is why we display the prices of our packages online without hidden fees.

One of the packages offers basic services and requirements at a fixed price of LE5,500. This price can be increased when additional services are requested according to the deceaseds familys choices.

Gaballah has customised his services to cater to the needs of beneficiaries. When dealing with the families of the deceased, we recognise that most of them are grieving and unable to think clearly. They may lack knowledge about the necessary procedures. That is why we have introduced our free 24-hour consultation service, where callers can ask our team for guidance on how to handle arrangements for a funeral.

There were some difficulties with some of the 5,000 funerals that we have prepared, prompting us to create new services. A significant number of the deceaseds relatives may not be able to recall the place of their family grave, for example. They may lack information about how to contact the caretaker. So, we have added a complete report about graves in our services. This includes a photograph of the grave, the detailed geographical location, and contact information for the caretaker.

Another challenge we have faced is that many relatives of the deceased often struggle to find their way to the cemetery for the burial. Cars often look similar, and the cemetery streets are narrow and uneven. To solve this issue, we have implemented clear numbering and organised gathering points where our team gathers people together on a single path, he added.

In addition to providing the usual funeral services, there has been a surge in the demand for tombs, according to Mohamed Tawfik, the owner of a real-estate office specialising in this service.

Recently, there has been growing interest in purchasing new graves due to the removal of several as part of development projects in areas such as Al-Sayeda Aisha, Al-Imam, Al-Basateen, and others, Tawfik said.

Alongside the demand for purchasing new tombs, there is also the need for replacing graves. Individuals seek to do this when they relocate to new areas and desire a tomb near their new residence. As a result, individuals can exchange their existing burial near their prior home for another near their new one.

We assist people who wish to purchase a tomb, either through participating in the Government lottery or directly. In the latter case, the applicant pays around LE30,000. The cemetery plot itself costs LE80,000, with an additional LE80,000 for the construction of a 40-square-metre grave.

Alternatively, the applicant can buy a grave in the nearest cemetery to their residence. In this situation, the price for 21-square-metre grave is around LE200,000, while a 41-square-metre grave costs approximately LE300,000. The price of the plot will depend on the cemeterys location and position. For example, the price rises if it is close to the main road.

Amidst the rising demand for graves, another trend has emerged. Certain companies are selling unlicensed plots, particularly in the Obour and Salam areas. Most of these were constructed on reclaimed agricultural land without permits, rendering them illegal, so it is important to verify documentation thoroughly and insist on receiving a receipt with matching numbers to those on the license, Tawfik said.

Customers should prioritise scheduling an appointment with the licensed undertaker, update the registry accurately, and exchange vital contact information to safeguard the cemetery purchase.

Assisting buyers in searching for graves and verifying documentation is also a service provided by SOKNA. We also help in the transfer of the deceaseds remains from existing graves. Moreover, we have introduced a programme to support families without their own tombs in finding a suitable burial site.

DONATIONS:

Technology can help to provide methods for donations in memory of loved ones. Marwa Awad, a housewife, said that I heard from a friend that she had organised a fundraising campaign in honour of a dear person through an online platform, for example.

The platform enables the selection of one out of 11 NGOs that can receive donations. I was impressed by the simplicity of the concept, so later I initiated a similar campaign to raise donations for the construction of a well in a village through one of these organisations.

While the organisation responsible for digging the well took longer than anticipated, likely due to high demand, it eventually provided all the relevant details, photographs of the well, and information regarding its location to all the donors of the campaign once the project was completed.

The online platform has organised campaigns for thousands of people, including celebrities such as actors Samir Ghanem, Dalal Abdel-Aziz, and Haitham Ahmed Zaki through more than 8,000 campaigns, with hundreds surpassing the LE100,000 mark.

Nesma Al-Far, one of the founders, said that after creating a platform with four friends, Youssef Al-Sammaa, Omar Hamdallah, Con ODonnell, and Ashraf Maklad, which provides online mourning and condolence services, we were disheartened to discover significant expenditure on items that hold no meaning for the deceased.

So, we incorporated a donation feature on the Website in the name of the deceased. This section garnered a positive response, motivating us to establish an In Memory Of website channelling donations towards charitable causes that benefit both the departed and society at large.

Tarek Adra, a Lebanese software engineer, has created a website that also allows people to repeat prayers and Quranic verses in memory of the deceased. Users can access a page including pertinent Quranic verses and prayers by visiting the Website and entering the deceaseds name. The link can be shared with family and friends, allowing them to join in praying for the departed.

The idea came to me when my grandmother passed away in 2019. My mother used to praise God, and when I asked her what she was doing, she said she was praying and dedicating the rewards to my grandmother. That is when the idea came to me to create a Web page for my grandmother and share it with our family, allowing all the members of our family to pray for her, Adra said.

The idea quickly spread among my family members. After that, many friends asked me to create a similar page for their loved ones too, so I created the website.

The primary technology used was the web, as I am proficient in web development, Adra said.

To enhance the number of visits, I later established a mobile app and a WhatsApp group as well to keep followers up to date on advances. The website idea spread, and many other people began looking for this service. I currently have roughly 77,000 Facebook followers in Egypt, he concluded.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Commemorating the 71st anniversary of the 23 July 1952 Revolution, Egypt's Ambassador in Doha Amr El-Sherbiny hosted a reception in the Qatari capital to mark the developments in Egyptian-Qatari relations.

The event was attended by a distinguished group of Qatari officials, foreign ambassadors accredited in Doha, and members of the Egyptian community in Qatar.

During the ceremony, Ambassador El-Sherbiny delivered a speech lauding the progress in joint cooperation frameworks throughout the past year.

The celebration marked the anniversary of the 1952 Revolution, which transformed Egypt from a monarchy into a republic.

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A previously announced meeting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council, expected to address Black Sea security, has been scheduled for Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Sunday.

NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said Saturday that the meeting, requested by Zelenskyy in a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, would discuss the situation following Russia's withdrawal from a year-old deal overseeing grain exports from Ukrainian ports.

"In fact, the date was agreed upon immediately after our conversation yesterday," Zelenskyy said. "The meeting will be held this Wednesday."
Any hope of a speedy return of the American soldier who illegally crossed into North Korea earlier this week appears all but dashed by the silence from the hermit state on the whereabouts of Pvt. Travis King.

"We have channels of communication. We've used them," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday at the Aspen Security Forum, explaining that Washington has been trying to establish dialogue with North Korea since the early days of the administration. "Here's the response we got: One missile launch after another," he said.

As Washington awaits response to outreach through United Nations channels and its intermediary, Sweden, investigations are underway at the U.S. Army and United Nations Command, or UNC, levels to determine how a soldier who was supposed to be on a flight to the United States to face disciplinary measures instead emerged at the border of the two Koreas.

Counterintelligence personnel are leading the army probe in coordination with the U.S. military in South Korea, the Pentagon said Thursday, noting that King's status is AWOL (absent without leave), or away without permission, for now.

The UNC, the U.S.-led multinational force managing the Joint Security Area, or JSA, through which King bolted, is studying the events of July 18 to "determine what policies or procedures are required to minimize risk to visitors in the JSA," UNC Public Affairs Director Colonel Isaac Taylor told VOA.

 July 18

On a day that a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine made a rare port call to South Korea to coincide with the launch of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group, Pvt. King, 23, was in civilian garb taking in a DMZ tour that included a stop at the JSA.

The Joint Security Area is iconified by bright blue buildings that stand on the Military Demarcation Line, the official border that divides North and South Korea, in place for 70 years since an armistice put a pause to the Korean War.

The compound is a popular tourist destination, with bookings often sold out for months, offering the novelty of standing "inside North Korea" within one of the meeting buildings. A tour of the JSA requires submission of additional documents days in advance, including a passport.

King, who was expected at his base in Fort Bliss, Texas, where he faced pending administrative separation from the Army for misdemeanors committed during his South Korea deployment, instead bolted into the North Korean side of the border complex about 3:30 p.m. local time.

He was laughing as he ran, eyewitnesses who were part of the same tour group said. The army private was last seen moving to the back of a North Korean building, then being driven away inside a van by North Korean soldiers, according to a report that cited a Defense Department report on the illegal crossing.
The market share of Samsung's Galaxy smartphones is being threatened by a majority of young Koreans who prefer the classier design and functionality of iPhones.

A Gallup Korea poll on Wednesday shows that 65 percent of Koreans aged 18 to 29 have iPhones -- and 71 percent of women in the age group -- while only 32 percent remain patriotically committed to Samsung.

The desertion of Samsung is progressing fast. Last year only 52 percent had iPhones and 44 percent Galaxy.

"It seems high school and university students will only be seen with an iPhone these days, which is worrying for Samsung since these young people are the prime consumers of the future," an industry insider said.
More than 2,000 reports of suspicious parcels were made over the weekend after staff in a care home in Ulsan fell ill when they opened an unidentified package from Taiwan last Thursday.

But 1,413 of the reports turned out to be false alarms, and police said there is "no decisive evidence of a concerted biochemical attack."

A police spokesman said, "At present, there are no cases of toxic or hazardous materials being found. Although there seems to be a very little chance of a terror attack, we cannot completely rule out danger."

On July 21, several suspicious parcels mailed from abroad were discovered in the Seoul Central Post Office downtown, which led to the evacuation of 1,700 people from the building. But the parcels only contained lip gloss or were empty.

Songpa's post office in southeastern Seoul also reported an envelope containing what was thought to be a harmful substance, prompting around 60 special forces to be sent to the scene. But that too was a false alarm.

Local governments and public agencies sent out text messages warning against suspicious packages the same day, which resulted in a surge in reports to the police. "Around 60 cases were reported until Sunday morning requesting the dispatch of soldiers in response to mysterious parcels," a Defense Ministry official said. "But nothing unusual has been confirmed."
A few decades ago, Sebastian Kopp and Francois-Guislain Morillion were two twenty-something friends who had just finished their studies and worked in banking. There was no meaning to it. Everybody has to earn a living, but the only objective was money, Kopp says over the phone from Pariss Veja offices. They wanted to make the world a better place. So instead of foregoing the utopian cliche, they raised 10,000 and in 2004 founded a sneaker brand, despite not being fashion people.

The brand, which is now globally renowned, puts people and the planet first. We studied for six or seven years, we spoke many languages, we lived in central Paris, one of the capitals of the world, we had the backup of our parents. We didnt have anything to lose. We asked the question, what if we try to prove that something else is possible? They didnt pay celebrities to wear them, but their sneakers became the favorites of names as varied as Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, Emily Ratajkowski, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton. Wearing them has become a way of standing up for more labor conditions and fashion with less environmental impact.

The company just inaugurated its sixth store in Madrid, after opening shops in Paris, New York, Bordeaux and Berlin.

Question: At least until the post-pandemic period, it was said that physical commerce was in crisis. Why did you decide to open a new store?

Answer: Between a chain store and e-commerce, there isnt much difference. But now people are realizing that at physical stores, you can do events. You can do a lot of things beyond selling. Thats always been our strategy in the stores. We open a place that we know, that is carefully chosen and then carefully taken care of, and we do a lot of collaborations and parties. We have two in Paris, one in New York, and now one in Madrid.

Q: Why did you choose Madrid?

A: Everybody told us to go to London or China. We go to the cities that we feel are related to us, and we stay for many reasons. We dont have investors or shareholders, so we are very free to do what we want to do, and thats also part of the range of the brand.

The new store in Madrid offers the service of a cobbler to repair and clean sneakers and shoes, even if they dont come from the brand.

Q: In the last 20 years you have been present in many multi-brand stores around the world. How has their response to a sustainability-focused product changed?

A: At the beginning, we were very limited in terms of organic cotton shoes, because ours were made out of canvas with the V. The production was limited, and everybody wanted the shoes. At the beginning, we could choose, and we selected very carefully who would be the best ambassador of our vision in each country of vision. Thats why we chose Ekseption in Madrid, because they were very cool, very fashionable. There were just 10 of us, so it was crazy that they believed in us.

Q: And how many of you are there now?

A: We are 300 between Paris and Brazil. We also have a center in the Amazon dedicated to rubber and one for organic cotton.

The organic cotton in the shoes is cultivated by farmers associations in Brazil and Peru.

Q: How did you get started?

A: We didnt know a lot. We read a lot about agriculture and became fascinated by working with the producers to calculate how much they should sell the cotton, because they were selling it really at a very bad price. We wanted to do a fair trade and organic cotton. Free trade means 40% paid in advance to the producers so they can live well. The first time, in 2000, we paid 55% more than the market price. The big difference in vision is that we are in the field. We go directly to the producers. Weve been going to the fields for 20 years. Thats the big difference of vision that nobody understands. But we dont care. We understand.

Q: Despite paying more to producers and workers, the price of your sneakers is aligned with the rest of the market. Is it an issue of margins?

A: It comes from an idea from 20 years ago, when we were 23 years old, and we said at the beginning, we dont like advertising. Brands like Adidas take a big percentage of the cost of the shoe. The cost of producing a shoe in China is between 3 and 12 dollars, and communication is maybe 75% of the shoe costs because they spend billions on advertising. So we thought, if we take this money for communication and put it inside the supply chain, what others spend on television we can spend on organic goods. We have the same cost because our product is four, five times more expensive to make, but we dont we dont pay celebrities.

Veja pays five times the market price for the Amazonian rubber that make up its sneakers soles.

Q: How has the process changed to have less impact over the years?

A: With the knowledge that we have been acquiring. For example, in 2009 we started to introduce leather in some models. But taking the skin of the cow and transforming it into leather is a very polluting process in which heavy metals are used, so we said we want to do it, but without using chrome in the tanning, but vegetables, with acacia. No one understood, but we didnt care. Then we wanted to know where that skin came from, its traceability. If it came from cows from the field or cows from the cattle industry. Knowing what they ate, genetically modified or organic food. Vejas twist is not just sustainability or fair trade, its traceability. Because when you know and when you have data you can change, you can improve. If you dont know where things come from, how are you going to change them? All our innovation is based on traceability.

Q: And what is the most polluting process in the manufacture of one of your pairs of shoes today?

A: We did a big study of CO2 emissions in 2017 in which we analyzed how much it meant to move the rubber from the Amazon, the impact of its use by customers, absolutely everything. And the most polluting process is leather tanning. So we decided to reduce its use and try to vary the process to reduce the impact. Now we are having very good results thanks to the raw materials team, which is fantastic.

All of the shoes are made in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in the south of Brazil.

Q: Although there is high demand from consumers, even today there are very few companies that have this level of traceability. Why do you think there is still so little transparency?

A: Opacity is cheaper. Being transparent is very expensive. It is cheaper to close your eyes and not want to see things. When you dont know where they come from, when you dont look at the origin, everything is cheaper. On the other hand, when you travel to Brazil and see the people and their families in the cotton fields, you return and you want to fight for them, you want to fight with them.

Q: It is often forgotten that sustainability must also take people into account, not just the planet. Its a buzzword, sustainability, but as such it risks going out of fashion. Is it possible for the industry to go backwards?

A: Yes, of course, it is always possible to take steps back. Democracies can go backwards, everything can go backwards. But preventing it is our job. We had this idea in 2004, we launched Veja in 2005 and everyone told us that people didnt care about this: an initiative around organic cotton, around rubber, the social conditions of workers, factories, and look what Veja is today. I dont know peoples minds, I dont know if these are issues that concern them, but it is our job to put the spotlight on these issues.

Q: Last week the UN published a report in which it asked the fashion industry to stop promoting consumerism. How many pairs of shoes can you have?

A: We control this, we control the growth of Veja. We say no to many things. For every thing we accept we reject 100. We dont want to grow too fast. We apply our values to Veja, so we dont do many discounts, the designs hardly change from one season to the next, we believe that good design lasts 5 years, 10 years, 20 years. Good design is our mission, so we only create one or two new models every year, we go at a leisurely pace. Right now we could have opened 100 stores around the world, but we dont want to, wed rather have 10. And thats great.

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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro looks on as he speaks with media while leaving the Federal Police headquarters after testifying about the January 8 riots, in Brasilia, Brazil, July 12, 2023.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is fading from the spotlight, showing the courts power over the electoral system and the political shortcomings of the increasingly powerless former leader.

Brazils top electoral court ruled last month that Bolsonaro is ineligible to run for any political office until 2030 for abusing his power and casting unfounded doubts on the countrys electronic voting system.

Bolsonaro was once called the Trump of the Tropics after emerging as a crusading outsider promising to shake up the system and pursuing an aggressive brand of identity politics including conservative values. Trump, who also cast doubt on the U.S. electoral system and faces legal trouble, remains the front-runner for the Republican Partys nomination.

A clear demonstration of Bolsonaros waning power was a tax reform vote in Congress lower house this month.

A proposal supported by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas government to overhaul Brazils notoriously complicated tax system was also backed by lawmakers and the general public. Bolsonaro tried to marshal opposition  his first attempt at doing so  but the reform passed by a greater than 3-to-1 margin. Almost two dozen members of Bolsonaros party defied his will.

Bolsonaro has little to no influence as a potential opposition leader, political analyst Leandro Loyola wrote after the vote.

A political cartoon in Brazil this month showed a scientist peering into a microscope at an irate, fist-clenching Bolsonaro.

Fascinating, the caption read. He keeps diminishing.

Construction executive Alexandre Cohim donated to Bolsonaros re-election campaign but said Friday that the court making the former president ineligible was a blessing.

It will allow other people from the right who are more capable to emerge, Cohim, 60, said by phone from Salvador.

After he lost the race by the narrowest margin since Brazils return to democracy over three decades ago, the presumption of many in his party was that Bolsonaro would lead fierce opposition against Lula.

But just before Lulas inauguration on Jan. 1, Bolsonaro decamped to Florida for an extended stay. He returned in March and now he may even lose the monthly salary he receives from his party, reported by local media to be around $8,500. His allies have already called on supporters to help the former president pay his bills, while a newly founded Bolsonaro Store hawks everything from Bolsonaro-themed wall calendars to party decorations.

The threat of jail time also looms amid multiple criminal investigations into the former presidents actions, and the question of who might lead a viable challenge to Lulas Workers Party in 2026 is being openly discussed.

Bolsonaro seems to be on his way toward an inevitable end of his career, political columnist Merval Pereira wrote in newspaper O Globo this month.

Sao Paulo state Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas, Bolsonaros former infrastructure minister and a close ally who backed his reelection bid, is among the politicians floated as potential standard-bearers for the right.

Some scoff at the conclusion that Bolsonaro has no shot of returning to the nations highest office less than a year after he received 58 million votes against Lulas 60 million. But Geraldo Tadeu, a political scientist from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, said Bolsonaros rise to power in 2018 could be mostly explained by a confluence of one-off factors.

Brazil had just suffered its worst recession in almost a century, and the Car Wash corruption probe implicated dozens of politicians, opening space for an outsider. Lula  who had been leading the polls  was ejected from the race by corruption and money-laundering convictions, and imprisoned. His convictions were later annulled.

The circumstances left a vacuum that Bolsonaro filled, said Tadeu.

Bolsonaros lack of leadership and negotiation skills and inability to maintain political support undermine his odds of a comeback, Tadeu said.

Since returning to Brazil from the U.S., Bolsonaro has been ordered to provide testimony to the Federal Police on several occasions, and criminal convictions could extend the ban on him running for office and subject him to imprisonment. Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing.

Bolsonaros lawmaker son Eduardo in February launched an online store selling Bolsonaro merchandise. Boosters can snap up notebooks bearing the presidents smiling face, key rings and mugs with his silhouette, or wall calendars marking milestones of his administration. Eduardo Bolsonaro celebrated his own July 10 birthday with a party featuring the stores Bolsonaro-themed decor. Cursive on his cake read: Our dream remains more alive than ever!

The shop is a form of propaganda, a way of maintaining Bolsonaro alive as a symbol, said Caio Marcondes, a political scientist from the University of Sao Paulo. Hes a brand, a product that represents the right in Brazil.

The shop is also a way to raise funds as his legal fees mount. A prosecutor has asked for Bolsonaros party to be ordered to suspend his salary, and Bolsonaro faced hefty fines for disrespecting COVID-19 rules in Sao Paulo state. The latter prompted allies last month to ask supporters for electronic money transfers directly to Bolsonaros bank account.

Enough has been raised to pay current fines, Bolsonaro said in a video broadcast by conservative news channel Jovem Pan at the end of June. The former leader did not disclose how much.

Launching calls for donations is also a way to keep Bolsonaros base mobilized, Marcondes said.

The idea is to create opportunities for people to engage so that they feel part of a movement that is not dead, he said.

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), an innovator in global cruise travel, has announced that its Norwegian Joy will undergo enhancements in January 2024 to elevate the onboard guest experience with popular offerings.

The new enhancements will include a new Thermal Suite in the Mandara Spa and Salon, expanded Vibe Beach Club, 24 new staterooms, redesigned three-bedroom The Haven Premier Owners Suites and more.

When Norwegian Joy emerges from the three-week dry dock taking place from January 22, 2024 to February 12, guests will have access to an elevated onboard spa experience with a brand-new Thermal Suite, soon-to-be the largest of the Breakaway-Plus class ships.

Designed with NCL guest feedback in mind, the debuting Spa Thermal Suite will boast a more centralised layout with an superior arrival experience featuring elegant sculptures and an entrance corridor encompassed with waterfalls.

A separate lounge area will feature three times as many of the popular hot tile loungers, and guests will be able to enjoy easy access to relaxing and reinvigorating experiences including a sauna, ice room and aromatic steam room.

Additional innovative offerings include a new Biostation with IV Drip Therapy, an increasingly popular rejuvenating treatment delivering essential nutrients to the body; four-senses loungers for the ultimate sensory experience for deep relaxation; and Kneipp haptic foot therapy, which massages feet as guests walk across the pebbled moving stream that alternates between hot and cold foot baths. The all-new Thermal Suite will replace the Galaxy Pavilion, the ships virtual-reality complex.

Delivering exceptional experiences across our fleet is what we strive to do, said David J Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line. We have listened to our guests and have taken action. With this revitalization we are adding some of the most beloved spaces and offerings across our ships to enhance the guest experience aboard Norwegian Joy. Guests will have a greater variety of staterooms to choose from and a world class, full-service spa to spend their days at sea fully immersed in relaxation.

In an effort to continue to offer guests more choice of accommodations, the redesign will include repurposing a portion of the Observation Lounge to create 24 new balcony staterooms, as well as recategorising 40 new spa balcony staterooms, which will include direct access to the Mandara Spa and the premiering Thermal Suite.

Additionally, as a result of unprecedented demand, Norwegian Joys The Haven by Norwegian Premier Owners Suites with a large balcony will be expanded to three-bedrooms. The two suites will include three bedrooms; three and a half bathrooms; a fully renovated living room, master bedroom and outdoor balcony furniture; as well as a new separate dining room overlooking the forward-facing The Haven Horizon Lounge. The Haven by Norwegian is the companys exclusive ship-within-a-ship, and key-card access only complex featuring the most spacious suites and dedicated experiences including concierge service, a private pool area, restaurant and bar.

In addition, the popular, and nearly always sold-out, exclusive adults-only Vibe Beach Club will be expanded, taking over the existing Laser Tag arena on Deck 20. The space will boast a similar layout to the Vibe Beach Club found on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss, with new private luxe cabanas.

Norwegian Joy will resume sailings post dry dock on February 13, 2024, when she embarks on an 11-Day Transatlantic voyage from Southampton, United Kingdom to Miami. In March 2024, the ship will cruise seven-day round-trip Caribbean voyages from Miami before sailing to Bermuda from New York for summer 2024. -TradeArabia News Service
A man carries a child as they leave an area where a forest fire burns, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Some 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires continued burning for a sixth day on three fronts, Greek authorities said on Sunday.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.

Local police said that 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels. Six people were briefly hospitalized with respiratory problems and were later released. A person who fell and broke their leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remain hospitalized, the latter in good condition, authorities say.

Package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 have canceled flights to Rhodes. Jet2 said it was canceling five flights due to leave for Rhodes on Sunday. It said it would fly the five planes to Rhodes empty to bring back customers on the island. TUI said it was canceling all its flights to the island until at least Tuesday.

British tourist Kevin Evans was evacuated twice on Saturday with his wife and three young children  first from Kiotari to Gennadi, then as the fire approached to the islands capital in the northeast, he told Britains PA news agency.

There were lots of people in Gennadi sent from the hotels  many in just swimsuits having been told to leave everything in the hotel, he told PA. As night fell, we could see the fire on the top of the hills in Kiotari. They said all the hotels were on fire.

Rhodes travel agent Stelios Kotiadis confirmed to the Associated Press that the evacuation was hasty. There was panic. ... The authorities were overwhelmed, he said.

But, he said, the abandoned hotels are in much better condition than reported in social media. ... They will be ready to reopen very soon if Civil Protection gives the go-ahead.

Kotiadis said he and other travel agents sent buses to the islands southeast to pick up evacuated tourists. They had to go the long way around, since the road running down Rhodes eastern side was blocked in places.

There were 80-90 people cramming into 50-seater buses, he said. He added that 90% of the evacuated tourists are from European countries.

The British ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge, said the U.K. government was sending a rapid deployment team to support British nationals on Rhodes.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that personnel were on their way to Rhodes to set up a help desk at Rhodes International Airport for visitors who have lost their travel documents.

Fire Brigade spokesman Yannis Artopios said that, early Sunday afternoon, 266 firefighters and 49 engines were operating on the ground, together with hundreds of volunteers. Ten firefighting planes, including two from France, two from Turkey and one from Croatia, are operating in the area, as well as eight helicopters.

There are substantial reinforcements from the European Union.

Over 450 firefighters and seven airplanes from the EU have been operating in Greece as fires sprout across the country, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic tweeted early Sunday afternoon.

In the mountainous part of Rhodes, an active front of the wildfire, firefighters have been trying to stop the blaze from spreading to nearby dense forests.

Southwest of the resort of Kiotari, the main focus of Saturdays evacuations, a trench was being dug to keep the fire from crossing a creek and threatening the village of Gennadi.

The weather remains hot in the Mediterranean country on Sunday. Before midday, temperatures had already reached 38 C (100 F). Winds were low but are notoriously variable in Rhodes, as in other Greek islands.

Some of the evacuated, including tourists, are being accommodated in other hotels, gyms and a conference center. A shipping company has offered one of its ships for accommodation. Kotiadis, the travel agent, told the Associated Press that three ships are being used.

Authorities have designated an unprecedentedly large part of the mainland, the whole eastern part of central and southern Greece, plus the islands of Evia and Rhodes as well as large swaths of the southwest, as Category 5, the highest for risk of fire outbreaks as of Sunday. A further chunk of Greece has been designated Category 4, very high risk.

Temperatures reached 43 C (110 F) in the capital, Athens, Sunday afternoon and 45 C (113 F) in the interior plains of central Greece. A relative respite from the heat Monday, with highs of 38 C (100 F) forecast, will be followed by yet another heat wave from Tuesday that will last until at least Friday, meteorologists have warned.

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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) shows off his inked finger, standing next to his wife Bun Rany, left, after voting a ballot at a polling station in Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 23, 2023.

The ruling party of Cambodias longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed a landslide victory in Sundays general election, an outcome that was virtually assured thanks to the suppression and intimidation of the opposition in a vote critics said made a farce of democracy.

Six hours after polls closed, the National Election Committee said 84.6% of eligible voters had cast ballots. Sok Eysan, spokesperson for Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party, said he believed his party captured 78-80% of the total turnout.

I have no results about the allocation of seats, but as of now but I can say that the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party has won a landslide victory, he told the Associated Press, although no official vote count had still been issued.

Fresh News, a Cambodian online news service known for its close links with Hun Sens government, reported on its website late Sunday night that according to unofficial results, the Cambodian Peoples Party had captured 120 National Assembly seats, and the royalist FUNCINPEC party had won five.

The European Union, the United States and other Western countries had refused to send observers to the polls, saying the election lacked the conditions to be considered free and fair. That left international officials from Russia, China and Guinea-Bissau to watch as Hun Sun voted shortly after the polls opened in his home district outside of the capital, Phnom Penh.

He held his ballot high for all to see, before depositing it into the silver metal box and leaving the station, pausing to take selfies and shake hands with supporters outside.

The longest-serving leader in Asia, Hun Sen has steadily consolidated power with his strong-arm tactics over the last 38 years. But, at age 70, he has suggested he will hand off the premiership during the upcoming five-year term to his oldest son, Hun Manet, perhaps as early as the first month after the elections.

Hun Manet, 45, has a bachelors degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as well as a masters from NYU and a Ph.D. from Bristol University in Britain. He is currently chief of Cambodias army.

Despite his Western education, however, observers dont expect any immediate shifts in policy from that of his father, who has steadily drawn Cambodia closer to China in recent years.

I dont think anyone expects Hun Sen to sort of disappear once Hun Manet is prime minister, said Astrid Noren-Nilsson, a Cambodia expert at Swedens Lund University. I think they will probably be working closely together and I dont think that there is a big difference in their political outlook, including foreign policy.

Hun Manet is part of what is expected to be a broader generational change, with the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party planning to install younger leaders into most ministerial positions.

Thats going to be the big change of guard, thats what Im watching, Noren-Nilsson said. Its all about the transition, its all about whos going to come in and in what positions they find themselves.

At the station where Hun Sen cast his ballot, voter Nan Sy, a former lawmaker himself with a smaller royalist party, said the main issue for him was stability.

Without stability we cannot talk about education, we cannot talk about development, the 59-year-old said without saying who he voted for.

There were few reports of any protests against the elections, but Gen. Khieu Sopheak, Cambodias national police spokesperson, said 27 people were being sought over allegations they called for voters to spoil their ballots in a Telegram chat channel. He said there had been two arrests at polling stations as well.

Hun Sen had been a middle-ranking commander in the radical communist Khmer Rouge responsible for genocide in the 1970s before defecting to Vietnam. When Vietnam ousted the Khmer Rouge from power in 1979, he quickly became a senior member of the new Cambodian government installed by Hanoi.

A wily and sometimes ruthless politician, Hun Sen has maintained power as an autocrat in a nominally democratic framework.

His partys stranglehold on power faltered in 2013 elections, in which the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party won 44% of the popular vote to CPPs 48%. Hun Sen responded to the wake-up call by going after leaders of the opposition, primarily through sympathetic courts, which eventually dissolved the party after local elections in 2017 when it again fared well.

Ahead of Sundays election, the Candlelight Party, the unofficial successor to the CNRP and only other contender capable of mounting a credible challenge, was barred on a technicality from contesting the polls by the National Election Committee.

While virtually assuring another landslide victory for Hun Sen and his party, the methods have prompted widespread criticism from rights groups.

Human Rights Watch said the election bears little resemblance to an actual democratic process, while the Asian Network for Free Elections, an umbrella organization of almost 20 regional NGOs, said the National Election Committee had showed a clear bias toward the CPP in barring the Candlelight Party.

Such disqualification further exacerbates the imbalanced and unjust political environment, leaving minimal room for opposition voices to compete on equal footing with the ruling party, the group said in a joint statement.

Moreover, the shrinking space available for civil society and the deliberate targeting of human rights defenders and activists raise serious alarm. The constriction of civic space undermines the active participation of civil society in the electoral process without fear of reprisal.

After the vastly unpopular way the opposition was neutralized in 2018, this time around there was little sign of widespread popular discontent, Noren-Nilsson said, because Hun Sen and the CPP have done a very effective job over the past five years of building a sense among many Cambodians that they are part of a new national project.

The strategy has involved careful messaging, with sweeping slogans like small country, big heart, and little talk about policy, she said.

Its really quite astonishing how the CPP has managed to gain at least acceptance for what we see now, she said. If before people thought that the glass was half empty, now its half full, so you focus more on what you have than dont have.

With the Candlelight Party out of the running, the largest beneficiary of any anti-CPP vote was expected to be FUNCINPEC, the royalist party whose name is an unwieldy French acronym for the National Front for an Independent, Neutral and Cooperative Cambodia.

Founded in 1981 by Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodias former king, the party defeated the CPP in 1993 U.N.-run elections, but his son, Norodom Ranariddh, ended up having to agree to a co-prime ministership with Hun Sen. The party since then has gradually evolved into a tamed opposition force that rarely challenges the ruling partys actions.

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A view shows the Olympic Aquatics Centre construction site, one of the venues for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Saint-Denis near Paris, France, July 19, 2023.

Neighborhoods in northeast Paris have struggled for years with the scourge of crack cocaine and its use in public. The Summer Olympics, kicking off a year from Wednesday, are offering an impetus to tackle the problem.

Yet despite a surge in arrests and new promises of tougher security around the 2024 Paris Games, some residents question whether the newfound focus is just pushing users elsewhere instead of treating medical and mental health problems, a lack of housing and jobs and other deeper ills at the root of the crack crisis.

Residents in the 18th and 19th arrondissements, or districts, of the French capital have long complained about the open-air crack use in their neighborhoods that stands in sharp contrast to the postcard-perfect tourist areas of Paris farther south.

Small groups of people could be seen using illicit drugs on Sunday at the Porte de la Chapelle metro station and a nearby tram stop located across the street from a new multi-purpose arena that is slated to host badminton and rhythmic gymnastics during the 2024 Olympics. Similar scenes play out along local quays and public parks.

Police cleared out a large encampment of drug users last year at Forceval Square, just outside a huge park that hosts the Paris Philharmonic and other cultural spaces. Since then, police have made an all-out effort to prevent more from gathering, deploying up to 600 officers a day in the northeastern part of the city alone.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez promised after taking his job in 2022 to eradicate crack from the streets before the Olympics. On Thursday, declared the efforts a success.

Police have arrested 255 people for selling crack cocaine in Paris so far this year, Nunez said, compared to 285 in all of 2022. Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said an average of two people a day were brought to justice on charges related both to the consumption and selling of crack this year.

While local residents welcome the attention to the problem, some say the number of users hasnt necessarily diminished, but instead been dispersed.

If the chief of police congratulates himself today, it is because there have been no new camps, said Frederic Francelle, the spokesperson of Collectif19, an association of 19th-arrondissement residents calling for an end to drug use in the streets. But there are still places where consumption is done in the open.

Francelle said that while the citys current focus appears to be security, drug users need medical and social help.

We doubt that theyre really trying to treat them by the time the Olympics start, Francelle said. Theyll just pressure them to go somewhere else. They will try to move them to the provinces or the suburbs.

Last month, a treatment center across the street from the new Olympic arena was moved a few blocks away. It is run by two community associations, Gaia-Paris and Aurore.

Workers at the center say the number of visitors jumped 30% after the Forceval Square site was cleared but has dropped again in recent weeks, to around 150 people per day.

Local authorities have asked the associations to hire more people, open earlier and close later, according to Gaia-Paris deputy director Victor Deprez.

The idea is to broaden our capacities, Deprez said. In a way, their request is that these people are not visible in the streets during the day.

Efforts also are underway to increase the number of hospital beds for crack users in the Paris region, up from the 39 at five sites currently to 50 by September, said Amelie Verdier, chief of the Paris region state health agency. She could not provide an estimate of the number of crack users in Paris today, though past estimates ran into several thousand.

Police chief Nunez said the law enforcement presence around the new arena and other places in the city will be increased by five or 10 times during the Olympics.

The arena is among only a few venues being built from scratch for the Paris Olympics, all in underprivileged, multi-ethnic neighborhoods to give the areas an economic boost. The facilities will also be used at the Paralympics before being handed over to local clubs and schools.

The Olympics are an opportunity to ask ourselves questions about the people who remain in the street, Jamel Lazic, who oversees drug consumption rooms at Gaia-Paris that are intended the reduce the harm to addicts and prepare them for treatment. Maybe it will be an opportunity to try to deal with the problem and to open up large-scale facilities that can accommodate these people and have a better strategy. Why not?

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Russia struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa on Sunday, keeping up a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. At least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in the early morning attack, officials said.

Four children were among those wounded in the blasts, which severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Russia has been launching repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, since Moscow canceled a landmark grain deal on Monday amid Kyivs grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories.

After the fires were put out at the Orthodox cathedral, volunteers donned hard hats, shovels and brooms to begin removing rubble and try to salvage any artifacts  under the watchful gaze of the saints whose paintings remained intact. Local officials said the icon of the patroness of the city was retrieved from under the rubble.

The destruction is enormous, half of the cathedral is now roofless, said Archdeacon Andrii Palchuk, as workers brought documents and valuables out of the building, its floor inundated with water used by firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

Palchuk said the damage was caused by a direct hit from a Russian missile that penetrated the building down to the basement. Two people inside were wounded.

But with Gods help, we will restore it, he said, bursting into tears.

A woman who came to help with the cleanup said she loved the cathedral for its tranquility and grace.

When you enter this church, you feel like youre beyond the world, said Liudmyla, who gave only her first name. I have a feeling that God, to protect apartments, took this pain, this explosion upon himself.

Anna Fetchenko, who came to Odesa for a volunteer meeting, also pitched in to clear the debris. I wanted to go to the seaside, but last night was so frightening that I cried for the first time in 2023, she said.

This is our Ukrainian heritage, and now its taken away from us.

Later Sunday, Palchuk urged people to gather in front of the destroyed part of the cathedral for an outdoor service and to pray in front of a sacred icon that miraculously survived.

We will pray that it protects us from the Russians, he said.

The cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has been accused of links to Russia. The church has insisted that it is loyal to Ukraine, has denounced the Russian invasion from the start and even declared its independence from Moscow.

But Ukrainian security agencies have claimed that some in the Ukrainian church maintain close ties with Moscow. Theyve raided numerous church holy sites and posted photos of rubles, Russian passports and leaflets with messages from the Moscow patriarch as proof some church officials are loyal to Russia.

UNESCO strongly condemned the attack on the cathedral and other heritage sites and said it will send a mission in coming days to assess damage. Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year, and the agency said the Russian attacks contradict Moscows pledge to take precautious to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine.

This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against the cultural heritage of Ukraine. I strongly condemn this attack against culture, and I urge the Russian Federation to take meaningful action to comply with its obligations under international law, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

Regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said that six residential buildings were destroyed by the strikes.

Some people were trapped in their apartments following the attack, which left rubble strewn in the street and partly blocking the road.

Svitlana Molcharova, 85, was rescued by emergency workers. But after she received first aid, she refused to leave her destroyed apartment. I will stay here, she said.

I woke up when the ceiling started to fall on me. I rushed into the corridor, said Ivan Kovalenko, a 19-year-old resident of the building. Thats how I lost my home in Mykolaiv, and here, I lost my rented apartment.

His unit revealed a partially collapsed ceiling and a balcony that came off the side of the building. All the windows were blown out.

Ukraines air force reported on the Telegram messaging app that Russia had launched 19 missiles in the Odesa region, including five high-precision winged Onyx missiles and four sea-to-shore Kalibr cruise missiles. It said that Ukrainian air defenses shot down nine.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday its forces attacked sites in Odesa where terrorist acts against the Russian Federation were being prepared.

In a later statement, the ministry denied that its attacks struck the Transfiguration Cathedral, claiming the destruction of the cathedral was likely due to the fall of a Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missile.

The attacks come days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

Earlier Russian attacks have crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

Putin vowed to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.

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Im a bum. Thus, Ibrahim Mohamed, 71, introduces himself after extending his wiry hand to the reporter. He is a dark-skinned ascetic with all the time in the world for conversation. A rare bird in Odesa, which these days is rocked by Russian bombs and where it is difficult to meet a foreigner who is not a humanitarian worker, soldier, or journalist. Mohamed has been a perpetual traveler since 1977  almost half a century. Not even the latest attacks on the Black Sea town where he lives  five in one week  have made him change his plans.

I have paid my rent until August 31, he said early Sunday morning, shortly after several missiles struck near the hostel where he lives in the historic district. This Egyptian-Americans life is a constant aimless journey, enjoying freedom and happiness away from money. He was born in Alexandria (Egypt) and considers himself a Nubian from Aswan. I want to visit the Canary Islands and do the Camino de Santiago, he said on July 13 while recalling his visits to Spain, offering details, like those of Seville, that reveal a memory that is proof of the years and kilometers he has traveled. But what is he doing in wartime Ukraine?

The Dream Hostel was a backpackers sanctuary on the shores of the Black Sea when Russia began its major invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Far from the luxuries that other hotels offer in Odesa, its bunk beds, corridors with colorful pennants, common areas and narrow access through a neighboring courtyard made this the perfect place for globetrotters on a budget and not in a hurry. This is the case for Mohamed. He was just another dreamer among those staying at the hostel when the war shook Odesa, but he decided to stay.

That early morning of February 24 my partner at the Dream Hostel in Dnipro called me to tell me that the invasion had begun. By seven oclock in the morning, none of the eight employees were here. They were all gone, and I was alone at the front desk, says Giorgi Bloshchitsia, the owner of the establishment, leaning on the reception counter. In those days, there were long-stay travelers from Japan, the United States, and Australia. I estimate that there were about 20 foreigners who were here at the beginning of the invasion. Of these, 17 left in the first week, he adds. In the end, only Ibrahim Mohamed remained.

Giorgi Bloshchitsia and his wife, Veronika, pictured on July 13 at the reception of the Dream Hostel, located a few meters from the Orthodox cathedral bombed by Russia on Sunday. Luis de Vega

This is crazy, laments this man, who recently cut off the dreadlocks that hung down from his head and beard to below his waist. I cant bear to see the children running to get to safety from the bombs, but what can you do? This world is horrible, with so many people killing each other.

The meeting with Ibrahim Mohamed took place a few days before Russia began shelling Odesa. He stands out among Ukrainians fleeing from other war zones and hosted by the hostel since it began working with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), an NGO with extensive experience around the world in crisis situations. Mohamed explains that his life is a perpetual journey, unhurried and with long stops. This is how he arrived in Ukraine in 2016 and how the Russian invasion caught him in this very country. He stresses that among the dozens of countries he has visited  the number is not important  Russia is not among them.

His income is limited to a pension from the U.S. government. I can survive with a handful of dollars here, he admits. At the hostel, one pays 2,800 Hrivna per month (just under $77) for a spot in a bunk bed. I cook up there, he says, pointing to the upper floors of the establishment. I always eat something simple, he adds to emphasize his almost hermit-like way of life.

The bunk beds of those backpackers have now been occupied for months by Ukrainians displaced within their own country by the war. Some 7,000 have passed through in these 17 months. We now provide shelter for 80 people. Many are temporary refugees from regions such as Kherson or Mikolaiv (near Odesa) following the liberation of those territories, Bloshchitsia explains. The establishment was at its fullest when local troops advanced into Kherson in last Novembers counteroffensive and drove the invaders back to the left bank of the Dnipro River. We had as many as 100 people at a time, with some sleeping in the corridors, he adds.

The general rule is that they are people in transit who are rebuilding their lives far from their hometowns. They usually stay at the hostel for about a month, says the manager, until they are able to find rental housing, a job or get their papers back in order to try to normalize their lives.

Giorgi Bloshchitsia regrets that the authorities left them alone after their promise to help them run the hostel in the first months of the invasion. He maintains that they were promised a collaboration that never arrived. Zero, he insists. The first three months we managed it on our own, with my wife, my mother, and one employee, he says. The situation did not begin to normalize until the NRC came into play.

The NCR maintains a facility with four IDP transit centers in Odesa, three of which belong to the three Dream Hostels in the franchise owned by Bloshchitsia. Their capacity is 200 people and up to 250 in case of emergency. They provide accommodation for up to one month in exceptional cases. The NRC provides one hot meal per person, per day and free legal and psychological counseling, explains Dimitri Zviadadze, head of the NRCs southern Ukraine zone.

The hostel manager shows the only thing they ended up receiving from the authorities: a document thanking the hostels owners and staff for housing the displaced persons, signed by Tetiana Markova, the then-head of Culture and Tourism of the Odesa City Council. Bloshchitsia and his wife, Veronika, cant help but laugh when he, with some derision, places it back on the reception counter as if it were a treasure.

And what about Ibrahim Mohamed? The globetrotter wouldnt mind moving on, but he understands that his economic situation prevents him from settling in places beyond his humble budget. He repeats several times that he would love to return to Spain, where he has not been for more than a decade, although he does not understand those who make the trip as a weekend jaunt at a whirlwind pace.

After being asked whether the latest Russian bombardment of Odesa had changed his plans, he simply said that he is not clear what to do as of August 31. Shortly before, the invading army had struck a dozen buildings in the city center (not far from the Dream Hostel) as well as the Orthodox cathedral, which has been on UNESCOs list of heritage to be protected since February. I would like to go to the Canary Islands, Munich, the United States, or Egypt... But I may still stay in Odesa, he ventures. Although at some point he says he is tired and already in retreat. But it does not seem to be the bombs and the war Russian President Vladimir Putins war that set his itinerary.

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The site of the most famous conspiracy and assassination in history  saving the assassination of John F. Kennedy  is now open to the public. This is the square where Roman General Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times on the morning of the Ides of March. The murder heralded in the end of the late Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire, which Caesars nephew and heir, Caesar Augustus, established after winning the civil war against Mark Antony in the 1st century BC. For centuries, the site of Caesars assassination  a defining moment in history that also marked literature, cinema and theater  remained buried in the subsoil of modern Rome. In recent decades, the square had fallen into a state of complete neglect, with a huge colony of cats taking over the area. Now, 2,067 years after Caesars murder, it is receiving visitors.

The City Council of Rome has opened a new walkway over the archaeological site of the Largo di Torre Argentina square. The site includes four sacred temples from the Republican era  the little documented period before Augustus took power  which were discovered between 1926-29, when a new neighborhood was being built. When the ruins were found, the Italian state, headed by Benito Mussolini at the time, decided to stop work and preserve them. The strange thing about this site is that while temples preserved from ancient Rome were reused as churches, three of the four in Largo di Torre Argentina were not. The fact that they have remained like this is almost a miracle, explains Claudio Parisi, the superintendent of Cultural Heritage in Rome.

This picture shows a general view on October 11, 2012 downtown Rome of the Largo di Torre Argentina, the exact spot among ancient ruins where Roman general Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 BC. GABRIEL BOUYS (AFP via Getty Images)

The walkway allows visitors to walk through the ruins at the height of the original pavement: about 20 meters below the current street level. That is one of the great values of the initiative, since it allows us to observe many details, such as the different layers. The different materials also speak of those periods that in some places date from the 2nd century BC to the end of the 1st, says Parisi.

The four temples formed part of the Theater of Pompey, the scene of the crime. That was the wall that closed the room of the Theater of Pompey, where the Roman Senate was to meet that day. We are sure that this is the case because sources from the time tell us that there were latrines on the sides. We know that he was assassinated at the foot of the statue of Pompey [once his enemy]. Caesar had received bad omens, but he decided to go anyway, to his misfortune, explains Parisi. Caesars wife, Calpurnia, also reportedly had a nightmare about his death the night before his murder. As Calpurnia was not prone to superstition, it is believed that Caesar took her warnings into account. He is said to have thought twice about meeting the Senate, but continued with his plans regardless. We have not to fear anything, except fear itself, Caesar is quoted as saying.

The Curia of Pompey was located at the entrance to the Theater of Pompey and was linked to it by a portico. It was a squarish building, measuring 24 by 27 meters at the base, and it is where the Senate met during the Roman Republic. The site was presided over by a large statue of Pompey (106-48 BC). At the time of Caesars assassination, the Curia was being remodeled under the orders of Caesar himself. So on March 15, 44 BC, the general and his senators met in the square where Caesar was killed. Publius Servilius Casca is said to have struck the first blow, grazing Caesars neck with a dagger. Then more 30 senators and conspirators, including Marcus Junius Brutus (whose mother was Julius Caesars love). This gave rise to the famous quote in the Shakespeares play Julius Caesar, when the general says: Et tu, Brute? (You too, Brutus?)

Recreation of the death of Julio Cesar in Largo Argentina square in March 2016. Pacific Press (LightRocket via Getty Images)

The plot to assassinate Caesar was successful, but what happened as a result of the crime was exactly the opposite to what the assassins intended. Rome never regained its freedom and Caesars adoptive son, Octavian, established an imperial monarchy under the name of Augustus. Historian Mary Beard explains in her book SPQR that the assassination was the culmination of a series of key moments and conflicts that led to the dissolution of the free state, a sequence of tipping points that marked the stages in the progressive degeneration of the political process, and a succession of atrocities that lingered in the Roman imagination for centuries.

Thanks to the new walkway, the Largo di Torre Argentina is now one of the key places to understand the history of Rome. But this initiative was only made possible thanks to funding from the Italian fashion house Bulgari, which dedicated the sum leftover from its restoration of Romes historic Spanish Steps to the project. Thanks to this funding, the site has been opened to the public. As for why such an important part of history was not restored earlier, Parisi shrugs and points out that there are around 230 archaeological sites in Rome alone. In a city, where age is measured in centuries, there is not always time or money for everything.

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Psychedelic drugs are gaining ground in medicine. After decades of silence  cornered by prohibitive laws and the smear campaign waged by the Nixon administration in the 1970s  scientific research into the effect of MDMA, LSD, ketamine or psilocybin (present in hallucinogenic mushrooms) has flourished again. Scientists are looking to exploit these drugs for their potential contributions to therapeutic mental health treatments.

With already-existing evidence, new findings are now beginning to become part of clinical practice. For instance, esketamine, a derivative of ketamine, is already being administered as a spray for people with resistant depression. Meanwhile, Australia has just become the first country in the world to allow MDMA to be prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), while psilocybin can now be used to treat depression.

Experts consulted by EL PAIS admit that, while the research into psychedelic drugs is promising, the consistency of the benefits  as well as the knowledge about how these therapies should be implemented  is limited. Theyre asking for caution, since these drugs arent helpful for each and every patient or medical condition.

Psychedelics are ancient drugs. There are post-paleolithic cave paintings in Cuenca, Spain, which suggest the presence of fungi with neurotrophic effects. Mushroom petroglyphs have also been found on large rocks in Siberia, while the use of almost 20 species of psilocybin mushrooms for shamanic rites in Mexico is well-known. Whether in leisure contexts or in healing rituals, psychedelic substances have never gone away but today, theyre gaining more and more prominence thanks to science, says Joana Bauza, a psychiatrist at the Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona who is trained in MDMA-assisted therapy.

The latest research and the change in public opinion have led to the so-called psychedelic renaissance, where scientists [use] these substances to treat diseases, Dr. Bauza notes. In 2021, the academic journal Science recognized a work published in Nature Medicine as containing a significant finding: the study proved the efficacy of MDMA in reducing symptoms stemming from PTSD. Two months after the therapy, 67% of those who received the psychedelic drug no longer met the diagnostic criteria for this disorder, compared with 32% in the control group.

Theres a list of candidates that have therapeutic potential. Esketamine  a synthetic variant of ketamine, but without as many hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects  is already on the market for resistant depression. And, the following drugs are in line to be endorsed by regulators, or have been approved in Australia: MDMA for PTSD treatments and psilocybin for patients living with depressions that are resistant to conventional therapies. There are also studies that show how psilocybin can benefit those who have eating disorders, or patients going through end-of-life treatment. Research with ayahuasca and DMT (derived from the plant) has shown that these can help prevent prolonged grief or depression. 5-MeO-DMT  which is extracted from the Bufo toad  is also being tested to treat those living with severe depression, while alkaloid ibogaine, found in the root of a Central African shrub, may help reduce opioid dependency.

All of the aforementioned derivatives, to a greater or lesser extent, alter ones state of consciousness and act on various areas in the brain. They act differently from classic antidepressants and have more immediate effects, sums up Victor Perez, head of psychiatry at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona. His center recruited patients for an international study utilizing psilocybin, which was published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. A single dose was able to reduce the effects of resistant depression.

In practice, psychedelic therapy is like a kind of trip. Patients live mystical experiences: they feel an increase in the intensity of emotions, sensations of synesthesia and a dissolution of the ego. Its as if theyre disconnected from the world and they may even revisit past experiences. Theres a higher capacity to connect ideas and memories, says Oscar Soto, a psychiatrist and president of the Spanish Society of Psychedelic Medicine (Sempsi). With MDMA, for example, patients are able to revisit a traumatic situation without running away from it.

While these drugs dont have high addictive potential, Dr. Soto emphasizes that they must be accompanied by psychotherapy, along with support from professionals during the psychedelic experience  patients should never be left alone while consuming these substances. We know that the environment where [the substances] are taken and the preparation are fundamental. Music, for example, is important, because it conditions a series of effects in a psychedelic state, in which sensitivity to the environment is very high, it can be cathartic, he explains. You have to prepare a safe space and give the patient strategies to manage complex experiences on this psychological journey. The role of the therapist  who must have specific training  is to help navigate this experience. The person is accompanied, so that they dont run away from what arises, because [the experiences are] very rich material to be used later in the psychotherapy, Soto adds.

A vendor packages psilocybin mushrooms at a cannabis market in Los Angeles. Richard Vogel (AP)

What happens in the brain during these experiences is still being studied. There are changes in brain neuroplasticity, along with neurocognitive alterations. In two sessions, the same patient can go through two completely different experiences with the same substance.

Classic psychedelics  such as LSD, psilocybin or ayahuasca  act on the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor. It causes a generalized depolarization of pyramidal neurons, [which] causes various areas of the brain to be better connected. This results in a greater flow of information... mystical experiences may have to do with this dissolution of neurons. On the other hand, dissociative anesthetics  such as ketamine and esketamine  act on the NMDA receptor and cause somewhat different effects, Soto explains.

The research is still ongoing. Soto, for example, is recruiting patients for a study of psychotherapy-assisted ayahuasca, for people going through prolonged periods of grief after loss. Rosa Duenas, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Barcelona, will be starting a phase II trial in September, looking into the effects of 5-MeO-DMT on resistant depressions: This substance acts on serotonin reuptake receptors and  depending on [how its administered]  has a much faster effect. Via inhalation, the effects appear in seconds and, after 30 or 45 minutes, theyre over. For [this drug] to be effective, it must be supported by psychotherapy before and after [the psychedelic experience], she explains. Preliminary trials with this substance  which originally comes from plants and a Bufo toad in the Sonoran Desert, in the USA and Mexico  are promising, with up to 75% efficacy, Duenas affirms. However, the studies to date have been small. More research is needed to verify this statistic.

A controversial decision in Australia

The experts consulted agree that the available evidence on the potential of these substances is promising, but theres still a long way to go. Thats why Australias decision  which, after July 1, allowed for the prescription of MDMA and psilocybin  has been so controversial among the scientific community. In an open letter in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, a group of researchers who study these substances rejected the decision. Sufficient levels of evidence have not yet been generated for broad-scale implementation to be justified, they argue. The scientists warned that there are still questions to be resolved, such as which are the best models of psychotherapeutic care, or how to identify the patients who would benefit the most. Until these questions have been addressed in empirical research, the decision to increase public access outside of clinical trials is questionable, if not concerning, the letter concludes.

Bauza, who is also a member of Sempsi, agrees that the Australian government should have waited for more consistency and scientific evidence. This therapy isnt innocuous: One of the biggest risks is that the potential of psychedelics is overestimated and that people read this and [decide] to use it on their own [or] with untrained people. If its taken in unsuitable environments, the harmful effects can be very significant, she warns. For example, psychedelics arent recommended for people with previous psychedelic-induced episodes or a family history of psychosis. One of the risks is re-traumatization if you have experiences [while on the drugs] that you cannot manage. You may also remember things that you didnt remember [initially]  this can become traumatic and create a new problem. And another risk is that of worsening the disease if there arent adequate controls in place, the psychiatrist from the Sant Pau Hospital states. Her center  which has an esketamine unit  will also participate in the study with 5-MeO-DMT.

Not all substances have the same efficacy, nor are they valid for everyone. What happened in Australia could end in a setback, because if [the policy] isnt implemented correctly  accompanied by good psychotherapy and infrastructure  it can lead to traumatic experiences, Soto insists. Bauza has reinforced this message to the public. [This] is a very important door that has opened within psychiatry, but it must be understood that [psychedelic drugs] are not the salvation for all ills.

Bauza sees Australias decision as premature. When [psychedelics] were banned in 1971 it was because their use began to spread as a remedy and produced negative consequences and problems associated with consumption. And now, we fear that this will be repeated: weve been [dealing with] a stigma and a huge lack of resources and now, by rushing, the same thing could happen again. The biggest challenge is not so much the efficacy of the substance itself, but how youre going to go about using it as a treatment.

The research looks good, but many doubts remain to be resolved, agree the scientists consulted by this newspaper. To begin with, its necessary to corroborate the evidence of the efficacy of these substances in trials with more patients, clarify the profiles of which patients will benefit the most, while determining the most beneficial types of psychotherapy. The appropriate therapeutic environment would also have to be set up, Soto maintains, with adequate infrastructures and training for professionals. Its also necessary to reinforce the ethical commitments, so as to avoid abuses in the sessions, the psychiatrist emphasizes. The framework that guarantees patient safety must be very clear. For instance, there can be no violence and no sexual contact. Its recommended that there are always two therapists present  a man and a woman  and that the sessions be recorded.

Risks must be minimized, Bauza points out. The code of conduct is super important, which differentiates the clinical aspect from the rituals. The patient has a bit of consciousness but decision-making is altered. Whatever happens [in the sessions] has to be controlled. The person is very vulnerable and we have to protect them, because we can do a lot of good, but also a lot of harm.

Perez thinks that, while the severe dissociative symptoms caused by psychedelics were temporary in the trials and the drugs seem safe, a long-term therapeutic model is lacking. The psychiatrist knows that these substances will open a door for patients who had no chance, but still calls for prudence. He currently has a patient on the waiting list who participated in the trials and immediately improved, before subsequently relapsing. And he knows that these drugs can be an opportunity, but not before the research is complete. There isnt enough evidence to put [these drugs] on the market, he concludes.

With the hope of effectiveness on one hand  and the deficiencies in the implementation on the other  the most sensible thing, Bauza advises, is to wait. Theres a lot at stake. Weve been waiting for 30 years [to study these treatments]. Its ok if we wait a little while longer.

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Elephant tusks found among the remains of an ancient Phoenician ship, which sank in the Bajo de la Campana (off the coast of Cartagena) in the 6th century BC.

More than 2,500 years ago a Phoenician ship, most likely a trader bringing luxury goods from the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, ran into trouble off the coast near Cartagena, Spain. The vessel hit the rock reef of Bajo de la Campana.

Lurking just below the surface, this huge lump of rock has been wrecking ships for millennia. The Phoenician vessel sunk and spilled its cargo, which washed into a sea cave and remained there for the next few thousand years until excavations by archeologists from Spain and the U.S. began in 2007.

Hannibals herd

The archaeologists have recovered ceramic and bronze artifacts, tin and copper ingots, nuggets of lead ore, amber and many elephant tusks. The tusks could help scientists unlock the secrets of an extinct elephant population.

If the ship was sailing from North Africa, the ivory could represent the North African elephant population, which went extinct at some point during Roman times, said Patricia Pecnerova, a biologist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. We dont really know anything at all about these elephants as there are few historical records.

The famous war elephants that Carthaginian general Hannibal led across the Alps in 218 BC during the Second Punic War were most likely North African. They probably ranged across the region north of the Sahara Desert and possibly down the east coast to Sudan and Eritrea.

But no one is sure what species they were.

Some people think they might have been African savanna elephants, based on what is more plausible from the biological perspective, Pecnerova said. But others say they were probably small so might have been African forest elephants.

And still others say the creatures could even have been Asian elephants  or a separate species altogether.

The ivory from the shipwreck offers a rare opportunity to generate genetic data on these extinct elephants and explore their origins.

Pecnerova was the lead researcher in the EU-funded STAMPEDE project, which ended in May this year after 24 months and used genetic information on elephants across Africa to create a reference map of diversity.

This allows her to put ancient DNA extracted from the shipwreck ivory into todays map to see whether the elephants are genetically distinct or related to any of the present-day populations.

Window to the past

Trait tools developed by the project could also be used to analyze genetic diversity and monitor populations in present-day elephants, assisting with their conservation.

Information from the ancient tusks could show scientists how genetically diverse elephants were before humans started intensively hunting them and destroying their habitats.

The shipwreck ivory is a window to the past, said Pecnerova, a Slovak postdoctoral researcher who moved to Denmark in 2019. We are looking at elephants as they were 2 500 years ago, predating the many anthropogenic pressures of today.

Knowing this baseline of natural diversity levels could help scientists decide whether to be concerned about genetic diversity in modern elephants.

While human exploitation and linked population crashes often reduce genetic diversity in animals, some species have  and can cope with  naturally low levels of variation.

Having this information can aid conservation decisions such as whether breeding programs need to focus on increasing diversity.

Poaching and trafficking

As in Phoenician times, ivory is still sold today.

While international commercial trade in ivory was banned in 1989, many countries still allow it to be sold within their borders. These domestic markets are considered major causes of elephant poaching and ivory trafficking.

The world has approximately 415 000 African elephants and 40 000 to 50 000 Asian elephants in the wild, according to the WWF.

Every year, more than 10 000 elephants are killed for their tusks. Between 2002 and 2011, African forest elephants declined by 60%. There are now fewer than 200 000 of these critically endangered large herbivores left.

More than half of the remaining African forest elephants live in Gabon, almost 90% of which is covered by tropical forests. These wooded areas make it hard to tackle poaching by patrolling on foot or surveying from the air.

An EU-funded project called ForSE hopes that the elephants themselves could alert rangers to poachers.

The idea is to actually use the movement behaviour of forest elephants to try to first understand how they react to poaching activities and, more broadly, to human activities in general, and then infer the level of poaching based on their behavior and space-use patterns, said Marie Sigaud, the projects lead researcher.

ForSE, which began in August 2021 and runs through May next year, is a collaboration with the National Agency for National Parks (ANPN) in Gabon. Their patrols have been placing GPS tracking collars on elephants and providing data on poaching activity.

Danger zones

In places where there is known poaching, Sigaud looks at how elephants behave and use the space  how far they range and whether they venture into forest clearings, for example.

A conservation biologist at the French National Museum of Natural History in Paris, shes also analyzing differences in elephant behavior in areas with varying levels of poaching.

Sigaud said that animals tend to avoid people, using any habitat they consider risky primarily when human activity is at its lowest. For instance, species that live in urban areas are often more active at night.

So, one of our hypotheses is that, in areas with big canopy openings, forest elephants are more likely to be there at night than during the day, Sigaud said. We believe this will be different in areas where poaching is low or absent.

Early results suggest that elephant behavior does change in line with poaching risk.

This is because elephants often know what they are facing, having previously been shot at or seen other herd members killed.

They are really smart, said Sigaud. Many elephants have already experienced poaching events.

She said that the patrols sometimes capture and tag elephants with old bullet wounds.

In the future, the GPS data may be able to alert the ANPN to behavioral changes in elephants when they sense danger. That would allow patrols to be sent to the area to prevent poaching.

Research in this article was funded by the EU via the Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This article was originally published in Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine




This summer is unlike all previous ones. It started with the warmest June on the planet since records began 174 years ago, and then saw temperatures continuing to soar the following month. According to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service, the first 15 days of July have probably been the 15 warmest days on Earth since at least 1979 in terms of average daily surface air temperature.

In the past week, these rocketing temperatures have coincided with several simultaneous heat waves in the northern hemisphere with records being set in very different parts of the world. On July 16, the Sanbao weather station in the Chinese town of Turpan measured 52.2Celsius (126Fahrenheit), the highest temperature ever recorded in China. Meanwhile, thermometers in the U.S. reached 53.3C (127.9F) in Death Valley National Park in California and broke the record for the number of days above 43 (109.4F) in Phoenix, Arizona. Extreme heat also hit Europe, where temperatures have reached 46.3C (115.3F) in Licata, Italy, and 45.4C (113.7F) in Figueres, northeast Spain. Spains last heatwave ended, having broken 40 new records, including the surprising record in Figueres, which became the northernmost point of the Peninsula to exceed 45C (113F).

This exceptional heat, which is also affecting the seas and oceans, notably the extreme warming of the North Atlantic, comes at the beginning of the onset of El Nino phenomenon, which meteorologists expect to further complicate the situation. The onset of El Nino will greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records and triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean, said the secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Petteri Taalas, in May. Climatologists have been insisting all summer: climate is pushing the planet into unchartered territory.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that, for every 0.5C increase in the global average temperature, there will be clearly perceptible increases in the intensity and frequency of heat extremes, including heat waves. The WMO secretary general warned that in addition, we have to step up efforts to help society adapt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal.

Greece: fire and cancellations

In Athens, it is typical at the height of the summer for small businesses to close or change their hours, opening later into the evening and closing in the middle of the day. But, last week, people could only be seen on the streets in the tourist areas. At the Acropolis, free bottles of water were being handed out to tourists to help them avoid heat stroke, except on the hottest days when the archaeological sites were closed. Although 2023 is not meeting tourism expectations regarding numbers  hoteliers say they are experiencing a wave of cancellations after predicting a bumper season  millions of tourists are putting on a brave face and weathering the extreme conditions.

However, the Emergency Meteorological Bulletin, prepared by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, warns of a succession of heat waves from mid-July until at least August. In central Greece, temperatures have exceeded 44C (112F), with the capital reaching 42C (107.6F). If these temperatures were merely peak temperatures, they would not be considered extreme; what is unusual is the number of consecutive days at which these highs are being maintained.

The most popular drink in Greece is freddo espresso, a strong frothy iced coffee. Tourists confuse it with frappe, another drink popular decades ago. Although freddo espresso is drunk year round, at this time of year the consumption soars and it is now being consumed everywhere from beaches to offices.

Forest fires is a common fallout from heat waves. On July 18, fires began to ravage forest areas in Attica, Greece. Since then, more fires have followed. On the night of July 19-20, one fire on Parnitha, one of the three mountains surrounding Athens, was near enough the capital to illuminate it with reddish light.

More than 2,000 people were evacuated on July 22 by boat from the tourist island of Rhodes due to a fire that had been raging out of control for five days. Three coast guard vessels guided more than 30 private boats from the island in the evacuation operation.

A tourist suffering from the heat at the Acropolis in Athens, July 14. LOUIZA VRADI (REUTERS)

Italy: emergency phone number

The maximum temperature in Italy occurred on July 19, when temperatures reached up to 45C (113F) in different parts of the country. Rome hit record temperatures, bordering on 42C (107.6F), and up to 23 cities issued a red alert. Temperatures began to drop on July 20 in the north of the country, but in the south they continued to punish both locals and tourists alike.

The center of Rome in particular was much emptier than usual at this time of the year on July 21. Despite the fact that tourism is up about 10% over last year, the heat has forced many visitors to stay indoors until later in the day. Its normal: you could even say its dangerous to go out at this time, explained one of the cashiers at the Colosseum at lunchtime on July 21.

The Italian Ministry of Health set up an emergency telephone number on July 19 as several people have suffered severe heat stroke. The last victim, a 63-year-old baker in Padua, died of complications due to the soaring temperatures. Animals in zoos are also under observation while the Bioparco in Rome has distributed ice cream and frozen fruit to a number of four-legged creatures help them cool off.

Turin on July 9. Alberto Gandolfo/LaPresse (LAPRESSE)

U.S.: more than 860 records broken

More than 90 million people in the U.S. were at risk from extreme heat on July 21, with temperatures ranging from 39.5C (103.1F) to 51.6C (124.9F). Thats just under a third of the countrys population, spread across a vast region painted dark red in the South, from Florida to Texas, and from Oklahoma to Georgia.

The epicenter is in Phoenix, Arizona, where they are beating their own record with more than 20 consecutive days above 43.3C (109.9F). In El Paso, Texas, they have had 35 days with highs above 37C (98.6F), with recent temperatures reaching 44C (111.2F). In Las Vegas last week, the temperature stood at 45C (113F) in the middle of the Nevada desert, while in Death Valley Park in California  a state where unprecedented temperatures are being recorded in the usually cooler northern region  the mercury has reached 53C (127.4F) in the shade and 62C (143.6F) in the sun, almost a world record.

Officials have been sending out extreme heat alerts every morning to remind people that between 2018 and 2020, more than 3,000 people died from heat-related causes, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the week that saw the third heat-related death in Death Valley, forecasters predicted that wouldnt be the end of it. And, indeed, 85 people suffered severe burns in Arizona after contact with sidewalks reaching temperatures of up to 82 degrees. Seven died.

An extreme heat warning sign in Death Valley, California. STAFF (REUTERS)

China: highest temperature on record

In many parts of China, the sun is also beating down with the kind of intensity that makes being outdoors a health risk. Heat waves have been sweeping across the country since June, and several regions have experienced the hottest cycles in decades. These heat cycles have come earlier and been more widely distributed and extreme than in previous years, according to meteorologists quoted by the official Xinhua news agency.

Last week, in the frying pan of Turpan, which sits snugly in Chinas largest depression located in the desert region of Xinjiang, the heat was already sweltering at about 40C (104F) by midday. Tourists at the Jiaohe ruins shaded themselves with umbrellas and slowly made their way among the ancient houses carved into the rock of this oasis while stalls offered slices of watermelon to help mitigate the heat. On July 23, the highest temperature ever recorded in China was recorded at Turpans Sanbaoa weather station at 52.2C (126F). In the so-called Flaming Mountains, a beautiful chain of massifs that resemble flames, the Earths surface reached 80C (176F).

On July 19, the capital, Beijing, registered temperatures over 35C (95F) for the 28th time this year, amounting to the highest number of days with such intense heat since records began. Many locals chose to cover up with lightweight technical clothing to protect themselves from the radiation. Normally, by now, I would have changed the stock on display, says a saleswoman selling these garments at her stall in the Yiwu International Market, the worlds largest wholesale center. But this year its so hot that I havent done it yet because Im still getting customers.

An urban worker in Beijing, on July 10. Associated Press/LaPresse (APN)

Japan: alerts and hospitalizations

More than 3,900 Japanese were hospitalized between July 3 and 9, Japanese authorities have reported. Last week, Japan issued alerts for temperatures above 35C (95F) in 32 of the countrys 47 prefectures or administrative regions; thermometers in Tokyo were already above 30C (86F) at six oclock on the morning of July 18.

Countries across Asia have been hit by several episodes of unprecedented heat, a situation that has fueled concerns about whether they will have the capacity to adapt to extreme weather events that experts predict will become increasingly frequent.

In a recent report on the situation in the region, the World Weather Attribution, a coalition of scientists studying the impact of climate change, warns that heat waves in humid areas are far more dangerous to health and will occur 10 times more frequently in the near future. According to UN projections, there could be 30 more deaths per million inhabitants in Thailand due to heat in the next two decades, and 130 more per million by the end of the century.

A Cambridge University study warns that by 2050, heat waves in India, the worlds most densely populated country, could push the limits of human survival. It will affect the productivity and quality of life of between 310 and 480 million people, an unprecedented challenge that could seriously affect national development goals.

People wait in the shade for the green light on July 12 in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko (AP)

Contributors: Clemente Alvarez and Laura Navarro (Madrid), Hibai Arbide Aza (Athens), Daniel Verdu (Rome), Iker Seisdedos (Miami), Guillermo Abril and Inma Bonet (Peking)

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Rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heat waves driven by climate change are turning many Mediterranean cities into dangerous places, especially for vulnerable groups. We are not focusing enough on how extreme temperatures affect urban environments, says Eleni Myrivili, who has spent years studying this issue in her hometown of Athens, which is one of the cities hardest hit by rising temperatures. In 2014, she was elected Deputy Mayor of Athens for Urban Nature and Climate Resilience and, after a stay at Harvard University to investigate urban resilience to high temperatures, she returned to Greece to become the first chief heat officer in a European city. Her work in this area has earned her the position of global chief heat officer to U.N. Habitat. She talks to EL PAIS as Greece is gripped by its worst heat wave on record.

Question. What is the job of a heat officer?

Answer. To protect the most vulnerable people  so that fewer people die from high temperatures  and to integrate different policies in the city to make it cooler. There are many aspects in a city that concern heat, and someone has to coordinate them. Imagine you have a lot of money, and you buy air conditioning for everyone: we would end up in those kinds of cities where everyone lives inside and going outside is unbearable. And in Europe, in Mediterranean cities, the beauty is outside: we love going out and drinking wine or beer at night, and having fun and going for walks and talking. It would be terrible if our cities ended up being uninhabitable. This is the nightmare we have to avoid: we cannot turn our cities into those of Abu Dhabi or Qatar.

Q. But most European cities do not have a heat officer.

A. They dont have to be called a heat officer, they can also be people who work in sustainability or resilience. Cities are creating departments that work more horizontally and less in silos.

Q. How can cities cool down?

A. The most important thing is to bring nature to cities much more radically than before: nature and water are key to cooling them down. Trees not only provide shade, but also evapotranspire and recapture thermal energy, thus cooling the surrounding area as well. We also need shade, because it improves how we feel the heat. We have to make sure that our public spaces have more water, more shade and fewer cars, because cars are a problem in cities: they add heat, because they burn fossil fuels, and they emit hot air, just like air conditioning. Cars and air conditioning make our public space hotter. So we have to get rid of cars and use air conditioning to a minimum, particularly for people who need it. We also have to look for materials that are permeable to water, that do not absorb heat, and increase the shading of buildings and air circulation.

Tourists in Madrid's landmark Puerta del Sol square. DAVID EXPOSITO

Q. What is Athens doing to mitigate the high temperatures?

A. We are doing things in three categories: awareness, preparation and redesign. In the first, we try to make people (journalists, politicians, everyone) understand how dangerous heat is: that we are having longer, more intense and more frequent heat waves, and that they are going to get worse. Last year more than 60,000 people died in Europe due to extreme heat, thats a huge number, especially when compared to any other disaster. But we are still not ready. Until now, we didnt know how to properly quantify people who die from heat, because many go to hospitals and die of a heart attack or something else, and they are not reported as heat-related deaths; now we count the excess mortality.

Q. What else have you done?

A. We have classified heat waves  something [Spanish city] Seville also does  with a specific algorithm for Athens. We use that algorithm to measure risk to people, in three categories: 1, 2, and 3. Three is very dangerous, we had one a few days ago. Its important to categorize heat waves because thats how our brains work: we think in categories for the most dangerous things. Also, this year we are starting to name the heat waves in Greece, something Seville did last year with Zoe. When you give it a name, people take it seriously, they understand that it is something that exists and that it is dangerous.

Q. And how is the risk communicated to the population?

A. We have an early warning system: depending on the category, we send differentiated warnings both to social services personnel who work with the vulnerable population and to those who are in nursing homes. They are messages that explain what to do to protect yourself from the heat, that you should not go outside at certain times... We also have a program to visit the elderly in their homes to make sure they are well. And this information is received by day car centers, the coordination center of NGOs that work with refugees or immigrants, with homeless people... We try to inform those who work with vulnerable people.

Q. What measures have been taken to prepare for extreme heat?

A. Weve launched a hotline for people to call if they need help or want to ask anything [about the heat]. It is attended by municipal staff and the Red Cross. We have also created a website so that people know how to take care of themselves, how to cool their homes and what to do if they suffer from heat stroke. In addition, we have a cellphone application called Extrema Global, and it tells you every day what your personalized risk is when you walk around the city and where are the cool places you can go, from public facilities with air conditioning to train stations, subway stations, swimming pools, parks... The app also tells you how to get from point A to point B through the coolest streets, because they have included all the trees. The Red Cross takes vans with water and information to tourist areas. And we have opened cooling places where people can go during heat waves.

Q. These people could be considered climate refuges.

A. Yes. Cooling centers are necessary for people in a situation of energy poverty, or who are not well at home. It would be great if people could come together in these kinds of air-conditioned places, especially the lonely, the elderly, the vulnerable. But for now, in general, they are not going, because they feel stigmatized there, because it seems that only the poor go. We have to turn them into more interesting places, or link them with cultural events. We are opening cooling centers, but many people are not going. You also have to make refreshing spaces outside, with shades and play areas for children, to make them more attractive to everyone.

Q. What is urban redesign?

A. We have created some guidelines on how to make public spaces  streets, squares and parks  designed to be cool, with plants, water and different materials. But, if we dont limit cars and asphalt in cities, we wont have enough space to make them cooler. That space can be used to create linear parks on the streets. We have created small, very dense green areas in streets and intersections, called pocket parks, which help increase biodiversity and favor the wind. Whats more, we have created narrower lanes, so cars have to go slower. Spain is doing incredible things in this area: Barcelona is taking space away from cars to make superblocks. And in Oslo they have already gotten rid of most of the cars.

One of the pocket parks created by the Municipality of Athens. Ayuntamiento de Atenas

Q. What do you think about building squares without shade, like the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid?

A. Today, it is criminal to build squares without shade or cooling elements, because they create higher temperatures in the city, put peoples lives at risk and keep people away from public space. It is very crazy to design squares as if climate change did not exist.

Q. What will happen to cities that do not adapt?

A. Many people will die in these cities, and many others will lose their jobs. It will affect the economy, because a lot of income is lost due to extreme heat: productivity drops, people go to shops less because people stay at home... And we will have to make an effort to avoid shortages of water, food and power cuts during heat waves. Adaptation has to do with food and medicine, logistics and with the people who are going to be hospitalized and die. We have to prepare our hospitals for days of extreme heat.

Q. Why is it so important to talk about heat?

A. The heat exposes the vulnerability of our cities and affects those worst-off: people who are sick  physically or mentally , and the elderly and young children; it affects the most vulnerable people in our society, those who do not have good housing, who are low paid, who suffer from energy poverty, and cannot turn on the air conditioning or live in good conditions, people who cannot afford to drive or catch a plane and go to a cooler place when it is very hot in the city. These people must be protected.

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the 2024 strategic direction that will continue to elevate the tourism supply and sustainable standards, as well as leverage the Thai soft power to promote and develop high-value and sustainable tourism in Thailand.

Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said: 2024 will be the year of accelerating resilience, transforming Thailands tourism into high value and sustainable tourism that emphasises on elevating and moving forward to a better tourism ecosystem.

To build a new ecosystem, we need to become less reliant on the number of tourists and focus more on increasing tourist spending, attracting quality tourists, developing the supply chain with our partners, and distributing income fairly to the local communities. We need to create a balance between economic wealth, social well-being, environmental wellness, and human wisdom, Yuthasak said.

To strengthen the countrys tourism industry, TAT is committed to building tourism security with long-term immunity, so that the industry can face global polycrisis and keep moving forward.

The four key factors to create tourism security, according to TAT, are: 1) Strengthen the supply chain with quality and sustainability to cater to the rising demand and distribute income to the local community fairly. 2) Develop factors supporting tourism and tourism infrastructure to create safe and smooth travel. 3) Leverage digital transformation through innovation and technology to create value-added and sustainability in the tourism industry. 4) Focus on external risk management effectively.

Elaborating on the initiative, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, said: TAT will continue to focus on creating and delivering meaningful experiences to quality travellers with different demands in tourism experiences. To achieve this, TAT is concerned about the subculture movement and will strengthen partnerships at all angles with stakeholders and suppliers to drive Thailands tourism industry towards sustainability.

International Market

For the international market, five directions have been devised to boost the market. They include:

1. Enhance the sustainability image of Thailand and utilise it as the countrys unique selling point, which aims to strengthen the awareness of the Kinnaree Brand (Thailand Tourism Awards) to international travellers

2. Penetrate emerging quality markets to focus on new markets in Europe and the Middle East region and other potential segments, such as Oya Rich, business travellers, and weddings and honeymoon

3. Seek new partners and expand collaboration with global partners, such as Tourism Cares, Alipay, and WeChat

4. Promote overland travelling via the high-speed train between the Peoples Republic of China-Lao PDR-Thailand

5. Empower marketing with digital content, such as utilising virtual influencers to promote Thailand to Generation Z and Y to Thailand

Domestic Market

The domestic market promotion will be prioritised on stimulating Thais to travel within Thailand, increasing travel frequency, and distributing tourism income to the local communities, so as to generate income for all sectors equally. TAT will also showcase the strengths of Thailand Soft Power (5F) and highlight meaningful travel experiences across all five regions of Thailand:

- The Northern Region invokes nostalgia through local arts and crafts and the soft power of the North

- The Central Region highlights the happiness of travelling through 4HD or the 4 Happy Definitions, which aim to stimulate frequent travel in the Central Region

- The Northeastern Region leverages the fabulous Isan food and the Michelin Guide to whet the domestic travel appetite to the Northeast

- The Eastern Region highlights gastronomic delights, local beliefs, getaway destinations, and responsible tourism in the East

- The Southern Region recommends an exciting array of food, nature, superstitions, and work from anywhere in the South

For marketing communication in 2024, the Amazing Thailand brand is being implemented for both the domestic and international markets. Create Your Great Moment Now is the key concept, which is being conveyed to domestic tourists, while the Meaningful Relationship is being communicated to international travellers to encourage them to engage in meaningful connections with the local people and community.

By synergising with the private sector, TAT will strengthen Thailands five soft powers under the Brand Collaboration: Amazing Thailand x 5F project, it said.

With the carefully planned 2024 strategic direction, TAT has set an overall revenue target in the best-case scenario of 3 trillion Baht. This constitutes 1.92 trillion Baht from international tourism and 1.08 trillion Baht from domestic tourism. TAT expects to welcome 35 million foreign tourists and inspire 200 million domestic trips in 2024, Thapanee said.  TradeArabia News Service
The parliament that emerged from the national election held in Spain this Sunday and which will begin a new term on August 17 will be the closest thing to a political labyrinth. Together, the two right-wing parties did not win enough seats to form an absolute majority (for which 176 seats are needed), and the possibility that the Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox could make pacts with other parties to reach it can be completely ruled out, given Voxs unwillingness to work with regional nationalist groups (the far-right party advocates a strong centralized government). The left-wing bloc that has carried Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs government for the past four years did not win the necessary 176 seats either. For the Socialist Party (PSOE) and Sumar (a grouping of 15 small leftist parties) to form a new coalition government, they would have to come to some kind of agreement with Junts, a Catalan party founded by Carles Puigdemont, who pushed an illegal independence referendum in 2017 and fled to Belgium.

Forming parliamentary majorities has been a puzzle in Spain since the country effectively abandoned bipartisanship in 2015. Eight years later, although the two main parties concentrate most of the votes, the labyrinth of Congress has become even more complicated, and it is very difficult to conjecture what the way out may be. With the current distribution, the left would have a better chance of forming a majority. The right being able to do so seems impossible, provided that the formula includes Vox. The only possibility would be if, in order to avoid a repeat election (like the ones in 2016 and 2019), the Socialists reached some kind of agreement that would allow the PP to assert its status as the most voted political formation. Below, we analyze some of the possible pacts and agreements.

What the left needs to hold onto the government

The Catalan independence movement came out seriously damaged after Sundays vote. The 23 deputies it gathered four years ago between the pro-independence Catalan Republican Left (ERC), Junts and CUP has been drastically reduced to 14. In spite of this important setback, the pro-independence parties once again occupy a central place in the politics of alliances. And this time around, ERC is not the only one that must be taken into consideration; there is also a hypothetical partner that is much more complicated, Carles Puigdemonts party Junts.

The parties that in the last four years have supported  with discontinuities and depending on the moment  the coalition government won 172 seats: PSOE (122), Sumar (31), ERC (7), the far-left Basque Bildu party (6), the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) (5) and the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG) (1). To be voted in as the new prime minister at the investiture vote, an absolute majority (176) is needed in the first vote or a simple majority (more votes for than against) in the second. Sanchez achieved it four years ago through the second formula, by a two-vote difference and thanks to the abstention of ERC and Bildu. This time, Sanchez would need those two formations to give him their favorable vote, which seems feasible, and at least the abstention of Junts. The latter is certainly problematic.

In these last four years, Junts has opposed Sanchezs government with as much constancy and forcefulness as the national right-wing parties. Junts has voted against in almost all relevant issues. Reaching a possible understanding with the party of the former Catalan premier who pushed forward the independence referendum would certainly anger the right. We will not make Pedro Sanchez the PM in exchange for nothing, warned Miriam Nogueras, head of the Junts list, on election night.

Impossible for the right

Together, the PP and Vox have 169 seats, and they only have one safe seat they could add to their bloc, that of the Navarrese Peoples Union. Another possible scenario would be the addition of the seat won by Coalicion Canaria, a party that many associate with the PP because they are governing with them in the islands. But without the support of the PNV  unlikely at this point  this combination of forces would still not be enough to raise Alberto Nunez Feijoos seats to the necessary 176.

The mainstream Basque nationalists of the PNV have never ruled out agreements with the PP, as they have already had them throughout history. But they have also made it clear that they would never enter into any formula that would have to count on the support of the far-right Vox. Moreover, an abstention by the PNV would not be enough, it would be necessary for it to give its affirmative votes for such a scenario to prosper. And considering the PNVs tough fight against the left-wing EH Bildu ahead of regional elections to be held next year in the Basque Country, it would appear that the PNVs refusal to mix with Vox in any way is not going to change.

An agreement with the Socialists

Feijoo said it numerous times during the election campaign, and he repeated it vehemently in his speech on election night on the balcony of the partys headquarters: he called on Sanchez to let him govern. The chances of that happening are minimal, and even more so with such a narrow result in votes and seats. Sanchez also denied the possibility repeatedly during the campaign, as he understood that the PP was asking him for support in exchange for nothing.

Of course, if the deadlock persists and the possibility of a repeat election begins to take shape, some unforeseen twist could arise.
Nothing in the nondescript behavior of Rex Heuermann seemed to attract the attention of his neighbors. There was nothing erratic or sullen about him. In fact, nobody who knows him seems able to define him. But a couple of years ago, two neighbors commented to each other that he looked like he had several corpses in his closet a joke (or a hunch) that became a macabre reality.

The alleged murderer of at least three women, Heuermann is the latest in the long list of perpetrators of a crime that is so characteristic of the United States: serial-killing. He was arrested a week ago for the murder of three sex workers, and is also the main suspect in a fourth case.

The remains of the victims were found in 2010, in a short stretch of Gilgo Beach, on Long Island, New York. The case of the so-called Gilgo Four has been linked to the discovery of at least 10 sets of human remains that have been found in that area ever since. The emergence of new evidence will determine whether Heuermann can be charged with more crimes. When he appeared before a judge, the detainee promised  through tears  that he hadnt killed anyone. Held without bail, he is now awaiting trial in a Suffolk County jail. He has been placed on suicide watch.

Everything in the life of Rex Heuermann  a 59-year-old architect  fell apart on the night of July 13, 2023, when he was arrested in Manhattan. An impressive police deployment surrounded his house  the same one where he grew up  in Massapequa, just a few miles from where the bodies of the women were found. His renovation company, which was contracted to refurbish, among other things, a Trump Organization building on Wall Street and a $16 million duplex next to Central Park, has since shut down its website. His marriage of 27 years fell apart when his wife filed for divorce just days after his arrest. The woman has voiced her suspicions that the father of her daughter, who is a partner in her familys company, had been keeping up a hidden life for decades. The defendants internet search history appears to support this feeling: there are thousands of webpages of brutal and explicit sex, sadism, torture and child pornography, as well as various chat sites.

Heuermann also searched for news about the development of the police investigation, partly anxious to know what was going on, but also with a narcissistic intention: hes full of smugness, according to the psychological experts who have examined him. Why hasnt the Long Island serial killer been arrested? was the question he searched the most. Between May 2022 and June of this year, he searched for news about the four Gilgo women more than 200 times on Google.

Heuermann has been charged with murder and manslaughter in each of the three deaths: Melissa Barthelemy in 2009, and Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in 2010. Six charges in total. Two more could soon be added, as he is the main suspect in the 2007 disappearance and death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

All of the women have the same profile: sex workers in their twenties, with few family ties. The victims advertised their services on web pages. All four were petite and buried in a similar fashion: wrapped in camouflage burlap, the kind usually used by hunters.

Rex Heuermann, in his mug shot photograph. Associated Press/LaPresse (APN)

The development of the case has drawn the attention of viewers, in a country where the true crime genre  which recreates real crimes with particularly gruesome characteristics  has made a fortune. This is why not a day goes by without new details about the monsters life being revealed, as if the massive and sudden disclosure of information somehow compensates for a silent decade, when there was no news about the four murders. The search of Heuermanns home continued this past Friday for the eighth consecutive day, to determine if any of the crimes were committed there. Meanwhile, the investigation has also expanded to Las Vegas, where the architect had a timeshare.

Four unsolved murder cases from Atlantic City, New Jersey  going as far back as 2006  have been reopened following the arrest of the alleged murderer of the Gilgo Four. Authorities are also trying to determine if Heuermann is linked to other unsolved cases in the state of New York.

A double life

Until his arrest, Heuermann led a double life. He used fictitious names and prepaid mobile phones  at least seven between 2021 and 2023  as well as anonymous email accounts to arrange sexual meetups. All of this while raising his daughter and stepson and commuting daily to his office in Manhattan. Immersed in a fabricated life, he racked up unpaid taxes and filed several lawsuits accusing drivers of injuring him in traffic accidents (none of the cases went to trial). A few years ago, he stole several tangerines in a supermarket and was escorted out of the establishment by security guards. These strange details draw up a personality thats difficult to frame. His imposing physical presence, however, clearly comes through in images, which have been shown repeatedly on television since his arrest.

On a prime-time program, Nicole Brass  an escort who had a date with him in 2015  recounted how Heuermann talked to her non-stop about the Long Island murders during their preliminary meeting, in a restaurant. Talking about the victims seemed to give him pleasure. He was expressing himself like someone who wanted to brag about his actions, even though he obviously couldnt. Concerned by the behavior of her client, the young woman refused to accompany him home. On television, she expressed relief that her instincts probably saved her life.

The so-called Gilgo Four were buried a few miles from Heuermanns home, without any clues about who had killed them. It took until 2022  more than a decade  to identify him as the suspect. Since then, he was placed under discreet surveillance. A dried-up pizza crust in the trash from his Manhattan office allowed investigators to obtain a sample of his DNA, identical to the hair found on the burlap wrapped around one of the victims. Fearful that Heuermann would be tipped off, or find out online that the investigation had taken a significant turn, police detained him on July 13. The two neighbors who once joked about the secrets he was hiding are both still in shock.

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A group of tourists tours the demilitarized zone of Panmunjom, South Korea, where U.S. soldier Travis King crossed the border into North Korea. Sarah Jane Leslie (AP)

Nearly a week after his detention for crossing into North Korea in a Cold War-esque episode, there are more questions than answers in the case of Travis King, a U.S. soldier whose fate is now in the hands of one of the worlds most secretive and ruthless regimes.

The most pressing questions are: where is he being detained and what do Pyongyang authorities plan to do with him. Meanwhile, in Washington, the focus is on what could have prompted King to cross into North Korea. Was he deserting to avoid punishment? Was it a joke that got out of hand? Or, as the wildest speculations suggest, was this a bungled intelligence plan?

What is known, based on investigations by U.S. media and the scant official information available, is that Private 2nd Class Kings decision to cross the 150-mile-long Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that has separated North and South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953 has put the United States in a difficult predicament. The U.S. does not maintain diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. Whats more, Kings detention comes at one of the worst possible moments, with tensions high over the recent deployment of a US nuclear submarine in South Korea and North Koreas launch of several ballistic missiles.

King enlisted in the military in January 2021. He was stationed in South Korea. It is not known exactly when he arrived in the Asian country, where the United States has 28,500 soldiers deployed. It appears that he rotated through various units: from the Sixth Squad to the First Armored Division from Fort Bliss. King was scheduled to land at that Texan base last Tuesday, when he decided to become the first U.S. soldier to enter North Korea since 1982. His superiors were sending him back home for disciplinary reasons: King had been involved in an altercation last October. He was found guilty of two counts of assault and fined by a South Korean court for, among other things, damaging a police car, according to Reuters. He spent 50 days by behind bars in South Korea, and was released on July 10.

U.S. soldier Travis King. SOCIAL MEDIA (VIA REUTERS)

Officers escorted him to the airport seven days later, but only to customs, as they were not authorized to pass this point with him. In the United States, he was set to face disciplinary action, but nothing serious. Before he was detained on Tuesday, he spoke to his mother, Claudine Gates, who told the ABC television network that he sounded calm. I cant see Travis doing anything like that, said Gates.

Indeed, it is not clear to anyone why King crossed into North Korea. After passing customs, the soldier decided to leave the boarding area of Seoul airport and join a tour of the Demilitarized Zone in the border town of Panmunjom  the only place where contacts between the two Koreas are authorized.

Tens of thousands of tourists tour the DMZ every year (up to 100,000 before the pandemic), but always in an organized group and with prior authorization. This raises another question: why didnt alarms go off when Kings passport was checked?

The most dangerous place in the world

That morning, King was part of a group of 43 tourists from around the world who heard the stories that every visitor is told: that Bill Clinton called this site the most dangerous place in the world, that the prisoner exchanges on the Bridge of No Return stopped in 1968, and that two American soldiers, Arthur Bonifas and Mark Barrett, were by North Korean soldiers in 1976 after pruning a poplar tree that had allegedly been planted by then-North Korean leader Kim Il-sung.

The tour also takes visitors to the Joint Security Area, which is made up of bright United Nations-blue buildings. Its where former U.S. president Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2019, and where other high-profile visits are made. Visitors are told North Korea constantly monitors the Joint Security Area and that any wrong move can be fatal. According to witnesses, who didnt realize the man on the tour dressed in jeans and a T-shirt was a soldier, thats where King started running north. Sarah Leslie, a tourist from New Zealand, said she thought it was a joke. I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Leslie told AP. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un in Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. KCNA KCNA (Reuters)

No American has ever crossed into North Korea from the Joint Security Area before, even though only a small line of bricks separates the country. Indeed. Trump became the first U.S. president to set foot in North Korea by stepping over that boundary.

The last American to enter North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who crossed from China in 2018 and was held for a month before being released. In 2016, U.S. college student Otto Warmbier entered as a tourist and was accused of attempting to steal a propaganda poster as a souvenir. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but returned to the United States in a coma after being held for 17 months. According to U.S. authorities, he was beaten by authorities in Pyongyang. He died shortly after returning home.

The last time a U.S. soldier crossed into North Korea was back in 1982, when Joseph White defected to the country. He died three years later, allegedly in a drowning accident. But the most famous case is that of Charles Jenkins, who deserted his post in South Korea in 1965 to avoid being sent to Vietnam. He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004. He died in Japan in 2017. The following year, Pyongyang released the last three known U.S. detainees as part of an unsuccessful plan to thaw the frosty relations between the two countries.

On Tuesday, following Kings detention, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was worried about the soldiers fate. Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, he said. Austin added that the United States had tried to communicate with North Korean authorities. The United Nations Command has started talks with North Korea about King, according to Reuters. This raises yet another question about the case: how does Pyongyang intend to leverage King in its endless tug-of-war with the West? So far, true to its legendary secrecy, North Korea has remained silent on the issue.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 20:30 | World, All

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the country's military in late 2020 to brace for a possible war amid frictions between Beijing and Western countries, presenting his view that the inevitable decline of the United States and Europe has begun, according to internal documents.

Xi emphasized at a closed meeting of the ruling Communist Party's Central Military Commission that if a localized conflict occurs and continues, it could spread to wider areas, though he denied the possibility of another world war, the documents issued in June last year showed.

The documents featuring Xi's remarks at the meeting on Dec. 21, 2020, of the commission he heads have been used as a textbook for senior officials of the military and the party.

Even though China and the United States have recently been accelerating talks to defuse tension over a host of issues, the papers indicate Beijing remains highly vigilant about the possibility of a military clash.

Sino-U.S. relations had significantly deteriorated by December 2020, with the administration of then President Donald Trump stepping up criticism against China over the spread of the novel coronavirus, which was first detected in late 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

At the meeting, Xi referred to weakening Western influence in contrast to the growing power of China, stating that "the East is rising and the West is declining," and characterizing it as a "historical trend."

However, the leader said the situation in which the West has competitive advantages "basically remains unchanged," referring to the unavoidable risks of collision between Western countries and China, which has been bolstering its military and economic power.

Based on such a view, Xi stressed the need for the Chinese military to "prepare for the outbreak of a war and its chain reactions," ordering the forces to "be constantly ready for fighting" to safeguard national sovereignty and interests, according to the documents.

His comments are believed to have been made in contemplation of a hypothetical Taiwan emergency. China, which regards the self-ruled democratic island as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland by force if necessary, has recently increased military pressure on the territory.

Xi also claimed at the 2020 meeting that anti-China forces in the West aim to topple the Chinese Communist Party leadership, suggesting his strong distrust in the United States, the documents showed.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 14:57 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

The practice of imposing municipal accommodation taxes on hotel guests has been spreading across Japan as popular tourist areas look to generate funds to use in promoting themselves to travelers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tokyo is considering increasing its tax for the first time since it became the first area in the country in 2002 to implement the system.

Currently, hotels in the capital charge 100 yen ($0.70) per person per night for stays costing between 10,000 yen and 15,000 yen and 200 yen per night for rooms over 15,000 yen. The collected tax goes toward tourism-related costs, including for maintaining free public Wi-Fi and operating tourism information centers.

Revenue collected has been increasing since 2011, hitting a record high of around 2.7 billion yen in fiscal 2019, but it fell in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic travel restrictions and a suspension of the system during the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, according to the Tokyo government.

With the recent return of international tourists, the total is expected to recover in fiscal 2023 to about 1.7 billion yen, it said. But that figure falls well short of covering the capital's outlay on tourism promotion in the same year, which is forecast to total around 26.4 billion yen.

With cities and prefectures free to independently set the rate they charge, some municipalities have adopted flat fees higher than Tokyo's. The cities of Kanazawa and Kyoto require guests to pay flat fees of 500 yen and 1,000 yen per night, respectively.

"The situation around the accommodation tax has changed over the last 20 years, so we need to consider a review from a fairness perspective as well," a Tokyo metropolitan government representative said.

Two prefectures and six municipalities in Japan have followed Tokyo's lead and have adopted the system, while others, including the city of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture and Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, are considering it.

The town of Kutchan in Hokkaido, home to the popular ski resort Niseko, is the only location that has implemented a percentage tax rate based on the amount spent on accommmodation. A total of 2 percent of the room charge is collected, while the rate is higher for luxury lodgings, such as condominiums in the area that cost over 100,000 yen per night.

Adopting the accommodation tax in areas yet to do so will require setting tax rates, collection methods and defining areas it will be spent, requiring the understanding and cooperation of the local hotel industries.

"There are concerns that (adopting the system) will lead to visitors going to other locations, but we need the funds for promoting tourism, as the city's tax revenue falls amid the aging of and decline in the population," said Kanekiyo Morita, 55, who heads the Atami Hot Spring Ryokan and Hotel Association.

"We would like it to be used toward policies that will improve convenience and satisfaction," he said.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 19:48 | All, Japan

Japan is considering setting up an evacuation shelter for residents of the southern island prefecture of Okinawa in case of a potential contingency near Taiwan, which China considers its territory, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.

The Japanese government is likely to step up defensive infrastructure efforts to protect its nationals in the southwestern Nansei island chain, including Okinawa's Miyakojima, where the shelter is expected to be built, the source said.

The plan emerged as the mayors of local municipalities in Okinawa asked Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno during his three-day visit to the prefecture from Saturday to offer central government support by providing funding for shelter infrastructure.

On Monday, one of the prefecture's mayors requested Matsuno, the top government spokesman, fund the expansion of port functions to accommodate large-scale ships and the construction of underground parking lots that could serve as emergency evacuation sites.

Matsuno told reporters in Okinawa, "By closely coordinating with local governments, we will work to make the protection of Japanese nationals in a more effective manner."

Amid the intensifying rivalry between the United States and Communist-ruled China, military tensions have been mounting near Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Beijing views as a province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 14:31 | All, Japan

A 37-year-old man was referred to prosecutors Monday on suspicion of alleged attempted murder after three people were slashed on a train bound for Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan.

The police will examine whether the man is mentally competent enough to be held criminally responsible for Sunday's attack, as he has told the police that he has a mental illness.

The suspect was arrested the previous day on suspicion of slashing a 23-year-old man who was in the same train car on a rapid service. A 79-year-old man and a 24-year-old conductor were also hurt while intervening in the altercation, with the three sustaining minor injuries.

A woman who was on the train when the incident occurred told Kyodo News that the suspect approached the 23-year-old man and suddenly slashed his neck and other parts of his body without saying a word.

"The man (who was slashed) jumped up and covered his neck and face with his hands," the woman said.

Before the incident, the suspect was reportedly walking around the car and glaring at another passenger, saying, "What are you doing?" He was also seen poking passengers with a bag he was carrying, the woman said. She escaped to another car after the man was slashed.

About 150 people were on the train at the time of the incident, which affected a total of around 8,000 people as services on the line were temporarily suspended, according to the operator, West Japan Railway Co.

Related coverage:

3 hurt by man wielding knives on rapid train to airport in west Japan
KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 21:17 | All, Japan

A man in his 20s whose sexual orientation was revealed by his boss without his consent was deemed eligible for workplace compensation by a Tokyo labor office in March last year, marking what is likely the first time an outing has been recognized as a work-related injury, the man's support group said Monday.

The recognition came as the Ikebukuro labor standards supervision office found that the boss's outing constituted an abuse of power and caused significant psychological distress to the man, the nonprofit organization Posse said at a press conference in Tokyo.

According to the organization, the man started working at an insurance agency in Tokyo's Toshima Ward in 2019, and disclosed he was gay to his boss during the interview.

Despite the man also saying that he wanted to inform his colleagues at a timing of his choice, his boss immediately told a female employee without his consent. The man eventually had to leave the job due to mental issues that resulted from being ignored by the woman.

At the press conference, the man said the experience had made him develop a distrust for people and that he had even considered suicide. Praising last year's recognition by the local labor office, the man said it demonstrated that outings constitute a human rights violation and could make victims eligible for compensation.

According to the man, he discovered he was outed when his boss said during a drinking session, "I thought you would be too embarrassed to tell others yourself. It's okay if it's just one person, right?"

The man later sought advice from Posse and joined a labor union. During the collective bargaining, the company said they had revealed his sexual orientation with good intentions.

In October 2020, after mediation from Toshima Ward based on an ordinance banning outings, the company apologized for the outing and provided the man with a settlement.

The man later applied for the incident to be recognized as a work-related injury, with his support group submitting a petition with over 18,000 signatures to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to approve the application.

The harmful consequences of outing hit the national consciousness in 2015 when a Hitotsubashi University graduate student died after plunging from a university building in an apparent suicide after his romantic interest divulged his sexual orientation to his peers.

The city of Kunitachi, which hosts the university, and some other local authorities have since implemented ordinances that specifically ban the outing of sexual minorities, with Mie in central Japan becoming the first among the country's 47 prefectures to enforce something similar in April 2021.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 18:04 | World, All

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's party took the vast majority of seats in Sunday's general election as widely expected, according to preliminary election results tallied by the ruling party, held in the absence of viable challengers after the main opposition party was barred from taking part.

The Cambodian People's Party, whose leadership is expected to soon pass from Hun Sen to his son, secured 120 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly, with the royalist FUNCINPEC party winning the remaining five, according to the results seen by Kyodo News on Monday.

The National Election Committee is expected to release the official results around the beginning of next month.

Speaking on the election's outcome, in which the main opposition Candlelight Party was barred from competing, the United States said Sunday that the election was "neither free nor fair."

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that ahead of the election, "Cambodian authorities engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against the political opposition, media, and civil society that undermined the spirit of the country's constitution and Cambodia's international obligations."

In response to the actions taken by the authorities against the opposition, the United States has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals in Cambodia they believe have undermined the democratic process, and have implemented a pause on certain foreign assistance programs, Miller added.

In May, the election committee disqualified the Candlelight Party, saying it failed to submit proper registration documents. The party won nearly 20 percent of the commune council seats contested in local elections last year.

The disqualification, seen by many as a move aimed at eliminating any real alternatives to the ruling party, comes after the former main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved ahead of the 2018 general election, in which the CPP took all of the assembly's 125 seats.

Hun Sen has ruled the country for 38 years. On Thursday, he told Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV that his son, Hun Manet, 45, could become prime minister "in just three or four weeks."

Hun Manet graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned a doctorate from Bristol University in Britain.

Related coverage:

Cambodia's ruling party claims landslide victory in general election
By Shigeki Hiroe, KYODO NEWS - Jul 24, 2023 - 13:19 | Feature, All, 3/11 Fukushima

A nonprofit in Fukushima Prefecture has been measuring for radioactivity in fish and seawater as the Japanese government prepares to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant later this summer.

Comprising 13 members, many of whom are mothers with no prior experience in taking scientific measurements, the group is driven by serious concerns over how the discharge of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean might affect the environment and children's health.

Learning the monitoring techniques from experts, they continue to fine-tune their operation.

"Unless we gather data now, we won't know if there is any impact after the release," a member of the NPO said. "We need to take accurate measurements now to eliminate our concerns about the effects on growing children."

Called the Mothers' Radiation Lab Fukushima -- Tarachine, the NPO was founded in the prefectural city of Iwaki in November 2011, eight months after the nuclear accident caused by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that slammed Japan's northeastern coast on March 11 of the same year.

The group began by measuring homegrown vegetables, rice and soil brought in by citizens concerned about radioactive contamination. According to the NPO, the word Tarachine comes from the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest selection of poetry, and means mother or someone who fights to protect her children.

Tarachine found "hot spots" with localized high radiation levels in city parks and informed the prefectural government, leading to decontamination work.

Much of its 100 million yen ($700,000) operating budget is covered by donations.

Noriko Tanaka, 44, who is in charge of measurement at the NPO, is a former pastry chef. She has learned measuring techniques by visiting analytical laboratories and asking questions of academic specialists.

"I am just an ordinary mother. When I cannot make a proper analysis, I am persistent in sending questions to the professionals until I get the answers," Tanaka said.

When she joined the group in 2018, Tanaka often had trouble removing impurities from samples and could not make reliable measurements. However, her skills have improved to a degree that she now can take measurements that fall within the margin of error that would be acceptable at an analytical laboratory.

After the nuclear accident, Tanaka was laid off from her job at a cake shop, which temporarily closed. She was pregnant at the time and anxious about what to eat. "I feared the radiation exposure and wouldn't let my (baby) play outside too much," she recalled.

When she learned to take her own measurements, she was able to identify foods that tend to retain comparatively large amounts of radioactive material, such as mushrooms.

"We are helping mothers by releasing this data. We want them to use the data as a basis for making informed decisions and have peace of mind about how to raise their children," she said.

Since September 2015, Tarachine has obtained water and fish samples for measurements from the sea off the Fukushima Daiichi plant two to four times a year. It has so far found no tritium.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. is using an advanced liquid processing system that removes radionuclides, but tritium will remain as it is difficult to eradicate.

As radioactive substances are carried to shore by sea currents, Tarachine began beach surveys in April 2020. By introducing a new device, the group improved its detection limit from 2 becquerels to 0.2 becquerels per liter.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a recent report that equipment built at the plant to release the treated water is safe and consistent with internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stated that the government's plan to pump the water out this summer remains unchanged.

Tarachine has received several interview requests from South Korean, Chinese, British and other foreign news media about the scheduled release. Japan's neighbors are particularly concerned about the possible impacts of the water reaching the regional ecosystem.

"The release of treated water is not a problem limited to Fukushima because there are no walls in the sea. We will continue to double-check measurement results from the government and TEPCO," said Ai Kimura, 44, secretary-general of the group.
BERLIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- "It would be foolish to jeopardize our good economic relations with China," Sevim Dagdelen, a member of Germany's lower house of parliament, told Xinhua during a recent interview.

Without close cooperation with China, Germany and Europe will be at risk of self-isolation and industrial decline in the globalized world, said Dagdelen, chairwoman of the Die Linke (Left Party) parliamentary group of the German Bundestag's Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Noting that China is Germany's most important trading partner, she said Germany is dependent on imports from the Asian country, especially regarding raw materials and technology products.

In addition, she said the German economy depends on the Chinese market, noting that around 5,000 German companies operate in China, and hundreds of thousands of jobs in Germany depend on such cooperation.

Dagdelen, who had wrapped up a visit to China this summer, told Xinhua that after exchanges with Chinese officials, entrepreneurs and scholars, she was impressed by their far-sightedness, thinking and actions focusing on the common good.

"It was also clear from my talks that China wants cooperation and friendly relations with Germany and Europe and has no interest in confrontation," she said.

Dagdelen noted that the term "de-risking" is being used differently by different stakeholders in Germany, but "in most cases, it is disingenuous."

"The use of this new term appears to stem from the realization that a completely uncontrolled decoupling from China would lead to Germany's deindustrialization, with massive social upheavals," she said.

She stressed that the future of relations between China and Germany will depend on whether the voices of reason calling for cooperation and dialogue with China rather than confrontation and escalation prevail in Germany.

Speaking on Europe's strategic autonomy, Dagdelen stressed that the prerequisite for an autonomous and sovereign European foreign and security policy -- and economic policy -- would be emancipation from U.S. imperialism and NATO's policy of confrontation.

The European Union should resist U.S. attempts to hinder its decline as a global hegemon and the shift towards a multipolar world, Dagdelen said, adding that such a move would bolster the peace, security and prosperity of Europeans. 
ADDIS ABABA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The number of people entering Ethiopia from conflict-affected Sudan has exceeded 68,000, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said on Monday.

The UNOCHA, in its latest situation update, said the population movement to Ethiopia since the onset of the crisis in Sudan in mid-April this year had reached 68,601 as of July 20.

Among the total arrivals, the number of Ethiopian returnees account for about 49 percent while Sudanese nationals make up 30 percent, according to UNOCHA figures.

Crossings through various points of entry continue, but the total number of arrivals has shown a decrease in the past week, the UNOCHA said.

Sudan has witnessed deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital city of Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently expressed concern over gaps in addressing the flow of people from Sudan into Ethiopia, citing challenges to onward transportation, inadequate access to life-saving services including food, non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene as well as healthcare services.

Heavy rains have made the conditions and terrains very difficult for aid workers to provide timely support, the IOM said. 
QUITO, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of the Ecuadorian port city of Manta, Agustin Intriago, was assassinated Sunday in an armed attack, authorities confirmed.

The 38-year-old mayor was shot several times as he was unveiling city projects at a local neighborhood, local media reported. He was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment but died from his wounds.

Interior Minister Juan Zapata expressed solidarity with family and friends of the mayor, who was re-elected in 2023 by the Citizen Revolution Movement led by former president Rafael Correa.

"Our total solidarity with the family and friends of Manta's mayor, in the face of his unfortunate passing due to an armed attack," Zapata tweeted. "The Police are fully deployed to locate and capture those responsible for this reprehensible act."

Intriago's death was announced by his sister, Ana Intriago, who requested the perpetrators be brought to justice.

"My brother has died, this crime cannot go unpunished, please, let's not let these evildoers win," she tweeted. 
When Xinjiang folk dance meets African dance... Take a glimpse of the diverse cultures presented at the 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
JAKARTA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A ship went down in the waters off Indonesia's Southeast Sulawesi province early Monday, leaving 15 people dead and 19 others missing, Spokesman of National Search and Rescue Office Yusuf Latief told Xinhua via phone. 
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources on Monday said the water levels of some rivers in China's eastern and northeastern regions have exceeded their warning marks.

The rivers are located in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Jiangxi, according to the ministry.

Rainstorms are expected to lash parts of Sichuan and Chongqing from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday. The water levels of some small and medium-sized rivers affected by the heavy rains may exceed the warning levels, the ministry also noted.

It has launched a level-four emergency response to flooding in Sichuan and Fujian. Four teams dispatched to Zhejiang, Chongqing, Sichuan and Liaoning are aiding local flood prevention work, the ministry said.

It will guide regional governments through early warning procedures for floods, and in the prevention of mountain torrents and in ensuring a safe water supply for urban and rural residents. 
World top dancers gathered in China's Wuxi to participate in the Asian DanceSport Festival.

Enjoy the grace and poise of the brand-new, world-class DanceSport gala.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
OSLO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- In a significant cybersecurity incident, the government of Norway has been subjected to fresh attacks aimed at the data platforms of 12 ministries, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sigbjorn Gjelsvik said at a press conference here on Monday.

The minister said the perpetrators behind the attacks remain unidentified.

The data breach came to light approximately two weeks ago, prompting an immediate response from the government's Security and Service Organization (DSS), an agency affiliated with Gjelsvik's ministry.

Gjelsvik said that all key personnel from the DSS have been urgently recalled from their vacations and are working tirelessly to contain and mitigate the impact of the breach.

In a bid to bolster cybersecurity efforts, a series of measures have been promptly implemented. "The security policy situation we are in means that we have to be extra vigilant and give these issues a high priority," the minister said.

DSS Director Erik Hope said he was deeply concerned by the attack, noting that this was an unprecedented event for the organization.

"We take this incident very seriously. We have uncovered a previously unknown vulnerability in the software of one of our suppliers. This vulnerability has been exploited by an unknown actor. We have now closed this vulnerability," he said.

He said that the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are not affected by the attack because they use a different information technology platform.

"It is too early to say anything about who is behind and the extent of the attack," he said. 
COLOMBO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that the government will unveil a new tourism plan called "Visit Sri Lanka" in the upcoming months, a statement from the President's Media Division (PMD) said on Monday.

Emphasizing the tourism industry as a significant economic driver, Wickremesinghe said the government aims to bring in 5 million tourists, of whom 2.5 million will be high-end visitors.

"Transformation of the tourism industry is required to make Sri Lanka competitive in the global travel marketplace, and the government has recognized the potential in promoting the country as a tropical nation with a diverse culinary style. Hence attention will be given to developing culinary tourism in the country," the president was quoted by the PMD as saying.

Noting that there is a need to train more personnel in the hospitality field, particularly in culinary tourism, the president said the government is prepared to launch a culinary school in collaboration with the private sector, the travel industry and the hotel industry.

Sri Lanka's tourism industry is aiming to attract 2 million visitors in 2023, as compared to the previous target of 1.5 million.

Tourism, one of Sri Lanka's leading foreign exchange earners, has suffered a setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic and political crises in the country. 
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the eighth meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will convene a session on Tuesday to review a draft criminal law amendment and a decision on official appointment and removal.

The decision to convene the fourth session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) was made Monday at a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over by Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. 
JERUSALEM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli lawmakers passed on Monday a key bill of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious plan to overhaul the country's judicial system.

Ahead of the vote, all 56 opposition lawmakers tore apart copies of the bill and chanted "Shame!" before leaving the chamber in protest.

Addressing the Israeli parliament after the vote, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a main sponsor of the overhaul plan, hailed the move as "the first step in the historical process of correcting the judicial system and returning powers to the government."

Outside the parliament building, thousands of protesters rallied, waving Israeli flags. Police tried to disperse them with water cannons and said in a statement that at least 19 were arrested.

In the wake of the vote, more protests broke out in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where people blocked portions of the Ayalon Highway, Israel's main intercity freeway.

The vote was approved despite a nationwide protest against the overhaul for 29 consecutive weeks. The coalition government, which is composed of far-right and ultra-religious parties and took office in late December, also ignored calls to halt the bill by business leaders, legal experts, and even the United States, Israel's closest ally.

More than 11,000 military reservists, including pilots, warned they will not go into the services if the bill is approved, raising concerns among military officials that the country's military preparedness could be affected.

The law cancels the Supreme Court's power to override decisions by the ministers that it deems "unreasonable" and is a key part of Netanyahu's divisive plan to weaken the Supreme Court and reshape the legal system. 
SHANGHAI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory began to export its car model, Model Y (Rear-Wheel Drive), to the Republic of Korea (ROK) recently, marking the first time for the Tesla vehicles made in China to enter the ROK market, said the company.

Previously, Tesla vehicles exported to the ROK were produced in its Fremont factory in the United States.

The Shanghai plant recorded a global delivery volume of 476,500 vehicles in the first half (H1) of this year, which is equivalent to about two-thirds of its total delivery volume last year. Currently, a vehicle can be rolled off the production line in less than 40 seconds in the plant, and over 95 percent of the auto parts can be supplied locally.

Besides, the Shanghai factory exported vehicles to Thailand for the first time earlier this year. Car models, including Model 3 and Model Y, made in the factory, have been delivered to Thailand since the beginning of this year, according to the company.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) shows that in the first six months of this year, China exported 534,000 units of new energy vehicles, surging 160 percent year on year. 
TOKYO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A 37-year-old man was referred to prosecutors Monday on suspicion of attempted murder after three people were stabbed on a train in Japan's western prefecture of Osaka, local media reported.

The male perpetrator was arrested at the scene the previous day on suspicion of stabbing a 23-year-old man, who was in the same train car and a 79-year-old man and a 24-year-old conductor, who intervened in the incident, with the three sustaining minor injuries, according to Kyodo News.

The police will examine whether the suspect, Kazuya Shimizu, is mentally competent enough to be held criminally responsible for Sunday's attack, as he has told the police that he has a mental illness, said the report.

The station where the incident took place is situated near a large shopping mall and a hospital in Izumisano, Osaka prefecture. 
More than 20 years on, many Afghan civilians are still haunted by the U.S. cluster bomb attacks in its so-called war on terror in Afghanistan. Check out some victims recounting their miserable experiences of blood and tears.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China's supply chains featuring resilience and integrity have attracted more foreign-invested companies to up their investment in the Chinese market amid an improved business environment.

Official data showed that 24,000 new foreign firms established themselves in China in the first half of the year, marking a 35.7 percent rise year on year. During the period, foreign direct investment from developed countries including Britain and Germany saw rapid expansion, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

As a manufacturing powerhouse, China boasts all the industrial categories listed in the United Nations industrial classification. With a vast market of 1.4 billion population, the motivation for foreign firms to invest in the country becomes even stronger.

German sheet metal parts producer HA-BE Mechanical Components (Taicang) Co., Ltd sustained double-digit growth in the Chinese market for the past five or six years. Karl Froehlich, on the board of directors of the company, attributed the fast expansion pace to the "highly competitive" industrial chain pertaining to the industry sector in China.

"The company wouldn't have grown so much without suppliers who can deliver with a faster speed and better quality, or customers who want to buy the products," Froehlich said.

He noted there has been a notable change toward partnership in the whole market that the communication and problem-solving capacity of the players on the industrial chain has boosted in the past 10 years.

The tailwinds from the integrity and unity of the industrial chain will drive the business to grow further in the Chinese market. "I hope I could work for the company for the next 10 years and have the Chinese branch as big as our headquarters in Germany when I go to retirement," he said.

Australian company BioGenesis Group, majoring in health, superfood products, and agricultural technologies related to natural algae, is looking forward to expanding its research and development (R&D) capacity, one of the core competitiveness of the company, by investing in the Chinese market.

Casting a vote of confidence in the vast potential of China, Zhang Wenbin, CFO of the group, said the company will take root in the Chinese market by launching an R&D center through an industry-academia-research cooperation mechanism.

"The Chinese market can provide up-to-date healthcare philosophy and abundant clinical data for us to develop healthcare products that are more suitable for Asian people," Zhang said.

Amid the country's improved business environment and shortened negative list for foreign investment access, foreign firms have been upping their investment ante in the Chinese market.

Foreign investments from France, Britain, Japan, and Germany into the Chinese mainland surged 173.3 percent, 135.3 percent, 53 percent, and 14.2 percent, respectively, in the first six months of this year, showed the MOC data. 
JERUSALEM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli lawmakers passed on Monday a key bill of the far-right government's contentious judicial overhaul plan with 64 in favor and zero against, as opposition lawmakers boycotted the final vote.

The law cancels the Supreme Court's power to override decisions by the ministers that it deems "unreasonable" and is a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's divisive plan to weaken the Supreme Court and reshape the legal system.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin hailed the move as "the first step in the historical process of correcting the judicial system" after the final round of votes. 
JUBA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes which erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have forced more than 183,000 individuals into South Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday.

The UN agency said over 40,000 school-age children have been displaced and are out of education, exposed to disease, malnutrition and exploitation since the Sudan crisis began on April 15.

"The situation is dire, and the youngest victims, the children, bear the brunt," the OCHA said in its latest situation Update released in the South Sudanese capital of Juba as the conflict entered its 100th day.

According to the UN agency, in collaboration with South Sudan's Relief and Rehabilitation Committee (RRC), partners have continued to facilitate onward transportation assistance to vulnerable returnees, refugees, and third-country nationals arriving from Sudan.

It said a total of 110,173 individuals have been moved, including 86,696 individuals who have been assisted by the RRC and humanitarian partners and 22,937 individuals who have moved through self-organized means.

The OCHA said humanitarian efforts are underway to assist the vulnerable populations, but more resources and support are urgently needed.

"The situation demands immediate action and collaboration to provide life-saving aid, including food, clean water, sanitation, and medical care," it said.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 3.3 million people have been displaced within the country and across borders since fighting broke out in Sudan in mid-April. It said the escalation of the conflict in Khartoum, and in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, has triggered massive internal displacement, resulting in civilian casualties and deaths. 
ISTANBUL, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish police have seized about 850 kg of methamphetamine and detained 14 suspects in a recent anti-narcotics operation in Istanbul, police sources said Monday.

The operation was carried out between June 11 and July 18 in nine districts of Istanbul.

The seized drugs were exhibited at the main police headquarters.

In June, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya vowed to eliminate any passage to drug dealers "who poison our youth and threaten our future." 
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Just when America is in the middle of a grave opioid crisis leading to more accidental deaths across the country than ever before, Washington has begun arresting and indicting Chinese individuals and companies on fentanyl-related charges, spinning anti-China lies and blaming China for its own inadequate supervision.

But lying and buck-passing won't make those problems disappear, nor can they fool all the people all the time. The truth is, the more lies America piles up, the less credibility it holds on the world stage.

NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY FEATURES DECEPTION

Over the years, under the banner of "freedom, democracy, and human rights," the United States has wantonly slandered countries and stoked wars and disturbances. They beautified aggression and interference as promoting so-called "democracy" and glorified looting and killing as "upholding justice" and "protecting human rights." Examples abound.

In 1964, the U.S. government claimed that U.S. warships were attacked by torpedo boats from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin. The U.S. Congress then passed the so-called "Tonkin Gulf Resolution," approving the government's full involvement in the Vietnam War. In 2005, the U.S. National Security Agency released a report acknowledging a "high probability" that there were no Vietnamese ships in the U.S. warships' vicinity at the time.

In 2003, the United States launched a war against Iraq on the grounds it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Now, 20 years have passed, and no such weapons have turned up. In Sudan, a U.S. missile attack destroyed a pharmaceutical factory on claims that it was "producing chemical weapons." One employee was killed and eleven others wounded in the attacked factory, which was later found to be producing medicines for the local Sudanese people.

"Concealment, deception and outright lies have characterized U.S. national security policy for decades. Lies are an integral part of national security operations. They seek credibility for government policy. They mislead adversaries, cover up mistakes and failures," said an article published on the Australian website The Conversation.

TEACHING LYING

"I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole ... we had entire training courses. It reminds you of the glory of the American experiment." This is a line from a speech by former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Texas in 2019.

That is probably the most truthful sentence uttered in his career.

The U.S. government may be diligent, but it seems to struggle with the art of deception.

From "forced labor" claims, "COVID-19 origins tracing," a "spy balloon" to "fentanyl," none of these "assignments" were proven rigorous, even by U.S. standards. These lies fabricated by the U.S. side have proven untenable.

In 2020, Pompeo launched his China-free 5G network plan, baselessly alleging some Chinese enterprises, especially Huawei, threatened the data privacy of U.S. citizens and businesses. He toured several EU countries to get buy-in.

His pitch failed to convince America's allies. The Spanish and German governments bashed the spy claim, confirming Huawei's devices are safe and reliable. Britain gave in to pressure and banned Huawei, which "had nothing to do with national security," simply "because the Americans told us we should do it," a former minister admitted.

European leaders have good reason to be doubtful. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other senior European officials have painfully learned that their data privacy is not a priority for their trans-Atlantic ally, after all.

The United States blamed China for its fentanyl epidemic, which kills 70,000 Americans every year. The reality is a handful of life-saving bills have been smothered amidst electoral politics and partisan strife over four administrations and two decades.

The intended learning outcome? As Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada once pointed out, the United States "uses human rights as part of a strategy to perpetuate its hegemony and cut off the independent development paths chosen by different peoples around the world."

LOST CREDIBILITY

"I worry about the country a lot because what we're seeing -- and I think anybody who just takes a deep breath and looks at what's going on -- that we are in an arena, an era, of what I call the normalization of untruths," former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said in July.

"There are so many misrepresentations and distortions of reality and conspiracy theory that it almost becomes normalized," Fauci said.

In recent years, the domestic economic growth of the United States has been sluggish, middle-class incomes have stagnated, and the gap between the rich and the poor has been increasing. Faced with its own structural problems, the U.S. government has chosen to blame other countries and seek scapegoats.

"For most ordinary people in the Western world, but especially in the United States, China is a great distraction -- a mental abstraction -- from the very real, serious and concrete day-to-day problems confronting their societies today," South China Morning Post said in a report published in June.

But lies are counterproductive, and America's international credibility continues to decline.

Moncada said in June that the United States has double standards on human rights and lacks respect for other states' sovereignty. The international community should be united in solidarity to defend the Charter of the United Nations, address hegemonism and other acts, and build a just world with shared common interests. 
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities on Monday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms.

From 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Sichuan Basin, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, and Tibet, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Some of these regions will experience heavy rainfall, with 30 mm to over 70 mm of hourly precipitation, as well as severe convective weather conditions such as thunderstorms and gales, the meteorological center said.

It 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. 
JERUSALEM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was discharged from the hospital on Monday morning, hours before a parliamentary vote on a key legislation of his controversial judicial overhaul plan, following an emergency heart procedure.

Netanyahu's office confirmed in a statement that the prime minister was released from the Sheba Hospital outside Tel Aviv.

The 73-year-old leader was hospitalized overnight between Saturday and Sunday, during which a pacemaker was placed in his chest, his doctors said.

His release came just hours before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, was set to hold the final votes on the first major legislation of the far-right government's contentious judicial overhaul plan.

On Sunday, tens of thousands protested the divisive overhaul.

The controversial plan has sparked a nationwide protest, with rallies taking place for 29 consecutive weeks. More than 10,000 reserve soldiers, including pilots, intelligence officers and commandos, have announced they will resign from service if the bill is approved. 
Members of Chinese and South African art troupes dance at Urumqi Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

URUMQI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- As South African dancer Luyanda Mdingji stepped off the plane at Urumqi Airport in the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region late Sunday, he was greeted with a heartfelt welcome. Caught up in the vibrant drum beats, he couldn't resist swaying his waist and hips while waving his arms in sync with the music.

"It was a touching welcome. I quickly got into the rhythm of Xinjiang dance," Mdingji said, expressing his delight in taking part in Meshrep, a traditional Xinjiang cultural activity, alongside local performer Razya Yasen.

This is his first visit to Xinjiang, as well as his maiden experience with Meshrep, which means gathering in Uygur and often includes poetry, music, dance and conversations.

Mdingji and other members of the dance troupe -- Elvis Sibeko Studios of South Africa -- are in Xinjiang to attend the 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival, being held from July 20 to Aug. 5.

Six artists from the Muqam Art Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theater put on a special welcome ceremony for them.

Donning a doppa with diversified patterns and a pink robe, Razya Yasen, a dancer from the troupe, presented a bouquet of colorful flowers to one of the South African dancers.

"I was moved when the South African girl hugged me as she received my flowers," Razya Yasen said.

Besides dancing, the Xinjiang artists also played the popular music "Xinjiang is a Good Place" with traditional instruments.

Exmetjan Arkin, who plays the traditional folk musical instrument Rewap, skillfully cradled the wooden body with his left hand while plucking its strings with his right hand.

As the music soared to its crescendo, Qeyserjan Kurban tapped the tambourine with rhythmic precision, his head swaying in harmony with the beat. When the music reached its peak, he seamlessly accelerated the drumbeat with effortless grace.

According to Exmetjan Arkin, the dance festival is not only a platform to display Xinjiang art but also a window to showcase Xinjiang's economic, social and cultural attributes.

"I am looking forward to treating our African friends with cuisines like latiaozi (pulled noodles), dapanji (big plate chicken) and pilaf," he said.

Nomthandazo Mlungwana, project manager of the South African dance troupe, said that she is looking forward to enjoying her time in Xinjiang.

"Xinjiang dance gives people a feeling of home, and we are fascinated by it," she said, adding that she hopes to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the region after the performance.

As the welcome ceremony drew to a close, the artists formed a circle, and Mdingji stepped into the center.

With fervor and passion, he raised his legs and stomped the ground, unleashing the captivating moves of the Zulu dance. His fellow performers joined in, swaying their bodies in sync with the rhythm. Chinese actors and audience members enthusiastically clapped their hands, with some even attempting to imitate the infectious dance.

According to Mdingji, the Zulu dance is a part of the drama "The Kingdom of Ubuntu" that the South African dance troupe will perform on Monday and Tuesday. The drama aims to display social cohesion and cultural diversity.

Over the past few days, dance groups from Russia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and other countries and regions have graced the dance festival with their mesmerizing performances.

Themed "Dreams of Dance, Harmony of Silk Road," the festival has attracted more than 1,000 artists from Asia, Europe and Africa.

After their vibrant dance, both Chinese and foreign artists gathered for a group photo, chanting in unison: "Xinjiang is a good place!" 

A member of the Muqam Art Troupe of the Xinjiang Art Theater greets a South African dancer at Urumqi Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Members of Search and Rescue teams work during a search operation of a sunken ship at Mawasangka Gulf in Central Buton Regency, Southeast, on July 24, 2023.

A ship went down early Monday in the waters off Indonesia's Southeast Sulawesi province, leaving 15 people dead, an official said. (Photo by Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas)/Handout via Xinhua)

JAKARTA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A ship went down early Monday in the waters off Indonesia's Southeast Sulawesi province, leaving 15 people dead, an official said.

A total of 48 people were on board, said spokesman for the national search and rescue office Yusuf Latief.

According to Latief, the search and rescue operations ended on Monday as there were no reports of more missing people from the communities.

The incident occurred at around 00:00 a.m. local time at the Mawasangka Gulf in Central Buton Regency, he said.

The victims' bodies were handed to their families after being identified, and the survivors are receiving medical treatments, according to him. 
HONG KONG, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday mobilized some of its army, naval and air forces to conduct a joint patrol, focusing on training the troops' combat capability of rapid planning, emergency response, special situation handling, and joint operations.

The joint patrol involved high-mobility infantry, ships, helicopters and other units of the armed forces, which was carried out under real combat conditions.

The training mainly included setting up command posts, joint naval and air patrols, interception and verification, elimination of infiltrating enemies, and emergency evacuation of the wounded, which has effectively improved the troops' capability of joint operations.

During the course of the joint patrol, the participating troops strictly complied with the laws and regulations of Hong Kong's waterway, port and aviation management, and notified in advance the relevant departments of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The militaries of China and Brunei have always maintained a friendly and cooperative relationship and have made great strides in their relations, Dai Qilin, defense attache of the Chinese embassy in Brunei, said here on Monday night.

Speaking at a reception celebrating the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Dai said China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order.

"China will continue to adhere to the path of peaceful development, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy in defensive nature," Dai told guests at the reception.

Dai also said that China and Brunei are each other's close neighbors across the sea, trustworthy friends and partners of common development, and the two sides have set an example of large and small countries living together in harmony for mutual benefit and win-win situation.

"This year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the China-Brunei strategic cooperative partnership, while the relations between the two militaries are an important part," Dai said.

About 300 guests from the Brunei government, armed forces, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of the Chinese societies in Brunei attended the reception. 
Wang Yi (2nd L, front), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the CPC Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, poses for a photo with the delegates of the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

JOHANNESBURG, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The network should be a big stage where a hundred flowers bloom, not a new battlefield for engaging in a digital iron curtain, said Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, here Monday.

Wang, also director of the Office of the CPC Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks while attending the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Johannesburg, South Africa, which began Monday.

BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Wang said that cyber security is an important cornerstone of national security. "In the face of common challenges, we should strengthen strategic communication, clarify the direction of cooperation, and safeguard common interests," he said.

He put forward four suggestions for maintaining network security:

Firstly, he called for building a fair and reasonable cyberspace. The future of cyberspace should be jointly created by all countries, and the security of cyberspace should be jointly safeguarded by all countries. It is necessary to practice true multilateralism, support the United Nations in playing a central role in the global governance of cyberspace, fully listen to the legitimate concerns of developing countries, establish fair and reasonable international rules, and improve the democratic and transparent internet governance system.

Secondly, he called for building an open and inclusive cyberspace. The life of the network lies in interconnection, and the core lies in openness. Cyberspace should be a "big stage" where a variety of flowers bloom, not a "new battlefield" for a digital iron curtain. It is necessary to adhere to fairness and justice, oppose any form of scientific and technological hegemony and cyber hegemony, and let all parties do their best and get what they need in an open and inclusive cyberspace.

Thirdly, Wang called for building a safe and stable cyberspace. It is necessary to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respect the network development path and management mode independently chosen by each country, practice the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the peaceful use of cyberspace, resolutely resist the cyber arms race, oppose attempts to use cyberspace to carry out "color revolutions."

Fourthly, he called for building a vibrant cyberspace, saying it is necessary to coordinate development and security and adhere to "people-oriented" and "intelligence for good" policies to ensure national security and public interests, while seizing digital opportunities, bridging the digital divide, sharing the digital dividend, ensuring openness, security and stability of the global information and communication production and supply chain, to stimulate the potential and vitality of international cooperation in cyberspace.

Wang Yi also stressed that China attaches great importance to the issue of cyber security by actively participating in global network governance, making China's contribution to maintaining global data and network security. China is willing to strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation with emerging market countries and developing countries, and make continuous efforts to promote the reform of the global cyber governance system and build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

The two-day meeting, held under the theme of "Cybersecurity is increasingly becoming a challenge for developing countries," is being attended by Minister in the Presidency of South Africa Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Chief Adviser of the Presidency of Brazil Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval of India, and representatives of Belarus, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Burundi, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Cuba and other countries.

All participating parties said that with the rapid development of information and communication technology, the importance of maintaining cyber security has become increasingly prominent.

The international community should strengthen and regulate the use of information and communication technologies, jointly combat cybercrime, promote digital connectivity, narrow the digital divide, strengthen international cooperation in technological innovation, and promote the economic and social development of all countries, they noted.

They said the global network governance system should be reformed and improved to increase the representation and voice of developing countries. BRICS countries and the "Friends of BRICS" should work together to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as cyber security, create a mutually beneficial, inclusive and secure international environment, achieve common security and development, and promote global peace and prosperity. 
NANJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Song Tao, the mainland's senior Taiwan affairs official, on Monday met with representatives of Taiwan guests who will attend a cross-Strait exchange event, including Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, in Nanjing of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Song, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, conveyed the cordial greetings of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to the Taiwan guests.

Song reiterated that only by upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" can the cross-Strait relations return to the right path of peaceful development.

He called for resolute opposition against separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and taking the future and destiny firmly in the hands of Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Hung and other guests noted that Taiwan should uphold the 1992 Consensus, which is the anchor for cross-Strait peace and stability, explore the ways and plans for realizing peaceful reunification, and work with the mainland towards Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation. 
DAMASCUS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Scores of people in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Monday protested against the presence of the U.S. forces, state news agency SANA reported.

People in the city of al-Mayadeen staged a protest, holding up banners that denounced the U.S. occupation and expressed their support for President Bashar al-Assad.

The protest comes amid reports that the U.S. forces and their allied Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are amassing forces to attack areas controlled by the Syrian government forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor.

The aim of the potential attack is to reach the government-held cities of al-Mayadeen and al-Bukamal west of the Euphrates River, both largely controlled by Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group backed by Iran, the Britain-based watchdog added.

The U.S. forces want to take control of both cities as they are allegedly conduits for moving weaponry from Iran through Iraq and Syria to the Hezbollah in Lebanon, it noted.

Skirmishes and drone attacks between the U.S. forces and Iran-backed fighters, which the Syrian government hailed as forces of resistance against the U.S. occupation, have recently intensified. 
BRAZZAVILLE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China proves to be a "reliable" and "credible" partner to support the Republic of the Congo in its agricultural development and food security, said Paul Valentin Ngobo, Congolese minister of agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

Having taken root and borne fruit since the 1960s, the bilateral agricultural cooperation remains "very concrete and important" for Congo, highlighted the Congolese minister in a recent interview with Xinhua, noting that the agricultural sector is materially well invested by the two countries with the Chinese-brand agricultural machinery highly visible in the Congolese fields.

In the eyes of Ngobo, what makes this "highly broad, pragmatic and fruitful" cooperation happen is the experience-sharing and training by the Chinese. "If there is one element that cannot be taken away from China, it is its willingness to share with others," said Ngobo at his office in Brazzaville, the Congolese capital.

In his words, agricultural knowledge matters for the sector to develop in the long run. "Equipment is doomed to be damaged, but the training of knowledge stays," he said, citing the Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center (ATDC) in Brazzaville.

Inaugurated in 2012 by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, the ATDC, located in the suburbs of the Congolese capital, aims to improve and diversify agricultural production in the country through research, training and popularization projects.

Over the years, the center, a bit far from the city's downtown, has become a household name for Brazzaville's residents, with the crops grown in its fields, such as seedless watermelon, being sold and appreciated in local markets.

The ATDC "is the channel through which the transfer of knowledge can take place and the channel through which China can show us its additional knowledge on agriculture," Ngobo said, calling himself a fan of Chinese agricultural know-how.

"I see a lot of maize farmers in China on TikTok. I would like to know how they manage to do it," he said, calling for broader training "in favor of the country's food safety."

"We have seen the impact of the training by our friend the ATDC. People didn't know a thing about soybeans in an agricultural zone in the province of Lekoumou, and they now produce tons of soybeans," said Ngobo.

For him, the ATDC also opens up the future of the Congolese agricultural sector. In April 2023, the Congolese minister inaugurated at the ATDC a processing plant for cassava flour, a staple food consumed by around 90 percent of the Congolese population.

This factory, followed by the minister from start to finish, with an estimated production capacity of 4,000 tonnes per year, constitutes "a practical example of cooperation" between the two countries, on which the future of agricultural development depends, said the minister.

According to him, the launch of such factories makes possible the affordable price of cassava flour on the market and higher incomes for cassava producers, a vision fitting neatly the country's food resilience plan to promote producers and reduce poverty in rural areas.

He explained that such factories "allow us to increase our producers' income and to provide a staple food stably and at an acceptable price," wishing this model would extend to other crops, such as soybeans and corn. 
CAIRO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Forces of Freedom and Change Alliance (FFC), a civilian political coalition in Sudan, started a meeting on Monday in Cairo to discuss means to end the conflict that has lasted 100 days with no sign of respite.

In a statement on Sunday, the FFC described the two-day meeting, which is its first direct gathering since the outbreak of the conflict in April, as "important to address roots of the crisis."

"The ongoing challenges that have exacerbated the sufferings of the Sudanese inside and outside the North African country necessitate putting an end to this conflict, foiling attempts to convert it into a civil war, and restoring the transitional civilian democratic rule," the FFC said in the statement.

The meeting will discuss a comprehensive political solution that includes all except those affiliated to the dissolved National Congress Party, according to the statement.

On April 15, an armed conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the country.

The FFC, which is leading an internationally-backed plan to transfer the country to civilian rule, has been calling on the warring sides to reach a permanent cease-fire.

On July 13, leaders of Sudan's seven neighboring countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, the Central African Republic and Libya, as well as high-ranked officials from the African Union and the Arab League, expressed in a summit held in Cairo full respect for Sudan's unity and sovereignty and called for non-intervention in the domestic conflict.

They agreed to facilitate aid delivery through neighboring countries in coordination with international agencies and organizations and to form a ministerial mechanism comprised of the foreign ministers of Sudan's neighboring states to formulate an executive action plan to end the fight. Its first meeting will take place in Chad.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has left more than 3,000 killed and at least 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. 
ABUJA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police on Monday confirmed that dozens of people were killed in a fuel tanker explosion in the country's southwestern state of Ondo Sunday.

The victims of the accident were trapped in a fire while scooping fuel from the fuel tanker which veered off the road and toppled on its side after involved in an accident in the Ore town of Ondo, Funmilayo Odunlami, the spokeswoman for the police in Ondo, told Xinhua by telephone.

Odunlami said an investigation has been launched into the accident, noting the police had already established that the victims were "scooping fuel from the tanker" when the fire started.

Local media reported that at least 20 people were burned to death, adding the fire was ignited by a spark from the phone held by one of the persons who were scooping the fuel. Locals rushed to the site of the fallen tanker as soon as they heard a loud bang, with each one aiming to take away the spilled content for storage.

Citing an eyewitness account of the accident, the local Punch Newspaper reported that the victims of the disaster included at least three children.

Scooping of fuel from fallen tankers is a common dangerous practice in Nigeria, often leading to deaths and destruction arising from heavy fire. 
JAKARTA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A ship went down early Monday in the waters off Indonesia's Southeast Sulawesi province, leaving 15 people dead and 19 others missing, an official said.

The incident occurred at about 00:00 a.m. local time at the Mawasangka Gulf in Central Buton Regency, said Yusuf Latief, head of the national search and rescue office.

He said that a total of 40 people were on board.

The casualties were handed to the families after being identified, and the survivors are having medical treatments, according to him. 
NEW DELHI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Both houses of the Indian parliament were adjourned on Monday for the third straight day amid protests from lawmakers of opposition parties over the ongoing situation in the strife-torn northeastern state of Manipur.

In the morning, when the Lok Sabha (lower house) met for the day, members of the opposition parties raised slogans and staged a protest, demanding a statement from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the house over the situation in Manipur.

Manipur has been on edge since May 3 when a large-scale violence broke out in the 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 killed 142 people, injured over 3,000 and displaced 60,000. 
BEIRUT, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish foreign minister on Sunday expressed regret over the recent attack on the Quran in Stockholm, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

During a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Tobias Billstrom expressed Sweden's regret over the desecration of the Quran and its insult to Islamic beliefs and symbols.

Bou Habib welcomed the position and encouraged Sweden to take additional "practical" steps to reduce feelings of growing hatred and Islamophobia.

On Thursday, an Iraqi refugee, who burned a copy of the Quran last month, stomped on the holy book during a demonstration in the Swedish capital. 
BEIRUT, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The European Parliament's recent decision to support Syrian refugees' stay in Lebanon clearly violates Lebanon's sovereignty, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Sunday.

"Lebanon is disappointed with the recent decision of the European Parliament. This decision is a clear violation of Lebanese sovereignty and does not consider the concerns and aspirations of the Lebanese people," the prime minister said, according to a statement by Lebanon's Council of Ministers.

Mikati's remarks came during the International Conference on Development and Migration held in Rome.

Mikati said the recent European Parliament's resolution overlooks Lebanon's multifaceted complexities and challenges.

The severe repercussions of the long-term presence of displaced Syrians in Lebanon destabilize the country's social fabric and directly threaten its existence as a model of diversity, he added.

On July 12, 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.

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. 
MADRID, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish state prosecutor's office on Monday asked the country's supreme court to reactivate international search warrant against former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont after the July 5 decision by the General Court of the European Union (EU) to withdraw his immunity as a member of the European Parliament (MEP).

Puigdemont currently lives in exile in Belgium. He left Spain in the wake of the Catalan independence referendum on Oct. 1st, 2017, which was declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court.

The prosecutor's decision comes one day after the results of the Spain's general election left Puigdemont's hardline separatist Together for Catalonia party (JuntsXCat) in the role of kingmaker as the party holds crucial parliamentary seats. The big question the country faces now is whether People's Party (PP) leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo becomes the next prime minister or whether Socialist Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez can summon enough support to remain in power.

On Twitter, Puigdemont commented that "One day you are decisive in order to form a Spanish Government, the next day Spain orders your arrest."

Puigdemont's party won seven seats in Spain's 350-seat Congress of Deputies (lower house of Parliament) in Sunday's election and its support could enable Sanchez, whose PSOE won 122 seats, to form a government with the added support of the left-wing progressive electoral platform Sumar, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), the likewise nationalist Basque Country Unite (EH Bildu) political coalition and the Catalan separatist Esquerra Republicana party.

However, that will not be easy, with JuntsXCat leader Laura Borras commenting on Sunday that the party would "not support the investiture of any president of the Spanish state unless they deal with a solution to the political conflict in Catalonia, and that comes through amnesty and self-determination."

Monday's request for an arrest warrant for Puigdemont is only likely to harden that position.

Monday also saw JuntsXCat MEP Clara Ponsati detained and subsequently released in Barcelona for disobedience on orders of judge Pablo Llanera after she failed to attend a court hearing in April.

Ponsati returned to Spain at the end of March after five years in exile as she, too, left the country in the wake of the referendum. 
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Bolshoi Ballet will begin a six-day run of performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing on Tuesday, the NCPA said in a press release on Monday.

It will be the Bolshoi's third run at the NCPA, following performances in 2010 and 2018, the NCPA said.

The Bolshoi Ballet will bring two programs to Chinese audiences. "The Bolshoi Ballet Gala" program will see 11 of the most brilliant pieces from the Bolshoi Theatre's repertoire performed, such as an adagio from the ballet "Romeo and Juliet" and the pas de deux from the second act of the ballet "Swan Lake." The second program will be the ballet "Don Quixote."

A total of 15 principal dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet will perform, according to the NCPA.

Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi Theatre is Russia's main national theater. The Bolshoi Ballet has gained a global reputation through its classical ballet performances, including "Swan Lake," "The Sleeping Beauty," "Don Quixote," "The Nutcracker," and "Romeo and Juliet." 
LOS ANGELES, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Nine mass shootings occurred across the United States over the weekend, bringing the total to more than 400 this year, according to a national website that tracks firearm deaths and injuries.

The nine mass shootings led to at least four deaths and 35 injuries as of Sunday, according to the latest data from the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an event with at least four victims either injured or killed, not including the shooter.

The website recorded 404 mass shootings as of Sunday since the start of 2023, which left at least 453 people dead, according to the data, which are collected or validated from 7,500 sources daily.

Among those killed were some 161 children under age 12, and another nearly 400 children had been injured in mass shootings so far this year, according to the anti-gun violence group.

The number of mass shootings was 9 percent up from a year earlier. As of July 23, 2022, there were 365 mass shootings, and that year saw a total of 647 mass shootings across the country.

The increase confirmed a rising trend of mass shootings in the United States.

In 2016, the country reported 383 mass shootings. The last three years all surpassed 600, with 2021 registering the largest number -- 690 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive. 
One UAV strikes business center, another falls near Russian Defense Ministry 24 July, 12:04 PM Business center in Moscow (Photo:REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov)

Moscow residents were awoken to the sights of shattered windows and damaged building roofs after an early morning drone attack on the Russian capital on July 24. One UAV fell close to the Russian Defense Ministry building, while another struck a building in a business center.

Today, around 4 a.m., drone strikes were recorded on two non-residential buildings, confirmed Moscow Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, in a Telegram post. He reassured the public that there were no serious damages or casualties.

Debris from one of the drones was found around 17 Komsomolsky Prospekt, near the Russian Defense Ministry building, Gorky Park, and the Moscow River embankment, reported Russian propagandist news agency TASS.

Video of day

Shattered glass and partial damage to surrounding building roofs at the drone crash site, reported Interfax.

As a safety measure, authorities have blocked traffic in the affected areas of Moscow.

Russias Defense Ministry has accused Ukraine of attempting the drone strikes on objects within the territory of Moscow.

Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack, with Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak stating that the drones merely wanted to return to their creators. He emphasized that Ukraine had nothing to do with the attack.

This is not the first drone attack on Moscow. Drones crashed into five settlements in Moscow Oblast on May 30, resulting in damage to at least three high-rise buildings.

Notable figures, including Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Constitutional Court chair Valery Zorkin, and Federation Council speaker Valentina Matvienko, reside in those areas.

The press service of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed on May 3 that Ukraine attempted to strike the Kremlin. According to Russian propaganda, a drone attack caused a fire on the dome of the Kremlins palace, which houses the working offices of Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin apartment.

Putin was allegedly working at his suburban residence in Novo-Ogaryovo at the time, said his press secretary, Dmitry Peskov.

In response to the accusations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any involvement by Ukraine in the attack on Russian territory.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of  from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

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UNESCO to send mission to Odesa for damage assessment 24 July, 02:14 PM Consequences of destruction in the center of Odesa (Photo:REUTERS/Nina Liashonok)

In response to the devastating Russian missile strikes, UNESCO will dispatch a mission to Odesa to conduct a preliminary assessment of the damages incurred.

UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city center of Odesa, home to the World Heritage property The Historic Centre of Odesa, Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, tweeted on July 23.

Video of day

This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against the cultural heritage of Ukraine, she said.

The United Nations reminded Russia of its obligations under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

During the night of July 23, the Russian occupiers bombarded the city of Odesa with19 cruise and ballistic missiles, including Oniks, Kalibr, Kh-22, Iskander-M, and Iskander-K. Nine out of the nineteen aerial targets were successfully neutralized by air defense forces.

Tragically, the missile strikes resulted in one fatality and 22 injured individuals, including children. Odesa suffered significant damage, with 25 historically significant sites bearing the brunt of the destruction, including the destruction of the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of  from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
The Alfa Romeo F1 team and partner KICK hope to make heads turn at this week's Belgian Grand Prix, in which the Swiss outfit will race with a special one-off livery adorning its C43 cars.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu's machines will feature neon green accents and additional branding celebrating Alfa's partnership with streaming giant KICK.

Kick.com, which was founded by the Hinwill squad's title partner Slate, launched its streaming site in October 2022 and has accrued more than 14 million registered users in its first seven months.

The online social platform stands apart amongst its peers thanks to its unique 95-5 revenue split with its Creators and which has so far generated $15 million for the latter.

"KICK has been disrupting its market sector since its inception, and the livery they created for us for Spa fits into this philosophy: it is different, it is striking, it is something designed to be different and create attention," commented Alfa executive Alessandro Alunni Bravi.

"Their focus on creators, which is very clearly exemplified on the car livery itself, is not dissimilar to how we operate as a team: our strength, and the strenght of the platform, is only as sizeable as that of those who contribute to it  in our case, our team members trackside and at home."

Alfa Romeo will head to Spa hoping to turn around its fortunes after a difficult outing in Hungary last weekend. Zhou and Bottas enjoyed a strong performance in qualifying with the pair setting respectively the 5th and 7th fastest time on Saturday.

But a start line issue for the Chinese driver and the commotion that followed at the first corner compromised both Zhou and Bottas' race.

"We had a good chance to turn a strong qualifying into points but, unfortunately, our race got compromised on lap one, just after the start," Bottas said.

"Zhou, who was in front of me, had some issues with the brake system strategy, so I had to move around him, losing some momentum.

"There's a positive we will take with us onto Belgium, we unlocked something more from our package on Saturday, so definitely the potential was there and we will aim to build on that.

"Of course, Spa will be a completely different track, but we will be working hard this week to find the right configuration to further progress and kick back right away."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Lori Green to Lead the South Region Spanning Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma

ADDISON, Texas, July 24, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acrisure, a global Fintech leader, today announced that local partners in its South Region will be re-branded as Acrisure in a continuation of the Companys global brand roll out. As part of this roll out, Acrisure businesses in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma will now fall under the Acrisure banner, with long-time Acrisure Partner Lori Green serving as Managing Partner.

Over the last decade, Acrisure has grown from $38 million to over $4 billion in revenue and acquired more than 700 businesses around the world. Acrisure provides a wide array of client-focused solutions including Insurance, Cyber Services, Mortgage Origination and many others. In 2023, the Company kicked off efforts to align under the Acrisure brand in a process that will occur over the next few quarters.

"We are excited to bring our South Region Partners together to better serve our clients under one brand while continuing to deliver best in class financial service solutions," said Greg Williams, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, Acrisure. "Lori is the consummate leader and was among the first to see the benefit of unifying our business and brand. Were thrilled to have her at the helm of our South Region and Im excited to see Lori in this leadership role."

In this role, Green brings over 25 years of experience in operations, risk management, leadership, growth strategies and acquisitions across multiple industries. Greens business, IBTX will be part of over a dozen businesses to be re-branded as Acrisure. A full list of Partners in the South Region, as well as more information about the region, can be found on Acrisures website: https://www.acrisure.com/South.

"The Acrisure partners in our South Region are thrilled to come together and represent the global powerhouse that Acrisure is," said Green. "Its an immense honor to be chosen by Acrisure to lead these efforts, and I look forward to helping the best and brightest in our region maintain a steady course of innovation."

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About Acrisure

Acrisure is An Extraordinary Advantage for millions of clients worldwide. The Company combines humans and high tech to deliver a broad array of products including Insurance, Reinsurance, Cyber Services, Mortgage Origination and more. In the last nine years, Acrisure has grown in revenue from $38 million to more than $4 billion and today employs over 15,000 colleagues in 21 countries. Acrisure expects to announce new developments in the near term. To follow news and updates in real time, visit Acrisure.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724315827/en/

Contacts

Media: John Pelle, JPelle@Acrisure.com (718) 578-8275
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. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like HiTech Group Australia (ASX:HIT). 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 HiTech Group Australia

How Fast Is HiTech Group Australia Growing?

If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. Over the last three years, HiTech Group Australia has grown EPS by 11% per year. 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. EBIT margins for HiTech Group Australia remained fairly unchanged over the last year, however the company should be pleased to report its revenue growth for the period of 39% to AU$74m. That's encouraging news for the company!

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.

HiTech Group Australia isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of AU$76m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.

Are HiTech Group Australia Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Seeing insiders owning a large portion of the shares on issue is often a good sign. Their incentives will be aligned with the investors and there's less of a probability in a sudden sell-off that would impact the share price. So as you can imagine, the fact that HiTech Group Australia insiders own a significant number of shares certainly is appealing. To be exact, company insiders hold 75% of the company, so their decisions have a significant impact on their investments. This makes it apparent they will be incentivised to plan for the long term - a positive for shareholders with a sit and hold strategy. In terms of absolute value, insiders have AU$57m invested in the business, at the current share price. So there's plenty there to keep them focused!

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Is HiTech Group Australia Worth Keeping An Eye On?

As previously touched on, HiTech Group Australia is a growing business, which is encouraging. If that's not enough on its own, there is also the rather notable levels of insider ownership. These two factors are a huge highlight for the company which should be a strong contender your watchlists. It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with HiTech Group Australia , and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

The beauty of investing is that you can invest in almost any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it prompted promised many "new normals" for everyday life, but three years later most rhythms have returned to their normal beats.

A notable exception: office work.

It appears there is no going back to the five-day cubicle work week. The pandemic forced most desk workers to operate from kitchen tables and home offices. They've since been asked or told to return to the office, but few are required to go every day.

In addition to fundamentally changing how thousands of Delawareans work, there are implications for owners of office buildings and the downtowns, like Wilmington, that office wage taxes bolster.

Here are five trends playing out in Wilmington's office market, according to market reports and industry observers.

Barclays Bank Delaware unveiled their newly renovated office as they reopened the facility to employees since closing due to COVID-19 restrictions Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Heading back to the office? See how 5 Delaware employers are reimagining the workplace.

Remote work has weakened Wilmington's office market

Over the last three years, companies have left office space or downsized while transitioning to remote work or a mix of remote and in-person work.

It's left office building owners with more available space and a relative few companies seeking that space.

According to Newmark, a commercial real estate brokerage that tracks the Wilmington market, 27.9% of offices in Wilmington's central business district were vacant in the first quarter of 2023. It's the highest vacancy rate for downtown since the pandemic began.

Asking rent in the overall Wilmington market averaged $25.91 per square foot in the first quarter, down from $26.25 a year ago.

The forecast is "murky," according to Newmark's report. It's unclear how much space could become available in the coming years as some companies wait out existing leases. Others are attempting to sublease space they have under contract and no longer need, but it's an arduous task given the market conditions.

The entrance to JPMorgan Chase's Wilmington Corporate Center on Walnut Street in Wilmington.

Companies are still seeking space, but less of it

Because many businesses have settled on a hybrid structure, they aren't abandoning offices entirely. Some that shed space before are now returning to the market, finding they want more in-person collaborative days, said John Kaczowka, senior vice president of real estate company CBRE.

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"We're going to see, in my mind, a surge of companies that are going to start looking," Kaczowka said. "The trend is going to be a benefit to our marketplace here."

The spaces they're seeking are different. Many companies are looking for a smaller footprint with more areas to collaborate. Providing a dedicated workstation to every employee, especially those there only a few days a week, is less of a priority.

Wills Elliman, senior managing director of Newmarks Wilmington office, has been tasked with trying to sublease Comcast's 150,000-square-foot office near Newark. Comcast closed the building, which it had used as a call center with about 600 employees, in early 2022 less than four years after it signed a 10-year lease for the space.

Few businesses are seeking a building that large. Elliman said it would be difficult to lease to multiple tenants because the floor plate, the amount of leasable space on each floor, is still very large at around 50,000 square feet. Plus, an upgraded amenity space that includes a Starbucks, fitness center and game room can't be divided among the tenants.

If it can't be subleased, Comcast is "going to have to eat it," Elliman said.

Vehicles fill the parking lot at the Comcast call center near Newark in March 2020. Comcast closed the building in 2022, less than four years after it signed a 10-year lease for the space. Its call center employees now work remotely.

Newer buildings are faring better than older ones

So where are those companies going? Newer buildings are doing a better job attracting them than older ones.

According to Newmark, the greater Wilmington market recorded a 22% vacancy rate for buildings 20 years and older and a 13.7% vacancy rate for buildings constructed within the past 20 years. The younger buildings account for just 13.2% of office inventory, sending demand for those spaces up.

Kaczowka said the fact there are two office projects being built speculatively, meaning before they have tenants lined up, is a "good sign" for Delaware. Those projects are Delle Donne & Associates' office tower at Avenue North on Concord Pike in Fairfax and Pettinaro's Walkers Mill building in Barley Mill off Lancaster Pike in Greenville.

"The developers have two great sites in high demand and are willing to invest," Kaczowka said. "To them, it's probably a low-risk deal."

Office space is assigned a class A, class B or class C rating. Class A is the highest quality. Both of the speculative builds fit that class.

The Avenue North tower will be about 100,000 square feet. By going up, the building will have a relatively small floor plate that can accommodate rising, but smaller companies. It will have around 17 to 20 tenants, with each occupying between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet. If companies have money to spend, Avenue North will be the place to be, Elliman said.

Rendering of the future Avenue North site in Fairfax.

"Everything Ernie Delle Donne touches turns to gold," he said.

Jamie Vari, executive vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., the group leasing the tower previously told Delaware Online/The News Journal he thinks it will set a "new benchmark of quality for office buildings."

Pettinaro has plans for two class A office buildings as part of its Barley Mill development that is already home to Delaware's first Wegmans, a small retail center and townhomes. At three stories tall and just over 100,000 square feet, the Walkers Mill building is nearing the end of construction.

In addition to providing modern, new spaces, both projects factor into a "live-work-play" style of mixed-use development that companies can pitch to prospective employees.

"It's going to be a good way for companies to have their headquarters here and be able to attract and retain talent," Vari said.

The Walkers Mill office building under construction at Barley Mill in Greenville under construction on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The Class "A" office building is next to Delaware's first Wegmans.

Some companies are investing in office space renovations to draw employees back

Along a similar line, some companies are investing in renovating their existing office space.

JPMorgan Chase in January announced plans for a multimillion-dollar renovation at its corporate centers in Wilmington and near Newark. The renovations will introduce collaborative spaces, standing desks, improved lighting and higher-quality tools that will make the aging office floors look more like a tech company.

Barclays renovated its Riverfront office during the pandemic to incorporate more collaborative areas. It, too, got rid of its cubicles in favor of standing desks with wide monitors and sofas and armchairs.

"There's lots of work that can be done, that we've proven we can do from home," Denny Nealon, CEO of Barclays US Consumer Bank previously told Delaware Online/The News Journal. "But the speed at which you can move when you don't have to schedule a call or you can just quickly talk to someone down the hall  the impromptu kind of engagements  I do think it speeds up decision-making and ideation."

Barclays Bank Delaware unveiled their newly renovated office as they reopened the facility to employees since closing due to COVID-19 restrictions Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

Elliman described an "amenity war" unfolding downtown. One of the highlights has been the DE.CO Food Hall opened by the Buccini/Pollin Group on the ground floor of the DuPont building in 2019. TSG Hospitality followed with the Chancery Food Market in the former Hercules building in December. They make the buildings they're in and those around them more attractive to employers, Elliman said.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: DE.CO and The Chancery Market face off. We size up Wilmington's twin major food halls.

As far as the Class B and C office buildings that aren't getting invested in, Elliman estimates 30% of them won't last as offices. They'll be converted to another use or knocked down.

An employee at Pizzeria Bardea makes a salad during lunchtime at DE.CO, a food hall located in the DuPont Building in downtown Wilmington on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Office space is being converted to 'right-size' the market

The shakeout Elliman predicted is already starting to unfold.

In the central business district, the 11-story office tower at 1220 N. Market St. reopened as a Staybridge Suites last year. Four years earlier, the nearby Beneficial Building was converted to a Residence Inn.

A Pennsylvania firm finished converting the 14-story office tower at 901 N. Market St. to apartments earlier this year. The city has also approved a plan to convert the high-rise at 913 N. Market St.

A restaurant is being planned for the bottom floor of the historic Nemours Building in Wilmington.

Following the success of its apartment project at the DuPont building, Buccini/Pollin Group is converting a portion of the Nemours building to 355 luxury apartments. The change is part of a rebranding of its properties that will create the "Market West" district, a combination of offices, apartments and restaurants at the DuPont, Nemours and Brandywine buildings.

"I think it speaks to the vibrancy of what's happening in the city of Wilmington," BPG Co-President Chris Buccini said.

The trend has stepped outside the city too. In Newark, Lang Development is converting a five-story office building on Creek View Road to apartments. It is building a smaller, three-story office building down the road.

This five-story office building at 500 Creek View Rd. will be converted to an apartment building with 111 units as part of a greater redevelopment plan on Creek View Road in Newark.

Office conversions present challenges to developers, the greatest being how to get natural light to the inner parts of the often long office floors. But many developers are happy to trade their low-leased office building for that task.

"What they're trying to do is take space that is maybe obsolete-type office space because apartment demand is really, really strong," Kaczowka said.

Like knowing what stores, restaurants and developments are coming and going in Delaware? Join our Facebook group What's Going There in Delaware and subscribe to our What's Going There in Delaware newsletter.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington office market faces uncertainty post-COVID
DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Auri Inc. (OTC PINK:AURI) ("AURI") (the "Company") is proud to announce today the following update to the new product launch and pending dividend.

The CEO Edward Vakser goes on to state: "Recently, our team returned from the "Food + beverage cannabis Expo" in Las Vegas. Josh was able to sign several distribution deals for our brands. We are expecting revenues in excess of $100,000 per month, with a very optimistic growth potential, as well as we signed several other distribution deals for both our brand and other brands that contain our CBD and Delta 9 THC components. Our recent distribution roll-out was launched here in Texas several weeks ago, for our exclusive brands for the Texas area. The rest of the states will be handled by several other distributors, with East, Central, and West territories. The company will also produce "private label products" for clients that may want their own brand."

"One of many key ingredients is our Powered by fast-acting SENDS Technology', which contributes to fast and full absorption of the product, making an experience more powerful and enjoyable." Explained our chief designer for the formula.

Recent Share Structure changes

Recently the company has filed a share retirement with the Wyoming Secretary of State for a 3 billion share reduction from the Authorized common shares. The company will complete the aforementioned Authorized common share reduction down to 3 billion after the close of Reg A, which will take place post-reduction of the anticipated 1.9 billion shares reduction from the Outstanding shares. The company wants to emphasize that this order was decided so that the company can decrease the outstanding shares below 3 billion. Currently, the company has retired at least 600 million shares from the Outstanding because those shares were in book entry. The next 1.3 billion are in certificate form and the CEO Edward Vakser has bought back these certificates for the betterment of the company and its shareholders which he is in the process of retiring.

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Dividend Update: www.auritoken.io

Recently, the company announced a dividend of the AURI Token 1 for every 200 shares owned. The company is planning on updating the dividend formula so that shareholders get a better ratio. We plan on announcing that this week.

Dividend Information

The company recently posted a ruling given to OTC markets by FINRA regarding trading rights to OTC Markets for digital currencies.

The company will have an ex-dividend date of October 02, 2023.

Outstanding Share Retirement expectations

The company will be returning to treasury shares up to at least 1 billion shares from the outstanding stock. We will be conducting this in at least 3-4 blocks between July 3, 2023, and August 10, 2023.

Authorized Share Reduction expectations

The company is obligated to retire 10 billion shares from the Authorized common stock according to its acquisition contract with Apex Farms Corp. for the 2 US patents it acquired along with marketing materials, media, and data.

The company will conduct the retirements in 2 tranches. The first tranche will be 9 billion shares approved by the company on July 1, 2023.

However, the last 1 billion shares from the Authorized shares will be retired once the Outstanding shares return to below 3 billion shares.

We plan to retire the last 1 billion shares before the close of Q3, 2023.

Recent Acquisitions

The company has recently acquired Aqua Vertical Farms Inc. a Wyoming corporation via 100% control.

The company has launched the website for its newly acquired patents, www.aquavertical.com , as well as launched pre-orders for the residential systems.

About the Hydroponics Vertical Farming system

The consumer systems allow the grower to grow up to 45 full size plants in a 13 square foot area. The systems boast water control valves for greater control of water flow, the ability to be connected to a water timer, and the ability to be used hydroponically with fish! The system is the perfect small growing system for the backyard or porch!

Edward Vakser goes on to say: "We are excited to be launching this product and for a limited time from July 1, 2023, to July 31, 2023, Auri Inc will be matching buyers of the system with up to $250 of Auri Token for every purchase!'

About The Patents Acquisition

Auri Inc. has signed an acquisition agreement with Apex Farms Corp which is in the middle of liquidation of its remaining assets for the 2 US patents No.'s 9,795,097 and 10,004,188. The company has paid common shares for said patents. However, Apex Farms Corp. had several negotiable terms set forth in the contract to bring more value to AURI in the process.

Buyer agrees to retire 1 billion shares from the O/S within 30 days of close of this agreement. Buyer agrees to not issue more shares through the Regulation A+ tier 1 post date of May 23, 2023 Buyer agrees to comply and produce PCAOB Audits within 160 days of May 23, 2023 Buyer agrees after closing the Regulation A+ Tier 1 the Authorized shares will be reduced to 3 billion or less but can be raised again for an S-1 Registration.

About patent No.'s 9,795,097 and 10,004,188.

These patents were invented by Justin Williams and Alexander M. Woods-Leo and the venture started in 2013. The patents are in reference to A-Frame technology and are primarily designed as Outdoor/Indoor systems. The goal of this technology was to allow farmers to buy 1 row and scale up as the farmer made money from the system without having to buy an entire indoor facility. However, the system was designed to be optimal in greenhouses.

Auri Inc. wishes to explain that the patents at closing are owned by Apex Farms Corp.

About Auri Inc.

AURI Inc. as good as gold! The Company was formed by a group of investors whose talents and interests were based in Production, Content Development, Audio/Visual Presentations, Intellectual Properties Development, and acquisitions, as well as oil and gas and real estate investments. The company launched its own Cryptocurrency, www.Auritoken.io and has licensed its Art Inventory at nft/blackdracos.com. The management is based around seasoned corporate officers, directors, and consultants who are experienced in management and mergers/acquisitions of multimillion-dollar companies. The company's plan and concept were developed and based around a plan of acquiring and developing High-End Art and Reproductions, backed by AURI Gold Crypto Currency, focusing AURI INC to become a Publisher and Licensor as well as NFT developer. Then, retaining the duplication and reproduction rights, on an exclusive basis, in order to sell and distribute the products worldwide. The company and management believe that they can create, sustain and grow one of the largest art publishing companies in the world. AURI Inc. also owns a "wholly owned subsidiary": EVAP Inc. Evap Inc. has patent-pending technology to assist with one of the biggest issues in the oil and gas industry, "PRODUCED WATER". The technology can take produced saltwater and turn it into a steam cleaner than most cities' tap water by removing most of the metals and suspended solids.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate", "project", "intend", "forecast", "anticipate", "plan", "planning", "expect", "believe", "will likely", "should", "could", "would", "may" or words or expressions of similar meaning. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results and financial position to differ materially from those included within the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Company's ability to grow its business. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company's limited operating history, the limited financial resources, and domestic or global economic conditions -- activities of competitors and the presence of new or additional competition and conditions of equity markets.

Press Contact info:

Mark2media Group

auriincpr@gmail.com

(302) 261-9663

Twitter: @AURI_OTC Link: https://twitter.com/AURI_OTC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auri-inc/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@auri_otc?_t=8deaRcgzNs6&_r=1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057444009513

Subsidiary Websites

www.evapinc.com

www.aquavertical.com

SOURCE: Auri, Inc.

via PRISM Mediawire, LLC





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/769787/Auri-Inc-Launch-CBD-and-THC-Delta-9-products-and-Revenues




Australian Treasurer Chalmers poses for a photograph as he arrives to attend a G20 finance ministers' and Central Bank governors' meeting at Gandhinagar

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Monday the country's first budget surplus in 15 years would be even larger than first forecast.

Chalmers said the budget surplus for the financial year just past was likely to be a little over A$20 billion dollars, well up from the A$4.2 billion projected in the May budget as first flagged last month.

"The current expectation of the officials is that the surplus for 2022-2023 will be around twenty billion dollars, or more likely just north of that figure," Chalmers told a news conference in Canberra.

The final figures, due within weeks, mark an astonishing turnaround from the A$37 billion deficit forecast as recently as October thanks to higher tax revenue from low unemployment, rising wages and record commodity exports.

The surplus will be short-lived, with deficits forecast this financial year and next due to rising interest bills and spending on disability care, health and defence.

Chalmers reiterated forecasts for economic growth to slow this year. Australia is closely monitoring weaker economic data coming out of China, its largest trading partner, he said, but has not downgraded its own growth forecast.

"We need to be realistic about the consequences and the implications of the rate rises on our economic and this global uncertainty which we all confront. China is part of that story," he said.

Chalmers also announced Chris Barrett would head Australia's Productivity Commission, an independent research and advisory body. Barrett was an ambassador to the OECD, and, like Chalmers, served as chief of staff to former Treasurer Wayne Swan.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Sonali Paul)
Avaland Berhad (KLSE:AVALAND) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 12% in the last month. But will that heal all the wounds inflicted over 5 years of declines? Unlikely. Indeed, the share price is down a whopping 75% in that time. While the recent increase might be a green shoot, we're certainly hesitant to rejoice. The real question is whether the business can leave its past behind and improve itself over the years ahead.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

Check out our latest analysis for Avaland Berhad

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During five years of share price growth, Avaland Berhad moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics might give us a better handle on how its value is changing over time.

Arguably, the revenue drop of 17% a year for half a decade suggests that the company can't grow in the long term. That could explain the weak share price.

You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic.

A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that Avaland Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 58% over one year. Notably the five-year annualised TSR loss of 12% per year compares very unfavourably with the recent share price performance. The long term loss makes us cautious, but the short term TSR gain certainly hints at a brighter future. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Avaland Berhad (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable) that you should be aware of.

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Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Summertime is slowly ticking by, but business is surely speeding up. From new restaurant grand openings to popular chains coming soon, there's plenty to choose from along the Eastern Shore.

Check out what's new and coming soon to the Delmarva Peninsula.

Berlin

Jersey Mike's

Samuel Bowen Boulevard

Jersey Mike's, the popular American sub sandwich chain headquartered in Manasquan, New Jersey, is coming soon to the small town of Berlin, with signage now on display along Samuel Bowen Boulevard.

The fast-casual sub sandwich franchise, with more than 2,100 locations open and under development nationwide, started at the Jersey Shore in 1956. The sub shop is known for serving authentic East Coast-style subs on fresh baked bread.

Nearby, the city of Salisbury has one Jersey Mike's in its southern portion, located at 1405 S. Salisbury Blvd., and another in its northern portion, located at 2420 N. Salisbury Blvd., in the same shopping center with Cactus Taverna.

2nd Wave Coffee & Social

William Street

Berlin is set to welcome yet another new business, a coffee shop, in fall 2023. 2nd Wave Coffee & Social will be serving up locally sourced coffee in a fun and inviting environment.

According to the town of Berlin, the coffee shop, to be located on William Street next to Mandala Pies and 410 Social Eatery and Barroom, is said to feature coffee from Annapolis's Ceremony Coffee Roasters.

ICE CREAM: Here's the scoop! Island Creamery named 'Best Ice Cream Place in U.S.' by USA Today

Chincoteague

Get Smoked

6219 Maddox Blvd.

A brand-new barbeque restaurant offering dine-in and takeout services is now open for business in Chincoteague. Get Smoked, located at 6219 Maddox Blvd., celebrated its official grand opening on July 8.

According to Get Smoked's Facebook page, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays and closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The barbeque restaurant's menu includes sandwiches, platters, sides, sauces, smoked cheeses, and packaged meats including pulled pork, chicken and brisket. Additional menu items will be added in the future.

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Get Smoked celebrated its official grand opening on July 8, 2023, in Chincoteague, Virginia.

BUSINESS: Back Street Grill has live music venue, Starboard Claw open in Dewey | What's Going There

Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach Yacht Club & Rehoboth Bay Marina

115 Rodney Ave. & 109 Collins Ave.

Maryland-based hospitality company Blue Water has announced its acquisition of two waterfront properties in Delaware  Dewey Beach Yacht Club and Rehoboth Bay Marina. Blue Water is creating a full-service concierge experience for wet slip and dry rack members at Dewey Beach Yacht Club and for wet slip members at Rehoboth Bay Marina.

We are changing the entire Dewey, Rehoboth vacation experience, said Todd Burbage, CEO of Blue Water. These properties represent new ways to enjoy your beach trip, and we hope everyone gets to experience these fun new amenities. We are so thrilled to have the privilege of showcasing these incredible destinations with the standard of excellence that Blue Water properties are known for.

A rendering created by Maryland-based hospitality company Blue Water of Dewey Beach Yacht Club, located at 115 Rodney Ave. in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

BUSINESS: Ocean City welcomes a new healthy eatery and a rooftop bar | What's Going There

Dewey Beach Yacht Club offers guests floating docks, boat lifts, wet slips and brand-new dry racks. Located in the heart of the Rehoboth-Dewey area, Rehoboth Bay Marina provides guests with a recreational boating experience.

Blue Water began a $2 million-dollar renovation upon acquiring Dewey Beach Yacht Club. Further enhancements are already underway, including the addition of pontoon boats and Carolina Skiffs. A pool and clubhouse are scheduled for development in 2024, pending approvals.

Delmar

Finesse Performance Fishing

501 N Bi-State Blvd.

Husband-and-wife duo Dylan and Amber John will soon be celebrating the grand opening of their new small business, Finesse Performance Fishing. The business is said to offer unique merchandise  which includes shirts, keychains, bottles and stickers  mystery tackle boxes upon purchase, special giveaways and more.

Finesse Performance Fishing's official public grand opening will take place at Loakal Branch Brewing Company from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, for the brewery's summer "Block Party." The event, located on-site at 501 N Bi-State Blvd., will have plenty of vendors, live music, food trucks, games, raffles and more.

"Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Stay tuned to find out what the raffle prizes will be," Finesse Performance Fishing said online. "Thank you everyone for the continued support."

MAC AND CHEESE: National Mac and Cheese Day 2023: Check out three macaroni-themed Delmarva restaurants

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Jersey Mike's for Berlin, BBQ in Chincoteague | What's Going There
Accusing Republicans of abandoning the bipartisan deal on 2024 spending levels that was agreed to just last month, the White House said Monday that President Joe Biden would veto a pair of appropriations bills currently making their way through the lower chamber, should they make it to his desk.

Two of 12 appropriations measures Congress needs to pass before the end of the fiscal year in September, the bills provide less funding than defined by the bipartisan agreement. Republicans are expected to bring the bills  H.R. 4366, which covers appropriations for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and H.R. 4368, which covers Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration  to the House floor for a vote this week.

Saying that the Biden administration negotiated in good faith with the Speaker on bipartisan legislation to avoid a first-ever default and protect the Nations hard-earned and historic economic recovery, the White House noted that in addition to lower funding levels, the appropriations bills include recissions would reduce funding for clean energy initiatives, as well as new policy provisions that would reduce access to reproductive healthcare and threaten the safety of sexual minorities.

House Republicans had an opportunity to engage in a productive, bipartisan appropriations process, but instead, with just over two months before the end of the fiscal year, are wasting time with partisan bills that cut domestic spending to levels well below the FRA [Fiscal Responsibility Act] agreement and endanger critical services for the American people, the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.

Long way to Bidens desk: The House bills will have to make it through the Senate before they can get to the White House, and its unlikely they will survive without significant alteration. Senate committees are writing their own versions of the bills, which not only stick to the agreed spending levels but add billions more in emergency appropriations. Lawmakers will have to hash out the differences between the two chambers before Congress can send the bills to Biden, and that could take some time.

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Shutdown becoming more likely: By effectively rejecting the 2024 spending deal  which they say defined only upper limits on spending, with lower levels still an option  House conservatives are raising the odds of a government shutdown occurring when funding runs out at the end of September.

In addition to spending levels, conservatives may be unhappy if the House fails to pass each of the 12 spending bills as a separate piece of legislation. House Speaker McCarthy has backed away from his pledge to do so, indicating that some of the spending bills could be combined into minibus bills. And the many cultural issues that are being targeted by the House GOP in the appropriations bills  including abortion access, diversity training and health care for transsexuals  will likely make it that much more difficult for lawmakers to come to an agreement.

TD Cowen analyst Chris Krueger wrote Monday that at this point, a government shutdown seems like a question of when in 2023, not if. Reviewing the dynamics of a shutdown, The Washington Posts Jeff Stein recalled that the most recent government shutdown, in 2018, was over an inability of Congress to agree on funding for a hot-button issue, the border wall with Mexico.

Still, Congress can always pass a continuing resolution that maintains funding at current levels  an option that some analysts think is becoming more likely by the day. But unlike in the past, there is now a built-in limit to how long a continuing resolution can last. Under the terms of the spending agreement, if Congress cannot pass appropriations bills by the end of the calendar year, automatic spending cuts of 1% kick in  a reduction that would hit the military particularly hard given the structure of the deal.

The bottom line: Congress leaves town at the end of the week for its August recess and wont be back until after Labor Day. Lawmakers will then have just a few weeks to figure out an agreement on 2024 spending before the fiscal year ends on September 30. At this point, there is little hope that they will finish their work by then, suggesting that this fall could be filled with ongoing skirmishes over 2024 spending levels, potentially culminating in an all-out battle just before the winter holidays.

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(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden said the US must guard against threats from artificial intelligence as he detailed new company safeguards and promised additional government actions on the emerging technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg

These commitments are real and are concrete. Theyre going to help the industry fulfill its fundamental obligation to Americans to develop safe, secure and trustworthy technologies that benefit society and uphold our values, Biden said Friday.

Executives from Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., OpenAI, Anthropic and Inflection AI  all of which committed to adopting transparency and security measures  joined Biden at the White House for the announcement.

Biden said the company measures are only the first step and pledged to take executive actions while working with Congress to enact rules and regulations governing AI. We must be clear eyed and vigilant about the threats, he said.

Earlier: Amazon, Meta, Others to Unveil AI Safeguards Amid Biden Push

The companies have agreed to put new artificial-intelligence systems through internal and external tests before their release and have outside teams probe for security flaws, discriminatory tendencies or risks to consumer privacy, health information or safety. The firms have also promised to share information with governments, civil society and academia, and report vulnerabilities.

These commitments, which companies will implement immediately, underscore three fundamental principles: safety, security and trust, Biden said.

Fridays guidelines are the result of months of behind-the-scenes lobbying. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met in May with many of the executives present at Fridays event, warning them that industry was responsible for ensuring its products are safe.

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Bidens aides say artificial intelligence has been a top priority for the president, who frequently brings up the topic in meetings with advisers. He has also directed Cabinet secretaries to examine how the technology might intersect with their agencies.

The package of safeguards formalizes and expands some measures already being undertaken at major AI firms and the commitments are only voluntary. The guidelines do not require approval from specific outside groups before companies can release AI technologies and the firms are only required to report  not eliminate  risks like possible inappropriate use or bias.

Its a moving target, said White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients in an interview. We not only have to execute and implement on these commitments, but weve got to figure out the next round of commitments as the technologies change.

Zients and other administration officials have said it will be difficult to keep pace with emerging technologies without legislation from Congress that imposes stricter rules and includes dedicated funding for regulators.

Theyre going to require some new laws, regulations and oversight, Biden said Friday.

Evolving Technology

AI companies ahead of the meeting said the steps would better manage the risks from a technology that is rapidly evolving and that has seen public interest explode in recent months.

Nick Clegg, president of global affairs at Meta, called the voluntary commitments an important first step in ensuring responsible guardrails are established for AI and they create a model for other governments to follow, in a statement Friday.

Microsoft President Brad Smith said Fridays commitments help ensure the promise of AI stays ahead of its risks. He said Microsoft supports other measures to track the most powerful AI models, including a licensing regime, know-your-customer requirements and a national registry of high-risk systems.

Kent Walker, Googles president of global affairs, put Fridays commitments in the context of other international efforts by the Group of Seven and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to maximize AIs benefits and minimize its risks. He said AI is already used in many of Googles most popular products such as Search, Maps and Translate, and the company designs its systems to be responsible from the start.

The White House said it consulted the governments of 20 other countries before Fridays announcement. But the pace of oversight is already lagging behind AI developments.

In Europe, the EUs AI Act is far ahead of anything passed by the US Congress but leaders there have recognized that companies will need to make voluntary commitments to safeguard their technology before the law is in place.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Because of Bitcoins nebulous, digital nature, people often find it difficult to grasp what it is, how it works, and why people use it as a store of value and currencyrather than just accept the regular money most people use.

Artists over the years have explored ways of showing the significance of its ones and zeros in a physical form. Some of the tributes have been permanent and others were temporary. Lets take a look at these various monuments, made by artists and hobbyists from around the world.

Source: StatueofSatoshi.com

At a park in Budapest, Hungary theres a bust of Bitcoins mysterious creator, known only as Satoshi Nakamoto. Nakamoto stopped posting under the pseudonym shortly after releasing the Bitcoin software. No one knows his or her true identity.

The Nakamoto bust, unveiled in 2021, is shrouded in a hoodie. The face is composed of a bronze-aluminum composite, a material that acts as a kind of mirror, so that whoever stands in front of the bust sees their own face, the Statue of Satoshi website explains. This mirror is a subtle nod to We are all Satoshi, a common refrain in the Bitcoin world, highlighting that the digital currency is now in the hands of the decentralized community, since Satoshi Nakamoto disappeared.

A 9-foot inflatable rat covered in Bitcoin references placed outside the Federal Reserve in New York City as a homage to Satoshi Nakamoto by artist Nelson Saiers. (Photo: Nelson Saiers)

In 2018, mathematical artist Nelson Saiers, whos known for his artistic cultural commentaries, raised a humorous inflatable rat on Wall Street dedicated to Bitcoin.

The Bitcoin rat was placed right in front of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building. The Federal Reserve is the powerful financial institution in the US tasked with managing the countrys money supply.

Saiers posed the question: Could Bitcoin  an underdog in financial circles akin to a rat covered from head to toe in math equations  one day overtake the existing financial system? "Warren Buffett called Bitcoin 'rat poison squared' but if the Fed's a rat, then maybe rat poison is a good thing," Saiers told CoinDesk at the time.

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A large, stone sphere erected in Yekaterinburg, Russia, at least at one point had the Bitcoin symbol painted on it.

The subject of the looming sphere has been altered many times over the years, depending on the culture of the time, according to Russia Beyond. The stone sphere has taken the form of an angry bird and a poke ball from Pokemon. And in 2017, rogue artists temporarily morphed it into a Bitcoin monument.

A man who goes only by Bitman on Twitter has the unique habit of projecting the Bitcoin symbol onto important buildings across Europe.

One evening, he projected the symbol on the European Central Bank (ECB), located in Frankfurt, Germany, for several hours. Like the Federal Reserve, the ECB is one of the most important financial institutions in the world. Onlookers gathered around the building to peer at the symbol. Even no-coiners, who happened to be there, celebrated the light installations. And that is exactly the plan. Bitman wants to show the world the best alternative to the fiat system - BITCOIN, Bitman writes.

The Bitman crew accepts donations for their services, with the goal of educating Europe about the benefits of Bitcoin. Bitman has open sourced his methodology for beaming the Bitcoin symbol onto surfaces, so that others can do it too.

The worlds first public monument to Bitcoin was unveiled on a roundabout in Slovenia. The Mayor of Kranj chose the Bitcoin symbol because of the citys connection to blockchain technology. https://t.co/UYED07v81D pic.twitter.com/TxSSkKYUQz  ABC News (@ABC) March 14, 2018

The first-ever Bitcoin monument was erected in 2018 in Kranj, the third-largest city in Slovenia.

According to Reuters, the sculpture is made of three tonnes of metal. Its ensconced in the middle of a roundabout in the city center. Kranz Mayor Bostjan Trilar told Reuters that the Bitcoin symbol was chosen by popular demand.

The monument was funded by Bitcoin exchange Bitstamp and software company 3fs.
Transaction Supports Balance Sheet Flexibility & Strategic Growth Initiatives

Las Vegas, Nevada and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2023) - Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM) (OTCQB: BMMJ) (the "Company" or "BaM"), a multi-state operations-focused cannabis company, is pleased to announce that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, DEP Nevada, Inc. ("DEP") has entered into an equity purchase agreement with FarmaceuticalRX, LLC (the "Purchaser"), whereby DEP agrees to sell all of the issued and outstanding interests, equity, or profit interests (the "Interests") in NMG OH 1, LLC ("NMG OH"), which owns and operates the Body and Mind Ohio dispensary, to the Purchaser.

The total consideration for the transaction is US$8.225 million in cash proceeds at closing with an additional US$2.5 million in potential contingent proceeds; please see additional details below.

"Ohio was our first dispensary operation and we've been proud to serve the Elyria community and grow the business significantly", stated Michael Mills CEO of Body and Mind. "As the Ohio market develops, there are improved economics for full vertical operations and we elected to capitalize on the opportunity to monetize this asset; we intend to use the proceeds from the sale of NMG OH to improve our balance sheet, focus on developing New Jersey and Illinois, and be positioned with greater flexibility to be opportunistic with our operating capabilities as the cannabis market continues to evolve. I would like to thank our dispensary team who have worked to build high-trust relationships with our patients, and I would also like to express our gratitude to the team at Bengal Capital for their strategic advice and support throughout the transaction and planning process". "We constructed and opened the Ohio dispensary soon after the Ohio medical program commenced and developed significant retail capabilities since 2019," stated Trip Hoffman, COO of Body and Mind. "While I have some disappointment divesting the Ohio dispensary and saying goodbye to the team, I'm excited about our current developing opportunities in Illinois and New Jersey and creating flexibility to evaluate new opportunities."

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"We are thrilled to jumpstart the expansion of our retail platform in Ohio with the acquisition of this leading Body and Mind dispensary in Elyria, Ohio," stated Rebecca Myers, CEO of FarmaceuticalRX, LLC and FXR Dispensaries. "Body and Mind joins our top-rated FRX dispensary in East Liverpool and our soon to open FRX dispensary in Cuyahoga Falls as we expand our retail presence to reach more Ohio patients. At FRX Dispensaries, we are dedicated to providing a great experience to each and every patient that walks through our doors and to offering best in class products to our Ohio patients. Our FRX Dispensaries Team is excited to join forces with the Body and Mind Team at this top dispensary," Ms. Myers continued.

Transaction Details

The Ohio dispensary opened in 2019 and is being sold to FarmaceuticalRx LLC, a rapidly growing cannabis retail chain, for an initial purchase price for the Interests of US$8.225 million, which includes a deposit of US$250,000 already paid by the Purchaser to DEP, subject to adjustments based on estimated closing indebtedness, estimated transaction expenses, estimated closing cash, and a working capital adjustment. The remaining proceeds of US$7.975 million, subject to adjustment, will be paid on closing, which shall occur on the first day of the month following State of Ohio regulatory approval as well as satisfaction or waiver of all other closing conditions. The transaction also includes a contingent US$2.5 million bonus payment to DEP for each additional dispensary license granted to NMG OH by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy in the future, but will exclude any adult use license for the existing license held by NMG OH and current lease location.

About Body and Mind Inc.

BaM is an operations-focused cannabis company with active retail operations in Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois and California, pending retail operations in Illinois and New Jersey, and craft cultivation and/or processing operations in Nevada, Ohio and Arkansas. We work daily to increase our market share through delighting customers while also continuing to hone our operational efficiencies to drive profits. We are primarily guided by the metric of return on investment. Currently, we believe the most significant return on investment projects in front of us are successful retail cannabis store launches in Illinois and New Jersey, which augment our existing retail footprint. We also believe that our team's core operational skillsets will create significant future shareholder value as the cannabis industry matures.

About FRX Dispensaries & FARMACEUTICALRX, LLC

FRX Dispensaries, a fast-growing specialty craft cannabis retailer founded as part of FARMACEUTICALRX, promotes a high touch experience for customers, provides specialty craft and certified organic products to patients, creates healing opportunities for customers, nurtures under-resourced communities and is committed to actively protecting the planet. Since opening its doors in 2019, FRX Dispensaries has served thousands of patients and is a leader in providing innovative access to cannabis by offering in-person and virtual pharmacist consultations, mobile pre-ordering, and convenient drive through service and curbside pickup. FRX locations offer a wide variety of products and award-winning brands including FARMACEUTICALRX's certified organic premium craft flower and focuses on providing best in class products for customers. More information is available at FRXHealth.com and FARMACEUTICALRX.com.

Please visit www.bodyandmind.com for more information.

Instagram: @bodyandmindBaM

Twitter: @bodyandmindBaM

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Jody Kane

+1 475 477 9402

jody.kane@harbor-access.com

Company Contact:

Michael Mills

CEO

Tel: 800-361-6312

ir@bodyandmind.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174611
british airways

The owner of British Airways has invested in a green aviation fuel producer based in Teesside as the airline industry races to meet net zero targets.

IAG, the FTSE 100 group behind the UK flag carrier, Aer Lingus and Spains Iberia, is to invest in Nova Pangaea Technologies, which is building its headquarters within the Teesside Freeport.

Nova Pangaea has developed technology to turn waste products such as wheat straw, sawdust and leftover wood trimmings into feedstock to create so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

SAF has a far lower carbon footprint than current jet fuel and is seen as the best way to cut the environmental impact of the aviation industry.

However, production is currently small-scale, and industry is pushing to rapidly ramp up supply to meet net zero targets.

IAGs investment in Nova Pangaea will help the start-up establish its first commercial waste-to-fuel factory, with the airline group set to become a customer.

The size of the investment was not disclosed, though Nova Pangaeas chief executive Sarah Ellerby called it transformational.

IAGs backing comes as it races to meet a goal of fuelling 10pc of its flights with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

The Government has set a goal of decarbonising Britains airline industry by 2050 under its Jet Zero plan. SAF is seen as the fastest option for transition, with current planes able to run on the fuel.

Luis Gallego, the airline groups chief executive, said: Sustainable Aviation Fuel is the only realistic option for long haul airlines to decarbonise, which is why investment in this area is so critical.

We are not just buying SAF, we are willing to invest in developing the industry, but we need governments in the UK and Europe to act now to encourage further investment.

Nova Pangaea announced in November last year that it would build its headquarters and first commercial plant at Wilton International, an industrial site within Britains largest freeport at Teesside.

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Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen told The Telegraph that IAGs investment marked a huge coup for Teesside, bringing more of the cleaner, safer and healthier jobs of the future.

He added: Decarbonisation is one of the biggest issues facing the aviation industry today. If were truly serious about becoming the UKs clean energy powerhouse and growing Teesside Airport responsibly, SAF is an opportunity that we need to grab with both hands.

Ben Houchen (right) with Rishi Sunak at the Teeside Freeport in 2022 - Charlotte Graham

IAGs investment in the area is a boost for the under-fire mayor who is facing allegations of sweetheart deals with two local businessmen at Teesworks, a 4,500-acre brownfield development that forms part of the freeport zone.

Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, has ordered an inquiry into the claims. Mr Houchen and others accused have all denied any impropriety and branded it a Labour smear campaign

However, the furore has threatened to overshadow plans to revitalise a region and has already prompted companies to rethink plans to build factories at Teesworks.

The claims do not relate to the Wilton International industrial site where Nova Pangaea Technologies will be based.

Ms Ellerby said: Our facility will be the UKs first commercial plant of its kind, and it will play a crucial role in decarbonising the aviation sector, as well as providing local employment opportunities.

We are confident of beginning construction later this year and producing second-generation biofuels by 2025.

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.
While Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad (KLSE:MPI) might not be the most widely known stock at the moment, it saw a decent share price growth in the teens level on the KLSE over the last few months. As a stock with high coverage by analysts, you could assume any recent changes in the companys outlook is already priced into the stock. However, could the stock still be trading at a relatively cheap price? Lets examine Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhads valuation and outlook in more detail to determine if theres still a bargain opportunity.

Check out our latest analysis for Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad

Is Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad Still Cheap?

Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad appears to be overvalued by 31% at the moment, based on my discounted cash flow valuation. The stock is currently priced at RM30.00 on the market compared to my intrinsic value of MYR22.84. This means that the opportunity to buy Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad at a good price has disappeared! But, is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhads share price is quite volatile, this could mean it can sink lower (or rise even further) in the future, giving us another chance to invest. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.

What kind of growth will Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad generate?

Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. With profit expected to more than double over the next couple of years, the future seems bright for Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad. It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation.

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What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? It seems like the market has well and truly priced in MPIs positive outlook, with shares trading above its fair value. At this current price, shareholders may be asking a different question  should I sell? If you believe MPI should trade below its current price, selling high and buying it back up again when its price falls towards its real value can be profitable. But before you make this decision, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on MPI for some time, now may not be the best time to enter into the stock. The price has surpassed its true value, which means theres no upside from mispricing. However, the optimistic prospect is encouraging for MPI, which means its worth diving deeper into other factors in order to take advantage of the next price drop.

So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad you should know about.

If you are no longer interested in Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Some stocks are best avoided. We don't wish catastrophic capital loss on anyone. Anyone who held Byron Energy Limited (ASX:BYE) for five years would be nursing their metaphorical wounds since the share price dropped 74% in that time. We also note that the stock has performed poorly over the last year, with the share price down 52%. On the other hand the share price has bounced 8.5% over the last week.

It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that.

See our latest analysis for Byron Energy

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 way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Byron Energy became profitable within the last five years. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so it's counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics may better explain the share price move.

Revenue is actually up 32% over the time period. So it seems one might have to take closer look at the fundamentals to understand why the share price languishes. After all, there may be an opportunity.

You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here..

A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 11% in the last year, Byron Energy shareholders lost 52%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 12% 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 Byron Energy better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example - Byron Energy has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about.

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Byron Energy is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Archer-Daniels-Midland's estimated fair value is US$77.79 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With US$82.14 share price, Archer-Daniels-Midland appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Our fair value estimate is 17% lower than Archer-Daniels-Midland's analyst price target of US$93.33

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Archer-Daniels-Midland

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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$2.77b US$3.00b US$2.25b US$2.21b US$2.19b US$2.19b US$2.21b US$2.23b US$2.26b US$2.30b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -0.75% Est @ 0.10% Est @ 0.71% Est @ 1.13% Est @ 1.42% Est @ 1.63% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 6.9% US$2.6k US$2.6k US$1.8k US$1.7k US$1.6k US$1.5k US$1.4k US$1.3k US$1.2k US$1.2k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$17b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$2.3b (1 + 2.1%)  (6.9% 2.1%) = US$49b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$49b ( 1 + 6.9%)10= US$25b

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. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$82.1, 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. 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 Archer-Daniels-Midland 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 6.9%, 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 Archer-Daniels-Midland

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 Food market.

Opportunity

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Archer-Daniels-Midland, we've compiled three important items you should further examine:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Archer-Daniels-Midland that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does ADM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

BH Global's estimated fair value is S$0.061 based on Dividend Discount Model

BH Global's S$0.073 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Does the July share price for BH Global Corporation Limited (SGX:BQN) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

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 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.

View our latest analysis for BH Global

The Calculation

As BH Global operates in the electrical sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.0%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%. Relative to the current share price of S$0.07, 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.

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Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= S$0.005 / (10%  2.0%)

= S$0.06

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 BH Global as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.373. 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 BH Global

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Current share price is above our estimate of fair value.

Opportunity

BQN's financial characteristics indicate limited near-term opportunities for shareholders.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine BQN's earnings prospects.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. 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. For BH Global, there are three relevant aspects you should consider:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 4 warning signs with BH Global (at least 1 which doesn't sit too well with us) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

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.

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Key Insights

NIOX Group's estimated fair value is UK0.81 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With UK0.70 share price, NIOX Group appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Industry average discount to fair value of 7.3% suggests NIOX Group's peers are currently trading at a lower discount

How far off is NIOX Group Plc (LON:NIOX) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for NIOX Group

Is NIOX Group Fairly Valued?

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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK15.7m UK17.1m UK18.1m UK19.0m UK19.6m UK20.2m UK20.7m UK21.1m UK21.5m UK21.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 6.01% Est @ 4.58% Est @ 3.58% Est @ 2.88% Est @ 2.39% Est @ 2.04% Est @ 1.80% Est @ 1.63% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.8% UK14.7 UK15.0 UK14.9 UK14.6 UK14.1 UK13.6 UK13.0 UK12.4 UK11.9 UK11.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK135m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.2%) 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 6.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK22m (1 + 1.2%)  (6.8% 1.2%) = UK396m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK396m ( 1 + 6.8%)10= UK205m

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 UK340m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK0.7, the company appears about fair value at a 14% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at NIOX Group 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 6.8%, 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.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For NIOX Group, we've put together three relevant items you should explore:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with NIOX Group , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does NIOX'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 British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capewell, a global leader in custom-engineered survivability and aerial delivery solutions, announced that Colonel Michael Konczey, U.S. Army (retired) has joined the company as Chief of Staff. Konczey, a 30-year U.S. Army veteran, will report to Thomas Weidley, Capewell's Chief Executive Officer, and will be responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and synchronizing all activities of the business, supporting the executive management team, and facilitating communication and actions across all Capewell locations in the United States and Europe.

CAPEWELL ANNOUNCES U.S. ARMY VETERAN MICHAEL KONCZEY JOINS AS CHIEF OF STAFF

"Mike's extensive background in bringing value to high-level executive teams responsible for the oversight of large, complex operations makes him the perfect candidate to fill the Chief of Staff role inside our organization," commented Weidley. "His exceptional leadership abilities and experience in decision-making, problem solving, cross-functional team building, process discipline, and organizational behavior is exactly what we need as we prepare to take Capewell to the next level."

As Chief of Staff, Mike will play a critical role in supporting Capewell's senior management team through the execution of day-to-day activities, engagements, and staff rhythm events, adding value to those activities and ensuring processes and procedures are implemented to streamline business efforts.

Mike Konczey is an accomplished military professional with decades of experience leading highly diverse teams in complex operating environments, including combat. Areas of expertise include talent operations, change management, crisis management, risk management and mitigation, and strategic communications. He also has thirty years of military leadership experience, including joint and combined settings.

Before joining Capewell, Konczey served as Executive Officer and principal advisor to the Commander of United States Forces Korea, Combined Forces Command, and United Nations Command, a four-star General who commands three U.S. and multinational strategic organizations that include nearly 30,000 military and civilian personnel in peacetime, and consists of representatives from the United Nations, South Korean Military, and all branches of the United States Military. In addition to integrating efforts across these diverse organizations, each with different missions, Konczey was responsible for synchronizing and facilitating communication and streamlining the flow of information and requirements to all of the Commander's subordinate commands and their leadership teams.

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Prior to that, Konczey served as the Chief of Future Operations for the same organization, where he was at the helm of a large-scale joint military and civilian strategic planning team that consisted of over 30 members. In that role, he led the development of future operations designed to support a wide range of crisis-response options throughout Northeast Asia. He also was instrumental in providing ongoing, thorough assessments of the war plan using high-level exercises that provided the insight needed for strategic decision-making at the command level to refine and execute the organization's mission.

Before joining the United States Forces Korea, Konczey was Commander of the 434th Field Artillery Brigade in Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was responsible for the training and oversight of more than 750 military and civilian personnel, as well as facilities and equipment valued at over $650 million. The brigade was responsible for basic combat training consisting of ten-week cycles and had a total annual throughput between 16,000 to 20,000 new soldiers per year.

"After a life-long career in the military, I'm excited to join Capewell and become part of an organization that's dedicated to keeping service men and women around the world safe. I look forward to collaborating with the rest of the team to support Capewell's mission and working with the global management team to drive continued growth well into the future," said Konczey.

As part of his role, Konczey will be responsible for spearheading and championing Capewell's five-year strategic growth plan and fostering the "Capewell Culture" across all global locations.

Weidley continued, "With more than thirty years of Military experience under his belt, Mike has an intimate understanding of the future operating environment, and what it takes to collaborate with the Armed Forces on solutions development for successful warfighting. This insight, in addition to all his other superb skills, will be invaluable to our organization as we continue to develop innovative new survivability and aerial delivery solutions for those going into harm's way."

Konczey has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He also has two Master of Arts degrees. One in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and another in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

About Capewell

Founded in 1881, Capewell is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of survivability and aerial delivery products and services for the defense community. With locations in the United States and Europe, Capewell supplies the Department of Defense, Allies, and Partners around the world with the most innovative, most effective custom-engineered solutions capable of withstanding today's dangerous operating environments. The company also offers training and doctrine development as part of its mission to save lives and increase success. Capewell maintains strong relationships with large government prime contractors and is a vital part of the global supply chain.

To learn more, visit www.capewell.com.

Capewell (PRNewsfoto/Capewell)

Cision

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SOURCE Capewell
Explainer: China to carry out high-quality 5th national economic census

Xinhua) 15:25, July 22, 2023

BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- China will conduct its fifth national economic census in August 2023, Kang Yi, head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The State Council held a teleconference on July 7 concerning the fifth national economic census for full mobilization and deployment regarding the relevant work, according to Kang, who is also deputy head of the leading group for China's 5th national economic census.

The census takes place every five years. It will help obtain scientific and accurate statistical information for improving macroeconomic governance and scientifically formulating medium and long-term development plans.

PROGRESS UNDERWAY

The fifth national economic census plan will be issued and implemented soon, Kang said.

According to the work schedule, a comprehensive and thorough indoor survey will be carried out from August to October.

This survey aims to figure out the basic situation and distribution of all legal entities, industrial activity units and self-employed households engaged in secondary and tertiary industry activities in China.

IMPLEMENTATION WORK

The State Council has established a leading group for the economic census, responsible for organizing and implementing the fifth national economic census, coordinating, and solving major issues during the census.

The NBS is leading the establishment of an economic census office composed of 33 departments, responsible for the specific work in the census, according to Kang.

The main content of the census includes the basic information, organizational structure, personnel wages, production capacity, financial status, production management, energy production and consumption, R&D, IT development, and e-commerce transactions, as well as the structure of the input, the use of products and the composition of fixed asset investments.

KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

Unlike previous censuses, the upcoming national economic census will simultaneously carry out an input-output survey, according to Kang.

The concurrent surveys will improve statistical coordination and cut content overlaps to achieve a better result.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Sheng Chuyi)
(Bloomberg)  Cerberus Capital Management and Highgate missed two months of payments on a $415 million loan for 30 Courtyard by Marriott hotels, another sign of spreading trouble in commercial real estate.

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Cerberus and Highgate have requested an extension of the floating-rate loan, which matured in July, according to a servicer report.

Borrower stated that they do not have enough funds to cover the shortage and the regular monthly debt service, according to the report.

More commercial-property loans have become delinquent as borrowing costs increased. The delinquency rate on commercial mortgage-backed securities for hotels climbed to 5.35% in June from 4.4% six months earlier, according to Trepp.

The delinquent Courtyard portfolio was facing a higher insurance payment following Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole, which struck the US last year, according to the report. Property insurance prices in the US increased by 17% in the first quarter, according to data from Marsh McLennan.

The default of the Courtyard by Marriott portfolio took us by surprise, Barclays Plc analysts Lea Overby and Anuj Jain wrote in a note Monday. This shortage is due to a large hurricane insurance payment, although only three of the 30 are are located in Florida.

Representatives of Cerberus and Highgate didnt reply to emails seeking comment.

While lodging demand has enjoyed a robust recovery from Covid lows, hotel owners are facing the same financing challenges as the rest of the commercial real estate industry. In addition to higher borrowing costs, hotel owners delayed renovations during the early part of the pandemic, and the bills for deferred maintenance are coming.

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Earlier this month, Ashford Hospitality Trust said it would probably return 19 properties to lenders instead of refinancing the hotels. In June, the owner of two of San Franciscos largest hotels signaled its intention to walk away from the properties.

Analysts at DBRS Morningstar downgraded their rating outlook to negative on part of the Courtyard by Marriott hotels debt last week. Its appraisal of the real estate declined to $331.5 million based on cash flow at the end of 2022 from $675 million in 2018, according to the July 18th note.

Colony Capital, now called DigitalBridge Group Inc., sold the hotels in 2021 as the company sought to shift its focus into properties involved with communications infrastructure.

The loan, which was originally issued in 2018 to Colony, is eligible for two additional one-year extensions through July 9, 2025, according to loan documents.

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Chevrons (CVX) preliminary second quarter results highlight what Wall Street had anticipated for the energy sector  a decline from record profits last year after a fall in the price of crude and natural gas.

Chevron said Monday that its Permian Basin production hit record levels, helping the oil major's quarterly profit come in at $3.08 per share, well above Wall Street expectations of $2.91. On a year-over-year comparison, earnings declined 47%.

Not surprising that the year-to-year EPS comparison is weak, but then again, WTI prices were north of $120/b for part of Q2 22, Stewart Glickman, energy equity analyst at CFRA Research, told Yahoo Finance in an email.

Oil and gas companies saw their profits skyrocket last year as crude prices rose following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Production cuts from the world's largest oil producers and concerns about a slow recovery in China have put pressure on crude prices this year.

The average price of West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) came to $94.90 US dollars per barrel in 2022, 39% higher than the prior year. Currently, WTI is sitting above $78 per barrel.

Energy companies saw profits soar last year amid a series of spikes in the price of crude following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (REUTERS/Liz Hampton)

On Sunday Chevron announced it would waive its mandatory retirement age of 65 for CEO Mike Wirth, 62, and the company's CFO, Pierre Breber, will retire in 2024.

The company will report its full second quarter results on Friday when Exxon Mobil (XOM) is also slated to release its quarterly print.

Wall Street analysts estimate Exxon Mobils second quarter earnings per share will be $2.04, a 50% decline from the same period in 2022. Revenue is expected to show a 30% drop to $81.8 billion.

"The tone is likely to be one of uncertainty. While Chevron's numbers were a bit better than forecast, Exxon Mobil guided lower earlier this month and the consensus for Q2 has come down by about 10% since then, Peter McNally, global sector lead for industrials, materials, and energy at Third Bridge, told Yahoo Finance.

Chevron says it returned $7.2 billion to shareholders in the second quarter in the form of dividends and stock buybacks. Returning cash to shareholders has been a recurring theme for years now  a trend which is expected to continue.

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Investors have gotten accustomed to a safer/slower-growth profile, and firms have been rewarded for engaging in it. I see no reason why this should change anytime soon, said CFRAs Glickman.

After a massive recovery since the onset of the pandemic and a spectacular performance in 2022, Wall Street equates the oil majors' balance sheets with low debt and surplus cash.

We've seen this big one-year down move in the oil price, and yet the stock prices are not giving all that up because, frankly, [energy companies] have paid off their balance sheets, Smead Capital Management CEO Cole Smead recently told Yahoo Finance Live.

Oil and gas-related stocks continue to lag the broader markets, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLE) down 1.7% year-to-date. The losses are mild compared to the sectors 2022 performance when XLE gained 57.6%.

Ines is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @ines_ferre.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

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By Chen Aizhu

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chinese oil refiners and petrochemical companies are investing tens of billions of dollars to produce high-end chemicals for solar panels and lithium-ion batteries to profit from growing demand for energy transition technologies.

The investments illustrate China's drive to reduce its import dependence and further cement its dominance of renewable energy and electric vehicle supply chains. The move pits the Chinese companies against Dow Chemical, Exxon Mobil and BASF in making key materials.

Companies including Wanhua Chemical, Zhejiang Petrochemical Corp (ZPC) and Hengli Petrochemical and state oil giant Sinopec Corp are leading the shift, industry executives and analysts said.

They are moving from making more basic petrochemicals for polyester fabrics and plastic packaging to manufacturing higher value products such as polyolefin elastomers (POE) used to protect the cells on solar panels, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene for lithium-ion battery separators and carbon fibre for wind turbine blades.

"Overcapacity and weak demand for commodity chemicals, and China's rapidly growing industries like solar, electric vehicles are the key drivers for companies to extend into high-end, high performing materials," said Kelly Cui, Shanghai-based principal analyst with consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

China's glutted market in polyethylene and polyesters after years of rapid petrochemical capacity expansion is prompting some of the shift.

The drive also aligns with Beijing's push for companies to break through technological bottlenecks for producing key new materials and strengthen domestic supply chains, and builds off China's status as the world's biggest manufacturer of electric vehicles, EV batteries and solar panels.

"Companies are moving towards serving the new energy sectors where China is already leading in manufacturing," said Zhao Tongyang, deputy chief engineer at the China National Petroleum and Chemical Planning Institute (NPCPI).

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ZPC, Hengli, and smaller refiner Shandong Chambroad Petrochemical are each building multi-billion-dollar complexes to make the new materials, with production due to come online around 2025, officials at the three companies told Reuters.

Sinopec Corp, the country's top refiner and basic chemicals producer, is shifting investment to high-end chemicals such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) for solar panels and large-tow carbon fibre used in aircraft and lighter, stronger wind turbine shafts.

"China is no longer short of bulk commodity chemicals and has entered a phase of cost competition," said a representative at Hengli Petrochemical, which is adding a 20 billion yuan ($2.77 billion) chemical park next to its petrochemical complex in Dalian, in northeastern China.

Engineering plastics, raw materials for bio-degradable plastics and electrolytes for lithium batteries, as well as plastics for the battery separators, are among the new plant's main planned products, said the Hengli representative, who declined to be identified.

Having set up a specialised battery technology unit in late 2022, Wanhua Chemical said in May it will spend 3.4 billion yuan this year on raw materials for anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes used in lithium batteries, China Chemical News reported in June.

PUSHING POLYOLEFIN ELASTOMERS

Chinese production capacity for POE, a material used for solar panel encapsulation that resists ultraviolet light and is more durable than EVA, will surge to 1 million metric tons per year by 2025 from zero at a cost of about 20 billion yuan, to meet demand that is set to expand at double-digit rates, industry officials estimated.

About a dozen companies, including units of Sinopec and PetroChina, are building or planning POE capacity.

The domestic supply would partly replace China's POE imports, which have grown by an average of 23% a year over the past five years to a record 690,000 tonnes worth 13.7 billion yuan in 2022, according to Chinese customs.

"China controls 80%-90% of global solar capacity and is home to 90% of photovoltaic encapsulant film manufacturing, but has zero local production of POE pellets," said NPCPI's Zhao.

Wanhua and Sinopec are expected to be China's first commercial POE producers, according to Zhao and Woodmac's Cui.

In April, Sinopec announced trial output at its Maoming refinery.

ZPC expects to bring online a POE facility that can produce 400,000 metric tonnes per year by 2025/2026, said an official from Zhejiang's parent Rongsheng Petrochemical.

"Whoever moves faster will win as there could be a surplus, as many are planning (POE plants)," said Woodmac's Cui.

($1 = 7.1720 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Chen Aizhu; additional reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Tony Munroe and Christian Schmollinger)
(Bloomberg) -- More than a dozen Chinese provinces and cities have increased residential natural gas prices since late last month after the nations top economic planner loosened market controls.

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Hebei and Hubei provinces, as well as the city of Xian, are among jurisdictions that have approved price hikes of as much as 0.4 yuan ($0.06) per cubic meter, according to local adjustment plans seen by Bloomberg.

Prices paid by households could be revised as often as every six months under the plans. They had previously been kept unchanged for years in many locations.

Chinas National Development and Reform Commission issued a decision paper to local governments and gas suppliers in mid-June allowing them to adjust prices to reflect fluctuations in their fuel costs, according to people familiar with the change. The new system will still provide protections against sharp jumps for consumers, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isnt public.

The NDRC didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read More: China May Abandon Fixed Natural Gas Prices for Households

The move comes after local gas utilities had to bear the brunt of soaring costs for imported gas last year following Russians invasion of Ukraine. Its also evidence that China is continuing a slow-and-steady approach to gradually introducing more market-based rules to its highly regulated energy system.

Asian liquefied natural gas futures jumped from as low as $2 per million British thermal units in 2020 to as high as $70 last August. Theyve since retreated, and settled at $10.89 per million Btu on Friday.

The NDRC has incorporated consumer protections in the new rules, suggesting an upper limit for residential price hikes of 0.5 yuan per cubic meter every six months, an NDRC document seen by Bloomberg shows. That translates to around $2 per million Btu, according to Bloomberg calculations. Theres no limit on downward revisions and also no cap on adjusting prices for commercial and industrial customers.

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The new rules will let pipeline gas suppliers adjust prices as often as every month or quarter for commercial and industrial users, according to the document. A previous system allowed some cities, such as Wuhan in Hubei province, to go a decade without adjusting residential gas prices.

While controlled prices benefited consumers, they took a toll on utilities who had to cope with volatile costs. Some utilities couldnt afford enough gas last winter, forcing residents to spend hours at a time without heat.

The new rules give local governments the power to set prices based on the cost of local supplies, using a weighted average of domestic production and pipeline and liquefied natural gas imports, according to the NDRC document. They can also refer to price indexes set by exchanges in Shanghai and Chongqing.

The move shifts natural gas pricing in the direction of gasoline and diesel, which are adjusted every two weeks based on an index of global crude prices. The price of coal, Chinas mainstay fuel, is now carefully controlled after prices soared due to shortages in 2021, leading to the countrys worst power crunch in years.

The rules apply to gas delivered by pipelines, which accounts for the vast majority of supply in China. Theres also a sizable market of LNG delivered by trucks, mostly for transportation and industrial use, which has always been allowed to have free-floating prices.

The Weeks Diary

Monday, July 24:

Nothing major scheduled

Tuesday, July 25:

S&Ps Beijing Commodity Market Insights Forum

CATL earnings

Wednesday, July 26:

Nothing major scheduled

Thursday, July 27:

Chinese industrial profits for June

International Conference on Power and Energy Technology, Tianjin, China, July 27-30

Friday, July 28:

China weekly iron ore port stockpiles

Shanghai exchange weekly commodities inventory, ~3:30pm local time

On the Wire

China is encouraging private firms to invest in key industries like transportation and advanced manufacturing in Beijings latest efforts to revive the faltering economy.

Beijing is on a mission to revamp its state-owned enterprises, and show the world that investing in President Xi Jinpings China can reward everyone from domestic savers to skeptical money managers.

Chinas northeastern province of Liaoning has ordered mines to shut and evacuated 5,590 residents due to flooding, with rainfall expected to continue over the next two days.

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(Bloomberg) -- As fire-ravaged Athens braces for near-record temperatures this week, a longer-term ecological catastrophe threatens the cradle of western civilization: the Greek capital risks turning into a desert.

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Wildfires raged last week across the greater Attica region that surrounds Athens, destroying homes and forcing residents and tourists to seek the safety of nearby beaches. As the climate warms, extreme heat and fires are becoming more frequent, depriving the olive groves and pine forests that encircle the capital of the time they need to rejuvenate.

If there is a new fire this year, or next year, that for example burns the Parnitha mountain, then desertification will immediately appear, said Efthymios Lekkas, professor of dynamic tectonic applied geology and disaster management at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Climate change, triggered by fossil fuel emissions, is boosting the intensity and duration of summer heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere, raising concerns that swathes of the planet may soon become uninhabitable. While the southward creep of the Sahara has long spelled ecological disaster for countries like Sudan and Chad, the deserts northern edge is now threatening Europe.

Greece is among the countries in southern and southeastern Europe  including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania  that are vulnerable to desertification as temperatures increase and rainfall dwindles, fueling wildfires. That trend is forecast to continue as greenhouse gas emissions keep warming the planet.

The impact is more extreme in the Mediterranean, an already semi-arid region thats warming 20% faster than the global average, according to the UN Environment Programme. Greece is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with rainfall declining across the country and rising seas increasing the levels of salt on its soil, a phenomenon that accelerates desertification.

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Two major wildfires broke out last week to the southeast and northwest of Athens, while a third hit an area 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of the capital. The fire in Devenoxoria alone destroyed over 9,500 hectares, burning trees and homes, according to the National Observatory of Athens.

Wildfires have been a feature across the region since the 1980s, but climate change is turbo-charging the threat they pose, according to Kimon Hadjibiros, emeritus professor at the National Technical University of Athens and a specialist in ecological issues and environmental policy.

In 2021, wildfires in Attica, in the southern Peloponnese region and on the island of Evia followed a heat wave with temperatures reaching as high as 46C, while in 2018 a fire near to the capital left more than 100 people dead.

This week, the mercury is expected to climb even higher. Highs for the Greek mainland are forecast to reach 47C (117F) by Wednesday. That would match the countrys all time high set in Athens in 1977, and potentially test the European record of 48.8C set on the Italian island of Sicily two years ago.

The government is appealing to other European leaders to send more jets and fireman to fight further blazes.

The hard times are not over yet, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday.

Longer term, the Greek premier is seeking to reallocate resources for reforestation and preventive measures in Attica.

Over a third of Greeces territory is subject to high desertification risk, according to the Ministry of Agricultures action plan on desertification. While intensive agriculture is among the main contributors, higher temperatures and lower rainfall are accelerating soil erosion.

In the short term, university professor Hadjibiros said Greece should look at replacing pine trees near existing residential neighborhoods with less flammable alternatives. Further out, climate change must be addressed by substituting fossil fuels with wind and solar energy, he said.

What is worrying is the frequency and intensity of the fires linked to meteorological phenomena such as heat waves, Hadjibiros said. It means that year after year well have worse and worse phenomena until areas like Attica will desertify.

--With assistance from Eamon Akil Farhat.

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This child working at a North Carolina cotton mill in 1908 told photographer Lewis Hine, "I'm not old enough to work but do just the same." (National Archives)

If there is a predictable outcome from the rollback of child labor laws now taking place in red states nationwide, it's that a flood of injured children is on the way. We are now standing on the edge of the water.

In just the last week, reports of horrific child deaths have come from Mississippi and Wisconsin. In the first case, a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy was killed at a poultry plant in Mississippi. In the second, a 16-year-old boy was killed when he got pinned in a wood-stacking machine at a sawmill.

What may be most horrifying about these accidents is that the work the children were doing is illegal under the laws of both states. But they happened amid a nationwide push by manufacturer and restaurant lobbies to liberalize child labor laws in those states and elsewhere.

With this legislation Iowa joins 20 other states in providing tailored, common sense labor provisions that allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce. In Iowa, we understand there is dignity in work.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, signing a rollback of child labor protections

In April, I reported on this campaign to bring back what Franklin Roosevelt labeled "this ancient atrocity." Since then the movement has only advanced.

Child labor laws are among those most frequently flouted by businesses. The number of minors employed in violation of child labor laws in fiscal 2022 increased by 37.5% over the previous year, according to Department of Labor statistics. The number of minors employed in hazardous work in violation of state and federal laws increased by 26% in that period.

In the last fiscal year, the federal agency found 835 businesses violating child labor laws. Its fines and penalties averaged about $5,300 each. Do you think that's stringent enough to dissuade would-be violators? Me neither.

What's worse, "these numbers represent just a tiny fraction of violations, most of which go unreported and uninvestigated," the labor-affiliated Economic Policy Institute observes.

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If child labor laws already on the books can be flouted so easily, just imagine what will happen in states that have signaled that they don't take their own laws seriously.

The prospect of carnage among child workers hasn't put a dent in the campaign to make them more vulnerable to workplace injuries and death.

The rollbacks are often rationalized by conservative political leaders as promoting "parental rights."

Read more: Column: America vanquished the 'ancient atrocity' of child labor. Republicans are bringing it back

That's the argument voiced by spokespeople for Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, who signed a law in March repealing a rule that required children under 16 to verify their age and obtain the written consent of a parent or guardian before obtaining a work certificate.

The Sanders administration defended the law by stating that this permit was an arbitrary burden on parents to get permission from the government for their child to get a job.

Another argument emphasizes the virtues of work for teens. On May 26, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa signed a pernicious law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work as many as six hours a day when schools are in session, to as late as 9 p.m. During school vacations, they could work as late as 11 p.m.

The measure also removes prohibitions against minors working in industrial laundries and in freezers and meat coolers.

More from photographer Lewis Hine: Child mine workers in Pennsylvania, 1911. The youngest was 14. (National Archives)

With this legislation Iowa joins 20 other states in providing tailored, common sense labor provisions that allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce," Reynolds said in signing the law. "In Iowa, we understand there is dignity in work."

The Reynolds administration has been something of a one-stop shop for this kind hogwash that's blind to the consequences of loosening child labor laws.

Last year, she signed a bill reducing the minimum age to 16 from 18 for workers providing child care for 3- and 2-year-olds without adult supervision. The law also raised the maximum number of toddlers that could be left under the care of adolescents without adult oversight  to seven 2-year-olds (up from six) or 10 3-year-olds (up from eight).

The new Iowa law also allows teens as young as 16 to serve alcohol in restaurants, as long as two adults are present and the young workers have been given training on prevention and response to sexual harassment.

Read more: Column: Bidenomics has been a boon for working-class voters. Why don't they give him credit?

At least that provision recognizes some of the dangers in allowing teenagers to serve alcohol. Iowa has joined six other states in lowering the age for serving alcohol. Three more have such proposals in the legislative hopper.

What's the big deal with allowing teens to serve alcohol? "Numerous studies have found that underage servers are more likely to sell alcohol to underage buyers," reports Nina Mast of the Economic Policy Institute. "In general, greater access to alcohol is associated with higher rates of underage consumption. Permitting younger workers to serve alcohol will provide underage youth  both workers and customers  with increased proximity to direct and indirect alcohol-related harms that are especially acute for young people."

Bars and restaurants where alcohol is served are already known for high rates of sexual harassment  these new laws will expose workers to these abuses at an age where their ability to fend them off is low, as is their access to legal redress. That's not a concern for the promoters of the new laws and regulations, such as restaurant lobbyists, who drafted the new Iowa law.

Violations of federal child labor laws have soared, even as numerous red states roll back their own laws restricting child employment. (Economic Policy Institute)

The restaurant lobbyists had plenty of help from conservative and libertarian ideologues. Consider Jeffrey Tucker, who may be best known for promoting the egregious Great Barrington Declaration, a manifesto that discouraged vaccination and social distancing measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in favor of allowing the disease to virtually run rampant among Americans in the fruitless quest for "herd immunity."

The declaration, which contributed to the toll of more than 1.1 million COVID deaths in the U.S., was embraced by politicians such as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who was desperate to establish his right-wing bona fides for a race for the presidency. His state has notched one of the worst death rates in the country from the disease.

Tucker's libertarian worldview glorifies child labor. In a 2016 article titled Let the kids work, Tucker ridiculed the Washington Post for publishing a gallery of work by the great photographer Lewis Hine of child laborers from 100 years ago, including miners and sweatshop workers as young as 10.

Tucker wrote that those children were working in the adult world, surrounded by cool bustling things and new technology. They are on the streets, in the factories, in the mines, with adults and with peers, learning and doing. They are being valued for what they do, which is to say being valued as people.... Whatever else you want to say about this, its an exciting life.

Read more: Column: A Teamsters strike against UPS could remake the union movement for the better

What we want to say is: It's a deadly life.

The only bulwark against the loosening of state child labor laws is federal law, which preempts state statutes that are less restrictive than the federal statute. The Department of Labor has already said that Iowa's law violates the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, though it hasn't yet taken legal action.

The federal provisions could be strengthened even more by ratification of the Child Labor Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment that was passed overwhelmingly by Congress in 1924. The measure was ratified by what was then a majority of 25 states by 1935; the total reached 28 by 1937, after which the movement stalled. (The first state to ratify the amendment, interestingly, was Arkansas; California was the second.)

The amendment makes explicit the right of Congress to "limit, regulate, and prohibit" labor by anyone under 18. It was a response to rulings by a conservative Supreme Court in 1918 and 1922 overturning federal child labor laws.







There's no deadline for final ratification of the amendment, which needs 10 more states to sign on. Ratification has been rejected by 15 states, but that's not binding. Those states include several currently under complete or partial Democratic Party leadership: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Vermont. Five others never took a vote  New York, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Mississippi and Alabama. With a slight shift in the political winds, then, ratification could be within reach.

That could happen if more voters become aware of the scourge of child labor. Let's hope that it doesn't take any more deaths and injuries among child workers to bring reality home.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Bloomberg) -- Spain faces at least two months of uncertainty over who will become its next prime minister after right-wing parties seeking to oust Socialist Pedro Sanchez failed to win a majority in Sundays election.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Why does Spain face more gridlock?

Sanchez and Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who leads the center-right Peoples Party, both claimed victory. The PP is the biggest party in a right-wing bloc that won 170 out of the 350 seats available. The Socialists dominate a left-wing grouping that secured 172 seats. The Catalan separatist Junts have seven seats and could hold the key.

What happens now?

The countrys main political leaders are starting talks with an array of smaller parties to try to form a potential majority of 176 seats and avoid another election. The new parliament will officially be formed on Aug. 17.

What role does the King have?

Once parliament is in place, King Felipe will meet with leaders before inviting one of them to form a government. This would typically be the person whose party won most votes, which in this case would be Feijoo. Investiture debates would then take place in late September.

What does the candidate need to win?

There are two possible voting rounds after the debates. In the first, the candidate attempts to secure the support of an absolute majority of 176 seats. Failing that, a simple majority in the second is enough, in which case abstentions are key.

If Feijoos bid is unsuccessful, the coalition between Sanchezs Socialists and far-left party Sumar will have a chance to secure enough backing to have him reappointed prime minister in late September, leading to a new government in place in October.

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Could there be another general election?

If no candidate secures enough seats, parliament will be dissolved by November, giving Spain 47 days to hold another election, which would be in late December or early January.

Share of votes on Sunday:

Right-wing bloc:

PP: 136 seats

Vox: 33

UPN: 1

Total: 170

Left-wing bloc:

Socialists: 122

Sumar: 31

Catalan separatists ERC: 7

Basque countrys PNV: 5

Basque Countrys Bildu: 6

BNG: 1

Total: 172

Others:

Catalan separatist Junts: 7

Canary Islandss CC: 1

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Elon Musk and Esther Crawford, Twitter's former product head. Patrick Pleul/Pool/AFP via Getty Images; Courtesy of Robert Cowherd

Esther Crawford appeared to poke fun at Elon Musk's new name for Twitter in a post on Sunday.

The former manager appeared to compare the "X" branding change to a form of ritualistic suicide.

Crawford was a top lieutenant to Musk and slept at Twitter's headquarters before she was laid off.

Esther Crawford, Elon Musk's former lieutenant at Twitter, appeared to take a jab at the billionaire over the weekend after he announced plans to change the product's name to "X."

"Corporate seppuku: destroying your own product or brand," Crawford posted on X  formerly Twitter  on Sunday.

Seppuku is an ancient form of ritualistic suicide in Japanese culture. The process involves stabbing oneself in the stomach with a sword and could be voluntary or obligatory, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, which says that the process was used often by warriors who had been defeated in battle and "chose to avoid the dishonor of falling into the hands of the enemy." Crawford included a sketch of a warrior appearing to follow the ritual in her post.

Crawford and a spokesperson for X did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

"Usually committed by new management in pursuit of cost-savings due to a lack of understanding about the core business or disregard for the customer experience," Crawford wrote, likely referencing the thousands of Twitter staffers Musk fired shortly after taking the social-media app private last year. The billionaire has cut the company's workforce in half since taking over.

"The result is a massive loss of shareholder value," she said of the missteps new management could take.

As of May, Twitter was worth about a third of what Musk paid for it in October, according to Fidelity. Since the billionaire took over, dozens of major advertisers have fled the site. Earlier this month, Musk acknowledged the company was losing money because of its "heavy debt" and drop in advertising revenue.

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Crawford was an early supporter of Musk when he took over the social-media company. Last year, the former manager made headlines after a photo of her sleeping at Twitter's headquarters went viral as Musk touted his "hardcore" work culture.

The Twitter manager worked at the company for more than two years after it acquired her startup, Squad, in 2020, according to her LinkedIn page. After Musk purchased Twitter in October, she was identified as one of his top lieutenants and was put in charge of the company's new subscription service, Twitter Blue, before she was laid off in February. Since then, she has said she's taking a career break and has gone on to travel the world.

Crawford is one of many to poke fun at the social-media platform's name change. Even former Jack Dorsey, a cofounder of Twitter, appeared somewhat confused by X. The company flashed its new logo on the exterior of its headquarters on Sunday night and has already begun to change some of the branding images on the site. Musk has long had an affinity for the letter "X" and has talked of creating an X "everything app" in the past.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like carsales.com (ASX:CAR). 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 carsales.com

How Quickly Is carsales.com Increasing Earnings Per Share?

If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Shareholders will be happy to know that carsales.com's EPS has grown 31% each year, compound, over three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. On the one hand, carsales.com's EBIT margins fell over the last year, but on the other hand, revenue grew. So it seems the future may hold further growth, especially if EBIT margins can remain steady.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. For finer detail, click on the image.

In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of carsales.com's forecast profits?

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Are carsales.com Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's said that there's no smoke without fire. For investors, insider buying is often the smoke that indicates which stocks could set the market alight. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. Of course, we can never be sure what insiders are thinking, we can only judge their actions.

The AU$8.9m worth of shares that insiders sold during the last 12 months pales in comparison to the AU$13m they spent on acquiring shares in the company. We find this encouraging because it suggests they are optimistic about carsales.com'sfuture. Zooming in, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Co-Founder & Non Executive Director Walter Pisciotta for AU$12m worth of shares, at about AU$19.95 per share.

Along with the insider buying, another encouraging sign for carsales.com is that insiders, as a group, have a considerable shareholding. We note that their impressive stake in the company is worth AU$437m. This suggests that leadership will be very mindful of shareholders' interests when making decisions!

Should You Add carsales.com To Your Watchlist?

You can't deny that carsales.com has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. Not only that, but we can see that insiders both own a lot of, and are buying more shares in the company. Astute investors will want to keep this stock on watch. It is worth noting though that we have found 5 warning signs for carsales.com (2 are potentially serious!) that you need to take into consideration.

The good news is that carsales.com is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of them... with insider buying in the last three months!

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Pinehill Pacific Berhad's estimated fair value is RM0.47 based on Dividend Discount Model

Current share price of RM0.38 suggests Pinehill Pacific Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value

Pinehill Pacific Berhad's peers are currently trading at a premium of 97% on average

Does the July share price for Pinehill Pacific Berhad (KLSE:PINEPAC) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Pinehill Pacific Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

As Pinehill Pacific Berhad operates in the food sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 10.0%. Relative to the current share price of RM0.4, the company appears about fair value at a 20% 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.

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Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= RM0.03 / (10.0%  3.6%)

= RM0.5

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual 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 Pinehill Pacific Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Pinehill Pacific Berhad

Strength

Currently debt free.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

No major weaknesses identified for PINEPAC.

Opportunity

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine PINEPAC's earnings prospects.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Pinehill Pacific Berhad, we've compiled three fundamental elements you should consider:

Risks: As an example, we've found 5 warning signs for Pinehill Pacific Berhad (3 can't be ignored!) that you need to consider before investing here. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Frequentis' estimated fair value is 37.80 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Frequentis' 28.10 share price signals that it might be 26% undervalued

When compared to theindustry average discount to fair value of 25%, Frequentis' competitors seem to be trading at a lesser discount

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Frequentis AG (ETR:FQT) 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. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Frequentis

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 34.4m 27.3m 28.3m 28.1m 27.9m 27.9m 27.8m 27.9m 27.9m 27.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -0.71% Est @ -0.42% Est @ -0.22% Est @ -0.09% Est @ 0.01% Est @ 0.08% Est @ 0.13% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.8% 32.5 24.4 23.9 22.4 21.1 19.9 18.8 17.8 16.8 15.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 213m

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (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 5.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 28m (1 + 0.2%)  (5.8% 0.2%) = 505m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 505m ( 1 + 5.8%)10= 288m

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 502m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 28.1, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 26% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

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 Frequentis 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 5.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.835. 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 Frequentis

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Aerospace & Defense market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for FQT.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Frequentis, there are three essential aspects you should consider:

Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Frequentis that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does FQT'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.

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SPHERICAL INSIGHTS LLP

The Global Corrosion Protection Coatings Market Size was valued at USD 30.9 Billion in 2022 and the Worldwide Corrosion Protection Coatings Market Size is expected to reach USD 41.6 Billion by 2032, according to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting. Companies Covered: Hempel A/S, Kansai Paint Co., Ltd, Nycote Laboratories, Inc., Diamond Vogel, Jotun, Ashland Inc., RPM International Inc., Nippon Paint Co., Ltd., E.I. Du Pont De Nemours, DOW, Koninklijke Dsm N.V, 3M Co, Heubach Color, The Magni Group, Wacker Chemie AG, SK Formulations India, Bluechem GroupAncatt Inc., S.M. Adhesives., Renner Herrmann., PPG Industries, Inc., Akzonobel N.V., The Sherwin-Williams Company, Axalta Coating Systems Ltd., BASF SE and among Others.

New York, United States , July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Corrosion Protection Coatings Market Size to grow from USD 30.9 Billion in 2022 to USD 41.6 Billion by 2032, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during the forecast period.

Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/2179

The gradual degradation of materials brought on by chemical interactions with the environment is known as corrosion. Corrosion protection coatings are specialty coatings that are applied to surfaces to mitigate or prevent corrosion. These finishes act as a screen between the surface and corrosive elements like moisture, chemicals, gases, or salts, effectively protecting the underlying material. Concrete, metals (including steel, aluminium, and iron), and even some kinds of polymers can all be coated to prevent corrosion. The coatings act as a barrier to protect the substrate from the corrosive substances, slowing or stopping the corrosion process.

Several countries, like the U.S., India, and China, are investing a lot of money to build infrastructure. Given the harm caused by corrosion, several governments throughout the world, including those in Germany, India, China, and the United States, have enforced strict regulations for improvements in electrical, water, and transit infrastructure. Additionally, a major market driver will be the rising costs associated with implementing corrosion prevention measures in contemporary infrastructure. For the major market participants, the expanding markets for corrosion protection coatings in places like Brazil, Thailand, India, and China provide a variety of prospects. Different industry participants, such as AkzoNobel and PPG Industries, have altered their marketing strategies by placing a premium on expanding and penetrating bases on developing markets.

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Corrosion protection coatings are only a band-aid and will ultimately fail. Elements like UV radiation exposure, potent chemicals, mechanical abrasion, or temperature fluctuations might hasten the degradation process. Regular inspection, maintenance, and reapplication may be needed to offer continued protection. It can be challenging and time-consuming to apply corrosion protection coatings. Getting consistent and complete coating can be challenging, especially on complicated or challenging-to-reach surfaces.

Browse key industry insights spread across 200 pages with 120 Market data tables and figures & charts from the report on, " Global Corrosion Protection Coatings Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact, By Type: Water-based, Solvent-based, Powder and Others; By Material: Polyurethane, Epoxy, Acrylic, Alkyd, Zinc and Others; By End User: Building & Construction, Oil & Gas, Marine, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive & Rail and Others By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2022  2032" Get Detailed Report Description Here:

Buy Now Full Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/checkout/2179

Type Insights

Solvent based segment holds the largest market share over the forecast period

On the basis of type, the global corrosion protection coatings market is segmented into Water-based, Solvent-based, Powder and Others. Among these, solvent based technology segment is dominating the market over the forecast period. Ballast tanks, chemical storage tanks, pipelines, gas conduits, cooling towers and smoke stacks are examples of industrial equipment. Additionally, solvent-based corrosion protection coatings require less time to cure, a favourable environment with humidity and excellent temperature, as well as being resistant to abrasion.

Material Insights

Acrylic segment is dominating the market with the largest market share

Based on the material, the global corrosion protection coatings market is segmented into Polyurethane, Epoxy, Acrylic, Alkyd, Zinc and Others. Among these, acrylic segment accounted the largest market share over the forecast period. The segment's strong characteristics, such as resistance to oxidation and weathering, are the primary driver of market expansion. Water-based acrylic coatings are simple to use.

End Use Insights

Oil and Gas segment dominates the market over the forecast period

On the basis of end use, the global corrosion protection coatings market is segmented into Building & Construction, Oil & Gas, Marine, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive & Rail and Others. Among these, the oil and gas segment is anticipated to dominate the market over the forecast period. The market's expansion is attributable to the segment's growing use of corrosion protective coating. In addition, anticorrosion coating improves surface smoothness and abrasion resistance while lowering the danger of microorganisms.

Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2179

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific segment is dominating the market with the largest market share

Asia Pacific region is dominating the market with the largest market share over the forecast period. This high proportion can be ascribed to countries like China, India, and Japan's increasing interest in electric cars (EVs). The presence of various automakers that are doing R&D activities in the region, such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, and Bajaj Auto Ltd., will further boost industry expansion throughout the anticipated time frame.

North America, on the other hand is witnessing the fastest market growth over the forecast period. The countries having the biggest markets are the US, Brazil, and Mexico. The growth in spending on new construction and maintenance of bridges, rail networks, and structural components of non-residential structures, particularly in North America, during the past ten years has boosted the area's requirement for protective coatings.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. Major key players are Hempel A/S, Kansai Paint Co., Ltd, Nycote Laboratories, Inc., Diamond Vogel, Jotun, Ashland Inc., RPM International Inc., Nippon Paint Co., Ltd., E.I. Du Pont De Nemours, DOW, Koninklijke Dsm N.V, 3M Co, Heubach Color, The Magni Group, Wacker Chemie AG, SK Formulations India, Bluechem GroupAncatt Inc., S.M. Adhesives., Renner Herrmann., PPG Industries, Inc., Akzonobel N.V., The Sherwin-Williams Company, Axalta Coating Systems Ltd., BASF SE and among Others.

Get Discount At @ https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-discount/2179

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2019 to 2032. Spherical Insights has segmented the global Corrosion Protection Coatings Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Corrosion Protection Coatings Market, Type Analysis

Water-based

Solvent-based

Powder

Others

Corrosion Protection Coatings Market, Material Analysis

Polyurethane

Epoxy

Acrylic

Alkyd

Zinc

Others

Corrosion Protection Coatings Market, End Use Analysis

Building & Construction

Oil & Gas

Marine

Aerospace and Defense

Automotive & Rail

Others

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(Bloomberg) -- A few years ago, top investment bankers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. wouldnt even bother picking up phone calls from recruiters at smaller rivals. This year, managers at Jefferies Financial Group Inc., Evercore Inc. and PJT Partners Inc. say theyve been inundated with CVs from the likes of Goldman, Barclays Plc and Credit Suisse.

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Never in their careers have they seen so much interest from senior Goldman staffers, the bankers said, asking not to be identified discussing competitors. Those smaller firms are talking to dozens of partners and managing directors across the industry at any given time and selecting the best from that crop, they said.

Welcome to the new normal in the world of investment banking. A slump in mergers and acquisitions and the collapse of Credit Suisse have sparked an epic turnover of senior managers across the industry spanning trading and advisory services. It goes all the way to the top: of last years eight top merger advisory firms, seven have changed their investment bank chiefs or shuffled their M&A leadership in 2023.

Having expanded aggressively during the boom years, Goldman, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Inc. are among those cutting jobs in some of the biggest downsizing rounds the industry has seen in the past decade. At the same time, lower-ranked rivals such as Deutsche Bank AG and Banco Santander SA are on a hiring spree, while boutiques are poaching top talent theyve eyed for years, betting the next M&A boom cycle is just around the corner.

But the current downturn remains the elephant in the room and prospects for a revival still seem hazy. Higher finance costs, volatility spurred by geopolitical tensions and threats of a global recession have sent deal volumes down about 40% to roughly $1 trillion this year through July 20 from the same period in 2022. The record $3.83 trillion reached in 2021 is all but a distant memory now. In London, bankers pay fell at every level of seniority last year. The highest tier of vice presidents, for instance, made 13% less, according to a Dartmouth Partners survey.

Story continues

Many transactions are stuck because of wrangling over valuations or regulatory hurdles. Private equity, a key fee generator for Wall Street, has also gone into a retreat mode. Though some such as Moelis & Co. are predicting a recovery, they arent sure when. Morgan Stanley Chief Executive Officer James Gorman has said deals will pick up but likely not until next year.

The churn across the industry this time has gone beyond what youd normally see after a dismal bonus season or the occasional annual pruning exercise undertaken by banks to trim costs. Wall Streets biggest banks shrank their ranks by about 21,000 people in the first half of this year, Bloomberg News reported this month. Goldman posted a 58% drop in second-quarter earnings as merger fees slid and revenue from investment banking missed estimates.

Some at Goldman  which has ranked as the top merger adviser for each of the last six years  have been surprised to see several colleagues leave for Evercore in just the last few months. Neil Wolitzer, a partner in real estate investment banking, is the latest of at least half a dozen senior bankers to leave Goldman and land at the firm run by John Weinberg this year, according to people familiar with the matter.

Evercore isn't actively looking to poach Goldman bankers but instead has seen more rainmakers become open to a move, according to an executive at the boutique advisory firm. Weinberg himself was a senior Goldman leader, responsible for running the banking franchise alongside now Goldman CEO David Solomon for the better part of a decade before he joined Evercore in 2016.

Representatives for Goldman, Jefferies, PJT and Evercore declined to comment.

Sensing Opportunity

With the big industry shakeup flooding the market with talent, many investment banks that have lagged far behind their Wall Street peers in M&A rankings are sensing an opportunity to either rebuild their teams or simply fill the gaps in their coverage for a shot at the league tables. Even boutique firms that depend on M&A fees are ramping up recruitment. Their strategy could either prove prescient or end up as a costly error in hindsight if the M&A market fails to bounce back.

Were seeing big team lifts because of the current difficulties at various places, said Genevieve Fraser, a partner at global executive headhunting firm Maven Search in New York. Also, institutionally, some banks are expecting a boom to follow this depression. When that comes, they want to be well-positioned to capitalize on it, she said.

The turbulence is seen across the board: UBS Group AG, which acquired Credit Suisse in a government-brokered rescue deal in March, is planning to slash its smaller rivals 45,000-strong workforce, Bloomberg News has reported; Morgan Stanley eliminated about 3,500 jobs this year following an earlier round in December; Goldman is letting go of 125 managing directors, including many in investment banking; and, Citigroup has been eliminating hundreds of positions, with its investment banking division among those affected.

Cost savings during the downturn seems to be the overarching reason behind the job reductions at the Wall Street firms. But lenders such as Barclays have had their own internal shakeups.

The UK lender, one of Europes last remaining global investment banks, has seen a series of departures, especially in the US, since naming Cathal Deasy and Taylor Wright as co-heads of investment banking earlier this year. A few months into the job, former Credit Suisse veteran Deasy has seen Barclays bankers leave for UBS  now the owner of his former employer.

Act of Revolt

Some of the exits were an act of revolt against the management reshuffle that saw a relatively new European manager brought in above the old guard comprising a tight-knit group of ex-Lehman bankers, including John Miller and Marco Valla  two key dealmakers at Barclays investment bank, according to people familiar with the matter.

The worst compensation cycle since at least 2008 was another reason, the people said. Some were approaching the end of their careers and decided to leave so they could pick up guaranteed pay packages before retirement, one person said. The people asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.

The reshuffle was intended to introduce fresh ideas and boost Barclays European investment banking franchise, some of the people said. And the lender has hired a slew of senior bankers to replace exiting staffers.

In a June interview with Bloomberg Television, Chief Executive Officer C.S. Venkatakrishnan said the turnover was only slightly higher than usual and called it a little bit of musical chairs and a time-honored tradition that follows the bonus season.

A representative for Barclays declined to comment.

Earmarking Resources

The exit of bankers at places like Credit Suisse and Barclays and cuts at Goldman and Morgan Stanley mean hiring opportunities for others.

Santander, the Spanish bank which has never been near the league tables, has earmarked resources for a hiring spree, which it is betting may pay off if deal volumes recover, according to a person with knowledge of the plans. The expansion mainly focuses on the US and the UK, the person said.

The bank has already brought aboard some top bankers jumping ship at Credit Suisse and is planning to recruit dozens more, people familiar with the matter have said. A spokesperson for Santander declined to comment.

Deutsche Bank, Germanys largest lender, has hired more than 50 coverage dealmakers this year on top of a surprise acquisition of UK corporate broker Numis Corp. The purchase is expected to give the bank instant access to a long list of corporate clients that need advice on everything from debt to equity issuance, M&A and hostile takeovers.

It hasnt been a good year for investment banking, said Matthias Schulthess, a managing partner at search firm Schulthess Zimmermann & Jauch. But theres also a lot of hiring, which is telling us that its a good time to fill the leadership or succession gaps in your global coverage for those who are catching up.

Read More: Deutsche Bank on M&A Hiring Spree in Push to Win Market Share

Credit Suisse Woes

Plenty of those hires have come from Credit Suisse, which is now part of UBS. Many dealmakers have already left and some of those still around are upset with the integration process, according to people familiar with the matter. Only a handful of Credit Suisse staffers have been picked for leadership roles, while others are concerned theyll be passed over for jobs despite possessing what they view as better credentials than their UBS peers, they said. UBS is also hiring from Barclays at the same time, adding to concerns that may alienate more Credit Suisse employees, they said.

A UBS spokesperson declined to comment.

Rivals have benefited from Credit Suisses troubles even before its ultimate collapse in March. The exodus of employees started in 2021 when the firm was grappling with losses stemming from the debacles of Bill Hwangs Archegos Capital Management and supply-chain finance firm Greensill Capital.

Jefferies in 2021, for instance, scooped up a big team of Credit Suisse financial-services dealmakers. Other banks adopted that playbook.

Most of the hires at the moment are idiosyncratic decisions by individual banks showing interest to buy the talent dip as compensation packages shrink, said Ronan OKelly, who heads the corporate and institutional banking group for Europe at management consultancy Oliver Wyman.

Read more: London Bank Bonuses Plunged Across Board in 2022 M&A Drought

Employers Market

For some firms, the job situation has now flipped to an employers market from what used to be a candidates market during the boom years, said Miguel Hernandez, who heads investment banking at Alantra, a Spanish boutique thats hired 20 senior bankers in IB this year. Bonuses are often tied to the firms stock price. With shares down, its cheaper to hire.

Junior bankers who are still building out their client list may have to take downgrades in brand and compensation to find a new role, and its especially challenging if their focus is more into M&A than coverage, Maven Searchs Fraser said.

Still, top US talent remains incredibly expensive, she said, adding that the most sought-after bankers in the market are those who have 10 to 15 years of managing director-level experience with the ability to bring their clients and relationships to the new firm.

Most firms do not want a project in the current market, they want someone who can bring a book of business, she said. In many cases, they get a guaranteed bonus for two years in compensation for what they may have lost at their previous employers.

Despite the upheaval in the industry, Christoph Zeiss, a partner at Europe-based executive search firm Heads! International, also sees reason for optimism.

Theres been intense hiring happening especially in sectors such as telecommunications, technology, media and pharmaceuticals, Zeiss said. Companies looking to recruit the top of the top know such candidates expect high salaries, and are prepared to meet their demands as they position themselves for the next growth cycle, he said.

Theres no crisis in investment banking, Zeiss said.

--With assistance from Sridhar Natarajan, Liana Baker, Matthew Monks, Katherine Doherty, Fion Li and Fareed Sahloul.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Wildfires are raging across Greece after about 19,000 people were evacuated from the island of Rhodes over the weekend, while the Italian island of Sardinia neared Europes record temperature.

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Over the past 24 hours, 162 fires were reported across Greece amid high winds and extreme heat. Another 2,466 tourists and residents were evacuated in northern Corfu last night, including 59 rescued from a beach by the coast guard. As forest fires threaten five more villages on Rhodes, a further evacuation order was issued on Monday.

We are at war, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told lawmakers in parliament on Monday. The climate crisis is already here.

Extreme weather is devastating southern Europe this summer, from hailstorms and a tornado in Italy, to heavy rainfall and strong winds that left several dead in parts of the Balkans. The Italian island of Sardinia reported a temperature of 48C (118.4F) at Jerzu on Monday, just below the European high of 48.8C, set in Sicily two years ago.

Three EasyJet Plc flights were diverted from Olbia in northern Sardinia to other airports on the island because the runway was too hot, according to Ansa newswire.

Further north in Italy hail storms provided an additional hazard. A Delta Air Lines Inc. flight from Milan to New York was diverted to Rome after hail damaged the nose and wings of the Boeing 767, Corriere della Sera reported.

Despite the hottest ever June, followed by a raft of record temperatures from the US to China, Group of 20 energy ministers failed to find consensus on the phase-down of fossil fuels at a meeting in India. Global warming, triggered by greenhouse gas emissions, is increasing the intensity and duration of summer heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere, raising questions over whether swathes of the planet are becoming uninhabitable.

Story continues

Read More: G20 Ministers Fail to Reach Consensus on Fossil Fuels, Russia

Almost 1,500 people have been repatriated from Rhodes, mainly to the UK, Germany and Italy. Thats helped reduce the number of people needing temporary accommodation, after flight cancellations left tourists stranded on the Greek island when fire threatened hotels and homes at the weekend.

The European Commission, the UK, France and Italy are assisting in the firefighting and rescue efforts. Over 260 firefighters, supported by 10 jets and 10 helicopters, are trying to quell the blaze on Rhodes.

EasyJet is providing two repatriation flights on Monday from Rhodes. Leisure carrier Jet2 Plc also said it would send the empty planes to the area to bring customers back to the UK.

TUI AG scrapped flights to Rhodes through July 25 and said it was sending in additional support staff for customers on the island. Ryanair Holdings Plc is allowing customers to book on earlier flights out of Rhodes free of charge.

Rhodes is particularly popular with British visitors, who accounted for nearly a quarter of all international air arrivals in June, according to data from Rhodes Airport. Germans and Poles were the second and third-largest groups to arrive by air last month.

The Greek civil protection ministry said the Rhodes evacuation was the largest in the countrys history caused by a wildfire.

The crisis has left Greece facing a dilemma, as many of its islands are dependent on visitors, especially during the summer. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni told BBC Radio 4s Today program that people should continue to fly to both Corfu and Rhodes.

There is also an extreme wildfire warning on Tuesday for Crete, the largest and most populous Greek island.

Greece isnt the only country troubled by wildfires, with parts of the south of France facing a very high risk on Tuesday, according to the national weather forecaster.

Cooler weather is set to continue in Northern Europe with temperatures in the UK, Germany, France and Nordic countries below seasonal averages. London will peak at 18C, 5C below seasonal averages according to forecaster Maxar Technologies Inc.

--With assistance from Kate Duffy, Sonia Sirletti, Flavia Rotondi and Chiara Albanese.

(Updates with villages evacuated in second paragraph, latest Sardinia temperature in fourth, flights diverted from fifth and fire risk in Crete in 16th)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
HanchorBio Received IND Approval of HCB101 Multi-Regional Clinical Trial By Taiwan FDA

TAIPEI, TAIWAN and SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / HanchorBio Inc., a global clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative immuno-biomedicines, announced today that the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has approved its investigational new drug (IND) application to initiate a multi-regional clinical trial of its independently-developed novel drug candidate, HCB101, for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors or relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.





HanchorBio Inc., Monday, July 24, 2023, Press release picture





"HCB101 is our first program in our pipeline which recently received IND clearance by US FDA and now obtained IND approval from TFDA of this multi-regional, multi-center clinical trial. HCB101 project was initiated in December 2021, and the U.S. IND was submitted in March 2023; the 2.3 year from inception to IND was a record for a biotech company of our size. The opportunity to bring this potential fusion protein to cancer patients who have such a high unmet medical need is at the core of what drives us as a company," said Scott Liu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of HanchorBio. "With a strong pipeline targeting both the adaptive and innate immunity and the Fc-based designer biologics (FBDB) platform we have built, HanchorBio is well positioned to make important impacts in delivering innovative, cutting-edge immunotherapies."

Sean Juo, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of HanchorBio, commented, "Leveraging the 'do not eat' signal pathway, HCB101 has demonstrated superior anti-tumor efficacy in our extensive preclinical studies of murine xenograft tumor models when comparing head-to-head with other agents currently being investigated in clinical trials that target the same pathway." "IND approval from TFDA within 23 working days (a speed record) is a testament to our in-house drug development capabilities and strong clinical operations through our partnership with global CRO companies. Our team already initiated this clinical trial in the US, and I look forward to enrolling the first subject soon," said Dora Weng, R.N., M.B.A., Clinical Operations Head of HanchorBio.

Story continues

About HCB101

Using structure-guided protein design and engineering supplemented with relevant screening technologies, HCB101 is an engineered extracellular domain of SIRP fused to the Fc region of IgG 4 . HCB101 triggers phagocytic activity of the macrophages by blocking the "do not eat" signal between macrophages and tumor cells. Based on the extensive in-vitro and in-vivo preclinical data, HCB101 is potentially a safer and more potent biologic than the anti-CD47 monoclonal antibodies and SIRPa fusion proteins currently being investigated in clinical trials. Furthermore, quantitative RNA transcriptional analysis indicated that HCB101 triggered distinct gene expression profiles inside the tumor and in the tumor microenvironment comparing to other relevant clinical candidates, suggesting that HCB101 might exhibit unique mechanisms of action. Using HCB101 as the foundation, our pipeline will include other arms targeting both adaptive and innate immunity to help revolutionize the treatment of patients with cancer and other debilitating diseases.

About Multi-Regional Clinical Trial of HCB101

HCB101-101 is a multi-regional, multi-center, open-label, dose-finding, first-in-human (FIH) study of adults with advanced solid tumors or relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States and Taiwan. The purposes of the study are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and clinical anti-tumor activity of weekly HCB101 intravenous injections. The US sites initiation of the HCB101-101 is on track within Q3-2023.

About HanchorBio

Based in Taipei, Shanghai, and San Francisco Bay Area, HanchorBio is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on immuno-oncology. The Company is led by an experienced team of pharmaceutical industry veterans with proven track-record of success in biologics discovery and global development to transcend current cancer therapies. Committed to reactivating the immune system to fight against diseases, the proprietary Fc-based designer biologics (FBDB) platform enables unique biologics with diverse multi-targeting modalities to unleash both innate and adaptive immunity to overcome the current challenges of anti-PD1/L1 immunotherapies. The FBDB platform has successfully delivered proof-of-concept data in several in vivo tumor animal models. By making breakthroughs in multi-functional innovative molecular configurations in R&D and improving the manufacturing process in CMC, HanchorBio develops transformative medicines to address unmet medical needs.

For more information, please visit: www.HanchorBio.com

or follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/hanchorbio-inc

Contact Information

Scott Liu

Founder, Chairman and CEO

scott_liu@hanchorbio.com

Yi Du

Sr. Director of Business Development

yi_du@hanchorbio.com

SOURCE: HanchorBio, Inc.

.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/769800/HanchorBio-Announces-Taiwan-FDA-IND-Approval-for-the-Multi-Regional-Clinical-Trial-of-HCB101-to-Treat-Solid-and-Hematological-Malignancies




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 the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Lindsay Australia (ASX:LAU). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

See our latest analysis for Lindsay Australia

How Fast Is Lindsay Australia Growing?

Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. It certainly is nice to see that Lindsay Australia has managed to grow EPS by 36% per year over three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied.

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. The good news is that Lindsay Australia is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 3.5 percentage points to 6.7%, over the last year. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Lindsay Australia's future profits.

Are Lindsay Australia 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. So it is good to see that Lindsay Australia insiders have a significant amount of capital invested in the stock. With a whopping AU$80m worth of shares as a group, insiders have plenty riding on the company's success. Amounting to 19% of the outstanding shares, indicating that insiders are also significantly impacted by the decisions they make on the behalf of the business.

Story continues

Does Lindsay Australia Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

You can't deny that Lindsay Australia has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. This EPS growth rate is something the company should be proud of, and so it's no surprise that insiders are holding on to a considerable chunk of shares. Fast growth and confident insiders should be enough to warrant further research, so it would seem that it's a good stock to follow. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Lindsay Australia that you should be aware of.

The beauty of investing is that you can invest in almost any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Sovereign Metals' significant individual investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

The top 25 shareholders own 37% of the company

Insiders own 14% of Sovereign Metals

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 53% to be precise, is individual investors. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And individual insiders on the other hand have a 14% ownership in the company. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Sovereign Metals.

Check out our latest analysis for Sovereign Metals

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Sovereign Metals?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Sovereign Metals. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. 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 Sovereign Metals, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Sovereign Metals. Our data shows that Sprott Asset Management LP is the largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. With 3.4% and 3.3% of the shares outstanding respectively, Ian Middlemas and Julian Stephens are the second and third largest shareholders. Julian Stephens, who is the third-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Member of the Board of Directors.

Story continues

Our studies suggest that the top 25 shareholders collectively control less than half of the company's shares, meaning that the company's shares are widely disseminated and there is no dominant shareholder.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage.

Insider Ownership Of Sovereign Metals

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Sovereign Metals Limited. Insiders have a AU$40m stake in this AU$288m business. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, collectively holds 53% of Sovereign Metals shares. With this amount of ownership, retail investors can collectively play a role in decisions that affect shareholder returns, such as dividend policies and the appointment of directors. They can also exercise the power to vote on acquisitions or mergers that may not improve profitability.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 4.2%, of the Sovereign Metals stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Sovereign Metals better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Sovereign Metals (at least 1 which is a bit unpleasant) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Core Laboratories' significant individual investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

A total of 25 investors have a majority stake in the company with 46% ownership

46% of Core Laboratories is held by Institutions

If you want to know who really controls Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that individual investors own the lion's share in the company with 54% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And institutions on the other hand have a 46% ownership in the company. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Core Laboratories.

See our latest analysis for Core Laboratories

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Core Laboratories?

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.

Core Laboratories already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. 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 Core Laboratories' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Core Laboratories. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is BlackRock, Inc. with 12% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 12% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 7.6% by the third-largest shareholder.

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On studying our ownership data, we found that 25 of the top shareholders collectively own less than 50% of the share register, implying that no single individual has a majority interest.

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 Core Laboratories

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Core Laboratories Inc. in their own names. It is a pretty big company, so it would be possible for board members to own a meaningful interest in the company, without owning much of a proportional interest. In this case, they own around US$6.8m worth of shares (at current prices). 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 substantial 54% stake in Core Laboratories, suggesting it is a fairly popular stock. This size of ownership gives investors from the general public some collective power. They can and probably do influence decisions on executive compensation, dividend policies and proposed business acquisitions.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Core Laboratories has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- The company behind an industrial park in central Indonesia that is becoming a nickel production powerhouse says it is implementing measures to address growing environmental concerns over production of the commodity, a key component of stainless steel and batteries for electric vehicles.

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The Morowali industrial park, located in the town of the same name, covers over 3,000 hectares on the eastern part of the island of Sulawesi. Its about to unleash a torrent of new nickel supply that would push the market into a deeper surplus this year, but scrutiny from industry consultants and environmental groups is mounting around the nations heavy use of coal-fired power and waste-disposal plans.

Hamid Mina, the managing director of PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, said the company is taking active steps to mitigate the environmental impact of the complexs operations.

Our next five years will be focused more on a green industry, said Mina. Industry always has pollution. But the pollution has to be controlled and follows the government rule. Thats very important.

Indonesia is a major producer of nickel and could contribute over 60% of the worlds nickel supply by the end of the decade, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. But nickel production in Indonesia is particularly carbon intensive  every ton of the metal-equivalent produced emits an average of 58.6 tons of carbon-dioxide-equivalent compared to the global average of 48 tons, data from Skarn Associates show.

Among plans to lower the carbon footprint in the complex is the construction of solar panels of as much as 500 megawatts, Mina said. The park aims to invest $63 million for the first phase of 100 megawatts of panels, which it says will be able to generate 180 million kilowatt-hours of power a year. That can translate to enough electricity for about 166,000 Indonesians.

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Skarn Chief Executive Officer Mark Fellows, however, said that implementing renewable energy in Indonesia is tricky because of reasons including cloud cover and low wind potential.

IMIP, backed by mining company BintangDelapan Group and Chinas Tsingshan Holding Group  the worlds biggest stainless steel producer that was also at the center of a historic market squeeze in 2022  was formed in 2013. Over 50 companies later invested in the industrial park, including GEM Co. and a unit of the worlds largest battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.

The complex is also facilitating the construction of about 50 kilometers (31 miles) of pipes to pump slurry directly from mines to the factory to reduce the use of trucks, Mina said, and IMIP is also considering introducing electric trucks in the park.

Skarns Fellows, however, said that emissions from trucks account only for a very small portion compared to the coal-dependent production process of nickel at the mine.

Morowali, which was mainly a fishing town just a decade ago, is at the heart of Indonesias economic boom and rose to global significance in the nickel industry after the country imposed an export ban on nickel ore in 2019, as the country moves to reduce its reliance on exporting mineral resources and invest more in higher-value downstream facilities.

Cursed Nations Turn Green Mineral Boom Into Blessing (Podcast)

More than $22 billion has been invested in the industrial park as of June, compared to $6.7 billion in 2019, according to IMIP.

President Joko Widodo is also hoping to take on a bigger role in the global EV-battery supply chain. The country has been courting investment from automakers, and a team from Tesla Inc. visited Morowali last year, IMIP said.

In terms of waste management, IMIP currently has nearly 600 hectares of land dedicated to dry-stacking, a method of treating tailings, a by-product of mining, by drying, compacting and backfilling them. More areas may be allocated for that if an expansion plan of the park to about 6,000 hectares is approved, Mina said.

However, dry-stacking is challenging in a country that has high rainfall and regular seismic activity, according to Harry Fisher and Bruna Grossl from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. In the longer term, space and increased haulage distances are other issues, they said, adding that the Indonesian nickel industry must consider ESG aspects as it grows and becomes increasingly important to the battery supply chain.

--With assistance from Dan Murtaugh.

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Just 71% of young males held a full-time job in 2021  that's a big drop from 85% in 1980. Here's why millions of men are dropping out of the workforce at an alarming rate

Millions of men are abandoning the workforce at an alarming rate, according to analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center.

The data reveals that 71% of young men (aged 25 years old at the time of the study) held full-time jobs, down from 85% in 1980.

In other words, a 25-year old man is 16% less likely to have a full-time job today than his father or uncles did when they were young.

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Why men are retreating from work

A number of different factors could be responsible for the trend. Certainly, the state of the post-pandemic economy is playing a role. A survey conducted by the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank found that 25% of young Americans were out of work, many of whom had been laid off during the pandemic and have since struggled to find the right job.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that the lack of four-year college degrees was driving more men to abandon the labor force. Real earnings for men without college degrees has dropped 30% since the 1980s, which has made these jobs less lucrative.

Boston Fed researcher Pinghui Wu found that the relative decline in earnings also had an impact on the social status of these jobs, which impacts men in the marriage market. Younger men are more likely to see their social status and marriage prospects diminish if their peers are outearning them.

The Institute for Family Studies found that one of the most overlooked and important factors contributing to the rise of unemployment for young men was simply bad health. By some measures, prime-aged men have worse mental and physical health now than 30 years ago, consistent with concerns raised by Case and Deaton about rising deaths of despair, the report claims.

Story continues

Younger men were more likely than their predecessors to have mental and physical health issues that prevented them from participating in the labor force at the same rate.

Read more: The US dollar has lost 98% of its purchasing power since 1971  invest in this stable asset before you lose your retirement fund

Social impact

The rapidly declining workforce participation from young men is likely to have wide-reaching impacts on American society and economy.

From an economic perspective, young men pulling out of the workforce poses a problem for the rest of the country too. Fewer young men working reduces the countrys overall tax base, reducing federal income. Meanwhile, youth unemployment increases the need for subsidies and stimulus programs, which could have a knock-on effect on the national debt and fiscal deficit.

As for social impacts, the Institute for Family Studies found that the dropping workforce participation from young men was changing the structure of families across America as these men were less likely to get married and children were more likely to be raised in single-parent households.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Key Insights

Lockheed Martin's estimated fair value is US$539 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Lockheed Martin's US$455 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Our fair value estimate is 7.9% higher than Lockheed Martin's analyst price target of US$500

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Lockheed Martin

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$6.45b US$6.45b US$6.81b US$7.19b US$7.43b US$7.64b US$7.85b US$8.05b US$8.24b US$8.43b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x11 Analyst x10 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ 3.30% Est @ 2.94% Est @ 2.69% Est @ 2.52% Est @ 2.40% Est @ 2.31% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.2% US$6.0k US$5.6k US$5.5k US$5.4k US$5.3k US$5.0k US$4.8k US$4.6k US$4.4k US$4.2k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$51b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$8.4b (1 + 2.1%)  (7.2% 2.1%) = US$170b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$170b ( 1 + 7.2%)10= US$85b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$136b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$455, the company appears about fair value at a 16% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Lockheed Martin 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 7.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.854. 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 Lockheed Martin

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Aerospace & Defense market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, 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. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Lockheed Martin, we've put together three relevant factors you should consider:

Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Lockheed Martin . Future Earnings: How does LMT's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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RED BANK - To developer Steven Denholtz, there's no place like Red Bank.

He's got projects all over New Jersey, in spots such as Fort Monmouth, Bound Brook and Asbury Park. His website touts buildings in big cities including Orlando, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina. In total, his company owns, or has in development, 5.5 million square feet of space.

But it's Red Bank that's on his mind.

"I don't have any place in the world that I have nearly the investment or the mental commitment to, frankly, than here," said Denholtz, chief executive officer of Denholtz Properties, in his offices next to the Red Bank train station. "I just feel like it's got everything a town needs. It's got a creative side. It's got a business side. It's got transportation."

The city of Red Bank has seen multiple construction projects by Denholtz Properties including The Rail at Red Bank. Steven Denholtz, the company owner, talks about his vision for the future of Red Bank. Red Bank, NJThursday, June 29, 2023

Red hot Red Bank: See hundreds of apartments, condos planned for the town, and what's already built

Denholtz touted the dual presence of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, where he volunteers, and Two River Theater. Companies have made a home of Red Bank, he said.

He's invested about $100 million in the town so far, Denholtz said, adding he hopes to invest more than double that if he's successful in a proposal still in the works that he thinks will further revitalize Red Bank's west side.

Denholtz Properties has steeped itself in the community too. For instance, the company has become involved with Lunch Break. It sponsors events and its employees volunteer at the Red Bank nonprofit, which provides food, clothing and life skills for those in need. The company's director of leasing and marketing sits on the organization's board of trustees.

In 2019, Denholtz, an Oceanport resident, completed the company's move from Matawan to a building on Chestnut Street that it purchased and remodeled. It helped to set Denholtz Properties' foundation in Red Bank.

"I just felt really good about making the investment," Denholtz said. "Nobody had done anything on the west side."

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From there, Denholtz has purchased properties around town. During a recent sit down with What's Going There, he outlined his steps and future plans.

Red Bank: Man goes from selling cars to living atop his own art gallery

The Rail at Red Bank

The Rail at Red Bank. The city of Red Bank has seen multiple construction projects by Denholtz Properties including The Rail at Red Bank. Steven Denholtz, the company owner, talks about his vision for the future of Red Bank. Red Bank, NJThursday, June 29, 2023

The Rail at Red Bank, which features 57 apartments, is one of Denholtz's signature projects.

Next door to Denholtz's offices, the company purchased properties on Oakland Street, buildings that once were home to a cab company and a restaurant. It constructed the Rail during the COVID-19 pandemic and opened it last year.

Now, the Rail's apartments are fully leased. "We've really been successful," Denholtz said.

Besides the apartments, the Rail also includes 7,500 square feet of retail space.

The Rail at Red Bank. The city of Red Bank has seen multiple construction projects by Denholtz Properties including The Rail at Red Bank. Steven Denholtz, the company owner, talks about his vision for the future of Red Bank. Red Bank, NJThursday, June 29, 2023

With the recent lease signing by Hydratherm Spa, the Rail's retail portion is now fully leased, said Gary Krauss, director at Pierson Commercial Real Estate, a retail real estate brokerage in Marlboro. "That company is going to catch on here as people get more into the European facial and skin care treatments," Krauss said.

Melonhead has opened. The other tenants are Filoncino Cafe, a Staten Island bakery and cafe, and New York City cosmetic dentist Dr. Todd Goldstein.

Red Bank news: Why borough attorney was rehired one year after firing

64-66 Bridge Street

The two-story retail building across the street from the Red Bank Train Station is the former home of Lambs and Wolves, a beauty salon that moved to the Anderson Building on nearby Monmouth Street, and a T-Mobile store.

In December, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center opened in a 4,800-square-foot space on the first floor. Moving from a smaller second-floor office on East Bergen Place, the health center includes primary, dental, chiropractic and mental health care services.

"I love the VNA and they took a long-term lease," Denholtz said. "They'll serve the west side of town really well for a really long time."

The VNA wants the health center to "be a part of the fabric of the neighborhood," said Sarina Brady, chief executive officer of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center. "Just being there in the west side of Red Bank, we're actually in the community where more of our patients both live and work."

Borough licensing awaits: Red Bank approves third cannabis store

'Activate the west side'

The city of Red Bank has seen multiple construction projects by Denholtz Properties including The Rail at Red Bank. Steven Denholtz, the company owner, talks about his vision for the future of Red Bank. Red Bank, NJThursday, June 29, 2023

Denholtz Properties, which owns two parking lots near the train station as part of its purchase of the Chestnut Street building, has "exclusive negotiating rights" to the NJ Transit parking lots around the train station.

It is part of a plan to assemble properties for another project. He has also purchased the Mayo Auto Services building, located at the train station's edge on Monmouth Street. Mayo Auto Services continues to operate.

He said he hopes to present a proposal this fall to the town which would include housing, retail for small businesses to support the west side, and parking for the train station. NJ Transit "wants ridership, not parkers," he said. "They've helped all these train station towns, up and down, just become so wonderfully redone."

There's a need for housing, including affordable units, he said.

"You're dealing with vacant land in the middle of a vibrant community," Denholtz said, adding that the lots are cracked with grass growing up from the pavement. "There's no people who are living here that would have to be displaced. We could provide a huge amount of affordable housing and really activate the west side, so sometime in my lifetime I hope we get to do that."

Red Bank arts scene: How can Count Basie find a bigger audience? Finding groups who have been ignored

4 Boat Club Court

A water view project called Southbank at the Navesink is nearing completion as seen from Union Street. The city of Red Bank has seen multiple construction projects by Denholtz Properties including The Rail at Red Bank. Steven Denholtz, the company owner, talks about his vision for the future of Red Bank. Red Bank, NJ Thursday, June 29, 2023

Currently expected to be completed this fall, Southbank at the Navesink features 10 condominiums overlooking the Navesink River. The property was previously owned by Hovnanian.

Now nine of the 10 units are sold, fetching "record breaking prices" from about $1.6 million to $3 million, he said.

Meanwhile, Denholtz said the company is going to sell its property at the corner of East Front Street and Wharf Avenue, which is home to a Thai restaurant and a frame shop. He had hoped to building housing, including open space.

"I had hoped at one point to try to consolidate all that land and build something to the river. That was the dream," he said. "I could see that no matter what we tried to do, you're just going to have too much opposition to it."

"We never went anywhere with that," he said.

Maple Avenue community docks

A waterfront project is in the plans at the end of Maple Avenue. The city of Red Bank has seen multiple construction projects by Denholtz Properties including The Rail at Red Bank. Steven Denholtz, the company owner, talks about his vision for the future of Red Bank. Red Bank, NJThursday, June 29, 2023

Denholtz has signed a lease with OceanFirst, which owns the former Hovnanian Enterprises building on West Front Street, for the docks in the back of their property, near a cul de sac and next to Maple Cove, a borough park. The company plans to repair the docks, damaged during Superstorm Sandy, Denholtz said.

It's a "community service initiative," which would include holding events, Denholtz said.

"What we're really trying to do is get like a kayak school or a sailing school, some programming for people who otherwise can't afford it, and to activate that area," Denholtz said. "They are right on the water but (people) can't afford to use it."

'It would have been a tragedy': No townhouses as park opens overlooking Navesink, Red Bank

140-148 Broad Street

Denholtz Properties is in the midst of an extensive renovation with substantial improvements to the interior and exterior of the downtown building, which sits at the corner of Broad Street and Reckless Place. It was formerly home to a bank branch, dance studio and home health care company. "If you drive by now, you can see it's really taking shape," Denholtz said.

Recently, news broke that UBS Financial Services has signed a lease for much of the building. The financial services firm, which is currently renting its offices off Newman Springs Road in Middletown, has signed a 10-year lease for 20,715 square feet.

The building's second floor, which amounts to 9,729 square feet of space, remains available.

David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for 25 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There and Press on Your Side columns and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Denholtz Properties wants to spend millions more on Red Bank
Scotland's first ever commercial windfarm

Blueprints for the worlds largest battery on the site of an old coal-fired power station in Manchester, storing enough energy for 36,000 homes for a week, have won approval from planning officials.

Carlton Power, an independent energy company, will need to raise 750m for the plant and is advanced talks to raise the funds, it said. It will then need to pick a supplier.

Battery plants are seen as a way to smooth out power demand as more electricity comes from intermittent sources like wind and solar.

Batteries can charge on windy or sunny days cheaply, or even for free, and then deploy that power when needed. The plant is expected to offer the equivalent of 2,080 megawatts  a decent sized power station  for an hour.

Planning permission was granted by Trafford Council. Carlton has also won approval for a green hydrogen project in the area.

Councillor Tom Ross, the leader of Trafford Council, said: The Trafford battery energy storage scheme, alongside the Trafford Green Hydrogen scheme, places Trafford and Greater Manchester at the forefront of the UKs energy transition. The two schemes will help address our climate crisis  one of Trafford Councils corporate priorities - and will support our regions plan to reach a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038.

It will be built at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester, which will also host the worlds first commercial liquid air storage system, being built by Highview Power, another energy storage firm, using its cryobattery technology.

The pioneering technology works by compressing air into a liquid and then cooling it to almost minus 200C. The liquid air is stored in an insulated tank at low pressure, which functions as the energy store. When power is needed, liquid air is drawn from the tank and pumped to high pressure.

Stored heat from the air liquefier is applied to the liquid air via heat exchangers and an intermediate heat transfer fluid. This produces a high pressure gas, which is then used to drive a turbine and generate electricity.

Story continues

The technology competes with pumped-storage hydroelectricity, which uses excess power to pump water uphill, releasing it through turbines to generate electricity.

It takes a few minutes for a liquid air station to start generating power, which is where batteries can fill the gap.

Chris McKerro of Carlton Power said: Our battery energy storage scheme will make a significant contribution to the resilience of the North Wests energy system and, combined with our green hydrogen scheme and the cryobattery project, underlines Trafford Parks importance to the energy transition in the region and the journey towards Net Zero.

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Building the The South Central Institute of Technology cost 18m and work started in 2022

Computer giant Microsoft has described a new college as an "opportunity to bridge the gap" for developing UK technical talent.

Based in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, the South Central Institute of Technology opened its doors in June.

Courses offered include software development, programming, digital marketing and game development.

Students could study for degree-level qualifications for a third of the fees charged for similar university courses.

The project has been led by Milton Keynes College with a number of partner companies including Microsoft, KPMG and Cranfield University.

The government announced the locations for a dozen "Institutes of Technology" in 2019, with construction in Bletchley starting in 2022.

The college is one of 12 of its kind across the country aiming to plug training gaps in the digital sector

Microsoft has worked with the institute to design the curriculum which focused on areas where it felt there was a "large skill gap."

The company's Derrick McCourt said this was an "incredible opportunity" for the Bletchley and Milton Keynes area to attract people who would not usually consider an IT career.

He said the college has had a "deliberate target" to reach underserved communities such as young women or people who were autistic.

"Frankly it's the most profitable industry in the UK, paying some of the highest salaries, so it has a knock-on effect for economic inclusion and social mobility if we don't reach communities who traditionally don't take part in the digital community," he said.

Partners involved in The South Central Institute of Technology include Microsoft, Cranfield university and KMPG

The college said three years of course fees at university usually cost about 27,000, whereas they offered equivalent qualifications for 18,000.

Head of the school, Jim Nowell, said national skills had been lacking in programming, cyber security and games development.

"This is an opportunity for people from all walks off life to come in at any point in their learning journey," he said.

Richard Lee has been a fraud analyst, stock controller and delivery driver but now he is a student at the college

In addition to encouraging people from underrepresented backgrounds, the college said it was keen to welcome mature students.

Story continues

Student Richard Lee, 55, worked a variety of careers, including a supermarket delivery driver, for the last eight years.

Mr Lee felt the world had changed over the last few years and he faced an option of "surfing the wave or letting the wave past me".

He said: "50 is the new 30, I thought I'd give it a go."

From September the institute will welcome up to 200 students.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
(Bloomberg) -- Suspected Chinese hackers who infiltrated the emails of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and government officials from around the world may have had access beyond emails, according to a cloud security firm.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Earlier this month, Microsoft Corp. said that hackers had breached cloud-based email accounts at US and European government agencies by using a Microsoft account-signing key to forge authentication tokens. How the hackers obtained the key has not been revealed.

That key may have also been able to help hackers infiltrate applications that include Teams, OneDrive and Sharepoint, cloud security firm Wiz Inc. said on Friday.

Identity providers signing keys are probably the most powerful secrets in the modern world, wrote Shir Tamari, a researcher at Wiz. 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.

While Microsoft mitigated this risk by revoking the affected encryption key, detailing the hackers techniques and publishing indicators showing users may have been compromised, customers may not be able to detect the use of forged tokens without disclosure of the security logs related to the token verification process, Tamari wrote.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jake Williams, a security researcher and member of the intelligence community, tweeted that Wizs findings were a nightmare scenario for those assessing impact. A significant number of third-party applications use Microsoft as an authentication provider. We now know they are potentially impacted. He added: Without logging, theres no way to be sure for any given app.

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Last week, under pressure from US cybersecurity officials, Microsoft said it would provide free cloud security logs for all customers in the next few months. Security logs are critical for detecting and preventing cybersecurity threats, in addition to allowing hacking victims to quickly take action following a breach, according to US officials. Microsoft currently charges for some forms of logging as a premium feature.

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Amazon has often been seen as the giant online retailer that is slowly taking over all sectors of commerce  because, if you need to buy something, Amazon usually has it.

Discover: 10 Stocks That Could Be the Next Apple or Amazon

Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Now, though, Amazon is using its wide reach and power to recruit small businesses  including coffee shops, corner stores, boutique clothing shops and florists  for deliveries. This partnering effort helps local small businesses in 23 states earn extra money by finishing Amazon deliveries for approximately the last three miles of travel.

Working within the scope of the Amazon Hub Delivery program, each small business would deliver roughly 30 packages a day and receive about $2.50 per parcel, according to Axios. The goal for Amazon is to bring 2,500 small businesses into the program by the end of 2023, before expanding into other states across America.

If you are a small business and in one of the states that offers the Amazon Hub Delivery program, you might be able to generate some additional income via this program. Heres what you need to do.

Also see secret ways to save more on Amazon.

The Amazon Hub Delivery Program

Amazon hopes to give the resources  as well as extra dollars  to small businesses willing to deliver, on average, 30 packages a day for seven days a week, major holidays excluded. The tech giant is enticing local business owners with the incentive to earn up to $27,000 per year by partnering with Amazon Hub Delivery to deliver packages in your community.

It works like this: Amazons Delivery Service Partner drivers are part of a network that leaves packages with local businesses in safe places. From there, the businesses are responsible for getting the packages to their destinations, which is roughly in the range of three miles.

Once the package has been successfully delivered, Amazon will pay the small business. And cha-ching: Extra money in the bank for local business owners and their employees.

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Who Can Participate?

Existing small businesses located in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Dakota and Washington are able to potentially sign up for the Amazon Hub Delivery Program this year.

Amazon has announced that a minimum of 20 cities across the United States will be eyed for inclusion, with Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Seattle at the top of the list.

How To Get Involved

If you own a small business that has a secure area for storage for Amazon drivers to drop off packages for delivery in one of the associated states, you might qualify to sign up.

Amazon, according to their marketing, is telling those who are interested in the Amazon Hub Delivery Program:

Prior delivery experience is not required in order to participate.

There is no long-term contract or obligation.

Packages can be delivered using existing staff, methods of transportation and personal devices to track and monitor the program.

Direct deposit payments will happen on a weekly basis.

There is a support app available for small businesses to download to assist with tracking, planning and other tasks associated with deliveries.

The rate of payment is $2.50 per package. While Amazon is not marketing a full figure for what a business might earn in extra money per year, the promotional materials highlight additional earnings of up to $27,000 per business.

Amazon is currently accepting applications for the Hub Delivery Program, as well as providing online webinars and localized events for all small businesses who might want to sign up and get a little extra delivered to their bottom line.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Make More Money on Amazon for Your Small Business
 By Janie Martinez Gonzalez, Energy Leader 

SAN ANTONIO, TX --News Direct-- webhead

Si se puede is a rallying cry that galvanized generations of American Latinos to climb the ladders of power in industry, science, and government. Nathalie Rayes embodies the spirit of yes, it can be done, and, as the nominated United States Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Croatia, she is a worthy standard bearer to deliver that unique American message of optimism and grit to the world.

In my capacity as Chair of the Board of CPS Energy, I have had the honor of working closely with Nathalie and can attest to her exceptional character. Nathalies story is quintessentially American  an immigrant of immense intelligence, talent, and drive who eschews fame and fortune in favor of serving the United States. Community, Service, and Patriotism. The qualities that define Nathalie also make her the right choice to represent the United States abroad.

As a minority leader in the energy industry, it is gratifying to see another Latina leader rise to the top of her field. If confirmed, Nathalie is poised to lead a critical diplomatic mission in Croatia. Putins brutal invasion of Ukraine has destabilized energy markets around the world and made Eastern Europe the frontline for a new era of energy warfare. Nathalies nomination presents a unique opportunity for the United States and Croatia to collaborate in diversifying and hardening the Croatian energy sector. Energy diplomacy will be an essential tool in defeating energy warfare.

In 2021, Croatia launched the Krk LNG terminal, replacing Russian gas on Croatias domestic market with largely U.S. LNG. Croatia is working to double Krks capacity to 6.1 billion cubic meters, which would facilitate exports throughout the Balkans including to Slovenia, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the support of the United States, Croatia can be a leading clean energy exporter to the region, a partnership that could ultimately benefit both nations.

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Texas could be a resource to Croatia as it works to secure its energy economy. Our states rich history in natural gas is respected around the globe, but the pioneering work of the renewables sector in Texas could be invaluable to the Croatian energy industry. In the face of Russian aggression, Nathalie promises to be an American envoy in Croatia that can remind our allies in Europe that energy independence is not a lost cause  yes, it can be done!

I wholeheartedly celebrate Nathalie Rayes nomination and eagerly anticipate the Senates confirmation of her as the next American Ambassador to Croatia. Through her leadership, we have an opportunity to foster a robust partnership between the United States and Croatia, leveraging energy diplomacy to ensure a diversified and fortified energy sector. Let us embrace this moment and reaffirm that yes, it can be done when it comes to achieving energy independence and global collaboration.

Contact Details

Janie Gonzalez

Webhead CEO - CPS Energy Chairman

Janiegonzalez@webheadtech.com

Company Website

https://webheadtech.com/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/op-ed-energy-diplomacy-will-be-an-essential-tool-in-defeating-energy-warfare-161800081
If you have been looking for Mutual Fund Equity Report funds, a place to start could be Oppenheimer Discovery Y (ODIYX). ODIYX holds a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance.

History of Fund/Manager

ODIYX is a part of the Invesco family of funds, a company based out of Kansas City, MO. Since Oppenheimer Discovery Y made its debut in June of 1994, ODIYX has garnered more than $1.52 billion in assets. The fund's current manager, Ronald J. Zibelli Jr.Has been in charge of the fund since May of 2006.

Performance

Of course, investors look for strong performance in funds. ODIYX has a 5-year annualized total return of 10.02% and is in the top third among its category peers. Investors who prefer analyzing shorter time frames should look at its 3-year annualized total return of 6.58%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame.

It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower.

When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. The standard deviation of ODIYX over the past three years is 22.27% compared to the category average of 15.7%. Looking at the past 5 years, the fund's standard deviation is 23.79% compared to the category average of 16.69%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade.

Risk Factors

The fund has a 5-year beta of 1.09, so investors should note that it is hypothetically more volatile than the market at large. Another factor to consider is alpha, as it reflects a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark-in this case, the S&P 500. With a negative alpha of -2.01, managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns.

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Holdings

Investigating the equity holdings of a mutual fund is also a valuable exercise. This can show us how the manager is applying their stated methodology, as well as if there are any inherent biases in their approach. For this particular fund, the focus is principally on equities that are traded in the United States.

Currently, this mutual fund is holding 78.51% in stocks, and these companies have an average market capitalization of $5.89 billion. The fund has the heaviest exposure to the following market sectors:

Technology

Health

Industrial Cyclical

Turnover is 74%, which means this fund makes more trades in a given year than the average of comparable funds.

Expenses

As competition heats up in the mutual fund market, costs become increasingly important. Compared to its otherwise identical counterpart, a low-cost product will be an outperformer, all other things being equal. Thus, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is vital for investors. In terms of fees, ODIYX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.80% compared to the category average of 1.18%. Looking at the fund from a cost perspective, ODIYX is actually cheaper than its peers.

This fund requires a minimum initial investment of $1,000, and each subsequent investment should be at least $50.

Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included.

Bottom Line

Overall, Oppenheimer Discovery Y ( ODIYX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, worse downside risk, and lower fees, this fund looks like a good potential choice for investors right now.

Don't stop here for your research on Mutual Fund Equity Report funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare ODIYX to its peers as well for additional information. Want to learn even more? We have a full suite of tools on stocks that you can use to find the best choices for your portfolio too, no matter what kind of investor you are.

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

Get Your Free (ODIYX): Fund Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research
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 Oxley Holdings Limited (SGX:5UX) share price managed to fall 66% over five long years. That is extremely sub-optimal, to say the least. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 31% in the last year.

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.

Check out our latest analysis for Oxley Holdings

Given that Oxley Holdings only made minimal earnings in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue to gauge its business development. As a general rule, we think this kind of company is more comparable to loss-making stocks, since the actual profit is so low. It would be hard to believe in a more profitable future without growing revenues.

Over half a decade Oxley Holdings reduced its trailing twelve month revenue by 0.7% for each year. While far from catastrophic that is not good. The share price decline of 11% compound, over five years, is understandable given the company is losing money, and revenue is moving in the wrong direction. The chance of imminent investor enthusiasm for this stock seems slimmer than Louise Brooks. Ultimately, it may be worth watching - should revenue pick up, the share price might follow.

You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Oxley Holdings' earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Oxley Holdings' TSR for the last 5 years was -60%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

Investors in Oxley Holdings had a tough year, with a total loss of 29% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 4.6%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 10% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Oxley Holdings better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 4 warning signs with Oxley Holdings (at least 2 which are potentially serious) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Oxley Holdings is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") completed a 1,039.5 diamond drill program at the Pokukrom East and West deposits on its Manfo Project located 15 kilometers south-southeast of Newmont's Ahafo Mine and 40 kilometers north of Asante Gold's Bibiani Mine.

Highlights of Diamond Drilling at Pokukrom, Manfo Project

Seven diamond drill holes totaling 1,039.5 meters completed at the Pokukrom East and West deposits.

Extends known mineralization at the southern end of the Pokukrom West deposit with SPDD23-006 intercepting 1.88 g/t Au over 13 meters , including 4.01 g/t Au over 4 meters in oxide .

SPDD23-007 returning 0.71 g/t Au over 20 meters including 1.32 g/t over 6 meters followed by a second zone of 1.66 g/t Au over 7 meters including 8.43 g/t Au over 1 meter extending mineralization down-dip at the shallow southern end of Pokukrom East.

Numerous potential resource extension and exploration targets remain untested around the known resources and along the nine kilometers of favourable structure at Manfo which will be addressed in future diamond drilling and exploration aircore drilling programs.

"The positive drilling results from the southern ends of both Pokukrom East and West has extended the mineralization incrementally in those areas warranting follow up drilling which could add to the resource," commented Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO. "The recently completed diamond drilling program at Manfo is part of a larger planned program of 3,700 meters of diamond drilling designed to test for extensions to the known mineralization at Pokukrom plus exploration targets in the vicinity. While the recent program eliminated two targets from the list (a soil plus auger anomaly on the northwestern flank of Pokukrom East and the northerly extension of Pokukrom West at shallow levels), a number of targets remain untested at Pokukrom to be drilled in future programs. In addition, a 6,750 meter exploration aircore drilling program is planned to assess a number of compelling targets along the 9 kilometers of favourable structure on the Manfo property for additional discoveries, including follow up at several prospects which have been lightly drill tested to date. "

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Details of Manfo Diamond Drilling Program

A diamond drilling program was conducted on the Manfo Project between March 17 and June 19, 2023 with all assays recently received. Seven holes were drilled for a total of 1,039.5 meters to test for extensions to the known mineralization plus exploration targets around the Pokukrom deposits with four of the holes totaling 701.7 meters at Pokukrom East and three holes totaling 337.8 meters at Pokukrom West. Refer to Figure 1.

At Pokukrom West drill holes SPDD23-001 and SPDD23-002 tested for a northern extension of the Pokukrom West mineralization above hole DD21-002 which in 2021 successfully demonstrated a down-plunge continuation of Pokukrom West returning 3.19 g/t Au over 12 meters, including 6.85 g/t Au over 3 meters. The two holes did intersect alteration corresponding to the Pokukrom West zone, however gold assays were weak. Future drilling will consider testing further down-plunge of DD21-002. Drill hole SPDD23-006 tested for an extension to the high-grade oxide mineralization of Pokukrom West which was open-ended to the south intercepting 1.88 g/t Au over 13 meters, including 4.01 g/t Au over 4 meters, which could extend the resource model incrementally to the south. The oxide mineralization remains open to the south and auger drilling anomalism south of SPDD23-006 indicates additional shallow drilling further to the south is warranted. Refer to Figure 2.

At Pokukrom East two holes, SPDD23-003 AND SPDD23-004, were drilled to evaluate a strong soil anomaly with coincident auger drill hole anomalism sitting on the northwestern flank of the Pokukrom East deposit between Pokukrom East and West. The two drill holes intersected a wide zone of alteration similar to that which hosts the mineralization at Pokukrom, but disappointingly the assay results were weak. Refer to Figure 1. Holes SPDD23-007 and SPDD-008 were planned to test gaps in the historical drilling at the southern end of the Pokukrom deposit with the potential of adding to the resource model at shallow levels. Hole SPDD23-007 intersected 0.71 g/t Au over 20 meters including 1.32 g/t over 6 meters, followed by a second zone of 1.66 g/t Au over 7 meters including 8.43 g/t Au over 1 meter. Mineralization remains open down-dip in this area and there is potential to extend the modeled resource deeper here at a gold price higher than the $1,450 used in the pit optimizations in 2013. Drill hole SPDD23-008 drilled a little further to the south and at a shallower level intersected a 20 meter wide zone of moderate alteration and anomalous gold, however there was only one assay returned above the cut-off of 0.4 g/t Au. Refer to Figure 3.

Table 1: Results of the 2023 Diamond Drilling Program at Manfo

Pelangio Exploration Inc., Sunday, July 23, 2023, Press release picture

Methodology, Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Diamond drilling was conducted using an SA13000 small footprint diamond drill rig. HQ coring was conducted in the oxide, which ranged from 15 to 40 meters and averaged 25 meters deep, followed by NQ2 coring to the bottom of hole. The drill holes were spotted in the field with a hand-held GPS with locational accuracy of +/- 5 meters or so. Drill collar positions will be surveyed more accurately at a later date. A Champ-Magshot multi-shot survey instrument was used for down-hole survey readings every 30 meters.

Samples were obtained at 1 meter intervals by sawing the drill core in half with a diamond saw and submitting half core mostly to the Intertek Minerals Limited laboratory in Tarkwa, Ghana for 50g Fire Assay for gold, and one drillhole was analyzed at ALS Ghana Limited's laboratory in Kumasi, Ghana also for 50g Fire Assay. QA/QC samples, including certified standards, blanks and duplicate core samples (1/4 split drill core), were inserted into the drill sample stream at a rate of one in ten samples. The QA/QC results were within acceptable limits. The laboratory also performed their own internal QA/QC checks, which were also acceptable.

The true thicknesses of the mineralized drill intercepts reported here ranged from 75% of the drill core length in hole SPDD23-006 to 97% of core length in hole SPDD23-007.

About the Manfo Project

The Manfo Project covers an area of 96 square kilometers in the north-central part of the Sefwi-Bibiani greenstone belts 15 kilometers south-southeast of Newmont's Ahafo Mine and 40 kilometers north of Asante Gold's Bibiani Mine. Manfo has been explored by Pelangio since 2010 resulting in the discovery of multiple prospects along 9 kilometers of favourable structure with three of those prospects being advanced through drilling to a mineral resource estimated in 2013 by SRK Consulting at 195,000 oz (at 1.52 g/t Au) Indicated and 298,000 oz (at 0.96 g/t Au) Inferred with the bulk of the resource contained in the two Pokukrom deposits. Gold mineralization at Manfo is associated with broad zones of pervasive to fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-carbonate-pyrite alteration overprinting an earlier phase of hematite alteration hosted predominantly in brecciated to sheared granitoid rocks and lesser mafic metavolcanic rocks. The Manfo mineral resource estimation was conducted by SRK Consulting and published in June of 2013. (Refer to the Mineral Resource Evaluation Technical Report, Manfo Gold Project, by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., released on June 21, 2013 and available on Pelangio's website). The resource estimation was made in accordance with National Instrument 43101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects at the time of the mineral resource estimation in 2013. NI 43-101 standards for disclosure have been amended multiple times since 2013 and as a result Pelangio's 2013 resource estimate is no longer NI 43-101 compliant under the current standards. Management has reviewed the new standards and determined that an update to the 2013 mineral resource estimate will only be completed when additional exploration work is performed which results in a material change to the original resource estimate.

Exploration was limited on the Manfo Project between 2014 and 2021. In 2021 a data review, analysis and targeting exercise led to the development of exploration programs intended to ultimately grow the Manfo resource if successful, including the drill testing of multiple targets beyond the known mineralization for potential new discoveries, plus drilling to test for possible extensions to the known mineralization, open in multiple directions, and which could add to the resource with successful follow-up drilling. A diamond drilling program of 3,700 meters was designed to test targets at and near the Pokukrom deposits which was commenced in late 2021 with the drilling of two holes totaling 383 meters at the Pokukrom West deposit, one of which discovered a down-plunge extension to the Pokukrom West mineralization with 3.19 g/t gold over 12 meters including 6.85 g/t gold over 3 meters returned from DD21-002. Refer to Pelangio's November 16, 2021 news release. The recently completed program continues the planned 3,700 meter diamond drilling program with 1,039.5 meters drilled to test additional targets in and near the Pokukrom West and East deposits with numerous targets still remaining to be drilled. A 6,750 meter exploration aircore drilling program is also planned to test numerous prospective targets for additional discoveries beyond the known resource areas.

Pelangio Exploration Inc., Sunday, July 23, 2023, Press release picture

Pelangio Exploration Inc., Sunday, July 23, 2023, Press release picture

Pelangio Exploration Inc., Sunday, July 23, 2023, Press release picture

Qualified Person

Mr. Kevin Thomson, P.Geo. (Ontario, #0191), is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Thomson approved the technical data disclosed in this release.

About Pelangio

Pelangio acquires and explores world-class land packages on strategic gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is exploring its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of seven near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located four km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as its Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact:

Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO

Tel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@pelangio.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words 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 statements and information include statements regarding the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, and the Company's ability to complete the planned exploration programs. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, delays due to COVID-19 safety protocols, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/769791/Pelangio-Exploration-Completes-Diamond-Drilling-At-Manfo-Project-Ghana-And-Provides-Assay-Results




Former Vice President Pence, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, said Sunday President Biden has done a terrible job explaining Americas interest in Ukraine.

I know he said were there as long as it takes, but, frankly, it shouldnt take that long, Pence told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union. This administration has been, not surprisingly, dragging their feet on providing military support from early on. They cut off the military aid that we had been providing to Ukraine under the Trump/Pence administration in the early going.

Biden said earlier this month that the United States would not waver, on support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. While the president said Ukraine is not ready for membership into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he announced a long-term security plan for Kyiv at this months NATO summit.

Even after the initiation of hostilities and the unconscionable Russian invasion, the administration has been slow in delivering armor and delivering munitions and still hasnt given permission to provide aircraft and F-16s for our allies, Pence said on Sunday, noting the United States invested 3 percent of its defense budget in Ukraine.

Joe Biden gives these gauzy speeches about democracy in Ukraine, Pence continued. Were there supporting them on a military basis and supporting their soldiers for the reason that I believe, if [Russian President] Vladimir Putin overran Ukraine, it wouldnt be long before the Russia military crossed the border, where our men and women in uniform would be called upon to go and fight and defend, noting that the United States has a national interest in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Pence also argued giving Ukrainians what is needed to fight Russia is the best way to signal to China that America is the leader of the free world.

And were not going to tolerate either Russia or China, should they attempt to do so, to redraw international lines by force, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Posco Holdings Inc. shares jumped as much as 24% on Monday, the most on record, on strong quarterly profits and frenzied retail buying of stocks related to electric-vehicle batteries.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The stock also appears to have gotten a boost by short sellers rushing to cover their bearish bets. At the same time, a report that US House committees are investigating Ford Motor Co.s partnership with a major Chinese battery maker spurred buying of South Korean rivals.

Poscos shares surged to the highest level since 2007 as the company notched the biggest quarterly profit in a year. It was the biggest contributor of gains to the MSCI Asia Pacific Index on Monday. The stock has been one of the best gainers in Asia this month, climbing as much as 76%.

Retail investors have been driving the gains in Posco, South Koreas largest steelmaker that has been betting big on battery materials, amid indiscriminate buying of companies related to the EV supply chain.

While the surge looks somewhat excessive, Posco seemed very much confident that it could beat cathode rivals such as Ecopro BM Co. and L&F Co. in the long-term battery materials race with its massive cash investment, said Yoon Joonwon, a fund manager at DS Asset Management.

The gains have thwarted investors betting on a drop in the shares. Posco has seen a big jump in short selling volume and turnover this month, and so short covering is partly driving the rally, according to An Hyungjin, chief executive officer at Billionfold Asset Management.

Poscos bumper operating profit in the second quarter follows a major investment plan announced earlier this month. The company plans to invest a total of $92 billion through 2030 to take its business beyond its mainstay steel operations. The investment will mainly go into expanding its production of EV battery materials, as well as hydrogen.

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The companys operating income was 1.3 trillion won ($1 billion) in the three months ended June 30. While thats down from a year earlier, its nearly double the 705 billion won in the first quarter, the countrys largest steel producer said Monday. That beat analyst expectations for 1.12 trillion won.

Separately, Reuters reported that two US House of Representatives committees said Friday they are investigating Fords partnership with Chinese battery company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.

Ford said in February that it and CATL plan to build a battery plant in Michigan, and Republican chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Select Committee on China are demanding that Ford answer questions about the deal, Reuters reported.

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Generally, when a single insider buys stock, it is usually not a big deal. However, when several insiders are buying, like in the case of Good Drinks Australia Limited (ASX:GDA), it sends a favourable message to the company's shareholders.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

View our latest analysis for Good Drinks Australia

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Good Drinks Australia

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Director Robert Gould for AU$105k worth of shares, at about AU$0.75 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of AU$0.49. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

While Good Drinks Australia insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Good Drinks Australia insiders own about AU$13m worth of shares. That equates to 21% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

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So What Do The Good Drinks Australia Insider Transactions Indicate?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Good Drinks Australia shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Good Drinks Australia insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. To assist with this, we've discovered 3 warning signs that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Good Drinks Australia.

Of course Good Drinks Australia may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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PORTLAND, Ore., July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Protocall Services Inc. announced today that it has been awarded three Top Workplaces 2023 honors. Two were national awards, Top Workplaces - Industry Awards for Healthcare and Top Workplaces - Culture Excellence for Purpose & Values. The third was a regional award, a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by The Albuquerque Journal Top Workplaces.

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The list of awards is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement group Energage , LLC, which surveys and celebrates people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets. The anonymous survey measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, such as alignment, execution, and connection. Top Workplaces Industry awards celebrate organizations that have built people-first workplace cultures within their sector. The awards, along with the Award for Culture Excellence for Purpose and Values, mark them as an employer of choice for those seeking employment in the mental health industry at a mission-driven company.

According to COO Laura Schaefer, "Our mission at Protocall calls upon each of us to contribute towards being the best we can be as individuals, and we come together as ProtoPeeps in fostering a cohesive, purpose-driven culture. These awards are because of the collective efforts of all our employees and we couldn't be prouder!"

This is the fourth year in a row that Protocall has won Top Workplace awards, previously earning Top Workplace Awards for Top Managers, Remote Work, and Top Workplace - Oregon and Southwestern Washington.

"Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends."

Story continues

About Protocall Services

For over 30 years, Protocall's best-in-class crisis call center solution has empowered diverse systems of care to deliver customized crisis intervention, stabilization, and coordination services. Three decades of experience have taught Protocall when to leverage scalable technologies and when immediate human connection is needed. Protocall's digital and call center offerings address needs by providing over 600 schools, communities, and companies seamless access to counseling, support, navigation, and crisis services in the moments that matter.

Cision

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SOURCE Protocall Services
To find a multi-bagger stock, what are the underlying trends we should look for in a business? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after briefly looking over the numbers, we don't think Wolverine World Wide (NYSE:WWW) has the makings of a multi-bagger going forward, but let's have a look at why that may be.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Wolverine World Wide:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.074 = US$102m  (US$2.4b - US$1.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to April 2023).

Therefore, Wolverine World Wide has an ROCE of 7.4%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Luxury industry average of 14%.

See our latest analysis for Wolverine World Wide

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Wolverine World Wide compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Wolverine World Wide here for free.

So How Is Wolverine World Wide's ROCE Trending?

We've noticed that although returns on capital are flat over the last five years, the amount of capital employed in the business has fallen 28% in that same period. To us that doesn't look like a multi-bagger because the company appears to be selling assets and it's returns aren't increasing. Not only that, but the low returns on this capital mentioned earlier would leave most investors unimpressed.

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Another point to note, we noticed the company has increased current liabilities over the last five years. This is intriguing because if current liabilities hadn't increased to 43% of total assets, this reported ROCE would probably be less than7.4% because total capital employed would be higher.The 7.4% ROCE could be even lower if current liabilities weren't 43% of total assets, because the the formula would show a larger base of total capital employed. Additionally, this high level of current liabilities isn't ideal because it means the company's suppliers (or short-term creditors) are effectively funding a large portion of the business.

In Conclusion...

In summary, Wolverine World Wide isn't reinvesting funds back into the business and returns aren't growing. And investors appear hesitant that the trends will pick up because the stock has fallen 62% in the last five years. All in all, the inherent trends aren't typical of multi-baggers, so if that's what you're after, we think you might have more luck elsewhere.

One more thing to note, we've identified 2 warning signs with Wolverine World Wide and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

While Wolverine World Wide isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Moscow's mayor says "two non-residential" buildings were hit in the drone attack

Russia has accused Ukraine of being behind a drone attack that damaged at least two buildings in the capital Moscow early on Monday morning.

The Russian defence ministry said two drones were "suppressed and crashed", adding that there were no casualties.

Russia's state-owned Tass news agency reported that one drone fell close to the defence ministry.

Ukrainian officials are yet to comment, but they rarely claim responsibility for attacks inside Russia.

In a separate development, Russian-installed officials ordered people to evacuate one district of Crimea - the Ukrainian southern peninsular annexed by Moscow in 2014 - after a reported overnight Ukrainian drone attack.

Kremlin-appointed regional head Sergei Aksenov said an ammunition depot was hit in the northern Dzhankoi area, and residents of nearby villages were told to leave their homes. He reported no casualties.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said four people were injured and a grain hangar was destroyed in an overnight Russian drone attacks on two ports on the River Danube, an alternative export route to the Black Sea, its southern Odesa region.

Russia has been launching near-constant attacks on the Odesa region - where Ukraine's major Black Sea ports are located - since Russia withdrew from a landmark grain deal last week.

In Moscow, the city's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone strikes in the Russian capital hit "two non-residential" buildings around 04:00 local time (01:00 GMT). In a post on social media, he added that the buildings had not sustained any major damage.

But state news agencies reported that some drone fragments were found just 2km (1.2 miles) away from the defence ministry's buildings.

"A Kyiv regime attempt to carry out a terrorist act using two drones on objects on the territory of the city of Moscow was stopped," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Russian news agencies reported that drone debris was also found along the city's Komsomolsky Avenue. Moscow's transport department wrote on Telegram that traffic along the route was blocked and photos showed emergency services working at the scene.

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Traffic was also stopped on Likhachev Avenue, where a high-rise office building was damaged. Footage published on the military Zvezda TV channel showed missing windows at the top of the building.

Moscow has accused Ukraine of a host of drone attacks on its territory in recent months.

Earlier this month, Russia said Ukraine launched a drone attack on Moscow, forcing flights to be diverted from Vnukovo International Airport. Ukraine did not claim responsibility.

And in May Kyiv denied carrying out a drone attack on the Kremlin, which Russia said amounted to an attempt on President Vladimir Putin's life.

Monday's attack comes just a day after Russia targeted Odesa with missile strikes, destroying the historical Transfiguration Cathedral.

Unesco, the UN's cultural agency, said it was "deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms" the attack on the historic centre of Odesa.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation for the attack.

"They will definitely feel this," he said during his nightly address from Kyiv. "The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture."
(Bloomberg) -- Wheat and corn prices surged after Russia attacked one of Ukraines biggest Danube river ports, ramping up the risks facing Kyivs last major grain export route and global food trade.

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A drone attack overnight hit the Danube port of Reni, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named discussing sensitive information. Ukraines southern operational military command earlier said on Facebook that a grain hangar at a Danube port had been ruined, without specifying which one or giving details.

Wheat futures for September delivery settled up 8.6% in Chicago on Monday, by the daily exchange price limit, at $7.5750 per bushel. Corn contracts for December closed up 6% at $5.6825 per bushel, the highest level in nearly a month.

Reni, along with Izmail, is one of Ukraines biggest river ports for grain and is located on the Danube at the border with Romania. Local traders had been expanding capacity there in response to Russias sea blockade.

The attack was the latest in a series of moves by Russia to stifle Ukrainian exports, which have historically made an important contribution to global food supply. The collapse of the Black Sea grain deal last week  blocking Ukraines maritime corridor  and Russias subsequent attacks on Odesa ports spurred expectations that Kyiv will have to double down on alternative routes, the most obvious being the Danube.

While its unclear how far the attacks will impact exports from Reni, the strikes increase operational risks. Seven people were injured by a Russian overnight drone attack on port infrastructure in the Odesa region, Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. Five of them were hospitalized. Reni is located in that region.

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A spokesperson for A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, which has some assets at Reni, said that a small number of containers at the yard had suffered minor damage, but that operations had resumed.

Romania said a grain silo, a fuel depot and cranes were damaged by the Russian drone attack on Reni, while air defenses repulsed an attack on Izmail. Security and surveillance measures have been tightened to ensure trade on the Danube runs smoothly, Defense Minister Angel Tilvar told a local television station.

The volume of crops transported along the Danube river reached 2.2 million tons in May, an increase of almost 900,000 tons from the end of last year. Those shipments overtook exports via the Black Sea corridor in May due to inspections slowing down the departure of freighters. The Danube is also drying in the heat, reducing capacity.

Russia also unleashed a fresh missile barrage against Odesa at the weekend, the largest in a string of almost daily strikes on the Black Sea port city after Moscow pulled out of the grain deal.

These ports are the biggest hope for Ukraine to export its grains and oilseeds, Rabobank analyst Carlos Mera said. We believe Ukraine could export up to 2.5 million tons of grains and oilseeds per month through these ports. That would be enough to export most of its exportable surplus. But at the moment it is unclear how much damage is done and if Russia will perform frequent attacks in the future.

Russia is trying to make it difficult for Ukraine to export grain via the Danube, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi told Bloomberg Television in an interview last week.

--With assistance from Olesia Safronova, Christian Wienberg, Irina Vilcu and Gerson Freitas Jr..

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Wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes have left tourists stranded - Will VASSILOPOULOS/AFP

Ryanair is resisting putting on emergency repatriation flights to Greece despite raging wildfires, with the budget airline insisting it will run schedules as normal today.

The companys announcement came as rival carriers including EasyJet, Jet2 and TUI dispatched additional planes to the island of Rhodes, where thousands of British holidaymakers are trying to flee.

A notice on Ryanairs website this morning said the airlines flights in and out of Rhodes and Corfu, where there are also fires and evacuations, were currently operating as normal and unaffected by the forest fires.

It added that passengers in Rhodes could seek help from Greek government officials at the islands airport if they had lost their travel documents.

One woman wrote on Twitter: My sister is currently in Lindos, Rhodes with ash from the wildfires falling all around her. She contacted Ryanair who she travelled with, to see if they could help get her home, but apparently they are not classing it as an emergency situation.

Firefighters on the island have been battling intense wildfires since last Tuesday - Damianidis Eleftherios/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Government officials have put pressure on travel companies to ensure that tourists who want to can return home.

Shares in travel companies dropped on Monday as the wildfires disrupted the key summer holiday season. British Airways-owner IAG fell 1.9pc in early trade, Wizz Air was more than 3pc lower and TUI and EasyJet both dropped over 2pc.

Ryanair was 6pc lower as the Irish carrier also warned it was facing delays to crucial jet orders and may be forced to cut ticket prices over winter to boost demand.

This morning, Ryanair finance chief Neil Sorahan said his airline was not yet running evacuation flights out of Rhodes or other Greek holiday destinations.

Flights carrying British holidaymakers away from the fire-ravaged island of Rhodes were said to be returning to the UK half-empty.

Up to 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on the island, which has been battling wildfires since last Tuesday.

Mr Sorahans comments came as Ryanair revealed it had almost quadrupled its profits thanks to booming demand over Easter and the coronation weekend.

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The Irish airline made a profit of 574m in its first quarter of the year, up from 147m a year earlier.

Fares were 42pc higher on average at 49, while passenger traffic grew 11pc against weak comparisons a year earlier when demand was impacted following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

A Ryanair spokesman said: Ryanair flights to/from both Rhodes and Corfu are currently operating as scheduled and remain unaffected by the forest fires.

Ryanair passengers departing Rhodes who wish to move their flight forward can do so free of charge and we will accept temporary travel documentation issued by the Greek Police.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a helpdesk at Rhodes Airport to assist passengers who have lost their travel documents.

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(Bloomberg) -- It took three years, multiple digital-asset market dislocations and hundreds of millions of dollars, but the eyeball-scanning crypto project known as Worldcoin has officially launched.

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Worldcoin is an attempt at global scale alignment, the digital identity and crypto payments project co-founded by OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman said in a statement Monday. The journey will be challenging and the outcome is uncertain.

Both the digital asset market and the broader tech industry have undergone sharp changes in the years following the projects founding. Since June 2021, when Bloomberg first reported on Altmans new startup, the price of Bitcoin has taken a rollercoaster ride from about $32,000 to a high of more than $67,000 and back to less than $30,000.

Some of the startups original backers have been swept up in crypto market gyrations, including collapsed hedge fund Three Arrows Capital and Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced former CEO of bankrupt exchange FTX. And artificial intelligence has usurped crypto as the latest tech trend with Altman himself emerging as one of AIs most influential figures.

Worldcoin, like Altman, straddles the worlds of AI and crypto. The project uses a small device called an orb to scan peoples eyeballs in order to generate a a unique digital identity. That identity, or World ID, grants its holder proof of personhood in the Worldcoin parlance. Altman and his co-founders say the new approach to digital verification is essential in a time when AI is making it harder than ever to determine whats created by humans and what isnt. Worldcoin jumped to as high as $3.58 from the initial price of $1.70 before falling back to $2.52 as of 11:12 a.m. in London, data compiled by CoinMarketCap showed.

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In addition to launching on a blockchain called OP Mainnet, the project also announced initial distribution of the Worldcoin crypto token to those who have already obtained a World ID and plans to broaden eyeball-scanning signups to more countries.

The process has not always been smooth. As it signed people up, the project was criticized for relying on allegedly deceptive and exploitative practices in countries like Indonesia, Ghana and Chile. And despite the buzz around AI, many in the industry wonder whether the sector has been swept up in a hype cycle  for example, an academic paper recently noted degraded performance in ChatGPT over time.

Altman said in an interview with Bloomberg News that the AI fervor has helped generate more enthusiasm around Worldcoin. Theres much more interest and understanding and excitement, particularly as AI has become more of a factor in the world than when we started the project, he said.

The current global regulatory environment for crypto, marked by crackdowns and lawsuits, poses a conundrum for the project. Worldcoins token is currently not available in the US, where tensions around crypto regulation have intensified in recent months. Altman and his co-founder Alex Blania published a letter Monday stating that rules were less clear in the US.

Theres clearly a great lack of certainty, to say it as mildly as possible, Altman told Bloomberg. I think its a shame.

Altman said he hopes that the US will be able to get to a rational place in terms of crypto regulation. He previously testified before the Senate in May, urging Congress to regulate AI.

Blania, who is also the CEO of Tools for Humanity, the startup developing Worldcoin applications, said hes excited to expand use of Worldcoin in Asia, particularly in Japan and South Korea. Worldcoin has had more than 2 million signups, according to its website. Blania also noted that the project has upgraded its security following two recent issues: the theft of login credentials for some Worldcoin operators who were in charge of signing up new users, and black-market sales of World IDs.

Blania said the impact of these incidents was minimal, and in addition to implementing two-factor identity authentication, theres also now a security feature that can detect when a login is geographically very far from where the user signed up for an account. Of course there will be fraud, Blania said. It will not be a perfect system, especially early on.

Blania suggested Worldcoin would move beyond being seen as a crypto project  a move reminiscent of the rebranding strategy recently undertaken by several other operators in the digital asset space.

Crypto is hopefully a label that will get dropped over the coming years anyways, and its just essentially the technology that you use to build certain products, Blania said.

Both Blania and Altman emphasized that decentralization, a key tenet of crypto, is an important part of their mission. Altman said he isnt concerned about giving the impression that he has too much control in the market for digital tokens.

In the world of crypto, Im either unknown or close to it, and if so, not very well-liked, Altman said. He added: If I started a new AI thing, people might say something about undue influence.

(Updates with Worldcoin price in sixth paragraph. An earlier version was corrected to say Worldcoin launched on OP Mainnet)

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The Worldcoin Protocol has launched after migrating to the OP Mainnet, previously known as the Optimism layer-2 blockchain, development partners the Worldcoin Foundation and Tools for Humanity announced today.

The migration also signals the highly anticipated launch of the project's native WLD token.

"This is a huge deal," Tiago Sada, head of product, engineering and design at Tools for Humanity, told Decrypt in an interview. "The project has been in beta for a while now and in development for even longer, so we're really excited to finally make this happen."

aside from everything else, this is a beautiful piece of design https://t.co/Fk4wsuNFFl  Sam Altman (@sama) July 23, 2023

Coinciding with the launch of the Worldcoin Protocol, the Worldcoin Foundation also launched its World ID system and expanded its World App to over 80 countrieswith plans to increase that number to 120.

"Right now we have about 200 Orbs in a few cities," Sada said. "Over the next few months, we'll ramp up all the way to hopefully 1,500 Orbs around the world by the end of the year."

Currently, Worldcoin Orbs can be found in Berlin, Dubai, London, Mexico City, Miami, New York City, San Francisco, Seoul, and Tokyo.

"The Orbs are a piece of technology that was designed and produced by Tools for Humanity," Sada said. "It has been open-sourced not just for transparency but also to make it easy for others to make Orbs that are supported by the protocol."

OpenAI CEO's Crypto Project Worldcoin Eyes $100M in Fresh Funding: Report

Worldcoins Orb technology has been controversial. When news of the retina scanners went public in October 2021, famed whistleblower Edward Snowden pushed back on the idea of scanning peoples eyes in exchange for cryptocurrency.

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"The human body is not a ticket-punch," Snowden tweeted; other responses were not as polite.

"It's a milestone in our development process, opening up SDK integration for all developers, expanding our global Orb presence, launching our token, and increasing Worldcoin's reach," Sada said. "It's a massive leap for the entire project."

The World ID Software Development Kit (SDK), which supports creating web and mobile applications using the Worldcoin protocol, is now available to all developers. Tools for Humanity says the Worldcoin token, distributed to beta participants, is also available for transactions on the blockchain.

Sam Altmans Worldcoin Raises $115 Million in Round Led by Blockchain Capital

Co-founded in 2019 by Sam Altman, Alex Blania, and Max Novendstern, Worldcoin aims to increase economic participation while focusing on privacy and decentralization. In May, Worldcoin raised a combined $215 million in funding, led by Blockchain Capital and a16z, respectively.

The Worldcoin Foundation serves as a governing body for the Worldcoin ecosystem, including World ID, the Worldcoin token (WLD), the Worldcoin Orbs, and the World App.

"In the short term, the Worldcoin Foundation focuses on establishing necessary governance mechanisms to ensure proper pricing for the long term," Sada said. "Concurrently, it's committed to making nonprofit decisions for the benefit of the protocol."

Sada explained that the idea behind the World ID and World App is to distinguish between humans and AI, an important task when launching a digital universal basic income, and prevent scammers from gaming the system.

"World ID is essentially a digital passport," Sada told Decrypt. "It's a digital internet-native global passport that uses zero-knowledge proofs, so you can get verifications that show that you're a person."

A common refrain in cryptocurrency is the desire to "bank the unbanked." While that bit of hyperbole has cooled since the collapse of several cryptocurrency exchanges, Tools for Humanity believes Worldcoin may have what it takes to provide financial services to the estimated over 4 billion people who lack those services.

"It's like the Avengers Infinity War event for us," Sada said. "Across the board, a bunch of different products and teams are just shipping like crazy."
Former FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers say his leak of Caroline Ellison's diary entries to the New York Times is OK.

He was simply defending his side of the story, they wrote in a court filing.

The story was "negative towards Mr. Bankman Fried" anyway, they said.

It's totally fine for Sam Bankman-Fried to give his ex-girlfriend's diary entries to a New York Times reporter, his lawyers said in a court filing.

On Thursday, the New York Times published a story featuring snippets from a journal kept by Caroline Ellison, a likely witness in the October criminal trial against Bankman-Fried and his ex.

Prosecutors correctly surmised that the entries were provided to the Times by Bankman-Fried, who had access to the writings, which were kept on Google Docs. In their own court filing, they accused Bankman-Fried of trying to discredit a witness in the case, intimidating other witnesses by implicitly threatening to leak their secrets, and potentially tainting the jury pool.

Bankman-Fried's lawyers fired back in a Sunday court filing, saying he was just telling his side of the story.

"The Government has taken a set of circumstances where nothing improper or impermissible occurred and has unfairly recast the events as a nefarious attempt by Mr. Bankman-Fried to 'discredit' Caroline Ellison and 'taint' the jury pool," his lawyers wrote. "But Mr. Bankman-Fried did nothing wrong."

Prosecutors allege Bankman-Fried defrauded customers of FTX, his now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange, in part by commingling funds with Alameda Research, a hedge fund he also controlled.

Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme and is cooperating with prosecutors. She's expected to testify against Bankman-Fried, who pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Bankman-Fried's lawyers said the Times journalist contacted him about a story that was already in process.

"The reporter contacted Mr. Bankman-Fried about a story he was working on concerning Ms. Ellison and asked Mr. Bankman-Fried if he wished to respond," they wrote. "Mr. Bankman-Fried ultimately agreed to speak to the reporter and invited him for a visit at his parents' home pursuant to the procedures outlined in the bail conditions imposed by this Court."

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Following the Times story, prosecutors said they wanted US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who's overseeing the case, to issue a gag order limiting what Bankman-Fried is allowed to say ahead of the trial. A proposed order, filed to court Monday, would prohibit him and any representatives "from publicly disseminating or discussing with any public communications media anything about the case which could interfere with a fair trial."

In their Sunday letter, Bankman-Fried's lawyers said they would accept a gag order, but asked that the judge issue one as well to John Ray III, the executive who took over FTX during bankruptcy proceedings and has frequently criticized Bankman-Fried.

"The Government has stood silent as John Ray has routinely made disparaging statements in the FTX bankruptcy proceedings and in other public comments discrediting Mr. Bankman-Fried," they wrote.

The lawyers also noted that the Times story made Bankman-Fried look bad, anyway.

"The story ran on Thursday," they wrote. "Overall, it was favorable to Ms. Ellison and negative towards Mr. Bankman-Fried."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Attorneys representing Sam Bankman-Fried confirm that he talked to and shared documents with The New York Times for a story about Caroline Ellison last week, but insist "he's done nothing wrong."

Ellison, his former lover and one-time CEO of Alameda Research, was the subject of an in-depth article in the Gray Lady last week.

U.S. prosecutors subsequently claimed that Bankman-Fried, who is facing criminal charges from his ill-fated stint as CEO of FTX, had shared the diary entries with the press in an attempt to "discredit" Ellisonand asked a judge to prevent him from making statements that could potentially interfere with a fair trial.

DoJ Accuses SBF of Leaking Caroline Ellison's Diary to 'Discredit a Witness' in FTX Trial

But in a letter to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan over the weekend, Bankman-Fried's lawyers accused the government of misconstruing an incident "where nothing improper or impermissible occurred."

The July 22 message from Cohen & Gressler LLP denies that Bankman-Fried sought to discredit Ellison and taint the jury pooland instead, argued that the FTX founder was giving a right of reply to an article that had been in the works for months.

"Mr. Bankman-Fried did not violate the protective order in this case, nor did he violate his bail conditions, nor did he violate any law or rule governing his conduct," the letter said. "Rather, Mr. Bankman-Fried was exercising his rights under the First and Sixth Amendments to respond to an inquiry from the media."

The NYT revealed that Elliosn had been "feeling pretty unhappy and overwhelmed" with her role leading the trading firm, which was the sister company of the doomed FTX exchange. Her diary entries went on to admit that she didn't feel "well suited" to the roleand struggled in areas such as "leadership" and "decisiveness."

Ellison also allegedly wrote "it feels great" on the day FTX collapsed, a day that left millions of customers locked out of their funds and sent the crypto markets into a tailspin.

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The lawyers went on to argue that Ellison was depicted sympathetically light in the Times article, while Bankman-Fried was notand went on to attack FTX's new CEO, John J. Ray III, for "routinely and gratuitously attacking" his predecessor.

"Mr. Bankman Fried, who has asserted his innocence despite these public attacks, has a right to counter that public narrative by making fair comment in the media," Mark S. Cohen and Christian R. Everdell wrote.

The crux of Bankman-Fried's argument is this: Ray and FTX's new management have also made inflammatory remarks about him in recent months, but the government "stood silent"even when he was accused of being a villain, a liar, and driven by "hubris, incompetence and greed."

Caroline Ellison Admits She Wasnt 'Well Suited' to Run Alameda Research

His legal team went on to stress that no bail conditions were broken when Bankman-Fried invited a Times reporter to his parents' home in Palo Alto, California, where he is under house arrest.

"This visit was far from secret," they wrote. "Mr. Bankman-Fried followed all conditions and procedures under the bail conditions for receiving visitors, including having a security guard screen the reporter for prohibited electronic devices and entering the reporters name on the visitor log."

The letter goes on to stress that the documents the FTX founder showed to the journalist were not produced in the discovery process"as the government concedes"but stops short of saying what they were.

And Bankman-Fried's lawyers firmly denied any suggestion that he had attempted to harass, discredit or cast Ellison in a negative light.

"Mr. Bankman-Fried did not seek out The New York Times," the lawyers wrote. "The reporter approached our client for comment on a story in progress. The story implicated Mr. Bankman-Fried as much as it did Ms. Ellison, and our client agreed to provide his perspective."

Bankman-Fried has now agreed to avoid making statements that would interfere with the right to a fair trial by an impartial juryon the condition that all parties and witnesses in the case also comply.
(Bloomberg) -- The legendary venture firm Sequoia Capital has cut seven people in its talent operations division, a sign of continued retrenchment in the world of Silicon Valley startups.

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The layoffs, which were confirmed by a spokeswoman, represent a third of the firms talent division, whose functions include recruiting for startups. The move comes as the firm parts ways with at least five investing partners. Those partners include onetime firm leader Mike Moritz, and Michelle Fradin, who had championed Sequoias doomed backing of crypto exchange FTX.

Its been a year of upheaval for the normally staid firm: In June, Sequoia announced an even larger change  that it would spin off its India and China divisions.

Forbes earlier reported news of the cuts to the operations division.

Until early last year, many venture-backed companies were on a hiring tear, funded by the record amounts of cash venture capitalists were pouring into them. Now, many startups  particularly those not in the hot artificial intelligence industry  have cut costs as part of an industrywide push toward profitability.

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vodafone

A steep price rise has delivered growth in Vodafones UK business despite falling mobile customer numbers.

The mobile and broadband provider increased fees for contract customers by 14.4pc in April, propelling its domestic arm to core revenue growth of 5.7pc in the first quarter of its financial year.

The higher sales came despite the loss of 66,000 mobile customers, balanced by the addition of 42,000 broadband lines.

The performance at home, where Vodafone is pursuing a merger with Three on claims it cannot make good enough returns, was in contrast to its other major European markets.

In Germany, Italy and Spain, where price rises have not been as steep, Vodafones businesses continued to shrink, albeit at a slightly slower rate.

In Germany, Vodafones biggest market, the company blamed the decline on customer losses in mobile, broadband and TV over the last 18 months. It also shed customers across the board in Spain, where it is seeking a potential exit from the market.

Overall and also including Vodacom, its fast-growing African business, Vodafone service revenues grew 3.7pc to 10.7bn in the three months to the end of June.

Shares in Vodafone rose almost 5pc as investors welcomed the improved sales growth. The company remains close to its lowest level since before the dotcom boom, however.

Margherita Della Valle, chief executive of Vodafone, hailed a better performance across almost all European markets, but added: Of course we still have more to do.

It marks the first set of figures since Vodafone last month confirmed plans to merge with smaller rival Three in a deal that would create Britains largest mobile network.

The companies have insisted the tie-up would not lead to higher prices for consumers. However, the deal is still likely to come under scrutiny from competition regulators as the number of players in the market is reduced from four to three.

It could also attract attention due to national security concerns surrounding Threes links to the Chinese state through Hong Kong-based owner CK Hutchison. Vodafone will hold a 51pc stake in the joint venture, while CK Hutchison will own 49pc.

Story continues

Ahmed Essam, Vodafones UK boss, said the company believed it had a strong case in any national security review.

The merger with Three forms part of efforts to rekindle growth after a torrid period that has seen the companys share price tumble 60pc over the last three years.

Earlier this year, Vodafone said it will cut 11,000 jobs over the next three years in a bid to cut costs. It is also considering options for its business in Spain, including a potential sale.

Vodafone on Monday also announced the appointment of Luka Mucic as its new chief financial officer.

Mr Mucic, previously finance director at German software giant SAP, will join the company at the beginning of September. He will be paid a base salary of 760,000, with a potential bonus of up to 1.5m.

Vodafone reiterated its guidance for full-year earnings of 13.3bn and adjusted free cash flow of 3.3bn.

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Rawpixel / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Social Security has long been known as the third rail of U.S. politics, meaning that proposals to reform the program are usually political suicide. But some 2024 candidates have hinted about reforming or even cutting Social Security, putting them in the crosshairs of older American voters who could have a big say in who controls Congress.

Social Security: No Matter Your Age, Do Not Claim Benefits Until You Reach This Milestone

See: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement

A new AARP survey of 1,200 likely voters in competitive Congressional districts found that voters 50 and older will be the deciding voter bloc in 2024. These voters are expected to represent the majority in battleground districts next year. Whats more, 50-plus voters report having significantly higher motivation to vote than younger voters.

Heres How the US Social Security Compares to Other Countries: What That Means for Your Wallet

Most surveyed voters ages 50 to 64 favor Republican candidates (52%) over Democrats (35%), the survey found. But seniors 65 and older give Democrats (46%) a slight edge over Republicans (43%)  and Social Security/Medicare is the top-rated issue for these voters.

Majorities of voters age 50+ in each party call Social Security/Medicare extremely or very important in deciding their vote next November, according to the survey. More than eight in 10 older Americans (81%) place high importance on Social Security  especially those who serve as caregivers.

Caregiving and the cost of prescription drugs could very likely be the most important issues of the upcoming election cycle, Nancy LeaMond, AARPs executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, told MarketWatch. Candidates cant afford to ignore the issues that matter to the 50+  who will likely be the decisive voting bloc in 2024  especially in an election cycle where control of Congress and the White House are both up for grabs.

Theres a lot at stake in 2024. The GOP currently holds a narrow majority in the U.S. House, while Democrats control the Senate mainly because of Vice President Kamala Harris tie-breaking vote.

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According to AARP, supporting policies that promote lower drug prices, helping seniors live independently at home and aiding family caregivers boosts a candidate regardless of their party and could make the difference in races likely to be determined by very narrow margins.

Social Security has become a hot topic in Washington, D.C., because of a looming funding shortfall. The programs Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is expected to run out of money as early as 2032 or 2033, leaving it solely reliant on payroll taxes for funding. Those taxes only cover about 77% of current benefits.

There are essentially two schools of thought on how to fix the program  raise taxes to bring in more revenue, or implement cuts to save money. Democrats tend to favor the former while Republicans lean toward the latter.

Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, told NPR in March that the only responsible thing to do is admit that changes need to be made.

We disagree about how to do it, but lets sit down and try to figure those out because not doing anything means across-the-board benefit cut for retirees and huge provider cuts, which means there will be much less health care available for people who need it, MacGuineas added.

Following the recent debt-ceiling deal  which left Social Security intact  U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told Fox News that the bill was only the first step in a broader GOP agenda that includes further cuts.

We only got to look at 11% of the budget to find these cuts, McCarthy said. We have to look at the entire budget  The majority driver of the budget is mandatory spending. Its Medicare, Social Security, interest on the debt.

Meanwhile, some GOP presidential candidates, including former vice president Mike Pence, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have raised the prospect of cutting or privatizing Social Security benefits for future generations.

As The Washington Post reported, DeSantis has floated the idea of cutting benefits for younger people but not for those who currently or will soon claim Social Security.

When people say that were going to somehow cut seniors, that is totally not true, DeSantis told Fox News over the weekend. Talking about making changes for people in their 30s and their 40s so the programs viable  thats a much different thing, and something I think theres going to need to be discussion on.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security a Determining Factor in 2024 Election? AARP Says Voters Age 50 and Over Likely To Be Decisive Voting Bloc
(Bloomberg) -- Spanish polls missed a last-minute surge in support for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Sundays election because they underestimated the impact that fears of a right-wing coalition would have.

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Pre-election front-runner Alberto Nunez Feijoo, a conservative, came in well below what most polls projected with only 136 deputies. That left his right-wing bloc short of a majority in parliament and Feijoos Peoples Party only 14 seats ahead of the Socialists.

With Feijoo looking to form a governing alliance with far-right group Vox, Sanchez spent the final days of the campaign emphasizing the threat that would pose to his administrations progressive agenda and to relations with Catalonia and the Basque region.

In the last stretch of the race, the fear of the leftist voter, who stayed home in the last local election, to the fascist threat helps explains this, said Narciso Michavila, head of GAD3, which had one of the best track records among local pollsters before Sunday. Its survey released after polls closed on Sunday night predicted incorrectly the right-wing parties would have a comfortable majority and the PP would have 150 seats.

A spike in votes for the Socialists, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque country, led to GAD3 overestimating the PP results by around 2 percentage points, Michavila said at an event in Madrid Monday. Separatists in those two regions have been a particular target for Vox, which wants to revoke the widespread powers they enjoy under Spains highly devolved system of government.

In Catalonia, the Socialist party won 19 out of 48 seats, its best result in 15 years.

Story continues

Another post-election survey by Sigma Dos also predicted a much better showing for the PP with a potential majority for the right-wing bloc.

Many Socialist supporters stayed home during Mays local elections and Sanchez galvanized his base by warning that a right-wing government would roll back rights on abortion and euthanasia and cut support for the LGBTQ community. PP-Vox coalitions in dozens of towns and regions have removed rainbow flags from city halls since winning in May and shuttered institutions to promote gender equality.

Despite the swing of support from separatist groups to the Socialists, its a pro-independence group Junts per Catalunya that could potentially unlock a third term for Sanchez as he seeks to solve the parliamentary math problem. Still, its more likely that Spain will have a repeat election in the coming months.

We knew that the left was trending higher a week prior to the vote, but polls underestimated that spike, said Pablo Simon, a politics professor at Carlos III University speaking at the same event as Michavila. The results show that the two-party system gaining is strength, but instability is far from over.

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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Star Media Group Berhad fair value estimate is RM0.68

Star Media Group Berhad is estimated to be 39% undervalued based on current share price of RM0.41

Analyst price target for STAR is RM0.42 which is 39% below our fair value estimate

How far off is Star Media Group Berhad (KLSE:STAR) 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 today's 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!

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.

View our latest analysis for Star Media Group Berhad

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 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.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM36.1m RM36.7m RM37.5m RM38.5m RM39.6m RM40.8m RM42.1m RM43.5m RM45.0m RM46.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Est @ 1.60% Est @ 2.19% Est @ 2.61% Est @ 2.89% Est @ 3.10% Est @ 3.24% Est @ 3.34% Est @ 3.41% Est @ 3.46% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM32.7 RM30.0 RM27.7 RM25.7 RM24.0 RM22.3 RM20.9 RM19.5 RM18.2 RM17.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM238m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM47m (1 + 3.6%)  (11% 3.6%) = RM691m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM691m ( 1 + 11%)10= RM253m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM492m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.4, the company appears quite good value at a 39% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual 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 Star Media Group Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.871. 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 Star Media Group Berhad

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Media market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching 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. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Star Media Group Berhad, we've put together three relevant aspects you should explore:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 3 warning signs for Star Media Group Berhad we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does STAR's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- SBB, the embattled landlord at the center of Swedens property crisis, received demands from a group of bondholders to make sweeping changes, in an escalation of tensions over efforts to close a looming funding gap.

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The creditors, advised by PJT Partners, demanded that Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB  as the company is formally known appoint two new board members and a chief restructuring officer, according to a letter seen by Bloomberg News. The group also asked SBB to provide key terms of recent sales transactions and outline the reasons behind unexplained cash burn, they said in the letter sent Sunday.

The investors  representing nearly 2 billion ($2.2 billion) of bonds and including Polus Capital Management Ltd, Anchorage Capital Group and BlackRock Inc.  threatened to take legal action if its demands werent met by the end of this week.

They warned that a signification portion of the group believes SBB has breached a key financial covenant in its bond terms and would push for an event of default if progress isnt made quickly enough.

SBB declined to comment.

The shares dropped to 1.4% in Stockholm, reversing earlier gains of as much as 5.5%. Some of SBBs bonds moved lower on Monday afternoon by 0.6 cents, according to Bloombergs prices.

The 4-page letter shows how tension is mounting as SBB struggles to find ways to raise enough money to plug a self-identified cash shortfall of 8.1 billion Swedish kronor ($779 million) over the next 12 months. Its efforts suffered a major setback on Friday when the company said talks had ended with Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. over the sale of a 51% stake in a portfolio of school buildings.

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Read More: Embattled SBBs Woes Worsen After Abrupt End to Brookfield Talks

The PJT-led group was formed in June after the emergence of a separate group of bondholders, calling itself B2023 Funds. Last month, B2023 alleged that the company breached the same coverage ratio on March 31. SBB has since said the claims arent true.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says:

Reports of a letter from bondholders to SBB suggest that the standoff between the issuer and some creditors is escalating, and the threat of legal action as soon as this week could mean bonds remain weak.

Tolu Alamutu, senior credit analyst (Click here for more)

Writing in the letter, the PJT bondholders demanded that SBB refrain from any future material disposals or capital increases without first consulting the group. It expressed concern that SBB is moving money out of their reach after the landlord last week struck a deal with a fund managed by Morgan Stanley to raise cash via an issuance of preference shares.

The group  which also includes Sona Asset Management Ltd., Elliott Investment Management LP, Man Group GLG and Diameter Capital Partners  claimed that the Morgan Stanley deal undermines existing creditors and appears to have been structured to circumvent the credit protections, according to the letter sent by law firm White & Case LLP.

Representatives for Man Group, Diameter, Polus, Blackrock, Elliott and White & Case declined to comment, while a representative for Anchorage did not respond to a request for comment.

--With assistance from Irene Garcia Perez.

(Updates with share reaction and analyst comment)

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foxconn will acquire a 50% stake in ZF Group's axle system assembly unit, creating a joint venture aimed at growing automotive and supply chain opportunities, the companies said on Monday.

The deal, which values ZF Chassis Modules GmbH at 1 billion euros ($1.11 billion), will allow the companies to expand the range of product offerings in the internal combustion engine and electric vehicle space, they said in a statement.

The joint venture with Foxconn is part of ZF's strategy to grow specific business areas beyond current limits with external partners' support, the German company's chief executive, Holger Klein, told Reuters.

"This business can grow very quickly, but it has relatively low margins. It needs fresh capital," which is why ZF had been looking for a partner, said Klein.

ZF wants to use the proceeds to reduce debts.

The joint venture agreement is expected to become effective within six to nine months of signing pending regulatory approvals.

Klein, who said that he did not rule out Foxconn taking over further shares later, does not anticipate any major difficulties during the German government's review of the transaction.

Berlin last year blocked the sale of Munich-based chip supplier Siltronic to a Taiwanese rival over tensions with China.

($1 = 0.9029 euros)

(Reporting by Alexander Huebner, Writing by Friederike Heine and Miranda Murray, Editing by Rachel More)
(Bloomberg) -- TC Energy Corp. agreed to sell a 40% stake in two US natural gas pipeline networks for $3.9 billion (C$5.2 billion) in cash, a deal that will allow the Canadian company to meet a goal of reducing its debt ahead of schedule.

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The transaction with private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners will put the assets  the Columbia Gas Transmission and Columbia Gulf Transmission networks in the US  in a joint venture between TC and GIP, with TC continuing to operate the systems.

TC Energy has met its target of reducing debt by C$5 billion or more this year ahead of time, Chief Executive Officer Francois Poirier said Monday in a statement. The company has grappled with a major cost overrun at its Coastal GasLink pipeline, which its building to supply LNG Canada, a gas export project in British Columbia. The asset-sale program also is intended to help TC Energy keep its dividend growing by 3% to 5% per year.

We like the move to take a sizable chunk out of TC Energys $5+ billion asset monetization program and the reduction in the go-forward capital intensity for the company via a transaction with a well-regarded partner, Robert Kwan, an analyst with Royal Bank of Canada, said in a note. Still, the sales valuation is very slightly below what we had previously embedded in our existing assumptions for the entire asset monetization program.

TC Energy shares fell 3.3% to C$50.53 at 10:13 a.m. in Toronto, the biggest decline in the 40-company S&P/TSX Energy Index. The shares are down 6.4% this year, compared with a 2% drop for the index.

The Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf pipelines cover more than 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers) and account for about 20% of US liquefied natural gas export supply.

Story continues

(Updates with analysts comment in fourth paragraph.)

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CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The UAE Regulation Lab (RegLab), which is under the General Secretariat of the UAE Cabinet, has joined forces with the Futurise Sdn Bhd (Futurise), a Malaysian company under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, to create an agile and conducive legislative environment that pioneers regulation innovation.

Rosihan Zain Baharudin, Chief Executive Officer of Futurise with H.E. Maryam Alhammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet.

In a bid to form a pact to pave a strong foundation for the fast-tracking of new emerging solutions through regulatory sandboxes and other catalytic initiatives in Malaysia and the UAE, the new partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the leveraging of each other's technical knowledge and experience at various levels.

The MoU signing ceremony which was held in the UAE, saw the signing of the partnership agreement between H.E. Maryam Alhammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet and Mr. Rosihan Zain Baharudin, Chief Executive Officer of Futurise.

Her Excellency Maryam Alhammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet said, "This Memorandum of Understanding will enable us to band together to discuss challenges, innovative approaches and ideas that will amplify our regulatory efforts and achieve global standards and benchmarks in creating a thriving regulatory innovation ecosystem which will truly transform the sector."

Aside from active discussions around strategies to foster a conducive environment and enable functional and unhindered cultivation of new technologies for entrepreneurs and businesses in the two countries, the agreement also enables the coordination between both parties to explore cross-border collaboration and research and development (R&D) initiatives.

Rosihan Zain Baharudin, Chief Executive Officer of Futurise said that the partnership marks a pivotal step forward in positively impacting both nation's innovation landscape. For Malaysia, this opens up moregov space for the future economy to grow under the framework of the New Investment Policy and the country's digital economy aspirations.

Story continues

"We are thrilled and honoured to be working hand-in-hand with UAE Regulations Lab to put in place all the building blocks essential to galvanise Malaysia's technological ecosystem. This will help us in refining a lot of our initiatives at Futurise and steer us in the right direction by looking at best practices in other nations. Our combined knowledge bank with UAE Regulations Lab will symbiotically build a strong foundational layer for both nations to tap into and open up endless possibilities for more dynamic innovative solutions to come to fruition."

The partnership will also activate co-research activities on vital areas of common interest such as the design, development and management of regulatory sandbox programmes and open innovation platforms for numerous industries. This will drive the experimentation of regulatory solutions that can be replicated, localised and scaled for use depending on the needs of the ecosystem.

The MoU signing ceremony was followed up with two RegTalk sessions participated by industry experts on various mobility topics organised by UAE Regulations Lab and Futurise. Stretched over three days, the visit to the UAE by the Malaysian delegates also featured meetings and networking sessions with ecosystem bodies within the UAE to provide access and exchange necessary to promote discussions and collaborations that will revolutionise the future of mobility.

About Futurise

Futurise is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cyberview Sdn Bhd under the Ministry of Finance.

Futurise is mandated by the Government of Malaysia to manage the National Regulatory Sandbox. Futurise provides public policy advisory, acting as a key enabler of regulatory solutions that can expedite innovation and future-proof Malaysia's economy.

The NRS provides a forward-looking approach to regulation, allowing minimal barriers by creating a controlled regulatory testing environment. This initiative will also help the Government better understand the importance of the impact of technology on economic growth and human capital development based on the principle of 'data-driven policy intervention'.

Follow Futurise social media for updates:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/futurise.cyberjaya

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurisecyberjaya/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurise/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/futurisecyber?lang=en

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/uae-regulation-lab-signs-mou-with-futurise-to-pave-the-way-for-regulatory-innovation-301883780.html

SOURCE Futurise Sdn Bhd
ROME (AP)  The U.N. chief on Monday urged Russia to resume the internationally brokered deal so that grain can be shipped from Ukraines Black Sea ports, saying that otherwise, the world's most vulnerable among the hungry will suffer the worst consequences.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the appeal during a speech in Rome at the opening of a three-day food summit.

With the recent collapse of the Ukraine-Russia grain deal, "the most vulnerable will pay the highest price,'' Guterres said. He lamented that there are already negative effects on global wheat and corn prices.

Wheat prices have risen more than 14% since Monday, when Russia pulled out of the grain deal, and corn prices are up more than 10%.

Both Russia and Ukraine are essential to global food security,'' the U.N. leader said. He noted that they have historically accounted for 30% of global wheat and barley exports, a fifth of all maize and more than half of all sunflower oil.

"For my part, I remain committed to facilitating unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizer from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation and to deliver the food security every person deserves,'' Guterres said.

I call on the Russian Federation to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, in line with my latest proposal," Guterres said, urging the international community to stand united to find solutions for the issue.

Russia's refusal to renew the accord triggered the deal's collapse earlier this month. It said the Black Sea Initiative would be suspended until demands to get Russian exports of food and fertilizer to the world are met.

The accord had been brokered by the United Nations and Turkey as a way to keep grain flowing to developing countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East, despite the war unleashed by Moscow against Ukraine in February 2022.

When the grain deal was struck, the U.N. World Food Program regained a top supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the brink of famine, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen.

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The deal's suspension as well as Russian attacks on the Black Sea ports of Ukraine have irked Russian ally China and as well as developing nations heavily dependent on the shipments to feed their people.

Besides the grain deal, the effects of climate change on food production and distribution will figure in discussions at the Rome summit.

"We need food systems that can help end this senseless war on our planet,'' Guterres said. "Transformation means new, sustainable food systems that can reduce the carbon footprint of food processing, packaging and transportation.''

Such transformation also demands that governments and businesses "take stronger and faster action to tackle the climate crisis and deliver environmental and climate justice,'' he added.

Pacific island nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea-levels caused by climate change.

We need to be able to grow what we eat and eat what we grow,'' Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa told the summit. But that simple construct is so far reaching and presupposes that we can adequately support the actions that lead to the right outcome.

It is not too late to protect what we have, she said. "All it requires is determination and tenacity. Climate action must be at the forefront of all our endeavors.

The way food is grown and produced is contributing to climate change, weakening the agriculture-food system, according to Corinna Hawkes, director of the division of food systems and food safety at the Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which is hosting the summit.

The gathering aims to take stock of progress and setbacks since the first food systems summit was held in 2021.

According to FAO, the summit has drawn participants from 161 countries, including 22 heads of state or government, and 150 non-governmental organizations.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Tuberculosis (TB) is the second deadliest infectious disease, causing 1.5 million deaths globally every year. More than 80%1 of cases and deaths due to TB occur in lower- and middle-income countries. People who are immunocompromised are especially at risk of contracting the bacteria that causes TB, and people living with HIV are 16 times more likely to develop active TB.1 Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat, with only about one in three people with drug-resistant TB able to access treatment.

We are uniquely engaged in partnerships to address TB, including through our efforts to bring new treatments addressing drug-resistant TB more equitably to patients around the world. Viatris has launched pretomanid, specifically approved for adults with MDR-TB. It's only the third new anti-TB drug approved in the past half-century.

In 2022, we partnered with MedAccess and TB Alliance to reduce the price of pretomanid, by 34%.2 Pretomanid is part of two new treatment regimens with high efficacy and shorter treatment durations recently recommended by the WHO as the preferred regimens for most people with drug-resistant TB. Viatris has been working with health authorities and HCPs to scale access to the product. In 2022, we supplied 3,000 treatments of pretomanid, completed 21 registrations, and are awaiting approval in 13 additional countries.

Eight countries, including India, together account for more than two thirds of the global total of TB cases. In India, where approximately 45,000 people are being treated for MDRTB, we supplied access to delamanid, a drug used to treat MDR-TB, to approximately 10,000 patients in 2022 in support of the government's mission to Make India TB Free by 2025. We also began planning a new community-based project to help control TB in the rural and tribal areas of the Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra, which lacks reliable health services, and sponsored the India Fights TB portal, which will provide support for TB patients, their families and caregivers in four states with high TB burden. We have also partnered with India's planning commission, NITI Aayog, under the guidance of Central TB Board, to increase awareness, enhance screening and provide access to quality healthcare in the model district of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. Further, Viatris has facilitated screening of more than 1 million people and helped 700 patients access the public health TB program.

Story continues

While global TB burden is concentrated in certain countries, TB occurs in every part of the world. We operate a namedpatient access program in Europe, enabling pretomanid to reach patients in 12 European countries in 2022. In addition, we helped secure public reimbursement for the treatment in Belgium, Italy and Poland.

In 2022, we also received reimbursement approval for pretomanid in South Korea from the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) authority, Health Insurance Review Agency (HIRA), marking the first new Viatris drug to get approved and reimbursed in the country. Starting in 2023, extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) patients in South Korea can be treated with pretomanid for no charge. We signed on with the Korea National TB Association (KNTA) to become a member of the STOP-TB Partnership KOREA program, which aims to eradicate TB in the country.

Stemming the Tide of Hepatitis B and C

We also work to stem the tide of hepatitis. About 354 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis types B and C and treatments and prevention often remain out of reach in low- and lower-middle-income countries.3 In 2022, we received approval in the Philippines for tenofovir alafenamide, indicated for hepatitis B, which affects about 17%, or 7 million Filipinos.3 To increase disease awareness, we plan to offer patient screenings to colleagues, are partnering with the Hepatitis Society of the Philippines' Viral Hep Workshop among physicians and are actively working with the government to help ensure access when the product launches in 2023.

Thailand has a high incidence of hepatitis B and C, which increases the risk of liver cancer, one of the country's leading causes of death. Many people don't know that they have hepatitis, so our team partners with the Liver Foundation of Thailand, the Thailand Department of Disease Control, and the Thailand Hepatitis Alliance on the Hepatitis Screening Camp, who help identify those infected and enable access to treatments. In the past five years, the project has identified and provided treatment courses for more than 30,000 people living with hepatitis in Thailand.

View the full 2022 Sustainability Report here.

1WHO Tuberculosis Fact Sheet

2MedAccess press release

3WHO Hepatitis Facts

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Viatris on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Viatris

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/viatris

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Viatris





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/769903/Viatris-2022-Sustainability-Report-Partnering-To-End-Tuberculosis




Key Insights

Vox Royalty's estimated fair value is CA$2.56 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Vox Royalty is estimated to be 24% overvalued based on current share price of CA$3.17

The US$6.00 analyst price target for VOXR is 135% more than our estimate of fair value

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Vox Royalty Corp. (TSE:VOXR) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present 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!

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 Vox Royalty

The Model

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$5.70m US$6.00m US$6.23m US$6.43m US$6.61m US$6.78m US$6.93m US$7.08m US$7.23m US$7.37m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 3.84% Est @ 3.23% Est @ 2.80% Est @ 2.50% Est @ 2.29% Est @ 2.14% Est @ 2.04% Est @ 1.97% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% US$5.3 US$5.1 US$4.9 US$4.7 US$4.4 US$4.2 US$3.9 US$3.7 US$3.5 US$3.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$43m

Story continues

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.8%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$7.4m (1 + 1.8%)  (8.4% 1.8%) = US$114m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$114m ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$51m

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$94m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$3.2, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

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. 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 Vox Royalty 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 1.107. 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 Vox Royalty

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Metals and Mining market.

Expensive based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Threat

Has less than 3 years of cash runway based on current free cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. 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 premium to intrinsic value? For Vox Royalty, we've compiled three essential items you should consider:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 1 warning sign for Vox Royalty you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does VOXR'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 Canadian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Colorado river passing by downtown Austin

Thanks to no state income tax and a cost of living that's practically on par with the national average, high earners from more expensive cities like New York City, San Francisco and Chicago can maximize their income by relocating to the Texas state capital.

To determine how much you can save by moving to Austin, Texas, SmartAsset compared the cost of living and tax rates to those of New York, San Francisco and Chicago for people earning between $150,000 and $650,000.

Key Findings

People making $650k in Austin get taxed less than people making $150k in San Francisco and New York. The highest-earning workers in Austin are taxed at a rate of 35%, while workers earning $150,000 in New York and San Francisco face tax rates of 37% and 36%, respectively.

Moving from New York to Austin will save higher earners 40% or more of their salary. In fact, someone making $650,000 in the Big Apple can save over $250,000 annually by relocating to Austin after accounting for taxes and the cost of living.

Top earners moving from Chicago to Austin will only save 12% of their salary. After factoring in taxes and the local cost of living, someone earning $650,000 per year saves $76,362 by moving to Austin  nearly 182,000 less than a similar high earner moving from New York.

San Franciscans can save up to 11 points on their taxes in a move to Austin. People making $650,000 per year in San Francisco are taxed at a rate of 46%, while those in Austin pay just 35%. High-earning New Yorkers save an average of 10 points on their taxes by heading to Austin or double what high-earning Chicagoans save in a similar move (5 points).

NYC  Austin

While New Yorkers contend with costs that are 122% higher than the national average, the cost of living in Austin is more or less in line with the average. Since there's no state income tax in Texas, high-earning New Yorkers who move to Austin would also get a more favorable tax treatment. Effective tax rates for high earners range from 37% to 45% in New York, while their counterparts in Austin are taxed at rates of 27% to 35%. Overall, a move from New York to Austin can save a high earner between 40% and 44% of their salary.

Story continues

San Francisco  Austin

People who move to Austin benefit from a cost of living that's nearly 69 points lower than it is in San Francisco. Meanwhile, taxes will eat up between 36% and 46% of a high earner's income in San Francisco, but only 27% to 35% in Austin. As a result, people making between $150,000 and $650,000 in San Francisco can save up to 34% of their salary by relocating to Austin.

Chicago  Austin

High earners from Chicago stand to save significantly less on a move to Austin than their counterparts in New York and San Francisco. Overall, Chicagoans who earn between $150,000 and $650,000 can save roughly 12% of their salary by moving to Texas' capital city. That's partly because the cost of living in Chicago is just 13 points higher than it is in Austin, contributing to the lower overall savings. However, high earners do save on taxes, which range from 32% to 40% in Chicago.

Data and Methodology

Tax data comes from SmartAsset's paycheck calculator and accounts for federal, state and local taxes. Base assumptions were used for a single tax filer. Cost of living premiums come from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Q1 2023 data and includes necessities pricing, including housing, transportation, utilities, groceries, healthcare and miscellaneous goods.

Financial Tips for High Income Earners

Manage your tax bill. Maxing out retirement accounts, donating to charity and contributing to a 529 plan are all ways to lower your taxable income  and your eventual tax bill. Investing in tax-exempt municipal bonds is also a way to reduce taxes. These bonds generate interest that's excluded from Medicare surtax calculations and isn't subject to federal income tax either.

Work around the Roth income limits. Your income may be too high to qualify for Roth contributions, but a legal loophole known as the backdoor Roth IRA allows you to work around those income limits. Simply make pre-tax contributions to a traditional IRA and then convert that account into a Roth variation. You'll have to pay income taxes on the money you convert, but those contributions will grow tax-free from there. Additionally, required minimum distributions (RMDs) don't apply to Roth accounts, helping you potentially save money on taxes in retirement.

Work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help you invest your money, plan for the future and protect your assets. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Questions about our study? Contact us at press@smartasset.com

Photo credit: iStock.com/simonkr

The post Wall Street Texas: A NYC-Austin Move Can Save High Earners 40% or More appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
(Bloomberg) -- Beijing is on a mission to revamp its state-owned enterprises, and show the world that investing in President Xi Jinpings China can reward everyone from domestic savers to skeptical money managers.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Officials have kicked off a drive in recent months to boost the valuations of SOEs, a massive cohort that has contributed little to gains in the nations stock indexes over the years. These firms are in every corner of the economy  ranging from banking to ports and the steel industry  and the major entities account for almost half of the overall market capitalization, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

The campaign, which has fueled a jump of over 50% in some SOE stocks, is accompanied by a slogan of buying into a valuation system with Chinese characteristics. While its unclear what exactly that means, the SOEs do sit at the heart of a crucial debate: the role of markets and investors in listed state companies in an era when Xi has extended his grip over the economy.

All this is happening as global money managers have become increasingly cautious about Chinese assets after years of regulatory crackdowns and geopolitical tensions. With Chinas stocks ranking among the worlds worst performers this year, a drive that can realign the targets of the nations biggest state companies with the interests of investors may well bring about a market revival.

The valuation system with Chinese characteristics has apparently helped sentiment somewhat, but we are more focused on long-term reforms, of which VSCC is a part of a bigger theme, said Stella Li, Investment Director at abrdn Plc. A long term and continued reform that increases ROE, efficiency and transparency does improve the attractiveness of A shares to global investors, she said referring to stocks traded in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Story continues

Scores of SOEs have rallied hard since China Securities Regulatory Commission Chairman Yi Huiman referred to the SOE valuation system during a speech in November. The official narrative is that these companies valuations are unduly low given that the firms play a dominant role in the worlds second-biggest economy.

A gauge of shares of central government-owned companies has climbed about 5% following Yis remarks, outperforming the CSI 300 Index which is little changed. SOE stocks such as PetroChina Co., China Telecom Corp. and China Satellite Communications Co. each gained more than 50% from late November through early May, when the rally reached its peak.

Theres been growing optimism about state-owned firms after the regulator introduced a new set of targets this year to assess them. Focusing on metrics like return on equity and operational cash ratio increases the pressure for SOEs to step up buy-backs and dividends as well as boost income from core operations.

Industry Laggards

Traditionally, SOEs metrics have tended to lag those of their private-sector peers. For example, liquor maker Wuliangye Yibin Co. has a five-year average ROE of 25%, compared with 40% for Sichuan Swellfun Co.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd, the nations biggest lender by market cap, is trading at a price-to-book ratio of 0.51 times and 0.38 times in Hong Kong. This compares with 0.75 times for Japans Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. and 2.45 times for Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Over the past decade, industries dominated by SOEs such as telecoms, banks and utilities have traded at a long-term discount of around 11% relative to their peers in emerging markets, and at a 28% discount to global counterparts, according to Morgan Stanley.

For Sharukh Malik, portfolio manager at Guinness Global Investors, getting SOEs to reduce their cash holdings is key since many hold as much as half of their balance sheet in cash. Thats definitely positive for the China story, he said. The reform may also be in the form of better earnings growth and leading to higher return on capital profile, another positive from an institutional point of view.

But the sheer size of the SOE universe suggests that the campaign will be neither quick nor easy.

China has a sprawling network of state firms, with the central government directly controlling 98 entities in key industries, according to the national regulator. While profits of central SOEs climbed 115% between 2016 and 2022, their market capitalization rose only 12.7%, lagging a 16% increase for the broader market, said Chen Jiao, an executive at China Reform Holdings Corp.

Additionally, policymakers who execute the reforms will have to juggle competing interests as unlike most investors, state-owned firms tend to prioritize social goals over profits.

Its good to see such improvements via visible KPIs such as financial metrics, i.e. profit growth, ROEs, dividend payout etc., said Xiadong Bao, fund manager at Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management in Paris. But the sustainability of this alignment is unknown, as the priority items on the agenda of SOEs may reshuffle according to their different mandates in different periods, as SOEs are supposed to shoulder more social burdens.

Theres a lot at stake: If Beijing fails to revitalize its SOEs, this may fuel more debate about the viability of President Xis reforms.

SOE reform is a long-term process and its not new in Chinas overall reform history, said Edmond de Rothschilds Bao. But it can ignite the hope that a more market-driven approach may prevail and a structural improvement in SOEs fundamentals and shareholder return policy shall help the market sentiment.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Susan Cooper, a 68-year-old art therapist who has lived in her Hastings-on-Hudson home since 1998, was heartened when she learned of the states most generous property tax exemption, which can cut ones propertys assessment by as much as 50%.

It looked promising for Cooper, who earns $50,000 a year at the White Plains Hospitals Center for Cancer Care, and creates dramatic large-scale paintings in the studio behind her Warburton Avenue home.

But to get the full bang for the exemption buck, all of her taxing jurisdictions needed to approve the increase in the program's income limit.

Susan Cooper, a painter and an art therapist who earns about $50,000 a year, at home in Hastings-on-Hudson June 20, 2023. State legislation passed last year giving taxing jurisdictions the ability to raise the limit for the senior citizen exemption from the high $30,000s to the mid-$50,000s. Most of Greenburgh's 10 school districts have done so. Hastings-on-Hudson has not, and Cooper can't get a call back from school officials.

Acting to help seniors like her was Westchester County, the town of Greenburgh and the village of Hastings-on-Hudson. Those actions cut her property tax bill by $5,300 to about $13,000. But the Hastings-on-Hudson schools, like 29 other districts in the lower Hudson Valley, have so far declined to do so.

Under current limits, Cooper does not qualify for the exemption, which provides a 50% reduction for those with incomes of $29,000, with reduced levels of exemption up to $37,800. She wants Hastings to do what Westchester, Greenburgh and the village have done: increase the limits to $50,000 for the 50% reduction, with savings declining to 5% up to $58,400.

Volunteers: 10% tax break option available for volunteer firefighters

Doing so would lower her tax bill by an additional $5,900, to a more manageable $7,000 a year. Cooper said she has made no headway with the school district, following emails, phone calls and finally, speaking before the school board in June.

As I was completing my comments to the Board of Education in June, I was told. Your time is up,  she said. I guess that was the answer to my question: My time is up in Hastings-on-Hudson.

Hastings-on-Hudson school board Vice President Doreen Bucher said time ran out earlier this year to address the issue before the tax rolls were made final. Now the district's business official, Maureen Caraballo, will conduct a financial analysis to determine the exemption's impact if the income limit gets raised.

The previous income limit, established in 2009, ranged from $29,000 to $37,400.

"There was a short turnaround for the 2023 tax year, and they didn't have enough information to vote on it," Caraballo said.

Seniors: Property tax exemption limits rise in 2022

The Hastings-on-Hudson school district was not alone.

A Tax Watch investigation found that among 129 municipalities and school districts in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, just 55% had increased the income limit to provide assistance to its low-income homeowners ages 65 and older. School districts, which can be responsible for as much 75% of ones property tax bill, have moved much slower than municipalities. Hastings is among 30 of 52 in the three counties that have yet to raise the income limits.

Municipalities do more for seniors

Meanwhile, 52 of 79 municipalities have raised the limit. That includes Mount Vernon, but that city only raised the top limit to $37,400.

All three county governments raised the income limit. In Putnam County and six of its nine municipalities, the higher limit will be phased in over three years.

The outlier in Putnam is the countys Democratic stronghold of Phillipstown, where the town of Phillipstown and villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville have yet to act. The same goes for the town's Haldane school district.

Brian Kenny, who serves as assessor in Philipstown and lives there, said he advised the town board not to vote on increasing the limit. He noted that low-income seniors also qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption, a state-financed benefit, which provided school tax savings of $1,814 there in 2022.

I understand that seniors and everybody needs a break, said Kenny , also the assessor in Orangetown. But who is paying for it? Its you and me and the rest of the working people. They have to subsidize it. The seniors are already getting Enhanced STAR and IRA benefits. They are retired. They can go to Florida if they dont like it.

Schools boards association wants funding, not tax shift

The New York State School Boards Association says its unfair to make the school board responsible for determining who gets a tax break in their community. The state provides no funding for the exemption, which means that every dollar in taxes saved by a senior citizen must be picked up by the jurisdictions remaining taxpayers.

Karen Belanger, executive director of the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association and a former Rye City school board member, said it was wrong for the state Legislature to enact exemptions for senior citizens, volunteer firefighters and veterans, but then decline to fund the exemptions.

That leaves it up to school boards to decide who receives favored treatment, at the behest of the districts other taxpayers.

All the rest of us end up paying for it, Belanger said. As a school board member, I didnt feel it was my place to decide who pays more and who pays less.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, noted New York provided record increases in state aid in 2023-24, with Hastings-on-Hudson district seeing an increase of 23%  up $1.6 million. She said the program addresses the struggles of New York retirees trying to remain in their hometowns.

"We passed this legislation because we understood the affordability crisis our seniors are facing," she said. "This legislation simply increases the number of seniors eligible for this existing program. Since we took the majority, we have provided record school funding to districts across New York state and this legislation give localities the option to pass those savings on to this vulnerable population."

School districts have also had to act on a new exemption for volunteer firefighters and EMS workers, who can receive a 10% assessment reduction if allowed by the taxing jurisdiction. There's an increased exemption for veterans as well.

Belanger noted that local veterans have been quite vocal in urging adoption of the tax exemption of the volunteers. Seniors, however, have been less active in lobbying for adoption.

The school boards may not be aware of the senior exemption issue, she said.

AARP New York, the states preeminent lobbying group for senior citizens, has not been involved in the issue, said spokesman Erik Kriss.

Susan Cooper, a painter and an art therapist who earns about $50,000 a year, prunes bushes at home in Hastings-on-Hudson June 20, 2023. State legislation passed last year giving taxing jurisdictions the ability to raise the limit for the senior citizen exemption from the high $30,000s to the mid-$50,000s. Most of Greenburgh's 10 school districts have done so. Hastings-on-Hudson has not, and Cooper can't get a call back from school officials.

Susan Cooper is still waiting for the Hastings-on-Hudson schools to lend a hand so she can remain in the village. Shes still working and painting, and hoping to stick around in southern Westchester.

They say they want diversity, which should include people of differing income levels, she said. Hastings needs to walk the walk instead of talking the talk. When you are a senior, it would be great to stay in the community where youve lived for so long.

Westchester school districts

Increased senior exemption income-limit to $58,400: Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Greenburgh, Irvington, Katonah-Lewisboro, Mamaroneck, North Salem, Pelham, Pocantico Hills, Port Chester, Scarsdale, Tarrytown and Yonkers.

Did not increase the income-limit to $58,400: Ardsley, Bedford, Blind Brook, Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Byram Hills, Chappaqua, Croton-Harmon, Eastchester, Elmsford, Harrison, Hastings-on-Hudson, Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, Mount Vernon (only raised to $37,400), New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Rye City, Rye Neck, Somers, Tuckahoe, Valhalla, White Plains, Yorktown.

Westchester municipalities

Increased the senior income limit: Ardsley, Bedford, Croton-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Larchmont, Lewisboro, Mamaroneck town and village, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon (to $37,400), New Castle, New Rochelle, North Castle, North Salem, Ossining town and village, Pelham town and village, Pelham Manor, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Rye town, Scarsdale, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Yonkers, Yorktown.

Did not increase the income limit: Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Eastchester, Harrison, Mount Kisco, Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye City, Somers, Tuckahoe.

Putnam schools and municipalities

School districts that raised the income level: Brewster, Garrison, Mahopac.

Did not raise the income level: Carmel, Haldane, Putnam Valley.

Putnam municipalities that raised income limit over three years: Brewster, Carmel, Kent, Putnam Valley, Southeast.

Did not raise the income limit: Cold Spring, Nelsonville, Philipstown.

Rockland schools and municipalities

School districts that raised the income limit: Clarkstown, Nanuet (to $43,400), Nyack, North Rockland, Pearl River, South Orangetown.

Did not raise the income limit: East Ramapo, Suffern.

Municipalities that raised the income limit: Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Clarkstown, Haverstraw town, Montebello, New Square, Pomona, Orangetown Ramapo, Spring Valley, Stony Point, Suffern, Wesley Hills, West Haverstraw.

Did not raise the income limit: Grandview, Haverstraw village, Hillburn, Kaser, New Hempstead, Nyack, Piermont, Sloatsberg, Upper Nyack.

Sign up for Wilson's weekly newsletter for insights into his Tax Watch columns.

David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hudson Valley schools slow to enact savings for low-income seniors
Grace Purdum was happy when the thoroughbred mare known as Mare #1 kicked her in the leg one morning.

In our industry, thats a good thing, said Purdum, the president of Hope for Horses, a horse rescue and sanctuary that opened last year in the Hartwood area of Stafford County. I say that openly, because it means she is feeling so much better that now shes ready to start training.

Mare #1 and her companion, River Rapids, were among 140 horses that were rescued last month from a breeding facility in Shenandoah County. The animals were malnourished and living in poor, crowded conditions.

Purdum, who with her husband Scott also operates Advantage Horsemanship, said she learned about the situation from contacts at Central Virginia Horse Rescue. She told them she could take two of the rescued horses.

They said, Do you want stallions? Pregnant mares? Weanlings? Yearlings?, Purdum recalled. I said, I want none of that! So they said, That means youre getting the worst-case, most severely malnourished mares, and I said, I will take that.

The veterinarian who examined the two mares after they arrived at Hope for Horses last month gave them body condition scores of 1.5 and 2. A body score of 56 is optimal for most horses.

The animals were riddled with lice and skin fungus, they were covered in scrapes and they were so undernourished that they had been eating pebbles, Purdum said.

Hope for Horses was able to obtain registration paperwork for one of the two horses, so they know her name is River Rapids. The other horse has no registered identity, so shes known as Mare #1 and the organization is running a community Facebook contest to determine her new name.

The choices are: Daisy, June, Delilah, Rose and Meadow.

In the few weeks they have been under Hope for Horses care, the two mares have gained weight, their coats are shiny and their personalities are coming out.

Theyre starting to have opinions, Purdum said with a laugh. Theyre doing so much better that now. The training starts.

Rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming thoroughbred horses is Purdums specialty and the main mission of Hope for Horses.

The nonprofit organization was established in Galt, California, in 2013. Purdum took over leadership from the founder in January 2022 and opened the Stafford satellite location a year ago.

We have such a tie to the community here as Advantage Horsemanship, and to the horse industry on the East Coast in general, Purdum said. We were getting horses in from tracks in California and shipping them to Virginia. We thought, why are we doing this? There are tracks on the East Coast. We can help horses at both coasts and not have to make those kinds of moves.

In the past year, Purdum estimates that between 1014 horses have come through the Stafford location for rehabilitation, retraining and adoption.

Nearly all of the horses that come to both locations are retired racehorses, and 5% are from abuse and neglect situations such as the one in Shenandoah County.

Though they will not turn away a horse in need, the organization tries to avoid taking in horses that will require permanent sanctuary.

Just because that limits our space to take in horses that can turn around and be rehomed and enter back into society, Purdum said. We really try to stick to our mission of rehabilitate, retrain and rehome. My skillset and my husbands skillset are that we have the knowledge and ability to retrain and turn out good members of society as horses.

Horses retrained by Purdum generally go on to be adopted out to equestrians looking for a performance horse. Occasionally, they become trail horses.

They do so well that theyre just ready for that second career, Purdum said.

Now that the organization is established in Virginia, the Purdums plan for it to grow.

Theyd like to establish a separate facility from Advantage Horsemanship and are looking for property in the Fredericksburg area. Theyre also focused on growing their pool of volunteers.

Other than one part-time employee in California, we are 100% volunteer run, Purdum said.

There are 24 volunteers now, and they do anything and everything around the facility, from mucking out stalls to helping feed and groom horses to answering phone calls to writing grants.

You name it, we need it, Purdum said.

Hope for Horses holds a volunteer orientation and training session each month. Volunteers of any age are welcome, but those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

In August, Hope for Horses plans to start becoming a host facility for PTSD support group meetings.

Purdum said there are similarities between people with PTSD and horses coming off the track.

Whether its mental or they have serious injuries or they just need a let-down period, theyre reestablishing themselves into society in an entirely different manner, she said. They tend to need help and guidance as theyre transitioning. So this is a really great way to bring horses and humans together.

Hope for Horses is fundraising to support its rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Visit hope4horses.networkforgood.com to contribute.
In March 2020, an experiment in science philanthropy was hatched in the span of a five-minute call.

Patrick Collison, the now 34-year-old billionaire CEO of the online payments company Stripe, and economist Tyler Cowen were chewing over a shared concern: Scientific progress seemed to be slowing down.

As the first pandemic lockdowns went into effect, researchers were waiting to hear if they could redirect their federal grants to COVID-related work. Collison and Cowen worried that the National Institutes of Health wasn't moving quickly enough, so they launched Fast Grants to get emergency research dollars to virologists, coronavirus experts and other scientists rapidly.

"We thought: Let's just do this," Cowen recalls. "It was a bit like put up or shut up."

Collison and his brother, John  a Stripe co-founder  contributed and along with Cowen raised more than $50 million from some of the biggest names in tech: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy.

The first round of grants went out in 48 hours, and later rounds were distributed within two weeks, a drastic difference from the hundreds of days a scientist typically waits to hear from the NIH.

Grants of $10,000 to $500,000 backed early efforts to sequence new coronavirus variants, clinical trials for drugs that could potentially be repurposed, and a simple and reliable saliva-based COVID-19 test. By January 2022, all the money had gone to more than 260 projects.

Fast Grants is one of many science improvement projects that Silicon Valley billionaires launched or backed since the pandemic began. Donors channeled hundreds of millions of dollars into research labs and nonprofits, arguing that scientists spend too much time seeking funding for grants that are too restrictive and see a need to support high-potential young scientists and risky or speculative projects that are often overlooked or underfunded.

Collison, along with Vitalik Buterin, creator of the Ethereum blockchain platform, and other donors pledged more than a half-billion dollars to the Arc Institute, a new biomedical research nonprofit that wants scientists to focus on science, not chasing grants.

Eric and Wendy Schmidt spun off Convergent Research, a nonprofit helping to incubate independent organizations to develop research tools and niche or underfunded areas of science.

While these contributions are just a drop in the bucket compared with the nearly $50 billion the NIH spends on research each year, they've been met with both applause and ambivalence.

Many of the experiments are similar to approaches already backed by government, leading some to question whether the money is well spent. Others question the societal implications when more science research is driven by a handful of tech elites motivated by the "move fast and break things" ethos.

"There is a sort of 'back to the future' element to what these guys are doing," says Eric John Abrahamson, a historian working on a book about science philanthropy. He sees parallels with Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, who wanted to reimagine the institutions of science in the early 20th century.

The federal government became the majority funder of basic science research at universities and nonprofit research institutes in the post-World War II era. Today federal funding for basic science still exceeds the combined contributions from corporations, universities and philanthropy.

That margin is narrowing, according to National Science Foundation surveys: Nonprofit and philanthropic contributions for basic research increased from $1.5 billion in 1990 to $9.8 billion in 2020.

Contributions from higher education funds, which include money donors gave to university endowments in the past, increased from $1.9 billion to more than $14 billion in that same period. That growth is largely thanks to new philanthropies built on wealth from technology, data and finance, said France Cordova, president of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, which works to increase giving to science research.

Brian Nosek, executive director of the Center for Open Science, which works to increase transparency in the research process, applauds donors for helping to shake up how science is funded.

Nosek is on the board of the Good Science Project, an advocacy group that's pushing government agencies to make their science grant making more innovative and efficient. Stuart Buck founded that nonprofit last year after a conversation with Collison. Collison and his brother, John, are its biggest benefactors.

Collison is also involved in the Arc Institute, which he helped launch in 2021 with $650 million pledged by more than a dozen other donors. The biomedical research organization provides scientists with no-strings-attached funding over eight-year terms to study the causes of complex diseases like cancer. Funding isn't tied to a particular project, so if scientists want to change course, their hands aren't tied.

Funding approaches that shield scientists from bureaucracy or allow a wider range of ideas to get support may be useful, said David Peterson, an assistant professor of sociology at Purdue University who studies how scientific organizations are evolving.

Some scientists said they view these donors' approaches as an extension of the tech world's fixation with disruption, he said. "There is a feeling that science is another institution like the music industry or taxicabs that are ripe for fundamental transformation to make it much more efficient."

Philanthropy 50: Here's a look at Americas top 50 donors of 2022 Philanthropy 50 1. Bill Gates 2. Michael Bloomberg 3. Warren Buffett 4. Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos 5. John and Laura Arnold 6. Ruth DeYoung Kohler II 7. Sergey Brin 8. Denny Sanford 9. Alice Clark 10. Harry and Linda Fath 11. Pierre and Pam Omidyar 12. George Roberts 13. Leonard Lauder 14. Sobrato Family 15. Audrey Steele Burnand 16. John and Kathy Schreiber 17. Jeff Bezos 18. Irwin and Joan Jacobs 19. Edward Avedisian 20. Brian Chesky 21. (tie) Gerry Lenfest 21. (tie) Marvin Mann 21. (tie) John Paulson 24. Craig Newmark 25. Stuart and Molly Sloan 26. David Baldwin 27. Anthony Wood 28. Eric and Wendy Schmidt 29. Fred Smith 30. Richard and Melanie Lundquist 31. Adrienne Arsht 32. (tie) Marc and Lynne Benioff 32. (tie) Stewart and Judy Colton 34. Joseph Gebbia Jr. 35. Robert and Karen Hale 36. Tilman Fertitta 37. Richard and Nancy Kinder 38. (tie) Jon and Mindy Gray 38. (tie) Roy and Diana Vagelos 40. (tie) Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang 40. (tie) Thomas Kline 40. (tie) Peter Paulsen 43. John Metz and Ali Khan 44. Gordon and Joyce Davis 45. Harriet Macomber 46. John Martinson 47. David and Kathleen LaCross 48. Bastian Family 49. (tie) David Frederick and Sophia Lynn 49. (tie) Murry Gerber
The Nebraska State Patrol arrested a Grand Island man Thursday in connection with a Boone County sexual assault investigation.

Jesse Voichahoske, 35, was arrested on multiple counts of sexual assault of a child following an investigation that began earlier this year.

In May, the Nebraska State Patrol received a report from a victim of a sexual assault that had occurred on multiple occasions in Boone County several years ago. Investigators began looking into the case and discovered another victim. Both victims were children in their early teens at the time of the assaults, which occurred between 2012 and 2015. The suspect had since moved to Grand Island.

Investigators located the suspect, identified as Voichahoske.

Voichahoske was arrested Thursday in Grand Island for first-degree sexual assault and three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child. He was lodged in Hall County Jail and has since been transferred to Boone County Jail.

One of the accusers says she was the victim of a series of sexual assaults in Cedar Rapids when she was between the ages of 13 and 16. She said she was a babysitter for Voichahoske.

The affidavit also cites another victim who alleged sexual assault in Cedar Rapids from August to December of 2013, when the victim was 14 and the defendant was 25.

Voichahoske will appear in Boone County Court at 9 a.m. Aug. 17.

The investigation remains ongoing. The Nebraska State Patrol urges any additional victims or anyone with additional information to contact investigators at 402-370-1024.

Counties with the highest unemployment in Nebraska Counties with the highest unemployment in Nebraska #50. Keya Paha County #48. Franklin County (tie) #48. Pawnee County (tie) #47. Sheridan County #46. Stanton County #45. Holt County #44. York County #43. Adams County #42. Lincoln County #41. Madison County #40. Dodge County #39. Sarpy County #38. Lancaster County #37. Wheeler County #36. Sioux County #34. Deuel County (tie) #34. Garden County (tie) #33. Greeley County #32. Frontier County #31. Valley County #30. Antelope County #29. Cheyenne County #28. Knox County #27. Otoe County #26. Hooker County #25. Banner County #24. Brown County #23. Nuckolls County #22. Gosper County #21. Hitchcock County #20. Webster County #19. Dixon County #18. Gage County #17. Cass County #16. Dawson County #15. Hall County #14. Arthur County #13. Clay County #12. Douglas County #11. Boyd County #10. Thurston County #9. Burt County #8. Scotts Bluff County #7. Loup County #6. Saline County #5. Logan County #4. Dakota County #3. Johnson County #2. Thomas County #1. Blaine County
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
King Soopers tentatively plans to reopen its Colorado Springs store on South Academy Boulevard this fall following the completion of a state permitted asbestos cleanup process and the companys remodel project of the store, King Soopers announced Monday morning.

The 2910 S. Academy Blvd. location shuttered abruptly June 20 after finding the possible existence of asbestos," leaving many customers scrabbling to find alternatives for grocery, gas and pharmacy shopping.

King Soopers' announcement did not provide a targeted reopening date or specific timeline on the cleanup and remodel process.

Before the shutdown last month, King Soopers began the remodel process by hiring a third-party contractor to test the building for asbestos and found some of the mineral material in the stores pickup and pharmacy flooring and adhesives, which was removed by a certified asbestos abatement contractor, the company said in Mondays news release.

The initial testing did not identify asbestos in other areas, so more flooring and adhesives were removed using non-abatement protocols" before later testing identified asbestos in adhesives beneath flooring in areas beyond the store's pharmacy and pickup space where asbestos was first discovered.

Safety is a top priority for King Soopers, and they will not reopen the store until they are fully confident all necessary steps and precautions have been taken, the release stated.

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The Colorado Department of Health and Environment reviewed, approved and permitted King Soopers' cleanup plan. The company hired a general abatement contractor licensed by the state to execute the plan with oversight from a certified asbestos consulting firm.

The store said it will reopen once the asbestos cleanup and store remodel project is finished in order to welcome associates back to the best possible work environment and to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience.

King Soopers will not lay off any of the stores employees during the closure, the release said, and the company will offer work hours to employees at surrounding stores.

In the meantime, King Soopers donated $5,000 to Care and Share, a food bank serving Southern Colorado, to assuage the issue of low fresh food access in the city's southeast quadrant. The company also said it would continue to offer free grocery delivery coupons to impacted customers and operate a mobile pharmacy unit in the stores parking lot.

If customers have questions about the coupon preloaded to customer's loyalty accounts, the company encourage them to call 1-800-576-4377.
A man suffered a gunshot wound on Friday, but did not tell authorities about it until the following day, according to Colorado Springs police officials.

Christopher Beacham, 35, called a local business on Saturday morning and asked an employee to call 911 because Beacham had been shot the day before, police said. Two officers contacted Beacham in the 3200 block on North Chestnut Street and verified that he had what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the upper right arm.

After providing on-scene care and alerting medical personnel, the officers questioned Beacham about where the shooting occurred, what led to the incident and any suspect information, but Beacham refused to cooperate, they said.

Absent cooperation from the victim, there are no further investigative leads at this time, officials said.
In a recent column, I advocated coupling students education to that of their parents. And since where this matters most, a large percentage of fathers are in jail or just AWOL, the onus of raising children falls mainly on mothers. It is these women  especially those dependent on welfare  I feel we should encourage to participate in a variety of educational efforts: completing their GEDs; learning different trades  plumbing, trainee electrician, car mechanics.

My hypothesis is: A child whose caretaker values books and learning will thirst for that greatest womens and childrens liberator  education.

Im cognizant of the bottleneck that poor testing in mathematics presents to Black students. That, and my overriding concern on how to train more minority physicians and scientists, make me believe that concerned communities should grow their teachers. In fact, each one of us can and should teach those willing to learn.

Without teachers there is simply no learning or education. And yet our good teachers work under trying conditions.

We denigrate them for perceived shortcomings of the American education system, which is in great disrepair.

We must therefore work within the confines of a broken system by addressing how to better train BIPOC  Black, Indigenous and people of color  teachers and doctors.

Current teaching staff should get the help they need, even as we rededicate ourselves to training new BIPOC science teachers  particularly Black male teachers  to fill the gaps that exist in the profession for teaching minority children. There are obstacles standing on the way, but they are surmountable.

In Michigan, among undergraduate students taking a teaching education course, 30% of the White and only 7% of the Black students become student teachers. Many minority students find licensure tests forbidding.

Invariably many of them are unaware of the universal American solution  at every level, White and Asian students engage in intensive test-taking practice and classes. Most cost money that many minority candidates lack. If we want to see more Black science teachers in our classrooms, we should underwrite their intensive test-taking training.

My wish list would be: promote the merits of the teaching profession; raise teachers pay; and proselytize young sharp minorities to join the profession and give more scholarships to attend teacher training. Assist prospective minority teachers with test prep to enter teacher training schools as well as licensure exams. And just as important, mentorship of new teachers by qualified older teachers to illumine the way of their progress.

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In addition, STEM teacher-to-teacher dialogues across Colorado; paying for current math and science teachers continuing education. Establishing districtwide math clubs as well as ACT and SAT prep classes. Teacher-training schools should continue being part of the intellectual and academic lives of their BIPOC alumni.

Because the greatest difficulty for BIPOC students and teachers is mathematics and physics, colleges and universities should offer them regular seminars and continuing education.

Additionally, existing national science and mathematics organizations should invite and include corresponding BIPOC students and teachers, in an effort to build a mathematics culture in minority schools. All high school students should be offered membership in a math club in their school district.

Like all other professional groups teachers steadfastly hold onto practices no matter how faulty, arcane, or strange they might appear to an unbiased observer. The desire to maintain what a profession has gained over decades, mitigates against accepting outside criticism or even suggestion to change.

Over time, I have made overtures to teachers and school principals to learn about their concerns, and to express my views and criticism. I have failed miserably.

For instance, in 2010 I invited three Denver school principals and Tim Marquez  founder of the Denver Scholarship Foundation  to dinner at Strings restaurant; we had a wide-ranging discussion that resulted in an agreement on a to-do list and next steps. Many emails later elicited no response.

I only hope they effected some of the steps we agreed upon.

Many schools neighborhoods are replete with brilliant minds that lie fallow, unutilized and uncalled upon. Schools and the teaching profession should endeavor to seek those parts of their communities that can help advance their students learning. The wise woman or man learns that it pays to invite advice, as well as accepts criticism and accolades.

This is the Socratic way of being  a way the scientific mind should aspire to. We cant be good teachers if we are closed-minded.

Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships (AAHEP); co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, Huffington Post blogger, and past columnist for Denver dailies. He has authored a memoir and a novel recounting Kenyas bloody colonial history.
Human traffic

king rampant

The Gazette posted an article July 16 regarding the movie Sound of Freedoms unexpected success. It is a must-see, telling the true story of a Homeland Security agent who goes on a personal mission to Columbia to rescue children enslaved in sex trafficking. When it ended, I sat stunned. All I could think was: This must end. I have to do something.

The movie shows one aspect of human trafficking, international sex trafficking of children.

Human trafficking is rampant throughout the United States, even small communities. I suspect we have all seen a trafficking victim, and simply dont see them. According to the Polaris Project, in 2021, 10,369 reports were made to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.

This is the tip of the iceberg. Victims may be enslaved for labor (21% of victims reported) and/or sex (65%).

Minors represented 31% of the victims of sex trafficking; 79% were female. Abduction occurred in only 6% of reported cases. Most victims knew their trafficker: 33% were family members/caregiver, and 28% an intimate partner.

Of the remainder, 72% were recruited through the internet, and 5% at their school. Although victims had interactions with family/ friends (40%), the criminal justice system (23%), and healthcare services (19%), tragically, most were not identified.

What can we do? 1. Report for rescue. Learn about human trafficking and the red flags (polarispoject.org; thisishumantrafficking.com). If you see something suspicious, call 911, or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888. Due to the danger it is recommended you not intervene.

2. Prevention. Parents and youth must be educated on internet safety (love146.org; sharedhope.org).

3. Educate others. Never underestimate the power of a conversation.

4. Recovery and healing are possible. For local resources, and opportunities to become involved, contact the Southern Colorado Human Trafficking Task Force: 719-650-7465.

Catherine Wheeler

Divide

Consider counter arguments

Letter writer Douglas K. Barth (Case was about free speech, letters, July 19) says he doesnt understand why half of Americans polled think the Supreme Court got the 303 Creative case wrong.

His list of horribles  forcing a LGBTQ designer to create a custom website condemning same-sex marriage; a Jewish artist to create a painting celebrating the Holocaust; a Black baker to custom design a cake honoring the Ku Klux Klan  suggests he doesnt fully understand the case, either.

Its not just about free speech. Its also about Colorados anti-discrimination law, which protects classes of people which dont include the KKK, Holocaust celebrators, or some random person who wants to condemn same-sex marriage. Barths questions dont apply here.

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A better question is if Lorie Smith believed biblical marriage was only between people of the same race, would the Supreme Court decision allow her to refuse to create wedding websites for interracial couples? After all, less than 60 years ago free speech and religious expression arguments were made to justify discrimination based on race, and 17 states had laws forbidding interracial marriage. The Supreme Court rejected those arguments and struck down those laws.

Instead of blaming the media for deceptively characterizing the case, maybe we should consider the counter arguments on their own merits.

Quote Justice Gorsuch all you want, but implying half the population has been brainwashed is not that persuasive.

Joe Loyall

Colorado Springs

Archaic guidelines on equality

Star Parkers reliance on the Old Testament, and specifically the book of Exodus, as the origin of our bedrock constitutional principle of equal protection is odd in light of that books instruction on how to manage slavery.

For example, under the prescriptions of Exodus, any unmarried woman faced the real possibility of being sold into a marriage against her will. Also, a girl or woman could be bought as a wife for a male slave, so that she was now the permanent slave of the owner. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, a prohibition on permanent enslavement did not apply to foreigners (heathens) (Lev. 25:44-46), so men taken prisoner in war became the permanent property of their owners. Elsewhere, permanent enslavement is allowed for women and girls taken in war. Perpetual slavery also faced those slaves purchased from surrounding nations (Eccl. 2:7).

Better to look to the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution and their statutory and case law progeny for the underlying ideas of actual equal protection.

Last, Ms. Parker wants judges to apply equally Gods law. No, equal protection, as codified in the Constitution, applies to the laws of men, and none other. It simply requires the state to treat its citizens evenhandedly under secular law. That is enough, without worrying about which god is involved.

At any rate, I should much prefer the Constitutions equal protection to the cruel and archaic guidelines of the Old Testament.

Davide Migliaccio

Colorado Springs

How much we will fall

Welcome to the New America ... Today, entering a store and taking anything you want, regardless of price and leaving without paying is the new norm. Employees cannot accuse, stop or follow people if they want to stay employed.

The future is dismal and the new progressives are in full support of this. We are losing our country and no one seems to care. I am glad Im in my 70s because I will not be around to see how much we will fall.

Larry Guerin

Colorado Springs
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics' roundup of news from the third branch of government.

One of the more recent appointees to Colorado's U.S. District Court gave lawyers a wide-ranging view from the bench last week, and the top federal public defender for Colorado warned about Congress' planned spending cuts to public defense.

A federal judge's first year

 One year ago, President Joe Biden appointed workers' rights attorney Charlotte N. Sweeney to Colorado's U.S. District Court, one of four trial judges he has installed so far (a fifth is on the way). On Friday, Sweeney sat down with attorneys to talk about what the experience has been like, including her determination to break through the backlog of cases she inherited.

 Im bringing back oral argument," she said. "To me, thats the fastest way to handle it. This district has gotten out of that habit, I think, largely due to the size of the docket. The only way I was going to get through my originally assigned motions was to do some of them from the bench. There was no way we could write up that many orders."

 Sweeney also suggested the newer judges are more likely to be out in the community talking with legal groups, and she gave words of advice to lawyers participating in jury trials.

 "Judges can get overly concerned about being reversed," she said. "All I can do is offer the best I can, the quickest I can."

 As a reminder, there are seven active judges on Colorado's federal trial court, and there is currently one vacancy. To date, Biden has appointed the majority of the court in his first two years alone.

Public defenders blast Congress' proposed cuts

 Last week, national news outlets reported the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives' appropriations committees had committed to cutting the federal public defenders' budget by tens of millions of dollars. Virginia L. Grady, the public defender for Colorado and Wyoming, spoke to Colorado Politics about what the lower spending levels would mean for her office. Here is an excerpt:

Colorado Politics: Let's say the more restrictive amount, the Senate's amount, takes effect. What will that mean for your office's budget?

Virginia Grady: I dont know yet. Were already getting hurt. And everyone is. Because as soon as this news came out, Defender Services declared a hiring freeze. Basically instructed we could not hire. We all have vacancies, but we could not fill them.

We were just studied by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. There was a study done to evaluate our staffing needs, and that revealed we were already operating at a pretty big deficit of staff. We havent begun to add those staff. These budgets just obliterated these additional FTE (full-time equivalent workers).

Do three vacancies that I cant fill hurt us? Yes, they do. So, we are already underwater. Our budget consists of around 80-82% salary and benefits. Add on rent  because were all paying rent for our space  that takes you up to almost 90% of money thats already committed. Its not as though, "Oh, we cant buy furniture."

ABA comes to town

 The American Bar Association will hold its annual meeting in Denver from Aug. 3-8, featuring a speech from Attorney General Merrick Garland. Denver District Court Judge Adam J. Espinosa will also speak on a panel about misconduct from lawyers and judges. Other topics include water rights, artificial intelligence and the First Amendment.

Heard on appeal

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 Colorado Politics' cover story for this week explored a recent Court of Appeals decision in the long-running, expensive effort by the state's ethics commission to assert jurisdiction over the mayor of Glendale.

 Once again, the Court of Appeals has clarified what needs to happen for trial judges to comply with state law when awarding restitution to crime victims.

 Xcel Energy is not immune from being sued when its power lines electrocute a non-customer, the Court of Appeals decided.

 An Arapahoe County judge didn't provide a required jury instruction, prompting the Court of Appeals to overturn a man's 10-year sentence for assault and order a new trial.

 A Denver judge didn't afford a man the proper procedural safeguards when she sent him to jail for contempt over his failure to pay child support.

 Due to an apparent typo in the jury instructions, a Weld County man was convicted of a crime that didn't exist, prompting the Court of Appeals to order a new trial for attempted murder.

 Although Adams County challenged the longstanding assumption that sheriffs' offices are "public entities" able to be sued for certain conduct by their employees, the Court of Appeals reinforced that yes, they are public entities.

In federal news

 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit provided little direction for how trial judges should view the constitutionality of police using dogs to bite unarmed suspects, while simply saying that Lafayette officers couldn't be liable for letting their dog bite a man who was lying on the ground in the fetal position.

 A portion of El Paso County's land use code discriminated against disabled residents in violation of federal law, the 10th Circuit concluded.

 The 10th Circuit reinstated a lawsuit against two Adams County deputies who arguably arrested a man simply for heckling them on the sidewalk.

 Because an incarcerated woman filed her grievances too quickly, she can't sue a corrections officer for allegedly slamming her to the ground, the 10th Circuit decided.

 Although Chaffee County strung a woman along without giving her a clear answer, the 10th Circuit ruled the county didn't violate her property rights by finding her land use violated its code.

Vacancies and appointments

 There are three finalists to succeed soon-to-be-District Court Judge LaQunya Baker on the Arapahoe County Court: Garen Gervey, John Moon and Amy Danielle Touart.

Miscellaneous proceedings

 After several media outlets (including Colorado Politics) succeeded in asking a Denver judge to order the city's school board to release a recording of a closed-door meeting, the tape confirmed board members made a policy decision out of public view about bringing police officers back into schools.
In just two years, the Biden administration appointed four  soon to be five  judges to Colorado's seven-member federal trial court. One of them spoke on Friday about how she and the other new members are taking a different approach to the job.

"It certainly seems like we're moving back to being out more in the community and speaking at events," said U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney. "We dont have a problem with that anymore, at least the new judges. We get the value of that."

Sweeney, who President Joe Biden placed on the bench one year ago, participated in a wide-ranging discussion at a legal education event sponsored by the Colorado Bar Association, the Faculty of Federal Advocates and the Federal Bar Association's Colorado chapter.

A former workers' rights attorney who litigated cases in the same court where she is now a judge, Sweeney recalled hundreds of pending motions waiting for her on day one  some of which had been sitting for two years. She has since reduced her backlog, but observed the problem is systemic.

"Congress is aware," Sweeney said. "But theres been little talk about how to fix that other than adding judges, which seems to be a stalemate. No one wants to add judges depending on the political environment in the state."

The topics Sweeney addressed in a session moderated by attorney David Gartenberg included her work to speed up the resolution of cases, the rapid diversification of Colorado's federal bench, and the pitfalls lawyers should avoid at trial.

Sweeney also briefly touched on the protocols for detecting financial conflicts of interest judges may have in a case  a problem that ensnared her predecessor, Senior Judge R. Brooke Jackson, who had numerous undisclosed conflicts over several years.

"I can tell you we're all on high alert," she said. "That is a very serious issue now."

Sweeney said she has 210 to 230 civil cases at any given time, along with 40 to 70 criminal cases. The best advice she received upon taking office was, "Whatever you do, you have to dig out of what you've been handed."

"You have to," she emphasized, "or you will never, ever, ever catch up."

Sweeney implemented measures to speed up her docket. She addressed the cases that she was more knowledgeable about first because she could resolve those faster. Based on her experience representing workers who were discriminated against  who may not have had an income stream while their cases were pending  Sweeney also prioritized based on the stakes of the controversy.

"I might put a case where someone isnt getting something they claim they need in prison over a corporate contract dispute. I just might, because theres a different harm involved," she said. "People should be comforted that we are reading these things as they come in. Theyre not just going in a pile and we randomly pick."

More significantly, Sweeney began to hold oral arguments over motions and rule from the bench, rather than issuing more time-consuming written decisions. As a result of catching up, Sweeney said, she only has 10 cases where a motion has been waiting for a decision for longer than six months.

"To me, it was about how do we move things faster," she said. "This cant take this long. People are waiting."

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She recalled some attorneys being out-of-step with oral argument protocols, or failing to understand the "lost art" of arguing before a judge. Sweeney believed Colorado's federal court largely shied away from oral arguments because of the already-enormous workload. But she hoped in-person arguments would become the norm again, and would help lawyers hone their speaking skills for jury trials.

"It helps everybody, honestly. You need a fast answer and we need to not write everything up," Sweeney said.

New faces, new approach

Between mid-2021 and early 2023, four new judges joined the U.S. District Court, all of whom were familiar with the institution as lawyers or as sitting magistrate judges. The appointees were also demographically diverse  with a female majority, two people of color and Sweeney as the first openly gay judge.

"It is exciting not because it changes what the court is going to do, but for practitioners and clients, its a different feeling to walk in and be met with a more diverse group of people and feel, 'maybe my issues relate more,'" she said.

In a novel development, Sweeney joined with two of the new arrivals, Regina M. Rodriguez and Nina Y. Wang, and one semiretired judge, Christine M. Arguello, to establish uniform procedures across all four courtrooms. Sweeney believed the most recent appointee, Gordon P. Gallagher, will sign on soon, as will U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews, whose nomination for a district judgeship is stalled in the Senate.

The newer judges, she added, seem more likely to communicate with the magistrate judges who handle the administrative or procedural aspects of cases. They are also more receptive to engaging with the legal community, and perhaps society more broadly.

"We dont have a question of whether we can maintain being nonpartisan and objective. Judges have an obligation to be out in the community," Sweeney said.

Sweeney has only presided over one jury trial so far, noting that the overwhelming majority of civil cases settle and criminal cases result in plea deals. Still, she had words of caution from her experience.

"Jurors are smarter than theyve ever been. They dont need to have things drilled into their head six times," she said.

In her trial, an insurance dispute, Sweeney said jurors expected the lawyers to be savvy with technology, and they got bored very fast.

"If you have problems pulling up an exhibit, theres zero patience from a jury right now," she warned. "They're like, I can pull that up on my phone in half a second. Whats your problem? Its not just from younger jurors. All ages expect this."

More generally, Sweeney cautioned that the large number of insurance cases is problematic. Due to the lack of insurance companies incorporated in Colorado, corporate defendants will often transfer state-level lawsuits to the federal court. That cluster of disputes, she said, is "really hurting our ability to process other cases."
Next years presidential election is poised to move from the political pages to the nations living rooms next month as the contest for the Republican nomination reaches that modern milestone of the races first full-fledged debate.

Up to this point, theres 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, theres 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.

Its unknown whether Colorado will land a debate this cycle, though it appears unlikely, since the state isnt 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, Calif. 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 hes suggested he might.

As it stands, Trumps rivals are scrambling to satisfy fundraising, polling and other criteria  including pledging to support the partys eventual nominee  established by the Republican National Committee for an invitation to appear at Milwaukees Fiserv Forum in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin. Set to air on Fox News, the Aug. 23 debate will be moderated by the channels 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 its been a while.

The state witnessed its premier presidential primary debate in 1992, just days before voters cast ballots in the states 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 countrys 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.

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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 front-runner.

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 states adoption of all-mail voting.

Seen as a key prize in the early primary calendar, Colorado enjoyed unprecedented attention as all five Democrats crisscrossed 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 Rockys editor, Jay Ambrose, and editorial page editor Vince Carroll posing questions.

The angry and emotional debate  thats 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 Clintons 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 Colorados 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. Thats 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 Denvers Ritchie Center for that elections first presidential debate.

An estimated 67 million Americans tuned in for the 90-minute debate, which was devoted to domestic policy and moderated by PBSs 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 Obamas 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 Obamas 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 cycles dozen Republican primary debates took place at the Coors Events Center on the University of Colorados 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 CNBCs sister operation NBC News, which lost host status for a later debate, the face-off in Boulder left little trace on the primary.
With high temperatures expected to be in the 90s this week, many North Iowans will try to beat the heat by heading to the pool or beach. But this week there are some issues.

It started Friday when multiple North Iowa aquatic centers were informed by the American Red Cross that many of their lifeguards had been inadequately trained and could not work until they were retrained. Pools in Mason City, Hampton, Manly, Nora Springs and Rockwell were all forced to shut down.

As of Monday afternoon, Nora Springs had managed to reopen and Mason City is expected to do so Tuesday. The other three pools are expected to reopen at some point this week, but exact dates have not been set.

State beaches

Some may prefer to cool off in a local lake, but the Iowa DNR has declared 10 state beaches unfit for swimming due to bacteria in the water. Locally, two beaches are affected: McIntosh Woods Beach at Clear Lake and Beeds Lake Beach near Hampton.

The DNR reports Clear Lake State Park Beach is safe for swimming.
WAUKON  A Waukon woman has pleaded to federal wire fraud charges for allegedly stealing more than $200,000 from the tax preparation business where she worked for more than five years.

Heather Leigh Migliore, 51, pleaded to a single count of wire fraud on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. Sentencing will be at a later date.

Migliore had worked as the office manager for the business that had offices in Waukon and Decorah where she had access to the companys payroll system and a company credit card.

She allegedly issued unapproved checks to herself, using her boss electronic signature, and then deleted the entries in the accounting system to cover her tracks. She allegedly took more than $200,000 using this scheme and charged more than $21,000 on the card for personal expenses, court records state.

Migliore admitted to using some of the money for gambling at the riverboat casino in Marquette and to pay for the mobile home she was renting from the victim, according to court records.

Court records allege Migliore also bilked the government for COVID-19 unemployment in January 2021, receiving $16,900 in assistance from Iowa Workforce Development by claiming lack of work and under reporting her wages. For instance, she allegedly claimed she only made $42 and $56 when she was pulling in $474 and $463, records state.

When her employer discovered the embezzlement scheme in December 2021 and terminated her, Migliore apologized and said she wanted to pay back the losses, records state.

She was arrested on state ongoing criminal conduct and theft charges in April 2022. She was charged with wire fraud in federal court in June 2023.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Vavricek and was investigated by the Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office.

States scammed out of the most money States scammed out of the most money #52. Puerto Rico #51. South Dakota #50. North Dakota #49. Iowa #48. Nebraska #47. Wyoming #46. Oklahoma #45. Kentucky #44. West Virginia #43. Arkansas #42. Wisconsin #41. Montana #40. Minnesota #39. Idaho #38. Maine #37. Utah #36. Kansas #35. Vermont #34. Hawaii #33. Indiana #32. Michigan #31. New Mexico #30. Mississippi #29. New Hampshire #28. Connecticut #27. Missouri #26. Oregon #25. Ohio #24. Massachusetts #23. California #22. Washington #21. North Carolina #20. Arizona #19. Rhode Island #18. Illinois #17. Texas #16. New York #15. Virginia #14. New Jersey #13. Colorado #12. South Carolina #11. Alaska #10. Tennessee #9. Louisiana #8. Pennsylvania #7. Alabama #6. Florida #5. Nevada #4. Delaware #3. Maryland #2. Georgia #1. Washington DC
DES MOINES  Another dry but relatively cool week left Iowa farmers with 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Despite dry conditions, the below-average temperatures over the past week provided moisture-stressed crops some relief, said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Though the entire state remains abnormally dry or in some level of drought, and the hottest stretch of July is forecasted this week, initial August outlooks are showing some chances for cooler and wetter conditions.

Field activities included cutting hay and harvesting oats. Reports were received of farmers applying insecticides and fungicides. Persistent dry weather has raised concerns regarding crop conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 13% very short, 42% short, 43% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 17% very short, 46% short, 36% adequate and 1% surplus.

Corn silking hit 79% this week, six days ahead of last year and three days ahead of normal. Nineteen percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, five days ahead of last year and four days ahead of the five-year average. Some reports were received of corn starting to dent. Corn condition rated 63% good to excellent. Eighty-one percent of soybeans were blooming, one week ahead of last year and five days ahead of the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 35%, two days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the five-year average. Soybean condition remained steady at 58% good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of oats were turning color, 11 days ahead of last year and four days ahead of normal. Oats harvested for grain reached 36%, one day ahead of last year and one day ahead the five-year average. Oat condition remained 51% good to excellent.

The states second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 86% complete, six days ahead of both last year and the average. The states third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 20% complete, 12 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition dropped to 37% good to excellent. Pasture condition fell to 24% good to excellent. Pasture and hay growth remain slow and below average, resulting in supplemental feeding of livestock.

Weather summary

Unseasonably cool conditions continued over Iowa through the reporting period, with negative temperature departures in the four to six-degree range across the state, according to Justin Glisan, state climatologist with Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The statewide average temperature was 69.3 degrees, 5.5 degrees below normal. The southwest corner of Iowa experienced three days of widespread and near-normal rainfall with much of north-central and east-central Iowa reporting departures of an inch or more below average. Weekend storms also brought measurable totals to the northeast corner.

Weekly rain totals ranged from no accumulation across a large northwest-to-southeast swath of Iowa to 1.50 inches in Adair (Adair County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.18 inch; the normal is 0.99 inch. Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the weeks high temperature of 89 degrees on the 22nd, four degrees above normal. Fayette (Fayette County) and Vinton (Benton County) reported the weeks low temperature of 48 degrees on the 18th, on average 12 degrees below normal.
Project Imagine, a community violence intervention collaborative to steer youths away from gang activity, on Wednesday honored two graduating classes, which included the programs first female class.

The female graduates were Miriyah Barbour, Krishawana Barbour-Allen, Rynia Hedrick and Mykeria Pritchett. The male graduating class consisted of Amonteze Cunningham, Ryan Hedrick, Jakayden McFall, Shaiquese Robinson and Garry Warren.

This is the first time we were able to have a class for young women and a class for young men, said Curtis Artis, assistant violence prevention manager for Project Imagine. I am so excited about this.

Artis said separate classes became possible because the program now has two female outreach workers.

When I talk with older people, they tell me, When I grew up, I had a village raising me. I couldnt do anything in my neighborhood without someone telling my momma and disciplining me, Artis said. The village now is Project Imagine. We are the village for these young people. We are going to be in their lives for as long as they let us.

The program steers youths away from gang activity by developing and maintaining relationships with mentors, and by focusing on goals such as having no contact with law enforcement, improving their grades, completing school and becoming employed.

As part of the program, the youths receive strength-based assessments using the Casey Life Skills and Clifton Strengths tools. These tools are used to place youths on a path toward developing healthy, productive lives.

Also, a Project Imagine outreach worker is assigned to mentor each youth for a minimum of one year. Project Imagine staff tag the phrase your new aunts and uncles, meaning that they will serve as a support system for the youths.

Deputy City Manager Earl Reynolds encouraged the youths to always strive to make good choices. He said his grandmother often used the phrase, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

What she was saying is that if you see something that is coming at you that you know is not right, then you need to get away from it. If you dont, and you get connected to it, then you are putting yourself in harms way. You will be responsible for the consequences.

Reynolds also talked about building confidence in ones own worth using self-esteem affirmations.

Whether you know it or not, you are royalty, Reynolds said. People think royalty means you are rich. That is the wrong definition. Royalty has nothing to do with money. Royalty has to do with heart and attitude. You are royalty. You are special.

He continued, saying, The person that you want to become is already in you. Think what happens when you think and talk positively. Even when the situation is bad, you can overcome it by what you think and what you say. None of us were ever created to do bad. Do not let anyone tell you that you were. You were created to succeed.

Since the programs inception, 19 classes, totaling more than 100 teens, have graduated.

Project Imagine is based on the evidence-based theory of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in that if the youth can implement new information and standards, then he or she can change their behavior. The idea is that the program creates a positive image in the mind of the youth so that he or she can Imagine a life without gangs or crime.

The teens in Project Imagine are chosen from referrals from the police department, courts, schools, and parents.

Project Imagine has received national recognition. In 2020, Robert David, violence prevention manager, was named a winner of the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award by the National Gang Crime Research Center. The award recognizes his accomplishments in gang prevention and intervention.

The program also received the Presidents Award from the Virginia Municipal League in October 2019.
The University of Virginia's vice president of student affairs and dean of students will be stepping down from her position after two years at the school, UVa announced Friday in an email.

Robyn Hadley will leave her post effective Aug. 1, the school said.

Christopher Holstege, who serves as executive director of student health and wellness, will step in as vice president of student affairs. Cedric Rucker, the school's senior associate dean in the Office of African-American Affairs, will serve as interim dean of students.

It is unclear why Hadley is leaving the university, where she began working as vice president of student affairs and chief student affairs officer in June 2021. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress.

Hadley was named dean of students last year.

There was also no reason for her departure identified in the university email sent out Friday morning.

In that email, the school's President Jim Ryan praised Hadley for her contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the November shooting that took the lives of three student-athletes.

Robyn has led Student Affairs with grace and determination, even in the face of enormous challenges," Ryan said.

The email also references Hadley's work advancing initiatives such as Hoos First, aimed at supporting first-generation and low-income students as well as enhancing mental health care resources for the student community.

"Through it all, she has demonstrated the professionalism, wisdom, and deep care for our students for which she will be remembered here at UVA," Ryan said. "We are grateful to Robyn and her team for all they have achieved these past few years."

The University of Virginia has experienced notable turnover in senior leadership since the pandemic. And at the same time, the university has received criticism for saying it would conduct nationwide searches to fill positions in the past and then settling on promoting existing staff.

Hadley herself was named dean of students to replace an interim dean, Julie Caruccio. Caruccio took over for Allen Groves, who left the school in July 2021 after 14 years. The university leadership had said that a full search would likely commence to find a replacement for Groves, but ultimately Hadley stepped in to fill the seat.

At an Aug. 23, 2022, Board of Visitors meeting, Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis said the school faces a war on talent" that has made it difficult to hire and retain employees.
Virginia is working to recover almost $22 million that the state mistakenly paid insurers for people enrolled in the state Medicaid program who already had died. That includes $15.7 million that the state must repay to the federal government for its share of the cost.

In an audit released on Monday, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Virginia paid at least $21.8 million to managed care companies for about 12,000 "deceased enrollees" in the Medicaid program in 2019 through 2021. The state makes "capitated" or monthly per-person payments to six private managed care companies to cover the cost of most of the 2.1 million Virginians who receive health care under Medicaid, with expenses shared by the federal and state governments.

"The state agency made unallowable capitation on behalf of deceased enrollees because it did not have adequate controls in place to identify all deceased enrollees and properly cancel their enrollment," the audit states.

The inspector general recommended that the state immediately refund the federal share of the improper payments and work to recover other payments, including those that may have been made in 2018 and 2022  immediately before and after the three years covered by the audit. It also recommended that Virginia "continue to pursue development and implementation of an automated matching and eligibility update process" to quickly update the status of enrollees who have died.

Finally, the auditor recommended a "supervisory review to ensure that the State agency personnel completely and accurately update the State agency's eligibility system based on information provided by the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records," which maintains state death records.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services, which runs the state Medicaid program, said the health department provides death information monthly, which the Medicaid agency manually cross-checked to identify and close enrollment for those who fully match death records. "This process was found to be inefficient as the level of manual work would often take up to a month to complete," DMAS Director Cheryl Roberts said in response to inspector general's audit.

The state has implemented a new system to automatically close out enrollment for people who fully match death records. "This new process has increased the timeliness of this process, while reducing human error," Roberts said.

DMAS, as the state Medicaid agency is known, said that it previously had closed 8,787 of the 12,054 people identified by the audit as deceased, or about 73%, and had recovered payments made to manage care insurance companies.

Subsequently, it found that 1,460 of the Medicaid enrollees listed by the federal auditor as deceased remained on the program rolls improperly. "Using the agency's new automated closure process, action was taken to immediately close these enrollments back to member's death of death and recover improper payments," Roberts told the inspector general in a letter on June 13.

That left 1,836 people on the Medicaid rolls who did not match health department death files, including 246 people who had not died and 850 who were deceased.

Of the rest, 681 did not have a date of death listed by the Social Security Administration, which maintains death record information nationally.

Roberts said the state agency would work with federal regulators to "repay any outstanding debit that has not been repaid through the recoupment process" with managed care companies. Through June 9, it estimated it had recovered all but $95,677 of the improper payments made in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

She estimated it had recovered all improper payments made in 2022 and all but $226,023 of those made in 20218.

Since implementing the new automated system in January, Roberts said the state agency has matched 98% to 100% of the deaths reported each month.

Any missed by the new system are checked manually, with "an additional supervisory review to ensure any closures which were not acted on through the automated process are reviewed and accurately updated within DMAS' eligibility system," she said.
From 25 to 27 July 2023, the Prime Minister, Minister of State, Xavier Bettel, is paying a visit to the Republic of Korea. The visit marks the 70th anniversary of the signing the Korean War Armistice (1950-1953).

Xavier Bettel is accompanied by 93-year-old Luxembourg veteran of the Korean War, Leon Moyen, as well as several family members of two former Luxembourg veterans. The presence of veteran Moyen is representative of all the Luxembourg soldiers who fought in Korea under the United Nations flag for freedom and the international rule of law.

The visit takes place in two phases, the first one being in Seoul, where the main event is a meeting with President Yoon. The second phase is Busan, the southern port city where the Luxembourg soldiers once landed.

25 July 2023

On 25 July, Prime Minister and Minister of State Xavier Bettel, accompanied by veteran Leon Moyen, is received by South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl for a meeting at the presidential palace. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the historical links between Luxembourg and South Korea, bilateral relations and current international events. At the end of the afternoon, the Prime Minister has an exchange with veteran Leon Moyen, during which they review his history and experience.

ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Joseph Moyen, fils de Leon Moyen ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Jong Jin Yoon, Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

The first day ends with a dinner attended by representatives of Korean companies that have invested in Luxembourg. Xavier Bettel presents the Order of the Oak Crown to Younhee Kim, Executive Director of the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office (LTIO) in Seoul, in recognition of his longstanding commitment.

ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Younhee Kim, directeur executif du Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office (LTIO) a Seoul ME (de g. a dr.) Younhee Kim, directeur executif du Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office (LTIO) a Seoul ; H.S. Cho, Vice Chairman Hyosung Group ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Joseph Moyen, fils de Leon Moyen ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ; Charlotte Rose Youngson, petite-fille de Leon Moyen ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Yong So Cho, CEO Hyosung Advanced Materials ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; H.S. Cho, Vice Chairman Hyosung Group ; Jin Choi, Korea Representative Genii Capital ; Suk-Pyo Hong, CEO Kiswire ; Gunchul Song, Former CEO SAMHWA Steel ; Seung Rae Cho, Senior Managing Director SAMHWA Steel

26 July 2023

On 26 July, the Prime Minister, Minister of State Xavier Bettel, accompanied by the President of the Memorial, Seung-Joo Baek, visits the Korean War Memorial. He lays a wreath in memory of the fallen soldiers and in remembrance of the Luxembourg volunteers who fought for the independence of the Republic of Korea.

85 Luxembourg volunteers fought alongside the armed forces of the Republic of Korea. Among them, 2 died in combat and 17 were wounded. Today, 5 veterans are still alive. The Korean War was Luxembourg's first involvement in an international conflict after the end of the Second World War and the abandonment of its neutrality on 28 April 1948.

ME Illustration ME (de g. a dr.) Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME (au milieu) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Joseph Moyen, fils de Leon Moyen ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ME Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ME Illustration ME Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME Visite du Premier ministre Xavier Bettel en republique de Coree (de g. A dr.) LAon Moyen, vAtAran luxembourgeois de la guerre de CorAe ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre da A tat ME (de g. a dr.) Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME Illustration ME (de g. a dr.) Benoit Niederkorn, directeur du Musee national d'histoire militaire (MNHM) ; Patrick Majerus, chef du Service de la Memoire de la Deuxieme Guerre mondiale, ministere d'Etat ME (de g. a dr.) Jin Young, vice-ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la Republique de Coree ; Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME Illustration ME (de g. a dr.) Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree ME Photo de groupe ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Seung-Joo Baek, president du Memorial de la guerre de Coree

The delegation then travels by high-speed train to Busan, the country's second largest city, 453 km south-east of Seoul, where the 70th anniversary events continue.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, still accompanied by veteran Leon Moyen, attends the ministerial summit dedicated to veterans' affairs. Keynote speeches are given by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, the South Korean Minister for Patriots and Veterans, Min-Sik Park, and representatives of the other countries that had sent soldiers or provided assistance. The summit is followed by a banquet dedicated to the veterans.

The trip to Busan is also an opportunity for the Prime Minister to visit the Kiswire factory.

The F1963 Cultural Centre, F for "factory" and 1963 for the year the factory was built, serves as the venue for a classical music concert and the swearing-in ceremony of the new Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Busan and Chairman of Kiswire, Seok-Pyo Hong.

ME (de g. a dr.) James Heappy MP, ministre des Forces armees du Royaume-Uni ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Park Min-Sik, ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la republique de Coree ; James Pak, deputy secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs of Virginiaremier ministre Xavier Bettel en Coree du Sud ME Photo de groupe ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Park Min-Sik, ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Pascal Diedenhofen Pascal, epoux de la niece de Gilbert Hauffels, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree (1932- 2023) ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Leon Moyen, veteran luxembourgeois de la guerre de Coree ME Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Young-Chul Hong, ancien consul honoraire du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg a Seoul ME (de g. a dr.) Madame Hong ; Seok-Pyo Hong, consul honoraire du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg a Busan ; Gum Nanse, chef d'orchestre sud-coreen ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Young-Chul Hong, ancien consul honoraire du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg a Seoul ; Madame N ME Illustration ME (de g. a dr.) Seok-Pyo Hong, consul honoraire du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg a Busan ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Pierre Ferring, ambassadeur (non resident) du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg aupres de la republique de Coree ; Seok-Pyo Hong, consul honoraire du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg a Busan ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Young-Chul Hong, ancien consul honoraire du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg a Seoul ; Madame Hong

27 July 2023

The third and final day begins with a meeting with the Minister of Patriots and Veterans, Min-Sik Park.

On the morning of 27 July, at the invitation of the Mayor of Busan, the delegation from the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium is taking a boat tour of the Busan port.

ME (de g. a dr.) Park Min-Sik, ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la republique de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Park Min-Sik, ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la republique de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Park Min-Sik, ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la republique de Coree ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Park Min-Sik, ministre des Patriotes et des Anciens combattants de la republique de Coree

The visit ends with a solemn ceremony organised by the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK), the only United Nations cemetery in the world. The cemetery contains the remains of 2,320 soldiers from 11 countries. The remains of soldiers from 7 countries, including Luxembourg, have all been repatriated to their respective countries.

The wreath-laying ceremony is attended by the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-Yeoul, and representatives of the 16 countries that sent soldiers and equipment and the 6 countries that provided medical assistance during the three-year conflict. Luxembourg was represented by Xavier Bettel.

ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ; Madame Suk-Yeol ME (de g. a dr.) Monsieur Kiro, Cindy Kiro, gouverneur general de Nouvelle-Zelande ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree ; Madame Suk-Yeol ; Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (au milieu) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ME (de g. a dr.) Xavier Bettel, Premier ministre, ministre dEtat ; Cindy Kiro, gouverneur general de Nouvelle-Zelande ; Yoon Suk-Yeol, president de la republique de Coree

* Leon Moyen was enlisted on 5 February 1948. Shortly afterwards, on 15 April 1948, he was sent to the CTF in Germany to protect the coal trains that supplied the Luxembourg steel industry. Discharged in January 1949, he joined the army again following the government's call for volunteers for Korea. After successfully completing his training at the Beverloo Parachute Centre in Belgium, he embarked in Antwerp in December 1950 on board the "Kamina" with other Luxembourgish and Belgian soldiers to go to Korea.

During a patrol on 2 May 1951, he was wounded by an enemy bullet while in contact with a South Korean police station. After five first aid treatments in the field, he was transferred to two military hospitals in Japan. Despite his injury, he was one of the few soldiers from the first contingent to volunteer for a second tour, which was due to leave in February 1952. His main motivation was the camaraderie he had learned to appreciate among the Korean volunteers. Promoted to reserve sergeant before his second term, he then became a section leader. On his return from Korea, Leon was called up on several occasions to take part in joint military manoeuvres. Leon Moyen was born on 9 November 1930 in Kehmen, Luxembourg.

After leaving the military, Leon married and started a family in Toronto, Canada, where he still lives today. (Source: Service de la Memoire de la Deuxieme Guerre mondiale)

Press release by the Ministry of State
Three Triad communities are among recipients of $232 million in funding for improvements in storm-water 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.

336-727-7204
RALEIGHGovernor Roy Cooper announced Friday that communities statewide will receive $223,019,448 in water and wastewater infrastructure funding to help pay for 60 projects in 40 counties, including 41 construction projects. Over the last two years, North Carolina has invested $2.8 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure across the state.

This funding will help us achieve our goal of safer, cleaner drinking water for all North Carolinians, said Governor Cooper. 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.

Notable projects include:

Town of Plymouth in Washington County, a local government unit designated by the State Water Infrastructure Authority and the Local Government Commission as Distressed, will receive up to $7.3 million in low-interest loans for their water system improvement project replacing all of the Towns old water metering systems and old galvanized water lines, as well as up to $9 million in low-interest loans to replace old sewer lines and reduce inflow and infiltration.

Aqua North Carolina, Inc., an investor-owned public water utility, will receive up to approximately $3.4 million in loans to install PFAS treatment units at their Brookwood, Wyntree, and Willow Hill water systems.

Edgecombe County will receive up to $2.7 million in grants and loans to extend sewer service to approximately 91 connections to the residents of the Lone Pine Mobile Home Park in a disadvantaged area that is currently being served by individual septic tanks in varying degrees of failure.

Town of Brunswick in Columbus County will receive up to $2 million in grants for their Water System Resiliency Improvements Phase 2 project to install a new elevated tank addressing water pressure issues, install fire hydrants, and abandon two wells that are being replaced.

Town of Fair Bluff in Columbus County will receive up to $3 million in grants for their 2023 Gravity Sewer Improvements project to rehabilitate nearly 50-year-old sewer lines, manholes, and service laterals to reduce inflow and infiltration.

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will receive up to $35 million in loans for a project to replace and expand its Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, including the addition of a new activated sludge treatment process.

Town of Beech Mountain in Watauga County will receive up to $3 million in loans to rehabilitate and replace a major portion of its sewer collection system that has caused sanitary sewer overflows at the Pond Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and in watersheds that are classified as water supply sources.

Town of Farmville in Pitt County will receive up to $3 million in loans and principal forgiveness to develop its reclaimed water infrastructure to serve industry in the Town and the County.

Town of Lake Lure in Rutherford County will receive up to $7 million in loans to construct gravity sewer lines and complete a partnership between the Town and Chimney Rock Village through a physical interconnection of their wastewater systems.

Town of Nashville in Nash County will receive up to $1.6 million in grants and loans to extend sewer service and connect approximately 42 residences in two subdivisions, replacing failing septic systems and installing infrastructure to improve resiliency of their wastewater system.

Hyde County will receive up to $400,000 in grants to develop a comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan for Ocracoke Village and capital improvement plan that will include conceptual design plans for three stormwater projects.

Town of Elkin in Surry County will receive up to $315,000 in grants to develop a stormwater plan to protect Elkin Creek through nature-based techniques to stabilize a stream, minimize erosion, and control runoff through stormwater control measures.

A list of all Spring 2023 project applications selected by the State Water Infrastructure Authority on July 18 is available on the Department of Environmental Qualitys website. Over the last two years, the Authority has approved funding for 770 drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater construction and planning projects, for a total of $1.6 billion.

DEQs Division of Water Infrastructure reviewed 338 eligible applications from 83 of North Carolinas 100 counties, requesting $2.676 billion.

With each funding round, we continue to see that the need for infrastructure funding is far greater than the funding available, said Secretary Elizabeth S. 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.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved the awards during its July 18 meeting, using the State Revolving Funds (SRF) to provide low-interest loans and Principal Forgiveness loans. Funding from the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program also provides grants to fund wastewater and drinking water projects in areas that meet the U.S. Housing and Urban Development low-to-moderate income threshold. In addition to the SRF funds typically available, this round included $58.9 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) general supplemental funds. Applications for addressing emerging contaminants (e.g. PFAS) and for identifying and replacing lead service lines were also accepted. Additional BIL funding to address emerging contaminants will be available in the Fall 2023 funding round.

Stormwater planning projects were considered for funding from the Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments (LASII) fund for stormwater planning grants to conduct research or investigative studies, alternatives analyses, the preparation of engineering concept plans or engineering designs, and similar activities.

The Authority is an independent body with primary responsibility for awarding federal and state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Other responsibilities include developing a state water infrastructure master plan, recommending ways to maximize the use of available loan and grant funding resources, and examining best and emerging practices.

The application period for the Fall 2023 funding round for water and wastewater infrastructure projects opens on Aug. 2 and ends on Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. Funding application training for this round will be provided through five in-person statewide sessions Aug. 2-10, with a virtual option available and a recorded training session to be available on the Division website. The training session time and location schedule is available on the Division website.
DECATUR  Police are seeking a gunman who put a Decatur driver in fear of her life after brandishing a handgun in a road rage incident.

Sgt. Daniel Wise with Decatur Police said the trouble happened around noon Friday at traffic lights at the intersection of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and East Pershing Road.

The driver said she may have accidentally cut him off in traffic prior to that before he pulled up next to her at the lights, said Wise.

He rolls down the window and is yelling at her and starts digging around in his car while saying stuff. And then he gets out and brandishes the alleged firearm next to her car while standing there yelling and saying whatever he has to say.

The 28-year-old woman fled when the light turned green and, while the man moved off in the same direction, he did not appear to pursue her. She was able to get away to a distance where she felt comfortable and she never saw him again, said Wise.

The officer said it was unclear whether the gun was an actual firearm but the woman, whose version of events was corroborated by a 24-year-old female passenger riding with her, said the weapon looked just like a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.

Wise said the man was being sought on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm. So while we dont know if it was a real gun or not, she was certainly under the apprehension that it was, he added.
VANDALIA  A Vandalia man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of possessing, reproducing and disseminating child pornography and indecent solicitation of an adult.

Ferrell Mason Kissiar, 47, is one of three individuals arrested during an Illinois Attorney General's office investigation into a child pornography ring operating in Fayette County.

Circuit Judge Martin Siemer accepted the plea during a Thursday hearing in Fayette County Circuit Court. The sentence attached to each charge will be served consecutively, with day-for-day credit to apply, with credit for time already served awaiting trial.

Kissiar pleaded guilty to one count of dissemination of child pornography, a Class X felony; one count of reproduction of child pornography, also a Class X felony; two counts of possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony; and one count of indecent solicitation of an adult, a Class 1 felony.

Andrew Wehrle, 39, and Amber Wehrle, 38, both of Vandalia, pleaded guilty in May to charges stemming from their involvement in the child pornography ring, according the attorney general's office. They will be sentenced on Aug. 8.

Child pornography is a heinous crime, and the individuals who reproduce and disseminate these horrific images must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Raoul said.

The Vandalia Police Department assisted the attorney generals office with the investigation.

As law enforcement officials, it is our responsibility to protect children from harm and bring those who exploit them to justice, said Vandalia Police Chief Jeff Ray.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
MOUNT PULASKI  Abraham Lincoln blazed across the face of his nation like a meteor while saving the Union at the moment of its greatest peril and smashing slaverys evil chains.

And then he winked out at the sharp end of an assassins bullet, gone before anyone had much chance to say thank you.

So we cast our gratitude and remembrance now into bronze in the form of sculptures and statues that try to catch and exemplify some quality of the prairie lawyer and 16th presidents brief life. One of the most interesting and most recent of those efforts was unveiled Sunday afternoon in front of the Mount Pulaski Courthouse, which is a state historic site because Lincoln once practiced law there.

It has the distinction of being perhaps the only statue to show a seated Lincoln scratching his head. Decatur sculptor John McClarey depicted him puzzling over a bizarre patent case about cast iron tombstones, of all things, that was actually litigated by him in the historic courthouse.

McClarey called it The Pursuit of Truth and he told a crowd of more than 200 who packed the courthouse lawn for the sculptures unveiling that was how Lincoln had lived his life. McClarey also managed to draw an analogy between the 16th presidents mind and the hardened surface of a metal tombstone, quoting Lincolns own words:

I am slow to learn and slow to forget that which I have learned. My mind is like a piece of steel, very hard to scratch anything on it and almost impossible after you get it there to rub it out.

Stephen Martin, the courthouse site superintendent for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, wasnt too sure this statue idea would work when it was floated several years ago. Then he was politely reminded that his late mom Jean, who was a major Mount Pulaski town booster and Lincoln fan, had been very keen on the notion of a statue.

Well, what can you say, I sure didnt want to offend that spirit, he said with a smile. A lot of people in the past were involved with this who arent here today and this statue sort of honors them; it will be a memorial for all those who have worked and tried to keep this courthouse alive since 1936 when it was restored.

And what do I think of the statue now? I love it, just love it. Its going to be a great asset to this town and the courthouse.

It cost some $180,000 to have the statue made along with a nicely landscaped sitting area that surrounds it. Co-chairs of the organization that raised the money were Renee Martin and Phyllis Beccue who said it took three years to corral all the cash but attracting money to enshrine the spirit of Lincoln proved to be an easy sell.

We had great community support and there is just something about this courthouse that people love, said Martin. Its kind of like a hidden gem, its part of the hidden Lincoln history.

The money came from gifts, donations and fundraisers from individuals, businesses and even kids. All three schools in the community had fundraisers, said Beccue. And at the high school they paid $5 a day so they wouldnt have to run in gym class.

She said the courthouse needed its Lincoln statue, a perfect complement to one of the few places left standing from the time Lincoln walked forth to pursue truth and justice as a circuit-riding lawyer before he ascended into legend and bronze.

You go upstairs and you walk on the floor of the courtroom knowing he walked on those same floors, said Beccue. Thats special.

Photos: Lincoln in Logan Lincoln statute 042815-blm-loc-7lincoln 042815-blm-loc-2lincoln 042815-blm-loc-5lincoln 042815-blm-loc-3lincoln 042815-blm-loc-9lincoln 042815-blm-loc-4lincoln 042815-blm-loc-6lincoln
From the slaughterhouse to the voodoo bayou, the attractions at Lake Hickory Haunts will be featured in the latest project from an independent filmmaker from North Carolina.

The film is titled Youre It.

Writer and director Ron Rossmann said his idea is to create a psychological slasher movie that follows a paranormal serial killer who stalks the crew of a retro-style horror film.

Rossmann said his inspiration for Youre It bubbled up out of a discussion with Gregbo Watson.

Watson is the executive producer of Youre It. He has also worked drawing for Marvel Comics and Zenescope Comics.

Rossmann said the duo was inspired by John Carpenters film Halloween.

Carpenter took basically no budget and launched the slasher film genre, Rossmann said.

It was prior to the gore era. So, if you watch Halloween compared to Friday the 13th, its scary, but theres not as much gore, Rossmann said. So, we kind of lost that. So, we wanted to go back to those roots.

Watson also wanted to pay homage to films such as Saw and Final Destination. From there, Rossmann said, Youre It was born.

Lake Hickory Haunts actor Clam Sepulveda put Rossmann in contact with Lake Hickory Haunts owner Ryan Settlemyre, which led to filming at the attraction.

Sepulveda is going on his 16th year of haunt acting. He previously worked at Scarowinds.

I had heard of Lake Hickory Haunts, Rossmann said. Its got a huge reputation of being one of the best haunts in the Carolinas.

Rossmann previously directed a season of Stros SINister SINema at the haunt.

Settlemyre said he is excited to welcome Rossmann back to Lake Hickory Haunts to use attractions for film sets.

In the off-season, its like if any other creators or artists can work with us to utilize them, its great, Settlemyre said.

Rossmanns interest in filmmaking started with visits to his uncles house, who is a microbiologist and got him interested in science fiction. The movie that inspired Rossmann to try and start creating on his own was The Thing from Another World.

I said, I want to make movies like that, Rossmann said.

Rossmann said from that point forward he became a cinephile. He said he was a late bloomer when it came to filming, but he started out as an author and then moved toward writing screenplays and plays for schools.

He said he wants Youre It to be different from a typical slasher movie in the sense that he doesnt want it to be just about the gore.

I want you to feel for the characters because most of these (movies) kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, which is fine, Rossmann said. But we want you to go, damn, I didnt want that person to die.

The movie is expected to feature actors Santiago Cirilo and Amber Dawn Fox, who both appeared on the TV series The Walking Dead.

The filming for Youre It is set to start in January 2024 and is expected to take about 12 weekends, Rossmann said.

The budget for the film was $10,000, but Rossmann and his crew raised just over $7,000 through Kickstarter.
Mainland college teachers, students wrap up Taiwan visit

Xinhua) 08:30, July 24, 2023

TAIPEI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities concluded their nine-day visit to Taiwan Sunday.

The visit of the group, led by the Party chief of Peking University Hao Ping, marked the first one made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges over more than three years.

At the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, the mainland visitors met their peers from local universities, including Taiwan University and Chengchi University, and toured several counties and cities on the island.

They had received a warm welcome in Taiwan.

"Taiwan compatriots were so friendly and hospitable that I was deeply touched," said Chen Shihua, a student from Peking University, recalling that "elder brothers and sisters" from local colleges kindly recommended to her where to dine and have fun.

When mainland students visited the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan Tuesday, students from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait gave a well-received traditional Chinese music performance.

"When the music rose, I truly felt that the two sides of the Strait shared the same cultural root," said Chen Kaidi, who played Chinese zither in the performance.

If young people across the Strait learn from each other and work together, they surely will revitalize the traditional Chinese arts, Chen said.

Sun Lin from Wuhan University was otherwise impressed by the campus of the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan.

"The campus looked like my university. They both kept a lot of traditional cultural elements and paid great attention to carrying forward our cultural legacy," Sun said.

Chan Yu-hsiang from Taiwan University said he found no difficulties or barriers in talking with mainland peers since they were largely on the same page, and he expected more chances to meet them in the future.

Calling the visit a constructive try, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said that young people from the two sides of the Strait should have such regular exchanges every year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Dairy sales cannot prosper without consumer trust.

Assuring food safety and quality are non-negotiable deliverables people seek in the foods they purchase. Fortunately, our industry has a strong history of meeting these expectations of providing dairy foods that are not only nutritious but safe and of the highest quality.

But that doesnt mean its time to rest on our laurels. In fact, much progress continues thanks to efforts led through the nationwide Dairy Foods Research Centers network, created by dairy farmers more than 35 years ago to provide innovative, science-backed solutions related to consumer demand and business needs and trends. Dairy food safety is an important part of this networks focus.

Additionally, the farmer-founded Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and its Food Safety Committee has united the dairy supply chain around this priority. Dairy processors are amplifying farmer checkoff dollars in important research areas that benefit everyone.

Much credit goes to the Innovation Centers philosophy of uniting all aspects of the industry regardless of size or processing style. In fact, some of the industrys biggest cheesemakers have been more than generous with their insights and resources for the smaller players. The Innovation Center rightfully operates with an understanding that a black eye for one company is a black eye for all.

A focus on cheese

Thats why were excited to share some new science-backed innovations to help the artisanal and farmstead cheesemakers, whose numbers exceed 1,000. We believe their products will only continue to grow in popularity as consumers seek more locally-produced food.

One area of research focused on bringing, an important cheesemaking step that involves the cheese soaking in a saltwater solution to impart salt into the cheese. It is key to improving the texture and flavor of cheese, but the process could present a food safety risk if the system isnt properly cleansed and operated.

The dairy checkoff teamed with the Food Research Institute (FRI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to develop an easy-to-apply hydrogen peroxide-based solution that helps keep brine tanks clean and reduces the risk of pathogen contamination. FRI collected many brine samples from Wisconsin cheesemakers that showed the technology is effective in enhancing food safety measures. Cheesemakers should check with their regulatory agencies to understand if hydrogen peroxide is an approved tool for use.

Another project done with FRI focused on raw milk cheese. While we support the effectiveness of pasteurization, we recognize there are other production methods. Some raw milk cheese producers partially heat treat their milk before the cheesemaking process to reduce listeria risk, but they never had science-based tools to tell them exactly how much protection different levels of heating provide.

These guidelines are now published and include pathogen control curves at various time-temperature combinations, which we believe will encourage more raw milk cheesemakers to adopt the thermal treatment of their milk. In fact, we have seen an increase in the number of cheesemakers using this process, according to an American Cheese Society survey.

Finally, we worked with the University of Wisconsin-Madisons food science department on additional listeria control techniques, including a focus on wooden aging boards as a source of new and novel anti-listerial compounds.

Each research step we take is one more step toward growing our industry safely and maintaining the one aspect that cannot be compromised: consumer trust.

To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit www.USDairy.com/for-farmers or to reach us directly, send an email to TalkToTheCheckoff@dairy.org.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

July 20, 2023
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that the state government is going to come up with a fresh Industrial Policy. He said this at an event arranged to present the 'State Export Excellence Awards' organized by the Department of Commerce and Industry and the Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre (VTPC). "In the past, the industrial policy adopted by our government was appreciated by the industry fraternity. It was known to be the most progressive industrial policy. Our government will shortly address industrialists and the exporters to bring out a new and progressive industrial policy," Siddaramaiah said.Stating that his government gives high priority to the promotion of industries, he said generation of employment is possible only with rapid industrialization. "Industrial development promotes employment and economic development. Economic development subsequently improves the GDP and better law and order in the country. These factors lead to investments," he explained. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Bengaluru is known as a knowledge, IT, cultural and educational hub. The city has the best-in-class educational institutions here and are at the level of competing with the world. "We are also the number 1 choice when it comes to investments. This is a matter of pride for all of us," he said.The government will encourage industrialization in tier 2-3 cities of the state to make sure everything does not become Bengaluru-centric, and it is also committed to providing all support to investors, including exporters, he assured. Noting that the government will strive to have the best single window clearance in the country, Minister of Large and Medium Industries M B Patil said with the 'Ease of Doing Business', the state has the most industry-friendly environment."Vision groups will be formed in selected seven sectors to promote the growth of industries. Supporting and encouraging MSMES is the social responsibility of this government. We will be working with Tata Technology to empower MSMEs," he said. The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) ranking by NITI Aayog for Year 2022 has ranked Karnataka as the No.1 State in the country in two parameters namely Policy Pillar and Business EcoSystem Pillar. NITI Aayog's Ranking of States was announced on July 17, 2023. "It is a matter of pride that Karnataka has secured the status of 'Achiever' in the 'Leads Ranking' of the NITI Aayog for the logistics sector in 2022 considering the good infrastructure, good connectivity network and transparent ecosystem," he added.
Australias peak industry representative body for innovation technology, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), has announced the winners of the 2023 Queensland iAwards, which recognise and reward excellence in Australian innovation.

AIIA CEO, Simon Bush, said: We are incredibly proud to celebrate the 30th annual iAwards this year. This was a record breaking year for the iAwards with the most entries received in the last five years, with incredibly high quality submissions from all entrants. This has certainly put the judges through their paces.

Our congratulations to the winners of this years iAwards, they have showcased the innovation possibilities technology offers us all. All entrants deserve recognition for their hard work and brilliant ideas. We want to thank them for their continued commitment to furthering Australias capability in innovation technology.

The AIII says the annual ceremony recognising Queensland entrants took place on at CQUniversity in Brisbane, with the entry process for the 2023 iAwards following the widely popular 2022 entry process, with entrants submitting a three-minute pitch along with their submission, for what was called The BIGGEST Pitch - and they demonstrated the incredible ways that businesses, government departments, startups and not-for-profit organisations continue to change and embrace innovative digital technologies.

Our iAwards entrants are a demonstration of the fact that innovation and digital technologies can help lead Australias future. The exciting developments we are seeing with the adoption of AI highlights the possibilities and productivity gains our economy can harness through innovative technologies. Well long continue to support and showcase our budding innovators through the iAwards. The winners of the 2023 iAwards continue to reflect the immense talent in Australia and the largely untapped potential Australias ICT sector holds, Simon Bush said.

The AIII says the 2023 QLD iAwards are presented in seven categories to showcase the breadth of innovation and technology across multiple sectors.

The 2023 QLD iAwards winners by Category are:

Government & Public Sector Solution of the Year, sponsored by the Digital Transformation Agency - FloodMapp by FloodMapp

Student & Education Solution of the Year, sponsored by Australian Super - Pathology Handbook by James Cook University

Start-Up of the Year, sponsored by Data Centres - SmartAIConnect AI Framework

Business & Industry Solutions of the Year, sponsored by the Digital Transformation Agency - Digital Pathway System by Sullivan and Nicolaides Pathology/UQ

Technology Platform Solution of the Year - PolyVision by Lynkz

Sustainability & Environmental solution, sponsored by WAVIA - FloodMapp by FloodMapp

Not-For-Profit / Community Solution of the Year - Inclusee Virtual Community by Inclusee

Details on each of the award winners can be found below, and each of the 2023 QLD iAwards winners will now compete for the coveted National iAwards title which will be announced at the Gala event at Skycity Adelaide on 31 August.

AIIAs 2023 QLD iAwards - About the Winners:

Government & Public Sector Solution of the Year, sponsored by the Digital Transformation Agency - FloodMapp by FloodMapp

Sustainability & Environmental solution, sponsored by WAVIA - FloodMapp by FloodMapp

The impact maps, displayed via FloodMapp products ForeCast, NowCast and

PostCast, provide unrivalled situational awareness to inform decision making before,

during and after a flood event. This can enable targeted evacuations and resource

distribution and assist with risk mitigation and damage assessments.

Student & Education Solution of the Year, sponsored by Australian Super - Pathology Handbook by James Cook University

Pathology Handbook is a free iOS and macOS application that provides key

information about diseases to medical students. The app provides reliable

information from a wide variety of lectures and textbooks in an easily accessible

mobile app so that students can learn pathology during their clinical rotations.

Start-Up of the Year, sponsored by Data Centres - Smart AIConnect AI Framework

SmartAIConnects AI Framework revolutionises the deployment of AI models at the edge. It

simplifies the entire process, from deployment to monitoring and distribution of predictions,

while ensuring security, audit trails, and governance measures.

Business & Industry Solutions of the Year, sponsored by the Digital Transformation Agency - Digital Pathway System by Sullivan and Nicolaides Pathology/UQ

UQ/Sullivan and Nicolaides Pathology has developed an intelligent scanning microscope, AI

analysis software, and a custom-built slide handling hotel, revolutionising traditional manual

optical glass slide microscopy. The technology allows glass slides to be fully digitised at

multiple magnifications, providing high-quality digital images viewed on computer screens.

Technology Platform Solution of the Year - PolyVision by Lynkz

PolyVision is an Australian-owned AI and machine learning solution that provides

real-time monitoring, analysis, reporting, and prediction services through its AI Vision

as a Service product. It uses a blend of industry-standard and custom models to

analyse video footage and detect issues, improve safety, and monitor public spaces,

facilities, or even animals.

Not-For-Profit / Community Solution of the Year - Inclusee Virtual Community by Inclusee

Inclusee developed a simple solution that helps close the digital divide for older Australians

and engage them in a virtual community that reduces social isolation and loneliness. The

Inclusee app simplifies the complicated process of setting up a virtual community for people

with limited digital expertise.
The disquiet over Red Hat's recent move to make it extremely difficult for others to gain access to the source code of its enterprise Linux distribution  Red Hat Enterprise Linux or RHEL  doesn't appear to be dying down though more than a month has passed since the company said source code would, from now on, be available only to paying customers.

A panel discussion organised by the Software Freedom Conservancy over the weekend of 16 July saw participants even questioning whether Red Hat has violated the GNU General Public Licence under which Linux is released.

This licence allows modification and redistribution of source code, but makes it obligatory for such distributors to provide a means for the targets of the distributing to obtain a copy of the modified code. In Red Hat's case, it now appears to be an open question of whether the company is really meeting this requirement.

Moderated by SFC policy fellow Bradley Kuhn, the panel included AlmaLinux board chair Benny Vasquez, Samba co-founder and CIQ software engineer Jeremy Allison, and Oracle chief architect for Open Source Policy, Strategy, Compliance, and Alliances, James Wright. CIQ is focused on Rocky Linux, another RHEL derivative.

Kuhn said Red Hat had been invited to participate, but had not responded, while SUSE had said that it was unable to send someone on short notice. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu and a smaller player in the enterprise Linux space, was also invited but did not turn up; it was speculated that the firm did not have as much interest in the subject as any deterioration in Red Hat's business was likely to have positive effects for Canonical.

[The American website Slashdot carried a transcript of what it called highlights of the 52-minute discussion [video embedded below]; one has used some material from this transcript, but it lacks continuity and does not read well.]

As background, a project named CentOS was distributing RHEL without Red Hat's trademarks  the only proprietary bits  until Red Hat bought the project and took it in-house in 2014. In December 2020, Red Hat shut down the CentOS project and created a development stream called CentOS Stream.

And last month, Red Hat brought in more restrictions, stipulating that only those who bought licences would have access to the RHEL source code. This has led to SUSE saying it would put more than US$10 million (A$14.83 million) to develop a fork of RHEL. Oracle has taunted Red Hat about the move, while AlmaLinux, set up after the December 2020 announcement, has said from now on it would only seek ABI compatibility with RHEL due to the difficulty in obtaining source code.

The latest changes mean that CentOS Stream is upstream of RHEL and will not have exactly the same source, apart from a short period just after an RHEL release is made. Fedora, Red Hat's community Linux distribution, will have even older source code than CentOS Stream as it is further upstream.

Kuhn pointed out that one needed to look at the part of the Red Hat customer agreement that allowed customers to be intimidated. "The agreements that Red Hat puts forward have the right to audit every single customer. At any time, if you're a customer of Red Hat, they can come into your enterprise  you agree to this, if you want their services  and they can look at every server and see whether or not you're running a copy of RHEL that has a subscription," he said.

"And if you are running copies of RHEL that don't have a subscription, you have a choice to start paying them more money, or not be their customer any more. And a lot of people are in fear about this. So how do we deal with this, as a community that wants to rebuild this stuff, if the folks who have the source code are afraid to give it to us because they might lose their business relationship?"

In a blog post on 23 June, Kuhn wrote about the experience of two customers who had been accused of GPL violations in connection with Red Hat's business model: "A large Fortune 500 company (which we'll call Company A), who both used RHEL internally and also built public-facing Linux-based products, decided to create a consumer-facing product (which we'll call Product P) based primarily on CentOS Linux, but P included a few packages built from RHEL sources.

"Company A did not seek nor ask for support or update services for this separate Product P. Red Hat later became aware that Product P contained some part of RHEL, and Red Hat demanded royalty payments for Product P. Red Hat threatened to revoke the support and update services on Company A's internal RHEL servers if such royalties were not paid.

"Since Company A was powerful and had good lawyers and savvy business development staff, they did not acquiesce. Company A ultimately continued (to our knowledge) on as a RHEL customer for their internal servers and continued selling Product P without royalty payments.

"Nevertheless, a demand for royalties for distribution is clearly a violation as that demand creates a 'further restriction' on the permissions granted by GPL. As stated in GPLv3: 'You may not impose any further restrictions on the exercise of the rights granted or affirmed under this License. For example, you may not impose a licence fee, royalty, or other charge for exercise of rights granted under this licence'.

"Red Hat tried to impose a further restriction in this situation, and, therefore, violated the GPL. The violation was resolved since no royalty was paid and Company A faced no consequences. SFC learned of the incident later, and informed Red Hat that the past royalty demand was a violation. Red Hat did not dispute nor agree that it was a violation, and did informally agree such demands would not be made in future."

Kuhn also cited the case of a second company: "In another violation incident, we learned that Red Hat, in a specific non-USA country, was requiring that any customer who lowered the number of RHEL machines under service contract with Red Hat sign an additional agreement," he said.

"This additional agreement promised that the customer had deleted every copy of RHEL in their entire organisation other than the copies of RHEL that were currently contracted for service with Red Hat.

"Again, this is a 'further restriction'. The GPL agreements give everyone the unfettered right to make and keep as many copies of the software as they like, and a distributor of GPL'd software may not require a user to attest that they've deleted these legitimate, licensed copies of third-party-licensed software under the GPL.

"SFC informed Red Hat's legal department of this violation, and we were assured that this additional agreement would no longer be presented to any Red Hat customers in the future."

Wright pointed out during the panel discussion that Red Hat's agreement that accompanied RHEL said "it's a material breach if you distribute this code. It doesn't just say we can terminate the business relationship. By saying it's a material breach, there are other implications  like potential damages and other things. Right?

"Like I said, I'm not going to accuse them of anything, but I think it's kind of funny that they say that people who are rebuilding don't add value, when Oracle has many years of kernel contributions that they're including in RHEL and MySQL and Java.

"But besides that, I think there are other copyright holders  not us, because I think frankly this crowd wouldn't like us to be an enforcer, even if we thought that was the right thing to do  but there are other copyright holders, maybe sitting on this stage, or maybe watching out here, that might have an opinion about this."

Vasquez said the community that had been around AlmaLinux included people who had been involved in the entire ecosystem for a very long time. "So there's no question of whether or not we're going to continue or expand... Whoever joins AlmaLinux contributes wherever they want to, whenever they want to. And we certainly continue to encourage people to contribute upstream. For sure," she said.

Allison, an ardent advocate of free software, said there was now a great deal of additional work involved if one wanted to find out the exact source code changes in RHEL. "It's make-work. It's like when Red Hat stopped publishing the kernel patches. It's make-work. People will figure it out. Why do it? 'Oh, yes, we're going to make your life more difficult'. Thank you, congratulations, you've wasted a bunch of people's time. Great. Okay, now can we get on with contributing and working together?"

And he reminded the audience about the importance of the customers' opinion: "Remember, enterprise Linux is what the customers say it is. And so if the customers say something that's close to Red Hat, but not exactly Red Hat is good enough, then that's what we will be.

"If the customers say, 'No, it has to be a rebuild, bug-for-bug compatible, then that's what we're going to try and be. We're going to try and meet the market needs. We're going to try and do what the users require.

"Because, I mean, that's the whole point of this thing, is to produce freedom for the people using, developing, creating, using the software. The maximum amount of freedom."
A US Government initiative to implement a cyber security certification and labelling program from 2024 named Cyber Trust Mark has been roundly criticised by security industry veteran Robert Graham.

Graham, who runs the company Errata Security and uses the handle Errata Rob on Twitter, said in a blog post on Saturday that one clear indication the Cyber Trust Mark initiative was of no use was the fact that no mainstream tech media outlet had criticised it.

Announced last Tuesday, the initiative claims it will help people choose smart devices that are deemed less prone to attack, with the White House saying devices covered would be smart refrigerators, TVs, climate control systems and fitness trackers among others.

A number of manufacturers have said they would support the scheme, among them Amazon, Best Buy, Google, LG Electronics, Logitech and Samsung Electronics.

The new U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will give Americans greater peace of mind that the devices theyre bringing into their homes, classrooms, or offices are safer and less vulnerable to cyberattacks.



Watch as Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger explains: pic.twitter.com/srKubl4cjQ  The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 18, 2023

Graham cited a statement by US deputy national security adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology, Anne Neuberger, in which she said: It will allow Americans to confidently identify which Internet- and Bluetooth-connected devices are cyber secure.

He described this as a lie. "Devices bearing this mark still wont be secure. They still will be hackable. Devices bearing this mark are, at best, a marginal improvement in security," he claimed.

Graham accused the whole cyber security industry of being in on the lie. "Everyone knows that the mark wont make devices secure, but are willing to go along with this," he said. "Theyll be supportive of Anne Neuberger instead of critical, admitting that while its technically false theres still some moral truthiness to her words.

"The industry is full of 'experts' who cannot be trusted. They become 'activists'. They dont see their job as a neutral cost-vs-benefit trade-off, but see security as a higher moral duty, and end in of itself, rather than simply a means to an end.

"Theyll happily lie to you and spin information as long as it serves the higher moral goal of increasing security at all cost. They love any and all government policy aimed at increasing cyber security, no matter the adverse impacts on society."

Graham claimed that, on the whole, there was no particular problem with IoT security. "On the whole, IoT devices arent getting hacked. For example, the well-known yearly Verizon Data Breach report doesnt mention it," he pointed out. "Ransomware is the biggest cyber-security threat right now, and it has nothing to do with IoT.

"The reason is simply that IoT is almost always behind firewalls. For those of us who scan the Internet, we see the public exposure of IoT decreasing, despite the number of IoT devices increasing by billions each year. More importantly, humans rarely interact with IoT. Its humans that are the primary vulnerability. Devices with limited human interaction are of limited threat."

He said the issue of most concern was patching, claiming that if a device was not exposed to the Internet or to human interaction, then patching was much less necessary.

"Security is a trade-off, but this fact is ignored by cyber-security professionals," Graham said. "They can only think in terms of the benefits of patching, not the trade-offs needed to achieve it.

"This argument falls on deaf ears in the infosec community. They largely dont care about such trade-offs because patching is a moral duty. If that, in practice, adds vulnerability to a device, it doesnt really matter, because you are still achieving the moral goal."

One common solution for IoT security trade-offs was to hand the job to a cloud vendor. But Graham said this meant even less security.

"Current IoT devices are largely disconnected from the Internet by a firewall," he explained. "They can otherwise allow wide-open access to hackers, but suffer few problems in practice because network infrastructure prevents access.

"But when you surrender control to the cloud, now they are accessible regardless of any network protections. The cloud accounts now have access to the device regardless of any layers of protection. If that vendor isnt trustworthy or gets hacked, then evildoers can penetrate the depths of your network."

While admitting that he did not know the criteria would be used to award the Cyber Trust Mark, Graham said the things that were being discussed were mostly "cyber-superstition rather than real".

He cited patching, default/backdoor passwords, secure boot and encryption as four examples.

However, Graham said, the trust mark was mostly harmless. "The government isnt forcing anybody to comply. But at the same time, its not pushing more secure IoT products, its pushing the agenda of the cyber security industrial complex. Their desires have a lot to do with control and little to do with security. Products with this mark are unlikely to be best for consumers.

"Here is a good test for you journalists. Ask the experts you consult about the story about Anne Neubergers claim this will make products 'cyber-secure'. Its a lie, the trust mark wont make products secure. But watch them defend her anyway."
Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade has described Microsoft's response to the Azure breach as enraging, duplicitous, disappointing, counter-productive and, most importantly, unnecessary".

Respected security practitioner Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade has criticised the manner in which Microsoft has reacted to the recent breach of its Azure cloud service, describing it as "enraging, duplicitous, disappointing, counter-productive and, most importantly, unnecessary".

In a tweet thread, Guerrero-Saade, senior director of SentinelLabs, the research wing of security firm SentinelOne, said Microsoft's reaction to the incident was similar to the way it had reacted to the breaches involving SolarWinds, Hafnium and also the way it had behaved as far as its general collaboration with the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Joint Cyber Defence Collaborative went.

The Azure 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 breach has been blamed on Chinese attackers; Microsoft has named the group Storm-0588.

The attackers gained access through an Azure vulnerability discovered last month by the State Department, according to anonymous officials who spoke to the Washington Post.

Microsoft has been obfuscating about the incident, most recently denying a detailed technical post about the breach by cloud security firm Wiz, after having given its blessing to the post.

Guerrero-Saade said he had the "utmost respect" for the Microsoft Threat Information Centre. "I cant overstate my strong support for the folks at MSTIC (MISTY now?), DART, and past MSRC, admirable researchers and caring folks who do amazing things with little credit, making outsized impact on multiple fronts (like Ukraine), I admire and respect all of you," he wrote.

"Mind you most of these folks dont get much recognition, they arent paid nearly as well as they should be, theyre dealing with a litany of lawyers, they dont have conference travel budgets; if theyre not doing it for the love of their work, Im not sure why they would."

He clarified he was not commenting on the incident because someone had asked him to. "Let me also make it clear that none have asked me to speak up, if anything Im sure theyd probably prefer I shut my mouth and not rock a rickety boat further. However, I see an administration, leadership, and legal regime with little concern for their expertise or public good."

Guerrero-Saade had some good words to say about the government's reaction to the incident. "The other pained participant in this equation are the gov folks, honest to God trying to make things better, to craft policy that enables us and disables bad faith players, and have to play under insane restrictions, a different set of lawyers, even worse pay, and death by optics," he noted.

He said that "voicing the undercurrent rising from different pockets of the industry, @Microsoft is (a) no longer effectively handling vulnerability patching. Weve seen multiple failed patches and bad starts, a litany of exploited ITW 0days, complaints from reputable vulnerability reporters and laughably sparse patching advisories.

"Id also point to a variety of structural problems MSFT has chosen to live with presumably for the sake of legacy support that make it extremely difficult to defend a Windows enterprise network under the best of circumstances."

Guerrero-Saade pointed out that Microsoft had made some changes in its security set-up that were baffling. "MSFT decided to change their code signing mechanisms in a baffling way. TLDR: code signing enforcement practically eliminated rootkits for years, huge long-term win. MSFT changes how code signing certs work. Now code gets signed with a Microsoft cert that cannot be revoked.

"(They can ban a subkey). The new process is being abused repeatedly via some low-entry-cost China nexus that has resulted in *multiple* swathes of Microsoft signed rootkits over two years. It used to take Flame with a crypto breaking attack, now its CN gaming malware. WT actual F."

Guerrero-Saade said Microsoft had done a good job on the Ukraine front. "...let me start with my utmost sincere admiration and gratitude to MSTIC researchers and everyone at @Microsoft that work(s|ed) to the bone to protect UA in their time of need without an ounce of credit. Youre partly the reason academics thought nothing happened."

But he had harsh words for Microsoft president Brad Smith. "[He] and his office have added a truly sour taste to this earnest co-operation with disingenuous attempts to craft policy and lobby on the back of these efforts. The *second* UA report was largely unsubstantiated third-order speculation written by policy folks.

"While the report included net new conclusions, there was no net new data behind the *second* report. And those conclusions subsequently shaped the discussion around this historic conflict without anyone being able to uphold or debunk their claims."

Guerrero-Saade said Hafnium would have been a comedy of errors had it been funny. "At a time of global crisis, where you and only you couldve disinfected or force updated every potential victim, you chose not to (theres no liability in doing nothing), then had the gall to push them to a cloud upsell," he said.

And he questioned what customers who had taken the bait and moved from on-prem to cloud for e-mail hosting could do when they got news about Storm-0588, which had been discovered by an external party.

These people had got "what are clearly incomplete and uncertain answers", he claimed. Microsoft has issued three blog posts about the Azure breach, all of which have been criticised as being incomplete and misleading.

Referring to the technical post by cloud security firm Wiz, Guerrero-Saade said: "Whether Wiz was right or wrong doesnt matter. Only you [meaning Microsoft] know how these systems work on the inside, and youre being opaque, worried about liability, without realising that you cant be the sole steward of an ecosystem if you choose to stonewall at signs of trouble."

He said he wished the situation was unique to Microsoft. "It really isnt. And its ultimately going to keep coming back to the government for a lack of regulation, a lack of requirements, a lack of teeth, or even attempted dismay at bad faith partners.

"And before you give me a security solipsistic answer or realpolitik rebuttal, explain to me what the point of FEDRAMP certification is if you cant pull it at the sign of a major downstream breach without transparency, collaboration, or accountability?"
The new NAS models use Synology's DiskStation Manager operating system and support Synology Drive private cloud storage.

The devices can be used to back up workstations, laptops, and mobile devices, and folders, system settings, and software packages stored on the Synology NAS can be backed up to the cloud, to secondary Synology systems, and to external devices.

Point-in-time snapshots of the NAS's data can be stored locally or remotely to allow for rapid restoration.

The Synology Surveillance Station video management system allows the DS224+ and DS124 to be used as a surveillance management and recording system that supports more than 8,300 validated IP cameras and ONVIF devices

Optional dual recording to Synology C2 Surveillance provides improved remote access as well as serving as a backup. End-to-end encryption guards against unauthorised access and low-latency recording ensures footage is recorded up to the last seconds before a camera stream becomes unavailable, perhaps because the DiskStation has been stolen or destroyed by intruders..

The single-bay DS124 provides backup for PCs (file and folder), mobile devices (photos, videos and music), and for the NAS itself (folders and configuration).

It can be used to offload currently locally-stored data, minimising the need for storage upgrades for laptops and workstations.

Synology product manager Julien Chen, said "The DS124's small desktop form factor and low power consumption make it especially well-suited for entrepreneurs, business owners, and freelance creative professionals, who can get more done with less overhead after streamlining their workflows with the DS124."

The DS224+ is a dual-bay model, and also supports backup of servers, VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and bare-metal recovery of the NAS itself.

"The DS224+ is ideal for teams and branch offices looking to sync up with their central office," said Synology product manager Michael Wang. "The range of synchronisation features it supports right out of the box makes it ready to slot in to just about any existing deployment."


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Why are so many Republicans knuckling under to Democrats' "temporary" election rules changes?

Crafty Democrats used 2020's COVID-19 catastrophe to change the way Americans pick our leaders. Democrats filed hundreds of lawsuits to demand mass mail-in ballots, early voting, late arrivals of ballots and other "emergency" measures. They argued that the Coronavirus was just too dangerous for traditional, in-person voting. The George Floyd riots were too important to let these microbes stand in the way, Democrats like former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio argued.

And yet this virus was so deadly that it merited a Mao-worthy revolution in voting practices.

Now, as the 2024 election looms, COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror. Previously ubiquitous masks disfigure the faces of only a few germaphobes and diehards. Social distancing has gone the way of the Hustle. And yet Democrats' "one-time" ballot procedures are becoming permanent. Shamefully, top Republicans now bow before them, as if in worship.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia's otherwise admirable Republican governor, has launched Secure Your Vote Virginia. He wants GOP voters and their cross-party supporters to cast their ballots early, mail them in and practice ballot trafficking, with voters handing their ballots to party activists, free of the adult supervision found at polling places.

"I need your early vote this year," Youngkin stated. "We can't go into Election Day down thousands of votes."

The Republican National Committee is taking this thinking from coast to coast. Last month, it unveiled Bank Your Vote, an effort to "encourage, educate, and activate Republican voters on when, where, and how to lock in their votes as early as possible, through in-person early voting, absentee voting, and ballot harvesting where legal."

WRONG!

All of this is premature, at best.

At worst, it's totally illegal.

While Virginia can do whatever it wants with state and local elections, it is bound by federal law, as is the RNC's plan. Federal Election Day is "the Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November, in every even numbered year." This is not a passage from Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack nor a line that Mark Twain wrote for Ulysses S. Grant. It's the law.

Specifically, 2 U.S. Code  7 governs congressional elections, and 3 U.S. Code  1 covers presidential ballots. These statutes invoke November  not October or September.

Also, voting anywhere other than in person, behind a curtain, destroys something sacred: the secret ballot. Voting at home, by mail, or through ballot traffickers demolishes voters' confidence that they, and only they, know how they voted. Absentee ballots potentially allow spouses, relatives, bosses, and even door-to-door political activists to pressure voters into casting their ballots one way or another.

"No heart medicine for you, Grandpa, until we inspect your ballot."

Rather than surrender to the Democrats' COVID-era assaults on U.S election norms, Republicans should fight ferociously in local, state and federal court to reverse these "one-time, special measures."

The GOP should follow the lead of The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF). PILF is suing in a North Dakota federal court to kill its law that allows ballot to arrive 13 days after Election Day.

"Election Day has ceased to be a day," said PILF President, J. Christian Adams. "Instead, we have election month because states accept ballots that arrive days and even weeks after Election Day. Not only does this lead to distrust and chaos in the system, but it also violates federal law. PILF is fighting to end this lawlessness and restore the day in Election Day."

(Full disclosure: PILF is representing me in a federal lawsuit designed to overturn New York City's law that allows foreign citizens to vote in local elections.)

If such relentless, robust litigation succeeds, Americans can look forward to a return to election integrity.

And if such lawsuits fail in the U.S. Supreme Court, then  and only then  Republicans should accept the Democrats' permanent attacks on America's voting system.
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ODESA, Ukraine One year ago, just as I arrived in this historic port city, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to stop blockading Ukraine's grain exports and fueling a famine in Africa and the Middle East.

The day after signing the U.N.-brokered deal, Russians shelled Odesa's port facilities, as if to warn: "Don't think this deal protects you."

Exactly one year later, I returned to Odesa just as Russia pulled out of the deal, once again threatening global food supplies. Putin is playing a game of food blackmail, trying to get Western countries to loosen sanctions on certain Russian banks if they want the Ukrainian grain to start flowing again. Canada rightly called the renewed blockade "the weaponization of hunger by the Russian Federation."

As I wrote back then, and reemphasize now, if any Western leaders still nurse fantasies about talks with Putin to end his war on Ukraine, his disdain for the grain deal proves they are fools.

And once again, Putin's hunger games are reinforced with missiles. Tuesday's deafening attack in the middle of the night with drones and cruise missiles  the harshest on Odesa since the war began  destroyed most storage facilities for sunflower oil and some grain silos. One civilian building hit by flak from the shot-down missiles was near my interpreter's apartment.

Locals were warned that more missile attacks were expected Wednesday evening.

Russia claimed the strikes were a response to Ukraine's sea-drone attack Monday on the Kerch bridge connecting Russia to the occupied Crimea Peninsula. Don't believe it.

Putin is sending two messages: First, if the world doesn't pay his price, he is willing to starve poor nations. Second, if he is not permitted to control Odesa, he is willing to destroy it  and damn any repercussions to a grain-hungry world.

For many years, the imperial-minded Putin has been obsessed with Odesa because it was founded in the late 18th century by Russian empress Catherine the Great, who is one of his role models.

However, Ukraine's largest port was never really an ethnic Russian city. Its harbor was built by a Spaniard, its first governor was a French aristocrat, and its longtime position as an international trade center produced a diverse population. Before World War II, about 30% of Odesans were Jewish. Today, it is flooded with refugees from Russian attacks on eastern cities and towns and the horrific flooding caused by Moscow's criminal destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River.

Although the city has been battered, it has kept its special spirit, as I saw when roaming the streets on the day the grain deal died. Mothers and children still eat ice cream by the small pool in the city park, young women parade their chic fashions, and the elderly watch the young. But the city is strangely quiet. The tourists are gone, and many residents have fled.

Odesa is a port city. It cannot live, nor can the country's farmers continue to plant its famed grains and sunflowers, if the Russian blockade is maintained. Ukraine will be virtually landlocked, its economy permanently undermined.

Yet the Russian Black Sea fleet has effectively taken over control of the southern Black Sea and the connected Sea of Azov, blocking not only Ukrainian grain but other key exports. Seven countries border the Black Sea  including NATO members Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria  and Russia's militarization of the sea is illegal under international law.

Amazingly, NATO nations, including the United States, have let Russia get away with this takeover. China's Xi Jinping, who is trying to do the same with the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits, is watching closely. He is waiting to see if the West, and the United Nations, will bow to Putin's food blackmail and ease sanctions to reinstate the grain deal.

As I walked on a breakwater looking out at the Black Sea with Oleksii Goncharenko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament from Odesa, I asked him how he thought NATO nations should respond to Russia's actions.

Looking out at the threatened harbor in the distance, he responded in anger. "Why did the free world let this happen?" he asked with vehemence, pointing out that Moscow essentially militarized the Black Sea when it seized Crimea in 2014 and made the peninsula into an armed dagger pointing at Ukraine.

Goncharenko believes that Turkey, a NATO member and cosponsor of the grain deal, should provide armed escorts for grain ships. Ideally, Istanbul would permit an exception to the 1936 Montreux Convention, which controls maritime traffic through the straits joining the Mediterranean and Black Seas (and bans most warships). This would permit other NATO members to join Turkey in protecting the grain ships from Russian attack.

"Why doesn't the free world say to Putin just try' to attack ships under Turkish, British, and U.S. flags?" Goncharenko asked. "Putin sees this NATO hesitation. So why can't he use the same kind of blackmail in the Baltic Sea? Why can't Xi do the same in the South China Sea?"

Goncharenko is asking the right questions. But he was rebuffed by political officials from NATO countries when he tried to raise the convoy issue at the recent summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. It appears that everyone is waiting and hoping that Turkey can somehow talk Putin into reentering the deal when he visits Ankara in August.

I believe it will take much more Western pressure, including at the U.N. General Assembly, to end Putin's hunger games. Perhaps only NATO armed grain convoy escorts can do so. If the West gives in to Putin's food blackmail, we will all pay a price  and it will be far dearer than the increased cost of grain.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Trudy Rubin

Philadelphia Inquirer

(TNS)

Previously:

 07/19/23: Can Ukraine win the war against Russia? I'm traveling there to find out

 07/17/23: From hell to Harvard: One Ukrainian's escape and how you can help fulfill her dreams

 07/11/23: At the NATO summit in Vilnius: Will Biden seize or squander the chance to end Putin's war on Ukraine?

 04/21/23: The Pentagon documents leak will embolden Putin as he tries to outlast Ukraine

 03/22/23: The Russian attack on a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone underlines why we must help Ukraine win

 03/15/23: Will the White House have the courage to propel a Ukrainian victory this year?

 02/21/23: On the first anniversary of Putin's invasion, Ukraine fights on for its independence and for the security of the West

 02/17/23: A former Pakistani leader's death, and his wise peace plan that failed

 02/09/23: Earthquakes killed nearly 12,000 people this week. Three men are partly to blame

 01/24/23: As Russia murders civilians in Dnipro, why won't NATO send weapons that could end the war?

 12/28/22: What Zelensky worried about when he addressed a cheering Congress

 12/13/22: The US-China conflict to watch is the Chip War --- which centers on Taiwan

 09/14/22: Ukraine scores sudden breakthrough that should energize Western support

 09/09/22: Queen Elizabeth's death deprives Britain and the world of a rock of stability

 09/08/22: After Gorbachev's death, Putin wants the world to know he is the 'anti-Gorbi'

 08/26/22: 6 months after Russia's war vs. Ukraine began, the West still won't give Kiev the weapons to win

 08/15/22: Ukraine's civilian volunteers work to give aid and rebuild, even as Russia continues to bomb them

 08/08/22: A trip near the front lines finds Ukrainian troops ready for a battle that could decide the war

 06/13/22: The critical battles for Ukraine and for America are being fought right here, right now

 05/02/22: Save Odesa to save the world from hunger and high food prices

 05/02/22: Bloodless Ukrainian War, not utopian fantasy says one-time largest foreign investor in Russia

 04/11/22: The only way to end Putin's war crimes

 03/28/22: Don't let Putin's nuclear and chemical threats stop us from giving Ukraine what it needs

 03/24/22: An elegy for Mariupol, where I walked six weeks ago. Now razed by Russian bombs

 03/18/22: Zelensky's brilliant speech should impel Biden and Congress to protect Ukrainian skies

 03/11/22: Mariupol's bombed maternity hospital exemplifies why NATO should protect Ukraine's skies

 03/10/22: No 'no-fly zone'? Then NATO must find another way to protect Ukraine's skies

 03/07/22: The third World War has already started in Ukraine. Europe and the US should wake up

 03/04/22:Putin must be stopped from turning Kiev into Aleppo

 03/02/22:Why is Belarus helping Russia invade Ukraine? An explainer on the latest in the conflict

 02/25/22: What the UN should finally do about Russia

 02/24/22: Why Putin's Ukraine aggression will change the world --- an explainer on how we got here

 02/10/22: Ukrainian civilians train for war with cardboard guns: 'We are scared but we are ready

 01/13/22:Putin wants to reestablish the Russian empire. Can NATO stop him without war?

 12/10/21: Can Biden and NATO prevent Putin from invading Ukraine? Summit puts it to the test

 12/02/21: Boris Johnson stirs up new Irish Troubles for his own personal political gains

 11/22/21: Xi Jinping thinks America is on the rocks. Is he correct?

 08/18/21: President Biden, get our Afghan allies on evacuation planes

 08/18/21:The horror of Afghan women abandoned by Biden's troop pullout

 08/09/21:China is pushing a big COVID-19 lie that makes a new pandemic harder to prevent

 05/27/21: Punish Belarus leader for Ryanair hijacking before air piracy becomes dictators' new tool

 04/14/21: Can Beethoven temper the political tensions between US and China?

 06/01/20: US must stand with Hong Kong against Beijing's efforts to crush its freedoms

 05/20/20: COVID-19 offers a chance to halt Iran's hostage diplomacy

 05/21/14: Newscycle spurs visit to country my family fled

 04/21/14: Blind to Putin's strategy?

 12/24/13: Obama's Syrian indifference has led to more death and destruction. Meet some real heroes

 12/13/13: Where liberals have come to love the military

 12/09/13: The China strategy

 11/05/13: Return to Iraq is worth a close look

 10/01/13: Obama's call to Iran: Who was really on the line?

 09/11/13: How Obama got Syria so wrong

 07/24/13: It's time for Obama to tell Putin 'nyet'

 05/15/13: What Russia gave Kerry on Syria --- very little





Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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.

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 board's 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 state's 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. In 2022, Davis and her Il-linois 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 day's "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington.

Davis endorsed Trump's 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.
Erin Holcomb adopted her rabbit, Ziggy, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A rescue rabbit with traces of Silver Fox, Ziggy, now 3, quickly became a part of the Holcomb's family.

"We love him like people love a cat or a dog," said Holcomb, who lives in North Center.

Earlier this month, Holcomb boarded Ziggy for about two weeks at Cuddle Bunny in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood before she headed out of town. The business offers boarding services for pet rabbits. It also charges visitors for in-house interactions with resident rabbits  similar to a cat cafe  and offers programming such as bunny yoga and Pilates.

Last week, while Ziggy was still boarded, the first confirmed cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease in Illinois, a contagious and fatal viral illness that affects rabbits, were confirmed to have originated at Cuddle Bunny.

Two Polish rabbits, sisters named Tia and Tamera, died from rabbit hemorrhagic disease, confirmed Cuddle Bunny owner Barbara Burdick. Tia and Tamera, who were resident rabbits rather than boarded bunnies, were not vaccinated for the virus that causes the disease, Burdick said.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed rabbit hemorrhagic disease had been detected in Cook County but did not disclose the location.

"Two rabbits at the same location died and subsequently tested positive for RHD 1/2," said Krista Lisser, a spokesperson for the department, in an email.

"We are not aware of any additional cases and have not received any test results that confirm additional cases," Lisser said.

The disease is more widespread in other areas, including in Western U.S. states. In the Midwest, it has been detected in states that include Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, according to the department.

The vaccine for RHD 1/2 has been available in Illinois since October 2021, said Melissa Giese, a veterinarian with Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in Skokie.

Though rabbit hemorrhagic disease is "extremely fatal," Giese said, the vaccine is known to be effective.

Giese said an exact percentage effectiveness was not yet available because it is a relatively new vaccine, though she said it would be unusual for a fully vaccinated rabbit to die from the disease. Giese said she helped coordinate confirmation of the RHD 1/2 cases at Cuddle Bunny with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, which is not dangerous to humans, can be spread by exposure to an infected rabbit's bodily fluids or blood, according to the USDA. It can also be spread by people, who can carry it on their shoes or clothing, or from contaminated carcasses, food or water.
Philip Morris US has joined R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in implementing another round of price increases for its traditional cigarette brands.

The list price hikes went into effect Sunday, according to Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzogs analysis report sent to investors.

It is the third per-pace price increase for Philip Morris USA this year for a combined 47 cents on top-selling Marlboro.

The list price is what wholesalers pay manufacturers for their traditional cigarette products. The increase typically is passed on to customers at retail.

Herzogs reports are based on industry trade contacts that typically are accurate.

Herzog reported the per-pack list price was raised by 16 cents for Marlboro, along with Basic, L&M and L&M Simple Tobacco.

Meanwhile, there was a 21-cent per pack increase on Benson & Hedges, Merit, Nats, Parliament and Virginia Slims.

Broadly, Philip Morris price increase is a bit surprising ... suggesting to us that volume pressures are likely greater than anticipated, Herzog said.

Having said that, we believe Altria Group Inc. has become more sophisticated and targeted with its pricing strategies, as well as promotional spending to offset these more frequent list-price increases, especially for price-sensitive consumers.

Meanwhile, the latest Reynolds list-price increases went into effect July 3, representing a larger-than-typical increase for many of its brands.

For Reynolds menthol brand Newport  the No. 2-seller in the U.S.  the list price was raised in a range of 16 to 26 cents per pack for menthol and nonmenthol styles.

The increase is in a range of 16 to 40 cents per pack for No. 3 Camel, as wells as 12 cents per pack for Lucky Strike.

Herzog said that while BAT took several other price increases across its portfolio of brands, but didnt raise the list price of Pall Malls Box and Select styles.

Meanwhile, there were no price increase for Reynolds electronic cigarettes and other vaping products, according to Herzogs report.

The latest list-price hike for Reynolds traditional cigarettes came on top of four increases in both 2021 and 2022.

Altogether, Reynolds has raised its list price by up to $1.47 over the last 20 months for many of its top brands, as well as a combined $2.02 since January 2020.

For Natural American Spirit, there was a 16-cent increase for most Natural American Spirit styles, except for red and smooth gold. There was a 40-cent per tin increase on Natural American Spirits Ryo rolling tobacco.

Herzog said the latest price hikes by Philip Morris USA and Reynolds could make deep-discount traditional cigarettes more attractive, or compel those manufacturer to boost list prices as well.

While there is some increased risk of potential downtrading  especially given pressures on the consumer  we believe brands like Marlboro with a very loyal customer base and strong/effective promotions should be able to keep those consumers within the franchise, Herzog said.

That includes leverage for its lower-cost Marlboro Special Blends styles.

Bottom line, price increases are typically viewed favorably and are a critical driver of tobacco manufacturers revenue and earnings growth, particularly as manufacturers realize almost three times the leverage on earnings from a point of pricing than a point of volume, Herzog said.

Both British American Tobacco and Altria seem to be fairly comfortable with the elasticity as they continue to raise prices.
Wells Fargo & Co. has informed its federal regulator  the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency  of plans to close another 18 branches nationwide, though none in North Carolina.

The latest closing notifications were posted Friday by the OCC.

There have been at least 65 Wells Fargo branch closings in North Carolina, including three in Winston-Salem and nine in the Triad, since July 2020.

Overall, Wells Fargo has dropped from more than 6,600 branches in 2009, when it acquired a collapsing Wachovia Corp. and gained an East Coast presence.

The branch count was at 4,445 as of June 30, down from 4,525 on March 31 and from 4,660 on June 30, 2022.
A Winston-Salem church and its pastor are suing its former lender, a property management company and their employees, alleging that they violated the worship centers legal rights.

Christ Kingdom Building Worship Center and the Rev. Ellen Wallace-Searcy filed their lawsuit on June 13 in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of North Carolina.

The 41-page lawsuit alleges that a company called LBC2 Trust, a lender, its affiliate LBC2 REO and a property management company, One Alliance Cos. of Cornelius, improperly seized the church and evicted Wallace-Searcy, her staff and dozens of children from the churchs property.

The lawsuit also alleges that the Winston-Salem Police Department enabled those actions. The legal action also names Officer C.N. Kisen and the city of Winston-Salem as defendants.

Winston-Salem police were called to the church last year because One Alliance feared trouble from the Black staff and parishioners  and the intimidation caused by the police presence was a deliberate effort to deprive them of their constitutional rights, the lawsuit said.

Marissa West, an assistant city attorney, said that the city attorneys office doesnt comment on pending litigation.

I think this matter is best handled in the forum provided by our legal system, West said.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as exemplary damages of $495,000, the lawsuit said.

This is what structural racism looks like, said James C. White of Chapel Hill, one of the plaintiffs attorneys.

One of the lawsuits allegations is that a One Alliance representative said she feared for her safety so she called the Winston-Salem Police Department, White said. This wouldnt have been done with a white church or another business.

Christ Kingdom, whose congregation has been historically Black, owned the church at 3894 Northampton Drive in the citys northeastern section. The church was paying a mortgage with Branch Banking and Trust Co. But that mortgage eventually was owned by LBC2 Trust, according to the lawsuit.

The mortgage had a balance of $1.4 million, and the church made monthly payments. However, an unpaid balance became due on May 6, 2021, and Wallace-Searcy unsuccessfully attempted to renegotiate the mortgage terms after the balloon payments became due.

Thats when things took a turn.

During the week of June 28, 2022, the church was conducting a food bank and a summer program for children. The church also had a funeral scheduled for that week.

According to the lawsuit, on June 29, a person who identified himself as Mack and said he was an agent of One Alliance came to the church. Mack told Wallace-Searcy and other church members that he planned to change the churchs locks. Everyone had to move out.

On June 30, Lauren McElroy, a One Alliance employee, arrived at the church and called Winston-Salem police. The lawsuit alleges that McElroy asked the police department to assist her in removing Wallace-Searcy and church members from the property.

McElroy couldnt be reached for comment to respond to the allegations against her. Wallace-Searcy also couldnt be reached for comment.

McElroy told Kiser, the Winston-Salem officer, that the Christ Kingdom church had been foreclosed, and that her company possessed the property, according to a police incident report.

Kiser then told Wallace-Searcy that she and church employees must vacate the property. A time of 2 p.m. was agreed upon.

McElroy called Kiser at 1:18 p.m. and told him that no items had been removed from the church, and it didnt appear that Wallace-Searcy was making arrangements to leave.

When Kiser arrived, he saw church members carrying tables and other items out of the building, according to the police report. At 2 p.m., Kiser accompanied McElroy, who told church members that the churchs front doors were being locked and that they must vacate the premises.

The church members left behind thousands of dollars worth of furniture and equipment, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleges that One Alliance removed a safe that contained collection money.

Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, the current property owner, occupies the building on Northampton Drive. Goler Memorial moved into its current location on Feb. 26.

The church site is valued at $1.67 million, according to Forsyth County tax records.
The latest in a series of Forsyth County Department of Public Healths youth initiatives is focused on boys ages 9 to 13.

The program, known as Motivating Males on the Move, or M3, requires parental consent, as does the departments teen girls Flourish and co-ed Unity programs.

The sessions will last about 1 hours at the health department.

M3 is designed to provide a safe space for young males to learn about their own development, healthy decision-making, and share any concerns or questions they may have about adolescent health with other males with similar experiences.

M3 is being coordinated and organized by the departments adolescent and mens health coordinators.

Among the topics are: communication; decision making; goal-setting; male development; manhood and masculinity; self-esteem and body image; and sexually transmitted infections prevention.

There are plans for field trips, guest speakers and team-building activities.

For more information and to enroll participants in M3, call Stanley Howard and AuShonna Langley at 336-703-3180 or 336-7903-3366.

Langley said that, ideally, some of the M3 participants would progress to the Unity program that focuses on sexual health, offered to Forsyth teens.

The department said Unity uses an evidence-based curriculum, in addition to supplemental videos and information from accredited adolescent health resources, on topics such as female and male anatomy, consent, birth control, STD/STIs, sexual behaviors, LGBTQIA+, and other topics involving sexual health.

The department said Flourish is an introductory pregnancy prevention program offered to young girls living in Forsyth.

Flourish provides age-appropriate education to females on peer pressure, bullying, female anatomy and healthy relationships.

For additional information on Flourish and Unity, call 336-703-3180

Another program offered by the county Department of Social Services is LINKS, which provides outcome-based services for adolescents ages 13 to 17 in foster care and/or young adults participating in foster care (ages) 18-21 services.

LINKS aims to assist young adults in eight outcomes established by North Carolina:

Sufficient economic resources to meet daily living needs;

Safe and stable place to live;

Attaining or has attained academic or vocational educational goals in keeping with their interests or abilities;

Connections to a positive personal support system;

Avoiding illegal/high-risk behaviors;

Postponing parenthood until financially and emotionally capable of parenting

Access to physical, dental and mental health services; and

Leaving the foster care system shall have regular, ongoing, opportunities to engage in age and/or developmentally appropriate activities.

To achieve these outcomes, the LINKS program partners with trauma-informed community providers to collaborate on identifying resources and programs to achieve these goals.
The Daily Minute is the Journal Star's morning news briefing where you can get the latest news in about a minute each weekday. Previous Daily Minute videos are archived here.

Police chief resigns

In a surprise move and with no explanation, Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins resigned Friday, effective immediately.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said she accepted Ewins' notice of resignation and has appointed Assistant Chief Michon Morrow to serve as acting chief of police.

Ewins had been Gaylor Baird's pick to lead the Lincoln Police Department in 2021 at the conclusion of a national search following the retirement of Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister in 2020.

It was unclear if Ewins was asked to resign and the mayor's office declined to comment beyond what was said in a news release.

Thousands to have student debt forgiven

As many as 5,700 student loan borrowers in Nebraska who are on income-driven repayment plans could see their balance wiped out in the coming months under a new plan by the Biden administration.

Those borrowers could see nearly $268.9 million in federal student loan debt erased in the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Education said.

Across the country, a total of $39 billion in federal student loans held by 804,000 borrowers could be discharged later this summer, according to figures from the education department.

Standing Bear ready for students

School is just around the corner and Standing Bear High School is almost ready to open their front doors to its first 307 students.

Located at 70th Street and Saltillo Road, the new high school is identical in design to Lincoln Northwest High School, which opened last fall. Its not so much the design of Standing Bear that will set it apart, but instead, the traditions the school strives to instill.

As the citys first and only public high school named after a person, the school will work to tell the story of Chief Standing Bear, who led the Ponca Tribe during the 19th century.

Thats it for Monday, July 24. Stay in the know with Lincolns longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com. Well see you back here tomorrow.
After one of the coolest July stretches in recent memory, Lincoln is in the process of heating up.

The high hit 91 on Saturday, breaking a 17-day stretch with highs below 90 degrees, the longest such streak in July in 30 years. A high of 90 followed on Sunday and 92 on Monday.

But this week is likely to bring some of the hottest temperatures of the summer.

Lincoln has only reached 95 degrees or higher five times so far and has topped 100 only once. This week's forecast, however, calls for 95 or higher every day through at least Sunday, including the potential for triple-digit heat Wednesday and Thursday.

It will feel even hotter thanks to the humidity. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Lincoln and surrounding areas starting at 1 p.m. Monday and continuing through 9 p.m. Friday.

The weather service said in a bulletin that heat indexes could reach as high as 110 degrees in some areas, and the high temperatures and humidity "may cause heat illnesses to occur."

Most of July has been really decent for us, with pretty comfortable weather and some timely rains, said Van DeWald, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley. Now it is time to pay the piper.

On Monday, the high temperature reached the low 90s, but the heat index soared into the triple digits.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department on Monday urged residents to exercise caution during the heat advisory and warned that certain people, including children and older adults, are more at risk for heat-related illnesses.

Symptoms of those illnesses can include sweaty skin, light-headedness, weakness and nausea.

The department encouraged people to take precautions, including avoiding outdoor activities, if possible, between 10 a.m and 4 p.m.; drinking plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids; avoiding heavy meals and hot foods, which add heat to your body; and wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

The department said it's also important to pay special attention to small children and pets, and to check on relatives, neighbors and friends who may be at risk.

Aging Partners said it has a limited number of fans for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis to adults ages 60 and over. No financial screening is needed. For more information, call 402-441-3025. The program also accepts fan donations at the Aging Partners office, 600 S. 70th St.

Those without air conditioning can cool off during regular hours at recreation centers, libraries and senior centers as well as other public locations such as theaters and shopping malls. Residents are reminded that pool hours are 1-6 p.m. The sprayground at Trago Park, 22nd and U streets, is open daily from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through Labor Day.

Family swim nights are offered from 6-8 p.m. for $10 per family at the following public pools:

* Monday: Belmont.

* Tuesday: Eden.

* Wednesday: Irvingdale and Highlands.

* Thursday: Ballard.

* Friday: Arnold Heights and Woods.

DeWald said the heat wave will likely persist into early August, and conditions will be "increasingly uncomfortable."

The Omaha World-Herald contributed to this report.
KEARNEY  It all started on a Tilt-a-Whirl at the Buffalo County Fair.

Thats where Jerry and Edith Marlatt had their first date 71 years ago, but the ride made Jerry sick, so he went home.

But a second date followed, and a third.

On July 2, the Marlatts celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Four of the six members of their wedding party were on hand for a festive open house for friends, followed by a family dinner with their five children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The celebration doubled as a 90th birthday party for both Jerry and Edith, who hit that milestone in the last six months.

But back to that Tilt-a-Whirl.

It was 1952. Jerry was working in a 4-H booth at the fair, and Edith was working in a booth next to it. The pair, both out of high school, knew each other casually because Edith grew up in Kearney, and her married sister lived close to Jerrys family in rural Odessa.

That fateful evening, Jerry and a buddy asked Edith and a friend to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl, but after the second spin on that ride, Jerry got sick and had to go home. A few weeks later, he called Edith and asked her out.

That date has faded from memory, mostly. Where did we go? To a movie, probably. I thought he was awfully cute, Edith said.

I guess I liked her looks. Her smile, I guess. She was nice, Jerry said.

Nevertheless, The relationship took off right away, Edith said. They were married 11 months later on June 21, 1953, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church, now Faith United Methodist Church on Central Avenue.

The early years

Shortly after the wedding, Jerry was drafted, so he and Edith spent the next two years at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Edith had studied rural education at Kearney State College, but because she lacked a Texas history class, she couldnt get a teaching license, so she got a job as a file clerk on the Navy base.

After Jerry was discharged, he studied welding for a year at Central Community College in Milford, then worked in Gothenburg for eight months.

In 1956, they returned to Kearney. Jerry fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened the Marlatt Machine Shop at 1818 Central Ave. In 1972, he built the current building at 19 W. 19th Street.

Their first address in Kearney was at East 26th Street and Seventh Avenue just north of the old Bobs Superstore.

There were no houses to rent in Kearney, but that house was empty, so we asked the neighbors about it. They said, Its owned by some school teacher in northern Nebraska. She just comes back in the summer, Jerry said.

That teacher allowed the Marlatts to rent it for three months. That gave them time to find a house at Third Avenue and 15th Street in southeast Kearney, around the corner from Kenwood School. They lived there for five years.

Edith had taught briefly but became a stay-at-home mother after their first daughter, Debra, was born while they lived in Milford.

In 1961, they built a house at 451 Linden Drive. By then, they had three children. Life was good, but Jerry had grown up in the country and wanted horses. Edith agreed to move beyond the city limits as long as I could see the town from there.

Searching for a place to build, they found a perfect spot on 30th Avenue, north of West 56th Street. They built a one-story brick house in 1980 and have lived there ever since.

The metal swing set and wavy slide that Jerry built for the children still stand.

Edith keeps busy

While Jerry worked at the machine shop, Edith did all the things working mothers are now too busy to do, she said. She raised five children: Debra, Sondra, Janell, Jill and Jeff.

They had joined First United Methodist Church, and Edith taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and led the youth fellowship. She worked for the Red Cross Bloodmobile and supported the high school band.

Jerry served as a Boy Scout leader. Jeff became an Eagle Scout.

Every year, Jerry always made sure we took a vacation, Edith said. The family camped in Colorado, South Dakota and Washington state. Theyve skied in Breckenridge, Keystone and Steamboat Springs.

The kids enjoyed traveling. They never wanted to stay home. When we were driving, if they wanted to read a plaque by the side of the road, we stopped and read the plaque, Edith said.

One year, the Marlatts took a six-week road trip to Alaska with three of Jerrys brothers and their families. Each family took its own camper.

They drove north to Fairbanks and came down through Denali National Park, Anchorage and Seward, closer to the coast. By the time it was all over, everyone was still speaking to each other, Jerry quipped.

Since becoming empty-nesters, the Marlatts have traveled extensively. Theyve ridden camels in Egypt. They have taken a safari in Kenya and a bus trip through Europe.

Theyve sailed around the tip of South America, cruised the Amazon and the Nile and the Yangtze River in China. Going down the Mississippi is the one thing we havent done, Edith said.

She said the travels made her realize how happy I was to live in the United States. Jerry echoed that. Theres a lot to see in the world, but I wouldnt want to live anyplace besides home.

Habitat for Humanity

Jerry is one of four Kearney men who founded Habitat for Humanitys Kearney chapter in 1992.

Jim McKenzie and I were friends and we decided we wanted to help people. We did a few repair jobs, but we decided that wasnt enough, Jerry said.

Then we heard about Habitat. Jim called Jimmy Carter himself. He didnt get through, but eventually, the four of us started Habitat in Kearney, he said. The two others were Bill Ballou and Joe Methe.

Jerry has been Habitat's construction superintendent ever since. Edith served as president of the Kearney affiliate for two years and then did hospitality.

A Kearney neighborhood of Habitat homes is named the Marlatt Addition in gratitude.

Jerry has visited Habitat builds around the world and has chatted with Jimmy Carter at builds in Vietnam and South Dakota. I really think its one of the best helping programs there is, he said.

Looking back

Cooperation has been key to their happy marriage. We never made any big decisions without considering what the other person might have said, Edith said.

Looking back on their 70 years together, Jerry fears that he spent too much time working, but Edith softened that.

He did make time for us. He never worked on Sunday, and we always took a vacation, she said. He retired in 2005.

He had open heart surgery in 2009, but the day after that operation, his friends brought him Habitat plans to examine.

Now, the Marlatts find the most joy with their family  daughters Debra Ritter, Sondra Nelson, Janell Stobough and Jill Besanceney and son Jeff. They are spread out from Omaha to Nebraska City to Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Minnetrista, Minnesota.

They love coming home, Edith chuckled. If one says theyre coming home, eventually theyre all here, she said.
As the coronavirus emerged, so did a mystery: Why did some who got infected never develop symptoms?

One likely explanation is it may be a person's lucky genes.

A new study in the scientific journal Nature suggests people with a specific version of a gene were far more likely to experience an asymptomatic infection than those without.

The relevant set of genes is known as the human leukocyte antigen, or HLA.

"This is the first time where, in a really rigorous and robust way, anybody has shown that there is a clear, definitive genetic underpinning to asymptomatic disease (from the coronavirus)  not all asymptomatic disease, but some subset of people who stay asymptomatic," said UC San Francisco neurology professor Jill Hollenbach, a co-author of the study.

Hollenbach and other researchers recruited some 30,000 people for the study  all of whom already had genetic data on file because they registered as potential bone marrow donors with the National Marrow Donor Program.

Scientists asked those individuals to join the COVID-19 Citizen Science study, organized by researchers at UC San Francisco, and to use a smartphone app to track their coronavirus test results and symptoms.

Researchers had a significant sample size of coronavirus-positive patients with European ancestry to generate meaningful data; there were too few test-positive participants of other ancestries for those results to be significant.

Scientists identified about 1,400 people with European ancestry who had a confirmed positive coronavirus infection in the first year of the pandemic, and all were unvaccinated because shots weren't yet available.

Of that group, 136 were asymptomatic, or roughly 10%. Reasons symptom-free people were tested could include the nature of their job, such as being a health care worker undergoing routine testing, or perhaps their family member was infected and they were considered exposed to the virus.

Significantly, the scientists found that people who had a version of the gene called HLA-B*15:01 were more than twice as likely to remain asymptomatic compared with those who didn't, Hollenbach said.

And if a person had two copies of the version of this gene  one from each parent  "they were 8 times more likely to have remained asymptomatic," Hollenbach said.

"I've been involved in these HLA disease association studies for my whole career, and we were pretty stunned, actually. That was a really strong effect," she said.

The findings follow smaller studies that suggested genetics were potentially associated with asymptomatic coronavirus infection.

Just to make sure what they were seeing was real and not something peculiar about their particular study group, the scientists also reanalyzed data in a British cohort and conducted a genetic analysis of another set of patients studied by other UC San Francisco researchers.

"We were able to replicate that same finding," Hollenbach said. "At that point, we were feeling really confident that this was a real effect."

The new study also suggests why this particular version of this gene may have helped some avoid the ravages of the worst pandemic in modern history.

One reason why the coronavirus was so deadly was that it was novel: Since it had yet to circulate, people hadn't been exposed and many lacked immunity to combat it.

For people with the special version of this gene, the study suggests their immune systems were somehow more readily able to target the pandemic coronavirus, officially known as SARS-CoV-2.

After previous skirmishes with other run-of-the-mill, non-pandemic coronaviruses  the culprits behind the common cold  people with this version of this gene somehow developed the tools to better armor themselves against the pandemic strain of the coronavirus that began spreading in late 2019. There are four strains of seasonal coronaviruses that are typically responsible for 15% to 30% of respiratory tract infections annually.

Other scientists previously suggested certain people may have had some degree of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 because of their bodies' previous experiences with seasonal coronaviruses. With this study, scientists took the idea to another level.

To make this determination, the study's authors took samples of T cells  an important part of the body's immune system  collected years before the pandemic began and introduced them to pieces of SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory setting. The lab data show that the T cells of people with this particular version of the HLA gene managed to recognize these pieces of SARS-CoV-2 and react in a protective manner.

Having this version of the gene "is the key element to having this very effective preexisting immunity," she added.

Hollenbach said research is underway to do a similar analysis specifically for people of non-European ancestries.

The study has more than three dozen co-authors, with contributions from scientists around the world. It does not suggest B*15:01 is the only explanation for why certain people were asymptomatic. Further research could unearth additional factors, including non-genetic ones.

COVID-19 worsened already troubling levels of physician burnout COVID-19 worsened already troubling levels of physician burnout The scale of morbidity during the pandemic taxed physicians' mental health Regular administrative tasks take away from time focused on patients Work culture can promote a stigma against talking about burnout Solutions can come from licensing boards, hospitals, and more
Did you know that President Joe Biden was bussing unauthorized immigrants to a hotel near Orlando, Florida, and giving them pre-loaded credit cards, hotel rooms, and clothingall on your dime?!? You say you didnt know?

Good, because the story was a complete fabrication.

On this episode of the Utterly Moderate Podcast we are joined by good friend of the show Jim Swift from The Bulwark to discuss the mechanics of how a modern conspiracy theory like this goes viral.

Swift covered this story over at The Bulwark in a piece titled, The Bogus Protest, the House Race, and the MAGA Grocer.

We talk about this viral conspiracy theory and more on this episode. Enjoy!

And dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter! Its INSTANT and FREE!

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Episode Audio:
RACINE COUNTY  No criminal charges will be filed against the Racine County law enforcement officers who fired their guns at Timothy Burgess, ultimately killing him.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and Division of Criminal Investigation conducted an independent investigation following the shooting, which involved seven Racine Police Department officers and one Mount Pleasant Police Department officer, according to the Racine Police Department.

The results of the investigation were given to Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hansen who determined that there would be no criminal charges as a result of the investigations findings.

According to the DOJ, Mount Pleasant police officers responded to a report of shots fired the evening of May 21.

Police allege Burgess pointed and fired a gun multiple times at his wife but did not hit her. A child at the home reportedly called police.

According to previous reporting, Burgess left the residence before police arrived and drove to the City of Racine.

Racine officers reportedly attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle that matched the description of the one Burgess left the residence in  a green Range Rover.

According to police, Burgess got out of the vehicle, ran toward Clayton Park and attempted to hide in tall grass.

Police said officers found him and asked him to come out from the grass, but he reportedly refused.

As officers approached Burgess to arrest him, he allegedly began firing shots in the direction of the officers, who fired back and hit him.

Burgess was pronounced dead at the scene.

No police officers were injured in the shooting.

The Racine Police Department said it is now conducting its own internal review, per protocol, to determine if its officers followed department policies and procedures.

Caledonia trustee's K9 honored with bronze statue, in photos and video Holly McManus makes opening remarks at statue dedication Holly McManus makes closing remarks at K9 Bane statue dedication Former handler Holly McManus pets retired K9 Bane after ceremony Uncovering the statue Kevin Hunter plays with retired K9 Bane Holly and Bane With artist Officials Officials K9 Bane statue K9 Bane Hero Fund K9 Bane statue Eric Look Band K9 Bane cookies Eric Look Band performs "She's Not Just a Pretty Face" by Shania Twain Installing
WATERFORD  Already facing a trial for a municipal ordinance citation, the Kravings gourmet milkshake shop owner is now working to pay overdue property taxes and a $39,000 loan from the village.

Waterford village officials approved a forgivable loan to help launch the popular ice cream place last year. But officials say owner Jordan Karweik defaulted on the agreement and must pay back the loan.

The villages argument for demanding repayment involves the same allegedly unfinished building improvements that prompted the village to cite Karweik and to order the Kravings property vacated.

Karweik, who has continued operating the business, faces a Sept. 19 trial in Waterford Municipal Court after pleading not guilty to the non-criminal village ordinance citation.

Village officials say Karweik also is overdue on a $4,000 property tax bill for the Kravings shop, in addition to $367 in interest and penalties.

Karweik said he hopes to complete the building improvements within 30 days, and to overcome the other issues to keep his gourmet milkshake place going at 202 E. Main St.

He said changes would be announced soon involving the shops products and operations.

Were figuring all that stuff out right now, he said. Its not in my nature to give up.

Karweik appeared in Municipal Court on July 18 to enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

In a separate action, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue has cited Karweik for $10,000 in unpaid state income taxes, placing a lien on his former home on Durand Avenue in Mount Pleasant.

Waterford Village Administrator Zeke Jackson said officials are reserving the option of sending police officers to shut down Kravings by enforcing the March order to cease occupancy of the property.

Jackson said officials likely would wait until the Sept. 19 trial to see if Karweik provides evidence that he has taken steps to bring his business into compliance.

The village granted building permits Thursday for Karweik to complete the allegedly overdue improvements to his property  installing new exterior siding and a handicapped-accessible ramp.

Officials say Karweik ignored those issues for months and requested building permits only after being issued the citation and the order to vacate.

Jackson said enforcement actions often take time.

We do our best to bring things into compliance, he said. It takes a while.

Kravings opened in January 2022 to big crowds and rave reviews after Karweik closed his insurance business and converted the office into a shop selling exotic gourmet milkshakes known as crazy shakes.

The startup was so successful that Karweik and his partner quickly announced plans for more Kravings outlets in Burlington and Mount Pleasant.

The Village of Waterford had approved a $75,000 forgivable loan for Kravings based on many conditions, including required improvements to the former insurance office property.

Karweik used $39,527 of the loan.

In January, the village notified Karweik that failure to install the exterior siding and handicapped-accessible ramp meant he was in default, and that the loan needed to be repaid within 30 days.

The loan you received from the village will not be forgiven, Jackson wrote in the notice of default.

When Karweik missed the 30-day deadline for repayment, village officials placed a special assessment on the property  meaning the building cannot be sold without Karweik first repaying the village.

The overdue property taxes for 2022 are a separate issue.

Karweik described the loan default and special assessment as a voluntary agreement with the village to repay the loan. He also said the property taxes are past due because the tax bill went to the wrong address, and he was unaware they were unpaid.

Its not like Im sitting at the mailbox waiting for a property tax bill, he said.

Karweik said he is an entrepreneur trying to achieve success in an unpredictable business world.

You dont know what to expect, he said. You try to make the best of it.

Jackson said it remains to be seen if Kravings can overcome Karweiks many issues and continue as a local business.

IN PHOTOS: Kids and parents live it up during a weekend spring festival outdoors in Waterford Juggler Spencer Gross entertains the crowd at Waterford spring festival Jenna Zamitalo and son Luca Zamitalo at build-your-own-cookie attraction John Lindbloom and Easter Bunny at Waterford spring festival Everleigh Kaliski with cake pop treat at spring festival in Waterford Sign welcomes visitors to Spring Carnival and Egg Hunt in Waterford Signs of Spring Jared Kwiatkowski and daughter, Emersyn, at Waterford spring festival Landon Orsini and Charley Mingus dance at spring festival in Waterford Austin Simatic, 3, with green balloon animal at Waterford spring festival Bounce houses draw a crowd at spring festival in Waterford's Ten Club Park Aspen Zamitalo, 4, with build-your-own cookie at Waterford spring festival Isabella Remmers, 3, with Easter Bunny at Waterford spring festival Live rabbit available for photos with children at Waterford spring festival
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The American-led U.N. Command said Monday it has started a conversation with North Korea about a U.S. soldier who ran into the North last week across one of the world's most heavily fortified borders.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general who is the deputy commander at the U.N. Command, refused to say when the conversation started, how many exchanges have taken place and whether the North Koreans responded constructively, citing the sensitivity of the discussions. He also declined to detail what the command knows about Pvt. Travis King's condition.

"None of us know where this is going to end," Harrison said during a news conference in Seoul. "I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic. But again, I will leave it at that."

It wasn't immediately clear whether Harrison's comments referred to meaningful progress in communications after the command said in a statement last week that it was "working with" its North Korean counterparts. The U.N. Command, which was created to fight the Korean War, has remained in South Korea to supervise the implementation of the 1953 armistice that stopped the fighting in the conflict.

The contact happened through "mechanisms" set up under the armistice, Harrison said. That could refer to the so-called pink phone, a telephone line between the command and the North Korean People's Army at the border truce village of Panmunjom, where King crossed.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed. The U.S., which fought alongside the South Koreans and other allies during the war, never established diplomatic relations with the North, but the line is a common way they communicate.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

King is a 2020 graduate of Park High School in Racine.

U.S. officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said previously that North Korea ignored requests for information about him.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

King's crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Korea's weapons demonstrations and the United States' combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

On Monday, South Korea's military said a nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine arrived at a port on Jeju Island. The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies' show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed U.S. naval vessels.

North Korea's defense minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentucky's docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now.

The United States and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of U.S. aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Korea's navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

The armistice becomes 70 years old on Thursday, an anniversary South Korea plans to mark with solemn ceremonies honoring the dead that will involve invited foreign war veterans.

North Korea, which celebrates the day as victory day for the "great Fatherland Liberation War," is preparing huge festivities that will likely include a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where leader Kim Jong Un may showcase his most advanced nuclear-capable missiles designed to target regional rivals and the United States.

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the standing committee of the country's National People's Congress, will travel to North Korea to attend the celebrations.

Visits by foreign guests to North Korea have been extremely rare since the start of the pandemic, which prompted the North to seal off its borders to protect its poor healthcare system. North Korea since last year has been gradually reopening trade with China in an apparent effort to salvage a crippled economy damaged further by the previous two years of pandemic-related border controls.
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
KEARNEY  When should content be removed from social media pages?

The Kearney City Council will sharpen its policy regarding content removal during Tuesdays meeting. According to Tuesdays agenda, the council will be asked to approve a seven bullet point list of content that could be removed from the citys social media pages because its threatening, promotes illegal activity, is sexual in nature or for other reasons.

According to a memo to the City Council from City Attorney Mike Tye, the city staff has been reviewing Kearneys policy with reference to its social media pages and when certain posts and/or content might be removed from the page.

City staff has attempted to simplify existing policy and define when a post to a social media page could potentially be removed, Tye wrote.

According to Tuesdays meeting agenda, the policy states that the city reserves the right to remove any posted content, including but not limited to:

 Content that is sexual in nature.

 Content that threatens any person or organization.

 Content that incites violence or references killing or harming anyone.

 Content that promotes illegal activity.

 Content that promotes or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

 Content that contains confidential information or information that may compromise the safety or security of any person.

 Content that promotes commercial services or products.

Tye said if the city staff believes content ought to be removed, the city attorney should review that decision and a final determination can be made.

The new policy is among items on Tuesdays consent agenda, meaning it is considered non-controversial and so it and other consent agenda items will be passed without discussion.

Tuesdays meeting is open to the public and is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 18 E. 22nd St.
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Department of Transportation has announced hay harvesting permit applications for the public will be accepted through an online application portal beginning July 30.

Applications will be processed in the order they are received during normal business hours beginning July 31. Individuals must have a permit to harvest hay on state right of way.

An individual may purchase hay harvesting permits online from July 30 through Sept. 15 on a first come, first serve basis, with each permit limited to five miles of roadside hay total.

The hay is for private use only and only one permit is allowed per person. With the online option, an integrated online map will better aid customers and staff to select miles to mow, and it will be routinely updated with the miles that are available for permits.

Landowners are given the opportunity to renew last years permits between March 1 and July 29.

The Hay Harvesting Permits Application and Help Docs will be available on the NDOT website. The option to purchase permits from specified NDOT locations will still be available. Please visit ndot.info/haypermit for more information.
MEXICO CITY  Latin America is taking Barbie mania to an extreme, with everything from pink-colored tacos and pastries, commercial planes bearing the Barbie logo, political ads and even Barbie-themed protests.

But it's not all high heels and pom-poms: Barbie mania in the region has taken on a darker, macabre tone.

In Peru, anti-government demonstrators this past week dressed up two women in pink and put them in giant Barbie boxes in the main square of Lima, the capital, to protest current President Dina Boluarte, under whose administration police have often clashed with protesters.

One actress, whose box was labeled "Barbie Dictator," held a pink gun. The doll, according to the box legend, "includes tear gas and dum-dum bullets." Another protester's box was labeled "Genocidal Barbie."

Meanwhile, stores, street vendors and restaurants throughout Latin America are offering up all sorts of Barbie-themed goodies.

In Mexico, there are Barbie tortillas  the corn dough is colored pink with beet juice, with some imprinted with an edible-dye pony-tailed Barbie silhouette  as well as Barbie pastries and Barbie tacos  marinated pork meat served in pink tortillas and accompanied by a strawberry milkshake.

An entire Barbie-themed restaurant opened this past week in Guayaquil, Ecuador; it is  of course  built to resemble Barbie's house.

Volaris, a Mexican airline, painted one of its jets with a Barbie logo and, according to a promotional video, the plane will be piloted by Barbie, not Ken.

The pink craze in the region is such that Barbie mania has now spread into politics.

In Guatemala, presidential candidate Sandra Torres shared a musical TikTok video pitching her as a Barbie who "wants prosperity for all."

Mexican street sellers are peddling a Barbie doll modeled on presidential hopeful Claudia Sheinbaum, a real-life scientist-turned-politician whose ponytail has become her branding trademark.

The office of Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently raised hackles with a Barbie-theme video  including clips from the film's trailer  to promote an independence day tour of the country. His office quickly removed the poorly made video.

Beyond the ponytails and fun food, there is a darker undercurrent.

In Mexico, a Barbie homage doll sparked controversy when a sister of one of Mexico's 111,000 missing people began sewing Barbie outfits to costume the doll as a "Searching Mother"  a member of a group of volunteers who fan out across Mexico's dusty plains to search for gravesites that might contain their children's remains. Most of the missing appear to have been abducted  and killed  by drug cartels or kidnapping gangs.

This Barbie is clad in a wide-brimmed hat and a sun hood, wears a T-shirt bearing the photo of a missing man and camouflage pants and comes equipped with a shovel. Her creator, volunteer searcher Delia Quiroa, hopes to publicize the plight of mothers who have to carry out the searches and investigations police won't do, and at the same time raise money to continue searching.

One group of volunteer searchers in the western state of Jalisco  the state with the highest number of missing people  questioned whehter casting Barbie as the victim of a horrible crime is appropriate.

Barbie "has evolved into a representation of strong, independent women who can do what they want and chase their dreams," the volunteer search group Light of Hope wrote in a statement. "Nobody who is searching for a missing child, spouse or a sibling is doing what they want to do, much less chasing a dream."

"It seems to us an abomination that girls see being a Searching Mother as something normal," the group added.

Quiroa, from the northern border state of Tamaulipas, said her creation is almost an anti-Barbie.

"Barbie is everything a person wants to be, but this is a Barbie who doesn't want to be," she said. "She is what nobody wants to be. Nobody wants to be a searcher, nobody wants to be looking for a family member."

Quiroa has been looking for her brother Roberto since he was kidnapped by drug cartel gunmen in March 2014. Despite carrying out its own searches and pressuring authorities to investigate, the family knows nothing about his whereabouts.

"I think of this as a doll more directed to women, to us, not for girls to play with," Quiroa said.

Vanessa Munguia, widely regarded as Latin America's leading Barbie collector  she numbers her collection in the thousands  says Barbie is particularly popular in Latin America because, until a couple of decades ago, most girls' toys here depicted maternal, home-maker roles.

"Barbie was the only toy I found that told me that there were a million other possibilities. I could be an astronaut, I could be a teacher," said Munguia, who became lawyer.

Asked about depicting Barbie as a "Searching Mother" or any of the other incarnations of the doll, Munguia says she finds it a very valid expression.

"I think that's exactly what what we like in Barbie," she said, "that we can make her out to be whatever we need her to be at that moment."

30 toys that defined the 1980s 30 toys that defined the '80s Care Bears Atari Strawberry Shortcake Pogo Ball Space Legos Monster in My Pocket Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rubiks Cube Roller Racer Speak & Spell Lite-Brite Magic Screen Koosh Ball Glo Worm Pound Puppies Fashion Plates Moon Shoes Polly Pocket Masters of the Universe Monchhichi Piano Dance Mat Little People Family House Madballs Rainbow Brite Teddy Ruxpin Cabbage Patch Kids Doll Simon Game Boy Smurfs Power Wheels Star Wars Figurines


By John Merill



Economists use the term "moral hazard" to refer to taking on excessive risk because of assurances that someone else will cover your losses or, if worse comes to worse, will be there to bail you out. It is the same with alliances. Thus, whatever the merits of the Ukraine war, it would be a mistake to allow Kyiv to join NATO in the near term since it would increase the odds of the West becoming embroiled in a war with Russia.



Ukraine's recent actions against Russia have become bolder and have raised the stakes of an escalating conflict. Kyiv is widely assumed to have been behind the latest attack on the Kerch Bridge that links Crimea to the rest of Russia.



Ukrainian agents were also suspected of being behind the recent assassination of a Russian ex-navy commander who was killed while jogging in a park in the Russian city of Krasnodar.



In addition, Ukraine has been implicated in the September 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea that carried natural gas supplies from Russia to Germany. Although Washington was reportedly tipped off in advance about the plan by Dutch military intelligence and warned Kyiv not to conduct it, its demands were ignored.



These Ukrainian actions should be borne in mind in any discussion of whether Kyiv should join NATO. NATO's own rules stipulate that countries may not join if they are actively involved in a conflict. But Ukraine's record of provocative behavior  and the "moral hazard" it poses to the alliance  makes its membership highly problematic.



Troublesome "client" states have always posed a dilemma for foreign policymakers since their actions could trigger major conflicts. The most famous case is Serbia, a client state of Russia when it engineered the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914. Moscow saw no choice but to back Belgrade in response to threats from Vienna and the world was plunged into World War I.



Washington faced a similar dilemma in dealing with Seoul in the period before the Korean War. It constantly needed to restrain Syngman Rhee from his plans to "March to the North" to reunify the Korean Peninsula and deprived him of heavy weaponry as a result. In the 1970s, the U.S. intervened to stop Park Chung-hee from building a nuclear bomb.



At the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy slammed NATO for not being willing to outline a timeline for joining the alliance. Nonetheless, NATO has been edging closer and closer to giving Ukraine some sort of de facto membership. Although membership has not yet been granted, something virtually akin to it is now the case.



Another example of a moral hazard posed by an ally is the recent statements by Polish President Andrej Duda, who urged Washington to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to his country despite the risk that this could promote an escalation from Russia.



While NATO appears to be united on Ukraine, fissures are nevertheless appearing. Although Ukraine's bid for membership is strongly supported by East European and Baltic states, there is much less enthusiasm for it among core West European NATO countries, who worry about NATO's expanding border with Russia following the recent inclusion of Finland.



There are signs of impatience with Ukraine's constant demands for weapons. When presented by Zelenskyy on the margins of the NATO summit with a long wish list of new weapons systems, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace reportedly snapped, "What do you think we are, Amazon?" He intimated that a little bit of gratitude might go a long way.



President Yoon Suk Yeol should bear this situation in mind as he steps up support for Ukraine. His recent unannounced visit to Kyiv was made with the obvious goal of raising Korea's profile and seeking favor with Washington. Yoon seems to want to create a NATO-like structure in East Asia.



He offered a big package of "non-lethal" aid reconstruction assistance to Ukraine, which is in line with Seoul's stated policy of refusing to supply weapons to countries at war.



But there are reports that Ukrainian forces are using 155mm artillery shells and howitzers from Korea on the battlefield. These were likely provided by Poland, which has become a big arms market for Seoul. The two countries last year signed a $13.7 billion arms deal, which included Chunmoo rocket launchers. K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 fighter aircraft over the next decade. This will also allow Poland to re-export the older Russian-style equipment it has to Ukraine.



Yoon's move risks a sharp Russian reaction. Moscow has already threatened Seoul that it would reciprocate with new military support for Pyongyang should Korean weaponry appear in Ukraine. It should be noted that North Korea's latest ICBM, the Hwasong-18, is almost a near carbon copy of Russia's Topol-M, able to carry several warheads. This challenges the U.S. deterrence policy to defend its Korean ally.





John Merrill is a visiting scholar at the Institute of Korean Studies at George Washington University.






A 19-year-old man accused in the May 22, 2021, shooting death of 15-year-old Storm Vondrashek has struck a plea deal that will keep him out of prison.

Sage Hicke agreed Monday in La Crosse County Count Circuit Court to plead guilty to a single felony count of intimidating a witness. Judge Elliott Levine accepted the plea after prosecutors agreed to drop felony charges of first-degree intentional homicide and disorderly conduct/use of a dangerous weapon. A felony bail jumping charge was also dropped.

The deal imposes a 9-month jail sentence that can be served by electronic monitoring. The sentence includes 96 days credit for time served. As a convicted felon, he will be prohibited from possessing firearms.

According to the criminal complaint, police interviewed 11 witnesses and pieced together a sequence of events in which Vondrashek and Jackson Greengrass, 18, La Crosse, drove to a 1900 S. Seventh St. address in La Crosse armed and were wearing head coverings. After they were confronted by a group that included Hicke, Vondrashek reportedly struck Hicke in the head with a gun and fired two shots in Hickes direction, missing both times. Hicke reportedly responded by firing a round that struck Vondrashek in the neck and another that struck Greengrass in the foot.

La Crosse County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Skemp said the case was difficult to prosecute due to uncooperative witnesses. She said the intimidation of a witness charge stemmed from Hicke urging a witness not to sign a subpoena.

I feel that if I did proceed to trial, I could meet my burden, but jury trials are risky endeavors, Skemp said.

Defense attorney Andrew Martinez said Hicke acted in self-defense. He said Hicke had to choose whether to use deadly force or allow deadly force to be used against him.

In this case, there was a very clear and very powerful self-defense claim, Martinez said.

Vondrasheks mother, Sara Vondrashek, strongly disagreed with the plea deal. She accused Hicke of acting to intimidate witnesses to stop the trial. She also said Hicke bragged that his lawyer would get him off.

Hes getting away with this with no consequences, she said.

Hicke listed an Ontario address at the time of the shooting. His address has since been sealed in subsequent court records.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
Wisconsin has all the makings to be an international hub for fusion.

No, I dont mean fusion cuisine, although thats on the calendar now that Bravo TVs headline series Top Chef has selected Wisconsin as a destination for its upcoming season. Thats big news, too, as it puts the states best culinary artists in front of a million viewers per episode in 175 countries.

The kind of fusion Im referring to is a lot more technical, much harder to commercialize but well within the bounds of expertise and infrastructure on hand in Wisconsin: fusion energy.

The prospects for fusion energy breakthroughs in Wisconsin and how it may transform the national and global energy outlook was the topic of a July 18 luncheon in Madison, where leaders of three emerging companies talked about whats on the horizon  and not multiple decades away.

First, some definitions: Fusion energy is the same atomic reaction that powers the sun. Its an emissions-free form of energy generation that could transform the world if properly harnessed. Unlike fission, which is the splitting of atoms for energy in a controlled manner, fusion is a melding of lightweight atoms (deuterium and tritium) to produce subatomic particle neutrons, helium and energy  mostly in the form of heat.

The fuel source is infinite, the energy density is at least 10 million times that of fossil fuels, there are no carbon emissions and the neutrons produced by the reaction are far more useful and valuable than the energy it takes to launch a reaction.

There has been renewed excitement about fusion energy since late 2022 when the National Ignition Laboratory within the Lawrence Livermore federal lab announced it had a created a fusion reaction that produced more energy than it took to produce. Not quite the Holy Grail of fusion yet, but a breakthrough that encouraged physical scientists everywhere.

What followed was at least as important as the Livermore ignition itself. Major venture capitalists started putting money into fusion companies, because fusion was no longer the perpetual 20 years away but on a schedule that could make a difference  and money  much sooner.

In fact, about $117 million was invested by the federal government in fusion energy in 2022, but private investors contributed $4.7 billion. That private number has increased in 2023.

Thats not exclusively because investors see fusion as limited to energy production, but because they see potential in industrial processes, hydrogen production, desalination of sea water, health care imaging and security inspections.

Wisconsins edge in the fusion race stems from the fact that three of the nations 25 fusion companies are in south-central Wisconsin. There are only 44 such companies in the world. Why Wisconsin?

UW-Madison has produced at least 485 doctoral degree graduates with research related to plasma physics (a fundamental study) and fusion energy since 1965. The nuclear engineering department within the College of Engineering is one of the nations best.

Here is another reason that may surprise people accustomed to believing Wisconsin state regulators are conditioned to say no to every innovation they dont necessarily understand: The state has a head start on regulating fusion technology, thanks in large part to SHINE Technologies in Janesville and Madison.

Representatives of SHINE, Realta Fusion and Type One Energy Group were unanimous in the July 18 discussion in their belief that Wisconsin has a head start most states dont enjoy when it comes to fusion. Each company has raised significant private money. They also discussed the possibility of a fusion production triangle that could extend into Illinois and elsewhere in Wisconsin.

The potential for clean energy, and even the destruction of elements such as carbon dioxide and nuclear fission waste, makes fusion energy a potential growth area for Wisconsin over time. The fusion cuisine scene is a bit closer, so we can all tune in to Bravo to learn more about that in the meantime.
KEY WEST, Florida  On his 68th birthday, a Madison man won the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, a highlight of Key Wests annual Hemingway Days celebration that ended Sunday.

Gerrit Marshall, a retired television broadcast engineer, prevailed Saturday night at Sloppy Joes Bar, a frequent hangout of Ernest Hemingway when he lived in Key West during the 1930s.

This is the best birthday I have ever had, said Marshall, whose birthday falls just one day after the July 21 anniversary of Hemingways birth.

On his 11th attempt, Marshall triumphed over nearly 140 other entrants in the contest that featured two preliminary rounds and Saturdays finals.

Competitors in sportsmans attire, most emulating the rugged Papa persona Hemingway adopted in his later years, paraded onstage at Sloppy Joes before a judging panel of previous winners.

Marshall said he shares several characteristics besides appearance with Hemingway, and has written both nonfiction and short fiction.

Like Hemingway, I have a love of the outdoors; I love fishing one heck of a lot, he said, citing catches of walleye and northern pike in Wisconsin waters, as well as angling for tarpon in the Florida Keys.

He said, however, that he cant match the late authors tally of four marriages.

I only have one wife, but that doesnt matter  thats all I need, said Marshall.

As well as the contest and other festival events, the look-alikes focus on raising scholarship funds for Keys students. Hemingway Look-Alike Society president David Douglas estimated that they amassed close to $125,000 during the 2023 festival.

Hemingway Days salutes the vigorous lifestyle and literary legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning author, who wrote enduring classics including For Whom the Bell Tolls and To Have and Have Not while living in Key West from 1931 until late 1939.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Moscow early Monday that saw one of the aircraft fall near the Defense Ministrys main headquarters, while the Russian military unleashed new strikes on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties when the drones struck two nonresidential buildings in Moscow. Separately, a Ukrainian drone struck an ammunition depot in Russian-annexed Crimea, forcing a halt in traffic on a major highway, Russian authorities said.

In Moscow, Russian media reported that one of the drones fell on the Komsomolsky highway near the capitals center, shattering shop windows and damaged the roof of a house just about 200 meters (just over 200 yards) away from the towering riverside Defense Ministry building. The ministrys main headquarters has Pantsyr air defense systems placed on the roof.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the drone targeted the Defense Ministry's headquarters, which is located 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) away from the Kremlin, or was heading to some other target in central Moscow.

Another drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors  more visible damage compared to earlier drone strikes on the Russian capital.

Emergency workers were inspecting the damage and traffic was halted on sections of highways where the drones fell.

Ukrainian authorities didn't immediately claim responsibility for the strike, which was the second drone attack on the Russian capital this month.

In the previous attack on July 4, the Russian military said four of the five drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and the fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down. The raid prompted authorities to temporarily restrict flights at Moscows Vnukovo airport and divert flights to two other Moscow airports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted Monday that the intensity of attempts to attack our regions with drones has grown.

So measures are being taken, a very intense daily 24-hour work is underway, Peskov said, without offering any details about whether Russia's air defence systems have been enhanced because of the increased attacks.

Russian authorities said that another Ukrainian drone attack early Monday struck an ammunition depot in northern Crimea and forced a halt in traffic on a major highway and a railway crossing the Black Sea peninsula that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Railway traffic was restored several hours later.

The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said that authorities also ordered the evacuation of several villages within a five-kilometer (three-mile) radius of the depot that was hit.

Aksyonov said the military shot down or jammed 11 attacking drones, while the Defense Ministry claimed later that 11 of the 17 attacking drones were jammed and crashed into the Black Sea and another three were shot down.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's digital transformation minister, noted on his messaging app channel that Monday's drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea signaled that Russia's electronic warfare means and air defenses are less and less able to protect the skies of the invaders, adding that there will be more of it.

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the drone attack on Moscow was a special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence.

On Saturday, a previous drone attack on Crimea hit another ammunition depot, sending huge plumes of black smoke skyward and also forcing the evacuation of residents,

Russian forces, meanwhile, struck port infrastructure on the Danube River in southern Ukraine with exploding drones early Monday, wounding seven people and destroying a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine's military reported downing three of the attacking drones.

French international news agency Agence France-Presse said one of its video journalists was wounded by a drone attack Monday while reporting at a Ukrainian artillery position near Bakhmut.

Dylan Collins, a U.S. citizen based in Beirut, Lebanon and working on assignment in Ukraine, sustained multiple shrapnel injuries and was evacuated to a nearby hospital where he was being treated. The agency said Collins, 35, is conscious and speaking to colleagues. Doctors say his condition is not life-threatening, the agency said.

Collins' colleague, AFP video journalist Arman Soldin, was killed by Russian rocket fire near Bakhmut in May.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday strongly condemned the attack on civilian port infrastructure on Ukraines side of the Danube river which he said was very close to Romania. Iohannis said on Twitter that the incident poses serious risks to security in the Black Sea region.

The strike was the latest in a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. The Kremlin has described the strikes as retribution for last week's Ukrainian strike on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with Crimea.

Since Moscow canceled a landmark grain deal a week ago, Russia has launched repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain.

Wheat prices rose more than 8.5% on Monday after the attack on the Danube, which is a key thoroughfare for Ukraine's grain exports amid the war. It shows the markets anxiety about Moscow expanding its targeting of Ukrainian grain shipments.

The attack also raises questions about a crucial alternate route after Russia exited the accord that provided protections for grain ships in a bid to ease a global food crisis. Russia and Ukraine are two of the worlds major wheat, barley and vegetable oil suppliers.

Other routes by road and rail through Europe will heap on transportation costs and likely lead to lower production by Ukrainian farmers, analysts say.

On Sunday, at least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in an attack on Odesa that severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the Transfiguration Cathedral.

UNESCO strongly condemned the attack on the cathedral and other heritage sites and said it will send a mission in coming days to assess damage. Odesas historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year, and the agency said the Russian attacks contradict Moscows pledge to take precautions to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine.

The Russian military denied that it targeted the Transfiguration Cathedral, claiming without offering evidence that it was likely struck by a Ukrainian air defense missile. Peskov on Monday echoed that claim, insisting without any evidence that the accusations against Russia are an absolute lie.

Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia. Associated Press writer Yuras Karmanau contributed to this report from Tallinn, Estonia.
The University of Minnesota Extension will host a a sheep and goat pasture management field day from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, according to a press release.

The event is free and will take place near Lanesboro, Minnesota.

Main topics of discussion will be soil testing, pasture invasive species, grass species selection for pastures and pasture rotation management. Troy Salzer, St. Louis County Extension director, and Tanner Marquardt, Fillmore County Extension summer intern, will speak at the event.

The address and more information can be found on the registration form at https://z.umn.edu/FCSheep.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR MONDAY JULY 24, 2023

NATO Preparations for Global War Are in High Gear, as the Global Majority Is Building Bridges for Peace and Development

July 23, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)While the war in Ukraine is being escalated through the newly deployed U.S. anti-personnel cluster bombs, together with billions of dollars from the IMF/World Bank institutions (which were designed to build countries, rather than to blow them up), the U.S. and its NATO allies are also carrying out the largest military exercise in decades in Australia, demonstrating their intent to create a Global NATO, capable of waging war on China in addition to their war on Russia. The irony of the fact that the surrogate war on Russia in Ukraine is already essentially lost is no longer being hidden in the Western worldthe failure of the counter-offensive is now acknowledged nearly everywhere, with even some military experts admitting that the military knew that the counter-offensive could not succeed long before it was launched.

At the same time, NATO is being brought closer and closer to openly participating with troops in the war in Ukraine, which would mean full-scale war between NATO and Russia, almost certainly including the use of nuclear weapons, threatening the extinction of the entire human race. Two cases of this: Germany is planning to build a factory in Ukraine for the production of tanks and munitions, while deploying their own air defense systems to protect it, meaning direct military conflict between NATO forces and Russian forces. Russia made it clear that such a factory will be a legitimate target.

Secondly, Vladimir Putin and Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov have warned that Poland is building up forces on the Belarus border, while also discussing a higher level of cooperation with Ukraine in the war against Russia. Putin accused Poland of planning to reassert Polish control over portions of western Ukraine, while the Ambassador Gryzlov said, From the point of view of military science, the Polish authorities recent steps and statements cannot be defined other than as preparations for provocative actions and larger-scale aggressive actions.

At the same time the countries denounced as enemies by the Anglo-American military-industrial controlled political interests, namely Russia, China and nearly all the countries of the Global South, are not only rejecting the demand that they fall in line with the geopolitical division of the world into warring blocs, but are actively and joyfully working with the BRICS countries to establish a new financial system independent of the U.S. dollar, stating openly that this is the necessary result of the U.S. theft of reserve funds of sovereign nations, including Afghanistan, Russia, Venezuela and others, as well as their imposition of illegal unilateral sanctions under the false excuse that the trade of most countries is carried out in dollars. They also proudly acknowledge that Chinas Belt and Road Initiative offers real development rather than war.

In the same vein, Russias Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Director General Alexey Likhachev announced today that they are offering technological sovereignty projects to African nations: We are offering [nuclear] technological sovereignty projects related to the entire chain of competences, from personnel training to the creation of facilities on the African continent, as well as the integration of our African partners into the technological chains that we are establishing in Russia and friendly countries, Likhachev said.

Looking at the world through the eyes of a formerly colonized nation in Africa, Ibero-America or the Asia-Pacific, can there be any question as to which of the two systems being presented to them would serve their sovereign interests? As Helga Zepp-LaRouche noted in a recent discussion with the Schiller Institute, their options amount to prosper or perish.

Bringing the worlds political and social forces together to prevent the war that would make the option of perish almost certain for the entire human race, is the task of the International Peace Coalition, launched by Helga Zepp-LaRouche over the past months, and the Humanity for Peace alliance, which is mobilizing for an International Day of Action on August 6, the 78th anniversary of the genocidal nuclear destruction of Hiroshima by U.S. President Harry Truman in 1945. The core of that days action will be a demonstration at the United Nations building in New York, followed by a performance of Mozarts Requiem at a nearby church to honor the souls lost on that day and the millions more lost in the perpetual wars fought by those who are now taking us to a global nuclear holocaust.

Join in this mobilization. Go to Humanity for Peace to sign in.
Honduras has announced plans to build a high security prison on an unpopulated island in the Caribbean Sea off the countrys eastern coast. The Swan Island project would become the Western Hemispheres only island prison. Honduran officials say they plan to use the prison to house the countrys most violent criminals.

In the past, Honduran President Xiomara Castro promised to solve gang violence through reforms to the government and criminal justice systems. Now, she plans to create an island prison capable of holding 2,000 people. The island is over 240 kilometers off the coast.

Island prisons used to be common in Latin America, with owner countries including Brazil, Chile and Colombia. However, riots, poor conditions and prison escapes led to their closing. In 2019, the final island prison closed, a property of Mexico.

Officials in Honduras say the new prison will help stop violence. But, critics say island prisons fail to deal with the root of the problem.

Tiziano Breda is a Latin America expert at Italys Instituto Affari Internazionali. He said that new prisons are quite useless if you dont first regain control of the others you already have.

Last month in Honduras, 46 women were killed in a prison fight that involved guns, knives and fire. It was one of the worst incidents in the history of womens prisons.

In answer, President Castro said she would take drastic measures and put an end to the gangs that have terrorized Honduras for years.

Jose Jorge Fortin, the head of Honduras armed forces, told the Associated Press that the only way to communicate with the island prison is by satellite. He said the government thinks this will make it difficult for gangs inside the prison to organize crime and violence.

Fortin did not say how much it would cost or how long it will take to build the prison.

The neighboring country of El Salvador has already taken a strong position against gangs. One in every 100 people there is a prisoner. The nations president says gang members represent 30 percent of the prison population in El Salvador.

Rights activists have accused that countrys government of abuses in its justice system. But, El Salvador has seen sharp drops in violence and citizens increasingly support the system.

If another country has done something well, why not copy it? Honduras Fortin said.

But, Tiziano Breda says this way of thinking moves the country away from changing policies that could make long-term differences.

Hondurass security policy has become even more reactive and short-sighted, mimicking whats going on in El Salvador to contain damage to their public image, Breda said.

However, these ideas are supported by many Hondurans, including scientist Said Santos. He said, ending the crime problem once and for all here in Honduras would be ideal for this country.

Others are expressing environmental concerns about the new prison plan. Scientists say they worry the project will damage the islands highly diverse ecosystem. Last week, the Honduran Biologists Association called the prison a threat to nature.

Lucky Medina is Honduras secretary of natural resources and the environment. He told the AP that the prison will be built in unity with nature. Officials will follow environmental protection measures, he said.

Im Dominic Varela.

The Associated Press reported this story. Dominic Varela adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________

Words in This Story

gang  n. a group of persons working to unlawful or antisocial ends

drastic  adj. extreme in effect or action

mimic  v. to copy closely

ideal  adj. having no flaw; perfect

diverse  adj. differing from one another

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The James Webb Space Telescope recently celebrated its first year in operation. During that time, the orbiting observatory  operated by the American space agency NASA  produced colorful, detailed images. It has also helped researchers make several new scientific discoveries.

NASA has described the telescope as the largest, most powerful telescope ever sent into space. The agency launched the Webb in late 2021 and released its first images in July 2022.

The Webbs first full-color images were presented by President Joe Biden. One of the images showed the clearest picture yet of the early universe, about 13 billion years ago.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson marked the anniversary with a statement. He said, "In just one year, the James Webb Space Telescope has transformed humanity's view of the cosmos, peering into dust clouds and seeing light from faraway corners of the universe for the very first time."

Most recently, NASA celebrated the Webbs one year anniversary by releasing one of its latest images. The image showed a cloud collection of 50 stars in the process of forming. NASA said the image showed an area of space that is full of hydrogen gas and dust. Scientists said the image was a good representation of this brief period in a stars life.

At around the same time, researchers announced they had used data from the Webb to identify the most distant, active supermassive black hole ever observed. Scientists say the black hole sits in a galaxy called CEERS 1019. The galaxy is thought to have existed about 570 million years after the Big Bang  the explosion many scientists believe created the universe.

The black hole discovery and others that received help from the Webb were in part made possible through the telescopes infrared instruments. The instruments collect infrared waves passing through gas and dust that can hide objects in space. The infrared system also shows light from more distant parts of the universe.

The Webbs instruments have also confirmed the distances of some of the farthest galaxies ever observed, NASA reported. In addition, the telescopes data has provided more detailed information than ever before about the makeup of planet atmospheres. And the instruments have also led to discoveries about the chemicals and gases that exist around collections of stars and exoplanets outside of our solar system.

For example, the Webb helped astronomers observe the most distant molecules known to exist in the universe and also led to the discovery of 12 new moons orbiting Jupiter

In a statement marking the Webbs one year anniversary, NASA noted the telescope had resulted in hundreds of scientific papers answering longstanding questions and raising new ones.

Eric Smith is a Webb program scientist and associate director for research in the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He said the Webbs wide abilities to support new science discoveries has already become clear. Webbs first year of science has not only taught us new things about our universe  but it has revealed the capabilities of the telescope to be greater than our expectations  meaning future discoveries will be even more amazing, Smith said.

NASA has said the Webb has enough fuel to operate for at least 20 years. It will soon be joined in orbit by Europe's Euclid space telescope, which launched on July 1. Euclids main goal, or mission, is to collect data on two of the universe's greatest mysteries: dark energy and dark matter.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from NASA, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

Quiz - NASAs James Webb Celebrates One Year of Science Discoveries Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_________________________________________

Words in This Story

transformedadj. changed into something new or very different

cosmos  n. the whole universe

peer  v. to look through

supermassive  adj. used to describe something that has an extremely large mass

reveal  v. to provide information that is surprising or that was previously secret

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A tribe of Native Americans in the northern state of Minnesota digs up a special kind of rock and forms it into a device used for smoking, called a pipe.

The dark red rock is known as pipestone because it has been used for a long time to make the smoking tool.

History of pipestone

The native people consider the rock and pipes sacred. But over time, people moved away from the area and others died. As a result, not many people are permitted to dig out the rock and not many others know how to make the pipes.

Only about 12 people remain in the area who know how to carve the pipes. Cindy Pederson is one of them. She learned from her grandparents over 50 years ago. She said she would be happy to teach the pipe-carving skill to anyone. She added, The Spirit will be with you if youre meant to do that.

Pederson is one of the Dakota people who want to pass along the skill to future generations.

She is part of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation. She holds classes on pipe-carving at a small park near the rock quarries. The park in the southwestern part of the state is called Pipestone National Monument.

Darlene St. Clair is a member of the Dakota tribe. She is a professor at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. She also uses the Dakota name lyekiyapiwin to show she is a member of the tribe.

St. Clair said the pipestone is important to the spiritual activities of the Native Americans. Praying with pipes, we take very seriously, she said.

Smoking a pipe made from the deep red rock is thought to connect the smoker with the Creator. The creator is similar to what many religions mean when they discuss God.

The smoke moves a prayer from the person with the pipe to the creator.

Gabrielle Drapeau said the pipestone area was always a place for prayer. Even enemy tribes would stop fighting when they arrived at the pipestone area. Tradition has it that if people fought on the ground of the pipestone, the rock would stop being available.

Drapeau is a park ranger and cultural resource specialist. She started coming to the rock area as a child. She is part of the Yankton Sioux tribe of South Dakota. When she was young, she heard a story about why the rock turned red. Many people died in a great flood, and their blood changed the color of the rock. The creator then came to the area and said if people smoked from a pipe, they could reach him with a message.

Drapeau said those who smoke the pipes also feel connected to all the people who came before.

Not just any stone

Its not just a willy-nilly stone, she said. Willy-nilly is a combination of words meant to show that something is unimportant.

Because of that, the rock is protected. If you want to cut the rock from the ground, you need to have permission. Only those who are members of Native American tribes can come to remove the rock.

While some, like Pederson, want to teach pipe-making to others, there is disagreement about whether non-Native Americans should be permitted to learn.

Keeping the knowledge safe

Some think the pipe-making knowledge should only be shared with other Native Americans. In addition, many Native Americans think only Indigenous people should be permitted to use the pipes.

Travis Erickson is one of those people permitted to take the rock from the ground. He started doing that at the age of 10. The diggers must work only with hand tools to protect the pipestone area.

Erickson started making the pipes with his family in the 1960s. He learned with other family members and went on to teach his own children how to do the work. But 60 years later, not many people want to do the difficult job of cutting out the pipestone and making the pipes.

He wants to teach the skills to as many young Native Americans as possible. Many of the young people only learn about the pipestone and the pipes when they come for visits.

Cindy Pedersons brother, Mark, also teaches at the visitors center. He recently taught a number of young people how to swing heavy hammers. Many wanted to return and learn more about cutting out the pipestone.

They also tell the young people the history of the area and its important place in the spiritual life of Native Americans.

Drapeau said she tells them they are permitted to come to pipestone for prayer. In the past, many native people were restricted from coming to pipestone for prayer events.

The Pipestone National Monument is run by the National Park Service, a U.S. government agency. About 75,000 people visit each year.

The government and the native people decided that pipes would no longer be sold in the visitor center. But non-Indigenous people can still buy the pipes just a short distance away at stores in the town of Pipestone.

The native people say they want to protect their traditions. Greg Gagnon studies Native Americans and wrote a book about Dakota culture. He said many native people are worried that their traditions will be watered down if they permit everyone to use the pipes.

But Pederson said she is not worried. She said the spirit works to help people who create the pipes and receive them.

Grandma and Grandpa always said the stone takes care of itself, knows whats in a persons heart, she said.

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Faith Pirlo

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

sacred adj. holy; deserving of religious feelings

park n. a piece of land that is protected from development for its natural or historic importance

quarry n. a place where stone is cut from the ground for use in industry

ranger n. a person who helps oversee public forests and lands

hammer n. a tool used for driving nails or breaking up rock

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The United States Supreme Court has ordered President Nixon to surrender tape recordings of White House conversations about the Watergate affair.

Giving the judgement to a packed and hushed courtroom, Chief Justice Warren E. Burger said the court rejected Mr Nixons claims of executive privilege.

Instead, he said they must yield to the demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a pending criminal trial.

The president said he was disappointed by the decision, but would comply with the ruling.

The White House has already released edited transcripts of the tapes, which cover 64 conversations made between June 1972 and April of this year.

But President Nixon has until now refused to comply with a court order awarded to Leon Jaworski, the special prosecutor in the Watergate investigation, requiring him to produce the tapes themselves.

Mr Jaworski alleges the tapes implicate the president himself in covering up a break-in at the Watergate hotel headquarters of the Democratic National Committee during the election campaign in 1972.

The burglars were caught rifling through confidential papers and bugging the office of President Nixons political opponents.

The tapes will now be available for use as evidence in the trial of some of the presidents closest aides, due to take place in September.

It is likely to take several weeks to produce transcripts of the tapes, so they will not be available in time to be used during the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee debate on impeachment, which began this evening.

However, the timing of the Supreme Court decision just hours before the debate began, as well as the fact that all eight judges voted unanimously, is likely to have a strong influence on the impeachment process.

If the committee decides to recommend impeaching the president, the matter goes to the full House for debate.

If the House agrees, President Nixon could face an impeachment trial before the Senate  the first such trial in over a century.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

When the tapes were finally released, more than 18 minutes of a crucial meeting were found to be missing.

The official explanation was that the presidents secretary had accidentally erased it by pressing the wrong foot-pedal while answering the phone.

On 27 July, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend that the president be impeached and removed from office.

But before the House debate on his impeachment could begin, President Nixon resigned.
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 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.

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.

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 last week said the government agreed not to cover any lawful journalistic activities in relation to the song under its proposed ban after accepting the associations 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.

KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP
Sri Lanka is considering the possibility of allowing the use of the Indian rupee for local transactions, as the island nation struggles to build its depleted foreign reserves and to emerge from last years unprecedented economic crisis.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said Saturday the move to allow the use of its giant neighbors currency would enable tourists and other people from India to directly use Indian rupees here without going through the hassle of multiple currency conversions.

Sri Lanka imports plenty of items from India  its largest trading partner  including food, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, automobiles, fertilizers and chemicals. Trade between the two nations stood at $5.45 billion in 2021, according to official figures.

Sabry said accepting the Indian rupee would work as an advantage for Sri Lanka as the trade imbalance between the two countries is in favor of India.

We need more Indian currency, so more Indian people coming here and spending Indian currency is good for us, Sabry told reporters a day after visiting India with Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During the visit, India and Sri Lanka signed a series of energy, development and trade agreements, signalling growing economic ties between the neighboring countries.

Relations between the two countries surged last year when Sri Lanka was mired in its worst economic crisis in modern history, triggered by a severe foreign currency crunch that saw essential items run out and citizens queue for fuel for days. It also suspended its repayment of foreign debt last year.

India provided critical financial and humanitarian assistance worth over $4 billion to its neighbor, including food, medicine and fuel.

India was also the first creditor to extend a letter of support towards Sri Lankas debt restructuring efforts that helped kickstart support from the IMF, which approved a $3 billion bailout package in March.

Sri Lankas total debt has exceeded $83 billion, of which $41.5 billion is foreign and $42.1 billion is domestic. Sri Lanka has now started the process of restructuring its debt.

Sri Lankas strategic location in the Indian Ocean has long attracted attention from regional rivals India and China. For years, free-flowing loans and infrastructure investments from Beijing helped it gain an upper hand against New Delhi in the quest for influence.

But the countrys economic collapse gave New Delhi an opportunity to swing the pendulum back in its favor, especially as China delayed its support for debt restructuring, experts say. China owns about 10% of Sri Lankas foreign debt.

BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI, COLOMBO, MDT/AP
Russia struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa again yesterday, local officials said, keeping up a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. At least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in the attack in the early hours.

Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said that four children were among those wounded in the blasts, which severely damaged the historic Transfiguration Cathedral, a landmark Orthodox cathedral in the city.

Russia has been launching persistent attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, since Moscow canceled a landmark grain deal on Monday amid Kyivs grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories.

Kiper noted that six residential buildings, including apartment buildings, were destroyed by the strikes.

In one such case in downtown Odesa, some people became trapped in their apartments as a result of the damage caused by the attack, which left rubble strewn in the street and partly blocking the road, and damage to power lines.

Svitlana Molcharova, 85, was rescued by emergency service workers. But after she received first medical aid, she refused to leave her destroyed apartment.

I will stay here, she said to the emergency service worker who advised her to leave.

I woke up when the ceiling started to fall on me. I rushed into the corridor, said Ivan Kovalenko, 19, another resident of the building. He came to Odesa having fled the city of Mykolaiv in search of a safer place to live after his house was destroyed.

Thats how I lost my home in Mykolaiv, and here, I lost my rented apartment. 

In his home, the ceiling partially collapsed, the balcony came off the side of the building, and all the windows were blown out.

The Transfiguration Cathedral, one of the most important and largest Orthodox Cathedrals in Odesa, was severely damaged.

The destruction is enormous, half of the cathedral is now roofless, said Archdeacon Andrii Palchuk, as cathedral workers brought documents and valuable items out of the severely building, the floor of which was inundated with water used by firefighters to extinguish the fire.

Palchuk said the damage was caused by a direct hit from a Russian missile that penetrated the building down to the basement and caused significant damage. Two people who were inside at the time of the strike were wounded.

But with Gods help, we will restore it, he said, bursting into tears.

Odesas historic center was designated an endangered World Heritage Site by the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO, earlier this year, despite Russian opposition.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian forces had attacked sites in Odesa, where terrorist acts against the Russian Federation were being prepared.

The ministry said in a statement that the strikes were carried out with sea- and air-based long-range high-precision weapons, and that there are foreign mercenaries at the targeted sites.

In a later statement, the ministry denied that its attacks had struck the Transfiguration Cathedral, claiming that the destruction of the cathedral was likely due to the fall of a Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missile.

Earlier Russian attacks this week crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

The attacks come days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

Putin vowed to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014. HANNA ARHIROVA, ODESA, MDT/AP
Tensions flared again in Iraq on Saturday over a series of recent protests in Europe involving the desecration of the Quran, Islams holy book, which sparked a debate over the balance between freedom of speech and religious sensitivities.

Hundreds of protesters attempted to storm Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone that houses foreign embassies and the seat of Iraqs government early on Saturday, following reports that an ultranationalist group burned a copy of the Quran in front of the Iraqi Embassy in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, the previous day.

The protest came two days after people angered by the planned burning of the Islamic holy book in Sweden stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad.

Security forces on Saturday pushed back the protesters, who blocked the Jumhuriya bridge leading to the Green Zone, preventing them from reaching the Danish Embassy.

Elsewhere in Iraq, protesters burned three caravans belonging to a demining project run by the the Danish Refugee Council in the city of Basra in the south, local police said in a statement. The fire was extinguished by civil defense responders, and there were no human casualties, only material losses, the statement said.

The council confirmed in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that its premises in Basra came under armed attack early Saturday.

We deplore this attack  aid workers should never be a target of violence, Lilu Thapa, the Danish Refugee Councils executive director for the Middle East, said.

Iraqs prime minister has cut diplomatic ties with Sweden in protest over the desecration of the Quran in that country.

An Iraqi asylum-seeker who burned a copy of the Quran during a demonstration last month in Stockholm had threatened to do the same thing again onThursday but ultimately stopped short of setting fire to the book.

The man  an Iraqi of Christian origin living in Stockholm, now a self-described atheist  did, however, kick and step on it, and did the same with an Iraqi flag and a photo of influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada 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.

On Friday afternoon, thousands protested peacefully in Iraq and other Muslim-majority countries.

In Iran, the powerful Revolutionary Guards chief, Gen. Hossein Salami, said that we do not allow those who insult the Quran to be safe, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Saturday.

Muslims will decree a severe punishment for the perpetrators of these crimes, he continued. ALI JABAR & JARI TANNER, BAGHDAD, MDT/AP
The anti-crime patrol of the Judiciary Police (PJ) has intercepted nine men and women from the mainland, 8 of whom were suspected of illegal currency exchange, and one who has overstayed. They have been referred to the Public Security Police for investigation. The PJ dispatched 25 criminal investigators Friday to inspect casinos in various districts and intercepted 149 people during the operation.

Related
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 years exercise that ends on Aug. 4. The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending the exercise as observers.

ROD McGUIRK, Canberra, MDT/AP
This weeks column is less about anything SOS was able to do than about how one determined reader was able to finally get his due from a multinational appliance and electronics manufacturer that has bedeviled SOS readers before.

Sun Prairie resident Dan Storley had already beaten LG Electronics in court by the time he contacted SOS on March 8. In short, the LG oven Storley had purchased in May 2022 had never been able to maintain a consistent temperature, and Storley had filed suit after the company refused to cover the cost of replacing it, despite assurances that it would if the oven could not be fixed.

When LG failed to show up for the cases first hearing on Feb. 20, Dane County Court Commissioner Scott McAndrew ruled in Storleys favor for $3,394.95. In April, Judge Rhonda Lanford approved Storleys motion to find LG in contempt after LG again failed to show up in court. She also dismissed a bid by LG to reopen the case and told it to cover an additional $95 in court costs.

Prior to and throughout the court proceedings, Storley had, of course, contacted multiple people at LG multiple times to try to get the problem of his broken oven resolved. A log of calls he prepared contains 18 entries and represents nine hours of his life from June 13 to Nov. 22, 2022, six days before he sued.

One call on Oct. 13 lasted 126 minutes, according to the log, during which Storley was told LG wanted to send out its own repair person before approving a refund and needed a letter of authorization to have someone else repair the stove, as well as that Storley should provide a photo of his invoice and that his concern was being transferred to a higher department.

He got even less response to the emails he sent to LGs legal department after winning his small claims case. It wasnt until May 31 that LG staff attorney Kyle Sweatman told him hed gotten Storleys latest letter to the court requesting monetary penalties against LG for failing to pay the judgement

We are working on processing payment this week, Sweatman wrote. You should receive your check within 2-3 weeks.

Nearly five weeks later, there had been no check, and LG had gone back to ignoring Storleys emails, so Storley reminded the company of the next hearing in the case, when Lanford was expected to rule on whether to grant Storleys request for monetary penalties.

LG staff attorney Erin Stone responded: We have submitted the judgment to our internal systems for payment. That payment should hopefully be sent out this week, but given the holiday, it may be next week.

Id like to say this is fun, and it sort of was, but its getting tiring, Storley said in an email to SOS, describing his efforts to that point. But they picked the wrong person to screw with. Tired or not, Im not one to quit!

LG showed up to the July 11 video hearing, during which Lanford ruled that LG could face penalties of $1,000 a day if Storley did not receive his check by Aug. 1, and on July 17, Storley sent SOS a screen shot of the check hed received two days earlier from LG for $3,489.95.

Amazing how the threat of a $1,000-per-day penalty moves things along, he quipped. Just over 13 months after my first call seeking repairs, my ordeal is done.

SOS had contacted LGs media relations folks on March 9 and 15, and Sweatman by email and phone later that same month. There was never a response.

A search of the SOS archives finds five complaints involving LG in the last four years.

Send us an SOS Since September 2007, SOS has helped save Wisconsin State Journal readers more than $227,843.66 and solved hundreds of problems. You can send an SOS using any of these methods: Email: sos@madison.com Online form: http://go.madison.com/sendSOS Phone: 608-252-6198 Mail: SOS, Wisconsin State Journal, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708
Madison police say a 64-year-old man shot his son to death Saturday at the home they shared on Madisons South Side, then waited for police to arrive and admitted to the crime.

John C. Shively was booked into the Dane County Jail Saturday night on a tentative charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the killing of the 25-year-old man, who was identified Monday by the Dane County Medical Examiner as Zachary S. Shively.

John Shively is scheduled to make his first court appearance and have bond set Tuesday afternoon. A criminal complaint in the case had not yet been filed.

Shively called police to his home at 2849 Warner St. just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday about a weapons offense. In addition to Shively and his son, another man not related to either of them was on the scene, according to police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer.

Fryer said a dispute about money between the Shivelys might have led to the shooting.

We just know that they were arguing and that argument turned physical, she said. Police found a pistol at the scene.

The homicide is Madisons ninth this year. There were six last year and 10 in 2021, according to police records.

John Shively has no previous criminal record in Wisconsin, according to online state court records.
A Madison man was arrested on a tentative charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of another man on Madisons South Side Saturday, police said.

John C. Shively, 64, was booked into the Dane County Jail after officers responded to a weapons offense at 6:38 p.m. at a residence in the 2800 block of Warner Street, where a man was found dead, Madison police said.

A firearm was recovered at the scene, Sgt. Bernard Gonzalez said in a statement.

The death appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the community, Gonzalez said.

The Madison Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit is investigating.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Koreas military said Tuesday, adding to a recent streak in weapons testing that is apparently in protest of the U.S. sending major naval assets to South Korea in a show of force.

In its third round of launches since last week, North Korea fired the missiles just before midnight from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. It said both missiles traveled around 400 kilometers (248 miles) before landing in waters off the Korean Peninsulas eastern coast.

Its statement called North Koreas missile launches a grave provocation that threatens regional peace and stability. Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his government lodged a protest to North Korea over the launches, which is usually conveyed through its embassy in Beijing. He said Tokyo was doing its utmost for surveillance while stepping up trilateral security cooperation with Washington and Seoul. No damage has been reported related to the missiles, which, according to Japan's Defense Ministry, fell outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

The launches came hours after South Koreas navy said a nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine  the USS Annapolis  arrived at a port on Jeju Island. That underscored the allies' efforts to boost the visibility of U.S. strategic assets in the region to intimidate the North.

Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles last week in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes on South Korea and deployed U.S. naval vessels.

Also on Monday, the American-led U.N. Command said it has started a conversation with North Korea about a U.S. soldier who ran into the North last week across one of the worlds most heavily fortified borders.

Andrew Harrison, a British lieutenant general who is deputy commander at the U.N. Command, which oversees implementation of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War, declined to comment about the state of the inquiry to North Korea or say what the command knows about Pvt. Travis Kings condition.

I am in life an optimist, and I remain optimistic, Harrison said during a news conference in Seoul.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said North Korea had only acknowledged receiving the U.N. message last week and had not provided any information or commented further since then.

There have been no new contacts since last week, Miller said, adding that North Korea also had not responded to messages sent by U.S. civilian or military officials.

North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border during a tour of Panmunjom while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

The U.S. still has not been able to ascertain Kings condition, a senior administration official said Monday in Washington. Asked if U.S. officials had a better understanding of whether King intended to defect, the official said they still had no indication about what was going on in his mind that day. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.

Kings crossing came at a time of high tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the United States combined military exercises have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

In between the ballistic and cruise missile launches last week, North Koreas defense minister also issued a veiled threat, saying the Kentuckys docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how strained relations are now. Farhan Haq, U.N.'s deputy spokesperson, said the U.N. is concerned about the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The DPRKs continued launches of missiles using ballistic missile technology are clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions, and, of course, we reiterate the call for de-escalation and for full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, he said, invoking the North's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The United States and South Korea have expanded their combined military exercises and increased regional deployments of U.S. aircraft and ships, including bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to counter the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.

The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The sub mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson for South Koreas navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel.

The Koreas are still technically at war since a peace treaty was never signed.

Their armistice becomes 70 years old Thursday, an anniversary South Korea will mark with solemn ceremonies honoring the dead that will involve invited foreign war veterans.

North Korea, which celebrates the date as victory day for the great Fatherland Liberation War, plans huge festivities that will likely include a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where leader Kim Jong Un may showcase his nuclear-capable missiles designed to target regional rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the standing committee of the countrys National Peoples Congress, would attend the celebrations.

Visits by foreign guests to North Korea have been extremely rare since the start of the pandemic, which prompted the North to seal its borders to protect its poor healthcare system. North Korea since last year has been gradually reopening trade with China in an apparent effort to salvage a crippled economy damaged further by the pandemic-related border controls.

Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in Washington, and Edith M. Lederer in New York contributed to this report.
This State Journal editorial ran on July 24, 2003:

Since the 1870s, Wisconsin has wisely prohibited anyone but an officer of the law from carrying a concealed weapon. This smart public policy should stand in spite of a new effort to overturn it.

Some Wisconsin lawmakers want to let the masses pack hidden heat. State Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Union Grove, and Sen. David Zien, R-Eau Claire, claim their bill will clarify confusion between the state ban and a more recent state constitutional amendment granting citizens the right to bear arms.

The misguided measure uses a state Supreme Court decision as ammo. The court recently ruled that the constitutional amendment allows owners of homes and businesses to carry guns on their property so long as its for a lawful purpose.

But gun advocates have intended all along to renew their effort to legalize hidden firepower: The current measure is a carbon copy of a concealed-carry bill thwarted last year by the state Senate. The new measure, allowing gun owners who pass a background check to get a five-year permit to tote their weapon under wraps, is updated only to reflect the court ruling.

But the justices breathed new life into a tired argument that exploits public fears of violent crime. It goes like this: Law-abiding people cant rely on police and need to defend themselves from armed criminals. The bad guys always find a way to get guns, so citizens ought to be able to carry concealed weapons to fight gunfire with gunfire.

But thats the problem. Overturning Wisconsins 130-year-old concealed weapons ban might make people feel safer. But common sense suggests that the more would-be vigilantes stand tall on the streets, the more difficult and dangerous it will be for law enforcement to do its job. ...

Urge your lawmaker to put a permanent trigger lock on the effort to blow away the concealed weapons ban.
The Michigan attorney general recently announced felony charges against several Republicans for falsely portraying themselves as electors after the 2020 election in an effort to overturn Donald Trumps defeat.

Hooray for Michigan. We often witness Republicans ranting about election fraud, claiming its there when there is virtually none, yet ignoring attempted massive frauds in several states including our own -- attempts to replace certified election results to change the result of a presidential election.

Michigan is prosecuting this heinous fraud and will hopefully put the perpetrators in jail to set an example for those who may think of committing similar frauds in the future.

But where is Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul? Why has he apparently given a pass to our Wisconsin fraudsters? I find it incredible that Florida is arresting people who erroneously voted because they were unaware of an obscure requirement around former felons voting. Yet there is no penalty here for those who signed fake papers intended to claim that Trump won Wisconsin in a race he lost by more than 20,000 votes. Thats no small matter -- thats massive fraud.

Im all for election integrity. But Wisconsin has a long history of fair and honest elections. Our attorney general needs to prosecute these fraudsters to the full extent of the law to ensure we maintain that record.

Al Jacobs, Egg Harbor
First Federal Bank lands housing grants to support Idaho

First Federal Bank, through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in Iowa, will provide more than $95,000 in grants to three Idaho organizations to support affordable housing and housing insecurities.

The grants were awarded out of the Member Impact Fund, an initiative created by FHLB of Des Moines to encourage financial institutions to contribute to their communities, according to a news release.

The Gem State recipients:

NewWest Community Capital will receive $45,158 to aid with community development loans and services.

South Central Community Action Partnership also will receive $45,158 to be used to purchase land and building lots.

Habitat for Humanity of the Magic Valley will receive $5,419 to support its mission of building personal strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

First Federal is proud to partner with the Federal Home Loan Bank to provide funding to these worthwhile organizations, Brenda Hughes, the banks senior vice president and director of mortgage and retail lending. As a community bank, we understand the need to advance affordable, sustainable, homeownership in the communities we serve.

Idaho Home Health & Hospice sale set for Saturday

Idaho Home Health & Hospice will host its Giant Yard Sale to benefit the Idaho Hospice Promise Foundation and a Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home Ceremony on Saturday at the Canyon Springs Extended Stay parking lot, 1357 Blue Lakes Blvd. in Twin Falls.

The sale will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The noon ceremony, open to all Vietnam veterans, will include a pinning ceremony led by Twin Falls County Commissioner Don Hall.

For more information, call Susan Nickell at 208-595-3538 or email susan.nickell@lhcgroup.com.

Hayden Homes kicks off Twin Falls housing project

Hayden Homes, the largest private home builder in the Pacific Northwest, broke ground last week on a new development project that will include more 100 homes in Twin Falls.

Kenyon Meadows is located at Kenyon Road and Highway 74, on the citys south side. The development will include a variety of floor plans ranging from three to five bedrooms and 1,201 to 2,250 square feet, according to a news release. Prices will start in the low $300,000s.

The chamber is truly excited to be celebrating this new development with Hayden Homes. Adding inventory to the housing market is critical to businesses who are trying to attract talent to the area, said Kyle Tarbet, president and CEO of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, said in the release. As the economy grows, so does our population and we need housing to accommodate that growth.

Also:

D.L. Evans Bank will open its 39th branch this fall at the University Place Mall in Orem, Utah, the Burley-based company announce

d June 29. We are humbled by the opportunity to continue to grow and expand our family owned and employee-owned franchise while providing our customers with top-notch banking solutions and the best customer service in the industry, John V. (JV) Evans III, the banks chief executive officer, said in a news release.

Starley-Leavitt Insurance of Twin Falls won the Agency Excellence Award at the Leavitt Groups annual conference in Anaheim, California. The group includes a national network of more than 200 agencies across 26 states. In a news release, Allen Starley

, the agencys co-owner and produced, credited an incredible staff that works so hard to take care of our customers and as a team to support each other.

World Wide Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of The Mart Group, is expanding its frozen potato business in Rupert with a new facility under construction next to the existing Mart Produce fresh pack facility, according to a company statement. Completion is expected next year. The Mart Group

is locally owned by four family farms in the Rupert area: Hansen Farms of Idaho, Circle D Farms, Jentzsch Kearl Farms and Grant 4-D Farms.

The

St. Lukes Magic Valley Health Foundation presented a $500,000 check for emergency medical services to Magic Valley Paramedics

on Thursday in Jerome following an 18-month fundraising campaign.

The

Idaho Transportation Department

began a chip sealing project Tuesday on Main Street in Hailey, with work expected to continue for four weeks. Construction will start at Fox Acres Road and end at McKercher Boulevard, according to a news release.

Times-News
Minidoka Schools to host child find screening

The Minidoka County School District will host a child find screening on Aug. 11 at the Minidoka Preschool Center, 310 10th St. in Rupert.

The preschool child find, for children ages 3 to 5, includes speech and language, physical health, gross and fine motor skills, self-help abilities, social and pre-academic skills, vision, and hearing. For appointments, call the Minidoka Preschool Center at 208-436-4727.

Olivas, Fernau win shoe box museum contest

Jayvin Leonardo Olivas and Vayda Fernau were winners of the Make Your Own Museum in a Shoe Box hosted by the Cassia County Historical Museum this month.

Jayvin, the son of Jade and Raquel Olivas of Burley, was the winner in the 9 and over category for his mini-museum titled Hunters Paradise. Vayda, the daughter of Kolby Fernau, was the winner in the 5-8 division for her mini-museum titled Pocahontas Beach.

Also:

World Wide Foods LLC, a subsidiary of The Mart Group, is expanding its frozen potato business in Rupert with a new facility under construction next to the existing Mart Produce fresh pack facility, according to a company statement. Completion is expected next year. The Mart Group

is locally owned by four family farms in the Rupert area: Hansen Farms of Idaho, Circle D Farms, Jentzsch Kearl Farms and Grant 4-D Farms.

Lexi Holtsclaw and Hudson Dayley were the winners of childrens bicycles at the Bicycle, Fire and Water Safety Festival

on July 15 at the Cassia County Historical Museum. Lexi is the daughter of Katrina Sorenson and Chester Holtsclaw of Burley, while Hudson is the son of Jeff Dayley of Albion.

D.L. Evans Bank

will open its 39th branch this fall at the University Place Mall in Orem, Utah, the Burley-based company announced June 29. We are humbled by the opportunity to continue to grow and expand our family owned and employee-owned franchise while providing our customers with top-notch banking solutions and the best customer service in the industry, John V. (JV) Evans III, the banks chief executive officer, said in a news release.

Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo will be the featured speaker at the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce

monthly luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 8, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Burley Inn & Convention Center, 800 N Overland Ave. Reservations are required by phone at 208-679-4793.

 The Voice
Bossjob, the chat-first career platform for professional hiring in Southeast Asia, said it will launch its service in the Japanese market, facilitating Japanese companies hiring international talents with its 2.9 million users in the region.

The recruitment platform, which recently raised a $5-million seed fund, will provide Japanese companies with a limited-time free policy aimed to assist them in recruiting talents from different countries through an enhanced user experience with its AI + direct chat model.

Japanese companies exhibit a high demand for talent. We aim to meet this need by providing efficient talent services that prioritize superior user experience, Bossjob co-founder and chief executive Anthony Garcia said.

The expansion comes as local firms increasingly seek talent from overseas. Japan faces a talent deficit, especially in the IT industry, despite a growing demand for recruitment driven by its rapidly recovering economy.

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry projects that its IT industry could face a talent shortfall ranging from 160,000 to 790,000 by 2030.

The Japanese Cabinet announced in June an expansion to the scope of the Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW-2) visa.

This new amendment allows foreign workers with proficient skills in nine industries  building cleaning management, industrial machinery, electric, electronics and information, automobile repair and maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fishery and aquaculture, food and beverage manufacturing, and food service  to work in the country.

China and SEA are becoming the main sources of talent, with 66 percent of foreigners who obtained Japanese high-technology work visas coming from the territories as of the end of 2019.

Bossjob co-founder and chief operating officer Kiat How Quak said they aim to bring an enhanced recruitment service to the Japanese market by bridging them to quality talents as part of its globalization efforts.

Employers in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and other countries and regions have been seeking talents in places like the Philippines. In this talent war, recruiters are placing increasing importance on the quality and matching efficiency of talents from online recruitment platforms, providing an opportunity for the implementation of Bossjobs globalization strategy, he said.

Kiat How said Bossjob is capable of satisfying the recruitment needs of different industries with its large and diverse pool of talents from SEA. Through the direct chat feature on the Bossjob app, employers and job seekers can communicate directly anywhere and anytime, reducing friction and improving efficiency in recruitment. It also leverages big data and AI to optimize talent matching accuracy, maximizing the match rate between talents and jobs to improve the conversion rate.

Before entering the Japanese market, Bossjob worked with notable Japanese companies such as digital infrastructure company Equinix, specialty coffee chain % Arabica and telecommunications company IPS Co. Ltd.

Bossjob began its international expansion in May this year, entering markets in Singapore and Indonesia. To expand its global market, it has started offering free services this year. It plans to venture to Hong Kong in the third quarter of the year and aims to reach over 30 million users in Southeast Asia by 2026.

Bossjob, which some investors dub the SEA version of Chinas BOSS Zhipin and Tianyancha, started in the Philippines in 2018 with its innovative MDD model of mobile + direct chat + AI-matching, introducing direct chat into the recruitment scene.

The platform, with the help of AI technologies and big data, recommends highly suitable and active candidates to employers and relevant job opportunities to job seekers.

It has established paid collaborations with tens of thousands of companies, and sees a job seeker engagement rate exceeding 80 percent, a company response rate of 60 to 80 percent and a job match rate of around 50 percent.

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PARISFrance on Sunday blamed Russia, after the G20 failed to agree on a roadmap to phase down the global use of fossil fuels during a meeting of energy ministers in India.

A final statement after the meeting on Saturday, does not even mention coal,, a major contributor to global warming.

Explaining the stalemate, G20 president India said that some members had emphasized the importance of seeking a phase down of unabated fossil fuels, in line with different national circumstances.

But others had different views on the matter that abatement and removal technologies will address such concerns, it added.

Frances minister of energy transition on Sunday pointed the finger of blame at Russia.

I profoundly regret that there was no common declaration at the end of this meeting, notably because of Russia, Agnes Pannier-Runacher told AFP.

The G20 failure to agree the roadmap came despite G7 leaders agreeing in Hiroshima in May to accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels.

A coalition of key EU economies  including Germany and France  and some of the most vulnerable island states this week urged the G20 group of wealthy nations to accelerate plans to reach net zero emissions and phase out fossil fuels, adding: Humankind cannot afford to delay.

But many developing economies argue that the developed West must pay more as a legacy polluter and greenhouse contributor.

They insist that any transition needs huge capital and new technology, while giving up on polluting fuels without affordable alternatives will condemn their huge populations to poverty.

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The House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution expressing support and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27.

House Resolution (HR) 1126, which was also based on the celebration of the 10th United Nations (UN) Forces Participation Day, was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

This resolution recognizes the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea that started way before the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953 and has flourished since then. We hope the ties that bind both our countries together shall be perpetually strong, said Romualdez, leader of the 312-strong House of Representatives.

Romualdez also presented to Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo of the National Assembly of South Korea the resolution.

According to the resolution, the year 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, by military commanders from the United States that represented the United Nations Command, the Korean Peoples Army and Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army, ending roughly three years of fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War.

It added that the UN Forces Participation Day and the International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans not only serve as a reminder of the importance of international support and cooperation in maintaining peace and security but moreover, it highlights the strong alliance and diplomatic relations among member states in the international community.

Romualdez and other lawmakers went on official visit in Jeju Island, South Korea last month for the ASEAN-Korea Leaders Forum on the occasion of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity.

Rep. Yedda Marie expressed his appreciation for the active parliamentary exchanges between the two countries, welcomed the steady growth of ties between both countries, and hoped for an even stronger relationship.

In honor of the valiant acts of the Filipino war veterans during the Korean War, the Philippine Army meanwhile accorded ceremonial honors in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio.

Army Chief of Staff MGen. Potenciano Camba served as the military host to the Korean government official during the wreath-laying ceremony to give tribute to the members of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK).

Various Filipinos fought for the liberation of South Korea from the impending successful occupation of the Communist-led North Korea allied with China which then stopped its advance when the United Nations intervened and sent numerous troops from various nations one was the Philippines.

One of the most valiant act which Filipino troops made during the Korean war was its defence of Yultong which led from its victory against the waves of Chinese Red Army, this historic Battle of Yultong was one of the greatest feat which the Filipino troops have shown to fight for Freedom and against tyranny. With Vince Lopez

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Guatemala City, Guatemala  Hundreds of Guatemalans marched in the capital on Sunday demanding that the attorney general and a handful of prosecutors step down over their alleged efforts to impede an upcoming presidential runoff election.

Many of the protesters carried signs demanding an end to a right-wing campaign widely seen as a challenge to the legitimacy of the August 20 runoff.

Protesters demanded the ouster of Attorney General Consuelo Porras, whose office seeks to disqualify the Semilla (Seed) Party of Bernardo Arevalo, a social democrat who surged into one of two runoff spots, shocking many in the nation.

There have been a series of spurious legal actions aimed at rendering the June 25 (first round vote) null and void, Mayan activist Alida Vicente told AFP.

Out with the corrupt! We are fed up! chanted marchers, some banging drums.

The US State Department last year designated Porras as corrupt and undemocratic and said she was undermining anticorruption probes.

Marchers also demanded the removal of Judge Fredy Orellana and prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche.

On Curruchiches orders, Orellana directed the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to disqualify the Semilla Party, alleging anomalies in how it was created in 2017. The Tribunal did not comply with the order.

In response, judicial agents twice raided the TSE and sought to arrest a functionary there, and on Friday they searched the headquarters of Semilla in the capital.

Arevalo is slated to face Sandra Torres, a former first lady who also is center left, in the runoff next month. Whoever wins will put an end to 12 years of rightist rule in the Central American nation.

The turbulent legal actions of recent weeks are widely interpreted within Guatemala and abroad as an effort to scuttle Arevalos candidacy.

On Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement noting his great concern over the elections and exhorting authorities in Guatemala to protect citizenry from any unlawful or arbitrary interference with the voting process.

Organizers called on protesters to set up roadblocks on Monday, and urged businesses to shut their doors as part of a national strike against interference with the election.

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The Prime Minister of Mozambique, Adriano Maleane, admitted that about 3,000 state workers are still in arrears with salaries, but assured that the problem is technical and not a lack of money.

The Government is working to ensure there are no delays, because it is not a method of working. This has to be made clear. And there can only be delays for technical reasons. In this case, the Government guarantees that the problem is not a lack of money, explained Mr Maleane at a press conference held in the city of Quelimane, at the end of his visit to Zambezia province.

A problem with the computer system and the framework of state employees in Mozambique, as part of the implementation of the Single Salary Table (TSU), is causing delays in the payment of salaries to the Civil Service, the government previously admitted.

At stake are delays in payments, especially for teachers, who have not yet received their salaries for June.

The problem is not lack of money, the only explanation is precisely this implementation of the payroll management mechanism in the sector that is causing some delays. Until last week we had 3,000 who were still in a situation of delay, he said.

It was reported on 19 July that spending on Mozambican civil service salaries is expected to grow by 9.1% in 2023, to 181.8 billion meticais (2.539 billion euros), according to official data, in a year marked by the application of the TSU. The same report points out that in 2022, also after revision by the IMF, among 298.4 billion meticais (4.168 billion euros) of current State costs, 166.6 billion meticais (2.327 billion euros) went to the payment of civil service salaries and social security.

For 2024, and despite the ongoing changes, the report estimates, also after a downward revision, a growth in current spending by the Mozambican State to 363.9 billion meticais (5.083 billion euros), of which 203.7 billion meticais (2.845 billion euros) for salaries and social security.
The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, on Saturday July 22, inaugurated the first military training school in the country, which will help train soldiers to, among others, participate in peacekeeping missions in the world.

Dressed in military uniform, army general Sissoco Embalo recalled his three-month stint as a conscript when he served in the Armed Forces in the 1990s to emphasize the role of the institution in Guinean society.

The Guinean President welcomed the creation of the first military training school in Guinea-Bissau, located in Cumere, about 36 kilometers north of Bissau, which will be called Biague Na NTan, named after the current head of the Armed Forces.

The school, according to the head of state, will help train military personnel in operational tactical terms and also train men and women in respect for hierarchy and discipline.

A good military man is obedient. Even General Biague, if he were not obedient, would probably no longer be in his post, emphasized Sissoco Embalo, who also questioned the fate of generals who were involved in coups dEtat.

They are all out of the Armed Forces, stressed the Guinean Head of State.

Umaro Sissoco Embalo also explained that the Cumere School, a former military instruction centre, will be the base for the preparation of future elements of the Guinean Armed Forces who will resume participation in peacekeeping missions. The Guinean President said that the countrys military had stopped participating in peacekeeping missions because they were considered violent.

Umaro Sisosco Embalo urged the military to stay away from politics and also insisted that they must not get involved with drugs.
Botswana has offered 8,000 elephants to Angola for the repopulation of parks in the country and will also share its experience in the area of ecotourism in the development of the Okavango Delta KASA Project.

According to a press release from the Press Secretariat of the President of the Republic, the delegations headed by the Presidents of Angola, Joao Lourenco, and Botswana, Eric Masisi, worked last week-end in Gaborone to follow up and consolidate the aspects discussed in the first instance by the two Heads of State, in their previous meeting alone.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2025 provides for the identification, in collaboration with provincial governments, of territories for the creation of Pacaca and elephant reserves in the provinces of Uije, Zaire and Lunda Norte.

The Angolan President is in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, where he travelled on Thursday to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

The statement notes that for future cooperation between the two African countries, the governments have chosen the area of diamonds, so that Angola can draw on that countrys experience in terms of production, cutting and marketing.

The list of areas for cooperation also includes livestock, for the repopulation of cattle in Angola, which will count on Botswanas assistance in sending embryos and semen. The two Presidents also discussed the air link between Gaborone and Luanda, cooperation in the area of energy, with a view to supplying electricity to Botswana from the Angolan province of Cuando Cubango.

In the area of fuels, Angola invited Botswana to be part of the shareholder structure of the Lobito refinery under construction, an initiative welcomed by the Gaborone authorities.
Bachir Adewale Adeniyi, Head of Nigerias customs is expected in neighboring Benin Monday July 24 as both countries seek to boost custom cooperation.

Adeniyi will hold talks with Benin authorities on several topics including development of trade between the two counties and the fight against fraud. The Nigerian top official will meet his Benin counterpart Alain Hinkati and the countrys Economy and Finance minister.

Adeniyi will visit the external foreign trade single window of Benin, Web Fontaine, and Cotonou Harbor.

The Nigerian delegation will also learn from Benins scanning and tracking goods system. Adeniyi this month indicated that he would begin a discussion with the Benin Customs Administration to address the issues of border security, importation across the border, and deployment of technological solutions to address complex border problems.
British RPS Group has selected lately by Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons & Mines (ONHYM) and Nigerias National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to conduct oceanographic studies of Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project.

Under the contract, RPS teams will measure offshore meteorological and oceanographic conditions for one year along the proposed pipeline route.

The pipeline project is supported by OPEC with the cooperation of 13 countries in West Africa. Its aims are to facilitate increased prosperity in the region by enabling monetization of natural gas resources.

The project, which will have a direct positive impact on more than 340 million people, will strengthen West Africa energy security, support the energy transition through access to less-polluting fuels, and offer a new, alternative export route to Europe.

It will also speed up electrification projects for the benefit of local populations, set up a competitive regional electricity market, boost the regional economy, encourage job-generating industries, reduce gas flaring and promote the use of reliable and sustainable energy.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

According to an analysis of the UK's cosmetic injectables industry by University College London researchers, 68% of cosmetic practitioners who are administering injections such as Botox are not qualified medical doctors.

The study, published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, is the first survey of who is providing cosmetic injectable services, such as botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers, in the UK. Currently, little is known about the background qualifications, training and experience levels of those who are administering treatments.

To fill this knowledge gap, researchers from UCL evaluated 3,000 websites to identify 1,224 independent clinics and 3,667 practitioners who were delivering cosmetic injections such as Botox.

Of the professions represented, 32% were doctors, 13% were nurses, 24% were dentists and 8% were dental nurses. Of the 1,163 doctors identified, 41% were on the specialist register and 19% were on the GP register. Among the 27 specialties represented on the specialist register, plastic surgery was the largest group (37%) followed by dermatology (18%).

The UK injectables market is predicted to reach a value of 11.7 billion by 2026, but to date is effectively unregulated. The UK government is preparing to update policy around injectables, with a public consultation on the industry due to begin in August 2023. Recommendations are expected to inform amendments to the Medical Act in 2024.

Dr. David Zargaran (UCL Plastic Surgery), an author of the study, said, "There are well-documented, yet to date unaddressed challenges in the UK cosmetic injectables market. Without knowledge of the professional backgrounds of practitioners, we cannot adequately regulate the industry. Our research highlights that the majority of practitioners are not doctors and include other health care professionals, as well as non-health care professionals such as beauticians.

"The range of backgrounds opens a broader question relating to competence and consent. One of the key challenges facing the government's licensing scheme is to ensure that practitioners granted a license possess the skills and experience required to safely administer their treatment to minimize risks to patients.

"It is important for patients to be able to feel comfortable and confident that the person administering their treatment is competent in the procedure as a fundamental foundation of informed consent. This research provides a unique insight into the sector to help inform regulators and patients, and work towards a safer and more transparent cosmetic injectables industry in the UK."

As well as the professional background of those providing cosmetic injections, until recently there has been little research on the incidence of complications and the impact that these have upon patients. A second study from the same authors, published in Skin Health and Disease on 3 July 2023, found that 69% of respondents to the study had experienced long-lasting adverse effects, such as pain, anxiety and headaches.

Professor Julie Davies (UCL School Global Business School for Health), a co-author of the study, said, "The UK cosmetic injectables industry has expanded rapidly in recent years. This has happened largely without scrutiny or oversight. Our findings should be a wake-up call for legislators to implement effective regulation and professional standards to safeguard patients from complications."

"Although the risks associated with injections are often mild and temporary, the physical complications can be permanent and debilitating. There are also serious psychological, emotional, and financial consequences for patients when procedures go wrong."

More information: David Zargaran et al, Profiling UK injectable aesthetic practitioners: a national cohort analysis, Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.06.057 David Zargaran et al, Quantitative and qualitative analysis of individual experiences post botulinum toxin injection  United Kingdom Survey, Skin Health and Disease (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ski2.265
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:

AORs and 95% CIs of breastfeeding initiation and post-perinatal death by region and state in the U.S. (A) Total post-perinatal infant death: infant death from 7 to 364 days. (B) Early post-perinatal infant death: infant death from 7 to 182 days. Adjusted covariates are maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, WIC participation, smoking during pregnancy, delivery method, plurality, gestational age, and infant sex. WIC, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Credit: American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.05.015

Among nearly 10 million US infants born between 2016 and 2018, breastfed babies were 33% less likely to die during the post-perinatal period (day 7364) than infants who were not breastfed, reports a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The findings build on previous US research with smaller datasets, which documented the association between the initiation of breastfeeding and the reduction of post-perinatal infant mortality by a range of 19% to 26%.

Lead investigator Julie L. Ware, MD, MPH, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Center for Breastfeeding Medicine, said, "Based on these data, there is clear evidence that breastfeeding confers a protective benefit during the first year of life and is strongly associated with reduced post-perinatal infant mortality across the U.S.."

Dr. Ware noted that the findings suggest there is an opportunity for breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support to be included as a key component in comprehensive infant mortality reduction initiatives in regions and states across the US.

With help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, birth certificate data on US infants born from 2016 to 2018 were linked with infant deaths occurring up to one year after birth. An analysis was conducted to demonstrate whether the initiation of breastfeeding, as recorded on the birth certificate (a practice adopted by all states in 2016), was associated with post-perinatal infant death, taking into account factors such maternal age, education, race and ethnicity, and geographical location.

Breastfeeding is recognized by the World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other authorities as the preferred normative nutrition for infants, both recommending that families breastfeed their infants exclusively for 6 months, continuing with the addition of complementary foods for at least the first 2 years of life.

These organizations consider breastfeeding a public health imperative with many short- and long-term improved health outcomes for both mother and child, including significant reductions in all-cause infant mortality and specific protection against sudden infant death syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Despite these recommendations, the rates for breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and continuation in the US do not meet breastfeeding goals, especially in certain racial and ethnic populations, and in some geographic regions.

Co-investigator Ardythe Morrow, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati College of Medicine stated that, "Though breastfeeding is widely recommended, nevertheless, some may still consider it to be of minor importance. We hope that our findings will change the narrative. Human milk is replete with protective molecules, and breastfeeding offers significant protection."

Addressing breastfeeding disparities may improve the health of mothers and their babies and help reduce adverse outcomes. Although most states advocate breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support activities, analysis of the association between breastfeeding and infant mortality had not previously been conducted at the state and regional levels. To this end, the investigators conducted a regional and state-by-state analysis.

Co-investigator Aimin Chen, Ph.D., Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, explained, "We found that the effect was evident across the US, but with regional variations, ranging from 44% in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where breastfeeding initiation is the highest, and 21% in the Southeast, where breastfeeding initiation is the lowest."

"Although regional and state variation in the magnitude of the association between breastfeeding and infant mortality exists, there was a remarkable consistency of reduced risk. Together with existing literature, our data suggest that breastfeeding promotion and support may be an effective strategy to help reduce infant mortality in the US."

Dr. Ware summarized, "Breastfeeding saves lives. August is National Breastfeeding Month. Let's do all we can to support breastfeeding families and improve the health of our nation."

More information: Julie L. Ware et al, Associations Between Breastfeeding and Post-perinatal Infant Deaths in the U.S., American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.05.015 Journal information: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
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Research in collaboration with youth panel, creative team, community connectors and research participants . Credit: The Consortium on Practices of Wellbeing and Resilience in BAME families and communities (2023)

Black and ethnic minority communities experienced great anxiety over work, education and disproportionate attention from police during the COVID-19 pandemic, finds a new report by researchers at UCL, Goldsmiths and Royal Holloway.

The research project, titled The Consortium on Practices of Well-being and Resilience in BAME families and Communities (Co-POWeR), details an 18-month investigation exploring the impact of the pandemic on people of Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME).

The report looked at those who experienced a disproportionate socio-economic and psychosocial impact, and examined the effects on their mental and emotional health and well-being, alongside the psychological and social implications.

The team found that black and minority ethnic communities relied more on social networks and community support than formal support services borne of a pre-existing lack of trust and fear of racist responses.

The inequities of COVID-19's impact on BAME communities were already reported soon after the virus hitwith data revealing that while making up only 3.8% of the population in England, BAME people made up 5.8% of COVID-19 deaths.

The Co-POWeR report goes deeper, reviewing the impact of efforts to stem the transition of the virus on family life, education and parenting.

Through engaging with young people and parents from BAME communities across England and Wales, as well as BAME professionals in social services, the report shows that the disproportionate impacts of the disease were exacerbated by pre-existing racial and structural inequalities.

The key findings of the Co-POWeR report were:



BAME children experienced increased anxiety over parental employment and income.

Cramped housing, the absence of free school meals and a lack of access to internet and digital services had a negative impact on their ability to stay engaged with their education during lockdown.

BAME children experienced inconsistencies in policing of lockdown rules. There were similar inconsistencies in supporting their education and mental health.

BAME families were affected by low pay, precarious jobs, poor housing conditions and immigration control.

BAME parents were not able to access financial support available to other workers during the pandemic.

Multigenerational homes made social distancing a challenge especially in overcrowded housing.

Co-author, Professor Monica Lakhanpaul (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) said, "Children and young people from BAME communities deserve a better future. We have known that they have always been impacted by racial discrimination, but this combined with the impact of the pandemic puts them at further danger of being 'left behind'.

"It is important that we act now, provide them with the safe spaces to connect with each other, and rebuild their trust in the police and education services. We, as a society, need to do better because these young people are our adults of tomorrow."

The authors recommended that policymakers and service providers address harm and promote resilience and well-being. This would mean ensuring investment in place-based community services within local and national government and children's service providers ensuring that there is an understanding of how policies and practices impact BAME communities and ensuring their voices are heard.

Other recommendations included co-producing youth services with young people, recognizing the importance of grassroots-level insider workers, building trust between police and BAME communities through active engagement, and addressing racial discrimination within children's social care, education and health services.

Co-author, Professor Claudia Bernard (Goldsmiths, University of London) said, "The recently opened COVID-19 public inquiry has pinpointed chronic blind spots in the Government's recognition of BAME communities in their emergency planning response to the virus, but our research shows that the formal support services at the local level were equally lacking."

"This wasn't an error of oversight but represented racial and structural inequalities that were present and baked into service provision before COVID. If we are going to build back better then service providers need to be culturally responsive to meet the needs of BAME families. Our recommendations place them in a position to achieve exactly that."

The study forms part of a larger Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded project, Co-POWeR Consortium on Practices of Well-being and Resilience in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Families and Communities. The consortium began from the premise that BAME communities were afflicted by two virusesboth the pandemic and racial discrimination.

Co-author, Anna Gupta (Royal Holloway) said, "I am so pleased to have been involved in Co-POWeR and to be able to share the findings of this important study that gives a voice to underrepresented BAME young people and their families."

"The study makes several important recommendations about how policies and practices can promote the well-being of these families going forward and I hope that this research informs decision-making in the future."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A busy, crowded, confusing emergency room is not an ideal place for a person living with dementia.

But 1.4 million times a year, people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia end up in emergency care, a new study shows.

Together, they make up nearly 7% of all emergency visits for any reason by people over age 65, according to a University of Michigan team's findings published in JAMA Neurology.

And compared with their peers who don't have dementia, these patients have twice the rate of seeking emergency care after an accident or a behavioral or mental health crisis, the researchers show.

With about 6 million Americans currently estimated to have dementia, the study suggests there's a lot of opportunity to prevent future emergency visits by better supporting dementia caregivers, thereby, the researchers say.

Lead author Lauren B. Gerlach, D.O., M.Sc., says the findings could help inform efforts to support family caregivers and nursing facility staff in reducing patients' risks of injury, and preventing the agitation, aggression and distressing behaviors that people with dementia can experience.

"While dementia is thought of as a cognitive or memory disorder, it is the behavioral aspects of the disease such as anxiety, agitation and sleep disturbances that can cause the most stress for caregivers and patients alike," said Gerlach, a geriatric psychiatrist at Michigan Medicine, U-M's academic medical center. "Emergency departments are often not the right place to manage these behaviors," she added. "We really need to do better to support caregivers so there are options other than seeking emergency care."

Once a person with dementia is in the emergency department, it can be a very disorienting experience, Gerlach explains. "This is especially true in the context of a busy ED where visits can last many hours and patients may have difficulty understanding what is occurring or communicating their needs," she said. "Even routine blood draws from unfamiliar staff can be a very scary experience for a patient with advanced dementia."

To make matters worse, behavioral symptoms common in this group can lead to treatment with potentially dangerous sedative medications.

Emergency department patients with dementia received antipsychotic medications at more than twice the rate as other emergency patients over age 65 during their visit, the study shows. Such drugs, often used to sedate people with dementia and calm their behavioral symptoms, can carry major risks if used long-termincluding increasing the risk of fall accidents and death as highlighted in warnings from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Long after the emergency has ended, the concern is that these newly started antipsychotic and sedative medications in could then continue to be prescribed long-term, putting patients with dementia at further risk, said Gerlach.

The study also adds evidence that older adults with dementia may be treated differently in the emergency department. People with dementia were much more likely than those without to receive a urine test or a CT scan of their head.

"Difficulty in the ability of patients with dementia to communicate their symptoms verbally can make it challenging to distinguish what is causing their symptoms," Gerlach explains. "Is it related to a change in their environment, difficulty between the patient and their caregiver, or an underlying medical issue?"

For instance, urinary tract infections can cause pain that can lead to agitation or aggression in a person with dementia, who may not be able to express what they're feeling. However, these challenges can sometimes lead to indiscriminate laboratory testing and imaging, Gerlach adds.

The data for the study came from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and include information on people over 65 no matter what form of health care coverage they had.

Gerlach and Matthew A. Davis, Ph.D., an associate professor in the U-M School of Nursing and Michigan Medicine's Department of Learning Health Sciences, note that there has not been much research on emergency care for people with dementia, despite the fact that clinicians and caregivers who care for such patients know from experience that emergencies can be common.

Helping caregivers prevent and respond to dementia-related crises

Caregiver stress and burnout from a lack of respite or support may play a role in the need for seeking emergency care in people with dementia, noted Gerlach, who is an assistant professor in the U-M Department of Psychiatry.

She sees promise in a new proposed Medicare rule that would allow health care teams to get reimbursed for sessions that educate family caregiversincluding on how to prevent or soothe behavioral symptoms among their loved ones.

One approach to this, called DICE, was co-developed at Michigan Medicine's geriatric psychiatry division and is now available online to dementia caregivers anywhere. Gerlach also recommends the caregiver support programs and information offered by the Alzheimer's Association, and videos from UCLA Health, available in multiple languages, to her patients' caregivers to help manage these behaviors.

Those who live with people who have dementia should also consider safety upgrades in the home to reduce fall risks and the chance of other injuries. "It's important to match the home environment to their needs and ability, which could reduce the risk of emergency care being needed," Gerlach said.

The rise of geriatric-focused emergency departments or areas within larger emergency departments may also help, Gerlach noted, but they are not available in all areas.

It's also important for families to be realistic about when it's time to seek emergency services for their loved one with dementia.

If physical aggression or falling risk gets to be too much for a family caregiver to handle, the safety of the patient and the caregiver must outweigh the desire to keep them at home, Gerlach says. "But before that, there is a lot we can do in the outpatient setting to help prevent crisis and the need for emergency care," she said.
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Discrimination is known to impact physical and mental health, but a new study led by a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher links discrimination to negatively impacting sleep as well.

Sleep is a pillar of well-being, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not having enough sleep is linked to health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The new paper, "A Longitudinal Examination of Psychosocial Mechanisms Linking Discrimination with Objective and Subjective Sleep," was published this month in Sleep Health.

Until now, there has been limited research on how discrimination over time impacts sleep. This study used a longitudinal mediational analysis to examine the association between discrimination and sleep over time. It looked at the difference between sleep quality on a long-term time frame10 yearsand daily discrimination.

The study showed that experiences of discrimination can lead to a broad array of sleep problems, including taking longer to fall asleep, spending more time awake at night, and worse overall sleep quality. Discrimination, and anticipation of it, can contribute to social distrust and anxiety, which can cause shorter sleep duration and increased sleep complaints.

"When we feel socially disconnected and anxious, it is much harder to physically and cognitively relax and get the deep, restorative sleep we need to function," said Natalie D. Dautovich, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Psychology of VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences who was lead researcher on the study.

Chronic discrimination also leads to loneliness and a lack of trust in a person's community. Such trust is necessary for healthy sleep, so a lack of social well-being leads to trouble sleeping.

"Discrimination can undermine feelings of social connectedness and increase anxiety," said Dautovich, an environmental fellow at the National Sleep Foundation. "To sleep well, and deeply, we have to feel safe and secure. Experiencing discrimination can disrupt the bedrock of security needed to obtain healthy sleep."

More information: Natalie D. Dautovich et al, A longitudinal examination of psychosocial mechanisms linking discrimination with objective and subjective sleep, Sleep Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.06.007
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At first glance, Canada appears to have responded adequately to the COVID-19 emergency, but beneath the surface lie major pandemic failures, warns a series of articles published by The BMJ today.

The BMJ Canada COVID Series provides a critical analysis of what worked and what didn't in Canada's COVID-19 response and calls for a national independent review to learn lessons and ensure accountability for the past and future preparedness.

The articles, written by leading clinicians and researchers representing 13 institutions across Canada, highlight long-standing weaknesses in Canada's public health and health care systems, including fragmented health leadership and poor data-sharing across the federal and provincial and territorial governments, that hampered a coordinated response.

For example, despite a universal health care system, communities experiencing social and economic marginalization in Canada were hardest hit in each wave of the pandemic, and those living and working in long-term care homes were particularly affected, which led to a national shame.

Lessons from a previous outbreak due to SARS-CoV-1, which in 2003 impacted more Canadians than anywhere else outside of Asia, also went unheeded and made the country's governments and health authorities ill-prepared for COVID-19.

While Canada achieved high vaccination coverage domestically, it hoarded COVID vaccine, failed to support measures intended to increase global supply, and contributed to profound global vaccine inequity.

"The picture that emerges from the Series is an ill-prepared country with outdated data systems, poor coordination and cohesion, and blindness about its citizens' diverse needs," write Jocalyn Clark, International Editor at The BMJ and colleagues in an editorial to launch the series.

Were lives lost as a result of the broken systems, they ask? Were decisions by governments taken appropriately and equitably? Will Canada be better prepared for the next public health emergency?

They outline several reasons why an independent, national inquiry is needed, including learning from decisions and actions that failed or faltered, providing an actionable framework for reforming Canada's health care and public health systems, and delivering on Canada's ambition to be a global leader.

But they say most important is accountability for losses. They point out that 53,000 direct COVID deaths occurred in Canada and close to 5 million cases leave families affected and a legacy of long COVID in their wake. "A million lives in 2021 alone might have been saved in poorer countries had rich nations like Canada shared more COVID vaccine," they add. "Are such losses not worth preventing in the future?"

The editors say they hope this work "informs and advances an independent, comprehensive, and probing review of Canada's COVID-19 response to ensure transparency and accountability from governments and health authorities, and commits leaders to actions that support and sustain preparedness for current and future needs."
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This digitally-colorized transmission electron microscopic image depicts the ultrastructural details of an influenza virus particle. Credit: CDC, Frederick Murphy

While the incidence of influenza-associated neuropsychiatric events in children in the United States is unknown, the controversy over the use of a common antiviral medication typically administered to treat flu in children has sparked concern among parents and medical professionals alike.

The dilemma about whether the treatment causes neuropsychiatric events or if the infection itself is the culprit, led a group of pediatric researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to study the question.

"Population-Based Incidence of Influenza-Associated Serious Neuropsychiatric Events in Children" published in JAMA Pediatrics examines how often children diagnosed with flu experience serious neuropsychiatric side effects.

"We are among the first to quantify these serious events in the pediatric population in the United States," said principal investigator James Antoon, MD, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor of Pediatrics and Hospital Medicine at Monroe Carell. "We knew some of the neurological events occurred, but we did not know how often and in whom."

"Our study quantified the number of pediatric neuropsychiatric events, described which children are more likely to experience the events and showed that these events occur in both those children treated and not treated with an antiviral. Ongoing studies will help us assess if use of influenza antivirals is associated with the risk of neuropsychiatric events in children," Antoon said.

"This study highlights the importance of understanding the frequency and context in which neuropsychiatric events occur  especially among young children and children with underlying conditions who are also at high risk for influenza complications," said senior author Carlos Grijalva, MD, MPH, professor of Health Policy and Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

According to the study, Oseltamivir, known as Tamiflu, has a black box warning about neuropsychiatric side effects. Previous studies have been mixed on whether using Tamiflu causes these events.

"This potential side effect makes headlines every influenza season and is often a concern for parents and providers, who weigh the risk of these events when making the decision to treat with antivirals," said Antoon. "Our findings show that influenza infection itself can be associated with neuropsychiatric events, and that should be part of the conversation when counseling families."

In a retrospective cohort study, researchers used the Tennessee Medicaid database to identify children ages 5-17 years with an outpatient diagnosis of flu during 2016-2020.

A total of 156,661 flu diagnoses were included. Findings showed that rates were higher among adolescents, in those with risk factors for flu complications and were 10- and 100-times higher in children with neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

Neurologic events include seizures, encephalitis, altered mental status, ataxia/movement disorders, vision changes, dizziness and headache. Psychiatric events consist of homicidal, suicidal, self-harm behaviors, mood disorders and psychosis/hallucination).

"Fortunately, the most serious events, such as suicidal and self-harm behaviors, as well as encephalitis, were rare," said fellow researcher Derek Williams, MD, MPH, chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine at Monroe Carell. "Nonetheless, each of these events is of concern, regardless of severity. It's also likely that many of these complications could be avoided with influenza vaccination."
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Dr. Alfonso Sabater, checks Antonio Vento Carvajal's eye under a blue light after applying a stain to check to see if more ulcers had developed, before a gene therapy treatment, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. He was blind for much of his life but can see again after getting gene therapy eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Dr. Alfonso Sabater pulled up two photos of Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes. One showed cloudy scars covering both eyeballs. The other, taken after months of gene therapy given through eyedrops, revealed no scarring on either eye.

Antonio, who's been legally blind for much of his 14 years, can see again.

The teen was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. But his skin improved when he joined a clinical trial to test the world's first topical gene therapy. That gave Sabater an idea: What if it could be adapted for Antonio's eyes?

This insight not only helped Antonio, it also opened the door to similar therapies that could potentially treat millions of people with other eye diseases, including common ones.

Antonio's mom, Yunielkys "Yuni" Carvajal, teared up thinking about what Sabater did for her son.

"He's been there through everything," she said in Spanish during a visit to the University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. "He's not only a good doctor but such a good human being and provided us with hope. He never gave up."

The family came to the U.S. from Cuba in 2012 on a special visa allowing Antonio to get treatment for his condition, which affects around 3,000 people worldwide. He had surgeries to remove scar tissue from his eyes, but it grew back. Antonio's vision kept getting worse, eventually deteriorating so much that he didn't feel safe walking around.

Dr. Alfonso Sabater, left, examines Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes accompanied by his mother, Yunielkys Carvajal, right, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio, who spent much of his life legally blind, can see again after months of gene therapy delivered with eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Sabater had no answers then, and tried to reassure the boy: "I'll find a solution. I just need some time. I'm working on it."

"'Yeah, I know you're going to do it,'" Sabater recalled Antonio saying. "That gave me the energy to continue."

At one point, Carvajal told Sabater about the experimental gene therapy gel for Antonio's skin lesions. He contacted drugmaker Krystal Biotech to see if it could be reformulated for the boy's eyes.

Suma Krishnan, co-founder and president of research and development for the Pittsburgh-based company, said the idea made sense and "it didn't hurt to try it."

Antonio's condition is caused by mutations in a gene that helps produce a protein called collagen 7, which holds together both skin and corneas. The treatment, called Vyjuvek, uses an inactivated herpes simplex virus to deliver working copies of that gene. The eyedrops use the same liquid as the skin version, just without the added gel.

Dr. Alfonso Sabater, uses a syringe to apply gene therapy eyedrops to Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. He was blind for much of his life but can see again after getting gene therapy eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

After two years, which included testing the drug in mice, the team got "compassionate use" approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and permission from university and hospital review boards. Last August, Antonio had surgery on his right eye, after which Sabater started treating him with the eyedrops.

Krishnan said they were cautious, frequently watching to see that it was safe.

Antonio's eye recovered from the surgery, the scarring didn't return and there was significant improvement each month, Sabater said. Doctors recently measured the vision in Antoni's right eye at a near-perfect 20/25.

This year, Sabater began treating Antonio's left eye, which had even more scar tissue. That one is also steadily improving, measuring close to 20/50, which Sabater said "is pretty good vision."

Antonio comes to the eye institute for checkups almost weekly and gets the drops once a month. During visits, Antonio must wear protective clothing covering his arms, hands, legs and feet. Like other kids with the conditionwho are sometimes called "butterfly children"his skin is so fragile that even a touch can wound him.

Dr. Alfonso Sabater, left, pulls up photos of Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes photographed before and after surgery and gene therapy, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. He was blind for much of his life but can see again after getting gene therapy eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Antonio still uses the skin gel, which was approved by the FDA in May and can also be used off-label on eyes. It doesn't modify DNA, so it's not a one-time treatment like many gene therapies.

Sabater, director of the Corneal Innovation Lab at the eye institute, said gene therapy eyedrops could potentially be used for other diseases by changing the gene delivered by the virus. For example, a different gene could be used to treat Fuchs' dystrophy, which affects 18 million people in the U.S. and accounts for about half the nation's corneal transplants.

Dr. Alfonso Sabater, left, examines Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio, who spent much of his life legally blind, can see again after months of gene therapy delivered with eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Photos of Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes, left, photographed before and after surgery and gene therapy, are displayed on a computer screen as his mother, Yunielkys Carvajal, center, looks into his eyes while they attend a doctor's appointment, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. He was blind for much of his life but can see again after getting gene therapy eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Yunielkys Carvajal, gives her son, Antonio Vento Carvaja, a hug and a kiss after a doctor's visit, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio, who spent much of his life legally blind, can see again after months of gene therapy delivered with eyedrops. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

The prospect of treating more conditions this way is "exciting," said Dr. Aimee Payne, a dermatology professor at the University of Pennsylvania who isn't involved in the research. The approach "delivers gene therapy that really addresses the root cause of disease."

With his vision restored, Antonio has enjoyed a typical teen pastime he's wanted to do for quite a while: playing video games with his friends. And he finally feels safe walking around.

Sabater said the two-year journey seeking government and hospital approvals "was worth it. Just for Antonio, it was worth it ... but also because it opens the space to treat other patients in the future."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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We trust our doctors with our lives, but the sad and scary fact is that doctors can get things wrong. Approximately 100,000 Americans die each year due to medical errors and recent studies have found that 10 to 15% of all clinical decisions regarding patient diagnosis and treatment are wrong.

A team of researchers led by Damon Centola, Professor and Director of the Network Dynamics Group at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, has found a simple, effective way to reduce errors in patient diagnosis and treatmentuse structured networks to connect clinicians with other clinicians.

In a study, "Experimental Evidence for Structured Information-Sharing Networks Reducing Medical Errors," published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , the researchers shared results from a multi-year study involving nearly 3,000 doctors across the United States.

They found that when presented with a case study and asked to provide diagnosis and treatment recommendations for a patient, clinicians who were shown the diagnostic decisions of their peers on an anonymous basis, were on average twice as accurate in their recommendations than clinicians who made decisions on their own.

Simply put, doctors make fewer errors when they have a support network.

"The big risk with these information-sharing networks," says Centola, who is the Elihu Katz Professor of Communication, Sociology, and Engineering, "is that while some doctors may improve, there could be an averaging effect that would lead better doctors to make worse decisions. But, that's not what happens. Instead of regressing to the mean, there is consistent improvement: The worst clinicians get better, while the best do not get worse."

Study co-author, Elaine Khoong of the University of California, San Francisco and the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, says, "We are increasingly recognizing that clinical decision-making should be viewed as a team effort that includes multiple clinicians and the patient as well. This study highlights that having other clinicians available for consultation at the point of decision-making improves clinical care." Annenberg School for Communication Professor Damon Centola discusses his study on using networks to reduce medical errors. Credit: Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania

More than just the wisdom of clinical crowds

Over the course of several months, the researchers tested clinicians' treatment and diagnostic decisions through an app that they built and distributed on Apple's App Store specifically for this purpose.

After signing up for a trial and downloading the app, doctors were prompted to evaluate a clinical casebased on real life documented patient casesover three rounds. At the start of each round, clinicians read the case study, then were given two minutes to answer two questions.

The first question had the doctors estimate the diagnostic risk for the patient (e.g., how likely is a patient with chest pains to have a heart attack within the next 30 days?) from 1 to 100. The second question prompted doctors to recommend the proper treatment among several options (e.g., send home, give aspirin, or refer for observation).

Every clinician was randomly assigned to one of two groups: either a control group whose members answered all questions in isolation, or an experimental group in which participants were connected in a social network with other anonymous clinicians whose responses they could see.

During rounds two and three, the control group participants had the same experience as in round one, answering questions in isolation. But, participants in the network condition could see the average risk estimates made by their peers in the social network during the previous round.

Every participant was given the opportunity to revise their answers from one round to the next, regardless of whether they were in a social network or not.

Centola's team used the same experimental design to study seven different clinical cases, each from areas of medicine known to exhibit high rates of diagnostic or treatment error.

The researchers found that the overall accuracy of clinicians' decisions increased twice as much in the networks as in the control groups. Moreover, among the initially worst performing clinicians, the networks produced a 15% increase over controls in the fraction of clinicians who ultimately made the correct recommendation.

"We can use doctors' networks to improve their performance," says Centola. "Doctors talk to each other, and we've known that for a long time. The real discovery here is that we can structure the information-sharing networks among doctors to substantially increase their clinical intelligence."

Leveling the playing field

In-person consultation networks in medicine are typically hierarchical with senior practitioners at top and younger doctors at the bottom. "Younger doctors with different perspectives, culturally and personally, come into the medical community and they're influenced by these top-down networks," Centola says. "This is how persistent biases creep into the medical community."

The researchers made an effort to recruit clinicians of various ages, specialties, expertise, and geographical locations for the experiment.

They found that anonymized egalitarian networks erased the barriers of status and seniority that, the researchers say, restrict many facets of learning in medical networks. Centola notes, "egalitarian online networks increase the diversity of voices influencing clinical decisions. As a result, we found that decision-making improves across the board for a wide variety of specialties."

In the doctor's office

"We don't have to reinvent the wheel to implement these findings," Centola says. "Some hospitals, especially in low-resource areas, rely on e-consult technologies, in which a clinician sends a message to an outside specialist to get advice. It usually takes from 24 to 72 hours to get a response. Why not send this query to a network of specialists, instead of just a single person?"

Centola notes that each experimental trial took less than 20 minutes. What's more, he says that the networks don't have to be huge. In fact, 40 members is ideal.

"Forty people in a network gets you a steep jump in clinicians' collective intelligence," Centola says. "The increasing returns above thatgoing, say, from 40 to 4,000are minimal."

The researchers are currently working to implement their network technology in physician offices. A pilot implementation of this program is set to begin within the year.
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The study finds wine menus with robust descriptions and pairing suggestions fare better than vintages and prices alone. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Could muscadine wine help perk up sagging skin? According to a new study, women who drank two glasses of dealcoholized muscadine wine daily showed significant improvements in the elasticity and water retention of their skin compared with those who consumed a placebo.

The study is the first time scientists have studied the impacts of nonalcoholic wine consumption on skin health in a randomized clinical trial. Researchers attribute the beneficial effects to chemical compounds called polyphenols that naturally occur in many plants.

"Muscadine grapes have been found to have a unique polyphenolic profile in comparison to other red wine varieties," said Lindsey Christman, Ph.D., who conducted the research with Liwei Gu, Ph.D., professor of food chemistry and functional food at the University of Florida. "Our study suggests that muscadine wine polyphenols have potential to improve skin conditions, specifically elasticity and transepidermal water loss, in middle aged and older women."

Christman will present the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held July 2225 in Boston.

Muscadine grapes are native to the Southeastern United States and are commonly used to make wine. Previous clinical trials have suggested that polyphenols found in muscadine wine including anthocyanins, quercetin, and ellagic acid can help to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress.

For the study, researchers recruited 17 women age 4067 and randomly assigned them to drink either dealcoholized wine or a placebo beverage that looked and tasted similar but did not contain polyphenols. Participants consumed 300 milliliters or about 10 ounces (the equivalent of two glasses of wine) of their assigned beverage daily for six weeks, then took a three-week break before switching to the opposite beverage for six weeks.

Researchers measured participants' skin conditions and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress at the start of the study and at the end of each six-week period. They found that drinking muscadine wine significantly improved skin elasticity (a loss of elasticity is what causes skin to sag more as we age). In addition, the wine was associated with a decrease in water loss at the skin surface, a measurement that indicates the skin is providing a more effective barrier against damage.

The researchers did not see any significant difference in the amount of wrinkles on the skin. Participants showed improvements in skin smoothness and less evidence of inflammation and oxidative stress compared to baseline, but there was not a significant difference in these factors between dealcoholized muscadine wine and the placebo.

"This cross-over study demonstrated that six weeks of dealcoholized muscadine wine consumption resulted in improvement of certain skin parameters associated with aging, such as elasticity on the forearm and barrier function of the skin on the face, when compared to baseline and placebo," said Christman. "This is likely due to decreases in inflammation and oxidative stress."

Since the trial involved only 17 participants, repeating the study with a larger and more diverse group of people would help to confirm and strengthen the findings. In addition, most commercially-available muscadine wine contains alcohol, and researchers cautioned that drinking wine with alcohol may produce a different result.

"We used dealcoholized muscadine wine because we were interested in the effect of the bioactive compounds in wine, specifically the polyphenols, on skin health," said Christman. "Alcohol would add another variable to the study that may cause the effects to be different. In addition, the dealcoholization process may alter the chemical composition."

More information: Christman will present this research at 12:45 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 24, during the Aging and Chronic Disease Poster Session in the Hynes Convention Center Hall C (abstract; presentation details).
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For study participants who had mild cognitive impairment and took the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for three months, cognitive scores increased. This cognitive improvement was also associated with changes in their gut microbiome. Credit: Mashael Aljumaah, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University

Findings from a new study suggest that taking a probiotic could help prevent the decline in memory and thinking that can accompany aging. This research may pave the way for new, non-invasive treatments that leverage the gut microbiome to mitigate cognitive decline in the aging population.

The researchers found that when study participants with mild cognitive impairment received the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for three months, their cognitive scores increased. This cognitive improvement was also associated with changes in their gut microbiome.

"The implication of this finding is quite exciting, as it means that modifying the gut microbiome through probiotics could potentially be a strategy to improve cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment," said Mashael Aljumaah, a microbiology doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. "This adds a new layer to our understanding of the microbiome brain-gut connection and opens up new avenues for combating cognitive decline associated with aging."

Aljumaah, who is also affiliated with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, will present the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held July 2225 in Boston.

"Many studies focus on severe forms of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia, but these conditions are more advanced, making them significantly harder to reverse or treat," said Aljumaah. "In contrast, we focused on mild cognitive impairment, which can include problems with memory, language, or judgment. Interventions at this stage of cognitive impairment could slow down or prevent the progression to more severe forms of dementia."

The study involved 169 participants between 52 and 75 years old who were divided into two groups depending on whether they had no neurological issues or mild cognitive impairment. Within each group, participants either received the LGG probiotic or a placebo in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial lasting three months. The researchers selected the LGG probiotic because prior research had shown its potential beneficial effects in animal models.

To investigate the study participants' gut microbiomes, the researchers used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify and compare bacteria present in stool samples. They then used whole genome sequencing to gain insights into the functional roles of the bacteria identified.

The analysis revealed that microbes in the genus Prevotella were present in a higher relative abundance in participants with mild cognitive impairment than those with no cognitive impairment. This suggests that gut microbiome composition could serve as an early indicator for mild cognitive impairment, offering opportunities for earlier interventions to slow cognitive decline.

For study participants who had mild cognitive impairment and received the LGG probiotics, the Prevotella relative abundance decreased. This change coincided with improved cognitive scores, suggesting that cognitive health in older adults could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiota.

"By identifying specific shifts in the gut microbiome associated with mild cognitive impairment, we're exploring a new frontier in preventive strategies in cognitive health," said Aljumaah. "If these findings are replicated in future studies, it suggests the feasibility of using gut microbiome-targeted strategies as a novel approach to support cognitive health."

The researchers are now working to understand the specific mechanisms of how microbes like Prevotella influence the gut in a way that improves brain health. Specifically, they are exploring how certain molecules produced by these bacteria modulate the functionality of neuroprotective hormones that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

More information: Aljumaah will present this research at 10:17 a.m. on Monday, July 24 during the Microbiome Poster Theater Flash Session in the Sheraton Boston, Fairfax (abstract; presentation details).
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Almost one in six Americans have reported binge drinking. Now, people looking to cut back can take a single pill just before drinking to curb consumption.

Recent research by UCSF Community Health Systems Professor Glenn-Milo Santos, Ph.D., MPH, shows naltrexonea prescription drug used as a daily pill or monthly injection for decades to treat alcohol use disordermay reduce binge drinking if taken as needed without the daily pills or painful shots.

Santos was asked how naltrexone can help people avoid those extra rounds and hangovers.

Binge drinking vs. heavy drinking, what's the difference?

Binge drinking is defined as having four or more drinks within about three hours in females or five or more drinks over the same period in males.

If you drink eight or more drinks as a female, or at least 15 drinks weekly as a male, the CDC considers this heavy drinking.

How well does naltrexone work to reduce drinking?

Very. Multiple studies have consistently shown that daily naltrexone treatment or monthly injections can help people with alcohol use disorder, which includes binge drinking, cut down their use.

Now, our study goes one step further, showing that naltrexone taken only as needed or right before someone might be tempted to drink reduces binge drinking. In the long-term, it may help people develop healthier relationships with alcohol that can lead to sustained reductions in drinking, even without the medication.

How does naltrexone reduce alcohol consumption?

When folks drink, they often feel "buzzed," or a sense of pleasure. Naltrexone blocks that feeling and makes drinking less fun. For some people, this can help manage the volume of drinks they consume. Naltrexone also blocks the craving for alcohol and this could help folks avoid drinking when they have an urge to drink.

How can I take naltrexone?

Until now, it was typically taken as a daily pill or monthly injection from a health care provider. Now, some patients can also take pills as needed.

I want to decrease my drinking but don't like taking daily pills, could naltrexone still be an option for me?

Yes. Our recent UCSF study had folks take a single pill of naltrexone during times when they craved alcohol or before events when they thought they might be at risk for heavy drinkingsuch as a work holiday party.

People who took naltrexone in this as-needed approach binge drank less and drank less overall after three months in our study. What's really important to know is that they were able to continue drinking less even six months after they stopped taking the medication.

This suggests that naltrexone can potentially have a longer-term effect in helping people reduce their drinking.

Why did naltrexone keep working even after people stopped taking it?

We're still studying this but it could be because naltrexone allowed people to manage their alcohol consumption to a point where they had a better relationship with their drinking and that allowed them to sustain lower levels of drinking.

Does naltrexone have side effects?

People who take naltrexone may experience nausea, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, tiredness and trouble sleeping. In our study, side effects were uncommon, mild and tended to go away after about two weeks.

But if side effects last a long time or get worse, you should tell your doctor.

Who should consider taking naltrexone?

Individuals with mild, moderate or severe alcohol use disorder and who are interested in medication to manage their drinking should speak to their health care provider.

Historically, this medication has been prescribed more for people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder but we know that addressing a mild or moderate alcohol use disorder early could prevent people from progressing into a more severe alcohol use disorder, which is harder to address later.

What is alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition in which people have trouble stopping or controlling their alcohol use even when drinking negatively impacts their relationships with family and friends, work or what they like to do. Over time, misusing alcohol can change your brain, and make you more likely to relapse even if you quit or drastically reduce your use.

People can have mild, moderate or severe forms of alcohol use disorders. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of people who binge drink have a more mild or moderate form of the condition. Still, even occasional binge drinking can lead to serious health issues.

How do I know if I have alcohol use disorder?

Your health care provider can ask you questions like how often you drink, how much you drink and how this impacts your life to determine if you have alcohol use disorder.

Who should avoid naltrexone?

Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids or painkillers so people on opioid medications should not take naltrexone and neither should people being treated for opioid use disorder with methadone or buprenorphine.

Folks like these could look at other medications to curb drinking, like acamprosate.

How can I get naltrexone?

You can talk to any primary care physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant about medications, including naltrexone, that you can use to reduce your drinking. Counseling may also help.
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As artificial intelligence expands across more professions, robot preachers and AI programs offer new means of sharing religious beliefs, but they may undermine credibility and reduce donations for religious groups that rely on them, according to research published by the American Psychological Association in in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

"It seems like robots take over more occupations every year, but I wouldn't be so sure that religious leaders will ever be fully automated because religious leaders need credibility, and robots aren't credible," said lead researcher Joshua Conrad Jackson, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Chicago in the Booth School of Business.

Jackson and his colleagues conducted an experiment with the Mindar humanoid robot at the Kodai-Ji Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The robot has a humanlike silicon face with moving lips and blinking eyes on a metal body. It delivers 25-minute Heart Sutra sermons on Buddhist principles with surround sound and multi-media projections.

Mindar, which was created in 2019 by a Japanese robotics team in partnership with the temple, cost almost $1 million to develop, but it might be reducing donations to the temple, according to the study.

The researchers surveyed 398 participants who were leaving the temple after hearing a sermon delivered either by Mindar or a human Buddhist priest. Participants viewed Mindar as less credible and gave smaller donations than those who heard a sermon from the human priest.

In another experiment in a Taoist temple in Singapore, half of the 239 participants heard a sermon by a human priest while the other half heard the same sermon from a humanoid robot called Pepper. That experiment had similar findingsthe robot was viewed as less credible and inspired smaller donations. Participants who heard the robot sermon also said they were less likely to share its message or distribute flyers to support the temple.

While participants said they believed human preachers were more credible, it was still a close contest with the robots. On a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being most credible, the robot preachers received an average credibility rating of 3.12, compared with 3.51 for human preachers.

"This suggests that there are a lot of people out there who think robots could be effective preachers, but there are more people who aren't convinced," Jackson said.

While the robot preacher studies focused on Eastern religions, Jackson believes the findings could apply to other religions.

A third experiment included 274 Christian participants from the United States who read a sermon online. Half of the participants were told it was written by a human preacher while the other half were told the sermon was generated by a highly advanced AI program. Participants in the AI sermon group reported the sermon was less credible because they felt an AI program had less capacity to think or feel like a human.

"Robots and AI programs can't truly hold any religious beliefs so religious organizations may see declining commitment from their congregations if they rely more on technology than on human leaders who can demonstrate their faith," Jackson said.
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Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a natural killer cell from a human donor. Credit: NIAID

Questions abound when it comes to the molecular mechanisms deployed by the human immune system to thwart cancer and infection, and questions especially abound when it comes to the precise steps taken by the innate immune response, the first flurry of activity when invasive disease occurs.

Now, scientists have taken a deep dive into the activity of natural killer cells, key components of the innate immune system and a first responder on the scene when cancer cells or pathogens compromise healthy tissue. The innate immune system is not only the body's first line of defense, it is also present at birth. And because it always responds with the same relative force regardless of the abnormality, it is sometimes called the nonspecific immune system.

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, has found that the spatial distribution of an enzyme inside natural killer cells is critical to its functions. Indeed, findings by this far-flung team of scientists who were located in Sweden, Switzerland and Japan, suggest that the spatial positioning of the enzyme, which is called SHP-1, is critical to natural killers being able to distinguish cells that are compromised by disease from those that are healthy and unscathed by infection or malignancy.

"Natural killer cells recognize virally infected cells and tumor cells," writes Dr. Laurent Schmied and colleagues in the journal Science Signaling. "Natural killer cell function depends on balanced signaling from activating receptors, recognizing products from tumors or viruses, and inhibitory receptors, which recognize major histocompatibility complex class IMHC-Imolecules."

Though natural killer cells may be part of the nonspecific immune system, they possess a high degree of specificity when it comes to recognizing and killing cells that are infected with viruses or compromised by cancer.

They do this, according to Schmied and collaborators, by forming contacts called synapses with compromised cells and releasing enzymes to kill these diseased targets. The process by which natural killers cells develop the ability to distinguish normal cellsselffrom abnormal or infected ones is referred to as "education." Avoidance of killing normal cells is referred to as "self-tolerance."

By developing a stronger understanding of how natural killer cells go about their job of killing their compromised targets, scientists gain keener insight into the role of a type of white blood cellformally called a large granular lymphocyte.

The innate system differs from the adaptivealso called the acquiredimmune system, which is composed of the highly specialized lymphocytes known as B cells and T cells. The adaptive immune system is acquired gradually and is endowed with memorythe capacity to recall an invader that has infiltrated the body in the past.

B and T cells are known for their specificity, and B cells are producers of disease-fighting antibodies. Natural killers, by contrast, use blunt force strength to rid the body of disease, but that strength relies on demonstrably sophisticated molecular mechanisms to get the job done.

"We found that natural killer cell tolerance and education were determined by the subcellular localization of the tyrosine phosphatase, SHP-1," noted Schmied, a physician-scientist in the department of hematology and regenerative medicine at the Karolinska Institutet. As lead author of a paper titled, SHP-1 localization to the activating immune synapse promotes NK tolerance in MHC class I deficiency," Schmied emphasized that "location matters for killer cells."

Using animal models, Schmied and colleagues compared uneducated and educated cells and found that education altered the location of SHP-1. The animal model research also demonstrated that during education, inhibitory receptors sequestered SHP-1. This finding revealed how SHP-1 facilitates target cell killing.

"In mice lacking MHC-I molecules, uneducated, self-tolerant natural killer cells showed accumulation of SHP-1 in the activating immune synapse, where it co-localized with F-actin and the signaling adaptor protein," Schmied wrote.

During NK cell education, signaling through inhibitory receptors ensures that natural killer cells both tolerate normal cells and respond to molecules on cells that should be destroyed. Natural killer cell activation depends on the balance in signaling between activating receptors, which recognize proteins that are present on stressed cells, and inhibitory receptors, which recognize protein markers on healthy cells and other determinants of tolerance.

More information: Laurent Schmied et al, SHP-1 localization to the activating immune synapse promotes NK cell tolerance in MHC class I deficiency, Science Signaling (2023). DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abq0752 Journal information: Science Signaling

 2023 Science X Network
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Immune cells in the human cornea. Credit: Dr. Holly Chinnery

University of Melbourne researchers have discovered that the sentinels guarding the healthy human cornea from pathogens and inflammation are T cells, and not another type of immune cells called dendritic cells, as previously thought.

The discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, redefines current understanding of the immune cell landscape in the cornea of a healthy human eye.

It builds on previous research published by the team last year in Cell Reports that showed that T cells protect the eye against virus infection in mice.

The collaborative research team led by University of Melbourne's Associate Professor Laura Downie and Dr. Holly Chinnery from the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences and Professor Scott Mueller, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Doherty Institute, jointly developed a new imaging technique as part of their investigation.

Professor Mueller explained that our knowledge of the various immune cell types in the human cornea is important for establishing the eye's protective mechanisms against pathogens and disease.

"By combining our newly developed imaging technique with other advanced analytical approaches, we were able to discover that a significant number of cells at the surface of the healthy cornea are actually T cells," said Professor Mueller.

"Until now, these cells were mistakenly classified as dendritic cells based on static imaging. This completely changes the current dogma in the field that only dendritic cells are present in the healthy cornea."

Associate Professor Downie said that being able to dynamically capture the cells' normal behavior, and in response to inflammation, provides unique understanding into the immune response in the eye.

"Using our non-invasive imaging approach, which we term Functional In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (Fun-IVCM), we have been able to see that these T cells move around quickly and interact with other cells and nerves in the outermost layer of the cornea. We also captured different cell dynamics in response to contact lens wear and in allergic eye disease, and quantified how these behaviors are modulated by drug treatments," said Associate Professor Downie.

"These findings reshape our understanding of the distinct immune cell subsets in the human cornea, and how they respond to different stimuli. Using Fun-IVCM, we can achieve rapid, real-time insight into the cellular immune responses in living humans, in this accessible peripheral sensory tissue."

Dr. Chinnery said that the new research will have major implications for the medical and immunology fields, including for patients and practitioners.

"Because this new technique involves non-invasive, time-lapse imaging of the human cornea, Fun-IVCM could be used in clinics directly to assess immune responses and ocular health. It could even be used for general immune system health," said Dr. Chinnery. "Changes in T cells and behavior could be used as a clinical biomarker of disease and assist with treatments."

Provided by The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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Scanning electromicrograph of an HIV-infected T cell. Credit: NIAID

The inner-city area of Sydney, once the epicenter of Australia's HIV epidemic, is very close to becoming the first place in the world to reach the UN's target for ending transmission of the virus, researchers said on Monday.

UNAIDS has set a goal of ending AIDS as a global health threat by 2030, which includes reducing the number of new HIV cases by 90 percent compared to 2010.

In inner Sydney, new infections among gay men dropped by 88 percent from 2010 to 2022, researchers announced at the International AIDS Society's HIV science conference being held in the Australian city of Brisbane.

Andrew Grulich, an epidemiologist at the University of New South Wales who presented the research, told AFP that "we're very nearly there" some eight years ahead of the 2030 target.

Just 11 new HIV cases were recorded in inner Sydney last year, "an extraordinarily small number of infections for what was the heart of the Australian HIV epidemic," Grulich said.

Gay men make up an estimated 20 percent of the male population in inner Sydney, and they represent the large majority of the city's HIV cases.

Grulich said that several areas in the UK and Western Europe have also seen rapid drops in new HIV cases.

But "I don't think anywhere has gotten close to 90 percent," he added.

However Grulich emphasized that this does not mean that HIV is close to being eliminated in the city of more than 5.2 million people.

"HIV can only be eliminated if we have a vaccine and a cure," he said.

And the fall in new HIV cases was far less precipitous in other parts of Sydney.

In the city's outer suburbs, new cases have only fallen by 31 percent since 2010, the researchers found.

This disparity was due to a much higher rate of HIV testing and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)which reduces the risk of transmitting HIV during sexin the inner city, Grulich said.

He said another cause for progress was that around 95 percent of HIV-positive people in Australia are now on antiretroviral treatment, which suppresses the level of the virus in the blood.

Another study announced at the AIDS conference, which was published in The Lancet journal, said that people on antiretrovirals who have low but detectable levels of HIV have almost zero risk of sexually transmitting the virus to others.

'Beyond exciting'

Sharon Lewin, the president of the International AIDS Society, said the progress in inner Sydney was "beyond exciting".

"It affirms that Australia is poised to be one of the first countries, if not the first, to achieve virtual elimination of HIV," she said in a statement.

Heather Ellis, a woman living with HIV in the southern state of Victoria, said that "the last mile" of eliminating HIV in Australia will require measures specifically designed to reach women.

While gay men are now well aware of prevention tools like PrEP, "the heterosexual community is pretty much oblivious," said Ellis, a communications coordinator for the NGO Positive Women Victoria.

The Sydney research, which has not been peer-reviewed, was based on data from the New South Wales health department as well as annual surveys taken by gay men.

Grulich said the progress in inner Sydney was particularly significant because "this was a community that was completely devastated in the 80s and 90sa few thousand men died in these areas".

 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:

Geographical distribution of included studies. Note: The following countries were included in one or more multi-country studies: Malaysia, Japan, Ethiopia, Brazil, Nigeria, Uganda, UK, Iran, Italy, Portugal, Cambodia, Philippines, Spain, New Zealand, USA, Sri Lanka, Chile, India, Republic of Korea, The Netherlands, Zambia, Indonesia, Tanzania, Singapore, Lithuania, Australia, Georgia, Vietnam, South Africa, Ghana, Sweden, Argentina, Cuba, Jamaica and Mexico. Credit: Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health (2023). DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.18

Major changes aimed at treating psychiatric patients in the community instead of hospital requires clear and strong leadership, as well as and long-term political and financial commitment, analysis shows.

The study has found the transition is usually prolonged and requires adequate planning, sustained support and careful coordination.

The successful implementation of these changes relies in careful financing and coordination, as well as the use of available research and evidence, strong and sustained advocacy, comprehensive community services, and a well-trained workforce engaged in the process.

The transition requires long-term political and financial support, and understanding local needs and forces is crucial to its success.

The paper, authored by Cristian Montenegro and Felicity Thomas from the University of Exeter, Matias Irarrazaval and Jorge Urrutia-Ortiz from the Universidad de Chile and Josefa Gonzalez-Moller from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, has been published in the journal Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health. It reports the result of a scoping review that includes 52 studies on the process of de-institutionalization.

Psychiatric deinstitutionalization involves the closure or reduction of psychiatric hospitals, reallocation of beds, and the establishment of comprehensive community-based services for individuals with severe and persistent mental health difficulties. The study identifies barriers to success, such as inadequate planning, funding, leadership, limited knowledge, competing interests, insufficient community-based alternatives, and resistance from the workforce, community, and family/caregivers.

Countries undergoing the transition and those initiating the process need a detailed understanding of their specific needs and contextual features at the legal, institutional, and political levels.

Dr. Montenegro said, "Our analysis shows that before hospitals are closed there should be an assessment of the institutionalized population. This assessment should shape existing and new community-based services on their needs and preferences. A thorough analysis of how to overcome institutional inertia is crucial."

"Comprehensive and sustainable investment is necessary, and the different aspects of the transition should be adequately costed, including new facilities, support of independent living, training, new professional roles, and the reinforcement of primary health care."

"Training, incentives and guarantees of job stability are required. Curricular changes in psychiatric training, with an increased emphasis on community-based care and recovery-oriented practices, are necessary."

The analysis shows how misconceptions can hinder efforts. One such misconception is the belief that closing psychiatric beds leads to an increase on homelessness or imprisonment among people with mental health problems. However, analysis of existing research shows that homelessness and imprisonment have occurred only sporadically.

Most studies reported positive changes in social functioning, stability, improvements in psychiatric symptoms and enhanced quality of life and participant attitudes towards their environment. Instances of deterioration following deinstitutionalization was rare. This suggests that even long-stay patients, who commonly experience functional impairment due to schizophrenia, can achieve better functioning through deinstitutionalization.

Failure at the process level, including planning and implementation, can result in negative and even fatal outcomes for patients. In South Africa, between October 2015 and June 2016, a poorly executed attempt to relocate 1,711 highly dependent patients led to 144 deaths and 44 missing individuals. This tragedy stemmed from ethical, political, legal, administrative, and clinical errors.

Jorge Jorge Urrutia-Ortiz said, "Our work provides a framework for assessing the presence of barriers and facilitators in deinstitutionalization processes. This framework can assist stakeholders and other relevant parties in developing a comprehensive understanding of their unique context."

More information: Cristian Montenegro Cortes et al, Moving psychiatric deinstitutionalisation forward: A scoping review of barriers and facilitators, Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health (2023). DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.18
With more than 3,000 families eligible for a spot in Missoulas Bridge Apartments, Blueline Development is seeking Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to support a $4.2 million remodel of the aging complex.

The apartments are meant to serve Missoulians earning less than $20,000 per year in income, as well as those experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. 3,321 households are eligible, and there is a need for 1,096 additional one-bedroom units, according to Jason Boal with Blueline.

The company received approval to hold a public hearing Aug. 7 on its competitive application, which would facilitate a major overhaul of the low-income apartments. Boal said the plan is to address mechanical issues, roof problems, electrical work, appliances and other features of the apartments. The Bridge units were built in 1997 by Western Montana Mental Health.

Obviously, he said, were going to address all of the health and safety issues, as well as just to focus on the key components of the structure.

The Missoula Redevelopment Agency purchased the apartments for $2.1 million and plans to sell them for $1 million, and Blueline has the first option to purchase.

This is an investment in affordable housing, said Ward 1 Representative Heidi West. But her Ward 5 colleague John Contos wondered about the citys approach to the apartments. Why not hire someone to manage it instead of selling the project, he asked.

That just seems like a lot of money to drop, said Contos. Emily Harris-Shears, housing policy specialist, said the city is pursuing its agreement with Blueline for the first right to purchase at this time.

Im glad that this is kind of coming to a positive outcome for our community, said Councilor Amber Sherrill in Ward 4.
KYIV, Ukraine  Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Moscow early Monday that saw one of the aircraft fall near the Defense Ministrys main headquarters, while the Russian military unleashed new strikes on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

Also on Monday, U.S. officials said the Biden administration is sending up to $400 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, including a variety of munitions for advanced air defense systems and a number of small, surveillance Hornet drones.

The package includes an array of ammunition  ranging from missiles for the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Stingers and Javelins. The weapons are being provided through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to quickly take items from its own stocks and deliver them to Ukraine, often within days.

In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties when the drones struck two nonresidential buildings in Moscow. Separately, a Ukrainian drone struck an ammunition depot in Russian-annexed Crimea, forcing a halt in traffic on a major highway, Russian authorities said.

In Moscow, Russian media reported that one of the drones fell on the Komsomolsky highway near the capitals center, shattering shop windows and damaged the roof of a house just about 200 meters (just over 200 yards) away from the towering riverside Defense Ministry building. The ministrys main headquarters has Pantsyr air defense systems placed on the roof.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the drone targeted the Defense Ministry's headquarters, which is located 1.7 miles away from the Kremlin, or was heading to some other target in central Moscow.

Another drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors  more visible damage compared to earlier drone strikes on the Russian capital.

Emergency workers were inspecting the damage and traffic was halted on sections of highways where the drones fell.

Ukrainian authorities didn't immediately claim responsibility for the strike, which was the second drone attack on the Russian capital this month.

In the previous attack on July 4, the Russian military said four of the five drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and the fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down. The raid prompted authorities to temporarily restrict flights at Moscows Vnukovo airport and divert flights to two other Moscow airports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted Monday that the intensity of attempts to attack our regions with drones has grown.

So measures are being taken, a very intense daily 24-hour work is underway, Peskov said, without offering details about whether Russia's air defense systems have been enhanced because of the increased attacks.

Russian authorities said that another Ukrainian drone attack early Monday struck an ammunition depot in northern Crimea and forced a halt in traffic on a major highway and a railway crossing the Black Sea peninsula that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Railway traffic was restored several hours later.

The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said that authorities also ordered the evacuation of several villages within a 3-mile radius of the depot that was hit.

Aksyonov said the military shot down or jammed 11 attacking drones, while the Defense Ministry claimed later that 11 of the 17 attacking drones were jammed and crashed into the Black Sea and three more were shot down.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's digital transformation minister, noted on his messaging app channel that Monday's drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea signaled that Russia's electronic warfare means and air defenses are less and less able to protect the skies of the invaders, adding that there will be more of it.

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the drone attack on Moscow was a special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence.

On Saturday, a previous drone attack on Crimea hit another ammunition depot, sending huge plumes of black smoke skyward and also forcing the evacuation of residents,

Russian forces, meanwhile, struck port infrastructure on the Danube River in southern Ukraine with exploding drones early Monday, wounding seven people and destroying a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine's military reported downing three of the attacking drones.

French international news agency Agence France-Presse said one of its video journalists was wounded by a drone attack Monday while reporting at a Ukrainian artillery position near Bakhmut.

Dylan Collins, a U.S. citizen based in Beirut, Lebanon and working on assignment in Ukraine, sustained multiple shrapnel injuries and was evacuated to a nearby hospital where he was being treated. The agency said Collins, 35, is conscious and speaking to colleagues. Doctors say his condition is not life-threatening, the agency said.

Collins' colleague, AFP video journalist Arman Soldin, was killed by Russian rocket fire near Bakhmut in May.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday strongly condemned the attack on civilian port infrastructure on Ukraines side of the Danube river which he said was very close to Romania. Iohannis said on Twitter that the incident poses serious risks to security in the Black Sea region.
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Shaul Hurwitz, research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Based on geologic mapping and dating of minerals, we know that the Yellowstone caldera formed 631,000 years ago. But how did the caldera collapse? Observations and monitoring data from several caldera collapses at other volcanoes in the 20th and 21st centuries provide clues.

Many concepts and models used for explaining past caldera-forming eruptions and subsequent collapses were formulated by USGS scientist Robert L. Smith and his colleagues, mainly based on their work at Valles caldera in New Mexico. Subsequently, USGS scientist Peter Lipmans research at Tertiary calderas of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado illuminated many fundamental processes linking large-volume eruptions and caldera collapses. Geologic mapping by USGS scientist Bob Christiansen suggested that the collapse of the Yellowstone caldera 631,000 years ago in response to the eruption of about 1,000 cubic kilometers (240 cubic miles) of magma occurred within a hours or days.

However, recent field observations indicate a more complicated story of large caldera forming eruptions.

We can learn more about past volcanic eruptions and caldera collapses from observations of more recent eruptions. The 1912 Novarupta eruption on the Alaska Peninsula was the largest in the 20th century, with a Volcanic Explosivity Index value of 6. There were plenty of eyewitness accounts of the eruption, including observations made a few years later by Robert Griggs. About 15 cubic kilometers (3.5 cubic miles) of magma erupted over the course of 60 hours. An interesting observation was that the caldera did not collapse under Novarupta, but rather magma propagated laterally from beneath Mount Katmai, about 10.6 km (about 6.6 miles) to the northeast and which collapsed due to lateral drainage of its magma chamber. While unraveling details of the Novarupta eruption and the geologic history of the region several decades later, USGS scientists Wes Hildreth and Judy Fierstein were able to use information from the eyewitness accounts, and in contrast to geologic mapping at Yellowstone, they mapped landscapes that were less eroded and rocks that were less altered.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the establishment of volcano monitoring networks allowed scientists to capture several caldera collapses in unprecedented detail. One of the best examples is from the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano on the Island of Hawaii. Data collected with seismometers, tiltmeters, high-rate Global Positioning System (GPS) stations, and gas sensors helped document precursory activity, growth of the caldera, and subsurface lateral magma transport from Kilaueas summit to the eruption site in the volcanos Lower East Rift Zone, not unlike what occurred at Katmai and Novarupta 106 years prior. Over the three months of the eruption, the caldera at Kilaueas summit subsided by more than 500 meters (1640 feet).

Many types of monitoring instruments captured the onset of subsurface magma transport, the evolving geometry of the subsiding caldera and its faults, and the amount of magma erupted during the 20142015 collapse of Bararbunga Caldera under the Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland. As at Katmai and Kilauea, magma propagated laterally in the subsurface away from the caldera, erupting 1.5 cubic kilometers (0.35 cubic miles) of basaltic magma at Holuhraun, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the northeast.

Other caldera collapses in the 21st century that were captured by volcano monitoring networks include the 2000 collapse at Miyakejima Volcano in Japan and the 2007 collapse of Dolomieu crater at Piton de la Fournaise Volcano on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Because of the increasing capacity to monitor volcanoes from space, even the 2018 eruption and caldera resurgence (in contrast to collapse) at the remote Sierra Negra volcano in the Galapagos Islands (Pacific Ocean) were documented in great detail by multiple instruments.

The ability to capture and document caldera collapse with modern monitoring networks provides scientists with diverse datasets to improve upon the early models proposed by Smith, Lipman, Christiansen, and others. Although a massive caldera-forming eruption like the one that resulted in Yellowstone caldera has never been witnessed, geologists can use modern examples, coupled with insights from the geologic history of the Yellowstone region, to better understand how caldera collapse occurs.
China's farm produce foreign trade up 6.4 pct in H1

Xinhua) 08:36, July 24, 2023

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign trade of agricultural products rose 6.4 percent year on year in the first half of this year (H1), official data showed.

The country's imports and exports of farm produce totaled 171.76 billion U.S. dollars during the period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

China's exports of agricultural products went up 1.7 percent year on year to 47.71 billion dollars, said the ministry.

Its imports of such products reached 124.05 billion dollars, climbing 8.3 percent from the same period last year.

China's trade deficit for farm produce stood at 76.34 billion dollars in the same period, up 12.9 percent year on year, the data also revealed.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Burke County Department of Social Services got the OK from county commissioners to create and hire an additional seven positions in preparation for the state Medicaid expansion.

The Burke County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 on July 18 to approve the additional positions. Commissioner Vice Chairman Jeff Brittain was absent from the meeting.

The North Carolina General Assembly approved Medicaid expansion in March, which will mean hundreds of thousands more people in the state will have health insurance.

Korey Fisher-Wellman, director of Burke County Department of Social Services, told commissioners July 18 that Medicaid expansion will add around 6,200 more people to the rolls in Burke County. That would be on top of the already 27,987 already receiving Medicaid in the county, according to county information. To qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage, a person has be between 19-64 years old and living at or below 133% of the federal poverty line, he said.

The money for the additional positions wont come from county coffers but will come, instead, from the state, according to Burke officials. However, state legislators have yet to adopt a two-year budget and that likely wont happen until August, according to The Associated Press. The expansion of Medicaid is tied to the state budget, and the expansion plan has to be approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to the county. The implementation could take place between now and Dec. 1, county information says.

Fisher-Wellman told commissioners Burke County will be competing with other counties for the needed additional employees so the sooner they can get the jobs posted and get them hired, the better. Burke County is expected to get an initial allocation of $306,850 from the state to help offset the cost of bringing new staff onboard to handle the increase in eligible recipients, according to information from the county.

The seven additional positions and phase 1 operating costs will be $ $460,000. Fisher-Wellman said. The county would not be financially responsible for the expansion at least for the first two years, he said.

On Wednesday, Burke County posted some of those jobs, including an income maintenance caseworker III  Medicaid that has a pay range of $40,356.58 to $51,469.96. The job requires two years of experience as an income maintenance caseworker or a combination of training and experience, according to the posting. Another job is for a processing assistant IV  Medicaid with a pay range of $31,630.30 to $40,328.86. The position will serve as clerical support to the Family and Childrens Medicaid Unit at Social Services, assisting caseworkers by identifying and gathering information needed for verification of eligibility for the Medicaid Program. This employee must be knowledgeable about agency programs and services, the posting said.

A processing assistant III is required to be a high school graduate and with knowledge, skills and abilities gained through at least one year of office assistant/administrative office experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A processing assistant IV also is required to be a high school graduate with knowledge, skills and abilities gained through at least two years of office assistant/administrative office experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience, according to the job posting.

Also during the meeting, the board, in a 3-1 vote, approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow the Brunch Bill to take effect in the county. Commissioner Phil Smith voted against the measure. It will go before the full board for a second time for a vote that would require a simple majority to be approved, according to county officials.

State lawmakers approved the Brunch Bill in June 2017, which allows restaurants and other establishments to serve alcohol on Sundays starting at 10 a.m., rather than noon. In November 2017, voters in Burke County approved countywide beer, wine, mixed drinks and ABC stores. Morganton, Valdese and Glen Alpine had already allowed earlier sales because voters in those towns had already voted for beer, wine, mixed drinks and ABC stores. Connelly Springs approved the Brunch Bill after alcohol sales were approved in December 2017.

Burke officials say it puts establishments in those municipalities at a slight advantage over the unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance, if approved by commissioners, would rectify that, according to the county.
Asked to leave

On Friday, Kasmir R. Spilis, 31, of Butte reportedly was making a nuisance of himself at the Butte Plaza Mall and was asked to leave. He did, but returned Friday, reporting that he was the owner of the mall and the owner of the south branch of the Butte Public Library, too.

The librarian at that branch asked Spilis to leave, but he allegedly ripped the librarians shirt and threw a book at him.

Officers arrived, and Spilis was jailed for reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury with a weapon.

Broken window

Officers responded Friday to an apartment on North Main Street where a man wielding a coffee pot had just broken out a window, along with a couch cushion and was yelling at neighbors.

Robert W. Watt, 65, of Butte said his doorknob was missing, and he was locked inside. When officers tried to assist him, he began throwing things at them, too, and was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Resisting arrest

Also on Friday, a trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Corey Dodd, 44, of Butte in connection with resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer.

Dodd also had two MHP warrants out for his arrest.

Wants a truck

It is alleged that Colton R. Hardin, 35, of Butte is accused of harassing employees at three different Harrison Avenue auto dealerships Thursday.

Apparently, Hardin believed he was owed a truck and was bothering workers at all three establishments. When officers arrived at his last stop, the Toyota dealership, Hardin had already left the area.

He was found in the backyard of a residence on South Main Street and arrested in connection with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and parole violation.

Disorderly man

Around 3:30 a.m. Monday, Jesse J. Becker, 20, no hometown listed, was reportedly causing a disturbance in an alley on Park Street. He is also accused of punching a female in the arm.

He was arrested for disorderly conduct, obstructing a peace officer, assault, and possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21.

Stolen vehicle

After evading police for a while on Sunday Ryan M. Burton, 27, of Butte was eventually arrested in connection with driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen.

Police also reportedly found some missing tools inside the vehicle.

Alias doesnt work

Jason M. Collett, 35, of Butte was arrested Sunday afternoon at the Thriftway on the corner of Front and Utah. When stopped, Collett allegedly gave a fictitious name but when another officer arrived, he knew for certain it was a false name.

Collett had three Montana Highway Department warrants out for his arrest and was also jailed for obstructing a peace officer, no liability insurance (third offense), driving a commercial motor vehicle with a revoked or suspended commercial drivers license, and no license plates.
Montana Indian tribes are set to receive about $3.5 million in federal resources to strengthen roadway safety across tribal lands in the state.

The Federal Highway Administration announced on Thursday a $20.9 million allocation for 88 projects geared toward improving safety on roads and highways on tribal lands across the country. Of the 19 states included in the grant funding, Montana is getting the second-highest investment.

The grants are aimed at minimizing deaths of Indigenous people across the country, a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation stated. Injuries and fatalities from vehicle-related incidents disproportionately impact Native American people, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

The crisis of traffic deaths on our nations roads stretches across the country, and that devastation is experienced at even higher rates in communities of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and other indigenous peoples, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the news release.

The grants we are announcing today through our Tribal Transportation Program will improve, repair, and modernize infrastructure in communities of all sizes on Tribal land, making roads safer and saving lives, he continued.

Roughly $1.3 million will go to The Northern Cheyenne Tribe for first-phase construction of the Lame Deer Regional Multi-Use Pathway Project. The project seeks to build a multi-use pathway along U.S. Highway 212, according to information provided by the FHA. It will connect tribal housing in Muddy Cluster to Boundary Street in Lame Deer.

The Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, the Crow Tribe and Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boys Reservation will also see money parceled out for infrastructure improvements on various tribal roads. In northwestern Montana, the Blackfeet Tribe is getting $287,165 for livestock fencing along Bureau of Indian Affairs Route 1, which runs through Heart Butte.

Highways are often the only continuous roads through reservations in Montana. And in rural places, where public transit is nonexistent and hitchhiking can be seen as dangerous, its not uncommon for people to walk along the shoulders of busy highways. In March, 22-year-old Mika Westwolf was hit and killed on Highway 93 in Arlee.

In June, residents rallied in Arlee demanding action for Westwolf and other Indigenous people who have been killed on highways in Montana. Attendees spoke about cases where Native Americans have been struck and killed on Montana roadways, with little in the way of justice.

The grant money comes from the Biden-Harris Administrations Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund, financed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a huge spending bill passed in 2021.
Vacancies among correctional officers at Montana State Prison have fallen by roughly half since the 40% rate that haunted prison officials late last year.

In a presentation to lawmakers on Monday, Montana Department of Corrections Deputy Director Cynthia Wolken said that vacancy rate among correctional officers has fallen to about 20%, with more than 200 correctional officer positions filled of the 256 for which the prison is budgeted.

Wolken and the department credited the new ranks with pay raises approved by the Legislature and the department's recruitment and retention team formed last year to address the staffing gap.

"Obviously that really helps improve the safety of the facility and the types of services we offer inmates," Wolken told the Law and Justice Interim Committee Monday.

Last year, the state suspended visitation at Montana State Prison outside Deer Lodge because the prison could not dedicate officers to oversee visits. Additional measures to make do with the lack of correctional officers included closing down a unit of the facility, condensing inmates into an area the prison could adequately staff, and stretching officer shifts to 12 hours. State lawmakers last year said they had "grave concerns" about the vacancy rate's impact on staff and inmate safety at the facility, calling a meeting with Gov. Greg Gianforte to intervene.

The Legislature earlier this year approved pay raises for all state employees, but held up the prison as a key exhibit for bumping wages as a matter of public safety. Those raises included a $2 increase, as well as a $1.50 raise per hour, or 4%, whichever is greater. Legislation also slates another $1.50 per hour (or 4%) raise for state employees in 2024.

In total, the starting wage for a correctional officer has climbed from $16.46 in January 2021 to $22.51 this month. The starting wage for a correctional officer by this time next year will be $24.01 with the second-year increase.

When fully staffed, the 1,500-bed prison would have 256 correctional officers. The prison had just over 150 correctional officers on staff in December, but now employs more than 200, according to a handout provided to the committee on Monday.

On Monday, DOC spokesperson Carolynn Stocker said officers continue to work 12-hour shifts, but does offer some 8- and 10-hour slots to employees. Regular visitation also remains suspended at Montana State Prison, but noted the facility has hosted special visitation opportunities generally coinciding with holidays such as Father's Day.

"With the gains in correctional officer staffing, MSP is working hard to return to weekend visitation," Stocker said in an email. "The department regularly re-evaluates when it can resume normal visitation while ensuring the safety and security of the public, staff and inmates."

Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber, applauded Wolken and the department Monday on the turnaround.

"The picture looks a lot different than it did last interim around this time, as far as bleeding employees and correctional officers," Esp said.

The department's recruitment and retention committee work included a streamlined hiring process and outreach to new potential hiring pools, such as graduating high school students and former prison employees. On the retention end, the prison has established a mentorship program with weekly discussions and boosting training opportunities.

The department will look to expand on its work moving ahead, Wolken told the committee.
COLUMBUS JUNCTION  Columbus Junction city officials have been presented with a preliminary sketch for a proposed mural on the side of a downtown building, Mayor Mark Huston reported Wednesday during the city councils regular meeting.

Huston said the sketch had been presented to him by downtown property owner Jose Estrada, who presented the idea for the mural to the city council at its June 28 meeting.

Estrada owns the building at 204 Main Street where the mural would be painted on its exposed north wall. According to previous discussions, the mural would be painted by local artist Martin Cardenas.

Although Huston did not distribute copies of the sketch, he said it included the citys historic swinging bridge, the state seal of Iowa, both the national and state flags and the nearby junction of the Iowa and Cedar rivers.

Huston indicated he was pleased with the sketch and said he and Estrada had also discussed costs, but nothing had been finalized.

He said Estrada was planning to seek donations for the project. Huston said he anticipated the city would provide some contribution to that effort.

The council also agreed to hold an Aug. 9 sealed-bid sale of an alley parcel north of the Walnut Street/Western Avenue intersection. The council acted after holding a public hearing on the proposed sale earlier in the meeting. There were no comments presented during the hearing.

Under the bidding process approved by the council, bidders must submit their sealed bids by 5 p.m. on Aug. 9, but may then attend the meeting and raise their bid twice if necessary.

The city will publicize other details on the bidding process and also contact the alley's two adjacent property owners to advise them of the sale.

Council member Frank Best also reported during the meeting that the ambulance board had met the night before. He said the ambulance service was still trying to recruit additional volunteers to handle transfer calls.

In final action, the council agreed to reschedule its July 26 meeting to July 24 because the Louisa County Fair will be held that week.

Rock Island County Fair
The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 23 local charitable organizations last week through its Impact and Racial Justice Granting Programs.

Earlier in the month, a 24th organization  the West Liberty Child Care Center  also received a grant, allowing it to purchase new refurbishments for its one-year-olds room.

The Community Foundations grant programs are supported by the County Endowment Re-granting Program as well as through individuals funds established by donors..

We are delighted to support these organizations and projects that share our vision of creating a vibrant Muscatine County region that provides equitable opportunity and a high quality of life for all, Programs Manager Niki Moore Nienhaus said in a press release. Each of these grant recipients has demonstrated a commitment to addressing critical needs and creating lasting impacts for our neighbors and children.

For this most recent round of grants, the organizations and non-profits that received money are:

Aligned Impact Muscatine County  $12,500 for the Course to College Muscatine County Program and general operating support

 $12,500 for the Course to College Muscatine County Program and general operating support Cedar River Haven  $2,200 for training materials to provide life skills and help residents sustain long term recovery from substance use disorder

 $2,200 for training materials to provide life skills and help residents sustain long term recovery from substance use disorder Crossroads, Inc  $22,799.48 for Senior Resources Outreach Program, Senior Resources Meals on Wheels, and appliances for the supported community living house

 $22,799.48 for Senior Resources Outreach Program, Senior Resources Meals on Wheels, and appliances for the supported community living house EveryChild  $10,000 for operating support for the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center

 $10,000 for operating support for the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center Family Resources  $8,500 for care coordination for sexual violence victims

 $8,500 for care coordination for sexual violence victims Flickinger Learning Center  $4,250 for learning software and operating support for a data management employee

 $4,250 for learning software and operating support for a data management employee Friends of the Muscatine Art Center  $10,000 for educational programs for young learners and students

 $10,000 for educational programs for young learners and students Iowa Jobs for Americas Graduates (iJAG) Inc  $10,000 for building an equitable workforce pipeline for underserved youth

 $10,000 for building an equitable workforce pipeline for underserved youth Iowa Legal Aid  $8,500 for the Muscatine County Family Stabilization Program to provide free civil legal assistance to help low-income families stabilize their income, housing, healthcare, and safety from domestic violence

 $8,500 for the Muscatine County Family Stabilization Program to provide free civil legal assistance to help low-income families stabilize their income, housing, healthcare, and safety from domestic violence Latinos Unidos West Liberty  $1,933 for the Fiesta Latina event to celebrate the independence of multiple Latin American countries

 $1,933 for the Fiesta Latina event to celebrate the independence of multiple Latin American countries LULAC Council 317 Columbus Junction  $22,000 for the continuation of the Columbus Junction Community Advocate position and program.

 $22,000 for the continuation of the Columbus Junction Community Advocate position and program. Muscatine Art Center  $8,500 to support museum planning for the Muscatine Art Center building addition

 $8,500 to support museum planning for the Muscatine Art Center building addition Muscatine Center for Social Action (MCSA)  $38,500 for the Food Service Program, Emergency and Family Shelter, Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Homeless Prevention Program

 $38,500 for the Food Service Program, Emergency and Family Shelter, Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Homeless Prevention Program Muscatine Community YMCA  $1,450 for Big Brothers Big Sisters to support 45 Bigs in 45 Days to reduce the waitlist through targeted volunteer recruitment

 $1,450 for Big Brothers Big Sisters to support 45 Bigs in 45 Days to reduce the waitlist through targeted volunteer recruitment Muscatine County Arts Council  $1,310 for arts and cultural events including Eagles and Ivories, Wandering Words, Art Array, and the Summer Concert Series.

 $1,310 for arts and cultural events including Eagles and Ivories, Wandering Words, Art Array, and the Summer Concert Series. Muscatine Legal Services  $8,500 for legal aid to help people access basic needs such as housing, health care and governmental benefits, and employment and educational services

 $8,500 for legal aid to help people access basic needs such as housing, health care and governmental benefits, and employment and educational services Pearl City Outreach  $8,500 for food, supplies, and operational expenses to support those in need

 $8,500 for food, supplies, and operational expenses to support those in need River Bend Food Bank  $5,000 for the monthly Mobile Food Pantry Program to support those struggling with food insecurity

 $5,000 for the monthly Mobile Food Pantry Program to support those struggling with food insecurity The Diversity Service Center of Iowa  $19,500 for the Educational Outreach Program and the Minority Senior Citizens Program

 $19,500 for the Educational Outreach Program and the Minority Senior Citizens Program Trinity Muscatine Public Health  $10,000 for adolescent sexual health education programs

 $10,000 for adolescent sexual health education programs United Way of Muscatine  $3,500 for the Child & Adult Care Food Program to provide a healthy snack to students attending afterschool programs in Muscatine County

 $3,500 for the Child & Adult Care Food Program to provide a healthy snack to students attending afterschool programs in Muscatine County Vision to Learn  $8,500 for increasing vision care access to students in West Liberty

 $8,500 for increasing vision care access to students in West Liberty West Liberty Public Library  $17,000 for providing targeted services, materials, and programming for Latinx and Hispanic community members

Sue Hafkemeyer, CEO Quad-Cities Community Foundation Sue Hafkemeyer Sue Hafkemeyer - Quad-Cities Community Foundation president and CEO Sue-Hafkemeyer-outside-Community-Foundation-offices-02.jpeg Sue-Hafkemeyer-outside-Community-Foundation-offices-01.jpeg Sue-Hafkemeyer-meeting-Community-Foundation-staff-03.jpeg Sue-Hafkemeyer-meeting-Community-Foundation-staff-02.jpeg Sue-Hafkemeyer-meeting-Community-Foundation-staff-01.jpeg
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and his co-defendants who were last week arraigned in court have reportedly gone into hiding to avoid being re-arrested.

The five MPs and four others were released on bond on Friday over their alleged involvement in the planning of the anti-government protests. They include Babu Owino (Embakasi East MP), George Aladwa (Makadara MP), and three county assembly members(MCAs)  Peter Owera Oluoch (Huruma), Redson Otieno Onyango (Ngei), and Wilfred Oluoch Odalo (Mabatini).

Two personal assistants of Aladwa, namely Mr. Evans Omondi Awasi and Stephen Onyango Olayo, along with two county employees, Erick Ochieng Otieno and Antony Otsyula Joseph, were also part of those released on bond.

According to the Nation, the Azimio MPs have since gone into hiding due to police presence at their residences.

Their lawyers, Mr. Tom Kwanga and Danstan Omari, reportedly said police, driving civilian vehicles with Sudanese and Tanzanian registration, are camping at the residences of the politicians and their assistants, prompting them to take refuge.

After their release on bond last Friday, the politicians and their associates reportedly managed to outwit the police dragnet by cleverly disguising themselves in Legio Maria outfits as they left the court precincts.

My clients are spending Sh10,000 in accommodation every day even though they were released on bond by the High Court and magistrates courts, lawyer Tom Kwanga told the Nation.

He said that it is unfortunate that the police are disregarding and defying the court orders issued last Friday at the Milimani law courts.

According to Kwanga, Lady Justice Asenath Ongeri had granted anticipatory bonds to the lawmakers, indicating that the court explicitly directed the police not to arrest them.

The lawyers also claimed that the MCAs were subjected to assault during their three-day custody. Additionally, they alleged that during their arrest, police allegedly took Sh1.8 million from Redson, Sh3.2 million from Wycliffe, and Sh580,000 from Eric.

Lawyers Kwanga and Omari reportedly told the Nation on Sunday that the MCAs and their spouses are currently seeking refuge in various guest houses and hotels within the city fearing for their lives and arrests by police over unknown reasons.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will Monday address a high-level United Nations Summit+2 Stocktaking on Financing Food Systems.

He will represent President William Ruto at the significant Summit, whose participants are mainly Heads of State and Government and key organisations seeking lasting solutions to hunger, and malnutrition, and mitigating the impact of Climate Change.

Gachagua, who is accompanied by his Spouse Dorcas Rigathi, Cabinet Secretaries Mithika Linturi of Agriculture and Ezekiel Machogu of Education, among other senior government officials, arrived in Rome Sunday afternoon and was received at the Fiumicino Airport by Kenyas Ambassador to Italy, Jackline Nyonga.

The three-day high-level talks will kick off with Kenya setting the stage with a keynote address by the Deputy President on Financing Food Systems.

The address will focus on Kenyas Food Systems Transformation Initiative, as part of stocktaking of the commitment of States, Governments and other Stakeholders in allocating resources to end hunger and malnutrition.

The Deputy President address will take part in the discussions on sustainable food security at the Heads of State session, to be attended by Italys Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Summit will also discuss, at length, the school meals programme in which States also work with other partners in ensuring pupils in public primary schools receive food and in balanced rations, to promote health and education.

At the plenary, which will be attended by several Heads of State and Government, as well as UN agencies including the World Food Programme, and the Food Agriculture Organisation, the Kenyan delegation will highlight the progress made in Kenya since 1980, when the school meals programme was rolled out.

Currently, the programme benefits over 1.6 million pupils across the country, especially in arid and semi-arid lands. In this years budget, the Government has doubled funds for the school meals programme to Ksh. 5 billion.

Kenyas Ambassador to Italy Jackline Nyonga says participation at the Summit is key as the country takes a raft of measures on enhancing food security in the context of vagaries of Climate Change.

This is a high-level meeting. It is significant to Kenya to shine and also seek partnership on fostering food security, she said.

Among other initiatives, Gachagua will also speak to measures of sustainably lowering the cost of living especially subsidising production, as opposed to consumption; the case of the subsidised fertiliser.

On Monday evening, the Deputy President will engage with Kenyans living in Italy, at a dinner at the Westin Hotel in Rome. He is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with the aim of strengthening the bilateral relations of the two nations.

At the meeting with Kenyans, the Deputy President intends to understand their needs and the kind of support they may require from the Government.

The Kenya Kwanza Administration is keen on supporting Diaspora investment back home through structured frameworks.

Diaspora remittances into the country last year almost hit half a trillion Kenya shillings, with the country receiving Ksh. 185.9 billion in the first quarter of this year.

On Tuesday morning, the Deputy President will speak at a breakfast side meeting on homegrown sources of food for the school meals programme.

Gachagua will share Kenyas experience on the impact of the school meals programme, which is supported by the World Food Programme and how it can contribute to combating climate change through structured contracting of farmers to produce food schools.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the convener of the COP28 in December, will host the breakfast meeting where Kenyas participation will be prominent.

The host will seek to understand opportunities in homegrown sources for school meals programme to countering climate change.

This is in addition to Kenyas role in leading Africa on climate action, as the country prepares for the Africa Climate Summit in September in Nairobi.

-DPPS
Florence Karemeri is the visionary founder and director of Kitenge World, a thriving fashion house situated in Juja Town.

I started by hawking fabrics when I was a student at the KCA University. I started with Sh10,000 in 2012. I come from an area that is located at the border of Kenya and Tanzania which made it easy for me as I could carry a number of unique fabrics back to Nairobi whenever I visited home. My friends and church-mates would buy from me and I got many referrals and return customers.

I couldnt meet all my bills within the first two years after I opened a physical shop. I am grateful to my husband who helped me with some of the bills, and this kept me afloat during those tough startup years. Today, the business has become self-reliant. We deal with all kinds of outfits. Initially, we had started with Vitenge only, but due to the growing demand, we started incorporating other fabrics, stitching official suits, corporate uniforms, wedding outfits and so on. We have now perfected our quality which gives us an upper hand in the market.

I am an accountant by profession. I pursued fashion out of passion. I had worked as an accountant in different industries before resigning to pursue business full-time. Like many entrepreneurs, at the initial stage, I did not have a good business operation structure. I could not separate personal money and business money. I remember at one point I took a good amount of money from the business and invested it elsewhere. Fortunately, I quickly realised that I was draining the business and needed to change tact to avoid closure. In 2019, I felt vindicated in the business I was building after I won an award during the Daughters of Faith Conferences gala night.

If I could start this business all over again, I would put business structures that would separate me from the business itself. This means that from the start, the business operations would not be dependent on me. The business would still be able to operate even without my presence. I find this to be a critical factor that many entrepreneurs fail to address both for business growth, and continuity.

I save my money through the Sacco, bank and the money market. This gives me a balanced portfolio that ensures that my money is growing and at the same time giving transactional ability and liquidity whenever necessary. Previously, my clients used to pay directly to my phone, and I often found myself diverting the cash. I was, however, able to get my finances under control by separating business money from personal accounts, be they mobile, Sacco or bank. This has made it easier for me to account for both personal and business finances.
After much controversy online, the Nyege Nyege Kenyan Edition organizers have come out to clear the air and set the record straight on the confusion surrounding the upcoming Kenyan leg of the famous festival.

Nyege Nyege, a renowned arts and music festival with Ugandan roots, trended early last month after the Kenyan organizers went to Twitter to distance themselves from their Kampala counterparts.

The statement created a lengthy debate online as Kenyans and Ugandans went at each other over the authenticity of the Kenyan festival and the legality of its name.

While addressing members of the press, the Kenyan Nyege Nyege Festivals head of public relations Mariita Mairura said that the event is still on and that, despite earlier confusion, the Kenyan version is not affiliated with the Ugandan team.

After we made our earlier statement, there was alot of confusion regarding the events name. We wish to state that we are still on and that we reached an agreement with the Ugandan team who gave us their blessings and have allowed us to go ahead with our version,  he said.

While acknowledging the similarities in the name, Mariita said that the team chose name Nyege Nyege in the East African spirit of bringing countries together and that, unlike the Ugandan one, the Kenyan version would steer clear from negative publicity, raunchiness and runaway immorality.

Our theme is  music and mental wellness. We want to incorporate art, East African culture and cuisine and fuse it with mental wellness. Weve also introduced East African fashion and wish to use the event to showcase the better side of each of our countries and show young people that they can have fun without excessive drinking and sexual debauchery,  he said.

The organisers also took time to explain that, while the name Nyege Nyege may have negative connotations in various sections of Uganda, they were basically using the festivals brand name for continutiy of the East African vibe and not to attract crowds while riding on the already-popular name.

The event, to be held from 1st to 3rd September, is slated to go down at the expansive Savannah Park Grounds in Naivasha and will feature exhilarating performances from some of the biggest names in music across East Africa.

We have Kenyan superstars as well as big names from Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania, Mariita said.

Ugandan and South Sudan teams also made a brief appearance, as if to give credence to the event and to shore up support.

As the South Sudanese, were excited to be part of the Kenyan team behind Nyege Nyege and wish to state that were fully behind the people behind it and cant wait to bring all our people and communities together, Bhakita Deng said.
Kenya is keen on strengthening its relations with China to spur economic growth in the country.

President William Ruto said the Government will work closely with China on infrastructure development, climate change, ICT, education and security.

He noted that Kenya was particularly focused on the development of roads under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation.

Investment in this sector will spur economic growth and create jobs for the people under our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

He was speaking on Saturday at State House, Nairobi, during a high-level meeting with Wang Yi, the Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party Of China Central Committee and Director of the Office of Central Committee for Foreign Affairs.

The President noted that the Government plans to upgrade the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.

He said the development of a new Greenfield terminal and a new runway at JKIA, the dualling of Rironi-Naivasha-Nakuru-Mau Summit will elevate the countrys competitiveness.

The Head of State noted that these projects can be pursued either under the Public-Private Partnerships or Government to Government.

We are ready to expedite discussions and conclude on details on the proposed projects for implementation.

He assured Chinese investors of the Governments commitment to providing security to everyone.

Mr Yi said China will continue working with Kenya for the two countrys prosperity.

China will consider Kenya Governments priority areas of interest, he pointed out.

He said the Chinese government fully supports President Rutos administration and invited him to visit Beijing.
According to President William Ruto, his Kenya Kwanza administration has managed to stabilize the economy as well as alleviate the debt crisis.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service in Taita Taveta on Sunday, President Ruto claimed he has been diligently working to stabilize the struggling economy for the past 8 months, and he expressed satisfaction that his efforts have borne fruit.

The President reiterated the urgent necessity to address the growing debt ceiling, underscoring his governments dedication to reducing borrowing.

I have held many meetings with World Bank, IMF, and others whom we have borrowed money from but I want to confirm to the people of Kenya that we have stabilized the economy and now we cannot be threatened by debts again. What I cannot allow is to have our country keep on borrowing left right centre, he said.

As an alternative to borrowing, President Ruto said his administration will rely on revenue collection to sustain its operations. He encouraged Kenyans to support the taxation proposals he has put forward.

We will collect tax here at home. And those remitting their tax will be led by me, I will be at the forefront. We are looking for that tax so that we run our country on our own resources, he said.

And if it is possible for us to do it, we must do it because that is a sustainable way of taking Kenya into the future so that we strategize on our plans knowing where we will get the money.
Azerbaijan is in a hurry to put pressure on Armenia's industry because it is afraid of Armenia's economic growth. Vardan Janyan, head of the Union of Miners and Metallurgists of Armenia, said at a press conference on Monday, adding that he represents the union's general view point over this issue.

According to him, if Armenias GDP growth was 12.6%, then in case of Azerbaijan it was 4%.

"Next year, Armenia's forecast is again two-digit, Azerbaijan's forecast is zero. If such a trend is maintained, Armenia will become equal to and overtake Azerbaijan. Baku understands that economic growth will lead to the disruption of the military balance, which the Azerbaijani authorities now think is in their favor," he said.

Janyan recalled the 2022 data of Yale University in the field of environmental protection, according to which Armenia is in 56th place, Azerbaijan is in 104th place. Moreover, within 10 years, Armenia has improved its position, while in case of Azerbaijan it has worsened. Armenia is ahead of Israel, South Korea, wich are countries with a more developed economy.



According to him, the best way to answer the enemies will be the continuous economic growth of Armenia, at the same time, it is not right to debate with them.
Members of an initiative called Batsum (Opening from Armenian) held a protest in front of the UN office in Yerevan and handed a letter regarding the reopening of the Lachin corridor that connects Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) to Armenia and the world closed by Azerbaijan for several months.

In the letter addressed to the UN Resident Coordinator Niels Scott the members of the initiative ask to urgently accept all the collected humanitarian aid and transport it from Armenia through the Lachin Corridor to Artsakh.

The initiative also said that its members are ready to provide the necessary voluntary assistance regarding the listing, sorting and transporting of the aid.

The protesters chanted, "Artsakh, we are with you", "Opening, connecting".

It has been several days that citizens are bringing basic supplies to the UN Yerevan office, expecting the UN to help transport it to the 120,000 residents of Artsakh that have been in blockade by Azerbaijan for more than six months now.

One of the members of the initiative informed that another gathering is planned on Azatutyun Square at 7 p.m. today.
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Eleven patients from the Republican Medical Center of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), together with their escorts, were transferred to specialized medical centers of Armenia through the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the "Red Cross".

Artsakh Ministry of Health informs NEWS.am that 13 others are expected to be transported to Armenia during the day.



The patients are being sent to Armenia to get state-sponsored treatment there as Nagorno Karabakh is in a blockade by Azerbaijan for more than six months now.

At the moment, 20 children are receiving inpatient treatment in "Arevik" medical unit. Another 76 patients receive inpatient treatment at Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert of which 12 are in the intensive care unit with two in critical condition.

A series of protests have taken place in Yerevan recently, demanding the UN and other international organizations to take steps to put an end to the ongoing blockade of 120,000 residents of Artsakh that are deprived of necessities several months now.






The situation created in [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the blocking of the [Berdzor] Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan is intolerable and unacceptable, Martin Sonneborn, a German member of the European Parliament, told Armenpress.

Azerbaijan put the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia under total blockade. The situation is intolerable. We see videos of empty shelves in supermarkets and hear the news about the lack of fuel for ambulances. People are dying. Azerbaijan is terrorising the civilian population as a part of its agenda of ethnically cleansing Armenians from the region, MEP Sonneborn told ARMENPRESS correspondent Lilit Gasparyan in Brussels.

He noted that Azerbaijan is disregarding the international communitys calls to open the road and is tightening the blockade.

Although the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and numerous governments called upon Azerbaijan to open the Lachin corridor, Azerbaijan keeps tightening the blockade and does not even allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver humanitarian aid. The United Nations highest judicial body, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stated in a legally binding order that Azerbaijan must facilitate unimpeded transport of cargo and persons along the Lachin corridor. While the European Parliament requested sanctions for Azerbaijani government officials in case they do not comply with the courts order, Council President Charles Michel recently welcomed an Azerbaijani proposal to provide humanitarian aid from their side. This is a disastrous signal since it rewards Azerbaijan once again for its non-compliance with international law. Compliance with the binding ICJ order must be a precondition for any EU-Azerbaijan cooperation. Since the European Union does not exercise pressure regarding the courts order, it is complicit with Azerbaijans inhuman agenda," the MEP added.
Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan has appealed to the heads of international structures regarding to the blockade of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) by Azerbaijan.

"Urgent international intervention is imperative to stop the humanitarian disaster," he wrote on his Twitter account.

Azerbaijan has closed the Lachin corridor connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the world, depriving more than 120,000 residents of food supplies and necessities for more than six months now.

Earlier today, members of an initiative called Batsum (Opening from Armenian) held a protest in front of the UN office in Yerevan and handed a letter addressed to the UN Resident Coordinator Niels Scott. In the letter, they asked to urgently accept all the collected humanitarian aid and transport it from Armenia through the Lachin Corridor to Artsakh.
On July 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, during which the issue of preparing a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan will be discussed, Press Service of the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

The foreign ministry heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan will analyze ways to de-escalate the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh and intensify the implementation of the trilateral agreements between the Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021, as well as October 31, 2022.

"Particular attention will be paid to the preparation of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, the search for solutions to the remaining issues, to which Russia is ready to provide maximum assistance," the statement says.

The ministers will also discuss other key ways of the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization, including the unblocking of transport communications in the region, the delimitation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, contacts between the public and experts, and the launch of a dialogue between the members of parliament.

During the bilateral talks with Bayramov and Mirzoyan, it is planned to focus on the discussion of current issues of the Russian-Azerbaijani and Russian-Armenian agenda in the political, commercial, economic and humanitarian spheres.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused France of "political hypocrisy."

A country that bans the Corsican language, which violently suppresses the movement for self-determination in Corsica. They stand for "self-determination" of Armenians in [Artsakh] Karabakh. How is this possible!? Aliyev said in an interview with the Chinese media corporation China Media Group.

During the war, when their political aggression was beyond all borders, I said that if they want to have the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic somewhere, they can have it on their territory. For example, around Marseille, where a lot of Armenians live. Let them declare the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" there, and we will recognize it. This country is still continuing its colonial policy. Take a look at the island of Mayotte, a French colony; to New Caledonia, also a French colony. And they talk about human rights?! This is political hypocrisy! Aliyev said.
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on a working visit to Italy, met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres within the framework of the UN Food Systems Summit. This was reported to Armenian News-NEWS.am by the Press Service of the President.

During the meeting, President Khachaturyan presented to the Secretary General the threat of a humanitarian crisis that arose in [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's blockade of the [Berdzor] Lachin Corridor.

The interlocutors also discussed the situation in the South Caucasus, as well as exchanged views on the issues on the agenda of continuous cooperation between the UN and Armenia.
Due to the fuel shortage caused by Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh, since July 18, public transport in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, has been paralyzed, but inter-district routes were maintained.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Artsakh Republic informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that at the moment the scarce fuel reserves have also been exhausted and from July 25 the work of public transport in the entire territory of the republic will be completely stopped.

The operation of transport will be stopped throughout the country.
The President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Arayik Harutyunyan made an appeal to the ministers of foreign affairs of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan ahead of their upcoming meeting in Moscow on July 25, 2023.

The appeal reads as follows:

I am once again raising the alarm about the urgent need to immediately end the 225-day blockade of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan, including the 40-day full siege, which is leading to a deepening humanitarian disaster in Artsakh.



It is highly condemnable that instead of pursuing a political settlement to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and creating an environment of mutual trust between the parties, resorting to blockading and a complete siege of the Republic of Artsakh now, continuous disruption of vital infrastructures and the conduct of an undisguised genocidal policy are instrumental in implementing Azerbaijan's political agenda regarding Artsakh.

I must emphasize that Azerbaijan's actions in Artsakh amount to crimes against humanity, directly resulting from their gross violations of the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, and well-known international legal documents. After the war, the people of Artsakh had faith in the guarantees established by the tripartite declaration, particularly relying on the mission of the Russian peacekeeping troops, as they returned to their homes and started rebuilding their lives.

As the President of Artsakh Republic, empowered by the mandate given to me by my people, I demand that the parties involved in the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, take concrete steps to promptly restore the legal regime in the Lachin Corridor and ensure the security of the people of Artsakh, adhering to the obligations stipulated in the trilateral declaration. After providing the minimum conditions for the well-being of our people, it will be possible to address all aspects of the conflict and discuss potential solutions in a more favorable environment.

It is crucial that the parties involved in the trilateral declaration act immediately to resolve the catastrophic situation; otherwise, they will bear the main responsibility for any impending tragedies.

Prevent imminent ethnic cleansing!
At the center of our discussion today were issues relating to regional security and stability, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on July 24 in Tehran in a press statement with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

I briefed my counterpart on the negotiation process of the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

As we have repeatedly stated, in the context of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we attach key importance to reestablishment of clear borderline based on the Alma-Ata Declaration, to ensuring guarantees of delimitation and border security, as well as establishing a stable international mechanism of discussions between Stepanakert and Baku for addressing issues of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

However, regrettably, instead of a dialogue with the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan today pursues a policy of ethnic cleansing, a clear manifestation of which is the seven-month-long illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with the outer world. Since June 15, the supply of food and medicine to Nagorno-Karabakh has completely halted, and the transfer of patients with serious health problems to Armenia is being hindered.

Today we bear witness to the very scenario about which we warned seven months ago: there is already a significant and tangible humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. And this is happening in gross violation of international humanitarian norms, contrary to the provisions enshrined in the Trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, numerous appeals and resolutions of the international community and bodies, the legally binding Order of the International Court of Justice of February 22, which, by the way, was confirmed on July 6.

I must emphasise that Armenia expects practical efforts from those interested in real peace in the South Caucasus and from the responsible actors to prevent a new humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before their own eyes in the 21st century.

The Republic of Armenia is much interested in unblocking the regional economic and transport infrastructure, based on sovereignty and national jurisdiction of the countries, as well as on the principles of equality and reciprocity. In this context, the inviolability of our state border with the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot be questioned, and here the clear and repeatedly expressed positions of the Armenian and Iranian sides are identical. In this regard, as we have noted many times, we highly appreciate the principled and clear position of neighbouring and friendly Iran regarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia towards respective infrastructures.
On July 24, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had a meeting in Tehran and an expanded meeting with the participation of delegations of both countries.

Ararat Mirzoyan thanked the Iranian Foreign Minister for the reception and effective discussions.

The Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people attach great importance to the rich historical relations with the neighbouring and friendly Islamic Republic of Iran, and we are confident that high-level visits and contacts are aimed at strengthening our ties in the long term. For us, Iran has always been and will remain a special partner, including in overcoming challenges in the current difficult conditions.

Based on mutual respect and understanding, our continuous and uninterrupted bilateral friendly relations are developing dynamically, we are enriching the agenda of the partnership between the two countries through joint efforts and outline new prospects for cooperation.

Attaching great importance to the benchmark outlined by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on increasing the volume of bilateral trade turnover up to $3 billion, we stressed the consistency of joint economic programs and the importance of their completion. Cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, transport and road infrastructure plays a special role on our agenda, and in this regard, it should be emphasised that the implementation of the programs of international transport routes 'North-South Road Corridor' and 'Persian Gulf-Black Sea' is of great importance.

Trilateral formats with the participation of Armenia and Iran also serve as an interesting platform for cooperation: we were glad to host the first Armenia-Iran-India consultations in Yerevan this year. We attach great importance to this trilateral cooperation and are confident that it has significant potential for multifaceted cooperation. One of the substantive achievements of bilateral cooperation was the opening of the Consulate General of Islamic Republic of Iran in Kapan last year, the logical continuation of which we consider the works on the establishment of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Tabriz.

I would like to emphasise once again the readiness and political will of the top leadership of Armenia to develop and deepen relations with our good neighbour, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the spirit of mutual respect and mutually beneficial partnership.

Thank you for today's warm welcome and hospitality in Tehran, which was declared a sister city with Yerevan at the beginning of this year,  he said, inviting his colleague to visit Armenia.
HK and Singapore are partners, not rivals: TDC

The TDCs assistant principal economist David Sit says Asean region is a fast-growing market that Hong Kong should not ignore. Photo: RTHK

The Trade Development Council (TDC) said Hong Kong and Singapore are partners rather than competitors as the SAR eyes more co-operation opportunities with the city-state.



Chief Executive John Lee is leading a delegation to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia this week in a trip aimed at boosting business and trade ties with Asean member states.



The TDCs assistant principal economist David Sit said the SAR is a financial and trading hub in Asia, and Singapore plays similar roles in the Asean region.



But he said healthy competition benefits both sides.



I think there is more room for partnership, for co-operating with each other to improve our offerings, improve our services, rather than taking it as a zero-sum game, he told RTHK.



We can expect more co-operation in terms of financial services, in fintech. Singapore also dedicates a lot in terms of research and development, while Hong Kong is aspiring to become the R&D centre in this part of the world.



Sit also said Asean is a fast-growing market that Hong Kong should not ignore.



Asean is a very diverse economic bloc. There are very developed economies like Singapore, and Malaysia is like a high-income economy. And there are developing economies, developing markets like Indonesia. So they have different sectors, different opportunities, he said.



Sit added that both Indonesia and Malaysia have a young and large population as well as rich natural resources, providing manufacturing opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.
Two Lees agree to ramp up relations in Singapore

Two Lees agree to ramp up relations in Singapore

Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday told Chief Executive John Lee that the city-state and Hong Kong should ramp up relations again as the world recovers from the pandemic.



The two leaders met at the official residence of the president of Singapore on Monday morning, on the second day of the CE's visit to the country.



The prime minister emphasised that Singapore has a very important relationship with Hong Kong.



Now the Covid has passed things are back to normal. I think we should ramp up our relations again, he said.



John Lee said the relationship will continue to develop.



I would like to thank you sincerely for finding time for this meeting. I am very thankful for the kind invitation extended to me through our last meeting in Bangkok [during the APEC summit], he told the PM.



The purpose of my visit is to build friendship, create goodwill, enhance knowledge and strengthen co-operations.



He also thanked Singapore for its support for Hong Kong joining the world's largest free-trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).



John Lee will travel to the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Tuesday for the second leg of his Asean countries trip.
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 24: Beauty pageants have long been synonymous with celebrating external beauty and grace. However, the Miss and Mrs India Empower pageant show takes a refreshing and empowering approach by emphasizing inner beauty and self-confidence among women in India. Founded and directed by the esteemed Dr. Bharati Dhananjay Patil, a former Mrs. India, Mrs. Asia, and Mrs. United Nations Ambassador, this pageant has become a beacon of inspiration for women from all walks of life. The Miss and Mrs India Empower pageant stands apart from its counterparts by celebrating diversity in all its forms. Rather than conforming to conventional beauty standards, the organizers & the peagent Pannel Members believe that true beauty knows no boundaries, whether it comes in different shapes, sizes, or colors. The pageant is a platform that shatters stereotypes and embraces inclusivity, challenging society's perception of beauty. There are 3 More Members on this Peagent Pannel Pauyal Pramanik (International Groomer), DT Neha G Rokde (National co-ordinator & Counsellor) Dr. Sangita Gaikwad(National peagent Advisor) The participants are encouraged to be proud of their uniqueness and individuality, promoting a strong sense of self-confidence and empowerment. This emphasis on inner beauty sets a powerful example for women across the nation, reminding them that their worth extends far beyond external appearances. At its core, Miss and Mrs India Empower is not solely a beauty pageant but a transformative journey for all its participants. The pageant's primary mission is to provide a dynamic platform for women to showcase their talents, promote their businesses, and establish meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. Beyond the traditional beauty aspects, this show places a strong focus on personal and professional development. By providing opportunities for participants to demonstrate their skills and creativity, the pageant elevates their status in society and encourages women's involvement in various fields. This emphasis on talent promotion instills a sense of pride and achievement in each participant, fostering their growth as confident and capable individuals. Furthermore, Miss and Mrs India Empower serves as a networking hub, bringing together women from diverse backgrounds to interact, collaborate, and support one another. The nurturing and empowering environment created by the pageant inspires women to pursue their passions, dreams, and aspirations fearlessly. The success of Miss and Mrs India Empower can be attributed to its unwavering commitment to core values. Self-love, diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment serve as the guiding principles that shape every aspect of the pageant. The pageant takes pride in encouraging self-love and self-acceptance among its participants. By promoting the idea that true beauty radiates from within, the pageant instills a positive self-image and self-esteem in women, influencing their outlook on life and empowering them to tackle challenges with confidence. Furthermore, the pageant stands as a champion of diversity and inclusivity. It celebrates the uniqueness of every participant, breaking free from societal norms and stereotypes. Women from all backgrounds and walks of life are welcomed, appreciated, and celebrated for their individuality. Ultimately, the essence of Miss and Mrs India Empower lies in its commitment to empowerment. The pageant's mission is to empower women to be not only confident in their appearance but also successful and compassionate leaders in their respective fields. By nurturing a sense of empowerment, the pageant creates a ripple effect that extends beyond the contestants, influencing and inspiring women across the nation. The Miss and Mrs India Empower pageant, spearheaded by the visionary Dr. Bharati Dhananjay Patil, has redefined the conventional beauty pageant narrative. By celebrating empowerment, diversity, and self-confidence, it has become a powerful platform for women to discover their inner strength and showcase their talents. This inspiring journey invites women from all corners of India, regardless of their background or profession, to be part of a transformative experience. Miss and Mrs India Empower stands as a testament to the fact that beauty encompasses far more than external appearances; it is a celebration of each woman's unique qualities and the power within her. To learn more about Miss and Mrs India Empower or to register for the pageant show, please visit the official website or contact the organizers at [insert contact details]. Join this remarkable celebration of inner beauty and empowerment, and together, let us redefine beauty in the most inspiring and empowering way possible. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], July 24: Star Coworking, the bustling coworking space nestled in the heart of Andheri East, proudly celebrated its second anniversary on July 12, 2023. With a remarkable journey of growth and success, Star Coworking has firmly established itself as the go-to destination for professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups seeking an exceptional workspace experience. Since its inception on July 12, 2021, the centre has managed to attract an impressive 400 clients. Despite the challenging nature of the industry, the centre has experienced a high retention rate of 90 per cent, requiring continuous efforts to maintain a stable client base. One of the key strengths of the centre lies in fostering community collaboration among its coworkers. This collaborative environment enables startups to network, exchange ideas, and support each other's growth, creating a vibrant ecosystem within the centre. Currently, there are 20 startups operating from the centre, each pursuing their own unique ventures and contributing to the overall entrepreneurial spirit. Among the notable clients served by the centre are Love Local, Content Whale, The Content Lab, Ginni Systems, Nowfloats, Oktobuzz, Eximious, OPA, Colab, and Soulace. Through its diverse range of clients, the centre showcases its ability to cater to various industries and provide valuable services. "Star Coworking has been on an incredible journey since its inception, and we are proud of the transformative impact we have had on professionals and startups. Our vision is to create an empowering and collaborative environment that fosters growth, innovation, and success. We are excited about the future and are committed to providing exceptional services that exceed our clients' expectations, said Divit Mehta, Director of Star Coworking. Director Divit Mehta's visionary leadership at Star Coworking has transformed the coworking landscape with an innovative approach to membership options. Understanding the diverse requirements of modern professionals and entrepreneurs in today's dynamic work environment, Star Coworking has revolutionised its offerings, providing an unprecedented level of flexibility. With a range of tailored membership plans, individuals can now choose a package that perfectly suits their preferences and work styles. Whether it's a dedicated desk, a shared workspace, or a virtual membership for remote work, Star Coworking empowers professionals to work on their own terms. To ensure exceptional service delivery, Star Coworking has expanded its team and acquired top talent. A dedicated operations team handles the day-to-day operations, ensuring that all clients' needs are met promptly and efficiently. Additionally, experienced hub managers oversee community building and client servicing, ensuring a supportive and engaging environment for all. Looking ahead, Star Coworking envisions creating an environment where coworkers feel at home, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. The coworking space aims to serve as a hub for collaboration and networking, offering not just office spaces but also opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together. For more information about Star Coworking and its offerings, please visit: www.starcoworking.com (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 24: Asian Business School (ABS) welcomed a new batch of enthusiastic young students for the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) program in a grand inauguration ceremony. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Gen. Dr. V K Singh, the Union State Minister in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of Civil Aviation, who served as the chief guest for the occasion. Also in attendance was Angelo George, the CEO of Bislery Group, who shared his valuable experiences with the students. Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of Asian Education Group and Chancellor of AAFT University, added to the inspirational fervor by motivating the students and shedding light on the true essence of education at ABS. The event commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp, signifying the illumination of knowledge and wisdom. Gen V K Singh, a distinguished guest known for his contributions to the nation, addressed the gathering of aspiring management professionals and emphasized the importance of education in shaping a successful and fulfilling career. He encouraged the students to approach their studies with dedication, curiosity, and determination to excel in their chosen fields. In his keynote address, Gen V K Singh applauded Asian Business School for its commitment to providing quality education and preparing students to face the challenges of the corporate world. He emphasized the significance of management education in fostering leadership skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential attributes for any successful professional. Angelo George, the accomplished CEO of Bislery Group, shared his valuable insights and experiences with the students. He enlightened them about the practical aspects of the business world and encouraged them to embrace innovation and adaptability as they progress in their careers. Dr. Sandeep Marwah, an eminent educationist, captivated the audience with his motivational speech. He elucidated the true meaning of education at Asian Business School, emphasizing the institute's commitment to nurturing not only academic excellence but also holistic development. Dr. Marwah urged the students to explore their passions, foster creativity, and imbibe ethical values, which are the pillars of success in both personal and professional endeavors. The inaugural ceremony set the tone for an exciting academic journey for the students, who were inspired and energized by the esteemed guests' words of wisdom. The new session at Asian Business School promises to be a transformative experience for these young minds as they embark on a path of continuous learning and growth. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire London [UK], July 24: 5G will account for over two-fifths (41%) of mobile connections in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region by 2030, up from 4% in 2022, according to the GSMA's Mobile Economy APAC 2023 Report, published today. By the end of 2030 APAC will have around 1.4 billion 5G connections, with growth driven by a fall in 5G device prices, rapid network expansion in many countries, and concerted efforts by leading governments to integrate mobile technologies. The annual mobile economy report also reveals while mature markets, such as Australia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea lead global 5G mobile innovation, barriers continue to impact mobile access and usage in a number of other APAC countries. Despite significant improvements, almost half of the population in Asia Pacific (47%) still lack access to mobile internet, with the region lagging behind other parts of the world, including Latin America, China and Eurasia. Poor digital skills, particularly among older populations, device and service affordability, and online safety concerns are some of the reasons holding back uptake. Launched today at an event hosted by the GSMA and Singtel, in Singapore, key report findings include: - Mobile subscribers will rise by 400mn between 2022 and 2030 to reach 2.11bn; mobile penetration will also rise to 70% but still trail the global average of 73%. - The mobile sector added USD 810bn of economic value to the APAC economy in 2022 and will reach almost USD 1tn (USD 990bn) by 2030. - 5G will add over USD 133bn to the APAC economy in 2030. - Services (42%) and manufacturing (34%) industries will benefit from 5G the most, driven by applications in smart cities, smart factories and the smart grid. Read the full media announcement and report:here. M360 Asia Pacific 2023, 7-8 September Delegates attending this year's M360 Asia Pacific in Seoul have the opportunity to hear from thought leaders and attend keynotes covering key topics from the Mobile Economy report, including 5G Acceleration, AI, Immersive Technology and Digital Inclusion. M360 Asia Pacific is brought in partnership with Host Sponsor,KT and convenes leading industry figures and policymakers from across the region. Media can nowpre-register for M360 Asia Pacific, taking place at Westin Josun, Seoul. Contact: GSMA Press Office,pressoffice@gsma.com Logo -https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1882833/GSMA_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
American actor Joey Lynn King celebrated her bachelorette with friends and family at a winery in Napa Valley, California, People reported. For the occasion, she wore a chic halterneck dress and a white veil. She shared several photos from the enjoyable event on Instagram on Saturday. King, who got engaged to Steven Piet in February 2022, was pictured in the first image partying hard in a wine cellar while holding a glass and raising her arms. The upcoming bride captioned the humorous picture, "OHHHHHHHH SH*******." https://www.instagram.com/p/CvBbFg3Rw7k/?img_index=1 King posed admirably in the chic creamy-yellow dress for the second photo taken at the carousel while still donning her veil. A third image showed King standing on a raised platform inside the Cakebread Cellar Winery, demonstrating how seriously she took her wine-tasting responsibilities. In the last image, the actor was holding up a cheeky cookie in the shape of bathing trunks, with an offensive design iced on top. King's sister and actor Hunter King, reposted a photo of the actress on her Instagram Story, writing "Bride to be" across the image and adding a diamond ring emoji. A fellow actor, Taylor Lautner expressed her happiness by leaving two comments on King's Instagram post. A few hours later, he added another word, "JOEY," following his initial "Ahhhhhh" message. The Act, 2019 Hulu miniseries that earned the actress her first Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominations, is how she first met her fiance, Piet, 32. After dating Piet for three years, King announced their engagement in March 2022 by posting pictures of the proposal on Instagram. The Act, a 2019 Hulu limited series starring Piet as the real-life Gipsy Rose Blanchard, was produced and directed by King, as per People. "I never knew happiness could be so powerful that it can take the air from your lungs, overwhelming every part of you that you can't help but feel your eyes well from the undeniable joy," King captioned. "I never knew that a person's presence and heart could feel like a real home. I never knew love could be so unquestionably beautiful. I never knew until you." "The date was 2/2/22 when you asked me to marry you and made me the luckiest lady alive," she continued. "I love you more than an Instagram caption could ever do justice. Hanging out with you forever sounds like a real dream, so let's do it." (ANI)
Actor Ananya Panday on Monday shared tips and tricks to heat the food with Jugaad on a trip. Ananya took to Instagram stories and treated fans with a new video from her trip. Ananya recorded the process of heating pancakes for breakfast. In the video, the pancakes are kept on a plate and covered with a cloth. The pancakes are then heated with an iron-box! Sharing the video, she wrote, breakfast heating jugaad. On Saturday the actor also shared a glimpse of her trip to Ibiza. Taking to Insta, Ananya treated fans with pictures of herself from her holiday. She captioned the post, "blue baby." In the first picture, Ananya is seen sitting by a pool and drinking coconut water. A subsequent image shows her taking a mirror selfie in a blue bikini. In the fifth picture, she is seen sitting on the sand at a beach while staring at the camera. She had donned a stunning blue bikini and black sunglasses. As soon as Ananya posted the photographs, her followers began to inquire about Aditya's location. Ananya and Aditya Roy Kapur have been in the spotlight after photos from their trip were leaked on social media and quickly went viral. While the pair has not yet publicly acknowledged their relationship, they returned from their trip on the same day but chose to exit the airport separately. The duo's dating rumours started after they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali bash last year. On the work front, Ananya will be next seen in director Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller film. Ecstatic about the project, Ananya had earlier said, "When Vikramaditya Motwane approached me with this story, I just knew I had to be part of it. As a filmmaker, he has been on my wish list for as long as I can remember and I feel really lucky to be working with him this early in my career." She also has Farhan Akhtar's 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' opposite actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav and a comedy film 'Dream Girl 2' opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. In 'Dream Girl 2' she will be seen opposite Ayushmann Khurrana for the first time.She will also be making her web series debut with Amazon Prime Video's 'Call me bae'. (ANI)
As far as sweets are concerned, every town in Karnataka has its own specialities. But among them, Mysore Pak, which was invented in the royal kitchen of Mysore kings, has carved a niche for itself in the inernational market while highlighting the rich culinary heritage of India. Recently, Mysore Pak was ranked 14th among the 50 best street-food sweets worldwide making Karnataka proud again. With a rating of 4.4, Mysore Pak is among the top 50 snacks in the world on the online market. Apart from Mysore Pak, Falooda and Kulfi Falooda are the other Indian desserts that are on the list. Taste Atlas has released its Top 50 list of the world's best street food sweets, in which Mysore Pak has been ranked 14th with a rating of 4.4 while Kulfi has been ranked 18th with a rating of 4.3 followed by Faluda ranked 32nd with a rating of 4.0. This Mysuru cuisine was born during the reign of Mysore kings. 90-years-ago, Madappa, the royal chef in the Wodeyar kingdom of Mysuru, one day noticed that there was no dessert or sweet dish on the plate when the then-king Krishna Raja Wadiyar as he sat for dinner. And that is when he got an idea, he prepared a mixture of sugar-ghee-peanut flour. The sweet dish was highly praised by the Maharaja. Speaking to ANI, Shivananda, grandson of Tatsar Madappa, the man who invented Mysore Pak, said, Its a proud thing for every Kannadiga, especially for Mysorains. Its also great news for every Indian. Mysore Pak was invented during King Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. My grandfather Tatsar Madappa used to prepare Mysore Pak whenever guests used to come home. When king asked what's the name, they didn't have a name for it. Later the king named it Mysore (place) and Pak (sweet). Since then people started calling it Mysore Pak. we are continuing same sweetness, trend and tradition. Kannadigas are proud that Mysore Pak was first prepared in our Mysore. Mysore betel nut, Mysore silk, Mysore jasmine have also gained international fame. All these products will be exported from Mysore to the country and abroad. Mysore is also one of the favourite places in the world. Mysore is known as the city of palaces. Every day thousands of people come here to enjoy the beauty of this place, he added. The deputy chief minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar took to Twitter on Friday and shared his happiness over Mysore Pak being named among the world's best street food sweets. https://twitter.com/DKShivakumar/status/1682385820567871488 The tweet read, Kannadigas are proud that Mysore Pak has been ranked 14th among the world's top 50 street sweets published by Taste Atlas. My childhood memories of sharing mysore pak when my father and relatives who came home often brought me still. The hard work and skill of millions of chefs lies behind the Mysore Pak, which was born in the Mysore Palace and reaches every household today. All of them deserve credit for this. Four years ago in 2019, Tamil Nadu, the origin of Mysore Pak, got the Tamil Nadu the GI tag. A photo of Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman getting a GI tag on behalf of Tamil Nadu also went viral. At this time, Karnataka expressed strong anger against the central government and Nirmala Sitharaman. But again it proved to be fake news. (ANI)
The film was released on Prime Video on July 21. And now on Monday, the makers unveiled the film's new song 'Kat Jayega'.

Sung by Romy and Pravesh Mallick, composed by Tanishk Bagchi, the track is penned by Shloke Lal

Take a look at the track

https://twitter.com/NGEMovies/status/1683366661167120384

'Bawaal' is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who is best known for helming blockbusters like 'Dangal' and 'Chhichhore'. The film is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of World War 2.

The film has Varun playing a history teacher who takes Janhvi Kapoor's character on a trip to Europe to visit World War 2 sites.

On receiving an overwhelming response, Varun said, "Ajju bhaiya ne Mahual bana diya. Thank u for giving bawaal a place In Your heart. I have never received so many calls for any film of mine. The impact this film is having on people is incredible. Its a conversation starter about the fake image industry and how today we are all in someway slaves to this ideology. Thank u for watching and enjoying Ajju and his family. You are #bawaal.

It was shot in Paris, Berlin, Poland, Amsterdam, Krakow, Warsaw along with Lucknow and two other cities in India. The film's crew had more than 700 people with action directors and stuntmen hired from Germany. (ANI)
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday hit out at the oppposition, stating that it is running away from the proceedings of the parliament. Speaking to the media, Thakur said, "The government is ready for the discussion on Manipur but the opposition is avoiding the same. They are also running away from the proceedings of the parliament. What is their compulsion? They want to remain in the limelight but do not want to be in the discussion". Further, condemning former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the union minister added, "When Uddhav Thackeray was the CM, he could not answer for the brutal killing of sadhus (saints) in Palghar. He was not even ready for discussion". Notably, the monsoon session of the parliament began on July 20 amid the pandemonium over Manipur violence, with the oppposition seeking discussion on the same in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, Manipur Police on Saturday arrested another accused in connection with a viral video which showed two women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in the state.Police said that a total of six arrests have been made so far in the incident which occured on May 4, 2023. The BJP MP on Saturday also shared a clip from West Bengal's Malda, claiming that two tribal women seen in the video were stripped, beaten up and tortured as the police remained "mute spectators". BJPs IT department head Amit Malviya took to Twitter to post a purported video, that has surfaced on social media, of the incident, which he claimed took place on July 19 in Pakua Hat, a weekly market, of Bamangola Police Station in Malda. The horrific incident took place on the morning of 19th July. The women belonged to a socially marginalised community and had a frenzied mob baying for her blood, Malviya who is the partys BJP in-charge of West Bengal said. Manipur has been witnessing violence since May 3, following the protests by the Kuki community against the High Court's order asking the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the category of Scheduled Tribes (ST). Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for repeatedly violating the Chairs directives. The Chairman first named Sanjay Singh for interrupting the proceedings of the House when it had taken up the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Prime Minister on the Manipur violence and a detailed discussion on the issue. Sanjay Singh came near the Chairmans podium over opposition demands after the House resumed proceedings at 12 noon following its first adjourment earlier in the day. Dhankhar told him to resume his seat. As the AAP member kept protesting, the Chairman named him. Soon after the Chairman named Sanjay Singh, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion urging the Chair to suspend the AAP member, saying this kind of behaviour is completely against the ethics and rules of the House. Sanjay Singh should be suspended from the entire session of the House, he said. The Chairman put the motion for approval of the House and said Sanjay Singh was being suspended for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament "for having repeatedly violated the directives of the Chair". The Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 pm. Dhankhar had last week cautioned Sanjay Singh, saying that he will be forced to name the AAP member after he repeatedly protested against the proposed bill to replace the Centre's ordinance for control over services in Delhi. Dhankhar had cautioned Sanjay Singh after urging AAP members to take their seats as he briefed the House about the proceedings of the Business Advisory Committee. AAP has been among opposition parties demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the situation in Manipur and a detailed discussion on the issue. The government has said it is prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur. Earlier, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon with the Opposition parties creating a ruckus over its demands related to ethnic violence in Manipur. Opposition parties have sought suspension of business for a detailed discussion on the issue. Soon after the House assembled at 11 am for the day and papers were laid on the table, the Opposition started raising the issue requesting the Chair to consider their notices on suspension of business of the Upper House to conduct a detailed discussion on the matter. Dhankhar said he had received 27 notices under Rule 267. TMC leader Derek OBrien sought to raise the demands of opposition parties. The Chairman cautioned him and adjourned the House till 12 noon. The first two days of the monsoon session were almost washed out over Oppositions demands related to Manipur violence. The Opposition has rejected the government's proposal for a short-duration discussion. The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and will continue till August 11. (ANI)
Representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain on Monday said that the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee misled the Supreme Court on the survey being conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India at Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. Advocate Jain said that Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee submitted to the apex court that digging has started at the Mosque complex which is not true. "Supreme Court has put a stay on the order of the District Court on survey of the Mosque complex and has asked the Allahabad Court to decide the matter afresh. We will keep our argument in at Allahabad HC. The Muslim side, Anjuman Intezamia misled the SC and said that digging has started there, which is not true," he told ANI. The Supreme Court on Monday ordered that Varanasi district court order of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temples, shall not be enforced till 5 pm of July 26 while hearing the matter after a Special Leave Petition (SLP) was filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masajid (AIM) in the apex court seeking an urgent hearing in the Gyanvapi mosque survey case. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud says that the mosque committee shall move the Allahabad High Court with its plea against the district courts order. Earlier today Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team reached the Gyanvapi Mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple. Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi representing the Hindu side said that the result of the survey will be favourable to Hindus. "We are sure that the whole premise is of the temple only. The result of the survey will be favourable to us," he said. Meanwhile, a caveat petition was filed by Hindu petitioner Rakhi Singh in the Allahabad High Court on Saturday based on the order of Varanasi Court dated July 21 which gave directions to conduct an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey. The caveat petition has been filed through advocate Saurabh Tiwari through e-filing mode. Rakhi Singh, who is also the main petitioner in the Shringar Gauri Sthal case is in support of the ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque complex. A caveat was filed by her so that if the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee goes to the Allahbad High Court against the decision of the District Judge, the High Court should not give its decision without hearing the petitioner. "It is therefore, most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to allow the application and may provide the opportunity of hearing before passing any order in favour of proposed revisionists and/or pass such other and further order," the caveat read. (ANI)
After meeting Amit shah the BJP Telangana leader told ANI, "Amit Shah asked me to do better work with full enthuasism in Telangana. We discussed several issues realated telangana. Amit Shah told me that the party has to win in Telengana in the upcoming polls".

Home minister Amit Shah took twitter to inform about the meeting.

He tweeted, Met Shri @bandisanjay_bjp Ji and discussed various issues related to Telangana.

This meeting comes after changes were made in Telangana by the BJP top brass.

Earlier Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy was appointed as the President of the Telangana BJP replacing Bandi Sanjay. The other significant change was Etela Rajender, the MLA from Huzurabad, who has been made the Chairman of the Election Management Committee.

This is the fourth time the party has handed over the responsibility of the state BJP unit to Kishan Reddy.

Earlier, at the BJP office on June 23, senior leaders Amit Shah, Nadda, and BL Santosh held discussions with Reddy, Eatala Rajender and former MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy. Deliberating on party affairs in Telangana, they felt that internal rift between leaders was affecting the party's prospects in the state.

Highly placed party sources told ANI that during the discussion, which lasted about 3 hours, Etala and Raj Gopal Reddy suggested that the high command step up its efforts in Telangana if they are to defeat the ruling BRS.

Further, according to sources, before stepping down as the state chief on Monday, Bandi Sanjay also met Nadda and handed over his resignation." He also discussed Telangana's present political situation," a source said. (ANI)
"A 57-year-old ACP Bharat Gaikwad was posted in Amravati and had come to his home in Pune on leave. His family was staying in a bungalow in the Baner area of Pune city. Around 3.30 am today Gaikwad first fired a bullet on his wife and then fired on his nephew," a police official said.

Police said that the deceased cop later died by suicide after shooting himself in the head.

"After firing on both he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, all three were declared death on the arrival at the hospital," an official said.

A case regarding the incident is under the jurisdiction of the Chattushringi police station of Pune.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and discussed in detail various projects related to road connectivity in Uttarakhand, a press statement issued by the Chief Minister's office read. The Chief Minister requested the Union Road Transport Minister for financial and administrative approval on the proposals of CIR. The Union Road Transport Minister said that the state will be given approval for a project worth Rs 250 crore in CIR. The Chief Minister requested the Union Road Transport Minister to pay the amount under Fixed Deposit Receipt for smoothening the national highways damaged by the calamity located in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand. The Union Minister said that for this a proposal should be sent again under flood damage repair. The Chief Minister also requested to approve the nomination of the Uttarakhand Public Works Department as the construction agency for the geometric improvement and widening of National Highway-109K. The Union Minister gave consent for this. At the request of the Chief Minister, the Union Road Transport Minister directed the officials of NHAI to expedite the work on the important two-lane tunnel project at Mussoorie.The Chief Minister also requested to approve the DPR costing only Rs 367.35 crore for the 2-lane widening of National Highway No-123 (507) from Damta to Barkot connecting Yamunotri Dham. He said that this route is an alternative route for the Chardham Yatra. The Union Minister assured that its approval would be given soon. The Chief Minister requested to get the Khatima-Pilibhit bypass constructed through NHAI, on which the Union Minister said that it would be considered. On the request of the Chief Minister for the construction of ROBs on Khatima Melaghat Vanamaholia Marg and Khatima Lohiahead Marg, the Union Minister instructed the officials to conduct tests for the ROBs. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that action is being taken to finalize the alignment for the Dehradun Ring Road construction work by NHAI. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister for their early approval under NH-(O). Union Minister instructed NHAI to take immediate action on this.The Chief Minister requested the Union Road Transport Minister for speedy approval on the proposal to convert National Highway No. 87E0 (109) (Jeolikot to Karnprayag) connecting Kumaon to Garhwal Mandal and National Highway No. 72B0 (707) (Fedij to Sanail) connecting Uttarakhand and Himachal states into two-lane. Keeping in view the high traffic density in Srinagar urban area, the Chief Minister also requested for the construction of bypass. The Union Road Transport Minister assured to approve the DPRs of these three schemes in this month.The Chief Minister requested the Union Road Transport Minister that with the construction of a 5 km tunnel between Jolingkang (Beas Valley) in district Pithoragarh and Beadag along with a 20 km road from Vedang to Go and Sipu, the road from Tawaghat to Vedang constructed by BRO and CPWD will be connected. It will reduce the distance between Jolingkang and Bedang by 161 km. Darma Valley and Johar Valley will be connected to each other by the construction of a tunnel of about 22 km length between Sipu and Tola. He said that with the construction of a 30 km tunnel from Milam to Lathal, the Johar Valley of Pithoragarh district and the Lathal road of Chamoli district can be connected. The Chief Minister said that with the construction of these three tunnel routes and 20 km road, the distance from Jolingkang to Lapthal will be reduced to about 42 km, which at present is 490 km. The Chief Minister also requested for the construction of a motor road from Go village to Bedang and construction of about 19 km long motor road and about 3 km long tunnel from both sides to connect Jolingkang village in Darma Valley with Bedang village in Vyas Valley. (ANI)
Union Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with senior opposition leaders regarding disruptions in Parliament over their demands related to the situation in Manipur and urged them to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament. BJP sources said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay were among the leaders who have been contacted by the government to end the logjam in Parliament. They said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal have been reaching out to opposition leaders for the smooth functioning of parliament. With the opposition continuing their protests over their demands, Rajnath Singh, who is also Deputy Leader of House in the Lok Sabha, on Monday said that the government is ready for discussion in Parliament. We are ready for discussion in Parliament. Manipur incident is most definitely a very serious matter and sensing the gravity of the situation, the PM himself has said that what happened in the state (viral video on Wednesday purportedly showing two women being paraded in the nude) has put the entire nation to shame, he said. The Defence Minister had last week also spoken in the House about the governments willingness for discussion on the Manipur situation. Opposition parties are demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament on the Manipur situation followed by a detailed discussion by adjourning all other listed business. Several opposition MPs gave adjournment notices for discussion on Manipur issue on Monday. Parliament has been facing continuous disruptions since the monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 over the oppositions demands. On Monday, opposition leaders resorted to sloganeering and displayed placards in the Lok Sabha over their demands. They also sought to raise their demands in Rajya Sabha. The government has a heavy legislative agenda for the monsoon session of Parliament which is slated to conclude on August 11. (ANI)
A Hyderabad university professor on Monday approached the Supreme Court (SC) seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against him in which summons were also issued for his personal presence before a district court in Imphal. A bench headed Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to list the matter for hearing on July 28 after senior advocate Anand Grover mentioned it for early hearing. The petitioner, Dr Kham Khan Suan Hausing, a Professor of Political Science and also the Head of the Department of Political Science in University of Hyderabad, who belongs to Kuki tribal community, approached the top court seeking quashing of proceedings and summons. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East, Manipur, issued summons to Hausing asking him to appear before it on July 28, 2023, in pursuance of the criminal complaint filed against him by Manipar Moirangthem Singh, a member of the Meitei Tribes Union (MTU). The Imphal court took cognisance of the offences made out under section 153A (which deals with promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (which deals with acts outraging religious feelings), 505(1) (statements conducting public mischief), 298 (deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complainant claimed that professor Hausings statements in an interview to Karan Thapar have defamed Meitei community and fueled communal enmity in Manipur. In the interview, Hausing had said that separate administration must be created for the Kuki community. The petitoner sought record of entire complaint including, the statement of complainant and witnesses, the copy of complaint, copy of FIR lodged and orders passed by the court. He said summons were issued to him in abject ignorance of the communal tension and disturbance prevailing in the State of Manipur between Kuki and Meitei community. The plea cited the case of a lawyer, Deeksha Dwivedi, who granted interim protection after an FIR was registered against her by the Manipur Police for offences of sedition, conspiracy to wage war, etc. The petitioner said he is similarly placed with Dwivedis case as he apprehends that amidst the communal tension of the two communities, there is threat to his life and liberty. The petitioner submitted that on account of the widespread conflict in Manipur, he is apprehensive that there is a real and imminent threat to his life if he travels to Manipur to answer the summons. Hausing further stated in his plea that on on July 6, 2023 summons were issued by the Magistrate and no case against the offences under which he was charged are made out. He said on July 13, it has also come to his knowledge that a fresh complaint dated July 10 by one Khomdrom Manikanta Singh has also been filed with the Officer-In Charge, Imphal West Police station, Manipur alleging that Hausing is not a citizen of India and his name has been added to the electoral rolls by manipulation, fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. The violence in Manipur between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki, erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. Violence has gripped the entire state for over three month now and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI)
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday came down heavily on the central governemnt after Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh was suspended by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for the remainder of the monsoon session of the Parliament. Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "ineptitude" and "negligence" in handling the Manipur crisis, the party asked, "How many voices will you silence?" "We ask, how many voices will you SILENCE? How many MPs will you unjustly SUSPEND? The truth is crystal clear, and PM Modis ineptitude and negligence are glaringly evident to everyone!" the party tweeted. The TMC claimed that the AAP MP was suspended for asking Prime Minister Modi to speak on Manipur in the Parliament."@AamAadmiParty MP @SanjayAzadSln suspended by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, for the entire monsoon session just for asking PM @narendramodi to speak on Manipur in the Parliament!" the TMC said. The party said that the decision to suspend Sanjay Singh "subverts the very essence of democracy". "The decision blatantly subverts the very essence of democracy, laying bare the fact that the @BJP4India-led Central Government is shamelessly employing every conceivable tactic to avoid any meaningful discussion on the Manipur issue." Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday suspended AAP MP Sanjay Singh for repeatedly violating the Chairs directives. The Chairman first named Sanjay Singh for interrupting the proceedings of the House when it had taken up the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Prime Minister on the Manipur violence and a detailed discussion on the issue. Earlier on Monday, Sanjay Singh came near the Chairmans podium over opposition demands after the House resumed proceedings at 12 noon following its first adjournment earlier in the day. Dhankhar told him to resume his seat. As the AAP member kept protesting, the Chairman named him. Soon after the Chairman named Sanjay Singh, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion urging the Chair to suspend the AAP member, saying this kind of behaviour is completely against the ethics and rules of the House. Sanjay Singh should be suspended from the entire session of the House, he said. The Chairman put the motion for approval of the House and said Sanjay Singh was being suspended for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament "for having repeatedly violated the directives of the Chair". The Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 pm. (ANI)
The Home Minister will visit Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram on August 28 where he will offer prayers at Rameshwaram Temple and then flag off BJP's Parivartan Yatra.

Ahead of the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections this year, Amit Shah will visit Telangana on August 29.

Shah will visit Hyderabad where will he will hold Telangana BJP unit core committee meeting. He will also review the work of the party in the state.

Moreover, the Union Home Minister will also hold organisational meeting with all morchas, party leaders, office bearers and will meet 12 senior important party leaders one by one in a day-long meeting, BJP sources told ANI.

Amit Shah will visit Telangana for the first time after BJP high command made changes in Telangana unit.

Earlier today, former BJP Telangana Chief Sanjay Bandi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

After meeting Amit Shah the BJP Telangana leader told ANI, "Amit Shah asked me to do better work with full enthuasism in Telangana. We discussed several issues related to Telangana as Amit Shah has asked me that the party has to win in Telengana in the upcoming polls".

Home minister Amit Shah took twitter to inform about the meeting.

He tweeted, Met Shri @bandisanjay_bjp Ji and discussed various issues related to Telangana.

This meeting comes after changes were made in Telangana party unit by the BJP top brass.

Earlier Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy was appointed as the President of the Telangana BJP replacing Bandi Sanjay. The other significant change was Etela Rajender, the MLA from Huzurabad, who has been made the Chairman of the Election Management Committee.

This is the fourth time the party has handed over the responsibility of the state BJP unit to Kishan Reddy. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday sought to know from Enforcement Directorate (ED) whether a Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee in relation to alleged money laundering cases connected with coal in West Bengal. The court asked ED whether a lookout notice had been issued for Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee and why they should not be allowed to travel abroad. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju sought instructions on whether there is LOC against the Banerjee couple. A bench of Justices S K Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia made this observation while hearing the applications moved by Rujira. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal and Advocate Sunil Fernandes appeared for Rujira. In the application filed by Rujira Banerjee, she has sought direction to ED to cancel/rescind/withdraw the Lookout Circular issued against them prohibiting her from travelling abroad. According to the application, Rujira Banerjee was detained along with her minor children at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata by the Respondent ED and restrained from travelling to Dubai on June 5, despite prior intimation of the travel details to the ED on June 3. "The petitioner claimed that the Respondent has further illegally forbidden the Applicant from travelling abroad through its email dated 10.06.2023 on bogus and flimsy grounds. The aforesaid action is not only patently illegal but also undermines the orders passed by this Court in the present SLP and grossly violates the fundamental rights of the Applicant under Article 21 of the Constitution of India while causing harassment to the Applicant, despite her repeated cooperation in the instant matter, and also the email dated 10.06.2023, vide which the Respondent/ED has categorically disallowed the Applicant to travel abroad, even after the Applicant duly complying with the summons issued on 05.06.2023, and appeared before the concerned official of the Respondent/ED on 08.06.2023," the application said. The ED had lodged a case under the provisions of the PMLA based on a November 2020 FIR registered by the CBI that alleged a multi-crore coal pilferage scam related to Eastern Coalfields Ltd mines in the state's Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol. Local coal operative Anup Majee is alleged to be the prime suspect in the case. The ED had claimed that the TMC MP was a beneficiary of funds obtained from this illegal trade. Banerjee has denied all charges. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex at Pragati Maidan on July 26, 2023, which has been developed at a cost of about Rs 2,700 crore, an official release said. The Prime Ministers vision of having world-class infrastructure for hosting meetings, conferences and exhibitions in the country led to the conceptualization of the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) at Pragati Maidan. According to the official statement, the project, which revamped the old and outdated facilities at Pragati Maidan, was developed as a National project at a cost of about Rs 2700 crore. With a campus area of approximately 123 acres, the IECC complex has been developed as Indias largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. Regarding the covered space available for events, the IECC Complex finds its place among the world's top exhibition and convention complexes. The newly developed IECC complex at Pragati Maidan comprises multiple state-of-the-art facilities including Convention Centre, Exhibition halls, amphitheatres etc. The release said, "The Convention Centre is developed as the centrepiece of the Pragati Maidan complex. It is a grand architectural marvel, designed to host large-scale international exhibitions, trade fairs, conventions, conferences, and other prestigious events. It is equipped with multiple meeting rooms, lounges, auditoriums, an amphitheatre and a business centre, making it capable of hosting a wide range of events." "Its majestic multi-purpose hall and plenary hall have a combined capacity of seven thousand people, which is larger than the seating capacity of the famous Sydney Opera House in Australia. Its magnificent Amphitheater is equipped with a seating capacity of 3,000 individuals," it added. The architectural design of the Convention Centre building is inspired by Indian traditions and showcases Indias confidence and conviction in its past while also embracing modern facilities and way of life. The release also said that the shape of the building is derived from the Shankha (conch shell), and different walls and facades of the Convention Centre depict several elements of India's traditional art and culture including Surya Shakti highlighting Indias efforts in harnessing solar energy, Zero to ISRO, celebrating our achievements in space, Pancha Mahabhuta signifying the building blocks of universal foundation - Aakash (Sky), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Jal (Water), Prithvi (Earth), among others. Also, various paintings and Tribal art forms from different regions of the country adorn the Convention Centre. Other facilities available in the Convention Centre include a 5G-enabled fully Wi-Fi-covered campus, 10G Intranet connectivity, an interpreter room equipped with cutting-edge technology to support 16 different languages, advanced AV systems with huge-sized video walls, building management system ensuring optimal functionality and energy efficiency, light management system with dimming and occupancy sensors, state-of-the-art DCN (Data Communication Network) system, integrated surveillance system and energy-efficient centralized air conditioning system, it added. Further, the IECC complex features seven exhibition halls, each serving as a versatile space for hosting exhibitions, trade fairs, and business events. The exhibition halls are designed to accommodate a diverse range of industries and showcase products and services from around the world. These state-of-the-art structures are a testament to modern engineering and architectural prowess. The development of the area outside the IECC is also thoughtfully designed that complements the beauty of the main complex and is a testimony of the careful planning and development that has gone into this project. The sculptures, installations, and murals showcase the rich cultural heritage of India; Musical Fountains add an element of enchantment and spectacle; Water Bodies such as ponds, lakes, and artificial streams, enhance the tranquillity and aesthetics of the area. The release noted that the convenience of visitors is a priority at the IECC, reflected in the provision of over 5,500 vehicle parking spaces. The ease of access through signal-free roads ensures that visitors can reach the venue without any hassle. Also, the overall design prioritizes the comfort and convenience of attendees, facilitating seamless movement within the IECC complex. "The development of the new IECC complex at Pragati Maidan will help in the promotion of India as a global business destination. It will also play a vital role in boosting trade and commerce, leading to economic growth and job creation. It will support the growth of small and medium enterprises by providing them with a platform to showcase their products and services on a national and international stage. It will also facilitate knowledge exchange and encourage the dissemination of best practices, technological advancements, and industry trends. IECC at Pragati Maidan epitomizes India's pursuit of economic and technological excellence in the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and is a step towards building a New India," it added. (ANI)
Rohit Pawar is demanding to identify a region in his constituency for industrial development.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar expressed his displeasure over the sit-in protest on the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.

"In the Assembly it was already decided that no one will hold any protest at the staircase of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue to keep the sanctity of the place. So Rohit Pawar doing protest there is not a correct thing to do... we request Rohit Pawar to leave that place and come to house and mention his issue in house here," Rahul Narvekar said.

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister of Ministry of Industries Uday Samant Saheb assured that the Industries Department will issue notification immediately by holding a meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also expressed his displeasure over the sit-in protest by his MLA nephew Rohit Pawar.

The politics of Maharashtra boiled since July 2 as senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister of the state. Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government with 8 other MLAs and has claimed control over the Nationalist Congress Party. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday appealed to people to protect religious places as well as, public and private properties. Speaking in front of the Vyaspeeth at the conclusion of the weeklong (July 18 to 24) Shri Shiv Mahapuran Katha organized at Mansarovar Temple located in Andhiyari Bagh, in association with Gorakhnath Temple, CM Yogi said, Ten to 12 years ago, the Mansarovar temple had become completely dilapidated. However, with the awakening of social consciousness, the devotees of Gorakhpur took up the task of its conservation and the temple was rejuvenated. Before participating in the conclusion of Shri Shiv Mahapuran Katha, Yogi Adityanath performed Rudrabhishek at Mansarovar temple and wished for a prosperous life for all the citizens. After performing Rudrabhishek of Lord Mahadev, the Chief Minister worshipped all the deities and prayed for the welfare of the people. Devotees from north to south and east to west have been receiving supernatural blessings from the twelve Jyotirlingas since time immemorial. Our saints have taught us to see Lord Shiva even in the pebbles. By worshipping Lord Shiva, we get inspiration to work for the welfare of others along with ourselves, CM Yogi said. According to the Chief Minister, it is a good fortune to enjoy the story of Lord Shiva in the Shukla Paksha of the holy month of Shravan. In Greater India, from Kailash to Rameshwaram, from Vaidyanath Dham in the east to Somnath Dham in the west, the holy places of Lord Bholenath have been centres of the awakening of spiritual and cultural unity since ancient times, he remarked. The Chief Minister also described Kanwar Yatra during Sawan as an excellent example of cultural and social unity, which brings together youth, women and men of every section to perform Jalabhishek of Mahadev as an expression of divine devotion. CM Yogi also expressed his gratitude to Kathavyas Saint Balakdas and all the hosts on the occasion. A large number of devotees including Mayor Manglesh Srivastava, MLA Vipin Singh, MLC Dharmendra Singh, Mahant Ravindra Das of Kalibari, Mahant Panchanan Puri of Chachairam Math, Metropolitan President of BJP Rajesh Gupta, Councilor Pawan Tripathi were present on this occasion. (ANI)
Telangana High Court on Monday allowed BJP to stage a dharna in Hyderabad over a double-bedroom housing scheme on Tuesday after the police denied permission for the same. The high court of Telangana had the opportunity to look into the petition moved by the BJP requesting permission to hold a dharna at the designated earmarked Dharna Chowk. The BJP alleged the lackadaisical attitude of the state government in allotting double-bedroom houses. Rachana Reddy, BJP spokesperson said that recently appointed BJP state president Kishan Reddy wanted to conduct a field inspection at Batasingaram where several double-bedroom houses are in the stage of construction. Kishan Reddy was detained, and several BJP leaders were under House arrest. To conduct a peaceful dharna against the Lackadiciacal attitude of the state government in allotting double-bedroom houses permission was sought much earlier on July 14. Again another application was given on July 20, however, no clarification was given. Reddy said, "As we didn't receive any information from law enforcement authorities, the Commissioner of police or Asst commissioner of police, we moved an urgent lunch motion. During the hearing, they issued an unreasonable denial rejecting our request for permission based on several illogical grounds. Claiming lame excuses like traffic congestion, etc..," "The high court set aside the rejection even though it was given at the last moment stating that the same is without any application of mind and articles 19 1a & b cannot be overridden. Law enforcement can regulate but cannot reject any kind of dharna or procession," she added. Reddy said that the high court was pleased to grant permission to conduct a dharna tomorrow at dharna chowk by the BJP for the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the state government in allotting 2 Bhk houses. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's claim that Ajit Pawar would be appointed as the chief minister replacing Eknath Shinde in August. "Nowadays, several senior leaders can be seen making speculations. They may speculate as much as they want. When we formed the Maha Yuti alliance, all three leaders of all three parties were clear that the CM is Eknath Shinde and he will continue to be the CM of Maha Yuti. There is not going to be any change to this," Devendra Fadnavis said. "As the leader of the biggest party of Maha Yuti, I would like to clearly say this - nobody should have any confusion in their mind. If Opposition tries to create confusion, it means they are indulging in kite flying and their kite will come down," he added. Earlier today, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar who recently took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister will be appointed as the CM very soon replacing Eknath Shinde. Chavan, while talking to ANI said that Pawar will become the chief minister of Maharashtra around August 10. "I can't reveal my sources. I talked a long time back on this and it is only analysis which indicates that Ajit Pawar will become CM of Maharashtra. Why I'm saying this because the disqualification matter of 40 MLAs is pending before the Speaker (Rahul Narwekar). Supreme Court must give its decision under 90 days and that period will finish on 10th August or before that. So, there is a chance for Ajit Pawar to become Chief Minister, Chavan said. Questioning the recent visit of Eknath Shinde to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital, Chavan said that it indicates that Shinde is going to be replaced and the PM is biding him farewell. "Why PM Narendra Modi called him (Eknath Shinde) a few days back. This visit should have taken place one year back after Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister of Maharashtra. It indicates that CM Eknath Shinde will be disqualified soon. So, the PM is doing his farewell. Eknath Shinde and his faction clearly violated the 10th Schedule of Supreme Court and the decision will come any time, he added. Earlier this month, in a surprise move, NCP'sAjit Pawarjoined hands with the BJP-Shiv Sena, along with eight NCP MLAs. His political manoeuvre split the party founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar and changed the political equations of Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. WhileAjit Pawarhas 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 akin to the way Eknath Shinde split the undivided Shiv Sena last year and joined 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. (ANI)
Police on Monday said that it is investigating all angles in connection with the 35-year-old woman from Alwar in Rajasthan who travelled to Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend. Arvind Kumar, the husband of Anju, who travelled to Pakistan, told ANI that his wife told him she was visiting a friend in Jaipur. The husband, Arvind Kumar, said that he got a call from Anju on Sunday night and she said that she was in Lahore. Speaking to ANI, Bhiwadi Assistant Superintendent of Police (SP) Sujit Shankar said, "According to the preliminary investigation, we got to know that this woman was in touch with a Pakistan-based man for two to three years through Facebook and WhatsApp". The ASP said that the woman informed her family members that she was travelling to Amritsar but she crossed over to Pakistan on July 21. "We have not received any formal complaint as of now. She applied for a passport in 2020, but we do not have any further information," the Bhiwandi SP said. Prima facie, this can be a matter of love affair, but we can't say anything until concrete evidence is found. We will not take any formal investigation since no complaint has been received. There are acts like the Passport Act and others, action can be taken against her if any fake document has been used to cross over. All angles will be investigated if necessary," the police official said. The husband Arvind Kumar said said that before leaving, her wife told him that she is visiting one of her friends in Jaipur. "I got a voice call last night, she said that I am in Lahore. I have no idea why she went to Lahore and how she got the visa and other stuff. She informed me that she will return within two to three days," Kumar said while speaking to ANI. This comes on the heels of a Pakistani woman travelling to India to get united with her alleged boyfriend whom she meet through a virtual gaming platform. Seema Haider had crossed over into India illegally to move in together with her Indian lover, Sachin Meena, whom she met over the popular online game PUBG. Meanwhile, Arvind, husband of Anju said, "I have no idea why has she gone to Lahore and how did she manage to get the VISA and other stuff. I usually don't touch my wife's phone to check her messages. This is not connected to Seema Haider's case as my wife had all the documents. I have not registered any complaint to the police. My children will decide if we will stay with my wife when she returns. This was the first time she had gone anywhere without informing me. This is cheating. I will call her parents and we will sit together to decide the steps to be taken further." Kumar said he appeals to the government that she be allowed to return to producing all the legal documents. (ANI)
On the ongoing Manipur issue, Karanataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao accused BJP leaders of diverting attention from the issue and emphasised that the Prime Minister is diverting from the main isue and Minister also accused Central government for having double standards on the issue and trying to save Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "They (BJP leaders) are trying to divert attention, trying to talk about some other states like Rajasthan, and when the Prime Minister talks he tries to divert this subject instead of owning responsibility. If it had been an opposition-ruled state, by now they would've called president's rule... Why is he protecting the Chief Minister and the BJP government. It is double standards of the Central Government". Opposition parties continued their protest in the two Houses of Parliament over their demands relating to the debate on the Manipur situation with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seeing adjournments on Monday. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon and then till 2 pm. In Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Monday for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for repeatedly violating the Chairs directives. The Chairman first named Sanjay Singh for interrupting the proceedings of the House when it had taken up the Question Hour amid protests by the Opposition over its demand for a statement from Prime Minister on the Manipur violence and a detailed discussion on the issue. Sanjay Singh came near the Chairmans podium over opposition demands. Dhankhar told him to resume his seat. As the AAP member kept protesting, the Chairman named him. Soon after the Chairman named Sanjay Singh, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion urging the Chair to suspend the AAP member, saying this kind of behaviour is completely against the ethics and rules of the House. Sanjay Singh should be suspended from the entire session of the House, he said.The Chairman put the motion for approval of the House and said Sanjay Singh was being suspended for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament "for having repeatedly violated the directives of the Chair". The Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 pm. Dhankhar had last week cautioned Sanjay Singh, saying that he will be forced to name the AAP member after he repeatedly protested against the proposed bill to replace the Centre's ordinance for control over services in Delhi. Dhankhar had cautioned Sanjay Singh after urging AAP members to take their seats as he briefed the House about the proceedings of the Business Advisory Committee. AAP has been among opposition parties demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the situation in Manipur and a detailed discussion on the issue.The government has said it is prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur. Lok Sabha witnessed protests and sloganeering from opposition members over their demand for a discussion on the Manipur situation and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 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)
"The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Odisha from July 25 to 27, 2023", the statement said on Monday.

President Murmu will interact with a group of medical students sponsored by 'Atut-Bandhan' family and lay the foundation stone for a new building block of Raj Bhavan Odisha in Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday evening, it said.

According to the official statement, the President will address the valedictory function of 75th year celebrations of the High Court of Orissa at Cuttack on Wednesday.She will also address the annual function of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack and attend the convocation of National Law University Odisha at Cuttack on the same day.

President Murmu, on July 27, will interact with Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) at Raj Bhawan in Odisha.

"On July 27, 2023, the President will interact with the members of PVTGs at Raj Bhavan Odisha. On the same day, she will launch this years theme of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya 'The Year of Positive Change' for conducting nationwide seminar and conferences and lay the foundation stone for its 'Lighthouse Complex' at Dasabatia, Tamando, Bhubaneswar", the statement added.

(ANI)
With more than 90 per cent of votes counted, the conservative PP obtained 136 seats out of 350, short of the absolute majority of 176 seats.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had announced a snap election following the Left's poor performance in the local and regional elections held in May, reported Al Jazeera.

The far-right Vox party will need to join forces with the centre-right Partido Popular (PP) party in order to form a government, marking the first time a far-right party has held office since Francisco Franco's dictatorship ended in the 1970s.

Spaniards voted on Sunday, as per Al Jazeera. Along with 208 of the 265 seats in the upper house, all 350 seats in the lower house of parliament will be up for election. In contrast to the upper house, where voters can select up to three regional senators, voters for the lower house must choose a party rather than a single candidate.

The winner will have three weeks to formally constitute their government, and King Felipe VI will meet party leaders to designate a candidate.

While Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the leader of the right-wing PP, is heavily favoured in the polls, his party is not anticipated to achieve a majority, according to Al Jazeera.

For PP, it would entail forming a coalition government with the extreme right-wing Vox party.

A potential PP-Vox government would represent a significant rightward shift for another EU member, continuing a recent trend in Sweden, Finland, and Italy.

However, nations like Germany and France are worried about the potential impact of the change on EU immigration and climate policies, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
Ukraine is eyeing next year for the country's accession to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Defence Minister Oleskii Reznikov said, CNN reported. Talking about the next year's NATO Summit in Washington, Reznikov said, "Who knows, maybe it will be a very important day for Ukraine, adding It is just my forecast. During the interview, Reznikov acknowledged that Ukraine will only be able to join the alliance once the war is over, referencing Article 5 and saying "We have no options to have a unanimous vote" while the conflict is ongoing. When asked if he thought the war would be over by next summer he quickly answered, Yes. We will win this war. Reznikov downplayed the Biden administrations refusal to commit to Ukraine getting admitted immediately after the wars end. I think it's not necessary, he said. Ukraine will have a streamlined admission process and in the meantime will continue to work on the necessary reforms, Reznikov added. The defence minister emphasized that the benefits of admitting Ukraine to the alliance have only grown given its fight against Russia, as per CNN. The United States and other NATO countries have said it is impossible to admit Ukraine now because of the ongoing war. Early this month, US President Joe Biden said that he doesn't think Ukraine is ready for NATO membership and added that NATO is a process that takes some time to meet all qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues. "I don't think it (Ukraine) is ready for membership in NATO," the US President said in an interview when asked about Ukraine's NATO membership, reported CNN. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he held a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg on unblocking the Black Sea grain corridor. This phone call came on the heels of Russia calling off the crucial deal to ensure the safe passage of ships. Had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg. We discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Vilnius summit and further actions regarding the integration of Ukraine into @NATO, tweeted Zelenskyy. His tweet continued, We shared assessments of the current situation in the Black Sea and the risks it poses for global food security. We also identified with Mr Stoltenberg the priority and future steps necessary for unblocking and sustainable operation of the Black Sea grain corridor. This came after Russia announced it was suspending its participation in a UN-brokered deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain. (ANI)
Police said the arrests came after the completion of a joint investigation carried out by the Jerusalem District Attorneys Office and the General Security Service.

One person was wounded in the attack.

Large police forces of the Jerusalem district were called to the scene after the attack and searched for the suspects who fled after the stabbing. Two knives were found at the scene and the polices forensic investigators began collecting findings and an investigation was opened to clarify the circumstances of the case.

The commander of the Jerusalem district, Superintendent Doron Turgeman, assigned the investigation to the central unit of the Jerusalem district, and it was conducted together with the Shin Bet. (ANI/TPS)
Dubai [UAE], July 24 (ANI/WAM): President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today had discussions with Tunisian President Kais Saied, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Charles Michel, in separate meetings on the sidelines of the International Conference on Development and Migration which took place in the Italian capital, Rome. During the meetings, Zayed Al Nahyan discussed various aspects of the relations between the UAE and Tunisia, Lebanon, and the European Union. The parties also explored ways to support and develop these relations for the benefit of the people of all countries involved. The meetings also discussed the agenda of the International Conference on Development and Migration, and its outcomes, with all sides expressing their hope that the conference will achieve its desired objectives aimed at addressing the causes of irregular migration and protecting the lives and dignity of migrants. The Tunisian President, the Lebanese Prime Minister, and the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council praised the announcement of a financial contribution of US$100 million by the UAE, which aims to support developmental projects in countries affected by irregular migration, including backing initiatives proposed in the Rome Process. President Saied, Prime Minister Mikati, European Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Michel expressed their appreciation for the UAE's approach and efforts in addressing humanitarian issues and for the countrys constructive and impactful contributions in tackling common global challenges. The two meetings were also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation. (ANI/WAM)
Soon after the crash took place on Sunday night, Allan was taken into police custody on Sunday night. The collision apparently took place in Wellington.

Allan declared in a statement that she would immediately resign from all of her positions.

The justice minister was not in a fit state to hold a ministerial warrant, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who claimed to have spoken to her earlier, RNZ reported adding that Hipkins confirmed accepting her resignation.

Policestatedinastatementthatjustafter9o'clocktheywerenotifiedofatwo-carcollisiononEvansBayParadeinRoseneath.

"One person was taken into custody and is assisting police with inquiries into the circumstances of the crash. The road was blocked for a short time, no injuries are reported," RNZ reported citing the police.

Allan was held at Wellington Central Police station after the collision on charges of careless driving and resisting arrest before being released at around one in the morning, according to Hipkins.

Hipkins said that it was unacceptable to accuse a justice minister of committing a crime

"Kiri agrees, and she's advised me she wishes to resign all her portfolios immediately, is heading home, and taking time to consider her future in politics. I've accepted that resignation," Hipkins said, according to RNZ. (ANI)
Yasmin Rashid's judicial remand ended today, and she was then brought before the ATC judge.

The investigation officer asked the court for more time to submit the challan in the instances.

The former minister was ordered by the court to remain in custody for an additional 14 days and for police to re-present her on August 7 to the court, according to ARY news.

In a case involving May 9 riots, the former health minister of Punjab province in Pakistan was put behind bars last month.

The PTI leader virtually appeared before the court when the police asked for the former provincial health minister's physical detention. Rashid was given to police on judicial remand for 15 days after the judge denied the police's plea.

TheLahorepolice had lodged a case against thePTIleaderYasmin Rashidfor allegedly setting vehicles on fire on May 9 whenPTIchairmanImran Khanwas arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Earlier this month, Yasmin Rashid was sent on judicial remand over the Askari Tower attack case by the anti-terrorism court (ATC), ARY News reported. She was presented before the ATC upon completion of physical remand, however, the investigation officer urged the ATC to grant her further physical remand since the investigation into the Askari Tower attack case was not yet completed. (ANI)
The telecommunication regulator said that the decision to suspend the services was issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Several complaints have been received as consumers claim that mobile services are being affected in some areas at different times while some people are facing a complete shutdown, Geo News reported.

Mobile services are either suspended or affected in several areas.

The federal government has announced public holidays on July 28 and 29 on account of Ashura, a Muslim voluntary fast day observed on the 10th day of Muharram and especially sacred to Shiites.

"[] it is for general information that the Prime Minister is pleased to declare 28th to 29th July 2023 (Friday and Saturday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1445 AH)," a notification issued by the Cabinet Division stated.

The country will mark the first of Muharram, the beginning of the new Islamic year 1445 AH, this evening (July 20), which means Youm-e-Ashura will be observed on July 29 (Saturday).

Earlier, the Government of Sindh banned pillion riding on Muharram 9 and 10 under several measures taken under Section 144 of the CrPC to ensure the Ashura days activities continue uninterrupted, Geo News reported.

Moreover, the federal government approved the deployment of armed forces across the country to ensure security during the holy month of Muharram. (ANI)
One person was killed and five went missing after a passenger van plunged into the River Indus in Gilgit, officials said on Monday, Dawn reported. Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper. A spokesperson for the district administration, Mazhar Maghul, told Dawn that the incident occurred at seven in the morning near the Sasi area of the Haramosh Valley. He added that a van carrying tourists from Rajanpur, Punjab lost control due to the drivers error and subsequently plunged into the Indus River. Upon receiving information about the accident, rescue teams arrived at the scene and recovered mobile phones, a gas cylinder, and mens shoes from the spot. A station house officer (SHO) at a local police station, Muhammad Hussain, said that the family was travelling from Skardu to Gilgit in separate vehicles. He said that one of the cars made it all the way to Jaglot while the other met with an accident near Sasi, Haramosh and fell into the river, according to Dawn. The SHO said one body had been recovered from Alam Bridge, which connects Gilgit-Skardu road with the Karakoram Highway, and handed over to the family. The SHO while quoting the victims brother, said that six people were travelling in the vehicle, adding that a search was underway for the missing passengers. A Gilgit-bound car on July 15 plunged into a deep ravine in the Shaitan Pari area of Lower Kohistan district, resulting in the death of four people, including a woman, and leaving one person critically injured. Police had confirmed that the bodies of all four victims, who were from Skardu, were sent to their respective villages, according to Dawn. (ANI)
North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile, the Japanese Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet on Monday. Japanese PM Fumio Kishida ordered authorities to make efforts to gather, analyse and provide adequate information. He said that the authorities should ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels and other assets. He directed officials to take all the measures for precaution, including readiness for contingencies. Japanese PM's Office in a tweet said, "North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow." In another tweet, the Japanese PM's Office said, "Dedicate maximum effort to gather & analyze information, & provide the public speedy & adequate information. Ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, & other assets. Take all possible measures for precaution, incl. readiness for contingencies." On Saturday, North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea, Yonhap news agency cited the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). According to the JCS, South Korean and US intelligence authorities were analysing the launches, which took place at about 4:00 am (local time), to learn more about the type of missiles fired and other details. "Our military has bolstered surveillance and vigilance while closely cooperating with the United States and maintaining a firm readiness posture," Yonhap news agency quoted JCS as saying. The cruise missile was launched just three days after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea. It also came amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following the port visit of a nuclear-capable US submarine in more than 40 years and the inaugural session of the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group.USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), an 18,750-ton Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), departed Busan naval base on Friday, three days after a rare port visit in a major show of strength against evolving North Korean military threats. North Korea denounced the visit, saying the SSBN's deployment may fall under the legal conditions for its use of nuclear weapons. This was met by a stern response from Seoul, which warned Pyongyang that any nuclear attack from the latters side would mean an end of the Kim Jong Un-led regime. (ANI)
Residents in parts of Arizona were on Sunday ordered to evacuate as firefighters battled several wildfires across the state amid extreme temperatures, CNN reported. Authorities said that a total of 160 residents were ordered to evacuate from the Sunflower area in Arizonas Maricopa County on Sunday as a wildfire burned in the Tonto National Forest. Maricopa County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez told CNN that deputies evacuated residents and advised them to head to Fountain Hills where an evacuation center was set up. Maricopa County Emergency Management spokesperson Ron Coleman said: At this point, the fire is burning in place and crews will monitor and continue some firefighting overnight. Additional firefighting will continue in the morning. Sunflower is about 58 miles northeast of Phoenix, which hit 24 straight days of temperatures at or above 110 degrees, according to a tweet from the National Weather Service. The city saw a high of 114 degrees Sunday, according to CNN, Over 100 miles away in Yavapai County, where six active wildfires were burning, residents of the community of Cherry were also ordered to flee on Sunday. The RACETRACK Fire is threatening your area. Please evacuate now, the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said in a go message to residents Sunday night. A special weather statement was in effect for parts of Yavapai County for wind gusts up to 50 mph on Sunday, and the National Weather Service had warned residents to Expect wind shifts for the Grapevine and Race Track fires. As per CNN, the fires come amid Arizonas weeks-long battle with extreme heat, with excessive heat warnings in place across much of central and southern parts of the state on Sunday. So far, at least 18 confirmed heat-related deaths have been recorded in Maricopa County, with another 69 cases under investigation, according to data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. (ANI)
Amid the alarming malnutrition and hunger situation in Afghanistan, United Nations World Food Programme had to cut its aid to 8 million food-insecure people due to the funding shortfall, Khaama Press reported. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report revealed that Afghanistan's most remote areas would be at risk from the significant financing gaps endangering crucial humanitarian aid. To counter hunger and malnutrition rising rates, the World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that at least USD 1.2 billion is needed. Additionally, 1.4 million new and expecting mothers, toddlers, and preschoolers are no longer receiving foods designed to prevent malnutrition, the Khaama Pres report stressed. Moreover, the report stated that From July onwards, only 5 million people will receive emergency food assistance when 15 million people in Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 3 and 4 do not know where their next meal will come from. Meanwhile, Nutrition partners also reported that 25 mobile health and nutrition teams (MHNTs) in four provinces have been shut down due to funding shortfalls. The affected provinces include Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman and Nangarhar. Closing these teams means more than 1,00,000 people will not have access to essential health and nutrition care services across the Eastern region, according to Khaama Press. The financial gaps will affect more than 31,500 households with severely undernourished children. the children would be denied access to vital integrated cash packages for nutrition due to a lack of financing. Additionally, the Talibans string of restrictive bans on education could result in the closure of 2,800 community-based classrooms, affecting 83,000 kids, 59 per cent of whom are girls, and preventing them from continuing their education beyond the sixth grade. Additionally, about 2.6 million individuals need access to clean drinking water, 1.5 million miss out on hygiene education, 1.6 million lack necessary nonfood items, and 844,000 are exposed to poor sanitation. Just 9 per cent of the USD 4.6 billion needed for Afghanistans initial Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) had been received as of June of this year. However, if funding shortfalls are not filled, WFP has warned that the organizations budget for food assistance will end by the end of October, reported Khaama Press. (ANI)
Two years after the Madison County states attorney created a task force to curb crime by Missouri residents, the number of Missourians convicted of felonies in the Metro East county continues to grow.

It was that trend that drove the prosecutor, Tom Haine, to create the Cross-River Crime Task Force, a collaboration of officers from various departments who randomly deploy throughout the county.

Haine says the numbers speak for themselves: The number of Missouri residents convicted of felonies in Madison County more than doubled  from 5% to 10%  over the past 10 years, according to circuit court data.

This is going to be a place where, if you commit a crime, you are going to face stiff resistance from the law enforcement, Haine said.

Just how significant the portion of Missouri residents, presumably from the St. Louis area, committing crime in the Illinois suburbs is another question, said Richard Rosenfeld, a criminologist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

While that percentage has grown over time, it still remains quite small, Rosenfeld said.

Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine on Friday, July 7, 2023, in his office at the Madison County Administration Building in Edwardsville.

What do the numbers say?

In 2012, the court tracked 144 felonies committed by Missouri residents. In 2022, that figure stood at 353. The number of total felonies also increased. Ten years ago, the county totaled 2,644 felonies. Last year, there were 3,262.

Specific crimes are a mixed bag year by year.

For homicides, seven of 20 of the countys murders were committed by Missourians in 2019. Three years later in 2022, it was one in 12.

Retail and vehicle thefts are also up and down year after year. Since 2016, the percentage of Missouri residents committing those crimes has increased from the teens to mid-20s.

To some degree, Madison Countys crime data reflects the regionwide trends, Rosenfeld said.

That is especially the case with respect to motor vehicle theft, he said. Jurisdictions across the country  in the St. Louis area, certainly in Madison County  have experienced quite large increases in motor vehicle theft.

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The motivations for criminals and deployments

When Haine first started as the prosecutor in January 2021, he surveyed area law enforcement. Many agreed that some criminals from the St. Louis area were committing crimes in Madison County and speeding back over the river, knowing local law enforcement generally doesnt make arrests across the state line.

We felt like the criminals understood if they could get back across the river the justice system would have a harder time dealing with them, Haine said. And we wanted to make sure that we did whatever we could to counteract that.

The task force uses a core group of 14 officers from 10 departments. The bread and butter of the three commanders and 11 patrolmen is unpredictability, said task force leader Nick Novacich.

The group will team up with another agency, or more, and deploy to that municipality or area in the county on a random day. An area chief could also request the groups aid on a given day. At the most basic level, license plate readers will be used to stop drivers with warrants or those who committed a major traffic violation.

Im talking about people with guns, people with drugs, people who kidnap people and people who carjack people. That is what this unit is geared toward, Novacich said.

Novacich, also the assistant chief of Granite Citys police department, said the task force isnt seeking out only Missouri drivers. Rather, the task force looks for plates attached to criminal activity.

Crime goes both directions across the river, he said. So were targeting criminals. Were not targeting a specific state  or anything like that.

Novacich said the effort has been successful thus far. For example, one April deployment resulted in 11 felony charges, two seized firearms and a recovered stolen vehicle.

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What about the inverse?

Determining how many Illinoisans return the favor on the Missouri side of the state border is not as clear. The equivalent data doesnt exist in the local court system, according to Missouris 21st and 22nd judicial circuits that represent St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis, respectively.

However, arrest data, not convictions, from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department shows around 1% to 3% of the most serious felonies  like homicides, rape and arson  come from Illinois residents depending on the year.

A representative from the St. Clair County States Attorneys Office said the neighboring Metro East county also does not keep the same kind of data as Madison.

To Rosenfeld, the difference between the number of Missouri residents committing crime in Madison County and Illinois residents committing crime in St. Louis can be explained simply: More people live on the west side of the Mississippi.

A regional collaboration to address the current crime trends in Madison County makes sense to Dennis Mares, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor of criminal justice.

Does it solve all problems? Of course it doesnt, and I think everybody realizes that, Mares said. But can it reduce things? Absolutely. Can it hold offenders accountable? Absolutely, and I think those are the things we have to do.

Mares, whos currently helping local police departments utilize technology to better understand crime, said vehicles and vehicle theft could play a big role in the trend.

Most criminals tend to be repeat offenders and are often younger and lower income. Many might not have a vehicle, he said.

Not having a vehicle really limits where you can do crime, Mares said. But, if all of a sudden you have this large reservoir of vehicles you can basically borrow, that opens up a lot of new opportunities.

And the criminal justice professor knows vehicle theft all too well. Last summer, three juveniles broke into his Belleville home  demanding his car and money at gunpoint. Mares had no choice but to oblige.

The three ended up back in St. Louis, where they committed more robberies, and ended up getting caught through a license plate reader the next day in East St. Louis by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Mares said that proves a point that Rosenfeld, Novacich and Haine also share: Crime doesnt stop at the river, even if the St. Louis region sometimes treats the river as a border.

Cooperative efforts on the part of law enforcement officials and other public officials from the St. Louis side and the Illinois side  those efforts need to be strengthened, Rosenfeld said.

The Granite City Police Department on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Granite City, Ill.

Minimal costs

Participation in the task force is voluntary, so its not costing taxpayers extra, Haine said.

There was some individual funding from Haines office and the Madison County Sheriffs Office for a single mobile license plate reader for one of the sheriffs vehicles. Everything else is coming from existing equipment as the participating law enforcement agencies pool their resources, he said.

Asked whether the task force is worth the time and effort to combat just 10% of the countys total felonies: Tell that to the victim of somebody whose family member has been killed, Haine said.

He also said that 10% is significant.

Rosenfeld, whose research focuses particularly on violent crime trends and crime control policy, said the data show nearly 90% of felonies are not committed by Missourians.

I dont see it as a major problem, Rosenfeld said. Im not suggesting that a task force couldnt be useful. Thats something for Madison County law enforcement and other public officials to decide.

Since the task forces inception in 2021, the number of Missouri residents committing homicides and vehicle theft has decreased. Total felonies and retail theft continue to rise, however.

Haine said the task force is not a one and done. As criminals innovate, so too does law enforcement, he said. The collaboration among Madison County departments is their first response to keep crime from trending in the wrong direction.

Crime breeds crime, Haine said. If theres a persistent perception that you can commit a crime and get away with it, that will cause a downward spiral of criminality. We want to make absolutely sure we nip this in the bud and prevent that spiral from happening in Madison County.
A 10-year-old was taken into police custody Monday afternoon after he was able to get a hold of a gun that he later fired at police in the Beverly neighborhood on the Far South Side.

Shortly after 11 a.m., officers were called to a home in the 9800 block of South Charles Street after a 10-year-old boy was reported to be in distress, according to Chicago police Deputy Chief Migdalia Bulnes.

The child, Bulnes said, was able to obtain an unsecured weapon in the home before firing the weapon several times, Bulnes said.

Officers from the Morgan Park District and a SWAT team responded and the child fired the gun at them too, Bulnes added.

SWAT officers made contact with him and were able to start some kind of dialogue, she said.

Responding officers fired bean-bag rounds at the home but did not strike the child, Bulnes said. The boy went back inside, before coming outside and aiming the weapon at himself.

Officers then launched a single pepper spray projectile at the home, and the child dropped the gun before he was taken into custody, Bulnes said.

The child was taken to an area hospital for observation and no injuries were reported.
CHICAGO  A 10-year-old child was taken into police custody Monday afternoon after he was able to get a hold of a gun that he later fired at police in the Beverly neighborhood on the Far South Side.

Shortly after 11 a.m., officers were called to a home in the 9800 block of South Charles Street after a 10-year-old boy was reported to be in distress, according to CPD Street Deputy Migdalia Bulnes.

The child, Bulnes said, was able to obtain an unsecured weapon in the home before firing the weapon several times, Bulnes said.

Officers from the Morgan Park District and a SWAT team responded, and the child fired the gun at them, too, Bulnes added.

SWAT officers made contact with him and were able to start some kind of dialogue, she said.

Responding officers fired bean-bag rounds at the home, but did not strike the child, Bulnes said. The boy went back inside, before coming outside and aiming the weapon at himself.

Officers then launched a single pepper spray projectile at the home, and the child dropped the gun before he was taken into custody, Bulnes said.

The child was taken to an area hospital for observation and no injuries were reported.

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Prince Harry and Meghan photographed at Global Citizen Live: New York on September 25, 2021, and Princess Michael of Kent photographed before a Christmas lunch with the royal family in 2017. Gotham/WireImage/Getty Images, Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

The royal family has been accused of turning a blind eye to racism in recent years.

The late Queen never apologized for the monarchy's role in supporting the slave trade.

More recently, a royal catalogue published in 2008 was found to contain offensive racial language.

The British royal family has been involved in a number of racism-related scandals in recent years.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was accused of turning a blind eye to the monarchy's racist past by failing to publicly apologize for its support for the slave trade before her death in 2022. And before King Charles' coronation in May 2023, royal commentators called for him to hold the monarchy accountable by offering an apology.

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan said the royal family never acknowledged the tabloids' racist treatment of Meghan and that unnamed royals had conversations about how dark their son's skin tone would be before his birth.

In a statement issued after the interview, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that issues of race would be "taken very seriously" and would be addressed by the family privately.

More recently, The Independent reported on Monday that a royal catalogue published in 2008 was found to contain offensive racial language.

The Royal Collection Trust  a department within the royal household responsible for managing the royal art collection  used 40 mentions of offensive racial terms in the catalogue, the publication reports.

The late Queen Elizabeth II never apologized for the monarchy's role in the slave trade.

Queen Elizabeth II after her coronation on June 2, 1953. Bettmann

As Insider previously reported, millions of enslaved African people were transported from Britain to its then-colonies in the Caribbean, North and South America, and other countries during the 16th century until 1807 in exchange for goods.

The Guardian's David Conn reported in April that a number of British monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth I and James I, supported or profited from Britain's slave trade.

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The late Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952 until 2022, never publicly apologized for the monarchy's involvement.

King Charles III has also never officially apologized for the monarchy's role in the atrocity, though he has condemned the slave trade and issued his public support for a research project looking into the monarchy's links to slavery, according to another Guardian report from April.

Queen Elizabeth's late husband, Prince Philip, made controversial racial remarks during royal engagements over the years.

Prince William, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip photographed in 2004. Tim Graham / Contributor / Getty Images

Prince Philip was married to Queen Elizabeth for 73 years, making him the longest-serving British consort before his death in 2021.

Philip was known for his controversial humor through the years and often made comments that are considered racist.

For example, he told the President of Nigeria that he looked like he was "ready for bed" when he wore national dress during their meeting in 2003, according to a 2015 report by The Mirror.

During a visit to China in 1986, he also told a British student that if he stayed much longer, "you'll go home with slitty eyes," according to the same report.

Although many of his past comments weren't acknowledged by the palace, Philip did offer an apology after a 1999 visit to an electronics factory in Scotland, where he said a messy fuse box looked "as though it was put in by an Indian," The Independent reported at the time.

"The Duke of Edinburgh regrets any offense which may have been caused by remarks he is reported as making earlier today. With hindsight, he accepts what were intended as light-hearted comments were inappropriate," a palace spokesperson said on behalf of the prince at the time.

Prince Harry said wearing a Nazi uniform was one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

The front page of The Sun newspaper shows Prince Harry in a Nazi costume in 2005. Bruno Vincent / Getty Images

Prince Harry was photographed in 2005 wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party when he was 20.

British newspaper The Sun published a photo of Harry in the uniform on its front page on January 13, 2005, with the headline: "Harry the Nazi."

A spokesperson for the prince issued a public apology at the time, saying he "apologized for any offense or embarrassment he has caused," BBC News reported.

Harry reflected on the incident in his 2022 Netflix docuseries, "Harry and Meghan," which aired in December.

"It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I felt so ashamed afterwards," Harry said in a solo confessional. "All I wanted to do was make it right."

Harry gave further details about the party and his costume in his memoir, "Spare," which was published in January. He wrote that the party was a "natives and colonials" theme which he found to be "cringy" and that he was encouraged to pick the Nazi costume by Prince William and Kate Middleton. Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace did not respond to Insider's request for comment regarding allegations made in the memoir.

Harry was criticized for using a racial slur when talking to an Asian army colleague in 2006.

Prince Harry visits 42 Commando Royal Marines at their base in Bickleigh to carry out a Green Beret presentation at Dartmoor National Park on February 20, 2019. Finnbarr Webster - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In 2009, News of the World published a video taken in 2006 of Harry using a racial term toward an Asian army colleague, Reuters reported at the time.

"Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offense his words might cause," a spokesperson for the prince said in response to the video, according to Reuters.

"However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon," the spokesperson added. "There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend."

Princess Michael of Kent wore a Blackamoor brooch to meet Meghan Markle in 2017.

Meghan Markle, left, attended a Christmas lunch with Princess Michael of Kent, right, in 2017. Christ Jackson/Getty Images ; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Princess Michael of Kent wore a Blackamoor brooch to a Christmas banquet at Buckingham Palace that was attended by Meghan Markle in 2017, BBC News reported at the time.

As Insider's Talia Lakritz reported in 2022, Blackamoor art dates back to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries and often depicts people with dark skin in subservient positions.

"The brooch was a gift and had been worn many times before. Princess Michael is very sorry and distressed that it has caused offense," a spokesperson for the princess said at the time, according to BBC News.

Afua Hirsch, a journalist and author of "Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging," said in Harry and Meghan's 2022 docuseries that he wasn't surprised to hear about the brooch because "you are likely to be faced with racist imagery" in any palace or stately home that represents tradition in Britain.

The late Queen faced backlash for not publicly showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

Queen Elizabeth II departs the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel on April 21, 2019. Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

Thousands of people showed up to Black Lives Matter protests around the world after George Floyd was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.

Prince Harry and Meghan, who resigned from royal duties in January 2020, were the only British royals to speak publicly about the topic.

Meghan addressed Floyd's death in a video message to the graduating students of her former school, Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. Her speech was followed by a video message from Harry at the Diana Awards, where he described racism as "endemic."

Meanwhile, the late Queen Elizabeth II stayed silent on the subject. Royal commentators previously told Insider that the royal family likely avoided it because it could be a "political issue."

Although it is considered against protocol for the royal family to speak publicly about politics, they have broken this rule on several occasions. For example, William brought up Brexit during a royal engagement in Northern England in 2019 and Queen Elizabeth II encouraged the public to vote after a low voter turnout in Wales in 2003.

Sir Ken Olisa, the first Black Lord-Lieutenant for London who served as the late Queen's representative for the capital, said in the 2021 documentary, "Black to Front," that Her Majesty supported BLM, The Guardian reported at the time.

"I have discussed with the royal household this whole issue of race, particularly in the last 12 months since the George Floyd incident," Olisa said, adding that the royals "care passionately about making this one nation bound by the same values.

Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey that the royal family never acknowledged the tabloids' racist treatment of Markle.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are seen on September 05, 2022 in London, England. MEGA/GC Images via Getty Images

Speaking in a CBS tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on March 7, 2021, Harry and Meghan discussed Meghan's experience with racism via the British tabloids.

Harry said that many newspaper headlines and stories about Meghan had "colonial undertones" and that the tabloids' treatment of his wife was widely condemned by British Members of Parliament (MPs) in 2019.

"Yet no one from my family ever said anything over those three years. And that hurts," Harry said.

The couple also told Winfrey that unnamed royals had conversations about their son Archie's skin tone before he was born.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in South Africa in 2019. Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images

Meghan told Winfrey that there were "concerns and conversations" among the royal family over how dark their son Archie's skin tone would be before he was born in 2019.

Meghan said the conversation revolved around "what that would mean or look like" if their baby had dark skin.

While the couple wouldn't reveal who was involved in the conversations, Winfrey clarified in an interview with "CBS This Morning" that Harry told her that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were not involved.

In a statement issued after the interview, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that "the whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan."

"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately," it continued.

Meanwhile, Prince William told reporters that the royals are "very much not a racist family" during a royal engagement several days after the interview aired.

Harry clarified his and Meghan's comments during a January 2023 sit-down interview with ITV's Tom Bradby to promote his memoir. The prince said he and Meghan don't believe the royal family is racist and that there is a difference between racism and unconscious bias.

In 2021, the palace reportedly ditched plans to hire a diversity chief despite having a low percentage of non-white employees.

Buckingham Palace in 2023. Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Mail On Sunday reported in March 2021 that Queen Elizabeth intended to hire a 'diversity czar' following Harry and Meghan's interview with Winfrey.

However, in June 2021 royal author Omid Scobie reported for Harper's Bazaar that the royal family shelved plans for the role despite having lower-than-average diversity employment statistics.

For the first time in 2021, the royal family's Sovereign Grant Report disclosed the number of ethnic-minority employees working at the palace, which was 8.5% with a target of 10% by the end of the year.

However, that target is yet to be reached as the number of ethnic-minority employees was reported at 9.7% in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Sovereign Grant reports, The Independent reported in June 2023.

A 2021 investigation, conducted by The Guardian, revealed that the palace once banned "colored immigrants or foreigners" from office roles.

King Charles and Queen Camilla on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Buckingham Palace banned "colored immigrants or foreigners" from being employed in office roles until at least the late 1960s, according to documents obtained by The Guardian's David Pegg and Rob Evans.

According to the documents, which were released in June 2021, the Queen's chief financial manager said in 1968 that people from ethnic minority backgrounds were allowed to be employed as domestic servants in the royal household, but were banned from holding clerical jobs.

The Guardian report also stated that the late Queen Elizabeth was exempt from race and gender equality laws since they were introduced in the UK in the 1970s. This means women and people from ethnic minorities working for the royal household have been unable to complain to the courts if they believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of race.

Speaking to Insider in 2021, a palace spokesperson said that the royal household complies with the provisions of the Equality Act, which protects people from discrimination in the workplace and wider society.

"Claims based on a second-hand account of conversations from over 50 years ago should not be used to draw or infer conclusions about modern-day events or operations," the spokesperson said.

Queen Elizabeth's former lady-in-waiting Susan Hussey made racist remarks towards a charity founder at a palace event in 2022.

Lady Susan Hussey, a lady-in-waiting, accompanies the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament held in the House of Lords in November 2004. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Ngozi Fulani, the founder of Sistah Space, a charity that supports African and Caribbean women affected by domestic violence, wrote on Twitter that she was asked by a member of palace staff where she "really came from" at a palace reception in November 2022.

In the initial tweet, Fulani identified the staff member as "Lady SH," however the employee's identity was later revealed to be Lady Susan Hussey, former lady-in-waiting.

In a statement shared with Insider at the time, a palace spokesperson said that "unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made" and that the staff member "would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused" and had resigned from her honorary role.

Speaking to Insider after the resignation was announced, Fulani elaborated on Hussey's questioning and said it made her "so uncomfortable" and that she felt "violated."

In December 2022, the palace shared a photo of Hussey and Fulani that was taken during a meeting to address the incident, according to a press release.

The press release stated that Hussey had personally apologized to Fulani, who had accepted.

Most recently, The Royal Collection Trust was accused of using racist language in official documents.

Kensington Palace in 2021. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

The Royal Collection Trust is a department within the royal household that is responsible for the care of the Royal Collection, an art collection that documents the "personal tastes" of royalty from the past 500 years, according to the royal website.

The Trust also manages official royal residences that act as tourist attractions, including Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, the website adds.

The Independent's race correspondent Nadine White reported on Monday that a 2008 catalog, published by the Trust titled "Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels," contained more than 40 mentions of offensive racial terms.

White added that the catalog was previously on the Trust's website and only removed after being flagged by The Independent. A spokesperson for The Royal Collection Trust confirmed to Insider via email that it was removed.

"Publicly available object records are continually under review in order to improve the information presented on an object and/or subject," the spokesperson told Insider.

The spokesperson added that the 2008 catalogue is now out of print and that its corresponding object records were updated several years ago with new terminology on the Trust's website.

Buckingham Palace did not respond to Insider's request for comment on the matter.

Read the original article on Insider
Elimination of the consequences of the attack on Port Reni

Three warehouses holding grain at Reni Commercial Sea Port were destroyed as a result of a Russian overnight attack on July 24, said Ihor Plekhov, head of the Reni community.

An attack by about 15 drones was recorded; an entrepreneur who handles grain transshipment said that the port was deliberately targeted.

Read also: Russian attacks on Odesa aim to deprive Ukraine of Black Sea access  NSDC chief Danilov

The resulting blast wave damaged the windows of buildings and structures at the enterprise. There were localized fires that were quickly extinguished.

Four people were reported injured: one sailor and three truck drivers.

Read also: Russias assault on Odesa continues, six injured and grain terminal destroyed in overnight air raid

Earlier, NV reported that Russian drones attacked Odesa Oblast in the early hours of July 24.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A dingo is photographed in Canidae, Australia, in 2014. DeAgostini/Getty Images

Two women were fined for posing with wild dingoes in Queensland, Australia, authorities said.

One woman reportedly posed with sleeping dingoes while the other shared a video of a growling dingo.

Dingoes have been behind a string of attacks in the area in recent months.

Two women have been fined thousands of dollars after taking selfies and videos with wild dingoes in Queensland, Australia, according to the city's Department of Environment and Science.

A 29-year-old woman from New South Wales and a 25-year-old woman from Queensland were each fined $2,300 AUD, or around $1,550 USD, according to a press release issued by Queensland's Department of Environment and Science on Friday.

The press release also includes an image of the woman from New South Wales  whose face has been obscured  lying on grass within touching distance of three dingo pups, which are apparently sleeping. A screengrab of a video obtained by CNN also shows the woman from Queensland with a dingo that appeared to be angry and growling, the outlet reported.

The incidents took place in K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, the press release said. The women shared social-media posts of wongaries, also known as dingoes, a type of Australian wild dog that is considered highly dangerous, according to authorities.

DES compliance manager Mike Devery said in the press release that the women were reported after the images were shared online.

"Both women have made an extremely dangerous decision to interact with wongari and that's why they have been fined," Devery said in a statement shared by the DES.

"The Queensland woman could have been bitten by the wongari, which was clearly exhibiting dominance-testing behaviour," Devery added, referencing the video of the growling animal.

Meanwhile, he said the woman who took the selfie with the sleeping pups was "lucky" that the mother wasn't nearby.

"Wongari are known for defending their packs and their pups, and it is unbelievable that people would endanger their wellbeing like this," he added.

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The fines come after a string of dingo attacks in recent months

On July 17, four dingoes surrounded and attacked a 23-year-old jogger near Orchid Beach, K'gari, leaving her with serious injuries to her arms and legs, according to a press release. One of the dingoes involved in the attack has since been captured and humanely euthanized, according to another press release issued on Friday.

Insider also previously reported that a French tourist was bitten by a dingo while sunbathing on a beach in K'gari in May. Officials later said the dingo was humanely euthanized.

The Department of Environment and Science advises all residents and visitors of K'gari to deter negative dingo interactions by avoiding running or jogging while in the animals' presence, according to the July 17 press release. The department also advises people to never feed dingoes, and to walk in groups and camp in fenced areas, among other tips.

Queensland's Department of Environment and Science did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Two female hikers were found dead in Nevadas Valley of Fire State Park on Saturday afternoon, state police say.

Several hikers saw the women enter the park Saturday morning and became concerned after they did not see them return, Nevada State Police said in a statement released Sunday.

After the hikers asked for a welfare check on the women, Nevada State Police officers arrived at around 2:48 p.m., according to the statement. Officers found the body of one of the women on a trail inside the park.

Officers requested assistance from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments search and rescue team. They then discovered the other hikers body in a canyon.

Nevada State Police did not provide a cause of death for the women. Police have opened an investigation into the deaths.

In Overton, where the park is located, Saturdays high temperature was 114 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Most of southern Nevada is under an excessive heat warning this weekend, according to the service.

The park is about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

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Insider's author decided never to board a flight without a portable charger again. Monica Humphries/Insider

A two-hour flight turned into a six-hour fiasco after windy weather redirected the plane.

I didn't expect to be without a phone charger for so long, and I didn't pack a portable one.

I'll remember to take a battery pack with me for future flights.

A low-battery warning popped up on my phone just as a flight attendant announced that we would be on board the plane for a while.

My flight from Bentonville, Arkansas, to Denver was diverted after windy weather prevented us from landing at Denver International Airport.

That meant we needed to land at another airport to refuel. Our captain announced we would be heading to Colorado Springs. A few minutes later, we were told we were going to a small airport in Pueblo, Colorado, instead.

But as the plane landed on the tarmac, a flight attendant announced we wouldn't be getting off the plane. We were stuck on the CRJ700 aircraft while we waited for a fuel truck.

I didn't know how long that would take, but I was convinced my phone's battery wouldn't make it to the end of the flight.

It didn't, and after the headache of not having a charged phone, I decided never to travel without a portable charger again.

I didn't need a portable charger for my vacation, so I didn't pack one

A photo taken from the window of an airplane shows the runway and blue skies.

The view of Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colorado, from an airplane.Monica Humphries/Insider

I was traveling for a wedding and didn't think I'd need a portable charger for a long weekend.

I figured there'd always be an outlet accessible if I needed a charge, and I wasn't traveling by myself, so a dead phone wouldn't be the end of the world  I wouldn't be the one looking up directions or researching a place for dinner.

I knew that going into the trip, so I left my battery pack behind.

And just as I expected, there wasn't a single time I needed the battery pack  until I flew home.

I boarded the plane with a partially charged phone. The charge would easily last long enough for me to scroll for two hours and then get me home once I disembarked the plane.

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But as so many travelers have experienced, flights don't always go according to plan.

And as my phone slowly died while I sat on the plane in Pueblo, I looked around for a plug.

The plane didn't have outlets, so I couldn't charge my phone that way. I ultimately decided to turn off my phone to save the little battery I had left, and I crossed my fingers, hoping it would be enough to get me home once I landed at the airport.

If I hadn't turned off my phone, I would've had to wait in the airport for my phone to charge, and the last thing I wanted after the long travel day was to spend more time in the airport.

Thankfully, I had just enough battery to use Google Maps to get me partially home, and by the time my phone died, I knew the rest of the route.

If I had been in an unfamiliar city, the dead phone would've been an even bigger inconvenience.

So, after the minor inconvenience of not having my phone for a couple of hours on a cramped plane, I won't forget my portable charger again.

Read the original article on Insider
Two Lawrence men have pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to distribute fentanyl to people at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Monday.

Deiby Bladimil Casado Ruiz, 30, and Pedro Antonio Sanchez Bernabel, 31, both of Lawrence, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count each of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled Casado Ruizs sentencing for Nov. 1 and Bernabels sentencing for Nov. 6.

Both men were charged in November 2022.

Between July 27, 2022 and November 2022, Casado Ruiz and Bernabel conspired to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Specifically, the men sold fentanyl to people at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, including one veteran who was seeking treatment at the Medical Center for a substance use disorder.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and the charge of distribution of fentanyl each provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $1 million.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A mom left her toddler unsupervised, and he fell out of a window and died, Connecticut police told news outlets.

The 34-year-old Hartford woman is accused of leaving her 2-year-old son unsupervised along with four other kids under the age of 12, police told CT Insider.

At 3:40 p.m. on July 22, a witness saw the screen of a third-story window fall out just before the child fell, according to WFSB.

I hear something and I look up, and I see the baby falling. So as soon as I saw that, I ran over there and I saw the baby on the floor, Jonathan Feliciano told the outlet. I feel sorry because he was just a child. ... He had no shirt and just diapers on.

The boy was in critical condition, then died on July 24, according to WTNH.

The four other children were placed in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, according to CT Insider.

The mother was arrested and charged with 10 counts of risk of injury to a child, WTNH reported. The boys father has not been charged.

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As ransomware and other cyber attacks become an increasingly potent threat to schools nationwide, a proposal by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel seeks to create the first federal funding stream to help districts fight back.

A three-year pilot program announced by Rosenworcel earlier this month could invest up to $200 million to enhance cybersecurity in schools and libraries, yet the full proposal hasnt been released publicly and education experts said far more would be needed to make a meaningful difference. And it could be months  if not more than a year  before the help makes its way to schools as education groups demand a more urgent federal response.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

As districts become a prime target for cyberattacks, the proposed pilot will give us valuable insight about whether and how the FCC can leverage its resources to help address the cybersecurity threats that schools and libraries face, Rosenworcel said in a July 12 speech before AASA, The School Superintendents Association and the Association of School Business Officers International.

Education groups and school leaders have been calling for several years on the federal government to help schools bolster their cyber defenses and the pilot deviates from what many had suggested. The FCC had previously considered allowing districts to spend federal E-Rate funding on cybersecurity, a move that more than 1,100 school districts endorsed in a joint letter last year.

Yet officials at the national superintendents association worried that using E-Rate funds was a diversion from the programs mission of helping schools and libraries connect to the internet, said Noelle Ellerson Ng, the groups associate executive director of advocacy and governance. She said the group supports the pilot because it remains separate from E-rate while still giving districts more money to protect their data.

All signs point towards were going to need a federal response so hopefully we can get some congressional acknowledgement of that during the same three-year timespan to start thinking about what something more sustainable might look like, Ellerson Ng said. That way when this three-year pilot is up and we can get some of the evaluated data, we can move forward.

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Related

Trove of L.A. Students Mental Health Records Posted to Dark Web After Cyber Hack

A recent report by cybersecurity provider Sophos found that K-12 education was the most popular target for ransomware gangs last year, with 8 in 10 districts reporting getting hit with attacks  a marked 43% increase from 2021. The average recovery cost for victim districts, which agreed to pay ransoms in nearly half of incidents, exceeded $1.5 million, excluding financial demands from cyber gangs.

Recent high-profile ransomware incidents include an attack last year on the Los Angeles Unified School District, the countrys second-largest school system, that resulted in the public release of students highly sensitive psychological records. An attack on Minneapolis Public Schools this spring led to the public release of a trove of sensitive district documents, including files that outline campus rape cases, child abuse inquiries, student mental health crises and suspension reports.

Last month, New York City Public Schools, the countrys largest district, acknowledged that some 45,000 students information had been stolen in a massive cyber attack on the file-sharing software MOVEit. The MOVEit attack has resulted in data breaches at least 375 companies and organizations, including universities in at least a dozen states. The National School Clearinghouse has acknowledged it was caught up in the breach, a development that school cybersecurity experts said could affect many  if not most  students nationally.

Related

Minneapolis Data Breach a Worst-Case Scenario after Ransomware Attack

Cybersecurity is definitely something that has just stormed into the forefront as districts nationwide grow increasingly alarmed by attacks, Rosenworcel said. The federal government hasnt previously provided money to schools for cybersecurity but the pilot program, she said, offers a first step.

The five-member FCC commission must vote on the proposal before its full details are made public, the agency said, and it must go through a formal public comment and rulemaking process. Education experts predict it could be a year or more before the money is available to districts.

Ive told our superintendents that its realistic that it could take 10 months  best case scenario  before theyre able to apply, Ellerson Ng said.

School cybersecurity expert Doug Levin said the communications commission has been slow-pedaling on the issue for years and that the $200 million proposal is just a drop in the bucket of what districts nationwide would need to counter this online enemy. The pilot could be used to generate lessons learned and to set the stage for more robust federal investments, he said, but only a small number of districts are likely to receive grants under it.

But the threat that districts face from cyber attacks is so great, Levin said, that even a much more significant investment in digital safeguards is unlikely to thwart the problem.

Its hard for me to imagine that, even if they were wildly successful and every school district was able to put in place a next-generation firewall, that thats going to make a meaningful difference in the number of successful attacks against school districts, he said. You know, maybe they shouldnt be collecting all this data thats so sensitive in the first place.
Three people have been charged in connection to human remains being found in a shallow grave in South Carolina.

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It was June 30, when the daughter of Graniteville man John T. Belote,39, reported him missing, according to an incident report obtained by WJBF.

Belotes daughter reportedly told Aiken County Sheriffs Office that the last time she spoke to Belote was June 28.

WBJF reports that Belote told his daughter hed gotten into an argument with his ex-girlfriends father, Donald Britton, 51. Family and friends told WJBF that Belote intended to confront him before his disappearance.

TRENDING STORIES:

On July 14, just before 2:30 p.m., Aiken County deputies along with the Aiken County Coroners Office reportedly began an investigation after locating a body found buried in a shallow grave on Wendy Lane near the southwestern property boundary of Aiken State Park.

Information that was provided to our investigators led them to one burial site. And as their investigation continued on, it led to a second secondary burial site, Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriffs Office told WJBF.

Over a week later, on July 22, Aiken County Coroners Office identified the victim as Belote, through DNA testing, WJBF said.

WJBF states that an autopsy performed in Newbery, South Caroline revealed that the 39-year-old cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds.

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Britton, Thomas Guinn, 30, and Cody Wooten all face charges in connection with the removal of human remains. Wooten was recently released from jail, according to WJBF.

There was sufficient probable cause and information that led to these arrests. We know that they are connected to that deceased person, where those remains were buried and then moved to another location, Abdullah shared with WJBF.

IN OTHER NEWS:
At least four people, including two children, are still missing after moisture-packed thunderstorms dumped a record amount of rainfall across Nova Scotia this past weekend. According to authorities, more than 25 bridges were damaged, and hundreds were forced to evacuate their homes. The long and grueling cleanup process began Sunday as the floodwaters slowly started to recede.

On Monday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said two children, one youth and a man remained unaccounted for after floodwaters inundated roadways and vehicles in West Hants, which is located about 50 miles northwest of Halifax.

According to The New York Times, two children, aged 2 and 12, were traveling in a vehicle that became submerged in floodwaters. According to the RCMP, the three other occupants in the car with the children were able to escape.

Additionally, two others were still missing on Monday after their vehicle was submerged in floodwaters over the past weekend. According to the RCMP, two of the four occupants were rescued from the car.

Roadways in Halifax, Nova Scotia, were flooded after moisture-packed thunderstorms dumped heavy rain across the region over the weekend. (Sam Wood via Storyful)

The worst of the flooding occurred in central Nova Scotia, in cities such as Halifax, Bridgewater, Windsor and Lunenburg.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said over two months' worth of rainfall fell just northwest of Halifax this past weekend. According to Anderson, the normal amount of rainfall for the entire month of July in the area is 3.8 inches (96 millimeters).

In Bedford, which is a northern suburb of Halifax, preliminary rainfall totals Saturday reached 11 inches (280 millimeters). In Halifax, rainfall totals ranged from 3 to nearly 8 inches (80 to 200 millimeters).

If the rainfall totals from Bedford are confirmed, it will be the most rainfall the Halifax area has received in more than 50 years, according to The Associated Press. On Aug. 16, 1971, Hurricane Beth dumped nearly 10 inches of rain on the area, causing widespread flooding and damage.

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As for the ongoing search for the missing people, search and rescue crews worked tirelessly Sunday to pump water out of the area.

In a press release Sunday, the RCMP said that they had located an empty pick-up truck in a flooded field in West Hants, believed to be the one the two missing children were traveling in.

"There's zero visibility in that field. Our dive team located the truck by feel," Corporal Guillaume Tremblay, public information officer with the RCMP, said according to Reuters.

The agency urged people to avoid the search area as current conditions remained "dangerous."

In a press conference Sunday, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said six bridges were destroyed while another 19 were damaged. Houston said there could be "hundreds of millions" of dollars in damages.

A province-wide state of emergency was issued Sunday evening. It will remain in effect until Aug. 5.

At least 600 people had to be evacuated across Nova Scotia while hundreds were stuck. In Bedford, search and rescue crews were using boats to rescue people from flooded homes.

"We are dealing with a storm that we have never experienced in our lifetime," the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Mayor, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, said at a press conference Sunday.

Roadways in Bedford, Nova Scotia, were flooded after moisture-packed thunderstorms dumped heavy rain across the region over the weekend. (Halifax Search and Rescue via Storyful)

Over the past year, a recent string of weather-related disasters has affected the area. In May, more than 250 homes and businesses were destroyed by a wildfire that forced more than 16,000 residents to evacuate.

Last fall, former Hurricane Fiona slammed the province as a dangerous tropical rainstorm. Fiona killed three people and caused more than 800 million Canadian dollars ($606 million US) in damages after it slammed ashore as the "most intense storm on record" to make landfall in the country.

"It's pretty obvious that the climate is changing -- from Fiona last year to the wildfires in the spring to now flooding in the summer," Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, the AP reported. "We're getting storms that used to be considered one-in-50-year events...pretty regularly."

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Panic over supposed 'super-predator' teens ended years ago, but its consequences did not. jabejon/iStock via Getty Images Plus

A South Carolina judge heard arguments in late May 2023 to reconsider the sentence for Jesse Osborne, who carried out a school shooting in 2016. Fourteen years old at the time, Osborne killed his father, then opened fire at Townsville Elementary School, killing a 6-year-old child and injuring others.

He was sentenced to life without parole, but his attorneys have asked that a judge give Jesse some hope of leaving prison decades down the line. The judge ordered the defense to submit a detailed report by late June about abuse Osborne suffered as a child and his potential for rehabilitation. He said the prosecution would have 10 days to respond, though no decision has been announced as of mid-July.

At the heart of this case is whether it is appropriate to sentence children to die in prison, with no chance of being considered for release. Half a century ago, offenders in the U.S. of any age were rarely sentenced to life without parole, and it was not until 1978 that states began trying youths as adults. Between 1985 and 2001, however, youths convicted of murder were actually more likely to enter prison with a life sentence than adults convicted of the same crime.

Yet the use of juvenile life without parole, or JLWOP, has sharply declined over the past two decades and has been condemned by the American Bar Association, largely thanks to new research on brain development.

As a former prosecutor, I respect the need to consider victims perspectives. However, I also believe it is important to recognize that a 14-year-old childs brain is far from fully developed, and that retribution and accountability must take that into account  ideas that guide my work today as a legal scholar who defends youth offenders.

The playground at Townville Elementary School where Jesse Osborne, then 14, shot three students and a teacher in 2016. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The superpredator era

In 1995, political scientist John J. DiIulio Jr. published an influential article arguing that the U.S. faced a wave of child superpredators who prefer murder to mischief and perceive no relationship between doing right (or wrong) now and being rewarded (or punished) for it later.

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DiIulio blamed this predicted criminal conduct on the moral poverty of not having loving, capable, responsible adults who teach you right from wrong. He repeatedly called attention to violence among Black youths in inner-city neighborhoods.

While DiIulio coined the phrase superpredator, his message resonated with many Americans used to war on drugs and tough on crime campaigns. Americas history of marginalizing and criminalizing Black citizens primed the media and the public to accept his theory, as did several high-profile cases. The most notorious, perhaps, was that of the Central Park Five, in which five Black teenagers were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park in 1989.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, well before DiIulios article, states had already been establishing harsher sentencing laws, even for minors. Across the country, legislatures embraced trying children as adults and rejected policies focused on prevention and rehabilitation.

Between 1985 and 1994, the number of children tried as adults grew 71%, and by 2012, 28 states had mandatory life sentences for capital murder for certain minors.

The superpredator theory turned out to be a myth: By the end of the 1990s, youth crime had actually decreased, and that trajectory has continued. Between 2000 and 2020, the number of incarcerated youths fell by 77%.

By 2000, DiIulio had retracted the superpredator theory and was advocating for reform. Many laws from the superpredator era, however, are still on the books. The U.S. is still the only nation that sentences children to life without the possibility of parole.

Shifts at the Supreme Court

Nevertheless, a sea change has taken place in legal thinking, as psychologists have argued that teenagers are less culpable than adults because of the nature of adolescents brains.

Starting in the 2000s, the U.S. Supreme Court began to acknowledge that child offenders are different from adults. In 2005, the court banned the death penalty for people under 18, and in 2010 outlawed life sentences for juveniles convicted of nonhomicide offenses.

Two years later, in Miller v. Alabama, the court ruled that, even in homicide cases, mandatory sentences of life without parole for minors violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. The justices did not ban life sentences completely, however  simply mandatory sentencing laws that require them for juvenile homicide offenders, without consideration of the particular mitigating factors of each case.

In each of these decisions, the Supreme Court recognized that a lack of brain development makes adolescents, even those who commit serious and violent offenses, less culpable and more capable of change than adults. In Miller v. Alabama, the court emphasized that teenagers are impulsive, cannot escape abusive home environments, cannot properly assist their attorneys and have inherent capacity for rehabilitation.

State-by-state change

This change in attitudes has had clear impact on state laws. Today, a majority of states have now banned or have no one serving JLWOP.

More than 500 people who received their sentences before these SCOTUS cases are still serving life without parole for crimes they committed as children. However, another 1,000 individuals have been released because laws changed to override their original sentencing, according to the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, which advocates against JLWOP.

Jesse Osborne wipes tears after being sentenced to life in prison in 2019 in Anderson, S.C. Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP

Virginia, for example, passed legislation in 2020 to allow people sentenced as youth offenders who have already served 20 years in prison to seek parole consideration. Approximately 17 have been reviewed and granted parole so far, including seven rehabilitated individuals whom my law students and I have assisted.

Another aspect of adolescent development that research has emphasized is young offenders potential for rehabilitation, challenging the idea that they are irredeemably dangerous. One 2020 study found that only 1.14% of people who had been sentenced to life without parole in Philadelphia and eventually released were re-convicted of any offense. Similarly, out of 142 individuals released in Michigan after the Supreme Courts Miller decision, only one had been rearrested as of 2021.

The path ahead

Nothing can bring back lives cut short. But in my more than 25 years working in the juvenile legal system, I have seen repeatedly that our society fails both defendants and victims by not helping them to resolve their conflicts before they get to that point. Those I assist as a defense attorney often come from the same environments and tragic backgrounds as the victims I served as a prosecutor.

Increasingly, however, it seems schools, courts and communities are turning to approaches besides life without parole to help young people move past the worst things they have ever done, or prevent them in the first place.

The primary focus of the juvenile court has always been rehabilitation rather than punishment. Courts now have improved assessment tools, effective intervention programs, a recognition of the roles lack of brain development and trauma play in delinquent behavior, and treatments for underlying psychiatric disorders that can help achieve that purpose  if our society has the will to invest in these resources as early as possible.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Julie Ellen McConnell, University of Richmond.

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Julie Ellen McConnell is affiliated with Housing Opportunities Made Equal as a Board member and volunteer
Five restaurants inspected in mid-July across South Mississippi posted their first C for critical violations.

They include:

PJs Coffee, 117-A North Main St., Picayune, was inspected July 14 and had five critical violations:

 Insects, rodents or animals present

 Food contact surface not cleaned and sanitized

 Plumbing not installed with proper backflow devices

 Hands not clean and properly washed, which was corrected on site

 Inadequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible, corrected on site

Every other inspection at the coffee shop dating back to 2014 scored an A.

Rasta Caribbean & Seafood Kitchen, 1732 Pass Road, Biloxi, was inspected July 20. It was cited for:

 No certified manager

 Food not separated and protected

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Adequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible

 Proper cold holding temperatures

 Proper date marking and disposition

 Toxic substance property identified, stored and used

This was the first C dating back to 2020.

Yuls Place, 530 Causeway Dr., Biloxi, was inspected July 18.

It was cited for improper cold holding temperatures, a repeat offense that previously was corrected on site.

Corrected on site was food separated and protected.

A follow-up inspection on July 20 showed no violations and the restaurant scored a B.

This is the first C dating back to 2020.

El Sabor Costeno, 220 Eisenhower Dr., Biloxi, was inspected July 13. It had seven violations, six of which were corrected during the inspection.

It was cited for sewage waste water not properly disposed.

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Toxic substance property identified, stored and used

 Proper cold holding temperatures

 Proper date making and disposition

 Food separated and protected

 Adequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible

 Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use

This was the first C dating back to June 2022.

Grub Junkie, 5185 Main St., Lucedale, was inspected July 10. The bakery and coffeehouse was cited for improper cold holding temperatures.

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Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food contact surface cleaned and sanitized

 Proper cooling time and temperatures

It was reinspected July 19 and given a B for no violations.

This is the first C dating back to July 2022.

Restaurants and other food service establishments in Mississippi are rated A if they pass the health department inspection, B if violations are corrected during the inspection, and C if the violations are critical.

Since July 8, there have been 125 restaurants in South Mississippi that scored an A for no violations and 37 that got a B when violations were corrected during the inspection.
The pressure is on for UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as they return to the bargaining table this week to negotiate a new contract, just one week before their current contract is set to lapse.

Negotiations are set to pick back up Tuesday after they fell apart earlier this month as both sides struggled to reach a consensus over the portion of the new contract dealing with wages.

What do the Teamsters want?

With more than 300,000 Teamsters-represented employees at the delivery giant, UPS regards itself as the countrys single-largest employer of the union members.

The companys current contract with the Teamsters, which was agreed to five years ago, is set to lapse next Monday. The union has called the agreement the biggest private-sector union contract in the country.

The union has previously lauded some major gains in talks, as both sides have cleared a list of non-economic issues since talks began months back.

The concessions UPS has made so far include heat-mitigation efforts, like agreeing to air conditioning in certain newly purchased trucks in hotter areas beginning next year and making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a paid day off.

The union also announced a tentative agreement on doing away with a two-tier wage system opposed by members, and ending forced overtime on drivers days off.

UPS Teamsters and workers rally July 21 in Atlanta, as a national strike deadline nears. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

What are the sticking points in a UPS Teamsters contract?

But despite the progress made in talks, there is still much more work to be done for both sides to find common ground on what they call the economic portion of the contract, which covers pay and benefits.

I want to see them reward their people. I want to see them give them their biggest raises increase theyve ever had because theyve made the biggest profits theyve ever had, Teamsters president Sean OBrien told The Hill earlier this month.

A spokesperson for the company said Monday also said the union has most recently been focused on pay for part-time UPS employees, as contract negotiations are slated to resume this week.

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UPS set company records for profits in each of the past two years as millions of Americans and generous federal pandemic aid powered an online shopping boom. And the union wants its workers to see a bigger piece of those profits.

What does UPS say about Teamster talks?

UPS said Monday it remains focused on reaching a tentative agreement in the days ahead.

With the contract expiration less than two weeks away, we need to work quickly to finalize a fair deal that provides certainty for our customers, our employees and businesses across the country, a spokesperson said.

We started these negotiations prepared to increase the already industry-leading pay and benefits we provide our full and part-time union employees and are committed to reaching an agreement that will do just that, they added.

But concerns are rising over the threat of a looming strike and what it could mean for packages.

The company said last week that it would begin training nonunion workers to prepare for the possible outcome of a strike in a move that prompted blowback from the union.

What an insult this is to the hardworking men and women who do backbreaking work every day to make this company $100 billion a year. The full-time drivers, and the part-time workers making poverty wages, deserve better from this company, a representative told The Hill at the time.

Delivery vehicles idle outside a UPS depot June 29 in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

When is the deadline for a UPS Teamsters contract?

The Teamsters have warned that thousands of workers at UPS are prepared to strike if both sides fail to reach a deal on wages and other economic issues soon.

Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, told The Hill in a previous interview that a UPS Teamsters strike could produce a significant disruption.

UPS, which averaged delivering more than 24 million packages daily last year, has said it transports about 6 percent of the nations gross domestic product (GDP) on a daily basis and more than 3 percent of the global GDP.

Its not as if you can just quickly turn to another company. The question is what capacity is available to make that shift, Gold said. And its unclear if theres capacity elsewhere to make up for that.

Youd have supply chain disruption like we witnessed during the pandemic potentially, where you wont be getting your deliveries, he also said. So, those who are relying on next day, two-day delivery of whatever you buy online or somewhere else, potentially cannot be delivered.

Earlier this month, FedEx also encouraged shippers considering shifting volume to FedEx to begin shipping with the company now in efforts to protect capacity and service for existing customers in the event of disruptions.

A UPS deliveryman walks through a neighborhood while carrying packages to a home June 30 in Haverhill, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Labor is having a major summer

The heated negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters are echoing multiple labor disputes across several business sectors, including the film industry and at aviation companies.

Last week, flight attendants with American Airlines, among the worlds largest airlines, garnered headlines after their union announced they would be holding a strike vote in the coming days.

Experts also have their eyes on the threat of a potential United Auto Workers strike.

Since the pandemic, supply chain issues have clearly become more salient to decision makers, and disruptions have also become more widely reported on, Barthelemy Bonadio, assistant economics professor at New York University Abu Dhabi, told The Hill in an interview last month.

Maybe this extra attention can be a factor encouraging organized labor to adopt a harder line as they can get politicians and medias attention more easily, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Red Evil Artificial Intelligence concept Getty Images/tampatra

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 sender's 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.

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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.

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 person's 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 voter's 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 candidate's deceptive messaging believe the untrue statements. Given that text produced by ChatGPT can shift people's 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 Microsoft's Bing chatbot. Eventually, the bot tried to get him to leave his wife. "Sydney" told the reporter repeatedly "I'm in love with you," and "You're married, but you don't 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.

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter The Vulgar Scientist.

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 communicator's 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, let's 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 AI's 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.

David E. Clementson, Assistant Professor, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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NASA's missions have inspired generations of young people to pursue the sciences. Patrick Semansky/AP

Sixty-five years ago, in 1958, several government programs that had been pursuing spaceflight combined to form NASA. At the time, I was only 3 years old.

Ive now been a professor of physics and astronomy for nearly 30 years, and I realize that, like countless others who came of age in the 1960s and 70s, NASAs missions have had a profound effect on my life and career path. From John Glenns first flight into orbit to the Hubble telescope, the agencys legacy has inspired generations of scientists.

First flight into orbit

The date was Feb. 20, 1962. My first grade teacher, Ms. Ochs, told the class that we would be doing something different on that day. She went to the blackboard and wrote in large block letters John Glenn and NASA.

She asked if any of us knew what those words meant. None of us did, so she grabbed a globe, and using a pen with a plastic cap, she demonstrated that John Glenn, an astronaut, would soon be launched on a rocket  the pen  from Florida. When the rocket got high enough, Glenn in the Mercury capsule  the cap  would separate from the rocket and go into orbit around the Earth. She demonstrated this by moving the pen cap around the globe.

My class then sat and listened to the historic launch of Friendship 7 carrying Glenn, which was the first U.S. mission to send a man into orbit around the Earth.

During the Gemini mission, two spacecrafts attempted the first-ever space rendezvous. This image, taken in the Gemini 6 craft, shows the Gemini 7 craft just 43 feet away. NASA

There would be three more missions in the one-manned Mercury program, culminating in Gordon Coopers Faith 7 mission, which completed 22 Earth orbits. The program proved that NASA could put a manned spacecraft in orbit and bring it back safely to Earth. Next, NASA was ready to move on to a more maneuverable two-person spacecraft.

A two-person spacecraft

In 1965, NASA planned to launch the two-person Gemini spacecraft, and I moved on to the fifth grade where my teacher, Mrs. Wein, was also a space enthusiast. In December, NASA launched the joint missions of Gemini 6 and 7, and Mrs. Wein gave me permission to stay home from school to watch the TV coverage.

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This was the first time that two piloted spacecraft performed what is called a rendezvous maneuver, where they meet up in orbit. Orbital maneuvers like this require very precise calculations and a spacecraft in which astronauts can make path changes in orbit  which is what the Gemini capsule was designed to do.

A lunar orbit rendezvous occurs when a smaller lunar lander breaks off a main spacecraft while in orbit to land on or circle the Moon before returning to the main craft. NASA, CC BY-ND

The Gemini 6A and 7 spacecrafts practiced a rendezvous maneuver in Earths orbit. At the time, I didnt understand the importance of this mission, until Mrs. Wein directed me to the S volume of the World Book Encyclopedia. There, under Spaceflight, was a full-page diagram of the lunar orbit rendezvous plan that a NASA engineer, John Houbolt, had developed to get the astronauts to the Moon and back.

The central feature of the lunar orbit rendezvous was that two spacecraft, the Apollo Command Module and the Lunar Excursion Module, would rendezvous in orbit around the Moon using the same technique the Gemini 6 and 7 missions had demonstrated. The technology of this maneuver, used in Apollo missions, would later help land Neil Armstrong on the Moon.

On to the Moon

Earthrise, captured by the Apollo 8 mission, was the first look at Earth from afar. NASA

In December 1968, when I was in eighth grade, I watched the Apollo 8 mission orbit the Earth on TV. It was the first time that anyone, whether U.S. astronaut or Soviet cosmonaut, had left low Earth orbit. This mission gave us Earthrise, the first look at our home planet as seen from afar.

The Apollo 11 Moon landing happened in July 1969. I will never forget sitting in my living room as Armstrong stepped off the Lunar Excursion Module onto the lunar surface. With Armstrongs steps, the aspirations of a lost president, thousands of NASA scientists and engineers and millions of public followers were fulfilled.

In December 1972, when I was a senior in high school, Gene Cernan became the last person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission. Like many of us who witnessed the Apollo missions, I listened to Cernans final words from the Moon, where he challenged young people to continue what NASA had begun.

Inspired by Cernans words, I went on to earn degrees in aerospace engineering and worked on both the reentry of the Skylab Space Station and the early mission planning for the Magellan spacecraft that visited Venus.

At this point, I made a career change  I returned to school to study physics and ultimately ended up in theoretical astrophysics.

After Apollo

NASA has had a profound influence in the sciences. For one, the ability to guide unmanned robotic spacecraft anywhere in the solar system was a byproduct of the technologies necessary for the manned Apollo missions. Using this technology, NASA has sent probes to all of the planets  and some non-planets  in the solar system, revolutionizing scientists knowledge of our cosmic backyard.

Perhaps the most ambitious of these is the Mars Perseverance Rover, which looks for chemical evidence of past or present life on Mars. It also collects and leaves samples for a potential return mission sometime in the 2030s.

In terms of pure astronomy, NASAs space-based observatories span the electromagnetic spectrum. The Hubble Space Telescope and its newly launched cousin, the James Webb Space Telescope, have allowed astronomers to get large telescopes above Earths optically hazy atmosphere. With these instruments, we can see almost to the beginning of time, since looking deeper into space also means looking back in time.

The James Webb Space Telescope is revolutionizing our view of the cosmos  there has not been an equal revolution in observational astronomy since Galileo first pointed a telescope at the heavens in 1609.

Looking ahead

What will the future hold for NASA? Its hard to say.

Recently, private enterprise has driven advances in both launch vehicles and satellite design, although NASA will likely continue to have a leading role, not only in the spaceflight but the scientific research as well.

I hope that today there are elementary teachers like Ms. Ochs and Mrs. Wein who will nurture the wonder and excitement of spaceflight in their students. But they wont have to just listen on the radio. They can watch livestreams, like those of launches of SpaceXs Falcon Heavy in 2018 and NASAs Artemis I in November 2022.

NASAs first 65 years have been an amazing record of accomplishments. When the students I teach today near my age, I wonder what amazing things  about which we can only dream  they will look back on.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Stephen G. Alexander, Miami University.

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Stephen G. Alexander 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.
Photo: The Canadian Press Dr. Alfonso Sabater, left, examines Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami.

Dr. Alfonso Sabater pulled up two photos of Antonio Vento Carvajals eyes. One showed cloudy scars covering both eyeballs. The other, taken after months of gene therapy given through eyedrops, revealed no scarring on either eye.

Antonio, who's been legally blind for much of his 14 years, can see again.

The teen was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. But his skin improved when he joined a clinical trial to test the worlds first topical gene therapy. That gave Sabater an idea: What if it could be adapted for Antonio's eyes?

This insight not only helped Antonio, it also opened the door to similar therapies that could potentially treat millions of people with other eye diseases, including common ones.

Antonios mom, Yunielkys Yuni Carvajal, teared up thinking about what Sabater did for her son.

Hes been there through everything, she said in Spanish during a visit to the University of Miami Health Systems Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Hes not only a good doctor but such a good human being and provided us with hope. He never gave up.

The family came to the U.S. from Cuba in 2012 on a special visa allowing Antonio to get treatment for his condition, which affects around 3,000 people worldwide. He had surgeries to remove scar tissue from his eyes, but it grew back. Antonio's vision kept getting worse, eventually deteriorating so much that he didn't feel safe walking around.

Sabater had no answers then, and tried to reassure the boy: "I'll find a solution. I just need some time. Im working on it.

"'Yeah, I know youre going to do it, Sabater recalled Antonio saying. That gave me the energy to continue.

At one point, Carvajal told Sabater about the experimental gene therapy gel for Antonio's skin lesions. He contacted drugmaker Krystal Biotech to see if it could be reformulated for the boy's eyes.

Suma Krishnan, co-founder and president of research and development for the Pittsburgh-based company, said the idea made sense and it didnt hurt to try it."

Antonio's condition is caused by mutations in a gene that helps produce a protein called collagen 7, which holds together both skin and corneas. The treatment, called Vyjuvek, uses an inactivated herpes simplex virus to deliver working copies of that gene. The eyedrops use the same liquid as the skin version, just without the added gel.

After two years, which included testing the drug in mice, the team got compassionate use approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and permission from university and hospital review boards. Last August, Antonio had surgery on his right eye, after which Sabater started treating him with the eyedrops.

Krishnan said they were cautious, frequently watching to see that it was safe.

Antonio's eye recovered from the surgery, the scarring didn't return and there was significant improvement each month, Sabater said. Doctors recently measured the vision in Antoni's right eye at a near-perfect 20/25.

This year, Sabater began treating Antonio's left eye, which had even more scar tissue. That one is also steadily improving, measuring close to 20/50, which Sabater said is pretty good vision.

Antonio comes to the eye institute for checkups almost weekly and gets the drops once a month. During visits, Antonio must wear protective clothing covering his arms, hands, legs and feet. Like other kids with the condition  who are sometimes called butterfly children  his skin is so fragile that even a touch can wound him.

Antonio still uses the skin gel, which was approved by the FDA in May and can also be used off-label on eyes. It doesnt modify DNA, so its not a one-time treatment like many gene therapies.

Sabater, director of the Corneal Innovation Lab at the eye institute, said gene therapy eyedrops could potentially be used for other diseases by changing the gene delivered by the virus. For example, a different gene could be used to treat Fuchs dystrophy, which affects 18 million people in the U.S. and accounts for about half the nation's corneal transplants.

The prospect of treating more conditions this way is exciting," said Dr. Aimee Payne, a dermatology professor at the University of Pennsylvania who isn't involved in the research. The approach "delivers gene therapy that really addresses the root cause of disease.

With his vision restored, Antonio has enjoyed a typical teen pastime he's wanted to do for quite a while: playing video games with his friends. And he finally feels safe walking around.

Sabater said the two-year journey seeking government and hospital approvals was worth it. Just for Antonio, it was worth it ... but also because it opens the space to treat other patients in the future.
Families meet teachers at an information session about Great Hearts Christos, a new private Christian school, in Gilbert, Ariz., May 23, 2023. (Caitlin O

PHOENIX  Tom Hornes whole job is public education. Its in his title  superintendent of public instruction in Arizona  where he oversees the education of 1.1 million public school students.

But in an advertising campaign this summer, Horne makes a pitch to parents who are unhappy with public school: You can choose a private school, and Arizona will help pay for it.

Horne, a Republican who won election last year promising conservative values, is overseeing a pioneering effort in Arizona to offer private school subsidies, known as school vouchers, to all students.

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In a plan approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature last year, Arizona became the first state to make every student, even those from wealthy families, eligible for a school voucher  on average worth about $7,200 per student annually.

The state deposits the money into Education Savings Accounts for parents, which can be used to pay for private school or home schooling. If the student was enrolled in public school, the money follows the student. If the student was being privately educated, the voucher is a new cost to the state.

The program has been highly contentious  and hugely popular.

Since launching in September, it has grown from about 12,000 students to more than 59,000, outpacing projections. State education officials estimate enrollment could grow to 100,000 by next summer.

Fueled by the pandemic and an ascendant parents rights movement, other Republican states are moving in a similar direction. Arkansas, Florida, Iowa and Utah approved universal programs this year, and Indiana and Ohio expanded existing programs to nearly all students.

For decades, vouchers were limited to certain students: low-income children, students with disabilities, children zoned to low-performing schools. Major expansion efforts were often blocked, including by Arizona voters in 2018.

Now, advocates are finding new success with an encompassing message: parent choice for all. Every family, they say, should be able to choose a school that is right for them, and every child should have access to high-quality education.

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Nobody can do a better job of choosing whats best for the child than the parents, Horne said in an interview at the Department of Education, where EMPOWER PARENTS signs punctuate the hallways.

The message is ripe for the political moment. At a time when Americans cannot agree on much in education  from how history should be taught, to which pronouns students can use  universal vouchers seem to say: You dont have to agree. Choose your own education adventure.

That is especially true in Arizona, a vanguard of school choice. It has the countrys largest share of charter school students and a robust home schooling network. It created the model of Education Savings Accounts, first used for students with disabilities in 2011  and now expanded to all students.

Voucher supporters say Arizona is giving options to families; critics say it is sucking money from public education in a state with middling academic outcomes and low public school funding.

The mentality is this wild, Wild West, maverick-y vibe, said Beth Lewis, director of Save Our Schools Arizona, which fought the expansion. With universal vouchers, she added, we are at the end point of this long game.

So far, Arizonas program is still small  90% of students attend public schools  and it has not significantly shifted public school budgets. That is in part because many students in the program were already in private schools or home schools.

But the expansion  projected to cost $376 million next school year, paid for by the states general fund  is already creating new demand for private schools and sending more public money to middle and upper-income families and religious schools.

The vouchers come with little accountability.

Unlike public schools, including charters, private schools and home-school parents are generally not required to administer state tests or report student outcomes.

Ive never seen anything that I think would fundamentally alter the nature of public education before this, said Doug Harris, an economist at Tulane University who studies school choice. Even charter schools, it was different. You had accountability. The students were still taking the same tests, collecting data.

This, he added, is very different.

A New Kind of Private School

Vouchers have been a boon to parents like Ryan and Esther Brooks of Mesa, east of Phoenix.

They had taken advantage of other school choice options, sending two children to charter schools and another to a neighborhood school. But they had grown disenchanted with what they viewed as the politics of public education.

In one symbolic incident, they said, their third grader came home saying that Christopher Columbus did some bad things. Though they were not opposed to exploring moral complexities, the emphasis seemed off.

That was the main thing he remembered, said Ryan Brooks, 43.

The Brookses, who are Lutheran, enrolled in Great Hearts Christos, a new private Christian school that they hope will better fit their values. (Esther Brooks, 30, a former teacher, used to work at an affiliated school and is optimistic about its curriculum.)

The voucher is an essential enabler, said Ryan Brooks, who works as an engineer while his wife stays home.

Great Hearts Christos is an offshoot of Great Hearts, a public charter school network known for its classical education and academic performance. The new venture will offer private Christian education at two schools opening next month in Phoenix and Gilbert, a nearby suburb.

With vouchers expanding, more public money will likely go toward religious schools.

In Iowa, which is launching a universal program, all but six of the states 183 private schools have a religious or spiritual affiliation, according to the Des Moines Register.

Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, sees vouchers as part of a broader push by Christian conservatives, who recently won Supreme Court rulings on issues like prayer on school grounds and state money for religious schools. Its a very dangerous time for a foundational principle that supports our democracy, which is church-state separation, she said.

Supporters see it another way: helping more families access the kind of education they want.

This is a way to bring new families that never thought they could do private school, said Daniel Scoggin, a co-founder of Great Hearts, who said the Christos schools will cater to middle- and lower-income families.

To fulfill that mission, tuition was calibrated at $9,700, just above the $7,200 voucher.

Even that relatively low price feels out of reach to many families. In the working-class neighborhood around their Phoenix location, a few hundred dollars a month can be the equivalent of breakfast, lunch and dinner, said Wayne Wynter, the pastor at Redemption Alhambra church, where the Christos school will be based.

Great Hearts Christos will rely on philanthropy to cover the difference for up to 100 low-income students.

Statewide, families who use vouchers tend to be relatively well off. Nearly 15,000 voucher recipients resided in ZIP codes with a median household income over $100,000, according to state data from May. Just 6,400 or so recipients lived in ZIP codes with a median household income under $50,000.

About half of students using vouchers have never been enrolled in public school  suggesting that many families were previously paying for home schooling or private school.

Simple economics is also at play. At prestigious schools in the Phoenix area, tuition can exceed $18,000, far more than the average voucher. Even if some parents manage the difference, private schools tend to be in wealthier areas, making commuting a challenge.

Horne, the superintendent, said he wants to shift the demographics. That is one reason his department has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars advertising in English and Spanish.

Rich people have always had the ability to choose private schools, he said. It shouldnt be limited.

The Public School Impact

Will vouchers improve Arizona students education?

That may be impossible to know because private school and home schooling families are not required to submit academic data to the state. Earlier voucher research found limited academic improvement.

My biggest single concern is the spotty evidence as to whether anybody is learning anything, because we dont have accountability built into many of these programs, said Chester E. Finn, Jr., a senior fellow at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, who supports school choice but is wary of universal expansion.

Horne said that parents will deliver real-time feedback, pulling their children from private schools that do not deliver.

And he believes that giving families an offramp will drive improvements at public schools. Competition, he said, is better for everyone.

But critics, including Arizonas largest teachers union, believe the money spent on vouchers is needed far more in public schools.

Adjusted for local costs, Arizona spent $10,244 per public school student in 2020  the lowest of any state. Though state lawmakers have recently increased spending, Arizonas funding is just catching up from cuts during the Great Recession.

Lower public school investment is not uncommon in states with voucher programs, one analysis found. Of seven states analyzed, six  including Arizona  did not keep up with national increases in per-student spending between 2008 and 2019.

Cecilia Maes, the superintendent of Alhambra Elementary School District, near Great Hearts Christos Phoenix location, has no shortage of ideas of what she could do with more money: Give raises to teachers. Hire a truancy officer. Stock closets with shoes, clothes and other necessities.

In her district, nearly 9 in 10 students are economically disadvantaged.

In public schools, we are committed to every child who walks through our doors, regardless of the challenges, Maes said, echoing critics who say that children with the fewest resources and highest needs tend to be left out of the school choice frenzy.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who took office this year, has sought to repeal universal vouchers, but she faces an uphill battle  both in the Republican Legislature, and potentially with constituents.

Patrick Wolf, a University of Arkansas professor who studies school choice and has supported vouchers, said that expanding eligibility pulls in a broader customer base, which builds political support.

Steve Perez, a 38-year-old mortgage loan officer who says he is politically independent, will use vouchers to send four children to Great Hearts Christos.

What parent wouldnt, he asked, given this opportunity, choose what they believe to be a superior education if they can?

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Consequences of the Russian attack on Odesa Oblast on July 24

Seven people were injured in Odesa Oblast as a result of a Russian drone attack in the early hours of July 24, the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Kiper, reported.

Two of the victims were treated at the scene of the attack, and five others were hospitalized.

Read also: Colossal destruction: ROC reveals destruction of Odesas Transfiguration Cathedral in Russian strike

"One of them is in a serious condition in intensive care," Kiper said.

"His condition has been stabilized. Doctors are preparing to transfer him to a highly specialized medical facility. Another victim is in a moderate condition."

Read also: Kh-22 & Oniks missiles: why Ukraine's Air Force can't stop them

The three others have light shrapnel wounds and contusions. They did not require hospitalization and will be treated as outpatients.

In the early hours of July 24, the Russians attacked the port infrastructure of the Danube River in Odesa Oblast with kamikaze drones. Air defense forces shot down three drones.

A grain terminal was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged, and a fire broke out in a production facility.

Russia's attacks on southern Ukraine

Read also: Zelenskyy vows retaliation after Russia levels Odesa city center in most powerful missile attack yet

Over the past week, Russians have regularly attacked southern Ukraine with missiles and drones, targeting Odesa and Mykolaiv, focusing on port infrastructure and grain terminals.

During the night of July 23, the Russian occupation forces bombarded the city of Odesa with 19 cruise and ballistic missiles, including Oniks, Kalibr, Kh-22, Iskander-M, and Iskander-K. Nine out of the 19 aerial targets were successfully neutralized by air defense forces.

Tragically, the missile strikes resulted in one fatality and 21 injured individuals, including children. Odesa suffered significant damage, with 25 historically significant sites bearing the brunt of the destruction, including the destruction of the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A man is facing murder charges after deputies said he killed his wife.

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The Cherokee County deputies along with Holly Springs Police responded to a call Monday morning at 2:30 a.m. about a person shot on Ravne Drive in unincorporated Cherokee County.

When officers arrived, authorities said they were confronted by Charles Terry Collins holding a gun at the front door of the home.

TRENDING STORIES:

After officials repeatedly told Collins to drop his gun, deputies said he went back inside the home, eventually walking out the back door of the house, where he was arrested.

When police went inside the home, they found Collins wife, Deborah Collins,63, dead on the floor with a gunshot wound.

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Hes facing charges of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery.

Collins is currently behind bars at the Cherokee County Detention Center, being held without bond.

The case remains under investigation.

IN OTHER NEWS:
An 83-year-old Marietta man who is a former pastor has been arrested in the cold case murder of an 8-year-old girl in Pennsylvania.

Gretchen Harrington was attending Bible summer camp in 1975 in Marple Township when she vanished while walking from her home to one of the camps two locations.

Skeletal remains were found at a state park in Edgemont Township on Oct. 14. The coroner determined she died of blunt impacts to the head, which he classified as a homicide.

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At the time, the Bible camp was housed in two churches, including the one where Gretchens father was a pastor, Reformed Presbyterian Church.

David Zandstra was the reverend at the other church, Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church in Marple Township.

On the day she disappeared, Aug. 15, Gretchen was supposed to start her day at Trinity and then go to the Reformed church with the other campers later that day.

Zandstra was one of the people responsible for driving the children to the other church, which he did either in a white and blue Volkswagen bus or a green Rambler station wagon.

TRENDING STORIES:

When Gretchen didnt arrive at Trinity, her father called Zandstra, who told him Gretchen never arrived. Zandstra called the police to report that she was missing.

A witness told police that she saw Gretchen the morning she vanished talking to someone in either a green station wagon or a two-tone Cadillac. Zandstra denied seeing the victim the day she was abducted, but did describe her clothing in detail, investigators said.

Channel 2s Candace McCowan spoke with neighbors who said this news was very hard to reconcile.

Theyve been wonderful people. Theyve always checked on us, Karen Alsdorf, who was Zandstras neighbor. I just cant believe it.

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In 2023, investigators interviewed Zandstras daughters best friend, who said she often slept over at the familys house and had been groped by Zandstra. She also remembered that a child in her class was nearly kidnapped twice and wrote in her diary at the time that she thought the suspect may have been Zandstra.

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Investigators determined Zandstra now lives in Marietta and interviewed him. When he was confronted, he admitted to seeing Gretchen walking along the road on the day of her disappearance. He also admitted to driving the green station wagon and offering her a ride.

Zandstra claimed that he drove her to a wooded area and asked her to take her clothes off. When she wouldnt, he punched her in the head. He said he thought she was dead, dumped her body and left the area.

Zandstra was arrested on July 17 on murder charges. Investigators have taken DNA samples so they can compare them to other open cases across the country.

Gretchens family issued a statement after Zandstras arrest, saying, in part:

With todays announcement of an arrest, we are extremely hopeful that the person who is responsible for the heinous crime that was committed against our Gretchen will be held accountable ... If you met Gretchen, you were instantly her friend. She exuded kindness to all and was sweet and gentle. Even now, when people share their memories of her, the first thing they talk about is how amazing she was and still is...at just 8 years old, she had a lifelong impact on those around her.

Investigators said at one point, Zandstra lived in Plano, Texas. Anyone who may know anything else about his activities or believe they may be a victim is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police.
On Monday 24 July, Dylan Collins, a 35-year-old American video journalist for AFP, has been injured in a drone attack while reporting on the work of Ukrainian artillery forces near Bakhmut.

Source: Agence France Presse, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Collins suffered numerous shrapnel wounds as a result of the attack in the forest belt near Bakhmut. The journalist was evacuated to the nearest hospital, where he received first aid. Doctors say that nothing threatens Collins life: he is conscious and keeping in touch with colleagues.

AFP Europe director Christine Buhagiar said the agency was investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Dylan Collins has been with AFP since 2018 as a video coordinator in Lebanon and Syria, but has regularly been on assignments in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

The journalist has significant experience in conflict zones in the Middle East: in 2020, he covered the war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Recall:

On 9 May, during the Russian shelling near Bakhmut, 32-year-old AFP video journalist Arman Soldin was killed. He was posthumously awarded the highest civil award in France, the Legion of Honor.

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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has joined 18 other states' attorneys general in asking the federal government to allow local governments to obtain medical records of patients seeking out-of-state abortion care in certain cases.

Rokita earlier this month signed onto a letter asking the U.S. Office of Health and Human Services to abandon a proposed rule change to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA. The draft rule would bar local governments in states where abortion is illegal from obtaining medical records of patients who sought legal abortion care in another state as part of civil or criminal investigations.

Indiana Attorney General: Breaking a nondisclosure agreement from Todd Rokita's office could cost employees $25,000

For over 20 years, HHS regulations have safeguarded the privacy of individual health information while permitting disclosure of information to state authorities to protect public health, safety, and welfare, the letter from the attorneys general reads. The proposed rule would upset that careful, decades-old balance.While the attorneys general who sign the letter say they fear the new rule could impede an investigation into a potential violation of local laws, abortion advocates and a law expert say they are worried giving the state access to these medical records could lead down a dangerous road.

This is a disgusting overreach of government authority designed to scare and intimidate patients away from accessing legal health care, the Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates of Indiana, Kentucky said in a press release. No one should have to fear that their private medical information will be shared with the state in any circumstance.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron also signed the letter.

Why might the AG need out-of-state medical records?

Roger Severino, former director of the HHS Office of Civil Rights and a HIPAA regulator from 2017-2021, said the proposed rule could impede law enforcement in certain cases in a state like Indiana where the case has out-of-state factors come into play.

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He said HIPAA allows the disclosure of medical information in certain cases, including in cases where there is an imminent threat to the health and safety of a person, which he said includes unborn persons.

This rule could impede lawful investigations not only of illegal abortions, but also rape, incest, sex trafficking, domestic violence, abuse, and neglect if it pertains to the provision of abortion and any other reproductive health care,' said Severino, the Heritage Foundation's vice president of domestic policy.

Even a court order or other type of legal process could not overrule the draft rule should it be adopted, the letter from the attorneys general says.The proposed rule has deep flaws and should be withdrawn, the attorneys general wrote.

Abortion has been a hot button issue in the state of Indiana for more than a year. The Indiana Supreme Court recently handed down a ruling vacating a temporary injunction on Senate Bill 1, which bans abortion in most cases in the state. Although abortion is still legal in Indiana as of today, it will likely become illegal in most cases on or after Aug. 1, with other litigation around the ban pending.

Emily McNally holds a sign and walks in the Indiana March for Life anti-abortion demonstration on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Indianapolis. The march began on Georgia Street, passed Monument Circle and ended at the Statehouse.

The letter Rokita signed presents a hypothetical scenario where a doctor in a state where abortion is illegal performs an abortion that severely injures the pregnant person. If the doctor falsified the records to say the abortion was performed out-of-state, the attorneys general argue, they have a right to those records as part of an investigation into state law violations.

Under the new HIPPA rule, those records could be off limits.

However, Jody Madeira, a professor of Law at Indiana University, said this is an outlier scenario that mischaracterizes abortion care.

Theres very rarely situations where abortions seriously injure women, she said.

Madeira said the letter is a publicity stunt for Rokita and the other attorneys general to show they are fighting back against what they see as the U.S. governments violation of states rights. Much of its reasoning and arguments do not make sense, she added.

Theres little substance here, Madeira said.

In short, this is mostly a political, not a legal, document, Lauren Robel, a professor of Law at Indiana University, said in an email.

She said it is legal for residents of a state like Indiana to travel to another state where abortion is legal to receive the procedure.

States have no constitutional authority to apply their criminal laws outside their jurisdiction to behavior that is legal in the other jurisdiction, said Robel, who in July of 2022 issued a complaint against the attorney general for claims he made about an Indiana physician who provided abortion care to a 10-year-old Ohio girl.

Rokita's office did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Does the proposed rule overstep the HHSs authority?

There is much disagreement over this.

The HIPAA law aims to protect patient privacy across the states by limiting who has access to patients' electronic medical records. However, at the heart of this debate is how far that protection extends when government officials claim they need the information.

Rokita and the other signatories to the letter argue they may need to obtain medical records in the case of a criminal investigation or other civil proceeding, which is why the proposed rule must be abandoned.

The statute (HIPAA) does not empower HHS to shield from authorities evidence of legal wrongdoing under state law based simply on a claimed connection to health care, the letter reads.

John F. Howard, a professor of practice in law who teaches health information privacy at the University of Arizona, said the letter attempts to claim medical records regarding reproductive health care are outside the scope of the definition of health care under HIPAA in this case, but he argues in his opinion it is not true.

The legal restrictions and procedures around the use and disclosure of medical records serve a very important public policy purpose, Howard wrote in an email. They allow for a person to seek care and feel safe in doing so.

Fears over abandoning the proposed rule

Currently, under the soon-to-be-in-effect Indiana law, only providers can receive penalties for performing abortions, while patients will face no charges.

Madeira said the message in the letter could foreshadow a future where women are criminalized for obtaining an abortion in Indiana. She and other advocates fear failing to approve this rule would give governments free rein to access medical records, not just for abortion but potentially other procedures in the future, such as trans care for minors.

Other states such as South Carolina have suggested laws that would criminalize pregnant people who have had abortions, going so far as to recommend the death penalty as punishment.

They dont really ever say that abortion is a health decision, Madeira said. They seem to say its always criminal.

She said this letter is a scare tactic for those planning to go out-of-state for an abortion.

The unspoken sentence is we are weaponizing Dobbs to investigate women for seeking health care we think is unlawful, Madeira said.Contact IndyStar reporter Nic Napier at nnapier@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Rokita says he should have access to records of out-of-state abortions
The Pantsir S-1 missile system, situated on the roof of the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence of Russia, did not manage to shoot down a drone during the morning attack despite being less than 300 metres away from it.

Source: Radio Liberty with reference to satellite images and social media posts

Details: Radio Liberty has analysed satellite images and posts on social media. It can be concluded that the Pantsir S-1 short range anti-aircraft artillery system is still situated on the roof of the Russian Defence ministry. It was located there at the end of 2022.

Journalists noticed no signs of this missile system being activated in the morning, even though it is located less than 300 metres away from the site of the attack.

Background:

On the night of 24 July, Russian media and Telegram channels reported that drones attacked the Russian capital, damaging a building next to the Russian Defence Ministry. Another drone hit the Leroy Merlin business centre in Moscow.

A source of Ukrainska Pravda from the security and defence sector of Ukraine reported that an overnight drone attack on the capital of Russia was a special operation by the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed puppet leader of Crimea, reported a strike on a Russian ammunition storage point in the Dzhankoi district in occupied Crimea.

Two days earlier, another ammunition storage point was struck in the Krasnohvardiiskyi district in Crimea, which resulted in detonation.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation said it would take "tough retaliation measures" in light of the recent attacks on Moscow and Russian-occupied Crimea.

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The Air Force is still allowing airmen to separate and retire, despite funding woes that could affect when those troops move out of their homes, the service confirmed Monday.

Retirement and separation dates are being requested, processed and approved as normal, and dates of retirement/dates of separation are being established as normal, spokesperson Ann Stefanek said in an email. No airmen are being, or will be, involuntarily extended beyond their desired retirement or separation dates.

Still, some departing airmen will see their moving orders delayed until Oct. 1. That paperwork allows troops and their families to get themselves and household goods to new homes.

The clarification came after the Air Force said July 10 it would temporarily pause permanent change of station moves  the travel airmen take as they head to a new job at a different base, or when they move to a new home after military service  because Congress hadnt provided more funds to backfill greater-than-expected spending on airmen and their families.

On July 21, the service announced that, thanks to an infusion of cash, airmen who are slated to move by the end of September can get their orders approved.

For airmen looking to leave the military, the issue involves two sets of paperwork: one for an airmans separation or retirement, and one for their final move.

Troops can opt to separate once their current enlistment or commissioning contract is up. They become eligible for retirement benefits after 20 years of active duty service.

Airmen who plan to separate from the service on Jan. 1, 2024, or later should begin receiving the paperwork they need to schedule movers starting Oct. 1, Stefanek said. The same goes for airmen with retirement dates of April 1 or later.

This will ensure those separating will  have their orders to move [household goods] 3 months prior to separating, and those retiring will have orders for [household goods] 6 months prior to retirement, she said. It doesnt mean their dates to leave the service are delayed.

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Airmen leaving the service before those dates will continue receiving moving orders as usual, Stefanek said.

Whether moving orders are approved for calendar 2024 depends on how much money the Air Force has on hand. Most of next years permanent change of station moves are on hold until Congress provides a steadier cash flow.

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.

We expect airmen impacted by this delay will be issued orders on, or shortly, after [Oct. 1] when fiscal authorization is provided for fiscal year 2024, Stefanek said.

Airmen for whom the issue creates undue hardship can petition their commanders for an exception.

They are still allowed to participate in SkillBridge, an internship program that helps departing troops transition into the workforce, with their commanders approval, Stefanek said. Commanders can also grant temporary leave for airmen who want to participate in a job training program that is outside their local area.

The Air Force remains committed to ensuring airmen can participate in transition programs and that this delay does not adversely impact their future financial, personal, and professional lives, Stefanek said.